bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Mono- and Bimetallic (Au–Ag) Nanoparticles: Future Prospects for Food Quality and Safety
Authors: Ghosh Sabyasachi , Roy Swarup , Naskar Jishu , Kole Ramen Kumar
Published: May 2023

The environmental, economic, and operational limits associated with the physical, chemical, and microbiological techniques for the production of nanoparticles (NPs) are the principal obstructions to their rapid commercial applications in various fields including food packaging and sensing to ensure food quality and safety. Over the years, many reports revealed that the nanotechnological (metal-based NPs) application facilitates an alternate, interactive, reliable, as well as simple technology in the food industries and packaging sector. In this review, we summarized the usage of plant extract for the biosynthesis of bimetallic (Au–Ag) and monometallic counterpart NPs. Further, the impact of reaction conditions and identification of reactive phytochemicals with the reaction mechanism of these nanoparticles was reviewed. The recent progress on the applications of Ag, Au, or Au–Ag NPs in food quality analysis and food packaging was comprehensively discussed. The safety aspect of the nanoparticles for food sector use was also briefly stated.
Solving the Fractional Schrödinger Equation with Singular Initial Data in the Extended Colombeau Algebra of Generalized Functions
Authors: El Mfadel Ali , Melliani Said , Taqbibt Abdellah , Elomari M’hamed
Published: May 2023

This manuscript aims to highlight the existence and uniqueness results for the following Schrödinger problem in the extended Colombeau algebra of generalized functions.

1
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where

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is the Dirac distribution. The proofs of our main results are based on the Gronwall inequality and regularization method. We conclude our article by establishing the association concept of solutions.
[Retracted] Enhance‐Net: An Approach to Boost the Performance of Deep Learning Model Based on Real‐Time Medical Images
Authors: Narayan Vipul , Mall Pawan Kumar , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Abhishek Kumar , Kumar Sanjay , Pandey Prakash
Published: May 2023

Real‐time medical image classification is a complex problem in the world. Using IoT technology in medical applications assures that the healthcare sectors improve the quality of treatment while lowering costs via automation and resource optimization. Deep learning is critical in categorizing medical images, which is accomplished by artificial intelligence. Deep learning algorithms allow radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons to make their life easier by providing them with quicker and more accurate findings in real time. Despite this, the classic deep learning technique has hit its performance limits. For these reasons, in this research, we examine alternative enhancement strategies to raise the performance of deep neural networks to provide an optimal solution known as Enhance‐Net. It is possible to classify the experiment into six distinct stages. Champion‐Net was chosen as a deep learning model from a pool of benchmark deep learning models (EfficientNet: B0, MobileNet, ResNet‐18, and VGG‐19). This stage helps choose the optimal model. In the second step, Champion‐Net was tested with various resolutions. This stage helps conclude dataset resolution and improves Champion‐Net performance. The next stage extracts green channel data. In the fourth step, Champion‐Net combines with image enhancement algorithms CLAHE, HEF, and UM. This phase serves to improve Enhance‐performance. The next stage compares the Enhance‐Net findings to the lightness order error (LoE). In Enhance‐Net models, the current study combines image enhancement and green channel with Champion‐Net. In the final step, radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons use the trained model for real‐time medical image prediction. The study effort uses the musculoskeletal radiograph‐bone classification (MURA‐BC) dataset. Classification accuracy of Enhance‐Net was determined for the train and test datasets. These models obtained 98.02 percent, 94.79 percent, and 94.61 percent accuracy, respectively. The 96.74% accuracy was achieved during real‐time testing with the unseen dataset.
Nontraditional Natural Filler-Based Biocomposites for Sustainable Structures
Authors: Mohan Kumar K. , Naik Venkatesh , Kaup Vijayanand , Waddar Sunil , Santhosh N. , Harish H. V.
Published: May 2023

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and demand for global sustainability, as well as a mandate for the use of renewable and environmentally sustainable materials and processes. Due to which, massive efforts are being made to develop and nurture the next generation of composite materials that are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable. Light weight, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, and comparable tensile strength exhibited by natural fibers render them the choice for use in several industrial products and applications over the last decade. Natural fibers as the reinforcing entity are pitted against their synthetic variants primarily because of the superior aspects like biodegradability and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. This article presents the review on various nonconventional natural fibers such as tamarind seed and shell, Luffa cylindrica, groundnut shell, coconut coir, papaya bast, okra, and Ashoka tree seed. The flow of the chapter includes the introduction, extraction methodologies, and fabrication, and investigations of mechanical properties, applications, and sustainability are dealt in detail for nontraditional natural fibers. The okra fibers possess greater tensile strength of up to 262.8 MPa in comparison with other fibers, while the Ashoka tree seed fibers are known to possess a maximum flexural strength of up to 125 MPa. Further, these fibers are used as reinforcements in potential applications in interiors and automobile and aircraft panels and wood-based particle board composites owing to the increase in tensile and flexural strengths of composites.
Data from Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid–Bound α-Fetoprotein Promotes Immune Suppression by Altering Human Dendritic Cell Metabolism
Authors: Munson Paul V. , Adamik Juraj , Hartmann Felix J. , Favaro Patricia M.B. , Ho Daniel , Bendall Sean C. , Combes Alexis J. , Krummel Matthew F. , Zhang Karen , Kelley Robin K. , Butterfield Lisa H.
Published: May 2023

Abstract
α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is expressed by stem-like and poor outcome hepatocellular cancer tumors and is a clinical tumor biomarker. AFP has been demonstrated to inhibit dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and maturation and to block oxidative phosphorylation. To identify the critical metabolic pathways leading to human DC functional suppression, here, we used two recently described single-cell profiling methods, scMEP (single-cell metabolic profiling) and SCENITH (single-cell energetic metabolism by profiling translation inhibition). Glycolytic capacity and glucose dependence of DCs were significantly increased by tumor-derived, but not normal cord blood–derived, AFP, leading to increased glucose uptake and lactate secretion. Key molecules in the electron transport chain in particular were regulated by tumor-derived AFP. These metabolic changes occurred at mRNA and protein levels, with negative impact on DC stimulatory capacity. Tumor-derived AFP bound significantly more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than cord blood–derived AFP. PUFAs bound to AFP increased metabolic skewing and promoted DC functional suppression. PUFAs inhibited DC differentiation in vitro, and ω-6 PUFAs conferred potent immunoregulation when bound to tumor-derived AFP. Together, these findings provide mechanistic insights into how AFP antagonizes the innate immune response to limit antitumor immunity.
Significance:
α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a secreted tumor protein and biomarker with impact on immunity. Fatty acid–bound AFP promotes immune suppression by skewing human dendritic cell metabolism toward glycolysis and reduced immune stimulation.
Data from Clinical relevance of BRCA1 promoter methylation testing in ovarian cancer patients.
Authors: Blanc-Durand Félix , Tang Roseline , Pommier Margaux , Nashvi Marzieh , Cotteret Sophie , Genestie Catherine , Le Formal Audrey , Pautier Patricia , Michels Judith , Kfoury Maria , Hervé Robert , Mengue Sylvie , Wafo Estelle , Elies Antoine , Miailhe Gregoire , Uzan Jennifer , Rouleau Etienne , Leary Alexandra
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Homologous-recombination deficiency (HRD) is closely related to PARPi benefit in ovarian cancer (OC). The capacity of BRCA1 promoter methylation to predict prognosis and HRD status remains unclear. We aimed to correlate BRCA1 promoter methylation levels in patients with high-grade OC to HRD status and clinical behavior to assess its clinical relevance. Design: This is a retrospective monocentric analysis of patients centrally tested for genomic-instability score (GIS) by MyChoice CDx (Myriad Genetics). The detection of BRCA1 promoter methylation and quantification of methylation levels were performed by quantitative ddPCR methodology. High BRCA1 methylation was defined as ≥70% and deemed to be associated with homozygous silencing. Results: Of 100 patients, 11% harbored a deleterious BRCA1/2 mutation. GIS was considered positive (score≥42) for 52 patients and negative for 48 patients. Using a 70% cutoff, 19% (15/79) of BRCA-wild-type OC had high BRCA1 methylation levels. All of the highly methylated tumors were classified HRD achieving a positive predictive value of 100%. We detected 14% (11/79) low methylated tumors (1-69%) and all of them were also classified as HRD. Mean GIS was 61.5 for BRCAmut, 66.4 for high-BRCAmeth, 58.9 for low-BRCAmeth and 33.3 for BRCAwt unmethylated (P<0.001). Low methylation levels detected in samples previously exposed to chemotherapy appeared to be associated with poor outcome post-platinum. Conclusions: OC patients with high levels of BRCA1 hypermethylation are very likely to have high GIS and therefore represent good candidates for PARPi treatment. These results may be relevant to other tumor types for HRD prediction.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Diminish Renal Neoplasms in a Tuberous Sclerosis Model Via Induction of Apoptosis
Authors: Unachukwu Uchenna , Sonett Jarrod , Woode Denzel , Shiomi Takayuki , Chada Kiran , D'Armiento Jeanine M.
Published: May 2023

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) tumors are presently incurable despite a cytostatic response to mTOR pathway inhibition because recurrence of disease occurs after treatment is discontinued. Here, we explored the hypothesis that inhibiting tyrosine kinase activity in mesenchymal lineage-specific platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) signaling in TSC tumors is cytocidal and attenuates tumorigenesis at significantly higher levels than treatment with an mTOR inhibitor. Rapamycin-induced versus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)–induced renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) tumor cells were comparatively analyzed using cell survival assays, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics to distinguish tumoricidal mechanisms adopted by each drug type. The efficacy of imatinib therapy was validated against spontaneously developing renal cystadenomas in tuberous sclerosis Tsc2+/− mouse models (C57BL/6J mice; N = 6; 400 mg/kg/d; oral gavage) compared with Tsc2+/− mice treated with PBS (C57BL/6J mice; N = 6). Our study revealed that TKIs imatinib and nilotinib were cytocidal to both pulmonary LAM and renal AML cell cultures through the downregulation of the glycoprotein GPVI pathway and resultant disruption in mitochondrial permeability, increased cytosolic cytochrome C, and caspase 3 activation. Importantly, renal tumor growth was significantly attenuated in imatinib-treated Tsc2+/− mice compared with PBS treatment. The preclinical studies reported here provide evidence documenting the effectiveness of TKIs in limiting LAM and AML cell growth and viability with important clinical potential. Furthermore, these drugs elicit their effects by targeting a PDGF pathway-dependent apoptotic mechanism supporting the investigation of these drugs as a novel class of TSC therapeutics.
Data from p38MAPKa stromal reprogramming sensitizes metastatic breast cancer to immunotherapy
Authors: Faget Douglas V. , Luo Xianmin , Inkman Matthew J. , Ren Qihao , Su Xinming , Ding Kai , Waters Michael R. , Raut Ganesh Kumar , Pandey Gaurav , Dodhiawala Paarth B. , Ramalho-Oliveira Renata , Ye Jiayu , Cole Thomas , Murali Bhavna , Zheleznyak Alexander , Shokeen Monica , Weiss Kurt R. , Monahan Joseph B. , DeSelm Carl J. , Lee Adrian V. , Oesterreich Steffi , Weilbaecher Katherine N. , Zhang Jin , DeNardo David G. , Stewart Sheila A.
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is an intractable disease that responds poorly to immunotherapy. We show that p38MAPKa inhibition (p38i) limits tumor growth by reprograming the metastatic tumor microenvironment in a CD4+ T cell, IFNy, and macrophage dependent manner. To identify targets that further increased p38i efficacy, we utilized a stromal labeling approach and single cell RNA sequencing. Thus, we combined p38i and an OX40 agonist that synergistically reduced metastatic growth and increased overall survival. Intriguingly, patients with a p38i metastatic stromal signature had better overall survival that was further improved by the presence of an increased mutational load, leading us to ask if our approach would be effective in antigenic breast cancer. The combination of p38i, anti-OX40, and cytotoxic T cell engagement cured mice of metastatic disease and produced long-term immunologic memory. Our findings demonstrate that a detailed understanding of the stromal compartment can be used to design effective anti-metastatic therapies.
“Defying sumptuary laws” : crise e desenvolvimento da vanguarda na poesia de John Ashbery
Authors: Nery Rafael Rapizo
Published: May 2023

Este ensaio busca adentrar a poesia de John Ashbery a fim de determinar as condições particulares de formalização que compõem a escrita e o pensamento poético do autor. Para tal, valemos da comparação de seus poemas com a produção literária que lhe era notoriamente anterior, e com que foi associado inicialmente em sua recepção, a saber, a vanguarda europeia do início do século XX, especialmente o surrealismo e o dadá – comparação guiada pelo debate estabelecido pelo próprio poeta (também crítico de arte) e por leituras de teorias acerca da montagem e do acaso na forma artística. Resulta disto a observação de que Ashbery parece se afastar da estética de ruptura e choque associada à montagem em sua condição originária na vanguarda europeia, trabalhando, antes, suas capacidades compositivas nos termos de movimento, fluidez e possibilidade.
Le manuscrit Sinaï géorgien N 88
Authors: Outtier Bernard
Published: May 2023

On donne ici l’editio princeps du fragment de Lectionnaire géorgien N 88 du nouveau fonds découvert en 1975 au saint Monastère Sainte-Catherine du Sinaï, Égypte. Le fragment est comparé aux autres témoins géorgiens et arméniens de la liturgie de Jérusalem.
The Principal Contradictions in the History of Capitalism
Authors: Lauesen Torkil
Published: May 2023

This article aims to analyze the development of capitalism over a period of 500 years by the use of Mao’s concept: “The principal contradiction.” It is not an article about philosophy; the principal contradiction is presented as a working tool for analyzing and development of strategy. The article distills history into epochs characterized by changing principal contradictions. The correct identification of the principal contradiction and its interaction with secondary contradictions is the starting point of the development of a strategy, which can influence the aspect of the contradiction, in the desired direction. Finally is the relation between the contradiction in the capitalist mode of production and its expression in the changing principal contradictions discussed.
Hymenasplenium hovenkampii (Aspleniaceae), a new bipinnatisect fern species from Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia
Authors: XU KE-WANG , LIU YU-XUAN , CHEN YI-FEI , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: May 2023

A new species of Hymenasplenium (Aspleniaceae), H. hovenkampii, from the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia is described. This species was preliminarily identified as H. unilaterale, but can be easily distinguished by its bipinnatisect laminae (vs. 1-pinnate lamina) and reddish brown (vs. dark brown to black) stipes and rachises. In fact, all species known so far in the genus have simple or 1-pinnate laminae, whereas the new species is the only one in the genus with bipinnatisect laminae.
Asarum wannanense, a new species of Aristolochiaceae from Southern Anhui, Eastern China
Authors: PENG HUA-SHENG , YIN MIN-ZHEN , WANG DE-QUN , LIU HAO , LIU HE-LING , HUANG LU-QI
Published: May 2023

Asarum wannanense Lu Q. Huang & H. S. Peng, a new species from southern Anhui, eastern China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to A. magnificum Tsiang ex C. Y. Cheng et C. S. Yang, but the prominent morphological difference lies in the special calyx tube. The calyx tube of A. wannanense is constricted at the middle and upper part, with an orifice ring of ca. 4 mm wide. The orifice ring and the floral opening have elongated into a secondary calyx tube, with transversely corrugate characteristics.
The genus Nandithrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with a new species from Southern China
Authors: LI YAJIN , TONG XIAOLI , ZHANG HONGRUI
Published: May 2023

Nandithrips niveae sp. n. is described from Southern China. This is the second species of Nandithrips, a genus that is remarkable among Thripinae with ocellar setae I and II absent, abdominal tergite VIII of female with posteromarginal comb absent medially, and sternite II of male with an oval pore plate. The body of this new species is sharply bicolored, in contrast to the uniformly golden yellow type species. Both species are known only from the flowers of plants in the family Urticaceae.
Redescription and molecular characterization of Mothocya parvostis Bruce, 1986 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) parasitic on Japanese halfbeak, Hyporhamphus sajori (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) (Hemiramphidae) with Mothocya sajori Bruce, 1986 placed into synonymy
Authors: FUJITA HIROKI , ANEESH PANAKKOOL THAMBAN , KAWAI KENTARO , KITAMURA SHIN-ICHI , SHIMOMURA MICHITAKA , UMINO TETSUYA , OHTSUKA SUSUMU
Published: May 2023

Two species of Mothocya have previously been recorded from Hyporhamphus sajori: M. parvostis Bruce, 1986 and M. sajori Bruce, 1986. Mothocya parvostis is re-described based on the ovigerous female type and additional materials collected from the host from in and around the type locality. Morphological re-examination of fresh specimens and the type materials together with genetic data show that the M. sajori and M. parvostis are the same species, differing primarily in size, therefore we have placed Mothocya sajori Bruce, 1986 into a junior synonym of Mothocya parvostis Bruce, 1986. Mothocya parvostis is characterized by the following combinations of characters: 1) body slightly to moderately twisted to one side; 2) pereonite 7 posterior margin moderately to deeply recessed; 3) uropodal rami extending to pleotelson posterior margin; and 4) uropod rami bluntly rounded, exopod 1.5 times as long as peduncle. The differences of four morphological features for M. parvostis and M. sajori was quantified. Furthermore, a total of 635 isopods infesting H. sajori were collected from all over Japan to conduct quantitative morphological and molecular sequence analyses (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA). Although the four quantitative features did not overlap between the two species in type specimens, all quantitative morphological values of newly collected specimens in this study did not display a bimodal distribution. In addition, our molecular analyses found only a single clade for our newly collected specimens in neighbor-joining tree.
A new species of the alpheid shrimp genus Athanas Leach, 1814 (Decapoda: Caridea) from the Sea of Japan
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , HENMI YUMI
Published: May 2023

A new species of the alpheid shrimp genus Athanas Leach, 1814 is described based on a holotype from Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan side of Honshu, Japan, at a depth of 90 m. Athanas exilis n. sp. appears close to A. sydnyensis Anker & Ahyong, 2007, but is distinguished from the latter by some morphological features, including the different shape of the telson, the shorter antennular stylocerite, more strongly produced distal lamella of the antennal scaphocerite, and less developed armature of the merus of the major cheliped. Preliminary genetic analysis using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was performed to compare interspecific genetic divergence within the genus.
A new species of Karekizo Morimoto, 1962 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae) from the Alishan Mountains of Taiwan and a first record of Karekizo impressicollis outside Japan
Authors: LEWIS JAKE H.
Published: May 2023

Karekizo Morimoto, 1962 represents a rarely collected, mountain-dwelling genus which has hitherto been known only from one species, K. impressicollis Morimoto, 1962, in Japan. Here, a second species, Karekizo depressus sp. n., is described based on a single specimen collected from Fen-Chi-Hu, Chiayi Hsien, Taiwan. The type species, K. impressicollis, is reported for the first time outside of Japan, from South Korea (Jeju Island, Mt. Hallasan). X-ray microtomography is used to non-destructively compare the sub-scale cuticular structure (e.g., density of punctures, presence of tubercles or carinae) of the two species. A photographic key to the species is also presented.
Wide Local Excision for Eccrine Porocarcinoma of the Forearm
Authors: Dale Paul , Richard Olusanya Oluwaseun
Published: May 2023

Eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy that develops in the seventh and eight decades of life. We present a 76-year-old male with eccrine porocarcinoma developing from a long standing previously benign lesion who underwent successful treatment with wide local excision. It can also develop de novo, presenting most commonly as a mass or nodule. Tissue biopsy with histopathology is required to confirm the diagnosis. Wide local excision is recommended for local disease. Radiation and chemotherapy can be used as adjuncts in advanced and metastatic disease. Given its rarity, there are no guidelines to direct therapy for locally advance or metastatic disease and for follow-up. Further studies are needed to better understand and guide management of this entity.
Political CSR and Populism: Toward an Information-Based Theory of Political CSR
Authors: Al-Esia Zena , Crane Andrew , Iatridis Kostas
Published: May 2023

Extant research on political corporate social responsibility (PCSR) has not yet addressed how the populist turn impacts PCSR theory and practice. This conceptual article analyzes how populism influences PCSR across a range of political environments. We draw on signaling and screening theories to develop a conceptual model that advances PCSR literature by proposing an information-centric approach. We highlight the necessity of high-quality information as an enabling condition for effective PCSR-related decision-making, and our model explains how the depreciation of information transparency under populism impacts PCSR strategy. We thus contribute to PCSR literature with a new information-based theorization by showing how PCSR depends on the political environment and by enhancing our understanding of the role of the state in the development of PCSR strategies.
Engaging Public Health Alumni in the Tracking of Career Trends: Results From a Large-Scale Experiment on Survey Fielding Mode
Authors: Leider Jonathon P. , Rockwood Todd H. , Mastrud Heidi , Beebe Timothy J.
Published: May 2023

Objective:

We sought to understand the relative impact of fielding mode on response rate among public health alumni.

Methods:

As part of the 2021 Career Trends Survey of alumni from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, we designed a fielding mode experiment to ascertain whether a paper survey, a postcard with a custom survey link (“postcard push-to-web”), a mobile telephone call or text (mobile), or an email invitation would garner the highest response rates. Invitations were randomly assigned from available contact information.

Results:

Of 8531 alumni invited, 1671 alumni (19.6%) completed the survey. Among the initial fielding modes, the paper survey had the highest response rate (28%), followed by mobile (19%), email (10%), and postcard push-to-web (10%). More robust recent engagement with alumni relations, paper survey invitation or mode switch, and recent graduation were all significantly associated with a higher likelihood of response.

Conclusions:

Paper and mobile invitations had the highest response rates to our survey among public health alumni. Findings from this fielding mode experiment are relevant to schools and programs of public health seeking to capture similar information among their alumni, especially given current trends in investment in the public health workforce.
Cruelty, Injustice, and the Liberalism of Fear
Authors: Douglass Robin
Published: May 2023

This article analyzes the relationship between the ideas of cruelty and injustice in Judith Shklar’s political theory. Shklar’s The Faces of Injustice is sometimes read as an instantiation of the liberalism of fear, which regards cruelty and the fear that it inspires as the summum malum. I challenge this interpretation and instead argue that her account of injustice should be read independently of her commitment to the liberalism of fear. In doing so, I show how her exploration of the faces of injustice—especially the importance she accords to passive injustice and the sense of injustice—raises important challenges for the liberal case for putting cruelty first. Although democratic attitudes and institutions constitute the best available remedy for the sense of injustice, on Shklar’s account, those who focus too much on the requirements of democratic citizenship risk treating injustice as a greater evil than cruelty, which could, in turn, facilitate cruelty and undermine liberal democracy. I conclude by suggesting that the republican-inspired theory of citizenship from The Faces of Injustice, which Shklar outlines in response to the problem of passive injustice, reflects a distinct strand of her political theory that goes beyond the more familiar defense of law-bound constitutional government associated with the liberalism of fear.
How Accurately Can Short-Term Outcomes Approximate Long-Term Outcomes? Examining the Predictive Power of Early Momentum Metrics for Community College Credential Completion Using Machine Learning
Authors: Yanagiura Takeshi
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study examines how accurately a small set of short-term academic indicators can approximate long-term outcomes of community college students so that decision-makers can take informed actions based on those indicators to evaluate the current progress of large-scale reform efforts on long-term outcomes, which in practice will not be observed until several years later. Method: Using transcript-level data of approximately 50,000 students at over 30 institutions in two states, I compare the out-of-sample predictive power of the early momentum metrics (EMMs), 13 short-term academic indicators suggested in the literature, to that of more complex, Machine Learning (ML)-based models that employ 497 predictors. Results: This study found that EMMs accurately predict credential completion for 75% to 77% of students in an out-of-sample dataset, with a predictive power largely comparable to that of ML-based models. This study also found similar results among the gender and race/ethnicity groups. However, the predictive power for certificate completion is lower than that for associate and bachelor’s degrees by 5 percentage points, implying that this set of EMMs are likely to be less relevant to certificate completion. Contribution: This study validates EMMs as informative predictors of credential completion, confirming that decision makers can use them to understand the probable long-term impact of current reforms on credential outcomes. However, room for continued research and refinement of EMMs remains, especially for certificate.
Sense of School Belonging Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Students in U.S. High Schools: A Critical Quantitative Intersectionality Analysis
Authors: Jang Sung Tae
Published: May 2023

Background/Context:

The sense of belonging to a school is important for students, in terms of various short- and long-term developmental and academic outcomes. The inequities in the sense of school belonging among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students may reveal a severe lack of opportunities or serious process gaps for these students.

Purpose/Objective:

This study investigated the nuances and complexities involved in the sense of school belonging among AAPI students in U.S. high schools, and particularly how such perceptions relate to various demographic characteristics (i.e., ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and immigration status) and their intersectionalities. The study disaggregated this group into subgroups based on their ethnicities, with the aim of challenging the model minority stereotype that generalizes the experiences of AAPI students.

Research Design:

This study used base-year data of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to analyze a nationally representative sample. Multiple statistical interaction terms were used to identify the specific contributions (intersectionality) of AAPI students’ converging demographic characteristics.

Findings/Results:

This study found that the sense of school belonging was stronger for South Asian students and weaker for East Asian students when compared to the overall level, with other demographic characteristics held constant. The intersectionality model using disaggregated data revealed that the convergence of AAPI students’ ethnicity and gender creates additional nuances in their sense of school belonging, particularly for Southeast Asian and East Asian students.

Conclusions/Recommendations:

The findings support the call for more accurate narratives and a deeper understanding of intersectionality among AAPI students. The study suggests to policymakers and school leaders that a universal strategy for encouraging students’ sense of school belonging may not effectively address the nuanced intersectional disparities that AAPI students experience. Instead, the intersection of students’ ethnicity and gender indicates that responsive strategies that address their unique needs can better promote their perceptions of belonging to their schools.
Combined ARFI and Shear Wave Imaging of Prostate Cancer: Optimizing Beam Sequences and Parameter Reconstruction Approaches
Authors: Chan Derek Y. , Morris Daniel Cody , Polascik Thomas J. , Palmeri Mark L. , Nightingale Kathryn R.
Published: May 2023

This study demonstrates the implementation of a shear wave reconstruction algorithm that enables concurrent acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging and shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) of prostate cancer and zonal anatomy. The combined ARFI/SWEI sequence uses closely spaced push beams across the lateral field of view and simultaneously tracks both on-axis (within the region of excitation) and off-axis (laterally offset from the excitation) after each push beam. Using a large number of push beams across the lateral field of view enables the collection of higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) shear wave data to reconstruct the SWEI volume than is typically acquired. The shear wave arrival times were determined with cross-correlation of shear wave velocity signals in two dimensions after 3-D directional filtering to remove reflection artifacts. To combine data from serially interrogated lateral push locations, arrival times from different pushes were aligned by estimating the shear wave propagation time between push locations. Shear wave data acquired in an elasticity lesion phantom and reconstructed using this algorithm demonstrate benefits to contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) with increased push beam density and 3-D directional filtering. Increasing the push beam spacing from 0.3 to 11.6 mm (typical for commercial SWEI systems) resulted in a 53% decrease in CNR. In human in vivo data, this imaging approach enabled high CNR (1.61–1.86) imaging of histologically-confirmed prostate cancer. The in vivo images had improved spatial resolution and CNR and fewer reflection artifacts as a result of the high push beam density, the high shear wave SNR, the use of multidimensional directional filtering, and the combination of shear wave data from different push beams.
Characteristic CT angiography findings and clinical value of catheter-related central venous thrombosis in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Chen Yushu , Li Wanjiang , Bai Hongli , Zhang Yiteng , Lu Chunyan
Published: May 2023

Background

Central catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) is the most common catheter-related complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but is often underappreciated and misdiagnosed by radiologist.

Purpose

To find the computed tomography angiography (CTA) characteristics of central CRT, then raise the diagnosis of this disorder.

Material and Methods

A total of 301 eligible patients with ESRD who experienced both chest multi-phase multidetector CTA (MDCTA) and digital subtraction angiography were enrolled in the final analysis. The location, shape, and related signs of the central CRT in MDCTA images were evaluated. Independent-samples T test, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results

In total, 166 patients were found to have CRT using MDCTA, and this was verified by DSA. Central CRT was usually irregular in the superior vena cava segment, and the angle of the contact area between central CRT and catheter was <180° (all P < 0.05). Age, collateral circulation, and venous stenosis were shown to have significant differences when compared to patients without CRT (all P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences about the sex or catheter insertion site. In addition, age and collateral circulation were the factors found to be significantly associated with thrombosis ( P < 0.05). In particular, the thrombosis was 2.213 times more likely to be found in those patients with collateral circulation (odds ratio = 2.213, 95% confidence interval = 1.236–3.961).

Conclusion

Chest multi-phase MDCTA can effectively reduce the missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of central CRT. It is worth paying more attention to the central CRT especially when the collateral circulation is observed.
Application of Lightweight Deflectometer to Assess Structural Competency of Nontraditional Airfield Pavements During Contingency Aircraft Operations
Authors: Garcia Victor M. , Robinson Jeremy
Published: May 2023

This paper discusses the use of the heavy and light weight deflectometer devices, hereafter referred to as HWD and LWD, respectively, to monitor the structural condition of airfield pavements during aircraft operations at contingency environments. Four airfield pavements like those encountered at contingency environments, referred to as nontraditional airfield pavements, were selected to conduct accelerated pavement traffic testing with simulated C-17 and C-130 aircraft. Pavement rut development was monitored, and both HWD and LWD tests were also conducted at selected traffic intervals. Both HWD and LWD were capable of tracking the pavement deterioration under accelerated traffic testing, which indicates that the LWD could be considered a potential rapid and practical pavement evaluation tool for nontraditional pavements during contingency aircraft operations. Based on current rutting failure threshold, a termination criterion in relation to a reduction in the stiffness parameter from the LWD test could be preliminarily used to aid in expediently determining acceptable aircraft operations on nontraditional airfield pavements. The influence of key operational parameters such as base plate dimension, the depth of influence from the impact force, and pavement rut formation must be further investigated to improve the effectiveness and applicability of the LWD test for nontraditional airfield pavements. The results from this study could be of interest to other low-volume road applications such as in agriculture, oilfield, large construction sites, and mining where pavement evaluation and management practices could be improved with the use of practical tools such as the LWD during the operations of heavy equipment or machinery.
Chairside Yoga Therapy Alleviates Symptoms in Patients Concurrently Receiving Outpatient Cancer Infusions: A Promising Feasibility Study
Authors: Robison Jeanene (Gigi) , Walter Tina , Godsey Judi Allyn , Robinson Jaimie
Published: May 2023

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of chairside yoga therapy on perceptions of fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, and distress among oncology patients concurrently receiving outpatient cancer infusion therapy. Design: This prospective pilot study used pre-/post-survey design in convenience sample of cancer patients in outpatient setting. Methods: Researchers developed and administered the Outpatient Cancer Symptom Assessment Scale (OCSAS) comprised of cancer- or treatment-related symptoms commonly reported in the oncology population (nausea, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and distress). Following IRB approval, symptoms were rated using Likert scale of 0 (not present) to 10 (severe) before and after chairside yoga therapy delivered concurrently with outpatient infusions. Qualitative data was collected related to patients’ overall infusion experience. Findings: Participants ( n = 82) reported positive patient experiences and statistically less pain ( p < 0.001), fatigue ( p < 0.001), anxiety ( p < 0.001), and distress ( p < 0.001) following the yoga intervention compared to baseline. Nausea was not significantly impacted by the yoga intervention. Conclusions: Yoga therapy received concurrently during outpatient cancer infusion is consistent with a holistic and integrative approach to care for the oncology population. Yoga therapy offers promise for reducing symptoms which negatively impact quality of life, including pain, fatigue, anxiety, and distress. Qualitative data suggests patients’ overall infusion experience was enhanced with yoga therapy.
Surface pre-reacted glass reinforced dental composite: Performance assessment of physicochemical, static mechanical, dynamic mechanical and wear properties
Authors: Kumar Shiv Ranjan , Sharma Ajay
Published: May 2023

The purpose of the present study was to introduce S-PRG fillers and vary in the range of (0–15 wt. %) in the dental composites with partial replacement of organic matrix (BISGMA/TEGDMA/CG/EDMAB in 54 wt. %, 45 wt. %, 0.2 wt. % and 0.8 wt. %). The performance of S-PRG fillers was evaluated by testing the S-PRG reinforced dental composite in terms of chemical properties (polymerization shrinkage, degree of conversion), optical (translucency) and mechanical properties (micro-hardness, compression strength, diametral tensile strength and wear properties). It was revealed that the addition of 5 wt. % of S-PRG ceramic fillers increased depth of cure, degree of conversion, polymerization shrinkage and water sorption by 5.12%, 5.6%, 6.5% and 2.96%, respectively. Whereas, on adding 5 wt. % of S-PRG ceramic fillers, Vickers hardness, compressive strength, flexural strength, diametral tensile strength and wear resistance were increased by 25.8%, 11.6%, 15.8%, 25% and 9.6%, respectively. Data were analyzed statistically with one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's HSD test (α < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the biologically beneficial S-PRG ceramic fillers have exhibited excellent performance in terms of physical, chemical, mechanical and wear properties which lay within the limit specified by ISO 4049 standard. Therefore, it can be suggested to replace expensive nanoparticles in the dental composite.
Who is the Addict-Offender? A Historical Ontology
Authors: Flacks Simon
Published: May 2023

The relationship between addiction and crime, and the political preoccupation with the addict-offender, has been the source of some academic commentary. However, most of this research assumes that the concept of ‘addiction’ – however determined – is a relatively stable and uniform one, focusing for example on the links between an addict's capacity and their liability for offending prior to sentencing. In this article, a novel approach, rooted in the turn to ontology in social theory, is brought to bear on addiction as a criminal concern. It involves a historical study of reported sentencing decisions in which judges attempt to stabilise the notion of the addict-offender. The findings point to both continuity and change in criminal framings of addiction over time, exposing differences in approaches to alcohol compared with other drugs. They also suggest that the dominance of questions about capacity when it comes to apportioning responsibility to the addict-offender neglects the importance of concerns about character and risk to decision-making practices.
Chinese Outward Foreign Direct Investment and Innovation in Host Countries: Evidence from Countries Along the Belt and Road
Authors: Sun Yanyan , Fan Sha
Published: May 2023

Foreign direct investment (FDI) can benefit innovation activity in host countries through spillover channels, such as reverse engineering, demonstration effects, and supplier–customer relationships. Using data from 26 countries along the Belt and Road route (BRCs) and 32 non-BRCs, we identified positive causal effects of the Chinese outward FDI on the innovation capacities in technology-intensive industries of both BRCs and non-BRCs. However, this effect varies depending on the host countries’ economic development levels. The impact of Chinese OFDI on the general innovation performance in host countries is absent. Meanwhile, the implementation of the BRI has on the whole, a negative impact on BRCs’ innovation performance.
Can the Belt and Road Initiative Promote the Industrialization of Developing Countries?
Authors: Zhang Kunling
Published: May 2023

While industrialization has profound implications for human well-being, the industrialization of developing countries faces multiple challenges today. Based on the theoretical framework of development economics, this article discusses how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a new model of international development cooperation can complement and improve the traditional model and analyzes how the new model can promote the industrialization of developing countries. The findings show that BRI has improved the traditional international development cooperation model in terms of emphasizing investment in developing countries, infrastructure construction, the principles of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration, the role of the government, and systematic and open development cooperation. At the same time, the BRI can facilitate the industrialization of developing countries by improving agricultural productivity, building infrastructure, capital formation, trade promotion, rural–urban transformation, and upgrading technology and knowledge. However, the facilitation effect depends on how developing countries formulate industrialization strategies keeping in perspective their national conditions and development needs and the international economic environment.
Does the Belt and Road Initiative Promote Bilateral Trade? An Empirical Analysis of China and the Belt and Road Countries
Authors: Fan Sha
Published: May 2023

The development of trade is an essential element of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a significant effort by China to promote inter-regional economic development. Using Chinese trade data from 190 countries and regions worldwide from 1993 to 2021, this article quantitatively analyzes (a) if and to what extent the BRI has promoted bilateral trade development, (b) how trade with China has contributed to the country’s economic growth and (c) what commodity and regional heterogeneity exist in these effects. The empirical results show that the BRI significantly increases China’s trade with the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative and countries along the Belt and Road route and significantly increases imports and exports in all five commodity categories—primary goods, resource-intensive manufactured goods, low-tech, medium-tech, and high-tech manufactured goods. Meanwhile, the trade volume with China substantially contributes to the economic development of the trading countries. However, Asia, Europe, and Africa show different characteristics in all three aspects mentioned above. These results show that the BRI not only benefits China’s international trade but also promotes the trade development of the involved countries. It clarifies the crucial role this open, inclusive inter-regional economic cooperation plays in global trade growth when facing the escalating anti-globalization sentiment.
The Impact of the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development on the Economic Growth of the Partner Countries
Authors: Chen Zhihua
Published: May 2023

As of July 2022, China has signed more than 200 cooperation agreements on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with 149 countries and 32 international organizations. This research aims to explore the impact of the infrastructure development of this initiative on the economic growth of countries participating in the BRI. Based on the panel data of 130 participating countries and 46 other countries from 2006 to 2019, the difference-in-difference (DID) model and multiple robustness tests were used for empirical evaluation. We found a positive correlation between BRI and the economic growth of BRI-cooperating countries. The heterogeneity test results show that BRI has a more prominent role in promoting the economic growth of upper-middle-income and high-income countries with relatively good industrial foundations. The impact of improved infrastructure development through BRI accounted for 88.42% of the total mediating effect, which is much more significant than promoting industrial upgrading and enhancing innovation capacity. These results support the view that BRI should continue to advance infrastructure development to boost the economic growth of developing countries.
‘I keep forgetting them’: Lacrosse, indigenous women and girls and reconciliation in Canada
Authors: Holmes Avery , Giles Audrey R , Hayhurst Lyndsay
Published: May 2023

In Canada, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its list of Calls to Action (CTA) in 2015, and five Calls were directly related to reconciliation and sport. Within these five sport-related CTA, there was no specific reference to gender. Lacrosse, as an Indigenous cultural practice that has been culturally appropriated by white settlers, is a complex site to investigate how the TRC's CTA is (or are not) being implemented and the ways in which these efforts are gendered. In this paper, we examined how staff at Canadian lacrosse organizations address the CTA and Indigenous women's and girls’ participation in lacrosse. Through the use of Indigenous feminist theory, feminist methodologies informed by the tenets of Indigenous methodologies, semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, our findings demonstrate that Indigenous women and girls are commonly overlooked, and gender is typically an afterthought within the implementation of sport-related CTA by lacrosse organizing bodies in Canada – if they are implemented at all. As a result, we argue that there is a need to make gender a central organizing principle when lacrosse organizations within Canada implement the TRC's CTA.