bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated classification and tracking of microscopic holographic patterns of nematodes using machine learning methods
Authors: Ribeiro Rodrigo de P. e S. , Sobieranski Antonio C. , Gonçalves Elaine C.D. , Dutra Rafael C. , von Wangenheim Aldo
Published: December 2023

Analysing nematode behaviour helps estimate biomechanical parameters for applications like cellular biology, pharmacology and cognitive neuroscience. Portable holographic platforms offer cost-effective, high-resolution, high-frame-rate, wide-field imaging compared to conventional microscopy. Holographic methods can reconstruct original shapes using numerical diffraction, although this is computationally expensive. However, video holography remains challenging due to the fast motion and overlapping of holograms when nematodes swim in crowded environments. In this work we address this problem by focusing on automated detection and tracking of nematodes in densely populated environments, using machine learning methods. The main advantage of our approach is to present an automated computational flow to detect and analyse the behaviour of live nematodes in video directly from the raw holographic signals, without the requirement of phase-recovering methods for diffraction. For this purpose, we developed a three-step CNN-based approach consisting of: i) nematode hologram detection; ii) temporal tracking; and iii) behavioural analysis based on mobility parameters. In terms of precision, the obtained results show that using a two-stage detector, the Faster R-CNN architecture with the ResNet18 model as a backbone, presented the best Mean Average Precision (mAP) score with 86% for correct classification. For tracking, the best performing algorithm was IoU with a HOTA, resulting in 62.42% when applied on the individually tagged nematodes, which is comparable to the best current generic multi-tracking approaches available over the literature. Our obtained results show that the use of a convolutional neural network approach associated with a classic tracking algorithm is a very suitable approach for nematode detection and behavioural analysis for biological assays directly from holograms, even in densely populated environments. The proposed approach has been presented as a promising solution for automated inspection of free-living nematode individuals.
Alexa duckeana (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae): a new species from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: SILVA GUILHERME SOUSA DA , MARLAND TORKE BENJAMIN , MANSANO VIDAL DE FREITAS
Published: December 2023

Alexa (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) comprises nine species of Amazonian trees. An updated analysis of morphological variation in the genus indicated that material identified as Alexa grandiflora in herbaria constituted two distinct species, one of which appeared to be new. Subsequent fieldwork further supported the distinction. Here, we describe the new species, Alexa duckeana, which differs from A. grandiflora, most notably by lacking extrafloral glands and by having shorter pedicels and shorter racemes with more congested flowers. Alexa duckeana occurs only in the southeastern region of Pará, in northern Brazil. We assess its conservation status as Endangered. In addition to the description, we provide an illustration and distribution map for the new species, taxonomic comparisons, and an identification key for the species of Alexa that occur in Brazil.
When Future Leads to a Moral Present: Future Self-Relatedness Predicts Moral Judgments and Behavior in Everyday Life
Authors: Simić Andrej , Sacchi Simona , Perugini Marco
Published: December 2023

Future self-perceptions seem to promote far-sighted decisions in intertemporal choices. Previous work suggested that future self-relatedness, the extent to which we feel similar and connected to our future self, is associated with moral concerns. We aimed to extend these findings to everyday moral judgments and behavior using experience sampling methods. In addition, we assessed how moral foundation concerns mediate the relationship between future self-relatedness and moral behavior. Participants ( N = 151) reported their state-levels of future self-relatedness, individualizing, and binding moral foundations and answered whether they performed a moral action five times a day for seven days. Within- and between-participants future self-relatedness predicted daily fluctuations in individualizing and binding moral foundations concerns. On the behavioral level, only within-participants future self-relatedness predicted individualizing moral actions with individualizing moral foundations mediating this effect. Our findings suggest that within- and between-person changes in future self-relatedness might be used to predict everyday moral concerns and behavior.
Health policy counterpublics: Enacting collective resistances to US molecular HIV surveillance and cluster detection and response programs
Authors: Molldrem Stephen , Smith Anthony K J
Published: December 2023

Health policies and the problems they constitute are deeply shaped by multiple publics. In this article we conceptualize health policy counterpublics: temporally bounded socio-political forms that aim to cultivate particular modes of conduct, generally to resist trajectories set by arms of the state. These counterpublics often emerge from existing social movements and involve varied forms of activism and advocacy. We examine a health policy counterpublic that has arisen in response to new forms of HIV public health surveillance by drawing on public documents and interview data from 2021 with 26 stakeholders who were critical of key policy developments. Since 2018, the national rollout of molecular HIV surveillance (MHS) and cluster detection and response (CDR) programs in the United States has produced sustained controversies among HIV stakeholders, including among organized networks of people living with HIV. This article focuses on how a health policy counterpublic formed around MHS/CDR and how constituents problematized the policy agenda set in motion by federal health agencies, including in relation to data ethics, the meaningful involvement of affected communities, informed consent, the digitization of health systems, and HIV criminalization. Although familiar problems in HIV policymaking, concerns about these issues have been reconfigured in response to the new sociotechnical milieu proffered by MHS/CDR, generating new critical positions aiming to remake public health. Critical attention to the scenes within which health policy controversies play out ought to consider how (counter)publics are made, how problems are constituted, and the broader social movement dynamics and activist resources drawn upon to contest and reimagine policymaking in public life.
An Integrative Review of “The Pause” After Patient Death
Authors: Webb Bridget , Carter-Templeton Heather , Cunningham Tim
Published: December 2023

Background: Healthcare providers are engrossed in high-stakes, high-stress situations during their daily work with patient death being a potential negative outcome of work-related stress. Many interventions exist to combat work-related stress among nurses. The Pause, an intervention to offer a moment of silence for the healthcare team after a patient death, is one example. Objective: An integrative review of The Pause was conducted to investigate its use and how it impacts healthcare providers and their work environments. Methods: The integrative review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl was used to guide this study. Steps included were problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation. Content analysis was used to identify themes. Results: Seven databases were searched in 2022 and seven studies were identified for inclusion in this review. Two themes were identified: personal benefits and professional benefits. Findings reveal benefits from self-care and grief processing to a better work environment. Conclusions: The Pause is a low-cost, low-risk intervention that can be implemented at an organizational level to help reduce burnout, unresolved grief, increase resilience, increase retention, and improve patient outcomes. Future research should include an examination of how The Pause may affect patient outcomes and workplace culture.
Optimization of friction stir processing parameters for improving structural and mechanical properties in in situ AA5083-H111/Al–Fe composites
Authors: Singhal Varun , Jain Vivek Kumar , Raman Ravi Shankar , Patharia Dinesh , Mittal Vikas , Mishra Subhash , Kumar Hitesh
Published: December 2023

The primary focus of this study is the application of friction stir processing to produce surface composites of in situ AA5083-H111/Al–Fe. These composites were fabricated by mixing mechanically alloyed Fe–40 wt% Al powder for 40 h. The AA5083 substrate underwent a two-pass friction stir processing with changes in the tool’s movement direction during fabrication. This experiment used Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array design to gather and analyse data efficiently. Following each friction stir processing pass, the fabricated aluminium metal matrix composite microstructure, hardness and ultimate tensile strength were conducted. In this study, the maximum tensile strength of 225.8 MPa after the first pass and 253.6 MPa after the second pass. Additionally, microhardness measurements indicated values of 123.3 and 128.3 Hv after the first and second passes, respectively. These impressive mechanical properties were achieved by optimizing specific process parameters, including a tool shoulder diameter of 21 mm, a tool rotational speed of 900 rpm, a tool traverse speed of 63 mm/min and a tilt angle of 1.5°. Furthermore, examining the fracture surface of the friction stir processed sample revealed ductile failure behaviour, suggesting that the material experienced deformation and stretching before fracture. This observation aligns with the inherent ductile nature of the AA5083/Al–Fe composite.
Between Taking and Making Place: Exploring the Linkages Between Serres’ Le Parasite and the Research Practice of Creative Intervention
Authors: Hardy Nicholas
Published: December 2023

This article explores the linkages between Serres’ Le Parasite and the research practice of creative intervention via the analysis of an experimental film produced for the 2022 Space and Culture Conference on Taking Place and Making Place. The experimental film is intended as a provocation, in that it seeks to exceed the forms of conventional scholarship. In an effort to invent new modes of thought production, documented research materials of local sites are combined with a range of ideas and theories, blurring boundaries between theory, poetry, and practice, the dystopia of the virtualization of everyday life and the figuration of possible realities, glimpsed from a local viewpoint which follows the fluxes of emergences.
Playground Equipment: Postdigital Design and the Mechanics of History, Urban Space, and Play
Authors: Giddings Seth
Published: December 2023

This article examines children’s playgrounds as technological, spatial, and historical phenomena, juxtaposing their origins in the industrial era of the late 19th to early 20th centuries with Lightbug, a recent project to develop digitally augmented playground equipment. Questions of space, movement, mechanics, imagination, play, and technical and historical specificity will be explored and it will be suggested that attention to the industrial and machinic character of playground technology can highlight contemporary attitudes to, and possibilities for, children’s outdoor play in the postdigital era. It asks questions about the introduction of digital technology and media forms into long-established physical play, about the physicality and technical nature of embodied play, and about the relationships between play, play environments, and imagination highlighted in times of technological change.
Dilemmas and support strategies in dementia care: Experiences of case managers in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Jing-Yi , Lee Ya-Hui , Wang Yi-Fen
Published: December 2023

Objective: This study aimed to examine the dilemmas encountered and the countermeasures adopted by case managers, who care for individuals with dementia. The study also aimed to identify the types of support and assistance case managers require.Methods: In this qualitative study, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 case managers, six from integrated dementia care centers and four from community-based dementia care centers in Taiwan.Results: The results are as follows: (1) Case managers providing services for individuals with dementia primarily encountered two major dilemmas, including cognitive differences (such as a lack of understanding of dementia, differences in ideas about dementia care, and distrust of the professionalism of case managers) with family members and their own insufficient professional capabilities, which made it difficult to reach a consensus on caregiving with family members and address the diverse conditions of individuals with dementia. (2) In response to these dilemmas, case managers adopted various approaches to enhance families’ understanding of dementia and facilitate reaching a consensus on care. They also improved their professional capabilities through team discussions and resource networking. (3) The support and assistance required by case managers are continuous learning, the enhancement of their professional competencies, organizational support, and workload management.Conclusion: The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the dilemmas faced by case managers in Taiwan’s centers for integrated dementia care and community-based dementia care centers during policies implementation, as well as the strategies they adopted and the assistance they required. These results can also offer recommendations for policies, professional training, dementia services, and resources to reduce the disparity between policy and practice.
General lighting can overcome accidental viewing
Authors: Bülthoff Isabelle , Breidt Martin , Bülthoff Heinrich H. , Kersten Daniel
Published: December 2023

When seeing an object in a scene, the presumption of seeing that object from a general viewpoint (as opposed to an accidental viewpoint) is a useful heuristic to decide which of many interpretations of this object is correct. Similar heuristic assumptions on illumination quality might also be used for scene interpretation. Here we tested that assumption and asked if illumination information helps determine object properties when seen from an accidental viewpoint. Test objects were placed on a flat surface and illumination was varied while keeping the objects’ images constant. Observers judged the shape or rigidity of static or moving simple objects presented in accidental view. They also chose which of two seemingly very similar faces was familiar. We found: (1) Objects might appear flat without shadow information but were perceived to be volumetric objects or non-planar in the presence of cast shadows. (2) Apparently non-rigid objects became rigid with shadow information. (3) Shading and shadows helped to infer which of two face was the familiar one. Previous results had shown that cast shadows help determine spatial layout of objects. Our study shows that other properties of objects like rigidity or 3D-shape can be disambiguated by shadow information.
Bone-Anchored Maxillary Protraction With Bollard Modified Miniplates: An Interim Study in Patients with Cleft Palate
Authors: Yim Nicholas H. , Parham Matthew J. , Cody Ryan J. , Wirthlin John O. , Grush Andrew E. , Buchanan Edward P.
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

Patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) often present with Class III malocclusions resulting from maxillary deficiency. Although orthognathic surgery can correct this, it is not performed until skeletal maturity. Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) can be used during adolescence to stimulate maxillary growth. We report the outcomes of BAMP therapy in 10 patients with CLP.

Methods:

Beginning in 2019, patients born with CLP with mild, moderate, or severe Class III malocclusion started BAMP therapy. Four Bollard miniplates were surgically placed in each patient following a standard protocol under general anesthesia. Miniplates were secured using self-tapping titanium screws. Orthodontic elastics were initiated 2 weeks after surgery with an initial loading force of 100 g bilaterally and later increased to 200 g at 12 weeks postoperatively. Before (T1) and after (T2), Cone Beam CT (CBCT) radiographs were taken and reviewed by a single examiner.

Results:

Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. Their mean age at the time of Bollard miniplate placement was 12.2 (range, 9-14) years. Before treatment, the average cephalometric measurements for the SNA, SNB, and ANB were 73.3°, 78.0°, and −4.7°, respectively. After treatment, the average cephalometric measurements for SNA, SNB, and ANB were 74.4°, 77.7°, and −3.3°, respectively.

Conclusion:

We have demonstrated positive results with BAMP therapy. BAMP therapy led to corrective orthopedic maxillary protraction and induced favorable dental and skeletal outcomes, improving overall facial balance. Cleft surgeons should consider this modality after alveolar bone grafting when treating pediatric patients with Class III malocclusions.
Exogenous abscisic acid improves grain filling capacity under heat stress by enhancing antioxidative defense capability in rice
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Zhong Xin , Liao Jingpeng , Ji Ping , Yang Jinshuo , Cao Zhiruo , Duan Ximiao , Xiong Junru , Wang Ying , Xu Chen , Yang Hongtao , Peng Bo , Jiang Kai
Published: December 2023

Background

Heat stress is a major restrictive factor that causes yield loss in rice. We previously reported the priming effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on rice for enhanced thermotolerance at the germination, seedling and heading stages. In the present study, we aimed to understand the priming effect and mechanism of ABA on grain filling capacity in rice under heat stress.

Results

Rice plants were pretreated with distilled water, 50 μM ABA and 10 μM fluridone by leaf spraying at 8 d or 15 d after initial heading (AIH) stage and then were subjected to heat stress conditions of 38 °C day/30 °C night for 7 days, respectively. Exogenous ABA pretreatment significantly super-activated the ABA signaling pathway and improved the SOD, POD, CAT and APX enzyme activity levels, as well as upregulated the ROS-scavenging genes; and decreased the heat stress-induced ROS content (O2– and H2O2) by 15.0–25.5% in rice grain under heat stress. ABA pretreatment also increased starch synthetase activities in rice grain under heat stress. Furthermore, ABA pretreatment significantly improved yield component indices and grain yield by 14.4–16.5% under heat stress. ABA pretreatment improved the milling quality and the quality of appearance and decreased the incidence of chalky kernels and chalkiness in rice grain and improved the rice grain cooking quality by improving starch content and gel consistence and decreasing the amylose percentage under heat stress. The application of paraquat caused overaccumulation of ROS, decreased starch synthetase activities and ultimately decreased starch content and grain yield. Exogenous antioxidants decreased ROS overaccumulation and increased starch content and grain yield under heat stress.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous ABA has a potential priming effect for enhancing rice grain filling capacity under heat stress at grain filling stage mainly by inhibiting ROS overaccumulation and improving starch synthetase activities in rice grain.
From pilot to a multi-site trial: refining the Early Detection of Deterioration in Elderly Residents (EDDIE +) intervention
Authors: Allen Michelle J. , Carter Hannah E. , Cyarto Elizabeth , Meyer Claudia , Dwyer Trudy , Oprescu Florin , Aitken Christopher , Farrington Alison , Shield Carla , Rowland Jeffrey , Lee Xing J. , Graves Nicholas , Parkinson Lynne , Harvey Gillian
Published: December 2023

Background

Early Detection of Deterioration in Elderly Residents (EDDIE +) is a multi-modal intervention focused on empowering nursing and personal care workers to identify and proactively manage deterioration of residents living in residential aged care (RAC) homes. Building on successful pilot trials conducted between 2014 and 2017, the intervention was refined for implementation in a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial in 12 RAC homes from March 2021 to May 2022. We report the process used to transition from a small-scale pilot intervention to a multi-site intervention, detailing the intervention to enable future replication.

Methods

The EDDIE + intervention used the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework to guide the intervention development and refinement process. We conducted an environmental scan; multi-level context assessments; convened an intervention working group (IWG) to develop the program logic, conducted a sustainability assessment and deconstructed the intervention components into fixed and adaptable elements; and subsequently refined the intervention for trial.

Results

The original EDDIE pilot intervention included four components: nurse and personal care worker education; decision support tools; diagnostic equipment; and facilitation and clinical support. Deconstructing the intervention into core components and what could be flexibly tailored to context was essential for refining the intervention and informing future implementation across multiple sites. Intervention elements considered unsustainable were updated and refined to enable their scalability. Refinements included: an enhanced educational component with a greater focus on personal care workers and interactive learning; decision support tools that were based on updated evidence; equipment that aligned with recipient needs and available organisational support; and updated facilitation model with local and external facilitation.

Conclusion

By using the i-PARIHS framework in the scale-up process, the EDDIE + intervention was tailored to fit the needs of intended recipients and contexts, enabling flexibility for local adaptation. The process of transitioning from a pilot to larger scale implementation in practice is vastly underreported yet vital for better development and implementation of multi-component interventions across multiple sites. We provide an example using an implementation framework and show it can be advantageous to researchers and health practitioners from pilot stage to refinement, through to larger scale implementation.

Trial registration

The trial was prospectively registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12620000507987, registered 23/04/2020).
Effectiveness and safety of regimens containing linezolid for treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary Disease
Authors: Cheng Li-ping , Zhang Qing , Lou Hai , Shen Xiao-na , Qu Qing-rong , Cao Jie , Wei Wei , Sha Wei , Sun Qin
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of linezolid-containing regimens for treatment of M. abscessus pulmonary disease.

Methods

The records of 336 patients with M. abscessus pulmonary disease who were admitted to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 164 patients received a linezolid-containing regimen and 172 controls did not. The effectiveness, safety, antibiotic susceptibility profiles, outcomes, culture conversion, cavity closure, and adverse reactions were compared in these two groups.

Results

The two groups had similar treatment success (56.1% vs. 48.8%; P > 0.05), but treatment duration was shorter in the linezolid group (16.0 months [inter-quartile ranges, IQR: 15.0–17.0] vs. 18.0 months [IQR: 16.0–18.0]; P < 0.01). The rates of sputum culture conversion were similar (53.7% vs. 46.5%, P > 0.05), but time to conversion was shorter in the linezolid group (3.5 months [IQR: 2.5–4.4] vs. 5.5 months [IQR: 4.0–6.8]; P < 0.01). The linezolid group had a higher rate of cavity closure (55.2% vs. 28.6%, P < 0.05) and a shorter time to cavity closure (3.5 months [IQR: 2.5–4.4] vs. 5.5 months [IQR: 4.0–6.8]; P < 0.01). Anemia and peripheral neuropathy were more common in the linezolid group (17.7% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.01; 12.8% vs. 0.6%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The linezolid and control groups had similar treatment success rates. The linezolid group had a shorter treatment duration, shorter time to sputum culture conversion, and higher rate and shorter time to lung cavity closure. More patients receiving linezolid developed anemia and peripheral neuropathy.
Targeting the host response in sepsis: current approaches and future evidence
Authors: Bode Christian , Weis Sebastian , Sauer Andrea , Wendel-Garcia Pedro , David Sascha
Published: December 2023

Sepsis, a dysregulated host response to infection characterized by organ failure, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Disbalances of the immune response play an important role in its pathophysiology. Patients may develop simultaneously or concomitantly states of systemic or local hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. Although a variety of effective immunomodulatory treatments are generally available, attempts to inhibit or stimulate the immune system in sepsis have failed so far to improve patients’ outcome. The underlying reason is likely multifaceted including failure to identify responders to a specific immune intervention and the complex pathophysiology of organ dysfunction that is not exclusively caused by immunopathology but also includes dysfunction of the coagulation system, parenchymal organs, and the endothelium. Increasing evidence suggests that stratification of the heterogeneous population of septic patients with consideration of their host response might led to treatments that are more effective. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current studies aimed at optimizing the many facets of host response and to discuss future perspectives for precision medicine approaches in sepsis.
The role of peer relationships and flow experience in the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety in middle school students
Authors: Shang Yao , Chen Shan-Ping , Liu Li-Ping
Published: December 2023

The present study examined the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety by testing a moderated mediation model that focused on how peer relationships mediate the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety and how flow experience moderates this mediated relationship. A total of 1056 middle school students from six middle schools in Sichuan, China, volunteered to complete questionnaires comprising the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Student Peer Relationship Scale, Social Anxiety Subscale of the Self-Consciousness Scale, and Short (9-Item) Dispositional Flow Scales. Regression analysis indicated that physical exercise negatively influenced social anxiety through peer relationships (indirect effect = -0.04, 95% CI = [-0.067, -0.013]). In addition, a moderated regression analysis indicated that under high-flow experience, physical exercise suppresses social anxiety through positive effects on peer relationships (indirect effect = -0.04, 95% CI = [-0.087, -0.003]), and under low-flow experience, physical exercise exacerbates social anxiety through negative effects on peer relationships (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.016, 0.105]). Some practical implications have been discussed on the physical exercise intervention for suppressing social anxiety in middle school students.
Tenascin-C: as a diagnostic biomarker for rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Abo-Hashish Maha M. A. , Ahmed Azza Mohamed , Hegazi Mohammad Ali , Mosaad Naglaa Abdel Rahman , Ibrahim Mona Hammed , Salam Nagwan Yehia Abdel
Published: December 2023

Background

Rheumatic fever is a long-term inflammatory disease that can happen if group A beta-hemolytic streptococci bacteria are not treated well enough. Rheumatic fever is recognized globally as the leading cause of heart disease in the pediatric population. This disease destroys the heart muscle, progressively deteriorating its structure and impairing the function of its valves over time.

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the role of serum tenascin-C in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease.

Methods

This case–control study involved a group of 60 Egyptian children. Among them, 20 were diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever, identified using the updated Jones criteria from 2015. Another 20 children, who were suffering from chronic rheumatic heart disease, were also act as a part of the study. The remaining 20 participants, healthy children carefully matched in age and sex, served as the control group.

Results

Serum tenascin-C level was significantly increased in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and highly significantly increased in chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD) groups when compared with control group (P = 0.04, 0.01), respectively. There were highly significant difference between and within the studied groups regarding the mean of serum tenascin-C. Serum tenascin-C mean of ARF, CRHD, and control was 4.82 ± 18.7, 5.46 ± 1.6, and 3.78 ± 2.4, respectively, P = 0.02. Level of serum tenascin-C was lower in cases with severe mitral valve insufficiency. No significant link was found between the level of serum tenascin-C and C-reactive protein (CRP), ESR, and ASO titer, with a P-value greater than 0.5. ROC curve for serum tenascin-C in ARF patients was area under the curve = 0.682 (P = 0.05) with optimal serum tenascin-C cut-off point (> 3.76 ng/ml); ROC curve for serum tenascin-C in CRHD patients was AUC = 0.73 (P = 0.01) with cut-off point level (73.76 ng/ml).

Conclusion

Patients with ARF and CRHD have increased level of serum tenascin-C. Serum tenancin-C is superior in the diagnosis of ARF in comparison to CRP, ESR, and ASOT. Tenascin-C level can be used as a diagnostic marker for ARF and CRHD.
Tumor Models for Training of Fluorescence-Guided Brain Tumor Resection
Authors: Buckley Kevin , Artemiuk Patrycja A. , Cabanac Margaux , Knoops Kiki-Narae , Senft Christian , Tejada Solis Sonia , Jones Timothy L. , Jacquesson Timothee , Moiyadi Aliasgar , Shetty Prakash M. , Singh Vikas , Knipps Johannes , Rapp Marion , Jeising Sebastian , Sabel Michael
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neurosurgical resection of brain tumors is a technically demanding task with a steep initial learning curve. Experience has been shown to improve surgical performance and increase the rates of resection. High-grade gliomas (HGG) are responsible for 65% of all primary malignant central nervous system tumors and are the commonest surgically treated brain tumor worldwide. There is increasing evidence that maximal safe surgical resection of HGG impacts on overall survival. The delineation of tumor tissue (and hence the extent of resection) is improved by the use of intraoperative tumor fluorescence, which is achieved by preoperative oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid. This however relies on the surgeon developing a skillset of operating under different light conditions for which specific training and experience are required.

METHODS:

We propose a novel, affordable, and highly adaptable model for recreating these surgical conditions and thus simulate fluorescence-guided HGG resection outside the operating theater for trainee neuro-oncological surgeons. We present a model incorporating plant-based polysaccharides, doped with protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), into cadaveric brains of animals.

RESULTS:

We show that the concentrations of polymer and PpIX can be titrated (using previously published data) to produce mechanical and fluorescence properties that model tumor tissue. We validate the simulation in a neurosurgical skills laboratory. Furthermore, we used a mini spectrometer with handheld probe to collect fluorescence signals and validate the spectroscopic signal from the PpIX.

CONCLUSION:

It is hoped that this model system will be useful in neurosurgical teaching and training courses and to neurosurgeons who want to try out new techniques or equipment in anatomy laboratories.
All for the Greater Good: A Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Level Analysis of Supply Chain Goal and Incentive Alignment
Authors:   , McConville Sean Cask
Published: December 2023

Goal and incentive alignment are a means of establishing collaborative behavior in supply chains. Essay 1 examines goal and incentive alignment at the strategic level in the purchasing process. It employs survey research in conjunction with structural equation modelling to examine the source selection strategy as a means of aligning the goals of the offeror with those of the buyer. Essay 2 examines goal and incentive alignment at the tactical level. It uses discrete event simulation to explore how the pursuit of localized profit objectives affects the global profitability of a supply chain. Lastly, Essay 3 examines goal and incentive alignment at the operational level. By employing a hybrid simulation approach to model a complex product refurbishment process, this research demonstrates that evaluating subprocesses based solely on their throughput does not equate to greater cost savings for the company at the focal point of this case study. These essays contribute to the body of knowledge in several ways. To the best of the author's knowledge, Essay 1 demonstrates the first empirical linkage, in the realm of public procurement, between the fear of a bid protest and the appropriateness of the sourcing strategy. Similarly, Essay 2 represents the first adaptation of Sterman's Beer Game to a format in which the value of products increases while they travel downstream. It also stands as the first research to quantitively explore the value of supply chain cooperation as a function of relative position in a supply chain. Lastly, the methodology employed in Essay 3 answers calls for research as they pertain to the need for case studies from industry, as well as the need to preserve the ‘real-world' context in complex, industry-based problems.
A Multicomponent Evaluation of Food Properties Affecting Rumination in an Adult with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors:   , Sanchez Aaron Joseph
Published: December 2023

Rumination consists of voluntary regurgitation of partially digested food, followed by chewing and re-swallowing or expulsion of regurgitated stomach contents (DM-ID2). Little research has systematically analyzed the differential effects of type or quantity of food on rumination across extended observations. This analysis demonstrated that certain (isolated) foods may differentially affect the rate of rumination. Furthermore, patterns of responding and manipulations of quantity may provide evidence for naturally occurring contingencies of punishment for the rumination of particular foods. These results may provide an avenue for minimally invasive, sustainable treatment for individuals with severe and chronic rumination.
A Computational Study of Palladium (II) bis(NHC) Complexes and a Computational/Experimental Study of Gold (I) bisADC Complexes Utilizing Non-Covalent Interaction for Catalysis
Authors:   , Tiemann Matthew Austin
Published: December 2023

Carbene ligands over these years have become a heavily utilizes and effective ligand for catalysis. The diamino carbene class of ligands are slightly less understood. The effects of bis(carbene) ligand structures of palladium (II) catalysts were investigated using the ETS-NOCV method. The results showed that the amount of π-backbonding played a major role in the rate of the reaction for these NHC complexes. The amount of pi acceptance from the ligand increased in correlation to the length of the methylene linkage in the ligand back bone resulting in increased catalytic activity. The ETS-NOCV method was used to determine the deformation densities that had a contribution to this interaction based on visual interpretation. The percent contribution of pi interactions provided a linear correlation to the natural log of the initial reaction rate, indicating that π-backbonding plays a crucial role in the overall catalytic activity of the palladium complexes. Gold (I) bis acyclic diamino carbenes (ADCs) were investigated for the possibility to be strong hydrogen bond catalysts. The ligand motif of the gold (I) bisADCs were found to be analogous thiourea compounds. Based on NBO analysis there were some improvements to hydrogen bond donicity in comparison to thioureas with the same functional group. The complexes were analyzed for hydrogen bond interactions and polarizations interactions between simple nitroolefin substrate and the catalyst using ETS-NOCV. Results showed that the compounds can form a stable hydrogen bonding system and activate the substrate. This capability is tunable by changing the electron withdrawing properties of the ligase motif, providing the idea that gold (I) bisADCs have potential to be good hydrogen bond catalysts. New thiourea-like gold (I) catalysts utilizing the acyclic diamino carbene motif that were hypothesized were synthesized using a one pot synthesis approach utilizing a metal templated synthesis method. The synthesis, characterization, and application prove these complexes with their cationic centers and bisADCs ligand motif can be utilized for Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles, resulting in the production of three new compounds to literature. This research also provided a new application for this specific ligand class and further proved the robustness of ADC ligands.
The Effect of Social Norms on Client Responses to Audit Inquiries
Authors:   , Jordan Jason
Published: December 2023

Audit inquiry can be a valuable source of information for auditors, particularly when the client provides useful information about important issues that could affect the audit. Recent studies indicate that the way an audit inquiry is conducted can affect the level of cooperation in the client's response. In this study, I investigate the use of social norms as an intervention auditors could include in their inquiries to increase the likelihood of client cooperation. To test my hypotheses, I conducted a 2x2 between-subjects experiment with 138 MBA and senior accounting students who proxied for non-accounting and accounting managers, respectively. I manipulated the auditor's use of a positive descriptive norm, which informed participants that the desired behavior is typical among similar others. I also manipulated the auditor's use of a negative injunctive norm, which informed participants of social disapproval for not engaging in the desired behavior. The dependent variable was a scaled measure of the likelihood the participant would disclose useful information in their response to the auditor. I find evidence of a main effect for both social norms I test. I do not find evidence of an interaction between the two social norms. My findings contribute to the audit literature as well as to audit practice. First, I contribute to the audit literature by identifying factors that improve client cooperation with an audit inquiry, including the communication of a positive descriptive norm and a negative injunctive norm. Second, my findings contribute to practice by providing evidence that social norms included in an audit inquiry can persuade clients to cooperate with an inquiry.
NCAA College Coaches' Attitudes and Perceptions of LGBQ+ Student-Athletes: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors:   , Chambers Kasey
Published: December 2023

Due to their influential roles in the lives of their players, understanding coaches' attitudes and perceptions toward LGBQ+ student-athletes is essential for assessing how safe collegiate sport environments are for LGBQ+ athletes. However, the research in this area has been limited. The present study aims to address this gap by investigating coaches' perceptions of LGBQ+ athletes to inform policy and education for promoting inclusive sport environments for these athletes. Participants were 1,533 collegiate coaches (Mage = 39.65 years; women = 41.3%; White = 83.7%; non-Hispanic = 86.4%; heterosexual = 74.9%) drawn from all three NCAA Divisions. In an open-ended, text response question, coaches were asked to identify the extent to which they would support and accept athletes on their teams being open about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and to describe the reasoning for their beliefs. Through reflexive thematic analysis, six higher order themes capturing coaches' rationales were identified: (a) levels of acceptance, (b) i coach, therefore i am…, (c) supportive environments are essential, (d) as a queer coach…, (e) limiting queerness, and (f) sexual orientation does not provide a competitive advantage. Analyses illuminate avenues for LGBQ+ athlete inclusion policies and training for coaches.
The Effects of Prompts on Variability in Children with ASD
Authors:   , Yuen Bonnie
Published: December 2023

The concept of "creativity" has been studied under the perspective of variability in behavior analysis. Creativity and variable responding contributes to problem solving in novel situations, learning new responses in different environments, and promote interactions that would otherwise be prohibited by repetitive behaviors and routines. During childhood, play contributes to the emergence of creativity and variability. Children develop many skills that are important to their lives while engaging in play behaviors. Some of those skills include self-advocacy, communication, and problem solving. Researchers have investigated different methods to promote variable play skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is limited research on prompting as an isolated variable in increasing variability in play responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prompting on variable play skills. Results indicated that verbal instructions and modeling were effective in increasing variable play responses. Both participants displayed a sustained increase in novel item engagement when exposed to prompting.
Linkage of the Nitrilase-Encoding Nit1C Gene Cluster to Cyanotrophy in Acinetobacter haemolyticus
Authors:   , Dale Layla Momo
Published: December 2023

The Nit1C cluster is a conserved gene cluster of seven genes that confers bacterial growth on cyanide as the sole nitrogen source. Bacteria with this ability are referred to as cyanotrophs. To date, the linkage between Nit1C and cyanotrophy has only been demonstrated for environmental isolates but the cluster also exists in certain medically related bacteria. In this study, a nosocomial isolate, Acinetobacter haemolyticus ATCC 19194, carrying Nit1C also displayed the ability to grow on cyanide. Growth on cyanide was accompanied by the induction of the cluster as was the mere exposure of cells to cyanide. Expression of the cluster was determined by measuring the activity of the nitrilase (NitC) coded for by the cluster and by transcriptional analysis (qRT-PCR). However, a disconnect between nitC message and NitC protein was observed depending on the phase of the growth cycle, the disconnect being related to proteolytic digestion of the NitC protein. Ironically, the cluster was also discovered to be upregulated in the absence of cyanide under nitrogen starvation conditions paralleling biofilm formation. The basis of the genetic linkage to cyanotrophy is not understood but taken together with results showing that nitrogen starvation and biofilm formation are also physiologically associated with Nit1C expression, points to a critical role for the cluster in stress-induced adaptation.
A Platform for Aligning Academic Assessments to Industry and Federal Job Postings
Authors:   , Parks Tyler J.
Published: December 2023

The proposed tool will provide users with a platform to access a side-by-side comparison of classroom assessment and job posting requirements. Using techniques and methodologies from NLP, machine learning, data analysis, and data mining: the employed algorithm analyzes job postings and classroom assessments, extracts and classifies skill units within, then compares sets of skills from different input volumes. This effectively provides a predicted alignment between academic and career sources, both federal and industrial. The compilation of tool results indicates an overall accuracy score of 82%, and an alignment score of only 75.5% between the input assessments and overall job postings. These results describe that the 50 UNT assessments and 5,000 industry and federal job postings examined, demonstrate a compatibility (alignment) of 75.5%; and, that this measure was calculated using a tool operating at an 82% precision rate.
Paradigm Shift from Vague Legal Contracts to Blockchain-Based Smart Contracts
Authors:   , Upadhyay Kritagya Raj
Published: December 2023

In this dissertation, we address the problem of vagueness in traditional legal contracts by presenting novel methodologies that aid in the paradigm shift from traditional legal contracts to smart contracts. We discuss key enabling technologies that assist in converting the traditional natural language legal contract, which is full of vague words, phrases, and sentences to the blockchain-based precise smart contract, including metrics evaluation during our conversion experiment. To address the challenge of this contract-transformation process, we propose four novel proof-of-concept approaches that take vagueness and different possible interpretations into significant consideration, where we experiment with popular vendors' existing vague legal contracts. We show through experiments that our proposed methodologies are able to study the degree of vagueness in every interpretation and demonstrate which vendor's translated-smart contract can be more accurate, optimized, and have a lesser degree of vagueness. We also incorporated the method of fuzzy logic inside the blockchain-based smart contract, to successfully model the semantics of linguistic expressions. Our experiments and results show that the smart contract with the higher degrees of truth can be very complex technically but more accurate at the same time. By using fuzzy logic inside a smart contract, it becomes easier to solve the problem of contractual ambiguities as well as expedite the process of claiming compensation when implemented in a blockchain-based smart contract.