bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NCI 7977: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Intermittent Oral ABT-888 (Veliparib) plus Intravenous Irinotecan Administered in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Cecchini Michael , Walther Zenta , Wei Wei , Hafez Navid , Pilat Mary Jo , Boerner Scott A. , Durecki Diane E. , Eder Joseph P. , Schalper Kurt A. , Chen Alice P. , LoRusso Patricia
Published: June 2023

Purpose:

Veliparib is a PARP inhibitor (PARPi) with activity in BRCA 1/2/PALB2-deficient tumors. Preclinical observations reveal topoisomerase inhibitors like irinotecan are synergistic with PARPi irrespective of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), potentially expanding the role for PARPi.

Experimental Design:

NCI 7977 was a multicohort phase I clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of multiple dose schedules of veliparib with irinotecan for solid tumors. In the intermittent veliparib cohort, escalating doses of veliparib were given twice daily at dose level (DL) 1 (50 mg) and DL 2 (100 mg) days 1–4 and 8–11 with irinotecan 100 mg/m2 days 3 and 10 in 21-day cycles.

Results:

Fifteen patients enrolled, 8 of 15 (53%) received ≥4 prior systemic treatments. At DL1, 1 of 6 patients experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of diarrhea. At DL2, 9 patients were treated, with 3 unevaluable for DLT, and 2 of 6 evaluable patients experienced a DLT of grade 3 neutropenia. Irinotecan 100 mg/m2 and veliparib 50 mg twice daily was the MTD. No objective responses were observed, although 4 patients had progression-free survival >6 months.

Conclusions:

The MTD of intermittent veliparib is 50 mg twice daily days 1–4 and 8–11 with weekly irinotecan 100 mg/m2 days 3 and 10 every 21 days. Multiple patients experienced prolonged stable disease irrespective of HRD and prior irinotecan. However, due to the toxicities with higher dose intermittent veliparib and irinotecan, this schedule was determined too toxic for further development and the arm was closed prematurely.

Significance:

The combination of intermittent veliparib with weekly irinotecan was deemed too toxic for further development. Future PARPi combinations should focus on agents with nonoverlapping toxicities to improve tolerability. The treatment combination showed limited efficacy with prolonged stable disease observed in multiple heavily pretreated patients, but no objective responses were seen.
Meaning Search of Agricultural Technology Terms Internet Based-Learning in Translation and Learning English
Authors: Aryani I Gusti Agung Istri , Saientisna Made Detriasmita , Citrawati Ni Putu Evi Wahyu
Published: June 2023

The current development of technology has been instantly changing the whole society with the easy access for searching information through the internet. Using media support is a consideration to increase activities of learning and adapting the development of this era. The English learning desire creativity for teaching the students as their target goal. This research aims to analyze the meaning of the terms related to science agricultural technology by implementing Internet Based-Learning for students in the Department of Food Technology, including their translation. It was conducted with mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative). by giving guidance to first-year semester on how they could use the WebCorp media to search articles. Then, students instructed to find the translation and understanding of the meaning in each of the terms. This search engine is a machine that compiles Bing or big data capacity and collected as corpus. The texts can be found in various types and sources on the internet. The discussion of problems in the study covers description of understanding the meaning search for terms related to agricultural technology, evaluating parameter of ability to search meaning through internet based-learning by using WebCorp media and strategies implementation to learn English, mainly meaning related to agricultural technology. It showed that there were 47 terms equivalence based on their English terms meaning and translation of Indonesian related to agricultural technology, meanwhile, 7 were found inequivalence for their meanings and text chosen. So, 87% of their results relevant to the agricultural technology but 13% were not connected with the specification of terms and meaning. The students understood how to use the media of searching and gave experience to them.
Research Hesitancy in the Academe: A Multi-University Study in the Philippines
Authors: Durante Cherry Ann G. , Reynoso Lino C. , Lorenzo Lorenzo C. , Nunez Norma G. , Calixtro Jr. Rufo , Juan Estrella San , Frani Jeeno Jay
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

 

Cultivating a culture of research in the academe is one of the goals of every institution of higher education in the Philippines. Despite of this, there exists a hesitation among faculty and non-teaching staff in engaging in research and publication. This study explored the reasons behind the decrease of research productivity in the academe in different higher education institutions in the Philippines. Sixteen faculty members from different disciplines were included in the study and were interviewed from November to December 2022. Employing a descriptive phenomenological research design, results showed that the causes of research hesitancy were summarized into four domains, namely: individual, institutional, scientific and professional domains. Under the individual domain, the themes of lack of confidence, lack of motivation, lack of time and lack of interest were identified. The institutional domain enumerated lack of research training, equipment, lack of research programs and funding deficiency. The scientific domain contained themes like lack of knowledge, skill and expertise in conduct of research and writing publishable papers. The professional domain identified themes that revolve around lack of access, lack mentors and lack of collaboration between faculty members. Based on the results of the study, all of the participants expressed the lack of funding support, which included tedious methods of acquiring such funding from the institution and other stakeholders as the primary cause of their hesitancy. Furthermore, participants expressed that individual factors that cause research hesitancy are most difficult to overcome as it pertains to past negative experiences, which led to the reluctance to be trained or to engage in research. The lack of a research culture within the institution was also linked to the absence of a clear research agenda and program, and capacity-building programs geared towards faculty researcher development.
The Bidding Process of The Cebu Provincial Government: A Case Study
Authors: Gabiana Kyll Deither E. , Polinar Mark Anthony N. , Baquero Grace Caroline H.
Published: June 2023

The government can choose the best and most qualified suppliers or contractors through the bidding process, getting the most value for the money spent by the taxpayers. It encourages government procurement to be effective, efficient, and accountable while ensuring the public receives the most for their money.  However, the bidding process, particularly in the government, has gotten negative perceptions from the public. For this reason, this case study wanted to explore the bidding process conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee and their perceived constraints as they reflect on the whole process. Also, adjusting schemes made by the officers to the perceived constraints was discussed. Six (6) key informants were selected by the researchers and interviewed individually. As the study employed Creswell’s method, three themes arose that serve the perceived constraints of the officers: (1) Uninterested Buyers, (2) Unqualified Bidders, and (3) the Availability of Signatory. On top of the themes, all key informants indicated that the Cebu Provincial Government’s bidding process followed RA 9184, known as “The Government Procurement Reform Act.” The researchers drew the conclusion that the Provincial Government should take action to ease these constraints by establishing a transformation program focused on improving the bidding process, notably in vetting the bidders' credentials and required paperwork in advance. As part of the program, the organization should embrace cutting-edge practices like digital project approval as the signatory is preoccupied with other crucial tasks.
Audio –Visual Input for Improving the Cognitive Skills of Grade 10 Students in Araling Panlipunan
Authors: Privado Norielyn R. , Hermosa Jherwin F.
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to improve the cognitive competence of the students by utilizing audio-visual inputs. The study employed the one-group-pretest-posttest research design under a pre-experimental study participated by    34 Grade Ten (10) respondents in San Isidro National High School who were chosen using the cluster sampling technique. This study utilized a one-group-pretest-posttest research design under a pre-experimental study.  Data were gathered using pre-test and post-test questionnaires validated by the experts. Standard deviation and weighted mean were used to analyze the pre-test and post-test scores. T-test was used to calculate the significant difference. The study’s findings revealed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. Specifically, perception has a .008 significant difference, attention with a .006 significant difference, memory with a .005 significant difference, and logical reasoning with a .007 considerable difference.
Effects of Drumstick Tree (Moringa oleifera) and Lemongrass (Cymbopo-gon citratus) Leaf Extracts on the Growth Performance of Chickens
Authors: Moniño Analyn M. , Moniño Jr. Primitivo D. , Ibañez, Jr. Roger Y.
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of drumstick tree and lemongrass leaf extracts on the growth performance and economic returns of broilers and kabir chicks by administering the two leaf extracts in their drinking water. A total of 90 straight-run day-old broilers and 90 Kabir chicks were used, and a two-factor complete randomized design factorial experiment with three treatments and six replicates was employed. The birds' weights were measured at one day old, 21 days, and 35 days to determine their body weights and weight development, while feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, and livability rates were also measured. Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the birds on the control treatment (T0) exhibited inferior performance in all parameters compared to those on T1 and T2. The addition of lemongrass and drumstick tree leaf extract (10ml/liter) to chicken drinking water resulted in reduced feed consumption and improved feed conversion efficiency. The treated chicken also exhibited greater dressing percentages (with or without giblets). At the end of the trial, the cumulative livability rate in the treatment group was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that in the control group. These findings suggest that lemongrass and drumstick tree leaf extracts can promote chicken development.
Gulayan Sa Paaralan (School Garden) Program Coordinators Production Practices: Basis for Capacity-Building Program
Authors: Ibañez, Jr. Roger Y. , Velza Jacob Frederick , Bartolay Riza A.
Published: June 2023

Malnutrition is a pressing concern in the Philippines, and the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) was initiated to combat this issue. This study aimed to investigate the production techniques employed by GPP coordinators in their various school gardens in connection with the school-based feeding program. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and collected data through a survey questionnaire administered to 49 GPP coordinators in the Municipality of Cawayan. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze the collected data. The findings showed that the majority of GPP coordinators utilized organic fertilizers in their school gardens, and the most commonly grown vegetables were pechay, tomatoes, and eggplants. Nevertheless, the coordinators faced several challenges, including managing pests and diseases, and procuring sufficient resources such as water, labor, and tools. The study recommends training GPP coordinators on good agricultural practices, establishing a community-managed school garden system, and allocating adequate resources for the program's sustainability to address these challenges. The study's results demonstrate that the successful implementation of GPP in schools can lead to increased vegetable output and the eradication of malnourished children in schools. As a result, supporting and strengthening the GPP program is critical to combating malnutrition in the Philippines. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders interested in developing and improving the GPP program. Overall, this study serves as a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition and improving food security in the Philippines.
Captive breeding unveils hybridisation between aquatic and terrestrial reproductive modes and a reversal reproductive shift within Salamandra salamandra gallaica
Authors: Velo-Antón Guillermo , Figueiredo-Vázquez Clara , Alarcón-Ríos Lucía
Published: June 2023

Bimodal reproductive species offer an excellent opportunity to study the evolution of reproductive shifts, yet are extremely rare among vertebrates. Salamandra salamandra is one of two bimodal amphibian species, showing two viviparity modes: an aquatic (larviparity) and a terrestrial (pueriparity) mode. Although hybridization between larviparous and pueriparous lineages occurs in natural contact zones, their reproductive output is unknown. We conducted a captive breeding experiment to cross pueriparous insular females and larviparous continental males of S. s. gallaica. We first confirmed the reproductive output of the females and used parentage analysis to confirm the parents of the offspring, which resulted in a single group of aquatic larvae. We report, for the first time, direct evidence of F1 hybrids between parity modes in urodeles and a case of parity mode reversal at the individual level. Our study highlights S. salamandra as a bimodal reproductive species that offers exceptional opportunities to understand the evolution of viviparity.
The Influence of Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Road on the Development of Large Stone Portraits in Ancient China
Authors: Chi Guangchao
Published: June 2023

The stone portraits discussed in this paper mainly refer to round carvings and high-relief sculptures of human figures that emphasize realism and a sense of three-dimensionality. The development of stone portraits in the pre-Qin period is briefly reviewed, and their cultural characteristics and causes are analyzed from various perspectives. The Neolithic period was not too late for the germination and start of Chinese portrait sculpture. Due to a series of factors such as geographical conditions, material selection, and cultural philosophy, the development of stone portrait sculpture was not given much attention before the Han Dynasty in China, and the development of realistic round and high-relief portrait art with larger volumes lagged. Along with the exchange and collision between civilizations along the Silk Road, thanks to the widespread dissemination of Buddhist statue art in China since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the art of large stone statues has taken on a new artistic appearance in terms of subject matter, techniques, types and uses, and has also gained a broader space for expression. Chinese stone portraits have continued to develop and innovate in terms of subject matter and sculpting techniques, and eventually formed an artistic style of portrait sculpture with distinctive national characteristics. This practice of transcending the secular and divine portraits also led to the maturation of secular portrait sculpting techniques such as Stone Wengzhong (翁仲), objectively opening another channel for the diversification of ancient Chinese portrait sculpture. It can be said that the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road had a very important role in promoting the development and maturation of ancient Chinese large stone portrait art.
Two new species of Timonius (Rubiaceae: Guettardeae) from the Malay Peninsula
Authors: HOO PUI KIAT , SUGUMARAN MANICKAM , WONG KHOON MENG
Published: June 2023

Two new species of Timonius endemic to the Malay Peninsula are described and illustrated: T. megalocalyx and T. denigricans, and their distribution and ecology discussed. Both species have been thought to be conspecific with their most resembling taxa in a previous revision but are here shown to be distinct.
Adiantum viscosum (Pteridaceae), a new species endemic to sclerophyllous forest of Central Chile
Authors: CÁDIZ-VÉLIZ ARÓN , PALMA-VILLALOBOS BÁRBARA , VILLARROEL ALEJANDRO E. , MUÑOZ-SCHICK MÉLICA
Published: June 2023

Adiantum viscosum (Pteridaceae) is a new species of fern endemic to Central Chile that inhabits the sclerophyllous forest of the Valparaíso Region. Adiantum viscosum is morphologically similar to A. gertrudis and A. glanduliferum, but it differs by the presence of capitate and glandular trichomes throughout the aerial portion of the plant (pinnules, rachis, petioles and petiolules), which produce a sticky and aromatic resin. We provide a description of the species based on morphological analysis, insights about its ecology and habitat, distribution map, illustrations, a proposal for a conservation category according IUCN criteria, and a taxonomic key to the species of the genus Adiantum present in Chile.
Heisteria austroecuadorica (Erythropalaceae): A new species from southeastern Ecuador
Authors: CORNEJO XAVIER , HOMEIER JÜRGEN , ULLOA ULLOA CARMEN
Published: June 2023

Heisteria austroecuadorica, a new species of Erythropalaceae from the conserved evergreen montane forest at the San Francisco reserve, in southeastern Ecuador, is here described and illustrated. It is characterized by the flowers with 10 stamens, and relatively large fruits, with the apex conspicuously depressed, and the calyx not covering the base of the fruits. Heisteria austroecuadorica is assessed provisionally as Endangered.
Quantifying the Importance of Selected Drought Indicators for the United States Drought Monitor
Authors: Yatheendradas Soni , Mocko David M. , Peters-Lidard Christa , Kumar Sujay
Published: June 2023

Using information theory, our study quantifies the importance of selected indicators for the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) maps. We use the technique of mutual information (MI) to measure the importance of any indicator to the USDM, and because MI is derived solely from the data, our findings are independent of any model structure (conceptual, physically based, or empirical). We also compare these MIs against the drought representation effectiveness ratings in the North America Drought Indices and Indicators Assessment (NADIIA) survey for Köppen climate zones. This reveals 1) agreement between some ratings and our MI values [high for example indicators like standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI)]; 2) some divergences (e.g., soil moisture has high ratings but near-zero MIs for ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) soil moisture in the Western United States, indicating the need of another remotely sensed soil moisture source); and 3) new insights into the importance of variables such as snow water equivalent (SWE) that are not included in sources like NADIIA. Further analysis of the MI results yields findings related to 1) hydrological mechanisms (summertime SWE domination during individual drought events through snowmelt into the water-scarce soil); 2) hydroclimatic types (the top pair of inputs in the Western and non-Western regions are SPEIs and soil moistures, respectively); and 3) predictability (high for the California 2012–17 event, with longer-time scale indicators dominating). Finally, the high MIs between multiple indicators jointly and the USDM indicate potentially high drought forecasting accuracies achievable using only model-based inputs, and the potential for global drought monitoring using only remotely sensed inputs, especially for locations having insufficient in situ observations.

Significance Statement

Drought maps from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Objective Short- and Long-Term Drought Indicator Blends and Blend Equivalents are integrated information sources of the different types of drought. Multiple indicators go into creation of these maps, yet it is usually not clear to both public and private stakeholders like local agencies and insurance companies about the importance of any indicator in any region and season to the drought maps. Our study provides such objective information to enable understanding the mechanism and type of drought occurring at a location, season, and possibly event of interest, as well as to potentially aid in better drought monitoring and forecasting using smaller custom sets of indicators.
Generation of Cold Anticyclonic Eddies and Warm Cyclonic Eddies in the Tropical Oceans
Authors: Ni Qinbiao , Zhai Xiaoming , Yang Zhibin , Chen Dake
Published: June 2023

Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous features of the global ocean circulation. Traditionally, anticyclonic eddies are thought to be associated with positive temperature anomalies while cyclonic eddies are associated with negative temperature anomalies. However, our recent study found that about one-fifth of the eddies identified from global satellite observations are cold-core anticyclonic eddies (CAEs) and warm-core cyclonic eddies (WCEs). Here we show that in the tropical oceans where the probabilities of CAEs and WCEs are high, there are significantly more CAEs and WCEs in summer than in winter. We conduct a suite of idealized numerical model experiments initialized with composite eddy structures obtained from Argo profiles as well as a heat budget analysis. The results highlight the key role of relative wind-stress-induced Ekman pumping, surface mixed layer depth, and vertical entrainment in the formation and seasonal cycle of these unconventional eddies. The relative wind stress is found to be particularly effective in converting conventional eddies into CAEs or WCEs when the surface mixed layer is shallow. The abundance of CAEs and WCEs in the global ocean calls for further research on this topic.
Everyday peace in the Ninewa Plains, Iraq: Culture, rituals, and community interactions
Authors: Bourhrous Amal , O’Driscoll Dylan
Published: June 2023

Although the need for local ownership of peacebuilding is routinely emphasized, the importance and the modalities of engaging with local cultures and traditions are not adequately understood, and the peacebuilding potential of local customs remains largely unharnessed. Drawing on extensive interviews with community leaders (n94) and farmers and villagers (n107), and using a conceptual framework that combines notions of the everyday and events that mark a rupture with the everyday, this article explores the opportunities that local people’s everyday interactions, culture, and traditions offer for peacebuilding in post-Islamic State Ninewa Plains, Iraq. In doing so, the article makes a theoretical contribution to the everyday peace literature by further developing existing typologies of everyday acts and attitudes of everyday peace. Demonstrating how everyday acts and attitudes of peace sit on a scale with negative peace on the one end and positive peace on the other, the article introduces the concept of ‘affinity’ on the positive peace side of the scale, to refer to an affective engagement with the other and to acts of getting to know, understand, and participate in what is important to the other community.
Indian shawls in nineteenth-century Britain: A fashionable proposition?
Authors: Choudhury Suchitra
Published: June 2023

Kashmiri shawls were valued dress accessories in nineteenth-century Britain. What came to be known as ‘Paisley’ shawls were their affordable imitations manufactured in centres in Edinburgh, Norwich and Paisley. Oriental shawls and their patterns have been examined painstakingly by textile scholars and art historians; cultural critics, however, have yet to outline their colonial and postcolonial significance. This article provides a view of how shawls from India were customised and represented in British popular discourse. Interestingly, what had been largely masculine accessories in the subcontinent at the time were reinvented in Britain and Europe as articles of feminine fashion. It is argued that the distinction between original and imitation Kashmiri shawls transpired as an important marker of class in British society. In addition, despite their easy and fashionable veneer, the representation of oriental shawls at the time sometimes recalled and referred to the ideologies of the empire. Rendering a new importance to fashion and material culture in postcolonial research, I conclude that although shawls have been studied as a chapter in fashion history, their broader relevance to relations of class and imperialism, visible so often in British cultural texts, needs to be recognised.
Book review: Nira Wickramasinghe, Slave in a Palanquin: Colonial Servitude and Resistance in Sri Lanka
Authors: Spencer Jonathan
Published: June 2023

Nira Wickramasinghe, Slave in a Palanquin: Colonial Servitude and Resistance in Sri Lanka. New York: Columbia University Press, 2020, 312 pp.
Thermochemical and rheological characterization of highly reactive thermoset resins for liquid moulding
Authors: Barcenas Leonardo , Narayana Sidharth Sarojini , Khoun Loleï , Trudeau Paul , Hubert Pascal
Published: June 2023

Highly reactive thermosets are currently expanding the processability of high-performance structures for transportation industry. The short polymerization time makes it a suitable process to replace metallic structures with polymer matrix-based composite materials. The resin characterization is a fundamental step to obtain the properties and the associated constitutive models, which are required to design and optimize the manufacturing process parameters of composite materials. However, the short time on polymerization requires to use the characterization equipment at their performance capability limits. This work presents a comprehensive methodology to characterize the thermo-chemical properties of highly reactive resin systems, which are relevant for resin impregnation into the preform for liquid injection processes. Four different commercial resin systems are analyzed in this study. Experimental methodologies are analyzed and adapted for best data acquisition at high temperature isothermals. Based on the experimental data, Cure kinetics and viscosity equation-based models are used to describe the behaviour of these complex resin systems. Processing maps are developed based on the cure kinetics and viscosity models to predict the processability time for specific process conditions than can be used on liquid injection moulding processes.
New Light on Maslow’s Discovery of Daoism: A Reaction Paper
Authors: Hoffman Edward
Published: June 2023

This reaction paper traces Maslow’s discovery of Daoism, which became a key element in his psychological system of creativity, growth, and interpersonal relations.
Abraham Maslow as a Jewish Prophet
Authors: Serlin Ilene A.
Published: June 2023

Reading Maslow is alive, like experiencing a dialogue with a text. This article explores this writer’s response to Maslow’s narrative style, as well as to his powerful content. Using a personal narrative style that situates the reader in a Jewish context during the most powerful time of the year, the writer responds to Maslow as a Jewish prophet who prophecizes some of the dead-ends of the mechanistic science that he critiques in “Toward a Humanistic Biology.” His prophecies are startlingly lucid and applicable for what we are seeing in the world today.
Further Hierarchies of Loss: Tracking Relationality in Pregnancy Loss Experiences
Authors: Middlemiss Aimee L. , Kilshaw Susie
Published: June 2023

The article extends Robson and Walter’s concept of hierarchies of loss by describing further factors which afford differential social legitimacy to death-related losses. Drawing on our separate research with women in England who have experienced pre-viability pregnancy loss through different types of miscarriage and termination for foetal anomaly, we note that closeness of relationship to the object of loss does hierarchise pregnancy loss. However, other relational elements are also implicated, including ontological positions on what it was which was lost, in relation to other individually and socially experienced losses. Hierarchies are both imposed and agentially used by those who are implicated. This wider analysis extends the concept of hierarchies of loss so it can include experiences which do and do not involve grief and bereavement, and experiences of social recognition alongside those where loss is disenfranchised, marginalised, or ungrievable.
Adaptation and Initial Validation of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire—Self with Spanish Physical Education Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Burgueño Rafael , Rocchi Meredith , Granero-Gallegos Antonio
Published: June 2023

Building upon Self-Determination Theory, the objective of this research was to gather validity and reliability evidence on the use of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire (IBQ-Self) in the Spanish physical education (PE) teacher training context. Participants were 419 pre-service PE teachers (48.45% women; M age = 26.97; SD = 6.49) from eight public universities; all were enrolled in the Professional Master’s program in Education. We found psychometric support for a 24-item six-factor correlated model of the IBQ-Self that was invariant across gender. There was also evidence for discriminant validity and reliability of this instrument. Criterion validity was provided by positive relationships found between need satisfaction and need-supportive behaviors, and between need frustration and need-thwarting behaviors. Overall, the IBQ-Self is a valid and reliable measure of Spanish pre-service PE teachers’ perceptions of their own need-supportive and need-thwarting behaviors.
Re(Valuing) Labor and Globalization: Present Reflections on the Future of Work
Authors: Brookes Marissa
Published: June 2023

This essay makes a case for integrating an international political economy (IPE) perspective into the field of labor studies to improve current theories of labor politics. I argue that viewing labor studies through an IPE lens means taking real structural barriers to collective action into account while also analyzing how labor is empowered, not just despite macroeconomic constraints, but also sometimes, paradoxically, by such constraints. I further argue that a combined IPE/labor studies approach offers insight into labor's potential for collective action, especially when one considers the politics of international trade and finance from a historical perspective.
Do Trade and Financial Cooperation Improve Environmentally Sustainable Development: A Distinction Between de facto and de jure Globalization
Authors: Destek Mehmet Akif , Oğuz İbrahim Halil , Okumuş Nuh
Published: June 2023

The adoption of growth strategies based on foreign trade, especially in the previous century when liberal policies began to dominate, is one of the main reasons for the increase in output and indirectly for environmental concerns. On the other hand, there are complex claims about the environmental effects of liberal policies and thus of globalization. This study intends to analyze the effects of global collaborations involving 11 transition economies that have completed the transition process on the environmentally sustainable development of these nations. In this direction, the effects of financial and commercial globalization indices on carbon emissions are investigated. The distinctions of globalization are used to distinguish the consequences of the two types of globalization. In doing so, the de facto and de jure indicator distinctions of globalization are used to differentiate the consequences of two types of globalization. In addition, the effects of real GDP, energy efficiency, and use of renewable energy on environmental pollution are dissected. For the main purpose of the study, the CS-ARDL estimation technique that allows cross-sectional dependency among observed countries is used to separate the short and long-run influences of explanatory variables. In addition, CCE-MG estimator is used for robustness check. According to the empirical findings, the economic growth and increasing energy intensity increases carbon emissions, but the increase in renewable energy consumption improves environmental quality. Furthermore, trade globalization does not have a significant impact on the environment in the context of globalization. On the other hand, the increase in de facto and de jure financial globalization indices results in an increase in carbon emissions, but de jure financial globalization causes more environmental damage. The harmful impact of de jure financial globalization on environmental quality suggests that the decreasing investment restrictions and international investment agreements of transition countries have been implemented in a manner that facilitates the relocation of investments from pollution-intensive industries to these countries.
Unraveling Migration Policy-Making in the Land of “No Immigrants”: Japanese Bureaucracy and the Discursive Gap
Authors: Wakisaka Daisuke
Published: June 2023

Japan has the most rapidly aging society in the world, with the fastest rate of population contraction. However, Japan has yet to embrace using international migration as a solution to these long-term problems. Successive governments have launched programs to alleviate labor shortages via migration, but these governments have also consistently resisted accepting that Japan is becoming an immigration country. Japan's restrictive migration policies, despite critical demographic challenges, have remained a central puzzle for migration scholars. This article addresses this puzzle by demystifying the hitherto-underexplored policy-making processes in Japan. Central to its analysis is Japan's “golden rule” to accept only highly skilled migrants, which has long grounded successive government policy orientations. The qualitative analysis presented here shows that self-constrained bureaucrats in Japan depend on temporary solutions to migration issues without tackling fundamental reforms, due to the country's compartmentalized government structure. Shedding light on policy-making processes within the Japanese government, this article highlights the need to examine bureaucrats’ role in migration policy-making so that we can review the policies more carefully to improve migration governance.
Modelling and simulation of wind flow: A gradient method of identifying windy region
Authors: Nnamchi SN , Jagun ZO , Nnamchi OA , Mundu MM , Onochie U
Published: June 2023

This paper presents biharmonic modelling and simulations of surface wind flow, which identify windy locales through wind speed gradients. The bulk measured and meteosat wind speed data encapsulate the wind isotachs and wind flow gradients, which are very useful in identifying windy locales. Thus, this paper presents a biharmonic wind flow model, BWFM for the development of wind isotachs and gradients to identify locales suitable for installing solar photovoltaic power plants within the study areas. The techniques include the acquisition of wind speed data (1980–2020) from the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), development of multiple BWFM solutions (free and forced) depending on the presence and absence of forcing function, respectively. The forcing function represents the topographic and orographic features of the study areas. The spatial development of isopleth of the study areas, unveiled the isotachs. The wind speed gradients were obtained by scalar computation of 2-D wind speed gradients. Comparison of forced solution with the threshold or maximum free solution engendered the identification of windy locales. The results of the model were validated against NASA data. The average wind speed threshold isotach (2.83 m/s) and wind gradient ([Formula: see text]) for the study areas (All Regions) were established by scalar computation of free solution gradients. The study areas include Northern, Eastern, Central and Western Regions recorded the following maximum forced average wind speeds (2.725, 2.755, 2.875 and 1.794 m/s, respectively) and maximum wind flow gradients (insignificant, 0.03767, 0.08469 and infinitesimal [Formula: see text], respectively). These results are useful for identifying windy locales for installation of solar and wind facilities.
Understanding Ride-Hailing Sharing and Matching in Chicago Using Travel Time, Cost, and Choice Models
Authors: Mucci Richard (Alex) , Erhardt Gregory D.
Published: June 2023

Ride-hailing data is sparingly available throughout the U.S., which limits researchers’ understanding of the mode. Chicago is one of a few cities that have mandated ride-hailing companies to submit detailed trip data to their local transportation agency. The dataset is one of the few to contain trip-level attributes such as fare, travel time, and trip length. Most research using the Chicago dataset has focused on understanding why people use ride-hailing. This study focuses on why ride-hailing passengers choose shared over private trips and what influences the shared trips to be matched. Trips to/from airports are less likely to be shared. Trips to/from low-income areas are more likely to be shared. Longer shared trips are more likely to be matched, shared trips to/from dense areas are more likely to be matched, and shared trips between areas with a high number of shared trips are more likely to be matched. Matching an additional shared trip with another adds approximately 4 min to a trip. Ride-hailing users’ value of time is found to be $48.23 per hour. Understanding travel behavior is important for all modes of transportation including ride-hailing. The results of this paper can be applied to guide polices aiming to promote more sustainable transportation modes.
Consideration of Information Loss in the Transportation Asset Management Process
Authors: Bryce James
Published: June 2023

Transportation asset management (TAM) relies on data to inform decisions on the maintenance or improvement of a given asset. Two of the essential data elements in the TAM process include the inventory, and the condition of an asset over time. Often, the condition is described using several factors, such as the amounts and types of cracking, and those factors are then combined to form a condition index. The index is frequently the basis for developing performance prediction models. However, when the condition of an asset is defined using a measure comprised of several metrics, the risk exists that considerable information could be lost or distorted from index-related calculations. Although the importance of the loss of information depends on the decision framework in which the asset is being managed, it does distort the relationship between the asset deterioration and the factors that drive that deterioration. This paper describes information loss using data and indexes from the U.S. National Park Service pavement network. The effect of the loss of information on the ability to develop performance prediction models is demonstrated. The aim was to present an approach for calculating information loss along with strategies for minimizing that loss. The results showed how loss of information can affect the ability to develop performance prediction models. The primary conclusion of this study is that information loss and -distortion should be evaluated for all condition indexes in an effort to minimize that loss and distortion.
A New Approach to Understanding the Impact of Automobile Ownership on Transportation Equity
Authors: Molloy Quinn , Garrick Norman , Atkinson-Palombo Carol
Published: June 2023

Transportation affordability, the ability of a household to comfortably bear necessary transportation expenses, is a pressing challenge to the development of sustainable and equitable places. Transportation planners have historically identified transit user groups as choice riders, those with access to other modes or the ability to purchase access, and captive riders, transit-dependent populations who must use transit regardless of service quality. However, this characterization is incomplete, disregarding built-environment pressures that compel a much larger population of households to own and use vehicles regardless of their ability to afford the very high price of vehicle ownership. We propose a new theoretical construct, illuminated using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey Public Use Microdata—the transportation choice/captivity matrix—which examines transportation user groups via vehicle ownership and income variables.
Evaluating Segment-Level Active Mode Shift Potential Using Desire Lines
Authors: Young Grace , Wasserman David , Foster David , Singleton Patrick A. , Tomlin Stephanie
Published: June 2023

Understanding which active transportation facilities have a high potential for shifting car trips to active modes is a potent metric of success for funders seeking to make high impact transportation investments. This paper documents the development and validation of a traveler alignment analysis tool that evaluates the orientation, proximity, and magnitude of trips by distance in origin–destination (OD) desire line data to evaluate mode shift potential at the segment level. This alignment analysis operates by using line features created by a Utah statewide OD matrix of vehicle trips taken from the Replica Places activity-based modeling data platform. Additionally, the research tests the implementation of jittering, a previously proposed method for OD line disaggregation, and the impact on traveler alignment performance. To tune parameters related to proximity, angle, and trip distance, a sensitivity analysis was conducted comparing similar mode shift potential trips generated by the proposed Traveler Alignment tool and 25 StreetLight Data pass-through zone analyses. This sensitivity analysis used a mean absolute error metric to minimize estimation error and understand how altering parameters and applying jittering affected tool performance. A Pearson correlation test indicates a significant, positive linear relationship (p < 0.01) between Traveler Alignment tool outputs and results of the select-link analysis, indicating that this method produces reasonable results that may be used to evaluate different projects comparatively for their active mode shift potential.
Fostering an Enabling Environment for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems in Nigeria
Authors: Ajieroh Victor , Onabolu Adeyinka , Ezekannagha Oluchi , Adeyemi Olutayo
Published: June 2023

Background:

Although recommendations exist for making agriculture and food systems nutrition sensitive, guidance about how to successfully operationalize these recommendations within national institutions is limited. Over the 13 years from 2010 to 2023, there were several undertakings to strengthen the enabling environment for sustainable nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) and food systems in Nigeria. Some studies were also conducted over the period to foster better understanding of the national enabling environment and facilitate effective actions.

Objective:

This article documents successes and failures from Nigeria’s experiences by reflecting on critical developments, events, policies, and programmes on Nigeria’s journey toward advancing nutrition through agriculture and food systems; as well as findings from conducted studies.

Discussion:

Successes include the existence of a Nutrition and Food Safety Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and an approval for a Nutrition Department, existence of an agriculture sector nutrition strategy, increased private sector engagement and commitment to nutrition-sensitive food systems, and increased funding for nutrition in the agriculture sector. Challenges especially remain for scaling up strategic, operational, and delivery capacity of both organizations and individuals involved in advancing NSA and food systems. Lessons learned include—institutionalizing NSA and food systems takes time; knowledge brokering is indispensable and requires several collaborating entities and stakeholders; and approaches used should be suited to available government capacity.

Conclusion:

More than a decade of efforts targeting different enabling environment factors has resulted in greater political commitment for nutrition within the agriculture sector and an improved enabling environment for NSA and food systems.
Histological changes in liver and kidney of male mice by age after exposure to aluminum chloride
Authors: Irnidayanti Yulia , Fatona Dian , Rizkawati Vina
Published: June 2023

The informal aluminum industry is increasingly widespread in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Indonesia. Aluminum exposure is a serious public health problem, especially among workers in the informal aluminum foundry sector. Research on aluminum (Al) is important to advance our understanding of its impact on physiological systems. Here, we investigated the effect of exposure to aluminum longitudinal histological changes on the liver and kidneys of male mice. Mice were separated into six groups (4/group): group 1, group 2, group 3 received vehicles, and group 4, group 5, group 6 were administered a single dose of Al at 200 mg/kg b.w. by intraperitoneally every 3 days for 4 weeks. Post-sacrifice, kidneys and liver were isolated for examination. While Al did not impact the body weight gain of male mice across all groups, it caused liver damage including sinusoidal dilatation, enlarged central veins, vacuolar degeneration, and pyknotic nuclei in one-month-old mice. Furthermore, atrophied glomeruli, blood-filled spaces, and disintegration of renal tubular epithelium are evident at one-month-age. By contrast, sinusoidal dilatation and enlarged central veins were found in mice two- and three-months-old, including hemorrhage in mice (two-month-old) and atrophy of glomeruli. Lastly, the kidneys of three-month-old mice displayed interstitial fibrosis and increasing mesenchyme in the glomeruli. In summary, we demonstrated that Al provoked histological changes in the liver and kidneys with Al-treated 1-month mice being the most susceptible.