bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Pregnancy In Myomatous Uterus in the Gynecology-Obstetrics Department of the Ignace Deen Hospital of the Conakry University Hospital Centre, Guinea
Authors: Ibrahima Conté , Mamoudou Bah , Momo Soumah , Alpha Diallo , Ousmane Sylla , Ibrahima Sylla , Aboudourahamane Diallo , Telly Sy
Published: August 2024

Introduction: the association of myoma and pregnancy is a frequent entity, often prone to obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of myoma on pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period. Patients and methods: this was a prospective descriptive and analytical study conducted over a 6-month period from 6 September 2022 to 5 March 2023 in the gynaecology and obstetrics department of Ignace Deen Hospital. It concerned pregnant women with uterine myomas who had agreed to take part in the study. Results: the frequency of pregnancy in a myomatous uterus was 5.58%. The average age of the pregnant women was 28, with extremes of 21 and 40. The most common age group was 31-35. Nearly 70% (69.86%) of the cases of fibroids associated with pregnancy were discovered by ultrasound. The location of the myomas was interstitial in 47.95% of cases. Medium-sized fibroids (6-10 cm) dominated our series (53.42% of cases). Of the 146 cases collected, 72% gave birth in the department, 77.78% by caesarean section. The indication for caesarean section Dystocic presentations (54.76%) were the major indication in more than half the cases. Over 70% of pregnant women gave birth without complications. These were dominated in the mother by miscarriage (20.93%) and premature delivery (16.27%). Fetal asphyxia (4.65%) and intrauterine growth retardation (4.65%) in the fetus. The study reported a significant association between size, location and the occurrence of obstetric complications (P value: 0.034; 0.009). Conclusion: the association of fibroma and pregnancy is a frequent entity and constitutes a high risk for the mother and the foetus. Morbidity is related to the location of the myoma and changes according to the term of the pregnancy. If pregnancy is to have a successful outcome, it is essential that pregnant women are aware of the importance of antenatal monitoring, with a view to early detection and appropriate management of any complications.
Selection of Genotypes for Enhancing Tef Productivity Through Farmers’ Participation in Potential Environments of Ethiopia
Authors: Fikre Tsion , Genet Yazachew , Kebede Worku , Tolossa Kidist , Chanyalew Solomon , Assefa Kebebew , Fentahun Atinkut , Belay Nigus , Nigus Chekole
Published: August 2024

Tef, Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter is the main crop grown in Ethiopia. However, its productivity remains low compared to its potential yield. A multi-location trial was conducted to evaluate selected best-performing lines from previous trials in terms of stability and yield coupled with farmers’ opinions and preferences, aiming to identify superior lines. A total of twenty tef genotypes, including a standard and a local check were field evaluated using RCBD with four replications. The lines were grown in 4 m² plots across eight different locations in Ethiopia during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons. Additionally, an on-farm participatory variety evaluation involving 198 participants, comprising farmers and agricultural experts, was conducted during the 2019 cropping season. Phenological and agromorphological traits were collected and subjected to statistical analysis to identify the best genotypes. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant variation (at the 0.01% level) among genotypes, locations, and years for all traits except grain yield and days to maturity. While some genotypes produced comparable grain yields, none surpassed the standard check variety Negus. Additionally, Participatory variety selection was conducted during the crop maturity stage using the direct-matrix ranking method. Farmers sets their own selection criteria, these are crop stand, tillering capacity, panicle weight, lodging tolerance, culm strength, and pest infestation or infection. Based on their evaluation, the genotypes DZ-01-974 X GA-10-3 RIL 51, DZ-01-974 X GA-10-3 RIL 47 and DZ-01-974 X GA-10-3 RIL 68 were identified as farmers preferred varieties from direct matrix ranking evaluations and chosen for their performance in the field. Thus, this study highlights the feasibility of participatory variety selection in gaining insights into farmer’s perceptions, preferences, strengths and weaknesses of tef genotypes.
The Genesis of a Theorem in the Galois Theory of p-Extensions of ℚ with Restricted Tame Ramification
Authors: Labute John
Published: August 2024

This article traces the genesis of a theorem that gives for the first time examples of the Galois group GS of the maximal p-extension of ℚ, unramified outside a finite set of primes not containing an odd p, that are of cohomlogical dimension 2 if the primes in S satisfy a certain linking condition. Because the ramification is tame the pro-p-group GS has all of its derived factors finite which is a strong finitenesss condition on GS. The paper starts with a question of Serre on one relator pro-p-groups and then a detour to discrete groups where the notion of strong freeness for a sequence of homogeneous Lie elements is given and a criterion for strong freeness is established. These notions are then carried over to pro-p-groups where the linking condtion on the primes of S is translated into a cohomological criterion for a pro-p-group to have cohomological dimension 2. An analysis is given of the work of Koch where he gives a weaker criterion for a pro-p-group to have have cohomological dimension 2. A connecttion is made with this work of Koch and that of the author which would have been sufficient to prove the fact that GS was of cohomological dimension 2 for certain sets S had it been applied to investigate whether the linking condition was true for certain sets S. It is not known if the cohomological dimension of GS is 2 if S does not satisfy this linking condition.
Nameplate Designs, Headline Point Sizes, and Colour on Nigerian Newspapers: A Study of Selected National Dailies
Authors: Ibuot Udo
Published: August 2024

Nigerian newspapers are consciously adapting to visual design formats in their bid to appeal to consumers. These visual design methods involve the arrangement of page furniture, such as headlines, colour, and nameplates, in a way that is visually attractive and perceptive to the reader. This study sought to discover the current application of colour, headline typefaces, and point sizes, as well as nameplate designs, on four of the nation’s leading daily newspapers: Vanguard, The Punch, Daily Sun, and Leadership, from September 2014 to August 2015. Twenty-four issues of each of these titles were sampled for the study over a period of 12 months, from September 2014 to August 2015. These resulted in a sample frame of 96 issues of the selected newspapers. The population of the four daily newspapers during the period was 1,048, made up of 261 daily issues of Vanguard, 261 issues of The Punch, 263 issues of the Daily Sun, and 263 issues of Leadership. The study which was anchored in the Gestalt theory of visual perception adopted the visual analysis method of research. The methodology was chosen because it addresses a designer’s formal elements, such as visual attributes best explained in the form of colour, line, texture, and size. Data obtained from the sampled newspapers was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0. The findings were that each of these newspapers paid attention to the design of its nameplate, printed the front and back pages in colour and applied bold headlines to attract the attention of readers during the period of the study.
Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis
Authors: Demirtaş- Zorbaz Selen , Ulaş Kılıç Özlem , Akın Arıkan Çiğdem
Published: August 2024

The concept of career adaptability emerged from the broader field of career development theory and has received increasing attention in the past two decades. To measure career adaptability, there are different scale development studies in the literature, but the most widely used and preferred one is the Career Adapt-abilities Scale developed by Savickas and Porfeli. Therefore, in the present study, the general reliability of the Career Adapt-abilities Scale was measured through meta-analysis. One hundred forty nine study ( N = 82519) were included in the analyses. For the CAAS overall score, the average reliability coefficient among the 171 reliability estimations was high. However, reliability estimates in the studies included in the research show high heterogeneity. As a result of the moderator analysis, it was concluded that reliability estimates of these scores differ by item level, culture, language, category of items, different forms of CAAS, age, and SD. Regarding the application of the CAAS in research, the consequences of these findings are discussed in light of the relevant literature.
Validating the O&M VISSIT: Determining Appropriate Service Intensity
Authors: Pogrund Rona L. , Darst Shannon D. , Munro Heather R.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

A national validation study on the Orientation and Mobility Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity of Texas ( O&M VISSIT) was conducted.

Methods

Fifty-two of the original 115 interested participants completed the study that used a mixed-methods research design. After finishing the O&M VISSIT for a student, participants completed a survey to determine the scale's validity and reliability. Participants were from urban, suburban, and rural areas and represented a wide range of geographic areas in the United States.

Results

The results of the national study demonstrate support for significance in relation to content, consequential, social, content, and construct validity, as well as support for significance in relation to internal consistency reliability. Data supporting validity included 88% of study participants who reported that the tool matched their professional judgment for determining the needs of students and recommending the type and amount of service needed. Data supporting the reliability of the tool was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, which showed how well the tool measured the needs of students. The Cronbach's alpha of the O&M VISSIT was .901, which supports significant internal consistency reliability.

Discussion

The results support the reliability and validity of the O&M VISSIT, as well as positive feedback related to the ease of use and prospective repeated use of the tool in the future. The tool provides a reliable and valid means for O&M specialists to determine appropriate amounts of both direct and collaborative consultation services for their students receiving O&M training.

Implications for Practitioners

Study participants found the O&M VISSIT to be a practical and functional tool to reflect the needs of students based on an O&M evaluation and could turn the students’ needs into recommendations for type and amount of itinerant O&M services. Practitioners can rely on the statistical validity and reliability data to justify their recommendations for O&M services as research-based decisions.
Racial Discrimination, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among Black Pregnant Women
Authors: Carey Camilla , Xie Rui , Davis Jean W. , LaManna Jacqueline B. , Misra Dawn , Giurgescu Carmen
Published: August 2024

Background:

Black pregnant women who experience racial discrimination are at an increased risk of psychological distress. Studies have not adequately addressed if social support may moderate the association between experiences of racial discrimination and psychological distress among Black pregnant women.

Objective:

We sought to examine the moderating effect of social support on the association between experiences of racial discrimination and psychological distress among Black pregnant women.

Methods:

We report findings based on cross-sectional data collected from 599 Black pregnant women enrolled in a prospective cohort study prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women completed questionnaires about experiences of racial discrimination (Experiences of Discrimination), social support (MOS Social Support Survey), and psychological distress (Psychological General Wellbeing Index).

Results:

Women had an average age of 26 ± 5 years and gestational age at data collection of 17 ± 6 weeks. Approximately 53% of women reported ever experiencing racial discrimination in at least one situation, and 54% reported psychological distress. After adjustment for covariates, racial discrimination was associated with a 2.2-fold increase in psychological distress (odds ratio [OR] = 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-3.70; P = .002). Low social support (scores below the median) was associated with a 3.8-fold higher likelihood of psychological distress (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 2.27-6.48, P < .001). Social support did not moderate the association of lifetime experiences of racial discrimination with psychological distress.

Conclusions:

Findings of the study contribute to evidence that lifetime experiences of racial discrimination and low levels of social support relate to psychological distress among Black pregnant women.
Long-Term Trends in Socially Maladjusted Behavior of Students With and Without Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A 22-Year Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lambert Matthew C. , Katsiyannis Antonis , Maag John W. , Mason W. Alex , Epstein Michael H.
Published: August 2024

Although the construct of social maladjustment has been used for the last six decades, relatively little research has addressed secular trends in socially maladjusted behaviors over time, and even fewer studies have addressed trends for students identified with emotional disturbance (ED). The purpose of this study was to use two U.S. nationally representative cross-sectional cohorts, one sampled in 1998 ( n = 1,509) and one sampled in 2020 ( n = 1,513), to examine long-term trends in the socially maladjusted behaviors of students with ED and their peers without disabilities. Results indicated that (a) socially maladjusted behaviors were significantly lower for the 2020 cohort compared with 1998 cohort, (b) the decrease from 1998 to 2020 was significantly more pronounced for students with ED compared with peers without disabilities, and (c) only adolescent students demonstrated significant decreases in socially maladjusted behaviors. Potential explanations, limitations of the study, and implications for schools are discussed.
Acute upper airway obstruction caused by mouth floor cellulitis in a patient of advanced age: a case report and literature review
Authors: Liu Jie , Fu Zhifang , Liu Meilin , Sun Dan , Jiao Hongmei
Published: August 2024

Mouth floor cellulitis is a type of diffuse cellulitis involving the submandibular, submental, and sublingual spaces. This condition may cause asphyxia due to elevation and posterior deviation of the tissues of the floor of the mouth. The severity of submandibular gland infection often escalates in the presence of underlying comorbidities. Advanced age, hyperglycemia, and an immunocompromised status often lead to the rapid development of infection, resulting in complications such as acute upper airway obstruction. These complications increase treatment difficulty and the risk of mortality. We herein report a case involving an older adult with diabetes who developed mouth floor cellulitis secondary to a submandibular gland infection. Despite the severity of the submandibular gland infection, a timely, effective, and multidisciplinary approach improved the patient’s prognosis.
Oral supplementation with probiotics, potassium citrate, and magnesium in reducing crystalluria in stone formers: A phase II study
Authors: Vittori Matteo , Bove Pierluigi , Signoretti Marta , Cipriani Chiara , Gasparoli Cristiano , Antonucci Michele , Carilli Marco , Maiorino Francesco , Iacovelli Valerio , Petta Filomena , Travaglia Stefano , Panei Massimo , Russo Pierluigi , Bertolo Riccardo
Published: August 2024

Introduction:

Crystalluria is an important indicator of renal stone recurrence. Mechanisms underlying urinary stone formation are still not fully understood and raising interests has been giving to intestinal commensal bacteria for their contribute in maintaining urinary solutes equilibrium. The aim of our phase II study was to examine the administration of potassium citrate, magnesium and probiotics in order to reduce crystalluria.

Materials and Methods:

Since May 2021, we enrolled 23 patients candidates for ureterorenolithotripsy for calcium oxalate kidney stones with crystalluria and a normal metabolic profile. The analysis was validated by the Institution’s Ethical Committee (no. approval STS CE Lazio 1/N-823). At discharge, patients were provided with daily food supplementation for 20 days of 1 billion Lactobacillus paracasei LPC09, 1 billion Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, 1 billion Bifidobacterium breve BR03, potassium (520 mg), citrate (1400 mg), and magnesium (80 mg). Crystalluria was re-assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months follow-up by polarized light microscopy.

Results:

After one month from the oral supplementation, no patient reported crystalluria; at 3 months, among the 20 participants available for re-evaluation, still no patient reported crystalluria. Instead, crystalluria was reported in three patients (15%) at 6 months, and in five patients (25%) at 12 months follow-up.

Conclusions:

The oral supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. was found able to reduce the prevalence of crystalluria in a cohort of patients with diagnosis of calcium oxalate kidney stones with crystalluria candidate to ureterorenolithotripsy.
Curiosity, Interest, and Engagement: Unpacking Their Roles in Students’ Learning within a Virtual Game Environment
Authors: Tu Hsing-Ying , Lee Silvia Wen-Yu
Published: August 2024

Learning in a virtual environment has been found to foster students’ affective responses, indicating the importance of exploring the factors which affect students’ learning when engaged in a virtual game. This study aimed to explore the relationships among students’ epistemic curiosity, situational interest, and learning engagement in an exploratory 3D virtual game environment. A virtual game was designed for elementary school students to learn concepts of evaporation and condensation in real-life situations. Data were collected using questionnaires from a total of 121 sixth-grade elementary school students, and were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The reliability and validity of the instruments employed in this study were verified. The structural relationships showed that I-type epistemic curiosity showed a stronger influence on the design of the virtual game environment compared to D-type epistemic curiosity. Challenge was found to be negatively predicted by I-type epistemic curiosity, but positively predicted by D-type epistemic curiosity. Instant enjoyment was also found to play a significant mediating role between I-type epistemic curiosity and emotional engagement. It is suggested that future research should consider providing students with interesting contexts and challenging tasks as a critical approach to designing virtual game learning environments.
Limited Utility of Dynamic Contrast Enhancement Imaging Sequences Within the PI-RADS v2.1 Classification Scheme: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of MRI Reports
Authors: Wagner Mitchell , Samji Karim
Published: August 2024

Background/Objective: We sought to characterize the proportion of peripheral zone lesions “upgraded” within the PI-RADS v2.1 protocol using DCE imaging sequences in a large patient population undergoing multiparametric prostate MRI. Methods: A retrospective review of radiologist reports for 2742 prostate MRI exams at 2 large Alberta teaching hospitals between January 2017 and January 2022 was conducted. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, sequence specific and overall PI-RADS scores, and lesion positivity for DCE were collected if present in the accompanying radiology report. Further, pathology reports of biopsies of the upgraded lesions within upgraded patients were reviewed to see if upgraded lesions were deemed clinically significant by gleason score/grade group. Results: The median age was 63 years, with a median PSA and PSA density of 7.5 ng/mL and 0.13 ng/mL2 respectively. A total of 1809 lesions were reported, with 69.4% of all lesions being DCE positive. Of the lesions within the peripheral zone, 548 were overall PI-RADS 4. A total of 87/2742 (3.2%) of patients were upgraded to a PI-RADS 4 by DCE imaging. Within these patients, 65 had pathology reports available, of which 18 had a clinically significant lesion at the upgrade site. Conclusion: Contrast enhancement is only beneficial for a very small portion of patients undergoing prostate MRI. Given the invasive nature of contrast enhanced studies, potential contrast induced side effects, added imaging time, and the cost of contrast agent, routine use of contrast for prostate MRI is questioned. Further studies are necessary to determine if it should be part of routine prostate MRI imaging protocols.
Identifying and Developing the Battery Manufacturing Workforce: A Regional Analysis of Supply–Demand of Skilled Workers
Authors: Jones Gigi , McFarland Christiana , Lee Michael , Reid Christa , Rose Emma , Gottlieb Jacob , Falcon Ilan
Published: August 2024

Several regions throughout the country are at a crossroads in identifying and developing a sizeable workforce to support President Biden's 2030 zero-emission goals. This case study investigates the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman region's burgeoning viability in supplying the needed workers in its local electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry. This article presents findings from a mixed-methods approach that includes a supply–demand analysis of the region using Lightcast job-postings data; an analysis of the National Labor Exchange data to identify the most common and desirable skills by employers; a curriculum mapping analysis of local educational institutions training programs; and a cost–benefit analysis of program-educated employees that compares employees with only a high school education. Regional stakeholder interviews verified and clarified the findings. The authors conclude with a few partnership-driven recommendations that provide opportunities to strengthen and expand the electric vehicle battery manufacturing workforce for the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman and similar regions.
Multi-mode vibration suppression of a cantilever beam carrying unbalance rotor using bi-stable nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Kumar Rajni Kant , Kumar Nitish
Published: August 2024

Unbalance in rotating machines, caused by manufacturing defects and wear, can induce severe vibrations in base structures. As the rotor accelerates from static to high speeds, multiple frequencies may be excited. To effectively suppress vibrations across all speeds, a bi-stable nonlinear energy sink (BNES) is attached to a cantilever beam with an unbalanced rotor. The dynamic equation of the beam-BNES system is derived using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the Euler-Lagrange equation, followed by Galerkin discretization. A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm optimizes the BNES parameters. Results indicate that the BNES reduces multiple resonant amplitudes by 80% to 95%. Energy dissipation for the first and second beam modes was 85% and 78%, respectively. The system’s bifurcation diagram reveals a stable multi-periodic response across a wide range of unbalance levels. Performance measures show that the NES with an additional linear stiffness element or the BNES surpasses traditional NES.
Venture Capitalists’ Decision-Making in Hot and Cold Markets: The Effect of Signals and Cheap Talk
Authors: Kleinert Simon , Hildebrand Marie
Published: August 2024

This study examines the influence of market conditions—hot versus cold—on the decision-making processes of venture capitalists (VCs). Prior research suggests that VCs prefer costly signals over cheap talk when assessing new ventures under static conditions. However, based on a cognitive perspective, we argue that the dynamic nature of market conditions alters VCs’ information processing. In cold markets, VCs prioritize signals, whereas, in hot markets, they emphasize less costly cues that resonate with prevailing optimism, often at the expense of signals. Supported by a conjoint experiment with 76 VCs, our results clarify the pivotal role of market conditions on the effectiveness of entrepreneurs’ signaling strategies.
Environmental complexity, cognition, and plant stress physiology
Authors: Yilmaz Özlem
Published: August 2024

Facing stress and producing stress responses are crucial aspects of an organism’s life and the evolution of both its species and of the other species in its environment, which are co-evolving with it. Philosophers and biologists emphasize the importance of environmental complexity and how organisms deal with it in evolution of cognitive processes. This article adds to these discussions by highlighting the importance of stress physiology in processes connected to plant cognition. While this article supports the thesis that life means cognizing (i.e., sensing the environment, arranging internal processes according to that perception, and affecting the environment with its actions), it also emphasizes that there are various kinds of organisms. In this regard, plant cognition is not animal cognition. However, given both the variety and continuity in evolutionary processes and the similarities even between the distantly related organisms in the tree of life, I argue that it is usually useful to consider and compare physiological and molecular mechanisms in plants and animals as well as the concepts and research processes in animal and plant science. Although the “pathological complexity” thesis that Veit (2023) presents is fruitful in considering the evolution of consciousness and cognition, I argue that, when thinking of biological processes in relation to cognition, stress can be a helpful concept (maybe even as suitable as pathological complexity) in thinking of organisms’ responses to environmental complexity and their adaptation and acclimation processes.
Human-Artificial Intelligence Teaming for the U.S. Navy: Developing a Holistic Research Roadmap
Authors: Wong Jason H. , Chiou Erin K. , Gutzwiller Robert S. , Cook Maia B. , Fallon Corey K.
Published: August 2024

To address the increasing need for efficient data analysis and decision-making in defense, the U.S. Navy is prioritizing AI/ML systems capable of handling multi-source data and suggesting courses of actions. Historically, many such systems failed due to technical issues and lack of usability or mission relevance. Research on human-AI collaboration aims to create AI systems that better integrate with frontline operators. A recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report (NASEM) outlined 57 research goals, but the U.S. Navy requires a more-focused set of priorities. A workshop with 23 experts from various fields was held at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, resulting in five key research priorities spanning different time frames. This panel discusses the workshop’s findings, highlighting critical questions going into this workshop and those coming out of it. Panel participants come from government, academia, and industry, providing unique perspectives on big questions for human-AI teaming.
Smelling What You See in Virtual Reality: Impacts on Mood, Memory, and Anxiety
Authors: Svenson Kathleen A. , Kass Steven J. , Blalock Lisa D.
Published: August 2024

This study examines how adding scents to a virtual reality (VR) environment impacts immersion, anxiety levels, and mood. Participants ( N = 40), aged 18–44 years with varying levels of VR technology experience, were randomly assigned to either the control (no scent), congruent (i.e., scents that match the visual scene), or incongruent scent conditions. Participants were assessed on changes to mood, anxiety levels, immersion, and performance on a memory recognition task. Results suggest that while the VR experience significantly reduced anxiety and lifted mood, scent did not significantly affect memory performance or immersion in the VR experience. Future directions for research include exploring the use of scent to engage participants more fully in exposure therapies.
Assessing the Relationship Between Learning Stages and Prefrontal Cortex Activation in a Psychomotor Task
Authors: Ortiz Kendric R. , Hunter Jacob G. , Thorpe Adam J. , Yuh Madeleine , Reid Tahira , Jain Neera , Oishi Meeko
Published: August 2024

This research investigates how brain activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) changes with learning stages in a psychomotor task. Utilizing functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we measure prefrontal cortex activation in participants engaged in the simulated landing of a quadrotor, a complex system whose dynamics are non-intuitive for novices. Our findings indicate a significant decrease in PFC activation as learners progress from novice to proficient stages, suggesting a reduction in cognitive load that is correlated with performance improvements in the landing task. These insights could inform the design of future systems that optimize learning interventions based on cognitive state assessments.
Time Pressure Detection in a Visual Search Task Using Eye Tracking Metrics: A Virtual Reality Study
Authors: El Iskandarani Mohamad , Atweh Jad A. , Riggs Sara Lu
Published: August 2024

Time pressure under a time constraint is a commonly found factor in complex domains that can impair visual search. Detecting when a user is subject to a time constraint is crucial for implementing timely interventions to counteract its detrimental effect on performance. Eye tracking, a non-intrusive method for recording eye movements, offers promising potential for time pressure detection. The present study investigates whether a classifier trained exclusively on eye tracking metrics can reliably classify if a user was under time pressure. For this study, eye tracking data from 40 participants was collected as they searched for objects in a virtual living room under different timing conditions and varying reward incentives, and 13 eye tracking metrics were calculated. The results showed that the support vector machine (SVM) classifier was the best-performing model with 0.82 AUROC, 74% accuracy, and 75% f1 score. This demonstrates the potential of eye tracking in detecting time pressure. These results, while promising, underline the importance of combining eye tracking with different physiological and behavioral measures to improve time pressure detection.
Multimodal Physiological Models of Situation Awareness
Authors: Smith Kieran , Clark Torin , Endsley Tristan
Published: August 2024

Future human-autonomy teams will require AI systems capable of adapting to human operators. Of all human states to adapt to, situation awareness (SA) is of particular interest due to its implications on performance and criticality for safety. SA comprises three levels: the perception of elements in the environment, the comprehension of their meaning, and their projection into the future. While existing measures of SA can be difficult to capture in real-time, physiological models have shown promise for predicting SA and could be implemented in real-time in a range of operational settings like air-traffic control. This information regarding operator SA could be used to develop autonomous teammates that respond to critical shifts in SA before adverse outcomes develop. This work advances prior efforts, by incorporating a broad combination of sensors to capture physiological variance in SA, leveraging three linear multiple regression models to predict the SA of an operator along a continuum at each of the three levels, and assessing generalizability of these models to new operators and unseen scenarios.
Effects of Weather Information Observability and Uncertainty on Pilot Assessment of Weather Conditions and Decision Making
Authors: Caldwell Barrett S. , Splitt Michael E. , Boerwinkle A. N. “Evv”
Published: August 2024

General aviation (GA) pilots use different types of weather information when assessing weather conditions during pre-flight weather briefing tasks. Of concern is low altitude weather dynamics and variability between surface weather reporting stations where conditions are known. The study presented here investigated pilot decision making regarding interpolation of weather conditions to multiple potential target destinations, between known weather reporting stations, subject to the effects of differing terrain and microclimate weather patterns. Participants included 24 GA pilots, ranging from 156 to 40,000 h experience, who estimated flight rule conditions at three target locations each (including an actual accident site) in multiple geographic regions and observability of weather reporting stations. Pilots rarely provided correct estimations of flight rule conditions at target locations; accuracy did not always improve with increasing observability of other nearby reporting stations. Despite these errors, pilots were confident in their estimates of flight rule conditions at target locations.
Navigating Trust: The Interplay of Trust in Automation and Team Communication in an Extended Simulated Military Mission
Authors: Mullins T’kara , Necaise Aaron , Fiore Stephen M. , Amon Mary Jean
Published: August 2024

Trust in automation and team communication are crucial factors in human-agent teaming. While research has examined how trust in automation and team dynamics impact performance separately, less is known about how they combine to influence team dynamics. This study investigated how team speech dynamics are related to trust in automation, team perceptions, and workload in the context of a longitudinal multi-participant computer simulated military mission using active-duty military personnel. Results showed that participants with lower trust in automation spoke more than their teammates with higher trust in automation, even after controlling for perceptions of team trust, cooperation, workload, role on the team, and team performance. A common finding in the team literature is that more team communication and more trust in automation are, separately, better for team performance. Thus, this research is an initial step toward demonstrating how automation alters the team dynamics typically considered essential to their success.
Lessons Learned in Developing a Behavioral Economic Measure of Cannabis Use Using a Predominantly White Sample
Authors: Thomas Halle A. , Ellis Jennifer D. , Grekin Emily R.
Published: August 2024

Behavioral economic approaches to measuring cannabis demand represent a well-validated, low-cost method of assessing risk for hazardous cannabis use. One widely used measure of cannabis demand is the Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT), which has shown good psychometric properties across multiple samples. However, preliminary data suggest that changes could improve task ecological validity and acceptability. Using a predominantly White convenience sample, this study aimed to develop a revised MPT that uses a modern dispensary scenario to better reflect national trends in cannabis use (e.g., multiple forms of cannabis consumption). Participant inattentiveness due to increased task length and difficulty estimating purchases for the next month may have impacted demand measures. Lessons learned are discussed to inform future efforts to assess cannabis demand in a manner that is more reflective of naturalistic use: including minimizing participant burden, setting higher price ceilings to increase task utility, and considering person-level factors that may influence demand.
Integrating Single-Cell RNA-Seq and Bulk RNA-Seq to Construct a Novel γδT Cell-Related Prognostic Signature for Human Papillomavirus-Infected Cervical Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaochuan , Jin Yichao , Xu Liangheng , Tao Sizhen , Wu Yifei , Ao Chunping
Published: August 2024

Background

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells play dual roles in human tumors, with both antitumor and tumor-promoting functions. However, the role of γδT cells in HPV-infected cervical cancer is still undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to identify γδT cell-related prognostic signatures in the cervical tumor microenvironment.

Methods

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, bulk RNA-seq data, and corresponding clinical information of cervical cancer patients were obtained from the TCGA and GEO databases. The Seurat R package was used for single-cell analysis, and machine learning algorithms were used to screen and construct a γδT cell-related prognostic signature. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of prognostic signature genes.

Results

Single-cell analysis indicated distinct populations of γδT cells between HPV-positive (HPV+) and HPV-negative (HPV-) cervical cancers. A trajectory analysis indicated γδT cells clustered into differential clusters with the pseudotime. High-dimensional Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA) identified the key γδT cell-related gene modules. Bulk RNA-seq analysis also demonstrated the heterogeneity of immune cells, and the γδT-score was positively associated with inflammatory response and negatively associated with MYC stemness. Eight γδT cell-related hub genes (GTRGs), including ITGAE, IKZF3, LSP1, NEDD9, CLEC2D, RBPJ, TRBC2, and OXNAD1, were selected and validated as a prognostic signature for cervical cancer.

Conclusion

We identified γδT cell-related prognostic signatures that can be considered independent factors for survival prediction in cervical cancer.
Science Communication Spaces as “Pockets of Belonging”: Inviting in a Plurality of Science Identities for Scientists-in-Training
Authors: Bennett Nic , Dudo Anthony , Besley John
Published: August 2024

Science communication spaces may provide an antidote to the hostility of graduate academic spaces. Using the conceptual lens of science identity, we interviewed North American-based STEM graduate students about their sense of belonging in these spaces. Our results suggest that many science communication spaces welcome a plurality of alternative science identities, while academic spaces require assimilation into a singular research science identity. These results suggest how science communication organizations might more intentionally cultivate spaces of belonging for scientists-in-training.
Robust fault-tolerant preview control of linear parameter-varying discrete-time systems
Authors: Li Li , Jia Chen
Published: August 2024

This study presents a new fault-tolerant preview tracking control (FTPTC) method using linear fractional representation (LFR) with regard to discrete-time linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems. To achieve preview tracking performance, a design strategy for a stable controller with integral, fault estimation, and preview actions is adopted. First, a fault estimation methodology for an LPV/LFR system with an actuator failure and external interference is developed utilizing the state observer approach. Next, based on the obtained fault estimation information, an equivalent augmented model including future information on reference signals, is developed, which converts preview tracking control (PTC) problem to a stabilization problem. Less conservative stability conditions for LPV have developed. Lastly, we performed two instances to validate the efficiency of the control approach that was proposed.
Prostate cancer screening: Is it time for a new approach? A review article
Authors: Mikulas Christopher James , Ali Kabeer , Onteddu Nirmal
Published: August 2024

Prostate cancer screening has presented a challenge to clinicians. Although the implementation of screening tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam (DRE) has had a significant impact on prostate-cancer-specific mortality, these traditional screening tests have a relatively poor positive predictive value of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPC), leading to unnecessary biopsies and treatment with a host of potential complications. Fortunately, much research has been done to optimize prostate cancer screening. This includes the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, which underwent a secondary analysis to identify an association between PSA level and CSPC, and the IP1-PROSTAGRAM Tri
Cannabis Users’ and Non-Users’ Differential Responses to Two Anti-Cannabis Campaigns
Authors: Stevens Elise M. , Cohn Amy , Ruedinger Brian , Kim Narae , Seo Jinhee , Sun Fuwei , Kim Seunghyun , Leshner Glenn
Published: August 2024

Even though multiple states have approved legal recreational use of cannabis, the expansion of recreational cannabis legalization has led to public health concerns in the United States. Young adults (18–25 years old) have the highest percentage of cannabis use disorder compared to all other age groups. The purpose of this study is to compare cognitive and emotional responses of young adults who use cannabis and non-users to two anti-cannabis media campaigns that employed different message strategies. In total, 50 people (25 people who use cannabis and 25 non-users) participated in the study—a 2 (cannabis use status: people who currently use cannabis/non-users) × 2 (Public Service Advertising [PSA] campaign: Don’t be a Lab Rat-Informational/Stoner Sloth-Narrative) × 3 (message replication) experiment. Participants viewed six messages based on the combinations of each of the three message replications within two campaigns. Participants’ facial emotional responses were recorded during message exposure. Self-report questions were asked after viewing each message. Self-report indices showed no differences between the two campaigns for participants who use cannabis and non-users. However, after controlling for individual differences, participants who use cannabis displayed more negative emotional responses to the Don’t be a Lab Rat messages than to the Stoner Sloth messages. Conversely, cannabis users experienced more positive emotional responses to the Stoner Sloth messages than to the Don’t be a Lab Rat messages. The study provides insights for message design in public health campaigns addressing cannabis use, suggesting that psychophysiological measures can be helpful in providing insights into responses not detected by traditional self-report measures.
Insights into a Machine Learning-Based Palmitoylation-Related Gene Model for Predicting the Prognosis and Treatment Response of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Zhu Hongxia , Hu Haihong , Hao Bo , Zhan Wendi , Yan Ting , Zhang Jingdi , Wang Siyu , Hu Hongjuan , Zhang Taolan
Published: August 2024

Background

Breast cancer is a prevalent public health concern affecting numerous women globally and is associated with palmitoylation, a post-translational protein modification. Despite increasing focus on palmitoylation, its specific implications for breast cancer prognosis remain unclear. The work aimed to identify prognostic factors linked to palmitoylation in breast cancer and assess its effectiveness in predicting responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Methods

We utilized the “limma” package to analyze the differential expression of palmitoylation-related genes between breast cancer and normal tissues. Hub genes were identified using the “WGCNA” package. Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis, we identified a prognostic feature associated with palmitoylation and developed a prognostic nomogram with the “regplot” package. The predictive values of the model for chemotherapy and immunotherapy responses were assessed using immunophenoscore (IPS) and the “pRophetic” package.

Results

We identified 211 differentially expressed genes related to palmitoylation, among which 44 demonstrated prognostic potential. Subsequently, a predictive model comprising eleven palmitoylation-related genes was developed. Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. The findings revealed that individuals in the high-risk group exhibited lower survival rates, while those in the low-risk group showed increased immune cell infiltration and improved responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Moreover, the BC-Palmitoylation Tool website was established.

Conclusion

This study developed the first machine learning-based predictive model for palmitoylation-related genes and created a corresponding website, providing clinicians with a valuable tool to improve patient outcomes.
Recognizing Queer Citizens of Carnival City
Authors: Stone Amy L.
Published: August 2024

At annual, citywide festivals like Fiestas in the U.S. Southwest and Mardi Gras or Carnival in the South, LGBTQ events are often the hottest tickets in town. This recognition and celebration, in turn, is a key part of securing full citizenship--the sense of being an important, unattenuated member of society--for LGBTQ community members.
Hotpot as a Reflection of Societal Changes
Authors: Meiser Ellen T.
Published: August 2024

Ellen T. Meiser on a communal concoction's individualization.
Beyond “YIMBY”: Fixing the Affordable Housing Crisis
Authors: Robinson John N.
Published: August 2024

John N. Robinson III on reimagining affordable housing production.
Quantifying extent of meningioma preoperative embolization through volumetric analysis: A retrospective case series
Authors: Faulkner Denzel E. , Feng Rui , Matsoukas Stavros , Odland Ian C. , Philbrick Brandon , Gutzweiller Eveline , Tabani Halima , Bruhat Alexis , Kwon Fred , Baker Turner S. , Schlachter Leslie , Oemke Holly , Kellner Christopher , Mocco J , Fifi Johanna , Shigematsu Tomoyoshi , Majidi Shahram , Shoirah Hazem , Leacy Reade De , Berenstein Alejandro , Shrivastava Raj , Dunn Stanley , Bederson Joshua , Rapoport Benjamin I.
Published: August 2024

Background

Endovascular embolization is an adjunct to meningioma resection. Isolating the effectiveness of embolization is difficult as MR imaging is typically performed before embolization and after resection, and volumetric assessment of embolization on 2D angiographic imaging is challenging. We investigated the correlation between 2D angiographic and 3D MR measurements of meningioma devascularization following embolization.

Methods

We implemented a protocol for postembolization, preresection MRI. Angiographic devascularization was graded according to reduction of tumor blush from 1 (partial embolization) to 4 (complete embolization with no residual circulation supply). Volumetric extent of embolization was quantified as the percent of tumor contrast enhancement lost following embolization. Tumor embolization was analyzed according to tumor location and vascular supply.

Results

Thirty consecutive patients met inclusionary criteria. Grade 1 devascularization was achieved in 7% of patients, grade 2 in 43%, grade 3 in 20%, and grade 4 in 30%. Average extent of embolization was 37 ± 6%. Extent of tumor embolization was low (<25%) in 40%, moderate (25%–75%) in 40%, and high (>75%) in 20% of patients. Convexity, parasagittal/falcine and sphenoid wing tumors were found to have distinct vascular supply patterns and extent of embolization. Angiographic devascularization grade was significantly correlated with volumetric extent of tumor embolization ( p < 0.001, r = 0.758).

Conclusion

This is the first study to implement postembolization, preoperative MRI to assess extent of embolization prior to meningioma resection. The study demonstrates that volumetric assessment of contrast reduction following embolization provides a quantitative and spatially resolved framework for assessing extent of tumor embolization.