bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A framework and process for community-engaged, mixed-methods cancer needs assessments
Authors: Burus Todd , Thompson Jessica R. , McAfee Caree R. , Williams Lovoria B. , Knight Jennifer Redmond , Huang Bin , Kanotra Sarojini , Wilhite Natalie P. , Russell Elaine , Rogers Melinda , Sorrell Connie L. , Stroebel Christine , King Rachael , Hull Pamela C.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Community health needs assessments are required for most state and local public health agencies and non-profit hospitals. Typically based on community health improvement planning models, these assessments encompass overall community health and multiple diseases to inform program planning. National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Centers and community-based cancer-focused programs share the goal of reducing cancer burden in the catchment areas they serve. However, to date, no published models exist to guide cancer-specific needs assessments for a determined geographic area that can inform both public health and research initiatives. The purpose of this article is to outline a cancer needs assessment (CNA) framework and community-engaged, mixed-methods process, along with a case study of how we applied it in Kentucky.

Methods

We convened a steering committee of key organizational partners to provide input throughout the process. We developed a conceptual framework of multi-level determinants affecting cancer-related outcomes. We incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data gathered through a variety of means, including a novel application of group concept mapping to guide definition of priorities.

Results

The resulting CNA has helped guide strategic planning and priorities for Kentucky’s Cancer Action Plan, Markey Cancer Center, state agencies, and community-based organizations.

Conclusion

This framework and process can be used collaboratively by cancer center Community Outreach and Engagement offices, public health agencies, oncology programs, and community partners to plan impactful cancer control programs and research in their catchment areas. Universities can also use them to inform the planning of community engagement and health equity research efforts.
Spanish Students’ Categorical Perceptions of Feminist Movements
Authors: Ávila-Muñoz Antonio Manuel
Published: May 2024

Identifying a society’s perceptions and, by extension, opinions of a certain social movement can help to understand to what extent the movement has been successful in effecting change. When working to gain such an understanding, a focus on the student population is essential, as their opinions provide insight into the future conditions of society and, thus, into whether the movement has been successful in effecting lasting social change. The present work focusses on the feminist movements and, in line with the above, analyses the perceptions held by a sample of 600 Spanish students enrolled in compulsory secondary, pre-university, and university education. The method employed begins with the use of association tests to extract lexical networks. Then, following a theoretical transformation, the traditional lexical availability index is applied in combination with fuzzy set theory to the sample of lists obtained so as to map the structure of the collective network, a novel approach that results in different levels of compatibility. The highest levels of compatibility reveal the prototypical conceptualisation as well as the sample’s shared cognitive perception. The results suggest that although the population under study may have absorbed the feminist movements’ messages of equality and respect, distorted perceptions could still remain in certain groups analysed. This work therefore recommends that education centres may wish to consider communicating objective information on the feminist movements specifically to women, as this could ultimately lead to all students fully embracing a feminist awareness distanced from extreme ideologies.
Socio-Economic Status and Bullying Victimization in India: A Study About Social Misfit and Minority Perception
Authors: Thakkar Niharika , van Geel Mitch , Malda Maike , Rippe Ralph , Vedder Paul
Published: May 2024

The Social Misfit Theory, which states that some individuals deviate from what is normative in a community and may therefore be more likely to be victimized, has mostly been studied in Western countries. The current study addresses in a longitudinal sample whether socio-economic minorities (SES) in the classroom (a contextual SES minority) are more likely to become victims of bullying in India, and whether the relation between minority status and victimization is mediated by perception of oneself as a minority. The current study used three waves separated by three month intervals. A sample of youth from Indore India (grades 7 to 9; N = 1238; M-ageT1 = 13.15, SD = 1.16, 24 percent girls) was used. It was found that being a contextual SES minority was related to more victimization, but only when the contextual status was corroborated by the perceived minority status. However, over time, being part of a contextual minority predicted decreased victimization, possibly pointing to normative beliefs and values in the Indian context. The results of this study are in contrast to the Social Misfit Theory, but do support self-perception as a mediator.
From Effects of Governance to Causes of Epistemic Change
Authors: Gläser Jochen
Published: May 2024

In this paper I argue that the attempts by science studies to identify epistemic effects of new governance instruments have largely failed. I suggest two main reasons for this failure. The first reason is that neither quantitative nor qualitative studies of effects of governance instruments meet the respective methodological standards for establishing causality. While much of this could be repaired, the second reason is more severe: given the complex causal web between governance and knowledge production and the multi-level nature of causation, a strategy that starts from a particular governance instrument and tries to identify its effects cannot work. I propose to reverse this strategy by starting from the observation of epistemic change and applying a strategy of “causal reconstruction” (Mayntz), which identifies the causes of this epistemic change and among them the contribution by governance. This approach has the advantage of starting from well-identified change. Challenges posed by the new approach include the empirical identification of epistemic change and the need to integrate sociological methods in science policy studies.
Quantized Iterative Learning Bipartite Containment Tracking Control for Unknown Nonlinear Multi-agent Systems
Authors: Zhang Ruikun , Sang Shangyu , Zhang Jingyuan , Lin Xue
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes a quantized model-free adaptive iterative learning control (MFAILC) algorithm to solve the bipartite containment tracking problem of unknown nonlinear multi-agent systems, where the interactions between agents include cooperation and antagonistic interactions. To design the controller, the agent’s dynamics is transformed into the linear data model based on the dynamic linearization method, and then a quantized MFAILC algorithm is established based on the quantized values of the relative output measurements. The designed controller only depends on the input and output data of the agent. We prove that under the quantized MFAILC algorithm, the multi-agent systems can achieve the bipartite containment, that is, the output trajectories of followers converge to the convex hull formed by the leaders’ trajectories and the leaders’ symmetric trajectories. Finally, we provide simulations to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Operator-splitting finite element method for solving the radiative transfer equation
Authors: Ganesan Sashikumaar , Singh Maneesh Kumar
Published: May 2024

An operator-splitting finite element scheme for the time-dependent radiative transfer equation is presented in this paper. The streamline upwind Petrov-Galerkin finite element method and discontinuous Galerkin finite element method are used for the spatial-angular discretization of the radiative transfer equation, whereas the backward Euler scheme is used for temporal discretization. Error analysis of the proposed numerical scheme for the fully discrete radiative transfer equation is presented. The stability and convergence estimates for the fully discrete problem are derived. Moreover, an operator-splitting algorithm for the numerical simulation of high-dimensional equations is also presented. The validity of the derived estimates and implementation is illustrated with suitable numerical experiments.
Intersectionality as emergence
Authors: Jorba Marta , López de Sa Dan
Published: May 2024

Intersectionality is the notion that concerns the complexity of the experiences of individuals in virtue of their belonging to multiple socially significant categories. One of its main insights is that the way society is structured around categories such as gender, race, sexuality, class, etc., produces distinctive and specific forms of discrimination and privilege for groups in the intersections. In this paper, we suggest conceiving intersectionality as a general metaphysical framework wherein specific claims to the effect that the experiences of discrimination of Black women, among others, can be fruitfully formulated and examined. The main claim is that intersectional experiences emerge from the conjunction of social categories when social structures make them relevant vis-à-vis discrimination and privilege. We then argue that our view has three main virtues: metaphysical neutrality, explanatory flexibility and methodological openness. Explaining these virtues will allow us to contrast our proposal with alternatives from the recent literature.
Ignorance, soundness, and norms of inquiry
Authors: Willard-Kyle Christopher
Published: May 2024

The current literature on norms of inquiry features two families of norms: norms that focus on an inquirer’s ignorance and norms that focus on the question’s soundness. I argue that, given a factive conception of ignorance, it’s possible to derive a soundness-style norm from a version of the ignorance norm. A crucial lemma in the argument is that just as one can only be ignorant of a proposition if the proposition is true, so one can only be ignorant with respect to a question if the question is sound.
Gender disparities in Behçet’s syndrome: identifying distinct phenotypes through cluster analysis
Authors: Kılıç Gamze , Körüklü Kemal Faruk , Kumcu Muhammed Galip , Çakır Elif , Karkucak Murat , Kılıç Erkan
Published: May 2024

Behçet’s syndrome (BS) is a complex, multi-systemic disorder with a global occurrence, notably concentrated along the Silk Road. This study aimed to investigate gender-specific expressions and clinical phenotypes in BS patients within the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. A total of 290 BS patients were retrospectively analyzed between January 2013 and December 2023. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, medical treatment, and pathergy test results were obtained from a review of medical records. The mean age was 45.79 ± 13.05, with a male-to-female ratio of 48.6:51.4. Male patients had higher papulopustular lesions (p < 0.001) and ocular involvement (p = 0.036), while females showed more frequent genital ulcers (p = 0.032). Medication usage showed gender-based variations, notably higher corticosteroid, azathioprine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor (TNFi) use in males (p < 0.001). Cluster analysis revealed five distinct clusters, each with unique features and gender predominance. Cardiovascular type, ocular type, and skin type predominantly featured male patients, while joint involvement type and neurologic and mucosal involvement type were more prevalent among female patients with BS. This research contributes valuable insights into the gender-related clinical variations of BS within a specific geographic region, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of this challenging syndrome. The identification of distinct clinical phenotypes facilitates the development of tailored treatment strategies, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with BS.
Shenqi Fuzheng injection hinders non-small cell lung cancer cell growth by regulating the Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Siqi , Ma Tianyu , Li Gege , Cheng Xu , Wen Tao , Wang Yuxuan , Zhang Hongtao , Liu Zhidong
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common solid tumor and is currently considered the primary cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In clinical efficacy studies, it was not difficult to find that the combination of SFI and chemotherapy could improve the general condition of patients, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, and have a cooperative antitumor effect in NSCLC patients. However, whether SFI can be used as a novel antitumor drug is still unknown.

Methods

First, meta-analysis aimed to explore the efficacy of SFI in NSCLC patients, and SFI was identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (UPLC‒MS). Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were explored by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), scratch healing, and Transwell assays, respectively. Cell cycle and apoptosis assays were performed by flow cytometry. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed in four NSCLC cell lines. Differential expression analysis was used to identify potential targets. Apoptosis-related protein levels were detected by Western blotting assays. The effects of SFI in NSCLC were further investigated by mouse xenografts.

Results

SFI could markedly improve the chemotherapy efficacy of NSCLC patients. The main active ingredients include flavonoids and terpenoids, which can effectively exert antitumor effects. SFI could not only inhibit tumor cell proliferation and cell migration/invasion but also regulate the cell cycle and promote tumor cell apoptosis. In NSCLC, SFI could enhance the transcription level of the CHOP gene, thereby upregulating the expression of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspase 3, and inhibiting the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. SFI hindered the growth of mouse NSCLC xenografts in vivo.

Conclusions

SFI hindered tumor progression and might promote apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bax, caspase 3 and decreasing the level of Bcl-2 in NSCLC.
From Iya Ijebu’s shop to Igbo market: ethnicity and the transformation of Mushin leather market in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Adebayo Ayomide Oluwakemi , Omobowale Ayokunle Olumuyiwa
Published: May 2024

Leather markets are critical nodes in the leather industry value chain. They attract manufacturers and small and medium enterprises that facilitate social interactions and opportunities, leading to increased availability of finished leather goods. This study explores the social transformation and organization of Mushin leather market in Lagos megacity based on data collected through observation and in-depth and key informant interviews with traders, association and community members, transporters and customers in the market. Mushin leather market evolved from a shop owned by an indigenous woman known as Iya Ijebu (Ijebu woman) into a leather trading community. State and local governments intervene minimally in the market affairs through sanitation rules and revenue collection. Routes to market socialization include mentoring and apprenticeships, with visible gender disparities. Associational membership guarantees full integration to traders. Strong business, personal and group networks structure ethnic dynamics and occupational specializations. The article reveals the inherent interdependence of social institutions in understanding the organization of the leather market, particularly in terms of how capital, associational norms and networks shape the formation of a heterogeneous market in an indigenous Yoruba community. Mushin leather market is transforming the domains of ethnic trade speciality and patterning intergroup social relations in Lagos megacity.
Spanish Adaptation of the D70 – The Dark Core of Personality	in Spanish-Speaking Countries
Authors: García-Fernández Jaime , Postigo Álvaro , Cuesta Marcelino , Moshagen Morten
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Socially aversive (“dark”) personality traits (e.g., Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, etc.) share many features which led Moshagen et al. (2018) to conceptualize D, the common core between them. This work aims to establish internal structure evidence for the validation of the Spanish version of its measure (D70) and to demonstrate measurement invariance across sex and country based on a total of 12,356 participants from six countries (Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru). Item analysis, reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis following a bifactor structure were performed in each sample in order to assess the psychometric properties of the test, following tests of measurement invariance regarding sex and country. Results showed that the Spanish version of the D70 is an essentially unidimensional and reliable measure, and further supported invariance across sex and countries. This gives cross-cultural researchers a new tool for studying the common core of dark personality in Spanish-speaking countries, and the applied psychologist the possibility to assess socially aversive personalities from the dark factor model.
Mapping the supportive care needs and quality of life of adult survivors of childhood cancer at a comprehensive cancer center in the Middle East
Authors: Al-Rawashdeh Nedal , Damsees Rana , Abaza Haneen , Ammar Khawlah , Alananzeh Ibrahim , Abu Ghosh Amal , Al-Awady Shireen , Abu Serhan Hashem , Al-Jafari Khaled , Awadallah Omar , Al-Jafari Zaid , Abu Serhan Leen , Irshaidat Sarah , Obeidat Emad , Al-Omari Amal
Published: May 2024

Assessing unmet needs is crucial to achieving quality care and patient satisfaction. Between September and December 2021, we assessed unmet supportive care needs in a consecutive sample of adult survivors of childhood cancer at KHCC (King Hussien Cancer Center). Two hundred and ninety-seven adult survivors of childhood cancer completed the study questionnaire. The average needs score across all domains was 24.80 (SD = 19.65), with the financial domain scoring the highest 30.39 (SD = 31.95) and sexuality scoring the lowest 7.67 (SD = 19.67). Using a multivariate linear regression model, female gender was independently associated with significantly high scores in all need domains (p < 0.001), except for sexuality. Monthly income, comorbidities, socioeconomic challenges, time since diagnosis, and age at diagnosis have emerged as predictors of needs in many domains. Mean quality of life (QoL) was significantly and inversely associated with the mean score in multiple domains: psychological (p < 0.001), sexuality (p = 0.038), financial (p < 0.001), and overall needs (p = 0.004). Following a content analysis of qualitative data, educational difficulties, and work-related challenges were identified as other unmet needs. Cancer experiences during childhood significantly influence supportive care needs in adulthood. There is a need for more tailored studies assessing different populations of cancer survivors and avoiding the one-size-fits-all survivorship care.
A multistage framework for respiratory disease detection and assessing severity in chest X-ray images
Authors: Sahoo Pranab , Sharma Saksham Kumar , Saha Sriparna , Jain Deepak , Mondal Samrat
Published: May 2024

Chest Radiography is a non-invasive imaging modality for diagnosing and managing chronic lung disorders, encompassing conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. While it is crucial for disease localization and severity assessment, existing computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems primarily focus on classification tasks, often overlooking these aspects. Additionally, prevalent approaches rely on class activation or saliency maps, providing only a rough localization. This research endeavors to address these limitations by proposing a comprehensive multi-stage framework. Initially, the framework identifies relevant lung areas by filtering out extraneous regions. Subsequently, an advanced fuzzy-based ensemble approach is employed to categorize images into specific classes. In the final stage, the framework identifies infected areas and quantifies the extent of infection in COVID-19 cases, assigning severity scores ranging from 0 to 3 based on the infection’s severity. Specifically, COVID-19 images are classified into distinct severity levels, such as mild, moderate, severe, and critical, determined by the modified RALE scoring system. The study utilizes publicly available datasets, surpassing previous state-of-the-art works. Incorporating lung segmentation into the proposed ensemble-based classification approach enhances the overall classification process. This solution can be a valuable alternative for clinicians and radiologists, serving as a secondary reader for chest X-rays, reducing reporting turnaround times, aiding clinical decision-making, and alleviating the workload on hospital staff.
Sacubitril/valsartan ameliorates cardiac function and ventricular remodeling in CHF rats via the inhibition of the tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism and inflammation
Authors: Gan Jiali , Wang Yuli , Deng Yun , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Shuangcui , Jiang Xijuan , Guo Maojuan , Song Lili
Published: May 2024

Sacubitril/valsartan has been highly recognized as a treatment for Chronic heart failure (CHF). Its potential cardioprotective benefits and mechanisms, however, remain to be explored. Metabolomics can be used to identify the metabolic characteristics and related markers, as well as the influence of drugs, thereby opening up the new mechanism for sacubitril/valsartan therapy in CHF disease. In this study, the ligation of left anterior descending and exhaustive swimming were used to induce a rat model of CHF after myocardial infarction. The efficacy was appraised with echocardiography, serum NT-proBNP, and histopathologica. UPLC-Q/TOF–MS combined with multivariate statistical analysis approach were used to analyze the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on CHF rats. RT-qPCR and western blot were performed to investigate the tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism pathway. Accordingly, the basal cardiac function were increased, while the serum NT-proBNP and collagen volume fraction decreased in CHF rats with sacubitril/valsartan. Sacubitril/valsartan regulated the expression of kynurenine et.al 8 metabolomic biomarkers in CHF rats serum, and it contributed to the cardioprotective effects through tryptophan metabolism pathway. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in the myocardial tissue of CHF rats, were down-regulated by sacubitril/valsartan, which was the same with the IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, COX-2, and IL-6 mRNA expression, and IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression in serum. In conclusion, sacubitril/valsartan can ameliorate cardiac function and ventricular remodeling in CHF rats, at least in part through inhibition of tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism.
Supplementation of sperm cryopreservation media with H2S donors enhances sperm quality, reduces oxidative stress, and improves in vitro fertilization outcomes
Authors: Mohammadi Asefeh , Jafarpour Farnoosh , Vash Nima Tanhaei , Hajian Mehdi , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2024

Cryopreservation of sperm can cause oxidative stress and damage, leading to decreased different functional parameters and fertilization potential. In this study, we evaluated two types of H2S donors: NaHS, a fast-releasing donor, and GYY4137, a slow-releasing donor during cryopreservation of goat sperm. Initially, we determined that 1.5 and 3 μM NaHS, and 15 and 30 μM GYY4137 are optimal concentrations that improved different sperm functional parameters including motility, viability, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, and ROS production during incubation at 38.5 °C for 90 min. We subsequently evaluated the impact of the optimal concentration of NaHS and GYY4137 supplementation on various functional parameters following thawing during cryopreservation. Our data revealed that supplementation of extender improved different parameters including post-thaw sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, and reduced DNA damage compared to the frozen-thawed control group. The supplementation also restored the redox state, decreased lipid peroxidation, and improved mitochondrial membrane potential in the thawed sperm. Finally, we found that supplementation of the extender with NaHS and GYY4137 enhanced IVF outcomes in terms of blastocyst rate and quality of blastocysts. Our results suggest that both donors can be applied for cryopreservation as antioxidants to improve sperm quality and IVF outcomes of frozen-thawed goat sperm.
Preventive dental care reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and pneumonia in hemodialysis population: a nationwide claims database analysis
Authors: Mikami Risako , Mizutani Koji , Ishimaru Miho , Gohda Tomohito , Iwata Takanori , Aida Jun
Published: May 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of dental care utilization status on the occurrence of fatal complications such as cerebral/cardiovascular disease (CVD) and infectious diseases in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. This retrospective cohort study was performed using the Japanese claims database and included patients who first underwent hemodialysis between April 2014 and September 2020. The exposure variable of interest was the pattern of dental utilization, which was categorized into three groups, “dental treatment group”, “preventive dental care group”, and “no-dental visit group”. The primary outcomes were the time interval until a composite end point of first major cardiovascular event (acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or cerebral infarction) of infectious disease (pneumonia and sepsis). The secondary outcomes were the time interval until the incidence of each component of primary outcomes. Survival analyses, including log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, were performed. Among the 10,873 patients who underwent the first dialysis treatment, 6152 were assigned to the no-dental visit group, 2221 to the dental treatment group, and 2500 to the preventive dental care group. The preventive dental care group had significantly lower hazard ratios (HRs) of the incidence of CVD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.96) and infectious diseases (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.97). As for pneumonia, preventive dental care and dental treatment groups had significantly lower HRs (aHR: 0.74 and 0.80, 95% CI: 0.61–0.88, 0.66–0.96) than the no-dental visit group. This study demonstrated that dental visits for preventive dental care were associated with a significant risk reduction in CVD and infectious complications in patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis.
radioGWAS links radiome to genome to discover driver genes with somatic mutations for heterogeneous tumor image phenotype in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zheng Dandan , Grandgenett Paul M. , Zhang Qi , Baine Michael , Shi Yu , Du Qian , Liang Xiaoying , Wong Jeffrey , Iqbal Subhan , Preuss Kiersten , Kamal Ahsan , Yu Hongfeng , Du Huijing , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Zhang Chi
Published: May 2024

Addressing the significant level of variability exhibited by pancreatic cancer necessitates the adoption of a systems biology approach that integrates molecular data, biological properties of the tumors, medical images, and clinical features of the patients. In this study, a comprehensive multi-omics methodology was employed to examine a distinctive collection of patient dataset containing rapid autopsy tumor and normal tissue samples as well as longitudinal imaging with a focus on pancreatic cancer. By performing a whole exome sequencing analysis on tumor and normal tissues to identify somatic gene variants and a radiomic feature analysis to tumor CT images, the genome-wide association approach established a connection between pancreatic cancer driver genes and relevant radiomic features, enabling a thorough and quantitative assessment of the heterogeneity of pancreatic tumors. The significant association between sets of genes and radiomic features revealed the involvement of genes in shaping tumor morphological heterogeneity. Some results of the association established a connection between the molecular level mechanism and their outcomes at the level of tumor structural heterogeneity. Because tumor structure and tumor structural heterogeneity are related to the patients’ overall survival, patients who had pancreatic cancer driver gene mutations with an association to a certain radiomic feature have been observed to experience worse survival rates than cases without these somatic mutations. Furthermore, the association analysis has revealed potential gene mutations and radiomic feature candidates that warrant further investigation in future research endeavors.
A new multi-attribute group decision-making method based on Einstein Bonferroni operators under interval-valued Fermatean hesitant fuzzy environment
Authors: Lei Siyue , Ma Xiuqin , Qin Hongwu , Wang Yibo , Zain Jasni Mohamad
Published: May 2024

Faced with the increasing complexity and uncertainty of decision-making information, interval-valued Fermatean hesitant fuzzy sets (IVFHFSs) were presented as a novel mathematical model that handled uncertain data more effectively. However, existing multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) methods based on IVFHFSs do not thoroughly investigate the operational laws. Also, these existing MAGDM methods do not take into account the connections between attributes and are less flexible. To address these issues, this paper proposes a new MAGDM method based on Einstein Bonferroni operators under IVFHFSs. First, we thoroughly examine the operational laws of Einstein t-norms under the IVFHFSs to further extend the study of the operational laws. Then, we introduce the interval-valued Fermatean hesitant fuzzy Einstein Bonferroni mean operator and the interval-valued Fermatean hesitant fuzzy Einstein weighted Bonferroni mean operator under Einstein t-norms. Our suggested aggregation operators consider the relationship between attributes and are far more flexible in comparison to the current approaches. Later, a novel MAGDM method based on Einstein Bonferroni operators under the IVFHFSs is given. Finally, the practicality and validity of the proposed method are demonstrated by a cardiovascular disease diagnosis application.
Success in the Natural Detection Task is influenced by only a few factors generally believed to affect dogs’ olfactory performance
Authors: Salamon Attila , Baranya Eszter , Zsiros László Róbert , Miklósi Ádám , Csepregi Melitta , Kubinyi Enikő , Andics Attila , Gácsi Márta
Published: May 2024

Research into dogs' olfactory ability is growing rapidly. However, generalising based on scientific results is challenging, because research has been typically conducted on a few specially trained subjects of a few breeds tested in different environmental conditions. We investigated the effects of temperature and humidity (outdoors), age, test location, sex, neutering status, and repeated testing (outdoors and indoors) on the olfactory performance of untrained family dogs (N = 411) of various breeds. We employed the Natural Detection Task with three difficulty levels, from which we derived two performance metrics: Top Level and Success Score. Temperature (0–25 °C) and humidity (18–90%) did not affect olfactory performance. Young adult dogs surpassed other age groups in reaching the Top Level. Sex and neutering status showed no discernible influence on Top Level and Success Score. Dogs performed better in both metrics when tested indoors compared to outdoors. In the test–retest procedure no significant learning effect was observed. We confirmed on untrained companion dogs that olfactory performance declines with age and rejected some factors that have been previously hypothesised to significantly affect dogs’ olfactory success. The influence of the testing environment was notable, emphasising the need to consider various factors in understanding dogs' olfactory capabilities.
Genomic characterization reveals distinct mutational landscapes and therapeutic implications between different molecular subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Li Ruo Qi , Yan Lei , Zhang Ling , Ma Hai Xia , Wang Hui Wen , Bu Peng , Xi Yan Feng , Lian Jing
Published: May 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high heterogeneity, poor prognosis, and limited treatment success. Recently, an immunohistochemistry-based surrogate classification for the “Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) subtyping” has been developed and is considered more suitable for clinical application. Seventy-one paraffin-embedded sections of surgically resected TNBC were classified into four molecular subtypes using the IHC-based surrogate classification. Genomic analysis was performed by targeted next-generation sequencing and the specificity of the subtypes was explored by bioinformatics, including survival analysis, multivariate Cox regression, pathway enrichment, Pyclone analysis, mutational signature analysis and PHIAL analysis. AKT1 and BRCA1 mutations were identified as independent prognostic factors in TNBC. TNBC molecular subtypes encompass distinct genomic landscapes that show specific heterogeneities. The luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype was associated with mutations in PIK3CA and PI3K pathways, which are potentially sensitive to PI3K pathway inhibitors. The basal-like immune-suppressed (BLIS) subtype was characterized by high genomic instability and the specific possession of signature 19 while patients in the immunomodulatory (IM) subtype belonged to the PD-L1 ≥ 1% subgroup with enrichment in Notch signaling, suggesting a possible benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors and Notch inhibitors. Moreover, mesenchymal-like (MES) tumors displayed enrichment in the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-RAS pathway and potential sensitivity to RTK pathway inhibitors. The findings suggest potential treatment targets and prognostic factors, indicating the possibility of TNBC stratified therapy in the future.
Transcriptome analysis and development of EST-SSR markers in the mushroom Auricularia heimuer
Authors: Jiao Lihe , Han Chuang , Zhu Jianan , Zhang Piqi , Ma Yinpeng , Dai Xiaodong , Zhang Yunzhi
Published: May 2024

Auricularia heimuer, the third most frequently cultivated edible mushroom species worldwide, has high medicinal value. However, a shortage of molecular marker hinders the efficiency and accuracy of genetic breeding efforts for A. heimuer. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing data are essential for gene discovery and molecular markers development. This study aimed to clarify the distribution of SSR loci across the A. heimuer transcriptome and to develop highly informative EST-SSR markers. These tools can be used for phylogenetic analysis, functional gene mining, and molecular marker-assisted breeding of A. heimuer. This study used Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to obtain A. heimuer transcriptome data. The results revealed 37,538 unigenes in the A. heimuer transcriptome. Of these unigenes, 24,777 (66.01%) were annotated via comparison with the COG, Pfam, and NR databases. Overall, 2510 SSRs were identified from the unigenes, including 6 types of SSRs. The most abundant type of repeats were trinucleotides (1425, 56.77%), followed by mononucleotides (391, 15.58%) and dinucleotides (456, 18.17%). Primer pairs for 102 SSR loci were randomly designed for validity confirmation and polymorphism identification; this process yielded 53 polymorphic EST-SSR markers. Finally, 13 pairs of highly polymorphic EST-SSR primers were used to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 52 wild A. heimuer germplasms, revealing that the 52 germplasms could be divided into three categories. These results indicated that SSR loci were abundant in types, numbers, and frequencies, providing a potential basis for germplasm resource identification, genetic diversity analysis, and molecular marker-assisted breeding of A. heimuer.
In silico study of heterogeneous tumour-derived organoid response to CAR T-cell therapy
Authors: Luque Luciana Melina , Carlevaro Carlos Manuel , Rodriguez-Lomba Enrique , Lomba Enrique
Published: May 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a promising immunotherapy for treating cancers. This method consists in modifying the patients’ T-cells to directly target antigen-presenting cancer cells. One of the barriers to the development of this type of therapies, is target antigen heterogeneity. It is thought that intratumour heterogeneity is one of the leading determinants of therapeutic resistance and treatment failure. While understanding antigen heterogeneity is important for effective therapeutics, a good therapy strategy could enhance the therapy efficiency. In this work we introduce an agent-based model (ABM), built upon a previous ABM, to rationalise the outcomes of different CAR T-cells therapies strategies over heterogeneous tumour-derived organoids. We found that one dose of CAR T-cell therapy should be expected to reduce the tumour size as well as its growth rate, however it may not be enough to completely eliminate it. Moreover, the amount of free CAR T-cells (i.e. CAR T-cells that did not kill any cancer cell) increases as we increase the dosage, and so does the risk of side effects. We tested different strategies to enhance smaller dosages, such as enhancing the CAR T-cells long-term persistence and multiple dosing. For both approaches an appropriate dosimetry strategy is necessary to produce “effective yet safe” therapeutic results. Moreover, an interesting emergent phenomenon results from the simulations, namely the formation of a shield-like structure of cells with low antigen expression. This shield turns out to protect cells with high antigen expression. Finally we tested a multi-antigen recognition therapy to overcome antigen escape and heterogeneity. Our studies suggest that larger dosages can completely eliminate the organoid, however the multi-antigen recognition increases the risk of side effects. Therefore, an appropriate small dosages dosimetry strategy is necessary to improve the outcomes. Based on our results, it is clear that a proper therapeutic strategy could enhance the therapies outcomes. In that direction, our computational approach provides a framework to model treatment combinations in different scenarios and to explore the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful treatments.
Remote sensing image dehazing using generative adversarial network with texture and color space enhancement
Authors: Shen Helin , Zhong Tie , Jia Yanfei , Wu Chunming
Published: May 2024

Remote sensing is gradually playing an important role in the detection of ground information. However, the quality of remote-sensing images has always suffered from unexpected natural conditions, such as intense haze phenomenon. Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been applied to deal with dehazing problems, and some important findings have been obtained. Unfortunately, the performance of these classical CNN-based methods still needs further enhancement owing to their limited feature extraction capability. As a critical branch of CNNs, the generative adversarial network (GAN), composed of a generator and discriminator, has become a hot research topic and is considered a feasible approach to solving the dehazing problems. In this study, a novel dehazed generative adversarial network (GAN) is proposed to reconstruct the clean images from the hazy ones. For the generator network of the proposed GAN, the color and luminance feature extraction module and the high-frequency feature extraction module aim to extract multi-scale features and color space characteristics, which help the network to acquire texture, color, and luminance information. Meanwhile, a color loss function based on hue saturation value (HSV) is also proposed to enhance the performance in color recovery. For the discriminator network, a parallel structure is designed to enhance the extraction of texture and background information. Synthetic and real hazy images are used to check the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that the performance can significantly improve the image quality with a significant increment in peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). Compared with other popular methods, the dehazing results of the proposed method closely resemble haze-free images.
A dual mediation model of the association between principal inclusive leadership and teacher innovative behavior
Authors: Bao Yuangen
Published: May 2024

Teacher innovation is crucial for the education system to adapt to contemporary society's evolving demands. However, the underlying mechanism of how inclusive leadership positively impacts employees’ innovative behavior remains incomplete. Therefore, drawing upon the social cognitive theory, this study aims to comprehensively examine the mediating effects of teachers’ psychological empowerment and school innovation climate on the relationship between inclusive leadership and innovative behavior among primary and junior teachers. A total of 358 valid questionnaires were administered to primary and junior teachers in mainland China using a convenience sampling approach. The data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling and bootstrap testing, revealing a positive relationship between principal inclusive leadership and teacher innovative behavior. Additionally, teachers’ psychological empowerment and school innovation climate were found to mediate this relationship, with the former playing a crucial role. The findings can enhance existing research on the impact of inclusive leadership in basic education. They also offer a new perspective for analyzing how inclusive leadership affects employees’ innovative behavior and provide valuable insights into stimulating innovation among primary and junior teachers.
Prognostic impact of FAN score in patients receiving nivolumab plus ipilimumab for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yamashita Shimpei , Hamamoto Shuzo , Furukawa Junya , Fujita Kazutoshi , Takahashi Masayuki , Miyake Makito , Ito Noriyuki , Iwamoto Hideto , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Hara Isao
Published: May 2024

FAN score is reportedly associated with prognostic outcomes in patients with urothelial carcinoma being treated with immune check point inhibitors. However, the prognostic impact of pre-treatment FAN score in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab remains unclear. We retrospectively evaluated the association between pre-treatment FAN score and prognostic outcomes in 154 patients with metastatic RCC treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. The pre-treatment FAN score was ‘0’ in 56 patients (36%), ‘1’ in 60 patients (40%), ‘2’ in 37 patients (24%) and ‘3’ in one patient (1%). Progression-free survival was not significantly different between patients with different FAN scores, but second progression-free survival (PFS2), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly different. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses, FAN score ≥ 2 was a significant predictor of poor PFS2 (vs. FAN score 0, HR: 2.43, 95% CI 1.21–4.87, P = 0.01), poor CSS (vs. FAN score 0, HR: 2.71, 95% CI 1.13–6.47, P = 0.02) and poor OS (vs. FAN score 0, HR: 2.42, 95% CI 1.11–5.25, P = 0.02). High pre-treatment FAN score could be a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients receiving nivolumab plus ipilimumab for metastatic RCC.
A Narrative study on the strengthening effect of Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Hemalatha K. , Achsah Keerthana B. , Pranav M. , Swamy Nadh Vandanapu , Alzubaidi Laith H.
Published: May 2024

We now understand that, in the general construction of structures, the selection of reinforcing materials plays a critical role in guaranteeing structural durability and integrity. The comparative study of fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars and steel, two widely utilized materials, is explored in this abstract with an emphasis on the differences in their load-deflection properties and ductility behaviours. Because of its exceptional ductility, steel is commonly used in constructions that are situated in seismically active areas. On the other hand, CFRP bars have certain benefits, such resistance to corrosion and less weight, even if they are less ductile. The trade-offs between various materials are revealed by the study of load-deflection qualities, highlighting the significance of choosing the best choice in light of particular building constraints and needs.
Effect of replacement of natural sand by manufactured sand on the self-compacting concrete
Authors: Saxena Abhishek , Kumar C Vivek , B Swathi , Singla Atul , Kumar Ashwani , Mohammad Q. , Maan Preeti
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the experimental analysis of concrete mixtures with different percentages of manufactured sand replaced for natural sand, with a focus on M25 and M30 grades. The study analyses various repairing times, with a special focus on 3, 14, and 28-day periods. The main conclusions show a clear pattern, with the maximum compressive strength for M25 and M30 grades being found at 50% and 100% replacement levels, respectively. This positive connection indicates that the amount of manufactured sand incorporation affects the compressive strength and shows its effect over different curing times. It is noteworthy that self-compacting concrete (SCC) made using crushed sand has a higher compressive strength than SCC made with natural sand. The study’s final findings, that emphasize the beneficial impacts of manufactured sand on SCC’s overall compressive strength characteristics, provide crucial data for enhancing concrete mix design. For the purpose of developing M sand, rocks are crushed to a similar size and form as natural sand or N-sand. The possible use of M-sand in SCC has been addressed in this paper. In this study, an effort has been made to analyze the potential use of M-sand in SCC. Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a revolutionary concrete that allows for compaction and placement without the requirement for vibration. It may flow under its own weight even in the centre of dense reinforcement, entirely covering formwork and achieving full compaction. An attempt has been made to compare the characteristics of M35 self-compacting concrete in each its fresh and hardened states, substituting manufactured sand for river sand.
Effect of Marble Dust Powder on the Properties of Fresh and Hard Concrete
Authors: Singh Shekhar , Sharan Singh Hanumant , Gupta Nakul , Hemalatha K. , T A Sudarshan , Singh Navdeep , Praveen  , Mohammad Q.
Published: May 2024

The goal is to investigate the potential for employing byproducts from various industrial processes in the creation of ground-breaking mortar and concrete. The dust produced during the marble-cutting operation is put to good use. Different percentages of this garbage were recommended to be used in conjunction with or in place of cement in the making of concrete. The research looked into the possibility of using marble dust, which is produced during the shaping of marble blocks, as a cementitious material in concrete. In areas where they are readily available and can reduce construction costs, the study found that dust from marble slabs could be employed as a cementitious material in concrete mixtures. The discarded marble dust is mixed with cement in proportions of 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the standard concrete mix. Both the fresh and hardened characteristics of the produced combinations were investigated. Compressive and tensile strengths were measured after being cured for varying periods of time, both when marble dust was used as a partial replacement and when it was not.