bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Values and preferences related to workplace mental health programs and interventions: An international survey
Authors: Murphy Jill K. , Noble Jasmine M. , Chakraborty Promit Ananyo , Michlig Georgia , Michalak Erin E. , Greenshaw Andrew J. , Lam Raymond W.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study explores the perspectives of workers and managers on workplace programs and interventions that seek to promote mental wellbeing, and prevent and treat mental health conditions The results contributed supporting evidence for the development of the WHO’s first global guidelines for mental health and work, which provide evidence-based recommendations to support the implementation of workplace mental health programs and supports, to improve their acceptability, appropriateness, and uptake.

Methods

An international online survey was used to examine the values and preferences among workers and managers related to workplace mental health prevention, protection, promotion, and support programs and services. The survey was made available in English, French, and Spanish and recruitment consisted of convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey data. Rapid thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyse the results of open-ended questions.

Results

N = 451 responses representing all WHO regions were included in the analysis. These results provide a unique international perspective on programs and supports for mental health at work, from the standpoint of workers and managers. Results suggest that workers value interventions developed in consultation with workers (including indicated, selective and universal interventions), increased training and capacity building among managers, and targeted interventions to address the pervasive impact of stigma on perceptions about mental health at work and help-seeking.

Conclusion

The findings of this study seek to reflect the perspectives of workers and their managers, and therein to promote improved access, availability and uptake of mental health programs and supports at work and–ultimately- to support the potential of workplaces as environments that promote and support mental health.
Assessing the size and growth of the US wetland and stream compensatory mitigation industry
Authors: BenDor Todd K. , Kwon Joungwon , Lester T. William
Published: September 2023

Interest has focused on quantifying the size and scope of environmental markets, particularly those that offset ecosystem impacts or restore natural infrastructure to improve habitat or promote clean air and water. In this paper, we focus on the US wetland and stream compensatory mitigation market, asking: what types of firms make up the mitigation “industry”? What are the economic impacts–i.e., the “size”–of the mitigation industry? How has this industry changed over time? We present the results of a national survey of mitigation firms and construct an input-output model of the industry’s economic impacts and employment. We also develop a comparative, 2014 model of the industry using data from a previous study of the broader, ecological restoration economy. Our findings suggest that the (2019, pre-COVID) mitigation industry collects annual revenues (direct economic impacts) in excess of $3.5 billion, which, along with additional indirect (supply chain) and induced (spillover) economic impacts, combine to over $9.6 billion in total output and support over 53,000 total jobs. We estimate 2014–2019 growth of ~35.2 percent in revenues, ~32.6 percent in total economic impacts, and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.25%. This places the mitigation industry within the range of other, well-established industries within the technical services sector. We suggest establishing North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes specifically for ecological restoration and mitigation firms, an essential step in generating accurate and consistent employment estimates in the future, particularly at sub-national geographic scales.
Changes in countermovement jump force-time characteristic in elite male basketball players: A season-long analyses
Authors: Philipp Nicolas M. , Cabarkapa Dimitrije , Nijem Ramsey M. , Fry Andrew C.
Published: September 2023

Basketball is a sport that is characterized by various physical performance parameters and motor abilities such as speed, strength, and endurance, which are all underpinned by an athlete’s efficient use of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). A common assessment to measure SSC efficiency is the countermovement jump (CMJ). When performed on a force plate, a plethora of different force-time metrics may be gleaned from the jump task, reflecting neuromuscular performance characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate how different CMJ force-time characteristics change across different parts of the athletic year, within a sample of elite collegiate male basketball players. Twelve basketball players performed CMJ’s on near-weekly basis, combining for a total of 219 screenings. The span of testing was broken down into four periods: pre-season, non-conference competitive period, conference competitive period, and post-season competitive period. Results suggest that basketball players were able to experience improvements and maintenance of performance with regards to various force-time metrics, transitioning from the pre-season period into respective later phases of the in-season period. A common theme was a significant improvement between the pre-season period and the non-conference period. Various force-time metrics were subject to change, while outcome metrics such as jump height remained unchanged, suggesting that practitioners are encouraged to more closely monitor how different force-time characteristics change over extended periods of time.
A qualitative analysis of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on gender biases in an Irish University
Authors: Hosseini Mohammad , Villanueva Alicia Castillo
Published: September 2023

This paper explores the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on gender biases in a STEM Faculty in an Irish University. For the purposes of this research, gender bias was understood as gender-based inclinations or prejudices which affect researchers’ personal and professional opportunities as described by fifteen interviewees (nine women, six men). We used thematic interviews to explore participants’ perspectives. Analyzing interviews with an inductive approach showed that gender biases experienced before COVID-19 restrictions were different from biases during restrictions. In discussing gender biases prior to the pandemic, interviewees mentioned institutional disparities, discrimination, implicit biases, stereotypes and gender roles. When discussing gender issues during COVID restrictions, interviewees mentioned disparities at home, challenges involved in parenting, support from colleagues and the University, as well as negative and positive impacts of restrictions on existing gender issues. Our results show that while COVID-19 restrictions and the associated consequences constrained all gender groups, they most negatively affected women researchers with caring responsibilities. Moving forward, reducing gender disparities requires promoting a horizontal organizational structure, and adjusting policies and work arrangements to cater for vulnerable cohorts such as parents, and international and early-career researchers. Offering a hybrid working model that grants more flexibility to those with caring responsibilities and which accommodates personal circumstances would help improve the working conditions for all researchers and nurture an organizational culture of care for the employees; thereby also fostering gender equity and tolerance.
Multi-objective numerical optimization of 3D-printed polylactic acid bio-metamaterial based on topology, filling pattern, and infill density via fatigue lifetime and mass
Authors: Dadashi Ali , Azadi Mohammad
Published: September 2023

Infill parameters are significant with regard to the overall cost and saving material while printing a 3D model. When it comes to printing time, we can decrease the printing time by altering the infill, which also reduces the total process extent. Choosing the right filling parameters affects the strength of the printed model. In this research, the effect of filling density and infill pattern on the fatigue lifetime of cylindrical polylactic acid (PLA) samples was investigated with finite element modeling and analysis. This causes the lattice structure to be considered macro-scale porosity in the additive manufacturing process. Due to the need for multi-objective optimization of several functions at the same time and the inevitable sacrifice of other objectives, the decision was to obtain a set of compromise solutions according to the Pareto-optimal solution technique or the Pareto non-inferior solution approach. As a result, a horizontally printed rectangular pattern with 60% filling was preferred over the four patterns including honeycomb, triangular, regular octagon, and irregular octagon by considering the sum of mass changes and fatigue lifetime changes, and distance from the optimal point, which is the lightest structure with the maximum fatigue lifetime as an objective function with an emphasis on mass as an important parameter in designing scaffolds and biomedical structures. A new structure was also proposed by performing a structural optimization process using computer-aided design tools and also, computer-aided engineering software by Dassault systems. Finally, the selected samples were printed and their 3D printing quality was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy inspection.
Successful delivery of viviparous lantern shark from an artificial uterus and the self-production of lantern shark luciferin
Authors: Tomita Taketeru , Toda Minoru , Kaneko Atsushi , Murakumo Kiyomi , Miyamoto Kei , Sato Keiichi
Published: September 2023

Our recent success in the long-term maintenance of lantern shark embryos in artificial uterine systems has provided a novel option for the medical treatment of premature embryos for captive viviparous elasmobranchs. The remaining issue with this system is that the embryos cannot survive the abrupt change in the chemical environment from artificial uterine fluid (AUF) to seawater during delivery. To overcome this issue, the present study developed a new protocol for seawater adaptation, which is characterized by a long-term and stepwise shift from AUF to seawater prior to delivery. This protocol was employed successfully, and the specimen survived for more than seven months after delivery, the longest captive record of the species. During the experiment, we unexpectedly detected bioluminescence of the embryonic lantern shark in the artificial uterus. This observation indicates that lantern sharks can produce luciferin, a substance for bioluminescence. This contradicts the recent hypothesis that lantern sharks lack the ability to produce luciferin and use luciferin obtained from food sources.
Brain activation by a VR-based motor imagery and observation task: An fMRI study
Authors: Nunes João D. , Vourvopoulos Athanasios , Blanco-Mora Diego Andrés , Jorge Carolina , Fernandes Jean-Claude , Bermudez i Badia Sergi , Figueiredo Patrícia
Published: September 2023

Training motor imagery (MI) and motor observation (MO) tasks is being intensively exploited to promote brain plasticity in the context of post-stroke rehabilitation strategies. This may benefit from the use of closed-loop neurofeedback, embedded in brain-computer interfaces (BCI’s) to provide an alternative non-muscular channel, which may be further augmented through embodied feedback delivered through virtual reality (VR). Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a group of healthy adults to map brain activation elicited by an ecologically-valid task based on a VR-BCI paradigm called NeuRow, whereby participants perform MI of rowing with the left or right arm (i.e., MI), while observing the corresponding movement of the virtual arm of an avatar (i.e., MO), on the same side, in a first-person perspective. We found that this MI-MO task elicited stronger brain activation when compared with a conventional MI-only task based on the Graz BCI paradigm, as well as to an overt motor execution task. It recruited large portions of the parietal and occipital cortices in addition to the somatomotor and premotor cortices, including the mirror neuron system (MNS), associated with action observation, as well as visual areas related with visual attention and motion processing. Overall, our findings suggest that the virtual representation of the arms in an ecologically-valid MI-MO task engage the brain beyond conventional MI tasks, which we propose could be explored for more effective neurorehabilitation protocols.
The relationship between visual function and physical performance in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)
Authors: Thompson Atalie C. , Johnson Eileen , Miller Michael E. , Williamson Jeff D. , Newman Anne B. , Cummings Steve , Cawthon Peggy , Kritchevsky Stephen B.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The relationship of types of visual function to different aspects of physical function, especially strength and coordination, has been understudied, but delineation of these relationships could suggest potentially modifiable targets prior to the onset of disability.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of visual function (self-reported eyesight and eye disease, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity) and physical function tests in 877 older adults (mean age 76.36±5.01 years, 59.2% women, and 13.3% Black race). Separate linear regression models were constructed for short physical performance battery (SPPB), expanded SPPB (eSPPB), their components (gait speed, chair stand, balance, narrow walk), stair climb, four-square step, leg extension peak power and strength, and grip strength.

Results

In adjusted models, worse acuity, worse contrast sensitivity, and self-reported poor vision were significantly associated with worse performance on the eSPPB and four-square step test. Worse contrast sensitivity, but not acuity, was significantly associated with shorter balance times, slower chair stand pace, longer stair climb time, and worse SPPB score. Associations of worse acuity and contrast sensitivity with weaker leg extension power, leg strength, and grip strength were attenuated by covariate adjustment. Self-reported macular degeneration, but not cataract or glaucoma, was associated with worse performance on SPPB, eSPPB, balance, stair climb, and four-square step tests in adjusted models. Worse contrast sensitivity and macular degeneration remained associated with worse SPPB and balance after controlling for visual acuity and self-reported eyesight.

Conclusions

Poor contrast sensitivity was more strongly associated with worse physical performance than acuity, especially for complex tasks that dynamically challenge coordination and balance. Future studies should examine if older adults with contrast sensitivity impairment would benefit from targeted intervention to decrease their risk of disability.
Safety and tolerability of frozen, capsulized autologous faecal microbiota transplantation. A randomized double blinded phase I clinical trial
Authors: Stefansson Måns , Bladh Oscar , Flink Ola , Skolling Otto , Ekre Hans-Peter , Rombo Lars , Engstrand Lars , Ursing Johan
Published: September 2023

Background

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is recommended treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and is studied as a potential modifier of other gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. Autologous FMT limits the potential risks of donor transplant material and enables prophylactic treatment. Capsulized FMT is convenient and accessible, but safety data are lacking.

Aims

To describe safety and tolerability of capsules containing autologous FMT, compared to placebo, in healthy volunteers treated with antibiotics.

Method

Healthy volunteers without antibiotic exposure during the past three months, that had a negative Clostridioides difficile stool sample, were recruited. Study persons donated faeces for production of capsules containing autologous microbiota. They were then given Clindamycin for seven days to disrupt the intestinal microbiota, which was followed by a two-day washout. Study persons were then randomized (1:1) to unsupervised treatment with autologous faecal matter or placebo, with two capsules twice daily for five days. A standardized questionnaire about side effects and tolerability, daily until day 28, and on days 60 and 180, was completed.

Results

Twenty-four study persons were included, all completed the treatment. One person from the placebo and FMT groups each, were lost to follow up from days 21 and 60, respectively. No study person experienced serious side effects, but severe fatigue was reported during the antibiotic period (n = 2). Reported side effects were mild to moderate and there were no significant differences between the groups. Reported general and intestinal health improved significantly and similarly in both groups after the antibiotic treatment. Time to normalized intestinal habits were 17 and 19 days from study start in the placebo group and the FMT group, respectively (p = 0.8).

Conclusion

Capsulized frozen autologous faecal microbiota transplantation was safe and well tolerated but did not affect time to normalized intestinal habits compared to placebo.

Trial registration

EudraCT 2017-002418-30.
Aplastic Anemia in Children
Authors: Widayat Widayat , Sunarto Sunarto , Sutaryo Sutaryo , Zurghiban M. , Ismangoen Ismangoen
Published: September 2023

During a period of 5 years (1975-1980) nine children with aplastic anemia were admitted to the Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Hospital, Yogyakarta. They were 6 boys and 3 girls from 4 to 12 years of age. Of all the patients. 7 could be classified as the acquired type, and 2 as the idiopathic type. Generally, they were admitted with the following chief comptlaints: paleness, weakness and bleeding manifestations (skin bleeding 100%, bleeding of mucous membrane 44.4%). All of them showed pancytopenia. Eight patients showed normocytic normochromic anemia and one patient had microcytic hypochromic anemia. Seven patients had aplastic bone marrows, the other two hypoplastic.

All patients received prednison and oxymetholon.

Only one got remission after getting therapy for eight months. Six of nine patients died (66,6%). Four of the six death were caused by bleeding (44.7%) and two others might be caused by sepsis and bleeding (33.3%).
Utility of the Serum-Based Endoscopic Healing Index in Monitoring Therapeutic Response in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Alsoud Dahham , Ho Jessica , Sabino João , Ferrante Marc , Vermeire Séverine , Verstockt Bram
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Convenient and objective noninvasive tools to monitor therapy response in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Endoscopic Healing Index [EHI], a serum test originally developed to monitor mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease, in patients with UC.

METHODS:

Serum samples paired with endoscopic data from consecutive adult patients with UC initiating advanced therapy for active disease (Mayo Endoscopic Subscore [MES] > 1) were analyzed. EHI values were compared between groups showing endoscopic improvement, remission, and nonresponse, defined, respectively, as MES of ≤1, 0 and >1. We also assessed the association of EHI with longitudinal changes of MES and compared its performance with that of fecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein.

RESULTS:

A total of 127 patients provided 303 samples. Median EHI increased significantly with increasing MES score (P < 0.001). Median EHI was significantly lower in patients with endoscopic remission or improvement compared with patients with no response (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). A 10-point decrease in EHI was associated with 89% higher odds of 1-point decrease in MES (P < 0.001). EHI detected MES 0–1 with an area under the receiver operating curve of 77.8%, which was comparable with that of FC and C-reactive protein (85.0% [P = 0.076] and 70.6% [P = 0.055], respectively).

DISCUSSION:

EHI values are significantly responsive to changes in mucosal inflammation, also in patients with UC, and can confirm and/or rule out mucosal inflammation with an almost similar accuracy to that of FC.
Comparative effectiveness of tacrolimus and infliximab in hospitalized patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Takahashi Takahiro , Shiga Hisashi , Tarasawa Kunio , Shimoyama Yusuke , Naito Takeo , Moroi Rintaro , Kuroha Masatake , Kakuta Yoichi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujimori Kenji , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Cyclosporine or infliximab (IFX) have been used to avoid surgery in patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Tacrolimus (Tac) is occasionally used as an alternative to cyclosporine; however, the comparative efficacy of Tac and IFX has not been reported. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of Tac and IFX in hospitalized UC patients.

Methods:

In a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort derived from a large nationwide database, 4-year effectiveness was compared between patients initiated on Tac or IFX. The primary outcome was the colectomy rate during the index hospitalization. We also analyzed the cumulative medication discontinuation, UC-related re-hospitalization, and colectomy rates after discharge.

Results:

Among 29,239 hospitalized patients, 4,565 were extracted for eligibility, of whom 2,170 were treated with Tac and the remaining 2,395 with IFX. After PS matching, 1,787 patients were selected for each group. During the index hospitalization, excluding patients who switched to another molecular-targeted agent, the colectomy rate was higher in the Tac group than the IFX group (7.8% vs 4.2%, P <0.01). Among patients discharged without colectomy, the cumulative medication discontinuation (28.4% vs 17.1%, P <0.01) and re-hospitalization (22.4% vs 15.4%, P <0.01) rates were higher in the Tac group than the IFX group; however, there was no difference in the cumulative colectomy rate (3.3% vs 2.7%).

Conclusions:

Although Tac and IFX were effective for avoiding surgery in hospitalized UC patients, IFX was more effective than Tac. IFX also had higher long-term effectiveness. Future prospective studies comparing the efficacy of Tac and IFX is warranted.
Biomechanical comparison of bone staple techniques for stabilizing tibial tuberosity fractures
Authors: Park Kyu-Tae , Lee Min-Yeong , Kim Hwi-Yool
Published: September 2023

This study compared the biomechanical properties of bone-stapling techniques with those of other fixation methods used for stabilizing tibial tuberosity fractures using 3-dimensionally (3D)-printed canine bone models. Twenty-eight 3D-printed bone models made from computed tomography scan files were used. Tibial tuberosity fractures were simulated using osteotomy. All samples were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was stabilized with a pin and tension-band wire; group 2, with a pin and an 8 mm-wide bone staple; group 3, with 2 horizontally aligned pins and an 8 mm-wide bone staple; and group 4 with a 10 mm-wide bone staple. Tensile force was applied with vertical distraction until failure occurred. The load and displacement were recorded during the tests. The groups were compared based on the load required to cause displacements of 1, 2, and 3 mm. The maximum failure loads and modes were recorded. The loads at all displacements in group 4 were greater than those in groups 1, 2, and 3. The loads at 1, 2, and 3 mm displacements were similar in groups 1 and 3. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3. Groups 1 and 4 provided greater maximum failure loads than groups 2 and 3. Failure occurred because of tearing of the nylon rope, tibial fracture, wire breakage, pin bending, and fracture around the bone staple insertion. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the bone-stapling technique is an acceptable alternative to tension-band wire fixation for the stabilization of tibial tuberosity fractures in canine bone models.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of syringobulbia in small breed dogs
Authors: Song Young-Mok , Lee In , Song Yu-Mi , Choi Ho-Jung , Lee Young-Won
Published: September 2023

Syringobulbia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a fluid-filled cavity in the brainstem. In this study, clinical signs, features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the diseases present concurrently with syringobulbia were investigated in 33 small breed dogs. Most dogs (97%) had concurrent syringomyelia, and some dogs (24%) presented with vestibular or cranial nerve symptoms associated with the medulla oblongata. MRIs revealed slit-like, bulbous, and vertical linear shapes of the cavities on T2-weighted hyperintense and T1-weighted hypointense signals similar to the cerebrospinal fluid. Chiari-like malformations were identified in all dogs. This study highlights the association of syringobulbia with syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformations in small breed dogs with or without brainstem-associated clinical signs.
IMC-based fractional order TID controller design for different time-delayed chemical processes: case studies on a reactor model
Authors: Meena Rammurti , Chakraborty Sudipta , Pal Vipin Chandra
Published: September 2023

To achieve good servo and regulatory responses, a generalized fractional-order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) control is developed in this study for time-delayed fractional-order processes. To enhance the closed-loop robustness, the controller parameters are calculated based on maximum sensitivity (M

s
). To check the performance and robustness of the suggested control law, several case studies on industrial processes like DC servo systems, Level-loop, Bio-reactors, Fuel cells and CSTR are performed and compared with existing designs. The robustness of the proposed controller is analysed by employing 20 percent perturbation in plant parameters. Lastly, a comparison of the closed-loop response on different error indices is included.
Discrimination of powdered herbal teas by Vis/NIR spectral reflectance and chemometrics
Authors: Steidle Neto Antonio José , Lopes Daniela C.
Published: September 2023

The herbal tea market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.8 %, with the discrimination of these products appearing as an issue of food quality and safety. In this study the Vis/NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was applied for discriminating five popular herbal teas (chamomile, boldo, lemon grass, carqueja, fennel) by using powdered samples. Dynamic sampling was applied for measuring the spectral signatures and different spectral pre-treatments were evaluated aiming at improving the discrimination accuracy. The Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) achieved high prediction accuracies (77.8–100 %), specificities (89.4–100 %) and sensitivities (66.1–100 %), with detrending and object-wise standardization pre-treatments correctly discriminating 100 % of the samples during the external validation. The Vis/NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis has great potential to discriminate powdered herbal teas, providing a non-destructive, fast, safe and chemical-free solution for automated quality control procedures in industries of tea processing.
Plasmonic sensing using Babinet’s principle
Authors: Riley Joseph Arnold , Horák Michal , Křápek Vlastimil , Healy Noel , Pacheco-Peña Victor
Published: September 2023

Developing methods to sense local variations in properties of nearby materials, such as their refractive index and thickness, are important in numerous fields including chemistry and biomedical applications. Localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited in plasmonic nanostructures have been demonstrated to be useful in this context due to the spectral location of their associated resonances being sensitive to changes in the environment near the plasmonic structures. This manuscript explores Babinet’s principle by exploiting LSP resonances excited in complementary metal-dielectric cylindrical plasmonic structures (plasmonic particle-dimers and aperture-dimers in our case). Both plasmonic structures are evaluated numerically and experimentally using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), providing a full physical understanding of the complementary nature of the excited LSP resonances. These plasmonic structures are then exploited for dielectric sensing under two configurations: when a thin dielectric film is positioned atop the plasmonic structures and when the analyte surrounds/fills the plasmonic particles/apertures. The complementary sensing performance of both proposed structures is also evaluated, showing the approximate validity of the Babinet principle with sensitivity values of up to ∼650 nm/RIU for thin dielectric sensing.
More than just a KRAS inhibitor: DCAI abrogates the self-renewal of pancreatic cancer stem cells in vitro
Authors: Teh Yuan Han , Jing Rui , Ramasamy Rajesh , Ho Kok Lian , Sagineedu Sreenivasa Rao , Stanslas Johnson
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Growing evidence indicates that pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to cancer recurrence via chemoresistance, and their growth is sustained by self-renewal. Targeting the self-renewal of pancreatic CSCs is a crucial strategy to eradicate them. Here, we are the first to describe a known KRAS inhibitor, 4,6-dichloro-2-methyl-3-aminoethyl-indole (DCAI), as a novel anti-pancreatic CSC agent that abrogates the self-renewal of pancreatic CSCs.

Methods

Cell viability assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of KRAS binders in pancreatic cancer cell lines with either wild-type KRAS (BxPC-3) or clinically relevant KRAS mutations (PANC-1, Capan-2, and MIA PaCa-2). The tumoursphere assay was utilised to investigate the effect of DCAI on the self-renewal of pancreatic CSCs, and its mechanism of action was examined by Western blotting.

Results

The growth of pancreatic cancer cells remains unaffected by the binding of Benzimidazole (BZIM) to both wild-type and oncogenic KRAS. DCAI and Kobe0065 were equally potent in pancreatic cancer cell lines, except for Capan-2, in which DCAI (GI50=25.8 ± 0.8 µM) was more potent than Kobe0065 (GI50=54.0 ± 1.0 µM). Capan-2 tumourspheres were markedly irresponsive to gemcitabine (IC50>100 µM), while DCAI abrogated the formation of Capan-2 tumourspheres profoundly (IC50=30 µM). Upon treatment with DCAI, CRAF, ERK1, ERK2, and AKT activations were significantly inhibited, and SOX2 expression was greatly reduced in Capan-2 tumourspheres.

Conclusions

Our present study revealed that DCAI depletes pancreatic CSCs by inhibiting self-renewal via KRAS–CRAF–ERK1/2–SOX2 and KRAS–AKT–SOX2 axes. Our findings suggested that KRAS is a valid therapeutic target in pancreatic CSCs for eradicating cancer recurrence.
Effect of molecular weight distribution on the structure and properties of polypropylene cast film and stretched microporous membrane
Authors: Chen Dahua , Yin Liangdong , Su Zhixiang , Xie Jiayi , Xu Ruijie , Lei Caihong
Published: September 2023

Two isotactic polypropylene (iPP) resins with approximate weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and different molecular weight distribution (MWD) were chosen to prepare cast films by the melt-stretching method. The lamellar morphology and mechanical properties of the initial precursor films and stretched microporous membranes were characterized. It was found that PP1 resin with a broader MWD exhibits a higher relaxation time of around 5.5 s, a larger entanglement density of 24.7 mol/m3 and fast crystalline ability. The lamellar lateral size, orientation degree and entanglement density of the corresponding cast film are significantly increasing, resulting in higher elastic recovery and more apparent strain-hardening behavior. The PP resin with broader MWD also benefits the pore formation, resulting in a larger pore size and better air permeability of the stretched microporous membrane.
On 3-by-3 row stochastic matrices
Authors: Pham Nhi , Spitkovsky Ilya M.
Published: September 2023

The known constructive tests for the shapes of the numerical ranges in the 3-by-3 case are further specified when the matrices in question are row stochastic. Auxiliary results on the unitary (ir)reducibility of such matrices are also obtained.
MAIS ENCONTRO, MENOS EXPLICAÇÃO
Authors: Monteiro Tessler Gustavo , Mossi Cristian
Published: September 2023

Este trabalho trata da expressão de um encontro de pensamentos e corpos no âmbito de uma pesquisa de mestrado em educação. Os autores propuseram movimentos de criação aliados ao trabalho com frames de um filme. A atividade visava experimentar e dar forma às forças que surgem na composição com matérias de pesquisa. Aborda noções como a de “coisa” para Tim Ingold e problematizações como a proposta de perseguir os materiais compondo formas de expressão e a ideia de sobrejustaposições na pesquisa. Enfatiza a importância da colagem como método de criação e destaca a ressonância de ideias em cinema no contexto da pesquisa em educação com arte e filosofia. Há uma abordagem de montagem e colagem, valorizando os lampejos e perguntas que surgiram ao longo do processo. A questão central é: como a colagem de imagens impulsionou a criação de um método de pesquisa em educação?
OS RECORTES E OS ENCONTROS NO PROJETO ARQUITETÔNICO
Authors: Rolão Flôres Anelis , Da Silva Falcão Adriano , De Oliveira Pereira Clarissa , Peron Gaspary Fernanda , Alcântara Marina , Machado Fagundes Cristian Vinicius
Published: September 2023

Este artigo apresenta o uso da collage como ferramenta de aprendizagem e construção de ideias na disciplina de Composição Projetual 1, assim como a metodologia desenvolvida a partir de teorias e experiências que aproximam as artes plásticas à arquitetura. O uso da collage no ensino de projeto possibilita uma redescoberta da técnica, ultrapassando manipulação das imagens, permitindo a hibridização de ferramentas de criação aliadas às diversas etapas, desde o partido geral até o detalhamento. Para a elaboração deste relato de ensino utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa baseada no estudo da collage como ferramenta de projeto e análise dos resultados obtidos em sala de aula. As questões referentes ao local e programa de necessidades foram aprofundadas para se adaptarem melhor ao semestre inicial, possibilitando um excelente resultado. Contudo, ao analisarmos o uso da collage como metodologia podemos observar que o mesmo propiciou o desenvolvimento de projetos arquitetônicos com maior liberdade formal.
(RE)CONHECER O LUGAR
Authors: Cenci Laline , Brito Samuel , Maran Ana Paula , Neves Lens Luciani , DE MATOS PAULO RICARDO
Published: September 2023

Este artigo relata a experiência da Collage como aprendizagem e reconexão dos alunos com os espaços de educação e vivência universitária. Com o isolamento social e o advento do ensino remoto, durante a pandemia do coronavírus, a perda de identificação e distanciamento dos alunos se expandiu a cada semestre. No intuito de minimizar esta desconexão a proposta consiste na apropriação da técnica da Collage no processo de projeto a partir da sensibilidade imagética na composição espacial e no reconhecimento do lugar. A metodologia está dividida em três etapas: capacitação, experiência e oficina. A análise dos resultados apontaram que a Collage se mostrou uma ferramenta potencial para estabelecer conexões, criando um senso de pertencimento mesmo em tempos desafiadores.
VILA CHOCOLATÃO
Authors: Santini Gionava
Published: September 2023

Collage e favela partilham das mesmas caracterisitcas de transitoriedade, fragmentação, heterogeneidade e sobreposição; nelas materiais e corpos se unem como representação social. As formas construídas na arquitetura da Vila do Chocolatão, uma favela situada no centro da cidade de Porto Alegre até 2011, são apresentadas através da retórica da collage. A collage se insere como critério de análise, e como linguagem que a representa e simultaneamente lhe possibilita ser representada. Na Vila do Chocolatão encontramse características semelhantes àquelas aplicadas a collage nas artes, como: inimage, décollage, reliefs, acumulação, objet trouvé, ready-made.
Types of Public Participation and Their Effect on Satisfaction with Local Public Services in China
Authors: Miao Hongna
Published: September 2023

Satisfaction with public services is an important index of their quality and an effective way to promote political legitimacy in China. This article empirically examines how three types of public participation contribute to citizens’ satisfaction with public services in China, with special attention to the moderating role of political trust. Using data from 6,089 respondents in a survey conducted in 2020, I find that government-led discussions and nonpolitical participation have a positive effect on public service satisfaction, whereas grass-roots election participation has no statistically significant effect. Participation efficacy, political trust, policy transparency, and unfair treatment are potential factors affecting residents’ satisfaction with public services. In these correlations, political trust has a significant moderating effect. When political trust is weak, the influence of participation on public service satisfaction is null or negative; with greater trust, the negative correlation is mitigated.
Abenomics and the EU–Japan economic partnership agreement: consequences for the EU and Polish economies
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Grabowiecki Jerzy
Published: September 2023

Purpose – This paper focuses on Abenomics by showing the measures undertaken by Japan’s administration and by exploring to what extent new trade policy contributes to stimulating FTAs/EPAs. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the potential EU–Japan EPA effects from the perspective of the EU and Poland’s economies. Research background – In early 2013, Shinzō Abe announced a plan of economic reforms known as Abenomics, within which trade policy would be focused on regional FTAs/EPAs and strategic partnerships (SPAs) that then became a government priority. The Abe administration presented a “proactive contribution to peace”, which has had a crucial influence on Japan’s new trade policy and its engagement in economic regionalism. After six years of negotiations, the EU–Japan EPA and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) were signed on July 17, 2018. These agreements confirm that economic relations have entered a new, higher phase of development and open new prospects for deeper cooperation. Methods – Text analysis of governmental documents, institutional reports, companies’ websites, and articles in the specialized press. Originality / value / implications / recommendations – This assessment of the potential impact of the EU–Japan EPA reveals that the agreement will contribute to the mutual GDP growth and will promote trade in goods and services by eliminating tariffs and reducing non-tariff barriers between the parties. Furthermore, the EU–Japan EPA is important for the Polish economy. Liberalization of imports from Japan, which mainly include modern technologies as well as machinery and equipment for various sectors of the economy, will significantly contribute to accelerating the economic development of Poland. In turn, the liberalization of exports will be an opportunity to increase food exports from Poland.
Juego, interacción y material educativo en el nivel Preescolar. ¿Qué se hace y cómo se aprende?
Authors: Román Marcela , Cardemil Cecilia
Published: September 2023

El artículo que se presenta da cuenta de una estrategia de evaluación mixta que aborda el uso dado en el aula a los recursos y materiales educativos y sus efectos en los aprendizajes de los niños y las niñas que asisten a kínder y pre kínder en escuelas chilenas públicas y privadas subvencionadas. Para tales propósitos la evaluación recoge información respecto de la disponibilidad, valoración y uso de los materiales educativos en una muestra representativa de educadoras de párvulos en el sistema (cerca de 500 profesionales), similar número de asistentes de educación Preescolar y responsables de las unidades pedagógicas de las escuelas. Los análisis y hallazgos de esta fase, permiten derivar un conjunto de casos en los cuales y, apoyados en la observación etnográfica, se profundiza en el uso pedagógico dado a estos recursos, los factores que se muestran implicados en tales usos, así como en los efectos que ello provoca en la actitud, motivación, aprendizajes y habilidades de los párvulos. Los resultados identifican tres formas de uso que se muestran afectando de muy distinta manera las actitudes y habilidades de los niños: i) uso destinado al desarrollo de habilidades para el logro de los aprendizajes esperados; ii) uso destinado a la reproducción simple y mecánica de acciones y, iii) un uso sin una finalidad predefinida dirigida a la manipulación y/o al juego libre.Palabras claves: Evaluación, Proceso pedagógico, Materiales educativos, Educación Preescolar.The article presented reports a mixed evaluation strategy that addresses the use made classroom resources and materials and their effects on the learning of children attending kindergarten and prekindergarten in Chilean public and private subsidized schools. For such purposes the evaluation contains information about the availability, satisfaction and use of educational materials in a representative sample of kindergarten educators in the system (about 500 professionals), similar to the number of educational assistants for preschool education and units responsible for teaching in schools. The analysis and findings of this phase, allows us to derive a set of cases in which and, supported by ethnographic observation, we examine the pedagogical use of these resources, the factors involved in such uses, as well as the effects this has on the attitude, motivation, learning and skills of young children. The results identify three forms of use affecting the attitudes and abilities of children in very different ways : i) intended use of the development of skills for achievement of the expected learning purposes; ii ) intended use of the simple reproduction and mechanical actions and , iii ) use without a predefined order directing the handling and / or free play.Keywords: Evaluation, pedagogical process, Educational Materials, Preschool Education.
Reliability and Validity of an Automated Model for Assessing the Learning of Machine Learning in Middle and High School: Experiences from the “ML for All!” course
Authors: Rauber Marcelo Fernando , von Wangenheim Christiane Gresse , Barbetta Pedro Alberto , Borgatto Adriano Ferreti , Martins Ramon Mayor , Hauck Jean Carlo Rossa
Published: September 2023

The insertion of Machine Learning (ML) in everyday life demonstrates the importance of popularizing an understanding of ML already in school. Accompanying this trend arises the need to assess the students’ learning. Yet, so far, few assessments have been proposed, most lacking an evaluation. Therefore, we evaluate the reliability and validity of an automated assessment of the students’ learning of an image classification model created as a learning outcome of the “ML for All!” course. Results based on data collected from 240 students indicate that the assessment can be considered reliable (coefficient Omega = 0.834/Cronbach's alpha α=0.83). We also identified moderate to strong convergent and discriminant validity based on the polychoric correlation matrix. Factor analyses indicate two underlying factors “Data Management and Model Training” and “Performance Interpretation”, completing each other. These results can guide the improvement of assessments, as well as the decision on the application of this model in order to support ML education as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Don't Mind the Hypocrisy: a Commentary on Differentiated Treatment in Refugee Reception
Authors: Mickelsson Blomqvist Tony
Published: September 2023

The current conflict in Ukraine has forcibly displaced a large number of people and has put migration issues at the center of attention once again. A small, but growing, body of literature has revealed that Ukrainian refugees are being treated differently vis-à-vis other refugee groups – this is a clear concern for the social work profession, which is supposed to safeguard all minorities’ rights equally. In this commentary, I briefly review and focus on one aspect of why Ukrainian refugees are seemingly being treated ‘better’ – culture. Cultural proximity has been argued to be a major factor in how the Western response to the current conflict has been shaped, where Ukrainians, but not other refugee groups, are conceived of as culturally compatible with Western countries. The commentary conceptualizes this treatment within the framework of ‘promising victimhood’ and suggests that further research should focus on how victimhood is constructed within the social work profession in relation to the current crisis.
ФОРМУВАННЯ ПРОФІЛЮ СТРАТЕГІЧНО ВАЖЛИВИХ ВИДІВ ПРОМИСЛОВОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В УКРАЇНІ (ПОГЛЯД НА ПЕРСПЕКТИВУ)
Authors: ГЕЄЦЬ Валерій
Published: September 2023

Дана стаття є логічним продовженням попередньої публікації, у якій було розглянуто питання формування стратегічно важливих видів промислової діяльності в Україні в ретроспективі останніх 30 років. На основі проведеного аналізу розвитку вітчизняної промисловості були виокремлені проблемні питання, ступінь нагромадження яких у ретроспективі має важливе значення для прогнозних оцінок і завдань на перспективу з урахуванням втрат і загроз, що мали і  мають місце у 2022–2023 рр., в умовах війни.
Проаналізовано так звані «домашні завдання» економічної політики України, які в першу чергу пов’язані з уже підписаним меморандумом України з МВФ і які доповнено завданнями, спрямованими на формування внутрішніх фінансових ресурсів для повоєнного відновлення, що є важливою складовою досягнення економічної самодостатності й стратегічної значущості економіки України. Окреслено напрям трансформації системи управління економікою України в повоєнний період з огляду на перспективи її входження до складу ЄС; розвинуто положення щодо зміцнення енергетичного сектору України відповідно до напрямів розвитку ядерної енергетики як одного з видів промислової діяльності, який у майбутньому може діяти на високотехнологічній основі, що визначається у світі як така, що відповідає низьковуглецевій стратегії розвитку економіки в глобальному вимірі.
Викладено результати обґрунтування окремих видів промислової діяльності, що мають високий ступінь наукового супроводу і можуть розвиватися на новітній технологічній основі національного надбання, розбудові яких сприятиме вмонтування промисловості України в глобальні технологічні ланцюги. Останні вимагають розвитку атомної енергетики, титаново-літієвої та алюмінієвої галузі промисловості, важкого енергомашинобудування, чорної металургії на базі нових технологій, виведення нових високоврожайних, стійких до засухи і шкідників сортів сільськогосподарських рослин, поглибленої переробки сільськогосподарської продукції для виробництва продуктів харчування.