bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morpho‐functional analyses reveal that changes in the chemical structure of a marine bisindole alkaloid alter the cytotoxic effect of its derivatives
Authors: Burattini Sabrina , Battistelli Michela , Verboni Michele , Falcieri Elisabetta , Faenza Irene , Lucarini Simone , Salucci Sara
Published: March 2022

2,2‐bis(6‐bromo‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl) ethanamine, a marine bisindole alkaloid, showed anticancer property in several tumor cell lines thanks to the presence of a 3,3′‐diindolylmethane scaffold. Here, the modifications in its chemical structure into alkaloid‐like derivatives, have been evaluated, to investigate changes in its biological activities. Three derivatives have been considered and their potential apoptotic action has been evaluated through morpho‐functional analyses in a human cancer cell line. Apoptosis appears strongly decreased in the derivatives without the bromine atoms (1) and in those where the bromine atoms have been substituted with fluorine atoms (2). On the contrary, the methylation of indole NH (3) does not alter the alkaloid apoptotic activity that occurs through mitochondria involvement supported by cardiolipin peroxidation and dysfunctional mitochondria presence. This manuscript highlights the alkaloid derivative cytotoxic effect, which is strictly correlated to the presence of N‐methylated bisindole alkaloid and bromine atoms, conditions which assure to maintain the pro‐apoptotic activity. Since molecular therapies, by targeting mitochondria pathways, have shown positive outcomes against several cancer cells, the alkaloid with bisindole methylated scaffold and the two bromine atoms can be considered a promising candidate to develop new derivatives with strong anticancer property.

Research Highlights

2,2‐bis(6‐bromo‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl) ethanamine is an alkaloid known for its anticancer properties.

Morpho‐functional analyses evaluated cytotoxicity of its synthetic derivatives in tumor cells.

Anticancer properties depend on the presence of bisindole scaffold and the two bromine units.
Psychologization in and through the women's movement: A transnational history of the psychologization of consciousness‐raising in the German‐speaking countries and the United States
Authors: Ruck Nora , Luckgei Vera , Rothmüller Barbara , Franke Nina , Rack Emelie
Published: March 2022

This study explores the psychologization of the women's movement by examining the activist practice of consciousness‐raising in a transnational perspective. We follow the lines along which P/psychological concepts that were appropriated and developed by North American feminist activists during the late 1960s and early 1970s traveled to the German‐speaking countries and were translated, adopted, and transformed by feminist activists in Germany and Austria. We explore both the process of psychologization as the practice traveled from the United States to German‐speaking countries and the various dimensions of psychologization: diffusion of Psy‐expert discourse beyond the borders of the psy‐disciplines, academization, individualization, and meta‐psychologization. With the latter term, we aim to capture the relationship between (feminist) P/psychology and its critique.
The cognitive interview for suspects: A test with customs officers
Authors: Noc Mathilde , Ginet Magali , Deslauriers‐Varin Nadine
Published: March 2022

The current study aimed at testing the impact of the cognitive interview for suspects (CIS) used by trained custom officers on the quantity of gathered details, compared to a control standard interview (SI) used by untrained officers. Forty‐five mock‐suspects were required to perform a series of actions and each was interviewed by a pair of customs officers. Participants had to give statements containing truthful parts and deceptive parts. The CIS elicited significantly more details than the SI. Truthful parts of the statements contained more details than deceptive parts. An interaction effect revealed that the CIS elicited a higher number of action details in truthful parts. It is worthwhile for professionals in the field to adopt the CIS, which provides valuable benefits for information gathering. Moreover, the increase in action details raise the question of considering it as a possible lie detection tool.
Analysis and modeling of wireless power transfer supported by quadratic boost converter interfaced fuel cell power source
Authors: Büyük Mehmet , Savrun Murat Mustafa , İnci Mustafa
Published: March 2022

This study presents a novel wireless power transfer (WPT) system structure that transmits electrical energy from a fuel cell (FC) stack integrated with a quadratic boost converter (QBC). The main objective of the proposed study is to provide a high voltage conversion QBC based WPT system to transfer power from a low voltage FC energy unit. To adjust the power flow from the FC unit with nonlinear production behavior, a pre‐regulating WPT system is developed with QBC located on the transmitting side. Besides, the design procedure of the system with analytical equations is expressed in detail. To validate the viability and effectiveness of the proposed WPT system, a 100 W proof‐of‐concept model is developed with Horizon H‐100, and analyzed for different case studies, including dynamic operating and loading conditions. The constructed WPT system is performed for 80%, 90%, and 100% loading situations. At full loading, the performance results show that the load‐side consumes power in the rating of 77.8 W while the FC power source generates approximately 93.1 W. In this case, the efficiency of the system corresponds to 83.6%. Besides, the efficiency of the complete system is analyzed under various operating conditions.
Development and validation of a therapy‐independent hepatocellular carcinoma survival prediction score
Authors: Tan Terence J.Y. , Shen Liang , Hajiev Saur , Mak Lung‐Yi , Sharma Rohini , Goh George B.B. , Chang Pik‐Eu , Yuen Man‐Fung , Pinato David J. , Tan Chee‐Kiat
Published: March 2022

Background & Aims

Survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with several factors. Our aim was to develop and validate an HCC survival prediction score (HCC‐SPS) based on common clinical parameters and excluding the subsequent therapy received, which would be able to prognosticate all patients with HCC at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

The development cohort comprised 1270 patients with HCC seen in our department since January 1988. Univariate analysis was performed for known HCC prognostic parameters. Parameters with P < .1 on univariate analysis were then included in a Cox regression with backward model selection. The HCC‐SPS was derived based on the coefficients estimated by Cox regression with selected parameters. The derived HCC‐SPS was then validated with 2 independent international cohorts of 220 patients from the United Kingdom and 90 patients from Hong Kong (HK). Points were allocated to the following variables: ALBI grade, AFP level, portal vein invasion, ECOG status and TNM stage.

Results

The total score classified a patient into 3 distinct survival risk categories of low, medium and high risk with median survival (weeks) of 249 (95% CI 195–303), 45 (95% CI 38–52) and 9 (95% CI 8–10) respectively. The scoring system was validated by the cohorts from United Kingdom and HK.

Conclusions

We have formulated an HCC survival prediction score using readily available clinical parameters to risk stratify all HCC patients into distinct survival categories at the time of HCC diagnosis regardless of subsequent treatment received. The score was validated with other independent international cohorts of patients.
Estuarine retention of larvae: Contrasting effects of behavioral responses to turbulence and waves
Authors: Garwood Jessica C. , Fuchs Heidi L. , Gerbi Gregory P. , Hunter Elias J. , Chant Robert J. , Wilkin John L.
Published: March 2022

The intensity of small‐scale fluid motions varies among coastal seascapes, which could drive species‐specific behavioral adaptations in planktonic larvae. For example, inlets and estuaries typically have stronger turbulence and weaker surface gravity waves than the continental shelf. In the Mid‐Atlantic Bight, eastern mudsnails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) inhabit inlets and estuaries, whereas threeline mudsnails (Ilyanassa trivittata) inhabit the continental shelf. The two species' larvae respond differently to hydrodynamic signals: both hover in calm conditions and sink in response to vorticity, a signal of turbulence, while only shelf snail larvae also sink and swim up in response to accelerations, which can be large under waves. We investigated how these observed larval behaviors and more idealized ones affect retention and settlement in estuaries using numerical experiments. Virtual larvae were released and tracked in a regional model of Delaware Bay and the adjacent shelf. Behaviors that involved downward motions, including vorticity‐induced behaviors, helped concentrate larvae near the bottom and enhanced retention in the bay. In contrast, behaviors that involved upward motions, including acceleration‐induced behaviors, promoted export onto the shelf. Compared to neutral buoyancy, the vorticity‐induced behaviors also conferred longer residence times in the bay, higher settlement probabilities, and shorter pelagic larval durations, all of which would be advantageous to estuarine species. This integration of larval observations with simulations provides evidence that behavioral responses to coastal physics can reduce larval mortality by enhancing retention and settlement in native seascapes.
Synthetic 4DCT(MRI) lung phantom generation for 4D radiotherapy and image guidance investigations
Authors: Duetschler Alisha , Bauman Grzegorz , Bieri Oliver , Cattin Philippe C , Ehrbar Stefanie , Engin‐Deniz Georg , Giger Alina , Josipovic Mirjana , Jud Christoph , Krieger Miriam , Nguyen Damien , Persson Gitte F. , Salomir Rares , Weber Damien C. , Lomax Antony J. , Zhang Ye
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Respiratory motion is one of the major challenges in radiotherapy. In this work, a comprehensive and clinically plausible set of 4D numerical phantoms, together with their corresponding “ground truths,” have been developed and validated for 4D radiotherapy applications.

Methods

The phantoms are based on CTs providing density information and motion from multi‐breathing‐cycle 4D Magnetic Resonance imagings (MRIs). Deformable image registration (DIR) has been utilized to extract motion fields from 4DMRIs and to establish inter‐subject correspondence by registering binary lung masks between Computer Tomography (CT) and MRI. The established correspondence is then used to warp the CT according to the 4DMRI motion. The resulting synthetic 4DCTs are called 4DCT(MRI)s. Validation of the 4DCT(MRI) workflow was conducted by directly comparing conventional 4DCTs to derived synthetic 4D images using the motion of the 4DCTs themselves (referred to as 4DCT(CT)s). Digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) as well as 4D pencil beam scanned (PBS) proton dose calculations were used for validation.

Results

Based on the CT image appearance of 13 lung cancer patients and deformable motion of five volunteer 4DMRIs, synthetic 4DCT(MRI)s with a total of 871 different breathing cycles have been generated. The 4DCT(MRI)s exhibit an average superior–inferior tumor motion amplitude of 7 ± 5 mm (min: 0.5 mm, max: 22.7 mm). The relative change of the DRR image intensities of the conventional 4DCTs and the corresponding synthetic 4DCT(CT)s inside the body is smaller than 5% for at least 81% of the pixels for all studied cases. Comparison of 4D dose distributions calculated on 4DCTs and the synthetic 4DCT(CT)s using the same motion achieved similar dose distributions with an average 2%/2 mm gamma pass rate of 90.8% (min: 77.8%, max: 97.2%).

Conclusion

We developed a series of numerical 4D lung phantoms based on real imaging and motion data, which give realistic representations of both anatomy and motion scenarios and the accessible “ground truth” deformation vector fields of each 4DCT(MRI). The open‐source code and motion data allow foreseen users to generate further 4D data by themselves. These numeric 4D phantoms can be used for the development of new 4D treatment strategies, 4D dose calculations, DIR algorithm validations, as well as simulations of motion mitigation and different online image guidance techniques for both proton and photon radiation therapy.
Is sacral neuromodulation effective in patients with Parkinson's disease? A retrospective review
Authors: Martin Sarah , Zillioux Jacqueline , Goldman Howard B.
Published: March 2022

Introduction and Objective

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second‐most common degenerative neurologic disease worldwide. Overactive bladder (OAB) is prevalent in this population but can be challenging to treat. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an attractive option but remains understudied. We have utilized SNM in PD patients and herein describe our outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of PD patients who underwent peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) or Stage 1 SNM from 2000 to 2020. The primary outcome was progression to a permanent implant. The impact of PD stage and preprocedural urodynamic (UDS) parameters on test‐phase outcome were investigated. Long‐term efficacy was assessed using Wilcoxon matched‐pairs test looking at a change in urinary symptoms (frequency, nocturia, incontinence episodes, and pad use) documented at follow‐up visits and further need for treatment.

Results

Thirty‐four patients underwent test phase SNM (7 PNE and 27 Stage 1). Median follow‐up was 11 (interquartile range 5.8–29.8) months. Indications included refractory OAB (30/34) and nonobstructive urinary retention (4/34). Overall, 82% (28/34) of patients proceeded to a permanent implant. 71% (5/7) of PNEs were successful. Test‐phase success did not differ based on PD disease severity or UDS parameters. In patients with OAB/urgency incontinence who progressed to the permanent implant, there was a statistically significant improvement in their urinary symptoms from baseline. Most (68%) patients were able to discontinue OAB medications post‐implant. The overall lead revision rate was 14% (4/28) and 3 devices required removal.

Conclusions

SNM is an efficacious treatment option for PD patients with a high percentage of patients having improvement in their urinary symptoms.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on perceived cardiorespiratory fitness in athlete patients
Authors: Gustus Sarah , Moulson Nathaniel , Churchill Timothy W. , Guseh James Sawalla , Petek Bradley J. , VanAtta Carolyn , Baggish Aaron L. , Wasfy Meagan M.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), as one of the most potent prognostic factors in medicine, is followed longitudinally to guide clinical management. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic‐related changes in lifestyle stand to influence CRF.

Objective

To assess the influence of the pandemic on perceived CRF in athlete patients and evaluate how perceived CRF change was related to demographics, pre‐pandemic measured CRF, and current physical activity (PA).

Design

Prospective cohort study, utilizing electronic survey.

Setting

Tertiary care sports cardiology clinical practice.

Participants

Adult athlete patients without COVID‐19 with pre‐pandemic measured CRF using cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Perceived change in CRF since pandemic onset; association between perceived CRF change and demographics, PA, health status, and pre‐pandemic measured CRF assessed via analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Among 62 participants (male: 71%, 50.1 ± 12.1 years old), 40% (25/62) reported no change and 32% (20/62) reported an increase in perceived CRF since pandemic onset. Among the 27% (17/62) who reported a decrease in perceived CRF, in most (12/17), this was characterized as only mild. Demographics and pre‐pandemic measured CRF did not differ across groups of perceived CRF change. Participants with a moderate or greater decrease in perceived CRF regarded their overall health (via Euro Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale) as worse than other groups (ANOVA, p = .001). Although total PA was similar across groups, those who had improvement in perceived CRF reported higher levels of moderate intensity PA (ANOVA, p = .008).

Conclusions

The majority of participants perceived that they had maintained or improved CRF over the pandemic. Findings from this study suggest that a reduction in perceived CRF from pre‐pandemic values in athletic patients in clinical practice may not result from population‐wide pandemic changes in lifestyle. Worse health status and lower levels of moderate intensity PA were associated with perceived reduction in CRF over the pandemic in athlete patients.
Robust subtyping of non‐small cell lung cancer whole sections through MALDI mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Janßen Charlotte , Boskamp Tobias , Hauberg‐Lotte Lena , Behrmann Jens , Deininger Sören‐Oliver , Kriegsmann Mark , Kriegsmann Katharina , Steinbuß Georg , Winter Hauke , Muley Thomas , Casadonte Rita , Kriegsmann Jörg , Maaß Peter
Published: March 2022

Subtyping of the most common non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor types adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) is still a challenge in the clinical routine and a correct diagnosis is crucial for an adequate therapy selection. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has shown potential for NSCLC subtyping but is subject to strong technical variability and has only been applied to tissue samples assembled in tissue microarrays (TMAs). To our knowledge, a successful transfer of a classifier from TMAs to whole sections, which are generated in the standard clinical routine, has not been presented in the literature as of yet.

We introduce a classification algorithm using extensive preprocessing and a classifier (either a neural network or a linear discriminant analysis (LDA)) to robustly classify whole sections of ADC and SqCC lung tissue. The classifiers were trained on TMAs and validated and tested on whole sections. Vital for a successful application on whole sections is the extensive preprocessing and the use of whole sections for hyperparameter selection.

The classification system with the neural network/LDA results in 99.0%/98.3% test accuracy on spectra level and 100.0%/100.0% test accuracy on whole section level, respectively, and, therefore, provides a powerful tool to support the pathologist's decision making process. The presented method is a step further towards a clinical application of MALDI MSI and artificial intelligence for subtyping of NSCLC tissue sections.
Fast Polymerization of Dopamine for Coating on ANPZO Surface with Excellent Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Jia Kanghui , Liu Yucun , Chai Tao , Yu Yanwu , Jing Suming , Wu Pengfei , He Jinxuan , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

Mussel‐inspired dopamine has been employed extensively in the field of surface modification, and polydopamine (PDA) coated in the surface of energetic materials is efficient in properties improving for its high adhesion. However, the key problem is the slow polymerization process of dopamine that often takes about 10 hours up to a few days, which hinder the development and limit its large‐scale application in most areas. Herein, an oxidant‐speed up method was proved to accelerate dopamine polymerization and it was successfully coated in the surface of 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (ANPZO) crystals. The SEM images, XRD patterns, FT‐IR spectra, and Raman spectrum indicated that the morphological and structural features had no change in the process of coating and the XPS spectrum indicated that the PDA has successfully occurred on the crystal surface. In addition, the ANPZO crystals coated with PDA had more excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties than uncoated ANPZO, with the unchanged sensitivity as a high‐energy insensitive explosive. This work opened up a new idea in accelerating self‐assembly and PDA modifications for surface by oxidant‐speed up method, which will promote the progess of insensitive high explosives and meet its application demand.
Hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing in the community urology practice setting
Authors: Shore Neal D. , Lenz Lauren , Cogan Elizabeth S. , Iliev Diana , Spencer Lizzie , Flake Darl D. , Meek Stephanie , Davis Thaylon , Copeland Karen , Finch Robert , Schiff William , Korman Howard , Rao Manoj , Belkoff Laurence , Jalkut Mark , Mariados Neil , D'Anna Richard , Mehlhaff Bryan , Slavin Thomas P. , Cohen Todd D.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility of integrating a hereditary cancer risk assessment (HCRA) process in the community urology practice setting for patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

In this prospective intervention, an HCRA process was implemented across six different community urology clinics between May 2019 and April 2020. The intervention included a process integration during which the workflow at each site was refined, a post‐integration period during which HCRA was conducted in all patients with PCa, and a follow‐up period during which healthcare providers and patients reported their satisfaction with the HCRA and genetic testing process.

Results

Among patients who completed a family history assessment during the post‐integration period, 23.6% met guideline criteria for genetic testing. Of all patients seen at the clinic during the post‐integration period, 8.7% completed genetic testing; this was a twofold increase over the period immediately preceding process integration (4.2%), and a sevenfold increase over the same period 1 year prior (1.2%). The majority of providers reported that the HCRA was as important as other regularly performed assessments (61.0%) and planned to continue using the process in their practice (68.3%). Most patients believed that the genetic test results were important for their future cancer care (84.7%) and had already shared their test results with at least one family member (63.2%).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that implementing an HCRA process in the community urology practice setting was feasible, generally favored by providers and patients, and resulted in an increase in the number of patients with PCa who completed genetic testing.
Quetiapine‐induced oral ulcers
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: March 2022

Oromucosal adverse effects are not generally associated with atypical antipsychotic drugs, but one case of oral mucositis induced by risperidone has been reported in the literature. The following case report described a patient who developed oral ulceration after receiving quetiapine for 9 days.
SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue virus co‐infection: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and management
Authors: Prapty Chowdhury Nusaiba Binte Sayed , Rahmat Raad , Araf Yusha , Shounak Samiha Kamal , Noor‐A‐Afrin  , Rahaman Tanjim Ishraq , Hosen Mohammad Jakir , Zheng Chunfu , Hossain Md. Golzar
Published: March 2022

SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue virus co‐infection cases have been on the rise in dengue‐endemic regions as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) spreads over the world, posing a threat of a co‐epidemic. The risk of comorbidity in co‐infection cases is greater than that of a single viral infection, which is a cause of concern. Although the pathophysiologies of the two infections are different, the viruses have comparable effects within the body, resulting in identical clinical symptoms in the case of co‐infection, which adds to the complexity. Overlapping symptoms and laboratory features make proper differentiation of the infections important. However, specific biomarkers provide precise results that can be utilised to diagnose and treat a co‐infection, whether it is simply COVID‐19, dengue, or a co‐infection. Though their treatment is distinguished, it becomes more complicated in circumstances of co‐infection. As a result, regardless of whatever infection the first symptom points to, confirmation diagnosis of both COVID‐19 and dengue should be mandatory, particularly in dengue‐endemic regions, to prevent health deterioration in individuals treated for a single infection. There is still a scarcity of concise literature on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapy, and management of SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue virus co‐infection. The epidemiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue virus co‐infection, the mechanism of pathogenesis, and the potential impact on patients are summarised in this review. The possible diagnosis with biomarkers, treatment, and management of the SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue viruses are also discussed. This review will shed light on the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and management of the patients suffering from SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue virus co‐infection.
Impacts of work‐at‐home policies on systems engineers and the general population
Authors: Perez‐Pereda Maria Jose , Babvey Pouria , Ramirez‐Marquez Jose , Pepe Kara , Verma Dinesh
Published: March 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic presented many challenges, one of them being the imposition of “work‐at‐home” policies in March 2020. The Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) and the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) conducted two online surveys—one during the first months of the pandemic in 2020 and the second survey 1 year after, in March 2021—to understand the impact of these policies within the systems engineering community. The surveys' format consisted of multiple‐choice questions and open‐answer questions, which were analyzed using LDA for topic modeling. Data were also collected from social media during the same timeframes to compare the feelings and experiences of systems engineers with those of the general population.
Re: Routine first‐trimester combined screening for pre‐eclampsia: pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A or placental growth factor?
Authors: Cuckle H.
Published: March 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Noël et al. Click here to view the article.
Progressive tension pneumomediastinum in an adult miniature schnauzer
Authors: Osipova Iulia , Cassel Nicky , Biller David
Published: March 2022

A 1.5‐year‐old, female, spayed miniature schnauzer presented for a 1‐month history of progressive tachypnoea, exercise intolerance, weight loss and lethargy. Radiographs identified progressive pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. Thoracic computed tomography confirmed the radiographic findings and did not show any underlying inciting aetiology. No oesophageal or tracheal lesions were identified during oesophagoscopy and tracheoscopy. No gross pathological lesions were visualised during the exploratory thoracotomy. The patient died 7 days following surgery. The final diagnosis was tension pneumomediastinum of uncertain aetiology. This case report highlights the imaging features of canine tension pneumomediastinum and the first documentation of the computed tomography imaging features.
Academic Integrity in Canada: Historical Perspectives and Current Trends
Authors: Eaton Sarah Elaine , Christensen Hughes Julia
Published: March 2022

In this chapter we discuss the development of academic integrity in Canada. We begin by offering insights into how provincial and territorial educational governance and policy structures have affected academic integrity in Canada, compared to other countries, such as the United States. In particular, we discuss why it may not make sense for Canadian schools to try to adopt the American honour code model. We explore the evolution of higher education in Canada, highlighting the earliest incidents of academic misconduct on record as well as the development of academic integrity scholarship, focusing on significant contributions and its impact over time. In particular, we draw attention to the emergence of policies, practices, associations, and networks intended to help Canada’s higher educational institutions develop and strengthen cultures of integrity. Following, we discuss how the academic integrity landscape has shifted, noting recent trends such as the rise of contract cheating. We conclude with a call to action for more enhanced support for academic integrity scholarship to support advocacy, policy, and practice.
Education as a Financial Transaction: Contract Employment and Contract Cheating
Authors: Crossman Katherine
Published: March 2022

Over the last decade, high-profile cases of academic misconduct have surfaced across Canada (Eaton, 2020a). I argue that it is systemic issues that contribute to their ubiquity: knowledge is seen as a commodity, transcripts and credentials as products, and students as consumers. As provincial governments in Ontario and Alberta introduce funding models tied to graduate earnings and employment (Anderson, 2020; Weingarten et al., 2019), education becomes a financial transaction and academic integrity is threatened. Credentials hold more value than the process of learning, and when students pay for credentials, it is more palatable to pay for grades. This is exacerbated by a supply and demand for academically dishonest practices. File sharing websites that facilitate cheating are ubiquitous; coursehero.com alone is worth over one billion dollars (Schubarth, 2020). Targeted advertisements for essay mills abound. Meanwhile, academia increasingly relies on the labour of sessionals (Shaker & Pasma, 2018), who tend to underestimate the scope of misconduct (Hudd et al., 2009) and are less likely to report infractions (Blau et al., 2018). Furthermore, those with graduate degrees are increasing (Wall et al., 2018) while stable academic jobs are fewer (Kezar, 2013). Academics faced with precarious employment often supplement income in what Kezar et al. (2019) refer to as the “gig academy”. They are well-positioned to meet the demand for ghost-written papers (Sivasubramaniam et al., 2016). Although many institutions have responded with well-articulated policies and procedures, when entrenched in a system that incentivises and facilitates dishonest practices, they are not lasting solutions to chronic problems.
Helping Students Resolve the Ambiguous Expectations of Academic Integrity
Authors: Bens Susan L.
Published: March 2022

Students find matters of academic integrity to be ambiguous. Many educators do not understand how this, and self-reported incidence of academic misconduct, can persist. Across Canadian higher education, students are alerted to policy via syllabus statements and awareness campaigns. Many faculty provide guidance and referrals to supports and resources. Yet, students report mixed messages that leave them unclear as to the real expectations. In this chapter, I offer an educational developer’s perspective on how matters of academic integrity confuse students. I make the point, through story and review of selected research, that students encounter wide-ranging teaching and learning contexts and approaches, especially in early years of study. Next, I examine the practical limits of initiatives like standardized syllabus statements and campus awareness campaigns. I recommend contextualized course-based instruction approaches that occupy a teaching and learning space between policy awareness and general academic skill building. I conclude that instructors ought to target and reinforce areas of greatest concern with more explicit instruction in their courses.
Supporting Academic Integrity in the Writing Centre: Perspectives of Student Consultants
Authors: Garwood Kim
Published: March 2022

Writing centres are often described as safe spaces where students can explore their ideas and concerns, including questions about how to use and cite sources without plagiarizing. In many Canadian writing centres, these issues are addressed by student consultants who provide effective and influential peer-to-peer support in individual consultations. Little research, however, has directly examined the perspectives of student consultants in providing academic integrity support. This chapter provides a synthesis of what literature currently exists on the role of student consultants in supporting academic integrity before describing a case study with student writing consultants at the University of Guelph. Using data gathered through a survey, this chapter examines the experience and perceptions of student consultants in providing academic integrity support. The findings suggest that academic integrity conversations often arise indirectly, through conversations about referencing or paraphrasing. Student writing consultants consistently position themselves as intermediaries, helping protect students from academic misconduct by using a range of directive and non-directive strategies.
Promotion of Academic Integrity Through a Marketing Lens for Canadian Post-secondary Institutions
Authors: Teymouri Nazanin , Boisvert Sheryl , John-West Katrina
Published: March 2022

Although the study of academic integrity has addressed numerous perspectives on how to encourage, teach, and manage student behaviour, little has appeared on how to promote it beyond an educational or cultural lens. Though emphasis in the classroom through teaching is important to an overall understanding of academic integrity, the promotion—specifically through marketing tactics—may offer an entirely new and applicable approach to communication between academic institutions and students. Specific suggestions include gathering data on academic misconduct on a consistent basis, using data for institutional analysis of trends in misconduct so that a tailored approach to addressing specific challenges may be planned, and engaging students through relevant mediums and methods familiar to them.
Building a Culture of Restorative Practice and Restorative Responses to Academic Misconduct
Authors: Sopcak Paul , Hood Kevin
Published: March 2022

TheUniversal Declaration of Human Rights’Article 26 on education and more recently UNESCO’s “World Declaration on Higher Education for the Twenty-First Century: Mission and Action” have called for civic and ethical education alongside academic education in postsecondary settings. Many post-secondary institutions have made fostering civic responsibility, engaged citizenship, and ethical decision making in students a strategic priority. What often remains ambiguous is how these priorities translate into action. A growing body of scholarly literature and research establishes the role Restorative Practice (RP) can play in pursuing these strategic priorities surrounding moral development, emotional intelligence, and engaged citizenship. Specifically, RP has been shown to prevent conflict and misconduct, while empowering marginalized individuals. Restorative practices demonstrate fairness; and foster empathy, compassion and accountability; through experiential learning opportunities. In light of these developments, MacEwan University, in Alberta, Canada, has been actively building a restorative culture. One aspect of this endeavour was the revision of its Academic Integrity Policy and Academic Misconduct Procedures to include the possibility of alternative resolutions to academic misconduct, based on restorative practices and principles. In our chapter, we will (a) provide a brief introduction to restorative practices that makes explicit its connection to universities’ civic education mandate, integrity, and specifically, academic integrity; (b) describe the restorative practices model that is being established at MacEwan University; (c) discuss in detail the application of restorative practices to academic misconduct cases, including training of facilitators, as well as successes and challenges experienced in the first year since it became available; and, finally, (d) share feedback regarding its effectiveness received from students, staff, and faculty who participated in restorative resolutions.
Re-Defining Academic Integrity: Embracing Indigenous Truths
Authors: Poitras Pratt Yvonne , Gladue Keeta
Published: March 2022

Despite historical and ongoing challenges, Canada has been making promising strides towards reconciliation prompted in large part by the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015). We honour our Indigenous Elders and Ancestors who have led social and educational movements that named and resisted the negative outcomes created and continued by a Canadian colonial history. The authors point to current institutional projects of decolonizing and Indigenizing the academy as holding the potential to re-define what academic integrity means. As a hopeful point of entry into how teaching and learning scholars might reconsider current conceptions of integrity, we see Indigenizing efforts across a number of Canadian universities as the basis from which to speak to a more inclusive and wholistic definition of academic integrity. The authors seek to problematize the current neoliberal and commercialized approaches to education where different forms of academic misconduct arise as inevitable outcomes. If education is viewed as the pursuit of truth, or more appropriately truths, then it is essential to nuance the scope of academic integrity to include Indigenous perspectives such aswholismandinterconnectedness. In this chapter, we discuss these truths, challenging current conceptions, to propose a more inclusive definition of academic integrity by drawing upon Indigenous scholarship as well as dynamic forms of ancestral language to situate our work. In sum, sharing truths through the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives grounds the scholarly discussion in an equitable understanding of truth-telling as foundational to academic integrity.
Ethics, EdTech, and the Rise of Contract Cheating
Authors: Gray Brenna Clarke
Published: March 2022

This chapter argues that establishing a “culture of academic integrity,” in the era of digitally-situated plagiarism like contract cheating, begins with an institutional approach to student data and student work that is rooted in ethics. If “students cheat when they feel cheated” (Christensen Hughes, 2017, p. 57), then the ethical failures inherent in a system-wide move toward for-profit homework systems and plagiarism checkers sets a dangerous model for students to follow. We are responsible for modelling for our students what it looks like to be a contributing member of an academic community, and we do so by taking seriously our students, their data, and their work, and not only when it comes time to run it through a plagiarism detector or check their IDs against a proctoring software. This chapter argues that a more responsible relationship to student data, and a less cozy relationship with for-profit educational technologies, is required if our institutions are serious about fostering a culture of academic integrity.
The Rise of ‘Wicked Problems’—Uncertainty, Complexity and Divergence
Authors: Head Brian W.
Published: March 2022

Rittel and Webber argued that scientific and technocratic approaches for tackling the difficult issues of social policy and urban planning were bound to be inadequate. A ‘scientific’ approach to understanding the nature of these problems necessarily overlooks the significance of different stakeholder perspectives in the framing or constituting of social problems. Recognising these differences is thus crucial for developing acceptable solutions to the policy challenges. Science and engineering approaches produce reliable knowledge but are appropriate only for technical issues where the key variables are measurable, and optimal solutions can be agreed. These are the ‘tame’ or ‘benign’ problems, with clear boundaries and agreed solutions. By contrast, modern social problems are ‘wicked’ problems, because stakeholders disagree about the nature of these problems, about possible solutions, and about the values or principles that should guide improvements. Hence, policies addressing social problems can never be optimal in the engineering sense, but robust policies could incorporate insights from stakeholder engagement. With the growing popularity of ‘wicked’ terminology, recent scholarly analysts have worried it has become a catchword rather than a critical concept. They have also wished to reconsider the stark contrast between ‘tame’ and ‘wicked’ problems, calling for refinement of the ‘either/or’ dichotomy. And other writers have raised epistemological issues about the respective contributions of scientific, political and stakeholder knowledge for understanding and resolving difficult issues.
KK-like relations of α′ corrections to disk amplitudes
Authors: Mafra Carlos R.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Inspired by the definition of color-dressed amplitudes in string theory, we define analogouscolor-dressed permutationsreplacing the color-ordered string amplitudes by their corresponding permutations. Decomposing the color traces into symmetrized traces and structure constants, the color-dressed permutations defineBRST-invariant permutations, which we show are elements of the inverse Solomon descent algebra and we find a closed formula for them. We then present evidence that these permutations encode KK-like relations among the differentα′ corrections to the disk amplitudes refined by their MZV content. In particular, the number of linearly independent amplitudes at a givenα′ order and MZV content is given by (sums of) Stirling cycle numbers. In addition, we show how the superfield expansion of BRST invariants of the pure spinor formalism corresponding toα′2ζ2corrections is encoded in the descent algebra.
Unruh-DeWitt detector in dimensionally-reduced static spherically symmetric spacetimes
Authors: Tjoa Erickson , Mann Robert B.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We study the dynamics of an Unruh-DeWitt detector interacting with a massless scalar field in an arbitrary static spherically symmetric spacetimes whose metric is characterised by a single metric function f(r). In order to obtain clean physical insights, we employ the derivative coupling variant of the Unruh-DeWitt model in (1+1) dimensions where powerful conformal techniques enable closed-form expressions for the vacuum two-point functions. Due to the generality of the formalism, we will be able to study a very general class of static spherically symmetric (SSS) background. We pick three examples to illustrate our method: (1) non-singular Hayward black holes, (2) the recently discovered D → 4 limit of Gauss-Bonnet black holes, and (3) the “black bounce” metric that interpolates Schwarzschild black holes and traversable wormholes. We also show that the derivative coupling Wightman function associated with the generalized Hartle-Hawking vacuum satisfies the KMS property with the well-known temperature f′(rH)/(4π), where rH is the horizon radius.
Pseudo-spontaneous U(1) symmetry breaking in hydrodynamics and holography
Authors: Ammon Martin , Areán Daniel , Baggioli Matteo , Gray Seán , Grieninger Sebastian
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We investigate the low-energy dynamics of systems with pseudo-spontaneously broken U(1) symmetry and Goldstone phase relaxation. We construct a hydrodynamic framework which is able to capture these, in principle independent, effects. We consider two generalisations of the standard holographic superfluid model by adding an explicit breaking of the U(1) symmetry by either sourcing the charged bulk scalar or by introducing an explicit mass term for the bulk gauge field. We find agreement between the hydrodynamic dispersion relations and the quasi-normal modes of both holographic models. We verify that phase relaxation arises only due to the breaking of the inherent Goldstone shift symmetry. The interplay of a weak explicit breaking of the U(1) and phase relaxation renders the DC electric conductivity finite but does not result in a Drude-like peak. In this scenario we show the validity of a universal relation, found in the context of translational symmetry breaking, between the phase relaxation rate, the mass of the pseudo-Goldstone and the Goldstone diffusivity.
Spontaneously broken subsystem symmetries
Authors: Distler Jacques , Karch Andreas , Raz Amir
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We investigate the spontaneous breaking of subsystem symmetries directly in the context of continuum field theories by calculating the correlation function of charged operators. Our methods confirm the lack of spontaneous symmetry breaking in some of the existing continuum field theories with subsystem symmetries, as had previously been established based on a careful analysis of the spectrum. We present some novel continuum field theory constructions that do exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking whenever allowed by general principles. These interesting patterns of symmetry breaking occur despite the fact that all the theories we study are non-interacting.
Constraining $$ \mathcal{CP} $$-violation in the Higgs-top-quark interaction using machine-learning-based inference
Authors: Bahl Henning , Brass Simon
Published: March 2022

Abstract

While$$ \mathcal{CP} $$CPviolation in the Higgs interactions with massive vector boson is already tightly constrained, the$$ \mathcal{CP} $$CPnature of the Higgs interactions with fermions is far less constrained. In this work, we assess the potential of machine-learning-based inference methods to constrain$$ \mathcal{CP} $$CPviolation in the Higgs top-Yukawa coupling. This approach enables the use of the full available kinematic information. Concentrating on top-associated Higgs production with the Higgs decaying to two photons, we derive expected exclusion bounds for the LHC and the high-luminosity phase of the LHC. We also study the dependence of these bounds on the Higgs interaction with massive vector bosons and their robustness against theoretical uncertainties. In addition to deriving expected exclusion bounds, we discuss at which level a non-zero$$ \mathcal{CP} $$CP-violating top-Yukawa coupling can be distinguished from the SM. Moreover, we analyze which kinematic distributions are most sensitive to a$$ \mathcal{CP} $$CP-violating top-Yukawa coupling.
Upstream open reading frames regulate translation of cancer-associated transcripts and encode HLA-presented immunogenic tumor antigens
Authors: Nelde Annika , Flötotto Lea , Jürgens Lara , Szymik Laura , Hubert Elvira , Bauer Jens , Schliemann Christoph , Kessler Torsten , Lenz Georg , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Walz Juliane S. , Wethmar Klaus
Published: March 2022

Background

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) represent translational control elements within eukaryotic transcript leader sequences. Recent data showed that uORFs can encode for biologically active proteins and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-presented peptides in malignant and benign cells suggesting their potential role in cancer cell development and survival. However, the role of uORFs in translational regulation of cancer-associated transcripts as well as in cancer immune surveillance is still incompletely understood.

Methods

We examined the translational regulatory effect of 29 uORFs in 13 cancer-associated genes by dual-luciferase assays. Cellular expression and localization of uORF-encoded peptides (uPeptides) were investigated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence-based microscopy. Furthermore, we utilized mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome analyses in an extensive dataset of primary malignant and benign tissue samples for the identification of naturally presented uORF-derived HLA-presented peptides screening for more than 2000 uORFs.

Results

We provide experimental evidence for similarly effective translational regulation of cancer-associated transcripts through uORFs initiated by either canonical AUG codons or by alternative translation initiation sites (aTISs). We further demonstrate frequent cellular expression and reveal occasional specific cellular localization of uORF-derived peptides, suggesting uPeptide-specific biological implications. Immunopeptidome analyses delineated a set of 125 naturally presented uORF-derived HLA-presented peptides. Comparative immunopeptidome profiling of malignant and benign tissue-derived immunopeptidomes identified several tumor-associated uORF-derived HLA ligands capable to induce multifunctional T cell responses.

Conclusion

Our data provide direct evidence for the frequent expression of uPeptides in benign and malignant human tissues, suggesting a potentially widespread function of uPeptides in cancer biology. These findings may inspire novel approaches in direct molecular as well as immunotherapeutic targeting of cancer-associated uORFs and uPeptides.