bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic risk factor targets in relation to clinical characteristics and comorbidities among individuals with type 2 diabetes treated in primary care – The countrywide cross‐sectional AUSTRO‐PROFIT study
Authors: Sourij Harald , Azhar Kehkishan , Aziz Faisal , Kojzar Harald , Sourij Caren , Fasching Peter , Clodi Martin , Ludvik Bernhard , Mader Julia K. , Resl Michael , Rega‐Kaun Gersina , Ress Claudia , Stechemesser Lars , Stingl Harald , Tripolt Norbert J. , Wascher Thomas , Kaser Susanne
Published: October 2024

Aims

This study assessed the achievement rates of metabolic risk factor targets and their association with clinical characteristics and comorbidities among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated in the primary care in Austria.

Materials and Methods

A countrywide cross‐sectional study, the AUSTRO‐PROFIT, was conducted in Austria from 2021 to 2023 on 635 individuals with T2D. Metabolic risk factor targets were defined as the percentage of people achieving low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) <70 mg/dL (or < 55 mg/dL if cardiovascular or microvascular disease was present), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% (53 mmol/mol) and blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 65.7 ± 11.2 years; the median duration of T2D was 8 (4–14) years; and 58.7% of the participants were male. The percentages of participants achieving LDL‐C, HbA1c, blood pressure and all targets were 44%, 53%, 57% and 13%, respectively. Older age, longer T2D duration, cardiovascular disease and microvascular complications were associated with suboptimal achievement of metabolic risk factor targets.

Conclusions

The AUSTRO‐PROFIT study revealed notable variations in metabolic targets achievement with respect to clinical characteristics and comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of establishing national diabetes registries and implementing multifactorial targeted and individualized interventions to further improve the quality of T2D care in primary care settings in Austria.
Roles of ZEB1 and ZEB2 in E‐cadherin expression and cell aggressiveness in head and neck cancer
Authors: Kinouchi Arisa , Jubashi Takahiro , Tatsuno Rikito , Ichikawa Jiro , Sakamoto Kaname , Sakurai Daiju , Kawasaki Tomonori , Ishii Hiroki , Miyazawa Keiji , Saitoh Masao
Published: October 2024

Zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) has been identified as a key factor in cancer cell differentiation and metastasis, and has been well studied in the field of cancer cell biology. ZEB2 has a highly similar conformation to ZEB1, but its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells is not fully understood. Here, we separately overexpressed ZEB1 and ZEB2 in C57BL/6 mouse oral cancer (MOC) cells and investigated their cellular characteristics, including E‐cadherin levels, motile properties, chemoresistance, and metastatic ability in immunocompetent mice. Both ZEB1 and ZEB2 overexpression reduced epithelial traits and converted cells to an aggressive phenotype. Surprisingly, ZEB1 overexpression increased the endogenous level of ZEB2 in MOC cells, and vice versa. The molecular mechanisms underlying these findings remain unclear. However, the in vitro anchorage‐independent growth of MOC cells overexpressing ZEB2 was considerably greater than that of MOC cells overexpressing ZEB1. These findings suggest that ZEB2, like ZEB1, has the ability to induce the differentiation of cancer cells into those with highly aggressive traits.
A trifecta trajectory of moral taint contagion: Women (church) leaders making work dirty
Authors: Grandy Gina , Mavin Sharon
Published: October 2024

This article offers insights into the dynamic and complex nature of moral taint, specifically taint that emanates at the individual level, triggered by gender, and the trajectory of this moral taint at work. Through a qualitative study of women church leaders, it explores how gender might serve as a trigger of moral taint to dirty the work. The women church leaders are perceived to be morally questionable and a source of disgust. Their gender triggers moral taint. This moral taint creates the risk of a reverse trifecta of taint contagion from the women toward the occupation, institution, and stakeholders. Others respond to the women with disgust, deflecting and protecting against contamination. The women leaders perform gendered dirty work in this sacredly masculine context and their leadership privilege is unstable, immoral, and contested because of their gender. We offer a conceptualization of gendered dirty work(ers) and suggest research avenues for women in leadership.
Potential and application of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in the analysis and identification of novel bacteriocins: a review
Authors: Kurnianto Muhammad Alfid , Adesina Precious Adedayo , Rini Dina Mustika
Published: October 2024

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides synthesised ribosomally by Gram‐positive or Gram‐negative bacteria to gain a competitive advantage. The majority of bacteriocins are derived from Gram‐positive bacteria, with lactic acid bacteria being the most common source. Because they are considered ‘natural’, there is currently significant development of bacteriocins for application as food preservative agents. As a preservative agent, bacteriocin activity is highly dependent on purity, down to the amino acid profile and sequence. Therefore, bacteriocin identification is important. Currently, MS is a cutting‐edge tool in bacteriocin identification. This method has high selectivity, sensitivity and resolution. To the best of our knowledge, systematic reviews focusing on the application of MS for bacteriocin identification are currently limited. In light of this, the objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive review and summary of MS technologies in bacteriocin research, with a particular focus on the discovery and characterisation of novel sources of bacteriocin. Additionally, studies related to the discovery of bacteriocins from various sources, their role as antimicrobial agents, and their synthesis are emphasised. Thus, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of the methods employed.
The potential of oviduct tags and fine‐scale acoustic telemetry to reveal the timing and location of spawning in Arctic salmonids (Salvelinus spp.)
Authors: Dubos Véronique , Harris Les N. , Ekpakohak Richard , Malley Brendan K. , Gilbert Matthew J. H. , Furey Nathan B. , Moore Jean‐Sébastien
Published: October 2024

Identifying and characterizing spawning locations are paramount for the protection of critical fish habitats but can be challenging, particularly in remote locations. Using the underexplored oviduct‐tagging technique, we aimed to identify the timing and location of spawning for wild Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in two high‐Arctic lakes in Nunavut. Specifically, Innovasea V7 acoustic telemetry transmitters were inserted into the oviducts of 13 Arctic char and 4 lake trout, and the timing and location of tag expulsion were determined using a fine‐scale positioning system. Twenty Arctic char and 20 lake trout were also tagged with abdominal V16 transmitters, and 10 of them were paired with the oviduct tags, to further study the behavior of individual fish during the spawning season. Oviduct tags from four Arctic char and one lake trout could be used to assess the timing and location of spawning. Spawning anadromous Arctic char drastically reduced their activity and remained proximate to their presumed spawning location immediately before and for months after spawning. In contrast, a non‐anadromous (i.e., freshwater resident) Arctic char and a lake trout showed little to no reduction in activity around presumed spawning events. Because of the highlighted sedentary behavior of inferred spawning anadromous Arctic char implanted with both abdominal and oviduct tags, we could also infer potential spawning based on the behavior of individuals equipped only with abdominal tags. Spawning areas identified via telemetry also aligned well with Inuit knowledge of those lakes. This is the first field study to use acoustic oviduct and abdominal tags coupled with a fine‐scale positioning system. Despite a limited success rate of ejection, the study reveals the strong potential of the method to study spawning habitat and timing, particularly in remote areas.
Clinical Utility of Genetic Variants in PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 to Predict Liver‐Related Events in Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Seko Yuya , Yamaguchi Kanji , Shima Toshihide , Iwaki Michihiro , Takahashi Hirokazu , Kawanaka Miwa , Tanaka Saiyu , Mitsumoto Yasuhide , Yoneda Masato , Nakajima Atsushi , Okanoue Takeshi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index and genetic polymorphisms have been used in assessing the risk of liver‐related events (LRE) in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). To establish a more efficient prediction strategy for LRE, we investigated a combined approach that uses the FIB‐4 index and genetic polymorphisms.

Methods

We enrolled 1304 Japanese patients with biopsy‐proven MASLD in this longitudinal multicenter cohort study. PNPLA3, TM6SF2, GCKR and MBOAT7 genotypes were genotyped, and polygenic risk score high fat content (PRS‐HFC) were calculated.

Results

During the follow‐up period of 8.1 year, 96 LRE occurred and 53 patients died. PNPLA3, TM6SF2 and GCKR genotypes were associated with LRE development. We divided patients into three groups based on the FIB‐4 index and PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genotype. The cumulative LRE development rate in each group was 2.1%/28.9%/53.5%, respectively, at 10 years. Multivariate analysis revealed hazard ratios (HRs) for LRE of 10.72 in the high‐risk group and 4.80 in the intermediate‐risk group. Overall survival in each group was 98.8%/85.2%/72.4%, respectively, at 10 years. HRs for prognosis were 8.74 in the high‐risk group and 5.62 in the intermediate‐risk group. Patients with FIB‐4 index > 2.67 and high PRS‐HFC had HR of 6.70 for LRE development and HR of 6.07 for prognosis compared to patients with FIB‐4 ≤ 2.67.

Conclusions

The approach of measuring the FIB‐4 index first followed by assessment of genetic polymorphisms efficiently detected patients at high risk of developing LRE. Therefore, this two‐step strategy could be used as a screening method in large populations of patients with MASLD.
Nomogram to Predict Nodal Recurrence‐Free Survival in Early Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Liu Limin , He Yining , Jiang Wen , Fang Tianyi , Huang Yingying , Zhou Xinyu , Zhu Dongwang , Li Jiang , Zhong Laiping
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed to develop and internally validate a prognostic nomogram for predicting nodal recurrence‐free survival (NRFS) in patients with early‐stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with clinically negative neck lymph nodes.

Materials and Methods

The management of early‐stage oral cancer patients with clinically negative neck lymph nodes (cN0) remains controversial, especially concerning the need for elective neck dissection. Data from a single institution spanning 2010 to 2020 were utilized to develop and evaluate the nomogram. The nomogram was constructed using multivariable Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses to identify independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis. Internal validation was performed using bootstrap resampling to assess the nomogram's predictive accuracy.

Results

A total of 930 cN0 patients with T1 and T2 stage OSCC were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts (8:2 ratio). Independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis included tumor pathological grade (well: reference, moderate/poor: OR 1.69), cT (cT1: reference, cT2: OR 2.01), history of drinking (never: reference, current/former: OR 1.72), and depth of invasion (0 mm < DOI ≤ 5 mm: reference, 5 mm < DOI ≤ 10 mm: OR 1.31). The nomogram, incorporating these variables, demonstrated good predictive accuracy with a C‐index of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.58–0.76) in the validation set. In both training and validation groups, the nomogram effectively stratified patients into low‐risk and high‐risk groups for occult cervical nodal metastases (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The nomogram enables risk stratification and improved identification of occult cervical nodal metastases in clinically node‐negative OSCC patients by incorporating tumor‐specific and patient‐specific risk factors.
Gender, BMI, and Age‐Related Variations in Lower Limb Alignment Parameters and CPAK Phenotypes in Chinese Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Li Songlin , Chen Xi , Liu Sen , Xu Hongjun , Yu Yang , Li Shanni , Yin Zhaojing , Du Yiyang , Zhang Miaomiao , Liu Peilai , Qian Wenwei
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Research on the distribution of and the variation in coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) in the Chinese osteoarthritis population is limited. We aimed to establish the CPAK classification based on the characteristics of lower limb alignment in the Chinese osteoarthritis population. We also investigated variations in lower limb alignment parameters and CPAK phenotypes based on gender, body mass index (BMI), and age.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 944 knees diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 479 patients from January 2017 to December 2023. A scatterplot was used to describe the distribution of the CPAK classification, and the differences in lower limb alignment parameters and the CPAK classification were compared across genders (male, female), ages (middle‐aged/<65 years, elderly/≥65 years), and BMI categories (normal/<25 kg/m2, overweight and obese/≥25 kg/m2) using the chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test.

Results

The average arithmetic hip‐knee‐ankle angle and joint line obliquity (JLO) were −3.03° ± 5.69° and 174.45° ± 4.29°, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of constitutional varus alignment in males and the overweight or obese group, while constitutional valgus alignment was more common in females and the normal BMI group (p < 0.05). Additionally, females had a greater apex distal JLO than males (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in lower limb alignment parameters among different age groups (p > 0.05). Although there were variations in alignment parameters across different genders and BMI categories in the knee osteoarthritis population, the predominant CPAK classifications were type I (38.03%), followed by type II (20.02%) and type IV (17.06%).

Conclusion

The most common CPAK types were I, II, and IV, and they were not influenced by gender, BMI, or age, indicating that the CPAK classification can reliably reflect constitutional alignment. A better understanding of native alignment variability can aid in providing patient‐specific recommendations when considering orthopedic alignment strategies.
Evaluation of propofol‐based procedural sedation in pediatric hemato‐oncological patients provided by physician assistants in anesthesia
Authors: van Langeveld I. , Aalbers T. , Prudon I. , Koning R. , Dors N. , Hampsink B. , Bronkhorst E. M. , Scheffer G. J. , Malagon I. , Hendriks M.
Published: October 2024

Background

Procedural sedation and analgesia are required for painful hemato‐oncological procedures such as lumbar and bone marrow punctures. At our institution, sedation with propofol and alfentanil is usually provided by Physician Assistants in Anesthesia. We evaluated the adverse events during the PSA program for children, provided by Physician Assistants in Anesthesia.

Patients and Methods

We included pediatric patients meeting our criteria for deep sedation by a Physician Assistants in Anesthesia, scheduled for a hemato‐oncological procedure at the Amalia Children's Hospital at the Radboudumc Nijmegen. The primary outcome was oxygen desaturation below 92% for more than 20 s. We prospectively collected data on demographics, current health problems, type of procedure, need for airway interventions, and hypotension.

Results

We collected data from 437 sedation sessions involving 71 patients. No oxygen desaturation below 92% lasting longer than 20 s occurred. In 2 cases, a jaw thrust was performed. No invasive airway techniques (oropharyngeal cannula, laryngeal mask, or intubation) were required. A significant drop in mean arterial pressure was seen in 2 out of 437 cases (0.5%). There was no occurrence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other adverse events such as aspiration or laryngeal spasm.

Conclusions

Sedation and analgesia for short painful procedures in selected pediatric hemato‐oncological units with a dedicated protocol may be safely provided by trained and certified Physician Assistants in Anesthesia.
The Dogmatism Puzzle Undone
Authors: Simpson James
Published: October 2024

According to the dogmatism puzzle, for any S and any p, if S knows that p, then she is entitled to be dogmatic about p, and so disregard any evidence against p, for she knows that (or is in a position to know that) that evidence is misleading. But this seems clearly problematically dogmatic. The standard solution to the dogmatism puzzle involves appealing to the view that acquiring new evidence (even misleading evidence) can undermine one's knowledge that p. That is why one cannot rightly disregard any future evidence against p. This solution to the dogmatism puzzle has come to be called “the defeat solution.” Maria Lasonen‐Aarnio has recently argued, however, that the defeat solution leaves unsolved a partial defeat version of the dogmatism puzzle, where some subject acquires weak misleading evidence against p, but, since it is weak, it does not rob her of knowledge that p. Lasonen‐Aarnio argues that solving this partial defeat version of the dogmatism puzzle requires those who endorse the defeasibility of knowledge to either go dogmatist or reject an extremely plausible principle that she calls “Entitlement” (roughly, for any S and any e, if S knows that evidence e is misleading, then S can rightly disregard e). In this paper, however, I argue that defeasibilists face no such challenge from any version of the dogmatism puzzle, since the dogmatism puzzle, in both its original and partial defeat form, rests on an assumption that we have very good reason to think is mistaken. Specifically, the assumption that, for any S and any p, if S knows that p, then S knows (or is in a position to know) that any evidence against p is misleading. I further argue that rejecting this assumption also yields a neat solution to the dogmatism puzzle involving intention originally proposed by Saul Kripke and recently adapted by R.E. Fraser.
RETRACTED: Overexpression of SEZ6L2 and Immune Infiltration in Cancer Based on Gene Image Diagnosis
Authors: Ding Liangfu , Zeng Jilin , Zhao Junyong
Published: October 2024

Background

With the rapid advancement of optical image diagnostic technology, researchers are delving into the potential applications in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The exact link between the SEZ6L2 gene and cancer immune infiltration remains elusive.

Materials and Methods

This study aims to investigate the relationship between SEZ6L2 gene overexpression and cancer immune infiltration using optical image diagnostic technology, thereby presenting novel insights for enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies. Tissue samples obtained from cancer patients were meticulously analyzed to quantitatively assess the expression of the SEZ6L2 gene through light image diagnostic technology. Additionally, immunohistochemical techniques were employed to assess the nature and quantity of immune infiltrating cells within the cancerous tissues.

Results

The enrichment pathways were found to include complement activation, circulating immunoglobulin mediated humoral immune response, protein activation cascade, immunoglobulin complex, and immunoglobulin. In addition, the expression of SEZ6L2 is closely related to the infiltration level of tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), and there is a potential relationship between the expression of SEZ6L2 and different marker genes of TIIC.

Conclusion

Increased SEZ6L2 mRNA expression in breast invasive carcinoma was significantly associated with negative prognosis and immune invasion. SEZ6L2 may be a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential immunotherapeutic target in BRCA.
Technical Feasibility of Dimethyl Ether-Fueled Mechanical Fuel Injection System-Equipped Multicylinder Compression Ignition Engine
Authors: Agarwal Avinash Kumar , Mehra Shanti , Kumar Vikram , Valera Hardikk
Published: October 2024

This experimental study evaluated the combustion and performance characteristics of a 100% dimethyl ether (DME)-fueled multicylinder compression ignition engine equipped with a customized mechanical fuel injection system. The engine operating envelope covered different engine loads and speeds. The effect of DME's physicochemical properties, such as density, compressibility, and latent heat of vaporization, on the engine combustion and performance characteristics was analyzed under varying engine loads and speeds. The DME-fueled engine exhibited an average of >8% higher brake thermal efficiency than the baseline diesel-fueled engine. DME's lower brake-specific energy consumption indicated that the DME-fueled engine efficiently converted fuel's chemical energy into mechanical energy compared to the baseline diesel-fueled engine. The in-cylinder pressure of DME was higher than that of the mineral diesel engine at low loads and lower at higher engine loads. DME engine exhibited extensive and reliable operating range and consistent performance. The mixing-controlled phase dominated the DME combustion. DME's higher compressibility led to a few distinct effects with respect to baseline diesel: (1) lower fuel line pressure in high-pressure fuel lines, (2) higher residual pressure oscillations due to higher compression energy stored in the high-pressure fuel lines, and (3) retarded actual injection timing. The variations in the engine speed showed a similar effect on DME's combustion and performance characteristics as baseline diesel. The DME-fueled engine's lower in-cylinder pressure, lower rate of initial pressure rise, and lower exhaust gas temperature indicate a lower heat rejection engine, delivering higher thermal efficiency.
Their stories, our history: Ken Daniels
Authors: Staniforth Barbara
Published: October 2024

INTRODUCTION: This article forms part of the “Their stories, our history” series which provides information regarding some of the major contributors to the profession of social work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Ken Daniels is featured in this article.
METHODS: A life history methodology is used to document some of the contributions made by Ken Daniels. Life history is a qualitative methodology where various forms of data are used to piece together a narrative. Interviews, documents, articles and other historical artifacts have all contributed to the development of this article.
FINDINGS: Ken Daniels has pioneered a number of social work advances in the areas of mental health, social work education and the professionalisation of social work. He has also made outstanding contributions nationally and internationally in the field of assisted human reproduction through a time of rapid change. Using a calm, compassionate and determined approach, Ken has been able to navigate through the complexities of practice, policy and education.
CONCLUSIONS: Ken Daniels has exemplified a practice which has centred a generalist social work approach, working in different ways and at different systems levels to achieve desired outcomes.
Responding to radicalisation and extremism risks for youth: An emerging child protection and youth justice practice issue in Aotearoa
Authors: Stanley Tony , Barracosa Steven
Published: October 2024

Practice note
Modulation Pattern Identification Algorithm for Model Transfer Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Li Jingfu
Published: October 2024

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional modulation identification methods in small sample signal processing, this paper proposes a new model transfer modulation identification algorithm that integrates machine learning. The algorithm first uses a combination of convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory network (LSTM) to fully tap and utilize its feature extraction capabilities in the spatial and temporal dimensions. It significantly improves the performance of the model in these two dimensions through a parallel structure, which can ensure high efficiency and accuracy in signal recognition tasks. Then, through model migration technology, the common features in the pre-trained model are retained and fine-tuned to adapt to new signal recognition needs, effectively solving the problem of small sample signal recognition. Experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper significantly improves signal recognition accuracy, with an average accuracy rate of 96%. In the 16APSK and 16QAM signal recognition tasks, the accuracy is as high as 100% and 99%, respectively, which demonstrates excellent performance.
Can I Trust you? Ethics in AI
Authors: El-Deeb Ahmed
Published: October 2024

We all like to use and play with utilities and tools that solve daily problems to us. After we do play with it for sometime, we may pause and ask "hmm, but would that enable some bad guys to kill somebody?" Now we are being ethical about the usage of that tool. AI has been in the hands of consumers for the last couple of years, expanding the horizon to what users can do. But I am not sure if lay users have actually paused to question themselves whether they are breaking any ethics or they are so consumed getting things done with the impressive tool. AI is enabling us to be more productive; however, it carries with it severe ethical violations; right now not next month or next year. As I write this article, there are many unethical usages of AI being done without any notice. Think of those who publish short articles written not by them but by AI, those who faked photos, those who wrote their essays, or that one who authored a piece of poetry. This is on individual level, but such violations could be large scale when it comes to corporations. What about those who are the actual makers of AI - are they trustable or developing models that carry some bias? This article is aimed at exploring the topic of Ethics in AI to help us understand implications and path forward.
Mobile Software Engineering is Coming to an End (Like All Good Things Must)
Authors: Nunkesser Robin
Published: October 2024

Mobile Software Engineering as a separate research field has been relevant to speeding up Software Engineering research in the area of mobile devices and applications. However, the existence of Mobile Software Engineering as a separate research field is coming to an end. This development has implications for existing and future research. These implications and resulting opportunities are discussed in this paper.
Report on the 5th International Workshop on Engineering and Cybersecurity of Critical Systems and 2nd International Workshop on Software Vulnerability Management (EnCyCriS/SVM - 2024)
Authors: Simensen John Eidar , Esnoul Coralie , Jee Eunkyoung , Babar Ali , Minh Le Triet Huynh , Rashid Awais
Published: October 2024

Increasing system interconnectivity, decentralization, and introduction of new, more intelligent technologies, result in critical infrastructures becoming exposed to increased risk of cyber, physical, and combine cyber-physical attacks. Cyber-attacks on critical systems can inflict severe consequences on to people, society, economy, and national security, and can have adverse effects on safety and reliability of critical infrastructures. The joint EnCyCriS-SVM workshop facilitates discourse and discussion among researchers, practitioner, and students who are working on challenges and solutions related to the industrial revolution. Focus is given on sharing industry experience and project results pertaining to cyber threats on critical systems; secure software engineering; and attack detection and response mechanisms.
The Trailer of the ACM 2030 Roadmap for Software Engineering
Authors: Pezzè Mauro , Ciniselli Matteo , Di Grazia Luca , Puccinelli Niccolò , Qiu Ketai
Published: October 2024

The landscape of software engineering has dramatically changed. The recent advances in AI, the new opportunities of quantum computing, and the new challenges of sustainability and cyber security upset the software engineering research prospective. The 2030 SE-Roadmap special issue of ACM TOSEM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology gives a 360° view of the research challenges of the 30ties with a thorough editorial, four roadmap papers from the ACM TOSEM editorial board, and over 30 peer-reviewed papers from the research community.

This paper previews the main content of the 2030 roadmap special issue with a report from the 2030 Software Engineering Roadmap workshop, co-located with ACM SIGSOFT FSE Foundations of Software engineering on July 15th and 16th, 2024 in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, that spotlighted the software engineering research horizon to feed ideas into the ACM TOSEM special issue. The paper discusses the new challenges to software engineering that emerged in the SE2030 workshop: AI for software engineering, software engineering by and for humans, sustainable software engineering, automatic programming, cyber security, validation and verification, and quantum software engineering.
Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Wood Simon N.
Published: October 2024

Generalized additive models are generalized linear models in which the linear predictor includes a sum of smooth functions of covariates, where the shape of the functions is to be estimated. They have also been generalized beyond the original generalized linear model setting to distributions outside the exponential family and to situations in which multiple parameters of the response distribution may depend on sums of smooth functions of covariates. The widely used computational and inferential framework in which the smooth terms are represented as latent Gaussian processes, splines, or Gaussian random effects is reviewed, paying particular attention to the case in which computational and theoretical tractability is obtained by prior rank reduction of the model terms. An empirical Bayes approach is taken, and its relatively good frequentist performance discussed, along with some more overtly frequentist approaches to model selection. Estimation of the degree of smoothness of component functions via cross validation or marginal likelihood is covered, alongside the computational strategies required in practice, including when data and models are reasonably large. It is briefly shown how the framework extends easily to location-scale modeling, and, with more effort, to techniques such as quantile regression. Also covered are the main classes of smooths of multiple covariates that may be included in models: isotropic splines and tensor product smooth interaction terms.
Incorporation of Capecitabine Into Extended Chain of N‐Acylated Chitosan Carrier
Authors: Marlina Anita , Misran Misni , Restu Witta Kartika
Published: October 2024

Enhancing the hydrophobicity of chitosan through acylation enables the encapsulation of water‐insoluble drugs within the polymeric carrier cores. In this study, hydrophobically modified chitosan was synthesized by reacting low‐molecular‐weight chitosan with acyl chloride (C18–C24) using an agitation method under mild conditions. The structure of acylated chitosan was analyzed using FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The degree of substitution (DS) varied between 56% and 69% for different long‐chain N‐acylated chitosan, with N‐stearoyl chitosan (ChC18) exhibiting the highest DS. The incorporation of capecitabine (CAP) into extended acylated chitosan increased particle size and decreased zeta potential. N‐lignoceroyl chitosan (ChC24) exhibited the highest zeta potential value of −27 mV for 0.2 mg of CAP, indicating that the most extended acyl group was the most stable in the suspension. Transmission electron microscope images revealed that all acylated chitosan particles were spherical, with sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm, and existed as stand‐alone entities, indicating excellent stability in suspension. The loading of CAP increased in particle size but did not alter particle shape, except for ChC24, which exhibited agglomeration. SEM images revealed that the individual arrangement of particles in CAP‐ChC18 made it more stable than other acylated chitosan. In contrast, the formation of clusters in CAP‐ChC24 can be attributed to strong hydrophobic interactions. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that there is no nitrogen atom in ChC18, which means that the acyl group is oriented inward and bound to the stearoyl group via van der Waals forces. At different drug weight‐to‐carrier ratios, the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of CAP with varying acyl group lengths ranged from 85% to 97%. The drug loading (DL) capacity and EE increased as the amount of drug in the carrier increased. However, the length of the acyl group did not significantly affect DL and EE, even when the carrier‐to‐drug ratio was consistently maintained. Sustained release was observed in CAP‐loaded ChC24, indicating a significant influence of the extended chain on chitosan. Consequently, extended N‐acylated chitosan possesses enormous potential as a drug delivery system for CAP.
Figure 2 from PELP1 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Nassar Khaled Mohamed , Yang Xue , Baker Adriana , Gopalam Rahul , Arnold William C. , Adeniran Timilehin T. , Hernandez Fernandez Marian H. , Mahajan Megharani , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Sareddy Gangadhara R. , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi , Sun Lu-Zhe , Vadlamudi Ratna K. , Pratap Uday P.
Published: October 2024

PELP1-KD/SMIP34 treatment decreased cell viability, clonogenicity, and invasiveness of HCC cells. PELP1-KD in Huh7 and Hep3B cell lines were confirmed by Western blot (A). Cell viability and clonogenic assays were performed to assess the impact of PELP1 KD on the growth of Huh7 and Hep3B cells (B and C). The effect of PELP1-KD on the invasion of HCC cells was performed using Matrigel invasion chamber assays (D). The effect of SMIP34 on the cell viability of six HCC cells was measured using MTT assay (E). Effect of SMIP34 (5 μmol/L) on clonogenic cell survival was examined using colony formation assay (F). The effect of SMIP34 (10 μmol/L) treatment on HCC cells invasion was performed using Matrigel invasion chamber assay (G). The results show the mean ± SEM, n = 3. P values are calculated using the Student t test and one-way ANOVA, *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001; ****, p < 0.0001.
Ukraine’s Existential War: Dimensions of a Global Conflict
Authors: Fluri Philipp , Roslycky Lada
Published: October 2024

This third special issue of Connections: The Quarterly Journal, dedicated to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, expands the understanding of the roots and where Russia’s aggression is headed. Kremlinism is presented as an attack on civilization, deeply rooted in fascist ideology, where hybrid attacks and information-psychological operations are used to advance the geopolitical goal of establishing the Russkiy Mir. The issue examines how the current rules-based legal order is positioned in such a manner that it actually abets Russia’s impunity, including ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity, and calls for the creation of a special tribunal. The role of women in the realm of war, victimhood, and peacemaking is analyzed through the lens of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, which advocates for the meaningful inclusion of women in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The fate of Belarus, as a state and nation, usurped by Russia’s expansionary policies, is examined, with a critique of poor Western policies toward it. Russia’s cyber aggression against Europe and Europe’s reactionary stance are discussed in detail. Additionally, the impact of the war on global food security, particularly through changes in fertilizer prices crucial to food production, is analyzed. The final article takes a deep look at the urgent need for modernizing Ukraine’s personnel management system within the armed forces.
Women, Peace, and Security Dimensions of the War in Ukraine
Authors:   National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine, Lysychkina Iryna , Lysychkina Olha
Published: October 2024

The ongoing war in Ukraine has evident devastating consequences. It is an urgent reminder of the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, which calls for the meaningful inclusion of women in all areas of peacebuilding and conflict prevention. This paper highlights the involvement of Ukrainian women in the war, emphasizing their roles across politics, defense, and humanitarian response. The authors examine some critical issues to stimulate and support women’s active position in peace-building and conflict resolution in the Ukrainian context.
An Argument for a Strong Force Semantics of Believe
Authors: Koev Todor
Published: October 2024

The English verb believe is usually taken to encode universal quantification over possibilities (Hintikka 1969) and thus it is predicted to carry a strong modal force. Faced with the intuition that believe feels weaker than uncontroversially strong modals like sure, Hawthorne et al. (2016) instead propose that believe carries a weak modal force, requiring that the agent’s degree of certainty exceed some vague standard and drawing a parallel to relative gradable adjectives like tall. The current contribution takes to heart the idea that believe is gradable but shows that its scale properties in fact argue against a weak force semantics: the scale of believe is upper-closed and so its default standard must be the scale maximum (Kennedy and McNally 2005; Kennedy 2007). This results in a strong modal force, suggesting that the felt weakness of believe is rooted in its ‘subjective’ modal flavor (cf. Lyons 1977; Kratzer 1981) arising from the fact that believe maps propositions to degrees of credence.
Rust fungi (Pucciniales) on Cyperaceae in Japan, with 2 new names, 5 new combinations and typifications
Authors: KAKISHIMA MAKOTO , JI JING XIN , HOSAKA KENTARO , HOSOYA TSUYOSHI
Published: October 2024

Rust fungi (Pucciniales) producing uredinial and/or telial stages on species of Cyperaceae in Japan are listed based on literature records. Host plants and distribution of 92 species (86 species of Puccinia, 5 species of Uromyces and 1 species of Uredo) are described. Among them two new names and five new combination names are proposed in accordance with the Shenzhen Code, ICNafp. Type specimens (neotypes, lectotypes, epitypes, paratypes) for 29 species are selected and designated. One hundred species of Cyperaceae (22.9% of species reported in Japan) including ten genera are recorded as their host plants of uredinial and/or telial stages. Spermogonial and aecial stages of 36 species are confirmed and 59 species of plants including 14 families 29 genera are also described as their hosts.
Ceratozamia alba (Zamiaceae): A new cycad species from the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: PÉREZ-FARRERA MIGUEL Á. , MARTÍNEZ-MARTÍNEZ MAURICIO G. , MORENO-MÉNDEZ GASPAR , VOVIDES ANDREW P. , GUTIÉRREZ-ORTEGA JOSÉ SAID
Published: October 2024

Ceratozamia alba sp. nov., a new cycad species from the Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve in northern Chiapas, Mexico, is described and compared to its congeners. Our earlier observations led us to think that these populations belonged to C. robusta, given their geographic location and the general morphological resemblance of adult individuals. However, seedlings and juveniles are more similar to C. santillanii, another geographically proximal species with which it has a sister relationship. We have determined that C. alba is easily distinguishable from other Ceratozamia species by the whitish-green emerging leaves that turn bluish green upon maturation, and the bluish green male and female mature cones. In addition, C. alba possesses several morphometric trait variations that are significantly different from the two geographically proximal species mentioned above, such as leaf number, leaflet number, petiole and rachis length, and median leaflet width. Ceratozamia alba should be considered as a critically endangered species (CR) due to its low population size, ongoing habitat destruction, and extremely narrow distribution range.
New records of Gemeneta opilionoides (Orthoptera, Catantopinae) in the world’s second largest rainforest
Authors: OUMAROU-NGOUTE CHARLY
Published: October 2024

Gemeneta opilionoides (Bolívar 1905) is a rare grasshopper presently known from three localities, Biafra (in Equatorial Guinea), Makak, and Ngutadjap (in Cameroon). Few data exist on the biology and ecology of this species in the central Africa rainforests, while its natural habitat is being rapidly destroyed by deforestation. It has been recently found at two new localities, Ngoyla in Cameroon, and Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. From 2019 to 2023 some specimens of the species were recorded and collected at these two localities. This study increased the number of known G. opilionoides localities to five: Biafra, Makak, Ngutadjap, Ngoyla and Bioko Island. Here the species natural habitat, the threats to this habitat, and relevant conservation action are further described. The species habitat is swamp in the humid forest with ferns, and standing surface water. This species doesn't appear to have a strong seasonality. Threats to the habitat observed in Cameroon were wood logging, market gardening, bush fire, bamboo exploitation, and sand mining. There is no special conservation action in place for G. opilionoides apart from the general regulations affecting protected areas. As a contribution to the conservation of this species, we brought the matter to the attention of the Cameroon Minister of Forest and Wildlife.
Euchaetomera plebeja Hansen, 1912 (Mysida; Mysidae) in western Mexico
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ-PAYÁN J.C. , HENDRICKX M.E.
Published: October 2024

The opossum shrimp Euchaetomera plebeja Hansen, 1912 (Mysida; Mysidae) is one of the nine described species currently known in this genus. Until now, it has been considered a rare species, only partly illustrated, known from western Mexico, western Colombia, Peru, and Chile (one specimen in each locality), with a possible additional record off Hawaii. In a recent study, it was recorded abundantly in western Mexico where it was collected in 20 localities, all in the Gulf of California. A total of 109 specimens were collected with mid water nets in oblique samples taken between surface and 1600 m depth, including 35 males and 74 females. Based on this new and abundant material, E. plebeja is fully described and illustrated.
One new species of Marthogryllacris (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Gryllacrididae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: CHEN XIAOQIN
Published: October 2024

This paper reports one new species of Marthogryllacris from Yunnan Province, China. Marthogryllacris xiangjini sp. nov. can be distinguished by the coloration of the body and the processes of male ninth abdominal tergite.
The AI Imperative: On Becoming Quintessentially Human
Authors: Cady Steven H. , Willing Jari G. , Cady Deakon A.
Published: October 2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly automates routine tasks and job roles, organizations must prioritize developing quintessentially human skills that machines cannot easily replicate, such as creativity, empathy, collaboration, and complex problem-solving. Drawing from neuroscience, this article examines how industrial-era education and management practices, with their emphasis on structured, repetitive environments, have historically prioritized crystallized intelligence over fluid intelligence. This focus limits adaptability and innovation, which are essential human qualities in an AI-driven world. Our recommendations include stimulating cognitive flexibility, reimagining strategic planning, optimizing team meetings, redesigning jobs, promoting experiential learning, and fostering human relations. By adopting these strategies, organizations can prepare their workforce for more complex, cognitively demanding tasks, ensuring resilience and innovation in the age of AI.
State capture of Romani ethnic media in Hungary
Authors: Bleyer-Simon Konrad , Benedek Kata
Published: October 2024

The portrayal of ethnic communities in the media can have a significant impact on the everyday life of these groups – both in a positive and negative way. Often, the dominant depictions in mainstream media are created without the community's involvement and are dominated by stereotypes. To deal with a lack of access to mainstream media channels or even to establish an own positive identity, a community can launch its own ethnic or minority media initiatives. However, as evidence from Hungary shows, there are situations in which those in power are interested in capturing successful ethnic media outlets to influence how members of the minority group make meaning of the world. This paper aims to elaborate on the dynamics of media capture in ethnic settings. Relying on interviews with representatives of post-transition Hungary's Romani media, the authors provide a field theory-based explanation, which they see as a fruitful new addition to the concept of media capture.
Stories of resistance and resilience: The role of the port city of Calicut in the seventeenth-century Indian Ocean trade
Authors: Neelakandan Girija Archa
Published: October 2024

The Dutch East India Company attempted to control the pepper trade in the seventeenth-century Indian Ocean trade. Attempting to control pepper-growing areas such as the Malabar Coast (south-western coast of India) was part of this plan. Calicut was an important port city in Malabar and a vital player in the Indian Ocean trade. Unlike many port cities that were controlled by the European companies, the rulers and merchants of Calicut attempted to sustain a free trading port on their own instead of accepting a European company monopoly. In short, Calicut offered an alternative emporium for Indian Ocean trade in Malabar by resisting imperial endeavours. This article explores the ways in which Calicut participated in the Indian Ocean pepper trade despite the Dutch attempts to control it.