Present Original Research Research Articles

Advancing precision medicine in cutaneous oncology through 3D high-frequency ultrasound imaging.

e13625 Background: Clinical assessment of tumor depth and shape often requires biopsy, especially when evaluating skin cancers. High Frequency Ultrasound (HFUS) is a non-invasive clinical tool that can quickly produce high resolution images ideally suited for evaluating topical tumors. In comparison to other imaging modalities, HFUS do not always provide the spatial data required to model 3-dimensional (3D) tumors. Currently, 3D-images are an amalgamation of many segmented image slices. However, in outpatient clinics it is unrealistic for HFUS devices and clinicians to gather large sets of image data. In our present original research, we aimed to overcome limited number of HFUS and dermatoscopic images by constructing a simple framework to process sparse and non-spatial data into working 3D skin tumor models. Methods: We analyzed two different skin tumors, the dermal duct tumor (DDT) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), each with different number of HFUS images at 30Hz and 50Hz respectively. 1 set of 6 parallel images were obtained for the BCC, while 2 orthogonal sets of 6 parallel images were obtained for the DDT. For each tumor, a single dermatoscopic photo and sets of bitmap HFUS images with a resolution of 1024 x 512 were taken. Our study was IRB-approved. Mathematica and MATLAB, both with accessible documentation, were used to process images. Results: We developed a novel algorithmic approach to produce 3D tumor models with limited medical data. Both tumors appear corporally hypoechoic under HFUS. Mathematica was used to first reduce HFUS image noise and binarize the tumor region with a bilateral Gaussian filter. The user-friendly MATLAB Image Segmenter application manually filled the region of interest. Next, Mathematica was used to orient and plot tumor borders in 3D. Finally, we encompassed the borders with a 3D convex hull to conservatively predict tight margins around the tumor. Conclusions: Our simplified approach allows clinicians and scientists to produce 3D renderings of tumor margins. Margin control must always be balanced with a positive surgical outcome. By approaching our 3D-model with a convex hull around sampled border cross-sections, we chose a conservative approach that focuses skin tumor margin evaluation. Our results promote precision medicine and planning into the current standard of skin cancer treatment. Our findings can allow tracking tumor progression or treatment possible via non-invasive evaluation of tumor depth and contour. An aim of our present research is to lower the barrier of 3D construction in clinical settings. Simple algorithms, such as shown in our work, transform orthogonal and sparse data into usable data that can be implemented to train machine learning and artificial intelligent programs. Future research tailoring this approach may allow instant programming of HFUS images to non-invasively render cutaneous tumor borders and depth in real time during clinical examination.

Unforeseen Connections and New Points of View to Promote Interest and Passion for Earth Sciences

This research is a first result of the initial findings of an ongoing, in-depth inquiry among scientific texts and historical documents, which are revealing surprising discoveries on the fundamental role that Earth sciences have played in shaping historical events, influencing social dynamics, and impacting culture and the arts. This perspective is often overlooked in the conventional understanding of this discipline. This research does not claim to present groundbreaking discoveries or original research but seeks to highlight a totally different aspect of Earth sciences and to present it from a completely original point of view. While it is widely acknowledged that Earth sciences play a crucial role in understanding natural phenomena, global dynamics, and natural risks and hazards; their significant contributions to addressing contemporary challenges such as global warming, extreme weather events, land consumption, and biodiversity loss are less recognized. These issues are vital for environmental protection and sustainable development. Despite this, years of teaching students of all ages, engaging them in practical activities and laboratory experiences across various Earth science fields with the aim to promote knowledge, interest and, when possible, passion for this fascinating discipline, have shown that, if communicated without passion the subject can be perceived as undeniably and inevitably boring-seen merely as a discipline dealing with stones and catastrophes, complex and complicated. This research attempts to offer a new perspective on Earth sciences by providing an effective interpretation of geological phenomena, organizing them according to a logical classification, by typology or by temporal sequence. Natural disasters, such as volcanoes or earthquakes, in some cases well known, instantaneous or longlasting events, are portrayed as unpredictable yet indispensable causes of events that, at first glance, may seem unrelated to Earth sciences but have profoundly influenced human history and culture. This research aims to present a collection of information to educate about 'stones and catastrophes,' demonstrating how Earth sciences, through this unconventional lens, serve as a founding role of various disciplines. They promote the development of skills, both hard and soft, and stimulate curiosity, with the hope of guiding individuals towards a complex yet fascinating discipline."

Foreword.

As Seminars in Speech and Language (SSL) transitions from publishing primarily topical issues to inviting open submissions year-round, the mission and scope have been refined to meet this change and the changing landscape of service delivery in speech-language pathology. Transitions are an opportunity to change, and as editors-in-chief, we hope to make SSL a primary source for clinical solutions for practitioners in the field. In line, we encourage researchers and clinicians to submit their research for considered publication in SSL across various article types. These include research articles, review articles, clinical seminars, and invited articles for forums or special issues. Research articles present original research and can include quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method studies, surveys, or pilot and feasibility data. Review articles can include systematic, scoping, or historical reviews on a clinically relevant topic. Clinical seminars can include case studies, clinical programs, or tutorials on a clinical topic of interest. More information about article types can be found with the author guidelines for SSL (https://web.thieme.com/media/ita/pubid-1380296074.pdf).

Monastic Agrifood Products in Greece: Trends and perspectives

In recent years, many monasteries throughout Greece using high quality primary production are able, either via traditional ways and new technology applications to produce outstanding boutique final products for the consumer, usually sold in urban niche conventional, and/or e-markets. The aim of the present original research is to examine the main purchasing trends of monastic agri-food products by a sample of 112 consumers in Northern Greece, as well as to investigate their views on the market prospects of these products. The research findings showed that consumers bought monastic agri-food products on the account of their high quality and because they sought authentic, traditional taste. In addition, the majority of study participants expressed the belief that the demand for monastic agri-food products will increase significantly in the near future.

Data‐based learning control for optimization of nonlinear systems

Data‐based learning control for optimization of nonlinear systems

X-ray inhibits FUT4-mediated proliferation in A549 cells by downregulating SP1 expression.

To identify the mechanism of down-regulation of Lewis Y antigen caused by X-ray irradiation. The present original research study was conducted at Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Republic of China, from 2020 to 2022. Western blotting, Co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP), electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) were performed to confirm the effect of X-ray irradiation on A549 cell proliferation and its mechanism. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.5. The expressions of fucosyltransferase IV and Lewis Y were decreased after X-ray irradiation, thus inhibiting the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells. Deoxyribonucleic acid damage caused by the irradiation caused higher level of poly- adenosinediphosphate-ribosylated Specific Protein 1(SP1), and translocation of SP1 from the nucleus, decreasing the expression of fucosyltransferase IV and Lewis Y. There was a significant role of glycosylation in radiation therapy for lung cancer.

Cover, Table of Contents, Editor's Introduction

Editor’s Introduction to This Issue
 Saara Terry Grizzell University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
 On behalf of my co-founders and editorial colleagues, Dr. Roy Chen and Dr. Veronica Umeasiegbu, I am pleased to present the next issue of Contemporary Research in Disability and Rehabilitation (CRDR).
 This issue contains two articles. In the first article, Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening Practices in the United States and Mexico, Maria Valdez and colleagues present survey results using qualitative data and descriptive statistics to explore the screening and diagnostic practices of 35 professionals (30 in the U.S. and 5 in Mexico) who routinely work with children with ASD. In this study, Valdez and colleagues found many similarities in screening practices between professionals in the U.S. and Mexico. For example, in both the U.S. and Mexico the most frequently reported screening tool was the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT, Robins et al., 2001, 2009).
 Other similarities included parent involvement, key concerns around language development, a lack of routine screening for ASD, and the screening of children between the ages of 2 to 4 years old. Differences in screening and diagnostic practices involved the professionals engaged in screening for ASD and the referral process in the aftermath of failed ASD screenings.
 In the second article, Multicultural Counselor Supervision and Perceived Differences on Client Outcomes, Dr. Perez and colleagues present original research exploring the differences in perceptions among counselor supervisors and supervisees about the impact of multicultural supervision upon client outcomes. In this study, sixty-one participants consisted of faculty, counselor supervisors, counselors, and graduate students in counseling programs. This study found that multicultural supervision/competence predicted supervisor perceptions of client outcome, thus highlighting the importance of multicultural supervision and the need to improve training in multicultural competence.
 With that being said, I hope you enjoy this publication of CRDR.
 Sincerely,
 Saara Terry Grizzell, Ph.D., CRC, LVRC, LCDC, LPC Outgoing Editor, CRDR

Contribution of the standard penetration test SPT to the design of pile foundations in sand– Practical recommendations

The objective of this article is to present original research work results on the contribution of the standard penetration test (SPT) to the design and analysis of pile foundations on the basis of the interpretation of a database of full-scale pile loading tests undertaken in sandy soils, with the aim to provide practical recommendations to the designers. The article encompasses three parts, the first one presents a detailed comparative study of 10 currently used methods of design on the basis of the SPT, assessed according to their predictive capability of the axial bearing capacity, within a database consisting of 46 axial pile loading tests carried out in 27 sites in the United Arab Emirates. The second part presents some experimental findings related to the critical (or creep) vertical load, whereas the third part highlights the concept of the reference pile settlement and its application to the limit state design of pile foundations.

Examination of speakership gender disparity at an international oncology conference.

11002 Background: Gender disparity is an important issue in medicine, as women occupy a minority of academic leadership positions despite increased representation in the physician workforce. One important aspect is the gender gap of speakers at academic meetings, which limits opportunities for career advancement and mentorship. This underrepresentation of women is largely anecdotal in oncology. We hypothesized that original research is less frequently presented by women at the annual ASCO meeting. We sought to examine presentation patterns from recently featured ASCO speakers, categorized by presentation type and gender. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational review of data from the 2018-2021 ASCO annual meetings. Mixed-gender coders extracted data from the ASCO Annual Meeting library and institutional public websites. Speaker-identified gender was unavailable; binary gender was determined by presenter name, pronouns, and video files. For original research, we collected data on last authors as well as these roles are also considered meritorious. Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel tests were used to investigate the association of gender and roles adjusted for each stratification variable individually. Common odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for each association. Breslow-Day Tests were used to test the homogeneity of these ORs among the different levels of each stratification variable. No adjustments for multiple testing were used. Results: We reviewed 4267 unique presentations, including those which highlighted original research (Poster Discussion, Oral Abstract, Clinical Science Symposium, Plenary) vs. education (Case-Based Panel, Education Sessions, Highlights of the Day). For original research, women were significantly more likely to have an ASCO-appointed role (discussant, speaker, or chair) than a first or last author role (48% vs. 32.7% of presentations, p < 0.0001), even after adjusting for conference year (OR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45-0.61), session type (0.52, 0.45-0.61), degree (0.50, 0.43-0.58), academic rank (0.55, 0.47-0.64), and geographic region (0.58, 0.50-0.68). There was no difference between in-person and virtual conferences (p = 0.584). For education sessions, women comprised 46.1% (n = 626), nearly half, of these speaking roles (all ASCO-appointed) compared with men. 38% of the data was independently re-reviewed to confirm accuracy; 96.4% concordance was observed in presenter gender. Conclusions: Women are less likely to present highlighted original research and are more likely to have an appointed educational role at ASCO annual meetings. This likely reflects broader gender disparity within academia. Future analyses could be improved by examining speaker-identified gender. As high-profile original research can elevate careers, examining factors contributing to this observed disparity may reveal important approaches to address gender leadership gaps in oncology.

Thromboembolic events in left ventricular non-compaction: comparison between children and adults – a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveLeft ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is morphologically characterised by excessive trabeculations and deep recesses in the ventricular wall. The risk of thromboembolic disease in the paediatric patients with LVNC has not...

Applying enquiry and problem based learning to mission-oriented innovation policy: from policy to pedagogy to teaching and learning practice

PurposeThis study aims to present theory, practice and original research findings to support the proposition that broad enquiry and problem-based learning (EPBL) approaches provide an appropriate pedagogical lens for sustainability educators to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively within mission-oriented innovation policy (MIP) environments.Design/methodology/approachThe research study comprised four elements, each of which used different research methods. The first element involved a literature review mapping the synergies between MIP and EPBL; the second element piloted the use of EPBL for undergraduate modules related to sustainability challenges; the third element involved external stakeholders in the co-creation of a postgraduate programme that brought together innovation and sustainability, with EPBL fundamental to the design and development; the fourth element curated and comparatively analysed international cases of EPBL in the context of MIP, and sustainability challenges in particular, highlighting the versatility of EPBL and the importance of creativity in EPBL design and implementation.FindingsThe systematic literature review reveals synergies between the key features of EPBL and defining characteristics of MIP, indicating the relevance of applying EPBL to support MIP. Two in situ pilots generated 13 recommendations on the benefits and operational challenges of applying EPBL. These recommendations informed the design and development of a postgraduate programme, involving a transdisciplinary consultation process with key industrial and societal stakeholders. Comparative analysis of four international case studies describing EPBL applied in practice in different international settings show there is no “one size fits all”. Instead, the application of EPBL to different sustainability challenges and for different learner groups demonstrates the versatility of the pedagogical approach and the creativity of the sustainability educators.Originality/valueA discourse around the appropriate pedagogical methods and teaching/learning practice to equip the current and future workforce with the knowledge and skills to respond to MIP and global sustainability challenges is nascent but emerging. This paper makes a scientific and practical contribution to the discourse. The authors show how EPBL can underpin the design of programmes to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to support organisations working effectively within an MIP context, especially addressing sustainability challenges. The authors provide recommendations for educators seeking to embed EPBL within their curriculum and call for external stakeholders to proactively engage with educators to co-create programmes with context-specific outcomes.

Impact of Adhesive Layer Thickness on the Behavior of Reinforcing Thin-Walled Sigma-Type Steel Beams with CFRP Tapes.

This paper presents selected issues related to the reinforcement of steel element cold-formed with CFRP tapes. The first section of the paper is a review of source literature and a presentation of the basic information on cold-formed thin-walled steel elements and CFRP composite materials, stressing the advantages and disadvantages of using them to reinforce steel structures. Next, the authors present original research on reinforcing bent thin-walled sigma-type steel beams using adhesive CFRP tapes. Reference beams with a cross-section of Σ200 × 70 × 2 and a length of 3 m, reinforced with CFRP tape, were tested in the four-point bending scheme. Then, the paper discusses a developed numerical model that is consistent with the subject matter of the laboratory tests. The developed numerical model was prepared to represent the failure of the connection between the beam and the composite tape. This was followed by a number of numerical analyses in order to determine the optimum adhesive layer that would allow us to achieve the maximum reduction of the displacements and strains in bent thin-walled sigma-type beams. Three thicknesses of the SikaDur adhesive layer were analyzed in the study. Based on the analyzes, it was found that the increase in the thickness of the adhesive layer slightly reduced the strain and displacement in the beams, but caused a significant decrease in the load value, at which damage appeared in the glued joint.

'Candidatus Liberibacter' Pathosystems at the Forefront of Agricultural and Biological Research Challenges.

'Candidatus Liberibacter' Pathosystems at the Forefront of Agricultural and Biological Research Challenges.

Mind the gap: Contesting normal/abnormal constructs of human biology and behaviors.

Training in anthropology and evolutionary science ideally prepares scholars to recognize and challenge culturally grounded views of human variation. But upon inspection we find that idealized, and thus perhaps biased, conceptualizations of what is "normal" continue to permeate evaluations of human biology and behaviors. Each of the 13 contributions in this special issue on biological normalcy tackles these concerns as they pertain to some universal, but also variable, human biological or behavioral phenotype. These papers consider the ways in which the term "normal" is used in everyday life, in biomedicine, and in scientific studies to characterize some portion of the variability in a human phenotype. The contributors to this special issue, some of whom present original research findings, discuss the ongoing debates and challenges in the study of human biology and behavior, and critically examine how "normal" is used in their specific research area, thereby exposing and countering biases in the discourse on human phenotypic variation.

Incorporating the Istanbul-Ankara high-speed railway into the Belt and Road Initiative: Negotiation, institutional alignment and regional development

This article contributes to a small but growing body of multi-sited and multi-scalar research on the Belt and Road Initiative. We focus on relations at the national, regional and international scales, and present original research from China and Turkey, to show how the Istanbul-Ankara high-speed railway has served as a testing ground for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Its construction was initially funded by the European Investment Bank, but it is now part of the backbone of the Turkish Government’s Middle Corridor plan which enhances west-east connectivity and integration with the Caucasus and Central Asia. We show that in contrast to multinational corporations from the OECD that seek to remain footloose, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) seek to adapt to, apprehend and ultimately shape local institutions. In the case of Turkey this proved difficult given its institutional alignment with the European Union. Thus, while the railway project was completed successfully by a consortium led by a Chinese SOE, Turkey’s dynamic and complex regulatory environment discourages Chinese SOEs in the infrastructure sector. We conclude that the Turkish and Chinese governments are currently pursuing complementary territorial visions yet their cooperation is project-based and pragmatic.

From screen time to the digital level of analysis: a scoping review of measures for digital media use in children and adolescents

ObjectivesThis scoping review aims to facilitate psychometric developments in the field of digital media usage and well-being in young people by (1) identifying core concepts in the area of “screen...

Alfalfa for a Sustainable Ovine Farming System: Proposed Research for a New Feeding Strategy Based on Alfalfa and Ecological Leftovers in Drought Conditions

In the past 10 years, the average demand for meat and milk across the world has significantly increased, especially in developing countries. Therefore, to support the production of animal-derived food products, a huge quantity of feed resources is needed. This paper does not present original research, but rather provides a conceptual strategy to improve primary production in a sustainable way, in relation to forthcoming issues linked to climate change. Increases in meat and milk production could be achieved by formulating balanced diets for ovines based on alfalfa integrated with local agricultural by-products. As the central component of the diet is alfalfa, one goal of the project is increasing the yield of alfalfa in a sustainable way via inoculating seeds with symbiotic rhizobia (i.e., Sinorhizobium meliloti). Seed inoculants are already present on the market but have not been optimized for arid soils. Furthermore, a part of the project is focused on the selection of elite symbiotic strains that show increased resistance to salt stress and competitiveness. The second component of the experimental diets is bio-waste, especially that obtained from olive oil manufacturing (i.e., pomace). The addition of agro-by-products allows us to use such waste as a resource for animal feeding, and possibly, to modulate rumen metabolism, thereby increasing the nutritional quality of milk and meat.

Metaphorical Conceptualizations of Language: Networks of Meanings and Meta-functions

This paper employs the innovative method of Elicited Metaphor Analysis to present original research in Malaysia into students’ metaphors for ‘language’. We summarize reasons why language and first/ second language learning are centrally important in education, and show patterned features of language metaphors in proverbs and in teacher talk about literacy. These may be one strand of student socialization into language-literacy conceptions. We then report our study of 408 university students in Malaysia who gave 977 metaphors for ‘language’. Using a socio-cultural extension of conceptual metaphor theory from cognitive linguistics, we analyse these data into thematic clusters and metaphor networks of meanings. In student voices, this presents a surprisingly rich picture of language and shows evidence of linguistic meta-functions: student metaphors for language can be seen not only cognitively with affective and socio-cultural meta-functions, but also with moral-spiritual and aesthetic functions. These meta-functions accord with some educational theories. To show wider insider metaphor perspectives we cite our research with ‘teacher’ and ‘learning’ metaphors in Malaysia, and ‘language’ findings from China, Iran, Lebanon and the UK. The metaphor meanings and meta-functions broaden our conception of language as a medium of learning with strong implications for the teaching of languages and literacy.

Science-Driven Societal Transformation, Part III: Design

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and other major social and environmental problems pose severe risks. Progress has been inadequate and scientists, global policy experts, and the general public increasingly conclude that transformational change is needed across all sectors of society in order to improve and maintain social and ecological wellbeing. At least two paths to transformation are conceivable: (1) reform of and innovation within existing societal systems (e.g., economic, legal, and governance systems); and (2) the de novo development of and migration to new and improved societal systems. This paper is the final in a three-part series of concept papers that together outline a novel science-driven research and development program aimed at the second path. It summarizes literature to build a narrative on the topic of de novo design of societal systems. The purpose is to raise issues, suggest design possibilities, and highlight directions and questions that could be explored in the context of this or any R&D program aimed at new system design. This paper does not present original research, but rather provides a synthesis of selected ideas from the literature. Following other papers in the series, a society is viewed as a superorganism and its societal systems as a cognitive architecture. Accordingly, a central goal of design is to improve the collective cognitive capacity of a society, rendering it more capable of achieving and sustainably maintaining vitality. Topics of attention, communication, self-identity, power, and influence are discussed in relation to societal cognition and system design. A prototypical societal system is described, and some design considerations are highlighted.

The Interplay between States and Movements on Violence Against Women. Comparative Perspectives in Sociology and Policy Analysis

In the last 25 years, women’s movements, governments and international bodies have been active in awareness-raising on and reduction of violence against women (VAW). The main aim of this issue is to providean overview of comparative perspectivesof policies and services, which offer an innovative point of view to evaluate action. A comparative outlook on VAW initiatives can show acceleration or deceleration in decision-making, proliferation or scarcity of regulations, high or low effectiveness of plans and services in reaching set goals, and reasons why this is the case. The four articles of this issue present original research conducted on firearm policy on a global scale, comparative analysis of services in Italy, accessibility of VAW services in Israel and perceptions of VAW after film screening in Tunisia. The articles illustrate the level of interest that elicited by VAW, the complexities of the analysis and the local and global actors that play a role in action against this global problem.