Scholarly Information Research Articles

Textual Analysis of CT and MR images in bladder cancer: The promise and pitfalls in systematic review

Introduction: Textual analysis is a new stage in the development and improvement of radiology. Textual analysis (TA) or radiomics is a method of in-depth study of medical images using specialized computer programs. It`s based on the quantification of invisible features and provides tools for researchers to gain deep insights into tumor morphology.A number of mathematically extracted texture features (TF) can be correlate with morphological, molecular and genotypic characteristics of the studied field of interest. Aim: Analysis of the literature and comparative evaluation of publications to perform challenges and possibilities of texture analysis in bladder cancer. Materials and methods: We searched for scientific publications in the PubMed and Google Scholar information and analytical systems for 2016-2024 by keywords: «bladder cancer», «bladder cancer radiomics», «mri bladder cancer»». As a result, 40 articles were selected for analysis. Results: Our review demonstrates the methodology, challenges, opportunities and prospects of TA CT and MP imagesin bladder cancer.Numerous studies have demonstrated high accuracy of radiomics in local staging and estimation of tumor morphology, as well as in prediction of clinical outcomes. Conclusion: TA in controversial clinical cases is a useful way of increasing theinformationobtainable frommedical images. Further validation of these methodis required however.

Leaders Benefit From Organizational Membership: Perspectives From the United States and Canada.

This article explores the value of nurse leader membership in professional organizations in the United States and Canada. Benefits include the sharing of scholarly information, enlarging networks, and professional development.

The Research Advance in Ethical Issues of AI Application

The topic of AI has become more and more discussed ever since the release of ChatGPT, as its astonishing intelligence has made humans to challenge the boundary. This vagueness then contributes to the emergence of discussions on the ethics of AI. Aiming to clarify the many current academic discussions on the ethics of artificial intelligence and to recognize different ethical perspectives, this study conducts a literature review of the research and discussions among different scholars on ethical issues in the application of artificial intelligence technologies. It is found that the current relevant discussion extends from a micro perspective emphasizing the individual to a macro perspective emphasizing the human race. Research advances on ethical issues in AI applications can be categorized into three levels: personal, social, and global. Among which, the individual level focuses on the ethical issues in algorithmic logic and user data management. The social level focuses on the social employment and public accountability systems. While the global level discusses intellectual property disputes and the social identity of AI robots. Finally, the author gave an evaluation of the gaps and challenges of studying AI ethics and emphasize the importance of addressing ethical issues in AI development and deployment. The paper aims to serve as information for scholars and policymakers, fostering ethical awareness in the AI research community and helping AI technologies to be developed and used responsibly.

From “Difficult to Find” to “Picking from the Flood”: A Turning Point to the Turning of the Times

Abstract The article exposes the evolution of scholarly information availability and processing in Czechoslovak/Czech information centres and libraries over the past five decades, linked to developments in information and communication technologies, as seen by an active participant. It also reflects the author’s perspective on the peculiarities of the Czech higher education system and the role of key figures in librarianship history.

Worldwide research trends in Crohn's disease treatment over the past 2decades: a bibliometric analysis.

The treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) has received widespread attention in clinical practice, but there is currently a lack of quantitative evaluation of the literature published in this field. This study aimed to describe the development trends and research hotspots of CD treatment through bibliometric analysis. Publications related to CD treatment published from 2004 to 2023 were searched in the WoSCC. Microsoft Office Excel 2021 was used for the analysis and visualization of the annual number of publications. CiteSpace was used to visualize the collaboration networks of authors, institutions, and countries, as well as to construct a reference timeline visualization map and identify keywords with the strongest citation bursts. The bibliometric analysis included 25,608 publications between 2004 and 2023. The most productive year was 2021. The United States of America (n = 7,891) and the University of California System (n = 939) are the country and institution with the most published papers, respectively. Among the 97,564 authors, Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent (n = 424) published the most articles. The core journals were Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Journal of Crohns and Colitis, Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, etc. The timeline view showed that "#5 JAK Inhibitor" was the most recent topic. The keywords that burst and persist from 2020 to 2023 include "ustekinumab" and "vedolizumab". An increasing number of researchers are dedicating their efforts to exploring the treatment of CD, with the United States making the largest contribution to this field. Currently, the research hotspots predominantly involve drug therapy including ustekinumab, vedolizumab, and JAK inhibitors. Our study provides valuable information for scholars studying CD treatment.

Child Labour Challenges and Security Implications in Selected Local Government Areas in Ondo State, Nigeria

The increasing presence of young people on the Nigerian streets participating in child labour has continued to attract public policy attention. Available research on child labour reveals sparse scholarly information on the security implications for young people in South-West Nigeria, particularly Ondo State. The study aims to understand the argument that child labour poses major security threats to the overall well-being of child labourers. A total of 147 questionnaires were distributed, with 12 focus group discussions and 12 semi-structured interviews conducted with young people and guardians (mostly mothers). Frequency distributions were employed to analyse the quantitative data, and NVivo (v.14) qualitative software was used to identify themes and sub-themes. A content analytical tool was used to make sense of the themes. Child labour activities include street trading, hawking, domestic help and construction work. Causes of child labour activities include lack of access to basic education, cultural and societal beliefs, poverty, and family breakdown, among others. Security threats include occasional kidnapping for ransom, sexual molestation, slavery, exploitation, risk of injury, diseases, and death. The study suggests a more responsive Child’s Rights Act in Nigeria for the protection of the rights and dignity of every child.

Global hotspots and trends in Acanthosis nigricans research: A bibliometric and visualized analysis.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a common skin disease characterized by clear pigmented patches on the folds of the skin. However, the AN research field lacks scientific and comprehensive bibliometric analysis. This article aims to use bibliometric methods to summarize and visualize the distribution patterns, research hotspots, and development trends of AN literature. Literature from 1900 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database through AN's thematic search. Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Excel 2019, conduct a comprehensive analysis of the number of publications, countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, highly cited literature, keywords, and so on, and sort out the hotspots and directions of AN. From 1900 to 2024, 1675 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis, showing a steady annual increase in the number of publications. The United States leads in this research field, with the University of Texas System being a key research institution. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has the highest number of published papers. The most cited article is "Syndromes of Insulin Resistance and Acanthosis Nigricans: Insulin-Receptor Disorders in Man" (1976). The author Taylor, SI, has published the most papers. "Acanthosis nigricans" is the most frequently occurring keyword. The main research hotspots and frontier areas in AN research are as follows: (1) The relationship between AN and other diseases is a popular research topic; (2) The connection between AN and insulin resistance (IR) is a current research focus; (3) Treatment of AN, with an emphasis on addressing the underlying causes and improving local skin conditions, represents the cutting edge of this field. This study summarizes the research trends and hotspots in the field of AN, offering valuable information and insights for scholars focused on AN scientific research, and providing a reference for future research directions.

Review on the pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetics of scutellarein.

Scutellarein is a flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensisGeorgi that has been shown to have a variety of pharmacological activities. This review aims to summarize the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies on scutellarein and provide useful information for relevant scholars. Pharmacological studies indicate that scutellarein possesses a diverse range of pharmacological properties, including but not limited to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anticancer, and cardiovascular protective effects. Further investigation reveals that the pharmacological effects of scutellarein are driven by multiple mechanisms. These mechanisms encompass the scavenging of free radicals, inhibition of the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways and expression of inflammatory mediators, inhibition of the activity of crucial viral proteins, suppression of gluconeogenesis, amelioration of insulin resistance, improvement of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, and prevention of myocardial hypertrophy, among others. In summary, these pharmacological studies suggest that scutellarein holds promise for the treatment of various diseases. It is imperative to conduct clinical studies to further elucidate the therapeutic effects of scutellarein. However, it is worth noting that studies on the pharmacokinetics reveal an inhibitory effect of scutellarein on uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronide transferases and cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially posing safety risks.

From blocks to bridges: navigating the globalization-blockchain nexus through bibliometrics analysis

Purpose This study aims to comprehensively inspect the impact of blockchain technology in the context of globalization, focusing on the most influential research works, scientific production by countries, commonly used keywords, trending topics and the conceptual and intellectual structure of this field. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted in R Studio, involving the review and scrutiny of 194 research papers indexed in the Scopus database. This analytical approach allowed for a systematic examination of the literature and the identification of key patterns and trends in blockchain and globalization research. Findings The analysis revealed the most influential research contributions, highlighted countries with significant scientific production, identified frequently used keywords and unveiled emerging trends and areas of focus in the field of blockchain and digitization. Additionally, the study explores prospective research directions. Research limitations/implications This research provides insights into the current state of blockchain and globalization research, offering valuable information for scholars, policymakers and industry professionals. The recognized themes provide a systematic structure for upcoming inquiries, directing studies toward vital domains like supply chain management and sustainable development. Moreover, the analysis emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and provides practical insights, enabling businesses and policymakers to enhance transparency, counteract fraud and adjust to the digital era for societal and economic advancement. Originality/value The study contributes to the prevailing literature by steering a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between blockchain technology and globalization, shedding light on influential works and emerging trends. It adds value by providing a structured overview of the field's intellectual landscape.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Microenvironment From 2003 to 2022.

Despite considerable progress in cancer immunotherapy, it is not available for many patients. Resistance to immune checkpoint blockers arises from the intricate interactions between cancer and its microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences anti-tumor immune responses by remodeling the immune microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming has emerged as an important hallmark of tumorigenesis. However, few studies have focused on the TME and metabolic reprogramming. Therefore, we aimed to explore the current research status and popular topics in TME-related metabolic reprogramming over a 20 years using a bibliometric approach. Studies focusing on metabolic reprogramming and TME were searched using the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric and visual analyses of the articles and reviews were performed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. In total, 4726 articles published between 2003 and 2022 were selected. The number of publications and citations has increased annually. Cooperation network analysis indicated that the United States holds the foremost position in metabolic reprogramming and TME research with the highest volume of publications and citations, thus exerting the greatest influence. Among these institutions, Fudan University displayed the highest level of productivity. Frontiers in Immunology showed the highest degree of productivity in this field. Ho Ping-Chih made the most article contributions, and Pearce Edward J. was the most co-cited author. Four clusters were obtained after a cluster analysis of the authors' keywords: TME, metabolic reprogramming, immunometabolism, and immunity. Immunometabolism, glycolysis, immune cells, and tumor-associated macrophages are relatively recent keywords that have attracted increasing attention. A comprehensive landscape of advancements in metabolic reprogramming and the TME was evaluated, which provided crucial information for scholars to further advance this promising field. Further research should explore new topics related to immunometabolism in the TME using a transdisciplinary approach.

Organisational and technological factors affecting efficient service delivery in trustworthy digital repositories: A qualitative approach

This study was undertaken to identify the organisational and technological factors that affect the efficiency of service delivery in trustworthy digital repositories of university libraries, where digital repositories have become increasingly common. The interpretive research paradigm, which relies on qualitative research, was adopted for the study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with nine participants from selected universities in the South West region of Nigeria. The data was analysed thematically to explore the factors affecting service delivery in trustworthy digital repositories. The findings show that both organisational factors (such as standardised organisation policies, stakeholders’ participation and financial sustainability) and technological factors (digital repository certification, technological standards, etc.) have a significant effect on service delivery in a university-based trustworthy digital repository. It is concluded that by adopting these factors, institutions can establish digital repositories that are not merely data storage facilities, but also trusted and valuable sources of scholarly information and knowledge.

Unveiling The Challenges of the Gig Economy in Tamil Nadu: An Empirical Study

The gig economy has arisen as a notable labour market phenomenon, propelled by technology progress and shifting work models. The objective of this research is to investigate the complex and diverse difficulties encountered by gig workers in Tamil Nadu, India. This study used a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, to collect complete data from a varied sample of gig workers in different industries. The main results reveal that gig workers in Tamil Nadu have significant challenges regarding job security and income stability, which are typically worsened by the lack of formal contracts and dependence on unpredictable demand. The research demonstrates that working circumstances are often unstable, characterized by extended work hours, inadequate safety protocols, and limited intervals for rest, resulting in detrimental effects on both physical and mental well-being. Moreover, the absence of access to crucial benefits such as healthcare coverage, compensated time off, and pension schemes greatly affects their financial stability. The study emphasizes the digital gap as a significant obstacle that hampers the productivity and income of gig workers. This split is caused by discrepancies in internet availability and proficiency in using digital technologies. Implementing these principles is crucial for promoting a gig economy in Tamil Nadu that is both sustainable and fair. This study adds to the expanding collection of literature on gig employment and offers significant information for policymakers, stakeholders, and scholars who are interested in understanding the dynamics of the gig economy in emerging nations.

Editorial

INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY IN ACADEMIC PUBLISHING Some years ago research publications were mostly available in printed form; they were less widely disseminated and were mostly accessible by subscription only. However, the demand nowadays is for fast publication that supports rapid dissemination of research findings, open access publishing that advocates for free access to research outputs, and increased accessibility to academic publications in terms of affordability, wider audience and diverse authorship. Publishers, including academic journal publishers, are leveraging on modern technological advances to innovate and fulfil market expectations, especially in addressing the challenge of meeting accessibility standards. In order to grow their audience and visibility, most journals have shifted to online publication, with e-journals gaining more traction as they are more convenient, economical, discoverable, and easier to share and navigate through. To further maximise the exposure of published articles, journals are also publishing articles in multiformats to facilitate sharing. They promote short summaries and other microcontent of these publications through social media to make scholarly information accessible. Authors are encouraged to share their published articles on various platforms to increase networking opportunities, possibilities for research collaboration, and, most importantly, to increase citations and grow their impact.

A Comprehensive Review on Smart Electromobility Charging Infrastructure

This study thoroughly analyses Smart Electromobility Charging Infrastructure (SECI), exploring its multifaceted dimensions and advancements. Delving into the intricate landscape of SECI, the study critically evaluates existing technologies, integration methodologies, and emerging trends. Through a systematic examination of literature and empirical studies, the article elucidates the evolving ecosystem of smart charging solutions, considering aspects including advancements in charging protocols. Additionally, the review highlights challenges and prospects in the SECI domain, providing insightful information for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers involved in the dynamic field of electromobility. Technical potentials, including functionalities and integration with the smart grid, have been thoroughly reviewed. An analysis is conducted on the effects of intelligent charging on power distribution systems and strategies to lessen these effects. This study also examines the development of intelligent charging algorithms, optimisation methods, and security analysis. This paper, therefore, contributes to fostering a more thorough comprehension of the current state and future trajectories of Smart Electromobility Charging Infrastructure.

“Hearts of gold” (Cuori d'oro): The case study of the leather corami of Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia

In this work we present the results obtained by different technical analysis in order to perform the characterization of the chromatic richness, the employed materials and the iconographic elements of different fragments of decorated and gilded leather corami coming from the archive of Palazzo Chigi of Ariccia (Rome) and employed, during the 17th century, as wallcoverings. Different microscopic and spectroscopic analyses have been performed by means of Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) and Macro Area X-Ray Fluorescence (MA-XRF) techniques available at the INFN LABEC ion beam laboratory in Florence and the Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDX) of the Superconductivity Laboratory of the ENEA Frascati Research Center. The results aim to provide the scholar information about the manufacturing process and the materials employed for the production of these peculiar artefacts, also in order to plan the best and most appropriate conservation protocol. In particular, thanks to the SEM-EDX analysis it has been possible to characterize the layered structure of the samples and, specifically, the interface between the leather of the substrate, the metal foil of the so called meccatura and between these and the overlying pictorial layer. The IBA and MA-XRF techniques has helped in characterizing the painting palette employed while IBA has allowed to determine the conservation condition of the silver layer with the hypothesis of the incorporation of the silver leaf into the organic compound of the mecca as its main deterioration phenomena. These complementary techniques provide, therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the materials and iconographic elements of these leather-based artefacts, which is essential for their preservation and restoration as well as they contribute to a better understanding of the deterioration processes they incur.

*READ**THIS*!! Spam as a threat for open science

Drawing on multiple sources of qualitative data, I describe a case of open science infrastructure (OSI) abuse. The case illustrates how developers navigated scholarly value tensions and issues of epistemic and platform legitimacy while battling spam on their open science webapp. Notably, their struggle used precious financial resources and drew attention away from other development tasks like feature expansion. This research makes evident that not only is OSI abuse like spam a financial burden, but it puts scholarly information security—specifically, the legitimacy of open science content—at risk. However, protecting against such abuse is not a trivial matter; it raises questions of who is responsible for defining and enforcing scholarly values. The urgency of this issue is magnified by OSI’s relationship to public trust in science.

It was better before COVID: The impact of the social relief of distress grant on the lives and livelihoods of South African day labourers in Tshwane

AbstractPersistent high unemployment in South Africa rendered many in the informal economy structurally vulnerable to shocks such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. The social relief of distress (SRD) grant was a government attempt to alleviate the pandemic's fallout. Given the lack of scholarly information on the impact and reach of the SRD grant within the informal economy, particularly on day labourers, this study investigates the impact of the SRD grant on the lives and livelihoods of South African day labourers in Tshwane, South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research design, utilising in depth interviews, transcription, inductive qualitative coding and thematic analysis. Many day labourers could not access the SRD grant due to, for example the loss or absence of identity documents, and/or lack of Internet access and information on the application process. For those who received it, some pressure relating to the cost of transport and basic needs was alleviated. Occasionally, day labourers use it to supplement other funds to acquire specialised tools. Importantly, the grant was not a disincentive to continue their work‐seeking activities. The findings question the effectiveness of policy responses to economic crises within the informal sector.

Critical open access literacy as a strategy to confront the challenges in scholarly communication

PurposeThe paper seeks to introduce the “critical open access literacy” construct as a holistic approach to confront the challenges in open access (OA) as a dimension of scholarly communication.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first introduces the concepts of information literacy (IL) and OA in the context of transformations in the scholarly information environment. Via a theoretical-analytical exercise on the basis of a literature review of the intersections between the two concepts and of the criticisms of OA, the paper discusses the role of critical IL in addressing the challenges in OA and lays the theoretical-conceptual groundwork for the critical OA literacy construct.FindingsThe structural nature of the challenges and transformations in the scholarly information environment require new foci and pedagogical practices in library and information studies. A more holistic, critical and integrative approach to OA is warranted, which could effectively be achieved through the re-conceptualization of IL.Practical implicationsThe paper specifies the avenues for putting the theoretical conceptualizations of critical OA literacy into practice by identifying possible foci for IL instruction alongside a transformed role for librarians.Originality/valueThe paper extends deliberations on the role of critical IL for scholarly communication and attempts to advance the research fields of the two domains by proposing a new construct situated at the junction of OA and IL.

Analysis of Trends in Scientific Publication Topics for Lecturers in the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, Medan State Polytechnic Using Co-Words Analysis

Research in the pertinent subject is a key component in the advancement of science. This was carried out in an effort to address a number of issues and broaden the body of knowledge in this scientific domain. In Indonesia, academics, practitioners, and researchers hold seminars hosted by government and non-government organizations with the goal of giving them a platform to enhance scientific articles by offering corrections to their findings. Papers, theses, dissertations, and scientific journals were the primary sources of information for earlier bibliometric scholars. This is done in order to observe information utilization, gathering, obsolescence, knowledge mapping, etc. The background information for this research is as follows, based on the material above: first, there is no knowledge mapping to identify trends in research topics, particularly in computer science-related scientific articles, particularly in the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics at Medan State Polytechnic. The problem to be researched will be formulated using numerical measuring instruments based on trends in research topics and bibliometric studies of scientific articles in proceedings in the field of computer and information science at seminars and conferences in Indonesia.

Revalidation of Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale using Ghanaian in‐service teachers: Multidimensional item response theory with factor analyses

AbstractTeachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), since its development, has gained much popularity because of its adequate psychometric properties. Yet, scholarly information on the soundness of this instrument in the African context has not been documented. Besides, the previous validation studies on the TSES have yielded mixed results with different factor structures, calling for further studies to test its utility and use across different cultures. The purpose of this study was to revalidate the TSES in Ghana using item response theory (IRT) complemented by factor analyses. Through a validation study approach, 693 basic school teachers were purposively sampled to participate in the research by responding to the Teacher Efficacy Scale. The between‐item and within‐item multidimensional IRT analyses combined with factor analysis were performed to understand how the items functioned with intentions to propose a well‐fit instrument within the Ghanaian context. The outcome of this research revealed that the original TSES with a three‐factor structure, 24 items measured on a 9‐point scale did not provide an optimal measure of teachers' self‐efficacy within the Ghanaian context. Rather, a three‐structure scale with 18 items and a 6‐point scale offered a maximal measure of teachers' self‐efficacy. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.