Summary Of Project Research Articles

Erosive durability: underground architecture of hideouts and their vernacular memory in today’s Poland and Ukraine

ABSTRACT War-time Jewish hideouts are rare material witnesses of past violence and struggle for survival. Over the years, the issue of hiding appeared in multiple contexts in Holocaust research, but we know very little about their materiality and architecture. The article is an introductory summary of an artistic research project conducted by Natalia Romik and Aleksandra Janus on the materiality of hideouts and the contemporary vernacular memory of them. The article contains descriptions and spatial analysis of three underground hideouts located in Poland and Ukraine and offers an overview of how the vernacular memory of them functions in various local contexts.

A comprehensive review of the ecology and conservation status of spot-tailed earless lizards (Holbrookia lacerata and Holbrookia subcaudalis)

Spot-tailed Earless Lizards (STEL; Plateau STEL, Holbrookia lacerata; and Tamaulipan STEL, Holbrookia subcaudalis) are lizard species that are in decline both in number and distribution. As a result, this species has been considered for federal threatened status and a 90-day finding by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service stated that federal protection may be warranted. To date, a decision for Endangered Species Act listing for the Plateau STEL has been denied, but a judgement for the Tamaulipan STEL has not yet been decided. The requests to list STEL as a threatened species initiated numerous studies to investigate the status of both species and to add to the knowledge base of STEL. Though many studies have been conducted, much of the resulting information exists in gray literature (e.g., governmental reports, project summaries, etc.) that are not readily available or peer-reviewed. Herein, we consolidate the research results from scientific literature, governmental reports, and petitions to assist future researchers of STEL. We describe the natural history of STEL, their current taxonomy, conservation status, and discuss potential causes for their decline. Our goal is to provide the needed background knowledge for future researchers and policy makers.

Development and Experimental Study of Supercritical Flow Payload for Extravehicular Mounting on TZ-6.

This paper provides a detailed description of the development and experimental results of the supercritical flow experiment payload carried on the TZ-6 cargo spacecraft, as well as a systematic verification of the out-of-cabin deployment experiment. The technical and engineering indicators of the payload deployment experiment are analyzed, and the functional modules of the payload are shown. The paper provides a detailed description of the design, installation location, size, weight, temperature, illumination, pressure, radiation, control, command reception, telemetry data, downlink data, and experimental procedures for the out-of-cabin payload in the extreme conditions of space. The paper presents the annular liquid surface state and temperature oscillation signals obtained from the space experiment and conducts ground matching experiments to verify the results, providing scientific references for the design and condition setting of space experiments and comparisons for the experimental results to obtain the flow field structure under supercritical conditions. The paper provides a specific summary and discussion of the space fluid science experiment project, providing useful references for future long-term in-orbit scientific research using cargo spacecraft.

A review of the surveys on health effect of aircraft noise for Narita International Airport

In this paper, we review two previous projects on health effects of aircraft noise for residents living around Narita International Airport, and introduce a summary of the new project which started since 2019. The airport was equipped with a Runway‐A at the opening, and a Runway‐B was constructed to keep pace with increased demand for air transport in 2002. The Runway‐C will be accomplished at the end of fiscal year 2028. The first project on health effects of aircraft noise was conducted in 1998 when the airport had only Runway‐A. And then, second project on health effects of aircraft noise was conducted in 2014 after beginning of conditional relaxation of curfew. These two projects were based on cross‐sectional study, and implemented using a questionnaire to investigate psychological effects like noise annoyance, night‐time insomnia, mental effects like emotional instability and depressive tendency, and physical effects like high‐blood pressure. Since 2019, third project on health effects have been started because of disestablishment of nighttime flight restrictions for the Runway‐A. In this new project, longitudinal data are also included and we have a plan to investigate using objective method. The progress of this project until 2022 is reported in this paper.

Dietetic Intern-facilitated Telehealth for Outpatient Supervised Practice Hours: A Project Summary

Dietetic Intern-facilitated Telehealth for Outpatient Supervised Practice Hours: A Project Summary

2024 IJSPT Orthopedic Summit Research Abstracts

The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy is pleased to publish abstracts from the fourteenth Orthopaedic Summit (OSET) taking place in Las Vegas, September 13-18, 2024. The IJSPT hosted the third annual research forum and reception at OSET, sponsored by ATI Physical Therapy and Hyperice. The abstracts presented in the following pages were selected by the OSET Research Committee and editorial staff of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. After careful review, a total of 18 research abstracts were accepted and presented at OSET 2024. Awards for outstanding abstracts were presented on September 14. The 2024 abstracts include contemporary orthopaedic and rehabilitation topics across various research designs. Each abstract presents only a brief summary of a research project / presentation and does not permit full assessment of the scientific rigor with which the work was conducted. While the abstracts offer only preliminary results that may require further refinement and future validation, they do serve an important role in sharing new research ideas and rehabilitation advancements. This sharing of ideas helps to encourage dialogue among researchers, clinicians, and educators that will ultimately contribute to the orthopaedic and rehabilitation body of knowledge. We strongly encourage authors to continue pursuing the publication of their research as a full manuscript. Thank you to all submitting abstracts for consideration. We look forward to another outstanding season of submissions for OSET 2025. _Phil Page PhD, PT, ATC Chuck Thigpen PhD, PT, ATC_ OSET Research Committee Co-Chairs

An Athlete-Centered Career Assistance Intervention Program for the Chinese Sport System: Reflections Into Polyphonics

The aim through this manuscript is to share our career intervention situated in individual, group, and meta-reflective practice, to help elite athletes manage changes in their careers and support their autonomy and development within the Chinese Whole Nation System (CWNS). Translating findings from a science to practice project, we provide an athlete-centered reflective intervention integrating the perspectives of sport psychology practitioners (SPPs), coaches, athletes, and parents from a Chinese collective vantage. First, we introduce how athlete career transition scholarship and theoretical frameworks guided this intervention. Second, we explain how different levels of reflective practice can be used as a part of a career intervention. Third, we provide a brief summary of recent research project from which the intervention was derived, and fourth, we describe a six-step intervention to inform future implementations.

Fuel–Water Emulsions as an Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines: A Project Summary

The paper presents conclusions from research conducted at the Warsaw University of Technology in 2019–2023 regarding the combustion of fuel–water emulsions in a miniature gas turbine. The presented conclusions were made taking the current state of knowledge available in the literature into account. Particular emphasis was placed on explaining the discrepancies in the results of the experimental studies available in the literature. The main aspects of the combustion of the fuel–water emulsions that were analyzed were their impact on the emissions of NOx and CO, as well as the impact of the surfactant included in the fuel mixture on the combustion process, emissions and the formation of deposits on the walls of the combustion chamber. The impact of the emulsion fuel on fuel consumption was also discussed. In order to explain the changes occurring in the combustion chamber as a result of adding water to the fuel, numerical methods and methods of fluid mechanics were used. Studies have shown a positive impact of the use of fuel–water emulsions on CO and Nox emissions and fuel consumption. It was also demonstrated that fuel additives used for emulsification can create deposits on the walls of the hot engine section.

Whole-genome sequencing identifies variants in ANK1, LRRN1, HAS1, and other genes and regulatory regions for stroke in type 1 diabetes

Individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) carry a markedly increased risk of stroke, with distinct clinical and neuroimaging characteristics as compared to those without diabetes. Using whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing of 1,051 individuals with T1D, we aimed to find rare and low-frequency genomic variants associated with stroke in T1D. We analysed the genome comprehensively with single-variant analyses, gene aggregate analyses, and aggregate analyses on genomic windows, enhancers and promoters. In addition, we attempted replication in T1D using a genome-wide association study (N = 3,945) and direct genotyping (N = 3,263), and in the general population from the large-scale population-wide FinnGen project and UK Biobank summary statistics. We identified a rare missense variant on SREBF1 exome-wide significantly associated with stroke (rs114001633, p.Pro227Leu, p-value = 7.30 × 10–8), which replicated for hemorrhagic stroke in T1D. Using gene aggregate analysis, we identified exome-wide significant genes: ANK1 and LRRN1 displayed replication evidence in T1D, and LRRN1, HAS1 and UACA in the general population (UK Biobank). Furthermore, we performed sliding-window analyses and identified 14 genome-wide significant windows for stroke on 4q33-34.1, of which two replicated in T1D, and a suggestive genomic window on LINC01500, which replicated in T1D. Finally, we identified a suggestively stroke-associated TRPM2-AS promoter (p-value = 5.78 × 10–6) with borderline significant replication in T1D, which we validated with an in vitro cell-based assay. Due to the rarity of the identified genetic variants, future replication of the genomic regions represented here is required with sequencing of individuals with T1D. Nevertheless, we here report the first genome-wide analysis on stroke in individuals with diabetes.

KnockoffHybrid: A knockoff framework for hybrid analysis of trio and population designs in genome-wide association studies

Both trio and population designs are popular study designs for identifying risk genetic variants in genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The trio design, as a family-based design, is robust to confounding due to population structure, whereas the population design is often more powerful due to larger sample sizes. Here, we propose KnockoffHybrid, a knockoff-based statistical method for hybrid analysis of both the trio and population designs. KnockoffHybrid provides a unified framework that brings together the advantages of both designs and produces powerful hybrid analysis while controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) in the presence of linkage disequilibrium and population structure. Furthermore, KnockoffHybrid has the flexibility to leverage different types of summary statistics for hybrid analyses, including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and GWAS summary statistics. We demonstrate in simulations that KnockoffHybrid offers power gains over non-hybrid methods for the trio and population designs with the same number of cases while controlling the FDR with complex correlation among variants and population structure among subjects. In hybrid analyses of three trio cohorts for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from the Autism Speaks MSSNG, Autism Sequencing Consortium, and Autism Genome Project with GWAS summary statistics from the iPSYCH project and eQTL summary statistics from the MetaBrain project, KnockoffHybrid outperforms conventional methods by replicating several known risk genes for ASDs and identifying additional associations with variants in other genes, including the PRAME family genes involved in axon guidance and which may act as common targets for human speech/language evolution and related disorders.

Radiological clearance of historical waste from particle accelerators

This paper presents a detailed methodology for reclassifying radioactive material from particle accelerators as non-radioactive, drawing on experiences at CERN. During particle accelerator decommissioning, the waste is classified based on its radioactivity level where the very-low-level activity material is the potential clearance candidate. Complying with the Swiss legislation, the waste must fulfil three criteria in order to be cleared. Before performing the radiological measurements, the waste must be processed (disassembled, cut, … ) due to its size and multi-material composition. To properly evaluate the measurement results, a detailed theoretical study must be performed providing information on e.g. expected radionuclides. As a part of quality assurance, the theoretical models are verified using gamma spectrometry measurements on waste samples. The presented methodology is supported by the summary of past and ongoing CERN projects as well as know-how learned by years of experience.

Object Detection for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review

Goal: Researchers studying artificial intelligence have focused a lot of emphasis on computer vision in drones. Drones with intelligence can tackle a lot of issues in real time. For the purpose of monitoring particular surroundings, computer vision tasks like object identification, object tracking, and object counting are important. It becomes increasingly difficult to do, though, due to elements like motion blur, occlusion, camera angle, and altitude. Methodology: A thorough assessment of the literature on object identification and tracking with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in relation to various applications has been done for this research. This study highlights the research gaps and provides a summary of the results of previous studies. Contribution: Detailed and categorized object identification techniques are used in UAV photos. A selection of UAV datasets tailored to object identification tasks is provided. Summaries of current research projects in various applications are provided. In order to alleviate highlighted research limitations, a secure onboard processing system on a strong object detection framework in precision agriculture is finally presented.

Last interglacial in western Europe: 20 years of multidisciplinary research on the Eemian (MIS 5e) calcareous tufa sequence at Caours (Somme basin, France) – a review

The calcareous tufa sequence and associated Palaeolithic site of Caours were discovered in 2002 during a test‐pit campaign aimed at identifying last interglacial (MIS 5e) archives in the fluvial terrace system of the Somme basin, northern France. The presence of an outstanding stratigraphical succession with four in situ Palaeolithic layers within the tufa sequence has motivated archaeological excavations of the site since 2005. The first malacological studies and U‐series ages quickly showed that the sequence was mainly deposited during the Eemian interglacial (MIS 5e). After 20 years of investigations, we propose here a summary of this multidisciplinary research project including stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology, geochemistry, malacology, mammals, palaeovegetation and archaeology. By combining 25 dates obtained by U‐series, ESR/U‐series, TL and OSL methods, the Caours calcareous tufa sequence is securely dated to the Eemian (123.1±2.8 ka). Based on the summary of the whole information, we propose a robust and detailed reconstruction of the modification of the valley environments between the Late Saalian and the Early Weichselian. At the scale of northwestern Europe, Caours provides a reference terrestrial molluscs record for the Eemian interglacial, including the climatic optimum, that is also described in the same layers by δ18O and δ13C analyses on calcite and by mammal remains. Moreover, the 300‐m‐long transect crossing the fluvial terrace covered by the tufa sequence and the bottom valley formation, combined with the chronology established from U‐series and OSL ages, shows that the incision of the present‐day valley, leading to the setting of the Very Low Terrace, was achieved during the first stages of the Early Weichselian (MIS 5d–5c). From an archaeological point of view, the configuration of the Caours site is unique at the scale of western Europe and demonstrates the adaptation of Neandertals to a forested environment and to fully temperate conditions during the Eemian.

Abstract 4332: Isoform-level transcriptome-wide analyses identify extensive genetic mechanisms for breast cancer risk undetectable on the gene-level

Abstract Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 170 genetic variants associated with breast cancer risk. Integrative methods, like colocalization and transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), can identify potential biological mediators for genetic associations but, to date, have only contextualized a fraction of GWAS loci. This reduced discovery is due to an overreliance on reference transcriptomic panels of total gene expression, which ignore widespread alternative splicing that gives rise to multiple transcript-isoforms of the same gene with differing effects on tumorigenesis and progression. However, integrating highly correlated transcript-isoforms with phenotypic associations from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) requires methodological innovations.Here, we first introduce isoTWAS, a multivariate, machine learning method to integrate genetics, isoform-level expression, and phenotypic associations in a step-wise testing framework, and present its advantages over traditional gene-level methods.We then apply isoTWAS to multiomic data from non-cancerous breast samples from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) and breast cancer risk GWAS summary statistics from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. In total, we generated strong predictive models for 70,816 isoforms across 12,103 genes and estimated isoform associations for overall and subtype-specific breast cancer risk. We observed 570 associated isoforms across 384 unique genes (compared to 141 associated genes out of 14,613 genes tested in a gene-level TWAS with the same GWAS) at FDR and FWER-corrected P < 0.05. Critically, isoTWAS prioritized isoform associations within 1 Megabase of 66 independent GWAS-significant loci compared to 22 from gene-level TWAS. Of these isoforms within 1 Megabase of a GWAS locus, 19 associated isoforms had a significantly associated risk variant within the gene body. Of note, we find a negative association between the ESR1 isoform ENST00000488573 and overall breast cancer risk (P = 3.35 x 10-9). Previous studies using breast tissue have not prioritized ESR1 expression as a potential mediator, despite strong SNP associations at this locus. We are currently updating transcriptomic annotations using long-read RNA-sequencing data to improve the precision and specificity of GTEx isoform-level quantifications. We will then expand our isoTWAS analysis to other related tissues (connective, adipose, and immune-related tissues) to identify causal susceptibility transcripts for overall and subtype-specific risk. Our study underscores the wealth of information remaining in bulk RNA-seq datasets that sophisticated methods like isoTWAS can leverage to identify genetic risk mechanisms for breast cancer that is missed with traditional gene-centric measurements and methods. Citation Format: Arjun Bhattacharya, Yung-Han Chang, Bogdan Pasaniuc, Sara Lindstroem. Isoform-level transcriptome-wide analyses identify extensive genetic mechanisms for breast cancer risk undetectable on the gene-level [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4332.

Enhancing Conclusion Sections in Final Year Project Presentations: An Engineering Perspective

The Final Year Project Presentation or FYPP is an essential academic oral presentation for tertiary students across various university courses and fields. Despite its importance, there exists a notable lack of comprehensive understanding about the genre, particularly about the conclusion section. This study aimed to investigate engineering students' perception of the good characteristics of the conclusion section in FYPP. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 33 engineering students, who identified the following features as important components of the conclusion section: a summary of the final year project, presentation of overall findings, references to previous research, discussion of issues related to the final year project, restatement of the objective/focus, specific results, interpretation of results, significance of the results, limitations, counter-arguments, and an explanation of the final year project. The study reveals that students are aware of the various elements that make up the conclusion section and suggests that this knowledge can help them improve their FYPPs. By better understanding the genre expectations and characteristics, engineering students can present their final year project findings more effectively and demonstrate their mastery of the discipline.

Atomic models for description of high-Z impurities dynamics in tokamak plasmas – summary of HARMONIA project

Since the year 2019, the project entitled „Study of the mutual dependence between Lower Hybrid current drive and heavy impurity transport in tokamak plasmas ”has been jointly executed by Polish (IFJ PAN) and French (CEA-IRFM) research teams. A particularly crucial topic studied within this project is the influence of not fully ionized high-Z impurities (e.g. tungsten ions) on suprathermal electrons dynamics. The influence can be studied using a Fokker-Planck solver. However, in this case, it is necessary to modify the electron-ion collision operator, in order to incorporate the efect of partially ionized high-Z atoms, arising from uncontrolled influxes of impurities. This, in turn, requires atomic models that are accurate enough but allow preforming fast and efficient calculations for all elements present in the plasma, regardless their local level of ionization. For this purpose, a few simple atomic models for elastic and inelastic collisions of electrons with high-Z ions have been proposed and implemented into a Fokker-Planck solver – LUKE code and DREAM (Disruption and Runaway Electron Analysis Model) code. Those semi-empirical atomic models have been calibrated and optimized using results of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, Dirac-Fock-Slater (DFS) method, relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock (MCDHF) method or available reference experimental data. This paper introduces to the achievement of the whole project, with a special emphasis placed on eforts to incorporate the physics of partially ionized high-Z elements in kinetic calculations.

Fifth World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy Scientific Abstracts.

The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy is pleased to publish abstracts from the 5th World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy, which will take place in Oslo, Norway, June 14-15, 2024. The theme of the Congress is "From Science To Clinical Practice." The variety of presentations during this congress are examples of the contemporary sports physical therapy research activities taking place around the world. The abstracts presented in the following pages were selected by the Scientific Committee, which included members from the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy. It should be noted that abstracts have not been reviewed by the Editorial Board, Associate Editors or Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. After careful review by an international team of reviewers, research abstracts will be presented by authors at the World Congress. Each abstract presents only a brief summary of a research project / presentation and does not permit full assessment of the scientific rigor with which the work was conducted. While the abstracts offer only preliminary results that may require further refinement and future validation, they do serve an important role of sharing new research ideas from around the world. This sharing of ideas helps to encourage worldwide dialogue among researchers, clinicians, and educators that will ultimately contribute to the sports physical therapy body of knowledge. Notice: The abstracts below are presented as prepared by the authors. The accuracy and content of each abstract remain the responsibility of the authors.

Sea Grant Programs Build Resilience to Coastal Climate Hazards

Sea Grant programs across the United States and its territories are working with coastal communities to enhance their resilience to hazards and weather extremes exacerbated by climate change. Drawing on the expertise of the authors, many of whom have multiple years or decades of experience in the Sea Grant network, the article identifies five key strategies that Sea Grant programs employ to support the process of coastal hazards and extreme weather adaptation and resilience-building. The application of these strategies, most of which have their roots in the historical legacy of extension, are then illustrated through summaries of current Sea Grant activities and projects, showcasing how they have been applied in real-world situations. These strategies allow Sea Grant programs to fill a unique and valuable niche in national efforts to enhance coastal resilience. The article concludes with a discussion of emerging challenges and recommendations for strengthening Sea Grant’s capacity to support adaptation in coastal communities into the future.

ADVANCED POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN HIGHER EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN CHINA

This paper traces the most advanced policies and practices in higher education for students with disabilities in China. The study is based on relevant policy documents, pilot project programs, summary reports and other documentation. The paper is based on the application of theoretical research methods - analysis of scientific literature, comparison, generalization and systematization of research results. This article describes the background of the implementation of the pilot program of inclusive higher education in China, focusing on a summary of the practices and experiences of the six pilot universities. The findings show that the support system for inclusive higher education built in China has important practical and theoretical research significance. Generalization and dissemination of the pilot experience of the mentioned higher education institutions will promote mutual learning, exchange of experience and development of cooperation in the field of inclusive higher education between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China.

Have the non-technical summaries of animal experiments in Europe improved? An update

Following a review of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific pur­poses in the European Union (EU), non-technical project summaries (NTS) of all approved projects must be published in a central database using a standard template. Our initial review of the NTS reported in ALTEX in 2018 had found the NTS to be deficient in their accessibility and quality, notably the “adverse effects” section where the harms to the animals are meant to be described. Here we repeat our review to see if these legislative changes have improved the accessibility and quality of the NTS. As before, we focused on the NTS from the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany; even though the UK has left the EU, it is using the same template. We found significant improvement in the reporting of five of the six elements we identified as essential to the “predicted harms” section. However, there was no significant improvement in the reporting of adverse effects. Only 41% of German NTS and 48% of UK NTS are fully reporting this important element of the “predicted harms” section. In our view, researchers need support in describing the impact of their research on the animals and to assist here we include a checklist for competent authorities and a list of suggested terminology for standard administration and sampling procedures. Unless the NTS improve further, their utility as a tool for sharing of good practices in the 3Rs or to support evidence-based policy­making will remain limited.