bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cement replacement by used paints in plasters mortars mixtures
Authors: Siomin AC , Tintisan ML , Zaharie A , Manea DL
Published: May 2022

This research started from the fact that humanity exploits on an industrial scale and chaotically consumes the raw materials that this planet offers, without realizing the importance of reusing waste and the possibility of introducing them in the production of plaster mortars. Thus, an attempt is made to create a balance between raw materials and the exploitation of new resources, so that future generations can have access to raw materials. Plaster mortar mixtures were made by using waste from construction sites, respectively certain percentages of the amount of cement were replaced with used paints. In order to reduce the costs of transporting and transferring waste to the landfill, most of the executors (builders) at the stage of systematization of the land, bury all the waste, not respecting the conditions given by the environmental agreement. Through a waste management, construction materials are recovered, in this case used paint and reused in the preparation of plaster mortar. Starting from a plaster mortar mixture, the cement was replaced in a percentage of 10% and 15% with used paint, resulting in significantly higher bending strengths. We must be responsible and contribute to the protection of the environment by recycling/reusing waste from construction materials.
Optimization method based on genetic algorithm for the mass compensation of the rotor on-line dynamic balance system
Authors: Song Q L , Wang Z , Liang L
Published: May 2022

The rotor is the key component of the rotary drilling rig, it can realize the rotation and feed movement of the drill. the rotor unit of the rotary drilling rig should take on-line dynamic. Because unbalanced faults would lead to vibration. In order to further improve the pricision of on-line dynamic balance, an optimization strategy based on Genetic Algorithm for the mass compensation of the rotor on-line dynamic balancing system is proposed. A mass compensation optimization model is established. By the way of taking the phase of counterweight movement as the optimization variable. At the same time,taking the residual stress under dynamic balance as the optimization objective. According to the principle of Genetic Algorithm, the movement phase of the counterweight can be calculated when the residual force reaches the minimum value. By performing simulation analysis, the residual force can be calculated under different rotating speeds and different amount of unbalance, the residual force after optimizing balance can be reduced greatly. The simulation results showed that the residual force of the rotor after optimizing balance can decrease by 95.74% on average. Therefore, an optimization strategy based on Genetic Algorithm for the mass compensation of the rotor can effectively improve dynamic balance precision and operating performance of rotary drilling rig.
The analysis of TBM cutter stress under different construction environment
Authors: Wang Z N , Wang Q Y , Hu B B , Wei C , Wu Q N
Published: May 2022

As the country’s underground tunnels continue to expand, underground construction technology has been developed rapidly. In order to meet the development needs of construction technology in China, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has made great progress due to its own advantages. In this paper, feed amount of disc cutter on rock crushing under complex working conditions is considered. The mechanism of rock fragmentation is analyzed. The force between disc cutter and the rock is studied. The accuracy of the model is verified by setting up a TBM rock fragmentation experiment platform. This study provides technical support for TBM construction parameters under different working conditions.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Face-to-face Medication Adherence Interventions for Patients with Long Term Health Conditions
Authors: Akhter Kalsoom , Sutton Stephen , Mirzaei Venus , Kassavou Aikaterini
Published: May 2022

Background

Although previous reviews demonstrated effectiveness related to medication adherence interventions, they incorporated various digital platforms and other multiple delivery modes, which makes difficult to distinguish what aspects of the interventions led to effectiveness.

Purpose

This review aimed to (i) estimate the efficacy of face-to-face medication adherence interventions on adherence outcomes, in adults with Long Term Health Conditions (LTHCs) and (ii) identify the Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) used in the interventions and examine their potential impact on efficacy.

Methods

Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials were included if they described an intervention to improve medication adherence, delivered via face-to-face only, and included patients with LTHCs. Studies were excluded if they used additional delivery modes, involved family members or used a group format. In addition, use of BCTs was coded.

Results

20 studies were included (n = 3667). Statistically significant pooled effects were found favoring the intervention than control, for the following MEMS (electronic monitoring) measures: percentage of prescribed doses taken on time over a period of 3 weeks to 2 months (MD 9.34, 95% CI 4.36–14.33, p = .0002; I2 =0%); percentage of prescribed doses taken for a period of 1 week to 2 months (MD 5.63, 95% CI 1.62–9.64, p = .006; I2 = 51%) and for 1 month (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.37–4.57, p = .003; I2 = 0%); percentage of days correct doses taken for 1 month to 14 weeks (MD 6.59, 95% CI 0.74–13.15, p = .03; I2 = 68%). Studies using the Morisky scale showed a significant between group difference for 1–3 months (MD 0.86, 95% CI 0.59–1.13, p < .00001; I2 = 0%). Overall, more BCTs were identified in intervention conditions than in comparison conditions (22 vs. 10). The impact of BCTs on intervention effectiveness could not be established as the analyses were underpowered.

Conclusions

Face-to-face interventions increased adherence to medication among adult patients with LTHCs. Although we were able to identify BCTs among interventions, data were insufficient to determine the impact of particular BCTs on intervention effectiveness.
Somatic Symptom Disorder in Elderly Patients With Essential Hypertension in Community Hospital
Authors: Chen Bing-xu , Liao Jia-yu , Fu Yun-fei , Qin Shou-min , Jiang Meng , Mao Jia-liang , Bu Jun
Published: May 2022

Background

To investigate and analyze the prevalence of somatic symptom disorder in elderly patients with essential hypertension in community hospitals.

Methods

A total of 5,473 patients in 100 community hospitals in Shanghai from January to June 2019 were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Among them, 3,080 patients were diagnosed with essential hypertension and 2,393 patients without essential hypertension. The corresponding clinical data were collected and the somatic symptom self-rating scale was used to evaluate these patients.

Results

The prevalence of somatic symptom disorder in elderly patients with essential hypertension was higher than those without essential hypertension (45.3% vs. 31.8%, P < 0.01), and the score of somatic symptom self-rating scale was higher than patients without essential hypertension (34.3 ± 8.5 vs. 32.9 ± 8.1, P < 0.01). In elderly patients with essential hypertension, concentration difficulties (72.5% vs. 69.6%, P = 0.021), fatigue (65.6% vs. 60.2%, P < 0.01), dizziness and headache (62.6% vs. 53.3%, P < 0.01), and other somatic symptoms were higher than patients without essential hypertension.

Conclusions

The prevalence and severity of somatic symptom disorder in elderly patients with essential hypertension are higher than those without essential hypertension.
Evaluating Bilingual Children’s Native Language Abilities in Côte d’Ivoire: Introducing the Ivorian Children’s Language Assessment Toolkit for Attié, Abidji, and Baoulé
Authors: Jasińska Kaja , Akpe Yapo Hermann , Seri Blahoua Axel Debaye , Zinszer Benjamin , Agui-Kouadio Rodrigue Yoffo , Mulford Kelsey , Curran Erin , Ball Mary-Claire , Tanoh Fabrice
Published: May 2022

Few standardized language assessments are adapted to different cultural and linguistic contexts to assess children’s first language (L1) abilities. We introduce the Ivorian Children’s Language Assessment Toolkit for measuring phonological awareness, vocabulary, oral comprehension, and tone awareness in the Abidji, Attié, and Baoulé languages of Côte d’Ivoire. Six hundred and three primary-school children (age 4–14) completed language assessments in their L1 and French. The toolkit provided a reliable and comprehensive assessment of children’s language abilities. We observed age- and grade-related increases in all subtest scores. Still, children scored higher in their L1 compared to French, highlighting the need for language assessments in a bilingual’s two languages to achieve an accurate measure of children’s language abilities. The ability to benchmark children’s scores relative to age- and grade-norms are discussed in the context of language of instruction education policies as well as the potential use of age- and grade-norms in identifying children with language impairment and/or children who are at risk for reading difficulties due to poor language skills.
Three-nucleotide periodicity of nucleotide diversity in a population enables the identification of open reading frames
Authors: Jiang Mengyun , Ning Weidong , Wu Shishi , Wang Xingwei , Zhu Kun , Li Aomei , Li Yongyao , Cheng Shifeng , Song Bo
Published: May 2022

Accurate prediction of open reading frames (ORFs) is important for studying and using genome sequences. Ribosomes move along mRNA strands with a step of three nucleotides and datasets carrying this information can be used to predict ORFs. The ribosome-protected footprints (RPFs) feature a significant 3-nt periodicity on mRNAs and are powerful in predicting translating ORFs, including small ORFs (sORFs), but the application of RPFs is limited because they are too short to be accurately mapped in complex genomes. In this study, we found a significant 3-nt periodicity in the datasets of populational genomic variants in coding sequences, in which the nucleotide diversity increases every three nucleotides. We suggest that this feature can be used to predict ORFs and develop the Python package ‘OrfPP’, which recovers ~83% of the annotated ORFs in the tested genomes on average, independent of the population sizes and the complexity of the genomes. The novel ORFs, including sORFs, identified from single-nucleotide polymorphisms are supported by protein mass spectrometry evidence comparable to that of the annotated ORFs. The application of OrfPP to tetraploid cotton and hexaploid wheat genomes successfully identified 76.17% and 87.43% of the annotated ORFs in the genomes, respectively, as well as 4704 sORFs, including 1182 upstream and 2110 downstream ORFs in cotton and 5025 sORFs, including 232 upstream and 234 downstream ORFs in wheat. Overall, we propose an alternative and supplementary approach for ORF prediction that can extend the studies of sORFs to more complex genomes.
Pollock: fishing for cell states
Authors: Storrs Erik P , Zhou Daniel Cui , Wendl Michael C , Wyczalkowski Matthew A , Karpova Alla , Wang Liang-Bo , Li Yize , Southard-Smith Austin , Jayasinghe Reyka G , Yao Lijun , Liu Ruiyang , Wu Yige , Terekhanova Nadezhda V , Zhu Houxiang , Herndon John M , Puram Sid , Chen Feng , Gillanders William E , Fields Ryan C , Ding Li
Published: May 2022

Motivation

The use of single-cell methods is expanding at an ever-increasing rate. While there are established algorithms that address cell classification, they are limited in terms of cross platform compatibility, reliance on the availability of a reference dataset and classification interpretability. Here, we introduce Pollock, a suite of algorithms for cell type identification that is compatible with popular single-cell methods and analysis platforms, provides a set of pretrained human cancer reference models, and reports interpretability scores that identify the genes that drive cell type classifications.

Results

Pollock performs comparably to existing classification methods, while offering easily deployable pretrained classification models across a wide variety of tissue and data types. Additionally, it demonstrates utility in immune pan-cancer analysis.

Availability and implementation

Source code and documentation are available at https://github.com/ding-lab/pollock. Pretrained models and datasets are available for download at https://zenodo.org/record/5895221.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
InterPepScore: a deep learning score for improving the FlexPepDock refinement protocol
Authors: Johansson-Åkhe Isak , Wallner Björn
Published: May 2022

Motivation

Interactions between peptide fragments and protein receptors are vital to cell function yet difficult to experimentally determine in structural details of. As such, many computational methods have been developed to aid in peptide–protein docking or structure prediction. One such method is Rosetta FlexPepDock which consistently refines coarse peptide–protein models into sub-Ångström precision using Monte-Carlo simulations and statistical potentials. Deep learning has recently seen increased use in protein structure prediction, with graph neural networks used for protein model quality assessment.

Results

Here, we introduce a graph neural network, InterPepScore, as an additional scoring term to complement and improve the Rosetta FlexPepDock refinement protocol. InterPepScore is trained on simulation trajectories from FlexPepDock refinement starting from thousands of peptide–protein complexes generated by a wide variety of docking schemes. The addition of InterPepScore into the refinement protocol consistently improves the quality of models created, and on an independent benchmark on 109 peptide–protein complexes its inclusion results in an increase in the number of complexes for which the top-scoring model had a DockQ-score of 0.49 (Medium quality) or better from 14.8% to 26.1%.

Availability and implementation

InterPepScore is available online at http://wallnerlab.org/InterPepScore.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Long Arm Of Welfare Retrenchment: How New Right Socio-Economic Policies In The 1980s Affected Contact With The Criminal Justice System In Adulthood
Authors: Gray Emily , Farrall Stephen , Mike Jones Phil
Published: May 2022

The socio-economic policies of the British ‘New Right’ administrations have been associated with increases in crime using aggregate data. This paper assesses if the trend remains when we test individual-level relationships using two British cohort studies (the National Child Development Study 1958 and the British Cohort Study 1970). Our results point to a set of long-term ‘period effects’ in which those reliant on the welfare state at specific time-points in the 1980 and 1990s (regardless of their age) were more likely to be drawn into the criminal justice system in adulthood (circa 2000). This paper considers (i) how British ‘New Right’ welfare policies may have had unintended, but lasting consequences for individuals in receipt of social security assistance and (ii) the interplay between micro and macro criminological analysis.
Single unit analysis and wide-field imaging reveal alterations in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in glioma
Authors: Gill Brian J A , Khan Farhan A , Goldberg Alexander R , Merricks Edward M , Wu Xiaoping , Sosunov Alexander A , Sudhakar Tejaswi D , Dovas Athanassios , Lado Wudu , Michalak Andrew J , Teoh Jia Jie , Liou Jyun-you , Frankel Wayne N , McKhann Guy M , Canoll Peter , Schevon Catherine A
Published: May 2022

While several studies have attributed the development of tumour-associated seizures to an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance, we have yet to resolve the spatiotemporal interplay between different types of neuron in glioma-infiltrated cortex.

Herein, we combined methods for single unit analysis of microelectrode array recordings with wide-field optical mapping of Thy1-GCaMP pyramidal cells in an ex vivo acute slice model of diffusely infiltrating glioma. This enabled simultaneous tracking of individual neurons from both excitatory and inhibitory populations throughout seizure-like events. Moreover, our approach allowed for observation of how the crosstalk between these neurons varied spatially, as we recorded across an extended region of glioma-infiltrated cortex.

In tumour-bearing slices, we observed marked alterations in single units classified as putative fast-spiking interneurons, including reduced firing, activity concentrated within excitatory bursts and deficits in local inhibition. These results were correlated with increases in overall excitability. Mechanistic perturbation of this system with the mTOR inhibitor AZD8055 revealed increased firing of putative fast-spiking interneurons and restoration of local inhibition, with concomitant decreases in overall excitability.

Altogether, our findings suggest that diffusely infiltrating glioma affect the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal populations in a reversible manner, highlighting a prominent role for functional mechanisms linked to mTOR activation.
Climate change and Australian general practice vocational education: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wild Kathleen , Tapley Amanda , Fielding Alison , Holliday Elizabeth , Ball Jean , Horton Graeme , Blashki Grant , Davey Andrew , van Driel Mieke , Turner Alexandria , FitzGerald Kristen , Spike Neil , Magin Parker
Published: May 2022

Background

Climate change is a rapidly progressing threat to global health and well-being. For general practitioners (GPs) currently in training, the effects of climate change on public health will shape their future professional practice We aimed to establish the prevalence and associations of Australian GP registrars’ (trainees’) perceptions of climate change as it relates to public health, education, and workplaces.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of GP registrars of three Australian training organizations. The questionnaire assessed attitudes regarding adverse health effects of climate change (over the next 10–20 years), and agreement with statements on (i) integrating health impacts of climate change into GP vocational training, and (ii) GPs’ role in making general practices environmentally sustainable.

Results

Of 879 registrars who participated (response rate 91%), 50.4% (95% CI 46.8%, 54.0%) perceived a large or very large future health effect of climate change on their patients, and 61.8% (95% CI 58.6%, 65.0%) agreed that climate health impacts should be integrated within their education programme. 77.8% (95% CI 74.9%, 80.4%) agreed that GPs should have a leadership role in their practices’ environmental sustainability. Multivariable associations of these attitudes included female gender, training region, and (for the latter two outcomes) perceptions of future impact of climate change on patient health.

Conclusions

GP registrars are motivated to receive climate health education and engage in environmentally sustainable practice. This may primarily reflect concern for future practice and patient care.
Genetic analysis suggests a surface of PAT-4 (ILK) that interacts with UNC-112 (kindlin)
Authors: Qadota Hiroshi , McPherson Annie , Corbitt Rachel , Dackowski Evan Kelton , Matsunaga Yohei , Oberhauser Andres F , Benian Guy M
Published: May 2022

Integrin plays a crucial role in the attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix. Integrin recruits many proteins intracellularly, including a 4-protein complex (kindlin, ILK, PINCH, and parvin). Caenorhabditis elegans muscle provides an excellent model to study integrin adhesion complexes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, UNC-112 (kindlin) binds to the cytoplasmic tail of PAT-3 (β-integrin) and to PAT-4 (ILK). We previously reported that PAT-4 binding to UNC-112 is essential for the binding of UNC-112 to PAT-3. Although there are crystal structures for ILK and a kindlin, there is no co-crystal structure available. To understand the molecular interaction between PAT-4 and UNC-112, we took a genetic approach. First, using a yeast 2-hybrid method, we isolated mutant PAT-4 proteins that cannot bind to UNC-112 and then isolated suppressor mutant UNC-112 proteins that restore interaction with mutant PAT-4 proteins. Second, we demonstrated that these mutant PAT-4 proteins cannot localize to attachment structures in nematode muscle, but upon co-expression of an UNC-112 suppressor mutant protein, mutant PAT-4 proteins could localize to attachment structures. Third, overexpression of a PAT-4 mutant results in the disorganization of adhesion plaques at muscle cell boundaries and co-expression of the UNC-112 suppressor mutant protein alleviates this defect. Thus, we demonstrate that UNC-112 binding to PAT-4 is required for the localization and function of PAT-4 in integrin adhesion complexes in vivo. The missense mutations were mapped onto homology models of PAT-4 and UNC-112, and taking into account previously isolated mutations, we suggest a surface of PAT-4 that binds to UNC-112.
Effect of high glucose on glycosaminoglycans in cultured retinal endothelial cells and rat retina
Authors: Kaur Gaganpreet , Song Yuefan , Xia Ke , McCarthy Kevin , Zhang Fuming , Linhardt Robert J , Harris Norman R
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The endothelial glycocalyx regulates vascular permeability, inflammation, and coagulation, and acts as a mechanosensor. The loss of glycocalyx can cause endothelial injury and contribute to several microvascular complications and, therefore, may promote diabetic retinopathy. Studies have shown a partial loss of retinal glycocalyx in diabetes, but with few molecular details of the changes in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on GAGs of the retinal endothelial glycocalyx.

Methods

GAGs were isolated from rat retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RRMECs), media, and retinas, followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to study mRNA transcripts of the enzymes involved in GAG biosynthesis.

Results and Conclusions

Hyperglycemia significantly increased the shedding of heparan sulfate (HS), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and hyaluronic acid (HA). There were no changes to the levels of HS in RRMEC monolayers grown in high-glucose media, but the levels of CS and HA decreased dramatically. Similarly, while HA decreased in the retinas of diabetic rats, the total GAG and CS levels increased. Hyperglycemia in RRMECs caused a significant increase in the mRNA levels of the enzymes involved in GAG biosynthesis (including EXTL-1,2,3, EXT-1,2, ChSY-1,3, and HAS-2,3), with these increases potentially being compensatory responses to overall glycocalyx loss. Both RRMECs and retinas of diabetic rats exhibited glucose-induced alterations in the disaccharide compositions and sulfation of HS and CS, with the changes in sulfation including N,6-O-sulfation on HS and 4-O-sulfation on CS.
Love and politics: The influence of politically (dis)similar romantic relationships on political participation and relationship satisfaction
Authors: Peacock Cynthia , Pederson Joshua R
Published: May 2022

People are more likely to seek out romantic partners who are politically similar to themselves. Nonetheless, romantic partners who disagree politically do exist. This study examines the influence of political (dis)similarity in romantic relationships on both political participation and relationship satisfaction. We found that (1) people in politically similar romantic relationships are more satisfied in their relationships and more politically participative than those who are in dissimilar relationships, (2) discussion expressiveness mediates the relationships between political similarity and satisfaction, (3) discussion frequency and expressiveness mediate the relationship between political similarity and participation, and (4) whereas political conflict intensity mediates the relationship between political similarity and satisfaction, it does not affect participation. Findings indicate that the quality of discussion and conflict, not merely their occurrence, help explain the political and relational results of political (dis)similarity within romantic relationships.
Timing of Breeding Reveals a Trade-Off between Immune Investment and Life History in Tree Swallows
Authors: Chang van Oordt David A , Taff Conor C , Ryan Thomas A , Vitousek Maren N
Published: May 2022

Synopsis

The allocation of limited resources among life history traits creates trade-offs that constrain the range of possible phenotypes of organisms. In animals, the cost of maintaining an effective immune response may reduce the ability to invest in reproduction, resulting in altered susceptibility to disease. However, not all members of a population face identical constraints because differences in an individual's environmental context or physiological state can influence the degree to which traits are negatively associated. Here, we evaluated how variation in timing of breeding, a correlate of fitness, may result in different patterns of trait associations between immunity and reproduction. We measured constitutive immunity in breeding female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) using a bacteria killing assay with blood plasma to assess the relationships between bacteria killing ability (BKA), reproductive effort, and reproductive success. We found that timing of breeding can influence the association between BKA and reproductive effort, but its effects are not homogeneous among all traits. Late-breeding tree swallows with stronger BKA laid smaller clutches, a pattern that was not apparent in early breeders. Regardless of the timing of breeding, birds with stronger BKA fed their nestlings less. Despite a negative association with reproductive effort, we found no association between immunity and reproductive success. We provide evidence that individual tree swallows do not experience some trade-offs equally, and that timing of breeding likely plays a role in how costs of immunity are weighed. To understand how investment in immunity can limit life history traits, we must consider how a variation among individuals influences the relative costs of immunity.
False lumen/true lumen wall pressure ratio is increased in acute non-A non-B aortic dissection
Authors: Kimura Naoyuki , Nakamura Masanori , Takagi Reiya , Mieno Makiko Naka , Yamaguchi Atsushi , Czerny Martin , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Kari Fabian Alexander , Rylski Bartosz
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine whether non-A non-B aortic dissection (AD) differs in morphologic and haemodynamic properties from type B AD.

METHODS

We simulated and compared haemodynamics of patients with acute type B or acute non-A non-B AD by means of computational fluid dynamics. Wall pressure and wall shear stress (WSS) in both the true lumen (TL) and false lumen (FL) at early, mid- and late systole were evaluated. Morphology, WSS and the FL/TL wall pressure ratio were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (type B, n = 7; non-A non-B, n = 12) were included. The median age (51 [46, 67] vs 53 [50, 63] years; P = 0.71) and a complicated course (14% vs 33%; P = 0.6) did not differ between the type B group and the non-A non-B group. However, the median entry tear width was increased in the non-A non-B group (9.7 [7.3, 12.7] vs 16.3 [11.9, 24.9] mm; P = 0.010). Streamlines showed, in patients with non-A non-B AD, blood from the TL flowed into the FL via the entry tear. Prevalence of a FL/TL wall pressure ratio >1.0 (type B versus non-A non-B) at early, mid- and late systole was 57% vs 83% (P = 0.31), 43% vs 83% (P = 0.13) and 57% vs 75% (P = 0.62), respectively. WSS did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased FL/TL wall pressure ratio observed during systole in non-A non-B AD may beget a complicated presentation.
Assessing seasonality and the role of its potential drivers in environmental epidemiology: a tutorial
Authors: Madaniyazi Lina , Tobias Aurelio , Kim Yoonhee , Chung Yeonseung , Armstrong Ben , Hashizume Masahiro
Published: May 2022

Several methods have been used to assess the seasonality of health outcomes in epidemiological studies. However, little information is available on the methods to study the changes in seasonality before and after adjusting for environmental or other known seasonally varying factors. Such investigations will help us understand the role of these factors in seasonal variation in health outcomes and further identify currently unknown or unmeasured risk factors. This tutorial illustrates a statistical procedure for examining the seasonality of health outcomes and their changes, after adjusting for potential environmental drivers by assessing and comparing shape, timings and size. We recommend a three-step procedure, each carried out and compared before and after adjustment: (i) inspecting the fitted seasonal curve to determine the broad shape of seasonality; (ii) identifying the peak and trough of seasonality to determine the timings of seasonality; and (iii) estimating the peak-to-trough ratio and attributable fraction to measure the size of seasonality. Reporting changes in these features on adjusting for potential drivers allows readers to understand their role in seasonality and the nature of any residual seasonal pattern. Furthermore, the proposed approach can be extended to other health outcomes and environmental drivers.
Straight assembly line balancing by workload smoothing: new results
Authors: Niroomand Sadegh , Vizvari Bela
Published: May 2022

Assembly line balancing by workload smoothing is very common; it aims to appropriately assign tasks to the stations of an assembly line, to ensure as similar as possible workloads for the stations. A shortcoming of the mathematical models developed in the literature is the optimization of workload smoothing when only all potential stations are considered. Therefore, the obtained solution may not be the global optimal solution and also may not be effective for real world cases. To overcome this shortcoming, some new workload smoothing criteria and their related mixed integer linear mathematical models are developed for three different settings: (1) workload smoothing optimization, when all potential stations are considered, (2) workload smoothing and minimization of the number of stations are optimized simultaneously, (3) global workload smoothing optimization regardless of the number of considered stations. The proposed formulations are associated with fewer variables and constraints compared with models previously presented in the literature and lead to better results according to an extensive numerical study. The proposed models can be applied in practice for designing the assembly lines of, inter alia, automobile and electronic equipment production systems.
Virological and Serological Assessment of US Army Trainees Isolated for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Hakre Shilpa , Lakhal-Naouar Ines , King David B , Burns Jennifer L , Jackson Kenya N , Krauss Stephen W , Chandrasekaran Prabha , McCauley Melanie D , Ober Shepherd Brittany L , McHenry Samantha , Bianchi Elizabeth J , Ouellette Jason , Darden Janice M , Sanborn Aaron D , Daye Sharon P , Kwon Paul O , Stubbs Jeremiah , Brigantti Crystal L , Hall Tara L , Beagle Milford H , Pieri Jason A , Frambes Timothy R , O’Connell Robert J , Modjarrad Kayvon , Murray Clinton K , Jagodzinski Linda L , Scott Paul T , Peel Sheila A
Published: May 2022

Background

Laboratory screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a key mitigation measure to avoid the spread of infection among recruits starting basic combat training in a congregate setting. Because viral nucleic acid can be detected persistently after recovery, we evaluated other laboratory markers to distinguish recruits who could proceed with training from those who were infected.

Methods

Recruits isolated for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were serially tested for SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic ribonucleic acid (sgRNA), and viral load (VL) by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and for anti- SARS-CoV-2. Cluster and quadratic discriminant analyses of results were performed.

Results

Among 229 recruits isolated for COVID-19, those with a RT-PCR cycle threshold >30.49 (sensitivity 95%, specificity 96%) or having sgRNA log10 RNA copies/mL <3.09 (sensitivity and specificity 96%) at entry into isolation were likely SARS-CoV-2 uninfected. Viral load >4.58 log10 RNA copies/mL or anti-SARS-CoV-2 signal-to-cutoff ratio <1.38 (VL: sensitivity and specificity 93%; anti-SARS-CoV-2: sensitivity 83%, specificity 79%) had comparatively lower sensitivity and specificity when used alone for discrimination of infected from uninfected.

Conclusions

Orthogonal laboratory assays used in combination with RT-PCR may have utility in determining SARS-CoV-2 infection status for decisions regarding isolation.
Older Adults Mount Less Durable Humoral Responses to Two Doses of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine but Strong Initial Responses to a Third Dose
Authors: Mwimanzi Francis , Lapointe Hope R , Cheung Peter K , Sang Yurou , Yaseen Fatima , Umviligihozo Gisele , Kalikawe Rebecca , Datwani Sneha , Omondi F Harrison , Burns Laura , Young Landon , Leung Victor , Agafitei Olga , Ennis Siobhan , Dong Winnie , Basra Simran , Lim Li Yi , Ng Kurtis , Pantophlet Ralph , Brumme Chanson J , Montaner Julio S G , Prystajecky Natalie , Lowe Christopher F , DeMarco Mari L , Holmes Daniel T , Simons Janet , Niikura Masahiro , Romney Marc G , Brumme Zabrina L , Brockman Mark A
Published: May 2022

Background

Third coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses are broadly recommended, but immunogenicity data remain limited, particularly in older adults.

Methods

We measured circulating antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor-binding domain, ACE2 displacement, and virus neutralization against ancestral and omicron (BA.1) strains from prevaccine up to 1 month following the third dose, in 151 adults aged 24–98 years who received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Results

Following 2 vaccine doses, humoral immunity was weaker, less functional, and less durable in older adults, where a higher number of chronic health conditions was a key correlate of weaker responses and poorer durability. One month after the third dose, antibody concentrations and function exceeded post–second-dose levels, and responses in older adults were comparable in magnitude to those in younger adults at this time. Humoral responses against omicron were universally weaker than against the ancestral strain after both the second and third doses. Nevertheless, after 3 doses, anti-omicron responses in older adults reached equivalence to those in younger adults. One month after 3 vaccine doses, the number of chronic health conditions, but not age, was the strongest consistent correlate of weaker humoral responses.

Conclusions

Results underscore the immune benefits of third COVID-19 vaccine doses, particularly in older adults.
Pharmacogenetic Gene–Drug Associations in Pediatric Burn and Surgery Patients
Authors: Grimsrud Kristin N , Davis Ryan R , Tepper Clifford G , Palmieri Tina L
Published: May 2022

Management of critically ill patients requires simultaneous administration of many medications. Treatment for patient comorbidities may lead to drug–drug interactions which decrease drug efficacy or increase adverse reactions. Current practices rely on a one-size-fits-all dosing approach. Pharmacogenetic testing is generally reserved for addressing problems rather than used proactively to optimize care. We hypothesized that burn and surgery patients will have one or more genetic variants in drug metabolizing pathways used by one or more medications administered during the patient’s hospitalization. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of variants with abnormal function in the primary drug pathways and identify which medications may be impacted. Genetic (19 whole exome and 11 whole genome) and medication data from 30 pediatric burn and surgery patients were analyzed to identify pharmacogene–drug associations. Nineteen patients were identified with predicted altered function in one or more of the following genes: CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. The majority had decreased function, except for several patients with CYP2C19 rapid or ultrarapid variants. Some drugs administered during hospitalization that rely on these pathways include hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone, ibuprofen, ketorolac, celecoxib, diazepam, famotidine, diphenhydramine, and glycopyrrolate. Approximately one-third of the patients tested had functionally impactful genotypes in each of the primary drug metabolizing pathways. This study suggests that genetic variants may in part explain the vast variability in drug efficacy and suggests that future pharmacogenetics research may optimize dosing regimens.
The detection of political deepfakes
Authors: Appel Markus , Prietzel Fabian
Published: May 2022

Deepfake technology, allowing manipulations of audiovisual content by means of artificial intelligence, is on the rise. This has sparked concerns about a weaponization of manipulated videos for malicious ends. A theory on deepfake detection is presented and three preregistered studies examined the detection of deepfakes in the political realm (featuring UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Studies 1–3, or former U.S. President Barack Obama, Study 2). Based on two system models of information processing as well as recent theory and research on fake news, individual differences in analytic thinking and political interest were examined as predictors of correctly detecting deepfakes. Analytic thinking (Studies 1 and 2) and political interest (Study 1) were positively associated with identifying deepfakes and negatively associated with the perceived accuracy of a fake news piece about a leaked video (whether or not the deepfake video itself was presented, Study 3). Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Globalization and Political Structure
Authors: Gancia Gino , Ponzetto Giacomo A M , Ventura Jaume
Published: May 2022

This paper develops a theoretical framework to study the interaction between globalization and political structure. We show that political structure adapts in a non-monotonic way to declining transport costs. Borders hamper trade. At an earlier stage, the political response to expanding trade opportunities consists of removing borders by increasing country size. At a later stage, instead, it consists of removing the cost of borders by creating international unions. This leads to a reduction in country size. Moreover, diplomacy replaces conquest as a tool to ensure market access. These predictions are consistent with historical evidence on trade, territorial changes, and membership of international unions.
Weather, fire, and density drive population dynamics of small mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Rossi Rodrigo C , Leiner Natália O
Published: May 2022

Understanding the relative importance of exogenous and endogenous factors in natural population dynamics has been a central question in ecology. However, until recently few studies used long-term data to assess factors driving small mammal abundance in Neotropical savannas. We used a 9-year data set, based on monthly captures, to understand the population dynamics of two scansorial small mammals inhabiting the Brazilian Cerrado: the semelparous gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis), and the iteroparous long-tailed climbing mouse (Rhipidomys macrurus), the two most abundant species at Panga Ecological Station (Uberlândia/MG). We tested the impact of two fires that occurred in 2014 and 2017 on the abundance of both populations. Also, we used Royama’s framework to identify the role of the endogenous system (intraspecific competition) and exogenous factors (annual rainfall, days with minimum and maximum temperatures, annual minimum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVI], and Southern Oscillation Index) in population dynamics. Extensive and severe fires had a lasting, negative impact on the studied populations, probably by reducing the carrying capacity of the environment. Both populations were influenced by negative first-order feedback, indicating density-dependent effects. Moreover, the endogenous system and the annual minimum NDVI operated as vertical effects determining G. agilis dynamics, while the R. macrurus population was governed by the vertical effects of 1-year lagged rainfall. Our results support the contention that small mammal population fluctuations are driven by the interaction between endogenous (density-dependent) and exogenous factors, which in this study were mainly associated with habitat complexity. Despite ecological similarities shared by both species, their response and recovery time to disturbances and environmental variables varied, probably due to their contrasting life histories. Hence, we emphasize the need to consider species life histories to understand the responses of small mammals to extreme events and reinforce the importance of long-term studies that evaluate the combined effects of endogenous and exogenous variables on population dynamics.
Postfire salvage logging alters impacts of recent wildfire on small mammal communities in summer
Authors: Kelly Angelina J , Hodges Karen E
Published: May 2022

Wildfire is a natural ecosystem disturbance in forests in North America, yet fires are often at odds with human activity and affect the timber supply. Postfire salvage logging is common practice globally, but the impacts of salvage logging on wildlife, especially small mammal communities, remain unclear. We livetrapped small mammals to determine their population responses to wildfire and postfire salvage logging in central British Columbia, Canada. Postfire regenerating forest provided habitat for deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi), and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Postfire salvage logging significantly reduced tree basal area and changed small mammal community structure by reducing southern red-backed vole populations and supporting mainly deer mice, a generalist species. Given the large scale and intensity of postfire salvage logging operations across the province, salvage logging has the potential to decrease vole populations and change small mammal communities across the province.
NaturalAedes-Borne Virus Infection Detected in Male AdultAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) Collected From Urban Settings in Mérida, Yucatán, México
Authors: Kirstein Oscar D , Talavera Guadalupe Ayora , Wei Zhuoran , Ciau-Carrilo Karina J , Koyoc-Cardeña Edgar , Puerta-Guardo Henry , Rodríguez-Martín Ester , Medina-Barreiro Anuar , Mendoza Azael Che , Piantadosi Anne L , Manrique-Saide Pablo , Vazquez-Prokopec Gonzalo M
Published: May 2022

Aedes-borne viruses (ABVs) such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) contribute significantly to the global burden of infectious diseases, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations from tropical and subtropical urban areas. ABVs can be transmitted from female mosquitoes to their progeny by vertical transmission via transovarial and/or trans-egg vertical transmission and contribute to the maintenance of infected-mosquito populations year-round in endemic regions. This study describes the natural infection rate of DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV in field-caught male Aedes (Sergentomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) mosquitoes from Mérida, Yucatán, México, as a proxy for the occurrence of vertical virus transmission. We used indoor sequential sampling with Prokopack aspirators to collect all mosquitoes inside houses from ABV hotspots areas. Collections were performed in a DENV and CHIKV post-epidemic phase and during a period of active ZIKV transmission. We individually RT-qPCR tested all indoor collected Ae. aegypti males (1,278) followed by Sanger sequencing analysis for final confirmation. A total of 6.7% male mosquitoes were positive for ABV (CHIKV = 5.7%; DENV = 0.9%; ZIKV = 0.1%) and came from 21.0% (30/143) houses infested with males. Most ABV-positive male mosquitoes were positive for CHIKV (84.8%). The distribution of ABV-positive Ae. aegypti males was aggregated in a few households, with two houses having 11 ABV-positive males each. We found a positive association between ABV-positive males and females per house. These findings suggested the occurrence of vertical arbovirus transmission within the mosquito populations in an ABV-endemic area and, a mechanism contributing to viral maintenance and virus re-emergence among humans in post-epidemic periods.
Conscientious Objection in Health Care: Why the Professional Duty Argument is Unconvincing
Authors: Symons Xavier
Published: May 2022

The past decade has seen a burgeoning of scholarly interest in conscientious objection in health care. Specifically, several commentators have discussed the implications that conscientious objection has for the delivery of timely, efficient, and nondiscriminatory medical care. In this paper, I discuss the main argument put forward by the most prominent critics of conscientious objection—what I call the Professional Duty Argument or PDA. According to proponents of PDA, doctors should place patients’ well-being and rights at the center of their professional practice. Doctors should be prepared to set their personal moral or religious beliefs aside where these beliefs conflict with what is legal and considered good medical practice by relevant professional associations. Conscientious objection, on this account, should be heavily restricted, if even allowed at all. I discuss two powerful objections against PDA. The first objection, which I call the fallibility objection, notes that law and professional codes of conduct are fallible guides for ethical conduct and that conscientious objection has in the past and continues today to provide a check on aberrations in law and professional convention. The second, which I call the professional discretion objection, states that restrictions on conscientious objection undermine one of the cornerstones of good medical practice, namely, a practitioner’s right to independent professional judgment. I argue that these two objections give us reason to retain conscience clauses in professional codes of conduct.