bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Federated Multitask Learning with Manifold Regularization for Face Spoof Attack Detection

∗
Authors: Chen Yingyue , Chen Liang , Hong Chaoqun , Wang Xiaodong
Published: June 2022

Face recognition has been widely used in personal authentication, especially on edge computing devices. However, face recognition systems suffer from face spoof attack. In this paper, a novel method for face spoof attack detection in edge computing scenarios is proposed. It is based on federated learning and improves traditional federated learning with multitask learning and manifold regularization, which is known as federated learning for face spoof attack detection (FedFSAD). In this way, local model learning is completed on edge devices and global model learning only depends on the trained local models without using the original image data. Besides, the performance is improved by imposing hypergraph manifold regularization in the global training of multitask learning. The results of comprehensive experiments show that the detection performance is improved by about 10% and robust against stragglers and network delays, which indicates the effectiveness of FedFSAD.
Rethinking U-Net from an Attention Perspective with Transformers for Osteosarcoma MRI Image Segmentation
Authors: Ouyang Tianxiang , Yang Shun , Gou Fangfang , Dai Zhehao , Wu Jia
Published: June 2022

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignancies of bone in the pediatric and adolescent populations. The morphology and size of osteosarcoma MRI images often show great variability and randomness with different patients. In developing countries, with large populations and lack of medical resources, it is difficult to effectively address the difficulties of early diagnosis of osteosarcoma with limited physician manpower alone. In addition, with the proposal of precision medicine, existing MRI image segmentation models for osteosarcoma face the challenges of insufficient segmentation accuracy and high resource consumption. Inspired by transformer’s self-attention mechanism, this paper proposes a lightweight osteosarcoma image segmentation architecture, UATransNet, by adding a multilevel guided self-aware attention module (MGAM) to the encoder-decoder architecture of U-Net. We successively perform dataset classification optimization and remove MRI image irrelevant background. Then, UATransNet is designed with transformer self-attention component (TSAC) and global context aggregation component (GCAC) at the bottom of the encoder-decoder architecture to perform integration of local features and global dependencies and aggregation of contexts to learned features. In addition, we apply dense residual learning to the convolution module and combined with multiscale jump connections, to improve the feature extraction capability. In this paper, we experimentally evaluate more than 80,000 osteosarcoma MRI images and show that our UATransNet yields more accurate segmentation performance. The IOU and DSC values of osteosarcoma are 0.922 ± 0.03 and 0.921 ± 0.04, respectively, and provide intuitive and accurate efficient decision information support for physicians.
On Hardy–Knopp Type Inequalities with Kernels via Time Scale Calculus
Authors: Rezk H. M. , Saied A. I. , AlNemer Ghada , Zakarya M.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we study the inequalities of Hardy–Knopp type with kernel functions which have two nonnegative different weighted functions in two different spaces, in a general domain called a time scale calculus. A time scale calculus is considered as a unification of the continuous calculus and the discrete calculus. We will prove these inequalities in a time scale calculus to avoid proving them twice once in the continuous case and the second in the discrete case. Also, as special cases of the time scale calculus, we can prove some new inequalities in new different domains. Our results will be proved by using the definition of a general Hardy operator on time scale. These inequalities (when ) are essentially new.
M6A-Related Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals a New Prognostic Risk Signature in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Yu Qingxiong , Zhu Hainan , Wang Huijing , Aimaier Rehanguli , Chung Manhon , Wang Zhichao , Li Qingfeng
Published: June 2022

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is the most deadly skin cancer worldwide. Despite advances in the treatments of CMM, its incidence and mortality rates are still increasing. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common form of RNA modification and has attracted increasing interest in cancer initiation and progression. However, the role of m6A regulators in CMM and their correlation with prognosis remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that by applying consensus clustering, all CMM patient cases can be divided into two clusters based on overall expression levels of 25 m6A genes. We systematically analyzed the prognostic value of the 25 m6A RNA methylation regulators in CMM and found that ELAVL1, ABCF1, and IGF2BP1 yield the highest scores for predicting the prognosis of CMM. Accordingly, we derived a risk signature consisting of three selected m6A genes as an independent prognostic marker for CMM and validated our findings with data derived from a different CMM cohort. Next, we determined that CNVs in m6A genes had a significant negative impact on patient survival. The mRNA expression levels of m6A genes were correlated with CNV mutation. Moreover, in the selected three risk signature m6A regulators, GSEA analysis showed that they were closely correlated with inflammation and immune pathways. TME analysis proved that m6A gene expressions were negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration. In conclusion, m6A regulators are vital participants in CMM pathology; and ELAVL1, ABCF1, and IGF2BP1 mRNA levels are valuable factors for prognosis prediction and treatment strategy development.
An Empirical Analysis of Mental Health and Social Support in the Elderly of Different Age Groups: A Survey and Analysis of Data from China
Authors: Qiang Huiyuan , Liu Lin
Published: June 2022

To explore the effects of social support on the mental health of older adults in different age groups in China, and to provide reference for the development of social support policies to promote the mental health of older adults in China. This paper uses a random sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey of 3,000 older adults aged 60 years or older in Nanjing and a dichotomous logistic regression model for empirical analysis. The two dimensions of mental health and social adjustment were used to measure the mental health status of the elderly. The results showed that the overall mental health status of the elderly in Nanjing city was more optimistic, and the nonempty nesters with male gender, higher education level, and partners were generally healthier; objective and subjective support had significant positive effects on the mental health of middle and high aged elderly, while the utilization of support had more significant effects on the health of low-aged elderly. This paper proposes that government departments should develop a localized elderly support system and social support policies adapted to the actual situation in Nanjing according to the quantitative distribution and demand characteristics of the mental health of elderly people in different age groups. The study is structured as follows: the second part contains data sources and statistical methods. The third part is the analysis of empirical results. The fourth part is the discussion and conclusion part of the article.
On
q
-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Subgroups
Authors: Razzaque Asima , Razaq Abdul
Published: June 2022

The

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy environment is an innovative tool to handle uncertain situations in various decision-making problems. In this work, we characterize the idea of a

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy subgroup and examine various algebraic attributes of this newly defined notion. We also present

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy coset and

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy normal subgroup along with relevant fundamental theorems. Moreover, we introduce the concept of

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy level subgroup and proved related results. At the end, we explore the consequence of group homomorphism on the

q

-rung orthopair fuzzy subgroup.
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Activity (GGT) Is a Long-Sought Biomarker of Redox Status in Blood Circulation: A Retrospective Clinical Study of 44 Types of Human Diseases
Authors: Bai Cui , Zhang Meng , Zhang Yiran , He Yixiong , Dou Huaiqian , Wang Ziyue , Wang Zhiliang , Li Zipu , Zhang Lijuan
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim. Redox equilibria are critical for life, but the biomarkers of redox status are currently unavailable. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is an essential factor for modulating redox equilibrium through glutathione. In clinical practice, increased circulating GGT activity is used as a hepatobiliary disease biomarker. However, increased circulating GGT activities have also been observed in cancers, heart disease, diabetes, hyperuricemia, inflammation, renal insufficiency, and other diseases, explained by its role in maintaining redox equilibrium inside and outside cells. Previous studies on GGT were mainly limited to one type of disease at one time. In the current study, we systematically compared the GGT levels in 44 different human diseases to test if it could serve as a redox status biomarker in blood circulation. Methods. The clinical GGT data from 168,858 patients with 44 diseases and 132,357 healthy control in the clinical laboratory of our hospital over the past five years were retrieved. All data were analyzed with SPSS, RStudio V.1.3.1073, and python libraries 3.8. Results. Thirty-eight out of 44 diseases had significantly increased (

p
<
0.001

) circulating GGT activities, whereas gastric cancer, anemia, renal cyst, cervical cancer, preeclampsia, and knee-joint degenerative diseases had significantly decreased (

p
<
0.001

) GGT activities compared to the healthy control. ROC analyses showed that GGT was an excellent biomarker for liver cancer (

AUC
=
0.86

), pancreatitis (

AUC
=
0.84

), or hepatic encephalopathy (

AUC
=
0.80

). All pancreas-related diseases had more than 8-fold increases in GGT activity span than the healthy control, while pancreatic cancer had a 12-fold increase (1021 U/L vs. 82 U/L). The knee-joint degenerative disease had the lowest median and narrowest GGT activity range (63 U/L). Furthermore, most diseases’ lowest to highest GGT activities were beyond the healthy control in both directions. Conclusions. Thirty-eight out of 44 diseases were in overall oxidative states defined by the increased GGT median values. In contrast, knee-joint degenerative disease, gastric cancer, anemia, renal cyst, cervical cancer, and preeclampsia were in overall antioxidative states. Moreover, most diseases swing between oxidative and antioxidative states, evidenced by the increased lowest to highest GGT activity ranges than the healthy control. Liver- and pancreas-related abnormalities were responsible for significantly increased GGT activities. Our overall results suggested that circulating GGT was a redox status biomarker.
On the Minimum General Sum‐Connectivity of Trees of Fixed Order and Pendent Vertices
Authors: Albalahi Abeer M. , Ali Akbar
Published: June 2022

For a graph G, its general sum‐connectivity is usually denoted by χα(G) and is defined as the sum of the numbers over all edges uv of G, where dG(u), dG(v) represent degrees of the vertices u, v, respectively, and α is a real number. This paper addresses the problem of finding graphs possessing the minimum χα value over the class of all trees with a fixed order n and fixed number of pendent vertices n1 for α > 1. This problem is solved here for the case when 4 ≤ n1 ≤ (n + 5)/3 and α > 1, by deriving a lower bound on χα for trees in terms of their orders and number of pendent vertices.
Treadmill Training Reduces Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis through Activation of SLC7A11/GPX4
Authors: Liu Tongye , Cui Yiteng , Dong Shanshan , Kong Xiangyi , Xu Xiangyu , Wang Yuyang , Wan Qi , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2022

The mechanism by which exercise training attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, especially in the regulation of iron level in neuronal damage, has not been systematically studied. Here, we showed that treadmill training inhibited ferroptosis after I/R injury in rats. Modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) test showed that the motor function, reflex, and balance abilities in the I/R injury rats after treadmill intervention were significantly improved. Treadmill training decreased the level of lipid peroxides in the cerebral cortex of ischemic rats. We found that the protein levels of ferroptosis-related proteins including nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), cystine/glutamate reverse transporter (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) were decreased in rats after cerebral I/R injury, while treadmill training prevented the reduction of these proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrated that erastin- (a ferroptosis activator-) induced downregulation of SLC7A11 reversed the neuroprotective effect of treadmill training. This study provides the first evidence suggesting that treadmill training suppresses ferroptosis by activating the SLC7A11/GPx4 pathway, thereby protecting against cerebral I/R injury.
Effect of Green Tea on the Level of Salivary Interleukin-1 Beta in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rezvani Gita , Taleghani Ferial , Valizadeh Maryam
Published: June 2022

Aim. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is one of the major biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in salivary IL-1β concentration in patients with chronic periodontitis following daily consumption of green tea. Methods and Materials. Thirty patients with an average age of 45.8 years suffering from chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned into 2 groups (i.e., experimental and control groups). Besides receiving phase 1 periodontal treatment (scaling and root planning (SRP)), the experimental group drank green tea for a period of 6 weeks. To measure the concentration of salivary IL-1β, saliva samples were taken from both groups at 2 time points, i.e., prior to SRP (time point 1 (T0)) and after 6 weeks (time point 2 (T1)). The nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used to examine and compare the changes in the concentration of salivary IL-1β in each group relevant to the 2 time points (T0 and T1). Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results. At the end of the study period, a significant reduction (

P
=
0.0001

) in the concentration of salivary IL-1β was observed in the experimental group (A). As for the control group (B), however, there was no significant change (

P
=
0.307

) in the concentration of salivary IL-1β after 6 weeks following phase 1 periodontal treatment. Conclusion. Green tea supplementation, in addition to SRP, may reduce salivary IL-1β levels in patients with chronic periodontitis for a period of 6 weeks.
Stanley Depth of the Edge Ideal of Extended Gear Networks and Application in Circuit Analysis
Authors: Zeng Guiling , Munir Muhammad Mobeen , Farooki Raheel , Athar Muhammad , Liu Jia Bao
Published: June 2022

Graph theory is widely used in power network analysis, complex network, and engineering calculation. Stanley depth is a geometric invariant of the module which is closely related to an algebraic invariant called depth of the module. At first, we propose a generalization of classical gear graph and extended m−level gear graph and then establish general closed formulas for the sharp bounds of Stanley depth of quotient of edge ideals associated to extended m‐level gear graph. We establish general closed formulas for the sharp bounds of Stanley depth of quotient of edge ideals associated to extended gear graph. We recover these bounds for Stanley depth of the quotient of edge ideals associated to classical gear graphs.
Research on Image Segmentation Algorithm Based on Multimodal Hierarchical Attention Mechanism and Genetic Neural Network
Authors: Wang Dalei , Ma Lan
Published: June 2022

Multimodal tasks based on attention mechanism and language face numerous problems. Based on multimodal hierarchical attention mechanism and genetic neural network, this paper studies the application of image segmentation algorithm in data completion and 3D scene reconstruction. The algorithm refers to the process of concentrating attention that humans subjectively pay attention to and calculates the difference between each pixel in the genetic neural network test image in the color space and the average value of the target image, which solves the problem of static feature maps and dynamic feature maps of image sequences. In addition, in view of the problem that the number of attention enhancement feature extraction modules is too large and the parameters are too large, the recursive mechanism is used as the feature extraction branch, and new model parameters are not added when the network depth is increased. The simulation results show that the accuracy of the improved image saliency detection algorithm based on the attention mechanism reaches 89.7%, and the difference between the average value of the single-point pixel and the target image is reduced to 0.132, which further promotes the practicability and reliability of the image segmentation model.
Relações raciais entre homossexuais no Brasil colonial
Authors: Mott Luiz
Published: June 2022

A partir de pesquisa documental referente a processos inquisitoriais em Pernambuco e na Bahia, o artigo atesta a antigüidade das práticas homossexuais no país, apesar da repressão sofrida em tempos coloniais, quando eram consideradas "pecado nefando" e crime de "lesa-majestade". Examina a cor da pele e a condição social dos parceiros cujos envolvimentos foram devassados pela Inquisição, concluindo pela abrangência das práticas homossexuais e de poder.
Associations of Genome-Wide Polygenic Risk Score and Risk Factors With Hypertension in a Japanese Population
Authors: Fujii Ryosuke , Hishida Asahi , Nakatochi Masahiro , Tsuboi Yoshiki , Suzuki Koji , Kondo Takaaki , Ikezaki Hiroaki , Hara Megumi , Okada Rieko , Tamura Takashi , Shimoshikiryo Ippei , Suzuki Sadao , Koyama Teruhide , Kuriki Kiyonori , Takashima Naoyuki , Arisawa Kokichi , Momozawa Yukihide , Kubo Michiaki , Takeuchi Kenji , Wakai Kenji , Matsuo Keitaro , Tanaka Keitaro , Miura Katsuyuki , Kita Yoshikuni , Takezaki Toshiro , Nagase Hiroki , Mikami Haruo , Uehara Ritei , Narimatsu Hiroto
Published: June 2022

Background:

Although many polygenic risk scores (PRS) for cardiovascular traits have been developed in European populations, it is an urgent task to construct a PRS and to evaluate its ability in non-European populations. We developed a genome-wide PRS for blood pressure in a Japanese population and examined the associations between this PRS and hypertension prevalence.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study in 11 252 Japanese individuals who participated in the J-MICC (Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort) study. Using publicly available GWAS summary statistics from Biobank Japan, we developed the PRS in the target data (n=7876). With >30 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we evaluated PRS performance in the test data (n=3376). Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or more, or diastolic blood pressure of 85 mm Hg or more, or taking an antihypertensive drug.

Results:

Compared with the middle PRS quintile, the prevalence of hypertension at the top PRS quintile was higher independently from traditional risk factors (odds ratio, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.32–2.27]). The difference of mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure between the middle and the top PRS quintile was 4.55 (95% CI, 2.26–6.85) and 2.32 (95% CI, 0.86–3.78) mm Hg, respectively. Subgroups reflecting combinations of Japanese PRS and modifiable lifestyles and factors (smoking, alcohol intake, sedentary time, and obesity) were associated with the prevalence of hypertension. A European-derived PRS was not associated with hypertension in our participants.

Conclusions:

A PRS for blood pressure was significantly associated with hypertension and BP traits in a general Japanese population. Our findings also highlighted the importance of a combination of PRS and risk factors for identifying high-risk subgroups.
Impact of the Obesity Paradox Between Sexes on In‐Hospital Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kwon Woochan , Lee Seung Hun , Yang Jeong Hoon , Choi Ki Hong , Park Taek Kyu , Lee Joo Myung , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo‐Yong , Choi Seung‐Hyuk , Ahn Chul‐Min , Ko Young‐Guk , Yu Cheol Woong , Jang Woo Jin , Kim Hyun‐Joong , Kwon Sung Uk , Jeong Jin‐Ok , Park Sang‐Don , Cho Sungsoo , Bae Jang‐Whan , Gwon Hyeon‐Cheol
Published: June 2022

Background

Several studies have shown that obesity is associated with better outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Although this phenomenon, the “obesity paradox,” reportedly manifests differently based on sex in other disease entities, it has not yet been investigated in patients with CS.

Methods and Results

A total of 1227 patients with CS from the RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Korean Patients With Cardiogenic Shock) registry in Korea were analyzed. The study population was classified into obese and nonobese groups according to Asian Pacific criteria (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m
2
for obese). The clinical impact of obesity on in‐hospital mortality according to sex was analyzed using logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline curves. The in‐hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in obese men than nonobese men (34.2% versus 24.1%, respectively;
P
=0.004), while the difference was not significant in women (37.3% versus 35.8%, respectively;
P
=0.884). As a continuous variable, higher BMI showed a protective effect in men; conversely, BMI was not associated with clinical outcomes in women. Compared with patients with normal weight, obesity was associated with a decreased risk of in‐hospital death in men (multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.63; CI, 0.43–0.92 [
P
=0.016]), but not in women (multivariable‐adjusted OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.55–1.61 [
P
=0.828]). The interaction
P
value for the association between BMI and sex was 0.023.

Conclusions

The obesity paradox exists and apparently occurs in men among patients with CS. The differential effect of BMI on in‐hospital mortality was observed according to sex.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02985008.
Use of Lipid-Lowering Drugs After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Shoamanesh Ashkan , Selim Magdy
Published: June 2022

Hyperlipidemia is common in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with ICH are at risk for future hemorrhage recurrence, cardiovascular disease, and ischemic stroke and highlights the importance of secondary prevention of vascular events after ICH. Although the benefits of intensive treatment of hyperlipidemia for reducing ischemic cardiac and vascular events in patients with ischemic stroke are well established, the benefit versus harm in patients with ICH are less clear. Epidemiological studies suggest that hyperlipidemia is protective against ICH and that intensive lowering of lipids is associated with increased risk for ICH. Similarly, although currently available lipid-lowering treatments have been thoroughly studied in patients with ischemic cardiac and vascular disease, only few randomized trials of these therapies included a very small number of patients with history of ICH. Thus, limiting any definitive conclusions regarding the safety and net benefit of these treatments in ICH populations. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal strategy for management of hyperlipidemia after ICH. In this article, we review relevant literature to outline the competing risks and benefits of lipid-lowering treatments in this vulnerable patient population. We suggest a treatment paradigm based on available data but note that data from dedicated randomized trials are needed to build the necessary evidence to guide optimal lipid-lowering strategy in patients with a history of ICH.
Total Psoas Area is a Measure for Deconditioning in Colorectal Surgery Patients
Authors: Chang Yu-Wei Wayne , Levy Brittany , Yackzan Daniel , Thomas Sarah , Davenport Daniel L. , Beck Sandra , Bhakta Avinash
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Physical fitness is an important prognostic indicator for surgical outcomes. An objective measure of deconditioning is needed to determine patient fitness. This study aims to describe a methodology to standardize psoas measurements and correlate them with postoperative outcomes.

Methods

After obtaining IRB approval, the ACS-NSQIP database was queried for patients over 18 years, undergoing colectomies for non-trauma indications from 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2018. Upon CT imaging, the psoas muscle was identified at the lumbosacral joint. Imaging software calculated the total cross-sectional area of the left and right psoas muscle and was normalized by dividing by height squared to achieve our Total Psoas Index (TPI) in cm2/m2.

Results

1173 patients met study criteria; all had TPI calculated. A TPI equal to or below the gender-specific 25th percentile defined sarcopenia. In total, 151 females (24.6%) and 137 males (24.5%) were classified as sarcopenic. TPI was significantly associated with multiple NSQIP 30-day outcomes and mortality in our study population.

Conclusions

Measuring TPI at the lumbosacral joint is an appropriate method for determining sarcopenia.
Implementation of a Novel Tool to Collect Milk Feeding Data on Infants in Primary Care Clinics
Authors: Maradiaga Panayotti Gabriela M. , Miner Dean S. , Hannon Emily A. , Kay Melissa C. , Shaikh Sophie K. , Jooste Karen R. , Erickson Elizabeth , Kovarik Teresa , Wood Charles T.
Published: June 2022

We aimed to capture milk feeding type in real time in a racially and socioeconomically diverse population. An electronic tool to assess milk feeding type at every medical visit for children aged 0 to 2 years was designed and incorporated into nursing workflows. The Milk Box tool was successfully added to the electronic clinical workspace of a large health system. There were eight clinics, with diverse characteristics, which incorporated the use of the Milk Box tool over 12 months. Time to 50% uptake of Milk Box varied from 3 to 5 months. Time to >80% uptake varied from 6 to 8 months. Our results show that Milk Box can be quickly incorporated into a clinical workflow when the team is given appropriate training and support. The tool also allows a primary care practice to study local breast milk consumption trends and to provide both individualized and system-level lactation support.
Wargame of Drones: Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Crisis Escalation
Authors: Lin-Greenberg Erik
Published: June 2022

How do drones affect escalation dynamics? The emerging consensus from scholarship on drones highlights increased conflict initiation when drones allow decisionmakers to avoid the risks of deploying inhabited platforms, but far less attention has been paid to understanding how drones affect conflict escalation. Limited theorization and empirical testing have left debates unresolved. I unpack the underlying mechanisms influencing escalation decisions involving drones by proposing a logic of remote-controlled restraint: drones limit escalation in ways not possible when inhabited assets are used. To test this logic and explore its instrumental and emotional microfoundations, I field "comparative wargames." I immerse national security professionals in crisis scenarios that vary whether a drone or inhabited aircraft is shot down. I validate wargame findings using a survey experiment. The wargames shed light on the microfoundations of escalation, highlight limits of existing theories, and demonstrate the utility of comparative wargaming as an IR research tool.
Compounding Effects of Domain-General Cognitive Weaknesses and Word Reading Difficulties on Anxiety Symptoms in Youth
Authors: Anderson Nina J. , Rozenman Michelle , Pennington Bruce F. , Willcutt Erik G. , McGrath Lauren M.
Published: June 2022

This study examined whether domain-general cognitive weaknesses in processing speed (PS) or executive functioning (EF) moderate the relation between word reading scores and anxiety such that lower word reading scores in combination with lower cognitive scores are associated with higher anxiety symptoms. The sample consisted of 755 youth ages 8–16 who were recruited as part of the Colorado Learning Disabilities Research Center twins study. Lower scores on PS ( R2 = .007, p = .014), EF ( R2 = .009, p = .006), and word reading ( R2 = .006–.008, p = .010–.032) were associated with higher anxiety scores. In addition, the word reading × cognitive interactions were significant such that lower scores on PS ( R2 = .010, p = .005) or EF ( R2 = .013, p = .010) combined with lower word reading were associated with higher-than-expected anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that weaknesses in PS, EF, and word reading are modestly associated with higher anxiety symptoms, and these anxiety symptoms may be compounded in youth with both PS or EF weaknesses and word reading difficulties. These findings can guide assessment approaches for identifying youth with word reading challenges who may be at increased risk for anxiety.
Experimental Study: Children’s Perceptions Expressed Through Drawings and Coloring
Authors: Trifunović Aleksandar , Pešić Dalibor , Čičević Svetlana
Published: June 2022

A large body of literature has addressed processes underlying human perception, with some assertions that children do not perceive space or colors in the same way as adults. Since children express themselves easily and acquire knowledge through graphic symbols, when determining psycho-motor maturity and perceptions of a preschool aged children, observers must evaluate their use of non-verbal graphics. Thus, we used young children’s drawings to examine their use of color and spatial perception, as well as to identify differences between children in rural and urban communities. Of 94 participants from rural and urban communities, 46 were kindergarten aged (5.5–6.5 years), and 48 were preschool aged (4.5–5.5 years). Comparing children from urban and rural areas, there were significant differences in their perception of different colors and spatial relations. Motor abilities were significantly different between children of different ages and gender. We argue that the applied assessment methods, such as children’s drawings, could be a basis for measuring effective learning and practicing of children’s abilities as expressed in the classroom, and that tools may be useful for creating individualized educational plans and programs for developing children’s skills through play.
Partnership Between a Federal Agency and 4 Tribal Nations to Improve COVID-19 Response Capacities
Authors: Kaur Harpriya , Welch Seh , Bhairavabhotla Ravikiran , Weidle Paul J. , Santibanez Scott , Haberling Dana L. , Smith Eva M. , Ferris-George Wendy , Hayashi Konrad , Hostler Allie , Ao Trong , Dieke Ada , Boyer Devon , King Eric , Teton Randy’L , Williams-Singleton Nickie , Flying Eva M. , Hladik Wolfgang , Marshall Khiya J. , Pourier Delores , Ruiz Zuleyma , Yatabe Graydon , Abe Karon , Parise Monica , Anderson Mark , Evans Mary E. , Hunt Holly , Balajee S. Arunmozhi
Published: June 2022

Upon request from tribal nations, and as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) emergency response, CDC staff provided both remote and on-site assistance to tribes to plan, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. From April 2, 2020, through June 11, 2021, CDC deployed a total of 275 staff to assist 29 tribal nations. CDC staff typically collaborated in multiple work areas including epidemiology and surveillance (86%), contact tracing (76%), infection prevention control (72%), community mitigation (72%), health communication (66%), incident command structure (55%), emergency preparedness (38%), and worker safety (31%). We describe the activities of CDC staff in collaboration with 4 tribal nations, Northern Cheyenne, Hoopa Valley, Shoshone-Bannock, and Oglala Sioux Tribe, to combat COVID-19 and lessons learned from the engagement.
Polytetrafluoroethylene fiber fabrication from the continuous melt-spinning process and its properties
Authors: Lim Taehwan , Kim Dokun , Lee Uie Hyeon , Nam In-Woo , Kwak Young-Je , Yeang Byeong Jin
Published: June 2022

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has high thermal stability and chemical resistance, and hence is gaining great attention in the industrial field of high-performance filters, membranes, and medical applications. However, since PTFE possesses a narrow gap between melting (330°C) and decomposition temperatures (350°C), the melt-spinning process that is required to satisfy industrial needs for mass production has been limited. Here, perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) (PPVE) was introduced to decrease the melting point of PTFE then fiber fabrication was performed with the melt-spinning process using a single-screw extruder, enabling the PTFE fiber to fabricate continuously. We selected an optimal melt-spinning condition and obtained PTFE fiber from the melt-processable PTFE/PPVE copolymer. The as-spun PTFE fiber showed low mechanical strength (0.90 g/denier or 89.1 MPa of tenacity). A post-thermal drawing process was performed to increase the mechanical strength of the PTFE as-spun. It demonstrated that the thermally drawn PTFE fiber showed higher mechanical strength (1.84 g/denier or 220.0 MPa of tenacity) due to the increased degree of crystallinity. Also, the other trial, thermal stabilization under N2, suggested as a future modification method to increase mechanical strength further, preventing thermal constriction of the PTFE fiber. The melt-spun and thermally drawn PTFE fibers were knitted and it was confirmed that the fiber has high chemical resistance and similar surface chemistry to conventional PTFE fibers. This study developed a method to enable a melt-processable PTFE fiber fabrication and opens up opportunities for mass production that is crucial in the industrial aspect.
A Blemished Offering: Economy, Eucharist, and the Limits of Epiphanic Conversion
Authors: Alonso Antonio Eduardo
Published: June 2022

This article critiques Enrique Dussel’s use of the conversion of Bartolomé de Las Casas to ground his argument for a clear correspondence between Christian economic and eucharistic participation. Portraying justice as the result of an epiphanic conversion, Dussel implies a sudden and enduring ethical purity that undermines the justice he wants to call forth. I argue that a closer reading of the life of Las Casas offers a more truthful way to account for eucharistic practice under the pervasive structures of late capitalism.
The Chimera of a “Deinstitutionalized Church”: Social Structure Analysis as a Path to Institutional Church Reform
Authors: Gaillardetz Richard R.
Published: June 2022

Anger over long-standing systemic dysfunction in the Roman Catholic Church has led to a disenchantment with the church’s institutional reality. However, for those committed to church reform, a more productive way forward lies with ecclesiology’s constructive engagement with sociology. This article defends the legitimacy of a critical appropriation of sociology in ecclesiology, then proposes the critical realist school of social analysis as particularly well suited to assisting ecclesiology in the development of a concrete program for institutional reform.
Earlier Start Time for an Undergraduate Introductory Psychology Course is Associated with Worse Academic and Sleep-Related Outcomes
Authors: Wenze Susan J. , Charles Thalia K.
Published: June 2022

Background

Few studies have examined the effects of later class start times in college, even though developmentally driven sleep phase changes persist into the mid-20s.

Objective

We hypothesized that sleepiness would be higher in an 8 a.m. versus 10 a.m. section of Introductory Psychology, and grades, engagement, enjoyment, attendance, assignment completion, ease of waking and staying awake, and student evaluations of teaching (SETs) would be lower.

Method

Eighty-two students enrolled in an 8 a.m. ( n = 39) or 10 a.m. ( n = 43) section of Introductory Psychology reported their GPA and completed the Stanford Sleepiness Scale, Likert-scale items from the College’s SET form, and other questions.

Results

Students in the 8 a.m. section reported lower GPA, class grade, and assignments completed; more sleepiness; and a harder time waking up and staying awake for class. Several findings held when controlling for GPA.

Conclusion

Results extend previous research and suggest the importance of offering later classes in college. Limitations include a small sample size, quasi-experimental design, and use of self-report data. Future researchers should test whether findings replicate with other kinds of classes and in other subjects.

Teaching Implications

To maximize student success and well-being, later courses should be offered at the college level whenever feasible.
Descriptive Analysis of Otolaryngology Program Directors with a Focus on Gender Disparity
Authors: Tucker Jacqueline , Patel Shivam , Benyo Sarah , Wilson Meghan N. , Goyal Neerav , McGinn Johnathan
Published: June 2022

Objective

To describe and analyze the demographics and academic backgrounds of United States otolaryngology program directors (PD) and assess gender disparity in the field.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study in which an online search using publicly available sources was performed to gather information on PDs for 125 United States otolaryngology programs from May 14, 2021, to May 30, 2021. Data collected included PD appointment year, age, gender, resident gender breakdown, degree, as well as training location and graduation year.

Results

There were 69.6% programs with a male PD and 30.4% with a female PD. Ninety percent of PDs have an MD degree and 9.6% have a DO degree. The current average age of PDs was 49.9 years old (range 35–79). Males were older than females PD (51.0 vs 47.1 years, P = 0.045) and have served a longer time as PD (7.1 vs 4.8 years, P = 0.019). There was no significant difference in other variables collected. There were 27.3% of program directors that held the position of professor, 44.5% associate professor, and 28.2% assistant professor. The most common subspecialty practiced by otolaryngology PDs was head and neck oncology.

Conclusion

Disparity in women’s representation in otolaryngology still exists, but the program director leadership position demonstrates better parity. There is an equal percent representation when examining female PDs and female otolaryngologists in academic medicine. Continued efforts to encourage women to enter and become leaders in otolaryngology are necessary moving forward.
An anthropological investigation of cruelty and its contrasts
Authors: Stade Ronald , Rapport Nigel
Published: June 2022

In liberal political philosophy, from Michel de Montaigne to Judith Shklar, cruelty – the wilful inflicting of pain on another in order to cause anguish and fear – has been singled out as ‘the most evil of all evils’ and as unjustifiable: the ultimate vice. An unconditional rejection and negation of cruelty is taken to be programmatic within a liberal paradigm. In this contribution, two anthropologists triangulate cruelty as a concept with torture (Stade) and with love (Rapport). Treating the capability to practise cruelty and the liability to suffer from cruelty as universal aspects of a human condition, Stade and Rapport aim to instantiate the precise enactment of cruelty, firstly, and secondly, to propose a process of its social negation. CIA training manuals and quotidian practice within the British National Health Service are employed as illustrative materials.
A call for psycho-affective change: Fanon, feminism, and white negrophobic femininity
Authors: Yokum Nicole
Published: June 2022

Frantz Fanon’s analysis of white negrophobic women’s masochistic sexuality and sexual fantasies in Black Skin, White Masks, is, as T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting notes, among his most contentious work for feminists. Susan Brownmiller, in her 1975 classic Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape, charges Fanon not only with hating women but also with being personally confused and anguished, on account of this portion of the text. In this essay, I examine Fanon’s approach to theorizing white female negrophobia in light of his sociogenic project and the Freudian psychoanalytic tradition with which he was working; I also take a close look at his potentially most problematic remarks, from a feminist angle. I argue against Brownmiller's interpretation of Fanon as condoning rape or expressing personal attitudes through these lines, maintaining instead that he is ultimately calling for psycho-affective change.
Effect of Commitment on Supportive Dyadic Coping: A Longitudinal Test of Interdependence Theory With German Couples
Authors: Kuppler Matthias , Wagner Michael
Published: June 2022

Unresolved stress reduces the well-being of romantic relationships. Supportive coping helps resolving stress and protects relationship well-being. However, the conditions that promote supportive coping are largely unknown. According to interdependence theory, commitment promotes relationship maintenance behaviors in general. This study investigates whether commitment also promotes supportive coping. Data come from six waves of the German Family Panel, N = 3,057. Fixed-effects models were applied to isolate the effect of commitment on supportive coping from time-constant confounders. Commitment shows a significant positive association with supportive coping. The results provide support for interdependence theory, suggesting that high commitment and feelings of “we-ness” can increase couples’ resilience against the detrimental effects of everyday stress.
Citizenship on probation: Understanding the labour market exclusion of criminalized people in Scotland
Authors: Weaver Beth , Jardine Cara
Published: June 2022

The significance of employment to desistance and social integration is well established, yet 62% of those subject to a Community Payback Order in Scotland are unemployed (Scottish Government, 2022). This paper reports on the findings from a small-scale survey conducted with 29 people subject to community supervision in Scotland, to shed light on the various enablers and barriers they encounter in seeking, starting and sustaining employment, and their experiences of engaging in or with employment support initiatives.
The musician’s personality: Do personality traits vary according to ensemble membership?
Authors: Heydel Zahava L , Smith Randyl D , Grevstad Nels
Published: June 2022

Despite many decades’ worth of investigations into associations between music and personality, the empirical findings are quite scant and scattered. Perhaps, this is because musicians are a diverse group of people, with far-reaching musical interests and wide-ranging personalities. Little research, however, has investigated whether musicians’ choice of musical genre bears a relationship to their personalities. In this study, we explore the limited literature on the relationship between music ensemble membership and personality by investigating personality differences between jazz and classical ensemble musicians on the Big Five personality dimensions. Musicians ( N = 221) were recruited from college music ensembles, an introductory psychology course, a Facebook page, and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI), a validated self-report personality questionnaire, and analyses were conducted to compare the scores of jazz musicians to the scores of classical musicians. Significant differences emerged between jazz and classical musicians’ personalities, with gender playing a mediating role. These results may be beneficial for music educators and directors, as knowledge that specific personality traits predict music ensemble membership may help guide instruction techniques, communication, understanding between musicians of different musical genres, and general cooperation between music educators/directors and their ensembles.
The influence of socioeconomic status, parents, peers, psychological needs, and task values on middle school student motivation for school music ensemble participation
Authors: Holster Jacob D.
Published: June 2022

There are a multitude of influences on adolescents’ decisions to enroll in elective instrumental music ensembles. While some music teachers might rely on external rewards such as end-of-year trips to encourage retention from year to year, middle school students’ sociocultural and psychological characteristics may best account for their intentions to continue in band or orchestra. I examined needs satisfaction variables from Self-Determination Theory and task values from Expectancy Value Theory alongside environmental factors such as parent and peer influence as well as socioeconomic status (SES) as predictors of adolescent instrumental students’ elective intentions ( N = 42). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Parents tended to exert a large amount of influence over the extent to which participants’ needs were satisfied and a small amount of influence over the task values of their children. Concurrently, peers and SES played small but important roles in the development of elective intentions. Moreover, when parents and teachers were supportive of students’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness, instrumental music learning tasks were valued. Task values, in turn, strongly predicted middle school instrumental students’ intentions to persist and enroll in future instrumental music courses.
Beyond Start and End Points: Accessibility of Railway Stations on a Multi-Spatial Scale
Authors: Otsuka Noriko , Welsch Janina , Delmastro Tiziana , Delpiano Roberta , Pensa Stefano
Published: June 2022

This paper presents results and policy implications from RAISE-IT, an EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funded project. It examines the integration of long-distance rail with local and regional transport networks at key urban nodes along the Rhine-Alpine Corridor, one of the nine Trans-European Core Network Corridors (CNCs). It is crucial to foster seamless and suitable passenger transport solutions to achieve emissions goals and support the decarbonization process. Consequently, the whole travel chain needs to be considered and good interconnections with other transport modes are needed. For this reason, RAISE-IT explored multi-spatial scale accessibility. It considered three spatial scales (local, regional, and corridor-wide) and looked into multiple travel distances and needs along the corridor for accessing and minimizing the gap between highly and less accessible railway stations with reference to multi-scale travel patterns. This approach revealed overlapping issues between cross-regional and local decision makers and facilitated opportunities to discuss challenges and areas for improvement. The results formed the basis for guidelines on how to improve the accessibility of urban nodes and the quality of services and connections provided at railway stations. This paper discusses potential transferability aspects and recommendations for policy implications from RAISE-IT for railway stations and urban nodes in other CNCs.