bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainwater Harvesting Tank Sizing: A Case in Urban Catchments in Metro Cebu
Authors: Oraya A F A , Cuba G J G , Varquez L L M , Hermosa J C R
Published: June 2023

Rainwater is an abundant resource in the Philippines and when properly collected and managed, can help address flood problems. Rainwater harvesting has been practiced for years and has been viewed as one of the better options for flood mitigation in urban areas compared to other storm water management practices. It does not require large land area and cost per area is high in these locations. However, there is a challenge in selecting the suitable tank size. This paper investigates if the increase in stormwater runoff brought about by the changes in landuse in urbanized catchments can be represented by a single coefficient similar to what is being presented in the Philippine Green Building Code and in other local ordinances in the country. Simulations through HEC-HMS of three urban catchments in Metro Cebu showed that the increase in volume is highly varying such that the coefficient produced for each catchment was so distinct that no single average coefficient can be drawn. Thus, analysis should be catchment-based to determine the suitable tank size in rainwater harvesting systems as an option for flood mitigation.
Important Factors for Inclusive Pedestrian Ways Development in Pecinan Semarang City
Authors: Wungo G L , Mussadun Mussadun , Novianto A
Published: June 2023

Urban Planning is strongly related to public spaces. Open public spaces are an essential element in sustaining community activity spaces. Social, economic, and other activities regularly happen in this area. Pecinan (Chinatown) is one of the heritage areas in Semarang that still has high community activity. Narrow and crowded street in this area becomes one the issues for pedestrian. The unsafe feeling occurs when people cross the street. The store’s activity on the side of the street also creates a fuzzy condition for pedestrians. The study aims to the sustainability and inclusivity of pedestrian ways in Pecinan. Data Collection is done by observing the actual condition of 1380 samples in the field through interviews and questionnaires for the pedestrian. The method of this study uses quantitative methods and use behavioral mapping for the analysis methods. The result of the study shows that pedestrians tend to rank accessibility as the most important factor, followed by transit points, infrastructure, and parking areas. The result also shows that continuous arcade shade and vegetation coverage as other factors that affect pedestrian comfort in Southeast Asian Country climates condition. The result also reveals that an active frontage of a store creates a more lively atmosphere. The recommendation based on the study is to relocate the street vendors’ activity alongside the narrow road. The relocation also should still be near the area of the Pecinan.
Closed-loop sound source localization in neuromorphic systems
Authors: Schoepe Thorben , Gutierrez-Galan Daniel , Dominguez-Morales Juan P , Greatorex Hugh , Jimenez-Fernandez Angel , Linares-Barranco Alejandro , Chicca Elisabetta
Published: June 2023

Sound source localization (SSL) is used in various applications such as industrial noise-control, speech detection in mobile phones, speech enhancement in hearing aids and many more. Newest video conferencing setups use SSL. The position of a speaker is detected from the difference in the audio waves received by a microphone array. After detection the camera focuses onto the location of the speaker. The human brain is also able to detect the location of a speaker from auditory signals. It uses, among other cues, the difference in amplitude and arrival time of the sound wave at the two ears, called interaural level and time difference. However, the substrate and computational primitives of our brain are different from classical digital computing. Due to its low power consumption of around 20 W and its performance in real time the human brain has become a great source of inspiration for emerging technologies. One of these technologies is neuromorphic hardware which implements the fundamental principles of brain computing identified until today using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technologies and new devices. In this work we propose the first neuromorphic closed-loop robotic system that uses the interaural time difference for SSL in real time. Our system can successfully locate sound sources such as human speech. In a closed-loop experiment, the robotic platform turned immediately into the direction of the sound source with a turning velocity linearly proportional to the angle difference between sound source and binaural microphones. After this initial turn, the robotic platform remains at the direction of the sound source. Even though the system only uses very few resources of the available hardware, consumes around 1 W, and was only tuned by hand, meaning it does not contain any learning at all, it already reaches performances comparable to other neuromorphic approaches. The SSL system presented in this article brings us one step closer towards neuromorphic event-based systems for robotics and embodied computing.
Depression Symptoms and Physical Activity in Veterans With COPD: Insights From a Web-Based, Pedometer-Mediated Physical Activity Intervention
Authors: Bamonti Patricia M , Perndorfer Christine , Robinson Stephanie A , Mongiardo Maria A , Wan Emily S , Moy Marilyn L
Published: June 2023

Background

Depression is known to limit physical activity (PA) among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, whether and how depression influences the effectiveness of PA interventions is unknown.

Purpose

The study examined the association between baseline depression symptoms and change in daily step count and whether group assignment to a web-based, pedometer-mediated PA intervention moderated the association between baseline depression symptoms and change in daily step count.

Methods

Secondary analysis included two cohorts of U.S. Veterans with COPD (n = 212; 97% male; mean age 69 ± 8 years) assessed at baseline and 3 months. Cohorts 1 and 2 were randomly assigned to the same PA intervention (n = 111) or a control group (n = 101). Multivariate regressions tested the main effects of baseline depression symptoms (BDI-II total and cognitive-affective and somatic subscales) on change in daily steps, as well as the interaction between baseline BDI-II and subscales and group assignment on change in daily steps.

Results

Greater BDI-II total score (B = −31.8, SE = 14.48, p = .030) and somatic subscale scores (B = −99.82, SE = 35.76, p = .006) were associated with less improvement in daily step count. There was a significant interaction between baseline cognitive-affective subscale and the intervention predicting change in daily step count (B = −88.56, SE = 42.31, p = .038). When cognitive-affective subscale scores were ≥1 SD above the mean, the intervention was no longer associated with an increase in daily step count (p = .585).

Conclusions

Depression should be routinely assessed and targeted as part of PA promotion efforts.
Detection of brain somatic mutations in focal cortical dysplasia during epilepsy presurgical workup
Authors: Checri Rayann , Chipaux Mathilde , Ferrand-Sorbets Sarah , Raffo Emmanuel , Bulteau Christine , Rosenberg Sarah Dominique , Doladilhe Marion , Dorfmüller Georg , Adle-Biassette Homa , Baldassari Sara , Baulac Stéphanie
Published: June 2023

Brain-restricted somatic variants in genes of the mechanistic target of rapamycin signalling pathway cause focal epilepsies associated with focal cortical dysplasia type II. We hypothesized that somatic variants could be identified from trace tissue adherent to explanted stereoelectroencephalography electrodes used in the presurgical epilepsy workup to localize the epileptogenic zone.

We investigated three paediatric patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy subjected to neurosurgery. In the resected brain tissue, we identified low-level mosaic somatic mutations in AKT3 and DEPDC5 genes. We collected stereoelectroencephalography depth electrodes in the context of a second presurgical evaluation and identified 4/33 mutation-positive electrodes that were either located in the epileptogenic zone or at the border of the dysplasia.

We provide the proof-of-concept that somatic mutations with low levels of mosaicism can be detected from individual stereoelectroencephalography electrodes and support a link between the mutation load and the epileptic activity. Our findings emphasize future opportunities for integrating genetic testing from stereoelectroencephalography electrodes into the presurgical evaluation of refractory epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia type II to improve the patients’ diagnostic journey and guide towards precision medicine.
Default mode network functional connectivity strength in utero and the association with fetal subcortical development
Authors: Correa Susana , Nichols Emily S , Mueller Megan E , de Vrijer Barbra , Eagleson Roy , McKenzie Charles A , de Ribaupierre Sandrine , Duerden Emma G
Published: June 2023

The default mode network is essential for higher-order cognitive processes and is composed of an extensive network of functional and structural connections. Early in fetal life, the default mode network shows strong connectivity with other functional networks; however, the association with structural development is not well understood. In this study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and anatomical images were acquired in 30 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies. Participants completed 1 or 2 MR imaging sessions, on average 3 weeks apart (43 data sets), between 28- and 39-weeks postconceptional ages. Subcortical volumes were automatically segmented. Activation time courses from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were extracted from the default mode network, medial temporal lobe network, and thalamocortical network. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between functional connectivity strength between default mode network–medial temporal lobe, default mode network–thalamocortical network, and subcortical volumes, respectively. Increased functional connectivity strength in the default mode network–medial temporal lobe network was associated with smaller right hippocampal, left thalamic, and right caudate nucleus volumes, but larger volumes of the left caudate. Increased functional connectivity strength in the default mode network–thalamocortical network was associated with smaller left thalamic volumes. The strong associations seen among the default mode network functional connectivity networks and regionally specific subcortical volume development indicate the emergence of short-range connectivity in the third trimester.
Association of left ventricular strain–volume loop characteristics with adverse events in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kerstens Thijs P , Weerts Jerremy , van Dijk Arie P J , Weijers Gert , Knackstedt Christian , Eijsvogels Thijs M H , Oxborough David , van Empel Vanessa P M , Thijssen Dick H J
Published: June 2023

Aims

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are characterized by impaired diastolic function. Left ventricular (LV) strain–volume loops (SVL) represent the relation between strain and volume during the cardiac cycle and provide insight into systolic and diastolic function characteristics. In this study, we examined the association of SVL parameters and adverse events in HFpEF.

Methods and results

In 235 patients diagnosed with HFpEF, LV-SVL were constructed based on echocardiography images. The endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and Heart Failure (HF)-related hospitalization, which was extracted from electronic medical records. Cox-regression analysis was used to assess the association of SVL parameters and the composite endpoint, while adjusting for age, sex, and NYHA class. HFpEF patients (72.3% female) were 75.8 ± 6.9 years old, had a BMI of 29.9 ± 5.4 kg/m2, and a left ventricular ejection fraction of 60.3 ± 7.0%. Across 2.9 years (1.8–4.1) of follow-up, 73 Patients (31%) experienced an event. Early diastolic slope was significantly associated with adverse events [second quartile vs. first quartile: adjusted hazards ratio (HR) 0.42 (95%CI 0.20–0.88)] after adjusting for age, sex, and NYHA class. The association between LV peak strain and adverse events disappeared upon correction for potential confounders [adjusted HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.96–1.08)].

Conclusion

Early diastolic slope, representing the relationship between changes in LV volume and strain during early diastole, but not other SVL-parameters, was associated with adverse events in patients with HFpEF during 2.9 years of follow-up.
Diagnosis and treatment of a left atrial myxoma originating from an atrial septal defect closure device: a case report
Authors: Mastrangelo Angelo , Olivares Paolo , Giambuzzi Ilaria , Muratori Manuela , Alamanni Francesco , Bartorelli Antonio L
Published: June 2023

Background

Ostium secundum atrial septal defect (osASD) is a common congenital heart disease and transcatheter closure is the preferred treatment. Late device-related complications include thrombosis and infective endocarditis (IE). Cardiac tumours are exceedingly rare. The aetiology of a mass attached to an osASD closure device can be challenging to diagnose.

Case summary

A 74-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was hospitalized for evaluating a left atrial mass discovered incidentally 4 months earlier. The mass was attached to the left disc of an osASD closure device implanted 3 years before. No shrinkage of the mass was observed despite optimal intensity of anticoagulation. We describe the diagnostic workup and management of the mass that at surgery turned out to be a myxoma.

Discussion

A left atrial mass attached to an osASD closure device raises the suspect of device-related complications. Poor endothelialisation may promote device thrombosis or IE. Cardiac tumours (CT) are rare, and myxoma is the most common primary CT in adults. Although no clear relationship exists between the implantation of an osASD closure device and a myxoma, the development of this tumour is a possible occurrence. Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance play a key role in the differential diagnosis between a thrombus and a myxoma, usually identifying distinctive mass features. Nevertheless, sometimes non-invasive imaging may be inconclusive, and surgery is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.
Transseptal snaring technique as a bailout from valvuloplasty balloon entrapment within a self-expanding valve: a case report
Authors: Sugiyama Yoichi , Moriyama Noriaki , Viikilä Juho , Raatikainen Pekka
Published: June 2023

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the dominant treatment strategy for severe aortic stenosis in patients with high and intermediate surgical risk. Although complications are significant cause of increasing mortality after TAVR and bailout techniques have been well established, we still encounter a rare complication without widely accepted bailout option. We present a rare complication of valvuloplasty balloon entrapment to a self-expanding valve strut with successful bailout.

Case summary

A 71-year-old man complaining of dyspnoea underwent valve-in-valve TAVR for failed surgical aortic valve. However, he developed acute decompensated heart failure due to high residual aortic gradient (peak aortic velocity of 4.0 m/s and mean aortic gradient of 37 mmHg) on the 3rd day after TAVR. Computed tomography demonstrated underexpansion of transcatheter heart valve (THV) within the surgical valve. Therefore, urgent balloon valvuloplasty was performed. The balloon entrapment in the THV stent frame happened during the procedure. Percutaneous removal through transseptal approach using snaring technique was successfully performed.

Discussion

Balloon entrapment within a THV is a rare complication and potentially requires urgent surgical removal. To our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing the snaring technique through transseptal approach for balloon entrapment within a THV. Through the current report, we highlight the utility and effectiveness of the transseptal snaring technique with using a steerable transseptal sheath. Moreover, this case shows the importance of the multiprofessional approach to resolve unexpected complications.
A case report: transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a dedicated valve system for severe aortic regurgitation in a patient with a left ventricular assist device
Authors: Goncharov Arseniy , Fox Henrik , Bleiziffer Sabine , Rudolph Tanja K
Published: June 2023

Background

Up to 30% of patients with the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) develop moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR) within the first year. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the treatment of choice in patients with native AR. However, the high perioperative risk in patients with LVAD might prohibit surgery and choice of therapy is challenging.

Case summary

We report on a 55-year-old female patient with a severe AR 15 months after implantation of LVAD due to advanced heart failure (HF) as a consequence of ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Surgical aortic valve replacement was discarded due to high surgical risk. Thus, the decision was made to evaluate a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the TrilogyXTä prothesis (JenaValve Technology, Inc., CA, USA). Echocardiographic and fluoroscopic control showed an optimal valve position with no evidence of valvular or paravalvular regurgitation. The patient was discharged 6 days later in a good general condition. At the 3-month follow-up, the patient showed noteworthy symptomatic improvement with no sign of HF.

Discussion

Aortic regurgitation is a common complication among advanced HF patients treated with LVADSystems and associated with a deterioration in the quality of life and worsen clinical prognosis. The treatment options are limited to percutaneous occluder devices, SAVR, off-label TAVR, and heart transplantation. With the approval of the TrilogyXT JenaValve system, a novel dedicated TF-TAVR option is now available. Our experience demonstrates the technical feasibility and safety of this system in patients with LVAD and AR resulting in effective elimination of AR.
Predicting left ventricular hypertrophy from the 12-lead electrocardiogram in the UK Biobank imaging study using machine learning
Authors: Naderi Hafiz , Ramírez Julia , van Duijvenboden Stefan , Pujadas Esmeralda Ruiz , Aung Nay , Wang Lin , Anwar Ahmed Chahal Choudhary , Lekadir Karim , Petersen Steffen E , Munroe Patricia B
Published: June 2023

Aims

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an established, independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. Indices derived from the electrocardiogram (ECG) have been used to infer the presence of LVH with limited sensitivity. This study aimed to classify LVH defined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging using the 12-lead ECG for cost-effective patient stratification.

Methods and results

We extracted ECG biomarkers with a known physiological association with LVH from the 12-lead ECG of 37 534 participants in the UK Biobank imaging study. Classification models integrating ECG biomarkers and clinical variables were built using logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF). The dataset was split into 80% training and 20% test sets for performance evaluation. Ten-fold cross validation was applied with further validation testing performed by separating data based on UK Biobank imaging centres. QRS amplitude and blood pressure (P < 0.001) were the features most strongly associated with LVH. Classification with logistic regression had an accuracy of 81% [sensitivity 70%, specificity 81%, Area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) 0.86], SVM 81% accuracy (sensitivity 72%, specificity 81%, AUC 0.85) and RF 72% accuracy (sensitivity 74%, specificity 72%, AUC 0.83). ECG biomarkers enhanced model performance of all classifiers, compared to using clinical variables alone. Validation testing by UK Biobank imaging centres demonstrated robustness of our models.

Conclusion

A combination of ECG biomarkers and clinical variables were able to predict LVH defined by CMR. Our findings provide support for the ECG as an inexpensive screening tool to risk stratify patients with LVH as a prelude to advanced imaging.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors vs. sitagliptin in heart failure and type 2 diabetes: an observational cohort study
Authors: Fu Edouard L , Patorno Elisabetta , Everett Brendan M , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Solomon Scott D , Levin Raisa , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Desai Rishi J
Published: June 2023

Aims

The effectiveness of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with heart failure (HF) in routine clinical practice is not extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of SGLT2i vs. sitagliptin in older adults with HF and type 2 diabetes and to investigate whether there were any differences between agents within the SGLT2i class or for reduced and preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and results

Using Medicare claims data (April 2013 to December 2019), 16 253 SGLT2i initiators vs. 43 352 initiators of sitagliptin aged ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes and HF were included. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for HF or urgent visit requiring intravenous diuretics; secondary outcomes included its individual components. Propensity score fine stratification weighted Cox regression was used to adjust for 100 pre-exposure characteristics. Mean age was 74 years; 49.8% were women. Initiation of SGLT2i vs. sitagliptin was associated with a lower risk of the primary composite outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.77]. The adjusted HRs were 0.70 (0.63–0.78) for all-cause mortality, 0.64 (0.58–0.70) for hospitalization for HF, and 0.77 (0.69–0.86) for urgent visit requiring intravenous diuretics. Similar associations with the primary composite outcome were observed for all three agents within the SGLT2i class, for reduced and preserved ejection fraction, and subgroups based on demographics, comorbidities, and other HF treatments. Bias-calibrated HRs for the primary endpoint using negative and positive control outcomes ranged between 0.81 and 0.89, suggesting that the observed benefit could not be fully explained by residual confounding.

Conclusion

In routine US clinical practice, SGLT2i demonstrated robust clinical effectiveness in older adults with HF and type 2 diabetes compared with sitagliptin, with no evidence of heterogeneity across the SGLT2i class or across ejection fraction.
Lifestyle patterns, genetic susceptibility, and risk of valvular heart disease: a prospective cohort study based on the UK Biobank
Authors: Jia Chenglin , Zeng Yu , Huang Xuan , Yang Huazhen , Qu Yuanyuan , Hu Yao , Chen Wenwen , Yang Xiaoyan
Published: June 2023

Aims

Genetic and lifestyle factors are both major contributors to valvular heart disease (VHD). However, it is still uncertain whether genetic susceptibility alters the association between lifestyle and VHD. We aimed to investigate the association between lifestyle and VHD in different genetic risk backgrounds.

Methods and results

A prospective cohort study was carried out on 499 341 participants without VHD at baseline. The assessment of lifestyle included smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, activity, and sleep. Genetic susceptibility was separately measured by polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) between lifestyle and VHD, as well as aortic stenosis (AS). During a median follow-up of 10.8 years, 12 983 incident VHD cases were diagnosed (incidence rate 2.46 per 1000 person-years), including 3527 AS cases (incidence rate 0.66 per 1000 person-years). The risk of VHD and AS decreased with healthier lifestyles (P value for trend <0.001). Compared to individuals with a unhealthy lifestyle, the HRs of VHD in intermediate and healthy lifestyle groups were 0.81 (0.76–0.86) and 0.81 (0.76–0.87). The negative association between healthy lifestyle and VHD events was independent of genetic risk (P for interaction between healthy lifestyle scores and PRSs/family history of CVD was 0.723/0.763). Similar findings were obtained in analyses of AS, and a stronger negative association was found.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that adherence to a healthy lifestyle is significantly associated with a reduced risk of VHD especially AS, irrespective of genetic susceptibility.

Based on a cohort of around 490 000 participants, the study investigated the association between lifestyle and VHD under different stratifications of genetic risk. The study found that a healthy lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of VHD, particularly AS, independent of genetic risk. Our findings suggest that advance interventions for lifestyle may be an effective way to reduce the global burden of VHD.
Remodeling male coercion and the evolution of sexual autonomy by mate choice
Authors: Snow Samuel S , Prum Richard O
Published: June 2023

Models of sexual conflict over mating, including conflict over indirect benefits of mate choice, have generally presumed that female resistance to male coercion must involve direct confrontation, which can lead to sexually antagonistic coevolutionary arms-races. We built a quantitative model examining the largely ignored possibility that females may evolve new, additional mate preferences for new male traits that undermine male capacity to coerce. Thus, females may “remodel” the coercive capacity of the male phenotype in order to enhance their own sexual autonomy—a novel alternative mechanism by which females may avoid arms-races. We demonstrate that evolutionary “remodeling” is possible, in spite of costs to males, because females that prefer males with protective, autonomy-enhancing traits (traits correlated with lower coercion effectiveness) are likelier to gain indirect benefits of having attractive mates. Our analysis reveals new possibilities for the evolution of systems of sexual conflict over indirect benefits, showing that autonomy-enhancing male traits can act as a “public good,” benefiting all females regardless of mating preferences, leading to oscillatory dynamics; and that preferences for more protective male traits will often be favored relative to preferences for less protective traits, potentially leading to an evolutionary “snowball” of expanding sexual autonomy.
Epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and its sequelae: a population-based study in Italian primary care, 2000–2019
Authors: Lapi Francesco , Marconi Ettore , Vetrano Davide L , Rossi Alessandro , Lagolio Erik , Baldo Vincenzo , Cricelli Claudio
Published: June 2023

Background

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe infectious disease. Although effective preventive and therapeutical strategies are available, the fatality rate remains high in the general population, with an occurrence of meningococcal-related severe sequelae involving 10–20% of survivors. Given the crucial role of general practitioners in recognizing and preventing IMD and its related sequelae, we aim to assess the burden of these conditions in primary care.

Methods

Using an Italian primary care database, the incidence rate of IMD was calculated in the period 2000–2019 by capturing the first diagnosis registered during follow-up. As far as meningococcal-related sequelae are concerned, we identified and clinically evaluated each potential sequela during the first 3 months, from 3 to 12 months, and up to 36 months.

Results

Among 508 patients diagnosed with IMD, 403 (incidence rate: 0.24 per 10,000 person-years) comprised those diagnosed with IMD in patients aged 15 years or older. We ascertained 104 sequelae (20.4%); 76% of them occurred in those aged 25 or older; 42, 27, and 35 were assessed as short-, medium-, or long-term sequelae, respectively. Overall, 4.7% of IMD patients reported physical sequelae, while 12.2% and 5.7% of patients reported neurological and psychological sequelae, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study showed that a substantial proportion of IMD and related sequelae occur in individuals aged over 25, with a non-negligible burden for healthcare systems. As for the paediatric population, effective communication on the relevance of meningococcal vaccination in adults should be proficiently fostered.
Proportionality, Stringency and Utility in the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Letwin Jeremy
Published: June 2023

I argue that a form of indirect utilitarianism can provide a sufficiently plausible justification for three crucial elements of the ECtHR’s doctrine of proportionality to be taken seriously as an account of this doctrine. I show how indirect utilitarianism can account for the relation between moral rights and Convention rights, the resistance to trade-offs that is a particular property of Convention rights and the nature of the public interest against which rights must be balanced. I argue that the indirect utilitarian account provides a coherent interpretation of the Court’s jurisprudence concerning: (i) aims that express moralistic external preferences and their legitimacy; (ii) balancing and the doctrine of the ‘essence of rights’; and (iii) the Court’s reasoning in Dickson v UK. I conclude by exploring the further work needed to establish more firmly this account’s plausibility as an interpretation of the Court’s doctrine of proportionality as a whole.
Molnupiravir Use and 30-Day Hospitalizations or Death in a Previously Uninfected Nonhospitalized High-risk Population With COVID-19
Authors: Butt Adeel A , Yan Peng , Shaikh Obaid S , Omer Saad B , Mayr Florian B , Talisa Victor B
Published: June 2023

Background

Clinical benefit of molnupiravir (MPV) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–infected subpopulations is unclear.

Methods

We used a matched cohort study design to determine the rate of hospitalization or death within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis among MPV treated and untreated controls. Participants were nonhospitalized, previously uninfected Veterans with a first confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection between 1 January and 31 August 2022, who were prescribed MPV within 3 days of COVID-19 diagnosis, and matched individuals who were not prescribed MPV.

Results

Among 1459 matched pairs, the incidence of hospitalization/death was not different among MPV treated versus untreated controls (48 vs 44 cases; absolute risk difference [ARD], 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −.94 to 1.49). No benefit was observed among those >60 or ≤60 years old (ARD, 0.27; 95% CI, −1.25 to 1.79 vs ARD, −0.29; 95% CI, −1.22 to 1.80), those with specific comorbidities, or by vaccination status. A significant benefit was observed in asymptomatic but not in symptomatic persons (ARD, −2.80; 95% CI, −4.74 to −.87 vs ARD, 1.12; 95% CI −.31 to 2.55). Kaplan-Meier curves did not show a difference in proportion of persons who were hospitalized or died among MPV treated compared with untreated controls (logrank P = .7).

Conclusions

MPV was not associated with a reduction in hospitalization or death within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. A subgroup of patients presenting without symptoms experienced a benefit.
Seroprofiling of Antibodies Against Endemic Human Coronaviruses and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohort in Lesotho: Correlates of Antibody Response and Seropositivity
Authors: Brown Jennifer A , Hauser Anthony , Abela Irene A , Pasin Chloé , Epp Selina , Mohloanyane Tsepang , Nsakala Bienvenu L , Trkola Alexandra , Labhardt Niklaus D , Kouyos Roger D , Günthard Huldrych F
Published: June 2023

Background

Serological data on endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in southern Africa are scarce. Here, we report on (1) endemic HCoV seasonality, (2) SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, and (3) correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and strength of SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoV serological responses among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

Plasma samples were collected from February 2020 to July 2021 within an HIV cohort in Lesotho. We used the AntiBody CORonavirus Assay (ABCORA) multiplex immunoassay to measure antibody responses to endemic HCoV (OC43, HKU1, NL63, and 229E) and SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

Results

Results for 3173 samples from 1403 adults were included. Serological responses against endemic HCoVs increased over time and peaked in winter and spring. SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity reached >35% among samples collected in early 2021 and was associated with female sex, obesity, working outside the home, and recent tiredness or fever. Positive correlations were observed between the strength of response to endemic HCoVs and to SARS-CoV-2 and between older age or obesity and the immunoglobulin G response to SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

These results add to our understanding of the impact of biological, clinical, and social/behavioral factors on serological responses to coronaviruses in southern Africa.
Managerial Contracting: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bernstein Lisa , Peterson Brad
Published: June 2023

Important types of contractual relationships—among them those between integrated product manufacturers and their suppliers—are neither fully transactional nor fully relational. The agreements that govern these relationships incorporate highly detailed written terms that focus not only on what is promised but also on the details of how it is to be achieved and how suppliers’ actions will be monitored and responded to over the life of the agreement. Together with the implicit relational contracts that support their operation, these provisions create an economic hybrid that lies between markets and hierarchies, a set of relatively standard institutional arrangements that give buyers the right (but not the obligation) to exercise a package of quasi-integration rights that enables them to obtain many of the most important benefits of vertical integration while simultaneously reaping most of the core benefits of outsourcing. The contract provisions used to govern these relationships are termed here “managerial provisions” because they employ the techniques of intra-firm hierarchy that managers use to organize relationships and increase productivity within firms. This article focuses on a subset of these provisions, namely those that are analogous to the eighteen management practices that the World Management Survey (WMS) reveals are closely associated with persistent performance differences across similarly situated enterprises. After documenting the convergence between these practices and the terms of procurement contracts, the article suggests that the contract governance regime these practices create is well designed to support the creation and maintenance of cooperative relationships, strengthen the force of network governance, and scaffold the emergence of the type of inter-firm process-based trust that is associated with better supplier performance. More generally, this article concludes that in the modern economy, where the value of so many types of contracts—from research and development alliances to business process outsourcing agreements and beyond—depends on employees of the contracting entities working together much as if they worked for a single firm, lawyers would be well advised to look to the broad array of managerial techniques successfully used within firms (not only those based on WMS practices) to develop new ways to better govern transactions between firms.
Keeping score: an empirical analysis of the interventions in Ukraine v Russia
Authors: Wigard Kyra , Pomson Ori , McIntyre Juliette
Published: June 2023

The Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v Russia) case involves an unprecedented number of Article 63 declarations of intervention. We consider the specific arguments made in individual declarations, but also the mass nature of the declarations. In order to do this in a systematic manner, we employ empirical methods to identify those declarations and arguments that are more central and those that are more unique. Using citation network analysis, we identify the main and central arguments presented by states in their declarations. Moreover, we find evidence that states have co-operated in the preparation of their intervention declarations, using Article 63 as an opportunity to collectively condemn Russia as well as offer their joint interpretation of the Genocide Convention. But while all states come to support Ukraine, the interventions are not necessarily helpful to Ukraine’s case.
Resolving intergenotypic Striga resistance in sorghum
Authors: Mutinda Sylvia , Mobegi Fredrick M , Hale Brett , Dayou Olivier , Ateka Elijah , Wijeratne Asela , Wicke Susann , Bellis Emily S , Runo Steven
Published: June 2023

Genetic underpinnings of host–pathogen interactions in the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, a root parasitic plant that ravages cereals in sub-Saharan Africa, are unclear. We performed a comparative transcriptome study on five genotypes of sorghum exhibiting diverse resistance responses to S. hermonthica using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We found that S. hermonthica elicits both basal and effector-triggered immunity—like a bona fide pathogen. The resistance response was genotype specific. Some resistance responses followed the salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway for systemic acquired resistance characterized by cell wall reinforcements, lignification, and callose deposition, while in others the WRKY-dependent signaling pathway was activated, leading to a hypersensitive response. In some genotypes, both modes of resistance were activated, while in others either mode dominated the resistance response. Cell wall-based resistance was common to all sorghum genotypes but strongest in IS2814, while a hypersensitive response was specific to N13, IS9830, and IS41724. WGCNA further allowed for pinpointing of S. hermonthica resistance causative genes in sorghum, including glucan synthase-like 10 gene, a pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like family gene, and a phosphoinositide phosphatase gene. Such candidate genes will form a good basis for subsequent functional validation and possibly future resistance breeding.
Rhetorical militarism, humanitarian law, and public space: a study on military interventions in Brazil
Authors: Nagamine Renata , Roriz João
Published: June 2023

In Rio de Janeiro, the laws of war have contributed to the transformation of symbolically and materially violent means and practices into an experience of everyday life. Political actors contribute to rationalizing violence in certain areas of Brazil, disregarding expectations related to citizenship and human rights.
Over-expression of ADAR1 in mice does not initiate or accelerate cancer formation in vivo
Authors: Mendez Ruiz Shannon , Chalk Alistair M , Goradia Ankita , Heraud-Farlow Jacki , Walkley Carl R
Published: June 2023

Adenosine to inosine editing (A-to-I) in regions of double stranded RNA (dsRNA) is mediated by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) or ADAR2. ADAR1 and A-to-I editing levels are increased in many human cancers. Inhibition of ADAR1 has emerged as a high priority oncology target, however, whether ADAR1 overexpression enables cancer initiation or progression has not been directly tested. We established a series of in vivo models to allow overexpression of full-length ADAR1, or its individual isoforms, to test if increased ADAR1 expression was oncogenic. Widespread over-expression of ADAR1 or the p110 or p150 isoforms individually as sole lesions was well tolerated and did not result in cancer initiation. Therefore, ADAR1 overexpression alone is not sufficient to initiate cancer. We demonstrate that endogenous ADAR1 and A-to-I editing increased upon immortalization in murine cells, consistent with the observations from human cancers. We tested if ADAR1 over-expression could co-operate with cancer initiated by loss of tumour suppressors using a model of osteosarcoma. We did not see a disease potentiating or modifying effect of overexpressing ADAR1 or its isoforms in the models assessed. We conclude that increased ADAR1 expression and A-to-I editing in cancers is most likely a consequence of tumor formation.
CrypticProteinDB: an integrated database of proteome and immunopeptidome derived non-canonical cancer proteins
Authors: Othoum Ghofran , Maher Christopher A
Published: June 2023

Translated non-canonical proteins derived from noncoding regions or alternative open reading frames (ORFs) can contribute to critical and diverse cellular processes. In the context of cancer, they also represent an under-appreciated source of targets for cancer immunotherapy through their tumor-enriched expression or by harboring somatic mutations that produce neoantigens. Here, we introduce the largest integration and proteogenomic analysis of novel peptides to assess the prevalence of non-canonical ORFs (ncORFs) in more than 900 patient proteomes and 26 immunopeptidome datasets across 14 cancer types. The integrative proteogenomic analysis of whole-cell proteomes and immunopeptidomes revealed peptide support for a nonredundant set of 9760 upstream, downstream, and out-of-frame ncORFs in protein coding genes and 12811 in noncoding RNAs. Notably, 6486 ncORFs were derived from differentially expressed genes and 340 were ubiquitously translated across eight or more cancers. The analysis also led to the discovery of thirty-four epitopes and eight neoantigens from non-canonical proteins in two cohorts as novel cancer immunotargets. Collectively, our analysis integrated both bottom-up proteogenomic and targeted peptide validation to illustrate the prevalence of translated non-canonical proteins in cancer and to provide a resource for the prioritization of novel proteins supported by proteomic, immunopeptidomic, genomic and transcriptomic data, available at https://www.maherlab.com/crypticproteindb.
Estrogen receptor alpha mutations regulate gene expression and cell growth in breast cancer through microRNAs
Authors: Arnesen Spencer , Polaski Jacob T , Blanchard Zannel , Osborne Kyle S , Welm Alana L , O’Connell Ryan M , Gertz Jason
Published: June 2023

Estrogen receptor α (ER) mutations occur in up to 30% of metastatic ER-positive breast cancers. Recent data has shown that ER mutations impact the expression of thousands of genes not typically regulated by wildtype ER. While the majority of these altered genes can be explained by constant activity of mutant ER or genomic changes such as altered ER binding and chromatin accessibility, as much as 33% remain unexplained, indicating the potential for post-transcriptional effects. Here, we explored the role of microRNAs in mutant ER-driven gene regulation and identified several microRNAs that are dysregulated in ER mutant cells. These differentially regulated microRNAs target a significant portion of mutant-specific genes involved in key cellular processes. When the activity of microRNAs is altered using mimics or inhibitors, significant changes are observed in gene expression and cellular proliferation related to mutant ER. An in-depth evaluation of miR-301b led us to discover an important role for PRKD3 in the proliferation of ER mutant cells. Our findings show that microRNAs contribute to mutant ER gene regulation and cellular effects in breast cancer cells.
From Leiden to Tel-Aviv University (TAU): exploring clustering solutions via a genetic algorithm
Authors: Gilad Gal , Sharan Roded
Published: June 2023

Graph clustering is a fundamental problem in machine learning with numerous applications in data science. State-of-the-art approaches to the problem, Louvain and Leiden, aim at optimizing the modularity function. However, their greedy nature leads to fast convergence to sub-optimal solutions. Here, we design a new approach to graph clustering, Tel-Aviv University (TAU), that efficiently explores the solution space using a genetic algorithm. We benchmark TAU on synthetic and real data sets and show its superiority over previous methods both in terms of the modularity of the computed solution and its similarity to a ground-truth partition when such exists. TAU is available at https://github.com/GalGilad/TAU.
Systematic study of the relationship between nuclear structure and reactions for the 10Be nucleus
Authors: Furumoto T , Suhara T , Itagaki N
Published: June 2023

We systematically investigate the relationship between the nuclear structure and reaction in the 10Be nucleus using a theoretical framework. The structure of the 10Be nucleus is constructed with a cluster model based on a microscopic viewpoint. In this paper, the 10Be nucleus is prepared with different structures by manipulating the parameters of an effective nucleon–nucleon interaction. The nuclear structure and expectation values of physical quantities are drastically changed by the modification. We summarize such changes and show the effects on the elastic and inelastic scatterings for proton and 12C targets in the microscopic coupled-channel calculation. Of especial interest, we recently reported the visualization of the dineutron correlation in 10Be on proton inelastic scattering in [Phys. Rev. C 104, 034613 (2021)]. In this preceding work, we found that changing the degree of dineutron correlation in 10Be leads to drastic changes of the inelastic cross section for the 2$_2^+$ state. The development (or breaking) of the dineutron correlation is governed by the strength of the spin–orbit interaction of the structure calculation. However, in the previous work, some of the realistic physical points were missing, for example, the binding energy (BE). Therefore, we reconstruct the 10Be nucleus by adjusting the effective nucleon–nucleon interaction to obtain a reasonable BE of the ground state. With this improvement, we again discuss the dineutron correlation in the 10Be nucleus. We reconfirm the way to measure the degree of development (or breaking) of the dineutron cluster structure: its sensitivity to the inelastic cross section of the 2$_2^+$ state of 10Be. Subject Index cluster model, folding model, dineutron correlation, effective nucleon-nucleon interaction.
Milton, Boccaccio, and Demogorgon
Authors: Pigman G W
Published: June 2023

For years scholars have realized that Demogorgon owes his existence to a misreading of demiurgus in a commentary on Statius’ Thebaid and that Boccaccio’s Genealogy of the Pagan Gods was the most important text for establishing Demogorgon as the ancestor of the gods for the Renaissance. But the extent of scepticism about Demogorgon in Milton’s day is not widely known. In an early example of the polemical imitation that characterizes much of his mature poetry, Milton indicates his own scepticism in Prolusion I by extensively correcting Boccaccio’s account of Demogorgon and his progeny. Unlike his frighteningly powerful namesake in Boiardo, Ariosto, and Spenser, the Demogorgon of Paradise Lost is simply one member of the court of Chaos. The multivalent periphrasis—‘the dreaded name $|$ Of Demogorgon’—suggests that Boccaccio’s ancestor of the gods is nothing more than a name.