bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Generating Lagrangian Cuts for Two-Stage Stochastic Integer Programs
Authors: Chen Rui , Luedtke James
Published: April 2022

We investigate new methods for generating Lagrangian cuts to solve two-stage stochastic integer programs. Lagrangian cuts can be added to a Benders reformulation and are derived from solving single scenario integer programming subproblems identical to those used in the nonanticipative Lagrangian dual of a stochastic integer program. Although Lagrangian cuts have the potential to significantly strengthen the Benders relaxation, generating Lagrangian cuts can be computationally demanding. We investigate new techniques for generating Lagrangian cuts with the goal of obtaining methods that provide significant improvements to the Benders relaxation quickly. Computational results demonstrate that our proposed method improves the Benders relaxation significantly faster than previous methods for generating Lagrangian cuts and, when used within a branch-and-cut algorithm, significantly reduces the size of the search tree for three classes of test problems.
Pacing Equilibrium in First Price Auction Markets
Authors: Conitzer Vincent , Kroer Christian , Panigrahi Debmalya , Schrijvers Okke , Stier-Moses Nicolas E. , Sodomka Eric , Wilkens Christopher A.
Published: April 2022

Mature internet advertising platforms offer high-level campaign management tools to help advertisers run their campaigns, often abstracting away the intricacies of how each ad is placed and focusing on aggregate metrics of interest to advertisers. On such platforms, advertisers often participate in auctions through a proxy bidder, so the standard incentive analyses that are common in the literature do not apply directly. In this paper, we take the perspective of a budget management system that surfaces aggregated incentives—instead of individual auctions—and compare first and second price auctions. We show that theory offers surprising endorsement for using a first price auction to sell individual impressions. In particular, first price auctions guarantee uniqueness of the steady-state equilibrium of the budget management system, monotonicity, and other desirable properties, as well as efficient computation through the solution to the well-studied Eisenberg–Gale convex program. Contrary to what one can expect from first price auctions, we show that incentives issues are not a barrier that undermines the system. Using realistic instances generated from data collected at real-world auction platforms, we show that bidders have small regret with respect to their optimal ex post strategy, and they do not have a big incentive to misreport when they can influence equilibria directly by giving inputs strategically. Finally, budget-constrained bidders, who have significant prevalence in real-world platforms, tend to have smaller regrets. Our computations indicate that bidder budgets, pacing multipliers, and regrets all have a positive association in statistical terms.

This paper was accepted by Gabriel Weintraub, revenue management and market analytics.

Funding: D. Panigrahi was supported in part by the National Science Foundation [Awards CCF 1535972, CCF 1750140, and CCF 1955703].

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4310 .
Omnichannel Distribution to Fulfill Retail Orders
Authors: Wan Xiang
Published: April 2022

Problem definition: Although the analytical literature extensively studies distribution channels, empirical evidence on the value of omnichannel distribution is limited, especially for the omnichannel used by manufacturing companies to fulfill retail orders. I empirically evaluate the extent to which the dual–distribution center (dual-DC) distribution channel and the factory-direct distribution channel contribute to fulfilling orders from retail stores compared with the traditional single–distribution center (single-DC) channel. Academic/practical relevance: Many manufacturing companies develop their distribution omnichannel to fulfill retail orders. To make proper decisions on various channels, they need to understand the trade-offs between different order-fulfillment measures and costs in different distribution channels. Methodology: I exploit two switches in distribution channels of a manufacturing company to its retail customers: one from single-DC to dual-DC distribution and the other from single-DC to factory-direct distribution. To account for the trade-offs between order fulfillment and the costs associated with each distribution channel, I develop three equations for fill rate, lead time, and production and distribution costs in a difference-in-difference framework and then estimate the equations using proprietary data of retail orders and delivery records. Results: The results quantify the contributions of distribution channels to order fulfillment. Compared with the single-DC distribution channel, the dual-DC distribution channel raises the fill rate by 0.4% and reduces the lead time by 9.7% without incurring additional costs, whereas the factory-direct distribution channel increases the fill rate by 0.5% and provides a 5.2% cost savings but extends the lead time by 12.5%. I further analyze these contributions to order fulfillment across demand variability and order quantity. Managerial implications: The findings provide manufacturing companies with valuable knowledge of their distribution channel choices and means to find a cost-effective distribution channel to improve order fulfillment for various customers and products.
Photon efficient orientation estimation using polarization modulation in single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Thorsen Rasmus Ø. , Hulleman Christiaan N. , Rieger Bernd , Stallinga Sjoerd
Published: April 2022

Combining orientation estimation with localization microscopy opens up the possibility to analyze the underlying orientation of biomolecules on the nanometer scale. Inspired by the recent improvement of the localization precision by shifting excitation patterns (MINFLUX, SIMFLUX), we have adapted the idea towards the modulation of excitation polarization to enhance the orientation precision. For this modality two modes are analyzed: i) normally incident excitation with three polarization steps to retrieve the in-plane angle of emitters and ii) obliquely incident excitation with p-polarization with five different azimuthal angles of incidence to retrieve the full orientation. Firstly, we present a theoretical study of the lower precision limit with a Cramér-Rao bound for these modes. For the oblique incidence mode we find a favorable isotropic orientation precision for all molecular orientations if the polar angle of incidence is equal to

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degrees. Secondly, a simulation study is performed to assess the performance for low signal-to-background ratios and how inaccurate illumination polarization angles affect the outcome. We show that a precision, at the Cramér-Rao bound (CRB) limit, of just 2.4 and 1.6 degrees in the azimuthal and polar angles can be achieved with only 1000 detected signal photons and 10 background photons per pixel (about twice better than reported earlier). Lastly, the alignment and calibration of an optical microscope with polarization control is described in detail. With this microscope a proof-of-principle experiment is carried out, demonstrating an experimental in-plane precision close to the CRB limit for signal photon counts ranging from 400 to 10,000.
Wafer-scale replicated gratings for compressing ultrafast laser pulses at telecom wavelengths
Authors: Lütolf Fabian , Friebel Florence , Kuznetsov Ivan , Rudin Benjamin , Emaury Florian , Gallinet Benjamin , Ferrini Rolando , Basset Guillaume , Resan Bojan
Published: April 2022

Wafer-scale, nanoimprint lithography-based approaches for manufacturing of high-efficiency transmission gratings at telecom wavelengths are reported. Two microns-deep, binary gratings are thereby fabricated and combined with a subwavelength, antireflective structure to achieve a cost-efficient and reliable manufacturing process. Diffraction efficiencies of 92% are experimentally achieved in the Littrow configuration. These gratings are used to compress 8 picosecond pulses with 1W of average output power at central wavelength of 1555nm to pulse duration of 378 femtoseconds
Dowker complex based machine learning (DCML) models for protein-ligand binding affinity prediction
Authors: Liu Xiang , Feng Huitao , Wu Jie , Xia Kelin
Published: April 2022

With the great advancements in experimental data, computational power and learning algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) based drug design has begun to gain momentum recently. AI-based drug design has great promise to revolutionize pharmaceutical industries by significantly reducing the time and cost in drug discovery processes. However, a major issue remains for all AI-based learning model that is efficient molecular representations. Here we propose Dowker complex (DC) based molecular interaction representations and Riemann Zeta function based molecular featurization, for the first time. Molecular interactions between proteins and ligands (or others) are modeled as Dowker complexes. A multiscale representation is generated by using a filtration process, during which a series of DCs are generated at different scales. Combinatorial (Hodge) Laplacian matrices are constructed from these DCs, and the Riemann zeta functions from their spectral information can be used as molecular descriptors. To validate our models, we consider protein-ligand binding affinity prediction. Our DC-based machine learning (DCML) models, in particular, DC-based gradient boosting tree (DC-GBT), are tested on three most-commonly used datasets, i.e., including PDBbind-2007, PDBbind-2013 and PDBbind-2016, and extensively compared with other existing state-of-the-art models. It has been found that our DC-based descriptors can achieve the state-of-the-art results and have better performance than all machine learning models with traditional molecular descriptors. Our Dowker complex based machine learning models can be used in other tasks in AI-based drug design and molecular data analysis.
Epigenetic cell memory: The gene’s inner chromatin modification circuit
Authors: Bruno Simone , Williams Ruth J. , Del Vecchio Domitilla
Published: April 2022

Epigenetic cell memory allows distinct gene expression patterns to persist in different cell types despite a common genotype. Although different patterns can be maintained by the concerted action of transcription factors (TFs), it was proposed that long-term persistence hinges on chromatin state. Here, we study how the dynamics of chromatin state affect memory, and focus on a biologically motivated circuit motif, among histones and DNA modifications, that mediates the action of TFs on gene expression. Memory arises from time-scale separation among three circuit’s constituent processes: basal erasure, auto and cross-catalysis, and recruited erasure of modifications. When the two latter processes are sufficiently faster than the former, the circuit exhibits bistability and hysteresis, allowing active and repressed gene states to coexist and persist after TF stimulus removal. The duration of memory is stochastic with a mean value that increases as time-scale separation increases, but more so for the repressed state. This asymmetry stems from the cross-catalysis between repressive histone modifications and DNA methylation and is enhanced by the relatively slower decay rate of the latter. Nevertheless, TF-mediated positive autoregulation can rebalance this asymmetry and even confers robustness of active states to repressive stimuli. More generally, by wiring positively autoregulated chromatin modification circuits under time scale separation, long-term distinct gene expression patterns arise, which are also robust to failure in the regulatory links.
Genetics of osteopontin in patients with chronic kidney disease: The German Chronic Kidney Disease study
Authors: Cheng Yurong , Li Yong , Scherer Nora , Grundner-Culemann Franziska , Lehtimäki Terho , Mishra Binisha H. , Raitakari Olli T. , Nauck Matthias , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Sekula Peggy , Schultheiss Ulla T. ,   on behalf of the GCKD investigators
Published: April 2022

Osteopontin (OPN), encoded by SPP1, is a phosphorylated glycoprotein predominantly synthesized in kidney tissue. Increased OPN mRNA and protein expression correlates with proteinuria, reduced creatinine clearance, and kidney fibrosis in animal models of kidney disease. But its genetic underpinnings are incompletely understood. We therefore conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of OPN in a European chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. Using data from participants of the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study (N = 4,897), a GWAS (minor allele frequency [MAF]≥1%) and aggregated variant testing (AVT, MAF<1%) of ELISA-quantified serum OPN, adjusted for age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was conducted. In the project, GCKD participants had a mean age of 60 years (SD 12), median eGFR of 46 mL/min/1.73m2 (p25: 37, p75: 57) and median UACR of 50 mg/g (p25: 9, p75: 383). GWAS revealed 3 loci (p<5.0E-08), two of which replicated in the population-based Young Finns Study (YFS) cohort (p<1.67E-03): rs10011284, upstream of SPP1 encoding the OPN protein and related to OPN production, and rs4253311, mapping into KLKB1 encoding prekallikrein (PK), which is processed to kallikrein (KAL) implicated through the kinin-kallikrein system (KKS) in blood pressure control, inflammation, blood coagulation, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. The SPP1 gene was also identified by AVT (p = 2.5E-8), comprising 7 splice-site and missense variants. Among others, downstream analyses revealed colocalization of the OPN association signal at SPP1 with expression in pancreas tissue, and at KLKB1 with various plasma proteins in trans, and with phenotypes (bone disorder, deep venous thrombosis) in human tissue. In summary, this GWAS of OPN levels revealed two replicated associations. The KLKB1 locus connects the function of OPN with PK, suggestive of possible further post-translation processing of OPN. Further studies are needed to elucidate the complex role of OPN within human (patho)physiology.
Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its association with intimate partner violence among women in informal settings of Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Anguzu Ronald , Kabagenyi Allen , Cassidy Laura D. , Kasasa Simon , Shour Abdul R. , Musoke Bernadette N. , Mutyoba Joan N.
Published: April 2022

Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) detected, and COVID-19 associated mortality increased since the first case was confirmed in Uganda. While adherence to WHO-recommended measures to disrupt COVID-19 transmission has since been implemented, it has been reported to be sub-optimal. An increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) cases was linked to enforcement of COVID-19 lockdowns and other preventive measures especially in informal settings of Kampala. We determined the association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and intimate partner violence among women dwelling in informal settings in Kampala, Uganda. Between July and October 2020, we conducted a three-month prospective cohort study of 148 women living in informal settlements of Kampala during the COVID-19 lockdown and easing of restrictive measures. Participants were surveyed at baseline, at 3-weeks and 6-weeks (endline). The dependent variable was adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures (remained adherent vs poorly adherent) between baseline and endline surveys. This composite outcome variable was computed from implementing all four variables: social distancing, wearing face masks, frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers at baseline and endline surveys. The key independent variable was IPV measured as experiencing at least one form of physical, emotional, or sexual IPV. Covariates were age, education, marital status, household size, occupation, and having problems getting food. Adjusted logistic regression analyses tested the independent association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and intimate partner violence. Among 148 respondents, the mean age (SD) was 32.9 (9.3) years, 58.1% were exposed to at least one form of IPV, and 78.2% had problems getting food. Overall, 10.1% were poorly adherent to COVID-19 preventive measures during the first COVID-19 wave. After controlling for potential confounders, remaining adherent to COVID-19 preventive measures were more likely to experience intimate partner violence when compared to women who were poorly adherent to COVID-19 preventive measures during the first COVID-19 wave in Uganda [OR 3.87 95%CI (1.09, 13.79)]. Proportions of women in informal settlements of Kampala experiencing at least one form of IPV during the first COVID-19 wave is substantial. Remaining adherent to preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission may increase IPV exposure risk among women living in informal settlements in Kampala. Contextualizing COVID-19 interventions to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable women and girls in informal settings of Kampala is warranted. Processes to integrated violence prevention and response strategies into the Uganda COVID-19 prevention strategy are underscored.
Interferon-based agents for current and future viral respiratory infections: A scoping literature review of human studies
Authors: Mesic Aldina , Jackson Emahlea K. , Lalika Mathias , Koelle David M. , Patel Rena C.
Published: April 2022

The interferon (IFN) system is a potent line of defense against viral infections. IFN-based agents already tested may be of use in COVID-19 or future viral respiratory outbreaks. Here we review the comparative efficacy, safety/tolerability, and future potential of IFN-based therapeutics. We reviewed human studies in which IFN or IFN pathway-interacting agents were used for viral respiratory infections. We identified 977 articles, of which 194 were included for full-text review. Of these, we deemed 35 articles to be relevant. The use of IFN-based agents for pre-exposure prophylaxis (n = 19) and treatment (n = 15) were most common, with intranasal (n = 22) as the most common route. We found IFN-α (n = 23) was used most often, and rhinovirus (n = 14) was the most common causative agent. Studies demonstrated mixed efficacy but generally positive safety and tolerability. Host-directed therapies, such as IFN or IFN inducers, are worthy of additional research to target viral respiratory infections lacking direct-acting antivirals.
The effect of the sugar metabolism on Leishmania infantum promastigotes inside the gut of Lutzomyia longipalpis: A sweet relationship?
Authors: Hendrickx Sarah , Caljon Guy
Published: April 2022

It is well-known that Leishmania parasites can alter the behavior of the sand fly vector in order to increase their transmission potential. However, little is known about the contribution of the infecting host’s blood composition on subsequent sand fly infection and survival. This study focused on the host’s glucose metabolism and the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) pathway as both metabolic processes are known to impact vector-parasite interactions of other protozoa and insect species. The focus of this study was inspired by the observation that the glycemic levels in the blood of infected Syrian golden hamsters inversely correlated to splenic and hepatic parasite burdens. To evaluate the biological impact of these findings on further transmission, Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies were infected with blood that was artificially supplemented with different physiological concentrations of several monosaccharides, insulin or IGF-1. Normoglycemic levels resulted in transiently higher parasite loads and faster appearance of metacyclics, whereas higher carbohydrate and insulin/IGF-1 levels favored sand fly survival. Although the recorded effects were modest or transient of nature, these observations support the concept that the host blood biochemistry may affect Leishmania transmission and sand fly longevity.
Flooding tolerance of four tropical peatland tree species in a nursery trial
Authors: Tata Hesti L. , Nuroniah Hani S. , Ahsania Diandra A. , Anggunira Haning , Hidayati Siti N. , Pratama Meydina , Istomo Istomo , Chimner Rodney A. , van Noordwijk Meine , Kolka Randall
Published: April 2022

In order to facilitate hydrological restoration, initiatives have been conducted to promote tree growth in degraded and rewetted peatlands in Indonesia. For these initiatives to be successful, tree seedlings need to be able to survive flooding episodes, with or without shade. We investigated the survival rates and the formation of adventitious roots in the case of four tree species exposed to combinations of different shading and water levels under controlled conditions in a nursery, with artificial rainwater and with peat soil as the medium. The research focused on the following questions (i) whether trees can grow on flooded peat soils; and (ii) which plant traits allow plants to cope with inundation, with or without shade. The four tree species compared (Shorea balangeran, Cratoxylum arborescens, Nephelium lappaceum and Durio zibethinus) include two natural pioneer and two farmer-preferred fruit trees. The experiment used a split-split plot design with 48 treatment combinations and at least 13 tree-level replicates. The study found that S. balangeran and C. arborescens had relatively high survival rates and tolerated saturated condition for 13 weeks, while N. lappaceum and D. zibethinus required non-saturated peat conditions. S. balangeran and C. arborescens developed adventitious roots to adapt to the inundated conditions. D. zibethinus, S. balangeran and N. lappaceum grew best under moderate (30%) shading levels, while C. arborescent grew best in full sunlight.
A link between social isolation during the coronavirus outbreak and social alignment in balcony parties
Authors: Gvirts Problovski Hila Z. , Sherman Mor , Melnikova Victoria
Published: April 2022

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing need for assessing the psychological costs of social isolation (SI). We examine whether the balcony party during the first outbreak of the pandemic is associated with how individuals cope with SI as well as its causes and consequences during the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 303 quarantined persons responded to a Web-based survey. We found that the effect of balcony parties on the psychological costs of SI is dependent on the self-reported levels of SI. Those who experienced high levels of causes of SI perceived the balcony parties as more beneficial in inducing positive affect and reducing negative affect in comparison to those who experienced low levels of causes of SI. The opposite pattern was observed when individuals were asked about their participation in these parties: individuals with high levels of consequences of SI experienced balcony parties as less beneficial than similar pre-outbreak gathering events, while individuals with low levels of consequences of SI showed an opposite pattern. Finally, for those with high levels of causes of SI and consequences of SI, balcony parties did not meet the expectation of creating feelings of communal solidarity. However, a discrepancy between high SI expectations and experience was not found for those with low SI. Our findings demonstrate that the balcony parties are beneficial in reducing the emotional cost of social isolation–but only for those who feel low levels of SI. The fact that individuals with high levels of SI expected more out of these parties suggests the need to develop interventions aimed at optimizing their expectations. As society enters a new period in which the costs of social distancing may be higher, our findings are valuable for understanding the psychological battle that individuals face while in social isolation.
Early initiation of rivaroxaban after reperfusion therapy for stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Koge Junpei , Yamagami Hiroshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Yasaka Masahiro , Hirano Teruyuki , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Nagao Takehiko , Yoshimura Shinichi , Fujishige Masahito , Tempaku Akira , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Mori Etsuro , Koga Masatoshi , Minematsu Kazuo
Published: April 2022

Background

The optimal timing of initiating oral anticoagulants after reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke is unknown. Factors related to early initiation of rivaroxaban and differences in clinical outcomes of stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who underwent reperfusion therapy was investigated.

Methods

From data of 1,333 NVAF patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a prospective multicenter study, patients who started rivaroxaban after intravenous thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy were included. The clinical outcomes included the composite of ischemic events (recurrent ischemic stroke, TIA, or systemic embolism) and major bleeding at 3 months.

Results

Among the 424 patients, the median time from index stroke to starting rivaroxaban was 3.2 days. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, infarct size (odds ratio [OR], 0.99; 95%CI, 0.99–1.00) was inversely and successful reperfusion (OR, 2.13; 95%CI, 1.24–3.72) was positively associated with initiation of rivaroxaban within 72 hours. 205 patients were assigned to the early group (< 72 hours) and 219 patients (≥ 72 hours) to the late group. Multivariable Cox regression models showed comparable hazard ratios between the two groups at 3 months for ischemic events (hazard ratio [HR], 0.18; 95%CI, 0.03–1.32) and major bleeding (HR, 1.80; 95%CI, 0.24–13.54).

Conclusions

Infarct size and results of reperfusion therapy were associated with the timing of starting rivaroxaban. There were no significant differences in the rates of ischemic events and major bleeding between patients after reperfusion therapy who started rivaroxaban < 72 hours and ≥ 72 hours after the index stroke.

Clinical trial registration

Unique identifier: NCT02129920; URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Age and growth of one of the world’s largest carnivorous gastropods, the Florida Horse Conch, Triplofusus giganteus (Kiener, 1840), a target of unregulated, intense harvest
Authors: Herbert Gregory S. , Geiger Stephen P. , Hesterberg Stephen G. , Seiden Nicole , Rogers Jaime A. , Harke Ryan M. , Šala Martin , West Kaydee J. , Goddard Ethan A.
Published: April 2022

The Florida Horse Conch, Triplofusus giganteus, one of the largest marine gastropods in the world, has been intensely exploited by shell collectors, curio dealers, and commercial harvest for over a century and is now in decline. Effective management of horse conch populations requires better data on commercial and recreational harvest intensities but also on the species’ intrinsic capacity to recover. Here, we use stable oxygen and carbon isotope sclerochronology to investigate the horse conch’s life history, including its maximum life span, growth rates, age at first spawning, and number of lifetime spawning seasons. The largest two shells studied (460 and 475 mm linear shell length) grew for 13 and 11 years, respectively. Growth curves for these shells, extrapolated out to the length of the record size shell (606 mm linear shell length) predict a maximum age of just 16 years. Carbon isotopes and field photographs of spawning females suggest that females mature relatively late in life. However, the largest horse conchs remaining in the wild are also smaller and younger than those studied here. Thus, the largest females left in the wild could have few lifetime spawning events. High fecundity can buffer horse conchs from overfishing but only if females reach spawning age and reproductive-age females are protected. Our study highlights the usefulness of stable isotope sclerochronology for characterizing the life histories of molluscan species now too uncommon to study through traditional mark and recapture approaches.
Deep learning to enable color vision in the dark
Authors: Browne Andrew W. , Deyneka Ekaterina , Ceccarelli Francesco , To Josiah K. , Chen Siwei , Tang Jianing , Vu Anderson N. , Baldi Pierre F.
Published: April 2022

Humans perceive light in the visible spectrum (400-700 nm). Some night vision systems use infrared light that is not perceptible to humans and the images rendered are transposed to a digital display presenting a monochromatic image in the visible spectrum. We sought to develop an imaging algorithm powered by optimized deep learning architectures whereby infrared spectral illumination of a scene could be used to predict a visible spectrum rendering of the scene as if it were perceived by a human with visible spectrum light. This would make it possible to digitally render a visible spectrum scene to humans when they are otherwise in complete “darkness” and only illuminated with infrared light. To achieve this goal, we used a monochromatic camera sensitive to visible and near infrared light to acquire an image dataset of printed images of faces under multispectral illumination spanning standard visible red (604 nm), green (529 nm) and blue (447 nm) as well as infrared wavelengths (718, 777, and 807 nm). We then optimized a convolutional neural network with a U-Net-like architecture to predict visible spectrum images from only near-infrared images. This study serves as a first step towards predicting human visible spectrum scenes from imperceptible near-infrared illumination. Further work can profoundly contribute to a variety of applications including night vision and studies of biological samples sensitive to visible light.
Video-based messages to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and nudge vaccination intentions
Authors: Jensen Ulrich T. , Ayers Stephanie , Koskan Alexis M.
Published: April 2022

Vaccines are highly effective for curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Yet, millions of Americans remain hesitant about getting vaccinated, jeopardizing our ability to end the COVID-19 pandemic by fueling the spread and development of new variants. We show that brief video-based messages of encouragement addressing specific COVID-19 vaccine concerns increase vaccination intentions, and that vaccination intentions, in turn, are predictive of future vaccine uptake. Results from our online experiment reveal that willingness to get vaccinated is driven by messages that increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and perceived behavioral control to get vaccinated. Importantly, messages were particularly effective among more skeptical populations including people who identify as politically conservative or moderate and those who express low trust in government institutions. Our findings corroborate the real-world behavioral significance of vaccination intentions, and devise how even short, scalable online messages can provide governments and health authorities an inexpensive, yet effective tool for increasing intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19 among populations most reluctant to get them.
Three-dimensional geometric morphometric sex determination of the whole and modeled fragmentary human pubic bone
Authors: Baca Katherine , Bridge Brandon , Snow Meradeth
Published: April 2022

Sex determination of the human pelvis has traditionally been done through visual analyses of morphoscopic traits and there are limited metric methods available to forensic anthropologists to add metric credibility to these analyses. The goal of this research was to create an improved metric method using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to determine sex from both whole and modeled fragmented human pubic bones. The sample consisted of n = 378 pubic bones from the University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum Documented Skeletal Collection and eight landmarks were collected from each bone. Statistical analyses and machine learning algorithms were used to predict the accuracy of the method’s ability to classify a bone as male or female on both whole and simulated fragmented remains; this included tests run on each possible landmark combination of three or more landmarks to simulate fragmented bones (218 combinations). The results of the whole bone analysis resulted in 95.35% testing accuracy. The results of the modeled fragmentary analysis consisted of 164 combinations which exhibit a 90% or higher accuracy in sex prediction; and twelve combinations which exhibit 96% or higher accuracy in sex prediction. In particular, two landmarks clustered around the ventral arc of the pubic bone performed the best, indicating this is the most sexually dimorphic portion of the bone. These results indicate that three-dimensional geometric morphometrics is a valid method to be applied to sex determination in forensic anthropology.
Health effects of European colonization: An investigation of skeletal remains from 19th to early 20th century migrant settlers in South Australia
Authors: Gurr Angela , Kumaratilake Jaliya , Brook Alan Henry , Ioannou Stella , Pate F. Donald , Henneberg Maciej
Published: April 2022

The British colony of South Australia, established in 1836, offered a fresh start to migrants hoping for a better life. A cohort of settlers buried in a section of St Mary’s Anglican Church Cemetery (1847–1927) allocated for government funded burials was investigated to determine their health, with a focus on skeletal manifestations associated with metabolic deficiencies. Findings of St Mary’s sample were compared with those published for contemporary skeletal samples from two British cemeteries, St Martin’s, Birmingham, and St Peter’s, Wolverhampton, to explore similarities and differences. To investigate the changing economic background of the St Mary’s cohort, which may have influenced the location of their burial within the cemetery, the number and demographic profile of government funded burials and those in privately funded leased plots were compared. The study sample consisted of the skeletal remains of 65 individuals (20 adults, 45 subadults) from St Mary’s Cemetery ‘free ground’ section. The bones and teeth of individuals in this cohort showed evidence of pathological manifestations, including areas of abnormal porosity in bone cortices in 9 adults and 12 subadults and flaring of metaphyses (one subadult) and costochondral junctions of the ribs (one subadult). Porous lesions of orbital roof bones (Types 3 to 4) were seen on three subadults. Macroscopic examination of teeth identified enamel hypoplastic defects and micro-CT scans showed areas of interglobular dentine. Comparison of St Mary’s findings with the British samples revealed that prevalences of manifestations associated with vitamin C deficiency were higher at St Mary’s and manifestations associated with vitamin D deficiency were lower respectively. The location of burial pattern at St Mary’s Cemetery, from the mid-1840s to1860s, showed differences in the economic status of migrants. This pattern changed from the 1870s, which reflected improvements in the local economy and the economic recovery of the colony.
A comparative assessment of two different front-of-package nutrition label designs: A randomized experiment in Brazil
Authors: Khandpur Neha , Amaral Mais Laís , Bortoletto Martins Ana Paula
Published: April 2022

This study compares the effectiveness of different front-of-package label designs in a Brazilian sample (n = 1384). Eligible adults were randomized to one of two study arms and viewed images of snacks with either a triangular warning label (TL) or a rectangular ‘high in’ label with a magnifying glass (ML). They responded to a series of questions that captured label usefulness, understanding, and purchase intentions. Compared to participants in the ML arm, those in the TL arm agreed that the TL communicated important information [Mean (SD) - 5.47 (0.07) vs 4.49 (0.08), p-value <0.001], was a useful tool [Mean (SD) - 6.12 (0.06) vs 5.75 (0.07), p-value <0.001], and was easier to understand as measured subjectively [Mean (SD) - 4.96 (0.07) vs 4.44 (0.08), p-value <0.001]. However, both the TL and the ML performed similarly in communicating nutrient information as measured by the objective understanding of nutrient content [57.09% vs 54.65%, p-value 0.259]. The ML performed marginally better at improving purchase intentions [Mean (SD) - 2.57 (0.07) vs 2.79 (0.08), p-value <0.049]. The current study adds to the growing evidence base on the pathways through which FoP labels, particularly ‘high in’ labels, might influence consumer perceptions and behavior. It is also one of the first studies to provide evidence on the utility of the ML design for Brazil.
A novel CD4 knockout mouse strain with a spontaneous frameshift mutation in the CD4 locus
Authors: Janakiraman Mathangi , Na Shin-Young , Krishnamoorthy Gurumoorthy
Published: April 2022

T cells express co-receptors CD4 and CD8, which are involved in the recognition of antigen presented to T cell receptors. The expression of CD4 in thymic hematopoietic cells is crucial for the thymic development and selection of T cells. In this study, we identified a novel CD4 mutant allele that emerged spontaneously in our mouse colony. The frameshift mutation led to a truncated CD4 protein which failed to reach the plasma membrane resulting in impaired development of CD4+ helper T cells. The CRISPR mediated correction of mutant allele restored the membrane CD4 expression. Further, using an adoptive transfer of T cells, we show that this model is an ideal recipient mouse for the study of CD4+ T cells.
Time to under-five mortality and its predictors in rural Ethiopia: Cox-gamma shared frailty model
Authors: Yalew Melaku , Arefaynie Mastewal , Bitew Gedamnesh , Amsalu Erkihun Tadesse , Kefale Bereket , Muche Amare , Fentaw Zinabu , Genetu Chanie Muluken , Melaku Mequannent Sharew , Adane Bezawit , Damtie Yitayish , Adane Metadel , Ayele Wolde Melese , Andargie Assefa , Dewau Reta
Published: April 2022

Background

Under-five mortality (U5M) is one of the most important and sensitive indicators of the health status of the community. Despite there having been a substantial reduction in U5M since 1990, its rate is still high in Sub-Saharan African countries. Thus, this study aimed to assess time to under-five mortality and its predictors in rural Ethiopia.

Methods

This study utilized a secondary analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A total of 9,807 weighted under-five children selected at different stages were included in the analysis. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox’s-gamma shared frailty models were used to estimate survival time and to identify predictors of under-five mortality, respectively. An adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) along with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to measure the effect size and direction of the association.

Results

The study indicated that 6.69% (95% CI: 6.13, 7.30) of children died before celebrating their fifth birthday in rural Ethiopia. Of all the deaths, the median time to death was 27 months. After controlling the effect of cluster and other confounding factors, female sex (AHR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.75), ever born greater than five children (AHR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.83), very large size at birth (AHR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03 1.71), very small size at birth (AHR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.82), twin pregnancy (AHR = 3.5, 95% CI: 2.47, 4.88), not ever breastfeeding (AHR = 11.29, 95% CI: 9.03, 14.12), unimproved latrine (AHR = 3.44, 95% CI: 1.91, 6.17), covered by health insurance (AHR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.70) were predictors of under-five mortality.

Conclusions

Still under-five mortality was high in rural Ethiopia as compared to the global under-five mortality rate. In the final model, sex of a child, the total number of children ever born, children’s size at birth, type of pregnancy, breastfeeding, type of toilet, and being covered by health insurance were significant predictors of under-five mortality. Further emphasis should be given to twin and not breastfeeding children, as well as households’ better encouraging membership of community health insurance and utilization of improved latrines.
D-dimer and CoV-2 spike-immune complexes contribute to the production of PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines in monocytes
Authors: Park Yun-Jong , Acosta David , Vassell Russell , Tang Juanjie , Khurana Surender , Weiss Carol D. , Golding Hana , Zaitseva Marina
Published: April 2022

An overreactive inflammatory response and coagulopathy are observed in patients with severe form of COVID-19. Since increased levels of D-dimer (DD) are associated with coagulopathy in COVID-19, we explored whether DD contributes to the aberrant cytokine responses. Here we show that treatment of healthy human monocytes with DD induced a dose dependent increase in production of pyrogenic mediator, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8. The DD-induced PGE2 and inflammatory cytokines were enhanced significantly by co-treatment with immune complexes (IC) of SARS CoV-2 recombinant S protein or of pseudovirus containing SARS CoV-2 S protein (PVCoV-2) coated with spike-specific chimeric monoclonal antibody (MAb) containing mouse variable and human Fc regions. The production of PGE2 and cytokines in monocytes activated with DD and ICs was sensitive to the inhibitors of β2 integrin and FcγRIIa, and to the inhibitors of calcium signaling, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway, and tyrosine-protein kinase. Importantly, strong increase in PGE2 and in IL-6/IL-8/IL-1β cytokines was observed in monocytes activated with DD in the presence of IC of PVCoV-2 coated with plasma from hospitalized COVID-19 patients but not from healthy donors. The IC of PVCoV-2 with convalescent plasma induced much lower levels of PGE2 and cytokines compared with plasma from hospitalized COVID-19 patients. PGE2 and IL-6/IL-8 cytokines produced in monocytes activated with plasma-containing IC, correlated well with the levels of spike binding antibodies and not with neutralizing antibody titers. Our study suggests that a combination of high levels of DD and high titers of spike-binding antibodies that can form IC with SARS CoV-2 viral particles might accelerate the inflammatory status of lung infiltrating monocytes leading to increased lung pathology in patients with severe form of COVID-19.
DISCOURSE, Cruise 2020
Authors: Ziegelböck Maria
Published: April 2022

The editorial ‘Discourse cruise 2020’ by renowned fashion photographer and educator Maria Zieglböck employs fashion photography in analogy to an ethnographic study and exposes the politics of appearance of the people involved in the production of knowledge.
The Empress’s New Clothes, or How One Makes Fashion (or Doesn’t)
Authors: Salner Wally
Published: April 2022

The starting point of my artistic research process is the attempt to (de)construct the phantom of the method in the field of expanded fashion. The interdisciplinary interfaces between fashion and art form the matrix of contemporary fashion production. These interface(s) can be made productive as aporia and interventionist space for a radical redefinition of fashion. At the centre of this artistic examination is the object relation as the main product of a fashion in research practice to be claimed and designed. This relationship, its relationship patterns, form and communicate the artistic design process as extended product. The object as an object of artistic research is thus stylistic form and content, hardware and software. Each object is also inscribed with an algorithmic programming. I call this programming a social, ethical, economic, performative choreography that constitutes the object relation as an app.
Community Radio Policies in South Asia: A Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach, Preeti Raghunath (2020)
Authors: Mollgaard Matt
Published: April 2022

Review of: Community Radio Policies in South Asia: A Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach, Preeti Raghunath (2020)

Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan, 370 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-81155-628-9, h/bk, €109.99
Desafios Curriculares no Séc. XXI
Authors: Fernandes Anabela , Cravo Cláudia , Castro Fátima Velez de
Published: April 2022

Esta obra pretende ser um espaço de reflexão em torno de desafios curriculares de relevo nas escolas do Séc. XXI. Por um lado, aborda a política de ensino das línguas em Portugal e a sua repercussão em contexto escolar/académico. Por outro, discute as premissas da aprendizagem baseada em projetos, cruzando perspetivas teóricas e práticas sobre a mobilização de conhecimentos e capacidades transversais de diferentes áreas do saber, que constituem diferentes trajetórias de vida. Centrados nas múltiplas dimensões da escola atual, encontram-se também vários contributos de investigação fundamental, de modelos e de propostas de aplicações pedagógico-didáticas, desde o reconhecimento das manifestações artísticas enquanto produto e resultado de contextos, até à experiência de leitura mediada pelo ensino de estratégias particulares. São também abordadas questões como a interação entre as paisagens construídas e o seu reflexo ambiental, bem como o efeito da transição digital em diversos cenários de aprendizagem.
The environmental history of Fenékpuszta with a special attention to the climate and precipitation of the last 2000 years
Authors: Sümegi Pál , Törőcsik Tünde , Jakab Gusztáv , Gulyás Sándor , Pomázi Péter , Majkut Péter , Páll Dávid Gergely , Persaits Gergő , Bodor Emese
Published: April 2022

This work presents the details of a multidisciplinary palaeoecological and geoarcheological study on the sedimentary sequences, including 2 undisturbed cores of the Little Balaton situated in the western part of Lake Balaton in Central Europe. The application of Quaternary palaeoecological analysis to peat and lacustrine deposits enables to identify long-term environmental changes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The principal aims were to shed light onto how former human societies and culture shaped and altered their natural environment on the one hand. Furthermore, to reconstruct the once existing environmental conditions within the framework of the natural evolution of the vegetation, soil, fauna and the catchment basin for the times preceding written historical records via the application of sedimentological, geochemical, isotope geochemical, palynological, macrobotanical, malacological and microfaunal analytical methods and approaches.
PERFORMANCE DE UM NOVO MODELO DE ABRIGO METEOROLÓGICO DE BAIXO CUSTO
Authors: Hoppe Ismael Luiz , Wollmann Cássio , Baratto Jakeline
Published: April 2022

O objetivo deste trabalho foi criar e avaliar o desempenho do abrigo meteorológico de baixo custo denominado AMP. Para a construção, foram utilizados pratos plásticos de jardim, cuja performance foi comparada com outro Abrigo Meteorológico de Baixo Custo (ABC), além da Estação Meteorológica Automática (EMA) modelo Campbell CR 1000 e a Estação Meteorológica INMET/UFSM. Nos abrigos meteorológicos de baixo custo foi instalado Dataloggers, estavam configurados para coletar dados de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar de 10 em 10 minutos, entre os dias 14/11 a 19/11/2019. Para avaliar o desempenho dos abrigos em comparação aos dados oficiais utilizou parâmetros estatísticos. Os resultados para a temperatura mostraram que o abrigo AMP apresentou o melhor desempenho em comparação ao abrigo ABC. Os abrigos testados apresentaram que o AMP tem melhor correlação com o UFSM e uma correlação quase perfeita com EMA. Para os registros de umidade ar observou-se que os maiores valores foram registrados pelos abrigos oficiais, seguido pelo ABC e a menor máxima registrada no período foi pelo AMP. Conclui-se que o abrigo AMP foi mais eficiente do que o abrigo ABC para a temperatura e umidade do ar, tendo os valores foram semelhantes com os dados da EMA e UFSM.