bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting respiratory motion using a novel patient specific dual deep recurrent neural networks
Authors: Yoganathan S A , Paloor Satheesh , Torfeh Tarraf , Aouadi Souha , Hammoud Rabih , Al-Hammadi Noora
Published: September 2022

Real-time tracking of a target volume is a promising solution for reducing the planning margins and both dosimetric and geometric uncertainties in the treatment of thoracic and upper-abdomen cancers. Respiratory motion prediction is an integral part of real-time tracking to compensate for the latency of tracking systems. The purpose of this work was to develop a novel method for accurate respiratory motion prediction using dual deep recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The respiratory motion data of 111 patients were used to train and evaluate the method. For each patient, two models (Network1 and Network2) were trained on 80% of the respiratory wave, and the remaining 20% was used for evaluation. The first network (Network 1) is a ‘coarse resolution’ prediction of future points and second network (Network 2) provides a ‘fine resolution’ prediction to interpolate between the future predictions. The performance of the method was tested using two types of RNN algorithms : Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The accuracy of each model was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). Overall, the RNN model with GRU- function had better accuracy than the RNN model with LSTM-function (RMSE (mm): 0.4 ± 0.2 versus 0.6 ± 0.3; MAE (mm): 0.4 ± 0.2 versus 0.6 ± 0.2). The GRU was able to predict the respiratory motion accurately (<1 mm) up to the latency period of 440 ms, and LSTM’s accuracy was acceptable only up to 240 ms. The proposed method using GRU function can be used for respiratory-motion prediction up to a latency period of 440 ms.
Magnetic-field-modulated radiotherapy (MagMRT) in inhomogeneous medium and its potential applications
Authors: Chu Vivien W S , Kan Monica W K , Lee Louis K Y , Wong Kenneth C W , Chan Anthony T C
Published: September 2022

Objective. To study the effects of magnetic field gradients on the dose deposition in an inhomogeneous medium and to present the benefits offered by magnetic-field-modulated radiotherapy (MagMRT) under multiple radiation beams. Approach. Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the Geant4 simulation toolkit with a 7 MV photon beam from an Elekta Unity system. A water cuboid embedded with material slabs of water, bone, lung or air was used to study the effects of MagMRT within inhomogeneous medium. Two cylindrical water phantoms, with and without a toroidal lung insert embedded, were used to study the effects of MagMRT under single, opposing or four cardinal radiation beams. Optimized magnetic field variations in the form of a wavelet were used to induce dose modulation within the material slabs or at the iso-center of the phantoms. Main results. The magnitudes of the dose enhancement and reduction induced by the magnetic field gradients become more prominent in a medium of lower density. A maximum dose increase of 6.5% and a decrease of 4.8% were found inside bone, while an increase of 20.4% and a decrease of 13.9% were found in lung tissue. Under multiple radiation beams, the dose enhancement can be induced at the iso-center while the dose reduction occurs in regions around the tumor. For the case with four cardinal beams irradiating a homogeneous water cylinder, an 8.4% of dose enhancement and a 2.4% of dose reduction were found. When a toroidal lung insert was embedded, a maximum dose enhancement of 9.5% and a reduction of 17.0% were produced for anterior-posterior opposing fields. Significance. With an optimized magnetic field gradient, MagMRT can induce a dose boost to the target while producing a better sparing to the surrounding normal tissue, resulting in a sharper dose fall-off in all directions outside the target volume.
Tailoring mechanical properties of PμSL 3D-printed structures via size effect
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Ye Haitao , Feng Xiaobin , Zhou Wenzhao , Cao Ke , Li Maoyuan , Fan Sufeng , Lu Yang
Published: September 2022

Projection micro stereolithography (PμSL) has emerged as a powerful three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for manufacturing polymer structures with micron-scale high resolution at high printing speed, which enables the production of customized 3D microlattices with feature sizes down to several microns. However, the mechanical properties of as-printed polymers were not systemically studied at the relevant length scales, especially when the feature sizes step into micron/sub-micron level, limiting its reliable performance prediction in micro/nanolattice and other metamaterial applications. In this work, we demonstrate that PμSL-printed microfibers could become stronger and significantly more ductile with reduced size ranging from 20 μm to 60 μm, showing an obvious size-dependent mechanical behavior, in which the size decreases to 20 μm with a fracture strain up to ∼100% and fracture strength up to ∼100 MPa. Such size effect enables the tailoring of the material strength and stiffness of PμSL-printed microlattices over a broad range, allowing to fabricate the microlattice metamaterials with desired/tunable mechanical properties for various structural and functional applications.
Interface extension is a continuum property suggesting a linkage between AP contractile and DV lengthening processes
Authors: Vanderleest Timothy E. , Xie Yi , Smits Celia , Blankenship J. Todd , Loerke Dinah
Published: September 2022

We examined the elongation of new interfaces in epithelial intercalation in the Drosophila germband and found that it occurs on a continuum with vertical contraction. Actomyosin-driven cell area oscillations produce transient force asymmetries at vertices to generate directional ratcheted sliding in both vertical contraction and horizontal elongation.
Tau differentially regulates the transport of early endosomes and lysosomes
Authors: Balabanian Linda , Lessard Dominique V. , Swaminathan Karthikeyan , Yaninska Pamela , Sébastien Muriel , Wang Samuel , Stevens Piper W. , Wiseman Paul W. , Berger Christopher L. , Hendricks Adam G.
Published: September 2022

Different vesicular cargoes have distinct responses to tau phosphorylation. Phosphomimetic (Y18E) tau has a weakened effect on lysosome motility compared with unphosphorylated tau and preferentially inhibits peripheral lysosomes. In contrast, early endosomes are strongly inhibited by both unphosphorylated and phosphomimetic tau.
Inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor is required for spindle assembly in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Li Ruizhen , Ren Yanping , Mo Guolong , Swider Zackary , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Bement William M. , Liu X. Johné
Published: September 2022

We employed TrimAway to deplete inositol-1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) in Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes depleted of IP3R failed at polar body emission. Using a novel cell-free spindle assembly assay, we showed that extracts derived from IP3R-depleted oocytes failed to assemble bipolar spindles. IP3R is required for spindle assembly in the oocytes.
Divergent polo boxes in KKT2 bind KKT1 to initiate the kinetochore assembly cascade in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Ishii Midori , Ludzia Patryk , Marcianò Gabriele , Allen William , Nerusheva Olga O. , Akiyoshi Bungo
Published: September 2022

Little is known about the mechanism of kinetochore assembly in evolutionarily divergent eukaryotes called kinetoplastids, which have a unique set of kinetochore proteins. In this study, the authors have characterized two homologous kinetoplastid kinetochore proteins (KKT2 and KKT3) and identified their interaction partners.
PI(3)P and DFCP1 regulate the biogenesis of lipid droplets
Authors: Lukmantara Ivan , Chen Fang , Mak Hoi Yin , Zadoorian Armella , Du Ximing , Xiao Fanqian Nicole , Norris Dougall MacMurray , Pandzic Elvis , Whan Renee , Zhong Qing , Yang Hongyuan
Published: September 2022

PI(3)P and DFCP1, both known for their association with autophagy initiation, regulate the biogenesis of lipid droplets.
Within-Person Blood Pressure Variability During Hospitalization and Clinical Outcomes Following First-Ever Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yousufuddin Mohammed , Murad M H , Peters Jessica L , Ambriz Taylor J , Blocker Katherine R , Khandelwal Kanika , Pagali Sandeep R , Nanda Sanjeev , Abdalrhim Ahmed , Patel Urvish , Dugani Sagar , Arumaithurai Kogulavadanan , Takahashi Paul Y , Kashani Kianoush B
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Uncertainty remains over the relationship between blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV), measured in hospital settings, and clinical outcomes following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We examined the association between within-person systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability (SBPV) during hospitalization and readmission-free survival, all-cause readmission, or all-cause mortality 1 year after AIS.

METHODS

In a cohort of 862 consecutive patients (age [mean ± SD] 75 ± 15 years, 55% women) with AIS (2005–2018, follow-up through 2019), we measured SBPV as quartiles of standard deviations (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) from a median of 16 SBP readings obtained throughout hospitalization.

RESULTS

In the cumulative cohort, the measured SD and CV of SBP in mmHg were 16 ± 6 and 10 ± 5, respectively. The hazard ratios (HR) for readmission-free survival between the highest vs. lowest quartiles were 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.81) for SD and 1.29 (95% CI 0.94–1.78) for CV after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. Similarly, incident readmission or mortality remained consistent between the highest vs. lowest quartiles of SD and CV (readmission: HR 1.29 [95% CI 0.90–1.78] for SD, HR 1.29 [95% CI 0.94–1.78] for CV; mortality: HR 1.15 [95% CI 0.71–1.87] for SD, HR 0.86 [95% CI 0.55–1.36] for CV).

CONCULSIONS

In patients with first AIS, SBPV measured as quartiles of SD or CV based on multiple readings throughout hospitalization has no independent prognostic implications for the readmission-free survival, readmission, or mortality. This underscores the importance of overall patient care rather than a specific focus on BP parameters during hospitalization for AIS.
The mere presence of cuckoos in breeding area alters egg-ejection decisions in Daurian redstarts
Authors: Zhang Jinggang , Santema Peter , Li Jianqiang , Feeney William E , Deng Wenhong , Kempenaers Bart
Published: September 2022

Brood parasitic cuckoos and their hosts serve as model systems for studying host–parasite coevolution. Egg-rejection behavior constitutes an effective defense against brood parasitism, but some host species show phenotypic plasticity in egg-rejection behavior. Direct exposure to a cuckoo near the nest can increase egg-rejection likelihood, and long-term studies have shown that increased the egg-rejection rates generally correlate with higher parasite prevalence. However, it remains unclear whether such increases result from interactions between parasites and hosts, as these can be surprisingly common, or whether the mere presence of cuckoos in the breeding area is sufficient. Daurian redstarts Phoenicurus auroreus are a common host of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus that defend against cuckoo parasitism mainly by ejecting the parasitic egg from the nest. This species is unique, as its first breeding attempt of the year takes place before the arrival of cuckoos, excluding the possibility for direct interactions. We simulated the ambient presence of cuckoos or hoopoes Upupa epops (control) in sub-populations of redstarts during their first egg-laying period by presenting taxidermic models and playing back vocalizations. Redstarts in cuckoo-treated plots showed significantly higher egg-ejection rates than individuals in control plots, even though females in both groups were equally likely to recognize the parasitic egg. Among females that did recognize the parasitic egg, those exposed to the cuckoo treatment were more likely to eject it than those exposed to the control treatment. Our results demonstrate unequivocally that the mere presence of cuckoos in the environment is sufficient to provoke egg-ejection behavior.
Predicting colorectal cancer tumor mutational burden from histopathological images and clinical information using multi-modal deep learning
Authors: Huang Kaimei , Lin Binghu , Liu Jinyang , Liu Yankun , Li Jingwu , Tian Geng , Yang Jialiang
Published: September 2022

Motivation

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is an indicator of the efficacy and prognosis of immune checkpoint therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). In general, patients with higher TMB values are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Though whole-exome sequencing is considered the gold standard for determining TMB, it is difficult to be applied in clinical practice due to its high cost. There are also a few DNA panel-based methods to estimate TMB; however, their detection cost is also high, and the associated wet-lab experiments usually take days, which emphasize the need for faster and cheaper alternatives.

Results

In this study, we propose a multi-modal deep learning model based on a residual network (ResNet) and multi-modal compact bilinear pooling to predict TMB status (i.e. TMB high (TMB_H) or TMB low(TMB_L)) directly from histopathological images and clinical data. We applied the model to CRC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and compared it with four other popular methods, namely, ResNet18, ResNet50, VGG19 and AlexNet. We tested different TMB thresholds, namely, percentiles of 10%, 14.3%, 15%, 16.3%, 20%, 30% and 50%, to differentiate TMB_H and TMB_L.

For the percentile of 14.3% (i.e. TMB value 20) and ResNet18, our model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.817 after 5-fold cross-validation, which was better than that of other compared models. In addition, we also found that TMB values were significantly associated with the tumor stage and N and M stages. Our study shows that deep learning models can predict TMB status from histopathological images and clinical information only, which is worth clinical application.
Resisting Dogmatism in Social Work Knowledge Generation: Theorising, Social Justice and Implications for Social Work Doctoral Education
Authors: Lee Eunjung
Published: September 2022

Social work doctoral education is charged with the task of generating and critically evaluating knowledge to inform and transform professional practice. To promote the foundational values of social justice and diversity in social work, scholars highlight the importance of multiple ways of knowing and multiple ontological perspectives in social work knowledge generation. Yet, critical scholars have raised concerns about a reviving dogmatism in the philosophical and theoretical orientations (e.g. positivism and empiricism) of social work knowledge. Recent studies also show a significant gap between research and social justice in the social work doctoral curriculum. Critically reflecting and problematising this ‘social’ phenomenon, I argue that it is essential to engage in ongoing theorising to resist dominant discourses, represent marginalised voices in social work knowledge and furthermore, to teach students how to theorise in doctoral education. Drawing from Foucauldian theories on knowledge and power, this article first contextualises the dangers of dogmatism in knowledge generation in social work. Then, I provide a brief review of the historical development of theorising, introducing Richard Swedberg’s work on the topic, particularly his four steps in the ‘process of theorising’. How this noble sociological ‘theory of theorising’ can be incorporated into social work is discussed.
N-acetylcysteine treatment mitigates loss of cortical parvalbumin-positive interneuron and perineuronal net integrity resulting from persistent oxidative stress in a rat TBI model
Authors: Hameed Mustafa Q , Hodgson Nathaniel , Lee Henry H C , Pascual-Leone Andres , MacMullin Paul C , Jannati Ali , Dhamne Sameer C , Hensch Takao K , Rotenberg Alexander
Published: September 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases cerebral reactive oxygen species production, which leads to continuing secondary neuronal injury after the initial insult. Cortical parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVIs; neurons responsible for maintaining cortical inhibitory tone) are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress and are thus disproportionately affected by TBI. Systemic N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment may restore cerebral glutathione equilibrium, thus preventing post-traumatic cortical PVI loss. We therefore tested whether weeks-long post-traumatic NAC treatment mitigates cortical oxidative stress, and whether such treatment preserves PVI counts and related markers of PVI integrity and prevents pathologic electroencephalographic (EEG) changes, 3 and 6 weeks after fluid percussion injury in rats. We find that moderate TBI results in persistent oxidative stress for at least 6 weeks after injury and leads to the loss of PVIs and the perineuronal net (PNN) that surrounds them as well as of per-cell parvalbumin expression. Prolonged post-TBI NAC treatment normalizes the cortical redox state, mitigates PVI and PNN loss, and - in surviving PVIs - increases per-cell parvalbumin expression. NAC treatment also preserves normal spectral EEG measures after TBI. We cautiously conclude that weeks-long NAC treatment after TBI may be a practical and well-tolerated treatment strategy to preserve cortical inhibitory tone post-TBI.
Precision fMRI reveals that the language-selective network supports both phrase-structure building and lexical access during language production
Authors: Hu Jennifer , Small Hannah , Kean Hope , Takahashi Atsushi , Zekelman Leo , Kleinman Daniel , Ryan Elizabeth , Nieto-Castañón Alfonso , Ferreira Victor , Fedorenko Evelina
Published: September 2022

A fronto-temporal brain network has long been implicated in language comprehension. However, this network’s role in language production remains debated. In particular, it remains unclear whether all or only some language regions contribute to production, and which aspects of production these regions support. Across 3 functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments that rely on robust individual-subject analyses, we characterize the language network’s response to high-level production demands. We report 3 novel results. First, sentence production, spoken or typed, elicits a strong response throughout the language network. Second, the language network responds to both phrase-structure building and lexical access demands, although the response to phrase-structure building is stronger and more spatially extensive, present in every language region. Finally, contra some proposals, we find no evidence of brain regions—within or outside the language network—that selectively support phrase-structure building in production relative to comprehension. Instead, all language regions respond more strongly during production than comprehension, suggesting that production incurs a greater cost for the language network. Together, these results align with the idea that language comprehension and production draw on the same knowledge representations, which are stored in a distributed manner within the language-selective network and are used to both interpret and generate linguistic utterances.
Predictive coding across the left fronto-temporal hierarchy during language comprehension
Authors: Wang Lin , Schoot Lotte , Brothers Trevor , Alexander Edward , Warnke Lena , Kim Minjae , Khan Sheraz , Hämäläinen Matti , Kuperberg Gina R
Published: September 2022

We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) to track the time-course and localization of evoked activity produced by expected, unexpected plausible, and implausible words during incremental language comprehension. We suggest that the full pattern of results can be explained within a hierarchical predictive coding framework in which increased evoked activity reflects the activation of residual information that was not already represented at a given level of the fronto-temporal hierarchy (“error” activity). Between 300 and 500 ms, the three conditions produced progressively larger responses within left temporal cortex (lexico-semantic prediction error), whereas implausible inputs produced a selectively enhanced response within inferior frontal cortex (prediction error at the level of the event model). Between 600 and 1,000 ms, unexpected plausible words activated left inferior frontal and middle temporal cortices (feedback activity that produced top-down error), whereas highly implausible inputs activated left inferior frontal cortex, posterior fusiform (unsuppressed orthographic prediction error/reprocessing), and medial temporal cortex (possibly supporting new learning). Therefore, predictive coding may provide a unifying theory that links language comprehension to other domains of cognition.
A middle ground where executive control meets semantics: the neural substrates of semantic control are topographically sandwiched between the multiple-demand and default-mode systems
Authors: Chiou Rocco , Jefferies Elizabeth , Duncan John , Humphreys Gina F , Lambon Ralph Matthew A
Published: September 2022

Semantic control is the capability to operate on meaningful representations, selectively focusing on certain aspects of meaning while purposefully ignoring other aspects based on one’s behavioral aim. This ability is especially vital for comprehending figurative/ambiguous language. It remains unclear why and how regions involved in semantic control seem reliably juxtaposed alongside other functionally specialized regions in the association cortex, prompting speculation about the relationship between topography and function. We investigated this issue by characterizing how semantic control regions topographically relate to the default-mode network (associated with memory and abstract cognition) and multiple-demand network (associated with executive control). Topographically, we established that semantic control areas were sandwiched by the default-mode and multi-demand networks, forming an orderly arrangement observed both at the individual and group level. Functionally, semantic control regions exhibited “hybrid” responses, fusing generic preferences for cognitively demanding operation (multiple-demand) and for meaningful representations (default-mode) into a domain-specific preference for difficult operation on meaningful representations. When projected onto the principal gradient of human connectome, the neural activity of semantic control showed a robustly dissociable trajectory from visuospatial control, implying different roles in the functional transition from sensation to cognition. We discuss why the hybrid functional profile of semantic control regions might result from their intermediate topographical positions on the cortex.
Lifespan developmental changes in neural substrates and functional connectivity for visual semantic processing
Authors: Jia Fanlu , Liu Chun Yin , Tan Li Hai , Siok Wai Ting
Published: September 2022

Human learning and cognitive functions change with age and experience, with late-developed complex cognitive functions, particularly those served by the prefrontal cortex, showing more age-dependent variance. Reading as a complex process of constructing meaning from print uses the left prefrontal cortex and may show a similar aging pattern. In this study, we delineated the lifespan developmental changes in the neural substrates and functional connectivity for visual semantic processing from childhood (age 6) to late adulthood (age 74). Different from previous studies that reported aging as a form of activation or neuronal changes, we examined additionally how the functional connectivity networks changed with age. A cohort of 122 Chinese participants performed semantic and font-size judgment tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Although a common left-lateralized neural system including the left mid-inferior prefrontal cortex was recruited across all participants, the effect of age, or reading experience, is evident as 2 contrastive developmental patterns: a declining trend in activation strength and extent and an increasing trend in functional connections of the network. This study suggests that visual semantic processing is not prone to cognitive decline, and that continuous reading until old age helps strengthen the functional connections of reading-related brain regions.
Left ventricular assessment with artificial intelligence increases the diagnostic accuracy of stress echocardiography
Authors: O’Driscoll Jamie M , Hawkes William , Beqiri Arian , Mumith Angela , Parker Andrew , Upton Ross , McCourt Annabelle , Woodward William , Dockerill Cameron , Sabharwal Nikant , Kardos Attila , Augustine Daniel X , Balkhausen Katrin , Chandrasekaran Badrinathan , Firoozan Soroosh , Marciniak Anna , Heitner Stephen , Yadava Mrinal , Kaul Sanjiv , Sarwar Rizwan , Sharma Rajan , Woodward Gary , Leeson Paul
Published: September 2022

Aims

To evaluate whether left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS), automatically calculated by artificial intelligence (AI), increases the diagnostic performance of stress echocardiography (SE) for coronary artery disease (CAD) detection.

Methods and results

SEs from 512 participants who underwent a clinically indicated SE (with or without contrast) for the evaluation of CAD from seven hospitals in the UK and US were studied. Visual wall motion scoring (WMS) was performed to identify inducible ischaemia. In addition, SE images at rest and stress underwent AI contouring for automated calculation of AI-LVEF and AI-GLS (apical two and four chamber images only) with Ultromics EchoGo Core 1.0. Receiver operator characteristic curves and multivariable risk models were used to assess accuracy for identification of participants subsequently found to have CAD on angiography. Participants with significant CAD were more likely to have abnormal WMS, AI-LVEF, and AI-GLS values at rest and stress (all P < 0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics for WMS index, AI-LVEF, and AI-GLS at peak stress were 0.92, 0.86, and 0.82, respectively, with cut-offs of 1.12, 64%, and −17.2%, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that addition of peak AI-LVEF or peak AI-GLS to WMS significantly improved model discrimination of CAD [C-statistic (bootstrapping 2.5th, 97.5th percentile)] from 0.78 (0.69–0.87) to 0.83 (0.74–0.91) or 0.84 (0.75–0.92), respectively.

Conclusion

AI calculation of LVEF and GLS by contouring of contrast-enhanced and unenhanced SEs at rest and stress is feasible and independently improves the identification of obstructive CAD beyond conventional WMSI.
The search for optimal antithrombotic therapy in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: facts and uncertainties
Authors: ten Berg Jurrien , Rocca Bianca , Angiolillo Dominick J , Hayashida Kentaro
Published: September 2022

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure, which is used frequently in patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. Most patients undergoing TAVI are over 80 years of age with a high bleeding as well as thrombotic risk. Despite the increasing safety of the procedure, thromboembolic events [stroke, (subclinical) valve thrombosis] remain prevalent. As a consequence, antithrombotic prophylaxis is routinely used and only recently new data on the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic drugs has become available. On the other hand, these antithrombotic drugs increase bleeding in a population with unique aortic stenosis-related bleeding characteristics (such as acquired von Willebrand factor defect and angiodysplasia). In this review, we discuss the impact of thromboembolic and bleeding events, the current optimal antithrombotic therapy based on registries and recent randomized controlled trials, as well as try to give a practical guide how to treat these high-risk patients. Finally, we discuss knowledge gaps and future research needed to fill these gaps.
Self-Reported Visual Difficulty and Daily Activity Limitations: The Moderating Role of Neighborhood Characteristics
Authors: Qin Weidi , Clarke Philippa J , Ehrlich Joshua R
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives

Understanding how neighborhood-level factors moderate the relationship between visual health and activity limitations could inform strategies for successful aging in place among older adults with sensory impairments. Guided by a vision loss impact framework, this study aims to examine whether neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder moderate the association between visual difficulty and activity limitation.

Research Design and Methods

Secondary analyses were conducted using data from Round 5 of the National Health and Aging Trend Study. A 4-level indicator was used to indicate the visual difficulty. Neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder were each measured using a 3-item scale. Summary scores were created for daily activity limitations. Ordinary least squares regressions were performed to test the study hypotheses. The complex survey design factors were applied. Missing data were handled using multiple imputations.

Results

Older adults reporting any type of visual difficulty experienced more limitations in self-care tasks, household activities, and mobility than those without visual difficulty. Neighborhood physical disorder moderated visual difficulty and activity limitations. Specifically, visual difficulty was associated with higher risk of activity limitations among participants perceiving physical disorder in the neighborhood compared to those perceiving no physical disorder.

Discussion and Implications

The study findings suggest that the vision loss impact framework provides an integrative approach to identify the health needs of older adults with visual difficulty. Future research is needed to further understand the role of neighborhood in independent living among older adults with visual difficulty and to inform community-level interventions.
Did physical activity and associated barriers change during COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland? Repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Barrett Emer M , Wyse Jason , Forde Cuisle
Published: September 2022

This repeated cross-sectional study investigated physical activity and associated barriers and facilitators during the first two waves of COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland. An online, anonymous questionnaire collated data from adults during May (n = 1274) and November (n = 810) 2020. Statistical analysis used a combination of traditional significance testing and Bayesian lasso logistic regression. The pattern of physical activity changed significantly between waves (χ2 86.8 on 3df; p < 0.001). During wave 1 restrictions, the majority [46.1% (n = 587)] of participants reported being more active than usual, decreasing to 26.3% (n = 213) during wave 2. More participants reported that their activity levels were less than usual [W1 29% (n = 369); W2 35% (n = 283)] during wave 2. Adherence to physical activity guidelines decreased from 56.5% (n = 705) to 43.7% (n = 35). Being unable to access their usual means of exercise [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.611 (1.370–1.904), W2 1.638 (1.3731.968)] and advice not to leave home [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.401 (1.164–1.697), W2 1.367 (1.106–1.696)] predicted less activity than usual during both waves. Increased time [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 2.326 (1.948–2.794), W2 1.809 (1.478–2.233)], and valuing physical activity as important [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.192 (1.001–1.444), W2 1.253 (1.003–1.637)] predicted increased activity during both waves, whilst finding new ways to be active [OR, 95% OR intervals; 2.515 (1.641–3.887)] predicted more activity in wave 2 only. Increases in physical activity of Irish adults during the first phase of COVID-19 restrictions were not maintained during the second wave and barriers to physical activity persisted.
Somatic loss of the Y chromosome is associated with arsenic exposure among Bangladeshi men
Authors: Demanelis Kathryn , Delgado Dayana A , Tong Lin , Jasmine Farzana , Ahmed Alauddin , Islam Tariqul , Parvez Faruque , Kibriya Muhammad G , Graziano Joseph H , Ahsan Habibul , Pierce Brandon L
Published: September 2022

Background

Arsenic exposure increases the risk of several cancers in humans and contributes to genomic instability. Somatic loss of the Y chromosome (LoY) is a potential biomarker of genomic instability and cancer risk. Smoking is associated with LoY, but few other carcinogens have been investigated. We tested the cross-sectional association between arsenic exposure and LoY in leukocytes among genotyped Bangladeshi men (age 20–70 years) from the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study.

Methods

We extracted the median of logR-ratios from probes on the Y chromosome (mLRR-chrY) from genotyping arrays (n = 1364) and estimated the percentage of cells with LoY (% LoY) from mLRR-chrY. We evaluated the association between arsenic exposure (measured in drinking water and urine) and LoY using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. The association between LoY and incident arsenic-induced skin lesions was also examined.

Results

Ten percent of genotyped men had LoY in at least 5% of cells and % LoY increased with age. Among men randomly selected for genotyping (n = 778), higher arsenic in drinking water, arsenic consumed and urinary arsenic were associated with increased % LoY (P = 0.006, P = 0.06 and P = 0.13, respectively). LoY was associated with increased risk of incident skin lesions (P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Arsenic exposure was associated with increased LoY, providing additional evidence that arsenic contributes to genomic instability. LoY was associated with developing skin lesions, a risk factor for cancer, suggesting that LoY may be a biomarker of susceptibility in arsenic-exposed populations. The effect of arsenic on somatic events should be further explored in cancer-prone tissue types.
Ethics in a Quantum World
Authors: Voelkner Nadine , Zanotti Laura
Published: September 2022

This forum invites a reflection on how we may understand ethics in global studies in light of the growing debate on thinking through quantum for the social sciences and humanities more broadly. Quantum principles such as entanglement and indeterminism challenge the notions of individuality and subjectivity and the validity of universal principles as sufficient guidelines for agency, all notions that constitute the foundations of modern deontological ethics. Science is not a separate sphere of society. Its concepts migrate across “disciplines” and end up constituting languages, accepted methodologies, and worldviews. The contributors to this special issue investigate how the shift from a Newtonian metaphysics to a quantum metaphysics may offer conceptual tools for transforming our understanding of causality, self and otherness, the human and the nonhuman, and how we may consequently live together in the world and act ethically in it.
A Parasitoid Puzzle: Phylogenomics, Total-evidence Dating, and the Role of Gondwanan Vicariance in the Diversification of Labeninae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Santos Bernardo F , Sandoval Marissa , Spasojevic Tamara , Giannotta Madalene M , Brady Seán G
Published: September 2022

Biogeographic patterns in the Southern Hemisphere have largely been attributed to vicariant processes, but recent studies have challenged some of the classic examples of this paradigm. The parasitoid wasp subfamily Labeninae has been hypothesized to have a Gondwanan origin, but the lack of divergence dating analysis and the discovery of a putative labenine fossil in Europe pose a challenge to that idea. Here we used a combination of phylogenomics, divergence dating and event-based biogeographical inference to test whether Gondwanan vicariance may explain the distribution patterns of Labeninae. Data from genomic ultraconserved elements were used to infer the phylogeny of Labeninae with 54 species from 9 genera and a broad selection of 99 outgroup taxa. Total-evidence divergence dating places the origin of Labeninae at around 146 mya, which is consistent with a Gondwanan origin but predates the full separation of Africa and South America. The results suggest a path for biotic exchange between South America and Australia potentially through Antarctica, until at least 49 million years ago. Total-evidence analysis places the fossil Trigonator macrocheirus Spasojevic et al. firmly inside crown-group Labeninae, suggesting that labenine distribution range at some point during the Eocene surpassed the boundaries of Gondwanaland. Biogeographic inference also indicates that North American groups represent more recent range expansions that nonetheless occurred before the formation of the Isthmus of Panama land bridge. These conclusions point to a more complex scenario than previously expected for Labeninae biogeography.
WhatsApp with Diplomatic Practices in Geneva? Diplomats, Digital Technologies, and Adaptation in Practice
Authors: Cornut Jeremie , Manor Ilan , Blumenthal Corinne
Published: September 2022

Diplomats in embassies and permanent representations are increasingly using the messaging application WhatsApp to communicate with their peers. They use WhatsApp groups to coordinate initiatives at multilateral forums, communicate more rapidly with headquarters and stay in touch with organizational developments at home, as well as form more personal working relations among their peers. To make sense of this phenomenon, our analysis looks at adaptation in practice. Instead of separating digital practices from offline/traditional ways of doing things, we build on the practice turn in International Relations and develop a nuanced framework in which improvising agents in a transformed context adapt to new realities while continuously being influenced by past ways of doing things—a phenomenon called “hysteresis” by practice turners. We analyze how traditional practices are supplemented by new technologies (complementarities) as well as how offline and online relationships are shaped by similar practical logics (similarities). We apply these micro-lenses to understand multilateral diplomacy at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Building on twenty-three interviews with practitioners, we find that WhatsApp redefines the meaning of face-to-face interactions among ambassadors and permanent representatives and makes physical meetings between diplomats more—rather than less—important.
Life history and ecology of the Greenbrier Crayfish Cambarus smilax Loughman, Simon & Welsh, 2011 (Decapoda: Astacoidea: Cambaridae)
Authors: Hughes Paul W , Hughes Charlie L , Graham Zackary A , Dillard Zachary W , Jones Thomas G , Loughman Zachary J
Published: September 2022

We studied the life history and ecology of the Greenbrier Crayfish, Cambarus smilax (Loughman, Simon & Welsh, 2011) in Thorny Creek and the West Fork of the Greenbrier River, West Virginia from August 2010 to July 2011. We gathered data on morphology, reproductive status, habitat preference, and the prevalence of claw regeneration for each monthly sampling event. We collected Form I males every single month at Thorny Creek location, and every single month besides December at West Fork Greenbrier location. Females exhibited active glair glands during May to July, with oviposition in June to August. Fecundity ranged from 71 to 179, with an average of 121 eggs per female. Cambarus smilax preferred different microhabitats at each of our two study sites. It was primarily collected in run microhabitats at Thorny Creed, but primarily collected at West Fork Greenbrier within pool microhabitats, potentially due to competitive displacement from C. chasmodactylus (James, 1966). Our study provides the first information regarding the life history of C. smilax and sheds light on the ecological implications of competition between locations with different crayfish communities.
Room for Females Only? Exploring Strongly Female-Biased Sex Ratios in Ingolfiella (Crustacea: Peracarida: Ingolfiellida) in Relation to Ecological Condition
Authors: Nijman Vincent , Vonk Ronald
Published: September 2022

While in most species the adult sex ratio is around 1:1, it can be strongly skewed in some species; some of this can be explained by ecological conditions and limits to dispersal. We hypothesize that stronger isolation imposed by ecological conditions leads to more pronounced female-biased sex ratios in the groundwater peracarid genus Ingolfiella Hansen, 1903. About 75% of all adults are female, and female-biased sex ratios are present in 30/42 of species for which individuals have been sexed. Sex ratios were not correlated with sexual size dimorphism. The adult sex ratio varied little between species found in different habitats (caves, beach sand, and seabed) thus not supporting our hypothesis that ecological conditions shape adult sex ratios. It appears that sediment structure in most habitats restrict ingolfiellids in their movement. Limited dispersal abilities and small mating assemblages may favour strongly female-biased sex ratios.
Iterative self-transfer learning: A general methodology for response time-history prediction based on small dataset
Authors: Xu Yongjia , Lu Xinzheng , Fei Yifan , Huang Yuli
Published: September 2022

There are numerous advantages of deep neural network surrogate modeling for response time-history prediction. However, due to the high cost of refined numerical simulations and actual experiments, the lack of data has become an unavoidable bottleneck in practical applications. An iterative self-transfer learning method for training neural networks based on small datasets is proposed in this study. A new mapping-based transfer learning network, named as deep adaptation network with three branches for regression (DAN-TR), is proposed. A general iterative network training strategy is developed by coupling DAN-TR and the pseudo-label strategy, and the establishment of corresponding datasets is also discussed. Finally, a complex component is selected as a case study. The results show that the proposed method can improve the model performance by near an order of magnitude on small datasets without the need of external labeled samples, well behaved pre-trained models, additional artificial labeling, and complex physical/mathematical analysis.
Optimal tool path generation and cutter geometry design for five-axis CNC flank milling of spiral bevel gears
Authors: Chu Chih-Hsing , Zhou Yuansheng , Liu En-Meng , Tang Jinyuan
Published: September 2022

Computer numerical control milling provides greater flexibility and universality for machining complex gears compared to dedicated gear manufacturing. A critical challenge in popularizing the use of five-axis flank milling to spiral bevel gears is to achieve acceptable machining accuracy that ensures the meshing performance of the finished gears. Previous studies, which used approaches such as gear design modification, using multiple tool paths, and end milling, failed to resolve this issue. Thus, this paper proposes a computational scheme to improve the machining accuracy of five-axis flank milling of spiral bevel gears by optimizing the tool path and cutter geometry. The scheme minimizes the geometric deviations between the machined surface and original design using heuristics and optimization algorithms. A simplified tooth contact analysis method was developed to quantitatively evaluate the contact path of the meshing gears. The simulation results of real gears show that the proposed scheme outperforms previous methods in reducing machining errors and further enhance the meshing performance by optimizing the design of form cutters. This work developed an effective approach for flexible and low-cost manufacturing of complex gears.
Bioindustrial manufacturing readiness levels (BioMRLs) as a shared framework for measuring and communicating the maturity of bioproduct manufacturing processes
Authors: Smanski Michael J , Aristidou Aristos , Carruth Ryan , Erickson John , Gordon Mark , Kedia Sandeep B , Lee Kelvin H , Prather Darcy , Schiel John E , Schultheisz Heather , Treynor Thomas P , Evans Steven L , Friedman Douglas C , Tomczak Melanie
Published: September 2022

Readiness level (RL) frameworks such as technology readiness levels and manufacturing readiness levels describe the status of a technology/manufacturing process on its journey from initial conception to commercial deployment. More importantly, they provide a roadmap to guide technology development and scale-up from a ‘‘totality of system’’ approach. Commercialization risks associated with too narrowly focused R&D efforts are mitigated. RLs are defined abstractly so that they can apply to diverse industries and technology sectors. However, differences between technology sectors make necessary the definition of sector specific RL frameworks. Here, we describe bioindustrial manufacturing readiness levels (BioMRLs), a classification system specific to bioindustrial manufacturing. BioMRLs will give program managers, investors, scientists, and engineers a shared vocabulary for prioritizing goals and assessing risks in the development and commercialization of a bioindustrial manufacturing process.
Evaluation of Body Size Indicators for Morphological Analyses in Two Sister Species of Genus Dorcus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae)
Authors: Ohtsu Itsuki , Chikami Yasuhiko , Umino Taichi , Gotoh Hiroki
Published: September 2022

The relationship between trait and body size, i.e., the scaling relationship or static allometry, is an essential concept for investigating trait size. However, usage of an inappropriate body size indicator can lead to misinterpretation of morphology. In this study, we examined several possible body size indicators in two closely related stag beetle species, Dorcus rectus and Dorcus amamianus. We raised animals in captivity and used pupal weight as a measure of true, or overall body size, and then evaluated six adult morphological traits to test whether these traits could be reliably used as body size indicators in static scaling relationship comparisons. We analyzed two comparisons, between sexes in same species and between species in same sex. We showed that the most appropriate body size indicators differ depending on the comparisons. Our results indicated that the scaling relationship of focal traits could be over- or under-estimated depending on which body size indicators are used.