bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APOBEC3 deaminase editing in mpox virus as evidence for sustained human transmission since at least 2016
Authors: O’Toole Áine , Neher Richard A. , Ndodo Nnaemeka , Borges Vitor , Gannon Ben , Gomes João Paulo , Groves Natalie , King David J. , Maloney Daniel , Lemey Philippe , Lewandowski Kuiama , Loman Nicholas , Myers Richard , Omah Ifeanyi F. , Suchard Marc A. , Worobey Michael , Chand Meera , Ihekweazu Chikwe , Ulaeto David , Adetifa Ifedayo , Rambaut Andrew
Published: November 2023

Historically, mpox has been characterized as an endemic zoonotic disease that transmits through contact with the reservoir rodent host in West and Central Africa. However, in May 2022, human cases of mpox were detected spreading internationally beyond countries with known endemic reservoirs. When the first cases from 2022 were sequenced, they shared 42 nucleotide differences from the closest mpox virus (MPXV) previously sampled. Nearly all these mutations are characteristic of the action of APOBEC3 deaminases, host enzymes with antiviral function. Assuming APOBEC3 editing is characteristic of human MPXV infection, we developed a dual-process phylogenetic molecular clock that—inferring a rate of ~6 APOBEC3 mutations per year—estimates that MPXV has been circulating in humans since 2016. These observations of sustained MPXV transmission present a fundamental shift to the perceived paradigm of MPXV epidemiology as a zoonosis and highlight the need for revising public health messaging around MPXV as well as outbreak management and control.
Southern Hemisphere dominates recent decline in global water availability
Authors: Zhang Yongqiang , Li Congcong , Chiew Francis H. S. , Post David A. , Zhang Xuanze , Ma Ning , Tian Jing , Kong Dongdong , Leung L. Ruby , Yu Qiang , Shi Jiancheng , Liu Changming
Published: November 2023

Global land water underpins livelihoods, socioeconomic development, and ecosystems. It remains unclear how water availability has changed in recent decades. Using an ensemble of observations, we quantified global land water availability over the past two decades. We show that the Southern Hemisphere has dominated the declining trend in global water availability from 2001 to 2020. The significant decrease occurs mainly in South America, southwestern Africa, and northwestern Australia. In the Northern Hemisphere, the complex regional increasing and decreasing trends cancel each other, resulting in a negligible hemispheric trend. The variability and trend in water availability in the Southern Hemisphere are largely driven by precipitation associated with climate modes, particularly the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. This study highlights their dominant role in controlling global water availability.
The way you move
Authors: Scavuzzo Marissa
Published: November 2023

Glial cells in the gut are specialized to fine-tune intestinal function
In Science Journals
Authors: Norton Melissa L. , Stajic Jelena , Dorsett Dale , Smith Keith T. , Grocholski Brent , Ash Caroline , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Funk Michael A. , Simonti Corinne , Suleymanov Yury , Lavine Marc S. , Stern Peter , Lopez Bianca , Smith H. Jesse , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Olingy Claire , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2023

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
In Other Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Stajic Jelena , Funk Michael A. , Maroso Mattia , Smith H. Jesse , Hurtley Stella M. , Nusinovich Yevgeniya
Published: November 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
No easy way to explain cosmic expansion mystery
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: November 2023

“Hubble tension” could be a signal of new physics. But deciphering it may not be simple
In silico
and experimental analysis of the repeated domains in BvaP, a protein important for GBS vaginal colonization
Authors: Thomas Lamar S. , Faiola Nicholas A. , Canessa Emily , Hathout Yetrib , Cook Laura C.
Published: November 2023

Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B strep, GBS) infections in neonates are often fatal and strongly associated with maternal GBS vaginal colonization. Previously, we highlighted the importance of a formerly uncharacterized protein, BvaP, in GBS vaginal colonization. BvaP is highly conserved across GBS and is made up of repeated domains, with a variable number of repeats between strains. Here, we evaluate the prevalence of BvaP repeated domains and their relevance in phenotypes previously associated with vaginal colonization. Using
in silico
analysis, we found that the number of repeats in the BvaP protein does not generally appear to be associated with serotype, isolation site, or host. Using BvaP truncations in GBS strain A909, we determined that a smaller number of repeats was correlated with decreased bacterial chain length, but adherence to vaginal epithelial cells was complemented using BvaP containing one, two, three, or five repeats. Future research will be geared toward understanding the host immune response to BvaP
in vivo
and whether vaginal carriage or host response is dependent on the BvaP repeated domains.
Intranasal antihistamines and corticosteroids in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Vieira Rafael José , Brozek Jan , Cardoso-Fernandes António , Lourenço-Silva Nuno , Ferreira-da-Silva Renato , Ferreira André , Gil-Mata Sara , Bedbrook Anna , Klimek Ludger , Fonseca Joao A , Zuberbier Torsten , Schünemann Holger J , Bousquet Jean
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Intranasal antihistamines and corticosteroids are some of the most frequently used drug classes in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, there is uncertainty as to whether effectiveness differences may exist among different intranasal specific medications. This systematic review aims to analyse and synthesise all evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of intranasal antihistamines and corticosteroids in rhinitis nasal and ocular symptoms and in rhinoconjunctivitis-related quality-of-life.

Methods and analysis

We will search four electronic bibliographic databases and three clinical trials databases for RCTs (1) assessing patients ≥12 years old with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis and (2) comparing the use of intranasal antihistamines or corticosteroids versus placebo. Assessed outcomes will include the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), the Total Ocular Symptom Score (TOSS) and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). We will assess the methodological quality of included primary studies by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Certainty in the body of evidence for the analysed outcomes will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. We will perform a random-effects meta-analysis for each assessed medication and outcome, presenting results as pooled mean differences and standardised mean differences. Heterogeneity will be explored by sensitivity and subgroup analyses, considering (1) the risk of bias, (2) the follow-up period and (3) the drug dose.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical considerations will not be required. Results will be disseminated in a peer-review journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023416573.
Relationship between an ageing measure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung function: a cross-sectional study of NHANES, 2007–2010
Authors: Ruan Zhishen , Li Dan , Huang Di , Liang Minghao , Xu Yifei , Qiu Zhanjun , Chen Xianhai
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease associated with ageing. However, actual age does not accurately reflect the degree of biological ageing. Phenotypic age (PhenoAge) is a new indicator of biological ageing, and phenotypic age minus actual age is known as phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel). This research aimed to analyse the relationship between PhenoAgeAccel and lung function and COPD.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Participants

Data for the study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010. We defined people with forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity <0.70 after inhaled bronchodilators as COPD and the rest of the population as non-COPD. Adults aged 40 years or older were enrolled in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Linear and logistic regression were used to investigate the relationship between PhenoAgeAccel, lung function and COPD. Subgroup analysis was performed by gender, age, ethnicity and smoking index COPD. In addition, we analysed the relationship between the smoking index, respiratory symptoms and PhenoAgeAccel. Multiple models were used to reduce confounding bias.

Results

5397 participants were included in our study, of which 1042 had COPD. Compared with PhenoAgeAccel Quartile1, Quartile 4 had a 52% higher probability of COPD; elevated PhenoAgeAccel was also significantly associated with reduced lung function. Further subgroup analysis showed that high levels of PhenoAgeAccel had a more significant effect on lung function in COPD, older adults and whites (P for interaction <0.05). Respiratory symptoms and a high smoking index were related to higher indicators of ageing.

Conclusions

Our study found that accelerated ageing is associated with the development of COPD and impaired lung function. Smoking cessation and anti-ageing therapy have potential significance in COPD.
Barriers to and facilitators of effective management of fever episodes in hospitalised Kenyan children with cancer: protocol for convergent mixed methods study
Authors: Nessle Charles Nathaniel , Njuguna Festus , Dettinger Julia , Koima Raphael , Nyamusi Lenah , Kisembe Evelynn , Kinja Sarah , Ndung’u Mercy , Njenga Dennis , Langat Sandra , Olbara Gilbert , Moyer Cheryl , Vik Terry
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Febrile neutropenia is an oncological emergency in children with cancer, associated with serious infections and complications. In low-resourced settings, death from infections in children with cancer is 20 times higher than in high-resourced treatment settings, thought to be related to delays in antibiotic administration and management. The barriers to effective management of fever episodes in children with cancer have not previously been described. This convergent mixed-methods study will provide the evidence to develop fever treatment guidelines and to inform their effective implementation in children with cancer at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), a level 6 referral hospital in western Kenya.

Methods and analysis

Prospective data collection of paediatric patients with cancer with new fever episodes admitted to MTRH will be performed during routine treatment. Clinical variables will be collected from 50 fever episodes, including cancer diagnosis and infectious characteristics of the fever episode, and elapsed time from fever onset to various milestones in the management workflow. Semistructured qualitative interviews with healthcare providers (estimated 20 to reach saturation) will explore the barriers to and facilitators of appropriate management of fever episodes in children with cancer. The interview guide was informed by a theoretical framework and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. A mixed-methods analysis use of joint display tables and process mapping will link and integrate the two types of data with meta-inferences.

Ethics and dissemination

Institutional review board approval was obtained from the MTRH (0004273) and the University of Michigan (HUM0225674), and the study was registered with National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (P/23/22885). Written consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be formally shared with local and national policy leadership and local end users, presented at relevant national academic conferences and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Automated assessment of ischemic core on non-contrast computed tomography: a multicenter comparative analysis with CT perfusion
Authors: Shahrouki Puja , Kihira Shingo , Tavakkol Elham , Qiao Joe X , Vagal Achala , Khatri Pooja , Bahr-Hosseini Mersedeh , Colby Geoffrey P , Jahan Reza , Duckwiler Gary , Szeder Viktor , Ledbetter Luke , Cai Stephen , Salehi Banafsheh , Doshi Amish H. , Belani Puneet , Fifi Johanna T , De Leacy Reade , Mocco J , Saver Jeffrey L , Liebeskind David S , Nael Kambiz
Published: November 2023

Background

Application of machine learning (ML) algorithms has shown promising results in estimating ischemic core volumes using non-contrast CT (NCCT).

Objective

To assess the performance of the e-Stroke Suite software (Brainomix) in assessing ischemic core volumes on NCCT compared with CT perfusion (CTP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

In this retrospective multicenter study, patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusions who underwent pretreatment NCCT and CTP, successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerbral Infarction ≥2b), and post-treatment MRI, were included from three stroke centers. Automated calculation of ischemic core volumes was obtained on NCCT scans using ML algorithm deployed by e-Stroke Suite and from CTP using Olea software (Olea Medical). Comparative analysis was performed between estimated core volumes on NCCT and CTP and against MRI calculated final infarct volume (FIV).

Results

A total of 111 patients were included. Estimated ischemic core volumes (mean±SD, mL) were 20.4±19.0 on NCCT and 19.9±18.6 on CTP, not significantly different (P=0.82). There was moderate (r=0.40) and significant (P<0.001) correlation between estimated core on NCCT and CTP. The mean difference between FIV and estimated core volume on NCCT and CTP was 29.9±34.6 mL and 29.6±35.0 mL, respectively (P=0.94). Correlations between FIV and estimated core volume were similar for NCCT (r=0.30, P=0.001) and CTP (r=0.36, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Results show that ML-based estimated ischemic core volumes on NCCT are comparable to those obtained from concurrent CTP in magnitude and in degree of correlation with MR-assessed FIV.
Environmental determinants of round goby invasion refuges at a river scale: implications for conservation of native biodiversity
Authors: Morissette Olivier , Charette Cristina , Windle Matthew J.S. , Francis Abraham , Drouin Annick , Goldsmit Jesica , Derry Alison M.
Published: November 2023

Introductions of exotic invasive species are a global disturbance for natural habitats. The severity of invasions can greatly vary from local to global scales, as observed in invasion refuges, which exhibit lower-than-expected invasion intensity. In this study, we analyzed the effects of water conductivity and wetland presence on the density of the round goby ( Neogobius melanostomus) in a large-scale study (>1300 sites), spanning a 400 km stretch of the St. Lawrence River (Canada). Our results showed that round goby density was null in sites with water conductivity under 100 µS cm−1 and increased toward a probable biological optimum at 300 µS cm−1. The presence of wetlands appeared to also decrease round goby density along the conductivity continuum. Similarly, fish community diversity was maximal outside of the round goby water conductivity optimum. Hence, low water conductivity (<100 µS cm−1), in interaction with the presence of wetlands, can provide a refuge for native aquatic species, establishing a simple risk assessment tool for managers. Our results also highlighted the high value of wetland conservation for the conservation of native species biodiversity.
Editorial: Special Issue on Quality Aspects of Data Preparation
Authors: Console Marco , Lenzerini Maurizio
Published: November 2023

This Special Issue of the Journal of Data and Information Quality (JDIQ) contains novel theoretical and methodological contributions as well as state-of-the-art reviews and research perspectives on quality aspects of data preparation. In this editorial, we summarize the scope of the issue and briefly describe its content.
Anodic Dissolution Rates Accelerate with Decreasing MoS2 Nanoflake Thickness
Authors: Toole Justin R. , Sambur Justin B.
Published: November 2023

Electrochemical gating of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) electrodes is an emerging frontier in the field of semiconductor electrochemistry. In this approach, an applied bias modifies the charge carrier concentration of the 2D TMD, causing band edge shifts and drastic changes in charge transfer rates. However, leveraging this effect for (photo)electrocatalysis is practically limited by the stability of the TMD material under gating conditions. Gerischer showed anodic dissolution of bulk TMD electrodes can occur in the dark and hypothesized that the reaction proceeds via an electron tunneling mechanism from surface states to the TMD conduction band [H. Gerischer, D. Ross, and M. Lubke, Z. Physickalische Chem., 139, 1 (1984)]. Here we investigate this possibility in single MoS2 nanoflakes using in situ optical microscopy and explore whether Gerischer’s electron tunneling mechanism can explain anodic dissolution rates of thin 2D semiconductors. Spatially resolved measurements show anodic dissolution initiates at perimeter edge sites and accelerates exponentially with decreasing layer thickness, consistent with Gerischer’s tunneling mechanism. Interestingly, single layer MoS2 is impervious to anodic dissolution at applied potentials >200 mV more positive than those required to drive dissolution in bulk and multilayer-thick nanoflakes.
Creating the HAPS Physiology Learning Outcomes: terminology, eponyms, inclusive language, core concepts, and skills
Authors: Tomicek Nanette J. , Cafferty Patrick , Casagrand Janet , Co Elizabeth , Flemming Meg , McFarland Jenny , O’Loughlin Valerie , Scott Derek , Silverthorn Dee U.
Published: November 2023

This article describes the development of competency-based learning outcomes for introductory undergraduate human physiology courses that were published and made available free of charge by the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). These learning outcomes can be edited and are keyed to physiology core concepts and to process skills that can be taught along with the content.
Vasopressin V2 receptor, tolvaptan, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the renal collecting duct
Authors: Khan Shaza , Raghuram Viswanathan , Chen Lihe , Chou Chung-Lin , Yang Chin-Rang , Khundmiri Syed J. , Knepper Mark A.
Published: November 2023

Vasopressin is a key hormone that regulates the function of the collecting duct of the kidney. ERK1 and ERK2 are enzymes that play key roles in physiological regulation in all cells. The authors used collecting duct cell cultures to investigate the effects of vasopressin and the vasopressin receptor antagonist tolvaptan on ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation and activation.
A comprehensive evaluation of heat stress and heat strain in a sample of sugarcane cutters in Brazil
Authors: McKenna Zachary J. , Nava Roberto C. , Magalhães Caíque , Magalhães de Castro Flávio , Machado Moreira Christiano , Shibuya Elisa , da Cunha Irlon , Maia Paulo Alves , Cauduro Roscani Rodrigo , Rocha-Vieira Etel , Santiago Moraes Barros Thais Maria , Bitencourt Daniel , Amorim Fabiano T.
Published: November 2023

We demonstrate that a shift of sugarcane cutting performed outdoors during the spring harvest season results in a high level of heat strain. In fact, all the studied workers sustained core temperatures above 38°C and heart rates above 75% of the measured maximum heart rate. Additionally, workers displayed a high water turnover with sweat loss close to 10% of their body weight. Finally, we report elevated muscle damage and reductions in kidney function following the work shift.
Comparison of DNA Extraction Methods for the Detection of Canned Tuna Species with DNA Mini-Barcoding
Authors: Emmi Aubrey J. , Fatusin Biola , Hellberg Rosalee S.
Published: November 2023

Tuna is susceptible to species mislabeling due to its high demand, quick rate of production, and wide range of price points. DNA barcoding, a sequencing-based technique, allows for the detection of species mislabeling by targeting a standardized region of DNA. A mitochondrial control region (CR) DNA barcode has been found to be capable of species discrimination for tuna, but it is challenging to recover the entire DNA fragment from canned tuna. While a short fragment of CR, referred to as a “mini-barcode,” has shown some success with canned tuna species identification, more research is needed to improve identification rates. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal DNA extraction method for species identification of canned tuna using CR mini-barcoding. Four commercial DNA extraction kits were compared using a sample set of 24 different cans of tuna labeled as albacore, light tuna, skipjack, or yellowfin. All samples were tested in duplicate. The greatest success was found using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and the Qiagen DNeasy Mericon Food Kit, which resulted in species identification for 42% of the samples. In comparison, the MP Biomedicals FastPrep-24 + Machery-Nagel NucleoSpin Tissue Kit resulted in species identification for 30% of the samples and the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit + PowerClean Pro Cleanup Kit resulted in species identification for 21% of the samples. Overall, the top-performing DNA extraction methods for use with CR mini-barcoding of canned tuna products were determined to be the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit and the DNeasy Mericon Food Kit.
CRISPR/Cas9-Editing K562 Cell Line as a Potential Tool in Transfusion Applications: Knockout of Vel Antigen Gene
Authors: Yang Jiaxuan , Li Aijing , Li Minghao , Ruan Shulin , Ye Luyi
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The Vel– phenotype is a rare blood group, and it is challenging for identifying this phenotype due to limited available reagents. Moreover, there are relatively few studies on genomic editing of erythroid antigens and generation of knockout (KO) cell lines at present. Methods: To identify the high-efficiency small-guiding RNA (sgRNA) sequence, candidate sgRNAs were transfected into HEK 293T cells and analyzed using Sanger sequencing. Following this, the high-efficiency sgRNA was transfected into K562 cells using lentivirus transduction to generate KO Vel blood group gene cells. The expression of the Vel protein was detected using Western blot on single-cell clones. Additionally, flow cytometry was used to detect the erythroid markers CD235a and CD71. Hemoglobin quantification and Giemsa staining were also performed to evaluate the erythroid differentiation of KO clones induced by hemin. Results: The high-efficiency sgRNA was successfully obtained and used for CRISPR-Cas9 editing in K562 cells. After limiting dilution and screening, two KO clones had either deleted 2 or 4 bases and showed no expression of the Vel protein. In the hemin-induced KO clone, there was a significant difference in erythroid marker and hemoglobin quantification compared to untreated cells. The morphological changes were also observed for the hemin-induced KO clone. Conclusion: In this study, a highly efficient sgRNA was screened out and used to generate Vel erythroid antigen KO single-cell clones in K562 cells. The edited cells could then be induced to undergo erythroid differentiation with the use of hemin.
Increased Interest in Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss Treatment Following Publication of August 2022 New York Times Article: A Google Trends Analysis
Authors: Desir Noelle , Desai Amar D. , Lipner Shari R.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss, with negative impact on patient quality of life. Oral minoxidil is used off-label for AGA treatment. We hypothesized increased public interest in oral minoxidil for hair loss treatment following the New York Times (NYT) Article on oral minoxidil: “An Old Medicine Grows New Hair for Pennies a Day, Doctors Say.” The objective of this study was to quantify interest in oral minoxidil for hair loss treatment before and after the NYT article and help inform dermatologists about treatments of interest to their patients. Method: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of Google Trends evaluating relative prevalence of “oral minoxidil,” “minoxidil,” “hair loss,” and “Rogaine®” 2/2022–5/2023. t tests compared mean search volume and linear regression analysis quantified changes in public interest over time. Results: Oral minoxidil and minoxidil search volumes increased from 0.86 to 3.00 and 22.43 to 32.60, respectively, before and after the NYT article (both p < 0.05). Minoxidil searches continually increased by 500,000 searches per month (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There was a significant and sustained increase in Google searches for oral minoxidil after publication of the NYT article, indicating increased patient interest. Larger clinical trials are needed to provide evidence-based care to AGA patients.
100 anos de uma forma de contar histórias
Authors: Vale Marco
Published: November 2023

O texto busca demonstrar como aspectos da linguagem narrativa desenvolvida por D. W. Griffith em seus curtas-metragens para a Biograph, particularmente a montagem paralela e o uso de close-ups, ainda servem de base para a narrativa de obras audiovisuais norte-americanas contemporâneas, das quais o filme Matrix (1999) é tomado como exemplo. O texto também destaca como Griffith, em muitos de seus curtas, se vale da presença de objetos tecnológicos de comunicação como elementos fomentadores do suspense, algo que também pode ser verificado no filme contemporâneo em questão.
Carlos Reichenbach: O lugar da convivência possível
Authors: Roizman Geraldo Blay
Published: November 2023

O ponto mais polêmico na obra de Carlos Reichenbach talvez seja a atuação dos atores, a composição de tipos e a busca pela boa e fácil leitura de cada um dos personagens ou dos estereótipos associados ao universo específico do cineasta, a periferia da Grande São Paulo. Este problema contém no seu âmago, ao analisarmos especificamente o seu derradeiro filme Falsa Loura, a própria estrutura estético/ideológica de seus filmes. A preocupação do cineasta parece ser com a diluição sutil da solidez dos laços sociais que resistem nos centros urbanos, e que estão centrados na manutenção de vínculos de solidariedade grupal. A explicitação clara dos personagens, combinada ao estilo de interpretação – por vezes de um frágil tom novelístico –, reforçaria a ideia de um cinema crítico, de super-identificações, uma vez que traz consigo a ideia da construção de um lugar utópico, de pactos entre diferenças e de suas convivências possíveis.
“Consciência das cores”: Natalie Kalmus e o technicolor na Grã-Bretanha
Authors: Street Sarah
Published: November 2023

Quando o Technicolor foi visto pela primeira vez nos cinemas da Grã-Bretanha, ele foi recebido por uma onda de opiniões contraditórias, desde a queixa perplexa de que “com  a tela em um ardente motim de cores é impossível se concentrar totalmente em qualquer indivíduo em particular” até a alegação de que “filmes em preto e branco em breve serão uma coisa do passado." Os modos do discurso contemporâneo a respeito da cor frequentemente abordavam o impacto das cores no público que, temia-se, poderia ser distraído por sua aparência espetacular no contexto do cinema narrativo. Para muitos diretores, diretores de fotografia e diretores de arte, contudo, a escolha da cor demonstrava o seu fascínio como registro simbólico, como uma ferramenta para apoiar a narrativa e como técnica expressiva. Este ensaio discute a chegada do Technicolor na Grã-Bretanha e o impacto que teve sobre as práticas vigentes, bem como sobre os regimes estéticos.
Berkeley e o relógio vazio. Um exercício em filosofia da ciência
Authors: Chibeni Silvio Seno
Published: November 2023

Neste artigo forneço evidências para a visão, frequentemente questionada na literatura, de que Berkeley concebeu e explorou sistematicamente, desde seus cadernos de juventude até sua última grande obra, Siris, um projeto filosófico coerente e unificado para a filosofia natural, cujos fundamentos metafísicos são a imaterialidade e inatividade causal dos corpos, derivados, a seu turno, de uma teoria do conhecimento estritamente empirista. Elegendo como eixo principal o tratamento dado por Berkeley à aparente irregularidade dos fenômenos naturais, procuro mostrar que há recursos suficientes, dentro de seu próprio sistema, para lidar com as múltiplas dificuldades que têm sido apontadas para que nele se enxergue a busca de um objetivo bem definido, anunciado explicitamente nos subtítulos dos Princípios e dos Três Diálogos: investigar as “principais causas de erros e dificuldades nas ciências”, para que sejam tornadas “mais fáceis, úteis e enxutas”. Em que pese o risco de eventuais anacronismos, sugiro, como recurso adicional de análise do projeto berkeleyano, alguns possíveis paralelos entre ele e a forma pela qual o problema do realismo científico já vinha sendo efetivamente tratado desde, pelo menos, Descartes, e que em nossos dias alcançou proeminência nos debates entre filósofos da ciência.
Putting Science to Work
Authors: Miller David
Published: November 2023

Although it is incontrovertible that there is an intimate relation between theoretical science and technological progress, the relation is persistently misrepresented. What is especially poorly understood is how indirect is the application in technology and engineering of scientific laws. This is not to diminish the importance of the service performed by theoretical science for technology, but to locate it correctly. It allows us also to identify the sense in which technology is an application of science, and to explain how it partakes fully in its rationality.
Fora da história não há salvação? Filosofia da história no início do século 21
Authors: Martins Estevão C. de Rezende
Published: November 2023

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Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Sex and Racial Differences in Cardiovascular Outcomes and Cognitive Function
Authors: Welty Francine K. , Daher Ralph , Garelnabi Mahdi
Published: November 2023

Both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive decline are common features of aging. One in 5 deaths is cardiac for both men and women in the United States, and an estimated 50 million are currently living with dementia worldwide. In this review, we summarize sex and racial differences in the role of fish and its very long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in preventing CVD events and cognitive decline. In prospective studies, women with higher nonfried and fatty fish intake and women and Black individuals with higher plasma levels of EPA and DHA had a lower risk of CVD. In randomized controlled trials of EPA and DHA supplementation in primary CVD prevention, Black subjects benefited in a secondary outcome. In secondary CVD prevention, both men and women benefited, and Asians benefited as a prespecified subgroup. Fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with prevention of cognitive decline in prospective studies. In randomized controlled trials of EPA and DHA supplementation, women have cognitive benefit. DHA seems more beneficial than EPA, and supplementation is more beneficial when started before cognitive decline. Although studies in women and racial groups are limited, life-long intake of nonfried and fatty fish lowers the risk of CVD and cognitive decline, and randomized controlled trials also show the benefit of EPA and DHA supplementation. These findings should be factored into recommendations for future research and clinical recommendations as dietary modalities could be cost-effective for disease prevention.
The individualized neural tuning model: Precise and generalizable cartography of functional architecture in individual brains
Authors: Feilong Ma , Nastase Samuel A. , Jiahui Guo , Halchenko Yaroslav O. , Gobbini M. Ida , Haxby James V.
Published: November 2023

Quantifying how brain functional architecture differs from person to person is a key challenge in human neuroscience. Current individualized models of brain functional organization are based on brain regions and networks, limiting their use in studying fine-grained vertex-level differences. In this work, we present the individualized neural tuning (INT) model, a fine-grained individualized model of brain functional organization. The INT model is designed to have vertex-level granularity, to capture both representational and topographic differences, and to model stimulus-general neural tuning. Through a series of analyses, we demonstrate that (a) our INT model provides a reliable individualized measure of fine-grained brain functional organization, (b) it accurately predicts individualized brain response patterns to new stimuli, and (c) for many benchmarks, it requires only 10–20 minutes of data for good performance. The high reliability, specificity, precision, and generalizability of our INT model affords new opportunities for building brain-based biomarkers based on naturalistic neuroimaging paradigms.
Clashes and agreements between regulatory agencies and courts: The influence on regulatory governance
Authors: Silva Jeovan , Guimaraes Tomas Aquino
Published: November 2023

Literature on the operation of regulatory agencies and their interactions with the executive branch of government is well established. Much less attention has been devoted to the relationship between these agencies and the courts, especially in case of judicial review of regulators’ decisions. This paper examines how judicial review of regulatory decisions produces clashes and agreements between regulatory agencies and the courts, and the influence of these relationships on regulatory governance. The research was conducted in Brazil with 21 interviews, consisting of eight officials of six federal regulatory agencies, seven attorneys from five agencies, and six federal judges. Regulatory governance, institutional theory, and regulatory overlap were the main analytical frameworks for this research. Data was subjected to content analysis. The findings showed that judicial review plays an important role in the overlapping scopes between courts and regulatory agencies. The institutional details of regulatory governance are crucial for the regulatory bodies to function. Despite the conflicts, judges seek more coordination with regulators, because of a greater awareness of the specifics of regulatory policies. Attorneys of regulatory bodies perform a key role in the dialogue between regulators and courts, especially by bridging the gap between technical and legal protocols. Regulatory litigation provides powerful economic agents with the opportunity to obtain a successful remittance of fines, thereby diluting the regulators’ ability to enforce regulation.

Points for practitioners

Judicial review is the only coordinating mechanism between regulatory agencies and the courts and plays a crucial role in defining regulatory policies and in controlling administrative behavior. In the process of judicial review, regulatory bodies confront the uncertainties that mark the blurred boundaries between the roles performed by state actors and authorities in dealing with regulation. By examining the Brazilian case, the research sheds light on regulatory governance and deals with the balance of power between the judiciary and formally independent regulatory bodies. The findings indicate the value of closer dialogue between regulators and courts in a context where regulatory agencies are increasingly called upon to make important technical and social choices on highly sensitive public issues.
How affected family members communicate about their loved one’s non-medical opioid use
Authors: Brown Suzanne , O’Shay Sydney , Pasman Emily , Hicks Danielle , Agius Elizabeth , Resko Stella M.
Published: November 2023

Family members of people who misuse opioids frequently experience stigma due to their association with non-medical opioid use (NMOU). Stigma may affect how family members communicate about NMOU and seek social support. Guided by communication privacy management theory, this study sought to understand how affected family members (AFMs) communicate about NMOU within and outside of the immediate family. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 adults with an immediate relative with NMOU. Qualitative analyses utilized a common iterative approach. Findings identified complex dialectical tensions that families traverse in both wanting to conceal stigmatizing information while simultaneously wanting to disclose information to engage support for themselves during stressful experiences. Strategies to resolve this tension included focusing on the good, functional updates, and moving from closed to open communication boundaries. Treatment for individuals with NMOU should engage families and assist with the resolution of communication privacy management tensions.
A structured prediction approach for robot imitation learning
Authors: Duan Anqing , Batzianoulis Iason , Camoriano Raffaello , Rosasco Lorenzo , Pucci Daniele , Billard Aude
Published: November 2023

We propose a structured prediction approach for robot imitation learning from demonstrations. Among various tools for robot imitation learning, supervised learning has been observed to have a prominent role. Structured prediction is a form of supervised learning that enables learning models to operate on output spaces with complex structures. Through the lens of structured prediction, we show how robots can learn to imitate trajectories belonging to not only Euclidean spaces but also Riemannian manifolds. Exploiting ideas from information theory, we propose a class of loss functions based on the f-divergence to measure the information loss between the demonstrated and reproduced probabilistic trajectories. Different types of f-divergence will result in different policies, which we call imitation modes. Furthermore, our approach enables the incorporation of spatial and temporal trajectory modulation, which is necessary for robots to be adaptive to the change in working conditions. We benchmark our algorithm against state-of-the-art methods in terms of trajectory reproduction and adaptation. The quantitative evaluation shows that our approach outperforms other algorithms regarding both accuracy and efficiency. We also report real-world experimental results on learning manifold trajectories in a polishing task with a KUKA LWR robot arm, illustrating the effectiveness of our algorithmic framework.
Quatro++: Robust global registration exploiting ground segmentation for loop closing in LiDAR SLAM
Authors: Lim Hyungtae , Kim Beomsoo , Kim Daebeom , Mason Lee Eungchang , Myung Hyun
Published: November 2023

Global registration is a fundamental task that estimates the relative pose between two viewpoints of 3D point clouds. However, there are two issues that degrade the performance of global registration in LiDAR SLAM: one is the sparsity issue and the other is degeneracy. The sparsity issue is caused by the sparse characteristics of the 3D point cloud measurements in a mechanically spinning LiDAR sensor. The degeneracy issue sometimes occurs because the outlier-rejection methods reject too many correspondences, leaving less than three inliers. These two issues have become more severe as the pose discrepancy between the two viewpoints of 3D point clouds becomes greater. To tackle these problems, we propose a robust global registration framework, called Quatro++. Extending our previous work that solely focused on the global registration itself, we address the robust global registration in terms of the loop closing in LiDAR SLAM. To this end, ground segmentation is exploited to achieve robust global registration. Through the experiments, we demonstrate that our proposed method shows a higher success rate than the state-of-the-art global registration methods, overcoming the sparsity and degeneracy issues. In addition, we show that ground segmentation significantly helps to increase the success rate for the ground vehicles. Finally, we apply our proposed method to the loop closing module in LiDAR SLAM and confirm that the quality of the loop constraints is improved, showing more precise mapping results. Therefore, the experimental evidence corroborated the suitability of our method as an initial alignment in the loop closing. Our code is available at https://quatro-plusplus.github.io .
Regional approaches to conflict prevention: The effectiveness of rhetorical and diplomatic tools
Authors: Breslawski Jori , Cunningham David , Fleishman Madeline
Published: November 2023

Research has shown that international actors can contribute to resolving violent conflicts. In this article, we focus on conflict prevention, and argue that tools that are relatively non-invasive and rapid to deploy are effective at preventing conflict from escalating. We identify two tools that meet these criteria—rhetorical and diplomatic action, and argue that regional organizations are particularly poised to deploy these tools successfully. Drawing upon new data, we find that rhetorical and diplomatic actions deployed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are generally associated with reductions in violent events as well as fatalities in the following month.
Development of Grapho-Narrative Neonatal Discharge Summary Format and its Comparison with Traditional Narrative Format
Authors: Murthy D Srinivasa
Published: November 2023

Background

Tiny and sick neonates stay for a longer duration in the Neonatal unit. Discharge of these neonates gets quite delayed due to typing the elaborative summary followed by other discharge formalities. This results in unpleasant experiences for most parents and some of them express the displeasure quite vocally. Apart from that, the presentation of crucial information is not uniform due to the variable levels of experience and language proficiency of the doctors who prepare discharge summaries.

Primary Objective

To develop a graphical format of discharge summary for neonatal patients and compare it with a traditional narrative discharge summary.

Method

In this study, we developed a Microsoft Excel template for a visual representation of main discharge information with scope for narration when required. We compared this with the traditional narrative summary of a hypothetical case.

Results

20 pediatricians with experience in neonatal intensive care participated and filled in the scorecard after going through both formats of the discharge summary. Overall, the grapho-narrative summary scored significantly better with a median score of 114 compared to narrative summary score of 90 (p=.004).

Conclusion

Grapho-narrative format is quicker to prepare, provides the information as a snapshot which is preferred by pediatricians.
RoBERTa-Assisted Outcome Prediction in Ovarian Cancer Cytoreductive Surgery Using Operative Notes
Authors: Laios Alexandros , Kalampokis Evangelos , Mamalis Marios Evangelos , Tarabanis Constantine , Nugent David , Thangavelu Amudha , Theophilou Georgios , De Jong Diederick
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Contemporary efforts to predict surgical outcomes focus on the associations between traditional discrete surgical risk factors. We aimed to determine whether natural language processing (NLP) of unstructured operative notes improves the prediction of residual disease in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) following cytoreductive surgery.

Methods

Electronic Health Records were queried to identify women with advanced EOC including their operative notes. The Term Frequency – Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) score was used to quantify the discrimination capacity of sequences of words (n-grams) regarding the existence of residual disease. We employed the state-of-the-art RoBERTa-based classifier to process unstructured surgical notes. Discrimination was measured using standard performance metrics. An XGBoost model was then trained on the same dataset using both discrete and engineered clinical features along with the probabilities outputted by the RoBERTa classifier.

Results

The cohort consisted of 555 cases of EOC cytoreduction performed by eight surgeons between January 2014 and December 2019. Discrete word clouds weighted by n-gram TF-IDF score difference between R0 and non-R0 resection were identified. The words ‘adherent’ and ‘miliary disease’ best discriminated between the two groups. The RoBERTa model reached high evaluation metrics (AUROC .86; AUPRC .87, precision, recall, and F1 score of .77 and accuracy of .81). Equally, it outperformed models that used discrete clinical and engineered features and outplayed the performance of other state-of-the-art NLP tools. When the probabilities from the RoBERTa classifier were combined with commonly used predictors in the XGBoost model, a marginal improvement in the overall model’s performance was observed (AUROC and AUPRC of .91, with all other metrics the same).

Conclusion/Implications

We applied a sui generis approach to extract information from the abundant textual surgical data and demonstrated how it can be effectively used for classification prediction, outperforming models relying on conventional structured data. State-of-art NLP applications in biomedical texts can improve modern EOC care.
Whirling analysis of unbalanced rotor using the vectors of solution coefficients
Authors: Kandouci Chahreddine , Adjal Yassine , Cherif Zakia Hamdi , Tayeb Rachid
Published: November 2023

A prevalent issue in rotors is mass unbalance, which leads to synchronous lateral vibrations. In this paper, the critical whirling speeds and global responses of an unbalanced rotor-bearing system with viscoelastic boundary condition are computed using the relationships between the vectors of solution coefficients of differential equations governing the transverse displacements. The mathematical formulation is based on the matrix form of the aforementioned relationships and boundary conditions in the resonance case. The Timoshenko beam model, including the effects of gyroscopic moments is employed. It was found that the presented approach in comparison with the transfer matrix method reduces the matrix product when shaft segments have the same geometric and mechanical properties. A good agreement is found between the results of this study and the findings of studies available in the literature. Furthermore, the eigenvectors for free vibrations of the system were calculated by combining Natanson’s technique with the presented approach while considering the derived rotor’s characteristic equation after removing the forced term in the equation that describes the forced vibrations. Each obtained forward whirling mode shape describes perfectly the global response in the vicinity of the corresponding forward critical speed. The presented approach can, therefore, be applied to obtain the unbalance responses, whirling speeds, and associated mode shapes of rotor-bearing systems with complex boundary conditions.
Robust trajectory tracking control design for the robotic arm with uncertainty and experimental validation
Authors: Zhen Shengchao , Meng Chaoqun , Liu Xiaoli , Chen Ye-hwa
Published: November 2023

The robotic arm is a complicated system with multiple inputs and outputs, strong coupling, containing uncertainties and nonlinearities. This study proposes a new practical robust control method based on the dynamics model and tracking error, including a model- and error-based proportional-differential feedback term and an error-based robust term. Specifically, the dynamics of the system are modeled using the Lagrangian method. Uncertainties are presumed to be time-varying but limited. Based on the Lyapunov method, the proposed controller has theoretically demonstrated the controlled system with uniform boundedness (UB) and uniform ultimate boundedness (UUB). Furthermore, the radius of the ultimately bounded hypersphere is arbitrarily small based on selecting appropriate design parameters. Based on the two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) planar robotic arm experimental platform, the self-developed rapid controller prototype CSPACE-RT is intended to eliminate tedious programming or debugging, significantly simplifying the experimental process. Finally, numerical simulation and experiment results verified the excellent control performance of the suggested controller.