bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity cut-points for older adults using the Zio XT onboard accelerometer
Authors: Etzkorn Lacey H. , Davoudi Anis , Dooley Erin E. , Gabriel Kelley P. , Chen Lin Yee , Crainiceanu Ciprian M. , Schrack Jennifer A. , Wanigatunga Amal A.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The Zio® XT continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitor (Zio) contains an accelerometer that can help quantify an individual’s physical activity in the free-living environment.

Purpose

(1) To estimate activity cut-points to estimate daily time spent performing very light, light, or moderate to vigorous physical activity (VLIPA, LIPA, MVPA) for the Zio accelerometer. (2) To describe how Zio’s 24-h wear protocol affects estimates of daily MVPA relative to a waist-worn accelerometer’s waking-wear protocol.

Methods

Three hundred eighty one participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study wore a waist-mounted ActiGraph GT3X (except while sleeping or water-based activities) and a Zio (24-h) simultaneously for three to seven days. For each person-minute, physical activity was summarized as the Mean Amplitude Deviation (MAD) for the Zio and Vector Magnitude Counts (VMC) for the GT3X. Cut points previously used in ARIC were mapped from GT3X VMC to Zio MAD using a conditional two-sample quantile–quantile approach.

Results

Evenson VMC cut-points for the GT3X (VLIPA≥76, LIPA≥903, MVPA≥2075 counts/min) were mapped to MAD for Zio (9.04, 28.2, and 58.1 mili-g). Daily hours spent in each intensity category were each strongly correlated (ICC > 0.7) between summaries produced by Zio and GT3X when restricting estimates to overlapping wear time. Zio and GT3X-estimated MVPA had high agreement (ICC = 0.77) when using device-specific wear time, but Zio measured one hour more of daily LIPA and VLIPA (95% CI = 0.83, 1.07 hrs/day).

Conclusions

We recommend the use of our cut-points for clinical research with Zio accelerometry in populations of older adults.
Pre- and post-hemodialysis differences in heart failure diagnosis by current heart failure guidelines in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Kim Bong-Joon , Bae Su-Hyun , Kim Soo-Jin , Im Sung-Il , Kim Hyunsu , Heo Jung-Ho , Shin Ho Sik , Kim Ye Na , Jung Yeonsoon , Rim Hark
Published: June 2024

Background

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are on hemodialysis (HD) have reduced vascular compliance and are likely to develop heart failure (HF). In this study, we estimated the prevalence of HF pre- and post-HD in ESRD using the current guidelines.

Methods

We prospectively investigated HF in ESRD patients on HD using echocardiography pre- and post-HD. We used the structural and functional abnormality criteria of the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Results

A total of 54 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 62.6 years, and 40.1% were male. Forty-five patients (83.3%) had hypertension, 28 (51.9%) had diabetes, and 20 (37.0%) had ischemic heart disease. The mean N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide BNP (NT-proBNP) level was 12,388.8 ± 2,592.2 pg/dL. The mean ideal body weight was 59.3 kg, mean hemodialysis time was 237.4 min, and mean real filtration was 2.8 kg. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 62.4%, and mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was 52.0 mm in pre-HD. Post-HD echocardiography showed significantly lower left atrial volume index (33.3 ± 15.9 vs. 40.6 ± 17.1, p = 0.030), tricuspid regurgitation jet V (2.5 ± 0.4 vs. 2.8 ± 0.4 m/s, p < 0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (32.1 ± 10.3 vs. 38.4 ± 11.6, p = 0.005) compared with pre-HD. There were no differences in LVEF, E/E′ ratio, or left ventricular global longitudinal strain. A total of 88.9% of pre-HD patients and 66.7% of post-HD patients had either structural or functional abnormalities in echocardiographic parameters according to recent HF guidelines (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Our data showed that the majority of patients undergoing hemodialysis satisfy the diagnostic criteria for HF according to current HF guidelines. Pre-HD patients had a 22.2% higher incidence in the prevalence of functional or structural abnormalities as compared with post-HD patients.
Simulation of seismic waves in fluid-solid coupled thermoelastic media
Authors: Yang Sen , Wu Guochen , Shan Junzhen , Liu Hongying
Published: June 2024

This research advances seismic wave propagation analysis by incorporating temperature effects within fluid-solid coupled media. Leveraging the Lord-Shulman theory, we develop propagation equations that apply thermoacoustic and thermoelastic concepts to the intricacies of fluid-solid-thermal coupled media. This method facilitates the energy exchange between different regions by using distinct wave propagation equations in various media and implementing appropriate boundary conditions at the interfaces. Subsequently, we use high-order staggered grids and formulate corresponding perfectly matched layer absorbing boundaries to enhance simulation accuracy and reduce computational demands. This approach is validated through two numerical examples and rock-physics experiments, highlighting the crucial influence of thermal variations on subsurface wave dynamics and the method’s effectiveness in synthesizing seismic records and simulating converted wave information. The results indicate that our method provides a new approach for analyzing seismic wave propagation characteristics in fluid-solid coupled environments with temperature variations.
Efficient large-scale 3D gravity modeling using a fast evaluate kernel matrix combined with compressed matrix techniques
Authors: Wang Xulong , He Zhanxiang , Liu Jianxin , Li Jian , Li Kun
Published: June 2024

A fast calculated kernel matrix method is coupled with a compressed matrix technique to solve the large-scale gravity forward-modeling problem. This method accelerates the coefficient matrix computation by reducing the arctangent, logarithm, and multiplication functions in the prismatic gravity analytical expression. In addition, the use of the compressed matrix technique presents a significant advantage in that it does not require the storage of redundant kernel matrices, further reducing the memory requirements and computation time. Moreover, the discrete convolution of the compressed matrix with density is executed through the 2D fast Fourier transform (FFT). Two typical synthetic models are used to test the performance of the novel algorithm. The results demonstrate that the developed algorithm is approximately 15 times faster than the traditional algorithm. Concurrently, it demands almost 1/7th of the memory while ensuring equivalent computational accuracy. To further illustrate the capability of the algorithm, we apply our method to the terrain correction of an airborne gravity data set using a real digital elevation model. Our approach efficiently calculates 250,000 observation points across 25 million cells in only 5.42 s, compared with 234.81 s for the latest 2D Gauss-FFT method.
Acoustic full-waveform inversion on land surveys: A case study on the Qademah fault, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Zhou Wei , Hanafy Sherif M.
Published: June 2024

Geophysical methods have been used to map a Qademah fault near a residential area in western Saudi Arabia. However, the location and spatial extension of the fault zone are still uncertain due to the limited resolution and length of geophysical surveys. We apply seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) to a land survey 2 km in length, the result of which reveals more details of the fault as well as the subsurface. Before inversion, we remove the surface waves, converted waves, and other elastic phenomena in the f- k domain and normalize the trace amplitude to compensate for attenuation, such that wavefield modeling for FWI can be approximated by acoustic propagators with constant density. Due to the large wavefield amplitudes near the source-receiver positions, the FWI velocity gradient presents a singular zone in the near surface, which is muted to stabilize the inversion. We also invert the short-offset traces before the larger-offset traces to avoid cycle skipping at the far offsets and obtain a reasonable data fit despite some mismatches in the near offsets. The final FWI velocity model shows the Qademah fault at approximately 1000 m distance as well as three low-velocity anomalies at 100 m depth, confirmed by first-arrival traveltime tomography. We also observe a potential low-velocity layer at 250–300 m depth, which was not reported in former studies. This model can also be used for geologic interpretation, hazard assessment, and paleoseismology studies of the local area.
Neuropathy trajectory informed by algorithm-based alerts from remote symptom monitoring (RSM) tool in breast cancer practice.
Authors: Saltzman Joel N. , Rusli Emelly , Galaznik Aaron , Wujcik Debra
Published: June 2024

11114

Background: The prevalence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) ranges from 19% to over 85%1. In breast cancer (BC) adjuvant treatment, 40% of women report numbness and tingling after two years with 10% stating the symptoms are severe2. Risk factors include age, pre-existing neuropathy (PN), and treatment with taxanes and platinum-based drugs. This study explored the trajectory of neuropathy in data from remote symptom monitoring (RSM) in breast cancer practice. Methods: Women undergoing BC treatment who enrolled in Carevive PROmPT, an RSM tool, between 9/1/2020 and 11/29/2023 were included. A composite score (derived from PRO-CTCAE) using presence, severity, and interference reports symptoms as mild, moderate or severe. Mild symptoms are discussed at the next clinical visit while moderate/severe symptoms trigger an alert to the care team for immediate evaluation and mitigation. Analysis of neuropathy trajectory was conducted in patients who did not have PN at baseline, examining time to first neuropathy report and time to alert trigger due to severity. Age at first neuropathy, duration of therapy, cancer stage, race, CIPN drugs use, and the level of neuropathy interference was explored. Results: A total of 519 BC patients with one or more alerts were included, of whom 177 (34.1%) reported moderate/severe neuropathy at least once. Of 7,641 total alerts generated, 10.5% were associated with neuropathy. Nearly 40% (n=74) of patients had PN, with median age was 58.5, 31% late stage, 32% Black/African American, and 61% having prior CIPN treatment. About 58.2% of patients (n=103) did not have PN at baseline; of whom neuropathy was first reported over a median of 42 days (IQR: 17.5, 70.5) from baseline and 53.4% of patients (n=55) had mild neuropathy at first report, which then progressed to moderate/severe at a median of 28 days (IQR: 14, 79). About half of patients (52%) described the first neuropathy interference to be a little bit or somewhat. Patients with mild first occurrence of neuropathy (n=55) were then stratified by time to first neuropathy alert (moderate/severe) from first report: 0-28 days (n=28) and >28 days (n=27). For the two groups, median age at first neuropathy was 51 and 49, duration of treatment was 2.4 and 4.4 months, late stage was 18% and 15%, Black/African American 32% and 22%, and receiving CIPN drugs at alert was 24% and 29%, respectively. The most prevalent level of interference upon alert was described as somewhat (32% vs. 28%, respectively). Conclusions: Breast cancer patients are at risk for developing severe and sustained neuropathy. Patients without PN whose first report of neuropathy was mild, quickly progressed to moderate/severe neuropathy. Physician notification at first report of neuropathy rather than with an alert of moderate/severe neuropathy provides opportunity for earlier intervention and better outcomes.
Beamion LUNG-2: A phase III randomized controlled trial of zongertinib (BI 1810631) versus standard of care (SoC) in patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring HER2 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations.
Authors: Johnson Melissa Lynne , Soo Ross A. , Wu Yi-Long , Baktash Navid , Maier Daniela , Eigenbrod-Giese Sabina , Yoshida Tatsuya
Published: June 2024

TPS8654

Background: HER2mutations are present in 2–4% of NSCLC tumors, and ~50% occur in the TKD. First-line SoC for patients with HER2mutation-positive (m+) NSCLC is platinum-based chemotherapy ± immunotherapy; however, no targeted first-line treatment has been approved. Zongertinib is a HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that binds to both wild-type and mutated HER2 but spares EGFR. In a Phase Ia trial in 53 pre-treated patients with HER2 aberration-positive solid tumors, zongertinib conferred an objective response (OR)/disease control rate (DCR) of 49/91% and an OR/DCR of 58/97% in those patients with HER2m+ NSCLC (n=36), with manageable safety with few EGFR-associated toxicities (Beamion LUNG-1; NCT04886804). Here, we describe Beamion LUNG-2 (NCT06151574), a Phase III, randomized, active-controlled, open-label trial designed to assess the efficacy of first-line zongertinib versus SoC in patients with HER2m+, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. Methods: Approximately 270 patients from ~160 sites across 30 countries will be randomized 1:1 to receive either zongertinib or SoC and stratified by the presence of the A775_G77insYVMA HER2 mutation. In the experimental treatment arm, patients will receive 120 mg oral zongertinib once-daily in 21-day cycles. In the comparator treatment arm, patients will receive 500 mg/m2 intravenous pemetrexed chemotherapy, plus either 75 mg/m2 cisplatin or Area Under the Curve 5 carboplatin, plus 200 mg pembrolizumab on Day 1 once every 3 weeks (q3w) for four 21-day cycles, then maintenance with 500 mg/m2 pemetrexed plus 200 mg pembrolizumab q3w for up to 35 cycles. Treatment in both arms will continue until progressive disease (PD; RECIST 1.1), undue toxicity, or other criteria are met. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (RECIST 1.1), by blinded central independent review. Secondary endpoints include OR (defined as best overall response of complete or partial response, RECIST 1.1); patient-reported outcomes analysed as changes from baseline to Week 25; overall survival and occurrence of adverse events (CTCAE version 5.0). Key inclusion criteria are histologically or cytologically diagnosed advanced and/or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC; ≥1 measurable lesion (RECIST 1.1); no prior systemic treatment for locally advanced or metastatic disease; a documented HER2 TKD mutation; and eligibility to receive the selected SoC. Key exclusion criteria are tumors with targetable alterations with an available treatment; presence/history of uncontrolled/symptomatic leptomeningeal disease; and radiotherapy or major surgery ≤4 weeks prior to randomization. Clinical trial information: NCT06151574 .
REZILIENT2: Phase 2 study of zipalertinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with exon 20 insertions (ex20ins) and other uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations.
Authors: Yu Helena Alexandra , Besse Benjamin , Nishio Makoto , Cheng Ying , Wei Li , Wacheck Volker , Heymach John
Published: June 2024

TPS8670

Background: Patients with NSCLC harboring uncommon EGFR mutations, including ex20ins, have limited treatment options. Zipalertinib (CLN-081/TAS6417) is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR with broad activity against EGFRmutations (including ex20ins) and increased selectivity for ex20ins versus wild-type EGFR. Zipalertinib has shown preclinical activity against a wide spectrum of EGFR ex20ins mutations and other uncommon EGFR mutations. In a phase 1/2a study (REZILIENT1), encouraging antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile were observed in heavily pretreated patients with EGFRex20ins–mutant NSCLC, leading to ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The aim of REZILIENT2 is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zipalertinib in patients with NSCLC harboring EGFRex20ins and other uncommon single or compound EGFR mutations, including patients with brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Methods: In this global, phase 2b, open-label, multicohort study (NCT05967689), adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC will be assigned to one of four cohorts depending on prior treatment and type of EGFR mutation: A) patients with EGFR ex20ins mutations who have progressed on or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and prior therapy targeting ex20ins (administered together or separately) for advanced disease; B) patients with EGFR ex20ins mutations who have not received prior treatment for advanced disease; C) patients with ex20ins or other uncommon single or compound EGFR mutations and active central nervous system metastases (including LMD) who may or may not have received prior treatment for advanced disease; and D) patients harboring other uncommon non-ex20ins single or compound EGFR mutations who have progressed on or after standard systemic therapy. Patients will receive zipalertinib at a starting dose of 100 mg orally twice daily, which will continue on a 21-day cycle until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or other discontinuation criteria are met. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed objective response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1. Secondary endpoints include disease control rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, intracranial efficacy per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (cohort C), safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Estimated enrollment is 40 patients per cohort (total 160), with potential expansion to ~100 patients per cohort if predefined threshold criteria of efficacy are met. Enrollment began in July 2023. Clinical trial information: NCT05967689 .
INTerpath-001: Pembrolizumab with V940 (mRNA-4157) versus pembrolizumab with placebo for adjuvant treatment of high-risk stage II-IV melanoma.
Authors: Weber Jeffrey S. , Luke Jason J. , Carlino Matteo S. , Khattak Muhammad Adnan , Meehan Robert S. , Brown Michelle , Zhang Jinchun , Krepler Clemens , Duic J Paul , Long Georgina V.
Published: June 2024

TPS9616

Background: The anti−PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab is approved as adjuvant therapy for stage IIB-C and stage III melanoma by AJCC 8th ed, following complete resection. Adjuvant pembrolizumab has improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with high-risk melanoma, but many patients experience disease recurrence. In the randomized phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study, the individualized neoantigen therapy V940 showed improved RFS and DMFS when used in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with stage III or IV melanoma. INTerpath-001 (NCT05933577) is a double-blind phase 3 randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjuvant pembrolizumab plus V940 versus pembrolizumab plus placebo in patients with resected high-risk stage II-IV melanoma. Methods: Eligible patients are aged ≥18 years with surgically resected stage IIB or IIC (pathologic or clinical), III, or IV cutaneous melanoma per AJCC 8th ed and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients are ineligible if they have received any prior systemic therapy and if more than 13 weeks has elapsed between last surgical resection and first dose of pembrolizumab. Patients with ocular or mucosal melanoma and past or current in-transit metastases or satellitosis are excluded. All patients must provide a blood sample and a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor sample for sequencing. Patients will be stratified by risk (IIB, IIC, IIIA, and IIIB vs IIIC/D and IV) and age (<65 years vs ≥65 years). Approximately 1089 patients will be randomly assigned 2:1 to receive pembrolizumab 400 mg plus V940 1 mg or pembrolizumab 400 mg with placebo. Pembrolizumab will be administered intravenously every 6 weeks and v940 or placebo will be administered intramuscularly every 3 weeks. Treatment will continue for up to 9 doses or until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, or patient withdrawal. The primary end point is RFS by investigator review. Secondary end points are DMFS by investigator review, overall survival, safety and tolerability, and quality of life. Hazard ratios and 95% CIs will be estimated using a stratified Cox regression model with the Efron method of handling ties. Between-treatment differences will be evaluated using a stratified log-rank test. Enrollment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05933577 .
TRICK-MCC: A proof-of-concept, investigator-initiated study of combination therapy with anti–PD-1, anti–LAG-3, and anti–TIM-3 in participants with advanced or metastatic PD-(L)1 refractory Merkel cell carcinoma.
Authors: Miller Natalie J. , Ambrazeviciute Grete , Chen Wenwen , Dakhil Sumia N , Gaylord Erica , Hall Evan Thomas , Majovski Julia , Herrin Zachary , Kiriluk Samantha , Nghiem Paul , Nguyen Vivian , Perdue Andrea , Pulliam Thomas , Tachiki Lisa May Ling , Veatch Joshua , Bhatia Shailender
Published: June 2024

TPS9618

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive and highly immunogenic skin cancer often associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) via PD-(L)1 blockade can promote durable responses among patients with metastatic MCC, yet >50% of MCC patients experience disease progression. There is an unmet need for effective treatment options for these patients. One possible strategy to overcome primary and secondary resistance in PD-(L)1 refractory MCC is concurrent targeting of multiple immune checkpoints to facilitate reversal of chronic T cell exhaustion. Based on our preliminary data revealing high expression of PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3 on MCC-specific CD8 T cells, which appear to increase upon clinical disease progression in the context of treatment with PD-(L)1 blockade, we hypothesize that concurrent blockade of PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3 will overcome immune evasion in patients with PD-(L) refractory MCC. Methods: TRICK-MCC (Triple Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in MCC) is an investigator initiated, Phase 2 clinical trial investigating concurrent treatment with anti-PD-1 (retifanlimab), anti-LAG3 (INCAGN02385) and anti-TIM-3 (INCAGN02390) in patients with advanced/metastatic MCC that has progressed after treatment with anti-PD-(L)1. Target enrollment is 20 patients total, with 5 patients enrolled as of Jan 2024. Patients will receive anti-PD-1 q4w and anti-TIM-3 and LAG-3 q2w for up to 24 weeks (Induction Phase) followed by all drugs q6w (Maintenance Phase). Treatment will end 2 years after starting the study drugs, or upon disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or study withdrawal. Primary objective is objective response rate (ORR). Secondary objectives are duration of response, progression free survival, overall survival, and incidence and severity of adverse events. Interim analysis will be done after 10 patients have been enrolled and followed sufficiently long to assess ORR. An observed ORR of 25%will be considered as clinically meaningful in this population with no reliable standard treatments. Serial tumor biopsies and blood samples will be obtained in all patients, unless deemed unsafe or not feasible. Planned correlative studies aim to better characterize the prevalence and significance of cancer-specific T cell exhaustion (through rigorous study of MCPyV-specific T cells), the immunologic effects of triple ICI, and alternative mechanisms of PD-(L)1 resistance beyond T cell exhaustion in PD-(L)1 resistant tumors. We hope to gain insights that are broadly applicable to solid tumor immunotherapy. Clinical trial information: NCT06056895 .
Approach to Bone Health in the Patient With Breast Cancer
Authors: Motlaghzadeh Yasaman , Wu Joy Y
Published: June 2024

Treatment for breast cancer, including endocrine therapies, can contribute to bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Management of bone health in patients with cancer is often coordinated between oncologists, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians. In this article, we discuss the approach to screening for fracture risk among patients initiating treatments for breast cancer and recommendations for lifestyle modifications to optimize bone health. We will review 3 indications for pharmacologic bone-targeted therapies: prevention of cancer treatment-induced bone loss, adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence, and management of bone metastases.
Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Team to Improve the Quality of Care for Older Surgical Patients at a Rural Academic Medical Center
Authors: Ron Donna , Briggs Alexandra , Landsman H. Samuel , Amarante Catherine M. , Charette Kristin E. , Deiner Stacie G.
Published: June 2024

For the first time in history, people age older than 65 years make up >20% of the non-metro population, compared with 16% of the metro population. From 2010 to 2020 the nonmetro population age older than 65 years grew by 22%, while the working-age population declined by 4.9%, and the population aged under 18 years declined by 5.7%.
1,2
Multidisciplinary geriatric surgical programs are an increasingly recognized approach to the care of older surgical patients and preliminary data suggest they can reduce length of stay. Although rural areas have the greatest proportion of patients age older than 65 years, implementation of such programs faces special challenges in rural settings with limited resources. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is one of the most rural academic centers in the United States. Challenges include a shortage of geriatric-trained providers, long distances to access primary care and subspecialists, and extremely limited postacute care options and skilled nursing facility beds. To address the unique needs of our provider and patient population we began with a development period where we conducted stakeholder interviews. Using these data, we mapped out a workflow and developed pilot projects to address different portions of the workflow, such as preoperative screening for frailty and cognitive impairment, interdisciplinary weekly case conferences, proactive case management, delirium and geriatric surgery postoperative pathway order sets, and a variety of tools for reorientation and delirium management. Herein we describe the process of development and pragmatic clinical implementation of geriatric-focused care for older surgical patients in our rural tertiary center, including some of the main challenges we faced and the strategies we undertook to overcome them, and some of our early patient centered and clinical outcomes. This information may assist other institutions as they design geriatric-focused surgical programs to address the growing population of older adults and the need for compliance with state legislation. The clinical program described is not a research study, and the outcome data we report is for the purpose of description, and should not be interpreted as a rigorous research investigation of the effect of our intervention.
Pozycja Sinn Féin w systemie partyjnym Irlandii oraz Irlandii Północnej
Authors: Danel Łukasz , Wallner Michał
Published: June 2024

Artykuł jest poświęcony najstarszej irlandzkiej partii politycznej – Sinn Féin – która w ostatnich latach stała się kluczowym elementem irlandzkiego i północnoirlandzkiego systemu partyjnego, uzyskując rekordowo wysokie wyniki w wyborach do irlandzkiej Izby Reprezentantów oraz Zgromadzenia Irlandii Północnej. Analizując najważniejsze wydarzenia polityczne wpisane w historię Sinn Féin oraz ewolucję jej programu politycznego, autorzy starają się wskazać na główne przyczyny tak dużej popularności partii, która przez długi czas uznawana była za radykalną i doktrynerską. Za pomocą metody historycznej oraz metody analizy instytucjonalno-prawnej dokonują weryfikacji hipotezy, że aktualna pozycja Sinn Féin jest z jednej strony następstwem normalizacji sytuacji po obu stronach granicy, z drugiej zaś – jest związana z pewnymi ważnymi wydarzeniami, które w ostatnim czasie nastąpiły w Irlandii oraz Irlandii Północnej.
Variaciones visuales en torno a la corbata colombiana Análisis de un ícono de la violencia en Colombia
Authors: Urueña Calderón Juan Felipe
Published: June 2024

Un programa de televisión denominado El Expediente, publicado en YouTube el 20 de junio de 2015 por la cadena C5N de Argentina, se dedica al esclarecimiento del “misterio de la corbata colombiana”. El “misterio” se refiere a la aparición de un cuerpo desnudo en extrañas circunstancias en una vía que conecta a la capital argentina con Mar del Plata. El cuerpo presentaba “un golpe en la cabeza, traumatismo de cráneo, y un profundo golpe en la región del cuello, un corte muy particular [...]”. El nombre del capítulo, aclara el presentador, se refiere al tipo de crimen: “Corbata colombiana, es un crimen horroroso, pero de película de terror, que tiene que ver con los ajustes de cuentas entre mafias”. En el programa, cuando se da contexto al nombre del tipo de crimen, no sé habla en absoluto de los cortes de la violencia bipartidista. El locutor afirma que el objetivo de los crímenes de la mafia es el de enviar mensajes y en el caso específico de la “corbata” el mensaje tiene que ver con la retaliación a los que hablan de más: “Producen un corte a la altura de la garganta, donde nace la lengua, por eso es la corbata colombiana, ¿por qué la lengua? Porque con la lengua se habla, le sacan literalmente la lengua por la garganta, y ese mensaje es: por buchón te pasa esto, por hablar te pasa esto”. Mientras van hablando muestran una imagen pixelada de la víctima, y aclaran: “Obviamente tapamos, obviamente no mostramos”. Esa imagen la alternan con la de un tatuaje en el que se ve, de modo caricaturesco, “la corbata colombiana”, “ahí está ese tatuaje, ese tatuaje significa la corbata colombiana, lo mostramos para no mostrar directamente”.1
Revealed Privacy Preferences: Are Privacy Choices Rational?
Authors: Lee Yi-Shan , Weber Roberto A.
Published: June 2024

We investigate the extent to which trade-offs involving the sharing of personal information exhibit consistency with an underlying rational preference for privacy. In an experiment, people engage in trade-offs across two domains of personal information sharing, allowing us to classify whether their choices satisfy the generalized axiom of revealed preference. They also subsequently price the sharing of their personal information. Sixty-three percent of subjects act consistently with a rational preference ordering when allocating privacy levels, a level comparable to that observed in other domains. Individuals who are inconsistent when engaging in simple privacy trade-offs exhibit substantially more costly preference reversals when pricing personal information sharing. Only one-third of subjects exhibit consistency across both the selection of personal information to share and the pricing of such information sharing. Our results imply that monetizing personal information can have distinct welfare consequences for people with different degrees of rationality in their underlying ability to make sensible trade-offs involving personal information. We also provide evidence that preferences elicited over choices in our experiment correlate with real-world privacy behaviors.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: This work was supported by Forschungskredit (University of Zurich) [Grant FK-17-017] and Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung [Grant 174630] to Y.S. Lee.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.00807 .
Physiochemical Properties and Volatile Profiles in Thai Pickled Mustard Greens Subjected to Varied Fermentation Conditions
Authors:   Program in Food Production and Innovation, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand, Tinpovong Bow , Wongkaew Malaiporn ,   Program in Food Production and Innovation, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand, Shimbhanao Warawaran ,   Program in Food Production and Innovation, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand, Inpramoon Aekarin ,   Program in Food Production and Innovation, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand, Leenarach Nadruedee ,   Program in General Education, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand, Chaimongkol Pikulthong ,   Program in General Education, College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai 50220, Thailand
Published: June 2024

P ickled mustard green (Brassica juncea) is a traditional fermented vegetable product in Thailand, commonly used as a culinary ingredient due to its distinctive flavor. However, community-level pickled mustard production often faces challenges in terms of consistent physical and chemical characteristics. This research aims to improve the quality of pickled mustard greens (PMGs) at the community level. The study investigated the effects of different fermentation processes on the chemical, physical, and volatile organic compound profiles of pickled mustard greens. Five fermentation treatments were compared, varying in starter culture concentration (0% and 2%), salt content (0% and 5%), sugar content (5% and 10%), and vinegar addition (0% and 5%). The results investigated that the treatment with lactic acid bacteria, salt, sugar, and vinegar (at concentrations of 2%, 5%, 5%, and 5% respectively) has a positive correlation with the physical quality of the PMGs. Significant differences in pH, titratable acidity, and salt content were found between inoculated and uninoculated samples. Hydrocarbons were identified as the primary compounds contributing to the flavor across all fermentation methods. These findings offer valuable guidelines for improving pickled mustard production, benefiting communities and private sectors involved in this field.
Zionist Philanthropy and Palestinian Erasure: Jgive.com and the Mizrachi Organization of Canada
Authors: Howe Miles
Published: June 2024

This article examines the phenomenon of Zionist Philanthropy and the synchronicity of tax-deductible gift-giving with Palestinian erasure. Raising questions concerning regulator complicity in Canada, the case study of the Mizrachi Organization of Canada, a popular Zionist charitable organization which arguably mislabels its charitable activities, is investigated. At stake are questions surrounding the arbitrary enforcement of Canadian tax law, international law, and where the Canadian state sits in regard to conducting charitable activity in the Occupied Territories.
“A Revolution in Economic Thinking” – USAID and Privatization in Latin America and Eastern Europe (1981–1993)
Authors: Ruckebusch Thomas
Published: June 2024

Abstract: With Ronald Reagan’s ascent to power in January 1981, the conservatives were eager to promote neoliberalism to revitalize America at home and weaken the Communists and the New International Economic Order abroad. Surprisingly, the main vehicle of this ideological offensive was an agency long hated by the American conservatives, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Throughout the 1980s, the agency promoted neoliberal dogmas in developing countries, especially in Latin America which was considered as a testing ground for the neoliberal ideology. To achieve this goal, USAID promoted an important tenet of neoliberalism as a tool for economic development: privatization. At the same time, the agency established various collaborations with different types of actors in a “neoliberal nebula” in which it found an important place. At the end of the 1980s, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc provided the reaganized agency its most important test: the promotion of free-market economy in the socialist countries. This article examines how USAID became part of the ideological offensive led by the Reagan administration through its transformation into a neoliberal actor seeking to promote privatization in developing countries. In the process, Latin America became a testing ground for these new policies, but also a blueprint for those that USAID would soon implement in the Eastern Bloc after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Cycles of Contempt: Exploring Argentine-IMF Relations Through Protest Music
Authors: Watts Mary Elizabeth
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Argentina has a history of tumultuous agreements with the International Monetary Fund. While the IMF has provided essential economic support, their loan agreements have often caused further economic issues that most profoundly impact the middle and working class, such as high inflation and poverty rates. This has created much frustration among the people, and they have taken these frustrations into music, protesting the damage and harm that is produced by the IMF’s involvement in Argentina. These protest songs can be analyzed through Jeneve Brooks’ EMM- framing theory, with EMM standing for emotive, moral, and mnemonic, to understand how the IMF is negatively represented and how the songs can influence the public’s opinion on the IMF. This paper makes use of this theoretical framework to analyze three examples of Argentine protest songs against the IMF: “Estoy tocando fondo” by Viuda e Hijas de Roque Enroll,“F.M.I. (Sufre Sudamérica)” by Fun People, and “Sinceramente militamos” by La Cámpora. This analysis provides insight into the increasing reactiveness of the Argentine people against the IMF, which was witnessed in 2021 and 2022 when protests broke out over negotiations between the IMF and the Argentine government even though an agreement had yet to be made.
Symmetrical dual-D and dual-core single-mode fiber surface plasmon resonance liquid sensor
Authors: Xu Rong , Li Xianli , Liu Wei , Lv Jingwei , Yang Lin , Wang Jianxin , Liu Qiang , Chu Paul K. , Liu Chao
Published: June 2024

A symmetrical dual-D and dual-core single-mode fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) liquid sensor is designed for biological detection. The dual-core design optimizes the transmission path, improves the momentum matching between free electrons and photons, and facilitates bidirectional coupling, consequently amplifying the SPR effect and enabling sensitive monitoring of the refractive index changes of biological solutions. In this structure, a gold wire is placed in the middle of the polished surface of the double-D-shaped single-mode fiber (SMF) to produce high-quality free electrons and promote the mode-coupling excitation of the SPR effect. The characteristics of the sensor are analyzed by the finite element method, and the important structural parameters are optimized systematically. The sensor can be operated in the near-infrared region for a refractive index (RI) range of 1.31–1.40 with a maximum wavelength sensitivity (WS) of 21,000 nm/RIU, amplitude sensitivity of 586.62RIU−1, as well as resolution of 4.76×10−6RIU. Small changes in the refractive index can be detected by the sensor and it can be produced easily by conventional manufacturing techniques. The sensor thus has wide application prospects in biomedical and chemical analysis and related applications.
High sensitivity strain and refractive index MZI-SPR sensing based on dual fiber winding structure
Authors: Liu Chunlan , Guo Chao , Shao Yaben , Wei Yong , Zhang Ziqiang , Ren Puxi , Liu Chunbiao , Shi Chen , Tang Yixiong , Liu Zhihai
Published: June 2024

Fiber strain and refractive index dual parameter sensor have enormous potential in the field of underwater structural health monitoring. This article proposes a strain and refractive index highly sensitive MZI-SPR composite sensor based on a dual fiber winding structure. By twisting single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber, the two fibers are wound together to produce regular multiple bends. Among them, single-mode fiber achieves beam splitting and coupling of light during the first bending and the end of bending, forming a double beam interference MZI. The multi bending structure excites high-order cladding mode to achieve highly sensitive strain sensing. Meanwhile, multi-mode fiber excites cladding mode at the bending point and generate surface plasmon resonance effect, forming a cladding type SPR sensor. By controlling the winding parameters, the bending curvature is controlled, further controlling the SPR incidence angle and achieving highly sensitive refractive index sensing. The experiment indicates that the sensor can achieve simultaneous detection of strain and refractive index, and its sensitivity can reach 33pm/ µε and 4386.262 nm/RIU, respectively. The proposed MZI-SPR composite dual parameter sensor has a stable structure and high sensitivity, providing a reliable solution for simultaneously measuring strain and refractive index in the field.
Volume of detonation determination based on gaseous products of energetic materials by time resolved LIPS combined with schlieren image
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Li An , Liu Xiaodong , Sun Haohan , Wang Yazi , Zhang Ying , Wang Xianshuang , He Yage , Shan Yuheng , Zhao Wanzhu , Yang Xiaoning , Liu Ruibin
Published: June 2024

The safe and fast measurement of volume of detonation (VoD) is always a hard task for macroscale explosion even though it is one of the important parameters to evaluate the explosion performance. Therefore, a promising technology to determine the VoD is highly desirable for evaluation of energetic materials. Herein, a new method of VoD determination based on gaseous products via small dose energetic materials by time correlated laser induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) combined with schlieren image was proposed. Hydrodynamics of products after laser ablation on a time scale ranging from microsecond to millisecond was investigated. Based on the analysis of hydrodynamics of products after laser ablation, the effective spectra of gaseous products of each energetic material are obtained. Subsequently, a high-accuracy quantitative analysis model of VoD based on gaseous products using the method of principal component analysis - partial least squares (PCA-PLS) with small sample modeling algorithm has been developed( R2>0.96). The VOD model accurately predicts the detonation parameters with the average relative error of test set (ARET) < 3% and the maximum relative error of test set (MRET) < 5%. Moreover, the results without spectra selection of the relative error of blind data show the max relative error is less than 7%. The results of variable importance in projection (VIP) identification indicate a robust association between the spectral signatures of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and VoD. Furthermore, the N lines exert the most substantial influence on the VoD model. This method provides a new safe and fast determination technology for the evaluation of VoD and clarification of the related mechanism.
Complete photonic bandgap in a low-index two-dimensional quasicrystalline structure
Authors: Chistyakov Vladislav A. , Yafyasov Ruslan R. , Sayanskiy Andrey D. , Sidorenko Mikhail S. , Rybin Mikhail V.
Published: June 2024

A bandgap in the continuum spectrum of photons in addition to its basic physical significance has strong potential for applications. Analogous to semiconductor crystals for electrons, periodic dielectric structures named photonic crystals were proposed to control photon flux propagation. In our search for low refractive index (RI) structures with a photonic bandgap, initial research efforts were focused on photonic crystal design, while aperiodic structures allow lower values of refractive index contrast to sustain a photonic bandgap. Here, we report on a two-dimensional quasicrystalline structure designed as a set of one-dimensional lattices merged into a single binary structure made of two materials with refractive index contrast 2|n1 − n2|/(n1 + n2) = 0.16 and even less in theory. We confirmed the theoretical prediction of bandgap exciting by measuring the radiation suppression of a dipole source placed in the center of the quasicrystalline structure. The full-wave numerical simulations and the experimental study appear to be in good agreement with the theoretical model.
Conductance-based dendrites perform Bayes-optimal cue integration
Authors: Jordan Jakob , Sacramento João , Wybo Willem A. M. , Petrovici Mihai A. , Senn Walter
Published: June 2024

A fundamental function of cortical circuits is the integration of information from different sources to form a reliable basis for behavior. While animals behave as if they optimally integrate information according to Bayesian probability theory, the implementation of the required computations in the biological substrate remains unclear. We propose a novel, Bayesian view on the dynamics of conductance-based neurons and synapses which suggests that they are naturally equipped to optimally perform information integration. In our approach apical dendrites represent prior expectations over somatic potentials, while basal dendrites represent likelihoods of somatic potentials. These are parametrized by local quantities, the effective reversal potentials and membrane conductances. We formally demonstrate that under these assumptions the somatic compartment naturally computes the corresponding posterior. We derive a gradient-based plasticity rule, allowing neurons to learn desired target distributions and weight synaptic inputs by their relative reliabilities. Our theory explains various experimental findings on the system and single-cell level related to multi-sensory integration, which we illustrate with simulations. Furthermore, we make experimentally testable predictions on Bayesian dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity.
New observations of fluorescent organisms in the Banda Sea and in the Red Sea
Authors: Poding Lars Henrik , Jägers Peter , Senen Budiono , Limmon Gino Valentino , Herlitze Stefan , Huhn Mareike
Published: June 2024

Fluorescence is a widespread phenomenon found in animals, bacteria, fungi, and plants. In marine environments fluorescence has been proposed to play a role in physiological and behavioral responses. Many fluorescent proteins and other molecules have been described in jellyfish, corals, and fish. Here we describe fluorescence in marine species, which we observed and photographed during night dives in the Banda Sea, Indonesia, and in the Red Sea, Egypt. Among various phyla we found fluorescence in sponges, molluscs, tunicates, and fish. Our study extends the knowledge on how many different organisms fluoresce in marine environments. We describe the occurrence of fluorescence in 27 species, in which fluorescence has not been described yet in peer-reviewed literature. It especially extends the knowledge beyond Scleractinia, the so far best described taxon regarding diversity in fluorescent proteins.