bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Measures of Body Composition and Coronary Calcium: Findings From the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Horwich Tamara , Srikanthan Preethi , Gaitonde Anisha , Watson Karol , Allison Matthew , Kronmal Richard
Published: February 2023

Background

Obesity, as measured by body mass index, is widely recognized as a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, the role of body composition components such as fat and lean mass is not well studied.

Methods and Results

A total of 3129 patients who underwent computed tomography scans for quantification of coronary artery calcification and had bioelectrical impedance analysis of body composition (fat mass and fat‐free mass) during exam 5 of MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) were included in this cross‐sectional analysis. Multivariable adjusted linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between both fat mass and fat‐free mass to prevalent coronary artery calcification, a marker of subclinical coronary artery disease quantified by both the coronary artery calcification (CAC) Agatston score and the spatially weighted calcium score. CAC and spatially weighted calcium score were natural log–transformed for analysis as continuous variables. Fat‐free mass, but not fat mass, was independently associated with CAC. There was a 7.6% prevalence risk difference for CAC>0 per 10 kg. Fat‐free mass was also significantly associated with natural log of CAC (coefficient=0.272,
P
<0.001). Both fat‐free mass and fat mass were positively associated with natural log of spatially weighted calcium score, with risk difference coefficients of 0.729 and 0.359, respectively (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

In this cross‐sectional study, higher lean mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis and, to a lesser extent, higher fat mass by bioelectrical impedance analysis were significantly associated with higher coronary calcium, a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Further exploration of the relationship between components of body composition and the development of cardiovascular disease is warranted.
Chymase Inhibition Resolves and Prevents Deep Vein Thrombosis Without Increasing Bleeding Time in the Mouse Model
Authors: Lapointe Catherine , Vincent Laurence , Giguère Hugo , Auger‐Messier Mannix , Schwertani Adel , Jin Denan , Takai Shinji , Pejler Gunnar , Sirois Martin G. , Tinel Hanna , Heitmeier Stefan , D'Orléans‐Juste Pedro
Published: February 2023

Background

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the primary cause of pulmonary embolism and the third most life‐threatening cardiovascular disease in North America. Post‐DVT anticoagulants, such as warfarin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants, reduce the incidence of subsequent venous thrombi. However, all currently used anticoagulants affect bleeding time at various degrees, and there is therefore a need for improved therapeutic regimens in DVT. It has recently been shown that mast cells play a crucial role in a DVT murine model. The underlying mechanism involved in the prothrombotic properties of mast cells, however, has yet to be identified.

Methods and Results

C57BL/6 mice and mouse mast cell protease‐4 (mMCP‐4) genetically depleted mice (mMCP‐4 knockout) were used in 2 mouse models of DVT, partial ligation (stenosis) and ferric chloride–endothelial injury model of the inferior vena cava. Thrombus formation and impact of genetically repressed or pharmacologically (specific inhibitor TY‐51469) inhibited mMCP‐4 were evaluated by morphometric measurements of thrombi immunochemistry (mouse and human DVT), color Doppler ultrasound, bleeding times, and enzymatic activity assays ex vivo
.
Recombinant chymases, mMCP‐4 (mouse) and CMA‐1 (human), were used to characterize the interaction with murine and human plasmin, respectively, by mass spectrometry and enzymatic activity assays. Inhibiting mast cell–generated mMCP‐4, genetically or pharmacologically, resolves and prevents venous thrombus formation in both DVT models. Inferior vena cava blood flow obstruction was observed in the stenosis model after 6 hours of ligation, in control‐ but not in TY‐51469–treated mice. In addition, chymase inhibition had no impact on bleeding times of healthy or DVT mice. Furthermore, endogenous chymase limits plasmin activity in thrombi ex vivo. Recombinant mouse or human chymase degrades/inactivates purified plasmin in vitro. Finally, mast cell–containing immunoreactive chymase was identified in human DVT.

Conclusions

This study identified a major role for mMCP‐4, a granule‐localized protease of chymase type, in DVT formation. These findings support a novel pharmacological strategy to resolve or prevent DVT without affecting the coagulation cascade through the inhibition of chymase activity.
Impact of Peripheral Artery Disease in Patients With Heart Failure Undergoing Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: The COAPT Trial
Authors: Shahim Bahira , Cohen David J. , Ben‐Yehuda Ori , Redfors Björn , Kar Saibal , Lim D. Scott , Arnold Suzanne V. , Li Yanru , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Abraham William T. , Mack Michael J. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: February 2023

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and heart failure (HF) often coexist. Whether PAD influences outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) in patients with HF and severe secondary mitral regurgitation is unknown. The objectives are to assess the impact of PAD on outcomes of TMVr plus guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) versus GDMT alone in patients with HF and secondary mitral regurgitation.

Methods and Results

The COAPT trial (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation) randomized patients with HF with ≥moderate‐to‐severe secondary mitral regurgitation to TMVr with MitraClip implant plus GDMT versus GDMT alone. We evaluated the relationship between PAD and 2‐year outcomes in
the COAPT trial
 and examined whether PAD modified the benefits of TMVr. Among 614 patients enrolled, 109 (17.8%) had PAD. By multivariable analysis, PAD was independently associated with 2‐year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR], 1.51 [95% CI, 1.07–2.15]) but not HF hospitalizations. Compared with GDMT alone, TMVr reduced the 2‐year risk of death in patients without PAD (adjHR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.30–0.60]) but not those with PAD (adjHR, 1.27 [95% CI, 0.72–2.27];
P
interaction
=0.001). In contrast, TMVr reduced HF hospitalizations consistently in patients with (adjHR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.35–1.23]) and without (adjHR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.31–0.57]) PAD (
P
interaction
=0.22). Improvements in health status and exercise capacity at 2 years with TMVr compared with GDMT alone were similar in degree, irrespective of PAD status (
P
interaction
=0.76 and 0.64, respectively).

Conclusions

In patients with HF and severe secondary mitral regurgitation, the reduced mortality with TMVr in the overall COAPT study population was not observed in the subgroup of patients with PAD. However, TMVr reduced HF hospitalizations and improved health status and exercise capacity consistently in patients with and without PAD.

Registration

Clinical Trial Name: Cardiovascular Outocmes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation (The COAPT Trial); URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
; Unique identifier: NCT01626079.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01626079
Redescription of species of Gongylonema Molin, 1857 (Nematoda: Spiruroidea: Gongylonematidae) parasitic in some Australian vertebrate hosts and description of three new species
Authors: SPRATT DAVID M.
Published: February 2023

Gongylonematid nematodes (Nematoda: Gongylonematidae) parasitic in some Australian vertebrates are described from the monotypic genus Gongylonema (Gongylonema) (Molin, 1857). Three previously incompletely described species from a megapod and murid rodents are re-described from limited material. Three additional species are described from murid rodents and macropodid, potoroid and phalangerid marsupials. A key to species is provided.
Research on Turn-On Characteristics of New Light-Triggered Silicon Controlled Rectifier for Dual-Directional Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Authors: Liu Yu-Jie , Wang Yang , Jin Xiang-Liang , Peng Yan , Luo Jun , Yang Jun
Published: February 2023

Dual-direction silicon-controlled rectifiers (DDSCRs) have been generally applied for bidirectional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection due to their excellent robustness. However, the traditional DDSCR has a longer discharge path, which makes its turn-on speed relatively slow.
In view of this problem, this paper proposes a light-triggered SCR (LTSCR). The device uses the depletion region of the DN-Well/P-Well to absorb photons and generate photogenerated carriers to facilitate the formation of SCR loop. Under the action of light triggering, the LTSCR can form a
low-resistance SCR loop faster and effectively discharge the ESD pulse. Using the forward equivalent circuit model, the current relationships within the LTSCR device are analyzed. Furthermore, the working mechanism of the LTSCR is clearly described by Silvaco 2D device simulation and verified
in transmission line pulse (TLP) test. Experimental results show that the LTSCR takes 7 ns less time to turn on under light compared to the dark environment. This light trigger method does not require special masks or any process modification during the fabrication process, and has wide adaptability.
Graphene and Nickel Nanomaterials Based Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Biosensor: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Umar Ahmad , Lohia Pooja , Singh Sachin , Kumar Vipin , Dwivedi D.K. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Algadi Hassan
Published: February 2023

An extremely sensitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor has been simulated in the present study using an angular interrogation technique. The large surface area of the graphene layer facilitates biomolecule absorption. The SPR biosensor is proposed in a five-layer Kretschmann
configuration with a ferromagnetic material and a silver layer. The proposed SPR biosensor’s sensitivity has been significantly raised in comparison to traditional film-based SPR biosensors. By refining the proposed structure to include a ferromagnetic materials nickel and monolayer
of graphene with thicknesses of 15 nm and 0.34 nm and a silver layer of 45 nm, respectively, it is possible to increase sensitivity to 266°/RIU. Furthermore, the proposed SPR sensor design has a very small FWHM, a high detection accuracy (DA), and a high-quality factor (QF). Monolayer
of graphene with a fixed mono-layer Nickle configuration were found to have the highest sensitivity of 266°/RIU. Additionally, it should be noted that the proposed SPR biosensor exhibits superior performance compared to SPR sensor parameters previously recorded.
Causes of the Extremely Low Solar Radiation in the 2021 Growing Season over Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and Its Impact on Vegetation Growth
Authors: He Yanyi , Yang Kun , Ren Yanghang , Zou Mijun , Yuan Xu , Tang Wenjun
Published: February 2023

The 2021 low solar radiation over southeastern Tibetan Plateau was mainly caused by abnormally strong southerlies and was further enhanced by anthropogenic aerosols and GHGs-induced warming, and consequently reduced vegetation growth.
Long-Term Trends of the Atmospheric Circulation and Moist Static Energy Budget in the JRA-55 Reanalysis
Authors: Franzke Christian L. E. , Harnik Nili
Published: February 2023

The atmospheric circulation response to global warming is an important problem that is theoretically still not well understood. This is a particular issue since climate model simulations provide uncertain, and at times contradictory, projections of future climate. In particular, it is still unclear how a warmer and moister atmosphere will affect midlatitude eddies and their associated poleward transport of heat and moisture. Here we perform a trend analysis of three main components of the global circulation—the zonal-mean state, eddies, and the net energy input into the atmosphere—and examine how they relate in terms of a moist static energy budget for the JRA-55 reanalysis data. A particular emphasis is made on understanding the contribution of moisture to circulation trends. The observed trends are very different between the hemispheres. In the Southern Hemisphere there is an overall strengthening and during boreal summer, also a poleward shifting, of the jet stream, the eddies, and the meridional diabatic heating gradients. Correspondingly, we find an overall strengthening of the meridional gradients of the net atmospheric energy input. In the Northern Hemisphere, the trend patterns are more complex, with the dominant signal being a clear boreal winter Arctic amplification of positive trends in lower-tropospheric temperature and moisture, as well as a significant weakening of both bandpass and low-pass eddy heat and moisture fluxes. Consistently, surface latent and sensible heat fluxes, upward and downward longwave radiation, and longwave cloud radiative fluxes at high latitudes show significant trends. However, radiative fluxes and eddy fluxes are inconsistent, suggesting data assimilation procedures need to be improved.

Significance Statement

We use a long-term reanalysis dataset to get an overall view of the changes in the global circulation and its role in transporting moist static energy from the equator to the poles. We do this by examining the trends in its three main components—the zonal means, the eddies, and the net energy input into the atmosphere. We find that in the Southern Hemisphere, there is an overall strengthening of the eddies, their poleward energy fluxes, and correspondingly the meridional gradients of the net atmospheric energy input. In the Northern Hemisphere, though the pattern is more complex, there is an overall weakening of the eddies and poleward eddy fluxes, and of the meridional gradients of the net atmospheric energy input, consistent with Arctic warming.
Possible Mechanisms of Interannual Variations in Surface Mixed Layer Temperatures off Somalia in Boreal Summer
Authors: Kusumi Takahiro , Masumoto Yukio
Published: February 2023

The key processes responsible for the interannual variation of the surface mixed layer temperature off Somalia in the western Arabian Sea in boreal summer are investigated by the use of a regional ocean model. Our focus is on influences of remotely forced annual Rossby waves as well as local southwesterly monsoonal winds in the years with anomalously warm or cold mixed layer temperature conditions. Composite and heat budget analyses of the simulated results indicate that the interannual mixed layer temperature variations in the region off the coast of Somalia are generated by the combined effects of local upwelling, Rossby wave intrusion, and horizontal advection. In particular, interannual modulation of the annual Rossby wave before the onset of the southwest monsoon causes a subsurface temperature anomaly below the mixed layer along the coast of Somalia. It is also shown that this subsurface temperature anomaly is upwelled into the mixed layer by the upward flow associated with the seasonally evolving coastal upwelling and that the mixed layer temperature anomaly in the coastal region is advected into the offshore region by seasonal developments of the Somali Current. Results from sensitivity experiments with different wind forcing scenarios demonstrate that the contribution of this remotely forced Rossby wave to the interannual variations of the mixed layer temperature anomaly off Somalia is comparable to that of the local wind stress anomalies alone.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to investigate the key processes responsible for the interannual variation of the temperature within the ocean surface layer off Somalia in boreal summer. Because this temperature variation is shown to be related to the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, this study can lead to improvement in the predictability of the Indian summer monsoon. Previous studies have demonstrated that interannual modulation of the local monsoonal winds along the coast of Somalia in spring and summer generate the temperature variation. We find for the first time that the large-scale ocean waves excited remotely in previous winter play an important role, and its contribution is comparable to that of the effect of the wind influences.
Principal Modes of Diurnal Cycle of Rainfall over South China during the Presummer Rainy Season
Authors: Dong Fu , Zhi Xiefei , Zhu Shoupeng , Zhang Ling , Ge Fei , Fan Yi , Lyu Yang , Wang Jingyu , Fraedrich Klaus
Published: February 2023

The principal modes of the diurnal cycle of rainfall (DCR) over South China during the presummer rainy season are examined using 23-yr satellite observations and reanalysis data. Three distinctly different DCR modes are identified via empirical orthogonal function analysis, that is, the early-afternoon precipitation (EAP) mode, the late-afternoon precipitation (LAP) mode, and the morning precipitation (MP) mode. Under the EAP mode, the rainfall starts to increase from midnight and reaches its peak in the early afternoon. The nocturnal to morning rainfall generally concentrates on the northeastern Pearl River delta (PRD) and along the coastline. The coastal rainfall is initiated from the convergence zone induced by the strong onshore wind and is further enhanced via the establishment of a land breeze in the early morning. The northeastern PRD center is mainly attributed to the windward mechanical lifting associated with the strong low-level wind. The afternoon rainfall is pronounced over inland areas and exhibits significantly regional diversity. The eastern inland rainfall develops from the early-morning rainfall over the northeastern PRD, whereas the eastward-propagating rain belts associated with frontal activities are responsible for the formation of western inland rainfall. The LAP mode features a late-afternoon peak, which is triggered and developed locally with favorable thermal–dynamic conditions over western inland South China. The MP mode exhibits a single early-morning peak. Nocturnal to morning rainfall is prominent on the northeastern PRD and near-offshore region. The near-offshore rainfall is basically induced by the convergence between the onshore wind and land breeze in the early morning, which further propagates far offshore in the morning due to effects of gravity waves.
The Impacts of Combined SAM and ENSO on Seasonal Antarctic Sea Ice Changes
Authors: Wang Jinfei , Luo Hao , Yu Lejiang , Li Xuewei , Holland Paul R. , Yang Qinghua
Published: February 2023

Both the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are critical factors contributing to Antarctic sea ice variability on interannual time scales. However, their joint effects on sea ice are complex and remain unclear for each austral season. In this study, satellite sea ice concentration (SIC) observations and atmospheric reanalysis data are utilized to assess the impacts of combined SAM and ENSO on seasonal Antarctic sea ice changes. The joint SAM–ENSO impacts on southern high latitudes are principally controlled by the strength and position of the wave activity and associated atmospheric circulation anomalies affected by their interactions. In-phase events (La Niña/positive SAM and El Niño/negative SAM) are characterized with an SIC dipole located in the Weddell/Bellingshausen Seas and Amundsen/Ross Seas, while out-of-phase events (El Niño/positive SAM and La Niña/negative SAM) experience significant SIC anomalies in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Sea ice budget analyses are conducted to separate the dynamic and thermodynamic contributions inducing the sea ice intensification anomalies. The results show that in-phase intensification anomalies also display a pattern similar to the SIC dipole and are mainly driven by the direct thermodynamic forcing at the ice edge and thermodynamic responses to meridional sea ice drift in the inner pack, especially in autumn and winter. Dynamic processes caused by zonal sea ice drift also play an important role during out-of-phase conditions in addition to the same mechanisms during in-phase conditions.
The Impacts of Adjusting Momentum Roughness Length on Strong and Weak Hurricane Forecasts: A Comprehensive Analysis of Weather Simulations and Observations
Authors: Li Meng , Zhang Jun A. , Matak Leo , Momen Mostafa
Published: February 2023

The momentum roughness length (z0) significantly impacts wind predictions in weather and climate models. Nevertheless, the impacts of z0 parameterizations in different wind regimes and various model configurations on the hurricane size, intensity, and track simulations have not been thoroughly established. To bridge this knowledge gap, a comprehensive analysis of 310 simulations of 10 real hurricanes using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model is conducted in comparison with observations. Our results show that the default z0 parameterizations in WRF perform well for weak (category 1–2) hurricanes; however, they underestimate the intensities of strong (category 3–5) hurricanes. This finding is independent of model resolution or boundary layer schemes. The default values of z0 in WRF agree with the observational estimates from dropsonde data in weak hurricanes while they are much larger than observations in strong hurricanes regime. Decreasing z0 close to the values of observational estimates and theoretical hurricane intensity models in high wind regimes (≳45 m s−1) led to significant improvements in the intensity forecasts of strong hurricanes. A momentum budget analysis dynamically explained why the reduction of z0 (decreased surface turbulent stresses) leads to stronger simulated storms.
Near-Cloud Atmospheric Ingredients for Deep Convection Initiation
Authors: Marquis James N. , Feng Zhe , Varble Adam , Nelson T. Connor , Houston Adam , Peters John M. , Mulholland Jake P. , Hardin Joseph
Published: February 2023

A lack of routine environmental observations located near deepening cumulus congestus clouds limits verification of important theorized and simulated updraft–environment interaction processes occurring during deep convection initiation (CI). We analyze radiosonde profiles collected during several hundred CI events near a mountain range in central Argentina during the CACTI field campaign. Statistical analyses illustrate environmental conditions supporting radar-observed CI outcomes that span a spectrum of convective cell depths, widths, and durations, as well as events lacking precipitating convection. Tested environmental factors include a large variety of sounding-derived measurements of CAPE, CIN, moisture, terrain-relative winds, vertical shear, and lifted parcel properties, with supplemental model reanalysis of background larger-scale vertical motion. CAPE and CIN metrics do not consistently differentiate CI success from failure. Only a few environmental factors contain consistent monotonic relationships among the spectrum of cloud depths achieved during CI: (i) the depth and strength of background ascent, and (ii) the component of low-level flow oriented parallel to the ridgeline. These metrics suggest that the ability of the surrounding flow to lift parcels to their LFC and terrain-modified flow are consistently relevant processes for CI. Low- to midlevel relative humidity strongly discriminated between CI and non-CI events, likely reflecting entrainment-driven dilution processes. However, we could not confidently conclude that relative humidity similarly discriminated robust from marginal CI events. Circumstantial evidence was found linking cell width, an important cloud property governing the probability of CI, to LCL height, boundary layer depth, depth and magnitude of the CIN layer, and ambient wind shear.
Contemporary Rural Trauma Care
Authors: Gongola AlleaBelle , Bradshaw Jace C. , Valdez Carrie , Bhavaraju Avi
Published: February 2023

The development of organized trauma systems has led to improved care for trauma patients, including those injured in rural areas. However, persistent disparities have led to increased awareness of the ongoing need for improvement. Our objective is to highlight distinctive aspects of rural trauma and propose opportunities for advancing rural trauma care.
Validation and clinical evaluation of an ultra-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector method for plasma quantification of micafungin
Authors: Martín Marcos , Rebollo Noemí , Pérez-Blanco Jonás S , Otero María J , Zarzuelo-Castañeda Aránzazu
Published: February 2023

Background

Factors associated with interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of micafungin have been identified. This variability can cause underexposure and loss of drug efficacy. For this reason, a simple, fast, cost-effective and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet detector (UPLC-UV) method was developed and validated for the quantification of micafungin.

Methods

The method involves simple plasma precipitation by UPLC with a reversed phase C18 column at 40°C coupled with ultraviolet detection set at a wavelength of 264 nm. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture 42/58 of potassium phosphate 20 mm and acetonitrile.

Results

The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.25–15.0 mg/L and proved to be reliable and reproducible with an average percentage of recoveries of 101.59 ± 3.93% and inter and intraday variation coefficients lower than 15% in all cases. The method was successfully applied in determining 30 samples from 10 patients being treated with micafungin.

Conclusions

The method proposed could be useful to facilitate the implementation of therapeutic drug monitoring for personalizing micafungin treatment in invasive fungal infections.
An improved approach of robust constrained model predictive tracking control for polytopic description systems
Authors: Luo Qiuwen , Wu Sheng , Bai Jianjun , Wu Feng , Zhang Ridong
Published: February 2023

A novel design of robust constrained model predictive tracking control is proposed for systems with polytopic description. Unlike the conventional robust model predictive tracking control, the proposed method adopts an improved state space model in which the process state variables and tracking error are combined such that they can be tuned in the cost function optimization separately. Based on the proposed new model, more degrees of freedom are provided for the subsequent controller design, which leads to improved control performance. The relevant feasibility and robust stability issues are further discussed, and the effectiveness of the proposed approach is tested on the control of a system which is open-loop unstable with dead time and reverse responses.
Malcolm X, Pan-Africanism, and the Organization of African Unity: Appealing to Shepherds on Behalf of Their Lost Sheep at the 1964 OAU Summit
Authors: Butts Jimmy
Published: February 2023

Malcolm X’s appeal to the African Heads of State at the 1964 Organization of African Unity (OAU) meeting was necessary to strengthen the Pan-African bonds between Africans and African-Americans during that time. Following the anti-communism push in the post-WWII United States, many Black leaders disassociated with the anti-colonial movements in Africa and began to have a more domestic focus in their pursuit of freedom. While Malcolm X had consistently viewed the struggle of African-Americans as connected to the independence struggle of continental Africans, his 1964 appeal was a high mark. Through a comparative analysis of the speeches of the African Heads of State from this OAU summit, the author explores the way those leaders addressed the African-American, South African, and Palestinian struggles differently. Based on that study, the author concludes that Malcolm’s appeal to these leaders was necessary if the African-American problem was going to gain more attention from them.
Pushing the doors open: Nonviolent action and inclusion in peace negotiations
Authors: Nilsson Desirée , Svensson Isak
Published: February 2023

Whereas previous research shows that peace agreements which include a broad segment of society are more likely to lead to sustainable peace, little effort has gone into explaining inclusion itself. We address this gap in the literature by providing the first large-N study to examine the causes of inclusive peace negotiations across civil wars. We argue that civil society actors can gain leverage through mobilization of civilian protest, or build trust through dialogue efforts, thereby enhancing the chances of inclusion of non-warring actors at the negotiation table. The argument is examined by analysing unique and new monthly data on peacemaking efforts in all intrastate armed conflicts in Africa and the Americas, 1989–2018, including measures beyond mere nominal participation, such as whether civil society actors or political parties had substantive roles as either mediators or full participants at the peace talks. Our findings show that protests by civil society actors increase the likelihood that non-warring actors will have a seat at the negotiation table, whereas we find no such effect concerning dialogue efforts. The article contributes by providing new insights into how nonviolent action can shape peace processes by opening the doors to negotiations and is thus part of an emerging research agenda that seeks to bring together the fields of civil resistance and inclusive peace processes.
Highly cited forensic practitioners in the Nordic countries and their composite citation scores based on six different citation metrics
Authors: Jones Alan W
Published: February 2023

Forensic science is a multidisciplinary field that involves the use of various scientific methods and techniques for the investigation of crimes. Forensic scientists are often required to testify in court as expert witnesses and explain the meaning of chemical, physical, and/or medical evidence to a judge and jury. This article took advantage of a citation database to identify the most highly cited forensic practitioners in four Nordic countries within the discipline of legal and forensic medicine. The starting point was 7 million scientists indexed in the SCOPUS database, each of whom had their name on at least five entries. Six different citation metrics were used to calculate a person’s composite citation score. Those within the top 2% of their primary research discipline were considered highly cited.
Informing COVID-19 Response and Health Equity Agenda: Collection of Public Health Reports Articles on Emerging Viral Epidemics in the United States, 1878-2021
Authors: Harada Noelle M. , Kuzmichev Andrey , Dembek Zygmunt F. , Ising Amy I. , Dean Hazel D.
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Public Health Reports ( PHR) is the oldest public health journal in the United States and has reported on viral epidemics since the 19th century. We describe the creation and analysis of a collection of historic PHR articles on emerging viral epidemics in the United States to inform public health response to COVID-19 and future epidemics.

Methods:

We searched databases from 1878 through 2021 using custom search strings and conducted a manual search for articles published under previously used names for PHR. We evaluated all articles based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and coded the final list for virus/disease, article type, public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and PubMed citation count.

Results:

We identified 349 relevant articles including 130 commentaries/reviews/editorials, 79 epidemiologic reports, 75 research articles, and 65 case study/practice articles. The collection focused on influenza (n = 244), COVID-19 (n = 75), dengue (n = 14), and other emerging viruses, such as Zika and Ebola (n = 25). The collection included 48 articles on health disparities/health of various disadvantaged populations, highlighting such disparities as race and ethnicity (n = 22), socioeconomic status (n = 17), and age (n = 15). When we categorized articles by CDC public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities, we found that 207 addressed surveillance and epidemiologic investigation, 36 addressed community preparedness, and 28 addressed medical countermeasure dispensing and administration. The articles addressing surveillance and epidemiologic investigation, nonpharmaceutical interventions, and community preparedness had the most PubMed citations (799, 334, and 308, respectively).

Conclusions:

PHR’s historic articles on US emerging viral epidemics covered a range of virus/disease types, emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and contribution types and were widely cited in the scholarly literature. This publicly available and continuously updated collection is a valuable resource for pandemic planning and response.
Temporal and spatial evolution and influencing factors of urban ecological total factor productivity in the Yellow River basin under strong sustainable development
Authors: Yang Wan-Ping , Zhang Zhen-Ya , Luo Ping-Ping , Wang Ya-Juan
Published: February 2023

A growing consensus worldwide has indicated the need to protect the ecological environment and achieve sustainable development. Ensuring ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin have become China's major national strategy. We reviewed extant literature, summarised government reports and guidance documents on the Yellow River basin, and proposed introducing a strong sustainable development theory into the study of total factor productivity (TFP). The spatial–temporal evolution and influencing factors of urban ecological TFP in the Yellow River basin are of great practical significance. We proposed a new ecological TFP indicator: the modified input-oriented Luenberger productivity indicator (MIL). Using panel data from 78 cities in the Yellow River basin during 2003–2019, we measured the urban ecological TFP. We adopted the geographic information system tool and kernel density estimation to analyse the temporal and spatial evolution of the indicator, as well as its spatial effects and influencing factors, using the global Moran's I index and dynamic spatial Durbin model (SDM). Our results show that, during the sample period, our indicator increased in cities in the region with an average annual growth rate of 0.627%, driven by technological progress. The average annual growth rate in urban areas showed a decreasing distribution of ‘downstream-midstream-upstream’. Fiscal decentralisation (FD), industrial structure (IND), financial development (FIN), urbanisation level (URB) and research and development (RD) investment improved growth rates in this and the adjacent regions through direct and indirect effects. However, environmental regulation (ER), opening level (OPEN) of cities and population density (POP) were obstacles to TFP growth.
Book review: B. K. Nagla, Sociology and Sociologists in India: Perspectives from the North-West
Authors: Bal Gurpreet
Published: February 2023

B. K. Nagla, Sociology and Sociologists in India: Perspectives from the North-West. (Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2022), 410 pp. ₹595, ISBN: 978-81-316-1236-1 (Paperback).
Exploring the Vowel Space of Multicultural Toronto English
Authors: Denis Derek , Elango Vidhya , Kamal Nur Sakinah Nor , Prashar Srishti , Velasco Maria
Published: February 2023

While multiethnolects have been documented in major European metropolises over the last several decades, no such varieties have been reported in North America. This is surprising given the high degree of global immigration in many North American cities. We consider Toronto, Ontario, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and explore the features of a Multicultural Toronto English. Data comes from young people in an ethnolinguistically diverse region of the Greater Toronto Area. We investigate five vocalic phenomena: goose fronting, the Canadian Vowel Shift, Canadian raising, ban/bag tensing, and goat monophthongization. Our results indicate a great deal of interspeaker variability with some suggestion that young, immigrant men are least likely to produce normative Canadian English patterns. However, a lack of cohesion in covariation between phenomena is consistent with a multiethnolect as understood as a variable repertoire. We argue that Multicultural Toronto English represents linguistic alterity and a means of everyday resistance for young Torontonians.
African American missionaries serving overseas: A surprising numerical and demographic analysis of US-born Blacks in missions
Authors: Sutherland James W. , Coleman Richard , Russell Jacinta
Published: February 2023

A census of African American cross-cultural overseas missionaries was completed between 2020 and mid-2021, encompassing data gathered since 1998. Over 600 mission agencies listed in the North American Mission Handbook were canvassed for US-born Black missionaries, and comparisons made between data from the 21st and 22nd editions. A slight majority of the 179 African American foreign missionaries located were single, and 57% of marrieds were in inter-ethnic marriages. Almost half of these cross-cultural workers served in Africa. Not more than 10% were found in any one mission agency, and 21% of missionaries were salaried.
What Is a Neganthropic Institution?
Authors: Krzykawski Michał
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the relation between the institutions and the production of entropy as read by Bernard Stiegler and locates this discussion within a more specific debate on institutions in advanced capitalism. Commenting on Stiegler’s approach to the concept of entropy, the article brings into focus the institutional strand of Stiegler’s increasingly hurried writings where this concept is discussed and reframes his critique of political economy as ‘neganthropology’ in relation to what I describe as neganthropic institutions. A full explanation of Stiegler’s positive project of neganthroplogy is offered through an inherent critique of Friedrich Hayek’s economic theory and of his view on institutions. I show that Hayek’s approach to institutions largely stems from his understanding of the theory of biological evolution, which is fundamentally flawed because it neglects the question of entropy with regard to the organisation of the living in general and of the human species in particular.
Interview with Brian Massumi: From the Ecology of Powers to an Aesthetics of the Earth
Authors: Sünter Emre
Published: February 2023

In this interview, Brian Massumi discusses the possibility of a collective practice of experimentation beyond the infernal alternatives between the state authoritarianism and a narrow and exclusionary notion of freedom based on the individual, reinforced by the Covid-19 pandemic. This requires diagnosing the mix of forces at play, in other words, examining the interlinkages of various modes of power. Analysis of the ecology of powers then invokes a positive project that is inventing an aesthetics of the earth. An aesthetics of the earth is a call for a more-than-human relational ethics, which takes place in intricate co-composition with the earth and its emergent strata of all kinds: viral, bacterial, vegetal, animal, human, technological. Thus, from the ecology of powers to an aesthetics of the earth, Massumi proposes a politics of potential that is diagnostic rather than prescriptive yet encourages experimentation towards a postcapitalist future at this critical juncture of our epoch.
Acceptance and commitment therapy for people with acquired brain injury: Rationale and description of the BrainACT treatment
Authors: Rauwenhoff Johanne CC , Bol Yvonne , van Heugten Caroline M , Batink Tim , Geusgens Chantal AV , van den Hout Anja JHC , Smits Peter , Verwegen Christianne RT , Visser Annemarie , Peeters Frenk
Published: February 2023

Background

The treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms following acquired brain injury is complex and more evidence-based treatment options are needed. We are currently evaluating the BrainACT intervention; acceptance and commitment therapy for people with acquired brain injury.

Rationale

This paper describes the theoretical underpinning, the development and content of BrainACT. Acceptance and commitment therapy focuses on the acceptance of feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations and on living a valued life, without fighting against what is lost. Since the thoughts that people with acquired brain injury can experience are often realistic or appropriate given their situation, this may be a suitable approach.

Theory into practice

Existing evidence-based protocols were adapted for the needs and potential cognitive deficits after brain injury. General alterations are the use of visual materials, summaries and repetition. Acceptance and commitment therapy-specific adaptions include the Bus of Life metaphor as a recurrent exercise, shorter mindfulness exercises, simplified explanations, a focus on experiential exercises and the monitoring of committed actions. The intervention consists of eight one-hour sessions with a psychologist, experienced in acceptance and commitment therapy and in working with people with acquired brain injury. The order of the sessions, metaphors and exercises can be tailored to the needs of the patients.

Discussion

Currently, the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention is evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. The BrainACT intervention is expected to be a feasible and effective intervention for people with anxiety or depressive symptoms following acquired brain injury.
Morbidity and mortality following heart failure rehabilitation: The effect of programme completion and 6-min walk test distance
Authors: Waite Iain , Pearson Clare , Greenwood Sharlene
Published: February 2023

Objective

To compare real-world data from a single centre heart failure rehabilitation programme, evaluating the effect of programme completion and improved functional capacity on morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure.

Design

A retrospective longitudinal analysis of service outcomes.

Setting

A single-centre London based NHS trust.

Participants

Patients attending heart failure rehabilitation between 2016 and 2020.

Intervention

Patients participated in a 12-week heart failure rehabilitation programme with those completing ≥6 rehabilitation sessions classified as ‘completers’.

Main Measures

Pre and post 6-min walk tests measured improvement in physical ability, depicted by a meaningful increase in distance (≥30 m). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to predict risk of event (myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, heart failure readmission and death) between ‘completers’ and ‘non-completers’. Kaplan–Meier Log rank was employed for ‘completers’, examining time to event between ‘improvers’ (6-min walk test ≥30 m) and ‘non-improvers’ (6-min walk test <30 m).

Results

137 patients (male 61%) attended heart failure rehabilitation over the 4-year period. 86% ( n = 117) of patients completed the programme. During the follow-up period, there were 25 events, including three deaths. There was no statistically significant difference in time to event between completers and non-completers, ( P = 0.563). Improvement in 6-min walk test results demonstrate some short-term benefit, however no long-term benefits in morbidity and mortality were seen ( P = 0.888).

Conclusions

Completion of heart failure rehabilitation is not associated with a lower risk of combined event in this study. Improved 6-min walk test appears to be associated with short-term advantage in event-free survival time.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging in migraine: A systematic review
Authors: Schramm Severin , Börner Corinna , Reichert Miriam , Baum Thomas , Zimmer Claus , Heinen Florian , Bonfert Michaela V , Sollmann Nico
Published: February 2023

Background

Migraine is a highly prevalent primary headache disorder. Despite a high burden of disease, key disease mechanisms are not entirely understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging method using the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal, which has been increasingly used in migraine research over recent years. This systematic review summarizes recent findings employing functional magnetic resonance imaging for the investigation of migraine.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search and selection of functional magnetic resonance imaging applications in migraine from April 2014 to December 2021 (PubMed and references of identified articles according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines). Methodological details and main findings were extracted and synthesized.

Results

Out of 224 articles identified, 114 were included after selection. Repeatedly emerging structures of interest included the insula, brainstem, limbic system, hypothalamus, thalamus, and functional networks. Assessment of functional brain changes in response to treatment is emerging, and machine learning has been used to investigate potential functional magnetic resonance imaging-based markers of migraine.

Conclusions

A wide variety of functional magnetic resonance imaging-based metrics were found altered across the brain for heterogeneous migraine cohorts, partially correlating with clinical parameters and supporting the concept to conceive migraine as a brain state. However, a majority of findings from previous studies have not been replicated, and studies varied considerably regarding image acquisition and analyses techniques. Thus, while functional magnetic resonance imaging appears to have the potential to advance our understanding of migraine pathophysiology, replication of findings in large representative datasets and precise, standardized reporting of clinical data would likely benefit the field and further increase the value of observations.
OnabotulinumtoxinA effects on trigeminal nociceptors
Authors: Moore Ashley A , Nelson Mariana , Wickware Christopher , Choi Shinbe , Moon Gene , Xiong Emma , Orta Lily , Brideau-Andersen Amy , Brin Mitchell F , Broide Ron S , Liedtke Wolfgang , Moore Carlene
Published: February 2023

Background

OnabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) is approved globally for prevention of chronic migraine; however, the classical mechanism of action of onabotA in motor and autonomic neurons cannot fully explain the effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA in this sensory neurological disease. We sought to explore the direct effects of onabotulinumtoxinA on mouse trigeminal ganglion sensory neurons using an inflammatory soup-based model of sensitization.

Methods

Primary cultured trigeminal ganglion neurons were pre-treated with inflammatory soup, then treated with onabotulinumtoxinA (2.75 pM). Treated neurons were used to examine transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 cell-surface expression, calcium influx, and neuropeptide release.

Results

We found that onabotulinumtoxinA cleaved synaptosomal-associated protein-25 kDa in cultured trigeminal ganglion neurons; synaptosomal-associated protein-25 kDa cleavage was enhanced by inflammatory soup pre-treatment, suggesting greater uptake of toxin under sensitized conditions. OnabotulinumtoxinA also prevented inflammatory soup-mediated increases in TRPV1 and TRPA1 cell-surface expression, without significantly altering TRPV1 or TRPA1 protein expression in unsensitized conditions. We observed similar inhibitory effects of onabotulinumtoxinA on TRP-mediated calcium influx and TRPV1- and TRPA1-mediated release of calcitonin gene-related peptide and prostaglandin 2 under sensitized, but not unsensitized control, conditions.

Conclusions

Our data deepen the understanding of the sensory mechanism of action of onabotulinumtoxinA and support the notion that, once endocytosed, the cytosolic light chain of onabotulinumtoxinA cleaves synaptosomal-associated protein-25 kDa to prevent soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor-mediated processes more generally in motor, autonomic, and sensory neurons.