bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OGC P31 Learning curve for robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: A systematic review
Authors: Pickering Oliver , van Boxel Gijs , Carter Nick , Mercer Stuart , Knight Benjamin , Pucher Philip
Published: December 2022

Background

Robot- assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is gaining increasing popularity as an operative approach. Learning curves to achieve surgical competency in robotic-assisted techniques have shown significant variation in learning curve lengths and outcomes. It is vital to understand the impact of RAMIO implementation on patient outcomes during the initial adoption phase. This systematic review aims to summarise the current literature on learning curves for RAMIE.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in line with MOOSE (Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. Electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were searched, and articles reporting on learning curves in RAMIE were identified and scrutinized. Studies were included if an assessment of the learning curve was reported, regardless of statistical method was used.

Results

Fifteen studies reporting on 1767 patients were included. Nine studies reported on surgeons with prior experience of robot-assisted surgery prior to adopting RAMIE, with only four studies outlining a specified RAMIO adoption pathway. Learning curves were most commonly reported for lymph node yields and operative times, with significant variation in learning curve lengths (18–73 cases and 20–80 cases respectively). Only a minority of studies (3/9) demonstrated learning curves for patient outcomes (30-day morbidity, 21–51 cases; vocal cord paralysis rates, 12–80 cases).

Conclusions

RAMIE adoption appears possible with minimal impact on clinical outcomes. Robust training through formal programmes or proctorship may be crucial to minimise the adverse effects on operative efficiency and patient care.
OGC P38 Prognostic significance of weight loss in patients diagnosed with resectable oesophageal cancer
Authors: Geropoulos Georgios , Patel Nikhil , Patel Pranav , Doyle Joseph , Allum William , Chaudry Asif , Bhogal Ricky , Kumar Sacheen
Published: December 2022

Background

Weight loss is a common presenting symptom among oesophageal cancer patients. Although tumour volume-associated dysphagia can affect a patient's oral intake, other factors also contribute to weight loss. The aim of this study is to investigate and summarize the existing evidence in regards to the prognostic significance of weight loss in patients undergoing oesophagectomy.

Methods

The MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS bibliographical databases were searched by two independent reviewers. Excessive weight loss was defined as more than a 10% decrease from a patient's baseline weight. Original clinical studies, published in English, comparing long term outcomes of resectable oesophageal cancer patients with pre-treatment weight loss of >10% versus 0–10% weight loss were deemed eligible for our study. The primary endpoint of our analysis was 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival.

Results

Fifteen studies with non-overlapping population reporting on 3271 (1241 reported excessive weight loss (>10%) and 1976 had 0–10% weight loss) patients, met our inclusion criteria. Early recurrence rates between the 2 groups could not be assessed as these were reported in only two of the fifteen studies. Our quantitative analysis demonstrated that patients with resectable oesophageal cancer with >10% weight loss on presentation were associated with significantly lower three-year disease-free and overall survival (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.87, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Excessive weight loss at diagnosis is a poor prognostic factor for patients undergoing surgical treatment for resectable oesophageal cancer. It is associated with decreased disease-free and overall survival.
Analysis of 12 Chemical Compounds And Pattern Recognition of Different Parts of Angelicae Sinensis Radix by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Chemometrics Methods
Authors: Zhao Shuang-Li , Fu Fei , Yu Bo-Yang , Li Ren-Shi
Published: December 2022

To evaluate the quality and quantify bioactive constituents in different parts of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, an efficient, high-speed, high-sensitivity high-performance liquid chromatography and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method was used for simultaneous detection of 12 chemical compounds including L-tryptophan, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, isoferulic acid, senkyunolide I, guanosine, proline, L-glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, and arginine in 52 batches of Angelicae Sinensis Radix from Gansu, China. The established methods were validated by good linearity (R2≥0.9921), limits of detection (0.0001–0.0156 μg/mL), limits of quantitation (0.0006–0.0781 μg/mL), stability (RSD≤7.77%), repeatability (RSD≤6.79%), intra- and interday precisions (RSD≤6.00% and RSD≤6.39%, respectively) and recovery (90.90–107.16%). According to the quantitative results, the contents of the hydrophilic compounds were higher in the head, while the medium and weak polar components were mainly concentrated in the tail. Finally, principal component analysis results revealed that Angelicae Sinensis Radix could be divided into different medicinal sites based on polar components such as amino acids, nucleosides. The combination of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and principal component analysis is a simple and reliable method for pattern recognition and quality evaluation of Angelicae Sinensis Radix.
Comparison of a chronic kidney disease predictive model for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Malaysia using Cox regression versus machine learning approach
Authors: Sim Ruth , Chong Chun Wie , Loganadan Navin Kumar , Adam Noor Lita , Hussein Zanariah , Lee Shaun Wen Huey
Published: December 2022

Background

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease. This study aims to develop and validate different risk predictive models for incident CKD and CKD progression in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

We reviewed a cohort of people with T2D seeking care from two tertiary hospitals in the metropolitan cities of the state of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan from January 2012 to May 2021. To identify the 3-year predictor of developing CKD (primary outcome) and CKD progression (secondary outcome), the dataset was randomly split into a training and test set. A Cox proportional hazards (CoxPH) model was developed to identify predictors of developing CKD. The resultant CoxPH model was compared with other machine learning models on their performance using C-statistic.

Results

The cohorts included 1992 participants, of which 295 had developed CKD and 442 reported worsening of kidney function. Equation for the 3-year risk of developing CKD included gender, haemoglobin A1c, triglyceride and serum creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate, history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes duration. For risk of CKD progression, the model included systolic blood pressure, retinopathy and proteinuria. The CoxPH model was better at prediction compared with other machine learning models examined for incident CKD (C-statistic: training 0.826; test 0.874) and CKD progression (C-statistic: training 0.611; test 0.655). The risk calculator can be found at https://rs59.shinyapps.io/071221/.

Conclusions

The Cox regression model was the best performing model to predict people with T2D who will develop a 3-year risk of incident CKD and CKD progression in a Malaysian cohort.
A deep learning algorithm to quantify AVF stenosis and predict 6-month primary patency: a pilot study
Authors: Park Jae Hyon , Yoon Jongjin , Park Insun , Sim Yongsik , Kim Soo Jin , Won Jong Yun , Han Kichang
Published: December 2022

Background

A deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model that predicts the degree of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis and 6-month primary patency (PP) based on AVF shunt sounds was developed, and was compared with various machine learning (ML) models trained on patients’ clinical data.

Methods

Forty dysfunctional AVF patients were recruited prospectively, and AVF shunt sounds were recorded before and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty using a wireless stethoscope. The audio files were converted to melspectrograms to predict the degree of AVF stenosis and 6-month PP. The diagnostic performance of the melspectrogram-based DCNN model (ResNet50) was compared with that of other ML models [i.e. logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT) and support vector machine (SVM)], as well as the DCNN model (ResNet50) trained on patients’ clinical data.

Results

Melspectrograms qualitatively reflected the degree of AVF stenosis by exhibiting a greater amplitude at mid-to-high frequency in the systolic phase with a more severe degree of stenosis, corresponding to a high-pitched bruit. The proposed melspectrogram-based DCNN model successfully predicted the degree of AVF stenosis. In predicting the 6-month PP, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the melspectrogram-based DCNN model (ResNet50) (≥0.870) outperformed that of various ML models based on clinical data (LR, 0.783; DT, 0.766; SVM, 0.733) and that of the spiral-matrix DCNN model (0.828).

Conclusion

The proposed melspectrogram-based DCNN model successfully predicted the degree of AVF stenosis and outperformed ML-based clinical models in predicting 6-month PP.
Risks and outcomes of critical limb ischemia in hemodialysis patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hsieh Mu-Yang , Chuang Shao-Yuan , Lee Chih-Kuo , Luo Chien-Ming , Cheng Chi-Hung , Liao Min-Tsun , Lin Po-Lin , Yang Ten-Fang , Wu Chih-Cheng
Published: December 2022

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is more common in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis than in the general population. Critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most severe form of PAD, is associated with high amputation and mortality risk. However, few prospective studies are available evaluating this disease's presentation, risk factors and outcomes for patients receiving hemodialysis.

Methods

The Hsinchu VA study, a prospective multicentre study, investigated the impact of clinical factors on cardiovascular outcomes of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis from January 2008 until December 2021. We evaluated the presentations and outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed PAD and the correlations of clinical variables with newly diagnosed CLI.

Results

Of 1136 study participants, 1038 had no PAD on enrolment. After a median follow-up period of 3.3 years, 128 had newly diagnosed PAD. Of these, 65 presented with CLI, and 25 underwent amputation or died from PAD. Patients presenting with CLI had more below-the-knee (52%) and multi-level (41%) disease, and completely occluded segments (41%), and higher risk for amputation or PAD-related death compared with patients without CLI (27.7% vs 9.5%, P = .01). After multivariate adjustment, disability, diabetes mellitus, current smoking and atrial fibrillation were significantly associated with newly diagnosed CLI.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing hemodialysis had higher rates of newly diagnosed CLI than the general population. Those with disabilities, diabetes mellitus, smoking and atrial fibrillation may require careful examination for PAD. Trial registration: Hsinchu VA study, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04692636.
Clinical Effect of Mirikizumab Treatment on Bowel Urgency in Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and the Clinical Relevance of Bowel Urgency Improvement for Disease Remission
Authors: Dubinsky Marla C , Clemow David B , Hunter Gibble Theresa , Li Xingyuan , Vermeire Severine , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Travis Simon P L
Published: December 2022

Background

Bowel urgency reduces ulcerative colitis patients' quality of life. Mirikizumab, a p19-directed anti-IL-23 antibody, demonstrates ulcerative colitis efficacy. Mirikizumab efficacy to reduce bowel urgency and bowel urgency association with other endpoints were analyzed in 2 Phase 3 trials.

Methods

LUCENT-1 (Induction): 1162 patients randomized 3:1 to intravenous 300 mg mirikizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. LUCENT-2 (Maintenance): 544 mirikizumab responders during induction were re-randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous mirikizumab 200 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 40 weeks (52 weeks of continuous treatment). Bowel urgency was measured using the Urgency Numeric Rating Scale (0–10); for patients with LUCENT-1 baseline score ≥3, bowel urgency clinically meaningful improvement (≥3-point decrease) and remission (score ≤1) rates in mirikizumab versus placebo groups were compared at Weeks 12 and 52. Associations between bowel urgency and other efficacy endpoints were assessed at Weeks 12 and 52.

Results

A significantly higher proportion of mirikizumab patients versus placebo achieved clinically meaningful improvement in bowel urgency and remission at Weeks 12 and 52. Significantly higher percentages of patients achieving bowel urgency clinically meaningful improvement or remission, compared with those who did not, also achieved endpoints for clinical, corticosteroid-free, endoscopic, and symptomatic remission; clinical response; normalized fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein; and improved quality of life.

Conclusions

In patients with ulcerative colitis, bowel urgency improvement was associated with better clinical outcomes than in patients without improvement during induction and maintenance. A greater proportion of mirikizumab patients achieved sustainable bowel urgency improvement and remission compared to placebo patients.
Evaluation of Alfalfa Fields and Pastures as Sources ofSpissistilus festinus(Hemiptera: Membracidae): Quantification of Reproductive and Nutritional Parameters
Authors: Sisterson Mark S , Dwyer Donal P , Uchima Sean Y
Published: December 2022

The threecornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus) is a pest of grapevine, with damage caused by transmission of grapevine red blotch virus. Because grapevine is not a preferred host of the threecornered alfalfa hopper, abundance in vineyards depends on proximity to source habitats and presence of preferred hosts in vineyard understories. The potential for alfalfa fields and pastures in the Central Valley of California to serve as sources of threecornered alfalfa hopper was evaluated by quantifying parameters associated with threecornered alfalfa hopper reproductive and nutritional status. Laboratory studies determined that the threecornered alfalfa hopper is synovigenic, emerging as an adult prior to initiation of oogenesis and that females have multiple rounds of egg production. Alfalfa fields, irrigated pastures, and vineyards were sampled monthly. Adults were observed year-round in alfalfa fields and pastures, with populations peaking in fall. Gravid females were observed from February through November. While rare, adult threecornered alfalfa hoppers were collected from 2 of 4 sampled vineyards. In spring, adults were observed in samples collected from vineyard ground cover. In fall, adults were observed in samples collected from vineyard ground cover and foliage samples. Samples collected from pastures and vineyards were male biased, whereas equal numbers of males and females were observed in alfalfa fields. Adults collected from alfalfa fields were larger, heavier, and had greater estimated energetic reserves than adults collected from pastures. Adults collected from vineyards were of above average size and had relatively high estimated energetic reserves. Results suggest that alfalfa fields are more likely to serve as sources of threecornered alfalfa hoppers than irrigated pastures and that differences in male and female behavior may affect rates of pathogen transmission.
Gut microbial community supplementation and reduction modulates African armyworm susceptibility to a baculovirus
Authors: Donkersley Philip , Rice Annabel , Graham Robert I , Wilson Kenneth
Published: December 2022

Gut microbiota stimulates the immune system and inhibits pathogens, and thus, it is critical for disease prevention. Probiotics represent an effective alternative to antibiotics used for the therapy and prevention of bacterial diseases. Probiotic bacteria are commonly used in vertebrates, although their use in invertebrates is still rare. We manipulated the gut microbiome of the African Armyworm (Spodoptera exempta Walker) using antibiotics and field-collected frass, in an attempt to understand the interactions of the gut microbiome with the nucleopolyhedrovirus, SpexNPV. We found that S. exempta individuals with supplemented gut microbiome were significantly more resistant to SpexNPV, relative to those with a typical laboratory gut microbiome. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed the bacterial phyla in the S. exempta gut belonged to 28 different classes. Individuals with an increased abundance of Lactobacillales had a higher probability of surviving viral infection. In contrast, there was an increased abundance of Enterobacteriales and Pseudomonadales in individuals dying from viral infection, corresponding with decreased abundance of these two Orders in surviving caterpillars, suggesting a potential role for them in modulating the interaction between the host and its pathogen. These results have important implications for laboratory studies testing biopesticides.
Impacts of an invasive filter-feeder on bacterial biodiversity are context dependent
Authors: Dahal Nikesh , Glyshaw Paul , Carter Glenn , Vanderploeg Henry A , Denef Vincent J
Published: December 2022

Bacteria represent most of the biodiversity and play key roles in virtually every ecosystem. In doing so, bacteria act as part of complex communities shaped by interactions across all domains of life. Here, we report on direct interactions between bacteria and dreissenid mussels, a group of invasive filter-feeders threatening global aquatic systems due to high filtration rates. Previous studies showed that dreissenids can impact bacterial community structure by changing trait distributions and abundances of specific taxa. However, studies on bacterial community effects were conducted using water from Lake Michigan (an oligotrophic lake) only, and it is unknown whether similar patterns are observed in systems with differing nutrient regimes. We conducted ten short-term dreissenid grazing experiments in 2019 using water from two eutrophic lake regions—the western basin of Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. Predation by dreissenids led to decline in overall bacterial abundance and diversity in both lakes. However, feeding on bacteria was not observed during every experiment. We also found that traits related to feeding resistance are less phylogenetically conserved than previously thought. Our results highlight the role of temporal, spatial, and genomic heterogeneity in bacterial response dynamics to a globally important invasive filter feeder.
Identification of European isolates of the lager yeast parent Saccharomyces eubayanus
Authors: Bergin Sean A , Allen Stephen , Hession Conor , Ó Cinnéide Eoin , Ryan Adam , Byrne Kevin P , Ó Cróinín Tadhg , Wolfe Kenneth H , Butler Geraldine
Published: December 2022

Lager brewing first occurred in Bavaria in the 15th century, associated with restrictions of brewing to colder months. The lager yeast, Saccharomyces pastorianus, is cold tolerant. It is a hybrid between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces eubayanus, and has been found only in industrial settings. Natural isolates of S. eubayanus were first discovered in Patagonia 11 years ago. They have since been isolated from China, Tibet, New Zealand, and North America, but not from Europe. Here, we describe the first European strains UCD646 and UCD650, isolated from a wooded area on a university campus in Dublin, Ireland. We generated complete chromosome level assemblies of both genomes using long- and short-read sequencing. The UCD isolates belong to the Holarctic clade. Genome analysis shows that isolates similar to the Irish strains contributed to the S. eubayanus component of S. pastorianus, but isolates from Tibet made a larger contribution.
Stendhal’s Consumptive Heroine:
Lamiel
and Tuberculosis
Authors: Jones Sarah
Published: December 2022

This article offers a close reading of Stendhal’s
Lamiel
, arguing that the eponymous heroine suffers from, but also manipulates the symptoms of, the quintessentially nineteenth-century disease, consumption. It first establishes Lamiel as a consumptive heroine by comparing the novel to contemporary medical discourse on the disease, most notably to the work of René Laënnec. It then analyses the
fausse phtisie
scene, a passage in which Lamiel uses the blood of a dead bird to simulate haemoptysis, contending that the performative nature of Lamiel’s illness is of primary importance. Comparing
Lamiel
to other Stendhal novels, the article highlights that the heroine asserts her own identity by assuming abjection, whereas other characters are threatened by the abject. It further demonstrates that this scene amounts to Lamiel’s rejection of Romantic tropes of passive female patienthood, arguing that the novel forges a new mould for the representation of consumptive heroines. This article contributes to our understanding of how literature can manipulate, undermine, and even reject medical and cultural paradigms of illnesses as ubiquitous to the nineteenth century as tuberculosis.
What is constitutional interpretation?
Authors: de Almeida Ribeiro Gonçalo
Published: December 2022

Constitutional interpretation is usually assumed to be a particular kind of legislative interpretation—particular, because constitutions have characteristics of their own, yet legislative interpretation all the same, because constitutions are written laws enacted by a (supreme) political authority. This article argues that the legislative paradigm is ill-suited to constitutional interpretation, for it represents an encroachment of the ontology of legality on the realm of constitutionality. Making sense of an object as a constitutional norm presupposes the a priori category of the constitution, understood as a substantive category in its own right, as intimated in the tradition of liberal democratic constitutionalism. It is this presupposition that makes constitutional meaning possible and justifies considering constitutional interpretation as something peculiar to itself, seriously downplaying the significance of contingencies of form, language, structure, and history in constitutional argument.
Integrative Genetic Manipulation of Plasmodium cynomolgi Reveals Multidrug Resistance-1 Y976F Associated With Increased In Vitro Susceptibility to Mefloquine
Authors: Ward Kurt E , Christensen Peter , Racklyeft Annie , Dhingra Satish K , Chua Adeline C Y , Remmert Caroline , Suwanarusk Rossarin , Matheson Jessica , Blackman Michael J , Kaneko Osamu , Kyle Dennis E , Lee Marcus C S , Moon Robert W , Snounou Georges , Rénia Laurent , Fidock David A , Russell Bruce , Bifani Pablo
Published: December 2022

The lack of a long-term in vitro culture method has severely restricted the study of Plasmodium vivax, in part because it limits genetic manipulation and reverse genetics. We used the recently optimized Plasmodium cynomolgi Berok in vitro culture model to investigate the putative P. vivax drug resistance marker MDR1 Y976F. Introduction of this mutation using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats–CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) increased sensitivity to mefloquine, but had no significant effect on sensitivity to chloroquine, amodiaquine, piperaquine, and artesunate. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of CRISPR-Cas9 in P. cynomolgi, and the first reported integrative genetic manipulation of this species.
Small RNA sequencing and profiling of serum-derived exosomes from African swine fever virus-infected pigs
Authors: Truong Anh Duc , Kang Suyeon , Dang Hoang Vu , Hong Yeojin , Vu Thi Hao , Heo Jubi , Chu Nhu Thi , Nguyen Huyen Thi , Tran Ha Thi Thanh , Hong Yeong Ho
Published: December 2022

African swine fever (ASF) virus (ASFV) is responsible for one of the most severe swine diseases worldwide, with a morbidity rate of up to 100%; no vaccines or antiviral medicines are available against the virus. Exosomal miRNAs from individual cells can regulate the immune response to infectious diseases. In this study, pigs were infected with an ASFV Pig/HN/07 strain that was classified as acute form, and exosomal miRNA expression in the serum of infected pigs was analyzed using small RNA sequencing (small RNA-seq). Twenty-seven differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in the ASFV-infected pigs compared to that in the uninfected controls. Of these, 10 were upregulated and 17 were downregulated in the infected pigs. All DE miRNAs were analyzed using gene ontology (GO) terms and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, and the DE miRNAs were found to be highly involved in T-cell receptor signaling, cGMP-PKG signaling, Toll-like receptor, MAPK signaling, and mTOR signaling pathways. Furthermore, the Cytoscape network analysis identified the network of interactions between DE miRNAs and target genes. Finally, the transcription levels of four miRNA genes (ssc-miR-24-3p, ssc-miR-130b-3p, ssc-let-7a, and ssc-let-7c) were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and were found to be consistent with the small RNA-seq data. These DE miRNAs were associated with cellular genes involved in the pathways related to immune response, virus–host interactions, and several viral genes. Overall, our findings provide an important reference and improve our understanding of ASF pathogenesis and the immune or protective responses during an acute infection in the host.
Reliability, Validity, and Predictive Validity of Cutaneous Functional Units Predicted to Scar Following Palmar Burn Injury in Young Children
Authors: Thomas Rhianydd , Wicks Stephanie , Toose Claire , Dale Marita , Pacey Verity
Published: December 2022

Identification of children at risk of palmar burn scar is important for early initiation of scar management. This study determined the interrater reliability of face-to-face and photographic assessments of 29 palmar cutaneous functional units (CFUs) predicted to scar following palmar burn. The validity of photographic compared to face-to-face assessment, and the predictive validity of both assessment types to identify scarring at 3 to 6 months following burn, was also established. Thirty-nine children (40 hands) post burn injury were assessed face-to-face in the clinical setting, following healing of their palmar burn, by three burn therapists. Photographs of the children’s hands at initial assessment were assessed by the same therapists a minimum of 6 months later. To determine which CFUs scarred, children were reassessed face-to-face in the clinical setting 3 to 6 months following their burn. For analysis, 29 CFUs were merged into eight separate groups to determine the number of CFUs predicted to scar per CFU group for face-to-face and photographic assessments. The range of agreement for individual CFUs within CFU groups was also calculated for both assessment types. Excellent interrater reliability was established for face-to-face assessment in all eight CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.83–0.96). Photographic assessment demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability in six CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.69–0.90) and validity in seven CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.66–0.87). Good to excellent predictive validity was established for both assessment types in seven CFU groups (face-to-face ICC2,1 0.60–0.95, photographic ICC2,1 0.69–0.89). Experienced therapists can reliably assess CFUs face-to-face or via photographs and predict future scar development.
The Legal Protection of Freshwater Resources and Related Installations during Warfare
Authors: Tignino Mara , Kebebew Tadesse
Published: December 2022

Armed conflicts have an impact on freshwater resources and often damage water installations, which could be targeted or incidentally damaged, affecting water quality and quantity and limiting access for the civilian population. Thus, in situations of armed conflict, protecting freshwater resources and related installations becomes essential. International humanitarian law (IHL) and international environmental law (IEL) provide for relevant rules that limit the impact of armed conflicts on freshwater and water infrastructure. IHL protects civilian objects, objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, works and installations containing dangerous forces and the natural environment. It also prohibits employing poison or poisonous weapons and environmental modification techniques. IEL regulates the sustainable and environmentally sound use, development and management of water resources. Progress in the realm of the human right to water and the rise of environmental consciousness further necessitate an eco-friendly approach that recognizes comprehensive protection. Therefore, this article examines the interplay between IEL and IHL, explaining how IEL can contribute to the interpretation of IHL rules and exploring areas where IEL could complement IHL rules relevant to the protection of freshwater resources and related installations during warfare.
Logic, co-ordination and the envelope of our beliefs
Authors: Parikh Rohit
Published: December 2022

Each of us has a story which we can think of as a set of beliefs, hopefully consistent. We make our decisions in view of our beliefs which may be probabilistic, in the general case, but simple yes or no as in this paper. Our beliefs are our envelope just as the shell of a tortoise is its envelope. Decision theory—or single agent game theory tells us when to make the best choice in a game of us against nature. But nature has no desire to further or frustrate our efforts. Nature is mysterious but not malign. Things change when there are other agents involved. Then the best thing for us to do will depend on what they do. And they will think the same. And we predict their actions in terms of what we think their beliefs are. But how do we coordinate with others whose beliefs are different? This paper addresses the issue of working together despite different beliefs.
Similar SARS-CoV-2 Ct Value Distributions in Anterior Nares versus Nasopharyngeal Samples from Symptomatic Children during Delta and Omicron Surges
Authors: Rattan Ankit , Joerger Jill , Williams David , Pollock Nira R
Published: December 2022

In symptomatic children tested for COVID-19 by PCR during both Delta and Omicron surges, Cycle threshold value medians and distributions in anterior nares (AN) and nasopharyngeal (NP) samples were very similar, suggesting similar yield of NP and AN sampling for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing in symptomatic children.
Stabilization of the astropause by periodic fluctuations of the stellar wind
Authors: Korolkov S D , Izmodenov V V
Published: December 2022

The main goal of this paper is to explore why observations of many astrospheres (or circumstellar bubbles) show quite stable and smooth structures of astropauses – the tangential discontinuities separating the stellar and interstellar winds – while both theory and numerical simulations suggest that tangential discontinuities are unstable due to well known Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H) instability. It was recognized before that magnetic fields may stabilize the astropauses. In this paper, we explore another mechanism to reduce the K-H instability of the astropauses. This mechanism is a periodic change of the stellar wind dynamic pressure. Fluctuations of the stellar wind parameters are quite expected. For example, the Sun has an 11-yr cycle of global activity although there are also shorter periods of the solar wind fluctuations. We performed the parametric numerical study and demonstrate that the development of the K-H instability depends on the dimensionless parameter χ, which is the ratio of the stellar wind terminal speed and interstellar flow speed. The larger the parameter χ, the larger the fluctuations caused by the K-H instability. It has been shown that the K-H instability is convective which agrees with the previous linear analysis. The stabilization of the astropause by the periodic fluctuations in the stellar wind lead is demonstrated. It is shown that for the solar wind the most effective stabilization occurs when the period of stellar parameter change is about 1–4 yr. For the 11-yr solar cycle, the stabilization effect is weaker.
A promising formation channel for symbiotic X-ray binaries: cases of IGR J17329−2731 and 4U 1700+24
Authors: Ablimit Iminhaji
Published: December 2022

Recent observations demonstrate that the symbiotic X-ray binary (SyXB) IGR J17329−2731 contains a highly magnetized neutron star (NS), which accretes matter through the wind from its giant star companion, and suggest that 4U 1700+24 may also have a highly magnetized NS. Accretion-induced collapse (AIC) from oxygen–neon–magnesium white dwarf (ONeMg WD) + red giant (RG) star binaries is one promising channel to form these SyXBs, while other long standing formation channels have difficulties to produce these SyXBs. By considering non-magnetic and magnetic ONeMg WDs, I investigate the evolution of ONeMg WD + RG binaries with the mesa stellar evolution code for producing SyXBs with non-magnetic or magnetized NSs. In the pre-AIC evolution with magnetic confinement, the mass accumulation efficiency of the accreting WD is increased at low-mass transfer rate compared with the non-magnetic case. The newborn NSs formed via AIC of highly magnetized WDs could inherit the large magnetic field through conservation of magnetic flux, and the systems could have a long age compatible with that of the red giant companions. These young and highly magnetized NSs could accrete matters from the stellar wind of the giant companions to that shine as those observed SyXBs, and could preserve their high magnetic field during this time. The mesa calculation results show that the initial parameter (initial RG mass and orbital period) space for the AIC with magnetic confinement to form SyXBs with highly magnetized NSs shifts to be lower and narrower compared with that of the no magnetic confinement case.
Heavy-element accretion by proto-Jupiter in a massive planetesimal disc, revisited
Authors: Shibata S , Helled R , Kobayashi H
Published: December 2022

Planetesimal accretion is a key source for heavy-element enrichment in giant planets. It has been suggested that Jupiter’s enriched envelope is a result of planetesimal accretion during its growth, assuming it formed in a massive planetesimal disc. In this study, we simulate Jupiter’s formation in this scenario. We assume in situ formation and perform N-body simulations to infer the solid accretion rate. We find that tens-Earth masses of planetesimals can be captured by proto-Jupiter during the rapid gas accretion phase. However, if several embryos are formed near Jupiter’s core, which is an expected outcome in the case of a massive planetesimal disc, scattering from the embryos increases the eccentricity and inclination of planetesimals and therefore significantly reduces the accretion efficiency. We also compare our results with published semi-analytical models and show that these models cannot reproduce the N-body simulations especially when the planetesimal disc has a large eccentricity and inclination. We show that when the dynamical evolution of planetesimals is carefully modelled, the total mass of captured planetesimals Mcap,tot is 2M⊕ ≲ Mcap,tot ≲ 18M⊕. The metallicity of Jupiter’s envelope can be explained by the planetesimal accretion in our massive disc model despite the low accretion efficiency coming from the high eccentricity and inclination of planetesimals. Our study demonstrates the importance of detailed modelling of planetesimal accretion during the planetary growth and its implications to the heavy-element mass in gaseous planets.
The most probable host of CHIME FRB 190425A, associated with binary neutron star merger GW190425, and a late-time transient search
Authors: Panther Fiona H , Anderson Gemma E , Bhandari Shivani , Goodwin Adelle J , Hurley-Walker Natasha , James Clancy W , Kawka Adela , Ai Shunke , Kovalam Manoj , Moroianu Alexandra , Wen Linqing , Zhang Bing
Published: December 2022

The identification and localization of fast radio bursts (FRBs) to their host galaxies have revealed important details about the progenitors of these mysterious, millisecond-long bursts of coherent radio emission. In this work, we study the most probable host galaxy of the apparently non-repeating CHIME/FRB event FRB 20190425A – a particularly high-luminosity, low-dispersion measure event that was demonstrated in a recent paper to be temporally and spatially coincident with the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA binary neutron star merger GW190425, suggesting an astrophysical association (p-value 0.0052). In this paper, we remain agnostic to this result, and we confirm UGC10667 as the most probable host galaxy of FRB 20190425A, demonstrating that the host galaxies of low-dispersion measure, one-off CHIME FRBs can be plausibly identified. We then perform multiwavelength observations to characterize the galaxy and search for any afterglow emission associated with the FRB and its putative GW counterpart. We find no radio or optical transient emission in our observations $2.5\, \mathrm{yr}$ post-burst. UGC10667 is a spiral galaxy at z ∼ 0.03, dominated by an old stellar population. We find no evidence of a large population of young stars, with nebular emission dominated by star formation at a rate of $1\!-\!2\, ~\mathrm{M_\odot \, yr^{-1}}$. While we cannot rule out a young magnetar as the origin of FRB 20190425A, our observations are consistent with an origin in a long delay-time neutron star binary merger.
Fine-Mapping and Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveal the Gene Composition at theSandZSelf-incompatibility Loci in Grasses
Authors: Rohner Marius , Manzanares Chloé , Yates Steven , Thorogood Daniel , Copetti Dario , Lübberstedt Thomas , Asp Torben , Studer Bruno
Published: December 2022

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism of hermaphroditic plants to prevent inbreeding after self-pollination. Allogamous Poaceae species exhibit a unique gametophytic SI system controlled by two multi-allelic and independent loci, S and Z. Despite intense research efforts in the last decades, the genes that determine the initial recognition mechanism are yet to be identified. Here, we report the fine-mapping of the Z-locus in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and provide evidence that the pollen and stigma components are determined by two genes encoding DUF247 domain proteins (ZDUF247-I and ZDUF247-II) and the gene sZ, respectively. The pollen and stigma determinants are located side-by-side and were genetically linked in 10,245 individuals of two independent mapping populations segregating for Z. Moreover, they exhibited high allelic diversity as well as tissue-specific gene expression, matching the expected characteristics of SI determinants known from other systems. Revisiting the S-locus using the latest high-quality whole-genome assemblies revealed a similar gene composition and structure as found for Z, supporting the hypothesis of a duplicated origin of the two-locus SI system of grasses. Ultimately, comparative genomic analyses across a wide range of self-compatible and self-incompatible Poaceae species revealed that the absence of a functional copy of at least one of the six putative SI determinants is accompanied by a self-compatible phenotype. Our study provides new insights into the origin and evolution of the unique gametophytic SI system in one of the largest and economically most important plant families.
Unintended Consequences: Testing the Effects of Adolescent-Targeted Anti-vaping Media Upon Adult Smokers
Authors: Sawyer Leslie E , Brandon Thomas H
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other organizations have produced and disseminated public health campaigns designed to deter youth from vaping. Yet it is unknown how these campaigns affect adult smokers exposed to these messages with respect to their perceptions of e-cigarettes and their motivation to use these products to reduce or quit smoking.

Aims and Methods

A controlled experimental design was used to investigate the effects of an FDA-distributed youth-targeted anti-vaping public service announcement (PSA), “Vaping is an Epidemic,” upon adult smokers. We randomized 161 daily smokers to view either the FDA PSA or a matched video absent of e-cigarette content, and we hypothesized that the PSA would impact variables related to harm reduction usage of e-cigarettes, including cognitive expectancies, perceived harm, smoking cessation effectiveness, and reported likelihood of switching from smoking to vaping.

Results

The PSA produced increases in both health risk and potency expectancies. Viewing the PSA compared to the control video resulted in overall more negative expectancies about e-cigarettes and all other variables related to harm reduction usage. Those who viewed the PSA rated e-cigarettes as more harmful (p < .001) and less effective for smoking cessation (p < .01), and they reported lower switching motivation (p < .001).

Conclusions

Findings indicated that adult smokers who viewed the PSA were less likely to consider e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, thus reducing acceptance of a potential cessation aid with growing empirical support. Sensationalized youth-oriented anti-vaping messages may have unintended public health consequences upon adult audiences.

Implications

This study is the first controlled experiment examining the effects of youth-oriented anti-vaping PSAs upon adult smokers’ cognitive expectancies and beliefs about e-cigarettes. Exposure to the PSA resulted in overall more negative expectancies about e-cigarettes, as well as increased perceived harmfulness and reduced effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Findings showed that these PSAs could deter adult smokers from the utilization of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation or harm reduction strategy.
Schistosoma mansoni Infection Is Associated With Increased Monocytes and Fewer Natural Killer T Cells in the Female Genital Tract
Authors: Kingery Justin R , Chalem Andrea , Mukerebe Crispin , Shigella Peter S , Miyaye Donald , Magawa Ruth G , Ward Maureen , Kalluvya Samuel E , McCormick Jason , Maganga Jane K , Colombe Soledad , Aristide Christine , Corstjens Paul L A M , Lee Myung Hee , Changalucha John M , Downs Jennifer A
Published: December 2022

Schistosoma mansoni infection may impair genital mucosal antiviral immunity, but immune cell populations have not been well characterized. We characterized mononuclear cells from cervical brushings of women with and without S mansoni infection. We observed lower frequencies of natural killer T cells and higher frequencies of CD14+ monocytes in infected women.
Woody plant encroachment reduces density of most grassland specialists in a desert grassland but has limited influence on nest survival
Authors: Andersen Erik M , Steidl Robert J
Published: December 2022

Woody plants are proliferating in grassland ecosystems worldwide, altering distributions and demography of many imperiled species. The transition from grassland to shrubland is especially prevalent in semiarid regions, but the influence of woody plant encroachment (WPE) on birds that breed in desert grasslands is poorly understood, which reduces the potential for developing effective conservation actions for this imperiled group. During 2013–2015, we surveyed breeding birds on 140 10-ha plots in southeastern Arizona, USA, that spanned a gradient of encroachment (0–37% cover) by Prosopis (mesquite), which has invaded grasslands worldwide. We evaluated the effect of WPE on density, nest placement, and nest survival at 3 spatial scales (within 1.5 m and 5 m of the nest and at the 10-ha plot) for common species and 3 species groups: obligate grassland specialists (n = 7 species), facultative grassland specialists (n = 17), and species not typically associated with grasslands (n = 42). Density of the obligate species group decreased by 30% across the gradient of shrub (0.5–2 m tall) cover and by 23% across the gradient of tree (>2 m tall) cover. For 3 of 4 obligate species, density decreased by ≥50% when tree cover increased from 0 to 15%. In contrast, density of the facultative species group nearly tripled as tree cover increased from 0 to 22%. Obligate species placed nests 3.5 times farther from trees than facultative species (51.9 vs. 14.8 m). WPE influenced nest survival for 2 species but effects were inconsistent across spatial scales: nest survival of Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) decreased with increasing cover of trees on plots and shrubs within 5 m of the nest, and nest survival of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) increased with increasing cover of shrubs on plots. Our results demonstrate that many grassland obligates are affected adversely even by small increases in woody cover. Consequently, restoration efforts should focus on early stages of WPE (i.e., cover <10% and shrubs <2 m tall) when removal of woody plants is more effective and less expensive relative to later stages.
Long, Dark Shadows in Our Heads
Authors: Giotis Chrisanthi
Published: December 2022

This chapter works towards decolonizing foreign correspondence from sub-Saharan Africa by excavating how it is influenced by writing tropes inherited from the colonial period. Despite improvements, research continues to find the dominance of western-framed perspectives. As such, the task of decolonization is vitally important. Using postcolonial literature to look at the writing tropes of the Africanist discourse and their connections to modern media frames, the chapter introduces a conceptual map helping to visualize the links between past and present. The lacuna (dark nothingness) trope of Africanist discourse is identified as most problematic for foreign correspondence. Drawing in analogous analysis from the development field, this leads to development of a new concept: the “lacuna effect,” that is, the poor reporting that takes place because incomprehension seems a “natural” frame of reporting for sub-Saharan Africa.
ORP8 acts as a lipophagy receptor to mediate lipid droplet turnover
Authors: Pu Maomao , Zheng Wenhui , Zhang Hongtao , Wan Wei , Peng Chao , Chen Xuebo , Liu Xinchang , Xu Zizhen , Zhou Tianhua , Sun Qiming , Neculai Dante , Liu Wei
Published: December 2022

Lipophagy, the selective engulfment of lipid droplets (LDs) by autophagosomes for lysosomal degradation, is critical to lipid and energy homeostasis. Here we show that the lipid transfer protein ORP8 is located on LDs and mediates the encapsulation of LDs by autophagosomal membranes. This function of ORP8 is independent of its lipid transporter activity and is achieved through direct interaction with phagophore-anchored LC3/GABARAPs. Upon lipophagy induction, ORP8 has increased localization on LDs and is phosphorylated by AMPK, thereby enhancing its affinity for LC3/GABARAPs. Deletion of ORP8 or interruption of ORP8-LC3/GABARAP interaction results in accumulation of LDs and increased intracellular triglyceride. Overexpression of ORP8 alleviates LD and triglyceride deposition in the liver of ob/ob mice, and Osbpl8 −/− mice exhibit liver lipid clearance defects. Our results suggest that ORP8 is a lipophagy receptor that plays a key role in cellular lipid metabolism.