bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemosensory Alterations and Impact on Quality of Life in Persistent Alcohol Drinkers
Authors: Agarwal Khushbu , Luk Jeremy W , Manza Peter , McDuffie Christian , To Leann , Jaime-Lara Rosario B , Stangl Bethany L , Schwandt Melanie L , Momenan Reza , Goldman David , Diazgranados Nancy , Ramchandani Vijay A , Joseph Paule V
Published: October 2022

Background

Heavy alcohol consumption-associated chemosensory dysfunction is understudied, and early detection can help predict disease-associated comorbidities, especially those related to four quality of life (QOL) domains (physical, psychological, social and environment). We examined self-reports of chemosensory ability of individuals with different alcohol drinking behaviors and their association with changes in QOL domains.

Methods

Participants (n = 466) were recruited between June 2020 and September 2021 into the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol study. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to categorize participants without any known COVID-19 infection into three groups (non-drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers) based on their Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test consumption scores at four different time points (at enrollment, week 4, week 8 and week 12). Linear mixed models were used to examine chemosensory differences between these groups. The associations between chemosensory abilities and QOL were determined in each group.

Results

We observed significant impairment in self-reported smell ability of heavy drinking individuals compared to non-drinkers. In contrast, taste ability showed marginal impairment between these groups. There were no significant differences in smell and taste abilities between the moderate and non-drinking groups. Heavy drinkers’ impairment in smell and taste abilities was significantly associated with deterioration in their physical, psychological, social and environmental QOL.

Conclusion

Persistent heavy drinking was associated with lower chemosensory ability. Heavy drinkers’ reduced smell and taste function and association with poorer QOL indicate that early assessment of chemosensory changes may be crucial in identifying poorer well-being outcomes in heavy drinkers at risk for alcohol use disorder.
Do tiny contributions make a difference? Reply to Barnett
Authors: Montminy Martin
Published: October 2022

Would a tiny contribution such as the addition of one drop of water to the canteen of a thirsty person relieve her suffering? According to Barnett’s 2017 paper ‘No free lunch’, the answer is ‘yes’: even tiny contributions can make a morally relevant difference. To defend this answer, Barnett raises an objection against the rival view that tiny contributions never make any difference. I argue that we should reject both Barnett’s and the rival view. I propose an alternative account that reflects the vagueness at play in the outcome of tiny contributions and entails that, in a range of cases, it is indeterminate whether these contributions make any difference.
Prediction of drug-likeness using graph convolutional attention network
Authors: Sun Jinyu , Wen Ming , Wang Huabei , Ruan Yuezhe , Yang Qiong , Kang Xiao , Zhang Hailiang , Zhang Zhimin , Lu Hongmei
Published: October 2022

Motivation

The drug-likeness has been widely used as a criterion to distinguish drug-like molecules from non-drugs. Developing reliable computational methods to predict the drug-likeness of compounds is crucial to triage unpromising molecules and accelerate the drug discovery process.

Results

In this study, a deep learning method was developed to predict the drug-likeness based on the graph convolutional attention network (D-GCAN) directly from molecular structures. Results showed that the D-GCAN model outperformed other state-of-the-art models for drug-likeness prediction. The combination of graph convolution and attention mechanism made an important contribution to the performance of the model. Specifically, the application of the attention mechanism improved accuracy by 4.0%. The utilization of graph convolution improved the accuracy by 6.1%. Results on the dataset beyond Lipinski’s rule of five space and the non-US dataset showed that the model had good versatility. Then, the billion-scale GDB-13 database was used as a case study to screen SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitors. Sixty-five drug candidates were screened out, most substructures of which are similar to these of existing oral drugs. Candidates screened from S-GDB13 have higher similarity to existing drugs and better molecular docking performance than those from the rest of GDB-13. The screening speed on S-GDB13 is significantly faster than screening directly on GDB-13. In general, D-GCAN is a promising tool to predict the drug-likeness for selecting potential candidates and accelerating drug discovery by excluding unpromising candidates and avoiding unnecessary biological and clinical testing.

Availability and implementation

The source code, model and tutorials are available at https://github.com/JinYSun/D-GCAN. The S-GDB13 database is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7054367.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a subcutaneous immunoglobulin 16.5% (cutaquig®) in the treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Kobayashi Roger H , Litzman Jiří , Melamed Isaac , Mandujano J Fernando , Kobayashi Ai Lan , Ritchie Bruce , Geng Bob , Atkinson T Prescott , Rehman Syed , Höller Sonja , Turpel-Kantor Eva , Kreuwel Huub , Speer J C , Gupta Sudhir
Published: October 2022

A prospective study and its long-term extension examined whether weekly treatment of patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) with a 16.5% subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg; cutaquig®) confers acceptable efficacy, safety, and tolerability over a follow-up of up to 238 weeks (>4 years). Seventy-five patients received 4462 infusions during up to 70 weeks of follow-up in the main study and 27 patients received 2777 infusions during up to 168 weeks of follow-up in the extension. In the main study, there were no serious bacterial infections (SBIs), and the annual rate of other infections was 3.3 (95% CI 2.4, 4.5). One SBI was recorded in the extension, for an SBI rate of 0.02 (upper 99% CI 0.19). The annual rate of all infections over the duration of the extension study was 2.2 (95% CI 1.2, 3.9). Only 15.0% (1085) of 7239 infusions were associated with infusion site reactions (ISRs), leaving 85.0% (6153) of infusions without reactions. The majority of ISRs were mild and transient. ISR incidence decreased over time, from 36.9% to 16% during the main study and from 9% to 2.3% during the extension. The incidence of related systemic adverse events was 14.7% in the main study and 7.4% in the extension. In conclusion, this prospective, long-term study with cutaquig showed maintained efficacy and low rates of local and systemic adverse reactions in PID patients over up to 238 weeks of follow-up.
Reference Susceptibility Testing and Genomic Surveillance ofClostridioides difficile, United States, 2012–17
Authors: Gargis Amy S , Karlsson Maria , Paulick Ashley L , Anderson Karen F , Adamczyk Michelle , Vlachos Nicholas , Kent Alyssa G , McAllister Gillian , McKay Susannah L , Halpin Alison L , Albrecht Valerie , Campbell Davina , Korhonen Lauren C , Elkins Christopher A , Rasheed J Kamile , Guh Alice Y , McDonald L Clifford , Lutgring Joseph D ,   the Emerging Infections Program C. difficile Infection Working Group, Dumyati Ghinwa , Fridkin Scott , Gerding Dale , Holzbauer Stacy M , Johnston Helen , Olson Danyel M , Perlmutter Rebecca , Phipps Erin C , Pierce Rebecca , Wilson Christopher , Winston Lisa
Published: October 2022

Background

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is not routinely performed for Clostridioides difficile and data evaluating minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) are limited. We performed AST and whole genome sequencing (WGS) for 593 C. difficile isolates collected between 2012 and 2017 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infections Program.

Methods

MICs to 6 antimicrobial agents (ceftriaxone, clindamycin, meropenem, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, and vancomycin) were determined using the reference agar dilution method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Whole genome sequencing was performed on all isolates to detect the presence of genes or mutations previously associated with resistance.

Results

Among all isolates, 98.5% displayed a vancomycin MIC ≤2 μg/mL and 97.3% displayed a metronidazole MIC ≤2 μg/mL. Ribotype 027 (RT027) isolates displayed higher vancomycin MICs (MIC50: 2 μg/mL; MIC90: 2 μg/mL) than non-RT027 isolates (MIC50: 0.5 μg/mL; MIC90: 1 μg/mL) (P < .01). No vanA/B genes were detected. RT027 isolates also showed higher MICs to clindamycin and moxifloxacin and were more likely to harbor associated resistance genes or mutations.

Conclusions

Elevated MICs to antibiotics used for treatment of C. difficile infection were rare, and there was no increase in MICs over time. The lack of vanA/B genes or mutations consistently associated with elevated vancomycin MICs suggests there are multifactorial mechanisms of resistance. Ongoing surveillance of C. difficile using reference AST and WGS to monitor MIC trends and the presence of antibiotic resistance mechanisms is essential.
Plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 and p-tau181 Predict Long-Term Clinical Progression in a Cohort with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Xiao Zhenxu , Wu Wanqing , Ma Xiaoxi , Liang Xiaoniu , Lu Jiaying , Zheng Li , Ding Saineng , Lei Qiqi , Luo Jianfeng , Chen Keliang , Ding Ding , Zhao Qianhua
Published: October 2022

Background

Previous studies reported the value of blood-based biomarkers in predicting Alzheimer disease (AD) progression among individuals with different disease stages. However, evidence regarding the value of these markers in those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is insufficient.

Methods

A cohort with 251 aMCI individuals were followed for up to 8 years. Baseline blood biomarkers were measured on a single-molecule array platform. Multipoint clinical diagnosis and domain-specific cognitive functions were assessed to investigate the longitudinal relationship between blood biomarkers and clinical AD progression.

Results

Individuals with low Aβ42/Aβ40 and high p-tau181 at baseline demonstrated the highest AD risk (hazard ratio = 4.83, 95% CI 2.37–9.86), and the most dramatic decline across cognitive domains. Aβ42/Aβ40 and p-tau181, combined with basic characteristics performed the best in predicting AD conversion (AUC = 0.825, 95% CI 0.771–0.878).

Conclusions

Combining Aβ42/Aβ40 and p-tau181 may be a feasible indicator for AD progression in clinical practice, and a potential composite marker in clinical trials.
The Generalized 3-Connectivity Of The Folded Hypercube FQn
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Fangmin
Published: October 2022

The generalized $k$-connectivity of a graph $G$, denoted by $\kappa _k(G)$, is a generalization of the traditional connectivity and can serve for measuring the capability of a network $G$ to connect any $k$ vertices in $G$. It is well known that the generalized $k$-connectivity is an important indicator for measuring the fault tolerance and reliability of interconnection networks. The $n$-dimensional folded hypercube $FQ_n$, which is an important variation of hypercubes, can be obtained from the $n$-dimensional hypercube $Q_n$ by adding an edge between any pair of vertices with complementary addresses. In this paper, we show that $\kappa _3(FQ_n)=n$ for $n\ge 2$, that is, for any three vertices in $FQ_n$, there exist $n$ internally disjoint trees connecting them.
Ontology Development Kit: a toolkit for building, maintaining and standardizing biomedical ontologies
Authors: Matentzoglu Nicolas , Goutte-Gattat Damien , Tan Shawn Zheng Kai , Balhoff James P , Carbon Seth , Caron Anita R , Duncan William D , Flack Joe E , Haendel Melissa , Harris Nomi L , Hogan William R , Hoyt Charles Tapley , Jackson Rebecca C , Kim HyeongSik , Kir Huseyin , Larralde Martin , McMurry Julie A , Overton James A , Peters Bjoern , Pilgrim Clare , Stefancsik Ray , Robb Sofia MC , Toro Sabrina , Vasilevsky Nicole A , Walls Ramona , Mungall Christopher J , Osumi-Sutherland David
Published: October 2022

Similar to managing software packages, managing the ontology life cycle involves multiple complex workflows such as preparing releases, continuous quality control checking and dependency management. To manage these processes, a diverse set of tools is required, from command-line utilities to powerful ontology-engineering environmentsr. Particularly in the biomedical domain, which has developed a set of highly diverse yet inter-dependent ontologies, standardizing release practices and metadata and establishing shared quality standards are crucial to enable interoperability. The Ontology Development Kit (ODK) provides a set of standardized, customizable and automatically executable workflows, and packages all required tooling in a single Docker image. In this paper, we provide an overview of how the ODK works, show how it is used in practice and describe how we envision it driving standardization efforts in our community.

Database URL: https://github.com/INCATools/ontology-development-kit
Percutaneous debulking of tricuspid valve endocarditis in severe COVID-19 pneumonia after prolonged venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with right-ventricular support: a case series
Authors: Morton Kara , Heindl Brittain , McElwee Samuel K , Litovsky Silvio , Ahmed Mustafa I , Clarkson Stephen
Published: October 2022

Background

Over the past 2 years, the utilization of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has increased. While supporting respiratory function, VV-ECMO requires large-bore indwelling venous cannulas, which risk bleeding and infections, including endocarditis.

Case summary

We describe two adults hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia who developed ARDS and right-ventricular failure, requiring VV-ECMO and ProtekDuo cannulation. After over 100 days with these devices, both patients developed tricuspid valve vegetations. Our first patient was decannulated from ECMO and discharged, but re-presented with a segmental pulmonary embolism and tricuspid mass. The Inari FlowTriver system was chosen to percutaneously remove both the tricuspid mass and pulmonary thromboembolism. Pathological examination of the mass demonstrated Candida albicans endocarditis in the setting of Candida fungemia. Our second patient developed a tricuspid valve vegetation which was also removed with the FlowTriever system. Pathological examination demonstrated endocarditis consistent with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the setting of Pseudomonas bacteremia. Both patients experienced resolution of fungemia and bacteremia after percutaneous vegetation removal. After ECMO decannulation and percutaneous debulking, both patients experienced prolonged hospital stays for ventilator weaning and were eventually discharged with supplemental oxygen.

Discussion

VV-ECMO and right-ventricular support devices are invasive and create various risks, including bloodstream infection and infective endocarditis. Percutaneous debulking of valvular vegetations associated with these right-sided indwelling devices may be an effective means of infection source control. It is unclear whether prolonged use of VV-ECMO provides a mortality benefit in COVID-19 ARDS.
May Measurement Month 2019: analysis of blood pressure screening in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Mirrakhimov Erkin , Zakirov Umid , Abilova Saamay , Asanbaev Azamat , Bektasheva Erkaiym , Asanaliev Nursultan , uulu Yrysbek Mamat , Alibaeva Nazira , Neronova Ksenya , Kerimkulova Alina , Lunegova Olga , Altymysheva Aliina , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Poulter Neil R
Published: October 2022

High blood pressure (BP) is one of the leading causes of death in Kyrgyzstan. The world's largest event in the field of increasing awareness of raised BP is the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign. Kyrgyzstan joined MMM in 2019. The inclusion criteria for participants in the study were: age ≥18 years and providing informed consent. Hypertension was defined as the presence of systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg based on the mean of the second and third of three sitting BP measurements or on treatment for hypertension. Most of the participants (96.9%) were surveyed inside two large shopping malls of Bishkek. The total number of people who took part in the screening was 2013. The mean age was 38.8 (± 12.6) years, and 1006 were women (50.0%) and 1007 men (50.0%). One-hundred eighty-four participants had hypertension (9.1%), of whom 59 (32.0%) were aware of their diagnosis, and hypertension was controlled in 25 participants (13.7%). The mean BMI was 24.0 (± 4.1) kg/m2, 34 (1.7%) participants had diabetes mellitus, 12 (0.6%) had a history of myocardial infarction, 4 (0.2%) had a history of stroke, 314 (15.6%) were smokers. 41 (2.0%) drank alcohol 1–3 times a month, 46 (2.3%)—once per week. MMM screening allows us to gather up-to-date data on the prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension among volunteer screenees in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
May Measurement Month 2017–19: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Paraguay
Authors: Ortellado José , Paniagua María , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Poulter Neil R , González Graciela , Castillo Manuel , Aparicio Rocío , Villamayor Abdón
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to highlight the importance of measuring blood pressure (BP) and to identify and reduce the BPs of those people who require intervention to lower their BP according to current guidelines. A total of 7782 individuals aged ≥18 years were recruited during the 3 years of the May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign (2017: 1196, 2018: 2285, 2019: 4301). Recruitment was through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites distributed throughout the country. Each participant underwent a pre-specified questionnaire with questions on risk factors concluding with three BP measurements at 1 min intervals and measurement of weight and height. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or those receiving antihypertensive therapy. Of all 7782 participants, 3323 had hypertension (42.7%) of whom 61.8% were aware and 50.4% were not receiving antihypertensive medication. Of those treated (49.6%), 43.8% had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Among all hypertensive patients (with and without medication), 21.7% had controlled BP. In relation to previous surveys carried out in the country, awareness of hypertension increased two-fold, with no change in the proportion of hypertensive patients on treatment and the proportion of hypertensive patients with controlled BP which remained low.
Hospital-acquired disability in older heart failure patients decreases independence and increases difficulties in activities of daily living
Authors: Nemoto Shinji , Kasahara Yusuke , Izawa Kazuhiro P , Watanabe Satoshi , Yoshizawa Kazuya , Takeichi Naoya , Akao Keigo , Watanabe Sato , Mizukoshi Kei , Suzuki Norio , Ashikaga Kohei , Kida Keisuke , Osada Naohiko , Akashi Yoshihiro J
Published: October 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to clarify whether worsening of independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and also difficulties in ADL are triggered by hospitalization in older patients with heart failure (HF) and whether difficulties in ADL can predict readmission for HF regardless of independence in ADL in these patients.

Methods and results

We enrolled 241 HF patients in the present multi-institutional, prospective, observational study. The patients were divided according to age into the non-older patient group (<75 years, n = 137) and the older patient group (≥75 years, n = 104). The Katz index and the Performance Measure for Activities of Daily Living-8 (PMADL-8) were used to evaluate independence and difficulties in ADL, respectively. The endpoint of this study was rehospitalization for HF. Independence as indicated by the Katz index at discharge was significantly lower than that before admission only in the older patient group, and the value of the PMADL-8 at discharge was significantly higher than that before admission (P < 0.001). In all patients, after adjusting for the Katz index and other variables, PMADL-8 score was a significant predictor of rehospitalization for HF (hazard ratio 1.50; 95% confidence interval 1.07–2.13; P = 0.021).

Conclusions

Worsening of both independence and difficulties in ADL was triggered by hospitalization in older HF patients, and difficulties in ADL were relevant factors for risk of rehospitalization regardless of independence in ADL. These findings indicate the importance of preventing not only decreased independence but also increased difficulties in ADL during and after hospitalization.
Development and internal validation of risk scores to diagnose infectious mononucleosis among college students
Authors: Cai Xinyan , Ebell Mark H , Russo Garth , Dobbin Kevin K , Cordero Jose F
Published: October 2022

Background

Individual symptoms and signs of infectious mononucleosis (IM) are of limited value for diagnosis.

Objective

To develop and validate risk scores based on signs and symptoms with and without haematologic parameters for the diagnosis of IM.

Design and setting

Data were extracted from electronic health records of a university health centre and were divided into derivation (9/1/2015–10/31/2017) and a prospective temporal internal validation (11/1/2017–1/31/2019) cohort.

Method

Independent predictors for the diagnosis of IM were identified in univariate analysis using the derivation cohort. Logistic regression models were used to develop 2 risk scores: 1 with only symptoms and signs (IM-NoLab) and 1 adding haematologic parameters (IM-Lab). Point scores were created based on the regression coefficients, and patients were grouped into risk groups. Primary outcomes were area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) and classification accuracy.

Results

The IM-NoLab model had 4 predictors and identified a low-risk group (7.9% with IM) and a high-risk group (22.2%) in the validation cohort. The AUROCC was 0.75 in the derivation cohort and 0.69 in the validation cohort. The IM-Lab model had 3 predictors and identified a low-risk group (3.6%), a moderate-risk group (12.5%), and a high-risk group (87.6%). The AUROCC was 0.97 in the derivation cohort and 0.93 in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

We derived and internally validated the IM-NoLab and IM-Lab risk scores. The IM-Lab score in particular had very good discrimination and have the potential to reduce the need for diagnostic testing for IM.
Empirical H/V spectral ratios at the InSight landing site and implications for the martian subsurface structure
Authors: Carrasco Sebastián , Knapmeyer-Endrun Brigitte , Margerin Ludovic , Schmelzbach Cédric , Onodera Keisuke , Pan Lu , Lognonné Philippe , Menina Sabrina , Giardini Domenico , Stutzmann Eléonore , Clinton John , Stähler Simon , Schimmel Martin , Golombek Matthew , Hobiger Manuel , Hallo Miroslav , Kedar Sharon , Banerdt William Bruce
Published: October 2022

The horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio inversion is a traditional technique for deriving the local subsurface structure on Earth. We calculated the H/V from the ambient vibrations at different wind levels at the InSight landing site, on Mars, and also computed the H/V from the S-wave coda of the martian seismic events (marsquakes). Different H/V curves were obtained for different wind periods and from the marsquakes. From the ambient vibrations, the recordings during low-wind periods are close to the instrument self-noise level. During high-wind periods, the seismic recordings are highly contaminated by the interaction of the lander with the wind and the martian ground. Therefore, these recordings are less favourable for traditional H/V analysis. Instead, the recordings of the S-wave coda of marsquakes were preferred to derive the characteristic H/V curve of this site between 0.4 and 10 Hz. The final H/V curve presents a characteristic trough at 2.4 Hz and a strong peak at 8 Hz. Using a full diffuse wavefield approach as the forward computation and the Neighbourhood Algorithm as the sampling technique, we invert for the 1-D shear wave velocity structure at the InSight landing site. Based on our inversion results, we propose a strong site effect at the InSight site to be due to the presence of a shallow high-velocity layer (SHVL) over low-velocity units. The SHVL is likely placed below a layer of coarse blocky ejecta and can be associated with Early Amazonian basaltic lava flows. The units below the SHVL have lower velocities, possibly related to a Late Hesperian or Early Amazonian epoch with a different magmatic regime and/or a greater impact rate and more extensive weathering. An extremely weak buried low velocity layer (bLVL) between these lava flows explains the data around the 2.4 Hz trough, whereas a more competent bLVL would not generate this latter feature. These subsurface models are in good agreement with results from hammering experiment and compliance measurements at the InSight landing site. Finally, this site effect is revealed only by seismic events data and explains the larger horizontal than vertical ground motion recorded for certain type of marsquakes.
Using teleseismic backprojection and InSAR to obtain segmentation information for large earthquakes: a case study of the 2016Mw 6.6 Muji earthquake
Authors: Steinberg Andreas , Sudhaus Henriette , Krüger Frank
Published: October 2022

A good understanding of earthquake rupture segmentation is important to characterize fault geometries at depth for follow-up tectonic, stress-field or other analyses. We propose a data-driven strategy and develop pre-optimization methods to support finite fault inversions with independent prior estimates on earthquake source parameters. The first method we develop is a time-domain, multi-array and novel multiphase backprojection (BP) of teleseismic data. This method infers the spatio-temporal evolution of the rupture process, including a potential occurrence of rupture segmentation. Secondly, we apply image analysis methods on InSAR surface displacement maps to infer rupture characteristics (e.g. strike and length) and the number of potential segments. Both methods can provide model-independent constraints on fault location, dimension, orientation and rupture timing, applicable to form priors of model parameters before detailed modelling. We demonstrate and test our methods based on synthetic tests and an application to the 25.11.2016 Muji Mw 6.6 earthquake. Our results indicate segmentation and bilateral rupturing for the 2016 Muji earthquake. The results of the BP of the Muji Mw 6.6 earthquake using high-frequency filtered teleseismic waveforms in particular shows the capability to illuminate the rupture history with the potential to resolve the start and stop phases of individual fault segments.
Roles of Mono- and Bi-articular Muscles in Human Limbs: Two-joint Link Model and Applications
Authors: Miyake Tsutomu , Okabe Masataka
Published: October 2022

Synopsis

We review the two-joint link model of mono- and bi-articular muscles in the human branchium and thigh for applications related to biomechanical studies of tetrapod locomotion including gait analyses of humans and non-human tetrapods. This model has been proposed to elucidate functional roles of human mono- and bi-articular muscles by analyzing human limb movements biomechanically and testing the results both theoretically and mechanically using robotic arms and legs. However, the model has not yet been applied to biomechanical studies of tetrapod locomotion, in part since it was established based mainly on mechanical engineering analyses and because it has been applied mostly to robotics, fields of mechanical engineering, and to rehabilitation sciences. When we discovered and published the identical pairs of mono- and bi-articular muscles in pectoral fins of the coelacanth fish Latimeria chalumnae to those of humans, we recognized the significant roles of mono- and bi-articular muscles in evolution of tetrapod limbs from paired fins and tetrapod limb locomotion. Therefore, we have been reviewing the theoretical background and mechanical parameters of the model in order to analyze functional roles of mono- and bi-articular muscles in tetrapod limb locomotion. Herein, we present re-defined biological parameters including 3 axes among 3 joints of forelimbs or hindlimbs that the model has formulated and provide biological and analytical tools and examples to facilitate applicable power of the model to our on-going gait analyses of humans and tetrapods.
Normative Expectations and the Colonial Past: Apologies and Art Restitution to Former Colonies in France and Germany
Authors: Boehme Franziska
Published: October 2022

I argue that the field of transitional justice is a useful lens to explore the politics surrounding apology and restitution between former colonizers and the formerly colonized. While existing scholarship has so far treated apologies and restitution of looted art restitution as separate ways of atonement, this paper investigates both as indicators of a country's norm change toward postcolonial reconciliation and justice. The paper analyzes the political debates in France and Germany surrounding apologies and art restitution as instances of belated “coming to terms” with their colonial past. I argue that both form part of a broader societal change surrounding a state's history and its current identity. In response to increasing demands for apologies and restitution from African states, changing international norms of addressing colonial violence, and domestic mobilization, both states have made slow and incomplete progress toward postcolonial reconciliation and justice. They have agreed to return certain objects and apologized for specific colonial atrocities, albeit not for colonialism writ large. Ultimately, the debates highlight how these transitional justice forms each come with their own political, legal, and cultural challenges that complicate and delay engagement with the past. It was ultimately various social pressures from within and outside, in the form of lawsuits by victim groups and official demands for apology and restitution, that led to domestic mobilization toward more open engagement with colonial pasts.
Prehistorical International Relations: How, Why, What
Authors: Neumann Iver B , Glørstad Håkon
Published: October 2022

Archaeologically produced knowledge of prehistory has grown to a point where international relations (IR) may begin to incorporate it in their own work. In this article, we try to facilitate this process by introducing IR scholars to archaeology's material data and ways of thinking about it. New types of system units, such as households and kinship, emerged in prehistory and had effects on temporality and territoriality as well as knock-on effects on institutions, such as war and trade. If we understand the origins of these phenomena better, we are better equipped to understand how they work at the present time. Focusing on a key topic in IR, namely systems emergence, we splice archaeological and IR approaches to systems. Four key factors for systems emergence appear: competition for resources, interaction capacity, social imitation, and stable food resources. We then show how these factors were at work in the two earliest proto-systems to be found in Europe, namely House Polity Proto-systems (9000–4500 BCE) and Segmentary Polity Proto-systems (4500–2500 BCE). They are still active. We conclude that when studies of prehistoric systems, institutions, and practices point up deep structural factors like, we should not expect them to lose their relevance any time soon.
The Negotiated Apology: “Double Ventriloquism” in Addressing Historical Wrongs
Authors: Bentley Tom
Published: October 2022

In this article, I analyze two recent diplomatic agreements between a colonizing state and a post-colonial state that address grave historical wrongdoings: the 2021 Germany–Namibia “Joint Declaration” regarding the colonial past and the 2015 Japan–South Korea “Joint Press Occasion” regarding Imperial Japan's use of so-called comfort women. These agreements point to an emerging trend of states openly negotiating, coordinating, offering, and accepting apologies. In analyzing these agreements, I re-pose Gayatri Spivak's classic question: Can the subaltern speak? Where Spivak demonstrates that the colonized subject is spoken for by both the colonizer and indigenous elites (and Western intellectuals), I demonstrate a similar process within these agreements. Specifically, a “double ventriloquism” occurs whereby both the (former) colonizing state and the post-colonial government collude to speak for the colonized in respect to offering a narrative of the wrongdoing, determining remedial measures, and agreeing that the issue is “closed.” Such collusion frames the state as the sole interlocutor in the transitional justice process and is an exercise in marginalizing subaltern voices in addressing the past. Nevertheless, where Spivak is pessimistic about the prospects of the subaltern speaking, I demonstrate that apologies inadvertently afford the colonized an opportunity to publicly disrupt official narratives and restate demands for justice.
Algorithms and Influence Artificial Intelligence and Crisis Decision-Making
Authors: Horowitz Michael C , Lin-Greenberg Erik
Published: October 2022

Countries around the world are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to automate military tasks that traditionally required human involvement. Despite growing interest in AI-enabled systems, relatively little research explores whether and how AI affects military decision-making. Yet, national security practitioners may perceive the judgments of and actions taken by algorithms differently than those of humans. This variation may subsequently affect decisions on the use of force. Using two original survey experiments fielded on a sample of US national security experts, we find that AI use by both friendly and rival forces affects decision-making during interstate crises. National security experts are less likely to take military action when AI is used to analyze intelligence than when humans conduct the analysis. Experts also viewed an accident involving a rival's AI-enabled weapon that kills American troops as more deserving of retaliation than an accident involving only human operators, suggesting that national security practitioners are less forgiving of errant AI systems than of similarly erring humans. Our findings suggest emerging technologies such as AI can affect decisionmakers’ perceptions in ways that shape political outcomes. Even in a world of algorithms, human decisions will still have important consequences for international security.
The incidence and risk of cardiovascular events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in Asian populations
Authors: Chiang Cho-Han , Chiang Cho-Hung , Ma Kevin Sheng-Kai , Hsia Yuan Ping , Lee Yu-wen , Wu Han-Ru , Chiang Cho-Hsien , Peng Chun-Yu , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Shiah Her-Shyong , Peng Cheng-Ming , Neilan Tomas G
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with adverse cardiovascular events. However, there are no data characterizing cardiovascular events among Asians on immune checkpoint inhibitors. We aim to determine the incidence and risk of cardiac events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in an Asian population.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study at two tertiary referral centers in Taiwan. Immune checkpoint inhibitor users were matched with non-immune checkpoint inhibitor users based on predetermined clinical variables. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute peripheral occlusive disease, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, heart failure, pericardial disease, myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmias and conduction block.

Results

Between January 2010 and November 2021, 868 immune checkpoint inhibitor users were matched 1:1 with non-immune checkpoint inhibitor users. Among immune checkpoint inhibitor users, 67 (7.7%) patients developed major adverse cardiovascular events. During a median follow-up period of 188 days, the incidence rate of major adverse cardiovascular events for immune checkpoint inhibitor and non-immune checkpoint inhibitor users was 94.8 and 46.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively, resulting in an incidence rate ratio of 2.1 [95% confidence interval: 1.5–2.9]. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, immune checkpoint inhibitor users had a 60% increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events [hazard ratio, 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.3)]. Immune checkpoint inhibitors use was independently associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke [hazard ratio, 3.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.0–9.0)] and pulmonary embolism [hazard ratio, 5.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.4–21.3)]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age > 65, metastatic disease, hypertension and baseline platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio < 180 were risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events.

Conclusions

Among Asians, immune checkpoint inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke and pulmonary embolism.
Social Marketing Works: Results from Ten Years of Tools for Engaging Landowners Effectively Trainings
Authors: Hollins Katherine , Chawla Purnima , Butler Sarah M
Published: October 2022

Engaging family forest owners in best practices for land management is essential for maintaining and improving the health of our forests. Yet few natural resource professionals have formal training in how to reach and persuade landowners. The Tools for Engaging Landowners Effectively (TELE) program sought to address this via a program of workshops, which train natural resource professionals to engage and influence landowners by using social marketing principles and techniques. TELE evaluation surveys found that (1) TELE workshop participants understood social marketing concepts and appreciated their relevance and value, (2) they were able to apply these concepts in their work, and (3) those who applied these concepts saw improved project outcomes. Based on these results, we argue that more natural resource professionals should be trained and empowered to use social marketing techniques for engaging landowners and other audiences.

Study Implications: Forestry and conservation professionals are often tasked with engaging landowners to help solve conservation challenges, but they rarely have the training to do so effectively. Surveys of professionals trained in social marketing (using commercial marketing principles to reach a public good) showed that the workshops were considered useful, and projects implemented using the learned techniques showed a substantial improvement over standard outreach methods. Based on these data, we call for more widespread and comprehensive adoption of social marketing techniques for engaging landowners and describe what that would entail.
Humanitarian Mission at Home: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Experience in Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome
Authors: Robinson Sara L , Campbell Wesley R , Patel Leela R , Blickle John G , Goetzman Henry J , Hemphill Ashleigh , Mehlhaff Krista M , Farren Kristen C , Valdez Alicia D , Khan Joetta , Sessom Eric A , Blaylock Jason M , Lee Rachel U
Published: October 2022

Military medicine has a long history of humanitarian efforts globally, including responses to natural disasters and as planned medical civil action projects. However, ending two decades of war in Afghanistan, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) was tasked to receive up to 63 injured patients with less than 96-hour notice on August 27, 2021. As part of Operation Allies Refuge and transition to Operation Allies Welcome, this article highlights the complicated cross-organizational and multidisciplinary response at WRNMMC where ultimately 277 Afghan patients and nonmedical attendants received medical care and other requirements for resettlement. Lessons learned from coordinating the complex short suspense medical, cultural, and logistic efforts are noted as considerations and practical recommendations for future missions.
Looking Back, a View to the Future of the Health and Readiness of Gender and Sexual Diverse U.S. Service Members
Authors: Oblea Pedro N , Siaki Leilani A
Published: October 2022

The objective is to provide a brief overview of the history of gender and sexual diverse service members, health utilization rates, outcomes, and disparities, as well as perceived challenges accessing health care and gaps in the evidence base underpinning sex- and gender-appropriate care. The article also provides strategies going forward to address these issues and optimize health care delivery.
Utility of VestAid to Detect Eye-Gaze Accuracy in a Participant Exposed to Directed Energy
Authors: Whitney Susan L , Ou Victoria , Hovareshti Pedram , Costa Cláudia M , Cassidy Amy R , Dunlap Pamela M , Roeder Shamus , Holt Lisa , Tolani Devendra , Klatt Brooke N , Hoppes Carrie W
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The VestAid is a tablet-based application that provides feedback about a patient’s eye/head movements during exercise after concussion. The goal of this case series was to determine if VestAid could be used to detect eye-gaze accuracy in a participant exposed to directed energy (DE).

Materials and Methods

The VestAid results of a participant with DE were compared to an age- and gender-matched healthy control, a participant post-concussion, and a participant with vestibular neuritis. A tablet with VestAid software was utilized to record eye-gaze accuracy and head speed during VORx1 exercises using eye and facial recognition as participants were exposed to 12 visual scenes.

Results

The participant with DE consistently had difficulty with eye-gaze accuracy when the head was rotated towards the right for all trials. The participant with DE had poor eye-gaze accuracy during all phases of the head turn cycle compared to the control participant (mean 47.91%, [SD = 7.32%] for the DE participant versus mean 94.28%, [SD = 5.87%] for the control participant). Post-exercise dizziness and perceived difficulty in the 12 exercises completed by the participant with DE were strongly related (Spearman’s rho = 0.7372, P = .0062). The participant with DE had the lowest scores on 10 of the 12 head movement trials.

Conclusions

VestAid provided unique information about eye-gaze accuracy that detected eye movement abnormalities in the participants with DE exposure, concussion, and vestibular neuritis. The objective metrics of eye-gaze stability correlate with participants’ symptoms and perceived difficulty of the eye/head movements.
Pushchino multibeam pulsar search – I. Targeted search of weak pulsars
Authors: Tyul’bashev Sergei A , Kitaeva Marina A , Tyul’basheva Gayane E
Published: October 2022

The search for pulsars in a sample of pulsar candidates found based on a multi-year survey conducted with low (six channels; sampling 0.1s) time-frequency resolution on declinations −9° < δ < +42° was carried out with the Large Phased Array of the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPA LPI). LPA is a transit telescope operating at 111 MHz with a bandwidth of 2.5 MHz. Search, analysis and evidence of pulsar detection were carried out using a visualization programme of summed up power spectra obtained from the survey data with high (32 channels; sampling 12.5 ms) time-frequency resolution. 11 new pulsars with periods P0 = 0.41–3.75 s and dispersion measure DM = 15–154 pc cm−3 have been discovered. In total, in the survey with a low-time-frequency resolution for the period 2016–2021 in a blind search 203 pulsars were found, among them 42 new and 161 known pulsars. It is shown that in the search on the data with high-time-frequency resolution accumulated over a time interval of seven years, pulsars with a flux density of 0.1–0.2 mJy at the frequency of 111 MHz can be detected. When searching for pulsars with regular (periodic) emission at declinations +21° < δ < +42o, all pulsars located outside the galactic plane having P0 ≥ 0.5 s, DM ≤ 100 pc cm−3, and the flux density S ≥ 0.5 mJy can be detected.
The SAMI Galaxy Survey: physical drivers of stellar-gas kinematic misalignments in the nearby Universe
Authors: Ristea A , Cortese L , Fraser-McKelvie A , Brough S , Bryant J J , Catinella B , Croom S M , Groves B , Richards S N , van de Sande J , Bland-Hawthorn J , Owers M S , Lawrence J S
Published: October 2022

Misalignments between the rotation axis of stars and gas are an indication of external processes shaping galaxies throughout their evolution. Using observations of 3068 galaxies from the SAMI Galaxy Survey, we compute global kinematic position angles for 1445 objects with reliable kinematics and identify 169 (12 per cent) galaxies which show stellar-gas misalignments. Kinematically decoupled features are more prevalent in early-type/passive galaxies compared to late-type/star-forming systems. Star formation is the main source of gas ionization in only 22 per cent of misaligned galaxies; 17 per cent are Seyfert objects, while 61 per cent show Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region features. We identify the most probable physical cause of the kinematic decoupling and find that, while accretion-driven cases are dominant, for up to 8 per cent of our sample, the misalignment may be tracing outflowing gas. When considering only misalignments driven by accretion, the acquired gas is feeding active star formation in only ∼1/4 of cases. As a population, misaligned galaxies have higher Sérsic indices and lower stellar spin and specific star formation rates than appropriately matched samples of aligned systems. These results suggest that both morphology and star formation/gas content are significantly correlated with the prevalence and timescales of misalignments. Specifically, torques on misaligned gas discs are smaller for more centrally concentrated galaxies, while the newly accreted gas feels lower viscous drag forces in more gas-poor objects. Marginal evidence of star formation not being correlated with misalignment likelihood for late-type galaxies suggests that such morphologies in the nearby Universe might be the result of preferentially aligned accretion at higher redshifts.
Dust grain shattering in protoplanetary discs: collisional fragmentation or rotational disruption?
Authors: Michoulier Stéphane , Gonzalez Jean-François
Published: October 2022

In protoplanetary discs, the coagulation of dust grains into large aggregates still remains poorly understood. Grain porosity appears to be a promising solution to allow the grains to survive and form planetesimals. Furthermore, dust shattering has generally been considered to come only from collisional fragmentation; however, a new process was recently introduced, rotational disruption. We wrote a one-dimensional code that models the growth and porosity evolution of grains as they drift to study their final outcome when the two shattering processes are included. When simulating the evolution of grains in a disc model that reproduces observations, we find that rotational disruption is not negligible compared to the fragmentation and radial drift. Disruption becomes dominant when the turbulence parameter α ≲ 5 × 10−4, if the radial drift is slow enough. We show that the importance of disruption in the growth history of grains strongly depends on their tensile strength.