Response to Leaf et al., 2021

In this commentary, we respond to a recent article published by Leaf and colleagues (2021), entitled “Concerns About ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations”. In their article, the authors attempt to address concerns raised by autistic people about ABA-based interventions. We argue that they only superficially engage with these important issues, and fall short of supporting neurodiversity, despite their intention to do so. We discuss issues related to biased claims of effectiveness of ABA, the potential for ABA-based interventions to cause harm, the reliance on past human rights abuses to justify current potential for harm, a lack of empirical support related to intervention intensity recommended by ABA provider groups, and the rigidity of procedures used to achieve therapist-determined goals.

A Machine Learning Model for Predicting Progressive Crack Extension based on Direct Current Potential Drop Fatigue Data

Time history data collected from a Direct Current Potential Drop (DCPD) fatigue experiment at a range of temperatures was used to train a Bidirectional Long-Short Term Memory Neural Network (BiLSTM) model. The model was trained on high sampling rate experimental data from crack initiation up through the Paris regime. The BiLSTM model was able to predict the progressive crack extension at intermediate temperatures and stress intensities. The model was able to reproduce crack jumps and overall crack progression. The BiLSTM model demonstrated the potential to be used as a tool for future investigation into fundamental mechanisms such as high-temperature oxidation and new damage models.

Bioinspired Polypyrrole based Fibrillary Artificial Muscle with Actuation and Intrinsic Sensing Capabilities

Artificial muscles comprise a bunch of materials, composites and devices performing a similar behavior to biological muscles, since a mechanical actuation is produced while consuming a certain amount of energy. However, in order to mimic the multiple simultaneous functionalities of the natural muscles, i.e. the proprioception, new devices should be designed. A non-conventional, bioinspired device based on polypyrrole coated electrospun fibrous microstructures, which works simultaneously as artificial muscle and mechanical sensor is reported. A simple fabrication algorithm based on electrospinning, sputtering deposition and electrochemical polymerization produced electroactive aligned ribbon meshes with analogous characteristics as natural muscle fibers. These can simultaneously produce a movement (by applying an electric current/potential) and sense the effort of holding weights (by measuring the potential/current while holding objects up to 24 mg). The amplitude of the movement decreases by increasing the load, a behavior similar with natural muscles. Moreover, when different weights were hanged on the device, it senses the load modification, demonstrating a sensitivity of about 6 mV/mg for oxidation and 3 mV/mg for reduction. These results are important since simultaneous actuation and sensitivity are essential for complex activity. Such devices with multiple functionalities can open new possibilities of applications as smart prosthesis or lifelike robots.

Current Potential Therapeutic Approaches against SARS-CoV-2: A Review

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a serious threat to public health worldwide and, to date, no effective treatment is available. Thus, we herein review the pharmaceutical approaches to SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Numerous candidate medicines that can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication have been proposed. These medicines include inhibitors of serine protease TMPRSS2 and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the receptor in host cells. ACE2 inhibitors block TMPRSS2 and S protein priming, thus preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry to host cells. Moreover, antiviral medicines (including the nucleotide analogue remdesivir, the HIV protease inhibitors lopinavir and ritonavir, and wide-spectrum antiviral antibiotics arbidol and favipiravir) have been shown to reduce the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 as well as morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19.

Measuring the depth of surface cracks using alternating current potential drop technique, with suppression of the influence of the electromagnetic properties of the metal

Traditional measuring techniques often lead to errors due to the need to register signals in both defective and defect-free areas. In this paper, we introduce an alternating current potential drop technique with detuning from the influence of variations in the electromagnetic properties of the metal achieved by registering a signal only at the defective site. We show that, with an appropriate choice of measurement parameters, the use of the proposed technique leads to an increase in sensitivity to the crack depth as well as to an increase in the measurement range.

Scientific reports controlling droplet splashing and bouncing by dielectrowetting

Stopping droplets from bouncing or splashing after impacting a surface is fundamental in preventing cross-contamination, and the spreading of germs and harmful substances. Here we demonstrate that dielectrowetting can be applied to actively control the dynamics of droplet impact. Moreover, we demonstrate that dielectrowetting can be used to prevent droplet bouncing and suppress splashing. In our experiments, the dielectrowetting effect is produced on a flat substrate by two thin interdigitated electrodes connected to an alternating current potential. Our findings show that the strength of the electric potential can affect the dynamic contact angle and regulate the spreading, splashing and receding dynamics at the right time-scales.

One Health Approaches to Trace Mycobacterium leprae’s Zoonotic Potential Through Time

Hansen’s disease (leprosy), mainly caused by infection with Mycobacterium leprae, has accompanied humanity for thousands of years. Although currently rare in Europe, there are over 200,000 new infections annually in South East Asia, Africa, and South America. Over the years many disciplines – palaeopathology, ancient DNA and other ancient biomolecules, and history – have contributed to a better understanding of leprosy’s past, in particular its history in medieval Europe. We discuss their contributions and potential, especially in relation to the role of inter-species transmission, an unexplored phenomenon in the disease’s history. Here, we explore the potential of interdisciplinary approaches that understand disease as a biosocial phenomenon, which is a product of both infection with M. leprae and social behaviours that facilitate transmission and spread. Genetic evidence of M. leprae isolated from archaeological remains combined with systematic zooarchaeological and historical analysis would not only identify when and in what direction transmission occurred, but also key social behaviours and motivations that brought species together. In our opinion, this combination is crucial to understand the disease’s zoonotic past and current potential.

One-shot immunization with Sputnik Light (the first component of Sputnik V vaccine) is effective against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant: efficacy data on the use of the vaccine in civil circulation in Moscow

Objectives Vaccination remains the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most vaccines use two-dose regimens. In turn, single-dose vaccines also have high potential, since, on the one hand, they simplify the vaccination program, make it more accessible and convenient for more people around the world, and on the other hand, they are better suited for subsequent revaccination. However, there is not enough data on the effectiveness of single-dose vaccine variants against new genetic lines to assess their current potential. It is not clear how much a single dose of immunization protects against the globally dominant delta variant. In this work, we investigated the effectiveness of a single dose vaccine (Sputnik Light, the first component of Sputnik V vaccine) against the Delta variant in Moscow. Methods To assess the effectiveness of one dose of viral vector vaccine based on rAd26 against the delta variant in Moscow, we used data from the Moscow registries of vaccination against COVID-19 and the incidence of COVID-19. The availability of data on the number of seropositive residents of Moscow made it possible to consider the size of the immune layer formed because of a previous COVID-19 disease or vaccination. To calculate the effectiveness, the proportion of COVID-19 cases among those vaccinated with a single dose and the proportion of cases among those who were not vaccinated in July 2021. Results Our data indicate that throughout July 2021, the dominant variant of the coronavirus at the level of 99.5% in Moscow was the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant and its subsidiary lines. Considering the immune layer of 46% allowed us to calculate the effectiveness of a one-shot vaccine against the delta variant in Moscow during the first three months after vaccination at the level of 69.85% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.08 to 74.70). In the 18-29-year-old group, the overall vaccine efficacy against the delta variant was 88.61%, in the 18-59 group - 75.28%. Sputnik Light demonstrates higher efficacy against Delta variant than many two-shot vaccines. Conclusion The results indicate a high efficacy of a single immunization first component of Sputnik V vaccine against delta variant among young and middle-aged people (86.2% and 75.28%, respectively), at least during the first 3 months after receiving the one-shot vaccine.

Artificial intelligence in fiction: between narratives and metaphors

Science-fiction (SF) has become a reference point in the discourse on the ethics and risks surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Thus, AI in SF—science-fictional AI—is considered part of a larger corpus of ‘AI narratives’ that are analysed as shaping the fears and hopes of the technology. SF, however, is not a foresight or technology assessment, but tells dramas for a human audience. To make the drama work, AI is often portrayed as human-like or autonomous, regardless of the actual technological limitations. Taking science-fictional AI too literally, and even applying it to science communication, paints a distorted image of the technology's current potential and distracts from the real-world implications and risks of AI. These risks are not about humanoid robots or conscious machines, but about the scoring, nudging, discrimination, exploitation, and surveillance of humans by AI technologies through governments and corporations. AI in SF, on the other hand, is a trope as part of a genre-specific mega-text that is better understood as a dramatic means and metaphor to reflect on the human condition and socio-political issues beyond technology.