Higher resolution satellite imagery of Israel and Palestine: Re-assessing the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment

Since 1997, the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment (KBA) to the 1997 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act, has limited the availability of high-resolution satellite imagery over Israel and Palestine. Although this law only applies to the United States of America, as this country dominates the commercial market for satellite imagery, its impact is global. Since 2012, the KBA has become increasingly anachronistic, as non-U.S. satellite firms, utilizing ever more sophisticated satellite technologies, have begun retailing high-resolution imagery of Israel and Palestine. This major shift has, however, largely gone unrecognized, because the application of the KBA has become institutionalized in the commercial satellite imagery market. Nevertheless, the removal of these practical restrictions offers a major opportunity for all forms of scientific remote-sensing analysis, whether for archaeological research as undertaken by the authors of this paper, as well as geographers, humanitarian organisations or others interested in landscape and settlement change across Israel and Palestine

Higher resolution satellite imagery of Israel and Palestine: Re-assessing the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment

Since 1997, the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment (KBA) to the 1997 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act, has limited the availability of high-resolution satellite imagery over Israel and Palestine. Although this law only applies to the United States of America, as this country dominates the commercial market for satellite imagery, its impact is global. Since 2012, the KBA has become increasingly anachronistic, as non-U.S. satellite firms, utilizing ever more sophisticated satellite technologies, have begun retailing high-resolution imagery of Israel and Palestine. This major shift has, however, largely gone unrecognized, because the application of the KBA has become institutionalized in the commercial satellite imagery market. Nevertheless, the removal of these practical restrictions offers a major opportunity for all forms of scientific remote-sensing analysis, whether for archaeological research as undertaken by the authors of this paper, as well as geographers, humanitarian organisations or others interested in landscape and settlement change across Israel and Palestine

Anticoagulation of cardiovascular conditions in the cancer patient: Review of old and new therapies

Purpose of Review: The anticoagulation strategies for various cardiac-specific pathologies including atrial fibrillation are changing. Applying these strategies in patients with concomitant active cancer requires additional considerations. Here, we review the most recent changes in the anticoagulation management of common cardiac diseases and their application in cancer patients. Recnt Findings: There are a range of indications for therapeutic anticoagulation in cancer patients including venous thromboembolism (VTE), atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL), prosthetic heart valves, and intracardiac thrombi. Certain cancer therapeutics such as ibrutinib and anthracycline chemotherapy increase the risk of developing AF/AFL and pose unique challenges in anticoagulation management. Anticoagulation decisions for AF/AFL often utilize the CHADS2 or the CHA2DS2-VASc score with annualized stroke risk; however, these risk stratification models may be inadequate in cancer patients. Cancer type, stage, prognosis, and bleeding risk are all relevant when considering whether to initiate therapeutic anticoagulation. Moreover, thrombocytopenia may limit the ability to provide anticoagulation. Subsequent analyses of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) show fewer bleeding complications and thromboembolic events compared to warfarin in AF/AFL with apixaban and edoxaban particularly promising in this population for VTE, pulmonary embolism, and AF/AFL. There is a lack of data regarding ablation therapy and left atrial occlusion devices in this population. There is a growing experience of DOACs for intracardiac thrombi. Warfarin is still appropriate for patients with prosthetic heart valves and left ventricular assist devices. Summary: Anticoagulation management in the cancer patient can be challenging. DOACs are often a safe alternative to warfarin in cancer-associated DVT/PE and AF/AFL, and may be preferable in certain circumstances. Other cardiac indications for anticoagulation including the presence of a mechanical heart valve remain unchanged and dependent on warfarin or heparin-based products

An integrated approach to surveying the archaeological landscapes of Yemen

This paper presents recent research by the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project at the Universities of Oxford and Leicester, and Jérémie Schiettecatte at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Paris. It critically investigates the contribution of documenting sites through recent remote surveys using freely available satellite imagery to improve our understanding of ancient landscapes in Yemen, and the role of field surveys and excavations in this process. The documentation and recording includes an assessment of the threat to sites with a view to improving their protection in the future

Ethical considerations for remote sensing and open data in relation to the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa project

The UK-based Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project uses remote sensing techniques to rapidly record and evaluate the status of archaeological and cultural heritage sites in the MENA region. Applying remote sensing methods to the archaeological landscapes of twenty countries, EAMENA is one of the largest documentation projects of its kind. Such a scope raises important ethical questions fundamental to the practice of remote-sensed archaeology, and this paper contributes to this discussion by reflecting on EAMENA’s unique role in this subfield. We present ethical issues and possible solutions related to remote sensing and archaeology, drawing on models developed within the humanitarian aid sector and postcolonial archaeology. In addition, we consider issues of national sovereignty and their relationship to the engagement of local communities. Finally, this paper examines the roles of data openness and open access policies as ethical factors, and how EAMENA has addressed these so far

Influenza vaccination and myocarditis among patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background Influenza vaccination (FV) is recommended for patients with cancer. Recent data suggested that the administration of the FV was associated with an increase in immune-related adverse events (irAEs) among patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Myocarditis is an uncommon but serious complication of ICIs and may also result from infection with influenza. There are no data testing the relationship between FV and the development of myocarditis on ICIs. Methods Patients on ICIs who developed myocarditis (n = 101) (cases) were compared to ICI-treated patients (n = 201) without myocarditis (controls). A patient was defined as having the FV if they were administered the FV from 6 months prior to start of ICI to anytime during ICI therapy. Alternate thresholds for FV status were also tested. The primary comparison of interest was the rate of FV between cases and controls. Patients with myocarditis were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as the composite of cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, hemodynamically significant complete heart block and cardiovascular death. Results The FV was administered to 25% of the myocarditis cases compared to 40% of the non-myocarditis ICI-treated controls (p = 0.01). Similar findings of lower rates of FV administration were noted among myocarditis cases when alternate thresholds were tested. Among the myocarditis cases, those who were vaccinated had 3-fold lower troponin levels when compared to unvaccinated cases (FV vs. No FV: 0.12 [0.02, 0.47] vs. 0.40 [0.11, 1.26] ng/ml, p = 0.02). Within myocarditis cases, those administered the FV also had a lower rate of other irAEs when compared to unvaccinated cases (36 vs. 55% p = 0.10) including lower rates of pneumonitis (12 vs. 36%, p = 0.03). During follow-up (175 [IQR 89, 363] days), 47% of myocarditis cases experienced a MACE. Myocarditis cases who received the FV were at a lower risk of cumulative MACE when compared to unvaccinated cases (24 vs. 59%, p = 0.002). Conclusion The rate of FV among ICI-related myocarditis cases was lower than controls on ICIs who did not develop myocarditis. In those who developed myocarditis related to an ICI, there was less myocardial injury and a lower risk of MACE among those who were administered the FV