bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Landscape Model Based on the Culture of the Indigenous People of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Authors: Rassing A R T , Gunawan A , Pratiwi P I
Published: August 2024

The interaction between humans and their environment forms cultural landscape. One of the cultural landscape in Indonesia is Tana Toraja. The Tana Toraja indigenous people’s way of life refers to the Aluk Todolo religion which regulates the relationships of between human-human, human-God (Puang Matua), and human-environment. The regulation influences their environment, settlement, and agriculture management. Agriculture in Tana Toraja is managed by the community not only for the economic sector but also to ensure food security and preserve traditional cultural activities. This study aims to identify and analyze the elements that make up the agricultural landscape of the Tana Toraja indigenous people, as well as develop a local culture-based agricultural landscape model. The method using in this research was spatial descriptive method by tracing customary manuscripts (literature review), interviewing traditional leaders, and field observations. This research has identified the elements that make up the Tana Toraja agricultural landscape were hills, rivers and springs, forests, rice fields, dryland fields, gardens, fish ponds (gusean), yards, and cattle pens. Integrated agriculture that is carried out based on local customs is paddy-fish integrative farming, rice-livestock integrative farming, agroforestry, and crop-livestock integrative farming. The form of integrated agriculture can be seen at the macro and micro levels and consists of spatial concepts, vegetation concepts, and circulation concepts. At the macro level, which consists of four landform hierarchies in the settlement landscape, which indicates their philosophy of life, they are successively a sacred place (hill), their ancestral home, the general settlement and agricultural areas, and development area for their subsequent offspring.
Urban Landscape Management of Makassar City Based on Waterfront City Concept
Authors: Rohadi P P , Qisthina N , Aulia R , Arifin H S , Kaswanto R L
Published: August 2024

Makassar City is one of the coastal cities in Indonesia with a 32 km long coastline. This extensive coastal stretch harbors numerous potential natural resources. Recognizing the coastal region’s potential, the government has been implementing the Waterfront City concept to develop and manage this area. Since 2003, the Makassar City government has actively undertaken revitalization and reclamation efforts in the coastal zone, aiming to establish various facilities including commercial areas, public parks, residential zones, and tourism infrastructure, all with the aim of achieving the status of a waterfront city. However, these ongoing development and reclamation activities are inevitably transforming the coastal landscape, bringing about both positive and negative changes. On the downside, there are adverse effects such as deteriorating water quality and diminishing mangrove areas. Conversely, there has been an increase in tourist arrivals, showcasing a positive aspect. This study aims to assess the suitability of land in the coastal areas and the visual appeal of Makassar City’s waterfront, providing recommendations for coastal landscape management. Based on the analysis of land suitability and the aesthetics of the coastal area of Makassar City, the urban areas generally possess land suitable for implementing the waterfront city concept, categorized into three zones: tourism, residential, and conservation, to optimize land functionality. Besides the quality of the beautiful coast has a fairly good value with a neat and clean conditions.
Community-Based “Green Tourism” Development Strategy for Situ Gede Ecotourism in West Bogor Sub-district
Authors: Mahiroh I , Budiarti T , Manningtyas R D T
Published: August 2024

The tourism industry is growing fast in developing countries but does not necessarily consider sustainability issues. In this regard, the concept of green tourism is a way to promote sustainable tourism development. This study was conducted in Situ Gede Ecotourism, Situ Gede Village, West Bogor District. This study aims to identify and analyse the characteristics of the landscape, examine people’s perceptions and preferences, and provide recommendations for strategies towards green tourism in Situ Gede. Data collection was carried out through field observations, interviews, questionnaires, FGDs, and literature studies. This study uses two analytical methods, namely perception and preference analysis and the analysis of three stages of strategy formulation. Based on the results of the study, Situ Gede has landscape characteristics, namely that the spatial layout and land of this tourist location are in urban residential areas. The main attraction at Situ Gede is the view and use of the lake and the Dramaga research forest. There is a Situ Gede tourism management community and several other communities that have the potential to play a role in tourism activities, and there is awareness to protect the lake and its surroundings. The community expects an increase in the economy with the development of tourism. Based on the results of the perception analysis, Situ Gede is included in the high category for the development of green tourism. The results of the IE matrix show that Situ Gede’s position is in quadrant II, which provides recommendations for strategies to develop and build the tourist attraction management, promotion, and partnership.
Compressive Strength Predictive Analysis using Spectroradiometer.
Authors: Bhojaraja B.E , Hegde Thanushree A , Sunaina Fathima , Shetty Ashray
Published: August 2024

Rapid urbanization in emerging economies has prompted a focus on quality inspections of construction materials, particularly concrete. Standard tests assessing the mechanical strength of concrete involve breaking samples. Remote sensing presents an opportunity to map and monitor these materials, enabling the identification of properties like mechanical strength without causing damage. This non-destructive approach allows on-site inspection, swiftly and inexpensively, which is crucial during ongoing construction phases. Using a Field Spec® 3 spectroradiometer, spectroscopic analysis was performed to observe the spectral behavior of mechanical strengths in cement-based mortar materials based on spectral curves that were obtained from the reflected and absorbed electromagnetic radiation of the samples. This study is groundbreaking as there is no existing literature on utilizing this technique to differentiate compressive strengths of mortar cubes.
Application of fractal analysis to characterise the fracture and mechanical properties of concrete.
Authors: Fathima Salih Shaika , Prashanth M H , Pruthviraj S , Kuttagola Imran
Published: August 2024

Concrete structures consist of cracks even under service loads. The presence of micro-cracks and other flaws such as pores and voids act as potential sources for crack propagation leading to fracture under external loadings. Irregularities produced during the fracturing process in concrete are manifested on the fracture surface, characterizing it as fractal. Therefore, the investigation and quantification of the fractal pattern exhibited by fracture surfaces have become a focal point of research in recent years. In this work, beam specimens made with four different concrete mixes underwent a three-point bending test in order to determine a correlation between the fracture energy and mechanical characteristics of concrete. Concrete’s mechanical characteristics and fracture energy are discovered to be positively correlated. The fractal analysis is done using an LVDT instrument. Using a program written in MATLAB code, the fractured surface is regenerated with measured undulations. Concrete’s flexural strength and fracture energy are then connected with the fractal dimension value that was found. In conclusion, it was observed that a strong correlation exists between the fractal dimension value and fracture energy.
Free Vibration Response Studies on Bridges
Authors: Ahmed Shaik Kabeer , Haifa Afrin Zulaika , Shenoy Sundip
Published: August 2024

Bridges are essential components of the transportation network. These are unique constructions that serve as a transportation link between regions separated by physical barrier. Because of their critical role in ensuring passenger safety, these structures require constant maintenance. When vehicle cross a bridge, the structural components vibrate, which over time may cause damage to these components. The preferred method of maintaining structural health is currently seeing a rise in the use of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems on infrastructure, especially bridges. In order to overcome the drawbacks of visual inspection methods, it is crucial to continuously monitor the integrity and analyse the dynamic properties of bridges. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of bridge health monitoring, emphasizing three key elements: vibration-based structural health monitoring (SHM), vehicle-bridge interaction analysis, and machine learning integration. The work improves monitoring, maintenance, and safety protocols by expanding our knowledge of structural integrity assessment for bridges by a detailed examination of the convergence of these domains. Notably, the work uses a condensed 2D model to forecast bridge natural frequencies Understanding the dynamic behaviour and structural integrity of the vital infrastructures is greatly aided by free vibration response research on bridges. The results, insights, and new directions in the subject of bridge free vibration analysis are summarized in this review paper. The uses and drawbacks of several analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques are covered. The research on the free vibration response of bridges is also reviewed in this review paper, with an emphasis on new developments incorporating machine learning principles.
GPS and GIS Based Soil Mapping of Rajkot City
Authors: Jain Tanishq , Parikh Komal
Published: August 2024

Traditional (Classical) soil mapping is inefficient in illustrating continuous changes in soil types or forms. Before designing and constructing any construction, geotechnical engineers should be aware of changes in the index qualities of the soil. Sand, Gravel, Silt and Clay, Plastic Limit, and other soil index values may vary from location to location. This work aims to develop a system for mapping important soil index features using GPS and GIS in conjunction with previously published soil exploration data. This database will allow geotechnical engineers to run more searches on various combinations of soil properties. During this study, data from 112 boreholes in Rajkot was compiled into soil investigation reports by various geotechnical specialists. All 112 boreholes are included in a soil database. GPS has been used to figure out each location’s longitude, latitude & altitude for georeferencing. The ordinary kriging geospatial interpolation method was used for thematic map preparation. In this 10% of boreholes, data has been used for validation. Map accuracy is measured using the Mean Average Error (MAE) and the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Where the difference in values were not more than 10% in all 12 cases. The value is only crossed in the plastic index case, where it is more than 10% in the 1-2-meter depth case.
A Comprehensive Review on Heavy Metal Toxicity in Coastal Sediments
Authors: Murthy Janakaraj , Jagadeesha Pai B , Salmataj S. A , Naik Pushparaj A. , Acharya Gururaj
Published: August 2024

Heavy metal toxicity is becoming a growing environmental concern worldwide. The estuary’s surface waters and sediments are finally being transported to the coastal areas. During this transportation, the water and sediments carry numerous elements. The essential elements like nutrition are nitrates, phosphates, silicates, and sulphates, which are required for aquatic life, and non-essential elements contribute to pollution. The input of these essential and non-essential elements is being contributed by nature and anthropogenic activities. Due to the increase in urbanization and anthropogenic activities like agricultural, industrial, thermal power plants, dye factories, inland fisheries, small and significant scale industries, as well as recreational activities, are the sources of heavy metal toxicity. The toxic heavy metals, including mercury, cadmium, chromium, and lead, are leading to biological toxicity. Environmental standards are being modified due to increasing concerns. However, naturally occurring heavy metals and metalloids are drawn from parent rocks and absorbed by aquatic organisms, such as benthic organisms, which fix some heavy metal ions. Flora and fauna also absorb these ions, reducing their concentration. However, due to climatic factors like temperature and pH, these metal ions get adsorbed on the surface of the sediments. During hydrodynamic forces, they get released back into the water and vary seasonally.
Requirements for upgrading trusted nodes to a repeater chain over 900 km of optical fiber
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Francisco , Avis Guus , Slater Joshua A , Wehner Stephanie
Published: August 2024

We perform a numerical study of the distribution of entanglement on a real-world fiber grid connecting the German cities of Bonn and Berlin. The connection is realized using a chain of processing-node quantum repeaters spanning roughly 900 kilometers. Their placement is constrained by the fiber grid we consider, resulting in asymmetric links. We investigate how minimal hardware requirements depend on the target application, as well as on the number of repeaters in the chain. We find that requirements for blind quantum computing are markedly different than those for quantum key distribution, with the required coherence time being around two and a half times larger for the former. Further, we observe a trade-off regarding how target secret-key rates are achieved when using different numbers of repeaters: comparatively low-quality entangled states generated at a high rate are preferred for higher numbers of repeaters, whereas comparatively high-quality states generated at a lower rate are favored for lower numbers of repeaters. To obtain our results we employ an extensive simulation framework implemented using NetSquid, a discrete-event simulator for quantum networks. These are combined with an optimization methodology based on genetic algorithms to determine minimal hardware requirements.
Static and dynamic analyses and multi-objective optimization of wafer thinning machine’s design variables
Authors: Xie Guijiu , Zhang Wenbin , He Dongge , Yi Zhongbo , Liu Zhu , Wang Shibo , Wang Yan
Published: August 2024

In order to meeting the physical strength, heat dissipation and dimensional requirements of chips, the wafer surface needs to be thinned by wafer thinning machines. In the design of wafer thinning machine, the analysis and optimization of castings is an important and complex issue. In this study, the multi-objective optimization of wafer thinning machine’ s design variables are executed due to static and dynamic analyses. According to the analysis results, the design quality, amplitude and equivalent stress of the casting are optimized. The inner diameter of the ring, the height of the ring, the height of the middle groove, and the height of the groove on both sides are selected as the main design variables of the optimization. The results show that the static deformation of the optimized cast structure is 8% lower than the original structure, the overall mass is 4% lower, the operating frequency is 3.5% lower, higher stability, smaller mass and amplitude are obtained after optimization. The research has a great significance for the wafer thinning machines design, and provides theoretical guidance for the development of other lithography equipments.
The separating Noether number of the direct sum of several copies of a cyclic group
Authors: Schefler Barna
Published: August 2024

The exact value of the separating Noether number of some finite abelian groups is determined, including the direct sums of cyclic groups of the same order.
The RhoGEF protein Plekhg5 self-associates via its PH domain to regulate apical cell constriction
Authors: Popov Ivan K. , Tao Jiahui , Chang Chenbei
Published: August 2024

RhoGEFs are critical activators of Rho family small GTPases and regulate diverse biological processes, such as cell division and tissue morphogenesis. We reported previously that the RhoGEF gene plekhg5 controls apical constriction of bottle cells at the blastopore lip during Xenopus gastrulation, but the detailed mechanism of plekhg5 action is not understood in depth. In this study, we show that localization of Plekhg5 in the apical cortex depends on its N-terminal sequences and intact guanine nucleotide exchange activity, whereas the C-terminal sequences prevent ectopic localization of the protein to the basolateral compartment. We also reveal that Plekhg5 self-associates via its PH domain, and this interaction leads to functional rescue of two mutants that lack the N-terminal region and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity, respectively, in trans. A point mutation in the PH domain corresponding to a variant associated with human disease leads to loss of self-association and failure of the mutant to induce apical constriction. Taken together, our results suggest that PH-mediated self-association and N-terminal domain-mediated subcellular localization are both crucial for the function of Plekhg5 in inducing apical constriction.
Reasons and Passions
Authors: Lenman James
Published: August 2024

This chapter defends a Humean picture of our normative lives as expressive of the passions in our souls. This picture should be understood holistically. We cannot elevate something to normative significance merely by wanting it but it is because we have a passionate nature that we live in a space of reasons. The picture defended is constructivist but also realist in allowing for normative truth and objectivity and in its clear repudiation of scepticism. Desires remain largely in the background of our normative thought when it goes about its ordinary businesses engaging a rich substantive space of reasons and values but this rich space taken as a whole expresses the complex and interconnected array of desires that goes to shape our human normative world. This holistic version of a Humean understanding of the normative is not vulnerable to widely raised objections involving arbitrary, isolated, and disconnected desires—to turn on radios, say—not credibly supposed to carry significant normative weight, as indeed they do not.
Towards a Communitarian Expressivism
Authors: Lenman James
Published: August 2024

This chapter develops my holistic understanding of a Humean picture of the normative: such understanding should also be communitarian. We live and, for moral community to work as a space of mutual normative expectation and responsibility, we must live in a space of reasons that is both shared and stable: our shared understanding is open to critical reflective scrutiny but always against a background where much of it is seen as securely banked and never wholesale. My normative judgements do not purport simply to express the private passions of my soul but rather to express a stable, shared conceptual inheritance. They point to an ideal understanding of that shared conceptual repertoire which they embrace but do not specify. This leaves open questions open and allows us meaningfully to disagree about their substantive content while allowing us to understand why normative judgements that are weird and silly make poor sense. It helps to explain why we expect others to take an interest in our normative judgements. And it allows us to leave behind the existentialist understanding of normative utterance on a Humean picture as expressive only of private normative sensibilities responsible only to our individual wills. This enables us simply to accept, in a quasi-realist spirit, observations made by Charles Taylor and Susan Hurley by way of criticism of unduly subjectivist understandings of the normative. Armed with this sophisticated constructive expressivist picture we can defuse both the Frege-Geach argument against expressivism and David Enoch’s indispensability argument for robust realism.
The Anatomy of Justice
Authors: Schouten Regina
Published: August 2024

This book develops a novel approach to theorizing liberal egalitarian justice. On the orthodox approach, a theory of justice comprises a set of normative principles to guide the design and workings of social institutions. The book argues that we should redirect the flow of theoretical attention to the values that normative principles aim to realize: We should aim for theory to provide evaluative discernment rather than normative principles. The term “values,” simply picks out the things that matter. Among the things that matter to egalitarians are civic relationships of a certain character and fair distributions of social goods. This redirection on its own is purely methodological: Those thinking about justice should take a longer look at what things matter—and what reasons those things furnish and how their mattering stacks up against the mattering of other things that matter—before they turn to the work of trying to systematize those answers in the form of principles for the design of political institutions. The book argues for that methodological reorientation in harness with a substantive way of filling it out with liberal egalitarian values. This proposed combination of schema and values, “the anatomy of justice,” comprises a modular approach to theorizing justice across circumstances of justice and deep injustice. The case for the anatomy of justice rests on what it can do: The anatomy resolves longstanding difficulties internal to liberal egalitarianism, provides unified but circumstance-responsive guidance for improving unjust societies, and supports compelling defenses of liberalism against feminist and egalitarian critics.
GST, End of Compensation Regime, and Stress on State Finances
Authors: Kavita Rao R
Published: August 2024

The change in the GST regime could result in some disruptions to the performance of state tax revenues. Economic uncertainties arising from the impact of the multiple rounds of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the stress on state finances. This chapter looks at the impact on GST revenues inclusive of compensation, once the current regime comes to an end. It also identifies states which could experience a fall in revenues at the end of the compensation period and provides useful alternative mechanisms for smoothing the revenue profile of the states.
Indian Fiscal Federalism in Practice
Authors: Govinda Rao M
Published: August 2024

Indian fiscal federalism over the last seven-and–a-half decades has oscillated between harmony and conflict, trust and suspicion, cooperation and competition. It has held the country together; provided identity and scope for various religious, ethnic, and linguistic groups; and provided an institutional framework for the multilevel fiscal system. Nevertheless, the high degree of centralization has not paved the way for reaping the potential benefits. The absence of an institutional framework for fostering cooperation and coordination, regulating competition and bargaining, and enabling conflict resolution is a major shortcoming. The presence of a high degree of vertical and horizontal imbalances is also an issue.
Environmental Federalism in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Chakraborty Lekha , Kaur Amandeep , Mohanty Ranjan Kumar , Rangan Divy , Das Sanjana
Published: August 2024

This chapter investigates the impact of intergovernmental fiscal transfers (IGFT) on climate change commitments in India. Within the analytical framework of environmental federalism, we test the evidence for environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) using a panel model covering 27 Indian States from 2003 to 2020. The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between IGFT and the net forest cover (NFC) across Indian states. The analysis also suggests an inverse-U relationship between gross state domestic product (GSDP) and environmental quality, indicating a potential environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for India. The findings substantiate the fiscal policy impacts for climate change commitments within the fiscal federal frameworks of India, and the significance of IGFT in increasing forest cover in India. This has policy implications for the 16th Finance Commission of India for the integration of a climate change-related criterion in the tax-transfer formula in a sustainable manner.
Fiscal Federalism in India
Authors: Srinivasan R , Raja Sethu Durai S
Published: August 2024

In an ideal federation, each level of government should have its own revenue resources to sufficiently finance its own expenditures. In most of the federal countries, due to overlapping revenue and expenditure assignments warranted by their constitution, the fiscal balance is elusive. Vertical fiscal imbalance (VFI) arises when the own-revenue potential of regional governments is inadequate to meet their own expenditure. As noted in the literature, VFI adversely affects the fiscal performance of the regional government. This study examines the VFI for India from 2005 to 2021 and provides evidence that it is rising over the period, and suggests a feasible solution rests in the reassignment of commodity taxation powers to the states.
Climate Risks and Financial Management
Authors: Kavi Kumar K S
Published: August 2024

Against the backdrop of the ongoing discussion on Loss & Damage (L&D) in the climate change context, this chapter provides an overview on the trends in climate risks such as cyclone, flood, and drought, and their impacts on Indian agriculture. The chapter argues that it would be more appropriate to frame L&D debate as impacts associated with sudden- and slow-onset climate risks, rather than ‘residual impacts’ as it is often done in the climate change impact literature. The chapter further discusses the domestic and global risk-mitigation options for effective financial management of climate risks.
The link between traumatic experiences and health in late life: challenges and opportunities for US-based longitudinal aging cohorts
Authors: Murchland Audrey R , Koenen Karestan C , Hayes-Larson Eleanor
Published: August 2024

Trauma, defined as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, is a pervasive, major public health challenge that disproportionately burdens socially disadvantaged groups and has known consequences for health outcomes in early and midlife. Despite plausible mechanisms by which trauma may also be a critically important risk factor for health outcomes in late life, there is presently a lack of literature evaluating the consequences of trauma on aging-related health outcomes and inequities, such as dementia. In this commentary, we (1) discuss drivers of the paucity of epidemiologic evidence on trauma and health outcomes in late life, namely a lack of available data, supported by detailed review of trauma measures, including interpersonal violence—a particularly common form of trauma—in 7 established longitudinal aging cohort studies in the United States; (2) address 4 common concerns about the inclusion of trauma measures in cohort studies; and (3) suggest ways forward, including specific assessment tools to measure interpersonal violence after a structured review of the PhenX Toolkit, to facilitate critical research to understand the impact of trauma on outcomes in late life.
Risk of COVID-19 reinfection and vaccine breakthrough infection, Madera County, California, 2021
Authors: Nguyen Minhphuong , Paul Eric , Mills Paul K , Paul Simon
Published: August 2024

COVID-19 vaccine efficacy has been evaluated in controlled clinical trials and serves as a benchmark for evaluating the protection acquired from prior COVID-19 infection (“natural immunity”). A cohort of persons with a prior COVID-19 infection was matched to a cohort of COVID-19 vaccinated persons, and the risk of reinfection post-COVID-19 infection was compared to the risk of a COVID-19 infection postvaccination. The hazard ratio (HR) for risk of reinfection from day 90 to 300 after initial COVID-19 infection vs vaccine breakthrough infection was 0.48, (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.73). Thus from 90 to 300 days after COVID-19 infection, the post-COVID-19 infection cohort had a lower risk of COVID-19 infection compared with those fully vaccinated. The risk of death associated with the initial COVID-19 infection requisite for acquiring post-COVID-19 immunity was also assessed. The hazard ratio for deaths from all causes among those acquiring immunity via COVID-19 infection vs vaccination was 14.9 (95% CI, 7.27-30.4). Thus, while post-COVID-19 immunity was on a level comparable to that of vaccination, there was a 15-fold higher mortality resulting from achieving “natural immunity” vs acquiring vaccine-provided immunity.
Antibody profiles in the mosaic of ‘seronegative’ APS syndrome
Authors: Truglia Simona , Riitano Gloria , Mancuso Silvia , Recalchi Serena , Rapino Luca , Garufi Cristina , Manganelli Valeria , Garofalo Tina , Misasi Roberta , Alessandri Cristiano , Sorice Maurizio , Longo Agostina , Conti Fabrizio , Capozzi Antonella
Published: August 2024

Clinical manifestations, as distinct from thrombotic and obstetric morbidity, were recently included in the update of classification criteria of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, the existence of several patients with clinical manifestations suggestive of APS, but negative for criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) [anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2-GPI), and lupus anticoagulant] may suggest an update of diagnostic criteria. In this study, we analysed the prevalence of six non-criteria aPLs in a large monocentric cohort of patients with seronegative APS (SN-APS), to investigate their possible diagnostic role. aCL IgA, aβ2-GPI IgA, and aβ2-GPI Domain 1 antibodies were detected by chemiluminescence, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) IgG, anti-vimentin/cardiolipin (aVim/CL) IgG, and anti-carbamylated-β2-glycoprotein I (aCarb-β2-GPI) IgG by ELISA in sera from 144 SN-APS patients. In SN-APS patients, aCL IgA was detected in 4/144 (2.77%), aβ2-GPI IgA in 2/144 (1.39%), aβ2-GPI-Domain 1 in 1/144 (0.69%), aPS/PT in 16/144 (11.11%), aVim/CL in 37/144 (25.69%), and aCarb-β2-GPI in 43/144 patients (29.86%). Patients negative for all non-criteria aPL assays were 77/144 (53.47%). Notably, the Venn diagram showed that aCarb-β2-GPI together with aVim/CL represented the prevalent combination of positive antibodies. In SN-APS patients, aCL IgA were associated with recurrent thrombosis (OR 11.48; P = 0.03); in obstetric SN-APS patients, aPS/PT were significantly associated with foetal deaths (OR 4.84; P = 0.01), aVim/CL with spontaneous abortions (OR 2.71; P = 0.016). This study indicates that aPS/PT, aVim/CL and aCarb-β2-GPI antibodies may represent useful tools to identify ‘seronegative’ APS patients, who are negative for criteria aPLs, supporting the need to make testing for non-criteria aPLs more accessible in patients with SN-APS.
The impact of metabolic syndrome on the cerebral cortex: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Pingxi , Zhang Xin , Gao Bo , Gao Yixuan , Pan Yun
Published: August 2024

Metabolic syndrome exhibits associations with diverse neurological disorders, and its potential influence on the cerebral cortex may be one of the many potential factors contributing to these adverse outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between metabolic syndrome and changes in cerebral cortex structure using Mendelian randomization analysis. Genome-wide association study data for the 5 components of metabolic syndrome were obtained from individuals of European descent in the UK Biobank. Genome-wide association study data for 34 known cortical functional regions were sourced from the ENIGMA Consortium. Data on Alzheimer's disease, major depression, and anxiety disorder were obtained from the IEU Open genome-wide association study database. The causal links between metabolic syndrome elements and cerebral cortex architecture were evaluated using inverse variance weighting, Mendelian randomization-Egger, and weighted median techniques, with inverse variance weighting as the primary method. Inverse variance weighting, Mendelian randomization Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods were employed to assess the relationships between metabolic syndrome and neurological diseases (Alzheimer's disease, major depression, and anxiety disorder). Outliers, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy were assessed using Cochran's Q test, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots. Globally, no causal link was found between metabolic syndrome and overall cortical thickness or surface area. However, regionally, metabolic syndrome may influence the surface area of specific regions, including the caudal anterior cingulate, postcentral, posterior cingulate, rostral anterior cingulate, isthmus cingulate, superior parietal, rostral middle frontal, middle temporal, insula, pars opercularis, cuneus, and inferior temporal. It may also affect the thickness of the medial orbitofrontal, caudal middle frontal, paracentral, superior frontal, superior parietal, and supramarginal regions. These findings were nominally significant and withstood sensitivity analyses, showing no substantial heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Furthermore, we found an association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of Alzheimer's disease, major depression, and anxiety disorder. This study suggests a potential association between metabolic syndrome and changes in cerebral cortex structure, which may underlie certain neurological disorders. Furthermore, we found an association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of Alzheimer's disease, major depression, and anxiety disorder. Early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome holds significance in preventing these neurological disorders.
The role of blood purification therapies in the treatment of chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus: a systematic review
Authors: Marcello Matteo , Marturano Davide , Ronco Claudio , Zanella Monica
Published: August 2024

Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common complication in dialysis patients which is not fully addressed by pharmacological and dialytic therapy. The objective was to review the literature on the effects of extracorporeal blood purification modalities on CKD-aP. The population comprised patients aged ≥18 years on chronic dialysis. PubMed, Embase, and Medline were systematically searched until February 2024 for clinical studies comparing the effect of different dialysis modalities on pruritus intensity. Two reviewers extracted data independently. Risk of bias for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Any extracorporeal blood purification therapy for the treatment of CKD-aP was included. Outcome was quantitative change in pruritus intensity on a validated itching scale. This review included eight RCTs examining five different dialysis modalities, three observational studies examining three dialysis modalities, and six prospective clinical trials assessing four dialysis modalities. These treatments included peritoneal dialysis, low-flux and high-flux dialysis, hemodiafiltration, expanded hemodialysis, hemadsorption, hemodiafiltration with endogenous reinfusion and dialysis with polymethylmethacrylate membrane. Risk of bias was high in most studies. The largest body of evidence was found for the efficacy of hemadsorption. Limitations of evidence included heterogeneity in diagnostic tools and treatment, risk of selection bias, small sample sizes and short follow-up durations that made it challenging to perform a robust systematic review and meta-analysis. Despite the high prevalence of pruritus among dialysis patients, current evidence for efficacy of standard dialytic treatment is weak. The only technique that appears to be effective is hemoadsorption alone or coupled with hemodialysis. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm the long-term benefits.
Early coronary revascularization among ‘stable’ patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: the role of diabetes and age
Authors: Fabin Natalia , Cenko Edina , Bergami Maria , Yoon Jinsung , Vadalà Giuseppe , Mendieta Guiomar , Kedev Sasko , Kostov Jorgo , Vavlukis Marija , Vraynko Elif , Miličić Davor , Vasiljevic Zorana , Zdravkovic Marija , Badimon Lina , Galassi Alfredo R , Manfrini Olivia , Bugiardini Raffaele
Published: August 2024

Aims

To investigate the impact of an early coronary revascularization (<24 h) compared with initial conservative strategy on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) who are in stable condition at hospital admission.

Methods and results

The International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes database was queried for a sample of diabetic and nondiabetic patients with diagnosis of NSTE-ACS. Patients with cardiac arrest, haemodynamic instability, and serious ventricular arrhythmias were excluded. The characteristics between groups were adjusted using logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting models. Primary outcome measure was all-cause 30-day mortality. Risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed. Of the 7589 NSTE-ACS patients identified, 2343 were diabetics. The data show a notable reduction in mortality for the elderly (>65 years) undergoing early revascularization compared to those receiving an initial conservative strategy both in the diabetic (3.3% vs. 6.7%; RR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28–0.80) and nondiabetic patients (2.7% vs. 4.7%: RR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.36–0.90). In multivariate analyses, diabetes was a strong independent predictor of mortality in the elderly (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.03–1.99), but not in the younger patients (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.53–2.06).

Conclusion

Early coronary revascularization does not lead to any survival advantage within 30 days from admission in young NSTE-ACS patients who present to hospital in stable conditions with and without diabetes. An early invasive management strategy may be best reserved for the elderly. Factors beyond revascularization are of considerable importance for outcome in elderly diabetic subjects with NSTE-ACS.

Clinical trial number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01218776.
Simultaneous therapy with pressure-controlled intermittent coronary sinus occlusion and left ventricular support during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention: a case report
Authors: Martinez Maldonado Erick D , Bastos Fernandez Guillermo , Caneiro Queija Berenice , Avila Gil Erick M , Jimenez Diaz Victor A
Published: August 2024

Background

Previous studies in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty and supported by the PiCSO® system have shown a modest yet significant absolute reduction in the infarcted myocardial area. However, the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures has not been reported.

Case summary

A 76-year-old Caucasian man presented with severe and highly calcified left main coronary disease and severely depressed left ventricular function. As coronary bypass surgery was deemed prohibitive, successful PCI was performed with the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® to mitigate damage from distal microembolization and provide mechanical circulatory support to the left ventricle during the high-risk PCI procedure.

Discussion

Our case exemplifies for the first time the simultaneous use of PiCSO® and Impella CP® during a high-risk PCI. This case suggests the feasibility and safety of combining both devices for mechanical haemodynamic and microcirculatory support simultaneously in specific cases during high-risk PCI, offering hope for reducing post-PCI myocardial damage in a selected population of patients.
Clinical cases referring to the 2023 EACTS/STS Guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic syndromes of the aortic organ
Authors: Czerny Martin , Berger Tim , Della Corte Alessandro , Kreibich Maximilian , Lescan Mario , Mestres Carlos A , Quintana Eduard , Rylski Bartosz , Schönhoff Florian ,   EACTS/STS Scientific Document Group, Czerny Martin , Grabenwöger Martin , Berger Tim , Aboyans Victor , Della Corte Alessandro , Chen Edward P , Desai Nimesh , Dumfarth Julia , Elefteriades John A , Etz Christian D , Kim Karen M , Kreibich Maximilian , Lescan Mario , Di Marco Luca , Martens Andreas , Mestres Carlos A , Milojevic Milan , Nienaber Christoph A , Piffaretti Gabriele , Preventza Ourania , Quintana Eduard , Rylski Bartosz , Schlett Christopher L , Schoenhoff Florian , Trimarchi Santi , Tsagakis Konstantinos
Published: August 2024

Clinical cases referring to the EACTS/STS Guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic syndromes of the aortic organ aim to assist physicians in selecting the best management strategies for individual patients with a given condition. These expert opinions consider the impact on patient outcomes as well as the risk–benefit ratio of different diagnostic or therapeutic methods. These cases serve as a vital tool to aid physicians in making decisions in their daily practice. However, in essence, although these recommendations serve as a valuable resource to guide clinical practice, their application should be tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Each patient’s case is unique, presenting its own set of variables and circumstances. This editorial is a tool designed to support, but not supersede, the decision-making process of physicians, based on their knowledge, expertise and understanding of their patients’ individual situations. Furthermore, these clinical cases are based on the EACTS/STS Guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic syndromes of the aortic organ but should not be interpreted as legally binding documents. The legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals remain firmly grounded in applicable laws and regulations, and the guidelines and the clinical cases presented in this document do not alter these obligations.
Optical coherence tomography predictors of clinical outcomes after stent implantation: the ILUMIEN IV trial
Authors: Landmesser Ulf , Ali Ziad A , Maehara Akiko , Matsumura Mitsuaki , Shlofmitz Richard A , Guagliumi Giulio , Price Matthew J , Hill Jonathan M , Akasaka Takashi , Prati Francesco , Bezerra Hiram G , Wijns William , Leistner David , Canova Paolo , Alfonso Fernando , Fabbiocchi Franco , Calligaris Giuseppe , Oemrawsingh Rohit M , Achenbach Stephan , Trani Carlo , Singh Balbir , McGreevy Robert J , McNutt Robert W , Ying Shih-Wa , Buccola Jana , Stone Gregg W
Published: August 2024

Background and Aims

Observational registries have suggested that optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging-derived parameters may predict adverse events after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The present analysis sought to determine the OCT predictors of clinical outcomes from the large-scale ILUMIEN IV trial.

Methods

ILUMIEN IV was a prospective, single-blind trial of 2487 patients with diabetes or high-risk lesions randomized to OCT-guided versus angiography-guided DES implantation. All patients underwent final OCT imaging (blinded in the angiography-guided arm). From more than 20 candidates, the independent OCT predictors of 2-year target lesion failure (TLF; the primary endpoint), cardiac death or target-vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularization (ID-TLR), and stent thrombosis were analysed by multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression in single treated lesions.

Results

A total of 2128 patients had a single treated lesion with core laboratory-analysed final OCT. The 2-year Kaplan–Meier rates of TLF, cardiac death or TV-MI, ID-TLR, and stent thrombosis were 6.3% (n = 130), 3.3% (n = 68), 4.3% (n = 87), and 0.9% (n = 18), respectively. The independent predictors of 2-year TLF were a smaller minimal stent area (per 1 mm2 increase: hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.68–0.89, P < .0001) and proximal edge dissection (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.62, P = .004). The independent predictors of cardiac death or TV-MI were smaller minimal stent area and longer stent length; of ID-TLR were smaller intra-stent flow area and proximal edge dissection; and of stent thrombosis was smaller minimal stent expansion.

Conclusions

In the ILUMIEN IV trial, the most important OCT-derived post-DES predictors of both safety and effectiveness outcomes were parameters related to stent area, expansion and flow, proximal edge dissection, and stent length.
Genetic monitoring uncovers long-distance marine feeding coupled with strong spatial segregation in sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) consistent at annual and decadal time scales
Authors: Bekkevold Dorte , Knutsen Halvor , Hemmer-Hansen Jakob , Sodeland Marte , Höjesjö Johan , Bleeker Katinka , Aarestrup Kim , Skov Christian , Nielsen Einar E
Published: August 2024

Genetic data have greatly increased means to understand fish marine migration behaviours at large spatial scale within a quantitative framework. The anadromous sea trout is a prized target of recreational fishery and an important ecosystem component in freshwater and marine coastal habitats in large parts of temperate northern Europe. Nonetheless, little is known about population distributions while feeding at sea. To reconcile notions about feeding migrations being predominantly locally restricted or not, we used SNP data for 3465 trout representing >100 rivers to identify population origins of 903 coastally feeding fish captured throughout the North Sea-Baltic Sea transition area. Across areas, coastal collections generally showed marked stock-mixing and overall 70:30% native:non-native fish with seasonal variation corresponding with spawning run timing. Data revealed strong spatial feeding segregation between trout from the Scandinavian Peninsula and the European continent. This is surprising given the short distances between areas, but is in alignment with strong genetic differentiation between populations in these areas. Estimation of stock complexity of coastal feeding aggregations showed no spatial trend through the North Sea-Baltic Sea transition area otherwise characterized by strong environmental clines. Analyses of scale samples collected in the 1950s indicate that stock-mixing was consistent over almost 70 years.
Transcriptomic Evidence of Immune Modulation in Subjects With Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Authors: Ros-Lucas Albert , Gabaldón-Figueira Juan Carlos , Martínez-Peinado Nieves , Losada-Galván Irene , Posada Elizabeth , Escabia Elisa , Martín-Mur Beatriz , Gut Marta , Esteve-Codina Anna , Gascón Joaquim , Pinazo María-Jesús , Alonso-Padilla Julio
Published: August 2024

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical infection that affects millions of people. This study explores transcriptomic changes in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected subjects before and after treatment. Using total RNA sequencing, gene transcription was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from asymptomatic (n = 19) and symptomatic (n = 8) T. cruzi-infected individuals, and noninfected controls (n = 15). Differential expression was compared across groups, and before/after treatment in infected subgroups. Untreated infection showed 12 upregulated and 206 downregulated genes in all T. cruzi-infected subjects, and 47 upregulated and 215 downregulated genes in the symptomatic group. Few differentially expressed genes were found after treatment and between the different infected groups. Gene set enrichment analysis highlighted immune-related pathways activated during infection, with therapy normalizing immune function. Changes in the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio, increased pretreatment, suggested chronic immune fatigue, which was restored posttreatment. These differentially expressed genes offer insights for potential biomarkers and pathways associated with disease progression and treatment response.