bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on aging mechanism of special neoprene in hot air
Authors: Xiao Ling , Li Yu , Wang Xuan , Yu Chao
Published: April 2023

The accelerated aging tests of the special neoprene material in hot air were carried in laboratory. The aging mechanism was analyzed by using FTIR, DSC and TG spectra. The results showed that the thermal oxidative aging in air was a self-catalyzed oxidating reaction, the cross-linking reaction firstly in the process of thermo-oxidation, and the degradation reaction occurs at the later stage of aging.
Review of the research on the application of ground wave radar current detection in China
Authors: Li Cheng , Liu Yulong , Yang Yang , Pan Song , Zheng Bing , Shi Xiaoxiao
Published: April 2023

As an effective new type of marine exploration equipment with high measurement accuracy, high spatial resolution and high repetitive sampling frequency, ground wave radar is widely used in the field of marine environment exploration around the world. This paper introduces the current status of international ground wave radar development and the operation of ground wave radar sea current detection in China. Then the current status of current observation date’s application of Chinese ground wave radar is described from four research directions, including tidal current prediction, calibration and validation, data quality control and numerical simulation. Finally, the development trend of ground wave radar is briefly analysed.
Zero CO2 emission preliminary plant design of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) surfactant from hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO)
Authors: Handogo Renanto , Subagio Michael Adrian , Karuniawan Kevin , Pratiwi Vibianti Dwi , Sutikno Juwari P
Published: April 2023

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is major raw material to generate surfactant and there is only one plant in Indonesia producing CAPB. It is predicted the demand of CAPB in Indonesia reach 53,000 ton annually. Following this journal, a surfactant plant with zero CO2 emission is designed which located at Special Economic Region (KEK) Sei Mangkei, North Sumatra with 70,000 TPA capacity production. Based on the analysis of mass and heat balance need 14,500 TPA HPKO, 81,500 TPA CWS, 6,000 TPA LPS, 2,650 TPA MPS. According to equipment specification, 49,564.34 kJ/hr electricity is needed for this plant. Processing HPKO into CAPB has 2 main reactions, amidation and quaternization. Amidation is reaction to create intermediate product, amidoamine from reaction of HPKO with DMAPA using batch stirred reactor with 96% conversion at 3.5 barg and 140°C. Quaternization is reaction between amidoamine and sodium monochloroacetic acid (SMCA) using 2 series plug flow reactor to reach 96% conversion. The result of reaction is CAPB 30% which cooled first, then distribute to the consumers. Total Capital Investment required is $37,359,880.75 where consists of 3 years construction and 20 years production with IRR 39.64%, Pay Out Time 5.65 years, and WACC 13%.
Study the changes in wetland landscape patterns using remote sensing images – A case study of Jiulongjiangkou, Fujian, China
Authors: Liu Zhong , Zhu Lirong , Chen Zhongsheng , Huang Xiuping , Lin Chih-Wei
Published: April 2023

Remote sensing images play an important role in landscape pattern analysis. Medium/low-resolution remote sensing images are widely used because they are freely available. However, sometimes the results are not precise enough due to the data quality. Therefore, this study utilized the 30m medium-resolution remote sensing images acquired by the Landsat-8 satellite, which is associated with super-resolution technology of deep learning to upsample the spatial resolution from 30 * 30 m2 to about 7.5 * 7.5 m2 and perform artificial interpretation on the upsampling images. Several indexes of the landscape pattern were used to analyze the landscape composition and landscape pattern evolution trend of the Jiulongjiangkou wetland in Fujian Province from 2013 to 2021. The results showed that: (1) The total wetland area decreased from 101.26 km2 to 92.65 km2. (2) The silt beach has the most dramatic change; its area is decreased by 6.53 km2. (3) The speed of urban expansion is obvious. The industrial and mining lands increased from 9.15 km2 to 22.15 km2, and the traffic land increased from 1.9 km2 to 3.46 km2. The study found that wind speed, temperature, radiation index, storm runoff, and human activities are the five main driving factors affecting wetland change.
Degradation of dibutyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate by indigenous isolate Bacillus sp. MY156
Authors: Xie Yimin , Guo Xiaoyuan , Shim Hojae
Published: April 2023

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are among the most extensively utilized plasticizers and widely exist in the environment causing adverse effect on human health. Previous studies on these phthalic acid esters (PAEs) biodegradation mainly involved individual substrates. However, these contaminants are more possible existed in mixtures. This work explored the biodegradation of DBP and DEP and their interactions using the indigenous isolate Bacillus sp. MY156. The results demonstrate DBP could be completely degraded by strain MY156 with high efficiency, while DEP showed relatively lower removal efficiency (72%) in 120 h. The binary substrate removal results revealed the coexistence of DBP and DEP had no significant influence on the degradation of each under the optimal pH and temperature. Nevertheless, slight retardation of the removal efficiency for DEP noticed as co-existed with DBP demonstrated their removal was possibly affected through the substrate competition. The dehydrogenase activity assay illustrated the behaviors of dehydrogenases caused by long-side chains PAEs were higher than PAEs with shorter alkyl chains. The isolate Bacillus sp. MY156 showed a positive utilization potentiality for bioremediation of PAEs-polluted environment.
Research progress on key factors of dielectric-barrier discharge plasma for wastewater treatment
Authors: Zhang Tengfei , Wang Diankai , Huang Longcheng , Wen Ming
Published: April 2023

Plasma treatment of wastewater is known as a new advanced oxidation process (AOP), which has attracted extensive attention. Dielectric barrier discharge plasma has the characteristics of no vacuum pumping and high electron number density. It has outstanding application value in various forms of plasma. There are many coupling factors that affect the characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge plasma and the effect of wastewater treatment. Optimizing the key parameters is of great significance to improve the treatment efficiency and reduce the treatment cost. This paper introduces the principle, experimental device, potential advantages and application value of dielectric barrier discharge, summarizes the influence rules of key factors such as high voltage power supply characteristics, electrode configuration, carrier gas and reactor design on the characteristics of organic pollutant wastewater treatment by dielectric barrier discharge plasma. The optimization and matching of multiple factors are important problems. This paper provides a useful reference for the engineering application of plasma technology for wastewater treatment.
Design and implementation of marine environment statistical analysis system
Authors: Xu Shanshan , Liu Yulong , Li Cheng , Zhang Zengjian , Yue Xinyang
Published: April 2023

This paper introduces the design and implementation of marine environment statistical analysis system. From the system architecture design, database design and main functions of the system, the design and main functions of the marine environment statistical analysis system based on the comprehensive database of marine environment are described. Based on the B/S architecture, the system is developed in Java language, which realizes the horizontal coverage of marine environmental hydrological and meteorological elements, and also realizes the exploration of marine environmental hydrological and meteorological elements from statistical analysis to climate change analysis and phenomenon analysis. The products produced by the system will provide basic product support for the marine disaster prevention and mitigation, ecological civilization construction, marine economy, marine military and other fields in China.
A case analysis and treatment measures of high moisture content in wet desulphurization gypsum
Authors: Liu Yun , Liu Siyang , Duan Caili
Published: April 2023

China’s thermal power plant wet FGD (flue gas desulphurization) produces more than 80 million tons of gypsum each year. The factors affecting the quality of wet desulphurization gypsum are limestone quality, flue gas dust, gypsum slurry pH, slurry quality, gypsum water content, desulphurization system design features, and operating conditions, etc. There are many reasons for high gypsum moisture content, and the analysis and solution are particularly complex. Through a case analysis of a power plant with high moisture content of desulphurization gypsum, the main reasons are that the unit has been operating under low load conditions for a long time with low sulphur coal, limestone supply slurry is high, slurry pH is high, and the volume of gypsum crystals generated is small, resulting in gypsum dehydration difficulty and high moisture content. The measures were to add the crystal seeds into the slurry and to lower the operation pH. The slurry quality is improved, and the gypsum dehydration returns to normal. The design margin of the desulphurization system is large, even in a long-term low sulphur and low load operation. There are no similar cases, and this situation generally does not attract attention. It is worth further analysis and reference.
Resource and environmental situation and countermeasures for high-quality development of Sanmen Bay, China
Authors: Lin Xia , Wang Peng , Yue Xihe , Zhang Lianjie , Chen Chong , Zhang Can , Wang Xiaoyu
Published: April 2023

Sanmen Bay is one of the six major bays in Zhejiang Province, China. Its economic development over the past few decades has been rapid, and the intensity of ocean development has also been increasing. This paper analyzes the main resource and environmental problems in Sanmen Bay, including severe coastline development, significantly increased utilization of its intertidal zones, the threat to island resources from development, undiversified sea area use, and non-confirmation of ownership rights on a large scale. It then proposes countermeasures for high-quality development, including strictly controlling new land reclamation, strengthening coastal wetland protection and restoration, maintaining the natural shoreline retention rate, and preserving near-shore back-up spatial resources.
Effect of the cross-linking agent on the cross-linking degree and electrical properties of cross-linked polyethylene
Authors: Yujia Liu , Yu Long , Qingyui Wang , Chuncheng Hao , Qingquan Lei , Xiangjin Guo
Published: April 2023

To study the effect of a cross-linking agent on the cross-linking degree and electrical properties of cross-linked polyethylene, different mass fractions of cross-linked polyethylene and their electrical properties were investigated. The cross-linking degree of cross-linked polyethylene with different mass fractions was tested by the extraction method. The breakdown field strength was tested by DC voltage breakdown tester, and the space charge injection of two kinds of cross-linked polyethylene was tested by Pulsed Electro-Acoustic. In addition, the resistivity was measured with conductivity test. The obtained results show that the crossing degree and breakdown field are the highest when the mass fraction of DCP is 2.5 wt% and BIPB is 1.5 wt%, which is 89.39% and approximately 310 kv mm−1, respectively, while the cross-linking degree and breakdown field are 88.28% and approximately 340 kv mm−1, respectively. At the same time, when DCP is used as the cross-linking agent, the amount of the same cross-linking agent is greater, which leads to more impurities contained in the material and increased space charge accumulation in the material; thus, the breakdown strength is lower than that of BIPB, and the conductivity is higher with the cross linking agent of DCP.
Functional renormalization group for multilinear disordered Langevin dynamics II:Revisiting the p = 2 spin dynamics for Wigner and Wishart ensembles
Authors: Lahoche Vincent , Ousmane Samary Dine , Tamaazousti Mohamed
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we investigate the large-time behavior for a slightly modified version of the standard p = 2 soft spins dynamics model, including a quartic or higher potential. The equilibrium states of such a model correspond to an effective field theory, which has been recently considered as a novel paradigm for signal detection in data science based on the renormalization group argument. We consider a Langevin-like equation, including a disorder term that leaves in the Wigner or Wishart ensemble. Then we construct a nonperturbative renormalization group formalism valid in the large N limit, where eigenvalues distributions for the disorder can be replaced by their analytic limits, namely the Wigner and Marchenko-Pastur laws. One of the main advantages of this approach is that the interactions remain local in time, avoiding the non-locality arising from the approaches that integrate out the disorder at the partition function level.
Understanding the carbon dioxide removal range in 1.5 °C compatible and high overshoot pathways
Authors: Prütz Ruben , Strefler Jessica , Rogelj Joeri , Fuss Sabine
Published: April 2023

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) features prominently in the 1.5 °C compatible and high overshoot pathways in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6, WGIII). However, the amount of CDR varies considerably among scenarios. We analyze the range in CDR volumes in AR6 WGIII pathways by exploring relationships between variables as potential driving forces, focusing on CDR in 2050 and scenario properties linked to reaching net-zero CO2. It is also shown how the relative and absolute contribution of CDR to total mitigation up until reaching net-zero CO2 substantially differs across scenarios. The volumes of CDR in 2050 and 2100 and the cumulative amount throughout the 21st century were most strongly correlated to the degree to which CO2 emissions are reduced as a means of reaching net-zero CO2. CDR in 2050 is also substantially correlated to the timing of net-zero CO2. The robustness of the analyzed relationships was evaluated by comparing different scenario filtering and data-cleaning approaches. Beyond filtering and cleaning, additional factors that influence CDR deployment in scenarios, such as discount rates, carbon price trajectories, and scenario design choices, were discussed.
Preparing infrastructure for surprise: fusing synthetic network, interdependency, and cascading failure models
Authors: Hoff Ryan M , Chester Mikhail V
Published: April 2023

Faced with destabilizing conditions in the Anthropocene, infrastructure resilience modeling remains challenged to confront increasingly complex conditions toward quickly and meaningfully advancing adaptation. Data gaps, increasingly interconnected systems, and accurate behavior estimation (across scales and as both gradual and cascading failure) remain challenges for infrastructure modelers. Yet novel approaches are emerging—largely independently—that, if brought together, offer significant opportunities for rapidly advancing how we understand vulnerabilities and surgically invest in resilience. Of particular promise are interdependency modeling, cascading failure modeling, and synthetic network generation. We describe a framework for integrating these three domains toward an integrated modeling framework to estimate infrastructure networks where no data exist, connect infrastructure to establish interdependencies, assess the vulnerabilities of these interconnected infrastructure to hazards, and simulate how failures may propagate across systems. We draw from the literature as an evidence base, provide a conceptual structure for implementation, and conclude by discussing the significance of such a framework and the critical tools it may provide to infrastructure researchers and managers.
Strict type-II blowup in harmonic map flow
Authors: Waldron Alex
Published: April 2023

A finite-time singularity of 2D harmonic map flow will be called “strictly type-II” if the outer energy scale satisfies

λ
(
t
)
=
O
(
T
−
t

)

1
+
α

2

.

\begin{equation*} \lambda (t) = O (T-t)^{\frac {1 + \alpha }{2} }. \end{equation*}

We prove that the body map at a strict type-II blowup is Hölder continuous. This is relevant to a conjecture of Topping.
On the logical strength of the better quasi order with three elements
Authors: Freund Anton
Published: April 2023

The notion of better quasi order (

B
Q
O

\mathsf {BQO}

), due to Nash-Williams, is very fruitful mathematically and intriguing from the standpoint of logic, due to several long-standing open problems. In the present paper, we make a significant step towards one of these: Let

3

\mathbf 3

be the antichain with three elements. We show that arithmetical recursion along the natural numbers (

A
C
A

0
+

\mathsf {ACA}_0^+

) follows from

3

\mathbf 3

being

B
Q
O

\mathsf {BQO}

, over the base theory

R
C

A
0

\mathsf {RCA_0}

from reverse mathematics. Also over the latter, we deduce arithmetical transfinite recursion (

A
T
R

0

\mathsf {ATR}_0

) from the assumption that

3

\mathbf 3

is

Δ
2
0

-

B
Q
O

\Delta ^0_2\text {-}\mathsf {BQO}

, which plays a role in work of Montalbán.
Megalin, cubilin, and Dab2 drive endocytic flux in kidney proximal tubule cells
Authors: Rbaibi Youssef , Long Kimberly R. , Shipman Katherine E. , Ren Qidong , Baty Catherine J. , Kashlan Ossama B. , Weisz Ora A.
Published: April 2023

CRISPR/Cas9 approaches were used to generate megalin, cubilin, and Dab2 knockouts in polarized proximal tubule cells. Knockout of each component had different effects on endocytic uptake. Data from cell lines and megalin knockout mice support a novel model whereby each protein contributes to driving apical endocytic flux without compromising the physical integrity of the apical endocytic pathway.
The role of kinetochore dynein in checkpoint silencing is restricted to disassembly of the corona
Authors: Ide Amy H. , DeLuca Keith F. , Wiggan O’Neil , Markus Steven M. , DeLuca Jennifer G.
Published: April 2023

Kinetochore dynein is responsible for silencing the spindle assembly checkpoint. Here, the authors show that dynein’s role in this process is restricted to evicting checkpoint proteins from the fibrous corona.
Perspectives on Cybersecurity and Plastic Surgery: A Survey of Plastic Surgeons and Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Hines Eric , Trivedi Shivang , Hoang-Tran Cindy , Mocharnuk Joseph , Pfaff Miles J
Published: April 2023

Background

Data breach costs in the United States are among the highest in the world, making robust cybersecurity an important bulwark of national defense. Healthcare is a popular target for cyber threats, and there is increasing emphasis on cybersecurity safeguards to protect sensitive patient data.

Objectives

The objective of this national survey and scoping review is to (1) identify cybersecurity awareness, preparedness, and practices among plastic surgeons, and (2) to provide guidelines to mitigate the threat of cyberattacks.

Methods

A 16-question, anonymous online survey was developed and distributed to The Aesthetic Society registrants to ascertain plastic surgeons’ cybersecurity practices. Utilizing PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases, eligible articles were identified as part of this scoping review.

Results

Of 89 individuals who began the survey, 69 completed it (77.5%). Sixty respondents agreed or strongly agreed that cybersecurity is an important issue in plastic surgery. The greatest perceived limitations for protection against cyberattacks were insufficient expertise (41.7%), followed by lack of funding and insufficient time to dedicate to this goal. Most respondents (78.7%) had cybersecurity policies incorporated into their practice. Those who agreed or strongly agreed they had technology to prevent data theft/breach were significantly more likely to be older than 54 years of age (P < .001). No articles identified in the literature specifically addressed cybersecurity in plastic surgery; however, 12 articles detailing cybersecurity in healthcare were identified and included.

Conclusions

Despite possessing adequate technology and procedures in place to prevent cyberattacks, plastic surgeons perceive significant barriers to cybersecurity protection, including insufficient expertise and lack of dedicated funding. It is imperative that our field establishes standards and protocols to protect our patients.
TRviz: a Python library for decomposing and visualizing tandem repeat sequences
Authors: Park Jonghun , Kaufman Eli , Valdmanis Paul N , Bafna Vineet
Published: April 2023

TRviz is an open-source Python library for decomposing, encoding, aligning and visualizing tandem repeat (TR) sequences. TRviz takes a collection of alleles (TR containing sequences) and one or more motifs as input and generates a plot showing the motif composition of the TR sequences.

Availability and implementation

TRviz is an open-source Python library and freely available at https://github.com/Jong-hun-Park/trviz. Detailed documentation is available at https://trviz.readthedocs.io.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
twas_sim, a Python-based tool for simulation and power analysis of transcriptome-wide association analysis
Authors: Wang Xinran , Lu Zeyun , Bhattacharya Arjun , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Mancuso Nicholas
Published: April 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous genetic variants associated with complex disease risk; however, most of these associations are non-coding, complicating identifying their proximal target gene. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) have been proposed to mitigate this gap by integrating expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data with GWAS data. Numerous methodological advancements have been made for TWAS, yet each approach requires ad hoc simulations to demonstrate feasibility. Here, we present twas_sim, a computationally scalable and easily extendable tool for simplified performance evaluation and power analysis for TWAS methods.

Availability and implementation

Software and documentation are available at https://github.com/mancusolab/twas_sim.
Management of complex regional pain syndrome in trauma and orthopaedic surgery—a systematic review
Authors: Saed Abdel , Neal-Smith Greg , Fernquest Scott , Bourget-Murray Jonathan , Wood Alexander
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neurological pain disorder that is challenging to diagnose and manage, resulting in increased morbidity and costs. It most commonly occurs following traumatic injury, such as a fracture, crush injury or surgery. Recent research has evaluated the efficacy of treatments which have contradicted previous hypotheses. This systematic review summarizes these findings to improve clinician’s decision-making.

Sources of data

A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases from inception through January 2021 was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two reviewers independently screened relevant articles discussing the management of CRPS in adult trauma patients. All prospective and retrospective studies, non-randomized comparison studies and case series were considered for inclusion. Data extraction was performed by populating a predefined data abstraction sheet.

Areas of agreement

There is strong evidence to suggest the efficacy of prompt physiotherapy, lidocaine, ketamine, bisphosphonates, sympathectomy and brachial plexus blocks in the management of CRPS.

Areas of controversy

The latest evidence suggests that vitamin C has no significant role to play in the treatment or prevention of CRPS.

Growing points

A multidisciplinary team approach and early diagnosis are imperative for successful treatment of CRPS. The Budapest criteria and the British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics (BOAST) guidelines should be used when diagnosing CRPS. There is currently no clear evidence of superiority in any treatment.

Areas timely for developing research

There are few high-quality studies that inform the best treatment modalities for CRPS. Though emerging treatments show promise, further research is needed.
Neural signatures of second language proficiency in narrative processing
Authors: Zhang Ruiqing , Wang Jing , Lin Hui , Turk-Browne Nicholas B , Cai Qing
Published: April 2023

Making sense of speech in a second language relies on multiple abilities. Differences in brain activity related to proficiency in language tasks have often been attributed to processing demands. However, during naturalistic narrative comprehension, listeners at different proficiency levels may form different representations of the same speech. We hypothesized that the intersubject synchronization of these representations could be used to measure second-language proficiency. Using a searchlight-shared response model, we found highly proficient participants showed synchronization in regions similar to those of native speakers, including in the default mode network and the lateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, participants with low proficiency showed more synchronization in auditory cortex and word-level semantic processing areas in the temporal lobe. Moderate proficiency showed the greatest neural diversity, suggesting lower consistency in the source of this partial proficiency. Based on these synchronization differences, we were able to classify the proficiency level or predict behavioral performance on an independent English test in held-out participants, suggesting the identified neural systems represented proficiency-sensitive information that was generalizable to other individuals. These findings suggest higher second-language proficiency leads to more native-like neural processing of naturalistic language, including in systems beyond the cognitive control network or the core language network.
Is there a role in acute kidney injury for FGF23 and Klotho?
Authors: Mattinzoli Deborah , Molinari Paolo , Romero-González Gregorio , Bover Jordi , Cicero Elisa , Pesce Francesco , Abinti Matteo , Conti Costanza , Castellano Giuseppe , Alfieri Carlo
Published: April 2023

Cardio-renal syndrome is a clinical condition that has recently been well defined. In acute kidney disease, this interaction might trigger chronic processes determining the onset of cardiovascular events and the progression of chronic kidney disease. Moreover, the high mortality rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) is also linked to the fact that this condition is often complicated by dysfunctions of other organs such as lungs or heart, or is associated with septic episodes.

In this context the role and the potential link between bone, heart and kidney is becoming an important topic of research. The aim of this review is to describe the cardiac alterations in the presence of AKI (cardiorenal syndrome type 3) and explore how bone can interact with heart and kidney in determining and influencing the trend of AKI in the short and long term. The main anomalies of mineral metabolism in patients with AKI will be reported, with specific reference to the alterations of fibroblast growth factor 23 and Klotho as a link between the bone–kidney–heart axis.
Reproductive phases coincide with changes in morphology and photosynthetic physiology in an endangered cycad species
Authors: Krieg Christopher P , Gosetti Sophia , Watkins Jr James E , Griffith M Patrick , McCulloh Katherine A
Published: April 2023

Cycadales is highly endangered and one of the oldest dioecious gymnosperm lineages, making their reproductive biology highly relevant to conservation efforts and our understanding of the impact of dioecy, yet cycad reproductive ecophysiology is poorly understood. We examined how the costs associated with reproduction may impact basic physiological variation in cycad species. Specifically, we measured traits related to functional morphology and photosynthetic physiology in sterile and fertile staminate plants (‘males’) of Zamia portoricensis. Light response curves showed that sterile plants had greater light-use efficiency and maximum photosynthetic capacity per area compared with fertile plants. However, fertile and sterile plants exhibited similar respiration rates. We found significantly more nitrogen in leaves of fertile individuals, but similar nitrogen isotope composition and no differences in carbon content between sterile and fertile individuals. Despite having lower leaf-level photosynthetic rates, fertile plants had greater canopy-level photosynthesis than sterile plants, which was achieved by increasing leaf number and total leaf area. Our data suggest that sterile individuals may have greater light demands relative to fertile individuals, and fertile individuals may have greater nitrogen demands, which may be critical for successful reproductive events in staminate plants of the endangered cycad, Z. portoricensis.
The landscape of health disparities in the UK Biobank
Authors: Nagar Shashwat Deepali , Jordan I King , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo
Published: April 2023

The UK Biobank (UKB), a large-scale biomedical database that includes demographic and electronic health record data for more than half a million ethnically diverse participants, is a potentially valuable resource for the study of health disparities. However, publicly accessible databases that catalog health disparities in the UKB do not exist. We developed the UKB Health Disparities Browser with the aims of (i) facilitating the exploration of the landscape of health disparities in the UK and (ii) directing the attention to areas of disparities research that might have the greatest public health impact. Health disparities were characterized for UKB participant groups defined by age, country of residence, ethnic group, sex and socioeconomic deprivation. We defined disease cohorts for UKB participants by mapping participant International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes to phenotype codes (phecodes). For each of the population attributes used to define population groups, disease percent prevalence values were computed for all groups from phecode case–control cohorts, and the magnitude of the disparities was calculated by both the difference and ratio of the range of disease prevalence values among groups to identify high- and low-prevalence disparities. We identified numerous diseases and health conditions with disparate prevalence values across population attributes, and we deployed an interactive web browser to visualize the results of our analysis: https://ukbatlas.health-disparities.org. The interactive browser includes overall and group-specific prevalence data for 1513 diseases based on a cohort of >500 000 participants from the UKB. Researchers can browse and sort by disease prevalence and prevalence differences to visualize health disparities for each of the five population attributes, and users can search for diseases of interest by disease names or codes.

Database URL https://ukbatlas.health-disparities.org/
Transcatheter ablation in patients with Brugada syndrome
Authors: Grossi Stefano , Bianchi Francesca , Pintor Chiara , Musumeci Giuseppe , Gaita Fiorenzo
Published: April 2023

Since the first description of Brugada syndrome (BrS), several studies were carried out aimed at diagnosis, arrhythmic risk stratification, and available strategies for sudden death prevention. In high-risk patients, the use of an implantable cardiac defibrillator was an evident option since the first description of the syndrome. Nevertheless, this strategy, while proven, as expected, to be effective in sudden death prevention, does not prevent arrhythmias and may not be an adequate or accepted solution for all patients. The need of a non-pharmacological therapy as a potential solution based on the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the syndrome, led to search for substrate as target for catheter ablation. Advances in the tools, technology, and technical approach enabled to launch studies aimed at mapping the epicardium of patients with BrS in order to identify and ablate the substrate. As described in previous work and in our experience, an anatomically identifiable electrical substrate, which correspond to the typical ECG, is the ablation target. Complete substrate is better identified in a larger area with sodium-channel-blockers. Ablation of all abnormal electrical potentials is able to normalize the ECG and prevent arrhythmias induction. Encouraging preliminary data, if confirmed by longer follow-up and by multicentre randomized study, could change the whole therapeutic management in BrS patients.
The value of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in the prediction of sudden cardiac death
Authors: Calò Leonardo , Lanza Oreste , Crescenzi Cinzia , Parisi Cristian , Panattoni Germana , Martino Annamaria , Rebecchi Marco , Tarzia Pierpaolo , Ciampi Pellegrino , Romeo Fabiana , Canestrelli Stefano , Silvetti Elisa , De Ruvo Ermenegildo
Published: April 2023

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) can be caused by several clinical conditions, overt or misconceived, which recognize different pathophysiologies determining the development of fatal arrhythmic events. In the various forms of structural heart disease such as ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies (e.g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy), channelopathies (e.g. long-QT syndrome, congenital short QT, Brugada syndrome, early repolarization (ER) syndrome, and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation) but also in the apparently healthy subject, the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has proved, over the years, to be a reliable and readily available method for stratifying the risk of adverse arrhythmic events and consequently SCD. Several electrocardiographic markers have been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in different types of patients. Although with different sensitivity and specificity in each clinical condition, depolarization abnormalities, such as QRS fragmentation, Q waves, QRS duration, left posterior fascicular block, low QRS voltage, and left ventricular hypertrophy and similarly repolarization abnormalities as ER pattern, T wave alternans, QT interval, and QT dispersion, have shown significant efficacy in predicting SCD. Despite the advancement of techniques especially in the field of imaging, the correct interpretation of the 12-lead ECG remains, therefore, an effective tool for assessing the possible prognostic outcome in terms of arrhythmic risk and SCD in different types of patients.
Pacing of the specialized His–Purkinje conduction system: ‘back to the future’
Authors: Bressi Edoardo , Grieco Domenico , Čurila Karol , Zanon Francesco , Marcantoni Lina , Cabrera Jose Angel , De Ruvo Ermenegildo , Vernooy Kevin , Calò Leonardo
Published: April 2023

The conduction system of the human heart is composed of specialized cardiomyocytes that initiate and propagate the electric impulse with consequent rhythmic and synchronized contraction of the atria and ventricles, resulting in the normal cardiac cycle. Although the His–Purkinje system (HPS) was already described more than a century ago, there has been a recent resurgence of conduction system pacing (CSP), where pacing leads are positioned in the His bundle region and left bundle branch area to provide physiological cardiac activation as alternatives to the unnatural myocardial stimulation obtained with conventional right ventricular and biventricular pacing. In this review, we describe the fundamental anatomical and pathophysiological aspects of the specialized HPS along with the CSP technique’s nuts and bolts to highlight its potential benefits in everyday clinical practice.
Electrical storm management in structural heart disease
Authors: Dusi Veronica , Angelini Filippo , Gravinese Carol , Frea Simone , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria
Published: April 2023

Electrical storm (ES) is a life-threatening condition characterized by at least three separate episodes of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) over 24 h, each requiring therapeutic intervention, including implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapies. Patients with ICDs in secondary prevention are at higher risk of ES and the most common presentation is that of scar-related monomorphic VAs. Electrical storm represents a major unfavourable prognostic marker in the history of patients with structural heart disease, with an associated two- to five-fold increase in mortality, heart transplant, and heart failure hospitalization. Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial to improve the outcome. Yet, ES management is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach and well-defined protocols and networks to guarantee a proper patient care. Acute phase stabilization should include a comprehensive clinical assessment, resuscitation and sedation management skills, ICD reprogramming, and acute sympathetic modulation, while the sub-acute/chronic phase requires a comprehensive heart team evaluation to define the better treatment option according to the haemodynamic and overall patient’s condition and the type of VAs. Advanced anti-arrhythmic strategies, not mutually exclusive, include invasive ablation, cardiac sympathetic denervation, and, for very selected cases, stereotactic ablation. Each of these aspects, as well as the new European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommendations, will be discussed in the present review.
Diagnostic and prognostic electrocardiographic features in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bernardini Andrea , Crotti Lia , Olivotto Iacopo , Cecchi Franco
Published: April 2023

The standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) represents a cornerstone for the diagnosis and evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetically determined heart muscle disease, due to its cost-effectiveness and wide availability. The ECG may surprisingly look normal in 4–6% of adult patients, and in less than 3% of paediatric patients, but it is abnormal in the vast majority of the remaining patients. ‘Specific’ features comprise pathological Q-waves, deep S-waves in V1–V3, or high R-waves in V4–V6 due to left ventricular hypertrophy with T-wave (TW) depression or negative TWs. Negative giant TWs are often found in apical HCM. However, in many patients, the ECG may only show non-specific ST–T changes with diphasic or flat TWs. An isolated inverted TW in lateral leads (usually aVL) may be the only marker for HCM in some patients. Electrocardiogram helps to diagnose sarcomeric HCM and distinguish it from different phenocopies, such as cardiac amyloidosis, glycogen storage, or Fabry disease. Electrocardiogram may also have a prognostic role, identifying high-risk features that could impact the clinical outcome.
Leucocyte and platelet activation in cardiac surgery patients with and without lung injury: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Van Paassen Judith , De Graaf-Dijkstra Alice , Brunsveld-Reinders Anja H , De Jonge Evert , Klautz Robert J M , Tsonaka Roula , Zwaginga Jaap Jan , Arbous M Sesmu
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIONS

Development of acute lung injury after cardiac surgery is associated with an unfavourable outcome. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in general is, besides cytokine and interleukin activation, associated with activation of platelets, monocytes and neutrophils. In relation to pulmonary outcome after cardiac surgery, leucocyte and platelet activation is described in animal studies only. Therefore, we explored the perioperative time course of platelet and leucocyte activation in cardiac surgery and related these findings to acute lung injury assessed via PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio measurements.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed, including 80 cardiac surgery patients. At five time points, blood samples were directly assessed by flow cytometry. For time course analyses in low (< 200) versus high (≥200) P/F ratio groups, repeated measurement techniques with linear mixed models were used.

RESULTS

Already before the start of the operation, platelet activatability (P = 0.003 for thrombin receptor-activator peptide and P = 0.017 for adenosine diphosphate) was higher, and the expression of neutrophil activation markers was lower (CD18/CD11; P = 0.001, CD62L; P = 0.013) in the low P/F group. After correction for these baseline differences, the peri- and postoperative thrombin receptor-activator peptide-induced thrombocyte activatability was decreased in the low P/F ratio group (P = 0.008), and a changed pattern of neutrophil activation markers was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior to surgery, an upregulated inflammatory state with higher platelet activatability and indications for higher neutrophil turnover were demonstrated in cardiac surgery patients who developed lung injury. It is difficult to distinguish whether these factors are mediators or are also aetiologically related to the development of lung injury after cardiac surgery. Further research is warranted.

Trial registration

Clinical Registration number: ICTRP: NTR 5314, 26-05-2015
A Geometric Model for Syzygies Over 2-Calabi–Yau Tilted Algebras II
Authors: Schiffler Ralf , Serhiyenko Khrystyna
Published: April 2023

In this article, we continue the study of a certain family of 2-Calabi–Yau tilted algebras, called dimer tree algebras. The terminology comes from the fact that these algebras can also be realized as quotients of dimer algebras on a disk. They are defined by a quiver with potential whose dual graph is a tree, and they are generally of wild representation type. Given such an algebra $B$, we construct a polygon $\mathcal {S}$ with a checkerboard pattern in its interior, which defines a category $\text {Diag}(\mathcal {S})$. The indecomposable objects of $\text {Diag}(\mathcal {S})$ are the 2-diagonals in $\mathcal {S}$, and its morphisms are certain pivoting moves between the 2-diagonals. We prove that the category $\text {Diag}(\mathcal {S})$ is equivalent to the stable syzygy category of the algebra $B$. This result was conjectured by the authors in an earlier paper, where it was proved in the special case where every chordless cycle is of length three. As a consequence, we conclude that the number of indecomposable syzygies is finite, and moreover the syzygy category is equivalent to the 2-cluster category of type $\mathbb {A}$. In addition, we obtain an explicit description of the projective resolutions, which are periodic. Finally, the number of vertices of the polygon $\mathcal {S}$ is a derived invariant and a singular invariant for dimer tree algebras, which can be easily computed form the quiver.
Identifying Populations at Risk for Difficulty Managing Emotions and Social Interactions After Burn Injury
Authors: Ross Erin E , Knapp Rachel C , Yu Jeremy , Munabi Naikhoba , Gillenwater Timothy Justin , Yenikomshian Haig A
Published: April 2023

There has been conflicting data on the relationship between burn severity and psychological outcomes. The present study aims to characterize the baseline psychosocial disposition of adults attending outpatient burn clinic at a large urban safety net hospital, as well as the impact of clinical course on self-reported psychosocial well-being. Adult patients attending outpatient burn clinic completed survey questions from the National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Managing Chronic Conditions: Self-Efficacy for Managing Social Interactions (SEMSI-4) and Managing Emotions (SEME). Sociodemographic variables were collected from surveys and retrospective chart review. Clinical variables included total body surface area burned, initial hospital length of stay, surgical history, and days since injury. Poverty level was estimated by U.S. census data using patient’s home ZIP code. Scores on SEME-4 and SEMSI-4 were compared to the population mean by one-sample T-test, and independent variables evaluated for associations with managing emotions and social interactions by Tobit regression while adjusting for demographic variables. The 71 burn patients surveyed had lower scores in SEMSI-4 (mean = 48.0, P = .041) but not SEME-4 (mean = 50.9, P = .394) versus the general population. Marital status and neighborhood poverty level were associated with SEMSI-4, while length of stay and % total body surface area burned were associated with SEME-4. Patients who are single or from poorer neighborhoods may have difficulty interacting with their environment after burn injury and need extra social support. Prolonged hospitalization and increased severity of burn injury may have more impact on emotional regulation; these patients may benefit from psychotherapy during recovery.
A system of population estimates compiled from administrative data only
Authors: Dunne John , Zhang Li-Chun
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a novel system of annual Population Estimates Compiled from Administrative Data Only (PECADO) for Ireland in the absence of a Central Population Register. The system is entirely based on data originated from administrative sources, so that population estimates can be produced even without purposely designed coverage surveys or a periodic census to recalibrate estimates. It requires several extensions to the traditional Dual System Estimation (DSE) methodology, including a restatement of the underlying assumptions, a trimmed DSE method for dealing with erroneous enumerations in the administrative register, and a test for heterogeneous capture probabilities to facilitate the choice of blocking in applications. The PECADO estimates for years 2011–2016 are compared to the Census counts in 2011 and 2016. We demonstrate how the system can be used to investigate the Census 2016 under-count in Ireland, in place of the traditional approach of deploying additional population coverage surveys.