bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High throughput analysis of MHC class I and class II diversity of Zambian indigenous cattle populations
Authors: Silwamba Isaac , Vasoya Deepali , Simuunza Martin , Tzelos Thomas , Nalubamba King S. , Simulundu Edgar , Vrettou Christina , Mainda Geoffrey , Watson Mick , Muma John Bwalya , Connelley Timothy
Published: January 2023

The classical MHC class I and class II molecules play key roles in determining the antigenic‐specificity of CD8+ and CD4+ T‐cell responses—as such characterisation of the repertoire of MHCI and MHCII allelic diversity is fundamental to our ability to understand, and potentially, exploit how genetic diversity influences the outcome of immune responses. Cattle remain one of the most economically livestock species, with particular importance to many small‐holder farmers in low‐and‐middle income countries (LMICs). However, our knowledge of MHC (BoLA) diversity in the indigenous breeds that form the mainstay of cattle populations in many LMICs remains very limited. In this study we develop a MiSeq‐based platform to enable the rapid analysis of BoLA‐DQA and BoLA‐DQB, and combine this with similar platforms to analyse BoLA‐I and BoLA‐DRB repertoires, to study a large cohort of cattle (~800 animals) representing the 3 major indigenous breeds (Angoni, Barotse, Tonga) in Zambia. The data presented confirms the capacity of this high‐throughput and high‐resolution approach to provide a full characterisation of the MHCI‐MHCII genotypes of cattle for which little previous MHC sequence data has been obtained. The cattle in Zambia were found to express a diverse range of MHCI, MHCII and extended MHCI‐MHCII haplotypes. The combined MHCI‐MHCII genotyping now possible opens new opportunities to rapidly expand our knowledge of MHC diversity in cattle that could find applications in a related translational disciplines such as vaccine development.
Real world reduction in red cell transfusion with restrictive transfusion threshold in haematology inpatients
Authors: Pervaiz Omer , Dhanapal Jay , Pillai Lakshmi , Pavord Sue , Leary Heather , Eyre Toby , Peniket Andrew , Staves Julie , Polzella Paolo , Desborough Michael J. R.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the reduction in red cell transfusions following a change in the red cell transfusion threshold for haematology inpatients from 80 to 70 g/L.

Background

Haematology patients are among the high users of red blood cells. We reduced the threshold for transfusion of haematology inpatients to 70 g/L. This was based on evidence provided by randomised controlled trial published in 2020 that showed restrictive transfusion is non‐inferior to liberal transfusion.

Method

We assessed red cell transfusions for haematology inpatients at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 9 months before and 9 months after a change in red cell transfusion threshold from 80 to 70 g/L.

Results

After the change in threshold to 70 g/L or less from 80 g/L, the median number of red cell transfusions per month reduced to 88 from 111. This was a 23% reduction in the total number of red cells administered per month.

Conclusion

These results show the real‐world reductions in transfusion that can be made by putting local transfusion guidelines in line with the international recommendations. This is of particular importance at a time of national blood shortage.
Capturing the Random Walk with Toys
Authors: Othon Christina M.
Published: January 2023

The early 20th century marked a number of transformational experimental and theoretical discoveries in physics. Among them is one that is often neglected in the introductory physics curriculum, which revolutionized our understanding of the molecular world. Evidence for the thermal motions of atoms was first observed by Perrin in 1909, which had been based on the predictions outlined by Einstein in his doctoral dissertation in 1905. Perrin’s experiment was the first to establish a value for the fundamental constant Avogadro’s number, which is the number of atoms in a mole. The theoretical underpinnings of Einstein’s work are an elegant example of the connection between mechanics and thermodynamics and its application to atomic motion. The experiments of Perrin are easily accessible to undergraduate labs. The conceptual simplicity of the topic and its foundational application to chemical diffusion and thermodynamics advocate strongly for its incorporation into the introductory physics sequence and particularly for students in the health sciences.
Certain Tricks to Calculate Some Centers of Mass
Authors: Wörner C. H.
Published: January 2023

Bounded by the statements of Feynman and Galileo, I describe certain tricks that can be useful for the teaching of physics. In particular, I describe the calculation of the center of mass (centroid) of an arc of circumference and a circular sector. For this purpose, I also use Pappus’s theorems. An Appendix is available with Archimedes’ method to calculate the volume of a sphere circumscribed by a cylinder.
A 0.1% L-Menthol Mouth Swill in Elite Male Rugby Players Has Different Effects in Forwards and Backs
Authors: Jerram Marcia L. , Baker Dane , Smith Tiaki B. , Healey Phil , Taylor Lee , Black Katherine
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Menthol mouth swills can improve endurance performance in the heat, which is attributed to attenuations in nonthermally derived thermal sensation (TS) and perception of effort. However, research in elite team-sport athletes is absent. Therefore, this study investigated the performance and TS responses to a 0.1% menthol mouth rinse (MR) or placebo (PLA) among elite male rugby union players. Method: Twenty-seven (15 Forwards and 12 Backs) elite male Super Rugby players completed two 3-minute 15-a-side rugby-specific conditioning blocks, with MR or PLA provided at the start of training (baseline), at the start of each 3-minute block (swill 1 [S1] and swill 2 [S2]), and at the end of training (swill 3 [S3]). TS was assessed using the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 9-point Analog Sensation Scale after each swill and at baseline (preconditioning block). Acceptability was measured after baseline swill and S3 using a 5-question Likert scale. Physical performance was measured throughout training using global positioning system metrics. Results: MR attenuated TS from baseline to S1 (P = .003, SD = 1.01) and S2 (P = .002, SD = 1.09) in Forwards only, compared with PLA. Acceptability was higher only for Forwards in MR versus PLA at baseline (P = .003, SD = 1.3) and S3 (P = .004, SD = 0.75). MR had no effect on physical performance metrics (P > .05). Conclusion: MR attenuated the rise in TS with higher acceptability at S1 and S3 (in Forwards only) with no effect on selected physical performance metrics. Longer-duration exercise (eg, a match) in hot–humid conditions eliciting markedly increased body temperatures could theoretically allow favorable changes in TS to enhance performance—these postulations warrant experimental investigation.
TGF-β/IFN-γ Antagonism in Subversion and Self-Defense of Phase II Coxiella burnetii
-
Infected Dendritic Cells
Authors: Matthiesen Svea , Christiansen Bahne , Jahnke Rico , Zaeck Luca M. , Karger Axel , Finke Stefan , Franzke Kati , Knittler Michael R.
Published: January 2023

Dendritic cells (DCs) belong to the first line of innate defense and come into early contact with invading pathogens, including the zoonotic bacterium
Coxiella burnetii
, the causative agent of Q fever. However, the pathogen-host cell interactions in
C. burnetii
-infected DCs, particularly the role of mechanisms of immune subversion beyond virulent phase I lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as the contribution of cellular self-defense strategies, are not understood.
The Epstein-Barr Virus Glycoprotein BDLF2 Is Essential for Efficient Viral Spread in Stratified Epithelium
Authors: Walston Joshua J. , Hayman Ian R. , Gore Mindy , Ferguson Mary , Temple Rachel M. , Liao Jason , Alam Samina , Meyers Craig , Tugizov Sharof M. , Hutt-Fletcher Lindsey , Sample Clare E.
Published: January 2023

The ubiquitous herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with cancers of B lymphocytes and epithelial cells and is primarily transmitted in saliva. While several models exist for analyzing the life cycle of EBV in B lymphocytes, models of EBV infection in the epithelium have more recently been established.
Typology of how ‘harmful commodity industries’ interact with local governments in England: a critical interpretive synthesis
Authors: McKevitt Sarah , White Martin , Petticrew Mark , Summerbell Carolyn , Vasiljevic Milica , Boyland Emma , Cummins Steven , Laverty Anthony A , Junghans Cornelia , Millett Christopher , De Vocht Frank , Hrobonova Eva , Vamos Eszter P
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Industries that produce and market potentially harmful commodities or services (eg, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, less healthy foods and beverages) are a major influence on the drivers of behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The nature and impact of interactions between public bodies and ‘harmful commodity industries’ (HCIs) has been widely recognised and discussed at national and international levels, but to date little is known about such interactions at local or regional government levels. This study aimed to identify and characterise actual and potential interactions and proposes a typology of interactions between HCIs and English local authorities (LAs).

Methods

Five electronic databases covering international literature (PubMed, EBSCO, OVID, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched up to June 2021. We also performed online searches for publicly available, web-based grey literature and documented examples of interactions in an English LA context. We conducted a critical interpretive synthesis of the published and grey literature to integrate and conceptualise the data in the context of English LAs.

Results

We included 47 published papers to provide the frame for the typology, which was refined and contextualised for English LAs through the available grey literature. Three categories were developed, describing the medium through which interactions occur: (1) direct involvement with LAs, (2) involvement through intermediaries and (3) involvement through the local knowledge space. Within these, we grouped interactions into 10 themes defining their nature and identified illustrative examples.

Conclusion

Our typology identifies complex inter-relationships and characterises interactions between HCIs and LAs, with illustrative examples from English LAs. Drawn from well-established theories and frameworks in combination with contextual information on English LAs, this typology explores the LA perspective and could help local decision-makers to maximise population health while minimising negative impacts of HCIs.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021257311
Large-scale, national, family-based epidemiological study onHelicobacter pyloriinfection in China: the time to change practice for related disease prevention
Authors: Zhou Xian-Zhu , Lyu Nong-Hua , Zhu Hui-Yun , Cai Quan-Cai , Kong Xiang-Yu , Xie Pei , Zhou Li-Ya , Ding Song-Ze , Li Zhao-Shen , Du Yi-Qi
Published: January 2023

Background and aims

Current practice onHelicobacter pyloriinfection mostly focuses on individual-based care in the community, but family-basedH. pylorimanagement has recently been suggested as a better strategy for infection control. However, the family-basedH. pyloriinfection status, risk factors and transmission pattern remain to be elucidated.

Methods

From September 2021 to December 2021, 10 735 families (31 098 individuals) were enrolled from 29 of 31 provinces in mainland China to examine family-basedH. pyloriinfection, related factors and transmission pattern. All family members were required to answer questionnaires and test forH. pyloriinfection.

Results

Among all participants, the average individual-basedH. pyloriinfection rate was 40.66%, with 43.45% for adults and 20.55% for children and adolescents. Family-based infection rates ranged from 50.27% to 85.06% among the 29 provinces, with an average rate of 71.21%. In 28.87% (3099/10 735) of enrolled families, there were no infections; the remaining 71.13% (7636/10 735) of families had 1–7 infected members, and in 19.70% (1504/7636), all members were infected. Among 7961 enrolled couples, 33.21% had no infection, but in 22.99%, both were infected. Childhood infection was significantly associated with parental infection. Independent risk factors for household infection were infected family members (eg, five infected members: OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.86 to 4.00), living in highly infected areas (eg, northwest China: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.57 to 2.13), and large families in a household (eg, family of three: OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.76 to 2.21). However, family members with higher education and income levels (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.91), using serving spoons or chopsticks, more generations in a household (eg, three generations: OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.92), and who were younger (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.70) had lower infection rates (p<0.05).

Conclusion

FamilialH. pyloriinfection rate is high in general household in China. Exposure to infected family members is likely the major source of its spread. These results provide supporting evidence for the strategic changes fromH. pyloriindividual-based treatment to family-based management, and the notion has important clinical and public health implications for infection control and related disease prevention.
Toppling television injuries in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nunez Carlos , Eslick Guy D , Elliott Elizabeth J
Published: January 2023

Context

Toppling televisions (TVs) are a source of childhood injury but meta-analysis has not assessed the likelihood of TV injuries in children.

Objective

To present pooled results for injuries, following a systematic review.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar and EMBASE databases were searched to 5 December 2022.

Study selection

Included studies met the following criteria: (1) assessed toppling TV injuries in paediatric populations; (2) reported point estimates as an OR or enabled its calculation and (3) used a comparison group.

Data extraction

A standardised form was used to include information on publication year, study design, population type, country, sample size, mean age, risk factors, point estimates or data used to calculate ORs.

Results

A total of 12 803 TV injuries were identified (five studies). Head and neck injuries (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.21 to 3.75) and hospital admission (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.80 to 2.90) were more likely in children aged under 6 years than over 6 years. Conversely, torso injuries were less likely in younger children (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.70). Children under 6 were two and a half times more likely to die or be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) as a result of toppling TVs, although this was not statistically significant. Males did not sustain more TV injuries than females.

Conclusions

Children aged under 6 years are more likely to die, sustain head injuries and require hospital treatment from toppling TVs. Strategies for injury prevention must go beyond warning labels to include community education, promotion and use of tip restraint devices, mandatory safety standards and a commitment from manufacturers to improve TV sets stability.
Spinal cord reserve in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Rovira Alex , García-Vidal Aran , Carbonell-Mirabent Pere , Alberich Manel , Vidal-Jordana Angela , Auger Cristina , Tintore Mar , Montalban Xavier , Pareto Deborah
Published: January 2023

Background

The spinal cord (SC) is a preferential target of multiple sclerosis (MS) damage highly relevant towards disability. Differential impact of such damage could be due to the initial amount of SC tissue, as described for the brain parenchyma (brain reserve concept). We aimed to test the existence of SC reserve by using spinal canal area (SCaA) as a proxy.

Methods

Brain sagittal three-dimensional T1-weighted scans covering down to C5 level were acquired in 2930 people with MS and 43 healthy controls (HCs) in a cross-sectional, multicentre study. SC area (SCA) and SCaA were obtained with the Spinal Cord Toolbox. Demographical data and patient-derived disability scores were obtained. SC parameters were compared between groups with age-adjusted and sex-adjusted linear regression models. The main outcome of the study, the existence of an association between SCaA and Patient Determined Disease Steps, was tested with scaled linear models.

Results

1747 persons with MS (mean age: 46.35 years; 73.2% female) and 42 HCs (mean age: 45.56 years; 78.6% female) were analysed after exclusion of post-processing errors and application of quality criteria. SCA (60.41 mm2vs 65.02 mm2, p<0.001) was lower in people with MS compared with HC; no differences in SCaA were observed (213.24 mm2vs 212.61 mm2, p=0.125). Adjusted scaled linear models showed that a larger SCaA was significantly associated with lower scores on Patient Determined Disease Steps (beta coefficient: −0.12, p=0.0124) independently of spinal cord atrophy, brain T2 lesion volume, age and sex.

Conclusions

A larger SCaA may be protective against disability in MS, possibly supporting the existence of SC reserve.
Low vitamin K status in adults with cystic fibrosis is associated with reduced body mass index, insulin secretion, and increased pseudomonal colonization
Authors: Bergeron Cindy , Potter Kathryn J. , Boudreau Valérie , Ouliass Bouchra , Bonhoure Anne , Lacombe Julie , Mailhot Marjolaine , Lavoie Annick , Ferron Mathieu , Ferland Guylaine , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi
Published: January 2023

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at high risk of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, even with supplementation. The contribution of a suboptimal vitamin K status to respiratory and endocrine pathophysiology in CF has been inadequately characterized. This is a cross-sectional study in adult CF patients (≥18 years old) from the Montreal Cystic Fibrosis Cohort. Vitamin K1 (VK1) was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography, using fasted serum samples collected during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT: 2 h with plasma glucose and insulin every 30 min) ( n = 168). Patients were categorized according to VK1 status (suboptimal defined as <0.30 nmol/L). Suboptimal VK1 levels were observed in 66% of patients. Patients with a suboptimal VK1 status have a higher risk of colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( p = 0.001), have lower body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.003), and were more likely to have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency ( p = 0.002). Using an established threshold for VK1, we did show significantly reduced OGTT-derived measures of insulin secretion in patients with a VK1 status below 0.30 nmol/L (first- and second-phase area under the curve (AUC)INS/GLU ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.006), AUCINS ( p = 0.012) and AUCINS/GLU ( p = 0.004)). Subclinical vitamin K deficiency is more common than other fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies in patients with CF. We demonstrate an association between a suboptimal VK1 status and measures of insulin secretion. We highlight the potential associations of mild vitamin K deficiency with pseudomonal colonization and lower BMI, although these need to be validated in prospective studies.
Thermal convection in a higher-gradient Navier–Stokes fluid
Authors: Straughan Brian
Published: January 2023

We discuss models for flow in a class of generalized Navier–Stokes equations. The work concentrates on producing models for thermal convection, analysing these in detail, and deriving critical Rayleigh and wave numbers for the onset of convective fluid motion. In addition to linear instability theory we present a careful analysis of fully nonlinear stability theory. The theories analysed all possess a bi-Laplacian term in addition to the normal spatial derivative term. The theories discussed are Stokes couple stress theory, dipolar fluid theory, Green–Naghdi theory, Fried–Gurtin–Musesti theory, and a second theory of Fried and Gurtin. We show that the Stokes couple stress theory and the Fried–Gurtin–Musesti theory involve the same partial differential equations while those of Green–Naghdi and dipolar theory are similar. However, we concentrate on boundary conditions which are crucial to understand all five theories and their differences.
HM-SMF: An Efficient Strategy Optimization using a Hybrid Machine Learning Model for Stock Market Prediction
Authors: Rao K. Venkateswara , Ramana Reddy B. Venkata
Published: January 2023

Stock market forecasting is a significant task, and investing in the stock marketplace is a significant part of monetary research due to its high risk. Therefore, accurate forecasting of stock market analysis is still a challenge. Due to stable and volatile data, stock market forecasting remains a major challenge for investors. Recent machine learning (ML) models have been able to reduce the risk of stock market forecasting. However, diversity remains a key challenge in developing better erudition models and extracts more intellectually priceless qualities to auxiliary advanced predictability. In this paper, we propose an efficient strategy optimization using a hybrid ML model for stock market prediction (HM-SMP). The first contribution of the proposed HM-SMP model is to introduce chaos-enhanced firefly bowerbird optimization (CEFBO) algorithm for optimal feature selection among multiple features which reduce the data dimensionality. Second, we develop a hybrid multi-objective capuchin with a recurrent neural network (HC-RNN) for the prediction of the stock market which enhances the prediction accuracy. We use supervised RNN to predict the closing price. Finally, to estimate the presence of the proposed HM-SMP model through the benchmark, stock market datasets and the performance can be compared with the existing state-of-the-art models in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure.
Explaining Recommendations through Conversations: Dialog Model and the Effects of Interface Type and Degree of Interactivity
Authors: Hernandez-Bocanegra Diana C. , Ziegler Jürgen
Published: January 2023

Explaining system-generated recommendations based on user reviews can foster users’ understanding and assessment of the recommended items and the recommender system (RS) as a whole. While up to now explanations have mostly been static, shown in a single presentation unit, some interactive explanatory approaches have emerged in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), making it easier for users to examine system decisions and to explore arguments according to their information needs. However, little is known about how interactive interfaces should be conceptualized and designed to meet the explanatory aims of transparency, effectiveness, and trust in RS. Thus, we investigate the potential of interactive, conversational explanations in review-based RS and propose an explanation approach inspired by dialog models and formal argument structures. In particular, we investigate users’ perception of two different interface types for presenting explanations, a graphical user interface (GUI)-based dialog consisting of a sequence of explanatory steps, and a chatbot-like natural-language interface.

Since providing explanations by means of natural language conversation is a novel approach, there is a lack of understanding how users would formulate their questions with a corresponding lack of datasets. We thus propose an intent model for explanatory queries and describe the development of ConvEx-DS, a dataset containing intent annotations of 1,806 user questions in the domain of hotels, that can be used to to train intent detection methods as part of the development of conversational agents for explainable RS. We validate the model by measuring user-perceived helpfulness of answers given based on the implemented intent detection. Finally, we report on a user study investigating users’ evaluation of the two types of interactive explanations proposed (GUI and chatbot), and to test the effect of varying degrees of interactivity that result in greater or lesser access to explanatory information. By using Structural Equation Modeling, we reveal details on the relationships between the perceived quality of an explanation and the explanatory objectives of transparency, trust, and effectiveness. Our results show that providing interactive options for scrutinizing explanatory arguments has a significant positive influence on the evaluation by users (compared to low interactive alternatives). Results also suggest that user characteristics such as decision-making style may have a significant influence on the evaluation of different types of interactive explanation interfaces.
Topical Glucocorticoid Use and the Risk of Posttransplant Diabetes
Authors: Bøtker Simon , Birn Henrik , Øzbay Lara Aygen
Published: January 2023

Systemically administered glucocorticoids constitute an essential part of the immunosuppressive regimen for transplant recipients, yet their known risks of causing hyperglycemia or posttransplant diabetes require close monitoring and minimisation of use, when possible, to prevent detrimental effects on patient morbidity and graft survival. Topical glucocorticoids, on the other hand, are rarely considered to affect glucose metabolism and therefore seldomly monitored, despite their wide and in some cases, long-term use. We report a case of a renal transplant recipient presenting with acute hyperosmolar hyperglycemia after treatment with topical glucocorticoids and present a mini review of the literature.
Dietary High-Fat Promotes Cognitive Impairment by Suppressing Mitophagy
Authors: Wen Jie , Wang Yangyang , Wang Chuanling , Yuan Minghao , Chen Fei , Zou Qian , Cai Zhiyou , Zhao Bin
Published: January 2023

Dietary habits contribute to the characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cognitive impairment, which are partly induced by the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau, a microtubule-associated protein. In mice, a fat-rich diet facilitates cognitive dysfunction. However, the mechanism by which dietary fat damages the brain remains unclear. In this study, 13-month-old C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal or high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 months. Neuro-2a cells were incubated with the normal medium or palmitic acid (200 μM). Spatial memory was assessed utilizing a behavioral test. Further, western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques were used to determine the levels of mitophagy-related proteins. The synaptic morphology and phosphorylation of Tau proteins were also evaluated. Administration of HFD decreased the expression of synaptophysin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, leading to significant damage to neurons. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation was detected at different loci both in vivo and in vitro. Significantly impaired learning and memory abilities, accompanied by impaired mitophagy-related processes, were observed in mice fed with HFD as compared to mice fed with normal food. In conclusion, high fatty-acid intake hinders mitophagy and upregulates Tau protein phosphorylation, including age-related synaptic dysfunction, which leads to cognitive decline.
Characterization of Plastic Deformation in CuZr Metallic Glasses Subjected to the Rolling Process
Authors: Sivaraman Ramaswamy , Altalbawy Farag M. A. , Hussein Wais Alaa Mohammed , Lafta Holya A. , Hashemi Seyedmasoud
Published: January 2023

Using the rolling process, it is possible to induce multiple shear bands in the microstructure of metallic glasses (MGs) and improve the overall plasticity in the subsequent mechanical loadings. Hence, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of shear banding and plastic deformation under the rolling process. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was applied to evaluate the formation and generation of shear bands in a CuZr MG under cold- and hot-rolling processes. Based on the results, it is found that the shear bands are formed with secondary branches in the cold rolling, while the shear events are scattered in the bulk of material in the hot rolling. Considering Voronoi analysis, it is revealed that the hot rolling is accompanied by the recovery of crystalline-like clusters provided that rolling process continues for subsequent passes. On the other hand, the cold-rolled sample shows a stable behavior in the evolution of crystalline-like clusters; however, the population of main icosahedral polyhedrons decreases in the system.
Machine Learning-Based Ransomware Classification of Bitcoin Transactions
Authors: Alsaif Suleiman Ali
Published: January 2023

Ransomware attacks are one of the most dangerous related crimes in the coin market. To increase the challenge of fighting the attack, early detection of ransomware seems necessary. In this article, we propose a high-performance Bitcoin transaction predictive system that investigates Bitcoin payment transactions to learn data patterns that can recognize and classify ransomware payments for heterogeneous bitcoin networks into malicious or benign transactions. The proposed approach makes use of three supervised machine learning methods to learn the distinctive patterns in Bitcoin payment transactions, namely, logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). We evaluate these ML-based predictive models on the BitcoinHeist ransomware dataset in terms of classification accuracy and other evaluation measures such as confusion matrix, recall, and F1-score. It turned out that the experimental results recorded by the XGBoost model achieved an accuracy of 99.08%. As a result, the resulting model accuracy is higher than many recent state-of-the-art models developed to detect ransomware payments in Bitcoin transactions.
The von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene Mutations Modulate Lipocalin-2 Expression in Ferroptotic-Inflammatory Pathways
Authors: Kuo Chan-Yen , Hsieh Po-Chun , Chiu Valeria , Lan Chou-Chin , Lu Kuo-Cheng
Published: January 2023

A previous study of an animal model with tumor suppressor gene von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) conditional knockdown suggested that tissue inflammation and fibrosis play important roles in the development of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), which is consistent with the epidemiological evidence linking inflammatory kidney disease and renal cancer. Ferroptosis and inflammation have been linked in a recent study, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the mechanism of lipocalin-2- (LCN-2-) mediated ferroptosis and inflammation in vhl-mutated HK-2 cells and mouse primary proximal tubule cells (mRTCs) and the polarization of macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Based on the levels of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in HK-2 cells, we observed that a VHL mutation increased ROS production and depressed GPX4 expression, whereas LCN-2 knockdown reversed these effects. Accordingly, VHL appears to affect ferroptosis in an LCN-2-dependent manner. We also revealed that LCN-2 sensitizes HK-2 cells to inflammation and macrophage RAW 264.7 cells to M1-like polarization. This study provides novel insights into the potential therapeutic target and strategy for attenuating the progression of ccRCC by revealing the role of VHL in regulating chronic inflammation within the LCN-2–ferroptosis pathway.
ADAR1 Non-Editing Function in Macrophage Activation and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Cai Dunpeng , Sun Chenming , Murashita Takashi , Que Xingyi , Chen Shi-You
Published: January 2023

Background:

Macrophage activation plays a critical role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development. However, molecular mechanisms controlling macrophage activation and vascular inflammation in AAA remain largely unknown. The objective of the study was to identify novel mechanisms underlying adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR1) function in macrophage activation and AAA formation.

Methods:

Aortic transplantation was conducted to determine the importance of nonvascular ADAR1 in AAA development/dissection. Ang II (Angiotensin II) infusion of ApoE−/− mouse model combined with macrophage-specific knockout of ADAR1 was used to study ADAR1 macrophage-specific role in AAA formation/dissection. The relevance of macrophage ADAR1 to human AAA was examined using human aneurysm specimens. Moreover, a novel humanized AAA model was established to test the role of human macrophages in aneurysm formation in human arteries.

Results:

Allograft transplantation of wild-type abdominal aortas to ADAR1+/− recipient mice significantly attenuated AAA formation, suggesting that nonvascular ADAR1 is essential for AAA development. ADAR1 deficiency in hematopoietic cells decreased the prevalence and severity of AAA while inhibited macrophage infiltration and aorta wall inflammation. ADAR1 deletion blocked the classic macrophage activation, diminished NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) signaling, and enhanced the expression of a number of anti-inflammatory microRNAs. Mechanistically, ADAR1 interacted with Drosha to promote its degradation, which attenuated Drosha-DGCR8 (DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8) interaction, and consequently inhibited pri- to pre-microRNA processing of microRNAs targeting IKKβ, resulting in an increased IKKβ (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B) expression and enhanced NF-κB signaling. Significantly, ADAR1 was induced in macrophages and interacted with Drosha in human AAA lesions. Reconstitution of ADAR1-deficient, but not the wild type, human monocytes to immunodeficient mice blocked the aneurysm formation in transplanted human arteries.

Conclusions:

Macrophage ADAR1 promotes aneurysm formation in both mouse and human arteries through a novel mechanism, that is, Drosha protein degradation, which inhibits the processing of microRNAs targeting NF-kB signaling and thus elicits macrophage-mediated vascular inflammation in AAA.
Endovascular Therapy for Basilar Artery Occlusion: Among the First to Conceptualize, Last to Prove
Authors: Puetz Volker , Lutsep Helmi L. , Nguyen Thanh N.
Published: January 2023

In 1981, the dismal outcomes of patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) inspired the first reports of intra-arterial thrombolytic treatment in BAO. These reports were among the first to conceptualize that opening an artery could help patients with large vessel occlusion stroke. Whereas multiple anterior circulation LVO trials demonstrated the efficacy of endovascular therapy starting in 2014, proof of benefit for BAO was lacking until 2022. In this commentary, we reflect on how the BASICS (Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study) and BEST (Basilar Artery Occlusion: Endovascular Interventions vs Standard Medical Treatment) trials lay the foundations for clinical trials in BAO, subsequently leading to the positive results of the ATTENTION (Endovascular Treatment for Acute Basilar-Artery Occlusion) and BAOCHE (Basilar Artery Occlusion Chinese Endovascular) trials.
Zero-Weighted Constraints in Noisy Harmonic Grammar
Authors: Hayes Bruce , Kaplan Aaron
Published: January 2023

In Noisy Harmonic Grammar (Boersma and Pater 2016), a stochastic version of Optimality Theory (Prince and Smolensky 1993), the constraints are weighted and the outcomes are probability distributions over GEN, computed by adding a noise factor to the constraint weights at each evaluation. Intuitively, one might expect that constraints bearing zero weights would have zero empirical effect, but this turns out not to be so. First, we show that a constraint with zero weight in NHG continues to affect the probability of candidates that violate it; the effect is either upward or downward, depending on otherfactors. Second, under certain arrangements intended to maintain the principle of harmonic bounding, zero-weighted constraints can force zero probability for candidates that violate them. We suggest what sort of cases linguists should seek in order to test the truth of these predictions, and also point out alternatives we might appeal to if these predictions emerge as false.
Mathematical Modelling of Magnetohydrodynamic Nanofluid Flow with Chemically Reactive Species and Outer Velocity Towards Stretching Cylinder
Authors: Vinita  , Kumar Parveen , Poply Vikas
Published: January 2023

This article investigate the impact of magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid past a stretching cylinder with chemical reactive species. The momentum, energy and concentration equations are represented by a set of partial differential equations which are moulded into a system of ordinary differential
equations using mathematical modelling of the physical problem. After adopting the Runge Kutta Fehlberg approach, the moulded equations are solved using the shooting procedure. To study the effects of various fluid parameters, a parametric analysis was performed. Brownian motion and thermophoresis
were investigated in the appealing pattern. The effects of important fluid characteristics, such as outer velocity, chemical reaction, thermophoresis, Lewis number, Brownian motion on concentration, temperature, and velocity have been investigated and shown in graphically and tabulated forms.
The core findings of this work is that concentration of the nanofluid decreasing with more reacting species and rate of heat transfer is significantly controlled by outer velocity parameter and magnetic parameter which is very useful in manufacturing processes.
Heat and Mass Transfer, and Chaotic Convection in Nanofluids
Authors: Srivastava Anurag , Bhadauria B. S.
Published: January 2023

The regular and chaotic convection in top-heavy and bottom-heavy Boussinesq nanofluid confined between two horizontal layers heated underneath is investigated. A five-dimensional Lorenz like nonlinear model is obtained using Galerkin technique. This 5-D model possesses two major characteristics viz reflection symmetry and dissipation. The bifurcation diagrams and the phase portraits are used to analyse the characteristics of the dynamical system. The onset of chaos in ordinary fluid, nanofluid bottom-heavy, and nanofluid top-heavy configurations take place at scaled Rayleigh number (R) equals 24.73684211, 26.98908141, and 32.24788322 respectively. The case of ordinary fluids has also been deduced from the five-dimensional model. Weakly nonlinear analysis is also done in order to understand the heat and mass transport inside the system with the variation of scaled Rayleigh number. It is observed that the convection starts earlier in case of top-heavy configuration of nanofluid while gets delayed in bottom-heavy configuration as compared to an ordinary fluid. Moreover onset of chaos gets delayed in case of nanofluids. Another major finding of the study is that the system turns chaotic for higher values of scaled Rayleigh number in the top-heavy case as compared to that of in the bottom-heavy case of nanofluid.
Mixed Convection Magnetohydrodynamics of Different Forms of Triangular Cavity Involving CuO/Water Nanofluid
Authors: Abdelhak Roubi , Abderrazak Allali , Redouane Fares , Khelili Yacine
Published: January 2023

The current research studied the two-dimensional mixed heat transfer in three different cavities with inlet/outlet opening, The heat source is located on a part of the bottom wall, Several parameters such as (10 ≤ Re ≤ 150); (0.1 ≤ Ri ≤ 10); (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 100); (0.02 ≤
φ ≤ 0.08). Were analysed on three different models. The results showed a difference in the presence of the magnetic field, we notice an increase in the value of the Reynolds number leads to a decrease in the velocity of heat flow. The heat transfer value increases in the second
cavity to give a maximum value, while it is low in the first and third cavity. Additionally, improvement of Nuavg at the second cavity of the right wall, which is folded inward. The latter is characterized by a low Nuavg compared to the first and second. The improvement
in Ha and φ improves the convective heat transfer. In addition, with increasing concentration of the nanofluids, the average number of Nusselt in the three cavities increased. It is hoped that these results will be useful in optimizing convection, these results are consistent with
literature published literature.
The Observation-Based Index to Investigate the Role of the Lee Vortex in Enhancing Air Pollution over Northwestern Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Tzu-Han , Chen Wei-Ting , Wu Chien-Ming , Hsieh Min-Ken
Published: January 2023

This study quantifies the potential effect of the lee vortex on the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution deterioration under the complex topography in Taiwan using observational data. We select the lee-vortex days that favor the development of the lee vortices in northwestern Taiwan under the southeasterly synoptic winds. We then define the enhancement index that discerns the areas with the high occurrence frequencies of the PM2.5 enhancement under the flow regime relative to the seasonal background concentrations. Under the lee-vortex days, the center of western Taiwan exhibits enhancement indices higher than 0.65. In addition, during the consecutive lee-vortex days, the index characterizes a northward shift in the PM2.5-enhanced areas under the subtle transition of the background wind directions. The areas with indices higher than 0.65 expand on the second day in northwestern Taiwan; the number of stations exhibiting indices higher than 0.8 increases by threefold from the first to the second day. The idealized numerical simulations using the Taiwan vector vorticity equation cloud-resolving model (TaiwanVVM) explicitly resolve the structures of leeside circulations and the associated pollutant transport, and their evolutions are highly sensitive to the background winds.

Significance Statement

Our study investigates the challenging question of local circulation patterns affected by mountain orography and the associated pollutant transport. We analyzed long-term balloon sounding and ground station observations to select the weather regime favoring the formation of lee vortices on Taiwan island. We then quantified the areas with a frequent enhancement of particulate pollutants. The long-term trend of the lee-vortex days exhibited a significant increase in the past decades. The pollution enhancement areas are highly consistent with the regions dominated by leeside local circulation. Together with the idealized high-resolution simulations, we identified that the detailed evolution of the lee vortices is highly sensitive to the subtle changes in background wind direction and hence the redistribution of local pollution.
Trends, challenges, and priorities for shared decision making in mental health: The first umbrella review
Authors: Chmielowska Marta , Zisman-Ilani Yaara , Saunders Rob , Pilling Stephen
Published: January 2023

Background:

Shared decision making (SDM) is a health communication model promoting patient-centered care that has not been routinely utilized in mental health. Inconsistent definitions, models, measurement tools, and lack of sufficient evidence for the effectiveness of SDM interventions are potential contributors to the limited use of SDM in mental health.

Aims:

(1) Provide the first systematic analysis of global development trends and challenges of SDM research; (2) clarify the meaning, role, and measurement of SDM in mental health; (3) create a theoretical framework for key effective SDM components to guide future development and implementation of SDM interventions.

Methods:

A comprehensive search strategy was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycInfo. Included reviews focused on SDM interventions for prevention and/or treatment of mental illness in adults. A narrative synthesis was performed to capture the range of interventions, populations, measurement tools, comparisons, and outcomes.

Results:

10 systematic reviews of SDM in mental health were included with 100 nested studies spanning from 2006 to 2020. All reviews focused on dyadic and psychopharmacological decision-making. Primary outcomes of SDM in mental health interventions include treatment satisfaction, medication adherence, symptom severity, quality of life, and hospital readmissions. Participant-related factors unique to SDM in mental health, such as stigma and mental capacity, were not reported.

Conclusions:

The current landscape of SDM in mental health is overwhelmingly disconnected from the needs and experiences of potential end-users; clients, clinicians, and family members. Most SDM interventions and tools were adapted from physical health and are mainly geared to psychopharmacological decision-making. The SDM in Mental Health Framework (SDM-MH), developed here, expands the scope of decisions to non-psychopharmacological discussions, diversifies the pool of SDM participants and settings, and offers potential primary target outcomes of SDM in mental health to reduce heterogeneity across studies.
Relationships Between Acoustic Characteristics and Intelligibility Scores: A Reanalysis of Japanese Speakers’ Productions of American English Liquids
Authors: Aoyama Katsura , Hong Lingzi , Flege James E. , Akahane-Yamada Reiko , Yamada Tsuneo
Published: January 2023

The primary purpose of this research report was to investigate the relationships between acoustic characteristics and perceived intelligibility for native Japanese speakers’ productions of American English liquids. This report was based on a reanalysis of intelligibility scores and acoustic analyses that were reported in two previous studies. We examined which acoustic parameters were associated with higher perceived intelligibility scores for their productions of /l/ and /ɹ/ in American English, and whether Japanese speakers’ productions of the two liquids were acoustically differentiated from each other. Results demonstrated that the second formant (F2) was strongly correlated with the perceived intelligibility scores for the Japanese adults’ productions. Results also demonstrated that the Japanese adults’ and children’s productions of /l/ and /ɹ/ were indeed differentiated by some acoustic parameters including the third formant (F3). In addition, some changes occurred in the Japanese children’s productions over the course of 1 year. Overall, the present report shows that Japanese speakers of American English may be making a distinction between /l/ and /ɹ/ in production, although the distinctions are made in a different way compared with native English speakers’ productions. These findings have implications for setting realistic goals for improving intelligibility of English /l/ and /ɹ/ for Japanese speakers, as well as theoretical advancement of second-language speech learning.
Warmer Individuals Get More Help: The Influence of Stereotypes and Empathy on Moral Decision-Making
Authors: Tan Qianbao , Huang Yong , Ling Zi , Zhan Youlong , Zhou Haibo
Published: January 2023

The processing of moral decision-making is influenced by both cognitive and emotional systems, making it worth exploring exactly how each plays a role in the process of individual moral decision-making. In this study, 160 participants with either high or low empathy traits (80 each, as determined by the Interpersonal Response Index Inventory) completed a moral decision-making task regarding whether to help others (stereotyped as high warmth-high competence, high warmth-low competence, low warmth-high competence, low warmth-low competence) at the expense of themselves. The intent was to explore the influence of stereotypes and empathy traits on moral decision-making. The results showed that: (1) participants were more willing to help individuals with high warmth than those with high competence, showing a clear “primacy of warmth effect”; (2) this effect was weakened in participants with high empathy traits in comparison to those with low empathy traits, as their willingness to help individuals with low warmth was significantly higher than that of participants with low empathy traits. The results suggest that stereotypes about warmth and competence moderate altruistic tendencies in moral decision-making and that this moderation is more pronounced in individuals with low empathy traits than in those with high empathy traits.