bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal lubrication characteristics of hypoid Gear with non-Newtonian fluids considering roughness
Authors: Sun Peng , Xu Zhan , Feng Zhongyi , Wang Kai , Gao Hongbiao , Wang Zhiming , Yu Zhuoyue
Published: September 2023

Based on Hertz contact theory and EHL, the model of elliptic contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication considering load, speed, roughness, thermal effect, and shear-thinning effect of non-Newtonian fluids is established. The variation trend of oil film pressure, thickness, and temperature with load, entrainment velocity, and the slide-roll ratio is analyzed. Then, several lubrication states considering roughness, the thermal effect, and the characteristics of non-Newtonian fluid are compared. Compared with the smooth surface, the roughness when RMS is 0.15 μm increases the maximum film pressure (P
max) by 8.34%, increases the maximum film temperature (T
max) by 7.18%, and reduces the minimum film thickness (H
min)by 9.13%. The pressure and temperature are more sensitive to light load. The results are approximate to that of the smooth surface when the entrainment velocity is big enough. The pressure and thickness decrease with the increasing slide-roll ratio. The decreasing speed of the oil film thickness becomes faster as a result of the thermal effect. The roughness and the characteristics of non-Newtonian fluid have a significant impact on temperature.
Study on preparation technology of large bimetal composite wear-resistant elbow
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Gao Ping , Jia Xiaobin , Wang Wei , Sun Quanxi , Li Shuli
Published: September 2023

Large - scale bimetal composite wear-resistant elbow was fabricated by lost - die casting,the non-working layer of the outer wall of the bend was made of 16Mn steel pipe, and the inner working layer was made of high chromium cast iron. This paper introduced the preparation technology and method of elbow from the aspects of material composition selection, melting process, lost mold casting process and heat treatment process, analyzed and solved the problems of box collapse and box expansion in the casting process. The wear test shown that the wear resistance of bimetallic composite elbow was twice that of 16Mn material elbow. The service life of the composite elbow was 2~3 times that of the original single material elbow.
Electro-spun Sn nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers as flexible integrated anodes for high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shao Qi , Liu Jiaqi , Yang Xiantao , Li Yan
Published: September 2023

The anode electrode substances of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are indispensable for the insertion and elimination of Li+. Herein, we combine electrospinning technology and heat treatment method to encapsulate Sn species in nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (Sn/NCNFs). During the experiment, we selected polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the precursor solution, tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) as the N source and SnCl2·as the Sn source. The obtained one-dimensional structure no longer only successfully reduces the giant extent modifications of Sn species in the course of cycling, but additionally achieves fast Li+/e− transportation. Moreover, the introduction of N atoms causes more defects in carbon nanofibers, providing additional storage sites for Li+. Thus, the Sn/NCNF-0.168 exhibits favorable reversible capacity (~581.7 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1) and cycling stability (over 250 cycles). This work gives an advantageous strategy to design high-performance anode electrode substances for LIBs and lays the foundation for future energy applications.
Bearing stress detection and evaluation of hydraulic steel gate members
Authors: Li Qin , Ding Peng , Ji Jiankang , Yu Pengxiang
Published: September 2023

Based on the principle of mathematical statistics, we describe the theory and algorithm of establishing the stress characteristics of gate members by using the method of data regression analysis based on multiple levels of actual load detection data. Following, we demonstrate the test results of an arc gate of a spillway dam by regression analysis. Then, we calculate the structural stress state under the design condition by regression equation, and the finite element results are used to verify each other. Finally, according to the current standard, we give the safety evaluation of the structure stress calculation data under the design condition.
The study of X-ray full-field imaging method for low atomic number elements based on Compton scattering
Authors: Jia Wenbao , Zhang Zhanpeng , Zhang Xinlei , Luo Yangxue , Ling Yongsheng , Hei Daqian , Shan Qing , Zhang Jiandong , Shi Chao
Published: September 2023

Full-field X-ray fluorescence imaging cannot image low
atomic number (Z < 12) materials because the characteristic X-ray
fluorescence produced by low atomic number (Z < 12) materials is
severely attenuated in air. In this paper, we propose a method to
combine Compton scattering with full-field X-ray fluorescence
imaging, which can realize the imaging of both metals (high atomic
number) and organic materials (low atomic number), and compensate
the defect that the conventional FF-XRFI technique cannot image
materials with low atomic number such as organic materials. The
imaging experiments were performed using two materials, zirconium
metal and polyethylene, and the imaging results were optimized using
a density filtering algorithm, and the results indicate that it is
possible to use this method to image samples of high and low atomic
number with resolution.
Examining past and projecting future: an 800-year streamflow reconstruction of the Australian Murray river
Authors: Higgins P A , Palmer J G , Andersen M S , Turney C S M , Johnson F , Allen K , Verdon-Kidd D , Cook E R
Published: September 2023

Managing water security and sustaining ecosystem functions under future warming poses substantial challenges for semi-arid regions. The Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) is particularly vulnerable given the considerable demand for water that underpins Australia’s agricultural production and contribution to the national economy. Understanding future drought risk requires a robust assessment of natural variability in drought length, frequency, and magnitude. In the absence of long instrumental records, past drought characteristics can be inferred from paleo-records. We reconstruct over 800 years of Murray River streamflow using a suite of tree-ring chronologies from regions with strong climate teleconnections to the MDB. The reconstruction (1190–2000 CE) captures a broad spectrum of natural climate variability, not fully represented in instrumental records, contributing to an improved understanding of the occurrence rate of multi-year droughts. We found that the Millennium Drought, which occurred in the 2000s, was the most severe (joint duration, magnitude, and peak) during the 800-year reconstruction. The return period of this event is estimated to be ∼2500 years. However, droughts in the early-1200s were of a longer duration and similar magnitude to the Millennium Drought. We used climate models to assess how the occurrence probability of severe droughts might change in the future. Compared to the 800-year baseline, climate models project an increase in future drought severity. While the increase in drought occurrence is within the uncertainty range for most future projections, the driest forecast shows a significant increase in the likelihood of severe droughts compared to natural variability. Our results highlight the need for water management strategies not to rely solely on instrumental data as it may not fully represent current and future risks. Ensuring a resilient MDB under future warming will require a robust water security policy that captures a broader range of natural and anthropogenic variability than currently recognised.
Study assessment of water electrolysis systems for green production of pure hydrogen and natural gas blending
Authors: Gavrailov D Y , Boycheva S V
Published: September 2023

Hydrogen and hydrogen blended energy carriers are considered the main decisions for production of low-carbon and carbon-free energy. The green hydrogen production is still a small share compared to other hydrogen production methods and necessity of water electrolysis’s improvements is needed. This article aims to introduce the most developed electrolyzers as alkaline (AWE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) and solid oxide water electrolysis (SOWE) comparing them in different categories in order to assess advantages and disadvantages of each one. Comparing the most used method of hydrogen production such as steam reforming with water electrolysis shows that using hydrogen generated by natural gas steam reforming does not really reduce overall CO2. Mixing hydrogen with up to 20 % with natural gas does not require infrastructure changes and leads to 6.5 % reduction in CO2 emissions. The fuel characteristics of hydrogen and its influence on the properties of natural gas blending were also summarized.
Simple improvements for decentralized air handling unit for regenerative heat recovery
Authors: Penev A D , Tsokov L P , Shushulov K K
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the optimization of a fixed regenerative heat exchanger for a decentralized air handling unit (AHU) and a simple algorithm for its control. The influence of the geometric characteristics of the regenerative matrix and the duration of the airflow switching periods on thermal efficiency was analyzed. For this purpose, a numerical analysis using the finite volume method of the ANSYS, Fluent software was used. The simple logic of control is proposed as a result of field experiments and numerical analysis based on close-to-real operating conditions. The control algorithm prevents the operation of the device in case of a significant imbalance of the air flows and in case of a strong deterioration of the efficiency of the regenerator as a result of the presence of condensation of water vapour in the airflow through the regenerator.
Indices for ventilation efficiency and their numerical computation
Authors: Pichurov George T
Published: September 2023

The paper addresses methods to evaluate the ventilation efficiency both in regard to air exchange and to contaminant removal in a room. Extra variables are introduced via transport differential equations which are solved by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Ventilation efficiency indices are defined and computed by alternative methods with an excellent agreement. For the numerical calculations a test chamber with a fume cupboard has been modelled and simulated. The paper discusses peculiarities in the calculation of the passive scalar equations to ensure mass conservation. Guidelines for optimal locations of the exhaust grilles of ventilation systems have been proposed to maximize ventilation efficiency.
Comparative analysis of the energy performance of an air handling unit with two-stage heat recovery operating in the different climatic zones of Bulgaria
Authors: Dimchev Ivan
Published: September 2023

A comparative analysis was carried out to establish the energy performance of an air handling unit (AHU) for two-stage heat recovery of the exhaust air. The seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) was calculated when AHU is operating in heating mode, as well as COP for the entire unit on an annual basis, taking into account the specific features of the different climatic zones in the Republic of Bulgaria. The results have been compared with the BIN-temperature data for an average climate provided in EN 14825 (Table 37) in order to find out how far this standard will give reliable results for the Bulgarian climate, both in terms of energy consumption and SCOP.
Axial-piston pump optimal multivariable PID controller tunning
Authors: Mitov A , Slavov Ts , Kralev J , Angelov Il
Published: September 2023

The aim of the present work is the synthesis and optimal tunning of a PID controller designed to control the displacement volume of an axial-piston pump intended for hydraulic systems with open circulation. The pump is controlled in real-time through a system developed by the authors based on an electro-hydraulic proportional valve (replacing the conventional hydro-mechanical controller) and an industrial controller. The experimental system was initially used to obtain a data set that is used in a system identification procedure to obtain a model. The obtained state space model was used for the synthesis of the PID controller. The optimal tunning of controller parameters is performed using three modern methods: genetic algorithm, simulated annealing and pattern search. The resulting three PID controllers with different settings depending on the used methods are compared in simulation and experimental conditions. Based on the results, an analysis of the control performance was carried out.
Study of the aerodynamics of air flow in burners using the Comsol Multiphysics software
Authors: Makzumova A K , Sarakeshova N N , Dostiyarov A M , Iliev I K
Published: September 2023

The article presents the processes of modeling the aerodynamic flow of air in two burner microflame devices: 1. The burner device of the combustion chamber of a gas turbine plant; 2. The micromodular gas burner. The aerodynamic flow is modeled in the Comsol Multiphysics software package, which is reasonable in terms of availability and quality. The performed analysis of microflame fuel-burning devices revealed that the dynamic and geometric characteristics affect the aerodynamics and velocity profiles. Different airflow rates significantly affected the intensity of the formation of recirculation zones, which also led to an increase in pressure in the circuit. Accordingly, the flow at different heights of the cylindrical nozzle showed that the dimensions will affect the combustion processes and, as a result, the stabilization and formation of nitrogen oxides.
Eco-sustainability of cotton textiles: moisture absorption case study
Authors: Angelova Radostina A. , Sofronova Daniela
Published: September 2023

Moisture absorption is a crucial property of cotton fabrics, as it directly affects their comfort and performance in various applications, as well as fabric’s degradation. While the moisture absorption ability of cotton fibres has been extensively studied, the influence of the geometric, structural, and mass characteristics of cotton fabrics on their moisture absorption capacity remains less explored. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between these fabric parameters and moisture absorption to identify additional factors contributing to cotton fabrics’ overall moisture absorption ability.
Sustainable fashion with elements of the Bulgarian national garb–reducing, reusing and recycling through mulage method
Authors: Pavlova Magdalena , Ivanova Ivelina
Published: September 2023

A Communication from the European Commission in Brussels, dated 30 March 2022, to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, presents an EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles as a standard. In line with the strategy, this paper is aimed at creating women’s clothing with elements of the Bulgarian national garb, bearing the characteristics of sustainable fashion. The design and manufacturing of the models is realized through the methods upcycling and mulage, looking for the effect of 3’R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The models are segmented appropriately to combine several products in a common vision. The artistic design is realized trough image creation and processing software. The technology was developed with graphics software.
Influence of electric field on the thermal properties of PP+NC nanocomposites for environmental chemistry application
Authors: Hadiyeva A.A. , Mammadova Sh.R. , Mahmudzade L.R.
Published: September 2023

Using Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) method the thermal-physical properties of nanocomposites PP+NC for environmental and environmental chemistry applications were studied and the thermal-destruction processes after aging in an electric field were determined. The influence of various external factors (strong electric field, electric discharge, temperature, radiation, etc.) on polymers and composites based on polymers penetrates into the deep layers of the matrix and leads to the destruction and reconstruction of the structure. Changes in the ratio of crystalline and amorphous phase occur due to the formation of an interlayer crystalline phase in the matrix. In this regard, the thermal properties of pure PP and PP+2.0% NC nanocomposites were investigated using the derivatographic method to study the influence of the electric field on the aging process, melting temperature, and crystallization rate and depolymerization process.
Gastrointestinal organs and organoids-on-a-chip: advances and translation into the clinics
Authors: Carvalho Mariana R , Yan Le-Ping , Li Bo , Zhang Chang-Hua , He Yu-Long , Reis Rui L , Oliveira Joaquim M
Published: September 2023

Microfluidic organs and organoids-on-a-chip models of human gastrointestinal systems have been established to recreate adequate microenvironments to study physiology and pathophysiology. In the effort to find more emulating systems and less costly models for drugs screening or fundamental studies, gastrointestinal system organoids-on-a-chip have arisen as promising pre-clinical in vitro model. This progress has been built on the latest developments of several technologies such as bioprinting, microfluidics, and organoid research. In this review, we will focus on healthy and disease models of: human microbiome-on-a-chip and its rising correlation with gastro pathophysiology; stomach-on-a-chip; liver-on-a-chip; pancreas-on-a-chip; inflammation models, small intestine, colon and colorectal cancer organoids-on-a-chip and multi-organoids-on-a-chip. The current developments related to the design, ability to hold one or more ‘organs’ and its challenges, microfluidic features, cell sources and whether they are used to test drugs are overviewed herein. Importantly, their contribution in terms of drug development and eminent clinical translation in precision medicine field, Food and Drug Administration approved models, and the impact of organoid-on-chip technology in terms of pharmaceutical research and development costs are also discussed by the authors.
Study on the impact of industrial digitization on carbon emissions: evidence from China’s Logistics Industry
Authors: Xie Xinyu , Wang Jian
Published: September 2023

Digitization of the industrial sector is critical to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The application of digital technology in traditional high-carbon emission industries can improve energy use efficiency and provide an essential technological path for carbon reduction. This study uses a coupled coordination degree model to measure the degree of integration between China’s logistics industry and the digital economy. An environmental Kurtzwarts curve (EKC) panel and a non-linear mediation model was then constructed to analyse the impact of digitization of China’s logistics industry on carbon emissions and its driving mechanisms using panel data from 30 regions in China from 2011 to 2020. The empirical results show that: (1) The level of integration between the logistics industry and digital economy led to an evident characteristic of ‘high in the east and low in the west.’ However, the regional differences are gradually decreasing over time. (2) The influence of the integration between the logistics industry and digital economy on carbon emission is in an inverted U-shape when the integration degree of the two exceeds the inflection point value of 0.76 to play the role of carbon At present, only in Guangdong, the degree of integration crosses the inflection point and plays an environment-friendly digital role. (3) As a crucial external environmental condition affecting carbon emissions, the degree of integration between logistics and digital economy will play an early role in carbon emission reduction under environmental regulation. (4) The degree of integration of the logistics industry and digital economy achieves carbon emission reduction through strengthening energy use efficiency and technological progress, in which the mediating effect of energy consumption intensity accounts for 23.05% of the total effect, ranging from 18.82% to 31.68%; the mediating effect of technological progress accounts for 13.25% of the total effect, ranging from 12.67% to 14.40%.
Crossover phenomenon in adversarial attacks on voter model
Authors: Mizutaka Shogo
Published: September 2023

A recent study (Chiyomaru and Takemoto 2022 Phys. Rev. E 106 014301) considered adversarial attacks conducted to distort voter model dynamics in networks. This method intervenes in the interaction patterns of individuals and induces them to be in a target opinion state through a small perturbation ε. In this study, we investigate adversarial attacks on voter dynamics in random networks of finite size n. The exit probability P
+1 to reach the target absorbing state and the mean time τ

n
to reach consensus are analyzed in the mean-field approximation. Given ε > 0, the exit probability P
+1 converges asymptotically to unity as n increases. The mean time τ

n
to reach consensus scales as

(
ln
ϵ
n
)
/
ϵ

for homogeneous networks with a large finite n. By contrast, it scales as

(
ln
(
ϵ

μ
1
2

n

/

μ
2

)
)

/

ϵ

for heterogeneous networks with a large finite n, where µ
1 and µ
2 represent the first and second moments of the degree distribution, respectively. Moreover, we observe the crossover phenomenon of τ

n
from a linear scale to a logarithmic scale and find

n

c
o

∼

ϵ

−
1

/

α

above which the state of all nodes becomes the target state in logarithmic time. Here, α = 1 for homogeneous networks and

α
=
(
γ
−
1
)

/

2

for scale-free networks with a degree exponent

2
<
γ
<
3

.
About the generalizability of deep learning based image quality assessment in mammography
Authors: Faller Josua , Amanova Narbota , van Engen Ruben , Martin Jörg , Elster Clemens
Published: September 2023

One method of assessing the image quality of a mammography unit is to estimate a contrast-detail-curve (CDC) that is obtained from images of a technical phantom. It has been proposed to estimate this CDC by using an end-to-end neural network (NN) which only needs one image to determine the CDC. That approach, however, has been developed on the basis of images of one single mammography unit. In this work, we train NNs on synthetic images of contrast-detail phantoms for mammography and test the so-trained NNs on images that are obtained from real mammography units. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that such a deep learning approach is capable to generalize to predict CDCs for various real mammography units. Our experiments cover various manufacturers and the proposed approach is shown to work across different NN architectures and preprocessing methods which highlights its generalizability.
Associations Between Cognitive Impairment and Neuroimaging in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wilcox Olivia , Amin Moein , Hancock Laura , Nakamura Kunio , Lace John , Ontaneda Daniel , Galioto Rachel
Published: September 2023

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease which commonly involves cognitive dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that patients with MS (pwMS) have diffuse patterns of brain atrophy, however, the relationship between the presentation of cognitive dysfunction and brain tissue loss remains understudied. Given the integral function of thalamus as a central nervous system relay center and its involvement in various brain circuits, thalamic atrophy may play a key role in the development and progression of cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between cognitive impairment in pwMS and thalamic atrophy.

Methods

A total of 121 pwMS who had neuropsychological testing and quantitative MRI within 1 year of each were retrospectively identified. Grouped LASSO linear regression with 10-fold cross validation was used to estimate each neuropsychological test score with thalamic volume as the focal predictor and all other demographic and MRI metrics as covariates.

Results

Rates of impairment ranged from 19% to 44%. Results showed notable associations between thalamic volume and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (β = 0.11), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, delayed (β = 0.12), California Verbal Learning Test, delayed and total (β = 0.24 and β = 0.15 respectively), and Trail Making Test Part A (β = −0.01), after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate an independent association between thalamic volumes and processing speed and memory performance, after accounting for demographic, clinical, and other MRI variables, among pwMS.
bubbleHeatmap: an R package for visualization of Nightingale Health metabolomics datasets
Authors: Boxall Ruth , Holmes Michael V , Walters Robin G
Published: September 2023

We present bubbleHeatmap, an R plotting package which combines elements of a bubble plot and heatmap to conveniently display two numerical variables for each data point across a categorical two dimensional grid. This has particular advantages for visualizing the 251 metabolomic measures produced by the automated, high-throughput, 1H-NMR-based platform provided by Nightingale Health, which includes 12 measures repeated across each of 14 lipoprotein subclasses. As these metabolomic profiles are currently available for large biobanks, we provide a figure template to aid the use of bubbleHeatmap in displaying results from analyses using these data.

Availability and implementation

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/bubbleHeatmap
Weight Gain After Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation and Subsequent Risk of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bares Sara H , Wu Xingye , Tassiopoulos Katherine , Lake Jordan E , Koletar Susan L , Kalayjian Robert , Erlandson Kristine M
Published: September 2023

Background

Weight gain following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is common. We assessed the impact of changes in weight in the year following ART initiation with subsequent cardiometabolic disease among AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) participants.

Methods

Linear regression models were fit to examine the association between change in weight/waist circumference (WC) in weeks 0–48 and change in metabolic parameters in weeks 0–48 and 48–96. Cox proportional hazard models were fit to examine the association between changes in weight/WC in weeks 0–48 and diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome, or cardiometabolic and cardiovascular events after week 48.

Results

Participants (N = 2624) were primarily male (81%) and non-White (60%). Mean weight gain from 0–48 weeks was 3.6 kg (SD 7.3); 130 participants developed DM; 360 metabolic syndrome; 424 any cardiometabolic event; 28 any cardiovascular event, over 480 weeks of follow-up. In adjusted models, total cholesterol increased by 0.63 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] [.38, .089]) and LDL by 0.39 mg/dL (0.19, 0.59) per 1 kg increase in weight from weeks 0 to48. Participants who experienced >10% weight gain (vs −5% to 5%) had an increased risk of DM (hazard ratio [HR] 2.01, 95% CI [1.30, 3.08]), metabolic syndrome (HR 2.24, 95% CI [1.55, 2.62]), and cardiometabolic outcomes (HR 1.54, 95% CI [1.22, 1.95]). Participants who lost more than 5% of their baseline weight had a lower risk of incident metabolic syndrome (HR 0.67, 95% CI [0.42, 1.07]). Trends for WC were similar.

Conclusions

Weight and body composition changes in the first year following ART initiation are associated with contemporaneous changes in metabolic parameters and subsequent cardiometabolic disease.
Heart rate–corrected systolic ejection time: population-based reference values and differential prognostic utility in acute heart failure
Authors: Morbach Caroline , Simon Isabelle , Danner Elisabeth , Gelbrich Götz , Stefenelli Ulrich , Sahiti Floran , Scholz Nina , Cejka Vladimir , Albert Judith , Ertl Georg , Angermann Christiane E , Güder Gülmisal , Frantz Stefan , Heuschmann Peter U , Maack Christoph , Störk Stefan
Published: September 2023

Aims

Systolic ejection time (SET) is discussed as a treatment target in patients with heart failure (HF) and a reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). We derived reference values for SET correcting for its dependence on heart rate (SETc), and explored its prognostic utility in patients admitted with decompensated HF.

Methods and results

SETc was derived in 4836 participants of the population-based STAAB study (mean age 55 ± 12 years, 52% women). There, mean SETc was 328 ± 18 ms, increased with age (+4.7 ms per decade), was shorter in men than women (−14.9 ms), and correlated with arterial elastance (r = 0.30; all P < 0.001). In 134 patients hospitalized with acute HF, SETc at admission was shorter when compared with the general population and differed between patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF; LVEF ≤40%; 269 ± 35 ms), HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF; LVEF 41–49%; 294 ± 27 ms), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF; LVEF ≥50%; 317 ± 35 ms; P < 0.001). In proportional hazard regression, an in-hospital increase in SETc was associated with an age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio of 0.38 (95% confidence interval 0.18–0.79) in patients with HFrEF, but a hazard ratio of 2.39 (95% confidence interval 1.24–4.64) in patients with HFpEF.

Conclusion

In the general population, SETc increased with age and an elevated afterload. SETc was mildly reduced in patients hospitalized with HFpEF, but markedly reduced in patients with HFrEF. In-hospital prolongation of SETc predicted a favourable outcome in HFrEF, but an adverse outcome in HFpEF. Our results support the concept of a U-shaped relationship between cardiac systolic function and risk, providing a rationale for a more individualized treatment approach in patients with HF.
Unexpected Supply Effects of Quantitative Easing and Tightening
Authors: D’Amico Stefania , Seida Tim
Published: September 2023

To analyse the evolution of the effects of quantitative easing and tightening across consecutive announcements, we focus on their unexpected component. Treasury yield sensitivities to quantitative tightening supply surprises are on average larger than sensitivities to quantitative easing surprises, implying that supply effects did not diminish during periods of market calm amid economic expansion. Yield sensitivities to later quantitative easing and tightening surprises do not fall monotonically, and thus supply shocks seemed to remain powerful. Finally, yield sensitivities are amplified by the amount of interest rate uncertainty prevailing before announcements, implying that turning points in the balance sheet policy tended to elicit larger reactions.
Increasing donor–recipient weight mismatch in infant heart transplantation is associated with shorter waitlist duration and no increased morbidity or mortality
Authors: Alsoufi Bahaaldin , Kozik Deborah , Lambert Andrea Nicole , Wilkens Sarah , Trivedi Jaimin , Deshpande Shriprasad
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVES

Infants awaiting paediatric heart transplantation (PHT) experience long waitlist duration and high mortality due to donor shortage. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, we explored if increasing donor–recipient weight ratio (DRWR) >2.0 (recommended cutoff) was associated with adverse outcomes.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2020, 1392 infants received PHT. We divided cohort into 3 groups: A (DRWR ≤1.0, n = 239, 17%), B (DRWR 1.0–2.0, n = 947, 68%), C (DRWR >2.0, n = 206, 15%). Group characteristics and PHT outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

DRWR ranged between 0.5 and 4.1. Underlying pathology (congenital versus cardiomyopathy), gender, race, renal function and mechanical circulatory support were comparable between groups. Group C patients were more likely to be ventilated, to receive ABO blood group (ABO)-incompatible heart and to have longer donor ischaemic time. Waitlist duration was significantly shorter for group C (33 vs 50 days, P < 0.1). Early outcomes for groups A, B and C were the following (respectively): operative death (6%, 4%, 3%, P = 0.29), primary graft dysfunction (5%, 3%, 3%, P = 0.30), renal failure (10%, 7%, 7%, P = 0.42) and stroke (3%, 4%, 1%, P = 0.36). The DRWR group was not associated with operative death in either congenital (odds ratio (OR) = 0.819, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.523–1.282) or cardiomyopathy (OR = 1.221, 95% CI = 0.780–1.912) patients and only significant factor was pre-PHT extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR = 4.400, 95% CI = 2.761–7.010). Additionally, survival at 1 year (87%, 87%, 85%, P = 0.80) and 5 years (76%, 78%, 77%, P = 0.80) was comparable between the DRWR groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants who received PHT with DRWR >2.0, up to 4.1, experienced shorter waitlist duration with no demonstrable increase in peri-transplant complications, operative or late mortality. Historic practice to avoid DRWR > 2.0 due to complications (e.g. hypertension-related stroke, graft dysfunction, death) is not currently supported in infants and stretching DRWR acceptance criteria would decrease PHT waitlist duration and potentially improve waitlist complications and mortality.
Precarity and populism: explaining populist outlook and populist voting in Europe through subjective financial and work-related insecurity
Authors: Zhirnov Andrei , Antonucci Lorenza , Thomeczek Jan Philipp , Horvath Laszlo , D’Ippoliti Carlo , Mongeau Ospina Christian Alexander , Krouwel André , Kersting Norbert
Published: September 2023

Precarity is often evoked in discussions about the rise of populism, but there is a dearth of systematic operationalization of the sociological concept of insecurity in populist research. This study fills this gap by theorizing about and empirically linking work-related and financial insecurity to populist outlook and voting in ten European countries. We propose a theoretical framework that links insecurity, respectively, to populist attitudes (symbolic link) and to populist voting (instrumental link). Our empirical investigation of 10 European countries finds a positive association between work and financial insecurity and populist outlook (people-centrism and anti-elitism, in particular) in all our case study countries. Precarity explains votes for Radical Populist Right and Radical Populist Left in all cases except populist right voting in Poland, Hungary, and Italy. Among the dimensions of precarity, financial insecurity and insecurity of work conditions show a particularly significant association with populist attitudes and voting, while the insecurity of tenure provides mixed results. These results suggest that insecurity may have an effect on the diffusion of populist attitudes and populist voting. It also indicates that populist outlook and voting should be investigated by not simply examining the insecurity of tenure but also using measures of insecurity that capture the conditions of work and financial insecurity of individuals.
Financial barriers to primary health care in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Jeffreys Mona , Ellison-Loschmann Lis , Irurzun-Lopez Maite , Cumming Jacqueline , McKenzie Fiona
Published: September 2023

Background

In Aotearoa New Zealand, co-payments to see a general practitioner (GP, family doctor) or collect a prescription are payable by virtually all adults.

Objective

To examine the extent to which these user co-payments are a barrier to accessing health care, focussing on inequities for indigenous Māori.

Methods

Pooled data from sequential waves (years) of the New Zealand Health Survey, 2011/12 to 2018/19 were analysed. Outcomes were self-reported cost barriers to seeing a GP or collecting a prescription in the previous year. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of barriers to care for Māori compared with non-Māori, sequentially adjusting for additional explanatory variables.

Results

Pooled data included 107,231 people, 22,292 (21%) were Māori. Across all years, 22% of Māori (13% non-Māori) experienced a cost barrier to seeing a GP, and 14% of Māori (5% non-Māori) reported a cost barrier to collecting a prescription. The age- and wave-adjusted OR comparing Māori/non-Māori was 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.61, 1.81) for the cost barrier to primary care and 2.97 (95% CI: 2.75, 3.20) for the cost barrier to collecting prescriptions. Sociodemographics accounted for about half the inequity for both outcomes; in a fully adjusted model, age, sex, low income, and poorer underlying health were determinants of both outcomes, and deprivation was additionally associated with the cost barrier to collecting a prescription but not to seeing a GP.

Conclusions

Māori experience considerable inequity in access to primary health care; evidence supports an urgent need for change to system funding to eliminate financial barriers to care.
Fungal Fight Club: phylogeny and growth rate predict competitive outcomes among ectomycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Smith Alexander H , Bogar Laura M , Moeller Holly V
Published: September 2023

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are among the most prevalent fungal partners of plants and can constitute up to one-third of forest microbial biomass. As mutualistic partners that supply nutrients, water, and pathogen defense, these fungi impact host plant health and biogeochemical cycling. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are also extremely diverse, and the community of fungal partners on a single plant host can consist of dozens of individuals. However, the factors that govern competition and coexistence within these communities are still poorly understood. In this study, we used in vitro competitive assays between five ectomycorrhizal fungal strains to examine how competition and pH affect fungal growth. We also tested the ability of evolutionary history to predict the outcomes of fungal competition. We found that the effects of pH and competition on fungal performance varied extensively, with changes in growth media pH sometimes reversing competitive outcomes. Furthermore, when comparing the use of phylogenetic distance and growth rate in predicting competitive outcomes, we found that both methods worked equally well. Our study further highlights the complexity of ectomycorrhizal fungal competition and the importance of considering phylogenetic distance, ecologically relevant traits, and environmental conditions in predicting the outcomes of these interactions.
Lactobacillus casei condition medium downregulates miR-21 relative expression in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Ramin , Bahadori Ali , Ghorbani Mahdi , Mohammadimehr Mojgan
Published: September 2023

Previous research has demonstrated promising outcomes regarding the advantageous impact of probiotics in both cancer prevention and treatment. Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underpinning these effects remain elusive. Recent investigations have proposed a potential involvement of micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in mediating the favorable influence of probiotics on cancerous cells. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus casei condition medium on miR-21 relative expression in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Lactobacillus casei condition medium mixed with RPMI in different proportions (1:1, 1:3, and 1:7) and utilized to treat HT-29 cells for 24 and 48 h. Subsequently, percentage of early and late apoptotic cells were identified using a flow cytometry instrument. A real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to determine the relative expression of miR-21. Our findings revealed that L. casei condition medium induces apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, we found a significantly downregulated miR-21 after treatment with high doses of L. casei condition medium after 48 h. Overall, our results provide valuable insights into a potential mechanism through which L. casei condition medium mediates its apoptotic effect in colorectal cancer cells through downregulation of miR-21. However, further investigations are required to unravel its therapeutic, diagnostic, and treatment monitoring potential.
Alcohols as inhibitors of ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria
Authors: Oudova-Rivera Barbora , Crombie Andrew T , Murrell J Colin , Lehtovirta-Morley Laura E
Published: September 2023

Ammonia oxidizers are key players in the global nitrogen cycle and are responsible for the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, which is further oxidized to nitrate by other microorganisms. Their activity can lead to adverse effects on some human-impacted environments, including water pollution through leaching of nitrate and emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) is the key enzyme in microbial ammonia oxidation and shared by all groups of aerobic ammonia oxidizers. The AMO has not been purified in an active form, and much of what is known about its potential structure and function comes from studies on its interactions with inhibitors. The archaeal AMO is less well studied as ammonia oxidizing archaea were discovered much more recently than their bacterial counterparts. The inhibition of ammonia oxidation by aliphatic alcohols (C1-C8) using the model terrestrial ammonia oxidizing archaeon ‘Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus franklandus’ C13 and the ammonia oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea was examined in order to expand knowledge about the range of inhibitors of ammonia oxidizers. Methanol was the most potent specific inhibitor of the AMO in both ammonia oxidizers, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 0.19 and 0.31 mM, respectively. The inhibition was AMO-specific in ‘Ca. N. franklandus’ C13 in the presence of C1-C2 alcohols, and in N. europaea in the presence of C1-C3 alcohols. Higher chain-length alcohols caused non-specific inhibition and also inhibited hydroxylamine oxidation. Ethanol was tolerated by ‘Ca. N. franklandus’ C13 at a higher threshold concentration than other chain-length alcohols, with 80 mM ethanol being required for complete inhibition of ammonia oxidation.
Origin and Evolution of Plant Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposons with Additional Ribonuclease H
Authors: Biryukov Mikhail , Ustyantsev Kirill
Published: September 2023

Retroviruses originated from long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) through several structural adaptations. One such modification was the arrangement of an additional ribonuclease H (aRH) domain next to native RH, followed by degradation and subfunctionalization of the latter. We previously showed that this retrovirus-like structure independently evolved in Tat LTR-RTs in flowering plants, proposing its origin from sequential rearrangements of ancestral Tat structures identified in lycophytes and conifers. However, most nonflowering plant genome assemblies were not available at that time, therefore masking the history of aRH acquisition by Tat and challenging our hypothesis. Here, we revisited Tat's evolution scenario upon the aRH acquisition by covering most of the extant plant phyla. We show that Tat evolved and obtained aRH in an ancestor of land plants. Importantly, we found the retrovirus-like structure in clubmosses, hornworts, ferns, and gymnosperms, suggesting its ancient origin, broad propagation, and yet-to-be-understood benefit for the LTR-RTs’ adaptation.
Willingness to Live Under Impairment: Factors Associated With Desired Longevity
Authors: de Paula Couto M Clara P , Rupprecht Fiona S , Nikitin Jana , Rothermund Klaus
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives

Longevity is a societal achievement. However, people might not wish to live long lives under all conditions. When deciding about their longevity desires, some individuals may focus on present-oriented, concrete aspects of their lives, like their current state of health, whereas others may weigh up more future-oriented, abstract aspects, such as how important it is to be healthy. We investigated what factors are associated with individuals’ willingness to live with impairment.

Research Design and Methods

Factors associated with willingness to live with impairment were examined in a sample of N = 790 German participants aged 39–90 years (Mage = 63.38, SD = 14.30, 51% female). To examine age-specific factors related to desired longevity under impairment conditions, chronological age was added as a moderator in the analyses.

Results

Findings indicated that for middle-aged adults, fear of becoming a burden and higher importance of health were associated with lower willingness to live with impairment. For older adults, lower willingness to live with impairment was associated with higher levels of instrumental preparation for the end of life.

Discussion and Implications

The obtained age differences can be understood as reflecting a shift in time perspective and personal experiences. Among middle-aged adults, willingness to live with impairment is more strongly influenced by distant events that pertain to the future (e.g., fear of becoming a burden). Older adults, however, place more importance on their current life situation (e.g., instrumental preparation), and their willingness to live with impairment seems to be more conditional on practical aspects in the present.
Ultrahigh-resolution 9C seismic survey in a landslide prone area in southwest of Sweden
Authors: Pertuz Tatiana , Malehmir Alireza
Published: September 2023

We studied the benefits of a nine-component (9C) seismic survey over a landslide-prone area in southwest of Sweden to retrieve ultrahigh-resolution shear wave reflection images of the subsurface as well as crucial information on physical properties of the sediments. A complete, 1 m shot and receiver spacing, multicomponent 2-D seismic profile was acquired using three-component microelectromechanical-system-based landstreamer receivers, and a 5-kg sledgehammer strike in vertical and horizontal orientations as three-component seismic source. Given the rich number of shear wave reflections observed on all the 9C data, the processing work focused on their retrievals. It revealed three distinct reflections, two of which associated with coarse-grained materials and one with an extremely undulating bedrock surface. Given the extremely slow shear wave velocities on the order of 60–100 m s−1, we obtained ultrahigh-resolution shear wave sections avoiding temporal and spatial aliasing. Imaging results suggest vertical-source and horizontal-radial receiver (V–HR), and horizontal-transverse source–receiver orientations (HT–HT) provided the most optimum images of the subsurface. A non-hyperbolic algorithm was applied to the normal-moveout corrections justified by the traveltime differences of the bedrock reflection in different shear wave sections. The improved images by incorporating the anisotropy term suggest that the data set reveals moderate shear wave anisotropy along some portions of the profile. The Vp/Vs ratio obtained by using bedrock reflection in P- and S-wave sections suggests values ranging 10–16, which implies high water content. Areas with lower Vp/Vs coincides with greater anisotropic parameters and this can indicate disturbed clays or presence of sensitive clays.