bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3081: Competitive Inhibition Of Tlt-1/fibrinogen Molecular Interaction Disrupts Platelet Function In Ex Vivo Platelet Assays
Authors: Branfield Siobhan , Vales Xariana , LaGrand Susan , Manfredi Barbara , Gonzalez Jose , Akamine Pearl , Cantres Yadira , Baerga Abel , Delgado-Velez Manuel , Melendez Loyda , Wu Colin , Washington Valance
Published: July 2024

Background:
Platelets facilitate thrombosis, hemostasis, and immunity through their interaction with fibrinogen. Fibrinogen is the ligand for the platelet receptors αIIbβ3 and
T
REM-
L
ike
T
ranscript-1 (TLT-1), TLT-1 is an Ig-domain containing receptor released from platelet α-granules upon platelet activation. Unlike αIIbβ3, little is known about the TLT-1/fibrinogen interaction.

Aims:
Delineate the TLT-1/fibrinogen molecular interaction and determine if, peptides representing this interaction can regulate platelet function and inflammatory hemostasis.

Methods:
Octet Qke Bio-layer Interferometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to evaluate soluble TLT-1 binding to fibrinogen. Immunoprecipitation and a peptide array were used to determine which fibrinogen peptides bound TLT-1. Flow cytometry using FITC-labelled fibrinogen binding to activated human platelets and human platelet aggregometry in the presence of these peptides were used in competitive inhibition assays. Additionally, competitive ELISAs using peptides representing regions the TLT-1 extracellular domain incubated with soluble TLT-1 in a fibrinogen coated wells were used to identify the region(s) on TLT-1 interaction with fibrinogen.

Results:
We obtained an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 3.02 ± 0.20 nM for the TLT-1/Fibrinogen interaction. AFM suggests that sTLT-1 mediates fibrinogen polymerization. Competitive inhibition assays suggest complementary determining loop-1 and LP-17 (a 17 amino acid region of TLT-1) mediate TLT-1’s interaction to fibrinogen. The 3D modeling of our identified peptides show that they form a binding complex on the B module of the D-domain rather than a single binding site. These peptides competitively reduce platelet aggregation in aggregation assays and decrease fibrinogen binding to platelets in flow cytometry assays compared to controls. Cell binding and clotting assays are underway and the current status of projected will be reported here.

Conclusions:
TLT-1 uses LP17 and CDR-1 to interact with the newly identified TLT-1 binding complex on fibrinogen. This TLT-1 binding surface may represent a targetable intervention to regulate thrombosis and inflammation.
Abstract 3093: Can Inhibiting Ferroptosis And Subsequent Endothelial Glycocalyx Shedding Reduce The Morbidity And Mortality Of Hemorrhagic Shock?
Authors: Vinjamuri Aditya , Gerberg Zander , Shaheen Farhana , Duchesne Juan , Taghavi Sharven , Jackson-Weaver Olan
Published: July 2024

Background:
Trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock accounts for 40% of preventable death. Shock-induced endotheliopathy has garnered interest recently and one aspect of this, endothelial glycocalyx shedding, has shown to promote coagulopathy following hemorrhage. Ferroptosis is an iron dependent, non-apoptotic form of controlled cell death triggered by the oxidation of membrane phospholipids. Liproxstatin-1 (LPX1) is an inhibitor of this process and can protect against oxidative damage to the endothelial cell membrane and subsequent shedding of glycocalyx. We hypothesized that LPX1 would reduce endothelial glycocalyx damage in hemorrhagic shock.

Methods:
A rat model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation was used to assess glycocalyx disruption in the lungs via fluorescent-labeled wheat germ agglutinin staining in frozen tissue and by Syndecan-1 ELISA on plasma samples. A control group (n=5) resuscitated only with Lactated Ringer’s solution, following hemorrhage and resuscitation (H/R) was compared against an experimental group (n=5) that received LPX1 following hemorrhage and before resuscitation.

Results:
Glycocalyx shedding (assessed by an increase in plasma Syndecan-1 levels) was prevented in the LPX1 treated group compared to control group. Lung tissue staining of the glycocalyx also showed a greater glycocalyx level in the LPX1 group than in the control (40.4 vs 36.3 arbitrary units). Additionally, LPX1 treated animals were able to sustain a higher mean arterial pressure (82 vs 45mmHg), and oxygen saturation throughout the resuscitation period measured at 15 and 30 minutes following LPX1 infusion (98.4% SpO2 vs. 99.0% SpO2 at 30 minutes resuscitation).

Conclusions:
Ferroptosis inhibitor LPX1 can reduce morbidity acutely during hemorrhagic shock and can protect the endothelial cell glycocalyx from oxidative damage due to its ability to slow the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid hydroperoxides.
Abstract 3094: Traditional Chinese Medicine Buyang Huanwu Decoction Regulates The Platelet Gpvi And Its Downstream Protein Signaling Pathways,inhibiting Thrombosis And Preventing Cardiovascular Disease.
Authors: Wang Ziyan , Li Lei , Liu Jianxun , Ce Cao
Published: July 2024

Background:
Coronary heart disease Qi-Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome will lead to the body of platelets disorders, blood viscosity, conducive to the formation of thrombosis, Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) is a classic Chinese medicine treatment of Qi-Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome. Platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) plays a crucial role in collagen-induced activation and aggregation of platelets. GPVI has become the focus of new approaches to antithrombotic therapy.

Methods:
After 6 weeks of irregular sleep deprivation in rats with syndrome of deficiency of qi and blood stasis formed, the coronary heart disease model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The dosage of 1 mL/100 g was given by intragastric administration for 14 days after operation.

Results:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BYHWD on platelet granule secretion and platelet function in vitro. We found that BYHWD can significantly reduce the platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen, significantly reduce the median expression of CD62p and the ratio of activated platelets, and reduce the concentration of fluorescent calcium ions in platelets. Under the electron microscope observation found that under the action of BYHWD, the ultrastructure of rat platelets pseudopodia reduced, aggregation reduced, rat coronary inner wall platelets, thrombus mass adhesion reduced, and the inner wall was smoother. In addition, BYHWD can regulate GPVI and its downstream proteins. Compared with the coronary heart disease group with syndrome of blood stasis, BYHWD can significantly reduce the expression of GPVI. Significantly reduced the expression of Syk, CALDAG-GEFI, significantly reduced the expression of IP
3
and significantly reduced the degree of PLCγ
2
of rats. Decreased the degranulation reaction of the rat blood, significantly decreased the level of TXA
2
, 5-HT in the rat blood, and significantly decreased the content of the rat blood COX-1 in the rat serum.

Conclusion:
Therefore, BYHWD can regulate GPVI and its downstream protein signaling pathways, reduce platelet over-activation, degranulation reaction, thereby inhibiting thrombosis, protecting heart function and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Abstract 3103: The Impact Of Cardiovascular Health Intervention On Plasma Metabolomic Profiles In Black Adults
Authors: Searles Charles D , Beydoun Nour , Vasta Nishant , Liu Chang , Rooney Kimberly , Sun Yan , Pemu Priscilla , Taylor Herman A , Jones Dean , Quyyumi Arshed A
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
Previously, we used plasma metabolomics profiling to identify metabolites underlying cardiovascular health (CVH) in participants of the Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity study, a cohort of Black adults living in the Atlanta area. To determine whether a health intervention could alter expression of metabolites associated with CVH, metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention in participants with poor CVH.

Hypothesis:
Metabolites previously shown to be associated with CVH in MECA participants would be altered after the health intervention.

Goal:
To identify metabolites that could be markers for improved CVH and therapeutic targets.

Methods:
Seventy-one Black adults without known cardiovascular disease and with poor CVH (AHA Life’s Simple 7 [LS7] score <8), used a technology-enabled behavioral intervention platform for 6 months with or without a health coach. Metabolomics profiles were assessed pre- and post-intervention by high-resolution metabolomics profiling. A metabolome wide association study (MWAS) identified differentially expressed metabolites and enriched metabolic pathways. Metabolites were annotated by matching to an in-house library of confirmed metabolites. Changes in clinical metrics after intervention were also explored.

Results:
Mean age was 55 (standard deviation [SD] 9.0) years, 69% female. Total LS7 scores improved from 6.2 (SD 1.49) to 6.5 (SD 1.74) after the intervention. While total and subcomponent LS7 scores and clinical metrics (BMI, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels) trended toward improvement, the changes were not statistically significant. MWAS identified 18 confirmed metabolites that were significantly changed after intervention, including glutamine and glutamate. Pathway analysis identified 29 enriched metabolic pathways, including those for glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, arginine and proline metabolism.

Conclusion:
A six-month lifestyle intervention significantly altered activity of select plasma metabolites while only modestly altering clinical metrics. These metabolites appear to be sensitive indicators of a healthier lifestyle, potentially supporting their use as markers of CVH and therapeutic targets.
Abstract 3110: Association Of Non-O Blood Group With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Covid-19 Patients
Authors: Hamade Nada , Leyva Hannah , Krishnathasan Darsiya , Rashedi Sina , Bejjani Antoine , Khairani Candrika D , McGonagle Bridget , Greason Christie , Campia Umberto , Davies Julia , Porio Nicole , Assi Ali A , Armero Andre , Tristani Anthony , Ortiz-Rios Marcos D , Nauffel Victor , Almarzooq Zaid , Wei Eric , Zuluaga- Sánchez Valeria , Zarghami Mehrdad , Achanta Aditya , Jesudasen Sirius J , Tiu Bruce , Merli Geno J , Leiva Orly , Fanikos John , Sharma Aditya , Rizzo Samantha , Pfeferman Mariana B , Morrison Ruth , Vishnevsky Alec , Hsia Judith , Nehler Mark R , Welker James , Bonaca Marc P , Carroll Brett , Goldhaber Samuel Z , Lan Zhou , Bikdeli Behnood , Piazza Gregory
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
Patients with COVID-19 are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Studies indicating an association between ABO blood groups and risk of cardiovascular outcomes were limited by small sample size or use of administrative claims data with uncertain validity.

Aim:
To study the association of non-O blood group and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in a large cohort with adjudicated cardiovascular events.

Methods:
We examined patients from the CORONA-VTE Network registry with confirmed COVID-19 and ABO blood group data. The main outcome was major cardiovascular events including venous or arterial thrombosis, heart failure, myocarditis, new atrial fibrillation/flutter, and cardiovascular death. Outcomes were assessed at 90-day follow-up and adjudicated by independent physicians. Adjusted analyses were conducted accounting for age, sex, cancer, history of cardiovascular disease, history of hemodialysis, history of prior venous thromboembolism, and clustering of patients within sites.

Results:
Among 3,224 patients of whom 1,658 were inpatients (mean age: 66 ± 17.8) and 1,566 were outpatients (mean age: 52 ± 17.8), 767 (23.8%) inpatients and 728 (22.6%) outpatients had blood group O. Among inpatients, 90-day cumulative incidence of cardiovascular events was 16.9% (95% CI: 14.1-19.5%) for blood group O and 20.8% (95% CI: 18.1- 23.4%) for non-O blood group. Compared with patients with blood group O, those with non-O blood group had a higher risk of cardiovascular events in unadjusted (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.02-1.60%, p=0.03), and adjusted analyses (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.57%, p=0.04). In outpatients, 90-day event rates were 2.9% (95% CI: 1.7- 4.1%) for blood group O and 4.2% (95% CI: 2.8- 5.6%) for non-O blood group. The risk of cardiovascular events in outpatients with non-O blood group did not reach statistical significance, in unadjusted (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.9-2.5, p=0.172) or adjusted analyses (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.9-2.1, p=0.162).

Conclusion:
Inpatients with COVID-19 with non-O blood group have a higher risk of cardiovascular events in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Future studies should explore if patients with non-O blood group may benefit from preventive strategies to mitigate this risk.
Abstract 3114: Time Course Multi-omics Approach Investigating Gene Expression Regulation During Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transitioning
Authors: Perry Noah , Anderson Warren , Barbera Nicolas , Civelek Mete
Published: July 2024

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. There is a need for novel therapeutic targets that prevent life-threatening consequences directly associated with plaque accumulation in the vascular wall—the underlying cause of CAD. During the progression of atherosclerosis, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) transdifferentiate from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype that can either promote fibrous cap stability (fibroblast-like) or contribute to inflammation and plaque accumulation (macrophage or osteoblast-like).The molecular mechanisms driving the functional phenotypic switching of VSMCs are not fully understood and represent a unique opportunity for discovering new treatments directly targeting plaque formation in the vascular wall. We measured gene expression regulation during VSMC dedifferentiation using time-course chromatin remodeling (ATACseq) and nascent transcription data (PROseq). We stimulated VSMCs from three healthy heart transplant donors with PDGF-BB for 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours and performed sequencing in duplicate for each donor at each time point for a total of 30 PROseq and 30 ATACseq libraries. We identified 231,315 regions of accessible chromatin (peaks) in the ATACseq data and 12,954 genes in the PROseq data across the five time points. Likelihood ratio testing detected 13,285 peaks and 7,438 genes with time-dynamic changes in read counts representing six patterns of variable accessibility and nascent transcription following PDGF-BB stimulation: gradual increase/decrease (I/D), immediate I/D, and transient I/D. Transcription factor binding site (TFBS) motif enrichment of dynamic peaks revealed 31 TFs unique to one time dynamic. We identified 157 genes directly downstream of peaks enriched for the 31 TFBSs sharing similar time-specific fold changes. THAP1 binding site motifs had the highest number of cis-regulatory connections (596) and downstream genes (80). Our results capture the first ever time-course ATACseq and PROseq analysis conducted in human VSMCs and provide the ability to predict regulatory edges between TFs and genes in order to map the regulatory cascading events occurring during VSMC switching from a contractile to a synthetic state.
Abstract 3118: An Unusual Case Of Severe Multivessel Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease In A Very Young Patient
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Aurshina Afsha , Rajagopalan Varun , Imtiaz Zainab , Khan Muhammad , Nwaedozie Somto , Aurshiya Rasha , Ahmed Owais , Kashou Hisham
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is defined as CAD prior to the age of 55 for men and 65 for women, while CAD in young is defined as age <45 years. In the last decade, incidence of global premature CAD has increased by 25 %.

Case presentation:
A 20-year-old female with medical history of dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 1 diabetes mellitus and family history of premature coronary artery disease presented to the emergency room with chief complaint of chest pain and shortness of breath. EKG revealed sinus tachycardia and poor R-wave progression on anterior precordial leads. Serum troponin trend was unremarkable. Echocardiogram revealed severely reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of 20-25% with global LV hypokinesis, trace mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Given new onset cardiomyopathy and family history of premature CAD, CT heart with coronary calcium scoring was performed which was concerning for severe LAD disease. Surprisingly, coronary angiogram revealed severe atherosclerotic disease in LAD, left circumflex and right coronary artery territories. Patient was started on guideline directed medical therapy for cardiomyopathy and has been referred to tertiary center for surgical revascularization.

Discussion:
To our best knowledge only one case has been reported before in the literature when a 21-year-old male patient had multivessel CAD requiring surgical revascularization. However, we report a case, which will be the youngest ever to have severe multivessel CAD needing surgical revascularization in the future. Cole et al, in a study of 800 young patients with CAD at long term follow up of 15 years, showed an overall mortality rate of 30 %, with 83% mortality rate in patients with EF< 30%, thus carrying a poor long-term prognosis.(2) Hence, an early initiation of treatment, including both medical therapy and revascularization should strongly be considered in these young patient population.

Conclusion:
With the increasing prevalence of premature CAD and associated risk factors, age alone should not be taken as a reliable indicator for risk stratifying patients. Emphasizing awareness among young adults with high risk of CAD that primary prevention and early lifestyle modification are of paramount importance.
Abstract 3130: Effect Of Fatty Acids And Berberine On Macrophages Lipids Metabolism And Inflammation
Authors: Shah Ritika , Venkatesan Aravind , Sarangi Karisma , Garelnabi Mahdi O
Published: July 2024

Dietary fatty acids play a significant role in cardiometabolic health. Recent research indicates that genetic alterations of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, linked to modulated macrophage function contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have explored the dietary effects of fatty acids supplementation on macrophage functions. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in various medicinal herbs.

Aims and objectives:
The current study is designed to determine the effect of Palmitic acid (PA) and Linoleic acid (LA) supplementation on the macrophage’s lipids metabolism and inflammation. Additionally, this study determines the effect of BBR on the fatty acid’s supplementation on macrophage modulation.

Method:
Mouse macrophages J774 were cultured using media made of DMEM, 10%FBS and 1% PNS. PA, LA and berberine were dissolved in ethanol separately. Three different concentrations 5ug/ul, 25ug/ul and 50ug/ul of PA and LA were used. Macrophages were first treated with three different concentrations of PA LA each in 6 well plates and then 5uM of berberine was introduced in another set of PA and LA treated cells. Cells and the media were collected after 12hrs and 24hrs for GCMS analysis to determine the uptake of fatty acids and the effect of BBR on the PA and LA metabolism in macrophages. The media and cell samples of only fatty acid treated samples and cells treated with both fatty acids and BBR were processed in a Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 SE. RNA was isolated from lysed cells and Real Time - qPCR analysis was processed in Bio-Rad RT-PCR to determine the effect of saturated (PA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipids packaging and signaling as well as the resultant inflammation associated with these fatty acids’ uptake and metabolism.

Results and Conclusion:
BBR differentially inhibited fatty acids uptake by macrophages. The GCMS analysis has shown that BBR aggressively inhibited PA uptake compared to LA uptake by macrophages indicating a selective and preferential mode of action for BBR towards saturated fatty acids linked to atherosclerosis compared to unsaturated fatty acids.
Neurofilament Light Chain and Risk of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Aulin Julia , Sjölin Karl , Lindbäck Johan , Benz Alexander P. , Eikelboom John W. , Hijazi Ziad , Kultima Kim , Oldgren Jonas , Wallentin Lars , Burman Joachim ,   on behalf of the ACTIVE A and AVERROES Investigators
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Biomarkers reflecting brain injury are not routinely used in risk assessment of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). Neurofilament light chain (NFL) is a novel biomarker released into blood after cerebral insults. We investigated the association between plasma concentrations of NFL, other biomarkers, and risk of stroke and death in patients with AF not receiving oral anticoagulation.

METHODS:

For this observational study, baseline plasma samples were available from 3077 patients with AF randomized to aspirin in ACTIVE A (Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial With Irbesartan for Prevention of Vascular Events; 2003 to 2008) and AVERROES (Apixaban Versus Acetylsalicylic Acid [ASA] to Prevent Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Who Have Failed or Are Unsuitable for Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment; 2007 to 2009). Median follow-up was 1.5 years. NFL was analyzed with a Single Molecule Array (Simoa). Associations with outcomes (total stroke or systemic embolism, ischemic stroke, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death) were explored with Cox regression models.

RESULTS:

In the combined cohort, the median NFL level was 16.9 ng/L (interquartile range, 11.1–26.5 ng/L), the median age was 71 years, 58% were men, and 13% had a history of previous stroke. NFL was associated with older age, higher creatinine, lower body mass index, previous stroke, female sex, and diabetes but not cardiac rhythm. Higher NFL was associated with a higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism (n=206) independently of clinical characteristics (hazard ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.10–1.46] per doubling of NFL) and other biomarkers (hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.01–1.37]) and including in patients without previous stroke (hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.02–1.48]). NFL was also independently associated with cardiovascular (n=219) and all-cause (n=311) death. The C index for stroke using only NFL was 0.642, on par with the currently used clinical risk scores. Addition of information on NFL improved discrimination in a model also including clinical information, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, yielding a C index of 0.727.

CONCLUSIONS:

NFL reflects overt and covert episodes of cerebral ischemia and improves risk assessment of stroke and death in patients with AF without oral anticoagulation, including in patients without previous stroke. The combination of NFL with information on age, history of stroke, and other biomarkers should be explored as a future avenue for stroke risk assessments in patients with AF.
Recipe for Heart Health: A Randomized Crossover Trial on Cardiometabolic Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Within a Whole‐Food Plant‐Based Vegan Diet
Authors: Krenek Andrea M. , Mathews Anne , Guo Juen , Courville Amber B. , Pepine Carl J. , Chung Stephanie T. , Aggarwal Monica
Published: July 2024

Background

Whole‐food, plant‐based vegan diets, low in oils, and Mediterranean diets, rich in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Optimal quantity of dietary fat, particularly EVOO, is unclear.

Methods and Results

In a randomized crossover trial with weekly cooking classes, adults with ≥5% cardiovascular disease risk followed a high (4 tablespoons/day) to low (<1 teaspoon/day) or low to high EVOO whole‐food, plant‐based diet for 4 weeks each, separated by a 1‐week washout. The primary outcome was difference in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) from baseline. Secondary measures were changes in additional cardiometabolic markers. Linear mixed models assessed changes from baseline between phases, with age, sex, and body weight change as covariates. In 40 participants, fat intake comprised 48% and 32% of energy during high and low EVOO phases, respectively. Both diets resulted in comparable reductions in LDL‐C, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (all
P
<0.05). With diet‐sequence interactions for LDL‐C, differences were detected between diets by diet order (mean±SEM high to low: Δ‐12.7[5.9] mg/dL,
P
=0.04 versus low to high: Δ+15.8[6.8] mg/dL,
P
=0.02). Similarly, low to high order led to increased glucose, total cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (all
P
<0.05). Over period 1, LDL‐C reductions were −25.5(5.1) post‐low versus −16.7(4.2) mg/dL post‐high EVOO,
P
=0.162, which diminished over period 2.

Conclusions

Both plant‐based diet patterns improved cardiometabolic risk profiles compared with baseline diets, with more pronounced decreases in LDL‐C after the low EVOO diet. Addition of EVOO after following a low intake pattern may impede further lipid reductions.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier:
NCT04828447
.
On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes in the Western Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Markos Shishay , Belay Berhanu , Dessie Tadelle
Published: July 2024

The study was conducted to characterize morphometric traits of indigenous chickens and determine the relationships among the traits in three agro-climatic regions of western zone of Tigray regional state of Ethiopia. Twenty- one morphometric traits from 770 local chickens (412 hens, 358 cocks) were measured and analyzed using the PROC GLM of SAS 2008. Tukey mean comparison was used to analyze significantly different traits. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the traits. Significant variations were found in most traits among ecotypes, with males showing higher values in many traits. Kolla chickens generally exhibited higher values, except for neck length, skull length, and wattle, earlobe, comb, and beak indices. Interactions between sex and ecotypes significantly affected the morphometric traits. The strength and direction of significant correlations among the quantitative traits varied across the chicken ecotypes and sexes. The variation in morphometric measurements among the chicken ecotypes is an indicator of genetic diversity in the study area, calling for a community-centered holistic genetic enhancement program.
Critical Analysis of Status of Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Manda, Lamu County, Kenya: A Multifaceted Examination of HUMINT and SIGINT
Authors: Ogutu Kennedy , Nyagwara Fredrick
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a critical analysis of counter-terrorism strategies in Kenya, with a specific focus on the multifaceted examination of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a thorough understanding of Kenya's efforts to combat terrorism. The target population of this study encompassed participants involved in counter-terrorism activities in Kenya. This included officers in security agencies such as the National Intelligence Service and the Kenya Defense Forces which formed our target population. A total of 93 officers participated. The respondents were drawn through purposive sampling. By addressing multiple levels of involvement, the paper provides a holistic view of counter-terrorism strategies and their impact. Quantitative data was collected through surveys administered to a representative sample of security personnel in the NIS and KDF. Qualitative data on the other hand was collected through interviews. Semi-structured interviews were done with key informants, such as heads of the National Intelligence Service and Kenya Defense Forces helped capture the nuanced perspectives on HUMINT and SIGINT. STATA and Statistical Package for Social Scences (SPSS) Software were used to analyze quantitative data from the survey. The statistical significance between the average expectations and average perceptions in both security agencies was analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Additionally, the significance of the gaps between the agencies was assessed with Hotelling’s T-squared test at a 5% significance level. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were also used to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent variable (s) and the dependent variable. The study generally found that the indicators of the HUMINT strategy were effective in countering terrorism except for source penetration. Further, the study determined that all indicators of SIGINT strategy were ineffective in countering terrorism except for interception of communication and timely warnings.
Anthropogenic Drivers of Spatial Trends in Groundwater Quality in the Upper Athi River Basin of Kenya, East Africa
Authors: Ashun Ebenezer , Tagoe Naa
Published: July 2024

Rapid urbanization and population growth in the upper Athi River basin in Kenya have increased the strain on the sub catchments water supply and sanitation situation. Due to increasing demand, inadequate supply of drinking water and lack of sanitation facilities, people in the sub-catchment are increasingly reliant on groundwater as a primary or supplementary water source. However, the use of on-site wastewater systems and agricultural pollution, mainly from runoff containing fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and faeces, pose a threat to groundwater in the sub catchment. Subsequently, the current study was conducted in the Thiririka sub catchment, Kiambu County, Kenya, to determine the safety of groundwater sources and to examine the factors influencing groundwater quality in the catchment area. This study assessed the influence of anthropogenic activities on the physical, chemical, and bacteriological quality of groundwater in the Upper Athi River basin of Kenya between April and June 2022. Twenty variables were analyzed and compared with water quality standards to determine hydro chemical characteristics, evidence of contamination, and suitability of groundwater. Shallow wells (SW) had higher concentrations of major ions and key parameters than boreholes (BH), such as alkalinity (7%), turbidity (96%), nitrates (92%), sulfates (48%), phosphates (93%), chlorides (77%), potassium (84%), sodium (30%) and fecal coliforms (99%) significant at p < 0.01. Concentrations of eleven water quality variables however were comparable in both systems. Farming, animal husbandry, and pit latrines were negatively but significantly correlated with the water quality of SW explaining substantial amounts of variation (≤ 45%) in concentrations of water quality variables. Ionic and coliform levels increased with decreasing distance and vice versa. IDW interpolation maps were generated in ArcGIS software to determine the spatial variability of groundwater quality in the basin. Anthropogenic activities such as pit latrines and animal husbandry impaired the quality of groundwater which in most cases was not potable.
Two Novel Multidimensional Affine Variations of the Hill Cipher
Authors: Coggins Porter
Published: July 2024

Two novel symmetric multidimensional affine nested variations of the Hill Cipher are presented. The Hill Cipher is a block polygraphic substitution encryption scheme based on a linear transformation of plaintext characters into ciphertext characters. In the time since Hill first published his encryption scheme, variations, modifications, and improvements of theoretical and practical importance have been published every year indicating that the Hill Cipher is an active area of cryptography research. The first variation presented in this paper incorporated invertible key matrices of orders 2, 4, and 8 such that the matrix values of the 2×2 matrix rotate positions with each block of characters in a similar manner to the rotating letter wheels of a German Enigma Encoder, then results of the 2×2 key matrices output are passed to 4×4 key matrices, and 8x8 key matrix, 4×4 key matrices, and rotative-value 2×2 key matrices. The second variation is configured with invertible key matrices of orders 4, 8, and 16 without rotation of matrix values in a similar manner to the first variation. In both variations, plaintext characters of each block are operated on by exclusive-or (XOR) vectors prior to multiplication with the matrices to create the affine ciphers. Strengths, weaknesses, and other considerations are provided in the discussion. Two proposals are also argued with rationale for a more robust character set for encryption and the increase in modulus that the character set allows, and the possible advantages and disadvantages of affine XOR vectors.
Quantitative Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of Toxic Heavy Metal Levels (Pb and Mn) in Pineapple, Papaya, Banana and Mango Fruit Purchased from Tepi Market
Authors: Tefera Desalegn
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to analyze the composition and safety of commonly consumed fruits, namely pineapples, papaya, banana, and mango, and evaluate their suitability as part of a balanced diet. The fruits were assessed for moisture content, ash content, and heavy metal concentrations, specifically lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn). The moisture content values obtained for pineapple (81.3% ± 0.8), papaya (75.8% ± 1), banana (76% ± 0.5), and mango (83.8% ± 1) indicate varying levels of water content in these fruits. In terms of ash content, the values measured for pineapple (0.66% ± 1), papaya (1% ± 0.5), banana (1.6% ± 1), and mango (2.3% ± 1) indicate the ash content present in these fruits. The concentrations of lead and manganese in the fruit samples were within acceptable ranges, with values for lead ranging from 0.04 ppm to 0.08 ppm, and values for manganese ranging from 0.002 ppm to 0.006 ppm. These results assure the safety of these fruits for consumption. However, further research is recommended to explore factors affecting fruit composition, such as varietal differences and environmental conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of sourcing fruits from reputable suppliers and practicing proper fruit handling and storage. Overall, including these fruits in a balanced diet provides essential nutrients and contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Continuous monitoring and research are crucial to ensure the quality and safety of these fruits for long-term consumption.
Endotype and Phenotype Related Postoperative Effects of Bacterial Lysate in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hong Seung-No , Yang Seung Koo , Kim Su Geun , Han Sun A. , Park Jin-A , Cha Hyunkyung , Kim Joon Kon , Yoon So Yeon , Eun Kyoung Mi , Kim Dae Woo
Published: July 2024

Objectives:

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) endotypes have demonstrated clinical value in guiding treatment decisions. Bacterial lysates are immunomodulators that have shown beneficial effects in various respiratory inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of postoperative bacterial lysate therapy on different CRS endotypes.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with CRS who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were recruited. Bacterial lysates were administered postoperatively for 10 days per month for 3 months to the experimental group comprising patients with a history of frequent upper respiratory infections without adverse reactions. The remaining participants were allocated to the control group. The results of the postoperative 3-, 6-, and 12-month assessments, including the modified Lund-Kennedy (mLK) endoscopic and Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT) 22 scores, for the groups were compared. The tissue samples obtained from the participants were evaluated to detect the presence of relevant inflammatory mediators.

Results:

Among the 92 participants, 47 started bacterial lysate therapy 2 weeks after the surgery. The tissue cytokine profiles and clinical parameters, such as the disease severity and blood eosinophil percentage, of the bacterial lysate and control groups were comparable before treatment. The mLK endoscopic and SNOT-22 scores did not differ after 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. The subgroup analysis revealed that the bacterial lysate group had significantly lower mLK endoscopic scores than the control group for CRS without nasal polyps, while there was a tendency toward significance for the interleukin (IL)-5 negative group after 6 months.

Conclusion:

Postoperative bacterial lysate therapy has some beneficial effects on the endoscopic findings of patients with CRS without nasal polyps or those who are negative for IL-5.
Race, Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics, and Post-Release Employability among Incarcerated Men
Authors: Roddy Ariel L. , Durante Katherine A.
Published: July 2024

This study examines racial differences in perceptions of neighborhood conditions and employability for men reentering society from prisons in five U.S. states. Specifically, we explore the impact of neighborhood conditions on employability and changes in perceptions of employability over time for Black and white reentrants. Findings reveal that Black individuals perceive worse neighborhood conditions and employability. Living in neighborhoods that were considered good places to find work improved perceptions of ability to find employment across racial groups. For Black men, living in neighborhoods in which it was hard to stay out of trouble was associated with decreased optimism of earning income from a job. This work contributes to the body of research focusing on the economic marginalization of justice-involved individuals.
Operational mental health. . .what practitioners and commanders should know
Authors: Deahl Martin
Published: July 2024

Background:

Mental Health support to military operations is well established as an integral part of military medicine. Unfortunately, Commanders often receive little or no training in how best to use their mental health assets or what their capabilities are. Conversely, members of a Field Mental Health Team frequently have no operational experience and try to merely translate their civilian practice onto the battlefield.

Aim:

This article describes what mental health professional can, and should do on military deployments and calls for greater training and awareness of both Mental Health professionals and Operational Commanders to foster mutual understanding and use the Field Mental Health Team to best effect.

Method:

The paper drawson the experience of working in a Field Mental Health Team on six operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Results:

Military mental health professionals work mostly in peacetime and this work ill prepares them for the very different type of work required of them on operations.

Conclusion:

More training is required to prepare both practitioners and commanders for the mental health issues that confront them on operational deployments.
Disenfranchised Grief: Which Grieving Rules Do German Mid-adolescents Hold?
Authors: Siebel Angela , Müller Heidi , Augustin Marc , Zwingmann Christian
Published: July 2024

Every society adheres to grieving rules that govern how people experience loss and grief. These are rarely communicated explicitly, which can lead to insecurities in dealing with one’s own grief and the grief of others. This is particularly true for adolescents. Based on Doka’s concept of disenfranchised grief, this study explores the grieving rules of mid-adolescents. Cross-sectional data collection took place in November and December 2022 at six secondary schools in Germany. A total of 226 adolescents predominantly aged between 14 and 16 years completed the questionnaire. The analysis of the data shows that in some respects, mid-adolescents have similar grieving rules as adults. However, they are more inclusive when it comes to losses of ex-partners, pets and people with intellectual disabilities. Possible sources of (self-)disenfranchisement are parasocial relationships and the duration of grief. Open communication about grieving rules is suggested to prevent possible disenfranchisement.
The Influence of Disagreements over COVID-19 Preventive Measures on Stress and Sleep Quality
Authors: Badahdah Abdallah M. , Viskupič Filip , Wiltse David L.
Published: July 2024

In this paper we reported the rate of disagreements and their effect on stress levels and sleep quality. Data was collected from 573 South Dakota residents. We estimated two ordinary least squares regressions using stress and sleep quality due to COVID-19 as outcome variables. A high percentage (62.1%) of the participants reported disagreements over COVID-19 with friends and family members. Disagreements over COVID-19 were associated with a higher level of stress (β = 1.001, p = .000) and a lower level of sleep quality (β = −.431, p = .039). The results of this study should serve as a reminder to researchers to consider the impact of interpersonal conflict over public health measures with family and friends on mental health.
Pushing Past the Paywall: Accessing Open Peer-Reviewed Research
Authors: Cook Bryan G. , McClain Suzanne , Corr Francis , Waterfield Danielle A. , Welker Nathan P. , Fleming Jesse I. , Wilson Sarah Emily , Therrien William J.
Published: July 2024

Effective teaching and special education programming should be informed by scientific research published in peer-reviewed journals. However, many peer-reviewed articles, including how-to articles based on research findings in practitioner-focused journals, are not freely accessible to instructional coaches, department chairs, special education administrators, special education teachers, families of students with disabilities, and other interested individuals, creating a significant obstacle to informing practice with research findings. Fortunately, the number of peer-reviewed articles that are openly accessible on the internet is growing. In this article, we describe types of peer-reviewed articles, discuss different types of open-access publishing, and provide a six-step approach for accessing open-access publications.
“Out of the Comfort Zone”: Creating a Safely Brave Space for Dialogues about Race
Authors: Marvasti Karyn McKinney
Published: July 2024

This article is a constructively self-critical autoethnography of my evolving identity as an instructor in a race and ethnicity course. I supplement and contextualize my self-reflections with data in the form of comments from student evaluations. I begin by considering how my social location mediates class dynamics. I then present comments from earlier in my career when students routinely expressed discomfort and admonished me for what they felt was bias. Next, I discuss pedagogical strategies I adopted to address such criticism. Finally, I explore recent comments that affirm my pedagogical choices while encouraging continuing assessment of and modifications to the course. Because most respondents in my analysis are white, this article focuses primarily on their discomforts with and reactions to racial conversations in my classes and how I, as a white instructor, have responded. A discussion of the need for similar research on experiences of students of color is included.
Taking Ethnography to Court: Pedagogical Reflections on a Collective Field Study
Authors: Seim Josh , Adams Jamie , Huang Jiayu , Ortiz Gabi Celia , de Paula Tiago Franco , Yang Jier
Published: July 2024

Ethnography is an exceptionally difficult subject to teach and learn in a classroom setting. This article, written by an ethnography professor and five graduate ethnography students, reflects on how a short-term and collectively executed fieldwork study can help alleviate this problem. Within three months, we logged over 100 hours of observations on district court proceedings in greater Boston. Our field notes, memos, and seminar discussions brought to life three key topics in ethnography: theorization, positionality, and intervention. While not without its challenges, we ultimately found this exercise to be an effective and efficient way to sharpen our ethnographic sensibilities. We close with a general defense of collective fieldwork as a practical method for teaching and learning ethnography.
A tracking control method with the fast finite-time command filter for four degrees of freedom tower cranes
Authors: Liu Cungen , Meng Shuo , Liu Xiaoping , Zhao Yajing , Wang Huanqing , Li Chengdong
Published: July 2024

Tower cranes are the main tool of the horizontal and vertical transportation for construction, which are always driven by operators slowly to prevent payloads from large swing, such that efficiency is low. To deal with the problem, a finite-time tracking control method based on fast command filters is proposed, which can eliminate the tracking error in finite time and restrain the swing at the same time. The asymptotic stability is proved by Lyapunov technique. Finally, the hardware experiment is carried out and compared with the existing methods on the self-built tower crane experimental platform, and the pole placement method is used to select control parameters. The effectiveness and superiority are verified by the experimental results.
A novel prognostic method for degrading devices with nonlinear degradation processes indexed by both continuous and discrete time scales
Authors: Zheng Jianfei , Geng Xinyue , Hu Changhua , Pei Hong , Zhang Zhengxin
Published: July 2024

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction techniques based on degradation modeling to ensure the safety and reliability of stochastic degraded devices are of critical value. However, although the performance degradation of various devices in engineering practice is affected by multi-timescales, there are few RUL prediction methods for stochastic degraded devices with dual time scales in the existing literature. The research of prediction methods considering continuous and discrete time scales is blank. Toward this end, this paper proposes a novel prognostic method for nonlinear degradation devices based on the continuous-discrete dual time scales. First, the performance degradation with a discrete timescale is determined with a compound Poisson process and integrated into the diffusion process model to establish a nonlinear dual-timescale degradation model. Subsequently, the joint expression of the dual-timescale RUL distribution of the device in the first hitting time sense solves with threshold transformation. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are verified through a numerical simulation and a gyroscope example. The experimental results show that the proposed method can provide more comprehensive information about the life distribution and effectively improve the accuracy of the RUL prediction.
Predictive functional control for chamber pressure: A quantum simultaneous whale optimization approach
Authors: Ghadiri Hamid , Khodadadi Hamed
Published: July 2024

This study introduces a Constrained Predictive Functional Controller (CPFC) designed for regulating chamber pressure in a coke furnace. While the traditional controllers face challenges posed by the system’s complex multi-input multi-output (MIMO) structure, cross-coupling, time delays, physical constraints, and uncertainties, this article’s approach realized set-point tracking and disturbance rejection, addressing model mismatches while considering constraints on system inputs, input variations, and outputs. To tackle the constrained Model Predictive Control (MPC) optimization problem and minimize the cost function, the Quantum Simultaneous Whale Optimization Algorithm (QSWOA) is employed. This meta-heuristic optimization method integrates quantum coding and simultaneous search with the whale optimization algorithm, enhancing convergence speed and precision. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed CPFC-QSWOA controller is assessed through simulations of the chamber pressure control of a Coke furnace. Results demonstrate the superiority of the CPFC-QSWOA approach, showcasing high precision and robustness, particularly in the face of uncertainties and disturbances.