bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Design of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Motor Propulsion System for Eco-Tourism Boat
Authors: Arif Budiyanto Muhammad , Zyan Beckham Mohammad , Liston Putra Gerry , Riadi Achmad
Published: April 2024

Indonesia as a maritime country has extraordinary marine tourism potential. On the other hand, the development of eco-tourism boats is still limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the design of diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system for a tourist boat with capacity of 10 passengers. The design of eco-tourism boats considers a trimaran hull using hybrid diesel-electric motor propulsion with an overall length of 12 meters and a block coefficient of 0.4. The performance of the proposed eco-tourism boat was investigated by a simulation model to obtain the required power and stability criteria. The simulation result shows the proposed eco-tourism boat can achieve the desired service speed of 13 knots with the required power is 390 kW.
Procedure in developing a longitudinal-torsional vibration-assisted micro-milling system
Authors: Kiswanto G , Fahmi A M , Hasymi Z , Atmadja M A , Perdana M N A
Published: April 2024

Micromachining is an advanced microfabrication technique for micro-sized or micro-accuracy products through subtractive manufacturing such as micro-milling. Vibration-assisted machining (VAM) is a method in which small amplitude vibrations are applied to the tool or workpiece to enhance the fabrication process. Milling results could be improved by adding longitudinal and torsional vibration to the tool using piezoelectric components vibrating at the ultrasonic frequency with an amplitude of less than 1 μm is used. A slip ring is required to transmit electric power from a static structure to a rotating frame. After the power has been transmitted to the system, an ultrasonic horn, called an acoustic horn or sonotrode, amplifies the vibrations at the tool’s tip. Since the excitation vibration is only longitudinal, the magnification of the vibration at the tooltip is also only longitudinal. Grooves are added to the side of the ultrasonic horn to produce torsional vibrations. This vibration is then simulated through finite element analysis software, explicitly using explicit dynamics. A 3D simulation is run for a quarter cycle of micro-milling through a Ti-6Al-4V material. It could be concluded that the LTVAM application may improve machining quality, such as temperature reduction of up to 9%, cutting force reduction of up to 35%, and surface roughness improvement of up to 27%.
Performance evaluation of carbon quantum dots impregnated glass ionomer cement to avoid peri-implant disease
Authors: Josephraj Febina , Kumar N Ashwin , Nandini V Vidyashree , S Sujatha , Karthik Varshini
Published: April 2024

Dental cement residues exacerbate peri-implant tissue irritation and peri-implantitis. The present study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity, physiochemical, optical, and rheological properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) impregnated glass ionomer cement (GIC). Surface passivated fluorescent CQDs were synthesized using citric acid via thermal decomposition and blended with GIC. Characterization studies and rheological measurements were made to evaluate their performance. 3D-printed dental implant models cemented with GIC and GIC-CQD were compared to analyze excess cement residues. MTT assay was performed with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test. CQDs with a particle dimension of ∼2 nm were synthesized. The amorphous property of GIC-CQD was confirmed through XRD. The fluorescence properties of GIC-CQD showed three times higher emission intensity than conventional GIC. GIC-CQD attained maturation with a setting time extended by 64 s than GIC. Cement residue of size 2 mm was detected with a UV light excitation at a distance between 5 to 10 cm. Biocompatibility at 0.125 mg ml−1 dilution concentrations of GIC-CQD showed viability greater than 80% to hDPSCs. For the first time, we report that CQDs-impregnated GIC is a unique and cost-effective strategy for in-situ detection of excess cement rapidly using a hand-held device. A novel in-situ rapid detection method enables the dentist to identify residual cement of size less than 2 mm during the implantation. Therefore, GIC-CQD would replace conventional GIC and help in the prevention of peri-implant diseases.
Recent multispecies tree-growth decline reveals a severe aridity change in Mediterranean Chile
Authors: González-Reyes Álvaro , Christie Duncan A , Schneider-Valenzuela Isadora , Venegas-González Alejandro , Muñoz Ariel A , Hadad Martin , Gipoulou-Zuñiga Tania , Tapia-Marzan Valeria , Gibson-Carpintero Stephanie , Santini-Junior Luiz , LeQuesne Carlos , Villalba Ricardo
Published: April 2024

Soil moisture (SM) is a crucial factor in the water cycle, sustaining ecosystems and influencing local climate patterns by regulating the energy balance between the soil and atmosphere. Due to the absence of long-term, in-situ measurements of SM, studies utilizing satellite-based data and tree-ring analysis have become valuable in assessing variations of SM at regional and multi-century scales, as well as determining its effects on tree growth. This information is particularly pertinent in biodiversity hotspots made up of semi-arid ecosystems currently threatened by climate change. In the Mediterranean Chile region (MC; 30°–37° S), an ongoing megadrought since 2010 has resulted in a significant decline in the forest throughout the area. However, the impact of SM on tree growth at a multi-species and regional level remains unexplored. We analyzed a new network of 22 tree-ring width chronologies across the MC to evaluate the main spatiotemporal tree-growth patterns of nine woody species and their correlation with SM, using PCA. We also reconstructed the SM variations over the past four centuries and assessed its connection with large-scale climate forcings. Our results indicate that the primary growth patterns (PC1) explained 27% of the total variance and displayed a significant relationship with SM between 1982–2015 (r = 0.91), accurately reflecting the current megadrought. The tree-ring SM reconstruction covers the period 1616–2018 and shows a strong decrease around the year 2007, revealing an unprecedented recent change in aridity with respect to the last four centuries. The intensity of the South Pacific subtropical anticyclone, which primarily owe their existence to the subsiding branch of the Hadley Cell, appears as the primary climatic mechanism correlated with the reconstruction and the present aridity conditions in MC. The current SM conditions align with anticipated aridity changes in MC, providing a bleak perspective of future regional climate.
Joint moments of derivatives of characteristic polynomials of random symplectic and orthogonal matrices
Authors: Andrade Julio C , Best Christopher G
Published: April 2024

We investigate the joint moments of derivatives of characteristic polynomials over the unitary symplectic group

S
p
(
2
N
)

and the orthogonal ensembles

S
O
(
2
N
)

and

O
−

(
2
N
)

. We prove asymptotic formulae for the joint moments of the n
1th and n
2th derivatives of the characteristic polynomials for all three matrix ensembles. Our results give two explicit formulae for each of the leading order coefficients, one in terms of determinants of hypergeometric functions and the other as combinatorial sums over partitions. We use our results to put forward conjectures on the joint moments of derivatives of L-functions with symplectic and orthogonal symmetry.
Analysis of DC motor for process control application using neural network predictive controller
Authors: Prasad Bhawesh , Kumar Raj , Singh Manmohan
Published: April 2024

A DC motor is a critical actuator in process control systems. This study investigates the effectiveness of a deep learning (DL) based Neural Network Predictive Controller (NNPC) for precise DC motor speed control. The NNPC anticipates the motor’s future behaviour based on its current state and control inputs. The controller then optimally generates inputs to minimise tracking errors and enhance system performance. The NNPC demonstrated a remarkable reduction in Mean Squared Error (MSE), achieving a training MSE of 2.75 × 10−14 and the best validation MSE of 9.2023 × 10−14. These quantitative outcomes affirm the reliability and robustness of the proposed NNPC for speed control in DC motor systems across diverse applications.
Concentration of voxelotor in sickle cell disease can be estimated using electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Curtis Susanna A , Friedman Elana , Minniti Caterina , Nguyen Dang Annie , Pochron Mira , Thomas Merin , Betancourt Jaime , Vattappally Leena , Crouch Andrew , Morales Julissa , Campbell Sean T
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Voxelotor can increase hemoglobin levels in patients living with sickle cell disease (SCD). A clinician who is monitoring voxelotor response may want to know whole-blood voxelotor concentration, but this cannot be measured in most clinical settings. However, voxelotor has been demonstrated to cause “peak splitting” in common methods of hemoglobin measurement such as capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We hypothesized that we could use the size of the peak split to estimate the whole-blood concentration.

Methods

Blood from people with SCD was dosed with known concentrations of voxelotor, and multiparameter regression was used to derive the relationship of voxelotor concentration to the degree of peak splitting observed. To validate these equations, 21 patients started on voxelotor at 1500 mg/d had blood samples drawn at days 0, 14, 30, and 60. Samples were sent out for gold standard voxelotor concentration testing. The derived equations were then used to calculate voxelotor concentration.

Results

Calculated concentrations correlated strongly with measured concentrations for both CZE (R2 = 0.83, P < .001) and HPLC (R2 = 0.76, P < .001). Voxelotor concentration also had a significant effect on increases in hemoglobin (R2 = 0.40, P < .001).

Conclusions

Thus, peak splitting CZE and HPLC can be used to estimate voxelotor concentration.
ITree: a user-driven tool for interactive decision-making with classification trees
Authors: Sokołowski Hubert , Czajkowski Marcin , Czajkowska Anna , Jurczuk Krzysztof , Kretowski Marek
Published: April 2024

Motivation

ITree is an intuitive web tool for the manual, semi-automatic, and automatic induction of decision trees. It enables interactive modifications of tree structures and incorporates Relative Expression Analysis for detecting complex patterns in high-throughput molecular data. This makes ITree a versatile tool for both research and education in biomedical data analysis.

Results

The tool allows users to instantly see the effects of modifications on decision trees, with updates to predictions and statistics displayed in real time, facilitating a deeper understanding of data classification processes.

Availability and implementation

Available online at https://itree.wi.pb.edu.pl. Source code and documentation are hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/hsokolowski/iTree and in supplement.
Suffused: baleen fringe mat porosity and hydrodynamics in balaenid and balaenopterid whales
Authors: Potvin Jean , Werth Alexander J
Published: April 2024

Baleen plates of filter-feeding whales are longitudinally fibrous, separating where eroded medially into mats of fringes due to friction from water, prey, and the tongue. The fringes end up spreading-out, in other words suffusing, over the comb-like structure of the baleen assemblage. This study examined the relationships between mat morphology and the hydrodynamics it generates. Samples collected from nine rack locations on a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) were investigated with a new technique of mat porosity determination in a flume setting. Porosity was measured in the range of 5–20% and 8–37% in the bowhead and fin whale samples respectively. These were largest ventrally in both species, while remaining somewhat insensitive to the flume’s water speed. A new hydrodynamical model of the through-mat currents was used to estimate speeds of  0.15–3.0 cm/s and mat permeabilities of the order of 10−13 m2, depending on the applied pressure. Finally, and relative to samples collected near the entrance of the mouth, these trends were quantitatively similar in both species. With tongue- and flow-based erosion as the main mechanism for mat creation in all extant mysticetes, our analysis suggests baleen-generated filtration as having emerged early in their evolution.
An extended multiplicative error model of allometry: Incorporating systematic components, non-normal distributions, and piecewise heteroscedasticity
Authors: Echavarría-Heras Héctor , Villa-Diharce Enrique , Montesinos-López Abelardo , Leal-Ramírez Cecilia
Published: April 2024

Allometry refers to the relationship between the size of a trait and that of the whole body of an organism. Pioneering observations by Otto Snell and further elucidation by D’Arcy Thompson set the stage for its integration into Huxley’s explanation of constant relative growth that epitomizes through the formula of simple allometry. The traditional method to identify such a model conforms to a regression protocol fitted in the direct scales of data. It involves Huxley’s formula-systematic part and a lognormally distributed multiplicative error term. In many instances of allometric examination, the predictive strength of this paradigm is unsuitable. Established approaches to improve fit enhance the complexity of the systematic relationship while keeping the go-along normality-borne error. These extensions followed Huxley’s idea that considering a biphasic allometric pattern could be necessary. However, for present data composing 10 410 pairs of measurements of individual eelgrass leaf dry weight and area, a fit relying on a biphasic systematic term and multiplicative lognormal errors barely improved correspondence measure values while maintaining a heavy tails problem. Moreover, the biphasic form and multiplicative-lognormal-mixture errors did not provide complete fit dependability either. However, updating the outline of such an error term to allow heteroscedasticity to occur in a piecewise-like mode finally produced overall fit consistency. Our results demonstrate that when attempting to achieve fit quality improvement in a Huxley’s model-based multiplicative error scheme, allowing for a complex allometry form for the systematic part, a non-normal distribution-driven error term and a composite of uneven patterns to describe the heteroscedastic outline could be essential.
Ex vivokidney machine perfusion: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Kang Minseok , Kim Seonju , Choi Ji Yoon , Kim Kyeong Sik , Jung Yun Kyung , Park Boyoung , Choi Dongho
Published: April 2024

Background

Machine perfusion is an organ preservation strategy used to improve function over simple storage in a cold environment. This article presents an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of machine perfusion in deceased donor kidneys.

Methods

RCTs from November 2018 to July 2023 comparing machine perfusion versus static cold storage in kidney transplantation were evaluated for systematic review. The primary outcome in meta-analysis was delayed graft function.

Results

A total 19 studies were included, and 16 comparing hypothermic machine perfusion with static cold storage were analysed. The risk of delayed graft function was lower with hypothermic machine perfusion (risk ratio (RR) 0.77, 95% c.i. 0.69 to 0.86), even in kidneys after circulatory death (RR 0.78, 0.68 to 0.90) or brain death (RR 0.73, 0.63 to 0.84). Full hypothermic machine perfusion decreased the risk of delayed graft function (RR 0.69, 0.60 to 0.79), whereas partial hypothermic machine perfusion did not (RR 0.92, 0.69 to 1.22). Normothermic machine perfusion or short-term oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion preservation after static cold storage was equivalent to static cold storage in terms of delayed graft function and 1-year graft survival.

Conclusion

Hypothermic machine perfusion reduces delayed graft function risks and normothermic approaches show promise.
Blood GFAP reflects astrocyte reactivity to Alzheimer’s pathology in post-mortem brain tissue
Authors: Limberger Christian , Zimmer Eduardo R
Published: April 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Serum GFAP levels correlate with post-mortem brain atrophy and neurofibrillary tangles’ by Sánchez-Juan et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae035).
Potential correlation between anti-laminin 332 autoantibodies and malignant tumours in anti-BP180-type mucous membrane pemphigoid
Authors: Li Xiaoguang , Pas Hendri H , Qian Hua , Rashid Hanan , Horvath Barbara , Yilmaz Kaan , van Beek Nina , Schmidt Enno , Zillikens Detlef , Ishii Norito , Tsuruta Daisuke , Hashimoto Takashi
Published: April 2024

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large cohort study to analyse the potential correlations between anti-laminin (LM) 332 autoantibodies and malignant tumours in 520 patients with anti-BP180-type mucous membrane pemphigoid (BP180-MMP) recruited from four countries in two continents. Patients who were anti-LM332 autoantibody (–) with BP180-MMP were used as a control group. The results in this study support that anti-LM332 autoantibodies are positively correlated with malignant tumours in people with BP180-MMP, particularly in Europe.
Executive Summary: State-of-the-Art Review: Fostering Collaborative Teamwork—A Comprehensive Approach to Vascular Graft Infection Following Arterial Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Tabaja Hussam , Chesdachai Supavit , Shah Aditya S , Stevens Ryan W , DeMartino Randall R , Erben Young M , Wilson Walter R , Baddour Larry M , DeSimone Daniel C
Published: April 2024

Vascular graft infection (VGI) is one of the most serious complications following arterial reconstructive surgery. VGI has received increasing attention over the past decade, but many questions remain regarding its diagnosis and management. In this review, we describe our approach to VGI through multidisciplinary collaboration and discuss decision-making for challenging presentations. This document will concentrate on VGI that impacts both aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms excluding the ascending thoracic aorta.
Tenofovir-Diphosphate and Emtricitabine-Triphosphate Adherence Benchmarks in Dried Blood Spots for Persons With HIV Receiving Tenofovir Alafenamide and Emtricitabine–Based Antiretroviral Therapy (QUANTI-TAF)
Authors: Coyle Ryan P , Morrow Mary , Mann Sarah C , Mainella Vincent , Ellis Samuel L , Schwab Stefanie , Coppinger Corwin , Barker Nicholas , Ellison Lucas , Zheng Jia-Hua , Al Zuabi Subhi , Alpert Pamela E , Carnes Tony C , Buffkin D Eric , Chai Peter R , Bushman Lane R , Kiser Jennifer J , MaWhinney Samantha , Brooks Kristina M , Anderson Peter L , Castillo-Mancilla Jose R
Published: April 2024

Background

QUANTI-TAF aimed to establish tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP)/emtricitabine-triphosphate (FTC-TP) adherence benchmarks in dried blood spots (DBS) for persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) receiving tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (TAF/FTC)–based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

For 16 weeks, PWH received TAF/FTC-based ART co-encapsulated with an ingestible sensor to directly measure cumulative (enrollment to final visit) and 10-day adherence. At monthly visits, intraerythrocytic concentrations of TFV-DP and FTC-TP in DBS were quantified and summarized at steady-state (week 12 or 16) as median (interquartile range). Linear mixed-effects models evaluated factors associated with TFV-DP/FTC-TP.

Results

Eighty-four participants (11% female, 4% transgender) predominantly receiving bictegravir/TAF/FTC (73%) were enrolled. Ninety-two percent completed week 12 or 16 (94% unboosted ART). TFV-DP for <85% (7/72), 85%–<95% (9/72), and ≥95% (56/72) cumulative adherence was 2696 (2039–4108), 3117 (2332–3339), and 3344 (2605–4293) fmol/punches. Adjusting for cumulative adherence, TFV-DP was higher with boosted ART, lower body mass index, and in non-Black participants. FTC-TP for <85% (14/77), 85%–<95% (6/77), and ≥95% (57/77) 10-day adherence was 3.52 (2.64–4.48), 4.58 (4.39–5.06), and 4.96 (4.21–6.26) pmol/punches. All participants with ≥85% cumulative and 10-day adherence had TFV-DP ≥1800 fmol/punches and FTC-TP ≥2.5 pmol/punches, respectively. Low-level viremia (HIV-1 RNA 20–199 copies/mL) occurred at 18% of visits in 39% of participants with similar TFV-DP (3177 [2494–4149] fmol/punches) compared with suppressed visits (3279 [2580–4407] fmol/punches).

Conclusions

TFV-DP ≥1800 fmol/punches and FTC-TP ≥2.5 pmol/punches represent DBS benchmarks for ≥85% adherence to unboosted TAF/FTC-based ART. Among PWH with high adherence, low-level viremia was common.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT04065347.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Symptoms Are Not as Frequent as Other Eating Disorder Symptoms When Ulcerative Colitis Is in Remission
Authors: Burton-Murray Helen , Kiser Katheryn , Gurung Jenny , Williams Katherine , Thomas Jennifer J , Khalili Hamed
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim

Recent studies have shown that up to 53% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] screen positive for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder [ARFID]. There is however concern that ARFID screening rates are over-inflated in patients with active disease. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of ARFID symptoms using the Nine Item ARFID Screen [NIAS], and to use another eating disorder measure, the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire 8 [EDE-Q8], to rule-out/characterise other eating disorder cognitive and behavioural symptoms.

Methods

Participants included adults with UC who are enrolled in an ongoing cohort study with quiescent UC (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index [SCCAI] ≤2 or faecal calprotectin <150 µg/g with corticosteroid-free clinical remission for ≥3 months) at baseline. We used self-reported data on demographics, gastrointestinal medications, medical comorbidities, NIAS scores, and EDE-Q-8 scores.

Results

We included 101 participants who completed the NIAS at their baseline cohort assessment [age 49.9 ± 16.5 years; 55% female]. Eleven participants [11%] screened positively for ARFID on at least one NIAS subscale [n = 8 male]. Up to 30 participants [30%] screened positive for other eating disorder symptoms [EDE-Q-8 Global ≥2.3]. Overall score distributions on the EDE-Q-8 showed that participants scored highest on the Weight Concern and Shape Concern subscales.

Conclusions

Among adults with UC in remission, we found a low rate of ARFID symptoms by the NIAS but a high rate of positive screens for other eating disorder symptoms.
Local projection inference in high dimensions
Authors: Adamek Robert , Smeekes Stephan , Wilms Ines
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we estimate impulse responses by local projections in high-dimensional settings. We use the desparsified (de-biased) lasso to estimate the high-dimensional local projections, while leaving the impulse response parameter of interest unpenalized. We establish the uniform asymptotic normality of the proposed estimator under general conditions. Finally, we demonstrate small sample performance through a simulation study and consider two canonical applications in macroeconomic research on monetary policy and government spending.
Understanding the movement and dispersal patterns of released Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoids in a papaya orchard
Authors: Eitam Avraham , Stockton Dara G , Vargas Roger I
Published: April 2024

Implementation of augmentative biological control requires estimates of parasitoid dispersal from the release point to determine appropriate release density, spacing, and timing. This study evaluated the movement patterns of Fopius arisanus Sonan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoids, which have historically been used to control invasive tephritid fruit flies. The wasps were released from the central point, and dispersal was monitored over time using parasitism in sentinel fruit and trap captures at 40 points radiating out from the center (15–240 m). The releases were conducted 4 times during June, July, September, and November 2006. The data showed that there were large declines in dispersal by distance. Parasitism was greatest closest to the release point, within 30 m. Parasitism was also greatest within the first 24 h of the release. After 1 wk, parasitism decreased from 41% to 1.5% within 30 m. These data correlated strongly with trap capture data, which also showed that parasitoid movement favored the SE region of our release site, roughly corresponding to the overall prevailing winds. Wind speed, relative humidity, and temperature all affected parasitoid movement during our trial, indicating the complex environmental factors that can affect release success. This is the first report of dispersal metrics for F. arisanus. Our findings are in agreement with other similar studies on braconid movement generally and suggest that frequent, high-density releases are most effective since the dispersal of F. arisanus is limited and retention in the environment is low. We discuss our results in the context of international augmentative biological control release programs.
Familial occurrences of cardiac wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis: a case series
Authors: Westin Oscar M , Clemmensen Tor S , Hansen Anne Tybjærg , Gustafsson Finn , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt
Published: April 2024

Background

Cardiomyopathy caused by aggregation and deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in the heart (ATTR-CM) is divided into a hereditary (ATTRv) and a wild-type (ATTRwt) forms. While ATTR-CM has been considered a rare disease, recent studies suggest that it is severely underdiagnosed and an important cause of heart failure in elderly patients. Familial occurrence is implicit in ATTRv, but it is not expected in ATTRwt.

Case summary

We report a case series of two unrelated families each with two brothers diagnosed with ATTRwt. Genetic testing did not reveal mutations in the transthyretin gene. Family screening with electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and genetic testing did not raise any suspicion of ATTR in first-line family members.

Discussion

Familial occurrence of a rare, non-hereditary disease is statistically unlikely. Two siblings in two different families diagnosed with ATTRwt highlight that the aetiology of ATTRwt is poorly understood, and that genetic factors distinct from mutations in the transthyretin gene, as well as environmental factors, might contribute to the pathogenesis. Identifying such factors might reveal new therapeutic targets. To investigate this further, clinicians need to be aware of the possibility of familial occurrence of ATTRwt.
Influence of multimorbidity and socioeconomic position on long-term healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation
Authors: Witt Christoffer Tobias , Mols Rikke Elmose , Bakos István , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Christensen Bo , Løgstrup Brian Bridal , Nielsen Jens Cosedis , Eiskjær Hans
Published: April 2024

Aims

We aimed to investigate the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) and multimorbidity on cross-sectional healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation.

Methods and results

We included first-time CRT recipients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% implanted between 2000 and 2017. Data on chronic conditions, use of healthcare services, and demographics were obtained from Danish national administrative and health registries. Healthcare utilization (in- and outpatient hospitalizations, activities in general practice) was compared by multimorbidity categories and SEP by using a negative binomial regression model. The association between SEP, multimorbidity, and prognostic outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. We followed 2007 patients (median age of 70 years), 79% were male, 75% were on early retirement or state pension, 37% were living alone, and 41% had low education level for a median of 5.2 [inter-quartile range: 2.2–7.3) years. In adjusted regression models, a higher number of chronic conditions were associated with increased healthcare utilization. Both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular hospital contacts were increased. Patients with low SEP had a higher number of chronic conditions, but SEP had limited influence on healthcare utilization. Patients living alone and those with low educational level had a trend towards a higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.33, and aHR 1.09, 95% CI 0.96–1.24).

Conclusion

Multimorbidity increased the use of cross-sectional healthcare services, whereas low SEP had minor influence on the utilizations. Living alone and low educational level showed a trend towards a higher risk of mortality after CRT implantation.
Fe(II)Cl2 amendment suppresses pond methane emissions by stimulating iron-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane
Authors: Struik Quinten , Paranaíba José R , Glodowska Martyna , Kosten Sarian , Meulepas Berber M J W , Rios-Miguel Ana B , Jetten Mike S M , Lürling Miquel , Waajen Guido , Nijman Thomas P A , Veraart Annelies J
Published: April 2024

Aquatic ecosystems are large contributors to global methane (CH4) emissions. Eutrophication significantly enhances CH4-production as it stimulates methanogenesis. Mitigation measures aimed at reducing eutrophication, such as the addition of metal salts to immobilize phosphate (PO43−), are now common practice. However, the effects of such remedies on methanogenic and methanotrophic communities—and therefore on CH4-cycling—remain largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that Fe(II)Cl2 addition, used as PO43- binder, differentially affected microbial CH4 cycling-processes in field experiments and batch incubations. In the field experiments, carried out in enclosures in a eutrophic pond, Fe(II)Cl2 application lowered in-situ CH4 emissions by lowering net CH4-production, while sediment aerobic CH4-oxidation rates—as found in batch incubations of sediment from the enclosures—did not differ from control. In Fe(II)Cl2-treated sediments, a decrease in net CH4-production rates could be attributed to the stimulation of iron-dependent anaerobic CH4-oxidation (Fe-AOM). In batch incubations, anaerobic CH4-oxidation and Fe(II)-production started immediately after CH4 addition, indicating Fe-AOM, likely enabled by favorable indigenous iron cycling conditions and the present methanotroph community in the pond sediment. 16S rRNA sequencing data confirmed the presence of anaerobic CH4-oxidizing archaea and both iron-reducing and iron-oxidizing bacteria in the tested sediments. Thus, besides combatting eutrophication, Fe(II)Cl2 application can mitigate CH4 emissions by reducing microbial net CH4-production and stimulating Fe-AOM.
Age and Sex Differences in the Genetic Architecture of Measures of Subjective Health: Relationships With Physical Health, Depressive Symptoms, and Episodic Memory
Authors: Finkel Deborah , Gatz Margaret , Franz Carol E , Catts Vibeke S , Christensen Kaare , Kremen William , Nygaard Marianne , Plassman Brenda L , Sachdev Perminder S , Whitfield Keith , Pedersen Nancy L
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Subjective health (SH) is not just an indicator of physical health, but also reflects active cognitive processing of information about one’s own health and has been associated with emotional health measures, such as neuroticism and depression. Behavior genetic approaches investigate the genetic architecture of SH, that is, genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in SH and associations with potential components such as physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Previous twin analyses have been limited by sex, sample size, age range, and focus on single covariates.

Methods

The current analysis used data from 24,173 adults ranging in age from 40 to 90 years from the international Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies consortium to investigate the genetic architecture of 3 measures of SH: self-rated health, health compared to others, and impact of health on activities. Independent pathways model of SH included physical health, depressive symptoms, and episodic memory, with age, sex, and country included as covariates.

Results

Most or all of the genetic variance for SH measures were shared with physical health, depressive symptoms, and episodic memory. Genetic architecture of SH differed across measures, age groups (40–65, 66–90), and sexes. Age comparisons indicated stronger correlations with all 3 covariates in older adults, often resulting from greater shared genetic variance.

Discussion

The predictive value of SH has been amply demonstrated. The higher genetic contributions to associations between SH and its components in older adults support the increasing conceptualization with age of SH as an intuitive summation of one’s vital reserve.
Multiparameter shallow-seismic waveform inversion based on the Jensen–Shannon divergence
Authors: Yan Yingwei , Chen Xiaofei , Li Jing , Guan Jianbo , Li Yu , Cui Shihao
Published: April 2024

Seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) or waveform inversion (WI) has gained extensive attention as a cutting-edge imaging method, which is expected to reveal the high-resolution images of complex geological structures. In this paper, we regard each 1-D signal in the inversion system as a 1-D probability distribution, then use the Jensen–Shannon divergence from information theory to measure the discrepancy between the predicted and observed signals, and finally implement a novel 2-D multiparameter shallow-seismic WI (MSWI). Essentially, the novel approach achieves an implicit weighting along the time-axis for each 1-D adjoint source defined by the classical WI (CWI), thus enhancing the extra illumination for a deeper medium compared with the CWI. By evaluating the inversion results of the two-layer model and fault model, the reconstruction accuracy for S-wave velocity and density of the new method is increased by about 30 and 20 per cent compared with that of the CWI under the same conditions, respectively. The reconstruction performance for P-wave velocity of these two methods is almost equal. In addition, the new 2-D MSWI is also resilient to white Gaussian noise in the data. Numerically, the inversion system has almost the strongest sensitivities to the S-wave velocity and density, performing the poorest sensitivity to the P-wave velocity. Finally, we test the novel method with a detection case for a power tunnel.
‘Two heads are better than one’—exploring the experiences of Ghanaian communities on the role of patient and public participation in health system improvement
Authors: Ankomah Samuel Egyakwa , Fusheini Adam , Derrett Sarah
Published: April 2024

Patient and Public Participation (PPP) is key to improving health systems. Yet, studies have shown that PPP implementations across many countries have been largely tokenistic. Particularly, in Ghana, whilst PPP is prioritized in national health policies and legislation, there appears to be little research focused on understanding PPP’s role in health system improvement. The aim of this study, therefore, is to examine how PPP is working across the Ghanaian health system levels, as well as to understand the perspectives and experiences of participants on how PPP contributes to health system improvement. The qualitative study was undertaken in six communities in three districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Data were collected from semi-structured individual interviews. The selection of participants was purposive, based on their PPP-related roles. As a result, findings of this study may not reflect the experiences of others who are not directly involved in PPP initiatives. Thirty-five participants, mainly health service users and health professionals, were interviewed. Data were transcribed and analysed descriptively using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis approach. Overall, participants noted PPP implementation was largely limited at higher health system levels (i.e. national, regional and district levels), but was functioning at the community level. PPP also improved access to health services, responsiveness to patient needs, community-health worker relationships, health-seeking behaviours, empowered healthcare users and improved health outcomes. The study, therefore, recommended the need to undertake PPP across all levels of the health system to maximize PPP’s role in health system improvement. Finally, the study suggested prioritizing PPP, especially for resource-poor countries, to complement government’s efforts in improving accessibility of healthcare services to many communities and also provide a more patient-centred healthcare system responsive to patients’ and public needs.
Boronic ester homologation
Authors: Thomas Susan E.
Published: April 2024

This chapter highlights the reaction of boronic esters (RB(OR)2), with dichloromethyllithium, LiCHCl2. It inserts the CHCI unit into the carbon-boron bond of the boronic ester, producing the boronic ester homologation. The chapter argues that many boronic ester homologation reactions have been performed using pinanediols as chiral auxiliaries. It adds that the addition of a wide range of boronic acids (RB(OH)2) or esters (RB(OR)2) to the pinanediols gives the very stable pinanediol boronic esters. The chapter also demonstrates the construction of a chiral centre on an (s) pinanediol boronic ester as well as the dichloromethyllithium reaction. Finally, it reviews the synthesis of (3S, 4S)-4-methylheptan-3-ol, deuterated phenylalanine, and L-ribose.
The Received View about the Right to Marry: A Critique
Authors: Biskup Bartosz
Published: April 2024

This article reconstructs a Received View of the right to marry in the European Convention on Human Rights and provides its philosophical interpretation. According to the Received View, the right to marry is a right to a legal institution of marriage. Recent case law from the European Court of Human Rights is analysed, with a focus on the protection and recognition of personal relationships under the law. According to the Fedotova case, the rights pertaining to the protection of conjugal relationships stem from the right to family life. The problem of non-distinctiveness of the right to marry is being discussed. If substantial rights protecting conjugal couples stem from the right to family life, then the right to marry does not offer any additional protection for the couple. The Received View addresses this issue. However, it is politically and morally unjust.
Persist or Perish: Can Bats Threatened with Extinction Persist and Recover from White-nose Syndrome?
Authors: Cheng Tina L , Bennett Alyssa B , Teague O'Mara M , Auteri Giorgia G , Frick Winifred F
Published: April 2024

Synopsis

Emerging mycoses are an increasing concern in wildlife and human health. Given the historical rarity of fungal pathogens in warm-bodied vertebrates, there is a need to better understand how to manage mycoses and facilitate recovery in affected host populations. We explore challenges to host survival and mechanisms of host recovery in three bat species (Myotis lucifugus, Perimyotis subflavus, and M. septentrionalis) threatened with extinction by the mycosis, white-nose syndrome (WNS) as it continues to spread across North America. We present evidence from the literature that bats surviving WNS are exhibiting mechanisms of avoidance (by selecting microclimates within roosts) and tolerance (by increasing winter fat reserves), which may help avoid costs of immunopathology incurred by a maladaptive host resistance response. We discuss management actions for facilitating species recovery that take into consideration disease pressures (e.g., environmental reservoirs) and mechanisms underlying persistence, and suggest strategies that alleviate costs of immunopathology and target mechanisms of avoidance (protect or create refugia) and tolerance (increase body condition). We also propose strategies that target population and species-level recovery, including increasing reproductive success and reducing other stressors (e.g., wind turbine mortality). The rarity of fungal pathogens paired with the increasing frequency of emerging mycoses in warm-bodied vertebrate systems, including humans, requires a need to challenge common conventions about how diseases operate, how hosts respond, and how these systems could be managed to increase probability of recovery in host populations.
The impact of perivascular tissue preservation on 5-year patency of saphenous vein composite grafts
Authors: Sohn Suk Ho , Kang Yoonjin , Kim Ji Seong , Choi Jae Woong , Hwang Ho Young
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of saphenous vein (SV) harvesting with versus without perivascular tissue on the 5-year angiographic patency in coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

Among the 944 patients who received coronary artery bypass grafting between 2010 and 2015, 579 patients who received off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using 1 SV as a Y-composite graft based on the in situ left internal thoracic artery were enrolled. SV harvesting was performed using no-touch technique without perivascular tissue (the NoPVT group) in 342 patients and with perivascular tissue (the PVT group) in 237 patients. Follow-up duration was 84.0 months (interquartile range 66.5–105.4). Propensity score matching was performed, and long-term clinical outcomes and angiographic patency were compared.

RESULTS

The average number of distal anastomoses per patient was comparable between the groups, although more SV grafts were anastomosed to left anterior descending territory in the PVT group than in the NoPVT group. Overall survival and cumulative incidence of cardiac death were comparable between the groups, whereas cumulative incidence of target vessel revascularization (1.3% vs 4.3% at 5 year, P = 0.009) and that of major adverse cardiac events (7.3% vs 9.9% at 5 year, P = 0.035) were lower in the PVT group than in the NoPVT group. One-year and 5-year angiographic patency rates of the SV grafts were higher in the PVT group than in the NoPVT group [97.0% vs 91.7% (P = 0.004) and 96.3% vs 89.9% (P = 0.007), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

SV grafts harvested using no-touch technique with perivascular tissue further improved the 5-year patency of SV composite grafts compared with those without perivascular tissue.
Examining the Relationship Between Dispositional News Literacy and Discernment of Real and Misleading News: Cross-national Evidence
Authors: Chan Michael , Vaccari Cristian , Yamamoto Masahiro
Published: April 2024

The importance of news literacy to attenuate belief in and spread of misinformation has been emphasized by scholars and educators in recent years. This research note presents the first cross-national evidence demonstrating how dispositional news literacy (NL) is related to individuals’ discernment of true and false news on social media. Respondents in the United States (N = 205), United Kingdom (N = 205), and Hong Kong (N = 222) saw 10 true and 10 false social media posts in random order in their native languages and rated the accuracy of the posts. Regression analyses showed that higher news literacy was related to better discernment of news veracity in all three samples, though the pattern of discernment differed. Our findings demonstrate the utility of a holistic measure of news literacy that can be applied to comparative contexts. Moreover, they show the normative benefits of dispositional news literacy that could promote better news accuracy discernment in different societies around the world.
Diurnal transcriptional variation is reduced in a nitrogen-fixing diatom endosymbiont
Authors: Abresch Heidi , Bell Tisza , Miller Scott R
Published: April 2024

Many organisms have formed symbiotic relationships with nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria to overcome N limitation. Diatoms in the family Rhopalodiaceae host unicellular, N-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbionts called spheroid bodies (SBs). Although this relationship is relatively young, SBs share many key features with older endosymbionts, including coordinated cell division and genome reduction. Unlike free-living relatives that fix N exclusively at night, SBs fix N largely during the day; however, how SB metabolism is regulated and coordinated with the host is not yet understood. We compared four SB genomes, including those from two new host species (Rhopalodia gibba and Epithemia adnata), to build a genome-wide phylogeny which provides a better understanding of SB evolutionary origins. Contrary to models of endosymbiotic genome reduction, the SB chromosome is unusually stable for an endosymbiont genome, likely due to the early loss of all mobile elements. Transcriptomic data for the R. gibba SB and host organelles addressed whether and how the allocation of transcriptional resources depends on light and nitrogen availability. Although allocation to the SB was high under all conditions, relative expression of chloroplast photosynthesis genes increased in the absence of nitrate, but this pattern was suppressed by nitrate addition. SB expression of catabolism genes was generally greater during daytime rather than at night, although the magnitude of diurnal changes in expression was modest compared to free-living Cyanobacteria. We conclude that SB daytime catabolism likely supports N-fixation by linking the process to host photosynthetic carbon fixation.
Effect of methenamine hippurate shortage on antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections in Norway—an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Heltveit-Olsen Silje Rebekka , Gopinathan Unni , Blix Hege Salvesen , Elstrøm Petter , Høye Sigurd
Published: April 2024

Background

Despite a lack of conclusive evidence of effect, methenamine hippurate is widely prescribed as preventive treatment for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Norway. A national discontinuation of methenamine hippurate treatment due to a 4-month drug shortage in 2019 presented an opportunity to evaluate its preventive effect on UTIs among regular users.

Objective

To estimate the impact of the methenamine hippurate drug shortage on prescription frequency of UTI antibiotics.

Methods

Data from The Norwegian Prescription Database was analysed using an interrupted time series design. The time series consisted of 56 time periods of 14 days. The model included two naturally occurring interruptions: (i) the methenamine hippurate drug shortage, and (ii) reintroduction of the drug. The study population were 18 345 women ≥50 years receiving ≥2 prescriptions of methenamine hippurate in the study period before the shortage. Main outcome measure was number of prescriptions of UTI antibiotics per 1000 methenamine hippurate users. Prescription rates of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections were analysed to assess external events affecting antibiotic prescribing patterns.

Results

We found a significant increase of 2.41 prescriptions per 1000 methenamine hippurate users per 14-day period during the drug shortage (95%CI 1.39, 3.43, P < 0.001), followed by a significant reduction of −2.64 prescriptions after reintroduction (95%CI −3.66, −1.63, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

During the methenamine hippurate drug shortage, we found a significant increase in prescribing trend for UTI antibiotics followed by a significant decrease in prescribing trend after reintroduction. This change in trend seems to reflect a preventive effect of the drug on recurrent UTIs.