bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chess Position Evaluation Using Radial Basis Function Neural Networks
Authors: Kagkas Dimitrios , Karamichailidou Despina , Alexandridis Alex
Published: April 2023

The game of chess is the most widely examined game in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this work, we propose a new method for obtaining the evaluation of a chess position without using tree search and examining each candidate move separately, like a chess engine does. Instead of exploring the search tree in order to look several moves ahead, we propose to use the much faster and less computationally demanding estimations of a properly trained neural network. Such an approach offers the benefit of having an estimation for the position evaluation in a matter of milliseconds, while the time needed by a chess engine may be several orders of magnitude longer. The proposed approach introduces models based on the radial basis function (RBF) neural network architecture trained with the fuzzy means algorithm, in conjunction with a novel set of input features; different methods of network training are also examined and compared, involving the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures and a different set of input features. All methods were based upon a new dataset, which was developed in the context of this work, derived by a collection of over 1500 top-level chess games. A Java application was developed for processing the games and extracting certain features from the arising positions in order to construct the dataset, which contained data from over 80,000 positions. Various networks were trained and tested as we considered different variations of each method regarding input variable configurations and dataset filtering. Ultimately, the results indicated that the proposed approach was the best in performance. The models produced with the proposed approach are suitable for integration in model-based decision-making frameworks, e.g., model predictive control (MPC) schemes, which could form the basis for a fully-fledged chess-playing software.
Radial Basis Function Surrogate Model-Based Optimization of Small Light-Weight Lead-Bismuth Reactor Core
Authors: Liu Zijing , Li Qiong , Zhao Pengcheng , Wang Weijia , Yu Tao
Published: April 2023

Owing to their high miniaturization potential and strong natural circulation capability, lead-bismuth reactors have been widely employed for nuclear energy utilization as well as military and civilian applications. However, there is a need to optimize the design of these reactors. To solve the complex high-dimensional nonlinear single-/multiobjective optimization problem of lead-bismuth reactors, we proposed a single-/multiobjective optimization method (termed as RBF-OLHS-NGA/NSGA II method) for optimizing the reactor core, which is based on the radial basis function (RBF) surrogate model (for prediction), orthogonal Latin hypercube sampling, niche genetic algorithm (for single-objective optimization), and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (for multiobjective optimization). In view of this approach, the design optimization procedure of the lead-bismuth reactor based on RBF (DOPPLER-R) was developed, which combined the reactor Monte Carlo (RMC) code and the steady-state thermo-hydraulic analysis calculation (STAC) code to sample, predict, and optimize reactor core parameters. Furthermore, the single-/multiobjective optimization approach was verified by considering the core fuel loading and active zone volume of SPALLER-4 as the optimization objectives. The results show that the RBF surrogate model can accurately and rapidly predict the core characteristic parameters of lead-bismuth reactors. When compared to the value calculated using the RMC code, the relative error associated with the predicted effective multiplication factor (

k

e
f
f

) is within ±0.1%. Compared to the unoptimized values, the single-objective optimized fuel loading reduced by 400 kg, multiobjective optimized fuel loading decreased by 455–493 kg (optimization ratio of 78%–84%), and active zone volume reduced by 166362–182888 cm3 (optimization ratio of 72%–79%). These results prove that the proposed optimization method is feasible, exhibits high efficacy, and can provide new technical ideas for single-/multiobjective optimization of multiphysics, multivariable, and multiconstraint lead-bismuth reactors.
Evaluation of Phytosterols as an Alternative to Cholesterol in Practical Diets on Growth and Nonspecific Immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Chen Yongkang , Pan Zhongchao , Li Xiaoyue , Yao Xinzhou , He Guilun , Xie Shiwei
Published: April 2023

This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of phytosterols as an alternative to cholesterol in practical diets of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei from the perspective of growth and nonspecific immunity. Five diets were formulated to contain different sterol sources and levels. Two diets were supplemented with 1 g/kg cholesterol (LC (low cholesterol)) or phytosterol (LP (low phytosterol)). Other three experimental diets were supplemented with 2 g/kg cholesterol (HC (high cholesterol)), 2 g/kg phytosterol (HP (high phytosterol)), or mixed sterol source (CP,

1
 
g
/
kg
 
cholesterol
+
1
 
g
/
kg
 
phytosterol

), respectively. A total of 750 healthy and uniform-sized shrimp (

0.52
±
0.008
 
g

) were randomly distributed into 5 groups with 3 replicates and fed with the five experimental diets for 60 days. Results showed that the growth performance of shrimp was influenced by the sterol levels and supplementation with 2 g/kg sterol level facilitated the growth of shrimp. The inclusion of phytosterol has a cholesterol-lowering effect on shrimp, as evidenced by a reduction in hemolymph cholesterol and triglyceride contents in the HP group. Besides, supplementation with 2 g/kg phytosterol or mixed sterol sources had positive effects on the hemolymph superoxide dismutase, phenol oxidase, and lysozyme as well as hepatopancreas alkaline phosphatase activities, demonstrating that the nonspecific immunity and antioxidative capacity were improved. In conclusion, phytosterols could be an appropriate alternative to partially replace dietary cholesterol in shrimp feeds. This study preliminarily revealed the effects of different sterol sources and levels on the growth and nonspecific immunity of shrimp and provided a basis for further exploration of the mechanism of phytosterol.
Dimeric p53 Mutant Elicits Unique Tumor-Suppressive Activities through an Altered Metabolic Program
Authors: Gencel-Augusto Jovanka , Su Xiaoping , Qi Yuan , Whitley Elizabeth M. , Pant Vinod , Xiong Shunbin , Shah Vrutant , Lin Jerome , Perez Encarnacion , Fiorotto Marta L. , Mahmud Iqbal , Jain Abhinav K. , Lorenzi Philip L. , Navin Nicholas E. , Richie Ellen R. , Lozano Guillermina
Published: April 2023

Cancer-related alterations of the p53 tetramerization domain (TD) abrogate wild-type (WT) p53 function. They result in a protein that preferentially forms monomers or dimers, which are also normal p53 states under basal cellular conditions. However, their physiologic relevance is not well understood. We have established in vivo models for monomeric and dimeric p53, which model Li–Fraumeni syndrome patients with germline p53 TD alterations. p53 monomers are inactive forms of the protein. Unexpectedly, p53 dimers conferred some tumor suppression that is not mediated by canonical WT p53 activities. p53 dimers upregulate the PPAR pathway. These activities are associated with lower prevalence of thymic lymphomas and increased CD8+ T-cell differentiation. Lymphomas derived from dimeric p53 mice show cooperating alterations in the PPAR pathway, further implicating a role for these activities in tumor suppression. Our data reveal novel functions for p53 dimers and support the exploration of PPAR agonists as therapies.

Significance:

New mouse models with TP53R342P (monomer) or TP53A347D (dimer) mutations mimic Li–Fraumeni syndrome. Although p53 monomers lack function, p53 dimers conferred noncanonical tumor-suppressive activities. We describe novel activities for p53 dimers facilitated by PPARs and propose these are “basal” p53 activities.

See related commentary by Stieg et al., p. 1046.

See related article by Choe et al., p. 1250.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1027
Patient-Derived iPSCs Faithfully Represent the Genetic Diversity and Cellular Architecture of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Kotini Andriana G. , Carcamo Saul , Cruz-Rodriguez Nataly , Olszewska Malgorzata , Wang Tiansu , Demircioglu Deniz , Chang Chan-Jung , Bernard Elsa , Chao Mark P. , Majeti Ravindra , Luo Hanzhi , Kharas Michael G. , Hasson Dan , Papapetrou Eirini P.
Published: April 2023

The reprogramming of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines could provide new faithful genetic models of AML, but is currently hindered by low success rates and uncertainty about whether iPSC-derived cells resemble their primary counterparts. Here we developed a reprogramming method tailored to cancer cells, with which we generated iPSCs from 15 patients representing all major genetic groups of AML. These AML-iPSCs retain genetic fidelity and produce transplantable hematopoietic cells with hallmark phenotypic leukemic features. Critically, single-cell transcriptomics reveal that, upon xenotransplantation, iPSC-derived leukemias faithfully mimic the primary patient-matched xenografts. Transplantation of iPSC-derived leukemias capturing a clone and subclone from the same patient allowed us to isolate the contribution of a FLT3-ITD mutation to the AML phenotype. The results and resources reported here can transform basic and preclinical cancer research of AML and other human cancers.

Significance:

We report the generation of patient-derived iPSC models of all major genetic groups of human AML. These exhibit phenotypic hallmarks of AML in vitro and in vivo, inform the clonal hierarchy and clonal dynamics of human AML, and exhibit striking similarity to patient-matched primary leukemias upon xenotransplantation.

See related commentary by Doulatov, p. 252.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 247
Formyl Peptide Receptor Type 2 Deficiency in Myeloid Cells Amplifies Sepsis-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Chen Jianmin , Austin-Williams Shani , O'Riordan Caroline Elizabeth , Claria-Ribas Pol , Sugimoto Michelle A , Norling Lucy V , Thiemermann Christoph , Perretti Mauro
Published: April 2023

Using a global formyl peptide receptor (Fpr) 2 knockout mouse colony, we have reported the modulatory properties of this pro-resolving receptor in polymicrobial sepsis. Herein, we have used a humanized FPR2 (hFPR2) mouse colony, bearing an intact or a selective receptor deficiency in myeloid cells to dwell on the cellular mechanisms. hFPR2 mice and myeloid cell-specific hFPR2 KO (KO) mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced polymicrobial sepsis. Compared with hFPR2 mice, CLP caused exacerbated cardiac dysfunction (assessed by echocardiography), worsened clinical outcome, and impaired bacterial clearance in KO mice. This pathological scenario was paralleled by increased recruitment of pro-inflammatory monocytes and reduced M2-like macrophages within the KO hearts. In peritoneal exudates of KO mice, we quantified increased neutrophil and MHC II+ macrophage numbers but decreased monocyte/macrophage and MHC II- macrophage recruitment. hFPR2 upregulation was absent in myeloid cells, and local production of lipoxin A4 was reduced in septic KO mice. Administration of the FPR2 agonist annexin A1 (AnxA1) improved cardiac function in hFPR2 septic mice but had limited beneficial effects in KO mice, in which the FPR2 ligand failed to polarize macrophages toward an MHC II- phenotype. In conclusion, FPR2 deficiency in myeloid cells exacerbates cardiac dysfunction and worsens clinical outcome in polymicrobial sepsis. The improvement of cardiac function and the host immune response by AnxA1 is more effective in hFPR2-competent septic mice.
Glucocorticoids and Water Balance: Implications for Hyponatremia Management and Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Castle-Kirszbaum Mendel , Goldschlager Tony , Shi Margaret D Y , Fuller Peter J
Published: April 2023

Water balance is fundamental to all homeostasis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis influences water balance through the effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol on arginine vasopressin secretion and the peripheral effects of cortisol on hemodynamics and renal water handling. In this review, we explored the complex interplay of glucocorticoids with water balance, with particular attention to hyponatremia and pituitary surgery.
Analysis of frequency dependent Vedic chanting and its influence on neural activity of humans
Authors: Nalluri Veera Raghava Swamy , Sonti V. J. K. Kishor , Sundari G.
Published: April 2023

In this paper a novel methodology is proposed to identify and to compare the frequency range of different Vedic chantings from Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda and Sama Veda. Nowadays in spite of busy schedule and hectic work, the human beings are mostly stressed. To get rid from this stressed state, one of the best solutions is listening Vedic chantings. The alpha brainwaves are in the frequency range of 8-12 Hz under giving relaxation to stressed human being. Three selected samples from each Veda have been processed through the simulation compiler Praat and the parameters like spectral response, pitch, intensity, formants and pulses have observed. In the above identified parameters, the frequency in intensity calculation is taken for each sample. This frequency is compared with the brainwaves for which the frequencies are in the ranges of 0 Hz to >27 Hz (alpha, beta, gamma, theta and delta). The extracted signal frequencies from Vedic chantings are compared with frequencies of brainwaves. Among the four Vedas, the frequencies extracted from Sama Veda lies in alpha frequency range. The remaining is fluctuating from alpha.
Emotion classification for musical data using deep learning techniques
Authors: Agarwal Gaurav , Gupta Sachi , Agarwal Shivani , Rai Aul Kumar
Published: April 2023

This research is done based on the identification and thorough analyzing musical data that is extracted by the various method. This extracted information can be utilized in the deep learning algorithm to identify the emotion, based on the hidden features of the dataset. Deep learning-based convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory-gated recurrent unit (LSTM-GRU) models were developed to predict the information from the musical information. The musical dataset is extracted using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) models. The three deep learning models were developed in this work the first model was based on the information of extracted information such as zero-crossing rate, and spectral roll-off. Another model was developed on the information of Mel frequencybased cepstral coefficient (MFCC) features, the deep and wide CNN algorithm with LSTM-GRU bidirectional model was developed. The third model was developed on the extracted information from Mel-spectrographs and untied these graphs based on two-dimensional (2D) data information to the 2D CNN model alongside LSTM models. Proposed model performance on the information from Mel-spectrographs is compared on the F1 score, precision, and classification report of the models. Which shows better accuracy with improved F1 and recall values as compared with existing approaches.
Research, challenges and opportunities in software define radio technologies
Authors: Abraham Jacob , Venusamy Kanagaraj , Judice Antony , Obtained Joel Livin A. , Shaik Hameed , Suriyan Kannadhasan
Published: April 2023

The network extended not just internationally but also throughout a broad variety of application areas in this age, with healthcare being one of the most well-known and vital industries. Improvements in healthcare are possible if we start using the popular internet of things (IoT) technology as a key instead of focusing on other disciplines. Wireless body area network (WBAN) is a field in which we communicate with a network of human people and medical equipment that may be used in conjunction with internet of things technology to perform any function. Additional features for software defined networks will be added in the future. In the event of a critical crisis, the suggested suggestions will be to take care of the patient's life. Because the fitted equipment keeps a lot better eye on the patient than previously advised methods. This study combines WBAN, IoT, and software defined network (SDN) to make sense in the healthcare field.
Optimized load balancing mechanism in parallel computing for workflow in cloud computing environment
Authors: Anjum Asma , Parveen Asma
Published: April 2023

Cloud computing gives on-demand access to computing resources in metered and powerfully adapted way; it empowers the client to get access to fast and flexible resources through virtualization and widely adaptable for various applications. Further, to provide assurance of productive computation, scheduling of task is very much important in cloud infrastructure environment. Moreover, the main aim of task execution phenomena is to reduce the execution time and reserve infrastructure; further, considering huge application, workflow scheduling has drawn fine attention in business as well as scientific area. Hence, in this research work, we design and develop an optimized load balancing in parallel computation aka optimal load balancing in parallel computing (OLBP) mechanism to distribute the load; at first different parameter in workload is computed and then loads are distributed. Further OLBP mechanism considers makespan time and energy as constraint and further task offloading is done considering the server speed. This phenomenon provides the balancing of workflow; further OLBP mechanism is evaluated using cyber shake workflow dataset and outperforms the existing workflow mechanism.
POTENCY OF YEAST AS A BIOCONTROL AGENT OF OCHRATOXIN A-PRODUCING FUNGI AND ITS EFFECT ON ARABICA COFFEE TASTE
Authors: Dharmaputra Okky S. , Retnowati Ina , Nurfadila Nijma
Published: April 2023

Biocontrol agents can be used to control mycotoxigenic fungi, which include different species of yeast. The objectives of this research were to select yeast isolates that can inhibit the growth of ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing fungi (Aspergillus ochraceus BIO 37310) and to increase the taste of Arabica coffee processed using wet and semi-wet methods. Twenty-two yeast isolates (KA, KA2, KB, KB2, KC, KD, Endomyces decipiens BIO 131215, E. fibuliger BIO 132216, BIO 132217, BIO 13218, BIO 132219, BIO 132220, Candida krusei (= Issatchenkia orientalis) BIO 211285, BIO 211286, BIO 211287, BIO 211288, BIO 211289, BIO 211290, BIO 211291, Saccharomyces cerevisiae BIO 341363, BIO 341364, and BIO 341365) were screened for their antagonistic property against A. ochraceus BIO 37310 in vitro using well (dip) test method. The results showed that C. krusei (BIO 211287, BIO 211288, and BIO 211289) inhibited A. ochraceus BIO 37310. In vivo the highest yeast population was found in coffee beans processed using a semi-wet method inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211288 (46,222 Â± 9,576 cfu/g), which was not significantly different from that of the coffee beans inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211287 (36,333 Â± 14,000 cfu/g). The three yeast isolates were also able to grow either in coffee beans processed using wet or semi-wet methods inoculated with A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and each yeast isolate. Interaction between the three yeast isolates and A. ochraceus BIO 37310 resulted in E-type interaction, i.e. the fungus was not able to grow anymore, while the yeasts grew further. The total cupping scores of coffee beans inoculated with the three yeast isolates were higher than those of coffee beans uninoculated and inoculated with commercial lactic acid bacteria. The three yeast isolates could be used as biocontrol agents of A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and increase the sensorial quality of coffee beverages.
Impacto da COVID-19 no rastreamento do câncer de mama no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)
Authors: Murat Felipe Augusto Rodrigues , Faria Natalia Martins , Gonçalves Ane Caroline Tedeschi , Razera Fernanda Pataro Marsola , Razera Ana Paula Ribeiro
Published: April 2023

Objetivos: investigar o impacto da pandemia no rastreamento do câncer de mama no Sistema Único de Saúde e comparar os dados obtidos com os de outros países. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal quantitativo, com dados provenientes do Sistema de Informação do Câncer – SISCAN sobre o número de mamografias feitas de 2014 a 2022 por mulheres, no Brasil. Resultados: os dados referentes à mamografia na população de risco elevado demonstraram uma queda de 38,39% de 2019 para 2020. Enquanto na mamografia de rastreamento a queda foi ligeiramente maior, de 39,18% nesse mesmo período. Em relação à mamografia diagnóstica, a redução foi de 33,15%, e na mamografia de população-alvo, o ápice foi em 2019 com 2.721.075. Em contrapartida, a realização de mamografia em pacientes já tratadas, teve uma menor queda, de 9,35%. Conclusões: observou-se uma queda significativa no número de mamografias realizadas em 2019 e 2020, o que poderá acarretar em diagnósticos tardios da doença e piores prognósticos.
Perfil bioquímico de usuários diabéticos e hipertensos vinculados a Atenção Primária à Saúde
Authors: Melo Gabriel Ribas Nascimento de , Nogueira Júlio Cezar de Carvalho , Kono Elidiane Moreira , Souza Juarez de , Takanashi Silvania Yukiko Lins , Gouvêa-e-Silva Luiz Fernando
Published: April 2023

Introdução: O diabete mellitus (DM) e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) são doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis que se associam a alto risco de mortalidade. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil laboratorial de pessoas com DM e HAS acompanhados na atenção primária à saúde. Método: Estudo descritivo e transversal, com a amostra de 345 pessoas em acompanhamento pelas estratégias de saúde da família pertencentes a duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da zona urbana do município de Santarém, Pará, Brasil. Os participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos conforme diagnóstico: HAS; DM; ambas (DM-HAS); ou nenhuma (SEM). Foram coletadas informações socioeconômicas e clínicas dos participantes, com posterior coleta de sangue para as variáveis bioquímicas. Para a análise de dados foi realizada a estatística descritiva e inferencial, adotando-se significância de p<0,05. Resultados: Em todos os grupos predominaram participantes do sexo feminino, casados, pardos, com renda até dois salários, com 4-7 anos de estudo, não tabagistas e não estilistas. Em relação ao SEM, o DM se associou com valores alterados para glicose (p<0,0001), HDL-c (p=0,0481), ureia (p=0,0252), creatinina (p=0,0006) e hemoglobina (p=0,0024). Já o DM-HAS se associou com a presença de alteração para glicose (p<0,0001), ureia (p=0,0009), creatinina (p=0,0059) e taxa de filtração glomerular (p=0,0048). Conclusão: Conclui-se, conforme o método proposto, que a presença da DM e/ou HAS são capazes de modificar o perfil bioquímico de maneira negativa, bem como se ressalta a importância do acompanhamento desta pessoa pela atenção primária à saúde, visto que algumas pessoas apresentaram alterações bioquímicas que chamam atenção e não estão em acompanhamento.
A judicialização da fosfoetalonamina sintética no Brasil
Authors: Pitanga Mayara Costa Freire Vasconcellos , Silva Janaína Lima Penalva da , Ramalho Pedro Ivo Sebba
Published: April 2023

Este artigo analisou a judicialização da fosfoetanolamina sintética no Brasil, a partir de estudo exploratório das decisões judiciais da vara de fazenda pública da comarca de São Carlos, em São Paulo, após a interrupção do fornecimento da substância pela Universidade de São Paulo. O estudo catalogou os argumentos constantes da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade 5.501/DF, que julgou inconstitucional a Lei n. 13.269/2016, que autorizou a produção e a prescrição da fosfoetanolamina sintética para quaisquer tipos de câncer (neoplasia maligna) enquanto os estudos clínicos não fossem concluídos. As sentenças de primeira instância concederam a fosfoetanolamina com base no testemunho dos pacientes sobre impactos positivos do uso da substância em sua saúde e pela ausência de registro de efeitos colaterais. Juízes que concederam acesso à fosfoetanolamina tinham ciência da carência de evidências científicas de segurança e eficácia, bem como do necessário registro da substância como medicamento no órgão  regulador, nos termos da legislação sanitária. No Supremo Tribunal Federal, a ausência de evidências científicas e a utilização de legislação para criar exceção casuísta levaram à declaração de inconstitucionalidade da norma pela maioria dos votos. O estudo registra, todavia, certa indisposição do Poder Judiciário em incorporar no processo decisório a avaliação das autoridades de regulação e fiscalização em saúde como fonte da correta avaliação da segurança e eficácia de medicamentos. Em conclusão, o testemunho dos pacientes sobre as perspectivas de cura ou redução do sofrimento, somado à ausência de provas nos processos judiciais sobre os riscos do consumo da fosfoetanolamina, foram cruciais para tais decisões.
SOX17
Enhancer Variants Disrupt Transcription Factor Binding And Enhancer Inactivity Drives Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Walters Rachel , Vasilaki Eleni , Aman Jurjan , Chen Chien-Nien , Wu Yukyee , Liang Olin D. , Ashek Ali , Dubois Olivier , Zhao Lin , Sabrin Farah , Cebola Inês , Ferrer Jorge , Morrell Nicholas W. , Klinger James R. , Wilkins Martin R. , Zhao Lan , Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: April 2023

Background:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, increased vascular resistance, and right-sided heart failure. Genome-wide association studies of idiopathic/heritable PAH established novel genetic risk variants, including conserved enhancers upstream of transcription factor (TF)
SOX17
containing 2 independent signals. SOX17 is an important TF in embryonic development and in the homeostasis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAEC) in the adult. Rare pathogenic mutations in
SOX17
cause heritable PAH. We hypothesized that PAH risk alleles in an enhancer region impair TF-binding upstream of
SOX17
, which in turn reduces
SOX17
expression and contributes to disturbed endothelial cell function and PAH development.

Methods:

CRISPR manipulation and siRNA were used to modulate
SOX17
expression. Electromobility shift assays were used to confirm in silico
–
predicted TF differential binding to the
SOX17
variants. Functional assays in hPAECs were used to establish the biological consequences of
SOX17
loss. In silico analysis with the connectivity map was used to predict compounds that rescue disturbed
SOX17
signaling. Mice with deletion of the
SOX17
-signal 1 enhancer region (
SOX17
-4593/enhKO) were phenotyped in response to chronic hypoxia and SU5416/hypoxia.

Results:

CRISPR inhibition of
SOX17
-signal 2 and deletion of
SOX17
-signal 1 specifically decreased
SOX17
expression. Electromobility shift assays demonstrated differential binding of hPAEC nuclear proteins to the risk and nonrisk alleles from both
SOX17
signals. Candidate TFs HOXA5 and ROR-α were identified through in silico analysis and antibody electromobility shift assays. Analysis of the hPAEC transcriptomes revealed alteration of PAH-relevant pathways on
SOX17
silencing, including extracellular matrix regulation.
SOX17
silencing in hPAECs resulted in increased apoptosis, proliferation, and disturbance of barrier function. With the use of the connectivity map, compounds were identified that reversed the SOX17-dysfunction transcriptomic signatures in hPAECs.
SOX17
enhancer knockout in mice reduced lung SOX17 expression, resulting in more severe pulmonary vascular leak and hypoxia or SU5416/hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusions:

Common PAH risk variants upstream of the
SOX17
promoter reduce endothelial
SOX17
expression, at least in part, through differential binding of HOXA5 and ROR-α. Reduced SOX17 expression results in disturbed hPAEC function and PAH. Existing drug compounds can reverse the disturbed SOX17 pulmonary endothelial transcriptomic signature.
Unloading the Left Ventricle in Venoarterial ECMO: In Whom, When, and How?
Authors: Ezad Saad M. , Ryan Matthew , Donker Dirk W. , Pappalardo Federico , Barrett Nicholas , Camporota Luigi , Price Susanna , Kapur Navin K. , Perera Divaka
Published: April 2023

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides cardiorespiratory support to patients in cardiogenic shock. This comes at the cost of increased left ventricle (LV) afterload that can be partly ascribed to retrograde aortic flow, causing LV distension, and leads to complications including cardiac thrombi, arrhythmias, and pulmonary edema. LV unloading can be achieved by using an additional circulatory support device to mitigate the adverse effects of mechanical overload that may increase the likelihood of myocardial recovery. Observational data suggest that these strategies may improve outcomes, but in whom, when, and how LV unloading should be employed is unclear; all techniques require balancing presumed benefits against known risks of device-related complications. This review summarizes the current evidence related to LV unloading with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Association of Chronic Kidney Disease With Atrial Fibrillation in the General Adult Population: A Nationwide Population‐Based Study
Authors: Kim Seon‐Mi , Jeong Yujin , Kim Yae Lim , Kang Minjung , Kang Eunjeong , Ryu Hyunjin , Kim Yunmi , Han Seung Seok , Ahn Curie , Oh Kook‐Hwan
Published: April 2023

Background

The incidences of atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing, and AF is prevalent in patients with CKD. However, few studies have investigated the incidence or association of AF in a large CKD population from a longitudinal study.

Methods and Results

From a nationwide cohort, a total of 4 827 987 Korean individuals without prior AF, who received biennial health checkups provided by the National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2012 in Korea, were analyzed. Incidence of AF was ascertained through the end of 2018. During a median follow‐up of 8.1 years, the annual incidence rate of AF was 1.17 per 1000 person‐years among subjects without CKD, 1.55 for stage 1 CKD, 1.86 for stage 2 CKD, 2.1 for stage 3 CKD, and 4.33 for stage 4 CKD. In Fine‐Gray regression models, CKD was associated with an increased risk of AF; the adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs of AF occurrence were 1.77 (1.69–1.85), 1.85 (1.80–1.91), 1.99 (1.95–2.04), and 4.04 (3.07–5.33) in individuals with CKD stages 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, compared with non‐CKD. The association between CKD and incident AF remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple confounding factors and was consistent across subgroups stratified by sex and age.

Conclusions

CKD is associated with an increased incidence of AF. Even mild CKD is associated with incident AF, and there was a stepwise increase in the risk of incident AF with a decrease in renal function.
Design and Rationale the SCAN‐MP (Screening for Cardiac Amyloidosis With Nuclear Imaging in Minority Populations) Study
Authors: Ruberg Frederick L. , Blaner William S. , Chiuzan Codruta , Connors Lawreen H. , Einstein Andrew J. , Fine Denise , Helmke Stephen , Kurian Damian , Pandey Shivda , Raiszadeh Farbod , Rodriguez Carlos , Sabogal Natalia , Teruya Sergio , Winburn Morgan , Chung Wendy K. , Cohn Elizabeth , Miller Edward J. , Kelly Jeffery W. , Maurer Mathew S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM) is an important cause of heart failure in older individuals. Misfolding and deposition of transthyretin or prealbumin protein causes ATTR‐CM in the context of a normal (wild‐type) or variant
TTR
sequence. Variant ATTR‐CM is most commonly caused by the substitution of valine for isoleucine at position 122 in transthyretin (Val122Ile or pV142I, almost exclusively observed in individuals of West African ancestry), demonstrated in 3.4% of self‐identified Black individuals in the United States with an estimated 1.5 million carriers. Despite the large number of known pV142I carriers, the proportion of older Black patients with heart failure attributable to ATTR‐CM remains unknown.

Methods

To address this knowledge gap, the SCAN‐MP (Screening for Cardiac Amyloidosis with Nuclear Imaging in Minority Populations) study was funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL139671) to enroll a targeted population of self‐identified, community‐dwelling Black or Caribbean Hispanic patients (many of whom are of West African ancestry) >60 years of age with heart failure and identify ATTR‐CM by noninvasive nuclear imaging. The principal objective of SCAN‐MP is to determine the prevalence of ATTR‐CM in this population. Secondary objectives will explore
TTR
genotype, demographics, progression of variant versus wild‐type ATTR‐CM, and biochemical mechanisms of transthyretin amyloid fibril formation.

Conclusions

The SCAN‐MP study is the largest, prospective study of cardiac amyloidosis in Black and Hispanic individuals. Both wild‐type and variant ATTR‐CM are now treatable with the US Food and Drug–approved drug tafamidis. The insights gained from SCAN‐MP are likely to improve those at risk for or afflicted with ATTR‐CM.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03812172.
Microvascular Dysfunction Is Associated With Impaired Myocardial Work in Obstructive and Nonobstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Multimodality Study
Authors: Garcia Brás Pedro , Rosa Sílvia Aguiar , Cardoso Isabel , Branco Luísa Moura , Galrinho Ana , Gonçalves António Valentim , Thomas Boban , Viegas José Miguel , Fiarresga António , Branco Gonçalo , Pereira Ricardo , Selas Mafalda , Silva Filipa , Cruz Inês , Baquero Luís , Ferreira Rui Cruz , Lopes Luís Rocha
Published: April 2023

Background

Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has been shown to correlate with microvascular dysfunction, a hallmark of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We hypothesized that there is an association between myocardial work and left ventricular ischemia, with incremental value to global longitudinal strain, in patients with HCM.

Methods and Results

We performed a prospective assessment of patients with HCM, undergoing 2‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance. Results were stratified according to obstructive or nonobstructive HCM and the presence of significant replacement fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement ≥15% of left ventricular mass). Seventy‐five patients with HCM (63% men, age 55±15 years) were evaluated, 28% with obstructive HCM (mean gradient 89±60 mm Hg). Perfusion defects were found in 90.7%, involving 22.5±16.9% of left ventricular mass, and 38.7% had late gadolinium enhancement ≥15%. In a multivariable analysis, a lower global work index (
r
=−0.519, β‐estimate −10.822;
P
=0.001), lower global work efficiency (
r
=−0.379, β‐estimate −0.123;
P
=0.041), and impaired global constructive work (
r
=−0.532, β‐estimate −13.788;
P
<0.001) significantly correlated with ischemia. A segmental analysis supported these findings, albeit with lower correlation coefficients. A global work index cutoff ≤1755 mm Hg% was associated with hypoperfusion with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 71%, while the best cutoff for global longitudinal strain (>−15.5%) had a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 57%. The association between myocardial work and perfusion defects was significant independently of late gadolinium enhancement ≥15% and obstructive HCM.

Conclusions

Impaired myocardial work was significantly correlated with the extent of ischemia in cardiac magnetic resonance, independently of the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy or fibrosis, with a higher predictive power than global longitudinal strain.
Updates for Cardio‐Kidney Protective Effects by Angiotensin Receptor‐Neprilysin Inhibitor: Requirement for Additional Evidence of Kidney Protection
Authors: Tsukamoto Shunichiro , Uehara Tatsuki , Azushima Kengo , Wakui Hiromichi , Tamura Kouichi
Published: April 2023

The incidence of heart failure and chronic kidney disease is increasing, and many patients develop both diseases. Angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) is a promising therapeutic candidate for both diseases. ARNI has demonstrated superior cardioprotective effects compared with renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS‐Is) in large clinical trials such as the PARADIGM‐HF (Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ACEI [Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor] to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) trial. It has also been suggested that ARNI can provide renoprotective effects beyond those of RAS‐Is in patients with HF. ARNI might have beneficial effects on the kidneys because of its ability to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure and affect renal hemodynamics by enhancing the effects of hormones such as natriuretic peptide. In contrast, in the PARADIGM‐HF trial, ARNI was associated with more albuminuria compared with RAS‐I; thus, it is unclear whether long‐term ARNI therapy has renoprotective effects. Additionally, ARNI did not provide renoprotective effects beyond RAS‐I in patients with chronic kidney disease in the UK HARP‐III (United Kingdom Heart and Renal Protection‐III) trial. In other words, the patient population in which ARNI is more renoprotective than RAS‐I might be limited. Collectively, ARNI may have renoprotective effects in addition to cardioprotective effects, but the evidence to date is applicable only to heart failure. Theoretically, given the molecular mechanism of ARNI, it could also be renoprotective in conditions such as nephrosclerosis, which has low risks of albuminuria and reduced kidney perfusion, but the evidence for such effects is lacking. Further research is needed to clarify whether ARNI therapy is an acceptable treatment strategy for renal protection.
An Increase in Precipitation Driven by Irrigation over the North China Plain Based on RegCM and WRF Simulations
Authors: Fan Yuwen , Im Eun-Soon , Lan Chia-Wei , Lo Min-Hui
Published: April 2023

Anthropogenic land-use change, irrigation, is considered to strongly modulate the hydroclimate at the regional scale by directly triggering evaporative cooling as the preliminary local effect. However, subsequent interactions with the background climate are highly nonlinear, which introduces diverse and unexpected consequences. The North China Plain (NCP) is one of the regions where irrigation has expanded the most rapidly since the twentieth century. The scarce rainfall in this region makes it necessary for irrigation to supplement the level of soil water for agricultural production. In this study, we quantify the effect of irrigation on the regional climate in China. Two regional climate models, WRF and RegCM, are used to mimic the large-scale practice of irrigation on the NCP. The results of our experiments show consistent cooling and moistening effects centered over the NCP across all experiments. Although the moisture budget and wind field pattern demonstrate that the vertical downdraft and low-level divergence could inhibit rainfall, the humidification dominates the climatic response in the dry April–June and increases the amount of precipitation significantly and consistently in the NCP region and the surrounding area in northern China. The enhanced CAPE increases sharply on some “calm days” when the vertical moisture advection is small, especially during the afternoon, triggering frequent light rains convectively by destabilizing the atmosphere. The consistent response to irrigation in two different models that employ structurally different land surface schemes could enhance the robustness of the physical mechanism behind the precipitation increase in the heavily irrigated region of NCP.
‘I Cannot Overreach the Senate’: Orienting to the Macro-Context of Legislative Debates of the Nigerian Senate
Authors: Inya Onwu
Published: April 2023

Both democracy and the legislature in Africa are emergent and require scholarly investigations to understand them. Therefore, this paper investigates the contextual configuration of Nigerian Senate debates (henceforth, NSD), paying particular attention to how legislators orient to the macro-context of this institutional discourse. The data comprise a 1.9 million-word corpus of NSD subjected to quantitative and qualitative discourse analysis. While the quantitative approach provides information on key semantic domains, concordance and collocational data, the qualitative analysis relies on a partial theory of the context models of parliamentary debates and the concepts of appropriateness and common ground. The components of the macro-context of NSD comprise context as social domain subcategorized into institutional setting, actors and goals, and context as social actions subcategorized into the global actions of legislation, representation and oversight function, respectively. The paper argues that legislators make explicit, through specific cognitive pragma-linguistic devices, their knowledge of aspects of the context of NSD they consider relevant for engaging in, and interpreting ongoing interaction, especially when something goes wrong.
After ‘Siziphile’ Land Occupations: Youth Land Occupiers, Livelihoods and the Complex Realities of a Worker-Peasantry in North-Western Zimbabwe
Authors: Thebe Vusilizwe , Shawa-Mangani Elizabeth H.L.
Published: April 2023

This research tries to reach an understanding of the relationship between youth, land, and livelihoods through an analysis of incidents of land self-provisioning by youth in a former labour reserve. Research was conducted in three villages over a 10-year period following what became known as ‘siziphile’ land occupations. The research contributes to contemporary debates on the youth employment, youth land struggles and livelihoods. This is done through the conceptual understanding of worker-peasantry dynamics. The fact that nearly all land occupants had abandoned the occupied land 10 years after the occupations attests to the complexity of issues around land and livelihoods in a worker-peasantry context. The conclusion emerging from this research is a contestation over the ‘land the economy and economy is land’ narrative, and argues that youth land struggles are not necessarily struggles for livelihoods, particularly among worker-peasants.
Sex determination using the clavicle by deep learning in a Thai population
Authors: Pichetpan Kewalee , Singsuwan Phruksachat , Intasuwan Pittayarat , Sinthubua Apichat , Palee Patison , Mahakkanukrauh Pasuk
Published: April 2023

Determining sex is a critical process in estimating biological profiles from skeletal remains. The clavicle is interesting in studying sex determination because it is durable to the environment, slow to decay, challenging to destroy, making the clavicle useful in autopsies and identification which can then lead to verification. The goal of this study was to use deep learning in determining sex from clavicles within the Thai population and obtain the accuracies for the validation set using a convolutional neural network (GoogLeNet). A total of 200 pairs of clavicles were obtained from 200 Thai persons (100 males and 100 females) as part of a training group. For the deep learning approach, the clavicle was photographed, and each clavicle image was submitted to the training model for sex determination. Training groups of 200 samples were made. Images of the same size were input into the training model. The percentage of the validation set accuracy was calculated from the MATLAB program. GoogLeNet was the best training model and get the result of validation set accuracy. The results of this study found accuracies for a validation set with the highest overall right lateral view of the clavicle with an accuracy of 95%. Accuracy from the validation set of each view of the clavicle can demonstrate the forensic value of sex determination. A deep learning approach with clavicles can determine the sex and is simple to utilize for forensic anthropology professionals.
A Method for Estimating Individual Socioeconomic Status of Twitter Users
Authors: He Yuanmo , Tsvetkova Milena
Published: April 2023

The rise of social media has opened countless opportunities to explore social science questions with new data and methods. However, research on socioeconomic inequality remains constrained by limited individual-level socioeconomic status (SES) measures in digital trace data. Following Bourdieu, we argue that the commercial and entertainment accounts Twitter users follow reflect their economic and cultural capital. Adapting a political science method for inferring political ideology, we use correspondence analysis to estimate the SES of 3,482,652 Twitter users who follow the accounts of 339 brands in the United States. We validate our estimates with data from the Facebook Marketing application programming interface, self-reported job titles on users’ Twitter profiles, and a small survey sample. The results show reasonable correlations with the standard proxies for SES, alongside much weaker or nonsignificant correlations with other demographic variables. The proposed method opens new opportunities for innovative social research on inequality on Twitter and similar online platforms.
The Treatment of Adult Laryngeal Hemangiomas Located on the Arytenoids: Excision vs. Chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Xiufa , Ma Jingru , Zhang Jing , Wei Chunsheng
Published: April 2023

Objective

To evaluate and compare the results of the excision and bleomycin injection treatment methods for adult laryngeal hemangiomas (ALHs) located on the arytenoids.

Methods

Twenty-six ALH patients in 29 different cases were enrolled in the study at our department between June 2012 and March 2021. Some patients were treated more than once. Twenty-nine cases of ALH treated with either bleomycin injection or excision were studied to assess the efficacy of both treatments. A lumen constriction score (from 1 to 4) was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect three months later.

Results

The ALHs in the ALH excision group were resected successfully, and the ALHs did not recur. The mean lumen constriction score for the bleomycin injection group was 2.95. The lumen constriction score for the ALH excision group was higher than that of the bleomycin injection group.

Conclusions

Both bleomycin injection and excision are safe and effective treatments for ALHs located on the arytenoids. On the condition that the ALH is well exposed and can be completely removed, ALH excision surgery is the preferable method to treat ALHs located on the arytenoids.
Internal thoracic artery on the aorta: A simple radial connection
Authors: de La Bourdonnaye Calixte , Nigolean Alexandru , Braunberger Eric , Biland Guillaume
Published: April 2023

Although performing total arterial coronary artery bypass revascularisation, using internal thoracic arteries as in situ grafts is not always feasible. The implantation of an internal thoracic artery on the aorta could be necessary, in a situation rarely planned preoperatively. Herein, we describe a simple and original way to perform this anastomosis. A 2-cm length of extra radial artery graft ended by a clip is anastomosed to the aorta in a standard fashion. The internal thoracic artery is then sown on the radial dome. We obtain a wide arterial anastomotic chamber using a standard technique, safe and easily reproducible.