bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic design for high power density of fully superconducting synchronous motor with through-shaft type field coil for electric aircraft
Authors: Uriu Kaiji , Iwakuma Masataka , Miyazaki Hiroshi , Miura Shun , Sasa Hiromasa
Published: June 2024

The global demand for aircraft is currently increasing, paralleled by a growing emphasis on decarbonization through the replacement of fossil fuel engines with electric propulsion. In response to this trend, we have developed a superconducting motor distinguished by its high efficiency, output, and low weight. Our focus centers on two critical aspects. Firstly, we addressed the issue of the field coil’s shape. The widely used REBCO wire in high-temperature superconductivity is tape-shaped, making a racetrack coil the most straightforward method for winding the wire. However, this configuration necessitates dividing the motor shaft as it comes in contact with the field coil, raising concerns about the mechanical durability of motors. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a saddle-type coil and design a coil shape that achieves a single continuous through-axis. Utilizing the Frenet-Serre formula, we created a 3D model of the coil’s end without applying load to the wire. This method, previously employed in accelerators, enhances durability, potentially leading to increased output due to higher rotation speeds and reduces weight through part savings. Secondly, introducing a saddle coil presents challenges in forming an ideal magnetic field distribution. In a rotating-field-type motor using an iron core, the winding can be directly wound around it, resulting in multiple coils forming similar magnetic fields that can be superimposed to create one large magnetic pole. However, with a saddle coil, coils are arranged along the circumference, and the magnetic field distribution and an anticipated decrease in output. To address this, we aimed to optimize the magnetic field distribution and increase output through a parameter survey. Specifically, we conducted an analysis under fixed armature conditions (current, number of turns, and shape) in three cases. In Case1, with a fixed total number of turns for the field coil, we compared magnetic field distributions and output by varying the number and arrangement of coils. In Case2, building on the findings of Case1, we aimed to enhance output by fixing the coil arrangement and increasing the number of turns. Finally, in Case 3, we examined the change in motor size with fixed coil parameters while altering the coil arrangement and pitch.
Distributional consequences shape public support for the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism: evidence from four European countries
Authors: Bayer P , Schaffer L M
Published: June 2024

A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is a policy that increases the cost of carbon-intensive imports from countries with no or weak national carbon regulation. Proponents advocate that it helps avoid industrial relocation and protects jobs in the importing country; its critics say that it impedes free trade and drives up prices. Despite European Union legislation to introduce a CBAM policy, we find that citizens across four European countries—Germany (n = 3500), Hungary (n = 2512), Switzerland (n = 2500), and the United Kingdom (n = 2500)—have not formed clear opinions about the policy yet. Results from survey experiments, conducted over the course of 1.5 years, show a strong dislike for price increases associated with a carbon border tax, while the prospect of job protection does little to increase CBAM support—not even among subgroups most affected by import competition. However, employment effects become relevant when we prompt survey respondents to assess the effects of the carbon border tax for their country as a whole instead of for themselves as individuals. Consistent with exploratory findings that right-leaning voters express a much stronger opposition to the CBAM policy, our results speak to growing evidence of the politically polarizing nature of costly, green policies when citizens’ policy preferences are malleable.
Sequencing one-dimensional Majorana materials for topological quantum computing
Authors: Minissale Marco , Bondavalli Paolo , Figueira M S , Le Lay Guy
Published: June 2024

Majorana fermions are a fascinating class of particles with unique and intriguing properties: they are their own antiparticles, as first theorized by the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana in 1937. In recent decades, research in condensed matter physics shows theoretically that in certain exotic states of matter, such as topological superconductors, pairs of Majorana fermions can emerge as bound states at defects or interfaces, known as Majorana Zero Modes (MZMs). They behave like non-local anyons and could be used as decoherence-protected qubits. After the seminal work of Kitaev (2001), one-dimensional artificial setups have been developed in line with the concept of the Kitaev chain to implement MZMs. As no definite proof has yet been widely accepted by the community, improvements in the architectures and setups have been realized, and different platforms have been devised, which could be kinds of ‘DNA’ in this rapidly evolving vivid ecosystem. Here, we sequence these ‘DNAs’ and draw perspectives for topological quantum computation.
Non-contact intelligent sensor for recognizing transparent and naked-eye indistinguishable materials based on ferroelectric BiFeO3 thin films
Authors: Yin Shengjie , Li Hongyu , Qian Weiqi , Hasan Md Al Mahadi , Yang Ya
Published: June 2024

At present, the research on ferroelectric photovoltaic materials mainly focuses on photoelectric detection. In the context of the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), it is particularly important to use smaller thin-film devices as sensors. In this work, an indium tin oxide/bismuth ferrite (BFO)/lanthanum nickelate device has been fabricated on an F-doped tin oxide glass substrate using the sol–gel method. The sensor can continuously output photoelectric signals with little environmental impact. Compared to other types of sensors, this photoelectric sensor has an ultra-low response time of 1.25 ms and ultra-high sensitivity. Furthermore, a material recognition system based on a BFO sensor is developed. It can effectively identify eight kinds of materials that are difficult for human eyes to distinguish. This provides new ideas and methods for developing the IoT in material identification.
Impacts of fire prevention strategies in a changing climate: an assessment for Portugal
Authors: DaCamara Carlos C , Bento Virgílio A , Nunes Sílvia A , Lemos Gil , Soares Pedro M M , Trigo Ricardo M
Published: June 2024

Climate change poses a formidable strain on societies worldwide, demanding viable and timely adaptation measures to ensure future prosperity while avoiding the impact of more frequent and intense extreme events, like wildfires, that affect all continents and biomes, leaving authorities grappling to respond effectively. Here, we focus on mainland Portugal that is inserted in the Mediterranean climate change hotspot and investigate the impact of different adaptation strategies on wildfire risk. Relying on an ensemble of regional climate models from the EURO-CORDEX initiative, we project fire weather index and fire radiative power for various representative concentration pathways (RCPs). Our findings reveal that very energetic fires, with energy release exceeding 1000 MW, may increase up to more than three-fold, depending on the RCP. Even under strong mitigation scenarios, the likelihood of having megafires increases by 1.5-fold. This underscores the need for proactive adaptation regardless of mitigation efforts. We present three different ignition avoidance strategies under different climate change scenarios. For all cases results indicate that a reduction between 20 and 60% is achievable for intense wildfires (above 1000 MW).
From childhood trauma to alcohol use disorder severity – significance of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol
Authors: Zaorska Justyna , Skrzeszewski Jakub , Kobyliński Paweł , Trucco Elisa Maria , Wojnar Marcin , Kopera Maciej , Jakubczyk Andrzej
Published: June 2024

Aims

The objective of the current study was to describe and analyse associations between childhood emotional abuse, severity of depressive symptoms, and analgesic expectations of drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

A total of 240 individuals aged 43.85 ± 11.0 with severe AUD entering an inpatient, abstinence-based, and drug-free treatment program were assessed. The data on AUD severity, depressive symptoms, expectations towards the analgesic effects of alcohol and childhood emotional trauma was collected using questionnaire measures. The PROCESS SPSS macro for serial mediation with bootstrapping was used to test whether current severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol use serially mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity.

Results

There was evidence for two simple mediated effects, whereby the severity of depressive symptoms mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity, and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. There was also evidence to support serial mediation whereby both severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity.

Conclusions

It might be clinically relevant to address experiences of childhood emotional trauma, as well as individual expectations of analgesic effects of alcohol, in AUD treatment programs.
Comparative studies on substrate specificity of succinic semialdehyde reductase from Gluconobacter oxydans and glyoxylate reductase from Acetobacter aceti
Authors: Majumder Toma Rani , Inoue Masao , Aono Riku , Ochi Anna , Mihara Hisaaki
Published: June 2024

Gluconobacter oxydans succinic semialdehyde reductase (GoxSSAR) and Acetobacter aceti glyoxylate reductase (AacGR) represent a novel class in the β-hydroxyacid dehydrogenases superfamily. Kinetic analyses revealed GoxSSAR's activity with both glyoxylate and succinic semialdehyde, while AacGR is glyoxylate specific. GoxSSAR K167A lost activity with succinic semialdehyde but retained some with glyoxylate, whereas AacGR K175A lost activity. These findings elucidate differences between these homologous enzymes.
A complete reversal in the effects of extrinsic factors on the escape behaviour of European hares over 33 years
Authors: Hušek Jan , Panek Marek
Published: June 2024

The flight initiation distance (FID) of prey when escaping from predators is determined by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We examined the long-term variation of FID and the impact of various factors on the FID of the European hare, using an economic model. We showed that the effects of local neighbour density and the occurrence of free-ranging dogs on the FID reversed from positive to negative, and the effect of resting in wild vegetation compared with crops increased from the 1960s to the 1990s, in a population in western Poland. The change in FID related to these factors might be explained by changes in agricultural landscape, hare density, and predation risk. The FID of hares reflects their risk-taking behaviour and might change in response to habitat deterioration and changes in prey and predator populations.
Melatonin as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant therapy in the testis: a focus on infertility and aging
Authors: Frungieri Mónica Beatriz , Calandra Ricardo Saúl , Matzkin María Eugenia , Rossi Soledad Paola
Published: June 2024

Melatonin is a pineal hormone that regulates testicular activity (i.e., steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis) through two complementary mechanisms, indirect effects exerted via the hypothalamic–adenohypophyseal axis and direct actions that take place on the different cell populations of the male gonad. The effects of increased age on the testis and the general mechanisms involved in testicular pathology leading to infertility are still only poorly understood. However, there is growing evidence that link testicular aging and idiopathic male infertility to local inflammatory and oxidative stress events. Because literature data strongly indicate that melatonin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, this review focuses on the potential benefits exerted by this indoleamine at testicular level in male reproductive fertility and aging. Taking into account that the effects of melatonin supplementation on testicular function are currently being investigated, the overview covers not only promising prospects but also many questions concerning the future therapeutic value of this indoleamine as an anti-aging drug as well as in the management of cases of male infertility for which there are no medical treatments currently available.
Effectiveness of a nurse-led one-to-one education programme in addition to standard care in children with atopic dermatitis: a multicentre randomized control trial
Authors: Barbarot Sebastien , Aubert Helene , Vibet Marie-Anne , Leray Maëlle , Foureau Aurore , Elan Francoise , Menneron Laëtitia , Stalder Jean-Francois , Mazereeuw-Hautier Juliette , Phan Alice , Droitcourt Catherine , Bursztejn Anne-Claire , Boralevi Franck , Chiaverini Christine , Raison-Peyron Nadia , Lasek Audrey , Misery Laurent , Abasq Claire , Mallet Stephanie
Published: June 2024

Background

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is recommended for children with atopic dermatitis (AD), but no consensus has been reached on the optimal tailoring of delivery. While repeated multidisciplinary group education sessions have shown effectiveness, the benefits of one-on-one educational interventions led by nurses for children with AD have not yet been assessed.

Objectives

To assess the benefits of additional, well-structured, 1-h nurse-led individual TPE interventions in children with AD and their families compared with standard care alone.

Methods

Children with moderate-to-severe AD and their parents were randomized to receive a 1-h nurse-led education session in addition to standard care vs. standard care alone. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index (SCORAD) from baseline to week 24 (lower AUC values represent better long-term control of the disease).

Results

In our study, 176 patients were randomized across 11 centres, and 153 were included in the full analysis set. The mean (SD) age was 4.47 (4.57) years. By week 24, there were no significant differences in the AUCs of the SCORAD between the two groups (P = 0.3). Secondary outcomes including patient-reported severity and quality of life [AUCs of the patient-oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD) and Infants’ Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDLQI), Children’s Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (CDLQI) and Family Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (FDLQI)] were not significantly different between the two groups. The only significant change observed in the intervention group, when compared with the one receiving standard care, was a decrease in topical steroid phobia, as assessed by the topical corticosteroid phobia (TOPICOP) score. Prespecified subgroup analyses showed that disease severity in the intervention group was significantly lower throughout the study, compared with the standard-care group when participants had moderate AD at baseline (n = 47); while participants with severe AD at baseline (n = 106) did not show benefit from the intervention. Participants showed no additional benefit from the intervention regardless of age group.

Conclusions

This study did not show any additional effectiveness, in long-term severity control, of a 1-h nurse-led TPE intervention in children with AD treated with standard care, compared with those treated with standard care alone. However, it should be noted that the intervention reduced the fear of using topical steroids and may be beneficial for patients in the subgroup with moderate AD.
Concise synthetic routes for diphenylacetylene from tetrachloroethylene using Suzuki coupling reaction followed by treatment with n-butyllithium
Authors: Fujiki Yuta , Suzuki Hiyono , Kikuzawa Junya , Nishiwaki Keiji , Kawashita Norihito , Matsuoka Junpei , Nakamura Akira , Maegawa Tomohiro , Kuwabara Akiko , Kobayashi Masafumi , Matsumoto Kouichi
Published: June 2024

We wish to report a new synthetic approach for diphenylacetylene in which tetrachloroethylene was reacted with phenylboronic acid in the presence of Pd catalyst, followed by a workup procedure to provide the crude product, which was then allowed to react with n-butyllithium via the halogen lithium exchange of Cl atom and loss of Li and Cl atoms to afford the desired diphenylacetylene in good yield.
Unraveling the crystallization mechanism of trinuclear Au complexes through crystal size-dependent luminescence
Authors: Furoida Andriani , Shiina Urara , Matsumoto Kohsuke , Tsutsumi Osamu
Published: June 2024

The trinuclear Au complex, DT4, demonstrates room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in the crystalline state, along with size-dependent polymorphism. The phase transition between the crystal polymorphs of DT4 can be directly observed in real time during crystal growth through changes in RTP color. This study aims to elucidate the crystallization mechanism of DT4, focusing specifically on determining the critical particle size at which crystal-to-crystal phase transitions occur during crystal growth.
Detection of DNA Contamination in Prenatal Samples from Whole Exome Sequencing Data
Authors: Smeekens Sanne P , Timmermans Raoul , Westra Dineke , Gilissen Christian , Faas Brigitte H W
Published: June 2024

Background

Maternal cell contamination (MCC) in prenatal samples poses a risk for misdiagnosis, and therefore, testing for contamination is necessary during genetic analysis of prenatal specimens. MCC testing is currently performed as a method separate from the diagnostic method. With the increasing application of whole exome sequencing (WES) in prenatal diagnosis, we sought to develop a method to estimate the level of contamination from WES data, aiming to eliminate the need for a separate MCC test.

Methods

To investigate the impact of MCC on the distribution of the variant allele fraction in WES data, contamination was both simulated in silico and artificially induced. Subsequently, a bioinformatic WES contamination method was developed and validated by comparing its performance to that of the gold standard (short tandem repeat [STR]) MCC test, validated for detecting ≥5% contamination. Finally, post-implementation performance was monitored for a 15-month period.

Results

During validation, 270 prenatal samples underwent analysis with both WES and the gold standard test. In 259 samples, the results were concordant (248 not contaminated, 11 contaminated with both tests). In 11 samples, contamination was only detected in WES data (2 of which contained ≥5% contamination with WES, which is above the detection limit of the gold standard test). The data of the post-implementation evaluation on 361 samples, of which 68 were contaminated, were in line with the validation data.

Conclusions

Contamination can reliably be detected in WES data, rendering a separate contamination test unnecessary for the majority of samples.
Syncope due to recurrent ventricular tachycardias after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with unexpected diagnosis in cardiac computed tomography: a case report
Authors: Breitbart Philipp , Billig Hannah , André Florian , Frey Norbert , Korosoglou Grigorios
Published: June 2024

Background

Delayed coronary obstruction (DCO) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) mostly affecting the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and often caused by prosthesis endothelialization or thrombus formations. Herein, we report an unusual case of a delayed LMCA-obstruction caused by a calcium nodule, which was diagnosed 4 months after TAVI due to recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes.

Case summary

A 73-year-old patient was readmitted to an external hospital with syncope three months after TAVI. Fast VT could be induced in electrophysiological examination, why the patient received a two-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). However, after 1 month the patient was readmitted to our department with another syncope. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator records revealed multiple fast VT episodes (200–220 b.p.m.). In addition, the patient reported new-onset exertional dyspnoea (New York Class Association Stage III) and elevated high-sensitive cardiac troponin of 115 ng/L. Due to the symptoms and laboratory markers indicating potential myocardial ischaemia, a cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed. Cardiac computed tomography angiography revealed obstruction of the LMCA likely caused by calcium shift during TAVI. After CCTA-guided percutaneous coronary intervention, patient’s course remained uneventful.

Discussion

The present case report highlights the role of CCTA as a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool in complex settings after TAVI. Delayed coronary obstruction as a procedural complication can occur after TAVI and manifest with various symptoms, including new-onset or recurrent VTs, like in the present case. Cardiac computed tomography angiography provided accurate assessment of the implanted prosthesis and detection of DCO, thus guiding the subsequent PCI.
Variability in approach to exercise stress echocardiography for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an international survey on real-world practice
Authors: Tani Yuta , Reddy Yogesh N V , Verbrugge Frederik H , Yang Jeong Hoon , Negishi Kazuaki , Harada Tomonari , Kagami Kazuki , Saito Yuki , Yuasa Naoki , Sorimachi Hidemi , Murakami Fumitaka , Kato Toshimitsu , Wada Naoki , Ishii Hideki , Obokata Masaru
Published: June 2024

Aims

The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging based on resting assessments. Exercise echocardiography is often used to unmask abnormalities that develop during exercise, but the diagnostic criteria have not been standardized. This study aimed to elucidate how cardiologists utilize exercise echocardiography to diagnose HFpEF in real-world practice.

Methods and results

An international web-based survey involving 87 cardiologists was performed. We also performed a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the impact of different exercise echocardiographic diagnostic criteria in 652 dyspnoeic patients who underwent exercise echocardiography. The HFA-PEFF algorithm was the most commonly used exercise echocardiography criterion for HFpEF diagnoses (48%), followed by the ASE/EACVI criteria (24%) and other combinations of multiple parameters (22%). Among 652 patients, the proportion of HFpEF diagnosis varied substantially according to the criteria used ranging from 20.1% (ASE/EACVI criteria) to 44.3% (HFA-PEFF algorithm). Many cases (49.4–70.5%) remained indeterminate after exercise echocardiography, but only 41% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise right heart catheterization to resolve an indeterminate result. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, 54% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise echocardiography results to initiate sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors.

Conclusion

In real-world practice, exercise echocardiographic criteria utilized across cardiologists vary, which meaningfully impacts the frequency of HFpEF diagnoses, with indeterminate results being common. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, many cardiologists initiate pharmacotherapy based on exercise echocardiography. The lack of consensus on universal diagnostic criteria for exercise echocardiography and approaches to indeterminate results may limit the delivery of evidence-based treatment for HFpEF.
Myeloid cell-derived interleukin-6 induces vascular dysfunction and vascular and systemic inflammation
Authors: Knopp Tanja , Jung Rebecca , Wild Johannes , Bochenek Magdalena L , Efentakis Panagiotis , Lehmann Annika , Bieler Tabea , Garlapati Venkata , Richter Cindy , Molitor Michael , Perius Katharina , Finger Stefanie , Lagrange Jérémy , Ghasemi Iman , Zifkos Konstantinos , Kommoss Katharina S , Masri Joumana , Reißig Sonja , Randriamboavonjy Voahanginirina , Wunderlich Thomas , Hövelmeyer Nadine , Weber Alexander N R , Mufazalov Ilgiz A , Bosmann Markus , Bechmann Ingo , Fleming Ingrid , Oelze Matthias , Daiber Andreas , Münzel Thomas , Schäfer Katrin , Wenzel Philip , Waisman Ari , Karbach Susanne
Published: June 2024

Aims

The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a central role in the inflammation cascade as well as cardiovascular disease progression. Since myeloid cells are a primary source of IL-6 formation, we aimed to generate a mouse model to study the role of myeloid cell-derived IL-6 in vascular disease.

Methods and results

Interleukin-6-overexpressing (IL-6OE) mice were generated and crossed with LysM-Cre mice, to generate mice (LysM-IL-6OE mice) overexpressing the cytokine in myeloid cells. Eight- to 12-week-old LysM-IL-6OE mice spontaneously developed inflammatory colitis and significantly impaired endothelium-dependent aortic relaxation, increased aortic reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and vascular dysfunction in resistance vessels. The latter phenotype was associated with decreased survival. Vascular dysfunction was accompanied by a significant accumulation of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages in the aorta, increased myeloid cell reactivity (elevated ROS production), and vascular fibrosis associated with phenotypic changes in vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition to elevated Mcp1 and Cxcl1 mRNA levels, aortae from LysM-IL-6OE mice expressed higher levels of inducible NO synthase and endothelin-1, thus partially accounting for vascular dysfunction, whereas systemic blood pressure alterations were not observed. Bone marrow (BM) transplantation experiments revealed that vascular dysfunction and ROS formation were driven by BM cell-derived IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Mice with conditional overexpression of IL-6 in myeloid cells show systemic and vascular inflammation as well as endothelial dysfunction. A decrease in circulating IL-6 levels by replacing IL-6-producing myeloid cells in the BM improved vascular dysfunction in this model, underpinning the relevant role of IL-6 in vascular disease.
Periprocedural acute haemodynamic decompensation during substrate-based ablation of scar-related ventricular tachycardia: a rare and unpredictable event
Authors: Stojadinović Predrag , Wichterle Dan , Peichl Petr , Čihák Robert , Aldhoon Bashar , Borišincová Eva , Štiavnický Petr , Hašková Jana , Ševčík Adam , Kautzner Josef
Published: June 2024

Aims

Patients with structural heart disease (SHD) undergoing catheter ablation (CA) for ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at considerable risk of periprocedural complications, including acute haemodynamic decompensation (AHD). The PAINESD score was proposed to predict the risk of AHD. The goal of this study was to validate the PAINESD score using the retrospective analysis of data from a large-volume heart centre.

Methods and results

Patients who had their first radiofrequency CA for SHD-related VT between August 2006 and December 2020 were included in the study. Procedures were mainly performed under conscious sedation. Substrate mapping/ablation was performed primarily during spontaneous rhythm or right ventricular pacing. A purposely established institutional registry for complications of invasive procedures was used to collect all periprocedural complications that were subsequently adjudicated using the source medical records. Acute haemodynamic decompensation triggered by CA procedure was defined as intraprocedural or early post-procedural (<12 h) development of acute pulmonary oedema or refractory hypotension requiring urgent intervention. The study cohort consisted of 1124 patients (age, 63 ± 13 years; males, 87%; ischaemic cardiomyopathy, 67%; electrical storm, 25%; New York Heart Association Class, 2.0 ± 1.0; left ventricular ejection fraction, 34 ± 12%; diabetes mellitus, 31%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 12%). Their PAINESD score was 11.4 ± 6.6 (median, 12; interquartile range, 6–17). Acute haemodynamic decompensation complicated the CA procedure in 13/1124 = 1.2% patients and was not predicted by PAINESD score with AHD rates of 0.3, 1.8, and 1.1% in subgroups by previously published PAINESD terciles (<9, 9–14, and >14). However, the PAINESD score strongly predicted mortality during the follow-up.

Conclusion

Primarily substrate-based CA of SHD-related VT performed under conscious sedation is associated with a substantially lower rate of AHD than previously reported. The PAINESD score did not predict these events. The application of the PAINESD score to the selection of patients for pre-emptive mechanical circulatory support should be reconsidered.
Platform Law as EU Law
Authors: Mast Tobias
Published: June 2024

Digital platforms have become the subject of several legal acts within a relatively short period of time. The emerging European platform law faces particular challenges due to three specificities of platforms. First, the area to be regulated consists of the same platforms operating throughout the Union with a more or less uniform service in all Member States and beyond the Union. Second, the fact that the platforms can be used for almost unlimited purposes, whereas the Union does not have unlimited regulatory powers. Third, there is the dynamic development of the platform economy, which constantly presents us with new phenomena and potential risks, giving operators a knowledge advantage over regulators and generating a need for private ordering by platforms themselves.

In this combination, the legal challenges differ from the issues addressed by most other acts of the EU Digital Strategy: for example, the Data Governance Act focuses not on private but on public data owners, while the Data Act focuses on Internet of Things applications, which are not used as ubiquitously as digital platforms. Because of these particularities, an overarching view of the phenomena of platform regulation helps to provide a background against which the appropriateness of individual norms can be assessed. In order to structure the observations, the platform phenomenon will first be contrasted with that of the EU (I.), before the characteristics of platform law as supranational law (II.) and European administrative law (III.), as well as questions of the platform-related protection of fundamental rights are addressed (IV.).
Taxonomic and genomic attributes of oligotrophic soil bacteria
Authors: Dragone Nicholas B , Hoffert Michael , Strickland Michael S , Fierer Noah
Published: June 2024

Not all bacteria are fast growers. In soil as in other environments, bacteria exist along a continuum—from copiotrophs that can grow rapidly under resource-rich conditions to oligotrophs that are adapted to life in the “slow lane.” However, the field of microbiology is built almost exclusively on the study of copiotrophs due, in part, to the ease of studying them in vitro. To begin understanding the attributes of soil oligotrophs, we analyzed three independent datasets that represent contrasts in organic carbon availability. These datasets included 185 samples collected from soil profiles across the USA, 950 paired bulk soil and rhizosphere samples collected across Europe, and soils from a microcosm experiment where carbon availability was manipulated directly. Using a combination of marker gene sequencing and targeted genomic analyses, we identified specific oligotrophic taxa that were consistently more abundant in carbon-limited environments (subsurface, bulk, unamended soils) compared to the corresponding carbon-rich environment (surface, rhizosphere, glucose-amended soils), including members of the Dormibacterota and Chloroflexi phyla. In general, putative soil oligotrophs had smaller genomes, slower maximum potential growth rates, and were under-represented in culture collections. The genomes of oligotrophs were more likely to be enriched in pathways that allow oligotrophs to metabolize a range of energy sources and store carbon, while genes associated with energy-intensive functions like chemotaxis and motility were under-represented. However, few genomic attributes were shared, highlighting that oligotrophs likely use a range of different metabolic strategies and regulatory pathways to thrive in resource-limited soils.
Clinical outcomes in patients infected with ertapenem-only-resistant Enterobacterales versus multi-carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales
Authors: Weston Gregory , Giri Abhigya , Komarow Lauren , Ge Lizhao , Baum Keri R , Abbenante Erin , Gallagher Jason C , Jacob Jesse T , Kaye Keith S , Kim Angela C , Huskins W Charles , Zervos Marcus , Herc Erica , Patel Robin , Van Duin David , Doi Yohei
Published: June 2024

Background

Use of anti-carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (anti-CRE) agents such as ceftazidime/avibactam has been associated with improved clinical outcome in cohorts that primarily include patients infected with CRE that are resistant to meropenem (MCRE).

Objectives

To clarify whether patients with CRE resistant to ertapenem but susceptible to meropenem (ertapenem-only-resistant Enterobacterales; EORE) benefit from therapy with anti-CRE agents.

Methods

Patients treated for CRE infection in hospitals in the USA between 2016 and 2019 and enrolled in the CRACKLE-2 study were included. The primary outcome was the desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) assessed at 30 days after index cultures.

Results

The EORE group included 213 patients and the MCRE group included 643. The demographics were similar between the groups except for the patients’ race and origin before admission. The MCRE group received anti-CRE agents for definitive therapy significantly more frequently compared with the EORE group (30% versus 5% for ceftazidime/avibactam). We did not observe a significant difference between the groups in the adjusted DOOR probability of a more desirable outcome for a randomly selected patient in the EORE group compared with the MCRE group (52.5%; 95% CI, 48.3%–56.7%). The MCRE group had a similar proportion of patients who died at 30 days (26% versus 21%) and who were discharged to home (29% versus 40%), compared with the EORE group.

Conclusions

Patients with clinical EORE infection rarely received anti-CRE agents, but attained similar outcomes compared with patients with MCRE infection. The findings support current IDSA treatment guidance for meropenem- or imipenem-based therapy for treatment of EORE infections.
A novel antimicrobial peptide S24 combats serious wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Zhang Meng-Yue , Li Shuang , Wang Cai-Yun , Zhang Zi-Xuan , Han Yu-Ling , Liu Xin-Qi , Cheng Juan , Zhou Xun-Yong , Zhang Yi-Xuan
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are ranked as top-priority organisms by WHO. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that are highly effective against serious bacterial infections.

Methods

In our previous study, a series of α-helical AMPs were screened using a novel multiple-descriptor strategy. The current research suggested that S24 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against major pathogenic bacteria, and displayed minimal haemolysis, good serum stability and maintained salt resistance.

Results

We found that S24 exerted an antimicrobial effect by destroying outer membrane permeability and producing a strong binding effect on bacterial genomic DNA that inhibits genomic DNA migration. Furthermore, S24 exerted a strong ability to promote healing in wound infected by P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and mixed strains in a mouse model.

Conclusions

Overall, S24 showed good stability under physiological conditions and excellent antimicrobial activity, suggesting it may be a potential candidate for the development of serious bacterial infection treatment.
Reducing Wait Times at Customs to Boost Trade: How Implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement Can Expand Trade among AfCFTA Countries?
Authors: de Melo Jaime , Sorgho Zakaria , Wagner Laurent
Published: June 2024

All WTO members participate in the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), a rules-based bottom-up approach built on monitorable provisions (e.g., the publication of information, advance rulings, appeal or review of decisions, transparency and border agency cooperation) aimed at reducing time in customs. The paper draws on the OECD indicators of the state of implementation of provisions in the TFA summarised in a TFI (Trade Facilitation Index) to estimate the reduction in waiting time at customs for a large sample of 160 countries.

Implementing the TFA could be a significant complement to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)'s objectives. The paper's estimates suggest that a realistic implementation of TFA measures could reduce time in customs for imports by 3.7 days and by 1.9 days for exports. Using extraneous estimates from customs-level transactions, this translates to a reduction tariff Ad-Valorem Equivalent (AVE) in the range 3.5%–7% for imports and 8% extra growth for exports.

The large differences in interests across AfCFTA participants—landlocked-coastal, resource-rich and resource-poor, large-small—suggest large gains from reducing tariffs on intra-African trade. However, tariff reductions face the zero-sum hurdle of negotiations involving rent transfers across and within countries. By avoiding rent-transfer issues, this paper suggests that taking seriously the TFA provisions would be a powerful complement to the AfCFTA's tariff-reduction agenda.
Transcriptomic analysis of sheep hypothalamus discloses regulatory genes potentially involved in sex-dependent differences in body weight of progeny born to dams supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids or methionine during late-gestation
Authors: Rosa-Velazquez Milca , Ahn Jinsoo , Lee Kichoon , Relling Alejandro E
Published: June 2024

Fetal programming research conducted in sheep has reported sexually dimorphic responses on growth of the progeny born to in-utero methionine or omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. However, the biological mechanism behind the nutrient by sex interaction as a source of variation in offspring body weight is still unknown. A high-throughput RNA sequencing data of hypothalamus samples from 17 lambs were used in the current study to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between males and females born to dams supplemented with different nutrients during late-gestation. Ewes received a basal diet without omega-3 fatty acids or methionine supplementation as the control (CONT); omega-3 fatty acids supplementation (FAS), or methionine supplementation (METS). A list of regulated genes was generated. Data were compared as CONT vs. FAS and CONT vs. METS. For CONT vs. METS, a treatment by sex interaction was found (adjusted P-value < 0.05) on 121 DEGs (112 upregulated and 9 downregulated) on female lambs born to METS compared with METS males. Importantly, with the sex interaction term, more than 100 genes were upregulated in female lamb’s hypothalamuses born to METS. Gene Ontology (GO) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were performed using the DEGs from female lambs. Terms under biological process (related to morphogenesis, organism, and tissue development), cellular component (related to chromatin, extracellular components), and molecular function (involved in chromatin structure and transcription and factors linked to binding DNA) were presented (adjusted P-value < 0.05) for GO. For the IPA, the top-scoring network was developmental disorder, endocrine system development and function, and organ morphology. Only a few differences were observed in the comparison between the interaction of sex and treatment for the CONT vs. FAS comparison. The markedly increased number of DEGs substantially involved in developmental and growth processes indicates the extent to which maternal methionine supplementation causes the sexually dimorphic effects observed in the offspring.
Plastomes of Nothofagus reflect a shared biogeographic history in Patagonia
Authors: Juri Gabriela , Ripa Ramiro R , Premoli Andrea C
Published: June 2024

Plastomes are used in phylogenetic reconstructions because of their relatively conserved nature. Nonetheless, some limitations arise, particularly at lower taxonomic levels due to reduced interspecific polymorphisms and frequent hybridization events that result in unsolved phylogenies including polytomies and reticulate evolutionary patterns. Next-generation sequencing technologies allow access to genomic data and strongly supported phylogenies, yet biased topologies may be obtained due to insufficient taxon sampling. We analyze the hypothesis that intraspecific plastome diversity reflects biogeographic history and hybridization cycles among taxa. We generated 12 new plastome sequences covering distinct latitudinal locations of all species of subgenus Nothofagus from North Patagonia. Chloroplast genomes were assembled, annotated, and searched for simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Phylogenetic reconstructions included species and sampled locations. The six Nothofagus species analyzed were of similar size and structure; only Nothofagus obliqua of subgenus Lophozonia, used as an outgroup, presented slight differences in size. We detected a variable number of SSRs in distinct species and locations. Phylogenetic analyses of plastomes confirmed that subgenus Nothofagus organizes into two monophyletic clades each consisting of individuals of different species. We detected a geographic structure within subgenus Nothofagus and found evidence of local chloroplast sharing due to past hybridization, followed by adaptive introgression and ecological divergence. These contributions enrich the comprehension of transversal evolutionary mechanisms such as chloroplast capture and its implications for phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses.
The rural mosque uncovered in the Andalusi village of La Graja (eleventh century ce)
Authors: Jiménez-Castillo Pedro , Simón García José L , Moreno Narganes José Mª
Published: June 2024

This article examines the rural mosque recently excavated in the archaeological site of La Graja (Higueruela, Albacete). This is a very important find from a historical point of view, since there is little archaeological evidence for this type of building despite the fact that many examples must have existed in al-Andalus. This congregational mosque served the inhabitants of an Andalusi village (Ar. qarya) and other small hamlets in its vicinity. It was built in the early eleventh century ce and abandoned, along with the rest of the settlement, towards the end of the century. Owing to its good state of preservation, its constructive characteristics and architectural plan could be analysed in detail. The most interesting aspect of this find was, however, that it was possible to study the mosque in the spatial context of the village as a whole. This reveals aspects of urban planning at the time of the mosque’s construction and, therefore, the social structure of the group of founding settlers. The excavation also provided relevant data about the uses of the space around the prayer hall and how its presence affected the evolution of the urban layout of the village.
Evaluation of PET/CT imaging with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab: a phase 1 clinical study in Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma (Zirdac-JP)
Authors: Nakaigawa Noboru , Hasumi Hisashi , Utsunomiya Daisuke , Yoshida Keisuke , Ishiwata Yoshinobu , Oka Takashi , Hayward Colin , Makiyama Kazuhide
Published: June 2024

Background

PET/CT imaging with Zirconium-89 labeled [89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab, which targets tumor antigen CAIX, may aid in the differentiation and characterization of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and other renal and extrarenal lesions, and has been studied in European and American cohorts. We report results from a phase I study that evaluated the safety profile, biodistribution, and dosimetry of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab in Japanese patients with suspected RCC.

Methods

Eligible adult patients received 37 MBq (± 10%; 10 mg mass dose) of intravenous [89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab. Safety and tolerability profile was assessed based on adverse events, concomitant medications, physical examination, vital signs, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, human anti-chimeric antibody measurement, and 12-lead electrocardiograms at predefined intervals. Biodistribution and normal organ and tumor dosimetry were evaluated with PET/CT images acquired at 0.5, 4, 24, 72 h and Day 5 ± 2 d after administration.

Results

[89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab was administered in six patients as per protocol. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported. Dosimetry analysis showed that radioactivity was widely distributed in the body, and that the absorbed dose in healthy organs was highest in the liver (mean ± standard deviation) (1.365 ± 0.245 mGy/MBq), kidney (1.126 ± 0.190 mGy/MBq), heart wall (1.096 ± 0.232 mGy/MBq), and spleen (1.072 ± 0.466 mGy/MBq). The mean effective dose, adjusted by the radioactive dose administered, was 0.470 mSv/MBq. The radiation dose was highly accumulated in the targeted tumor, while any abnormal accumulation in other organs was not reported.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that [89Zr]Zr-DFO-girentuximab administered to Japanese patients with suspected RCC has a favorable safety profile and is well tolerated and has a similar dosimetry profile to previously studied populations.
CCD UBV(RI)KC photometry and dynamics of the open cluster NGC 1513
Authors: Akkaya Oralhan İnci , Çakmak Hikmet , Karataş Yüksel , Michel Raúl , Bonatto Charles
Published: June 2024

We derive astrophysical parameters of the open cluster NGC 1513 by means of colour indices built with new CCD UBV(RI)KC photometry. Based on early-type members, the mean foreground reddening and total to selective extinction ratio are E(B − V) = 0.79 ± 0.09 mag and RV = 2.85 ± 0.05. Through the differential grid method, we derive the metal abundance [Fe/H] = −0.06 dex (Z = +0.013), which is consistent with the value [Fe/H] = −0.088 of the bright giant member – LAMOST 695710060. Z = +0.013 isochrone fit to the V × (B − V) colour–magnitude diagram leads to a turn-off age of 224 ± 27 Myr (thus an intermediate-age cluster), and a distance modulus of (V0 − MV) = 10.90 ± 0.15 mag, thus implying a distance from the Sun d = 1514 ± 105 pc. Within the uncertainties, our photometric distance is consistent with the value d = 1435 ± 14 pc from the Gaia DR3 parallax. We find signs of small mass segregation through a minimum spanning tree analysis for the 190 most massive stars, together with the rather steep mass function (χ = +2.39) slope. The high core to half-light radius ratio Rcore/Rh = 0.82, together with the compact half-light to tidal radius ratio Rh/Rt = 0.22, suggest that it is probably related to cluster-formation effects, due to little dynamical evolution, instead of driving its dynamical evolution by internal relaxation. Indeed, NGC 1513 is located in the second quadrant (ℓ = 152${_{.}^{\circ}}$59 and Galactocentric distance RGC = 9.57 kpc), which tends to minimize tidal effects by external processes and tidal disruption. Therefore, internal mass segregation effects in NGC 1513 seem to be more efficient than cluster evaporation processes. We find that NGC 1513 migrated about 0.50 kpc from its birth place.