bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A deep learning method to identify and localize large‐vessel occlusions from cerebral digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Warman Roshan , Warman Pranav I. , Warman Anmol , Bueso Tulio , Ota Riichi , Windisch Thomas , Neves Gabriel
Published: March 2024

Background and purpose

An essential step during endovascular thrombectomy is identifying the occluded arterial vessel on a cerebral digital subtraction angiogram (DSA). We developed an algorithm that can detect and localize the position of occlusions in cerebral DSA.

Methods

We retrospectively collected cerebral DSAs from a single institution between 2018 and 2020 from 188 patients, 86 of whom suffered occlusions of the M1 and proximal M2 segments. We trained an ensemble of deep‐learning models on fewer than 60 large‐vessel occlusion (LVO)‐positive patients. We evaluated the model on an independent test set and evaluated the truth of its predicted localizations using Intersection over Union and expert review.

Results

On an independent test set of 166 cerebral DSA frames with an LVO prevalence of 0.19, the model achieved a specificity of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90, 0.99), a precision of 0.7450 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.88), and a sensitivity of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.91). The model correctly localized the LVO in at least one frame in 13 of the 14 LVO‐positive patients in the test set. The model achieved a precision of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.79), recall of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.81), and a mean average precision of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.91).

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that a deep learning strategy using a limited dataset can generate effective representations used to identify LVOs. Generating an expanded and more complete dataset of LVOs with obstructed LVOs is likely the best way to improve the model's ability to localize LVOs.
Using social media to infer the diffusion of an urban contact dialect: A case study of Multicultural London English
Authors: Ilbury Christian , Grieve Jack , Hall David
Published: March 2024

Sociolinguistic research has demonstrated that ‘urban contact dialects’ tend to diffuse beyond the speech communities in which they first emerge. However, no research has attempted to explore the distribution of these varieties across an entire nation nor isolate the social mechanisms that propel their spread. In this paper, we use a corpus of 1.8 billion geo‐tagged tweets to explore the spread of Multicultural London English (MLE) lexis across the United Kingdom. We find evidence for the diffusion of MLE lexis from East and North London into other ethnically and culturally diverse urban centres across England, particularly those in the South (e.g. Luton), but find lower frequencies of MLE lexis in the North of England (e.g. Manchester), and in Scotland and Wales. Concluding, we emphasise the role of demographic similarity in the diffusion of linguistic innovations by demonstrating that this variety originated in London and diffused into other urban areas in England through the social networks of Black and Asian users.
Predictive validity of a pressure injury risk assessment tool at different time‐points in patients admitted to the intensive care unit
Authors: Cobos‐Vargas Angel , Acosta‐Romero Maria , Camado‐Sojo Luis , Alba‐Fernández Carmen , Rodriguez‐Delgado Esther , Colmenero Manuel
Published: March 2024

Background

Multiple risk assessment scales are available for predicting the development of pressure injuries (PIs) in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Most PI risk assessment tools have been validated at the time of admission; however, another time point during treatment could better reflect clinical changes and therefore, the risk of PIs.

Aim

The study aimed to examine the predictive validity of PI risk assessment scale designed for ICU patients, the conscious level, mobility, haemodynamic, oxygenation and nutrition (COMHON) index, at several time points or intervals during ICU stay.

Study Design

This was an observational prospective study undertaken over a period of 1 year (July 2021–June 2022). Patients admitted to ICU for >3 days were included. The number, location and degree of the PIs were recorded. The level of risk for developing PIs during the stay was determined by calculating the COMHON scores at admission, and 72 h, as well as the highest and mean score. Predictive validity was studied using accuracy parameters and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The best cutoff point was also determined and used to compare risk between categories.

Results

Of the 286 patients included in the study, 160 (59%) were male. The level of severity evaluated using the APACHE II scale was 18.4 ± 5.8 points. Invasive mechanical ventilation was used in 32.1% (n = 92) of the patients and 20.6% (n = 59) received high flow oxygen therapy. The incidence of PI was 15.4% (n = 44), with sacral location in 47.7% (n = 21) and grade II in 75% (n = 33) of the patients. The AUC was 0.907 (0.872–0.942); 0.881 (0.842–0.920); 0.877 (0.835–0.920) and 0.749 (0.667–0.831) at the mean, the highest, 72 h and ICU admission scores, respectively. The best cutoff point was 13 in all patients. The risk of developing a PI was 6.4 times higher in the high‐risk group (>13 points).

Conclusions

The best predictive capacity for the COMHON index risk assessment was the mean and highest scores. The predictive accuracy was higher on the third day of the patient's stay than on admission, and this was attributed to the clinical changes observed in some patients over the course of their critical illness.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

Patients in ICU are at high risk of developing PIs, therefore, preventive measures should be maximized. Risk assessment should be carried out sequentially owing to the changes that patients present throughout their ICU stay and preventive measures should be used according to the risk level.
The activation of Arabidopsis axillary buds involves a switch from slow to rapid committed outgrowth regulated by auxin and strigolactone
Authors: Nahas Zoe , Ticchiarelli Fabrizio , van Rongen Martin , Dillon Jean , Leyser Ottoline
Published: March 2024

Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) shoot architecture is largely determined by the pattern of axillary buds that grow into lateral branches, the regulation of which requires integrating both local and systemic signals.

Nodal explants – stem explants each bearing one leaf and its associated axillary bud – are a simplified system to understand the regulation of bud activation. To explore signal integration in bud activation, we characterised the growth dynamics of buds in nodal explants in key mutants and under different treatments.

We observed that isolated axillary buds activate in two genetically and physiologically separable phases: a slow‐growing lag phase, followed by a switch to rapid outgrowth. Modifying BRANCHED1 expression or the properties of the auxin transport network, including via strigolactone application, changed the length of the lag phase. While most interventions affected only the length of the lag phase, strigolactone treatment and a second bud also affected the rapid growth phase.

Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the slow‐growing lag phase corresponds to the time during which buds establish canalised auxin transport out of the bud, after which they enter a rapid growth phase. Our work also hints at a role for auxin transport in influencing the maximum growth rate of branches.
Intraguild interactions and abiotic conditions mediate occupancy of mammalian carnivores: co‐occurrence of coyotes–fishers–martens
Authors: Twining Joshua P. , Brazeal Jennifer L. , Jensen Paul G. , Fuller Angela K.
Published: March 2024

The widespread eradication of large carnivores and subsequent expansion of top mesopredators has the potential to impact species and community interactions with ecosystem‐wide implications. An example of these trophic dynamics is the widespread establishment of coyotes following extirpation of wolves and mountain lions in eastern North America. Here, we examined occupancy of three carnivores in northern New York considering both environmental/habitat factors and interspecific interactions. We estimated the co‐occurrence of coyotes, fishers, and martens from a landscape‐scale winter camera trap survey repeated annually for three years. Martens occurred independently of both coyotes and fishers, while fishers and coyotes displayed positive intraguild interactions that were constant across the landscape. Both marten and fisher first‐order occupancy were driven by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors, with both species displaying positive associations with forest cover but antithetical responses to average snow depth. The integral and antithetical role of snow depth in driving the occurrence of martens (positive) and fishers (negative) in the landscape indicates that future climatic warming could reduce the availability of current spatial refuges for martens created by severe winter conditions. Climate‐driven alterations to established competitive interactions and co‐existence patterns between marten and fisher have critical implications for the species survival and conservation. We provide correlational evidence consistent with the potential for positive top–down effects of dominant mesocarnivores on subordinate species, with fisher occupancy increasing conditional on the presence of coyotes across the landscape. These findings align with the hypothesis that under certain conditions, coyotes may facilitate certain subordinate carnivores. The evidence produced here is consistent with hypotheses on the dynamic nature of trophic niches. We demonstrate the need to consider the interplay between climate, habitat, and interspecific interactions to understand wildlife occupancy patterns and inform wildlife management in a rapidly changing world.
Identifying quantitative trait locus and candidate genes for maize (Zea mays L.) plant architecture traits based on segregating populations constructed by high‐generation sister lines
Authors: Sun Ruidong , Zhou Xiaohang , Li Yimeng , Liu Ying , Liu Xihang , Ding Mingyang , Lv Xiangling , Li Fenghai
Published: March 2024

Leaf length, width and angle are important traits in the architecture of maize plants. Delving into the genetic mechanisms of these traits is of utmost significance for promoting population yield. In this study, we employed the high‐generation sister lines PCU and PCM, which have significant differences in leaf morphological traits, as parental entities for the creation of F2 and F2:3 populations. Through quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of the traits in the three ear leaves by ICIM, 55 QTL were obtained, with six stable QTL selected across divergent populations. These QTL had physical spans ranging from 0.34 to 44.8 Mbp. Through gene annotation and qRT‐PCR, Zm00001d007382, Zm00001d035965, Zm00001d042777 and Zm00001d020641 were predicted as potential candidates for regulating maize plant architecture. The results of this study lay a foundation for analysing the genetic mechanisms of maize plant architecture traits and cloning‐related genes.
Inside the ivory tower, the view from a “space invader”: An exploratory study into the ways racialized PhD students experience white ignorance in elite universities in the UK
Authors: Lootens Elif , Fúnez‐Flores Jairo I.
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the experiences of racialized PhD students in British elite universities. It is framed by Mills' (2007) conception of white ignorance and reflects on the power of whiteness that shapes everyday experiences in such places of privilege. For Mills, the production of racism relies on epistemological processes that produce ignorance, and which promote various ways of ignoring the histories and legacies of European colonialism. Research has shown that professors find it difficult to talk about racism and coloniality within higher education. Professors responses are important as they may affect the outcomes of conducting research for PhD students, yet there is less understanding of how racialized PhD students experience or address white ignorance. Using in‐depth interviews with 14 racialized PhD students, this paper critically examines the intertwined relationship between the coloniality of knowledge and white ignorance within elite universities in the United Kingdom. While universities have been regarded as “neutral” knowledge‐producing institutions, this study challenges the assumptions, interactions, and practices of higher education disciplines in the social sciences, namely anthropology and sociology. Based on the findings of this work, we argue that white ignorance is an epistemic strategy that justifies racial domination within and beyond the halls of academia.
miR156‐PvSPL2 controls culm development by transcriptional repression of switchgrass CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE4
Authors: Yang Ruijuan , Wu Zhenying , Sun Ying , Liu Yuchen , Hang Yuqing , Liu Min , Liu Yajun , Wang Xiaoshan , Liu Wenwen , Fu Chunxiang
Published: March 2024

Culm development in grasses can be controlled by both miR156 and cytokinin. However, the crosstalk between the miR156‐SPL module and the cytokinin metabolic pathway remains largely unknown. Here, we found CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE4 (PvCKX4) plays a negative regulatory role in culm development of the bioenergy grass Panicum virgatum (switchgrass). Overexpression of PvCKX4 in switchgrass reduced the internode diameter and length without affecting tiller number. Interestingly, we also found that PvCKX4 was always upregulated in miR156 overexpressing (miR156OE) transgenic switchgrass lines. Additionally, upregulation of either miR156 or PvCKX4 in switchgrass reduced the content of isopentenyl adenine (iP) without affecting trans‐zeatin (tZ) accumulation. It is consistent with the evidence that the recombinant PvCKX4 protein exhibited much higher catalytic activity against iP than tZ in vitro. Furthermore, our results showed that miR156‐targeted SPL2 bound directly to the promoter of PvCKX4 to repress its expression. Thus, alleviating the SPL2‐mediated transcriptional repression of PvCKX4 through miR156 overexpression resulted in a significant increase in cytokinin degradation and impaired culm development in switchgrass. On the contrary, suppressing PvCKX4 in miR156OE transgenic plants restored iP content, internode diameter, and length to wild‐type levels. Most strikingly, the double transgenic lines retained the same increased tiller numbers as the miR156OE transgenic line, which yielded more biomass than the wild type. These findings indicate that the miR156‐SPL module can control culm development through transcriptional repression of PvCKX4 in switchgrass, which provides a promising target for precise design of shoot architecture to yield more biomass from grasses.
Post‐transfusion biotin‐labeled red blood cell survival studies in pediatric sickle cell disease with antibodies of uncertain significance
Authors: Yee Marianne E. M. , Zerra Patricia E. , McCoy James W. , Covington Mischa L. , Stowell Sean R. , Joiner Clinton H. , Lough Christopher M. , Delvadia Bhaveshkumar B. , Josephson Cassandra D. , Roback John D. , Fasano Ross M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Red blood cell (RBC) antibodies are common in multiply transfused patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Unlike RBC alloantibodies, the potential of autoantibodies to cause post‐transfusion hemolysis may be uncertain. Biotin‐labeling provides a direct measurement of red cell survival (RCS) over time, thus can be used to assess the clinical significance of RBC antibodies. Antibodies to biotinylated RBC (B‐RBC) occasionally are detected after exposure, which may impact B‐RBC survival in subsequent RCS studies.

Study Design and Methods

Pediatric patients with SCD receiving monthly chronic transfusions underwent RCS studies, receiving aliquots of allogeneic RBC labeled at distinct densities of biotin (2–18 μg/mL). B‐RBC survival was followed for 4 months post‐transfusion, and B‐RBC antibody screening for 6 months. Patients with warm autoantibodies (WAA) or B‐RBC antibodies are reported here.

Results

RBC antibodies were detected during RCS in four patients: one with WAA, one with WAA followed by B‐RBC‐specific antibodies, and two with transient B‐RBC antibodies within the first 5 weeks of exposure. B‐RBC half‐lives (T50) ranged 37.6–61.7 days (mean 47.8 days). There was no evidence of increased hemolysis or accelerated B‐RBC clearance in the presence of WAA or B‐RBC antibodies.

Discussion

Biotinylation of allogenic RBC can be used to assess the possible effects of RBC antibodies on transfusion survival in individual cases, particularly when it is uncertain if the detected antibodies may result in hemolysis. In the cases presented here, neither WAA nor B‐RBC antibodies were associated with significant shortening of B‐RBC survival in individuals with SCD.
Managing Online Business Complaints: Current Insights and Future Directions
Authors: Zheng Songyan
Published: March 2024

With the development of internet technology and the expansion of the digital economy, online business complaints have increasingly drawn attention from both academia and industry. Despite a growing body of research on online business complaints, there still needs to be more disciplinary perspectives and systematic reviews on this topic. In light of this, this paper adopts a managerial perspective to categorize existing literature into three major areas: online business complaints motivation, factors in causing online business complaint, and online business complaint responses, which clarify the fundamental framework of online business complaint research. Specifically, this study elucidates the mechanistic effects of different types of business products, business services, and customer perceptions on the motivations for complaints. After discussing how specific customer-business relations and contextual factors amplify complaints, the paper summarizes the responses to online business complaints, exploring how businesses can address customer complaints through language style and service recovery. This review offers insights into the future directions of online business complaint research and provides references for businesses in handling customer complaints.
Irredundant bases for the symmetric group
Authors: Roney‐Dougal Colva M. , Wu Peiran
Published: March 2024

An irredundant base of a group acting faithfully on a finite set is a sequence of points in that produces a strictly descending chain of pointwise stabiliser subgroups in , terminating at the trivial subgroup. Suppose that is or acting primitively on , and that the point stabiliser is primitive in its natural action on points. We prove that the maximum size of an irredundant base of is , and in most cases . We also show that these bounds are best possible.
On the generalised Dirichlet divisor problem
Authors: Bellotti Chiara , Yang Andrew
Published: March 2024

We improve unconditional estimates on , the remainder term of the generalised divisor function, for large . In particular, we show that for all sufficiently large fixed .
Reactive astrocytes secrete the chaperone HSPB1 to mediate neuroprotection
Authors: Yang Fangjia , Beltran-Lobo Paula , Sung Katherine , Goldrick Caoimhe , Croft Cara L. , Nishimura Agnes , Hedges Erin , Mahiddine Farah , Troakes Claire , Golde Todd E. , Perez-Nievas Beatriz G. , Hanger Diane P. , Noble Wendy , Jimenez-Sanchez Maria
Published: March 2024

Molecular chaperones are protective in neurodegenerative diseases by preventing protein misfolding and aggregation, such as extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular tau neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, AD is characterized by an increase in astrocyte reactivity. The chaperone HSPB1 has been proposed as a marker for reactive astrocytes; however, its astrocytic functions in neurodegeneration remain to be elucidated. Here, we identify that HSPB1 is secreted from astrocytes to exert non–cell-autonomous protective functions. We show that in human AD brain, HSPB1 levels increase in astrocytes that cluster around amyloid plaques, as well as in the adjacent extracellular space. Moreover, in conditions that mimic an inflammatory reactive response, astrocytes increase HSPB1 secretion. Concomitantly, astrocytes and neurons can uptake astrocyte-secreted HSPB1, which is accompanied by an attenuation of the inflammatory response in reactive astrocytes and reduced pathological tau inclusions. Our findings highlight a protective mechanism in disease conditions that encompasses the secretion of a chaperone typically regarded as intracellular.
The modern alchemy of clinical pathology: turning the output of microbiology laboratory operations into gold
Authors: Kanjilal Sanjat
Published: March 2024

The clinical microbiology laboratory generates a huge amount of high-quality data that play a vital role in clinical care. With proper extraction, cleaning, analysis, and validation pipelines, these data can serve multiple other purposes that include supporting laboratory operations, understanding local epidemiology, informing hospital-specific policies, and public health surveillance. In this review, I use one of the core activities of the microbiology laboratory, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), to illustrate several potential applications of next-generation data analytics. The first involves continuous monitoring of commercial AST systems using comparisons of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions over time to trigger re-verification when statistically significant differences are detected. An extension of this is temporal analysis of joint MIC distributions to understand performance for multidrug-resistant organisms. More sophisticated analyses involve linking microbiologic data to clinical metadata to gain insight into the clinical validity of AST data and to inform treatment policies. The elements of a robust, validated analysis engine using routine data streams already exist, but numerous challenges must be overcome to make it a reality. Most importantly, it will require the sustained collaboration and advocacy of hospital leadership, microbiologists, clinicians, antimicrobial stewardship, data scientists, and regulatory agencies. Though no small feat, achieving this vision would provide an important resource for microbiology laboratories facing a rapidly evolving practice landscape and further cement its role as an integral part of a learning health system.
Complete genome sequence of plant growth-promoting
Bacillus stratosphericus
AIMST-CREST02 isolated from bulk soil of a paddy field
Authors: Sivaprakasam Sumitra , Mohd Azim Khan Nur Arisa , Yee Fan Tan , Kumarasan Yukgehnaish , Sicheritz-Pontén Thomas , Petersen Bent , Mohd Hata Erneeza , Vadamalai Ganesan , Parimannan Sivachandran , Rajandas Heera
Published: March 2024

Here, we present the complete genome of a plant growth-promoting strain,
Bacillus stratosphericus
AIMST-CREST02 isolated from the bulk soil of a high-yielding paddy plot. The genome is 3,840,451 bp in size with a GC content of 41.25%. Annotation predicted the presence of 3,907 coding sequences, including genes involved in auxin biosynthesis regulation and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism.
Occult solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura presenting as recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax
Authors: Geboes Felix , Van den Eynde Jef , Malfait Thomas L A , De Ryck Frédéric , Dorpe Jo Van , Ameloot Eline , Bogaert Anne-Marie , Van Schoote Elke
Published: March 2024

A woman in her 30s, non-smoker, presented at the emergency department two times because of spontaneous pneumothorax. The first episode was treated with small bore catheter drainage, while during the second episode—occurring only 1 week later—thoracoscopic talcage was attempted. The postoperative course was characterised by slow clinical and radiological resolution, and recurrence 3 days after discharge. Eventually, multiportal video-assisted thoracoscopic exploration identified an interfissural solid mass. Resection and further work-up revealed the diagnosis of ‘low-risk’ solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) stage pT1N0M0. The interdisciplinary tumour board advised no adjuvant therapy. A CT thorax was scheduled in 1 year for follow-up. The patient was discharged without complications and has had no recurrences of pneumothorax at 6 months of follow-up. This report shows that SFT can easily be missed on initial presentation and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumothorax, especially when frequently recurring.
Building citizen science intelligence for outbreak preparedness and response: a mixed-method study in nine countries to assess knowledge, readiness and feasibility
Authors: Tan Yi-Roe , Nguyen Manh Duc , Mubaira Caroline Antonia , Kajungu Dan , Kumar Dinesh , Canlas Felipe C , Sunaryoko Firli Yogiteten , Maharjan Gyanu Raja , Khosa Harjyot , Hauter Ingo , Thiga Joan , Anowar Md. Mazharul , Okwen Patrick , Kutadza Tariro , Chikanya Walter , Choisy Marc , Yap Peiling
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Citizen science (CS) is an emerging approach in public health to harness the collective intelligence of individuals to augment traditional scientific efforts. However, citizens’ viewpoint, especially the hard-to-reach population, is lacking in current outbreak-related literature. We aim to understand the awareness, readiness and feasibility of outbreak-related CS, including digitally enabled CS, in low-income and middle-income countries.

Methods

This mixed-method study was conducted in nine countries between October 2022 and June 2023. Recruitment through civil society targeted the general population, marginalised/indigenous groups, youth and community health workers. Participants (aged ≥18 years) completed a quantitative survey, and a subset participated in focus group discussions (FGDs).

Results

2912 participants completed the survey and 4 FGDs were conducted in each country. Incorporating participants’ perspectives, CS is defined as the practice of active public participation, collaboration and communication in all aspects of scientific research to increase public knowledge, create awareness, build trust and facilitate information flow between citizens, governments and scientists. In Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cameroon and Kenya, majority were unaware of outbreak-related CS. In India and Uganda, majority were aware but unengaged, while in Nepal and Zimbabwe, majority participated in CS before. Engagement approaches should consider different social and cultural contexts, while addressing incentivisation, attitudes and practicality factors. Overall, 76.0% expressed interest in digital CS but needed training to build skills and confidence. Digital CS was perceived as convenient, safer for outbreak-related activities and producing better quality and quantity of data. However, there were concerns over non-inclusion of certain groups, data security and unclear communication.

Conclusion

CS interventions need to be relatable and address context-specific factors influencing CS participation. Digital CS has the potential to facilitate collaboration, but capacity and access issues must be considered to ensure inclusive and sustainable engagement.
A Step towards understanding coronary artery disease: a complication in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Sinha Rishav , Nanavaty Dhairya , Azhar Arij , Devarakonda Pradeep , Singh Sohrab , Garikipati Rupa , Sanghvi Ankushi , Manoharan Suganya , Parhar Gaurav , Zaman Kiran , Ayala-Rodriguez Cesar , Vasudevan Viswanath , Reddy Sarath , Gerolemou Louis
Published: March 2024

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a relatively rare disease with increasing incidence trends. Cardiovascular disease is a significant complication in IPF patients due to the role of common proatherogenic immune mediators. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in IPF and the association between these distinct pathologies with overlapping pathophysiology remain less studied.

Research question

We hypothesised that IPF is an independent risk factor for CAD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case–control study using the national inpatient sample (2017–2019). We included adult hospitalisations with IPF after excluding other interstitial lung diseases and other endpoints of CAD, acute coronary syndrome and old myocardial infarction. We examined their baseline characteristics, such as demographic data, hospital characteristics and socioeconomic status. The prevalence of cardiac risk factors and CAD was also compared between hospitalisations with and without IPF. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was further performed to study the odds of CAD with IPF. The cases of IPF in the study population were propensity-matched, after which generalised linear modelling analysis was performed to validate the findings.

Results

A total of 116 010 admissions were hospitalised in 2017–2019 with IPF, of which 55.6% were men with a mean age of 73 years. Adult hospitalisations with IPF were found to have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (29.3% vs 24.0%; p<0.001), hypertension (35.6% vs 33.8%; p<0.001), hyperlipidaemia (47.7% vs 30.2%; p<0.0001) and tobacco abuse (41.7% vs 20.9%; p<0.001), while they had a lower prevalence of obesity (11.7% vs 15.3%; p<0.0001) compared with hospitalisations without IPF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed 28% higher odds of developing CAD in IPF hospitalisations (OR −1.28; CI 1.22 to 1.33; p<0.001). Postpropensity matching, generalised linear modelling analysis revealed even higher odds of CAD with IPF (OR −1.77; CI 1.54 to 2.02; p<0.001)

Conclusions

Our study found a higher prevalence of CAD in IPF hospitalisations and significantly higher odds of CAD among IPF cases. IPF remains a terminal lung disease that portends a poor prognosis, but addressing the cardiovascular risk factors in these patients can help reduce the case fatality rate due to the latter and potentially add to quality-adjusted life years.
Injury prevention for women and girls playing Australian Football: programme cocreation, dissemination and early adopter coach feedback
Authors: Patterson Brooke E , Crossley Kay M , Haberfield Melissa J , Mosler Andrea B , Cowan Sallie M , Lawrence Julia , Rath David , Livingstone Nicole , Barton Christian J , Bruder Andrea M , Donaldson Alex
Published: March 2024

Background

Adherence to injury prevention programmes may improve with greater end-user involvement and application of implementation frameworks during development. We describe the cocreation, initial dissemination and feedback from programme early adopters (coaches), to develop the first evidence-informed injury prevention programme for women playing community Australian Football (Prep-to-Play).

Methods

We used a pragmatic seven-step process for developing sports injury prevention programmes to (1) gain organisational support, (2) compile research evidence, (3) consult experts, (4) engage end-users, (5) test programme acceptability, (6) evaluate against theory and (7) gain early adopter feedback. All Australian Football-registered coaches of women’s/girls’ teams were sent a postseason survey to determine initial awareness, adoption and implementation (steps 5 and 6). Purposively selected coaches were invited to interviews/focus groups (step 7) to identify competency, organisational and leadership implementation drivers with a deductive thematic analysis applied.

Results

Prep-to-Play was cocreated using previous efficacious programmes and expert input (steps 1–4), and disseminated via the national sporting organisation in preseason 2019 to all registered coaches (step 5). 343 coaches (90 women) completed the postseason survey and 22 coaches (5 women) participated in an interview (n=9) or focus group (n=13) (steps 6 and 7). 268 coaches (78%) were aware of Prep-to-Play. Of those aware, 218 (81%) had used (at least one element) Prep-to-Play, and 143 (53%) used it at least twice per week. Competency drivers included local expert-delivered face-to-face workshops complimented by online content and ongoing support. Organisational drivers included coach education integrated into existing league/club. Leadership drivers included compulsory injury prevention education integrated into coach reaccreditation processes or incentivisation via recognition (eg, professional development points).

Conclusions

Cocreation and organisational support resulted in high programme awareness and adoption. However, high fidelity implementation and maintenance may need to be facilitated by competency, organisational and leadership drivers. Responsibility should be shared among all stakeholders.
Modelling the impact of deep fractures on groundwater flow and slope stability in post-glacial marine clays (Quebec, Canada)
Authors: Ospina Julián , Young Nathan , Lemieux Jean-Michel , Molson John , Locat Ariane , Locat Pascal
Published: March 2024

It is usually assumed that post-glacial marine clay deposits, such as those found in Quebec, are generally intact below a shallow fractured crust (3–5 m depth). However, recent work has shown the presence of hydraulically-active fractures to depths of down to 16 m. In light of this finding, the potential impacts of these fractures on groundwater flow dynamics and slope stability are explored by comparing field data with the results of transient and steady-state groundwater models with and without fractures. Two slope geometries that exhibit contrasting groundwater flow directions and different fracture scenarios were considered. The results of the hydrogeological modelling were then imported into a slope stability model to determine how the hydraulic effects of these fractures impact slope stability. Results show that fractures increase hydraulic head when they act as preferential pathways for infiltration, but can also reduce hydraulic head by acting as pathways for water to more quickly exit the formation within the slope face. Therefore, from a hydrogeological perspective, fractures could improve or reduce slope stability depending on the groundwater flow system. As this study only addressed the hydrogeological impact of the fractures, future work should focus on the coupled hydromechanical impacts of these features.
The structural, magnetic and electrical properties of zinc-doped orthorhombic calcium ferrite nanoparticles: Memory device and high-frequency applications
Authors: Raja R. Umashankara , Manjunatha H. C. , Vidya Y. S. , Munirathnam R. , Rajashekara K. M. , Manjunatha S. , Priyanka M. , Krishnakanth E.
Published: March 2024

Calcium ferrite nanoparticles (NPs), doped with Zinc in the range of 10–50[Formula: see text]mol%, were synthesized through a solution combustion method using citrus Limon extract as a reducing agent, followed by calcination at 500∘C. The synthesized samples are characterized with different techniques. Bragg reflections confirmed the formation of orthorhombic crystal structure. The shifting of the peak toward higher angle side is observed with increase in the dopant concentration. The surface exhibited irregular shapes and sized NPs with pores and voids in their morphology. The direct energy band gap increases from 2.91 to 2.97[Formula: see text]eV with increase in Zinc concentration. Further, magnetic and dielectric properties were carried out to know their importance in the high-frequency devices. Magnetic parameters, such as saturation magnetization (Ms), remanence (Mr), and coercivity (Hc) values, are discussed. Ms, Mr and Hc increase with increase in dopant concentration upto 30[Formula: see text]mol% and thereafter decreases. The dielectric studies revealed a decreasing dielectric constant from 2.98 to 1.84 as the dopant concentration increased. These findings suggest the potential use of these samples in memory devices and high-frequency applications.
Harnessing Attention-Based Graph Recurrent Neural Networks for Enhanced Conversational Flow Prediction via Conversational Graph Construction
Authors: Sujatha R. , Nimala K.
Published: March 2024

Conversational flow refers to the progression of a conversation, encompassing the arrangement of topics discussed and how responses are delivered. A smooth flow involves participants taking turns to speak and respond naturally and intuitively. Conversely, a more disjointed flow may entail prolonged pauses or difficulties establishing common ground. Numerous factors influence conversation flow, including the personalities of those involved, their familiarity with each other, and the contextual setting. A conversational graph pattern outlines how a conversation typically unfolds or the underlying structure it adheres to. It involves combining different sentence types, the sequential order of topics discussed, and the roles played by different individuals. Predicting subsequent sentences relies on predefined patterns, the context derived from prior conversation flow in the data, and the trained system. The accuracy of sentence predictions varies based on the probability of identifying sentences that fit the subsequent pattern. We employ the Graph Recurrent Neural Network with Attention (GRNNA) model to generate conversational graphs and perform next-sentence prediction. This model constructs a conversational graph using an adjacency matrix, node features (sentences), and edge features (semantic similarity between the sentences). The proposed approach leverages attention mechanisms, recurrent updates, and information aggregation from neighbouring nodes to predict the next node (sentence). The model achieves enhanced predictive capabilities by updating node representations through multiple iterations of message passing and recurrent updates. Experimental results using the conversation dataset demonstrate that the GRNNA model surpasses the Graph Neural Network (GNN) model in next-sentence prediction, achieving an impressive accuracy of 98.89%.
Rearrangement Distance Problems: An updated survey
Authors: Oliveira Andre Rodrigues , Brito Klairton Lima , Alexandrino Alexsandro Oliveira , Siqueira Gabriel , Dias Ulisses , Dias Zanoni
Published: March 2024

One of the challenges in the Comparative Genomics field is to infer how close two organisms are based on the similarities and differences between their genetic materials. Recent advances in DNA sequencing have made complete genomes increasingly available. That said, several new algorithms trying to infer the distance between two organisms based on genome rearrangements have been proposed in the literature. However, given the diversity of approaches, the diversity of genome rearrangement events, or even how each work models the genomes and what assumptions are made by each of them, finding the ideal algorithm for each situation or simply knowing the range of applicable approaches can be challenging. In this work, we review these approaches having the algorithmic and combinatorial advances since 2010 as our main focus. This survey aims to organize the recently published papers using a concise notation and to indicate the gaps filled by each of them in the literature. This makes it easier to understand what still needs to be done and what has room for enhancement.
Electrochemical Technique to Characterize the High Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Materials
Authors: Verrijt Koen J. H. , Poerschke David L.
Published: March 2024

This work demonstrates an approach using solid state electrochemical cells to study the long-term oxidation of materials at 800 °C. The capability of zirconia-based cells to control the oxygen partial pressure was first evaluated using an empty chamber. For most voltages applied to the pump cell, the steady state sensor voltage matches the pump voltage, leakage rates are low, and response times are short, allowing precise and prompt control over the chamber atmosphere. The technique was validated by measuring the oxidation of niobium and nickel. Niobium was oxidized at pump voltages ranging from 0 mV to +500 mV; decreasing the oxygen partial pressure around the specimen reduces the oxidation rate. Comparing the integrated oxidation rate with the weighed mass gain showed good agreement. Measured oxidation rates for nickel were of order 1 μg h−1, illustrating the sensitivity of this technique. For higher oxidation rates, a depression in oxygen partial pressure was observed around the specimen. Improved control over the oxidation potential was achieved by using a sensor cell to dynamically tune the pump voltage. Rates for both metals are compared to literature reports using other techniques.
Human striatal association megaclusters
Authors: Kosakowski Heather L. , Saadon-Grosman Noam , Du Jingnan , Eldaief Mark C. , Buckner Randy L.
Published: March 2024

An individualized precision neuroimaging approach reveals juxtaposed zones of the caudate that are coupled with five distinct networks in association cortex. The organization of these caudate zones recapitulates organization observed in the cerebral cortex and extends the notion of specialized basal ganglia circuits.
Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans
Authors: Danielson Tyler L. , Gould Layla A. , DeFreitas Jason M. , MacLennan Rob J. , Ekstrand Chelsea , Borowsky Ron , Farthing Jonathan P. , Andrushko Justin W.
Published: March 2024

In this study, we used a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm to show that activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales linearly with increasing force during a handgrip task. These findings directly support recently proposed hypotheses that the reticulospinal tract may play an important role in modulating force production in humans.
The Important Role of Phosphatidylserine, ADAM17, TNF-Alpha, and Soluble MER on Efferocytosis Activity in Central Obesity
Authors: Purnama Chandra Agung , Meiliana Anna , Barliana Melisa Intan , Lestari Keri , Wijaya Andi
Published: March 2024

Background. Obesity is expected to hinder efferocytosis due to ADAM17-mediated cleavage of the MER tyrosine kinase receptor, producing soluble MER (sMER) that disrupts MERTK binding to cell death markers. However, the intracellular efferocytosis pathway in central obesity remains elusive, particularly the role of low-grade chronic inflammation in its initiation and identification of binding signals that disrupt efferocytosis. Objective. We investigate the efferocytosis signaling pathway in men with central obesity and its relationship with inflammation, cell death, and related processes. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and clinical data and blood samples were collected from 56 men with central obesity (obese group) and 29 nonobese individuals (control group). Clinical evaluations and predefined biochemical screening tests were performed. The efferocytosis signaling pathway was investigated by measuring phosphatidylserine (PS), ADAM17, TNF-alpha (TNF-α), and sMER. Results. Metabolic syndrome was detected in more than half of the participants in the obese group according to the predefined tests. Mean levels of PS, TNF-α, and sMER were higher in the obese group but not significantly different from those of the control group. Further analysis based on waist circumference (WC) ranges in the obese group revealed a significant increase in PS and sMER levels between the control group and the obese group with WC greater than 120 cm. ADAM17 levels were significantly higher in the obese group than in the control group. PS was positively correlated with WC and ADAM17. ADAM17 was positively correlated with TNF-α and sMER, indicating impaired efferocytosis. Conclusions. Central obesity appeared to cause a disturbance in efferocytosis that began with cell damage and death, along with an enlargement of the WC and an ongoing inflammatory response. Efferocytosis was disrupted by proinflammatory cytokine regulators, which induced the production of sMER and interfered with the efferocytosis process.
Detecting MRI-Invisible Prostate Cancers Using a Weakly Supervised Deep Learning Model
Authors: Zheng Yao , Zhang Jingliang , Huang Dong , Hao Xiaoshuo , Qin Weijun , Liu Yang
Published: March 2024

Background. MRI is an important tool for accurate detection and targeted biopsy of prostate lesions. However, the imaging appearances of some prostate cancers are similar to those of the surrounding normal tissue on MRI, which are referred to as MRI-invisible prostate cancers (MIPCas). The detection of MIPCas remains challenging and requires extensive systematic biopsy for identification. In this study, we developed a weakly supervised UNet (WSUNet) to detect MIPCas. Methods. The study included 777 patients (training set: 600; testing set: 177), all of them underwent comprehensive prostate biopsies using an MRI-ultrasound fusion system. MIPCas were identified in MRI based on the Gleason grade (≥7) from known systematic biopsy results. Results. The WSUNet model underwent validation through systematic biopsy in the testing set with an AUC of 0.764 (95% CI: 0.728-0.798). Furthermore, WSUNet exhibited a statistically significant precision improvement of 91.3% (p<0.01) over conventional systematic biopsy methods in the testing set. This improvement resulted in a substantial 47.6% (p<0.01) decrease in unnecessary biopsy needles, while maintaining the same number of positively identified cores as in the original systematic biopsy. Conclusions. In conclusion, the proposed WSUNet could effectively detect MIPCas, thereby reducing unnecessary biopsies.
A Compact Highly Isolated Four-Element Antenna System for Ultra-Wideband Applications
Authors: Prithivirajan V. , Antony Saviour Mariya Princy , Seetha J. , Kumar Reddy B. Siva , Anbalagan Anand , Kumar D. Rajesh
Published: March 2024

A small, orthogonally polarized, ultra-wideband (UWB), four-port multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) printed antenna is presented in this study. The envisioned antenna is built up of four microstrip fractal-based circular patch elements, each of which is fed by a microstrip line with a 50-ohm impedance. The use of a defective ground plane allows for the ultra-wideband frequency response to be obtained. In order to achieve maximal isolation, the amount of surface current that flow between the antenna’s four components is limited by arranging radiating elements orthogonally. The four-port MIMO system is printed on a FR4 substrate with a loss tangent of 0.02 and an overall dimension of 20 × 30 × 1.6 mm3. A port-to-port isolation of less than 25 dB was achieved as a consequence of this orthogonal orientation of antenna elements, and the impedance bandwidth is achieved up to 158% (3.1–12 GHz). The suggested ultra-wideband multiple-input multiple-output (UWB-MIMO) antenna achieved a maximum gain of 8 dBi over the operational frequency range (3.1–12 GHz); the findings that were measured and those that were simulated accord with one another rather well. The findings also give an overall strong diversity performance, with the ECC < 0.25, DG > 9.9, and CCL < 0.2 values all being within acceptable ranges.
Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis of a Logistics Service Supply Chain Cooperation Mechanism for Network Freight Platforms
Authors: Wang Guanxiong , Hu Xiaojian , Wang Ting , Liu Jiqiong , Feng Shuai , Wang Chuanlei
Published: March 2024

The rapid development of network freight platforms has directly increased the level of social logistics resource collaboration and improved both the efficiency and quality of logistics industry services. As a bilateral platform that connects freight shippers and freight carriers, the organizational structure and operational mode of network freight platforms differ substantially from those of traditional logistics service providers. In this paper, a tripartite evolutionary game model is constructed in which a network freight platform, freight shipper, and freight carrier are considered, and the evolutionary stability strategies of the parties and the tripartite system are dynamically analyzed. The reliability of the model is verified through a numerical case, and several countermeasures have been proposed to improve the stability of the system based on the sensitivity analysis of important parameters. This paper helps standardize the principal behavior of all parties under the network freight mode, reduce the default risk of all parties, and improve the overall cooperation stability of the logistics service supply chain.