bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Performance Improvement of Gasoline Fuels by Adding Propanol, Ethanol, and Diisopropyl Ether along with Metal Oxides of CeO2 and Fe2O3
Authors: Pirouzfar Vahid , Zonoozi Mahrokh Hassanpour , Su Chia-Hung
Published: July 2023

Many studies focusing on the composition of gasoline with any type of fuel additives have shown that the overall engine performance has a significant impact on reducing emissions. In this research work, ethanol, isopropanol, and diisopropyl ether as oxygenated additive with cerium oxide (CeO2) and iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) as metal nanoparticles were combined with pure gasoline. Due to the more oxygen they have in their structure, these alcohol additives reduce pollutants and complete combustion. Metal nanoparticles also improve the performance of the engine due to the proper potential. To check the efficiency of the new fuel, a four-stroke engine connected to a dynamometer and an analyzer tested different conditions: speed of 1500 and 2000 rpm and loading percentage of 30 and 40%. Analyzed data include the engine power, and the amount of CO, CO2, HC, and NOx released. The power of the engine on gasoline fuel was 14.43 at 1500 rpm, and once the test was repeated with mixed fuel with additives, it increased to 17.5, which indicates an improvement in engine performance. The amount of CO emissions at 1500 rpm with gasoline fuel was 3.25, and once repeating the test with the same engine rpm with mixed fuel, it decreased to 1.68. The amount of CO2 at 1500 rpm with gasoline fuel was 3.8 and repeating the test with mixed gasoline, it was 5.7. The amount of HC emission with gasoline was 65, and it was 62 when tested with mixed fuel. The amount of NOx released in comparison of gasoline fuel with mixed fuel reached from 264 to 533. The performance improvement and pollutant emissions are fully described in the conclusion section. The analyzed data were calculated and transformed into a model. Among the additives used, isopropanol and CeO2 nanoparticles had better results in optimizing the fuel, reducing the pollutants, and increasing the engine performance. The optimization results show that the use of isopropanol (5%) and CeO2 (1.39 wt. %) as well as diisopropyl ether (4 wt. %) at high engine speed (1504.97 rpm) can be improved engine performance and reduce exhaust gas emissions.
Investigation of Wall Thickness, Corrosion, and Deposits in Industrial Pipelines Using Radiographic Technique
Authors: Amoah Prince , Owusu-Poku Sandyson , Ajubala Gordon Asartenga
Published: July 2023

In this study, radiographic techniques were used to inspect large-diameter pipes that are used for transporting fluids in some industries in Ghana. Radiographic approaches such as the double wall technique (DWT) and tangential radiographic technique (TRT) were used to evaluate the remaining wall thickness, deposits, and corrosion in the pipes. Two steel pipes with known varying wall thicknesses ranging from 4.00 mm to 13.00 mm with a diameter of 150.00 mm were examined to authenticate the accuracy and reliability of the tangential method that was used to measure the remaining wall thickness. The tangential configuration resulted in a higher material thickness, which therefore required more time of exposure compared to the DWT method. The exposure angle of the source to the tangential part of the specimen was approximately 87°. The film generated was compared with a normal pipe piece that was not machined to serve as a control. From the radiograph obtained, an average of 6 and 7 rounded indications depicting pitting corrosion were revealed on the radiograph of the internally and externally fabricated pipe, respectively. Radiographs after the TRT revealed that the recorded wall thickness obtained from the film is about twice the value of the calculated true wall thickness.
Experimental Investigation on the Influence of Water Injection Timing on the Deformation of Loose Rock Blocks
Authors: Zhang Baoliang , Li Jian , Zhou Yongqiang , Geng Yi , Zhao Qingshuang , Kong Dezhi , Zhao Zihao , Wang Changxiang
Published: July 2023

This study investigated the influence of water injection timing on the compression deformation of loose rock blocks in the goaf. The study used a confined gradient loading compression test to examine the deformation of loose rock blocks under initial saturation and later immersion conditions. The results showed that under initial saturation, the deformation of each loading gradient and the whole loading stage was greater than that of the later immersion stage. Additionally, the deformation of different stages in the initial saturated state was relatively regular, while in the later immersion state, the deformation changed abruptly after immersion. To explain the deformation mechanism of loose rock blocks, the mesostructure of loose rock blocks was granulated and the contact mechanism of particles was studied. The study found that water weakens the effective contact stress and strength between the skeleton particles, leading to sliding deformation as the dominant deformation mode. The study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the deformation characteristics of loose rock blocks in the goaf under different water environments.
A Modified Cycle Slip Detection Method with GNSS Doppler Assistance and Optimizing by Adaptive Threshold and Sliding Polynomial Fitting
Authors: Li Kezhao , Shen Yunyan , Yue Xiaokui , Jiao Yingxiang , Wang Kai , Yue Zhe , Xu Keke
Published: July 2023

Cycle slip determination plays an important role in high-precision data processing and application of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The TurboEdit method consists of the Melbourne-Wubbena (MW) and the geometry-free phase (GF) combination. It can correctly detect and repair cycle slip in most cases. Cycle slip detection (CSD) with GF is disturbed by severe ionospheric delay variations; moreover, CSD or cycle slip repair (CSR) with the MW faces the risk of the disturbance from large pseudorange errors. Hence, cycle slip determination would be difficult under some extreme conditions, e.g., cycle slips occur in low altitude satellite, low sampling rate of dual-frequency observations. To overcome the limitations, a new dual-frequency CSD and CSR method is proposed. The main contents are as follows: (1) compared with the MW method, the Doppler-assisted phase subtraction pseudorange (DAPSP) method that we proposed has no detection blind spot and can effectively reduce the influence of pseudorange noise at high sampling rates; thus, we replace MW by the DAPSP method to improve the detection accuracy. (2) An adaptive threshold model with root mean square (RMS) is established to effectively reduce the missing and false range detection of cycle slip. (3) The sliding polynomial fitting-assisted GF (SPFAGF) is carried out according to the satellite altitude angle. The trend of ionospheric delay and residual multipath effect error between adjacent epochs is extracted and suppressed by SPFAGF. The method combined with DAPSP and SPFAGF (DAPSP-SPFAGF) overcomes the situation that the TurboEdit method cannot effectively detect under extreme conditions. The experimental results of Beidou dual-frequency observation data show that the TurboEdit method and the DAPSP-SPFAGF method can perform CSD and CSR in most cases. At the sampling rate of 1 s, the detection speed of DAPSP-SPFAGF method is significantly faster than TurboEdit method. The number of false positives about CSD is reduced from 68 to 0. At the sampling rate of 30 s and under the condition of the observed satellite altitude angle below 30°, the false alarm rate of the DAPSP-SPFAGF method is 0, but the TurboEdit method’s false alarm rate is 71.2%. So DAPSP-SPFAGF method is prior to the TurboEdit method at the high sampling rates or under extreme conditions, especially it can accurately detect and repair cycle slip and reduce the false positives and false alarm rate.
Data from CDK4/6-MEK inhibition in MPNSTs causes plasma cell infiltration, sensitization to PD-L1 blockade, and tumor regression
Authors: Kohlmeyer Jordan L. , Lingo Joshua J. , Kaemmer Courtney A. , Scherer Amanda , Warrier Akshaya , Voigt Ellen , Raygoza Garay Juan A , McGivney Gavin R. , Brockman Qierra R. , Tang Amy , Calizo Ana , Pollard Kai , Zhang Xiaochun , Hirbe Angela C. , Pratilas Christine A. , Leidinger Mariah , Breheny Patrick , Chimenti Michael S. , Sieren Jessica C. , Monga Varun , Tanas Munir R. , Meyerholz David K. , Darbro Benjamin W. , Dodd Rebecca D. , Quelle Dawn E.
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are lethal, Ras-driven sarcomas that lack effective therapies. We investigated effects of targeting CDK4/6, MEK, and/or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in preclinical MPNST models. Experimental Design: Patient-matched MPNSTs and precursor lesions were examined by FISH, RNAseq, IHC, and Connectivity-Map analyses. Antitumor activity of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibitors was measured in MPNST cell lines, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and de novo mouse MPNSTs, with the latter used to determine anti-PD-L1 response. Results: Patient tumor analyses identified CDK4/6 and MEK as actionable targets for MPNST therapy. Low-dose combinations of CDK4/6 and MEK inhibitors synergistically reactivated the retinoblastoma (RB1) tumor suppressor, induced cell death, and decreased clonogenic survival of MPNST cells. In immune-deficient mice, dual CDK4/6-MEK inhibition slowed tumor growth in 4 of 5 MPNST PDXs. In immunocompetent mice, combination therapy of de novo MPNSTs caused tumor regression, delayed resistant tumor outgrowth, and improved survival relative to monotherapies. Drug-sensitive tumors that regressed contained plasma cells and increased cytotoxic T cells, whereas drug-resistant tumors adopted an immunosuppressive microenvironment with elevated MHC II-low macrophages and increased tumor cell PD-L1 expression. Excitingly, CDK4/6-MEK inhibition sensitized MPNSTs to anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with some mice showing complete tumor regression. Conclusions: CDK4/6-MEK inhibition induces a novel plasma cell-associated immune response and extended antitumor activity in MPNSTs, which dramatically enhances anti-PD-L1 therapy. These preclinical findings provide strong rationale for clinical translation of CDK4/6-MEK-ICB targeted therapies in MPNST as they may yield sustained antitumor responses and improved patient outcomes.
The Clinical Implications of Reversions in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer and Pathogenic Variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 after Progression on Rucaparib
Authors: Brown Timothy J. , Yablonovitch Arielle , Till Jacob E. , Yen Jennifer , Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Hood Ryan , O'Hara Mark H. , Teitelbaum Ursina , Karasic Thomas B. , Schneider Charles , Carpenter Erica L. , Nathanson Katherine , Domchek Susan M. , Reiss Kim A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) provide an effective maintenance option for patients with BRCA- or PALB2-mutated pancreatic cancer. However, mechanisms of PARPi resistance and optimal post-PARPi therapeutic strategies are poorly characterized.

Experimental Design:

We collected paired cell-free DNA samples and post-PARPi clinical data on 42 patients with advanced, platinum-sensitive pancreatic cancer who were treated with maintenance rucaparib on NCT03140670, of whom 32 developed progressive disease.

Results:

Peripherally detected, acquired BRCA or PALB2 reversion variants were uncommon (5/30; 16.6%) in patients who progressed on rucaparib. Reversions were significantly associated with rapid resistance to PARPi treatment (median PFS, 3.7 vs. 12.5 months; P = 0.001) and poor overall survival (median OS, 6.2 vs. 23.0 months; P < 0.0001). All patients with reversions received rechallenge with platinum-based chemotherapy following PARPi progression and experienced faster progression on this therapy than those without reversion variants (real-world time-to-treatment discontinuation, 2.4 vs. 5.8 months; P = 0.004). Of the patients who progressed on PARPi and received further chemotherapy, the OS from initiation of second-line therapy was significantly lower in those with reversion variants than in those without (5.5 vs. 12.0 months, P = 0.002). Finally, high levels of tumor shedding were independently associated with poor outcomes in patients who received rucaparib.

Conclusions:

Acquired reversion variants were uncommon but detrimental in a population of patients with advanced BRCA- or PALB2-related pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who received maintenance rucaparib. Reversion variants led to rapid progression on PARPi, rapid failure of subsequent platinum-based treatment, and poor OS of patients. The identification of such variants in the blood may have both predictive and prognostic value.

See related commentary by Tsang and Gallinger, p. 5005
Upregulation of Somatostatin Receptor Type 2 Improves 177Lu-DOTATATE Therapy in Receptor-Deficient Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Model
Authors: Sharma Rupali , Earla Bhargav , Baidoo Kwamena E. , Zeiger Martha A. , Madigan James P. , Escorcia Freddy E. , Sadowski Samira M.
Published: July 2023

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) express high levels of somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), a unique target for both tumor imaging and therapy. This surface expression is lost in metastatic high-grade PNETs, making patients ineligible for SSTR2-targeted 177 Lutetium (Lu)-DOTATATE peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), and represents an unmet clinical need. Here, we aimed to restore SSTR2 expression through the reversal of inhibitory epigenetic gene silencing to improve tumor responsiveness to PRRT. We first assessed human SSTR2 promoter methylation and expression levels in 96 patient samples. We then used three NET cell lines (QGP-1, BON-1, GOT-1) with variable SSTR2 expression profiles for functional in vitro studies using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). Finally, the QGP-1 xenograft mouse model, with low basal SSTR2 expression, was used to assess the therapeutic efficacy of combined HDACi and 177Lu-DOTATATE therapies. We confirm that SSTR expression is decreased and correlates with SSTR2 promoter methylation in patients with high-grade NETs. When exposed to HDACis, SSTR2 surface expression is increased in three NET cell lines in vitro. In an in vivo PNET xenograft model with low basal SSTR2 expression, our studies demonstrate significantly higher tumor uptake of SSTR2-targeted 177Lu-DOTATATE in animals pretreated with HDACis compared with controls. For the first time, we show that this higher tumor uptake results in significant antitumor response when compared with standard PRRT alone. These preclinical results provide a rationale for utilizing HDACi pretreatment to improve targeted radionuclide therapy in patients with SSTR2-negative, metastatic PNETs.
Efficacy and Safety of Glycosphingolipid SSEA-4 Targeting CAR-T Cells in an Ovarian Carcinoma Model
Authors: Monzo Hector J. , Kalander Kerttu , Hyytiäinen Marko M. , Elbasani Endrit , Wall Johanna , Moyano-Galceran Lidia , Tanjore Ramanathan Jayendrakishore , Jukonen Joonas , Laakkonen Pirjo , Ristimäki Ari , Carlson Joseph W. , Lehti Kaisa , Salehi Sahar , Puolakkainen Pauli , Haglund Caj , Seppänen Hanna , Leppä Sirpa , Ojala Päivi M.
Published: July 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapies for solid tumors face critical challenges such as heterogeneous antigen expression. We characterized stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4) cell-surface glycolipid as a target for CAR T-cell therapy. SSEA-4 is mainly expressed during embryogenesis but is also found in several cancer types making it an attractive tumor-associated antigen. Anti-SSEA-4 CAR-T cells were generated and assessed preclinically in vitro and in vivo for antitumor response and safety. SSEA-4 CAR-T cells effectively eliminated SSEA-4–positive cells in all the tested cancer cell lines, whereas SSEA-4–negative cells lines were not targeted. In vivo efficacy and safety studies using NSG mice and the high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR4 demonstrated a remarkable and specific antitumor response at all the CAR T-cell doses used. At high T-cell doses, CAR T cell–treated mice showed signs of health deterioration after a follow-up period. However, the severity of toxicity was reduced with a delayed onset when lower CAR T-cell doses were used. Our data demonstrate the efficacy of anti-SSEA-4 CAR T-cell therapy; however, safety strategies, such as dose-limiting and/or equipping CAR-T cells with combinatorial antigen recognition should be implemented for its potential clinical translation.
A Multivalent Peptoid Conjugate Modulates Androgen Receptor Transcriptional Activity to Inhibit Therapy-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Habault Justine , Schneider Jeffrey A. , Ha Susan , Ruoff Rachel , Pereira Luiza D. , Puccini Joseph , Ranieri Michela , Ayasun Ruveyda , Deng Jiehui , Kasper Amanda C. , Bar-Sagi Dafna , Wong Kwok-Kin , Zoubeidi Amina , Claessens Frank , Wise David R. , Logan Susan K. , Kirshenbaum Kent , Garabedian Michael J.
Published: July 2023

Prostate cancers adapt to androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors and progress to castration resistance due to ongoing AR expression and function. To counter this, we developed a new approach to modulate the AR and inhibit castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) using multivalent peptoid conjugates (MPC) that contain multiple copies of the AR-targeting ligand ethisterone attached to a peptidomimetic scaffold. Here, we investigated the antitumor effects of compound MPC309, a trivalent display of ethisterone conjugated to a peptoid oligomer backbone that binds to the AR with nanomolar affinity. MPC309 exhibited potent antiproliferative effects on various enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer models, including those with AR splice variants, ligand-binding mutations, and noncanonical AR gene expression programs, as well as mouse prostate organoids harboring defined genetic alterations that mimic lethal human prostate cancer subtypes. MPC309 is taken up by cells through macropinocytosis, an endocytic process more prevalent in cancer cells than in normal ones, thus providing an opportunity to target tumors selectively. MPC309 triggers a distinct AR transcriptome compared with DHT and enzalutamide, a clinically used antiandrogen. Specifically, MPC309 enhances the expression of differentiation genes while reducing the expression of genes needed for cell division and metabolism. Mechanistically, MPC309 increases AR chromatin occupancy and alters AR interactions with coregulatory proteins in a pattern distinct from DHT. In xenograft studies, MPC309 produced significantly greater tumor suppression than enzalutamide. Altogether, MPC309 represents a promising new AR modulator that can combat resistant disease by promoting an AR antiproliferative gene expression program.
Data from CCRL2 expression by specialized lung capillary endothelial cells controls NK-cell homing in lung cancer
Authors: Sozio Francesca , Schioppa Tiziana , Laffranchi Mattia , Salvi Valentina , Tamassia Nicola , Bianchetto-Aguilera Francisco M. , Tiberio Laura , Bonecchi Raffaella , Bosisio Daniela , Parmentier Marc , Bottazzi Barbara , Leone Roberto , Russo Eleonora , Bernardini Giovanni , Garofalo Stefano , Limatola Cristina , Gismondi Angela , Sciumè Giuseppe , Mantovani Alberto , Del Prete Annalisa , Sozzani Silvano
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Patterns of receptors for chemotactic factors regulate the homing of leukocytes to tissues. Here we report that the CCRL2/chemerin/CMKLR1 axis represents a selective pathway for the homing of NK cells to the lung. C-C motif Chemokine Receptor-Like 2 (CCRL2) is a non-signaling seven-transmembrane domain receptor able to control lung tumor growth. CCRL2 constitutive or conditional endothelial cell targeted ablation, or deletion of its ligand chemerin, were found to promote tumor progression in a Kras/p53Flox lung cancer cell model. This phenotype was dependent on the reduced recruitment of CD27–CD11b+ mature NK cells. Other chemotactic receptors identified in lung-infiltrating NK cells by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), such as Cxcr3, Cx3cr1, and S1pr5, were found to be dispensable in the regulation of NK-cell infiltration of the lung and lung tumor growth. scRNA-seq identified CCRL2 as the hallmark of general alveolar lung capillary endothelial cells. CCRL2 expression was epigenetically regulated in lung endothelium and it was upregulated by the demethylating agent 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza). In vivo administration of low doses of 5-Aza induced CCRL2 upregulation, increased recruitment of NK cells, and reduced lung tumor growth. These results identify CCRL2 as an NK-cell lung homing molecule that has the potential to be exploited to promote NK cell–mediated lung immune surveillance.
FIGURE 3 from Clinically Defined Mutations in MEN1 Alter Its Tumor-suppressive Function Through Increased Menin Turnover
Authors: Duan Suzann , Sheriff Sulaiman , Elvis-Offiah Uloma B. , Witten Brandon L. , Sawyer Travis W. , Sundaresan Sinju , Cierpicki Tomasz , Grembecka Jolanta , Merchant Juanita L.
Published: July 2023

R516fs and E235K mutations exhibit reduced protein stability and shortened half-lives compared with wild-type (WT) menin. A, Western blot analysis of MEFΔMen1 whole-cell extracts following overexpression of wild-type menin in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX, 10 μmol/L) alone or pretreated with the proteosome inhibitor MG132 (10 μmol/L). B, Normalized FLAG band signal intensity plotted as a function of time in the presence of CHX with and without MG132 pretreatment. Overexpression of the R516fs (C–D), E235K(E, F), and A541T (G, H) menin proteins with normalized FLAG band signal intensity plotted as a function of time in the presence of CHX alone or in combination with MG132 pretreatment. n = 3 experimental replicates, mean ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; ***, P < 0.01; ****, P < 0.0001 by two-way ANOVA.
Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Genetic Variants and Immunodeficiency Disorders Associated with Alopecia Areata
Authors: Englander Hanna , Paiewonsky Briana , Castelo-Soccio Leslie
Published: July 2023

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune form of non-scarring hair loss that occurs on a spectrum from patchy loss of hair on the scalp, to complete hair loss. Histology features can vary, but increased abundance of telogen hair and miniaturized hair follicles are classic hallmarks [Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:397–403]. Additionally, lymphocytic infiltration of the hair bulb is a commonly observed histology feature of AA which underscores how the disease is an autoimmune-mediated one that results from immune-mediated attack of the hair follicle. In a healthy individual, the hair follicle is one of the body’s immune-privileged sites, but the breakdown of this immune privilege is thought to be an important driver in AA disease development. Diagnosis of AA is usually based on phenotypic manifestations in conjunction with biopsies which can help conclude whether the hair loss is autoimmune based. However, varied manifestation of disease both clinically and histologically makes diagnosis criteria more ambiguous and early identification of disease harder to achieve. A better understanding of genes that are associated with increased AA risk may help elucidate potential gene targets for future therapeutics.
Associations between Pouchitis and Fecal Calprotectin after Restorative Proctocolectomy in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Uchino Motoi , Horio Yuki , Kuwahara Ryuichi , Kusunoki Kurando , Nagano Kentaro , Ikeuchi Hiroki
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Recently, fecal calprotectin has been identified and used as an assessment tool for the confirmation of disease activity in ulcerative colitis. Although a meta-analysis suggested the usefulness of fecal calprotectin for the assessment of pouchitis, the number of participants was still insufficient. Therefore, we prospectively measured fecal calprotectin levels during pouchoscopy and analyzed their associations with pouchitis. Methods: Patients who underwent pouchoscopy after total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis were included. Fecal samples were collected for the measurement of calprotectin during pouchoscopy. Patients either with or without suspicious pouchitis were included. Pouchitis was defined as a modified pouchitis disease activity index (m-PDAI) score of ≥5. The associations between the development of pouchitis and the m-PDAI score and fecal calprotectin and serum markers, including C-related protein, albumin, and white blood cells, were assessed. Results: A total of 170 patients were included. Seventy-two patients were diagnosed with pouchitis with an m-PDAI score of 7.3 ± 1.5. The values of fecal calprotectin were 1,500 ± 1,544 μg/g in patients with pouchitis and 259 ± 402 μg/g in patients without pouchitis (p < 0.01). The correlation coefficient between calprotectin and the m-PDAI score was significant (r2 = 0.279, p < 0.001). The cutoff value of fecal calprotectin in receiver operating characteristic analysis was 246 μg/g (area under curve 0.85, sensitivity 83.9%, specificity 71.0%). Fecal samples were able to be collected from 6 patients. The levels of fecal calprotectin significantly decreased from 2,101.3 ± 880.3 μg/g to 284.2 ± 96.9 μg/g in response to the treatment. Conclusions: Elevated fecal calprotectin appeared to be significantly correlated with pouchitis. We should consider the alteration of this marker during treatments in further studies.
Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Procedural Characteristics and Outcomes
Authors: Hu Tiffany Y. , Janga Chaitra , Amin Mustapha , Tan Nicholas Y. , Hodge David O. , Mehta Ramila A. , McLeod Christopher J. , Chiriac Anca , Miranda William R. , Connolly Heidi M. , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , Egbe Alexander C. , Madhavan Malini
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND:

The outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in adults with congenital heart disease are not well described.

METHODS:

In a retrospective study of adult patients with congenital heart disease who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between 2000 and 2020 at Mayo Clinic, procedural characteristics and outcomes were collected. The primary outcomes were atrial arrhythmia (AA) recurrence following a 3-month blanking period and repeat ablation. An arrhythmia clinical severity score was assessed pre- and post-ablation based on the duration of arrhythmia episodes, symptoms, cardioversion frequency, and antiarrhythmic drug use.

RESULTS:

One hundred forty-five patients (age, 57±12 years; 28% female; 63% paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) underwent 198 ablations with a median follow-up of 26 months (interquartile range, 14–69). One hundred ten, 26, and 9 patients had simple, moderate, and complex congenital heart disease, respectively. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation, and non–pulmonary vein targets were ablated in 79 (54%). AA recurrence at 12 months was 37% (95% CI, 29%–45%). On univariate analysis, increasing left atrial volume index was associated with higher odds of AA recurrence (odds ratio, 1.03 [1.00–1.06] per 1 mL/m
2
increment;
P
=0.05). Noninducibility of atrial flutter was predictive of decreased odds of AA recurrence (odds ratio, 0.43 [0.21–0.90];
P
=0.03). A second ablation was performed in 43 patients after a median of 20 (interquartile range, 8–37) months. Arrhythmia clinical severity scores improved following ablation, reflecting a decrease in symptoms, cardioversions, and antiarrhythmic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is feasible and effective in patients with adult congenital heart disease and reduces symptoms. Recurrence of AA frequently requires repeat ablation.
Predictors of Survival in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and Active Cancer: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study
Authors: Gon Yasufumi , Sakaguchi Manabu , Yamagami Hiroshi , Abe Soichiro , Hashimoto Hiroyuki , Ohara Nobuyuki , Takahashi Daisuke , Abe Yuko , Takahashi Tsutomu , Kitano Takaya , Okazaki Shuhei , Todo Kenichi , Sasaki Tsutomu , Hattori Satoshi , Mochizuki Hideki ,   the SCAN Study Investigators
Published: July 2023

Background

Limited data exist on the prognostic factors for patients with ischemic stroke and active cancer.

Methods and Results

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study in Japan, including patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer, to investigate the prognostic factors. We followed up the patients for 1 year after stroke onset. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to cryptogenic stroke and known causes (small‐vessel occlusion, large‐artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and other determined cause), and survival was compared. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for mortality were calculated using Cox regression models. We identified 135 eligible patients (39% women; median age, 75 years). Of these patients, 51% had distant metastasis. A total of 65 (48%) and 70 (52%) patients had cryptogenic stroke and known causes, respectively. Patients with cryptogenic stroke had significantly shorter survival than those with known causes (HR [95% CI], 3.11 [1.82–5.32]). The multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that distant metastasis, plasma D‐dimer levels, venous thromboembolism (either deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) complications at stroke onset were independent predictors of mortality after adjusting for potential confounders. Cryptogenic stroke was associated with prognosis in univariable analysis but was not significant in multivariable analysis. The plasma D‐dimer levels stratified the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke and active cancer.

Conclusions

The prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer varied considerably depending on stroke mechanism, distant metastasis, and coagulation abnormalities. The present study confirmed that coagulation abnormalities were crucial in determining the prognosis of such patients.
Association of Time Course of Thrombectomy and Outcomes for Large Acute Ischemic Region: RESCUE–Japan LIMIT Subanalysis
Authors: Ishihara Hideyuki , Nishimoto Takuma , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Oka Fumiaki , Sakai Nobuyuki , Yamagami Hiroshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Matsumaru Yuji , Matsumoto Yasushi , Kimura Kazumi , Ishikura Reiichi , Inoue Manabu , Uchida Kazutaka , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Morimoto Takeshi , Yoshimura Shinichi ,   for the RESCUE Japan LIMIT Investigators
Published: July 2023

Background

The effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) has been proven even in patients with large cerebral infarction in the early time window. However, the association of the time course with the treatment effect is unknown. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the influence of the time course from stroke onset to reperfusion on the therapeutic effect of EVT.

Methods

The subjects were patients with occlusion of large vessels and sizable strokes on imaging (Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic score 3–5) in RESCUE–Japan LIMIT (Recovery by Endovascular Salvage for Cerebral Ultra‐Acute Embolism–Japan Large Ischemic Core Trial), a multicenter, randomized, clinical open‐label trial of EVT versus medical care alone. In the current analysis, the clinical and time course characteristics associated with a favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score of 0–2 and 0–3 at 90 days) were examined in patients treated with EVT.

Results

The analysis included 71 patients (median age, 77 years; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, 21). Occlusion sites were the internal carotid artery (48%), proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (72%) and tandem lesions (20%). Of these patients, 23 (32%) had an mRS score of 0 to 3 and 12 (17%) had an mRS score of 0 to 2 at 90 days. In multivariate analysis, there were independent associations of onset to reperfusion time (odds ratio [OR], 0.991 [95% CI, 0.984–0.999];
P
=0.01) and puncture to reperfusion time (OR , 0.952 [95% CI, 0.917–0.988];
P
<0.001) with an mRS score of 0 to 3 at 90 days, and puncture to reperfusion time (OR, 0.930 [95% CI, 0.872–0.991];
P
=0.004) with an mRS score of 0 to 2 at 90 days.

Conclusion

Earlier reperfusion was related to a favorable outcome in patients with acute large‐vessel occlusion with a large ischemic region. Onset to reperfusion time and especially puncture to reperfusion time were independently associated with a favorable outcome. These results suggest the importance of timing and uninterrupted EVT in this patient population.
Pflacco: Feature-Based Landscape Analysis of Continuous and Constrained Optimization Problems in Python
Authors: Prager Raphael Patrick , Trautmann Heike
Published: July 2023

The herein proposed Python package pflacco provides a set of numerical features to characterize single-objective continuous and constrained optimization problems. Thereby, pflacco addresses two major challenges in the area of optimization. Firstly, it provides the means to develop an understanding of a given problem instance, which is crucial for designing, selecting, or configuring optimization algorithms in general. Secondly, these numerical features can be utilized in the research streams of automated algorithm selection and configuration. While the majority of these landscape features are already available in the R package flacco, our Python implementation offers these tools to an even wider audience and thereby promotes research interests and novel avenues in the area of optimization.
Children’s Early Spontaneous Comparisons Predict Later Analogical Reasoning Skills: An Investigation of Parental Influence
Authors: Silvey Catriona , Gentner Dedre , Richland Lindsey Engle , Goldin-Meadow Susan
Published: July 2023

Laboratory studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of making comparisons on children’s analogical reasoning skills. We extend this finding to an observational dataset comprising 42 children. The prevalence of specific comparisons, which identify a feature of similarity or difference, in children’s spontaneous speech from 14–58 months is associated with higher scores in tests of verbal and non-verbal analogy in 6th grade. We test two pre-registered hypotheses about how parents influence children’s production of specific comparisons: 1) via modelling, where parents produce specific comparisons during the sessions prior to child onset of this behaviour; 2) via responsiveness, where parents respond to their children’s earliest specific comparisons in variably engaged ways. We do not find that parent modelling or responsiveness predicts children’s production of specific comparisons. However, one of our pre-registered control analyses suggests that parents’ global comparisons—comparisons that do not identify a specific feature of similarity or difference—may bootstrap children’s later production of specific comparisons, controlling for parent IQ. We present exploratory analyses following up on this finding and suggest avenues for future confirmatory research. The results illuminate a potential route by which parents’ behaviour may influence children’s early spontaneous comparisons and potentially their later analogical reasoning skills.
What is a genus—interpreting structural diversity among species of urothripine Phlaeothripinae (Thysanoptera)
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A. , LIMA ÉLISON FABRÍCIO B. , O’DONNELL CHERYLE A.
Published: July 2023

Variation within and between species is discussed in several obvious character states, including the number of visible antennal segments, prolongation of the anterior margin of the head, metaepimeral setae, and anal setae. As a result, Bebelothrips and Conocephalothrips are considered new synonyms of Amphibolothrips, and Baenothrips a new synonym of Stephanothrips. The revised generic classification suggests that urothripines are largely absent from the Neotropics, with four recorded species all likely to be introductions from the Old World.
Jack Palmer and Dariusz Brzeziński (Eds.), “Revisiting Modernity and the Holocaust: Heritage, Dilemmas, Extensions”. Routledge, 2022 [book review]
Authors: Outhwaite William
Published: July 2023

This is a review of the book entitled Revisiting Modernity and the Holocaust: Heritage, Dilemmas, Extensions, edited by Jack Palmer and Dariusz Brzeziński.
“People From the Forest”: Discourse About Migrants in the Narratives of NGO Workers and Activists Involved in the Humanitarian Crisis at the Polish-Belarusian Border
Authors: Pietrusińska Marta Jadwiga
Published: July 2023

This article presents the results of a socially engaged research project based on 30 in-depth interviews with NGO workers and activists who became involved in the humanitarian crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border and engaged in subversive humanitarianism. The aim is to analyze the discourse about migrants constructed by people who provided different types of support during the crisis. The theoretical part presents a brief overview of the crisis and describes hybridized humanitarian actions that were taken. It also offers a discussion of two opposite discourses about migration in Poland. One is based on securitization and is created by the state, and the other relates to compassionate solidarity with migrants and is constructed by civil society. The results of the study indicate that the representation of migrants created by NGO workers and activists engaged in subversive humanitarianism to some extent reproduces the pro-immigrant narrative of compassion to date. What is more, the study shows that activists’ discourse is more individualized and emotional, while the narratives of NGO workers are more professionalized and institutional in nature.
Near-Inertial Waves Reaching the Deep Basin in the South China Sea after Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)
Authors: Zheng Hua , Zhu Xiao-Hua , Zhao Ruixiang , Chen Juntian , Wang Min , Ren Qiang , Liu Yansong , Nan Feng , Yu Fei , Park Jae-Hun
Published: July 2023

Typhoon Mangkhut crossed the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) in September 2018 and induced energetic near-inertial waves (NIWs) that were captured by an array of 39 current- and pressure-recording inverted echo sounders and two tall moorings with acoustic Doppler current profilers and current meter sensors. The array extended from west of the Luzon Strait to the interior SCS, with the path of the typhoon cutting through the array. NIWs in the interior SCS had lower frequency than those near the Luzon Strait. After the typhoon crossed the SCS, Mangkhut-induced near-inertial currents in the upper ocean reached over 50 cm s−1. NIWs traveled southward for hundreds of kilometers, dominated by modes 2 and 3 in the upper and deep ocean. The horizontal phase speeds of mode 2 were ∼3.9 and ∼2.5 m s−1 north and south of the typhoon’s track, respectively, while those of mode 3 were ∼2.1 and ∼1.7 m s−1, respectively. Mode 5 was only identified in the north with a smaller phase speed. Owing to different vertical group velocities, the energy of mode-2 NIWs reached the deep ocean in 20 days, whereas the higher-mode NIWs required more time to transfer energy to the bottom. NIWs in the north were trapped and carried by a westward-propagating anticyclonic eddy, which enhanced the near-inertial kinetic energy at ∼300 m and lengthened the duration of energetic NIWs observed in the north.

Significance Statement

Near-inertial waves (NIWs), generally caused by wind (e.g., typhoons and monsoons) in the upper ocean, are one of the two types of energetic internal waves widely observed in the ocean. After their generation near the surface, energetic NIWs propagate downward and equatorward, thereby significantly contributing to turbulent mixing in the upper and deep ocean and acting as a mechanism of energy transfer from the surface to the deep ocean. The unprecedented NIW observations in the South China Sea describe the generation, propagation, and vertical normal modes of typhoon-induced NIWs in the upper and deep oceans, and contribute to knowledge regarding the dynamic responses of abyssal processes to typhoons.
Estimation of Surface Current Divergence from Satellite Doppler Radar Scatterometer Measurements of Surface Ocean Velocity
Authors: Chelton Dudley B.
Published: July 2023

The ability to estimate surface current divergence and vorticity from space is assessed from simulated satellite Doppler radar scatterometer measurements of surface velocity with an effective footprint diameter of 5 km across an 1800-km measurement swath. The focus is on non-internal-wave contributions to divergence and vorticity. This is achieved by simulating Doppler radar measurements of surface velocity from a numerical model in which internal waves are weak because of high dissipation, seasonal cycle forcing, and the lack of tidal forcing. Divergence is much more challenging to estimate than vorticity because the signals are weaker and restricted to smaller scales. With the measurement noise that was anticipated based on early engineering studies, divergence cannot be estimated with useful resolution. Recent advances in the understanding of how the noise in measurements of surface currents depends on the ambient wind speed have concluded that measurement noise will be substantially smaller in conditions of wind speed greater than 6 m s−1. A reassessment of the ability to estimate non-internal-wave contributions to surface current divergence in this study finds that useful estimates can be obtained in such wind conditions; the wavelength resolution capability for divergence estimates in the middle of the measurement swaths will be better than 100 km in 16-day averages. The improved measurement accuracy will also provide estimates of surface current vorticity with a resolution nearly a factor of 2 higher than was previously thought, resulting in wavelength resolutions of about 50, 30, and 20 km in snapshots, 4-day averages, and 16-day averages, respectively.

Significance Statement

The divergence of surface ocean velocity is of great interest to oceanographers because of its direct relation to the near-surface vertical velocity that has important implications for air–sea exchanges of CO2 and other gases, as well as the supply of nutrients from depth that are critical to biological productivity. Observational estimates of surface divergence are challenging because of the weakness of the divergence signals and the technical difficulties in acquiring two-dimensional observations of velocity with sufficient accuracy and spatial resolution to obtain accurate estimates of the divergence. The analysis presented here concludes that useful estimates of surface current divergence can be obtained from a future Doppler radar satellite mission that is in the early stages of development by NASA.
Real World Studies: What They Are and What They Are Not
Authors: Andrade Chittaranjan
Published: July 2023

Patients are filtered by rigorously defined study selection criteria for recruitment into research; this is necessary to improve signal detection, improve internal validity, reduce study-related risks, and meet ethical standards. Research patients are assessed and managed in ways that differ from usual practice. So, neither patients nor the treatment environment resembles everyday patients treated in everyday practice. This diminishes the generalizability of study findings; that is, their external validity. There is, therefore, an increasing trend to conduct “real-world studies.” In this context, “real-world patients” are those who are not filtered by restrictive study selection criteria, and “real-world settings” are those in which patients are managed with few study-related guidelines and restrictions. The elephant in the room is that the glamour associated with such real-world studies is an illusion. This is because real-world patients in one real-world setting can differ widely from real-world patients in another real-world setting. So, even in real-world studies, we can only generalize study findings to the population from which the sample was drawn and the setting in which the sample was managed. As a final note, many assessments in research, such as computerized or pen-and-paper neuropsychological tests, are not real-world measures as are, for example, measures of activities of daily living or quality of life.
Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorders, and Jail Readmission in Four Rural Counties
Authors: Singer Alexa J. , Kopak Albert M. , Hoffmann Norman G.
Published: July 2023

Most jails are in rural areas, and many adults who pass through these facilities experience behavioral health needs. Evidence suggests mental health conditions (MHCs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) may be linked to an increased risk for jail readmission, but most work documenting this relationship uses vague measures, outdated diagnostic information, has been conducted in large metropolitan jails, or has demonstrated significant variability between facilities. This multisite study examined the associations between specific MHCs, SUDs, and jail readmission among 675 adults from four rural jails. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses indicated rural jail populations are likely to present MHCs, especially major depression and PTSD, at higher rates than those found in national estimates. SUDs were also observed at rates higher than those typical of national surveys, and particular SUDs were significantly more prevalent in some facilities relative to others. MHCs were not associated with prior jail admission, but SUDs were linked to a greater probability of a previous jail stay. These results highlight the importance of increasing the availability of jail-based, substance-specific treatment programs that cater to individual facilities’ most pressing needs to ultimately reduce jail readmission.
Supply Base Risk and Buying Firm Performance: An Empirical Evidence from Emerging Economy
Authors: Pant Pushpesh , Sarmah S. P. , Ramesh K. T.
Published: July 2023

This article attempts to address two research questions using a large and longitudinal sample of manufacturing firms: (a) how does supply base (or supply-side) risk affect buying firm performance, and (b) how does the presence of supply chain executive in the firm’s top management team (TMT) moderate the performance effect of supply base risk? The study uses the Prowess database and Bloomberg to operationalize empirical proxies for supply base risk drivers. Panel data regression analyses are used to test the effect of supply base risk on buying firm performance considering Indian manufacturing firms. The results show that the supply base risk has a negative and significant effect on firm performance. Moreover, the findings of the study indicate that supply chain executive representation in the firm’s TMT alleviates the negative effects of supply base risk. This study develops an objective understanding of supply chain complexity by relying on secondary panel data.
Police Body-Worn Cameras as a Response to Domestic and Family Violence: Practitioner Insights Into the Consequences for Victim/Survivors
Authors: Iliadis Mary , Harris Bridget , Vakhitova Zarina , Flynn Asher , Tyson Danielle
Published: July 2023

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have been promoted internationally to enhance responses to domestic and family violence (DFV). However, little is known about their utility, benefits, and limitations. Drawing upon the insights of DFV practitioners who support victim/survivors in the Australian states of Queensland and Western Australia, this article finds that while BWCs can capture some DFV incidents, they are unable to show their full context and impacts. BWC footage may also have consequences for “nonideal” victim/survivors, including wrongful criminalization and the removal of children. Ultimately, we argue that trauma-informed responses are vital for BWC use in DFV cases to improve frontline responses.