bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activity for CUREs to increase student understanding and application of responsible authorship and publication practices
Authors: Wilson Kristy J. , Mitchel Alexis
Published: July 2024

Professional development of scientists is enhanced by training students in responsible conduct of research earlier in their careers. One aspect of responsible conduct of research is authorship ethics, which concerns granting of credit to those who make intellectual contributions to the research. The activity discussed in this article emphasizes how authorship ethics can be integrated with Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) and includes an adaption that could also be used for independent research students. The activity allows students to reflect upon inequalities and problems seen in scientific authorship, including gender bias, failure to credit effort (ghostwriters), and inclusion of authors that did not meaningfully contribute to the work (honorary/gift authorship). Themes seen in student reflections on how they could demonstrate ethics in authorship included: determining authorship by contribution, appropriate attributions on curriculum vitas (CV) and posters, different credit levels, understanding authorship criteria, and tracking contributions. Themes seen in student reflections on the importance of authorship were proper authorship credit distribution, authorship impacting career opportunities, and accountability in research. In the activity, students also created attributions for a poster to be presented from their research. We found that most students were able to create attributions that were correctly formatted, included the same authors, and positioned authors in the same order as other group members, matching what was presented on the finalized poster. We found that students’ reflection on authorship and this professionalization of their activities in their CURE led to modest increases in their view of themselves as scientists.
Catabolism of β-5 linked aromatics by
Novosphingobium aromaticivorans
Authors: Metz Fletcher , Olsen Abigail M. , Lu Fachuang , Myers Kevin S. , Allemann Marco N. , Michener Joshua K. , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: July 2024

Aromatic compounds are an important source of commodity chemicals traditionally produced from fossil fuels. Aromatics derived from plant lignin can potentially be converted into commodity chemicals through depolymerization followed by microbial funneling of monomers and low molecular weight oligomers. This study investigates the catabolism of the β-5 linked aromatic dimer dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DC-A) by the bacterium
Novosphingobium aromaticivorans
. We used genome-wide screens to identify candidate genes involved in DC-A catabolism. Subsequent
in vivo
and
in vitro
analyses of these candidate genes elucidated a catabolic pathway composed of four required gene products and several partially redundant dehydrogenases that convert DC-A to aromatic monomers that can be funneled into the central aromatic metabolic pathway of
N. aromaticivorans
. Specifically, a newly identified γ-formaldehyde lyase, PcfL, opens the phenylcoumaran ring to form a stilbene and formaldehyde. A lignostilbene dioxygenase, LsdD, then cleaves the stilbene to generate the aromatic monomers vanillin and 5-formylferulate (5-FF). We also showed that the aldehyde dehydrogenase FerD oxidizes 5-FF before it is decarboxylated by LigW, yielding ferulic acid. We found that some enzymes involved in the β-5 catabolism pathway can act on multiple substrates and that some steps in the pathway can be mediated by multiple enzymes, providing new insights into the robust flexibility of aromatic catabolism in
N. aromaticivorans
. A comparative genomic analysis predicted that the newly discovered β-5 aromatic catabolic pathway is common within the order Sphingomonadales.

IMPORTANCE

In the transition to a circular bioeconomy, the plant polymer lignin holds promise as a renewable source of industrially important aromatic chemicals. However, since lignin contains aromatic subunits joined by various chemical linkages, producing single chemical products from this polymer can be challenging. One strategy to overcome this challenge is using microbes to funnel a mixture of lignin-derived aromatics into target chemical products. This approach requires strategies to cleave the major inter-unit linkages of lignin to release monomers for funneling into valuable products. In this study, we report newly discovered aspects of a pathway by which the
Novosphingobium aromaticivorans
DSM12444 catabolizes aromatics joined by the second most common inter-unit linkage in lignin, the β-5 linkage. This work advances our knowledge of aromatic catabolic pathways, laying the groundwork for future metabolic engineering of this and other microbes for optimized conversion of lignin into products.
Draft genomes of two
Enterobacter hormaechei
strains isolated from catheterized urine samples from females experiencing overactive bladder symptoms
Authors: Appleberry Helen , Patel Richa , Singh Kanishka , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine , Kula Alex
Published: July 2024

In this study, we present the draft genome of two
Enterobacter hormaechei
strains isolated from catheterized urine specimens from females with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Through the sequencing of these
E. hormaechei
strains, we aim to better understand its presence and putative role in OAB in the female urinary tract.
Gut microbiome diversity within
Clostridia
is negatively associated with human obesity
Authors: Salazar-Jaramillo Laura , de la Cuesta-Zuluaga Jacobo , Chica Luis A. , Cadavid María , Ley Ruth E. , Reyes Alejandro , Escobar Juan S.
Published: July 2024

Clostridia
are abundant in the human gut and comprise families associated with host health such as
Oscillospiraceae,
which has been correlated with leanness. However, culturing bacteria within this family is challenging, leading to their detection primarily through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, which has a limited ability to unravel diversity at low taxonomic levels, or by shotgun metagenomics, which is hindered by its high costs and complexity. In this cross-sectional study involving 114 Colombian adults, we used an amplicon-based sequencing strategy with alternative markers—gyrase subunit B (
gyrB
) and DNA K chaperone heat protein 70 (
dnaK
)—that evolve faster than the 16S rRNA gene. Comparing the diversity and abundance observed with the three markers in our cohort, we found a reduction in the diversity of
Clostridia
, particularly within
Lachnospiraceae
and
Oscillospiraceae
among obese individuals [as measured by the body mass index (BMI)]. Within
Lachnospiraceae
, the diversity of
Ruminococcus_A
negatively correlated with BMI. Within
Oscillospiraceae
, the genera
CAG-170
and
Vescimonas
also exhibited this negative correlation. In addition, the abundance of
Vescimonas
was negatively correlated with BMI. Leveraging shotgun metagenomic data, we conducted a phylogenetic and genomic characterization of 120 metagenome-assembled genomes from
Vescimonas
obtained from a larger sample of the same cohort. We identified 17 of the 72 reported species. The functional annotation of these genomes showed the presence of multiple carbohydrate-active enzymes, particularly glycosyl transferases and glycoside hydrolases, suggesting potential beneficial roles in fiber degradation, carbohydrate metabolism, and butyrate production.

IMPORTANCE

The gut microbiota is diverse across various taxonomic levels. At the intra-species level, it comprises multiple strains, some of which may be host-specific. However, our understanding of fine-grained diversity has been hindered by the use of the conserved 16S rRNA gene. While shotgun metagenomics offers higher resolution, it remains costly, may fail to identify specific microbes in complex samples, and requires extensive computational resources and expertise. To address this, we employed a simple and cost-effective analysis of alternative genetic markers to explore diversity within
Clostridia
, a crucial group within the human gut microbiota whose diversity may be underestimated. We found high intra-species diversity for certain groups and associations with obesity. Notably, we identified
Vescimonas
, an understudied group. Making use of metagenomic data, we inferred functionality, uncovering potential beneficial roles in dietary fiber and carbohydrate degradation, as well as in short-chain fatty acid production.
Erratum to: Preparation of High-Labeled Graphene Oxide by Tritium Thermal Activation Method for Application in the Betavoltaic Cell of a Nuclear Battery
Authors: Badun G. A. , Bunyaev V. A. , Chernysheva M. G.
Published: July 2024

Erratum
Thrombectomy alone versus intravenous thrombolysis before thrombectomy for acute basilar artery occlusion
Authors: Guo Meng , Yue Chengsong , Yang Jie , Hu Jinrong , Guo Changwei , Peng Zhouzhou , Xu Rui , Yang Dahong , Kong Weilin , Liu Xiang , Huang Jiacheng , Tian Yan , Li Fengli , Li Chang-Qing
Published: July 2024

Background

Endovascular treatment (EVT) is a well-established approach for acute ischemic stroke. Whether bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before EVT confers any benefits remains uncertain. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of direct EVT with or without bridging IVT in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO).

Methods

This multicenter cohort study enrolled 647 patients with acute BAO who underwent either bridging IVT before EVT or direct EVT from the BASILAR registry. The primary outcome was an independent functional outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2. Secondary outcomes included excellent functional outcome (mRS 0–1), favorable functional outcome (mRS 0–3), and mortality rate at 90 days, as well as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and successful reperfusion between the two treatment groups.

Results

Direct EVT and bridging IVT before EVT exhibited similar primary outcomes (27.3% vs 27.7%, respectively) and distributions of mRS scores at 90 days. Moreover, rates of sICH and 90-day mortality were not significantly different between the two groups (7.3% vs 6.0%, adjusted OR (aOR) 0.79, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.86, P=0.84 for sICH; 46.8% vs 43.7%, aOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.38, P=0.53 for mortality).

Conclusions

Among patients with acute BAO, functional outcomes were similar between those treated with bridging IVT before EVT and those treated with direct EVT, and there was no difference between the two groups in terms of sICH and mortality rates.
Occurrence of the invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Walbaum 1792) in Greenland 2020 and 2021 as revealed using citizen science, snorkeling, and environmental DNA metabarcoding of fishes in the Kapisillit River
Authors: Nielsen Julius , Nygaard Rasmus , Brandner Melissa , Præbel Kim
Published: July 2024

The occurrence of the invasive pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Walbaum 1792) in Greenland was initially described in 2019 using social media to collect data on their presence. In this study we continue data collection through social media and initiate a monitoring program of the Kapisillit River in Southwest Greenland using snorkeling and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding in 2020 and 2021. The Kapisillit River is the only freshwater system in Greenland, where the red-listed Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar, Linnaeus 1758) is known to spawn. This genetically unique population of Atlantic salmon has been found to decline, wherefore there is general conservation concern that the occurrence of pink salmon at some point can become an additional stressor to the “Kapisillit salmon”. In 2021, pink salmon were present near all larger populated areas in Greenland and likely more abundant than in 2019. From visual observations and using eDNA, the presence of pink salmon was documented in the Kapisillit River in 2021. From the number of individuals observed combined with the spatial distribution of eDNA detections in the river, we suggest that the pink salmon invasion in the Kapisillit River is at an early stage.
Experimental investigation of dewatering silty tailings using electrokinetic method
Authors: Niri Shima Rezaeian , Akhtarpour Ali , Daliri Farzad , Baradaran Mohammad Saleh
Published: July 2024

Mining and using underground resources demand high water usage, producing significant waste with environmental risks. Methods like electrokinetics prove effective in accelerating dewatering and stabilizing structures. This research provides the results of experimental investigation on dewatering silty tailings obtained from Sungun Tailings Dam (East Azerbaijan, Iran) using the electrokinetic water recovery method. Previous studies primarily examined the electrokinetic process in steady-state flow and saturated soil, with limited exploration of unsaturated soil parameters. In this research, the electrokinetic process in steady-state flow was initially investigated, and the saturated electro-osmotic permeability was determined. Subsequently, experiments were conducted in non-steady-state flow and unsaturated conditions, measuring the influential parameters with soil moisture sensors and tensiometers. Results show that decreasing sample moisture through electro-osmotic flow increases negative pore water pressure. Tailings’ electrical conductivity is more influenced by moisture content, with a steeper reduction slope concerning volumetric moisture reduction over time. pH assessments show soil acidity on the anode side and alkalinity on the cathode side. Higher applied voltage gradients result in increased maximum power consumption. Importantly, the results caution against assuming that higher applied voltage improves the electro-osmotic process, as it may lead to issues such as deep sample cracking, void space creation, interrupted electrical flow, and energy loss.
The 4-Set Tree Connectivity of Folded Hypercube
Authors: Wang Junzhen , Zhang Shumin , Zhu Bo
Published: July 2024

The [Formula: see text]-set tree connectivity, as a natural extension of classical connectivity, is a very important index to evaluate the fault-tolerance of interconnection networks. Let [Formula: see text] be a connected graph and a subset [Formula: see text], an [Formula: see text]-tree of graph [Formula: see text] is a tree [Formula: see text] that contains all the vertices of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Two [Formula: see text]-trees [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are internally disjoint if and only if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The cardinality of maximum internally disjoint [Formula: see text]-trees is defined as [Formula: see text], and the [Formula: see text]-set tree connectivity is defined by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that the [Formula: see text]-set tree connectivity of folded hypercube when [Formula: see text], that is, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is folded hypercube for [Formula: see text].
Power Trading and Access Control Scheme Based on IPFS and Blockchain
Authors: Shi Shijie , Zhang Ruifen , Zhang Rong , Fu Chaoying , Wang Ziji
Published: July 2024

In recent years, a large number of renewable energy power plants have been built all over the country, which has led to a sharp increase in the pressure on the current centralized electricity trading platform. There are data storage bottlenecks and data privacy problems in the current blockchain-based power transaction and access control system. In this paper, the interstellar file system is proposed to store the data of the new distributed power trading platform in a distributed way, so as to improve the storage capacity of the physical nodes; An improved ciphertext strategy attribute encryption scheme, which is lightweight, traceable and supports outsourced decryption combined with state secret algorithm, is adopted to integrate the user’s unique identity into the user’s private key and part of the expensive decryption calculation is outsourced to the cloud server to realize fine-grained data access control in the electricity market. The experimental results show that compared to the basic CP-ABE scheme, when the encryption attribute is 100, the decryption time of the proposed scheme is reduced from 556[Formula: see text]ms to 1.1[Formula: see text]ms; Compared to blockchain-based solutions alone, when storing data of 15[Formula: see text]MB, GAS consumption decreases from 2968738133 to 89360. The scheme can greatly improve the storage capacity of the system, improve the operational efficiency and meet the actual performance requirements.
South Korea Navigating 2023 amid Inter-Korean Tensions and Domestic Political Challenges
Authors: RYU Yongwook
Published: July 2024

In 2023, South Korea, under President Yoon Suk-yeol, strengthened its alliance with the United States and improved relations with Japan, culminating in the Camp David trilateral summit. However, inter-Korean relations deteriorated, with North Korea adopting a more hostile stance. Domestically, Yoon faced significant challenges, including economic struggles and political gridlock, as the opposition-controlled national assembly blocked major legislative initiatives. The April 2024 national assembly election was crucial for the Yoon administration, weakening its ability to carry out major policy initiatives for much-needed reforms and creating further friction not only with the opposition parties but within his own ruling party.
Pakistan–China Relations in the 21st Century: Bandwagoning or Complex Interdependence?
Authors: KALIM Inayat , HYATT Asad , AHMAD Sohail
Published: July 2024

The dynamics of the 21st century and the regional situation in South Asia require a revisit to the theoretical framework defining Pakistan–China relations. The friendly relations between Pakistan and China can be explored under the concepts of bandwagoning as well as complex interdependence. A theoretical analysis reveals that neither of the two states is bandwagoning the other. They are, however, tied to each other under the conceptual framework of complex interdependence.
On the Generalisation Performance of Geometric Semantic Genetic Programming for Boolean Functions: Learning Block Mutations
Authors: Corus Dogan , Oliveto Pietro S.
Published: July 2024

In this article, we present the first rigorous theoretical analysis of the generalisation performance of a Geometric Semantic Genetic Programming (GSGP) system. More specifically, we consider a hill-climber using the GSGP Fixed Block Mutation (FBM) operator for the domain of Boolean functions. We prove that the algorithm cannot evolve Boolean conjunctions of arbitrary size that are correct on unseen inputs chosen uniformly at random from the complete truth table i.e., it generalises poorly. Two algorithms based on the Varying Block Mutation (VBM) operator are proposed and analysed to address the issue. We rigorously prove that under the uniform distribution the first one can efficiently evolve any Boolean function of constant size with respect to the number of available variables, while the second one can efficiently evolve general conjunctions or disjunctions of any size without requiring prior knowledge of the target function class. An experimental analysis confirms the theoretical insights for realistic problem sizes and indicates the superiority of the proposed operators also for small parity functions not explicitly covered by the theory.
Structure Function Studies of Photosystem II Using X-Ray Free Electron Lasers
Authors: Yano Junko , Kern Jan , Yachandra Vittal K.
Published: July 2024

The structure and mechanism of the water-oxidation chemistry that occurs in photosystem II have been subjects of great interest. The advent of X-ray free electron lasers allowed the determination of structures of the stable intermediate states and of steps in the transitions between these intermediate states, bringing a new perspective to this field. The room-temperature structures collected as the photosynthetic water oxidation reaction proceeds in real time have provided important novel insights into the structural changes and the mechanism of the water oxidation reaction. The time-resolved measurements have also given us a view of how this reaction—which involves multielectron, multiproton processes—is facilitated by the interaction of the ligands and the protein residues in the oxygen-evolving complex. These structures have also provided a picture of the dynamics occurring in the channels within photosystem II that are involved in the transport of the substrate water to the catalytic center and protons to the bulk.
Modeling a High-Energy, High-Rate Li//CFx Battery with a Capacity-Contributing Electrolyte
Authors: Parke Caitlin D. , Harris Kailot C. , Zhang Xiyue , Baek Minsung , Wang Chunsheng , Albertus Paul
Published: July 2024

Li//CFx cells have achieved the highest specific energy of commercial batteries, but new applications requiring higher rates (e.g., C/3) and pulsing (e.g., at 5 C/3 rate for 1 min) drive the push for higher energy and power densities. A capacity-contributing electrolyte (CCE) can provide additional capacity at a slightly lower potential than the CFx reaction, increasing cell specific energy. In this work we present a 0D transient model of a primary Li//CFx cell with a CCE composed of both a salt and solvent that provide capacity with a focus on a C/3 rate and pulsing. Novel aspects of our model, in addition to the two CCE reactions, include a variable cathode thickness and porosity (CFx cathode thickness has been measured to expand by >40% at 25 °C) and a detailed presentation of the transient evolution of all species and terms that contribute to cell potential (including how salt and solvent reactions affect ionic polarization and the growth of solid-phase product resistances). Our work quantifies the delicate balance of thermodynamic, kinetic, and transport processes and properties that is needed to obtain specific energy enhancements from CCE reactions, and how changing cathode thickness and porosity affect the mechanisms that cause the end of discharge.
Harnessing Cold Sintering to Fabricate Composite Polymer Electrolytes - A Paradigm Shift in Organic-Inorganic Material Assembly
Authors: Naboulsi Agathe , Dussart Thibaud , Nguyen Giao T. M. , Franger Sylvain , Fichet Odile , Laberty-Robert Christel
Published: July 2024

The development of composite electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries is an emerging field, but the creation of predominantly inorganic electrolytes remains challenging. In this study, Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 (Al-LLZO), a ceramic material selected for its high ionic conductivity (1 × 10−4 S.cm−1 at ambient temperature) was shaped by the cold-sintering process (CSP). The organic phase was synthesized by free-radical polymerization of two poly(ethylene oxide) methacrylate derivatives in the presence of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salts (LiTFSI). The polymethacrylate network with dangling poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains was thus obtained. This in situ polymerization allows the one-pot synthesis of the composite electrolyte during CSP. Remarkably, the ionic conductivity of the CSP pellet varied with the nature of the organic phase, ranging from 1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−5 S.cm−1 for non-grafted and grafted TFSI anion on the PEO-based network, respectively. Additionally, the transport of Li+ remained unaffected by the inorganic material’s nature as long as it contained Li species. Furthermore, a significant enhancement of the ionic conductivity was observed in the composite pellet compared to the TFSI grafted network (10−5 to 10−7 S.cm−1, respectively). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed changes in the Al-LLZO||PEO-based polymer interface during CSP with the formation of an interphase, confirmed by a low activation energy value (0.1 eV).
Implications of pregnancy on cardiometabolic disease risk: preeclampsia and gestational diabetes
Authors: Elgazzaz Mona , Woodham Padmashree C. , Maher James , Faulkner Jessica L.
Published: July 2024

Cardiometabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension, prior to and within pregnancy are increasing in prevalence worldwide. Pregnancy-associated cardiometabolic disease poses a great risk to the short- and long-term well-being of the mother and offspring. Hypertensive pregnancy, notably preeclampsia, as well as gestational diabetes are the major diseases of pregnancy growing in prevalence as a result of growing cardiometabolic disease prevalence. The mechanisms whereby obesity, diabetes, and other comorbidities lead to preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are incompletely understood and continually evolving in the literature. In addition, novel therapeutic avenues are currently being explored in these patients to offset cardiometabolic-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclamptic and gestational diabetes pregnancies. In this review, we discuss the emerging pathophysiological mechanisms of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes in the context of cardiometabolic risk as well as the most recent preclinical and clinical updates in the pathogenesis and treatment of these conditions.
Generating Synthetic Light‐Adapted Electroretinogram Waveforms Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Classification of Retinal Conditions in Under‐Represented Populations
Authors: Kulyabin Mikhail , Zhdanov Aleksei , Maier Andreas , Loh Lynne , Estevez Jose J. , Constable Paul A.
Published: July 2024

Visual electrophysiology is often used clinically to determine the functional changes associated with retinal or neurological conditions. The full‐field flash electroretinogram (ERG) assesses the global contribution of the outer and inner retinal layers initiated by the rods and cone pathways depending on the state of retinal adaptation. Within clinical centers, reference normative data are used to compare clinical cases that may be rare or underpowered within a specific demographic. To bolster either the reference dataset or the case dataset, the application of synthetic ERG waveforms may offer benefits to disease classification and case‐control studies. In this study and as a proof of concept, artificial intelligence (AI) to generate synthetic signals using generative adversarial networks is deployed to upscale male participants within an ISCEV reference dataset containing 68 participants, with waveforms from the right and left eye. Random forest classifiers further improved classification for sex within the group from a balanced accuracy of 0.72–0.83 with the added synthetic male waveforms. This is the first study to demonstrate the generation of synthetic ERG waveforms to improve machine learning classification modelling with electroretinogram waveforms.
Onopordopicrin from the Japanese Leaf Burdock Exerts Antiallergic Effects through the Inhibition of I Kappa B Kinase β
Authors: Maeta Akihiro , Ishikawa Honoka , Okamoto Yuka , Takahashi Kyoko
Published: July 2024

Onopordopicrin (OPP), found in burdock leaves and stems, exerts antiallergic properties whose mechanism remains elusive. We aimed to elucidate its mechanism using rat basophilic leukemia cells in vitro. Purified OPP demonstrated concentration‐dependent inhibition of degranulation after allergen or PMA/A23187 stimulation. OPP effectively suppressed TNF‐α and PGD2 releases. However, OPP did not suppress the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration after allergen stimulation. The α, β‐unsaturated carbonyl structure of OPP suggests potential electrophilic reactivity with polyfunctional thiol‐trapping agents, such as cysteine residues. Indeed, the degranulation‐inhibiting effect of OPP disappeared with the addition of cysteamine, which possesses a thiol group. I kappa B kinase β (IKKβ), which regulates degranulation in an NF‐κB‐independent manner, possesses a cysteine residue between the activation loop. Moreover, IKKβ plays an important role in TNF‐α and PGD2 production. OPP was found to reduce IKKβ activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. Together, our findings suggest that OPP exerts its antiallergic action via binding to cysteine residues in signal proteins such as IKKβ, thereby inhibiting their activation.
Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Its Association with Socioeconomic Factors in the Wof‐Washa Natural State Forest, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Kassie Abere Wondimu , Moges Admasu , Alelign Tilahun , Bayeh Gojam
Published: July 2024

The Wof‐Washa Natural State Forest (WWNSF) in Ethiopia harbors remarkable biodiversity but faces threats from local communities, climate change, and a lack of awareness regarding its preservation. Although numerous studies exist, the economic value of the forest’s ecosystem services (FESs) has been largely overlooked. Thus, the purposes of this study were to identify FESs, estimate their total economic value, and assess challenges with possible strategies for sustainable forest management. The research employed Google Earth to estimate forest area and socioeconomic surveys with field visits to gather data from 368 participants for analyzing the FESs, monetary values, and challenges with possible strategies. Analyses included descriptive statistics, total economic valuation (TEV), and an ordinary least squares regression model. The study revealed that the WWNSF provides crucial provisioning services (timber, honey, water, and firewood), regulating services (soil erosion control and climate change mitigation), and supporting services (soil formation and nutrient cycling). The forest’s annual contribution to sampled households averaged $1152.30, with regulating and cultural services valued at $14,112 and $622.00, respectively. The study also revealed that male‐headed households, larger families, and those having limited farmland and off‐farm income depended more heavily on the forest. Therefore, farmland scarcity, settlements, and tree harvesting for firewood, timber, and agricultural tools, as well as the lack of employment opportunities, were the main challenges encountered in the study area. This suggests that despite degradation and reduction in size due to human pressures, the WWNSF remains a significant source of socioeconomic and ecological benefits, supporting local livelihoods and biodiversity. To ensure the forest’s restoration, prioritizing community participation, promoting family planning, providing alternative income opportunities especially for youth, and balancing resource use with conservation efforts are possible strategies that should be taken into account.
The High‐Dietary Insulin Load Score Is Associated With Elevated Level of Fasting Blood Sugar in Iranian Adult Men: Results From Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study
Authors: Rajaie Seyede Hamide , Khayyatzadeh Sayyed Saeid , Faghih Shiva , Mansoori Yaser , Naghizadeh Mohammad Mehdi , Farjam Mojtaba , Homayounfar Reza , Mozaffari-Khosravi Hassan
Published: July 2024

Aim: The potential of different foods to induce postprandial hyperinsulinemia may be involved in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to evaluate the association between dietary insulin indices and MetS in a large population of adults in Iran.

Methods: A total of 6356 adults aged 35–70 years were included in the present cross‐sectional study. A validated block‐format 125‐item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to obtain usual food intakes, and MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and American Heart Association (AHA)/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) criteria.

Results: MetS was prevalent in 13.8% of participants. Mean age of the study participants was 46.58 ± 8.82 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.02 ± 4.60 kg/m2. Mean dietary insulin index (DII) and dietary insulin load (DIL) were 63.15 ± 7.57 and 168.253 ± 52.09, respectively. In the crude model, men in the highest DIL quartile were more likely to have hyperglycemia than those in the lowest quartile (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.12–2.73, p trend = 0.04). This association remained significant and was even stronger after adjusting for potential confounders in model I (OR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.57–8.47, p trend = 0.005) and further adjustment for BMI in model II (OR: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.55–8.44, p trend = 0.006).

Conclusions: In healthy men, adherence to a high‐DIL diet may be associated with a greater likelihood of having hyperglycemia. No statistically significant association was observed between insulin indices and the odds of having MetS.
Use of Esketamine Nasal Spray in Patients with Treatment‐Resistant Depression in Routine Practice: A Real‐World French Study
Authors: Samalin Ludovic , Mekaoui Lila , Rothärmel Maud , Sauvaget Anne , Wicart Clotilde , Dupin Julien , Cohignac Vanessa , Gaudre-Wattinne Emeline
Published: July 2024

Background. The efficacy and safety of esketamine nasal spray (ESK) were established in registration trials in patients with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). This French real‐world study aimed to describe the treatment patterns, effectiveness, and safety of ESK in TRD patients over a 12‐month follow‐up. Materials and Methods. This study used secondary data from patient files of hospital‐based psychiatrists and started during the first French patient early access to ESK. The response and remission rates with ESK were analyzed using the total score of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The time to first treatment response and work resumption were described (Kaplan–Meier method). Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Results. Prior to ESK initiation, the 157 analyzed patients (age ≤ 65 years, 82.8%; female, 66.2%) had depression for 10.5 years (median, IQR, 4.2–21.2) and received a median of 6 (3–8) previous treatment lines. At ESK initiation, the mean ± SD total MADRS score was 32.1 ± 7.7. At that time, ESK was combined with antidepressants (93.6% of patients; SNRI, 65.0%; SSRI, 57.3%) and/or other potentiation strategy (63.1%; atypical antipsychotics, 36.3%; lithium, 25.6%; antiepileptics, 21.7%). During the 12‐month follow‐up, 125 patients (79.6%) discontinued ESK. The median duration of ESK treatment was 19.4 weeks (IQR, 4.4–40.1). At 1 month after ESK initiation, 40.2% of still treated patients met criteria for clinical response and 19.7% for remission (median time to response, 5.7 weeks; 95% CI (4.1–8.4)). 82.6% of active patients were on sick leave at ESK initiation; the work resumption rate was 24% (13%–40%) 12 weeks later. AEs were reported in 68.6% of patients, serious AEs in 17.2%, and AEs leading to ESK discontinuation in 14.6%. Conclusion. These real‐world effectiveness and safety data were consistent with findings from previous clinical trials, describing the real‐life clinical experience of patients receiving ESK and confirming that ESK has its place in therapy for the treatment of TRD.
Numerical and Experimental Analyses of Developed Friction Stir Spot Welding (DFSSW) Based on Systematic Design Process Approach
Authors: Abd Al-Sahb Wassan S. , Hussein Suhair G. , Mohammed M. N. , Abdullah Oday I.
Published: July 2024

This research paper presents a developed technique for Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) to join similar aluminum sheets (6061), and then this technique was analyzed critically based on numerical simulation and experimental work. The objective of this Developed Friction Stir Spot Welding (DFSSW) is to avoid or at least reduce the keyhole defects by optimizing the design parameters of the process. The coupling problem (thermomechanical) was solved numerically using the finite element method to find the variations of temperatures and stress distributions in addition to the applied forces by the tool. Different parameters were considered in the numerical analysis, such as rotational speed and plunge depth. The experimental results proved the success of the developed technique by comparing the available results of tensile shear force with the results of other researchers that applied the traditional FSSW. It was obtained the highest tensile shear force (2388 N) under the optimal working and design conditions, when the rotational speed, plunging depth, height, and diameter of the sliced disc were 2100 rpm, 0.3 mm, 3.5 mm, and 12 mm, respectively. It was found that both the diameter and height of the sliced disc are significant parameters that ensure the success of this new technique when selecting the suitable values for these parameters. Otherwise, selecting unsuitable values of these parameters leads to appearing defects (e.g., flash) or the sample will fail under a low level of tensile shear force. The other essential advantage outcome point of this new technique was reducing the defect of the keyhole significantly compared with the results of typical Friction Stir Spot Welding. According to the results of the promising developed welding procedure that can be automated, it can be used widely in the industrial sectors.
Table 1 from Noninvasive Lung Cancer Subtype Classification Using Tumor-Derived Signatures and cfDNA Methylome
Authors: Li Shuo , Li Wenyuan , Liu Bin , Krysan Kostyantyn , Dubinett Steven M.
Published: July 2024

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with lung cancer. We collected two plasma cfDNA cohorts and two tumor tissue cohorts from patients with lung cancer. One sample was collected per patient. The plasma cfDNA samples were profiled using cfMethyl-Seq; the solid tumor samples were profiled using RRBS. The donors in plasma cfDNA cohorts are independent of those in the tissue cohort for marker discovery
Lipoprotein(a) and Coronary Plaque in Asymptomatic Individuals: The Miami Heart Study at Baptist Health South Florida
Authors: Mszar Reed , Cainzos-Achirica Miguel , Valero-Elizondo Javier , Lahan Shubham , Al-Kindi Sadeer G. , Quispe Renato , Ali Shozab S. , Arias Lara , Saxena Anshul , Shah Svati H. , Cury Ricardo C. , Budoff Matthew J. , Blaha Michael J. , Shapiro Michael D. , Sharma Garima , Santos Raul D. , Blankstein Ron , Feldman Theodore , Fialkow Jonathan , Nasir Khurram
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are independently associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. However, the mechanisms driving this association are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the association between Lp(a) and coronary plaque characteristics in a contemporary US cohort without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography, the noninvasive gold standard for the assessment of coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

We used baseline data from the Miami Heart Study—a community-based, prospective cohort study—which included asymptomatic adults aged 40 to 65 years evaluated using coronary computed tomography angiography. Those taking any lipid-lowering therapies were excluded. Elevated Lp(a) was defined as ≥125 nmol/L. Outcomes included any plaque, coronary artery calcium score >0, maximal stenosis ≥50%, presence of any high-risk plaque feature (positive remodeling, spotty calcification, low-attenuation plaque, napkin ring), and the presence of ≥2 high-risk plaque features.

RESULTS:

Among 1795 participants (median age, 52 years; 54.3% women; 49.6% Hispanic), 291 (16.2%) had Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L. In unadjusted analyses, individuals with Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L had a higher prevalence of all outcomes compared with Lp(a) <125 nmol/L, although differences were only statistically significant for the presence of any coronary plaque and ≥2 high-risk features. In multivariable models, elevated Lp(a) was independently associated with the presence of any coronary plaque (odds ratio, 1.40, [95% CI, 1.05–1.86]) and with ≥2 high-risk features (odds ratio, 3.94, [95% CI, 1.82–8.52]), although only 35 participants had this finding. Among participants with a coronary artery calcium score of 0 (n=1200), those with Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L had a significantly higher percentage of any plaque compared with those with Lp(a) <125 nmol/L (24.2% versus 14.2%;
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this contemporary analysis, elevated Lp(a) was independently associated with the presence of coronary plaque. Larger studies are needed to confirm the strong association observed with the presence of multiple high-risk coronary plaque features.
Transforming Hypertension Diagnosis and Management in The Era of Artificial Intelligence: A 2023 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Workshop Report
Authors: Shimbo Daichi , Shah Rashmee U. , Abdalla Marwah , Agarwal Ritu , Ahmad Faraz S. , Anaya Gabriel , Attia Zachi I. , Bull Sheana , Chang Alexander R. , Commodore-Mensah Yvonne , Ferdinand Keith , Kawamoto Kensaku , Khera Rohan , Leopold Jane , Luo James , Makhni Sonya , Mortazavi Bobak J. , Oh Young S. , Savage Lucia C. , Spatz Erica S. , Stergiou George , Turakhia Mintu P. , Whelton Paul K. , Yancy Clyde W. , Iturriaga Erin
Published: July 2024

Hypertension is among the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and dementia. The artificial intelligence (AI) field is advancing quickly, and there has been little discussion on how AI could be leveraged for improving the diagnosis and management of hypertension. AI technologies, including machine learning tools, could alter the way we diagnose and manage hypertension, with potential impacts for improving individual and population health. The development of successful AI tools in public health and health care systems requires diverse types of expertise with collaborative relationships between clinicians, engineers, and data scientists. Unbiased data sources, management, and analyses remain a foundational challenge. From a diagnostic standpoint, machine learning tools may improve the measurement of blood pressure and be useful in the prediction of incident hypertension. To advance the management of hypertension, machine learning tools may be useful to find personalized treatments for patients using analytics to predict response to antihypertension medications and the risk for hypertension-related complications. However, there are real-world implementation challenges to using AI tools in hypertension. Herein, we summarize key findings from a diverse group of stakeholders who participated in a workshop held by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in March 2023. Workshop participants presented information on communication gaps between clinical medicine, data science, and engineering in health care; novel approaches to estimating BP, hypertension risk, and BP control; and real-world implementation challenges and issues.
Predictors of Shock‐Reduction Programming and Its Impact on Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Therapies and Mortality: The CERTITUDE Registry
Authors: Beyer Sebastian E. , Harrell Camden , Mullane Steven , Kutyifa Valentina , Madhavan Malini , Piccini Jonathan P. , Upadhyay Gaurav A. , Ip James E. , Thomas George , Liu Christopher F. , Markowitz Steven M. , Hayes David , Lerman Bruce B. , Cheung Jim W.
Published: July 2024

Background

Shock‐reduction implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator programming (SRP) was associated with fewer therapies and improved survival in randomized controlled trials, but real‐world studies investigating SRP and associated outcomes are limited.

Methods and Results

The BIOTRONIK CERTITUDE registry was linked with the Medicare database. We included all patients with an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implanted between August 22, 2012 and September 30, 2021 in the United States. SRP was defined as programming to either a therapy rate cutoff ≥188 beats per minute or number of intervals to detection ≥30/40 for treatment. Among 6781 patients (mean 74±9 years; 27% women), 3393 (50%) had SRP. Older age, secondary prevention indication, and device implantation in the southern or western United States were associated with lower use of SRP. The cumulative incidence rate of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator shocks was lower in the SRP group (5.1% shocks/patient year) compared with the non‐SRP group (7.2% shocks/patient year) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73–0.96];
P
=0.005). Over a median follow‐up of 2.9 years, 739 deaths occurred in the SRP group and 822 deaths occurred in the non‐SRP group (adjusted HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.88–1.07];
P
=0.569). SRP was associated with a lower all‐cause mortality among patients without ischemic heart disease compared with patients with ischemic heart disease (adjusted HR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.48–0.87] versus adjusted HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.92–1.14];
P
interaction
=0.004).

Conclusions

Adoption of SRP is low in real‐world clinical practice. Age, clinical variables, and geographic factors are associated with use of SRP. In this study, SRP‐associated decrease in mortality was limited to patients without ischemic heart disease.
Endovascular Thrombectomy With and Without Preceding Thrombolysis in Posterior Circulation Stroke—Insights From STAR
Authors: Heide Ev‐Christin , Kasab Sami Al , Alawieh Ali , Arthur Adam , Brinjikji Waleed , Chowdhry Shakeel , Crosa Roberto , Cuellar Hugo , Leacy Reade De , Dumont Travis , Ernst Marielle , Ezzeldin Mohamad , Fragata Isabel , Howard Brian , Jabbour Pascal , Kan Peter , Kim Joon‐Tae , Levitt Michael R. , Mascitelli Justin , Matouk Charles , Moss Mark , Navia Pedro , Osbun Joshua , Park Min S. , Polifka Adam , Psychogios Marios‐Nikos , Rai Ansaar , Romano Daniele G. , Shaban Amir , Starke Robert M. , Tanweer Omar , Williamson Richard , Wolfe Stacey Q. , Yoshimura Shinichi , Spiotta Alejandro M. , Maier Ilko L. ,   STAR Investigators
Published: July 2024

Background

Multiple randomized trials could not establish the noninferiority of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) alone without preceding intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or superiority of IVT followed by EVT in anterior circulation large‐vessel occlusion stroke. The role of prior IVT in posterior circulation large‐vessel occlusion remains controversial.

Methods

In this multicenter, retrospective study, patients with stroke with large‐vessel occlusion in the posterior circulation who received EVT alone or with IVT were selected from the stroke thrombectomy and aneurysm registry between 2013 and 2022. Effects of IVT followed by thrombectomy on favorable functional outcome (defined as modified Rankin scale≤3 at 90 days) and safety were investigated using multivariable logistic and linear regression models.

Results

Of the 588 included patients, 67% (n = 394) were treated with EVT alone and 29% (n = 170) with EVT after IVT, and 4% (n = 24) have missing values on this variable. Controlling for multiple confounding factors, IVT was not associated with a higher likelihood of favorable functional outcome at 90 days (odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.52–2.09;
P
= 0.901). Thrombectomy alone did not show any safety advantages compared with those receiving IVT.

Conclusion

Similar functional outcomes and complication rates were seen in patients with posterior circulation large‐vessel occlusion treated with EVT alone versus EVT after IVT. Further prospective studies are required to determine the utility of IVT in posterior circulation stroke, especially in patients being directly admitted to thrombectomy centers.
Can Authorship Attribution Models Distinguish Speakers in Speech Transcripts?
Authors: Aggazzotti Cristina , Andrews Nicholas , Smith Elizabeth Allyn
Published: July 2024

Authorship verification is the task of determining if two distinct writing samples share the same author and is typically concerned with the attribution of written text. In this paper, we explore the attribution of transcribed speech, which poses novel challenges. The main challenge is that many stylistic features, such as punctuation and capitalization, are not informative in this setting. On the other hand, transcribed speech exhibits other patterns, such as filler words and backchannels (e.g., um, uh-huh), which may be characteristic of different speakers. We propose a new benchmark for speaker attribution focused on human-transcribed conversational speech transcripts. To limit spurious associations of speakers with topic, we employ both conversation prompts and speakers participating in the same conversation to construct verification trials of varying difficulties. We establish the state of the art on this new benchmark by comparing a suite of neural and non-neural baselines, finding that although written text attribution models achieve surprisingly good performance in certain settings, they perform markedly worse as conversational topic is increasingly controlled. We present analyses of the impact of transcription style on performance as well as the ability of fine-tuning on speech transcripts to improve performance.1