bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas flow standards and their uncertainty
Authors: Wright John D , Nakao Shin-Ichi , Johnson Aaron N , Moldover Michael R
Published: August 2022

We review primary and working gas flow standards that are used to calibrate gas flow meters. For each type of primary standard, we describe the principles and practical considerations of its operation and describe one example implementation. We identify the practical limits of the example’s performance, and, in many instances, we provide an uncertainty budget for a typical flow. The reviewed standards span the flow range 2.2 × 10−7 g s−1 to 520 kg s−1. The references point to standards that operate at higher and at lower flows. The reviewed standards include volumetric flow standards (piston and bell provers, pressure–volume–temperature–time standards, rate of rise standards), static and dynamic gravimetric flow standards, and velocity × area standards such as critical flow venturis, laser doppler anemometer surveys, and multipath-ultrasonic meters. Finally, we describe working standard flow meters used in parallel to attain higher flows than economically practical via primary methods.
Calibration and test of CsI scintillator ion detection system for tokamak magnetic field diagnosis based on laser-driven ion-beam trace probe (LITP)
Authors: Wu M.J. , Yang X.Y. , Xu T.C. , Li D.Y. , Chen Y.H. , Zhu J.G. , Yang T. , Hu X.Y. , Ma W.J. , Zhao Y.Y. , Zhu K. , Xu M. , Xiao C.J. , Yan X.Q. , Lin C.
Published: August 2022

As a new diagnostic method of core electromagnetic field, the laser-driven ion-beam trace probe (LITP), is expected to realize the first application of the advanced laser accelerator in magnetic confinement fusion. The detector of the LITP directly measures the distribution of the dispersed pulsed ions after they have passed through the core plasma (Yang 2014 Rev. Sci. Instrum.
85 11E429). In such an environment of high temperature and radiation, the response and lifetime of the ion detector is very crucial. In this work, we have verified the feasibility of the LITP ion detection through systemic experiments. A CsI(Tl) scintillator coupled with an imaging system composed of optical lens and optical fiber array was calibrated on both the 4.5 MV Electrostatic Accelerator and the Compact LAser Plasma Accelerator (CLAPA) at Peking University. We found that the detectable proton density limit is achievable by using a tens of TW level laser system. The CsI(Tl) scintillator system was also tested on the HL-2A tokamak device to measure the real background noise caused by the hot plasma electrons and radiation. It was not damaged by the harsh environment after being placed in the tokamak for three days, and the background noise was completely suppressed when using an ultrafast camera and microsecond shutter. These calibrations and tests verified the feasibility of the LITP detector.
A Decoupling and Coupling Approach for the Bi-harmonic Equation
Authors: Hassan Kamal , Farid Mahmoud
Published: August 2022

This paper is devoted to the numerical solution of the bi-harmonic problem: Δ2
w = p
. The operator is split into two harmonic ones. The finite difference scheme of the harmonic operator is used to get discretized operators, coupling those leads to a global system

A

w

→

=

p

→

, this system is to be solved with any well-posed boundary conditions. In this way, boundary conditions need not be specified with the decoupled equations, but rather with the global system. Numerical test problems are provided. The extension of this technique to poly harmonic equations is straightforward.
The Effect of Hydro Cooling Time, Storage Temperature and Storage Duration on Saba Banana
Authors: Silip Jupikely James , Supramaniam Jagathiswarri , Mijan Salumiah , Gobilik Januarius , Elsabagh Ahmed Said
Published: August 2022

This study was conducted in Postharvest Lab of Faculty Sustainable Agriculture. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hydro cooling time, storage temperature and storage duration on Saba banana. The hypothesis that has been tested in this experiment was is there a significant difference in the effect of hydro cooling time (CT), storage temperature (ST) and storage duration (SD) on Saba banana. The treatments used in this experiment were different hydro cooling times (0, ½ and 7/8); then Saba banana was stored at cold temperature (13±2°C), room temperature (26±2°C) and outside temperature (30±2°C) after hydro cooling for 3 weeks duration. The parameters that have been recorded in this study were weight loss, pulp firmness, skin colour, visual appearance, pH value, total soluble solid and total titratable acidity. The experimental design thatused for this study was Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement of treatments (3CoolingTime x 3Storage Temperature x 4 Storage Duration), with three replications and two fruits per treatment per replication. The results were analysed using SAS Version 9.1. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to get the variance among the treatments, storage temperatures and storage duration. LSD was performed to determine difference on the mean values. The results indicate that the cooling time has significantly affected the weight loss, pulp firmness, skin colour L*, skin colour C*, pH, total soluble solid and titratable acidity but it did not affect significantly on skin colour h° and visual appearance. Meanwhile the storage temperature affects significantly all the parameter except skin colour h° and all the parameters have significantly affected at all storage durations. Treatment combinations of cooling time and storage temperature were found to have significant interaction effects on visual appearance and titratable acidity only. The treatment combinations between cooling time and storage duration were found to have significant effect on weight loss, total soluble solid and titratable acidity. The treatment combination between storage temperature and storage duration were found to have significant effects on all the postharvest qualities except for the pH. The treatment combinations between cooling time, storage temperature and storage duration were found to have significant effect on skin colour L*, skin colour C*, visual appearance and titratable acidity. In conclusion, there is no any precooling time that can be suggested for the farmers to be used in their farm because precooling increases the weight loss and reduces visual appearance.
Development of Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Rabies
Authors: Alwi Fazilah Muhamad , Khusaini Musherah , Abu Bakar Ag. Muhammad Sagaf , Mohd Faik Ainol Azifa
Published: August 2022

Rabies is an acute progressive and zoonotic disease which is caused by the rabies virus. Rabies virus is the prototype virus belonging to the genus lyssavirus in the family Rhabdoviridae of the order Mononegavirales. The aim of this study was to develop a nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (nRTPCR) for the detection of this virus along with a canine internal control to monitor the integrity of the extracted RNA. A pair of outer and inner primer targeting the N gene of the virus was evaluated along with β-actin gene as the internal control. This nRTPCR can detect up to 20 viral copy number.
Noise-to-signal ratio of single-trajectory spectral densities in centered Gaussian processes
Authors: Squarcini Alessio , Marinari Enzo , Oshanin Gleb , Peliti Luca , Rondoni Lamberto
Published: August 2022

We discuss the statistical properties of a single-trajectory power spectral density

S

(

ω
,
T

)

of an arbitrary one-dimensional real-valued centered Gaussian process X(t), where ω is the angular frequency and

T

the observation time. We derive a double-sided inequality for its noise-to-signal ratio and obtain the full probability density function of

S

(

ω
,
T

)

. Our findings imply that the fluctuations of

S

(

ω
,
T

)

exceed its average value

μ

(

ω
,
T

)

. This implies that using

μ

(

ω
,
T

)

to describe the behavior of these processes can be problematic. We finally evaluate the typical behavior of

S

(

ω
,
T

)

and find that it deviates markedly from the average

μ

(

ω
,
T

)

in most cases.
On question of tourist opportunities in agricultural areas of the North-Western Federal District of the Russian Federation
Authors: Karpova G A , Valeeva E O , Vorotynskaya A M , Pozdeeva E A
Published: August 2022

The situation in which the tourism industry currently finds itself is forcing increased monitoring of the available tourism opportunities in the various territories of the country. Comprehensive state support within the existing crisis, including the creation of a new National Project “Tourism and Hospitality”, offers additional opportunities for the development of domestic tourism. The North-West region (NWFD), with its impressive tourism potential, needs to increase the activity of all participants in the tourism market towards maximizing its opportunities to attract travelers. The article provides an overview of the main research results on the current state of tourism in the NWFD: the development level of transport and hotel infrastructure, the involvement of the territories in various promotion projects, the popularity level of the regions among tourists. Special emphasis was made on a number of promising regions of the district. The article also presents the conclusions of the authors’ SWOT analysis. Recommendations are made in the conclusion.
The water electric activation method with a part of energy concentrated in its flow
Authors: Iosifov V P , Melikov A V , Matveev A I , Shchukina V N
Published: August 2022

Of the widely used types of water purification its disinfection by the method of electric activation makes it possible to cleanse bacteria, spores, fungi of microorganisms due to the electrical effect of the directional deviation of the electrons activity in the aquatic environment from the equilibrium state and reduces toxicity due to highly active reducing agents. When using of the electrically activated water for irrigation, an increase in the energy of germination and plants germination ability is observed. Supply of electric activated water by droplet outlets is fraught with relaxation of the water mass state due to the long time it takes for the liquid to pass from the electric activation unit to the plant. To minimize this time, the authors propose to organize an autonomous supply of the water electrical activation process used for irrigation. The paper proposes a new water electric activation method, which differs from the existing ones in that the energy for the installation of electrochemical activation is generated due to the movement of water masses. It is expected that, in practice, the water electric activation by part of the kinetic energy concentrated in its flow will help to minimize losses in the supplying process to irrigated crops, which will significantly increase their yield.
Phytoremediation ability of perennial grasses to cleanse chernozem soils
Authors: Kirichkova I V , Vdovenko A V , Vorob’eva O M , Ivantsova E A , Kochkar M M
Published: August 2022

A necessary measure to reduce the accumulation of HMs in the soil, as shown by studies, is the introduction of perennial grasses into the field crop rotations, increasing the humus content, enriching the soil with phosphates. Heavy metals include more than 40 chemical elements with atomic weights in excess of 50 atomic units. The studied heavy metals are distributed fairly evenly under perennial grasses and their content in the arable soil layer (0-0.20 m) does not exceed the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) and has a steady tendency to decrease with the perennial grasses use duration increase.
Quality and yield of wheat bread when using different amounts of salt
Authors: Evsenina M V , Vinogradov D V , Lupova E I , Pityurina I S
Published: August 2022

The article provides research on the quality and yield of bakery products from wheat flour grown in the conditions of Ryazan region, with various doses of salt used in the recipe. Salt is not only a prescription component in the production of bakery products, but also a factor of active influence on structural and mechanical properties of the dough and indicators of the quality of finished products. According to the research results, salt, in the amount recommended in the recipe, had a positive effect on the gas-forming and gas-holding capacity of the dough. The optimal amount of salt for the first sample containing gluten of the 1st quality group was 1 % in relation to the flour mass, and it was 2 % for the second sample, characterized by gluten of the 2nd quality group. The most cost-effective option in the first sample containing gluten of the 1st quality group was with 1 % salt content (76.65 %), and for the second sample, characterized by the 2nd gluten quality group it was with 2 % salt content (69.42 %).
Machine-Tractor Unit with Pneumatic Hydraulic Elastic Element in Transmission Reciprocating Mass Theoretical Studies
Authors: Nekhoroshev D D , Nekhoroshev D A , Popov A Y , Konovalov P V , Nekhoroshev N D
Published: August 2022

Increasing the stable operation and productivity of the machine-tractor unit is to create conditions for a smooth change in forward speed and the formation of traction resistance created by agricultural machines, depending on the agrotechnical requirements and the background of the processed field surface. The efficiency of wheel propellers interaction with the rolling surface is mainly determined by the coefficient of adhesion, rolling resistance and skidding of the driving wheels. The study of these phenomena that appear with the increase in the operating speeds of wheeled machine-tractor units showed that the vibrations arising in this case appear from the interaction of the tractor running system with the surface of the field on which the tractor is operating. One of the ways to improve the tractor speed is the use of devices with elastic damping elements in the tractor transmission. The operation of machine-tractor unit with elastic constraints in the transmission under the condition of random loading, confirmed the possibility of reducing the dynamic components of the hook force and negative phenomena of the wheeled tractors running system interaction caused by the increase in operating speeds.
Dynamic and integrative capabilities for digital transformation of innovative and institutional potential
Authors: Gayer A V , Pronichkin S V , Tropin D V , Chernyshova Y S
Published: August 2022

Digitalization leads to a change in the quality of the organizational systems functions performance. An otological analysis of the restructuring of the organizational systems management architecture in the context of digitalization is carried out. The classification features formation principles have been developed, a transformation system has been built in accordance with the digitalization layers. The transformations typification is carried out and the transformations features with the use of several layers of digitalization are indicated. The main differences in the transformations implementation, depending on the level of digitalization, are highlighted.
Applying distributed ledger technologies in megacities to face anthropogenic burden challenges
Authors: Chernyshova Y S , Savelyev B I , Solodov S V , Pronichkin S V
Published: August 2022

Distributed ledger technologies can support a rapid transition to smart cities and provide a high level of urban quality. Despite the large number of approaches to the problem of synthesizing smart city management systems, there is still no universal solution. One of the most promising areas is the construction of neural network control systems. The optimization module for a neurosimulator is developed that can operate in real time. The study of the neurosimulator on various data of anthropogenic load showed the possibility of obtaining high control accuracy.
Digital twins as a tool for systemic integration of innovative digital technologies in agriculture
Authors: Rogachev A F , Skiter N N , Ketko N V , Simonov A B , Makarevich I V
Published: August 2022

Digital twins are one of the promising technologies that have emerged in the last decade. Their implementation in agriculture is one of the prospective opportunities to ensure the quantitative and qualitative growth of production in this area. The article considers various options for the introduction of digital twins in crop and livestock production, discusses the opportunities they form and the potential threats associated primarily with the complexity and complexity of this technology. Conclusions are made about the process of implementation of this technology and the requirements of systemic efforts to create an innovation sphere, including the legal and regulatory framework, investment and information services, conditions for the introduction of other technologies of Industry 4.0, which will create a synergistic effect that significantly increases the effectiveness of digital twins in agriculture.
Fabrication of human myocardium using multidimensional modelling of engineered tissues
Authors: Montero-Calle Pilar , Flandes-Iparraguirre María , Mountris Konstantinos , S de la Nava Ana , Laita Nicolás , Rosales Ricardo M , Iglesias-García Olalla , de-Juan-Pardo Elena M , Atienza Felipe , Fernández-Santos María Eugenia , Peña Estefanía , Doblaré Manuel , Gavira Juan J , Fernández-Avilés Francisco , Prósper Felipe , Pueyo Esther , Mazo Manuel M
Published: August 2022

Biofabrication of human tissues has seen a meteoric growth triggered by recent technical advancements such as human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and additive manufacturing. However, generation of cardiac tissue is still hampered by lack of adequate mechanical properties and crucially by the often unpredictable post-fabrication evolution of biological components. In this study we employ melt electrowriting (MEW) and hiPSC-derived cardiac cells to generate fibre-reinforced human cardiac minitissues. These are thoroughly characterized in order to build computational models and simulations able to predict their post-fabrication evolution. Our results show that MEW-based human minitissues display advanced maturation 28 post-generation, with a significant increase in the expression of cardiac genes such as MYL2, GJA5, SCN5A and the MYH7/MYH6 and MYL2/MYL7 ratios. Human iPSC-cardiomyocytes are significantly more aligned within the MEW-based 3D tissues, as compared to conventional 2D controls, and also display greater expression of C ×43. These are also correlated with a more mature functionality in the form of faster conduction velocity. We used these data to develop simulations capable of accurately reproducing the experimental performance. In-depth gauging of the structural disposition (cellular alignment) and intercellular connectivity (C ×43) allowed us to develop an improved computational model able to predict the relationship between cardiac cell alignment and functional performance. This study lays down the path for advancing in the development of in silico tools to predict cardiac biofabricated tissue evolution after generation, and maps the route towards more accurate and biomimetic tissue manufacture.
Presidential elections:
Authors: Maisel L. Sandy
Published: August 2022

“Presidential Elections: Nominating Campaigns and General Elections” explores the complexities of how candidates for president are chosen and how they are elected. The nominating campaign is to many Americans confusing and opaque. The lengthy timescale of primary and caucus elections means that some states have a disproportionate influence on the outcome. Two factors have even greater influence in the election process: the funding of campaigns, which can cost tens of millions of dollars, and the nature of the Electoral College system, which means that much of the debate will be conducted in a few battleground states where a few votes can make a difference to the Electoral College.
History and computing
Authors: Swade Doron
Published: August 2022

This chapter has a historiographical focus. It examines history of computing as a field of study from its emergence as a distinct subject in the 1970s: who writes histories, national and regional differences in focus and scope, professional and amateur authorship, the ‘two culture’ split between technical accounts and the difficulty of integrating these into broader accounts of the kind migrated from the humanities. It identifies three master narratives: a timeline of innovatory highlights, computer as scientific tool, and computer as information machine. It explores the linear innovation-driven model of change and how this encourages ideas about the predestiny of progress. It uses historical examples to illustrate the limitations of technocentric accounts, and how ‘need’ features in accounts of historical cause. It offers a user-based model that separates four distinct developmental threads: calculation, automatic computing, information management, and communications, and how these converge to create the ‘information age’. The four-thread model, shown in a diagram, is used to deconstruct the linear timeline account and show how it has been assembled into a serial narrative. The four threads provide interpretative tools for the rest of the book.
Electronic computing
Authors: Swade Doron
Published: August 2022

This chapter traces the history of the first generation of electronic computers defined as those that used thermionic valves (vacuum tubes in the US) as logic elements. It describes the development of experimental one-of-a-kind machines at universities and by governments that led to computers as commercial products in the early 1950s. It describes seminal machines including the ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer), Colossus, ENIAC, EDSAC, the ‘Baby’, EDVAC, UNIVAC, and LEO. It traces the emergence of commercial computers for both business and scientific and engineering calculation. It discusses vacuum-tube reliability, computer architecture, memory technologies, and how these were variously realized. It identifies the internal stored program as the defining feature of the new paradigm of computer design, why historicizing this feature was delayed, and describes the contested contributions of Atanasoff, von Neumann, Eckert, and Mauchly. It traces the spread of the new paradigm from the US. It briefly relates the systematization of programming practices and principles by the EDSAC team led by Wilkes, and the beginnings of programming as a profession. It re-evaluates, in the light of recent studies, the claims that ENIAC and Colossus were programmable general-purpose computers.
Revolution
Authors: Swade Doron
Published: August 2022

This chapter describes the microelectronics revolution. It examines whether ‘revolution’ when applied to electronics is historically responsible. It describes the principles of semiconductors, the invention of the transistor, integrated circuits (ICs) and the microprocessor, and how history acknowledges its inventors. Moore’s Law is defined and discussed. Minicomputers, DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation), and the dominance of the PDP series of minicomputers from the mid-1960s are described, up to the death of minicomputers as a class in the mid-1990s. The history of the microprocessor, its role in the personal computer movement, the Altair kit computer, the Californian Homebrew Computer Club, and the birth of Apple are described. It concludes with the entrance of the IBM PC into the business and home computer markets, and the founding of Microsoft.
Dissent
Authors: Belsey Catherine
Published: August 2022

The ethical and political implications of poststructuralism are the theme of this final chapter. A common misreading of poststructuralist theory—that it deprives us of the power to choose—is another instance of binary thinking. If the subject is an effect of meaning, if we are not the free, unconstrained origin of our own beliefs and values, if knowledge can’t be relied on, if mastery is an illusion, so the story goes, we cannot regard ourselves as agents in our own lives. This is not how most poststructuralist thinkers have argued, however. As this chapter explains by engaging with the work of Foucault, Deleuze, Badiou, Lyotard, and Lacan, poststructuralism offers an opportunity and a cause for reflection. It proposes a lexicon and a syntax, which is to say a vocabulary and an indication of the ways words legitimately relate to each other. But the language poststructuralism puts forward is more useful in promoting the uncertainty of questions than in delivering the finality of answers. The project is that the questions might replace the bewildering alternatives of the intellectual market-place with a more sharply focused undecidability that specifies the options, while leaving them open to debate. In that respect, in its emphasis on the degree to which we make our own story, subject to certain specifiable constraints, poststructuralism is at once sceptical towards inherited authority and affirmative about future possibilities. The chapter includes discussions of postmodernity, realism, the art of M. C. Escher, language games, fables, and Antigone.
Racial/Ethnic and Sex/Gender Differences in Sleep Duration Trajectories From Adolescence to Adulthood in a US National Sample
Authors: Saelee Ryan , Haardörfer Regine , Johnson Dayna A , Gazmararian Julie A , Suglia Shakira F
Published: August 2022

Racial/ethnic and sex/gender disparities in sleep duration have been documented in adolescence and adulthood. Identifying racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood can inform interventions on the developmental periods individuals are most at risk for short sleep duration. We examined racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in self-reported sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood using data from waves I, III, IV, and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994–2018; n = 12,593). Multigroup growth mixture modeling was used to enumerate sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood. There were 3 common trajectory types across race/ethnicity and sex/gender groups: 1) consistent increasing short sleepers (i.e., increasing probability of short sleep into adulthood) (67.3%); 2) late-onset short sleepers (i.e., no probability of short sleep duration in adolescence until adulthood) (20.2%); and 3) early-onset short sleepers (i.e., declining probability of short sleep duration from adolescence into adulthood) (12.5%). The prevalence of the consistent-increasing trajectory was highest among Black male respondents, while late onset was highest among White female respondents and early onset greatest among Latinx male respondents. Findings underscore the need to intervene in early adolescence to prevent short sleep duration in adulthood.
Proteomic Analysis Identifies Three Reliable Biomarkers of Intestinal Inflammation in the Stools of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Vitali Roberta , Palone Francesca , Armuzzi Alessandro , Fulci Valerio , Negroni Anna , Carissimi Claudia , Cucchiara Salvatore , Stronati Laura
Published: August 2022

Background

Faecal biomarkers have emerged as important tools in managing of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], which includes Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC].

Aim

To identify new biomarkers of gut inflammation in the stools of IBD patients using a proteomic approach.

Methods

Proteomic analysis of stools was performed in patients with both active CD and CD in remission and in controls by 2-DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. An ELISA was used to confirm results in a second cohort of IBD patients and controls.

Results

2-DIGE analysis detected 70 spots in the stools of patients with active CD or patients in remission CD and in controls. MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analysis identified 21 proteins with Chymotrypsin C, Gelsolin and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 2 [RhoGDI2] best correlating with the levels of intestinal inflammation. Results were confirmed in a second cohort of IBD patients and controls [57 CD, 60 UC, 31 controls]. The identified faecal markers significantly correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation in IBD patients [SES-CD in CD, Mayo endoscopic subscore in UC] [CD; Chymotrypsin-C: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; Gelsolin: r = 0.82, p < 0.001; RhoGDI2: r = 0.64, p < 0.001; UC; Chymotrypsin-C: r = 0.76, p < 0.001; Gelsolin: r = 0.75, p < 0.001; RhoGDI2: r = 0.63, p < 0.001]. Moreover, ROC analysis showed that Gelsolin [p < 0.0002] and RhoGDI2 [p < 0.0001] in CD, and RhoGDI2 [p = 0.0004] in UC, have higher sensitivity and specificity than faecal calprotectin in discriminating between patients and controls.

Conclusions

We show for the first time that 2-DIGE is a reliable method to detect proteins in human stools. Three novel faecal biomarkers of gut inflammation have been identified that display good specificity and sensitivity for identifying IBD and significantly correlate with IBD severity.
Case report of elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in the absence of cardiac involvement in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myositis
Authors: Ruperti-Repilado Francisco Javier , van der Stouwe Jan Gerrit , Haaf Philip , Mueller Christian , Läubli Heinz , Pfister Otmar , Rothschild Sacha I , Kuster Gabriela M
Published: August 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have markedly improved outcome in various types of cancer. ICI-associated myocarditis is one of the most severe immune-related adverse events. In particular, high concentrations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) are associated with a high risk of death and early detection and vigorous therapy with high-dose steroids may improve survival. However, chronic skeletal muscle disorders have been suggested as a non-cardiac source of elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) concentrations.

Case summary

Here, we present the case of a 72-year-old patient with metastatic melanoma treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab, who developed symptomatic myositis [creatine kinase (CK) max. 3113 U/L]. Due to substantially elevated concentrations of hs-cTnT (max. 1128 ng/L, normal <14 ng/L, Elecsys), the patient was referred to the cardio-oncology unit for evaluation of concomitant myocarditis. The patient did not report any cardiac symptoms and there were no clinical signs of congestion or rhythm abnormalities. Concentrations of NT-proBNP were within the normal range. Echocardiography showed normal cardiac dimensions and normal systolic and diastolic function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed these findings and also showed no evidence of acute or post-inflammatory myocardial tissue changes. Absence of relevant cardiomyocyte injury was supported by determination of normal levels of cardiac troponin I concentrations and made endomyocardial biopsy in this severely ill patient unnecessary.

Discussion

Our observation documents ICI-induced myositis as an alternative non-cardiac cause of hs-cTnT elevation. A global cardiologic approach employing clinical and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data as well as NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I helps to identify false positive hs-TnT elevation under ICI therapy.
Smartphone as an electronic stethoscope: factors influencing heart sound quality
Authors: Luo Hongxing , Lamata Pablo , Bazin Salomé , Bautista Thea , Barclay Natsuki , Shahmohammadi Mehrdad , Lubrecht Jolijn M , Delhaas Tammo , Prinzen Frits W
Published: August 2022

Aims

Smartphones are equipped with a high-quality microphone which may be used as an electronic stethoscope. We aim to investigate the factors influencing quality of heart sound recorded using a smartphone by non-medical users.

Methods and results

An app named Echoes was developed for recording heart sounds using iPhone. Information on phone version and users’ characteristics including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) was collected. Heart sound quality was visually assessed and its relation to phone version and users’ characteristics was analysed. A total of 1148 users contributed to 7597 heart sound recordings. Over 80% of users were able to make at least one good-quality recording. Good-, unsure- and bad-quality recordings amounted to 5647 (74.6%), 466 (6.2%) and 1457 (19.2%), respectively. Most good recordings were collected in the first three attempts of the users. Phone version did not significantly change the users’ success rate of making a good recording, neither was sex in the first attempt (P = 0.41) or the first three attempts (P = 0.21). Success rate tended to decrease with age in the first attempt (P = 0.06) but not the first three attempts (P = 0.70). BMI did not significantly affect the heart sound quality in a single attempt (P = 0.73) or in three attempts (P = 0.14).

Conclusion

Smartphone can be used by non-medical users to record heart sounds in good quality. Age may affect heart sound recording, but hardware, sex, and BMI do not alter the recording.
Neointimal hyperplasia in systemic-to-pulmonary shunts of children with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease
Authors: Kottmann Philip , Cleuziou Julie , Lemmer Julia , Eildermann Katja , Vitanova Keti , von-Stumm Maria , Lehmann Luisa , Horer Jurgen , Ewert Peter , Sigler Matthias , Wolf Cordula M
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES

Neointimal hyperplasia might affect systemic-to-pulmonary shunt failure in infants with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease. The aim of this study was to elucidate histopathologic changes in polytetrafluoroethylene shunts and to determine whether increased neointimal formation is associated with early interventions comprising balloon dilatation, stent implantation and shunt revision. Furthermore, we intended to identify clinical factors associated with increased neointimal proliferation.

METHODS

Removed shunts were processed for histopathological analysis. Slides were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Richardson. Immunohistochemistry was performed with anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin and anti-CD68. Non-parametric analysis and univariable regressions were performed to identify clinical factors associated with neointimal hyperplasia and shunt stenosis.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven shunts (39 modified Blalock–Taussig anastomosis, 8 right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery anastomosis, 10 central shunts) were analysed. Area of neointimal proliferation within the shunt was in median 0.75 mm2 (interquartile range, 0.3–1.57 mm2) and relative shunt stenosis in median 16.7% (interquartile range, 6.7–30.8%). Neointimal hyperplasia and shunt stenosis correlated with each other and were significantly greater in the group that required early interventions and shunt revision. Univariable linear regression identified smaller shunt size and lower acetylsalicylic acid dosage as factors to be associated with greater neointimal proliferation and shunt stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In infants with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease, neointimal hyperplasia in systemic-to-pulmonary shunts is associated with early interventions comprising balloon dilatation, stent implantation and shunt revision. Smaller shunt size and lower aspirin dosage are associated with increased neointimal proliferation.
Pre-implant predictors of inappropriate shocks with the third-generation subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Ben Kilani Mouna , Jacon Peggy , Badenco Nicolas , Marquie Christelle , Ollitrault Pierre , Behar Nathalie , Khattar Pierre , Carabelli Adrien , Venier Sandrine , Defaye Pascal
Published: August 2022

Aims

Despite recent improvements, inappropriate shocks emitted by implanted subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) remain a challenge in ‘real-life’ practice. We aimed to study the pre-implant factors associated with inappropriate shocks for the latest generation of S-ICDs.

Methods and results

Three-hundred patients implanted with the third-generation S-ICD system for primary or secondary prevention between January 2017 and March 2020 were included in this multicentre retrospective observational study. A follow-up of at least 6 months and pre-implant screening procedure data were mandatory for inclusion. During a mean follow-up of 22.8 (±11.4) months, 37 patients (12.3%) received appropriate S-ICD shock therapy, whereas 26 patients (8.7%) experienced inappropriate shocks (incidence 4.9 per 100 patient years). The total number of inappropriate shock episodes was 48, with nine patients experiencing multiple episodes. The causes of inappropriate shocks included supraventricular arrhythmias (34.6%) and cardiac (30.7%) or extra-cardiac noise (38.4%) oversensing. Using multivariate analysis, we explored the independent factors associated with inappropriate shocks. These were the availability of less than three sensing vectors during pre-implant screening [hazard ratio (HR), 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11–0.93; P = 0.035], low QRS/T wave ratio in Lead I (for a threshold <3; HR, 4.79; 95% CI, 2.00–11.49; P < 0.001), history of supraventricular tachycardia (HR, 8.67; 95% CI, 2.80–26.7; P < 0.001), and being overweight (body mass index > 25; HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.10–6.45; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Automatic pre-implant screening data are a useful quantitative predictor of inappropriate shocks. Electrocardiogram features should be taken into consideration along with other clinical factors to identify patients at high risk of inappropriate shocks.
Leadership behaviours and health-related early exit from employment: a prospective cohort study of 55 364 employees
Authors: Sørensen Kathrine , Sørensen Jeppe Karl , Andersen Lars L , Eskildsen Bruun Julie , Conway Paul Maurice , Framke Elisabeth , Madsen Ida E H , Nielsen Helena Breth , Nordentoft Mads , Seeberg Karina G V , Rugulies Reiner
Published: August 2022

Background

Absence of certain leadership behaviours, such as lack of feedback, recognition and involvement in employee development, has been associated with long-term sickness absence. We tested the hypothesis that absence of eight specific behaviours predicts health-related early exit from employment, and investigated differential effects in subgroups to guide future preventive initiatives.

Methods

Using Cox-proportional hazard modelling, we examined the prospective association between absence of leadership behaviours and health-related early exit from employment in a sample of 55 364 employees during 4.3 years follow-up. Leadership behaviours were measured by employee ratings in national surveys from 2012 to 2016. Exit from employment included disability pension and related measures of health-related early exit, retrieved from a national registry.

Results

We identified 510 cases of health-related early exit from employment during follow-up. A high level of absence of leadership behaviours, was associated with an increased risk of exit from employment (hazard ratio: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.31; 1.89). Subgroup analyses showed that the association between absence of leadership behaviours and exit from employment was similar for women and men and across age groups. The association was stronger for employees with high level of education than for employees with medium/low education, and the association was not observed among employees with a prevalent depressive disorder.

Conclusions

Absence of the eight leadership behaviours is a risk factor for health-related early exit from employment in the Danish workforce. More studies are needed to confirm the results.
Economic evaluation of psychological treatments for common mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Mutyambizi-Mafunda Vimbayi , Myers Bronwyn , Sorsdahl Katherine , Chanakira Esther , Lund Crick , Cleary Susan
Published: August 2022

Common mental disorders (CMDs) constitute a major public health and economic burden on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Systematic reviews of economic evaluations of psychological treatments for CMDs are limited. This systematic review examines methods, reports findings and appraises the quality of economic evaluations of psychological treatments for CMDs in LMICs. We searched a range of bibliographic databases (including PubMed, EconLit, APA-PsycINFO and Cochrane library) and the African Journals Online (AJoL) and Google Scholar platforms. We used a pre-populated template to extract data and the Drummond & Jefferson checklist for quality appraisal. We present results as a narrative synthesis. The review included 26 studies, mostly from Asia (12) and Africa (9). The majority were cost-effectiveness analyses (12), some were cost-utility analyses (5), with one cost–benefit analysis or combinations of economic evaluations (8). Most interventions were considered either cost-effective or potentially cost-effective (22), with 3 interventions being not cost-effective. Limitations were noted regarding appropriateness of conclusions drawn on cost-effectiveness, the use of cost-effectiveness thresholds and application of ‘societal’ incremental cost-effectiveness ratios to reflect value for money (VfM) of treatments. Non-specialist health workers (NSHWs) delivered most of the treatments (16) for low-cost delivery at scale, and costs should reflect the true opportunity cost of NSHWs’ time to support the development of a sustainable cadre of health care providers. There is a 4-fold increase in economic evaluations of CMD psychological treatments in the last decade over the previous one. Yet, findings from this review highlight the need for better application of economic evaluation methodology to support resource allocation towards the World Health Organization recommended first-line treatments of CMDs. We suggest impact inventories to capture societal economic gains and propose a VfM assessment framework to guide researchers in evaluating cost-effectiveness.
StMPK7 phosphorylates and stabilizes a potato RNA-binding protein StUBA2a/b to enhance plant defence responses
Authors: Li Tingting , Zhang Haizhu , Xu Liwen , Chen Xiaokang , Feng Jiashu , Wu Weijun , Du Yu
Published: August 2022

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play pivotal roles in regulating plant immunity. MAPKs usually transduce signals and regulate plant immunity by phosphorylating the downstream defence-related components. Our previous study indicates that StMPK7 positively regulates plant defence to Phytophthora pathogens via SA signalling pathway. However, the downstream component of StMPK7 remains unknown. In this study, we employed GFP-StMPK7 transgenic potato and performed immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) to identify the downstream component of StMPK7. We found that an RNA binding protein StUBA2a/b interacted with StMPK7, as revealed by luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays. Transient expression of StUBA2a/b in Nicociana benthamiana enhanced plant resistance to Phytophthora pathogens, while silencing of UBA2a/b decreased the resistance, suggesting a positive regulator role of UBA2a/b in plant immunity. Similar to StMPK7, StUBA2a/b was also involved in SA signalling pathway and induced SGT1-dependent cell death as constitutively activated (CA)-StMPK7 did. Immune blotting indicated that StMPK7 phosphorylates StUBA2a/b at thr248 and thr408 (T248/408) sites and stabilizes StUBA2a/b. Silencing of MPK7 in N. benthamiana suppressed StUBA2a/b-induced cell death, while co-expression with StMPK7 enhanced the cell death. Besides, StUBA2a/bT248/408A mutant showed decreased ability to trigger cell death and elevate the expression of PR genes, indicating the phosphorylation by StMPK7 enhances the functions of StUBA2a/b. Moreover, CA-StMPK7-induced cell death was largely suppressed by silencing of NbUBA2a/b, genetically implying UBA2a/b acts as the downstream component of StMPK7. Collectively, our results reveal that StMPK7 phosphorylates and stabilizes its downstream substrate StUBA2a/b to enhance plant immunity via the SA signalling pathway.
Unravelling cucumber resistance to several viruses via genome-wide association studies highlighted resistance hotspots and new QTLs
Authors: Monnot Severine , Cantet Melissa , Mary-Huard Tristan , Moreau Laurence , Lowdon Rebecca , Van Haesendonck Maurine , Ricard Agnès , Boissot Nathalie
Published: August 2022

The mapping and introduction of sustainable resistance to viruses in crops is a major challenge in modern breeding, especially regarding vegetables. We hence assembled a panel of cucumber elite lines and landraces from different horticultural groups for testing with six virus species. We mapped 18 quantitative trait loci (QTL) with a multiloci genome wide association studies (GWAS), some of which have already been described in the literature. We detected two resistance hotspots, one on chromosome 5 for resistance to the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV), cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), colocalizing with the RDR1 gene, and another on chromosome 6 for resistance to the zucchini yellowing mosaic virus (ZYMV) and papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) close to the putative VPS4 gene location. We observed clear structuring of resistance among horticultural groups due to plant virus coevolution and modern breeding which have impacted linkage disequilibrium (LD) in resistance QTLs. The inclusion of genetic structure in GWAS models enhanced the GWAS accuracy in this study. The dissection of resistance hotspots by local LD and haplotype construction helped gain insight into the panel’s resistance introduction history. ZYMV and CMV resistance were both introduced from different donors in the panel, resulting in multiple resistant haplotypes at same locus for ZYMV, and in multiple resistant QTLs for CMV.
Lily WRKY factor LlWRKY22 promotes thermotolerance through autoactivation and activation of LlDREB2B
Authors: Wu Ze , Li Ting , Cao Xing , Zhang Dehua , Teng Nianjun
Published: August 2022

Most of WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant development, protection against disease, and response to abiotic stress; however, their roles in lily are largely unknown. Transcriptome analysis in lily (Lilium longiflorum) led to the identification and isolation of a WRKY-IIe gene, LlWRKY22, which was found to be activated at high temperature and play a positive role in thermotolerance regulation. LlWRKY22 expression was continuously activated by heat stress. We further found that LlWRKY22 protein localized to the nucleus and exhibited transactivation activity in both yeast and plant cells, and that its C terminus contributed to its transactivation activity. Meanwhile, overexpression of LlWRKY22 in lily improved thermotolerance and activated the expression of heat-related LlDREB2B gene; however, silencing of LlWRKY22 exerted the opposite effects. Further analysis revealed that LlWRKY22 directly activated the expression of LlDREB2B by binding to two tandem W-box elements on its promoter. Simultaneously, we also found that LlWRKY22 can directly bind its own promoter, thereby activating its own expression and forming a positive regulatory loop. Combined, our findings demonstrated that LlWRKY22 may be a new regulator of heat stress response and positively participates in the establishment of thermotolerance by activating itself and LlDREB2B.