bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation of Chitosan-Saponin Microbeads using Microfluidic Technology
Authors: Yong J , Koh K S , Wong V L , Lim S S
Published: October 2022

Type II diabetes mellitus caused adverse impact on almost 3.5 million patients locally. Conventional treatment for such disorder includes oral administration of anti-diabetic drugs or herbs supplement. However, the performance of this drugs in regulating blood glucose level is not too reliable due to the occurrence of weight gain, hypoglycaemia and low tolerability as well as structural breakdown of herbal supplements during consumption. In this project, an alternative approach was attempted by immobilising saponin, a known insulin stimulant extracted from plants (e.g. bitter gourd, eggplant or soapbark) onto chitosan beads via microfluidic technology. This technology offers advantages of producing micro-sized droplet with high surface area to volume ratio and minimal coefficient of variation for more accurate dosage. The droplets undergo solidification via cross-linking with NaOH as solvent. These beads are approximately 550 microns with 5.12 % polydispersity in size. The solidified beads were used as carrier for the immobilisation of saponin. This was achieved through altering the surface charge of the microbeads with Phosphate Buffer Solution (PBS), a commonly used electrolyte for the surface modification of chitosan before coating saponin onto its surface. Successful adsorption is rectified through FTIR, FESEM and EDX analysis.
The Effect of Printing Temperature on Bonding Quality and Tensile Properties of Fused Deposition Modelling 3d-Printed Parts
Authors: Pang R , Lai M K , Ismail K I , Yap T C
Published: October 2022

FDM 3D-printing, is an additive manufacturing technology that is being increasingly adapted in the engineering industry due to its ability to produce complex design at lower costs as the materials are thermoplastic based. Due to the nature of its sequential layer deposition, the bonding quality is highly dependent on the temperature development during printing. In this paper, an experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of printing temperature on bonding quality with regards to dimensional accuracy and tensile behaviour of the fabricated parts. The test specimens were fabricated using PLA material at different printing temperature ranging from 180°C-240°C at intervals of 10°C. Uniaxial tensile test according to ASTM D638-14 standard was conducted at a strain rate of 1 mm/min and was repeated five times for each variable. Results show that specimens fabricated at higher printing temperature have better tensile properties. The ultimate tensile strength recorded for specimens fabricated at T=240°C and T=180°C were 36.97 MPa and 17.47 MPa respectively. Fracture surfaces were analysed and related with the tensile results to deduce the failure mechanism. The dimensions of the sample at printed different printing temperatures were measured using digital callipers and compared with the designed specification. Specimens printed at T=240°C had the worst dimensional accuracy, with a percentage difference of 10% although it yielded the highest tensile strength. The optimum printing temperature that yielded the best tensile behaviour while maintaining its dimensional accuracy was when T=220°C.
ANN based Multi Model Predictive Control for pH-Control
Authors: Pua ZY , Hermansson AW , Lim CH
Published: October 2022

Artificial neural network (ANN) has many uses when non-linear behaviour is modelled. Here we are training a feedforward ANN that will mimic the behaviour of a Robust Model Predictive Controller (RMPC) for use in pH control. The training dataset were generated from running multiple tests on RMPC for different requirements and cases of pH-control. The training data focused on the control-inputs relating to the other process inputs. The training algorithm used in this neural network is Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm which is the most widely use algorithm in current machine learning industry. This neural network was trained by using the deep learning toolbox in Matlab®. Eight different cases is presented: four is for deploying neural network purpose, while the other four is for verification purpose. The result shows good control as long as the ANN-controller has been given a similar input and there are no multiplicity in the process input data.
Integration of neural network-based prediction for enhanced process controllability: application in hydrogen iodide decomposer for hydrogen production via water splitting process
Authors: Sirajul Adly SA , Mohd N
Published: October 2022

Sulfur-Iodine Thermochemical cycle (SITC) process can be broken down into 3 sections. Based on the literature, there is limited study on the third section which is hydrogen iodide (HI) decomposition. In this work, a study to develop a model and controller of the HI decomposition is carried out. The goal of this work is to address this important gap, and more specifically to focus on the controllability of the HI decomposition section. Before the control and simulation study can be performed, a dynamic model of a HI decomposer is first established to obtain the baseline for the necessary data to be fed into the Artificial Neural Network for training to predict the correct outcome accordingly. The proposed controller is a Multi-Scale Control (MSC) integrated into an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model (ANN-MSC-based-PID). It is worth highlighting that; the proposed model-based control strategy has proven to effectively control the HI decomposition reactor.
Optimization of aniline removal using graphite assisted by response surface methodology and box-behnken design
Authors: Tan C X , Wong V-L , Yeap S P
Published: October 2022

The effectiveness of graphite as adsorbent in the removal of aniline by adsorption was investigated in batch mode based on four manipulated variables: pH of aniline solution (3, 7, 11), temperature of the incubator shaker (30°C, 40°C, 50°C), initial aniline concentration (5 ppm, 15 ppm, 25 ppm) and graphite dosage (0.5 g, 1.5 g, 2.5 g). The four manipulated variables were studied systematically through responses surface methodology (RSM) with 4-level of Box-Behnken design. A total number of 27 sets of designs with 3 centre points were created. The peak wavelengths of aniline working samples were measured at 230 nm and 280 nm using spectrophotometric method. Optimal condition of aniline adsorption revealed 15 ppm of aniline concentration with pH 3 at temperature 40°C using 1.5 g of graphite. The surface morphologies and atomic percentage of fresh and used graphite were examined by FESEM-EDX. Ultimately, graphite is proven to be an alternative in aniline removal, and more importantly, it is accessible easily as they require less processing and are abundant in nature.
Characteristics of alginate and soy protein isolates composite aerogels as oil absorbent
Authors: Roslan H S , Mustapa A N , Hanipah S H , Alias A B , Fuad F M , Martín Á , Cocero M J
Published: October 2022

Treating oil spill occurrence is crucial because of the toxic effects on marine life and the environment. Hence, absorption is used for a low-cost oil recovery process, simple mechanism, and sustainability to mitigate such occurrence. Synthetic absorbent is always associated with its poor degradability, which may cause water to turn toxic. Natural materials have been foreseen as excellent absorbent due to their cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and less environmental harm. In this work, alginate/soy protein isolates (SPI) aerogels are synthesized, undergo surface modification with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and tetraethyl orthosilane (TEOS) solution, and then dried by supercritical CO2 at 110 ± 5 bar and 40 °C in 4h to produce aerogels absorbent. The synthesized absorbents were analyzed via FTIR, TGA, DSC, FESEM, contact angle and oil absorption analysis to determine their physical and chemical properties. Results demonstrated that the hydrophilic surface of the alginate/soy protein isolate could be tailored in a simple surface modification process. Its oil absorption capacity towards the engine oil can reach a range of 9.1-12.1 g/g, comparable to most reported natural absorbents. Thus, the findings in this study show that alginate/ SPI aerogels may have potential as an industry oil absorbent.
A Sensitivity Study of Salt Concentration in Brine to The Solubility of CO2 in Saline Aquifers
Authors: Setiawan A S , Hamid M A , Mackay E J
Published: October 2022

In CO2 sequestration, four main trapping mechanisms are expected such as structural, residual, solubility, and mineral trapping. This paper aims to analyse the impact of salt concentration in brine on the CO2 solubility trapping mechanism in the saline aquifer. The CO2 solubility decreases with salinity. In this study, a sensitivity run will be done on an existing saline aquifer dataset to investigate the impact of salt concentration using the compositional mode simulation approach. Different types of salt will give different levels of CO2 solubility in an Aqueous solution, for example, at isotherm conditions and at increasing pressure, the same amount of NaCl will be more soluble. At the same temperature condition, higher salinity will decrease CO2 solubility with pressure increases and produce a salting-out phenomenon at the near injector area. The reference dataset was completed using the black-oil simulation with the gas-water system, where the CO2 act as the gas phase and brine as the water phase. The black-oil simulator can only handle isotherm and a single salinity value, which is 200,000 ppm in this case. Thus, this study is expected to give more information and improve the solubility trapping mechanism in a saline aquifer.
Baking Kinetics and Characteristics of Cake Mixture Formulated with Mealworm Powder
Authors: Hii C L , Kumaran N A R S , Cheah C H , Tan K L , Mistry B , Chiang C L
Published: October 2022

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) was reported containing 24.3 to 27.6% protein content. However, public acceptance is still relatively low as many tend to reject it as a source of food. Hence, studies were carried out to incorporate dried mealworm powder into a standard butter cake mixture formulation. Yellow mealworms were dried using an air ventilated oven at 80°C. The dried mealworms were then ground into powder and added in a standard butter cake formulation (0%, 5% and 10%). Baking was carried out in a convective oven at 140°C for 30 minutes. Moisture content, colour, texture and protein content were analysed. The effective diffusivity values of the cake samples varied from 4.46 × 10-11 m2/s to 4.72 × 10-11 m2/s. Significant observations were recorded for the L

*
and b

*
values obtained among the cake samples. The firmness of the cake increased while the springiness decreased as addition of the mealworm powder was increased. An increase in protein content was observed from 5.99% to 11.12% with the addition of mealworm powder in the cake formulation.
Vectorial feature and evolution of run-in attractors for the AgCu-MoS2/AgCu10 tribo-pair
Authors: Yang Zhi , Zhang Xin , Zhang Lei , Zhu Xiuchong , Kang Xiao
Published: October 2022

Run-in process is a very critical stage before the solid self-lubricating friction pair reaches a steady state. For the identification and prediction of run-in states for AgCu-MoS2/AgCu10 tribo-pair, it is important to understand its evolution law. The run-in tests were carried out under different conditions with a pin-on-disc tribometer, and its friction coefficient signal was collected. Reconstructing phase trajectories using phase space reconstruction and principal component analysis is presented. As an alternative to traditional parameters, we propose vectorial feature parameters with minimum cosine similarity (S_cos_min) and maximum distance between adjacent phase points (Dist_max). S_cos_min and Dist_max identify changes in state and characteristics of the run-in attractor, as well as describe its evolution. The evolution of transfer film morphology on the counter surface demonstrated that the vectorial feature parameters could be used as run-in criteria.
Comparative study of fabricated superhydrophobic surfaces via LST with carbon soot, chemical etching and auto-oxidation
Authors: Satyarathi Jitendra , Kumar Vijay , Kango Saurabh , Verma Rajeev , Sharma Nitin , Gupta Rajeev
Published: October 2022

The present work aims to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) on commonly used low carbon steel (AISI 1018). Laser surface texturing (LST) was used for creating circular textures on substrate while varying the diameter and pitch of the texture geometry with the help of fiber laser machine. Three different methods, (a) LST followed by waxing and candle sooting, (b) LST followed by chemical etching, and (c) LST followed by auto-oxidation were introduced to fabricate SHS and to make a comparison among them. Also, the mechanical stability and durability of the modified surface via these methods were evaluated by the mean of small-scale laboratory wear tests like tape peeling, sand abrasion, and water impact test. The developed surfaces were characterized for surface roughness, FESEM analysis, EDS analysis, besides water contact angle (WCA) and sliding angle (SA) have been evaluated. The highest WCA and lowest SA were discovered on textured and chemical etched followed by dip coated specimens and was found to be ∼159° and ∼5° respectively. However, the auto-oxidized laser textured samples showed best results among other methods in terms of mechanical stability. These processes are simple, effective and can be of great interest for producing SHS for various industrial applications.
Effect of fuel contamination on tribological properties of flex-fuel engines lubricating oils
Authors: dos Santos Rayzza Marinho , Alves Salete Martins
Published: October 2022

Engines that allow the use of any percentage of alcohol and gasoline are flex-fuel engines. These motors face significant tribological challenges that seem to be associated with inadequate lubrication and severe tribochemical wear. The present work aimed to understand flex-fuel engines’ lubrication, friction better, and wear phenomena. Therefore, the authors analyzed the effects of adding percentages of fuels (ethanol and gasoline) to synthetic oil, evaluating the tribological performance of these lubricants. The lubricants were tested in an HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig) in order to measure the lubricity, friction, and wear between surfaces in relative motion under load. During the test, the coefficient of friction (COF) was evaluated, as well as the wear characterization via SEM/EDS and AFM. The results showed that the contamination of the lubricant with the fuels studied in this work decreased its lubrication capacity. This effect was more pronounced for higher proportions of ethanol once it promoted a tribocorrosion on the surface.
Investigations on mechanical and wear behaviour of graphene and zirconia reinforced AA6061 hybrid nanocomposites using ANN and Sugeno-type fuzzy inference systems
Authors: P Haja Syeddu Masooth , V Jayakumar , Bharathiraja G , Palani Kumaran
Published: October 2022

This research work investigates the mechanical and wear behaviour of graphene (C) and zirconium di-oxide (ZrO2) reinforced Aluminium alloy 6061 hybrid nano composites (AMMHNCs) fabricated by ultrasonic-assisted stir casting method. Graphene and ZrO2 are selected as reinforcements for increasing the wear resistance and hardness of the base alloy AA6061. The mixing proportions of graphene and ZrO2 reinforced with AA6061 in weight are 100% AA6061/0% Graphene/0% ZrO2, 98.5% AA6061/0.5% Graphene/1% ZrO2, 97.5% AA6061/0.5% Graphene/2% ZrO2, 98% AA6061/1% Graphene/1% ZrO2, 97% AA6061/1% Graphene/2% ZrO2. Microstructural study was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopic images to analyse the dispersion of reinforcements in the composite. The results shown that, ultrasonic-assisted stir casting method improves the uniformity in dispersion of reinforcements. The hardness, tensile, impact and wear test were carried out based on ASTM standards to analyse the properties in the proposed composite specimens. It was observed that, the hardness, tensile strength and impact strength are increases by 21.88%, 69.42% and 78.57% respectively and percentage elongation is decreased by 63.52% with the increase of reinforcements. Wear resistance increases with the increase of reinforcements. In order to analyse the wear behaviour originality of new composite under wear test parameters, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Artificial Neuro Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) models were used to predict the wear rate for experimented and non-experimented parameters. The prediction analysis was useful in studying the wear behaviour of the composite. Comparative analysis for ANN and ANFIS was performed and the results shown that, ANFIS model predicted with accuracy of R2 with 99.9%.
Verification of a large-band metamaterial absorber and its application in the measurement of thermal properties of clothing fabrics
Authors: Huang Ge , Zhong Min , Su Nanguang
Published: October 2022

The development and application of smart fabrics is a research hotspots in clothing fabrics. Accurately measuring the thermal conductivity of clothing fabric samples is an important basis for developing corresponding products. Here, thermal properties (thermal resistance and diffusivity) of clothing fabrics were measured through using a metamaterial sensor. The measured thermal resistance and diffusivity of the clothing fabrics could be affected by ambient temperature. The measured thermal resistance was also enhanced by increasing the fabric sample thickness. Similar resonance behaviors could be found in the fitted results based on the heat conduction theory. Finally, under the condition of the same thickness and temperature, the thermal properties of four clothing fabric samples were simulated and measured.
Conceptual juggling
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: October 2022

Physics, with its emphasis on what we observe physically happening in the 3D world, probably has more scope for kinaesthetic learning than most subjects, finds Laura Hiscott.
First continuous condensate created
Authors: Wogan Tim
Published: October 2022

A new Bose–Einstein condensate cooling technique has been shown to reduce atom losses and could open the door to continuous-wave atom lasers, as Tim Wogan reports.
Aliens could use quantum signals to communicate with Earth
Authors: Boerkamp Martijn
Published: October 2022

Quantum signals could be a viable means of establishing contact across interstellar distances, according to researchers at the University of Edinburgh.
Relic shorelines on Mars would not survive asteroid impacts
Authors: Gater Will
Published: October 2022

If ancient shorelines exist on Mars, they would be largely scoured from view by billions of years of asteroid impacts, according to a new study by researchers in the US.
Study finds that atmospheric levels of helium have been rising for half a century
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: October 2022

Levels of helium-4 in the Earth’s atmosphere have been increasing since at least the mid-1970s, according to a study. The findings also suggests that the amount of helium-3 in the atmosphere is also on the rise.
CERN marks 10th anniversary of Higgs boson discovery
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: October 2022

Officials at the CERN particlephysics lab gathered last month to celebrate a decade since the announcement of the discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
NIST selects ‘post-quantum’ encryptions
Authors: Boerkamp Martijn
Published: October 2022

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has selected four algorithms that will be developed as post-quantum encryption standards to protect data from a future quantum computer attack.
Women less likely to be included as authors on scientific papers
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: October 2022

A new study finds that female scientists are less likely than men to be included as authors on papers, despite having contributed towards the work.
Hello interflexionality
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: October 2022

Robert P Crease relives the recent G4G14 meeting, where fun and science met.
Newton’s laws and car-crash claims
Authors: Hall Michael
Published: October 2022

Fraudsters routinely try to make money by pretending they have been injured in traffic accidents. But as Michael Hall explains, simple Newtonian physics can reveal which claims are genuine and which are bogus.
The unique universe of Satyajit Ray
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: October 2022

Andrew Robinson delves into the life and work of the famed Bengali film director, who blended art and science, and uncovers the story behind his sci-fi film that didn’t make it to the screen, but nevertheless influenced Hollywood.
A novel window into smart glass
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: October 2022

From fixing bones to making antibacterial surfaces, Michael Allen talks to the researchers making glass that has additional functionality and performance.
Ask me anything: Taghi Amirani
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: October 2022

Born in Iran, Taghi Amirani went to school in the UK before studying physics at the University of Nottingham. He later moved into TV and is now a documentary film-maker based in London.
The first-sentence challenge
Authors: Tesh Sarah
Published: October 2022

In among your reading list you may have some popular-science books, but how well do you know some of the classics from the genre?
Intensified chipping during nanoindentation and the effect of friction on the interfacial fracture for thin films used in N/MEMS
Authors: Dash R , Bhattacharyya K , Kumar R P , Bhattacharyya A S
Published: October 2022

Nanoindentation was performed on Ti-B-Si-C and SiCN films deposited on Si substrates at varying loads and depths of penetrations. The intensity of chipping got enhanced with an increasing load which was represented geometrically. The pop-in and pop-out events occurring in the load and unloading were explained as cracking and high-pressure phase transformation. The interfacial fracture stability and adhesion of the film-substrate system, crucial for N/MEMS devices were analyzed with respect to frictional coefficient with the help of Finite Element Modelling (FEM).
Reminding forgetful organic neuromorphic device networks
Authors: Felder Daniel , Muche Katerina , Linkhorst John , Wessling Matthias
Published: October 2022

Organic neuromorphic device networks can accelerate neural network algorithms and directly integrate with microfluidic systems or living tissues. Proposed devices based on the bio-compatible conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS have shown high switching speeds and low energy demand. However, as electrochemical systems, they are prone to self-discharge through parasitic electrochemical reactions. Therefore, the network’s synapses forget their trained conductance states over time. This work integrates single-device high-resolution charge transport models to simulate entire neuromorphic device networks and analyze the impact of self-discharge on network performance. Simulation of a single-layer nine-pixel image classification network commonly used in experimental demonstrations reveals no significant impact of self-discharge on training efficiency. And, even though the network’s weights drift significantly during self-discharge, its predictions remain 100% accurate for over ten hours. On the other hand, a multi-layer network for the approximation of the circle function is shown to degrade significantly over twenty minutes with a final mean-squared-error loss of 0.4. We propose to counter the effect by periodically reminding the network based on a map between a synapse’s current state, the time since the last reminder, and the weight drift. We show that this method with a map obtained through validated simulations can reduce the effective loss to below 0.1 even with worst-case assumptions. Finally, while the training of this network is affected by self-discharge, a good classification is still obtained. Electrochemical organic neuromorphic devices have not been integrated into larger device networks. This work predicts their behavior under nonideal conditions, mitigates the worst-case effects of parasitic self-discharge, and opens the path toward implementing fast and efficient neural networks on organic neuromorphic hardware.
Equitable urban water security: beyond connections on premises
Authors: Grasham Catherine Fallon , Hoque Sonia Ferdous , Korzenevica Marina , Fuente David , Goyol Kitka , Verstraete Lavuun , Mueze Kibrom , Tsadik Mache , Zeleke Gete , Charles Katrina Jane
Published: October 2022

Despite worldwide advances in urban water security, equitable access to safely managed drinking water remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Piped water on premises is widely considered the gold standard for drinking water provision and is expanding rapidly in small and medium urban centres in LMICs. However, intermittency in urban water supply can lead to unreliability and water quality issues, posing a key barrier to equitable water security. Leveraging mixed methods and multiple data sets, this study investigates to what extent urban water security is equitable in a small town in Northern Ethiopia with almost uniform access to piped water services. We have developed a household water security index that considers issues of quality, quantity, and reliability. We demonstrate that there is high spatial variability in water security between households connected to the piped water system. Moreover, reliability of piped water supply did not equate to high water security in every case, as accessibility of appropriate alternative supplies and storage mediated water security. Urban water planning in LMICs must go beyond the physical expansion of household water connections to consider the implications of spatiality, intermittency of supply, and gendered socio-economic vulnerability to deliver equitable urban water security.
REACH Worker Exposure Assessments: Ensuring Meaningful Health Risk Communication
Authors: Fransman Wouter , Otten Wilma , Marquart Hans , Preuhs Katharina , Willemsen Joeri , Boumann Henry , Gerritsen Rianda
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Within the chemical legislation, REACH was implemented in order to improve safe working conditions with hazardous substances. Literature and real-life experiences by those concerned have shown that there are still gaps with a need for improved risk communication. This study elaborated on how information provided by REACH is understood and acted on by down- and upstream users, and how it can be further improved.

Methods

An extensive literature study including 21 studies and 13 tools was carried out. The outcomes were discussed and further supplemented by means of 18 interviews concerning 37 internal safety and REACH documents to build six different use cases representing different Dutch downstream companies. For the upstream perspective also 2 sector organizations and 2 registrants were interviewed. Three online workshops were organized in order to share insights and gather input on international recognition, potential suggestions and further recommendations with 30 participants from nine different EU countries.

Results

Although the methods to collect the data differed between the different stages of the study, the general results from all three stages elucidated similar themes in the data and each of the stages used the results from the previous stage as a starting point. Recurring themes concerned the (i) complexity of documents, (ii) deficiencies as experienced by SMEs in REACH, (iii) feedback and responsibilities in the supply chain, and (iv) the cooperation between REACH and OSH.

Discussion

The study at hand revealed that even though there are currently several activities to improve communication on safe-use of chemicals, communication on safe-use in the scope of REACH should be improved. This includes e.g. the future involvement of actual end-users in activities and development related to communication of safe-use information in the scope of REACH including feedback, less complicated and complex documents and clear communication concerning legislations and updates of documents. Furthermore, the issues recognized in the Netherlands are mostly also recognized by international workshop participants, thereby indicating international benefits in various areas by means of improved communication.

Conclusions

The study confirmed that many of our generic conclusions were already part of the shared knowledge in the REACH community, but that it is very valuable that this knowledge has been explicated, validated and reported in a structured way in the present project. Besides uncovering some crucial aspects that offer potential improvements regarding risk communication, this study offers possible solutions and next steps to be taken.
Oral Presentation No. 53 Dose-related preprocedural patency of the infarct-related artery after zalunfiban (RUC-4) administration upon arrival at the catheterization laboratory in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the phase IIa study
Authors: Rikken Sem A O F , Bor W L , Zheng K L , Gibson C M , Granger C B , Coller B S , Bentur O , Lobatto R , Postma S , Van 't Hof A W J , Ten Berg J M
Published: October 2022

Background

The importance of time to reperfusion after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is well established. Pre-hospital use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) inhibitors improves pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) perfusion rates, but they require intravenous administration and continuous infusions and so are difficult for ambulance services to administer. Zalunfiban (RUC-4) is a novel, subcutaneously administered, GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor specifically developed to facilitate pre-hospital administration, thereby maximizing the chance for early reperfusion. This sub-analysis investigated the incidence of complete reperfusion (TIMI grade 3 flow) before primary PCI in patients treated with zalunfiban on arrival at the catheterization laboratory as a function of the dose of zalunfiban.

Material and methods

This was a prospective, single-centre, open-label, phase IIa study designed to assess the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of zalunfiban in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Zalunfiban was administered immediately upon arrival at the catheterization lab, which was ∼10–15 minutes before the initial angiogram used to assess TIMI grade flow.

Results and conclusion

A total of 27 patients received a weight-adjusted subcutaneous injection of zalunfiban in escalating doses (0.075 mg/kg [n = 8], 0.090 mg/kg [n = 9], or 0.110 mg/kg [n = 10]). Of these, 25 patients were evaluable for angiographic analysis. TIMI flow grade 3 pre-PCI was observed in 1/7, 2/9 and 5/9 patients and showed a dose-related effect (Ptrend = 0.04). The ongoing international, phase III, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, CELEBRATE trial is designed to assess whether a single, ambulance-based pre-hospital injection of zalunfiban results in improved clinical outcome.

Funding

This study was supported by CeleCor Therapeutics.
Oral Presentation No. 55 Is White Blood Count a Good Marker to Coronary Disease Risk?
Authors: Sá Débora , Dos Reis Roberto Palma , Temtem Margarida , Santos Marina , Sousa Ana Célia , Freitas Sónia , Henriques Eva , Rodrigues Mariana , Borges Sofia , Ornelas Ilídio , Drumond António , Mendonça Maria Isabel
Published: October 2022

Background

High white blood cells (WBC) count is a well-recognized indicator of inflammation. Previous research has considered it a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Other new inflammatory risk markers are expensive to test, are not readily available, lack standardization and have not been confirmed as risk markers by multiple prospective studies. We aim to investigate whether elevated WBC count representsan independent risk factor for CAD in our Portuguese population.

Material and methods

A case-control study with 3,160 individuals (mean age 53.1 ± 7.8; 77.6% male), namely 1,723 coronary patients and 1,437 controls, was performed. Together with WBC, the following CAD risk factors were analyzed: smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity through bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated the independent risk factors for CAD.

Results and conclusions

Comparing cases with controls, 47.2% were smokers vs. 23.8% (P < 0.0001); 71.0% were hypertensive individuals vs. 52.3% (P < 0.0001); 89.0% had dyslipidemiavs 70.4% (P < 0.0001); 33.8% had diabetes vs. 13.2% (P < 0.0001) and 34.2% were obese patients vs. 28.9% (P = 0.001). After multivariate regression, smoking (OR = 3.14, P < 0.0001), diabetes (OR = 2.89, P < 0.0001), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.72, P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR = 1.95, P < 0.0001) and WBC (OR = 1.05, P = 0.035) remained as independent risk factors for CAD. Elevated white blood counts are associated with CAD risk in our population. This marker is inexpensive, widely available and may further predict inflammation and coronaryartery disease risk.
Poster No. 004 Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of ovarian suppression as adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gue Ying
Published: October 2022

Background

Adjuvant endocrine therapy is key treatment in early oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer (BC). In premenopausal BC ovarian function suppression (OFS) in combination with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor (AI) is commonly used, particularly in high-risk patients who have received chemotherapy. The profound suppression of circulating oestradiol associated with OFS could have adverse cardiovascular and metabolic effects, We aim to evaluate the reported adverse effects within randomised phase III trials in premenopausal women with BC.

Methods

A systematic search of online databases was conducted to identify randomised control trials (RCTs) involving OFS which reported adverse events (hypertension, weight gain, thrombosis, cardiac ischemia, glucose intolerance and hyperglyacemia). Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using a random-effects model.

Results

Four RCTs were included in the metanalysis with a total of 7808 patients, separated into 3 main treatment groups: Tamoxifen, OFS plus Tamoxifen and OFS plus AI. We found that OFS increased risk of hypertension when compared to Tamoxifen alone (7.6% vs. .4.8%, OR 1.49,95%CI 1.09–2.01; P = 0.01). Tamoxifen with OFS increased risk of thrombosis when compared to AI with OFS (1.7% vs. .0.7%, OR 2.87,95%CI 1.19–6.9; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

This highlights the possible impact of OFS in premenopausal women as it increases risk of developing hypertension which may require closer monitoring and initiation of early treatment. There appears to be a protective effect of AI when compared to Tamoxifen in terms of thrombosis. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of these drugs on the cardiovascular health of these young women with BC.
Poster No. 012 Premature myocardial infarction: a decade-long analysis of patients admitted to a single-center coronary care unit
Authors: Lopes Vanessa , Moreira Nádia , Fernandes Rafaela , Cunha Gil , Costa Gonçalo , Monteiro Eric , Fernandes Diogo , Guimarães Joana , Ferreira João , Milner James , Marinho Vera , Monteiro Sílvia , Monteiro Pedro , Gonçalves Francisco , Gonçalves Lino
Published: October 2022

Background

Despite being primarily a disease of older patients, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been increasingly recognized in young individuals. This study sought to characterize and determine the prognosis of AMI in patients aged ≤ 45 years old.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients consecutively admitted to the coronary care unit with AMI. Two groups were identified: patients aged ≤ 45 and > 45 years old.

Results and conclusions

A total of 5696 AMI patients were included in the analysis: median age of 70 (IQR 19) years and 68.6% (n = 3906) were male; 5.6% (n = 318) of patients were aged ≤ 45 years old.

In contrast to the older patients, those aged ≤ 45 years old were more likely to be male (P < 0.001), presented more often with a history of smoking (P < 0.001), and family history of premature coronary artery disease (P < 0.001), but less often hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

In coronary angiography, most younger patients presented a single-vessel disease (57.1%), more commonly affecting the left anterior descending artery (51.7%); left main involvement was rare (0.8%); and 14.2% presented MINOCA (vs. 11.4% of older patients).

Regarding prognosis, 6.4% (n = 366) of patients died in the hospital and 24.2% (n = 1380) died during the 5-year follow-up. Younger patients had a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.09–541, P = 0.001) and 5-year mortality (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.06–0.201, P < 0.001), compared to the older patients.

In conclusion, patients with premature AMI have a different proportion of risk factors, less extensive coronary artery disease, and more commonly present MINOCA, compared to the older patients.
Poster No. 013 Development of Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering to Investigate the Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Mackley Rebecca , Schiller Tara
Published: October 2022

Atherosclerosis is often described as a single disease entity however the size and composition of each plaque is unique to the individual. Thus, the field currently lacks a technique that can discriminate stable form unstable plaques to identify those being at risk of suffering a thromboembolic event in the near future. There exists a perfect opportunity to develop a non-invasive imaging technique or device that would be able to discriminate between different plaques at multiple locations in an artery. Such a device requires extensive chemical, structural, and spatial information available on the different plaque components to define the stability of the plaque. With informed consent and approved ethics, human carotid endarterectomy specimens were collected, fixed and mounted in Kapton tape, which is an ideal substrate for use with x-rays. Small-angle x-ray scattering was used to gather information on the size, shape and structure of the constituents of a plaque such as collagen and lipid-based materials. Then wide-angle x-ray scattering was used to readily determine the crystalline materials such as crystalline cholesterol and hydroxyapatite. Results currently indicate that this technique can discriminate between crystalline cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, collagen, elastin, hydroxyapatite and other calcium-based salts. This technique can map across the face of the plaque indicating the co-location of materials. In particular, for the crystalline materials, the crystalline planes can be indexed showing how the material grows in the plaque. Relating this information back to patient data can help identify features of a vulnerable plaque.

Funding sources

Medical Research Council, UK.
Poster No. 018 Association of Cytochrome P450 2C19 polymorphisms with ischemic and bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Gjermeni Diona , Szabo Sofia , Anfang Viktoria , Vetter Hannah Theresa , Juelch Carina , Leggewie Stefan , Hesselbarth David , Trenk Dietmar , Duerschmied Daniel , Olivier Christoph B
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) receive clopidogrel and direct oral anticoagulation. Platelet inhibition by clopidogrel varies according to CYP2C19 genotype. This study aimed to investigate the association of CYP2C19 genotype with antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel and ischemic and bleeding risk.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, patients with AF after PCI were grouped according to CYP2C19*2 and *17 diplotypes: *2/non-17* or *2/*2 as reduced metabolizers (RM), non-*2/*17 or *17/*17 as increased metabolizers (IM), and the remaining as normal metabolizers (NM). Platelet aggregation [U] was quantified by multiple electrode aggregometry. The primary outcome was time to death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (MACE) at 6 months. The secondary outcome was time to non-major clinically relevant (NMCR) or major bleedings.

Results

156 patients were enrolled between May 2020 and May 2021. The median age was 78 years (interquartile range, IQR 71–82) and 109 (70%) were male. 31 patients (20%) were RM, 74 patients (47%) NM and 51 patients (33%) IM. The median ADP-induced platelet aggregation was not significantly different across these groups (RM: 12.8 [U]; NM: vs. 12.8 [U]; IM: 11.7 [U]; P = 0.39).The primary outcome occurred in 11 (7%) patients (RM: 1 [3%]; NM: 7 [9%]; IM 3[6%]). The secondary outcome occured in 3 RM (10%) and in 20 (16%) with NM + IM subtypes (HR 0.65 [95% CI 0.19–2.18], P = 0.485).

Conclusion

In this analysis reduced metabolizers were not at excessively increased risk of MACE. A trend for less bleeding was observed in carriers of loss-of-function allele CYP2C19*2.
Retracted: Poster No. 030 Young patient with hyperhomocysteinemia and multiple atherosclerotic vascular lesions
Authors: Oana Stoia , Bianca Catrina , Andreea Puia , Cornel Bitea Ioan
Published: October 2022

This abstract has been withdrawn. Please see: https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac183
Poster No. 045 The role of 24-h Holter monitoring in thrombosis – a single-centre subanalysis in the young
Authors: Gonçalves Carolina Miguel , Vazão Adriana , Carvalho Mariana , Fernandes Sara , Cabral Margarida , Carvalho Rita , Martins Hélia , Saraiva Fátima , Morais João
Published: October 2022

Background

Undercovering the etiology responsible for pathologic states is of the uttermost importance, especially regarding young people. Arterial and venous thromboembolism may have an impact on morbidity and mortality, enhancing the need to prevent recurrences.

Material and methods

Retrospective, single-centre analysis of 24-h Holter monitoring in patients with thrombotic events and less than 40 years during a 5-year period, using IBM® SPSS® software to perform descriptive analysis.

Results and conclusions

Thrombosis was the reason for requesting 24-h Holter monitoring in 7% (n = 41) from a total of 581 exams screened – 68.3% had a stroke, 6% a transient ischemic stroke, 4.9% a pulmonary embolism, 4.9% an intestinal ischemia and 2.4% had both pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Patients had a median age of 35 ± 6 years, 63.7% were male and past medical history consisted of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly smoking (36.6%), high blood pressure (19.5%) and dyslipidemia (12.2%).

Merely 4.9% had a diagnostic finding – atrial flutter and second-degree atrioventricular block Mobitz II. On the other hand, autoimmune tests were altered in 12.2% and echocardiogram revealed patent foramen ovale, atrial septum aneurysm and interatrial septum bulging with shunt in 9.8%, 2.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Regarding management, 78% were medicated with aspirin or anticoagulant and 4.9% were submitted to percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale.

Despite low prevalence of diagnostic findings, Holter monitoring is an important complementary exam that can have therapeutic implications in these cases and, consequently, in preventing new events.
Poster No. 049 Cardiopreventive influence of Klotho protein on antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in heart injured by ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Olejnik Agnieszka , Banaszkiewicz Marta , Radajewska Anna , Bil-Lula Iwona
Published: October 2022

Background

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) of heart involves activation of oxidative and apoptotic pathways. Klotho protein has potential protective activity since it supports redox balance and metabolic functions of cardiomyocytes. This study aimed to evaluate effect of Klotho protein on oxidative stress and apoptosis in hearts subjected to IRI.

Material and methods

Isolated rat hearts perfused with the Langendorff method were subjected to ischemia, followed by reperfusion, in presence or absence of Klotho protein. Heart mechanical function and factors involved in the activation of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGFR-1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway were evaluated.

Results

Infusion supply of Klotho significantly increased (P = 0.001) mechanical function of hearts injured by IRI. IRI caused activation of IGFR-1/PI3K signalling pathway (P = 0.004; P = 0.003), while Klotho suppressed phosphorylation of IGFR-1 (P = 0.208) and PI3K (P = 0.022). Transcriptional activity of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and FOXO3 was reduced (P = 0.002; P < 0.001) in IRI hearts. Administration of Klotho decreased phosphorylation of FOXO1 (P = 0.587) and FOXO3 (P = 0.027) in IRI + Klotho group, while activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was increased (P = 0.045; P = 0.006), and level of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation was slightly decreased (P = 0.502; P = 0.436), as compared to IRI hearts. Klotho protein contributed to reduction in caspase-9 level (P = 0.009) during IRI.

Conclusion

Administration of Klotho resulted in full preservation of heart mechanical function, and suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis in IRI hearts. Thus, Klotho can be recognized as a novel cardiopreventive agent in ischemic damage.

Funding

Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Poland [grant number SUBK.D010.22.035].
Oral Presentation No. 083 Coronary Aspiration Thrombectomy: bringing back the old kid on the block
Authors: de Almeida António Rocha , Neves David , Figueiredo Marta , Sousa Miguel Carias , Cláudio Francisco , Rocha Rita , Trinca Manuel
Published: October 2022

Background

Traditionally, routine thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed to prevent distal embolization and protect microvascular perfusion. However, recent trials showed no clinical benefits (except if high thrombotic burden). Despite not being routinely recommended, thrombus aspiration should still be considered in highly thrombotic circumstances.

Material and methods

Prospective cohort of 50 patients admitted to primary PCI, with aspiration thrombectomy (AT), between 2019–2022, was analyzed. In evidence of high thrombotic burden, AT was performed, if technically possible. Success was evaluated angiographically and by TIMI flow improvement. Safety was assessed by neurologic evaluation, verified CT-scan, in 30 days follow-up.

Results and conclusions

50 patients were analyzed, with mean age of 59,6 ± 1,8 years, being 22% women (n = 11). 88% (n = 44) presented ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction Killip 1, 2% (n = 1) Killip 3 and 10% (n = 5) Killip 4. There was thrombus aspiration angiographic evidence in 76% (n = 38) and TIMI flow increase in 82% (n = 41) cases with median improvement of 2 [IR 1,3]. In 20% (n = 10) cases, stent wasn't implanted. There was significant statistical association between no stent PCI and angiographical thrombus reduction (P < 0,05, OR 3,86). There were no deaths, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or neurologic complications in any patient (n = 0) within 30 days.

Routine coronary AT shouldn't be performed. It is useful, however, in selected cases with evidence of angiographic thrombus aspiration and TIMI flow improvement. Successful AT was associated with no stent PCI. Regarding safety, there was no statistically significant increase of death of any cause, MACE, or stroke.