bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing comprehensive resilient water systems and their driving factors for the 21st Century Society in China
Authors: Yang Jingwei , Xue Fei , Sun Xiang , Luo Yao , Wang Jian
Published: November 2022

More frequent and severe natural disasters triggered by climate change and the increasing domestic water consumption have placed higher demands on sustainable water services. The establishment of “Resilient Cities” provides overall guidance on future directions of water affairs. Literature reviews were designed to transform the concept of resilient cities into waterworks from the dimensions and properties. Then the concept of “Resilient Water Affairs” was put forward. Evaluation indicators of resilient water affairs were summarized based on dimensions and properties to indicate the driving factors of the resilient water system. Finally, the future trends of resilient water affairs were proposed, which provides theoretical and technical support for establishing resilient water affairs.
A comparative study of different deep learning models for land use and land cover mapping of flood detention basin
Authors: Li Nan , Ma Jianwei , Huang Shifeng , Zhu He , Sun Yayong , Hu Mengcheng
Published: November 2022

Flood detention basin (FDB) is an important part of the flood control system in the basin. It is of great significance for scientific flood control to obtain the land use and land cover (LULC) classification map of FDB with higher accuracy quickly and accurately. In recent years, deep learning has shown great potential in LULC classification. In this study, we make LULC training dataset and explore three state-of-the-art (SOTA) DL architectures: Unet++, ResUnet++, DeepLab v3+ across Mengwa FDB. The experiments show all methods used in this study are available for LULC classification, which overall accuracy is ResUnet++(95.11%), Unet++(91.92%), DeepLab v3+ (91.04%) and kappa coefficient is ResUnet++(0.91), Unet++(0.85), DeepLab v3+ (0.83). Deep learning methods can be used for automatic extraction of LULC from high-resolution satellite images, providing data support for economic loss assessment and post disaster construction in flood storage areas.
Spatiotemporal characteristics analysis of ground subsidence in Wuhan based on SBAS-InSAR
Authors: Zhang Weiping , Zhou Lv , Liu Lilong , Zheng Mingming
Published: November 2022

Aiming at the problem of uneven ground subsidence in Wuhan, using the Sentinel-1A SAR image data of 36 scenes from July 2017 to June 2020, the SBAS-InSAR was used to extract the ground subsidence information in Wuhan. Influence of factors such as urban construction, industrial development, rainfall, and carbonate karstification on subsidence. The results show that SBAS-InSAR can effectively monitor the ground subsidence in Wuhan. There is a high correlation between ground subsidence and seasonal changes, and the subsidence time series shows a nonlinear downward trend with seasonal changes. Human activities have a serious impact on ground subsidence, and the spatial distribution of the subsidence funnel area is closely related to the geographical location of the industrial area. Among natural factors, rainfall plays a dominant role in the seasonal component of ground subsidence, and karstification has a greater impact on the area along the river. The two influencing factors jointly caused the uneven subsidence of the ground in Wuhan. The experimental results can provide a certain reference for the follow-up subsidence early warning and urban construction planning in Wuhan.
Permaculture inclusion in the planning of “Sansheng Space” - taking Pu Ran Farm as an example
Authors: Hong Weinan , Ke Dan , Zhong Chuan , Li Xianglan , Li Guoqing
Published: November 2022

Achieving sustainable development is not only the need for our country’s current development, but also a common challenge for all countries in the world. Therefore, Permaculture based on the concept of sustainability is of great significance to my country’s land planning, and “Sansheng Space” is also the guidepost of the spatial development of China’s national land. In this paper, we study the concept of Permaculture and the “Sansheng Space”, and use the Pu Ran Farm as a real case to combine the concept of Permaculture with the “Sansheng Space”, and apply the design principles of Permaculture to the “Sansheng Space” planning. The strategy of Permaculture suitable for the planning of “Sansheng Space” of leisure farms is analyzed and summarized, which can provide some reference for rural land planning.
Analysis of statistical post-processing methods for multi-model ensemble runoff forecasts in flood seasons
Authors: Qu Bo , Fang Yuanhao , Li Lingqi
Published: November 2022

Statistical post-processing of ensemble forecasts could effectively improve their accuracy and reliability. In this study, three typical post-processing methods including equal weight (EW), model output statistics (MOS) and Bayesian model averaging (BMA) were applied to the raw multi-model runoff forecasts during the flood period (from 1 June to 30 September) of 2010-2013, and the processed results were compared and analyzed. It is shown that BMA is a promising post-processing method with highest accuracy, but this becomes completely different at lead times of 126-240 h in 2013. The main problems for the BMA performance instability were found to be outliers and low-correlation, which affect the linear regression model fitting in the bias correction procedure. Following this, a combination model of LR and EW was proposed to improve the bias correction procedure for lead times of 126-240 h. And the test results demonstrate that the combination model is effective and efficient, and it is able to lead to both accurate and reliable multi-model ensemble runoff forecasts for longer lead times.
Effects of CaCl2 on concentration and speciation of soil Cd around a Pb-Zn mine
Authors: Zhang Lina , Dong Zhicheng , Zhang Yu , Wang Lin , Xu Chenhao
Published: November 2022

Remediation of Cd contaminated soil around mines is still the current academic focus. In order to discuss the activation and extraction effects of CaCl2 on concentration and speciation of soil Cd around a Pb-Zn mine, field investigation and soil sample collection were conducted. Batch experiment was used to study the influence of concentration and time on Cd activation and extraction. Cd contents were analysed. And Cd species were extracted by sequential extraction procedures. Results show that there are obvious concentration effect and time effect for Cd extraction by CaCl2. The best choice of CaCl2 concentration is 0.1 mol/L. And the best extraction time is 4h. Results also show that the percentage and content of exchangeable Cd is the lowest with the value of 9.1% and 0.16 mg/kg when the CaCl2 content is 0.1 mol/L. And the percentage and content of exchangeable Cd is the lowest with the value of 10.5% and 0.18 mg/kg when the extraction time is 4h. It is found that transformation of Cd species such as exchangeable, carbonates bound and Fe-Mn oxides bound should be the main reasons of concentration effect and time effect. And the extraction of soil Cd around a Pb-Zn mine by CaCl2 is a complex coupling process of dissolution, ion exchange, desorption, acidolysis, oxidation-reduction and complexation, etc. All of these above will aid to provide a basis for the research, development and application of remediation technology for Cd contaminated soil around this and other Pb-Zn mines.
Investigation and characterization of karst landform with GPR: a case study in Shandong, China
Authors: Yang Qingyi , Li Renjie , Liu Hao , Zhang Wenbo
Published: November 2022

A substation is an important infrastructure for city operation and people’s life. The proposed site, 37 km northeast of Zaozhuang, Shandong province, is located on top of Cambrian limestone, most of which is directly exposed or covered by thinner Quaternary silty clay. The Karst processes on the surface contribute to the dissolution of gullies and limestone fissures in the surface topography. Directly the evidence shows that the study area is karst cave or the possibility of larger crack, the potential risk impact on subsequent substation the safety of the pile foundation installation construction. Thus led to the ground penetrating radar (GPR) investigation on the bedrock of karst development. The aim of this study was to characterize the development of karst caves in the shallow surface and delineate their locations. The 80 MHz shielding antenna was used to study and characterization of the karst features. The results of GPR method show that the application of a low-frequency antenna can satisfy a certain detection depth and well characterize the development of underground karst, which also proves that GPR method is very practical in the detection of karst landform and can be applied to identify similar geomorphic features.
Field Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks in the Dohol Formation, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Rashid Alidu , Siddiqui Numair Ahmed , Ahmed Nisar , Jamil Muhammed , Otchere Daniel Asante , Kasim Sani Ado
Published: November 2022

The Dohol formation is predominantly composed of sedimentary rocks; however, the black shales attract much attention because of their potential to generate hydrocarbons. Black shales generally have a high organic matter content and can serve as good source rocks for hydrocarbon generation. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the sedimentary rocks, including the black shales, which are of great importance and discover new areas where these rocks can be located. Four distinctive lithofacies of shales were observed on the field; the massive black shales facies, light grey shales facies with quartzite intrusion in some areas, the red sandy shales, and the dark brown shales facies. The black shales are dark-coloured, laminated, and some parts are fissile. The second type of shale, light grey, looks similar to the dark shales, but it probably contains less organic matter. In other areas, these grey shales have intrusions of quartzite. The third type of shale facies are the red shales which are sandy, fissile, and highly weathered, and pebbly sands overlie it. Finally, the dark brown shale facies are fissile, flaky, and weathered. The sandstones encountered are massive cream-colored, and composed of mainly quartz with a few scour marks in some areas. Several new outcrop locations of these sedimentary rocks were discovered, and they are spread across Jemaluang, Kota Tinggi, and the outskirts of Mersing town in East Johor. From the outcrop trends and the sedimentary features of the shale rock sequence, the deposition environment of the shales is probably from shallow to deep marine.
Geochemical analysis of formation water as a tool for better understanding of water flooding
Authors: Shipaeva M.S. , Garifullina V.I. , Fayzetdinova R.R. , Sudakov V.A. , Shakirov A.A. , Nuriev I.A. , Khuzin R.R. , Salikhov D.A.
Published: November 2022

In oil production, a reservoir flooding system is often used. This is necessary to compensate for oil production in the reservoir and maintain reservoir pressure. But the water cutting of wells is constantly increasing, that makes the exploitation less profitable, in the future this leads to the shutdown of wells. The source of water supply to the well is not always clear, and in the presence of flooded below and overlying reservoirs from which production was previously carried out, the possible number of water supply routes increases. The first aim of this work is to identify channels with high permeability by using tracer test, the second aim is to characterize geochemical state of the reservoir as a whole, and finally to choose the optimal sidetrack point using reservoir modelling.

The reservoir represents terrigenous deposits as an independent Bobrikovian horizon and the incision channel in the carbonate massif. The permeability of these zones is expected to be different. Therefore, in order to achieve the aims, the following studies were conducted:

1) Tracer test. A tracer blindly follows the fluid phase in which it is injected. Tracer tests are most often used to obtain information on the direction and velocity of the flow of brines, hydraulic conductivity, effective porosity, transport parameters (e.g., dispersivity values), and the presence of preferential flow paths. For this, we used a spectrofluorimeter.

2) Geochemical studies of the composition of all wells on the site. A unified Oil Water Contact (OWC) for carbonate and terrigenous deposits indicates the possibility of their hydrodynamic communication. To confirm this hypothesis, areal geochemical studies of the isotopic composition of reservoir waters were carried out;

3) Using the previous methods, we conducted a Field Development Analysis (FDA) and modeled the position of the horizontal wellbore in special software. One well showed better results compared to the other, as it is located in a zone with large oil reserves and the length of the horizontal wellbore was 1.3 times longer.

As a result of geochemical studies, three zones were identified based on the isotopic composition of water: the southwest - the waters of the Bobrikovian horizon, the central part - the transition zone, and the northeast - the Tournaisian waters. Zones with current reserves have been determined based on 3D modeling. For further involvement of these volumes of reservoir oil in the development, the sidetracking is proposed.
Assessment of geothermal resources in the west area of Taikang town in Dumeng geothermal field, NE China
Authors: Ma Yongfa , Yang Fengtian , Zhou Xuejun , Zhan Tao , Liu Ling , Li Nan , Wang Xu , Dong Junling , Liu Yu , Liu Yan , Shi Zhenzhen , Li Chang
Published: November 2022

Combined with geothermal drilling, well logging, geological and geophysical investigations, this study established a conceptual model of the Dumeng geothermal field, Songliao Basin, and evaluated the potential of the geothermal resources of western Taikang town, an area under concentrated development in the geothermal field, based on transient groundwater flow equation. The results show that the Dumeng geothermal field is part of a conductive type geothermal system. The evaluated heat reserve is 8.76×1017 J, the storage of thermal water is 4.94×109 m3, the recoverable reserve of the thermal water is 9.85×105 m3/a, which is equivalent to an outpower of 5.59 MW, and is comparable to a small geothermal field. This study provides a basis for scientific management of the further exploration and utilization of the geothermal resources and application of the mining rights.
Pomegranate arils extract as a green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel: effect of concentration and temperature in hydrochloric acid
Authors: Shahsavari Mohammadali , Imani Amin , Asselin Edouard
Published: November 2022

Corrosion inhibitors generated from plants and organic compounds are critical for achieving a greener environment. In this work we investigated the corrosion inhibition of pomegranate arils extract (PAE) for mild steel in 1M HCl by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and profilometry measurements. The effects of PAE concentration (100, 200, 400 mg l–1) and temperature (298, 313, and 333 K) on the PAE inhibition efficiency were evaluated. Polarization measurements revealed that PAE was a mixed anodic-cathodic inhibitor. Corrosion inhibition efficiency was around 74% at a PAE concentration of 400 mg l–1 at 298K. However, at 333 K, the corrosion current density in the solution containing 400 mg l–1 of PAE was measured to be 1.28 mA cm−2, which was higher than that in the blank solution (0.92 mA cm−2). This increase in corrosion rate at 333 K demonstrates the negative influence of high temperatures on PAE inhibition efficiency. The PAE green inhibitor was discovered to have a physical adsorption characteristic and to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Influence of sulfur source on properties of CuSbS2 particles
Authors: Liu Liu , Zhao Yijie , Zhi Guowei , Cao Lihui , Wang Wei , Sun Luanhong , Che Yuxuan
Published: November 2022

CuSbS2 is a direct p-type semiconductor with a two-dimensional layered structure of orthorhombic system, excellent electrical performance, and a band gap of 1.1–1.5 eV, which has a light absorption coefficient of more than 104cm−1 in the visible light range. CuSbS2 particles were synthesized by microwave irradiation method, and the effects of different sulfur sources on the phase structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of CuSbS2 particles were studied. The results showed that the sample prepared by thiourea as sulfur source was CuSbS2 phase, and the morphology was composed of flower-like microspheres and rod-like particles. However, nanorod-like CuSbS2 particles were obtained using L-cysteine or 3-thiopropionic acid as sulfur sources, and the phase of samples contained CuSbS2 and Sb2S3 phase. Electrochemical tests showed that L-cysteine based CuSbS2 particles had the largest photocurrent response, a photocurrent density of 1.03 μA cm−2 and impedance of 14.66 Ω.
Humboldt’s legacy: explaining the influence of environmental factors on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of angiosperms along a Neotropical elevational gradient
Authors: Gómez-Díaz Jorge Antonio , Carvajal-Hernández César Isidro , Bautista-Bello Alma Patricia , Monge-González María Leticia , Guzmán-Jacob Valeria , Kreft Holger , Krömer Thorsten , Villalobos Fabricio
Published: November 2022

The scientific work of Alexander von Humboldt was influenced by his interaction with the diversity and natural wealth of the Neotropics. He proposed that climate determines plant diversity along elevational gradients based on his observations. Here, we evaluated the most prominent climate-based hypotheses in explaining plant diversity along an elevational gradient that Humboldt himself visited during his journey across Mexico. Specifically, we examined how climatic variables and forest-use intensity affected species richness and phylogenetic structure of major angiosperm life forms (trees, shrubs, epiphytes, herbs and lianas) along the Cofre de Perote mountain, Veracruz, Mexico. We analysed species richness and phylogenetic structure of angiosperms at eight sites between 30 to 3500 m a.s.l. We estimated the phylogenetic structure using a mega-phylogeny of angiosperms and the abundance-weighted net relatedness index. We considered multiple environmental factors’ direct and indirect effects by applying a piecewise structural equation modelling approach. Each life form responds differently to the environmental variables included in our model; however, it is observed that temperature is the main predictor of the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of the angiosperms studied, both when the different life forms are grouped and separated. Potential evapotranspiration and precipitation are variables that also influence some life forms’ diversity, especially taxonomic diversity. The forest-use intensity negatively affected only the taxonomic diversity of trees. These results highlight the influence of studying the different life forms of angiosperms in diversity gradient models and show the great influence that temperature has in conjunction with other environmental variables to promote the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of plant communities. Given the current global environmental crisis, an integrative biogeographically oriented vision based on Humboldt’s method is necessary. Honouring the work of Humboldt and continuing his legacy demands more research to understand the causes behind elevational diversity gradients.
Enhancement of IgA production by membrane vesicles derived from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis
Authors: Kurata Atsushi , Yamasaki-Yashiki Shino , Imai Tomoya , Miyazaki Ayano , Watanabe Keito , Uegaki Koichi
Published: November 2022

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is involved in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Although the oral administration of bifidobacteria increases the amount of fecal IgA, the effects of bifidobacteria on intestinal immunity remain unclear. We found and characterized membrane vesicles (MVs) derived from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis toward host immune cells. Bifidobacterium infantis MVs consisted of a cytoplasmic membrane, and extracellular solute-binding protein (ESBP) was specifically detected. In the presence of B. infantis MVs or recombinant ESBP, RAW264 cells produced the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. IgA was produced by Peyer's patches cells following the addition of B. infantis MVs. Therefore, ESBP of B. infantis MVs is involved in the production of IgA by acquired immune cells via the production of IL-6 by innate immune cells.
Identification of the roasting reaction products of ferulic and sinapic acids and their xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity
Authors: Shindo Yukino , Taniguchi Asuka , Masuda Akiko , Masuda Toshiya
Published: November 2022

The roasting reaction products of ferulic and sinapic acids were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their constituent compounds were isolated. Structural analysis revealed that the major compounds were oligomers of the corresponding 4-vinylphenols. The xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was also measured. Moderate XO inhibitory activity of some oligomers afforded from ferulic acid was observed.
A framework for group-wise summarization and comparison of chromatin state annotations
Authors: Vu Ha , Koch Zane , Fiziev Petko , Ernst Jason
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Genome-wide maps of epigenetic modifications are powerful resources for non-coding genome annotation. Maps of multiple epigenetics marks have been integrated into cell or tissue type-specific chromatin state annotations for many cell or tissue types. With the increasing availability of multiple chromatin state maps for biologically similar samples, there is a need for methods that can effectively summarize the information about chromatin state annotations within groups of samples and identify differences across groups of samples at a high resolution.

Results

We developed CSREP, which takes as input chromatin state annotations for a group of samples. CSREP then probabilistically estimates the state at each genomic position and derives a representative chromatin state map for the group. CSREP uses an ensemble of multi-class logistic regression classifiers that predict the chromatin state assignment of each sample given the state maps from all other samples. The difference in CSREP’s probability assignments for the two groups can be used to identify genomic locations with differential chromatin state assignments. Using groups of chromatin state maps of a diverse set of cell and tissue types, we demonstrate the advantages of using CSREP to summarize chromatin state maps and identify biologically relevant differences between groups at a high resolution.

Availability and implementation

The CSREP source code and generated data are available at http://github.com/ernstlab/csrep.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Alterations of the axon initial segment in multiple sclerosis grey matter
Authors: Senol Aysegul Dilsizoglu , Pinto Giulia , Beau Maxime , Guillemot Vincent , Dupree Jeffrey L , Stadelmann Christine , Ranft Jonas , Lubetzki Catherine , Davenne Marc
Published: November 2022

Grey matter damage has been established as a key contributor to disability progression in multiple sclerosis. Aside from neuronal loss and axonal transections, which predominate in cortical demyelinated lesions, synaptic alterations have been detected in both demyelinated plaques and normal-appearing grey matter, resulting in functional neuronal damage. The axon initial segment is a key element of neuronal function, responsible for action potential initiation and maintenance of neuronal polarity. Despite several reports of profound axon initial segment alterations in different pathological models, among which experimental auto-immune encephalomyelitis, whether the axon initial segment is affected in multiple sclerosis is still unknown. Using immunohistochemistry, we analysed axon initial segments from control and multiple sclerosis tissue, focusing on layer 5/6 pyramidal neurons in the neocortex and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and performed analysis on the parameters known to control neuronal excitability, i.e. axon initial segment length and position. We found that the axon initial segment length was increased only in pyramidal neurons of inactive demyelinated lesions, compared with normal appearing grey matter tissue. In contrast, in both cell types, the axon initial segment position was altered, with an increased soma-axon initial segment gap, in both active and inactive demyelinated lesions. In addition, using a computational model, we show that this increased gap between soma and axon initial segment might increase neuronal excitability. Taken together, these results show, for the first time, changes of axon initial segments in multiple sclerosis, in active as well as inactive grey matter lesions in both neocortex and cerebellum, which might alter neuronal function.
Ependymal cells and neurodegenerative disease: outcomes of compromised ependymal barrier function
Authors: Nelles Diana G , Hazrati Lili-Naz
Published: November 2022

Within the central nervous system, ependymal cells form critical components of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and the cerebrospinal fluid-brain barrier. These barriers provide biochemical, immunological and physical protection against the entry of molecules and foreign substances into the cerebrospinal fluid while also regulating cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, such as the composition, flow and removal of waste from the cerebrospinal fluid. Previous research has demonstrated that several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, display irregularities in ependymal cell function, morphology, gene expression and metabolism. Despite playing key roles in maintaining overall brain health, ependymal barriers are largely overlooked and understudied in the context of disease, thus limiting the development of novel diagnostic and treatment options. Therefore, this review explores the anatomical properties, functions and structures that define ependymal cells in the healthy brain, as well as the ways in which ependymal cell dysregulation manifests across several neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, we will address potential mechanisms, causes and consequences of ependymal cell dysfunction and describe how compromising the integrity of ependymal barriers may initiate, contribute to, or drive widespread neurodegeneration in the brain.
LncRNA GAS5 regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through the miR-18a-5p/AXIN2/GSK3β axis to inhibit the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Ze , Liu Tiantian , Cheng Chao , Wang Jiawei , Wang Chong , Huang Houbao , Li Yawei
Published: November 2022

LncRNA growth arrest specific 5 (GAS5) has been confirmed to play an essential role in a number of biological processes, such as tumor regulation and gene transcription. GAS5 has been shown to be a tumor suppressor gene in many types of cancer, but its specific mechanism of action in bladder cancer (BC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explored the biological properties of GAS5 in BC and its mechanism of action in BC. We analyzed the expression of GAS5 in 50 pairs of BC tissues and found that GAS5 was low expressed in BC tissues compared with normal mucosal tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that GAS5 could affect the proliferation and migration of BC cells. Nucleoplasmic isolation assays and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays demonstrated the localization of GAS5 in cell cytoplasm. Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase assay demonstrated the target binding relationship of GAS5 with miR-18a-5p. Rescue experiments demonstrated that GAS5 promoted the proliferation and migration of BC cells through target binding of miR-18a-5p. Moreover, miR-18a-5p bound to its targets AXIN2 and GSK3β, which in turn affected the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins. Our findings demonstrate that GAS5 regulates Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity by regulating the miR-18a-5p/AXIN2/GSK3β axis to modulate BC progression, providing a new potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of BC.
Health-related quality-of-life up to one year after myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries
Authors: Berg Emma , Agewall Stefan , Brolin Elin B , Caidahl Kenneth , Cederlund Kerstin , Collste Olov , Daniel Maria , Ekenbäck Christina , Jensen Jens , Y-Hassan Shams , Henareh Loghman , Maret Eva , Spaak Jonas , Sörensson Peder , Tornvall Per , Lyngå Patrik
Published: November 2022

Aims

Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) are a heterogenous group and previous studies indicate a decreased Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) compared with patients with myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease and healthy individuals. However, longitudinal data are scarce. Therefore, the aim was to explore HRQoL among patients with MINOCA during a one-year period after the acute event in comparison with a group of healthy individuals and to describe HRQoL in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS).

Methods and results

Patients with MINOCA were recruited from five hospitals in the Stockholm region (SMINC-2 study, clinical trials: NCT2318498). Patients responded to the HRQoL questionnaire RAND-36 between days 2–4, after 6 and 12 months respectively. A sample of population-based individuals was used as a comparison group. A total of 142 MINOCA patients, (70% women) mean age of 56 years, responded. A population-based sample of 317 volunteers (66% women) mean age of 57 years. Patients with MINOCA scored lower than the comparison group in the domains role functioning physical, social functioning, and role functioning emotional (P = 0.01–0.02) at 12 months. In these domains of HRQoL there was no improvement in MINOCA patients during 12 months follow-up. In the domains of energy/fatigue vitality and emotional well-being the scores improved and were similar to the comparison group at 12 months. Patients with TTS scored generally lower on RAND-36 than MINOCA patients without TTS.

Conclusion

Physical, social, and emotional functioning did not improve during the first year after MINOCA, indicating a need for increased follow-up including psychological support.
Inclisiran and cardiovascular events: a patient-level analysis of phase III trials
Authors: Ray Kausik K , Raal Frederick J , Kallend David G , Jaros Mark J , Koenig Wolfgang , Leiter Lawrence A , Landmesser Ulf , Schwartz Gregory G , Lawrence David , Friedman Andrew , Garcia Conde Lorena , Wright R Scott ,   ORION Phase III investigators
Published: November 2022

Background

Inclisiran, an siRNA administered twice-yearly, significantly reduced LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in Phase III trials. Whether lowering LDL-C with inclisiran translates into a lower risk of cardiovascular (CV) events is not yet established.

Methods and results

Patient-level, pooled analysis of ORION-9, −10 and −11, included patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD), or ASCVD risk equivalent on maximally tolerated statin-therapy, randomized 1:1 to receive 284 mg inclisiran or placebo on Days 1, 90, and 6-monthly thereafter for 18 months. Prespecified exploratory endpoint of major cardiovascular events (MACEs) included non-adjudicated CV death, cardiac arrest, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and fatal and non-fatal stroke, evaluated as part of safety assessments using a standard Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities basket. Although not prespecified, total fatal and non-fatal MI, and stroke were also evaluated. Mean LDL-C at baseline was 2.88 mmol/L. At Day 90, the placebo-corrected percentage reduction in LDL-C with inclisiran was 50.6%, corresponding to an absolute reduction of 1.37 mmol/L (both P < 0.0001). Among 3655 patients over 18 months, 303 (8.3%) experienced MACE, including 74 (2.0%) fatal and non-fatal MIs, and 28 (0.8%) fatal and non-fatal strokes. Inclisiran significantly reduced composite MACE [OR (95% CI): 0.74 (0.58–0.94)], but not fatal and non-fatal MIs [OR (95% CI): 0.80 (0.50–1.27)] or fatal and non-fatal stroke [OR (95% CI): 0.86 (0.41–1.81)].

Conclusion

This analysis offers early insights into the potential CV benefits of lowering LDL-C with inclisiran and suggests potential benefits for MACE reduction. These findings await confirmation in the larger CV outcomes trials of longer duration.
Serial troponin-T and long-term outcomes in suspected acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Pareek Manan , Kragholm Kristian H , Kristensen Anna Meta Dyrvig , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Pallisgaard Jannik L , Byrne Christina , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Lee Christina Ji-Young , Bonde Anders Nissen , Mortensen Martin Bødtker , Maeng Michael , Fosbøl Emil L , Køber Lars , Olsen Niels Thue , Gislason Gunnar H , Bhatt Deepak L , Torp-Pedersen Christian
Published: November 2022

Background

Long-term prognostic implications of serial high-sensitivity troponin concentrations in subjects with suspected acute coronary syndrome are unknown.

Methods and results

Individuals with a first diagnosis of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, observation for suspected myocardial infarction, or chest pain from 2012 through 2019 who underwent two high-sensitivity troponin-T (hsTnT) measurements 1–7 h apart were identified through Danish national registries. Absolute and relative risks for death at days 0–30 and 31–365, stratified for whether subjects had normal or elevated hsTnT concentrations, and whether these concentrations changed by <20%, > 20 to 50%, or >50% in either direction from first to second measurement, were calculated through multivariable logistic regression with average treatment effect modeling. Of the 28 902 individuals included, 2.8% had died at 30 days, whereas 4.9% of those who had survived the first 30 days died between days 31–365. The standardized risk of death was highest among subjects with two elevated hsTnT concentrations (0–30 days: 4.3%, 31–365 days: 7.2%). In this group, mortality was significantly higher in those with a > 20 to 50% or >50% rise from first to second measurement, though only at 30 days. The risk of death was very low in subjects with two normal hsTnT concentrations (0–30 days: 0.1%, 31–365 days: 0.9%) and did not depend on relative or absolute changes between measurements.

Conclusions

Individuals with suspected acute coronary syndrome and two consecutively elevated hsTnT concentrations consistently had the highest risk of death. Mortality was very low in subjects with two normal hsTnT concentrations, irrespective of changes between measurements.
Country differences in the cross-sectional associations between smoking and depressive symptoms in adolescence
Authors: Raffetti Elena , Donato Francesco , Triolo Federico , Andersson Filip , Forsell Yvonne , Galanti Maria Rosaria
Published: November 2022

Background

The aim of the present study was to compare the cross-sectional association between smoking and depressive symptoms among adolescents between Sweden and Italy, two countries historically characterized by different norms about tobacco use and different tobacco control efforts.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including 3283 adolescents 15–16 years of age participating in the Swedish KUPOL study and 1947 same-age adolescents from the Italian BE-TEEN study. Current smoking was defined as any smoking in the past 30 days. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and the internalizing score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Country differences were explored in stratified and interaction analyses.

Results

Current smoking was associated with a 2- to 3-fold increased odds of depressive symptoms among Swedish adolescents using both CES-DC and SDQ internalizing scale. Among Italian adolescents, slightly lower increased odds of 1.5–2.5 for depressive symptoms with smoking were found using the CES-DC but not the SDQ scale. Both multiplicative and additive interactions for country were significant. The association between smoking and depressive symptoms was weaker among Italian compared with Swedish adolescents for both scores.

Conclusions

Countries with different tobacco norms and control show different associations between smoking and depressive symptoms in adolescence, probably due to different psychosocial profiles of smokers. These findings need to be considered when planning tobacco prevention programmes, e.g. by focusing on early detection of mental health distress among adolescents in settings with declining smoking prevalence and restrictive tobacco control environments.
Alignstein: Optimal transport for improved LC-MS retention time alignment
Authors: Skoraczyński Grzegorz , Gambin Anna , Miasojedow Błażej
Published: November 2022

Background

Reproducibility of liquid chromatography separation is limited by retention time drift. As a result, measured signals lack correspondence over replicates of the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) experiments. Correction of these errors is named retention time alignment and needs to be performed before further quantitative analysis. Despite the availability of numerous alignment algorithms, their accuracy is limited (e.g., for retention time drift that swaps analytes’ elution order).

Results

We present the Alignstein, an algorithm for LC-MS retention time alignment. It correctly finds correspondence even for swapped signals. To achieve this, we implemented the generalization of the Wasserstein distance to compare multidimensional features without any reduction of the information or dimension of the analyzed data. Moreover, Alignstein by design requires neither a reference sample nor prior signal identification. We validate the algorithm on publicly available benchmark datasets obtaining competitive results. Finally, we show that it can detect the information contained in the tandem mass spectrum by the spatial properties of chromatograms.

Conclusions

We show that the use of optimal transport effectively overcomes the limitations of existing algorithms for statistical analysis of mass spectrometry datasets. The algorithm’s source code is available at https://github.com/grzsko/Alignstein.
Topography effect on ambient noise tomography: a case study for the Longmen Shan area, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Jin Ruizhi , He Xiaohui , Fang Hongjian , Xie Jun , Liu Ying , Zhang Peizhen
Published: November 2022

Ambient noise tomography (ANT) is a widely used method to obtain shear wave velocity structure in the crust and upper mantle. Usually, the topography is assumed to have negligible effect on the resulting models. This, however, might not be proper in regions with large topographic variation, such as plateau edges, submarine slopes and volcanic islands. In this study, we use synthetics from waveform-based numerical simulation to quantify the topography effect on ANT in the Longmen Shan area, eastern Tibetan Plateau margin. Three kinds of models are used in forward simulation to obtain theoretical waveforms, including Case1: the layered model, Case2: the layered model with topographic variation and Case3: the flattened model of Case2. The final inversion results show that the bias of ANT is negligible in the blocks with relatively flat topography, such as the interior regions of the Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. However, for the Longmen Shan boundary zone with significant topographic variation (∼4 km), the shear wave velocity image has an obvious negative bias that can reach up to −4 per cent. The maximum depth of bias is ∼5 km, which is mirrored with the maximum topographic elevation difference of the region, and the average bias disappears as the depth decreases to the surface (0 km) or increases to three times of the maximum influence depth (∼15 km). The horizontal distribution of the tomographic bias is almost linearly related to the topographic elevation difference with a slope of −1.04 and a correlation coefficient of 0.90 at maximum influence depth. According to this first-order correction formula and the decreasing trend of average bias with depth, the topography effect on ANT can be suppressed to a certain extent.
The policy environment of self-care: a case study of the Philippines
Authors: Jaminola Leonardo Iii , Negre Jana Marie , Pepito Veincent Christian F , Loreche Arianna Maever , Dayrit Manuel M
Published: November 2022

Self-care is the ability and empowerment of individuals to maintain health through informed health-care decisions, with or without the support of a health provider. High-income countries have made advances to their conceptualization, research and institutionalization of self-care, given its reported benefits to patients, the health system and economy. A similar undertaking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with already fragile health systems is warranted as highlighted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our article therefore aimed to describe and analyse the policy environment of self-care using the Philippines as a case study, which may have relevance to other similar countries and settings that are transitioning towards Universal Health Care (UHC) to reform and strengthen their primary care systems. We conducted 13 key informant interviews and 2 focus group discussions among representatives from the government, the pharmaceutical retail/industry, community retail pharmacy, primary health physicians and health workers, an infirmary administrator and patients and/or patient advocates. We triangulated our qualitative data with findings from our policy review. We found a total of 13 relevant policies on self-care in the Philippines recently drafted and/or implemented from 2016 to 2021 that fall under the broad categories of unifying frameworks and road maps, capacity building and institutional streamlining, regulations and disease guidelines. Our case study highlights the role of the UHC Law as a driver for self-care and patient empowerment towards better health outcomes with its passage resulting in the promulgation of self-care-related policies. Our findings also suggest that changes in the local policy and built environment, and the formal educational and health systems, are needed to foster a culture of responsible self-care. There are notable exemplars in advancing self-care in the region, including Thailand, from which LMICs like the Philippines can draw lessons to make progress on institutionalizing self-care and, ultimately, realizing UHC and Health For All.
Population dynamics and gene regulation of T cells in response to chronic antigen stimulation
Authors: Hsiung Sunnie , Egawa Takeshi
Published: November 2022

T cells are activated by antigen and co-stimulatory receptor signaling and undergo robust proliferation and differentiation into effector cells with protective function. Such quantitatively and qualitatively amplified T cell responses are effective in controlling acute infection and are followed by contraction of the effector population and the formation of resting memory T cells for enhanced protection against previously experienced antigens. However, in the face of persistent antigen during chronic viral infection, in autoimmunity, or in the tumor microenvironment, T cells exhibit distinct responses relative to those in acute insult in several aspects, including reduced clonal expansion and impaired effector function associated with inhibitory receptor expression, a state known as exhaustion. Nevertheless, their responses to chronic infection and tumors are sustained through the establishment of hierarchical heterogeneity, which preserves the duration of the response by generating newly differentiated effector cells. In this review, we highlight recent findings on distinct dynamics of T cell responses under “exhausting” conditions and the roles of the transcription factors that support attenuated yet long-lasting T cell responses as well as the establishment of dysfunctional states.
Will the United States come to Taiwan’s defense? Analysis of public opinion in Taiwan and the United States
Authors: Wu Chung-li , Lin Alex Min-Wei
Published: November 2022

If conflict breaks out between Taiwan and China, would the United States come to the island’s defense? China’s growing assertiveness in the region and aggressive military activities around Taiwan have renewed interest in this decades-old question. This study examines the issue by employing two surveys, one conducted in Taiwan and another in the United States. Results of the Taiwan survey indicate that while a majority of Taiwan citizens do indeed believe the United States would help defend Taiwan if it were attacked by China, five types of respondents—idealists, pragmatists, democracy skeptics, political realists, and pessimists—can be discerned, each with a distinctive pattern of reasoning. Findings from the US survey reveal that while Americans mostly hold positive views of Taiwan, there is little consensus on the preferred US military response in the event of a Chinese attack. These analyses contribute to the existing literature on evolving public opinion in Taiwan and the United States concerning the possibility of armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
What a 31-yr multibreed herd taught us about the influence of B. indicus genetics on reproductive performance of cows
Authors: Martins Thiago , Rocha Cecilia C , Driver Joseph Danny , Rae Owen , Elzo Mauricio A , Mateescu Raluca G , Santos Jose Eduardo P , Binelli Mario
Published: November 2022

Bos taurus × Bos indicus crosses are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, nonetheless, quantitative information about the influence of B. indicus genetics on the reproductive performance of beef cattle is lacking. Herein, we determined the association between level of B. indicus genetics and reproduction from a 31-yr dataset comprising sequential breeding seasons of the University of Florida multibreed herd (n = 6,503 Angus × Brahman cows). The proportion of B. indicus genetics in this herd is evenly distributed by each 1/32nd or approximately 3-percentage points. From 1989 to 2020, the estrous cycle of cows was synchronized for artificial insemination (AI) based on detected estrus or timed-AI (TAI) using programs based on gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin, and progestin/progesterone. All cows were exposed to natural service after AI and approximately 90-d breeding seasons, considering the day of AI as day 0. The proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was associated negatively with pregnancy per AI, ranging from 51.6% for cows with 0%–19% of B. indicus genetics to 37.4% for cows with 81%–100% of B. indicus genetics. Similar association was found for estrous response at the end of the synchronization protocol, ranging from 66.3% to 38.4%, respectively. This reduced estrous response helped to explain the pregnancy results, once the pregnancy to AI of cows showing estrus was 2.3-fold greater than for those not showing estrus and submitted to TAI. Despite reduced pregnancy per AI, the increase in the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was not associated with a reduction in the proportion of pregnant cows at the end of the breeding season. Nevertheless, the interval from entering the breeding season to pregnancy was lengthened as the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows increased. The median days to pregnancy was extended by 25 when the proportion of B. indicus genetics surpassed 78% compared with less than 20%. Thus, the increase in the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was related to a reduction in pregnancy per AI and lengthening the interval to attain pregnancy during the breeding season, but not with the final proportion of pregnant cows. As a result, reproductive management strategies directed specifically to cows with a greater proportion of B. indicus genetics are needed to improve the rate of pregnancy in beef herds.