bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Niche conservatism and strong phylogenetic signals in climate, soil, and morphological variation of Neotropical firs (Abies, Pinaceae)
Authors: Cruz‐Nicolás Jorge , Martínez‐Méndez Norberto , Aguirre‐Planter Erika , Eguiarte Luis E. , Jaramillo‐Correa Juan P.
Published: June 2023

Interspecific trait divergence may reflect adaptation and reproductive isolation, particularly after the rapid differentiation that may follow the colonization of new environments. Although new lineages are generally expected to be morphologically and ecologically similar to their ancestors, environmental forces can also drive adaptive differentiation along specific phenotypic axes. We used climate niche models and comparative analyses based on a previously inferred phylogeny to examine the history of ecological and morphological divergence of Neotropical firs (Abies Mill., Pinaceae), a group of conifers that have recently colonized and diversified in the mountains of Mexico and northern Central America. We inferred past secondary contact zones by comparing current and past climate niche projections and looked for evidence of recent interspecific gene flow using genomic data. Neotropical firs have similar niches to each other and show a strong phylogenetic signal for most evaluated morphological traits. Analyses based on individual variables suggested a random walk model of differentiation. However, early adaptation to tropical conditions is inferred in the ancestor of the southernmost firs, as all modern southern taxa are differentiated climatically from Abies concolor, the northernmost species. In addition, observed autapomorphic traits for soil properties and the number of resin ducts in needles are consistent with possible species‐specific adaptations. Thus, a combination of nonadaptive and adaptive processes along different phenotypic axes, some related to the environment, likely operated after the southward migration of this plant lineage from North America and its subsequent radiation in the Neotropics.
Evaluation of the effects of medium‐term (57‐day) omeprazole administration and of omeprazole discontinuation on serum gastrin and serum chromogranin A concentrations in the horse
Authors: Clark Bethanie , Steel Catherine , Vokes Jessica , Shan Jack R. , Gedye Kristene , Lovett Amy , Sykes B. W.
Published: June 2023

Background

Rebound gastric hyperacidity (RGH) secondary to hypergastrinemia has been suggested to contribute to the rapid recurrence of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) in horses after discontinuation of omeprazole.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate changes in serum gastrin and chromogranin A (CgA) concentrations in response to medium‐term (57‐day) omeprazole treatment and after omeprazole discontinuation.

Animals

Fourteen mature Thoroughbred racehorses in simulated race training.

Methods

Horses received 2.28 g of oral omeprazole PO q24h for 57 days within a 61‐day period, excluding a withholding period applied mid‐protocol during which treatment was stopped as part of a concurrent study. Serum samples were collected on day 0 before omeprazole treatment, on day 1 of each week of the treatment period, and for an additional 5 weeks after discontinuation of treatment. Serum gastrin and CgA concentrations were analyzed using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and ELISA, respectively.

Results

Median serum gastrin concentrations increased 2.5‐fold from baseline to day 7 (P < .001) but did not increase further during the omeprazole treatment period. Median serum gastrin concentrations returned to baseline within 2 to 4 days after administration of the last dose of omeprazole. No effect of treatment or discontinuation was seen in serum CgA concentrations.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum gastrin concentrations increased in response to omeprazole treatment but returned to baseline within 2 to 4 days after the last dose of omeprazole. No effect of treatment or discontinuation was seen in serum CgA concentrations. Our results do not support the use of tapering protocols in horses.
Assessing the utility of a novel entrustment‐supervision assessment tool
Authors: Dewhirst Sebastian , Wood Timothy J. , Cheung Warren J. , Frank Jason R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Work‐based assessments (WBAs) are increasingly used to inform decisions about trainee progression. Unfortunately, WBAs often fail to discriminate between trainees of differing abilities and have poor reliability. Entrustment‐supervision scales may improve WBA performance, but there is a paucity of literature directly comparing them to traditional WBA tools.

Methods

The Ottawa Emergency Department Shift Observation Tool (O‐EDShOT) is a previously published WBA tool employing an entrustment‐supervision scale with strong validity evidence. This pre‐/post‐implementation study compares the performance of the O‐EDShOT with that of a traditional WBA tool using norm‐based anchors.

All assessments completed in 12‐month periods before and after implementing the O‐EDShOT were collected, and generalisability analysis was conducted with year of training, trainees within year and forms within trainee as nested factors. Secondary analysis included assessor as a factor.

Results

A total of 3908 and 3679 assessments were completed by 99 and 116 assessors, for 152 and 138 trainees in the pre‐ and post‐implementation phases respectively. The O‐EDShOT generated a wider range of awarded scores than the traditional WBA, and mean scores increased more with increasing level of training (0.32 vs. 0.14 points per year, p = 0.01). A significantly greater proportion of overall score variability was attributable to trainees using the O‐EDShOT (59%) compared with the traditional tool (21%, p < 0.001). Assessors contributed less to overall score variability for the O‐EDShOT than for the traditional WBA (16% vs. 37%). Moreover, the O‐EDShOT required fewer completed assessments than the traditional tool (27 vs. 51) for a reliability of 0.8.

Conclusion

The O‐EDShOT outperformed a traditional norm‐referenced WBA in discriminating between trainees and required fewer assessments to generate a reliable estimate of trainee performance. More broadly, this study adds to the body of literature suggesting that entrustment‐supervision scales generate more useful and reliable assessments in a variety of clinical settings.
Including calcium‐fortified water or flour in modeled diets based on local foods could improve calcium intake for women, adolescent girls, and young children in Bangladesh, Uganda, and Guatemala
Authors: Knight Frances , Ferguson Elaine L. , Rana Ziaul H. , Belizan José , Gomes Filomena , Bourassa Megan W. , Dickin Katherine L. , Weaver Connie M. , Cormick Gabriela
Published: June 2023

Adequate calcium intake is essential for health, especially for infants, children, adolescents, and women, yet is difficult to achieve with local foods in many low‐ and middle‐income countries. Previous analysis found it was not always possible to identify food‐based recommendations (FBRs) that reached the calcium population recommended intake (PRI) for these groups in Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Uganda. We have modeled the potential contribution of calcium‐fortified drinking water or wheat flour to FBR sets, to fill the remaining intake gaps. Optimized diets containing fortified products, with calcium‐rich local foods, achieved the calcium PRI for all target groups. Combining fortified water or flour with FBRs met dietary intake targets for adolescent girls in all geographies and allowed a reduction from 3–4 to the more feasible 1–2 FBRs. Water with a calcium concentration of 100 mg/L with FBRs was sufficient to meet calcium targets in Uganda, but higher concentrations (400–500 mg/L) were mostly required in Guatemala and Bangladesh. Combining calcium‐fortified wheat flour at 400 mg/100 g of flour and the FBR for small fish resulted in diets meeting the calcium PRI in Bangladesh. Calcium‐fortified water or flour could improve calcium intake for vulnerable populations, especially when combined with FBRs based on locally available foods.
Mindfulness for psychosis: Current evidence, unanswered questions and future directions
Authors: Ellett Lyn
Published: June 2023

Purpose & Method

Mindfulness for psychosis research has grown exponentially over the last 15 years. In this paper, a brief overview of mindfulness for psychosis is provided followed by a summary of the findings from a systematic search of meta‐analyses dated up to February 2023. Current issues in the field are discussed and a future research agenda is presented.

Results

Ten meta‐analyses published between 2013 and 2023 were identified. Reported effect sizes on reductions in psychotic symptoms ranged from small‐large across reviews. Four key issues in the field are identified and discussed – (1) is mindfulness for psychosis safe? (2) is home practice essential and related to clinical outcomes? (3) what is the impact of mindfulness practice versus metacognitive insights derived from practice, on clinical outcomes? (4) do the benefits translate into routine clinical practice?

Conclusions

Mindfulness is a promising intervention that is emerging as being both safe and effective for people with psychosis. Future research focused on evaluating mechanisms of change and implementation in routine clinical practice should be prioritised.
Comparison of two pharmacological semen collection times with α2‐adrenergic agonist in domestic cats
Authors: Hidalgo Myrian Megumy Tsunokawa , de Almeida Ana Beatriz Marques , dos Santos Silva Leticia Amanda , Greghi Julia Rodrigues , Silva Vinícius Wagner , Sambatti Natália Ribeiro , Trautwein Luiz Guilherme Corsi , Martins Maria Isabel Mello
Published: June 2023

The use of α2‐adrenergic agonists in association with urethral catheterization has been used as a technique for pharmacological semen collection in cats. The mechanism of action of this drug is the stimulation of adrenoreceptors in the vas deferens, which results in ejaculation. While medetomidine is the α2‐agonist most commonly used in studies, ejaculation with the use of dexmedetomidine associated with ketamine has been effective, but with variable results. Therefore, further studies regarding the methodology of use are required to obtain better seminal quality. This study aimed to compare two pharmacological semen collection times after the association of dexmedetomidine (30 μg/kg, IM; Dormitor®, Zoetis), ketamine (5 mg/kg, IM; ketamine, Vetnil) and urethral catheterization using a tomcat probe (0.8 mm × 1.00 mm × 11 cm). The collections were divided into two experimental groups: G10 (N = 8; urethral catheterization after 10 min of anaesthesia) and G15 (N = 8; urethral catheterization after 15 min of anaesthesia). The ejaculates were evaluated for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, morphology and kinetics using the CASA system. To compare the groups, the t‐test and the Mann–Whitney U‐test were used with a significance level of 5%. It was identified that ejaculate volume (G10: 22.62 ± 2.13 vs. G15: 26.81 ± 1.55; p < .001) and sperm concentration (G10: 48.10 × 106 ± 17.84 vs. G15: 90.18 × 106 ± 19.35; p < .001) was higher in G15 than in G10 and had a lower percentage of minor defects than G10 (G10: 3.12 ± 2.41 vs. G15: 1.00 ± 1.19; p = .043). Regarding the kinetic parameters, the results of G15 were better for total motility—TM (G10: 67.00 ± 10.33 vs. G15: 81.87 ± 7.99; p = .006) and faster cells—RAPID: (G10: 55.00 ± 16.63 vs. G15: 74.25 ± 11.94; p = .019); whereas a higher proportion of cells with slow speed—SLOW were seen in G10 (G10: 31.00 ± 12.07 vs. 17.12 ± 7.53; p = .015). Based on these findings, we suggest that collection via urethral catheterization should be performed 15 min after the application of ketamine‐associated dexmedetomidine to obtain a better‐quality ejaculate.
A retinoscopic survey of donkeys and goats
Authors: Pe'er Oren , Gantz Liat , Gal Eyal , Ofri Ron
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Assess the refractive states of donkeys and goats.

Methods

Forty‐two donkeys and 28 goats were enrolled. The mean ± SD ages were 7.68 ± 7.33 years for donkeys and 4.26 ± 2.33 years for goats. Seven donkeys and one goat were <6 months old. Retinoscopy was performed in alert animals, following cycloplegia in goats but not in donkeys. Normality was determined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The two primary meridians and two eyes were compared using Pearson's correlation and paired Student's t–tests. The association between refractive states and age was examined using one‐way ANOVA in donkeys and a paired Student's t‐test in goats. One‐sample t‐tests were conducted to assess if the refractive error distributions were significantly different from “0”.

Results

The mean ± SD spherical equivalent (SE) refractive errors of the right and left donkey eyes were −0.80 ± 1.03 D and −0.35 ± 0.95 D, respectively. The majority (86%) of the donkeys had an astigmatic refraction and eight (19%) had anisometropia. The mean SE refractive errors of the right and left goat eyes were −0.15 ± 1.1 D and −0.18 ± 1.2 D, respectively. The majority (54%) of the goat eyes had an astigmatic refraction and five (18%) had anisometropia. The right and left eye SE refractive errors were positively correlated in both species (both p = .9). Age was not correlated with refractive error in both donkeys (p = .09) and goats (p = .6).

Conclusions

Both goats and donkeys are emmetropic.
Molecular systematics of tamarins with emphasis on genusTamarinus(Primates, Callitrichidae)
Authors: Lopes Gerson Paulino , Rohe Fábio , Bertuol Fabrício , Polo Érico , Valsecchi João , Santos Tamily Carvalho Melo , Silva Felipe Ennes , Lima Ivan Junqueira , Sampaio Ricardo , da Silva Maria Nazareth Ferreira , Silva Claudia Regina , Boubli Jean , Costa‐Araújo Rodrigo , de Thoisy Benoît , Ruiz‐García Manuel , Gordo Marcelo , Sampaio Iracilda , Farias Izeni Pires , Hrbek Tomas
Published: June 2023

The genusSaguinuscomprises three principal clades that diverged in the Middle to Late Miocene. Their taxa are ecologically differentiated and allopatrically distributed. These clades were recently recognized as different genera,Saguinus,TamarinusandOedipomidas. InTamarinus, the phylogenetic relationships among species/subspecies are poorly understood. Thus, in this study we present a comprehensive dated genomic phylogeny based on double digest restriction associated DNA for all known species and subspecies ofTamarinus. We also tested whether thatTamarinus imperatorandTamarinus subgrisescensare different species, as morphology‐based taxonomy, phenotypical divergences and mitochondrial genes recognized them as two different species. Additionally, we reconstructed time‐calibrated phylogenetics tree hypotheses of all extant species and subspecies of the generaSaguinus,TamarinusandOedipomidas. Our analysis robustly supported the phylogenetic hypothesis of all species/subspecies of the genusTamarinus; strongly supported a divergence between the three clades,Saguinus,OedipomidasandTamarinus; and provided support forT. imperatorandT. subgrisescensas distinct species. Therefore, we reiterate and ratify the division ofSaguinusinto three genera, supporting the taxonomic proposal for these genera.
Transient Study (Annual) of the Heat Transfer of a Two-Channel Solar Air Collector
Authors: Álvarez Benjamin , Arce Jesús , Colorado Dario
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a numerical heat transfer study of a solar air collector with two channels (SAC-2C) was carried out. Energy global balances in two dimension (2D) and unsteady state were considered, as well as bio-climatic conditions of Toluca city in Mexico (sub-humid temperate climate). Six mass flowrates (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.5 kg/s) were considered during the numerical simulation, for the coldest and the warmest day of each month during a complete year (2019). Among the results, it was found that thermal efficiency of the system increases up to 35% when the mass flowrate changes from 0.01 to 0.2 kg/s, meanwhile, maximum efficiency of 84% were obtained for a mass flowrate of 0.5 kg/s. Finally, based on a cost-benefit analysis, it was determined that the SAC-2C has a recovery time of the initial investment ($ 250 USD) of three and a half years. So that the SAC-2C has the capacity to produce 1, 654, 451 kW h/m2 of clean energy annually, which is equivalent to ceasing to produce 871, 895 kg CO2 per square meter of installation.
Kinesiology Review’s Scholarly Influence: An Audit of Its First Decade
Authors: Knudson Duane
Published: June 2023

This study documented the scholarly influence of the first 10 years (2012–2021) of Kinesiology Review (KR). Publication, indexing, and citation data were collected from Google Scholar, the KR editor and website, and two open services using Scopus bibliometric data. KR published 356 articles with recent acceptance rates and median initial review times of 30%–55% and 63–85 days, respectively. KR is indexed in five databases, with searches of Google Scholar indicating 92% have received citations by April 5, 2023. The top 36 (10%) cited articles received a total of 2,533 Google Scholar citations. Top cited KR articles had medians of 50 citations and eight citations/per year over 8 years since their publication, as well as 2021 SCImago Journal Rank and SNIP (source-normalized impact per paper) values similar to many kinesiology journals. There was broad subdisciplinary representation with top cited articles from Behavioral/Social Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary/Other, and Humanities. KR makes influential contributions synthesizing kinesiology’s interdisciplinarity knowledge.
N
-acetylneuraminate pyruvate lyase controls sialylation of muscle glycoproteins essential for muscle regeneration and function
Authors: Da Silva Afitz , Dort Junio , Orfi Zakaria , Pan Xuefang , Huang Sjanie , Kho Ikhui , Heckel Emilie , Muscarnera Giacomo , van Vliet Patrick Piet , Sturiale Luisa , Messina Angela , Romeo Donata Agata , van Karnebeek Clara D.M. , Wen Xiao-Yan , Hinek Aleksander , Molina Thomas , Andelfinger Gregor , Ellezam Benjamin , Yamanaka Yojiro , Olivos Hernando J. , Morales Carlos R. , Joyal Jean-Sébastien , Lefeber Dirk J. , Garozzo Domenico , Dumont Nicolas A. , Pshezhetsky Alexey V.
Published: June 2023

Deleterious variants in
N-
acetylneuraminate pyruvate lyase (NPL) cause skeletal myopathy and cardiac edema in humans and zebrafish, but its physiological role remains unknown. We report generation of mouse models of the disease:

Npl
R63C

, carrying the human p.Arg63Cys variant, and

Npl
del116

with a 116-bp exonic deletion. In both strains, NPL deficiency causes drastic increase in free sialic acid levels, reduction of skeletal muscle force and endurance, slower healing and smaller size of newly formed myofibers after cardiotoxin-induced muscle injury, increased glycolysis, partially impaired mitochondrial function, and aberrant sialylation of dystroglycan and mitochondrial LRP130 protein. NPL-catalyzed degradation of sialic acid in the muscle increases after fasting and injury and in human patient and mouse models with genetic muscle dystrophy, demonstrating that NPL is essential for muscle function and regeneration and serves as a general marker of muscle damage. Oral administration of
N-
acetylmannosamine rescues skeletal myopathy, as well as mitochondrial and structural abnormalities in

Npl
R63C

mice, suggesting a potential treatment for human patients.
Evaluating how well active fault mapping predicts earthquake surface-rupture locations
Authors: Scott Chelsea , Adam Rachel , Arrowsmith Ramon , Madugo Christopher , Powell Joseph , Ford John , Gray Brian , Koehler Rich , Thompson Stephen , Sarmiento Alexandra , Dawson Timothy , Kottke Albert , Young Elaine , Williams Alana , Kozaci Ozgur , Oskin Michael , Burgette Reed , Streig Ashley , Seitz Gordon , Page William , Badin Curtis , Carnes Lorraine , Giblin Jacqueline , McNeil James , Graham Jenna , Chupik Daniel , Ingersoll Sean
Published: June 2023

Earthquake surface-fault rupture location uncertainty is a key factor in fault displacement hazard analysis and informs hazard and risk mitigation strategies. Geologists often predict future rupture locations from fault mapping based on the geomorphology interpreted from remote-sensing data sets. However, surface processes can obscure fault location, fault traces may be mapped in error, and a future rupture may not break every fault trace. We assessed how well geomorphology-based fault mapping predicted surface ruptures for seven earthquakes: 1983 M 6.9 Borah Peak, 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield, 2010 M 7.2 El Mayor–Cucapah, 2011 M 6.7 Fukushima-Hamadori, 2014 M 6.0 South Napa, 2016 M 7.8 Kaikoura, and 2016 M 7 Kumamoto. We trained geoscience students to produce active fault maps using topography and imagery acquired before the earthquakes. A geologic professional completed a “control” map. Mappers used a new “geomorphic indicator ranking” approach to rank fault confidence based on geomorphologic landforms. We determined the accuracy of the mapped faults by comparing the fault maps to published rupture maps. We defined predicted ruptures as ruptures near a fault (50–200 m, depending on the fault confidence) that interacted with the landscape in a similar way to the fault. The mapped faults predicted between 12% to 68% of the principal rupture length for the studied earthquakes. The median separation distances between predicted ruptures and strong, distinct, or weak faults were 15–30 m. Our work highlights that mapping future fault ruptures is an underappreciated challenge of fault displacement hazard analysis—even for experts—with implications for risk management, engineering site assessments, and fault exclusion zones.
Brugada syndrome uncovered in patient with pseudohypoaldosteronism due to hyperkalaemia
Authors: Barforoshi Shiva , Thangathurai Jenica , Khakpour Houman , Shah Sonia
Published: June 2023

Brugada syndrome is a rare sodium channelopathy that predisposes to an increased risk of malignant arrythmias and sudden cardiac death. Previous studies have reported that metabolic disturbances can uncover a Brugada ECG pattern. Given the risk of malignant arrhythmias, it is important to correctly diagnose and treat Brugada syndrome. We report a case of Brugada syndrome uncovered by hyperkalaemia precipitated in a patient with pseudohypoaldosteronism.
Intraventricular migration of fourth ventricular neurocysticercosis: an unusual complication during endoscopic surgery
Authors: Singh Deepak Kumar , Kumar Sharma Prevesh , Singh Neha , Chand Vipin
Published: June 2023

A boy in his middle childhood presented with intermittent episodes of headache with vomiting for 6 months. Plain CT of the head and MRI of the brain revealed fourth ventricular cysticercal cyst with acute obstructive hydrocephalus. Endoscopic excision of the cyst was done along with endoscopic third ventriculostomy and septostomy with external ventricular drain placement. Although we were able to decompress the cysticercal cyst, unfortunately, the cyst got slipped from the grasper leaving the grasped cyst wall in the tooth of the grasper. Through this case report, we want to highlight that such a complication could also happen during neuroendoscopic cysticercal cyst removal and how we dealt with it. Our patient was discharged neurologically intact and was symptom free on follow-up.
Genetically proxied lean mass and risk of Alzheimer’s disease: mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Daghlas Iyas , Nassan Malik , Gill Dipender
Published: June 2023

Objective

To examine whether genetically proxied lean mass is associated with risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Design

Mendelian randomisation study.

Setting

The UK Biobank study and genome wide association study meta-analyses of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive performance.

Participants

Summary level genetic data from: 450 243 UK Biobank participants with impedance measures of lean mass and fat mass; an independent sample of 21 982 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and 41 944 controls without Alzheimer’s disease; a replication sample of 7329 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and 252 879 controls; and 269 867 individuals taking part in a genome wide association study of cognitive performance.

Main outcome measure

Effect of genetically proxied lean mass on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and the related phenotype of cognitive performance.

Results

An increase in genetically proxied appendicular lean mass of one standard deviation was associated with a 12% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 0.95, P=0.001). This finding was replicated in an independent cohort of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (0.91, 0.83 to 0.99, P=0.02) and was consistent in sensitivity analyses that are more robust to the inclusion of pleiotropic variants. Higher genetically proxied appendicular lean mass was also associated with increased cognitive performance (standard deviation increase in cognitive performance for each standard deviation increase in appendicular lean mass 0.09, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.11, P=0.001), and adjusting for potential mediation through genetically proxied cognitive performance did not reduce the association between appendicular lean mass and risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Similar results were found for the outcomes of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive performance when the risk factors of genetically proxied trunk lean mass and whole body lean mass were used, respectively, adjusted for genetically proxied fat mass.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that lean mass might be a possible modifiable protective factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanisms underlying this finding, as well as the clinical and public health implications, warrant further investigation.
Clinical results of 30 consecutive patients of carotid artery stenosis treated with CASPER stent placement: 1-year follow-up and in-stent findings on intravascular ultrasound examination immediately and 6 months after treatment
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Izawa Daisuke , Nishiyama Hirokazu , Nakayama Yukie , Maeshima Kazuhide
Published: June 2023

Background

The CASPER stent is expected to reduce periprocedural ischemic complications, but there is concern about restenosis in the early period. One-year follow-up results of CASPER stenting and findings on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) immediately and 6 months after treatment are evaluated.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients were treated with CASPER stents for carotid artery stenosis. IVUS was performed immediately after stenting, and MRI and carotid ultrasonography were performed the next day, at 1 week, at 2 weeks, and then every 3 months. One-year follow-up results were evaluated. Twenty-five patients underwent follow-up angiography and IVUS after 6 months and their findings were investigated.

Results

All patients were treated without complications during the intraoperative and periprocedural periods. After 6 months, all 25 patients with follow-up angiography and IVUS showed various degrees of intimal formation on IVUS and 8 of them had ≥50% stenosis on angiography. Three of the 30 patients required retreatment within 6 months because of severe restenosis. In these patients, the inner layer of the stent was deformed toward the inside due to intimal hyperplasia on follow-up IVUS, and there was dissociation between the inner and outer layers. All but the 3 of 30 patients with 1-year follow-up did not lead to symptomatic cerebrovascular events or retreatment.

Conclusions

The CASPER stent appears to be effective for preventing periprocedural ischemic complications. IVUS showed various degrees of intimal formation within 6 months after treatment, and it is possible that the CASPER stent is structurally prone to intimal formation or hyperplasia.
Active drug-coated flow diverter in a preclinical model of intracranial stenting
Authors: King Robert M , Peker Ahmet , Epshtein Mark , Arends Jennifer M , Brochu Alice B , Raskett Christopher M , Slazas Kimiko J , Puri Ajit S , Arthur Adam S , Fiorella David , Gounis Matthew J , Anagnostakou Vania
Published: June 2023

Background

Flow diverters carry the risk of thromboembolic complications (TEC). We tested a coating with covalently bound heparin that activates antithrombin to address TEC by locally downregulating the coagulation cascade. We hypothesized that the neuroimaging evidence of TEC would be reduced by the coating.

Methods

16 dogs were implanted with overlapping flow diverters in the basilar artery, separated into two groups: heparin-coated (n=9) and uncoated (n=7). Following implantation, high-frequency optical coherence tomography (HF-OCT) was acquired to quantify acute thrombus (AT) formation on the flow diverters. MRI was performed postoperatively and repeated at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks, consisting of T1-weighted imaging, time-0f-flight (ToF), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences. Neurological examinations were performed throughout the 8-week duration of the study.

Results

The mean AT volume on coated devices was lower than uncoated (0.014 vs 0.018 mm3); however, this was not significant (P=0.3). The mean number of foci of magnetic susceptibility artifacts (MSAs) on SWI was significantly different between the uncoated and coated groups at the 1-week follow-up (P<0.02), and remained statistically different throughout the duration of the study. The AT volume showed a direct linear correlation with the MSA count and 80% of the variance in the MSA could be explained by the AT volume (P<0.001). Pathological analysis showed evidence of ischemic injury at locations of MSA.

Conclusions

Heparin-coated flow diverters significantly reduced the number of new MSAs after 1 week follow-up, showing the potential to reduce TEC.
Cyclosporine-induced erythromelalgia
Authors: Caiza-Zambrano Francisco , Galarza Julio , Benetti Mauricio , Gonzalez Fabio , Landriscina Paula , Reisin Ricardo , León-Cejas Luciana
Published: June 2023

Erythromelalgia is a rare syndrome characterised by recurrent erythema, heat and burning pain in the extremities. There are two types: primary (genetic) and secondary (toxic, drug-related or associated with other diseases). We report a 42-year-old woman who developed erythromelalgia after taking cyclosporine for myasthenia gravis. Although exact mechanism for this rare adverse effect is unclear, it is reversible, and so clinicians should be aware of the association . Additional use of corticosteroids could aggravate cyclosporine’s toxic effects.
The effects of regional quadriceps architecture on angle-specific rapid force expression
Authors: Oranchuk Dustin J. , Hopkins William G. , Cronin John B. , Storey Adam G. , Nelson André R.
Published: June 2023

Evaluating anatomical contributions to performance can increase understanding of muscle mechanics and guide physical preparation. While the impact of anatomy on muscular performance is well studied, the effects of regional quadriceps architecture on rapid torque or force expression are less clear. Regional (proximal, middle, and distal) quadriceps (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus intermedius) thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) of 24 males (48 limbs) were assessed via ultrasonography. Participants performed maximal isometric knee extensions at 40°, 70°, and 100° of knee flexion to evaluate rate of force development from 0 to 200 ms (RFD0-200). Measurements were repeated on three occasions with the greatest RFD0-200 and mean muscle architecture measures used for analysis. Linear regression models predicting angle-specific RFD0-200 from regional anatomy provided adjusted correlations (√adj R2) with bootstrapped compatibility limits. Mid-rectus femoris MT (√adj R2 = 0.41–0.51) and proximal vastus lateralis FL (√adj R2 = 0.42–0.48) were the best single predictors of RFD0-200, and the only measures to reach precision with 99% compatibility limits. Small simple correlations were found across all regions and joint angles between RFD0-200 and vastus lateralis MT (√adj R2 = 0.28 ± 0.13; mean ± SD), vastus lateralis FL (√adj R2 = 0.33 ± 0.10), rectus femoris MT (√adj R2 = 0.38 ± 0.10), and lateral vastus intermedius MT (√adj R2 = 0.24 ± 0.10). Between-correlation comparisons are reported within the article. Researchers should measure mid-region rectus femoris MT and vastus lateralis FL to efficiently and robustly evaluate potential anatomical contributions to rapid knee extension force changes, with distal and proximal measurements providing little additional value. However, correlations were generally small to moderate, suggesting that neurological factors may be critical in rapid force expression.
Gravitational lensing: dark energy models in non-flat FRW Universe
Authors: Kundu Rownak , Debnath Ujjal , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: June 2023

In a non-flat FRW model, we have considered our Universe to be filled with non-interacting dark energy and dark matter. For the dark energy models, we have assumed Tachyonic Field (TF), Generalized Cosmic Chaplygin Gas (GCCG), New Variable Modified Chaplygin Gas (NVMCG), Modified Chaplygin–Jacobi Gas (MCJG), and Modified Chaplygin–Abel Gas (MCAG). We then analyzed these dark energy models with varying cosmological parameters in their optical depth behaviour and presented our result graphically. Later on, a comparison of our findings of the corresponding models in flat and non-flat Universe with the $$\Lambda CDM$$

Λ
C
D
M

model has also been presented.
Going all the way in the search for WIMP dark matter at the muon collider through precision measurements
Authors: Franceschini Roberto , Zhao Xiaoran
Published: June 2023

Dark Matter is a necessary ingredient for a complete theory of Nature, which has so far remained elusive in laboratory searches for new particles. Searches at current and future colliders are in principle a promising way to search for electroweak charged dark matter particles, but the sensitivity of experiments at the LHC and future pp colliders falls short to fully probe the whole mass range allowed for electroweak charged dark matter particles, which extends in principle up to the O(0.1) PeV. In this work we examine the effect of on-shell and off-shell propagation of electroweak charged thermal dark matter particles on integrated and differential rates of several Standard Model final states at the muon collider, considering candidates from weak 2-plet at the TeV scale up to 7-plet and 9-plet in the O(0.1) PeV ballpark. For fermionic WIMPs we find that all dark matter candidates with $$n\le 5$$

n
≤
5

, corresponding to a thermal mass up to 14 TeV, can be probed at the high-energy muon collider for some center-of-mass energy at or below 14 TeV. For the $$n>5$$

n
>
5

WIMPs our results show that higher energy muon colliders offer a route to conclusively probe both scalar and fermionic WIMPs off-shell production all the way up to the perturbativity bound for WIMP dark matter at O(0.1) PeV. Our results bring WIMPs over the whole allowed mass range in the realm of collider searches and motivate research and development for the realization of a high energy muon collider.
Veratramine Inhibits the Cell Cycle Progression, Migration, and Invasion via ATM/ATR Pathway in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kim Hee-Yeon , Lee Seoung-Woo , Choi Seong-Kyoon , Ashim Janbolat , Kim Wansoo , Beak Su-Min , Park Jin-Kyu , Han Jee Eun , Cho Gil-Jae , Ryoo Zae Young , Jeong Jain , Lee Yong-Ho , Jeong Hyohoon , Yu Wookyung , Park Song
Published: June 2023

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men. Treatment of PC becomes difficult after progression because PC that used to be androgen-dependent becomes androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Veratramine, an alkaloid extracted from the root of the Veratrum genus, has recently been reported to have anticancer effects that work against various cancers; however, its anticancer effects and the underlying mechanism of action in PC remain unknown. We investigated the anticancer effects of veratramine on AIPC using PC3 and DU145 cell lines, as well as a xenograft mouse model. The antitumor effects of veratramine were evaluated using the CCK-8, anchorage-independent colony formation, trans-well, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry in AIPC cell lines. Microarray and proteomics analyses were performed to investigate the differentially expressed genes and proteins induced by veratramine in AIPC cells. A xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the therapeutic response and in vivo efficacy of veratramine. Veratramine dose dependently reduced the proliferation of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, veratramine treatment effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of PC cells. The immunoblot analysis revealed that veratramine significantly downregulated Cdk4/6 and cyclin D1 via the ATM/ATR and Akt pathways, both of which induce a DNA damage response that eventually leads to G1 phase arrest. In this study, we discovered that veratramine exerted antitumor effects on AIPC cells. We demonstrated that veratramine significantly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells via G0/G1 phase arrest induced by the ATM/ATR and Akt pathways. These results suggest that veratramine is a promising natural therapeutic agent for AIPC.
An Active-Set-Based Recursive Approach for Solving Convex Isotonic Regression with Generalized Order Restrictions
Authors: Chen Xuyu , Li Xudong , Su Yangfeng
Published: June 2023

This paper studies the convex isotonic regression with generalized order restrictions induced by a directed tree. The proposed model covers various intriguing optimization problems with shape or order restrictions, including the generalized nearly isotonic optimization and the total variation on a tree. Inspired by the success of the pool-adjacent-violator algorithm and its active-set interpretation, we propose an active-set-based recursive approach for solving the underlying model. Unlike the brute-force approach that traverses an exponential number of possible active-set combinations, our algorithm has a polynomial time computational complexity under mild assumptions.
Numerical study of MHD radiative Williamson fluid over an inclined moving plate covering of water-based hybrid nanomaterial
Authors: Jangid Sanju , Mehta Ruchika , Singh Jagdev , Kumar Devendra
Published: June 2023

Modern developments in nanotechnology have provided a fantastic foundation for creating a better ultra-high-performing coolant known as nanofluids for many applications in manufacturing and engineering. Numerous scholars have been drawn in by the hybrid nanomaterials’ capacity to improve heat transmission more to examine the working fluid. This study uses the mathematical solution to explore the effect of viscous dissipative on the radiative-convective Williamson hybrid nanofluid flow through an angled moving plate with a magnetic impression. Focusing on certain reasonable assumptions, a nonlinear partial differential equation system is developed and then numerically solved using the bvp4c method. It is thoroughly explained how a particular collection of distinctive factors affects the motion features, shear stress, temperature field profiles and heat transfer. The motion declined with increasing Williamson fluid for both stretching and shrinking surfaces. An upsurge profile for energy is showing for radiation impression. The shear rate falls with the inclined plate and increases with the buoyancy impression.
The inner barrier mediated spin–orbit control in stepped quantum wells
Authors: Wang W. , Wang Q. X. , Fu J. Y.
Published: June 2023

The inner barrier in stepped quantum wells, which embrace an intrinsic structural inversion asymmetry (SIA), offers more possibilities for the multi-band spin–orbit (SO) control. By varying the inner band offset [Formula: see text], which adjusts the quantum confinement for electrons and also the SIA, we reveal that both the Rashba ([Formula: see text]) and Dresselhaus ([Formula: see text]) SO coeffcients of the two subbands exhibit contrasting dependence on [Formula: see text]. Also, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] may have opposite signs, depending on the value of [Formula: see text]. By fine tuning the inner offset, there may even exist a scenario in which [Formula: see text] identically vanishes but [Formula: see text] is finite, offering a knob on how to subband-selectively suppress spin relaxation induced by SO coupling. In addition, by resorting to an external gate [Formula: see text], we reveal that in the regime of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] having opposite signs, their magnitudes also vary with [Formula: see text] in an opposite manner. This, together with the engineered inner barrier of stepped wells, will facilitate flexible spin manipulation. Finally, the interband SO couplings, which depend on the spatial overlap of wave functions of distinct subbands and the corresponding parities, are also discussed.
Active Oblivious Transfer-Based Location Privacy Preservation Crowdsensing Scheme
Authors: Zheng Xiaodong , Zhang Lei , Wang Bo , Yuan Qi , Feng Guangsheng
Published: June 2023

As a special type of location-based service (LBS), crowdsensing becomes more prosperous in people’s daily life. However, during the process of task distribution, the publisher’s and workers’ locations will be revealed to each other, and then their personal privacy is violated. So in this paper, in order to cope with the violation of location privacy in crowdsensing and provide privacy preservation service for both entities, an active oblivious transfer-based location privacy preservation crowdsensing scheme (short for AOTC) has been proposed. In this scheme, the oblivious transfer is used to encrypt the range of sensing grid of workers, and then matching sensing grids with the sensing region of the publisher without decryption. During the whole process, the process of location matching and results sending is disposed of by the entity of workers actively, so does not establish any data aggregation that can be used as the point of attack. As a result, the AOTC can guarantee the personal privacy of both entities in crowdsensing cannot be obtained by each other, and guarantee other workers also difficult to obtain the precise location of any workers. In addition, as workers send the sensing result to the publisher actively this scheme can also increase the probability of workers’ participation potentially. At last, the theoretical privacy preservation ability of AOTC is analyzed in the section on security analysis with three types of privacy threats. Then the performance of AOTC is compared with other similar schemes in both privacy preservation and execution efficiency, so in simulation experiments, comparison results with brief analyses will confirm that the AOTC has achieved the desired effect and will further demonstrate the superiority.
First-Order Universal Active Filter Configuration Using Single VCII+
Authors: Kaharwar Kirti , Bhaskar D. R. , Kumar Pragati , Bhagat Ram
Published: June 2023

A new universal active filter configuration is presented in this paper which is capable of realizing all three first-order filter responses namely all pass (AP), low pass (LP) and high pass (HP) using a single second generation voltage conveyor (VCII+), a virtually grounded capacitor and two resistors. The proposed circuit offers tunability of the cut-off frequency, gain (for HP filter) and simultaneous availability of two filter outputs, one at a low impedance node (HP/AP), the other output, namely the LPF will require a voltage buffer to avoid loading. The nonideal analysis of filter responses based on the nonideal model of VCII+ is carried out by considering all the parasitic immittances and nonideal gains and found that they have no significant effect on the performance of the proposed filter structure. Sensitivity analysis with respect to active and passive components has also been carried out. The functionality of the presented circuit has been validated through simulations and experimental results, where the VCII+ was implemented using the macro model of the commercially available CFOA IC AD844. Additionally, the proposed circuit has been tested using a CMOS VCII+ implemented with 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m TSMC technology parameters. The tests include advanced evaluations based on Monte Carlo simulations.
An empirical formula for the alpha decay half-lives
Authors: Rashidpour Z. , Naderi D.
Published: June 2023

Using 377 available experimental data, we have obtained an empirical formula to calculate alpha decay half-lives based on Geiger–Nuttall law for even–even, even–odd, odd–even and odd–odd nuclei. The coefficients of Geiger–Nuttall law have been modified as a function of the atomic number of the parent nucleus and the orbital angular momentum. The obtained root mean square deviations from experimental half-lives for even–even, even–odd, odd–even and odd–odd nuclei are 0.3265, 0.5412, 0.4848 and 0.4353, respectively. For most nuclei, the obtained results from this formula are in good agreement with the experimental data. We compared our results with other formulas such as universal decay law, Royer, AKRA, MYQZR and Luo. Also, using this formula, we presented predictions for superheavy nuclei with [Formula: see text]–124 using the [Formula: see text]-values based on the finite range droplet model and Weizsäcker–Skyrme. It is found that the behavior of the half-life of alpha decay is sensitive to the used [Formula: see text]-values.
Red Deer Optimisation-Based Delay Minimisation for mmWave Communication System Enabled with Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Unnisa Nazeer , Tatineni Madhavi
Published: June 2023

Mobile edge computing (MEC)-oriented solutions are essential for various 5G wireless communication systems. It is considered a key technology for future communication systems because of its capability for fulfilling a broad variety of necessities of the developing wireless terminals in the form of Intelligent Vehicles, augmented reality and virtual reality devices like huge computation, low latency and high data rate. Further, the resource package has made the research on mobile data offloading. One probable novel spectrum in the subsequent generation networks is the millimetre wave (mmWave) communication systems. It attains important attention because of its high rate. This research work, this area focuses on the delay of minimisation strategy in mmWave MEC by jointly optimising the hybrid beam-forming and also resource allocation. Here, the utilisation of a well-performing Red Deer Algorithm (RDA) is the ultimate aim of the suggested model that intends to optimise the analogue beam-forming vectors at the users, the analogue and digital beam-forming matrices at the Base Station (BS), the computation task offloading ratios and resource allocation at the MEC server. Here, the minimisation of the delay or latency is attained. The comparative analysis of the proposed model over the other models demonstrates the superiority of the proposed algorithm in assisting the mmWave MEC system.