bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
iGlarLixi provides a higher derived time‐in‐range versus insulin glargine 100 U/mL or lixisenatide in Asian Pacific people with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis
Authors: Guo Xiaohui , Yang Wenying , Zhang Junqing , Dong Xiaolin , Liu Ming , Gu Shenghong , Lauand Felipe , Li Lingyu , Huang Qiong , Kang Lei , Souhami Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of iGlarLixi in the Asian Pacific (AP) population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using derived time‐in‐ranges calculated from seven‐point self‐measured blood glucose.

Methods

Two phase III trials were analysed. LixiLan‐O‐AP was performed in insulin‐naive T2D patients (n = 878) randomized to iGlarLixi, glargine 100 units/mL (iGlar) or lixisenatide (Lixi). LixiLan‐L‐CN was performed in insulin‐treated T2D patients (n = 426) randomized to iGlarLixi or iGlar. Changes in derived time‐in‐ranges from baseline to end‐of‐treatment (EOT) and estimated treatment differences (ETDs) were analysed. The proportions of patients achieving 70% or higher derived time‐in‐range (dTIR), 5% or higher dTIR improvement, and the composite triple target (≥ 70% dTIR, < 4% derived time‐below‐the‐range [dTBR] and < 25% derived time‐above‐the‐range [dTAR]) were calculated.

Results

The changes from baseline to EOT in dTIR with iGlarLixi were greater versus iGlar (ETD1: 11.45% [95% CI, 7.66% to 15.24%]) or Lixi (ETD2: 20.54% [95% CI, 15.74% to 25.33%]) in LixiLan‐O‐AP, and versus iGlar (ETD: 16.59% [95% CI, 12.09% to 21.08%]) in LixiLan‐L‐CN. In LixiLan‐O‐AP, the proportions of patients achieving 70% or higher dTIR or 5% or higher dTIR improvement at EOT with iGlarLixi were 77.5% and 77.8%, respectively, higher than with iGlar (61.1% and 75.3%) or Lixi (47.0% and 53.0%). In LixiLan‐L‐CN, the proportions of patients achieving 70% or higher dTIR or 5% or higher dTIR improvement at EOT were 71.4% and 59.8% with iGlarLixi, greater than with iGlar (45.4% and 39.5%). More patients achieved the triple target with iGlarLixi compared with iGlar or Lixi.

Conclusion

iGlarLixi achieved greater improvements in dTIR parameters versus iGlar or Lixi in insulin‐naïve and insulin‐experienced AP people with T2D.
RETRACTED: The construction of enterprise's financial supply chain management under blockchain technology
Authors: Ke Wumin
Published: March 2023

This paper uses the advantages of blockchain technology to help construction enterprises obtain low‐interest bank loans, effectively reduce financing costs, thus improving the level of financial supply chain, innovating financial management (FM) of construction enterprises, solving the FM transformation problem of construction enterprises and promoting the sustainable development of construction enterprises, and thus doing the following work. First, this paper describes the concept and characteristics of BT and the motivation of FM of construction enterprises to use BT. Second, it analyses BT's three main application advantages in construction enterprise financing: reducing financial risks, improving the credit penetration of core enterprises, and reducing financing costs. Meanwhile, this paper summarizes the problems that should be paid attention to in implementing the current financial supply chain management strategy in enterprises. It provides a solid theoretical foundation for the research of FM transformation in construction enterprises. Finally, the overall design and functional analysis of the BT FM platform are carried out. The functions of the BT FM platform are divided into four modules: system management, credit management, contract management, and information management. Besides, their specific business processes are analysed. The research results show that BT is applicable in enterprises, and the value of each participant's financing platform can be clearly defined from the construction of BT‐based financing platform. The income quota of the owner's individual operation is 33%, and the income quota of the tripartite cooperation is also 33%, which further illustrates the effectiveness of the financial financing model of construction enterprises based on BT and the feasibility of its actual implementation in the future. In this paper, the related issues of financial supply chain management are systematically and comprehensively summarized, which has theoretical guiding significance for the research of FM transformation of construction enterprises based on BT.
Ubiquitination of Ku70 by Parkin promotes apoptosis of lens epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang Wenyi , Wu Anran , Zhang Guowei , Ding Xuemeng , Kang Lihua , Zhou Tianqiu , Ji Min , Guan Huaijin
Published: March 2023

Oxidative damage‐triggered apoptosis in lens epithelial cells is considered as a main risk factor in the pathogenesis of age‐related cataracts. Ku70 is a key factor in the DNA repair process of double‐strand breaks. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of Ku70 and its related E3 ubiquitin ligase in lens epithelial cell apoptosis. The levels of Ku70 in the anterior lens capsules of human cataracts and Emory mice were lower compared to controls. H2O2 treatment resulted in decreased expression of Ku70 through accelerating Ku70 ubiquitination. Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, could interact with Ku70 and promote the ubiquitination and degradation of this protein. In addition, ubiquitinated Ku70 was regulated by ubiquitin‐proteasome, autophagy‐lysosome and mitophagy pathways. Ectopic expression of Ku70 protected SRA01/04 cells from H2O2‐induced apoptosis, whereas silencing Ku70 exhibited the opposite trend. Co‐transfected with Parkin non‐ubiquitinatable Ku70 mutant could maintain its anti‐apoptosis ability, whereas wild‐type Ku70 failed. Moreover, Ku70 might facilitate mitochondrial fusion by increasing the expression of Mitofusin 1/2. The present study revealed that Parkin‐mediated Ku70 ubiquitination facilitated H2O2‐induced lens epithelial cell apoptosis through alleviating mitochondrial fusion, which could provide potential targets for age‐related cataract treatment.
Processing of polymer‐derived, aerogel‐filled, SiC foams for high‐temperature insulation
Authors: Zambotti Andrea , Ionescu Emanuel , Gargiulo Nicola , Caputo Domenico , Vakifahmetoglu Cekdar , Santhosh Balanand , Biesuz Mattia , Sorarù Gian Domenico
Published: March 2023

Porous polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) are outperforming materials when low‐density and thermal inertia are required. In this frame, thermal insulating foams such as silicon carbide (SiC) ones possess intriguing requisites for aerospace applications, but their thermal conductivity is affected by gas phase heat transfer and, in the high temperature region, by radiative mechanisms. Owing to the versatility of the PDC route, we present a synthesis pathway to embed PDC SiC aerogels within the open cells of a SiC foam, thus sensibly decreasing the thermal conductivity at 1000°C from 0.371 W·m−1K−1 to 0.243 W·m−1K−1. In this way, it was possible to couple the mechanical properties of the foam with the insulating ability of the aerogels.

The presented synthesis was optimized by selecting, among acetone, n‐hexane, and cyclohexane, the proper solvent for the gelation step of the aerogel formation to obtain a proper mesoporous colloidal structure that, after ceramization at 1000°C, presents a specific surface area of 193 m2·g−1. The so‐obtained ceramic composites present a lowest density of 0.18 g·cm−3, a porosity of 90% and a compressive strength of 0.76 MPa.
Geographic variation of litter chemistry and palatability in an invasive plant versus its native competitor
Authors: Guo Yaolin , Zhang Youzheng , Wu Jihua , Richards Christina L. , Bossdorf Oliver , Li Bo , Ju Rui‐Ting
Published: March 2023

Aim

Latitudinal variation in biotic interactions is recognized as a driver underlying variation in plant invasion success and therefore an important issue in conservation biogeography. However, previous studies have mainly focused on interactions between living plants and herbivores, whereas litter traits and detritivory have been hardly studied along latitude or compared between native and invasive plants. Our aim was to compare latitudinal variation in leaf litter chemistry and palatability to detritivores between invasive and native plants, and investigate which chemical traits determine detritivory and whether they are climate‐driven.

Location

China.

Taxa

Spartina alterniflora, Phragmites australis, Porcellio laevis, Chiromantes dehaani.

Methods

We combined field surveys with laboratory experiments to compare latitudinal variation in litter chemistry between the widespread invasive Spartina alterniflora and its native competitor Phragmites australis across their co‐occurring range (20.9–40.7° N, ~2200 km). For both species, we examined litter palatability to two common detritivores (Porcellio laevis and Chiromantes dehaani) along the same latitude. We also analysed relationships among climate, litter traits and detritivory.

Results

In five of nine litter traits, we found latitudinal clines, with little difference between the two plant species in how they responded across the gradient. Litter palatability decreased with increasing latitude, but was generally higher in Spartina than Phragmites. Two key litter traits (C:P ratio and flavonoid content) were significantly associated with temperature of origin and with detritivory.

Main Conclusions

There were geographic clines in litter traits and palatability, with strong links between climate, litter chemistry and detritivory, in both Spartina and Phragmites. Spartina litter, however, was more rapidly decomposed by detritivores, which could create positive feedbacks, and contributes to the successful Spartina invasion along China's coast. Future ecological restoration projects should therefore dispose Spartina plant tissue or litter off‐site, to reduce the competitiveness of Spartina and support the conservation of native Phragmites.
European bee diversity: Taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns
Authors: Leclercq Nicolas , Marshall Leon , Caruso Geoffrey , Schiel Kerry , Weekers Timothy , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Dathe Holger H. , Kuhlmann Michael , Michez Denis , Potts Simon G. , Rasmont Pierre , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Smagghe Guy , Vandamme Peter , Vereecken Nicolas J.
Published: March 2023

Aim

Wild bees still face striking shortfalls in knowledge of biodiversity in key regions of the world. This includes Europe, where despite a long tradition of data gathering, the continental scale distribution patterns of wild bees have not been systematically analysed to date. This study aims to characterise large‐scale biodiversity patterns to: (i) understand spatial–temporal heterogeneity in large‐scale databases, (ii) locate genuine diversity hotspots and their relationship with biogeographical patterns or habitats of interests and (iii) identify understudied species and areas to further design conservation actions for most at risk species in key regions.

Location

Europe.

Taxon

Bees.

Methods

We present a continental and standardised study of bee taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity patterns in Europe, using a large compilation of occurrence records of nearly three million validated occurrence records for 1515 wild bee species.

Results

Southern and eastern Europe suffer from the largest gaps in data availability while northern and western regions benefit from better historical coverage. Our models show that higher wild bee diversity in Europe is hosted in xeric, warm areas, as highlighted by a clear latitudinal gradient. However, phylogenetic diversity is predicted to be more homogenous across Europe than taxonomic diversity, suggesting that policies and strategies targeted to protect species richness may differ from those targeting greater phylogenetic diversity.

Main conclusions

This study represents a significant advance in the characterisation of wild bee distribution patterns across Europe and is an important stepping stone towards the design of more targeted survey efforts and conservation actions of this key group of pollinators. This, in turn, will provide the data necessary to improve the spatiotemporal coverage in a context of ongoing and future Europe‐wide monitoring schemes, to ultimately develop cost‐effective, coordinated and evidence‐based conservation actions and tailored habitat management actions that can be implemented on a smaller scale.
High‐throughput identification of tuna (Thunnus spp.) larvae in the Gulf of Mexico using unlabelled‐probe high‐resolution melting analysis
Authors: Smith Brad L. , Lu Ching‐Ping , Cornic Maëlle , Alvarado Bremer Jaime R.
Published: March 2023

The genus Thunnus (family Scombridae) comprises eight species of tunas of which all but one are targeted by industrialized fisheries. Although intact individuals of these species can be distinguished by morphological characteristics, researchers and managers often rely on dressed, frozen, juvenile or larval fish samples, which often necessitates the identification of molecular species. Here the authors investigate short amplicon (SA) and unlabelled probe high‐resolution melting analysis (UP‐HRMA) as a low‐cost, high‐throughput molecular genotyping assay capable of distinguishing between albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga), blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Gulf of Mexico. Although SA‐HRMA of variable regions in the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) and subunit 5 (ND5), and subunit 6 (ND6) of the mtDNA genome did yield some species‐specific diagnostic melting curves (e.g., ND4 assay can reliably distinguish Atlantic bluefin tuna), genotype masking produced excessive variation in melting curves for reliable multi‐species identification. To minimize the genotyping masking of SA‐HRMA a 26 base pair long UP containing four SNPs was developed within a 133 bp segment of ND4. The UP‐HRMA is able to reliably distinguish Gulf of Mexico species T. thynnus, T. obesus, T. albacares and T. atlanticus by UP melting temperature at 67, 62, 59 and 57°C, respectively. The developed UP‐HRMA assay is a lower‐cost, higher‐throughput, alternative to previously published molecular assays for tuna identification that can be easily automated for large data sets, including ichthyological larval surveys, fisheries specimens lacking distinguishing morphological characteristics or detection of fraudulent trading of tuna species.
Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Shuting , He Xiaofeng , Zhang Zhongxing , Zhang Xianghua (Succi) , Niu Yueqing (Gloria) , Steel Andrew , Wang Hequn (Tracy)
Published: March 2023

Background

Inflammatory and non‐inflammatory acne lesions constitute a significant clinical challenge in acne subjects.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid for improving skin conditions.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial included adults with comedones, post‐inflammatory erythema (PIE) and/or hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Shanghai, China in July 2021. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive the study Serum + Mask or serum alone for 8 weeks. Acne severity, comedones, papules, pustules, PIE, PIH, skin pores, skin tone evenness, sebum secretion, skin hydration, and trans‐epidermal water loss were evaluated at T0d, T1d, T7d, T14d, T28d, and T56d.

Results

Eighty‐three participants were included, including 41 and 42 in the Serum + Mask and Serum groups, respectively. Acne severity, density of skin pores, skin tone evenness, PIH foci on face, PIE foci on nose, intensity of PIE and PIH, closed comedones on face, open comedones on nose, sebum secretion, and skin hydration were significantly improved from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (all p < 0.05). Addition of the mask improved the number of closed comedones (−6.56 ± 0.39 vs. −5.19 ± 0.44, p = 0.022) and acne severity (−0.39 ± 0.08 vs. −0.12 ± 0.09, p = 0.026) substantially more than using the serum alone. No adverse reaction was reported in either group.

Conclusions

The study serum improved skin conditions by regulating skin barrier function and achieving a balance of skin hydration and sebum secretion, removing comedones and improving PIE and PIH. Addition of the mask accelerated the effects without compromising safety.
Severity of REM sleep without atonia correlates with measures of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in REM sleep behaviour disorder
Authors: Figorilli Michela , Meloni Federico , Lecca Rosamaria , Tamburrino Ludovica , Mascia Maria Giuseppina , Cocco Viola , Meloni Mario , Marques Ana Raquel , Vidal Tiphaine , Congiu Patrizia , Defazio Giovanni , Durif Frank , Lanza Giuseppe , Ferri Raffaele , Schenck Carlos H. , Fantini Maria Livia , Puligheddu Monica
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to correlate REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) and neuropsychological data in patients with idiopathic/isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) and those with RBD associated with Parkinson's disease (PDRBD), in order to assess whether higher degrees of RSWA are related to poorer cognitive performance. A total of 142 subjects were enrolled: 48 with iRBD, 55 with PDRBD, and 39 PD without RBD (PDnoRBD). All participants underwent video‐polysomnographic recording, clinical and neuropsychological assessment. RSWA was quantified according to two manual scoring methods (Montréal, SINBAR) and one automated (REM atonia index, RAI). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria for MCI in Parkinson's disease. The relationship between neuropsychological scores and RSWA metrics was explored by multiple linear regression analysis and logistic regression models. Patients with iRBD showed significantly lower visuospatial functions and working memory, compared with the others. More severe RSWA was associated with a higher risk of reduced visuospatial abilities (OR 0.15), working memory (OR 2.48), attention (OR 2.53), and semantic fluency (OR 0.15) in the iRBD. In the whole group, a greater RSWA was associated with an increased risk for depressive symptoms (OR 3.6). A total of 57(40%) MCI subjects were found (17 iRBD, 26 PDRBD, and 14 PDnoRBD). Preserved REM‐atonia was associated with a reduced odds of multi‐domain MCI in the whole study population (OR 0.54). In conclusion, a greater severity of RSWA was associated with an increased risk for poor cognitive performance and depressive mood in patients with RBD. Moreover, higher RAI was associated with a lower risk of multi‐domain MCI.
Food environment around schools and adolescent consumption of unhealthy foods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Berhane Hanna Y. , Tadesse Amare Worku , Noor Ramadhani , Worku Alemayehu , Shinde Sachin , Fawzi Wafaie
Published: March 2023

Adolescent diets may be influenced by the retail food environment around schools. However, international research to examine associations between the proximity of retail food outlets to schools and diet provides equivocal support for an association. This study aims to understand the school food environment and drivers for adolescents' consumption of unhealthy foods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mixed‐methods research was conducted, 1200 adolescents (10–14 years) from randomly selected government schools were surveyed, along with vendors within 5‐min' walk of the schools and focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescent groups. Mixed‐effect logistic regression investigated the relationship between the number of vendors around the schools and the consumption of selected unhealthy foods. Thematic analysis was used to summarize findings from the FGDs. Consumption of sweets and sugar‐sweetened beverages (S‐SSB) and deep‐fried foods (DFF) at least once a week was reported by 78.6% and 54.3% of the adolescents, respectively. Although all schools were surrounded by food vendors selling DFF and S‐SSB, consumption was not associated with the number of vendors available around the school. However, adolescents' awareness and perception of healthy food, and their concerns about the safety of foods in the market, influenced their dietary choices and behaviours. Lack of financial resources to purchase food as desired also played a role in their selection of food and eating habits. Reported unhealthy food consumption is high among adolescents in Addis Ababa. Thus, further research is warranted to come up with school‐based interventions that promote access and healthy food choices among adolescents.
Soil depth and geographic distance modulate bacterial β‐diversity in deep soil profiles throughout the U.S. Corn Belt
Authors: Lopes Lucas Dantas , Futrell Stephanie L. , Wright Emily E. , Danalatos Gerasimos J. , Castellano Michael J. , Vyn Tony J. , Archontoulis Sotirios V. , Schachtman Daniel P.
Published: March 2023

Understanding how microbial communities are shaped across spatial dimensions is of fundamental importance in microbial ecology. However, most studies on soil biogeography have focused on the topsoil microbiome, while the factors driving the subsoil microbiome distribution are largely unknown. Here we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyse the factors underlying the bacterial β‐diversity along vertical (0–240 cm of soil depth) and horizontal spatial dimensions (~500,000 km2) in the U.S. Corn Belt. With these data we tested whether the horizontal or vertical spatial variation had stronger impacts on the taxonomic (Bray‐Curtis) and phylogenetic (weighted Unifrac) β‐diversity. Additionally, we assessed whether the distance‐decay (horizontal dimension) was greater in the topsoil (0–30 cm) or subsoil (in each 30 cm layer from 30–240 cm) using Mantel tests. The influence of geographic distance versus edaphic variables on the bacterial communities from the different soil layers was also compared. Results indicated that the phylogenetic β‐diversity was impacted more by soil depth, while the taxonomic β‐diversity changed more between geographic locations. The distance‐decay was lower in the topsoil than in all subsoil layers analysed. Moreover, some subsoil layers were influenced more by geographic distance than any edaphic variable, including pH. Although different factors affected the topsoil and subsoil biogeography, niche‐based models explained the community assembly of all soil layers. This comprehensive study contributed to elucidating important aspects of soil bacterial biogeography including the major impact of soil depth on the phylogenetic β‐diversity, and the greater influence of geographic distance on subsoil than on topsoil bacterial communities in agroecosystems.
Reflections on a land acknowledgment: The 2021 Peace History Society conference and the territories of the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations
Authors: Downs Jonathan Taylor
Published: March 2023

The Peace History Society's biennial conference, virtual in October 2021, was organized in Georgia. The land acknowledgment offered at that event recognized the dispossession and expulsion of the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations from their lands in that state in the 1830s. This essay reflects on the significance of this acknowledgment and on further steps that can be taken to include and engage with Indigenous peoples and perspectives.
Physiological function of vitamin D3 in fish
Authors: Cheng Ke , Huang Yanqing , Wang Chunfang , Ali Wajeeha , Karrow Niel A.
Published: March 2023

Vitamin D (VD) is a steroid hormone, of which vitamin D3 (VD3) is the main form in fish. Fish obtain VD3 majorly from diets, and VD3 has been widely used in aquatic feed as feed additive. As one of the essential nutrients, VD3 plays an indispensable role in the growth and health of fish. Due to the particularity of the fish living environment, the metabolic and physiological functions of VD3 in fish have some differences from those of mammals. This paper reviews the metabolic process of VD3 in fish, the main metabolites and vitamin D receptors, compares the differences in VD3 metabolism between fish and mammals, summarises the recommended dietary requirements for VD3 in several fish species, generalises the role of VD3 in fish growth performance, bone development, lipid metabolism, immune regulation, antioxidant and other potential physiological functions, as well as its synergistic effects with other nutrients. Future perspectives of VD3 application in aquaculture are proposed. Understanding the metabolic process and physiological function of VD3 is of great significance for extending VD3 application in the aquatic feed industry.
Targeting the NEDP1 enzyme to ameliorate ALS phenotypes through stress granule disassembly
Authors: Kassouf Toufic , Shrivastava Rohit , Meszka Igor , Bailly Aymeric , Polanowska Jolanta , Trauchessec Helene , Mandrioli Jessica , Carra Serena , Xirodimas Dimitris P.
Published: March 2023

The elimination of aberrant inclusions is regarded as a therapeutic approach in neurodegeneration. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), mutations in proteins found within cytoplasmic condensates called stress granules (SGs) are linked to the formation of pathological SGs, aberrant protein inclusions, and neuronal toxicity. We found that inhibition of NEDP1, the enzyme that processes/deconjugates the ubiquitin-like molecule NEDD8, promotes the disassembly of physiological and pathological SGs. Reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase1 activity through hyper-NEDDylation is a key mechanism for the observed phenotype. These effects are related to improved cell survival in human cells, and inC. elegans,nedp1deletion ameliorates ALS phenotypes related to animal motility. Our studies reveal NEDP1 as potential therapeutic target for ALS, correlated to the disassembly of pathological SGs.
A self-charging salt water battery for antitumor therapy
Authors: Huang Jianhang , Yu Peng , Liao Mochou , Dong Xiaoli , Xu Jie , Ming Jiang , Bin Duan , Wang Yonggang , Zhang Fan , Xia Yongyao
Published: March 2023

Implantable devices on the tumor tissue as a local treatment are able to work in situ, which minimizes systemic toxicities and adverse effects. Here, we demonstrated an implantable self-charging battery that can regulate tumor microenvironment persistently by the well-designed electrode redox reaction. The battery consists of biocompatible polyimide electrode and zinc electrode, which can consume oxygen sustainably during battery discharge/self-charge cycle, thus modulating hypoxia level in tumor microenvironment. The oxygen reduction in battery leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, showing 100% prevention on tumor formation. Sustainable consumption of oxygen causes adequate intratumoral hypoxic conditions over the course of 14 days, which is helpful for the hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs) to kill tumor cells. The synergistic effect of the battery/HAPs can deliver more than 90% antitumor rate. Using redox reactions in electrochemical battery provides a potential approach for the tumor inhibition and regulation of tumor microenvironment.
Ventricular tachyarrhythmia treatment and prevention by subthreshold stimulation with stretchable epicardial multichannel electrode array
Authors: Sunwoo Sung-Hyuk , Cha Myung-Jin , Han Sang Ihn , Kang Hyejeong , Cho Ye Seul , Yeom Da-Hae , Park Chan Soon , Park Na Kyeong , Choi Seong Woo , Kim Sung Joon , Cha Gi Doo , Jung Dongjun , Choi Suji , Oh Seil , Nam Gi-Byoung , Hyeon Taeghwan , Kim Dae-Hyeong , Lee Seung-Pyo
Published: March 2023

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an effective method to prevent sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. However, the transvenous lead is incompatible with large-area electrophysiological mapping and cannot accommodate selective multichannel precision stimulations. Moreover, it involves high-energy shocks, resulting in pain, myocardial damage, and recurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA). We present a method for VTA treatment based on subthreshold electrical stimulations using a stretchable epicardial multichannel electrode array, which does not disturb the normal contraction or electrical propagation of the ventricle. In rabbit models with myocardial infarction, the infarction was detected by mapping intracardiac electrograms with the stretchable epicardial multichannel electrode array. Then, VTAs could be terminated by sequential electrical stimuli from the epicardial multichannel electrode array beginning with low-energy subthreshold stimulations. Last, we used these subthreshold stimulations to prevent the occurrence of additional VTAs. The proposed protocol using the stretchable epicardial multichannel electrode array provides opportunities toward the development of innovative methods for painless ICD therapy.
The link between obesity and autoimmunity
Authors: Matarese Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Overnutrition could lead to loss of self-tolerance by impinging on immune regulation
Taxon-specific, phased siRNAs underlie a speciation locus in monkeyflowers
Authors: Liang Mei , Chen Wenjie , LaFountain Amy M. , Liu Yuanlong , Peng Foen , Xia Rui , Bradshaw H. D. , Yuan Yao-Wu
Published: March 2023

Taxon-specific small RNA loci are widespread in eukaryotic genomes, yet their role in lineage-specific adaptation, phenotypic diversification, and speciation is poorly understood. Here, we report that a speciation locus in monkeyflowers (
Mimulus
),
YELLOW UPPER
(
YUP
), contains an inverted repeat region that produces small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in a phased pattern. Although the inverted repeat is derived from a partial duplication of a protein-coding gene that is not involved in flower pigmentation, one of the siRNAs targets and represses a master regulator of floral carotenoid pigmentation.
YUP
emerged with two protein-coding genes that control other aspects of flower coloration as a “superlocus” in a subclade of
Mimulus
and has contributed to subsequent phenotypic diversification and pollinator-mediated speciation in the descendant species.
Stratified care in hip arthroscopy: can we predict successful and unsuccessful outcomes? Development and external temporal validation of multivariable prediction models
Authors: Ishøi Lasse , Thorborg Kristian , Kallemose Thomas , Kemp Joanne L , Reiman Michael P , Nielsen Mathias Fabricius , Hölmich Per
Published: March 2023

Objective

Although hip arthroscopy is a widely adopted treatment option for hip-related pain, it is unknown whether preoperative clinical information can be used to assist surgical decision-making to avoid offering surgery to patients with limited potential for a successful outcome. We aimed to develop and validate clinical prediction models to identify patients more likely to have an unsuccessful or successful outcome 1 year post hip arthroscopy based on the patient acceptable symptom state.

Methods

Patient records were extracted from the Danish Hip Arthroscopy Registry (DHAR). A priori, 26 common clinical variables from DHAR were selected as prognostic factors, including demographics, radiographic parameters of hip morphology and self-reported measures. We used 1082 hip arthroscopy patients (surgery performed 25 April 2012 to 4 October 2017) to develop the clinical prediction models based on logistic regression analyses. The development models were internally validated using bootstrapping and shrinkage before temporal external validation was performed using 464 hip arthroscopy patients (surgery performed 5 October 2017 to 13 May 2019).

Results

The prediction model for unsuccessful outcomes showed best and acceptable predictive performance on the external validation dataset for all multiple imputations (Nagelkerke R2range: 0.25–0.26) and calibration (intercept range: −0.10 to −0.11; slope range: 1.06–1.09), and acceptable discrimination (area under the curve range: 0.76–0.77). The prediction model for successful outcomes did not calibrate well, while also showing poor discrimination.

Conclusion

Common clinical variables including demographics, radiographic parameters of hip morphology and self-reported measures were able to predict the probability of having an unsuccessful outcome 1 year after hip arthroscopy, while the model for successful outcome showed unacceptable accuracy. The externally validated prediction model can be used to support clinical evaluation and shared decision making by informing the orthopaedic surgeon and patient about the risk of an unsuccessful outcome, and thus when surgery may not be appropriate.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption and the risk of frailty and falling: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Guo Xingzhi , Tang Peng , Zhang Lina , Li Rui
Published: March 2023

Background

Epidemiological data have suggested that tobacco and alcohol consumption were associated with the risk of frailty and falling, but it is yet unclear whether these associations are of a causal nature. Thus, we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis using genetic instruments to determine the causal associations of tobacco and alcohol consumption on frailty and falls.

Methods

Independent instrumental variables strongly (p<5E–09) associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption were obtained from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine use (up to 2 669 029 participants). Summary statistics of the frailty index (FI, N=175 226) and falling risk (N=451 179) were from the two latest published GWAS datasets on FI and falling risk.

Results

Using the inverse-variance weighted method, our results showed that genetically determined initiation of smoking was significantly associated with an increased FI (β=0.34, 95% CI=0.29 to 0.40, p=5.48E–33) and risk of falling (OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.30 to 1.50, p=1.01E–20). In addition, the age of initiation of smoking and cigarettes consumption per day was negatively and positively associated with both FI and falls, respectively. Current smokers were prone to having a higher FI and falling risk than individuals who quit smoking. There was no significant causal association between alcohol use and the risk of frailty and falling. Similar results were obtained using other statistical approaches with good stability.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that tobacco use, but not alcohol drinking, significantly increases the risk of frailty and falling. Future studies are warranted to clarify the underlying physiopathological mechanisms.
Influence of oral tobacco versus smoking on multiple sclerosis disease activity and progression
Authors: Wu Jing , Olsson Tomas , Hillert Jan , Alfredsson Lars , Hedström Anna Karin
Published: March 2023

We aimed to study the influence of smoking habits, exposure to passive smoking and snuff use on disease progression, cognitive performance and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method

Patients from two population-based case–control studies were categorised based on tobacco exposure at diagnosis and were followed up to 15 years post diagnosis through the Swedish MS registry (n=9089) regarding changes in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. We used linear mixed models to analyse long-term changes, and Cox regression models with 95% CI using 24-week confirmed disability worsening, reaching EDSS 3 and EDSS 4, respectively, physical and psychological worsening and cognitive disability worsening as end points. The influence of smoking cessation post diagnosis was also investigated.

Results

Compared with non-smokers, current smokers had a faster EDSS progression (β
current smoking×time
=0.03, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.04). A faster EDSS progression was also associated with passive smoking (β
current passive smoking×time
=0.04, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.06). Smoke exposure negatively impacted all secondary outcomes. Those who continued smoking had worse outcomes than those who stopped smoking post diagnosis. Snuff users had a more favourable EDSS progression, compared with never users.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that both smoking and passive smoking have a negative influence on MS and that smoking cessation post diagnosis may be an important secondary preventive measure. Snuff use was associated with slower disease progression, suggesting that nicotine replacement therapy could be an attractive way to increase the chance of quitting smoking among patients with MS.
Home-Based Work Decisions among Bangladeshi Women
Authors: TONMOY ISLAM T. M. , KOTIKULA APHICHOKE
Published: March 2023

Between 2003 and 2015, the labor force participation rate of women in Bangladesh increased from 26.0% to 35.6%. On further analysis, we find that much of this gain was due to an increasing number of women working from home. We use the model proposed by Edwards and Field-Hendrey (2002) to study the supply-side factors that affect the location-of-work decision of Bangladeshi women. Afterward, we use a simplified version of the decomposition technique devised by Bourguignon, Ferreira, and Leite (2008) to see which factors are driving women to work from home. Our analysis shows that the rising wealth of Bangladeshi households is associated with the rising number of women choosing to work from home. This trend is prevalent among urban and rural women, and among women in different age groups. We also find that married young women are more likely to work from home.
Hurricane season complexity: The case of North-Atlantic tropical cyclones
Authors: Roca-Flores Elio , Naumis Gerardo G. , Madrigal-Solís Erick , Fraedrich Klaus , Torres Elsa F.
Published: March 2023

The forecast of tropical cyclone (TC) seasons remains an elusive subject of study. In order to characterize their complexity, the energy of North Atlantic (NA) TC seasons is studied in this research work. The time evolution of the accumulated cyclone energy probability distribution is analyzed using mobile windows to calculate the statistical parameters: mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness. A nonstationary distribution with clear excess of extreme energetic seasons when compared to a Gaussian distribution was found for the most recent years. The data also show a clear correlation between variability and mean, i.e. more energetic periods are more variable. Finally, the dynamics is analyzed using several techniques such as the lag plot, Hurst exponent and fractal dimension. A stochastic but persistent behavior was found. It is finally concluded that the NA TC season energy seems to be increasing both in magnitude and variability. This helps to elucidate the possible effect of global warming into increasing hurricane hazards.
Analysis of the Influence of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Stations with Virtual Inertia on Low-Frequency Oscillation of Power System Based on Small Signal and Prony Analysis Methods
Authors: Lu Shengyang , Yan Zhenhong , Zhang Kaibo , Zhu Yu , Yu Jinbo , Wu Meng , Lu Yan , Liu Dongqi , Sui Yuqiu , Yang Junyou
Published: March 2023

With the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) technology gradually becoming an emerging technology for new energy consumption, its introduction has solved the problems of weak support and weak anti-interference of traditional new energy stations. However, the practice shows that the grid-connected characteristics of VSG limit its large-scale utilization, and there is little research on the interaction between VSG and a multi-machine system. In this paper, small signal models and time domain simulation models of each link of a photovoltaic(PV) power station with the PV virtual synchronous generator (PV-VSG) are first conducted, and then the influence of the grid-connected PV power station with the PV-VSG on the low-frequency oscillation of power system and its interaction mechanism with the multi-machine system are qualitatively obtained based on the small signal analysis method and prony analysis method from two dimensions of frequency domain and time domain, respectively. The analysis and simulation show that the PV power station based on VSG technology affects the dynamic characteristics of the system by changing the electromagnetic torque of each synchronous generator. Unreasonable operating conditions and parameter settings will aggravate the phenomenon of low-frequency oscillation of the system. Before the grid connection of PV power station, the operating parameters shall be reasonably set to ensure their safe and stable grid connection.
Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation of a Single-Turn MEMS Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Enhancement of Performance Metrics
Authors: Sabhapandit Eshan , Jindal Sumit Kumar , Kanekal Dadasikandar , Patil Hemprasad Yashwant
Published: March 2023

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based pressure sensors operating on the principle of piezoresistivity have found profound application in various fields like automobile, aerospace, aviation, biomedical and consumer electronics. Various research studies have been conducted to optimize the design of MEMS-based pressure sensors to meet specific requirements of different fields. Modification in the structure of the piezoresistors placed on these sensors has shown great effect in this regard. However, most of these improvements have been validated through fabrication and measurement, but there has been a lack of significant studies developing analytical models to explain these improvements. This paper studies the performance of a single-turn piezoresistor design on a square silicon diaphragm. The analytical model relates the dimensions of the single-turn piezoresistor on a square diaphragm to the output voltage, and hence, sensor sensitivity is laid out. The correctness of the relation is also validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Hence, an optimized single-turn design is presented which achieves a sensitivity of 203.57[Formula: see text]mV/V/MPa over a pressure range of 0–1[Formula: see text]MPa. These results are then compared to work from existing literature. The comparison shows an improved performance which was achieved by optimizing the design through its derived analytical model. The proposed sensor can be utilized in disposable blood pressure measurement system where high sensor sensitivity is required.
Experimental review of octupole correlations in the A≈80 mass region
Authors: Han X. C. , Liu C. , Wang S. Y.
Published: March 2023

This review presents the nuclei with octupole correlations in the [Formula: see text] mass region. The status of experimental data on the behavior of the energy displacement, the [Formula: see text] transition probability and intrinsic electric dipole moment have been reviewed. The evolutions of the octupole strength with the numbers of protons and neutrons are discussed.
Design and Experimental Study of a Multiple-Degree-of-Freedom Vibration Absorber by Using an Inertial Actuator
Authors: Mao Qibo , Yuan Weiting , Wu Jinwu
Published: March 2023

It is well known that the inertial actuator can be used as the passive vibration absorber if the natural frequency of the inertial actuator is closed to the targeted structural resonance frequency. Typically, the inertial actuator as a passive or semi-active vibration absorber can only control a single structural resonance at a time. In this study, a simple and practical multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) vibration absorber, which is based on a single inertial actuator and a parallel connection of multiple low-pass filters as controller, is proposed to damp multiple structural resonances simultaneously. The control performance of the proposed MDOF vibration absorber is the combined control effects for both passive absorber and active absorber. It means that the multiple-mode structural vibration can be reduced effectively by using a single inertial actuator. Additionally, the proposed controller can be designed by low-cost analogue circuit and allows directly using acceleration feedback. The performance of the MDOF vibration absorber is first analyzed both numerically and experimentally. Then the proposed MDOF vibration absorber is applied to control the vibration of multiple resonances of a cantilever beam. The experimental results show that multimodal damping can be generated by the proposed MDOF vibration absorber.
Shuffle Attention U-Net for Speech Enhancement in Time Domain
Authors: Jannu Chaitanya , Vanambathina Sunny Dayal
Published: March 2023

Over the past 10 years, deep learning has enabled significant advancements in the improvement of noisy speech. In an end-to-end speech enhancement, the deep neural networks transform a noisy speech signal to a clean speech signal in the time domain directly without any conversion or estimation of mask. Recently, the U-Net-based models achieved good enhancement performance. Despite this, some of them may neglect context-related information and detailed features of input speech in case of ordinary convolution. To address the above issues, recent studies have upgraded the performance of the model by adding various network modules such as attention mechanisms, long and short-term memory (LSTM). In this work, we propose a new U-Net-based speech enhancement model using a novel lightweight and efficient Shuffle Attention (SA), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), residual blocks with dilated convolutions. Residual block will be followed by a multi-scale convolution block (MSCB). The proposed hybrid structure enables the temporal context aggregation in time domain. The advantage of shuffle attention mechanism is that the channel and spatial attention are carried out simultaneously for each sub-feature in order to prevent potential noises while also highlighting the proper semantic feature areas by combining the same features from all locations. MSCB is employed for extracting rich temporal features. To represent the correlation between neighboring noisy speech frames, a two Layer GRU is added in the bottleneck of U-Net. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed model outperformed the other existing models in terms of short-time objective intelligibility (STOI), and perceptual evaluation of the speech quality (PESQ).
Aeroacoustic Investigation of Airfoil Profiles in Turbulence at Moderate Reynolds Numbers Involving the Phased Array Microphone Technique and the Anova Statistical Method
Authors: Lendvai Bálint , Benedek Tamás , Balla Esztella
Published: March 2023

Due to the growing number of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, the aeroacoustic noise radiated by airfoils in moderate Reynolds-number flows increasingly becomes the focus of interest. In the present paper, the flow-generated noise of two basic (a flat plate and a cambered plate) and two conventional (RAF6 and NACA 0012) airfoil profiles is investigated in an open-jet wind tunnel in the interval of Reynolds numbers between 60,000 and 140,000. The measurements were carried out with a phased array microphone. The measurement data were evaluated using frequency–domain beamforming and the analysis of variance statistical method. The results show that the emitted noise is nearly independent of the angle of attack but dependent on the airfoil geometry and the chordwise location.
Covariant star product on semi-conformally flat noncommutative Calabi–Yau manifolds and noncommutative topological index theorem
Authors: Varshovi Amir Abbass
Published: March 2023

A differential geometric statement of the noncommutative topological index theorem is worked out for covariant star products on noncommutative vector bundles. To start, a noncommutative manifold is considered as a product space [Formula: see text], wherein [Formula: see text] is a closed manifold, and [Formula: see text] is a flat Calabi–Yau [Formula: see text]-fold. Also, a semi-conformally flat metric is considered for [Formula: see text] which leads to a dynamical noncommutative spacetime from the viewpoint of noncommutative gravity. Based on the Kahler form of [Formula: see text] the noncommutative star product is defined covariantly on vector bundles over [Formula: see text]. This covariant star product leads to the celebrated Groenewold–Moyal product for trivial vector bundles and their flat connections, such as [Formula: see text]. Hereby, the noncommutative characteristic classes are defined properly and the noncommutative Chern–Weil theory is established by considering the covariant star product and the superconnection formalism. Finally, the index of the ⋆-noncommutative version of elliptic operators is studied and the noncommutative topological index theorem is stated accordingly.