bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trigred motif 36 regulates neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer via HK2 ubiquitination and GPx4 deficiency
Authors: Zhao Xusong , Zhou Tianren , Wang Yuhao , Bao Meiling , Ni Chenbo , Ding Lei , Sun Shengjie , Dong Huiyu , Li Jie , Liang Chao
Published: February 2023

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), the most lethal subtype of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (PCa), may evolve from the neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of PCa cells. However, the molecular mechanism that triggers NED is unknown. Trigred motif 36 (TRIM36), a member of the TRIM protein family, exhibits oncogenic or anti‐oncogenic roles in various cancers. We have previously reported that TRIM36 is highly expressed to inhibit the invasion and proliferation of PCa. In the present study, we first found that TRIM36 was lowly expressed in NEPC and its overexpression suppressed the NED of PCa. Next, based on proteomic analysis, we found that TRIM36 inhibited the glycolysis pathway through suppressing hexokinase 2 (HK2), a crucial glycolytic enzyme catalyzing the conversion of glucose to glucose‐6‐phosphate. TRIM36 specifically bound to HK2 through lysine 48 (lys48)‐mediated ubiquitination of HK2. Moreover, TRIM36‐mediated ubiquitination degradation of HK2 downregulated the level of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), a process that contributed to ferroptosis. In conclusion, TRIM36 can inhibit glycolysis via lys48‐mediated HK2 ubiquitination to reduce GPX4 expression and activate ferroptosis, thereby inhibiting the NED in PCa. Targeting TRIM36 might be a promising approach to retard NED and treat NEPC.
Perturbation of intestinal stem cell homeostasis and radiation enteritis recovery via dietary titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Linpei , He Yinli , Dong Lele , Liu Chang , Su Lin , Guo Ruirui , Luo Qinying , Gan Baoyu , Cao Fang , Wang Yawen , Song Haiyun , Li Xiaojiao
Published: February 2023

Small intestinal health and enteritis incidence are tightly coupled to the homeostasis of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which are sensitive to dietary alterations. However, little is known about the impact of food additives on ISC pool. Here, we demonstrate that chronic exposure to low‐dose TiO2 NPs, a commonly used food additive, significantly hampers primary human and mouse ISC‐derived organoid formation and growth by specifically attenuating Wnt signal transduction. Mechanistically, TiO2 NPs alter the endocytic trafficking of the Wnt receptor LRP6 and prevent the nuclear entry of β‐catenin. Notably, dietary TiO2 NPs elicit modest chronic stress in healthy intestines and considerably impede the recovery of radiation enteritis by perturbing the homeostasis of ISCs in vivo. Our results identify a health concern of TiO2 NP exposure on ISC homeostasis and radiation enteritis recovery. These findings suggest extra precaution during the treatment of radiation enteritis and provide new insights into food additive‐ISC interaction.
To spray or not to spray: Impact of phosphite spraying for Phytophthora cinnamomi control on Proteaceae species in southwestern Australia
Authors: Boulle Michelle , Stewart Barbara A. , Barrett Sarah
Published: February 2023

Phosphite has been sprayed on threatened natural plant communities in southwestern Australia for the past 25 years to mitigate the impact of the globally widespread plant pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi. Of concern is that this may result in an increase in phosphorus concentrations in naturally nutrient deficient soils, causing the loss of plant species that are sensitive to increased phosphorus levels. The impact of aerial spraying phosphite on soil and Proteaceae species richness and abundance was measured at three sites within the Southeast Coastal Province of Western Australia. Healthy and diseased vegetation which had been sprayed with phosphite for 14–26 years was compared with nonsprayed healthy and diseased vegetation. Contrary to expectations, there was no evidence that spraying is doing harm to Proteaceae species at the three sites studied. Healthy‐nonsprayed and Healthy‐sprayed areas had generally similar levels of soil total P, and this was associated with similar values for Proteaceae species richness and abundance in these areas. Phosphite spraying of diseased vegetation benefited Proteaceae plant diversity and abundance by preventing the disappearance of some species. Given these results, it was recommended that phosphite spraying be continued as a management action for controlling Phytophthora cinnamomi while research into alternative solutions continues.
Impact of pre‐transplant donor specific antibodies detected by Luminex with negative microlymphocytotoxicity assay and flow crossmatch in live‐related renal transplant recipients
Authors: Abbas Khawar , Aziz Tahir , Musharaf Wajiha , Mubarak Muhammed , Zafar Mirza Naqi
Published: February 2023

Introduction/Aim

The Luminex assay, where beads are coated with a single HLA antigen, has been shown to detect HLA antibodies with more sensitivity and specificity as compared to microlymphocytotoxicity (CDC) assay and flow cross match (FCXM). We report the impact of low Mean Flourescence intensity (MFI) pre‐transplant DSA by Luminex with negative CDC and FCXM on acute rejection, graft function, and survival.

Methods

In this retrospective study between January 2015 to December 2021, 45 recipients had pre‐transplant anti‐HLA donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs) detected by Luminex. Two control groups of 45 patients each matched for age and gender, first with non‐DSA HLA antibodies and second with no antibodies by Luminex were selected to compare outcomes with DSA group.

Results

In the DSA group of 45, 22 (48.8%) had class I (MFI mean 4043 ± 1909, range: 1096–7111), 20 (44.4%) class II (MFI mean 3601 ± 2310, range: 1031–9259), and 3 (6.6%) both class I (MFI mean 4746 ± 1922) and class II (MFI mean 3940 ± 2312) antibodies. Acute rejection episodes were reported in 15.6%, DSA group, 17.8% in non‐DSA, and 24.4% in no antibody group (p = .538). Death censored graft survival at 1 and 5 years was 98% and 93% in DSA group, 100% and 95% in non‐DSA and 93% and 85% in the no antibody group (p = .254).

Conclusions

Patients with low MFI DSA pre‐transplant, with a negative CDC and FCXM under ATG induction, have similar graft outcomes at 1 and 5 years when compared to non‐DSA and no antibody groups.
Financial Globalization, Local Debt Markets and New State Financial Activism in Middle‐income Countries
Authors: O'Sullivan Louis , Rethel Lena
Published: February 2023

Since the global financial crisis of 2008–09, there has been a renewed interest in the role of the state in processes of financial development and globalization. This article explores new forms of state economic activity via the development of debt capital markets in Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia and Malaysia. It suggests that the expanding profile of various state‐controlled entities in local capital markets constitutes a new form of state financial activism responsive to (upper) middle‐class consumption preferences such as modern infrastructure, urban housing and low‐risk investments. This activism highlights state agency and complicates the propositions of the emergent literature on state capitalism and financial de‐risking that focuses on increasingly close alignment of the interests of states and international portfolio investors. Accordingly, the authors caution against unilinear conceptions of the state in which activism is primarily geared towards accommodating the preferences of international investors. The article posits that states are actively trying to establish new market logics for the benefit of their domestic middle classes via the development of domestic capital markets, and that the emergent role of middle‐income country (upper) middle classes as financial consumers reconfigures processes of state‐managed financialization.
State‐wide prioritisation of vertebrate pest animals in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Harriott Lana , Amos Matt , Brennan Michael , Elsworth Peter , Gentle Matthew , Kennedy Malcolm , Pople Tony , Scanlan Joe , Speed James , Osunkoya Olusegun O.
Published: February 2023

Invasive organisms are key drivers of environmental change globally. Both native and non‐native species can become pests that require management or control. Vertebrate pest animals may cause a range of economic, environmental and social impacts for which various plans are developed at a local, state and national scale to aid their management. There are multiple vertebrate pest species in Australia which vary in the type and severity of their negative effects. Prioritisation of these pests and their impacts is critical for management to be cost‐effective. We accessed pest management plans (PMPs) from 66 (of 71) local government areas (LGAs) across the state of Queensland to collate a list of vertebrate pest species present in each LGA. Local government areas were then grouped into easily identifiable regions (Regional Organisation of Councils, ‘ROC’ regions, 10 in all) and vertebrate pest species lists were collated for each region. At regional workshops, each pest species was ranked as no, low, medium or high priority by stakeholders. Rankings were used to develop impact scores resulting in a priority list of vertebrate pest animal species at the state level. Fifty‐three species were identified in individual LGA PMPs of which 25 were considered priorities at the regional level. Most species prioritised at the state level were mammals, with Wild Dogs (including Dingoes; Canis familiaris), Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) and Feral Cats (Felis catus) being the three highest ranked. Similarities in priority species were evident across ROC regions, however, several regions prioritised pests specific to their location. The data supported a further amalgamation of the 10 ROC regions into five main groups based on the set of vertebrate pest species that were present. Prioritisation lists should be regularly updated as technologies develop, established pest animal impacts change and new species incursions occur.
Altered spreading of neuronal avalanches in temporal lobe epilepsy relates to cognitive performance: A resting‐state hdEEG study
Authors: Duma Gian Marco , Danieli Alberto , Mento Giovanni , Vitale Valerio , Opipari Raffaella Scotto , Jirsa Viktor , Bonanni Paolo , Sorrentino Pierpaolo
Published: February 2023

Objective

Large aperiodic bursts of activations named neuronal avalanches have been used to characterize whole‐brain activity, as their presence typically relates to optimal dynamics. Epilepsy is characterized by alterations in large‐scale brain network dynamics. Here we exploited neuronal avalanches to characterize differences in electroencephalography (EEG) basal activity, free from seizures and/or interictal spikes, between patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and matched controls.

Method

We defined neuronal avalanches as starting when the z‐scored source‐reconstructed EEG signals crossed a specific threshold in any region and ending when all regions returned to baseline. This technique avoids data manipulation or assumptions of signal stationarity, focusing on the aperiodic, scale‐free components of the signals. We computed individual avalanche transition matrices to track the probability of avalanche spreading across any two regions, compared them between patients and controls, and related them to memory performance in patients.

Results

We observed a robust topography of significant edges clustering in regions functionally and structurally relevant for the TLE, such as the entorhinal cortex, the inferior parietal and fusiform area, the inferior temporal gyrus, and the anterior cingulate cortex. We detected a significant correlation between the centrality of the entorhinal cortex in the transition matrix and the long‐term memory performance (delay recall Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test).

Significance

Our results show that the propagation patterns of large‐scale neuronal avalanches are altered in TLE during the resting state, suggesting a potential diagnostic application in epilepsy. Furthermore, the relationship between specific patterns of propagation and memory performance support the neurophysiological relevance of neuronal avalanches.
A review on soft computing approaches for predicting maintainability of software: State‐of‐the‐art, technical challenges, and future directions
Authors: Yenduri Gokul , Gadekallu Thippa Reddy
Published: February 2023

The software is changing rapidly with the invention of advanced technologies and methodologies. The ability to rapidly and successfully upgrade software in response to changing business requirements is more vital than ever. For the long‐term management of software products, measuring software maintainability is crucial. The use of soft computing techniques for software maintainability prediction has shown immense promise in software maintenance process by providing accurate prediction of software maintainability. To better understand the role of soft computing techniques for software maintainability prediction, we aim to provide a systematic literature review of soft computing techniques for predicting software maintainability. Firstly, we provide a detailed overview of software maintainability. Following this, we explore the fundamentals of software maintainability and the reasons for adopting soft computing methodologies for predicting software maintainability. Later, we examine the soft computing approaches employed in the process of software maintainability prediction. Furthermore, we discuss the difficulties and potential solutions associated with the use of soft computing techniques in predicting maintainability of software. Finally, we conclude the review with some promising future directions to drive further research innovations and developments in this promising area. This systematic literature review provides a comprehensive overview of the soft computing strategies utilized for software maintainability for future researchers.
The consequences of density‐dependent individual growth for sustainable harvesting and management of fish stocks
Authors: Croll Jasper C. , van Kooten Tobias , de Roos André M.
Published: February 2023

Density dependence is likely to act as a regulatory mechanism in fish stocks that are recovering from overfishing. In general, density dependence in fish stocks is assumed to only occur in reproduction and early life stages and is therefore usually modelled as a stock‐recruitment relationship. Recent research shows that density dependence can also reduce individual growth in body size later in life. In this study, we show how optimal fishing effort changes with the strength of density dependence in individual growth for four stocks of North Sea flatfish species. Using size‐structured population models we show that density dependence arises due to a mechanistic link between the resource availability and life history processes at the individual level. We furthermore show that the stock response to harvesting is either driven by changes in individual reproduction when density dependence in individual growth is weak or by changes in individual growth rate when individual growth is strongly affected by density dependence. These two types or regimes are separated by a sudden shift in dynamics. It is therefore of great importance to account for density dependence in growth when managing fish stocks.
Awareness and equity of behavioral sacrifice and same‐sex relationship quality: Heterosexist discrimination as a distal predictor
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Zhao Zhenqiang , Curran Melissa , Mills‐Koonce W. Roger , Cao Hongjian
Published: February 2023

Objectives

We included two sacrifice constructs to reflect the awareness and (in)equity of behavioral sacrifice in same‐sex relationships: (a) the receiver's awareness (whether the receiver under‐, over‐, or unbiasedly estimated the other's frequency of sacrifice behaviors) and (b) the provider's perceived (in)equity (whether the provider perceived themselves as underbenefitted, overbenefitted, or equitably treated). We then tested how heterosexist discrimination related to same‐sex couples' relationship quality via receivers' awareness and providers' perceived (in)equity.

Background

Sacrifices are pro‐relationship efforts in which individuals forgo self‐interests for the partner or the relationship. The links from sacrifice to same‐sex couples' relationship quality are still understudied. Further, no study has examined whether sexual minority stressors relate to sacrifice in same‐sex relationships.

Method

We used dyadic, survey data from 141 same‐sex couples and conducted actor–partner interdependence models.

Results

For receivers' awareness, unbiased estimation and overestimation were related to higher relationship quality; underestimation was related to lower relationship quality. For providers' perceived (in)equity, being underbenefitted—a situation in which individuals perceived that the other made fewer sacrifices than they did—was related to lower relationship quality. For indirect pathways, when one individual encountered heterosexist discrimination, this individual's sacrifice was likely underestimated by the receiver; in turn, this individual's partner experienced low relationship quality.

Conclusions

To better understand sacrifice and relationship quality for same‐sex couples, heterosexist discrimination should be considered.

Implications

Interventions are needed when practitioners work with same‐sex couples who feel that their sacrifices were underestimated, and efforts are still needed to reduce heterosexist discrimination.
Sex and sexual orientation in the effects of coping strategies on relationship satisfaction
Authors: Song Chao , Buysse Ann , Zhang Wei‐Hong , Lu Ciyong , Dewaele Alexis
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study examined sex and sexual orientation differences in the context of the effects of coping strategies on relationship satisfaction.

Background

The sex and sexual orientation differences on the association between coping strategies and relationship satisfaction are not yet fully understood.

Method

The participants were 3,805 Belgian individuals who self‐identified as heterosexual (n = 2,024), bisexual (n = 790), or gay/lesbian (n = 991).

Results

Results showed that (a) task‐oriented and emotion‐oriented coping was positively and negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, respectively; (b) social diversion–oriented coping was positively associated with relationship satisfaction only among those who identified as heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; and (c) distraction‐oriented coping was positively associated with relationship satisfaction only among those identifying as bisexual. Multiple group tests based on sex within each sexual orientation category confirm that (a) a stronger association was observed between task‐oriented coping and relationship satisfaction for bisexual men compared to bisexual women; (b) the negative association between emotion‐oriented coping and relationship satisfaction is only significant for heterosexual women, and not for bisexual women; and (c) the negative association between distraction‐oriented coping and relationship satisfaction is significant for bisexual women, but not for heterosexual women.

Conclusion

This study enhances our comprehension of the variations in the utilization of coping strategies and their effect on relationship satisfaction among individuals based on their sex and sexual orientation.

Implications

These findings might lead to improved interventions related to coping strategies for reducing the effect of stress in romantic relationships.
University entrepreneurial performance: A Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Patrício Lurdes D. , Ferreira João J.
Published: February 2023

As key players in innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) assume a position as catalysts in creating and disseminating knowledge with repercussions in the societal, economic, political and innovation environments. In this scenario, HEI are facing the need to balance the performance of their traditional missions—teaching and research—with the pursuit of entrepreneurial performance. This brings awareness of the need to pay particular attention to HEI entrepreneurial performance (HEIEP) and how to measure it. Based on HEInnovate, a self‐assessment tool resulting from a joint effort of the European Community and the OECD, this study aims to explore the benefits of university entrepreneurial metrics, analysing HEIEP as a discriminant function of the HEInnovate dimensions complemented with a qualitative approach using Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The analysis provides valuable details, presenting recipes based on the HEInnovate dimensions or combinations of dimensions to achieve a mission legitimation. This research brings awareness to the use of the HEInnovate scale, where it is possible to highlight the importance of the digital transformation and capability dimension to entrepreneurial performance (EP) and university mission legitimation.
High pyroelectric response in Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)1−xTix]0.98O3 ceramics
Authors: Li Ling , Dai Yuxin , Tang Xiaolong , Wang Shuhao , Wang Jiajia , Wang Yaojin
Published: February 2023

Both high pyroelectric coefficient and figure of merits of ferroelectric materials are desirable for infrared detection. In this work, we prepared Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)1−xTix]0.98O3 (0.060 ≤ x ≤ 0.080) ceramics, and the microstructure and electric properties were studied systematically. It is observed that the composition x = 0.07 shows enhanced pyroelectric properties around ambient temperature due to the ferroelectric–antiferroelectric phase transition, with the pyroelectric coefficient p = 6.83 × 10−4 C m−2 K−1 and the figures of merit Fi = 5.04 × 10−10 m V−1, Fv = 7.61 × 10−2 m2 C−1, and Fd = 3.46 × 10−5 Pa−1/2 at room temperature and the highest pyroelectric coefficient of 695.5 × 10−4 C m−2 K−1 and Fi = 1410.46 × 10−10 m V−1, Fv = 1587.39 × 10−2 m2 C−1, and Fd = 1182.94 × 10−5 Pa−1/2 at 36.7°C. These values are superior to other pyroelectric materials. These results indicate that this system is a promising pyroelectric material for the applications of infrared detectors.
A scoping review of the evidence for the use of screening tools in people with intellectual disabilities with dysphagia
Authors: O'Leary Lisa , Maine Andrew , Ring Nicola , Reid James , Speirs Lorraine , Allan Louise , Truesdale Maria , Taggart Laurence
Published: February 2023

Background

Dysphagia can have serious health implications including choking and respiratory infection leading to poorer quality of life. People with intellectual disabilities are at higher risk of dysphagia related health complications and early death. Robust dysphagia screening tools are vital for this population.

Method

A scoping review and appraisal of the evidence for dysphagia and feeding screening tools for use with people with intellectual disabilities was undertaken.

Results

Seven studies (using six screening tools) met the review inclusion criteria. Mostly studies were limited by no defined dysphagia criteria, no verification of tools with a gold reference standard (e.g., videofluoroscopic examination) and lack of participant diversity (small samples, narrow age range, severity of intellectual disability or limited settings).

Conclusions

There is urgent need for development and rigorous appraisal of existing dysphagia screening tools to meet the needs of a wider range of people with intellectual disabilities (particularly mild‐to‐moderate severity) and in wider settings.
“Pill‐in‐Pocket” anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Peigh Graham , Passman Rod S.
Published: February 2023

Uninterrupted anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation (AF), regardless of AF burden, is deeply rooted in practice since the early anticoagulation trials. However, uninterrupted anticoagulation is not without risks, and may not be beneficial for allcomers with a history of AF. Indeed, contemporary data that support a critical duration threshold of AF that benefits from anticoagulation, and a temporal association between stroke and multihour AF episodes, compel the study of a more targeted approach to AF anticoagulation. In this review, we discuss data that support further investigation of “pill in the pocket” anticoagulation for AF, and introduce the pivotal Rhythm Evaluation for Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation (REACT‐AF) trial that will robustly evaluate this strategy.
Contact force and catheter stability are predictive metrics of successful pulmonary vein isolation with high‐power short duration ablation in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Honarbakhsh Shohreh , Martin Claire A. , Dhillon Gurpreet , Gallagher Mark , Sohal Manav , Chow Anthony , Ahsan Syed , Abbass Hakam , Whittaker‐Axon Sarah , Lambiase Pier D. , Davies Mark J. , Ginks Matthew , Hunter Ross J.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Preliminary data suggest that high power short duration (HPSD) ablation for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) are safe. Limited data are available on its effectiveness. Aim was to evaluate HPSD ablation in atrial fibrillation ablation using a novel Qdot Micro catheter.

Methods and Results

Prospective multicenter study evaluating safety and efficacy of PVI with HPSD ablation. First pass isolation (FPI) and sustained PVI was assessed. If FPI was not achieved additional ablation index (AI)‐guided ablation with 45 W was performed and metrics predictive of this were determined. Sixty‐five patients and 260 veins were treated. Procedural and LA dwell time was 93.9 ± 30.4 and 60.5 ± 23.1 min, respectively. FPI was achieved in 47 (72.3%) patients and 231 veins (88.8%) with an ablation duration of 4.6 ± 1.0 min. Twenty‐nine veins required additional AI‐guided ablation to achieve initial PVI with 24 anatomical sites ablated with the right posterior carina being the most common site (37.5%). A contact force of ≥8 g (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.81; p < 0.001) and catheter position variation of ≤1.2 mm (AUC: 0.79; p < 0.001) with HPSD were strongly predictive of not requiring additional AI‐guided ablation. Out of the 260 veins, only 5 (1.9%) veins showed acute reconnection. HPSD ablation was associated with shorter procedure times (93.9 vs. 159.4 min; p < 0.001), ablation times (6.1 vs. 27.7 min; p < 0.001), and lower rates of PV reconnection (9.2% vs. 30.8%; p = 0.004) compared to moderate power cohort.

Conclusions

HPSD ablation is an effective ablation modality which results in effective PVI whilst maintaining a safety profile. Its superiority needs to be evaluated in randomized controlled trials.
Diagnostic evaluation of unexplained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in younger adults
Authors: William Jeremy , Xiao Xiaoman , Shirwaiker Anita , Patel Hitesh , Prabhu Sandeep , Ling Liang‐Han , Sugamar Hariharan , Mariani Justin , Kistler Peter , Voskoboinik Aleksandr
Published: February 2023

Background

The diagnostic work‐up for cardiac arrest from ventricular tachyarrhythmias occurring in younger adults and structurally normal hearts is variable and often incomplete.

Methods

We reviewed records for all recipients of a secondary prevention implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) younger than 60 years at a single quaternary referral hospital from 2010 to 2021. Patients with unexplained ventricular arrhythmias (UVA) were identified as those with no structural heart disease on echocardiogram, no obstructive coronary disease, and no clear diagnostic features on ECG. We specifically evaluated the adoption rate of five modalities of “second‐line” cardiac investigations: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), exercise ECG, flecainide challenge, electrophysiology study (EPS), and genetic testing. We also evaluated patterns of antiarrhythmic drug therapy and device‐detected arrhythmias and compared them with secondary prevention ICD recipients with a clear etiology found on initial assessment.

Results

One hundred and two recipients of a secondary prevention ICD under the age of 60 were analyzed. Thirty‐nine patients (38.2%) were identified with UVA and were compared with the remaining 63 patients with VA of clear etiology (61.8%). UVA patients were younger (35.6 ± 13.0 vs. 46.0 ± 8.6 years, p < .001) and were more often female (48.7% vs. 28.6%, p = .04). CMR was performed in 32 patients with UVA (82.1%), whereas flecainide challenge, stress ECG, genetic testing, and EPS were only performed in a minority of patients. Overall, the use of a second‐line investigation suggested an etiology in 17 patients with UVA (43.5%). Compared to patients with VA of clear etiology, UVA patients had lower rates of antiarrhythmic drug prescription (64.1% vs. 88.9%, p = .003) and had a higher rate of device‐delivered tachy‐therapies (30.8% vs. 14.3%, p = .045).

Conclusion

In this real‐world analysis of patients with UVA, the diagnostic work‐up is often incomplete. While CMR was increasingly utilized at our institution, investigations for channelopathies and genetic causes appear to be underutilized. Implementation of a systematic protocol for work‐up of these patients requires further study.
Evolutionary coexistence in a fluctuating environment by specialization on resource level
Authors: Wortel Meike T.
Published: February 2023

Microbial communities in fluctuating environments, such as oceans or the human gut, contain a wealth of diversity. This diversity contributes to the stability of communities and the functions they have in their hosts and ecosystems. To improve stability and increase production of beneficial compounds, we need to understand the underlying mechanisms causing this diversity. When nutrient levels fluctuate over time, one possibly relevant mechanism is coexistence between specialists on low and specialists on high nutrient levels. The relevance of this process is supported by the observations of coexistence in the laboratory, and by simple models, which show that negative frequency dependence of two such specialists can stabilize coexistence. However, as microbial populations are often large and fast growing, they evolve rapidly. Our aim is to determine what happens when species can evolve; whether evolutionary branching can create diversity or whether evolution will destabilize coexistence. We derive an analytical expression of the invasion fitness in fluctuating environments and use adaptive dynamics techniques to find that evolutionarily stable coexistence requires a special type of trade‐off between growth at low and high nutrients. We do not find support for the necessary evolutionary trade‐off in data available for the bacterium Escherichia coli and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on glucose. However, this type of data is scarce and might exist for other species or in different conditions. Moreover, we do find evidence for evolutionarily stable coexistence of the two species together. Since we find this coexistence in the scarce data that are available, we predict that specialization on resource level is a relevant mechanism for species diversity in microbial communities in fluctuating environments in natural settings.
Towards real‐time STEM simulations through targeted subsampling strategies
Authors: Robinson Alex W. , Wells Jack , Nicholls Daniel , Moshtaghpour Amirafshar , Chi Miaofang , Kirkland Angus I. , Browning Nigel D.
Published: February 2023

Scanning transmission electron microscopy images can be complex to interpret on the atomic scale as the contrast is sensitive to multiple factors such as sample thickness, composition, defects and aberrations. Simulations are commonly used to validate or interpret real experimental images, but they come at a cost of either long computation times or specialist hardware such as graphics processing units. Recent works in compressive sensing for experimental STEM images have shown that it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of acquired signal and still recover the full image without significant loss of image quality, and therefore it is proposed here that similar methods can be applied to STEM simulations. In this paper, we demonstrate a method that can significantly increase the efficiency of STEM simulations through a targeted sampling strategy, along with a new approach to independently subsample each frozen phonon layer. We show the effectiveness of this method by simulating a SrTiO3 grain boundary and monolayer 2H‐MoS2 containing a sulphur vacancy using the abTEM software. We also show how this method is not limited to only traditional multislice methods, but also increases the speed of the PRISM simulation method. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility for STEM simulations to seed the acquisition of real data, to potentially lead the way to self‐driving (correcting) STEM.
Amazonian birds in more dynamic habitats have less population genetic structure and higher gene flow
Authors: Johnson Oscar , Ribas Camila C. , Aleixo Alexandre , Naka Luciano N. , Harvey Michael G. , Brumfield Robb T.
Published: February 2023

Understanding the factors that govern variation in genetic structure across species is key to the study of speciation and population genetics. Genetic structure has been linked to several aspects of life history, such as foraging strategy, habitat association, migration distance, and dispersal ability, all of which might influence dispersal and gene flow. Comparative studies of population genetic data from species with differing life histories provide opportunities to tease apart the role of dispersal in shaping gene flow and population genetic structure. Here, we examine population genetic data from sets of bird species specialized on a series of Amazonian habitat types hypothesized to filter for species with dramatically different dispersal abilities: stable upland forest, dynamic floodplain forest, and highly dynamic riverine islands. Using genome‐wide markers, we show that habitat type has a significant effect on population genetic structure, with species in upland forest, floodplain forest, and riverine islands exhibiting progressively lower levels of structure. Although morphological traits used as proxies for individual‐level dispersal ability did not explain this pattern, population genetic measures of gene flow are elevated in species from more dynamic riverine habitats. Our results suggest that the habitat in which a species occurs drives the degree of population genetic structuring via its impact on long‐term fluctuations in levels of gene flow, with species in highly dynamic habitats having particularly elevated gene flow. These differences in genetic variation across taxa specialized in distinct habitats may lead to disparate responses to environmental change or habitat‐specific diversification dynamics over evolutionary time scales.
Larvicidal evaluation of two novel cationic gemini surfactants against the potential vector of West Nile virusCulex pipiensLinnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Abdel‐Haleem Doaa R. , Badr Entsar E. , Samy Abdallah M. , Baker Sharbat A.
Published: February 2023

The development of insecticide resistance is a serious consequence of the widespread applications of synthetic insecticides. Recent studies have provided alternatives to currently available insecticides. Here, novel cationic gemini surfactants were synthesized to assess their insecticidal activities using laboratory and field strains larvae ofCulex pipiensLinnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae). The efficacy of these surfactants was compared to that of clove oil and spinosad. The two surfactants G1 and G2 showed good insecticidal activities in laboratory strain with LC500.013 and 0.054 ppm, respectively, relative to spinosad with LC500.027 ppm, 48 h posttreatment. Although spinosad showed high efficiency against lab strain, it exhibited a high resistance ratio (RR) of 15.111 and 13.111 toward the field strain at 24 and 48 h posttreatment, respectively. The two gemini surfactants have a good safety profile and low RR (RR <5), which is close to clove oil; however, G1 and G2 presented high activities with 11,043.230 and 2658.648 folds, respectively, compared to clove oil. The treatedCx.pipienslarvae showed severe morphological malformations after treatment with gemini surfactants. The results of this study are promising in terms of developing novel, effective, affordable, and safe approaches for mosquito control strategies to reduce the risk of arbovirus transmission, which remains a global public health threat.
Decolonizing nursing through the lens of Black maternal health
Authors: Canty Lucinda
Published: February 2023

In the United States, there is a long history of racial disparities in maternal health, with Black women disproportionately representing poor maternal health outcomes. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy‐related complication and twice as likely to experience severe maternal morbidity when compared to white women. Where are nurses in the development of knowledge to improve maternal health outcomes among Black birthing people? This dialogue discusses how decolonizing nursing can occur by examining the history of Black maternal health in the United States and using the works of nursing scholars of color to inform nursing education, research, and clinical practice.
Iron and atrial fibrillation: A review
Authors: Ju Hao , Liu Tao , Yang Manqi , Cheng Mian , Wu Gang
Published: February 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most common arrhythmias in clinical practice, is classified into paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent AF according to its duration. The development of AF is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the exact etiology of this disease remains poorly understood. Recent studies found disorders of iron metabolism might be involved in the progression of AF. Abnormal iron metabolism in cardiomyocytes provides arrhythmogenic substrates through a variety of mechanisms, including calcium mishandling, ion channel remodeling, and oxidative stress overaction. Interestingly, in AF patients with iron overload, interventions on iron metabolism, such as iron chelators and ferroptosis inhibitors, has been shown to prevent AF via reducing ferroptosis. Herein, we review the possible mechanisms, consequences, and therapeutic implications of altered atrial iron handling for AF pathophysiology.
How FAST are women farmers in Greece transforming contested gender identities in a (still) male‐dominant sector?
Authors: Tsiaousi Alexandra , Partalidou Maria
Published: February 2023

Women farmers’ experiences are not necessarily homogeneous between contexts, and overall different social structures might have different spillover effects into agriculture. Despite the so‐called ‘feminisation’ of Greek agriculture—manifested as an increase in the proportion of officially registered farm heads being female and recognition of female contribution to farming—the question remains of how fast these changes do transform the role of women in Greek agriculture and how far they reach in terms of changing contested gender identities in a still male‐dominant sector. This article, inspired by the recent work on Feminist Agri‐Food Systems Theory (FAST), tries to shed light on these transformations by collecting official data, working with local experts–informants and conducting in‐depth qualitative interviews with 71 women farmers in Greece. We advocate for indicators of transformation by using women's life stories and the FAST as a theoretical lens. According to our results, the increasing visibility of women in agriculture did not activate any dynamic renegotiation of the hierarchical and pre‐defined gender roles within the family and local society. Overall, multiple roles and tasks remain still challenging in the daily routine of women farmers. However, in contrast to the past, there are different pathways to enter agriculture, and despite all barriers, women's self‐perception as farmers is quite empowered in the study area. They are younger than the national average, their farm size is larger than average, they prefer value‐added production and they seek tailored agricultural extension services and peer‐to‐peer knowledge through informal networks. For the further theoretical development of the FAST model, and advancing the state of the art, we reflect on some additional axes and indicators resulting from its application in the Greek context.
Retrospective evaluation of fresh platelet concentrate administration in dogs: Patient characteristics, outcomes, and transfusion practices in 189 transfusion episodes (2008–2019)
Authors: Saint‐Pierre Laurence M. , Farrell Kate S. , Hopper Kate , Reagan Krystle L.
Published: February 2023

Objective

To describe patient characteristics, underlying disease processes, clinical outcomes, transfusion dose and type (therapeutic or prophylactic), platelet count changes, and adverse events associated with platelet concentrate (PC) administration in dogs.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

A total of 149 dogs, representing 189 PC transfusion episodes.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

In this population, 39 of 149 dogs (26.2%) were diagnosed with primary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia, 22 of 149 (14.8%) had decreased bone marrow production, 12 of 149 (8.0%) received PC during a massive transfusion, 3 of 149 (2.0%) had congenital thrombocytopathia, 59 of 149 (39.6%) had severe thrombocytopenia of other causes, and 14 of 149 (9.4%) underwent transfusion for miscellaneous causes without a documented severe thrombocytopenia. In 117 of 149 dogs (78.5%), >1 site of hemorrhage was noted. The most common sites of hemorrhage were the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in 89 of 149 (59.7%) and the skin in 78 of 149 (52.3%). Overall survival to discharge was 59.1% (88/149). The median PC dose was 0.8 units per 10 kg of body weight per transfusion episode (range: 0.2–6.7). Of 189 episodes, 29 of 189 (15.7%) were prophylactic, and 158 of 189 (83.6%) were therapeutic. For 99 of 189 transfusion episodes, paired pre‐ and postplatelet counts were available within 24 hours. The median platelet count change was 5.0 × 109/L (5000/μL; range: –115 × 109/L to 158 × 109/L [–115,000 to 158,000/μL]); the posttransfusion platelet count was significantly higher than pretransfusion (P < 0.0001). The increase in platelet count after transfusion was greater in the prophylactic group than the therapeutic group (P = 0.0167). Transfusion reactions were suspected during 2 of 168 episodes (1.2%).

Conclusions

Immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia was the most common disease process that resulted in PC transfusion. PC was more frequently administered to animals with active hemorrhage rather than prophylactically, and most dogs had evidence of hemorrhage in multiple organ systems, particularly the GI tract and skin. PC transfusions typically appeared safe, and the median platelet count increased after transfusion.
Retrospective analysis of the use of canine‐specific albumin in 125 critically ill dogs
Authors: Sahagian Michael J. , Mastrocco Alicia , Weltman Joel G. , Woods Sarah , Prittie Jennifer E.
Published: February 2023

Objective

To describe the clinical use of canine‐specific albumin (CSA) in critically ill dogs, report adverse events, and evaluate measurable clinical effects of CSA administration.

Design

Retrospective case series from 2019 to 2020.

Setting

Large, urban, private‐practice referral and emergency center.

Animals

Consecutive sample of 125 client‐owned dogs administered CSA transfusions.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

The conditions most commonly associated with the use of CSA were surgical (32/125) and nonsurgical (20/125) gastrointestinal disease. Both serum albumin and total plasma protein concentrations were significantly increased posttransfusion (P < 0.001), and 16% albumin transfusions produced the greatest magnitude increase in serum albumin (P = 0.0015). Concurrent crystalloid administration did not affect change in albumin. While there was no significant improvement in blood pressure seen in those patients that received albumin, a significant improvement in shock index was identified (P = 0.02). Adverse events were uncommon; however, 8 critically ill dogs died during CSA administration.

Conclusions

CSA appears to be a relatively safe alternative to synthetic colloids and complementary to crystalloids in critically ill patients. More concentrated solutions may be more effective in raising serum albumin concentration. Further investigation into the indications for and efficacy of CSA will continue to improve our knowledge of this blood product.
Accounting for Circumferential Flow Nonuniformity in a Multistage Axial Compressor
Authors: Lou Fangyuan , Matthews Douglas R. , Kormanik Nicholas J. , Key Nicole L.
Published: February 2023

The flow field in a compressor is circumferentially nonuniform due to geometric imperfections, inlet flow nonuniformities, and blade row interactions. Therefore, the flow field, as represented by measurements from discrete stationary instrumentation, can be skewed and contributes to uncertainties in both calculated one-dimensional performance parameters and aerodynamic forcing functions needed for aeromechanics analyses. Considering this challenge, this article documents a continued effort to account for compressor circumferential flow nonuniformities based on discrete, undersampled measurements. First, the total pressure field downstream of the first two stators in a three-stage axial compressor was measured across half of the annulus. The circumferential nonuniformities in the stator exit flow, including vane wake variability, were characterized. In addition, the influence of wake variation on stage performance calculations and aerodynamic forcing functions were investigated. In the present study for the compressor with an approximate pressure ratio of 1.3 at the design point, the circumferential nonuniformity in total pressure yields an approximate 2.4-point variation in isentropic efficiency and 54% variation in spectral magnitudes of the fundamental forcing frequency for the embedded stage. Furthermore, the stator exit circumferential flow nonuniformity is accounted for by reconstructing the full-annulus flow using a novel multiwavelet approximation method. Strong agreement was achieved between experiment and the reconstructed total pressure field from a small segment of measurements representing 20% coverage of the annulus. The analysis shows the wake–wake interactions from the upstream vane rows dominate the circumferentially nonuniform distributions in the total pressure field downstream of stators. The features associated with wake–wake interactions accounting for passage-to-passage variations are resolved in the reconstructed total pressure profile, yielding representative mean flow properties and aerodynamic forcing functions.
An exploration of circumbinary systems using gravitational microlensing
Authors: George Brett C. , Kontou Eleni-Alexandra , Przewoznik Patrycja , Turrell Eleanor
Published: February 2023

Gravitational microlensing is one of the methods to detect exoplanets–planets outside our solar system. Here, we focus on the theoretical modeling of systems with three lensing objects and in particular circumbinary systems. Circumbinary systems include two stars and at least one planet and are estimated to represent a sizeable portion of all exoplanets. Extending a method developed for binary lenses to the three lens case, we explore the parameter space of circumbinary systems, producing exact magnification maps and light curves.