bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Mining of Association Rules Based on Nanopatterns for Code Smells Detection
Authors: Juliet Thessalonica D. , Khanna Nehemiah H. , Sreejith S. , Kannan A.
Published: April 2023

Software maintenance is an imperative step in software development. Code smells can arise as a result of poor design as well as frequent code changes due to changing needs. Early detection of code smells during software development can help with software maintenance. This work focuses on identifying code smells on Java software using nanopatterns. Nanopatterns are method-level code structures that reflect the presence of code smells. Nanopatterns are extracted using a command-line interface based on the ASM bytecode analysis. Class labels are extracted using three tools, namely inFusion, JDeodorant, and iPlasma. Rules are extracted from nanopatterns using the Apriori algorithm and mapped with the extracted class labels. Best rules are selected using the Border Collie Optimization (BCO) algorithm with the accuracy of the k-NN classifier as the fitness function. The selected rules are stored in the rule base to detect code smells. The objective is to detect a maximum number of code smells with a minimum number of rules. Experiments are carried out on Java software, namely jEdit, Nutch, Lucene, and Rhino. The proposed work detects code smells, namely data class, blob, spaghetti code, functional decomposition, and feature envy, with 98.78% accuracy for jEdit, 97.45% for Nutch, 95.58% for Lucene, and 96.34% for Rhino. The performance of the proposed work is competitive with other well-known methods of detecting code smells.
Safety Incidents in Psychiatric Inpatient Care: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Safety Incident Reports
Authors: Mishina Kaisa , Berg Johanna , Vainila Veera , Korte Mikko , Lahti Mari
Published: April 2023

Introduction. Safety is an essential factor in patient recovery, occupational well‐being, and a well‐functioning care environment. To identify and understand potential safety risks, information from safety incidents is needed. Aim. To describe safety incidents that occurred on psychiatric inpatient wards. Method. A retrospective register study. The data were collected from a web‐based incident reporting database (HaiPro) from six Finnish psychiatric inpatient wards. The incident reports (N = 76) were analysed with descriptive statistics and inductive content analyses. Results. The incidents were verbally or physically aggressive situations, rule violations, or challenges in the ward’s basic activities. The incidents resulted in consequences for patients, personnel, and the wards with varying severity. Some of the incidents could have possibly been prevented with simple, practical measures, such as sharing information, being prepared for safety practices, and having comprehensively planned care. Discussion. Safety incidents cause fear and challenges and could partly be prevented with multiprofessional and multilevel cooperation. Implications for Practice. Preventative actions include multidisciplinary and ward‐specific education for safety practices, ensuring resources and not having too many patients on the ward. Multiprofessional communication and mutual understanding, including patient participation, are central. Wards should be designed or renovated so that safe environments can be guaranteed.
Asymptomatic Plasmodium Infection and Associated Factors in Selected Districts of the Kaffa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Duguma Tadesse , Tekalign Eyob , Abera Mitiku
Published: April 2023

Background. Malaria remains a serious public health problem, particularly in resource scarce areas of the world. The number of malaria cases has dropped remarkably in Ethiopia over the last decade, and efforts to eliminate the disease are underway. Asymptomatic infections may pose significant challenges to the elimination program. The essence of this study was to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium infection and the associated factors among communities of the selected districts in the Kaffa zone. Materials and Methods. April to May and September to October 2021, were the two seasons in which the community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. Capillary blood from a finger prick was examined by light microscopy (LM) and screened using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and malaria prevention measures were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. Data entry and analyses were carried out using EpiData and SPSS version 25.0. Logistic regression (bivariate and multivariable) analyses were carried out to assess the possible associations between the dependent variable and the associated factors. Results. 566 study participants were involved in the two cross-sectional surveys, including 234 male and 332 female subjects with a mean age of 18.486 (SD ± 15.167). Thirty-eight blood samples (6.7%) were found to be positive for Plasmodium species tested by both LM and RDT. Last night’s use of long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) (AOR = 2.448, 95% CI: 1.009 5.938,p=0.048), presence of eave (AOR = 4.144, 95% CI: 1.049–16.363,p=0.043), and house sprayed in the last year (AOR = 5.206, 95% CI: 2.176–12.455,p<0.001) were among factors that showed significant association with asymptomatic Plasmodium infection. Conclusion. The asymptomatic Plasmodium infection prevalence recorded in the study area was low. Last night’s LLIN usage, the presence of an eave, a house sprayed in the last year, and the presence of stagnant water near the home of the study participants were among the factors associated with an increased risk of catching the disease.
Atypical Fragility Fractures due to Bony or Soft Tissue Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumors: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Clegg Stephanie M. , Eiel Emily S. , Fine Sara , Gafni Rachel I. , Most Mathew J.
Published: April 2023

Introduction. Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic disorder where patients present with hypophosphatemia, chronic diffuse bone pain, and occasionally fractures. Benign phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMT) are responsible for the TIO and are largely soft tissue tumors. Cases. Two male patients with TIO secondary to PMT were reported—one in the bony scapula and the other in the plantar foot soft tissue. The first case describes a 63-year-old Caucasian male, who sustained an intertrochanteric proximal femur stress fracture and approximately two years of diffuse bone pain and hypophosphatemia. Wide excision of a left scapula boney lesion resulted in immediate resolution of his electrolyte abnormalities and bone pain. Case 2 describes a 58-year-old male with four years of multifocal bone pain and atraumatic fractures. A 68Ga-DOTATATE-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan identified a soft tissue tumor in his plantar foot, which was ultimately excised. He also experienced near immediate resolution of his pain and no additional fractures. Conclusion. TIO is a rare condition presenting with chronic multifocal bone pain, stress fractures, and hypophosphatemia. These two cases highlight that the causative tumor may originate in soft tissue or bone. Furthermore, a high index of suspicion, along with fibroblast growth factor-23 testing and DOTATATE-PET/CT localization, can help with diagnosis and minimize treatment delays.
Effect of Morphology on the In Vitro Bioactivity and Biocompatibility of Spray Pyrolyzed Bioactive Glass
Authors: Chuni Tsion , Dachasa Kena , Gochole Fekadu , Hunde Tadele , Bakare Fetene Fufa
Published: April 2023

Because of its fundamental characteristics, including bioactivity, biodegradability, and nontoxicity, bioactive glasses (BGs) become among the most impressive materials in the area of biomedical applications. It is primarily utilized in the applications of dermal fillers, orthopedic implants, and pharmaceutical delivery systems. Here in this study, simple and continuous methods were employed to produce hollow spherical bioactive glasses (HSBGs) microspheres. Using a spray pyrolysis method, solid and hollow spherical particles were successfully synthesized, and the particle formation mechanism was also discussed in detail. Surface and inner morphologies of synthesized bioactive glass (BG) powders were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. BET was employed to measure the pore volume as well as specific surface area for pure BG and BG-derived-PEG powders; all

p

values are below 0.05, demonstrating noticeable distinction among both forms of synthesized powders. Using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), the constituent components of prepared samples were assessed. In addition, by immersing samples in simulated bodily fluid (SBF) for 12 hr, in vitro bioactivity was tested by SEM. The viability of cells for both BG specimens was evaluated at various extraction concentrations by MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylte-trazolium bromide) for 72 hr. Relying on the Ca/P ratio obtained from SEM-EDS, HSBGs possessed higher hydroxyapatite-forming capacity than solid bioactive glasses (SBGs). In addition, the cell viability of both specimens showed that at all extraction concentrations, they pass the standard biocompatibility levels. Therefore, the HSBGs have better biocompatibility and in vitro bioactivity; hence they are promising for future tissue-engineering development.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation on Tensile Behavior of Cellulose at Different Strain Rates
Authors: Jiang Kaixiang , Yan Zhe , Fang Wenjuan , Zhang Youqiang
Published: April 2023

At present, most high-performance cellulose matrix composites only use cellulose as reinforcement material, which is an obstacle to maximize the advantages of nanocellulose in structure and properties. The development of new functional nanocomposites with cellulose as the main component can better meet people’s needs for high-performance and degradable composites, which requires a comprehensive and thorough understanding of cellulose. Considering the limitations of physical experiments, we performed molecular dynamics simulation of the uniaxial tensile behavior of the cellulose system at three different strain rates (10−4/ps, 10−5/ps, and 10−6/ps), and the stress-strain responses of cellulose systems at different strain rates are obtained. The effect of the strain rate on the mechanical properties of amorphous cellulose system during the tensile processes is analyzed. The deformation mechanism of cellulose amorphous system during the tensile processes is characterized by the energy changes of the different terms including dihedral angle torsion term, bond tensile term, angle bending term, and nonbond term. Structural evolution of the cellulose crystal system during the tensile processes is used to explain the failure mechanism of cellulose. The kinetic simulation results show that the mechanical properties of the cellulose amorphous system increase with the increase of strain rate. Compared with the strain rate of 10−5/ps, the elastic modulus of the system increases by 6.73 GPa at the strain rate 10−4/ps. During the tensile processes, cellulose amorphous region adapts to the applied load mainly through the stretching of the cellulose macromolecular chains, i.e., the deformation of bond lengths and bond angles, without any breakage of the molecular chains. The main causes of chain lengthening at different strain rates are different. The failure of cellulose is caused by the slip and rearrangement of some molecular chains in the crystal structure.
Internet of Things-Aided Intelligent Transport Systems in Smart Cities: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future
Authors: Ahmad Khaleel , Khujamatov Halimjon , Lazarev Amir , Usmanova Nargiza , Alduailij Mona , Alduailij Mai
Published: April 2023

The world’s population is growing rapidly, and population management processes have become much more complex. The world’s population lives mainly in cities, and naturally, the governance processes in cities are increasing. For efficient process management, researchers are now proposing smart city concepts. According to this concept, research work is being carried out in several directions. One of these areas is an intelligent transport system. This research paper discusses the scientific work performed in intelligent transport systems, including concepts, capabilities, Internet of Things of vehicles, organization of information, and communication processes. The operating frequency ranges, network parameters, and applications are considered. The final part of the paper presents a proposal for creating an intelligent parking system and outlines some promising work that can be done in this area. This paper is intended for researchers who plan to explore important aspects of intelligent transportation systems and help them in their future endeavors.
A Case of Laryngeal Cryptococcosis that Responded to Itraconazole
Authors: Maezumi Sorane , Motohashi Ray , Shoji Yusuke , Tsukahara Kiyoaki
Published: April 2023

Laryngeal cryptococcosis is a rare condition. While there is no reliable evidence regarding the treatment of laryngeal cryptococcosis, oral fluconazole was successful in most previous cases. We experienced a case where we could not continue fluconazole because of adverse drug effects. An 88-year-old female was referred to our department with a 5-month history of sore throat and cough. She had used oral steroids and a corticosteroid inhaler for poorly controlled asthma. Flexible laryngoscopy showed leukoplakia of the vocal cords and subglottic mucosa, and biopsy revealed cryptococcal infection. We started the treatment with fluconazole but changed to itraconazole because of adverse events. Since laryngoscopy performed 6 months later was unremarkable and drug interactions had occurred, we stopped the itraconazole use at 6 months. Our experience suggests that itraconazole is also useful for treating laryngeal cryptococcosis.
Design and Characterization of 2.5D Nature-Inspired Infill Structures under Out-Plane Quasi-Static Loading Condition
Authors: Ashok Dara , Bahubalendruni M. V. A. Raju
Published: April 2023

The 2.5D (2.5-dimensional) structures are acquired to enhance safety and lightweight designs with better energy absorption in the aerospace and automobile sectors. Additive manufacturing (AM), which is practical to build suitable components in industrial and transportation applications, may produce these structures more efficiently. The current study aims to improve the 2.5D infilled structures mean crush force (MCF) and energy absorption capabilities. Under compression loading, the proposed novel nature-inspired 2.5D infilled structure is compared to six existing 2.5D geometries that are inspired by nature. These structures are made of cylindrical shells that are filled with various infill configurations and maintained at a consistent volume. Photopolymer resin is used as the material for the structures, which are created using a digital light processing (DLP) method under AM technology. The characterization of the constructed models was done under compressive out-plane quasi-static stress conditions. ANSYS numerical simulations have been carried out to confirm the dependability of experimental data. The impact of supporting ribs and infill designs on crushing behaviour is thoroughly discussed. Mean crush force (MCF) and specific energy absorption (SEA) under quasi-static compression loading are provided to the proposed unique nature-inspired 2.5D infilled structure to significantly boost crushing qualities, axial collapse, and energy absorption behaviours.
Small Non-Coding RNAs in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: State of the Art and Future Directions
Authors: La Ferlita Alessandro , Sp Nipin , Goryunova Marina , Nigita Giovanni , Pollock Raphael E. , Croce Carlo M. , Beane Joal D.
Published: April 2023

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors that arise from connective tissue and can occur anywhere in the body. Among the plethora of over 50 different STS types, liposarcoma (LPS) is one of the most common. The subtypes of STS are characterized by distinct differences in tumor biology that drive responses to pharmacologic therapy and disparate oncologic outcomes. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNA) are a heterogeneous class of regulatory RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression by targeting mRNAs. Among the several types of sncRNAs, miRNAs and tRNA-derived ncRNAs are the most studied in the context of tumor biology, and we are learning more about the role of these molecules as important regulators of STS tumorigenesis and differentiation. However, challenges remain in translating these findings and no biomarkers or therapeutic approaches targeting sncRNAs have been developed for clinical use. In this review, we summarize the current landscape of sncRNAs in the context of STS with an emphasis on LPS, including the role of sncRNAs in the tumorigenesis and differentiation of these rare malignancies and their potential as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Finally, we provide an appraisal of published studies and outline future directions to study sncRNAs in STS, including tRNA-derived ncRNAs.
Data from Driver Mutations Dictate the Immunologic Landscape and Response to Checkpoint Immunotherapy of Glioblastoma
Authors: Yeo Alan T. , Shah Rushil , Aliazis Konstantinos , Pal Rinku , Xu Tuoye , Zhang Piyan , Rawal Shruti , Rose Christopher M. , Varn Frederick S. , Appleman Vicky A. , Yoon Joon , Varma Hemant , Gygi Steven P. , Verhaak Roel G.W. , Boussiotis Vassiliki A. , Charest Al
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The composition of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is considered a key determinant of patients’ response to immunotherapy. The mechanisms underlying TIME formation and development over time are poorly understood. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal primary brain cancer for which there are no curative treatments. GBMs are immunologically heterogeneous and impervious to checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. Utilizing clinically relevant genetic mouse models of GBM, we identified distinct immune landscapes associated with expression of EGFR wild-type and mutant EGFRvIII cancer driver mutations. Over time, accumulation of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) was more pronounced in EGFRvIII-driven GBMs and was correlated with resistance to PD-1 and CTLA-4 combination checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. We determined that GBM-secreted CXCL1/2/3 and PMN-MDSC–expressed CXCR2 formed an axis regulating output of PMN-MDSCs from the bone marrow leading to systemic increase in these cells in the spleen and GBM tumor-draining lymph nodes. Pharmacologic targeting of this axis induced a systemic decrease in the numbers of PMN-MDSC, facilitated responses to PD-1 and CTLA-4 combination checkpoint blocking immunotherapy, and prolonged survival in mice bearing EGFRvIII-driven GBM. Our results uncover a relationship between cancer driver mutations, TIME composition, and sensitivity to checkpoint blockade in GBM and support the stratification of patients with GBM for checkpoint blockade therapy based on integrated genotypic and immunologic profiles.
Association of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers, Melanoma, and Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Dermatologic Medications: A Case-Control Pharmacovigilance Study of the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System
Authors: Jedlowski Patrick Michael
Published: April 2023

Background: Medications used in the treatment of dermatologic conditions have been associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between systemic dermatologic medications and skin cancer in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: Case-control analyses were performed in FAERS from 1968 to 2021 to examine the reporting odds ratios (RORs) for SCC, BCC, melanoma, and MCC. Results: The oral immunosuppressants were all associated with increased ROR of SCC, BCC, melanoma, and MCC. Azathioprine had the highest ROR for SCC (34.13, 95% CI 29.07–40.08), BCC (21.15, 95% CI 20.63–25.98), and MCC (44.76, 95% CI 31.52–63.55), while quinacrine and guselkumab had the highest ROR for melanoma (13.14, 95% CI 1.84–93.89 vs. 12.73, 95% CI 10.60–15.30, respectively). The TNF-α inhibitors were associated with an increased ROR for all skin cancers investigated. Conclusions: The oral immunosuppressants and many biologic medications were associated with an increased ROR of skin cancers including TNF-α inhibitors (etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab), IL-23 or IL-12/23 inhibitors (ustekinumab, risankizumab), and the CD-20 inhibitor rituximab but not dupilumab or IL-17 inhibitors.
Distinguishing Intracranial Diabetes-Related Atherosclerotic Plaques: A High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Radiomics Study
Authors: Cheng XiaoQing , Li HongXia , Liu Jia , Zhou ChangSheng , Liu QuanHui , Chen XingZhi , Huang ChenCui , Li YingLe , Zhu WuSheng , Lu GuangMing
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Diabetes markedly affects the formation and development of intracranial atherosclerosis. The study was aimed at evaluating whether radiomics features can help distinguish plaques primarily associated with diabetes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were admitted to our center because of acute ischemic stroke due to intracranial atherosclerosis between 2016 and 2022. Clinical data, blood biomarkers, conventional plaque features, and plaque radiomics features were collected for all patients. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined from logistic regression models. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to describe diagnostic performance. The DeLong test was used to compare differences between models. Results: Overall, 157 patients (115 men; mean age, 58.7 ± 10.7 years) were enrolled. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that plaque length (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.07–1.28) and area (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.24) were independently associated with diabetes. On combining plaque length and area as a conventional model, the AUCs of the training and validation cohorts for identifying diabetes patients were 0.789 and 0.720, respectively. On combining radiomics features on T1WI and contrast-enhanced T1WI sequences, a better diagnostic value was obtained in the training and validation cohorts (AUC: 0.889 and 0.861). The DeLong test showed the model combining radiomics and conventional plaque features performed better than the conventional model in both cohorts (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of radiomics features of intracranial plaques on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging can effectively distinguish culprit plaques with diabetes as the primary pathological cause, which will provide new avenues of research into plaque formation and precise treatment.
PREVES: A Population-Based Survey Focused on Cancer and Nutrition
Authors: Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Ingenito Concetta , Iervolino Mario , Sosto Gennaro , Sergianni Primo , Primiano Ferdinando , Piscosquito Arianna , Iuliucci Michela Rosaria , Rubino Roberta , Gatani Simona , Ugliano Francesco , Scafuri Luca , Costabile Ferdinando , D'Ambrosio Bruno , D'Antonio Alessandra , Crescenzo Antonio , Cappuccio Francesca , Buonerba Carlo
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Approximately a third of cancer-related deaths are attributable to modifiable factors. Methods: As a pilot experience, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8,000 citizens residing in four different municipalities of the Salerno province (Sarno, Pagani, San Valentino Torio, and San Marzano sul Sarno) to investigate key lifestyle and dietary habits. Results: A total of 703 of participants (8.7%) reported a history of malignancy. Alarmingly, 30.5% declared to be a current smoker, while 78.8% did not report any kind of physical activity. Encouragingly, 64.5% declared to be abstemious, and 83.0% declared to consume fruit and vegetables every day, while 4.7% and 31.9% declared not to consume meat and fried food, respectively, at any time. Never-consumers of fruit and vegetables had higher odds of having a history of colorectal cancer (OR = 5.01; 95% CI = 1.46–17.15; p = 0.01). Conclusions: The PREVES study has served to prove the validity of an operational model allowing to integrate hospital and territorial healthcare services, which we expect to be applied at a larger scale. Key information regarding dietary and lifestyle habits of the investigated population was obtained. Larger studies conducted using more accurate approaches to investigate diet, such as 24-h recalls and food frequency questionnaires, are warranted.
Adenosine-ADORA2A Promotes Ang-Induced Angiogenesis in Intrauterine Growth Restriction Placenta via the Stat3/Akt Pathway
Authors: Wu Zifang , Xiang Quanhang , Feng Li , Wu Deyuan , Huang Shuangbo , Zhang Longmiao , Rao Sujuan , Luo Jinxi , Xiong Wenyu , Deng Jinping , Zhou Kai , Yin Yulong , Shi Wei , Tan Chengquan
Published: April 2023

Background:

Abnormal placental angiogenesis is an important cause of fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but its underlying mechanisms and therapies remain unclear. Adenosine and its mediated signaling has been reported to be associated with the development of angiogenesis. However, whether the adenosine-related signaling plays a role in modulating angiogenesis in placenta and the IUGR pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.

Methods:

The angiogenesis and adenosine signaling expressions in normal and IUGR placentas were detected in different species. And the role of adenosine in regulating IUGR pregnancy outcomes was evaluated using diet-induced IUGR mouse model. Molecular mechanisms underlying adenosine-induced angiogenesis were investigated by in vitro angiogenesis assays and in vivo Matrigel plug assays.

Results:

Here, we demonstrated poor angiogenesis and low adenosine concentration and downregulated expression of its receptor A2a (ADORA2A [adenosine A2a receptor]) in IUGR placenta. Additionally, the beneficial effects of adenosine in improving IUGR pregnancy outcomes were revealed in a diet-induced IUGR mouse model. Moreover, adenosine was found to effectively improve adenosine signaling and angiogenesis in IUGR mice placenta. Mechanistically, by using angiogenesis assays in vitro and in vivo, adenosine was shown to activate ADORA2A to promote the phosphorylation of Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) and Akt (protein kinase B), resulting in increased Ang (angiogenin)-dependent angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

Collectively, this study uncovers an unexpected mechanism of promoting placental angiogenesis by adenosine-ADORA2A signaling and advances the translation of this signaling as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in IUGR treatment.
Innate Immunity System in Patients With Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease
Authors: Zoccali Carmine , Mallamaci Francesca
Published: April 2023

With a global burden of 844 million, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now considered a public health priority. Cardiovascular risk is pervasive in this population, and low-grade systemic inflammation is an established driver of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in these patients. Accelerated cellular senescence, gut microbiota-dependent immune activation, posttranslational lipoprotein modifications, neuroimmune interactions, osmotic and nonosmotic sodium accumulation, acute kidney injury, and precipitation of crystals in the kidney and the vascular system all concur in determining the unique severity of inflammation in CKD. Cohort studies documented a strong link between various biomarkers of inflammation and the risk of progression to kidney failure and cardiovascular events in patients with CKD. Interventions targeting diverse steps of the innate immune response may reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Among these, inhibition of IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta) signaling by canakinumab reduced the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease, and this protection was equally strong in patients with and without CKD. Several old (colchicine) and new drugs targeting the innate immune system, like the IL-6 (interleukin 6) antagonist ziltivekimab, are being tested in large randomized clinical trials to thoroughly test the hypothesis that mitigating inflammation may translate into better cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD.
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Baaten Constance C.F.M.J. , Vondenhoff Sonja , Noels Heidi
Published: April 2023

The endothelium is considered to be the gatekeeper of the vessel wall, maintaining and regulating vascular integrity. In patients with chronic kidney disease, protective endothelial cell functions are impaired due to the proinflammatory, prothrombotic and uremic environment caused by the decline in kidney function, adding to the increase in cardiovascular complications in this vulnerable patient population. In this review, we discuss endothelial cell functioning in healthy conditions and the contribution of endothelial cell dysfunction to cardiovascular disease. Further, we summarize the phenotypic changes of the endothelium in chronic kidney disease patients and the relation of endothelial cell dysfunction to cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease. We also review the mechanisms that underlie endothelial changes in chronic kidney disease and consider potential pharmacological interventions that can ameliorate endothelial health.
Cardiac Metabolism in Heart Failure and Implications for Uremic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Nguyen T. Dung , Schulze P. Christian
Published: April 2023

Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk for the development and progression of cardiovascular disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease. Chronic kidney disease may also affect the myocardium through complex systemic changes, resulting in structural remodeling such as hypertrophy and fibrosis, as well as impairments in both diastolic and systolic function. These cardiac changes in the setting of chronic kidney disease define a specific cardiomyopathic phenotype known as uremic cardiomyopathy. Cardiac function is tightly linked to its metabolism, and research over the past 3 decades has revealed significant metabolic remodeling in the myocardium during the development of heart failure. Because the concept of uremic cardiomyopathy has only been recognized in recent years, there are limited data on metabolism in the uremic heart. Nonetheless, recent findings suggest overlapping mechanisms with heart failure. This work reviews key features of metabolic remodeling in the failing heart in the general population and extends this to patients with chronic kidney disease. The knowledge of similarities and differences in cardiac metabolism between heart failure and uremic cardiomyopathy may help identify new targets for mechanistic and therapeutic research on uremic cardiomyopathy.
Contralateral Biases in Category-selective Areas Are Stronger in the Left Hemisphere than the Right Hemisphere
Authors: Herald Sarah B. , Yang Hua , Duchaine Brad
Published: April 2023

Contralateral bias is a well-known feature of early visual cortex, but how it varies across higher-level, category-selective visual cortex and how much that bias differs between preferred and nonpreferred is unclear. Here, we examined 12 category-selective regions across 4 experiments using peripherally presented faces, bodies, houses, and scenes, to measure the difference in contralateral bias between preferred and nonpreferred stimuli. The results showed a substantial range of contralateral biases across the category-selective regions, similar to prior studies using category-selective stimuli [Silson, E. H., Groen, I. I., & Baker, C. I. Direct comparison of contralateral bias and face/scene selectivity in human occipitotemporal cortex. Brain Structure and Function, 227, 1405–1421, 2022; Gomez, J., Natu, V., Jeska, B., Barnett, M., & Grill-Spector, K. Development differentially sculpts receptive fields across early and high-level human visual cortex. Nature Communications, 9, 788, 2018; Silson, E. H., Groen, I. I. A., Kravitz, D. J., & Baker, C. I. Evaluating the correspondence between face-, scene-, and object-selectivity and retinotopic organization within lateral occipitotemporal cortex. Journal of Vision, 16, 14, 2016; Kay, K. N., Weiner, K. S., & Grill-Spector, K. Attention reduces spatial uncertainty in human ventral temporal cortex. Current Biology, 25, 595–600, 2015; Silson, E. H., Chan, A. W.-Y., Reynolds, R. C., Kravitz, D. J., & Baker, C. I. A retinotopic basis for the division of high-level scene processing between lateral and ventral human occipitotemporal cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 35, 11921–11935, 2015]. These contralateral biases were stronger in the left hemisphere regions than right, an asymmetry that was unchanged even when participants performed an attentionally demanding task. Thus, corresponding pairs of category-selective regions (e.g., left fusiform face area [lFFA] and right FFA [rFFA]) do not appear to be mirror images of each other; instead, the right hemisphere regions engage in greater integration of information from the two hemifields. The rFFA and right fusiform body area—both located on the right lateral fusiform gyrus—consistently had the weakest contralateral biases. That this asymmetry was most pronounced in the fusiform gyrus may account for why a unilateral lesion to the rFFA but not the lFFA can produce prosopagnosia. Together, our findings demonstrate that category-selective areas show pronounced differences in the extent of their contralateral biases and that a consistent asymmetry in the strength of the contralateral biases exists between the two hemispheres.
Corticocerebellar White Matter Integrity Is Related to Naming Outcome in Post-Stroke Aphasia
Authors: Keser Zafer , Meier Erin L. , Stockbridge Melissa D. , Breining Bonnie L. , Hillis Argye E. , Sebastian Rajani
Published: April 2023

Studies have shown that the integrity of white matter tracts connecting different regions in the left cerebral hemisphere is important for aphasia recovery after stroke. However, the impact of the underlying structural connection between the cortex and the cerebellum in post-stroke aphasia is poorly understood. We studied the microstructural integrity of the cerebellum and the corticocerebellar connections and their role in picture naming. Fifty-six patients with left cerebral infarcts (sparing the cerebellum) underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and Boston Naming Test. We compared the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of the right and the left cerebellum (lobular gray and white matter structures) and cerebellocortical connections. Recursive feature elimination and Spearman correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between naming performance and the corticocerebellar connections. We found that the right, relative to left, cerebellar structures and their connections with the left cerebrum showed lower FA and higher MD values, both reflecting lower microstructural integrity. This trend was not observed in the healthy controls. Higher MD values of the right major cerebellar outflow tract were associated with poorer picture naming performance. Our study provides the first DTI data demonstrating the critical importance of ascending and descending corticocerebellar connections for naming outcomes after stroke.
Methodological and Cognitive Biases in Science: Issues for Current Research and Ways to Counteract Them
Authors: Fernández Pinto Manuela
Published: April 2023

Arguments discrediting the value-free ideal of science have left us with the question of how to distinguish desirable values from biases that compromise the reliability of research. In this paper, I argue for a characterization of cognitive biases as deviations of thought processes that systematically lead scientists to the wrong conclusions. In particular, cognitive biases could help us understand a crucial issue in science today: how systematic error is introduced in research outcomes, even when research is evaluated as of good quality. To conclude, I suggest that some debiasing mechanisms have great potential for countering implicit methodological biases in science.
Raising the Dead: The Neo-Assyrian Ideological Background of Odyssey 11
Authors: Ziemann Marcus
Published: April 2023

This article reanalyzes the Near Eastern background for the ritual that Odysseus performs at the entrance of the Underworld in Odyssey 11. The scholarly consensus is that this ritual was borrowed from the Hittites during the Late Bronze Age and survived until it appears in the text of the Odyssey. Recent work has shown that the Sargonid Assyrian kings also performed a similar ritual in the same era as the textualization of the Homeric poems and invested it with ideological importance. Using the globalization phenomenon of glocalization as a frame, this article resituates Homer’s adaptation of the ritual against this background to argue that the adaptation has important implications for how Greeks conceived of themselves in the wider Mediterranean world and how we should approach Greco-Near Eastern literary parallels.
India Ukre Giya: Loss and Change in Light of and in the Shadows of War
Authors: Das Vikram , Cook Matthew A.
Published: April 2023

The Thar Desert is located at the confluence of Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The region’s folklore refers to the desert as a sea through which a cast of warriors, merchants, and adventurers traveled. Oral histories connect it with business and subsistence exchanges. These histories tell of crossing the Rann of Kutch (i.e., into India from Pakistan). They illustrate a strong connection between Tharparkar (in the Pakistani province of Sindh) and Gujarat (in India). Even after Partition in 1947, people and goods continued moving back and forth between Tharparkar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. However, after the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, Tharparkar became increasingly disconnected from Gujarat. By the late 1980s, fencing the border resulted in the two areas becoming disconnected. In light of and in the shadows of the 1965 and 1971 wars, the expressions “India ukre giya” (i.e., permanently crossing the border to India) and “harass” (i.e., fear) became common. This article explores these two expressions in relation to “loss” and emotional pain among the people of Tharparkar (i.e., Tharis).
Pilumnidae Samouelle, 1819 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, with a note on their phylogeny
Authors: FAHIMI NEDA , NADERLOO REZA
Published: April 2023

Members of the family Pilumnidae are common on intertidal and subtidal tropical and subtropical rocky, coral rubble and mud habitats. In the current study we collected 17 species belonging to 10 genera from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of ​​Oman. The species were examined using detailed morphological characteristics and any variation was recorded and compared with material from other geographical regions. Further, we compared 1171 base pairs of two mitochondrial genes (COI and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear gene (H3), and present reference sequences for the regional pilumnids, some of them being the first, as a useful basis for comparison with pilumnids from elsewhere. Two species, Glabropilumnus levimanus and Pilumnopeus africanus, are recorded for the first time from northwestern Indian Ocean, and a possibly undescribed species of Pilumnus was found that requires more detailed study. The results confirmed that the two previously recorded species, Pilumnus minutus De Haan, 1835 and P. vespertilio (Fabricius, 1793) do not occur in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The current diversity of Pilumnidae in the region is increased to 28 species in 14 genera. Monophyly of the given genera and species in the study area is well corroborated.
A new bathyal species of Pardaliscoides (Amphipoda, Amphilochidea, Pardaliscidae) from off the southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: ORTIZ M. , WINFIELD I. , ARDISSON P.L.
Published: April 2023

A new species of pardaliscid amphipod is described and illustrated from a single male specimen collected from bathyal sediments (2125 m depth) in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The new species is morphologically closest to Pardaliscoides fictotelson Barnard, 1966, previously documented from Southern California, at 218 m depth. The new pardaliscid differs from other species in the genus in having antenna 1 with a 10-articulate accessory flagellum; maxilliped palp very long; pereopods 5–7 elongate, slender; basis pereopod 7 expanded; telson with a short U–shaped cleft and pointed lobes; uropods 1–2 outer ramus curved, peduncle flat, longer than rami; uropod 3 rami flat, fleshy-lined, with marginal distal short robust setae. An identification key for all known species in the Pardaliscoides genus is also provided. The new species increase the number of Pardaliscoides species documented to six worldwide.
Subfamily Heteromyzinae newly recorded from China with description of one new species (Diptera: Heleomyzidae)
Authors: ZENG WEI , XU XINGNONG , YANG DING
Published: April 2023

This study reported the subfamily Heteromyzinae with its genus Tephrochlamys from China for the first time. Tephrochlamys Loew is a small genus in Heteromyzinae with only 13 known species from the Afrotropical, Oriental, Palaearctic and Nearctic Regions. Here, we described one new species of Tephrochlamys from Qinghai of Palaearctic China: Tephrochlamys qinghaiensis sp. nov. An updated key to the Palaearctic species of Tephrochlamys is presented.
Evaluation of Processes Related to Stratosphere–Troposphere Coupling in GEFSv12 Subseasonal Hindcasts
Authors: Lawrence Zachary D. , Elsbury Dillon , Butler Amy H. , Perlwitz Judith , Albers John R. , Ciasto Laura M. , Ray Eric
Published: April 2023

The representation of the stratosphere and stratosphere–troposphere coupling processes is evaluated in the subseasonal Global Ensemble Forecast System, version 12 (GEFSv12), hindcasts. The GEFSv12 hindcasts develop systematic stratospheric biases with increasing lead time, including a too strong boreal wintertime stratospheric polar vortex. In the tropical stratosphere, the GEFSv12 winds and temperatures associated with the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) tend to decay with lead time such that they underestimate the observed amplitudes; consistently, the QBO-associated mean meridional circulation is too weak. The hindcasts predict extreme polar vortex events (including sudden stratospheric warmings and vortex intensifications) about 13–14 days in advance, and extreme lower-stratospheric eddy heat flux events about 6–10 days in advance. However, GEFSv12’s ability to predict these events is likely affected by its zonal-mean circulation biases, which increases the rates of false alarms and missed detections. Nevertheless, GEFSv12 shows stratosphere–troposphere coupling relationships that agree well with reanalysis and other subseasonal forecast systems. For instance, GEFSv12 reproduces reanalysis relationships between polar vortex strength and the Northern Annular Mode in the troposphere. It also exhibits enhanced weeks 3–5 prediction skill of the North Atlantic Oscillation index when initialized during strong and weak polar vortex states compared to neutral states. Furthermore, GEFSv12 shows significant differences in Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) amplitudes and enhanced MJO predictive skill in week 4 during easterly versus westerly QBO phases, though these results are sensitive to the level used to define the QBO. Our results provide a baseline from which future GEFS updates may be measured.
Communicating Concerns, Emotional Expressions, and Disparities on Ethnic Communities on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Structural Topic Modeling Approach
Authors: Lu Jiahui , Liu Jun
Published: April 2023

Ethnic and racial disparities in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic raise significant concerns. This study analyzes social media discourses toward four ethnic communities in the United States during the pandemic and reveals disparities in pandemic experiences among them. A total of 488,029 tweets mentioning one of the four ethnic communities, that is, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans, were investigated by a structural topic modeling approach with emotional expressions and time as covariates in the topic model. The results demonstrate that discourses about Asian, Hispanics, and Native American communities were often induced by pandemic-related events, concerning topics beyond one’s community, and reflecting an experience of implicit racism and an adoption of technical supports from health systems. Meanwhile, discourses about Blacks were racially related, discussing topics within the community, and reflecting an experience of explicit racism and an adoption of psychological supports from ingroup. We discuss the implications of our findings on ethnic health disparities.
Mentation Tracks Severity but not Oxygenation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: McCloskey Lawrence C.
Published: April 2023

There is a rough consensus, after decades of research, that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with mild cognitive impairments, especially in areas of executive functioning (EF), attention/working memory (A/WM), episodic memory (EM), and speed of speed of information processing (SIP). However, there is less consensus as to whether apnea severity matters for these impairments, which sleep variables matter most to which cognitive domains, whether common OSA comorbidities contribute to these determinations, or whether the apparent associations are really artifacts of these comorbidities. In this study, 40 participants with OSA submitted to polysomnography and to neuropsychological assessment with an expanded Halstead-Reitan Test Battery. Aggregates of tests to cover the four cognitive domains mentioned above were linearly regressed on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the nadir of oxygen saturation (NOS), and hypertension and diabetes mellitus (scored present or absent). The AHI predicted both EF ( p = .015; sr2 = .13) and A/WM ( p = .023; sr2 = 11) in the primary analyses, and EM ( p = .027; sr2 = .10) in the secondary analyses. Thus, AHI may affect EF, A/WM and perhaps EM beyond NOS and beyond two of OSA’s most common comorbidities. Implications of these findings are discussed here.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes Differentially Predict Aspects of Mental Health
Authors: Flowers Jenna , Eddy Ashley , McCullough Nicole , Christopher Michael , Kennedy Candice Hoke
Published: April 2023

Psychological flexibility relates to various aspects of mental health, including psychological distress and adaptive mental health. The CompACT has been developed to assess psychological flexibility by quantifying psychological flexibility as a multidimensional whole, and by three processes of psychological flexibility including, Openness to Experience (OE), Behavioral Awareness (BA), and Valued Action (VA). The current study examined the unique predictive property of each three process of the CompACT with aspects of mental health. Participants ( N = 593) were a diverse sample of United States adults. Our results found OE and BA significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. OE and VA significantly predicted satisfaction with life, and all three processes significantly predicted resilience. Our results support multidimensional assessment of psychological flexibility when examining aspects of mental health.