bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable hybrid snack product: impact of dual fortification with Gracillaria seaweed and pressure‐cooked milkfish broth by‐products on nutritive, physical, texture, and sensory properties
Authors: Mindarwati Endang , Sedayu Bakti Berlyanto , Suryaningrum Th. Dwi , Mardiyana Indri , Prodiana Natalia , Supriyanto Agus , Suwarti  , Raharjo Susilo , Nuridha Ahmad , Trisnoharjono Dwi Budiyanto , Pari Rizfi Fariz , Ramadhan Wahyu
Published: July 2024

The liquid by‐products obtained from the fisheries industry are usually discarded after primary processing. In this study, by‐products of pressure‐cooked milkfish broth were utilised and combined with Gracilaria sp. to create sustainable seaweed stick snacks. By utilising the by‐products of liquid waste from pressurised milkfish processing, combined with the addition of Gracilaria seaweed in snack development, it is expected to obtain a snack products with increased protein and fibre level. This endeavour contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting good health and well‐being, as well as responsible consumption and production. Comprehensive analyses were performed, covering proximate composition, dietary fibre, functional group, thermal properties, colour, microstructure, pore size, viscosity, texture, and sensory evaluation through hedonic testing and check‐all‐that‐apply sensory (CATA) profiling. The FTIR results showed that the inclusion of seaweed and fish broth was recognised and presented in the specific characteristic bands, especially the stretching band in the polysaccharide fingerprint region, and with protein vibration bands blending with the inclusion of broth. The seaweed had an impact on the dough viscosity and product's texture, increasing the firmness, and the amino acids in the broth enhanced the taste of the resulting snack, positively influencing the panellists' preferences. The smoothness, moistness, roughness, and overall texture attributes of the snack were altered by the combination of seaweed and broth additions. According to the sensory, physical properties, and nutrient results, the optimal snack formulations included the addition of 36% seaweed and 4% broth (S36B4). The prominent sensory attributes of the product were also described in the CATA sensory evaluation. Additionally, the inclusion of Gracilaria sp. increased the dietary fibre content, while milkfish broth contributed to higher levels of amino acids, improving the nutritional profile of the snacks. Therefore, this study promoting a new source of protein could be synergistically combined with marine plant‐based fibre to produce hybrid nutrient‐dense snack products, addressing the growing demand for sustainable food trends.
Accelerate Senescence Reversed CO2‐Fertilization Effect under Elevated CO2 in Potato: A Weak Relationship with Nitrogen Acquisition
Authors: Yi Yan , Yano Katsuya
Published: July 2024

Accelerated senescence under elevated CO2 (eCO2) has not received sufficient attention, and its impact on the effect of CO2‐fertilization is unclear. To investigate the relationship between plant senescence and CO2 concentration, a pot experiment was conducted in four potato genotypes under low CO2 (LC), medium CO2 (MC) and high CO2 (HC) conditions. Nitrogen (N) uptake and cumulative transpiration were analysed to clarify whether eCO2‐induced senescence could be explained by low N uptake due to reduced transpiration. Compared to LC, the lifespan of potato plants under MC and HC was reduced by 3%–6% and 12%–32%, respectively, depending on the genotype. Biomass accumulation at full senescence was reduced when lifespan was shortened by approximately 5% and 10% under MC and HC, respectively. Cumulative transpiration was less affected by eCO2 during early developmental stages but decreased under eCO2 as plants aged. Plant water use decreased with a shortened lifespan under eCO2, but there was no reduction in N uptake, which was attributed to the high N uptake per unit of water used. The results of this study indicate that senescence in potato genotypes is non‐linearly related to CO2 concentration and cannot be explained by reduced N acquisition via reduced transpiration. The positive effect of CO2 fertilization can be reversed by accelerated senescence under eCO2.
Yield Trait and Stability of Chickpea Genotypes for Intensification of Drought‐Prone Rice Fallows of South Asia
Authors: Nath C. P. , Jha U. C. , Kumar Narendra , Singh Raghavendra , Kumar Yogesh , Dixit G. P. , Hazra K. K. , Srivastava A. K.
Published: July 2024

There is a need for increasing cropping intensity in South Asia including India to ensure food security of burgeoning population. Accordingly, increasing cropping intensity in rainfed rice fallows can be a futuristic strategy. Identification of suitable cultivar and exploration of genetic variability of specific crops/traits are imperative for genetic improvement, drought resistance and yield gain in rice fallows. We evaluated the morphophysiological, yield traits and stability of 15 chickpea genotypes in randomised complete block design for three consecutive years on a drought‐prone rainfed condition of Fluvisol in Kanpur, India. Among genotypes, ‘IPC 2014‐55’, ‘IPC 2015‐44’ and ‘IPC 2011‐92’ had 2%–10% higher relative water content (RWC) over ‘ICC‐92944’ (check cultivar). These genotypes did not differ for total chlorophyll content, root dry weight and nodule dry weight with ‘ICC‐92944’ and ‘KWR 108’ (wider adaptable cultivar of the region). The nitrogen balance index was higher in ‘IPC 2011‐92’, ‘IPC 2014‐88’ and ‘IPC 2014‐55’ by 5%–44% over check cultivar (p < 0.05). The membrane stability index was higher for ‘IPC 2014‐55’ (30%, p < 0.05) and ‘IPC 2011‐92’ (17%, p < 0.05) than ‘ICC‐92944’. ‘IPC 2011‐92’, ‘IPC 2014‐88’ and ‘IPC 2014‐55’ (3 years mean) had 3%–24% higher plant dry weight than ‘ICC‐92944’. Notably, ‘IPC 2014‐55’, ‘IPC 2015‐44’, ‘IPC 2014‐88’ and ‘IPC 2011‐92’ had higher yield attributes such as pods plant−1 by 9%, grain weight plant−1 by 13% and 100‐seed weight by 3% than ‘ICC‐92944’ and ‘KWR 108’ (mean of years). These genotypes had higher mean seed yield than ‘ICC‐92944’ by 23%–42% and ‘KWR 108’ by 7%–23% (p < 0.05). The yield of ‘IPC 2014‐55’, ‘IPC 2015‐44’, ‘IPC 2014‐88’ and ‘IPC 2011‐92’ were stable over years across variable soil and environmental condition as indicated by the genotype × year biplot. Membrane stability index, pods plant−1 and 100‐seed weight were the determinants for increased seed yield of chickpea under drought‐prone condition. Evidently, genotype ‘IPC 2014‐55’, ‘IPC 2015‐44’, ‘IPC 2014‐88’ and ‘IPC 2011‐92’ were better under rainfed rice fallows. These genotypes could be tested under specific drought condition for developing varieties and promoted in rice fallows of South Asia for yield advantage and drought resistance.
Influence of in‐office whitening on the color matching and surface characteristics of single‐shade resin composites
Authors: Sugimura Runa , Takamizawa Toshiki , Aoki Ryota , Muto Rei , Hirokane Eizo , Kurokawa Hiroyasu , Kitahara Nobuya , Miyazaki Masashi
Published: July 2024

Objective

The color matching of single‐shade resin composites after in‐office whitening was investigated.

Materials and Methods

Four single‐shade resin composites were used. A total of 35% hydrogen peroxide was used as the whitening agent. The resin composite was placed in a cavity of an artificially discolored bovine tooth. The color differences between the restoration and surrounding enamel before and after whitening were determined based on ΔE*ab, ΔE00, and ΔWID. The color stability, surface roughness (Sa), and surface gloss (GU) of the resin composite alone were also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated‐measures analysis of variance with the Tukey–Kramer test.

Results

Based on the 50:50% of perceptibility and acceptability thresholds of ΔE*ab and ΔE00, none of the resin composite restorations were clinically acceptable before or after whitening. Regarding ΔWID, although all resin composites showed “acceptable match” in the baseline, they showed “mismatch” after the third session of whitening. Most of the resin composites alone were stable in color against whitening.

Conclusions

Although the single‐shade resin composites failed to achieve the expected color matching on discolored teeth either before or after the whitening, the impact of the whitening on the color of the resin composite alone may be negligible.
A fatty acid elongase complex regulates cell membrane integrity and septin‐dependent host infection by the rice blast fungus
Authors: Su Jia , Xu Youpin , Lei Mingliang , Meng Yingying , Zhang Siqi , Liu Hongrui , Zhu Caicun , Chen Jinhua , Zhang Tianxin , Liu Jiawei , Lin Yunxiang , Yan Zhaorui , Li Weitao , Wang Jing , Chen Xuewei , He Min
Published: July 2024

Very‐long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) regulate biophysical properties of cell membranes to determine growth and development of eukaryotes, such as the pathogenesis of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. The fatty acid elongase Elo1 regulates pathogenesis of M. oryzae by modulating VLCFA biosynthesis. However, it remains unknown whether and how Elo1 associates with other factors to regulate VLCFA biosynthesis in fungal pathogens. Here, we identified Ifa38, Phs1 and Tsc13 as interacting proteins of Elo1 by proximity labelling in M. oryzae. Elo1 associated with Ifa38, Phs1 and Tsc13 on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane to control VLCFA biosynthesis. Targeted gene deletion mutants Δifa38, Δphs1 and Δtsc13 were all similarly impaired as Δelo1 in vegetative growth, conidial morphology, stress responses in ER, cell wall and membrane. These deletion mutants also displayed severe damage in cell membrane integrity and failed to organize the septin ring that is essential for penetration peg formation and pathogenicity. Our study demonstrates that M. oryzae employs a fatty acid elongase complex to regulate VLCFAs for maintaining or remodelling cell membrane structure, which is important for septin‐mediated host penetration.
Pneumocephalus caused by Enterobacter cloacae meningoencephalitis following cerebral infarction
Authors: Senda Mayumi , Harada Nozomi , Kanda Konoka , Kako Tetsuharu , Urano Makoto , Ito Mizuki
Published: July 2024

Pneumocephalus develops due to various reasons; however, pneumocephalus caused by factors other than head trauma is rare, and a few cases of infections have been reported. We encountered a case of pneumocephalus caused by Enterobacter cloacae meningoencephalitis following cerebral infarction. Although we could not perform cerebrospinal fluid analysis and culture, E. cloacae was cultured from blood. We conducted an autopsy and confirmed meningoencephalitis in the cerebral infarction lesion. Thus, we considered that E. cloacae meningoencephalitis caused the pneumocephalus. Because bacterial meningoencephalitis is a treatable disease, we should strictly consider that meningoencephalitis due to bacteria such as E. cloacae causes pneumocephalus.
Observational study on the identification of left atrial tachycardia circuits using Local Activation Time Histogram
Authors: Yamagishi Daisuke , Kanazawa Koichi , Saito Kazuki , Kono Tsunesuke
Published: July 2024

Background

Mapping of atypical atrial arrythmias arising in the left atrium is often challenging. The Local Activation Time (LAT) Histogram, a new function of the 3D color mapping system CARTO version 7, may help improve identification of atrial tachycardia circuits. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the LAT Histogram for identification of left atrial tachycardia circuits.

Methods

This retrospective study compared 25 consecutive cases of left atrial tachycardia that were treated before use of LAT Histogram (unused group) and 25 consecutive cases that were treated after introduction of LAT Histogram (used group) at Nagano Chuo Hospital. We evaluated whether we could identify the circuit of left atrial tachycardia from the electrophysiology lab data during ablation and the CARTO system data and whether we could perform effective ablation.

Results

Door‐to‐door time, skin‐to‐skin time, and fluoroscopy time (p ≤ .011) were all shorter in the LAT Histogram used group versus unused group, while mapping analysis times were longer in the used group (p ≤ .019). A significantly greater number of cases in the LAT Histogram used compared with the unused group had ablation for entrance or exit points (19 vs. 10 cases; p = .001 for first map). Ablation resulted in a return to sinus rhythm and changed cycle length at the first mapping in 20 cases (80%) in the LAT Histogram unused group and in 24 cases (96%) in the used group.

Conclusions

LAT Histogram may provide a simple and effective method to identify entrance and exit locations in left atrial tachycardia.
Detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in environmental residues: The importance of contextualizing test results
Authors: Giesbers Anne K. J. , Vogel Elise , Skelton Anna , Zisi Zafeiro , Wildhagen Mandy , Loh Yue Lin , Ghijselings Lucas , Groothuismink Johanne , Westenberg Marcel , Matthijnssens Jelle , Roenhorst Annelien , Vos Christine , Fox Adrian , Botermans Marleen
Published: July 2024

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is regulated as a quarantine pest in many countries worldwide. To assess whether ToBRFV is present in cultivations, plants or seed lots, testing is required. The interpretation of test results, however, can be challenging. Reverse transcription‐quantitative (real‐time) PCR results, even though considered “positive”, may not always signify plant infection or indicate the presence of infectious virus, but could be due to the presence of viral residues in the environment. Here, case studies from the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom address questions regarding the detection of ToBRFV in various settings, and the infectiousness of ToBRFV‐positive samples. These exploratory analyses demonstrate widespread detection of ToBRFV in diverse samples and environments. ToBRFV was detected inside and around greenhouses with no prior history of ToBRFV infection, and on different materials and surfaces, including those that were untouched by individuals, plants or objects. This suggested the dispersal of viral residues through aerosols. ToBRFV or its residues were more often detected in regions with nearby tomato production, yet were also found in a wider environment extending beyond infected crops. ToBRFV originating from environmental contamination may or may not be infectious, adding complexity to decision‐making in response to positive test results. Contextual information, such as the origin of the sample and the likelihood of residues from prior cultivations and/or the broader environment, is important for interpreting test results. A nuanced approach is crucial to correctly interpret ToBRFV test results, necessitating further research to support risk assessment.
Unveiling the complex U‐shaped relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations: strategic planning as a moderator
Authors: Zhang Ying , Song Michael , Zhang Haili
Published: July 2024

Grounded in agency and stewardship theories, this study investigates the U‐shaped relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations and the moderating effects of strategic planning. Empirical data is collected from 396 A‐share listed public companies in China. Entrepreneurial orientation is assessed via internal R&D and external investment data, while content analysis captures exploitative, exploratory innovation, and strategic planning. The empirical findings yield two core conclusions: (1) This study finds the presence of U‐shaped relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations. As entrepreneurial orientation increases to an inflection point, it exhibits negative effects due to managerial agency behavior; however, beyond this point, it yields positive outcomes due to stewardship. (2) Strategic planning positively moderates the U‐shaped relationships, countering agency impact at low orientation levels while enhancing stewardship at higher levels. These insights advance entrepreneurial orientation research, agency vs. stewardship literature, and provide a roadmap for fostering exploratory and exploitative innovations through strategic integration of entrepreneurial orientation and leveraging of strategic planning.
Adjusted location‐invariant U‐tests for the covariance matrix with elliptically high‐dimensional data
Authors: Xu Kai , Zhou Yeqing , Zhu Liping
Published: July 2024

This paper analyzes several covariance matrix U‐tests, which are constructed by modifying the classical John‐Nagao and Ledoit‐Wolf tests, under the elliptically distributed data structure. We study the limiting distributions of these location‐invariant test statistics as the data dimension may go to infinity in an arbitrary way as the sample size does. We find that they tend to have unsatisfactory size performances for general elliptical population. This is mainly because such population often possesses high‐order correlations among their coordinates. Taking such kind of dependency into consideration, we propose necessary corrections for these tests to cope with elliptically high‐dimensional data. For computational efficiency, alternative forms of the new test statistics are also provided. We derive the universal asymptotic null distributions of the proposed test statistics under elliptical distributions and beyond. The powers of the proposed tests are further investigated. The accuracy of the tests is demonstrated by simulations and an empirical study.
The Thorny Intersection Between Adult Drug Treatment Courts and Medical Marijuana Criminal Immunity Laws
Authors: Sousa Michael D.
Published: July 2024

Two revolutionary developments impacted the United States criminal justice system over the past 30 years that are now primed for an institutional reckoning—the legalization of medical marijuana at the state level and the exponential rise of adult drug treatment courts across the country. The states that have legalized medical marijuana also provide criminal immunity protections for qualifying medical marijuana patients, including those serving probationary sentences. Drug treatment courts are a form of intensive probation offering treatment services for participants plagued by substance use disorders. Most drug treatment courts operate on an abstinence‐based model and do not permit the use of medical marijuana. Consequently, challenges by drug court participants to the continued prohibition of medical marijuana are on the horizon. The purpose of this article is to highlight the contours of these knotty issues from a sociolegal perspective. The material for this article stems from a review of existing judicial decisions in addition to qualitative data collected during my case studies of three different adult drug treatment courts.
Looking our limitations in the eye: A call for more thorough and honest reporting of study limitations
Authors: Clarke Beth , Alley Lindsay J. , Ghai Sakshi , Flake Jessica K. , Rohrer Julia M. , Simmons Joseph P. , Schiavone Sarah R. , Vazire Simine
Published: July 2024

The replication crisis and subsequent credibility revolution in psychology have highlighted many suboptimal research practices such as p‐hacking, overgeneralizing, and a lack of transparency. These practices may have been employed reflexively but upon reflection, they are hard to defend. We suggest that current practices for reporting and discussing study limitations are another example of an area where there is much room for improvement. In this article, we call for more rigorous reporting of study limitations in social and personality psychology articles, and we offer advice for how to do this. We recommend that authors consider what the best argument is against their conclusions (which we call the “steel‐person principle”). We consider limitations as threats to construct, internal, external, and statistical conclusion validity (Shadish et al., 2002), and offer some examples for better practice reporting of common study limitations. Our advice has its own limitations — both our representation of current practices and our recommendations are largely based on our own metaresearch and opinions. Nevertheless, we hope that we can prompt researchers to write more deeply and clearly about the limitations of their research, and to hold each other to higher standards when reviewing each other's work.
Malignancy following solid organ transplantation: Current techniques for determination of donor versus recipient origin
Authors: Rojansky Rebecca , Marboe Charles C. , Berry Gerald J.
Published: July 2024

Among the post‐transplantation complications that patients may encounter, the transmission of a donor‐derived malignant neoplasm is uncommon but potentially life threatening. The determination of donor versus recipient origin is essential particularly in the setting of multiple transplant recipients from the donor. Advances in molecular biology now allow accurate discrimination utilizing routine tissue samples in a timely and cost‐effective manner. The techniques are routinely performed in hospital molecular biology laboratories and are also available in commercial labs. The current methodologies are discussed and future possibilities are presented for clinicians caring for solid organ recipients.
Ploidy variation induces butterfly effect on chromatin topology in wheat
Authors: Jiao Wu , Lu Kening , Wen Mingxing , Mao Junrong , Ni Zhongfu , Chen Z. Jeffrey , Wang Xiue , Song Qingxin , Yuan Jingya
Published: July 2024

Polyploidy is a prominent driver of plant diversification, accompanied with dramatic chromosomal rearrangement and epigenetic changes that affect gene expression. How chromatin interactions within and between subgenomes adapt to ploidy transition remains poorly understood. We generate open chromatin interaction maps for natural hexaploid wheat (AABBDD), extracted tetraploid wheat (AABB), diploid wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii (DD) and resynthesized hexaploid wheat (RHW, AABBDD). Thousands of intra‐ and interchromosomal loops are de novo established or disappeared in AB subgenomes after separation of D subgenome, in which 37–95% of novel loops are lost again in RHW after merger of D genome. Interestingly, more than half of novel loops are formed by cascade reactions that are triggered by disruption of chromatin interaction between AB and D subgenomes. The interaction repressed genes in RHW relative to DD are expression suppressed, resulting in more balanced expression of the three homoeologs in RHW. The interaction levels of cascade anchors are decreased step‐by‐step. Leading single nucleotide polymorphisms of yield‐ and plant architecture‐related quantitative trait locus are significantly enriched in cascade anchors. The expression of 116 genes interacted with these anchors are significantly correlated with the corresponding traits. Our findings reveal trans‐regulation of intrachromosomal loops by interchromosomal interactions during genome merger and separation in polyploid species.
To exchange or not exchange: That is the question
Authors: Shi Patricia A.
Published: July 2024

See article on page 1509–1519, in this issue
Ethical and Legal Model of the Cybermedia: Case Study in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Sahputra Dedi , Yolanda Agnita , Haris Abdul , Riadi Selamat , Suharyanto Agung
Published: July 2024

In the new media era, most violations cases of press ethics and law are made by cybermedia in Indonesia. At the same time, cybermedia is one of the factors driving national stability, as well as a factor encouraging democratization. This study aimed to determine the ethical and legal model indicators of cybermedia from the Indonesia Cybermedia Union (SMSI) of North Sumatra case study. The research is a mixed-method approach that combines qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data were collected from interviews with 39 journalists through questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) with two press experts, two North Sumatra SMSI administrators and an honorary board member of the press organization. The results of this study indicated that five problems were indicators of models for implementing press ethics and law in cybermedia. First, increasing the competence of journalists in several ways, such as encouraging journalists to take the journalist competency tests and conducting training; second, encouraging cybermedia verification by the Press Council; third, providing legal assistance for journalists who were caught in the law; fourth, following the existing rules of press ethics and law. This was done because cybermedia did not have its own rules of ethics and press law; fifth, conducting an interaction model with stakeholders through journalist competency test activities.
The Journey of Women in Disney Movies and Their Impact on Shaping Social Perceptions
Authors: Sreekumar Haripriya , Poongodi A.
Published: July 2024

Disney movies have long fascinated audiences with their fantastical narratives, lively characters, and imaginative landscapes. However, the representation of women in Disney movies was always through a patriarchal lens. This research investigates the portrayal of women characters in contemporary Disney movies Moana (2016) and Mulan (2020) and analyses how they differ from the traditional portrayal of women in Disney movies using the theoretical framework of postmodern feminism and patriarchy. The paper analyses how travel empowers these women and what significant changes it brings about in the development of their characters. The paper also explores the psyche of these women characters and how their journey inspires young adults, especially today’s women. The paper serves as a lens into society and the influence of media and other popular culture in the perceptions formed about women and how they are supposed to be.
‘More part of the team’: co-creating during paediatric placements
Authors: Rae Valerie Isobel , Hopkins Samantha Rae , Tallentire Victoria Ruth
Published: July 2024

Belonging is critical for the development and well-being of medical students. Feeling a sense of belonging is a significant challenge for medical students within the melee of modern clinical environments. Co-creation is a learning relationship in which students are actively involved in the education process. It is inherently relational and promotes belonging within higher education environments. Little is known about using co-creation in the clinical learning environment, within medical education, or how medical students experience this type of learning structure. This article presents an example of using co-creation during paediatric placement and its evaluation. It then gives practical advice for using co-creation within the reader’s own practice, as a paediatric clinician and teacher.
Double dosing ulipristal acetate emergency contraception for individuals with obesity: a randomised crossover trial
Authors: Edelman Alison , Hennebold Jon D , Bond Kise , Lim Jeong Y , Cherala Ganesh , Blue Steven W , Kraft Shawn P , Erikson David W , Archer David , Jensen Jeffery
Published: July 2024

Objective

To determine whether increasing the dose of ulipristal acetate (UPA)-containing emergency contraception (EC) improves pharmacodynamic outcomes in individuals with obesity.

Study design

We enrolled healthy, regularly-cycling, confirmed ovulatory, reproductive-age individuals with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2and weight >80 kg in a randomised crossover study. We monitored participants with transvaginal ultrasound and blood sampling for progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH), and estradiol every other day until a dominant follicle measuring >15 mm was visualised. At that point, participants received either oral UPA EC 30 mg or 60 mg and returned for daily monitoring up to 7 days. After a no treatment washout cycle, participants returned for a second monitored cycle and received the other UPA dose. Our primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with no follicle rupture 5 days post-dosing (yes/no). For reference, we also enrolled a control group with BMI <25 kg/m2and weight <80 kg who received UPA EC 30 mg during a single cycle. We also obtained blood samples for pharmacokinetic parameters for UPA and its active metabolite,N-monodemethyl-UPA (NDM-UPA) as an optional substudy.

Results

We enrolled a total of 52 participants with BMI >30 kg/m2and 12 controls, with the following cycles completed: 12 controls, 49 UPA 30 mg, and 46 UPA 60 mg. The entire cohort demographics were a mean (SD) age of 29.8 (3.4) years and BMI by group: controls 22.5 (1.4) kg/m2, group 1 37.9 (6.7) kg/m2, and group 2 39.3 (5.4) kg/m2. All 12 (100%) of controls had a delay of at least 5 days for follicle rupture. Among the high BMI group, dosing groups (UPA EC 30 mg vs 60 mg) were similar in the proportion of cycles without follicle rupture over 5 days post-UPA dosing (UPA 30 mg: 47/49 (96%), UPA 60 mg: 42/46 (91%), Fisher’s exact test p=0.43). However, after excluding cycles where dosing occurred too late (after LH surge), a delay of at least 5 days occurred in all participants at both doses. The 60 mg UPA dose resulted in a twofold increase in maximum observed concentration and the area under the curve of both UPA and NDM-UPA levels compared with 30 mg.

Conclusion

A standard 30 mg dose of UPA is sufficient to delay ovulation regardless of BMI or weight. Results of our study do not support dose adjustment for body size.
Cantharidin overcomes IL-2Rα signaling-mediated vorinostat resistance in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma through reactive oxygen species
Authors: Zhu Man , Tang Wenjun , Tang Xiaoyu , Zhu Zeren , Jiang Yina , Sarwar Ammar , Zhang Hongmei , Chu Dake , Zhang Zixi , Zhang Yanmin
Published: July 2024

Background

Vorinostat (SAHA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that has shown clinical efficacy against advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). However, only a subset of patients with CTCL (30–35%) respond to SAHA and the response is not always sustainable. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying evasive resistance in this cancer is an unmet medical need to improve the efficacy of current therapies.

Purpose

This study aims to identify factors contributing to resistance against SAHA in CTCL and ways to mitigate it.

Methods and results

In this study, we demonstrated that attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces the expression of interleukin (IL)-2Rα, one of the IL-2 receptors, which drives resistance to SAHA in CTCL. We also determined that cantharidin could overcome SAHA resistance to CTCL by blocking IL-2Rα-related signaling via ROS-dependent manner. Mechanistically, accelerated translation of IL-2Rα contributes to excessive IL-2Rα protein formation as a result of reduced ROS levels in SAHA-resistant CTCL. At the same time, amplified IL-2R signals are evidenced by strengthened interaction of IL-2Rβ with IL-2Rγ and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription molecules, and by increased expression of protein kinase B (AKT)/mTOR and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Moreover, cantharidin, an active constituent ofMylabrisused in traditional Chinese medicine, markedly increased ROS levels, and thereby restrained IL-2Rα translation, resulting in suppression of downstream pathways in SAHA-resistant cells. Cantharidin is also found to synergize with SAHA and triggers SAHA-resistant cell death via IL-2R signaling both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Our study uncovers a novel molecular mechanism of acquired SAHA resistance and also suggests that using cantharidin is a potential approach to overcome CTCL therapy resistance. Our findings underlie the therapeutic potential of cantharidin in treating CTCL.
Determining cut-off scores for simulated tasks in Brazilian Air Force military personnel
Authors: Botta Willian Carrero , Magraner J M , Orr R M , Padovani C R , Borin J P
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Combat readiness assessments through simulated tasks (STs) have been developed for the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) to establish physical employment standards. Previous research has established BAF critical combat tasks with STs developed based on the physical demands of these tasks. Before implementing these STs, the standards required of BAF personnel must be established. The aim of this study was to determine the cut-off scores for five previously established STs.

Methods

Eighty-eight cadets attended three different testing batteries in order to complete the five STs, being: Battery 1 (foot march), Battery 2 (plane crash on water and water survival skills) and Battery 3 (plane crash on land, obstacle course) with their times recorded. Cut-off scores were set at the 85th percentile of the data distribution with these values and then analysed by four subject matter experts (SMEs) using subjective criteria through criterion analysis.

Results

All 88 cadets were submitted to the five assessments. After analysing the performance results on the STs, the SMEs discussed and agreed on the following cut-off scores: obstacle course (3:21 min:s), foot march (31:00 min:s), plane crash on land (1:25 min:s), plane crash on water (1:12 min:s) and water survival skills (4:03 min:s).

Conclusion

The outcomes of this research allow for the five STs to be implemented in BAF cadets and qualified BAF personnel with the established cut-off scores used to monitor the operational capability of these personnel (be it for cadet training outcomes or unit preparedness assessments) and to guide conditioning practices if personnel are below standards.
Autologous haematopoiesis stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for treatment-refractory autoimmune diseases in children
Authors: Satirer Özlem , Henes Joerg C , Döring Michaela , Lesk Till , Benseler Susanne , Kuemmerle-Deschner Jasmin Beate
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of autologous haematopoiesis stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for severe, refractory autoimmune diseases in paediatric patients.

Methods

A single-centre study of consecutive children and adolescents with refractory autoimmune diseases undergoing AHSCT was performed. Demographics, clinical, laboratory features, pre-AHSCT medications, disease activity and functional status were captured. The primary outcome was progression-free survival, secondary outcomes included overall survival, disease-specific treatment responses, disease activity at the last follow-up and AHSCT safety.

Results

The study included seven patients: two systemic sclerosis, one pansclerotic morphoea, one eosinophilic fasciitis, one juvenile dermatomyositis and two patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis; four women, three men median age at AHSCT of 10 years (7–19), median follow-up post-AHSCT of 17 years. Median progression-free survival and overall survival was 4.2 years (95% CI: 0.98 to 8.3) and 17 years (95% CI: 11.8 to 22.1), respectively. Progression-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years post-AHSCT were 100% and 77%, respectively. All children survived. All patients are in clinical remission, only four require ongoing immunotherapy. Safety: Three experienced infections, including HHV6, Candida and Ralstonia sepsis; one developed a systemic inflammatory response syndrome; two new onset secondary autoimmune diseases including autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, Graves’ disease and one was found to have a breast fibroadenoma. Treatment toxicity: one cyclophosphamide-associated transient renal failure and pericardial effusion, one patient with amenorrhoea/infertility.

Conclusions

AHSCT was an effective and safe approach for children and adolescents with treatment-refractory autoimmune diseases. The indication and timing of transplantation requires a careful consideration and a multidisciplinary approach.
Early clinical response associates with long-term outcomes with ixekizumab in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Ramiro Sofia , Lukas Cédric , Bessette Louis , Wickersham Pendleton , Panni Tommaso , Bolce Rebecca , Liu-Leage Soyi , Janos Boris , Nissen Michael J , Wei James Cheng-­Chung
Published: July 2024

Background

The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management include patient assessment for biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment response after at least 12 weeks of treatment. The current treat-to-target strategy for axSpA is to achieve inactive disease (ID; Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) <1.3) or at least low disease activity (LDA; 1.3≤ASDAS<2.1).

To investigate the association between treatment response at week 12 and/or week 24 and attainment of the ASDAS<2.1 treat-to-target recommendation at week 52 in bDMARD-naïve patients with radiographic (r-)axSpA treated with ixekizumab (IXE).

Methods

This post hoc analysis included patients randomly assigned to IXE 80 mg every 4 weeks from COAST-V (NCT02696785), a phase 3 trial in bDMARD-naïve patients with r-axSpA. The proportion of patients who achieved ASDAS<2.1 at week 52 was measured among those who attained or not clinically important improvement (CII, ∆ASDAS≥1.1) response, and among those with ID, LDA and high or very high disease activity at week 12 and/or week 24. Non-response was assumed for missing data.

Results

Amongst 81 patients, 47 (58.0%) achieved ASDAS CII at week 12, with 70.2% (n=33) achieving ASDAS<2.1 at week 52. At week 24, 52 (64.2%) patients achieved ASDAS CII, with 71.2% (n=37) achieving ASDAS<2.1 at week 52. Of the 24 patients who did not achieve ASDAS CII at either week 12 or week 24, 5 (20.8%) achieved ASDAS<2.1 at week 52.

Conclusion

This analysis reinforces the current recommendation that continuing treatment in those achieving ASDAS CII at week 12 and/or week 24 increases the likelihood of obtaining ID/LDA at week 52.

Trial registration number

NCT02696785.
Constructing model-agnostic likelihoods, a method for the reinterpretation of particle physics results
Authors: Gärtner Lorenz , Hartmann Nikolai , Heinrich Lukas , Horstmann Malin , Kuhr Thomas , Reboud Méril , Stefkova Slavomira , van Dyk Danny
Published: July 2024

Experimental High Energy Physics has entered an era of precision measurements. However, measurements of many of the accessible processes assume that the final states’ underlying kinematic distribution is the same as the Standard Model prediction. This assumption introduces an implicit model-dependency into the measurement, rendering the reinterpretation of the experimental analysis complicated without reanalysing the underlying data. We present a novel reweighting method in order to perform reinterpretation of particle physics measurements. It makes use of reweighting the Standard Model templates according to kinematic signal distributions of alternative theoretical models, prior to performing the statistical analysis. The generality of this method allows us to perform statistical inference in the space of theoretical parameters, assuming different kinematic distributions, according to a beyond Standard Model prediction. We implement our method as an extension to the software and interface it with the software, which allows us to perform flavor physics phenomenology studies. Furthermore, we argue that, beyond the or likelihood specification, only minimal information is necessary to make a likelihood model-agnostic and hence easily reinterpretable. We showcase that publishing such likelihoods is crucial for a full exploitation of experimental results.
Charged and magnetized particle motion around a static black hole in the Starobinsky–Bel–Robinson gravity
Authors: Davlataliev Akbar , Narzilloev Bakhtiyor , Hussain Ibrar , Abdujabbarov Ahmadjon , Ahmedov Bobomurat
Published: July 2024

In this work we focus on the effects of Starobinsky–Bel–Robinson (SBR) gravity parameter and external magnetic field on the motion of charged test particles and magnetic dipoles moving around a black hole in the selected gravity theory. We take the external magnetic field to be uniform and aligned along the axis of symmetry. Our results reveal that the effect of the SBR gravity parameter is very strong in the close environment of the central black hole while in the farther distances this effects diminishes very quickly. We see that the effect of the external magnetic field on the particle motion is always dominating over the SBR gravity parameter in farther distances. We show that for the motion of charged test particles the magnetic interaction can mimic the spin up to very rapid rotations for prograde motion of particles, while for the motion of magnetic dipoles magnetic interaction can mimic the spin completely for retrograde motion of such particles. We observe that in both scenarios, the SBR gravity parameter behaves as a weak mimicker of the spin of Kerr black hole. We apply the outcomes of our study to the scenario where a neutron star is assumed to behave as a magnetic dipole moving around the supermassive black hole Sgr $$A^\star $$

A
⋆

to investigate how the magnetic field and the SBR gravity coupling parameter $$\beta $$
β
affect the orbits of neutron stars orbiting the supermassive black hole.
Enhancing Load Forecasting Accuracy in Smart Grids: A Novel Parallel Multichannel Network Approach Using 1D CNN and Bi‐LSTM Models
Authors: Hasanat Syed Muhammad , Younis Rehmana , Alahmari Saad , Ejaz Muhammad Talha , Haris Muhammad , Yousaf Hamza , Watara Sadia , Ullah Kaleem , Ullah Zahid
Published: July 2024

Load forecasting plays a pivotal role in the efficient energy management of smart grid. However, the complex, intermittent, and nonlinear smart grids and the complexity of large dataset handling pose difficulty in accurately forecasting loads. The important issue is considering the cyclic features, which have not yet been adequately addressed through the trigonometric transformations. Furthermore, using long short‐term memory (LSTM) or 1D convolution neural network (1D CNN) and existing hybrid models involve stacked CNN‐LSTM architectures, employing 1D convolutions as a preprocessing step to downsample sequences and extract high‐ and low‐level spatial features. However, these models often overlook temporal features, emphasizing higher‐level features processed by the subsequent recurrent neural network layer. Therefore, this study considers a novel approach to independently process features for spatial and temporal characteristics using a parallel multichannel network comprising 1D CNN and bidirectional‐LSTM (Bi‐LSTM) models. The proposed model evaluated the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) load dataset, with additional assessment on two datasets, American Electric Power and Commonwealth Edison, to ensure its generalizability. Performance evaluation on the NTDC dataset yields results of 3.4% mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), 513.95 mean absolute error (MAE), and 623.78 root mean square error (RMSE) for day‐ahead forecasting, and 0.56% MAPE, 94.84 MAE, and 115.67 RMSE for hour‐ahead load forecast. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms stacked CNN‐LSTM models, particularly in forecasting hour‐ and day‐ahead loads. Moreover, a comparative analysis with previous studies reveals superior performance in reducing the error gap between predicted and actual values.
Analysis of Residual Stresses in Curved Cutouts of Steel Box Girder Transverse Diaphragms
Authors: Wang Rongyong , Xiong Yongming , Ni Hao , Liu Yan , Chen Zhuoyi
Published: July 2024

In order to analyze the characteristics of cutting residual stress distribution at the arc‐shaped cutout of steel box girder diaphragm and to study its fatigue cracking mechanism. Taking Xia Zhang Bridge as the engineering background, this paper proposes a systematic method for calculating the residual stress field at the arc‐shaped cutout of the diaphragm. First, a mathematical model of the cutting heat source was established for predicting the temperature field changes during the cutting process of the diaphragm. Then, a 3D thermoelastic‐plastic finite element model was established using Abaqus to parametrically analysis the residual stresses during the fabrication of the transverse spacer. The results show that the cutting heat source creates a “thermal stagnation” effect at the curved notch, which leads to the local metallurgical transformation of the metal surface layer, which is unfavorable to its fatigue performance. The residual stresses are mainly concentrated near the cutting line, and the transverse residual stresses are lower at the free edge of the cutting line, which is easy to crack, and higher in the middle of the arc section of the arc notch. Inside the transverse bulkhead, at 14.5 mm from the free edge of the cut, in addition to the existence of high longitudinal residual tensile stress, its transverse residual tensile stress is also high, with a peak value of 199.3 MPa. Thermal cutting produces high residual tensile stress at the free edge, and the tensile stress cycle formed under the combined effect of wheel load is one of the reasons for the formation of initial fatigue cracks.
Whole Exome Sequencing in Vaccine‐Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT)
Authors: Giusti Betti , Sticchi Elena , Capezzuoli Tommaso , Orsi Rebecca , Squillantini Lapo , Giannini Marco , Suraci Samuele , Rogolino Angela Antonietta , Cesari Francesca , Berteotti Martina , Gori Anna Maria , Lotti Elena , Marcucci Rossella
Published: July 2024

Background: In February 2021, a few cases of unusual, severe thrombotic events associated with thrombocytopenia reported after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 (Vaxzevria) or with Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine raise concern about safety. The vaccine‐induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) has been related to the presence of platelet‐activating antibodies directed against platelet Factor 4.

Objectives: We investigated VITT subject genetic background by a high‐throughput whole exome sequencing (WES) approach in order to investigate VITT genetic predisposition.

Methods: Six consecutive patients (females of Caucasian origin with a mean age of 64 years) were referred to the Atherothrombotic Diseases Center (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria Careggi, Florence) with a diagnosis of definite VITT underwent WES analysis. WES analysis was performed on the Illumina NextSeq500 platform.

Results:WES analysis revealed a total of 140,563 genetic variants. Due to VITT’s rare occurrence, we focused attention on rare variants. The global analysis of all high‐quality rare variants did not reveal a significant enrichment of mutated genes in biological/functional pathways common to patients analyzed. Afterwards, we focused on rare variants in genes associated with blood coagulation and fibrinolysis, platelet activation and aggregation, integrin‐mediated signaling pathway, and inflammation with particular attention to those involved in vascular damage, as well as autoimmune thrombocytopenia. According to ACMG criteria, 47/194 (24.2%) rare variants were classified as uncertain significance variants (VUS), whereas the remaining were likely benign/benign.

Conclusion: WES analysis identifies rare variants possibly favoring the prothrombotic state triggered by the exposure to the vaccine. Functional studies and/or extensions to a larger number of patients might allow a more comprehensive definition of these molecular pathways.