bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Management of City Centers the Road to The Sustainable Development (Sustainable Land Use Management)
Authors: Alrawi Areaj Khairy , Qasim Shurooq Saad
Published: January 2022

The urban management, municipal councils and their local committees, in addition to the laws, and regulations enacting them, play an important role in defining economic, social and environmental scenarios, and directing them towards achieving sustainable development. Sustainability in all its forms. The research seeks to identify the mechanisms and concepts of urban management in general and the management of urban land uses in city centers in particular, and how to use them optimally and achieve the best distribution of their uses in order to be sustainable and achieve sustainable development in the city center by integrating the principles of sustainability in the urban management process to become As a result, we have a vibrant sustainable center. In the theoretical framework, concepts related to the city center, its importance, characteristics, components and limits were presented. The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development were also presented, and what are its objectives, dimensions, standards, and approaches, in addition to defining the sustainable city center and its components and how, and through the theoretical framework, indicators of sustainable urban management were extracted. On the practical side, the researcher used the field surveys of the study area (the old Rusafa Center) in addition to distributing the questionnaire form to the specialists from the planning and executive departments of the study area to show the extent of their agreement and disagreement about the extent of the application of sustainable urban management indicators within the context of the work of the current urban management system. The results of the research showed a shortcoming in the adoption of the principles of sustainability within the context of the work of the current urban management, as the results of the questionnaire showed the non-conformity of most of the indicators that were applied to the current urban management system.
Experimental study of composite concrete cellular steel beams
Authors: Abbas Mustafa Kamil , Al_Thabhawee Hayder Wafi
Published: January 2022

The main objective of this study is to compare the structural behavior of composite steel– concrete beams using cellular beams with and without steel ring stiffeners placed around the web openings. An IPE140 hot rolled I-section steel beam was used to create four specimens: one without openings (control beam); one without shear connectors (non-composite); a composite steel–concrete beam using a cellular beam without strengthening (CLB1); and a composite steel–concrete beam using a cellular beam (CLB4-R) with its openings strengthened by steel ring stiffeners with geometrical properties Br = 37mm and Tr = 5mm. CLB1 was fabricated with openings of 100mm diameter and a 1.23 expansion depth ratio, while CLB4-R was fabricated with openings of 130mm diameter, a 1.42 expansion depth ratio. Both beams were 1700mm in length with ten openings. The results of this experiment revealed that the loads applied to CLB1 and CLB4-R at deflection L/360 exceeded the load applied to the control specimen at the same deflection by 149.3% and 177.3%, respectively. The results revealed that the non-composite beam had an ultimate load 29% lower than that of the control beam. The ultimate load on CLB1 was 5.3% greater than that of the control beam, and failure occurred due to web-post buckling. While the ultimate load of the CLB4-R beam was 18.43% greater than that of the control beam, the Vierendeel mechanism was indicated as the failure mode.
Improving Ionic Exchange Process of Potassium in Poor Soils by Bentonite
Authors: Abdullah Waleed R. , Jabrou Sali Nabeel
Published: January 2022

The current study was carried out to improve ionic exchange for potassium in sandy and gypsiferous soils to obtain an increase in absorption of potassium ions in NPK fertilizers, the improving process includes two stages; The first is adding NPK fertilizer with concentrations (0.020%, 0.040%, and 0.070%) by weight for two samples, the exchange potassium concentration was measured and notice the increasing from 124 ppm to 140 ppm in sandy soil and from156 ppm to 180 ppm in gypsiferous soil when using the highest concentration (0.070%), the second stage included adding grinded bentonite ore (10%, 20%,30%) by weight to the two samples after treated with NPK fertilizer in same concentrations above, potassium exchange increased to 340 ppm in sandy soil and to 450 ppm in gypsiferous soil by using NPK fertilizer and bentonite ore concentrate (0.070% & 30%) respectively.
Effect of the cure time on the Mechanical Properties of Silicone Rubber used as Socket Liners
Authors: Hassan Ahmed K , Abdul Ameer Zuhair Jabbar
Published: January 2022

This work is focused on the upper part of the prosthesis which is called a socket, it is in contact connect with the amputated part. The shear force between skin and socket, local pressure, sweating, and bacteria generation, all lead to skin inflammation and a bad smell. Consequently, the prosthesis became uncomfortable for a patient. To address this issue silicone rubber liners is proposed to use because it can absorb moisture, stress distribution, and anti-bacterial. The curing time and temperature are important factors for determining crosslink density, from the results obtained, can be noticed that, the cross-link density can greatly affect the silicone rubber properties, it can have a direct effect on the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, percentage of elongation as well as the water absorption, and the cure time (15 min.) shoes the best resalt. As a result, using it making the prosthesis more comfortable and acceptable to the patient. In this paper, the effect of cure time on physical properties was studied.
Impact Of Traffic Characteristics and Pavement Surface Condition on Noise Level for Rigid Pavement
Authors: Kamil Ban Ali , Eedan AlJameel Hamid Athab
Published: January 2022

The proper design of a road’s surface layer can result in pavements that are not only better in terms of ride comfort and safety, but also in terms of noise reduction. The use of low-noise pavements may be an effective measure to reduce the acoustic pollution generated by road traffic This study aims to consider the effect of changed pavement features on the noise level. Tire/pavement noise is a major contributor to traffic noise at highway speeds. The effects of pavement properties, including air-void content, gradation properties, roughness, texture, pavement surface condition are major contributors to traffic noise at highway speeds. As the overall texture and IRI, increase noise levels. The results showed that greater air void content decreases the level of high-frequency noise.
Vanadium(IV) ions extraction in the aqueous two-phase system based on poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Levina A V , Fedorova M I
Published: January 2022

Vanadium has found wide applications in various industries: metallurgy, electronics, batteries, and others. This element, being dispersed, does not form its minerals and, therefore, is mined along the way. An alternative approach of vanadium extraction is to separate it from heavy oil, by flushing the oil with strong acids solutions and further hydrometallurgical processing. The existing methods of oil dehydration solutions processing for the vanadium extraction are not perfect - they do not meet the “green” chemistry principles. Thus, we investigated V(IV) ions extraction in the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) based on poly(ethylene glycol) 1500 (16.3wt%) – NaNO3 (36wt%) – H2O. The dependences of V(IV) extraction efficiency on phases time contact, and dependences V(IV) distribution coefficients on salt phase acidity have been obtained. This system is shown to be a prospective solution for the vanadium(IV) recovery from acidic waste steams problem as it is possible to extract vanadium with an efficiency of more than 81.6% per one extraction step (the distribution coefficient of vanadium (IV) was 4.84).
A modified shrinking core model for microwave-assisted leaching of aluminum from peat clay
Authors: Hairullah  , Mirwan A , Putra M D , Ilmanto B H , Putri H S H , Ulum M B , Haka M R
Published: January 2022

Aluminum oxide in peat clay has the potential to be used as a catalyst, coagulant, and adsorbent for the water treatment process. The usefulness of aluminum oxide in peat clay is enhanced by the leaching process. Aluminum was leached from peat clay in a variety of microwave power, HCl concentrations, and particle size. The effect of the microwave leaching parameters on the aluminum leaching rate was observed. The shrinking core (SC) model used in microwave-assisted leaching was assumed a pseudo steady state with chemical reactions. Effective diffusivity (De), mass transfer coefficient (kc), and reaction rate constants (k) are used as fitting parameters. The best fitting parameters De, kc
, and k obtained 0.0049 cm2/s, 2.49 cm/s, and 10.5 cm/s, respectively. The comparison of experimental data and model calculations shown that the SC model can describe experimental data well for all microwave-assisted leaching conditions. Precious information on the results of this research can be given for the goal of the scaling-up and design of the microwave assisted leaching process.
Application of ionic liquid based on Aliquat 336 and D2EHPA in the extraction of transition metals
Authors: Fedorova M I , Levina A V
Published: January 2022

To date, there are a number of methods for selective extraction of transition metal ions based on liquid-liquid extraction. One of the most interesting methods of metal ions extraction is liquid-liquid extraction with application of ionic liquids based on quaternary ammonium bases and organic acid residues, in particular, organophosphorus, diluted with organic solvent (toluene, xylene, kerosene, etc.). However, using of organic solvents does not correspond to the modern tendencies of harmful effects on the environment reducing. Thus, we propose to use Aliquat 336 and D2EHPA-based ionic liquid for extraction of transition metal ions in ecologically safe aqueous two-phase system based on polypropylene glycol 425 and sodium chloride. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate trioctylmethylammonium has been shown to yield more than 80% Fe(III) and Y(III) ions.
The possibility of using DES based on polypropylene glycol 425 and tetrabuthylammonium bromide in the extraction processes of transition metals
Authors: Fedorov A Y , Levina A V
Published: January 2022

Traditionally, the method of liquid extraction is used to extract metals from aqueous. This work is devoted to the combination of perspective alternative for hazardous solvents (aqueous two-phase systems based on water-soluble polymers) and the novel deep eutectic solvents in the non-ferrous metals extraction processes. In this work, the synthesis of deep eutectic solvent based on a water-soluble polymer (PPG-425) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) by stirring for 10 minutes at 80° C has been shown. The obtained results showed not only the possibility of using DES in the metal extraction process, but the selectivity to the Fe(III) and Zn(III), the distribution coefficients were 71.64 and 25.17 respectively. The metal concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically using 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol. This work shows the perspectives of using DESs in the metal extraction processes.
The functionalization of pyrolyzed palm empty fruit bunches-based membranes adsorbent by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Hidayah N , Putri V D , Elma M , Mahmud  , Syauqiah I , Amenia A , Putra D G L , Akbar H R , Rahma A
Published: January 2022

Membranes adsorbent are successfully prepared derived from palm empty fruit bunches (PEFB) which pyrolyzed by furnace as physical activation. The PEFB membrane adsorbent was activated to develop porous structures and surface area which able to be applied for gas separation. The aims of this study are to fabricated the pyrolyzed PEFB-based membrane adsorbent with different loading of PEFB mass to identify the surface organic functional groups of the PEFB membrane adsorbent. Fabrication of this membrane adsorbent was conducted into three steps, i.e. (1) pre-treated PEFB materials; (2) pyrolyzed the PEFB adsorbent at 500°C; and (3) PEFB membrane adsorbent fabrication by mixed both of PVA and PEG polymers into PEFB adsorbent with varied mass (15-17.5 grams). The functionalization of this membrane adsorbents was analysed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectra. The result shows the three variations of the PEFB membrane adsorbents present the surface oxygen, functional group. The effect of PEFB mass loading to the carbon pores formation of PEFB membrane adsorbent was exhibited by the escalating of C-H and C-O groups. The membrane adsorbent by adding 17.5 grams of PEFB mass indicating the highest peak of hydroxyl C-O at wavenumber 1070 cm−1. It demonstrates that membrane adsorbent with high PEFB mass loading and physic activation by pyrolyzing is great to tailoring the membrane adsorbent structure properties which capable to be applied for gas separation, especially for biogas upgrading.
Module trainer of photovoltaic integrated low voltage grid (PV-LV grid) with a variety load
Authors: Rahman Y A , Fauzi R , Sarjan M , Sukri
Published: January 2022

This research is a simulation of the penetration of renewable energy at the primary source. The entire system is a compound system, especially on the load. Load types provide different voltage and current treatment. The simulation is carried out with a mini-grid device consisting of five buses with interface sensors to monitor voltage and current. Photovoltaic grid module (PV)-LV as a trainer, uses two power sources to supply the load to the voltage distribution network module. The loading scenario h two plans, where the difference lies in the type of inductive load (scenario A) and capacitive (scenario B). The types of load consist of incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, energy-saving lamps, drilling machines, and soldering tools. Variations in this load to meet predetermined loading scenarios. The PV measurement results show maximum power generation at noon and flowed to the load trainer via a 300W grid-tie inverter of 191.1W. The average load bus voltage increases for scenario A and scenario B by 1.045% and 1.36%, respectively. The result indicates that the integration of PV in low voltage systems positively impacts the voltage profile for both inductive and capacitive loads. The amount of voltage improvement depends on the value of the active power injection of the PV and the load supplied by the system.
An analytical approximation to measure the extinction cross-section using: Localized Waves
Authors: Rondón Irving
Published: January 2022

We present a general expression for the optical theorem in terms of Localized Waves. This representation is well-known and commonly used to generate Frozen waves, Xwaves, and other propagation invariant beams. We analyze several examples using different input beam sources on a circular detector to measure the extinction cross-section.
Evaluation of an alternative skeletal muscle index for skeletal muscle mass assessment in a group of Australian women
Authors: Yee Ming Li , Einoder Sophie , Strauss Boyd J G , Gilfillan Christopher
Published: January 2022

Background

Sarcopenia is assessed by several methods, including dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which provide a height-adjusted skeletal muscle index (H-SMI). A SMI 2 standard deviation below the young adult reference [1] combined with low muscle strength or performance is used to identify sarcopenia. As height declines with age, H-SMI may underestimate low skeletal muscle mass in the older population. Our study aims to evaluate an alternative SMI and to examine its relationship to grip strength in a group of Australian women.

Methods

Women from two cohorts were analysed. 2041 women had body composition data (112 had calf circumference, 137 had leg length measurements) without grip strength, and 49 women had grip strength measured (40 had body composition data).The relationship between leg length-adjusted SMI (LL-SMI) to grip strength and anthropometric variables to skeletal muscle mass by DEXA were examined by linear regression analysis.

Results

Cohort 1: Older women were compared to younger women. Older women were shorter but leg length did not differ between different age groups. H-SMI was not different between groups (P = 0.528). LL-SMI was lower in older women (P = 0.002). Cohort 2: LL-SMI was significantly associated with grip strength (P = 0.048) after adjustment for age.

Conclusion

Older women were shorter, while leg length did not differ from the younger group. H-SMI may obscure and may underestimate low muscle mass in older individuals. LL-SMI may be a better measure of skeletal muscle mass in older individuals. These alternate SMI would benefit from further exploration in older individuals.
Interviewer effects in a survey examining pain intensity and pain interference in nursing home residents
Authors: Kutschar Patrick , Osterbrink Juergen , Weichbold Martin
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Face-to-face surveys are applied frequently when conducting research in older populations. Interviewers play a decisive role in data quality, may affect measurement and influence results. This study uses survey data about pain in nursing home residents and analyses, whether affiliation-of-interviewer (internal vs. external to nursing home) and gender-of-interviewer affect residents’ responses in terms of interviewer variance and systematically varying pain reports.

Methods

Overall, 258 nursing home residents with up to moderate cognitive impairment were examined by 61 interviewers about pain intensity and interference applying the Brief Pain Inventory. Interviewer variance was measured using intra-interviewer correlation coefficients (ρ). Two-factorial covariance analysis was applied to analyse whether pain intensity and interference scores differ by interviewer characteristics.

Results

Interviewer heterogeneity accounts for almost one quarter of total variance on average. Interviewer variance is higher for internal and male interviewers than for external and female interviewers. Covariance analyses show significant effects of interviewer characteristics on pain reports. Average pain intensity and interference scores vary considerably by interviewer gender and affiliation. Highest pain intensity was reported towards female internal and male external interviewers; highest pain interference was reported towards male external interviewers.

Conclusion

Residents’ answers substantially differ in relation to who is assessing pain. There is a risk of imprecise and biased survey estimates on sensitive topics like pain in nursing homes. Interviewer gender and affiliation seem to evoke gender-specific and status-related expectations and attributions which influence residents’ response process. Interviewer effects pose a considerable threat to survey data quality in institutionalised older populations.
Influence of increased nutrient availability on biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions and leaf anatomy of subarctic dwarf shrubs under climate warming and increased cloudiness
Authors: Ndah Flobert , Valolahti Hanna , Schollert Michelle , Michelsen Anders , Rinnan Riikka , Kivimäenpää Minna
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

Climate change is subjecting subarctic ecosystems to elevated temperature, increased nutrient availability and reduced light availability (due to increasing cloud cover). This may affect subarctic vegetation by altering the emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and leaf anatomy. We investigated the effects of increased nutrient availability on BVOC emissions and leaf anatomy of three subarctic dwarf shrub species, Empetrum hermaphroditum, Cassiope tetragona and Betula nana, and if increased nutrient availability modifies the responses to warming and shading.

Methods

Measurements of BVOCs were performed in situ in long-term field experiments in the Subarctic using a dynamic enclosure system and collection of BVOCs into adsorbent cartridges analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Leaf anatomy was studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Key Results

Increased nutrient availability increased monoterpene emission rates and altered the emission profile of B. nana, and increased sesquiterpene and oxygenated monoterpene emissions of C. tetragona. Increased nutrient availability increased leaf tissue thicknesses of B. nana and C. tetragona, while it caused thinner epidermis and the highest fraction of functional (intact) glandular trichomes for E. hermaphroditum. Increased nutrient availability and warming synergistically increased mesophyll intercellular space of B. nana and glandular trichome density of C. tetragona, while treatments combining increased nutrient availability and shading had an opposite effect in C. tetragona.

Conclusions

Increased nutrient availability may enhance the protection capacity against biotic and abiotic stresses (especially heat and drought) in subarctic shrubs under future warming conditions as opposed to increased cloudiness, which could lead to decreased resistance. The study emphasizes the importance of changes in nutrient availability in the Subarctic, which can interact with climate warming and increased cloudiness effects.
Neurocognitive Profiles in Patients With Persisting Cognitive Symptoms Associated With COVID-19
Authors: Krishnan Kamini , Miller Ashley K , Reiter Katherine , Bonner-Jackson Aaron
Published: January 2022

Objective

A subset of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to develop persisting cognitive and medical symptoms. Research in the acute stages of illness, generally utilizing cognitive screening measures or case reports, suggests presence of deficits in attention and executive function. This observational study investigated cognitive functioning among individuals with persistent cognitive complaints about 5.5 months after COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Patients with polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 and persistent cognitive complaints underwent comprehensive in-person neuropsychological evaluations. Patients with prior neurological disorders were excluded. When diagnosed, 40% required hospitalization, 15% were in an intensive care unit, 10% needed mechanical ventilation, and 10% experienced delirium.

Results

This sample was predominately women (90%), White non-Hispanic (70%), with average education of 15 years. Mild cognitive deficits were seen on tests involving attention and processing speed or executive function. Seventy percent of patients were diagnosed with a mood disorder prior to COVID-19 infection. At the time of testing, 35%–40% endorsed moderate to severe mood symptoms and 85% noted significant fatigue as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale.

Conclusions

The pattern of cognitive deficits, although mild, is consistent with prior research at the acute stage of the illness. These findings suggest that psychological factors and other persisting symptoms (e.g., sleep, fatigue) may play a significant role in subjective cognitive complaints in patients with persisting complaints post COVID-19 who did not require intensive treatment. These patients would likely benefit from resources to manage persisting or new mood symptoms and compensatory strategies for the cognitive inefficiencies they experience.
Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years as a predictor of late distant recurrence in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shrestha Amber , Cullinane Carolyn , Evoy Denis , Geraghty James , Rothwell Jane , Walshe Janice , McCartan Damien , McDermott Enda , Prichard Ruth
Published: January 2022

Background

The Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years (CTS5) integrates four clinicopathological variables to estimate the residual disease recurrence risk in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients who have been treated with five years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of the CTS5.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Studies relevant for inclusion in the current review were identified from The Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Ovid, PubMed, and Embase.

Results

Six papers reported on 30 354 postmenopausal patients (age range 42 to 91 years). The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of distant recurrence relative to the low-risk CTS5 category was 5.41 (95% c.i. 4.50 to 6.51; P < 0.05) for the high-risk CTS5 category and 2.32 (95% c.i. 1.90–2.84; P < 0.05) for the intermediate CTS5 category. Three papers reported on 10 425 premenopausal patients (age range 18 to 54 years). The pooled HR of distant recurrence relative to the low-risk CTS5 category was 5.42 (95% c.i. 2.26 to 13.01; P < 0.05) for the high-risk CTS5 category and 2.82 (95% c.i. 1.35 to 5.88; P < 0.05) for the intermediate CTS5 category. Relative to high-risk postmenopausal patients, the mean observed 10-year distant recurrence risk for the high CTS5 category was 13.83 per cent, which differs significantly from the CTS5 estimation of 10-year distant recurrence risk (20.3 per cent, 95% c.i. 17.2 to 24; P = 0.000).

Conclusion

The CTS5 can predict late distant recurrence risk in pre- and postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. CTS5 overestimates the risk for high-risk patients and thus, its use in these patients warrants caution.
Unique roles for the anterior and posterior retrosplenial cortices in encoding and retrieval of memory for context
Authors: Trask Sydney , Helmstetter Fred J
Published: January 2022

The rat retrosplenial cortex (RSC) makes critical contributions to learning and memory but these contributions may not be uniform along its rostro-caudal axis. Previous work suggests that event-related and context-related information are differentially encoded by anterior and posterior RSC subregions. Here, we further test this idea using a procedure in which spatial/environmental cues (context) and discrete event memories are acquired separately. All animals received a 5-min pre-exposure to the training context 24 h before contextual fear conditioning where shock was delivered immediately upon being placed in the chamber. Rats were tested for memory for the context the next day. We found that optogenetic inhibition of cells in only the posterior RSC during the pre-exposure phase, when spatial information is encoded, reduced behavioral responding during the subsequent memory test. However, similar inhibition of either the anterior or posterior RSC during shock delivery, when information about both the context and the shock become integrated, impaired memory. Finally, inhibiting cellular activity in only the posterior RSC during memory retrieval during testing reduced responding. Together, these results suggest that while activity in both subregions is needed during the period in which the event-related information becomes integrated with the context representation, the posterior RSC is important for both memory formation and retrieval or expression of memory for information about the context. These results add to a growing literature demonstrating a role for the RSC in integration of multiple aspects of memory, and provide information on how spatial representations reliant on the retrosplenial cortex interact with associative learning.
Smooth muscle mineralocorticoid receptor as an epigenetic regulator of vascular ageing
Authors: Ibarrola Jaime , Kim Seung Kyum , Lu Qing , DuPont Jennifer J , Creech Amanda , Sun Zhe , Hill Michael A , Jaffe Jacob D , Jaffe Iris Z
Published: January 2022

Aims

Vascular stiffness increases with age and independently predicts cardiovascular disease risk. Epigenetic changes, including histone modifications, accumulate with age but the global pattern has not been elucidated nor are the regulators known. Smooth muscle cell-mineralocorticoid receptor (SMC-MR) contributes to vascular stiffness in ageing mice. Thus, we investigated the regulatory role of SMC-MR in vascular epigenetics and stiffness.

Methods and results

Mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling of all histone modifications completely distinguished 3 from 12-month-old mouse aortas. Histone-H3 lysine-27 (H3K27) methylation (me) significantly decreased in ageing vessels and this was attenuated in SMC-MR-KO littermates. Immunoblotting revealed less H3K27-specific methyltransferase EZH2 with age in MR-intact but not SMC-MR-KO vessels. These ageing changes were examined in primary human aortic (HA)SMC from adult vs. aged donors. MR, H3K27 acetylation (ac), and stiffness gene (connective tissue growth factor, integrin-α5) expression significantly increased, while H3K27me and EZH2 decreased, with age. MR inhibition reversed these ageing changes in HASMC and the decline in stiffness genes was prevented by EZH2 blockade. Atomic force microscopy revealed that MR antagonism decreased intrinsic stiffness and the probability of fibronectin adhesion of aged HASMC. Conversely, ageing induction in young HASMC with H2O2; increased MR, decreased EZH2, enriched H3K27ac and MR at stiffness gene promoters by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and increased stiffness gene expression. In 12-month-old mice, MR antagonism increased aortic EZH2 and H3K27 methylation, increased EZH2 recruitment and decreased H3K27ac at stiffness genes promoters, and prevented ageing-induced vascular stiffness and fibrosis. Finally, in human aortic tissue, age positively correlated with MR and stiffness gene expression and negatively correlated with H3K27me3 while MR and EZH2 are negatively correlated.

Conclusion

These data support a novel vascular ageing model with rising MR in human SMC suppressing EZH2 expression thereby decreasing H3K27me, promoting MR recruitment and H3K27ac at stiffness gene promoters to induce vascular stiffness and suggests new targets for ameliorating ageing-associated vascular disease.
ECCO Position on Harmonisation of Crohn’s Disease Mucosal Histopathology
Authors: Magro F , Sabino J , Rosini F , Tripathi M , Borralho P , Baldin P , Danese S , Driessen A , Gordon I O , Iacucci M , Noor N , Svrcek M , Peyrin-Biroulet L , Feakins R
Published: January 2022

In inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], mucosal healing is a major therapeutic target and a reliable predictor of clinical course. However, endoscopic mucosal healing is not synonymous with histological healing, and the additional benefits of including histological remission as a target are unclear. In Crohn´s disease [CD], there are few studies highlighting the value of histological remission as a therapeutic target. Histological activity can persist in CD patients who are in endoscopic remission, and the absence of histological activity may be associated with lower relapse rates. Therefore, standardisation of procedures to evaluate CD histological activity is desirable. Topics that would benefit from standardisation and harmonisation include biopsy procedures, biopsy processing techniques, the content of histological scores, and the definitions of histological remission, histological response, and histological activity. In line with these needs, the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] assembled a consensus group with the objective of developing position statements on CD histology based on published evidence and expert consensus. There was agreement that definitions of histological remission should include absence of erosion, ulceration, and mucosal neutrophils; that the absence of neutrophilic inflammation is an appropriate histological target in CD; that CD histological scores, such as the Global Histological Disease Activity Score, lack formal validation; and that histological scoring systems for ulcerative colitis, including the Geboes Score, Robarts Histopathology Index, and Nancy Histological Index, can be used for scoring intestinal biopsies in CD patients.
Role of anatomical regurgitant orifice area and right ventricular contractile reserve in severe tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Utsunomiya Hiroto , Izumi Kanako , Tsuchiya Akane , Mogami Atsuo , Takahari Kosuke , Takemoto Hajime , Ramandika Erasta , Ueda Yusuke , Itakura Kiho , Nakano Yukiko
Published: January 2022

Aims

We sought to propose a novel risk stratification system for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) using 3D-anatomical regurgitant orifice area (3D-AROA) and the slope of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion vs. systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/SPAP) and to validate its prognostic significance.

Methods and results

Sixty-four patients with severe functional TR (52% torrential) underwent 3D echocardiography and exercise–stress echocardiography. As an estimate of regurgitation severity, 3D-AROA was measured with the customized software package. As an index of right ventricular (RV) contractile reserve, the TAPSE/SPAP slope was calculated by plotting the relationship between TAPSE and SPAP during exercise test. Haemodynamic parameters were obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC). Based on receiver operating characteristics curves, optimal cut-off values of 3D-AROA and TAPSE/SPAP slope to identify all-cause mortality were 161 mm2 and 0.046 mm/mmHg, respectively. During a median follow-up of 559 days, 20 patients (31%) died. After correcting for potential confounders, 3DAROA≥ 161 mm2 (HR 4.37; 95% CI 1.34–14.07; P = 0.015) and TAPSE/SPAP slope≤0.046 mm/mmHg (HR 4.76; 95% CI 1.46–15.53; P = 0.009) were echocardiographic parameters independently associated with all-cause mortality. The cumulative survival rate was lower in patients with 3D-AROA≥161 mm2 and TAPSE/SPAP slope≤0.046 mm/mmHg compared with their counterparts (both P<0.05). RHC confirmed higher right atrial pressure (P<0.001) and lower cardiac index (P = 0.004) in patients with both 3D-AROA≥161 mm2 and TAPSE/SPAP slope ≤0.046 mm/mmHg.

Conclusion

Large AROA and reduced RV contractile reserve during exercise are independently associated with poor prognosis. The new grading scheme of severe TR was validated by haemodynamics and may improve risk stratification.
Natural History of Incident and Persistent Cutaneous Human Papillomavirus and Human Polyomavirus Infections
Authors: Amorrortu Rossybelle P , Zhao Yayi , Fenske Neil A , Cherpelis Basil S , Messina Jane L , Giuliano Anna R , Sondak Vernon K , Schell Michael J , Mckay-Chopin Sandrine , Gheit Tarik , Waterboer Tim , Tommasino Massimo , Rollison Dana E
Published: January 2022

Background

Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (cuHPV) and polyomaviruses (HPyV) have been implicated in skin cancers; however, interpretation of findings across studies is complicated by limited understanding of the natural history of these infections across normal tissue types.

Methods

In total, 675 eyebrow hair (EBH) and skin swab (SSW) samples were collected from 71 skin cancer screening patients every 6 months over 2 years and measured for presence of β-HPV, γ-HPV, and HPyV. Incidence, persistence, and clearance of cuHPV/HPyV were estimated, and risk factors associated with infection were examined.

Results

Prevalence, incidence, and persistence of β-HPV, γ-HPV, and HPyV were consistently higher in SSW than in EBH, with types 5, 24, 49, 76 and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) having incidence rates greater than 20 per 1000 person-months. Prevalent γ-HPV EBH infections persisted more often in women (P = .024), incident β-HPV EBH infections persisted less often among individuals with history of blistering sunburn (P = .019), and prevalent MCPyV SSW infections persisted more often in those with a history of skin cancer (P = .033).

Conclusions

Incidence and persistence of cuHPV/HPyV were observed in SSW and EBH; however, none of the risk factors examined were commonly associated with cuHPV/HPyV infections across normal tissue types.
Quantifying the Disaggregated Impact of Atrocities on Socioeconomic Activity
Authors: Koren Ore
Published: January 2022

Our understanding of cruelty's impact on global human security and socioeconomic outcomes is still limited, especially with regard to how these effects unfold at the local, as opposed to the country, level. In this study, I first review literature on the impact of conflict, and violence against civilians specifically, on economic and political development globally, explicating potential adverse impacts, and highlighting the possibility of such violence increasing resilience in the long term. I then identify and discuss pathways linking political violence with lower socioeconomic activity locally. I hypothesize that violence disturbs socioeconomic activity in multiple ways, including by hurting businesses and laborers, scaring away tourists, and decreasing local investment, while additionally arguing that if no new atrocities happen, any impacts generated by these pathways will be relatively short term. Empirically, to operationalize local socioeconomic activity, I rely on nighttime light emissions; to operationalize atrocities, I rely on data from the Worldwide Atrocity Dataset, which measures all events that resulted with at least five civilian deaths by location. To test my expectations, I estimate both ordinary least squares and generalized methods of moments (GMM) models on a grid—(0.5 × 0.5-degree resolution) year level sample for the years 1997–2013. I find that, on average, an additional atrocity event corresponds to a decrease of 3–10 percent in local development levels the following year, compared with the baseline, but that such impacts disappear by the fourth year after the incident. Building on these findings, I discuss in detail research and policy implications.
Investigating the origin of observed central dips in radial metallicity profiles
Authors: Easeman Bethan , Schady Patricia , Wuyts Stijn , Yates Robert M
Published: January 2022

Radial metallicity trends provide a key indicator of physical processes such as star formation and radial gas migration within a galaxy. Large integral field unit surveys allow for detailed studies of these radial variations, with recent observations detecting central dips in the metallicity, which may trace the impact of various evolutionary processes. However, the origin of these dips has not been conclusively determined, with suggestions that they may be diagnostic dependent. In this paper, we use the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory survey to investigate whether the observed dips represent genuine decreases in the central metallicity, or whether they could be an artefact of the diagnostic used. Using a sub-sample of 758 local star-forming galaxies at low inclinations, we investigate in detail the impact of using different strong line diagnostics on the shapes of the returned profiles, and the prevalence of dips. We find no clear evidence of the dips being caused by changing values of the ionization parameter within galaxies. To investigate physical causes, we explore both global and spatially resolved parameters, finding that galaxies exhibiting central dips in the O3N2 metallicity profile have on average lower H α equivalent width values out to $R/R_{\rm {e}} \sim 1.5$, and higher values of DN(4000) in the central regions. We additionally find a higher prevalence of dips in galaxies with high stellar mass, and lower values of global specific star formation rate, suggesting a possible link to central quenching. Nevertheless, these results are dependent on the diagnostic used, suggesting caution should be taken when interpreting observed features in galaxy metallicity gradients.
AMICO galaxy clusters in KiDS-DR3: measurement of the halo bias and power spectrum normalization from a stacked weak lensing analysis
Authors: Ingoglia Lorenzo , Covone Giovanni , Sereno Mauro , Giocoli Carlo , Bardelli Sandro , Bellagamba Fabio , Castignani Gianluca , Farrens Samuel , Hildebrandt Hendrik , Joudaki Shahab , Jullo Eric , Lanzieri Denise , Lesci Giorgio F , Marulli Federico , Maturi Matteo , Moscardini Lauro , Nanni Lorenza , Puddu Emanuela , Radovich Mario , Roncarelli Mauro , Sapio Feliciana , Schimd Carlo
Published: January 2022

Galaxy clusters are biased tracers of the underlying matter density field. At very large radii beyond about 10 Mpc h−1, the shear profile shows evidence of a second-halo term. This is related to the correlated matter distribution around galaxy clusters and proportional to the so-called halo bias. We present an observational analysis of the halo bias–mass relation based on the AMICO galaxy cluster catalogue, comprising around 7000 candidates detected in the third release of the KiDS survey. We split the cluster sample into 14 redshift-richness bins and derive the halo bias and the virial mass in each bin by means of a stacked weak lensing analysis. The observed halo bias–mass relation and the theoretical predictions based on the Lambda cold dark matter standard cosmological model show an agreement within 2σ. The mean measurements of bias and mass over the full catalogue give $M_{200c} = (4.9 \pm 0.3) \times 10^{13}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }/{\it h}$ and $b_h \sigma _8^2 = 1.2 \pm 0.1$. With the additional prior of a bias–mass relation from numerical simulations, we constrain the normalization of the power spectrum with a fixed matter density Ωm = 0.3, finding σ8 = 0.63 ± 0.10.
Photometric study of the supersoft X-ray source V Sge based on TESS data
Authors: Zang Lei , Qian Shengbang , Zhu Liying , Liu Liang
Published: January 2022

V Sge is a unique eclipsing cataclysmic binary and a recognized supersoft X-ray source (SSS). By collecting available data on eclipse timings of V Sge, including our observations, we compiled and obtained an O − C diagram to analyse the orbital period variations of V Sge. The O − C curve displays a downward parabolic course, which implies that the orbital period is decreasing continuously at a rate of dP/dt = −1.92(2) × 10−7 d yr−1 = −0.0166(2) s yr−1. The continuously decreasing orbital period may be mainly caused by mass transfer from the more massive secondary component during its evolution on the Kelvin–Helmholtz time-scale, as well as mass loss from the accretion disc surrounding the white dwarf. Therefore, we estimate that the mass-accretion rate is less than $2.667\times 10^{-7}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. It can be roughly estimated that V Sge might reach the Chandrasekhar limit in at least 1 Myr, then might explode as a type Ia supernova. In addition, the more continuous TESS light curves show peculiar variations, that is, there is a great difference in brightness between two adjacent orbital periods. We speculate that this may be mainly caused by the extinction effect of the uneven circumstellar matter.
Demographic History and Natural Selection Shape Patterns of Deleterious Mutation Load and Barriers to Introgression across Populus Genome
Authors: Liu Shuyu , Zhang Lei , Sang Yupeng , Lai Qiang , Zhang Xinxin , Jia Changfu , Long Zhiqin , Wu Jiali , Ma Tao , Mao Kangshan , Street Nathaniel R , Ingvarsson Pär K , Liu Jianquan , Wang Jing
Published: January 2022

Hybridization and resulting introgression are important processes shaping the tree of life and appear to be far more common than previously thought. However, how the genome evolution was shaped by various genetic and evolutionary forces after hybridization remains unresolved. Here we used whole-genome resequencing data of 227 individuals from multiple widespread Populus species to characterize their contemporary patterns of hybridization and to quantify genomic signatures of past introgression. We observe a high frequency of contemporary hybridization and confirm that multiple previously ambiguous species are in fact F1 hybrids. Seven species were identified, which experienced different demographic histories that resulted in strikingly varied efficacy of selection and burdens of deleterious mutations. Frequent past introgression has been found to be a pervasive feature throughout the speciation of these Populus species. The retained introgressed regions, more generally, tend to contain reduced genetic load and to be located in regions of high recombination. We also find that in pairs of species with substantial differences in effective population size, introgressed regions are inferred to have undergone selective sweeps at greater than expected frequencies in the species with lower effective population size, suggesting that introgression likely have higher potential to provide beneficial variation for species with small populations. Our results, therefore, illustrate that demography and recombination have interplayed with both positive and negative selection in determining the genomic evolution after hybridization.
Renal events in patients receiving neprilysin inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vollmer Barbosa Clara , Lang Hannah , Melk Anette , Schmidt Bernhard M W
Published: January 2022

Background

While it is well known that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) increase the risk of acute renal failure, the role of neprilysin inhibition (NEPi) is unclear and some physicians are reluctant to prescribe sacubitril/valsartan because of safety concerns. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the risk for renal events, progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or progression to dialysis on combined NEPi and ACEi/ARBs compared with ACEi or ARBs.

Methods

We performed a systematic meta-analysis including 17 randomized controlled trials (study drug sacubitril/valsartan or omapatrilat), involving a total of 23 569 patients, after searching PubMed, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.org and Embase for eligible studies. From the included trials, all renal endpoints, including long- and short-term outcomes and hyperkalemia, were extracted. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird method. The study was registered at PROSPERO.

Results

Overall, treatment with sacubitril/valsartan or omapatrilat showed a slightly lower risk of any renal event [OR 0.82 (0.7–0.97)] compared with treatment with an ACEi or ARB alone. Also, there was a decreased risk of severe acute renal events [OR 0.8 (0.69–0.93)] and a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate decline [mean difference −0.58 mL/min (−0.83 to −0.33 mL/min)]. There was no difference in chronic renal events [OR 0.92 (0.8–1.05)] or hyperkalemia [OR 1.02 (0.84–1.23)].

Conclusion

NEPi + ACEi/ARBs are safe in terms of renal adverse events. Longer trials focusing on CKD are needed to evaluate the effect of NEPi on decreasing progression of CKD.
Alpelisib Plus Fulvestrant or Letrozole Demonstrates Sustained Benefits Across Subgroups of Patients with PIK3CA-Mutated HR+/HER2– Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Jacobson Anne
Published: January 2022

Alpelisib and endocrine therapy provides ongoing treatment benefits for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA-mutated advanced breast cancer, according to updated findings from all 3 cohorts of the phase II BYLieve trial.
Pembrolizumab Improves Outcomes in Early-Stage and Locally Advanced or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Jacobson Anne
Published: January 2022

Updates from the phase III KEYNOTE-522 and KEYNOTE-355 trials demonstrate the benefits of pembrolizumab added to chemotherapy in early-stage and locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, respectively.
Elacestrant Improves Progression-Free Survival After Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Jacobson Anne
Published: January 2022

In the phase III EMERALD trial, treatment with elacestrant significantly improved progression-free survival compared with investigator’s choice in patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer that progressed on prior endocrine therapies.