bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of electronic sum frequency generation spectrophotometer to assess the buried interfaces
Authors: Dhami Suman , Kumar Yogesh , Pandey Ravindra
Published: July 2023

The interfacial region between two bulk media in organic semiconductor based devices, such as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic light-emitting diodes, and organic photovoltaics, refers to the region where two different materials such as an organic material and an electrode come in contact with each other. Although the interfacial region contains a significantly smaller fraction of molecules compared to the bulk, it is the primary site where many photoinduced excited state processes occur, such as charge transfer, charge recombination, separation, energy transfer processes, etc. All such photoinduced processes have a dependence on molecular orientation and density of states at the interfaces, therefore having an understanding of the interfacial region is essential. However, conventional spectroscopic techniques, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, etc., face limitations in probing the orientation and density of states of interfacial molecules. Therefore, there is a need for noninvasive techniques capable of efficiently investigating the interfaces. The electronic sum frequency generation (ESFG) technique offers an interface selectivity based on the principle that the second-order nonlinear susceptibility tensor, within the electric dipole approximation, is zero in the isotropic bulk but nonzero at interfaces. This selectivity makes ESFG a promising spectroscopy tool to probe the molecular orientation and density of states at the buried interface. For beginners interested in employing ESFG to study the density of states at the interface, a detailed description of the experimental setup is provided here.
What Is Physical Literacy? An International Review and Analysis of Definitions
Authors: Bailey Richard , Glibo Iva , Koenen Katrin , Samsudin Nadia
Published: July 2023

The concept of physical literacy has entered policy, advocacy, and practice discourses in many countries and has become a significant focus of physical education, physical activity, and sport promotion. Despite its popularity, questions remain about the coherence of the definitions used and their impact on the capacity of physical literacy to act as a unifying and empowering idea. This contributes to efforts to understand and critically analyze definitional issues by systematically reviewing and analyzing patterns of use. The analysis identified 14 themes, organized into four meta-themes: physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and integrated development. The most common theme among the identified codes was movement skills, which related to developing motor competence and specific skills. The article discusses the diversity of themes and their implications for future research and practice in physical literacy. It challenges the common claim that progress depends on reaching a universal definition as the basis of collaborative work.
Identifying high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma–specific extracellular vesicles by polyketone-coated nanowires
Authors: Yokoi Akira , Ukai Mayu , Yasui Takao , Inokuma Yasuhide , Hyeon-Deuk Kim , Matsuzaki Juntaro , Yoshida Kosuke , Kitagawa Masami , Chattrairat Kunanon , Iida Mikiko , Shimada Taisuke , Manabe Yumehiro , Chang I-Ya , Asano-Inami Eri , Koya Yoshihiro , Nawa Akihiro , Nakamura Kae , Kiyono Tohru , Kato Tomoyasu , Hirakawa Akihiko , Yoshioka Yusuke , Ochiya Takahiro , Hasegawa Takeshi , Baba Yoshinobu , Yamamoto Yusuke , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

Cancer cell–derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have unique protein profiles, making them promising targets as disease biomarkers. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the deadly subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer, and we aimed to identify HGSOC-specific membrane proteins. Small EVs (sEVs) and medium/large EVs (m/lEVs) from cell lines or patient serum and ascites were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, revealing that both EV subtypes had unique proteomic characteristics. Multivalidation steps identified FRα, Claudin-3, and TACSTD2 as HGSOC-specific sEV proteins, but m/lEV-associated candidates were not identified. In addition, for using a simple-to-use microfluidic device for EV isolation, polyketone-coated nanowires (pNWs) were developed, which efficiently purify sEVs from biofluids. Multiplexed array assays of sEVs isolated by pNW showed specific detectability in cancer patients and predicted clinical status. In summary, the HGSOC-specific marker detection by pNW are a promising platform as clinical biomarkers, and these insights provide detailed proteomic aspects of diverse EVs in HGSOC patients.
A modular strategy for distributed, embodied control of electronics-free soft robots
Authors: He Qiguang , Yin Rui , Hua Yucong , Jiao Weijian , Mo Chengyang , Shu Hang , Raney Jordan R.
Published: July 2023

Robots typically interact with their environments via feedback loops consisting of electronic sensors, microcontrollers, and actuators, which can be bulky and complex. Researchers have sought new strategies for achieving autonomous sensing and control in next-generation soft robots. We describe here an electronics-free approach for autonomous control of soft robots, whose compositional and structural features embody the sensing, control, and actuation feedback loop of their soft bodies. Specifically, we design multiple modular control units that are regulated by responsive materials such as liquid crystal elastomers. These modules enable the robot to sense and respond to different external stimuli (light, heat, and solvents), causing autonomous changes to the robot’s trajectory. By combining multiple types of control modules, complex responses can be achieved, such as logical evaluations that require multiple events to occur in the environment before an action is performed. This framework for embodied control offers a new strategy toward autonomous soft robots that operate in uncertain or dynamic environments.
Peripheral nerves directly mediate the transneuronal translocation of silver nanomaterials from the gut to central nervous system
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Cui Xuejing , Wu Junguang , Bao Lin , Tan Zhiqiang , Chen Chunying
Published: July 2023

The blood circulation is considered the only way for the orally administered nanoparticles to enter the central nervous systems (CNS), whereas non-blood route-mediated nanoparticle translocation between organs is poorly understood. Here, we show that peripheral nerve fibers act as direct conduits for silver nanomaterials (Ag NMs) translocation from the gut to the CNS in both mice and rhesus monkeys. After oral gavage, Ag NMs are significantly enriched in the brain and spinal cord of mice with particle state however do not efficiently enter the blood. Using truncal vagotomy and selective posterior rhizotomy, we unravel that the vagus and spinal nerves mediate the transneuronal translocation of Ag NMs from the gut to the brain and spinal cord, respectively. Single-cell mass cytometry analysis revealed that enterocytes and enteric nerve cells take up significant levels of Ag NMs for subsequent transfer to the connected peripheral nerves. Our findings demonstrate nanoparticle transfer along a previously undocumented gut-CNS axis mediated by peripheral nerves.
Quantum wave function reconstruction by free-electron spectral shearing interferometry
Authors: Chen Zhaopin , Zhang Bin , Pan Yiming , Krüger Michael
Published: July 2023

The quantum wave function measurement of a free electron remains challenging in quantum mechanics and is subject to disputes about ψ-ontic/epistemic interpretations of the wave function. Here, we theoretically propose a realistic spectral method for reconstructing quantum wave function of an electron pulse, free-electron spectral shearing interferometry (FESSI). We use a Wien filter to generate two time-delayed replicas of the electron wave packet and then shift one replica in energy using a light-electron modulator driven by a mid-infrared laser. As a direct demonstration, we numerically reconstruct a pulsed electron wave function with a kinetic energy of 10 keV. FESSI is experimentally feasible and enables us to fully determine distinct orders of spectral phases and their physical implications in quantum foundations and quantum technologies, providing a universal approach to characterize ultrashort electron pulses.
Upward and outward growth of north-central Tibet: Mechanisms that build high-elevation, low-relief plateaus
Authors: Li Lin , Garzione Carmala N.
Published: July 2023

Large orogenic plateaus, such as the Tibetan Plateau, are characterized by high-elevation, low-relief topography, in contrast to the rugged terrains of narrower mountain belts. A key question is how low-elevation hinterland basins, characteristic of broad regions of shortening, were raised while regional relief was flattened. This study uses the Hoh Xil Basin in north-central Tibet as an analogue for late-stage orogenic plateau formation. The precipitation temperatures of lacustrine carbonates deposited between ~19 and ~12 million years ago record an early to middle Miocene phase of surface uplift of 1.0 ± 0.7 km. The results of this study demonstrate the contribution of sub-surface geodynamic processes in driving regional surface uplift and redistribution of crustal material to flatten plateau surfaces during the late stage of orogenic plateau formation.
African swine fever virus MGF-360-10L is a novel and crucial virulence factor that mediates ubiquitination and degradation of JAK1 by recruiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC5
Authors: Li Dan , Peng Jiangling , Wu Junhuang , Yi Jiamin , Wu Panxue , Qi Xiaolan , Ren Jingjing , Peng Gaochuang , Duan Xianghan , Ru Yi , Liu Huanan , Tian Hong , Zheng Haixue
Published: July 2023

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes acute hemorrhagic infectious disease in pigs. The ASFV genome encodes various proteins that enable the virus to escape innate immunity; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The present study found that ASFV MGF-360-10L significantly inhibits interferon (IFN)-β-triggered STAT1/2 promoter activation and the production of downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). ASFV MGF-360-10L deletion (ASFV-Δ10L) replication was impaired compared with the parental ASFV CN/GS/2018 strain, and more ISGs were induced by the ASFV-Δ10L in porcine alveolar macrophages
in vitro
. We found that MGF-360-10L mainly targets JAK1 and mediates its degradation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, MGF-360-10L also mediates the K48-linked ubiquitination of JAK1 at lysine residues 245 and 269 by recruiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC5 (HECT and RLD domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 5). The virulence of ASFV-Δ10L was significantly lower than that of the parental strain
in vivo
, which indicates that MGF-360-10L is a novel virulence factor of ASFV. Our findings elaborate the novel mechanism of MGF-360-10L on the STAT1/2 signaling pathway, expanding our understanding of the inhibition of host innate immunity by ASFV-encoded proteins and providing novel insights that could contribute to the development of African swine fever vaccines.

IMPORTANCE

African swine fever outbreaks remain a concern in some areas. There is no effective drug or commercial vaccine to prevent African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection. In the present study, we found that overexpression of MGF-360-10L strongly inhibited the interferon (IFN)-β-induced STAT1/2 signaling pathway and the production of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Furthermore, we demonstrated that MGF-360-10L mediates the degradation and K48-linked ubiquitination of JAK1 by recruiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC5. The virulence of ASFV with MGF-360-10L deletion was significantly less than parental ASFV CN/GS/2018. Our study identified a new virulence factor and revealed a novel mechanism by which MGF-360-10L inhibits the immune response, thus providing new insights into the vaccination strategies against ASFV.
Prophylactic cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor drugs for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in extremely preterm infants: a clinical practice guideline incorporating family values and preferences
Authors: Mitra Souvik , Whitehead Leah , Smith Katie , Maclean Breagh , Nixon Rebekah , Veysey Andrew , Campbell-Yeo Marsha , Kuhle Stefan , Gale Chris , Soll Roger , Dorling Jon , Johnston Bradley C
Published: July 2023

Importance

Prophylactic cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (COX-Is) such as indomethacin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen may prevent morbidity and mortality in extremely preterm infants (born ≤28 weeks’ gestation). However, there is controversy around which COX-I, if any, is the most effective and safest, which has resulted in considerable variability in clinical practice.

 Our objective was to develop rigorous and transparent clinical practice guideline recommendations for the prophylactic use of COX-I drugs for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in extremely preterm infants.

 The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation evidence-to-decision framework for multiple comparisons was used to develop the guideline recommendations. A 12-member panel, including 5 experienced neonatal care providers, 2 methods experts, 1 pharmacist, 2 parents of former extremely preterm infants and 2 adults born extremely preterm, was convened. A rating of the most important clinical outcomes was established a priori. Evidence from a Cochrane network meta-analysis and a cross-sectional mixed-methods study exploring family values and preferences were used as the primary sources of evidence.

 The panel recommended that prophylaxis with intravenous indomethacin may be considered in extremely preterm infants (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty in estimate of effects). Shared decision making with parents was encouraged to evaluate their values and preferences prior to therapy. The panel recommended against routine use of ibuprofen prophylaxis in this gestational age group (conditional recommendation, low certainty in the estimate of effects). The panel strongly recommended against use of prophylactic acetaminophen (strong recommendation, very low certainty in estimate of effects) until further research evidence is available.
Cost-effectiveness of measles and rubella elimination in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Levin Ann , Burgess Colleen , Shendale Stephanie , Morgan Winthrop , Cw Hutubessy Raymond ,   Measles–rubella Eradication Modelling Group, Jit Mark
Published: July 2023

Background

Since 2000, the incidence of measles and rubella has declined as measles–rubella (MR) vaccine coverage increased due to intensified routine immunisation (RI) and supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs). The World Health Assembly commissioned a feasibility assessment of eliminating measles and rubella. The objective of this paper is to present the findings of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of ramping up MR vaccination with a goal of eliminating transmission in every country.

Methods

We used projections of impact of routine and SIAs during 2018–2047 for four scenarios of ramping up MR vaccination. These were combined with economic parameters to estimate costs and disability-adjusted life years averted under each scenario. Data from the literature were used for estimating the cost of increasing routine coverage, timing of SIAs and introduction of rubella vaccine in countries.

Results

The CEA showed that all three scenarios with ramping up coverage above the current trend were more cost-effective in most countries than the 2018 trend for both measles and rubella. When the measles and rubella scenarios were compared with each other, the most cost-effective scenario was likely to be the most accelerated one. Even though this scenario is costlier, it averts more cases and deaths and substantially reduces the cost of treatment.

Conclusions

The Intensified Investment scenario is likely the most cost-effective of the vaccination scenarios evaluated for reaching both measles and rubella disease elimination. Some data gaps on costs of increasing coverage were identified and future efforts should focus on filling these gaps.
Multisystemic resilience to shocks: a temporal analysis of health, fundamental rights and freedoms, and economic resilience during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 22 European countries
Authors: Clausin Mia , Rieckhoff Alicia , Tediosi Fabrizio , Morel Chantal M , Kaspiarovich Yuliya , Levrat Nicolas , Wernli Didier
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Research on resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic has primarily focused on health system resilience. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) develop a broader understanding of societal resilience to shocks by evaluating resilience in three systems: health, economic and fundamental rights and freedoms and (2) to further operationalise resilience in terms of robustness, resistance and recovery.

Settings

22 European countries were selected based on the availability of data in the health, fundamental rights and freedoms, and economic systems during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

Design

This study uses time series data to assess resilience in health, fundamental rights and freedoms, and economic systems. An overall resilience was estimated, as well as three of its components: robustness, resistance and recovery.

Results

Six countries exhibited an outlier excess mortality peak compared with the prepandemic period (2015–2019). All countries experienced economic repercussions and implemented diverse measures affecting individual rights and freedoms. Three main groups of countries were identified: (1) high health and high or moderate economic and/or fundamental rights and freedoms resilience, (2) moderate health and fundamental rights and freedoms resilience and (3) low resilience in all three systems.

Conclusions

The classification of countries into three groups provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of multisystemic resilience during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study highlights the importance of considering both health and economic factors when assessing resilience to shocks, as well as the necessity of safeguarding individual rights and freedoms during times of crisis. Such insights can inform policy decisions and aid in the development of targeted strategies to enhance resilience in the face of future challenges.
Healthcare utilisation in patients with long-term conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based observational study of all patients across Greater Manchester, UK
Authors: Sammut-Powell Camilla , Williams Richard , Sperrin Matthew , Thomas Owain , Peek N , Grant Stuart W
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Data on population healthcare utilisation (HCU) across both primary and secondary care during the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking. We describe primary and secondary HCU stratified by long-term conditions (LTCs) and deprivation, during the first 19 months of COVID-19 pandemic across a large urban area in the UK.

Design

A retrospective, observational study.

Setting

All primary and secondary care organisations that contributed to the Greater Manchester Care Record throughout 30 December 2019 to 1 August 2021.

Participants

3 225 169 patients who were registered with or attended a National Health Service primary or secondary care service during the study period.

Primary outcomes

Primary care HCU (incident prescribing and recording of healthcare information) and secondary care HCU (planned and unplanned admissions) were assessed.

Results

The first national lockdown was associated with reductions in all primary HCU measures, ranging from 24.7% (24.0% to 25.5%) for incident prescribing to 84.9% (84.2% to 85.5%) for cholesterol monitoring. Secondary HCU also dropped significantly for planned (47.4% (42.9% to 51.5%)) and unplanned admissions (35.3% (28.3% to 41.6%)). Only secondary care had significant reductions in HCU during the second national lockdown. Primary HCU measures had not recovered to prepandemic levels by the end of the study. The secondary admission rate ratio between multi-morbid patients and those without LTCs increased during the first lockdown by a factor of 2.40 (2.05 to 2.82; p<0.001) for planned admissions and 1.25 (1.07 to 1.47; p=0.006) for unplanned admissions. No significant changes in this ratio were observed in primary HCU.

Conclusion

Major changes in primary and secondary HCU were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary HCU reduced more in those without LTCs and the ratio of utilisation between patients from the most and least deprived areas increased for the majority of HCU measures. Overall primary and secondary care HCU for some LTC groups had not returned to prepandemic levels by the end of the study.
Identifying priority questions regarding rapid systematic reviews’ methods: protocol for an eDelphi study
Authors: Vieira Ariany M , Szczepanik Geneviève , de Waure Chiara , Tricco Andrea C , Oliver Sandy , Stojanovic Jovana , Ribeiro Paula A B , Pollock Danielle , Akl Elie A , Lavis John , Kuchenmuller Tanja , Bragge Peter , Langer Laurenz , Bacon Simon
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Rapid systematic reviews (RRs) have the potential to provide timely information to decision-makers, thus directly impacting healthcare. However, consensus regarding the most efficient approaches to performing RRs and the presence of several unaddressed methodological issues pose challenges. With such a large potential research agenda for RRs, it is unclear what should be prioritised.

Objective

To elicit a consensus from RR experts and interested parties on what are the most important methodological questions (from the generation of the question to the writing of the report) for the field to address in order to guide the effective and efficient development of RRs.

Methods and analysis

An eDelphi study will be conducted. Researchers with experience in evidence synthesis and other interested parties (eg, knowledge users, patients, community members, policymaker, industry, journal editors and healthcare providers) will be invited to participate. The following steps will be taken: (1) a core group of experts in evidence synthesis will generate the first list of items based on the available literature; (2) using LimeSurvey, participants will be invited to rate and rank the importance of suggested RR methodological questions. Questions with open format responses will allow for modifications to the wording of items or the addition of new items; (3) three survey rounds will be performed asking participants to re-rate items, with items deemed of low importance being removed at each round; (4) a list of items will be generated with items believed to be of high importance by ≥75% of participants being included and (5) this list will be discussed at an online consensus meeting that will generate a summary document containing the final priority list. Data analysis will be performed using raw numbers, means and frequencies.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Concordia University Human Research Ethics Committee (#30015229). Both traditional, for example, scientific conference presentations and publication in scientific journals, and non-traditional, for example, lay summaries and infographics, knowledge translation products will be created.
Update of epidemiology, survival and initial treatment in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour in the USA: a retrospective study based on SEER database
Authors: Zhu Haizhen , Yang Guangrong , Ma Ying , Huo Qianwen , Wan Deli , Yang Qiao
Published: July 2023

Objectives

An updated epidemiological analysis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), the change of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and patterns of initial treatment are of interest.

Design

A retrospective study using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.

Setting and participants

A total of 5625 patients with GIST diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 were identified.

Primary outcome measures

Age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and annual prevalence rate were calculated. SEER combined stage, period CSS rate and initial treatment were summarised. All the data were calculated by SEER*Stat software.

Results

From 2010 to 2019, the ASIR of GIST increased from 0.79 to 1.02 per 100 000 person-years, with an increase of 2.4% annually. The increase was across age and sex subgroups. The prevalence trend was similar with the ASIR trend in each subgroup. The stage distributions were similar between different age groups, but varied among different primary tumour sites. More importantly, a stage shift from regional stage to localized stage at diagnosis was found, which may result in the improvement of CSS over years. Overall, the 5-year CSS rate of GIST was approximately 81.3%. Even for metastatic GIST, the rate exceeded 50%. Surgery was the most common treatment regimen for GIST, followed by surgery and systemic treatment. Whereas approximately 7.0% patients were undertreated, which was more pronounced among patients with distant and unknown stages.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest an improving early detection of GIST and an improving ability of accurate staging. Though most patients are effectively treated and perform good survivals, approximate 7.0% patients may be undertreated.
Neqstent coil-assisted flow diverter (NQS) for the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms: the coil-assisted flow diversion safety and performance study (CAFI)
Authors: Liebig Thomas , Gal Gyula , O′Kelly Cian , Wodarg Fritz , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Ozpeynirci Yigit , Bester Maxim , Tsogkas Ioannis , Psychogios Marios-Nikos , Jansen Olav , Fiehler Jens
Published: July 2023

Background

The Neqstent coil-assisted flow diverter (NQS) is a neck bridging device to facilitate coil occlusion of intracranial aneurysms. CAFI is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study on the safety and performance of the NQS adjunctive therapy device together with platinum coils for treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. Primary endpoints were occlusion at 6 months for efficacy, and any major stroke or non-accidental death up to 30 days or major disabling stroke within 6 months for safety. Secondary endpoints were re-treatment rate, procedure time, and procedure/device-related adverse events. Procedural and follow-up imaging was reviewed by an independent core laboratory. Adverse events were reviewed and adjudicated by a clinical events committee.

Results

The NQS was successfully implanted in 36/38 aneurysms, 2/38 in the intention-to-treat group did not receive a NQS and were excluded from follow-up after 30 days. In the per protocol group (PP), 33/36 patients were available for angiographic follow-up. Device related adverse events were recorded in 4/38 (10.5%) patients, one hemorrhagic and three thromboembolic. In the PP group, immediate post-treatment adequate occlusion (RR1 and RR2) was seen in 9/36 (25%) and progressed to 28/36 (77.8%) at 6 months. Complete occlusion (RR1) was achieved in 29/36 (80.6%) at the last available angiogram (3/36 were post procedure). The mean procedure time was 129 min (50–300 min, median 120 min).

Conclusion

The NQS in conjunction with coils appears to be effective in the treatment of intracranial wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, but its safety remains to be proved in larger series.

Trial registration number

NCT04187573.
Distribution of atrial cardiomyopathy markers and association with atrial fibrillation detected after ischaemic stroke in the SAFAS study
Authors: Didier Romain , Garnier Lucie , Duloquin Gauthier , Meloux Alexandre , Sagnard Audrey , Graber Mathilde , Dogon Geoffrey , Benali Karim , Pommier Thibaut , Laurent Gabriel , Vergely Catherine , Bejot Yannick , Guenancia Charles
Published: July 2023

Background

Atrial cardiomyopathy (AC) is an emerging concept explaining the pathophysiology of cardioembolic strokes in absence of atrial fibrillation (AF). A definition based on the presence of electrical abnormality (P-wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) >5000 µV×ms), N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro BNP) >250 pg/mL and/or indexed left atrial diameter (LADI) >3 cm/m² is currently tested in the ARCADIA (AtRial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs In prevention After cryptogenic stroke) trial. We set out to estimate the prevalence of AC as defined in the ARCADIA trial, its determinants and its association with AF detected after stroke (AFDAS).

Methods

Stepwise screening for silent Atrial Fibrillation After Stroke (SAFAS) study prospectively included 240 ischaemic stroke patients. AC markers were complete for 192 of them and 9 were not included in this analysis because AF had been diagnosed on admission.

Results

A total of 183 patients were analysed, of whom 57% (104 patients) met the AC criteria (79 NT-proBNP, 47 PTFV1, 4 LADI). In the multivariate logistic regression, C reactive protein >3 mg/L (OR (95% CI) 2.60 (1.30 to 5.21), p=0.007) and age (OR (95% CI) 1.07 (1.04 to 1.10), p<0.001) were found to be independently associated with AC. After 6 months of follow-up, AFDAS was detected in 33% of AC patients and in 14% of the remaining ones (p=0.003). However, AC was not independently associated with AFDAS, contrary to left atrial volume index (>34 mL/m2, OR 2.35 (CI 1.09 to 5.06) p=0029).

Conclusion

AC as defined in ARCADIA is mostly based on NT pro BNP elevation (76% of patients) and is associated with age and inflammation. Moreover, AC was not independently associated with AFDAS at follow-up. The ARCADIA trial, which compares aspirin to apixaban in patients with embolic strokes of undetermined source with AC markers and must, therefore be analysed in the light of these limitations.

Trial registration number

NCT03570060.
Additive-free synthesis of CuO pricky microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Liu Qian , Chu Deqing , Wang Ruihuan
Published: July 2023

CuO pricky microspheres have been synthesized without additives by calcination after hydrothermal treatment at [Formula: see text]C for 6[Formula: see text]h. The product was characterized by SEM, TEM, EDS, etc. The unique pricky microspheres were formed with NH4HCO3 and urea as precipitators. Through a series of reaction experiments, the possible formation mechanism of nucleation, growth and secondary growth was proposed. With the assistance of H2O2, the degradation rate of RhB aqueous solution reached 87.16% after 50 min by simulated visible light degradation, which proved the good photocatalytic performance of the CuO pricky microspheres. After four cycles of degradation experiments, the degradation rate of RhB aqueous solution is still above 80%. The radical capture experiments showed that the main active groups in the degradation process were ⋅OH and [Formula: see text], and the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of Rhb was proposed.
Optimal consumption, investment and life insurance selection under robust utilities
Authors: Ferreira M. , Pinheiro D. , Pinheiro S.
Published: July 2023

We study the problem faced by a wage earner with an uncertain lifetime who has access to a Black–Scholes-type financial market consisting of one risk-free security and one risky asset. His preferences relative to consumption, investment and life insurance purchase are described by a robust expected utility. We rewrite this problem in terms of a two-player zero-sum stochastic differential game and we derive the wage earner optimal strategies for a general class of utility functions, studying the case of discounted constant relative risk aversion utility functions with more detail.
Dynamic Weighted Gradient Reversal Network for Visible-infrared Person Re-identification
Authors: Li Chenghua , Li Zongze , Sun Jing , Zhang Yun , Jiang Xiaoping , Zhang Fan
Published: July 2023

Due to intra-modality variations and cross-modality discrepancy, visible-infrared person re-identification (VI Re-ID) is an important and challenging task in intelligent video surveillance. The cross-modality discrepancy is mainly caused by the differences between visible images and infrared images, the inherent essence of which is heterogeneous. To alleviate this discrepancy, we propose a Dynamic Weighted Gradient Reversal Network (DGRNet) to enhance the learning of discriminative common representations by confusing the modality discrimination. In the proposed DGRNet, we design the gradient reversal model guiding adversarial training between identity classifier and modality discriminator to reduce the modality discrepancy of the same person in different modalities. Furthermore, we propose an optimization training method, that is, designing dynamic weight of gradient reversal to achieve optimal adversarial training, and dynamic weight has the ability to dynamically and adaptively evaluate the significance of target loss term, without involving hyper-parameter tuning. Extensive experiments were conducted on two public VI Re-ID datasets, SYSU-MM01 and RegDB. The experimental results show that the proposed DGRNet outperforms state-of-the-art methods and demonstrate the effectiveness of the DGRNet to learn more discriminative common representations for VI Re-ID.
A Fish Eye View: Retinal Morphogenesis from Optic Cup to Neuronal Lamination
Authors: Norden Caren
Published: July 2023

The neural retina, at the back of the eye, is a fascinating system to use to discover how cells form tissues in the context of the developing nervous system. The retina is the tissue responsible for perception and transmission of visual information from the environment. It consists of five types of neurons and one type of glia cells that are arranged in a highly organized, layered structure to assure visual information flow. To reach this highly ordered arrangement, intricate morphogenic movements are occurring at the cell and tissue levels. I here discuss recent advances made to understand retinal development, from optic cup formation to neuronal layering. It becomes clear that these complex morphogenetic processes must be studied by taking the cellular as well as the tissue-wide aspects into account. The loop has to be closed between exploring how cell behavior influences tissue development and how the surrounding tissue itself influences single cells. Furthermore, it was recently revealed that the retina is a great system to study neuronal migration phenomena, and more is yet to be discovered in this aspect. Constantly developing imaging and image analysis toolboxes as well as the use of machine learning and synthetic biology make the retina the perfect system to explore more of its exciting neurodevelopmental biology.
The Functioning of Offspring of Depressed Parents: Current Status, Unresolved Issues, and Future Directions
Authors: Gotlib Ian H. , Buthmann Jessica L. , Miller Jonas G.
Published: July 2023

Although the intergenerational transmission of risk for depression is well documented, the mechanisms and moderators involved in this transmission of risk from depressed parents to their offspring are not clear. In this review, we discuss the progress that has been made over the past two decades in studying offspring of depressed parents and describe the maladaptive characteristics of these offspring in a diverse range of domains, including clinical, cognitive, and biological functioning. Despite recent advances in this area, there are unresolved questions that warrant further investigation involving the nature of risk transmission from parent to offspring, the specificity of findings to depression, and the role of factors that often accompany depression. We discuss these issues and offer directions for future research that we believe will move the field forward in gaining a better understanding of the relation between parental depression and altered psychobiological functioning in their offspring.
Predicting Visual Fixations
Authors: Kümmerer Matthias , Bethge Matthias
Published: July 2023

As we navigate and behave in the world, we are constantly deciding, a few times per second, where to look next. The outcomes of these decisions in response to visual input are comparatively easy to measure as trajectories of eye movements, offering insight into many unconscious and conscious visual and cognitive processes. In this article, we review recent advances in predicting where we look. We focus on evaluating and comparing models: How can we consistently measure how well models predict eye movements, and how can we judge the contribution of different mechanisms? Probabilistic models facilitate a unified approach to fixation prediction that allows us to use explainable information explained to compare different models across different settings, such as static and video saliency, as well as scanpath prediction. We review how the large variety of saliency maps and scanpath models can be translated into this unifying framework, how much different factors contribute, and how we can select the most informative examples for model comparison. We conclude that the universal scale of information gain offers a powerful tool for the inspection of candidate mechanisms and experimental design that helps us understand the continual decision-making process that determines where we look.
Laser-Assisted Electrochemical Machining Based on Optical Fiber-Based Tool Electrode
Authors: Li Yulei , Yang Yong , Wang Yufeng , Zhang Wenwu
Published: July 2023

Manufacturing of microgrooves has become an urgent issue with the wide application of difficult-to-machine materials and stringent surface quality requirements. Existing single processes can not simultaneously provide high processing efficiency, precision, and good surface quality, but hybrid processes provide alternative approaches. Here, we propose a laser-assisted electrochemical machining (LAECM) using an optical fiber-based tool electrode (LAECMOF) in which the form of laser transmission in liquid-core optical fibre could be replaced by optical fiber, with the laser transmitted to the machining area utilizing the optical fiber. The characteristics of laser intensity distribution at the outlet of the optical fiber were studied. Materials removal mechanisms of LAECMOF were also revealed, which contained alternate LAECM at the pulse-on duration and laser-induced thermochemical machining (LCM) at the pulse-off duration, while using a direct pulsed voltage. Performance of LAECM including processing dimension, surface roughness, and materials removal rate (MRR) was experimentally studied considering laser power, voltage, and feed rate. With an increase in laser power, MRR increased by 2.14 times and the depth by 1.64 times, compared to using initial power. Microstructures were processed successfully by using the proposed method. LAECMOF would find wide application in three-dimensional manufacturing and polishing of difficult-to-machine materials.
Long-term changes in heart rate and electrical remodeling contribute to alternans formation in heart failure: a patient-specific in silico study
Authors: Phadumdeo Vrishti M. , Mallare Brianna L. , Hund Thomas J. , Weinberg Seth H.
Published: July 2023

Using patient-specific data, we show that both the changes in heart rate and electrical remodeling associated with chronic heart failure influence the formation of proarrhythmic alternans in the heart.
Sex-based differences in metabolic protection by the ANP genetic variant rs5068 in the general population
Authors: Ichiki Tomoko , Cannone Valentina , Scott Christopher G. , Iyer Seethalakshmi R. , Sangaralingham S. Jeson , Bailey Kent R. , Goetze Jens P. , Tsuji Yoshihisa , Rodeheffer Richard J. , Burnett John C.
Published: July 2023

Males are characterized by lower ANP and BNP with greater prevalence of cardiometabolic disease. The ANP genetic variant rs5068 was associated with less metabolic dysfunction in males, whereas no metabolic profile was related to the BNP genetic variant rs198389 in the general population. ANP may play a more biological role in metabolic homeostasis compared with BNP in the general population with greater physiological metabolic actions in males compared with females.
[Retracted] Effect of the Holistic Nursing Model of Responsibility System on the Mental State of Elderly Patients with Limb Fractures Fixed by Splints in the Emergency Department
Authors: Du Shaolan , Hao Yanli , Jiao Yajuan
Published: July 2023

Objective. To explore the effect of the overall nursing mode of responsibility system on the psychological state of elderly patients with limb fractures fixed by splints. Methods. This study selected 150 elderly patients who received emergency treatment of a limb fracture fixed by a traditional Chinese medicine splint in our hospital from May 2018 to June 2021 as the research subjects. They were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 75 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by traditional nursing mode, and the research group was intervened by responsible overall nursing mode. The quality of nursing work was observed and compared with the nursing staff’s work quality and satisfaction, patients’ psychological states and satisfaction, and the risk of clinical adverse events. Results. After management, the quality of nursing work in the two groups was significantly improved. Compared with before management, the scores of basic nursing measures, nursing of critical patients, ward environment management, disinfection and isolation, rescue drugs and instruments, and nursing document management in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After management, the work quality and satisfaction of nurses in the two groups were significantly higher than those before management. The SERVQUAL scale score and satisfaction score in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of HAMA and HAMD in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The overall satisfaction of nursing in the observation group was 96.00%, which was significantly higher than the 80.00% in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the observation group was 8.00%, which was significantly lower than 17.33% in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Giving elderly patients with limb fracture emergencies treated with splint fixation using traditional Chinese medicine the overall nursing mode management and responsibility system can give the elderly patients comprehensive and systematic clinical nursing, increase their trust and compliance with nursing work, improve the patient’s psychological state, improve clinical satisfaction, and achieve the ideal doctor‐patient relationship, which is worthy of clinical application.
Evaluation of Sepsis‐1 and Sepsis‐3 Diagnostic Criteria in Patients with Sepsis in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Song Qianying , Fei Weiyu
Published: July 2023

Background. The use of SIRS and SOFA criteria in diagnosing sepsis among patients has been characterized by increasingly growing criticism. Indeed, the definition of sepsis has attracted significant controversy in history across medical and academic realms. Methods. The study used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐III (MIMIC‐III) database in assessing the effectiveness of the SIRS and SOFA diagnostic criteria. It ascertained the severity and specificity of sepsis infection in ICU patients. The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐III (MIMIC‐III) database was established by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and MIT’s Computational Physiology Laboratory. The database is a voluminous single‐center database containing information pertaining to 38,000 adults who were admitted to the BIDMC in the 11 years leading up to 2012. The identification of patients with sepsis was conducted using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10‐CM) diagnosis codes. Results. The analysis of data for this study was based on the chi‐square test, which is significant in comparing the specificity, mortality, and sensitivity of the data. The process of screening the MIMIC‐III database resulted in the identification of 21,368 patients with infections from the hospital admissions in the database. The results also indicate a significantly higher mortality rate within 28 days of admission in sepsis‐3 patients compared with sepsis‐1. In this experiment, we limited the study period to 28 days to restrict the potential of mortality caused by other factors. Additionally, we evaluated the clinical factors associated with the sepsis‐1 or sepsis‐3 and found out similar results in the analysis for sepsis‐1 and sepsis‐3. Conclusions. The study results also portray numerous challenges in using the sepsis‐3 criteria as a diagnostic tool. In particular, the ICD‐10‐CM diagnosis approach was limiting because it inhibited the measure of uncertainty of infection present at the beginning of the two diagnostic criteria of sepsis‐1 and sepsis‐3.
Single-Center, Multisurgeon Experience with a Sutureless Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Prosthesis: A Clinical Analysis in the United States
Authors: Robich Michael P. , Ohlrich Kelly , Raymer Catherine , Robaczewski David , Rabb Jaime , Radziszewski Dorothy J. , Iribarne Alexander , Seshasayee Shravanthi M. , Ross Cathy S. , Quinn Reed D. , Kramer Robert S.
Published: July 2023

Background. The Perceval S is a sutureless, bovine pericardial aortic prosthesis on a nitinol stent, which has limited data on outcomes, as well as cost, from the United States. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of Perceval S implantation at a single center between 2015 and 2018. After exclusion criteria, we compared 234 patients who underwent sutureless aortic valve (SLV) implantation with 370 patients who underwent standard sutured aortic valves (SAVR). Hospital cost data were reviewed, and risk adjustment, done by propensity score and inverse probability weighting, was used to compare outcomes. Results. Compared to those undergoing SAVR, the SLV group was older and had a higher proportion of multicomponent operations, higher preoperative white blood cell count, higher rate of previous percutaneous coronary interventions, more comorbid conditions (diabetes, renal insufficiency, and dialysis), and more three-vessel coronary disease. For isolated AVR, partial upper hemisternotomy was more frequent in SLV. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times for isolated SLV were significantly lower than SAVR. After adjustment, the cohort was balanced. Operative differences for SLV were lower cross-clamp and pump time, larger valve size, more minimally invasive approaches, and shorter operating room times. There were no differences in other postoperative complications (postoperative atrial fibrillation, stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation, and in-hospital mortality;

p
>
0.05

for all). Mean and median hospital costs were higher in the SLV group, largely due to the cost of the implant. Conclusion. Sutureless tissue aortic valves can be used safely with lower cardiopulmonary bypass and clamp times than sutured prostheses and facilitate use of minimally invasive approaches. This valve may be advantageous in older, higher risk patients requiring more complex operations.