bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Exponential Attractor for Partially Dissipative Lattice System of Infinite Dimension
Authors: Zhang Zhenqi , Wu Xuyi
Published: July 2023

With the wide application of fractional differential equations, the study of dynamic systems of fractional differential equations has become one of the hotspots in the past decade. The attractor theory is one of the research directions of infinite dimensional lattice dynamical system. In paper, Eden et al. Systematically introduced the exponential attractor of deterministic autonomous dynamical system, which is a compact positive invariant set with finite fractal dimension and attracting orbits at exponential rate. The exponential attractor has a finite fractal dimension. Because of the exponential attractiveness, the exponential attractor is more stable under perturbation than the global attractor. Fitzhugh Nagumo equation is a nonlinear partial equation that describes the periodic oscillation of neuronal action potential under constant current stimulation above the threshold. For Fitzhugh Nagumo system, there are many reports on attractors, but few reports on exponential attractors. In this paper, the infinite dimensional lattice Fitzhugh Nagumo system [4] is studied. The specific contents are as follows: In part 1, the background, development and research status of FitzHugh Nagumo lattice system and the main work of this paper are introduced. In part 2, the basic concepts, inequalities and lemmas required in the research of FitzHugh Nagumo lattice system are introduced. In part 3, the initial value problem of FitzHugh Nagumo lattice system is studied. For any initial value ϕ(0), there exists a unique solution ϕ(t) of system (9) and family of mapping S(t) can generate continuous operator semigroup {S(t)}
t≥0 on

ℓ
σ
2

,. Through lemma 3.2,3.3,3.4, it can be proved that the continuous operator semigroup {S(t)}
t≥0 satisfies uniform continuity and is asymptotically compact, thus proving the existence of the exponential attractor of the system.
Design and Optimization of Electromagnetic Induction Device based on Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Shuang Wang
Published: July 2023

Electromagnetic induction is the basis of most electrical and power equipment. In order to improve the overall performance of electromagnetic induction devices, it is necessary to analyze the distribution of electric and magnetic fields around and inside the devices, and guide the structural adjustment and material selection of devices. However, due to the integral and differential operations involved, complex electrical and magnetic field problems are often unable to be analyzed by analytical methods. With the improvement of numerical analysis theory and computer performance, the use of finite element analysis is expected to solve the complex electromagnetic field problems in practical applications. Using finite element analysis, the electromagnetic field distribution characteristics and influencing factors of electromagnetic induction devices of household induction cooker are studied, the corresponding mathematical model is established, the influence of electromagnetic parameters of each part of the induction heating system on heating energy efficiency is studied, and the optimization design is carried out according to different application requirements, so as to provide a basis for further improving the performance of devices.
Calibration of a Micromegas-based gaseous time projection chamber using cosmic ray muons
Authors: Zhang Wenming , Liu Yuanchun , Du Haiyan , Han Ke , Lin Heng , Li Tao , Luo Lingyin , Ni Kaixiang , Peng Yunzhi , Wang Shaobo , Wen Sicheng , Yan Xiyu , Zhang Zhiyong , Zhai Wenchang
Published: July 2023

We report the calibration of a gaseous Time Projection
Chamber based on Micromegas charge readout modules with cosmic ray
muons, utilizing their penetrating power and relatively uniform
energy deposition per unit length. Muon events were selected
through track reconstruction to characterize detector performances,
such as the drift velocity, electron lifetime, detector gain, and
electric field distortion. The evolution of detector performances
over a 50-day data-taking cycle was measured with the muon
calibration method. For instance, the drift velocity degraded from
3.40 ± 0.07 cm/μs to 3.06 ± 0.06 cm/μs
without gas purification, and then recovered with gas purification.
A 137Cs calibration source was also placed inside the
detector as a reference for muon calibrations.
Wind resource droughts in China
Authors: Liu Fa , Wang Xunming , Sun Fubao , Wang Hong
Published: July 2023

With the rising share of wind energy in power generation, the occurrence of low-wind-power events (termed ‘wind resource droughts’) are becoming critical in understanding the national electricity supply and the security of power systems. We use hourly wind speed data (2428 meteorological stations; in the years 2010–2020) to analyze the occurrence of wind resource droughts in seven onshore wind energy planning regions over China. We find that wind resource droughts tend to occur in warm season (summer and autumn) in most regions (i.e., Northeast China, East China, Central China, South China and Tibetan Plateau). In these regions, the number of moderate wind resource drought events (wind capacity factor below 10%) in the warm season (summer and autumn) was about 3–13 times higher than in the cold season (spring and winter). By contrast, for North China and Northwest China, the wind resource droughts mainly occurred in the autumn and winter. Averaged over 11 years, Northeast China experienced the most moderate wind resource droughts with 30 d yr−1, while Northwest China had only 1 d yr−1. Some of these wind resource drought events occurred consecutively, in which Northeast China experienced nine wind resource drought events that lasted for at least five days (where the longest reached 9 d) across the 11 years from 2010 to 2020; North China and South China exhibited one five-day wind resource drought events; while Northwest China, East China, Central China and Tibetan Plateau had none. Moreover, we found that increasing the aggregated area of wind resource can reduce the volatilities of wind energy. Therefore, improving the cross-regional transmission capacity can substantially help reduce the number of wind resource drought events. These findings should assist decision-makers to establish the counterplan to mitigate the energy shortages and instability in power supply caused by the uncertainty of wind resource droughts.
Conformal Fisher information metric with torsion
Authors: Pal Kunal , Pal Kuntal , Sarkar Tapobrata
Published: July 2023

We consider torsion in parameter manifolds that arises via conformal transformations of the Fisher information metric, and define it for information geometry of a wide class of physical systems. The torsion can be used to differentiate between probability distribution functions that otherwise have the same scalar curvature and hence define similar geometries. In the context of thermodynamic geometry, our construction gives rise to a new scalar—the torsion scalar defined on the manifold, while retaining known physical features related to other scalar quantities. We analyse this in the context of the Van der Waals and the Curie–Weiss models. In both cases, the torsion scalar has non trivial behaviour on the spinodal curve. We also briefly comment on the one dimensional classical Ising model and show that the torsion scalar diverges exponentially near criticality.
The escape transition in a self-avoiding walk model of linear polymers
Authors: van Rensburg E J Janse
Published: July 2023

A linear polymer grafted to a hard wall and underneath an atomic force microscopy tip can be modeled in a lattice as a grafted lattice polymer (self-avoiding walk) compressed underneath a piston near the wall. As the piston approaches the wall the increasingly confined polymer escapes from the confined region to explore conformations beside the piston. This conformational change is believed to be a phase transition in the thermodynamic limit, and has been argued to be first order, based on numerical results in the literature. In this paper a lattice self-avoiding walk model of the escape transition is constructed. It is proven that this model has a critical point in the thermodynamic limit corresponding to the escape transition of compressed grafted linear polymers. This result relies on the analysis of self-avoiding walks in slits and slabs in the square and cubic lattices. Additionally, numerical estimates of the location of the escape transition critical point is reported based on Monte Carlo simulations of self-avoiding walks in slits and in slabs.
Evaluation of the change in glycated hemoglobin for patients in an employee health program formerly managed by a pharmacist-run ambulatory care clinic
Authors: Bou-Ghazale Lauren , Oldham Elizabeth , Bundeff Andrew W , Hwang Andrew Y
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the change in mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for patients with diabetes in an employee health program after discontinuation of management by a clinical pharmacist.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of patients followed by a clinical pharmacist from January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Patients included had type 2 diabetes, were 18 years of age or older, were not pregnant, and were not using an insulin pump. The baseline visit was defined as the last pharmacist visit within the study period. The follow-up visit was defined as the most recent visit upon chart review that occurred at least 5 months after the baseline visit. The primary and secondary endpoints were the mean change in HbA1c and number of antihyperglycemic agents from baseline to follow-up, respectively. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics for baseline characteristics, a paired t test for the primary endpoint, and a McNemar test for the secondary endpoint.

Results

A total of 590 patients were screened, of whom 131 were included in the analysis. For the primary outcome, the mean baseline HbA1c was 7.3% while that at follow-up was 7.41% (mean change of 0.11%; SD, 1.22%; P = 0.326). For the secondary outcome, the baseline number of antihyperglycemic agents was 274 while the follow-up number was 276. There were no statistically significant differences for the primary and secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

This study highlights a unique patient population with controlled HbA1c at baseline, for whom diabetes control may potentially be influenced by the patients’ employment within a healthcare system and improved access to care. The lack of a significant difference in the primary endpoint implies that it may be appropriate to limit or have less frequent pharmacist visits for well-controlled patients. Further research should investigate how to identify patients who would benefit from continued follow-up with a clinical pharmacist vs those who can be managed with minimal resources.
Generative Adversarial Matrix Completion Network based on Multi-Source Data Fusion for miRNA–Disease Associations Prediction
Authors: Wang ShuDong , Li YunYin , Zhang YuanYuan , Pang ShanChen , Qiao SiBo , Zhang Yu , Wang FuYu
Published: July 2023

Numerous biological studies have shown that considering disease-associated micro RNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets offers new avenues for the diagnosis of complex diseases. Computational methods have gradually been introduced to reveal disease-related miRNAs. Considering that previous models have not fused sufficiently diverse similarities, that their inappropriate fusion methods may lead to poor quality of the comprehensive similarity network and that their results are often limited by insufficiently known associations, we propose a computational model called Generative Adversarial Matrix Completion Network based on Multi-source Data Fusion (GAMCNMDF) for miRNA–disease association prediction. We create a diverse network connecting miRNAs and diseases, which is then represented using a matrix. The main task of GAMCNMDF is to complete the matrix and obtain the predicted results. The main innovations of GAMCNMDF are reflected in two aspects: GAMCNMDF integrates diverse data sources and employs a nonlinear fusion approach to update the similarity networks of miRNAs and diseases. Also, some additional information is provided to GAMCNMDF in the form of a ‘hint’ so that GAMCNMDF can work successfully even when complete data are not available. Compared with other methods, the outcomes of 10-fold cross-validation on two distinct databases validate the superior performance of GAMCNMDF with statistically significant results. It is worth mentioning that we apply GAMCNMDF in the identification of underlying small molecule-related miRNAs, yielding outstanding performance results in this specific domain. In addition, two case studies about two important neoplasms show that GAMCNMDF is a promising prediction method.
A joint Bayesian hierarchical model for estimating SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA viral dynamics and seroconversion
Authors: Dong Tracy Q , Brown Elizabeth R
Published: July 2023

Understanding the viral dynamics of and natural immunity to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is crucial for devising better therapeutic and prevention strategies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we present a Bayesian hierarchical model that jointly estimates the genomic RNA viral load, the subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) viral load (correlated to active viral replication), and the rate and timing of seroconversion (correlated to presence of antibodies). Our proposed method accounts for the dynamical relationship and correlation structure between the two types of viral load, allows for borrowing of information between viral load and antibody data, and identifies potential correlates of viral load characteristics and propensity for seroconversion. We demonstrate the features of the joint model through application to the COVID-19 post-exposure prophylaxis study and conduct a cross-validation exercise to illustrate the model’s ability to impute the sgRNA viral trajectories for people who only had genomic RNA viral load data.
Advanced biological ageing predicts future risk for neurological diagnoses and clinical examination findings
Authors: McMurran Christopher E , Wang Yunzhang , Mak Jonathan K L , Karlsson Ida K , Tang Bowen , Ploner Alexander , Pedersen Nancy L , Hägg Sara
Published: July 2023

Age is a dominant risk factor for some of the most common neurological diseases. Biological ageing encompasses interindividual variation in the rate of ageing and can be calculated from clinical biomarkers or DNA methylation data amongst other approaches. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a biological age greater than one's chronological age affects the risk of future neurological diagnosis and the development of abnormal signs on clinical examination.

We analysed data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA): a cohort with 3175 assessments of 802 individuals followed-up over several decades. Six measures of biological ageing were generated: two physiological ages (created from bedside clinical measurements and standard blood tests) and four blood methylation age measures. Their effects on future stroke, dementia or Parkinson's disease diagnosis, or development of abnormal clinical signs, were determined using survival analysis, with and without stratification by twin pairs.

Older physiological ages were associated with ischaemic stroke risk; for example one standard deviation advancement in baseline PhenoAgePhys or KDMAgePhys residual increased future ischaemic stroke risk by 29.2% [hazard ratio (HR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.58, P = 0.012] and 42.9% (HR 1.43, CI 1.18–1.73, P = 3.1 × 10−4), respectively. In contrast, older methylation ages were more predictive of future dementia risk, which was increased by 29.7% (HR 1.30, CI 1.07–1.57, P = 0.007) per standard deviation advancement in HorvathAgeMeth. Older physiological ages were also positively associated with future development of abnormal patellar or pupillary reflexes, and the loss of normal gait.

Measures of biological ageing can predict clinically relevant pathology of the nervous system independent of chronological age. This may help to explain variability in disease risk between individuals of the same age and strengthens the case for trials of geroprotective interventions for people with neurological disorders.
Geodesic theory of long association fibers arrangement in the human fetal cortex
Authors: Horibe Kazuya , Taga Gentaro , Fujimoto Koichi
Published: July 2023

Association fibers connect different areas of the cerebral cortex over long distances and integrate information to achieve higher brain functions, particularly in humans. Prototyped association fibers are developed to the respective tangential direction throughout the cerebral hemispheres along the deepest border of the subplate during the fetal period. However, how guidance to remote areas is achieved is not known. Because the subplate is located below the cortical surface, the tangential direction of the fibers may be biased by the curved surface geometry due to Sylvian fissure and cortical poles. The fiber length can be minimized if the tracts follow the shortest paths (geodesics) of the curved surface. Here, we propose and examine a theory that geodesics guide the tangential direction of long association fibers by analyzing how geodesics are spatially distributed on the fetal human brains. We found that the geodesics were dense on the saddle-shaped surface of the perisylvian region and sparse on the dome-shaped cortical poles. The geodesics corresponded with the arrangement of five typical association fibers, supporting the theory. Thus, the geodesic theory provides directional guidance information for wiring remote areas and suggests that long association fibers emerge from minimizing their tangential length in fetal brains.
Viewpoint: Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostics Use Accelerator: Qualitative Research on Adherence to Prescriptions
Authors: Compaoré Adélaïde , Ekusai-Sebatta Deborah , Kaawa-Mafigiri David , Kukula Vida , Odopey Selase , Kapisi James , Hopkins Heidi , Kiemde François , Tinto Halidou , Baiden Rita , Olliaro Piero , Nkeramahame Juvenal , Dittrich Sabine , Horgan Philip ,   the ADIP study group, Awor Phyllis , Ekusai-Sebatta Deborah , Hopkins Heidi , Kaawa-Mafigiri David , Kapisi James , Kitutu Freddy Eric , Rutebemberwa Elizeus , Sserwanga Asadu , Adjei Alexander , Baiden Rita , Kukula Vida , Compaoré Adélaïde , Kiemde François , Tinto Halidou , Valia Daniel
Published: July 2023

In this Viewpoint, the authors explore the determinants of patients’ prescription adherence behaviors as part of FIND's Advancing Access to Diagnostic Innovation essential for Universal Health Coverage and AMR Prevention (ADIP) trials (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04081051). Research findings from Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Uganda show that basic knowledge and understanding of prescription instructions are essential for adherence and can be improved through better communication. However, there are a range of other factors that influence adherence, some of which can be influenced through tailored communication messages from healthcare workers. These messages may contribute to changes in adherence behavior but may require other reinforcing interventions to be effective. Finally, there are some drivers of nonadherence centered around costs and time pressure that require other forms of intervention.
Perspective on the Integration of Diagnostic Algorithms for Fever Management
Authors: Nkeramahame Juvenal , Olliaro Piero , Horgan Philip , Dittrich Sabine
Published: July 2023

The AMR Diagnostics Use Accelerator Program was established to address antimicrobial resistance. Here, we bring into broad perspective the findings and missed opportunities of the first phase of the program and look toward the second phase.
A Qualitative Assessment of a Training and Communication Intervention on Antibiotic Prescription Practices Among Health Workers and Outpatients at Public Health Facilities in Uganda
Authors: Kaawa-Mafigiri David , Ekusai-Sebatta Deborah , Rutebemberwa Elizeus , Sserwanga Asadu , Kitutu Freddy Eric , Kapisi James , Hopkins Heidi , Salami Olawale , Nkeramahame Juvenal , Olliaro Piero , Horgan Philip
Published: July 2023

Background

Antibiotic prescribing practices are 1 of the contributing causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The study explored the key drivers and barriers to adherence to prescribing instructions among healthcare workers and outpatient attendees with the aim of developing a training and communication intervention to improve adherence to prescription.

Methods

Prior to randomized trials at 3 health centers in Uganda (Aduku, Kihihi, and Nagongera), a pre-intervention qualitative assessment was conducted to explore behavioral drivers for adherence to prescriptions and the communication of adherence messages. Based on the findings, a training and communication package was developed for healthcare workers and patients at Day 0 of the trial. During the trial's Day 7 patient follow-up, in-depth interviews were conducted to further investigate adherence behaviors.

Results

Five main themes were identified that acted as drivers or barriers to prescription adherence. Key drivers included: drug availability at health facility, health worker knowledge, and communication to patients. Barriers included: care-seeker use of treatment resorts and an inability by care-seeker to buy drugs.

Conclusions

The T&C appeared to influence both health workers’ and patients’ behavior and improve adherence to prescription.

The adapted T&C should be considered a toolkit to improve antibiotic use across health facilities accompanied with appropriate guidelines to mitigate AMR.
A Randomized Trial to Assess the Impact of a Package of Diagnostic Tools and Diagnostic Algorithm on Antibiotic Prescriptions for the Management of Febrile Illnesses Among Children and Adolescents in Primary Health Facilities in Burkina Faso
Authors: Kiemde Francois , Valia Daniel , Kabore Berenger , Rouamba Toussaint , Kone Alima Nadine , Sawadogo Seydou , Compaore Adelaide , Salami Olawale , Horgan Philip , Moore Catrin E , Dittrich Sabine , Nkeramahame Juvenal , Olliaro Piero , Tinto Halidou
Published: July 2023

Background

Low- and middle-income countries face significant challenges in differentiating bacterial from viral causes of febrile illnesses, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics. This trial aimed to evaluate the impact of an intervention package comprising diagnostic tests, a diagnostic algorithm, and a training-and-communication package on antibiotic prescriptions and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Patients aged 6 months to 18 years with fever or history of fever within the past 7 days with no focus, or a suspected respiratory tract infection, arriving at 2 health facilities were randomized to either the intervention package or standard practice. The primary outcomes were the proportions of patients who recovered at day 7 (D7) and patients prescribed antibiotics at day 0.

Results

Of 1718 patients randomized, 1681 (97.8%; intervention: 844; control: 837) completed follow-up: 99.5% recovered at D7 in the intervention arm versus 100% in standard practice (P = .135). Antibiotics were prescribed to 40.6% of patients in the intervention group versus 57.5% in the control arm (risk ratio: 29.3%; 95% CI: 21.8–36.0%; risk difference [RD]: −16.8%; 95% CI: −21.7% to −12.0%; P < .001), which translates to 1 additional antibiotic prescription saved every 6 (95% CI: 5–8) consultations. This reduction was significant regardless of test results for malaria, but was greater in patients without malaria (RD: −46.0%; −54.7% to −37.4%; P < .001), those with a respiratory diagnosis (RD: −38.2%; −43.8% to −32.6%; P < .001), and in children 6–59 months old (RD: −20.4%; −26.0% to −14.9%; P < .001). Except for the period July–September, the reduction was consistent across the other quarters (P < .001).

Conclusions

The implementation of the package can reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescription without compromising clinical outcomes.

Clinical Trials Registration

clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04081051.
Epigenetic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and neointimal formation by PRMT5
Authors: Zhu Ni , Guo Zhi-Fu , Kazama Kyosuke , Yi Bing , Tongmuang Nopprarat , Yao Huijuan , Yang Ruifeng , Zhang Chen , Qin Yongwen , Han Lin , Sun Jianxin
Published: July 2023

Aims

Phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile to a synthetic state is involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and post-angioplasty restenosis. Arginine methylation catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been implicated in multiple cellular processes, however, its role in VSMC biology remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to determine the role of PRMTs in VSMC phenotypic switch and vascular remodelling after injury.

Methods and results

Our results show that PRMT5 is the most abundantly expressed PRMT in human aortic SMCs, and its expression is up-regulated in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated VSMCs, human atherosclerotic lesions, and rat carotid arteries after injury, as determined by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. PRMT5 overexpression inhibits the expression of SMC marker genes and promotes VSMC proliferation and migration, while silencing PRMT5 exerts the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that PRMT5 overexpression led to histone di-methylation of H3R8 and H4R3, which in turn attenuates acetylation of H3K9 and H4, thus limiting recruitment of the SRF/myocardin complexes to the CArG boxes of SMC marker genes. Furthermore, both SMC-specific deletion of PRMT5 in mice and local delivery of lentivirus expressing shPRMT5 to rat carotid arteries significantly attenuated neointimal formation after injury. Likewise, pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 by EPZ015666 markedly inhibited carotid artery ligation-induced neointimal formation in mice.

Conclusions

Our results identify PRMT5 as a novel regulator in VSMC phenotypic switch and suggest that inhibition of PRMT5 may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for proliferative vascular diseases.
Implementation of patient education for patients with atrial fibrillation: nationwide cross-sectional survey and one-year follow-up
Authors: Qvist Ina , Lane Deirdre A , Risom Signe Stelling , Hendriks Jeroen M , Højen Anette Arbjerg , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Frost Lars
Published: July 2023

Aims

Clinical practice guidelines recommend patient education for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) as a part of holistic care, however, clinical guidelines lack detailed specification on the content, structure, and delivery of AF education programmes. To examine the implementation of education for patients with AF in Denmark in relation to coverage, organization, and content.

Methods and results

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to May 2021. The survey contained questions on the organization, delivery, and content of education for patients with AF from all 29 AF outpatient hospital sites in Denmark. The survey was conducted by email and telephone. One-year follow-up was done in May 2022 by email. Patient education was provided by healthcare professionals in 16 (55%) hospitals. Nurse workforce issues, management, non-prioritization, and lack of guidance for implementation were reasons for the absence of patient education in 13 (45%) hospitals. The structure of patient education differed in relation to group or individual teaching methods and six different education models were used. Content of the AF disease education was generally similar. At 1-year follow-up, another four hospitals reported offering patient education (69% in total).

Conclusion

Initially, almost half of the hospitals did not provide patient education, but at 1-year follow-up, 69% of hospitals delivered patient education. Patient education was heterogeneous in relation to delivery, frequency, and duration. Future research should address individualized patient education that may demonstrate superiority in relation to quality of life, less hospital admissions, and increased longevity.
REducing INFectiOns thRough Cardiac device Envelope: insight from real world data. The REINFORCE project
Authors: Ziacchi Matteo , Biffi Mauro , Iacopino Saverio , di Silvestro Michele , Marchese Procolo , Miscio Francesca , Caccavo Vincenzo Paolo , Zanotto Gabriele , Tomasi Luca , Dello Russo Antonio , Donazzan Luca , Boriani Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

Aims

Infections resulting from cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation are severely impacting on patients’ and on health care systems. The use of TYRXTM absorbable antibiotic-eluting envelope has proven to decrease major CIED infections within 12 months of CIED surgery. The aim is to evaluate the impact of the envelope use on infection-related clinical events in a real-world contemporary patient population.

Methods and results

Data on patients undergoing CIED surgery were collected prospectively by participating centers of the One Hospital ClinicalService project. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether TYRXTM absorbable antibiotic-eluting envelope was used or not. Out of 1819 patients, 872 (47.9%) were implanted with an absorbable antibiotic-eluting envelope and included in the Envelope group and 947 (52.1%) patients who did not receive an envelope were included in the Control group. Compared to control, patients in the Envelope group had higher thrombo-embolic or hemorrhagic risk, higher BMI, lower LVEF and more comorbidities. During a mean follow-up of 1.4 years, the incidence of infection-related events was significantly higher in the control compared to the Envelope group (2.4% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.007). The five-year cumulative incidence of infection-related events was 8.1% in the control and 2.1% in the Envelope group (HR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.14–0.80, P = 0.010).

Conclusion

In our analysis, the use of an absorbable antibiotic-eluting envelope in the general CIED population was associated with a lower risk of systemic and pocket infection.
Sedation strategies for pulsed-field ablation of atrial fibrillation: focus on deep sedation with intravenous ketamine in spontaneous respiration
Authors: Iacopino Saverio , Colella Jacopo , Dini Daniele , Mantovani Lorenzo , Sorrenti Paolo Francesco , Malacrida Maurizio , Filannino Pasquale
Published: July 2023

Aims

A standardized sedation protocol for pulsed-field ablation (PFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) through irreversible cellular electroporation has not been well established. We report our experience of a protocol for deep sedation with ketamine in spontaneous respiration during the PFA of AF.

Methods and results

All consecutive patients undergoing PFA for AF at our center were included. Our sedation protocol involves the intravenous administration of fentanyl (1.5 mcg/kg) and midazolam (2 mg) at low doses before local anesthesia with lidocaine. A ketamine adjunct (1 mg/kg) was injected about 5 minutes before the first PFA delivery. We enrolled 66 patients (age = 59 ± 9 years, 78.8% males, body mass index = 28.8 ± 5 kg/m2, fluoroscopy time = 21[15–30] min, skin-to-skin time = 75[60–100] min and PFA LA dwell time = 25[22–28] min). By the end of the procedure, PVI had been achieved in all patients by means of PFA alone. The mean time under sedation was 56.4 ± 6 min, with 50 (76%) patients being sedated for less than 1 hour. A satisfactory Ramsey Sedation Scale level before ketamine infusion was achieved in all patients except one (78.8% of the patients with rank 3; 19.7% with rank 2). In all procedures, the satisfaction level was found to be acceptable by both the patient and the primary operator (Score = 0 in 98.5% of cases). All patients reported none or mild pain. No major procedure or anesthesia-related complications were reported.

Conclusion

Our standardized sedation protocol with the administration of drugs with rapid onset and pharmacological offset at low doses was safe and effective, with an optimal degree of patient and operator satisfaction.

Clinical trial registration

Advanced TecHnologies For SuccEssful AblatioN of AF in Clinical Practice (ATHENA). URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/Identifier: NCT05617456.
Repeatable randomness, invariant properties, and the design of biological signatures of identity
Authors: Dixit Tanmay , Chen Kuan-Chi , Stoddard Mary Caswell , Mahadevan Lakshminarayanan , Town Christopher P , Spottiswoode Claire N
Published: July 2023

What makes a perfect signature? Optimal signatures should be consistent within individuals and distinctive between individuals. In defense against avian brood parasitism, some host species have evolved “signatures” of identity on their eggs, comprising interindividual variation in color and pattern. Tawny-flanked prinia (Prinia subflava) egg signatures facilitate recognition and rejection of parasitic cuckoo finch (Anomalospiza imberbis) eggs. Here, we show that consistency and distinctiveness of patterns are negatively correlated in prinia eggs, perhaps because non-random, repeatable pattern generation mechanisms increase consistency but limit distinctiveness. We hypothesize that pattern properties which are repeatable within individuals but random between individuals (“invariant properties”) allow hosts to circumvent this trade-off. To find invariant properties, we develop a method to quantify entire egg phenotypes from images taken from different perspectives. We find that marking scale (a fine-grained measure of size), but not marking orientation or position, is an invariant property in prinias. Hosts should therefore use differences in marking scale in egg recognition, but instead field experiments show that these differences do not predict rejection of conspecific eggs by prinias. Overall, we show that invariant properties allow consistency and distinctiveness to coexist, yet receiver behavior is not optimally tuned to make use of this information.
Hands on Biofilm! Utilizing a public audience in a citizen science project to assess yield variability when culturing kombucha pellicle
Authors: Verran Joanna , Redfern James , Cunliffe Alex , Romachney Anna , Wood Jane
Published: July 2023

The pellicle biofilm generated during the Kombucha tea fermentation process has, when dried, textile-like properties that may have real-life applications. However, pellicle yield can vary depending on inoculation and incubation conditions, which affects research investigations on the properties of the pellicle. To generate data on variability to help define optimum pellicle growth conditions, as part of a public engagement event about biofilm, a citizen science activity was hosted whereby visitors to a science festival were invited to select incubation conditions and inoculate different media with liquid or solid (pellicle). More than 220 samples were inoculated (in excess of 1200 visitors, mainly in family groups). The most popular incubation conditions were coconut water or tea medium, 30°C/room temperature and liquid inoculum. The most productive/reproducible in terms of yield and variability were tea medium, 30°C, and liquid inoculum, which reflect some of the conditions most used in the domestic setting for kombucha culture. The event provided both useful research data and generated public interest in a research area of which many will have been unaware. Interest in the results of the activity, available several weeks after the activity, was sustained using email contact and FlickR for the dissemination of images and data.
Arbitration chambers and technology: witness tampering and perceived effectiveness in videoconferenced dispute resolution proceedings
Authors: Brantes Ferreira Daniel , Giovannini Cristiane , Gromova Elizaveta A , Ferreira Jorge Brantes
Published: July 2023

Ongoing technological advance brings change and arise trust issues in several traditional environments. Attitude and experience towards present and future use of online digital technologies and services in ADR proceedings may colour user perception of the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the technology employed. This study presents an exploratory analysis on issues related to non-presential ADR hearings and proceedings considering trust and assurance issues that intermediating technologies may bring. The data, collected in conjunction with an online survey and analysed using content analysis, points to that virtual hearings are in the early stages and users still suffer from technology anxieties and lack of practical experience. Also, human nature plays an important part in raising reliability issues for witness hearings and virtual proceedings.
Rolipram Ameliorates Memory Deficits and Depression-Like Behavior in APP/PS1/tau Triple Transgenic Mice: Involvement of Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis via cAMP Signaling
Authors: Cong Yi-Fan , Liu Fu-Wang , Xu Li , Song Shuang-Shuang , Shen Xu-Ri , Liu Dong , Hou Xue-Qin , Zhang Han-Ting
Published: July 2023

Background

Alzheimer disease (AD) and depression often cooccur, and inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) has been shown to ameliorate neurodegenerative illness. Therefore, we explored whether PDE4 inhibitor rolipram might also improve the symptoms of comorbid AD and depression.

Methods

APP/PS1/tau mice (10 months old) were treated with or without daily i.p. injections of rolipram for 10 days. The animal groups were compared in behavioral tests related to learning, memory, anxiety, and depression. Neurochemical measures were conducted to explore the underlying mechanism of rolipram.

Results

Rolipram attenuated cognitive decline as well as anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. These benefits were attributed at least partly to the downregulation of amyloid-β, Amyloid precursor protein (APP), and Presenilin 1 (PS1); lower tau phosphorylation; greater neuronal survival; and normalized glial cell function following rolipram treatment. In addition, rolipram upregulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and downregulated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) to reduce apoptosis; it also downregulated interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α to restrain neuroinflammation. Furthermore, rolipram increased cAMP, PKA, 26S proteasome, EPAC2, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 while decreasing EPAC1.

Conclusions

Rolipram may mitigate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior by reducing amyloid-β pathology, tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. These effects may be mediated by stimulating cAMP/PKA/26S and cAMP/exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC)/ERK signaling pathways. This study suggests that PDE4 inhibitor rolipram can be an effective target for treatment of comorbid AD and depression.
Trauma, Home, and Geopolitical Bordering: A Lacanian Approach to the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Kinnvall Catarina , Svensson Ted
Published: July 2023

In this article, we read the COVID-19 pandemic from a Lacanian perspective, in which trauma and ontological insecurity are at the heart of the analysis. Using a psychoanalytical approach allows us to grasp why the most common response to the pandemic consisted of intensified commitments to home, nationalism, and exclusionary bordering practices and, in effect, a return to geopolitical notions of “sovereignty.” This can be read in light of Lacan’s discussion of memory as a form of repetition, implying that any attempt to construe history in terms of a coherent narrative misses the unconscious, traumatic compulsion to repeat. In light of this, we consider populist responses to the pandemic as well as how the pandemic has worked as a “great unequalizer.” Such developments, we argue, must be read as representing a fragmentation of the national body and as heightening the vulnerabilities and asymmetric structures of power that inhere in what Lacan refers to as the symbolic order. Here, we propose that a postcolonial re-conceptualization of Lacan’s understanding of the mirror image and the Real is necessary if we wish to establish how the pandemic has reinforced existing patterns of abjectification and marginalization.
Impact of veterinary antibiotics on plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance transfer
Authors: Hallal Ferreira Raro Otávio , Poirel Laurent , Tocco Maurine , Nordmann Patrice
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Resistance genes can be genetically transmitted and exchanged between commensal and pathogenic bacterial species, and in different compartments including the environment, or human and animal guts (One Health concept). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether subdosages of antibiotics administered in veterinary medicine could enhance plasmid transfer and, consequently, resistance gene exchange in gut microbiota.

Methods

Conjugation frequencies were determined with Escherichia coli strains carrying IncL- (blaOXA-48) or IncI1-type (blaCTX-M-1) plasmids subjected to a series of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics used in veterinary medicine, namely amoxicillin, ceftiofur, apramycin, neomycin, enrofloxacin, colistin, erythromycin, florfenicol, lincomycin, oxytetracycline, sulfamethazine, tiamulin and the ionophore narasin. Treatments with subinhibitory dosages were performed with and without supplementation with the antioxidant edaravone, known as a mitigator of the inducibility effect of several antibiotics on plasmid conjugation frequency (PCF). Expression of SOS-response associated genes and fluorescence-based reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays were performed to evaluate the stress oxidative response.

Results

Increased PCFs were observed for both strains when treating with florfenicol and oxytetracycline. Increased expression of the SOS-associated recA gene also occurred concomitantly, as well as increased ROS production. Addition of edaravone to the treatments reduced their PCF and also showed a decreasing effect on SOS and ROS responses for both plasmid scaffolds.

Conclusions

We showed here that some antibiotics used in veterinary medicine may induce transfer of plasmid-encoded resistance and therefore may contribute to the worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
REDCap and the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank—a scalable and sustainable model for rare disease biorepositories
Authors: Rashid Rumana , Copelli Susan , Silverstein Jonathan C , Becich Michael J
Published: July 2023

Objective

Rare disease research requires data sharing networks to power translational studies. We describe novel use of Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), a web application for managing clinical data, by the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, a federated biospecimen, and data sharing network.

Materials and Methods

National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) uses REDCap to integrate honest broker activities, enabling biospecimen and associated clinical data provisioning to investigators. A Web Portal Query tool was developed to source and visualize REDCap data in interactive, faceted search, enabling cohort discovery by public users. An AWS Lambda function behind an API calculates the counts visually presented, while protecting record level data. The user-friendly interface, quick responsiveness, automatic generation from REDCap, and flexibility to new data, was engineered to sustain the NMVB research community.

Results

NMVB implementations enabled a network of 8 research institutions with over 2000 mesothelioma cases, including clinical annotations and biospecimens, and public users’ cohort discovery and summary statistics. NMVB usage and impact is demonstrated by high website visits (>150 unique queries per month), resource use requests (>50 letter of interests), and citations (>900) to papers published using NMVB resources.

Discussion

NMVB’s REDCap implementation and query tool is a framework for implementing federated and integrated rare disease biobanks and registries. Advantages of this framework include being low-cost, modular, scalable, and efficient. Future advances to NVMB’s implementations will include incorporation of -omics data and development of downstream analysis tools to advance mesothelioma and rare disease research.

Conclusion

NVMB presents a framework for integrating biobanks and patient registries to enable translational research for rare diseases.
Super-resolution fusion optimization for poultry detection: a multi-object chicken detection method
Authors: Wu Zhenlong , Zhang Tiemin , Fang Cheng , Yang Jikang , Ma Chuang , Zheng Haikun , Zhao Hongzhi
Published: July 2023

Accurate poultry detection is crucial for studying poultry behavior using computer vision and video surveillance. However, in free-range farming environments, detecting chickens can often be challenging due to their small size and mutual occlusion. The current detection algorithms exhibit a low level of accuracy, with a high probability of false and missed detections. To address this, we proposed a multi-object chicken detection method named Super-resolution Chicken Detection, which utilizes super-resolution fusion optimization. The algorithm employs the residual–residual dense block to extract image features and used a generative adversarial network to compensate for the loss of details during deep convolution, producing high-resolution images for detection. The proposed algorithm was validated with the B1 data set and the MC1 multi-object data set, demonstrating that the reconstructed images possessed richer pixel features compared to original images, specifically it improved detection accuracy and reduced the number of missed detections. The structural similarity of the reconstructed images was 99.9%, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio was above 30. The algorithm improved the Average Precision50:95 of all You Only Look Once Version X (YOLOX) models, with the largest improvement for the B1 data set with YOLOX-Large (+6.3%) and for the MC1 data set with YOLOX-Small (+4.1%). This was the first time a super-resolution reconstruction technique was applied to multi-object poultry detection. Our method will provide a fresh approach for future poultry researchers to improve the accuracy of object detection using computer vision and video surveillance.
‘Enraged, But Only Out of Love’: Sītā’s Disagreement With Rāma in the Ayodhyākāṇḍa of the Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa
Authors: Saxena Shishir
Published: July 2023

In a moment of great turmoil in the Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa (VRām.), Rāma—upon learning of his fourteen-year banishment—attempts to persuade Sītā to stay on in the palace while he will alone proceed into exile. Sītā disagrees entirely with Rāma and argues variously that she should accompany him—until, of course, she succeeds in the end. This is the first moment in the epic when one hears Sītā speak and a careful analysis of her portrayal here is paramount for any serious understanding of her character. Moreover, this episode—of Rāma’s refusal and Sītā’s insistence—when studied closely brings to light various foundational characteristics of their extraordinary relationship. Nevertheless, there are only a handful of studies that have closely engaged with the text’s account of the episode. These few studies also attribute contradictory characteristics to the two protagonists and present entirely contrasting accounts of the situation. I attempt in this paper to demonstrate that an apposite understanding can be attained through a literary analysis of the verses, focusing on the motivating emotions mentioned plainly in the text itself. I argue that Sītā’s disagreement is not grounded in emotional frailty, male honour, or even political fear. Rather, the essential sentiment which permeates this entire episode, including Rāma’s final acceding to Sītā’s request, is—for the VRām.—love.