bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocean acidification and predation risk, in isolation and in combination, show strong effects on marine mussels
Authors: Hu N , Hollander J , Brönmark C , Persson A
Published: September 2023

Carbon dioxide-induced ocean acidification is producing a range of new selection pressures on marine calcifying organisms that show phenotypic plasticity in their shell morphology in response to predators. Although there are numerous studies on the effects of ocean acidification and predation risk on marine bivalves in isolation, information concerning their combined effects is still lacking. To bridge this gap, we conducted a long-term mesocosm experiment using mussel populations with different histories of predator exposure: crab-experienced and crab-naïve. Mussels were exposed to either lower pH or crab cues and the combination of both of these treatments for 4 mo. We demonstrate that both crab-experienced and crab-naïve mussels have heavier, thicker, rounder and, thus, stronger shells in response to crab cues, whereas low pH significantly decreased shell mass, thickness and strength. Mussels with previous crab experience showed greater plasticity in response to crab cues than crab-naïve mussels. However, the differences in plasticity between naïve and crab-experienced mussels to crab cues disappeared in the acidification treatment. Exposure to low pH and crab cues resulted in antagonistic interactions for all traits, except for shell length, where the combined effect was additive. However, there was no difference between populations in the interaction type for any of the traits. Our study provides increased understanding of potential implications for mussel populations under climate change.
ENERGY HARVESTING FROM TELEVISION FREQUENCY: CASE STUDY OF RECTIFYING ANTENNAS
Authors:   Federal university of technology, Nicholas Adefela Adekunle , Ojo Oluwatoki Sunday , Oghenenyoreme Emakpo Agbroko ,   Eko Electricity Distribution Company
Published: September 2023

Various research trends have tended to investigate the viability of powering these circuits using either a dedicated RF source from television frequencies (TF) or free energy harvested from ambient electromagnetic space due to the rapid development of wireless systems and demands for low-power integrated electronic circuits. In order to enable battery-free sustainable wireless networks, radio frequency energy harvesting (RFEH) and radiative wireless power transfer (WPT) have gained a lot of attention. Rectenna is primarily a combination of a receiving antenna and a rectifier circuit used to convert RF energy into usable DC electrical energy. The foundation of WPT and RFEH systems, rectifying antennas (rectenna), play a crucial role in the quantity of direct current power delivered to the load. The radiation to AC harvesting efficiency of the rectenna directly affects the gathered power, which can vary by orders of magnitude. The television frequency in the study area is taken into account in this essay so that it can be converted to usable dc voltages and currents.
Mapping the social implications of platform algorithms for LGBTQ+ communities
Authors: Myles David , Duguay Stefanie , Flores Echaiz Lucia
Published: September 2023

LGBTQ+ communities were among the first to appropriate the Internet to experiment with their identities and socialize outside of mainstream society. Recently, those platforms have implemented algorithmic systems that curate, exploit, and predict user practices and identities. Yet, the social implications that platform algorithms raise for LGBTQ+ communities remain largely unexplored. At the intersection of media and communication studies, science and technology studies, as well as gender and sexuality studies, this paper maps the main issues that platform algorithms raise for LGBTQ+ users and analyzes their implications for social justice and equity. To do so, it identifies and discusses public controversies through a review and analysis of journalistic articles. Our analysis points to five important algorithmic issues that affect the lives of LGBTQ+ users in ways that require additional scrutiny from researchers, policymakers, and tech developers alike: the ability for sorting algorithms to identify, categorize, and predict the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of users; the role that recommendation algorithms play in mediating LGBTQ+ identities, kinship, and cultures; the development of automated anti-LGBTQ+ speech detection/filtering software and the collateral harm caused to LGBTQ+ users; the power struggles over the nature and effects of visibility afforded to LGBTQ+ issues/people online; and the overall enactment of cisheteronormative biases through platform affordances.
Hybrid deep modeling of a CHO-K1 fed-batch process: combining first-principles with deep neural networks
Authors: Pinto José , Ramos João R. C. , Costa Rafael S. , Rossell Sergio , Dumas Patrick , Oliveira Rui
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Hybrid modeling combining First-Principles with machine learning is becoming a pivotal methodology for Biopharma 4.0 enactment. Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, being the workhorse for industrial glycoproteins production, have been the object of several hybrid modeling studies. Most previous studies pursued a shallow hybrid modeling approach based on three-layered Feedforward Neural Networks (FFNNs) combined with macroscopic material balance equations. Only recently, the hybrid modeling field is incorporating deep learning into its framework with significant gains in descriptive and predictive power.

Methods: This study compares, for the first time, deep and shallow hybrid modeling in a CHO process development context. Data of 24 fed-batch cultivations of a CHO-K1 cell line expressing a target glycoprotein, comprising 30 measured state variables over time, were used to compare both methodologies. Hybrid models with varying FFNN depths (3-5 layers) were systematically compared using two training methodologies. The classical training is based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, indirect sensitivity equations and cross-validation. The deep learning is based on the Adaptive Moment Estimation Method (ADAM), stochastic regularization and semidirect sensitivity equations.

Results and conclusion: The results point to a systematic generalization improvement of deep hybrid models over shallow hybrid models. Overall, the training and testing errors decreased by 14.0% and 23.6% respectively when applying the deep methodology. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) time for training the deep hybrid model increased by 31.6% mainly due to the higher FFNN complexity. The final deep hybrid model is shown to predict the dynamics of the 30 state variables within the error bounds in every test experiment. Notably, the deep hybrid model could predict the metabolic shifts in key metabolites (e.g., lactate, ammonium, glutamine and glutamate) in the test experiments. We expect deep hybrid modeling to accelerate the deployment of high-fidelity digital twins in the biopharma sector in the near future.
Median mandibular flexure—the unique physiological phenomenon of the mandible and its clinical significance in implant restoration
Authors: Gao Jing , Jiang Lulu , Zhao Baohong
Published: September 2023

Mandibular flexure, characterized by unique biomechanical behaviors such as elastic bending and torsion under functional loading, has emerged as a crucial factor in oral clinical diagnosis and treatment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current research status on mandibular flexure, drawing insights from relevant studies retrieved from the PubMed database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed), including research conclusions, literature reviews, case reports, and authoritative reference books. This paper thoroughly explores the physiological mechanisms underlying mandibular flexure, discussing different concurrent deformation types and the essential factors influencing this process. Moreover, it explores the profound implications of mandibular flexure on clinical aspects such as bone absorption around dental implants, the precision of prosthesis fabrication, and the selection and design of superstructure materials. Based on the empirical findings, this review provides crucial clinical recommendations. Specifically, it is recommended to exert precise control over the patients mouth opening during impression-taking. Those with a high elastic modulus or bone-tissue-like properties should be prioritized when selecting superstructure materials. Moreover, this review underscores the significance of customizing framework design to accommodate individual variations in facial morphology and occlusal habits. Future research endeavors in this field have the potential to advance clinical diagnosis and treatment approaches, providing opportunities for improvement.
Effects of fatigue on the in vivo kinematics and kinetics of talocrural and subtalar joint during landing
Authors: Luo Ye , Li Zhuman , Hu Mengling , Zhang Ling , Li Feng , Wang Shaobai
Published: September 2023

Objective: Fatigue can affect the ankle kinematic characteristics of landing movements. Traditional marker-based motion capture techniques have difficulty in accurately obtaining the kinematics of the talocrural and subtalar joints. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue on the talocrural and subtalar joints during the landing using dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS).

Methods: This study included fourteen healthy participants. The foot of each participant was scanned using magnetic resonance imaging to create 3D models. High-speed DFIS was used to capture images of the ankle joint during participants performing a single-leg landing jump from a height of 40 cm. Fatigue was induced by running and fluoroscopic images were captured before and after fatigue. Kinematic data were obtained by 3D/2D registration in virtual environment software. The joint kinematics in six degrees of freedom and range of motion (ROM) were compared between the unfatigued and fatigued conditions.

Results: During landing, after the initial contact with the ground, the main movement of the talocrural joint is extension and abduction, while the subtalar joint mainly performs extension, eversion, and abduction. Compared to unfatigued, during fatigue the maximum medial translation (1.35 ± 0.45 mm vs. 1.86 ± 0.69 mm, p = 0.032) and medial-lateral ROM (3.19 ± 0.60 mm vs. 3.89 ± 0.96 mm, p = 0.029) of the talocrural joint significantly increased, the maximum flexion angle (0.83 ± 1.24° vs. 2.11 ± 1.80°, p = 0.037) of the subtalar joint significantly increased, and the flexion-extension ROM (6.17 ± 2.21° vs. 7.97 ± 2.52°, p = 0.043) of the subtalar joint significantly increased.

Conclusion: This study contributes to the quantitative understanding of the normal function of the talocrural and subtalar joints during high-demand activities. During landing, the main movement of the talocrural joint is extension and abduction, while the subtalar joint mainly performs extension, eversion, and abduction. Under fatigue conditions, the partial ROM of the talocrural and subtalar joints increases.
Sick building syndrome and its associated factors among adult people living in Hodan district Moqadishu Somalia
Authors: Yussuf Saed M. , Dahir Gallad , Salad Abdi M. , Hayir T. M Mohamud , Hassan Shafie Abdulkadir , Gele Abdi
Published: September 2023

Background: Sick building syndrome (SBS) consists of a group of mucosal, skin, and general symptoms temporally that is related to residential buildings of unclear causes. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the prevalence and contributing factors of SBS in adult people living in Hodan district, Mogadishu Somalia.

Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from September to October 2022 using a convenient sampling to include 261 individuals. The data was collected through structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. SBS was assessed using 15 building-related symptoms and four socio-demographic characteristics. Five SBS conformation criteria were used. Descriptive statistics were presented, while bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the dependent and independent variables.

Results: The prevalence of SBS was 41% from the total of 261 participants. Based on the findings, SBS had a significant association with being female [AOR = 3.044, 95% CI = (1.813, 5.110)], lack of functional windows [AOR = 3.543, 95% CI = (1.293, 9.710)], fungal growth in the buildings [AOR = 3.433, 95% CI = (1.223, 9.638)], recent use of pesticides, paints, and solvents [AOR = 2.541, 95% CI = (1.018, 6.343)], cooking inside building [AOR = 4.709, 95% CI = (1.469, 15.095)], outdoor air pollutant [AOR = 6.364, 95% CI = (2.387, 16.966)], use of charcoal for cooking [AOR = 1.846, 95% CI = (1.013, 3.365)], incensing habits of occupants [AOR = 4.375, 95% CI = (2.303, 8.308)] fan use [AOR = 2.067, 95% CI = (1.099, 3.886)] and dust in the living rooms [AOR = 5.151, 95% CI = (2.380, 11.152).

Conclusion: SBS had a significant association with occupants’ sex, lack of functional windows, fungal growth in the buildings, recent use of pesticides, paints, and solvents, cooking inside the building, outdoor air pollutants, use of charcoal for cooking, incensing habits of occupants, and dust in the living rooms. High prevalence and poor understanding of sick building syndrome could threaten the health status of the occupants. Measures such as mass health education on identifiable risk factors should be taken to cope with these problems.
Alternative splicing of a single exon causes a major impact on the affinity of Caenorhabditis elegans tropomyosin isoforms for actin filaments
Authors: Ono Shoichiro , Watabe Eichi , Morisaki Keita , Ono Kanako , Kuroyanagi Hidehito
Published: September 2023

Tropomyosin is generally known as an actin-binding protein that regulates actomyosin interaction and actin filament stability. In metazoans, multiple tropomyosin isoforms are expressed, and some of them are involved in generating subpopulations of actin cytoskeleton in an isoform-specific manner. However, functions of many tropomyosin isoforms remain unknown. Here, we report identification of a novel alternative exon in the Caenorhabditis elegans tropomyosin gene and characterization of the effects of alternative splicing on the properties of tropomyosin isoforms. Previous studies have reported six tropomyosin isoforms encoded by the C. elegans lev-11 tropomyosin gene. We identified a seventh isoform, LEV-11U, that contained a novel alternative exon, exon 7c (E7c). LEV-11U is a low-molecular-weight tropomyosin isoform that differs from LEV-11T only at the exon 7-encoded region. In silico analyses indicated that the E7c-encoded peptide sequence was unfavorable for coiled-coil formation and distinct from other tropomyosin isoforms in the pattern of electrostatic surface potentials. In vitro, LEV-11U bound poorly to actin filaments, whereas LEV-11T bound to actin filaments in a saturable manner. When these isoforms were transgenically expressed in the C. elegans striated muscle, LEV-11U was present in the diffuse cytoplasm with tendency to form aggregates, whereas LEV-11T co-localized with sarcomeric actin filaments. Worms with a mutation in E7c showed reduced motility and brood size, suggesting that this exon is important for the optimal health. These results indicate that alternative splicing of a single exon can produce biochemically diverged tropomyosin isoforms and suggest that a tropomyosin isoform with poor actin affinity has a novel biological function.
Extracellular vesicles promote activation of pro-inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts in oral cancer
Authors: Arebro Julia , Towle Rebecca , Lee Che-Min , Bennewith Kevin L. , Garnis Cathie
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer and has a survival rate of ∼50% over 5 years. New treatment strategies are sorely needed to improve survival rates—and a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis is needed to develop these strategies. The role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has increasingly been identified as crucial in tumor progression and metastasis. One of the main constituents of the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a key role in influencing the biological behavior of tumors. Multiple mechanisms contribute to CAF activation, such as TGFβ signaling, but the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in CAF activation in OSCC is poorly understood. Assessing the impact of oral cancer-derived EVs on CAF activation will help to better illuminate OSCC pathophysiology and may drive development of novel treatments options.

Methods: EVs were isolated from OSCC cell lines (Cal 27, SCC-9, SCC-25) using differential centrifugation. Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used for EV characterization, and Western blot to confirm the presence of EV protein markers. Oral fibroblasts were co-cultured with enriched EVs, TGFβ, or PBS over 72 h to assess activation. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CAF markers. RNA collected from fibroblasts was extracted and the transcriptome was sequenced. Conditioned media from the co-cultures was evaluated with cytokine array profiling.

Results: OSCC-derived EVs can activate oral fibroblasts into CAFs that are different from those activated by TGFβ, suggesting different mechanisms of activation and different functional properties. Gene set enrichment analysis showed several upregulated inflammatory pathways in those CAFs exposed to OSCC-derived EVs. Marker genes for inflammatory CAF subtypes were also upregulated, but not in CAFs activated by TGFβ. Finally, cytokine array analysis on secreted proteins revealed elevated levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines from EV-activated CAFs, for instance IL-8 and CXCL5.

Discussion: Our results reveal the ability of OSCC-derived EVs to activate fibroblasts into CAFs. These CAFs seem to have unique properties, differing from TGFβ-activated CAFs. Gaining an understanding of the interplay between EVs and stromal cells such as CAFs could lead to further insights into OSCC tumorigenesis and potential novel therapeutics.
Anti-inflammatory effect of interleukin-6 highly enriched in secretome of two clinically relevant sources of mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Dedier Marianne , Magne Brice , Nivet Muriel , Banzet Sébastien , Trouillas Marina
Published: September 2023

Despite several advances in the field of regenerative medicine, clinical management of extensive skin wounds or burns remains a major therapeutic issue. During the past few years, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) have emerged as a novel therapeutic tool to promote tissue repair through their anti-inflammatory, pro-trophic and pro-remodeling effects. They exert their biological activity mainly via the secretion of soluble bioactive molecules such as cytokines, growth factors, proteins and microRNAs which can be encapsulated within extracellular vesicles (EV). The recent discovery of their high plasticity to external stimuli has fostered the development of new targeted therapies known as priming strategies, to enhance their potential. Our team recently showed that Interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-primed gingival MSCs promote wound healing and epidermal engraftment in vitro, and in vivo through their secreted products that contain extracellular vesicles. In the present work, we investigated whether two common sources of MSCs, gingiva and bone marrow, could respond similarly to IL-1β to favor pro-healing capabilities of their secretome. We showed that both primed-MSC sources, or their related secreted products, are able to reduce inflammation in LPS-challenged human monocytic THP-1 cell line. IL-1β priming enhanced MSC secretion of wound healing-related growth factors, cytokines and miRNAs in both sources. Among them, interleukin 6 was shown to be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of MSC secreted products. Overall, these results underline the pro-healing properties of both MSC sources and their secretome upon IL-1β priming and their potential to improve the current medical treatment of severe wounds.
3D porous polymers for selective removal of CO2 and H2 storage: experimental and computational studies
Authors: Al-Bukhari Muath S. , Abdulazeez Ismail , Abdelnaby Mahmoud M. , Aljundi Isam H. , Al Hamouz Othman Charles S.
Published: September 2023

In this article, newly designed 3D porous polymers with tuned porosity were synthesized by the polycondensation of tetrakis (4-aminophenyl) methane with pyrrole to form M1 polymer and with phenazine to form M2 polymer. The polymerization reaction used p-formaldehyde as a linker and nitric acid as a catalyst. The newly designed 3D porous polymers showed permanent porosity with a BET surface area of 575 m2/g for M1 and 389 m2/g for M2. The structure and thermal stability were investigated by solid 13C-NMR spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of the synthesized polymers toward CO2 and H2 was evaluated, demonstrating adsorption capacities of 1.85 mmol/g and 2.10 mmol/g for CO2 by M1 and M2, respectively. The importance of the synthesized polymers lies in their selectivity for CO2 capture, with CO2/N2 selectivity of 43 and 51 for M1 and M2, respectively. M1 and M2 polymers showed their capability for hydrogen storage with a capacity of 66 cm3/g (0.6 wt%) and 87 cm3/g (0.8 wt%), respectively, at 1 bar and 77 K. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method revealed the presence of considerable microporosity on M2, making it highly selective to CO2. The exceptional removal capabilities, combined with the high thermal stability and microporosity, enable M2 to be a potential material for flue gas purification and hydrogen storage.
Information seeking behaviors of individuals impacted by COVID-19 international travel restrictions: an analysis of two international cross-sectional studies
Authors: McDermid Pippa , Craig Adam , Sheel Meru , Blazek Katrina , Talty Siobhan , Seale Holly
Published: September 2023

Access to accurate information during a crisis is essential. However, while the amount of information circulating during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased exponentially, finding trustworthy resources has been difficult for many, including those affected by international travel restrictions. In this study, we examined the information-seeking behaviors of individuals seeking to travel internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored perceptions regarding the value of resources in supporting understanding of COVID-19 travel restriction-related information. Two online cross-sectional surveys targeting four groups were conducted. The groups targeted were: (1) citizens and permanent residents stranded abroad; (2) individuals separated from their partners; (3) individuals separated from immediate families; and (4) temporary visa holders unable to migrate or cross international borders. In total, we analyzed 2,417 completed responses, and a further 296 responses where at least 75% of questions were completed. Findings suggest that social media groups (78.4%, 1,924/2,453), specifically Facebook (86.6%, 2,115/2,422) were the most useful or most used information resource for these groups. Some significant information seeking behavior differences across age and gender were also found. Our study highlights the diversity in information needs of people impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions and the range of preferred channels through which information is sought. Further, it highlights which challenges hold legitimacy in their target audiences' eyes and which do not. Policymakers may use these results to help formulate more nuanced, consumer-tailored—and hence likely more acceptable, trusted, and impactful—communication strategies as part of future public health emergencies.
Impact of premature coronary artery disease on adverse event risk following first percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Pinxterhuis Tineke H. , Ploumen Eline H. , Zocca Paolo , Doggen Carine J. M. , Schotborgh Carl E. , Anthonio Rutger L. , Roguin Ariel , Danse Peter W. , Benit Edouard , Aminian Adel , Hartmann Marc , Linssen Gerard C. M. , von Birgelen Clemens
Published: September 2023

Objectives

We assessed differences in risk profile and 3-year outcome between patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for premature and non-premature coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background

The prevalence of CAD increases with age, yet some individuals develop obstructive CAD at younger age.

Methods

Among participants in four randomized all-comers PCI trials, without previous coronary revascularization or myocardial infarction (MI), we compared patients with premature (men <50 years; women <55 years) and non-premature CAD. Various clinical endpoints were assessed, including multivariate analyses.

Results

Of 6,171 patients, 887(14.4%) suffered from premature CAD. These patients had fewer risk factors than patients with non-premature CAD, but were more often smokers (60.7% vs. 26.4%) and overweight (76.2% vs. 69.8%). In addition, premature CAD patients presented more often with ST-segment elevation MI and underwent less often treatment of multiple vessels, and calcified or bifurcated lesions. Furthermore, premature CAD patients had a lower all-cause mortality risk (adj.HR:0.23, 95%-CI: 0.10–0.52; p < 0.001), but target vessel revascularization (adj.HR:1.63, 95%-CI: 1.18–2.26; p = 0.003) and definite stent thrombosis risks (adj.HR:2.24, 95%-CI: 1.06–4.72; p = 0.034) were higher. MACE rates showed no statistically significant difference (6.6% vs. 9.4%; adj.HR:0.86, 95%-CI: 0.65–1.16; p = 0.33).

Conclusions

About one out of seven PCI patients was treated for premature CAD. These patients had less complex risk profiles than patients with non-premature CAD; yet, their risk of repeated revascularization and stent thrombosis was higher. As lifetime event risk of patients with premature CAD is known to be particularly high, further efforts should be made to improve modifiable risk factors such as smoking and overweight.

Clinical Trial Registration

[clinicaltrials.gov], TWENTE [NCT01066650]; DUTCH PEERS [NCT01331707]; BIO-RESORT [NCT01674803]; BIONYX [NCT02508714].
Accelerated stenotic flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery explains the causes of impaired coronary flow reserve: an integrated transthoracic enhanced Doppler study
Authors: Caiati Carlo , Pollice Paolo , Iacovelli Fortunato , Sturdà Francesca , Lepera Mario Erminio
Published: September 2023

Background

Accelerated stenotic flow (AsF) in the entire left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), assessed by transthoracic enhanced color Doppler (E-Doppler TTE), can reveal coronary stenosis (CS) and its severity, enabling a distinction between the microcirculatory and epicardial causes of coronary flow reserve (CFR) impairment.

Methods

Eighty-four consecutive patients with a CFR <2.0 (1.5 ± 0.4), as assessed by E-Doppler TTE, scheduled for coronary angiography (CA) and eventually intracoronary ultrasounds (IVUS), were studied. CFR was calculated by the ratio of peak diastolic flow velocities: during i.v. adenosine (140 mcg/Kg/m) over resting; AsF was calculated as the percentage increase of localized maximal velocity in relation to a reference velocity.

Results

CA showed ≥50% lumen diameter narrowing of the LAD (critical CS) in 68% of patients (57/84) vs. non-critical CS in 32% (27/84). Based on the established CA/IVUS criteria, the non-critical CS subgroup was further subdivided into 2 groups: subcritical/diffuse [16/27 pts (57%)] and no atherosclerosis [11/27 pts (43%)]. CFR was similar in the three groups: 1.4 ± 0.3 in critical CS, 1.5 ± 0.4 in subcritical/diffuse CS, and 1.6 ± 0.4 in no atherosclerosis (p = ns). Overall, at least one segment of accelerated stenotic flow in the LAD was found in 73 patients (87%), while in 11 (13%) it was not. The AsF was very predictive of coronary segmental narrowing in both angio subgroups of atherosclerosis but as expected with the usage of different cutoffs. On the basis of the ROC curve, the optimal cutoff was 109% and 16% AsF % increment to successfully distinguish critical from non-critical CS (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.99, p < 0.001) and diffuse/subcritical from no CS (AUC = 0.91%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were 96% and 100% and 82% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

E-Doppler TTE is highly feasible and reliable in detecting the CS of any grade of severity, distinguishing epicardial athero from microvascular causes of a severe CFR reduction.
Single-shot technique of cryoablation for atrial fibrillation has comparable effective and safety outcomes compared to standard technique: insights from multiple clinical studies
Authors: He Changjian , Zhang Wenchang , Yin Lei , Sun Mingzhuang , Zhao Zihan , Ye Guojie , Liu Tengfei , Shi Wence , Zhang Da , Li Feng , Ding Chunhua
Published: September 2023

Background

Although there are many freezing protocols available, the optimal freezing dose is still not determined. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different freeze strategies of CBA in the treatment of AF.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to 1st December 2022. Studies comparing the outcomes between single-shot technique and standard technique of cryoablation were included. Subgroup analysis identified potential determinants for single-shot technique procedure.

Results

Our search resulted in 3407 records after deduplication. A total of 17 qualified studies met our inclusion criteria. Compared with standard technique, single-shot technique of cryoablation has a comparable rate of freedom from AF/AT(RR 1.00; P = 0.968), a trend for lower rate of procedure complications (RR 0.80; P = 0.069), a lower rate in transient phrenic paralysis (t-PNP) (RR 0.67; P = 0.038), a similar rate in persistent phrenic paralysis (per-PNP) (RR 1.15; P = 0.645), as well as a comparable procedure parameters. Importantly, potentially significant treatment covariable interactions in procedure complications were found in freeze strategy subgroup, male proportion subgroup and age subgroup, including single-shot freeze (RR 1.02; P = 0.915) and TTI-guided (RR 0.63; P = 0.007) with interaction P = 0.051, high male proportion (RR 0.54; P = 0.005) and a low male proportion (RR 0.94; P = 0.759) with interaction P = 0.074, as well as age ≥ 65 (RR0.91; P = 0.642) and age <65 (RR 0.54; P = 0.006),interaction P = 0.090. Meanwhile, only one significant treatment covariable interactions in procedure complications was found in the hypertension subgroup, including HT > 60% (RR 0.89; P = 0.549) and HT ≤ 60% (RR 0. 46; P < 0.01) with interaction P = 0.043.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that single-shot technique of cryoablation has comparable effective and safety outcomes for AF ablation compared to standard technique.
Virtual healthcare solutions in heart failure: a literature review
Authors: Lee Keni Cheng-Siang , Breznen Boris , Ukhova Anastasia , Martin Seth Shay , Koehler Friedrich
Published: September 2023

The widespread adoption of mobile technologies offers an opportunity for a new approach to post-discharge care for patients with heart failure (HF). By enabling non-invasive remote monitoring and two-way, real-time communication between the clinic and home-based patients, as well as a host of other capabilities, mobile technologies have a potential to significantly improve remote patient care. This literature review summarizes clinical evidence related to virtual healthcare (VHC), defined as a care team + connected devices + a digital solution in post-release care of patients with HF. Searches were conducted on Embase (06/12/2020). A total of 171 studies were included for data extraction and evidence synthesis: 96 studies related to VHC efficacy, and 75 studies related to AI in HF. In addition, 15 publications were included from the search on studies scaling up VHC solutions in HF within the real-world setting. The most successful VHC interventions, as measured by the number of reported significant results, were those targeting reduction in rehospitalization rates. In terms of relative success rate, the two most effective interventions targeted patient self-care and all-cause hospital visits in their primary endpoint. Among the three categories of VHC identified in this review (telemonitoring, remote patient management, and patient self-empowerment) the integrated approach in remote patient management solutions performs the best in decreasing HF patients' re-admission rates and overall hospital visits. Given the increased amount of data generated by VHC technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) is being investigated as a tool to aid decision making in the context of primary diagnostics, identifying disease phenotypes, and predicting treatment outcomes. Currently, most AI algorithms are developed using data gathered in clinic and only a few studies deploy AI in the context of VHC. Most successes have been reported in predicting HF outcomes. Since the field of VHC in HF is relatively new and still in flux, this is not a typical systematic review capturing all published studies within this domain. Although the standard methodology for this type of reviews was followed, the nature of this review is qualitative. The main objective was to summarize the most promising results and identify potential research directions.
Intrapulmonary distribution of blood flow during exercise in pulmonary hypertension assessed by a new combination technique
Authors: Farina Stefania , Pezzuto Beatrice , Vignati Carlo , Laveneziana Pierantonio , Agostoni Piergiuseppe
Published: September 2023

Background

Hyperventilation and inadequate cardiac output (CO) increase are the main causes of exercise limitation in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Intrapulmonary blood flow partitioning between ventilated and unventilated lung zones is unknown. Thoracic impedance cardiography and inert gas rebreathing have been both validated in PH patients for non-invasive measurement of CO and pulmonary blood flow (PBF), respectively. This study sought to evaluate CO behaviour in PH patients during exercise and its partitioning between ventilated and unventilated lung areas, in parallel with ventilation partitioning between ventilated and unventilated lung zones.

Methods

Eighteen PH patients (group 1 or 4) underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with a three-step loaded workload protocol. The steps occurred at 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of peak workload reached during a preliminary maximum CPET. Ventilatory parameters, arterial blood gases, CO, PBF, and intrapulmonary shunt (calculated as the difference between CO and PBF) were obtained at each step, combining thoracic impedance cardiography and an inert gas rebreathing technique.

Results

Dead space ventilation observed throughout the exercise was about 40% of total ventilation. A progressive increase of CO from 4.86 ± 1.24 L/min (rest) to 9.41 ± 2.63 L/min (last step), PBF from 3.81 ± 1.41 L/min to 7.21 ± 2.93 L/min, and intrapulmonary shunt from 1.05 ± 0.96 L/min to 2.21 ± 2.28 L/min was observed. Intrapulmonary shunt was approximately 20% of CO at each exercise step.

Conclusions

Although the study population was small, the combined non-invasive CO measurement seems a promising tool for deepening our knowledge of lung exercise haemodynamics in PH patients. This technique could be applied in future studies to evaluate PH treatment influences on CO partitioning, since a secondary increase of intrapulmonary shunt is undesirable.
Right vs. left ventricular longitudinal strain for mortality prediction after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Winkler Neria E. , Anwer Shehab , Reeve Kelly A. , Michel Jonathan M. , Kasel Albert M. , Tanner Felix C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study aims at exploring biventricular remodelling and its implications for outcome in a representative patient cohort with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods and results

Pre-interventional echocardiographic examinations of 100 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI were assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography of both ventricles. Association with mortality was determined for right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), RV free wall strain (RVFWS) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). During a median follow-up of 1,367 [959–2,123] days, 33 patients (33%) died. RVGLS was lower in non-survivors [−13.9% (−16.4 to −12.9)] than survivors [−17.1% (−20.2 to −15.2); P = 0.001]. In contrast, LVGLS as well as the conventional parameters LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and RV fractional area change (RVFAC) did not differ (P = ns). Kaplan–Meier analyses indicated a reduced survival probability when RVGLS was below the −14.6% cutpoint (P < 0.001). Lower RVGLS was associated with higher mortality [HR 1.13 (95% CI 1.04–1.23); P = 0.003] independent of LVGLS, LVEF, RVFAC, and EuroSCORE II. Addition of RVGLS clearly improved the fitness of bivariable and multivariable models including LVGLS, LVEF, RVFAC, and EuroSCORE II with potential incremental value for mortality prediction. In contrast, LVGLS, LVEF, and RVFAC were not associated with mortality.

Discussion

In patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI, RVGLS but not LVGLS was reduced in non-survivors compared to survivors, differentiated non-survivors from survivors, was independently associated with mortality, and exhibited potential incremental value for outcome prediction. RVGLS appears to be more suitable than LVGLS for risk stratification in AS and timely valve replacement.
Application of GIS-based machine learning algorithms for prediction of irrigational groundwater quality indices
Authors: Mohammed Musaab A. A. , Kaya Fuat , Mohamed Ahmed , Alarifi Saad S. , Abdelrady Ahmed , Keshavarzi Ali , Szabó Norbert P. , Szűcs Péter
Published: September 2023

Agriculture is considered one of the primary elements for socioeconomic stability in most parts of Sudan. Consequently, the irrigation water should be properly managed to achieve sustainable crop yield and soil fertility. This research aims to predict the irrigation indices of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), permeability index (PI), and potential salinity (PS) using innovative machine learning (ML) techniques, including K-nearest neighbor (KNN), random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). Thirty-seven groundwater samples are collected and analyzed for twelve physiochemical parameters (TDS, pH, EC, TH, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, HCO3−, Cl, SO4−2, and NO3−) to assess the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and its suitability for irrigation purposes. The primary investigation indicated that the samples are dominated by Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Na-HCO3 water types resulted from groundwater recharge and ion exchange reactions. The observed irrigation indices of SAR, Na%, PI, and PS showed average values of 7, 42.5%, 64.7%, and 0.5, respectively. The ML modeling is based on the ion’s concentration as input and the observed values of the indices as output. The data is divided into two sets for training (70%) and validation (30%), and the models are validated using a 10-fold cross-validation technique. The models are tested with three statistical criteria, including mean square error (MSE), root means square error (RMSE), and correlation coefficient (R2). The SVR algorithm showed the best performance in predicting the irrigation indices, with the lowest RMSE value of 1.45 for SAR. The RMSE values for the other indices, Na%, PI, and PS, were 6.70, 7.10, and 0.55, respectively. The models were applied to digital predictive data in the Nile River area of Khartoum state, and the uncertainty of the maps was estimated by running the models 10 times iteratively. The standard deviation maps were generated to assess the model’s sensitivity to the data, and the uncertainty of the model can be used to identify areas where a denser sampling is needed to improve the accuracy of the irrigation indices estimates.
Science for some: examining representations of relevancy and multiculturalism in Texas biology standards and textbooks
Authors: Vasquez Stacy , Atwood Erin D.
Published: September 2023

Curriculum standards play an important role in the development of instructional materials considering they are used as a framework by publishing companies to outline textbooks. Therefore, it is imperative that standards and instructional materials integrate relevant interdisciplinary content that fosters the development of scientific literacy, health literacy, environmental literacy, and multicultural awareness. This qualitative research critically examines the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) biology standards and three commonly adopted biology textbooks to determine the degree of relevancy and inclusion of multicultural content using James A. Banks’ Levels of Integration of Multicultural Content. The researchers found that the inclusion of concepts of relevancy and multiculturalism are absent or minimal from the standards and textbooks and conclude that curricular transformation is needed to prioritize and support relevancy and multicultural teaching and learning in biology classrooms. Opportunities to enrich biology standards and textbooks that fall within the transformative approach and social action approach of Banks’ Levels of Integration of Multicultural Content to promote relevancy and multiculturalism are presented.
What makes a school a happy school? Portuguese students’ perspectives
Authors: Gramaxo Patrícia , Flores Isabel , Dutschke Georg , Seabra Filipa
Published: September 2023

Introduction

UNESCO has sparked interest in the study of happy schools and, through its Happy Schools Project (HSP) framework, provides tools that enable the teaching and learning community to work towards making “happy schools” a reality. Since the understanding of happiness is culturally influenced (HSP studied Asian countries), we sought to identify parallels between the HSP framework and Portuguese schools through the eyes of students.

Methods

We asked a group of Portuguese students to rate their happiness at school and answer three open questions: What makes you happy at school? What makes you unhappy at school? What is a happy school? Using an online survey, 2708 students participated in this study. We coded the answers with variables derived from the HSP framework, aiming to understand what characteristics students value most when referring to their happiness or unhappiness at school and what features a happy school should have.

Results

Findings show that most Portuguese students consider themselves to be reasonably happy. No relevant difference exists between boys’ and girls’ self-reported happiness levels, and their happiness decreases as age increases. Children emphasized relationships with friends and teachers and teachers’ attitudes, competencies, and capacities as elements of a happy school. We found that school unhappiness is related to excessive workload and bullying.

Discussion

Even though there are cultural differences between countries, when we identified the characteristics of a happy school from the perspective of Portuguese students, we found similarities with the HSP framework guidelines.
Estimating disease-free survival of thyroid cancer based on novel cuprotosis-related gene model
Authors: Du Rui , Li Jingting , Li Fang , Mi Lusi , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Sun Hui , Liang Nan
Published: September 2023

Background

Cuprotosis is a newly discovered form of cell death that differs from other types of cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional role and a possible prognostic model for thyroid cancer.

Methods

TCGA and GEO were used to investigate the differential expression of CRGs in THCA. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were applied to investigate the possible molecular functions. The features of CRGs were selected by LASSO regression. 20 pairs of samples were randomly collected from the hospital to compare expression between tumor and normal.

Results

Among the 19 CRGs related to thyroid cancer recurrence, 16 genes were differentially expressed in thyroid cancer. KEGG analysis showed that the 19 CRGs were mainly enriched in cell death, cell cycle and ribosomal pathways. K-M survival analysis and subsequent multiple logistic regression revealed that the expression of BUB1 and GINS2 were potential risk factors for disease-free survival (DFS) of thyroid cancer. In addition, further LASSO-regression selected the following three DFS-related CRGs: FDX1, BUB1 and RPL3. A novel prognostic prediction model was constructed by nomogram, and the prediction probability for 1-, 3- and 5-year survival approached the actual time. As for the possible mechanisms, FDX1, BUB1 and RPL3 were associated with immune infiltration. The cell model experiment illustrated that the ATM signaling pathway might be involved in thyroid cancer cell death.

Conclusion

Three CRG models (FDX1, BUB1, RPL3) could better predict the prognosis of thyroid cancer. Immune cell infiltration and the ATM pathway were the possible mechanisms.
Experiment on separated layer rock failure technology for stress reduction of entry under coal pillar in mining conditions
Authors: Liu Juntao , Shen Wenlong , Bai Jianbiao , Shan Chengfang , Liu Xudong
Published: September 2023

Longwall entrance is especially vulnerable to the combined mining of nearby coal seams because of the substantial deformation disaster loaded by the abutment stress caused by the mining disturbance. Changes to the fracture characteristics, movement behavior, and structural morphology of the bearing structure above the coal pillar are recommended using the separated layer rock failure technology (SLRFT) to safeguard the entry beneath the coal pillar from high abutment stress. To simulate the impacts of the SLRFT on the decrease of the abutment stress surrounding the entry under the coal pillar under the plane–stress circumstances, two experimental models were created. Abutment stress revolution, roof movement laws, and fracture features were all tracked using three identical monitoring systems in each experimental model. The experimental results indicate that SLRFT generates the shorter caving step length, more layered collapse, and higher caving height of the immediate roof, which improves the dilatancy of caving rock mass, the filling rate, and the compaction degree of the worked-out area. In the ceiling above the worked-out area, the fracture progresses from a non-penetrating horizontal and oblique gaping fracture to stepped closed fractures and piercing fractures. The main roof’s subsidence shifts from a linear, slow tendency to a stepped, fast one. The bearing structure changes from two-side cantilever structure with a T type into one-side cantilever structure with a basin type. Because the compacted worked-out region has a bigger support area, more of the overburden load is transferred there, weakening the abutment stress around the longwall entry from 12.5 kPa to 3.7 kPa. The stress reduction degree increases with the reduction of the cantilever length of the bearing structure and the increasing of the support coefficient of the compacted worked-out area. These findings illustrate the effectiveness of SLRFT in lowering entrance stress. With the established experimental model, it is possible to evaluate the viability, efficiency, and design of SLRFT under various engineering and geological circumstances.