bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VALUASI LINGKUNGAN DALAM PENENTUAN POTENSI EKONOMI OBJEK MIKROWISATA DESA TANGGERAN, TONJONG, BREBES, JAWA TENGAH
Authors: Safitra Dhian Adhetiya , Suheri Asep
Published: January 2023

Pandemi menyebabkan perlunya lapangan pekerjaan baru. Sebagian tenaga kerja asal daerah perdesaan banyak mengalami pemutusan hubungan kerja karena berkurangnya lapangan pekerjaan yang signifikan. Salah satu lapangan pekerjaan yang dapat menjadi opsi menampung tenaga kerja tersbut adalah sektor wisata.  Dengan konsep community based toirsm, tenaga kerja lokal dapat terserap bagi daerah yang memiliki potensi wisata alam. Tantangan yang dihadapi calon objek wisata adalah berapa besar potensi ekonomi objek tersebut dan berapa tarif yang akan ditetapkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mencari potensi ekonomi dari objek penelitian yang dapat digunakan pengelola objek mikrowisata dalam penentuan tarif atau rentang harga yang digunakan dalam penjualan kuliner atau barang/jasa lain. Penelitian ini menggunakan valuasi lingkunagn dengan Travel Cost Method menghitung beberapa potensi ekonomi objek untuk dijadikan dasar investor berinvestasi pada objek penelitian. Selain itu, pengelola juga dapat menggunakan rata-rata willingnes to pay (WTP) sebagai dasar penentuan tarif masuk, parkir, dan harga kuliner yang ditawarkan. Memperhatikan preferensi pengunjung adalah objek wisata yang berkesan gratis, maka nilai WTP untuk tarif masuk adalah Rp0. Penelitian ini menghasilkan kesimpulan bahwa tanpa pengelolaan objek mikrowisata memiliki nilai Rp63.129.290,00 hingga Rp71.835.382,00 sedangkan jika dikelola potensinya meningkat menjadi Rp5.752.023.104,00. Harga kuliner yang direkomendasikan adalah tidak lebih dari Rp12.084,00 sedangkan tarif parkir dapat dipungut sebesar Rp1.000,00.
The Legal Status of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Past and Present
Authors: Vasiliev Anton , Pechatnova Yulia
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The article analyses the origins and development of the Russian Academy of Sciences, including the imperial, Soviet and modern periods, and looks at its legal status in different historical periods. Methods. The study uses general scientific and special legal research methods. The historical method allows us to draw parallels between the legal statuses of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences. We have used the formal legal method to analyse the current legislation and doctrinal approaches to regulating the legal status of the Academy of Sciences in various periods, especially during the Russian Academy of Sciences restructuring in 2013–2018. Results and Discussion. The article explores the legal status of the Russian Academy of Sciences at different stages of its formation and development, analyses the reasons, goals, and results of the Russian Academy of Sciences' restructuring and reform in 2013–2018, highlights the positive and negative aspects of the reform, and gives reasons for the unresolved problems caused by the Russian Academy of Sciences' dual legal status. Conclusion. We draw conclusions regarding the current legal status of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the nuances behind the higher scientific institution status in Russia.
Legal Regulation of Scientific (Scientific and Technological) Expertise in Foreign Countries
Authors: Krasulina Karina , Vok Milena , Kulikov Dmitriy , Korepanov Konstantin
Published: January 2023

Introduction. Amid the complicated foreign policy situation and increased sanction pressure from foreign countries, officials are actively discussing the creation of a domestic system for assessing the effectiveness of research and development. One of the fundamental elements of such a system should be scientific (scientific and technological) expertise, the need for which in the Russian Federation is determined by the relevance of monitoring the legal regulation of social relations in the sphere of scientific (scientific and technological) expertise in foreign countries. The purpose of this study is to identify the specifics of foreign legal regulation of the scientific (scientific and technological) expertise system. Methods. The study uses the analysis, system and structural, functional, comparative and formal legal methods. Results and Discussian. This work explores the mechanisms of legal regulation of scientific (scientific and technological) expertise in certain CIS and non-CIS countries with markedly different approaches. The materials analysed in this study allow us to get a comprehensive picture of the regulatory system used in foreign countries. The results of the study can be used to create a legal regulation system for scientific (scientific and technological) expertise in the Russian Federation. Conclusion. The results of the study allow us to draw conclusions about the existence of various scientific (scientific and technological) expertise regulation systems. Different countries use different combinations of state scientific (scientific and technological) expertise regulation and regulation at the level of expert organisations, meaning that scientific (scientific and technological) expertise can be regulated not only by acts issued by public authorities but also by the local acts issued by legal entities organising or conducting expert activities.
Understanding the development of Th2 cell-driven allergic airway disease in early life
Authors: León Beatriz
Published: January 2023

Allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy, are caused by abnormal responses to relatively harmless foreign proteins called allergens found in pollen, fungal spores, house dust mites (HDM), animal dander, or certain foods. In particular, the activation of allergen-specific helper T cells towards a type 2 (Th2) phenotype during the first encounters with the allergen, also known as the sensitization phase, is the leading cause of the subsequent development of allergic disease. Infants and children are especially prone to developing Th2 cell responses after initial contact with allergens. But in addition, the rates of allergic sensitization and the development of allergic diseases among children are increasing in the industrialized world and have been associated with living in urban settings. Particularly for respiratory allergies, greater susceptibility to developing allergic Th2 cell responses has been shown in children living in urban environments containing low levels of microbial contaminants, principally bacterial endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], in the causative aeroallergens. This review highlights the current understanding of the factors that balance Th2 cell immunity to environmental allergens, with a particular focus on the determinants that program conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) toward or away from a Th2 stimulatory function. In this context, it discusses transcription factor-guided functional specialization of type-2 cDCs (cDC2s) and how the integration of signals derived from the environment drives this process. In addition, it analyzes observational and mechanistic studies supporting an essential role for innate sensing of microbial-derived products contained in aeroallergens in modulating allergic Th2 cell immune responses. Finally, this review examines whether hyporesponsiveness to microbial stimulation, particularly to LPS, is a risk factor for the induction of Th2 cell responses and allergic sensitization during infancy and early childhood and the potential factors that may affect early-age response to LPS and other environmental microbial components.
Joint modeling of rainfall and temperature in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Application of copula
Authors: Fenta Haile Mekonnen , Workie Demeke Lakew , Zikie Dereje Tesfaye
Published: January 2023

Objective

Climate change has effects on the economy development of any country. This paper aimed to fit the best marginal and joint distribution models of rainfall with minimum and maximum temperatures.

Methods

The average values of minimum and maximum monthly temperature, and rainfall were used in this study. For the marginal model, five probability distributions and five families of copula models were employed to show the interdependence between the maximum and minimum average annual temperature with rainfall. The Kendall's tau (τ) correlation coefficient was used to find out the correlations between rainfall with minimum and maximum temperature. Both the Akaki Information Criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC) were used to select the best marginal and copula.

Results

The result revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between the maximum temperature and rainfall. The maximum average rainfall was obtained from June to August and the maximum temperature is almost consistent in all months. Based on AIC/BIC, the Weibull distribution for rainfall, the Beta for minimum, and the Gaussian for maximum temperature were identified as the best marginal distributions. The Clayton copula distribution was identified as the best copula for rainfall and minimum temperature (with parameter of θ =1. 21, tau correlation = −0.41, p < 0.001), and Frank copula was identified for rainfall and maximum temperature (with unique Frank parameter of θ = −3.94, correlation = −0.38, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The result showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the average annual minimum temperature and rainfall; whereas a negative relationship occurred between the maximum temperature and rainfall. The Clayton and Frank copula were found to be the most appropriate to the model of a bivariate distribution of mean annual rainfall with minimum/maximum temperature respectively.
Dynamical solutions and quadratic resonance of nonlinear perturbed Schrödinger equation
Authors: Behera Sidheswar
Published: January 2023

This work investigates the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation using the modified (G′G2)-expansion method. The obtained results are generalized and classified into classes of trigonometric, hyperbolic, and rational solutions. The kinematics of soliton and kink profiles are very helpful to understand the propagation of electromagnetic waves inside nonlinear optical fibers. The proposed modified method is unique, straightforward, concise, and effective in the sense that it gives more traveling wave solutions. The findings of this study can strengthen a system's nonlinear dynamic behavior and show how practical the methodology used to attempt to replicate has been. Wolfram Mathematica 11 is used for mathematical simplification and MATLAB is used for graphical simulation.
Identification of an indole biodegradation gene cluster from Providencia rettgeri and its contribution in selectively biosynthesizing Tyrian purple
Authors: Li Feifei , Deng Huaxiang , Zhong Biming , Ruan Banlai , Zhao Xixi , Luo Xiaozhou
Published: January 2023

Tyrian purple, mainly composed of 6, 6′-dibromoindigo, is a precious dye extracted from sea snails. In this study, we found Tyrian purple can be selectively produced by a bacterial strain GS-2 when fed with 6-bromotryptophan in the presence of tryptophan. This GS-2 strain was then identified as Providencia rettgeri based on bacterial genome sequencing analysis. An indole degradation gene cluster for indole metabolism was identified from this GS-2 strain. The heterologous expression of the indole degradation gene cluster in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and in vitro enzymatic reaction demonstrated that the indole biodegradation gene cluster may contribute to selectively biosynthesizing Tyrian purple. To further explore the underlying mechanism of the selectivity, we explored the intermediates in this indole biodegradation pathway using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), which indicated that the indole biodegradation pathway in Providencia rettgeri is the catechol pathway. Interestingly, the monooxygenase GS-C co-expressed with its corresponding reductase GS-D in the cluster has better activity for the biosynthesis of Tyrian purple compared with the previously reported monooxygenase from Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans (MaFMO) or Streptomyces cattleya cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP102G4). This is the first study to show the existence of an indole biodegradation pathway in Providencia rettgeri, and the indole biodegradation gene cluster can contribute to the selective production of Tyrian purple.
Single cell RNA sequencing research in maternal fetal interface
Authors: Chen Qian , Shan Dan , Xie Yupei , Luo Xingrong , Wu Yuxia , Chen Qiuhe , Dong Ruihong , Hu Yayi
Published: January 2023

The maternal-fetal interface is an essential environment for embryonic growth and development, and a successful pregnancy depends on the dynamic balance of the microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. Single-cell sequencing, which unlike bulk sequencing that provides averaged data, is a robust method for interpreting the cellular and molecular landscape at single-cell resolution. With the support of single-cell sequencing, the issue of maternal-fetal interface heterogeneity during pregnancy has been more deeply elaborated and understood, which is important for a deeper understanding of physiological and pathological pregnancy. In this paper, we analyze the recent studies of single-cell transcriptomics in the maternal-fetal interface, and provide new directions for understanding and treating various pathological pregnancies.
Cyclin E overexpression in the Drosophila accessory gland induces tissue dysplasia
Authors: Molano-Fernández Maria , Hickson Ian D. , Herranz Héctor
Published: January 2023

The regulation of the cell division cycle is governed by a complex network of factors that together ensure that growing or proliferating cells maintain a stable genome. Defects in this system can lead to genomic instability that can affect tissue homeostasis and thus compromise human health. Variations in ploidy and cell heterogeneity are observed frequently in human cancers. Here, we examine the consequences of upregulating the cell cycle regulator Cyclin E in the Drosophila melanogaster male accessory gland. The accessory gland is the functional analog of the human prostate. This organ is composed of a postmitotic epithelium that is emerging as a powerful in vivo system for modelling different aspects of tumor initiation and progression. We show that Cyclin E upregulation in this model is sufficient to drive tissue dysplasia. Cyclin E overexpression drives endoreplication and affects DNA integrity, which results in heterogeneous nuclear and cellular composition and variable degrees of DNA damage. We present evidence showing that, despite the presence of genotoxic stress, those cells are resistant to apoptosis and thus defective cells are not eliminated from the tissue. We also show that Cyclin E-expressing cells in the accessory gland display mitochondrial DNA aggregates that colocalize with Cyclin E protein. Together, the findings presented here show that Cyclin E upregulation in postmitotic cells of the accessory gland organ causes cellular defects such as genomic instability and mitochondrial defects, eventually leading to tissue dysplasia. This study highlights novel mechanisms by which Cyclin E might contribute to disease initiation and progression.
The strategic applications of natural polymer nanocomposites in food packaging and agriculture: Chances, challenges, and consumers’ perception
Authors: Wypij Magdalena , Trzcińska-Wencel Joanna , Golińska Patrycja , Avila-Quezada Graciela Dolores , Ingle Avinash P. , Rai Mahendra
Published: January 2023

Natural polymer-based nanocomposites have received significant attention in both scientific and industrial research in recent years. They can help to eliminate the consequences of application of petroleum-derived polymeric materials and related environmental concerns. Such nanocomposites consist of natural biopolymers (e.g., chitosan, starch, cellulose, alginate and many more) derived from plants, microbes and animals that are abundantly available in nature, biodegradable and thus eco-friendly, and can be used for developing nanocomposites for agriculture and food industry applications. Biopolymer-based nanocomposites can act as slow-release nanocarriers for delivering agrochemicals (fertilizers/nutrients) or pesticides to crop plants to increase yields. Similarly, biopolymer-based nanofilms or hydrogels may be used as direct product coating to extend product shelf life or improve seed germination or protection from pathogens and pests. Biopolymers have huge potential in food-packaging. However, their packaging properties, such as mechanical strength or gas, water or microbial barriers can be remarkably improved when combined with nanofillers such as nanoparticles. This article provides an overview of the strategic applications of natural polymer nanocomposites in food and agriculture as nanocarriers of active compounds, polymer-based hydrogels, nanocoatings and nanofilms. However, the risk, challenges, chances, and consumers’ perceptions of nanotechnology applications in agriculture and food production and packaging have been also discussed.
In vitro anti-Leishmania activity of triclabendazole and its synergic effect with amphotericin B
Authors: Borges Beatriz Santana , Bueno Gislayne de Paula , Tomiotto-Pellissier Fernanda , Figueiredo Fabiano Borges , Soares Medeiros Lia Carolina
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, with approximately 1 million new cases and 30,000 deaths reported every year worldwide. Given the lack of adequate medication for treating leishmaniasis, drug repositioning is essential to save time and money when searching for new therapeutic approaches. This is particularly important given leishmaniasis’s status as a neglected disease. Available treatments are still far from being fully effective for treating the different clinical forms of the disease. They are also administered parenterally, making it challenging to ensure complete treatment, and they are extremely toxic, in some cases, causing death. Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is a benzimidazole used to treat fasciolosis in adults and children. It presents a lower toxicity profile than amphotericin B (AmpB) and is administered orally, making it an attractive candidate for treating other parasitoses. The mechanism of action for TCBZ is not yet well understood, although microtubules or polyamines could potentially act as a pharmacological target. TCBZ has already shown antiproliferative activity against T. cruzi, T. brucei, and L. infantum. However, further investigations are still necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of action of TCBZ.

Methods

Cytotoxicity assay was performed by MTT assay. Cell inhibition (CI) values were obtained according to the equation CI = (O.D treatment x 100/O.D. negative control). For Infection evaluation, fixated cells were stained with Hoechst and read at Operetta High Content Imaging System (Perkin Elmer). For growth curves, cell culture absorbance was measured daily at 600 nm. For the synergism effect, Fractional Inhibitory Concentrations (FICs) were calculated for the IC50 of the drugs alone or combined. Mitochondrial membrane potential (DYm), cell cycle, and cell death analysis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid quantification were also determined by fluorimetry. Treated parasites morphology and ultrastructure were analyzed by electron microscopy.

Results

The selectivity index (SI = CC50/IC50) of TCBZ was comparable with AmpB in promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. Evaluation of the cell cycle showed an increase of up to 13% of cells concentrated in S and G2, and morphological analysis with scanning electron microscopy showed a high frequency of dividing cells. The ultrastructural analysis demonstrated large cytoplasmic lipid accumulation, which could suggest alterations in lipid metabolism. Combined administration of TCBZ and AmpB demonstrated a synergistic effect in vitro against intracellular amastigote forms with cSFICs of 0.25.

Conclusions

Considering that TCBZ has the advantage of being inexpensive and administrated orally, our results suggest that TCBZ, combined with AmpB, is a promising candidate for treating leishmaniasis with reduced toxicity.
Characteristics and risk factors of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Escherichia coli in Guangzhou China from 2015 to 2022
Authors: Chen Danchun , Tang Benyu , Li Ying , Zheng Kelu , Li Xiaojing , Chen Wenxiong , Gao Fei , Gao Yuanyuan , Shi Kaili
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is an infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality rates in children. Although vaccination has improved prevention of BM, this severe disease continues to cause considerable harm to children across the globe. Several risk factors have been identified for BM, including immune status, age, and sex. However, additional patient and disease information is required in order to better understand the local characteristics, epidemiology and risk factors of BM.

Methods

Here, we collected information from 252 children with BM in the Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Centre medical record database infected with Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Escherichia coli between May 2015 and May 2022.

Results

The three pathogen infected BM cased showed distinct trends during the period, and distribution of three BM pathogens across age groups varied significantly. We reviewed the antimicrobial resistance patterns for each of the pathogens which may direct drug use in BM. Finally, we found blood WBC was a protective factor, while glucose levels in the CFS was risk factor, for the length of hospitalization.

Discussion

Collectively, this study provides multi-parameter characteristics of BM, and potentially guide the drug use.
Tuning of PIDD2 controllers for oscillatory systems with time delays
Authors: Xingqi Hu , Guolian Hou , Wen Tan
Published: January 2023

Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control is a durable control technology that has been widely applied in the process control industry. However, PID controllers cannot achieve satisfactory performance for oscillatory systems with long time delays; thus, high-order controllers like the proportional–integral–double derivative (PIDD2) can be adopted to enhance the control performance. In this paper, we propose a tuning formula for the PIDD2 controller for oscillatory systems with time delays and its practical implementation via an observer bandwidth-based state-space PIDD2. Simulation results show that the state-space PIDD2 controller tuned from the proposed formula trades-off among robustness, time domain performance, and measurement noise attenuation and can arrive at a better control effect than PID for oscillatory systems.
MITEA: A dataset for machine learning segmentation of the left ventricle in 3D echocardiography using subject-specific labels from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhao Debbie , Ferdian Edward , Maso Talou Gonzalo D. , Quill Gina M. , Gilbert Kathleen , Wang Vicky Y. , Babarenda Gamage Thiranja P. , Pedrosa João , D’hooge Jan , Sutton Timothy M. , Lowe Boris S. , Legget Malcolm E. , Ruygrok Peter N. , Doughty Robert N. , Camara Oscar , Young Alistair A. , Nash Martyn P.
Published: January 2023

Segmentation of the left ventricle (LV) in echocardiography is an important task for the quantification of volume and mass in heart disease. Continuing advances in echocardiography have extended imaging capabilities into the 3D domain, subsequently overcoming the geometric assumptions associated with conventional 2D acquisitions. Nevertheless, the analysis of 3D echocardiography (3DE) poses several challenges associated with limited spatial resolution, poor contrast-to-noise ratio, complex noise characteristics, and image anisotropy. To develop automated methods for 3DE analysis, a sufficiently large, labeled dataset is typically required. However, ground truth segmentations have historically been difficult to obtain due to the high inter-observer variability associated with manual analysis. We address this lack of expert consensus by registering labels derived from higher-resolution subject-specific cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images, producing 536 annotated 3DE images from 143 human subjects (10 of which were excluded). This heterogeneous population consists of healthy controls and patients with cardiac disease, across a range of demographics. To demonstrate the utility of such a dataset, a state-of-the-art, self-configuring deep learning network for semantic segmentation was employed for automated 3DE analysis. Using the proposed dataset for training, the network produced measurement biases of −9 ± 16 ml, −1 ± 10 ml, −2 ± 5 %, and 5 ± 23 g, for end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction, and mass, respectively, outperforming an expert human observer in terms of accuracy as well as scan-rescan reproducibility. As part of the Cardiac Atlas Project, we present here a large, publicly available 3DE dataset with ground truth labels that leverage the higher resolution and contrast of CMR, to provide a new benchmark for automated 3DE analysis. Such an approach not only reduces the effect of observer-specific bias present in manual 3DE annotations, but also enables the development of analysis techniques which exhibit better agreement with CMR compared to conventional methods. This represents an important step for enabling more efficient and accurate diagnostic and prognostic information to be obtained from echocardiography.
Associations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intakes with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes: Result from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2008
Authors: Huang Nian , Wang Fang , Li Shiyang , Zhai Xiaobing , Ma Wenzhi , Liu Keyang , Sheerah Haytham A. , Cao Jinhong , Eshak Ehab S.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The evidence on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake status and long-term mortality among people with diabetes is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between EPA and DHA intakes with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in adults with diabetes.

Methods

This study included 2,991 adults with diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2008. Death outcomes were ascertained by linkage to the database records through 31 December 2015. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with diabetes.

Results

Among 2,991 patients with diabetes, the mean age was 61.9 years (55.2% males). During the mean follow-up duration of 9.4 years, a total of 1,091 deaths were documented, of which 273 were due to CVD, including 227 CHD deaths. EPA and DHA intakes were associated with lower mortality risks, especially that of CVD. After adjusting for demographic, major lifestyle factors, overall dietary intake patterns, and history of hypertension and dyslipidemia, the multivariable HRs (95% CIs) of mortality risk comparing Q4 to Q1 of EPA intake were 0.55 (0.33–0.92; P-trend = 0.019) for CHD, 0.55 (0.36–0.83; P-trend = 0.005) for CVD, and 0.91 (0.70–1.18; P-trend = 0.264) for all-cause. The respective HRs (95% CIs) comparing Q4 to Q1 of DHA were 0.60 (0.37–0.98; P-trend = 0.051) for CHD, 0.58 (0.38–0.89; P-trend = 0.014) for CVD, and 0.92 (0.72–1.18; P-trend = 0.481) for all-cause. In subgroup analysis, we found that the association trends of EPA and DHA intakes with death risk remained robust among patients with diabetes, especially among those who are old, female, those with higher BMI, and dyslipidemia patients with CVD and CHD.

Discussion

In the USA, higher EPA and DHA intakes were associated with a lower risk of CHD and CVD mortality in patients with diabetes. Our study supports the benefits of adequate EPA and DHA intakes in promoting the health of patients with diabetes.
Case report: Treatment of a patient with STEMI and cardiogenic shock caused by RCA originating from LAD
Authors: Niu Qiang , Zhao Yunhe , Li Haiying , Wang Qilei , Zhu Haijun , Bi Chenglong , Zhang Hui , Wang Jian , Cheng Cheng , Song Beibei , Jin Chengwei , Lv Ming , Li Bo
Published: January 2023

The right coronary artery (RCA) originating from the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a very rare variation of coronary artery anomaly. This kind of anomaly is usually considered to be clinically benign. Here, we present an acute myocardial infarction patient with a single coronary artery (SCA), in whom the LAD and RCA are both occlusive at the same time. He suffered from ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, and severe bradyarrhythmias many times. Fortunately, this patient survived from death through our effective medical procedures.
Plasma protein profiling analysis in patients with atrial fibrillation before and after three different ablation techniques
Authors: Lin Menglu , Bao Yangyang , Du Zunhui , Zhou Yanting , Zhang Ning , Lin Changjian , Xie Yinyin , Zhang Ruihong , Li Qiheng , Quan Jinwei , Zhu Tingfang , Xie Yuan , Xu Cathy , Xie Yun , Wei Yue , Luo Qingzhi , Pan Wenqi , Wang Lingjie , Ling Tianyou , Jin Qi , Wu Liqun , Yin Tong , Xie Yucai
Published: January 2023

Background

There are controversies on the pathophysiological alteration in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein isolation using different energy sources.

Objectives

We evaluated the changes in plasma proteins in acute phase post-ablation in patients receiving cryoballoon ablation, radiofrequency balloon ablation, or radiofrequency ablation.

Methods

Blood samples from eight healthy controls and 24 patients with AF were taken on the day of admission, day 1, and day 2 post-ablation and analyzed by the Olink proximity extension assay. Proteins were identified and performed with enrichment analysis. Protein–protein interaction network and module analysis were conducted using Cytoscape software.

Results

Of 181 proteins, 42 proteins in the cryoballoon group, 46 proteins in the radiofrequency balloon group, and 43 proteins in the radiofrequency group significantly changed after ablation. Most of the proteins altered significantly on the first day after ablation. Altered proteins were mainly involved in cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction. Both balloon-based ablations showed a similar shift toward enhancing cell communication and regulation of signaling while inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis. However, radiofrequency ablation presented a different trend. Seed proteins, including osteopontin, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, C-C motif ligand 8, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, were identified. More significant proteins associated with hemorrhage and coagulation were selected in balloon-based ablations by machine learning.

Conclusion

Plasma protein response after three different ablations in patients with AF mainly occurred on the first day. Radiofrequency balloon ablation shared similar alteration in protein profile as cryoballoon ablation compared with radiofrequency ablation, suggesting that lesion size rather than energy source is the determinant in pathophysiological responses to the ablation.
Suppression of lusitropy as a disease mechanism in cardiomyopathies
Authors: Marston Steven , Pinto Jose Renato
Published: January 2023

In cardiac muscle the action of adrenaline on β1 receptors of heart muscle cells is essential to adjust cardiac output to the body’s needs. Adrenergic activation leads to enhanced contractility (inotropy), faster heart rate (chronotropy) and faster relaxation (lusitropy), mainly through activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Efficient enhancement of heart output under stress requires all of these responses to work together. Lusitropy is essential for shortening the heartbeat when heart rate increases. It therefore follows that, if the lusitropic response is not present, heart function under stress will be compromised. Current literature suggests that lusitropy is primarily achieved due to PKA phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI) and phospholamban (PLB). It has been well documented that PKA-induced phosphorylation of TnI releases Ca2+ from troponin C faster and increases the rate of cardiac muscle relaxation, while phosphorylation of PLB increases SERCA activity, speeding up Ca2+ removal from the cytoplasm. In this review we consider the current scientific evidences for the connection between suppression of lusitropy and cardiac dysfunction in the context of mutations in phospholamban and thin filament proteins that are associated with cardiomyopathies. We will discuss what advances have been made into understanding the physiological mechanism of lusitropy due to TnI and PLB phosphorylation and its suppression by mutations and we will evaluate the evidence whether lack of lusitropy is sufficient to cause cardiomyopathy, and under what circumstances, and consider the range of pathologies associated with loss of lusitropy. Finally, we will discuss whether suppressed lusitropy due to mutations in thin filament proteins can be therapeutically restored.
Left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and right ventricular load predict outcome in moderate aortic stenosis
Authors: Stöbe Stephan , Kandels Joscha , Metze Michael , Tayal Bhupendar , Laufs Ulrich , Hagendorff Andreas
Published: January 2023

Aims

Predictors of progression of moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS) are incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diastolic dysfunction, and right ventricular (RV) load in moderate AS.

Methods and results

Moderate AS was defined by aortic valve area (AVA), peak transvalvular velocity (Vmax) or mean pressure gradient (PGmean). A total of 131 Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of pathophysiological changes (LVH, diastolic dysfunction with increased LV filling pressures and/or RV load): <2 (group 1); ≥2 (group 2). The primary outcome was survival without aortic valve replacement (AVR). After follow-up of 30 months, the reduction of AVA (–0.06 ± 0.16 vs. –0.24 ± 0.19 cm2, P < 0.001), the increase of PGmean (2.89 ± 6.35 vs 6.29 ± 7.13 mmHg, P < 0.001) and the decrease of the global longitudinal strain (0.8 ± 2.56 vs. 1.57 ± 3.42%, P < 0.001) from baseline to follow-up were significantly more pronounced in group 2. Survival without AVR was 82% (group 1) and 56% (group 2) [HR 3.94 (1.74–8.94), P < 0.001]. Survival without AVR or progression of AS was 77% (group 1) and 46% (group 2) [HR 3.80 (1.84–7.86), P < 0.001]. The presence of ≥2 pathophysiological changes predicted outcome whereas age, comorbidities, LDL-cholesterol did not.

Conclusion

The presence of ≥2 pathophysiological changes is a strong predictor of outcome in moderate AS and may be useful for risk stratification, particularly for scheduling follow-up time intervals and deciding the timing of AVR.
Right ventricular systolic function and associated anatomic risk factors in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries: Evaluation by velocity vector imaging
Authors: Lin Shan , Cao Haiyan , Hong Liu , Song Xiaoyan , Liu Kun , Xie Mingxing , Yang Yali
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) systolic function in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to investigate the impact of different factors on RV systolic function in TGA fetuses.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of fetuses referred to our tertiary center between 2015 and 2019. Maternal and fetal baseline characteristics and conventional echocardiographic and myocardial deformation indices were collected in fetuses with TGA at 20–28 weeks’ gestation, which were compared with normal fetuses with comparable gestational age (GA). RV deformational parameters including global and regional longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate, and velocity were measured using off-line speckle tracking analysis. The univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were established to evaluate the independent risk factors for RV global longitudinal systolic strain (RVGLSs) and strain rate (RVGLSRs).

Results

In total, 78 fetuses with TGA [including 49 fetuses with complete transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and 29 fetuses with Taussig-Bing anomaly (TBA)] and 49 normal fetuses were included. Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic peak velocity, strain, and strain rate were lower in d-TGA and TBA fetuses (P < 0.05). Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic strain was lower in d-TGA fetuses without pulmonary stenosis (PS) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), while RVGLSs and RVGLSRs were lower in TBA fetuses without PS. The VSD was an independent determinant of RVGLSRs (P = 0.024) in the d-TGA group. Additionally, PS was an independent determinant of RVGLSs and RVGLSRs (P = 0.012, P = 0.027) in the TBA group.

Conclusion

Early impairment of RV systolic function has already occurred in TGA fetuses during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. PS, VSD, and foramen ovale (FO) were independent risk factors for decreased RV function.
On the purpose of meaningful human control of AI
Authors: Davidovic Jovana
Published: January 2023

Meaningful human control over AI is exalted as a key tool for assuring safety, dignity, and responsibility for AI and automated decision-systems. It is a central topic especially in fields that deal with the use of AI for decisions that could cause significant harm, like AI-enabled weapons systems. This paper argues that discussions regarding meaningful human control commonly fail to identify the purpose behind the call for meaningful human control and that stating that purpose is a necessary step in deciding how best to institutionalize meaningful human control over AI. The paper identifies 5 common purposes for human control and sketches how different purpose translate into different institutional design.
Microbiome, alveolar bone, and metabolites: Connecting the dots
Authors: Fraser David , Ganesan Sukirth M.
Published: January 2023

The oral microbiome (OM) is a diverse and dynamic collection of species, separated from the alveolar bone by the oral mucosa. Pathogenic shifts in the OM (dysbiosis) during periodontitis are associated with an inflammatory response in the oral mucosa that drives alveolar bone resorption. The alveolar bone is also affected by metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis. Accumulating evidence has linked another microbial community, the gut microbiome (GM), to systemic bone metabolism and osteoporosis. Underlying this connection is the biological activity of metabolites, byproducts of host and bacterial activity. Limited evidence also suggests that metabolites in the oral cavity signal between the OM and immune system, influencing both alveolar bone homeostasis and pathologic bone destruction in periodontitis. While the oral cavity and gut are connected through the gastrointestinal tract, dissimilar roles for known metabolites between these two niches exemplify the difficulty in translating knowledge on gut-derived metabolites and bone metabolism to the alveolar bone. Integrated metabolomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic approaches hold promise for resolving these challenges and identifying novel metabolites that impact alveolar bone health. Further interrogation through mechanistic testing in pre-clinical models and carefully controlled clinical studies have the potential to lead to the translation of these discoveries into meaningful therapies.
Study on critical slowdown characteristics and early warning model of damage evolution of sandstone under freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Jin Jiaxu , Zhang Xinlei , Liu Xiaoli , Li Yahao , Li Shaohua
Published: January 2023

Freeze–thaw damage of rock mass poses a great threat to the safety of rock engineering, ground buildings, and low-temperature storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in cold regions. By collecting acoustic emission (AE) signals of sandstone during uniaxial compression failures, this paper analyzed the critical slowdown phenomenon of different types of sandstone during the freeze–thaw failure. According to the auto-correlation coefficients and the variance of AE signals under different windows and steps, the precursors were determined and a warning model of rock engineering failure precursors based on the critical slowdown principle was proposed. Then the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm was used to optimize the initial weights and thresholds of the back propagation (BP) neural network, and the influence factors of rock engineering failure under different working conditions were input as training sets to train the network. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between the predicted value and real value of the GWO-BP neural network reached 99.90% and 98.81% respectively, indicating that the accuracy of the BP neural network prediction was improved. This study provides a new method for rock engineering failure early warning, and has great theoretical and guiding significance for enriching and improving the rock mass AE monitoring technology.
Fractal characteristics and theirs influence on methane adsorption in high-rank coals with NMR
Authors: Jiang Wei , Zhou Ying , Wu Caifang , Du Mingyang
Published: January 2023

To further understand the pore structure characteristics and their effect on CH4 adsorption capacity for high-rank coals. Based on 11 fresh coal samples from the Zhina coalfield of South China. We analyzed the pore structure characteristics of coal samples by low-temperature liquid-nitrogen adsorption (LP-N2A) measurements. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we obtained the fractal dimensions of different types of pores by the new model, studied the relationship between the fractal dimensions, and the characteristic parameters of coals (composition and pore characteristics) and discussed the influence of the fractal dimensions on CH4 adsorption. The results show that according to LP-N2A isotherms, all coals can be classified into three types. The micropores provide the largest proportion of the specific surface area (SSA) of coals. Two fractal dimensions, Da (adsorption pore) and Ds (seepage pore), ranged from 2.471 to 2.805 and from 2.812 to 2.976, which were acquired in the saturated water condition by NMR. Furthermore, Da and Ds have different correlations with ash yield, carbon contents, moisture, SSA and irreducible fluid porosity. The coal composition and pore parameters have much greater control over fractal dimensions. Moreover, the different fractal dimensions have different influences on methane adsorption. With the increase of Da, the methane adsorption capacity is enhanced, but it is weakened with the increase of Ds. The high-rank coals have more SSA with higher Da and provide more adsorption sites for CH4. Langmuir pressure PL has different correlations with fractal dimensions. Da decreases with the increase of PL. The adsorption velocity is faster with higher Da. Thus, the fractal dimensions are the comprehensive reflection of differences among the physical properties of coal and are able to show the effect of coal properties on methane adsorption fully.
Distribution and evolution of hydrometeors in the stratiform cloud with embedded convection in the autumn ITCZ precipitation in Xisha: Case study
Authors: Feng Jie , Huang Yanbin , Wang Fei , Guo Feiyan , Li Wanju , Wang Wencai , Teng Shiwen , Xing Fenghua , Sun Jiaming , Zhou Yu , Sheng Lifang
Published: January 2023

In autumn, the clouds over the South China Sea contain more cloud water and cloud ice. Intertropical Convergence Zone sometimes can strengthen and move north, causing heavy precipitation in the northern South China Sea. To reveal the distribution and evolution of hydrometeors in the Intertropical Convergence Zone precipitation clouds, a rainfall process occurred in Xisha and surrounding regions on 16 October 2021 was analyzed by utilizing S-band dual-polarization weather radar data and fuzzy logic algorithm. The classified hydrometeors showed that drizzle, rain, and dry snow were the three most abundant types, while dry crystal was less, indicating deposition and aggregation were more active in the marine environment with sufficient water vapor. The relative content of drizzle and dry snow changed oppositely to that of rain particles, suggesting the coalescence of drizzle and the transformation of dry snow were important processes affecting the formation of rain particles. The precipitation clouds were characterized by stratiform clouds with embedded convections. The strong updraft in the convective clouds transported liquid water upward, thus dry snow could collide with supercooled water and rime to form graupel, then graupel melted to form large raindrops below the 0°C layer. However, compared with continental convective clouds, the riming was weaker. In the stratiform clouds, the ascending motion was weak, no graupel was generated, and the 0°C-layer bright band indicated that dry snow could directly contribute to the small raindrops by melting. This study revealed the evolution of hydrometeors in the Intertropical Convergence Zone precipitation clouds and found that the increase in raindrop size in convective clouds was caused by the combined effects of stronger coalescence and riming.
Joint towed streamer and ocean-bottom-seismometer data multi-parameter full waveform inversion in acoustic-elastic coupled media
Authors: Yang Tao , Liu Yuzhu , Yang Jizhong
Published: January 2023

Short-offset towed streamer data, and sparse ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) data are not conducive to applying multi-parameter full waveform inversion (FWI) in production. It is challenging to reconstruct deep velocity in the former, and the latter suffers from severe acquisition footprints. We developed a joint acoustic-elastic coupled full waveform inversion (J-AEFWI) method, in which towed streamer data and ocean-bottom seismometer data were used jointly to build P-wave and S-wave velocity models. A new joint objective function was established using the least-squares theory, and the joint acoustic-elastic coupled full waveform inversion method on the acoustic-elastic coupled equation was derived. The method can inject the residuals of the towed streamer data and the ocean-bottom seismometer data in time backward propagating to update P-wave and S-wave velocity models. The synthetic experimental results show that joint acoustic-elastic coupled full waveform inversion obtains more accurate results than when using these two types of data alone. Compared to using the towed streamer or ocean-bottom seismometer data alone, the joint acoustic-elastic coupled full waveform inversion method leads to better illumination of the deep background velocities and suppression of acquisition footprints. The results of joint acoustic-elastic coupled full waveform inversion were slightly better than those of the cascaded full waveform inversion strategy. To further demonstrate the benefit of the proposed method, we applied it to the field data, and better results are obtained as expected.