bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcomes of apixaban as main anticoagulant in patients with HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Jdaidani Jennifer , Shadi Mahmoud , Asogwa Nnedi , Winik Jennifer , Rossi Dora , Saikus Christina , Avila Maria D. , Rojas‐Marte Geurys R.
Published: December 2024

Aims

HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) offer improved haemocompatibility‐related outcomes for end‐stage heart failure patients, facilitating the exploration of alternative anticoagulation therapies beyond warfarin. This study presents a long‐term evaluation of thrombotic and bleeding outcomes in HM3 LVAD patients transitioned from warfarin to apixaban.

Methods

We retrospectively identified HM3 LVAD patients at our single centre who transitioned from warfarin to apixaban. Baseline characteristics were described at discharge from implant hospitalization and at the last follow‐up on each anticoagulation regimen. We reported survival, thrombo‐embolic events (including LVAD pump thrombosis, stroke, arterial thrombo‐embolic events and pump exchange) and bleeding events on both warfarin and apixaban.

Results

Eight patients were identified between May 2018 and June 2022 who transitioned from warfarin to apixaban 5 mg twice daily. Patients were followed for a mean of 1233 days after LVAD implantation and 789 days after transition to apixaban. All patients were transitioned due to difficulty maintaining a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR), including five patients who experienced bleeding complications on warfarin. No patients encountered LVAD pump thrombosis, stroke events, arterial thrombo‐embolic event, pump exchange or death. While on warfarin, five patients had eight bleeding events: one major [requiring 2 units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs)] and seven minors (five gastrointestinal bleeds, one episode of haematuria and one episode of haemoptysis). After switching to apixaban, one patient with angioectasia had a major gastrointestinal bleed requiring two pRBCs and endoscopic clipping.

Conclusions

Apixaban demonstrated safe and favourable long‐term outcomes in a cohort of HM3 LVAD patients over a mean follow‐up of more than 2 years. To our knowledge, our report provides the longest follow‐up duration for this patient population to date. Larger prospective studies are needed before this can be adopted as the standard of care.
Long‐term rate of heart failure in patients with autoimmune disease: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Sun Guoli , Fosbøl Emil L. , Faurschou Mikkel , Schou Morten , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Butt Jawad H.
Published: December 2024

Aims

Although certain autoimmune diseases (AIDs) have been associated with an increased rate of heart failure (HF), data on the long‐term rate of HF across the spectrum of AIDs are lacking. We investigated the long‐term rate of HF in individuals with a history of 28 different AIDs.

Methods and results

Individuals diagnosed with an AID (2000–2021) were identified through Danish nationwide registries. Each patient with AID was matched with four individuals from the background population by age, sex, and year of inclusion. Multivariable Cox regression was used to compare the rate of HF between the AID and the background population, overall and according to individual AIDs. In total, 272 959 patients diagnosed with AID were matched with 1 091 836 individuals without AID (median age 55 years; 62% women; median follow‐up 7.9 years). The 10‐year cumulative incidence of HF was 5.2% for patients with AID and 3.5% for matched individuals. Patients with any AID had a higher associated rate of HF than matched individuals (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52–1.59). Patients with each of the AIDs had a higher associated rate of incident HF compared with matched individuals from the background population, although the association was not statistically significant for Reiter's and Behcet's disease. The highest relative rates were observed in patients with systemic sclerosis (HR 3.31, 95% CI 2.63–4.16) and Addison's disease (HR 3.03, 95% CI 2.35–3.91).

Conclusion

Patients with AID, irrespective of the type, had a higher associated rate of HF compared to the background population. Further research is needed to clarify whether screening for cardiovascular risk is beneficial.
Effects of stocking density on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, biochemical composition, and economic efficiency of a new strain of Oreochromis niloticus reared in cage culture system at Sindh Pakistan
Authors: Hassan Habib Ul , Ali Amjad , Wattoo Junaid , Sohail Muhammad , Raza Muhammad Ahsan , Hassan Syed Adeel , Kanwal Roohi , Kabir Muhammad , Rafiq Naseem , Manoharadas Salim , Khan Mohammad Rizwan , Arai Takaomi
Published: December 2024

The latest strain of Oreochromis niloticus is an altered ecological adaptation for sustainable aquaculture and is necessary to sustain stocking density and reduce physiological stress of the new strain. The present study aimed to determine the optimum stocking density, biological performance, and economic efficiency of the Nile tilapia. The 14,000 healthy seeds and uniform weight (40 ± 2.4 g) sex‐reversed Oreochromis niloticus were stocked in four cages, which are cage (1) 20 fish/m3, cage (2) 30 fish/m3, cage (3) 40 fish/m3, and cage (4) 50 fish/m3. The fish were fed 30% dietary protein and feeding frequency three times per day and the feeding rate adjusted according to the fish body weight. Results showed a significantly higher growth, weight gain, and specific growth rate in Nile tilapia stocking density on cage (1), 20 fish/m3 and cage (2), 30 fish/m3 compared to cage (3), 40 fish/m3 and cage (4), 50 fish/m3 (p < .05). The survival and growth rate showed an inverse relationship with stocking density. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) is the lowest in cage (1) and cage (2), which is significantly different from those of other cages (p < .05). The profit index (%) was significantly higher at low density. There was no significant variation in the HSI, VSI and CF. The digestive enzymes such as lipase and amylase were secreted highly in the cages (3) and (4) but high protease was secreted in cage (1). The lipid, ash, and protein of the whole fish were reduced to a lower density, but the moisture levels in the fish bodies raised significantly (p < .05) with increasing stocking density. The phenomenal regression indicates that 25–35 fish/m3 are optimum stocking density for Nile tilapia in the cage culture system. The current study has made significant step toward optimizing the stocking density of a new strain and developing cage culture in Pakistan.
Computer Folding of Parallel DNA G‐Quadruplex: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Conformational Space
Authors: Janeček Michal , Kührová Petra , Mlýnský Vojtěch , Stadlbauer Petr , Otyepka Michal , Bussi Giovanni , Šponer Jiří , Banáš Pavel
Published: December 2024

Guanine quadruplexes (GQs) play crucial roles in various biological processes, and understanding their folding pathways provides insight into their stability, dynamics, and functions. This knowledge aids in designing therapeutic strategies, as GQs are potential targets for anticancer drugs and other therapeutics. Although experimental and theoretical techniques have provided valuable insights into different stages of the GQ folding, the structural complexity of GQs poses significant challenges, and our understanding remains incomplete. This study introduces a novel computational protocol for folding an entire GQ from single‐strand conformation to its native state. By combining two complementary enhanced sampling techniques, we were able to model folding pathways, encompassing a diverse range of intermediates. Although our investigation of the GQ free energy surface (FES) is focused solely on the folding of the all‐anti parallel GQ topology, this protocol has the potential to be adapted for the folding of systems with more complex folding landscapes.
Agricultural Expansion and Landscape Heterogeneity Explain Vegetation Degradation in Brazilian Atlantic Forest Landscapes
Authors: Walder Matheus Torres , de Oliveira Carlos Leandro , Morante‐Filho José Carlos , Benchimol Maíra
Published: December 2024

Several anthropogenic activities in tropical forests, including deforestation and fragmentation, have led to intensive forest degradation. In fact, forest edges adjacent to anthropogenic land‐uses can be more exposed to abiotic changes and consequently lead to vegetation deterioration in forest interiors. However, there is still a lack of information on how temporal changes in land use can impact the vegetation degradation of tropical forests. Here, we investigate the influence of landscape context in explaining patterns of forest vegetation degradation over 35 years in two regions exhibiting different deforestation patterns in the threatened Atlantic Forest. Using the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), we assessed forest degradation in the center of 50 forest remnants. In particular, we estimated these indices and landscape metrics in a time series from 1985 to 2020, at a 5‐year interval, based on MapBiomas land‐use classification and Landsat imagery. Then, we used generalized linear mixed models to assess the influence of landscape metrics over time on NDMI and EVI. Our results indicated that forest degradation was intensified according to the increase in agricultural cover, although sites inserted in more heterogeneous landscapes showed reduced degradation (i.e., an increase in NDMI and EVI). We also observed that forest remnants surrounded by greater agricultural cover showed a decline in NDMI, especially in the initial years of the time series. We therefore emphasize the importance of curbing the agricultural expansion to reduce the long‐term forest degradation in Atlantic Forest remnants and suggest long‐term monitoring of forest quality using vegetation spectral indices.
Soil Microbial Assemblages and Landscape Patterns Shape Compositional Dissimilarities in Woody Plants in Urban Remnant Forest Patches
Authors: Yang Jingyi , Wang Zijin
Published: December 2024

The effects of abiotic factors on plant composition in urban remnant forests are well‐known, while the relationships between soil microbial and plant communities in terms of compositional similarity remain unclear. In this study, we explored the relative contribution of landscape factors and soil microbial assemblages in shaping the β‐diversity of woody plants in urban remnant forest patches. Research was conducted on woody plants and soil microorganisms across 15 remnant patches in Guiyang, China. The existence of compositional similarity between soil microbial and plant assemblages in these forests was investigated. Furthermore, the study assessed the relative influence of soil microbial assemblages and landscape variables on woody plant compositions employing generalized dissimilarity models (GDMs). Findings indicate that variations in composition among woody plants are positively correlated with soil microbial communities, underscoring the vital interaction between aboveground and belowground biodiversity. The GDM results revealed that the woody plant assemblages were equally determined by both direct and indirect (via soil microbial assemblages) effects of landscape patterns, and the indirect effects were even greater than the separate direct effects. These indirect effects often surpass the direct impact of landscape features by bolstering nutrient cycling and establishing beneficial relationships between microbes and plants. Consequently, soil microbes serve as a critical bridge, transforming and amplifying the influence of landscape patterns on plant communities. Moreover, the influence of soil microbial communities and landscape patterns on the variation in woody plant compositions is modulated by their life forms. This research underscores the intertwined roles of landscape patterns and soil microbial communities in shaping plant assemblages, highlighting a dual pathway of influence—direct from landscape and indirect via soil microbes. It reveals the critical importance of considering both abiotic and biotic factors, particularly the often‐overlooked soil microbes, in ecological studies and conservation strategies.
Size Effect and Macro‐Microscopic Bearing Characteristics of Compressed Shallow Foundations Based on Discrete Element Method and Centrifugal Similarity Principle
Authors: Li Yuqi , Xu Zhichao , Ma Zhuyin
Published: December 2024

Based on the discrete element method and the centrifugal similarity theory, Particle Flow Code PFC2D was employed to establish numerical models of soil for compressed shallow foundations. The particle size effect and boundary effect of soil‐bearing capacity for compressed shallow foundations, as well as the microscopic characteristics and failure mechanisms of soil, were studied. The results show that when the ratio of the foundation width to the maximum particle size in the model was greater than or equal to 30, the effect of particle size on the soil‐bearing capacity could be ignored. When the ratio of the net distance from the foundation to the model boundary to the foundation width was greater than or equal to 2, the bearing capacity of the soil was not significantly affected by the model boundary, and the boundary effect could be ignored. With the increase in foundation width, the bearing capacity factor of the soil decreased, and the failure mode of the soil shifted from a general shear failure to a local shear failure or punching shear failure. This research in this paper not only offers valuable insights for downscaling numerical discrete element models, but also introduces novel approaches for macro‐microscopic characterization of soil‐bearing capacity.
Physics‐Informed Active Learning With Simultaneous Weak‐Form Latent Space Dynamics Identification
Authors: He Xiaolong , Tran April , Bortz David M. , Choi Youngsoo
Published: December 2024

The parametric greedy latent space dynamics identification (gLaSDI) framework has demonstrated promising potential for accurate and efficient modeling of high‐dimensional nonlinear physical systems. However, it remains challenging to handle noisy data. To enhance robustness against noise, we incorporate the weak‐form estimation of nonlinear dynamics (WENDy) into gLaSDI. In the proposed weak‐form gLaSDI (WgLaSDI) framework, an autoencoder and WENDy are trained simultaneously to discover intrinsic nonlinear latent‐space dynamics of high‐dimensional data. Compared with the standard sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) employed in gLaSDI, WENDy enables variance reduction and robust latent space discovery, therefore leading to more accurate and efficient reduced‐order modeling. Furthermore, the greedy physics‐informed active learning in WgLaSDI enables adaptive sampling of optimal training data on the fly for enhanced modeling accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated by modeling various nonlinear dynamical problems, including viscous and inviscid Burgers' equations, time‐dependent radial advection, and the Vlasov equation for plasma physics. With data that contains 5%–10 Gaussian white noise, WgLaSDI outperforms gLaSDI by orders of magnitude, achieving 1%–7 relative errors. Compared with the high‐fidelity models, WgLaSDI achieves 121 to 1779 speed‐up.
A Finite Operator Learning Technique for Mapping the Elastic Properties of Microstructures to Their Mechanical Deformations
Authors: Rezaei Shahed , Asl Reza Najian , Faroughi Shirko , Asgharzadeh Mahdi , Harandi Ali , Koopas Rasoul Najafi , Laschet Gottfried , Reese Stefanie , Apel Markus
Published: December 2024

To obtain fast solutions for governing physical equations in solid mechanics, we introduce a method that integrates the core ideas of the finite element method with physics‐informed neural networks and concept of neural operators. We propose directly utilizing the available discretized weak form in finite element packages to construct the loss functions algebraically, thereby demonstrating the ability to find solutions even in the presence of sharp discontinuities. Our focus is on micromechanics as an example, where knowledge of deformation and stress fields for a given heterogeneous microstructure is crucial for further design applications. The primary parameter under investigation is the Young's modulus distribution within the heterogeneous solid system. Our investigations reveal that physics‐based training yields higher accuracy compared with purely data‐driven approaches for unseen microstructures. Additionally, we offer two methods to directly improve the process of obtaining high‐resolution solutions, avoiding the need to use basic interpolation techniques. The first one is based on an autoencoder approach to enhance the efficiency for calculation on high resolution grid points. Next, Fourier‐based parametrization is utilized to address complex 2D and 3D problems in micromechanics. The latter idea aims to represent complex microstructures efficiently using Fourier coefficients. The proposed approach draws from finite element and deep energy methods but generalizes and enhances them by learning parametric solutions without relying on external data. Compared with other operator learning frameworks, it leverages finite element domain decomposition in several ways: (1) it uses shape functions to construct derivatives instead of automatic differentiation; (2) it automatically includes node and element connectivity, making the solver flexible for approximating sharp jumps in the solution fields; and (3) it can handle arbitrary complex shapes and directly enforce boundary conditions. We provided some initial comparisons with other well‐known operator learning algorithms, further emphasize the advantages of the newly proposed method.
Salvage Therapy Efficacy is Modified by Risk Group at Diagnosis in Patients With Relapsed Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Fetzko Stephanie , Gupta Abha A. , Setty Bhuvana A. , Malone Mary Wedekind , Schraw Jeremy , Lupo Philip J. , Russell Heidi , Nicholls Lauren , Walterhouse David , Hawkins Douglas S. , Okcu M. Fatih
Published: December 2024

Background

Patients with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are treated with varying approaches and have a poor overall survival (OS). We performed an observational comparison of salvage regimens exploring whether high‐dose alkylator combinations were associated with longer OS.

Procedure

We categorized 110 patients with relapsed RMS from five institutions into two groups, those treated with regimens including a high‐dose alkylator (Group A) and those treated without a high‐dose alkylator (Group B). We compared OS between the two, adjusting for risk group at diagnosis and institution using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses.

Results

Median follow‐up in the 32 survivors was 4 years (range: 1.0–16.7 years) with a 28% (95% CI: 19%–37%) 4‐year OS. Group A patients had a longer OS compared to Group B (4‐year OS 41%, 95% CI: 27%–58%, vs. 14%, 95% CI: 4%–24%, respectively, p = 0.002). Adjustment for risk group at diagnosis abrogated the association (HR 1.4, 95% CI: 0.8–2.3, p = 0.16), while controlling for institution had no effect. In stratified analyses, patients with low risk at diagnosis had the highest effect size, suggesting a benefit after high‐dose alkylator regimens (stratified HR 4.4, 95% CI: 0.96–20.3, p = 0.06, reference Group A) compared to intermediate‐ (stratified HR 1.6, 95% CI: 0.9–3.2, p = 0.13) or high‐ (stratified HR 0.9, 95% CI: 0.4–1.8, p = 0.7) risk patients.

Conclusions

Patients with relapsed RMS and low‐risk group at diagnosis may benefit from high‐dose alkylator chemotherapy, while the high‐risk group has a dismal outcome regardless of treatment selection. It is inconclusive whether intermediate‐risk patients may benefit from such therapy.
Structure–activity relationships between nitrile analogues and acaricidal activities against Haemaphysalis longicornis
Authors: Lee Na‐Hyun , Lee Sangmin
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

A recent increase in severe fever with thrombocytopaenia syndrome (SFTS) virus cases in Korea has been observed. This virus attacks humans and animals, and no drug is available for its treatment. This study is investigating potential control measures targeting the causative agent, Haemaphysalis longicornis.

RESULTS

Lepidium meyenii oil was ≈8.3‐, 4.2‐ and 4.1‐fold more active than diethyltoluamide against H. longicornis larvae, nymphs and adults, respectively. The major components of L. meyenii oil were identified as benzyl nitrile (71.64%), followed by ethyl linoleic acid (13.32%), ethyl palmitate (7.81%) and 3‐methoxybenzyl nitrile (2.10%). In testing individual components of the oil were tested against H. longicornis adults, the half‐maximal lethal dose (LD50) values for benzaldehyde, benzyl nitrile and benzyl isothiocyanate were found to be 9.21, 9.19 and 18.26 μg cm−3, respectively. The acaricidal component was isolated and identified as benzyl nitrile. To establish the structure–activity relationships between nitrile analogues and acaricidal activities, benzyl nitrile (LD50: 0.56, 6.38 and 9.19 μg cm−3) exhibited the highest acaricidal activities against H. longicornis larvae, nymphs and adults, followed by benzoyl nitrile (3.24, 8.36 and 15.47 μg cm−3), phenyl nitrile (5.45, 9.35 and 17.48 μg cm−3) and diethyltoluamide (7.95, 14.81 and 22.12 μg cm−3). However, the presence of allyl, methyl or vinyl functional groups bound to the nitrile group abolished the acaricidal activity.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that L. meyenii oil, benzyl nitrile, benzoyl nitrile and phenyl nitrile represent suitable options for the secure management of H. longicornis. Nevertheless, additional research is essential to develop formulations that enhance the efficacy and safety of the aforementioned acaricides. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Semi‐mechanistic population PK/PD model to aid clinical understanding of myelodysplastic syndromes following treatment with Venetoclax and Azacitidine
Authors: Thakre Neha , Maier Corinna , Zha Jiuhong , Engelhardt Benjamin , Wolff Johannes E. , Mensing Sven
Published: December 2024

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a group of bone marrow disorders involving cytopenias, hypercellular bone marrow, and dysplastic hematopoietic progenitors. MDS remains a challenge to treat due to the complex interplay between disease‐induced and treatment‐related cytopenias. Venetoclax, a selective BCL‐2 inhibitor, in combination with azacitidine, a hypomethylating agent, is currently being investigated in patients with previously untreated higher‐risk MDS. We present an integrated semi‐mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model developed using preliminary clinical data from an ongoing Phase 1b study evaluating the safety and efficacy of venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in treatment‐naïve patients with higher‐risk MDS. Longitudinal data from 57 patients were used to develop the model, which accounted for venetoclax PK and azacitidine treatment to describe time dynamics of bone marrow blasts, neutrophils, red blood cells, and platelets. The proliferation and maturation of progenitor cells in the bone marrow to peripheral cells is described via three parallel connected transit models including feedback terms. The model also accounted for bone marrow crowding and its impact on hematopoiesis. Model validation demonstrated adequate goodness‐of‐fit, visual and numerical predictive checks. Model predicted complete remission (CR) rates and marrow complete remission (mCR) rates closely matched observed rates in the clinical study, and simulated efficacy (recovery of blast count, CR, and mCR rates) and safety (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) endpoints aligned with expected outcomes from various dosing regimens. Importantly, the semi‐mechanistic model may aid understanding and discriminating between disease‐driven and drug‐induced cytopenias.
Investigation of Nb2AlC Max Phase Integrated With 2D GCN (Nb‐MX/GCN) as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting Reaction
Authors: Murthy Sridevi Vetrinelaven , Natarajan Abirami , Rajaram Arulmozhi , Suresh Pavithra , Rajagopal Kayalvizhi
Published: December 2024

Noble metal‐based electrocatalysts are impractical for large‐scale manufacture due to their high cost, limited availability, and poor long‐term stability in performing several functions. Hence, an alternative is the need of the hour that emphasizes blending metals and ceramic property materials with compelling electroconductivity. In this research, we synthesized two bare materials, Nb2AlC MAX (Nb‐MX) phase and graphitic carbon‐nitride (GCN) sheets using the calcination method which is then converted into a composite (Nb‐MX/GCN) material through wet impregnation technique. The electrochemical investigations were conducted to assess the catalytic efficacy of the composite material. The synthesized Nb‐MX/GCN electrocatalyst exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic efficiency for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline environment. The catalyst exhibits a significantly low overpotential of just 66 mV and 450 mV for the HER and OER performance, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in a 1.0 M KOH solution. In addition, the catalytic activity exhibited no change over 24 h which indicated the excellent stability of the material. This performance surpassed the previously reported electrocatalysts.
Practical Trajectory Anonymization Method Using Latent Space Generalization
Authors: Sakuma Yuiko , Nishi Hiroaki
Published: December 2024

The global positioning system (GPS) data are commonly used for location‐based services such as traffic flow prediction. However, such data contain considerable sensitive information and thus, they must be anonymized before being published. In this study, we investigate trajectory anonymization. Previous methods have limitations in that they cannot be applied for different load network sparseness and cannot preserve the trajectory information. Thus, we propose a DNN‐based method that can anonymize trajectories with different load network sparseness and also preserve the trajectory information. Specifically, the trajectories are projected to the latent space using the pre‐trained encoder‐decoder model, and the latent variables are generalized. Furthermore, to reduce the information loss, we propose a segment‐aware trajectory modeling and study the effectiveness of assuming the normal distribution to the latent space. The experimental results using real GPS data show the effectiveness of the proposed method, presenting the improvement in the data reservation rate by approximately 3% and reducing the reconstruction error by approximately 31%. © 2024 The Author(s). IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering published by Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Trace Encoding Techniques for Multi‐Perspective Process Mining: A Comparative Study
Authors: Rullo Antonino , Alam Farhana , Serra Edoardo
Published: December 2024

Process mining (PM) comprises a variety of methods for discovering information about processes from their execution logs. Some of them, such as trace clustering, trace classification, and anomalous trace detection require a preliminary preprocessing step in which the raw data is encoded into a numerical feature space. To this end, encoding techniques are used to generate vectorial representations of process traces. Most of the PM literature provides trace encoding techniques that look at the control flow, that is, only encode the sequence of activities that characterize a process trace disregarding other process data that is fundamental for effectively describing the process behavior. To fill this gap, in this article we show 19 trace encoding methods that work in a multi‐perspective manner, that is, by embedding events and trace attributes in addition to activity names into the vectorial representations of process traces. We also provide an extensive experimental study where these techniques are applied to real‐life datasets and compared to each other.
Advanced Antibacterial Strategies for Combatting Biomaterial‐Associated Infections: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kasapgil Esra , Garay‐Sarmiento Manuela , Rodriguez‐Emmenegger César
Published: December 2024

Biomaterial‐associated infections (BAIs) pose significant challenges in modern medical technologies, being a major postoperative complication and leading cause of implant failure. These infections significantly risk patient health, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and elevated treatment expenses. This comprehensive review examines the mechanisms driving bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on biomaterial surfaces, offering an in‐depth analysis of current antimicrobial strategies for preventing BAIs. We explore antimicrobial‐eluting biomaterials, contact‐killing surfaces, and antifouling coatings, emphasizing the application of antifouling polymer brushes on medical devices. Recent advancements in multifunctional antimicrobial biomaterials, which integrate multiple mechanisms for superior protection against BAIs, are also discussed. By evaluating the advantages and limitations of these strategies, this review aims to guide the design and development of highly efficient and biocompatible antimicrobial biomaterials. We highlight potential design routes that facilitate the transition from laboratory research to clinical applications. Additionally, we provide insights into the potential of synthetic biology as a novel approach to combat antimicrobial resistance. This review aspires to inspire future research and innovation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing medical device technology.
Regulation of Informal Credit Markets in South Africa
Authors: Yimer Gebreyesus
Published: December 2024

South Africa has tried different approaches to find the right balance between access to finance and consumer protection. The laws that deal with small-scale loans by private moneylenders evolved from punishable crime under the usury laws to a responsible lending approach that cautions lenders to take responsibility for reckless lending while allowing them to consider their costs and risks in the interest rates to be charged for small loans. This chapter discusses South Africa’s legal response to problems that the informal credit markets may cause in society and the economy. Since 1926, South Africa has enacted laws to deal with informal credit and has been replacing and amending laws to deal with the emerging challenges of financial exclusion. The current National Credit Act (NCA) has reformed most of the gaps in the earlier statutes.
Courts and the Informal Credit Markets: The Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Yimer Gebreyesus
Published: December 2024

Official laws fail to provide a comprehensive legal framework reflecting Ethiopia’s unique nature of informal credit markets. These markets, characterised by their reliance on trust and personal relationships, operate outside the purview of formal financial institutions. The laws do not consider these realities, and therefore, it is difficult for the actors in the informal credit markets to operate without sidelining the official rules by using various techniques. This chapter examines how courts deal with the gaps between official laws and practices in the adjudication of disputes. Selected court cases have been used to uncover how courts balance the different interests involved in those cases.
Spurious gauge-invariance and γ5 in dimensional regularization
Authors: Ruiz Pablo Olgoso , Vecchi Luca
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Dimensional regularization is arguably the most popular and efficient scheme for multi-loop calculations. Yet, when applied to chiral (gauge) theories like the Standard Model and its extensions, one is forced to deal with the infamous “γ5 problem”. The only formulation that has been demonstrated to be consistent at all orders in perturbation theory, known as Breiteinlohner-Maison-’t Hooft-Veltman scheme, is rather cumbersome because of the lack of manifest chiral gauge-invariance. In this paper we point out that this drawback can be alleviated by the introduction of auxiliary fields that restore a spurious version of gauge-invariance. If combined with the background field method, all 1PI amplitudes and the associated counterterms are formally covariant and thus severely constrained by the symmetries. As an illustration we evaluate the symmetry-restoring counterterms at 1-loop in the most general renormalizable gauge theory with Dirac fermions and scalar fields, the Standard Model representing a particular example.
Minimally disruptive auditory cues: their impact on visual performance in virtual reality
Authors: Jiménez-Navarro Daniel , Serrano Ana , Malpica Sandra
Published: December 2024

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to become a revolutionary technology with a significant impact on our daily lives. The immersive experience provided by VR equipment, where the user’s body and senses are used to interact with the surrounding content, accompanied by the feeling of presence elicits a realistic behavioral response. In this work, we leverage the full control of audiovisual cues provided by VR to study an audiovisual suppression effect (ASE) where auditory stimuli degrade visual performance. In particular, we explore if barely audible sounds (in the range of the limits of hearing frequencies) generated following a specific spatiotemporal setup can still trigger the ASE while participants are experiencing high cognitive loads. A first study is carried out to find out how sound volume and frequency can impact this suppression effect, while the second study includes higher cognitive load scenarios closer to real applications. Our results show that the ASE is robust to variations in frequency, volume and cognitive load, achieving a reduction of visual perception with the proposed hardly audible sounds. Using such auditory cues means that this effect could be used in real applications, from entertaining to VR techniques like redirected walking.
Alk1/Endoglin signaling restricts vein cell size increases in response to hemodynamic cues
Authors: Diwan Zeenat , Kang Jia , Tsztoo Emma , Siekmann Arndt F.
Published: December 2024

Hemodynamic cues are thought to control blood vessel hierarchy through a shear stress set point, where flow increases lead to blood vessel diameter expansion, while decreases in blood flow cause blood vessel narrowing. Aberrations in blood vessel diameter control can cause congenital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We show in zebrafish embryos that while arteries behave according to the shear stress set point model, veins do not. This behavior is dependent on distinct arterial and venous endothelial cell (EC) shapes and sizes. We show that arterial ECs enlarge more strongly when experiencing higher flow, as compared to vein cells. Through the generation of chimeric embryos, we discover that this behavior of vein cells depends on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway components Endoglin and Alk1. Endoglin (eng) or alk1 (acvrl1) mutant vein cells enlarge when in normal hemodynamic environments, while we do not observe a phenotype in either acvrl1 or eng mutant ECs in arteries. We further show that an increase in vein diameters initiates AVMs in eng mutants, secondarily leading to higher flow to arteries. These enlarge in response to higher flow through increasing arterial EC sizes, fueling the AVM. This study thus reveals a mechanism through which BMP signaling limits vein EC size increases in response to flow and provides a framework for our understanding of how a small number of mutant vein cells via flow-mediated secondary effects on wildtype arterial ECs can precipitate larger AVMs in disease conditions, such as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).
In Pursuit of Recovery: A Comparative Study of Stakeholder Perspectives on Outcomes of People with Psychosis
Authors: van Dee Violet , Swildens Wilma , Schnack Hugo G. , Cahn Wiepke
Published: December 2024

There is no consensus on the definition of recovery of people with psychosis. This may be attributed to the broad concept including clinical, functional and personal recovery domains and the diverse interests of stakeholders involved. We hypothesized that service users, informal caregivers and healthcare professionals would exhibit differences in prioritization, reflecting varying roles and viewpoints. Through an open online anonymous questionnaire, stakeholders shared their perspectives on most important aspects of clinical, functional and personal recovery and on facilitators and barriers of recovery. Stakeholder collaboration in study design and interpretation enhanced the study’s robustness. The answers on open questions of respondents were categorized for statistical analyses to compare the answers between respondent groups on the different aspects of recovery. 226 stakeholders participated. While commonalities prevailed, distinctions emerged in recovery domain priorities. Service users and informal caregivers accorded equal importance to clinical, functional and personal recovery, whereas healthcare professionals emphasized clinical recovery. Regarding functional recovery, service users seemed to focus on practical issues while informal caregivers addressed the underlying causes. Disparities were notable in the role of healthcare that was considered as both a facilitator or a barrier to recovery, with informal caregivers prioritizing aspects of healthcare more frequently as most important than healthcare professionals. While commonalities prevailed, we identified several differences in prioritizing recovery domains among stakeholder groups. Awareness and understanding of these differences is crucial for effective communication and collaboration between stakeholders in recovery-oriented healthcare. The study underscores the need for ongoing dialogue between stakeholders.
The Contributions of Attentional Bias and Expectancy Bias to Fluctuations in State Anxiety
Authors: Tough James , Grafton Ben , MacLeod Colin , Van Bockstaele Bram
Published: December 2024

Background

Individuals differ in the degree to which they experience elevations in state anxiety in response to anticipated potentially stressful events, which may be explained by variance in the way information relevant to those stressors is processed. The present study aimed to test the validity of the hypothesis that the attentional processing of negative event-related information will be positively associated with changes in event-related negative expectancy bias, which in turn will be positively associated with elevations in state anxiety.

Method

Using a variant of the dual probe task, participants were asked to report their state anxiety and negative expectancy bias at multiple points and were presented with information relevant to a specific anticipated potentially stressful event from which a measure of attentional bias was obtained.

Results

The results indicated a case of complete mediation, whereby changes in event-related negative expectancy bias fully mediated the relationship between attentional bias to negative event-related information and elevations in state anxiety.

Conclusions

This finding adds to our understanding of how the biased processing of information can explain fluctuations in state anxiety and invites research into alternative presentations of biased information processing.
Relationship between the amplitudes of cerebral blood flow velocity and intracranial pressure using linear and non-linear approach
Authors: Pelah Adam I. , Najdek Monika , Czosnyka Marek , Uryga Agnieszka
Published: December 2024

Intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow and volume are affected by craniospinal elasticity and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, interacting in complex, nonlinear ways. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may significantly alter this relationship. This retrospective study investigated the relationship between the vascular and parenchymal intracranial compartments by analysing two amplitudes: cerebral blood flow velocity (AmpCBFV) and ICP (AMP) during hypocapnia manoeuvre in TBI patients. Twenty-nine TBI patients hospitalised at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, whose ICP and CBFV were monitored during mild hypocapnia, were included. A linear metric of the relationship was defined as a moving-window correlation (R) between AmpCBFV and AMP, named RAMP. Nonlinear metrics were based on the Joint Symbolical Analysis (JSA) algorithm, which transforms AmpCBFV and AMP into sequences of symbols (‘words’) using a binary scheme with word lengths of three. The mean AmpCBFV and AMP were not significantly correlated at baseline (r = − 0.10) or during hypocapnia (r = − 0.19). However, the RAMP index was significantly higher at baseline (0.64 ± 0.04) compared to hypocapnia (0.57 ± 0.04, p = 0.035). The relative frequency of symmetrical word types (JSAsym) describing the AmpCBFV–AMP interaction decreased during hypocapnia (0.35 ± 0.30) compared to baseline (0.44 ± 0.030; p = 0.004). Our results indicate that while the grouped-averaged AmpCBFV and AMP were not significantly correlated, either at baseline or during hypocapnia, significant changes were observed when using RAMP and JSA indices. Further validation of these new parameters, which reflect the association between the vascular and parenchymal intracranial compartments, is needed in a larger cohort.
Research trends in Peruvian universities: proposal for a research agenda with a bibliometric approach
Authors: Arcila-Diaz Juan , Delgado-Caramutti Jorge , Millones-Gómez Pablo A. , Figueroa-Quiñones Joel , Valencia-Arias Alejandro
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to determine the research areas with the largest numbers of publications, the most influential researchers, and research trends in Peruvian Universities. Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted from the Scopus database by retrieving a total of 29,935 documents between 2008 and 2021. Findings: The study analyzed the scientific production of 93 accredited universities in Peru between 2008 and 2021, retrieved 29,935 documents, and observed an annual growth rate of 15% before Law 30,220, and 28% after. Medicine, social sciences, and engineering are the subject areas with the most publications. The study also found that Peruvian universities have contributed to 27 research areas. Peru, the United States, and Brazil were the top countries in collaboration. The study also illustrated the intellectual and conceptual structure of scientific production, with the greatest relevance in medicine and health.
Retrodictive and predictive attentional modulation in temporal binding
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus
Published: December 2024

This paper sets forward a novel theory of temporal binding, a mechanism that integrates the temporal properties of sensory features into coherent perceptual experiences. Specifying a theory of temporal binding remains a widespread problem. The popular ‘brain time theory’ suggests that the temporal content of perceptual experiences is determined by when sensory features complete processing. However, this theory struggles to explain how perceptual experiences can accurately reflect the relative timing of sensory features processed at discrepant times. In contrast, ‘event time theories’ suggest that the temporal content of perceptual experiences reflects the relative event time of external sensory features and that the brain accommodates differential processing times. We can formulate retrodictive and predictive versions of this theory. Retrodictive event time theories propose that we accommodate desynchronised processing retrodictively. Predictive event time theories propose that we accommodate desynchronised processing by predictively modelling the event time of sensory features. I argue that both views have strengths and weaknesses. This paper proposes a new hybrid theory that integrates these theories to accommodate these weaknesses. Firstly, I argue how retrodictions and predictions can interact in mutually beneficial ways to ensure speedy and accurate temporal binding. Secondly, I propose how attention plays a central role in flexibly selecting which contents get to be temporally bound. This theory can explain how prediction and retrodiction differentially affect temporal binding and, in turn, proposes a new way to understand temporal binding and has implications for how we should understand conscious experiences.
Genome editing in almond using hairy root transformation system
Authors: Jedličková Veronika , Štefková Marie , Sánchez López Juan Francisco , Grimplet Jérôme , Rubio Cabetas María José , Robert Hélène S.
Published: December 2024

Woody plant species are often challenging to transform, which complicates gene function studies using molecular biology techniques. To develop an effective gene editing tool for almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus), we established a new method for inducing hairy roots in almond seedlings based on the injection of agrobacterial culture. We generated composite plants comprising wild-type shoots and transgenic hairy roots. This approach was also successful in almond x peach hybrids. The hairy root transformation system was used alongside Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 gene editing to target two transcription factor genes (ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 74 and GIBBERELLIC ACID INSENSITIVE). We successfully generated hairy roots with knockouts of the target genes and evaluated the efficiency of guide RNAs for gene editing in almond. Our transgenic root method could be a valuable tool for routine gene function studies in almond.
Water and Oil Volume Measurement Using UV–Visible Spectroscopy
Authors: Sarlak Mohammad , Reed Jules , Law Stuart , McCue Alan J. , Tanino Yukie
Published: December 2024

Fluid saturation in relative permeability experiments is typically determined by volumetric or gravimetric measurements, as well as in-situ saturation monitoring (ISSM). Gravimetric measurements tend to have larger error due to grain loss. The conventional volumetric method used can be a challenge because produced volumes for oil and water must be separated and measured manually. ISSM method is also a costly technique. In this study, an UV–visible spectroscopy was used to continuously and cost effectively measure oil and water volumes. A water-oil unsteady state relative permeability was performed to investigate the feasibility of calculating oil and water volumes using UV–visible spectroscopy. UV–visible spectroscopy is a quantitative technique in analytical chemistry to determine concentrations of known solutes. A UV–visible spectroscope was located in the flow line immediately after the core holder and used to quantify fluid volumes (oil and water) produced from a core sample during unsteady state relative permeability study. A volumetric separator was also used to compare production volumes obtained from UV–visible spectroscope. The relative permeabilities were calculated using JBN method from both volumetric and UV-visible spectroscope measurements and then history matched with Sendra (PRORES AS). The final oil volume produced, oil and water relative permeability curves obtained from UV–visible spectroscope measurements were in good agreement with volumetric measurements. The Corey relative permeability curves simulated from Sendra also were closely matched with analytical relative permeability curves obtained using volume measurements from volumetric and UV–visible spectroscope data. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) on post relative permeability experiment was also in good agreement with UV–visible spectroscope measurement. UV–visible spectroscopy was also used to measure the breakthrough time of the injected fluid. Breakthrough time estimated using in-line UV–visible spectrophotometer was 0.634 PVI compared to 0.617 and 0.673 PVI from pressure data and volumetric observations.

Graphic Abstract