bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periprocedural unfractionated heparin bolus during endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke does more harm than good
Authors: Wischmann Johannes , Masouris Ilias , Keidel Linus , Tiedt Steffen , Trumm Christoph G , Zimmermann Hanna , Liebig Thomas , Höglinger Günter , Kellert Lars
Published: July 2024

Background

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) bolus is occasionally administered during endovascular treatment (EVT) to reduce thrombotic complications in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, the MR CLEAN-MED trial showed an increase in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (sICH) and a non-significant shift towards worse functional outcome with UFH administration. We aimed to analyze the impact of periprocedural UFH bolus in a real-world setting in anterior (ACS) and posterior circulation stroke (PCS) patients.

Methods

We analyzed data from the German Stroke Registry-Endovascular Treatment using propensity score matching. Primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months, and secondary outcome measures included mortality, angiographic outcomes, post-EVT National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores and ICH at 24 hours.

Results

Among 13,082 patients, 7948 with ACS (UFH bolus use in 15%) and 841 with PCS (UFH bolus use in 16.3%) were included in the propensity score matching analysis. Applying MR CLEAN-MED study criteria, UFH bolus was associated with worse functional outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% CI 1.06–1.96). Analyzing all ACS and PCS patients, UFH bolus did not provide any net benefit. In ACS patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), UFH bolus use was associated with worse functional outcomes (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.34 to 5.06).

Conclusion

Our findings show transferability of the MR CLEAN-MED results into a real-world setting, confirming a negative effect of periprocedural UFH on functional outcome in this subgroup of patients. Considering all ACS and PCS patients, periprocedural UFH did not provide a net benefit and appears to be harmful, particularly in IVT-treated patients.
Utilization of marble waste as fine aggregate in the composition of high-performance concrete containing mineral additions
Authors: Abbas Yassine , Djebien Rachid , Seghir NadhirToubal
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the effect of adding marble waste (MW) as fine aggregate on the properties of high-performance concrete (HPC). To achieve this objective, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of MW fine aggregate were substituted for ordinary fine aggregate in the composition of HPC mixtures containing silica fume and ground blast furnace slag. The fresh properties were studied using slump, fresh density, and air content tests, while the hardened properties were assessed using compressive and flexural strengths, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption, and chemical acid attack tests. The results obtained revealed that the addition of MW fine aggregate significantly improved the properties of HPC and increased its resistance to chemical acid attacks. The composition-based ground blast furnace slag containing 40% MW fine aggregate outperformed all other compositions, increasing compressive strength by 30.98%.
Testing the cosmic distance duality relation with Type Ia supernova and transverse BAO measurements
Authors: Wang Min , Fu Xiangyun , Xu Bing , Huang Yang , Yang Ying , Lu Zhenyan
Published: July 2024

In this work, we test the cosmic distance duality relation (CDDR) by comparing the angular diameter distance (ADD) derived from the transverse Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) data with the luminosity distance (LD) from the Pantheon type Ia supernova (SNIa) sample. The binning method and Gaussian process are employed to match ADD data with LD data at the same redshift. First, we use nonparametric and parametric methods to investigate the impact of the specific prior values of the absolute magnitude $$M_\textrm{B}$$

M
B

from SNIa observations and the sound horizon scale $$r_\textrm{s}$$

r
s

from transverse BAO measurements on the CDDR tests. The results obtained from the parametric and non-parametric methods indicate that specific prior values of $$M_\textrm{B}$$

M
B

and $$r_\textrm{s}$$

r
s

lead to significant biases on the CDDR test. Then, to avoid these biases, we propose a method independent of $$M_\textrm{B}$$

M
B

and $$r_\textrm{s}$$

r
s

to test CDDR by considering the fiducial value of $$\kappa \equiv 10^{M_\textrm{B} \over 5}r_\textrm{s}$$

κ
≡

10

M
B

5

r
s

as a nuisance parameter and then marginalizing its influence with a flat prior in the analysis. No violation of the CDDR is found, and the transverse BAO measurement can be used as a powerful tool to verify the validity of CDDR in the cosmological-model-independent method.
Faddeev–Jackiw Hamiltonian formulation for general exotic bi-gravity
Authors: Rodríguez-Tzompantzi Omar
Published: July 2024

General exotic bi-gravity, obtained in Ozkan et al. (Phys Rev Lett 123(3):031303, 2019), is a unitary parity-preserving model which describes two interacting spin-two fields in three-dimensional spacetime. Adopting a symplectic viewpoint, we investigate the dynamical structure of general exotic bi-gravity theory. In particular, by exploiting the properties of the corresponding pre-symplectic matrix and its associated zero-modes, we explicitly derive all constraints of the theory, including the integrability conditions and scalar relationships between all the parameters and fields defining the model. Then, as an application, these scalar relationships are used for studying the anti-de Sitter background. After that, we derive the gauge transformations for the dynamical variables from the structure of the remaining zero-modes, meaning that such zero-modes are indeed the generators of the gauge symmetry of the theory. Finally, by switching off one of the four coupling constants $$\beta _{n}$$

β
n

and assuming the invertibility of some of the dreibeins, we find that the general exotic bi-gravity theory has two physical degrees of freedom.
Analytical calculation of Kerr and Kerr-Ads black holes in f(R) theory
Authors: Li Ping , Liu Yong-qiang , Yang Jiang-he , Xu Siwei , Zhai Xiang-hua
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we extend Chandrasekhar’s method of calculating rotating black holes into f(R) theory. We show that the solution with constant Ricci scalar always exists in a general f(R) gravity and derive the Kerr and Kerr-Ads metric by using the analytical mathematical method. Suppose that the spacetime is a 4-dimensional Riemannian manifold with a general stationary axisymmetric metric, we calculate Cartan’s equation of structure and derive the Einstein tensor. In order to reduce the solving difficulty, we fix the gauge freedom to transform the metric into a more symmetric form. We solve the field equations in the two cases of the Ricci scalar $$R=0$$

R
=
0

and $$R\ne 0$$

R
≠
0

. In the case of $$R=0$$

R
=
0

, the Ernst’s equations are derived. We give the elementary solution of Ernst’s equations and show the way to obtain more solutions including Kerr metric. In the case of $$R\ne 0$$

R
≠
0

, we reasonably assume that the solution to the equations consists of two parts: the first is Kerr part and the second is introduced by the Ricci scalar. Giving solution to the second part and combining the two parts, we obtain the Kerr-Ads metric. The calculations are carried out in a general f(R) theory. Furthermore, the whole solving process can be treated as a standard calculation procedure to obtain rotating black holes, which can be applied to other modified gravities.
The Longest Wave Subsequence Problem: Generalizations of the Longest Increasing Subsequence Problem
Authors: Chen Guan-Zhi , Yang Chang-Biau , Chang Yu-Cheng
Published: July 2024

The longest increasing subsequence (LIS) problem aims to find the subsequence exhibiting an increasing trend in a numeric sequence with the maximum length. In this paper, we generalize the LIS problem to the longest wave subsequence (LWS) problem, which encompasses two versions: LWSt and LWSr. Given a numeric sequence [Formula: see text] of distinct values and a target trend sequence [Formula: see text], the LWSt problem aims to identify the longest subsequence of [Formula: see text] that preserves the trend of the prefix of [Formula: see text]. And, the LWSr problem aims to find the longest subsequence of [Formula: see text] within [Formula: see text] segments, alternating increasing and decreasing subsequences. We propose two efficient algorithms for solving the two versions of the LWS problem. For the LWSt problem, the time complexity of our algorithm is O[Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] represents the length of the given numeric sequence [Formula: see text]. Additionally, we propose an O[Formula: see text]-time algorithm for solving the LWSr problem. In both algorithms, we utilize the priority queues for the insertion, deletion, and successor operations.
An Efficient Algorithm to Compute Dot Product Dimension of Some Outerplanar Graphs
Authors: Bahrami Mahin , Kiani Dariush , Rahmati Zahed
Published: July 2024

A graph [Formula: see text] is called a [Formula: see text]-dot product graph if there is a function [Formula: see text] such that for any two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text]. The minimum value [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-dot product graph, is called the dot product dimension [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we give an efficient algorithm for computing the dot product dimension of outerplanar graphs of at most two edge-disjoint cycles. If the graph has two cycles, we only consider those outerplanar graphs if both cycles have exactly one vertex in common and the length of one of the cycles is greater than or equal to six.
A Blast from the Past: Shaping the Moscow–Beijing–Pyongyang Axis in 2023
Authors: KOVSH Andrey
Published: July 2024

The Beijing–Pyongyang–Moscow triangle is far from being a new invention. An inherent problem with such a political construct is that each side is pursuing its own ambitions at the expense of others, making it fragile from within. The recent geopolitical reality has summoned the triangle back from the past of the Cold War when it was first formed. But even if the emerging alliance appears to be stable from the outside, the three parties’ different aims and non-cooperative behaviour result in fragility of this construct as it was years ago.
Navigating Strategic Waters: The Japan–New Zealand Partnership in the South Pacific
Authors: IWAMI Tadashi , AZIZIAN Rouben
Published: July 2024

The Japan–New Zealand strategic partnership continues to expand, partly due to their shared interests in the South Pacific region. However, their closer strategic partnership does not imply a complete alignment of their strategic interests, especially in light of the growing strategic competition in the South Pacific region. Perception gap exists as to how Japan and New Zealand would deal with the presence of China in the South Pacific region.
China’s Strategy of Political Warfare in Sri Lanka
Authors: ABEYAGOONASEKERA Asanga
Published: July 2024

India and the United States lack the “political warfare” strategy that China has employed in many Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) nations. This article examines the occurrences of political warfare in Sri Lanka and Maldives, the two BRI nations, but focusing the discussion on China’s influence in Sri Lanka in five domains. In Sri Lanka, the president has shifted towards a pro-China foreign policy, while in the Maldives, a pro-China regime was installed. Amid the competing environment, despite counter-BRI strategies by India and the West through infrastructure investment, they have not been able to ward off China’s expansion through “political warfare”. This article also explores why political warfare is integral to the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy and the strategic benefits it gains from the strategy.
Democracy with Chinese Characteristics: Historical and Political Transformations
Authors: GALLAGHER Mitchell
Published: July 2024

In autocratic regimes, democracy stands as a paradoxical beacon, feared and manipulated by dictators. This study examines China’s conceptualisation of democracy post-Communist Party ascendancy, analysing key political historical milestones—the demise of the Qing dynasty, the Mao Era and subsequent leaders up to Xi Jinping today. The research sheds light on the Chinese Communist Party’s customisation of democracy, guided by the writings of its leaders, to suit China’s unique conditions. Democracy is an abstract concept, yet in China, authoritarian rule, hierarchical social structures and traditional values have helped shape interpretations and application.
Automatically Recommend Code Updates: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Liu Yue , Tantithamthavorn Chakkrit , Liu Yonghui , Thongtanunam Patanamon , Li Li
Published: July 2024

In recent years, large pre-trained Language Models of Code (CodeLMs) have shown promising results on various software engineering tasks. One such task is automatic code update recommendation, which transforms outdated code snippets into their approved and revised counterparts. Although many CodeLM-based approaches have been proposed, claiming high accuracy, their effectiveness and reliability on real-world code update tasks remain questionable. In this article, we present the first extensive evaluation of state-of-the-art CodeLMs for automatically recommending code updates. We assess their performance on two diverse datasets of paired updated methods, considering factors such as temporal evolution, project specificity, method size, and update complexity. Our results reveal that while CodeLMs exhibit higher performance in settings that ignore temporal information, they struggle in more realistic time-wise scenarios and generalize poorly to new projects. Furthermore, CodeLM performance decreases significantly for larger methods and more complex updates. Furthermore, we observe that many CodeLM-generated “updates” are actually null, especially in time-wise settings, and meaningful edits remain challenging. Our findings highlight the significant gap between the perceived and actual effectiveness of CodeLMs for real-world code update recommendation and emphasize the need for more research on improving their practicality, robustness, and generalizability.
Fitness Landscapes and Evolution of Catalytic RNA
Authors: Saha Ranajay , Vázquez-Salazar Alberto , Nandy Aditya , Chen Irene A.
Published: July 2024

The relationship between genotype and phenotype, or the fitness landscape, is the foundation of genetic engineering and evolution. However, mapping fitness landscapes poses a major technical challenge due to the amount of quantifiable data that is required. Catalytic RNA is a special topic in the study of fitness landscapes due to its relatively small sequence space combined with its importance in synthetic biology. The combination of in vitro selection and high-throughput sequencing has recently provided empirical maps of both complete and local RNA fitness landscapes, but the astronomical size of sequence space limits purely experimental investigations. Next steps are likely to involve data-driven interpolation and extrapolation over sequence space using various machine learning techniques. We discuss recent progress in understanding RNA fitness landscapes, particularly with respect to protocells and machine representations of RNA. The confluence of technical advances may significantly impact synthetic biology in the near future.
Animal models with characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: current applications and future perspectives
Authors: Chen Jinfeng , Zhang Tingting , Liu Yang , Dong Xueqian , Liu Jianjun
Published: July 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a common intestinal condition that significantly impacts work efficiency and quality of life. The use of animal models is crucial for delving into the pathophysiology of IBS-D and exploring therapeutic options. However, a wide variety of animal models for IBS-D has been used in previous studies, posing a considerable challenge for researchers in selecting a suitable model. In this review, using the Web of Science database, we searched IBS-D-related research spanning from 2014 to 2023; described the differences in animal strains and modeling methods among various IBS-D features recapitulating models; summarized the frequency of model usage, pathogenesis, and pathological characteristics of these models; and discussed their current applications, limitations, and future perspectives. The objective is to offer theoretical guidance for future researchers, aiding them in choosing suitable animal models based on their experimental designs.
T cell and airway smooth muscle interaction: a key driver of asthmatic airway inflammation and remodeling
Authors: Zhou Muyang , Sun Rui , Jang Joyce , Martin James G.
Published: July 2024

Cross talk between T cells and airway smooth muscle (ASM) may play a role in modulating asthmatic airway inflammation and remodeling. Infiltrating T cells have been observed within the ASM bundles of asthmatics, and a wide range of direct and indirect interactions between T cells and ASM has been demonstrated using various in vitro and in vivo model systems. Contact-dependent mechanisms such as ligation and activation of cellular adhesion and costimulatory molecules, as well as the formation of lymphocyte-derived membrane conduits, facilitate the adhesion, bidirectional communication, and transfer of materials between T and ASM cells. T cell-derived cytokines, particularly of the Th1, Th2, and Th17 subsets, modulate the secretome, proliferation, and contractility of ASM cells. This review summarizes the mechanisms governing T cell-ASM cross talk in the context of asthma. Understanding the underlying mechanistic basis is important for directing future research and developing therapeutic interventions targeted toward this complex interaction.
Simple model of pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart pressure overload induced by partial intravascular occlusion of the ascending aorta
Authors: Chovanec Milan , Ďurišová Jana , Vajnerová Olga , Baňasová Alena , Vízek Martin , Žaloudíková Marie , Uhlík Jiří , Krása Kryštof , Herget Jan , Hampl Václav
Published: July 2024

We present a new, simple model of a clinically important type of pulmonary hypertension, that induced by left heart failure. Left ventricular pressure overload is induced in rats by inserting a blinded cannula into the ascending aorta via carotid artery access. This partial intravascular aortic obstruction, which does not require opening of the chest and prolonged recovery, causes pulmonary hypertension, which has a precapillary and vasoconstrictor as well as a vascular remodeling component.
Organizational Learning and Primary Care Nurses’ Work Performance and Well‐Being: A Multilevel Linear Analysis in a Developing Country
Authors: Zhao Ruixue , Wang Wenhua , Zhang Jinnan , Li Mengyao , Nicholas Stephen , Maitland Elizabeth , Yang Huiyun , Mitchell Rebecca
Published: July 2024

Aim. This study aims to investigate the level of organizational learning within urban Chinese Community Health Centres and reveal its potential association with primary care nurses’ work performance and well‐being. Background. Globally, there is a push to establish learning healthcare systems for complex health reform challenges. Existing studies on organizational learning mainly focus on North American and European hospital settings, offering limited insights into primary care environments, particularly in developing countries. Design. Cross‐sectional study. Methods. We recruited 175 nurses from 38 community health centres in four Chinese cities (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Jinan) using convenience sampling. Trained research assistants conducted face‐to‐face surveys, measuring organizational learning with the Learning Orientation Scale. Nurse‐level outcomes included self‐directed learning, quality of care, organizational commitment, and work stress. Data analysis employed multilevel linear modelling. Results. The 38 community health centres displayed a relatively high level of organizational learning, and there was a positive and significant association between organizational learning within community health centres and nurses’ self‐directed learning as well as the quality of care. However, there was no significant association between organizational learning and nurses’ organizational commitment or work stress. Conclusion. This study demonstrates a high‐level organizational learning capacity in urban community health centres in China. It provides a new perspective on the potential relationship between CHCs’ organizational learning and primary care nurses’ well‐being and work performance. Further research is needed to clarify unexpected findings and identify factors promoting organizational learning in primary care settings. Implications for Nursing Management. In China’s evolving primary care system, nurses play a vital role amidst physician shortages. Policy should prioritize internal management reform alongside structural changes. This study highlights the importance of fostering organizational learning in primary care settings. Strategic interventions should promote a learning culture in CHCs, which may enhance nurses’ self‐directed learning and improve the quality of care.
Chemical Reaction Effects on the Flow of Titanium Dioxide–Water in a Mixed Convective Nanofluid along an Inclined Plate in a Porous Medium
Authors: Uddin Md. Nasir , Chowdhury Kakali , Mim Jannatul Ferdows
Published: July 2024

An inclined plate is being approached by a mixed convective boundary layer nanofluid flow of titanium dioxide–water through a porous medium. A numerical analysis has been done to investigate the effects of chemical reactions on the considered nanofluid flow. With the aid of a system of governing partial differential equations, a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for taking into consideration nanofluid flow have been derived using appropriate matching transformations. The Runge–Kutta method, as well as the Nachtsheim and Swigert Shooting method, is applied to numerically resolve the group of subsequent nondimensionalized equations. The associated numerical result was then successfully compared with the available published literature in a few unique, limited circumstances. Based on the considered nanofluid flow characteristics for heat as well as mass transfer, the effects of the Schmidt number, the permeability, and the chemical reaction parameters of the titanium dioxide–water nanofluid flow have been examined, assessed, and presented for velocity in conjunction with the local skin friction coefficient, temperature in conjunction with the local Nusselt number, as well as concentration in conjunction with the local Sherwood number. Numerical results reveal that the local Sherwood number Sh, as well as the local Nusselt number Nux, increase, whereas the local skin friction coefficient Cf decreases due to the increase in the chemical reaction parameter Krp.
The Art, Microbial Quality, Safety, and Physicochemical Characteristics of Jikita: A Traditional Ethiopian Fermented Beverage
Authors: Kemal Semira , Koricha Anbessa Dabassa
Published: July 2024

Jikita is a traditional fermented beverage popular among the Oromo ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It is made from cereal and has a high alcohol content and thick texture. Jikita is widely consumed in the Western Oromia region of Ethiopia and holds significant socioeconomic and cultural importance. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the microbial quality and safety of Jikita, as well as its physicochemical and proximate composition. This study is aimed at assessing the current state of Jikita production and consumption. Samples were collected from two districts in the West Shewa Zone, where Jikita is most prevalent. A survey was conducted to gather information on production methods, sanitary conditions, ingredient composition, and the socioeconomic importance of Jikita. The samples were then analyzed for microbial counts, identification, and dynamics, as well as for pH, titratable acidity (TA), moisture, total solid, alcohol, carbohydrate, fat, and protein contents. The results showed that the majority of producers and sellers were middle‐aged women who did not use protective clothing. Microbial counts revealed that the levels of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were below the WHO/FDA standards, and no Salmonella spp. were detected. The samples exhibited varying pH, TA, moisture, total solid, alcohol, carbohydrate, fat, and protein contents. The microbial dynamics during fermentation showed that different groups of bacteria and yeasts dominated different stages. The overall microbial quality of Jikita was indicative of spoilage microorganisms. However, the duration of fermentation inhibited the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and extended the shelf life of the product to more than 2 months. This study provides valuable insights into traditional fermented beverages and their implications for public health. It also suggests the need for improved hygiene practices and quality control measures in Jikita production and consumption.
Brief Review and Primer of Key Terminology for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Hypertension
Authors: Dunn Patrick , Ali Asif , Patel Akash P. , Banerjee Srikanta
Published: July 2024

Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) have caught the attention of many fields, including health care. The vision for AI is that a computer model can process information and provide output that is indistinguishable from that of a human and, in specific repetitive tasks, outperform a human’s capability. The 2 critical underlying technologies in AI are used for supervised and unsupervised machine learning. Machine learning uses neural networks and deep learning modeled after the human brain from structured or unstructured data sets to learn, make decisions, and continuously improve the model. Natural language processing, used for supervised learning, is understanding, interpreting, and generating information using human language in chatbots and generative and conversational AI. These breakthroughs result from increased computing power and access to large data sets, setting the stage for releasing large language models, such as ChatGPT and others, and new imaging models using computer vision. Hypertension management involves using blood pressure and other biometric data from connected devices and generative AI to communicate with patients and health care professionals. AI can potentially improve hypertension diagnosis and treatment through remote patient monitoring and digital therapeutics.
Wearable Devices, Health Care Use, and Psychological Well‐Being in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Rosman Lindsey , Lampert Rachel , Zhuo Songcheng , Li Quefeng , Varma Niraj , Burg Matthew , Gaffey Allison E. , Armbruster Tiffany , Gehi Anil
Published: July 2024

Background

Wearables are increasingly used by patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for symptom monitoring and health management, but their impact on patient health care use and psychological well‐being is not well understood.

Methods and Results

In this retrospective, propensity‐matched study of patients with AF, survey and electronic health record data were merged to compare AF‐specific health care use (outpatient/inpatient visits, rhythm‐related testing, and procedures) and informal health care use (telephone calls and patient portal messages) over a 9‐month period between wearable users and nonusers. We also examined the effects of wearable cardiac monitoring features (eg, heart rate alerts, irregular rhythm notification, and ECG) on patient behavior and well‐being. Of 172 patients with AF in this analysis (age, 72.6±9.0 years; 42% women), 83 used a wearable. Compared with nonusers, wearable users reported higher rates of symptom monitoring and preoccupation (
P
=0.03) and more AF treatment concerns (
P
=0.02). Moreover, 20% of wearable users experienced anxiety and always contacted their doctors in response to irregular rhythm notifications. After matching, AF‐specific health care use was significantly greater among wearable users compared with nonusers (
P
=0.04), including significantly higher rates of ECGs, echocardiograms/transesophageal echocardiogram, and ablation. Wearable users were also significantly more likely to use informal health care resources compared with nonusers (
P
=0.05).

Conclusions

Wearables were associated with higher rates of symptom monitoring and preoccupation, AF treatment concerns, AF‐specific health care use, and use of informal health care resources. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to understand the net effects of wearables and their alerts on patients, providers, and the health care system.
Quality of Life and Well‐Being in Adults With Fontan Physiology: Findings From the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry Quality of Life Study
Authors: Marshall Kate H. , d'Udekem Yves , Winlaw David S. , Zannino Diana , Celermajer David S. , Justo Robert , Iyengar Ajay , Cordina Rachael , Sholler Gary F. , Woolfenden Susan R. , Kasparian Nadine A.
Published: July 2024

Background

To characterize global and health‐related quality of life (QOL) among adults with Fontan physiology enrolled in the Australian and New Zealand Fontan Registry (ANZFR), and identify sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and relational factors associated with outcomes.

Methods and Results

Using a cross‐sectional survey design, 66 adults with Fontan physiology (58% women; mean age, 29.6±7.7 years; range, 18–50 years) completed validated self‐report measures. Health‐related QOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and global QOL was assessed using a visual analog scale (0–10). Participants reported lower total health‐related QOL (
P
<0.001), as well as lower physical (
P
<0.001) and social (
P
=0.002) functioning compared with normative data. Median global QOL was 7.0 (interquartile range: 5.0‐8.0) and most participants (71%) rated their QOL ≥6. For health‐related QOL, age, sex, university education, and length of hospital stay in the past 12 months explained 27% of the variance in scores, while general psychological stress, medical traumatic stress, communication problems, and access to emotional support explained a further 44% of variance (final model: 71% of variance explained). For global QOL, sociodemographic and clinical factors explained 20% of the variance in scores, while psychological stress and sense of coherence explained a further 24% (final model: 44% of variance explained).

Conclusions

Adults with Fontan physiology reported lower overall health‐related QOL compared with community‐based norms. Variance in QOL outcomes were predominantly attributable to psychological and relational factors. Tailored screening and assessment to identify Fontan patients at greatest risk of lower QOL, and a proactive approach to supportive care, are needed.
Lev Gutman—A Pioneer in Theoretical Mesoscale Meteorology
Authors: Gutman Garik , Pielke Roger , Anthes Richard , Alpert Pinhas , Baklanov Alexander , Bodin Svante , Khain Alexander , Krichak Simon
Published: July 2024

On 5 March 2023, Professor Lev Gutman would have been 100 years old. This article describes Professor Gutman’s legacy in the field of dynamic mesoscale meteorology and numerical weather prediction. Gutman developed his career as a mathematician and meteorologist in the Soviet Union, where he built a school of specialists in mesoscale meteorology from the 1950s through the 1970s. He primarily worked on analytical methods to solve complex nonlinear problems, such as the structure of sea breezes, mountain–valley circulations, and thermal convection over heated terrain. Gutman pioneered the development of theories of cumulus clouds, tornadoes, and other atmospheric phenomena. In the 1960s, he carried out numerous research investigations on these topics with his doctoral students and collaborators at the High-Altitude Geophysical Institute in Nalchik in the northern Caucasus and later at the Siberian Scientific Center near Novosibirsk. Gutman compiled the results from these studies into a monograph titled “Introduction to the Nonlinear Theory of Mesoscale Meteorological Processes,” which was published in Russian in 1969 and later translated into English, Chinese, and Japanese. This monograph became a major textbook for specialists in mesoscale meteorology, remaining relevant to this day. After Professor Gutman immigrated to Israel in 1978, his collaborations expanded to include Israeli and western scientists from Europe and the United States. Gutman did not receive the recognition he deserved due to the political realities of the time. His book and his seminal analytical solutions should still be useful for early career scientists in mesoscale meteorology and atmospheric dynamics.
Regime-Dependent Characteristics and Predictability of Cold-Season Precipitation Events in the St. Lawrence River Valley
Authors: Winters Andrew C. , Bassill Nick P. , Gyakum John R. , Minder Justin R.
Published: July 2024

The St. Lawrence River Valley experiences a variety of precipitation types (p-types) during the cold season, such as rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow. These varied precipitation types exert considerable impacts on aviation, road transportation, power generation and distribution, and winter recreation and are shaped by diverse multiscale processes that interact with the region’s complex topography. This study utilizes ERA5 reanalysis data, surface cyclone climatology, and hourly station observations from Montréal, Québec, and Burlington, Vermont, during October–April 2000–18 to investigate the spectrum of synoptic-scale weather regimes that induce cold-season precipitation across the St. Lawrence River Valley. In particular, k-means clustering and self-organizing maps (SOMs) are used to classify cyclone tracks passing near the St. Lawrence River Valley, and their accompanying thermodynamic profiles, into a set of event types that include a U.S. East Coast track, a central U.S. track, and two Canadian clipper tracks. Composite analyses are subsequently performed to reveal the synoptic-scale environments and the characteristic p-types that most frequently accompany each event type. Global Ensemble Forecast System version 12 (GEFSv12) reforecasts are then used to examine the relative predictability of cyclone characteristics and the local thermodynamic profile associated with each event type at 0–5-day forecast lead times. The analysis suggests that forecasted cyclones near the St. Lawrence River Valley develop too quickly and are located left-of-track relative to the reanalysis on average, which has implications for forecasts of the local thermodynamic profile and p-type across the region when the temperature is near 0°C.

Significance Statement

Diverse precipitation types are observed when near-surface temperatures approach 0°C during the cold season, especially across the St. Lawrence River Valley in southern Québec. This study classifies cold-season precipitation events impacting the St. Lawrence River Valley based on the track of storm systems across the region and quantifies the average meteorological characteristics and predictability of each track. Our analysis reveals that forecasted low pressure systems develop too quickly and are left of their observed track 0–5 days prior to an event on average, which has implications for forecasted temperatures and the type of precipitation observed across the region. Our results can inform future operational forecasts of cold-season precipitation events by providing a storm-focused perspective on forecast errors during these impactful events.
Genetic Aesthetic: The Futures of Shaping Life to Our Tastes
Authors: Dolan Timothy E.
Published: July 2024

The domestication of plants and animals differs from symbiotic relationships in its literal redesign of one lifeform by another. The shaping of lifeforms with the domestication of both animals and plants from canines to corn via selective breeding, hybridization and now genetic engineering confirms how evolution is governed more by culture and less nature. The focus here is on the theme of design in which we are fully involved as witnessed in our developing numerous breeds for our ends ranging from food to flowers. We created unnatural colors, floppy ears, and no procreation without intervention each of which run counter to what was heretofore natural order. Each of these alterations and innumerably more are artificial and entirely unnatural from a standard Darwinian perspective with market forces now determining the directions that were the province of evolutionary forces. The patenting of life forms, genetic mapping and gene splicing have only accelerated what was already a process of artificial selection. The piece concludes with discussion on the biases that have implications for life on this planet from our meddling with myriad species everywhere. Our preferences for the warm and furry over the cold and slimy is addressed suggesting that futurists should take the lead along with environmental scientists and bioethicists in critically assessing these biases in the context of the enormous complexity which comprises the web of life.
Unravelling the diagnostic pathology and molecular biomarkers in lung cancer
Authors: Charpidou Andriani , Hardavella Georgia , Boutsikou Efimia , Panagiotou Emmanouil , Simsek Gökçen Ömeroğlu , Verbeke Koen , Xhemalaj Daniela , Domagała-Kulawik Joanna
Published: July 2024

The progress in lung cancer treatment is closely interlinked with the progress in diagnostic methods. There are four steps before commencing lung cancer treatment: estimation of the patient's performance status, assessment of disease stage (tumour, node, metastasis), recognition of histological subtype, and detection of biomarkers. The resection rate in lung cancer is <30% and >70% of patients need systemic therapy, which is individually adjusted. Accurate histological diagnosis is very important and it is the basis of further molecular diagnosis. In many cases only small biopsy samples are available and the rules for their assessment are defined in this review. The use of immunochemistry with at least thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) and p40 is decisive in distinction between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular diagnosis and detection of known driver mutations is necessary for introducing targeted therapy and use of multiplex gene panel assays using next-generation sequencing is recommended. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors is the second promising method of systemic therapy with best results in tumours with high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on cancer cells. Finally, the determination of a full tumour pattern will be possible using artificial intelligence in the near future.
Genetic diversity analysis of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (Erlangshan subtype) based on whole genome re-sequencing
Authors: Wang Ruijun , Wang Xinle , Qi Yunpeng , Li Yanbo , Na Qin , Yuan Huiping , Rong Youjun , Ao Xiaofang , Guo Furong , Zhang Lifei , Liu Yan , Shang Fangzheng , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Yu
Published: July 2024

Background

Inner Mongolia cashmere goat (IMCG), renowned for its superior cashmere quality, is a Chinese indigenous goat breed that has been developed through natural and artificial selection over a long period. However, recently, the genetic resources of IMCGs have been significantly threatened by the introduction of cosmopolitan goat breeds and the absence of adequate breed protection systems.

Results

In order to assess the conservation effectiveness of IMCGs and efficiently preserve and utilize the purebred germplasm resources, this study analyzed the genetic diversity, kinship, family structure, and inbreeding of IMCGs utilizing resequencing data from 225 randomly selected individuals analyzed using the Plink (v.1.90), GCTA (v.1.94.1), and R (v.4.2.1) software. A total of 12,700,178 high-quality SNPs were selected through quality control from 34,248,064 SNP sites obtained from 225 individuals. The average minor allele frequency (MAF), polymorphic information content (PIC), and Shannon information index (SHI) were 0.253, 0.284, and 0.530, respectively. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) and the average expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.355 and 0.351, respectively. The analysis of the identity by state distance matrix and genomic relationship matrix has shown that most individuals’ genetic distance and genetic relationship are far away, and the inbreeding coefficient is low. The family structure analysis identified 10 families among the 23 rams. A total of 14,109 runs of homozygosity (ROH) were identified in the 225 individuals, with an average ROH length of 1014.547 kb. The average inbreeding coefficient, calculated from ROH, was 0.026 for the overall population and 0.027 specifically among the 23 rams, indicating a low level of inbreeding within the conserved population.

Conclusions

The IMCGs exhibited moderate polymorphism and a low level of kinship with inbreeding occurring among a limited number of individuals. Simultaneously, it is necessary to prevent the loss of bloodline to guarantee the perpetuation of the IMCGs’ germplasm resources.
Identification of several lncRNA-mRNA pairs associated with marbling trait between Nanyang and Angus cattle
Authors: Shi Mingyan , Huang Luyao , Meng Shuaitao , Wang Heming , Zhang Jinzhou , Miao Zhiguo , Li Zhichao
Published: July 2024

Background

The marbling trait of cattle muscles, being a key indicator, played an important role in evaluating beef quality. Two breeds of cattle, namely a high-marbling (Angus) and a low-marbling (Nanyang) one, with their cattle muscles selected as our samples for transcriptome sequencing, were aimed to identify differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their targets associated with the marbling trait.

Results

Transcriptome sequencing identified 487 and 283 differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs respectively between the high-marbling (Angus) and low-marbling (Nanyang) cattle muscles. Twenty-seven pairs of differentially expressed lncRNAs-mRNAs, including eighteen lncRNAs and eleven target genes, were found to be involved in fat deposition and lipid metabolism. We established a positive correlation between fourteen up-regulated (NONBTAT000849.2, MSTRG.9591.1, NONBTAT031089.1, MSTRG.3720.1, NONBTAT029718.1, NONBTAT004228.2, NONBTAT007494.2, NONBTAT011094.2, NONBTAT015080.2, NONBTAT030943.1, NONBTAT021005.2, NONBTAT021004.2, NONBTAT025985.2, and NONBTAT023845.2) and four down-regulated (NONBTAT000850.2, MSTRG.22188.3, MSTRG.22188.4, and MSTRG.22188.5) lncRNAs and eleven genes related to adiponectin family protein (ADIPOQ), cytochrome P450 family (CYP4V2), 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase family (HACD4), kinesin family (KIF5C), lipin family (LPIN2), perilipin family (PLIN1), prostaglandin family (PTGIS), solute carrier family (SLC16A7, SLC2213, and SLCO4C1), and containing a transmembrane domain protein family (VSTM1).

Conclusions

These candidate genes and lncRNAs can be regarded as being responsible for regulating the marbling trait of cattle. lncRNAs along with the variations in intramuscular fat marbling established a foundation for elucidating the genetic basis of high marbling in cattle.
Genome and transcriptome based comparative analysis of Tilletia indica to decipher the causal genes for pathogenicity of Karnal bunt in wheat
Authors: Singh Kalpana , Sharma Pradeep , Jaiswal Sarika , Mishra Pallavi , Maurya Ranjeet , Muthusamy Senthilkumar K , Saharan MS , Jasrotia Rahul Singh , Kumar Jitender , Mishra Shefali , Sheoran Sonia , Singh GP , Angadi UB , Rai Anil , Tiwari Ratan , Iquebal Mir Asif , Kumar Dinesh
Published: July 2024

Tilletia indica Mitra causes Karnal bunt (KB) in wheat by pathogenic dikaryophase. The present study is the first to provide the draft genomes of the dikaryon (PSWKBGD-3) and its two monosporidial lines (PSWKBGH-1 and 2) using Illumina and PacBio reads, their annotation and the comparative analyses among the three genomes by extracting polymorphic SSR markers. The trancriptome from infected wheat grains of the susceptible wheat cultivar WL711 at 24 h, 48h, and 7d after inoculation of PSWKBGH-1, 2 and PSWKBGD-3 were also isolated. Further, two transcriptome analyses were performed utilizing T. indica transcriptome to extract dikaryon genes responsible for pathogenesis, and wheat transcriptome to extract wheat genes affected by dikaryon involved in plant-pathogen interaction during progression of KB in wheat. A total of 54, 529, and 87 genes at 24hai, 48hai, and 7dai, respectively were upregulated in dikaryon stage while 21, 35, and 134 genes of T. indica at 24hai, 48hai, and 7dai, respectively, were activated only in dikaryon stage. While, a total of 23, 17, and 52 wheat genes at 24hai, 48hai, and 7dai, respectively were upregulated due to the presence of dikaryon stage only. The results obtained during this study have been compiled in a web resource called TiGeR (http://backlin.cabgrid.res.in/tiger/), which is the first genomic resource for T. indica cataloguing genes, genomic and polymorphic SSRs of the three T. indica lines, wheat and T. indica DEGs as well as wheat genes affected by T. indica dikaryon along with the pathogenecity related proteins of T. indica dikaryon during incidence of KB at different time points. The present study would be helpful to understand the role of dikaryon in plant-pathogen interaction during progression of KB, which would be helpful to manage KB in wheat, and to develop KB-resistant wheat varieties.
Diagnostic value of D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio for pulmonary embolism in postpartum women
Authors: Zhou Wenting , Qu Cuicui , Liu Xiaohua , Huang Junfeng
Published: July 2024

Background

Pulmonary embolism is a common disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. Diagnosing pulmonary embolism is challenging due to diverse clinical presentations and the lack of specific biomarkers. The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value on pulmonary embolism for postpartum women by D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio, and it combined with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Methods

A total of 537 women with suspected pulmonary embolism were selected as the research subjects from the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital between 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2022. The D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio and it combined with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were applied to evaluate the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism, and the positive predictive value of both scores were calculated using computed tomography pulmonary arteriography as a gold standard. The diagnostic value of D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio, combined with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was evaluated by the area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and other indicators in the receiver operator characteristic curve.

Results

Among the 502 women included for analysis, 194 (38.65%) were definitely diagnosed as pulmonary embolism. The positive predictive values of D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio and it combined with platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were 70.1%, 50.5%, and 56.5%, respectively in the postpartum women, the area under the curve for the D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio and it combined with platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were 0.606 (95%CI: 0.562–0.650), 0.624 (95%CI: 0.575–0.673), and 0.639 (95%CI: 0.592–0.686), respectively. The negative predictive values of D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio, it combined with platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio or neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were 50.5%, 70.1%, and 69.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

The diagnostic value of the D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio was higher than the D-dimer for the postpartum women with suspected pulmonary embolism. The combination of either the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio or the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio with D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio is an appropriate strategy to rule out pulmonary embolism.