bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodality imaging for the diagnosis of left ventricular apical hypoplasia: A case presentation and review of the literatures
Authors: Liao Shusheng , Jin Peifeng , Miao Rongrong , Huang Xinshi
Published: March 2024

Left ventricular apical hypoplasia is a rare malformation recently described congenital abnormality characterized by: (1) truncation of the left ventricle, with the septum projecting toward the right ventricle; (2) abnormal papillary muscle originating from the flattened left ventricular apex; (3) a narrow right ventricle encompassing the periapical area of the left ventricle; (4) fatty infiltration of the apex of the left ventricle. We reported a case of LVAH and reviewed the patient's clinical presentation. And its morphologic characteristics were revealed by multimodality imaging, including echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, we reviewed 41 cases from 32 reports to summarize the pathogenesis and analyzed the imaging manifestations of LVAH in this study, aiming to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and clinical management of LVAH patients.
Egg parasitoid assemblages and their effectiveness against the Lepidoptera soybean defoliators in Argentina's subtropical production region
Authors: Valverde Liliana , Van Nieuwenhove Guido A. , Virla Eduardo G.
Published: March 2024

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae), is one of the most important crops worldwide, but caterpillars of various species (Lepidoptera) may greatly reduce its annual yield. Nowadays, the main method of controlling these pest species is based on the use of broad‐spectrum insecticides, which are harmful to human health and increase environmental contamination. Therefore, other sustainable methods of control, such as biological control, are in increasing demand. The present study aimed to identify the egg parasitoid species that attack lepidopterans defoliating soybeans in South America's subtropical regions, as well as evaluate their effectiveness at various stages of soybean development. The research was conducted in a commercial soybean field (80 ha) located in Tucumán, Argentina, which was surrounded by wild vegetation as a way to promote biological control. Every week, throughout three consecutive soybean seasons, 20 soybean plants were randomly selected and brought to the laboratory in search of lepidopteran eggs. Over the course of the three crop seasons, the soybean plants were attacked by Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Erebidae), Rachiplusia nu (Guenée), and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (both Noctuidae). Six egg parasitoid species were identified, but only three of them were frequently found during the current study. Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was the most predominant species attacking all lepidopteran pests across all soybean phenological stages. Encarsia porteri (Mercet) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) preferred to attack R. nu eggs, whereas Telenomus cyamophylax Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitized only A. gemmatalis and R. nu eggs. Despite the use of insecticides in the soybean field, the parasitism rates recorded were high. This suggests that using conservation tactics such as native vegetation patches and surrounding alternative crops may result in higher rates of natural control.
“It's just a technological version of us”: Three‐generation family WhatsApp groups in Israel
Authors: Alkobi Galit , Khvorostianov Natalia
Published: March 2024

Objective

This qualitative study analyzes communication practices, roles, and rules developed by family members while participating in a three‐generation WhatsApp family group (WFG).

Background

Although instant messaging applications such as WhatsApp have become increasingly popular with families worldwide, study findings of the digital family formation process, roles, rules, and family communication styles have remained fragmented. Combining the rich familism ideology with technological skills makes the Israel digital family a good study case.

Method

We conducted 43 semistructured interviews with WFG participants representing three generations of Jewish Israeli families.

Results

All WFGs were organized in the form of a three‐generation family tree, including one or a couple of older people in the core and a significant number of their younger relatives in the upper tree levels, where WFG membership was used as a marker of family belonging. WFG members played roles of kinkeepers, flickerers (rarely commenting participants), and silent warm experts. WFGs used two rules for communication—problematic discourse avoidance and exaggerated writing style—and two strategies for enforcing those rules—temporarily excluding rule breakers from the general group or ignoring messages of offending participant(s).

Conclusion

Maintaining the WFG is not a single initiative but a collective, well‐coordinated endeavor of all family generations, which helps to include grandparents in the digital family, gives WFG participants a sense of family belonging, and reproduces the image of the untroubled family.

Implications

The research findings can be helpful for educators, family therapists, social workers, and social policy professionals. Moreover, the study's results can benefit families who want to open WhatsApp family groups.
Development, validation and feasibility of a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire for evaluating the quality performance of a diagnostic small fibre neuropathy service: A qualitative study
Authors: Geerts Margot , Hoeijmakers Janneke G. J. , Essers Brigitte A. B. , Merkies Ingemar S. J. , Faber Catharina G. , Goossens Mariëlle E. J. B.
Published: March 2024

Introduction and Aim

Small fibre neuropathy (SFN) is a peripheral neuropathy, leading to neuropathic pain and autonomic dysfunction. An evidence‐based standardized patient diagnostic SFN service has been implemented in the Netherlands for improving patient‐centred SFN care. However, the quality of care of this diagnostic SFN service has never been assessed from a patient perspective. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an SFN‐Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (SFN‐PSQ) to measure the quality performance of a standardized diagnostic SFN service.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative study to create the SFN‐PSQ was performed using the (COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist. For item generation and content development, domains and/or items from validated PSQs were selected. The content development and content validity were performed using a Delphi method with SFN expert caregivers with different backgrounds. By using the three‐step‐test method in individual cognitive interviews, the content validity by patients was finalized.

Results

In one online Delphi panel round, the content of the first concept of the SFN‐PSQ was validated, which resulted in the second concept of the SFN‐PSQ. From July 2019 till March 2020, nine patients consented to participate in the individual cognitive interviews. The most significant changes of the new questionnaire were adding domains and items concerning the waiting list, the diagnostic services and consultation by the hospital psychiatrist. Also, a differentiation was made for both an inpatient and outpatient diagnostic SFN service. Furthermore, the clarity and intelligibility of the domains/items were improved, resulting in an increased comprehension of the SFN‐PSQ. Ultimately, the new developed SFN‐PSQ consisted of 10 domains and 51 items, suitable for measuring patient satisfaction of the neurological analysis in patients with SFN.

Conclusion

Through item generation, expert opinions and interviews with patients, the SFN‐PSQ was developed and validated, and feasibility was confirmed. The structure of the questionnaire, based on the logistic and diagnostic SFN pathway, could be used as a model in other hospitals to improve the quality, continuity and access of SFN care and other chronic diseases taking into account potential cross‐cultural differences.

Patient or Public Contribution

Caregivers were involved in the item generation and content development of the questionnaire. Patients were directly involved in testing the content validity and feasibility of the SFN‐PSQ.

Clinical Trial Registration

Not applicable.
QUESTIONS IN HISTORIOGRAPHY FROM THE NINETEENTH CENTURY TO THE AGE OF GENERATIVE AI
Authors: Hughes‐Warrington Marnie
Published: March 2024

History theory does not have a mature theory of questions. This reflects both historical and philosophical assumptions. As Holly Case has argued in The Age of Questions (2018), the big questions of the nineteenth century and their proposed final solutions arguably primed the murderous logic of genocide in the first half of the twentieth century. On her account, questions have become tamed as technical tools in historical monographs and reviews like this one. This picture of the twentieth century, though, runs up against R. G. Collingwood's historiographical logic of questions and the rise of erotetic logics in computer science. Computational erotetic logics have shaped the creation of large language models such as the GPT series and focused our attention on expressivity, effectivity, and classification in the relation of questions and answers. Collingwood's logic is different, using the relation of questions to questions to point to presuppositions. This metaphysical view of erotetic logic is timely, for it reminds why it might be so hard for historians to cut through with true propositions in an age of AI. Collingwood reminds us that a focus on truth‐evaluable answers to questions does not explain why those questions were asked in the first place. Chasing chains of questions back to presuppositions, Collingwood argues that tackling what is assumed and what is lived with can help historians to change an unthinking world. In our age, this includes the idea of a shift from historians being the users of large language models to historians being the designers of new forms of relationship between people and information.
Preparation and characterizations of glasses in the TeO2–Ga2O3–M2O (M═Li, Na, K) systems
Authors: Verger Louisiane , Coudray Simon , Bertrand Emma , Lebullenger Ronan , Rocherullé Jean , Bošák Ondrej , Kubliha Marian , Labaš Vladimir , Kostka Petr , Chenu Sébastien , Coq David Le
Published: March 2024

Glasses in the TeO2–Ga2O3–M2O (M═Li, Na, or K) systems were synthesized by a melt‐quenching technique. The glass forming areas were delimited for each system. Systematic analyses were performed on two series of samples—the first one with a constant TeO2/Ga2O3 ratio of 85/15, that is, [(TeO2)0.85(Ga2O3)0.15]100−x[M2O]x with 0 ≤ x ≤ 25 (with a step of 5 mol%), the second one with a constant alkaline oxide concentration of 10 mol%, that is, [TeO2]90‐y[Ga2O3]y[M2O]10 with 5 ≤ y ≤ 15 (with step of 2.5 mol%). The values of the glass transition temperature, density, and optical transmission parameters (the positions of short‐ and long‐wavelength absorption edge and the maximum transmittance value) were determined. The changes in these parameters were studied for varying glass compositions. In addition, the values of refractive index were measured at various wavelengths across the whole transparency region reaching from the visible up to the mid‐infrared range.
The northern wheatear is reducing its distribution in its southernmost European range and moving to higher altitudes
Authors: López‐Ramírez Sandro , Real Raimundo , Muñoz Antonio‐Román
Published: March 2024

Under the current pattern of climate change, mountain bird populations are generally shifting their ranges to higher elevations, tracking their climatic optima. Nevertheless, space limitations at high altitudes constrain mountain species' resilience to climatic change, making them particularly vulnerable. In extreme cases, the climatic niche of some species can move beyond mountaintops, ultimately driving such species to extinction. This study presents the case of the northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe in mainland Spain and compares its breeding distribution from 2003 to 2022. Spain, where the species mostly occupies mountain areas, represents its southernmost distribution limit in Europe. We built environmental favourability models using information from the two most recent Spanish bird atlases and a set of climatic, topographic, human activity and lithological variables to determine the factors affecting the occurrence of the species. The influence of climate compared to all other factors was obtained using variation partitioning analysis. The northern wheatear has suffered a strong reduction (67%) in occupied areas and also in favourability throughout mainland Spain (especially in the south) where climate change may have far‐reaching consequences, including local extinctions. Climate explained more than 90% of the variation in the model obtained for 2022. Interestingly, the occupied areas were, on average, 100 m higher in 2022 than in 2003. If the effects of climate warming persist, the northern wheatear will likely disappear in its southernmost distribution limit, being the Sierra de las Nieves National Park population the most vulnerable in mainland Spain. For this reason, it is necessary to implement monitoring programmes for northern wheatear populations, with priority for mountain systems wherein they already occupy higher elevations, as well as further studies on other mountain species.
A data‐driven newsvendor model for elective‐emergency admission control under uncertain inpatient bed capacity
Authors: Shen Wenwu , Luo Le , Luo Li , Zhang Lin , Zhu Ting
Published: March 2024

Objective

Elective‐emergency admission control referred to allocating available inpatient bed capacity between elective and emergency hospitalization demand. Existing approaches for admission control often excluded several complex factors when making decisions, such as uncertain bed capacity and unknown true probability distributions of patient arrivals and departures. We aimed to create a data‐driven newsvendor framework to study the elective‐emergency admission control problem to achieve bed operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Methods

We developed a data‐driven approach that utilized the newsvendor framework to formulate the admission control problem. We also created approximation algorithms to generate a pool of candidate admission control solutions. Past observations and relevant emergency demand and bed capacity features were modeled in a newsvendor framework. Using approximation algorithmic approaches (sample average approximation, separated estimation and optimization, linear programing‐LP, and distribution‐free model) allowed us to derive computationally efficient data‐driven solutions with tight bounds on the expected in‐sample and out‐of‐sample cost guaranteed.

Results

Tight generalization bounds on the expected out‐of‐sample cost of the feature‐based model were derived with respect to the LP and quadratic programing (QP) algorithms, respectively. Results showed that the optimal feature‐based model outperformed the optimal observation‐based model with respect to the expected cost. In a setting where the unit overscheduled cost was higher than the unit under‐scheduled cost, scheduling fewer elective patients would replace the benefit of incorporating related features in the model. The tighter the available bed capacity for elective patients, the bigger the difference of the schedule cost between the feature‐based model and the observation‐based model.

Conclusions

The study provides a reference for the theoretical study on bed capacity allocation between elective and emergency patients under the condition of the unknown true probability distribution of bed capacity and emergency demand, and it also proves that the approximate optimal policy has good performance.
There is No End to Learning, but How Does it Begin? A Meta‐Analysis of the Team Learning Pathway
Authors: Marlow Shannon L. , Lacerenza Christina N.
Published: March 2024

We complete a meta‐analytic investigation across two phases to increase understanding about team learning, an important process that is a challenge for teams to enact. In the first phase, we create a meta‐analytic database of 198 independent samples (N = 15,536 teams) to summarize the strength of the relationships between learning and team antecedents and outcomes. Motivational emergent states (e.g., potency) exhibited the strongest relationship with learning, followed by affective (e.g., psychological safety) and cognitive (e.g., trust) emergent states. Our results also highlight the positive relationship between learning and various antecedents, including team structure, supportive organizational context, environmental uncertainty, cognitive diversity, and gender diversity. In the second phase, we create an additional meta‐analytic database with 53 independent samples (N = 4,468 teams) to test a serial mediation model, demonstrating that psychological safety and learning serially mediate the relationships between team learning orientation and salient team outcomes (i.e., performance and innovation).
Dietary metabarcoding reveals the simplification of bird–pest interaction networks across a gradient of agricultural cover
Authors: da Silva Luis P. , Mata Vanessa A. , Lopes Pedro B. , Pinho Catarina J. , Chaves Catia , Correia Edna , Pinto Joana , Heleno Ruben H. , Timoteo Sergio , Beja Pedro
Published: March 2024

Agriculture is vital for supporting human populations, but its intensification often leads to landscape homogenization and a decline in non‐provisioning ecosystem services. Ecological intensification and multifunctional landscapes are suggested as nature‐based alternatives to intensive agriculture, using ecological processes like natural pest regulation to maximize food production. Birds are recognized for their role in increasing crop yields by consuming invertebrate pests in several agroecosystems. However, the understanding of how bird species, their traits and agricultural land cover influence the structure of bird–pest interactions remains limited. We sampled bird–pest interactions monthly for 1 year, at four sites within a multifunctional landscape, following a gradient of increasing agricultural land cover. We analysed 2583 droppings of 55 bird species with DNA metabarcoding and detected 225 pest species in 1139 samples of 42 bird species. As expected, bird–pest interactions were highly variable across bird species. Dietary pest richness was lower in the fully agricultural site, while predation frequency remained consistent across the agricultural land cover gradient. Network analysis revealed a reduction in the complexity of bird–pest interactions as agricultural coverage increased. Bird species abundance affected the bird's contribution to the network structure more than any of the bird traits analysed (weight, phenology, invertebrate frequency in diet and foraging strata), with more common birds being more important to network structure. Overall, our results show that increasing agricultural land cover increases the homogenization of bird–pest interactions. This shows the importance of maintaining natural patches within agricultural landscapes for biodiversity conservation and enhanced biocontrol.
Detection of significant vision conditions in children using QuickSee wavefront autorefractor
Authors: Bui Anh , Mitchell G. Lynn , McDaniel Catherine , Morrison Ann , Toole Andrew , Buckland Michelle , Kulp Marjean T.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study evaluated the ability of QuickSee to detect children at risk for significant vision conditions (significant refractive error [RE], amblyopia and strabismus).

Methods

Non‐cycloplegic refraction (using QuickSee without and with +2 dioptre (D) fogging lenses) and unaided binocular near visual acuity (VA) were measured in 4‐ to 12‐year‐old children. Eye examination findings (VA, cover testing and cycloplegic retinoscopy) were used to determine the presence of vision conditions. QuickSee performance was summarised by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity for various levels of RE. QuickSee referral criteria for each vision condition were chosen to maximise sensitivity at a specificity of approximately 85%–90%. Sensitivity and specificity to detect vision conditions were calculated using multiple criteria. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the benefit of adding near VA (6/12 or worse) for detecting hyperopia. A paired t‐test compared QuickSee without and with fogging lenses.

Results

The mean age was 8.2 (±2.5) years (n = 174). RE ranged up to 9.25 D myopia, 8 D hyperopia, 5.25 D astigmatism and 3.5 D anisometropia. The testability of the QuickSee was 94.3%. AUC was ≥0.92 (excellent) for each level of RE. For the detection of any RE, sensitivity and specificity were 84.2% and 87.3%, respectively, using modified Orinda criteria and 94.5% and 78.2%, respectively, using the American Academy for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) guidelines. For the detection of any significant vision condition, the sensitivity and specificity of QuickSee were 81.1% and 87.9%, respectively, using modified Orinda criteria and 93% and 78.6%, respectively, using AAPOS criteria. There was no significant benefit of adding near VA to QuickSee for the detection of hyperopia ≥+2.00 (p = 0.34). There was no significant difference between QuickSee measurements of hyperopic refractive error with and without fogging lenses (difference = −0.09 D; p = 0.51).

Conclusions

QuickSee had high discriminatory power for detecting children with hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, anisometropia, any significant refractive error or any significant vision condition.
Compound collagen peptide powder improves skin photoaging by reducing oxidative stress and activating TGF‐β1/Smad pathway
Authors: Guo Kaien , Zheng Linxin , Zeng Xin , Huang Guangchun , Meng Lingling , Yin Yuting
Published: March 2024

Fish collagen peptide (FCP) has been extensively investigated as a natural product that can combat photoaging; however, its efficacy is limited by its singular composition. Compound collagen peptide powder (CCPP) is a novel functional food formulation that exhibits photoprotective properties and comprises FCP and a blend of natural botanical ingredients. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CCPP and its molecular mechanism. CCPP had a low molecular weight, facilitating its efficient absorption, and was abundant in amino acids, total polyphenols, and total flavonoids. The results of in vivo studies demonstrated that CCPP exhibited significant efficacy in reducing skin wrinkles, enhancing the contents of water and oil in the skin, and ameliorating histopathological alterations in mice. The results of in vitro studies demonstrated that CCPP effectively mitigated photoaging in human skin fibroblasts by attenuating oxidative stress and promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Moreover, we clearly demonstrated that the TGF β1/Smad pathway was involved in the promotion of ECM synthesis and cell proliferation by CCPP in human skin fibroblasts. These findings suggest that, compared with single collagen, CCPP has a more comprehensive range of antiphotoaging properties.
Regulation by distinct MYB transcription factors defines the roles of OsCYP86A9 in anther development and root suberin deposition
Authors: Huang Xiaoyan , Li Yiqi , Chang Zhenyi , Yan Wei , Xu Chunjue , Zhang Baolei , He Zhaohuan , Wang Changjian , Zheng Minting , Li Zhiai , Xia Jixing , Li Guoliang , Tang Xiaoyan , Wu Jianxin
Published: March 2024

Cytochrome P450 proteins (CYPs) play critical roles in plant development and adaptation to fluctuating environments. Previous reports have shown that CYP86A proteins are involved in the biosynthesis of suberin and cutin in Arabidopsis. However, the functions of these proteins in rice remain obscure. In this study, a rice mutant with incomplete male sterility was identified. Cytological analyses revealed that this mutant was defective in anther development. Cloning of the mutant gene indicated that the responsible mutation was on OsCYP86A9. OsMYB80 is a core transcription factor in the regulation of rice anther development. The expression of OsCYP86A9 was abolished in the anther of osmyb80 mutant. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that OsMYB80 binds to the MYB‐binding motifs in OsCYP86A9 promoter region and regulates its expression. Furthermore, the oscyp86a9 mutant exhibited an impaired suberin deposition in the root, and was more susceptible to drought stress. Interestingly, genetic and biochemical analyses revealed that OsCYP86A9 expression was regulated in the root by certain MYB transcription factors other than OsMYB80. Moreover, mutations in the MYB genes that regulate OsCYP86A9 expression in the root did not impair the male fertility of the plant. Taken together, these findings revealed the critical roles of OsCYP86A9 in plant development and proposed that OsCYP86A9 functions in anther development and root suberin formation via two distinct tissue‐specific regulatory pathways.
Using the daily rate of rise in hemoglobin S to manage RBC depletion/exchange treatment in sickle cell disease
Authors: Rogers Kai , Alsawas Mouaz , Chapman James , Schlueter Annette J. , Knudson Charles Michael
Published: March 2024

Background

Red blood cell exchange is often used prophylactically in patients with sickle cell disease, with the goal to maintain hemoglobin S (HbS) below a target threshold level. We reviewed whether the daily “rate of rise” (RoR) in HbS that occurs between procedures can be used for patient management. For some patients not achieving their HbS goals despite efficient exchanges, the post‐procedure hematocrit (Hct) target is increased to potentially suppress HbS production. This case series explores the utility of this approach, other clinical uses of the daily RoR in HbS, and the factors that influence it.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 660 procedures from 24 patients undergoing prophylactic RBC depletion/exchange procedures were included. Laboratory values and clinical parameters were collected and used to calculate the daily RoR in HbS. Factors such as Hct or medications that might influence the RoR in HbS were evaluated.

Results

The RoR in HbS varied widely between patients but remained relatively stable within individuals. Surprisingly, this value was not significantly influenced by changes in post‐procedure Hct or concurrent hydroxyurea use. A patient's average RoR in HbS effectively predicted the pre‐procedure HbS at the following visit (R2 = 0.65).

Discussion

The RoR in HbS is a relatively consistent parameter for individual patients that is unaffected by medication use or procedural Hct targets and may be useful in determining intervals between procedures.
Low-impedance tissue-device interface using homogeneously conductive hydrogels chemically bonded to stretchable bioelectronics
Authors: Shin Yoonsoo , Lee Hyun Su , Hong Yongseok Joseph , Sunwoo Sung-Hyuk , Park Ok Kyu , Choi Sueng Hong , Kim Dae-Hyeong , Lee Sangkyu
Published: March 2024

Stretchable bioelectronics has notably contributed to the advancement of continuous health monitoring and point-of-care type health care. However, microscale nonconformal contact and locally dehydrated interface limit performance, especially in dynamic environments. Therefore, hydrogels can be a promising interfacial material for the stretchable bioelectronics due to their unique advantages including tissue-like softness, water-rich property, and biocompatibility. However, there are still practical challenges in terms of their electrical performance, material homogeneity, and monolithic integration with stretchable devices. Here, we report the synthesis of a homogeneously conductive polyacrylamide hydrogel with an exceptionally low impedance (~21 ohms) and a reasonably high conductivity (~24 S/cm) by incorporating polyaniline-decorated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene). We also establish robust adhesion (interfacial toughness: ~296.7 J/m
2
) and reliable integration between the conductive hydrogel and the stretchable device through on-device polymerization as well as covalent and hydrogen bonding. These strategies enable the fabrication of a stretchable multichannel sensor array for the high-quality on-skin impedance and pH measurements under in vitro and in vivo circumstances.
Gastrulation-stage gene expression in
Nipbl
+/−
mouse embryos foreshadows the development of syndromic birth defects
Authors: Chea Stephenson , Kreger Jesse , Lopez-Burks Martha E. , MacLean Adam L. , Lander Arthur D. , Calof Anne L.
Published: March 2024

In animal models,
Nipbl
deficiency phenocopies gene expression changes and birth defects seen in Cornelia de Lange syndrome, the most common cause of which is
Nipbl
haploinsufficiency. Previous studies in

Nipbl
+/−

mice suggested that heart development is abnormal as soon as cardiogenic tissue is formed. To investigate this, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on wild-type and

Nipbl
+/−

mouse embryos at gastrulation and early cardiac crescent stages.

Nipbl
+/−

embryos had fewer mesoderm cells than wild-type and altered proportions of mesodermal cell subpopulations. These findings were associated with underexpression of genes implicated in driving specific mesodermal lineages. In addition,
Nanog
was found to be overexpressed in all germ layers, and many gene expression changes observed in

Nipbl
+/−

embryos could be attributed to
Nanog
overexpression. These findings establish a link between
Nipbl
deficiency,
Nanog
overexpression, and gene expression dysregulation/lineage misallocation, which ultimately manifest as birth defects in

Nipbl
+/−

animals and Cornelia de Lange syndrome.
The ClC-1 chloride channel inhibitor NMD670 improves skeletal muscle function in rat models and patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Skov Martin , Ruijs Titia Q. , Grønnebæk Thomas S. , Skals Marianne , Riisager Anders , Winther Jeppe Blichfeldt , Dybdahl Kamilla Løhde Tordrup , Findsen Anders , Morgen Jeanette J. , Huus Nete , Broch-Lips Martin , Nielsen Ole B. , de Cuba Catherine M.K.E. , Heuberger Jules A.A.C. , de Kam Marieke L. , Tannemaat Martijn , Verschuuren Jan J. G. M. , Knutsen Lars J. S. , Kelly Nicholas M. , Jensen Klaus G. , Arnold William D. , Burghes Arthur H. , Olesen Claus , Bold Jane , Petersen Thomas K. , Quiroz Jorge A. , Hutchison John , Chin Eva R. , Groeneveld Geert J. , Pedersen Thomas H.
Published: March 2024

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease that results in compromised transmission of electrical signals at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) from motor neurons to skeletal muscle fibers. As a result, patients with MG have reduced skeletal muscle function and present with symptoms of severe muscle weakness and fatigue. ClC-1 is a skeletal muscle specific chloride (Cl
−
) ion channel that plays important roles in regulating neuromuscular transmission and muscle fiber excitability during intense exercise. Here, we show that partial inhibition of ClC-1 with an orally bioavailable small molecule (NMD670) can restore muscle function in rat models of MG and in patients with MG. In severely affected MG rats, ClC-1 inhibition enhanced neuromuscular transmission, restored muscle function, and improved mobility after both single and prolonged administrations of NMD670. On this basis, NMD670 was progressed through nonclinical safety pharmacology and toxicology studies, leading to approval for testing in clinical studies. After successfully completing phase 1 single ascending dose in healthy volunteers, NMD670 was tested in patients with MG in a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose, three-way crossover clinical trial. The clinical trial evaluated safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of NMD670 in 12 patients with mild MG. NMD670 had a favorable safety profile and led to clinically relevant improvements in the quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) total score. This translational study spanning from single muscle fiber recordings to patients provides proof of mechanism for ClC-1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach in MG and supports further development of NMD670.
Practical Guidance for Clinical Microbiology Laboratories: Microbiologic diagnosis of implant-associated infections
Authors: Azad Marisa Ann , Patel Robin
Published: March 2024

Implant-associated infections (IAIs) pose serious threats to patients and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These infections may be difficult to diagnose due, in part, to biofilm formation on device surfaces, and because even when microbes are found, their clinical significance may be unclear. Despite recent advances in laboratory testing, IAIs remain a diagnostic challenge. From a therapeutic standpoint, many IAIs currently require device removal and prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy to effect a cure. Therefore, making an accurate diagnosis, defining both the presence of infection and the involved microorganisms, is paramount. The sensitivity of standard microbial culture for IAI diagnosis varies depending on the type of IAI, the specimen analyzed, and the culture technique(s) used. Although IAI-specific culture-based diagnostics have been described, the challenge of culture-negative IAIs remains. Given this, molecular assays, including both nucleic acid amplification tests and next-generation sequencing-based assays, have been used. In this review, an overview of these challenging infections is presented, as well as an approach to their diagnosis from a microbiologic perspective.
Bacterial interactions on nutrient-rich surfaces in the gut lumen
Authors: Chiang Bo Huey , Vega Giovanni , Dunwoody Sarah C. , Patnode Michael L.
Published: March 2024

The intestinal lumen is a turbulent, semi-fluid landscape where microbial cells and nutrient-rich particles are distributed with high heterogeneity. Major questions regarding the basic physical structure of this dynamic microbial ecosystem remain unanswered. Most gut microbes are non-motile, and it is unclear how they achieve optimum localization relative to concentrated aggregations of dietary glycans that serve as their primary source of energy. In addition, a random spatial arrangement of cells in this environment is predicted to limit sustained interactions that drive co-evolution of microbial genomes. The ecological consequences of random versus organized microbial localization have the potential to control both the metabolic outputs of the microbiota and the propensity for enteric pathogens to participate in proximity-dependent microbial interactions. Here, we review evidence suggesting that several bacterial species adopt organized spatial arrangements in the gut via adhesion. We highlight examples where localization could contribute to antagonism or metabolic interdependency in nutrient degradation, and we discuss imaging- and sequencing-based technologies that have been used to assess the spatial positions of cells within complex microbial communities.
Supplemental Material: Multi-scale, open-system magmatic and sub-solidus processes contribute to the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the Jurassic Guadalupe Igneous Complex, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Authors: Ratschbacher Barbara C. , al. et
Published: March 2024

Cathodoluminescence images of zircon grains showing spots analyzed with LA-ICP-MS. Figure S2: Comparison of Mg# in whole rock with Mg# in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, amphibole Si versus Mg#, and ranges in anorthite content in plagioclase from samples of various GIC map units. Figure S3: Differences in maximum Hf and Yb/Dy ratio in individual zircon grains from different map units of the GIC and as a function of zonation type. Figure S4: Assimilation-fractional crystallization and mixing calculations. Table S1: Whole-rock Sr and Nd isotope composition and major element composition. Table S2: Whole-rock oxygen isotope composition and major and selected trace element composition. Table S3: Electron microprobe data from clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, amphibole, feldspar, and titanite. Table S4: Zircon trace element compositions. Table S5: Zircon oxygen isotopes. Table S6: Uncertainties of thermometers used in this study. Text S1: Detailed description of analytical methods and detailed description of thin section observations. File S1: Results of zircon trace element modeling.  
Comparison of troponin and natriuretic peptides in Takotsubo syndrome and acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Couch Liam Steven , Garrard James W , Henry John A , Kotronias Rafail A , Alaour Bashir , De Maria Giovanni Luigi , Channon Keith M , Banning Adrian P , Lyon Alexander Richard , Marber Michael , Kaier Thomas Edward
Published: March 2024

Objective

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome which resembles acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at presentation. Differentiation requires coronary angiography, but where this does not occur immediately, cardiac biomarkers may provide additional utility. We performed a meta-analysis to compare troponin and natriuretic peptides (NPs) in TTS and ACS to determine if differences in biomarker profile can aid diagnosis.

Methods

We searched five literature databases for studies reporting NPs (Brain NP (BNP)/NT-pro-BNP) or troponin I/T in TTS and ACS, identifying 28 studies for troponin/NPs (5618 and 1145 patients, respectively).

Results

Troponin was significantly lower in TTS than ACS (standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.86; 95% CI, −1.08 to −0.64; p<0.00001), with an absolute difference of 75 times the upper limit of normal (×ULN) higher in ACS than TTS. Conversely, NPs were significantly higher in TTS (SMD 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.80; p<0.00001) and 5.8×ULN greater absolutely. Area under the curve (AUC) for troponin in ACS versus TTS was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.93), and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.80 to 1.00) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction versus TTS. For NPs, AUC was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.48 to 0.89). Combination of troponin and NPs with logistic regression did not improve AUC. Recursive Partitioning and Regression Tree analysis calculated a troponin threshold ≥26×ULN that identified 95% cases as ACS where and specificity for ACS were 85.71% and 53.57%, respectively, with 94.32% positive predictive value and 29.40% negative predictive value.

Conclusions

Troponin is lower and NPs higher in TTS versus ACS. Troponin had greater power than NPs at discriminating TTS and ACS, and with troponin ≥26×ULN patients are far more likely to have ACS.
Electromagnetic field on the complexity of minimally deformed compact stars
Authors: Albalahi Abeer M. , Bhatti M. Z. , Ali Akbar , Khan S.
Published: March 2024

In the context of this endeavor, we establish a simple protocol for formulating interior stellar solutions that exhibit spherically symmetric configurations against the backdrop of relativistic gravitational decoupling through radial metric deformation (minimal geometric deformation scheme). In this pursuit, we make use of the vanishing complexity factor ($$\widetilde{Y}_{TF}$$

Y
~

TF

) condition, based on Herrera’s (Phys Rev D 97, 044010, 2018) innovative concept regarding the complexity of static or slowly evolving spherical matter configurations. The idea of a complexity factor emerges as the outcome of the orthogonal splitting of the Riemann–Christoffel tensor, which yields different scalar functions, known as structure scalars. The protocol is demonstrated by employing the Buchdahl and Tolman relativistic stellar ansatzes as isotropic seeds. Both of these ansatzes exhibit similar physical features, with a minor variation in their magnitudes in the case of $$\widetilde{Y}_{TF}\ne 0$$

Y
~

TF

≠
0

, where $$0\le \alpha <1$$

0
≤
α
<
1

, and $$\alpha $$
α
represents a coupling parameter. However, when $$\widetilde{Y}_{TF}=0$$

Y
~

TF

=
0

, the Buchdahl stellar ansatz exhibits a uniform density matter configuration, while the Tolman model features an increasing pressure profile. The obtained relativistic stellar models satisfy the basic viability constraints required for the physically realistic configurations.
A Nonlinear Megastable System with Diamond-Shaped Oscillators
Authors: Ahmadi Atefeh , Sriram Sridevi , Ali Ali Ahmed M. , Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Pal Nikhil , Jafari Sajad
Published: March 2024

Benefiting from trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, a nonlinear megastable chaotic system is reported in this paper. Its nonlinear equations without linear terms make the system dynamics much more complex. Its coexisting attractors’ shape is diamond-like; thus, this system is said to have diamond-shaped oscillators. State space and time series plots show the existence of coexisting chaotic attractors. The autonomous version of this system was studied previously. Inspired by the former work and applying a forcing term to this system, its dynamics are studied. All forcing term parameters’ impacts are investigated alongside the initial condition-dependent behaviors to confirm the system’s megastability. The dynamical analysis utilizes one-dimensional and two-dimensional bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, Kaplan–Yorke dimension, and attraction basin. Because of this system’s megastability, the one-dimensional bifurcation diagrams and Kaplan–Yorke dimension are plotted with three distinct initial conditions. Its analog circuit is simulated in the OrCAD environment to confirm the numerical simulations’ correctness.
Document-Level Relation Extraction with Deep Gated Graph Reasoning
Authors: Liang Zeyu
Published: March 2024

Extracting the relations of two entities on the sentence-level has drawn increasing attention in recent years but remains facing great challenges on document-level, due to the inherent difficulty in recognizing the relations of two entities across multiple sentences. Previous works show that employing the graph convolutional neural network can help the model capture unstructured dependent information of entities. However, they usually employed the non-adaptive weight edges to build the correlation weight matrix which suffered from the problem of information redundancy and gradient disappearance. To solve this problem, we propose a deep gated graph reasoning model for document-level relation extraction, namely, BERT-GGNNs, which employ an improved gated graph neural network with a learnable correlation weight matrix to establish multiple deep gated graph reason layers. The proposed deep gated graph reasoning layers make the model easier to reasoning the relations between entities hidden in the document. Experiments show that the proposed model outperforms most of strong baseline models, and our proposed model is 0.3% and 0.3% higher than the famous LSR-BERT model on the F1 and Ing F1, respectively.
Blockchain‐Enabled Integrated Energy System Trading Model for CCS‐P2G‐Coupled Operation: Enhancing Energy Trading Efficiency and Carbon Emission Reduction
Authors: Gao Meizhen
Published: March 2024

The need for sustainable integrated energy systems to mitigate environmental impact is hindered by challenges in fluctuating demand, trading reliability, and trustworthiness. This paper proposes an innovative approach to tackle these challenges by introducing a blockchain‐based integrated energy system trading model with smart contracts. It is intricately linked with the operation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and power‐to‐gas (P2G) equipment. The CCS‐P2G‐coupled operation principle is first outlined, followed by the presentation of a comprehensive system model. The peer‐to‐peer (P2P) energy trading algorithm is enhanced using the Bloom filtering technique. Leveraging smart contracts, a distributed energy trading mechanism is employed, resulting in a meticulously constructed integrated energy system trading model for CCS‐P2G‐coupled operation. The proposed model is rigorously evaluated for energy trading efficiency and system performance, revealing significant improvements compared to prior studies and showcasing substantial cumulative benefits. Three operation scenarios are examined, with experimental results highlighting the model’s superior carbon emission reduction capacity. This study introduces an innovative paradigm for trading and managing integrated energy systems, holding potential implications for the sustainable development and decarbonization transition of future energy systems.
Short‐Term Interval Prediction of Inbound Passenger Flow of Subway Station under Failure Events
Authors: Pu Yichao , Xu Xiangdong , Fan Qianqi , Zhang Shengyu , Chen Jilai
Published: March 2024

Accurate forecasting of subway passenger flows is considered essential for the development of efficient train schedules. However, transport capacity constraints as well as station congestion can be caused by unexpected concerns with trains or power supply, which endanger passenger safety. Predicting passenger flows at the time of a fault is particularly challenging due to the low probability of failure and the complexity of the factors involved. In addition, deviation from the observed value may be resulted by the point‐in‐time prediction of passenger flow, thus affecting the efficiency of passenger flow control measures. To address this concern, a three‐stage A‐LSTM prediction model utilizing an attention mechanism and a double‐layer LSTM (Long Short‐Term Memory) neural network has been proposed. The model is used to map the impact of fault events on subway transport capacity with respect to delays onto the inbound passenger flow. By analyzing the data from the subway system in a metropolitan city of China, the range of passenger flow fluctuations in 10‐minute intervals will be precisely predicted and applied to different subway stations.
Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle Value and Prolongations of PR and Corrected QT Intervals in Patients Undergoing Dialysis
Authors: Shibata Masanori , Asai Kazuaki , Nagai Kojiro , Taniguchi Shinkichi
Published: March 2024

Introduction. Phase angle value, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, represents the body cell mass and nutritional status of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Although phase angle value has clinical significance in these patients, its relationship with electrocardiogram (ECG), another clinically relevant bioelectrical examination, has not yet been well clarified.
Methods. Two hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing dialysis (80 females and 144 males; mean ± SD, 72.2 ± 12.0 years old; 117 diabetic and 107 non-diabetic patients) were studied retrospectively. Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed immediately after the end of dialysis therapy. The phase shift was geometrically converted into a phase angle value. The ECG was recorded simultaneously, and the upper limits of the PR interval, QRS width, and corrected QT interval (QTc) were set at 0.20, 0.12, and 0.44 sec, respectively. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a representative nutritional index, was also determined. In addition, we examined the incidence of cardiac events, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularization procedure, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiac death, or all-cause death.
Results. Of 224 patients undergoing dialysis, the prolongation of the PR interval, QRS width, and QTc were found in 30.7, 17.4, and 62.1 %, respectively. The prevalence of QTc prolongation was higher in females and diabetic patients than in males and non-diabetic patients. An inverse relationship between phase angle value and QTc was observed only in males and non-diabetic patients. The relationships of GNRI both with phase angle value and QTc were stronger in males and non-diabetic patients. In addition, PR interval was inversely correlated with phase angle value only in non-diabetic patients. No significant correlation was found between phase angle value and QRS width. Five-year survival probability for the composite endpoints was significantly worse in patients with lower phase angle values. QTc prolongation was associated with survival in males and non-diabetic patients. Prolonged PR was associated with survival in non-diabetic patients.
Discussion/Conclusion. Relationships between phase angle value and ECG findings were demonstrated in patients undergoing dialysis, especially in males and non-diabetic patients. Although phase angle value has been considered as an index for evaluating nutritional status, another clinical application of phase angle value in predicting cardiac complications seems to be useful.