bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early serum ammonia variation in critically ill patients with cirrhosis: A multicentre cohort study
Authors: Cardoso Filipe S. , Kim Minjee , Pereira Rui , Bagulho Luís , Fidalgo Pedro , Pawlowski Anna , Wunderink Richard , Germano Nuno , Bagshaw Sean M. , Abraldes Juan G. , Karvellas Constantine J.
Published: July 2023

Background

Serum ammonia variation in critically ill patients with cirrhosis has been poorly studied.

Aim

To describe and assess the impact of serum ammonia variation in these patients' outcomes.

Methods

We studied patients ≥18 years old admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) at University of Alberta Hospital (Edmonton, Canada) and Curry Cabral Hospital (Lisbon, Portugal; derivation cohort, n = 492) and Northwestern University Hospital (Chicago, USA; validation cohort, n = 600) between January 2010 and December 2021. Primary exposure was ICU days 1–3 serum ammonia. Primary endpoint was all‐cause hospital mortality.

Results

In the derivation cohort, 330 (67.1%) patients were male and median (IQR) age was 57 (50–63) years. On ICU day 1, median ammonia was higher in patients with grade 3/4 hepatic encephalopathy (HE) than those with grade 2 HE or grade 0/1 HE (112 vs. 88 vs. 77 μmoL/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Furthermore, medium ammonia was higher in hospital non‐survivors than survivors (99 vs. 86 μmol/L; p < 0.030). Following adjustment for significant confounders (age, HE, vasopressor use and renal replacement therapy delivery), higher ICU day 2 ammonia was independently associated with higher hospital mortality (adjusted OR per each 10 μmoL/L increment [95% CI] = 1.11 [1.01–1.21]; p = 0.024). In the validation cohort, this model with serial ammonia (ICU days 1 and 3) predicted hospital mortality with reasonably good discrimination (c‐statistic = 0.73) and calibration (R2 = 0.19 and Brier score = 0.17).

Conclusions

Among patients with cirrhosis in the ICU, early serum ammonia variation was independently associated with hospital mortality. In this context, serial serum ammonia may have prognostic value.
microRNA‐651‐5p affects the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells by regulating Calmodulin 2 expression
Authors: Lang Yaoguo , Kong Xianglong , Liu Benkun , Jin Xiangyuan , Chen Lantao , Xu Shidong
Published: July 2023

Objective

Lung cancer is prevalent worldwide and a leading contributor to tumor death. This research intends to explore the molecular mechanism of the microRNA‐651‐5p (miR‐651‐5p)/Calmodulin 2 (CALM2) axis in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells.

Methods

Lung cancer tissues and para‐cancerous tissues were collected. The expression levels of miR‐651‐5p and CALM2 in lung cancer tissues and cells were tested, and the connection between miR‐651‐5p expression and clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer patients was further analyzed. The binding sites between miR‐651‐5p and CALM2 were analyzed and validated. Lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were examined.

Results

miR‐651‐5p was lowly expressed in lung cancer tissues and cells. miR‐651‐5p expression had no correlation with patients' age and gender but had a correlation with patients' tumor size, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of miR‐651‐5p repressed proliferative, migratory, and invasive behaviors of lung cancer cells. miR‐651‐5p targeted and negatively regulated CALM2 expression, and CALM2 reversed the inhibiting effects of miR‐651‐5p on lung cancer cell malignant behaviors, including proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Conclusion

This study expounds that miR‐651‐5p affects the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells by regulating CALM2 expression.
Breaching, Bridging, and Bonding: Interweaving Pathways of Social‐Symbolic Work in a Flanked Healthcare Movement
Authors: Geiger Susi , Stendahl Emma
Published: July 2023

This article explores how heterogeneous and distributed forms of social‐symbolic work combine over time to yield synergistic relationships that precipitate institutional change. We study a collective effort by patient activists to change the technological and regulatory standards of Type 1 diabetes care. We offer contributions to radical flank theory by conceptualizing radical and moderate flanks as dynamic and overlapping pathways of action rather than fixed actor positions, and we show how a medial ‘bonding’ pathway can provide important social glue to connect the radical and moderate flanks. While in our case the material and discursive ‘hacking’ work in the breaching pathway disrupted institutions, triggered technology innovation, and created momentum for change, material and relational ‘bridging’ embedded these efforts into existing institutional structures and longer‐term innovation trajectories. Values and amplification work in the bonding pathway served to keep the two other pathways aligned over time. By addressing how a complex social problem – patient‐centric innovation – may be affected through heterogeneous social‐symbolic work that leads to institutional accommodation, our study holds considerable policy and societal relevance.
Does the mind care about whether a word is abstract or concrete? Why concreteness is probably not a natural kind
Authors: Löhr Guido
Published: July 2023

Many psychologists currently assume that there is a psychologically real distinction to be made between concepts that are abstract and concepts that are concrete. It is for example largely agreed that concepts and words are more easily processed if they are concrete. Moreover, it is assumed that this is because these words and concepts are concrete. It is thought that interesting generalizations can be made about certain concepts because they are concrete. I argue that we have surprisingly little reason to believe that the abstract‐concrete distinction is psychologically real.
Decentering Migration Studies: Toward a Southern Attitude
Authors: Levitt Peggy
Published: July 2023

Fundamentally changing how we do research and teach, whether it be about migration or about the social sciences in general, will not happen without changing how knowledge is produced and circulates. The inequality pipeline places barriers to entry for researchers, thinkers, and experiences lived outside traditional centers of power at every step of the way. So does the competition, selfishness, and one‐upsmanship that characterizes so much of academic life. In this short reflection, I propose ways to rethink what we do in our classrooms, at our writing desks, and in the other spaces where we pursue social justice including embracing a Southern Attitude and decentering not just ideas but ourselves and the institutions where we work.
Study on Thermal–Hydraulic Characteristics of Novel Channels for Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger Using Supercritical CO2
Authors: Yang He , Li Jinduo , Wei Huimin , Du Xiaoze , Wu Hongwei
Published: July 2023

Two new types of printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) channels are proposed based on the typical airfoil fin PCHE channel proposed in literatures (standard channel) to further improve the thermal–hydraulic performances of airfoil fin PCHE channel. The small shuttle fins and oval fins are employed between the adjacent two airfoil fins of two novel channels, respectively. Using supercritical CO2 as the working fluid, the thermal–hydraulic performances and enhancement mechanisms of the novel channels are numerically investigated. The results show that the channel with shuttle fins has the best comprehensive performance. The Nusselt number of the channel with shuttle fins is 6.7–26% larger, and the f-factor is 8.3–18.6% larger than that of the standard channel under the selected conditions, which leads to a 3–19.1% increase in the PEC (comprehensive performance evaluation criteria). The Nusselt number of the channel with oval fins is 9–27.3% larger, and the f-factor is 26.6–43.4% larger than that of the standard channel, which leads to a 1–15.3% increase in the PEC. The applications of small fins between the adjacent two fins can effectively reduce the low-velocity region area and enhance the local disturbance, thereby effectively improving the thermal–hydraulic performance. The enhancement mechanism of the novel fin PCHE channel structure can be well explained by the principle of field synergy. It can be found that the synergies of the temperature gradient field and the velocity field in two novel channels are significantly improved.
Application of critical realism in social work research: Methodological considerations
Authors: Park Lynne Soon-Chean , Peter Shajimon
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION: Critical realism (CR) provides a unique and robust philosophical framework for social work researchers by attending to the role of individual agency and social structure; however, little practical guidance is available regarding how the ontology and epistemology of CR can be applied as a methodological framework for qualitative research.
APPROACH: In this article, we explain what CR is in relation to other ontological and epistemological positions and provide some practical suggestions for CR-informed research by drawing on relevant examples from a study that examined the causes of trust among Korean migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the three-layered ontological map of CR justifies the use of series of data-coding processes to identify preliminary tendencies at the surface layer of empirical reality, abductive reasoning to formulate ideas about how observed tendencies are connected at the middle layer of actual reality and retroductive inference to identify causal mechanisms or structures and key conditions embedded in the deeper layer of real reality to produce certain experiences under study.
Social work disaster practice
Authors: Hay Kathryn , Pascoe Katheryn Margaret , Henley Lee , Knight Fiona , Stewart Kate , Radak Gabor
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION: Natural and human-made disasters, including climate change, pandemics, and other hazards such as earthquake and flooding can have considerable negative impact on all communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article uses a case study approach to describe the experiences and reflections of social workers in relation to disaster practice.
METHODS: This phase of the research project included semi-structured interviews with 11 registered social workers who had been involved in disaster management in Aotearoa New Zealand. The case studies were examined using thematic analysis to identify key themes. This article draws on four of the 11 interviews grouped together after thematic analysis, enabling detailed exploration of experiences.
FINDINGS: Analysis of the interviews identified that the transferable skills and knowledge of social workers are important for disaster practice; social workers are effective in connecting with individuals and communities; and improved professional relationships, systems, and processes are required so that the community is better supported following future disaster events.
IMPLICATIONS: Social workers practise locally but are situated within an international context that is underpinned by global definitions, agendas, and goals. These, and local codes and standards, offer a rationale and framework for effective social work disaster practice. Stronger connection between the social work profession and the national emergency management organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand will build social capital and signal the profession’s commitment to community resilience in the context of disaster practice.
Genomic assessment of invasion dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1
Authors: Tsui Joseph L.-H. , McCrone John T. , Lambert Ben , Bajaj Sumali , Inward Rhys P. D. , Bosetti Paolo , Pena Rosario Evans , Tegally Houriiyah , Hill Verity , Zarebski Alexander E. , Peacock Thomas P. , Liu Luyang , Wu Neo , Davis Megan , Bogoch Isaac I. , Khan Kamran , Kall Meaghan , Abdul Aziz Nurin Iwani Binti , Colquhoun Rachel , O’Toole Áine , Jackson Ben , Dasgupta Abhishek , Wilkinson Eduan , de Oliveira Tulio ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium¶, Connor Thomas R. , Loman Nicholas J. , Colizza Vittoria , Fraser Christophe , Volz Erik , Ji Xiang , Gutierrez Bernardo , Chand Meera , Dellicour Simon , Cauchemez Simon , Raghwani Jayna , Suchard Marc A. , Lemey Philippe , Rambaut Andrew , Pybus Oliver G. , Kraemer Moritz U. G.
Published: July 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) now arise in the context of heterogeneous human connectivity and population immunity. Through a large-scale phylodynamic analysis of 115,622 Omicron BA.1 genomes, we identified >6,000 introductions of the antigenically distinct VOC into England and analyzed their local transmission and dispersal history. We find that six of the eight largest English Omicron lineages were already transmitting when Omicron was first reported in southern Africa (22 November 2021). Multiple datasets show that importation of Omicron continued despite subsequent restrictions on travel from southern Africa as a result of export from well-connected secondary locations. Initiation and dispersal of Omicron transmission lineages in England was a two-stage process that can be explained by models of the country’s human geography and hierarchical travel network. Our results enable a comparison of the processes that drive the invasion of Omicron and other VOCs across multiple spatial scales.
S‑Glutathionylation and S‑Nitrosylation as Modulators of Redox-Dependent Processes in Cancer Cell
Authors: Kalinina Elena V. , Novichkova Maria D.
Published: July 2023

Development of oxidative/nitrosative stress associated with the activation of oncogenic pathways results from the increase in the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in tumor cells, where they can have a dual effect. At high concentrations, ROS/RNS cause cell death and limit tumor growth at certain phases of its development, while their low amounts promote oxidative/nitrosative modifications of key redox-dependent residues in regulatory proteins. The reversibility of such modifications as S‑glutathionylation and S‑nitrosylation that proceed through the electrophilic attack of ROS/RNS on nucleophilic Cys residues ensures the redox-dependent switch in the activity of signaling proteins, as well as the ability of these compounds to control cell proliferation and programmed cell death. The content of S‑glutathionylated and S‑nitrosylated proteins is controlled by the balance between S‑glutathionylation/deglutathionylation and S‑nitrosylation/denitrosylation, respectively, and depends on the cellular redox status. The extent of S‑glutathionylation and S‑nitrosylation of protein targets and their ratio largely determine the status and direction of signaling pathways in cancer cells. The review discusses the features of S‑glutathionylation and S‑nitrosylation reactions and systems that control them in cancer cells, as well as their relationship with redox-dependent processes and tumor growth.
Random Laser Based on Materials in the Form of Complex Network Structures
Authors: Bazhenov A. Yu. , Nikitina M. M. , Tsarev D. V. , Alodjants A. P.
Published: July 2023

The theory of a random laser with an interface in the form of random or scale-free networks whose nodes are occupied by microcavities with quantum two-level systems has been proposed for the first time. The microcavities are coupled to each other through light-guiding channels forming edges of the network. It has been shown that such a laser has a number of spectral features associated with the statistical properties of the network structure. Among them are the existence of a topologically protected Perron eigenvalue caused by the presence of a strong mean field at the node of maximum influence located in the central part of the network and the delocalization/localization of radiation modes depending on the probability of coupling between arbitrary microcavities. The results obtained in this work open prospects for the fabrication of new low-threshold laser sources.
Rare giant schwannoma of superficial peroneal nerve on the dorsum of foot
Authors: Kumar Yashavanth , Bhatia Aanchal , Ajoy Shiv Manik , Galagali Dev Anand
Published: July 2023

Schwannoma is a benign tumour of Schwann cells originating from myelin sheath of axons of the nerves. It is usually seen in the vestibular region, very rarely found in extremity regions. Schwannomas are termed ‘Giant’ when they measure more than five centimetres in a minimum of one dimension. Giant schwannomas in the foot and ankle region are extremely uncommon. Only eight cases of such a condition are reported. This is a case report of a giant schwannoma found arising from the superficial peroneal nerve in the dorsolateral aspect of the foot. This swelling was excised completely and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.
Process modelling of NHS cardiovascular waiting lists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Catsis Salvador , Champneys Alan R , Hoyle Rebecca , Currie Christine , Enright Jessica , Cheema Katherine , Woodall Mike , Angelini Gianni , Nadarajah Ramesh , Gale Chris , Gibbison Ben
Published: July 2023

Objective

To model the referral, diagnostic and treatment pathway for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the English National Health Service (NHS) to provide commissioners and managers with a methodology to optimise patient flow and reduce waiting lists.

Study design

A systems dynamics approach modelling the CVD healthcare system in England. The model is designed to capture current and predict future states of waiting lists.

Setting

Routinely collected, publicly available data streams of primary and secondary care, sourced from NHS Digital, NHS England, the Office of National Statistics and StatsWales.

Data collection and extraction methods

The data used to train and validate the model were routinely collected and publicly available data. It was extracted and implemented in the model using the PySD package in python.

Results

NHS cardiovascular waiting lists in England have increased by over 40% compared with pre- COVID-19 levels. The rise in waiting lists was primarily due to restrictions in referrals from primary care, creating a bottleneck postpandemic. Predictive models show increasing point capacities within the system may paradoxically worsen downstream flow. While there is no simple rate-limiting step, the intervention that would most improve patient flow would be to increase consultant outpatient appointments.

Conclusions

The increase in NHS CVD waiting lists in England can be captured using a systems dynamics approach, as can the future state of waiting lists in the presence of further shocks/interventions. It is important for those planning services to use such a systems-oriented approach because the feed-forward and feedback nature of patient flow through referral, diagnostics and treatment leads to counterintuitive effects of interventions designed to reduce waiting lists.
Language outcomes at 4 years of linguistically diverse children born very preterm: an Australian retrospective single-centre study
Authors: Tinoco Mendoza Giannina , Stack Jacqueline , Abdel-Latif Mohamed E , Raman Shanti , Garg Pankaj
Published: July 2023

Background

Very preterm children are at increased risk of language delays. Concerns have been raised about the utility of standardised English language tools to diagnose language delay in linguistically diverse children. Our study investigated the incidence of language delay at 4 years in linguistically diverse very preterm children.

Methods

Very preterm children born in South Western Sydney, Australia, between 2012 and 2016, were assessed with the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool-2 (CELF-P2) tool at 4 years of age. We sought to determine the incidence of language delay in this cohort using language scores from the CELF-P2 assessment tool, and explore potential predictors associated with language delay.

Results

One hundred and sixty very preterm children attended the 4-year assessment out of the included 270 long-term survivors. At 4 years, 76 (52%) very preterm children had language delay diagnosed using the CELF-P2 assessment tool. Children who preferred a language other than English had lower average core language scores on the CELF-P2 assessment tool (75.1±14.4) compared with children that preferred English (86.5±17.9); p=0.002. Very preterm children growing up in households that preferenced a language other than English and those who were born from multiple births had higher odds of language delay at 4 years (AOR 10.30 (95% CI 2.82 to 38.28); p<0.001 and AOR 2.93 (95% CI 1.20 to 7.14); p=0.018, respectively). Assessing these children using an English language tool may have affected language scores at 4 years.

Conclusions

In this metropolitan setting, very preterm children from linguistically diverse backgrounds were found to be vulnerable to language delays at 4 years. Further large-scale studies evaluating the language outcomes of linguistically diverse preterm children with more culturally appropriate tools are warranted. We question the utility of standardised English language tools to assess language outcomes of linguistically diverse populations.
Factors influencing blood pressure control in patients with atrial fibrillation and hypertension in Australian primary care
Authors: Trivedi Ritu , Marschner Simone , Shaw Tim , Min Haeri , Yue Jason , Kazi Samia , Nguyen Tu Ng , Laranjo Liliana , Chow Clara K
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study explored factors that may influence blood pressure (BP) control in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with hypertension.

Methods

Cross-sectional retrospective analysis of the MedicineInsight database which includes de-identified electronic health records from general practices (GPs) across Australia. BP control was assessed in patients with diagnosed AF and hypertension (controlled BP defined as <140/90 mm Hg). We explored BP control, factors influencing BP control and likelihood of receiving guideline-recommended treatment.

Results

34 815 patients with AF and hypertension were included; mean age was 76.9 (10.2 SD) years and 46.2% were female. 38.0% had uncontrolled BP. Women (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.68, 0.76; p<0.001) and adults ≥75 years (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.70, 0.86; p<0.001) were less likely to have controlled BP. Greater continuity of care (CoC; that is, visits with the same clinician) and having frequent GP visits were associated with higher odds of controlled BP (model 1: CoC, OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.20, 1.40, p<0.001; GP visits, OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.58, 1.85, p<0.001) and a greater likelihood of being prescribed ≥2 types of BP-lowering medicines (model 2: CoC, OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.03, 1.23; p=0.011; GP visits, OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.63, 1.98; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Uncontrolled BP was more likely in women and adults ≥75 years. Patients who had frequent GP visits with the same clinician were more likely to have BP controlled and receive guideline-recommended antihypertensive treatment. This suggests that targeting these primary care factors could potentially improve BP control and subsequently reduce stroke risk in patients with AF.
Effect of valproic acid upon skeletal muscle subjected to prolonged tourniquet application
Authors: Moritz Robert , Mangum Lee , Voelker Chet , Garcia Gerardo , Wenke Joseph
Published: July 2023

Background

Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has shown improved outcomes when used as a pharmaceutical intervention in animal studies of hemorrhage, septic shock, and combined injuries. This study was designed to investigate the ability of VPA to mitigate ischemia–reperfusion injury produced by prolonged tourniquet application to an extremity.

Methods

The ischemia–reperfusion model in anesthetized rats was established using hemorrhage and a 3-hour tourniquet application. VPA was administered intravenously prior to tourniquet wear and removal. Ischemia–reperfusion injury was evaluated by investigating pathway signaling, immune modulation of cytokine release, remote organ injury, and skeletal muscle function during convalescence.

Results

We found that VPA sustained Protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation and Insulin-like growth factor signaling and modulated the systemic release of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6 after 2 hours of limb reperfusion. Additionally, VPA attenuated a loss in glomerular filtration rate at 3 days after injury. Histological and functional evaluation of extremity skeletal muscle at 3, 7, and 21 days after injury, however, demonstrated no significant differences in myocytic degeneration, necrotic formation, and maximal isometric tetanic torque.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that VPA sustains early prosurvival cell signaling, reduces the inflammatory response, and improves renal function in a hemorrhage with prolonged ischemia and reperfusion model. However, these do not translate into meaningful preservation in limb function when applied as a pharmaceutical augmentation to tourniquet wear.

Level of evidence

IV.
Lorentz and gauge invariance of quantum space
Authors: Ali Ahmed Farag , Majumder Barun , Rudra Prabir
Published: July 2023

Motivated by the generalized uncertainty principle, we derive a discrete picture of the space that respects Lorentz symmetry as well as gauge symmetry by setting an equivalency between the linear Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) correction term and electromagnetic interaction term in the Dirac equation. We derived a wave function solution that satisfies this equivalency. This discreteness may explain the crystal and quasicrystal structures observed in nature at different energy scales.
Capital Structure and Firm Value. The Role of Contextual Variables in this Relationship
Authors: Alamgir Muhammad , Cheng Ming-Chang
Published: July 2023

This study aims to identify the role of contextual variables, especially the interest rate, in affecting the relationship between a firm’s capital structure and firm value. This study investigates the capital structure of Pakistani-listed firms in light of rising interest rates, declining “Domestic credit to the private sector” and emerging Islamic banking in the country. The study uses GMM (Two-Step) to examine the linear, and dynamic Panel threshold model to examine the quadratic relationship between leverage firm value and how other contextual variables affect this relationship. The study found that there is a negative relationship between leverage and firm value in the presence of the majority of contextual variables. Except for tax, depreciation, and free cash flow, leverage shows a negative relationship with firm value in presence of all other contextual variables. Further results show that there is a quadratic relationship present between leverage and firm value. Also, the interest rate and inflation has a negative effect on firm value in long term, while in short term this relationship is positive. The study supports the pecking order & Trade-off theory but does not support the agency theory. The study is using new methodologies, just as the panel threshold model which is never used before for Pakistani industries. The panel threshold model is using some variables for the first time in research. Previously only size and debt were used in panel threshold models, this time we used debt, firm value, profitability, tax, and tangibility, which will be a significant contribution to the literature.
Stochastic Newton equations in the strong potential limit for the multi-dimensional case
Authors: Liang Song
Published: July 2023

We consider a type of stochastic Newton equations in multi-dimension, with single-well potential functions, and study the limiting behaviors of their solution processes when the coefficients of the potentials diverge to infinity. The explicit formulations of the limiting processes are also given, by introducing several new stochastic processes. Especially, different from the one-dimensional case, the limiting processes are not deterministic.
IMPORTANCE OF BODY BALANCE DURING SLEEP: COMPARISON OF FLAT AND TRANSFORMING BEDS
Authors: CHOI JEONGRIM , PARK JIEUN , KIM JUNGHUN , LEE JONGMIN
Published: July 2023

Body imbalance is one cause of sleep disorders. If one continues to sleep in an unbalanced state, various diseases, as well as headaches and stress, may occur. Some studies have been conducted to solve body imbalance during sleep, but most have used spring mattresses, and because body pressure varies by user, limitations exist for balancing pressure with this type of mattress. In our study, we investigated sleep quality using a transforming bed that conformed to the body and a flat bed that did not conform, considering user body pressure on both. We evaluated sleep quality with polysomnography and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Korean version (PSQI–K) for 30 participants. Polysomnography showed that the ratio of delta and alpha waves in flat bed sleep was high; the ratio of theta waves was higher in transforming bed sleep than it was in flat bed sleep. The PSQI–K showed that most participants had a lower sleep index when using the transforming bed than when using the flat bed. Thus, we confirmed that sleep quality using a transforming bed was better than that of a flat bed. Therefore, considering body balance during sleep can help improve sleep quality.
COMPARISON OF BRAIN ACTIVATION PATTERNS IN STRESS-INDUCED AND POST-STRESS RESTING STATES: NORMAL SUBJECTS
Authors: CHOI MI-HYUN , CHOI JIN-SEUNG
Published: July 2023

Stress is a pervasive phenomenon with significant implications for individual well-being. Understanding the neural processes underlying stress responses and recovery is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the brain activation patterns during stress induction and recovery in healthy adults. The Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) was utilized to elicit acute stress in participants. The results revealed that during the stress task phase, the right hemisphere showed activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobule, Postcentral Gyrus, and Precuneus, while the left hemisphere demonstrated activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobule, Postcentral Gyrus, Middle Frontal Gyrus, and Superior Frontal Gyrus. Following the stress task, during the recovery phase, the right hemisphere exhibited activation in the Precuneus, Middle Occipital Gyrus, Superior Occipital Gyrus, Angular Gyrus, Medial Frontal Gyrus, Middle Frontal Gyrus, and Posterior Cingulate, whereas the left hemisphere displayed activation primarily in the Cuneus. Comparing the two phases, the left frontal lobe and occipital lobe exhibited increased activation during the rest period after stress. In contrast, the parietal lobe showed decreased activation during the recovery phase. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neural mechanisms associated with stress responses and recovery, providing insights into potential interventions for stress management and promoting well-being.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-BASED FETAL CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS: A SURVEY OF STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNIQUES
Authors: ZHAO YUAN , TANG WEI , FAN SIHAN , CHEN XINRONG , JI XUEQIN
Published: July 2023

With the development of computer technology and neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has become sufficiently mature to assist in various technical and medical tasks, including the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). Moreover, the AI-based approach to solving this challenge has provided new ideas, concepts, and techniques. This review focuses on fetal CHD and conventional methods of its diagnostics, highlights the main achievements and particular techniques of AI application to CHD diagnostics, and discusses their advantages, drawbacks, and ways of further improvement regarding CHD and other heart disease.
Rigidity of mean convex subsets in non-negatively curved RCD spaces and stability of mean curvature bounds
Authors: Ketterer Christian
Published: July 2023

We prove splitting theorems for mean convex open subsets in Riemannian curvature-dimension (RCD) spaces that extend results by Kasue et al. for Riemannian manifolds with boundary to a non-smooth setting. A corollary is for instance Frankel’s theorem. Then, we prove that our notion of mean curvature bounded from below for the boundary of an open subset is stable with respect to uniform convergence of the corresponding boundary distance function. We apply this to prove almost rigidity theorems for uniform domains whose boundary has a lower mean curvature bound.
The XZ Model in the Mean-Field Approximation with Exponential Pauli Spin Matrices
Authors: Albayrak Erhan
Published: July 2023

In this study, the mean-field approximation (MFA) is applied to the study of the XZ model for spin-1/2 in terms of Pauli spin matrices and their exponentials to obtain the magnetization components for the ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) cases. The details of obtaining the series expansion for the exponential Pauli spin matrices by using their fundamental properties and commutativity relations are presented. The partition function, free energy, and magnetization are obtained for a given coordination number in a simple form as hyperbolic tangent functions. The thermal variations of the magnetization components in the x- and z-directions are studied to obtain the phase diagrams in possible planes, which only present the second-order phase transitions. The reentrant behavior is also observed in the AFM case.
Theory of Gravity Dependent on Entropy
Authors: Watson Christopher N.
Published: July 2023

Gravitational redshift decreases the resolution of measurements, causing entropy by increasing the possible microstates of position and momentum for objects within a gravitational field. This is the first paper with a quantitative equation for gravitational entropy, which extends the concept of black hole entropy to any object within a gravitational field. It also provides the first calculation of “inertial entropy,” the entropy of moving objects, by correlating changes in the scale of spacetime due to gravity with those of special relativity. The entropy scale factor (ESF) combines gravitational entropy and inertial entropy to propose that all changes in the scale of spacetime are due to entropy. In the ESF, gravity is due to entropy, not the mass of Newtonian gravity or the energy and momentum of general relativity. The key difference between Newtonian gravity and the ESF is that mass is a property of an object, while gravitational entropy is a property of a field. This means that in the ESF the entropy of objects can be increased by the gravitational fields of nearby objects. This increase in entropy results in the ESF predicting more gravitational force than Newtonian gravity does for complicated systems. This increase in force may be able to explain the phenomena attributed to dark matter, like galaxy rotation dynamics, without the need for dark matter. The same changes in scale predicted by the ESF may be able to explain the expansion of the universe, both in the inflationary epoch and the accelerating universe, without the need for an inflaton field or dark energy. The similarity of the ESF to Newtonian gravity for systems with one or two gravitational bodies explains why it has not been ruled out by prior tests of gravity.
Hardware-Conscious Optimization of the Quantum Toffoli Gate
Authors: Bowman Max Aksel , Gokhale Pranav , Larson Jeffrey , Liu Ji , Suchara Martin
Published: July 2023

While quantum computing holds great potential in combinatorial optimization, electronic structure calculation, and number theory, the current era of quantum computing is limited by noisy hardware. Many quantum compilation approaches can mitigate the effects of imperfect hardware by optimizing quantum circuits for objectives such as critical path length. Few approaches consider quantum circuits in terms of the set of vendor-calibrated operations (i.e., native gates) available on target hardware. This manuscript expands the analytical and numerical approaches for optimizing quantum circuits at this abstraction level. We present a procedure for combining the strengths of analytical native gate-level optimization with numerical optimization. Although we focus on optimizing Toffoli gates on the IBMQ native gate set, the methods presented are generalizable to any gate and superconducting qubit architecture. Our optimized Toffoli gate implementation demonstrates an 18% reduction in infidelity compared with the canonical implementation as benchmarked on IBM Jakarta with quantum process tomography. Assuming the inclusion of multi-qubit cross-resonance (MCR) gates in the IBMQ native gate set, we produce Toffoli implementations with only six multi-qubit gates, a 25% reduction from the canonical eight multi-qubit implementations for linearly connected qubits.
Forensic Examination of Ceph
Authors: Bausch Florian , Dewald Andreas
Published: July 2023

The concept of
Software Defined Storage
(SDS) has become very popular over the last few years. It is used in public, private, and hybrid clouds to store enterprise, private, and other kinds of data. Ceph is an open source software that implements an SDS stack.

This article analyzes the data found on storage devices (Object Store Devices (OSDs)) used to store Ceph BlueStore data from a data forensics point of view. The Object Store Device (OSD) data is categorized using the model proposed by Carrier into the five categories file system, content, metadata, file name, and application category. It then describes how the different data can be connected to present useful information about the content of an OSD and presents the implementation of a forensic software tool for OSD analysis based on Ceph 12.2.4
luminous
.
A Software Defect Prediction Approach Based on Hybrid Feature Dimensionality Reduction
Authors: Zhang Shenggang , Jiang Shujuan , Yan Yue
Published: July 2023

Software defect prediction (SDP) is designed to assist software testing, which can reasonably allocate test resources to reduce costs and improve development efficiency. In order to improve the prediction performance, researchers have designed many defect-related features for SDP. However, feature redundancy (FR) and irrelevance caused by the increasing dimensions of data will greatly degrade the performance of defect prediction. In order to solve the problems, researchers have proposed various data dimensionality reduction methods. These methods can be simply divided into two categories of methods: feature selection and feature extraction. However, the two categories of methods have their own advantages and limitation. In this paper, we propose a Hybrid Feature Dimensionality Reduction Approach (HFDRA) for SDP, which combines the two different kinds of methods, to improve the performance of SDP. HFDRA approach can be divided into two stages: feature selection and feature extraction. First, HFDRA divides the original features into several feature subsets through a clustering algorithm in the feature selection stage. Then, in the feature extraction stage, kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) is used to reduce the dimensionality of each feature subset. Finally, the reduced-dimensional data is used to build the prediction model. In the empirical study, we use 22 projects from AEEEM, SOFTLAB, MORP, and ReLink as experiment object. In this paper, we first compare our approach with seven baseline methods and three state-of-the-art methods. Then, we analyze the relationship between FR and prediction performance. Experiment results show that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art data dimensionality reduction methods for defect prediction.
Phytochemical Profiles and Anticancer Effects of Calophyllum inophyllum L. Extract Relating to Reactive Oxygen Species Modulation on Patient-Derived Cells from Breast and Lung Cancers
Authors: Ruangsuriya Jetsada , Sichaem Jirapast , Tantraworasin Apichat , Saeteng Somcharoen , Wongmaneerung Phanchaporn , Inta Angkhana , Davies Neal M. , Inthanon Kewalin
Published: July 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to cancer growth and metastasis. Using antioxidants to modulate cellular ROS levels is a promisingstrategy for cancer prevention and treatment. Calophyllum inophyllum L., or tamanu, is a medicinal plant renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties in traditional medicine systems. However, the anticancer effects of C. inophyllum extract on cellular ROS remain unexplored. This study represents the first report on such effects and provides the potential mechanisms underlying the anticancer properties of C. inophyllum extract. The branches of C. inophyllum were extracted, and the extract was comprehensively analyzed for phytochemical constituents, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content. Subsequently, the extract’s potential anticancer properties were evaluated using patient-derived cells from breast and lung cancer. The results revealed that the C. inophyllum extract possesses notable antioxidant activity and demonstrated no cytotoxicity within the initial 24 h of treatment. However, after 72 h, it exhibited significant antiproliferative effects. Moreover, the extract exhibited inhibitory properties against migration and invasion at concentrations below the IC50, which corresponded to the expression of related genes. Notably, these effects correlated with the reduction of intracellular ROS levels. Overall, our findings highlight the anticancer potential of C. inophyllum extract, emphasize its ability to modulate cellular ROS levels and target key molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. This study sheds light on the promising therapeutic implications of C. inophyllum extract as a novel agent for cancer treatment, which is safe for normal cells.
High-Throughput CD36 Phenotyping on Human Platelets Based on Sandwich ELISA and Mutant Gene Analysis
Authors: He Honghong , Tang Longhai , Jin Yiming , Wang Yujue , Wang Hongmei , Ding Shaohua , Chen Yezhou , Tian Jingjing , Wang Mingyuan , Duan Shengbao
Published: July 2023

Background: CD36 deficiency is closely associated with fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusion refractoriness, and other hemorrhage disorders, particularly in Asian and African populations. There is a clinical need for rapid and high-throughput methods of platelet CD36 (pCD36) phenotyping to improve the availability of CD36 typing of donors and assist clinical blood transfusions for patients with anti-CD36 antibodies. Such methods can also support the establishment of databases of pCD36-negative phenotypes. Study Design and Methods: A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for CD36 phenotyping of human platelets was developed using anti-CD36 monoclonal antibodies. The reliability of the assay was evaluated by calculating the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV). A total of 1,691 anticoagulant whole blood samples from healthy blood donors were randomly selected. PCD36 expression was measured using a sandwich ELISA. PCD36 deficiency was confirmed by flow cytometry (FC). Mutations underlying pCD36 deficiency were identified using polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT). Results: The sandwich ELISA for pCD36 phenotyping had high reliability (intra-assay CV, 2.1–4.8%; inter-assay CV, 2.3–5.2%). The sandwich ELISA was used to screen for CD36 expression on platelets isolated from 1,691 healthy blood donors. Of these, 36 samples were pCD36-negative. FC demonstrated absence of CD36 expression on monocytes in three of the 36 cases. In the present study population, the frequency of CD36 deficiency was 2.13% (36/1,691), of which 0.18% (3/1,691) was type I deficiency and 1.95% (33/1,691) was type II deficiency. In addition, we used PCR-SBT to characterize the gene mutations in exons 3–14 of the CD36 gene in 27 cases of CD36 deficiency and discovered 10 types of mutations in 13 pCD36-negative samples. Conclusion: The present study describes the development and characterization of a highly reliable sandwich ELISA for high-throughput screening for pCD36 expression. This novel method is feasible for clinical applications and provides a useful tool for the establishment of databases of pCD36-negative phenotype donors.
Disease Burden and Health Status among People with Severe Obesity Who Do Not Receive Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ard Jamy , Andersen Cecilie Olivia , Sommer Matthiessen Kasper , Morgen Camilla S. , Rathor Naveen , Yerragolam Deepak , Tahrani Abd A,
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare eligible individuals who were or were not treated with bariatric surgery and describe disease burden, treatment, and healthcare costs over 3 years in individuals who were not. Methods: Adults with obesity class II and comorbidities, or obesity class III, were identified in IQVIA Ambulatory EMR – US and PharMetrics® Plus administrative claims databases (January 1, 2007–December 31, 2017). Outcomes included demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and per patient per year (PPPY) healthcare costs. Results: Of 127,536 eligible individuals, 3,962 (3.1%) underwent surgery. The surgery group was younger, a greater proportion were women, and mean BMI and rates of some comorbidities (obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and depression) were higher than in the nonsurgery group. Mean healthcare costs PPPY in the baseline year were USD 13,981 in the surgery group and USD 12,024 in the nonsurgery group. In the nonsurgery group, incident comorbidities increased during follow-up. Mean total costs increased by 20.5% from baseline to year 3, mostly driven by an increase in pharmacy costs; however, fewer than 2% of these individuals initiated antiobesity medications. Conclusions: Individuals who did not undergo bariatric surgery showed a progressive worsening of health and increasing healthcare costs, indicating a large unmet need for access to clinically indicated obesity treatment.
Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Perspectives of Intradialytic Hypertension
Authors: Theofilis Panagiotis , Vordoni Aikaterini , Kalaitzidis Rigas G.
Published: July 2023

Background: Individuals with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis (HD) may encounter numerous HD-associated complications, including intradialytic hypertension (IDHYPER). Although blood pressure (BP) follows a predictable course in the post-HD period, BP levels during the session may vary across the individuals. Typically, a decline in BP is noted during HD, but a significant proportion of patients exhibit a paradoxical elevation. Summary: Several studies have been conducted to understand the complexity of IDHYPER, but much remains to be elucidated in the future. This review article aimed to present the current evidence regarding the proposed definitions, the pathophysiologic background, the extent and clinical implications of IDHYPER, as well as the possible therapeutic options that have emerged from clinical studies. Key messages: IDHYPER is noted in approximately 15% of individuals undergoing HD. Several definitions have been proposed, with a systolic BP rise >10 mm Hg from pre- to post-dialysis in the hypertensive range in at least four out of six consecutive HD treatments being suggested by the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. Concerning its pathophysiology, extracellular fluid overload is a crucial determinant, with endothelial dysfunction, sympathetic nervous system overdrive, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, and electrolyte alterations being important contributors. Although its association with ambulatory BP in the interdialytic period is controversial, IDHYPER is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and mortality. Moving to its management, the antihypertensive drugs of choice should ideally be nondialyzable with proven cardiovascular and mortality benefits. Finally, rigorous clinical and objective assessment of extracellular fluid volume is essential. Volume-overloaded patients should be instructed about the importance of sodium restriction, while physicians ought to alter HD settings toward a greater dry weight reduction. The use of a low-sodium dialysate and isothermic HD could also be considered on a case-by-case basis since no randomized evidence is currently available.