bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An innovative fast iterative process algorithm computerization for intermittency LSSPV generation reconfiguration
Authors: Hussain Mashitah Mohd , Zakaria Zuhaina , Dahlan Nofri Yenita , Yassin Ihsan Mohd , Hussain Mohd Najib Mohd
Published: July 2024

The recent implementation of solar photovoltaic (SPV) power generation in low-voltage distribution networks has increased due to its environmentally friendly technology, low cost, and high efficiency. However, SPV generation carried both the availability of uncertainty and intermittency on power energy exceeding voltage range, increased losses during reverse power flow action, and energy transmission problems. This paper presents a new capabilities methodology with accurate analysis to simulate the intermittent nature of SPV energy including normal generators associated with uncertain customer demand of high resolution with 1-minute temporal resolution using a fast iterative process algorithm (FIPA) simulated by Python programming. The primary goal is to address the unpredictable nature of SPV using computer operation technology connected to a real network with a fast iteration process. The result shows that in 0-10% of standard generators, grid energy (GE) is still required in daily supply, and the intermittent nature influences voltage violations and losses. Besides, the prediction typical SPV method (zero fluctuation) can serve as guidelines for engineers to design the photovoltaic (PV) module reducing its fluctuating nature and battery installation area. The research provides utilities with accurate information to plan for various difficulties at different levels of PV penetration while reducing time, effort, and resource utilization.
Proportion optimization of honey pineapple juice on the custard organoleptic and chemical properties
Authors: Susanti Siti , Tiaswuni Lutviana , Al-Baarri Ahmad Ni’matullah , Rachma Yasmin Aulia
Published: July 2024

Custard is categorized as a dairy product that has a sweet taste, soft, and thick texture. The addition of honey pineapple to custard making is an innovation to improve the organoleptic and chemical characteristics of custard. The purpose of this study is to know the effect of adding honey pineapple juice on the organoleptic and chemical properties of pineapple custard. The experimental design used 5 treatments and 4 replications. The study began with the process of making custard products according to the addition of honey pineapple juice treatments there are P0 (control), P1 (20%), P2 (40%), P3 (60%), and P4 (80%). The test method is done by organoleptic and proximate analysis tests. The results of the organoleptic test showed that the addition of honey pineapple juice affects the color, taste, aroma, and overall preference of pineapple custard. Proximate analysis showed that the addition of pineapple juice honey affected the water content, ash content, fat content, and carbohydrate content of pineapple custard. This study concludes that the difference in the proportion of pineapple honey affects the organoleptic and chemical characteristics of pineapple custard.
Healthy building phytoarchitecture requires essential criteria for sustainable phylloremediation of contaminated indoor air
Authors: Samudro Ganjar , Samudro Harida , Mangkoedihardjo Sarwoko
Published: July 2024

Various ambient air contaminants can spread into the indoor building through air transport. With the additional generation of contaminants from indoor activities, indoor air quality (IAQ) has the potential to be polluted. Indoor air pollution incidents can occur anytime, which is difficult to predict. Therefore, it is necessary to take action to improve IAQ as early as possible and sustainably. The solution to sustainable remediation is using plants to apply phylloremediation, which functions as leaves and leaf-associated microbial communities to reduce air contaminants. This study aims to provide new practical yet essential criteria for the sustainable operation of phylloremediation. This review is based on the latest results of a literature-based study. An analysis of the fundamental processes of plant life forms the basis for obtaining these criteria. The study emphasizes key criteria for phylloremediation encompassing the selecting plants with high transpiration and leaf-microbe synergy, and conducting maintenance by spraying water on leaves. These measures optimize efficiency and sustain the process for indoor air pollutant reduction. The final result summarises the new criteria for sustainable phylloremediation to maintain plant life. These essential criteria can be used for conducting experiments in empirical research, indoor design, and education for the community.
Privacy preserving lightweight authentication scheme for roaming service in global mobile networks
Authors: Lee Sungwoon , Kim Hyunsung
Published: July 2024

The swift advancement of mobile intelligent terminals and services enables users to seamlessly access ubiquitous services across global mobile networks. Ensuring the authentication and safeguarding of the privacy of network entities is crucial. Numerous authentication and privacy schemes have been put forth over time, yet many of them have faced security and privacy challenges. A recent contribution introduces a lightweight authentication scheme (LAS) designed for roaming services within global mobile networks. They assert that their scheme offers user anonymity, mutual authentication, fair key agreement, and user-friendliness, claiming resilience against various attacks in global mobile networks. This paper, however, identifies two design flaws in the LAS and highlights its vulnerability to two masquerading attacks and a mobile user (MU) trace attack. Consequently, we propose a privacy-preserving LAS tailored for global mobile networks. Our analysis demonstrates that the proposed authentication scheme is secure and delivers enhanced privacy with efficient performance.
Tipping the Scale: Atheroprotective IgM-Producing B Cells in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ransegnola Brett P. , Pattarabanjird Tanyaporn , McNamara Coleen A.
Published: July 2024

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease whose progression is fueled by proinflammatory moieties and limited by anti-inflammatory mediators. Whereas oxidative damage and the generation of oxidation-specific epitopes that act as damage-associated molecular patterns are highly inflammatory, IgM antibodies produced by B-1 and marginal zone B cells counteract unrestricted inflammation by neutralizing and encouraging clearance of these proinflammatory signals. In this review, we focus on describing the identities of IgM-producing B cells in both mice and humans, elaborating the mechanisms underlying IgM production, and discussing the potential strategies to augment the production of atheroprotective IgM. In addition, we will discuss promising therapeutic interventions in humans to help tip the scale toward augmentation of IgM production and to provide atheroprotection.
Clinical Significance of Exercise Pulmonary Hypertension With a Negative Diastolic Stress Test for Suspected Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Verwerft Jan , Stassen Jan , Falter Maarten , Bekhuis Youri , Hoedemakers Sarah , Gojevic Tin , Ferreira Sara Moura , Vanhentenrijk Simon , Stroobants Sarah , Jogani Siddharth , Hansen Dominique , Jasaityte Ruta , Cosyns Bernard , Van De Bruaene Alexander , Bertrand Philippe B. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Gevaert Andreas B. , Verbrugge Frederik H. , Herbots Lieven , Claessen Guido
Published: July 2024

Background

Half of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain undiagnosed by resting evaluation alone. Therefore, exercise testing is proposed. The diastolic stress test (DST), however, has limited sensitivity. We aimed to determine the clinical significance of adding the mean pulmonary artery pressure over cardiac output (mPAP/CO) slope to the DST in suspected HFpEF.

Methods and Results

In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients (n=1936) with suspected HFpEF underwent exercise echocardiography with simultaneous respiratory gas analysis. These patients were stratified by exercise
E
over
e
′ (exE/
e
′) and mPAP/CO slope, and peak oxygen uptake, natriuretic peptides (NT‐proBNP [N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide]), and score‐based HFpEF likelihood were compared. Twenty‐two percent of patients (n=428) had exE/
e
′<15 despite a mPAP/CO slope>3 mm Hg/L per min, 24% (n=464) had a positive DST (exE/
e
′≥15), and 54% (n=1044) had a normal DST and slope. Percentage of predicted oxygen uptake was similar in the group with exE/
e
′<15 but high mPAP/CO slope and the positive DST group (−2% [−5% to +1%]), yet worse than in those with normal DST and slope (−12% [−14% to −9%]). Patients with exE/
e
′<15 but a high slope had NT‐proBNP levels and H
2
FPEF (heavy, hypertensive, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, elder; filling pressure) scores intermediate to the positive DST group and the group with both a normal DST and slope.

Conclusions

Twenty‐two percent of patients with suspected HFpEF presented with a mPAP/CO slope>3 mm Hg/L per min despite a negative DST. These patients had HFpEF characteristics and a peak oxygen uptake as low as patients with a positive DST. Therefore, an elevated mPAP/CO slope might indicate HFpEF irrespective of the DST result.
Sex Disparities in Mortality After Endovascular Therapy in Large Core Infarcts
Authors: Le Ngoc Mai , Neal‐Harris Camille , Ebirim Emmanuel C. , Iyyangar Ananya S. , Azeem Hussain , Ballekere Anjan N. , Dhanjani Saagar , Lee Eunyoung , Sheth Sunil A.
Published: July 2024

Background

In recent large core endovascular therapy (EVT) trials of large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (AIS), treatment was associated with reduced rates of mortality. Because post‐AIS mortality can be influenced by societal and biological factors that differ between women and men, we investigate sex‐based differences in mortality outcomes following EVT in large core AIS.

Methods

From our prospectively collected multicenter registry across 4 comprehensive stroke centers in the Greater Houston area, we identified patients from 2017 to 2022 with large vessel occlusion AIS and large infarct core. Large infarct core was defined by computed tomography perfusion exceeding 70 mL (by regional cerebral blood flow measurements using automated postprocessing) or computed tomography Alberta Stroke Program Early CT [Computed Tomography] Score<6. The primary outcome of this study was the likelihood of mortality at 90 days, determined through multivariable logistic regression adjusted for EVT, sex, and EVT/sex interaction term. Secondary outcomes included 90‐day disability outcomes and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Results

Among 190 patients who met inclusion criteria, 50% were female and 45.3% received EVT. Demographic differences between the sexes were largely balanced apart from the older age of presentation for women compared with men (75 versus 67, women versus men;
P
<0.01). In univariable analysis, women who did not receive EVT had greater mortality (27.4% difference;
P
<0.001) compared with men, with comparable rates in EVT‐treated cohorts. In multivariable analysis, non‐EVT management was strongly associated with mortality in women compared with men at discharge (odds ratio [OR] 5.81, 95% CI [1.96–17.23]) and 90‐days (OR 6.77, 95% CI [2.09–21.94]). In the secondary analysis, which additionally adjusted the model for age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, these findings were unchanged. The sex/EVT interaction term showed significant interaction for mortality both at discharge and 90 days (
P
<0.01).

Conclusion

EVT in large core AIS populations may disparately reduce mortality in women compared to men.
Reassessing the Functional Significance of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent Signal Variability
Authors: Roberts Reece , Wiebels Kristina , Moreau David , Addis Donna Rose
Published: July 2024

BOLD signal variability (SDBOLD) has emerged as a unique measure of the adaptive properties of neural systems that facilitate fast, stable responding, based on claims that SDBOLD is independent of mean BOLD signal (meanBOLD) and is a powerful predictor of behavioral performance. We challenge these two claims. First, the apparent independence of SDBOLD and meanBOLD may reflect the presence of deactivations; we hypothesize that although SDBOLD may not be related to raw meanBOLD, it will be linearly related to “absolute” meanBOLD. Second, the observed relationship between SDBOLD and performance may be an artifact of using fixed-length trials longer than RTs. Such designs provide opportunities to toggle between on- and off-task states, and fast responders likely engage in more frequent state-switching, thereby artificially elevating SDBOLD. We hypothesize that SDBOLD will be higher and more strongly related to performance when using such fixed-length trials relative to self-paced trials that terminate upon a response. We test these two hypotheses in an fMRI study using blocks of fixed-length or self-paced trials. Results confirmed both hypotheses: (1) SDBOLD was robustly related with absolute meanBOLD, and (2) toggling between on- and off-task states during fixed-length trials reliably contributed to SDBOLD. Together, these findings suggest that a reappraisal of the functional significance of SDBOLD as a unique marker of cognitive performance is warranted.
Suppressing the Maintenance of Information in Working Memory Alters Long-term Memory Traces
Authors: Bretton Zachary H. , Kim Hyojeong , Banich Marie T. , Lewis-Peacock Jarrod A.
Published: July 2024

The sensory recruitment hypothesis conceptualizes information in working memory as being activated representations of information in long-term memory. Accordingly, changes made to an item in working memory would be expected to influence its subsequent retention. Here, we tested the hypothesis that suppressing information from working memory, which can reduce short-term access to that information, may also alter its long-term neural representation. We obtained fMRI data (n = 25; 13 female / 12 male participants) while participants completed a working memory removal task with scene images as stimuli, followed by a final surprise recognition test of the examined items. We applied a multivariate pattern analysis to the data to quantify the engagement of suppression on each trial, to track the contents of working memory during suppression, and to assess representational changes afterward. Our analysis confirms previous reports that suppression of information in working memory involves focused attention to target and remove unwanted information. Furthermore, our findings provide new evidence that even a single dose of suppression of an item in working memory can (if engaged with sufficient strength) produce lasting changes in its neural representation, particularly weakening the unique, item-specific features, which leads to forgetting. Our study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the suppression of unwanted thoughts and highlights the dynamic interplay between working memory and long-term memory.
Effects of Vergence Eye Movement Planning on Size Perception and Early Visual Processing
Authors: Zhang Yichong , Wu Xiaoqian , Zheng Chao , Zhao Yuqing , Gao Jie , Deng Zhiqing , Zhang Xilin , Chen Juan
Published: July 2024

Our perception of objects depends on non-oculomotor depth cues, such as pictorial distance cues and binocular disparity, and oculomotor depth cues, such as vergence and accommodation. Although vergence eye movements are always involved in perceiving real distance, previous studies have mainly focused on the effect of oculomotor state via “proprioception” on distance and size perception. It remains unclear whether the oculomotor command of vergence eye movement would also influence visual processing. To address this question, we placed a light at 28.5 cm and a screen for stimulus presentation at 57 cm from the participants. In the NoDivergence condition, participants were asked to maintain fixation on the light regardless of stimulus presentation throughout the trial. In the WithDivergence condition, participants were instructed to initially maintain fixation on the near light and then turn their two eyes outward to look at the stimulus on the far screen. The stimulus was presented for 100 msec, entirely within the preparation stage of the divergence eye movement. We found that participants perceived the stimulus as larger but were less sensitive to stimulus sizes in the WithDivergence condition than in the NoDivergence condition. The earliest visual evoked component C1 (peak latency 80 msec), which varied with stimulus size in the NoDivergence condition, showed similar amplitudes for larger and smaller stimuli in the WithDivergence condition. These results show that vergence eye movement planning affects the earliest visual processing and size perception, and demonstrate an example of the effect of motor command on sensory processing.
Multiattribute Decision-making in Macaques Relies on Direct Attribute Comparisons
Authors: Perkins Aster Q. , Gillis Zachary S. , Rich Erin L.
Published: July 2024

In value-based decisions, there are frequently multiple attributes, such as cost, quality, or quantity, that contribute to the overall goodness of an option. Because one option may not be better in all attributes at once, the decision process should include a means of weighing relevant attributes. Most decision-making models solve this problem by computing an integrated value, or utility, for each option from a weighted combination of attributes. However, behavioral anomalies in decision-making, such as context effects, indicate that other attribute-specific computations might be taking place. Here, we tested whether rhesus macaques show evidence of attribute-specific processing in a value-based decision-making task. Monkeys made a series of decisions involving choice options comprising a sweetness and probability attribute. Each attribute was represented by a separate bar with one of two mappings between bar size and the magnitude of the attribute (i.e., bigger = better or bigger = worse). We found that translating across different mappings produced selective impairments in decision-making. Choices were less accurate and preferences were more variable when like attributes differed in mapping, suggesting that preventing monkeys from easily making direct attribute comparisons resulted in less accurate choice behavior. This was not the case when mappings of unalike attributes within the same option were different. Likewise, gaze patterns favored transitions between like attributes over transitions between unalike attributes of the same option, so that like attributes were sampled sequentially to support within-attribute comparisons. Together, these data demonstrate that value-based decisions rely, at least in part, on directly comparing like attributes of multiattribute options.
Learning Fixed Points of Recurrent Neural Networks by Reparameterizing the Network Model
Authors: Zhu Vicky , Rosenbaum Robert
Published: July 2024

In computational neuroscience, recurrent neural networks are widely used to model neural activity and learning. In many studies, fixed points of recurrent neural networks are used to model neural responses to static or slowly changing stimuli, such as visual cortical responses to static visual stimuli. These applications raise the question of how to train the weights in a recurrent neural network to minimize a loss function evaluated on fixed points. In parallel, training fixed points is a central topic in the study of deep equilibrium models in machine learning. A natural approach is to use gradient descent on the Euclidean space of weights. We show that this approach can lead to poor learning performance due in part to singularities that arise in the loss surface. We use a reparameterization of the recurrent network model to derive two alternative learning rules that produce more robust learning dynamics. We demonstrate that these learning rules avoid singularities and learn more effectively than standard gradient descent. The new learning rules can be interpreted as steepest descent and gradient descent, respectively, under a non-Euclidean metric on the space of recurrent weights. Our results question the common, implicit assumption that learning in the brain should be expected to follow the negative Euclidean gradient of synaptic weights.
‘No Woman No Drive’: The Saudi State’s New Politics of Fun
Authors: Agerschou-Madsen Fannie , Malmvig Helle
Published: July 2024

Scholars of authoritarian states have long been interested in how resistance is expressed through cultural productions such as music, art, and satire. Recently, scholars within International Politics have, however, directed attention towards understanding how also state leaders and institutions themselves employ humour in public diplomacy, in identity construction, and in misinformation campaigns. A case in point is Saudi Arabia, whose government since the presentation of its ‘Vision 2030’ program aiming to reform the Saudi economy and society has focused on developing and investing in the field of culture and entertainment, including comedy. This article seeks to understand how authoritarian states can appropriate and co-opt humour and fun to construct its identity top-down to gain legitimacy. We do this by looking at two examples: a music festival and the commissioning of a comedy group. The article also examines the alternative and potentially dissenting spaces for fun that exist alongside and within the Saudi government–controlled initiatives, such as the music festival, by additionally looking at a stand-up comedy event in Riyadh. This part of the article analyzes how subversive enactments happen in government-sanctioned spaces under the gaze of the state, potentially contributing to the creation of a new narrative about Saudi state identity as youthful, modern and open, and importantly different from the previous conservative and pious identity. Hence, this article argues that humour and fun more broadly simultaneously can be a space for counter conducts and a way for authoritarian regimes to govern.
Coupling first-person cognitive research with neurophilosophy and enactivism: An outline of arguments
Authors: Wagemann Johannes
Published: July 2024

A core issue of embodiment is the question of how phenomenal and agentive consciousness relates to external forms of behavior. Instead of biasing the question in terms of the “hard problem” as to why and how consciousness arises from brain processes (D. Chalmers), it is suggested to ask for psychophysical correlations in a metaphysically neutral way. This, however, demands (1) to explore both sides of the problem with equivalent precision and depth—not only the physical—and (2) to develop a metaphysically neutral tool to formalize them in a consistent way. Concerning (1), the basic structure of mental micro-activities found in first-person studies on cognitive processes suggests extending the scope of qualia as a mark of consciousness. In the context of Structure Phenomenology (H. Witzenmann), functionally negative phenomenality experienced in ambiguous or meaning-deprived situations and inner agentive qualia of mental activities are correlated with the decompositional signature of sensory-neural processing and synchronized neural oscillations. Concerning (2), G. Günther’s Transclassical Logic is briefly introduced and deployed to integrate the mental, psychophysical, and physical contextures in a three-valued formal framework which also includes enacted and embodied aspects. The emerging picture rebalances first-person and third-person aspects of cognition by functionally separating and dynamically integrating them, thus revitalizing the neurophenomenological research agenda with new experimental proposals and concrete hypotheses.
Supporting Older Men’s Social Participation: A Framework for Engagement
Authors: Cowen Kate , Collins Tracy , Carr Susan , Wilson-Menzfeld Gemma
Published: July 2024

Community social participation activities are considered effective in reducing social isolation and loneliness (SIL) amongst older people. However, most community social group participants are women with a paucity of research exploring older men’s perspectives and preferences. This study explored the challenges and facilitators to older men’s social participation utilizing a multi-method qualitative design including interviews ( n = 18) and a collaborative workshop ( n = 7) with older men and community organizations. The resulting data was analyzed thematically. Five themes were identified, “meaningful occupations”, “identity and loss”, “connections”, “landscape of service delivery”, and “therapeutic landscapes”. The findings informed the development of a framework for engaging older men. The model emphasizes the built environment and intergenerational connections as necessary components for social participation.
Electoral Innovation and the Alaska System: Partisanship and Populism Are Associated With Support for Top-4/Ranked-Choice Voting Rules
Authors: Sinclair J. Andrew , Alvarez R. Michael , Sinclair Betsy , Grose Christian R.
Published: July 2024

In 2020, Alaskans voted to adopt a nonpartisan top-4 primary followed by a ranked-choice general election. Proposals for “final four” and “final five” election systems are being considered in other states, as well as ranked-choice voting. The initial use of Alaska’s procedure in 2022 serves as a test case for examining whether such reforms may help moderate candidates avoid being “primaried.” In 2022, incumbent Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski held her seat against a Trump-endorsed Republican, Kelly Tshibaka. We use data from the 2022 election in Alaska, along with a mixed-mode survey of Alaskan voters before the general election, to test hypotheses about how voters behave in these kinds of elections, finding: (1) the moderate Republican candidate, Murkowski, likely would have lost a closed partisan primary; (2) some Democrats and independents favored the moderate Republican over the candidate of their own party, and the new rules allowed them to support her at all stages of the election, along with others who voted for her to stop the more conservative Republican candidate; and (3) that Alaskan voters are largely favorable toward the new rules, but that certain kinds of populist voters are likely to both support Trump and oppose the rules.
Memetic memory as vital conduits of troublemakers in digital culture
Authors: Smith Alexander O , Loewen-Colón Jordan
Published: July 2024

Recent fears of data capitalism and colonialism often argue using implicit assumptions about cybernetic technology’s ability to automate data about culture. As such, the level of data granularity made possible by cybernetic engineering can be used to dominate society and culture. Here we unpack these implicit assumptions about the datafication of culture through memes, which both act as cultural data and cultural memory. Using Alexander Galloway’s critical method of protocological analysis and descriptions of media tactics, we respond to fears of cybernetic domination. Protocols – the source by which cybernetic technologies enable automated datafication – enables us to respond to fears with optimism, and it further enables a more extensive development of how memetic memory functions. Our development shows that memetic memory often emerges before cybernetic datafication, offering moments of resistance from cybernetic domination. Further, this development enables a vitalist development of memetic memory, borrowing from Bergsonian theory and related contemporary media theories. Such a work contributes by providing cybernetic context in which culture, characterized through memes, resists cybernetic domination. In the process of this contribution, it also contributes a novel theory of memetic memory. Inspired by recent posthuman new media theory, we provide a novel reading of Richard Dawkins’ genetically inspired meme as well as Limor Shifman’s notion of memetic ‘stance’. Taken together, we contribute the beginnings of a memetic theory of vitalism which speaks more readily with critical cybernetic discourse.
Critique-in-the-loop of news production
Authors: Nothias Toussaint
Published: July 2024

This article reflects on the genesis, value, and limits of an experimental project aiming to challenge the production of stereotypes in news production. Specifically, I discuss the development of a tool - the Africa Stereotype Scanner – designed for journalists to analyze the linguistic content of their articles, identify stereotypes and frames, and reflect on their writing practices. I explain how this project was born from an iterative dialogue between critical scholarship and journalistic practice. Beyond a too familiar scholar-journalist rift, I outline how this project sought to break down epistemological boundaries between journalism and academia. This collaborative project, I argue, provides an example of how critical research can seek to enhance journalistic reporting and, dialectically, how an engagement with the field leads to new questions and invites another type of knowledge production. This critique-in-the-loop model paves the way for critical journalism scholarship that wrestles further with its normative foundations, elucidates its practical implications, and plays a role in generative interventions.
Comparison of the mechanical properties of bypass grafts: Experimental assays
Authors: Rassoli Aisa , Changizi Shirin , Behrouz Jazi Alireza , Ghorbani Paniz
Published: July 2024

Objective

One prevalent therapeutic strategy for addressing atherosclerosis is using an alternative blood supply route to the heart, referred to as bypass surgery. In these surgeries, the saphenous vein, radial artery, and internal mammary artery are commonly used to create this bypass route. Unfortunately, due to negligence regarding the compatibility of the graft with the host tissue, reoperation is often required after several years. One method that can aid in selecting a suitable vein for bypass is simulating the solid-fluid interaction, and performing such simulations requires knowledge of the mechanical properties of bypass grafts. Therefore, extracting the mechanical properties of bypass grafts is essential.

Methods

In this study, human bypass grafts were subjected to uniaxial tensile testing, and their elastic modulus was extracted and compared. Additionally, the hyperelastic properties of these grafts were extracted using the Mooney–Rivlin model for use in numerical software.

Results

The average elastic modulus in the circumferential direction for radial artery, mammary artery, and saphenous vein samples were determined to be 1.384 ± 0.268 MPa, 3.108 ± 1.652 MPa, and 7.912 ± 2.509 MPa, respectively. Based on the results of uniaxial tests, the saphenous vein exhibited the highest stiffness among the three vascular tissues.

Conclusion

The mechanical characterization results of the bypass vessels can be applied to the clinical studies of heart diseases. They may help develop an appropriate treatment approach.
Genome-wide identification and molecular evolution of Dof gene family in Camellia oleifera
Authors: Fu Chun , Xiao YuJie , Jiang Na , Yang YaoJun
Published: July 2024

DNA binding with one finger(Dof) gene family is a class of transcription factors which play an important role on plant growth and development. Genome-wide identification results indicated that there were 45 Dof genes(ColDof) in C.oleifera genome. All 45 ColDof proteins were non-transmembrane and non-secretory proteins. Phosphorylation site analysis showed that biological function of ColDof proteins were mainly realized by phosphorylation at serine (Ser) site. The secondary structure of 44 ColDof proteins was dominated by random coil, and only one ColDof protein was dominated by α-helix. ColDof genes’ promoter region contained a variety of cis-acting elements, including light responsive regulators, gibberellin responsive regulators, abscisic acid responsive regulators, auxin responsive regulators and drought induction responsive regulators. The SSR sites analysis showed that the proportion of single nucleotide repeats and the frequency of A/T in ColDof genes were the largest. Non-coding RNA analysis showed that 45 ColDof genes contained 232 miRNAs. Transcription factor binding sites of ColDof genes showed that ColDof genes had 5793 ERF binding sites, 4381 Dof binding sites, 2206 MYB binding sites, 3702 BCR-BPC binding sites. ColDof9, ColDof39 and ColDof44 were expected to have the most TFBSs. The collinearity analysis showed that there were 40 colinear locis between ColDof proteins and AtDof proteins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that ColDof gene family was most closely related to that of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv.Biyun and Camellia lanceoleosa. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that ColDof34, ColDof20, ColDof28, ColDof35, ColDof42 and ColDof26 had the most protein interactions. The transcriptome analysis of C. oleifera seeds showed that 21 ColDof genes were involved in the growth and development process of C. oleifera seeds, and were expressed in 221 C. oleifera varieties. The results of qRT-PCR experiments treated with different concentrations NaCl and PEG6000 solutions indicated that ColDof1, ColDof2, ColDof14 and ColDof36 not only had significant molecular mechanisms for salt stress tolerance, but also significant molecular functions for drought stress tolerance in C. oleifera. The results of this study provide a reference for further understanding of the function of ColDof genes in C.oleifera.
Myeloperoxidase and its derivative hypochlorous acid combined clinical indicators predict new-onset atrial fibrillation in sepsis: a case-control study
Authors: Dai Hui , Ye Jiawei , Wang Shangyuan , Li Xingyao , Li Wenjie
Published: July 2024

Backgroud

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is a common complication of sepsis and linked to higher death rates in affected patients. The lack of effective predictive tools hampers early risk assessment for the development of NOAF. This study aims to develop practical and effective predictive tools for identifying the risk of NOAF.

Methods

This case-control study retrospectively analyzed patients with sepsis admitted to the emergency department of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2017 to January 2023. Based on electrocardiographic reports and electrocardiogram monitoring records, patients were categorized into NOAF and non-NOAF groups. Laboratory tests, including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), were collected, along with demographic data and comorbidities. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive model’s performance in identifying NOAF.

Results

A total of 389 patients with sepsis were included in the study, of which 63 developed NOAF. MPO and HOCl levels were significantly higher in the NOAF group compared to the non-NOAF group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified MPO, HOCl, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), white blood cells (WBC), and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score as independent risk factors for NOAF in sepsis. Additionally, a nomogram model developed using these independent risk factors achieved an AUC of 0.897.

Conclusion

The combination of MPO and its derivative HOCl with clinical indicators improves the prediction of NOAF in sepsis. The nomogram model can serve as a practical predictive tool for the early identification of NOAF in patients with sepsis.
Presentation, management, and early outcomes of young acute coronary syndrome patients- analysis of 23,560 South Asian patients from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Peerwani Ghazal , Hanif Bashir , Rahim Komal Abdul , Kashif Muhammad , Virani Salim S. , Sheikh Sana
Published: July 2024

Background

There is dearth of literature addressing early outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among young patients, particularly South Asians descent who are predisposed to premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we compared presentation, management, and early outcomes of young vs. old ACS patients and explored predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Methods

We extracted data of 23,560 ACS patients who presented at Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi, Pakistan, from July 2012-June 2020, from the Chest pain-MI-Registry™. We categorized data into young ≤ 45 and old ACS patients > 45 years. Chi-sq/Fischer exact tests were used to assess the difference between presentation, disease management, and in-hospital mortality between both groups. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval of factors associated with early mortality.

Results

The younger patients were 12.2% and women 23.5%. The prevalence of dyslipidemia (34.5% vs. 22.4%), diabetes (52.1% vs. 27.4%), and hypertension (68.3% vs. 42.9%) was higher in older patients. Family history of premature CAD (18.1% vs. 32.7%), smoking (40.0% vs. 22.9%), and smokeless tobacco use (6.5% vs. 8.4%) were lower in older patients compared to younger ones. Younger patients were more likely to present with STEMI (33.2% vs. 45%). The median symptom-to-door time was 125 min longer (p-value < 0.01) in the young patients compared to the older age group. In-hospital mortality (4.3% vs. 1.7%), cardiac arrest (1.9% vs. 0.7%), cardiogenic shock (1.9% vs. 0.9%), and heart failure (1% vs. 0.6%) were more common in older patients. After adjusting for other factors, younger age (AOR 0.6, 95% CI 1.5–3.7) had significantly lesser odds of in-hospital mortality. Other factors associated with early mortality included women, family history of premature CAD, STEMI, Killip class III and IV, coronary angiography, revascularization, CABG, and use of aspirin and beta blockers within the first 24 h.

Conclusion

We found every tenth ACS patient was younger than 45 years of age despite a lesser number of comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. Overall, the in-hospital prognosis of young patients was more favorable than that of older patients. The study emphasizes the need for tailored primary prevention programs for ACS, considering the varying risks among different age groups.
Subjective social status and socio-demographic correlates of perceived discrimination among older adults in India
Authors: Sekher T. V , Pai Manacy , Muhammad T.
Published: July 2024

Background

Considering India’s diversity, marked by differences in caste, class, ethnicity, religion, region, and language, discrimination can take on varying forms across social-structural locations. We examined the association between subjective social status (SSS) and perceived discrimination, and assessed the sociodemographic correlates of perceived discrimination among older persons in India.

Methods

Data come from the 2017-18 wave 1 of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) with a sample of 30,253 adults 60 years or older. SSS was examined using the Macarthur scale with a ladder technique. Perceived discrimination was evaluated with the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the odds of reporting discrimination by its types and attributions.

Results

39% of older adults reported low SSS, whereas 7.3% reported high SSS. Older adults with low SSS had significantly higher odds of experiencing some discrimination than those with high SSS. Compared to high-SSS peers, low-SSS individuals attributed age, gender, caste, financial, and health status as reasons for discrimination. Older women attributed gender as a reason for discrimination. Caste was reported as a reason for discrimination by rural but not urban dwellers. Relative to northerners, those from southern India reported age, financial, and health statuses as reasons for discrimination.

Conclusions

That low-SSS older adults reported age, gender, caste, financial status, and health status as reasons for discrimination and that this association persisted after considering objective indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) is suggestive of SSS as independently consequential for perceived discrimination. These findings are useful for care providers and practitioners as they encourage older patients -- especially those with low SSS who may feel stigmatized -- to seek care, comply with care regimen, and engage in behaviors that protect and promote health.
Non-contrast CT radiomics-clinical machine learning model for futile recanalization after endovascular treatment in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sun Tao , Yu Hai-yun , Zhan Chun-hua , Guo Han-long , Luo Mu-yun
Published: July 2024

Objective

To establish a machine learning model based on radiomics and clinical features derived from non-contrast CT to predict futile recanalization (FR) in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing endovascular treatment.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 174 patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke between January 2020 and December 2023. FR was defined as successful recanalization but poor prognosis at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale, mRS 4–6). Radiomic features were extracted from non-contrast CT and selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression method. Logistic regression (LR) model was used to build models based on radiomic and clinical features. A radiomics-clinical nomogram model was developed, and the predictive performance of the models was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

A total of 174 patients were included. 2016 radiomic features were extracted from non-contrast CT, and 9 features were selected to build the radiomics model. Univariate and stepwise multivariate analyses identified admission NIHSS score, hemorrhagic transformation, NLR, and admission blood glucose as independent factors for building the clinical model. The AUC of the radiomics-clinical nomogram model in the training and testing cohorts were 0.860 (95%CI 0.801–0.919) and 0.775 (95%CI 0.605–0.945), respectively.

Conclusion

The radiomics-clinical nomogram model based on non-contrast CT demonstrated satisfactory performance in predicting futile recanalization in patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke.
A single-center, open label, randomized, controlled study of hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the treatment of low risk PLA2R-associated membranous nephropathy
Authors: Mei Mei , Zeng Jun , Liu Zhengyang , Gong Li , Fang Li , Hu Quan , Huang Shaofen , Chai Liyin , Chen Xinqing , Sun Haili , Xiang Sha , Wen Chaolin , Shen Bingbing
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) in the treatment of low risk phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-associated membranous nephropathy (MN).

Methods

A total of 110 patients with low risk PLA2R-associated MN were included in the study. Patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were assigned randomly to two groups: the HCQ treatment group and the control group. The control group received standard supportive treatment according to the guidelines, while the HCQ treatment group received HCQ in addition to the supportive treatment. The clinical data of the patients were analyzed, with comparisons made at baseline and during the six-month follow-up period. Any adverse reactions were recorded.

Results

The baseline data were comparable between the HCQ treatment group and the control group. At the end of the six-month follow-up period, the reductions in urine protein excretion and serum PLA2R antibody titer were more notable in the HCQ treatment group than those in the control group, with these differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the HCQ treatment group had fewer patients who were converted from low risk to moderate-to-high risk (p = 0.084). There were also no severe adverse reactions in the HCQ treatment group.

Conclusion

In patients with low risk PLA2R-associated MN, adequate supportive therapy combined with HCQ is superior to supportive therapy alone in controlling proteinuria and reducing serum PLA2R antibody titers. Additionally, our study demonstrated that the incidence of adverse reactions did not increase.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR1900021757, Date of registration: 2019-03-08).
Corticosteroids for improving patient-relevant outcomes in HELLP syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kasem Asmaa F. , Alqenawy Hamdy B. , Elgendi Marwa A. , Ali Radwa R. , Ahmed Rania HM , Sorour Mohammad N. , Hegab Khadiga MH , El-skaan Rania G. , El Helw Rowyna H. , Elsewefy Mohamed S. , Abdelrazek Maya M. , Elrefaey Yasser M. , Albahaie Mohamed YG , Salama Mohamed H. , Nabhan Ashraf F.
Published: July 2024

Background

We conducted this updated systematic review to assess the effects of corticosteroids vs. placebo or no treatment for improving patient-relevant outcomes in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.

Methods

CENTRAL, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from the date of inception of the databases to February 3, 2024 were searched. Reference lists of included studies and systematic reviews were thoroughly searched. We included RCTs that enrolled women with HELLP syndrome, whether antepartum or postpartum, to receive any corticosteroid versus placebo or no treatment. No language or publication date restrictions were made. We used a dual independent approach for screening titles and abstracts, full text screening, and data extraction. Risk of bias was assessed in the included studies using Cochrane’s RoB 2 tool. Pairwise meta-analyses were conducted, where two or more studies met methodological criteria for inclusion. GRADE approach was used to assess certainty of evidence for the pre-specified outcomes.

Results

Fifteen trials (821 women) compared corticosteroids with placebo or no treatment. The effect of corticosteroids is uncertain for the primary outcome i.e., maternal death (risk ratio [RR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25 to 2.38, very low certainty evidence). Out of 6 studies reporting maternal death, 5 were judged overall to have “low risk” of bias. The effect of corticosteroids is also uncertain for other important outcomes including pulmonary edema (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.23 to 2.09), dialysis (RR 3, 95% CI 0.13 to 70.78), liver morbidity (hematoma, rupture, and failure; RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.83), or perinatal death (0.64, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.97) because of very low certainty evidence. Low certainty evidence suggests that corticosteroids have little or no effect on the need for platelet transfusion (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.60) and may result in a slight reduction in acute renal failure (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.12). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed results that were similar to the primary synthesis.

Conclusions

In women with HELLP syndrome, the effect of corticosteroids vs. placebo or no treatment is uncertain for patient-relevant outcomes including maternal death, maternal morbidity, and perinatal death. These uncertainties regarding this critical question should be addressed by adequately powered rigorous trials.

Systematic review registration

Center for Open Science, osf.io/yzku5.