bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elucidating medial temporal and frontal lobe contributions to approach-avoidance conflict decision-making using functional MRI and the hierarchical drift diffusion model
Authors: Chu Sonja , Hutcherson Cendri , Ito Rutsuko , Lee Andy C H
Published: March 2023

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) has long been associated with arbitrating between approach and avoidance in the face of conflicting and uncertain motivational information, but recent work has also highlighted medial temporal lobe (MTL) involvement. It remains unclear, however, how the contributions of these regions differ in their resolution of conflict information and uncertainty. We designed an fMRI paradigm in which participants approached or avoided object pairs that differed by motivational conflict and outcome uncertainty (complete certainty vs. complete uncertainty). Behavioral data and decision-making parameters estimated using the hierarchical drift diffusion model revealed that participants’ responding was driven by conflict rather than uncertainty. Our neural data suggest that PFC areas contribute to cognitive control during approach-avoidance conflict by potentially adjusting response caution and the strength of evidence generated towards either choice, with differential involvement of anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The MTL, on the other hand, appears to contribute to evidence generation, with the hippocampus linked to evidence accumulation for stimuli. Although findings within perirhinal cortex were comparatively equivocal, some evidence suggests contributions to perceptual representations, particularly under conditions of threat. Our findings provide evidence that MTL and PFC regions may contribute uniquely to arbitrating approach-avoidance conflict.
Programmatic Effectiveness of a Pediatric Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Campaign in Navi Mumbai, India
Authors: Hoffman Seth A , LeBoa Christopher , Date Kashmira , Haldar Pradeep , Harvey Pauline , Shimpi Rahul , An Qian , Zhang Chenhua , Jayaprasad Niniya , Horng Lily , Fagerli Kirsten , Borhade Priyanka , Daruwalla Savita , Dharmapalan Dhanya , Gavhane Jeetendra , Joshi Shrikrishna , Rai Rajesh , Rathod Varsha , Shetty Keertana , Warrier Divyalatha S , Yadav Shalini , Chakraborty Debjit , Bahl Sunil , Katkar Arun , Kunwar Abhishek , Yewale Vijay , Andrews Jason R , Bhatnagar Pankaj , Dutta Shanta , Luby Stephen P
Published: March 2023

Background

The World Health Organization recommends vaccines for prevention and control of typhoid fever, especially where antimicrobial-resistant typhoid circulates. In 2018, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) implemented a typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) campaign. The campaign targeted all children aged 9 months through 14 years within NMMC boundaries (approximately 320 000 children) over 2 vaccination phases. The phase 1 campaign occurred from 14 July 2018 through 25 August 2018 (71% coverage, approximately 113 420 children). We evaluated the phase 1 campaign's programmatic effectiveness in reducing typhoid cases at the community level.

Methods

We established prospective, blood culture–based surveillance at 6 hospitals in Navi Mumbai and offered blood cultures to children who presented with fever ≥3 days. We used a cluster-randomized (by administrative boundary) test-negative design to estimate the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign on pediatric typhoid cases. We matched test-positive, culture-confirmed typhoid cases with up to 3 test-negative, culture-negative controls by age and date of blood culture and assessed community vaccine campaign phase as an exposure using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Between 1 September 2018 and 31 March 2021, we identified 81 typhoid cases and matched these with 238 controls. Cases were 0.44 times as likely to live in vaccine campaign communities (programmatic effectiveness, 56%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25% to 74%; P = .002). Cases aged ≥5 years were 0.37 times as likely (95% CI, .19 to .70; P = .002) and cases during the first year of surveillance were 0.30 times as likely (95% CI, .14 to .64; P = .002) to live in vaccine campaign communities.

Conclusions

Our findings support the use of TCV mass vaccination campaigns as effective population-based tools to combat typhoid fever.
Aerobic high-intensity interval exercise training in patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease: feasibility and physiological effects
Authors: Larsen Alf Inge , Sæland Charlotte , Vegsundvåg Johnny , Skadberg Mette Storebø , Nilsen Jorunn , Butt Noreen , Ushakova Anastasia , Valborgland Torstein , Munk Peter Scott , Isaksen Kjetil
Published: March 2023

Aims

Patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiogram [angina with normal coronary arteries (ANOCA)] constitute a therapeutic problem with considerable functional limitation and reduced quality of life. The aims of the current pilot study were to (i) explore if a structured aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIT) program for 12 weeks was feasible in patients with ANOCA, and (ii) to assess mechanisms related to symptoms in this population.

Methods and results

Sixteen patients with ANOCA underwent a 3-month aerobic HIT program with one-to-one monitored exercise sessions on treadmill in a 4 min × 4 manner, three times a week. Four patients served as controls. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) transthoracic Doppler, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and VO2max was measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. The average attendance to training sessions was 82.3% ± 10.1 (56–94). CFVR in the training group increased from 2.50 ± 0.48 to 3.04 ± 0.71 (P < 0.001) whereas FMD increased from 4.19 ± 2.42% to 8.28 ± 2.85% (P < 0.001). Improvement in CFVR correlated with the relative improvement in FMD (R = 0.45, P = 0.047). This was associated with an increase in VO2max from 28.75 ± 6.51 mL/kg/min to 31.93 ± 6.46 mL/kg/min (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

A 3-month program of monitored HIT was feasible, with high adherence resulting in improved functional capacity in patients with ANOCA. CFVR improved and this improvement was associated with improved FMD.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT02905630
Anthropometric measures and adverse outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: revisiting the obesity paradox
Authors: Butt Jawad H , Petrie Mark C , Jhund Pardeep S , Sattar Naveed , Desai Akshay S , Køber Lars , Rouleau Jean L , Swedberg Karl , Zile Michael R , Solomon Scott D , Packer Milton , McMurray John J V
Published: March 2023

Aims

Although body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used anthropometric measure, newer indices such as the waist-to-height ratio, better reflect the location and amount of ectopic fat, as well as the weight of the skeleton, and may be more useful.

Methods and results

The prognostic value of several newer anthropometric indices was compared with that of BMI in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) enrolled in prospective comparison of ARNI with ACEI to determine impact on global mortality and morbidity in heart failure. The primary outcome was HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death. The association between anthropometric indices and outcomes were comprehensively adjusted for other prognostic variables, including natriuretic peptides. An ‘obesity-survival paradox’ related to lower mortality risk in those with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (compared with normal weight) was identified but this was eliminated by adjustment for other prognostic variables. This paradox was less evident for waist-to-height ratio (as an exemplar of indices not incorporating weight) and eliminated by adjustment: the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for all-cause mortality, for quintile 5 vs. quintile 1, was 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.39]. However, both BMI and waist-to-height ratio showed that greater adiposity was associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome and HF hospitalization; this was more evident for waist-to-height ratio and persisted after adjustment e.g. the aHR for HF hospitalization for quintile 5 vs. quintile 1 of waist-to-height ratio was 1.39 (95% CI 1.06–1.81).

Conclusion

In patients with HFrEF, alternative anthropometric measurements showed no evidence for an ‘obesity-survival paradox’. Newer indices that do not incorporate weight showed that greater adiposity was clearly associated with a higher risk of HF hospitalization.
Temporal trends in low-dose aspirin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in European adults with and without diabetes
Authors: Kristensen Anna Meta Dyrvig , Pareek Manan , Kragholm Kristian Hay , Torp-Pedersen Christian , McEvoy John William , Prescott Eva Bossano
Published: March 2023

Aims

Aspirin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial, and guideline recommendations have changed throughout the last decades. We report temporal trends in primary prevention aspirin use among persons with and without diabetes and describe characteristics of incident aspirin users.

Methods and results

Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified incident and prevalent aspirin users in a population of subjects ≥40 years without CVD eligible for primary preventive aspirin therapy from 2000 through 2020. Temporal trends in aspirin users with and without diabetes were assessed, as were CVD risk factors among incident users. A total of 522 680 individuals started aspirin therapy during the study period. The number of incident users peaked in 2002 (39 803 individuals, 1.78% of the eligible population) and was the lowest in 2019 (11 898 individuals, 0.49%), with similar trends for subjects with and without diabetes. The percentage of incident users with no CVD risk factors [diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a proxy for smoking)] decreased from 53.9% in 2000 to 30.9% in 2020. The temporal trends in prevalent aspirin users followed a unimodal curve, peaked at 7.7% in 2008, and was 3.3% in 2020. For subjects with diabetes, the peak was observed in 2009 at 38.5% decreasing to 17.1% in 2020.

Conclusion

Aspirin therapy for primary prevention of CVD has decreased over the last two decades. However, the drug remained used in individuals with and without diabetes, and a large proportion of individuals started on aspirin therapy had no CVD risk factors.
Assessing Carbon Abatement Costs Considering Forest Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Offset Mechanism: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Liu Wan-Yu , Lu Yi-Hsin , Lin Chun-Cheng
Published: March 2023

Based on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act passed in 2015 and the carbon neutral target in 2050, Taiwan will most likely follow international trends by imposing carbon taxes and establishing carbon offset markets. The positive and negative effects of carbon taxes and carbon offset markets on the economy and the environment merit further investigation. Accordingly, this study adopted a carbon emission reduction (CER) cost prediction model to assess the carbon abatement costs under three scenarios: (1) a carbon offset market exists, and forest carbon sequestration can be used as carbon offsets; (2) a carbon offset market exists, but forest carbon sequestration cannot be used as carbon offsets; and (3) a carbon offset market does not exist. Forests in Taipei (with low carbon emissions) and Kaohsiung (with high carbon emissions) were selected as research sites to explore the benefits of carbon emissions trading and forest carbon sequestration. The results show that CER costs are the lowest in scenario 1 and are the highest in scenario 3. The CER costs of Kaohsiung are higher than those of Taipei. The higher the carbon price, the greater the difference in CER costs between the two cities.

Study Implications: The objective of this study was to identify the optimal policy for Taiwan to effectively slow climate change. This study showed that the opening of carbon offset markets and the use of forest carbon sequestration as carbon offsets may prompt regions to increase their forest stock to lower their emission reduction costs. However, achieving 2050 carbon neutral target by solely using forest carbon sequestration is not sufficient in Taiwan.
Strong-State Restraint as a Legitimation Strategy: Evidence from the South China Sea
Authors: Huang Chin-Hao
Published: March 2023

This article argues that strong-state restraint is more likely to occur when lesser powers articulate their security preferences with a strong consensus. Why? Adherence to the consensus clarifies the dominant state's cooperative intentions, institutionalizes defensive military postures to mitigate security dilemma, and provides the concomitant benefit of recognition as a credible leader. If external validation matters in identity formation, then the acceptance of strong group consensus becomes an incentivizing legitimation strategy. This observation is evident in the interactions and authority relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the South China Sea. ASEAN members’ ability to develop security norms aimed at defusing tension shows that they are not as vulnerable as many believe. The finding draws on empirical evidence to show how small states induce change in a large power's behavior, and thus a positive theoretical advance with a testable argument about the causes for strong-state restraint.
Hypoxia Resistance Is an Inherent Phenotype of the Mouse Flexor Digitorum Brevis Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Amorese Adam J , Minchew Everett C , Tarpey Michael D , Readyoff Andrew T , Williamson Nicholas C , Schmidt Cameron A , McMillin Shawna L , Goldberg Emma J , Terwilliger Zoe S , Spangenburg Quincy A , Witczak Carol A , Brault Jeffrey J , Abel E Dale , McClung Joseph M , Fisher-Wellman Kelsey H , Spangenburg Espen E
Published: March 2023

The various functions of skeletal muscle (movement, respiration, thermogenesis, etc.) require the presence of oxygen (O2). Inadequate O2 bioavailability (ie, hypoxia) is detrimental to muscle function and, in chronic cases, can result in muscle wasting. Current therapeutic interventions have proven largely ineffective to rescue skeletal muscle from hypoxic damage. However, our lab has identified a mammalian skeletal muscle that maintains proper physiological function in an environment depleted of O2. Using mouse models of in vivo hindlimb ischemia and ex vivo anoxia exposure, we observed the preservation of force production in the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), while in contrast the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles suffered loss of force output. Unlike other muscles, we found that the FDB phenotype is not dependent on mitochondria, which partially explains the hypoxia resistance. Muscle proteomes were interrogated using a discovery-based approach, which identified significantly greater expression of the transmembrane glucose transporter GLUT1 in the FDB as compared to the EDL and soleus. Through loss-and-gain-of-function approaches, we determined that GLUT1 is necessary for the FDB to survive hypoxia, but overexpression of GLUT1 was insufficient to rescue other skeletal muscles from hypoxic damage. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the FDB is uniquely resistant to hypoxic insults. Defining the mechanisms that explain the phenotype may provide insight towards developing approaches for preventing hypoxia-induced tissue damage.
Genomic selection for genotype performance and environmental stability in Coffea canephora
Authors: Adunola Paul , Ferrão Maria Amélia G , Ferrão Romário G , da Fonseca Aymbire F A , Volpi Paulo S , Comério Marcone , Verdin Filho Abraão C , Munoz Patricio R , Ferrão Luís Felipe V
Published: March 2023

Coffee is one of the most important beverages and trade products in the world. Among the multiple research initiatives focused on coffee sustainability, plant breeding provides the best means to increase phenotypic performance and release cultivars that could meet market demands. Since coffee is well adapted to a diversity of tropical environments, an important question for those confronting the problem of evaluating phenotypic performance is the relevance of genotype-by-environment interaction. As a perennial crop with a long juvenile phase, coffee is subjected to significant temporal and spatial variations. Such facts not only hinder the selection of promising materials but also cause a majority of complaints among growers. In this study, we hypothesized that trait stability in coffee is genetically controlled and therefore is predictable using molecular information. To test it, we used genome-based methods to predict stability metrics computed with the primary goal of selecting coffee genotypes that combine high phenotypic performance and stability for target environments. Using 2 populations of Coffea canephora, evaluated across multiple years and locations, our contribution is 3-fold: (1) first, we demonstrated that the number of harvest evaluations may be reduced leading to accelerated implementation of molecular breeding; (2) we showed that stability metrics are predictable; and finally, (3) both stable and high-performance genotypes can be simultaneously predicted and selected. While this research was carried out on representative environments for coffee production with substantial crossover in genotypic ranking, we anticipate that genomic prediction can be an efficient tool to select coffee genotypes that combine high performance and stability across years and the target locations here evaluated.
Loss- and gain-of-function analyses reveal the essential role of Cyp19a1 in ovarian determination of the red-eared slider turtle
Authors: Shen Jiadong , Sun Wei , Wu Kaiyue , Zhuang Tianyi , Lei Jiandong , Ma Qinglu , Xiao Ling , Ge Chutian
Published: March 2023

Estrogen signaling exerts a decisive role in female sex determination and differentiation in chicken and fish. Aromatase encoded by Cyp19a1 is the key enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgen to estrogen. Correlative analyses implicate the potential involvement of aromatase in reptilian sexual development, however, the direct genetic evidence is lacking. Herein, we found that Cyp19a1 exhibited temperature-dependent sexually dimorphic expression, and located in the medullary somatic cells in early female embryos of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans), before the gonad is distinct. To determine the functional role of Cyp19a1 in turtle ovarian determination, we established loss- and gain-of-function models through in ovo lentivirus-mediated genetic manipulation. At female-producing temperature, inhibition of aromatase or knockdown of Cyp19a1 in turtle embryos resulted in female-to-male sex reversal, with the formation of a testis-like structure and a male distribution pattern of germ cells, as well as ectopic expression of male-specific markers (SOX9 and AMH) and disappearance of ovarian regulator FOXL2. On the contrary, overexpression of Cyp19a1 at male-producing temperature led to male-to-female sex reversal. In conclusion, our results suggest that Cyp19a1 is both necessary and sufficient for ovarian determination in the red-eared slider turtle, establishing causality and a direct genetic link between aromatase and reptilian sex determination and differentiation.
Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons of Filgotinib vs Vedolizumab, Tofacitinib, and Ustekinumab for Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Lu Xiaoyan , Zhou Zheng-Yi , Xin Yiqiao , Wang Min-Jung , Gray Emma , Jairath Vipul , Lindsay James Oliver
Published: March 2023

Background

Where head-to-head trials are lacking, indirect comparative effectiveness can aid treatment decisions. We conducted matching-adjusted indirect comparisons of clinical outcomes with filgotinib vs recently approved comparators (vedolizumab, tofacitinib, ustekinumab) in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

Individual patient data from the SELECTION trial (NCT02914522) for filgotinib 200 mg were weighted to match average baseline characteristics of active treatment and placebo arms in comparator trials. Efficacy outcomes were compared for biologic-naive and biologic-experienced subgroups in induction and maintenance populations, if data were available. Safety and health-related quality of life outcomes were compared in the overall maintenance population.

Results

Filgotinib had a similar effect on efficacy outcomes compared with tofacitinib, ustekinumab, and subcutaneous vedolizumab in both the induction and maintenance populations. Filgotinib showed improved clinical response vs intravenous (IV) vedolizumab (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.5; P < .05) among the biologic-experienced induction population, and improved corticosteroid-free clinical remission (odds ratio, 15.2; 95% CI, 1.6 to 139.9; P < .05) among the biologic-naive maintenance population. Improved efficacy outcomes were reported with filgotinib compared with ustekinumab among the maintenance population. Higher estimates of serious adverse events were reported for filgotinib compared with vedolizumab IV 300 mg and tofacitinib 5 mg; however, imbalances were noted in their placebo groups. Health-related quality of life outcomes were similar between filgotinib and comparators.

Conclusions

Matching-adjusted indirect comparison results suggest superiority of filgotinib 200 mg over vedolizumab IV in terms of clinical response and corticosteroid-free clinical remission in certain patient populations, noting small sample sizes and wide CIs, which may aid the selection of advanced therapies for moderately to severely active UC. A potential increased risk of serious adverse events was reported for filgotinib 200 mg vs vedolizumab IV and tofacitinib 5 mg, but findings should be interpreted with caution owing to underlying imbalances observed between the placebo groups of SELECTION and comparator trials.
Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Cohort of US Black Women
Authors: Anyane-Yeboa Adjoa , Buadu Maame Araba E , Khalili Hamed , Cozier Yvette C
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of IBD is increasing in minority populations; however, little is known about the epidemiology and disease characteristics of IBD in Black women.

Methods

Our study population included participants in the Black Women’s Health Study. Diagnosis of IBD was self-reported through the biennial questionnaires starting at baseline in 1995. We estimated the incidence of IBD according to age and geographic region. A follow-up supplementary questionnaire was also sent to a subset of participants who reported diagnosis of IBD to evaluate the accuracy of self-reported diagnosis and to assess disease characteristics.

Results

Through December 31, 2021, a total of 609 cases of IBD were reported, of which 142 were prevalent at baseline (prevalence, 0.24%), and 467 were incident (crude incidence rate, 33.2/100 000 person-years). The incidence of IBD was highest in the younger than 30 years age group and similar across geographic region. Among the participants who responded to the supplementary questionnaire, 57.1% had confirmed diagnosis of IBD.

Conclusions

In a large prospective cohort of US Black women, we found that the incidence of IBD was similar to previously published estimates in US White women. Future studies should focus on identifying risk factors for IBD in Black individuals in the United States.
Cracking the challenges of incentivizing avoidance of unwanted catch
Authors: Pol Mike , Maravelias Christos D
Published: March 2023

Effective tools, techniques, and strategies to improve commercial fish catches frequently seem to be overlooked or unused. The mixed success of two major approaches to avoiding or reducing unwanted catches, voluntary or mandatory use of more selective gear, and spatiotemporal shifts of effort based on resource distributions, inspired the call for this themed article set (TS). This TS sought to promote deeper consideration of these outcomes by encouraging research to investigate what is required to make alternative, more selective gear, and spatiotemporal avoidance more attractive to fishers. Of the eighteen articles in the TS, seven investigated the behaviour of fishers and applied existing or novel models to deepen understanding of motivations and incentives to change; little overlap among theories was found, and more and deeper consideration of this topic is needed. Five considered aspects of spatiotemporal avoidance; five described technical or other measures. Creative ideas on these topics continue to arise, but understanding of the motivations of fishers to initiate and maintain cooperative behaviours is still rudimentary. One used good, bad, and ugly experiences with policy implementers to promote governance research to crack open the understanding of interactions between policy implementers and policy advisors, and to identify changes needed to facilitate bottom-up initiatives.
Long-term decline in fledging body condition of Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Ardenna carneipes)
Authors: Lavers J L , Bond A L
Published: March 2023

Marine systems are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic activities. In recent decades, the deteriorating condition of the world’s seabird populations suggests these pressures have reached a tipping point. For young birds, body mass can significantly influence survival in the critical period between nest departure and recruitment to the breeding population. On Lord Howe Island, we measured Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) fledglings in the colony and adjacent beaches to determine how body condition changed during 2010–2022. Overall, we found chick body mass as well as wing, culmen, and head + bill length declined over time with larger declines observed in beach-washed birds. Culmen and head + bill length declined by 0.17 and 0.23 mm/year, respectively, and body mass by 16.1 g/year. The number of chicks fledging at <400 g has increased sharply in recent years, meaning significant numbers of birds are unlikely to survive after departing the island. Our results point to a deepening of the division in the shearwater population: adult birds who can successfully provision sufficient nutrient reserves so their chick fledges successfully, and those who cannot. In this latter group, failure at the fledging stage (beached birds) is resulting in birds in increasingly poor condition, the likes of which were seldom documented 13 years ago.
Hybrid aortic arch procedure in acute type A aortic dissection with right carotid artery occlusion
Authors: Wang He-Qing , Gao Ming-Kui , Li Tie-Yan , Xin Yuan-Feng
Published: March 2023

Acute type A aortic dissection complicated by carotid artery is associated with a high risk of perioperative stroke. We reported a case of application of hybrid aortic arch debranching procedure in acute type A aortic dissection complicated by right carotid artery occlusion, which resulted in no neurological complications after operation and patent carotid artery after discharging.
Application of sustainable smart manufacturing technologies and toolkits in the automotive industry
Authors: Inyang Victoria , Kanakana Grace M , Laseinde O T
Published: March 2023

A more rapid development of smart manufacturing system (SMS) within the automotive industry will significantly promote its competitiveness, which is essential to the economic sustainable development of South Africa. From recent research studies, the automotive sector contributes >7% to the annual gross domestic product of South Africa, and its sustainability is important to the segment through SMS. Thus, SMS deserves greater focus from the government and the industry. Smart manufacturing technology uses machines and tools that are interconnected for the improvement of the manufacturing system and energy optimization. The benefits of SMS include cost reduction, increased productivity, product customization, resources efficiency and minimization of negative environmental impacts. Globally, the automotive industry puts significant emphasis on SMS, considering the ongoing substantial initiatives. To achieve SMS, ultramodern technologies in different areas, varying from cyber-physical systems, smart sensors, complex and large data analytics, Internet of Things, cloud manufacturing, additive manufacturing, energy reduction and hologram are being established and used in manufacturing locations. Therefore, this study is aimed at technologies and toolkits development that will increase the implementation and responsiveness of SMS among automotive manufacturers and support decision makers in planning better SMS capabilities.
Flocking of the hybrid Cucker-Smale model with normalized communication weight
Authors: Yan Jinhua , Yin Xiuxia , Hu Songlin
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the Cucker-Smale model has been widely studied by researchers. However, the dynamics of coupling between agents can be hybrid and the normalized pre-actor $1/N$ has certain shortcomings. We consider the asymptotic flocking problem of the hybrid C-S model with a normalized weight function, which is composed of the continuous-time dynamic agents and the discrete-time dynamic agents. The use of the normalized weight function destroys the symmetry of the model. Therefore, in order to get the conclusion that the model is asymptotically flocking, firstly we will give the estimation of velocity difference derivative through classification discussion. Secondly, an auxiliary lemma is given. Then combined with the above estimation, we can get that the hybrid model is asymptotically flocking. Finally, the theoretical calculation results are verified by simulation examples.
Whole Blood Platelet Aggregation Assessed by ROTEM Platelet Equipment in Healthy Volunteers from Southern Europe: A Verification Study
Authors: Leal-Noval Santiago R , Cuenca Diego X , Díaz Ana , Fernández-Pacheco José , García-Garmendia José L , Casado Manuel
Published: March 2023

Background

This study aimed to verify the reference intervals (RIs) recently established in the Danish population for platelet aggregation induced by a specific agonist of the rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) platelet impedance aggregometer. Our local results were also compared with those published by the manufacturer.

Methods

This prospective study included healthy blood donors. Subjects with a history of coagulopathy, those on antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy, or those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded. Blood samples were collected for ROTEM® platelet arachidonic acid thromboelastometry (ARATEM), adenosine-di-phosphate thromboelastometry (ADPTEM), and thrombin receptor-activating peptide-6 thromboelastometry (TRAPTEM). The parameters determined were the area under the curve (AUC, ohm·min), maximum amplitude at 6 min (A6, ohm), and maximum slope (MS, ohm/min). Values are expressed as 2.5th–97.5th percentiles. Comparisons are expressed as local vs Danish and manufacturer population RIs. Number (n) and percentage (%) of local tests below (<2.5th percentile) of the Danish and manufacturer population are shown.

Results

Forty donors (19 male; mean, 58 [range: 56 to 60] years) were included. There were no differences between our results and those published for the Danish population. In contrast, all ARATEM and ADPTEM values were lower in the local vs manufacturer group.

Conclusions

Our results confirm those published for the Danish population, with respect to the ROTEM platelet aggregometer.

Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number

NCT02652897
Architectural framework of digital twin-based cyber-physical production system for resilient rechargeable battery production
Authors: Park Kyu-Tae , Park Yang Ho , Park Moon-Won , Noh Sang Do
Published: March 2023

Rechargeable battery production should yield highly diversified batteries, overcoming performance degradation caused by the complexity of production processes, dynamic disturbances, and uncertainties. Resilience must be achieved to overcome these limitations while satisfying the core technical requirements. This study developed an architectural framework for a cyber-physical production system (CPPS) using a digital twin (DT) to achieve resilience. Activities for resilience, operational characteristics, and CPPS were analysed to determine the core requirements. This analysis presents a novel model of activities for resilience. Moreover, the DT-based CPPS architecture, service composition procedures, and the asset description for providing inputs to the elements in the CPPS were designed according to these requirements. The proposed architectural framework applies the asset administration shell principles for efficient interoperability. The service composition procedures are classified into the type and instance phases to ensure static and dynamic technical functionalities. Moreover, the asset description is suitable to indicate the required information elements of rechargeable battery production. The DT-based CPPS was applied in a rechargeable battery production for an industrial case study to verify and validate the proposed method. The average accuracy of the DT application was 95.24%, indicating that it can provide technical functions with high accuracy. As a result, these technical functions can be executed within a sufficient action time, and the high simulation accuracy prevents performance degradation during production. Additionally, the DT is suitable for event diagnosis and provides a dynamic response. Furthermore, the proposed method can eliminate the data, analysis, and decision latencies.
Beneficial bacteria as biocontrol agents for American foulbrood disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Ye Manhong , Li Xiaoyuan , Yang Fengping , Zhou Bin
Published: March 2023

American foulbrood (AFB) is a cosmopolitan bacterial disease that affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae and causes great economic losses in apiculture. Currently, no satisfactory methods are available for AFB treatment mainly due to the difficulties to eradicate the tenacious spores produced by the etiological agent of AFB, Paenibacillus larvae (Bacillales, Paenibacillaceae). This present review focused on the beneficial bacteria that displayed antagonistic activities against P. larvae and demonstrated potential in AFB control. Emphases were placed on commensal bacteria (genus Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria in particular) in the alimentary tract of honey bees. The probiotic roles lactic acid bacteria play in combating the pathogenic P. larvae and the limitations referring to the application of these beneficial bacteria were addressed.
Modelling intra-annual tree stem growth with a distributional regression approach for Gaussian process responses
Authors: Riebl Hannes , Klein Nadja , Kneib Thomas
Published: March 2023

High-resolution circumference dendrometers measure the irreversible growth and the reversible shrinking and swelling due to the water content of a tree stem. We propose a novel statistical method to decompose these measurements into a permanent and a temporary component, while explaining differences between the trees and years by covariates. Our model embeds Gaussian processes with parametric mean and covariance functions as response structures in a distributional regression framework with structured additive predictors. We discuss different mean and covariance functions, connections with other model classes, Markov chain Monte Carlo inference, and the efficiency of our sampling scheme.
Conditions for clump survival in High-zdisc galaxies
Authors: Dekel Avishai , Tziperman Offek , Sarkar Kartick C , Ginzburg Omri , Mandelker Nir , Ceverino Daniel , Primack Joel
Published: March 2023

We study the survival of giant clumps in high-redshift disc galaxies, short-lived (S) versus long-lived (L), and two L subtypes, via analytic modelling and simulations. We develop a criterion for clump survival, with/without gas, based on a survivability parameter S. It compares the energy sources by supernova feedback and gravitational contraction to the clump binding energy and losses by outflows and turbulence dissipation. The clump properties are derived from Toomre instability, approaching virial/Jeans equilibrium, and the supernova energy deposit uses an up-to-date bubble analysis. For moderate feedback, we find L clumps with circular velocities ${\sim}50\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}$ and masses ≥108 M⊙. They favour galaxies with circular velocities ${\ge}200\, {\rm km\,s}^{-1}$, consistent at z ∼ 2 with the typical disc stellar mass, ≥109.3 M⊙. L clumps favour disc gas fractions ≥0.3, low-mass bulges, and z ∼ 2. They disfavour more effective feedback due to, e.g. supernova clustering, very strong radiative feedback, top-heavy stellar mass function, or particularly high star-formation-rate (SFR) efficiency. A subtype of L clumps (LS), which lose their gas in several free-fall times but retain bound stellar components, may be explained by less contraction and stronger gravitational effects, where clump mergers increase the SFR efficiency. These may give rise to globular clusters. The more massive L clumps (LL) retain most of their baryons for tens of free-fall times with a roughly constant star-formation rate.
HIP 67506 C: MagAO-X confirmation of a new low-mass stellar companion to HIP 67506 A
Authors: Pearce Logan A , Males Jared R , Haffert Sebastiaan Y , Close Laird M , Long Joseph D , McLeod Avalon L , Knight Justin M , Hedglen Alexander D , Weinberger Alycia J , Guyon Olivier , Kautz Maggie , Van Gorkom Kyle , Lumbres Jennifer , Schatz Lauren , Rodack Alex , Gasho Victor , Kueny Jay , Foster Warren , Morzinski Katie M , Hinz Philip M
Published: March 2023

We report the confirmation of HIP 67506 C, a new stellar companion to HIP 67506 A. We previously reported a candidate signal at 2λ/D (240 mas) in L′ in MagAO/Clio imaging using the binary differential imaging technique. Several additional indirect signals showed that the candidate signal merited follow-up: significant astrometric acceleration in Gaia DR3, Hipparcos–Gaia proper motion anomaly, and overluminosity compared to single main-sequence stars. We confirmed the companion, HIP 67506 C, at 0.1 arcsec with MagAO-X in 2022 April. We characterized HIP 67506 C MagAO-X photometry and astrometry, and estimated spectral-type K7-M2; we also re-evaluated HIP 67506 A in light of the close companion. Additionally, we show that a previously identified 9 arcsec companion, HIP 67506 B, is a much further distant unassociated background star. We also discuss the utility of indirect signposts in identifying small inner working angle candidate companions.
Duplication and Losses of Opsin Genes in Lophotrochozoan Evolution
Authors: De Vivo Giacinto , Crocetta Fabio , Ferretti Miriam , Feuda Roberto , D’Aniello Salvatore
Published: March 2023

Opsins are G-coupled receptors playing a key role in metazoan visual processes. While many studies enriched our understanding of opsin diversity in several animal clades, the opsin evolution in Lophotrochozoa, one of the major metazoan groups, remains poorly understood. Using recently developed phylogenetic approaches, we investigated the opsin evolution in 74 lophotrochozoan genomes. We found that the common ancestor of Lophotrochozoa possessed at least seven opsin paralog groups that underwent divergent evolutionary history in the different phyla. Furthermore, we showed for the first time opsin-related molecules in Bilateria that we named pseudopsins, which may prove critical in uncovering opsin evolution.
Expression profiles of east–west highly differentiated genes in Uyghur genomes
Authors: Ning Zhilin , Tan Xinjiang , Yuan Yuan , Huang Ke , Pan Yuwen , Tian Lei , Lu Yan , Wang Xiaoji , Qi Ruicheng , Lu Dongsheng , Yang Yajun , Guan Yaqun , Mamatyusupu Dolikun , Xu Shuhua
Published: March 2023

It remains unknown and debatable how European-Asian–differentiated alleles affect individual phenotypes. Here, we made the first effort to analyze the expression profiles of highly differentiated genes with eastern and western origins in 90 Uyghurs using whole-genome (30× to 60×) and transcriptome data. We screened 921 872 east–west highly differentiated genetic variants, of which ∼4.32% were expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), ∼0.12% were alternative splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs), and ∼0.12% showed allele-specific expression (ASE). The 8305 highly differentiated eQTLs of strong effects appear to have undergone natural selection, associated with immunity and metabolism. European-origin alleles tend to be more biasedly expressed; highly differentiated ASEs were enriched in diabetes-associated genes, likely affecting the diabetes susceptibility in the Uyghurs. We proposed an admixture-induced expression model to dissect the highly differentiated expression profiles. We provide new insights into the genetic basis of phenotypic differentiation between Western and Eastern populations, advancing our understanding of the impact of genetic admixture.
Real-World Evaluation of Disease Progression After CDK 4/6 Inhibitor Therapy in Patients With Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: West Malinda T , Goodyear Shaun M , Hobbs Evthokia A , Kaempf Andy , Kartika Thomas , Ribkoff Jessica , Chun Brie , Mitri Zahi I
Published: March 2023

Background

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDKi) have changed the landscape for treatment of patients with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, next-line treatment strategies after CDKi progression are not yet optimized. We report here the impact of clinical and genomic factors on post-CDKi outcomes in a single institution cohort of HR+/HER2− patients with MBC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with HR+/HER2− MBC that received a CDKi between April 1, 2014 and December 1, 2019 at our institution. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, the Kaplan-Meier method, and regression models.

Results

We identified 140 patients with HR+/HER2− MBC that received a CDKi. Eighty percent of patients discontinued treatment due to disease progression, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.0 months (95% CI, 5.0-7.1), whereas those that discontinued CDKi for other reasons had a PFS of 11.3 months (95% CI, 4.6-19.4) (hazard ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% CI, 1.50-4.26 [P = .001]). The 6-month cumulative incidence of post-CDKi progression or death was 51% for the 112 patients who progressed on CDKi. Patients harboring PTEN mutations pre-CDKi treatment had poorer clinical outcomes compared to those with wild-type PTEN.

Conclusion

This study highlights post-CDKi outcomes and the need for further molecular characterization and novel therapies to improve treatments for patients with HR+/HER2− MBC.
Sir Thomas Browne
Authors: Francis Gavin
Published: March 2023

Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682) was an English physician, wordsmith, and polymath who contributed hundreds of words to the English language (such as medical, electricity, migrant, and computer). After studying medicine in Montpellier, Padua, and Leiden he settled in Norwich, where he practised as a doctor and wrote some of the greatest books of the seventeenth century, still read for their accessibility and eloquence. Religio Medici (‘Religion of the Doctor’) examined the vexed question of faith in a God who, to a physician, seemed indifferent to suffering. Pseudodoxia Epidemica (‘Vulgar Errors’) gave free rein to an agile curiosity and sought to debunk notions then commonly believed, such as that dead kingfishers indicate the direction of the wind, or that a woman could get pregnant from sharing a bath with a man. Urne Buriall was Browne’s meditation on mortality, occasioned by a find of funerary urns, while The Garden of Cyrus was his exploration of vitality and patterns in nature. Works published posthumously include Christian Morals (another exploration of faith and a series of encouragements for life), while Museum Clausum (‘Hidden Museum’) postulated a series of thought experiments and counterfactuals, such as how history might have been different had Alexander the Great marched west instead of east. In Sir Thomas Browne: The Opium of Time, Dr Gavin Francis examines Browne’s work through a variety of themes: Ambiguity, Curiosity, Vitality, Piety, Humility, Misogyny, Mobility, and Mortality, and argues that his books have lost little of its power and wisdom, and none of its beauty.
Ready, Steady, Go: Competition in Sport
Authors: Kavussanu Maria , Cooke Andrew , Jones Marc
Published: March 2023

Competition is an integral part of sport. In this chapter, the authors discuss some of the research conducted in the context of sport that is directly relevant to competition. First, the authors briefly introduce the different types of competition and “appropriate” competition. Then, they discuss the effects of sport competition on select athlete outcomes, specifically performance, enjoyment, anxiety, choking, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior. In this discussion, the authors consider the mechanisms that explain the effects of competition on performance, with particular attention to team competition, how extreme anxiety can lead to choking, the theoretical explanations of choking under pressure, and how certain sports could facilitate some types of prosocial behavior. Next, the authors discuss challenge and threat states in sport competition and continue with an overview of how certain personality traits and motivational orientations could influence psychological and behavioral outcomes in sport competition. The authors conclude the chapter with a section on how to create an optimal competitive environment in sport.
Biological Sex Differences and Competition
Authors: Salvador Alicia , Hidalgo Vanesa , Costa Raquel , González-Bono Esperanza
Published: March 2023

There is evidence of the existence of biological differences between males and females at multiple levels. Sex differences are shown in both genotypic and phenotypic dimensions in almost all species. Body differences are apparent, but differences in many other systems, including the neuro-endocrine-immune system, are also very important and related to evolutionary aims. Brain differences have been reported in recent decades in numerous structures, neurotransmitters, pathways, etc. These differences are reflected in behavioral and other cognitive and affective processes that have attracted considerable attention from researchers and the general public. Some of the clearest behavioral differences are aggressive and violent behavior, spatial orientation, mathematics and language skills, and other differences related to reactivity to stress. Agonistic or competitive behavior has been studied for decades, particularly in males in many different species, including humans, although more recently interest in female intrasexual competition has increased. Several differences in the competitive behavior of men and women, as well as in the underlying mechanisms, have begun to be established, mainly related, at least partially, to biological and social dimensions. In this chapter, the authors will review results found in the research on the biological basis of sex differences and its impact on competition.
Folklore of the Seasonal Cycle in Croatia
Authors: Niemčić Iva
Published: March 2023

After a brief introduction to the types of Carnival customs in Croatia, this chapter presents the development of fieldwork methodology on Carnival on the island of Lastovo. A historical review of the written resources about the Lastovo Carnival provides hypotheses about the arrival of the chain dance—an integral part of Carnival events—on the island. Today’s common practices, which the author has been following since 1999, include female Carnival participants and their own chain dance with handkerchiefs, which were only sporadically mentioned in the twentieth-century scholarly literature. The second part of the chapter reveals the importance of the Carnival customs for the community, the ways in which Carnival has resisted the challenges of time, how it adapted to and eventually survived the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the local community became involved in ethnographic research.