bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards unification of quark and lepton flavors in $$A_4$$ modular invariance
Authors: Okada Hiroshi , Tanimoto Morimitsu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe study quark and lepton mass matrices in the $$A_4$$

A
4

modular symmetry towards the unification of the quark and lepton flavors. We adopt modular forms of weights 2 and 6 for quarks and charged leptons, while we use modular forms of weight 4 for the neutrino mass matrix which is generated by the Weinberg operator. We obtain the successful quark mass matrices, in which the down-type quark mass matrix is constructed by modular forms of weight 2, but the up-type quark mass matrix is constructed by modular forms of weight 6. The viable region of $$\tau $$
τ
is close to $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

. Lepton mass matrices also work well at nearby $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

, which overlaps with the one of the quark sector, for the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. In the common $$\tau $$
τ
region for quarks and leptons, the predicted sum of neutrino masses is 87–120 meV taking account of its cosmological bound. Since both the Dirac CP phase $$\delta _{CP}^\ell $$

δ

CP

ℓ

and $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}$$

sin
2

θ
23

are correlated with the sum of neutrino masses, improving its cosmological bound provides crucial tests for our scheme as well as the precise measurement of $$\sin ^2\theta _{23}$$

sin
2

θ
23

and $$\delta _{CP}^\ell $$

δ

CP

ℓ

. The effective neutrino mass of the $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

decay is $$\langle m_{ee}\rangle =15$$

⟨

m

ee

⟩
=
15

–31 meV. It is remarked that the modulus $$\tau $$
τ
is fixed at nearby $$\tau =i$$

τ
=
i

in the fundamental domain of SL(2, Z), which suggests the residual symmetry $$Z_2$$

Z
2

in the quark and lepton mass matrices. The inverted hierarchy of neutrino masses is excluded by the cosmological bound of the sum of neutrino masses.
Protective Effect of Capparis spinosa Extract against Potassium Bromate Induced Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Al-Anazi Khalid Mashai , Al-Mareed Ali Abdullah , Farah Mohammed Abul , Ali M. Ajmal , Hailan Waleed A. Q. , Al-Hemaid Fahad M. 
Published: January 2021

Despite the commercial value of potassium bromate (KBrO3), it has been linked to many diseases including cancer. Capparis spinosa possesses exceptional ethnobotanical, pharmaceutical, and economic prominence by virtue of its bioactive components. The present study was designed to explore the protective role and antioxidant potential of ethanolic leaves extract of C. spinosa against the oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and apoptosis induced by KBrO3 in an experimental animal model. The results of the study revealed remarkable diminution in the levels of oxidative stress in all the treatment groups. C. spinosa extract attenuated the toxic effects of KBrO3 significantly (

p

< 0.05) in a time- and dose-dependent manner by restoring the normal levels of ROS and antioxidative enzymes in serum and liver tissues. The extract also abolished the oxidative DNA damage as it was evident in decreased frequency of micronuclei. A marked increase in viable cells was observed in annexin-V apoptosis assay. In conclusion, the findings of the present study demonstrate that ethanolic leaves extract of C. spinosa has considerable protective effects against KBrO3-induced toxicity in experimental mice which is attributed to its antioxidant activity. Therefore, leaves of C. spinosa could be used as a potential source of natural antioxidant and bioactive compounds.
MYC and TFEB Control DNA Methylation and Differentiation in AML
Authors: Wu Xiaoying , Eisenman Robert N. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Summary:
Although the MYC transcription factor has been consistently implicated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), its gene targets and precise role in leukemogenesis remain unknown. In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Yun and colleagues provide evidence that MYC directly suppresses the expression of TFEB, an mTORC1-regulated transcription factor. They show that, in the context of the myelocytic/granulocytic lineage, TFEB acts as a tumor suppressor by inducing the IDH1/2–TET pathway, which in turn, leads to altered DNA methylation and increased expression of genes involved in myeloid differentiation and apoptosis. Therefore, high levels of MYC suppress an epigenetic pathway that should normally act to attenuate leukemic progression. Identification of the components of this pathway is likely to inform new therapeutic tactics for AML and possibly other cancers.
See related article by Yun et al., p. 162.
Automated E-Counseling for Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Nolan Robert P. , Ross Heather J. , Farkouh Michael E. , Huszti Ella , Chan Sammy , Toma Mustafa , D’Antono Bianca , White Michel , Thomas Scott , Barr Susan I. , Perreault Sylvie , McDonald Michael , Zieroth Shelley , Isaac Debra , Wielgosz Andreas , Mielniczuk Lisa Marie 
Published: January 2021

Background:
International task force statements advocate telehealth programs to promote health-related quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). To that end, we evaluated the efficacy and usability of an automated e-counseling program.

Methods:
This Canadian multi-site double-blind randomized trial assessed whether usual care plus either internet-based e-counseling (motivational and cognitive-behavioral tools for CHF self-care) or e-based conventional CHF self-care education (e-UC) improved 12-month Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary (KCCQ-OS). Secondary outcomes included program engagement (total logon weeks, logons, and logon hours), total CHF self-care behaviors, diet (fruit and vegetable servings), 6-minute walk test, and 4-day step count. The association between program engagement and health-related quality of life was assessed using KCCQ-OS tertiles.

Results:

We enrolled 231 patients, median age =59.5 years, 22% female, and elevated median KCCQ-OS=83.0 (interquartile range, 68–93). KCCQ-OS increase ≥5 points was not more prevalent for e-counseling, n=29 (29.6%) versus e-UC, n=32 (34.0%),
P
=0.51. E-Counseling versus e-UC increased total logon weeks (
P
=0.02), logon hours (
P
=0.001), and logons (
P
<0.001). Only e-counseling showed a positive association between 12-month KCCQ-OS tertile and logon weeks (
P
=0.04) and logon hours (
P
=0.004). E-Counseling increased CHF self-care behavior and diet but not 6-minute walk test or 4-day step count.

Conclusions:
The primary KCCQ-OS end point was negative for this trial. Only e-counseling showed a positive association between program engagement and 12-month KCCQ-OS tertile, and it improved CHF self-care behavior and diet.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01864369.
Impairments in Blood Pressure Regulation and Cardiac Baroreceptor Sensitivity Among Patients With Heart Failure Supported With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Sailer Christine , Edelmann Hannah , Buchanan Cullen , Giro Pedro , Babcock Matthew , Swanson Christine , Spotts Melanie , Schulte Margaret , Pratt-Cordova Ashley , Coe Greg , Beindorff Mark , Page Robert L. , Ambardekar Amrut V. , Pal Jay D. , Kohrt Wendy , Wolfel Eugene , Lawley Justin S. , Tarumi Takashi , Cornwell William K. 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Continuous-flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). However, the lack of a physiological pulse predisposes to side-effects including uncontrolled blood pressure (BP), and there are little data regarding the impact of CF-LVADs on BP regulation.

Methods:

Twelve patients (10 males, 60±11 years) with advanced heart failure completed hemodynamic assessment 2.7±4.1 months before, and 4.3±1.3 months following CF-LVAD implantation. Heart rate and systolic BP via arterial catheterization were monitored during Valsalva maneuver, spontaneous breathing, and a 0.05 Hz repetitive squat-stand maneuver to characterize cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity. Plasma norepinephrine levels were assessed during head-up tilt at supine, 30
o
and 60
o
. Heart rate and BP were monitored during cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Results:
Cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity, determined by Valsalva as well as Fourier transformation and transfer function gain of Heart rate and systolic BP during spontaneous breathing and squat-stand maneuver, was impaired before and following LVAD implantation. Norepinephrine levels were markedly elevated pre-LVAD and improved—but remained elevated post-LVAD (supine norepinephrine pre-LVAD versus post-LVAD: 654±437 versus 323±164 pg/mL). BP increased during cardiopulmonary exercise testing post-LVAD, but the magnitude of change was modest and comparable to the changes observed during the pre-LVAD cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Conclusions:
Among patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, CF-LVAD implantation is associated with modest improvements in autonomic tone, but persistent reductions in cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity. Exercise-induced increases in BP are blunted. These findings shed new light on mechanisms for adverse events such as stroke, and persistent reductions in functional capacity, among patients supported by CF-LVADs.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03078972.
Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Transit Time by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance on Mortality and Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Houard Laura , Amzulescu Mihaela S. , Colin Geoffrey , Langet Helene , Militaru Sebastian , Rousseau Michel F. , Ahn Sylvie A. , Vanoverschelde Jean-Louis J. , Pouleur Anne-Catherine , Gerber Bernhard L. 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Pulmonary transit time (PTT) from first-pass perfusion imaging is a novel parameter to evaluate hemodynamic congestion by cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR). We sought to evaluate the additional prognostic value of PTT in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction over other well-validated predictors of risk including the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score and ischemic cause.

Methods:
We prospectively followed 410 patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (61±13 years, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 24±7%) who underwent a clinical cMR to assess the prognostic value of PTT for a primary endpoint of overall mortality and secondary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. Normal reference values of PTT were evaluated in a population of 40 asymptomatic volunteers free of cardiovascular disease.

Results

PTT was significantly increased in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as compared to controls (9±6 beats and 7±2 beats, respectively,
P
<0.001), and correlated not only with New York Heart Association class, cMR–LV and cMR–right ventricular (RV) volumes, cMR-RV and cMR-LV ejection fraction, and feature tracking global longitudinal strain, but also with cardiac output. Over 6-year median follow-up, 182 patients died and 200 reached the secondary endpoint. By multivariate Cox analysis, PTT was an independent and significant predictor of both endpoints after adjustment for Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure risk score and ischemic cause. Importantly in multivariable analysis, PTT in beats had significantly higher additional prognostic value to predict not only overall mortality (χ
2
to improve, 12.3; hazard ratio, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.16–1.58];
P
<0.001) but also the secondary composite endpoints (χ
2
to improve=20.1; hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.21–1.60];
P
<0.001) than cMR-LV ejection fraction, cMR-RV ejection fraction, LV–feature tracking global longitudinal strain, or RV–feature tracking global longitudinal strain. Importantly, PTT was independent and complementary to both pulmonary artery pressure and reduced RV ejection fraction<42% to predict overall mortality and secondary combined endpoints.

Conclusions:
Despite limitations in temporal resolution, PTT derived from first-pass perfusion imaging provides higher and independent prognostic information in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction than clinical and other cMR parameters, including LV and RV ejection fraction or feature tracking global longitudinal strain.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03969394.
Myocardial Inflammation and Dysfunction in COVID-19–Associated Myocardial Injury
Authors: Weckbach Ludwig T. , Curta Adrian , Bieber Stephanie , Kraechan Angelina , Brado Johannes , Hellmuth Johannes C. , Muenchhoff Maximilian , Scherer Clemens , Schroeder Ines , Irlbeck Michael , Maurus Stefan , Ricke Jens , Klingel Karin , Kääb Stefan , Orban Mathias , Massberg Steffen , Hausleiter Jörg , Grabmaier Ulrich 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Myocardial injury, defined by elevated troponin levels, is associated with adverse outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The frequency of cardiac injury remains highly uncertain and confounded in current publications; myocarditis is one of several mechanisms that have been proposed.

Methods:
We prospectively assessed patients with myocardial injury hospitalized for COVID-19 using transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and endomyocardial biopsy.

Results:

Eighteen patients with COVID-19 and myocardial injury were included in this study. Echocardiography revealed normal to mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 52.5% (46.5%–60.5%) but moderately to severely reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain of −11.2% (−7.6% to −15.1%). Cardiac magnetic resonance showed any myocardial tissue injury defined by elevated T1, extracellular volume, or late gadolinium enhancement with a nonischemic pattern in 16 patients (83.3%). Seven patients (38.9%) demonstrated myocardial edema in addition to tissue injury fulfilling the Lake-Louise criteria for myocarditis. Combining cardiac magnetic resonance with speckle tracking echocardiography demonstrated functional or morphological cardiac changes in 100% of investigated patients. Endomyocardial biopsy was conducted in 5 patients and revealed enhanced macrophage numbers in all 5 patients in addition to lymphocytic myocarditis in 1 patient. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in any biopsy by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, follow-up measurements of left ventricular global longitudinal strain revealed significant improvement after a median of 52.0 days (−11.2% [−9.2% to −14.7%] versus −15.6% [−12.5% to −19.6%] at follow-up;
P
=0.041).

Conclusions:
In this small cohort of COVID-19 patients with elevated troponin levels, myocardial injury was evidenced by reduced echocardiographic left ventricular strain, myocarditis patterns on cardiac magnetic resonance, and enhanced macrophage numbers but not predominantly lymphocytic myocarditis in endomyocardial biopsies.
Spatially Weighted Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Coronary Heart Disease Events in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Shea Steven , Navas-Acien Ana , Shimbo Daichi , Brown Elizabeth R. , Budoff Matthew , Bancks Michael P. , Barr R. Graham , Kronmal Richard 
Published: January 2021

Background:
A limitation of the Agatston coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is that it does not use all of the calcium density information in the computed tomography scan such that many individuals have a score of zero. We examined the predictive validity for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events of the spatially weighted coronary calcium score (SWCS), an alternative scoring method for CAC that assigns scores to individuals with Agatston CAC=0.

Methods:
The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a longitudinal study that conducted a baseline exam from 2000 to 2002 in 6814 participants including computed tomography scanning for CAC. Subsequent exams and systematic follow-up of the cohort for outcomes were performed. Statistical models were adjusted using the MESA risk score based on age, sex, race/ethnicity, systolic blood pressure, use of hypertension medications, diabetes, total and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, use of lipid-lowering medications, smoking status, and family history of heart attack.

Results:

In the 3286 participants with Agatston CAC=0 at baseline and for whom SWCS was computed, 98 incident CHD events defined as definite or probably myocardial infarction or definite CHD death occurred during a median follow-up of 15.1 years. In this group, SWCS predicted incident CHD events after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio=1.30 per SD of natural logarithm [SWCS] [95% CI, 1.04–1.60];
P
=0.005); and progression from Agatston CAC=0 at baseline to CAC>0 at subsequent exams (multivariable-adjusted incidence rate difference per SD of natural logarithm [SWCS] per 100 person-years 1.68 [95% CI, 1.03–2.33];
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:
SWCS predicts incident CHD events in individuals with Agatston CAC score=0 as well as conversion to Agatston CAC>0 at repeat computed tomography scanning at later exams. SWCS has predictive validity as a subclinical phenotype and marker of CHD risk in individuals with Agatston CAC=0.
Lexical Influences on Categorical Speech Perception Are Driven by a Temporoparietal Circuit
Authors: Bidelman Gavin M. , Pearson Claire , Harrison Ashleigh 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCategorical judgments of otherwise identical phonemes are biased toward hearing words (i.e., “Ganong effect”) suggesting lexical context influences perception of even basic speech primitives. Lexical biasing could manifest via late stage postperceptual mechanisms related to decision or, alternatively, top–down linguistic inference that acts on early perceptual coding. Here, we exploited the temporal sensitivity of EEG to resolve the spatiotemporal dynamics of these context-related influences on speech categorization. Listeners rapidly classified sounds from a /gɪ/-/kɪ/ gradient presented in opposing word–nonword contexts (GIFT–kift vs. giss–KISS), designed to bias perception toward lexical items. Phonetic perception shifted toward the direction of words, establishing a robust Ganong effect behaviorally. ERPs revealed a neural analog of lexical biasing emerging within ∼200 msec. Source analyses uncovered a distributed neural network supporting the Ganong including middle temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, and middle frontal cortex. Yet, among Ganong-sensitive regions, only left middle temporal gyrus and inferior parietal lobe predicted behavioral susceptibility to lexical influence. Our findings confirm lexical status rapidly constrains sublexical categorical representations for speech within several hundred milliseconds but likely does so outside the purview of canonical auditory-sensory brain areas.
Introduction: Objects, Circuits, and Southeastern Europe
Authors: Wasiucionek Michał 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The scope of the paper is to provide the overview of the methodological developments that contributed to the growing interest in the nexus of material culture, circulation, and social networks, as well as the place of early modern Southeastern Europe, within the wider historiographical trends. To this end, it examines the very notion of Southeastern Europe and its impact on historical research in the region, while also providing a short discussion of the studies included in the issue.
Religious Identity in Athenian Forensic Oratory: Public Cases of Eisangelia Trials
Authors: Volonaki Eleni 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Attic orators skillfully deployed reference to ancestral cults, sacred laws, traditional rites and other types of religious actions to construct religious identity as a means of persuasion. The present chapter explores the use of a variety of forms of religious argumentation and addresses issues of religious identity in public cases of eisangelia. Emphasis is placed on the question of how orators reconstruct ideal forms of religious identity in their arguments; particularly, the main interest of this chapter lies in the techniques by which orators use their religious argumentation to construct pictures of religious identity, both collective and individual, as well as their own identity.
Policy capacity matters for capacity development: comparing teacher in-service training and career advancement in basic education systems of India and China
Authors: Yan Yifei , Saguin Kidjie 
Published: January 2021

Capacity development is central to the study and practice of public policy and administration, but ensuring its effectiveness requires a substantial amount of policy capacity from government agencies tasked to design and implement it. Identifying the right mix of policy capacity that governments should possess has been made difficult due to conceptual and operational problems. This article addresses the gap by developing a framework that conceptualizes policy capacity as the ability of governments to perform analytical, operational, and political functions. Drawing on the results of an original teacher survey and complementary sources, the article shows that variations on different dimensions of policy capacity have led to significant differences in the effectiveness of capacity development initiatives, especially as perceived by teachers. Therefore, without understanding and catering to the needs of the targets whose capacity is supposedly being developed, capacity development initiatives meant to be supportive are likely to be dissatisfying and disappointing instead. Points for practitioners This article highlights the importance of policy capacity and further unpacks how its analytical, operational, and political dimensions are essential to the successful delivery of capacity development. Through a rich account of the comparative case of India and China, it illustrates that all these dimensions are important, without any one being a stand-alone panacea. Above all, it is important to pay attention to the recipients of capacity development programs; without doing so, top-down program delivery ignorant of their needs is likely to be poorly received despite the original intention of developing capacity.
Predictors of completion and response to a psychological intervention to promote health behavior adherence in heart failure
Authors: Celano Christopher M , Golden Julia , Healy Brian C , Longley Regina M , Huffman Jeff C 
Published: January 2021

Objective Most individuals with heart failure (HF) struggle to adhere to one or more health behaviors, and interventions to promote adherence are time-intensive and costly. In this analysis, we examined the predictors of engagement and response related to a telephone-delivered health behavior intervention for individuals with HF. Method Using data from two pilot trials (N = 25) of a behavioral intervention for individuals with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-II HF, we examined predictors of intervention engagement and response using linear and mixed effects regression analyses. Predictors included medical (NYHA class, physical health-related quality of life [HRQoL], and HF symptoms) and intervention (ease and usefulness/utility ratings of the first intervention exercise) characteristics. Outcomes included percentage of sessions completed, accelerometer-measured physical activity, and sodium intake. Results Lower physical HRQoL and more frequent HF symptoms were associated with completion of more sessions. In contrast, more frequent HF symptoms and higher NYHA class were associated with less physical activity improvement. Finally, participants’ ratings of the first session’s utility were associated with greater improvements in physical activity at follow-up. Conclusions These findings suggest that while individuals with greater functional impairment are more engaged in a behavioral intervention, they may be less able to increase physical activity in response to the program. Furthermore, the perceived utility of an initial session may predict longer-term behavior change. Larger studies are needed to clarify the presence of additional predictors and determine how they can be used to better tailor health behavior interventions.