bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of handgun carrying and perceived ease of access among adolescents in Florida
Authors: Boccio Cashen , Jones Melissa S , Semenza Daniel , Jackson Dylan B 
Published: September 2024

ObjectiveAdolescent firearm violence poses a serious public health concern. The aim of this study is to explore correlates of access to firearms and firearm carrying patterns among adolescents in 2022. While previous research has documented correlates and risk factors for firearm carrying, the majority of this research has relied on samples collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent shifts in national patterns of firearm violence.MethodsWe analysed data from the 2022 Florida Youth and Substance Use Survey (FYSAS) (N=41 768). Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between demographic, familial, temperamental, and behavioural factors and both ease of perceived firearm access and patterns of firearm carrying.ResultsThe results suggest that gender, grade level, race, residential setting, having a parent in the military, delinquency, depression, bullying and substance use are associated with perceived firearm access. In addition, gender, grade level, residential setting, ease of firearm access, delinquency, substance use, and bullying are all associated with firearm carrying.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a host of demographic features and behavioural factors are associated with both perceived ease of firearm access and patterns of firearm carrying. Implications of these findings for reducing access to firearms is discussed.
The PS4-likelihood ratio calculator: flexible allocation of evidence weighting for case-control data in variant classification
Authors: Rowlands Charlie F , Garrett Alice , Allen Sophie , Durkie Miranda , Burghel George J , Robinson Rachel , Callaway Alison , Field Joanne , Frugtniet Bethan , Palmer-Smith Sheila , Grant Jonathan , Pagan Judith , McDevitt Trudi , McVeigh Terri P , Hanson Helen , Whiffin Nicola , Jones Michael , Turnbull Clare 
Published: September 2024

Background
The 2015 American College of Medical Genetics/Association of Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) variant classification framework specifies that case-control observations can be scored as ‘strong’ evidence (PS4) towards pathogenicity.

Methods
We developed the PS4-likelihood ratio calculator (PS4-LRCalc) for quantitative evidence assignment based on the observed variant frequencies in cases and controls. Binomial likelihoods are computed for two models, each defined by prespecified OR thresholds. Model 1 represents the hypothesis of association between variant and phenotype (eg, OR≥5) and model 2 represents the hypothesis of non-association (eg, OR≤1).

Results
PS4-LRCalc enables continuous quantitation of evidence for variant classification expressed as a likelihood ratio (LR), which can be log-converted into log LR (evidence points). Using PS4-LRCalc, observed data can be used to quantify evidence towards either pathogenicity or benignity. Variants can also be evaluated against models of different penetrance. The approach is applicable to balanced data sets generated for more common phenotypes and smaller data sets more typical in very rare disease variant evaluation.

Conclusion
PS4-LRCalc enables flexible evidence quantitation on a continuous scale for observed case-control data. The converted LR is amenable to incorporation into the now widely used 2018 updated Bayesian ACMG/AMP framework.
Echocardiographic assessment of epicardial adipose tissue thickness as independent predictor in coronary artery disease
Authors: Braescu Laurentiu , Sturza Adrian , Sosdean Raluca , Aburel Oana Maria , Lazar Mihai Andrei , Muntean Danina , Luca Constantin Tudor , Brie Daniel Miron , Feier Horea , Crisan Simina , Mornos Cristian 
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to assess the utility of echocardiography-measured epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness (EATT) as an independent predictor for coronary artery disease (CAD), examining its correlation with oxidative stress levels in epicardial tissue and the complexity of the disease in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This study included a total of 25 patients referred for cardiac surgery with 14 in the CAD group and 11 in the non-CAD group. Epicardial fat was sampled from patients subjected to open-heart surgery . EATT was higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group (8.15 ± 2.09 mm vs. 5.12 ± 1.8 mm, p = 0.001). The epicardial reactive oxygen species level was higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group (21.4 ± 2.47 nmol H2O2/g tisssue/h vs. 15.7 ± 1.55 nmol H2O2/g tisssue/h, p < 0.001). EATT greater than 6.05 mm was associated with CAD, with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 73%. Echocardiographically measured EATT is a significant, independent predictor of CAD. Its relationship with increased EAT oxidative stress levels suggests a potential mechanistic link between EATT and CAD pathogenesis. These findings highlight the importance of EATT as a diagnostic tool in assessing the complexity of CAD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Quantum instability of the Cauchy horizon in a charged de-Sitter spacetime with dark matter
Authors: Jiang Shun , Jiang Jie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe strong cosmic censorship conjecture (SCCC) requires that spacetime cannot be extended beyond the Cauchy horizon. This ensures the predictability of spacetime. In this paper, we investigate the SCCC for a spherically symmetric charged de-Sitter black hole surrounded by dark matter using classical and quantum scalar fields. At the classical level, we analyze the behavior of scalar waves near the Cauchy horizon using the method developed by Hintz and Vasy. We find a relationship between the Sobolev regularity of scalar waves and the spectral gap of quasinormal modes. In the nearly extremal region, this may lead to a violation of the SCCC. At the quantum level, we first provide a proof of the renormalizability of the quantum scalar field in dark-matter black holes. Using numerical methods, we then demonstrate that the renormalized quantum stress-energy tensor for any Hadamard state exhibits quadratic divergence near the Cauchy horizon in the nearly extremal region. The quadratic divergence of the renormalized quantum stress-energy tensor is sufficient to convert the Cauchy horizon into a singularity. Thus, the SCCC is preserved by quantum effects. Since the quadratic divergence is more singular than the behavior of classical scalar field perturbations near the Cauchy horizon, it means there is a region where physics is dominated by quantum effects. We study the influence of dark matter on quantum effects in this region and we find there is a monotonic relationship between the dark matter and the strength of quantum effects. The numerical results show that the quantum effects will become stronger as dark matter increases.
Efficient polynomial-time approximation scheme for the genus of dense graphs
Authors: Jing Yifan , Mohar Bojan 
Published: September 2024

The main results of this paper provide an Efficient Polynomial-Time Approximation Scheme (EPTAS) for approximating the genus (and non-orientable genus) of dense graphs. By
dense
we mean that

\(|E(G)|\ge \alpha \, |V(G)|^2\)

for some fixed

\(\alpha \gt 0\)

. While a constant-factor approximation is trivial for this class of graphs, approximations with factor arbitrarily close to 1 need a sophisticated algorithm and complicated mathematical justification. More precisely, we provide an algorithm that for a given (dense) graph
G
of order
n
and given

\(\varepsilon \gt 0\)

, returns an integer
g
such that
G
has an embedding in a surface of genus
g
, and this is ɛ-close to a minimum genus embedding in the sense that the minimum genus

\(\mathsf {g}(G)\)

of
G
satisfies:

\(\mathsf {g}(G)\le g\le (1+\varepsilon)\mathsf {g}(G)\)

. The running time of the algorithm is

\(O(f(\varepsilon)\,n^2)\)

, where

\(f(\cdot)\)

is an explicit function. Next, we extend this algorithm to also output an embedding (rotation system) whose genus is
g
. This second algorithm is an Efficient Polynomial-time Randomized Approximation Scheme (EPRAS) and runs in time

\(O(f_1(\varepsilon)\,n^2)\)

.

Our algorithms are based on the analysis of minimum genus embeddings of quasirandom graphs. We use a general notion of quasirandom graphs [
25
]. We start with a regular partition obtained via an algorithmic version of the Szemerédi Regularity Lemma (due to Frieze and Kannan [
17
] and to Fox, Lovász, and Zhao [
14
,
15
]). We then partition the input graph into a bounded number of quasirandom subgraphs, which are preselected in such a way that they admit embeddings using as many triangles and quadrangles as faces as possible. Here we provide an ɛ-approximation

\(\nu (G)\)

for the maximum number of edge-disjoint triangles in
G
. The value

\(\nu (G)\)

can be computed by solving a linear program whose size is bounded by certain value

\(f_2(\varepsilon)\)

depending only on ɛ. After solving the linear program, the genus can be approximated (see Corollary
1.7
). The proof of this result is long and will be of independent interest in topological graph theory.
ГРИЖІ СТРАВОХІДНОГО ОТВОРУ ДІАФРАГМИ: АНАЛІЗ ДІАГНОСТИКИ ТА ЛІКУВАННЯ
Authors: СТАСИШИН А. Р. , РОМАНЧУК О. В. 
Published: September 2024

Мета роботи: ретроспективний аналіз результатів лікування хворих з грижами стравохідного отвору діафрагми.
Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано результати лікування 322 пацієнтів із грижами стравохідного отвору діафрагми (ГСОД) та гастроезофагеальною рефлюксною хворобою (ГЕРХ), які отримували лікування на базі кафедри хірургії, пластичної хірургії та ендоскопії ФПДО Львівського національного медичного університету імені Данила Галицького у Центрі хірургії та онкохірургії 1 ТМО м. Львів з 2021 по 2023 р. Жінок було 182, чоловіків – 140, середній вік пацієнтів становив (54,7±3,2) року, середній індекс маси тіла – 33,5 кг/м2. Аналізували скарги та анамнез пацієнтів, тривалість симптомів, передопераційні інструментальні дослідження, різні способи та техніки операцій, час операції, тривалість перебування в стаціонарі, інтра- та ранні постопераційні ускладнення.
Результати. У 131 (71,6 %) пацієнта виконали лапароскопічну фундоплікацію за Ніссеном. У 37 (20,2 %) пацієнтів виконали лапароскопічну фундоплікацію за Ніссеном – Розетті; у 3 (1,6 %) – фундоплікацію за Tупе, у 1 (0,5 %) – фундоплікацію за Дором, у 6 (3,4 %) – роботичну фундоплікацію за Ніссеном. Операційне втручання відкритим способом виконано у 5 (2,7 %) пацієнтів. Ускладнення, пов’язані з ГСОД та ГЕРХ, діагностовано у 73 (24,1 %) випадках: анемію – у 21 (6,9 %), виразку Камерона з кровотечею – у 27 (8,9 %), стриктуру стравоходу – у 16 (5,3 %); CLE і стравохід Барета – у 8 (2,6 %), рак стравоходу – в 1 (0,3 %). Серед інтраопераційних ускладнень були ушкодження селезінки з кровотечею у 1 (0,5 %) пацієнта; у 1 випадку (0,5 %) – перфорація стравоходу; пневмоторакс – у 9 (4,9 %) хворих. Звуження стравохідного отвору діафрагми на рівні фундоплікаційної манжети в післяопераційному періоді – у 11 (6 %) випадках; релапароскопія – в 1 (0,5 %) випадку. 3 (1,6 %) пацієнти повторно госпіталізовані через 1 місяць після операції з рецидивом ГСОД і ГЕРХ.
Monocytes Reprogrammed by 4-PBA Potently Contribute to the Resolution of Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Geng Shuo , Lu Ran , Zhang Yao , Wu Yajun , Xie Ling , Caldwell Blake A. , Pradhan Kisha , Yi Ziyue , Hou Jacqueline , Xu Feng , Chen Xian , Li Liwu 
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:
Chronic inflammation initiated by inflammatory monocytes underlies the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, approaches that can effectively resolve chronic low-grade inflammation targeting monocytes are not readily available. The small chemical compound 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) exhibits broad anti-inflammatory effects in reducing atherosclerosis. Selective delivery of 4-PBA reprogrammed monocytes may hold novel potential in providing targeted and precision therapeutics for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

Systems analyses integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and complementary immunologic approaches characterized key resolving characteristics as well as defining markers of reprogrammed monocytes trained by 4-PBA. Molecular mechanisms responsible for monocyte reprogramming were assessed by integrated biochemical and genetic approaches. The intercellular propagation of homeostasis resolution was evaluated by coculture assays with donor monocytes trained by 4-PBA and recipient naive monocytes. The in vivo effects of monocyte resolution and atherosclerosis prevention by 4-PBA were assessed with the high-fat diet-fed
ApoE

−/−

mouse model with IP 4-PBA administration. Furthermore, the selective efficacy of 4-PBA-trained monocytes was examined by IV transfusion of ex vivo trained monocytes by 4-PBA into recipient high-fat diet-fed
ApoE

−/−

mice.

RESULTS:
In this study, we found that monocytes can be potently reprogrammed by 4-PBA into an immune-resolving state characterized by reduced adhesion and enhanced expression of anti-inflammatory mediator CD24. Mechanistically, 4-PBA reduced the expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) via reducing peroxisome stress and attenuating SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase)-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling. Concurrently, 4-PBA enhanced the expression of resolving mediator CD24 through promoting PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) neddylation mediated by TOLLIP (toll-interacting protein). 4-PBA-trained monocytes can effectively propagate anti-inflammation activity to neighboring monocytes through CD24. Our data further demonstrated that 4-PBA-trained monocytes effectively reduce atherosclerosis pathogenesis when administered in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our study describes a robust and effective approach to generate resolving monocytes, characterizes novel mechanisms for targeted monocyte reprogramming, and offers a precision therapeutics for atherosclerosis based on delivering reprogrammed resolving monocytes.
Improving Human Connections and Audience Satisfaction in Online Concerts and Music Conferences
Authors: Meng Chuiyuan , Martin-Hammond Aqueasha , Deal Scott W. , Tian Renran 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Online concerts and music conferences are becoming increasingly necessary. Although online events bring numerous benefits, many event attendees find the online format unsatisfying, mainly because of the lack of human connections and social interactions in comparison with in-person music events. Guided by literature on networked music performance, online social presence, and social computing design principles, we designed and developed Deck 10 Intermedia, an online music event platform that aims to replicate human connections from in-person music events. The effectiveness of the system design and overall user satisfaction are evaluated using data collected from two global music events: the International Computer Music Conference 2021, and the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice 2021. The results indicate that the system was effective at restoring human connections and that users found the participation experience socially connected and satisfying. The results also led to design recommendations for future online music event systems.
Motivating Mechanisms of the South Asian Jet Wave Train by Disturbances over the North Atlantic in Winter
Authors: Qin Dongfei , Li Xiuzhen , Zhao Yuan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study investigated the motivation of the South Asian jet wave train (SAJW) and its underlying mechanism, by distinguishing different evolutions of disturbance sources over the North Atlantic. The disturbance sources propagate along the SAJW toward the western North Pacific in the propagating cases, while they are constrained over the North Atlantic and Europe in the interrupted cases. The possible motivating mechanisms are disclosed in the perspectives of energy dispersion and background potential vorticity gradient (PVG) affecting energy attraction. In the propagating cases, wave energy propagates eastward over the North Atlantic and converges into the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East, leading to the amplification and development of the wave train. The enhancement of PVG over south Europe–Mediterranean Sea is a key factor attracting such eastward propagation, which is associated with the positive PV anomaly over north Europe driven by the diabatic heating of precipitation. In the interrupted cases, energy dispersion is more divergent over the North Atlantic because of the weaker PVG, resulting in the failure of the SAJW excitement. The impacts of the SAJW on the temperature and precipitation along its path are evident, with the modulated snow depth agreeing more with temperature rather than precipitation except over the Tibetan Plateau. Hence, understanding the motivating mechanism of the SAJW is essential for improving weather forecasts over subtropical Eurasia by using the disturbances over the North Atlantic.
Effects of probiotics on productive performances and serum lipid profile of broiler as substitute of antibiotics
Authors: Khan Umama , Rahman SM Mahbubur , Khan Salauddin , Roy Swarna , Hossain Khondoker Moazzem 
Published: September 2024

Objectives: The present research was accomplished to characterize probiotics from broiler gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by profiling biochemical, antimicrobial, and antibiotic sensitivity properties. Eventually, probiotic potentiality was evaluated as a substitute for antibiotic supplements in broiler focusing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum lipid profile. Methods: Probiotic bacteria were characterized based on morphological, physiological, and several biochemical tests. Antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of antibiotics and bacterial pathogens was detected. An in vivo trial was conducted on 40-day-old Ross 308 broiler strains during 21 days in an in vivo trial. The chicks were divided into total of five groups, a control group and four experimental groups (Antibiotic1, Antibiotic2, Probiotic1, and Probiotic2) in a completely randomized design. Probiotic was supplemented in broiler feed (2× 109 CFU/g feed) or by direct oral gavage (1× 109 CFU/chick). The variables of production performance like body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics and serum lipid profile were measured. Results: 10 probiotic bacteria were presumptively identified as Lactobacillus sp. based on the morphological, physiological, and strong resistance properties in several biochemical tests. The mixture of Lactobacillus had favorable effects on productive performance of broilers regarding BW, ADG, and FCR ( p < .05) compared with chickens that had no additive or had antibiotic during overall period of in vivo trial. Additionally, noteworthy efficacy on carcass characteristics and serum lipid profile were found ( p < .05) in Lactobacillus mixture fed chicken groups of in vivo trial. Conclusion: Mixed Lactobacillus sp. can be considered as a potential additive for broiler diet attributable to noteworthy efficacy on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum lipid profile. Accordingly, the research highlights the need for suitable alteration of antibiotics through probiotic characterization and proper inclusion in broiler diet.
Long-term ecological studies on the oxbow ecosystems development and fire history in the Drava river valley (Central Europe): Implications for ecological restoration
Authors: Gałka Mariusz , Apolinarska Karina , Bubak Iwona , Dezsȍ József , Feurdean Angelica , Salem Ali , Słowik Marcin , Zawisza Edyta 
Published: September 2024

Oxbow lakes are important habitats for many rare and protected wetland organisms and play a role as a storage of pollutants in floodplain. Unfortunately, many oxbows were destroyed due to drainage works and the adaptation of riverbeds to inland transport. Multi-proxy palaeoecological analyses makes it possible to recognise the succession of flora and fauna in the oxbow lakes over centuries and millenia. Insight into the history of the destroyed wetlands ecosystems is especially important for their restoration. We used palaeoecological methods (plant macrofossils, pollen, mollusc, Cladocera, diatoms, macrocharcoal) supported by radiocarbon dating to: (i) reconstruct the succession of the local flora (macrophytes, diatoms) and fauna (molluscs, Cladocera) during the last ca. 3000 years; (ii) provide a background of local to regional vegetation composition and disturbance by fire and human impact in the Drava valleys. (iii) determine natural reference conditions as a basis for the restoration of degraded oxbow ecosystems in the region; Our study revealed that: (i) in the shallow eutrophic oxbow lakes (ca. 2 m deep) occurred numerous submerged ( Najas marina, N. minor, Ceratophyllum demersum, Zannichelia palustris) and floating macrophytes ( Trapa natans, Nymphaea alba, Nuphar lutea), Cladocera and molluscs species (e.g. Borysthenia naticinata, Bithynia tentaculata, Valvata cristata) and we recommend that these species should be included in the restoration of oxbows in this region; (ii) warm climate phases (Roman Period, Medieval Period) likely enhanced the terrestrialisation process and transformation of water reservoirs into peatlands between 1200 and 800 cal. BP; (iii) human activity has led to changes in overall forest composition, including riparian tree taxa, since the beginning of the record and has intensified since the Medieval Period; (iv) the difference in the time and intensity of fires between the northern and southern part of Drava river valley is most likely due to the different history of human colonisation.
Successive self-nucleation and Annealing technique applied to polypropylene/butyl rubber composites: Recycling alternatives for vacuum bagging materials
Authors: Ramírez-Aguilar Rodrigo , Zárate-Pérez Cecilia , Franco-Urquiza E. A. 
Published: September 2024

The aerospace sector uses butyl rubber to manufacture carbon fiber components through an autoclave or infusion. Both manufacturing techniques require a high vacuum to achieve adequate impregnation of the carbon fiber fabrics with epoxy resin, and butyl rubber is used as the sealant. The aerospace sector discontinues materials with shelf life expired, and butyl rubber is one of the materials most discontinued for not being used within the designated time. This work presents the development of composites using polypropylene and discontinued butyl tape. Composites with 30, 50, and 70 wt% of butyl rubber content were prepared using a twin-screw extruder. The structural analysis showed that the composites with 50 wt% and 70 wt% are similar to butyl rubber, while the compound with 30 wt% of butyl is similar to polypropylene. The degree of crystallinity of the compound with 50 wt% of butyl content was 18% higher than the PP, and the melting temperature decreased by 30% with the higher butyl content. SSA revealed that the highest enthalpic contribution occurred in the crystalline fraction of higher perfection, except for the compound with 50 wt% of butyl content, whose less perfect crystalline populations grew at the expense of the most perfect crystals. The reduction of the crystalline fraction implies that butyl interferes with the formation of crystals, developing populations with lower lamellar thickness that favors the overall crystallinity of the compound. Young’s modulus, yield strength, and nominal strain decreased with butyl rubber content. The composites showed rough failure surfaces with solid butyl rubber particles and poor adhesion to polypropylene. Butyl particles with diverse sizes and geometries lead to sudden failure of the composites and high dispersion in strain values.