bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 inhibitor therapy in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Shimizu Tomohiro , Morishita Tetsuji , Uzui Hiroyasu , Sato Yusuke , Kataoka Tatsuhiro , Miyoshi Machiko , Yamaguchi Junya , Shiomi Yuichiro , Ikeda Hiroyuki , Tama Naoto , Hasegawa Kanae , Ishida Kentaro , Tada Hiroshi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study examined the anti-inflammatory and endothelial function-enhancing effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor therapy in the early phase after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by assessing changes in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels and the l-arginine/asymmetric-dimethylarginine (ADMA) ratio. This retrospective, single-center cohort study included patients who underwent successful timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for first-onset AMI between September 2017 and March 2018. The PCSK9 inhibitor group comprised patients who received 75 mg alirocumab up to 7 days after AMI, while the standard therapy group comprised patients who did not. We evaluated the change in TNF-α levels and the l-arginine/ADMA ratio at the time of hospital admission and prior to discharge. PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in the early phase after AMI suppressed TNF-α levels (standard therapy group, 1.64 ± 2.14 pg/mL vs. PCSK9 inhibitor group, 0.26 ± 0.33 pg/mL; p = 0.033) and increased the L-arginine/ADMA ratio (standard therapy group, − 13.0 ± 39.7 vs. PCSK9 inhibitor group, 23.2 ± 39.7; p = 0.042). Upon multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, and peak creatine kinase levels, PCSK9 inhibitor therapy was associated with TNF-α suppression (p = 0.025; β = − 0.235, 95% confidence interval [CI], − 0.436 to − 0.033). The L-arginine/ADMA ratio was also analyzed using multiple regression, adjusted for sex, age, peak creatine kinase levels, and smoking, showing a significant improvement in the ratio (p = 0.018; β = 41.913, 95% CI, 10.337−73.491). Moreover, a weak negative correlation was suggested between the change in TNF-α levels and the change in l-arginine/ADMA ratio (r = − 0.393, p = 0.058). PCSK9 inhibitor therapy in the early phase after AMI suppresses TNF-α levels and improves the l-arginine/ADMA ratio, potentially indicating anti-inflammatory and endothelial function-enhancing effects.
Changes in bone density and microarchitecture in adolescents undergoing a first kidney transplantation: a prospective study
Authors: De Mul Aurélie , Leclerc Anne-Laure Sellier , Ginhoux Tiphanie , Levi Charlène , Confavreux Cyrille , Aurelle Manon , Portefaix Aurélie , Bacchetta Justine 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Mineral bone disorder associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) frequently persists after kidney transplantation (KTx), being due to pre-existing CKD-MBD, immunosuppressive therapies, and post-KTx hypophosphatemia. This study aimed to evaluate bone biomarkers and microarchitecture using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) at the time of KTx and 6 months thereafter and to compare these results with those of matched healthy controls (HC).

Methods
This study presented the single-center subgroup of patients aged between 10 and 18 years included in the prospective “Bone Microarchitecture in the Transplant Patient” study (TRANSOS-NCT02729142). Patients undergoing a first KTx were matched (1:2) with HC from the “Vitamin D, Bones, Nutritional and Cardiovascular Status” cohort (VITADOS) on sex, pubertal stage, and age.

Results
At a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 15 [13; 16] years, 19 patients (6 girls, 7 pre-emptive KTx, 7 steroid-sparing immunosuppressive strategies) underwent a first KTx, with a median [IQR] parathyroid hormone level of 1.9 [1.4; 2.9] the upper limit of normal (ULN). Higher total and trabecular bone densities, along with superior trabecular microarchitecture, were observed at KTx compared to HC. Six months post-KTx, patients had significantly impaired trabecular parameters at the radius, while results were not significantly different at the weight-bearing tibia, neither cortical parameters at both sites. Six months post-KTx, 6 (32%) patients still present with metabolic acidosis, 10 (53%) persistent hyperparathyroidism (always < 2 ULN), and 5 (26%) elevated FGF23 levels; 11 (58%) received phosphate supplementation.
Conclusions: Bone density and microarchitecture at the time of KTx were superior compared to HC, but radial trabecular bone microarchitecture impairment observed 6 months post-KTx may reflect subtle albeit present post-KTx CKD-MBD.

What is Known?• Mineral bone disorder associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) frequently persists after kidney transplantation (KTx) and is associated with morbidity. However, biochemical parameters and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are poor predictors of the underlying bone disease.

What is new?• The present study on 19 adolescent KTx recipients with adequate CKD-MBD control at the time of KTx reveals no significant bone disease compared to matched healthy controls. Microarchitecture impairment observes 6 months post-KTx may reflect subtle, albeit present, post-KTx CKD-MBD.
Contributions to the stereochemistry of zirconium oxysalts—part VI: syntheses and crystal structures of K2Zr(SO4)3∙2.5H2O, K2Zr(SeO4)3, K2Zr2O(SeO4)4, and Zr(OH)2(SeO4)·H2O
Authors: Wildner Manfred , Giester Gerald 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe compounds K2Zr(SO4)3·2.5H2O, K2Zr(SeO4)3, and K2Zr2O(SeO4)4 were synthesized at 200 °C by reaction of Zr2O2(CO3)(OH)2 and KHCO3 with the respective acids H2SeO4/H2SO4 and minor H2O. Zr(OH)2(SeO4)·H2O originates from an analogous experiment at 215 °C without KHCO3. All four phases form colorless crystals up to several tenths of a mm and were investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. K2Zr(SO4)3·2.5H2O is monoclinic, space group P21/c (No. 14), with a = 7.295(2) Å, b = 13.925(3) Å, c = 12.579(3) Å, β = 95.32(3)°, V = 1272.3(4) Å3, Z = 4, R1 = 0.025. K2Zr(SeO4)3 and K2Zr2O(SeO4)4 are both triclinic, space group $$P\overline{1}$$

P

1
¯

(No. 2), with a = 7.570(1) Å, b = 10.500(1) Å, c = 14.400(1) Å, α = 85.55(1)°, β = 88.04(1)°, γ = 87.82(1)°, V = 1139.7(2) Å3, Z = 4, R1 = 0.049, and a = 5.400(1) Å, b = 7.328(1) Å, c = 9.642(1) Å, α = 95.81(1)°, β = 95.20(1)°, γ = 94.27(1)°, V = 376.74(4) Å3, Z = 1, R1 = 0.020, respectively. Zr(OH)2(SeO4)·H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15), with a = 6.684(1) Å, b = 12.998(2) Å, c = 6.792(1) Å, β = 97.37(1)°, V = 585.14(6) Å3, Z = 2, R1 = 0.013.
Graphical abstract
ParaVerse: co-design of a parachute rehearsal and training virtual-reality enhanced simulator for the Australian Defence Force: combining a generative co-design framework and an agile approach to development
Authors: Mills Brennen , Masek Martin , Boston Julie , de Souza Wyatt , Snell Jake , Bender Stuart , Thompson Matthew , Sung Billy , Hansen Sara 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWhile co-design methods are crucial for developing digital educational interventions that are user-centred, contextually relevant, inclusive, and effective in meeting the diverse needs of learners and educators, little attention has been paid to the potential value of co-design processes for digital application development in the Defence context. This research gauged the efficacy of combining a generative co-design framework making use of agile and iterative co-design principles in an applied research and development project. The project produced an immersive virtual reality based digital solution in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) Army. Specifically, the ParaVerse project sought to develop a solution considering the advanced Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) relevant to special operations soldiers for advanced parachute training. A Defence advisory group consisting of a series of subject matter experts was formulated to consult with the research and development team over the course of the co-design process. End-user testing with 35 SOCOMD personnel demonstrated the value of the ParaVerse application for SOCOMD personnel, speaking to the success of the leveraged generative co-design model. End-users rated ParaVerse as having greater capacity to influence education and training practices for SOCOMD and Defence generally in comparison to a pre-existing virtual parachute simulator. ParaVerse was also rated higher for satisfaction and useability and was associated with fewer instances of motion sickness. The Generative Co-Design Framework leveraged for this research provides one roadmap on how to integrate end-users in innovation design, particularly for projects working across the nexus of Defence and academia.
First-line pembrolizumab with or without chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: 5-year follow-up of the Japanese population of KEYNOTE‑048
Authors: Oridate Nobuhiko , Takahashi Shunji , Tanaka Kaoru , Shimizu Yasushi , Fujimoto Yasushi , Matsumoto Koji , Yokota Tomoya , Yamazaki Tomoko , Takahashi Masanobu , Ueda Tsutomu , Hanai Nobuhiro , Yamaguchi Hironori , Hara Hiroki , Yoshizaki Tomokazu , Yasumatsu Ryuji , Nakayama Masahiro , Shiga Kiyoto , Fujii Takashi , Mitsugi Kenji , Takahashi Kenichi , Nohata Nijiro , Gumuscu Burak , Lerman Nati , Tahara Makoto 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background
Previously reported results from phase III KEYNOTE-048 demonstrated similar or improved overall survival (OS) with pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab-chemotherapy versus cetuximab-chemotherapy (EXTREME) in Japanese patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). We report results in Japanese patients from KEYNOTE-048 after 5 years of follow-up.

Methods
Patients with R/M HNSCC of the oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, or larynx were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to pembrolizumab, pembrolizumab-chemotherapy, or EXTREME. Primary endpoints were OS and progression-free survival. Efficacy was evaluated in the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 20, PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1, and total Japanese populations.

Results
In Japan, 67 patients were enrolled (pembrolizumab, n = 23; pembrolizumab-chemotherapy, n = 25; EXTREME, n = 19). Median follow-up was 71.0 months (range, 61.2–81.5); data cutoff, February 21, 2022. 5-year OS rates with pembrolizumab versus EXTREME were 35.7% versus 12.5% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.38; 95% CI 0.13–1.05), 23.8% versus 12.5% (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.34–1.45), and 30.4% versus 10.5% (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.27–1.07) in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20, CPS ≥ 1, and total Japanese populations, respectively. 5-year OS rates with pembrolizumab-chemotherapy versus EXTREME were 20.0% versus 14.3% (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.27–2.33), 10.5% versus 14.3% (HR 1.18; 95% CI 0.56–2.48), and 8.0% versus 12.5% (HR 1.11; 95% CI 0.57–2.16) in the PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20, CPS ≥ 1, and total Japanese populations, respectively.

Conclusion
After 5 years of follow-up, pembrolizumab and pembrolizumab-chemotherapy showed long-term clinical benefits; results further support these treatments as first-line options for Japanese patients with R/M HNSCC.

Clinical trial registration
NCT02358031.
Impacts of washing and deodorization treatment on packaging-sourced post-consumer polypropylene
Authors: Bichler Lorenz P. , Pinter Elisabeth , Jones Mitchell P. , Koch Thomas , Krempl Nina , Archodoulaki Vasiliki-Maria 
Published: October 2024

AbstractEmerging legal requirements will likely considerably heighten demand for high-quality recycled raw materials for e.g., packaging and automotive applications; key EU legislation mandates recycling as the future end-of-life option for municipal solid plastic waste. Yet recycled plastic use remains low due to safety concerns, undesirable aesthetic, olfactory, and mechanical properties, mainly attributable to contaminants present in recyclates. Advanced treatment options for recovered polypropylene (PP) packaging and the impact of such treatments on the polymer are currently poorly documented. We investigated the effectiveness of hot/cold washing and hot air devolatilization treatments in removing volatile substances from residential post-consumer PP plastic waste to improve its scope of application and value and to assess possible side effects on mechanical and processing parameters. Cold- and hot-washed recyclates exhibited similar contaminant levels and most substances were removed within 7 h. The recycling procedure had no adverse effects on mechanical or processing parameters although reprocessing caused polymer degradation, indicated by decreasing viscosity, elongation at break, and tensile strength. Washing and hot air devolatilization treatment of plastic wastes improve their scope of application and value by enhancing mechanical properties and considerably reducing the amounts of odorous substances, but is often not suited to high-quality applications, such as packaging. The dominance of packaging waste and strict legislation on food-grade recyclate applications will make widespread recyclate use challenging since it represents the primary use of plastic. Recyclate must consequently be extensively utilized in non-food contact applications until advances in waste sorting, washing, and devolatilization yield less contaminated recyclates with improved properties.
Unpacking “the surprise chain”: the governance of food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Carey Rachel , Murphy Maureen 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Food systems are being affected by multiple shocks related to climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events. Food prices and food insecurity are rising globally as a result, raising questions about the effective governance of food security during shocks. This paper critically examines the governance of food security in Melbourne, Australia during a major food system shock, the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on document analysis and 34 stakeholder interviews with 41 participants from government, industry and civil society between May 2020 and March 2021. The paper examines the role of these actors in governance mechanisms for two important aspects of food system governance during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuity of food supply and delivery of emergency food relief. Clark et al.’s (2021) “governance engagement continuum” is used to show how civil society groups were excluded from these formal governance mechanisms, instead establishing their own spaces of “self-governance”. The resilience aims associated with these governance mechanisms are also analyzed using Zurek et al.’s (2022) “three R’s” (robustness, recovery and reorientation) framework. Our study highlights the significant role of food industry actors in the continuity of food supply and delivery of emergency food relief, and it shows the vulnerabilities of emergency food relief that depends on industry food “surpluses” as a model for addressing food insecurity during food system shocks. We conclude that greater government leadership is needed in the governance of food security during food system shocks, and in implementation of legislative and policy approaches that are grounded in the human right to food.
Mitigating the risk of tanking in multi-stage tournaments
Authors: Csató László 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMulti-stage tournaments consisting of a round-robin group stage followed by a knockout phase are ubiquitous in sports. However, this format is incentive incompatible if at least 2 teams from a group advance to the knockout stage where the brackets are predetermined. A model is developed to quantify the risk of tanking in these contests. The suggested approach is applied to the 2022 FIFA World Cup to uncover how its design could have been improved by changing group labelling (a reform that has received no attention before) and the schedule of group matches. Scheduling is found to be a surprisingly weak intervention compared to previous results on the risk of collusion in a group. The probability of tanking, which is disturbingly high around 25%, cannot be reduced by more than 3 percentage points via these policies. Tournament organisers need to consider more fundamental changes against tanking.
Divergence-free cut finite element methods for Stokes flow
Authors: Frachon Thomas , Nilsson Erik , Zahedi Sara 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe develop two unfitted finite element methods for the Stokes equations based on $$\textbf{H}^{{{\,\textrm{div}\,}}}$$

H

div

-conforming finite elements. Both cut finite element methods exhibit optimal convergence order for the velocity, pointwise divergence-free velocity fields, and well-posed linear systems, independently of the position of the boundary relative to the computational mesh. The first method is a cut finite element discretization of the Stokes equations based on the Brezzi–Douglas–Marini (BDM) elements and involves interior penalty terms to enforce tangential continuity of the velocity at interior edges in the mesh. The second method is a cut finite element discretization of a three-field formulation of the Stokes problem involving the vorticity, velocity, and pressure and uses the Raviart–Thomas (RT) space for the velocity. We present mixed ghost penalty stabilization terms for both methods so that the resulting discrete problems are stable and the divergence-free property of the $$\textbf{H}^{{{\,\textrm{div}\,}}}$$

H

div

-conforming elements is preserved also on unfitted meshes. In both methods boundary conditions are imposed weakly. We show that imposing Dirichlet boundary conditions weakly introduces additional challenges; (1) The divergence-free property of the RT and the BDM finite elements may be lost depending on how the normal component of the velocity field at the boundary is imposed. (2) Pressure robustness is affected by how well the boundary condition is satisfied and may not hold even if the incompressibility condition holds pointwise. We study two approaches of weakly imposing the normal component of the velocity at the boundary; we either use a penalty parameter and Nitsche’s method or a Lagrange multiplier method. We show that appropriate conditions on the velocity space has to be imposed when Nitsche’s method or penalty is used. Pressure robustness can hold with both approaches by reducing the error at the boundary but the price we pay is seen in the condition numbers of the resulting linear systems, independent of if the mesh is fitted or unfitted to the boundary.
Students’ local vs. global views of data distributions: a cross-grade-level analysis using eye-tracking
Authors: Schreiter Saskia , Vogel Markus 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe ability to interpret and compare data distributions is an important educational goal. Inherent in the statistical concept of distribution is the need to focus not only on individual data points or small groups of data points (so-called local view), but to perceive a distribution as a whole, allowing to recognize global features such as center, spread, and shape (so-called global view). However, the latter is challenging for students to acquire. This study, involving 68 students in grades 4, 6, and 8, had two main objectives. First, we aimed to examine the potential impact of grade level on how students perceive and compare distributions presented in dot plots. Despite variations in specific pre-knowledge, our findings showed no significant grade-related differences in students’ gaze behavior or their ability to process global features when comparing distributions. This finding suggests that there is no significant developmental trend across grade levels regarding students’ capacity to perceive distributions globally, a critical aim in statistics education. Our second objective was to extend the findings of our previous work regarding the identification of specific eye-tracking measures as indicators of students’ local vs. global views. In line with our hypotheses, differences in gaze behavior between students with a local and global view were determined regardless of their grade level. This robustness across different educational stages underscores the validity of specific eye-tracking measures as reliable indicators for students local vs. global view of data. Our research highlights the potential of eye-tracking for understanding students’ data interpretation approaches in statistics education.
Shrinking rates of horizontal gaps for generic translation surfaces
Authors: Chaika Jon , Fairchild Samantha 
Published: October 2024

AbstractA translation surface is given by polygons in the plane, with sides identified by translations to create a closed Riemann surface with a flat structure away from finitely many singular points. Understanding geodesic flow on a surface involves understanding saddle connections. Saddle connections are the geodesics starting and ending at these singular points and are associated to a discrete subset of the plane. To measure the behavior of saddle connections of length at most R, we obtain precise decay rates as $$R\rightarrow \infty $$

R
→
∞

for the difference in angle between two almost horizontal saddle connections.
Impact of Loneliness and Social Support on Acute Health Service Use and Symptom Exacerbation Among Adults with Asthma and COPD
Authors: Leukel Patric J. , Piette John D. , Lee Aaron A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractLoneliness and low social support are associated with negative health outcomes among adults with asthma or COPD. Although social support is correlated with loneliness, low social support is neither necessary nor sufficient for the experience of loneliness. This study compares the relative association of loneliness and social support on symptom exacerbation (i.e., acute deteriorations in respiratory health) and acute health service utilization (i.e., hospitalizations, emergency department visits) among 206 adults with asthma and 308 adults with COPD. Separate logistic regression models were used to simultaneously examine the association of loneliness and social support with each outcome. Among adults with asthma, loneliness was associated with greater odds of hospitalization (AOR = 2.81, 95%CI [1.13, 7.02]), while low social support was not (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI [0.78, 2.65]). However, neither loneliness nor social support were associated with any other acute health service use or symptom exacerbation among adults with asthma. Among adults with COPD, loneliness, and greater social support were associated with increased odds of symptom exacerbation (AOR = 1.67, 95%CI [1.03, 2.69]; AOR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.02, 1.83]) and hospitalization (AOR = 3.46, 95%CI [1.65, 7.24]; AOR = 1.92, 95%CI [1.15, 3.22]), but only social support was significantly associated with ED visits (AOR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.12, 2.66]). These findings support prior research demonstrating that loneliness and social support are related but separate determinants of patients’ physical symptoms and service utilization.