bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of spacing of grid PHD on performance of combined PHD–PVD vacuum preloading method for treatment of clayey slurry
Authors: Pan Yu , Song Ding-Bao , Yin Zhen-Yu , Yin Jian-Hua 
Published: October 2024

A novel ground improvement method that combines grid prefabricated horizontal drains (PHDs) with prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) assisted by vacuum preloading is proposed for the beneficial reuse of dredged clayey slurry for reclamation purpose. To assess the feasibility of this innovative method, physical model tests are designed and conducted using high-water content Hong Kong marine deposits as the clayey slurry material. Furthermore, the impact of the spacing configuration of the grid PHD on the effectiveness of the proposed method is investigated through a series of model tests. A test without the installation of PVD was set, and in this case, two phases of vacuum preloading are applied sequentially through the PHD layer installed in stage. The other three tests involve three phases, with the addition of a vacuum preloading stage through PVD and variations in arrangement pattern of grid PHD layer. Results show that this proposed approach yields a final average undrained shear strength of soil of approximately 30 kPa, meanwhile reducing the average water content to around 50%. Furthermore, it is observed that decreasing the vertical spacing of grid PHDs results in growing final settlement. Reducing the horizontal spacing has less impact on the final settlement.
Clarifying the Relationship Between Chemical States of P in Fe–P Alloys and Pitting Corrosion Resistance
Authors: Takayama Riku , Nishimoto Masashi , Sato Haruka , Muto Izumi 
Published: October 2024

Fe–0.002 P, Fe–0.05 P, Fe–0.2 P, and Fe–2 P alloys (numbers indicate the mass%) were fabricated, and their pitting potentials, depassivation pH values, and active dissolution rates were measured. The order of pitting potentials was (high) Fe–0.002 P ≥ Fe–0.05 P ≥ Fe–0.2 P ≫ Fe–2 P (low), and that of depassivation pH values was (low) Fe–0.002 P ≤ Fe–0.05 P ≤ Fe–0.2 P ≪ Fe–2 P (high). Both parameters changed significantly between the Fe–0.2 P and Fe–2 P alloys. No evidence of grain boundary segregation of P was observed in the Fe–0.05 P alloy. In the Fe–0.2 P alloy, grain boundary segregation of P was observed, but no pitting occurred at the grain boundaries. In the Fe–2 P alloy, Fe3P precipitated at the grain boundaries and in grains, but pitting corrosion occurred in the alloy matrix and not in Fe3P. This indicated that P in the solid solution was the main cause of the decrease in pitting corrosion resistance. The P concentration in the surface oxide film on Fe–2 P was higher than that on Fe–0.2 P, and the P in the films was determined to be FePO4. The decrease in the pitting resistance with an increasing P concentration was due to FePO4.
Are Women’s Breast Cancer Risk Appraisals in Line with Updated Clinical Risk Estimates Communicated? Results from a UK Family History Risk and Prevention Clinic
Authors: Woof Victoria G. , Howell Anthony , Fox Lynne , McWilliams Lorna , Evans Dafydd Gareth R. , French David P. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background:
The incorporation of breast density and a polygenic risk score (PRS) into breast cancer risk prediction models can alter previously communicated risk estimates. Previous research finds that risk communication does not usually change personal risk appraisals. This study aimed to examine how women from the family history risk study appraise their breast cancer risk following communication of an updated risk estimate.

Methods:
In the family history risk study, 323 women attended a consultation to receive an updated breast cancer risk estimate. A subset (n = 190) completed a questionnaire, assessing their subjective breast cancer risk appraisals, satisfaction with the information provided, and cancer-related worry. One hundred and three were notified of a decreased risk, 34 an increased risk, and 53 an unchanged risk.

Results:
Women’s subjective risk appraisals were in line with the updated risk estimates provided, with age, a PRS, and breast density explaining most of the variance in these appraisals. Those notified of an increased risk demonstrated higher subjective risk perceptions compared with those whose risk remained unchanged or decreased.

Conclusions:
Women’s subjective breast cancer risk appraisals are amenable to change following updated risk feedback, with new information breast density and a PRS accepted and integrated into existing risk appraisals. Trust in the service, the analogies, and visual communication strategies used may have positively influenced the integration of this new information.

Impact:
Further research is warranted to assess whether similar patterns emerge for other illnesses and in different clinical contexts to determine the best strategies for communicating updated risk estimates.
Plasma Proteomic Insights for Identification of Novel Predictors and Potential Drug Targets in Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Cohort Study and Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Peng Xiaodong , Li Yukun , Liu Nian , Xia Shijun , Li Xin , Lai Yiwei , He Liu , Sang Caihua , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
Currently, there are no reliable methods for predicting and preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) in its early stages. This study aimed to identify plasma proteins associated with AF to discover biomarkers and potential drug targets.

METHODS:

The UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project examined 2923 circulating proteins using the Olink platform, forming the basis of this prospective cohort study. The UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project included a randomly selected discovery cohort and the consortium-selected replication cohort. The study’s end point was incident AF, identified using
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
codes. The association between plasma proteins and incident AF was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models in both cohorts. Proteins present in both cohorts underwent Mendelian randomization analysis to delineate causal connections, utilizing
cis
-protein quantitative trait loci as genetic tools. The predictive efficacy of the identified proteins for AF was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and their druggability was explored.

RESULTS:

Data from 38 784 participants were included in this study. Incident AF cases were identified in the discovery cohort (1894; 5.5%) within a median follow-up of 14.5 years and in the replication cohort (451; 10.6%) within a median follow-up of 14.4 years. Twenty-one proteins linked to AF were identified in both cohorts. Specifically, COL4A1 (collagen IV α-1; odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.04–1.19]; false discovery rate, 0.016) and RET (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor Ret; odds ratio, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.94–0.98]; false discovery rate, 0.013) demonstrated a causal link with AF, and RET is druggable. COL4A1 improved the short- and long-term predictive performance of established AF models, as evidenced by significant enhancements in the area under the receiver operating characteristic, integrated discrimination improvement, and net reclassification index, all with
P
values below 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS:
COL4A1 and RET are associated with the development of AF. RET is identified as a potential drug target for AF prevention, while COL4A1 serves as a biomarker for AF prediction. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of targeting these proteins to reduce AF risk.
Essential Role of the RIα Subunit of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase in Regulating Cardiac Contractility and Heart Failure Development
Authors: Bedioune Ibrahim , Gandon-Renard Marine , Dessillons Matthieu , Barthou Aurélien , Varin Audrey , Mika Delphine , Bichali Saïd , Cellier Joffrey , Lechène Patrick , Karam Sarah , Dia Maya , Gomez Susana , Pereira de Vasconcelos Walma , Mercier-Nomé Françoise , Mateo Philippe , Dubourg Audrey , Stratakis Constantine A. , Mercadier Jean-Jacques , Benitah Jean-Pierre , Algalarrondo Vincent , Leroy Jérôme , Fischmeister Rodolphe , Gomez Ana-Maria , Vandecasteele Grégoire 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
The heart expresses 2 main subtypes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA; type I and II) that differ in their regulatory subunits, RIα and RIIα. Embryonic lethality of RIα knockout mice limits the current understanding of type I PKA function in the myocardium. The objective of this study was to test the role of RIα in adult heart contractility and pathological remodeling.

METHODS:

We measured PKA subunit expression in human heart and developed a conditional mouse model with cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of RIα (RIα-icKO). Myocardial structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography, histology, and ECG and in Langendorff-perfused hearts. PKA activity and cAMP levels were determined by immunoassay, and phosphorylation of PKA targets was assessed by Western blot. L-type Ca
2+
current (
I
Ca,L
), sarcomere shortening, Ca
2+
transients, Ca
2+
sparks and waves, and subcellular cAMP were recorded in isolated ventricular myocytes (VMs).

RESULTS:

RIα protein was decreased by 50% in failing human heart with ischemic cardiomyopathy and by 75% in the ventricles and in VMs from RIα-icKO mice but not in atria or sinoatrial node. Basal PKA activity was increased ≈3-fold in RIα-icKO VMs. In young RIα-icKO mice, left ventricular ejection fraction was increased and the negative inotropic effect of propranolol was prevented, whereas heart rate and the negative chronotropic effect of propranolol were not modified. Phosphorylation of phospholamban, ryanodine receptor, troponin I, and cardiac myosin-binding protein C at PKA sites was increased in propranolol-treated RIα-icKO mice. Hearts from RIα-icKO mice were hypercontractile, associated with increased
I
Ca,L,
and [Ca
2+
]
i
transients and sarcomere shortening in VMs. These effects were suppressed by the PKA inhibitor, H89. Global cAMP content was decreased in RIα-icKO hearts, whereas local cAMP at the phospholamban/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
ATPase complex was unchanged in RIα-icKO VMs. RIα-icKO VMs had an increased frequency of Ca
2+
sparks and proarrhythmic Ca
2+
waves, and RIα-icKO mice had an increased susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia. On aging, RIα-icKO mice showed progressive contractile dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis, culminating in congestive heart failure with reduced ejection fraction that caused 50% mortality at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS:
These results identify RIα as a key negative regulator of cardiac contractile function, arrhythmia, and pathological remodeling.
Life’s Essential 8 Trajectories and Risk of Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Yang , Qin Xueying , Jiang Jinguo , Zhao Maoxiang , Peng Xinyi , Cui Feipeng , Wang Xianxuan , Feng Jun , Chen Shuohua , Wu Shouling 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
Evidence is lacking regarding long-term patterns of change in Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) and their association with the risk of stroke. We aim to evaluate LE8 trajectories and examine their association with the risk of stroke in China.

METHODS:
This study, conducted in a workplace setting, recruited 26 719 participants (average age, 46.02±11.27 years and a male population of 73.73%) who had no history of stroke and consecutively participated in 6 surveys from 2006 to 2016. Repeated LE8 measurements were determined by taking the unweighted average of the 8 component scores ranging from 0 to 100. People with higher scores had better overall cardiovascular health. By examining the medical records of the participants, stroke cases were identified for the period from 2016 to 2020. A latent mixture model was applied to classify the trajectory clusters of LE8 from 2006 to 2016, and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS:

Five LE8 trajectories were detected between 2006 and 2016. Four hundred ninety-eight incident strokes including 55 (11.04%) hemorrhagic and 458 (91.97%) ischemic strokes were documented. After adjusting for covariates, the hazard ratios and 95% CIs for the association between stable-low, moderate-increasing, moderate-stable, and high-stable trajectories and incident stroke, compared with the moderate-decreasing trajectory, were 1.42 (1.11–1.84), 0.73 (0.56–0.96), 0.49 (0.39–0.62), and 0.19 (0.11–0.32), respectively. Individuals with high LE8 status (LE8≥80) exhibited a significantly reduced risk of stroke compared with those with low one (LE8≤49;
P
-trend <0.001). A faster annual growth in LE8 was related to a lower risk of stroke.

CONCLUSIONS:
Maintaining high LE8 over an extended period and high baseline LE8 status were related to a decreased risk of stroke. Despite the initial low level of LE8, improvement in LE8 attenuates or even reverses the risk of stroke.
Incidence and Outcomes of Patients With Early Cardiac Complications After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Report From VISTA
Authors: Ishiguchi Hironori , Huang Bi , El-Bouri Wahbi K. , Dawson Jesse , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Abdul-Rahim Azmil H. , Lees K.R. , Alexandrov A. , Bath P.M. , Bluhmki E. , Bornstein N. , Chen C. , Claesson L. , Curram J. , Davis S.M. , Diener H-C. , Donnan G. , Fisher M. , Ginsberg M. , Gregson B. , Grotta J. , Hacke W. , Hennerici M.G. , Hommel M. , Kaste M. , Lyden P. , Marler J. , Muir K. , Roffe C. , Sacco R. , Shuaib A. , Teal P. , Venketasubramanian N. , Wahlgren N.G. , Warach S. 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
The incidence and outcomes of early cardiac complications in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are poorly understood. These cardiac complications may be part of the so-called stroke-heart syndrome in patients with ICH. We investigated this issue in an individual patient data pooled analysis from an international repository of clinical trial data.

METHODS:
We used the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive to investigate the incidence of cardiac complications within 30 days post-ICH or acute ischemic stroke (AIS). These complications included acute coronary syndrome encompassing myocardial injury, heart failure/left ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, other arrhythmia/ECG abnormalities, and cardiorespiratory arrest. We used propensity score matching to compare the incidence of patients with stroke-heart syndrome in patients with ICH with those following AIS. Factors associated with 90-day mortality were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis in the ICH cohort.

RESULTS:

We pooled data from 8698 participants recruited in acute stroke trials (mean age, 68±12 years; 56% male), of whom 914 (11%) were patients with ICH. Among the patients with ICH, 123 (13%) had stroke-heart syndrome in patients with ICH. Following propensity score matching, a total of 1828 patients (914 for each of the cohorts) were analyzed. While the overall incidence of cardiac events tended to be lower in the ICH group compared with the AIS group (the cumulative incidence freedom from the event, 86.3% [95% CI, 84.1–88.6] versus 83.6% [95% CI, 81.2–86.0];
P
=0.100), the incidences cardiac events other than atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter were comparable between the 2 matched groups. The incidence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter was significantly lower in the ICH group than in the AIS group (
P
<0.001). The multivariate-adjusted analysis found that stroke-heart syndrome in patients with ICH was associated with 90-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.06–1.19];
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Cardiac events are common and negatively affect prognosis in patients with ICH, just as seen in AIS.
Association of Anticoagulant Use With Hemorrhage Location and Etiology in Incident Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Wilson Mitch , Incontri Diego , Vu Stephanie , Marchina Sarah , Wang Jia-Yi , Andreev Alexander , Heistand Elizabeth , Carvalho Filipa , Selim Magdy , Lioutas Vasileios-Arsenios 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:
It is unknown whether hypertensive microangiopathy or cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) predisposes more to anticoagulant-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (AA-ICH). The purpose of our study was to determine whether AA-ICH is associated with lobar location and probable CAA.

METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional analysis of patients with first-ever spontaneous ICH admitted to a tertiary hospital in Boston, between 2008 and 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to investigate the association between anticoagulation use and both lobar hemorrhage location and probable CAA on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by Boston Criteria 2.0 or computed tomography by Simplified Edinburgh Criteria.

RESULTS:

A total of 1104 patients (mean [SD] age, 73 [12]; 499 females [45.0%]) were included. Of the 1104 patients, 268 (24.3%) had AA-ICH: 148 (55.2%) with vitamin K antagonists and 107 (39.9%) with direct oral anticoagulants. Brain MRI was performed in 695 (63.0%) patients. The proportion of patients with lobar hemorrhage was not different between those with and without AA-ICH (121/268 [45.1%] versus 424/836 [50.7%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.61–1.05];
P
=0.113). Patients with AA-ICH were less likely to have probable CAA on MRI (17/146 [11.6%] versus 127/549 [23.1%]; OR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.25–0.75];
P
=0.002) and probable CAA on MRI or computed tomography if MRI not performed (27/268 [10.0%] versus 200/836 [23.9%]; OR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.23–0.55];
P
<0.001). Among patients with AA-ICH, there were no differences in the proportion with lobar hemorrhage (63/148 [42.6%] versus 46/107 [43.0%]; OR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.62–1.68];
P
=0.946) or probable CAA on MRI (10/72 [13.9%] versus 7/69 [10.1%]; OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.25–1.96];
P
=0.495) between vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulant users.

CONCLUSIONS:
AA-ICH was not associated with lobar hemorrhage location but was associated with reduced odds of probable CAA. These results suggest that hypertensive microangiopathy may predispose more toward incident AA-ICH than CAA and emphasize the importance of blood pressure control among anticoagulant users. These findings require replication in additional cohorts.
Activity in Occipito-Temporal Cortex Is Involved in Tool-Use Planning and Contributes to Tool-Related Semantic Neural Representations
Authors: Thibault Simon , Koun Eric , Salemme Romeo , Roy Alice C. , Boulenger Véronique , Brozzoli Claudio 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Tool use and language are highly refined human abilities which may show neural commonalities due to their potential reciprocal interaction during evolution. Recent work provided evidence for shared neural resources between tool use and syntax. However, whether activity within the tool-use network also contributes to semantic neural representations of tool nouns remains untested. To this aim, we identified the tool-use planning network with functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants used pliers. The very same participants underwent a semantic priming task including two categories, tool nouns and animal nouns, to highlight the respective underlying networks. With multivariate analyses of the activation neural patterns, we tested whether activity in tool-use brain clusters takes part in the neural representation of tool nouns as compared with animal nouns. The results revealed that word semantic categories were decoded within the left occipito-temporal cortex activated by preparing to use a tool, with similar patterns of brain activity for words within the same category. In addition, in the same area, neural activations for tool nouns were found to be higher than those for animal nouns. These findings suggest that activity in tool-use related brain areas encodes semantic information separately for tool nouns and animal nouns, thus supporting the embodiment of tool-noun processing in the tool-use sensorimotor network.
Arts-based analysis of conservation education field trips for young people to observe wild lemurs in Southern Madagascar
Authors: Walker-Bolton Amber D. , Ralison Doria , Milliasse Ramanorintsoa F. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Opportunities for young people to directly experience nature can have positive impacts on the individual, the social group and on society as a whole, through future increased conservation action. We developed a program which engaged young people from Fort Dauphin in a field trip to see wild animals at Nahampoana Reserve. Our aim in offering field trips to young people living in the city was to create a positive emotional opportunity to engage directly with nature with the ultimate goal of protecting lemurs and their habitat. In our analysis, we predicted that participants who completed a survey after a presentation and field trip (assessment post field trip) would recall more correct and detailed facts than those participants who completed their surveys after the presentation only (assessment pre field trip). Our program used a variety of arts-based data collection methods including an initial essay writing component on conservation of lemurs and drawing analysis of observed plants and animals. Our results show, in part, that (A) initial written essays by participants showed misperceptions about lemurs, (B) participants who had attended the field trip prior to drawing their favourite aspect of the reserve, produced more species-specific plant depictions, and (C) participants who were involved in a presentation, field trip, and final group discussion came up with four principles for protecting lemurs and their environment. Upon analysis after the study, we gained the additional insight of being able to evaluate our survey methods.
Reclaiming Eros: Plotinus’ Metaphysics of Love
Authors: Weiss Sonja 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The paper offers a critical perspective on some modern studies of Plotinus’ doctrine of Love, which interpret his Eros as more than a guide, leading the soul to the intelligible world and above, to the first Principle, or directing its gaze to the sensible world. They consider Love to be the driving force behind generation from the One and even identify it with the One itself, basing most of their arguments on rare instances of Eros’ appearance at levels above the soul and using an emphatically erotic terminology that is alien to Plotinus.
Wisdom, Political Expertise and the Unity of Virtues in Aristotle
Authors: Chong I Xuan 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
‘Unity of virtues’ (UV) in Aristotle is the claim that the ethical virtues are mutually entailing. But commentators typically focus on the fact that wisdom implies all the ethical virtues, without explaining how the ethical virtues themselves are mutually entailing. I argue that the so-called ‘Grand End’ view, understood as applying to both wisdom (φρόνησις) and political expertise (πολιτική), allows us to give an account of UV at the level of the ethical virtues. By discussing the ethical virtues individually, I show how all the ethical virtues can be seen as different aspects of the philosopher-statesman’s multifaceted character.