bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of impedance drop and lesion size index (LSI) to guide catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Leo Milena , Banerjee Abhirup , Gala Andre Briosa e , Pope Michael , Pedersen Michala , Rajappan Kim , Ginks Matthew , Bashir Yaver , Hunter Ross J. , Betts Tim 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundWhen using lesion size index (LSI) to guide catheter ablation, it is unclear what combination of power, contact force and time would be preferable to use and what LSI target value to aim for. This study aimed at identifying desirable ablation settings and LSI targets by using tissue impedance drop as indicator of lesion formation.MethodsConsecutive patients, undergoing their first left atrial (LA) catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, with radiofrequency energy (RF) powers of 20, 30 and 40 W were enrolled. Tissue impedance, contact force (CF), Force Time Integral (FTI) and LSI values were continuously recorded during ablation and sampled at 100 Hz. Mean CF and Contact Force Variability (CFV) were calculated for every lesion. The effect of RF power, ablation time, CF and CFV on impedance drop and LSI were assessed.ResultsA total of 3258 lesions were included in the analysis. For any target LSI value, use of higher RF powers translated into progressively higher impedance drops. The impact of lower CF and higher CFV on impedance drop was more relevant when using lower powers. Target LSI values corresponding to maximum impedance drop were identified depending on RF power, mean CF and CFV used.ConclusionsEven in the context of an LSI‐guided ablation strategy, use of lower or higher powers might lead to different lesion sizes. Different LSI targets might be needed depending on the combination of RF power, CF and CFV used for ablation. Incorporating indicators of catheter stability, like CFV, in the LSI formula could improve the predictive value of LSI for lesion size. Studies with clinical outcomes are required to confirm the clinical relevance of these findings.
Cutback management: Strategy, blame attribution, and evaluation of government
Authors: Flink Carla , Xu Xiaoyang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCutback management literature examines how governments engage strategies and maintain organizational performance in times of resource decline. While much of this literature has focused on financial outcomes, in this study we incorporate citizen evaluation of government as the outcome of interest. Additionally, we assess how blame attribution for the resource decline influences citizen evaluations. Using an online survey experiment, we bridge the literatures of cutback management, citizen evaluation of government, and blame attribution to explore how citizens evaluate governments by financial decisions and blame for a deficit. Results show that less blame improves citizen evaluations for each cutback strategy.
Effects of water stress on apoplastic barrier formation in soil grown roots differ from hydroponically grown roots: Histochemical, biochemical and molecular evidence
Authors: Suresh Kiran , Bhattacharyya Sabarna , Carvajal Jorge , Ghosh Rajdeep , Zeisler‐Diehl Viktoria V. , Böckem Vera , Nagel Kerstin A. , Wojciechowski Tobias , Schreiber Lukas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn root research, hydroponic plant cultivation is commonly used and soil experiments are rare. We investigated the response of 12‐day‐old barley roots, cultivated in soil‐filled rhizotrons, to different soil water potentials (SWP) comparing a modern cultivar (cv. Scarlett) with a wild accession ICB181243 from Pakistan. Water potentials were quantified in soils with different relative water contents. Root anatomy was studied using histochemistry and microscopy. Suberin and lignin amounts were quantified by analytical chemistry. Transcriptomic changes were observed by RNA‐sequencing. Compared with control with decreasing SWP, total root length decreased, the onset of endodermal suberization occurred much closer towards the root tips, amounts of suberin and lignin increased, and corresponding biosynthesis genes were upregulated in response to decreasing SWP. We conclude that decreasing water potentials enhanced root suberization and lignification, like osmotic stress experiments in hydroponic cultivation. However, in soil endodermal cell suberization was initiated very close towards the root tip, and root length as well as suberin amounts were about twofold higher compared with hydroponic cultivation.
Serum cortisol and neuroticism for post‐traumatic stress disorder over 2 years in patients with physical injuries
Authors: Kim Jae‐Min , Kang Hee‐Ju , Kim Ju‐Wan , Jang Hyunseok , Kim Jung‐Chul , Chun Byung Jo , Lee Ju‐Yeon , Kim Sung‐Wan , Shin Il‐Seon 
Published: August 2024

AimThis study aimed to explore the relationships between serum cortisol levels, personality traits, and the development of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) over 2 years among individuals with physical injuries.MethodsParticipants were consecutively recruited from a trauma center and followed prospectively for 2 years. At baseline, serum cortisol levels were measured, and personality traits were categorized into five dimensions (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness), using the Big Five Inventory‐10. The diagnosis of PTSD during follow‐up (at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post‐injury) was determined using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the interactions between cortisol levels, personality traits, and PTSD development.ResultsAmong 923 patients analyzed, 112 (12.1%) were diagnosed with PTSD at some point during the study period, with prevalence rates decreasing from 8.8% at 3 months to 3.7% at 24 months post‐injury. Direct associations between cortisol levels or personality traits and PTSD were not observed. However, a significant interaction between lower cortisol levels and higher Neuroticism in relation to PTSD risk was identified, especially during the early follow‐up periods (3 to 6 months), but this association waned from the 12‐month follow‐up onward.ConclusionOur findings reveal Neuroticism‐dependent associations between serum cortisol levels and PTSD development, exhibiting temporal variations. These results suggest that PTSD development may be influenced by a complex, time‐sensitive interplay of biological and psychosocial factors, underscoring the importance of considering individual differences in stress reactivity and personality in PTSD research and treatment.
The association between the use of fertility indicators and fecundability in a Danish preconception cohort
Authors: Pedersen Emma Skovgaard , Mikkelsen Ellen M. , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Wise Lauren A. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Stanford Joseph B. , Laursen Anne Sofie Dam 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe use of fertility indicators to predict ovulation has largely been studied for contraceptive purposes, while less so as fertility‐promoting tools.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between fertility indicators and fecundability in Danish women trying to conceive.MethodsWeb‐based preconception cohort study. We analysed data from 11,328 females aged 18–49 years trying to conceive without fertility treatment for ≤6 menstrual cycles, from the Danish SnartGravid.dk and SnartForældre.dk cohorts (2007–2023). Participants reported the use of fertility indicators (counting days since the last menstrual period, cervical fluid monitoring, urinary ovulation testing, feeling ovulation, using a smartphone fertility app and measuring basal body temperature [BBT]). Time to pregnancy was measured in menstrual cycles ascertained by self‐reported pregnancy status. We estimated fecundability ratios (FR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using proportional probabilities regression models adjusted for age, socio‐economic position, health indicators, reproductive history and gynaecological factors.ResultsFertility indicators were used by 63.3% of participants at study entry. Counting days was the most common (46.9%), while measuring BBT was the least (3.0%). Other indicators ranged from 17.0% to 23.6%, with 69.7% using more than one indicator. Compared with non‐use, use of any fertility indicator was associated with greater fecundability (adjusted FR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08, 1.19). Cervical fluid monitoring showed the strongest association (aFR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03, 2.07), followed by urinary ovulation testing (aFR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16, 1.58) and counting days (aFR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09, 1.29). Feeling ovulation and fertility apps were modestly associated with fecundability, while measuring BBT was not associated. Sensitivity analysis restricting to ≤2 cycles of attempt time and two cycles of follow‐up showed an aFR for any indicator use of 1.21 (95% CI 1.13, 1.31).ConclusionIn this Danish preconception cohort, use of fertility indicators was associated with a higher fecundability, varying by type of indicator.
Meta‐analysis of nanomaterials and plants interaction under salinity stress
Authors: Kwaslema Damiano R. , Michael Paulo Sulle 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSalinity stress threatens global food security, requiring novel and sustainable approaches for its mitigation. Over the past decade, nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as a promising tool to mitigate salinity stress in plants. However, their use has been questioned in terms of whether they really benefit plants or are phytotoxic. Here, we specifically ask whether NMs can help ameliorate plant salinity stress. We use a multivariate meta‐analysis of 495 experiments from 70 publications to assess how NMs interact with plants under salinity stress, with a focus on plant biomass accumulation and yield. We also analyzed the influence of NM type, dosage, application method, plant species and families, and growth media on the NM‐plant interaction under salinity stress. We demonstrate that NMs enhance plant performance and mitigate salinity stress when applied at lower dosages. However, NMs are phytotoxic at higher dosages and may worsen salinity stress. Also, plant responses to NMs vary across plant species, families, and NM types. We propose a dose‐dependent hypothesis to account for the effect of NMs on plant growth under salinity stress and highlight the knowledge gaps and research needs in this field.
Natural resource management, green energy, financial development, and ecological sustainability: Reshaping urban landscape in G7 countries
Authors: Xu Shanming , Xu Li 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe management of natural resources is critically important for resource conservation along with the adoption of green energy and financial development, which are indigenous to ecological sustainability. In G7 countries, none of the studies explored the fostering mechanisms of natural resource management, green energy, and financial development for the ecological sustainability in the context ecological sustainability theory presented by Marks and Engels. Pooled OLS, feasible GLS, Prais–Winsten regression, and bootstrap quantile regression methods are applied for empirical analysis using data from 1995 to 2020. The study concludes that natural resource, financial development, and urban land use decrease ecological sustainability, while the adoption of green energy, the moderating impact of financial development on green energy‐sustainability relationships, and environmental innovations increase ecological sustainability. The findings reveal that Marks and Engles were pessimistic about the concept of ecological crises due to capitalism. However, the profits associated with natural resources correctly predicted the Marx and Engles concept of human beings' interactions with nature in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0. This study holds promising policy implications and suggests the adoption of green energy, conservation of natural resources, more R&D in environmental innovations, and the vertical sprawl of population in G7 countries.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Authors: Frecker Mary , Dames Chris , Cagan Jonathan , Siegel Donald J. , Pelegri Assimina , Jacobi Anthony , Erickson David , Ranjan Devesh 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In a World of Diverse Challenges, Mechanical Engineers are Developing the Solutions. Their Contributions Have Never Been as Valuable As They are Today. “Almost everyone comes into contact with the products of mechanical engineering on a daily basis, but very few people—including some engineers themselves—can provide a succinct explanation of what mechanical engineering is. ”
The VExUS score and mortality in patients with Acute Kidney Injury: findings from a multidisciplinary prospective study
Authors: Aslaner Mehmet Ali , Helvacı Özant , Haycock Korbin 
Published: August 2024

Aim: The utility of the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score in predicting mortality remains uncertain in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients.Material and methods: This was a post-hoc study involving 246 AKI patients presenting to a tertiary care emergency department. Venous ultrasound assessments were conducted to determine the VExUS score. Cox regressionanalysis was used to identify predictors of 6-month mortality.Results: The study found no significant association between the VExUS score and 6-month mortality in AKI patients in the regression analyses. However, in the subgroup analyses, VExUS grades 2-3 were associated with lower survival rates in the cardiorenal subgroup (HR: 3.98 [95% CI: 1.33–11.93]), and in AKI grade 1 (HR: 4.07 [95% CI: 1.74–9.49]). This association was not present in other AKI subgroups. The predictors of mortality included higher age (OR: 1.024; 95% CI 1.005-1.043), malignancy (OR: 2.186; 95% CI 1.408-3.392), lower systolic blood pressure (OR: 0.990; 95% CI 0.982-0.998), elevated pulse (OR: 1.013; 95% CI 1.005-1.022), and higher lactate levels (OR: 1.210; 95% CI 1.097-1.334).Conclusion: The VExUS score did not predict 6-month mortality in the general cohort of AKI patients in the emergency department. However, VExUS grades 2-3 were associated with lower survival rates in the cardiorenal subgroup and patients with AKI grade 1.
The Paleoproterozoic Trans-Australian Orogen: Its magmatic and tectonothermal record, links to northern Laurentia, and implications for supercontinent assembly
Authors: Gibson G.M. , Champion D.C. , Doublier M.P. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The 2.1–1.79 Ga Trans-Australian and Canadian Trans-Hudson orogens preserve a common record of Himalayan-scale orogenesis and voluminous Cordilleran-style magmatism behind which turbidite-dominated sedimentary sequences evolved in a backarc or retroarc foreland setting. Successive cycles of subduction retreat and advance drove the orogenic process, culminating in continent-continent collision and closure of a shared and formerly contiguous ocean basin—the Paleoproterozoic Diamantina and Manikewan oceans. Cordilleran-style arc magmatism in proto-Australia commenced along the southern reaches of the Diamantina Ocean with emplacement of the 2005–1975 Ma Dalgaringa Batholith along the leading edge of the Pilbara Craton (Gascoyne Province) before both it and its host craton docked against the Yilgarn Craton, resulting in the Glenburgh Orogeny. After a brief episode of post-kinematic granitic magmatism from 1965 Ma to 1945 Ma, tectonic activity switched to the opposing margin of the Diamantina Ocean in what is now northern Australia, where three more cycles of upper plate orogenesis and Cordilleran-style magmatism occurred from 1890 Ma to 1850 Ma, 1840 Ma to 1810 Ma, and 1810 Ma to 1760 Ma along a convergent continental margin extending from the Kimberley and Pine Creek regions southward through the Mount Isa domain into the eastern Gawler Craton. Batholiths developed along this margin include granites of both low- and high-Sr/Y composition, with the more adakitic varieties interpreted to have been intruded during periods of enhanced asthenospheric upwelling accompanying the opening of one or more slab windows following slab breakoff, tearing, and/or subduction of an actively spreading oceanic ridge. Terminal collision between the North and South Australian (Mawson) cratons at ca. 1790 Ma brought this succession of subduction-related events to a close, although neither this event nor the corresponding Trans-Hudson Orogen need equate to final assembly of the Nuna supercontinent. Instead, the 1870 Ma peak in global compilations of magmatic and detrital zircon ages may be interpreted more simply as the result of elevated tectonism and magmatism along a Paleoproterozoic Cordilleran-style continental plate margin that was transcontinental in scale and continued uninterrupted from proto-Australia into northern Canada and beyond.
Implications of child poverty reduction targets for public health and health inequalities in England: a modelling study between 2024 and 2033
Authors: McCabe Ronan , Pollack Roxana , Broadbent Philip , Thomson Rachel M , Igelström Erik , Pearce Anna , Bambra Clare , Bennett Davara Lee , Alexandros Alexiou , Daras Konstantinos , Taylor-Robinson David , Barr Benjamin , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundWe investigated the potential impacts of child poverty (CP) reduction scenarios on population health and health inequalities in England between 2024 and 2033.MethodsWe combined aggregate local authority-level data with published and newly created estimates on the association between CP and the rate per 100 000 of infant mortality, children (aged <16) looked after, child (aged <16) hospitalisations for nutritional anaemia and child (aged <16) all-cause emergency hospital admissions. We modelled relative, absolute (per 100 000) and total (per total population) annual changes for these outcomes under three CP reduction scenarios between 2024 and 2033—low-ambition(15% reduction),medium-ambition(25% reduction) andhigh-ambition(35% reduction)—compared with a baseline CP scenario (15% increase). Annual changes were aggregated between 2024 and 2033 at national, regional and deprivation (IMD tertiles) levels to investigate inequalities.ResultsAll CP reduction scenarios would result in substantial improvements to child health. Meeting thehigh-ambitionreduction would decrease total cases of infant mortality (293; 95% CI 118 to 461), children looked after (4696; 95% CI 1987 to 7593), nutritional anaemia (458, 95% CI 336 to 574) and emergency admissions (32 650; 95% CI 4022 to 61 126) between 2024 and 2033. Northern regions (eg, North East) exhibited the greatest relative and absolute benefit. The most deprived tertile would experience the largest relative, absolute and total benefit; underhigh-ambitionreduction, total infant mortality cases were predicted to fall by 126 (95% CI 51 to 199) in the most deprived tertile compared with 71 (95% CI 29 to 112) in the least between 2024 and 2033.ConclusionsAchieving reductions in CP could substantially improve child health and reduce health inequalities in England.
Tobacco industry pricing strategies during recent tax adjustments in Mexico: evidence from sales data
Authors: Saenz-de-Miera Belen , Welding Kevin , Tseng Tuo-Yen , Grilo Graziele , Cohen Joanna E 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionPrevious studies have identified pricing strategies that the tobacco industry employs to try to minimise the impact of tobacco taxation, but these studies are mostly about high-income countries. This research examines industry price responses to a recent cigarette tax increase in Mexico, including in the capsule cigarette segment that has expanded rapidly in Latin America.MethodsData of cigarette prices and sales in Mexico between October 2018 and September 2021 licensed from NielsenIQ were used following a quasi-experimental design to analyse price changes after excise tax increases with fixed effect models by product. To explore heterogeneous responses, estimates were disaggregated by cigarette attributes such as presence of capsules and market segment. Differential shifting was also assessed.ResultsIncreasing the tobacco tax from 2011MX$0.35(≈US$0.02) to 2020 MX$0.4944(≈US$0.0283) in January 2020 was associated with an overall 8% cigarette price increase in real terms. However, some cigarette types, including premium to discount segments, exhibited price increases larger than the tax increase, which reduced the relative price of ultra-low-priced cigarettes. Instead of a single hike, prices were gradually raised throughout the first months of 2020 for all cigarette types. A combination of both pricing strategies was employed for capsule cigarettes. The 2021 smaller tax adjustment for annual inflation was fully passed onto consumer, maintaining real prices constant.ConclusionsThe industry’s ability to raise prices more than the tax increase and manage these price increases smoothly suggests that there was room for larger tobacco tax increases in Mexico. Future developments on tobacco taxes could consider a fully specific tax structure or minimum taxes to mitigate the adverse effects of market segmentation and differential shifting.
Interrelationships between stress, eating attitudes, and metabolism in endurance athletes across a competitive season
Authors: Lundstrom Emily A. , De Souza Mary Jane , Don Prabhani Kuruppumullage , Williams Nancy I. 
Published: August 2024

A competitive sport season represents a multidimensional stressor where physical and psychological stress may render an athlete susceptible to energy deficiency (ED). Downstream effects of ED can include a reduction in measured-to-predicted resting metabolic rate (RMRratio), indicating metabolic compensation. A pathway linking stress, eating attitudes, and metabolic compensation has not been explored. To test if sport-specific stress is associated with eating attitudes and metabolism in endurance athletes (18–22 years) at different phases of a competitive season, we assessed two groups of athletes: 26 swimmers (15 female and 11 male) during peak season (PEAK), and 26 runners (female) across pre- (PRE) and off-season (OFF). Stress (RESTQ-52), eating attitudes (cognitive restraint (CR), drive for muscularity (DM), and body dissatisfaction), and metabolism (RMRratio) were assessed. In PRE, sport-specific stress and CR were negatively correlated with RMRratio ( R = −0.58; p < 0.05, and R = −0.57; p < 0.05, respectively). In PEAK, sport-specific stress and DM were negatively correlated with RMRratio ( R = −0.64; p < 0.05; R = −0.40; p < 0.05, respectively). DM was positively related to sport-specific stress ( R = 0.55; p < 0.05). During OFF, there was no relation between RMRratio and sport-specific stress. In runners, there was a change in stress from PRE-to-OFF with highest reported stress during PRE ( p < 0.05) versus OFF. Regression analyses revealed that sport-specific stress and CR were significant predictors of RMRratio during PRE and PEAK ( p < 0.05), but not OFF ( p > 0.05). Associations between stress, eating attitudes, and metabolic compensation in endurance athletes during PRE and PEAK season suggest that during heavier training, metabolic compensation may be linked to upstream eating attitudes associated with sport-stressors.