bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 increases heart rate by a direct action on the sinus node
Authors: Lubberding Anniek Frederike , Veedfald Simon , Achter Jonathan Samuel , Nissen Sarah Dalgas , Soattin Luca , Sorrentino Andrea , Vega Estefania Torres , Linz Benedikt , Eggertsen Caroline Harriet Eggert , Mulvey John , Toräng Signe , Larsen Sara Agnete , Nissen Anne , Petersen Lonnie Grove , Bilir Secil Erbil , Bentzen Bo Hjorth , Rosenkilde Mette Marie , Hartmann Bolette , Lilleør Thomas Nikolaj Bang , Qazi Saddiq , Møller Christian Holdflod , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob , Sattler Stefan Michael , Jespersen Thomas , Holst Jens Juul , Lundby Alicia 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Aims
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are increasingly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Albeit cardiovascular outcomes generally improve, treatment with GLP-1 RAs is associated with increased heart rate, the mechanism of which is unclear.

Methods and results
We employed a large animal model, the female landrace pig, and used multiple in vivo and ex vivo approaches including pharmacological challenges, electrophysiology, and high-resolution mass spectrometry to explore how GLP-1 elicits an increase in heart rate. In anaesthetized pigs, neither cervical vagotomy, adrenergic blockers (alpha, beta, or combined alpha-beta blockade), ganglionic blockade (hexamethonium), nor inhibition of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide–gated (HCN) channels (ivabradine) abolished the marked chronotropic effect of GLP-1. GLP-1 administration to isolated perfused pig hearts also increased heart rate, which was abolished by GLP-1 receptor blockade. Electrophysiological characterization of GLP-1 effects in vivo and in isolated perfused hearts localized electrical modulation to the atria and conduction system. In isolated sinus nodes, GLP-1 administration shortened the action potential cycle length of pacemaker cells and shifted the site of earliest activation. The effect was independent of HCN blockade. Collectively, these data support a direct effect of GLP-1 on GLP-1 receptors within the heart. Consistently, single nucleus RNA sequencing showed GLP-1 receptor expression in porcine pacemaker cells. Quantitative phosphoproteomics analyses of sinus node samples revealed that GLP-1 administration leads to phosphorylation changes of calcium cycling proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, known to regulate heart rate.

Conclusion
GLP-1 has direct chronotropic effects on the heart mediated by GLP-1 receptors in pacemaker cells of the sinus node, inducing changes in action potential morphology and the leading pacemaker site through a calcium signalling response characterized by PKA-dependent phosphorylation of Ca2+ cycling proteins involved in pacemaking. Targeting the pacemaker calcium clock may be a strategy to lower heart rate in people treated with GLP-1 RAs.
Fuelling Organised Crime: the Mexican War on Drugs and Oil Theft
Authors: Battiston Giacomo , Daniele Gianmarco , Le Moglie Marco , Pinotti Paolo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
We show that the Mexican war on drugs pushed drug cartels into large-scale oil theft. We propose a simple model in which government crackdowns on one criminal sector induce criminal organisations to invest in a new sector. When entering the new sector, challenger organisations with a residual share of the market in the traditional sector may leapfrog incumbent organisations. We bring the model to the data using detailed information on drug cartel presence, oil pipelines and illegal oil taps across Mexican municipalities. In line with the model predictions, municipalities with oil pipelines witnessed a greater increase in cartel presence than municipalities without pipelines after the crackdown on drugs, and the effect is driven by challenger criminal groups. Within the subset of municipalities with oil pipelines, we observe more illegal oil taps where the political party in favour of anti-drug trafficking policy won local elections by a small margin. Because of specialisation in different criminal sectors, municipalities with pipelines did not witness a surge in violence, but they did experience a decline in socioeconomic conditions.
Accuracy of a deep learning-based algorithm for the detection of thoracic aortic calcifications in chest computed tomography and cardiovascular surgery planning
Authors: Saffar Ruben , Sperl Jonathan I , Berger Tim , Vojtekova Jana , Kreibich Maximilian , Hagar Muhammad Taha , Weiss Jakob B , Soschynski Martin , Bamberg Fabian , Czerny Martin , Schuppert Christopher , Schlett Christopher L 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOBJECTIVESTo assess the accuracy of a deep learning-based algorithm for fully automated detection of thoracic aortic calcifications in chest computed tomography (CT) with a focus on the aortic clamping zone.METHODSWe retrospectively included 100 chest CT scans from 91 patients who were examined on second- or third-generation dual-source scanners. Subsamples comprised 47 scans with an electrocardiogram-gated aortic angiography and 53 unenhanced scans. A deep learning model performed aortic landmark detection and aorta segmentation to derive 8 vessel segments. Associated calcifications were detected and their volumes measured using a mean-based density thresholding. Algorithm parameters (calcium cluster size threshold, aortic mask dilatation) were varied to determine optimal performance for the upper ascending aorta that encompasses the aortic clamping zone. A binary visual rating served as a reference. Standard estimates of diagnostic accuracy and inter-rater agreement using Cohen’s Kappa were calculated.RESULTSThoracic aortic calcifications were observed in 74% of patients with a prevalence of 27–70% by aorta segment. Using different parameter combinations, the algorithm provided binary ratings for all scans and segments. The best performing parameter combination for the presence of calcifications in the aortic clamping zone yielded a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 82%, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.874. Using these parameters, the inter-rater agreement ranged from κ 0.66 to 0.92 per segment.CONCLUSIONSFully automated segmental detection of thoracic aortic calcifications in chest CT performs with high accuracy. This includes the critical preoperative assessment of the aortic clamping zone.
Causal relationship between immune cells and aortic aneurysms: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xiang Bitao , Li Jia , Deng Yao , Wang Junjie 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The causal association between immune cell traits and aortic aneurysm remains unknown.

METHODS
We performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to explore the causality between 731 immune cell characteristics and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysms through publicly available genetic data, respectively. To examine heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, Cochran’s Q test and MR-Egger intercept were utilized. Additionally, multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis and meta-analysis were performed in further analysis.

RESULTS
We found that 20 immune phenotypes had a suggestive causality on abdominal aortic aneurysm, and 15 immune phenotypes had a suggestive causal effect on thoracic aortic aneurysm. After further false discovery rate adjustment (q value &lt;0.1), CD20 on IgD+ CD38– B cell (q = 0.053) and CD127 on CD28+ CD4+ T cell (q = 0.096) were associated with an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm, respectively, indicating a significant causality between them. After adjusting for smoking, there is still statistical significance between CD127 on CD28+ CD4+ T cell and abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, after adjusting for lipids, no statistical significance can be observed between CD127 on CD28+ CD4+ T cells and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Furthermore, there is still statistical significance between CD20 on IgD+ CD38– B cells and abdominal aortic aneurysm after adjusting for lipids and smoking, which was further identified by meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
We found a causal association between immune cell traits and aortic aneurysm by genetic methods, thus providing new avenues for future mechanism studies.
Infectious mass debulking in lead-associated endocarditis with a percutaneous aspiration system
Authors: Heck Roland , Pitts Leonard , Kaemmel Julius , Wert Leonhard , Falk Volkmar , Hindricks Gerhard , Starck Christoph 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Aims
Debulking of infective mass to reduce the burden if infective material is a fundamental principle in the surgical management of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of this principle in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction in the context of bloodstream infection (BSI).

Methods and results
We performed an observational single-centre study on patients that underwent transvenous lead extraction due to a BSI, with or without lead-associated vegetations, in combination with a percutaneous aspiration system during the study period 2015–22. One hundred thirty-seven patients were included in the final analysis. In patients with an active BSI at the time of intervention, the use of a percutaneous aspiration system had a significant impact on survival (log-rank: P = 0.0082), while for patients with a suppressed BSI at the time of intervention, the use of a percutaneous aspiration system had no significant impact on survival (log-rank: P = 0.25).

Conclusion
A reduction of the infective burden by percutaneous debulking of lead vegetations might improve survival in patients with an active BSI.
Digest: How environmental light conditions shape the evolution of visual systems in birds
Authors: Washington Tatjana M 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHow do varying environmental light conditions influence the evolution of avian visual systems? Fröhlich et al. (2024) demonstrate that nocturnal birds evolved broader corneas and slightly longer axial lengths than their diurnal counterparts, increasing light capture efficiency. Nocturnal species also tended to maintain or reduce the size of brain regions responsible for vision, i.e., the optic tectum and the visual wulst. These results highlight adaptive trends in nocturnal species, where evolutionary improvement in low-light performance of eyes may be accompanied by compromised brain function.
The rhizosphere microbiome of 51 potato cultivars with diverse plant growth characteristics
Authors: Martins Benoit Renaud , Radl Viviane , Treder Krzysztof , Michałowska Dorota , Pritsch Karin , Schloter Michael 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Rhizosphere microbial communities play a substantial role in plant productivity. We studied the rhizosphere bacteria and fungi of 51 distinct potato cultivars grown under similar greenhouse conditions using a metabarcoding approach. As expected, individual cultivars were the most important determining factor of the rhizosphere microbial composition; however, differences were also obtained when grouping cultivars according to their growth characteristics. We showed that plant growth characteristics were related to deterministic and stochastic assembly processes of bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. The bacterial genera Arthrobacter and Massilia (known to produce indole acetic acid and siderophores) exhibited greater relative abundance in high- and medium-performing cultivars. Bacterial co-occurrence networks were larger in the rhizosphere of these cultivars and were characterized by a distinctive combination of plant beneficial Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria along with a module of diazotrophs namely Azospira, Azoarcus, and Azohydromonas. Conversely, the network within low-performing cultivars revealed the lowest nodes, hub taxa, edges density, robustness, and the highest average path length resulting in reduced microbial associations, which may potentially limit their effectiveness in promoting plant growth. Our findings established a clear pattern between plant productivity and the rhizosphere microbiome composition and structure for the investigated potato cultivars, offering insights for future management practices.
Effects of lactic acid bacteria on rearing water bacterial community in Eriocheir sinensis culture
Authors: Li Tong , Cheng Yongxu , Yao Zhiyuan , Sun Yunfei , Yang Xiaozhen , Xiao Wenwen , Zhang Demin , Zhang Huajun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The Chinese mitten crab (CMC, Eriocheir sinensi) culture in ponds is a unique aquaculture system. Probiotics are commonly used in the maintenance of the health of pond-cultured CMCs. However, the effects of probiotics on the bacterial community of CMC-culturing water remain unclear. This study utilized 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to assess changes in the bacterial community composition, diversity, assembly, and co-occurrence patterns in CMC-culturing water following probiotic application. The results indicate that the α-diversity of the bacterial community in CMC-culturing water varied with time following probiotic application. The addition of probiotics to the water resulted in an increase in the occurrence of new operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The bacterial community assembly in the CMC-culturing water was shaped by a balance between deterministic and stochastic processes, while commercial probiotics enhanced the proportion of heterogeneous selection. In addition, including OTU2953 (Burkholderiaceae) and OTU3005 (Lactobacillaceae), from the commercial probiotics served as keystone species in the bacterial network of CMC-culturing water. Overall, probiotic application had a significant impact on the bacterial ecology of CMC-culturing water.
Bridge Employment or Encore Career? Examining Predictors That Distinguish Later-Life Career Transitions
Authors: Oh Yun taek 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Bridge employment and encore careers are 2 prevalent retirement pathways that have different goals and outcomes. Yet, “changing jobs in later life” is the shared prequel that blurs the distinction between them in empirical studies. This study proposes a set of criteria—voluntariness of career transition and the duration of work in the posttransition job—to distinguish various retirement pathways and investigates the predictors that distinguish the workers’ choice of these pathways.

Methods
I conducted multinomial logistic regression to examine the predictors that distinguish between bridge employment, encore career, and direct workforce exit using the longitudinal sample of respondents with full-time career jobs in the Health and Retirement Study 1992–2020 (HRS, N = 2,038). To examine the predictors that distinguish between bridge employment and encore careers, I conducted logistic regression on the subsample of respondents who chose either bridge employment or encore careers (n = 927).

Results
The results show that the accumulated human capital from career jobs, physical and mental health conditions before leaving career jobs, and self-identified retirement status when transitioning to new jobs distinguish the workers’ choices of taking on different retirement pathways.

Discussion
Maintaining the labor force participation of older workers is an important human resource agenda for policymakers. This study suggests that increasing the number of quality jobs for older workers would promote bridge employment and encore careers by raising the benefits of making career transitions as well as improving older workers’ health.
Whole genome resequencing of sablefish at the northern end of their range reveals genetic panmixia and large putative inversions
Authors: Timm Laura E , Larson Wesley A , Jasonowicz Andrew J , Nichols Krista M 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) are a highly mobile species that support important commercial fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean. Information on the genetic stock structure of sablefish is vital for constructing management strategies that ensure the long-term viability of the species. Most previous genetic studies on sablefish have found panmixia throughout the majority of their range, but a recent study suggested that a population structure may exist. Here, we use low-coverage whole genome resequencing to investigate genetic structure in the northern end of the species’ range (from Washington State, USA to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, AK, USA). Additionally, we reanalyzed an existing genomic dataset containing 2661 markers to test specific hypotheses about genetic structure by sex. Genome resequencing data from 119 individuals screened at 7 110 228 markers revealed no evidence of population structure, and reanalysis of the existing genomic dataset supported the same conclusion. Differentiation across the genome was largely driven by variation at two putative inversions located ∼1 megabase apart, which did not display any signals of geographic differentiation. Our study further supports the conclusion of genetic panmixia in sablefish throughout its northern range.
Perspectives on using Protected Species Observer (PSO) data to fill knowledge gaps about marine species distributions and habitat use
Authors: Ganley Laura C , Sisson Nicholas B , McKenna Katherine R , Redfern Jessica V 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Responsible offshore wind energy development requires addressing knowledge gaps of marine mammal distribution and response to wind energy development. Data collected by Protected Species Observers (PSOs) could help fill these gaps if they were used to fit species distribution models. However, because PSO data are not systematically collected, a critical exploration of their potential utility is needed. We reviewed PSO data collected during offshore wind geophysical surveys. Our intention was to compare predictions from two species distribution models—one model fit with systematically collected data and the second model fit with PSO data. However, developing a model using the PSO data was impossible due to data collection and reporting procedures. Therefore, we reframed our question to “What changes would be necessary for PSO data to be used to understand species distributions?” We compared PSO data with data collection fields recommended by US federal agencies and data collection requirements in Marine Mammal Protection Act Incidental Harassment Authorizations. We found PSO data collection fields and monitoring reports need standardization requirements. Our evaluation of PSO data revealed that publicly available PSO data are limited. We recommend making PSO data publicly available. If these recommendations are adopted, PSO data could help to fill knowledge gaps about marine mammal distribution.
From Aspiration to Public Policy: Imprinting UNGP-Aligned Footprints of Corporate Responsibility and Accountability into the Shifting Sands of International Arbitration Practice
Authors: Ong Mevelyn 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Endorsed more than a decade ago by the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) articulate the responsibilities of States and corporations for human rights. Since then, the issue of corporate responsibility for human rights, and also the environment, and how it ought to be recognized and enforced, has attracted increasing attention. In more recent years, States have promulgated a flurried storm of ESG regulations requiring disclosure of human rights or climate risks or mandating human rights due diligence across global supply chain networks, intensified their transition to greener economies, and continued to negotiate treaties infused with dreams of more sustainable investment and development. Against this backdrop, in October 2023, a UN Special Rapporteur presented a report that condemned the international arbitration system for prioritizing the protection of corporate property rights over the protection of international human rights and the environment. In tracing the development of a ‘soft law’ aspiration of corporate responsibility to inscriptions into ‘hard law’ international investment law treaty instruments and then considering how those inscriptions have been interpreted and applied by tribunals, this article finds that despite the nascent recognition of corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment, the enforcement of accountability for that responsibility in international arbitral practice is currently misaligned with the UNGPs and with other fundamental tenets of international law. This article subsequently explores the opportunity, and implications, for imprinting stronger footprints of responsibility and accountability in international arbitral practice, including through the potential recognition of new international public policy upholding corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment, and in doing so, highlights the need for greater cross-industry, multidisciplinary and multilateral dialogue on an issue of not only global significance, but with global impact.
SOFC stack modeling: a hybrid RBF-ANN and flexible Al-Biruni Earth radius optimization approach
Authors: Gong Ziqian , Li Lu , Ghadimi Noradin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This study introduces a novel hybrid methodology for model identification of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks by integrating a radial basis function-based artificial neural network (RBF-ANN) with a flexible Al-Biruni Earth radius optimizer (FA-BERO). The primary objective of the proposed method is to augment the precision and efficiency of SOFC stack modeling by considering the advantages of both RBF-ANN and FA-BERO algorithms. The main purpose of using these two methods is to optimize the structure of the RBF-ANN based on the suggested FA-BERO algorithm. The other contribution of this study is improving the efficiency of the Al-Biruni Earth radius optimizer (A-BERO) by applying two improvements on it, including constriction factor and elimination phase to increase the exploration and exploitation strength of the basic A-BERO. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, it is compared with some state-of-the-art models in the field, such as the artificial neural network and multi-armed bandit algorithm (ANN/MABA) and rotor Hopfield neural network and grey wolf optimization (RHNN/GWO). Furthermore, the model is validated by experimental data, and the final results demonstrate the efficacy of the hybrid approach in accurately representing the intricate behavior of SOFC stacks. The proposed model achieves lower error rates (ERs) and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) than the comparative methods across different network arrangements and temperature conditions. The results show that, for instance, for the 2/12/1 network arrangement at 900°C, the proposed model attains an ER of 6.69% and an RMSE of 2.13, while the ANN/MABA and RHNN/GWO methods obtain ERs of 9.67% and 8.54%, as well as RMSE values of 24.48 and 9.23, respectively. The proposed model also exhibits superior accuracy and convergence speed compared to the comparative methods, as shown by the current–voltage curves and the convergence analysis. Consequently, this novel hybrid methodology offers a valuable tool for researchers and engineers working in the domain of fuel cell technology, enabling them to better understand and optimize SOFC stack performance.