bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P‐wave alternans rebound following pulmonary vein isolation predicts atrial arrhythmia recurrence
Authors: Nearing Bruce D. , Fialho Guilherme L. , Waks Jonathan W. , Maher Timothy R. , Clarke John‑Ross , Shepherd Alyssa J. , D'Avila Andre , Verrier Richard L. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionNumerous P‐wave indices have been explored as biomarkers to assess atrial fibrillation (AF) risk and the impact of therapy with variable success.ObjectiveWe investigated the utility of P‐wave alternans (PWA) to track the effects of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and to predict atrial arrhythmia recurrence.MethodsThis medical records study included patients who underwent PVI for AF ablation at our institution, along with 20 control subjects without AF or overt cardiovascular disease. PWA was assessed using novel artificial intelligence‐enabled modified moving average (AI‐MMA) algorithms. PWA was monitored from the 12‐lead ECG at ~1 h before and ~16 h after PVI (n = 45) and at the 4‐ to 17‐week clinically indicated follow‐up visit (n = 30). The arrhythmia follow‐up period was 955 ± 112 days.ResultsPVI acutely reduced PWA by 48%–63% (p < .05) to control ranges in leads II, III, aVF, the leads with the greatest sensitivity in monitoring PWA. Pre‐ablation PWA was ~6 µV and decreased to ~3 µV following ablation. Patients who exhibited a rebound in PWA to pre‐ablation levels at 4‐ to 17‐week follow‐up (p < .01) experienced recurrent atrial arrhythmias, whereas patients whose PWA remained reduced (p = .85) did not, resulting in a significant difference (p < .001) at follow‐up. The AUC for PWA's prediction of first recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was 0.81 (p < .01) with 88% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Kaplan–Meier analysis estimated atrial arrhythmia‐free survival (p < .01) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.4 (95% CI: 1.47–5.24, p < .02).ConclusionA rebound in PWA to pre‐ablation levels detected by AI‐MMA in the 12‐lead ECG at standard clinical follow‐up predicts atrial arrhythmia recurrence.
Exposure–response relationship of guselkumab and the potential of serum proteomics in identifying predictive biomarker candidates in psoriasis
Authors: Soenen R. , Schots L. , Wang Z. , Tilleman L. , Van Nieuwerburgh F. , Grine L. , Temmerman L. , Hillary T. , Stockman A. , Dreesen E. , Thomas D. , Lambert J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundResponse to biologics in psoriasis varies in real‐world settings. Serum biomarkers could aid biologic selection and dose modifications to improve patient outcomes while encouraging cost‐effective care.ObjectivesTo explore the exposure–response relationship for guselkumab (GUS), to define a GUS concentration target for optimal response and to evaluate the potential of serum protein levels as predictive biomarker candidates.MethodsThis is a prospective, multicentric, cohort study in psoriasis patients treated with GUS. Serum GUS trough concentrations (TCs) collected at multiple timepoints were measured using an in‐house immunoassay. Next, proximity extension assay technology (Target 96 Inflammation Panel Olink®) was used to measure serum protein levels in a subcohort including 38 GUS patients (week 0 and week 4), six psoriasis patients naive for systemic treatment and four healthy controls.ResultsSeventy‐five patients participated and 400 samples were collected. Guselkumab TCs and clinical response were correlated at week 4, week 12 and in steady‐state (≥20 weeks). Optimal responders (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] ≤ 2) had significantly higher TCs than suboptimal responders from week 4 onwards in treatment. An optimal steady‐state TC of 1.6 μg/mL was defined. Although TC and absolute PASI were lower and worse, respectively, in patients weighing ≥90 kg, clinical outcomes referred to desirable to excellent PASI ranges. Therefore, we do not recommend systematically higher GUS doses in obese patients. We could not reveal early differentially expressed proteins to distinguish future optimal from suboptimal responders.ConclusionsWe demonstrated an exposure–response relationship for GUS and an optimal steady‐state TC of 1.6 μg/mL in real‐world psoriasis patients. Hereby, we deliver more evidence that therapeutic drug monitoring poses a promising strategy in optimizing GUS treatment. No biomarker candidates were identified through serum proteomics. We propose protein screening should be repeated in larger cohorts to continue the quest for predictive biomarkers.
Cutting into short logs reduces infestation by the bark beetle Polygraphus proximus
Authors: Takagi Etsuro , Aochi Mai 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPolygraphus proximus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), a non‐aggressive bark beetle, has caused mortality of Abies spp. in Western Siberia, Central Asia, European Russia as well as Japan. Removing dead trees (e.g. salvage logging) and thinning stands are considered one of the best practices to reduce the risk of bark beetle outbreaks. However, salvaging or removing dead and thinned trees requires significant effort. Thus, to determine whether cutting trees into shorter logs would reduce P. proximus infestation, we exposed A. sachalinensis logs of various lengths on the ground in a forest stand. The attack density of P. proximus significantly decreased with shorter log lengths. It can be concluded that cutting into short logs and leaving them on the ground are effective practices to reduce the chance of P. proximus host location and outbreaks after natural disturbances and thinning.
An integrative review of racism in nursing to inform anti‐racist nursing praxis in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Wiapo Coral , Adams Sue , Komene Ebony , Davis Josephine , Clark Terryann 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAimTo synthesise international literature to identify mechanisms that maintain racism in nursing and understand the factors that contribute to designing and implementing anti‐racist praxis to inform nursing in Aotearoa New Zealand.DesignAn integrative literature review was undertaken, integrating Indigenous Kaupapa Māori methodologies to ensure a cultural and philosophical lens.MethodsPeer‐reviewed literature published, between January 2011 and July 2023 were sourced. Of 1296 articles, 16 met the inclusion criteria and 4 were identified via citation chaining. In total, 20 articles were included. The Johns Hopkins Research Evidence Tool was applied, findings extracted, and thematic analysis completed utilising Indigenous Kaupapa Māori principles.Data SourcesDatabases, including CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed and Aus/NZ Reference Centre, were searched in July 2023.ResultsTwo key themes were identified: (1) colonial active resistance to change; and (2) transformational, visionary, and proactive nursing.ConclusionNurses are well‐positioned to confront the structures that maintain racism in health and education systems but are often actors in maintaining status quo. Anti‐racist praxis can be a mechanism for nurses to reimagine, redefine and transform nursing care, leadership, and nursing education to begin to eradicate racism.Reporting MethodThis integrative review adhered to the 2020 Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) method.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.Implications for the ProfessionRacism remains prevalent in nursing and the healthcare system. It is necessary to implement anti‐racist praxis and policies that resist, deconstruct, and dismantle power and racism while validating Indigenous values, beliefs and practices. This is vital to deliver equitable health care.ImpactThis integrative review presents lived realities and knowledge of Indigenous and racially minoritised nurses and scholars, alongside nursing allies to inform anti‐racist praxis. This evidence signifies that it is time to walk the walk to challenge the colonising systems and processes that hold racism in place.
A processual approach to community agriculture: Between structuralist and individualist explanations
Authors: Aguiari Irina 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCommunity agriculture describes the practice of land commoning for food production. Communitarian food systems are explained as determined by neoliberalisation for being either prompted by global processes of environmental degradation or dissolved in submerged networks of everyday politics. While consistent with neoliberal critiques, the article advocates for their historicization through a processual approach to community agriculture. The analysis builds on the historical‐comparative scrutiny of land commoning in the Italian peninsula through the selection of secondary sources and draws a longue durée periodization from late antiquity to the present. Analytical results highlight three temporal macro‐sequences of food transformations that contextualise structural and agential influences on communitarian food systems: delegation, privatisation, and commodification of food production. The historical trajectories of community agriculture in the Italian peninsula offer valuable insights into three key areas of debate and potential avenues for future research. The first concerns the divides between structure and agency, contentious and everyday politics; the article also contributes to classical analyses that emphasize the crucial role of food in capitalist development and finally, it advances the processual framework as an adaptable analytical tool.
Hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic hepatitis B in the indeterminate phase
Authors: Mak Lung‐Yi , Yee Leland J. , Wong Robert J. , Ramers Christian B. , Frenette Catherine , Hsu Yao‐Chun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic disease where patients progress through several stages defined by HBV e‐antigen (HBeAg) status, HBV‐DNA levels and transaminase elevations, with antiviral therapy indicated only in specific stages. However, some patients cannot be classified into one of the stages and are said to fall into an ‘indeterminate phase’ or ‘grey zone’. Exact definitions of the indeterminate phase vary from guideline to guideline as a result of different cut‐off values for biomarker measurements. Data suggest that as many as 50% of HBV patients may be in an indeterminate phase and may not rapidly transition out of this phase. Clinical data that suggest these patients are at increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are complemented by molecular evidence of integrations of HBV‐DNA into the host genome, chromosomal translocations and immune activation despite liver enzymes that may suggest lack of inflammation. Antiviral therapy reduces these hepatocarcinogenic mechanisms and is reflected in a reduction of fibrosis and HCC risk. We review key data on patients in the indeterminate phase, with emphasis on HCC as an outcome. We take a holistic approach and link new biological data with clinical observations as well as examine the potential role of antiviral therapy in reducing HCC risk among patients in the indeterminate phase. With the availability of safe and effective oral antivirals, consideration must be given as to how much residual risk of HCC should be tolerated among patients in the indeterminate phase.
MicroRNA169 integrates multiple factors to modulate plant growth and abiotic stress responses
Authors: Chen Xiaotong , Chen Zhaohui , Fiorentino Andrew , Kuess Morgan , Tharayil Nishanth , Kumar Rohit , Leonard Elizabeth , Noorai Rooksana , Hu Qian , Luo Hong 
Published: May 2024

SummaryMicroRNA169 (miR169) has been implicated in multi‐stress regulation in annual species such as Arabidopsis, maize and rice. However, there is a lack of experimental functional and mechanistic studies of miR169 in plants, especially in perennial species, and its impact on plant growth and development remains unexplored. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a C3 cool‐season perennial turfgrass of significant environmental and economic importance. In this study, we generated both miR169 overexpression and knockdown transgenic creeping bentgrass lines. We found that miR169 acts as a positive regulator in abiotic stress responses but is negatively associated with plant growth and development, playing multiple critical roles in the growth and environmental adaptation of creeping bentgrass. These roles include differentiated spatial hormone accumulation patterns associated with growth and stress accommodation, elevated antioxidant activity that alleviates oxidative damage induced by stress, ion‐channelling membrane components for maintaining homeostasis under saline conditions, and potential cross‐talks with stress‐regulating transcription factors such as AsHsfA and AsWRKYs. Our results unravel the role of miR169 in modulating plant development and stress responses in perennial grass species. This underlines the potential of manipulating miR169 to generate crop cultivars with desirable traits to meet diverse agricultural demands.
Causal relationship between dyslipidemia and risk of facial aging: Insights from Mendelian randomization in East Asian populations
Authors: Deng Yu , Li Chuan , Luo Ailin , Qiu Yang , Yang Mei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundEmerging observational studies showed an association between dyslipidemia and aging. However, it remains unclear whether this association is causal, particularly in the case of Asians, which are aging more rapidly than other continents. Given the visible manifestations of aging often include changes in facial appearance, the objective of this study is to assess the causal relationship between dyslipidemia and facial aging in East Asian populations.MethodsSNPs related to dyslipidemia in East Asian people such as Total cholesterol (TC), High‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and Triglyceride (TG) along with outcomes data on facial aging, were extracted from public genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). A two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was then performed using publicly available GWAS data to investigate the potential causal relationship. The effect estimates were primarily calculated using the fixed‐effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method.ResultsTotally, 88 SNPs related to HDL among 70657 East Asian participants in GWAS. Based on the primary causal effects model using MR analyses with the IVW method, high HDL level was demonstrated as significantly related to the risk of facial aging (OR, 1.060; 95% CI, 1.005–1.119, p = 0.034), while high TC level (OR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.920–1.076, p = 0.903), high LDL level (OR, 0.980, 95% CI, 0.924–1.041, p = 0.515), as well as high TG level (OR, 0.999, 95% CI, 0.932–1.071, p = 0.974), showed no significant correlation with facial aging.ConclusionsThe two‐sample MR analysis conducted in this study revealed a positive causal relationship between high HDL levels and facial aging. In contrast, facial aging demonstrated no significant correlation with high levels of TC, LDL, or TG. Further large‐sample prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and to provide appropriate recommendations regarding nutrition management to delay the aging process among old patients in East Asia.
Modal Analysis and Output Characteristics of an Ultrasonic Motor With a Square Prismatic Shell Stator
Authors: Zhang Dongsheng , Zhang Jingyang , Peng Xu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
A rotary traveling wave ultrasonic motor having a square prismatic shell stator is proposed. The stator contacts with the rotor through an interference fit, elastically deforms slightly, and then presses against the rotor. Then, the pre-pressure is created by the initial deformation of the stator with a simple structure. The in-plane modal problem of the stator is analyzed by a numerical method as a folded beam, and the results are compared with those from finite element method (FEM) and laser doppler measurement. The third and fifth degenerate modes with repeat natural frequencies are selected as working modes, and the influence of actuating frequency and voltage on the no-load speed and stall torque is studied by multi-physics simulation for the operation of these two modes. A prototype is fabricated and the output characteristics were tested and compared with the simulated results. The 3rd working mode is found to have better performance and can reach a no-load speed of 205 rpm and maximum torque of 3.9 mN·m when the input is 28.0 kHz and 100 V. The effect of the pre-pressure for the third working mode is discussed further.
A Cognitive Approach for Modeling Customer Demand Dynamics for Optimal Product Release Strategies
Authors: Walter Ian , Paré Philip E. , Panchal Jitesh H. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
As agile processes are increasingly adopted for product design, and as consumer preferences are rapidly evolving with increasing information available from digital media, there is a need for a demand model that can accommodate the dynamics of product development. However, existing models of demand estimation, such as the discrete-choice models, do not capture the dynamics of product development and decision-making processes and thus are unable to effectively capture the effect of product updates and the release of information. To address this gap, we present a dynamic demand model and demonstrate how it can be used to determine the optimal time to release product updates. The demand model is based on decision field theory (DFT), which enables the modeling of the dynamic behavior of human decision makers. The contributions of this article are as follows. First, we formulate a computational model for demand modeling built on DFT and demonstrate the viability of using the model to determine product release strategies. Second, we provide analytical approximations of the demand model and compare the accuracy of the approximated demand against the demand predicted by the dynamics model. Third, we show an example of a game played by competitors trying to optimize demand for their products by choosing the optimal update time relative to each other. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of parameter estimation using only the demand data.
Impact of Oil Supply Conditions on Water Lubrication Assisted With Minimal Secondary Lubricating Medium
Authors: Ji Hao , Yu Tao , Zhang Xiaohan , Guo Feng , Liang Peng , Poll Gerhard 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Previous research has revealed that introducing a secondary lubricating medium can temporarily enhance water-lubricated bearing performance, thereby reducing the risk of lubrication failure under challenging conditions. This study aims to identify the optimal injection point for the secondary lubricating medium and evaluates oil supply rate effects. Experiments are conducted using a block-on-ring test rig, complemented by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Three oil supply settings, upstream, inlet and outlet of the contact region, are compared. Results show that upstream oil supply led to a lower critical speed at which the added oil loses any effect compared to the inlet oil supply and outlet oil supply. The effect of oil supply rates on friction reduction varies among the oil supply settings and ring rotational speeds. In conclusion, the most effective oil supply setting positions the injector at the outlet of the contact region, outperforming placement at the entrance of the contact region.
Asymptotic Study of Flows Induced by Oscillations of Cylindrical Bodies
Authors: Nuriev A. N. , Zaitseva O. N. , Kamalutdinov A. M. , Bogdanovich E. E. , Baimuratova A. R. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Hydrodynamic flows induced by translational oscillations of cylindrical bodies of various cross-sectional shapes are studied. The motion of fluid around oscillating bodies is described using the system of Navier–Stokes equations written in a generalized curvilinear coordinate system. Transition to a given body shape is implemented using a conformal mapping. The problem is solved using the method of successive asymptotic expansions under the assumption that the oscillation amplitudes are small. In each asymptotic approximation, the subproblems are solved numerically using the finite-difference method. Based on the results of the work, estimates of the hydrodynamic effect are obtained, the applicability of the high-frequency asymptotic approximation is estimated, and secondary stationary flows near cylinders are studied, in particular, the occurrence of directed stationary flows near an oscillating asymmetric body is considered with reference to the Joukowski airfoil.
Developing and validating prediction models for severe exacerbations and readmissions in patients hospitalised for COPD exacerbation (SERCO) in China: a prospective observational study
Authors: Wang Ye , He Ruoxi , Ren Xiaoxia , Huang Ke , Lei Jieping , Niu Hongtao , Li Wei , Dong Fen , Li Baicun , Yang Ting , Wang Chen 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThere is a lack of individualised prediction models for patients hospitalised with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for clinical practice. We developed and validated prediction models of severe exacerbations and readmissions in patients hospitalised for COPD exacerbation (SERCO).MethodsData were obtained from the Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Inpatient Registry study (NCT02657525) in China. Cause-specific hazard models were used to estimate coefficients. C-statistic was used to evaluate the discrimination. Slope and intercept were used to evaluate the calibration and used for model adjustment. Models were validated internally by 10-fold cross-validation and externally using data from different regions. Risk-stratified scoring scales and nomograms were provided. The discrimination ability of the SERCO model was compared with the exacerbation history in the previous year.ResultsTwo sets with 2196 and 1869 patients from different geographical regions were used for model development and external validation. The 12-month severe exacerbations cumulative incidence rates were 11.55% (95% CI 10.06% to 13.16%) in development cohorts and 12.30% (95% CI 10.67% to 14.05%) in validation cohorts. The COPD-specific readmission incidence rates were 11.31% (95% CI 9.83% to 12.91%) and 12.26% (95% CI 10.63% to 14.02%), respectively. Demographic characteristics, medical history, comorbidities, drug usage, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage and interactions were included as predictors. C-indexes for severe exacerbations were 77.3 (95% CI 70.7 to 83.9), 76.5 (95% CI 72.6 to 80.4) and 74.7 (95% CI 71.2 to 78.2) at 1, 6 and 12 months. The corresponding values for readmissions were 77.1 (95% CI 70.1 to 84.0), 76.3 (95% CI 72.3 to 80.4) and 74.5 (95% CI 71.0 to 78.0). The SERCO model was consistently discriminative and accurate with C-indexes in the derivation and internal validation groups. In external validation, the C-indexes were relatively lower at 60–70 levels. The SERCO model discriminated outcomes better than prior severe exacerbation history. The slope and intercept after adjustment showed close agreement between predicted and observed risks. However, in external validation, the models may overestimate the risk in higher-risk groups. The model-driven risk groups showed significant disparities in prognosis.ConclusionThe SERCO model provides individual predictions for severe exacerbation and COPD-specific readmission risk, which enables identifying high-risk patients and implementing personalised preventive intervention for patients with COPD.