bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintaining energy provision in the heart: the creatine kinase system in ischaemia–reperfusion injury and chronic heart failure
Authors: Lygate Craig A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The non-stop provision of chemical energy is of critical importance to normal cardiac function, requiring the rapid turnover of ATP to power both relaxation and contraction. Central to this is the creatine kinase (CK) phosphagen system, which buffers local ATP levels to optimise the energy available from ATP hydrolysis, to stimulate energy production via the mitochondria and to smooth out mismatches between energy supply and demand. In this review, we discuss the changes that occur in high-energy phosphate metabolism (i.e., in ATP and phosphocreatine) during ischaemia and reperfusion, which represents an acute crisis of energy provision. Evidence is presented from preclinical models that augmentation of the CK system can reduce ischaemia–reperfusion injury and improve functional recovery. Energetic impairment is also a hallmark of chronic heart failure, in particular, down-regulation of the CK system and loss of adenine nucleotides, which may contribute to pathophysiology by limiting ATP supply. Herein, we discuss the evidence for this hypothesis based on preclinical studies and in patients using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We conclude that the correlative evidence linking impaired energetics to cardiac dysfunction is compelling; however, causal evidence from loss-of-function models remains equivocal. Nevertheless, proof-of-principle studies suggest that augmentation of CK activity is a therapeutic target to improve cardiac function and remodelling in the failing heart. Further work is necessary to translate these findings to the clinic, in particular, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the CK system is regulated in disease.
Determining the time before or after a galaxy merger event
Authors: Pearson W. J. , Rodriguez-Gomez V. , Kruk S. , Margalef-Bentabol B. 
Published: April 2024

Aims.This work aims to reproduce the time before or after a merger event of merging galaxies from the IllustrisTNG cosmological simulation using machine learning.Methods.Images of merging galaxies were created in theu,g,r, andibands from IllustrisTNG. The merger times were determined using the time difference between the last simulation snapshot where the merging galaxies were tracked as two galaxies and the first snapshot where the merging galaxies were tracked as a single galaxy. This time was then further refined using simple gravity simulations. These data were then used to train a residual network (ResNet50), a Swin Transformer (Swin), a convolutional neural network (CNN), and an autoencoder (using a single latent neuron) to reproduce the merger time. The full latent space of the autoencoder was also studied to see if it reproduces the merger time better than the other methods. This was done by reducing the latent space dimensions using Isomap, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), neighbourhood components analysis, sparse random projection, truncated singular value decomposition, and uniform manifold approximation and projection.Results.The CNN is the best of all the neural networks. The performance of the autoencoder was close to the CNN, with Swin close behind the autoencoder. ResNet50 performed the worst. The LDA dimensionality reduction performed the best of the six methods used. The exploration of the full latent space produced worse results than the single latent neuron of the autoencoder. For the test data set, we found a median error of 190 Myr, comparable to the time separation between snapshots in IllustrisTNG. Galaxies more than ≈625 Myr before a merger have poorly recovered merger times, as well as galaxies more than ≈125 Myr after a merger event.
Solar photospheric spectrum microvariability
Authors: Dravins Dainis , Ludwig Hans-Günter 
Published: April 2024

Context. The search for small exoplanets around solar-type stars is limited by stellar physical variability, such as a jittering in the apparent photospheric radial velocity. While chromospheric variability has been aptly studied, challenges remain for the observation, modeling. and understanding the much smaller fluctuations in photospheric spectral line strengths, shapes, and shifts.
Aims. Extreme-precision radial-velocity spectrometers allow for highly precise stellar spectroscopy and time series of the Sun (seen as a star) enable the monitoring of its photospheric variability. Understanding such microvariability through hydrodynamic 3D models would require diagnostics from different categories of well-defined photospheric lines with specific formation conditions. Fluctuations in their line strengths may indeed be correlated with radial-velocity excursions and prove useful in identifying observable proxies for their monitoring.
Methods. From three years of HARPS-N observations of the Sun-as-a-star at λ/Δλ ∼ 100 000, we selected 1000 low-noise spectra and measured line absorption in Fe I, Fe II, Mg I, Mn I, Hα, Hβ, Hγ, Na I, and the G-band. We examined their variations and likely atmospheric origins, also with respect to simultaneously measured chromospheric emission and apparent radial velocity.
Results. Systematic line-strength variability is seen, largely shadowing the solar-cycle evolution of Ca II H & K emission, but to smaller extents (typically on a sub-percent level). Among iron lines, the greatest amplitudes have been seen for Fe II in the blue, while the trends change sign among strong lines in the green Mg I triplet and between Balmer lines. Variations in the G-band core are greater than of the full G-band, in line with theoretical predictions. No variation is detected in the semi-forbidden Mg Iλ 457.1 nm. Hyperfine split Mn I behaves largely similar to Fe I. For lines at longer wavelengths, telluric absorption limits the achievable precision.
Conclusions. Microvariability in the solar photospheric spectrum displays systematic signatures among various features. These measure values that are different than the classical Ca II H & K index, while still reflecting a strong influence from magnetic regions. Although unprecedented precision can be achieved from radial-velocity spectrometers, current resolutions are not adequate to reveal changes in detailed line shapes; in addition, their photometric calibration is not perfect. A forthcoming priority will be to model microvariability in solar magnetic regions, which could also provide desired specifications for future instrumentation toward exoEarth detections.
Radiographers’ attitudes toward the principles of patient radiation protection in the Souss Massa region of Morocco
Authors: El Fahssi M. , Semghouli S. , Amaoui B. , Elkhalladi J. , Çaoui M , Jroundi L. 
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Radiographers play a vital role in patient radiation protection. Their training, supervision, and involvement in radiation protection programmes require greater attention from all stakeholders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2023 to assess Radiographers’ attitudes toward the principles of patient radiation protection in the Souss Massa region of Morocco. An anonymous questionnaire containing 22 questions was sent to 80 radiographers practicing in the Sous Massa region. Results: 67.5% of the radiographers confirmed that they did not use a guide to radiological procedures. 85% of them confirmed that they had checked for the possibility of pregnancy each time a woman of childbearing age was involved in a conventional X-ray, compared with 97.5% who checked for the possibility of pregnancy in a CT scan. 97.5 % of our participants said that they automatically (without medical advice) repeated the X-ray examination if the image was not interpretable. 90% of radiographers said that they did not report parameters for dose estimation for each conventional X-ray examination, and 72.5% did not report data for dose estimation for CT-scan examinations. The results showed no association between gender and professional experience on the one hand and radiographers’ practices on the other. Nevertheless, there is an association between the workplace and certain radiographers’ practices, indicating the lack of a regional strategy aimed at standardizing procedures and radiation protection practices at the level of all radiology departments. Conclusion: It is vital to launch a patient dose management program in the Souss Massa region and campaigns to raise radiographers’ awareness of recommended patient radiation protection practices.
Antikoagulation bei abnormer Nierenfunktion oder Dialyse
Authors: Brandenburg Vincent , Henrik Heine Gunnar 
Published: April 2024

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGPatienten mit Vorhofflimmern (VHF) und erhöhtem Risiko für Schlaganfall und systemische Embolie (SSE) sind mit CKD G1–3 (CKD: „chronic kidney disease“) klare Kandidaten für eine Therapie mit neuen orale Antikoagulanzien (NOAK). Patienten mit VHF und erhöhtem SSE-Risiko sind mit CKD 4 wahrscheinlich gute Kandidaten für eine NOAK-Therapie; Vitamin-K-Antagonisten (VKA) sind hier formal kontraindiziert. Keine Art der oralen Antikoagulation (OAK) ist bei Dialysepatienten in Europa explizit zugelassen. Es ist unklar, ob Dialysepatienten von irgendeiner OAK hinsichtlich ischämischem Schlaganfallrisiko und Mortalität bei akzeptablem Blutungsrisiko profitieren. Die Therapie mit einem NOAK ist auch bei Dialyse möglich. Eine Aufklärung über den Off-Label-Gebrauch sollte erfolgen. Die Studie VALKYRIE deutet an, dass eine Rivaroxaban-Therapie (10 mg/d) bei Dialysepatienten eine höhere Effektivität und Sicherheit hat als eine VKA-Therapie. Die Implantation eines LAA-Okkluders kann eine recht sichere und effektive Alternative zur OAK bei Dialysepatienten sein. Hierzu sollte eine Entscheidung durch ein Behandlungsteam gesucht werden.
Erster Schritt Blankoverordnung
Authors: Pintarelli-Rauschenbach Manuela 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungDer Start der Blankoverordnung im Praxisalltag steht kurz bevor. Im März 2024 wird noch mit Hochdruck an
der Vereinbarung gearbeitet und eine Einigung in Kürze erwartet: Auf eine Regelung für den
Geltungsbereich Schulter hatten sich die Vertragspartner bereits vor dem Redaktionsschluss dieser Ausgabe
geeinigt. Ab ► Seite 14 erläutern wir die klaren Vorteile der Blankoverordnung. Wir betrachten sie
als einen ersten Schritt, der uns mehr Autonomie in der Therapiewahl erlaubt und unseren Beruf
attraktiver macht.
A versatile photon counting system with active afterpulse suppression for free-running negative-feedback avalanche diodes
Authors: Sultana Nigar , Bourgoin Jean-Philippe , Kuntz Katanya B. , Jennewein Thomas 
Published: April 2024

InGaAs/InP-based negative-feedback avalanche diodes (NFADs) have been demonstrated to be an excellent option for photon detection at telecom wavelengths in quantum communication applications, where photon arrival times are random. However, it is well-known that the operation of NFADs at low temperatures (193 K or below) is crucial to minimize the effects of afterpulsing and high dark count rates (DCRs). In this work, we present a new versatile readout electronics system with active afterpulse suppression that also offers flexible cooling options. Through the characterization of two NFAD detectors from Princeton Lightwave, Inc. and a thorough evaluation of our electronics’ performance under various operating conditions, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this readout system in improving the performance of NFAD-based photon detectors. At the optimal bias for NFADs, our electronics were able to significantly reduce the afterpulsing probability by a factor of 200 for dead times ranging from 5 to 20 µs following each detection event. This helps to keep the total DCRs at around 100 counts per second or less for a 20 µs hold-off time. The versatility of our detection system makes NFADs a cost-effective alternative to more complex detectors, such as superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, in the research of long-distance quantum communications and low-noise single photon detectors at telecommunication wavelengths.
Slice emittance measurements using a slit-grid system and a fast wall-current monitor
Authors: Togawa Kazuaki 
Published: April 2024

The time evolution of beam properties in an electron bunch with the duration of a nanosecond was measured with a time resolution of several tens of picoseconds. A combination of horizontal and vertical slits cuts the beamlet from the original beam, with the current waveform of the beamlet measured using a fast wall-current monitor. The reconstruction of the waveform data obtained by scanning these two slits over the entire beam area provided the time evolution of the spatial profile. A similar measurement using two horizontal (vertical) slits separated by a certain distance also provides the time evolution of the phase–space profile. Using this method, the initial beam extracted from the CeB6 thermionic electron gun of the x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) SACLA was evaluated. Although the slice emittance in the bunch was measured to be constant, the centroid of the spatial profile moved in the transverse direction by a few hundred micrometers in the 0.6 ns flat-top region. This movement arises from the temporal variation in the rectangular high-voltage pulse of the beam chopper and can cause an increase in the projected emittance. These measurements are important for evaluating the conditions of the initial beam emitted from the cathode and processed downstream of the gun. Hence, the proposed diagnostic system will play an important role in developing an extremely low-emittance electron beam or an artificial electron beam with a multi-bunch or micro-bunch structure that enhances the brightness of the XFEL light.
Ultrasound enhanced diffusion in hydrogels: An experimental and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics study
Authors: Price Sebastian E. N. , Einen Caroline , Moultos Othonas A. , Vlugt Thijs J. H. , Davies Catharina de Lange , Eiser Erika , Lervik Anders 
Published: April 2024

Focused ultrasound has experimentally been found to enhance the diffusion of nanoparticles; our aim with this work is to study this effect closer using both experiments and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. Measurements from single particle tracking of 40 nm polystyrene nanoparticles in an agarose hydrogel with and without focused ultrasound are presented and compared with a previous experimental study using 100 nm polystyrene nanoparticles. In both cases, we observed an increase in the mean square displacement during focused ultrasound treatment. We developed a coarse-grained non-equilibrium molecular dynamics model with an implicit solvent to investigate the increase in the mean square displacement and its frequency and amplitude dependencies. This model consists of polymer fibers and two sizes of nanoparticles, and the effect of the focused ultrasound was modeled as an external oscillating force field. A comparison between the simulation and experimental results shows similar mean square displacement trends, suggesting that the particle velocity is a significant contributor to the observed ultrasound-enhanced mean square displacement. The resulting diffusion coefficients from the model are compared to the diffusion equation for a two-time continuous time random walk. The model is found to have the same frequency dependency. At lower particle velocity amplitude values, the model has a quadratic relation with the particle velocity amplitude as described by the two-time continuous time random walk derived diffusion equation, but at higher amplitudes, the model deviates, and its diffusion coefficient reaches the non-hindered diffusion coefficient. This observation suggests that at higher ultrasound intensities in hydrogels, the non-hindered diffusion coefficient can be used.
Investigation of chemically treated jute/kenaf/glass fiber with TiO2 nano-filler for tensile and impact characteristics
Authors: Jothi Arunachalam S. , Saravanan R. , Sathish T. , Haider Sajjad , Giri Jayant 
Published: April 2024

The essential objective of this work was to investigate the effect of silane treatment on the tensile and impact strength of composites made of jute/kenaf/glass fibers with the TiO2 nano-filler. This study also sought to optimize the factors connected with this treatment method. To develop and evaluate trials, the researchers used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with central composite designs, emphasizing the optimization of silane concentration, immersion time, and nano-filler content. The researchers were able to effectively create quadratic models to forecast the tensile and impact strengths of the nano-composite throughout the silane treatment procedure. The adjustment of silane concentration, immersion duration, and nano-filler content discovered the best conditions for obtaining maximum tensile strength. The optimal values for silane concentration and immersion time have been identified to be 15 wt. % and 30 min, respectively. Considering these conditions, the composite’s tensile strength increased by 32.13% and its impact strength improved by 8.34% above the lowest values achieved from RSM optimization. The results demonstrate the practical value of silane treatment, notably in boosting tensile and impact strengths while enhancing interfacial adhesive among natural fibers and polymer matrices.
Lamb survival and weight at marking may be reduced in ewes lambing on forage oats after grazing lucerne during late pregnancy
Authors: Robertson Susan M. , Morton Walter , Friend Michael A. , Allworth Bruce , Bhanugopan Marie 
Published: April 2024

Context Grazing of cereal forage crops is perceived as a risk for increased perinatal lamb mortality. Aims This study evaluated whether grazing oat forage during late pregnancy and/or the lambing period increased lamb mortality compared with grazing a legume (lucerne)-based pasture. Methods Merino ewes (n = 636) were allocated to two replicates of two litter sizes (singles or twins), which grazed the following three forage treatments: either legume-based pasture or oat forage (Avena sativa) from 42 days before and throughout a 4-week lambing period, or a legume-based pasture until 9–12 days pre-lambing before grazing oats throughout the lambing period. All groups were offered a calcium, magnesium and sodium mineral supplement to reduce the risk of deficiency. Key results Lamb survival to marking was similar for ewes grazing legumes (84.2 ± 1.94%) or oat forage (78.5 ± 1.94%) throughout, but was reduced (P = 0.022) for ewes that grazed oats only during the lambing period (71.0 ± 1.94%) compared with those that remained on legumes. The latter was associated with a greater (P = 0.016) loss of condition score in the ewes. The weight of lambs at marking age was 2 kg higher (P ≤ 0.05) when grazed on legume-based pasture during the 4 week lambing period rather than oats. Minimal ewe mortality (0.47%) occurred, no metabolic disease was observed and few ewes (1.3%) required assistance at parturition. None of the sampled ewes was subclinically deficient in calcium or magnesium. Conclusions The study indicates lamb survival was not reduced by grazing oats for an extended period throughout late pregnancy and lambing. Further research is required to determine whether the recorded reduction in lamb survival from grazing oats only during lambing occurs consistently. Implications Ewes may safely graze oat forage throughout late pregnancy and lambing when offered a calcium, magnesium and salt supplement, without this increasing perinatal lamb mortality relative to a legume-based pasture, but there may be a penalty in lamb growth rates and loss of ewe condition, and lamb survival may be reduced with an abrupt change to oats for the lambing period.
Degrees of disagreement and reliability of information sources in pro- and anti-vaccination comments on
Facebook
Authors: Kotwica Dorota , Albelda Marco Marta 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the Spanish Ministry of Health shared informative posts on platforms
like Facebook, sparking heated debates. This paper utilizes a custom corpus of Facebook comments with evidential elements to
explore the disagreement and confrontation in online comments from pro- and anti-vaccine advocates. The study also analyses the
types of evidence employed by posters to support their positions, revealing potential hierarchies of information sources in terms
of reliability and validity.
Findings indicate that anti-vaccine advocates (i) engage in stronger disagreement than vaccine supporters; (ii)
use disqualification and hostile speech acts slightly more; and (iii) employ more impolite strategies. Moreover, the study shows
differences between these two user groups with regard to the sources of the information they chose to use: anti-vaccine posters
employ a higher percentage of more objective types of evidence, while pro-vaccine posters resort to evidence based on more
subjective, and personal sources.
The gamma-variate in contrast-enhanced imaging: a unified view and method from computed to electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Silva Diogo F , Leonhardt Steffen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective. Modern medical imaging plays a vital role in clinical practice, enabling non-invasive visualization of anatomical structures. Dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) imaging is a technique that uses contrast agents to visualize blood flow dynamics in a time-resolved manner. It can be applied to different modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and electrical impedance tomography (EIT). This study aims to develop a common theoretical and practical hemodynamic extraction basis for DCE modelling across modalities, based on the gamma-variate function. Approach. The study introduces a framework to generate time-intensity curves for multiple DCE imaging modalities from user-defined hemodynamic parameters. Thus, extensive datasets were simulated for both DCE-CT and EIT, representing different hemodynamic scenarios. Additionally, gamma-variate extensions to account for several physiological effects were detailed in a modality-agnostic manner, and three corresponding fitting strategies, namely nonlinear, linear, and a novel hybrid approach, were implemented and compared on the basis of accuracy of parameter estimation, first pass reconstruction, speed of computation, and failure rate. Main results. As a result, we found the linear method to be the most modality-dependent, exhibiting the greatest bias, variance and failure rates, although remaining the fastest alternative. The hybrid method at least matches the state-of-the-art nonlinear method’s accuracy, while improving its robustness and speed by 10 times. Significance. Our research suggests that the hybrid method may bring noteworthy accuracy and efficiency improvements in handling the high-dimensionality of DCE imaging in general, being a step towards real-time processing. Moreover, our generative model presents a potential asset to produce benchmarking and data augmentation datasets across modalities.