bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance status at the time of lung retransplant predicts long‐term function
Authors: Deitz Rachel L. , Clifford Sarah , Ryan John P. , Chan Ernest G. , Coster Jenalee N. , Furukawa Masashi , Hage Chadi A. , Sanchez Pablo G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundLung retransplantation is offered to select patients with chronic allograft dysfunction. Given the increased risk of morbidity and mortality conferred by retransplantation, post‐transplant function should be considered in the decision of who and when to list. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of post‐operative disability in patients undergoing lung retransplantation.MethodsData were collected from the UNOS national dataset and included all patients who underwent lung retransplant from May 2005–March 2023. Pre‐ and post‐operative function was reported by the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and patients were stratified based on their needs. Cumulative link mixed effects models identified associations between pre‐transplant variables and post‐transplant function.ResultsA total of 1275 lung retransplant patients were included. After adjusting for between‐group differences, pre‐operative functional status was predictive of post‐transplant function; patients requiring Total Assistance (
n = 740) were 74% more likely than No/Some Assistance patients (n = 535) to require more assistance in follow‐up (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13–2.68, p = .012). Estimated one year survival of Total Assistance patients is lower than No/Some Assistance Recipients (72% vs. 82%, CI 69%–75%; 79%–86%) but similar to overall re‐transplant survival (76%, CI 74%–79%).ConclusionBoth survival and regain of function in patients requiring Total Assistance prior to retransplant may be higher than previously reported. Pre‐operative functional status is predictive of post‐operative function and should weigh in the selection, timing and post‐operative care of patients considered for lung retransplantation.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mibavademab (a leptin receptor agonist): Results from a first‐in‐human phase I study
Authors: Gewitz Andrew , Mendell Jeanne , Wang Yuhuan , Harris Charles , Olenchock Benjamin A. , Podgrabinska Simona , Zheng Wenjun , Zhao An , Pan Hao , Vanhoutte Frédéric , Davis John D. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMibavademab (previously known as REGN4461), a fully human monoclonal antibody, is being investigated for the treatment of conditions associated with leptin deficiency. Here, we report pharmacokinetics (PKs), pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity from a phase I study in healthy participants (NCT03530514). In part A, lean or overweight healthy participants were randomized to single‐ascending‐dose cohorts of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10, and 30 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.), or 300 and 600 mg subcutaneous doses of mibavademab or placebo. In part B, overweight or obese participants were randomized to receive multiple doses of mibavademab (15 mg/kg i.v. loading dose and 10 mg/kg i.v. at weeks 3, 6, and 9) or placebo, stratified by body mass index and baseline leptin levels: low leptin (<5 ng/mL) or relatively low leptin (5–8 ng/mL in men and 5–24 ng/mL in women). Fifty‐six and 55 participants completed the single‐ascending‐dose and multiple‐dose parts, respectively. In the single‐ascending‐dose cohorts, mibavademab PKs were nonlinear with target‐mediated elimination, greater than dose‐proportional increases in exposure, and there were no dose‐dependent differences in total soluble leptin receptor (sLEPR) levels in serum over time. Following multiple‐dose administration of mibavademab in participants with leptin <8 ng/mL, lower mean mibavademab concentrations, higher mean total sLEPR concentrations, and larger mean decreases in body weight than in the relatively low leptin cohorts were observed. Baseline leptin was correlated with mibavademab PKs and pharmacodynamics. No treatment‐emergent anti‐mibavademab antibodies were observed in any mibavademab‐treated participant. Results from this study collectively inform further development of mibavademab to treat conditions associated with leptin deficiency.
Calcium isotope fractionation by intracellular amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) forming cyanobacteria
Authors: Mehta Neha , Bradbury Harold , Benzerara Karim 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe formation of intracellular amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) by various cyanobacteria is a widespread biomineralization process, yet its mechanism and importance in past and modern environments remain to be fully comprehended. This study explores whether calcium (Ca) isotope fractionation, linked to ACC‐forming cyanobacteria, can serve as a reliable tracer for detecting these microorganisms in modern and ancient settings. Accordingly, we measured stable Ca isotope fractionation during Ca uptake by the intracellular ACC‐forming cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. PCC 7425. Our results show that Cyanothece sp. PCC 7425 cells are enriched in lighter Ca isotopes relative to the solution. This finding is consistent with the kinetic isotope effects observed in the Ca isotope fractionation during biogenic carbonate formation by marine calcifying organisms. The Ca isotope composition of Cyanothece sp. PCC 7425 was accurately modeled using a Rayleigh fractionation model, resulting in a Ca isotope fractionation factor (Δ44Ca) equal to −0.72 ± 0.05‰. Numerical modeling suggests that Ca uptake by these cyanobacteria is primarily unidirectional, with minimal back reaction observed over the duration of the experiment. Finally, we compared our Δ44Ca values with those of other biotic and abiotic carbonates, revealing similarities with organisms that form biogenic calcite. These similarities raise questions about the effectiveness of using the Ca isotope fractionation factor as a univocal tracer of ACC‐forming cyanobacteria in the environment. We propose that the use of Δ44Ca in combination with other proposed tracers of ACC‐forming cyanobacteria such as Ba and Sr isotope fractionation factors and/or elevated Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios may provide a more reliable approach.
Efficacy of fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Guo Chenqi , Gu Xiangru , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Junchen , Xu Fan , Wang Yingdong , Zhang Min , Zhang Yu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionVitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder. This work is performed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy in treating vitiligo.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone for vitiligo were included. The Cochrane Collaborative Network Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Statistical analysis was completed using RevMan5.3 software and Stata 15.0 software. The GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for outcomes.ResultsIn this study, 10 RCTs and 1333 patients were included. The results showed that compared with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone, fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is more effective in improving clinical effective rate (RR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.24, 1.50], p < 0.00001), serum CD4+ level (MD = 3.12, 95% CI [2.50, 3.74], p < 0.00001), CD4+/CD8+ ratio (MD = 0.24, 95% CI [0.09, 0.39], p = 0.001), and quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (MD = 3.76, 95% CI [3.33, 4.19], p < 0.00001), and reducing the Vitiligo Area Score Index (VASI) (MD = −5.47, 95% CI [−6.56, −4.37], p < 0.00001). The reported adverse events, including redness, swelling, pain, blisters, and itching, were controllable, and all these events were well tolerated.ConclusionThe current evidence indicates that fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is effective and safe for vitiligo. However, owing to the suboptimal quality of the included studies, more high‐quality and large‐scale RCTs are needed for comprehensive analysis and further validation.
Phylogeography, origin and population structure of the self‐fertile emerging plant pathogen Phytophthora pseudosyringae
Authors: Mullett Martin S. , Harris Anna R. , Scanu Bruno , Van Poucke Kris , LeBoldus Jared , Stamm Elizabeth , Bourret Tyler B. , Christova Petya K. , Oliva Jonás , Redondo Miguel A. , Talgø Venche , Corcobado Tamara , Milenković Ivan , Jung Marília Horta , Webber Joan , Heungens Kurt , Jung Thomas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPhytophthora pseudosyringae is a self‐fertile pathogen of woody plants, particularly associated with tree species from the genera Fagus, Notholithocarpus, Nothofagus and Quercus, which is found across Europe and in parts of North America and Chile. It can behave as a soil pathogen infecting roots and the stem collar region, as well as an aerial pathogen infecting leaves, twigs and stem barks, causing particular damage in the United Kingdom and western North America. The population structure, migration and potential outcrossing of a worldwide collection of isolates were investigated using genotyping‐by‐sequencing. Coalescent‐based migration analysis revealed that the North American population originated from Europe. Historical gene flow has occurred between the continents in both directions to some extent, yet contemporary migration is overwhelmingly from Europe to North America. Two broad population clusters dominate the global population of the pathogen, with a subgroup derived from one of the main clusters found only in western North America. Index of association and network analyses indicate an influential level of outcrossing has occurred in this preferentially inbreeding, homothallic oomycete. Outcrossing between the two main population clusters has created distinct subgroups of admixed individuals that are, however, less common than the main population clusters. Differences in life history traits between the two main population clusters should be further investigated together with virulence and host range tests to evaluate the risk each population poses to natural environments worldwide.
Crowdsourced data in public administration research: A review and look to the future
Authors: Stritch Justin M. , Pedersen Mogens Jin , Pezo Ignacio 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCrowdsourcing platforms such as MTurk and Prolific have emerged as data sources for researchers in the social sciences. This article delves into the past, present, and future use of crowdsourced data in public administration scholarship. Through a review of published articles in top public administration journals (years 2013–2022), we uncover a general growth in the use of crowdsourced data over time. Additionally, we document how researchers have leveraged crowdsourced data to study a diverse range of themes and topics, with particular emphasis on survey experimental approaches and the examination of citizen attitudes and responses. Moreover, drawing on insights from a survey among quantitative public administration researchers, we discuss why the use of crowdsourced data is unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future—despite ongoing debates regarding data quality and validity. We provide a set of guiding questions for researchers to consider when using crowdsourced data in public administration studies.
The invention of race and the persistence of racial hierarchy: White privilege, White supremacy, and White colorblindness
Authors: DiTomaso Nancy 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGiven the long history of contention over the meaning of race and the continued discomfort about what role it plays in the structure of inequality, I endeavor to clarify the origins of the association of race with skin color and other physical features by briefly discussing the historical record by which race became codified in law. My focus is the U.S. and specifically Colonial Virginia, where the codification of racial categories in law was especially consequential. I also discuss the existence of a racial hierarchy in which Whites are dominant and Nonwhites of various types are subordinate. I argue that the continued existence of this racial hierarchy not only has a legacy from the past, but it is reproduced in the present and continues to have major effects on the life chances of those thought of as belonging to different racial groups. I also discuss the elasticity, ambiguity, and contested nature of racial classifications, as well as the internal differentiation among those thought to belong to the same racial groups and the changes and variations over time that are continually remaking the meaning of race. Because of the political significance of race, I also clarify the meaning of key concepts that have been receiving recent attention: White privilege, White supremacy, and White colorblindness. Finally, I discuss race as a process rather than as a classification and briefly discuss how Whites and men can become allies, advocates, and activists in support of social justice.
Application of a Ranque–Hilsch Vortex Flow in an Internal Cooling of a Gas Turbine Engine Blade
Authors: Galeana Daisy , Abebe Ashenafi , Beyene Asfaw 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The efficiency of a gas turbine engine is directly impacted by the turbine inlet temperature and the corresponding pressure ratio. A major strategy, aside from the use of costly high-temperature blade materials, is increasing the turbine inlet temperature by internally cooling the blades using pressurized air from the engine compressor. Understanding the fluid mechanics and heat transfer of internal blade cooling is, therefore, of paramount importance for increasing the temperature threshold, hence increasing engine efficiency. This article presents modeling and test results of a novel cooling approach, one in which the Ranque–Hilsch vortex flow is adopted for the first-row gas turbine blade cooling. Simulation and test results demonstrate the successful formation of continuous Ranque–Hilsch vortex flow by injecting compressed air into a cylindrical chamber equipped with seven air inlets. At an inlet pressure of 100 kPa, the outlet temperature from the vortex tube dropped 255 °C, which allowed the blade temperature to cool by 47 °C. When a total inlet pressure of 300 kPa was admitted, the drop-in temperature reached 65 °C. The device has the potential to drop the cooling air temperature below the freezing point with increased inlet pressure. The thermal efficiency of the gas turbine blade increased by about 3% when vortex cooling with 10% mass of partially compressed air was extracted at about 910 kPa. For the tested scenario of a 17 MW power output, the partial extraction had a better efficiency increment than extraction at full compression, which was 1200 kPa.
The potentiality of bacteria to drive SARS-CoV-2 mutation
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Li Shun , Xue Mengzhou 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

A recent study published in
mBio
by Cao et al. revealed the crucial roles of bacteria in benefitting SARS-CoV-2 mutations (B. Cao, X. Wang, W. Yin, Z. Gao, and B. Xia, mBio e3187-23, 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03187-23
). Understanding the underlying mechanisms driving the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for predicting the future trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and developing preventive and treatment strategies. This study provides important insights into the rapid and complex evolution of viruses facilitated by bacterial-virus interactions.
Global, regional and national epidemiology of allergic disorders in children from 1990 to 2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Lv Jia-jie , Kong Xiang-meng , Zhao Yan , Li Xin-yu , Guo Zhi-lin , Zhang Yuan-jie , Cheng Zhi-hua 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveThis modelling study aimed to estimate the burden for allergic diseases in children during a period of 30 years.DesignPopulation-based observational study.Main outcomes and measuresThe data on the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for childhood allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma, were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 online database. This data set spans various groups, including different regions, ages, genders and Socio-Demographic Indices (SDI), covering the period from 1990 to 2019.ResultsIn 2019, there were approximately 81 million children with asthma and 5.6 million children with AD worldwide. The global incidence of asthma in children was 20 million. Age-standardised incidence rates showed a decrease of 4.17% for asthma, from 1075.14 (95% uncertainty intervals (UI), 724.63 to 1504.93) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 1030.33 (95% UI, 683.66 to 1449.53) in 2019. Similarly, the rates for AD decreased by 5.46%, from 594.05 (95% UI, 547.98 to 642.88) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 561.61 (95% UI, 519.03 to 608.29) in 2019. The incidence of both asthma and AD was highest in children under 5 years of age, gradually decreasing with age. Interestingly, an increase in SDI was associated with a rise in the incidence of both conditions. However, the mortality rate and DALYs for asthma showed a contrasting trend.ConclusionsOver the past three decades, there has been a worldwide increase in new asthma and AD cases, even though mortality rates have significantly declined. However, the prevalence of these allergic diseases among children varies considerably across regions, countries and age groups. This variation highlights the need for precise prevalence assessments. These assessments are vital in formulating effective strategies for prevention and treatment.
Do medical specialists accept claims-based Audit and Feedback for quality improvement? A focus group study
Authors: de Weerdt Vera , Ybema Sierk , Repping Sjoerd , van der Hijden Eric , Willems Hanna 
Published: April 2024

ObjectivesAudit and Feedback (A&F) is a widely used quality improvement (QI) intervention in healthcare. However, not all feedback is accepted by professionals. While claims-based feedback has been previously used for A&F interventions, its acceptance by medical specialists is largely unknown. This study examined medical specialists’ acceptance of claims-based A&F for QI.DesignQualitative design, with focus group discussions. Transcripts were analysed using discourse analysis.Setting and participantsA total of five online focus group discussions were conducted between April 2021 and September 2022 with 21 medical specialists from varying specialties (urology; paediatric surgery; gynaecology; vascular surgery; orthopaedics and trauma surgery) working in academic or regional hospitals in the Netherlands.ResultsParticipants described mixed views on using claims-based A&F for QI. Arguments mentioned in favour were (1) A&F stimulates reflective learning and improvement and (2) claims-based A&F is more reliable than other A&F. Arguments in opposition were that (1) A&F is insufficient to create behavioural change; (2) A&F lacks clinically meaningful interpretation; (3) claims data are invalid for feedback on QI; (4) claims-based A&F is unreliable and (5) A&F may be misused by health insurers. Furthermore, participants described several conditions for the implementation of A&F which shape their acceptance.ConclusionsUsing claims-based A&F for QI is, for some clinical topics and under certain conditions, accepted by medical specialists. Acceptance of claims-based A&F can be shaped by how A&F is implemented into clinical practice. When designing A&F for QI, it should be considered whether claims data, as the most resource-efficient data source, can be used or whether it is necessary to collect more specific data.
Power consumption during forward locomotion of C. elegans: an electrical circuit simulation
Authors: Jenderny Sebastian , Ochs Karlheinz , Hövel Philipp 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Biological neuronal networks are of great interest for emerging technological approaches such as neuromorphic engineering due to their capability to efficiently process information. To understand the principles governing this energy efficiency, it is useful to investigate model organisms with small and well-characterized neuronal networks. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is such a model organism and perfectly suited for this purpose, because its neuronal network consists of only 302 neurons whose interconnections are known. In this work, we design an ideal electrical circuit modeling this neuronal network in combination with the muscles it controls. We simulate this circuit by a run-time efficient wave digital algorithm. This allows us to investigate the energy consumption of the network occurring during locomotion of C. elegans and hence deduce potential design principles from an energy efficiency point of view. Simulation results verify that a locomotion is indeed generated. We conclude from the corresponding energy consumption rates that a small number of neurons in contrast to a high number of interconnections is favorable for consuming only little energy. This underlines the importance of interneurons. Moreover, we find that gap junctions are a more energy-efficient connection type than synapses, and inhibitory synapses consume more energy than excitatory ones. However, the energetically cheapest connection types are not the most frequent ones in C. elegans’ neuronal network. Therefore, a potential design principle of the network could be a balance between low energy costs and a certain functionality.

Graphical abstract
Energy consumption rates during forward locomotion of C. elegans. a Rates for the ion channels of all neurons, and b average rates for ion channels of a single, active neuron. c Comparison of average rates with respect to the number of active sensory, motor, and interneurons. d Rates for all gap junctions and synapses, and e rates for all synapses of a specific neurotransmitter type. f Average rates for a single synaptic or gap junctions connection vs the total number of connections present for the type of connection (i.e. ACh-synapse, GABA-synapse, Glu-synapse, gap junction).
The hybrid cosmology in the scalar-tensor representation of $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$ gravity
Authors: Kaczmarek Adam Z. , Szczȩśniak Dominik 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this work, the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory of gravity is recast in terms of the $$\phi $$
ϕ
and $$\psi $$
ψ
fields within the scalar-tensor formulation, where $${\mathcal {G}}$$
G
is the Gauss–Bonnet term and T denotes the trace of the energy–momentum tensor. The general aspects of the introduced reformulation are discussed and the reconstruction of the cosmological scenarios is presented, focusing on the so-called hybrid evolution. As a result, the scalar-tensor $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory is successfully reconstructed for the early and late time approximations with the corresponding potentials. The procedure of recovering the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory in the original formulation is performed for the late time evolution and a specific quadratic potential. The scalar-tensor formulation introduced herein not only facilitates the description of various cosmic phases but also serves as a viable alternative portrayal of the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

gravity which can be viewed as an extension of the well-established scalar Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity.