bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of plant fibers in subgrade engineering: current situation and challenges
Authors: Guo Jiayi , Yi Junyan , Pei Zhongshi , Feng Decheng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The application of plant fibers in subgrade engineering is increasingly receiving attention. As a sustainable material, plant fibers possess characteristics such as lightweight, renewability, and biodegradability. The morphology, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and hydraulic properties of plant fibers determine their application scenarios in subgrade engineering. Degradation is also an important factor affecting the long-term performance of plant fibers. In order to overcome their limitations in subgrade engineering, physical and chemical modifications have become necessary. Through physical or chemical modification, the compatibility between plant fibers and the matrix can be enhanced, improving dispersibility and adhesiveness. Plant fibers can be applied in subgrade engineering through methods, such as soil improvement, incorporation into geosynthetic materials, and the use of prefabricated components. Among these, soil improvement with plant fiber can enhance soil crack resistance and stability, adding fibers to geosynthetic materials can strengthen the mechanical properties of the soil, and prefabricated components can effectively reinforce slopes. This article reviews the current application status of plant fibers in subgrade engineering. In comparison to other soil stabilization materials, plant fibers offer clear economic and environmental advantages. Nevertheless, they come with two drawbacks, namely restricted mechanical properties and excessive water absorption. Challenges such as technical standards, fiber dispersibility, and durability still exist in their application. In the future, the application of plant fibers in subgrade engineering will continue to expand. Through technological innovation and standard development, it will provide environmentally friendly and efficient solutions for sustainable subgrade construction.
British Columbia beekeeping revenues and costs: survey data and profit modeling
Authors: Bixby Miriam , Cunningham Morgan , Foster Leonard , Higo Heather , Morfin Nuria 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
British Columbia beekeepers, like many beekeepers around the world, are currently facing declines in honey bee health and high overwinter colony losses. To better understand the economics and the cycle of yearly colony loss and replacement of this critical agricultural industry, we collected and analyzed survey data on beekeeping costs and returns. Forty British Columbia beekeepers provided details about revenue sources, variable costs, capital costs, and investments. Ten surveyed beekeepers managed between 1 and 9 colonies, 10 managed between 10 and 39 colonies, 9 managed between 40 and 100 colonies, 5 managed between 101 and 299 colonies, 3 managed between 300 and 699 colonies, and 3 managed 700 colonies or more. The data was used to calculate beekeeping profit and to parameterize a model that explores the economic impact of colony loss rates and replacement strategies. Survey results show that when the data is aggregated, revenues exceed costs for beekeeping operations in British Columbia with a per colony profit of $56.92 or $0.87 per pound of honey produced. Surveyed operations with fewer than 100 colonies have negative profits, while operations with 100–299 colonies have positive profits. Surveyed operations in the Cariboo, North Coast, and Okanagan regions have the highest profits while surveyed operations in the Peace region have the lowest profits. Profit modeling shows that replacing losses with packages generates lower profit than replacing losses with split colonies. Our modeling shows that operations that diversify their revenue to include bee sales and commercial pollination accrue higher profits and can withstand higher winter loss rates.
The impact of COVID-19 and long COVID on sexual function in cisgender women
Authors: Seehuus Martin , Fertig Madison , Handy Ariel B , Clifton Jessica , Stanton Amelia M 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundResearch suggests that COVID-19 impairs sexual function in men, but little is known about the impact of COVID-19 (or long COVID) on sexual function in women.AimWe sought to compare the sexual function of cisgender women who had never had COVID-19, who had COVID-19 but not long COVID, and who had long COVID, and assessed whether long COVID symptoms and/or emotional distress mediate the relationship between COVID-19 history and sexual function.MethodsIn total, 2329 adult cisgender women were recruited online as study participants. Half of these women reported having had COVID-19, and the other half reported never having had COVID-19. Of those who had COVID-19, 25% (n = 170) reported having long COVID. We compared the mean Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores by using t-tests for each of the primary comparison categories (never COVID vs COVID and only COVID vs long COVID). Four path models were used to test the hypotheses that (1) long COVID symptoms or (2) depression, anxiety, and/or stress assessed with the subscales of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) mediated the relationship between COVID-19 and sexual function.OutcomesSexual function was measured with the FSFI, long COVID symptoms were assessed using the Centers for Disease Control working symptom set, and emotional distress was measured with the DASS-21.ResultsIn total, 1313 participants provided data suitable for analysis. The never-COVID group (n = 645, 49.1%) had higher scores on the Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, and Satisfaction subscales of the FSFI (mean [M] [SD] FSFI total Mnever COVID = 27.98 [4.84] vs MCOVID = 27.05 [5.21]) than the combined only-COVID (n = 498, 37.9%) and long-COVID (n = 170, 12.9%) groups. The FSFI subscale scores were significantly higher in the only-COVID group than in the long-COVID group for the Arousal, Lubrication, and Orgasm and lower for the Pain subscales and higher for overall sexual function (FSFI total Monly COVID = 27.49 [5.00] vs Mlong COVID = 25.77 [5.61]. None of the proposed mediation models had adequate model fit.Clinical ImplicationsClinicians treating cisgender women who have COVID-19 should consider proactively discussing sexual function with their patients and offering available resources.Strengths and LimitationsIn this study we used a large and diverse sample, but this sample did not include transgender or gender-diverse persons. This study was also correlational; as such, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Further, the mechanism of action remains unexplained.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest the following: (1) COVID-19 infection is associated with impaired sexual function in cisgender women, and (2) that women with long COVID experienced incrementally more impaired sexual function than women with COVID-19 who did not develop long COVID.
Dilated and hypokinetic non-dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Seferović Petar M , Bozkurt Biykem , Polovina Marija 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) refers to a variety of heterogeneous myocardial disorders that result in ventricular dilatation accompanied by contractile dysfunction. Aetiologies include genetic, metabolic, infectious, inflammatory, toxin-induced, autoimmune, and endocrine causes, peripartum cardiomyopathy, tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, and progression of hypertrophic/infiltrative cardiomyopathies to a dilated phenotype in advanced stages. DCM is an important cause of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and the leading indication for heart transplantation. Besides the risk of progressive heart failure, DCM is associated with a high risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Patients with DCM should undergo thorough diagnostic evaluation, including diagnostic strategies appropriate for all patients with heart failure, and a dedicated search for a specific aetiology. Those with HFrEF should also receive guideline-directed therapies (GDT) for their management. Additionally, when a specific treatment strategy is available for a specific aetiology, it should be considered, in addition to GDTs for HFrEF.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Elliott Perry , Noutsias Michel , Anastasakis Aris 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited myocardial disease defined by cardiac hypertrophy that is unexplained by abnormal loading conditions. Typical symptoms include dyspnoea, chest pain, palpitations, and syncope, often caused by dynamic obstruction to the left ventricular outflow tract. Some patients are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms with drugs and septal reduction therapies for left ventricular outflow obstruction, prevention of sudden cardiac death with implantable cardioverter–defibrillators, and prevention of stroke with anticoagulation.
Myocarditis and pericarditis
Authors: Heymans Stephane , Ristić Arsen D , Adler Yehuda , Imazio Massimo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Myocarditis can cause atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and transient or chronic and progressive heart failure. Viruses are the most frequent infectious triggers. Systemic diseases and toxic agents are important non-infectious causes of myocarditis. As viral triggers in peri- and myocarditis are common cough viruses, with only a minority of infected persons developing peri- or myocarditis, a certain immune–genetic susceptibility—including coding and non-coding genes—of the affected person is key. Endomyocardial biopsies are indicated in acute myocarditis if progressive or persistent severe cardiac dysfunction and/or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias with a lack of short-term response to usual medical treatment are present. Cardiac magnetic resonance is essential in all patients with a high suspicion of myocarditis, after significant coronary artery disease has been excluded or considered to be unlikely. This chapter will discuss the pathophysiology of (peri-)myocarditis and its heterogeneous disease presentation, as well as its diagnosis and treatment in more detail.
Congenital heart disease
Authors: Budts Werner , Roos-Hesselink Jolien 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In addition to arrhythmia, heart failure (HF) is one of the major late complications in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Residual lesions and sequelae of previous interventions might cause circulatory failure, with or without progressive ventricular dysfunction, leading to reduced functional capacity, signs and symptoms of HF, and finally premature death. Structural optimization is the first step to counter this disease progression, but in many cases, medical treatment is needed to stabilize against further deterioration. In contrast to HF in acquired heart disease, evidence of clinical benefit of drug therapy in ACHD is limited to lacking. As a last resort, resynchronization, ventricular assist device, and transplantation are options to consider. However, venous access, anatomical complexity, and associated comorbidity strongly influence the decision-making process.
Endocrine and metabolic abnormalities
Authors: Huelsmann Martin , Seferović Jelena P , Cosentino Francesco 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Endocrine and metabolic diseases can affect the structure and/or function of the heart. The most common endocrine diseases that could lead to heart failure (HF) are thyroid disorders, phaeochromocytoma, and primary hyperaldosteronism. Other endocrine diseases related to HF are rare and include parathyroid, pituitary, as well as adrenal gland, abnormalities. Endocrine diseases may also worsen pre-existing HF. Treatment of underlying disorders usually improves HF. Although HF in endocrine diseases is rare, it may have an adverse prognostic impact. Therefore, careful screening with natriuretic peptides and/or echocardiographic assessment is mandatory. In the setting of HF, endocrine causes are often reversible. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of causes of congestive heart failure should always include an endocrinological pattern of laboratory tests.
Cancer and cancer therapy
Authors: Farmakis Dimitrios , Lyon Alexander , Lopez Fernandez Teresa , Cardinale Daniela 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Heart failure can be caused by a range of cardiotoxic cancer therapies. The most common are anthracycline chemotherapy and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies. However, with the development of targeted molecular cancer therapies, the number of cancer treatments causing heart failure are increasing with new culprits identified every year. Some cardiotoxic cancer treatments cause myocyte necrosis or apoptosis and permanent cardiac injury, whereas others can cause temporary impairment of ventricular function, which recovers after withdrawal of the culprit cancer drug. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause heart failure by activating acute fulminant myocarditis or via a non-inflammatory heart failure syndrome during prolonged treatment. In addition, other forms of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, such as arterial hypertension, myocardial ischaemia, rhythm disturbances, and thromboembolism, may also contribute to the development or exacerbation of heart failure. High-dose irradiation to a volume, including the heart, is also a cause of heart failure that occurs many years later, either directly via myocardial damage or indirectly via radiation-induced coronary, valvular, or pericardial disease. Cancer itself may further affect the cardiovascular system through metabolic derangement, autonomic dysfunction, and other mechanisms, while there is increasing recognition of myocardial atrophy and dysfunction as a result of cachexia in patients with advanced malignancies.
Neurohormonal activation in heart failure
Authors: Bayes-Genis Antoni , Zannad Faiez 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has evolved over the past three decades from a mainly cardiac structural derangement to the result of deleterious effects of sustained neurohormonal activation on the heart and circulation. Some of the neurohormonal axes activated in HF have vasoconstrictor and antidiuretic effects (with growth-promoting properties), and include the sympathetic nervous system, the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, and the vasopressin–arginine system. In the acute setting, these adaptive responses may be beneficial, but long-term overactivation, such as that seen in patients with chronic HF, results in maladaptive processes such as left ventricular remodelling and disease progression. Other systems, including the natriuretic peptide system (with natriuretic and antimitogenic effects), exert opposing counter-regulatory vasodilatory pathways. The neurohormonal hypothesis of HF has been validated in multiple landmark clinical trials, which construe current evidence-based treatment for patients with HFrEF.
Inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Heymans Stephane 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The capillary bed is essential to provide sufficient oxygen and nutrients to cardiomyocytes, and controls inflammation and fibrosis under pathological conditions. Microvascular rarefaction and dysfunction are central in causing cardiac dysfunction and structural remodelling. Regulation of oxidative stress, control of the influx of inflammatory cells, and sensing of mechanical stress and metabolic load (lipids and glucose) are the main functions of these endothelial cells. Therefore, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and immune dysregulation strongly impact endothelial function, causing cardiac hypertrophy and resulting in cardiac dysfunction, mainly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Voors Adriaan A , Moura Benda , Lund Lars , Lam Carolyn SP 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure Guidelines introduced heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) as a separate category of patients. These patients have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of between 40% and 50%. Patients in this mildly reduced category were already acknowledged as an unidentified ‘grey area’, and the main purpose of providing this category of patients with a name was to gain knowledge on their prevalence, characteristics, clinical outcome, and treatment responses. Four years later, a large number of studies have increased our knowledge on patients with HFmrEF. Firstly, the most important lessons are that with regard to an ischaemic aetiology, HFmrEF more closely resembles heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) than heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Secondly, the ejection fraction often changes over time and these changes seem to be prognostically more important than the baseline ejection fraction alone. Lastly, retrospective analyses from prospective randomized clinical trials, including the full spectrum of LVEF, suggest that patients with HFmrEF might benefit from therapies that have been shown to improve outcome in HFrEF, whereas no such benefit was seen in patients with HFpEF. This resulted in the renaming of ‘heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction’ to ‘heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction’, and in new recommendations for therapies for patients with HFmrEF in the 2021 ESC Heart Failure Guidelines.
Right heart failure
Authors: Lüscher Thomas F , Gorter Thomas M , Price Susanna , Riele Anneline , Gatzoulis Michael A 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The right ventricle (RV) is crucial to maintaining the circulation but differs from the left ventricle (LV) in shape, myocardial mass, pressure, and blood supply. It is affected by a number of diseases that differ from those impacting the LV. The RV is a low-pressure chamber and, as such, suffers particularly from increasing afterload that originates from dysfunction of the LV (i.e. heart failure with reduced (HFrEF), mildly reduced (HFmrEF), and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction) and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Furthermore, there are cardiac conditions that primarily or mainly affect the RV. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a fibrofatty restructuring of the free right ventricular wall (in some involving the LV), leading to right ventricular pump failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Right ventricular infarction, often overlooked in the acute setting, can cause similar complications. Finally, congenital heart diseases, such as atrial and ventricular septal defects, Ebstein disease, and complex malformations, particularly affect right ventricular function, either directly or indirectly, which importantly determines their outcome.
Echocardiography
Authors: Debonnaire Philippe , Delgado Victoria , Edvardsen Thor , Popescu Bogdan A , Bax Jeroen J 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Non-invasive cardiac imaging determines heart failure diagnosis, risk stratification, prognosis, and stepwise clinical patient approach. Echocardiography is the preferred first-line imaging tool. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and nuclear imaging further refine management strategy, depending on local expertise, availability, risk/benefit, and economic considerations. Imaging of functional and structural cardiac abnormalities initiates heart failure diagnosis, subtyping, and aetiology. The presence of significant coronary artery disease is subsequently ruled out by functional (ischaemia) or anatomical (stenosis) cardiac imaging tests. Myocardial viability detection justifies and predicts the effect of myocardial revascularization. The extent of ventricular remodelling (geometry), defined by size and shape, is additionally assessed to identify the need, timing, and type of additional heart failure therapy (drugs, devices, and/or interventions). Finally, non-invasive cardiac imaging aids to select heart failure patients who might benefit from percutaneous or surgical valve repair or replacement.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Ferrari Roberto , Guardigli Gabriele , Bozkurt Biykem 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Few stories in the history of medical research can generate interest and inspire as much as the mythical journey from ‘Poison to Panacea’. When Ferreira travelled from Santiago to London to work in the laboratory of Sir John Vane, he could not have imagined that a bite from Bothrops jararaca, a Brazilian viper, could give rise to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which to date have arguably the strongest portfolio of placebo-controlled trials in medicine. After the discovery of these drugs, the Cooperative North Scandinavian Enalapril Survival Study (CONSENSUS) I was conducted and proved pivotal in the practice of cardiology. CONSENSUS I gave both hope and belief—hope that breathless patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) could be treated with a drug that can impact significantly the natural history of the disease, and belief that a new class of medicine had finally arrived as a result of this study and of many subsequent others that have shown that ACE inhibitors have a demonstrable efficacy in patients with left ventricular dysfunction with or without CHF symptoms, in those after an acute myocardial infarction, and even in the prevention of myocardial infarction and its associated sequelae in the context of primary or secondary prevention. Treatment of all these patients is supported by both American and European guidelines, expert opinion, and convincing clinical trials. It is a practical first-line recommendation to all clinicians, healthcare providers, and policymakers to mirror the details of the main trials as much as possible with regard to the drug, dosage, and frequency of administration. This chapter describes the journey of the ACE inhibitor drug class from its origins—the poisonous venom of the Brazilian pit viper Bothrops Jararaca to its use (rather than non-use) during the actual Covid-19 pandemic.
Beta-blocker therapy
Authors: Tomasoni Daniela , Adamo Marianna , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Metra Marco 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Beta-blockers are the mainstay of current treatment of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Randomized clinical trials have consistently shown their beneficial effects on mortality and morbidity, including hospitalization, in patients with HFrEF. These favourable effects are associated with left ventricular reverse remodelling and improved ejection fraction. Current heart failure guidelines recommend treatment with bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, or nebivolol to reduce the risk of heart failure hospitalization and death. However, their use in clinical practice remains low and needs further implementation. Further data are also needed in specific subgroups where lack of efficacy was shown in retrospective analyses such as in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation and those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Also an individualized approach seems reasonable, with women probably requiring lower doses.