bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APPLICATION OF VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLE AND FRACTAL COMPLEX TRANSFORMATION TO (3+1)-DIMENSIONAL FRACTAL POTENTIAL-YTSF EQUATION
Authors: LU JUNFENG 
Published: January 2024

This paper focuses on the numerical investigation of the fractal modification of the (3+1)-dimensional potential-Yu–Toda–Sasa–Fukuyama (YTSF) equation. A variational approach based on the two-scale fractal complex transformation and the variational principle is presented for solving this fractal equation. The fractal potential-YTSF equation can be transformed as the original potential-YTSF equation by means of the fractal complex transformation. Some fractal soliton-type solutions and fractal periodic wave solutions are provided by using the variational principle proposed by He, which are not touched in the existing literature. Some remarks about the variational formulation and the wave solutions for the original potential-YTSF equation by Manafian et al. [East Asian J. Appl. Math. 10(3) (2020) 549–565] are also given. Numerical results of the fractal wave solutions with different fractal dimensions and amplitudes are presented to show the propagation behavior.
NeuralVDB: High-resolution Sparse Volume Representation using Hierarchical Neural Networks
Authors: Kim Doyub , Lee Minjae , Museth Ken 
Published: January 2024

We introduce NeuralVDB, which improves on an existing industry standard for efficient storage of sparse volumetric data, denoted VDB [Museth2013], by leveraging recent advancements in machine learning. Our novel hybrid data structure can reduce the memory footprints of VDB volumes by orders of magnitude, while maintaining its flexibility and only incurring small (user-controlled) compression errors. Specifically, NeuralVDB replaces the lower nodes of a shallow and wide VDB tree structure with multiple hierarchical neural networks that separately encode topology and value information by means of neural classifiers and regressors respectively. This approach is proven to maximize the compression ratio while maintaining the spatial adaptivity offered by the higher-level VDB data structure. For sparse signed distance fields and density volumes, we have observed compression ratios on the order of 10× to more than 100× from already compressed VDB inputs, with little to no visual artifacts. Furthermore, NeuralVDB is shown to offer more effective compression performance compared to other neural representations such as Neural Geometric Level of Detail [Takikawa et al.2021], Variable Bitrate Neural Fields [Takikawa et al.2022a], and Instant Neural Graphics Primitives [Müller et al.2022]. Finally, we demonstrate how warm-starting from previous frames can accelerate training, i.e., compression, of animated volumes as well as improve temporal coherency of model inference, i.e., decompression.
Apolipoprotein E-ε2 and Resistance to Atherosclerosis in Midlife: The PESA Observational Study
Authors: Toribio-Fernández Raquel , Tristão-Pereira Catarina , Carlos Silla-Castro Juan , Callejas Sergio , Oliva Belen , Fernandez-Nueda Irene , Garcia-Lunar Ines , Perez-Herreras Cristina , María Ordovás José , Martin Pilar , Blanco-Kelly Fiona , Ayuso Carmen , Lara-Pezzi Enrique , Fernandez-Ortiz Antonio , Garcia-Alvarez Ana , Dopazo Ana , Sanchez-Cabo Fatima , Ibanez Borja , Cortes-Canteli Marta , Fuster Valentin 
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

APOE is a known genetic contributor to cardiovascular disease, but the differential role
APOE
alleles play in subclinical atherosclerosis remains unclear.

METHODS:

The PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) is an observational cohort study that recruited 4184 middle-aged asymptomatic individuals to be screened for cardiovascular risk and multiterritorial subclinical atherosclerosis. Participants were
APOE
-genotyped, and omics data were additionally evaluated.

RESULTS:

In the PESA study, the frequencies for
APOE
-ε2, -ε3, and -ε4 alleles were 0.060, 0.844, and 0.096, respectively. This study included a subcohort of 3887 participants (45.8±4.3 years of age; 62% males). As expected,
APOE
-ε4 carriers were at the highest risk for cardiovascular disease and had significantly greater odds of having subclinical atherosclerosis compared with ε3/ε3 carriers, which was mainly explained by their higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. In turn,
APOE
-ε2 carriers were at the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease and had significantly lower odds of having subclinical atherosclerosis in several vascular territories (carotids: 0.62 [95% CI, 0.47–0.81];
P
=0.00043; femorals: 0.60 [0.47–0.78];
P
=9.96×10
−5
; coronaries: 0.53 [0.39–0.74];
P
=0.00013; and increased PESA score: 0.58 [0.48–0.71];
P
=3.16×10
−8
). This
APOE
-ε2 atheroprotective effect was mostly independent of the associated lower LDL-cholesterol levels and other cardiovascular risk factors. The protection conferred by the ε2 allele was greater with age (50–54 years: 0.49 [95% CI, 0.32–0.73];
P
=0.00045), and normal (<150 mg/dL) levels of triglycerides (0.54 [0.44–0.66];
P
=4.70×10
−9
versus 0.90 [0.57–1.43];
P
=0.67 if ≥150 mg/dL). Omics analysis revealed an enrichment of several canonical pathways associated with anti-inflammatory mechanisms together with the modulation of erythrocyte homeostasis, coagulation, and complement activation in ε2 carriers that might play a relevant role in the ε2’s atheroprotective effect.

CONCLUSIONS:
This work sheds light on the role of APOE in cardiovascular disease development with important therapeutic and prevention implications on cardiovascular health, especially in early midlife.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
: NCT01410318.
Differing Efficacy of Dapagliflozin Versus Empagliflozin on the Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Real‐World Observation Using a Nationwide, Population‐Based Cohort
Authors: Lim Jaehyun , Kwak Soongu , Choi You‐Jung , Rhee Tae‐Min , Park Chan Soon , Kim Bongseong , Han Kyung‐Do , Lee Heesun , Park Jun‐Bean , Kim Yong‐Jin , Lee Hyun‐Jung , Kim Hyung‐Kwan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Meta‐analyses of large clinical trials investigating SGLT2 (sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2) inhibitors have suggested their protective effects against atrial fibrillation in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the results were predominantly driven from trials involving dapagliflozin.

Methods and Results
We used a nationwide, population‐based cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes who initiated either dapagliflozin or empagliflozin between May 2016 and December 2018. An active‐comparator, new‐user design was used, and the 2 groups of patients were matched using propensity scores. The primary outcome was incident nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, which was analyzed using both the main intention‐to‐treat and sensitivity analysis that censored patients who skipped their medications for ≥30 days. Men ≥55 years of age and women ≥60 years of age with ≥1 traditional risk factor or those with established cardiovascular disease were categorized as high cardiovascular risk group. Patients not included in the high‐risk group were categorized as low risk. After 1:1 propensity‐score matching, a total of 137 928 patients (mean age, 55 years; 58% men) were included and followed up for 2.2±0.6 years. The risk of incident atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the dapagliflozin group in both the main (hazard ratio [HR], 0.885 [95% CI, 0.789–0.992]) and sensitivity analyses (HR, 0.835 [95% CI, 0.719–0.970]). Notably, this was consistent in both the low and high cardiovascular risk groups. There was no effect modification by age, sex, body mass index, duration of diabetes, or renal function.

Conclusions
This real‐world, population‐based study demonstrates that patients with type 2 diabetes using dapagliflozin may have a lower risk of developing nonvalvular atrial fibrillation than those using empagliflozin.
Current Mouse Models of Intracranial Aneurysms: Analysis of Pharmacological Agents Used to Induce Aneurysms and Their Impact on Translational Research
Authors: Khan Dilaware , Li Xuanchen , Hashimoto Tomoki , Tanikawa Rokuya , Niemela Mika , Lawton Michael , Muhammad Sajjad 
Published: January 2024

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are rare vascular lesions that are more frequently found in women. The pathophysiology behind the formation and growth of IAs is complex. Hence, to date, no single pharmacological option exists to treat them. Animal models, especially mouse models, represent a valuable tool to explore such complex scientific questions. Genetic modification in a mouse model of IAs, including deletion or overexpression of a particular gene, provides an excellent means for examining basic mechanisms behind disease pathophysiology and developing novel pharmacological approaches. All existing animal models need some pharmacological treatments, surgical interventions, or both to develop IAs, which is different from the spontaneous and natural development of aneurysms under the influence of the classical risk factors. The benefit of such animal models is the development of IAs in a limited time. However, clinical translation of the results is often challenging because of the artificial course of IA development and growth. Here, we summarize the continuous improvement in mouse models of IAs. Moreover, we discuss the pros and cons of existing mouse models of IAs and highlight the main translational roadblocks and how to improve them to increase the success of translational IA research.
Robust Artificial Intelligence Tool for Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis: Novel Development Approach Incorporating Both Atrial Electrograms and Surface ECG and Evaluation by Head‐to‐Head Comparison With Hospital‐Based Physician ECG Readers
Authors: Zhang Yuji , Xu Shusheng , Xing Wenhui , Chen Qiong , Liu Xu , Pu Yachuan , Xin Fangran , Jiang Hui , Yin Zongtao , Tao Dengshun , Zhou Dong , Zhu Yan , Yuan Binhang , Jin Yan , He Yuanchen , Wu Yi , Po Sunny S. , Wang Huishan , Benditt David G. 
Published: January 2024

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases risk of embolic stroke, and in postoperative patients, increases cost of care. Consequently, ECG screening for AF in high‐risk patients is important but labor‐intensive. Artificial intelligence (AI) may reduce AF detection workload, but AI development presents challenges.

Methods and Results
We used a novel approach to AI development for AF detection using both surface ECG recordings and atrial epicardial electrograms obtained in postoperative cardiac patients. Atrial electrograms were used only to facilitate establishing true AF for AI development; this permitted the establishment of an AI‐based tool for subsequent AF detection using ECG records alone. A total of 5 million 30‐second epochs from 329 patients were annotated as AF or non‐AF by expert ECG readers for AI training and validation, while 5 million 30‐second epochs from 330 different patients were used for AI testing. AI performance was assessed at the epoch level as well as AF burden at the patient level. AI achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.932 on validation and 0.953 on testing. At the epoch level, testing results showed means of AF detection sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and F1 (harmonic mean of positive predictive value and sensitivity) as 0.970, 0.814, 0.976, 0.776, and 0.862, respectively, while the intraclass correlation coefficient for AF burden detection was 0.952. At the patient level, AF burden sensitivity and positive predictivity were 96.2% and 94.5%, respectively.

Conclusions
Use of both atrial electrograms and surface ECG permitted development of a robust AI‐based approach to postoperative AF recognition and AF burden assessment. This novel tool may enhance detection and management of AF, particularly in patients following operative cardiac surgery.
Streamlining Randomized Clinical Trials for Device Therapies in Heart Failure: Bayesian Borrowing of External Data
Authors: Saville Benjamin R. , Burkhoff Daniel , Abraham William T. 
Published: January 2024

Background
The Breakthrough Devices Program of the US Food and Drug Administration has accelerated the development and evaluation of medical devices for patients with heart failure. One such device is the Optimizer Smart System, which the US Food and Drug Administration approved in 2019.

Methods and Results
The Optimizer device was evaluated in a pivotal randomized clinical trial (FIX‐HF‐5C [Confirmatory Randomized Trial Evaluating the Optimizer System]) that leveraged Bayesian borrowing of external data to reduce the sample size and determine therapeutic device benefit versus continued medical therapy. Bayesian borrowing is explained in the context of the FIX‐HF‐5C trial, including an overview of the statistical methodologies, regulatory considerations, and interpretations of trial results.

Conclusions
The US Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough Devices Program and novel Bayesian statistical methodology accelerated the path to regulatory approval and patient access to a potentially lifesaving device and may serve as a model for future clinical trials.
Engaging in a Secularized Public Sphere – a Possible Qur’anic Perspective?
Authors: Rahman Sara 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
For Habermas, social cohesion in liberal democratic societies is created and ensured by public discourse, which creates and regulates democratic virtues through non-hierarchical communication in which all citizens participate equally. According to the understanding of post-secularism, this public discourse must be secular. This requires religious citizens to translate religious arguments into secular ones in public discourse.
However, it remains an open question to what extent religious citizens in plural societies can or want to participate in such a communication process based on their religious self-understanding. In this article, an attempt will be made to investigate this question, at least within the Islamic faith tradition. A Qur’anic narrative will be examined for possible indications of how the Qur’an conceives communication with those of different worldviews. The analyzed narrative reveals perspectives of understanding from which remarkable contributions to social cohesion can be derived.
A bionomic overview of spider parasitoids and pseudo-parasitoids of the ichneumonid wasp subfamily Pimplinae
Authors: Takasuka Keizo , Broad Gavin R. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The parasitoid way of life (parasitizing and finally killing a single arthropod host) is one of the most successful lifeways in the animal kingdom, sparking an explosive diversification and accompanying numerous parasitoid strategies in insects, especially in the order Hymenoptera. Amongst parasitoid wasps, the Polysphincta group of genera has evolved a highly distinctive parasitoid mode of life, as solitary koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders (Chelicerata: Araneae). Some species of polysphinctine wasps have a remarkable ability to control spiders’ web-building behaviour (host web manipulation) to protect the vulnerable wasp cocoons. The group currently consists of 25 genera and 294 extant species worldwide, with 14 genera known to manipulate their host spiders. This study reviews the current species composition, distribution, host utilization and biology of all genera belonging to the Polysphincta group and their ancestral genera of spider egg mass pseudo-parasitoids, highlighting specific offensive approaches for subjugating spider hosts for oviposition and web manipulation against specific spider hosts. There must still be many more unique behaviours to be discovered, given that the life histories of several polysphinctine genera are poorly known or unknown. A tidy correspondence between lineages of polysphinctines and host spiders was recognized, implying the evolutionary history of polysphinctines. Based on the integrated information on behavioural data and host utilization, we suggest some hypotheses determining triggers for host shifts and discuss the possibility of adaptive radiation driven by divergent natural selection on host differentiation. One new taxonomic change is proposed: Zaglyptus idukkiensis (Manjusha, Sudheer & Ghosh, 2019), comb. nov., is transferred from Polysphincta.
A New Key Port in America: The Fortification of Buenos Aires in the Seventeenth Century
Authors: González Delgado Juan A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The outcome of the 1640 Portuguese rebellion against Spanish rule instantly turned Buenos Aires into a new key port in Spanish America, given its location on the frontier with now-Portuguese Brazil. Consequently, the Spanish imperial bureaucracy focused on its fortification in the second half of the century. That case was part of a larger process during that century of fortifying Spanish American cities with walls and more complex elements. The present article will focus on the role of the local authorities and their response to the crown’s plan, illuminating the difficulties and mistakes in that ultimately unsuccessful effort, such as hiring a lack of skilled workers, especially engineers, and the misconceiving of the territory and its resources. For that purpose, the research will be based on unpublished documents from the Archivo Histórico Nacional and Archivo General de Indias, as well as various plans for the projects.
Test Format, Learning Confidence, and Perceptions of Teaching Effectiveness
Authors: Boysen Guy A. , Osgood Peyton N. 
Published: January 2024

Background Both multiple-choice and short-answer tests can be beneficial to learning in the classroom. However, fact-based multiple-choice questions, because they include the correct answer as a response option, could lead to inflated estimates of learning and higher evaluations of teaching effectiveness. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effects of test format on perceptions of learning and teaching. Method Undergraduate students ( N = 123) completed either a multiple-choice or short-answer test based on a brief psychology lesson. Then, they predicted their performance on later tests of knowledge and evaluated the quality of the lesson. Results Taking a multiple-choice test led to predictions about future performance that were 10% higher than those taking a short-answer test. No consistent differences emerged in participants’ evaluations of teaching effectiveness between the two test formats. Conclusion These results suggest that test format may significantly influence students’ confidence in their ability to produce answers on future tests. Teaching Implications Teachers who want to take advantage of testing as a metacognitive learning tool should adopt question formats that utilize recall of information from memory without retrieval cues.
Clinical outcomes and predictors of bleomycin polidocanol foam sclerotherapy treatment response in venous malformations
Authors: Ni Bin , Liu Jing-wen , Fan Xue-qiang , He Bin , Nie Qiang-qiang , Ye Zhi-dong , Liu Peng , Wen Jian-yan 
Published: January 2024

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bleomycin polidocanol foam (BPF) sclerotherapy for venous malformations (VMs) and analyze the associated clinical outcomes and predictors. Methods We retrospectively assessed BPF sclerotherapy outcomes in 138 patients with VMs. We analyzed pain levels, lesion volume reduction, and subjective perception of response. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors of treatment outcome. Additionally, we carefully monitored and recorded complications. Results There was a notable average reduction in lesion volume by 78.50% ± 15.71%. The pain numerical rating scale (NRS) score decreased from 4.17 ± 2.63 prior to treatment to 1.05 ± 1.54 afterward, and 70.3% of the patients experienced effective relief after a single BPF treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high baseline NRS (odds ratio [OR]:  4.026) and elevated activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT, OR: 1.200) were positive predictors of pain reduction. Additionally, a high baseline NRS score (OR: 1.992) and elevated thrombocytocrit (PCT, OR: 2.543) were positive predictors of incomplete postoperative pain relief. Minor complications occurred in 31 (22.46%) patients. Conclusion BPF sclerotherapy is safe and effective for VMs, resulting in significant reduction in lesion volume, improved symptoms, and minimal complications. APTT and PCT levels are important predictors of pain outcomes following BPF treatment.
The Continuous Fragility Index of Statistically Significant Findings in Randomized Controlled Trials That Compare Interventions for Anterior Shoulder Instability
Authors: Al-Asadi Mohammed , Sherren Michelle , Abdel Khalik Hassaan , Leroux Timothy , Ayeni Olufemi R. , Madden Kim , Khan Moin 
Published: January 2024

Background: Evidence-based care relies on robust research. The fragility index (FI) is used to assess the robustness of statistically significant findings in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While the traditional FI is limited to dichotomous outcomes, a novel tool, the continuous fragility index (CFI), allows for the assessment of the robustness of continuous outcomes. Purpose: To calculate the CFI of statistically significant continuous outcomes in RCTs evaluating interventions for managing anterior shoulder instability (ASI). Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A search was conducted across the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for RCTs assessing management strategies for ASI from inception to October 6, 2022. Studies that reported a statistically significant difference between study groups in ≥1 continuous outcome were included. The CFI was calculated and applied to all available RCTs reporting interventions for ASI. Multivariable linear regression was performed between the CFI and various study characteristics as predictors. Results: There were 27 RCTs, with a total of 1846 shoulders, included. The median sample size was 61 shoulders (IQR, 43). The median CFI across 27 RCTs was 8.2 (IQR, 17.2; 95% CI, 3.6-15.4). The median CFI was 7.9 (IQR, 21; 95% CI, 1-22) for 11 studies comparing surgical methods, 22.6 (IQR, 16; 95% CI, 8.2-30.4) for 6 studies comparing nonsurgical reduction interventions, 2.8 for 3 studies comparing immobilization methods, and 2.4 for 3 studies comparing surgical versus nonsurgical interventions. Significantly, 22 of 57 included outcomes (38.6%) from studies with completed follow-up data had a loss to follow-up exceeding their CFI. Multivariable regression demonstrated that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between a trial’s sample size and the CFI of its outcomes ( r = 0.23 [95% CI, 0.13-0.33]; P < .001). Conclusion: More than a third of continuous outcomes in ASI trials had a CFI less than the reported loss to follow-up. This carries the significant risk of reversing trial findings and should be considered when evaluating available RCT data. We recommend including the FI, CFI, and loss to follow-up in the abstracts of future RCTs.