bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac output, cerebral blood flow and cognition in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: design and rationale of the CAPITA study
Authors: van Nieuwkerk Astrid C. , Hemelrijk Kimberley I. , Bron Esther E. , Leeuwis Anna E. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. , Daemen Mat J. A. P. , Moonen Justine E. F. , de Sitter Alexandra , Bouma Berto J. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Baan Jan , Piek Jan J. , Biessels Geert Jan , Delewi Ronak ,   the Heart-Brain Connection Consortium
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background

Approximately one-third of patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis who are scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have some degree of cognitive impairment. TAVI may have negative cognitive effects due to periprocedural micro-emboli inducing cerebral infarction. On the contrary, TAVI may also have positive cognitive effects due to increases in cardiac output and cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, studies that systematically assess these effects are scarce. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to assess cerebral and cognitive outcomes in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Study design

In the prospective CAPITA (CArdiac OutPut, Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognition In Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) study, cerebral and cognitive outcomes are assessed in patients undergoing TAVI. One day before and 3 months after TAVI, patients will undergo echocardiography (cardiac output, valve function), brain magnetic resonance imaging (CBF, structural lesions) and extensive neuropsychological assessment. To assess longer-term effects of TAVI, patients will again undergo echocardiography and neuropsychological assessment 1 year after the procedure. The co-primary outcome measures are change in CBF (in ml/100 g per min) and change in global cognitive functioning (Z-score) between baseline and 3‑month follow-up. Secondary objectives include change in cardiac output, white matter hyperintensities and other structural brain lesions. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05481008)

Conclusion

The CAPITA study is the first study designed to systematically assess positive and negative cerebral and cognitive outcomes after TAVI. We hypothesise that TAVI improves cardiac output, CBF and cognitive functioning.
Using institutional ethnography and students’ voices to explore capacity to learn
Authors: Talbot Debra 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAs a response to declining student results on certain academic measures, a great deal of government policy intervention in Australia and internationally has been directed towards correcting a perceived deficit in teachers. Such interventions deliberately ignore the possibility that other factors might also be impacting student learning. The study reported here employed Institutional ethnography (IE) to begin from the standpoint of students, across all secondary year groups, and trace the factors that students perceive influence their capacity to learn. The voices of these students provided new and surprising insights to teachers and to the school executive. Surprising in the sense that other large scale, institutionalised data collection methods had not revealed the factors considered important by students. The study demonstrated the efficacy of an IE approach to student voice in uncovering a broad range of student views.
Enhanced Efficiency in Fog Computing: A Fuzzy Data-Driven Machine Selection Strategy
Authors: Zavieh Hadi , Javadpour Amir , Ja’fari Forough , Sangaiah Arun Kumar , Słowik Adam 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
With the rapid proliferation of IoT and Cloud networks and the corresponding number of devices, handling incoming requests has become a significant challenge. Task scheduling problems have emerged as a common concern, necessitating the exploration of new methods for request management. This paper proposes a novel approach called the Fuzzy Inverse Markov Data Envelopment Analysis Process (FIMDEAP). Our method combines the strengths of the Fuzzy Inverse Data Envelopment Analysis (FIDEA) and Fuzzy Markov Decision Process (FMDP) techniques to enable the efficient selection of physical and virtual machines while operating in a fuzzy mode. We represent data as triangular fuzzy numbers and employ the alpha-cut method to solve the proposed models. The paper provides a mathematical optimization model for the proposed method and presents a numerical example for illustration. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of our method in a cloud environment through simulations. The results demonstrate that our approach outperforms existing methods, namely PSO + ACO and FBPSO + FBACO, in terms of key metrics, including energy consumption, execution cost, response time, gain of cost, and makespan.
The temptation to cheat in online exams: moving beyond the binary discourse of cheating and not cheating
Authors: Henderson Michael , Chung Jennifer , Awdry Rebecca , Ashford Cliff , Bryant Mike , Mundy Matthew , Ryan Kris 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDiscussions around assessment integrity often focus on the exam conditions and the motivations and values of those who cheated in comparison with those who did not. We argue that discourse needs to move away from a binary representation of cheating. Instead, we propose that the conversation may be more productive and more impactful by focusing on those who do not cheat, but who are tempted to do so. We conceptualise this group as being at risk of future cheating behaviour and potentially more receptive of targeted strategies to support their integrity decisions. In this paper we report on a large-scale survey of university students (n = 7,511) who had just completed one or more end of semester online exams. In doing so we explore students’ reported temptation to cheat. Analysis surrounding this “at risk” group reveals students who were Tempted (n = 1379) had significant differences from those who Cheated (n = 216) as well as those who were Not tempted (n = 5916). We focus on four research questions exploring whether there are specific online exam conditions, security settings, student attitudes or perceptions which are more strongly associated with the temptation to cheat. The paper offers insights to help institutions to minimise factors that might lead to breaches of assessment integrity, by focusing on the temptation to cheat during assessment.
Pinch Analysis for Land-Constrained Agriculture Sector Planning
Authors: Andiappan Viknesh , Rajakal Jaya Prasanth , Wan Yoke Kin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAgriculture is an essential economic sector as it plays an important role in providing growing populations with sufficient food. Thus, it is imperative for policymakers to plan sufficient food stockpiles based on consumption requirements while ensuring lands are used in an efficient manner for producing a range of crops. Land is a limited resource and should be utilised efficiently to meet crop/food production demands. Thus, this work presents land use pinch analysis (LUPA), to aid planning of crop based on land footprint. LUPA is a novel application that allows the decision maker to determine the minimum amount of low land footprint crop required to achieve reductions in land usage and to meet food product demands. To illustrate LUPA, this work provides a numerical case study intended to highlight the benefits and features of the methodology. The case study aims to determine the amount of low land footprint oil crop (e.g., palm oil) that could replace other oil crops to meet a given edible oil demand and achieve reductions in land footprint. Results from the case study suggest that policymakers can opt for around 1 million hectares of low land footprint oil crop to meet the specified edible oil demand and replacing about 8 million hectares of a higher land footprint oil crop in the process. The case study is revisited analyse the impact of crop yield on the planning. This evidently shows that LUPA can be used as a means for strategising land allocation and land use reductions to meet edible oil demands.
Understanding the clinical and molecular basis of thyroid orbitopathy: a review of recent evidence
Authors: Nivean Pratheeba Devi , Madhivanan Nivean , Kumaramanikavel Govindasamy , Berendschot Tos T. J. M. , Webers Carroll A. B. , Paridaens Dion 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune orbital inflammatory disease which ranges from mild to severe. Tissue remodeling, fibrosis and fat proliferation cause changes in the orbital tissues which can affect esthetics and visual function. In its severe form, it is sight threatening, debilitating, and disfiguring and may lead to social stigma, the embarrassment about which has an impact on the quality of life of those affected and the family members. The pathogenesis of TED, which is influenced by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, is complex and not fully elucidated. However, it remains unknown what factors determine the severity of the disease. Recent research has revealed a number of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of this disease. In this overview of TED, we focus on new insights and perspectives regarding biological agents that may provide a basis for new treatment modalities.
Controllable phase transition of two-dimensional ferromagnetic chromium telluride thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Huang Haili , Shen Jinbo , Chen Jiayi , Shen Qia , Lin Gaoting , Zhu Zhen , Wu Jiangtao , Ma Jie , Yang Hao , Liu Xiaoxue , Liu Liang , Guan Dandan , Wang Shiyong , Li Yaoyi , Liu Canhua , Zheng Hao , Lu Yunhao , Jia Jinfeng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) Cr(1+δ)Te2 materials exhibit strong magnetic ordering and high Curie temperatures, making them attractive for various applications. It is crucial to achieve controllable synthesis for their successful integration into device technologies. In this study, we present the synthesis of phase-controllable 2D Cr(1+δ)Te2 films on the Si (111) substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. The composition and phase transition of the as-grown Cr(1+δ)Te2 films are characterized by using in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and theoretical calculations. At low growth temperatures, by carefully adjusting the film thickness from 2 to more than 3 layers, we achieve precise control over the phase of Cr(1+δ)Te2, from CrTe2 to Cr intercalated Cr2Te3. At a relatively elevated growth temperature, it is demonstrated that the Cr(1+δ)Te2 phase is independent of the film thickness, only Cr2Te3 forms and its growth mode is thickness-dependent. These phase transitions at low growth temperatures and growth mode changes at elevated growth temperatures are attributed to interfacial effects and the phase stability of Cr(1+δ)Te2 compounds. Additionally, we utilize scanning tunneling spectroscopy and computations to gain insights into the electronic properties of Cr2Te3. The magnetic measurements reveal that the 30-nm Cr2Te3 film exhibits ferromagnetic behavior with a Curie temperature of about 180 K. Our work offers a robust method for the controllable growth of high-quality 2D Cr(1+δ)Te2 films on Si substrates, providing an ideal platform for investigating their intrinsic properties and advancing the development of 2D magnet-based spintronics devices.
The Losing Battle Against Neoliberal Trade Agreements in Latin America: Social Resistance Against the MTA Between Ecuador, Peru, and the European Union
Authors: Preusser Manuel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis article studies the influence of the antineoliberal social movements in Peru and Ecuador in the face of the Multiparty Trade Agreement (MTA) between both countries and the European Union (EU). To identify and analyze this influence, a transdisciplinary theoretical framework was created, integrating debates and concepts from social movement theory and critical international political economy. In Peru, the movement used European allies to establish their demands on the EU’s agenda, which resulted in increased pressure on the government to enforce labor rights and environmental standards. In Ecuador, the movement was able to establish food sovereignty and the rejection of free trade in the national constitution. As a result, the negotiations with the EU were delayed and Ecuador achieved certain exceptions in its adhesion protocol. Nevertheless, both movements were unable to maintain their influence, due to political and socioeconomic dynamics on the domestic and global levels.
The Multiplatform Precipitation Feature (MPF) Database: A Storm‐Centric Synthesis of Space‐ and Ground‐Based Precipitation and Lightning Data Sets for Convective Studies
Authors: Bang Sarah D. , Stough Sarah M. , Lang Timothy J. , Gatlin Patrick N. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper outlines the construction of a new Multiplatform Precipitation Feature (MPF) framework designed to facilitate storm‐based analyses of data sets from multiple independent observing platforms for convective studies. The MPF approach is applied to ground‐ and space‐based precipitation observations and retrievals from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission Validation Network with space‐based lightning measurements from the Lightning Imaging Sensor on board the International Space Station to create a prototype MPF database. The data are synthesized in a thunderstorm‐like, feature‐based framework that enables broad statistical analyses of the storm‐based relationships between the microphysics, kinematics, and electrical properties of convection that can contribute insight into their morphological, regional, and seasonal variations. This manuscript details how MPFs are defined from precipitation data and how observations from multiple additional platforms are combined within the context of an MPF thunderstorm boundary and used to characterize the feature. A demonstration of the prototype database as a proof‐of‐concept showcases its flexibility to conduct both large‐scale storm‐based statistical studies as well as MPF‐facilitated thunderstorm case studies.
Tropical Convection Overshoots the Cold Point Tropopause Nearly as Often Over Warm Oceans as Over Land
Authors: Nugent Jacqueline M. , Bretherton Christopher S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTropical convection that overshoots the cold point tropopause can impact the climate by directly influencing water vapor, temperatures, and thin cirrus in the upper troposphere‐lower stratosphere (UTLS) region. The distribution of cold point overshoots between land and ocean may help determine how the overshoots will affect the UTLS in a changing climate. Using 4 years of satellite and reanalysis data, we test a brightness temperature proxy calibrated by radar/lidar data to identify cold point‐overshooting convection across the global tropics. We find evidence of cold point‐overshooting convection throughout the tropics, though other cirrus above the cold point cover an area 100 times larger than overshooting tops. Cold point‐overshooting convection occurs 30%–40% more often over convectively active land areas than over the warmest oceans. This proxy can be generalized to evaluate the fidelity of cold point overshoots simulated by storm‐resolving models.
Skillful Seasonal Forecast of Sargassum Proliferation in the Tropical Atlantic
Authors: Jouanno Julien , Morvan Guillaume , Berline Léo , Benshila Rachid , Aumont Olivier , Sheinbaum Julio , Ménard Frederic 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe large‐scale proliferation of pelagic Sargassum in the Tropical Atlantic from 2011 has been the subject of increasing attention because of its negative consequences on the environment, fishing, and socioeconomic activities when stranding on coastal areas. This recurrent phenomenon presents strong seasonal and year to year variations. Anticipating the abundances and stranding on seasonal scale poses important challenges in terms of observations and modeling. We show that skillful seasonal forecast of Sargassum distribution can be achieved with up to 7 months in advance over the Tropical Atlantic, by integrating both transport and current knowledge on physiology of Sargassum. This forecast is designed to help marine stakeholders to develop mitigation and resilience strategies through anticipatory decision‐making.
Physical‐Dynamic‐Driven AI‐Synthetic Precipitation Nowcasting Using Task‐Segmented Generative Model
Authors: Wang Rui , Fung Jimmy C. H. , Lau Alexis K. H. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrecise and timely rainfall nowcasting plays a critical role in ensuring public safety amid disasters triggered by heavy precipitation. While deep‐learning models have exhibited superior performance over traditional nowcasting methods in recent years, their efficacy is still hampered by limited forecasting skill, insufficient training data, and escalating blurriness in forecasts. To address these challenges, we present the Synthetic‐data Task‐segmented Generative Model (STGM), an innovative physical‐dynamic‐driven heavy rainfall nowcasting model. The STGM encompasses three key components: the Long Video Generation (LVG) model generating synthetic radar data from observed radar images and data provided by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, MaskPredNet predicting the spatial coverage of various rainfall intensities, and SPADE determining rainfall intensity based on the coverage provided by MaskPredNet. The STGM has demonstrated promising skill for precipitation forecasts for up to six hours, and significantly reduce the blurriness of predicted images, thus showcasing advances in rainfall nowcasting.
Responses of Phytoplankton Communities to the Effect of Both River Plume and Coastal Upwelling
Authors: Tong Zhuyin , Ma Lingqi , Cai Shujie , Wang Lei , Xiao Wupeng , Huang Bangqin , Laws Edward A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRiver plumes and coastal upwelling systems are both nutrient‐abundant habitats compared to the open ocean, and the mechanisms that structure the phytoplankton community when these occur together are unclear. In this study we investigated the dynamics and drivers of phytoplankton biomass and community composition in the Pearl River plume‐coastal upwelling system on the northern South China Sea shelf during summer. We found that phytoplankton biomass was lower in the plume than in upwelled water. Diatoms were the only dominant group in the upwelled water. In contrast, diatoms and Synechococcus were co‐dominant in the plume, and the negative correlation between the proportions of these two groups indicated that they occupied distinct niches. The lower phytoplankton biomass in plume waters was due to nutrient limitation, and there was a transition from limitation by phosphorus to limitation by nitrogen in the plume along its path. This bottom‐up control limited only diatoms, whereas Synechococcus was limited mainly by top‐down control via microzooplankton grazing. This difference led to niche differentiation of the dominant phytoplankton groups in the plume‐upwelling system. This discovery of niche differentiation enhances understanding of food web structure and will facilitate modeling of marine biogeochemical cycles.
Lactobacillus plantarum ameliorates NASH-related inflammation by upregulating l-arginine production
Authors: Kim Dong Yun , Park Jun Yong , Gee Heon Yung 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLactobacillus is a probiotic with therapeutic potential for several diseases, including liver disease. However, the therapeutic effect of L. plantarum against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its underlying mechanisms remain unelucidated. Therefore, we delineated the L. plantarum-mediated NASH regulation in a mouse model to understand its therapeutic effect. We used a choline-deficient high-fat diet (CD-HFD)-induced murine model that recapitulated the critical features of human metabolic syndrome and investigated the effect of L. plantarum on NASH pathogenesis using transcriptomic, metagenomic, and immunohistochemistry analyses. Validation experiments were performed using liver organoids and a murine model fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. L. plantarum treatment in mice significantly decreased liver inflammation and improved metabolic phenotypes, such as insulin tolerance and the hepatic lipid content, compared with those in the vehicle group. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that L. plantarum treatment significantly downregulated inflammation-related pathways. Shotgun metagenomic analysis revealed that L-arginine biosynthesis-related microbial genes were significantly upregulated in the L. plantarum group. We also confirmed the elevated arginine levels in the serum of the L. plantarum group. We further used liver organoids and mice fed an MCD diet to demonstrate that L-arginine alone was sufficient to alleviate liver inflammation. Our data revealed a novel and counterintuitive therapeutic effect of L. plantarum on alleviating NASH-related liver inflammation by increasing circulating L-arginine.
Angiotensin receptor blockers, but not angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, inhibit abnormal bone changes in spondyloarthritis
Authors: Choi Jin Sun , Kim Ji-Young , Ahn Min-Joo , Jang Hanbit , Song Seungtaek , Choi Sung Hoon , Park Ye-Soo , Jo Sungsin , Kim Tae-Hwan , Shim Seung Cheol 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSpondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in bone ankylosis. The tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an emerging pathway potentially implicated in SpA-associated bone changes. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Sakaguchi (SKG) mice injected with curdlan (SKGc), animal models for SpA, were treated with RAS modulators, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis). Disease activity was assessed using clinical scores and computed tomography scans. Mouse primary bone marrow monocytes (BMMs), osteoblast (OB) progenitor cells, peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs), and bone-derived cells (BdCs) from patients with radiographic axial SpA (r-axSpA) were used to investigate the role of RAS in SpA pathogenesis. The expression of RAS components was significantly increased in SKGc mouse joints, and ARBs significantly reduced erosion and systemic bone loss, whereas ACEis did not. Osteoclast (OC) differentiation from primary BMMs, mediated by TRAF6, was inhibited by ARBs but promoted by ACEis; the modulators also exerted opposite effects on OB differentiation. Expression of RAS molecules was higher in PBMCs and BdCs of patients with r-axSpA than in control participants. ARBs inhibited OB differentiation in the BdCs of patients with r-axSpA, whereas ACEis did not. Neither ARBs nor ACEis affected OB differentiation in the control participants. In SpA, a condition characterized by RAS overexpression, ARBs, but not ACEis, inhibited OC and OB differentiation and bone progression. The findings should be taken into account when treating patients with SpA using RAS modulators.