bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel computed tomography angiography‐based sizing methodology for WATCHMAN FLX device in left atrial appendage closure
Authors: Dallan Luis Augusto Palma , Arruda Mauricio , Yoon Sung‐Han , Rana Mohammad Atif , Mogalapalli Akhil , Carneiro Herman A. , Reed Joseph , Rashid Imran , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Filby Steven J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundWhile there is recent data suggesting an advantage of computed tomography angiography (CTA) over transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for preprocedural left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) planning, there is limited published experience for sizing strategies. Device sizing for LAAC may be challenging and noninvasive algorithms that improve this selection process are warranted.ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate the safety and the feasibility for the implementation of a novel CTA‐based sizing methodology for WATCHMAN™ FLX device in a series of patients undergoing LAAC using the TruPlan™ software package.MethodsA prospective analysis of 136 consecutive patients who underwent LAAC over a 12‐month period in a single, large academic hospital in the United States was conducted. CTA‐guided preprocedural planning and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) was performed in all. Procedural success, adverse events, length of procedure, number of devices used, and length of stay were evaluated.ResultsA total of 136 patients who underwent LAAC procedure with WATCHMAN™ FLX platform between October 1, 2020 until September 30, 2021 were included. The pre‐specified protocol using CTA and ICE was implemented in all patients (100%). Mean CHA2DS2VASc score was 4.4 ± 1.3 and the mean HAS‐BLED score was 3.9 ± 0.8. ICE‐guided 100% transseptal puncture success rate was 100% with 98.5% of overall procedural success rate. Preprocedural CTA sizing strategy accurately predicted the implanted size in 91.1% of patients. Ten patients (7.4%) required another sized device and 2 cases were aborted. At 45‐day follow‐up, only 1 patient (0.7%) had significant peri‐device leak (≥5 mm) on TEE.ConclusionsCTA‐based preprocedural sizing methodology for WATCHMAN™ FLX in LAAC was safe, feasible and associated with excellent procedural outcomes. Further studies are warranted to confirm if the features specific to TruPlan™ may reduce the number of deployment attempts, the number of devices utilized in the procedure, and the risk of complications.
Validation of magnetic resonance elastography plus fibrosis‐4 for significant fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Inada Kento , Tamaki Nobuharu , Kurosaki Masayuki , Kirino Sakura , Yamashita Koji , Hayakawa Yuka , Higuchi Mayu , Takaura Kenta , Kaneko Shun , Maeyashiki Chiaki , Yasui Yutaka , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Izumi Namiki 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and AimMEFIB (the combination of magnetic resonance elastography [MRE] ≥ 3.3 kPa and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) ≥ 1.6) is useful for detecting patients with significant fibrosis (fibrosis stage ≥ 2) having nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, age‐dependent thresholds of FIB‐4 have been proposed, and it remains unclear whether MEFIB could be applied with the same FIB‐4 threshold in a different cohort. Therefore, in this study, we examined the best threshold of FIB‐4 and validated the utility of MEFIB.MethodsThis study included 105 biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients with contemporaneous MRE assessment. The primary outcome was a diagnostic accuracy for significant fibrosis.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) age was 65 (58–72) years, and significant fibrosis was 76.2% (80/105). FIB‐4 of 2.1 was defined as the best threshold for significant fibrosis in the cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROCs) of the combination of MRE and FIB‐4 (MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa + FIB‐4 ≥ 1.6: 0.80, MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa + FIB‐4 ≥ 2.1: 0.84) were higher than those of each index alone (MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa: 0.76, FIB‐4 ≥ 1.6: 0.72, and FIB‐4 ≥ 2.1: 0.77), but AUROCs of MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa + FIB‐4 ≥ 1.6 and MRE ≥ 3.3 kPa + FIB‐4 ≥ 2.1 were equivalent (P = 0.3).ConclusionsMEFIB is useful for detecting patients with significant fibrosis and could be utilized in a different cohort without changing the threshold of FIB‐4, and it may then be used as a two‐step screening strategy.
Sleep in adolescence: Considering family structure and family complexity
Authors: Nilsen Sondre Aasen , Bergström Malin , Sivertsen Børge , Stormark Kjell Morten , Hysing Mari 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate associations between family structure, family complexity, and sleep in adolescence.BackgroundFamily structure may be associated with sleep patterns and sleep problems among adolescents. Yet, research documenting this association has not captured the complexity of modern families and used crude measures of sleep.MethodThe youth@hordaland study (N = 8833) of adolescents aged 16–19 conducted in 2012 in Norway provided a detailed assessment of family structure, family complexity (i.e., living with half‐/stepsiblings), and multiple sleep parameters. Insomnia and delayed sleep–wake phase disorder (DSWPD) were defined in alignment with diagnostic criteria. Ordinary least squares and Poisson regression analyses were used to assess associations between family structure, family complexity, and sleep outcomes.ResultsAdolescents in joint physical custody (JPC) had more similar sleep parameters as peers in nuclear families than in single‐and stepparent families. Adolescents in single‐ and stepparent families had a higher risk of short sleep duration on weekdays, long sleep onset latency, long wake after sleep onset, oversleeping, insomnia, and DSWPD than peers in nuclear families. Family complexity was also associated with a higher risk of sleep problems, but the risk attenuated when considered jointly with family structure. Socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms partly attenuated the differences between the groups.ConclusionInequalities in sleep exist by family structure and, in part, family complexity. Despite alternating between two homes and often experiencing family complexity, sleep among adolescents in JPC was more similar to peers in nuclear families than in single‐ and stepparent families.
Beyond litigation: Policy work within cause lawyering organizations
Authors: Trowbridge David L. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis article investigates why cause lawyering organizations choose policy work and how policy agendas are set. Interviews and documents from eight legal organizations in the LGBTQ movement reveal that policy work expands the scope of conflict, giving organizations not only more opportunities to act, but potentially providing greater autonomy to lawyers by allowing them to build their own opportunities. Furthermore, policy agendas are not simply tied to litigation and resources. Organizations balance perceptions of opportunity and need with resource availability. These perceptions are often informed by collaborations with state and local organizations, facilitating communication between groups, organizers, and activists at different vantage points. Thus, the nature of a legal organization's multidimensional strategy, which expands opportunities to reach their goals, may be shaping what those goals are. These findings contribute to our understanding of cause lawyering tactics and agendas.
High plasma levels of betaine, a trimethylamine N‐Oxide‐related metabolite, are associated with the severity of cirrhosis
Authors: van den Berg Eline H. , Flores‐Guerrero Jose L. , Garcia Erwin , Connelly Margery A. , de Meijer Vincent E. ,   TransplantLines Investigators, Bakker Stephan J. L. , Blokzijl Hans , Dullaart Robin P. F. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsThe gut microbiome‐related metabolites betaine and trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) affect major health issues. In cirrhosis, betaine metabolism may be diminished because of impaired hepatic betaine homocysteine methyltransferase activity, whereas TMAO generation from trimethylamine may be altered because of impaired hepatic flavin monooxygenase expression. Here, we determined plasma betaine and TMAO levels in patients with end‐stage liver disease and assessed their relationships with liver disease severity.MethodsPlasma betaine and TMAO concentrations were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 129 cirrhotic patients (TransplantLines cohort study; NCT03272841) and compared with levels from 4837 participants of the PREVEND cohort study. Disease severity was assessed by Child‐Pugh‐Turcotte (CPT) classification and Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.ResultsPlasma betaine was on average 60% higher (p < .001), whereas TMAO was not significantly lower in cirrhotic patients vs. PREVEND population (p = .44). After liver transplantation (n = 13), betaine decreased (p = .017; p = .36 vs. PREVEND population), whereas TMAO levels tended to increase (p = .085) to higher levels than in the PREVEND population (p = .003). Betaine levels were positively associated with the CPT stage and MELD score (both p < .001). The association with the MELD score remained in the fully adjusted analysis (p < .001). The association of TMAO with the MELD score did not reach significance (p = .11). Neither betaine nor TMAO levels were associated with mortality on the waiting list for liver transplantation (adjusted p = .78 and p = .44, respectively).ConclusionPlasma betaine levels are elevated in cirrhotic patients in parallel with disease severity and decrease after liver transplantation.
“False peak” creation in the Flynn Creek marine target impact crater
Authors: Bray V. J. , Hagerty J. J. , Collins G. S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractImpacts into marine targets are known to create abnormal crater morphologies. We investigate the formation of the ~4 km diameter Flynn Creek marine target impact crater using the iSALE hydrocode. We compare simulation results to topographic profiles, mineral pressure indicators, and breccia sequencing from drill cores to determine the most likely sea depth at this location at the time of impact (~360 Ma, Tennessee, USA): 700–800 m. Both the peak shock pressure produced by the impact and the mechanism(s) of central peak formation differ with sea depth. The large central mound of Flynn Creek could have been produced in three distinct ways, all requiring the presence of an ocean: (1) a relatively cohesive rim collapse deposit that reached the crater center as part of a ground flow and came to rest on top of the existing crater stratigraphy; (2) chaotic resurge of ejecta with the returning ocean that deposited at the crater center; (3) large uplift facilitated by the removal of overburden pressure from a deep ocean. The first two of these mechanisms create “false peaks” in which high‐shock uplifted material and original crater floor are buried beneath > 200 m of relatively low shock material. Our simulations suggest that drilling of marine impact sites might require deeper than expected drill cores, so that any high‐pressure mineralogical indictors at depth can be accessed.
The noble gas inventory in metal samples and troilite inclusions from IIIAB iron meteorites: Reinvestigating the live 129I‐129Xe dating method
Authors: Smith Thomas , Leya Ingo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe live 129I‐129Xe dating technique, which internally corrects for shielding, is particularly well suited for large iron meteorites, for which shielding corrections might be difficult to obtain. In addition, the half‐life of 129I of 16 Ma would allow the study of the important question of the constancy—or variability—of the galactic cosmic rays over a time scale not covered by other cosmogenic nuclides. Here, we present the results of a noble gas study of metal samples and adjacent troilite inclusions from the four IIIAB iron meteorites Cape York (including Agpalilik), Casas Grandes, Trenton, and Grant. The major result is that we can directly determine 129Xenc concentrations caused by (live) 129I decay for Cape York, Casas Grandes, Trenton, and Grant. The 129Xenc concentrations can be used, if combined to 129I activity concentrations (not measured by us), to calculate cosmic ray exposure (CRE) ages using the (live) 129I‐129Xe chronometer. For the light noble gases measured in metal and troilite samples, the new data confirm the earlier estimates of a production rate ratio 21Necos(troilite)/21Necos(metal) in the range 3.08–3.53. Surprisingly, 38Arcos in troilite from Agpalilik and Casas Grandes is only, respectively, ~36% and ~44% relative to that in the respective metal phases. Considering that 38Arcos is only produced from iron but not from sulfur, the 38Arcos concentration measured in troilite is expected to be ~64% relative to that in adjacent metal, that is, some 38Arcos is missing. Considering krypton in troilite, only 80Kr, 82Kr, and 83Kr are higher than the blank, likely indicating a spallogenic contribution. On average, ~4.2% of measured 80Kr, ~2.5% of 82Kr, and ~11.6% of 83Kr are spallogenic.
A polygenic architecture with habitat‐dependent effects underlies ecological differentiation in Silene
Authors: Gramlich Susanne , Liu Xiaodong , Favre Adrien , Buerkle C. Alex , Karrenberg Sophie 
Published: May 2022

Summary

Ecological differentiation can drive speciation but it is unclear how the genetic architecture of habitat‐dependent fitness contributes to lineage divergence. We investigated the genetic architecture of cumulative flowering, a fitness component, in second‐generation hybrids between Silene dioica and Silene latifolia transplanted into the natural habitat of each species.

We used reduced‐representation sequencing and Bayesian sparse linear mixed models (BSLMMs) to analyze the genetic control of cumulative flowering in each habitat.

Our results point to a polygenic architecture of cumulative flowering. Allelic effects were mostly beneficial or deleterious in one habitat and neutral in the other. Positive‐effect alleles often were derived from the native species, whereas negative‐effect alleles, at other loci, tended to originate from the non‐native species.

We conclude that ecological differentiation is governed and maintained by many loci with small, habitat‐dependent effects consistent with conditional neutrality. This pattern may result from differences in selection targets in the two habitats and from environmentally dependent deleterious load. Our results further suggest that selection for native alleles and against non‐native alleles acts as a barrier to gene flow between species.
Leaving class behind?
Authors: Lee Shuyu 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDavid Foster Wallace’s novel The Pale King (2011) presents a social mobility narrative marked by the conflicting support for and challenge against the neoliberal ideology of meritocratic individualism. In the Toni Ware sections of the novel, the portrait of the working class is dominated by a solitary genius protagonist. Toni’s escape from poverty relies on both contingent circumstance and personal merit. Even though Toni subverts the myth of the classless society that grounds the middle‐class ideology of consumer capitalism, the way she does so embodies the rugged individualism that underlies precisely this ideology. Interrogating these ambiguities, this essay argues that Wallace’s social mobility narrative of the Toni Ware sections, while going some way toward resisting meritocracy and individualism, also supports these neoliberal middle‐class ideological discourses by making its upwardly mobile protagonist a solitary genius. Moreover, by showing the adult Toni’s rebellion against the myth of the classless society to be an outsider renegade’s descent into sociopathic villainy, the story affirms her subversion yet problematizes individualistic rebellion.
Anti‐Trichuris mucosal responses are maintained during H. bakeri co‐infection despite impaired parasite expulsion
Authors: Colombo Stefano A. P. , Thompson Seona , Bancroft Allison J. , Grencis Richard K. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn endemic regions concurrent infection with multiple gastrointestinal (GI) helminth species is more common than single species infection. However, the majority of model helminth infections focus on single species infections leading to a lack of understanding of how co‐infection influences anti‐parasite immune responses. Here, we use a model co‐infection of Trichuris muris (Tm) and Heligmosomoides bakeri (Hb) to investigate the effect of Hb on anti‐Tm immune responses. We observed a complete impairment of Tm expulsion in immune competent C57BL/6 mice when co‐infected with Hb. This was coupled with reduced cellularity in the colonic mesenteric lymph node (cMLN) proximal to the caecum, however, cMLN cytokine responses and caecal mucosal immune responses in co‐infected mice were not significantly different from mice infected with Tm alone. Interestingly, in immune‐compromised mice, we found co‐infection resulted in enhanced growth and fecundity of female Tm parasites. These data suggest that during helminth‐helminth co‐infection, immune‐independent signals between species may promote survival and growth.
Creatine supplementation reduces the cerebral oxidative and metabolic stress responses to acute in utero hypoxia in the late‐gestation fetal sheep
Authors: Tran Nhi Thao , Kowalski Greg M. , Muccini Anna M. , Nitsos Ilias , Hale Nadia , Snow Rod J. , Walker David W. , Ellery Stacey J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractProphylactic creatine treatment may reduce hypoxic brain injury due to its ability to sustain intracellular ATP levels thereby reducing oxidative and metabolic stress responses during oxygen deprivation. Using microdialysis, we investigated the real‐time in vivo effects of fetal creatine supplementation on cerebral metabolism following acute in utero hypoxia caused by umbilical cord occlusion (UCO). Fetal sheep (118 days’ gestational age (dGA)) were implanted with an inflatable Silastic cuff around the umbilical cord and a microdialysis probe inserted into the right cerebral hemisphere for interstitial fluid sampling. Creatine (6 mg kg−1 h−1) or saline was continuously infused intravenously from 122 dGA. At 131 dGA, a 10 min UCO was induced. Hourly microdialysis samples were obtained from −24 to 72 h post‐UCO and analysed for percentage change of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and interstitial metabolites (lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, glycerol, glycine). Histochemical markers of protein and lipid oxidation were assessed at post‐mortem 72 h post‐UCO. Prior to UCO, creatine treatment reduced pyruvate and glycerol concentrations in the microdialysate outflow. Creatine treatment reduced interstitial cerebral •OH outflow 0 to 24 h post‐UCO. Fetuses with higher arterial creatine concentrations before UCO presented with reduced levels of hypoxaemia ( and ) during UCO which associated with reduced interstitial cerebral pyruvate, lactate and •OH accumulation. No effects of creatine treatment on immunohistochemical markers of oxidative stress were found. In conclusion, fetal creatine treatment decreased cerebral outflow of •OH and was associated with an improvement in cerebral bioenergetics following acute hypoxia.
imageKey points
Fetal hypoxia can cause persistent metabolic and oxidative stress responses that disturb energy homeostasis in the brain. Creatine in its phosphorylated form is an endogenous phosphagen; therefore, supplementation is a proposed prophylactic treatment for fetal hypoxia.
Fetal sheep instrumented with a cerebral microdialysis probe were continuously infused with or without creatine‐monohydrate for 10 days before induction of 10 min umbilical cord occlusion (UCO; 131 days’ gestation). Cerebral interstitial fluid was collected up to 72 h following UCO.
Prior to UCO, fetal creatine supplementation reduced interstitial cerebral pyruvate and glycerol concentrations.
Fetal creatine supplementation reduced cerebral hydroxyl radical efflux up to 24 h post‐UCO. Fetuses with higher arterial creatine concentrations before UCO and reduced levels of systemic hypoxaemia during UCO were associated with reduced cerebral interstitial pyruvate, lactate and •OH following UCO.
Creatine supplementation leads to some improvements in cerebral bioenergetics following in utero acute hypoxia.
The Effect of Depression on Paid Sick Leave due to Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease in low- wage workers. (Depression and Sick Leave)
Authors: Prada Sergio Ivan , Rincón-Hoyos Hernán G , Pérez Ana M , Sierra-Ruiz Melibea , Serna Valentina 
Published: May 2022

Background: Colombia's health system allows workers to claim paid sick leave due to health conditions, some of this conditions are related to metabolic and cardiovascular disease. There has been an association between these diseases and depression. However, the effect of behavioral disorders such as depression on absence from work is unknown in the developing world. The objective of the research is to estimate whether low-wage workers suffering from depression, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease request more paid sick days than people with the same medical comorbidities, but without depression.
Data and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using data from an insurer in the southwestern region of Colombia in 2016. Depression was identified using an international algorithm that detects chronic conditions from diagnosis and pharmacy data. Outcome variables were the number of days on sick leave allowed by the insurer in one year, and the amount paid by the insurer. We used multivariate regression to estimate whether depression increases sick leave due to metabolic and cardiovascular disease after pre-processing the data using coarsened exact matching.
Results: Individuals diagnosed with depressive disorders and absent from work due to metabolic and cardiovascular disease tend to have more paid sick days throughout the year than individuals with no depression suffering from these diseases. Additional absence days were statistically significant in nutritional and metabolic disease (10.6 days) and circulatory diseases (7.4 days).
Conclusions: Depression comorbid with a physical disease increases the number of days and consequently the associated costs to the insurer. The incremental cost due to depression is higher compared to what insurers receive annually from the government to cover health services; consequently, additional research is warranted to identify prevention activities that can treat depression, thus lowering the healthcare system's financial burden.
Adaptive Uncertainty Estimator-Based Sliding Mode Control for a Spherical Robot: Methodology and Verification
Authors: Zhang Lufeng , Ren Xuemei , Zheng Dongdong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
This paper presents an adaptive uncertainty estimator-based proportional-integral (PI) type sliding mode control for a spherical robot with structural uncertainties and external disturbance. By projection method, the 3D robot dynamic model with structural asymmetry is decoupled into the balance subsystem and velocity subsystem, and the kinetics equations are established based on Newton–Euler's law. To estimate the unknown structural dynamics in the balance subsystem and external disturbance in the velocity subsystem, adaptive law containing both control and estimation error information is proposed for the uncertainty estimator (UE) design. Then, an uncertainty estimator-based PI type uncertainty estimator sliding mode controller (UESMC) is introduced for balance and velocity control, leading to enhanced disturbance rejection capability and a reduced steady-state error. Simulations and experiments on a real spherical robot are conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control strategies.