bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The argumentative style of the opening speech of a debate in the European Parliament
Authors: Garssen Bart
Published: March 2022

In this contribution a characterization is given of the argumentative style utilised in an opening speech of a plenary debate in the European Parliament. This debate is initiated through an opening speech in which the rapporteur of a parliamentary committee presents the European Commission’s proposal, as well as the amendments and the arguments to support them. As it is the rapporteur’s aim to gain broad parliamentary agreement with the proposal, the opening speech is vital to the debate, because all contributions of the MEPs relate directly to the argumentation put forward by the rapporteur. Based on the analytic overview the strategic design and the three dimensions of argumentative style the argumentative style that is used by the rapporteur is characterized.
Phonological similarity effects in cross-script word processing
Authors: Lee-Kim Sang-Im , Ren Xinran , Mok Peggy
Published: March 2022

The present study explored the conditions under which phonological similarity effects arise without orthographic
confounds by testing languages with true cognates but divergent scripts. We investigated the similarities and differences between
within- and cross-script processing patterns by providing data from an understudied language pair, Korean and Cantonese, which
have many cognates but bear no orthographic resemblance. In two word-naming and translation tasks, beginning and intermediate
Cantonese-speaking learners of Korean (N = 112) were tested for the processing speed of Sino-Korean words. The
results of the word-naming experiments showed that phonologically similar words were processed faster than dissimilar ones,
regardless of L2 fluency, especially when the logographic L1 characters were used as primes. However, facilitation by shared
phonology was not observed in the translation experiments in either direction. L1-to-L2 forward translation was much faster than
L2-to-L1 backward translation, indicating conceptual memory being used as a primary processing pathway. The characteristics of
cross-script processing patterns were discussed in terms of the structure of bilingual memory.
Brachial plexus bridging with specific extracellular matrix-modified chitosan/silk scaffold: a new expand of tissue engineered nerve graft
Authors: Song Lili , Guo Qi , Guo Jin , Xu Xiong , Xu Ke , Li Yueying , Yang Tuo , Gu Xiaosong , Cao Rangjuan , Cui Shusen
Published: March 2022

Objective. Brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) result in serious dysfunction, especially brachial plexus defects which are currently treated using autologous nerve graft (autograft) transplantation. With the development of tissue engineering, tissue engineered nerve grafts (TENGs) have emerged as promising alternatives to autografts but have not yet been widely applied to the treatment of BPIs. Herein, we developed a TENG modified with extracellular matrix generated by skin-derived precursor Schwann cells (SKP-SCs) and expand its application in upper brachial plexus defects in rats. Approach. SKP-SCs were co-cultured with chitosan neural conduits or silk fibres and subjected to decellularization treatment. Ten bundles of silk fibres (five fibres per bundle) were placed into a conduit to obtain the TENG, which was used to bridge an 8 mm gap in the upper brachial plexus. The efficacy of this treatment was examined for TENG-, autograft- and scaffold-treated groups at several times after surgery using immunochemical staining, behavioural tests, electrophysiological measurements, and electron microscopy. Main results. Histological analysis conducted two weeks after surgery showed that compared to scaffold bridging, TENG treatment enhanced the growth of regenerating axons. Behavioural tests conducted four weeks after surgery showed that TENG-treated rats performed similarly to autograft-treated ones, with a significant improvement observed in both cases compared with the scaffold treatment group. Electrophysiological and retrograde tracing characterizations revealed that the target muscles were reinnervated in both TENG and autograft groups, while transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining showed the occurrence of the superior myelination of regenerated axons in these groups. Significance. Treatment with the developed TENG allows the effective bridging of proximal nerve defects in the upper extremities, and the obtained results provide a theoretical basis for clinical transformation to expand the application scope of TENGs.
Vaccination with partial transmission and social distancing on contact networks
Authors: Hurry Christian John , Mozeika Alexander , Annibale Alessia
Published: March 2022

We study the impact of vaccination on the risk of epidemics spreading through structured networks using the cavity method of statistical physics. We relax the assumption that vaccination prevents all transmission of a disease used in previous studies, such that vaccinated nodes have a small probability of transmission. To do so, we extend the cavity method to study networks where nodes have heterogeneous transmissibility. We find that vaccination with partial transmission still provides herd immunity and show how the herd immunity threshold depends upon the assortativity between nodes of different transmissibility. In addition, we study the impact of social distancing via bond percolation and show that percolation targeting links between nodes of high transmissibility can reduce the risk of an epidemic greater than targeting links between nodes of high degree. Finally, we extend recent methods to compute the distributional equations of risk in populations with heterogeneous transmissibility and show how targeted social distancing measures may reduce overall risk greater than untargeted vaccination campaigns, by comparing the effect of random and targeted strategies of node and link deletion on the risk distribution.
Circuit complexity near critical points
Authors: Sood Uday , Kruczenski Martin
Published: March 2022

We consider the Bose–Hubbard model in two and three spatial dimensions and numerically compute the quantum circuit complexity of the ground state in the Mott insulator and superfluid phases using a mean field approximation with additional quadratic fluctuations. After mapping to a qubit system, the result is given by the complexity associated with a Bogoliubov transformation applied to the reference state taken to be the mean field ground state. In particular, the complexity has peaks at the O(2) critical points where the system can be described by a relativistic quantum field theory. Given that we use a Gaussian approximation, near criticality the numerical results agree with a free field theory calculation. To go beyond the Gaussian approximation we use general scaling arguments that imply that, as we approach the critical point t → t
c, there is a non-analytic behavior in the complexity c
2(t) of the form |c
2(t) − c
2(t
c)| ∼ |t − t
c|
νd
, up to possible logarithmic corrections. Here d is the number of spatial dimensions and ν is the usual critical exponent for the correlation length ξ ∼ |t − t
c|−ν
. As a check, for d = 2 this agrees with the numerical computation if we use the Gaussian critical exponent

ν
=

1

2

. Finally, using AdS/CFT methods, we study higher dimensional examples and confirm this scaling argument with non-Gaussian exponent ν for strongly interacting theories that have a gravity dual.
Development and evaluation of a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid in ultra-deep reservoirs
Authors: Xu Hang , Zhou Fujian , Li Yuan , Chen Zhishuo , Yao Erdong
Published: March 2022

Ultra-deep reservoirs make the fracturing operations facing some inevitable problems, especially the higher surface treating pressure, which usually exceeds the limitation of existing fracturing equipment. Weighted fracturing fluid has become one of the most effective methods to deal with this challenge. In this study, a novel high-density weighted fracturing fluid was developed with self-synthesized new weighting agent and crosslinker through extensive laboratory experiments. The density of the new weighted fracturing fluid was up to 1.46 g/cm3. The crosslinking time can be controlled within 3.1∼10.2 mins, which helps in limiting the tubing friction. Performance evaluation results show that the fluid system has desired high temperature-stability and shearing resistance. Under 150 °C, 170 s–1, the final apparent viscosity still remains above 50 mPa·s after shearing for 60 mins. The maximum friction reduction rate of the based fluid reached 68.4 %, which is speculated lower than the wellsite application. The newly proposed weighted fracturing fluid is a good choice for ultra-deep and high-temperature reservoirs stimulation and hence improving the recovery.
Sensitive direct x-ray detectors based on the In–Ga–Zn–O/perovskite heterojunction phototransistor
Authors: Cao Yong , Ge Yongshuai , Sha Xin , Meng Lingqiang , Gao Yuanhong , Li Bo , Yu Xue-Feng , Li Jia
Published: March 2022

Direct x-ray detectors are essential in many applications including medical tomography, security inspection, nondestructive testing, crystallography and astronomy. Despite the rapid advances in recent years, the currently available direct x-ray detectors are still limited by the insufficient photon-to-charge conversion, compromising the detection sensitivity, ease of fabrication, cost and flexibility. Here we demonstrate a device concept of heterojunction phototransistor with high internal-gain effect to realize the sensitive x-ray direct detection. Specifically, the heterojunction phototransistors are mainly composed of an industrially available In–Ga–Zn–O channel and all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals used as x-ray photoconductor. In contrast to the conventional diode-based x-ray detectors, phototransistor allows both electrical gating and photodoping effect for efficient carrier density modulation, leading to the low dark-current and high photoconductive gain. The introduction of such high-gain mechanism into x-ray detectors can offer internal signal amplification for photogenerated currents without the increment of noise, thereby leading to the high sensitivity over 106
μC Gyair
−1 cm−2 and detection limit down to 3 μGyair s−1. These results suggest that the heterojunction x-ray phototransistor can provide the most promising platform to achieve high-performance direct x-ray detectors with both high sensitivity, light weight, flexibility and low cost.
Focusing on transient chaos
Authors: Omel’chenko Oleh E , Tél Tamás
Published: March 2022

Recent advances in the field of complex, transiently chaotic dynamics are reviewed, based on the results published in the focus issue of J. Phys. Complex. on this topic. One group of achievements concerns network dynamics where transient features are intimately related to the degree and stability of synchronization, as well as to the network topology. A plethora of various applications of transient chaos are described, ranging from the collective motion of active particles, through the operation of power grids, cardiac arrhythmias, and magnetohydrodynamical dynamos, to the use of machine learning to predict time evolutions. Nontraditional forms of transient chaos are also explored, such as the temporal change of the chaoticity in the transients (called doubly transient chaos), as well as transients in systems subjected to parameter drift, the paradigm of which is climate change.
Locally analytic 𝐸𝑥𝑡¹ for 𝐺𝐿₂(ℚ_{𝕡}) in de Rham non-trianguline case
Authors: Ding Yiwen
Published: March 2022

We prove Breuil’s conjecture on locally analytic

E
x
t

1

\mathrm {Ext}^1

for

G
L

2

(

Q

p

)

\mathrm {GL}_2(\mathbb {Q}_p)

in de Rham non-trianguline case.
773 BARRIERS TO RECOGNISING PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA AND DELIRIUM ON A HEALTHCARE OF THE ELDERLY INPATIENT WARD
Authors: Stokes R , Philpott R
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Pain is often poorly recognised and remains under-treated in older patients, especially those who are unable to articulate their discomfort. In those with severe cognitive impairment or communication difficulties, recognition of the non-verbal manifestations of pain is needed to ensure patient comfort. Understanding how likely these patients are to have pain, how we improve recognition of the signs of discomfort, and encouraging doctors to think about prescribing analgesics will allow these patients to retain their dignity, and reduce their physical and psychological distress during their inpatient stays.

Method

Over two periods in 2019–2020, pre and post introduction of Abbey Pain Scale. Inpatients on a HCE ward >65 years old Diagnosis of dementia and/or delirium Review of pain scores on the observation charts, analgesia and documentation of sources of pain.

Results

75 patients were reviewed, 39% with delirium, 45% with dementia Pain was often not considered during medical assessments, even if patients had presented with a fall 56% had a potential source of pain identified either in their medical or nursing notes, however there was disparity between these The majority of sources of pain were chronic joint issues or injuries sustained from falls Patients had their observations checked 2–4 times/day. A pain score was entered 56% of the time and less frequently in: diabetics (due to chart layout), long-stayers and those who refused their observations Use of the Abbey Pain Scale made no significant difference.

Conclusion

(s). Disparity between notes highlighted a gap in communication. There is a risk of complacency with long-staying patients. Ketone readings are recorded over the pain score area on the observation charts, this needs to change. Refusing observations may be a sign of pain and staff should be more vigilant in these cases. A more integrative tool to monitor pain is required.
765 EFFECTIVENESS OF AROMATHERAPY IN MANAGING BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA: A MIXED METHODS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Li B S Y , Chan C W H , Wong I K Y , Yu Y H U , Li M
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Over 90% older persons with dementia (PWD) exhibit behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) during their illness, which is the most prominent and distressing manifestation for PWD and caregivers. Aromatherapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in BPSD management in previous studies. However, previous studies and systematic reviews have shown inconsistent findings, and no review has been done on qualitative studies. The aim of this review was to identify and review the evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies of the effectiveness of aromatherapy on BPSD management, for PWD and caregivers.

Methods

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for mixed method systematic review with convergent segregated approach was followed. 28 English and Chinese databases were searched for published and unpublished studies. The titles, abstracts, and full-texts were screened by two reviewers based on pre-specified criteria, and methodological quality was assessed with JBI critical appraisal tools. Quantitative synthesis including meta-analysis by Review Manager 5.4, qualitative synthesis including meta-aggregation, and integration of both evidence were performed.

Results

Total 8,264 articles were retrieved. After screening, 24 studies (12 randomised controlled trials, 10 quasi-experimental studies, 2 qualitative studies) were included. Most of the studies with moderate methodological quality. Some inconsistent findings regarding the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing the severity of BPSD, and insufficient adherence monitoring were reported in the included studies. Significant improvement in PWD’s QoL and caregivers’ distress and burden, positive experience from the caregivers, as well as very low adverse effects (and no adverse effect for aromatherapy inhalation) to PWD were reported in some of the studies.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy, especially in inhalation approach, might be regarded as a potentially safe and effective strategy for BPSD management with positive effects to PWD and caregivers. More structuralised and comparable studies with sufficient sample size and adherence monitoring are needed to obtain more conclusive findings.
707 RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR PREHOSPITAL CARE OF OLDER PATIENTS WITH INJURIES: SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Harthi N , Goodacre S , Sampson F , Alharbi R
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The use of ambulance services by older patients with injuries increases within the impacts of ageing-related changes leading to adverse patient outcomes. There is increasing recognition of the importance of prehospital trauma care for older patients, but little systematic research to guide practice. We aimed to review the published evidence on prehospital trauma care for older patients, determine the scope of existing research and identify research gaps in the literature.

Methods

A systematic scoping review guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A systematic search was conducted of Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane library databases to identify articles published between (2001–2021) years. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted, charted and summarised from eligible articles.

Results

65 studies were identified and reviewed, and 25 included. Five categories were identified: ‘field triage, “ageing impacts”, ‘decision-making’, ‘paramedic’ awareness’ and ‘paramedic’s behaviour’. Undertriage & overtriage (sensitivity & specificity) were commonly cited as poorly investigated field-triage subthemes. Ageing-related physiologic changes, comorbidities and polypharmacy were the most widely researched. Inaccurate decision-making and poor early identification of major injuries were identified as potentially influencing patient outcomes. More research is required into paramedic knowledge of geriatric care & ageing changes and the potential impact of paramedic care.

Conclusion

This is the first study reviewing the published evidence on prehospital trauma care for older patients and identifying research priorities for future research. This review has identified the prehospital triage for older trauma victims and studies of paramedic knowledge of older trauma care as key priorities. Investigating and understanding these can improve providing prehospital trauma care of older patients.
664 EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF THE INTERRAI CHECK-UP FORM (SELF-REPORTED) IN OLDER PEOPLE LIVING WITH FRAILTY IN THE COMMUNITY
Authors: Rajpara M K , Wilson C , Gordon A L , Cowley A
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Identifying the holistic needs of community dwelling older people is an essential component of clinical care. Current assessment instruments are limited by a narrow medical view and varied language use, referring to identical clinical concepts in different ways. The interRAI family of assessments have been designed to integrate health information across multiple settings. The interRAI Check-Up (Self-Reported) was designed to support the management of older adults with multi-morbidities in the community setting but has not yet been widely tested in clinical practice in the United Kingdom.

Objectives

To investigate the extent to which the self-reported interRAI Check-Up tool could be used to assess older patients within the NHS.

Methods

Patients attending two outpatient clinics were recruited to complete the interRAI Check-Up which comprised of 109 items. Time taken for tool completion and prompts needed were recorded. Patient and individual item completion rates were calculated and assessed for floor or ceiling effects. Patient views on completing the tool were collected as field notes. Clinic staff completed a questionnaire exploring their views of the tool. Thematic analysis was carried out on patient and staff data.

Results

From 43 patient participants, the median time for tool completion was 25 minutes. The median patient completion rate was 96.6% and item completion rate was 97.1%. Of 105 analysed items, 55 items showed a ceiling or floor effect. The tool was found to comprehensively cover holistic needs but its length and complexity of structure was found to be a barrier during busy clinical practice.

Conclusion

The Self-reported interRAI Check-Up tool was found to be feasible for use in the outpatient setting. Further research into which patient groups and locations would benefit most is recommended as well as how to practically implement the assessment into clinical practice within the NHS.
Early American Drama Beyond the Script: The Blockade of Boston and the Ancillary Archive
Authors: Klimasmith Betsy
Published: March 2022

Although eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Americans encountered drama at least as often as other literary forms, situating the plays they saw in literary scholarship has proven to be a challenge. Because so few remain, complete playscripts offer only a taste of the period’s strange and varied repertoire. Many plays exist only as traces: fragments of scripts, playbills, songs, broadsides, and account books for theater companies that hint at the details of productions they staged. Focusing on the strange case of General John Burgoyne’s play, The Boston Blockade, which lacks an extant script, and the archive surrounding its aborted 1776 performance in Faneuil Hall, this article proposes choric reading as a method that connects performance theory to work by literary historians Caroline Wigginton, Derrick Spires, and Matt Cohen that expands our sense of what constitutes a literary text in the early US. Reimagining the performative elements of staged plays and of the print archive opens even scriptless plays to current readers and makes a provocative and understudied archive accessible to literary scholars.

The unusual archive surrounding The Blockade of Boston . . . demonstrate[s] how choric reading bridges . . . the scenario and . . . the publication event, allowing us to enter the world of a play through its archive and resituate its work despite a missing script.
Risk factors and early cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy in Tanzania: a protocol for a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Vicent Bankanie , Meda John , Ngoma Mamsau , Wan Li , Yinglan Li
Published: March 2022

The objective of this quasi-experimental study is to assess the risk factors and early cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy in Tanzania. The study will be conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. The study will have three phases: baseline survey, follow-up, and end-line survey. Participants will be newly diagnosed adult cancer patients who are eligible for anthracycline-based chemotherapy. A total of 427 participants will be involved. At baseline, participants will be evaluated for the cardiovascular risk factors before commencing chemotherapy. During follow-up, participants will commence their prescribed anthracycline and the cardiovascular indices monitored throughout until the patient completes the prescribed anthracycline cycles. After completing the prescribed anthracycline cycles, an end line survey will be conducted to evaluate any change in cardiovascular indices. The outcome variable in this study will be the change in biochemical data (high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and troponin I), blood pressure, and electrocardiographic information (heart rate and Bazett QT interval). Independent variables will be demographic characteristics, risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, current dietary practices, and body mass index. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the participants. Independent and paired t-tests will be performed to make comparisons between and within groups. P-values <0.05 will be considered statistically significant. The results of this study will help clinicians and policymakers to understand the burden of early cardiovascular outcomes and plan for appropriate preventive strategies.
Applications of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures in wound repair and tissue regeneration
Authors: Dou Yikai , Cui Weitong , Yang Xiao , Lin Yunfeng , Ma Xiaohong , Cai Xiaoxiao
Published: March 2022

Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) are molecules with a pyramidal structure formed by folding four single strands of DNA based on the principle of base pairing. Although DNA has polyanionic properties, the special spatial structure of TDNs allows them to penetrate the cell membrane without the aid of transfection agents in a caveolin-dependent manner and enables them to participate in the regulation of cellular processes without obvious toxic side effects. Because of their stable spatial structure, TDNs resist the limitations imposed by nuclease activity and innate immune responses to DNA. In addition, TDNs have good editability and biocompatibility, giving them great advantages for biomedical applications. Previous studies have found that TDNs have a variety of biological properties, including promoting cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, as well as having anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-infective and immune regulation capabilities. Moreover, we confirmed that TDNs can promote the regeneration and repair of skin, blood vessels, muscles and bone tissues. Based on these findings, we believe that TDNs have broad prospects for application in wound repair and regeneration. This article reviews recent progress in TDN research and its applications.
Dynamic change of mitral regurgitation after myocardial reverse remodelling: a case report
Authors: Morioka Mami , Takashio Seiji , Fukui Toshihiro , Tsujita Kenichi
Published: March 2022

Background

Chronic mitral regurgitation can be primary (degenerative) or secondary (functional); each has its own aetiology, treatment approach, and prognosis. A combination of the two types of regurgitation can lead to unexpected haemodynamic changes.

Case summary

A 72-year-old woman presented to our hospital with dyspnoea on exertion, moist cough, and orthopnoea. At admission, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings revealed severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, dilation of the left ventricle and left atrium, mild mitral regurgitation with prolapse of the posterior leaflet, and bilateral leaflet tethering. She was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy with mild mitral regurgitation. After compensation of heart failure, angiotensin-receptor blocker and beta-blocker treatment were initiated, and the dose was subsequently titrated. At 7 months after initiating medical therapy, TTE showed significant improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction, disappearance of left ventricular dilation (reverse remodelling), and mitral valve tethering. However, posterior leaflet prolapse became apparent, and mitral regurgitation blowing became more severe. Chordal lengthening, leaflet thickening, and degeneration were observed, but there were no ruptured chordae. Successful surgical repair of the mitral and tricuspid valves was performed.

Discussion

In this unusual mitral regurgitation case, the regurgitation worsened following an improvement of cardiac function due to the loss of tethering from a reduction of the left ventricular diameter and an increase in closing force by increasing the left ventricular contractile force. Eventually, mitral regurgitation prolapse became apparent. Therefore, we should consider that reverse remodelling may exacerbate mitral regurgitation.
How Pronounced is the U-Curve? Revisiting Income Inequality in the United States, 1917–60
Authors: Geloso Vincent J , Magness Phillip , Moore John , Schlosser Philip
Published: March 2022

Piketty and Saez (2003) found a pronounced U-curve pattern of American income inequality since 1917, displaying a precipitous decline during World War II to a level that would hold until 1980. We offer revisions to their income inequality estimates prior to 1960 with three important findings. First, Piketty and Saez overstate inequality levels in this period. Second, the decline during World War II was smaller than depicted. Third, the Great Depression, rather than World War II, played the more significant role. These findings indicate a need to re-evaluate commonly held assumptions about the evolution of inequality during the period of the ‘great levelling’, as well as the nature of its posited relationship to tax policy.
Economic, environmental and energy analysis of the utilization of renewable energy based on Analytic Hierarchy Process: a case study
Authors: Mohammadi-Aylar Salam Ollah , Almassi Morteza , Bakhoda Hossein
Published: March 2022

Due to the growing reduction of fossil fuels and, on the other hand, the emission of pollution due to the use of these fuels, renewable energy is a very good alternative to produce the required energy. In the meantime, wind and solar energy are very important due to simple technology and production of energy with high capacities. To make the best use of renewable energy, the first step is to measure the potential of the studied areas using the analytic hierarchy process method. To do this, economically influential variables (investment, maintenance costs, energy costs, revenue, rate of return on investment) and environmental variables (global impact (greenhouse gases), regional pollution, health) for utilization of renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass) were studied in eight cities of Ardabil province. The combined system of photovoltaic cell with wind turbine in Ardabil city makes it the most prone area in the province with a return on investment of 2.61 yr. The amount of energy produced for this region is 47944 kW hr/yr.
Analytic Continuation of Concrete Realizations and the McCarthy Champagne Conjecture
Authors: Bickel Kelly , Pascoe J E , Tully-Doyle Ryan
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we give formulas that allow one to move between transfer function type realizations of multi-variate Schur, Herglotz, and Pick functions, without adding additional singularities except perhaps poles coming from the conformal transformation itself. In the two-variable commutative case, we use a canonical de Branges–Rovnyak model theory to obtain concrete realizations that analytically continue through the boundary for inner functions that are rational in one of the variables (so-called quasi-rational functions). We then establish a positive solution to McCarthy’s Champagne conjecture for local to global matrix monotonicity in the settings of both two-variable quasi-rational functions and $d$-variable perspective functions.
In vitro activity of ceftobiprole and comparator antibiotics against contemporary European isolates (2016–19)
Authors: Canton Rafael , Hamed Kamal , Wiktorowicz Tatiana , Redder Nowel , Jemmely Noelle , Quevedo Juan , Santerre Henriksen Anne
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the susceptibility to ceftobiprole of clinical bacterial isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Europe.

Methods

A total of 20 000 non-duplicate bacterial isolates were collected in 2016–19 from patients with documented infections at medical centres located in 17 countries in Europe. Bacterial identification was confirmed and susceptibility to ceftobiprole and comparator agents was tested using the EUCAST broth microdilution methodology and interpretive criteria by a central microbiology laboratory.

Results

Of the 20 000 isolates, 10 007 (50.0%) were Gram-positive and 9993 (50.0%) were Gram-negative. The most common species was Staphylococcus aureus (35.0%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (15.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.0%), Escherichia coli (9.7%) and Haemophilus influenzae (3.0%). Overall, 99.7% (6981/7000) of S. aureus, including 99.5% (3483/3502) of MRSA, 97.8% (2941/3007) of S. pneumoniae, 100% (605/605) of H. influenzae and 76.3% (5492/7197) of Enterobacterales isolates were susceptible to ceftobiprole. Susceptibility to ceftobiprole was higher for isolates from northern and western Europe as compared with eastern and southern Europe.

Conclusions

Ceftobiprole continues to exhibit potent and broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates from Europe, and as expected, with a slight north-to-south and west-to-east susceptibility gradient.
58 Development of Forage Establishment and Management Educational Resources for Alabama Farmers
Authors: Silva Liliane , Mullenix Kim , Dillard Leanne L , Vasco Carol M
Published: March 2022

Forage-based livestock production systems are one of the largest economic drivers for agriculture in the southern USA. There is a strong reliance on forages as the primary feed source due to favorable climatic conditions and wide range of adapted species. Increasing population growth and urbanization has exacerbated the need to enhance productivity per land through improved management strategies of forage systems. An increase in the number of beginning farmers seeking forage-based livestock systems management information has exacerbated educators to improve educational resources available to reach a wide spectrum of Extension clientele. Resources created by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) include a new online course, Forage Basics, which was released in September 2021 to provide a broad overview of concepts as forages, soils, weed and insect management in the Southeast region. A sister resource, the Alabama Forages Handbook, was also developed and provides more detailed information on similar topics. This printed resource will serve as a reference guide and curriculum base resource for Extension educators in the Alabama to hold associated trainings. A one-day in-service training was conducted with county and regional extension agents in Alabama to evaluate perceptions of these resources and potential use in Extension programming. There was a 55 % response rate (n = 20 respondents). Using a Likert scale, most respondents indicated that they are very likely to integrate both the coursework (55%) and the handbook (64%) into their programming activities in the next year, and that they often refer to the ACES resources to support their program. Suggested topics for resources included forage system for other animal categories and expansion of some of the forages topics. This information will support upcoming efforts to develop new resources statewide and expand the content for associated trainings to the handbook.
137 Application of Performance Metrics to Evaluate Cow Performance: A Collaboration of the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Authors: Elmore Michelle F , Mullenix Kim
Published: March 2022

Beef cattle producers engaged in the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Commercial Record Keeping Program are encouraged to expand records for evaluation of whole herd performance. Collection of cow weight at calf weaning can be used as a metric to estimate cow performance for overall productivity. From 2019 to 2021, five beef cattle operations annually collected individual cow weight at calf weaning (n = 284 observations). Cow age was classified as 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 8 years old and 9 years and older. Cow weight was classified into three categories as small (1199 lb or less), moderate (1200 to 1499 lb) or large (1500 lb or greater). Average cow weight per category was small 1108 lb (n = 37), moderate 1353 lb (n = 180) and large 1605 lb (n = 67). Within each age range and size category, cow performance was measured by average calving interval, average calf adjusted weaning weight and percentage cow body weight weaned. For 2 to 4 years old, average calving interval was 18 days longer between small to moderate categories and 96 days longer between moderate to large categories. For 5 years of age and older, modest impact on average calving interval due to an increase in body weight was observed (3 to 7 days small to moderate; 19 to 8 days moderate to large). Across all ages, moderate impact on average calf adjusted weaning weight due to cow weight was reflected (19, 38, 43 lb. small to moderate; 37, 27, 37 lb. moderate to large). As cow age and weight increases, percentage of cow body weight weaned decreases (2 to 4 years 57%, 48%, 42%; 5 to 8 years 50%, 45% 40%; 9 years 47%, 44% 39%). In summary, measuring cow weight at calf weaning enhances genetic and management practices to illustrate and improve cow herd productivity.
10 Free Amino Acids at Weaning in the Blood Plasma of Beef Heifers with Differing Reproductive Outcomes Following Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination
Authors: Mahoney Erin E , Dyce Paul W , Elmore Michelle F , Rodning Soren P
Published: March 2022

The ability to accurately select reproductively efficient replacement heifers is critical to sustainable beef production. Previous studies used metabolomic assessment of blood plasma and found significant differences in several amino acids in poor performing and top performing replacement heifers. The objective of this study was to identify differences in plasma amino acid profiles, at weaning, in heifers with different pregnancy outcomes following estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI). At weaning, blood samples were collected from a group of replacement heifers (n = 47) and processed for plasma extraction. The heifers then underwent a fixed-time AI program at approximately 14 months of age followed by pregnancy status evaluation via ultrasound. Amino acid profiles were compared between heifers with differing reproductive outcomes following first service AI. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to generate amino acid profiles of the blood plasma collected at weaning. A total of twenty amino acid levels were analyzed for each heifer: histidine, asparagine, taurine, serine, glutamine, arginine, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, proline, cystine, lysine, tyrosine, methionine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine. Of the twenty amino acids analyzed, two were significantly different between heifers that remained open compared to heifers that were pregnant following the AI. Histidine was significantly lower in heifers that remained open (n = 28, 40.89±1.56 µM/L, P < 0.05) compared to those that were pregnant following AI (n = 19, 46.59 ±1.937 µM/L, P < 0.05). Similarly, cystine was significantly lower in the heifers that remained open (n = 28, 7.87 ±2.05 µM/L, P < 0.05) compared to those that were pregnant (n = 19, 9.54 ±2.59 µM/L, P < 0.05). In conclusion, histidine and cystine plasma levels were found to be significantly different, in the blood plasma of heifers at weaning with differing AI first service reproductive outcomes.
16 Beyond the Breeding Soundness Exam: The Evaluation of the Motility and Viability of Sperm Cells as Well as a Quantification and Evaluation of Mirna 26a-5p and Mirna 574, as Parameters of Bull Infertility
Authors: Ruemke Heather R , Runyan Cheyenne L , Waddell Jolena N , Roper David , Daigneault Brad , Poe Brant
Published: March 2022

Sperm cryopreservation is an important tool for assisted reproductive techniques, nonetheless there are major factors associated with reduced longevity and poor survivability of cryopreserved sperm in the female reproductive tract. Several studies have focused on molecular markers associated with apoptosis, mitochondrial integrity and oxidative stress in cryopreserved sperm. Research indicates miRNA 26a-5p and miRNA-574 exhibit anti-inflammatory attributes in some cells, by downregulating the effects on specific genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of bovine semen, including a variety of breeds, post-thaw viability through kinetic screening using Computer Assisted Semen Evaluation (CASA). Cryopreserved semen samples from 5 bulls were thawed in a water bath (37.5°C for 35 s), then aliquoted in eppendorf tubes and initial CASA (Version 14 CEROS) measurements of total motility, progressive motility, and kinematic factors were assessed. Semen samples were placed in a heat block at 37.5 C for incubation for three 30-minute periods (30-minutes, 60-minutes, and 90-minutes) to measure thermoresistance and longevity to extrinsic factors influencing oxidative stress. After incubation periods 80 µL of each semen sample was screened on CASA. Data were analyzed using a Student-T in GraphPad Prism. Data are presented as LSMEANS and P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant and tendencies were considered at a P > 0.05. Semen samples were clustered into subpopulation threshold-based on sperm velocity and linearity at each time point. Levels of miRNA-574 and miRNA-26a-5p were quantified using qPCR. No significant differences of miRNA-574 or miRNA-26a-5p were detected in semen at post-thaw. Incubation of semen for 30-minutes resulted in total motility decrease (P = 0.02) and progressive motility tended to decline (P = 0.06). None of the semen was viable past the first 30-minute period. These data suggest that there are limited differences in thermoresistance in sperm in a rapid stress test. However, further research needs to be conducted to evaluate the cells on aspects of viability and overall function.
21 Impact of Breed and Method of Semen Collection on Viability and Membrane Integrity of Goat Spermatozoa
Authors: Reese Tiffany-Briana , Kouakou Brou , Singh Mahipal , Schauston Miller , Moawad Adel
Published: March 2022

Goats have potential to be genetically improved for meat and milk. Artificial insemination is an important technique used to enhance genetic gain through dissemination of selected male traits. One reason for huge variability in fertility rates in goats is the semen quality, which is affected by breed, collection method, and freezing procedures. Here we investigated effect of breeds (Saanen versus Alpine) and semen collection methods (artificial vagina; AV versus electroejaculation; EE) on the quality of goat spermatozoa. Semen collected from Saanen and Alpine bucks by either AV or EE was evaluated for its color, consistency, and volume. Besides, sperm motility, concentrations, viability, abnormalities, and membrane integrity were assessed. At least three ejaculates were collected from each breed and data were analyzed by student t-test. Results showed that colors of samples collected from the two breeds were white to yellow and the consistency ranged from watery to creamy. Irrespective to the collection method, average volume of ejaculates was higher for Alpine than Saanen (1350 vs. 880 µl for AV and 1066 vs. 987.5 µl for EE). Sperm motility and concentrations were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in Alpine than Saanen semen for both methods. Within the same breed, these parameters were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for AV than EE. Percentage of viable spermatozoa was higher for Alpine than Saanen bucks (80.0% vs. 64.5% in AV) and (52.42% vs. 41.35% in EE). However, sperm abnormalities were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in Alpine semen. Sperm membrane integrity tended to be higher in Alpine semen. In conclusion, semen collected from Alpine bucks had higher quality than those obtained from Saanen ones. Furthermore, collection of semen by AV improved sperm motility and viability than EE in both breeds. These findings suggest that both breeds and method of semen collection could influence the viability and fertility of goat sperm.
9 Evaluating the Utility of Individual Cattle Brush Use Behavior as a Novel Behavioral Phenotype Regarding Productivity, Temperament, and Feeding Behavior of Bos Indicus Steers and Heifers Housed in Dry Lots
Authors: Lozada Claudia C , Daigle Courtney L , O'Reilly Keara , Carstens Gordon , Riley David G
Published: March 2022

Little is understood about the relationships among environmental enrichment, temperament, productivity, and feeding behavior in cattle. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of divergent behavioral phenotypes for brush usage on temperament, productivity, and feeding behavior patterns in beef cattle. Four pens of Brahman cattle (n = 2 pens with 15 heifers/pen, and n = 2 pens with 19 steers/pen) were housed in dry lots each equipped with four electronic feedbunks (GrowSafe Systems). Animals were video recorded throughout an 85d commercial gain test. Video recordings were decoded on d 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 using continuous observations for 15 minutes every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 20:00 to determine the total daily brush usage for focal animals that were selected based on d -19 exit velocities. Exit velocity and body weight were measured on d -19, 0, 1, 25, 50, and 70 and feeding behavior was monitored daily using the GrowSafe 4000E system. Animals were classified within gender into one of three phenotypes (high, medium, and low brush usage) based on ±0.5SD from the brush usage mean. A General Linear Mixed Model (PROC GLIMMIX) with brush use phenotype, sex and the interaction of these as fixed effects and pen as random effect was used for data analysis. For high and medium brush use phenotypes, steers had greater final BW than heifers (P = 0.0005), while heifer and steer final body weight did not differ when brush usage was low. High brush use steers had greater ADG (P = 0.0002) than high and medium brush use heifers, and low brush use steers and heifers. This same pattern was observed for DMI (P = 0.0003). Heifers were more temperamental than steers (P = 0.0008), and high and medium brush use heifers had faster exit velocities than low brush use steers. These results suggest that monitoring animal’s pleasurable behavior (brush use), rather than fear response alone, may be a useful behavioral indicator of cattle productivity.
36 Inclusion of Different Sources of Ca Salts of Fatty Acids on Productive Responses of Finishing Cattle
Authors: Colombo Eduardo , Cooke Reinaldo F , Mackey Shea , Pickett Autumn , Zylberlicht Gabriel , Cappellozza Bruno , Batista Luis Fernando , Pohler Ky G , Brandão Alice
Published: March 2022

This experiment (d -9 to d 148) evaluated productive responses of feedlot cattle consuming or not different sources of fatty acids (Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil) during the finishing period. Bos taurus-influenced steers (n = 120) were ranked by initial body weight (BW; 410 ± 6 kg) on d -9 and allocated to 1 of 20 pens (6 steers/pen) equipped with Calan gate feeders (American Calan, Northwood, NH) for individual feed delivery. Steers within each pen were randomly assigned to receive a corn-based finishing diet containing or not (CON; n = 30) Ca salts of palm oil (PALM, n = 30), Ca salts of soybean oil (SB, n = 30), or a mixture of Ca salts of palm, soybean, and cottonseed oils (MIX, n = 30) at 2% of the diet (as-fed basis). Within each treatment, 12 steers were shipped to a packing plant on d 93 of the experiment, and the remaining steers on d 148 of the experiment. Steer shrunk BW was recorded on d -9 (initial), and final BW calculated as 63% of hot carcass weight. Initial and final BW were used to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Individual dry matter intake was calculated by measuring dietary weekly offer and refusals. Feed efficiency was measured using steer total body weight gain and total dry matter intake during the experiment. No differences were detected for initial BW (P = 0.99). Final BW, BW gain, and dry matter intake were all greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MIX, PALM and CON compared with SB. Feed efficiency was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MIX and PALM compared with SB, and also greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MIX compared with CON. Longissimus muscle area was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for MIX and CON compared with PALM. Collectively, inclusion of MIX into a finishing diet increased performance and feed efficiency of feedlot cattle, whereas inclusion of SB was detrimental to these responses.