bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulating the structural phase transitions of metal-organic frameworks with control over the volume of nanocrystallites
Authors: Schaper Larissa , Schmid Rochus
Published: October 2023

Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can undergo structural transitions with significant pore volume changes upon guest adsorption or other external triggers while maintaining their porosity. In computational studies of this breathing behavior, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations within periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) are commonly performed. However, to account for the finite size and surface effects affecting the phase transition mechanism, the simulation of non-periodic nanocrystallite (NC) models without the constraint of PBCs is an important alternative. In this study, we present an approach allowing the analysis and control of the volume of finite-size structures during MD simulations by a tetrahedral tessellation of the (deformed) NC’s volume. The method allows for defining the current NC’s volume during the simulation and manipulating it regarding a particular reference volume to compute free energies for the phase transformation via umbrella sampling. The application on differently sized DMOF-1 and DUT-128 NCs reveals flexible pore closing mechanisms without significant biasing of the transition pathway. The concept provides the theoretical foundation for further research on flexible materials regarding targeted initialization of the structural phase behavior to elucidate the underlying mechanism, which can be used to improve the applications of flexible materials by targeted controlling of the phase transition.
Contact-free impacts of sessile reef organisms on stony coral productivity
Authors: Engelhardt Kara E. , Vetter Jana , Wöhrmann-Zipf Franziska , Dietzmann André , Proll Franziska M. , Reifert Hannah , Schüll Ilona , Stahlmann Max , Ziegler Maren
Published: October 2023

Coral reefs are biodiversity and productivity hotspots where space limitation makes interactions between organisms inevitable. Biodiversity loss alters these interactions, however downstream effects on the productivity of individual species remain unexplored. Here, we quantified immediate and long-term changes in stony coral productivity in response to contact-free interactions with various benthic organisms (stony corals, soft corals, macroalgae, sponges). We show that corals sense the presence of other organisms and subsequently modulate their productivity. Each stony coral species had a characteristic reaction to contact-free stimuli, while the identity of the interaction partner was of subordinate importance. Our data highlight downstream effects that biodiversity loss and shifting coral reef communities may have through indirect modulation of productivity, resulting in uneven effects among species. The productivity response is probably mediated by secondary metabolites released into the water. The underlying communication pathways that mediate these interactions remain to be investigated.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule fluorescent probes targeting EGFR for tumor detection and treatment
Authors: Song Depu , Ding Tengli , Zhai Weibin , Shao Lulian , Guo Ning , Jiang Lei , Zhang Wei , Zhao Fenqin , Wang Jianhong , Wang Junfeng , Ma Jing , Yan Lin
Published: October 2023

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a crucial role in cell differentiation and tumor progression, and its overexpression is closely associated with the development and metastasis of multiple cancers.
Alcoholamine enhanced fractionation of cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass in ionic liquids
Authors: Zhu Yiwei , Kang Jian , Gao Die , Chen Bingtong , Nie Yi , Wang Hui , Wu Xiaowen
Published: October 2023

3-Aminopropanol can effectively weaken the cation–anion interactions in [EMIM]Ac, thus inhibiting degradation of the lignocellulosic biopolymer in this ionic liquid and improving the tensile fracture strength of the corresponding cellulose filament.
A novel two-dimensional NiCl2O8 lattice with negative Poisson's ratio and magnetic modulation
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Wang Hongguang , Tan Wei , Ren Na , Ding Longhua , Yu Xin , Wang Aizhu
Published: October 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with simultaneous magnetic semiconducting properties and a negative Poisson's ratio are crucial for fabricating multifunctional electronic devices.
Selective modulation of alkali metal ions on acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Mu Xia , Yuan Shengwei , Zhang Dinglin , Lai Rui , Liao Chenyi , Li Guohui
Published: October 2023

Modulation of alkali metal ions on human AChE activity by a cluster consisting of D330, E393 and D397 and three Li+.
Auxetic and multiferroic MP5 (M = Al, Ga): a novel 2D material with negative Possion's ratio and high anisotropic carrier mobility
Authors: Lan Qingwen , Chen Changpeng
Published: October 2023

The remarkable combination of unique electronic and mechanical properties exhibited by monolayer AlP5 (GaP5), a phosphorene-like material.
Enhanced thermal, safety and anti-hygroscopicity performance of core–shell ammonium perchlorate with a double coating layer
Authors: Gou Xiaodong , Liu Wei , Zheng Jiaxi , Tang Weiqiang , Xu Bingqi , Ma Zhongliang , Chen Chong , Xiao Fei , Zhang Jiangbo
Published: October 2023

The AP/Cu-DABT/Cu(Pa)2 composite with a double-layer core–shell structure has a lower HTD peak temperature and activation energy, higher heat release, burning rate and temperature, better anti-hygroscopic performance and safety performance than AP.
Development of pharmacophore models for AcrB protein and the identification of potential adjuvant candidates for overcoming efflux-mediated colistin resistance
Authors: Behera Dibyajyoti Uttameswar , Gaur Mahendra , Sahoo Maheswata , Subudhi Enketeswara , Subudhi Bharat Bhusan
Published: October 2023

Screening of FDA approved drugs against ligand-based pharmacophore model identified argatroban as efflux pump inhibitor that enhanced the susceptibility to colistin.
RF Signal Feature Extraction in Integrated Sensing and Communication
Authors: Wang Xiaoya , Sun Songlin , Zhang Haiying , Liu Qiang
Published: October 2023

Because of the open property of information sharing in integrated sensing and communication, it is inevitable to face security problems such as user information being tampered, eavesdropped, and copied. Radio frequency (RF) individual identification technology is an important means to solve its security problems at present. Whether using machine learning methods or current deep learning‐based target fingerprint identification, its performance is based on how well the radio frequency features (RFF) are extracted. Since the received signal is affected by various factors, we believe that we should first find the intrinsic features that can describe the properties of the target, which is the key to enhance the RF fingerprint recognition. In this paper, we try to analyze the intrinsic characteristics of the components that influenced the signal by the transmitting source and derive a mathematical formula to describe the RF characteristics. We propose a method using dynamic wavelet transform and wavelet spectrum (DWTWS) to enhance RFF features. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by experimental data. Using a support vector machine classifier, the recognition accuracy is 99.6% for 10 individuals at a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 10 dB. In comparison with the dual‐tree complex wavelet transform (DT‐CWT) feature extraction method and the wavelet scattering transform method, the DWTWS method has increased the interclass distance of different individuals and enhanced the recognition accuracy. The DWTWS method is superior at low SNR, with performance improvements of 53.1% and 10.7% at 0 dB.
Towards secure and resilient unmanned aerial vehicles swarm network based on blockchain
Authors: Zhou Xin , Yang Lin , MA Linru , He Huasen
Published: October 2023

Blockchain, as an emerging technology, has found diverse applications in solving trust issues in multi‐party cooperation. The field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarm networks is no exception, as UAVs are susceptible to attacks from malicious counterparts due to limited computing and storage resources. In this paper, the authors present an adaptive networking mechanism for UAVs based on blockchain technology, which incorporates three key technologies. Utilizing Global Unique Identifier (GUID) and block storage, UAVs can achieve rapid identity authentication and efficient swarm switching. By evaluating node participation in block consensus, malicious nodes within the UAV swarm can be accurately identified. Additionally, routing learning based on node security attributes and link quality ensures secure and efficient data transmission. Simulation test results demonstrate the practicality and applicability of the proposed blockchain‐based adaptive networking mechanism for UAV swarm networks.
Ground‐based cloud recognition method based on an improved DeepLabV3+ model
Authors: Liang Yue , Ge Quanbo
Published: October 2023

An improved method for recognising clouds on the ground map is proposed incorporating the DeepLabV3+ model to solve three issues. Firstly, an image preprocessing module is developed to enrich image quality, particularly at night, as clouds can appear to be too blurry to distinguish. Secondly, the CBAM attention mechanism is applied to safeguard texture and boundary information, ensuring the depiction of cirrus edges is not lost. Finally, the feature extraction network can be optimised to enhance the model and decrease its computational complexity. In comparison to the original model, the accuracy of the proposed method increased by 10.89%, resulting in an overall accuracy of 94.18%. Furthermore, the MIoU has improved from 66.02% to 79.31%. The number of parameters was reduced by 51.45% to 13.4 M. Of the various cloud types, the improvement in cirrus is particularly striking, with the MIoU increasing from 1.78% to 56.01%.
Optimal transmission switching strategy for multi‐infeed DC receiving‐end power network to prevent over‐limit of short‐circuit current
Authors: Li Shaoyan , Zhang Youhao , Gu Xueping , Yan Lei
Published: October 2023

A large‐scale AC/DC hybrid power network has recently been constructed in China because of the fast development of high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. The receiving AC system must have sufficient system strength to guarantee the safe operation of the DC side. The paradox is that raising the AC side system's strength will increase the short‐circuit current (SCC) level, endangering the safety of the system. In order to resolve the contradiction between the system strength of multi‐infeed DC receiving‐end power networks and SCC, this paper proposes an optimal transmission switching strategy. Firstly, the system strength is characterised by the multi‐infeed short‐circuit ratio (MISCR), followed by constructing a comprehensive constraint set that considers the MISCR and SCC simultaneously. Secondly, to optimize SCC with MISCR and N−1 safety constraints, a mixed integer linear programming model is developed. Finally, to enhance the computing performance for large power systems, a new connectivity constraint set and decision space reduction techniques are provided. The proposed method is tested for effectiveness using the IEEE 30‐bus and IEEE 118‐bus systems.
An extensive critique on expert system control in solar photovoltaic dominated microgrids
Authors: CR Sarin , Mani Geetha , Stonier Albert Alexander , Peter Geno , Kumaresan Praghash , Ganji Vivekananda
Published: October 2023

Solar and wind power have recently become a potential option in power systems and act significantly to meet load penetration demands. The present growth of such renewable energy sources has shown an exponential increase. The high penetration of such system helps a grid effectively meet its load in an irregular demand but also creates some disturbances in the grid due to frequent additions and detachments of load or source. The way by which the renewable energy sources usually work in the on‐grid mode is to be attached to and cut down from the grids without creating disturbances in a stable grid. Another important requirement is effective load management with fewer transmission losses. This article presents a detailed review of a microgrid and enumerates the possible methods for the analysis of the system, feature extraction, control methods, and options for machine learning. This paper examines the factors affecting the operations in a power system, their nature, interdependability, and controllability. It also inspects the various machine learning algorithms, their feasibility, and possible applications in power systems. The major contribution of the paper is the elucidation of expert system control methods for the performance improvement of solar PV assisted DC microgrids. The major objective of the paper is to provide an overview on various algorithms intended for the microgrid systems pertaining to its accuracy, precision, classification, prediction and forecasting.
Probing the non-thermal physics of stellar bow shocks using radio observations
Authors: Martinez J. R. , del Palacio S. , Bosch-Ramon V.
Published: October 2023

Context. Massive runaway stars produce bow shocks in the interstellar medium. Recent observations revealed radio emission from a few of these objects, but the origin of this radiation remains poorly understood.

Aims. We aim to interpret this radio emission and assess under which conditions it could be either thermal (free–free) or non-thermal (synchrotron), and how to use the observational data to infer physical properties of the bow shocks.

Methods. We used an extended non-thermal emission model for stellar bow shocks for which we incorporated a consistent calculation of the thermal emission from the forward shock. We fitted this model to the available radio data (spectral and intensity maps), including largely unexplored data at low frequencies. In addition, we used a simplified one-zone model to estimate the gamma-ray emission from particles escaping the bow shocks.

Results. We can only explain the radio data from the best sampled systems (BD+43°3654 and BD+60°2522) assuming a hard electron energy distribution below ∼1 GeV, a high efficiency of conversion of (shocked) wind kinetic power into relativistic electrons (∼1 − 5%), and a relatively high magnetic-to-thermal pressure ratio of ηB ∼ 0.2. In the other systems, the interpretation of the observed flux density is more ambiguous, although a non-thermal scenario is also favoured. We also show how complementary observations at other frequencies can allow us to place stronger constraints in the model. We also estimated the gamma-ray fluxes from the HII regions around the bow shocks of BD+43°3654 and BD+60°2522, and obtained luminosities at GeV energies of ∼1033 erg s−1 and 1032 erg s−1, respectively, under reasonable assumptions.

Conclusions. Stellar bow shocks can potentially be very efficient particle accelerators. This work provides multi-wavelength predictions of their emission and demonstrates the key role of low-frequency radio observations in unveiling particle acceleration processes. The prospects of detections with next-generation observatories such as SKA and ngVLA are very promising. Finally, BD+43°3654 may be detected in GeV in the near future, while bow shocks in general may turn out to be non-negligible sources of (at least leptonic) low-energy cosmic rays.
NuSTAR and XMM-Newton observations of the binary 4FGL J1405.1–6119
Authors: Saavedra Enzo A. , Fogantini Federico A. , Escobar Gastón J. , Romero Gustavo E. , Combi Jorge A. , Marcel Estefania
Published: October 2023

Context. 4FGL J1405.1−6119 is a high-mass γ-ray-emitting binary that has been studied at several wavelengths. The nature of this type of binary is still under debate, with three possible scenarios usually invoked to explain the origin of the γ-ray emission: collisions between the winds of a rapidly rotating neutron star and its companion, collisions between the winds of two massive stars, and nonthermal emission from the jet of a microquasar.

Aims. We analyzed two pairs of simultaneous NuSTAR and XMM-Newton observations to investigate the origin of the radio, X-ray, and γ-ray emissions.

Methods. We extracted light curves between 0.5 and 78 keV from two different epochs, which we call Epoch 1 and Epoch 2. We then extracted and analyzed the associated spectra to gain insight into the characteristics of the emission in each epoch. To explain these observations, along with the overall spectral energy distribution, we developed a model of a microquasar jet. This allowed us to make some inferences about the origin of the observed emission and to discuss the nature of the system.

Results. A power-law model combined with the inclusion of a blackbody accurately characterizes the X-ray spectrum. The power-law index (E−Γ) was found to be ∼1.7 for Epoch 1 and ∼1.4 for Epoch 2. Furthermore, the associated blackbody temperature was ∼1 keV and with a modeled emitting region of size ≲16 km. The scenario we propose to explain the observations involves a parabolic, mildly relativistic, lepto-hadronic jet. This jet has a compact acceleration region that injects a hard spectrum of relativistic particles. The dominant nonthermal emission processes include synchrotron radiation of electrons, inverse Compton scattering of photons from the stellar radiation field, and the decay of neutral pions resulting from inelastic proton-proton collisions within the bulk matter of the jet. These estimates are in accordance with the values of a super-Eddington lepto-hadronic jet scenario. The compact object could be either a black hole or a neutron star with a weak magnetic field. Most of the X-ray emission from the disk could be absorbed by the dense wind that is ejected from the same disk.

Conclusions. We conclude that the binary 4FGL J1405.1−6119 could be a supercritical microquasar similar to SS 433.
Navigating the financial frontier: a serendipitous journey between corpus linguistics and discourse analysis of economy in parliamentary speeches
Authors: Altamimi Sadiq
Published: October 2023

In the esteemed chambers of Westminster, the United Kingdom’s members of Parliament engage in rigorous discourse regarding economic policies that have far-reaching consequences. The discourse analysis of their speeches helps us understand the formulation of financial regulations that align with the nation’s evolving needs and priorities. Nevertheless, discourse analysis has been criticised for being overtly biased in as much as it cherry-picks the linguistic features it seeks to examine within a data set. Hence, the present study aims to integrate corpus linguistic tools with discourse analysis methods to prepare representative data and to construct an objective pathway for analysis, thereby establishing an impartial avenue for scrutiny while mitigating the critiques often levelled against these two distinct approaches when employed in isolation. To realise these objectives, a corpus-assisted discourse study approach is applied, focusing on the procedural obstacles in the back-and-forth journey between quantitative and qualitative analysis of the discursive representations of the British economy. The study revealed that the integration of corpus tools and discourse methods helped prepare representative data for objective analysis. The integration, also, backed the triangulation of findings and showed that the parliamentarians concentrated on two main discourses of the British economy, namely finance and hardship. The analysis of the linguistic and collocational behaviour of these discourses uncovered that alleviation, scale and source were the three semantic categories of the discursive representation of the British economy.
A PIE analysis of China’s commercial space development
Authors: Han Yuexia , Chen Zhuang , Hu Yuxin , Zhang Liyan , Fu Huishan , Zhang Renyong , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2023

The commercial space industry seems to draw worldwide attention in the recent two decades to respond to the increasingly broad market demand. Compared with Western countries, the development of China’s commercial space industry is still in its infancy and faces many daunting challenges. Few studies have considered the dual perspective of government and market of commercial space industry in China. Aiming at exploring the influencing factors and future directions of the development of China’s commercial space industry, this paper proposed the theoretical analysis framework consisting of Policy, Innovation and Economics, and conducted a synergistic analysis of government and market in China’s commercial space industry. Specifically, based on the interview data, assisted by a machine learning approach, we have conducted an industry analysis of the influencing factors of commercial space in China. The results show that China’s commercial space industry is rapidly developing with many characteristics. Specifically, at present, there is a lack of specific and operational policies at the implementation level. Despite limited disruptive innovation, commercial space companies have achieved breakthroughs in many key areas. The overall industry is exploring more stable and sustainable profit models. The findings of this study contribute to the topic of industry development in business management literature by underpinning the policy discussion, technological analysis and direction for the future development of China’s commercial space industry. The industry practitioners may also benefit from the practices that were discussed in this research.
Efficient triaging of advice and guidance referrals using teledermatology via the UK National Health Service e-Referral service platform: reporting positive outcomes from the COVID era
Authors: Beck-Sander Kellen , Efstathiadou Anthoula , Woo Wen Ai , Cooper Hywel , Mitchell Charles
Published: October 2023

Background

Substantial increases in the implementation and use of dermatology advice and guidance (A&G) services has been a legacy of the COVID pandemic.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact that a 45-month period of A&G use had on the health service outcomes in a university teaching hospital dermatology department.

Methods

A&G data for June in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 were retrospectively analysed. Areas analysed included: total number of A&G requests; number of requests converted to referrals; percentage of discharges at first attendance; and referral-to-treatment (RTT) performance (defined as percentage of referrals seen by 18 weeks).

Results

A&G requests increased over the study period, from 45 requests in June 2019 to 1384 in June 2021. Increased request numbers were because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then a subsequent change to the referral pathway. In January 2021, A&G became the obligatory referral route for all routine referrals to our department. The percentage of A&G requests converted to referral were 22.4%, 46.4%, 43.4% and 52.2% in June 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Between 2019 and 2022 our discharges at first attendance decreased from 36.7% to 29.0%. RTT performance remained consistently above the national average; local RTT performances were 95.2% (2543/2671), 59.8% (782/1308), 90.1% (1697/1884) and 87.9% (1660/1888), in June 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, which compared favourably against RTT figures for England (90.2%, 56.5%, 78.2% and 65.1%).

Conclusions

We highlight to other NHS dermatology departments the positive impact A&G triaging can have on outcomes, as observed for our service, reducing our discharges at first attendance and maintaining an RTT performance above the national average.
Exercise-induced circular RNA circUtrn is required for cardiac physiological hypertrophy and prevents myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Lijun , Feng Jingyi , Feng Xing , Meng Danni , Zhao Xuan , Wang Jiaqi , Yu Pujiao , Xu Gui-e , Hu Meiyu , Wang Tianhui , Lehmann H Immo , Li Guoping , Sluijter Joost P G , Xiao Junjie
Published: October 2023

Aims

Regular exercise training benefits cardiovascular health and effectively reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in cardiac pathophysiology. However, the role of circRNAs in response to exercise training and biological mechanisms responsible for exercise-induced cardiac protection remain largely unknown.

Methods and results

RNA sequencing was used to profile circRNA expression in adult mouse cardiomyocytes that were isolated from mice with or without exercise training. Exercise-induced circRNA circUtrn was significantly increased in swimming-trained adult mouse cardiomyocytes. In vivo, circUtrn was found to be required for exercise-induced physiological cardiac hypertrophy. circUtrn inhibition abolished the protective effects of exercise on myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion remodelling. circUtrn overexpression prevented myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion-induced acute injury and pathological cardiac remodelling. In vitro, overexpression of circUtrn promoted H9 human embryonic stem cell–induced cardiomyocyte growth and survival via protein phosphatase 5 (PP5). Mechanistically, circUtrn directly bound to PP5 and regulated the stability of PP5 in a ubiquitin–proteasome-dependent manner. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α–dependent splicing factor SF3B1 acted as an upstream regulator of circUtrn in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion

The circRNA circUtrn is upregulated upon exercise training in the heart. Overexpression of circUtrn can prevent myocardial I/R-induced injury and pathological cardiac remodelling.
Commuting for Crime
Authors: Kirchmaier Tom , Langella Monica , Manning Alan
Published: October 2023

People care about crime, with the spatial distribution of both actual and perceived crime affecting the local amenities from living in different areas and residential decisions. The literature finds that crime tends to happen close to the offender's residence, but does not clearly establish whether this is because the location of likely offenders and crime opportunities are close to each other, whether more local crimes are likely to be solved or whether there is a high commuting cost for criminals. We use a rich administrative dataset from one of the biggest UK police forces to disentangle these hypotheses, proposing a procedure for controlling for the selection bias induced by the fact that an offender’s location is only known when they are caught. We find that the cost of distance is very high, especially for crimes without any financial gain. For property crimes, we find a similar cost of distance to commuting for legal work. We also investigate how local socio-economic characteristics affect both the number of criminals and the number of crimes.
Analytical advances alleviate model misspecification in non-Brownian multivariate comparative methods
Authors: Bartoszek Krzysztof , Fuentes-González Jesualdo , Mitov Venelin , Pienaar Jason , Piwczyński Marcin , Puchałka Radosław , Spalik Krzysztof , Voje Kjetil Lysne
Published: October 2023

Adams and Collyer argue that contemporary multivariate (Gaussian) phylogenetic comparative methods are prone to favouring more complex models of evolution and sometimes rotation invariance can be an issue. Here we dissect the concept of rotation invariance and point out that, depending on the understanding, this can be an issue with any method that relies on numerical instead of analytical estimation approaches. We relate this to the ongoing discussion concerning phylogenetic principal component analysis. Contrary to what Adams and Collyer found, we do not observe a bias against the simpler Brownian motion process in simulations when we use the new, improved, likelihood evaluation algorithm employed by mvSLOUCH, which allows for studying much larger phylogenies and more complex model setups.
Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Rural Family/Friend Caregivers of People Living With Dementia in the United States: Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Santoyo-Olsson Jasmine , Covinsky Kenneth E , Chesla Catherine A , Lorig Kate , Gallagher-Thompson Dolores , Cheng Jing , Luzanilla Maritza , Macias Romo Elizabeth , Aguayo Ramirez Giselle , Karliner Leah , Yank Veronica
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Caregivers of persons living with dementia in rural United States are a vulnerable population. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, rural communities experienced heightened disparities in social services, healthcare, suicides, and mortality. Guided by the Caregiving Stress Process Model, this study examines the relationship between the stressors and resources of rural caregivers of persons living with dementia and their experience of depression, stress, and COVID-19.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-two rural caregivers of persons living with dementia completed an online survey, March 1, 2021–April 30, 2022. Analyses used baseline responses to validated scales and an open-ended question, “How has COVID impacted your life as a caregiver?” Dependent variables were depressive symptoms and stress. Bivariate and hierarchical linear regression analyses examined associations of stressors and resources with depressive symptoms and stress. Thematic analysis examined open-ended question responses.

Results

Among examined stressors, high care burden (b = 1.94, p < .05) and loneliness (b = 0.76, p < .0001) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Loneliness (b = 0.24, p < .05) and ≥41 hr spent caregiving per week (reference 10–20 hr; b = 0.99, p < .05) were associated with stress. Among examined resources, self-efficacy for caregiving (b = −0.21, p < .05) was inversely associated with stress. Qualitative results confirmed quantitative results and identified additional pandemic-related themes in stressors and resources.

Discussion

We found that caregiver burden, loneliness, and caregiving hours were associated with greater psychological distress among rural caregivers of persons living with dementia during the pandemic, whereas self-efficacy for caregiving was protective. Rural caregivers need increased support to address care burdens and enhance psychological resources for caregiving.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04428112.
How stable routines can empower varied behaviors: defining routines as organizational capacities
Authors: Hodgson Geoffrey M
Published: October 2023

A principal argument in this paper is that the claimed discrepancy between (largely static) routines and their potentially varied behavioral outcomes derives principally from questionable definitions of routines based on (patterns of) behavior. Definitions based mainly on behaviors are often defective, partly because they evade the causal processes, mental states, and social relations that can give rise to the behavior. Instead, it is argued here that routines should be defined in terms of conditional dispositions or capacities, allowing analysis of how those capacities are acquired, developed, and triggered. With this dispositional approach, the apparent discrepancy between fixed routines and varied behaviors disappears, because fixed routines may have conditional elements that respond to different ways to different cues. It is argued that much discourse on routines is still affected by residues of behaviorist psychology, surviving long after its heyday in the 1960s, and even among some critics of these doctrines. The paper considers what a definition of a routine must entail, and it offers a suitable definition.
187 Effect of Piglet Weaning Weight on Wean-to-Finish Growth Performance and Ultrasound Carcass Measures
Authors: Moest Nicole K , Willard Naomi C , Shull Caleb M , McKilligan Denny , Ellis Mike
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variation in piglet weaning weight (WW) resulting from interventions during lactation on post-weaning performance. A split-split plot design was used with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) Liquid milk replacer [MR; main plot; No Supplement (NS) vs. Supplement (SU)]; 2) Litter size [LS; sub-plot; LOW (4 pigs less than functional teat number) vs. HIGH (2 pigs greater than functional teat number)]; 3) WW [sub-sub-plot; LIGHT (2 lightest barrows and 2 lightest gilts within each litter) vs. HEAVY (2 heaviest barrows and 2 heaviest gilts within each litter)]. Each MR feeder was available to 2 litters, one on the LOW and one on the HIGH LS treatment. Cross-fostering was carried out at 24 h after birth to create LS treatment litters; MR treatment was applied from 24 h after birth until weaning (20 days of age). The study involved 256 pigs housed in mixed-sex pens of 4 pigs (2 barrows; 2 gilts) and was carried out from weaning to a fixed pen weight (130.0 ± 2.27 kg). Pigs were weighed at start and end of the study when ultrasound scans were collected (at the 10th rib) to measure backfat depth (BF) and Longissimus muscle area (LMA). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; the model accounted for fixed effects of MR, LS, WW, and all interactions, and random effects of replicate, replicate by MR interaction and replicate by MR by LS interaction. There were no treatment interactions (P > 0.05) for any measurements (Table 1). The MR treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on WW; the SU treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.05) ADFI but had no effect (P > 0.05) on other measurements compared with the NS treatment (Table 1). Compared with the LOW LS treatment, the HIGH LS treatment had lighter WW (1.7 kg; P ≤ 0.05), and greater days on test (4 days; P ≤ 0.05); however, there were no differences (P > 0.05) for other measurements. Compared with the LIGHT WW treatment, HEAVY pigs had greater WW (1.7 kg; P ≤ 0.05), fewer days on test (7.9 days; P ≤ 0.05), greater (P ≤ 0.05) overall ADG (38 g) and ADFI (78 g), less BF (0.17 cm; P ≤ 0.05) and greater LMA (1.37 cm2; P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, providing MR during lactation had little effect on post-weaning performance. However, increasing LS above sow functional teat number reduced WW and increased the time to reach harvest weight with no effect on post-weaning growth performance. In addition, HEAVY WW piglets had improved post-weaning growth performance and carcass lean measurements compared with LIGHT WW piglets.
75 Deep Dive Into Animal Welfare Measurements in Swine and Their Implications
Authors: Anderson Nichole C
Published: October 2023

Historically, animals growing well were believed to be in a positive welfare state. Evidence shows that pigs will seek out enrichment using play and complex puzzle-solving, which is beyond the physical needs required for positive growth. Physiological and psychological indicators of welfare can now be used to address positive affect in swine. Further, early research may show that those animals living with enrichment may be less likely to fall ill and are better prepared to handle sudden life changes (such as transport). However, measuring animal pleasure successfully is difficult. Understanding ways to measure animal welfare using behavior and physiology can provide insight into validating positive affective states beyond historically used measurements such as average daily gain, reproductive performance, or cortisol. As opportunities to implement these measures grow in the future, understanding the appropriate use for each will be critical.
93 Feedlot Performance, Carcass Traits, and Feeder Calf Value of Beef × Holstein and Holstein Steers
Authors: Pimentel-Concepción Melanie , Jaborek Jerad , Schweihofer Jeannine P , Garmyn Andrea , McKendree Melissa , Bradford Barry J , Hentschl Arnold , Buskirk Daniel
Published: October 2023

Dairy producers are increasingly breeding their lower production cows to beef sires in hopes of increasing revenue over straightbred Holstein steers (HO). However, there are limited published data regarding feedlot finishing beef × Holstein crossbred steers (B×HO). Therefore, objectives of this study were to compare feedlot performance, carcass traits, and value of B×HO and HO. Steers were delivered to the Michigan State University Beef Center, Lansing, and after a 21-d adjustment, breed types (B×HO; n = 60 and HO; n = 60) were randomly allocated into 10 pens each. Initial weights (d 0) were 196.7 and 196.9 kg for B×HO and HO, respectively (P = 0.95). Steers remained on a growing diet until d 14 and then transitioned by d 28 to a finisher diet consisting of high moisture corn, corn silage, dried corn distillers grains with solubles, pelleted supplement with monensin, and limestone. The B×HO tended (P = 0.07) to have greater ADG (1.75 ± 0.02 vs. 1.70 ± 0.02 kg/d) compared with HO, but similar DMI (10.40 vs. 10.35 kg/d; P = 0.79). The B×HO had a greater G:F compared with HO (0.188 vs. 0.178; P = 0.02). There were no observed differences in morbidity (8.3 vs. 8.3%; P = 1.0) or mortality (1.7 vs. 1.7%; P = 1.0) for B×HO and HO, respectively. Cost of gain was similar for B×HO ($2.69/kg) when compared with HO ($2.76/kg; P = 0.14). Steers were harvested at a commercial abattoir on d 245 and 266 for B×HO and HO, respectively, after reaching an average empty body fat of 28.0% as determined by ultrasound. Following a 48-h chill, carcass data were collected. Although final live weight tended (P = 0.08) to be less for B×HO compared with HO (621.3 ± 11.5 vs. 634.8 ± 11.5 kg), carcass weights were similar between breed types (365.4 vs. 366.6 kg; P = 0.78). The B×HO had greater longissimus muscle area (87.8 vs. 73.1 cm2; P < 0.01), greater backfat thickness (1.18 vs. 0.79 cm; P < 0.01), and lesser USDA Yield Grade (2.9 vs. 3.2; P = 0.02) than HO. The B×HO and HO had similar marbling scores (Small26 vs. Small37; P = 0.63) and USDA Quality Grades (Low-Choice and greater, 52.7 vs. 59.3%; Mid-Choice and greater, 18.2 vs. 20.3%; and Low-Prime and greater, 3.6 vs. 1.7%; P > 0.40). Based on abattoir plant prices in August 2022, carcass revenue was greater for B×HO ($1,911/carcass) when compared with HO ($1,765/carcass; P < 0.01). Calculated breakeven feeder calf value was $212 greater for B×HO compared with HO ($700 vs. $488/steer; P < 0.01). Overall, B×HO were more feed efficient and produced carcasses with greater yield, resulting in greater feeder calf value when compared with HO counterparts.
95 Predicting Live Body Weight of Beef Heifers Using 3D Imaging
Authors: Anderson Dalton J , Mulliniks J T , Condotta I C F S , Watson Andrea K , Xiong Y
Published: October 2023

Accurately measuring body weight (BW) is of great importance for cow-calf producers in the United States, which can lead to better marketing and nutrient management decisions. Traditionally, BW has been recorded using a walk-over scale or approximated by visual observation. Recently, technology has come out that allows BW prediction using three-dimensional (3D) images. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of 3D imaging technology as a method to predict BW of beef heifers. Dorsal 3D images were collected on 69 Red Angus/Simmental yearling heifers. Heifers were approximately 12 mo of age that ranged from 282.1 to 440.0 kg of BW. For image collection, a depth camera (Kinect Azure, Microsoft) was placed above the animals, approximately 3 to 4 meters above the floor surface within the alley of a working facility. The image collection software was written in Python (version 3.8) programming language. For a high-quality image to be recorded, heifers needed to be handled in small groups and kept separate. Heifers also needed to have all four feet on the ground and no interference from other animals in the image. Corresponding scale-measured BW were also recorded for each animal concurrent with depth images collection. Heifers were limit fed and weighed in the morning before feeding for both scale measured BW and image collection. The depth images were analyzed using a customized program written in MATLAB (R2022a). Heifer dorsal projected volume was estimated by adding height pixel values that formed the heifer’s dorsal area, excluding the head region. Body weights were regressed from projected heifer body volumes extracted from the depth images, and then metabolic BW (MBW) was calculated using the 0.75 power adjustment of BW. Performance of the prediction model was analyzed using the coefficient of determination (R2) obtained from the regression of projected volume and actual scale BW and the standard error of the mean (SEM) of the predicted BW. Data were analyzed using the PROC REG and PROC CORR procedures in SAS (v9.4). Prediction of BW using image-extracted dorsal projected volume produced an R 2 = 0.89 and SEM = 3.3 kg. When analyzing the correlation of volume to BW, the Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.94 (P < 0.0001) was obtained. Regression of projected volume to MBW produced an R 2 = 0.89 and SEM = 0.57 kg. Results show that this model demonstrates the ability to accurately predict BW using depth images projected dorsal volumes on yearling heifers. These results illustrate that 3D images can be used to accurately measure BW of growing heifers that may enhance the ability of cow-calf producers to pro-actively manage grazing livestock.
97 Effects of Creep Feed Duration in a Drylot System on Cow Performance and Reproduction as Well as Calf Performance Through Receiving
Authors: Pugh Lindsey M , Chapple Wesley P , Meteer William T , McCann Joshua C , Shike Daniel W
Published: October 2023

The objectives were to determine effects of creep feed duration in drylot-housed, cow-calf system on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance through receiving phase. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cows (5 ± 2 yr; n = 72) were stratified by calf age (83 ± 14 d), sex, and body weight (BW; 130 ± 17 kg) and allotted to 12 pens with six cow-calf pairs per pen. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: calves fed commercial, pelleted creep feed (14% CP) for 105 d (105dCF) or final 21 d (21dCF) prior to weaning. Cow-calf pairs were housed on concrete drylots with open-front buildings for the pre-weaning period. Cows were limit fed at maintenance a total mixed ration. Ultrasound measurements for carcass composition of calves were collected on d 104. Calves were abruptly weaned on d 105 and transported 263 km to a feedlot for the receiving phase. Pen assignments remained for the 6-week receiving period. Calves had ab libitum access to a receiving ration that consisted of corn silage, modified wet distillers grains, grass hay, dry corn, and supplement. Reproduction data were analyzed using GLIMMIX and all other response variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.11) in cow BW, BCS, milk production, milk composition, or reproductive data. The 105dCF calves had greater (P ≤ 0.01) ADG from d 0 to 105 and BW than 21dCF (286 vs. 258 kg, respectively). The 105dCF calves had greater (P ≤ 0.01) longissimus muscle area, rib fat, and rump fat compared with 21dCF; however, intramuscular fat was not different (P = 0.20) between treatments. During the receiving phase, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.23) in dry matter intake. In the first 4 weeks of receiving there were no differences (P ≥ 0.73) in ADG; however, in the final 2 weeks 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.02) ADG. The 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.01) ADG during the overall receiving period. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.86) in gain to feed (G:F) for the first four weeks of receiving. The 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.03) G:F for the final two weeks and tended to have greater (P = 0.08) G:F during overall receiving. However, the 21dCF calves (324 kg) were still lighter (P ≤ 0.01) BW than 105dCF (340 kg) at end of receiving. In conclusion, creep feed duration did not impact cow performance or reproduction. The 105dCF calves had increased ADG and BW for the pre-weaning period. Although the 21dCF calves had increased gain and feed efficiency at the end of receiving, the 105dCF calves remained the heavier for the duration of the experiment.
99 Heritability and Repeatability of Structural Foot and Leg Traits in Sheep
Authors: Gunes Hilal Yazar , Pickering Natalie K , Thomas Milton G G , Speidel Scott E , Enns R Mark
Published: October 2023

Similar to other livestock species, sheep are subject to a range of structural faults that contribute to lameness and involuntary culling. Record-keeping in the sheep industry is generally sparse, particularly for structural traits; thus, the extent of the problem is ill-defined. Furthermore, the few studies centered on foot and leg structure have typically involved small numbers of animals measured only once. Consequently, estimates of heritability for pasterns, and for claw and hoof conformation scores in sheep are sparse in the literature, with little consideration of potential score changes across an animal’s lifetime. Using a large dataset of repeatedly-measured scores, our objective was to reliably estimate the heritability and repeatability of several foot and leg traits indicative of structural soundness. Pedigree and performance data on 28,300 commercial crossbreed ewes were supplied by Focus Genetics, Ltd., New Zealand. The subjective foot and leg scores were recorded multiple times from first lambing to culling, with as many as 5 sets of records collected on individual ewes. The conformation traits evaluated were overall foot and leg conformation, rear pastern angles, front pastern angles, rear claw and hoof shapes, and front claw and hoof shapes. We fitted a repeatability model with fixed effects of recording age, age of dam, birth rank, rearing rank, heterosis (as a covariate), and contemporary group defined as the combination of birth year, birth flock, and recording mob. Random effects were direct additive, permanent environment, and residual. Heritability estimates ranged between 0.05 ± 0.01 for front claw and hoof shape score to 0.18 ± 0.01 for front pastern angle score. The corresponding repeatability estimates ranged from 0.13 ± 0.01 to 0.30 ± 0.01. The heritabilities estimated in our study were very similar to those obtained by Sheep Improvement Ltd., New Zealand; their estimates varied from 0.06 to 0.20 for the same traits. Based on the low heritability and moderate repeatability for these traits, culling animals based on their first recorded structural foot and leg scores may be risky. However, through their incorporation into a designed breeding program, genetic selection offers a viable approach to improve structural soundness in sheep.