bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-Amplicon Multiplex Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR with Tiled Probes To Detect SARS-CoV-2
spike
Mutations Associated with Variants of Concern
Authors: Babiker Ahmed , Immergluck Katherine , Stampfer Samuel D. , Rao Anuradha , Bassit Leda , Su Max , Nguyen Vi , Stittleburg Victoria , Ingersoll Jessica M. , Bradley Heath L. , Mavigner Maud , Schoof Nils , Kraft Colleen S. , Chahroudi Ann , Schinazi Raymond F. , Martin Greg S. , Piantadosi Anne , Lam Wilbur A. , Waggoner Jesse J.
Published: August 2021

To provide an accessible and inexpensive method to surveil for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutations, we developed a multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay, the Spike single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay, to detect specific mutations in the
spike
receptor binding domain. A single primer pair was designed to amplify a 348-bp region of
spike
, and probes were initially designed to detect K417, E484K, and N501Y. The assay was evaluated using characterized variant sample pools and residual nasopharyngeal samples. Variant calls were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing in a subset of samples.
Depletion of TAX1BP1 Amplifies Innate Immune Responses during Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Descamps Delphyne , Peres de Oliveira Andressa , Gonnin Lorène , Madrières Sarah , Fix Jenna , Drajac Carole , Marquant Quentin , Bouguyon Edwige , Pietralunga Vincent , Iha Hidekatsu , Morais Ventura Armando , Tangy Frédéric , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier , Eléouët Jean-François , Galloux Marie
Published: August 2021

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract illness in infants, remains a medical problem in the absence of a vaccine or efficient treatment. This virus is also recognized as a main pathogen in the elderly and immunocompromised people, and the occurrence of coinfections (with other respiratory viruses and bacteria) amplifies the risks of developing respiratory distress.
Sex Disparities and Neutralizing-Antibody Durability to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Convalescent Individuals
Authors: Markmann Alena J. , Giallourou Natasa , Bhowmik D. Ryan , Hou Yixuan J. , Lerner Aaron , Martinez David R. , Premkumar Lakshmanane , Root Heather , van Duin David , Napravnik Sonia , Graham Stephen D. , Guerra Quique , Raut Rajendra , Petropoulos Christos J. , Wrin Terri , Cornaby Caleb , Schmitz John , Kuruc JoAnn , Weiss Susan , Park Yara , Baric Ralph , de Silva Aravinda M. , Margolis David M. , Bartelt Luther A.
Published: August 2021

In this study, we found that neutralizing antibody responses in COVID-19-convalescent individuals vary in magnitude but are durable and correlate well with receptor binding domain (RBD) Ig binding antibody levels compared to other SARS-CoV-2 antigen responses. In our cohort, higher neutralizing antibody titers are independently and significantly associated with male sex compared to female sex.
Arrangements of Mobile Genetic Elements among Virotype E Subpopulation of
Escherichia coli
Sequence Type 131 Strains with High Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Gene Content
Authors: Pajand Omid , Rahimi Hamzeh , Darabi Narges , Roudi Solaleh , Ghassemi Khatereh , Aarestrup Frank M. , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas
Published: August 2021

Escherichia coli
sequence type 131 (ST131) is a globally dominant multidrug-resistant clone that is commonly associated with extraintestinal infections. Specific sublineages have been shown to have emerged and spread within ST131, highlighting the complex nature of ST131 epidemiology.
Optogenetic Tools for Control of Public Goods in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Moreno Morales Neydis , Patel Michael T. , Stewart Cameron J. , Sweeney Kieran , McClean Megan N.
Published: August 2021

Recent advances in microbial ecology have highlighted the importance of intercellular interactions in controlling the development, composition, and resilience of microbial communities. In order to better understand the role of these interactions in governing community development, it is critical to be able to alter them in a controlled manner.
Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-Based Detection Using Saliva or Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens in Asymptomatic Populations
Authors: Fan Guang , Qin Xuan , Streblow Daniel N. , Hoyos Cristina Magallanes , Hansel Donna E.
Published: August 2021

Our study shows that saliva is a noninvasive respiratory secretion sample type that contains equal or more host materials (RNase P), compared with those contained in the corresponding NP swab specimens, in 103 paired samples. SARS-CoV-2 detection with two RNA extraction platforms, Maxwell and MagNA Pure, with CDC qPCR chemistry showed similar test sensitivities for paired specimens.
Unveiling the Gut Microbiota and Resistome of Wild Cotton Mice,Peromyscus gossypinus, from Heavy Metal- and Radionuclide-Contaminated Sites in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Thomas Jesse C. , Kieran Troy J. , Finger John W. , Bayona-Vásquez Natalia J. , Oladeinde Adelumola , Beasley James C. , Seaman John C. , McArthur J. Vaun , Rhodes Olin E. , Glenn Travis C.
Published: August 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global public health concern because of its prevalence and ubiquitous distribution. The rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes is thought to be the result of the massive overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and therapeutics.
Identification and Characterization of
Eimeria tenella
Microneme Protein (EtMIC8)
Authors: Zhao Ningning , Ming Shuzhen , Sun Lingyu , Wang Bingxiang , Li Hongmei , Zhang Xiao , Zhao Xiaomin
Published: August 2021

Microneme proteins (MICs) of
Eimeria tenella
play key roles in motility, migration, attachment, and invasion processes. More than 20 apicomplexan parasite’s MICs have been identified, with nine
Eimeria
MICs being reported.
Characterization of a Novel Hepatitis C Subtype, 6xj, and Its Consequences for Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment in Yunnan, China
Authors: Jia Yuanyuan , Yue Wei , Gao Qinghua , Tao Rui , Zhang Yaxiang , Fu Xiaoyang , Liu Yang , Liu Li , Feng Yue , Xia Xueshan
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus (HCV), particularly in relation to genotype 6, which is prevalent in Yunnan, China, and is often difficult to treat successfully. We identified a new HCV-6 subtype, 6xj, which is an ancient strain.
Use of Saliva Swab for Detection of Influenza Virus in Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department
Authors: Galar Alicia , Catalán Pilar , Vesperinas Lara , Miguens Iria , Muñoz Ioana , García-Espona Alejandro , Sevillano José Antonio , Andueza Juan Antonio , Bouza Emilio , Muñoz Patricia
Published: August 2021

Early detection of influenza virus is important for guiding antiviral and antibacterial treatment for infection control and public health measures. We have observed that saliva swab specimens have high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza by the Xpert Xpress flu/respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test and high overall agreement and

C
T

correlation with nasopharyngeal specimens.
Molecular Mirror Technology Facilitates High-Throughput, Accurate SARS-CoV-2 Testing
Authors: Realegeno Susan , Hash Sara , Wong Charlene , Liu Roland , Shepherd Jovan , Schooley Robert T. , Lipson David A. , Fung Frederick , Menon Suresh , Pride David T.
Published: August 2021

Accurate diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 infections have been critical for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both high-sensitivity/specificity PCR-based tests and lower-sensitivity/specificity rapid antigen assays have been the subject of worldwide supply chain limitations as individual facilities and countries have struggled to meet their population testing needs.
Prophylactic Administration of a Bacteriophage Cocktail Is Safe and Effective in Reducing Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Burden
in Vivo
Authors: Lamy-Besnier Quentin , Chaffringeon Lorenzo , Lourenço Marta , Payne Rayford B. , Trinh Jimmy T. , Schwartz Jennifer A. , Sulakvelidze Alexander , Debarbieux Laurent
Published: August 2021

Foodborne bacterial infections cause worldwide economic loss. During an epidemic, the use of antibiotics to slow down the spread of the disease is not recommended because of their side effects on the resident microbiota and the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Volvox as a Model for Studying Cell Death and Senescence
Authors: Desnitskiy A. G.
Published: August 2021

The spherical green alga Volvox consists of several hundred or thousand of somatic cells that undergo terminal differentiation, senescence and death, and a small number of gonidia (asexual reproductive cells) that give rise to the next generation. In the first part of this paper, the ontogenetic diversity of the genus Volvox is briefly considered, as well as the mechanisms of differentiation into the two types of cells mentioned above, which have been thoroughly studied during recent years in Volvox carteri. Then, a detailed critical analysis of the literature and some of my own data on senescence and cell death (mainly in V. carteri and, to a lesser extent, in V. aureus) was carried out, and it was noted that this aspect of Volvox developmental biology has not been sufficiently studied. Some perspectives of further research of the processes of cell death and senescence in representatives of the genus Volvox in a comparative aspect are indicated.
Spatial Distribution of Triggered Earthquakes in the Conditions of Mining-Induced Seismicity
Authors: Baranov S. V. , Motorin A. Yu. , Shebalin P. N.
Published: August 2021

Abstract—The spatial distribution of the triggered seismic events in mining conditions in the tectonically loaded rock masses is studied using the example of seismicity in the Khibiny Mountains. It is shown that the distribution of distances from the triggering to triggered events, on average, obeys the power-law with a parameter independent of the magnitude of the triggering event. The model of the maximum distances from a triggering event’s hypocenter to the triggered shocks expected with a given probability is derived. It is shown that the model is consistent with the real data. Based on the error diagram analysis, the guidelines are proposed for the practical use of the model.
Manipulating the neonatal gut microbiome: current understanding and future perspectives
Authors: Wong Emma , Lui Kei , Day Andrew S , Leach Steven T
Published: August 2021

The development of a healthy intestinal microbiome following birth contributes to the overall health of the infant during childhood and into adulthood. However, modern birth practices such as caesarean delivery, feeding, antibiotic exposure as well as maternal factors have the potential to greatly impact infant microbiome development. Aberrant microbiome development may be a key factor in the increasing incidence of inflammatory and gut diseases. This review will summarise the current understanding of how modern birth practices may contribute to deficiencies in neonatal gut microbiome development and will also present potential methods of microbiome engineering that aim to ensure the development of a healthy and robust microbiome to protect the host from disease throughout their life.
Examining the interseasonal resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus in Western Australia
Authors: Foley David Anthony , Phuong Linny Kimly , Peplinski Joseph , Lim Selina Mei , Lee Wei Hao , Farhat Asifa , Minney-Smith Cara A , Martin Andrew C , Mace Ariel O , Sikazwe Chisha T , Le Huong , Levy Avram , Hoeppner Tobias , Borland Meredith L , Hazelton Briony , Moore Hannah C , Blyth Christopher , Yeoh Daniel K , Bowen Asha C
Published: August 2021

Background

Following a relative absence in winter 2020, a large resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detections occurred during the 2020/2021 summer in Western Australia. This seasonal shift was linked to SARS-CoV-2 public health measures. We examine the epidemiology and RSV testing of respiratory-coded admissions, and compare clinical phenotype of RSV-positive admissions between 2019 and 2020.

Method

At a single tertiary paediatric centre, International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition Australian Modification-coded respiratory admissions longer than 12 hours were combined with laboratory data from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. Data were grouped into bronchiolitis, other acute lower respiratory infection (OALRI) and wheeze, to assess RSV testing practices. For RSV-positive admissions, demographics and clinical features were compared between 2019 and 2020.

Results

RSV-positive admissions peaked in early summer 2020, following an absent winter season. Testing was higher in 2020: bronchiolitis, 94.8% vs 89.2% (p=0.01); OALRI, 88.6% vs 82.6% (p=0.02); and wheeze, 62.8% vs 25.5% (p<0.001). The 2020 peak month, December, contributed almost 75% of RSV-positive admissions, 2.5 times the 2019 peak. The median age in 2020 was twice that observed in 2019 (16.4 vs 8.1 months, p<0.001). The proportion of RSV-positive OALRI admissions was greater in 2020 (32.6% vs 24.9%, p=0.01). There were no clinically meaningful differences in length of stay or disease severity.

Interpretation

The 2020 RSV season was in summer, with a larger than expected peak. There was an increase in RSV-positive non-bronchiolitis admissions, consistent with infection in older RSV-naïve children. This resurgence raises concern for regions experiencing longer and more stringent SARS-CoV-2 public health measures.
Misleading normal TSH and persistently elevated creatine kinase: clues to the diagnosis of chronic Sheehan’s syndrome
Authors: Demir Ayşe Y , Oldenburg-Ligtenberg Christine P , Toma-Stan Bianca Loredana , van de Wiel Albert
Published: August 2021

A 53-year-old woman was referred for medical evaluation of therapy-resistant dyslipidaemia accompanied by elevated creatine kinase levels. Because cessation or alteration of her medication did not improve laboratory abnormalities, hypothyroidism was considered, despite the fact that thyroid stimulating hormone levels were within the reference interval. On further evaluation, she was found to have panhypopituitarism and empty sella turcica as shown by MRI. These findings were unexpected since there was no clinical suspicion during detailed evaluation. When supplementary questions were asked, she brought up a history of severe postpartum haemorrhage 30 years ago, for which she underwent a hysterectomy. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with Sheehan’s syndrome. This syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of postpartum haemorrhage, characterised by varying degrees of hypopituitarism that are most commonly presented many years after delivery. The patient recovered after adequate hormone replacement therapy.
Olfactory groove meningioma with a 10-year history of smell loss and olfactory recovery after surgery
Authors: Niklassen Andreas Steenholt , Jørgensen Rasmus Langelund , Fjaeldstad Alexander Wieck
Published: August 2021

A rare cause of olfactory impairment is olfactory groove meningiomas with insidious onset of non-specific symptoms like headache, olfactory dysfunction, psychiatric symptoms such as depression, personality changes, declining cognitive function, visual disturbances or seizures. A common complication of surgery is loss of olfactory function. Still, the preservation of olfactory function should be attempted as olfactory loss often has a severe negative impact on quality of life. This report describes a woman with an olfactory groove meningioma and a 10-year history of olfactory impairment. It includes preoperatively and postoperatively extended olfactory testing, a neurosurgical approach to preserve the olfactory function and postoperative olfactory rehabilitation. After rehabilitation, the patient regained a normal olfactory function, even though the right-sided olfactory nerve could not be preserved during surgery. The case demonstrates the importance of performing neuroimaging in selected patients with olfactory loss and a method for preserving and potentially improving postoperative olfactory function.
Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema: findings from the prospective, multicentre, AUSSIEDEX study
Authors: Fraser-Bell Samantha , Kang Hyong Kwon , Mitchell Paul , Arnold Jennifer J , Tainton Jodi , Simonyi Susan
Published: August 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg (DEX; Ozurdex) monotherapy in the patient subgroup of the AUSSIEDEX study with treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Methods

The open-label, prospective, phase 4, real-world study included pseudophakic eyes and phakic eyes scheduled for cataract surgery that were treatment-naïve or non-responsive to antivascular endothelial growth factors. No eyes were excluded based on baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) or central subfield retinal thickness (CRT). After the initial DEX injection at the baseline visit, reinjection was permitted at ≥16-week intervals. Week-16 and week-52 visits were mandatory. Primary endpoints were changes in mean BCVA and CRT from baseline to 52 weeks.

Results

Of 200 eyes enrolled in the AUSSIEDEX study, 57 were treatment-naïve. Baseline mean BCVA was 58.8 letters and baseline mean CRT was 418.6 µm; changes in mean BCVA and CRT from baseline to 52 weeks in this subgroup were 3.4 letters (p=0.042) and –89.6 µm (p<0.001), respectively, with a mean 2.5 injections. The change in mean CRT from baseline was –55.8 µm at week 16 (p<0.001). The most common adverse event was increased intraocular pressure (IOP), with 20.0% of eyes requiring IOP-lowering medication. One patient was discontinued due to increased IOP. No eyes required filtration surgery. No serious, treatment-related ocular adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

In this largest prospective, real-world study of DEX monotherapy for DME to date, DEX significantly improved CRT and BCVA at 52 weeks in treatment-naïve eyes, without new safety concerns, supporting DEX use in treatment-naïve DME.

Trial registration number

NCT02731911.
Protocol for a scoping review on the methods for engaging long-term care residents with dementia in research and guideline development
Authors: McArthur Caitlin , Quigley Adria , Affoo Rebecca , Earl Marie , Moody Elaine
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Patient engagement is important when developing health guidelines to ensure high-quality and patient-centred recommendations. However, patient engagement in research and guideline development remains suboptimal, particularly for vulnerable populations, including residents with dementia living in long-term care (LTC) who are often not included in research and guideline development because of perceived and actual challenges with their health, memory, concentration and communication. Optimal strategies and methods for engaging LTC residents with dementia in research and guideline development remain unknown.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension to answer the research questions: (1) What methods have been used to engage LTC residents with dementia in research and guideline development? (2) What are the outcomes of resident engagement? (3) What are the barriers and facilitators to resident engagement? Systematic searches for peer-reviewed articles will be conducted in: Academic Search Premier (EBSCO), APA PsycINFO (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Medline (OVID), Embase (Elsevier), Web of Science, and Cochrane Database and in grey literature. Two team members will screen articles and extract data. Results will be presented according to the research question they address. We will engage stakeholders including residents, family members, healthcare providers and representatives from relevant organisations throughout the study.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping review will synthesise what is known about resident engagement in research and guideline development. It may identify gaps in the literature about the optimal methods to engage residents in performing research and developing guidelines and reveal opportunities for new methods. The results will be helpful for researchers and policy-makers seeking to develop guidelines and researchers engaging in topics that reflect the priorities and experiences of people with dementia. Results of the scoping review will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations, and a one-page lay summary will be shared with our engaged stakeholders.
Emergency medicine patient wait time multivariable prediction models: a multicentre derivation and validation study
Authors: Walker Katie , Jiarpakdee Jirayus , Loupis Anne , Tantithamthavorn Chakkrit , Joe Keith , Ben-Meir Michael , Akhlaghi Hamed , Hutton Jennie , Wang Wei , Stephenson Michael , Blecher Gabriel , Paul Buntine , Sweeny Amy , Turhan Burak
Published: August 2021

Objective

Patients, families and community members would like emergency department wait time visibility. This would improve patient journeys through emergency medicine. The study objective was to derive, internally and externally validate machine learning models to predict emergency patient wait times that are applicable to a wide variety of emergency departments.

Methods

Twelve emergency departments provided 3 years of retrospective administrative data from Australia (2017–2019). Descriptive and exploratory analyses were undertaken on the datasets. Statistical and machine learning models were developed to predict wait times at each site and were internally and externally validated. Model performance was tested on COVID-19 period data (January to June 2020).

Results

There were 1 930 609 patient episodes analysed and median site wait times varied from 24 to 54 min. Individual site model prediction median absolute errors varied from±22.6 min (95% CI 22.4 to 22.9) to ±44.0 min (95% CI 43.4 to 44.4). Global model prediction median absolute errors varied from ±33.9 min (95% CI 33.4 to 34.0) to ±43.8 min (95% CI 43.7 to 43.9). Random forest and linear regression models performed the best, rolling average models underestimated wait times. Important variables were triage category, last-k patient average wait time and arrival time. Wait time prediction models are not transferable across hospitals. Models performed well during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Conclusions

Electronic emergency demographic and flow information can be used to approximate emergency patient wait times. A general model is less accurate if applied without site-specific factors.
Syringomyelia: diagnosis and management
Authors: Flint Graham
Published: August 2021

In the pre-MR era syringomyelia often presented late, as a crippling neurological disorder. Today, most cases are diagnosed earlier, with less pronounced deficits. We are therefore presented with new challenges, including understanding the significance of various presenting symptoms, knowing when surgery might help and being aware of other treatments that could benefit someone living with the effects of syringomyelia, or its underlying cause.
Bilateral loss of taste from a unilateral thalamic infarct
Authors: Mag Uidhir Fionn , Sivagnanaratnam Aravinth
Published: August 2021

Loss of sense of taste (hypogeusia) involving a part of the tongue can follow acute stroke. We describe a woman with a small right thalamic acute infarct causing bilateral (mainly left-sided) hypogeusia. Her problem remains sufficiently severe to cause distress and nutritional deficit. The anatomical distribution of her problem—cheiro-oral syndrome with concurrent hypogeusia—suggested involvement of adjacent relevant thalamic fibres. We address key considerations in examining taste in research and in practice and discuss issues to address in people with hypogeusia, including swallow deficits, psychological elements of the poststroke condition and nutrition. Dietetic management should include optimising taste stimuli and nutritional support. Introducing more detailed taste assessments into standard practice would likely improve stroke unit care.
Acute fetal response to high-intensity interval training in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Anderson Julie , Pudwell Jessica , McAuslan Colin , Barr Logan , Kehoe Jessica , Davies Gregory A.
Published: August 2021

The majority of women do not meet the recommended levels of exercise during their pregnancies, frequently due to a lack of time. High-intensity interval training offers a potential solution, providing an effective, time-efficient exercise modality. This exercise modality has not been studied in pregnancy therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate fetal response to a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit in the late second and early third trimesters of pregnancy. Fourteen active, healthy women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies participated in a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit between 28 + 0/7 and 32 + 0/7 weeks. A Borg rating of perceived exertion of 15–17/20 and an estimated heart rate of 80%–90% of maternal heart-rate maximum was targeted. Fetal well-being was evaluated continuously with fetal heart-rate tracings and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry conducted pre-and post-exercise. Fetal heart rate tracings were normal throughout the exercise circuit. Post-exercise, umbilical artery end-diastolic flow was normal and significant decreases were observed in the mean systolic/diastolic ratios, pulsatility indexes and resistance indexes. Therefore, in a small cohort of active pregnant women, a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit in the late second and early third trimesters of pregnancy appears to be a safe exercise modality with no acute, adverse fetal effects but further study is required.

Novelty: High-intensity interval training, at an intensity in excess of current recommendations, does not appear to be associated with any adverse fetal effects in previously active pregnant women. High-intensity interval training is an enjoyable and effective exercise modality in previously active pregnant women.
Marine record of late-glacial readvance and last recession of Laurentide ice, inner Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, Arctic Canada
Authors: Deering Robert , Bell Trevor , Forbes Donald L.
Published: August 2021

The Cockburn Substage readvance marks the last major late-glacial advance of the northeast sector of the Laurentide Ice Sheet on Baffin Island. The causes of this abrupt, late reversal of retreat are still unclear, but greater chronological control may provide some insight. To date, the literature has focused on the large terminal moraines in the region, providing a date of readvance (circa 9.5–8.5 ka cal BP). In Frobisher Bay, the Cockburn Substage readvance and recession onshore are marked by a series of moraines spread over ∼20 km along the inner bay. Acoustic marine mapping reveals five distinct transverse ridges, morphologically suggestive of grounding-zone wedges, and two later fields of DeGeer moraines on the floor of the inner bay. These indicate that the style of ice retreat (beginning no later than 8.5 ka cal BP) changed over time from punctuated recession of a floating ice front (20 km over >680 years, with four pauses) to more regular tidewater ice-front retreat, reaching the head of the bay 900 years or more after withdrawal from the outer Cockburn limit. The established chronology for final recession in the region is based largely on radiocarbon dating of bulk shell samples and single shells of deposit-feeding molluscs, notably Portlandia arctica, affected by old carbon from carbonate-rich sediments. Sedimentary analysis and judicious sampling for 14C dating of glaciomarine and marine facies in seabed sediment cores enables development of a late- and post-glacial lithostratigraphy that indicates final withdrawal of ice from the drainage basin by 7 ka cal BP.
Theoretical investigation on tautomerism and NLO properties of salicylideneaniline derivatives
Authors: Daho N. , Benhalima N. , Khelfaoui F. , Sadouki O. , Elkeurti M. , Akil Z.
Published: August 2021

In this work, a comprehensive investigation of the salicylideneaniline derivatives is carried out using density functional theory to determine their linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Geometry optimizations, for gas and solvent phases, of the tautomers (enol and keto forms) are calculated using B3LYP levels with 6-31G(d,p) basis set. An intramolecular proton transfer, for 1SA-E and 2SA-E, is performed by a PES scan process at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. The optical properties are determined and show that they have extremely high NLO properties. In addition, the RDG analysis, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), and gap energy are calculated. The low energy gap value indicates the possibility of intramolecular charge transfer. The frontier molecular orbital calculations clearly show the inverse relationship of HOMO–LUMO gap with the first-order hyperpolarizability (β = 59.6471 × 10–30 esu), confirming that the salicylideneaniline derivatives can be used as attractive future NLO materials. Therefore, the reactive sites are predicted using MEP and the visible absorption maxima are analyzed using a theoretical UV–Vis spectrum. Natural bond orbitals are used to investigate the stability, charge delocalization, and intramolecular hydrogen bond.
A new heterogeneous traffic flow model based on lateral distance headway
Authors: Ai WenHuan , Zhu JiuNiu , Duan WenShan , Liu DaWei
Published: August 2021

Based on a density gradient model proposed recently by Imran and Khan, a new heterogeneous traffic flow model considering time and lateral distance is proposed. The type and stability of the equilibrium solution of the model are discussed by using the differential equation theory, and the global distribution structure of the trajectory in the phase plane is analyzed. In addition, the density wave stability conditions and saddle-node bifurcation conditions of the model are studied, and the solitary wave solutions of the KdV equation in the metastable region are derived by using the reduced perturbation method. The numerical results show that the new model cannot only reproduce the spatiotemporal oscillation phenomenon when walking and stopping, but also describe the sudden change behavior of traffic near the critical point of saddle-node bifurcation. It is shown that the model can reproduce some complex traffic phenomena qualitatively.
Psq-injective modules and rings
Authors: Chaturvedi Avanish Kumar , Kumar Sandeep
Published: August 2021

For any two right R-modules M and N, M is said to be a ps-N-injective module if, any monomorphism f : soc(N) → M can be extended to N. Also, M is called psq-injective if M is a ps-M-injective module. We discuss some properties and characterizations in terms of psq-injective modules.
Hydrogenation of Boron Carbon Nitride Thin Films for Low-k Dielectric Applications
Authors: Nehate Shraddha Dhanraj , Sundaresh Sreeram , Peale Robert , Sundaram Kalpathy B.
Published: August 2021

The influence of hydrogenation on boron carbon nitride (BCN) thin films was investigated for low-k dielectric applications. The BCN thin films were deposited using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering in hydrogen, nitrogen, and argon ambiance. The hydrogen/nitrogen reactive gas flow was varied from 0/10 to 10/10 to achieve a varying range of hydrogen doping. Elemental composition and chemical bonding studies of the films were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XPS results confirmed the formation of B-C-N atomic hybridization, and FTIR confirmed the hydrogen doping by evidence of C–H bonds. Metal insulator metal structures were fabricated using Al and BCN thin films to measure electrical properties such as dielectric constant and resistivity. Hydrogenation of BCN caused a 68% decrease in the k value from 6.2 to 2 due to the formation of non-polar bonds. The k value of 2 reported in this study is the lowest value achieved for hydrogenated BCN films deposited by the RF magnetron sputtering technique.
Dystrophin-negative slow-twitch soleus muscles are not susceptible to eccentric contraction induced injury over the lifespan of the mdx mouse
Authors: Kiriaev Leonit , Kueh Sindy , Morley John W. , Houweling Peter J. , Chan Stephen , North Kathryn N. , Head Stewart I.
Published: August 2021

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the second most common fatal genetic disease in humans and is characterized by the absence of a functional copy of the protein dystrophin from skeletal muscle. In dystrophin-negative humans and rodents, regenerated skeletal muscle fibers show abnormal branching. The number of fibers with branches and the complexity of branching increases with each cycle of degeneration/regeneration. Previously, using the mdx mouse model of DMD, we have proposed that once the number and complexity of branched fibers present in dystrophic fast-twitch EDL muscle surpasses a stable level, we term the “tipping point,” the branches, in and of themselves, mechanically weaken the muscle by rupturing when subjected to high forces during eccentric contractions. Here, we use the slow-twitch soleus muscle from the dystrophic mdx mouse to study prediseased “periambulatory” dystrophy at 2–3 wk, the peak regenerative “adult” phase at 6–9 wk, and “old” at 58–112 wk. Using isolated mdx soleus muscles, we examined contractile function and response to eccentric contraction correlated with the amount and complexity of regenerated branched fibers. The intact muscle was enzymatically dispersed into individual fibers in order to count fiber branching and some muscles were optically cleared to allow laser scanning confocal microscopy. We demonstrate throughout the lifespan of the mdx mouse that dystrophic slow-twitch soleus muscle is no more susceptible to eccentric contraction-induced injury than age-matched littermate controls and that this is correlated with a reduction in the number and complexity of branched fibers compared with fast-twitch dystrophic EDL muscles.
Stretch increases alveolar type 1 cell number in fetal lungs through ROCK-Yap/Taz pathway
Authors: Nguyen Tram Mai , van der Merwe Johannes , Elowsson Rendin Linda , Larsson-Callerfelt Anna-Karin , Deprest Jan , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla , Toelen Jaan
Published: August 2021

Accurate fluid pressure in the fetal lung is critical for its development, especially at the beginning of the saccular stage when alveolar epithelial type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) cells differentiate from the epithelial progenitors. Despite our growing understanding of the role of physical forces in lung development, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transduction of mechanical stretch to alveolar differentiation remain elusive. To simulate lung distension, we optimized both an ex vivo model with precision cut lung slices and an in vivo model of fetal tracheal occlusion. Increased mechanical tension showed to improve alveolar maturation and differentiation toward AT1. By manipulating ROCK pathway, we demonstrate that stretch-induced Yap/Taz activation promotes alveolar differentiation toward AT1 phenotype via ROCK activity. Our findings show that balanced ROCK-Yap/Taz signaling is essential to regulate AT1 differentiation in response to mechanical stretching of the fetal lung, which might be helpful in improving lung development and regeneration.
Effect of low-threshold versus high-threshold genitalia stimuli on the cystometry parameters in male rats
Authors: Kaddumi Ezidin G. , Khader Ali Al , Tahaineh Sakher
Published: August 2021

The cross talk between external genitalia and urinary bladder could be used as part of management to certain pathological conditions affecting urinary bladder. Since urinary bladder function is also affected by pathologies of other organs (e.g., colon and esophagus), the effect of genitalia stimuli on parameters of bladder function in normal or under different pathological conditions needs to be characterized. Cystometry recordings in male rats were used to examine the effect of low-threshold (LT) and high-threshold (HT) stimulation of the scrotum and penis on urinary bladder function. These effects were studied in intact, colon irritation (CI), and esophagus irritation (EI) groups. Although HT penile stimulation had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition reflex in all groups, CI hypersensitized the penile-bladder inhibitory reflex. In addition, LT penile stimulation had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition, which was significant in CI group only. On the other hand, HT penile stimulation in CI group significantly increased the timing parameters of cystometry. Whereas LT and HT penile stimuli in EI group had a significantly increasing effect on all pressure parameters of cystometry. The scrotal stimuli had minimal effect on bladder function in all groups except for HT scrotal stimulation in the CI group, where it had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition reflex and significantly increased the maximum pressure and pressure amplitude of micturition cycles. These results show that CI and EI exacerbate the effects of genitalia stimuli, especially penile stimuli, on urinary bladder function.
Effects of hyperoxia and hypoxia on the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Horiike Misa , Ogawa Yoshiko , Kawada Shigeo
Published: August 2021

Hyperoxic conditions are known to accelerate skeletal muscle regeneration after injuries. In the early phase of regeneration, macrophages invade the injured area and subsequently secrete various growth factors, which regulate myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Although hyperoxic conditions accelerate muscle regeneration, it is unknown whether this effect is indirectly mediated by macrophages. Here, using C2C12 cells, we show that not only hyperoxia but also hypoxia enhance myoblast proliferation directly, without accelerating differentiation into myotubes. Under hyperoxic conditions (95% O2 + 5% CO2), the cell membrane was damaged because of lipid oxidization, and a disrupted cytoskeletal structure, resulting in suppressed cell proliferation. However, a culture medium containing vitamin C (VC), an antioxidant, prevented this lipid oxidization and cytoskeletal disruption, resulting in enhanced proliferation in response to hyperoxia exposure of ≤4 h/day. In contrast, exposure to hypoxic conditions (95% N2 + 5% CO2) for ≤8 h/day enhanced cell proliferation. Hyperoxia did not promote cell differentiation into myotubes, regardless of whether the culture medium contained VC. Similarly, hypoxia did not accelerate cell differentiation. These results suggest that regardless of hyperoxia or hypoxia, changes in oxygen tension can enhance cell proliferation directly, but do not influence differentiation efficiency in C2C12 cells. Moreover, excess oxidative stress abrogated the enhancement of myoblast proliferation induced by hyperoxia. This research will contribute to basic data for applying the effects of hyperoxia or hypoxia to muscle regeneration therapy.
P-sort: an open-source software for cerebellar neurophysiology
Authors: Sedaghat-Nejad Ehsan , Fakharian Mohammad Amin , Pi Jay , Hage Paul , Kojima Yoshiko , Soetedjo Robi , Ohmae Shogo , Medina Javier F. , Shadmehr Reza
Published: August 2021

Algorithms that perform spike sorting depend on waveforms to cluster spikes. However, a cerebellar Purkinje-cell produces two types of spikes; simple and complex spikes. A complex spike coincides with the suppression of generating simple spikes. Here, we recorded neurophysiological data from three species and developed a spike analysis software named P-sort that relies on this statistical property to improve both the detection and the attribution of simple and complex spikes in the cerebellum.
Interocular suppression in primary visual cortex in strabismus: impact of staggering the presentation of stimuli to the eyes
Authors: Economides John R. , Dilbeck Mikayla D. , Adams Daniel L. , Horton Jonathan C.
Published: August 2021

In strabismus, double vision is prevented by interocular suppression. It has been reported that inhibition of neuronal firing in the primary visual cortex occurs only when stimuli are presented sequentially, rather than simultaneously. However, these recordings in alert macaques raised with exotropia showed, with rare exceptions, little evidence to support the concept that staggered stimulus presentation is more effective at inducing interocular suppression of V1 neurons.
Whole body adaptation to novel dynamics does not transfer between effectors
Authors: Pienciak-Siewert Alison , Ahmed Alaa A.
Published: August 2021

This study examined adaptation of arm and postural control to novel dynamics while standing and reaching and subsequent transfer between reaching arms. Neither arm nor postural control was transferred between arms, suggesting that postural planning is highly dependent on the concurrent arm movement.
The Guts of the Opioid Crisis
Authors: Muchhala Karan H. , Jacob Joanna C. , Kang Minho , Dewey William L. , Akbarali Hamid I.
Published: August 2021

Bidirectional interactions of the gut epithelium with commensal bacteria are critical for maintaining homeostasis within the gut. Chronic opioid exposure perturbs gut homeostasis through a multitude of neuro-immune-epithelial mechanisms, resulting in the development of analgesic tolerance, a major underpinning of the current opioid crisis. Differences in molecular mechanisms of opioid tolerance between the enteric and central pain pathways pose a significant challenge for managing chronic pain without untoward gastrointestinal effects.
Influence of Clay on Solute Transport in Saturated Homogeneous Mixed Media
Authors: Kwaw Albert Kwame , Dou Zhi , Wang Jinguo , Zhang Yuting , Zhang Xueyi , Zhu Wenyuan , Opoku Portia Annabelle
Published: August 2021

In this study, four homogeneous porous media (HPM1-HPM4), consisting of distinct proportions of sand-sized and clay-sized solid beads, were prepared and used as single fracture infills. Flow and nonreactive solute transport experiments in HPM1-HPM4 under three flow rates were conducted, and the measured breakthrough curves (BTCs) were quantified using conventional advection-dispersion equation (ADE), mobile-immobile model (MIM), and continuous time random walk (CTRW) model with truncated power law transition time distribution. The measured BTCs showed stronger non-Fickian behaviour in HPM2-HPM4 (which had clay) than in HPM1 (which had no clay), implying that clay enhanced the non-Fickian transport. As the fraction of clay increased, the global error of ADE fits also increased, affirming the inefficiency of ADE in capturing the clay-induced non-Fickian behaviour. MIM and CTRW performed better in capturing the non-Fickian behaviour. Nonetheless, CTRW’s performance was robust. 12.5% and 25% of clay in HPM2 and HPM3, respectively, decreased the flowing fluid region and increased the solute exchange rate between the flowing and stagnant fluid regions in MIM. For CTRW, the power law exponent (

β

CTRW

) values were 1.96, 1.75, and 1.63 in HPM1-HPM3, respectively, implying enhanced non-Fickian behaviour. However, for HPM4, whose clay fraction was 50%, the

β

CTRW

value was 1.87, implying a deviation in the trend of non-Fickian enhancement with increasing clay fraction. This deviation indicated that non-Fickian behaviour enhancement depended on the fraction of clay present. Moreover, increasing flow rate enhanced the non-Fickian transport based on

β

CTRW

.
Evolution Mechanism, Monitoring, and Early Warning Method of Water Inrush in Deep-Buried Long Tunnel
Authors: Tu Wenfeng , Li Liping , Cheng Shuai , Chen Diyang , Yuan Yongcai , Chen Yanhao
Published: August 2021

Water inrush is a serious disaster in tunnel construction. Because the process of water inrush is complicated and there is no effective monitoring and early warning method, the control of water inrush disaster is passive. Firstly, the failure mode and determination method of safety thickness of the antioutburst structure are summarized. The key breakthrough directions and development trends of water inrush mechanism was analyzed. Secondly, the sensitivity ranking and the adjunct characteristics of different types of precursor information are determined by the model test. An improved scheme of microseismic monitoring technology is proposed to locate the spatial position of the water inrush channel, and a multi-information time-space integrated monitoring method for an antioutburst structure is established. By analyzing the evolution law of multi-information in the process of water inrush, the evolution model and its identification method are put forward. Finally, the level of water inrush was determined through the analysis of the dynamic and static reserves of disaster source, and a multilevel and comprehensive warning system of tunnel water inrush is established. Through the remote real-time monitoring and early warning platform and its engineering application, the early warning of water inrush time trend and the early warning of water inrush rupture space position are realized.
Pedestrian Behavior Recognition Based on Improved Dual-stream Network with Differential Feature in Surveillance Video
Authors: Tan Yonghong , Zhou Xuebin , Chen Aiwu , Zhou Songqing
Published: August 2021

In order to improve the pedestrian behavior recognition accuracy of video sequences in complex background, an improved spatial-temporal two-stream network is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the deep differential network is used to replace the temporal-stream network so as to improve the representation ability and extraction efficiency of spatiotemporal features. Then, the improved Softmax loss function based on decision-making level feature fusion mechanism is used to train the model, which can retain the spatiotemporal characteristics of images between different network frames to a greater extent and reflect the action category of pedestrians more realistically. Simulation results show that the proposed improved network achieves 87% recognition accuracy on the self-built infrared dataset, and the computational efficiency is improved by 15.1%.
Dietary Valine Ameliorated Gut Health and Accelerated the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease of Laying Hens
Authors: Jian Huafeng , Miao Sasa , Liu Yating , Wang Xiaoming , Xu Qianqian , Zhou Wenting , Li Huaiyu , Dong Xinyang , Zou Xiaoting
Published: August 2021

Valine is an important essential amino acid of laying hens. Dietary supplemented with BCAAs ameliorated gut microbiota, whereas elevated blood levels of BCAAs are positively associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes in both humans and rodents. General controlled nonrepressed (GCN2) kinase plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal inflammation and hepatic fatty acid homeostasis during amino acids deficiency, while GCN2 deficient results in enhanced intestinal inflammation and developed hepatic steatosis. However, how long‐term dietary valine impacts gut health and the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. Hence, in the present study, we elucidated the effects of dietary valine on intestinal barrier function, microbial homeostasis, and the development of NAFLD. A total of 960 healthy 33‐weeks‐old laying hens were randomly divided into five experimental groups and fed with valine at the following different levels in a feeding trial that lasted 8 weeks: 0.59, 0.64, 0.69, 0.74, and 0.79%, respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, related tissues and cecal contents were obtained for further analysis. The results showed that diet supplemented with valine ameliorated gut health by improving intestinal villus morphology, enhancing intestinal barrier, decreasing cecum pathogenic bacteria abundances such as Fusobacteriota and Deferribacterota, and inhibiting inflammatory response mediated by GCN2. However, long‐term intake of high levels of dietary valine (0.74 and 0.79%) accelerated the development of NAFLD of laying hens by promoting lipogenesis and inhibiting fatty acid oxidation mediated by GCN2‐eIF2α‐ATF4. Furthermore, NAFLD induced by high levels of dietary valine (0.74 and 0.79%) resulted in strengthening oxidative stress, ER stress, and inflammatory response. Our results revealed that high levels of valine are a key regulator of gut health and the adverse metabolic response to NAFLD and suggested reducing dietary valine as a new approach to preventing NAFLD of laying hens.