bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural mechanisms underlying the temporal control of sequential saccade planning in the frontal eye field
Authors: Basu Debaleena , Sendhilnathan Naveen , Murthy Aditya
Published: October 2021

Significance

For accomplishing even the simplest of daily tasks, we execute rapid sequences of goal-directed saccadic eye movements that move from one task component to the next. Yet how the brain orchestrates such saccade sequences is not known. Using a multifaceted approach, we used behavioral analysis, neural recordings, computational modeling, and simulations to show that while the brain can program multiple action plans simultaneously, there are neural costs involved—the greater the overlap between the plans, the slower is the growth of neural activities encoding the two plans, leading to delayed response times. Our study sets up a neurophysiological framework to study action sequencing and is relevant for understanding sequencing errors observed in disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Assessing spoken-language interpreting
Authors: Han Chao
Published: October 2021

In this study, we applied and evaluated a scoring method known as comparative judgement to assess spoken-language interpreting. This methodological exploration represents an extension of previous efforts to optimise scoring methods for assessing interpreting. Essentially, comparative judgement requires judges to compare two similar objects and make a binary decision about their relative qualities. To evaluate its reliability, validity and usefulness in the assessment of interpreting, we recruited two groups of judges (novice and experienced) to assess 66 two-way English/Chinese interpretations based on a computerised comparative judgement system. Our data analysis shows that the new method produced reliable and valid results across judge types and interpreting directions. However, the judges held polarised opinions about the method’s usefulness: while some considered it convenient, efficient and reliable, the opposite view was expressed by others. We discuss the results by providing an integrated analysis of the data collected, outline the perceived drawbacks and propose possible solutions to the drawbacks. We call for more evidence-based, substantive investigation into comparative judgement as a potentially useful method for assessing spoken-language interpreting in certain settings.
Investigation of heat transfer between 22MnB5 and KDAHP1 hot work tool steel
Authors: Tang Ziming , Gu Zhengwei , Wang Gang , Han Yuting , Yi Lingling , Xu Meng , Li Yusheng , Hou Wenliang , Yu Ge
Published: October 2021

The IHTC (Interfacial-Heat-Transfer-Coefficient) between 22MnB5 and KDAHP1 hot work tool steel during the hot stamping process is an important thermal parameter to reflect the heat transfer efficiency. The instantaneous heat transfer law for 22MnB5 blank is based on the cylindrical-die model, and the experiment is contained different contact pressure and gap conditions. The average IHTC value is calculated by the heat balance method (HBM) and finite element optimisation method (FEOM). There is a power function relationship between the average IHTC and both the contact pressure and the one-side gap. From the results of the one-side and bilateral gap condition, 0.2 mm can be considered as the ‘critical gap’ where the heat exchange between the blank and dies starts or ends.
Measuring mesoscopic scales in complex fluids embedded with giant cylindrical micelles with diffusing wave spectroscopy micro-rheology
Authors: Tavera-Vázquez Antonio , Rincón-Londoño Natalia , López-Santiago Ricky F , Castillo Rolando
Published: October 2021

This review paper presents a procedure for measuring the mesoscopic scales in micellar solutions embedded with giant cylindrical micelles using the mean square displacement determined with a quasi-elastic multiple light scattering method (diffusing wave spectroscopy) and theory. The mesoscopic scales of interest are the micelles’ total contour length, persistence and entanglement lengths, and the mesh size of the entangled micellar network. All of them depend on the physicochemical parameters of the solutions and determine the rheological behavior. We present an assessment of the whole procedure, the scattering experiments performance, the recovery of optical parameters, which includes dealing with the light absorption and its treatment, and how to develop the micro-rheology for obtaining the mesoscopic scales in these complex fluids.
Active Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model for self-propelled particles with inertia
Authors: Nguyen G H Philipp , Wittmann René , Löwen Hartmut
Published: October 2021

Self-propelled particles, which convert energy into mechanical motion, exhibit inertia if they have a macroscopic size or move inside a gaseous medium, in contrast to micron-sized overdamped particles immersed in a viscous fluid. Here we study an extension of the active Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model, in which self-propulsion is described by colored noise, to access these inertial effects. We summarize and discuss analytical solutions of the particle’s mean-squared displacement and velocity autocorrelation function for several settings ranging from a free particle to various external influences, like a linear or harmonic potential and coupling to another particle via a harmonic spring. Taking into account the particular role of the initial particle velocity in a nonstationary setup, we observe all dynamical exponents between zero and four. After the typical inertial time, determined by the particle’s mass, the results inherently revert to the behavior of an overdamped particle with the exception of the harmonically confined systems, in which the overall displacement is enhanced by inertia. We further consider an underdamped model for an active particle with a time-dependent mass, which critically affects the displacement in the intermediate time-regime. Most strikingly, for a sufficiently large rate of mass accumulation, the particle’s motion is completely governed by inertial effects as it remains superdiffusive for all times.
The catalytic and ROS-scavenging activities of green synthesized, antiferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle with a prismatic octahedron morphology from pomegranate rind extract
Authors: Mundekkad Deepa , Kameshwari G V , Karchalkar Poojita , Koti Rajeshwari
Published: October 2021

Phenolic compounds (like 4-nitrophenol) and dyes (like methyl orange) are common by-products discharged by many industries as wastes; they are toxic and may induce discomfort and irritation in humans when ingested. Most of these compounds can be made less toxic through catalytic degradation. Metal oxide nanoparticles are found to have high catalytic activity and can degrade toxic phenolic compounds and dyes. In the current study, pomegranate rind extract was used for the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles that exhibited an octahedron morphology revealed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis showed 47.96% content of Fe (by weight); high resolution-transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles had a particle size of 22.54 ± 4.13 nm. The particles were further characterized by x-ray diffraction, fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and thermogravimetric analysis. The nanoparticle proved to be efficient in reducing 4-nitrophenol and methyl orange. It was also found to be non-toxic towards murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 with good ROS-scavenging potential compared to control.
The Expert Next Door: Interactions With Friends and Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Molino Andrea R , Andersen Kathleen M , Sawyer Simone B , Ðoàn Lan N , Rivera Yonaira M , James Bryan D , Fox Matthew P , Murray Eleanor J , D’Agostino McGowan Lucy , Jarrett Brooke A
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic thrust the field of public health into the spotlight. For many epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and other public health professionals, this caused the professional aspects of our lives to collide with the personal, as friends and family reached out with concerns and questions. Learning how to navigate this space was new for many of us and required refining our communication style depending on context, setting, and audience. Some of us took to social media, utilizing our existing personal accounts to share information after sorting through and summarizing the rapidly emerging literature to keep loved ones safe. However, those in our lives sometimes asked unanswerable questions, or began distancing themselves when we suggested more stringent guidance than they had hoped for, causing additional stress during an already traumatic time. We often had to remind ourselves that we were also individuals experiencing this pandemic and that our time-intensive efforts were meaningful, relevant, and impactful. As this pandemic and other public health crises continue, we encourage members of our discipline to consider how we can best use shared lessons from this period and to recognize that our professional knowledge, when used in our personal lives, can promote, protect, and bolster confidence in public health.
Decluttering the problem list in electronic health records
Authors: Brown Austin R , McCoy Allison B , Wright Adam , Nelson Scott D
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current state of problem list maintenance at an academic medical center.

We included problem list data for patients who had at least 2 face-to-face encounters at Vanderbilt University Medical Center or its clinics between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. We used the frequency of problem list additions, resolutions, deletions, duplicate problems (exact and SNOMED CT duplicates), inconsistencies (contradicting stages of disease state), and items that could be documented elsewhere in the electronic health record as surrogate markers of problem list maintenance. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results. A total of 546,510 patients met inclusion criteria. There were 3,762 (0.7%) patients who had the exact same active problem listed more than once. SNOMED CT code duplications occurred in the records for 56,399 (10.5%) patients. Of the patients with asthma, 2.5% (223/8,779) had contradicting asthma stages active on their problem list, and 6.4% (950/14,950) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had contradicting CKD stages. In addition, 17,205 (3.1%) patients had 20,365 active family history problems and 39,464 (7.2%) patients had an allergy documented on their problem list. On average, there were 43.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 14-73.4) additions, 8.7 (95% CI, 0.1-17.4) resolutions, and 2.1 (95% CI, 0-4.6) deletions of problems per 100 face-to-face encounters, inpatient or outpatient.

Conclusion

Our study suggests areas for improvement for problem list maintenance. Further studies into semantic duplication and clinical decision support tools to encourage problem list maintenance and deduplication are needed.
Tobacco Aphid Control on Flue-Cured Tobacco with Foliar Insecticides, 1996
Authors: Southern P. Sterling , Browne Micou M.
Published: October 2021

Flue-cured tobacco was planted on the Casey farm in Johnston Co., NC on 3 May. Plots of 0.02 acre (4 rows X 57 ft) were separated laterally by a vacant 5th row and on each end by turn alleys of 16 ft. Treatments were established in a RCB design with 4 replications. Treatments were applied 21 Jun using a tractor mounted sprayer pressurized by a PTO-powered roller pump. Spray was delivered through 3 hollow-cone nozzles (TX-12) per row at 60 psi and 36.5 gpa. Treatments were applied between 9:30 am and 11:30 am EDT. Air temperature was 80-84° F and winds were light (3-5 mph). All plants (excluding the first and last) in rows 1 and 3 were checked for aphid infestation on the day of treatment and 5 and 12 DAT. Individual plants were rated for degree of aphid infestation as follows: 0 = no aphids on plant; 1 = 1-10 aphids on most infested leaf (MIL); 2 = 11-50 aphids MIL; 3 = 51-200 aphids MIL; 4 = 201-500 aphids MIL; 5 = 500+ aphids MIL. Average infestation ratings were calculated by plot. The proportion of plants infested (rated 3 or above) was also calculated. After harvest and curing, tobacco from each plot was weighed and graded by a government grader. Grades were converted to a quality index (1-100, 100 high). All variables were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were compared (where appropriate) using the LSD t-test. Before analysis, the proportion of plants infested was transformed to the arcsine of the square root of the proportion. Data shown in the tables are not transformed and proportion of plants infested is presented as the percentage of plants infested.
The Effectiveness of Bf-Corn Hybrids for Control of European Corn Borer, 1997
Authors: Shaw J. T. , Steffey K. L. , Gray M. E. , Finger J. W.
Published: October 2021

Each plot consisted of four rows 30 inches wide by 30 ft long with 40 plants per row after thinning. A RCB design with six replications was utilized. There were 10-ft-wide alleys between replications. Two Pounce-treated plots were included as checks in each replication and were averaged for the ANOVA. Manual infestations were made to 15 consecutive plants in each of the middle two rows of each 4-row plot. Manual ECB infestations to simulate the first generation were made on 11 Jul at the 6 corn leaf stage by applying two ECB egg masses (on wax paper) to the whorls of corn plants. Manual ECB infestations to simulate the second generation were made at corn anthesis on 14 Aug by applying one ECB egg mass per leaf axile above and below the ear node. Treatments to the two control plots were applied with a modified John Deere 6000 high-clearance vehicle (HCV). On 17 July, Pounce 1.5 G at a rate of 10 lb product/acre was metered through Noble units mounted in brackets on the rear of the HCV for first generation ECB control. The Noble units were driven with electric motors, and the granules were applied over the whorls in a 7-inch band. The banders were similar to banders on conventional row-planters that are used to deliver soil insecticides. On 19 Aug, Pounce 3.2 EC at a rate of 0.15 lb (AI)/acre was applied with two 8003 TeeJet flat fan nozzles (one per row), in a band over the row, with a compressed-air system calibrated to deliver 9.7 gpa at 20 psi and a speed of 2.5 mph. The height of the nozzles above the whorls was 10 to 12 inches.
Pursuing Testimonial Justice: Language Access through Patient-centered Outcomes Research with Spanish Speakers
Authors: Martínez Glenn A , Showstack Rachel E , Magaña Dalia , Dejbord-Sawan Parizad , Hardin Karol J
Published: October 2021

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR), rooted in the more established tradition of Community-Based Participatory Research (Deeb-Sossa 2019), seeks to empower patients in determining the most appropriate healthcare options by including and amplifying their voices in every aspect of the research process. In this article, we report on the outcomes of a four-year PCOR engagement effort in the US Midwest that aimed to include and amplify patient voices in language in healthcare policy. Our findings revealed feelings of patient disempowerment, discomfort with the social distance created by remote interpreting, and a mismatch of knowledge and expectations among interlocutors in medical interactions. Our discussions also underscored women’s work in addressing healthcare issues within the family and their resilience in describing systemic inequities in health communication. We argue that participation in PCOR empowers patients through the enactment of testimonial justice. We conclude by discussing implications and recommendations for language researchers who are interested in working toward social justice in language in healthcare policy in USA and building a multi-stakeholder platform for PCOR.
Laparoscopic versus open resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: meta-analysis
Authors: Kabir Tousif , Tan Zoe Z , Syn Nicholas L , Wu Eric , Lin J Daryl , Zhao Joseph J , Tan Alvin Y H , Hui Yong , Kam Juinn H , Goh Brian K P
Published: October 2021

Background

The exact role of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and underlying liver cirrhosis (LC) is not well defined. In this meta-analysis, both long- and short-term outcomes following LLR versus open liver resection (OLR) were analysed.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched systematically for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies reporting outcomes of LLR versus OLR of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). This was analysed using one-stage (individual participant data meta-analysis) and two-stage (aggregate data meta-analysis) approaches. Secondary outcomes were operation duration, blood loss, blood transfusion, Pringle manoeuvre utilization, overall and major complications, length of hospital stay (LOHS), 90-day mortality and R0 resection rates.

Results

Eleven studies comprising 1618 patients (690 LLR versus 928 OLR) were included for analysis. In the one-stage meta-analysis, an approximately 18.7 per cent lower hazard rate (HR) of death in the LLR group (random effects: HR 0.81, 95 per cent confidence interval [C.I.] 0.68 to 0.96; P = 0.018) was observed. Two-stage meta-analysis resulted in a pooled HR of 0.84 (95 per cent C.I. 0.74 to 0.96; P = 0.01) in the overall LLR cohort. This indicated a 16–26 per cent reduction in the HR of death for patients with HCC and cirrhosis who underwent LLR. For secondary outcomes, LLR was associated with less blood loss (mean difference [MD] −99 ml, 95 per cent C.I. −182 to −16 ml), reduced overall complications (odds ratio 0.49, 95 per cent C.I. 0.37 to 0.66) and major complications (odds ratio 0.45, 95 per cent C.I. 0.26 to 0.79), and shorter LOHS (MD −3.22 days, 95 per cent C.I. −4.38 to −2.06 days).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic resection of HCC in patients with cirrhosis is associated with improved survival and perioperative outcomes.
Personalized brain models identify neurotransmitter receptor changes in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Khan Ahmed Faraz , Adewale Quadri , Baumeister Tobias R , Carbonell Felix , Zilles Karl , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola , Iturria-Medina Yasser ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2021

Alzheimer’s disease involves many neurobiological alterations from molecular to macroscopic spatial scales, but we currently lack integrative, mechanistic brain models characterizing how factors across different biological scales interact to cause clinical deterioration in a way that is subject-specific or personalized. As important signalling molecules and mediators of many neurobiological interactions, neurotransmitter receptors are promising candidates for identifying molecular mechanisms and drug targets in Alzheimer's disease.

We present a neurotransmitter receptor-enriched multifactorial brain model, which integrates spatial distribution patterns of 15 neurotransmitter receptors from post-mortem autoradiography with multiple in vivo neuroimaging modalities (tau, amyloid-β and glucose PET, and structural, functional and arterial spin labelling MRI) in a personalized, generative, whole-brain formulation.

In a heterogeneous aged population (n = 423, ADNI data), models with personalized receptor-neuroimaging interactions showed a significant improvement over neuroimaging-only models, explaining about 70% (±20%) of the variance in longitudinal changes to the six neuroimaging modalities. In Alzheimer's disease patients (n = 25, ADNI data), receptor-imaging interactions explained up to 39.7% (P < 0.003, family-wise error-rate-corrected) of inter-individual variability in cognitive deterioration, via an axis primarily affecting executive function. Notably, based on their contribution to the clinical severity in Alzheimer’s disease, we found significant functional alterations to glutamatergic interactions affecting tau accumulation and neural activity dysfunction and GABAergic interactions concurrently affecting neural activity dysfunction, amyloid and tau distributions, as well as significant cholinergic receptor effects on tau accumulation. Overall, GABAergic alterations had the largest effect on cognitive impairment (particularly executive function) in our Alzheimer’s disease cohort (n = 25). Furthermore, we demonstrate the clinical applicability of this approach by characterizing subjects based on individualized ‘fingerprints’ of receptor alterations.

This study introduces the first robust, data-driven framework for integrating several neurotransmitter receptors, multimodal neuroimaging and clinical data in a flexible and interpretable brain model. It enables further understanding of the mechanistic neuropathological basis of neurodegenerative progression and heterogeneity, and constitutes a promising step towards implementing personalized, neurotransmitter-based treatments.
Failed It or Nailed It: A Historical-Comparative Analysis of Legislating Bushmeat Ban in China
Authors: He Liuyang , Li Hui
Published: October 2021

One of the prominent policy responses to COVID-19 by the Chinese government is a recent complete ban on trade and the consumption of wild animals for food use purposes. Despite some discussions and debates in media coverage, the policy has not obtained much scholarly discussion from a public policy perspective. This article aims to fill the research gap by examining the policy formation process of the complete ban. The study conducts a historical-comparative analysis of the three legislative attempts on the bushmeat ban in 2004, 2016, and 2020, applying the multiple streams framework (MSF). We identify six key explanatory factors contributing to the successful formulation of the strictest-ever bushmeat ban. Five corroborate with the problem, policy, and political streams respectively: (i) the existence of an exogenous zoonosis-related crisis as background (problem stream); (ii) the attention and support from the top-level political leaders (political stream); (iii) the national mood (political stream); (iv) proposals from both internal and external policy advisors and experts (policy stream); and (v) feasibility of the proposed solutions (policy stream). The sixth—the role of policy entrepreneurs—serves as a fundamental driving force in shaping and coupling the three streams.
A bioinformatics approach to investigate serum and hematopoietic cell-specific therapeutic microRNAs targeting the 3' UTRs of all four Dengue virus serotypes
Authors: Baig Mirza Sarwar , Krishnan Anuja
Published: October 2021

Hyperendemic circulation of all four Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes is a severe global public health problem, so any vaccine or therapeutics should be able to target all four of them. Cells of hemopoietic origin are believed to be primary sites of DENV replication. This study aimed to identify potential host miRNAs that target 3' UTR of all four DENV serotypes, thereby directly regulating viral gene expression or indirectly modulating the host system at different virus infection steps. We used four prediction algorithms viz. miRanda, RNA22, RNAhybrid and StarMir for predicting miRNA, targeting 3'UTR of all four DENV serotypes. Statistically, the most significant miRNA targets were screened based on their Log10 P-value (> 0.0001) of Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.

The intersection test of at least three prediction tools identified a total of 30 miRNAs, which could bind to 3'UTR of all four DENV serotypes. Of the 30, eight miRNAs were of hematopoietic cell origin. GO term enrichment and KEGG analysis showed four hemopoietic origin miRNAs target genes of the biological processes mainly involved in the innate immune response, mRNA 3'-end processing, antigen processing and presentation and nuclear-transcribed mRNA catabolic process.
Strengthening national capacities for pandemic preparedness: a cross-country analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths
Authors: Duong David B , King Andrew J , Grépin Karen A , Hsu Li Yang , Lim Jeremy Fy , Phillips Christine , Thai Truc Thanh , Venkatachalam Indumathi , Vogt Florian , Yam Esabelle Lo Yan , Bazley Stephanie , Chang Lydia Dai-Jia , Flaugh Rachel , Nagle Baily , Ponniah Johanan Dravium , Sun Penny , Trad Nicolas K , Berwick Donald M
Published: October 2021

The International Health Regulations—State Party Annual Reporting (IHR-SPAR) index and the Global Health Security Index (GHSI) have been developed to aid in strengthening national capacities for pandemic preparedness. We examined the relationship between country-level rankings on these two indices, along with two additional indices (the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index and World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicator (n = 195)) and compared them to the country-level reported coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and deaths (Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Dashboard) through 17 June 2020. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to compare weekly reported COVID-19 cases and death rates per million in the first 12 weeks of the pandemic between countries classified as low, middle and high ranking on each index while controlling for country socio-demographic information. Countries with higher GHSI and IHR-SPAR index scores experienced fewer reported COVID-19 cases and deaths but only for the first 8 weeks after the country’s first case. For the GHSI, this association was further limited to countries with populations below 69.4 million. For both the GHSI and IHR-SPAR, countries with a higher sub-index score in human resources for pandemic preparedness reported fewer COVID-19 cases and deaths in the first 8 weeks after the country’s first reported case. The Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index and Worldwide Governance Indicator country-level rankings were not associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The associations between GHSI and IHR-SPAR scores and COVID-19 outcomes observed in this study demonstrate that these two indices, although imperfect, may have value, especially in countries with a population under 69.4 million people for the GHSI. Preparedness indices may have value; however, they should continue to be evaluated as policy makers seek to better prepare for future global public health crises.
Pre-eclampsia and risk of early-childhood asthma: a register study with sibling comparison and an exploration of intermediate variables
Authors: Byberg Kristine Kjer , Lundholm Cecilia , Brew Bronwyn K , Rejnö Gustaf , Almqvist Catarina
Published: October 2021

Background

We aimed to study whether pre-eclampsia is associated with childhood asthma, allergic and non-allergic asthma, accounting for family factors and intermediate variables.

Methods

The study population comprised 779 711 children born in 2005–2012, identified from Swedish national health registers (n = 14 823/7410 exposed to mild/moderate and severe pre-eclampsia, respectively). We used Cox regression to estimate the associations of mild/moderate and severe pre-eclampsia with incident asthma, before and after age 2 years. Cox regressions were controlled for familial factors using sibling comparisons, then stratified on high and low risk for intermediate variables: caesarean section, prematurity and small for gestational age. We used logistic regression for allergic and non-allergic prevalent asthma at 6 years as a measure of more established asthma.

Results

The incidence of asthma in children was 7.7% (n = 60 239). The associations varied from adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.24 for mild/moderate pre-eclampsia and asthma at >2 years age, to adjHR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.64, 1.95 for severe pre-eclampsia and asthma at <2 years age. Sibling comparisons attenuated most estimates except for the association between severe pre-eclampsia and asthma at <2 years age (adjHR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.90), which also remained when stratifying for the risk of intermediates. Mild/moderate and severe pre-eclampsia were associated with prevalent non-allergic (but not allergic) asthma at 6 years, with adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.36 and adjOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.84, respectively.

Conclusions

We found evidence that severe, but not mild/moderate, pre-eclampsia is associated with asthma regardless of familial factors and confounders.
Heat processing increased the digestibility of phosphorus in soybean expeller, canola meal, and canola expeller fed to growing pigs
Authors: Lee Jinyoung , Nyachoti Charles Martin
Published: October 2021

It is hypothesized that heat processing may increase P digestibility in different protein sources fed to growing pigs. A study was conducted to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in soybean expeller (SBE) produced from oil extraction using dry extrusion and expelling and to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the ATTD and STTD of P in SBE, canola meal (CM), and canola expeller (CE) fed to growing pigs. Thirty-six growing barrows with an initial body weight of 19.0 ± 1.0 kg (mean ± SD) were assigned to 1 of 6 experimental diets in a completely randomized design to give 6 replicates per diet. The experimental design was a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement including three oilseed meals with or without heat treatment. The diets were formulated to contain non-autoclaved or autoclaved (at 121 °C for 60 min) SBE, CM, and CE as the sole source of P. Limestone was included in diets to maintain a Ca:total P ratio of 1.3:1 across diets. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 12 d, including 7 d for adaptation and 5 d for total collection of feces. Pigs were offered their daily ration at 2.8 times their maintenance energy requirement. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS. Heat treatment increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD and STTD of P. Pigs fed the SBE diets had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD and STTD of P than pigs fed CM and CE diets. For the autoclaved ingredients, the values of STTD of P were 49.4%, 23.2%, and 25.8% for SBE, CM, and CE, respectively, whereas STTD of P in non-autoclaved SBE, CM, and CE were 48.5%, 20.2%, and 22.5%. Heat treatment increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of Ca. In conclusion, heat treatment increased ATTD and STTD of P and ATTD of Ca in SBE, CM, and CE fed to growing pigs. The ATTD and STTD of P in SBE determined in the current study were 41.0% and 48.5%, respectively.
A poplar option: the ‘within-individual approach’ for elucidating xylem structure–function relationships
Authors: Olson Mark E
Published: October 2021

This article comments on:

Baer AB, Fickle JC, Medina J, Robles C, Pratt RB, Jacobsen AL. 2021. Xylem biomechanics, water storage, and density within roots and shoots of an angiosperm tree species. Journal of Experimental Botany 72, 7984–7997.
Probing membrane protein interactions and signaling molecule homeostasis in plants by Förster resonance energy transfer analysis
Authors: Duan Zhikun , Li Kaiwen , Duan Wenwen , Zhang Junli , Xing Jingjing
Published: October 2021

Membrane proteins have key functions in signal transduction, transport, and metabolism. Therefore, deciphering the interactions between membrane proteins provides crucial information on signal transduction and the spatiotemporal organization of protein complexes. However, detecting the interactions and behaviors of membrane proteins in their native environments remains difficult. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a powerful tool for quantifying the dynamic interactions and assembly of membrane proteins without disrupting their local environment, supplying nanometer-scale spatial information and nanosecond-scale temporal information. In this review, we briefly introduce the basic principles of FRET and assess the current state of progress in the development of new FRET techniques (such as FRET-FLIM, homo-FRET, and smFRET) for the analysis of plant membrane proteins. We also describe the various FRET-based biosensors used to quantify the homeostasis of signaling molecules and the active state of kinases. Furthermore, we summarize recent applications of these advanced FRET sensors in probing membrane protein interactions, stoichiometry, and protein clustering, which have shed light on the complex biological functions of membrane proteins in living plant cells.
Real-time discovery of AT2020xnd: a fast, luminous ultraviolet transient with minimal radioactive ejecta
Authors: Perley Daniel A , Ho Anna Y Q , Yao Yuhan , Fremling Christoffer , Anderson Joseph P , Schulze Steve , Kumar Harsh , Anupama G C , Barway Sudhanshu , Bellm Eric C , Bhalerao Varun , Chen Ting-Wan , Duev Dmitry A , Galbany Lluís , Graham Matthew J , Gromadzki Mariusz , Gutiérrez Claudia P , Ihanec Nada , Inserra Cosimo , Kasliwal Mansi M , Kool Erik C , Kulkarni S R , Laher Russ R , Masci Frank J , Neill James D , Nicholl Matt , Pursiainen Miika , van Roestel Joannes , Sharma Yashvi , Sollerman Jesper , Walters Richard , Wiseman Philip
Published: October 2021

The many unusual properties of the enigmatic AT2018cow suggested that at least some subset of the empirical class of fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) represents a genuinely new astrophysical phenomenon. Unfortunately, the intrinsic rarity and fleeting nature of these events have made it difficult to identify additional examples early enough to acquire the observations necessary to constrain theoretical models. We present here the Zwicky Transient Facility discovery of AT2020xnd (ZTF20acigmel, the ‘Camel’) at z = 0.243, the first unambiguous AT2018cow analogue to be found and confirmed in real time. AT2018cow and AT2020xnd share all key observational properties: a fast optical rise, sustained high photospheric temperature, absence of a second peak attributable to ejection of a radioactively heated stellar envelope, extremely luminous radio, millimetre, and X-ray emission, and a dwarf-galaxy host. This supports the argument that AT2018cow-like events represent a distinct phenomenon from slower-evolving radio-quiet supernovae, likely requiring a different progenitor or a different central engine. The sample properties of the four known members of this class to date disfavour tidal disruption models but are consistent with the alternative model of an accretion powered jet following the direct collapse of a massive star to a black hole. Contextual filtering of alert streams combined with rapid photometric verification using multiband imaging provides an efficient way to identify future members of this class, even at high redshift.
Kinematics of the Milky Way from the Gaia EDR3 red giants and subgiants
Authors: Fedorov P N , Akhmetov V S , Velichko A B , Dmytrenko A M , Denischenko S I
Published: October 2021

We present the results of the kinematic investigations carried out with the use of spatial velocities of red giants and subgiants contained in the Gaia EDR3 catalogue. The 12 kinematic parameters of the Ogorodnikov–Milne model have been derived for stellar systems with radii of 0.5 and 1.0 kpc, located along the direction of the Galactic Centre–the Sun–the Galactic anticentre within the range of Galactocentric distances R =  0–8–16 kpc. By combining some of the local parameters, the information related to the Galaxy as a whole has been received in the distance range of 4–12 kpc, in particular the circular velocity curve of red giant and subgiant centroids, its slope, and velocity gradients. We show that when using this approach, there is an alternative possibility to infer the behaviour of the circular velocity curve of red giant and subgiant centroids and its slope without using the Galactocentric distance R⊙. The kinematic parameters derived within the solar vicinity of 1 kpc radius are in good agreement with those given in the literature.
Constraining the point spread function by using galaxy images
Authors: Nie Lin , Li Guoliang , Zhang Jun , Fan Zuhui , Peterson John R
Published: October 2021

Inferring the point spread function (PSF) at galaxy positions is one of the crucial steps of the shear measurement. We introduce a novel method to estimate the PSFs at the galaxy positions by using the galaxy images, which could provide additional constrains for the PSF field variations. We construct the PSF for each star image by using Principal-Components-Analysis (PCA) method, which can capture the most significant characteristics of the data. Our method utilizes the image difference of the same object between multi-exposures to probe the coefficients of the principal components, in which the differences are mainly caused by PSFs. We apply our method to the observed data. The results show that the corresponding PSFs can be properly estimated from multiple images of different exposures. We then use the obtained principal components from the observations to mock multi-exposure images, where the PSFs field of each exposure is constructed by bivariate polynomial on coefficients. We find that our method can reproduce the PSFs consistently with mocked data. Our results show that the multi-exposed galaxy images could provide us additional constraints for the PSF fields in PCA scenario. It offers a promising prospect for combing the information of stars and galaxies together to construct the PSF field when the point sources are sparsely sampled.
Good pregnancy outcomes in lupus nephritis patients with complete renal remission
Authors: Chen Yinghua , Li Kang , Zhang Haitao , Liu Zhengzhao , Chen Duqun , Yang Liu , Hu Weixin
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate pregnancy outcomes and risk factors in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

A total of 158 pregnancies in 155 women with LN were divided into a remission group and a control group according to whether they achieved complete renal remission (CRR) prior to pregnancy. The adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk factors were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

In the remission group, 130 LN patients with 133 pregnancies (two twin pregnancies) delivered 127 live births; 25 LN patients with 25 pregnancies delivered 19 live births in the control group. Compared with the control group, the remission group had significantly lower incidence of LN relapse, fetal loss and premature birth. For LN patients in the remission group, a CRR duration <18 months [odds ratio (OR) 11.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.95–42.80, P < 0.001] and anti-C1q antibody positivity before pregnancy (OR 7.2, 95% CI 1.38–37.41, P = 0.019) were independent risk factors for LN relapse; anti-phospholipid antibody positivity (OR 9.32, 95% CI 1.27–68.27, P = 0.028) and prednisone dosage during pregnancy ≥12.5 mg/day (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.37–10.99, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for fetal loss and premature birth, respectively; and age >30 years was an independent risk factor for preeclampsia and premature birth.

Conclusion

LN patients with a CRR duration greater than 18 months were associated with good pregnancy outcomes and lower LN relapse. Age, anti-C1q and anti-phospholipid antibodies, and prednisone dosage during pregnancy were risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Local Tobacco 21 Policies are Associated With Lower Odds of Tobacco Use Among Adolescents
Authors: Wilhelm April K , Kingsbury John H , Eisenberg Marla E , Shyne Michael , Helgertz Sharrilyn , Borowsky Iris W
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Tobacco 21 (T21) policies have shown promise in reducing cigarette use among adolescents. This study examined whether local T21 policies affected adolescent use of a variety of tobacco products and whether results differed by grade level.

Methods

We used repeated cross-sectional data from eighth, ninth, and eleventh-grade respondents to the 2016 (n = 107 981) and 2019 (n = 102 196) Minnesota Student Surveys. Generalized estimating equations modeled eight adolescent tobacco use outcomes in 2019 (past 30-day use of any tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah, chewing tobacco, flavored tobacco, and multiple products) by T21 exposure, defined as respondents’ attendance at a school within a jurisdiction with T21 policy implementation between the two surveys. Models controlled for demographic characteristics and product-specific baseline tobacco use at the school level in 2016 and were stratified by grade.

Results

After adjusting for baseline tobacco use and other demographics, T21-exposed eighth and ninth-grade students had significantly lower odds of tobacco use than unexposed peers in five of eight models, i.e. any tobacco (aOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.87), cigarettes (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.99), e-cigarettes (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.85), flavored tobacco (aOR = 0.79, CI: 0.70, 0.89), and dual/poly tobacco (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.92). T21-exposed eleventh-grade students did not differ significantly in their odds of any tobacco use outcomes relative to their unexposed peers.

Conclusions

T21 exposure is associated with lower odds of multiple forms of tobacco use, particularly among younger adolescent populations, supporting the implementation of T21 policies to reduce tobacco use in this population.
Brucellosis Initially Misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi Bacteremia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gopalsamy Srinivasa Nithin , Ramakrishnan Aditi , Shariff Mustaf M , Gabel Julie , Brennan Skyler , Drenzek Cherie , Farley Monica M , Gaynes Robert P , Cartwright Emily J
Published: October 2021

Automated identification systems may misidentify Brucella, the causative agent of brucellosis, which may be re-emerging in the United States as the result of an expanding feral swine population. We present a case of Brucella suis likely associated with feral swine exposure that was misidentified as Ochrobactrum anthropi, a phylogenetic relative.
An Experimental Study of Trace Element Partitioning between Peridotite Minerals and Alkaline Basaltic Melts at 1250°C and 1 GPa: Crystal and Melt Composition Impacts on Partition Coefficients
Authors: Ma Shuai , Shaw Cliff S J
Published: October 2021

Peridotite–magma interaction is important in establishing magma pathways through the mantle and in metasomatism of the lithospheric mantle. Reactions that consume orthopyroxene and produce olivine and clinopyroxene are of particular interest because these reactions should lead to a redistribution of trace elements between the solid and melt phases at equilibrium. This study examines interaction of a silica-undersaturated alkaline basalt (basanite) with a range of peridotite compositions from dunite, through harzburgite to wehrlite at 1250°C and 1 GPa. Our experiments used the natural concentration of trace elements in the starting materials which allowed us to measure mineral—olivine partition coefficients for Rb, Ca, Co, Sr, Sc, Ct, Y, Ti, V and Zr. For orthopyroxene—and clinopyroxene—melt we additionally measured partitioning of Cs, Ba, all rare earth elements (REE; except Pm), Hf, Th, U, Nb and Ta. We show that there are subtle variations in the partition coefficients, particularly of the REEs that are related to the bulk composition of the system. We also show that with the exception of cations that can have multiple valence states, e.g. vanadium, the lattice strain model and in particular the double fit routine gives excellent agreement between the calculated and experimentally determined partition coefficients. The double fit model allows us to examine the effect of mineral composition on partitioning such that we can show preference of trace elements for the M1 and M2 sites in the pyroxenes. Although our results are similar to those of previous studies, there are two main differences: first we have a complete set of partition coefficients for every trace element that is measurable by LA-ICPMS in our starting material, where previous studies may be missing one or more elements in particular one or more of the middle REE in the pyroxenes Second, we show that although partition coefficients for trace elements in orthopyroxene are comparable between this and previous studies, the REE in clinopyroxene are typically a factor of 2–3 lower in this study. We also note that are correlations between partition coefficient and the composition of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and glass (melt). The relation of partitioning to melt composition suggests that some further development of the lattice strain model is needed. Finally, we show that there is agreement between our measured partition coefficients and those predicted from parameterized models of clinopyroxene–melt partitioning, however, there are unresolved differences that may result from differences in the substitution mechanisms of trace elements in M1 vs. M2 sites in clinopyroxene that are in part related to the composition of the coexisting melt.
Effect of Prenatal Administration of Retinoic Acid on Developing Spinal Cord of Albino Rats
Authors: Sherif MarwaSaad , TawfikKamal Mohamed , Refat Seham , El Gazzar Mona , Hana Gorge , El Sawy Marwa M
Published: October 2021

Background

Vitamin A and its derivatives (Retinoids) are essential for both normal embryonic development and maintenance of differentiation.Retinoids is a well-known teratogen when administered to embryos

Aim

to investigate the structural changes induced by prenatal administration of vitamin A on the developing spinal cord of albino rats.

Material and methods

forty pregnant albino rats were exposed to variable doses of vitamin A (retinylpalmitate) on gd 10.The pregnant albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control): rats received sesame oil by oral gavagedaily, till date of delivery. Group II (minimum therapeutic dose): rats were given retinylpalmitate 50 mg/kg daily. Group III (maximum therapeutic dose): rats were givenretinylpalmitate 100 mg/kg daily. The viable offspring of all groups were evaluated for changes in developing spinal cord at PND10. At the end of the experiment, rats offspring were sacrificed, the spinal cord were dissected out, and subjected to histological examination followed by computer image analysis.

Results

PDN10 neonates of mothers received minimum dose of vitamin A (subgroup II) revealed few immature irregular dorsal horn neurons with relatively decreased cellular density in anterior horn neurons. Meanwhile, the PDN10 neonates of mothers received daily maximum therapeutic dose of vitamin A (subgroup III) exhibited dark,pyknotic nucleiand packed dorsal horn cells while anterior horn cells were shrunkenandkaryoliticnuclei.

Conclusion

minimum and maximum doses of vitamin A in pregnant rats attributed to morphological changes in spinal cord of their young neonates and in long term follow up which was more obvious in maximum dose than low intake. Therefore, it might be assumed that neither minimum nor maximum dose could be used as a safe drug for their serious side effects on spinal cord morphology and consequently its functions.