bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Adding a Phytogenic Plant Additive (PFA) in some Productive Traits of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Jader Magareb Mohamed , Jassim Jafer Mohamed
Published: November 2023

This experiment was conducted in Poultry house of the Department of Animal Production / College of Agriculture / University of Basrah 19/11/2020 to 23/12/2020to find out the effect of adding the plant additive ((PFA) to feed and water at different time periods on some productive traits of broiler. Two hundred and fifty-two unsexed 1-day-old (ROSS 308) broiler chicks were randomly distributed in 7 groups each one consisting of 3 replicates (12 birds/replicate) as follows : The results showed that the addition of the phytoogenic to the diet or water led to a significant improvement (p≤0.05)in the productive characteristics, which included body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion coefficient, compared to the control group The results showed that the addition of the phytoogenic to the diet or water led to a significant improvement (p≤0.05)in the productive characteristics, which included body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion coefficient, compared to the control group.
Effect of Different Levels of Soil Salinity on Vegetative Growth Indicators of Four Genotypes of Broad Bean Vicia faba L.
Authors: Merhij Mohammed Y. , Al-Khafaji Hamzah Mohsin Kadhim
Published: November 2023

A field experiment for the winter season (2022-2023) was carried out in the field of the Department of Crops / Faculty of Agriculture - Al-Qasim Green University, to find out the effect of different levels of soil salinity on vegetative growth indicators for four genetic structures of beans using the design of complete random sectors according to factor experiments, as the main panels included Genotypes (local, Turkish, Spanish, Dutch) while the secondary panels included three levels of soil salinity (2, 6 and 9 ds/m). The results indicated that there are significant differences at the level of probability of 5% of the studied qualities, as the Turkish variety outperformed the average vegetative growth, as it gave the highest average in the characteristic of plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf area, root length and dry weight of the root system, either the local variety outperformed in the characteristic of the number of days of planting up to 50% flowering., leaf area, root length and dry weight of the root system, Compared to the salt level (9 ds/m), which achieved the lowest average of these traits, which differed significantly from the comparison treatment by achieving the lowest number of days of cultivation up to 5% flowering.
Investigation of ER308L and ER309L filler wires on dissimilar metals between carbon steel and 3CR12 ferritic stainless steel by GTAW through boiler fabrication in a sugar factory
Authors: Luijan Jinkamon , Surin Prayoon , Eidhed Kittee
Published: November 2023

Dissimilar metal welding is a popular process in very large coal and gold, power generation, and pulp and paper factories. It has mainly been applied to produce large boilers in sugar factories. The aim of the present study was to examine the characteristics of dissimilar metal welded joints made from carbon steel and 3CR12 ferritic stainless steel. The welding specimen was made from filler wires of ER308L and ER309L, and a gas tungsten arc welding process was employed for the V-shaped butt weld joints. The effects of the process parameters, such as the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties, were investigated. The results from the welding parameters with filler wire of ER308L applied at 70A of welding current showed the microstructure of delta ferrite and austenite. In comparison, 100A of welding current presents delta ferrite, austenite, and martensite. Furthermore, carbide formation was not observed in the fusion zones of any of the experiments. When the ER308L filler wire was used, the amount of delta ferrite was higher than that of the ER309L filler wire, and the amount of delta ferrite increased with increasing hardness. In addition, the results of the filler wire of ER308L could replace the ER309L filler wire, which effectively reduces the material cost.
The Knowledge Deficit Model and Science Communication
Authors: Grant W.J.
Published: November 2023

The Knowledge Deficit Model represents a key boundary concept in the modern discussion of science communication. In essence, the model asserts an epistemic priority for science and scientific information: that scientific knowledge should be paramount in making decisions on science-related issues, that this knowledge should be communicated from scientists to audiences who do not have this knowledge, that scientists should be in control of this communication flow, that the nonscientific audiences receiving this knowledge will be grateful for this, and that they will make better decisions as a result. To state it simply, the model assumes that nonscientific audiences are in some senses empty vessels suffering from a deficit of scientific knowledge, waiting to be filled with the wisdom of science.

Among science communication researchers and those concerned with the relationship between science and society, this model of communication is often considered essentially flawed, in that it affords politically problematic privileges to scientific knowledge and leaves scientists ignorant of the needs and knowledges their audiences, ignorant of the contexts in which decisions will be made, less likely to be viewed as trustworthy by those audiences, and less likely to do good science. The end result of such an approach is only likely to be a greater distrust between science and society, and flawed science.

Yet despite these critiques—and a near total absence of evidence in its favor—the model perseveres. Many scientists and science organizations continue to communicate their work in a deficit model style. Understanding why it persists—and what to do about it—remains a key challenge in science communication research.
Medical Tourism and Communication
Authors: Mason Alicia
Published: November 2023

Medical tourism (MT), sometimes referred to as health tourism or medical travel, involves both the treatment of illness and the facilitation of wellness, with travel. Medical tourism is a multifaceted and multiphase process involving many agents and actors that requires careful planning and execution. The coordinated process involves the biomedical, transportation, tourism, and leisure industries. From the communication perspective, the process can be viewed as a 5-stage model consisting of the: (a) orientation, (b) preparation, (c) experiential and treatment, (d) convalescence, and (e) reflection phases. Medical tourism is uniquely situated in a nexus of academic literature related to communication, business and management, travel and tourism, policy and law, healthcare and health administration. Communication permeates and perpetuates the medical tourism process and does so at the levels of interpersonal interactions (provider-patient communication), small group (healthcare teams), organizational (between healthcare providers), and mass and computer-mediated communication (marketing, advertising, and patient social support). This process may, in some cases, involve high rates of international and intercultural variation. Further study of the MT process can help to gain a better understanding of how healthcare consumers evaluate information about medical procedures and possible risks, as well as the specific message features and effects associated with various communication channels and information delivery systems. Continuing scholarly efforts also should focus on the relationship between medical tourism and communication.
Conflict in Family Communication
Authors: Caughlin John P. , Gerlikovski Emily
Published: November 2023

Conflict is a common experience in families. Although conflicts can be intense, most conflicts in families are about mundane issues such as housework, social life, schoolwork, or hygiene. Families’ negotiations over even such mundane topics, however, have important implications. Through conflicts with other family members, children typically first learn about managing difficulties with others, and the skills they learn in such conflicts are important to their social lives beyond their families. Yet poorly managed conflicts that become more intense or personal can undermine the well-being of families and family members. Family conflicts are extremely complex, and understanding them requires analysis at multiple levels, including examining the individual family members, dyads and larger groups within the family, and the sociocultural context in which families are embedded. At the individual level, family members’ conflict behaviors (e.g., exhibiting positive affect vs. negative affect), conflict skills (e.g., whether they are able to resolve problems), and cognitions (e.g., whether they make generous attributions about other family members' intent during disputes) all are important for understanding the impact of family conflicts. Examining conflict from the dyadic and polyadic levels recognizes that there are important features of conflict that are only apparent with a broader perspective. Dyadic and polyadic constructs include patterns of behavior, conflict outcomes that apply to all family members involved, and beliefs shared by family members. There are also particular types of relationships within families that have salient conflicts which have drawn considerable scholarly attention, such as parent–child or parent–adolescent conflicts, conflicts between siblings, marital conflicts, and conflicts between co-parents. In addition, families experience various transitions, and the life course of families influences conflict. Some key periods for conflict are the early years of marriage, the period of launching children and empty nest, and a family member navigating the end of life. Finally, family conflicts occur in a larger sociocultural context in which societal events and conditions affect family conflict. Such contextual factors include broad social structures (e.g., societal-level power dynamics between men and women), financial conditions, different co-cultural groups within a country, cross-cultural differences, and major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic that have direct effects on families and also elicit dramatic social responses that affect families. Despite the complexities, it is important to understand family conflict because of its implications for the health and well-being of families and family members.
Flow Experiences and Media
Authors: Wang Paula T. , Woodman Kylie , Weber René
Published: November 2023

“Flow” originated in the field of positive psychology and describes an optimal psychological state obtained when skilled individuals face challenges that leave them creatively stimulated, attentionally immersed, and flourishing. It was introduced into the communication literature at the turn of the 21st century, when media researchers began to revisit enduring questions surrounding media use, selection, and behavior. At the time, the established uses and gratifications (U&G) framework offered limited explanatory power to address newer questions arising from the emergence of interactive media such as the proliferation of video game consoles and advent of early social media. Flow has since become increasingly adopted within the field of media research as an alternate approach that addresses many of the criticisms of the U&G framework. Flow is characterized by a single key antecedent—that participants engage in an activity that maintains strict balance between task challenge and user skill. Video games in particular offer the ideal vessel for flow because they most easily fulfill the required challenge–skill balance due to their interactive and adaptable nature. Attempts to advance the development of the flow construct have faced challenges stemming from conceptual ambiguity and operational inconsistency, resulting in findings that are difficult to consolidate across studies. Despite these contentions, nascent research has been largely focused on identifying the correlates and predictors used to measure flow across new behavioral, psychophysiological, and neurological avenues. The development of more robust measures of flow will allow researchers to resolve lingering conceptual ambiguities and answer new and emerging questions, such as the length, depth, and stability of flow episodes and the role of flow in promoting problematic gaming behavior and behavioral addictions.
Historical Injustice
Authors: Huseby Robert
Published: November 2023

Historical injustice generally refers to theories that claim that past wrongs may have implications for current distribution. While it is not self-evident how to define historical injustice, many theorists reserve the term for wrongs whose perpetrators and victims are now both dead. Historical injustice thus concerns the potential claims that the descendants of the victims have against the descendants of the perpetrators. An example is the potential claims descendants of slaves in the United States have against the descendants of slave owners (or perhaps descendants of all non-slaves). While many find claimsbased on historical injustice intuitively compelling, such claims have also been subject to criticism on a wide range of theoretical grounds.
Neural Oscillations in Audiovisual Language and Communication
Authors: Drijvers Linda , Mazzini Sara
Published: November 2023

How do neural oscillations support human audiovisual language and communication? Considering the rhythmic nature of audiovisual language, in which stimuli from different sensory modalities unfold over time, neural oscillations represent an ideal candidate to investigate how audiovisual language is processed in the brain. Modulations of oscillatory phase and power are thought to support audiovisual language and communication in multiple ways. Neural oscillations synchronize by tracking external rhythmic stimuli or by re-setting their phase to presentation of relevant stimuli, resulting in perceptual benefits. In particular, synchronized neural oscillations have been shown to subserve the processing and the integration of auditory speech, visual speech, and hand gestures. Furthermore, synchronized oscillatory modulations have been studied and reported between brains during social interaction, suggesting that their contribution to audiovisual communication goes beyond the processing of single stimuli and applies to natural, face-to-face communication.

There are still some outstanding questions that need to be answered to reach a better understanding of the neural processes supporting audiovisual language and communication. In particular, it is not entirely clear yet how the multitude of signals encountered during audiovisual communication are combined into a coherent percept and how this is affected during real-world dyadic interactions. In order to address these outstanding questions, it is fundamental to consider language as a multimodal phenomenon, involving the processing of multiple stimuli unfolding at different rhythms over time, and to study language in its natural context: social interaction. Other outstanding questions could be addressed by implementing novel techniques (such as rapid invisible frequency tagging, dual-electroencephalography, or multi-brain stimulation) and analysis methods (e.g., using temporal response functions) to better understand the relationship between oscillatory dynamics and efficient audiovisual communication.
Sociological Institutionalism and Education Scholarship
Authors: Cleckner Callie , Hallett Tim
Published: November 2023

Research on schools has long been central to the development of institutional theory. Scholars from the tradition now labeled “old institutionalism” used historical case studies of educational institutions to examine how organizations pursue social values and how those values and the organization change in the process. The subsequent shift to new institutionalism entailed a more macro-level approach, as scholars began to view schools as organizations nested within a broader field or environment. Instead of analyzing how organizations pursue values, new institutionalists examine how organizations conform to macro cultural “myths” or “logics” to maintain legitimacy in their respective fields. For instance, national and global education reforms compel schools to adopt remarkably similar organizational forms, despite the diverse needs of schools and their divergent practices. Inhabited institutionalism, which explores the recursive relationships among institutions, organizations, and social interactions, provides a consolidated approach and incorporates a symbolic interactionist lens to examine the meaning and implications of institutions at a more local level. Educational settings have been important sites of empirical investigation in the development of inhabited institutionalism, specifically by showing how schools incorporate cultural mythologies such as “accountability” in context-specific ways.
Dallas
Authors: Hill Patricia Evridge
Published: November 2023

From its origins in the 1840s, Dallas developed quickly into a prosperous market town. After acquiring two railroads in the 1870s, the city became the commercial and financial center of North Central Texas. Early urban development featured competition and cooperation between the city’s business leadership, women’s groups, and coalitions formed by Populists, socialists, and organized labor. Notably, the city’s African Americans were marginalized economically and excluded from civic affairs. By the end of the 1930s, city building became more exclusive even for the white population. A new generation of business leaders threatened by disputes over Progressive Era social reforms and city planning, the revival of the Ku Klux Klan, and attempts to organize industrial workers used its control of local media, at-large elections, and repression to dominate civic affairs until the 1970s.
Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kementerian Agama), Indonesia
Authors: Ali Muhamad
Published: November 2023

A special ministry was established soon after the declaration of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia to have the specific task of managing the religious affairs of particularly Muslim-majority population. First seen as a contentious move but later regarded as a political compromise between those advocating for a secular state and those promoting an Islamic state for Indonesia, the ministry continues to provide a variety of programs and activities that shape the dynamic development of Muslim education, law, ritual (including the hajj), and intra-Muslim as well as interreligious relations. The ministry offers a case study of the bureaucratization of religion and its impact in the politics and culture of a Muslim majority country and provides opportunities for further research.
Disaster Mental Health
Authors: Saltzman Leia Y. , Ferreira Regardt J. , Hansel Tonya C.
Published: November 2023

Disaster mental health refers to the provision of psychological and substance use services in environments coping with and recovering from disasters. In addition, disaster mental health refers to the study of the psychological and emotional impacts of disasters on individuals, families, and communities. Disasters—including climate-related, human-caused, biological, technological, and infrastructure failure—have documented impacts on the mental health of survivors. Disasters do not equitably impact individuals, families, and communities but rather may exacerbate existing disparities, worsening health and mental health outcomes and limiting access to mental health care. As societal and environmental factors continue to evolve, communities that previously were not impacted by disasters have begun to feel the effects. Simultaneously, communities that have previously been impacted by disasters are now facing recurring or compounding disaster experiences—for example, repeated wildfires, hurricanes, or flooding. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has also increased concerns about protracted and lengthy disaster experiences and the impact these events may have on new and/or worsening mental health symptoms. Social workers have a unique perspective that can contribute to the practice of disaster mental health with individuals, families and communities—from the provision of clinical services to policy and preparedness, to research. The system approach coupled with a strengthsbased perspective which is the hallmark of social work is imperative when working with individuals, families, and communities impacted by disasters and those who face mental health challenges in the wake of these experiences.
Ewalt, Patricia Alice Littlefield
Authors: Logan Sadye L. M.
Published: November 2023

Patricia Alice Littlefield Ewalt (1934–2022) was a strategic, organized, and brilliant social work administrator. She served the profession of social work as a planner, administrator, organizer, and educator. Her research and scholarship provided a collective vision of multiculturalism in social work practice and education. Within the profession and her administration, Ewalt advocated for inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging.
Cytologic analysis of metaplastic breast carcinoma: Review of 66 cases diagnosed at the Institut Curie
Authors: Kowalewski Adam , Klijanienko Jerzy
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Cytology reports of metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) are rare and limited to short series and simple case reports. To adapt cytology diagnostic criteria to the most recent fifth edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Breast Tumours from 2019, we have reviewed our series from the files of the Institut Curie.

Methods

A cohort of 66 female patients investigated by cytology with corresponding histologic diagnosis of MBC was identified. Eight cytologic characteristics were analyzed: cellularity, adenocarcinoma cells, squamous cells, spindle cells, giant cells, cytonuclear atypia, necrosis, and osseous/chondroid matrix and compared with histology.

Results

Cytologic diagnoses were malignant in 58 (88%) cases (of which 29 cases were typed cytologically as MBC), suspicious in 6 (9%) cases, and nondiagnostic in 2 (3%) cases. None of the cytologic examinations was a benign diagnosis. Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma and fibromatosis-like metaplastic carcinoma exhibited a low degree of cellular atypia. Fibromatosis-like metaplastic carcinoma and spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) presented spindle cells, while SpCC also demonstrated varying degrees of atypia, the presence of giant cells, and necrosis. Squamous cell carcinoma was characterized by the presence of squamous cells, and metaplastic carcinoma with osseous/chondroid differentiation displayed an osseous/chondroid matrix.

Conclusions

Fine-needle aspiration holds considerable potential as a valid, independent, and complementary approach to histologic examination of MBC.
From bench to bedside: potential of translational research in COVID-19 and beyond
Authors: Shukla Nityendra , Shamim Uzma , Agarwal Preeti , Pandey Rajesh , Narayan Jitendra
Published: November 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been around for more than 3 years now. However, due to constant viral evolution, novel variants are emerging, leaving old treatment protocols redundant. As treatment options dwindle, infection rates continue to rise and seasonal infection surges become progressively common across the world, rapid solutions are required. With genomic and proteomic methods generating enormous amounts of data to expand our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology, there is an urgent requirement for the development of novel therapeutic methods that can allow translational research to flourish. In this review, we highlight the current state of COVID-19 in the world and the effects of post-infection sequelae. We present the contribution of translational research in COVID-19, with various current and novel therapeutic approaches, including antivirals, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, as well as alternate treatment methods such as immunomodulators, currently being studied and reiterate the importance of translational research in the development of various strategies to contain COVID-19.
New insights into the genetics of stuttering
Authors: Szepetowski Pierre
Published: November 2023

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Stuttering associated with a pathogenic variant in the chaperone protein cyclophilin 40’ by Morgan et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad314).
In search of genetic modifiers that explain the phenotypic variability in SMAD3-related aortopathy
Authors: Velchev J , Richer J , Meester J , Verstraeten A , Alaerts M , Loeys B
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder presenting with thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). Remarkably, some LDS patients remain cardiovascularly unaffected throughout life, while others carrying the exact same genetic variant die early because of an aortic dissection. We hypothesize that genetic modifiers are the basis of this observation.

Objectives

Identify genetic modifiers that explain the variability in LDS-related aortopathy.

Generate a patient-specific iPSC-vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) model to allow functional validation of genetic modifiers.

Material and Methods

We have access to a large LDS family segregating a pathogenic SMAD3 (p.Arg287Gln) variant. Identification of candidate modifiers in this family encompasses genome-wide SNP-based linkage analysis (n=19, available mutation carriers) and WGS (3 affected (AMC) and 4 unaffected mutation carriers (UMC)). Subsequent functional validation involves CRISPR/Cas-based modifier correction in iPSC-VSMCs of an affected variant carrier, which are created using the CytoTune iPS 2.0 Kit and the Granata et al. VSMC differentiation protocols.

Results

Linkage analysis suggests the presence of an aggravating modifier at chr2 (LOD: 2.68). The region of 6 Mb contains 19 protein coding genes of which the TNFAIP6 gene was ToppGene prioritized. There were no exonic variants in any of the genes that segregate with affection status at MAF 0.01%. However, we are currently adapting the the filtering strategy and will look into more common variants, MAF 10% for exonic and MAF 5% for intronic variants.

iPSCs of an AMC and its isogenic control were created. They express core pluripotency markers and possess trilineage differentiation potential in the absence of the Sendai vectors. SNP array confirmed the genomic stability and identity of the cells.

Conclusion and Future Work

The obtained data suggest the presence of an aggravating modifier at chr2. Further analyses are ongoing to pinpoint the exact modifier variant explaining the linkage signal. Subsequently, the identified modifier(s) will be modelled in an in-vitro created iPSC-VSMC model.
Linear accelerator–based stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in elderly: a prospective phase II trial
Authors: Di Monaco Antonio , Gregucci Fabiana , Bonaparte Ilaria , Romanazzi Imma , Troisi Federica , Surgo Alessia , Vitulano Nicola , Quadrini Federico , Valenti Noemi , Carbonara Roberta , Di Guglielmo Fiorella Cristina , Ludovico Elena , Calbi Roberto , Guida Pietro , Ciliberti Maria Paola , Fiorentino Alba , Grimaldi Massimo
Published: November 2023

Aims

Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation (STAR) is a novel therapeutic approach for cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this trial is to investigate the feasibility of STAR for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in elderly patients.

Methods and results

Inclusion criteria were age >70 years, symptomatic AF, antiarrhythmic drugs failure, or intolerance. All patients underwent to 4D cardiac computed tomography simulation. The clinical target volume was identified in the area around pulmonary veins (PV). Stereotactic arrhythmia radioablation was performed with a total dose of 25 Gy (single fraction) delivered in 3 min. Twenty patients were enrolled and 18 underwent STAR. One patient withdrew informed consent before treatment and one patient was excluded due to unfavourable oesophagus position. With a median follow-up (FU) of 16 months (range 12–23), no acute toxicity more than Grade 3 was reported. Five patients had a Grade 1 oesophagitis 24 h after STAR; eight patients had an asymptomatic Grade 1 pericardial effusion, and one patient had a torsade de pointes treated effectively by electrical cardioversion and subsequent cardiac implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Most patients had a significant reduction in AF episodes. Five patients, due to arrhythmias recurrences after STAR, performed electrophysiological study documenting successful PV isolation. Finally, a significant improvement of quality of life was documented (48 ± 15 at enrolment vs. 75 ± 15 at 12 months FU; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present phase II trial demonstrated the feasibility of STAR in paroxysmal AF elderly patients and its potential role in increasing the quality of life. Surely, more robust data are needed about safety and efficacy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04575662
Getting ready for reduced donor dependency: the co-financing of family planning commodities
Authors: Jha Ayan , Kolesar Robert John , Comas Sophia , Gribble Jay , Ugaz Jorge , Gonzalez-Pier Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Family planning (FP) programmes in low and lower-middle income countries are confronting the dual impact of reduced external donor commitments and stagnant or reduced domestic financing, worsened by economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-financing—a donor-government agreement to jointly fund aspects of a programme, with transition towards the government assuming increasing responsibility for total cost—can be a powerful tool to help build national ownership, fiscal sustainability and programme visibility. Using Gavi’s successful co-financing model as reference, the current paper draws out a set of key considerations for developing policies on co-financing of FP commodities in resource-poor settings. Macroeconomic and contextual sensitivities must be incorporated while classifying countries and determining co-financing obligations—using the actual GNI per capita on a scale or sovereign credit ratings, in conjunction with programmatic indicators, may be preferred. It is also important for policies to allow sufficiently long time for countries to transition—dependent on the country context, may be up to 10 years as allowed under the US Agency for International Development FP graduation policy and flexibility to revisit the terms following externalities that can influence the fiscal space for health. Incentivizing new domestic financing to pay for co-financing dues is critical, so as not to displace government funding from related health or social sector programs. Pragmatic ways to ensure country compliance can include engaging both the ministries of health and finance as co-signatories to identify and address known administrative and fiscal challenges; establishing dedicated co-financing account with the finance ministry; and instituting a mutual monitoring mechanism. Lastly, the overall process of policymaking can benefit from an alignment of goals and interests of the key development partners.
Variation in antibiotic consumption in very preterm infants—a 10 year population-based study
Authors: Huncikova Zuzana , Stensvold Hans Jørgen , Øymar Knut Asbjørn Alexander , Vatne Anlaug , Lang Astri Maria , Støen Ragnhild , Brigtsen Anne Karin , Moster Dag , Eriksen Beate Horsberg , Selberg Terje , Rønnestad Arild , Klingenberg Claus
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Wide variations in antibiotic use in very preterm infants have been reported across centres despite similar rates of infection. We describe 10 year trends in use of antibiotics and regional variations among very preterm infants in Norway.

Patients and Methods

All live-born very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) admitted to any neonatal unit in Norway during 2009–18 were included. Main outcomes were antibiotic consumption expressed as days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient days (PD), regional variations in use across four health regions, rates of sepsis and sepsis-attributable mortality and trends of antibiotic use during the study period.

Results

We included 5296 infants: 3646 (69%) were born at 28–31 weeks and 1650 (31%) were born before 28 weeks gestation with similar background characteristics across the four health regions. Overall, 80% of the very preterm infants received antibiotic therapy. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were the combination of narrow-spectrum β-lactams and aminoglycosides, but between 2009 and 2018 we observed a marked reduction in their use from 100 to 40 DOT per 1000 PD (P < 0.001). In contrast, consumption of broad-spectrum β-lactams remained unchanged (P = 0.308). There were large variations in consumption of vancomycin, broad-spectrum β-lactams and first-generation cephalosporins, but no differences in sepsis-attributable mortality across regions.

Conclusions

The overall antibiotic consumption was reduced during the study period. Marked regional variations remained in consumption of broad-spectrum β-lactams and vancomycin, without association to sepsis-attributable mortality. Our results highlight the need for antibiotic stewardship strategies to reduce consumption of antibiotics that may enhance antibiotic resistance development.
A chromosome-level genome assembly for the smoky rubyspot damselfly (Hetaerina titia)
Authors: Patterson Christophe W , Bonillas-Monge Erandi , Brennan Adrian , Grether Gregory F , Mendoza-Cuenca Luis , Tucker Rachel , Vega-Sánchez Yesenia M , Drury Jonathan
Published: November 2023

Smoky rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina titia Drury, 1773) are one of the most commonly encountered odonates along streams and rivers on both slopes of Central America and the Atlantic drainages in the United States and southern Canada. Owing to their highly variable wing pigmentation, they have become a model system for studying sexual selection and interspecific behavioral interference. Here, we sequence and assemble the genome of a female smoky rubyspot. Of the primary assembly (i.e. the principle pseudohaplotype), 98.8% is made up of 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules (2N = 22A + X). There are 75 scaffolds in total, an N50 of 120 Mb, a contig-N50 of 0.64 Mb, and a high arthropod BUSCO score [C: 97.6% (S: 97.3%, D: 0.3%), F: 0.8%, M: 1.6%]. We then compare our assembly to that of the blue-tailed damselfly genome (Ischnura elegans), the most complete damselfly assembly to date, and a recently published assembly for an American rubyspot damselfly (Hetaerina americana). Collectively, these resources make Hetaerina a genome-enabled genus for further studies of the ecological and evolutionary forces shaping biological diversity.
The de novo genome of the Black-necked Snakefly (Venustoraphidia nigricollis Albarda, 1891): A resource to study the evolution of living fossils
Authors: Wolf Magnus , Greve Carola , Schell Tilman , Janke Axel , Schmitt Thomas , Pauls Steffen U , Aspöck Horst , Aspöck Ulrike
Published: November 2023

Snakeflies (Raphidioptera) are the smallest order of holometabolous insects that have kept their distinct and name-giving appearance since the Mesozoic, probably since the Jurassic, and possibly even since their emergence in the Carboniferous, more than 300 million years ago. Despite their interesting nature and numerous publications on their morphology, taxonomy, systematics, and biogeography, snakeflies have never received much attention from the general public, and only a few studies were devoted to their molecular biology. Due to this lack of molecular data, it is therefore unknown, if the conserved morphological nature of these living fossils translates to conserved genomic structures. Here, we present the first genome of the species and of the entire order of Raphidioptera. The final genome assembly has a total length of 669 Mbp and reached a high continuity with an N50 of 5.07 Mbp. Further quality controls also indicate a high completeness and no meaningful contamination. The newly generated data was used in a large-scaled phylogenetic analysis of snakeflies using shared orthologous sequences. Quartet score and gene concordance analyses revealed high amounts of conflicting signals within this group that might speak for substantial incomplete lineage sorting and introgression after their presumed re-radiation after the asteroid impact 66 million years ago. Overall, this reference genome will be a door-opening dataset for many future research applications, and we demonstrated its utility in a phylogenetic analysis that provides new insights into the evolution of this group of living fossils.
Toward quantitative super-resolution microscopy: molecular maps with statistical guarantees
Authors: Proksch Katharina , Werner Frank , Keller–Findeisen Jan , Ta Haisen , Munk Axel
Published: November 2023

Quantifying the number of molecules from fluorescence microscopy measurements is an important topic in cell biology and medical research. In this work, we present a consecutive algorithm for super-resolution (stimulated emission depletion (STED)) scanning microscopy that provides molecule counts in automatically generated image segments and offers statistical guarantees in form of asymptotic confidence intervals. To this end, we first apply a multiscale scanning procedure on STED microscopy measurements of the sample to obtain a system of significant regions, each of which contains at least one molecule with prescribed uniform probability. This system of regions will typically be highly redundant and consists of rectangular building blocks. To choose an informative but non-redundant subset of more naturally shaped regions, we hybridize our system with the result of a generic segmentation algorithm. The diameter of the segments can be of the order of the resolution of the microscope. Using multiple photon coincidence measurements of the same sample in confocal mode, we are then able to estimate the brightness and number of molecules and give uniform confidence intervals on the molecule counts for each previously constructed segment. In other words, we establish a so-called molecular map with uniform error control. The performance of the algorithm is investigated on simulated and real data.
Solving the puzzle of climacteric fruit ripening: EMB1444-like and its regulatory function
Authors: Bellinazzo Francesca
Published: November 2023

This article comments on:

Zhao W, Wang S, Li W, Shan X, Naeem M, Zhang L, Zhao L. 2023. The transcription factor EMB1444-like affects tomato fruit ripening by regulating YELLOW-FRUITED TOMATO 1, a core component of ethylene signaling transduction. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 6563–6574.
Bristling with potential: evaluating the effects of awns on yield under heat stress
Authors: Adamski Nikolai M
Published: November 2023

This article comments on:

DeWitt N, Lyerly J, Guedira M, Holland JB, Murphy JP, Ward BP, Boyles RE, Mergoum M, Babar MA, Shakiba E, Sutton R, Ibrahim A, Tiwari V, Santantonio N, Van Sanford DA, Howell K, Smith JH, Harrison SA, Brown-Guedira G. 2023. Bearded or smooth? Awns improve yield when wheat experiences heat stress during grain fill in the southeastern United States. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 6749–6759.
Auxin/cytokinin antagonism in shoot development: from moss to seed plants
Authors: Kotov Andrey A , Kotova Liudmila M
Published: November 2023

This article comments on:

Cammarata J, Roeder AHK, Scanlon MJ. 2023. The ratio of auxin to cytokinin controls leaf development and meristem initiation in Physcomitrium patens. Journal of Experimental Botany 74, 6541–6550.
Arabidopsis G-protein β subunit AGB1 represses abscisic acid signaling via attenuation of the MPK3–VIP1 phosphorylation cascade
Authors: Xu Dongbei , Tang Wensi , Ma Yanan , Wang Xia , Yang Yanzhi , Wang Xiaoting , Xie Lina , Huang Suo , Qin Tengfei , Tang Weilin , Xu Zhaoshi , Li Lei , Tang Yimiao , Chen Ming , Ma Youzhi
Published: November 2023

Heterotrimeric G proteins play key roles in cellular processes. Although phenotypic analyses of Arabidopsis Gβ (AGB1) mutants have implicated G proteins in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, the AGB1-mediated modules involved in ABA responses remain unclear. We found that a partial AGB1 protein was localized to the nucleus where it interacted with ABA-activated VirE2-interacting protein 1 (VIP1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MPK3). AGB1 acts as an upstream negative regulator of VIP1 activity by initiating responses to ABA and drought stress, and VIP1 regulates the ABA signaling pathway in an MPK3-dependent manner in Arabidopsis. AGB1 outcompeted VIP1 for interaction with the C-terminus of MPK3, and prevented phosphorylation of VIP1 by MPK3. Importantly, ABA treatment reduced AGB1 expression in the wild type, but increased in vip1 and mpk3 mutants. VIP1 associates with ABA response elements present in the AGB1 promoter, forming a negative feedback regulatory loop. Thus, our study defines a new mechanism for fine-tuning ABA signaling through the interplay between AGB1 and MPK3–VIP1. Furthermore, it suggests a common G protein mechanism to receive and transduce signals from the external environment.
Single versus dual inoculation with indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in winemaking
Authors: Chalvantzi Ioanna , Mallouchos Athanasios , Banilas Georgios , Nisiotou Aspasia
Published: November 2023

Indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and their combinations may be used to diversify wines and add complexity to sensory profiles. Here, two S. cerevisiae strains that represent regional genetic and phenotypic specificities for two major winegrowing areas of Greece were used in single- and mixed-culture fermentations. The kinetics and metabolic activities of the strains were analyzed to evaluate the influence of each strain individually or in combination on wine quality. The two strains differentially affected the kinetics and the outcome of fermentation. They showed significant differences in the production of important metabolites that strongly affect the organoleptic profile of wines, such as volatile acidity, acetaldehyde, certain esters, and terpenes. Furthermore, the chemical and sensory profiles of wines produced by single cultures were different from those fermented by mixed-culture inoculum. The concentration of certain metabolites was enhanced (e.g. isoamyl acetate, 1-heptanol), while others were suppressed (e.g. hexyl acetate, octyl acetate). Results highlight the potential worth of indigenous S. cerevisiae strains to differentiate local wines. The mixed-culture S. cerevisiae inoculum was shown to generate novel wine characteristics, as compared to single cultures, thus offering alternatives to further diversify wines and increase their complexity.
Period variability in the pulsating Extreme Helium stars V652 Her and BX Cir
Authors: Kilkenny D , Worters H L , Baran A S
Published: November 2023

Eighteen new timings of maxima of the radially pulsating Extreme Helium star, V652 Her, obtained during 2010–2023 are reported, together with 26 new timings of the very similar star, BX Cir, during 2014–2023. New ephemerides are derived from baselines which are now substantially longer than previously published. Both ephemerides are thus refined and, in the case of BX Cir, we find for the first time evidence of a cubic term (the period change rate is decreasing). BX Cir data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) reveals a previously unreported frequency near 65 μHz (period ∼ 0.179 d) with amplitude ∼0.002 mag.
The DESI One-Percent Survey: exploring a generalized SHAM for multiple tracers with the UNIT simulation
Authors: Yu Jiaxi , Zhao Cheng , Gonzalez-Perez Violeta , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Brodzeller Allyson , de Mattia Arnaud , Kneib Jean-Paul , Krolewski Alex , Rocher Antoine , Ross Ashley , Wang Yunchong , Yuan Sihan , Zhang Hanyu , Zhou Rongpu , Aguilar Jessica Nicole , Ahlen Steven , Brooks David , Dawson Kyle , de la Macorra Alex , Doel Peter , Fanning Kevin , Font-Ribera Andreu , Forero-Romero Jaime , Gontcho Satya Gontcho A , Honscheid Klaus , Kehoe Robert , Kisner Theodore , Kremin Anthony , Landriau Martin , Manera Marc , Martini Paul , Meisner Aaron , Miquel Ramon , Moustakas John , Nie Jundan , Percival Will , Poppett Claire , Raichoor Anand , Rossi Graziano , Seo Hee-Jong , Tarlé Gregory , Zhou Zhimin , Zou Hu
Published: November 2023

We perform SubHalo Abundance Matching (SHAM) studies on UNIT simulations with {σ, Vceil, vsmear}-SHAM and {σ, Vceil, fsat}-SHAM. They are designed to reproduce the clustering on 5–30 $\, {\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}}$ of luminous red galaxies (LRGs), emission-line galaxies (ELGs), and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at 0.4 < z < 3.5 from DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) One Percent Survey. Vceil is the incompleteness of the massive host (sub)haloes and is the key to the generalized SHAM. vsmear models the clustering effect of redshift uncertainties, providing measurements consistent with those from repeat observations. A free satellite fraction fsat is necessary to reproduce the clustering of ELGs. We find ELGs present a more complex galaxy–halo mass relation than LRGs reflected in their weak constraints on σ. LRGs, QSOs, and ELGs show increasing Vceil values, corresponding to the massive galaxy incompleteness of LRGs, the quenched star formation of ELGs and the quenched black hole accretion of QSOs. For LRGs, a Gaussian vsmear presents a better profile for subsamples at redshift bins than a Lorentzian profile used for other tracers. The impact of the statistical redshift uncertainty on ELG clustering is negligible. The best-fitting satellite fraction for DESI ELGs is around 4 per cent, lower than previous estimations for ELGs. The mean halo mass log10(〈Mvir〉) in ${{\, h^{-1}\, \mbox{M}_\odot }}{}$ for LRGs, ELGs, and QSOs are 13.16 ± 0.01, 11.90 ± 0.06, and 12.66 ± 0.45, respectively. Our generalized SHAM algorithms facilitate the production of multitracer galaxy mocks for cosmological tests.
Orbit injection of planet-crossing asteroids
Authors: Namouni F
Published: November 2023

Solar system Centaurs originate in trans-Neptunian space from where planet orbit crossing events inject their orbits inside the giant planets’ domain. Here, we examine this injection process in the three-body problem by studying the orbital evolution of trans-Neptunian asteroids located at Neptune’s collision singularity as a function of the Tisserand invariant, T. Two injection modes are found, one for T > 0.1, or equivalently prograde inclinations far from the planet, where unstable motion dominates injection, and another for T ≤ 0.1, or equivalently polar and retrograde inclinations far from the planet, where stable motion dominates injection. The injection modes are independent of the initial semimajor axis and the dynamical time at the collision singularity. The simulations uncovered a region in the polar corridor where the dynamical time exceeds the Solar system’s age suggesting the possibility of long-lived primordial polar trans-Neptunian reservoirs that supply Centaurs to the giant planets’ domain.
Kinetic rate coefficients for electron-driven collisions with CH+: dissociative recombination and rovibronic excitation
Authors: Forer Joshua , Hvizdoš Dávid , Ayouz Mehdi , Greene Chris H , Kokoouline Viatcheslav
Published: November 2023

Cross-sections and rate coefficients for rovibronic excitation of the CH+ ion by electron impact and dissociative recombination of CH+ with electrons are evaluated using a theoretical approach combining an R-matrix method and molecular quantum defect theory. The method has been developed and tested, comparing the theoretical results with the data from the recent Cryogenic Storage Ring experiment. The obtained cross-sections and rate coefficients evaluated for temperatures from 1 to 10 000 K could be used for plasma modelling in the interpretation of astrophysical observations and also in the technological applications where the molecular hydrocarbon plasma is present.