bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic structure and phase transition at the surface region of Fe3O4(100)
Authors: Kawauchi Taizo , Miura Yoshio , Asakawa Kanta , Fukutani Katsuyuki
Published: November 2020

The magnetic structure and phase transition of the near-surface region of Fe3O4(100) was investigated by 57Fe conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and theoretical calculations. It is revealed that at 300 K the magnetization is in-plane in the surface region and cants from the in-plane to the 〈111〉 direction in a deeper region suggesting the presence of a noncollinear magnetic structure. The critical exponents for the tetrahedral and octahedral sites are estimated to be 0.24 ± 0.01 and 0.28 ± 0.01, respectively. Near the critical temperature, furthermore, the magnetization direction in the surface region was found to deviate from the in-plane direction.
The Pornography Industry
Authors: Tarrant Shira
Published: November 2020

Although pornography has existed for centuries, the pornography industry has not. As described in the previous chapter about the history of pornography, development of the porn industry has gone hand in hand with changes in technology and economics. Shifting moral concerns...
‘Think of All the Differences!’: Mixed Marriages in Transcultural Adaptations of Chaucer’s ‘Man of Law’s Tale’
Authors: O’Connell Brendan
Published: November 2020

At a historical moment in which we attempt to come to grips with the legacy of racial inequality, this essay considers two twenty-first-century adaptations of Chaucer’s ‘Man of Law’s Tale’, which respond to the xenophobic and imperialist ideology of the original by representing its noble white heroine as a black asylum seeker, and replacing the dynastic genealogy of Chaucer’s tale with a celebration of an inter-racial marriage that defies cultural norms. Chaucer’s text might not seem promising for modern adaptation: its passive heroine embodies the abstract principle of constancy, and the action of the tale serves an ideological purpose that seems, to modern eyes, to be profoundly and unpleasantly imperialist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic. And yet, the 2003 BBC adaptation made the work remarkably legible for a twenty-first-century audience, by highlighting, rather than suppressing, the tale’s concerns with issues of family, race, and religion, and by imagining its central heroine as a Nigerian Christian, fleeing religious persecution. These concerns with migration and racial and religious intolerance are developed brilliantly in Patience Agbabi’s Telling Tales, a poetic revision of Chaucer’s work as filtered through the lens of the television adaptation. In these texts, mixed marriages become a powerful tool with which to challenge the racist legacy of the past and to interrogate the relationship of the adaptation to its canonical forebears.
Life in lockdown: a telephone survey to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the lives of older people (≥75 years)
Authors: Brown Lesley , Mossabir Rahena , Harrison Nicola , Brundle Caroline , Smith Jane , Clegg Andrew
Published: November 2020

Background

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK government introduced social distancing measures and identified specific populations at high risk from the virus. People ≥70 were deemed ‘Clinically Vulnerable’. Distancing measures were introduced to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, these may have a negative impact on older people who are vulnerable to social isolation and may have challenges accessing services and provisions.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the lives of older people.

Study design and setting

Cross-sectional telephone survey.

Participants

Community-dwelling older people, 76–97 years.

Outcomes

Health anxiety; General health (RAND Short-form 36 Survey); Physical activity; Depression (PHQ-8); Anxiety (GAD-2); Loneliness; Access to services; Challenges, concerns and positive experiences.

Data analysis

Counts (%), means (SDs). Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from open questions.

Results

n = 142. 52% did not worry about their health; 76% rated their health as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’; <10% met the criteria indicative of depression (PHQ-8), or anxiety (GAD-2); 42% were less active than before lockdown; and 27% were lonely at least some of the time. Over half of participants identified positive aspects.

Conclusions

Most participants reported good health with low levels of health anxiety, anxiety and depression. Many were able to identify positive aspects to lockdown and may be better equipped to deal with lockdown than anticipated. Strategies may be required to ameliorate the negative impact of loneliness for a minority of older people, and help some resume previous activity levels and pursuits.
Serum 25(OH)D Level on Hospital Admission Associated With COVID-19 Stage and Mortality
Authors: De Smet Dieter , De Smet Kristof , Herroelen Pauline , Gryspeerdt Stefaan , Martens Geert A
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Vitamin D deficiency was previously correlated with incidence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level on admission and radiologic stage and outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

A retrospective observational trial was done on 186 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–infected individuals hospitalized from March 1, 2020, to April 7, 2020, with combined chest computed tomography (CT) and 25(OH)D measurement on admission. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to study if vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) correlates with survival independently of confounding comorbidities.

Results

Of the patients with COVID-19, 59% were vitamin D deficient on admission: 47% of females and 67% of males. In particular, male patients with COVID-19 showed progressively lower 25(OH)D with advancing radiologic stage, with deficiency rates increasing from 55% in stage 1 to 74% in stage 3. Vitamin D deficiency on admission was not confounded by age, ethnicity, chronic lung disease, coronary artery disease/hypertension, or diabetes and was associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR], 3.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-11.55), independent of age (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14), chronic lung disease (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.18-11.09), and extent of lung damage expressed by chest CT severity score (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25).

Conclusions

Low 25(OH)D levels on admission are associated with COVID-19 disease stage and mortality.
Macroevolutionary variation and environmental correlates of scalation traits in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)
Authors: Martínez-Castro Alba , Kaliontzopoulou Antigoni , Freitas Inês , Martínez-Freiría Fernando
Published: November 2020

Understanding how phenotypic variation across species is shaped by the combination of shared evolutionary history and environmental factors is key to elucidating the processes that underlie biodiversity. In reptiles, morphological traits have traditionally been used to delimit species and make systematic inferences. Recent studies highlight the possibility that phenotypic variation, particularly in scalation traits, might instead be driven by environmental factors and therefore not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among species. In this study, we combined morphological and ecological data in a macroevolutionary framework, in order to describe the morphological variation across species of Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae), investigate the phylogenetic structure of scalation traits and test the contribution of environmental factors in shaping morphological patterns. We found considerable variation in all examined traits, which, in most cases, agreed with the phylogenetic relationships among species, reinforcing their usefulness for taxonomic inferences. Interestingly, however, the number of ventral scales exhibited lower phylogenetic signal and a tight association with environmental factors of geographical ranges, suggesting potential adaptive or developmental sources of variation in the trait. This is the first comparative study of macroevolutionary variation in scalation traits in Eurasian vipers, validating the use of most of them for systematic inferences, but also indicating possible environmental factors that might shape phenotypic variation across species.
Women’s Refuges and Critical Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges in Advancing Social Justice
Authors: Theobald J , Watson J , Murray S , Bullen J
Published: November 2020

Women’s refuges play a crucial role in responding to the needs of women and children experiencing family violence; yet there has been limited research conducted into their operations, practices and challenges faced. This article is informed by critical social work’s theoretical tradition of seeking to end social injustice and analyses key opportunities and challenges of providing refuge amidst a neo-liberal context. We draw on interviews and focus groups with service providers and women who had sought access to a refuge, from a study that was undertaken following the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence in Australia. We found widespread practices by refuges to support social justice for women and children experiencing family violence, as well as challenges and constraints, substantially linked to resource limitations consistent with neo-liberal policies. This research shines a light on innovative refuge practice in local contexts identifying feminist social justice and intersectional practices aligned with critical social work.
Colitis-induced IL11 promotes colon carcinogenesis
Authors: Wang Hong , Wang David H , Yang Xu , Sun Yuhai , Yang Chung S
Published: November 2020

Colitis increases the risk of colorectal cancer; however, the mechanism of the association between colitis and cancer remains largely unknown. To identify colitis-associated cancer promoting factors, we investigated gene expression changes caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. By analyzing gene expression profiles, we found that IL11 was upregulated in DSS-induced colitis tissue and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP)/DSS-induced colon tumours in mice as well as in human colorectal cancer. By characterizing the activation/phosphorylation of STAT3 (pSTAT3), we found that pSTAT3 was induced transiently in colitis, but maintained at higher levels from hyper-proliferative dysplastic lesions to tumours. Using the IL11 receptor (IL11Rα1) knockout mice, we found that pSTAT3 in the newly regenerated crypt epithelial cells in colitis is abolished in IL11Rα1+/− and −/− mice, suggesting that colitis-induced IL11 activates STAT3 in colon crypt epithelial cells. Moreover, colitis-promoted colon carcinogenesis was significantly reduced in IL11Rα1+/− and −/− mice. To determine the roles of the IL11 in colitis, we found that the inhibition of IL11 signalling by recombinant IL11 antagonist mutein during colitis was sufficient to attenuate colitis-promoted carcinogenesis. Together, our results demonstrated that colitis-induced IL11 plays critical roles in creating cancer promoting microenvironment to facilitate the development of colon cancer from dormant premalignant cells.
The Influence of Disease Activity on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Min-A , Kim Young-Han , Chun Jaeyoung , Lee Hye Sun , Park Soo Jung , Cheon Jae Hee , Kim Tae Il , Kim Won Ho , Park Jae Jun
Published: November 2020

Background and Aims

Robust evidence regarding the impact of disease activity on pregnancy outcomes in women with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is crucial for both clinicians and patients in preparing a birth plan. We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the pooled influences of disease activity on pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the COCHRANE library to identify articles comparing pregnancy outcomes between active and inactive IBD at the time of conception or during pregnancy. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to pool estimates and report odds ratios [ORs].

Results

A total of 28 studies were identified as eligible for the meta-analysis. In women with active IBD, the pooled ORs for low birth weight [LBW], preterm birth, small for gestational age [SGA], spontaneous abortion and stillbirths were respectively 3.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81–8.02), 2.42 [95% CI 1.74–3.35], 1.48 [95% CI 1.19–1.85], 1.87 [95% CI 1.17–3.0] and 2.27 [95% CI 1.03–5.04] compared to women with inactive IBD. In the subgroup analysis based on disease type, women with active ulcerative colitis had an increased risk of LBW, preterm birth and spontaneous abortion. Women with active Crohn’s disease had a higher risk of preterm birth, SGA and spontaneous abortion.

Conclusions

Active IBD during the periconception period and pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our data suggest that pregnancy should be planned when the disease is quiescent, and continuous disease control is important even during pregnancy.
Serum proteomic profiling at diagnosis predicts clinical course, and need for intensification of treatment in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Kalla R , Adams A T , Bergemalm D , Vatn S , Kennedy N A , Ricanek P , Lindstrom J , Ocklind A , Hjelm F , Ventham N T , Ho G T , Petren C , Repsilber D , Söderholm J , Pierik M , D’Amato M , Gomollón F , Olbjorn C , Jahnsen J , Vatn M H , Halfvarson J , Satsangi J
Published: November 2020

Background

Success in personalized medicine in complex disease is critically dependent on biomarker discovery. We profiled serum proteins using a novel proximity extension assay [PEA] to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Methods

We conducted a prospective case-control study in an inception cohort of 552 patients [328 IBD, 224 non-IBD], profiling proteins recruited across six centres. Treatment escalation was characterized by the need for biological agents or surgery after initial disease remission. Nested leave-one-out cross-validation was used to examine the performance of diagnostic and prognostic proteins.

Results

A total of 66 serum proteins differentiated IBD from symptomatic non-IBD controls, including matrix metallopeptidase-12 [MMP-12; Holm-adjusted p = 4.1 × 10–23] and oncostatin-M [OSM; p = 3.7 × 10–16]. Nine of these proteins are associated with cis-germline variation [59 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms]. Fifteen proteins, all members of tumour necrosis factor-independent pathways including interleukin-1 (IL-1) and OSM, predicted escalation, over a median follow-up of 518 [interquartile range 224–756] days. Nested cross-validation of the entire data set allowed characterization of five-protein models [96% comprising five core proteins ITGAV, EpCAM, IL18, SLAMF7 and IL8], which define a high-risk subgroup in IBD [hazard ratio 3.90, confidence interval: 2.43–6.26], or allowed distinct two- and three-protein models for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease respectively.

Conclusion

We have characterized a simple oligo-protein panel that has the potential to identify IBD from symptomatic controls and to predict future disease course. Further prospective work is required to validate our findings.
Case report: Buddy wire technique to facilitate atrial septal crossing during transcatheter transseptal mitral valve implantation
Authors: Mangla Ashvarya , Musa Ameer , Kavinsky Clifford J , Suradi Hussam S
Published: November 2020

Background

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation (MVIV) has emerged as a viable treatment option in patients at high risk for surgery. Occasionally, despite appropriate puncture location and adequate dilation, difficulty is encountered in advancing the transcatheter heart valve across interatrial septum.

Case summary

We describe a case of a 79-year-old woman with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prior surgical bioprosthetic aortic and mitral valve replacement implanted in 2007, atrial fibrillation, and Group II pulmonary hypertension who presented with progressively worsening heart failure symptoms secondary to severe bioprosthetic mitral valve stenosis and moderate-severe mitral regurgitation. Her symptoms had worsened over several months, with multiple admissions at other institutions with treatment for both COPD exacerbation and heart failure. Transoesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated preserved ejection fraction, normal functioning aortic valve, and dysfunctional mitral prosthesis with severe stenosis (mean gradient 13 mmHg) and moderate-severe regurgitation. After a multi-disciplinary heart team discussion, the patient underwent a transcatheter MVIV implantation. During the case, inability in advancing the transcatheter heart valve (THV) across interatrial septum despite adequate septal balloon pre-dilation was successfully managed with the support of a stiff ‘buddy wire’ anchored in the left upper pulmonary vein using the same septal puncture. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home.

Discussion

Operators should be aware of potential strategies to advance the THV when difficulty is encountered in crossing the atrial septum despite adequate septal preparation. One such strategy is the use of stiff ‘buddy wire’ for support which avoids the need for more aggressive septal dilatation.
How can we interpret SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results?
Authors: Føns Sofie , Krogfelt Karen A
Published: November 2020

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has raced to understand and accurately diagnose infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Today, hundreds of commercial antibody tests are on the market despite often lacking proper validation and with unsatisfactory sensitivity and/or specificity. In addition, many questions related to the humoral response remain unresolved, although research is carried out at an unprecedented speed. Despite the shortcomings, serological assays have an important part to play in combating the pandemic by aiding in diagnosis and sero-epidemiological studies. However, careful attention must be paid to the application of serology and the interpretation of serological data—especially in low prevalence regions, both at an individual and at a population level. In this article, we argue that serological results are often misinterpreted, and in the eagerness to be first, methodological rigor is often taking a backseat.
How workers respond to social rewards: evidence from community health workers in Uganda
Authors: Chowdhury Reajul , McKague Kevin , Krause Heather
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates the effect of a non-financial incentive—a competitive annual award—on community health workers’ (CHWs) performance, an issue in the public health literature that has not been explored to its potential. Combining data on a competitive social ‘Best CHW’ award with the monthly performance of 4050 CHWs across Uganda, we examined if introducing social recognition awards improved the performance of CHWs. In contrast to predominant explanations about the effect of awards on motivation, our first multilevel mixed-effect models found that an award within a branch (consisting of ∼30 CHWs) was negatively associated with the performance of the local peers of the winning CHW. Models focused on non-winning branch offices revealed two additional findings. First, a branch showed underperformance if a CHW from any of the three neighbouring branches won an award in the previous year, with average monthly performance scores dropping by 27 percentage points. Second, this negative association was seen only in the top 50th percentile of CHWs. The bottom 50th percentile of CHWs exhibited increased performance by 13 percentage points. These counter-intuitive results suggest that the negative response from high performers might be explained by their frustration of not winning the award or by emotions such as envy and jealousy generated by negative social comparisons. Our results suggest that more fine-grained examination of data pertaining to motivators for CHWs in low-income countries is needed. Motivational incentives like awards may need to be customized for higher- and lower-performing CHWs.
Utilization of an Electronic Medical Record–integrated Dashboard Improves Identification and Treatment of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Breton Jessica , Witmer Char M , Zhang Yuchen , Downing Maura , Stevenson Jamie , McDermott Janine , Siddique Shazia M , Grossman Andrew B
Published: November 2020

Background

Iron deficiency (ID) and anemia are one of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), usually complicating the course both in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Despite their high prevalence and significant impact on patients, this particular aspect is still underestimated by clinicians. Although guidelines have been recently published to address this problem, these recommendations do not address pediatric specific concerns and do not provide guidance as to how implement these guidelines in clinical practice. The aims of this quality improvement (QI) initiative were to improve the rates of detection and treatment of anemia in children with IBD.

Methods

After the creation of a multidisciplinary team of skateholders in IBD and anemia, we launched a multifaceted QI strategy that included the development of a pediatric evidence-based care pathway, utilization of an electronic medical record (EMR)-integrated dashboard to track patients, and generation of an automated provider-based monthly report. Data were collected and graphed into statistical process control charts.

Results

These key strategies resulted in improved rates of ID screening from 31.7% to 63.6%, in increased treatment rates from 38.2% to 49.9%, and in decreased prevalence of anemia from 35.8% to 29.7%, which was reflected by a greater decline in patients with quiescent disease.

Conclusions

Quality improvement strategies incorporating the creation of a pediatric evidence-based care pathway with an EMR-supported electronic dashboard were the foundation of a successful intervention in the management of ID and anemia in pediatric IBD. Our positive results demonstrate the potential of QI initiatives using automated technology to assist clinicians in their commitment to provide evidence-based IBD care and enhance patient outcomes.
The Impact of Vedolizumab on Pre-Existing Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Ramos Guilherme Piovezani , Dimopoulos Christina , McDonald Nicholas M , Janssens Laurens P , Hung Kenneth W , Proctor Deborah , Ruggiero Elizabeth , Kane Sunanda , Bruining David H , Faubion William A , Raffals Laura E , Loftus Edward V , Al-Bawardy Badr
Published: November 2020

Background

There are limited data on how vedolizumab (VDZ) impacts extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of EIMs after initiation of VDZ for patients with IBD.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study of patients with IBD who received at least 1 dose of VDZ between January 1, 2014 and August 1, 2019 was conducted. The primary outcome was the rate of worsening EIMs after VDZ. Secondary outcomes were factors associated with worsening EIMs and peripheral arthritis (PA) specifically after VDZ.

Results

A total of 201 patients with IBD (72.6% with Crohn disease; median age 38.4 years (interquartile range, 29-52.4 years); 62.2% female) with EIMs before VDZ treatment were included. The most common type of EIM before VDZ was peripheral arthritis (PA) (68.2%). Worsening of EIMs after VDZ occurred in 34.8% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the worsened EIM (n = 70) and the stable EIM (n = 131) groups in term of age, IBD subtype, or previous and current medical therapy. We found that PA was significantly more common in the worsening EIM group (84.3% vs 59.6%; P < 0.01). Worsening of EIMs was associated with a higher rate of discontinuation of VDZ during study follow-up when compared with the stable EIM group (61.4% vs 44%; P = 0.02). Treatment using VDZ was discontinued specifically because of EIMs in 9.5% of patients.

Conclusions

Almost one-third of patients had worsening EIMs after VDZ, which resulted in VDZ discontinuation in approximately 10% of patients. Previous biologic use or concurrent immunosuppressant or corticosteroid therapy did not predict EIM course after VDZ.
Elliptic Fibrations and Kodaira Dimensions of Schreieder’s Varieties
Authors: Garbagnati Alice
Published: November 2020

We discuss the birational geometry and the Kodaira dimension of certain varieties previously constructed by Schreieder, proving that in any dimension they admit an elliptic fibration and they are not of general type. The $l$-dimensional variety $Y_{(n)}^{(l)}$, which is the quotient of the product of a certain curve $C_{(n)}$ by itself $l$ times by a group $G\simeq \left ({\mathbb{Z}}/n{\mathbb{Z}}\right )^{l-1}$ of automorphisms, was constructed by Schreieder to obtain varieties with prescribed Hodge numbers. If $n=3^c$ Schreieder constructed an explicit smooth birational model of it, and Flapan proved that the Kodaira dimension of this smooth model is 1, if $c>1$; if $l=2$ it is a modular elliptic surface; if $l=3$ it admits a fibration in K3 surfaces. In this paper we generalize these results: without any assumption on $n$ and $l$ we prove that $Y_{(n)}^{(l)}$ admits many elliptic fibrations and its Kodaira dimension is at most 1. Moreover, if $l=2$, its minimal resolution is a modular elliptic surface, obtained by a base change of order $n$ on a specific extremal rational elliptic surface; if $l\geq 3$ it has a birational model that admits a fibration in K3 surfaces and a fibration in $(l-1)$-dimensional varieties of Kodaira dimension at most 0.
Nutritional value of a new source of fermented soybean meal fed to growing pigs
Authors: Espinosa Charmaine D , Oliveira Maryane S F , Lagos L Vanessa , Weeden Terry L , Mercado Aileen J , Stein Hans H
Published: November 2020

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME), and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in a new source of fermented soybean meal (Fermex 200) are greater than in conventional soybean meal (SBM-CV). In experiment 1, 9 barrows (initial body weight: 9.17 ± 1.03 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. A nitrogen-free diet and 2 diets that contained cornstarch and SBM-CV or Fermex 200 as the sole source of crude protein (CP), and AA were formulated. Results indicated that there were no difference between SBM-CV and Fermex 200 for SID of CP and AA. In experiment 2, 24 growing pigs (initial body weight: 14.19 ± 1.18 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates. Pigs were allotted to a corn-based diet or 2 diets that contained corn and SBM-CV or corn and Fermex 200. Feces and urine samples were collected using the marker-to-marker approach with 5-d adaptation and 4-d collection periods. Results indicated that the concentration of DE and ME in Fermex 200 were not different from DE and ME in SBM-CV. In experiment 3, 40 barrows (initial body weight: 11.01 ± 1.38 kg) were allotted to 1 of 4 diets with 10 replicate pigs per diet. Four diets were formulated to contain Fermex 200 or SBM-CV and either 0 or 1,000 units/kg of microbial phytase. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism crates. Fecal samples were collected as explained for experiment 2. Results indicated that the STTD of P in Fermex 200 was greater (P < 0.01) than in SBM-CV, but the addition of microbial phytase to the diets increased the ATTD and STTD of P in SBM-CV, but not in Fermex 200 (interaction; P < 0.01). In conclusion, the SID of AA and concentrations of DE and ME in Fermex 200 were not different from values determined for SBM-CV, but the STTD of P was greater in Fermex 200 than in SBM-CV if microbial phytase was not added to the diet.
Maternal periconceptual nutrition, early pregnancy, and developmental outcomes in beef cattle
Authors: Caton Joel S , Crouse Matthew S , McLean Kyle J , Dahlen Carl R , Ward Alison K , Cushman Robert A , Grazul-Bilska Anna T , Neville Bryan W , Borowicz Pawel P , Reynolds Lawrence P
Published: November 2020

The focus of this review is maternal nutrition during the periconceptual period and offspring developmental outcomes in beef cattle, with an emphasis on the first 50 d of gestation, which represents the embryonic period. Animal agriculture in general, and specifically the beef cattle industry, currently faces immense challenges. The world needs to significantly increase its output of animal food products by 2050 and beyond to meet the food security and agricultural sustainability needs of the rapidly growing human population. Consequently, efficient and sustainable approaches to livestock production are essential. Maternal nutritional status is a major factor that leads to developmental programming of offspring outcomes. Developmental programming refers to the influence of pre-and postnatal factors, such as inappropriate maternal nutrition, that affect growth and development and result in long-term consequences for health and productivity of the offspring. In this review, we discuss recent studies in which we and others have addressed the questions, “Is development programmed periconceptually?” and, if so, “Does it matter practically to the offspring in production settings?” The reviewed studies have demonstrated that the periconceptual period is important not only for pregnancy establishment but also may be a critical period during which fetal, placental, and potentially postnatal development and function are programmed. The evidence for fetal and placental programming during the periconceptual period is strong and implies that research efforts to mitigate the negative and foster the positive benefits of developmental programming need to include robust investigative efforts during the periconceptual period to better understand the implications for life-long health and productivity.
Long-Term Detection in Hair of Zolpidem, Oxazepam and Flunitrazepam in a Case of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
Authors: Carfora Anna , Campobasso Carlo Pietro , Cassandro Paola , Petrella Raffaella , Borriello Renata
Published: November 2020

Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases are pretty common in forensic toxicology. In this case report, a 56-year-old female tourist claimed to have been sexually assaulted by five men after having had a drug-spiked alcoholic drink. Urine samples were collected at 38, 44 and 45 h after the alleged rape. After 7 months, hair strands (28 cm in length) were also sampled to perform the segmental hair testing. The urine samples and decontaminated hair segments were tested for different groups of basic, acidic and neutral substances (γ-hydroxybutyrate or GHB, Z-drugs, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, antipsychotics and drugs of abuse). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods were applied for the qualitative and quantitative analyses. Toxicological analyses performed on the urine samples showed inconclusive findings. Zolpidem, flunitrazepam and oxazepam were detected in the hair segments corresponding to the time frame of the alleged assault. The endogenous levels of GHB were detected along the hair shaft. No drugs were detected in the proximal and distal hair segments or in washing solutions. This DFSA case demonstrated that the segmental toxicological analysis of hair, even when performed 7 months after the sexual assault, can provide evidence consistent with a single exposure to psychoactive drugs, at the time of the offense.
Investment Law before Arbitration
Authors: Hepburn Jarrod , Paparinskis Martins , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: November 2020

Investment law was not always about investor–state arbitration. Based on British and German archival materials from the Cold War, this paper shows how aims and priorities in the investment treaty regime changed over time. We find important differences in the role and relative importance of different legal rules then and now. Most notably, national treatment and free transfer clauses were key in early investment law, whereas fair and equitable treatment was regarded as relatively unimportant. At the same time, early drafters did anticipate some of the most contentious issues in modern investment law, including treaty shopping, shareholder protection, and the ‘no greater rights’ proviso.
Metanarratives as a Trap: Critique of Investor–State Arbitration Reform
Authors: Polonskaya Ksenia
Published: November 2020

The ongoing reform of investment arbitration at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law can have a lasting impact on international investment protection for the decades ahead. This paper examines the current discussions at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law to explain why the current focus on reforming the procedural aspects of the system is too narrow. As a result of such a narrow approach, the reform risks to miss an opportunity to address the global challenges, e.g. climate change. In advancing its critique of the ongoing reform, the paper adopts the lens of metanarrative by Jean-François Lyotard. By relying on Lyotard, this paper cautions that such values as feasibility and efficiency in conducting the reform should not obscure the need for a critical conversation on the purpose of the reform, which is to ensure the legitimacy of investment arbitration in the future. As this paper argues, a current procedural approach to the reform cannot meaningfully contribute to this objective.
Potential Mosquito Vectors of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaira repens (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) in Aras Valley, Turkey
Authors: Demirci Berna , Bedir Hilal , Taskin Tasci Gencay , Vatansever Zati
Published: November 2020

Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) and Dirofilaria repens (Railliet & Henry, 1911) are mosquito-borne filarial nematodes that primarily affect dogs, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis. The canine heartworm is reported in different provinces in Turkey. However, studies about the transmitting mosquito species are limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens in Aras Valley, Turkey. In total, 17,995 female mosquitoes were collected from eight villages during three mosquito seasons (2012–2014) in Aras Valley, located in north-eastern Turkey. A total of 1,054 DNA pools (527 abdomen and 527 head-thorax) were tested with Dirofilaria primers by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Aedes caspius was the most abundant species in collection sites with 90%; this was followed by Culex theileri Theobald, 1903 (Diptera: Culicidae) (7.31%), Anopheles maculipennis Meigen 1818 (Diptera: Culicidae) (1.28%), Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.43%), (Anopheles) hyrcanus (Pallas, 1771) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.37%), Aedes vexans (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.25%), and Culiseta annulata Schrank, 1776 (Diptera:Culicidae) (0.02%). Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens were detected in mosquito pools from five villages. The total Dirofilaria spp. estimated infection rate was 1.33%. The highest estimated infection rate was found in Ae. vexans (6.66%) and the lowest was in Ae. caspius (1.26%). The results show that An. maculipennis sl, Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Cx. theileri and Cx. pipiens are potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens with DNA in head-thorax pools; An. hyrcanus is also a likely vector, but Dirofilaria DNA was found only in abdomen pools for the study area. This study revealed new potential vector species for D. immitis. Mosquitoes with natural infections of D. repens were reported for the first time in Turkey.
Music Therapy Knowledge and Interest: A Survey of Music Education Majors
Authors: Gooding Lori F , Springer D Gregory
Published: November 2020

Music teachers play an important role in exposing students to career options in the field of music. As a result, there is a need to explore music education students’ interest in and knowledge of music therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate music education students’ exposure to, knowledge of, and willingness to promote music therapy as a career option for prospective collegiate students. A survey was given to 254 music education majors from four research institutions, two with and two without music therapy degree programs. Participants answered demographic, yes/no, Likert-type scale, and open-ended questions about their exposure to, knowledge of, and willingness to promote careers in music therapy. Results indicate that exposure to music therapy occurred in both pre-collegiate and college settings, and that music teachers appear to be influential in exposing students to music therapy. Students often sought out information on music therapy independently, which played an important role in how individuals learned about music therapy, though it has the potential of providing misinformation. Significant differences were found in participants’ knowledge and willingness to promote music therapy as a career option based on the presence of music therapy degree programs. Exposure seemed to be a key factor in music therapy knowledge and promotion; thus, music therapists need to ensure accurate dissemination of music therapy-related information in both pre-collegiate and college settings. Increasing the visibility of the field has the potential to expand interest and potentially attract young musicians well suited for a career in music therapy.
What Drives Diffusion? Anti-Terrorism Legislation in the Arab Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Josua Maria
Published: November 2020

Since 9/11 most Arab states in the Middle East and North Africa have introduced anti-terror laws. Are they part of the global-diffusion processes that have spread anti-terrorism legislation worldwide? This paper studies the drivers of anti-terrorism legislation in these Arab states, contributing to the emerging research on authoritarian diffusion. The analysis demonstrates that regional and domestic explanations, rather than diffusion from the international level, are key. This is evident from the chronological order in which anti-terror legislation has appeared, the regionally inspired definitions of terrorism, and the immediate drivers behind such laws.

The past few decades have seen two temporal clusters of new anti-terrorism legislation in the Arab world. In the first decade of the new millennium, mainly domestic terror attacks drove the adoption of anti-terror laws. Meanwhile, regional efforts to comply with international counterterrorism efforts after the 9/11 attacks played a subordinate role. In a second wave following the Arab uprisings of 2011, anti-terror legislation was driven increasingly by authoritarian governments’ desire to penalize dissent, as they sought to inhibit the spread of protests on the regional level.

A systematic overview of the terrorism definitions contained in the new laws offers evidence for policy convergence. Instead of adhering to internationally recognized understandings of terrorism, the definitions in Arab legislation follow regional examples. The vague definitions of terrorism featured in the new laws allow for repressive measures being taken against challengers of authoritarian rule.
Precise mass measurements for the double neutron star system J1829+2456
Authors: Haniewicz H T , Ferdman R D , Freire P C C , Champion D J , Bunting K A , Lorimer D R , McLaughlin M A
Published: November 2020

PSR J1829+2456 is a radio pulsar in a relativistic binary system with another neutron star. It has a rotational period of 41 ms and a mildly eccentric (e = 0.14) 28 h orbit. We have continued its observations with the Arecibo radio telescope and have now measured the individual neutron star masses of this system: The pulsar and companion masses are $1.306\, \pm \, 0.007\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ and $1.299\, \pm \, 0.007\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ ($2\sigma - 95{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence, unless stated otherwise), respectively. We have also measured the proper motion for this system and used it to estimate a space velocity of $49^{+77}_{-30}$$\, \mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ with respect to the local standard of rest. The relatively low values for companion mass, space velocity, and orbital eccentricity in this system make it similar to other double neutron star systems in which the second-formed neutron star is thought to have formed in a low-kick, low mass-loss, symmetric supernova.
Evolution of magnetic deformation in neutron star crust
Authors: Kojima Yasufumi , Kisaka Shota , Fujisawa Kotaro
Published: November 2020

We examine the magnetic field evolution occurring in a neutron star crust. Beyond the elastic limit, the lattice ions are assumed to act as a plastic flow. The Ohmic dissipation, Hall drift, and bulk fluid velocity driven by the Lorentz force are considered in our numerical simulation. A magnetically induced quadrupole deformation is observed in the crust during the evolution. Generally, the ellipticity decreases as the magnetic energy decreases. In a toroidal-field-dominated model, the sign of the ellipticity changes. Namely, the initial prolate shape tends to become oblate. This occurs because the toroidal component decays rapidly on a smaller time-scale than the poloidal dipole component. We find that the magnetic dipole component does not change significantly on the Hall time-scale of ∼1 Myr for the considered simple initial models. Thus, a more complex initial model is required to study the fast decay of surface dipoles on the above-mentioned time-scale.
Spiral instabilities: linear and non-linear effects
Authors: Sellwood J A , Carlberg R G
Published: November 2020

We present a study of the spiral responses in a stable disc galaxy model to co-orbiting perturbing masses that are evenly spaced around rings. The amplitudes of the responses, or wakes, are proportional to the masses of the perturbations, and we find that the response to a low-mass ring disperses when it is removed – behaviour that is predicted by linear theory. Higher mass rings cause non-linear changes through scattering at the major resonances, provoking instabilities that were absent before the scattering took place. The separate wake patterns from two rings orbiting at differing frequencies produce a net response that is an apparently shearing spiral. When the rings have low mass, the evolution of the simulation is both qualitatively and quantitatively reproduced by linear superposition of the two separate responses. We argue that apparently shearing transient spirals in simulations result from the superposition of two or more steadily rotating patterns, each of which is best accounted for as a normal mode of the non-smooth disc.
Special Care Is Needed in Applying Phylogenetic Comparative Methods to Gene Trees with Speciation and Duplication Nodes
Authors: Begum Tina , Robinson-Rechavi Marc
Published: November 2020

How gene function evolves is a central question of evolutionary biology. It can be investigated by comparing functional genomics results between species and between genes. Most comparative studies of functional genomics have used pairwise comparisons. Yet it has been shown that this can provide biased results, as genes, like species, are phylogenetically related. Phylogenetic comparative methods should be used to correct for this, but they depend on strong assumptions, including unbiased tree estimates relative to the hypothesis being tested. Such methods have recently been used to test the “ortholog conjecture,” the hypothesis that functional evolution is faster in paralogs than in orthologs. Although pairwise comparisons of tissue specificity (τ) provided support for the ortholog conjecture, phylogenetic independent contrasts did not. Our reanalysis on the same gene trees identified problems with the time calibration of duplication nodes. We find that the gene trees used suffer from important biases, due to the inclusion of trees with no duplication nodes, to the relative age of speciations and duplications, to systematic differences in branch lengths, and to non-Brownian motion of tissue specificity on many trees. We find that incorrect implementation of phylogenetic method in empirical gene trees with duplications can be problematic. Controlling for biases allows successful use of phylogenetic methods to study the evolution of gene function and provides some support for the ortholog conjecture using three different phylogenetic approaches.
The Relationship Between Corticomotor Reorganization and Acute Pain Severity: A Randomized, Controlled Study Using Rapid Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Mapping
Authors: Cavaleri Rocco , Chipchase Lucy S , Summers Simon J , Chalmers Jane , Schabrun Siobhan M
Published: November 2020

Objective

Although acute pain has been shown to reduce corticomotor excitability, it remains unknown whether this response resolves over time or is related to symptom severity. Furthermore, acute pain research has relied upon data acquired from the cranial “hotspot,” which do not provide valuable information regarding reorganization, such as changes to the distribution of a painful muscle’s representation within M1. Using a novel, rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) mapping method, this study aimed to 1) explore the temporal profile and variability of corticomotor reorganization in response to acute pain and 2) determine whether individual patterns of corticomotor reorganization are associated with differences in pain, sensitivity, and somatosensory organization.

Methods

Corticomotor (TMS maps), pain processing (pain intensity, pressure pain thresholds), and somatosensory (two-point discrimination, two-point estimation) outcomes were taken at baseline, immediately after injection (hypertonic [n = 20] or isotonic saline [n = 20]), and at pain resolution. Follow-up measures were recorded every 15 minutes until 90 minutes after injection.

Results

Corticomotor reorganization persisted at least 90 minutes after pain resolution. Corticomotor depression was associated with lower pain intensity than was corticomotor facilitation (r = 0.47 [P = 0.04]). These effects were not related to somatosensory reorganization or peripheral sensitization mechanisms.

Conclusions

Individual patterns of corticomotor reorganization during acute pain appear to be related to symptom severity, with early corticomotor depression possibly reflecting a protective response. These findings hold important implications for the management and potential prevention of pain chronicity. However, further research is required to determine whether these adaptations relate to long-term outcomes in clinical populations.
On Uniqueness of Dirichlet Series
Authors: li Bao Qin
Published: November 2020

We give a characterization of the ratio of two Dirichelt series convergent in a right half-plane under an analytic condition, which is applicable to a uniqueness problem for Dirichlet series admitting analytic continuation in the complex plane as meromorphic functions of finite order; uniqueness theorems are given in terms of a-points of the functions.