bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endosymbiont-containing germarium transcriptional survey in a cereal weevil depicts downregulation of immune effectors at the onset of sexual maturity
Authors: Ferrarini Mariana Galvão , Vallier Agnès , Dell’Aglio Elisa , Balmand Séverine , Vincent-Monégat Carole , Debbache Mériem , Maire Justin , Parisot Nicolas , Zaidman-Rémy Anna , Heddi Abdelaziz , Rebollo Rita
Published: March 2023

Insects often establish long-term relationships with intracellular symbiotic bacteria, i.e., endosymbionts, that provide them with essential nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins. Endosymbionts are typically confined within specialized host cells called bacteriocytes that may form an organ, the bacteriome. Compartmentalization within host cells is paramount for protecting the endosymbionts and also avoiding chronic activation of the host immune system. In the cereal weevil Sitophilus oryzae, bacteriomes are present as a single organ at the larval foregut-midgut junction, and in adults, at the apex of midgut mesenteric caeca and at the apex of the four ovarioles. While the adult midgut endosymbionts experience a drastic proliferation during early adulthood followed by complete elimination through apoptosis and autophagy, ovarian endosymbionts are maintained throughout the weevil lifetime by unknown mechanisms. Bacteria present in ovarian bacteriomes are thought to be involved in the maternal transmission of endosymbionts through infection of the female germline, but the exact mode of transmission is not fully understood. Here, we show that endosymbionts are able to colonize the germarium in one-week-old females, pinpointing a potential infection route of oocytes. To identify potential immune regulators of ovarian endosymbionts, we have analyzed the transcriptomes of the ovarian bacteriomes through young adult development, from one-day-old adults to sexually mature ones. In contrast with midgut bacteriomes, immune effectors are downregulated in ovarian bacteriomes at the onset of sexual maturation. We hypothesize that relaxation of endosymbiont control by antimicrobial peptides might allow bacterial migration and potential oocyte infection, ensuring endosymbiont transmission.
A microencapsulated feed additive containing organic acids and botanicals has a distinct effect on proliferative and metabolic related signaling in the jejunum and ileum of broiler chickens
Authors: Johnson Casey N. , Arsenault Ryan J. , Piva Andrea , Grilli Ester , Swaggerty Christina L.
Published: March 2023

Well designed and formulated natural feed additives have the potential to provide many of the growth promoting and disease mitigating characteristics of in-feed antibiotics, particularly feed additives that elicit their effects on targeted areas of the gut. Here, we describe the mechanism of action of a microencapsulated feed additive containing organic acids and botanicals (AviPlus®P) on the jejunum and ileum of 15-day-old broiler-type chickens. Day-of-hatch chicks were provided ad libitum access to feed containing either 0 or 500 g/MT of the feed additive for the duration of the study. Fifteen days post-hatch, birds were humanely euthanized and necropsied. Jejunum and ileum tissue samples were collected and either flash frozen or stored in RNA-later as appropriate for downstream applications. Chicken-specific kinome peptide array analysis was conducted on the jejunum and ileum tissues, comparing the tissues from the treated birds to those from their respective controls. Detailed analysis of peptides representing individual kinase target sites revealed that in the ileum there was a broad increase in the signal transduction pathways centering on activation of HIF-1α, AMPK, mTOR, PI3K-Akt and NFκB. These signaling responses were largely decreased in the jejunum relative to control birds. Gene expression analysis agrees with the kinome data showing strong immune gene expression in the ileum and reduced expression in the jejunum. The microencapsulated blend of organic acids and botanicals elicit a more anti-inflammatory phenotype and reduced signaling in the jejunum while resulting in enhanced immunometabolic responses in the ileum.
Position statement and updated international guideline for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation training-the need for common sense in WB-EMS application
Authors: Kemmler Wolfgang , Fröhlich Michael , Ludwig Oliver , Eifler Christoph , von Stengel Simon , Willert Sebastian , Teschler Marc , Weissenfels Anja , Kleinöder Heinz , Micke Florian , Wirtz Nicolas , Zinner Christoph , Filipovic Andre , Wegener Bernd , Berger Joshua , Evangelista Alexandre , D’Ottavio Stefano , Sara Jaskanwal Deep Singh , Lerman Amir , Perez de Arrilucea Le Floc’h Unai A. , Carle-Calo Abraham , Guitierrez Angel , Amaro-Gahete Francisco J.
Published: March 2023

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a training technology that enables simultaneous stimulation of all the main muscle groups with a specific impulse intensity for each electrode. The corresponding time-efficiency and joint-friendliness of WB-EMS may be particularly attractive for people unable or unmotivated to conduct (intense) conventional training protocols. However, due to the enormous metabolic and musculoskeletal impact of WB-EMS, particular attention must be paid to the application of this technology. In the past, several scientific and newspaper articles reported severe adverse effects of WB-EMS. To increase the safety of commercial non-medical WB-EMS application, recommendations “for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation” were launched in 2016. However, new developments and trends require an update of these recommendations to incorporate more international expertise with demonstrated experience in the application of WB-EMS. The new version of these consensus-based recommendations has been structured into 1) “general aspects of WB-EMS”, 2) “preparation for training”, recommendations for the 3) “WB-EMS application” itself and 4) “safety aspects during and after training”. Key topics particularly addressed are 1) consistent and close supervision of WB-EMS application, 2) mandatory qualification of WB-EMS trainers, 3) anamnesis and corresponding consideration of contraindications prior to WB-EMS, 4) the participant’s proper preparation for the session, 5) careful preparation of the WB-EMS novice, 6) appropriate regeneration periods between WB-EMS sessions and 7) continuous interaction between trainer and participant at a close physical distance. In summary, we are convinced that the present guideline will contribute to greater safety and effectiveness in the area of non-medical commercial WB-EMS application.
Genetic analysis and mapping of dwarf gene without yield penalty in a γ-ray-induced wheat mutant
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Xiong Hongchun , Guo Huijun , Zhao Linshu , Xie Yongdun , Gu Jiayu , Zhao Shirong , Ding Yuping , Liu Luxiang
Published: March 2023

Plant height is one of the most important agronomic traits that affects yield in wheat, owing to that the utilization of dwarf or semi-dwarf genes is closely associated with lodging resistance. In this study, we identified a semi-dwarf mutant, jg0030, induced by γ-ray mutagenesis of the wheat variety ‘Jing411’ (wild type). Compared with the ‘Jing411’, plant height of the jg0030 mutant was reduced by 7%-18% in two years’ field experiments, and the plants showed no changes in yield-related traits. Treatment with gibberellic acid (GA) suggested that jg0030 is a GA-sensitive mutant. Analysis of the frequency distribution of plant height in 297 F3 families derived from crossing jg0030 with the ‘Jing411’ indicated that the semi-dwarf phenotype is controlled by a major gene. Using the wheat 660K SNP array-based Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) and the exome capture sequencing-BSA assay, the dwarf gene was mapped on the long arm of chromosome 2B. We developed a set of KASP markers and mapped the dwarf gene to a region between marker PH1 and PH7. This region encompassed a genetic distance of 55.21 cM, corresponding to a physical distance of 98.3 Mb. The results of our study provide a new genetic resource and linked markers for wheat improvement in molecular breeding programs.
Molecular dissection of connected rice populations revealed important genomic regions for agronomic and biofortification traits
Authors: Palanog Alvin D. , Nha Chau Thanh , Descalsota-Empleo Gwen Iris L. , Calayugan Mark Ian , Swe Zin Mar , Amparado Amery , Inabangan-Asilo Mary Ann , Hernandez Jose E. , Sta. Cruz Pompe C. , Borromeo Teresita H. , Lalusin Antonio G. , Mauleon Ramil , McNally Kenneth L. , Swamy B. P. Mallikarjuna
Published: March 2023

Breeding staple crops with increased micronutrient concentration is a sustainable approach to address micronutrient malnutrition. We carried out Multi-Cross QTL analysis and Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping for 11 agronomic, yield and biofortification traits using four connected RILs populations of rice. Overall, MC-156 QTLs were detected for agronomic (115) and biofortification (41) traits, which were higher in number but smaller in effects compared to single population analysis. The MC-QTL analysis was able to detect important QTLs viz: qZn5.2, qFe7.1, qGY10.1, qDF7.1, qPH1.1, qNT4.1, qPT4.1, qPL1.2, qTGW5.1, qGL3.1, and qGW6.1, which can be used in rice genomics assisted breeding. A major QTL (qZn5.2) for grain Zn concentration has been detected on chromosome 5 that accounted for 13% of R2. In all, 26 QTL clusters were identified on different chromosomes. qPH6.1 epistatically interacted with qZn5.1 and qGY6.2. Most of QTLs were co-located with functionally related candidate genes indicating the accuracy of QTL mapping. The genomic region of qZn5.2 was co-located with putative genes such as OsZIP5, OsZIP9, and LOC_OS05G40490 that are involved in Zn uptake. These genes included polymorphic functional SNPs, and their promoter regions were enriched with cis-regulatory elements involved in plant growth and development, and biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Major effect QTL identified for biofortification and agronomic traits can be utilized in breeding for Zn biofortified rice varieties.
South African student leaders' role experience through social dream drawing: A driver of compassion
Authors: Pule Neo , Gibney John
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Compassion can be viewed as a central gluing agent for the soul. Coupled with companionship toward a unique quality of listening, we call this companionate listening. South African student leaders' role is central to the decolonization and transformation of higher education based on the legacies founding these institutions. As such, a humanized practice that is centered on more emotional or virtue-embodied approaches than the traditional lens has been sought. This lens offers avenues for innovative, creative, and inclusive perspectives that promote compassion, social justice, and democracy.

Methods

To extend existing conceptualizations of compassion, this research uses social dream drawing to attain “companionate listening” as a means of exploring communication as “exquisite” empathy. Through psychoanalytic theory, companionate listening is theorized from observing the value of social dream-drawing research with South African student leaders.

Results

The drawings show how assuming leadership roles re-ignites feelings and dream images of complex political, historical, social, cultural, and psychological South African intersections that emerge during South African student leadership.

Discussion

It is, therefore, concluded that innovative and inclusive research agendas into new horizons of forms of compassion, like social dream drawing in this research, are necessary within South African student leadership. Accordingly, through social dream drawing, compassionate listening facilitates a process of emotional growth toward an integrated self and group. This is because dreams allow the human capacity for connections that open space for compassion, enabling the feeling of relatedness and connection for student leaders that leads to the more impactful transformation of South African institutions.
Police suspect interviews with autistic adults: The impact of truth telling versus deception on testimony
Authors: Bagnall Ralph , Cadman Aimee , Russell Ailsa , Brosnan Mark , Otte Marco , Maras Katie L.
Published: March 2023

Investigative interviews by police are socially and cognitively demanding encounters, likely presenting significant challenges to those on the autism spectrum. Behavioral and communication differences mean that autistic people may also be more likely to be perceived as deceptive in the context of an investigative interview. In the present study, 32 autistic and 33 (age and IQ-matched) non-autistic adults took part in a novel virtual burglary scenario in either an ‘innocent’ or ‘guilty’ condition. In a subsequent mock-police interview, innocent suspects were instructed to tell the truth about what they did, while guilty suspects were instructed to lie in order to convince the interviewer of their innocence. In the mock-interviews, innocent autistic mock-suspects reported fewer details that would support their innocence than non-autistic mock-suspects, although both innocent and guilty autistic and non-autistic mock-suspects reported similar levels of investigation-relevant information and had similar levels of statement-evidence consistency. In post-interview questionnaires, innocent and guilty autistic mock-suspects self-reported greater difficulty in understanding interview questions, higher anxiety and perceived the interview as less supportive than non-autistic participants. Implications for investigative interviewing with autistic suspects and cues to deception are discussed.
The experiences of female bisexual student-athletes in China: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Xiang Meng , Soh Kim Geok , Xu Yingying , Ahrari Seyedali , Zakaria Noor Syamilah
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Many scholars have explored the participation of LGBTQ individuals in sports. However, these studies have either categorized homosexuality and bisexuality together or focused only on lesbian, gay, or transgender individuals. There is a lack of research in the literature on bisexual individuals’ sports participation and an even more significant lack of Asia perspectives. Therefore, this qualitative study is aimed to explore the experiences of female bisexual student-athletes in China.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with four female bisexual student-athletes were conducted and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results

Three themes and eight sub-themes were identified. Theme 1. what bisexual identity means, and sub-themes: a struggling journey, emotional attraction, and gender role for female bisexual student-athletes; Theme 2. invalid identity, and sub-themes: lesbian mask, unrecognized identity; Theme 3. perceptions of sports context, and sub-themes: the influence of the sports context on sexual fluidity, relative inclusion, and perceived rejection.

Conclusion

This study provides new insights into understanding the experience of female bisexual student-athlete. In addition, the results highlight the importance of the need to study bisexuality as a distinct identity.
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and dissociative experiences: Suggested underlying mechanisms and implications for science and practice
Authors: Soffer-Dudek Nirit
Published: March 2023

A strong and specific link between obsessive-compulsive disorder or symptoms (OCD/S) and a tendency for dissociative experiences (e.g., depersonalization-derealization, absorption and imaginative involvement) cannot be explained by trauma and is poorly understood. The present theoretical formulation proposes five different models conceptualizing the relationship. According to Model 1, dissociative experiences result from OCD/S through inward-focused attention and repetition. According to Model 2, dissociative absorption causally brings about both OCD/S and associated cognitive risk factors, such as thought-action fusion, partly through impoverished sense of agency. The remaining models highlight common underlying causal mechanisms: temporo-parietal abnormalities impairing embodiment and sensory integration (Model 3); sleep alterations causing sleepiness and dreamlike thought or mixed sleep-wake states (Model 4); and a hyperactive, intrusive imagery system with a tendency for pictorial thinking (Model 5). The latter model relates to Maladaptive Daydreaming, a suggested dissociative syndrome with strong ties to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. These five models point to potential directions for future research, as these theoretical accounts may aid the two fields in interacting with each other, to the benefit of both. Finally, several dissociation-informed paths for further developing clinical intervention in OCD are identified.
Negative cognitive beliefs, positive metacognitive beliefs, and rumination as mediators of metacognitive training for depression in older adults (MCT-Silver)
Authors: Schneider Brooke C. , Veckenstedt Ruth , Karamatskos Evangelos , Pinho Lara Guedes , Morgado Bruno , Fonseca César , Moritz Steffen , Jelinek Lena
Published: March 2023

Background

Metacognitive Training for Depression in older adults (MCT-Silver; www.uke.de/mct-silver) is a cognitive-behavioral based group intervention that aims at reducing depression by targeting (meta)cognitive beliefs and rumination. In the present study, it was examined whether negative cognitive beliefs, positive metacognitive beliefs and/or rumination may be implicated as mediators of MCT-Silver’s effects on depression.

Materials and methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing MCT-Silver to an active control intervention (cognitive remediation) including 66 older adults (60 years and older) with complete baseline data. Clinician-rated (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and self-reported (Beck Depression Inventory-II) depression, negative cognitive beliefs (Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale-18B), positive metacognitive beliefs (positive beliefs subscale; Metacognition Questionnaire-30) and rumination (10-item Ruminative Response Scale) were assessed before (pre) and after 8 weeks of treatment (post), as well as 3 months later (follow-up). It was examined whether change in depression (pre- to follow-up) was mediated by change in negative cognitive beliefs, positive metacognitive beliefs and/or rumination (pre- to post-assessment).

Results

Mediation results differed for self-reported vs. clinician-rated depression. The effect of MCT-Silver on reduction in clinician-rated depression was mediated by a reduction in self-reported rumination, whereas reduction in self-reported depression was mediated by a reduction in negative cognitive beliefs. Positive metacognitive beliefs were not a significant mediator for either outcome.

Conclusion

The current study provides initial evidence for the roles of negative cognitive beliefs and rumination in the treatment of depression in later life with MCT-Silver. Given the divergence of findings and lack of causal precedence, mechanisms of change for MCT-Silver cannot yet be equivocally identified.
Salient omissions—pupil dilation in response to unexpected omissions of sound and touch
Authors: Dercksen Tjerk T. , Widmann Andreas , Wetzel Nicole
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Recent theories describe perception as an inferential process based on internal predictive models adjusted by means of prediction violations (prediction error). To study and demonstrate predictive processing in the brain the use of unexpected stimulus omissions has been suggested as a promising approach as the evoked brain responses are uncontaminated by responses to stimuli. Here, we aimed to investigate the pupil’s response to unexpected stimulus omissions in order to better understand surprise and orienting of attention resulting from prediction violation. So far only few studies have used omission in pupillometry research and results have been inconsistent.

Methods

This study adapted an EEG paradigm that has been shown to elicit omission responses in auditory and somatosensory modalities. Healthy adults pressed a button at their own pace, which resulted in the presentation of sounds or tactile stimuli in either 88%, 50% or 0% (motor-control) of cases. Pupil size was recorded continuously and averaged to analyze the pupil dilation response associated with each condition.

Results

Results revealed that omission responses were observed in both modalities in the 88%-condition compared to motor-control. Similar pupil omission responses were observed between modalities, suggesting modality-unspecific activation of the underlying brain circuits.

Discussion

In combination with previous omission studies using EEG, the findings demonstrate predictive models in brain processing and point to the involvement of subcortical structures in the omission response. Our pupillometry approach is especially suitable to study sensory prediction in vulnerable populations within the psychiatric field.
Intolerance of uncertainty heightens negative emotional states and dampens positive emotional states
Authors: Morriss Jayne , Goh Kimberly , Hirsch Colette R. , Dodd Helen F.
Published: March 2023

Individuals high in self-reported Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) tend to view uncertainty as unbearable and stressful. Notably, IU is transdiagnostic, and high levels of IU are observed across many different emotional disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression). Research has primarily focused on how IU evokes and modulates emotional states such as fear and anxiety. However, recent research suggests that IU may have relevance for a broader range of emotional states. Here, an online survey was conducted to examine whether IU evokes and modulates a range of negative (e.g., fear/anxiety, sadness/upset, anger/frustration, disgust) and positive (e.g., happiness/joy, excitement/enthusiasm, surprise/interest) emotional states. Findings within a community sample (n = 231) revealed that individuals with higher levels of IU report: (1) that uncertainty in general and uncertainty under ambiguity are more likely to evoke negative emotional states and less likely to evoke positive emotional states, (2) that uncertainty under risk is less likely to evoke positive emotional states, and (3) that uncertainty heightens existing negative emotional states and dampens existing positive emotional states. Importantly, these IU-related findings remained when controlling for current experiences of general distress, anxious arousal, and anhedonic depression. Taken together, these findings suggest that IU is involved in evoking and modulating a wide array of emotional phenomena, which likely has relevance for transdiagnostic models and treatment plans for emotional disorders.
A varactor-based 1024-element RIS design for mm-waves
Authors: da Silva Luis G. , Chu Z. , Xiao Pei , Cerqueira S Arismar
Published: March 2023

This paper reports a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) for beamforming and beam steering applications operating in the millimeter wave (mm-waves) frequency band. The proposed 2-bit RIS design is implemented using a radar cross-section (RCS) approach in ANSYS HFSS for performance evaluation and system-level analysis. It is based on split-ring resonator (SRR) unit cells, tuned by varactor diodes, comprising 1,024 elements arranged in a 32 × 32 matrix with linear gradient phase configuration operating at 24.5 GHz over the fifth generation of mobile communications New Radio (5G NR) frequency range 2 (FR2). A beam steering from −60° to 60° in the azimuth plane is demonstrated for mm-waves coverage extension. Numerical simulations of RCS patterns from −10° to −60° and from 10° to 60° with approximately 3 dB scan loss manifest the applicability of the proposed RIS towards the sixth generation of mobile communications (6G). Furthermore, simulated results of angular reciprocity prove the RIS response up to 110° under an oblique incident wave at 60°. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest RIS angular reciprocity reported in the literature, validating its application to coverage extension from −60° to 60°. In addition, the RCS level and reflected angle relationship are modeled for system-level analysis purposes.
Feasibility and efficacy of an activity-monitoring approach using pedometer in patients undergoing subacute rehabilitation: A pilot study
Authors: Otaka Eri , Oguchi Kazuyo , Yagihashi Kei , Hoshino Takashi , Munakata Sachiko , Hayakawa Atsuko , Otaka Yohei
Published: March 2023

Wearable devices for the quantification of walking have recently been adopted for gait rehabilitation. To apply this method in subacute rehabilitation settings, this approach must be effective in these populations and implemented as a feasible method in terms of adherence and safety, especially the risk of falling. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an activity monitoring approach in subacute rehabilitation using a commercially available pedometer validated with slow walking. This randomized controlled study with blinded assessors recruited 29 patients admitted to a rehabilitation ward. The participants were randomly assigned to either the feedback (intervention) or the no-feedback (control) group. Participants in both groups received at least 120 min of therapy sessions every day for 6 or 7 days per week while wearing pedometers on their unaffected ankles from the day they were permitted to walk independently till discharge. Only participants in the feedback group received weekly encouragement and the next goals. The primary outcome was the change in the 6-minute walking distance (Δ6MD). Feasibility (percentage of pedometer data acquisition days in the total observational period and the number of falls) and other efficacy outcomes (step counts, gait speed, 30-seconds chair stand test, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up and Go Test) were also evaluated. Regarding feasibility outcomes, the data acquisition rate was 94.1% and the number of falls during the observation period was one in the feedback group. Regarding efficacy outcomes, Δ6MD was not significantly greater in the feedback group [mean (standard deviation): 79.1 (51.7) m] than in the no-feedback group [86.1 (65.4) m] (p = 0.774) and the other five secondary outcomes showed no between-group difference. Considering the large number of steps per day in both groups [6,912 (4,751) and 5,600 (5,108) steps in the feedback and no-feedback group, respectively], the effect of the intended intervention might have been masked by the effect of simply wearing pedometers in the control group. This study revealed that the activity monitoring approach using an ankle-worn pedometer was practical in terms of adherence and safety. Further clinical trials are required to elucidate ways to effectively use wearable devices in subacute rehabilitation.
Delineating the effect of upward propagating migrating solar tides with the TIEGCM-ICON
Authors: Maute Astrid , Forbes Jeffrey M. , Cullens Chihoko Y. , Immel Thomas J.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The vertical coupling of the lower and upper atmosphere via atmospheric solar tides is very variable and affects the thermosphere and ionosphere system. In this study, we use Ionospheric Connection (ICON) explorer data from 220–270 Day Of Year (DOY), 2020 when large changes in the migrating semidiurnal tide (SW2) and the zonal and diurnal mean (ZM) zonal wind occur within 8 days.

Method: We use the ICON Level4 product, the thermosphere-ionosphere-electrodynamics general circulation model (TIEGCM) driven by tides fitted to ICON observations via the Hough Mode Extension (HME) method. The effect of the upward propagating tides is isolated by examining the difference between two TIEGCM simulations with and without tidal HME forcing at the model lower boundary.

Results: The simulations reveals that the solar SW2 changes its latitudinal structure at 250 after DOY 232 from two peaks at mid latitudes to one broad low latitude peak, while at 110 km the two-peak structure persists. The ZM zonal wind at 250 km undergoes a similar dramatic change. These SW2 changes are associated with the prevalence of antisymmetric HMEs after DOY 232. The migrating diurnal, terdiurnal and quaddiurnal tides at 250 km undergo similar variations as SW2. TW3 is strong in the thermosphere and most likely caused by non-linear tidal interaction between DW1 and SW2 above 130 km. Surprisingly, the solar in situ forcing of TW3 and SW2 in the upper thermosphere is not nearly as important as their upward propagating tidal component. Associated with the strong dynamical changes, the zonal and diurnal mean NmF2 decreases by approximately 15%–20%, which has a major contribution from the O/N2 decrease by roughly 10%. These changes are stronger than general seasonal behavior.

Discussion: While studies have reported on the dynamical changes via SW2 in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) region during the equinox transition period, this study is, to our knowledge, the first to examine the effects of rapid changes in SW2 on the upper thermosphere and ionosphere. The study highlights the potential of using ICON-TIEGCM for scientific studies.
Median survival following geriatric hip fracture among 17,868 males from the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Lee Alexander , Xi Ianto Lin , Ahn Jaimo , Bernstein Joseph
Published: March 2023

Background

The expected value of treatments for geriatric femoral neck fracture is influenced by the predicted duration of survival after injury. Specifically, total hip arthroplasty is more suited for patients likely to live long enough to reap its longer-term benefits. For predicting short- and medium-term survival, there are many tools available, but for longer-term survival prognosis the current literature is insufficient. Our hypothesis is that patient age at the time of injury correlates with median life expectancy and survival rates, and these values can anchor a prediction regarding a given patient’s life expectancy. We therefore sought to determine median and fractional survival rates at 30 days, and 1, 2, 5 and 10 years after surgery for a large cohort of elderly patients with hip fracture as a function of age.

Methods

17,868 male patients, 65–89 years of age, treated surgically for hip fracture within the Veterans Affairs system were assessed. From this set, 10,000 patients were randomly selected, and their ages at surgery and death (if any) were recorded at least 10 years post-operatively. Median and fractional survival rates were recorded at 1 month and 1, 2, 5, and 10 years. The mathematical relationship between age and median survival was determined. All findings from the 10,000-patient cohort were compared to corresponding values of the remaining 7,868 patients, to assess the predictive power of the initial observations.

Results

The median survival rate for the entire cohort was 2.2 years, with 90.4% of the group surviving at 30 days. The percentage of the cohort surviving at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years after treatment was 64.5%, 52.3%, 27.1% and 8.9% respectively. Median survival was approximately (13 − (0.13 × age-at-time-of-surgery) years for patients of all ages.

Conclusions

Median survival after geriatric hip fracture can be accurately predicted by the patient’s age at the time of injury. Median survival and fractional survival at key milestones can help estimate life-expectancy and thereby help guide treatment.
Safety and efficacy of Levorag emulgel in the treatment of anal fissures using a validated scoring system
Authors: Tomasicchio G , Dezi A , Picciariello A , Altomare D. F , Giove C , Martines G , De Fazio M , Rinaldi M
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Anal fissure is one of the most common anal disease characterized by intense anal pain, and deterioration of patients quality of life. Treatment is mainly based on the topical administration of calcium antagonist or nitric oxide ointments, and in cases refractory to medical treatment patients can undergo surgery. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Levorag emulgel in the treatment of acute and chronic fissures using of a validated scoring system.

Material and Methods

A prospective observational study was carried out on patients with anal fissures between February and May 2022. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated using the REALISE score, a new validated scoring system that rates VAS for pain, NSAID use, pain duration, bleeding, and quality of life (QoL), recorded after 10, 20 and 30 days from the beginning of treatment.

Results

Forty patients (median age 46 years, IQR 29–57, 70% women) with acute (22, 55%) or chronic (18, 45%) anal fissures entered the study. The median anal pain score according to the VAS scale decreased significantly from 7 (IQR 4.7–8) at baseline to 1 (IQR 0–3.2, p = 0.05) after 20 days. At the 30-day proctological examination, 22 patients (61%) were pain free (median VAS of 0, IQR 0–1.2, p < 0.05). Pain duration after defecation measured according to the REALISE score, showed a significant decrease after 10 days, from a median value of 2 (IQR 1–4) to 1 (IQR 1–1.2) (p < 0.005). The median value of the REALISE score decreased significantly, from 15 (IQR 11–19.25) at first proctological evaluation to 4 (IQR 4–6, p = 0.139) after 30 days of treatment. At day 30, complete fissure healing was achieved in 30 patients (80%). The healing rate was 82% and 78% in patients with acute and chronic anal fissures, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of Levorag® Emulgel may represent a safe and effective non-invasive first line treatment in patients affected by acute or chronic anal fissure.
Surgical management of compensatory sweating: A systematic review
Authors: Loizzi Domenico , Mongiello Diletta , Bevilacqua Maria Teresa , Raveglia Federico , Fiorelli Alfonso , Congedo Maria Teresa , Ardò Nicoletta Pia , Sollitto Francesco
Published: March 2023

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) surgery is a highly effective treatment of primary hyperhidrosis (PH) for the palms, face, axillae. Compensatory sweating (CS) is the most common and feared side effect of thoracic sympathectomy. CS is a phenomenon characterized by increased sweating in sites distal to the level of sympathectomy. Compensatory sweating is the main problem for which many patients give up surgery, losing the chance to solve their problem and accepting a poor quality of life. There are still no treatments that offer reliable solutions for compensatory sweating. The treatments proposed in the literature are scarce, with low case histories, and with uncertain results. Factors associated with CS are extension of manipulation of the sympathetic chain, level of sympathetic denervation, and body mass index. Therapeutic options include non surgical treatment and surgical treatment. Non surgical treatments include topical agents, botulinum toxin, systemic anticholinergics, iontophoresis. Surgical treatments include clip removal, extended sympathectomy and sympathetic chain reconstruction, although the efficacy is not well-established for all the methods. In this review we provide an overview of the treatments and outcomes described in the literature for the management of compensatory CS, with focus on surgical treatment.
Multi-transcriptomics reveals RLMF axis-mediated signaling molecules associated with bovine feed efficiency
Authors: Yang Chaoyun , Ding Yanling , Dan Xingang , Shi Yuangang , Kang Xiaolong
Published: March 2023

The regulatory axis plays a vital role in interpreting the information exchange and interactions among mammal organs. In this study on feed efficiency, it was hypothesized that a rumen-liver-muscle-fat (RLMF) regulatory axis exists and scrutinized the flow of energy along the RLMF axis employing consensus network analysis from a spatial transcriptomic standpoint. Based on enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis of the consensus network and tissue-specific genes, it was discovered that carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, immune and inflammatory responses were likely to be the biological processes that contribute most to feed efficiency variation on the RLMF regulatory axis. In addition, clusters of genes related to the electron respiratory chain, including ND (2,3,4,4L,5,6), NDUF (A13, A7, S6, B3, B6), COX (1,3), CYTB, UQCR11, ATP (6,8), clusters of genes related to fatty acid metabolism including APO (A1, A2, A4, B, C3), ALB, FG (A, G), as well as clusters of the ribosomal-related gene including RPL (8,18A,18,15,13, P1), the RPS (23,27A,3A,4X), and the PSM (A1-A7, B6, C1, C3, D2-D4, D8 D9, E1) could be the primary effector genes responsible for feed efficiency variation. The findings demonstrate that high feed efficiency cattle, through the synergistic action of the regulatory axis RLMF, may improve the efficiency of biological processes (carbohydrate metabolism, protein ubiquitination, and energy metabolism). Meanwhile, high feed efficiency cattle might enhance the ability to respond to immunity and inflammation, allowing nutrients to be efficiently distributed across these organs associated with digestion and absorption, energy-producing, and energy-storing organs. Elucidating the distribution of nutrients on the RLMF regulatory axis could facilitate an understanding of feed efficiency variation and achieve the study on its molecular regulation.
LAMP5 may promote MM progression by activating p38
Authors: Chen Yan , Ma Tao
Published: March 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common tumor of the hematologic system. MM remains incurable at this time. In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis to find key genes in the pathogenesis of MM. We first found that Lysosome associated membrane protein 5 (LAMP5) expression was sequentially increased in healthy donors (HD), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), relapsed MM (RMM). We collected bone marrow from patients with NDMM, HD and post-treatment MM (PTMM) and performed qPCR analysis of LAMP5, and found that the expression of LAMP5 is stronger in NDMM than in HD, and decreases after treatment. Western blotting assay also found more expression of LAMP5 in NDMM than in HD. Patients with high LAMP5 expression have a higher DS (Durie-Salmon) stage and worse prognosis. We next verified the expression of LAMP5 in four MM cell lines and silenced LAMP5 expression in RPMI-8226 and AMO-1, and explored the effects of LAMP5 silencing on MM cell apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry and western blotting. Knockdown of LAMP5 promoted apoptosis in MM cells, but had no effect on the cell cycle. Mechanistically, LAMP5 may exert its pro-tumor effects in MM in part through activation of p38 protein. We screened LAMP5 for the first time as a key gene for MM progression and recurrence, and found that LAMP5 may exert its pro-tumor effects in MM through activation of p38 protein.
Equivalence between LC-CRF and HMM, and Discriminative Computing of HMM-Based MPM and MAP
Authors: Azeraf Elie , Monfrini Emmanuel , Pieczynski Wojciech
Published: March 2023

Practitioners have used hidden Markov models (HMMs) in different problems for about sixty years. Moreover, conditional random fields (CRFs) are an alternative to HMMs and appear in the literature as different and somewhat concurrent models. We propose two contributions: First, we show that the basic linear-chain CRFs (LC-CRFs), considered as different from HMMs, are in fact equivalent to HMMs in the sense that for each LC-CRF there exists an HMM—that we specify—whose posterior distribution is identical to the given LC-CRF. Second, we show that it is possible to reformulate the generative Bayesian classifiers maximum posterior mode (MPM) and maximum a posteriori (MAP), used in HMMs, as discriminative ones. The last point is of importance in many fields, especially in natural language processing (NLP), as it shows that in some situations dropping HMMs in favor of CRFs is not necessary.
Design, Development, and Testing of a Low-Cost Sub-Joule µPPT for a Pocket-Cube
Authors: Smith Farouk , Bae Jieun
Published: March 2023

This paper presents the design and development of a sub-joule micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster (µPPT) as a possible low-cost propulsion solution for Pocket-Cubes, used to increase its reliability, capability, and lifetime. It is shown that the µPPT successfully met Pocket-Cube design standards and additional requirements using the iterative design method, focused mainly on simplification and improvements to a traditional PPT design, the utilization of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components and 3D printing. The µPPT was designed to operate and be controlled from an Arduino UNO with a main bank energy of 0.118 J to 0.272 J and power consumption of 0.5 W. It was successfully tested for performance and lifetime in a vacuum chamber (−720 mmHg to −96 kPa) with the use of a micro-pendulum test stand and a high-speed camera. The thruster was tested for its designed operation parameters of 3.3 V and 5 V at a pulsed frequency of 0.25/0.5 Hz. The test results showed that the optimal performance of the thruster with an input voltage supply of 5 V at a pulse frequency of 0.5 Hz, achieved a minimal impulse bit of 0.698 μNs and thrust range of 0.349~1.071 μN. A comparison to the STRaND-1 3U CubeSat’s PPT performance data showed that the developed µPPT is a competitive propulsion solution, as it achieved more thrust with a similar minimal impulse bit, using only one-third of the power consumption. During the lifetime testing, the µPPT was able to produce 1980 shots.
Numerical Investigation of the Detonation Cell Bifurcation with Decomposition Technique
Authors: Pavalavanni Pradeep Kumar , Kim Jae-Eun , Jo Min-Seon , Choi Jeong-Yeol
Published: March 2023

Bifurcation of the characteristic cells into multiple smaller cells and decay of those cells into single large characteristic cell is observed frequently. In the present study the bifurcation phenomenon of the detonation front is investigated for marginally unstable detonations using decomposition technique. Numerical analysis is carried out with detailed chemical kinetics for detonation propagation in H2/O2 mixtures at 10 kPa. The dynamic characteristics of the instability at the detonation front, such as the local oscillation frequency and the coherent spatial structure of the oscillation are also studied with dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) technique. The coherent structures of the primary and secondary detonation cells are analyzed during the cell bifurcation process and the mechanism in which the secondary cells are formed is investigated. It is demonstrated that the modal analysis categorizes the instability phenomena clearly and can be effectively utilized to identify the origin and source of the instability.
The Adaptation of Crops to the Environment under Climate Change: Physiological and Agronomic Strategies
Authors: Porcel Rosa
Published: March 2023

As the world population is increasing continuously, there is a constant reduction in global arable land due to an increased demographic pressure [...]
Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Promotes Soil Microbial Stability and Antagonistic Bacteria Abundance in Greenhouse Vegetable Production Systems
Authors: Hu Jing , Wan Li , Qasim Waqas , Lv Haofeng , Zhao Yiming , Li Guoyuan , Butterbach-Bahl Klaus , Lin Shan
Published: March 2023

Excessive water and fertiliser inputs, as well as long-term monocropping, not only cause resource waste and environmental pollution but also drive soil degradation and the occurrence of soil-borne diseases. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a widely used technique in greenhouse vegetable production to replace the use of agrochemicals in disinfestation and improve product quality. While the short-term effects of ASD on the soil microbial community have been well documented in the past 15 years, only a few studies have investigated the multiseason effects of ASD, particularly on the soil microbial community composition and stability, as well as on pathogens and antagonistic microorganisms. Field experiments were conducted in three adjacent greenhouses used for tomato production for at least 20 years. Three treatments were included: CK (control: no irrigation, no plastic film covering, incorporation of chicken manure), ASD (irrigation, plastic film covering, and incorporation of rice husks), and ASD+M (ASD plus incorporation of chicken manure). Results showed that (1) ASD significantly reduced the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi and improved the complexity and stability of the soil bacterial community at the end of the ASD, but the soil microbial diversity recovered to the level before the experiment after 1.5 years. (2) Compared with CK, ASD significantly increased the relative abundance of antagonistic bacteria Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Streptomyces, decreased the relative abundance of pathogens Fusarium and the quantity of nematodes and could still effectively eliminate soil pathogens after 1.5 years. (3) Chicken manure application did not increase the pathogenic microorganisms Fusarium and nematodes, but it significantly decreased the relative abundance of antagonistic bacteria. Our results highlight that ASD not only showed an inhibitory effect on soil-borne diseases after 1.5 years but also significantly increased the relative abundance of antagonistic bacteria. However, the additional incorporation of chicken manure for ASD should be avoided due to its negative effects on the abundance of antagonistic bacteria and its contribution to environmental pollution due to N leaching and increased emissions of GHG N2O.
The Impact of the Social Determinants of Human Health on Companion Animal Welfare
Authors: McDowall Sonya , Hazel Susan J. , Chittleborough Catherine , Hamilton-Bruce Anne , Stuckey Rwth , Howell Tiffani J.
Published: March 2023

The social determinants of health (SDH) focus on the social, physical and economic factors that impact human health. Studies have revealed that animal guardians face a range of challenges in attaining positive welfare outcomes for their companion animals, which can be influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. Despite this, there is a lack of research specifically exploring the relationship between SDH and animal welfare outcomes. Given that the SDH impact on humans, which in turn directly impacts on their companion animal, it is important to adapt an SDH framework for companion animal welfare by characterising the impact of the SDH on companion animal guardians in their attempts to care for their animals and, by extension, the associated welfare outcomes. This paper explores how these human health determinants may impact animal welfare and the possible challenges that may arise for the guardian when attempting to meet their companion animal’s welfare needs. By integrating the SDH with other key frameworks, including the five domains model of animal welfare, through multidisciplinary collaboration, this framework can be used to inform future programs aiming to improve animal welfare.
Assessing the Role of Lizards as Potential Pollinators of an Insular Plant Community and Its Intraspecific Variation
Authors: Romero-Egea Víctor , Robles Cristina , Traveset Anna , Del Rio Laura , Hervías-Parejo Sandra
Published: March 2023

The role of lizards as potential pollinators on islands has been documented for either one or a few plants in different parts of the world, but it has never been assessed for an entire plant community. Here, we quantified interaction rate by lizards and evaluated intraspecific differences in the use of flowers on Cabrera Gran (Cabrera archipelago, Balearic Islands) by means of visual observations, automated cameras and the analysis of pollen grain samples. Overall, we recorded interactions of the Balearic wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) with flowers of 44 plant species, 72.7% of which were unknown to date. Although florivory occurs in some of these species (35%), the majority of visits were legitimate (65%); in addition, we found intraspecific differences in the interactions related to the sex and age of lizards. Our findings support the role of Balearic wall lizards as potential pollinators across the entire plant community, and their contribution to particular plant species, for instance the endangered Cistus heterophyllus carthaginensis. This study also documents the first record of another sympatric lizard (Tarentola mauritanica) visiting flowers and contributes to the few existing records of flower interactions involving geckos in the Paleartic ecozone.