bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Weather on the Die-Off of Escherichia coli and Attenuated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium on Preharvest Leafy Greens following Irrigation with Contaminated Water
Authors: Belias Alexandra M. , Sbodio Adrian , Truchado Pilar , Weller Daniel , Pinzon Janneth , Skots Mariya , Allende Ana , Munther Daniel , Suslow Trevor , Wiedmann Martin , Ivanek Renata
Published: June 2020

The log-linear die-off rate proposed by FSMA is not always appropriate, as the die-off rates of foodborne bacterial pathogens and specified agricultural water quality indicator organisms appear to commonly follow a biphasic pattern with an initial rapid decline followed by a period of tailing. While we observed substantial variation in the net culturable population levels of
Salmonella
and
E. coli
at each time point, die-off rate and FSMA compliance (i.e., at least a 2 log
10
die-off over 4 days) appear to be impacted by produce type, bacteria, and weather; die-off on lettuce tended to be faster than that on spinach, die-off of
E. coli
tended to be faster than that of attenuated
Salmonella
, and die-off tended to become faster as relative humidity decreased. Thus, the use of a single die-off rate for estimating time-to-harvest intervals across different weather conditions, produce types, and bacteria should be revised.
Direct coupling between carbon release and weathering during the Toarcian oceanic anoxic event
Authors: Kemp David B. , Selby David , Izumi Kentaro
Published: June 2020

Silicate weathering represents a major feedback mechanism in the Earth’s climate system, helping to stabilize atmospheric CO2 levels and temperature on million-year time scales. On shorter time scales of greater relevance to understanding the fate of anthropogenic CO2, the efficacy and responsiveness of weathering is less clear. Here, we present high-resolution osmium-isotope data that reflect global chemical weathering from a stratigraphically thick record of the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE; ca. 182 Ma). A pronounced decrease in the carbon-isotope composition of exogenic carbon reservoirs during this event has been linked to the large-scale release of 12C-enriched carbon. Our data indicate that the flux of radiogenic osmium to the oceans increased in lockstep with the decrease in carbon-isotope values, demonstrating a geologically synchronous coupling between massive carbon release and enhanced global continental crust weathering. We show that abrupt shifts in carbon isotopes, previously interpreted as millennial-scale methane hydrate melting or terrestrial carbon-release events, are coeval with rapid increases in weathering. Global weathering may have increased by >40% across each of these intervals of rapid carbon injection. Our results help to reconcile previous estimates of weathering change during the T-OAE, and support the view that, overall, global weathering rates may have increased six-fold through the entire event.
Pituitary adenoma presenting as acute onset isolated complete third cranial nerve palsy without vision changes
Authors: Natarajan Divya , Tatineni Suresh , Ponnapalli Srinivasa Perraju , Sachdeva Virender
Published: June 2020

We report a case of isolated unilateral complete pupil involving third cranial nerve palsy due to pituitary adenoma with parasellar extension into the right cavernous sinus. The patient was referred to us from neurosurgery with sudden onset binocular vertical diplopia with complete ptosis, and mild right-sided headache of 5-day duration. Ocular examination revealed pupil involving third cranial nerve palsy in right eye while rest of the examination including automated perimetry was normal. MRI brain with contrast revealed a mass lesion with heterogenous enhancement in the sella suggestive of a pituitary macroadenoma with possible internal haemorrhage (apoplexy). In addition, the MRI showed lateral spread to the right cavernous sinus which was causing compression of the right third cranial nerve. The patient was systemically stable. This report highlights a unique case as the lesion showed a lateral spread of pituitary adenoma without compression of the optic chiasm or other cranial nerves.
Favourable outcome in paediatric endogenous endophthalmitis secondary toNeisseria meningitidisfollowing pars plana vitrectomy
Authors: Qureshi Amreen , Ashworth Jane , Sharma Vinod , Ivanova Tsveta
Published: June 2020

Paediatric endogenous endophthalmitis is an uncommon but potentially devastating intraocular infection which should not be missed. Often cases present to the accident and emergency department. Accurate and prompt assessment is key in saving sight and life. We present one such case and how it was surgically managed.
Missed opportunity to diagnose HIV withPneumocystis cariniipneumonia as its sequela
Authors: Dunphy Louise , Patel Neil , Palmer Bret , McKeown Edward
Published: June 2020

Pneumocystis cariniipneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection of the lung occurring primarily in patients with HIV infection with a CD4 cell count <200 mm3, solid organ transplant recipients and those taking immunosuppressive therapy. The 1980s heralded the HIV pandemic, turning PCP into a major medical and public health problem worldwide. Manifestations of unusual infections such as pneumocystis and Kaposi’s sarcoma, were, after all, the first signs of the emerging pandemic to be recognised and may indeed, be the presenting feature of a previously undiagnosed HIV infection. With the advent of pneumocystis chemoprophylaxis and the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, there has been a decreased incidence in developed countries, but it remains high in developing countries. Unfortunately, late presentation of HIV remains a problem resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The authors report the case of a new diagnosis of HIV infection in a 45-year-old woman, presenting with a dry cough, dyspnoea, unintentional weight loss and PCP. Two weeks after commencing highly active antiretroviral therapy, she was diagnosed with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Research shows that stigma and discrimination in the healthcare setting contributes to keeping individuals from accessing HIV prevention, care and treatment services and adopting key preventive behaviours. The barriers to HIV testing and stigma eradication in primary care will be explored as well as missed opportunities to diagnosis HIV in primary care in individuals presenting with signs and symptoms of immunosuppression, in this case shingles.
Academic criteria for promotion and tenure in biomedical sciences faculties: cross sectional analysis of international sample of universities
Authors: Rice Danielle B , Raffoul Hana , Ioannidis John P A , Moher David
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine the presence of a set of pre-specified traditional and non-traditional criteria used to assess scientists for promotion and tenure in faculties of biomedical sciences among universities worldwide.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Setting

International sample of universities.

Participants

170 randomly selected universities from the Leiden ranking of world universities list.

Main outcome measure

Presence of five traditional (for example, number of publications) and seven non-traditional (for example, data sharing) criteria in guidelines for assessing assistant professors, associate professors, and professors and the granting of tenure in institutions with biomedical faculties.

Results

A total of 146 institutions had faculties of biomedical sciences, and 92 had eligible guidelines available for review. Traditional criteria of peer reviewed publications, authorship order, journal impact factor, grant funding, and national or international reputation were mentioned in 95% (n=87), 37% (34), 28% (26), 67% (62), and 48% (44) of the guidelines, respectively. Conversely, among non-traditional criteria, only citations (any mention in 26%; n=24) and accommodations for employment leave (37%; 34) were relatively commonly mentioned. Mention of alternative metrics for sharing research (3%; n=3) and data sharing (1%; 1) was rare, and three criteria (publishing in open access mediums, registering research, and adhering to reporting guidelines) were not found in any guidelines reviewed. Among guidelines for assessing promotion to full professor, traditional criteria were more commonly reported than non-traditional criteria (traditional criteria 54.2%, non-traditional items 9.5%; mean difference 44.8%, 95% confidence interval 39.6% to 50.0%; P=0.001). Notable differences were observed across continents in whether guidelines were accessible (Australia 100% (6/6), North America 97% (28/29), Europe 50% (27/54), Asia 58% (29/50), South America 17% (1/6)), with more subtle differences in the use of specific criteria.

Conclusions

This study shows that the evaluation of scientists emphasises traditional criteria as opposed to non-traditional criteria. This may reinforce research practices that are known to be problematic while insufficiently supporting the conduct of better quality research and open science. Institutions should consider incentivising non-traditional criteria.

Study registration

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/26ucp/?view_only=b80d2bc7416543639f577c1b8f756e44).
Estimating deaths from foodborne disease in the UK for 11 key pathogens
Authors: Holland Darren , Thomson Laura , Mahmoudzadeh Nazmina , Khaled Abdul
Published: June 2020

Objective

To estimate the number of deaths from foodborne disease in the UK from 11 key pathogens.

Design

Four different models were developed using data from a range of sources. These included enhanced surveillance, outbreaks, death certificates and hospital episode statistics data. For each model, median estimates were produced with 95% credible intervals (CrI). The results from the different models were compared.

Results

The estimates for foodborne deaths for each pathogen from the different models were consistent, with CrIs largely overlapping. Based on the preferred model for each pathogen, foodborne norovirus is estimated to cause 56 deaths per year (95% CrI 32 to 92), foodborneSalmonella33 deaths (95% CrI 7 to 159), foodborneListeria monocytogenes26 deaths (95% CrI 24 to 28), foodborneClostridium perfringens25 deaths (95% CrI 1 to 163) and foodborneCampylobacter21 deaths (95% CrI 8 to 47). The considerable overlap in the CrIs means it is not possible to make any firm conclusions on ranking. Most of these deaths occur in those aged over 75 years. Foodborne deaths fromShigella,Cryptosporidium,Giardia,adenovirus, astrovirus and rotavirus are all rare.

Conclusions

We estimate that there are 180 deaths per year in the UK (95% CrI 113 to 359) caused by foodborne disease based on these 11 pathogens. While this is a small fraction of the estimated 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness per year it still illustrates the potential severity of these illnesses demonstrating the importance in continuing efforts to reduce these infections.
Intestinal stem cells promote crypt fission during postnatal growth of the small intestine
Authors: Dudhwala Zenab Mustansir , Hammond Paul D , Howarth Gordon S , Cummins Adrian Gerard
Published: June 2020

Objective

Wnt-β-catenin signalling is essential for intestinal stem cells. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between intestinal stem cells and crypt fission which peaks during infancy.

Design

Duodenal biopsies were obtained during endoscopy to assess the severity of reflux oesophagitis of 15 infants, children and teenagers, which would not affect the duodenum. Samples of small intestine were also obtained from rats 7–72 days of life. Crypt fission was assessed using microdissection of 100 whole crypts and recording the percentage of bifid crypts. Intestinal LGR5+ stem cells were identified by in situ hybridisation. Rats were treated with Dickkopf to block Wnt-β-catenin signalling.

Results

Crypt fission peaked during infancy before declining after 3–4 years in humans and after 21 days of life in rats. Occasional mitotic figures were seen in bifid crypts during early fission. Stem cells were elevated for a greater period during infancy and childhood in humans. Clustering of Paneth cells was present around the stem cells at the crypt base. Dickkopf reduced the number of stem cells and crypt fission to 45% and 29%, respectively, of control values, showing dependence of both crypt fission and Lgr5+ stem cells on Wnt signalling. However, Dickkopf did not decrease mitotic count per crypt, indicating a difference in signalling between stem cells and their progeny in the transit amplifying zone.

Conclusion

Crypt fission peaks during infancy and is dependent on intestinal stem cells. This is relatively hidden by ‘a cloak of invisibility’ due to the low proliferation of stem cells.
Burden of care in caregivers of patients with alcohol use disorder and schizophrenia and its association with anxiety, depression and quality of life
Authors: Vadher Sneha , Desai Rishi , Panchal Bharat , Vala Ashok , Ratnani Imran Jahangirali , Rupani Mihir P , Vasava Kinjal
Published: June 2020

Background

Caregivers play a pivotal role in providing care for mentally ill patients. Increase in caregiver burden can make them vulnerable to mental illness themselves.

Aims

We assessed the severity of burden of care and its association with depression, anxiety and quality of life among caregivers of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and schizophrenia.

Methods

This was an observational, cross-sectional, single-centred study of 50 consecutive caregivers of patients with AUD and schizophrenia. Participants were recruited from the psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital between January and June 2017. The caregivers were further assessed by demographic details, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale for assessment of depression and anxiety, Zarit Burden Interview for assessment of caregiver burden and WHO Quality Of Life-BREF for assessment of quality of life. Statistical data were analysed using GraphPad InStat V.3.06 (California). Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify the predictors of caregiver burden.

Results

Burden of care experienced by caregivers of patients with AUD is as high as that of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia (U=1142.5, p=0.46). Caregivers experiencing high burden of care are likely to have symptoms of anxiety (U=22, p<0.001), depression (U=32, p<0.001) and poor quality of life (U=84.5, p<0.001). Female caregivers are likely to experience higher burden of care (U=819.5, p=0.006). For caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, anxiety, environmental health, socioeconomic status and patients’ occupation can predict burden of care, while for caregivers of patients with AUD, depression and environmental health can predict burden of care.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that caregivers of patients with AUD experience burden of care as high as that of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Caregivers with high burden of care are more likely to have depression, anxiety and poor quality of life.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2017/03/008224.
Bivalent therapeutic vaccine against HPV16/18 genotypes consisting of a fusion protein between the extra domain A from human fibronectin and HPV16/18 E7 viral antigens
Authors: Arribillaga Laura , Echeverria Iciar , Belsue Viriginia , Gomez Timothy , Lozano Teresa , Casares Noelia , Villanueva Lorea , Domingos-Pereira Sonia , Romero Pedro J , Nardelli-Haefliger Denise , Hervás-Stubbs Sandra , Sarobe Pablo , Rodriguez María Josefa , Carrascosa José L , Zürcher Thomas , Lasarte Juan José
Published: June 2020

Background

In vivo targeting of human papillomavirus (HPV) derived antigens to dendritic cells might constitute an efficient immunotherapeutic strategy against cervical cancer. In previous works, we have shown that the extra domain A from murine fibronectin (mEDA) can be used to target antigens to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressing dendritic cells and induce strong antigen-specific immune responses. In the present study, we have produced a bivalent therapeutic vaccine candidate consisting of the human EDA (hEDA) fused to E7 proteins from HPV16 and HPV18 (hEDA-HPVE7-16/18) and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer.

Materials and methods

Recombinant fusion proteins containing HPV E7 proteins from HPV16 and HPV18 virus subtypes fused to hEDA were produced and tested in vitro on their capacity to bind TLR4 and induce the production of tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin (IL)-12 by human monocytes and dendritic cells. The immunogenicity and potential therapeutic activity of the vaccine in combination with cisplatin or with the TLR3 agonist molecules polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) or Poly ICLC was evaluated in mice bearing subcutaneous or genital orthotopic HPV16 TC-1 tumors.

Results

hEDA-HPVE7-16/18 prototype vaccine binds human TLR4 and stimulate TLR4-dependent signaling pathways and IL-12 production by human monocyte-derived dendritic cell. Vaccination with hEDA-HPVE7-16/18 induced strong HPVE7-specific Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and eliminated established tumors in the TC-1-based tumor model. The antitumor efficacy was significantly improved by combining the fusion protein with cisplatin or with the TLR-3 ligand Poly IC and especially with the stabilized analog Poly ICLC. Moreover, hEDA-HPVE7-16/18+Poly ICLC induced full tumor regression in 100% of mice bearing orthotopic genital HPV tumors.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that this therapeutic vaccine formulation may be an effective treatment for cervical tumors that do not respond to current therapies.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated celiac disease
Authors: Badran Yousef , Shih Angela , Leet Donna , Mooradian Meghan J , Coromilas Alexandra , Chen Jonathan , Kem Marina , Zheng Hui , Borowsky Jennifer , Misdraji Joseph , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Dougan Michael
Published: June 2020

Background

Rare cases of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated celiac disease (ICI-CeD) have been reported, suggesting that disruption of tolerance mechanisms by ICIs can unmask celiac disease (CeD). This study aims to characterize the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features of ICI-CeD in comparison to ICI-associated duodenitis (ICI-Duo) and usual CeD.

Methods

A medical and pathological records search between 2015 and 2019 identified eight cases of ICI-CeD, confirmed by tTG-IgA. Nine cases of ICI-Duo, 28 cases of moderate CeD, as well as 5 normal controls were used as comparison groups. Clinical information was collected from the electronic medical records. Immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD8, T-cell receptor gamma/delta (γδ), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and programmed death 1 (PD-1) were performed, with quantification of intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) subsets in three well-oriented villi. CD68, PD-L1, and PD-1 were assessed as a percentage of lamina propria surface area infiltrated by positive cells. Statistical significance was calculated by the Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results

The eight patients with ICI-CeD (F:M=1:3) and nine patients with ICI-Duo (F:M=5:4) presented similarly with diarrhea (13/17) and abdominal pain (11/17) after a median of 1.6 months on ICI therapy. In patients with ICI-CeD, tTG-IgA ranged from 104 to >300 IU/mL. Histological findings in ICI-CeD and ICI-Duo were similar and included expansion of the lamina propria, active neutrophilic duodenitis, variably increased IELs, and villous blunting. Immunohistochemistry showed that the average number of IELs per 100 enterocytes is comparable between ICI-CeD and ICI-Duo, with increased CD3+CD8+T cells compared with normal duodenum but decreased γδ T cells compared with CeD. Average PD-L1 percentage was 9% in ICI-CeD and 18% in ICI-Duo, in comparison to <1% in CeD and normal duodenum; average PD-1 percentage was very low to absent in all cases (<3%). On follow-up, five patients with ICI-CeD improved on a gluten-free diet (GFD) as the sole therapeutic intervention (with down-trending tTG-IgA) while the other three required immunosuppression. All patients who developed ICI-Duo received immunosuppression with variable improvement in symptoms.

Conclusions

ICI-CeD resembles ICI-Duo clinically and histologically but shares the serological features and response to gluten withdrawal with classic CeD. Immunophenotyping of IELs in ICI-CeD and ICI-Duo also shows similar CD3, CD8, γδ T cell subsets, and PD-L1 populations, all of which differed quantitatively from usual CeD. We conclude that ICI-CeD is biologically similar to ICI-Duo and is likely a variant of ICI-Duo, but treatment strategies differ, with ICI-CeD often improving with GFD alone, whereas ICI-Duo requires systemic immunosuppression.
Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute cancer-related stroke: is the stent retriever alone effective?
Authors: Jeon Yejin , Baik Sung Hyun , Jung Cheolkyu , Kim Jun Yup , Kim Beom Joon , Kang Jihoon , Bae Hee-Joon , Kim Jae Hyoung
Published: June 2020

Background

The optimal first-line mechanical thrombectomy (MT) method in cancer-related stroke (CRS) patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety between contact aspiration (CA) first-line thrombectomy and stent retriever (SR) first-line thrombectomy in CRS patients.

Methods

Sixty-two CRS patients with ELVO, who underwent MT between January 2013 and October 2019 at our institution, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the first-line MT method and compared: the CA group (n=28), which included those who received CA alone or combined CA with SR, and the SR group (n=34), which included those who received conventional SR alone.

Results

Overall, reperfusion was successful in 75.8% (47/62) of CRS patients, and a good clinical outcome at 90 days was observed in 17.7%. The CA group showed a higher rate of successful reperfusion (89.3% vs 64.7%, P=0.025) shorter procedure time (22 vs 42 min; P=0.029), higher rate of first pass effect (35.7% vs 11.8%, P=0.025), and lower number of passes (1 vs 3, P=0.023) when compared with the SR group. The procedural and hemorrhagic complication rates were similar between the CA and SR groups. The first-line contact aspiration (OR 11.624, 95% CI 1.041 to 129.752; P=0.046) was an independent predictor of successful reperfusion.

Conclusions

Among patients with CRS, CA – whether alone or in combination with SR – as first-line MT seems to provide more rapid and successful reperfusion when compared with SR.
Role of adjuvant carotid ultrasound in women undergoing stress echocardiography for the assessment of suspected coronary artery disease
Authors: Gurunathan Sothinathan , Shanmuganathan Mayooran , Hampson Reinette , Khattar Rajdeep , Senior Roxy
Published: June 2020

Objective

Due to the low prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in women, stress testing has a relatively low predictive value for this. Additionally, conventional cardiovascular risk scores underestimate risk in women. This study sought to evaluate the role of atherosclerosis assessment using carotid ultrasound (CU) in women attending for stress echocardiography (SE).

Methods

This was a prospective study in which consecutive women with recent-onset suspected angina, who were referred for clinically indicated SE, underwent CU.

Results

415 women (mean age 61±10 years, 29% diabetes mellitus, mean body mass index 28) attending for SE underwent CU. 47 women (11%) had inducible wall motion abnormalities, and carotid disease (CD) was present in 46% (carotid plaque in 41%, carotid intima-media thickness >75th percentile in 15%). Women with CD were older (65 vs 58 years, p<0.001), and more likely to have diabetes (41% vs 21%, p=0.001), hypertension (67% vs 36%, p<0.01) and a higher pretest probability of CAD (59% vs 41%, p<0.001). 40% of women classified as low Framingham risk were found to have evidence of CD.

The positive predictive value of SE for flow-limiting CAD was 51%, but with the presence of carotid plaque, this was 71% (p<0.01). Carotid plaque (p=0.004) and ischaemia (p=0.01) were the only independent predictors of >70% angiographic stenosis. In women with ischaemia on SE and no carotid plaque, the negative predictive value for flow-limiting disease was 88%.

During a follow-up of 1058±234 days, there were 15 events (defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure admissions and late coronary revascularisation). Age (HR 1.07 (1.00–1.15), p=0.04), carotid plaque burden (HR 1.65 (1.36–2.00), p<0.001) and ischaemic burden (HR 1.41 (1.18–1.68), p<0.001) were associated with outcome. There was a stepwise increase in events/year from 0.3% when there were no ischaemia and atherosclerosis, 1.1% when there was atherosclerosis and no ischaemia, 2.2% when there was ischaemia and no atherosclerosis and 10% when there were both ischaemia and atherosclerosis (p<0.001).

Conclusion

CU significantly improves the accuracy of SE alone for identifying flow-limiting disease on coronary angiography, and improves risk stratification in women attending for SE, as well identifying a subset of women who may benefit from primary preventative measures.
The ethics of Halal meat consumption: preferences of consumers in England according to the method of slaughter
Authors: Fuseini Awal , Knowles Toby G
Published: June 2020

Background

The continued growth of the global Halal meat market has resulted in many mainstream businesses in the developed world trading in Halal products. A good understanding of Halal consumer behaviour with regard to their preference of meat according to the method of slaughter (pre‐stunned or not) and the frequency of consumption is vital for the formulation of future animal welfare legislation, consumer protection policies and research strategies of educational institutions.

Methods

In this study, 250 Halal meat consumers in England were surveyed to obtain a better understanding of their meat consumption frequency, preference of meat according to species of animals and the method of slaughter.

Results

The results show that the majority (50.8 per cent) of consumers ate meat at least once a week, 45.6 per cent at least once a day, 3.2 per cent at least once a month and 0.4 per cent ate meat occasionally. Poultry meat was marginally the most preferred meat among respondents overall, followed by lamb and beef, with the majority of respondents (approximately 70 per cent) indicating preference for meat from animals slaughtered without stunning over those stunned before slaughter. There were gender differences within some responses.

Conclusion

The results give an insight into Halal consumer behaviour, and may be useful to retailers, researchers, consumer advocates, animal welfare charities and government.
Manure contamination with Clostridium botulinum after avian botulism outbreaks: management and potential risk of dissemination
Authors: Souillard Rozenn , LE Marechal Caroline , Balaine Loic , Rouxel Sandra , Poezevara Typhaine , Ballan Valentine , Chemaly Marianne , LE Bouquin Sophie
Published: June 2020

Background

Persistence of Clostridium botulinum in the environment is well known. Getting rid of it after animal botulism outbreaks is so tricky, especially as far as manure concerns. This study aimed at 1. describing manure management on 10 poultry farms affected by botulism and 2. assessing the persistence of C botulinum in poultry manure after the outbreak.

Methods

Each farm was visited twice at two different manure storage times (two weeks after manure removal and two months later). Fifteen samples of manure were collected on each visit and C botulinum was detected using real‐time PCR.

Results

Management of manure varied among poultry farms (classical storage, addition of quicklime, bacterial flora or incineration). C botulinum was detected in the manure of all 10 farms, 56.5per cent of samples being positive. C botulinum was detected significantly more frequently at the second visit (65.8per cent vs 49.7per cent, P<0.01) and on the surface of the pile (63.1per cent vs 50per cent, P=0.025).

Conclusion

This study shows the persistence of C botulinum in poultry manure over time after a botulism outbreak and highlights manure management as a key health issue in preventing spore dissemination in the environment and recurrence of the disease.
CDC Defy durum wheat
Authors: Pozniak C.J. , Clarke J.M. , Haile T.A.
Published: June 2020

CDC Defy durum wheat is adapted to the durum production area of the Canadian prairies. This conventional height durum wheat cultivar combines high grain yield, acceptable time to maturity, test weight, and grain protein concentration. CDC Defy is resistant to prevalent races of leaf and stem rust, has excellent common bunt resistance, and demonstrated end-use quality suitable for the Canada Western Amber Durum class.
Prospects of searches for long-lived charged particles with MoEDAL
Authors: Acharya B. S. , De Roeck A. , Ellis J. , Ghosh D. K. , Masełek R. , Panizzo G. , Pinfold J. L. , Sakurai K. , Shaa A. , Wall A.
Published: June 2020

We study the prospects of searches for exotic long-lived particles with the MoEDAL detector at the LHC, assuming the integrated luminosity of 30 fb$$^{-1}$$-1 that is expected at the end of Run 3. MoEDAL incorporates nuclear track detectors deployed a few metres away from the interaction point, which are sensitive to any highly-ionizing particles. Hence MoEDAL is able to detect singly- or doubly-charged particles with low velocities $$\beta < 0.15$$β<0.15 or $$< 0.3$$<0.3, respectively, and lifetimes larger than $${{\mathcal {O}}}(1) \,\mathrm{m}/c$$O(1)m/c. We examine the MoEDAL sensitivity to various singly-charged supersymmetric particles with long lifetimes and to several types of doubly-charged long-lived particles with different spins and SU(2) charges. We compare the prospective MoEDAL mass reaches to current limits from ATLAS and CMS, which involve auxiliary analysis assumptions. MoEDAL searches for doubly-charged fermions are particularly competitive.
Explorations of the infinite regions of spacetime
Authors: Beyer Florian , Frauendiener Jörg , Hennig Jörg
Published: June 2020

An important concept in Physics is the notion of an isolated system. It is used in many different areas to describe the properties of a physical system which has been isolated from its environment. The interaction with the “outside” is then usually reduced to a scattering process, in which incoming radiation interacts with the system, which in turn emits outgoing radiation.

In Einstein’s theory of gravitation, isolated systems are modeled as asymptotically flat spacetimes. They provide the appropriate paradigm for the study of gravitational waves and their interaction with a material system or even only with themselves. In view of the emerging era of gravitational wave astronomy, in which gravitational wave signals from many different astrophysical sources are detected and interpreted, it is necessary to have a foundation for the theoretical and numerical treatments of these signals.

Furthermore, from a purely mathematical point of view, it is important to have a full understanding of the implications of imposing the condition of asymptotic flatness onto solutions of the Einstein equations. While it is known that there exists a large class of asymptotically flat solutions of Einstein’s equations, it is not known what the necessary and sufficient conditions at infinity are that have to be imposed on initial data so that they evolve into regular asymptotically flat spacetimes. The crux lies in the region near spacelike infinity [Formula: see text] where incoming and outgoing radiation “meet”.

In this paper, we review the current knowledge and some of the analytical and numerical work that has gone into the attempt to understand the structure of asymptotically flat spacetimes near spacelike and null-infinity.
Swampland criteria and cosmological behavior of Tsallis holographic dark energy in Bianchi -III Universe
Authors: Sharma Umesh Kumar , Srivastava Shikha , Beesham A.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a new form of dark energy, known as Tsallis holographic dark energy (THDE), with IR cutoff as Hubble horizon proposed by Tavayef et al. Tsallis holographic dark energy, Phys. Lett. B 781 (2018) 195 has been explored in Bianchi-III model with the matter. By taking the time subordinate deceleration parameter, the solution of Einstein’s field equation is found. The Universe evolution from earlier decelerated to the current accelerated phase is exhibited by the deceleration parameter acquired in the THDE model. It can be seen that the derived THDE model is related to an accelerating Universe with quintessence ([Formula: see text]). The squared sound speed [Formula: see text] also suggests that the THDE model is classically stable at present. In addition, the quintessence phase of the THDE model is analyzed with swampland conjecture to reformulate the accelerating expansion of the Universe.
Vortex solutions of Liouville equation and quasi spherical surfaces
Authors: Iorio Alfredo , Kůs Pavel
Published: June 2020

We identify the two-dimensional surfaces corresponding to certain solutions of the Liouville equation of importance for mathematical physics, the nontopological Chern–Simons (or Jackiw–Pi) vortex solutions, characterized by an integer [Formula: see text]. Such surfaces, that we call [Formula: see text], have positive constant Gaussian curvature, [Formula: see text], but are spheres only when [Formula: see text]. They have edges, and, for any fixed [Formula: see text], have maximal radius [Formula: see text] that we find here to be [Formula: see text]. If such surfaces are constructed in a laboratory by using graphene (or any other Dirac material), our findings could be of interest to realize table-top Dirac massless excitations on nontrivial backgrounds. We also briefly discuss the type of three-dimensional spacetimes obtained as the product [Formula: see text].
The diffusive model for West Nile virus with advection and expanding fronts in a heterogeneous environment
Authors: Zhang Zhengdi , Tarboush Abdelrazig K.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we investigate a reaction–diffusion–advection model with expanding fronts, which models the spatial transmission of West Nile virus (WNv) in a heterogeneous environment. A free boundary problem is formulated and the global existence and uniqueness of the solution is presented. In addition to a classical basic reproduction number, the spatial-temporal basic reproduction number for the model with null Dirichlet boundary condition is introduced and the risk index associated with the virus in spatial setting is defined, and their properties are discussed. Sufficient conditions for the WNv to vanish or spread are given, and the asymptotic behavior of the solution to the free boundary problem when the spreading occurs is established. Our results show that the initial number of infected populations and the expanding capability of the expanding fronts exhibit important impacts on the extinction or persistence of the virus.
Dynamical analysis for delayed virus infection models with cell-to-cell transmission and density-dependent diffusion
Authors: Wang Shaoli , Zhang Achun , Xu Fei
Published: June 2020

In this paper, certain delayed virus dynamical models with cell-to-cell infection and density-dependent diffusion are investigated. For the viral model with a single strain, we have proved the well-posedness and studied the global stabilities of equilibria by defining the basic reproductive number [Formula: see text] and structuring proper Lyapunov functional. Moreover, we found that the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text], and the infection equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if [Formula: see text]. For the multi-strain model, we found that all viral strains coexist if the corresponding basic reproductive number [Formula: see text], while virus will extinct if [Formula: see text]. As a result, we found that delay and the density-dependent diffusion does not influence the global stability of the model with cell-to-cell infection and homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions.
The Evolution of the Star-Forming Interstellar Medium Across Cosmic Time
Authors: Tacconi Linda J. , Genzel Reinhard , Sternberg Amiel
Published: June 2020

Over the past decade, increasingly robust estimates of the dense molecular gas content in galaxy populations between redshift z = 0 and the peak of cosmic galaxy/star formation ( z ∼ 1–3) have become available. This rapid progress has been possible due to the advent of powerful ground- and space-based telescopes for the combined study of several millimeter to far-IR, line or continuum tracers of the molecular gas and dust components. The main conclusions of this review are as follows: ▪  Star-forming galaxies contained much more molecular gas at earlier cosmic epochs than at the present time. ▪  The galaxy-integrated depletion timescale for converting the gas into stars depends primarily on z or Hubble time and, at a given z, on the vertical location of a galaxy along the star-formation rate versus stellar mass main sequence (MS) correlation. ▪  Global rates of galaxy gas accretion primarily control the evolution of the cold molecular gas content and star-formation rates of the dominant MS galaxy population, which in turn vary with cosmological expansion. Another key driver may be global disk fragmentation in high- z, gas-rich galaxies, which ties local free-fall timescales to galactic orbital times and leads to rapid radial matter transport and bulge growth. The low star-formation efficiency inside molecular clouds is plausibly set by supersonic streaming motions and internal turbulence, which in turn may be driven by conversion of gravitational energy at high z and/or by local feedback from massive stars at low z. ▪  A simple gas regulator model is remarkably successful in predicting the combined evolution of molecular gas fractions, star-formation rates, galactic winds, and gas-phase metallicities.
The Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems and Reliant Human Communities
Authors: Doney Scott C. , Busch D. Shallin , Cooley Sarah R. , Kroeker Kristy J.
Published: June 2020

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, along with agriculture and land-use practices are causing wholesale increases in seawater CO2 and inorganic carbon levels; reductions in pH; and alterations in acid-base chemistry of estuarine, coastal, and surface open-ocean waters. On the basis of laboratory experiments and field studies of naturally elevated CO2 marine environments, widespread biological impacts of human-driven ocean acidification have been posited, ranging from changes in organism physiology and population dynamics to altered communities and ecosystems. Acidification, in conjunction with other climate change–related environmental stresses, particularly under future climate change and further elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, potentially puts at risk many of the valuable ecosystem services that the ocean provides to society, such as fisheries, aquaculture, and shoreline protection. Thisreview emphasizes both current scientific understanding and knowledge gaps, highlighting directions for future research and recognizing the information needs of policymakers and stakeholders.
Managing Crop Diseases Under Water Scarcity
Authors: Swett Cassandra L.
Published: June 2020

The significance of water scarcity to crop production and food security has been globally recognized as a pivotal sustainability challenge in the UN Sustainable Development Goals ( 86 ). The critical link between water scarcity and sustainability is adaptation. Various changes in water use practices have been employed to alleviate production constraints. However, the potential for these changes to influence crop diseases has received relatively little attention, despite the circumglobal importance of diseases to agricultural sustainability. This article reviews what is known about the realized effects of scarcity-driven alterations in water use practices on diseases in the field in order to raise awareness of the potential for both increased disease risk and possible beneficial effects on crop disease management. This is followed by consideration of the primary mechanistic drivers underlying disease outcomes under various water use adaptation scenarios, concluding with a vision for disease–water co-management options and future research needs.
Visual Functions of Primate Area V4
Authors: Pasupathy Anitha , Popovkina Dina V. , Kim Taekjun
Published: June 2020

Area V4—the focus of this review—is a mid-level processing stage along the ventral visual pathway of the macaque monkey. V4 is extensively interconnected with other visual cortical areas along the ventral and dorsal visual streams, with frontal cortical areas, and with several subcortical structures. Thus, it is well poised to play a broad and integrative role in visual perception and recognition—the functional domain of the ventral pathway. Neurophysiological studies in monkeys engaged in passive fixation and behavioral tasks suggest that V4 responses are dictated by tuning in a high-dimensional stimulus space defined by form, texture, color, depth, and other attributes of visual stimuli. This high-dimensional tuning may underlie the development of object-based representations in the visual cortex that are critical for tracking, recognizing, and interacting with objects. Neurophysiological and lesion studies also suggest that V4 responses are important for guiding perceptual decisions and higher-order behavior.
Beneficial Effects of Crocin against Depression via Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide
Authors: Lu Linyu , Wu Die , Wang Kai , Tang Juanjuan , Chen Gang
Published: June 2020

Depression is one of the foremost psychological illness, and the exact mechanism is unclear. Recent studies have reported that the pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) signaling pathway is involved in the progression of depression. In the present study, we extracted crocin from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, to evaluate its antidepressant effect and clarify the underlying mechanism. Here, we established a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse model to assess whether crocin can improve depression‐like behavior in an open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT). A corticosterone (CORT) model of PC12 was set up to explore the antidepressant mechanism of crocin. We pretreated PC12 cells with crocin for 1 hour and then stimulated the cells with CORT for 24 hours. Cell survival was detected by Hoechst staining and MTT assay. The expression of PACAP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB), and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) were analyzed by western blotting. PACAP RNAi was used to interfere with PC12 cells to downregulate the content of PACAP. The results showed that crocin (30 mg/kg) significantly reversed the decrease of body weight and elevation of serum CORT, mitigated CUMS induced depression‐like behaviors of mice, and crocin (12.5 μmol/L) protected PC12 cells against CORT (200 μmol/L)‐induced injury. Furthermore, crocin greatly increased the protein expression of PACAP and phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in the CORT model. PACAP RNAi cancelled the neuroprotective effect of crocin. In conclusion, these results indicated that crocin exerted an antidepressant effect via upregulating PACAP and its downstream ERK and CREB signaling pathways.
Development and Validation of a Logic Model for Utilization of Nutrition Support among Patients with Cancer
Authors: Pang Ngou In , Bie Ruixue , Ung Carolina Oi Lam , Hu Hao
Published: June 2020

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and about one in six people die from cancer globally. Approximately 20% to 70% of cancer patients are accompanied with malnutrition, and nutrition support plays an important role among cancer patients. However, the utilization of nutrition support is generally irrational in clinical practices and it is affected by multiple factors. Logic models not only present a framework to improve intervention of health care setting but also identify all the elements, pathways, outcomes, and their relationships between systems. This study developed a logic model of nutrition support for cancer patients based on current literature and conducted interview with medical staff in Macao to validate the logic model. In addition, suggestions were given as references to improve the utilization of nutrition support among cancer patients.
Blockchain-Based Intelligent Transportation: A Sustainable GCU Application System
Authors: Du Xiaomin , Gao Yang , Wu Chia-Huei , Wang Rong , Bi Datian
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore how to apply blockchain technology to intelligent transportation, create a hierarchical theoretical framework of intelligent transportation, and explore a sustainable application system of intelligent transportation under the blockchain. However, not only this hierarchical theoretical framework must consider unnecessary attributes and the interrelationships between the aspects and the criteria, but also the sustainable application system must be in consideration in multiple stakeholders. Hence, fuzzy set theory is used for screening out the unnecessary attributes, a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is proposed to manage the complex interrelationships among the aspects and attributes, and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to divide the hierarchy and construct a hierarchical theoretical framework. Finally, the research develops a sustainable GCU application system for intelligent transportation under the blockchain. The results show that (1) solving social problems is the primary link, (2) economic tasks are mainly focused on smart contracts and affected by the social problems, (3) the continuous improvement of environmental issues requires a solution to social problems, and (4) the application system of blockchain in intelligent transportation needs to be built from three levels including the government layer, the company layer, and the user layer. This theoretical hierarchical framework aims to guide intelligent transportation toward the application of blockchain. This study also proposes the engagement of stakeholders for establishing a sustainable application system.