bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kidney Diseases Requiring Renal Biopsy: A Single Center Observational Study
Authors: Hakroush Samy , Tampe Désirée , Korsten Peter , Tampe Björn
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted healthcare services for kidney disease patients. Lockdown and social distancing were mandated worldwide, resulting in closure of medical services. The diagnosis of various kidney diseases may have been delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic because non-urgent tests and visits were postponed due to closure of medical services during the lockdown.

Methods

We here report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a total number of 209 native kidney diseases requiring renal biopsy for diagnosis in a retrospective observational study from a tertiary hospital in Germany.

Results

The lockdown period in March and April 2020 primarily affected patients admitted to the normal medical ward with a compensatory increased rate of renal biopsies in the postlockdown phase. In addition, there was a shift toward more patients admitted with hemoglobinuria during the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon of an increased number of patients with hemoglobinuria during the COVID-19 pandemic was specifically observed in a subgroup with hypertensive nephropathy requiring renal biopsy and associated with increased proteinuria, not attributed to the COVID-19 lockdown period itself.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of identifying a subpopulation susceptible to closure of medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic and diagnostic delay of specific kidney diseases. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic should be regarded as a risk factor especially in patients with diseases other than COVID-19 primarily admitted to the normal medical ward.
Maternal High-Fat Diet Exposure During Gestation and Lactation Affects Intestinal Development in Suckling Rats
Authors: Słupecka-Ziemilska Monika , Grzesiak Paulina , Kowalczyk Paweł , Wychowański Piotr , Woliński Jarosław
Published: July 2021

Maternal health and diet influence metabolic status and play a crucial role in the development of metabolic function in offspring and their susceptibility to metabolic diseases in adulthood. The pathogenesis of various metabolic disorders is often associated with impairment in intestinal structure and function. Thus, the aim of the current study was to determine the effects of maternal exposure to a high fat diet (HFD), during gestation and lactation, on small intestinal growth and maturation in rat pups at 21 days old. Female, Wistar Han rats were fed either a breeding diet (BD) or high fat diet (HFD), from mating until the 21st day of lactation. Maternal HFD exposure increased body weight, BMI and adiposity. Compared to the maternal BD, HFD exposure influenced small intestine histomorphometry in a segment-dependent manner, changed the activity of brush border enzymes and had an impact on intestinal contractility via changes in cholinergic signaling. Moreover, offspring from the maternal HFD group had upregulated mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, which plays a role in the inflammatory process. These results suggest that maternal HFD exposure, during gestation and lactation, programs the intestinal development of the offspring in a direction toward obesity as observed changes are also commonly reported in models of diet-induced obesity. The results also highlight the importance of maternal diet preferences in the process of developmental programming of metabolic diseases.
Cold Stress in Wheat: Plant Acclimation Responses and Management Strategies
Authors: Hassan Muhammad A. , Xiang Chen , Farooq Muhammad , Muhammad Noor , Yan Zhang , Hui Xu , Yuanyuan Ke , Bruno Attiogbe K. , Lele Zhang , Jincai Li
Published: July 2021

Unpredicted variability in temperature is associated with frequent extreme low-temperature events. Wheat is a leading crop in fulfilling global food requirements. Climate-driven temperature extremes influence the vegetative and reproductive growth of wheat, followed by a decrease in yield. This review describes how low temperature induces a series of modifications in the morphophysiological, biochemical, and molecular makeup of wheat and how it is perceived. To cope with these modifications, crop plants turn on their cold-tolerance mechanisms, characterized by accumulating soluble carbohydrates, signaling molecules, and cold tolerance gene expressions. The review also discusses the integrated management approaches to enhance the performance of wheat plants against cold stress. In this review, we propose strategies for improving the adaptive capacity of wheat besides alleviating risks of cold anticipated with climate change.
Root Functional Trait and Soil Microbial Coordination: Implications for Soil Respiration in Riparian Agroecosystems
Authors: Borden Kira A. , Mafa-Attoye Tolulope G. , Dunfield Kari E. , Thevathasan Naresh V. , Gordon Andrew M. , Isaac Marney E.
Published: July 2021

Predicting respiration from roots and soil microbes is important in agricultural landscapes where net flux of carbon from the soil to the atmosphere is of large concern. Yet, in riparian agroecosystems that buffer aquatic environments from agricultural fields, little is known on the differential contribution of CO2 sources nor the systematic patterns in root and microbial communities that relate to these emissions. We deployed a field-based root exclusion experiment to measure heterotrophic and autotrophic-rhizospheric respiration across riparian buffer types in an agricultural landscape in southern Ontario, Canada. We paired bi-weekly measurements of in-field CO2 flux with analysis of soil properties and fine root functional traits. We quantified soil microbial community structure using qPCR to estimate bacterial and fungal abundance and characterized microbial diversity using high-throughput sequencing. Mean daytime total soil respiration rates in the growing season were 186.1 ± 26.7, 188.7 ± 23.0, 278.6 ± 30.0, and 503.4 ± 31.3 mg CO2-C m–2 h–1 in remnant coniferous and mixed forest, and rehabilitated forest and grass buffers, respectively. Contributions of autotrophic-rhizospheric respiration to total soil CO2 fluxes ranged widely between 14 and 63% across the buffers. Covariation in root traits aligned roots of higher specific root length and nitrogen content with higher specific root respiration rates, while microbial abundance in rhizosphere soil coorindated with roots that were thicker in diameter and higher in carbon to nitrogen ratio. Variation in autotrophic-rhizospheric respiration on a soil area basis was explained by soil temperature, fine root length density, and covariation in root traits. Heterotrophic respiration was strongly explained by soil moisture, temperature, and soil carbon, while multiple factor analysis revealed a positive correlation with soil microbial diversity. This is a first in-field study to quantify root and soil respiration in relation to trade-offs in root trait expression and to determine interactions between root traits and soil microbial community structure to predict soil respiration.
Prominence and Expectation in Speech and Music Through the Lens of Pitch Processing
Authors: Liu Xiaoluan
Published: July 2021

Speech and music reflect extraordinary aspects of human cognitive abilities. Pitch, as an important parameter in the auditory domain, has been the focus of previous research on the relations between speech and music. The present study continues this line of research by focusing on two aspects of pitch processing: pitch prominence and melodic expectation. Specifically, we examined the perceived boundary of prominence for focus/accent in speech and music, plus the comparison between the pitch expectation patterns of music and speech. Speech (Mandarin Chinese) and music stimuli were created with different interval steps that increased from 1 semitone to 12 semitones from the third to the fourth word/note of a sentence/melody. The results showed that ratings of both accent/focus and expectation/surprise increased with increasing semitone distance from the baseline (though this pattern was mixed with tonal stability profiles for the melodies). Nevertheless, the perceived boundary of prominence was different for music and speech, with the boundary for detecting prominence in speech higher than that in music. Expectation also showed different patterns for speech and music. The results thus favor the suggestion that speech prosody and music melody tend to require specialized pitch patterns unique to their own respective communication purposes.
The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Ping , Wang Manli , Song Tingting , Wu Yan , Luo Jinglu , Chen Lili , Yan Lei
Published: July 2021

Objective: The COVID-19 epidemic has generated great stress throughout healthcare workers (HCWs). The situation of HCWs should be fully and timely understood. The aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers.

Method: We searched the original literatures published from 1 Nov 2019 to 20 Sep 2020 in electronic databases of PUBMED, EMBASE and WEB OF SCIENCE. Forty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis with a combined total of 81,277 participants.

Results: The pooled prevalence of anxiety is 37% (95% CI 0.31–0.42, I2 = 99.9%) from 44 studies. Depression is estimated in 39 studies, and the pooled prevalence of depression is 36% (95% CI 0.31–0.41, I2 = 99.6%). There are 10 studies reported the prevalence of insomnia, and the overall prevalence of insomnia is 32% (95% CI 0.23–0.42, I2 = 99.5%). The subgroup analysis showed a higher incidence of anxiety and depression among women and the frontline HCWs compared to men and non-frontline HCWs respectively.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused heavy psychological impact among healthcare professionals especially women and frontline workers. Timely psychological counseling and intervention ought to be implemented for HCWs in order to alleviate their anxiety and improve their general mental health.
Protectors of Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Key Roles for Gratitude and Tragic Optimism in a UK-Based Cohort
Authors: Mead Jessica P. , Fisher Zoe , Tree Jeremy J. , Wong Paul T. P. , Kemp Andrew H.
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a global threat to physical and mental health worldwide. Research has highlighted adverse impacts of COVID-19 on wellbeing but has yet to offer insights as to how wellbeing may be protected. Inspired by developments in wellbeing science and guided by our own theoretical framework (the GENIAL model), we examined the role of various potentially protective factors in a sample of 138 participants from the United Kingdom. Protective factors included physical activity (i.e., a health behaviour that helps to build psychological wellbeing), tragic optimism (optimism in the face of tragedy), gratitude (a prosocial emotion), social support (the perception or experience of being loved, cared for, and valued by others), and nature connectedness (physical and psychological connection to nature). Initial analysis involved the application of one-sample t-tests, which confirmed that wellbeing (measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being scale) in the current sample (N = 138; M = 46.08, SD = 9.22) was significantly lower compared to previous samples (d = −0.36 and d = −0.41). Protective factors were observed to account for up to 50% of variance in wellbeing in a hierarchical linear regression that controlled for a range of sociostructural factors including age, gender, and subjective social status, which impact on wellbeing but lie beyond individual control. Gratitude and tragic optimism emerged as significant contributors to the model. Our results identify key psychological attributes that may be harnessed through various positive psychology strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of hardship and suffering, consistent with an existential positive psychology of suffering.
The Impact of Pandemic Perception, National Feeling, and Media Use on the Evaluation of the Performance of Different Countries in Controlling COVID-19 by Chinese Residents
Authors: Han Ruixia , Xu Jian
Published: July 2021

Different nations responded to the global spread of COVID-19 differently. How do people view the governance practices and effects of various countries? What factors affect their views? Starting from the three-dimensional model of cognitive-affective-media, this study examines how pandemic perception, the national feeling, which is the emotional preference of public for different countries, and media use affect the Chinese public views on the performance of other countries in controlling COVID-19. After performing regression analysis on the data of 619 Chinese public samples collected by an online survey, it reveals the following: (1) pandemic perception is negatively correlated with the evaluation of controlling-pandemic performance in different countries by Chinese residents, whereas national feeling is positively correlated with the evaluation of controlling-pandemic performance. (2) The use of media has different characteristics in the evaluation of controlling-pandemic performance in different countries by Chinese residents. Television has a significant influence on the evaluation of controlling-pandemic performance in the United States, China, and Germany by Chinese residents. (3) Collectivist cultural orientation has no significant impact on the evaluation of the anti-pandemic performance of different countries by Chinese residents, whereas virus perception only has a significant impact on the evaluation of the controlling-pandemic performance of the United States and Italy. Research has confirmed the existence of the cognitive-affective-media model in the evaluations by public on the governance of other countries, and prospects for the superimposed role of media in the cognitive-affective model.
The Spillover of Socio-Moral Climate in Organizations Onto Employees’ Socially Responsible Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Impact
Authors: Schümann Marlies , Stein Maie , Tanner Grit , Baur Carolin , Bamberg Eva
Published: July 2021

Due to the pressing environmental and social issues facing the global economic system, the role of organizations in promoting socially responsible behavior among employees warrants attention in research and practice. It has been suggested that the concept of socio-moral climate (SMC) might be particularly useful for understanding how participative organizational structures and processes shape employees’ prosocial behaviors. While SMC has been shown to be positively related to employees’ prosocial behaviors within the work context, little is known about the potential spillover effects of SMC (i.e., associations between SMC and employees’ prosocial behaviors outside the work context). The present study aims to address this gap by investigating how and why SMC is related to employees’ socially responsible purchase intention. Drawing on the relational job design framework, we argue that employees’ perceptions of their social impact may explain why SMC is positively related to responsible purchase intentions. We collected data from 492 employees working in various industries at two measurement points with a time lag of 12 months. Hypotheses were tested using path analysis, in which we controlled for the temporal stability of the study variables. The results showed that SMC was positively related to perceived social impact and socially responsible purchase intention and that perceived social impact was positively related to socially responsible purchase intention. In addition, we found a significant indirect relationship between SMC and socially responsible purchase intention through perceived social impact. The findings provide initial support for the spillover of employees’ work-related experiences onto their responsible purchase intentions within the nonwork domain. This study contributes to the literature by extending the traditional focus of SMC research on the development of moral reasoning skills to suggest that perceived social impact is an important mechanism underlying the relationship between SMC and prosocial behaviors. In terms of practical implications, this study suggests that organizational interventions designed to increase SMC may enhance employees’ perceptions of their social impact.
Psychoanalysis and Interdisciplinarity With Non-analytic Psychotherapeutic Approaches Through the Lens of Dialectics
Authors: Peri Herzovich Yael , Govrin Aner
Published: July 2021

Psychoanalysis, in its purist mainstream sense, tends to be considered as an isolationist discipline that steers clear of interdisciplinary connections with other psychotherapies. Its drive for purity does not open up to influences that cast as alien and a threat to its core principles. We refer to Hegelian dialectics in an attempt to offer an alternative approach to interdisciplinarity in clinical psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis entertains a complex dialectical relationship with the major theories it opposes. In this dynamic, psychoanalysis begins by negating the non-psychoanalytic theory as a part of self-negation (Hegel calls this phase self-alienation). But in its own process of growth, it negates this negation and reabsorbs the alienated self part. Reabsorbing the negated component, psychoanalysis does not revert to its original identity but becomes sublated into a different, more complex idea. In this epistemological process, psychoanalysis deals with its own practical and theoretical anomalies and lacunas. The paper illustrates this process using three central developments in the history of psychoanalysis: empathy in self psychology (connection with Rogers' humanist psychology), short-term dynamic psychotherapy (connection with short, intensive therapies), and mentalization-based psychotherapy (connection with cognitive-behavioral therapies). In all of these cases, psychoanalysis integrates components it previously opposed and changes these components to their own, specific characteristics. We address the epistemological shifts in the scientific status of psychoanalysis and show their connection to dialectics. Finally, we conclude that dialectical development is what allows psychoanalysis to remain relevant and up to date, to be open to interdisciplinary influences without its identity and tradition coming under threat.
Childhood Maltreatment Was Correlated With the Decreased Cortical Function in Depressed Patients Under Social Stress in a Working Memory Task: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ma Mengying , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Yuyanan , Su Yi , Yan Hao , Tan Haoyang , Zhang Dai , Yue Weihua
Published: July 2021

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with working memory (WM) impairment. Neuroimaging studies showed divergent results of the WM process in MDD patients. Stress could affect the occurrence and development of depression, in which childhood maltreatment played an important role.

Methods: Thirty-seven MDD patients and 54 healthy control subjects were enrolled and completed a WM functional magnetic resonance imaging task with maintenance and manipulation conditions under stress and non-stress settings. We collected demographical and clinical data, using 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in MDD patients. In the WM task, we analyzed the main diagnosis effect and explored the correlation of impaired brain regions in MDD patients with CTQ and HAMD-17.

Results: No group differences were found in the accuracy rate and reaction time between the two groups. MDD patients had lower brain activation in following regions (PFWE < 0.05). The left fusiform gyrus showed less activation in all conditions. The right supplementary motor area (SMA) exhibited decreased activation under non-stress. The anterior prefrontal cortex showed reduced activation during manipulation under stress, with the β estimations of the peak voxel showing significant group difference negatively correlated with childhood sex abuse (PBonferroni < 0.05).

Conclusions: In our pilot study, MDD patients had reduced brain activation, affecting emotional stimuli processing function, executive function, and cognitive control function. Childhood maltreatment might affect brain function in MDD. This work might provide some information for future studies on MDD.
Efficacy of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Treating COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs
Authors: Yin Bei , Bi Yi-Ming , Sun Lu , Huang Jin-Zhu , Zhao Jia , Yao Jia , Li An-Xiang , Wang Xian-Zhe , Fan Guan-Jie
Published: July 2021

Background:Integrated Chinese and Western medicine (integrated medicine) is routinely used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. In this study, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of integrated medicine therapy for patients with COVID-19.

Methods:In this meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), and Wanfang databases from inception to April 12, 2021, to identify RCTs of integrated medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. The quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan v5.3 and Stata software packages were used for statistical analysis.

Results:Nineteen RCTs involving 1,853 patients met our inclusion criteria. Compared with patients treated by conventional Western medicine (CWM), patients treated by integrated medicine have a higher overall effective rate [RR= 1.17, 95% CI: (1.10, 1.26),p< 0.00001], fever disappearance rate [RR= 1.25, 95% CI: (1.04, 1.50),p= 0.02], fatigue disappearance rate [RR= 1.28, 95% CI: (1.00, 1.63),p= 0.05], and chest CT improvement rate [RR= 1.24, 95% CI: (1.14, 1.34),p< 00001]. Beneficial effects of the integrated medicine therapy were also seen in C-reactive protein (CRP) level [WMD= −4.14, 95% CI: (−6.38, −1.91),p= 0.0003] and white blood cell (WBC) count [WMD = 0.35, 95% CI: (0.11, 0.58),p= 0.004]. Subgroup analyses showed that, when the treatment time is <2 weeks, the effect of integrated medicine treatment is more obvious in improving the overall effective rate, clinical symptoms (fever, fatigue, and cough), the CRP level, and WBC count compared with that of the CWM treatment. For patients with severe and non-severe COVID-19, integrated medicine is more effective in improving fever and cough symptoms and WBC count than using CWM alone.

Conclusion:The results of the current meta-analysis suggested that the integrated medicine can improve the clinical symptoms, chest CT and infection indicators of COVID-19 patients. Even if the treatment time is <2 weeks, the effect of integrated medicine in improving symptoms is more obvious compared with the treatment of CWM. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the heterogeneity among the studies.
Effect of Maternal Triclosan Exposure on Neonatal Birth Weight and Children Triclosan Exposure on Children's BMI: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Jiani , Chen Danrong , Huang Yanqiu , Bigambo Francis Manyori , Chen Ting , Wang Xu
Published: July 2021

Background: Triclosan (TCS) is an environmental chemical with endocrine disrupting effects and can enter the body through the skin or oral mucosa. Human data about the effect of TCS exposure during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight and TCS exposure during childhood on children's growth are scarce.

Objectives: To investigate the association between maternal urinary TCS level and neonatal birth weight, as well as children's urinary TCS level and children's body mass index (BMI).

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Finally, seven epidemiological articles with 5,006 participants from September 25, 2014 to August 10, 2018 were included in the meta-analysis to identify the relationship between maternal exposure to TCS and neonatal birth weight. On the other hand, three epidemiological articles with 5,213 participants from July 22, 2014 to September 1, 2017 were included in another meta-analysis to identify the relationship between children's exposure to TCS and children's BMI. We used Stata 16.0 to test the heterogeneity among the studies and calculating the combined effect value 95% confidence interval (CI) of the selected corresponding models.

Results: TCS exposure during pregnancy was not significant associated with neonatal birth weight. The results of forest plots were as follows: ES (Estimate) = 0.41 (95% CI: −11.97–12.78). Children's urinary TCS level was also irrelevant associated with children's BMI: ES = 0.03 (95% CI: −0.54–0.60).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that there was no significant association between maternal TCS level and neonatal birth weight, also there has no relationship between children's urinary TCS level and children's BMI.
The Case for Health Reparations
Authors: Soled Derek Ross , Chatterjee Avik , Olveczky Daniele , Lindo Edwin G.
Published: July 2021

The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racially marginalized communities has again raised the issue of what justice in healthcare looks like. Indeed, it is impossible to analyze the meaning of the word justice in the medical context without first discussing the central role of racism in the American scientific and healthcare systems. In summary, we argue that physicians and scientists were the architects and imagination of the racial taxonomy and oppressive machinations upon which this country was founded. This oppressive racial taxonomy reinforced and outlined the myth of biological superiority, which laid the foundation for the political, economic, and systemic power of Whiteness. Therefore, in order to achieve universal racial justice, the nation must first address science and medicine's historical role in scaffolding the structure of racism we bear witness of today. To achieve this objective, one of the first steps, we believe, is for there to be health reparations. More specifically, health reparations should be a central part of establishing racial justice in the United States and not relegated to a secondary status. While other scholars have focused on ways to alleviate healthcare inequities, few have addressed the need for health reparations and the forms they might take. This piece offers the ethical grounds for health reparations and various justice-focused solutions.
Users’ Responsiveness to Persuasive Techniques in Recommender Systems
Authors: Alslaity Alaa , Tran Thomas
Published: July 2021

Understanding user’s behavior and their interactions with artificial-intelligent-based systems is as important as analyzing the performance of the algorithms used in these systems. For instance, in the Recommender Systems domain, the accuracy of the recommendation algorithm was the ultimate goal for most systems designers. However, researchers and practitioners have realized that providing accurate recommendations is insufficient to enhance users’ acceptance. A recommender system needs to focus on other factors that enhance its interactions with the users. Recent researches suggest augmenting these systems with persuasive capabilities. Persuasive features lead to increasing users’ acceptance of the recommendations, which, in turn, enhances users’ experience with these systems. Nonetheless, the literature still lacks a comprehensive view of the actual effect of persuasive principles on recommender users. To fill this gap, this study diagnoses how users of different characteristics get influenced by various persuasive principles that a recommender system uses. The study considers four users’ aspects: age, gender, culture (continent), and personality traits. The paper also investigates the impact of the context (or application domain) on the influence of the persuasive principles. Two application domains (namely eCommerce and Movie recommendations) are considered. A within-subject user study was conducted. The analysis of (279) responses revealed that persuasive principles have the potential to enhance users’ experience with recommender systems. The study also shows that, among the considered factors, culture, personality traits, and the domain of recommendations have a higher impact on the influence of persuasive principles than other factors. Based on the analysis of the results, the study provides insights and guidelines for recommender systems designers. These guidelines can be used as a reference for designing recommender systems with users’ experience in mind. We suggest that considering the results presented in this paper could help to improve recommender-users interaction.
Feasibility of Fiber Reinforcement Within Magnetically Actuated Soft Continuum Robots
Authors: Lloyd Peter , Koszowska Zaneta , Di Lecce Michele , Onaizah Onaizah , Chandler James H. , Valdastri Pietro
Published: July 2021

Soft continuum manipulators have the potential to replace traditional surgical catheters; offering greater dexterity with access to previously unfeasible locations for a wide range of interventions including neurological and cardiovascular. Magnetically actuated catheters are of particular interest due to their potential for miniaturization and remote control. Challenges around the operation of these catheters exist however, and one of these occurs when the angle between the actuating field and the local magnetization vector of the catheter exceeds 90°. In this arrangement, deformation generated by the resultant magnetic moment acts to increase magnetic torque, leading to potential instability. This phenomenon can cause unpredictable responses to actuation, particularly for soft, flexible materials. When coupled with the inherent challenges of sensing and localization inside living tissue, this behavior represents a barrier to progress. In this feasibility study we propose and investigate the use of helical fiber reinforcement within magnetically actuated soft continuum manipulators. Using numerical simulation to explore the design space, we optimize fiber parameters to enhance the ratio of torsional to bending stiffness. Through bespoke fabrication of an optimized helix design we validate a single, prototypical two-segment, 40 mm × 6 mm continuum manipulator demonstrating a reduction of 67% in unwanted twisting under actuation.
The Dynamics of the Anaerobic Energy Contribution During a Simulated Mass-Start Competition While Roller-Ski Skating on a Treadmill
Authors: Noordhof Dionne A. , Danielsson Marius Lyng , Skovereng Knut , Danielsen Jørgen , Seeberg Trine M. , Haugnes Pål , Kocbach Jan , Ettema Gertjan , Sandbakk Øyvind B.
Published: July 2021

The purposes of this study were: 1) to investigate the anaerobic energy contribution during a simulated cross-country (XC) skiing mass-start competition while roller-ski skating on a treadmill; 2) to investigate the relationship between the recovery of the anaerobic energy reserves and performance; and 3) to compare the gross efficiency (GE) method and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) to determine the anaerobic contribution. Twelve male XC skiers performed two testing days while roller skiing on a treadmill. To collect submaximal data necessary for the GE and MAOD method, participants performed a resting metabolism measurement, followed by low-intensity warm up, 12 submaximal 4-min bouts, performed using three different skating sub-techniques (G2 on a 12% incline, G3 on 5% and G4 on 2%) on three submaximal intensities on day 1. On day 2, participants performed a 21-min simulated mass-start competition on varying terrain to determine the anaerobic energy contribution. The speed was fixed, but when participants were unable to keep up, a 30-s rest bout was included. Performance was established by the time to exhaustion (TTE) during a sprint at the end of the 21-min protocol. Skiers were ranked based on the number of rest bouts needed to finish the protocol and TTE. The highest GE of day 1 for each of the different inclines/sub-techniques was used to calculate the aerobic and anaerobic contribution during the simulated mass start using the GE method and two different MAOD approaches. About 85–90% of the required energy during the simulated mass-start competition (excluding downhill segments) came from the aerobic energy system and ~10–15% from the anaerobic energy systems. Moderate to large Spearman correlation coefficients were found between recovery of anaerobic energy reserves and performance rank (rs = 0.58–0.71, p < 0.025). No significant difference in anaerobic work was found between methods/approaches (F(1.2,8.5) = 3.2, p = 0.10), while clear individual differences existed. In conclusion, about 10–15% of the required energy during the periods of active propulsion of a 21-min simulated mass-start competition came from the anaerobic energy systems. Due to the intermittent nature of XC skiing, the recovery of anaerobic energy reserves seems highly important for performance. To assess the anaerobic contribution methods should not be used interchangeably.
Biomechanics of World-Class Men and Women Hurdlers
Authors: Hanley Brian , Walker Josh , Paradisis Giorgos P. , Merlino Stéphane , Bissas Athanassios
Published: July 2021

The sprint hurdle events require athletes to cross ten hurdles between the start and finish line. The height of the hurdles, and the distances between them, differ for men and women, possibly resulting in technical differences. The aim of this study was to provide a kinematic comparison of in-competition hurdle technique for world-class men and women hurdlers. Video data were collected for the 16 finalists in the 100 m and 110 m hurdles events at the 2017 IAAF World Championships using four high-speed cameras (150 Hz), focusing on the sixth hurdle for the men and fifth for the women. Center of mass (CM) position, joint angles, step lengths and clearance times were compared between sexes at key events before, during and after hurdle clearance. The hurdle height was ~7% higher for men when calculated as a proportion of stature (p < 0.001). This discrepancy in relative hurdle height provided women with a kinematic and mechanical advantage over men as they took off farther from the hurdle (relative to hurdle height) (p < 0.001), leading to a lower and more efficient flight parabola. Women were also able to maintain longer relative step lengths after hurdle clearance and showed minimal vertical oscillation of the CM in the stance phases before and after the hurdle compared with men. The lower relative hurdle heights in the women's event provide a less demanding task, and thus these findings present preliminary evidence to those coaches who advocate revising the women's hurdle heights in competition.
Feeding Pre-weaned Calves With Waste Milk Containing Antibiotic Residues Is Related to a Higher Incidence of Diarrhea and Alterations in the Fecal Microbiota
Authors: Penati Martina , Sala Giulia , Biscarini Filippo , Boccardo Antonio , Bronzo Valerio , Castiglioni Bianca , Cremonesi Paola , Moroni Paolo , Pravettoni Davide , Addis Maria Filippa
Published: July 2021

The cows receiving antibiotics for intra-mammary infection (IMI) produce milk that cannot be marketed. This is considered waste milk (WM), and a convenient option for farmers is using it as calf food. However, adding to the risk of selecting resistant bacteria, residual antibiotics might interfere with the gut microbiome development and influence gastrointestinal health. We assessed the longitudinal effect of unpasteurized WM containing residual cefalexin on calf intestinal health and fecal microbiota in an 8-week trial. After 3 days of colostrum, six calves received WM and six calves received bulk tank milk (BM) for 2 weeks. For the following 6 weeks, all 12 calves received milk substitute and starter feed. Every week for the first 2 weeks and every 2 weeks for the remaining 6 weeks, we subjected all calves to clinical examination and collected rectal swabs for investigating the fecal microbiota composition. Most WM calves had diarrhea episodes in the first 2 weeks of the trial (5/6 WM and 1/6 BM), and their body weight was significantly lower than that of BM calves. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, WM calves had a lower fecal microbiota alpha diversity than that in BM calves, with the lowest p-value at Wk4 (p < 0.02), 2 weeks after exposure to WM. The fecal microbiota beta diversity of the two calf groups was also significantly different at Wk4 (p < 0.05). Numerous significant differences were present in the fecal microbiota taxonomy of WM and BM calves in terms of relative normalized operational taxonomic unit (OTU) levels, affecting five phyla, seven classes, eight orders, 19 families, and 47 genera. At the end of the trial, when 6 weeks had passed since exposure to WM, the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Saccharibacteria were lower, while Chlamydiae were higher in WM calves. Notably, WM calves showed a decrease in beneficial taxa such as Faecalibacterium, with a concomitant increase in potential pathogens such as Campylobacter, Pseudomonas, and Chlamydophila spp. In conclusion, feeding pre-weaned calves with unpasteurized WM containing antibiotics is related to a higher incidence of neonatal diarrhea and leads to significant changes in the fecal microbiota composition, further discouraging this practice in spite of its short-term economic advantages.
L-Ascorbic Acid Shapes Bovine Pasteurella multocida Serogroup A Infection
Authors: Zhao Guangfu , Li Pan , Mu Hao , Li Nengzhang , Peng Yuanyi
Published: July 2021

Bovine Pasteurella multocida serogroup A (bovine PmA) is one of the most important pathogens causing fatal pneumonia in cattle. However, it is largely unknown how nutrition shapes bovine PmA infection. Here, we discovered that the infected lung held the highest bacterial density than other tissues during infection. By screening the different metabolites between high (lung)- and low (liver)-bacterial density tissues, the present work revealed that L-ascorbic acid and L-aspartic acid directly influenced bovine P. multocida growth. Interestingly, L-ascorbic acid, which is expressed at higher levels in the infected livers, inhibited bovine PmA growth as well as virulence factor expression and promoted macrophage bactericidal activity in vitro. In addition, ascorbic acid synthesis was repressed upon bovine PmA infection, and supplementation with exogenous L-ascorbic acid significantly reduced the bacterial burden of the infected lungs and mouse mortality. Collectively, our study has profiled the metabolite difference of the murine lung and liver during bovine PmA infection. The screened L-ascorbic acid showed repression of bovine PmA growth and virulence expression in vitro and supplementation could significantly increase the survival rate of mice and reduce the bacterial load in vivo, which implied that L-ascorbic acid could serve as a potential protective agent for bovine PmA infection in clinic.
Blood-Based Liquid Biopsy for Comprehensive Cancer Genomic Profiling Using Next-Generation Sequencing: An Emerging Paradigm for Non-invasive Cancer Detection and Management in Dogs
Authors: Kruglyak Kristina M. , Chibuk Jason , McLennan Lisa , Nakashe Prachi , Hernandez Gilberto E. , Motalli-Pepio Rita , Fath Donna M. , Tynan John A. , Holtvoigt Lauren E. , Chorny Ilya , Grosu Daniel S. , Tsui Dana W.Y. , Flory Andi
Published: July 2021

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that blood-based liquid biopsy using next generation sequencing of cell-free DNA can non-invasively detect multiple classes of genomic alterations in dogs with cancer, including alterations that originate from spatially separated tumor sites. Eleven dogs with a variety of confirmed cancer diagnoses (including localized and disseminated disease) who were scheduled for surgical resection, and five presumably cancer-free dogs, were enrolled. Blood was collected from each subject, and multiple spatially separated tumor tissue samples were collected during surgery from 9 of the cancer subjects. All samples were analyzed using an advanced prototype of a novel liquid biopsy test designed to non-invasively interrogate multiple classes of genomic alterations for the detection, characterization, and management of cancer in dogs. In five of the nine cancer patients with matched tumor and plasma samples, pre-surgical liquid biopsy testing identified genomic alterations, including single nucleotide variants and copy number variants, that matched alterations independently detected in corresponding tumor tissue samples. Importantly, the pre-surgical liquid biopsy test detected alterations observed in spatially separated tissue samples from the same subject, demonstrating the potential of blood-based testing for comprehensive genomic profiling of heterogeneous tumors. Among the three patients with post-surgical blood samples, genomic alterations remained detectable in one patient with incomplete tumor resection, suggesting utility for non-invasive detection of minimal residual disease following curative-intent treatment. Liquid biopsy allows for non-invasive profiling of cancer-associated genomic alterations with a simple blood draw and has potential to overcome the limitations of tissue-based testing posed by tissue-level genomic heterogeneity.
Effects of Bacillus subtilis on Production Performance, Bone Physiological Property, and Hematology Indexes in Laying Hens
Authors: Zou Xinyu , Jiang Sha , Zhang Mi , Hu Haiqiang , Wu Xiaoling , Liu Jianzhu , Jin Meilan , Cheng Hengwei
Published: July 2021

This study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis on production performance and bone pathophysiological characteristics of layers. Twenty-four 48-week-old Lohmann Pink-shell laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: a basic diet (control) and the basic diet mixed with Bacillus subtilis (0.5 g/kg) for a 60-day trial. Statistically, independent-sample t-test was used to assess the treatment differences. The results showed that Bacillus subtilis supplementation improved the percent of marketable eggs (p < 0.05) with reduced numbers of broken and soft-shelled eggs but had no effects on egg weight, height of albumen, yolk color, and Haugh unit (p > 0.05). Bacillus subtilis supplement also elevated maximum load (p = 0.06), maximum stress (p = 0.01), stiffness (p < 0.01), and Young’s modulus (p < 0.01) but suppressed maximum strain (p = 0.06) in the femur. In addition, compared with control birds, phosphorous concentration (p < 0.01) was reduced in serum at day 61 but increased in the femur (p < 0.05) in Bacillus subtilis fed birds. Bacillus subtilis fed birds also had lower magnesium concentrations in both femur (p = 0.04) and feces (p = 0.09). Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis increased plasma estrogen concentration (p = 0.01) and femur TNF receptor superfamily member 11b (OPG) expression (p < 0.05) but reduced plasma IL-1 (p < 0.01) and TNF-α (p < 0.01) concentrations. These results indicate that Bacillus subtilis could be used as a health promotor to reduce overproduction-induced inflammation and associated bone damage and to increase marketable egg production. The data provide evidence for developing a management strategy to use Bacillus subtilis as a feed additive to improve marketable egg production and health and welfare status of laying hens.
Alterations of Endogenous Hormones, Antioxidant Metabolism, and Aquaporin Gene Expression in Relation to γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Regulated Thermotolerance in White Clover
Authors: Qi Hongyin , Kang Dingfan , Zeng Weihang , Jawad Hassan Muhammad , Peng Yan , Zhang Xinquan , Zhang Yan , Feng Guangyan , Li Zhou
Published: July 2021

Persistent high temperature decreases the yield and quality of crops, including many important herbs. White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb with high feeding and medicinal value, but is sensitive to temperatures above 30 °C. The present study was conducted to elucidate the impact of changes in endogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level by exogenous GABA pretreatment on heat tolerance of white clover, associated with alterations in endogenous hormones, antioxidant metabolism, and aquaporin-related gene expression in root and leaf of white clover plants under high-temperature stress. Our results reveal that improvement in endogenous GABA level in leaf and root by GABA pretreatment could significantly alleviate the damage to white clover during high-temperature stress, as demonstrated by enhancements in cell membrane stability, photosynthetic capacity, and osmotic adjustment ability, as well as lower oxidative damage and chlorophyll loss. The GABA significantly enhanced gene expression and enzyme activities involved in antioxidant defense, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and key enzymes of the ascorbic acid–glutathione cycle, thus reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the oxidative injury to membrane lipids and proteins. The GABA also increased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid content in roots and leaves and cytokinin content in leaves, associated with growth maintenance and reduced leaf senescence under heat stress. The GABA significantly upregulated the expression of PIP1-1 and PIP2-7 in leaves and the TIP2-1 expression in leaves and roots under high temperature, and also alleviated the heat-induced inhibition of PIP1-1, PIP2-2, TIP2-2, and NIP1-2 expression in roots, which could help to improve the water transportation and homeostasis from roots to leaves. In addition, the GABA-induced aquaporins expression and decline in endogenous abscisic acid level could improve the heat dissipation capacity through maintaining higher stomatal opening and transpiration in white clovers under high-temperature stress.
Credible Navigation Algorithm for GNSS Attack Detection Using Auxiliary Sensor System
Authors: Song Jiahui , Wu Haitao , Guo Xuqiang , Li Siyuan , Gong Yingkui , Zhang Yang , Li Yaping
Published: July 2021

In order to effectively reduce the impact of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) attacks while providing mobile terminals with credible navigation and positioning results, this paper proposes a credible navigation algorithm for GNSS attack detection using an auxiliary sensor system. Based on a credible Kalman filter and measurement information provided by the auxiliary sensor system on mobile terminals, the proposed algorithm can verify the credibility of the GNSS positioning result and determine whether it has suffered from a GNSS attack using the credible verification window and the credible verification threshold. According to the verification results, the algorithm can adaptively select an updated model for measurement correction and achieve a credible navigation result. The algorithm proposed in this paper has been verified on a self-developed mobile terminal, and the experimental results show that the algorithm can provide credible navigation and positioning services for mobile terminals in the context of GNSS attacks.