bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pose-gait analysis for cetacean biologging tag data
Authors: Zhang Ding , Goodbar Kari , West Nicole , Lesage Veronique , Parks Susan E. , Wiley David N. , Barton Kira , Shorter K. Alex
Published: September 2022

Biologging tags are a key enabling tool for investigating cetacean behavior and locomotion in their natural habitat. Identifying and then parameterizing gait from movement sensor data is critical for these investigations, but how best to characterize gait from tag data remains an open question. Further, the location and orientation of a tag on an animal in the field are variable and can change multiple times during a deployment. As a result, the relative orientation of the tag with respect to (wrt) the animal must be determined for analysis. Currently, custom scripts that involve species-specific heuristics tend to be used in the literature. These methods require a level of knowledge and experience that can affect the reliability and repeatability of the analysis. Swimming gait is composed of a sequence of body poses that have a specific spatial pattern, and tag-based measurements of this pattern can be utilized to determine the relative orientation of the tag. This work presents an automated data processing pipeline (and software) that takes advantage of these patterns to 1) Identify relative motion between the tag and animal; 2) Estimate the relative orientation of the tag wrt the animal using a data-driven approach; and 3) Calculate gait parameters that are stable and invariant to animal pose. Validation results from bottlenose dolphin tag data show that the average relative orientation error (tag wrt the body) after processing was within 11 degrees in roll, pitch, and yaw directions. The average precision and recall for detecting instances of relative motion in the dolphin data were 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. Tag data from humpback and beluga whales were then used to demonstrate how the gait analysis can be used to enhance tag-based investigations of movement and behavior. The MATLAB source code and data presented in the paper are publicly available (https://github.com/ding-z/cetacean-pose-gait-analysis.git), along with suggested best practices.
Molecular characterization of haemagglutinin genes of influenza B viruses circulating in Ghana during 2016 and 2017
Authors: Yakubu Alhassan Mohammed , Aryee Nii Ayite , Bonney Evelyn Yayra , Kotey Erasmus Nikoi , Bonney Joseph Humphrey Kofi , Wiley Michael R. , Pratt Catherine B. , Ababio Grace Korkor , Nimo-Paintsil Shieley , Puplampu Naiki , Attoh Seth , Fatchu Raymond D. , Nyarko Edward Owusu , Fox Anne , Watters Chaselynn M. , Sanders Terrel , Letizia Andrew G. , Ampofo William Kwabena
Published: September 2022

Recent reports of haemagglutinin antigen (HA) mismatch between vaccine composition strains and circulating strains, have led to renewed interest in influenza B viruses. Additionally, there are concerns about resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors in new influenza B isolates. To assess the potential impact in Ghana, we characterized the lineages of influenza B viruses that circulated in Ghana between 2016 and 2017 from different regions of the country: Southern, Northern and Central Ghana. Eight representative specimens from the three regions that were positive for influenza B virus by real-time RT-PCR were sequenced and compared to reference genomes from each lineage. A total of eleven amino acids substitutions were detected in the B/Victoria lineage and six in the B/Yamagata lineage. The strains of influenza B viruses were closely related to influenza B/Brisbane/60/2008 and influenza B/Phuket/3073/2013 for the Victoria and Yamagata lineages, respectively. Three main amino acid substitutions (P31S, I117V and R151K) were found in B/Victoria lineages circulating between 2016 and 2017, while one strain of B/Victoria possessed a unique glycosylation site at amino acid position 51 in the HA2 subunit. Two main substitutions (L172Q and M251V) were detected in the HA gene of the B/Yamagata lineage. The U.S. CDC recently reported a deletion sub-group in influenza B virus, but this was not identified among the Ghanaian specimens. Close monitoring of the patterns of influenza B evolution is necessary for the efficient selection of representative viruses for the design and formulation of effective influenza vaccines.
Design, synthesis, anti-proliferative evaluation, docking, and MD simulations studies of new thiazolidine-2,4-diones targeting VEGFR-2 and apoptosis pathway
Authors: Taghour Mohammed S. , Elkady Hazem , Eldehna Wagdy M. , El-Deeb Nehal , Kenawy Ahmed M. , Elkaeed Eslam B. , Alsfouk Bshra A. , Alesawy Mohamed S. , Husein Dalal Z. , Metwaly Ahmed M. , Eissa Ibrahim H.
Published: September 2022

We report herein, the design and synthesis of thiazolidine-2,4-diones derivatives as new inhibitors for VEGFR-2. The designed members were assessed for their in vitro anticancer activity against four cancer cell lines; A549, Caco-2, HepG-2 and MDA-MB-231. Compound 14a showed the most potent effects against Caco-2, and HepG-2 cell lines (IC50 = of 1.5 and 31.5 μM, respectively). Next, the in vitro VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity, safety profiles and selectivity indices were examined for all the synthesized members against the normal Vero cell line. Compound 14a (the safest member against Caco-2 cell line) was further investigated for its ability to inhibit Caco-2 cells migration and healing. Moreover, the apoptotic induction of compound 14a against Caco-2 cell line was investigated by assessing against four apoptotic genes (Bcl2, Bcl-xl, TGF, and Survivin). The results revealed that compound 14a can exert apoptosis through significant reduction of Bcl2, Survivin, and TGF gene expression levels. Finally, deep computational studies including molecular docking, ADMET, toxicity studies, and MD simulation were carried out. Also, the DFT calculations were performed and discussed, and the results confirmed the inhibitory reactivity of 14a against VEGFR-2. Compound 14a is expected to be used as a potential lead in the development of new VEGFR-2 inhibitors with increased potency.
Predicting at-risk opioid use three months after ed visit for trauma: Results from the AURORA study
Authors: Punches Brittany E. , Stolz Uwe , Freiermuth Caroline E. , Ancona Rachel M. , McLean Samuel A. , House Stacey L. , Beaudoin Francesca L. , An Xinming , Stevens Jennifer S. , Zeng Donglin , Neylan Thomas C. , Clifford Gari D. , Jovanovic Tanja , Linnstaedt Sarah D. , Germine Laura T. , Bollen Kenneth A. , Rauch Scott L. , Haran John P. , Storrow Alan B. , Lewandowski Christopher , Musey Paul I. , Hendry Phyllis L. , Sheikh Sophia , Jones Christopher W. , Kurz Michael C. , Gentile Nina T. , McGrath Meghan E. , Hudak Lauren A. , Pascual Jose L. , Seamon Mark J. , Harris Erica , Chang Anna M. , Pearson Claire , Peak David A. , Merchant Roland C. , Domeier Robert M. , Rathlev Niels K. , O’Neil Brian J. , Sanchez Leon D. , Bruce Steven E. , Pietrzak Robert H. , Joormann Jutta , Barch Deanna M. , Pizzagalli Diego A. , Smoller Jordan W. , Luna Beatriz , Harte Steven E. , Elliott James M. , Kessler Ronald C. , Ressler Kerry J. , Koenen Karestan C. , Lyons Michael S.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Whether short-term, low-potency opioid prescriptions for acute pain lead to future at-risk opioid use remains controversial and inadequately characterized. Our objective was to measure the association between emergency department (ED) opioid analgesic exposure after a physical, trauma-related event and subsequent opioid use. We hypothesized ED opioid analgesic exposure is associated with subsequent at-risk opioid use.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in AURORA, a prospective cohort study of adult patients in 29 U.S., urban EDs receiving care for a traumatic event. Exclusion criteria were hospital admission, persons reporting any non-medical opioid use (e.g., opioids without prescription or taking more than prescribed for euphoria) in the 30 days before enrollment, and missing or incomplete data regarding opioid exposure or pain. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between ED opioid exposure and at-risk opioid use, defined as any self-reported non-medical opioid use after initial ED encounter or prescription opioid use at 3-months.

Results

Of 1441 subjects completing 3-month follow-up, 872 participants were included for analysis. At-risk opioid use occurred within 3 months in 33/620 (5.3%, CI: 3.7,7.4) participants without ED opioid analgesic exposure; 4/16 (25.0%, CI: 8.3, 52.6) with ED opioid prescription only; 17/146 (11.6%, CI: 7.1, 18.3) with ED opioid administration only; 12/90 (13.3%, CI: 7.4, 22.5) with both. Controlling for clinical factors, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for at-risk opioid use after ED opioid exposure were: ED prescription only: 4.9 (95% CI 1.4, 17.4); ED administration for analgesia only: 2.0 (CI 1.0, 3.8); both: 2.8 (CI 1.2, 6.5).

Conclusions

ED opioids were associated with subsequent at-risk opioid use within three months in a geographically diverse cohort of adult trauma patients. This supports need for prospective studies focused on the long-term consequences of ED opioid analgesic exposure to estimate individual risk and guide therapeutic decision-making.
Individual stochasticity in the life history strategies of animals and plants
Authors: Varas Enríquez Pablo José , Van Daalen Silke , Caswell Hal
Published: September 2022

The life histories of organisms are expressed as rates of development, reproduction, and survival. However, individuals may experience differential outcomes for the same set of rates. Such individual stochasticity generates variance around familiar mean measures of life history traits, such as life expectancy and the reproductive number R0. By writing life cycles as Markov chains, we calculate variance and other indices of variability for longevity, lifetime reproductive output (LRO), age at offspring production, and age at maturity for 83 animal and 332 plant populations from the Comadre and Compadre matrix databases. We find that the magnitude within and variability between populations in variance indices in LRO, especially, are surprisingly high. We furthermore use principal components analysis to assess how the inclusion of variance indices of different demographic outcomes affects life history constraints. We find that these indices, to a similar or greater degree than the mean, explain the variation in life history strategies among plants and animals.
Fibromyalgia-associated hyperalgesia is related to psychopathological alterations but not to gut microbiome changes
Authors: Weber Thomas , Tatzl Eva , Kashofer Karl , Holter Magdalena , Trajanoski Slave , Berghold Andrea , Heinemann Akos , Holzer Peter , Herbert Michael Karl
Published: September 2022

Fibromyalgia-syndrome (FMS) is a complex disease characterized by chronic widespread pain and additional symptoms including depression, cognitive dysfunction (“fibro-fog”) and maldigestion. Our research team examined whether FMS-related pain parameters assessed by quantitative sensory testing (QST) and psychological disturbances are accompanied by alterations of the fecal microbiome. We recruited 25 patients with FMS and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Medical background, food habits, psychopathology and quality of life were assessed through questionnaires. Stool samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. QST was performed according to the protocol of the German Network for Neuropathic Pain. QST showed that both lemniscal and spinothalamic afferent pathways are altered in FMS patients relative to healthy controls and that peripheral as well as central pain sensitization processes are manifest. Psychometric assessment revealed enhanced scores of depression, anxiety and stress. In contrast, neither the composition nor the alpha- and beta-diversity of the fecal microbiome was changed in FMS patients. FMS patients segregate from healthy controls in various parameters of QST and psychopathology, but not in terms of composition and diversity of the fecal microbiome. Despite consideration of several confounding factors, we conclude that the contribution of the gut microbiome to the pathophysiology of FMS is limited.
Antifungal compounds, GC-MS analysis and toxicity assessment of methanolic extracts of Trichoderma species in an animal model
Authors: Mulatu Afrasa , Megersa Negussie , Tolcha Teshome , Alemu Tesfaye , Vetukuri Ramesh R.
Published: September 2022

Fungi of the genusTrichodermahave been marketed for the management of diseases of crops. However, someTrichodermaspecies may produce toxic secondary metabolites and it should receive due attention to ensure human safety. In this study, we investigated thein vitroantagonistic potential ofT.asperellumAU131 andT.longibrachiatumAU158 as microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) againstFusarium xylarioidesand the associated antagonistic mechanism with bioactive substances. Swiss albino mice were used to evaluate thein vivotoxicity and pathogenicity ofT.asperellumAU131 andT.longibrachiatumAU158 methanolic extracts and spore suspensions, respectively, in a preliminary safety assessment for use as biofungicides. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to profile volatile organic metabolites (VOCs) present in the methanolic extracts. The agar diffusion assay of the methanolic extracts from bothT.asperellumAU131 andT.longibrachiatumAU158 were effective at a concentration of 200 μg/mL (1×107spores/mL), causing 62.5%, and 74.3% inhibition, respectively. A GC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts from both bioagents identified 23 VOCs which classified as alcohols, acids, sesquiterpenes, ketones and aromatic compounds. The oral administration of methanolic extracts and spore suspensions of eachTrichodermaspecies to female Swiss albino mice over 14 days did not show any significant signs of toxicity, mortality or changes to body weight. It can be concluded that the tested spore suspensions and methanolic extracts were not pathogenic or toxic, respectively, when administered to Swiss albino mice at various doses.
Effectiveness and safety of apixaban vs warfarin among venous thromboembolism patients at high-risk of bleeding
Authors: Cohen Alexander T. , Sah Janvi , Dhamane Amol D. , Lee Theodore , Rosenblatt Lisa , Hlavacek Patrick , Emir Birol , Keshishian Allison , Yuce Huseyin , Luo Xuemei
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated effectiveness and safety of apixaban versus warfarin among venous thromboembolism patients at high-risk of bleeding (defined as having at least one of the following bleeding risk factors: ≥75 years; used antiplatelet, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids; had prior gastrointestinal bleeding or gastrointestinal-related conditions; late stage chronic kidney disease). Adult venous thromboembolism patients initiating apixaban or warfarin with ≥1 bleeding risk factor were identified from Medicare and four commercial claims databases in the United States. To balance characteristics between apixaban and warfarin patients, stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting was conducted. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding. In total, 88,281 patients were identified. After inverse probability treatment weighting, the baseline patient characteristics were well-balanced between the two cohorts. Among venous thromboembolism patients at high-risk of bleeding, apixaban was associated with significantly lower risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding. No significant interactions were observed between treatment and number of risk factors on major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding or between treatment and type of bleeding risk factors on any of the outcomes. In conclusion, apixaban was associated with significantly lower risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding among venous thromboembolism patients at high-risk of bleeding. Effects were generally consistent across subgroups of patients with different number or type of bleeding risk factors.
Volumetric subfield analysis of cynomolgus monkey’s choroid derived from hybrid machine learning optical coherence tomography segmentation
Authors: Maloca Peter M. , Valmaggia Philippe , Hartmann Theresa , Juedes Marlene , Hasler Pascal W. , Scholl Hendrik P. N. , Denk Nora
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to provide volumetric choroidal readings regarding sex, origin, and eye side from healthy cynomolgus monkey eyes as a reference database using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. A machine learning (ML) algorithm was used to extract the choroid from the volumetric OCT data. Classical computer vision methods were then applied to automatically identify the deepest location in the foveolar depression. The choroidal thickness was determined from this reference point. A total of 374 eyes of 203 cynomolgus macaques from Asian and Mauritius origin were included in the analysis. The overall subfoveolar mean choroidal volume in zone 1, in the region of the central bouquet, was 0.156 mm3 (range, 0.131–0.193 mm3). For the central choroid volume, the coefficient of variation (CV) was found of 6.3%, indicating relatively little variation. Our results show, based on analyses of variance, that monkey origin (Asian or Mauritius) does not influence choroid volumes. Sex had a significant influence on choroidal volumes in the superior-inferior axis (p ≤ 0.01), but not in the fovea centralis. A homogeneous foveolar choroidal architecture was also observed.
A computational model to explore how temporal stimulation patterns affect synapse plasticity
Authors: Amano Ryota , Nakao Mitsuyuki , Matsumiya Kazumichi , Miwakeichi Fumikazu
Published: September 2022

Plasticity-related proteins (PRPs), which are synthesized in a synapse activation-dependent manner, are shared by multiple synapses to a limited spatial extent for a specific period. In addition, stimulated synapses can utilize shared PRPs through synaptic tagging and capture (STC). In particular, the phenomenon by which short-lived early long-term potentiation is transformed into long-lived late long-term potentiation using shared PRPs is called “late-associativity,” which is the underlying principle of “cluster plasticity.” We hypothesized that the competitive capture of PRPs by multiple synapses modulates late-associativity and affects the fate of each synapse in terms of whether it is integrated into a synapse cluster. We tested our hypothesis by developing a computational model to simulate STC, late-associativity, and the competitive capture of PRPs. The experimental results obtained using the model revealed that the number of competing synapses, timing of stimulation to each synapse, and basal PRP level in the dendritic compartment altered the effective temporal window of STC and influenced the conditions under which late-associativity occurs. Furthermore, it is suggested that the competitive capture of PRPs results in the selection of synapses to be integrated into a synapse cluster via late-associativity.
Machine learning for cell type classification from single nucleus RNA sequencing data
Authors: Le Huy , Peng Beverly , Uy Janelle , Carrillo Daniel , Zhang Yun , Aevermann Brian D. , Scheuermann Richard H.
Published: September 2022

With the advent of single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq), the field of cell phenotyping is now a data-driven exercise providing statistical evidence to support cell type/state categorization. However, the task of classifying cells into specific, well-defined categories with the empirical data provided by sc/snRNA-seq remains nontrivial due to the difficulty in determining specific differences between related cell types with close transcriptional similarities, resulting in challenges with matching cell types identified in separate experiments. To investigate possible approaches to overcome these obstacles, we explored the use of supervised machine learning methods—logistic regression, support vector machines, random forests, neural networks, and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM)–as approaches to classify cell types using snRNA-seq datasets from human brain middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and human kidney. Classification accuracy was evaluated using an F-beta score weighted in favor of precision to account for technical artifacts of gene expression dropout. We examined the impact of hyperparameter optimization and feature selection methods on F-beta score performance. We found that the best performing model for granular cell type classification in both datasets is a multinomial logistic regression classifier and that an effective feature selection step was the most influential factor in optimizing the performance of the machine learning pipelines.
3-4-year-old children’s memory flexibility allows adaptation to an altered context
Authors: Liszkai-Peres Krisztina , Kampis Dora , Király Ildikó
Published: September 2022

Imitation provides a reliable method to investigate the developing memory functions in childhood. The present study explored whether 3-4-year-old children are able to revise their previous experiences after a 1 week delay in order to adapt to an altered context. We used a combined short-term (Session 1) and delayed (Session 2) imitation paradigm based on a previous study with 2-year-olds. The constraints (target object close/far) and relatedly the relevance of using a tool in a goal attainment task (irrelevant/relevant, respectively) changed between the sessions. We found that children in Session 1 used the tool only when it was needed (relevant/object far context). After the 1 week delay when the tool was previously irrelevant and then became relevant, children remembered the irrelevant act and applied it in the altered context. When the tool lost its relevance after 1 week, children used the tool less than before, but did not fully omit it, despite its reduced efficiency. The present data with 3-year-olds was compared to a pattern of results with 2-year-olds (from a similar previous study), that allowed to discuss possible developmental transitions in memory and imitation. We propose that the flexible restoration of a formerly irrelevant act and the maintenance of a formerly successful solution indicate flexibility of preschooler’s memory when guiding imitation. This flexibility, however, interacts with children’s tendency to remain faithful to strategies that were previously ostensively demonstrated to them.
Muscle contractile exercise through a belt electrode device prevents myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain in immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle
Authors: Honda Yuichiro , Takahashi Ayumi , Tanaka Natsumi , Kajiwara Yasuhiro , Sasaki Ryo , Okita Seima , Sakamoto Junya , Okita Minoru
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Immobilization of skeletal muscles causes muscle atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscle pain, the mechanisms of which are related to macrophage accumulation. However, muscle contractile exercise through a belt electrode device may mitigate macrophage accumulation. We hypothesized that such exercise would be effective in preventing myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain. This study tested this hypothesis in immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle.

Materials and methods

A total of 32 rats were divided into the following control and experimental groups: immobilization (immobilized treatment only), low-frequency (LF; immobilized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do) /6 s (rest) duty cycle), and high-frequency (HF; immobilized treatment and muscle contractile exercise with a 2 s (do)/2 s (rest) duty cycle). Electrical stimulation was performed at 50 Hz and 4.7 mA, and muscle contractile exercise was applied to the lower limb muscles for 15 or 20 min/session (once daily) for 2 weeks (6 times/week). After the behavioral tests, the bilateral gastrocnemius muscles were collected for analysis.

Results

The number of macrophages, the Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 mRNA expression, and the hydroxyproline content in the HF group were lower than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of type IIb myofibers in the superficial region, the PGC-1α mRNA expression, and the range of motion of dorsiflexion in the HF group were significantly higher than those in the immobilization and LF groups. The pressure pain thresholds in the LF and HF groups were significantly higher than that in the immobilization group, and the nerve growth factor (NGF) content in the LF and HF groups was significantly lower than that in the immobilization group.

Conclusion

Muscle contractile exercise through the belt electrode device may be effective in preventing immobilization-induced myofiber atrophy, muscle contracture, and muscular pain in the immobilized rat gastrocnemius muscle.
Manifesto a Crioulização
Authors: Sousa Mário Lúcio
Published: September 2022

O texto de Mário Lúcio Sousa é um ensaio-manifesto que procura proclamar um outro rosto do humano que, no plural, se escreve no espaço da fronteira e da intersecção. Como ensaio-manifesto, começa por ser um ensaio, existencialmente radicado na experiência humana da Crioulização, que é uma experiência que nasce no dilema, se alimenta da relação e se consuma na assunção de identidades dinâmicas, plurais e compósitas, numa palavra, Crioulas. Tem, assim, um suporte antropológico, que supõe dor, sofrimento e luto durante séculos de colonização, mas que implica um reposicionamento epistemológico reivindicador de novas formas de constituição e partilha do saber, que reclama uma postura ética diferente, baseada numa “poética da relação” (Éd. Glissant) e numa cultura da convergência e do perdão, e que postula uma nova praxis política assente na ação dos dominados, verdadeiros sujeitos da descolonização, entendida como processo coletivo, no quadro de um novo humanismo universalista que de qualquer parte do mundo se alarga e se inscreve rizomaticamente em qualquer outra parte. Mas é, igualmente, um reequacionamento estético da criação artística. O conceito de Crioulo ultrapassa, pois, qualquer origem biológica, histórica e geográfica ou a sua redução ao linguístico, para se propor como um paradigma novo e dialógico de se ser diferentemente humano. Do ensaio que fundamenta esta noção de Crioulo emerge a sua forma de manifesto: crença, confissão, narrativa, afirmação, promessa e projeto no papel que a memória das vítimas nos cruzamentos de culturas tem para a criação de novas identidades que multiplamente se dizem na primeira pessoa do singular (e manifesto, mais do que substantivo é a primeira pessoa de uma forma verbal), mas se constroem, em interacção, na primeira pessoa de um plural que faz do nós o rosto humano do mundo transformado em casa de afectos, de fraternidade e de amor.
First molecular characterization of capsule expression and antibiotic susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine mastitis in Jordan
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammad Hamdi , Abu-Qatouseh Luay F.
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: Bovine mastitis has long been considered the most important cause of economic losses in the dairy industry. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently isolated pathogen from bovine mastitis cases worldwide. Capsular polysaccharides (CPs) of serotype 5 (CP5) or serotype 8 (CP8) are the most prevalent capsule genotypes related to infections associated with S. aureus in humans. However, a variety of CPs has been reported in ruminants and other hosts. Information regarding the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic capsule variation and bovine mastitis in Jordan is scarce. Thus, we aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus capsule genotypes CP5 and CP8 in milk from bovine mastitis cases and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the recovered isolates in 27 dairy farms in Jordan. Materials and Methods: Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from bovine mastitis cases in two districts of Jordan. All S. aureus isolates were initially identified using conventional biochemical and microbiological methods. Subsequently, confirmation of the identity of S. aureus was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting nuc gene. Capsule polysaccharide typing was performed by PCR specific for CP5 and CP8. In addition, we assessed the antibiotic susceptibility profile of S. aureus isolates against commonly used antimicrobials by the disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: We collected 148 clinical isolates of S. aureus from bovine mastitis cases in the Zarqa (67.6%, n = 100) and Irbid (32.4%, n = 48) districts. Most isolates possessed capsule genotypes (91.3%), predominantly CP8 (88.6%). Only 8.7% of the isolates were nontypeable by PCR. In addition, we found statistically significant differences between the geographical region and the status of methicillin-resistant capsule genotypes (p < 0.05). The rates of resistance to β-lactam, macrolide, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics were very low, but resistance to tetracyclines was considerably high (22.3%). Significantly, mastitis isolates from Irbid showed a higher rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin (8.3% vs. 0%), while isolates from Zarqa showed a significantly higher rate of resistance to gentamicin (12.0% vs. 6.2%). Conclusion: We established associations between capsule genotypes and antimicrobial resistance and the pathogenic behavior of S. aureus isolated from bovine mastitis cases. Further studies are necessary to fully elucidate the role and mechanisms of capsular expression in the epidemiological and molecular variability of S. aureus in bovine mastitis.
First isolation of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 from sports animals in Southern Thailand
Authors: Songsri Jirarat , Mala Wanida , Wisessombat Sueptrakool , Siritham Kesinee , Cheha Sahida , Noisa Nattita , Wongtawan Tuempong , Klangbud Wiyada Kwanhian
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is enterohemorrhagic E. coli, which produces verocytotoxin or Shiga toxin. It is a well-known cause of severe diseases in humans worldwide. Cattle and other ruminants are the main reservoirs of this organism. Sports animals, such as fighting bulls, riding horses, and fighting cocks, are economic animals in Southern Thailand. This study aimed to identify E. coli O157:H7 from the rectal swabs of these sports animals and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria. Materials and Methods: The rectal swabs were collected from 34 fighting bulls, 32 riding horses, and 31 fighting cocks. The swabs were cultured on MacConkey (MAC) Agar; the suspected colonies were then identified by VITEK® 2 GN card, and the antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by VITEK® 2 AST N194 in VITEK® 2 Compact automation. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was confirmed by culturing on sorbitol MAC agar, the ability to grow at 44°C, and the presence of H7 antigen. In addition, the eaeA (E. coli attaching and effacing), along with stx1 and stx2 (Shiga cytotoxins) genes, were determined using polymerase chain reaction. Finally, the cytotoxicity of Shiga toxin was confirmed using the Vero cytotoxicity test. Results: Fifty-five suspected isolates (56.70%), which were collected from 19 fighting bulls (55.88%), 13 riding horses (40.63%), and 23 fighting cocks (71.13%), were identified as E. coli. However, one sample (Bull H9/1) from fighting bulls had an equal confidence level (50%) for E. coli and E. coli O157. The confirmation of this isolate demonstrated that it was sorbitol non-fermenter, could assimilate L-lactate, was unable to grow well at 44°C, and reacted with anti-serum to H7 antigen. In addition, it was positive with stx2 and eaeA genes, and the toxin affected Vero cells by a dose-dependent response. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that five out of 55 (9.09%) E. coli isolates were resistant to antimicrobial agents. All five isolates (21.74%) were collected from fighting cocks. Escherichia coli Cock H4/3 was only one of the five isolates resistant to three antimicrobial agents (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). Fortunately, it was not multidrug-resistant bacteria. Conclusion: This is the first report on detection of E. coli O157:H7 in fighting bulls and antibiotic-resistant characteristic of E. coli in fighting cocks in Southern Thailand. This research is beneficial in preventing the dissemination of E. coli O157:H7 or antimicrobial agent-resistant E. coli in sports animals and humans.
EXPORT OF ALTAI PRODUCTS AS A COMPONENT OF THE REGION'S IMAGE
Authors: Butakova M. M. , Sokolova O. N.
Published: September 2022

The article is devoted to assessing and identifying the problems of mutual influence of export activities and the image of the region, manifested through the influence of the image of the region on the prospects for the development of export activities and export activities on the image of the region. The relevance of the problem is connected with the need to strengthen the export positions of the Altai Territory in order to ensure the growth of its image in foreign markets. The authors have studied and evaluated the dynamics and structure of exports as a factor that has a significant impact on the image of the Altai Territory, identified possible areas of activity to improve its image in foreign markets, which, in turn, can positively affect the intensification of export activities.

The growth of exports of Altai Krai products to foreign markets, the increase in its competitiveness, as well as the constantly changing market conditions update the study of the components of the image of the exporting region, require monitoring of the factors that determine it, taking into account the changing preferences of importers.

As a result of theoretical studies of the problems of the image of the region, export activity, supported by analytical calculations of the dynamics and structure of exports of the main commodity groups of products of the Altai Territory in 2016-2020, the authors came to the conclusion that exports on the image of the region and the image on the prospects for the development of exports, the need to search ways to improve the effectiveness of mutual influence, based on the unique characteristics of the region.
TAX ECOSYSTEM AS A DIGITAL ECONOMY ELEMENT: A SYSTEM-INTEGRAL APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Viktorova N. G. , Evstigneev E. N.
Published: September 2022

The article is devoted to the development prospects of the Russian tax system as a digital economy element. It continues the previously published author’s developments and touches upon the problem of the formation of the tax ecosystem. Taking into account the existing domestic and foreign school of system analysis, a system-integral approach to the construction of a hypothetical model of such a system is proposed. For this, three research strata have been identified: systemic, platform, integral-technological. The filling of the hypothetical model of the tax ecosystem (GMNE) in a symbolic form is outlined. Author’s definitions of two concepts are offered: tax ecosystem, digital ecosystem platform. Moreover, the second concept is disclosed in the context of 12 meaningful representations of the model. The instrumental and technological support of the GMNE is systematized in each supporting subsystem of the model. Directions for the formation and improvement of certain types of support are indicated. A working version of the GMNE is described, which allows you to start developing a simulation model for the purpose of designing, analyzing and evaluating the functioning of the tax ecosystem. Conclusions are drawn and proposals are formulated.
THE CONCEPT AND APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTEGRATION OF TERRITORIAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: TO THE FORMULATION OF THE ISSUE
Authors: Trotskovsky A. Ya. , Kaplinskaya I. Ye. , Rodionova L. V.
Published: September 2022

The importance of the development of the Russian economy as a comprehensive and sovereign system is increasing under the influence of external shocks. To this matter, the question of the economy’s spatial nature in regards to the deepening of integration processes between regions becomes particularly important.

The purpose of the study is to develop theoretical and methodological foundations for analyzing the mechanisms of integrating the economies of the regions of the Siberian Federal District, assessing the integration potential of the Altai Krai. The empirical object of study is the Altai Krai. The subject of the study are the various forms and types of connections between the region and the regions of the Siberian Federal District.

The paper considers a number of topical issues of interregional integration. A general assessment of the state of scientific research in this area is given. Insufficient empirical knowledge of interregional relations, the absence of comparable methodological approaches to the assessment of integration processes in macroregions are noted.

The possibility of using methodological developments in the field of international integration research for the analysis of interregional interaction is substantiated and shown. Approaches to assessing the degree of «maturity» of interregional integration are outlined.

The «mechanism» of integration is revealed as the unity of the driving forces of this process and the factors that determine it, in relation to different types of interregional relations.

The ambiguity of the consequences of integration for the socio-economic development of regions is shown, depending on the basis on which interregional relations are formed (cooperation or competition).
Self-Perceived Loneliness and Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Two-Wave Replication Study
Authors: Carollo Alessandro , Bizzego Andrea , Gabrieli Giulio , Wong Keri Ka-Yee , Raine Adrian , Esposito Gianluca
Published: September 2022

Background:The globalCOVID-19 pandemic has forced countries to impose strictlockdown restrictions and mandatory stay-at-home orders with varying impacts on individual's health. Combining a data-driven machine learning paradigm and a statistical approach, our previous paper documented a U-shaped pattern in levels of self-perceived loneliness in both the UK and Greek populations during the first lockdown (17 April to 17 July 2020). The current paper aimed to test the robustness of these results by focusing on data from the first and second lockdown waves in the UK. Methods:We tested a) the impact ofthe chosen model on the identification of the most time-sensitive variable in the period spent in lockdown. Twonew machine learning models- namely, support vector regressor (SVR) and multiple linear regressor (MLR) were adopted to identify the most time-sensitive variable inthe UK dataset from wave 1 (n = 435). In the second part of the study, we tested b) whether the pattern of self-perceived loneliness found in the first UK national lockdown was generalizable to the second wave of UK lockdown (17 October 2020 to 31 January 2021). To do so,data from wave 2 of the UK lockdown (n = 263) was used to conduct a graphical inspection of the week-by-week distribution of self-perceived loneliness scores. Results:In both SVR and MLR models,depressive symptoms resultedto be the most time-sensitivevariable during the lockdown period. Statistical analysis of depressive symptoms by week of lockdown resulted in a U-shapedpattern between week 3 to 7 of wave 1 of the UK nationallockdown. Furthermore,despite the sample size by week in wave 2 was too small for having a meaningful statistical insight, a graphical U-shaped distributionbetween week 3 and 9 of lockdown was observed. Conclusions:Consistent with past studies, these preliminary resultssuggest that self-perceived loneliness and depressive symptoms may be two of the most relevant symptoms to address when imposing lockdown restrictions.
Monobiotinylated Proteins Tethered to Microspheres for Detection of Antigen-Specific Serum Antibodies
Authors: S. Whitley Caleb , C. Mitchell Thomas
Published: September 2022

Surface modified microspheres have been leveraged as a useful way to immobilize antigen for serological studies. The use of carboxyl modified microspheres for this purpose is well-established, but commonly associated with technical challenges. Streptavidin modified microspheres require little technical expertise and thus address some of the shortcomings of carboxyl microspheres. An additional feature of streptavidin microspheres is the use of mono-biotinylated proteins, which contain a single biotinylation motif at the C-terminus. However, the relative performance of streptavidin and carboxyl microspheres is unknown. Here, we performed a head-to-head comparison of streptavidin and carboxyl microspheres. We compared antigen binding, orientation, and staining quality and found that both microspheres perform similarly based on these defined parameters. We also evaluated the utility of streptavidin microspheres bound to SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), to reliably detect RBD-specific IgG1, IgG3, and IgA1 produced in individuals recently immunized with Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA COVID vaccine as ‘proof-of-concept’. We provide evidence that each of the antibody targets are detectable in serum using RBD-coated microspheres, Ig-specific ‘detector’ mAbs, and flow cytometry. We found that cross-reactivity of the detector mAbs can be minimized by antibody titration to improve differentiation between IgG1 and IgG3. We also coated streptavidin microspheres with SARS-CoV-2 delta variant RBD to determine if the streptavidin microsphere approach revealed any differences in binding of immune serum antibodies to wild-type (Wuhan) versus variant RBD (Delta). Overall, our results show that streptavidin microspheres loaded with mono-biotinylated antigen is a robust alternative to chemically cross-linking antigen to carboxyl microspheres for use in serological assays.
Linear barycentric rational collocation method for solving biharmonic equation
Authors: Li Jin
Published: September 2022

Two-dimensional biharmonic boundary-value problems are considered by the linear barycentric rational collocation method, and the unknown function is approximated by the barycentric rational polynomial. With the help of matrix form, the linear equations of the discrete biharmonic equation are changed into a matrix equation. From the convergence rate of barycentric rational polynomial, we present the convergence rate of linear barycentric rational collocation method for biharmonic equation. Finally, several numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical analysis.
Fully degenerate Bernoulli numbers and polynomials
Authors: Kim Taekyun , Kim Dae San , Park Jin-Woo
Published: September 2022

The aim of this article is to study the fully degenerate Bernoulli polynomials and numbers, which are a degenerate version of Bernoulli polynomials and numbers and arise naturally from the Volkenborn integral of the degenerate exponential functions on

Z

p

{{\mathbb{Z}}}_{p}

. We find some explicit expressions for the fully degenerate Bernoulli polynomials and numbers in terms of the degenerate Stirling numbers of the second kind, the degenerate

r

r

-Stirling numbers of the second kind, and the degenerate Stirling polynomials. We also consider the degenerate poly-Bernoulli polynomials and derive explicit representations for them in terms of the same degenerate Stirling numbers and polynomials.
Humor and resilience: relationships with happiness in young adults
Authors: Kennison Shelia M.
Published: September 2022

Prior research has shown that more resilient individuals report higher levels of happiness. Other research also shows that those who use positive humor styles (i.e., self-enhancing and affiliative) more often and use negative humor styles (i.e., aggressive and self-defeating) less often report higher levels of happiness. Resilience research has characterized resilience as involving multiple protective factors that contribute to functioning better than expected despite past or present adversities. The present research tested the hypothesis that the use of one or more humor styles may function as distinct protective factors of resilience in predicting happiness. An online survey study with a sample of 204 (105 men, 99 women) young adults showed that after controlling for resilience, less frequent use of the negative humor styles (i.e., aggressive and self-defeating) emerged as protective factors, related to higher levels of happiness. The use of the positive humor styles did not account for additional variance in happiness after resilience was controlled. The results are compatible with research suggesting that improvements in well-being are associated with behavioral changes.
Frequency responses for induced neural transmembrane potential by electromagnetic waves (1 kHz to 1 GHz)
Authors: Bakhtiary Zahra Hajizadeh , Saviz Mehrdad
Published: September 2022

Many biophysical effects of electromagnetic radiation are interpreted based on the induced voltage on cellular membranes. It is very instructive to study wideband frequency responses showing how an impinging electromagnetic wave carrying a certain time waveform translates into a time-dependent change in the cell-membrane potentials in any desired tissue. A direct numerical solution of this problem with realistic models for the body and cells results in meshcells of nanometer dimensions, which is unaffordable for almost any computing machine. In this paper, we exploit a multiscale method with serial frequency responses to arrive at the final frequency response for the induced transmembrane potential changes in cerebral cells induced by electromagnetic waves incident on the body. The results show a bandpass characteristic; a frequency window of approximately 10 kHz to 100 MHz as the most sensitive frequency band for neuronal membrane sensing of external electromagnetic fields.
Conventional/linear/Lorentzian material gain semiconductor optical amplifiers performance signature with four wave mixing (FWM) nonlinearity in optical fiber communication systems
Authors: Smirani Lassaad K. , Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Ahammad S. K. Hasane , Hossain Md. Amzad , Daher Malek G. , Fahmy Eslam
Published: September 2022

This study demonstrates the FWM nonlinearity effects on fiber systems based on conventional/linear/Lorentzian material gain wide band traveling wave semiconductor optical amplifiers (WBTWSOAs) at data rates of 10 Gbps. Max signal power (MSP) and noise power (NP) levels are illustrated versus time and SW after WDM multiplexer. The MSP and min NP are clarified against time and SW based conventional, linear, Lorentzian material gain WBTWSOAs. The total optical power after WDM multiplexer, and the total optical power based conventional, linear, Lorentzian material gain WBTWSOAs are measured. Max Q versus time after receiver based WDM multiplexer, and max Q versus time after receiver based conventional, linear, Lorentzian material gain WBTWSOAs are reported clearly in this study. Besides the max Q against CS is studied with/without FWM effects. Nonlinear coefficient, conversion efficiency is analyzed clearly against fiber length without/with FWM effects.