bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding kampong chickens with infertile eggs: effects on 6-weeks performance
Authors: Akhirini N , Suprayogi W P S , Ratriyanto A , Hadi R F , Setyono W , Irawan A
Published: November 2021

The present study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion levels of infertile eggs powder (IEP) from the hatchery processing industry on the performance of kampong chickens measured at 6 weeks. A total of 120 birds at 21 d (327±18 gram) were equally distributed to receive 10%, 20%, and 30% of IEP with control treatment without IEP. Each treatment group was replicated five times with eight birds in each, giving three dietary treatments including control. Diets were formulated to meet the Indonesia National Standard of the nutrient requirement for kampong chickens. Results showed that increasing dietary IEP at 10% and 20% significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), final body weight (BW), and decreased feed conversion when compared to control (p<0.05). When given at 30%, no effect on production performance parameters was observed. In conclusion, the present study suggests that infertile eggs powder can be partially used to substitute conventional protein sources in kampong chickens. Dietary inclusion of IEP up to 20% given in mixed with corn in the formula improves the performance of kampong chickens without negatively affecting feed intake.
Comparison between conventional urea and slow-release urea on concentration of ammonia in the rumen: A meta-analysis
Authors: Nayohan S , Susanto I , Wiryawan K G , Jayanegara A
Published: November 2021

Urea is a source of Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN). The utilization of urea in the ration is useful for increasing digestibility, dry matter intake, and increasing protein content. This study aims to compare the utilization of conventional urea and Slow Release Urea (SRU) to reduce ammonia concentration by in vivo study using meta-analysis. A total of 13 studies were obtained that consisted of 41 data points. The parameters in this study include pH, Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA), ammonia concentration, and nitrogen intake. The database compiled was statistically analyzed using a mixed model method. Different studies were considered as random effects, and the level of urea was treated as fixed effects. The model statistics used were the p-values and the Akaike information criterion. The significance of an effect was stated when its p-value was <0.05. The results revealed that level SRU and conventional urea had a significant linear effect on ammonia concentration, DMI, VFA, pH and nitrogen intake. However, the effect of giving SRU was better than conventional urea. It can be concluded that SRU can control ammonia concentration, DMI, VFA, pH and nitrogen intake better than urea.
Analysis of farmer purposes in raising local beef cattle breed: An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach
Authors: Agustine R , Baliarti E , Putra A R S , Muzayyanah M A U
Published: November 2021

Farmers raise cattle for various purposes, such as a source of cash income, investment function, and socio-cultural function. The research objective was to analyze farmers’ preferences in raising Peranakan Ongole (PO) as local beef cattle breed based on the purpose of raising livestock. This study involved 8 farmers from Klaten District, Central Java. Klaten Regency was chosen as a research location because it received PO cows as a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture. Respondents were selected purposively according to the criteria of being a livestock group administrator and being experience in raising PO as local beef cattle breed for ≥10 years. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to determine the priority of beef cattle criteria that are used by farmers to develop their business. There were three criteria and six factors used in this analysis. These criteria were cash income, investment function, and socio-culture function. Whereas, the six factors used were cattle breed, selling price, adaptability, reproductive ability, body size, and the physical appearance of the livestock. The results revealed that the reproductive ability has main preference among farmers due to the investment function was the main purpose in raising PO cattle.
The role of local knowledge system in enhancing Peranakan Etawa goat farm
Authors: Padmaningrum D , Widyas N
Published: November 2021

The local livestock knowledge system is seen as the contributor to agricultural and rural development but not all local knowledge has the opportunities to be explored, customized, and applied to follow developmental dynamics. This research aimed to analyze the local livestock knowledge system of Peranakan Etawa (PE) goats from its elements, roles, management, and knowledge dissemination. This study was conducted in Kaligesing Subdistrict, Purworejo Regency, Central Java using qualitative methods. The data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Participants were determined purposively which consisted of smallholder farmers. The data validity was checked using triangulation of data sources and methods. Data analysis included data collection, data reduction, data presentation, data interpretation, and data collection. The results indicated that the PE goat farming local knowledge system elements existed by the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge systems that were distributed and applied by the farmers’ community as a source of livestock knowledge. Management and dissemination of local knowledge use the combination of traditional and modern patterns.
Sustainable road-kill mitigation in Gladak Perak Bridge at Lumajang, Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari P S , Lestyana H R , Johnson  , Tranggono J F
Published: November 2021

Traffic accidents involving animals occur every year. Roadkill is a serious problem faced by the whole world, including Indonesia. Therefore, it is necessary to modify road accessories to prevent accidents, both from animals and road users. Prevention can be done in several ways, such as by installing fences or creating crossing paths, for animals. The fence can be used as a barrier between the driving lane and the animal path, where they can carry out activities such as playing without disturbing road users. Meanwhile, the making of crossing paths can be used by animals as access for animal migration. This study would like to propose a design for implementing cross-fencing mitigation at Gladak Perak Bridge at Lumajang, Indonesia. This location is an accident-prone area due to the sudden crossing of monkeys, which has been a myth in the community. Through the implementation of the installation of road dividers, it is hoped that the road design at the research site becomes wildlife friendly road and the management of traffic also meet the Indonesian design standards for inter-city roads without reducing tourism potential.
Wavefront detection method for orbital angular momentum modes based on conformal mapping–spatial phase-shifting interferometry
Authors: Yang Dong , Hu Xiaoning , Dou Jiantai , Yang Zhongming , Zhao Zhigang , Liu Zhaojun
Published: November 2021

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has garnered significant interest in recent years owing to its various applications, and extensive creative research has been conducted to generate OAM. However, the particular helical phase structure of an optical vortex leads to nonsmooth and discontinuous phase profiles and hinders the accurate recovery of the phase distribution of the vortex beam. Significantly, the existence of a wavefront dislocation leads to the failure of the traditional phase unwrapping algorithm. At the same time, it is essential to detect the wavefront of OAM modes in real-time for free-space optical communication and optical precision measurement. Therefore, we designed conformal mapping–spatial phase-shifting interferometry and achieved rapid and high-precision wavefront measurements for the OAM modes. The wavefront of the OAM modes with a topological charge of 1, 2, 4 and 6 were measured, respectively. The results were significantly consistent with the anticipated results based on simulations. This study reveals the mathematical mechanism behind the forked fringe patterns and presents a method for demodulating the helical wavefront from the forked fringe patterns.
Experimental investigation of electrodeposited Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite on HSLA ASTM A860 alloy
Authors: C Chandrasekhara Sastry , Pradeep N , Shaik A M , Rahman H A , Patil Sandeep
Published: November 2021

Nano composite coatings on HSLA ASTM A860 alloy, adds to the barrier efficacy by increase in the microhardness, wear and corrosion resistance of the substrate material. Additionally, reduction of delamination of the nano composite coating sample is ascertained. Ball milling is availed to curtail the coating samples (Al2O3/ZrO2) to nano size, for forming a electrodeposited product on the substrate layer. The curtailment in grain size was ascertained to be 17.62% in Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite coating. During the deposition process, due to the presence of Al2O3/ZrO2 nano particles an increase in cathode efficiency is ascertained. An XRD analysis of the nano composite coating indicates a curtailment in grain size along with increase in the nucleation sites causing a surge in the growth of nano coating layer. In correlation to uncoated HSLA ASTM A36 alloy sample, a surge in compressive residual stress by 47.14%, reduction of waviness by 32.14% (AFM analysis), upsurge in microhardness by 67.77% is ascertained in Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite coating. Furthermore, in nano coated Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 composite a reduction is observed pertaining to weight loss and friction coefficients by 27.44% and 13% in correlation to plain uncoated alloy respectively. A morphology analysis after nano coating indicates, Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 particles occupy the areas of micro holes, reducing the wide gaps and crevice points inside the matrix of the substrate, enacting as a physical barrier to upsurge the corrosion resistance by 67.72% in correlation to HSLA ASTM A860 base alloy.
Study on the mechanical properties and frost resistance of multiple modified concrete
Authors: Yuan Xiaosa , Zhang Li , Chen Xinxiao , Liu Fang
Published: November 2021

To study the effects of graphene oxide (GO), fly ash, and steel fiber on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, the mechanical properties, frost resistance, and internal pore structure of modified concrete are investigated by compression tests, freeze–thaw cycle tests, and industrial computed tomography (CT) tests. The test results show that the compressive strength of concrete with GO is better than that of mixed concrete, concrete mixed with only steel fiber, and ordinary concrete. Further, it is strongest at all ages when the GO content is 0.03%; the compressive strength of mixed concrete with 30% of fly ash is generally better than that with 15% and 45% of fly ash. In general, the frost resistance of concrete with only GO is better than that of ordinary concrete. With the increase in fly ash content, the internal porosity of concrete decreases, and its compressive strength increases accordingly; as GO increases, the porosity decreases and then increases, with the lowest porosity and the highest compressive strength of concrete at 0.03% of GO. With an increase in porosity, the mass loss and relative dynamic elastic modulus of concrete increase after 100 freeze–thaw cycles, which indicates that porosity directly affects the frost resistance of concrete.
Development of a dosimeter prototype with machine learning based 3-D dose reconstruction capabilities
Authors: Finneman G M , Eichhorn O H , Meskell N R , Caplice T W , Benson A D , Abu-Halawa A S , Ademoski G L , Clark A C , Gayer D S , Hendrickson K N , Debbins P A , Onel Y , Ayan A S , Akgun U
Published: November 2021

A 3-D dosimeter fills the need for treatment plan and delivery verification required by every modern radiation-therapy method used today. This report summarizes a proof-of-concept study to develop a water-equivalent solid 3-D dosimeter that is based on novel radiation-hard scintillating material. The active material of the prototype dosimeter is a blend of radiation-hard peroxide-cured polysiloxane plastic doped with scintillating agent P-Terphenyl and wavelength-shifter BisMSB. The prototype detector was tested with 6 MV and 10 MV x-ray beams at Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. A 3-D dose distribution was successfully reconstructed by a neural network specifically trained for this prototype. This report summarizes the material production procedure, the material’s water equivalency investigation, the design of the prototype dosimeter and its beam tests, as well as the details of the utilized machine learning approach and the reconstructed 3-D dose distributions.
Develop a sustainable welding procedure for chromium manganese austenitic stainless steel using the ATIG process
Authors: Patel Dixit , Jani Suketu , Singh Vivek , Ashutosh Som
Published: November 2021

Chromium manganese austenitic stainless steel is exhibiting an admirable amalgamation of higher strength and stress corrosion resistance. This economical steel is developed to fulfill the requirement of a variety of consumers for high temperature and structural applications. Hitherto, the limitation associate with the TIG welding process is a low depth of penetration which reduces productivity. Activated tungsten inert gas welding (ATIG) is the best suitable option to overcome this problem and satisfy the sustainable welding requirement. Welding procedure has been developed for chromium manganese austenitic stainless steel during ATIG welding using a box behken design (BBD) to improve penetration depth and productivity. The activated flux using SiO2 and TiO2 flux indicates improvement in penetration 5.3 mm and 5.1 mm as compared to TIG welding. The ATIG welded test coupon has strength and hardness of 495 MPa and 195 HV when using SiO2 flux, and 487 MPa and 190 HV when using TiO2 flux, compared to 435 MPa and 165 HV for the TIG welded test coupon. ATIG welds have higher strength and hardness because of their finer grain size when compared to TIG welded test coupons.
Clinical Applications Measuring Arterial Stiffness: An Expert Consensus for the Application of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index
Authors: Budoff Matthew J , Alpert Bruce , Chirinos Julio A , Fernhall Bo , Hamburg Naomi , Kario Kazuomi , Kullo Iftikhar , Matsushita Kunihiro , Miyoshi Toru , Tanaka Hirofumi , Townsend Ray , Valensi Paul
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this document is to provide clinicians with guidance, using expert consensus, to help summarize evidence and offer practical recommendations.

METHODS

Expert Consensus Documents are intended to provide guidance for clinicians in areas in which there are no clinical practice guidelines, especially for new and evolving tests such as arterial stiffness measurements, until any formal guidelines are released.

RESULTS

This expert consensus document is intended as a source of information for decision-making and to guide clinician–patient discussions in various clinical scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

The goal is to help clinicians and patients make a more informed decision together.
Heavy chain sequence-based classifier for the specificity of human antibodies
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Mai Guoqin , Zou Min , Long Haoyu , Chen Yao-Qing , Sun Litao , Tian Dechao , Zhao Yang , Jiang Guozhi , Cao Zicheng , Du Xiangjun
Published: November 2021

Antibodies specifically bind to antigens and are an essential part of the immune system. Hence, antibodies are powerful tools in research and diagnostics. High-throughput sequencing technologies have promoted comprehensive profiling of the immune repertoire, which has resulted in large amounts of antibody sequences that remain to be further analyzed. In this study, antibodies were downloaded from IMGT/LIGM-DB and Sequence Read Archive databases. Contributing features from antibody heavy chains were formulated as numerical inputs and fed into an ensemble machine learning classifier to classify the antigen specificity of six classes of antibodies, namely anti-HIV-1, anti-influenza virus, anti-pneumococcal polysaccharide, anti-citrullinated protein, anti-tetanus toxoid and anti-hepatitis B virus. The classifier was validated using cross-validation and a testing dataset. The ensemble classifier achieved a macro-average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.9246 from the 10-fold cross-validation, and 0.9264 for the testing dataset. Among the contributing features, the contribution of the complementarity-determining regions was 53.1% and that of framework regions was 46.9%, and the amino acid mutation rates occupied the first and second ranks among the top five contributing features. The classifier and insights provided in this study could promote the mechanistic study, isolation and utilization of potential therapeutic antibodies.
Climatic niche evolution of a widely distributed Neotropical freshwater fish clade
Authors: Mejía Omar , Martínez-Méndez Norberto , Pérez-Miranda Fabian , Matamoros Wilfredo A
Published: November 2021

The role of climate in the speciation process has been documented widely in ectotherms but poorly in freshwater fishes, which represent the richest clade among vertebrates. In this study, we have evaluated the occurrence of phylogenetic niche evolution as a promoter of diversification in the herichthyines (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) clade. We used distributional and bioclimatic data, niche modelling algorithms and phylogenetic comparative methods to study patterns of climatic niche evolution in the herichthyines clade. Our results suggested that herichthyines display signals of phylogenetic niche conservatism, but also signals of niche evolution in the last 14 Myr associated with the availability of new habitats promoting ecological opportunity within the clade. We also concluded that niche conservatism is equally strong in the fundamental and realized niches, which indicates a need to evaluate the potential role of biotic interactions in the evolution of the niche in future studies.
Positioning Filgotinib in the Treatment Algorithm of Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: D’Amico Ferdinando , Magro Fernando , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Danese Silvio
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

Filgotinib is a small molecule that selectively inhibits Janus kinase [JAK] type 1. It is already approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is being evaluated for the management of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis [UC]. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the currently available data on filgotinib and to define how to position this new drug in the treatment algorithm of patients with UC.

Methods

The Pubmed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched up to June 25, 2021 in order to identify studies reporting efficacy and safety data of filgotinib in patients with UC.

Results

Data from a phase III study enrolling UC patients with moderate to severe disease show that filgotinib is effective with a reassuring safety profile. Filgotinib treatment is not associated with a greater risk of thrombosis and herpes zoster infections compared to other JAK inhibitors. However, animal studies reported impaired spermatogenesis and histopathological effects on male reproductive organs, making it necessary to deepen this aspect in dedicated human studies.

Conclusions

Filgotinib is an effective and safe drug for treatment of both biologic-naive and biologic-experienced patients with moderate to severe UC and may soon be available.
Multicentric randomized evaluation of a tricuspid valve percutaneous repair system (clip for the tricuspid valve) in the treatment of severe secondary tricuspid regurgitation Tri.Fr Design paper
Authors: Donal Erwan , Leurent Guillaume , Ganivet Anne , Lurz Philip , Coisne Augustin , De Groote Pascal , Lafitte Stephane , Leroux Lionel , Karam Nicole , Biere Loic , Rouleau Frederic , Sportouch Catherine , Dreyfus Julien , Nejjari Mohammed , Josselin Jean-Michel , Anselmi Amedeo , Galli Elena , Bajeux Emma , Guerin Patrice , Obadia Jean-François , Trochu Jean-Noel , Oger Emmanuel
Published: November 2021

Aims

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Its independent prognostic role has been repeatedly demonstrated. However, this valvular heart condition is largely undertreated because of the increased risk of surgical repair. Recently, transcatheter techniques for the treatment of TR have emerged, but their implications for the clinical endpoints are still unknown.

Methods and results

The Tri.fr trial will be a multicentre, controlled, randomized (1:1 ratio), superior, open-label, and parallel-group study conducted in 300 patients with severe secondary TR that is considered non-surgical by heart teams. Inclusion will be possible only after core laboratory review of transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography and after validation by the clinical eligibility committee. A description of the mechanisms of the TR will be conducted by the core laboratory. Atrial or ventricular impacts on the severity of the secondary TR will be taken into account for the randomization. The patients will be followed for 12-month, and the primary outcome will be the Packer composite clinical endpoint [combining New York Heart Association class, patient global assessment (PGA), and major cardiovascular events]. It will test the hypothesis that a tricuspid valve percutaneous repair strategy using a clip dedicated to the tricuspid valve is superior to best guideline-directed medical therapy in symptomatic patients with severe secondary TR.

Conclusion

Tri.fr will be the first randomized, academic, multicentre study testing the value of percutaneous correction in patients with severe secondary TR.
Quality improvement initiative in paediatric echocardiography laboratory in a low- to middle-income country
Authors: Mohsin Shazia , Hasan Babar , Ather Mishaal , Ali Salima Ashiq , Aslam Nadeem , Khalid Farah , Shabbir Zain Adil , Shabbir Shaan Adil , Chowdhury Devyani
Published: November 2021

Aims

To determine the impact of a quality improvement (QI) initiative in the area of paediatric echocardiography (echo) in a low- to middle-income country (LMIC).

Care for patients with congenital heart disease is challenging, especially in LMICs. Collaborative learning through QI projects is imperative to ensure improvement in delivery processes leading to better patient outcomes.

Methods and results

This QI initiative was taken by a team consisting of physicians and sonographers. Problems were identified, a key driver diagram (KDD) was created, and simple process re-engineering was done using interventions based on the KDD. Metrics (five process and one outcome) were assessed to determine the effectiveness of the QI project. The process metrics assessed were comprehensiveness of exam, timeliness of reporting, diagnostic accuracy and error, and sedation adverse event rates of transthoracic echocardiograms, while a novel comprehensive echo laboratory (lab) quality score was developed as an outcome metric. Data were collected quarterly and analysed in the post-implementation phase. Significant improvement was seen in comprehensive mean score (20.4–29.7), timeliness (40–95%), and diagnostic accuracy rate (91–100%), while a decrease was seen in the diagnostic error rate (7.5–3.5%) and the sedation adverse event rate (6.8–0%), pre- vs. post-implementation. The overall quality outcome score improved from 7 to 19 and the echo lab was able to achieve adequate quality.

Conclusion

This QI initiative produced improvement in all the processes, and the overall quality of the echo lab without any substantial increase in resources or cost.
Optimal follow-up after acute pulmonary embolism: a position paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Pulmonary Circulation and Right Ventricular Function, in collaboration with the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology, endorsed by the European Respiratory Society
Authors: Klok Frederikus A. , Ageno Walter , Ay Cihan , Bäck Magnus , Barco Stefano , Bertoletti Laurent , Becattini Cecilia , Carlsen Jørn , Delcroix Marion , van Es Nick , Huisman Menno V. , Jara-Palomares Luis , Konstantinides Stavros , Lang Irene , Meyer Guy , Ní Áinle Fionnuala , Rosenkranz Stephan , Pruszczyk Piotr
Published: November 2021

This position paper provides a comprehensive guide for optimal follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), covering multiple relevant aspects of patient counselling. It serves as a practical guide to treating patients with acute PE complementary to the formal 2019 European Society of Cardiology guidelines developed with the European Respiratory Society. We propose a holistic approach considering the whole spectrum of serious adverse events that patients with acute PE may encounter on the short and long run. We underline the relevance of assessment of modifiable risk factors for bleeding, of acquired thrombophilia and limited cancer screening (unprovoked PE) as well as a dedicated surveillance for the potential development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension as part of routine practice; routine testing for genetic thrombophilia should be avoided. We advocate the use of outcome measures for functional outcome and quality of life to quantify the impact of the PE diagnosis and identify patients with the post-PE syndrome early. Counselling patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle mitigates the risk of the post-PE syndrome and improves cardiovascular prognosis. Therefore, we consider it important to discuss when and how to resume sporting activities soon after diagnosing PE. Additional patient-relevant topics that require Focused counselling are travel and birth control.
Ray velocity derivatives in anisotropic elastic media – Part I: general anisotropy
Authors: Koren Zvi , Ravve Igor
Published: November 2021

We present an original, generic and efficient approach for computing the first and second partial derivatives of ray (group) velocities along seismic ray paths in general anisotropic (triclinic) elastic media. As the ray velocities deliver the ray element traveltimes, this set of partial derivatives constructs the so-called kinematic and dynamic sensitivity kernels which are used in different key seismic modelling and inversion methods, such as two-point ray bending methods and seismic tomography. The second derivatives are useful in the solution of the above-mentioned kinematic problems, and they are essential for evaluating the dynamic properties along the rays (amplitudes and phases). The traveltime is delivered through an integral over a given Lagrangian defined at each point along the ray. In our approach, we use an arclength-related Lagrangian representing a reciprocal of the ray velocity magnitude. Although this magnitude cannot be explicitly expressed in terms of the medium properties and the ray direction components, its derivatives can still be formulated analytically using the corresponding arclength-related Hamiltonian that can be explicitly expressed in terms of the medium properties and the slowness vector components; this requires first to obtain (invert for) the slowness vector components, given the ray direction components. Computation of the slowness vector and the ray velocity derivatives is considerably simplified by using an auxiliary scaled-time-related Hamiltonian obtained directly from the Christoffel equation and connected to the arclength-related Hamiltonian by a simple scale factor. This study consists of two parts. In Part I, we consider general anisotropic (triclinic) media, and provide the derivatives (gradients and Hessians) of the ray velocity, with respect to (1) the spatial location and direction vectors and (2) the elastic model parameters. The derivatives are obtained for both quasi-compressional and quasi-shear waves, where other types of media, characterized with higher symmetries, can be considered particular cases. In Part II, we apply the theory of Part I explicitly to polar anisotropic media (transverse isotropy with tilted axis of symmetry, TTI), and obtain the explicit ray velocity derivatives for the coupled qP and qSV waves and for SH waves. The derivatives for polar anisotropy are simplified (as compared to general anisotropy), obviously yielding more effective computations. The ray velocity derivatives are tested by checking consistency between the proposed analytical formulae and the corresponding numerical ones.
How to dampen the surge of non-communicable diseases in Southeast Asia: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fritz Manuela , Fromell Hanna
Published: November 2021

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, have overtaken infectious diseases as the number one cause of death worldwide. The rise of these diseases is especially grave in Southeast Asia, where existing research however falls short on offering guidance on how policy can best prevent and control NCDs in the region. Additionally, low- and middle-income countries in Southeast Asia cannot directly incorporate lessons drawn from interventions in richer countries, since health system capacities and human and financial resources are thoroughly different. Preventive interventions, thus, need to correspond to local capacities and require contextual solutions. In this article, we provide a systematic review of a wide scope of NCD interventions conducted in Southeast Asia to inform about existing intervention designs and to derive sound evidence of their effectiveness. Our literature search results in 51 studies from five Southeast Asian countries from which we can extract 204 estimates. We sort the studies into six intervention categories and analyse them with respect to 23 different health and behavioural outcomes. While we find positive and significant average effects across all six types of interventions, we also document evidence of substantial publication bias. Using a meta-regression approach in which we correct for the publication bias, we instead fail to confirm positive average effects for some interventions. Especially dietary and physical activity interventions fail to achieve improvements in analysed health outcomes, while programs focusing on smoking cessation, on the take-up of preventive screening activities or educating patients on how to cope with NCDs achieve sizeable effects. We also present evidence that the size of the effect differs with the participants’ characteristics as well as with design features of the intervention. For local policymakers, the results provide important knowledge on how to address the increasing NCD burden in the coming years.
Mouse midbrain dopaminergic neurons survive loss of the PD-associated mitochondrial protein CHCHD2
Authors: Nguyen Mai K , McAvoy Kevin , Liao Szu-Chi , Doric Zak , Lo Iris , Li Huihui , Manfredi Giovanni , Nakamura Ken
Published: November 2021

Mutations in the mitochondrial protein CHCHD2 cause autosomal-dominant PD characterized by the preferential loss of substantia nigra dopamine (DA) neurons. Therefore, understanding the function of CHCHD2 in neurons may provide vital insights into how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration in PD. To investigate the normal requirement and function of CHCHD2 in neurons, we first examined CHCHD2 levels, and showed that DA neurons have higher CHCHD2 levels than other neuron types, both in vivo and in co-culture. We then generated mice with either a targeted deletion of CHCHD2 in DA neurons, or a deletion in the brain or total body. All three models were viable, and loss of CHCHD2 in the brain did not cause degeneration of DA neurons. Mice lacking CHCHD2 in DA neurons did display sex-specific changes to locomotor activity, but we did not observe differences in assays of muscle strength, exercise endurance, or motor coordination. Furthermore, mitochondria derived from mice lacking CHCHD2 did not display abnormalities in OXPHOS function. Lastly, resilience to CHCHD2 deletion could not be explained by functional complementation by its paralog CHCHD10, as deletion of both CHCHD10 and CHCHD2 did not cause degeneration of DA neurons in the midbrain. These findings support the hypothesis that pathogenic CHCHD2 mutations cause PD through a toxic gain-of-function, rather than loss-of-function mechanism.
Impact of fetal expression quantitative trait loci on transcriptome-wide association study of childhood leukemia
Authors: Yang Tianzhong , Mills Lauren J , Xue Haoran , Raduski Andrew , Williams Lindsay A , Spector Logan G
Published: November 2021

Transcriptome-wide association studies increase the yield of loci associated with disease phenotypes by focusing on expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). The major source of eQTL data for is the Gene and Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, which is comprised entirely of adults, mainly those >50 years of age at death. Since gene expression levels differ by developmental stage, it is not clear whether eQTLs derived from adult data sources are best suited for use in young-onset diseases such as pediatric cancers. To fill in this knowledge gap, we performed a large-scale eQTL mapping analysis in the GenCord study with newborn samples and compared it with GTEx. Under matched conditions, we found around 80% of the eQTLs in one study can be replicated in the other. However, among all eQTLs identified in GenCord (GTEx), 584 (1045) showed statistically significant differences in effect sizes in GTEx (GenCord). We further investigated how using fetal eQTL data can facilitate the genetic association study of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. GenCord and GTEx identified the same genetic loci with statistical significance; however, the overall association pattern was only weakly correlated. Our paper demonstrates age-differential eQTLs and shows their potential influence on childhood leukemia research.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Parikh Tapan K , Strawn Jeffrey R , Walkup John T , Croarkin Paul E
Published: November 2021

Background

Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) impact 10% of the US population, and many patients do not completely respond to first-line treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and psychotherapy). Given the dearth of evidence for non-pharmacologic, non-psychotherapeutic interventions, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in adults with GAD.

Methods

A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. Pre- and post-treatment anxiety scores were extracted, and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to determine the magnitude of improvement (standardized mean difference). Standard assessments of heterogeneity (e.g., Q-statistic, I2, and τ 2) and publication bias were performed.

Results

The initial search resulted in 3194 citations, of which 6 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In total, 152 patients were studied, including 97 patients who received active treatment and 55 who received sham treatment, and heterogeneity was modest (I2 13.32, Q = 5.77). In patients with GAD, rTMS produced a standardized mean difference of −1.857 (confidence interval: −2.219 to −1.494; P < .001) with a prediction interval of −2.55 to −1.16.

Conclusions

The results suggest a robust effect of rTMS in GAD in the context of limited, heterogenous studies. Rigorously designed, randomized controlled trials of rTMS for GAD and related anxiety disorders are urgently needed. These studies will provide opportunities for biomarker development and integration of concurrent evidence-based psychotherapy to maximize results.
Behaviour of infinite chains described by Laurent operators: first/second-order equations
Authors: Liu Dongmei , Liu Liu , Lu Yufeng
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the behaviour of infinite chains of kinematic points described by scalar Laurent operators with first/second-order linear differential equations. Some conditions on the initial states of these infinite chains are given to ensure that the corresponding solutions converge. In particular, a necessary and sufficient condition for the convergence of the first-order system is derived by using ergodic theory.
A hybrid Shewhart chart for visualizing and learning from epidemic data
Authors: Parry Gareth , Provost Lloyd p , Provost Shannon m , Little Kevin , Perla Rocco j
Published: November 2021

Objective

As the globe endures the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we developed a hybrid Shewhart chart to visualize and learn from day-to-day variation in a variety of epidemic measures over time.

Context

Countries and localities have reported daily data representing the progression of COVID-19 conditions and measures, with trajectories mapping along the classic epidemiological curve. Settings have experienced different patterns over time within the epidemic: pre-exponential growth, exponential growth, plateau or descent and/ or low counts after descent. Decision-makers need a reliable method for rapidly detecting transitions in epidemic measures, informing curtailment strategies and learning from actions taken.

Methods

We designed a hybrid Shewhart chart describing four ‘epochs’ ((i) pre-exponential growth, (ii) exponential growth, (iii) plateau or descent and (iv) stability after descent) of the COVID-19 epidemic that emerged by incorporating a C-chart and I-chart with a log-regression slope. We developed and tested the hybrid chart using international data at the country, regional and local levels with measures including cases, hospitalizations and deaths with guidance from local subject-matter experts.

Results

The hybrid chart effectively and rapidly signaled the occurrence of each of the four epochs. In the UK, a signal that COVID-19 deaths moved into exponential growth occurred on 17 September, 44 days prior to the announcement of a large-scale lockdown. In California, USA, signals detecting increases in COVID-19 cases at the county level were detected in December 2020 prior to statewide stay-at-home orders, with declines detected in the weeks following. In Ireland, in December 2020, the hybrid chart detected increases in COVID-19 cases, followed by hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions and deaths. Following national restrictions in late December, a similar sequence of reductions in the measures was detected in January and February 2021.

Conclusions

The Shewhart hybrid chart is a valuable tool for rapidly generating learning from data in close to real time. When used by subject-matter experts, the chart can guide actionable policy and local decision-making earlier than when action is likely to be taken without it.
Bombs and Babies: Exposure to Terrorism and Fertility Choices in Nigeria
Authors: Rotondi Valentina , Rocca Michele
Published: November 2021

The aim of terrorism all over the world is to have fear rule over people’s lives. The consequences of terrorist attacks, however, are substantially different across contexts. In this paper we study the association between exposure to Boko Haram’s attacks and households’ fertility choices in Nigeria. We hypothesise that households exposed to terrorism increase their number of children as a way to insure against future unexpected shocks. We test this hypothesis using geolocalised panel data linked to information on terrorist attacks that occurred in the region. Consistent with our hypothesis, terrorism is found to increase fertility (proxied by the number of surviving children per household): a one standard deviation increase in the number of fatalities increases the probability that a household hit by terrorism has a newborn by $1\%$. This association is robust to the use of difference-in-differences and instrumental variables models—and therefore can be given a causal interpretation.
Space Suits and Gas Masks: Mary Ann Scherr and an Alternative View of Personal Technology
Authors: Perkov Kayleigh C
Published: November 2021

The development of commercial, wearable biosensors since the 1970s has been promoted as a rhetoric of optimization, in which one’s body can be improved through harnessing information. The wearable biosensor can therefore be understood as a tool of biomedicalization, in which patients are turned into consumers and health is a personal responsibility. This paper argues for a radical alternative vision of biosensors through an unexpected precursor, the American metalsmith Mary Ann Scherr (1921–2016). In the early 1970s Scherr debuted a series of ‘body monitoring’ jewellery. This jewellery responded both to a cybernetic notion of technological control as well a burgeoning ecological movement that positioned the body as porous—and therefore vulnerable—to its environment. A product of the studio craft and industrial design worlds, Scherr married function with a keen appreciation for adornment and sensuality. Scherr’s body monitors offer an alternative vision to the rhetoric of optimization, one that balances a desire for control through information with an emphasis on embodied form born through a sensual attention to physical experience.
Towards Greater Investor Accountability: Indirect Actions, Direct Actions by States and Direct Actions by Individuals
Authors: Jarrett Martin , Puig Sergio , Ratner Steven
Published: November 2021

Investor accountability in international investment law (IIL) has been gaining increasing traction in recent years. Most visibly, some states have included investor obligations in their investment treaties, while others have made them part of their model treaties. While highly significant for the substance of IIL, these duties need adequate procedural tools to enforce them. Otherwise, investor obligations will be only decorative features of investment treaties without any legal meaning. The oft-discussed option of counterclaims is limited insofar as it may only be launched after an investor has made a claim against a state. As a result, it is important to identify other potential pieces of the procedural infrastructure for investor accountability. This article analyses three such methods: indirect actions that link an investor's access to arbitration to its compliance with legal rules and standards, whether in domestic or international law; direct actions by states against investors; and direct actions by individuals against investors. In each case, we assess the existing legal landscape of arbitral and treaty practice, the most promising legal avenues for advancing that method of accountability, and potential challenges to these avenues. Given the procedural focus of the negotiations for ISDS reform taking place at UNCITRAL Working Group 3, it is a particularly opportune time for this exploration of these options.
Modifying root-to-shoot ratio improves root water influxes in wheat under drought stress
Authors: Bacher Harel , Sharaby Yoav , Walia Harkamal , Peleg Zvi
Published: November 2021

Drought intensity as experienced by plants depends upon soil moisture status and atmospheric variables such as temperature, radiation, and air vapour pressure deficit. Although the role of shoot architecture with these edaphic and atmospheric factors is well characterized, the extent to which shoot and root dynamic interactions as a continuum are controlled by genotypic variation is less well known. Here, we targeted these interactions using a wild emmer wheat introgression line (IL20) with a distinct drought-induced shift in the shoot-to-root ratio and its drought-sensitive recurrent parent Svevo. Using a gravimetric platform, we show that IL20 maintained higher root water influx and gas exchange under drought stress, which supported a greater growth. Interestingly, the advantage of IL20 in root water influx and transpiration was expressed earlier during the daily diurnal cycle under lower vapour pressure deficit and therefore supported higher transpiration efficiency. Application of a structural equation model indicates that under drought, vapour pressure deficit and radiation are antagonistic to transpiration rate, whereas the root water influx operates as a feedback for the higher atmospheric responsiveness of leaves. Collectively, our results suggest that a drought-induced shift in root-to-shoot ratio can improve plant water uptake potential in a short preferable time window during early morning when vapour pressure deficit is low and the light intensity is not a limiting factor for assimilation.
A search for Planet 9 in the IRAS data
Authors: Rowan-Robinson Michael
Published: November 2021

I have carried out a search for Planet 9 in the IRAS data. At the distance range proposed for Planet 9, the signature would be a 60 $\mu$m unidentified IRAS point source with an associated nearby source from the IRAS reject file of sources which received only a single hours-confirmed (HCON) detection. The confirmed source should be detected on the first two HCON passes, but not on the third, while the single HCON should be detected only on the third HCON. I have examined the unidentified sources in three IRAS 60 $\mu$m catalogs: some can be identified with 2MASS galaxies, Galactic sources or as cirrus. The remaining unidentified sources have been examined with the IRSA Scanpi tool to check for the signature missing HCONs, and for association with IRAS reject file single HCONs. No matches of interest survive. For a lower mass planet (≤5ME) in the distance range 200–400 AU, we expect a pair or triplet of single HCONs with separations 2–35 arcmin. Several hundred candidate associations are found and have been examined with Scanpi. A single candidate for Planet 9 survives which satisfies the requirements for detected and non-detected HCON passes. A fitted orbit suggest a distance of 225 ± 15 AU and a mass of 3–5 ME. Dynamical simulations are needed to explore whether the candidate is consistent with existing planet ephemerides. If so, a search in an annulus of radius 2.5–4° centred on the 1983 position at visible and near-infrared wavelengths would be worthwhile.
A new insight of AGC 198691 (Leoncino) galaxy with MEGARA at the GTC
Authors: Carrasco E , García-Vargas M L , Gil de Paz A , Mollá M , Izazaga-Pérez R , Castillo-Morales A , Gómez-Alvarez P , Gallego J , Iglesias-Páramo J , Cardiel N , Pascual S , Pérez-Calpena A
Published: November 2021

We describe the observations of the low metallicity nearby galaxy AGC 198691 (Leoncino Dwarf) obtained with the Integral Field Unit of the instrument MEGARA at the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The observations cover the wavelength ranges 4304–5198 Å and 6098–7306 Å with a resolving power R ≈ 6000. We present 2D maps of the ionized gas, deriving the extension of the H ii region and gas kinematics from the observed emission lines. We have not found any evidence of recent gas infall or loss of metals by means of outflows. This result is supported by the closed-box model predictions, consistent with the oxygen abundance found by other authors in this galaxy and points towards Leoncino being a genuine XMD galaxy. We present for the first time spatially resolved spectroscopy allowing the detailed study of a star-forming region. We use popstar + cloudy models to simulate the emission-line spectrum. We find that the central emission-line spectrum can be explained by a single young ionizing cluster with an age of ≈ 3.5 ± 0.5 Myr and a stellar mass of ≈ 2 $\times \, 10^{3}$ M⊙. However, the radial profiles of [${\rm O\, {\small III}}$] λ 5007Å and the Balmer lines in emission demand photoionization by clusters of different ages between 3.5 and 6.5 Myr that might respond either to the evolution of a single cluster evolving along the cooling time of the nebula (≈ 3 Myr at the metallicity of Leoncino, Z≈ 0.0004) or to mass segregation of the cluster, being both scenarios consistent with the observed equivalent widths of the Balmer lines.