bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major complications of cirrhosis: the nurse's role
Authors: Bager Palle
Published: July 2021

Palle Bager explores the findings of an international review paper into complications arising from liver cirrhosis, with a focus on the role of specialist nursing care
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experiences of hepatology nurses in Canada
Authors: Zukowski Donna , DeWolff Anna , Lee Elizabeth , Gallagher Lesley , Coutere Sarah De , Yim Colina
Published: July 2021

Background:

In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, directly affecting the management of liver disease.

Aims:

This study aimed to gain insights on the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian hepatology nursing care practices, on the personal stress levels of nurses and on strategies employed in the delivery of care.

Methods:

The 129 members of the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses (CAHN) were invited to an online survey, with a mixed-methods design consisting of 22 quantitative and seven optional qualitative questions.

Findings:

Of CAHN members, 41 (32%) responded to the survey; 90% reported moderate-to-severe negative impacts on practice settings, while 68% reported hepatitis C testing and treatment delays. The qualitative data identified six main themes within two broad categories: barriers in access to care and strategies employed by nurses.

Conclusions:

Participants identified that COVID-19 had negative impacts on themselves personally and on their delivery of healthcare to patients. Hepatology nurses led positive changes through collaboration with community partners and mobilisation of outreach work.
Sustainability in liver care
Authors: Clayton Michelle
Published: July 2021

Michelle Clayton, Chair of the British Liver Nurses' Association, considers what can be done to reduce the environmental impact of hepatology services
Analysis of Wear Characteristics of Blade Materials and Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Authors: Shi Yameng , Wen Baoqin , Li Liqiao , Wang Tao , Li Yang , Ren Sixue , Li Jingbin
Published: July 2021

Highlights

The thermal reaction between Glycyrrhiza uralensis and metal was analyzed via thermogravimetry.

The wear characteristics of three common blade metals were studied under laboratory conditions.

The wear mechanisms on the blades by different parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis were analyzed.

Thermal oxidation and element transfer occurred during the wear of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and metals.

Abstract. To investigate the wear of metal blades when kneading and crushing total mixed ration (TMR) forage grass, the chemical composition of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) was determined using hydrochloric acid hydrolysis, titration, and Kjeldahl nitrogen determination, and the thermal stability of G. uralensis was analyzed with thermogravimetry (TG). Blades made of spring steel (65Mn), mold steel (Cr12MoV), and tool steel (9CrSi) were selected for the wear tests. The wear mechanisms of the cork and wood layers of G. uralensis on blades were explored via reciprocating friction. The elemental content and worn surface morphology of the blades were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), three-dimensional morphology, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray energy spectrum analysis. Results showed that the wear on the blades was mainly abrasive, fatigue, and adhesive wear. Comparison of the wear of the G. uralensis cork and wood layers with that of the three blade types revealed that the coefficient of friction was smallest for the 65Mn blades, at 0.20 and 0.75, respectively, for the cork and wood layers. The combination of pyrolysis of G. uralensis with a change in the atomic content on the wear surfaces of the blades indicated that the wear process of the blades was accompanied by thermal oxidation. Damage to the blades by the G. uralensis wood layer was more serious than damage by the cork layer. The surface roughness and the depth of the wear scars for the G. uralensis wood layer on 65Mn blades were 0.085 µm and 0.427 µm, respectively, which were lower than the wear parameters for the Cr12MoV and 9CrSi blades under the same conditions. Therefore, 65Mn blades have good wear resistance and plastic resistance under the same wear condition. This study provides a reference for blade selection for cutting of TMR forage materials. Keywords: Blade, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Surface roughness, Wear resistance, Weightlessness rate.
Optical fiber time transmission technology based on a double-fiber round-trip method
Authors: Chen Ding , Xu Jiangning , Li Zhenzhong , Tan Xiaorong , Wu Miao
Published: July 2021

In this paper, an optical fiber time transmission technology based on a
double-fiber round-trip method is provided. In the system, the one-way
transmission delay from the master station to the slave station can be
calculated directly through the measurement of three time interval
counters and their ratio relationship. The method eliminates the
influence of fiber length expansion and round-trip transmission delay
fluctuation, which is caused by ambient temperature change. The master
and slave stations are connected by 100 km and 80 km optical fibers,
respectively, and the temperature of the optical fiber link varies
from

−

20

∘

C

to 40°C. Compared with the
single-fiber round-trip method, the time interval error of a
double-fiber round-trip method is reduced from 1.4 ns to 80 ps when
the wavelength is 1310–1550 nm, and from 320 to 80 ps when the
wavelength is 1490–1550 nm.
Ultra-wideband graphene-based absorber in the terahertz regime based on elliptical slots and a complementary sinusoidal-patterned dielectric layer
Authors: Zareian-Jahromi Ehsan , Nourbakhsh Milad , Basiri Raheleh , Mashayekhi Valiollah
Published: July 2021

A graphene-based absorber is presented based on elliptical slots and a complementary sinusoidal-patterned dielectric layer. The proposed absorber structure includes upper dielectric and metal film layers resulting in a Fabry–Perot cavity. The produced cavity enhances the confinement of electromagnetic waves. The presented absorber yields an absolute bandwidth of 4.02 THz (0.51–4.53 THz) considering an 0.88 absorbance level together with normal incidence. The presented structure benefits from an almost insensitive ultra-wideband absorbing performance as

θ

varies up to 50°and 60° for TE and TM polarizations, respectively. Moreover, the considered symmetry in the design procedure results in an almost insensitive structure with respect to the

φ

incident angle. Finally, the obtained 160% fractional bandwidth is much greater compared to mentioned previous works in literature.
Considerations concerning backscattering in the scattering order formulation of the discrete dipole approximation as applied to non-absorbing scatterers
Authors: Haspel Carynelisa , Sela Maor
Published: July 2021

The progression of secondary waves emanating from scattering centers within a non-absorbing material in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (wavelength 0.500 µm) is traced using two modeling schemes: the scattering order formulation (SOF) of the discrete dipole approximation (the original SOF) and the SOF with the Twersky approximation, according to which the path of the secondary waves in a successive scattering chain does not loop through the same scattering center more than once (the SOF-Twersky). It is shown that for smaller submicron-sized scatterers (radius 0.100–0.200 µm), the scattering phase function in the backscattering hemisphere converges after a small number of orders of scattering, as does the scattering phase function in the forward scattering hemisphere. For larger submicron-sized to micron-sized scatterers (radius 0.300–0.500 µm), however, the scattering phase function in the backscattering hemisphere deviates significantly from the correct scattering phase function for a small number of orders of scattering, even as the scattering phase function in the forward scattering hemisphere remains at reasonable values. These results point to the particular importance of higher orders of scattering in reducing backscattering by particles composed of non-absorbing materials. Likewise, the results imply that a possible source for the lack of convergence in the original SOF lies in a certain lack of destructive interference of secondary waves propagating in particular into the backscattering hemisphere. The extent to which “downward recursion” can ameliorate this lack of destructive interference of secondary waves propagating into the backscattering hemisphere within the SOF is also examined. In the SOF with downward recursion, looping of secondary scattered waves is allowed, unlike the other versions of the SOF; however, the scattering centers situated the largest distance from one another within a given scatterer interact with one another first, and the interactions proceed to smaller and smaller scattering center separations.
Large field-of-view holographic display by gapless splicing of multisegment cylindrical holograms
Authors: Ma Yifan , Wang Jun , Wu Yang , Jin Fengming , Zhang Zekun , Zhou Zhenxing , Chen Ni
Published: July 2021

A holographic three-dimensional (3D) display is a recognized and ideal 3D display technology. In the field of holographic research, cylindrical holography with the merit of 360° field of view (FOV) has recently become a hot issue, as it naturally solves the problem of limited FOV in planar holography. The recently proposed approximate phase compensation (APC) method successfully obtains larger FOV and fast generation of segment cylindrical hologram (SCH) in the visible light band. However, the FOV of SCH remains limited due to its intrinsic limitations, and, to our best knowledge, the issue has not been effectively addressed. In this paper, the restricted conditions are first analyzed for the generation of SCH by the APC method. Then, an FOV expansion method is proposed for realizing a large FOV holographic display by gapless splicing of multi-SCH. The proposed method can successfully obtain larger FOV cylindrical holograms and effectively eliminate the splicing gaps; its effectiveness is verified by the results of numerical simulation and optical experiments. Therefore, the proposed method can effectively solve the FOV limitation problem of the APC method for the generation of SCH in the visible band, realize a large FOV 3D display, and provide a useful reference for holographic 3D display.
Detection of magneto-optical Kerr signals via weak measurement with frequency pointer
Authors: He Yu , Luo Lan , Xie Linguo , Shao Jingyi , Liu Yurong , You Jiacheng , Ye Yucheng , Zhang Zhiyou
Published: July 2021

Detection of the magneto-optical Kerr effect with high precision is of great significance but has challenges in the field of magnetic physics and spintronic devices. Kerr rotation angle and Kerr ellipticity always coexist and are difficult to distinguish, which jointly determines the light intensity received by the detector and limits the improvement of measurement precision. In this Letter, a nonlinear weak measurement scheme for magneto-optical Kerr signals with a frequency pointer is proposed. The Kerr rotation and Kerr ellipticity can be separately detected by constructing different pre-selections and choosing the appropriate coupling strength. Moreover, two signals obtained through the weak measurement scheme have higher precision and signal-to-noise ratio compared with the standard polarimetry scheme. Our method may have important applications in the field of magneto-optic parameters measurement or magnetic sensors.
Dispersive-wave self-frequency shift unveiled through length scales propagation
Authors: Castelló-Lurbe David
Published: July 2021

Nonlinear propagation of light pulses can excite dispersive waves anchored at frequencies determined by the chromatic dispersion curve. In this work, conditions enabling dispersive-wave self-frequency shift over the propagation distance are analytically derived in the normal dispersion regime. Importantly, this novel, to the best of our knowledge, scenario is not found by solving the complex dynamics of the pulse, but by studying the evolution of the nonlinear and dispersive length scales. This approach allows a simpler, yet consistent and insightful, analysis that may also be very useful in other nonlinear regimes.
BDNF produced by cerebral microglia promotes cortical plasticity and pain hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Huang Lianyan , Jin Jianhua , Chen Kai , You Sikun , Zhang Hongyang , Sideris Alexandra , Norcini Monica , Recio-Pinto Esperanza , Wang Jing , Gan Wen-Biao , Yang Guang
Published: July 2021

Peripheral nerve injury–induced mechanical allodynia is often accompanied by abnormalities in the higher cortical regions, yet the mechanisms underlying such maladaptive cortical plasticity remain unclear. Here, we show that in male mice, structural and functional changes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) caused by peripheral nerve injury require neuron-microglial signaling within the local circuit. Following peripheral nerve injury, microglia in the S1 maintain ramified morphology and normal density but up-regulate the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Using in vivo two-photon imaging and Cx3cr1CreER;Bdnfflox mice, we show that conditional knockout of BDNF from microglia prevents nerve injury–induced synaptic remodeling and pyramidal neuron hyperactivity in the S1, as well as pain hypersensitivity in mice. Importantly, S1-targeted removal of microglial BDNF largely recapitulates the beneficial effects of systemic BDNF depletion on cortical plasticity and allodynia. Together, these findings reveal a pivotal role of cerebral microglial BDNF in somatosensory cortical plasticity and pain hypersensitivity.
Microtubules and Gαo-signaling modulate the preferential secretion of young insulin secretory granules in islet β cells via independent pathways
Authors: Hu Ruiying , Zhu Xiaodong , Yuan Mingyang , Ho Kung-Hsien , Kaverina Irina , Gu Guoqiang
Published: July 2021

For sustainable function, each pancreatic islet β cell maintains thousands of insulin secretory granules (SGs) at all times. Glucose stimulation induces the secretion of a small portion of these SGs and simultaneously boosts SG biosynthesis to sustain this stock. The failure of these processes, often induced by sustained high-insulin output, results in type 2 diabetes. Intriguingly, young insulin SGs are more likely secreted during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) for unknown reasons, while older SGs tend to lose releasability and be degraded. Here, we examine the roles of microtubule (MT) and Gαo-signaling in regulating the preferential secretion of young versus old SGs. We show that both MT-destabilization and Gαo inactivation results in more SGs localization near plasma membrane (PM) despite higher levels of GSIS and reduced SG biosynthesis. Intriguingly, MT-destabilization or Gαo-inactivation results in higher secretion probabilities of older SGs, while combining both having additive effects on boosting GSIS. Lastly, Gαo inactivation does not detectably destabilize the β-cell MT network. These findings suggest that Gαo and MT can modulate the preferential release of younger insulin SGs via largely parallel pathways.
An association analysis between hypertension, dementia, and depression and the phases of pre-sarcopenia to sarcopenia: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Endo Takeshi , Akai Kenju , Kijima Tsunetaka , Kitahara Shigetaka , Abe Takafumi , Takeda Miwako , Nabika Toru , Yano Shozo , Isomura Minoru
Published: July 2021

Sarcopenia is intricately related to aging associated diseases, such as neuropsychiatric disorders, oral status, and chronic diseases. Dementia and depression are interconnected and also related to sarcopenia. The preliminary shift from robust to sarcopenia (i.e., pre-sarcopenia) is an important albeit underdiscussed stage and is the focus of this study. Identifying factors associated with pre-sarcopenia may lead to sarcopenia prevention. To separately examine the effects of dementia and depression on pre-sarcopenia/sarcopenia, we conducted multiple analyses. This cross-sectional study used health checkup data from a rural Japanese island. The participants were aged 60 years and above, and the data included muscle mass, gait speed, handgrip strength, oral status (teeth and denture), chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension), dementia (cognitive assessment for dementia, iPad Version), and depression (self-rating depression scale). A total of 753 older adult participants were divided into the sarcopenia (n = 30), pre-sarcopenia (n = 125), and robust (n = 598) groups. An ordered logit regression analysis indicated that age and depression were positively correlated with sarcopenia, while hypertension was negatively associated with it. A multiple logistic regression analysis between the robust and pre-sarcopenia groups showed significant associations between the same three variables. Depression was associated with pre-sarcopenia, but not dementia. There was also a significant association between hypertension and pre-sarcopenia. Further research is needed to reveal whether the management of these factors can prevent sarcopenia.
Effects of achromatic and chromatic lights on pupillary response, endocrinology, activity, and milk production in dairy cows
Authors: Lindkvist Sofia , Ternman Emma , Ferneborg Sabine , Bånkestad Daniel , Lindqvist Johan , Ekesten Björn , Agenäs Sigrid
Published: July 2021

Artificial light can be used as a management tool to increase milk yield in dairy production. However, little is known about how cows respond to the spectral composition of light. The aim of this study was to investigate how dairy cows respond to artificial achromatic and chromatic lights. A tie-stall barn equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) light fixtures was used to create the controlled experimental light environments. Two experiments were conducted, both using dairy cows of Swedish Red and light mixtures with red, blue or white light. In experiment I, the response to light of increasing intensity on pupil size was evaluated in five pregnant non-lactating cows. In experiment II 16h of achromatic and chromatic daylight in combination with dim, achromatic night light, was tested on pregnant lactating cows during five weeks to observe long term effects on milk production, activity and circadian rhythms. Particular focus was given to possible carry over effects of blue light during the day on activity at night since this has been demonstrated in humans. Increasing intensity of white and blue light affected pupil size (P<0.001), but there was no effect on pupil size with increased intensity of red light. Milk yield was maintained throughout experiment II, and plasma melatonin was higher during dim night light than in daylight for all treatments (P<0.001). In conclusion, our results show that LED fixtures emitting red light driving the ipRGCs indirectly via ML-cones, blue light stimulating both S-cones and ipRGCs directly and a mixture of wavelengths (white light) exert similar effects on milk yield and activity in tied-up dairy cows. This suggests that the spectral composition of LED lighting in a barn is secondary to duration and intensity.
Non-native plant removal and high rainfall years promote post-fire recovery of Artemisia californica in southern California sage scrub
Authors: Thomson Diane M. , Meyer Wallace M. , Whitcomb Isobel F.
Published: July 2021

Non-native plant invasions, changes in fire regime, and increasing drought stress all pose important threats to biodiverse mediterranean-climate shrublands. These factors can also interact, with fire and drought potentially creating opportunities for non-native species to establish dominance before native shrubs recover. We carried out post-fire demographic monitoring of the common native shrub Artemisia californica in a southern California sage scrub fragment for 7 years, including several with very low rainfall. Experimental removals of non-native plants were included for the first 4 years. We quantified A. californica post-fire crown resprouting and seedling emergence, and tested effects of precipitation, non-native plants, and their interactions on seedling and adult survival. Only 7 A. californica were confirmed as resprouts; almost all individuals established after the fire from seedlings, with 90% of emergence occurring in the second growing year after fire (spring 2015). Higher spring precipitation increased both adult and seedling survival. Non-native grasses and forbs rapidly recolonized control plots, but the removal treatment reduced non-native cover by nearly 60%. For seedlings, non-native removal reduced the probability of dropping leaves by start of summer drought and increased survival both directly and through positive interactions with rainfall. Non-native removal also reduced mortality in smaller adult plants. By 2020, mean A. californica canopy area was nearly four times greater in non-native removal plots. These findings reinforce the high vulnerability of sage scrub habitat to post-fire loss of shrub cover and potential type conversion, particularly with increasing drought frequency and in stands and species with limited crown resprouting. Yet they also illustrate the potential for targeted management of non-natives immediately after fire to promote recovery of native shrubs in this increasingly endangered community.
Value chain organization models of Taiwanese electronic information enterprises in Mainland China and their spatiotemporal evolution processes
Authors: Siyue Chen , Suqiong Wei , Gengzhi Huang , Hongou Zhang
Published: July 2021

This study examines Taiwanese investment in Mainland China as it is an important part of cross-strait economic cooperation. Using sample data from Taiwanese-listed electronic information enterprises in Mainland China (1990–2016), this study combines ArcGIS spatial visualization and case analysis to investigate their value chain organization models and spatiotemporal evolution regularity. The results show that the value chain of the electronic information industry for Taiwanese investments in Mainland China has three models: vertical integration, modularization in production sharing, and production extension. Vertical integration is the main production organization model of these Taiwanese listed electronic information enterprises, expanding from single production to the entire manufacturing value chain, followed by sales, and finally R&D. This model is still in use in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone, whereas the other four Taiwanese investment agglomerations, namely the Bohai Economic Rim, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Western Delta Economic Circle, began to expand to both ends of the production link, particularly to the sales link. High-value -added enterprises adopting production sharing models began to show a trend of expansion to inland cities, and enterprises adopting the manufacturing–sales model (a production expansion model) had the widest distribution. Finally, at the city level, the value chain fragmentation structure of Taiwanese and developed countries’ cross-border (multinational) enterprises in Mainland China were consistent, that is, they matched the Chinese city hierarchy; at the regional level, however, the Western Delta Economic Circle pioneered to become a hub for Taiwanese electronic to information enterprises set up their R&D and sales links in Mainland China. Investigating chain-alike spatiotemporal expansion of Taiwanese investment in Mainland China is important for the integration and development of the value chain, production network, and enterprise spatial organization theories.
Nutritional value and organoleptic assessment of traditionally smoked cheeses made from goat, sheep and cow’s milk
Authors: Filipczak-Fiutak Magda , Pluta-Kubica Agnieszka , Domagała Jacek , Duda Iwona , Migdał Władysław
Published: July 2021

The use of small ruminant milk for smoked cheese production makes it possible to incorporate valuable nutrients into the diet, especially as the consumption of unprocessed sheep or goat’s milk is low compared to that from cows. Smoking of food not only prolongs its shelf-life but also improves its flavour. Taking the fact that many consumers do not accept some organoleptic properties of milk from small ruminants into account, the aim of the study was to assess and compare the organoleptic and nutritional properties of traditionally smoked cheeses made from goat, sheep and cow’s milk. The analysed cheeses differed in terms of dry matter content and its components such as protein and fat. Their acidity was comparable, except for the sample made of raw goat’s milk, which was characterised by a relatively high pH value (6.12 ± 0.06). The highest content of CLA (2.30 ± 0.04%), as well as the highest share of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, was determined in the cheese made from sheep’s milk. Moreover, the content of butyric and caproic free fatty acids in cheeses made from goat’s milk was found to be several times higher than in the other analysed cheeses. The organoleptic assessment did not reveal any significant differences between the cheeses produced at small, private farms and in industrial conditions, or between different types of cheese, regardless of the type of milk from which they were produced.
Volume of the right supramarginal gyrus is associated with a maintenance of emotion recognition ability
Authors: Wada Sayaka , Honma Motoyasu , Masaoka Yuri , Yoshida Masaki , Koiwa Nobuyoshi , Sugiyama Haruko , Iizuka Natsuko , Kubota Satomi , Kokudai Yumika , Yoshikawa Akira , Kamijo Shotaro , Kamimura Sawa , Ida Masahiro , Ono Kenjiro , Onda Hidetoshi , Izumizaki Masahiko
Published: July 2021

Emotion recognition is known to change with age, but associations between the change and brain atrophy are not well understood. In the current study atrophied brain regions associated with emotion recognition were investigated in elderly and younger participants. Group comparison showed no difference in emotion recognition score, while the score was associated with years of education, not age. We measured the gray matter volume of 18 regions of interest including the bilateral precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, orbital gyrus, straight gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, inferior frontal gyrus, insular cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which have been associated with social function and emotion recognition. Brain reductions were observed in elderly group except left inferior frontal gyrus, left straight gyrus, right orbital gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus. Path analysis was performed using the following variables: age, years of education, emotion recognition score, and the 5 regions that were not different between the groups. The analysis revealed that years of education were associated with volumes of the right orbital gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus. Furthermore, the right supramarginal gyrus volume was associated with the emotion recognition score. These results suggest that the amount of education received contributes to maintain the right supramarginal gyrus volume, and indirectly affects emotion recognition ability.
Magnetic-resonance-based measurement of electromagnetic fields and conductivity in vivo using single current administration—A machine learning approach
Authors: Sajib Saurav Z. K. , Chauhan Munish , Kwon Oh In , Sadleir Rosalind J.
Published: July 2021

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (DT-MREIT) is a newly developed technique that combines MR-based measurements of magnetic flux density with diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) data to reconstruct electrical conductivity tensor distributions. DT-MREIT techniques normally require injection of two independent current patterns for unique reconstruction of conductivity characteristics. In this paper, we demonstrate an algorithm that can be used to reconstruct the position dependent scale factor relating conductivity and diffusion tensors, using flux density data measured from only one current injection. We demonstrate how these images can also be used to reconstruct electric field and current density distributions. Reconstructions were performed using a mimetic algorithm and simulations of magnetic flux density from complementary electrode montages, combined with a small-scale machine learning approach. In a biological tissue phantom, we found that the method reduced relative errors between single-current and two-current DT-MREIT results to around 10%. Forin vivohuman experimental data the error was about 15%. These results suggest that incorporation of machine learning may make it easier to recover electrical conductivity tensors and electric field images during neuromodulation therapy without the need for multiple current administrations.
SOCS3 deficiency in cardiomyocytes elevates sensitivity of ischemic preconditioning that synergistically ameliorates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Nohara Shoichiro , Yamamoto Mai , Yasukawa Hideo , Nagata Takanobu , Takahashi Jinya , Shimozono Koutatsu , Yanai Toshiyuki , Sasaki Tomoko , Okabe Kota , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Akagaki Daiki , Mawatari Kazutoshi , Fukumoto Yoshihiro
Published: July 2021

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is the most powerful endogenous cardioprotective form of cellular adaptation. However, the inhibitory or augmenting mechanism underlying cardioprotection via IPC remains largely unknown. Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) is a cytokine-inducible potent negative feedback regulator of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Here, we aimed to determine whether cardiac SOCS3 deficiency and IPC would synergistically reduce infarct size after myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. We evaluated STAT3 activation and SOCS3 induction after ischemic conditioning (IC) using western blot analysis and real-time PCR, and found that myocardial IC alone transiently activated myocardial STAT3 and correspondingly induced SOCS3 expression in wild-type mice. Compared with wild-type mice, cardiac-specific SOCS3 knockout (SOCS3-CKO) mice showed significantly greater and more sustained IC-induced STAT3 activation. Following ischemia reperfusion, IPC substantially reduced myocardial infarct size and significantly enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation in SOCS3-CKO mice compared to in wild-type mice. Real-time PCR array analysis revealed that SOCS3-CKO mice after IC exhibited significantly increased expressions of several anti-apoptotic genes and SAFE pathway-related genes. Moreover, real-time PCR analysis revealed that myocardial IC alone rapidly induced expression of the STAT3-activating cytokine erythropoietin in the kidney at 1 h post-IC. We also found that the circulating erythropoietin level was promptly increased at 1 h after myocardial IC. Myocardial SOCS3 deficiency and IPC exert synergistic effects in the prevention of myocardial injury after ischemia reperfusion. Our present results suggest that myocardial SOCS3 is a potent inhibitor of IPC-induced cardioprotection, and that myocardial SOCS3 inhibition augment IPC-mediated cardioprotection during ischemia reperfusion injury.
The association between elder abuse and childhood adversity: A study of older adults in Malaysia
Authors: Asyraf Mohammad , Dunne Michael P. , Hairi Noran N. , Mohd Hairi Farizah , Radzali Noraliza , Wan Yuen Choo
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Childhood adversity has been linked with later victimization of young and middle-aged adults, but few studies have shown persistence of this effect among elders, especially outside of North America. This research examined the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and elder abuse among older adults aged 60 years and over in Malaysia.

Design

Cross sectional data were collected via face-to-face interview from June to August 2019.

Setting

Eight government community health clinics in Kuala Pilah, a district in Negeri Sembilan state approximately 100km from Malaysian capital city Kuala Lumpur.

Participants

Older adults aged 60 years and above (N = 1984; Mean age 69.2, range 60–93 years) attending all eight government health clinics in the district were recruited for a face-to-face interview about health and well-being.

Measurement

The Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) were utilized to estimate childhood adversity and elder abuse respectively.

Results

Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the number of cumulative ACEs and elder abuse. Compared to older adults with no self-reported adversity, those reporting three ACEs (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.84,3.87) or four or more ACEs (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.16, 2.48) had higher risk of any elder abuse occurrence since age 60 years. The effect was most prominent for financial and psychological elder abuse. The associations persisted in multivariate logistic regression models after adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors.

Conclusion

Early life adversities were significantly associated with victimization of older adults. Social and emotional support to address elder abuse should recognize that, for some men and women, there is a possibility that vulnerability to maltreatment persisted throughout their life course.
Competition in Abies kawakamii forests at subtropical high mountain in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Wei , Liao Min-Chun , Tzeng Hsy-Yu
Published: July 2021

The spatial patterns of plant species reflect the competitive pressures on individuals. To generate Competition indices (CI), we measured the diameter at breast height (DBH), crown volumes (CV) and the distances between trees. In this study,Abies kawakamiiwere divided based on the dominant component of the understory (moss or bamboo) to (1) investigate the relationship between the CI and stand structural attributes (SSAs); (2) compare the inter- and intraspecies; CIs as well as living and dead individual CIs; and (3) examine the relationship between the DBH and CI. The current findings indicate that the understory composition affected the CI and SSAs. The interspecies CI was larger than the intraspecies CI when bamboo-dominated the understory. In contrast, the intraspecies CI was larger than the interspecies CI when the understory was dominated by moss. The CI of dead individuals was higher than that of live individuals due to the biological characteristics and regeneration needs ofAbies. Additionally, sensitivity to the environment and available resources may exert more pressure on young individuals than mature individuals.
Identification of microRNA-like RNAs from Trichoderma asperellum DQ-1 during its interaction with tomato roots using bioinformatic analysis and high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Zhang Fengtao , Cui Jia , Chen Di , Liu Zhen , Hou Jumei , Zhang Rongyi , Liu Tong
Published: July 2021

MicroRNA-like small RNAs (milRNAs) and their regulatory roles in the interaction between plant and fungus have recently aroused keen interest of plant pathologists. Trichoderma spp., one of the widespread biocontrol fungi, can promote plant growth and induce plant disease resistance. To investigate milRNAs potentially involved in the interaction between Trichoderma and tomato roots, a small RNA (sRNA) library expressed during the interaction of T. asperellum DQ-1 and tomato roots was constructed and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeqTM 2500 sequencing platform. From 13,464,142 sRNA reads, we identified 21 milRNA candidates that were similar to other known microRNAs in the miRBase database and 22 novel milRNA candidates that possessed a stable microRNA precursor hairpin structure. Among them, three milRNA candidates showed different expression level in the interaction according to the result of stem-loop RT-PCR indicating that these milRNAs may play a distinct regulatory role in the interaction between Trichoderma and tomato roots. The potential transboundary milRNAs from T. asperellum and their target genes in tomato were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. The results revealed that several interesting proteins involved in plant growth and development, disease resistance, seed maturation, and osmotic stress signal transduction might be regulated by the transboundary milRNAs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of milRNAs taking part in the process of interaction of T. asperellum and tomato roots and associated with plant promotion and disease resistance. The results might be useful to unravel the mechanism of interaction between Trichoderma and tomato.
Both high and low pre-infection glucose levels associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19: New insights from a population-based study
Authors: Shauly-Aharonov Michal , Shafrir Asher , Paltiel Ora , Calderon-Margalit Ronit , Safadi Rifaat , Bicher Roee , Barenholz-Goultschin Orit , Stokar Joshua
Published: July 2021

Importance

Patients with diabetes are known to be at increased risk for infections including severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but the relationship between COVID-19 severity and specific pre-infection glucose levels is not known.

Objective

To assess the differential effects of pre-infection glucose levels on the risk for severe COVID-19 amongst patients with and without diabetes.

Design

Population based historical cohort study.

Setting

National state-mandated HMO.

Patients

All adult patients with a positive SARS-COV2 test between March-October 2020.

Exposure

Recent fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1C), age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease.

Outcome

Risk for severe COVID-19, defined as resulting in ≥10 hospitalization days, ICU admission or death.

Results

37,121 patients with a positive SARS-COV2 test were identified; 707 defined as severe (1.9%). Unadjusted risk factors for severe disease were age (OR = 1.1 for every year increase; 95% CI 1.09–1.11, p < 0.001), male gender (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.68, p = 0.012); BMI (OR = 1.02 for 1 kg/m2 increase, 95% CI 1.00–1.04, p = 0.025). Controlling for these factors, we found an association between pre-infection FBG and the risk of severe COVID-19, with a differential effect in patients with and without a diagnosis of diabetes. For patients without diabetes, elevated FBG in the pre-diabetes range (106–125 mg/dl) was associated with severe COVID-19 (OR 1.55 95% CI 1.04–2.26 p = 0.027). For patients with a diagnosis of diabetes, we found a J-shaped association between pre-infection glucose control and the risk for severe COVID-19 where the lowest risk for was for patients with FBG 106–125 mg/dl; the risk increased with higher pre-infection glucose levels but strikingly also for patients with a low pre-infection FBG (<100mg/dl) or HbA1C (<5.7%).

Conclusions and relevance

Elevated pre-infection blood glucose is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 even in non-diabetics. For patients with a diagnosis of diabetes both high as well as low pre-infection glucose levels are risk factors for severe COVID-19. Further research is required to assess whether these associations are causal, but we believe these findings can already have clinical implications for COVID-19 risk assessment and stratification.
Experimental study protocol of the project “MOtor function and VItamin D: Toolkit for motor performance and risk Assessment (MOVIDA)”
Authors: Belluscio Valeria , Orejel Bustos Amaranta S. , Camomilla Valentina , Rizzo Francesco , Sciarra Tommaso , Gabbianelli Marco , Guerriero Raffaella , Morsilli Ornella , Martelli Francesco , Giacomozzi Claudia
Published: July 2021

Musculoskeletal injuries, a public health priority also in the military context, are ascribed to several risk factors, including: increased reaction forces; low/reduced muscle strength, endurance, body mass, Vitamin D level, and bone density; inadequate lifestyles and environment. The MOVIDA Project–funded by the Italian Ministry of Defence—aims at developing a transportable toolkit (assessment instrumentation, assessment protocols and reference/risk thresholds) which integrates motor function assessment with biological, environmental and behavioural factors to help characterizing the risk of stress fracture, stress injury or muscle fatigue due to mechanical overload. The MOVIDA study has been designed following the STROBE guidelines for observational cross-sectional studies addressing healthy adults, both militaries and civilians, with varying levels of physical fitness (sedentary people, recreational athletes, and competitive athletes). The protocol of the study has been designed and validated and is hereby reported. It allows to collect and analyse anamnestic, diagnostic and lifestyle-related data, environmental parameters, and functional parameters measured through portable and wearable instrumentation during adapted 6 minutes walking test. The t-test, one and two-way ANOVA with post-hoc corrections, and ANCOVA tests will be used to investigate relevant differences among the groups with respect to biomechanical parameters; non-parametric statistics will be rather used for non-normal continuous variables and for quantitative discrete variables. Generalized linear models will be used to account for risk and confounding factors.
Online activity of mosques and Muslims in the Netherlands: A study of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter
Authors: van Tubergen Frank , Cinjee Tobias , Menshikova Anastasia , Veldkamp Joran
Published: July 2021

Research on Muslim minorities in western societies has mainly focused on offline behavior, such as mosque attendance, whereas little is known about their presence in the online world. This study explores the online visibility and activities of all (478) mosques in the Netherlands. We collected data on personal websites and four social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube). The majority of mosques have a website (52%) and an account on Facebook (61%). Less often used are Twitter (17%), Instagram (17%) and YouTube (19%). On social media platforms, mosques strongly differ in their activity and number of followers. We find evidence to suggest that Salafist mosques, which tend to have a strict ideology, are more active on Twitter and YouTube, and also attract a larger share of followers on Facebook than non-Salafist mosques. Our more fine-grained analysis on Twitter shows that Salafist mosques in the Netherlands cluster together. Followers of Salafist mosques make up a community of users who are mainly connected to each other (“bonding ties”), and much less so to other users (“bridging ties”). We conclude with a discussion of opportunities for studying the online presence and activities of mosques and Muslims in western societies.
Inoculation of grape musts with single strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast reduces the diversity of chemical profiles of wines
Authors: Philipp Christian , Bagheri Bahareh , Horacek Micha , Eder Phillip , Bauer Florian Franz , Setati Mathabatha Evodia
Published: July 2021

Anecdotal evidence suggests that spontaneous alcoholic fermentation of grape juice is becoming a more popular option in global wine production. Wines produced from the same grape juice by inoculation or spontaneous fermentation usually present distinct chemical and sensorial profiles. Inoculation has been associated with more similar end-products, a loss of typicity, and lower aroma complexity, and it has been suggested that this may be linked to suppression of the local or regional wine microbial ecosystems responsible for spontaneous fermentations. However, whether inoculated fermentations of different juices from different regions really end up with a narrower, less diverse chemical profile than those of spontaneously fermented juices has never been properly investigated. To address this question, we used grape juice from three different varieties, Grüner Veltliner (white), Zweigelt (red), and Pinot noir (red), originating from different regions in Austria to compare spontaneous and single active dry yeast strains inoculated fermentations of the same grape samples. The chemical analysis covered primary metabolites such as glycerol, ethanol and organic acids, and volatile secondary metabolites, including more than 40 major and minor esters, as well as higher alcohols and volatile fatty acids, allowing an in depth statistical evaluation of differences between fermentation strategies. The fungal (mainly yeast) communities throughout fermentations were monitored using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. The data provide evidence that inoculation with single active dry yeast strains limits the diversity of the chemical fingerprints. The fungal community profiles clearly show that inoculation had an effect on fermentation dynamics and resulted in chemically less diverse wines.
Computationally efficient model of myocardial electromechanics for multiscale simulations
Authors: Syomin Fyodor , Osepyan Anna , Tsaturyan Andrey
Published: July 2021

A model of myocardial electromechanics is suggested. It combines modified and simplified versions of previously published models of cardiac electrophysiology, excitation-contraction coupling, and mechanics. The mechano-calcium and mechano-electrical feedbacks, including the strain-dependence of the propagation velocity of the action potential, are also accounted for. The model reproduces changes in the twitch amplitude and Ca2+-transients upon changes in muscle strain including the slow response. The model also reproduces the Bowditch effect and changes in the twitch amplitude and duration upon changes in the interstimulus interval, including accelerated relaxation at high stimulation frequency. Special efforts were taken to reduce the stiffness of the differential equations of the model. As a result, the equations can be integrated numerically with a relatively high time step making the model suitable for multiscale simulation of the human heart and allowing one to study the impact of myocardial mechanics on arrhythmias.
Brown bear and Persian leopard attacks on humans in Iran
Authors: Parchizadeh Jamshid , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: July 2021

Large carnivore attacks on humans are a serious form of human-wildlife interaction which has increased globally in recent decades. When attacks occur, both humans and large carnivores suffer, highlighting the need to characterize these conflicts toward mitigation of attacks. We investigated brown bear (Ursus arctos) and Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) attacks on humans across Iran using reports provided by the Government of Iran during 2012–2020. We characterized temporal and spatial patterns of attacks, as well as species-specific attributes. We identified 83 attacks resulting in 77 human injuries and 6 fatalities. Bears were responsible for more attacks (63%) than leopards (37%). Attacks occurred more frequently during defensive reactions by bears and leopards on adult male people while livestock herding during the day in spring and summer. Bears reportedly attacked people more often in western provinces of Iran, while leopards attacked more frequently in northern provinces. We recommend that the Iran Department of the Environment consider implementing a national reporting system to document bear and leopard attacks on people. We further suggest development of national bear and leopard management plans that emphasize mitigating human risk to improve human attitudes toward these carnivore species to facilitate their conservation.