bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study on laser polishing additive manufacturing Ti6Al4V
Authors: Zeng Junyong , Zhao Zhenyu , Lou Yan , Wang Chao
Published: October 2022

As a new precision processing technology, laser polishing is widely used in metal and non-metal. Laser polishing technology is especially suitable for parts with high hardness and small size. In this paper, a full factor experimental were carried out to investigate the effect of continues wave laser with a wavelength of 1064nm on the surface quality of additive manufacturing Ti6Al4V. The experimental result shows that a smooth surface can be obtained and the average roughness is reduced from 14.95μm to 1.756μm with the reduction rate is as high as 88.3% when laser power is 170W and scan speed is 60mm/s. And the height of the peaks and valleys on the sample surface has also been greatly reduced in condition of the optimized laser processing parameters.
Analysis of the mechanism of chromatic aberration defects on A510L surface of high quality hot rolled pickled strip
Authors: Li Yan , Xia Lei , Liu Ren-dong , Sun Rong-sheng , Wang Zhi , Chen En-lai , Mao Yu-chuan , Song Li-wei , Cai Shun-da
Published: October 2022

In view of the chromatic aberration defects on the surface of hot-rolled strip A510L after pickling, the microscopic morphology features of different positions of the pickled strip surface were compared and analyzed by using laser confocal microscope (CLSM), and the generation mechanism of chromatic aberration defect was studied by using high-resolution scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the main cause of surface chromatic aberration defects on the surface of pickling plate A510L is closely related to the interface state between hot-rolled raw material substrate and iron oxide scale, and there is an enrichment area of Fe2SiO4/FeO binary eutectic near the hot-rolled raw material substrate and iron oxide scale, and the proportion of Fe2SiO4 is higher as it approaches the strip steel matrix, and Fe2SiO4/FeO has a strong pinning effect, which leads to the adhesion of iron oxide scale. The existence of Fe2SiO4/FeO changes the structure of carbon steel iron oxide scale, which makes the bonding force between iron oxide scale and strip steel matrix increase the difficulty of pickling process, and finally presents the surface chromatic aberration defects after pickling.
A new method of layered superposition reconstruction modeling on grinding-shot peening surfaces
Authors: Tang Jinyuan , Chen Jiling , Yang Duo , Li Lin , Zhao Jiuyue , Guo Minzhi
Published: October 2022

Shot peening for semi-finished or finished parts is a high-performance precision manufacturing process, and the final micro-surface morphology has layered superposition features, that is, the original surface features and shot peening features coexist on the part surface. The existing layered superposition theory is based on the idea that the surface is superimposed under different baselines, but it cannot characterize the two-process surface where the characteristic baseline cannot be separated after shot peening. To solve this problem, a new layered surface superposition modeling method is proposed in this paper with the grinding-shot peening surface as the research object. In this method, the main texture features of the grinding surface are extracted by B-spline surface fitting, and the spatial distribution of craters in the shot peening surface is adjusted by this texture feature. The initial profile of the grinding-shot peening surface is constructed according to the Pawlus superposition theory, and its height parameters are adjusted by the time-frequency iteration method. In this paper, the modeling method is verified by the measured grinding-shot peening surfaces with a coverage of 100% and 200%. The results show that this method can not only ensure the uniformity of crater texture on the reconstructed surface, but also ensure that the maximum error of spatial parameters is less than 2%. Moreover, the symmetrical autocorrelation functions of the reconstructed surface are consistent with the characteristics of the measured surface.
Fair distributions for more participants than allocations
Authors: Soberón Pablo
Published: October 2022

We study the existence of fair distributions when we have more guests than pieces to allocate, focusing on envy-free distributions among those who receive a piece. The conditions on the demand from the guests can be weakened from those of classic cake-cutting and rent-splitting results of Stromquist, Woodall, and Su. We extend existing variations of the cake-cutting problem with secretive guests and those that resist the removal of any sufficiently small set of guests.
Achievement of virologic suppression with HIV antiretroviral therapy in a patient also taking multiple daily cation supplement doses: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Buscemi Lindsey , Mossholder Benjamin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To describe a case report of antiretroviral regimen selection, with considerations for drug-supplement interactions, for a patient living with HIV with complicated nutrition needs.

A 56-year-old white female with a history of sleeve gastrectomy was initiated on coformulated bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide for treatment of HIV infection. Her baseline HIV viral load was 139,790 RNA copies/mL, and the baseline CD4 cell count was 544 cells/mm3. The patient additionally had a nutritional supplement regimen of twice-daily calcium and twice-daily multivitamins with minerals following sleeve gastrectomy. Due to binding interactions between polyvalent cations and bictegravir and the potential impact on antiretroviral efficacy, construction of a daily medication schedule to avoid interactions between the antiretroviral regimen and the supplements while promoting optimal dosing of each supplement was necessary; however there is currently no guidance on twice-daily cation dosing with coadministered bictegravir and limited guidance on multivitamin coadministration in this context. A review of the available literature on bictegravir interactions and pharmacokinetic parameters was performed. A dose separation strategy was utilized to design a regimen that maximized separation of doses of supplements from doses of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide while minimizing interaction potential. At follow-up 8 weeks after regimen initiation, the HIV viral load was undetectable (<40 copies/mL) and the CD4 cell count had increased to 821 cells/mm3.

Conclusion

Integrase strand transferase inhibitor interactions with polyvalent cations in nutritional supplements can be avoided or mitigated with attention to timing of each dose and optimizing separation strategies. This case report shows the potential for alleviating such interactions through optimal dose scheduling.
Capture of mammal excreta byNepenthesis an effective heterotrophic nutrition strategy
Authors: Cross Adam T , van der Ent Antony , Wickmann Miriam , Skates Laura M , Sumail Sukaibin , Gebauer Gerhard , Robinson Alastair
Published: October 2022

Background and aims

While isotopic enrichment of nitrogen (15N) and carbon (13C) is often used to determine whether carnivorous plant species capture and assimilate nutrients from supplemental sources such as invertebrate prey or mammal excreta (heterotrophic nutrition), little is known about how successful the different strategies deployed by carnivorous plants are at obtaining supplemental nutrition. The collection of mammalian faeces by Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plants) is the result of a highly specialized biological mutualism that results in heterotrophic nitrogen gain; however, it remains unknown how effective this strategy is in comparison to Nepenthes species not known to collect mammalian faeces.

Methods

We examined how isotopic enrichment varied in the diverse genus Nepenthes, among species producing pitchers for invertebrate capture and species exhibiting mutualisms for the collection of mammal excreta. Enrichment factors were calculated from δ15N and δ13C values from eight Nepenthes species and naturally occurring hybrids along with co-occurring reference (non-carnivorous) plants from three mountain massifs in Borneo: Mount Kinabalu, Mount Tambuyukon and Mount Trus Madi.

Results

All Nepenthes examined, except N. edwardsiana, were significantly enriched in 15N compared to co-occurring non-carnivorous plants, and 15N enrichment was more than two-fold higher in species with adaptations for the collection of mammal excreta compared with other Nepenthes.

Conclusions

The collection of mammal faeces clearly represents a highly effective strategy for heterotrophic nitrogen gain in Nepenthes. Species with adaptations for capturing mammal excreta occur exclusively at high elevation (i.e. are typically summit-occurring) where previous studies suggest invertebrate prey are less abundant and less frequently captured. As such, we propose this strategy may maximize nutritional return by specializing towards ensuring the collection and retention of few but higher-value N sources in environments where invertebrate prey may be scarce.
Discovery of host-directed modulators of virus infection by probing the SARS-CoV-2–host protein–protein interaction network
Authors: Ravindran Vandana , Wagoner Jessica , Athanasiadis Paschalis , Den Hartigh Andreas B , Sidorova Julia M , Ianevski Aleksandr , Fink Susan L , Frigessi Arnoldo , White Judith , Polyak Stephen J , Aittokallio Tero
Published: October 2022

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need to better understand virus–host interactions. We developed a network-based method that expands the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)–host protein interaction network and identifies host targets that modulate viral infection. To disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 interactome, we systematically probed for potent compounds that selectively target the identified host proteins with high expression in cells relevant to COVID-19. We experimentally tested seven chemical inhibitors of the identified host proteins for modulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human cells that express ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Inhibition of the epigenetic regulators bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), along with ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP10), enhanced SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such proviral effect was observed upon treatment with compounds JQ1, vorinostat, romidepsin and spautin-1, when measured by cytopathic effect and validated by viral RNA assays, suggesting that the host proteins HDAC2, BRD4 and USP10 have antiviral functions. We observed marked differences in antiviral effects across cell lines, which may have consequences for identification of selective modulators of viral infection or potential antiviral therapeutics. While network-based approaches enable systematic identification of host targets and selective compounds that may modulate the SARS-CoV-2 interactome, further developments are warranted to increase their accuracy and cell-context specificity.
Regulations on palliative sedation: an international survey across eight European countries
Authors: Garralda Eduardo , Busa Csilla , Pozsgai Éva , Osztromok-Lukacs Veronika , Csikós Agnes , Radbruch Lukas , Hasselaar Jeroen , Menten Johan , Payne Sheila , Adile Claudio , Hurducas Flavia , Centeno Carlos
Published: October 2022

Background

Palliative sedation is a commonly accepted medical practice. This study aims to clarify how palliative sedation is regulated in various countries and whether this may impact its practice.

Methods

An online survey requesting regulations on palliative sedation was conducted in Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Romania and the UK. Purposive sampling strategy was used to identify clinicians from different medical fields and legal experts for each country. Regulations were analyzed using the principles of the European Association for Palliative Care Framework on palliative sedation. Country reports describing how palliative sedation is regulated were elaborated.

Results

One hundred and thirty-nine out of 223 (62%) participants identified 31 laws and other regulations affecting palliative sedation. In Spain, 12 regional laws recognize palliative sedation as a right of the patient at the end of life when there are refractory symptoms. In Italy, the law of informed consent and advance directives specifically recognizes the doctor can use deep sedation when there are refractory symptoms. There are also general medical laws that, while not explicitly referring to palliative sedation, regulate sedation-related principles: the obligation of doctors to honour advance directives, informed consent, the decision-making process and the obligation to document the whole process. In Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, palliative sedation is also regulated through professional guidelines that are binding as good practice with legal significance.

Conclusions

Palliative sedation is considered in the general law of medical practice, in laws regarding the patient’s autonomy, and through professional guidelines.
The effect of repeat length on Marcal1-dependent single-strand annealing in Drosophila
Authors: Dewey Evan B , Korda Holsclaw Julie , Saghaey Kiyarash , Wittmer Mackenzie E , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: October 2022

Proper repair of DNA double-strand breaks is essential to the maintenance of genomic stability and avoidance of genetic disease. Organisms have many ways of repairing double-strand breaks, including the use of homologous sequences through homology-directed repair. While homology-directed repair is often error free, in single-strand annealing homologous repeats flanking a double-strand break are annealed to one another, leading to the deletion of one repeat and the intervening sequences. Studies in yeast have shown a relationship between the length of the repeat and single-strand annealing efficacy. We sought to determine the effects of homology length on single-strand annealing in Drosophila, as Drosophila uses a different annealing enzyme (Marcal1) than yeast. Using an in vivo single-strand annealing assay, we show that 50 base pairs are insufficient to promote single-strand annealing and that 500–2,000 base pairs are required for maximum efficiency. Loss of Marcal1 generally followed the same homology length trend as wild-type flies, with single-strand annealing frequencies reduced to about a third of wild-type frequencies regardless of homology length. Interestingly, we find a difference in single-strand annealing rates between 500-base pair homologies that align to the annealing target either nearer or further from the double-strand break, a phenomenon that may be explained by Marcal1 dynamics. This study gives insights into Marcal1 function and provides important information to guide the design of genome engineering strategies that use single-strand annealing to integrate linear DNA constructs into a chromosomal double-strand break.
TRANSforming Design Through Emotion: An Application to Support Brazilian Transgender Student Women
Authors: de Lima Gabriely , Lopes Lucas , Raulino Natã , Nunes Caio , Saboia Inga , Leite A J M
Published: October 2022

Brazilian transgender women face 82% high school dropout rate, which increases their vulnerability. To address this challenge, we developed a prototype application, AGNES, to improve transgender women’s experience of high school. A mixed methods approach, based on Garrett’s five plane approach, was used and included an analysis of nine YouTube videos by Brazilian transgender women discussing their educational experiences; an analysis of three current apps to support Brazilian transgender people; evaluation of a first prototype of AGNES by six transgender women; redesign of the prototype using an emotional design approach; and, finally, evaluation of the second prototype by two design specialists and two experts in the target audience. This resulted in a final design for AGNES, which was implemented as a high-fidelity prototype for further evaluation and deployment.
Silver Nanoparticles Application as a Colorimetric Probe for the Spectrophotometric Determination of Hyoscine Butylbromide in Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Hasan Lazhin Ibrahim , Jabbar Hijran Sanaan
Published: October 2022

Background

Hyoscine butylbromide is used as an antispasmodic in treating peptic ulcers, gastritis, and various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that are characterized by spasms. It has also found employment for the relief of spasmodic conditions of the bile duct and urinary tract and for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Objective

In this study, the application of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as a colorimetric probe for the fast, selective, and simple determination of hyoscine butylbromide was described.

Methods

The proposed method was based on the Ag NPs aggregation induced by their interaction with the cited drug. This interaction produced a color change from yellow to colorless measured at 405 nm.

Results

The method linear concentration range was 0.10–50.0 µg/mL with a correlation equation (y = 0.0132 x + 0.3174), correlation coefficient of 0.9981, and quantification limits of 0.091 µg/mL. A thorough investigation was done to validate the method’s analytical performance, and the findings were satisfactory. With great accuracy and precision, this approach was used to identify the medication in pharmaceutical tablet samples with recovery percentages ranging from 96.20 to 98.10%.

Conclusions

Since there are no critical reaction conditions or solvent extraction involved in the described method, it is distinguished by its simplicity. The results were quite consistent with those attained using the approved standard method.

Highlights

Simple, fast, and sensitive colorimetric probe developed for determination of hyoscine butylbromide in pharmaceutical formulations.
Evidence of Receptivity to Vibroacoustic Stimuli in the Spotted Lanternfly Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
Authors: Rohde Barukh B , Cooperband Miriam F , Canlas Isaiah , Mankin Richard W
Published: October 2022

The spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula White (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) is a polyphagous insect pest that invaded the United States in 2014, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It has since spread to several northeastern states and poses a significant threat to northeastern grape production. Most studied species of Hemiptera are known to communicate intraspecifically using some form of substrate-borne vibrational signals, although such behavior has not yet been reported in L. delicatula. This report demonstrates that adult and fourth-instar L. delicatula were attracted towards broadcasts of 60-Hz vibroacoustic stimuli directed to a laboratory arena and test substrate, which suggests that both adults and fourth instar nymphs can perceive and respond to vibrational stimuli.
Surveillance ofAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) as a Method for Prevention of Arbovirus Transmission in Urban and Seaport Areas of the Southern Coast of Brazil
Authors: Acero-Sandoval Mario Arturo , Palacio-Cortés Angela Maria , Navarro-Silva Mario Antônio
Published: October 2022

Entomological surveillance is a traditional method to measure presence, distribution, and seasonal variation of vectors in urban areas, and is essential to targeted control activities to prevent arbovirus transmission. Ovitraps as one of the main components of surveillance programs, enable determination of female oviposition behavior, as well as identification of seasonal variations of the vector. The goals of this study were 1) to detect the mosquitos (Aedes aegypti Linnaeus) and (Aedes albopictus Skuse) (Diptera:Culicidae), in Paranaguá city, 2) to assess ovitrap positive index (OPI), egg density index (EDI), and their relationship with meteorological variables, and 3) to evaluate the vertical transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The study was carried out in urban areas of Paranaguá city, an important port region of Brazil, from June 2017 to November 2018. The city was divided into 16 area-clusters. Three-hundred and thirty-one ovitraps were installed monthly, remaining for four days in selected places. Kernel density maps were done to compare the spatiotemporal distribution of collected eggs. Areas which maintained constant oviposition associated with vector activity were identified and were found to overlap the area-clusters with the highest EDI. As viral RNA was not detected, vertical transmission was likely not a maintenance mechanism of arbovirus circulation in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus vectors. This study reiterates the importance, efficiency, and feasibility of ovitraps to monitor the presence and dynamics of Aedes spp. populations.
Fall Decay Deceleration in Northern Latitudes: Merely a Matter of Cold?
Authors: Losier Chloé , Boudreau Denis R , LeBlanc Kathleen , Michaud Jean-Philippe , Moreau Gaétan
Published: October 2022

The decomposition of cadavers and large vertebrate carcasses is the result of complex processes primarily influenced by ambient temperatures. Thus, low temperatures can alter decomposition by curtailing tissue autolysis and bacterial decomposition, and by limiting insect activity contributing to necromass removal. In this study, we tested whether carcass decomposition rate is modulated not only directly by temperature and insect occurrence, but also indirectly by the mediation of interactions among insects by ambient temperature. To test this, a comparative analysis of the decomposition of domestic pig carcasses in summer and fall was conducted in Atlantic Canada. The results indicated that carcass decomposition standardized to account for seasonal differences was significantly decelerated in the fall as opposed to the summer during the later decomposition stages and was sometimes incomplete. Moreover, the arrival, presence, and departure of insects from carcasses during ecological succession differed between summer and fall. Necrodes surinamensis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) and Creophilus maxillosus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) maintained higher abundances late during succession in the fall than in the summer and their abundance was related to a decline in decomposition rates, probably because these species feed on dipteran larvae promoting necromass removal. These results demonstrate the variability in response to environmental parameters of insects of forensic importance and support the idea that slowed decomposition in the fall may be exacerbated by changes in interspecific interactions among insects. Furthermore, these results suggest that successional studies of insects carried out in the summer have little forensic utility for cadavers found in cold weather conditions.
Pathological Appearance of a Case of Preclinical Multiple System Atrophy: A Comparison With Advanced Cases
Authors: Okada Keitaro , Hata Yukiko , Ichimata Shojiro , Yoshida Koji , Nishida Naoki
Published: October 2022

We aimed to investigate the frequency of multiple system atrophy (MSA) in a large number of forensic autopsies and characterize the pathological appearance of preclinical MSA. We investigated a series of 1930 brains from forensic autopsies. In addition to performing immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated α-synuclein, the levels of 3 autonomic nervous system markers (catecholaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic) were used to assess the peripheral nerve (heart and superior cervical ganglion) and medulla oblongata. The results were compared to those of healthy control and Parkinson disease (PD) cases. Four cases (0.21%) were identified as having MSA. Cases 1–3 were symptomatic, and Case 4 was incipient; that is, although no neuronal loss was evident, the cerebellar dentate nucleus exhibited marked grumose degeneration. Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked reduction in autonomic nervous system marker levels expressed in the medulla; this reduction was more prominent in the 3 symptomatic MSA cases than in the PD case. The opposite occurred for the peripheral nerve. Case 4 exhibited mild cholinergic nerve reduction. Two cases showed possible significant pathological changes in the heart. Grumose degeneration, few oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions without neuronal loss, and less reduction of autonomic nervous tissue were more prominent in the preclinical case than in symptomatic cases.
A first look at the SMACS0723 JWST ERO: spectroscopic redshifts, stellar masses, and star-formation histories
Authors: Carnall A C , Begley R , McLeod D J , Hamadouche M L , Donnan C T , McLure R J , Dunlop J S , Milvang-Jensen B , Bondestam C L , Cullen F , Jewell S M , Pollock C L
Published: October 2022

We present a first-look analysis of the JWST ERO data in the SMACS J0723.3-7327 cluster field. We begin by reporting 10 new spectroscopic redshifts from λobs = 1.8–5.2 μm NIRSpec medium-resolution (R = λ/Δλ = 1000) data. These are determined via multiple high-SNR emission line detections with five objects at 1 < z < 3 displaying multiple rest-frame near-infrared Hydrogen Paschen lines, and five objects at 5 < z < 9 displaying rest-frame optical Oxygen and Hydrogen Balmer lines. For the five higher-redshift galaxies we extract fluxes in six NIRCam bands spanning λobs = 0.8–5 μm and perform spectral energy distribution fitting in combination with existing HST photometry. The 7 < z < 9 objects exhibit a U-shaped pattern across the F277W, F356W, and F444W bands, indicating a Balmer break seen in emission (Balmer jump) and high-equivalent-width [O iii] emission. This indicates an extremely young stellar population with the bulk of the current mass having formed within the past 10 Myr. We report robust stellar masses and mean stellar ages from our spectral fitting with the four z > 6 galaxies exhibiting low-stellar masses from log10 (M*/M⊙) = 7.1–8.2, and correspondingly young mean stellar ages of only a few Myr. This work highlights the critical importance of combining large upcoming NIRCam surveys with NIRSpec follow-up to measure the spectroscopic redshifts necessary to robustly constrain physical parameters.
Saguinus mystax(Primates: Callitrichidae)
Authors: Heymann Eckhard W
Published: October 2022

Saguinus mystax (Spix, 1823), a callitrichid (tamarin and marmoset family) commonly called the mustached tamarin, is 1 of 12 species in the genus Saguinus. In this large callitrichid (450–650 g), females are slightly heavier than males. It occurs in Brazil and Peru, south of Rio Amazonas from Río Ucayali in the west to Rio Purus in the east, in primary and secondary tierra firma rainforests. The diet consists of fruit pulp, insects, gums, nectar, and small vertebrates. It lives in groups of 3–10 individuals with a male-biased adult sex ratio and has a cooperative breeding system. In areas of sympatry, S. mystax forms mixed-species groups with saddle-back tamarins, Leontocebus. Although captured for the pet trade and sporadically hunted, it is considered “Least Concern” (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Dispersal patterns of the endangered Crested Ibis suggest high breeding densities drive natal dispersal
Authors: Ye Yuanxing , Santoro Simone , Song Zitan , Hu Canshi , Zhang Zhi , Qing Baoping , Wang Chao , Ding Changqing
Published: October 2022

Although dispersal is a key driver of population dynamics and species distributions, we still know little about how it affects the dynamics of endangered and restricted-range species. Density-dependent effects on dispersal in particular may be critical for the range expansion of recovering populations. After 1981, when the last 7 wild individuals of Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) were discovered in China, the species remained confined to a single location (“original nesting area”) until 2000 (<24 breeding pairs). Then, the breeding population began a significant spatial and numerical expansion toward new breeding sites (“secondary nesting areas”). Our analyses of long-term (1993–2017) individual resighting data (n = 193) found that natal dispersal was common (~77.2%), whereas breeding dispersal was rare (~2.1%). Breeding density was negatively related to productivity, and natal dispersal was more likely toward low-density areas. The Weibull distribution provided the best fit to the observed dispersal distances, indicating the presence of long-distance natal dispersers. Although we cannot rule out the effect of dispersal mechanisms inherent in the species regardless of density, our findings suggest that the probability of natal dispersal is density-dependent, implying a role for intraspecific competition in the Crested Ibis spreading in the region. We expect the Crested Ibis to spread throughout the region if conservation programs can identify and protect potential reintroduction areas at a large spatial scale to allow dispersing Crested Ibis to settle into new and low-density breeding areas.
Dried-Atella as an affordable supplementary feed resource for a better sheep production: in the case of Washera lambs in Ethiopia
Authors: Shiferaw Fana , Asmare Bimrew , Melekot Musie H , Pellikaan Wilbert F
Published: October 2022

Ethiopia has a huge livestock population that includes sheep, which can be considered as a significant potential for the advancement of the country’s economy. However, due to a shortage of appropriate supplementary feed and its escalating price, the production and productivity of sheep fattening in Ethiopian smallholder farmers are below its potential. Moreover, the use of Dried-Atella as an affordable supplementary feed resource for a better sheep production is not investigated and well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the comparative supplementation effects of Dried-Atella and Niger seed cakes (NSCs) on total dry matter and nutrient intake, body weight change, and carcass characteristics of Washera lambs. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three treatments replicated five times. The treatments are described as follows: Treatment 1 = Natural pasture hay (NPH) (800 g/d) + Wheat bran (WB) (160 g/d) + salt and water (ad libitum); Treatment 2 = NPH (800 g/d) + WB (160 g/d) + NSC (163 g/d) + salt and water (ad libitum); and Treatment 3 = NPH (800 g/d) + WB (160 g/d) + Dried-Atella (330 g/d) + salt and water (ad libitum). The finding elucidated that the crude protein (CP) content of Dried Atella, WB, NPH, and NSC were about 25.07%, 16.57%, 4.48%, and 38.04%, respectively. The result also indicated that the average mean value of the feed and CP intake of the sheep fed Dried-Atella was significantly higher than the other treatments (P-value = 0.000). With regard to the CP digestibility and dry matter digestibility, animals supplemented with Dried-Atella were significantly higher than the control group with P-value = 0.000 and P-value = 0.028, respectively. The body weight gain of the sheep is significantly higher (P-value = 0.008) for feeds supplemented with Dried-Atella than feeds without any supplement. In terms of economic profitability, a slightly better benefit was recorded in feed supplements with Dried-Atella than supplements with NSC, animal feed without any supplement exhibited loss. Considering its effect on feed intake, CP intake, and its digestibility, body weight gain, and carcass characteristics of lambs, Dried-Atella is a promising affordable supplementary feed resource for better sheep production in Ethiopia.
Aerosol physicochemical determinants of carbon black and ozone inhalation co-exposure induced pulmonary toxicity
Authors: Majumder Nairrita , Kodali Vamsi , Velayutham Murugesan , Goldsmith Travis , Amedro Jessica , Khramtsov Valery V , Erdely Aaron , Nurkiewicz Timothy R , Harkema Jack R , Kelley Eric E , Hussain Salik
Published: October 2022

Air pollution accounts for more than 7 million premature deaths worldwide. Using ultrafine carbon black (CB) and ozone (O3) as a model for an environmental co-exposure scenario, the dose response relationships in acute pulmonary injury and inflammation were determined by generating, characterizing, and comparing stable concentrations of CB aerosols (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/m3), O3 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) with mixture CB + O3 (2.5 + 0.5, 5.0 + 1.0, 10.0 + 2.0). C57BL6 male mice were exposed for 3 h by whole body inhalation and acute toxicity determined after 24 h. CB itself did not cause any alteration, however, a dose response in pulmonary injury/inflammation was observed with O3 and CB + O3. This increase in response with mixtures was not dependent on the uptake but was due to enhanced reactivity of the particles. Benchmark dose modeling showed several-fold increase in potency with CB + O3 compared with CB or O3 alone. Principal component analysis provided insight into response relationships between various doses and treatments. There was a significant correlation in lung responses with charge-based size distribution, total/alveolar deposition, oxidant generation, and antioxidant depletion potential. Lung tissue gene/protein response demonstrated distinct patterns that are better predicted by either particle dose/aerosol responses (interleukin-1β, keratinocyte chemoattractant, transforming growth factor beta) or particle reactivity (thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin-13, interleukin-6). Hierarchical clustering showed a distinct signature with high dose and a similarity in mRNA expression pattern of low and medium doses of CB + O3. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the biological outcomes from CB + O3 co-exposure are significantly greater than individual exposures over a range of aerosol concentrations and aerosol characteristics can predict biological outcome.
Identification of Cyprodinil + Fludioxonil to Manage Soybean Red Crown Rot Using the Microplate-Based High-Throughput Screening and Pot Assay
Authors: Wu Ping-Hu , Tseng Min-Nan , Lin Ying-Hong , Kuo Chang-Hsin , Chang Hao-Xun
Published: October 2022

Red crown rot (RCR), caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, is an emerging soybean disease in Taiwan, and fungicide screening is desired to identify effective management for C. ilicicola. This study screened 11 fungicides, including azoxystrobin, boscalid, cyprodinil, cyprodinil + fludioxonil, difenoconazole, fluopyram, flutolanil, mancozeb, prochloraz, pyraclostrobin, and tebuconazole, for their inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of 10 C. ilicicola field isolates. Subsequently, a microplate-based high-throughput screening (MHTS) method was established to measure the fungicide sensitivity in a population composed of 80 C. ilicicola isolates to three effective fungicides, cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram, and tebuconazole. The MHTS was optimized for multiple factors, including the optical scanning pattern, absorption wavelength, conidial concentration, and measurement timing based on the quality controls of Z′ factor and the log-phase growth curve. The population mean EC50 estimated by MHTS were 0.14, 2.34, and 2.46 ppm to cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram, and tebuconazole, respectively. In addition to the in vitro assessment, fungicide efficacy was evaluated by coating cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram, or tebuconazole on soybean seeds in the pot assay. The results showed that cyprodinil + fludioxonil significantly reduced both postemergence damping-off and disease severity, while fluopyram and tebuconazole reduced only the postemergence damping-off but not disease severity. Based on the MHTS and the pot assay results, this study demonstrated cyprodinil + fludioxonil to be a potential fungicide to manage soybean RCR.
High-Fidelity Simulation Effects on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Self-Efficacy and Knowledge Retention in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Two-Group, Experimental, Longitudinal Pilot Study
Authors: Takhdat Kamal , Eddabbah Mohamed , El Hamzaoui Hamza , Lamtali Saloua , El Adib Ahmed Rhassane
Published: October 2022

This pilot study aimed to assess the effects of high-fidelity simulation on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) self-efficacy and knowledge retention compared to case-based learning. A two-group, experimental, longitudinal design was adopted. Fifty-two undergraduate nursing students were invited to participate in the study, which was conducted between March and May 2019. The results show statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group on both CPR knowledge retention and self-efficacy one month after training. These findings may assist nurse educators to implement high-fidelity simulation in CPR education.
The Impact of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on Test Anxiety in a BSN Program
Authors: Parrish Alissa R.
Published: October 2022

Test anxiety and attrition are prevalent in nursing programs. Efforts should be made to assist nursing students in obtaining coping mechanisms to reduce anxiety. The aim of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, before and after study was to determine the impact of a cognitive-behavioral intervention on test anxiety during first-semester nursing courses. Thirty bachelor of science in nursing students in a rural university participated in a cognitive-behavioral intervention and completed the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale. A two-tailed, dependent-samples t-test determined a statistically significant decrease in test anxiety scores (p < .001), supporting interventions aimed at reducing both the physical and mental effects of test anxiety.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients Presenting With Bloating as a Predominant Symptom
Authors: Said Hyder , Nee Judy , Iturrino Johanna , Rangan Vikram , Singh Prashant , Lembo Anthony , Ballou Sarah
Published: October 2022

Background:

The estimated prevalence of bloating is 15 to 30% in the adult US population and is even higher in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Despite this frequency, there is little research into patients who endorse bloating as a predominant symptom. The aim of this study was to better characterize these patients.

Materials and Methods:

New patients with DGBIs were asked to identify their 3 most predominant symptoms over the preceding 3 months; those who reported bloating were classified as “bloating predominant.” Rome IV and symptom-specific questionnaires were administered to assess for the frequency of DGBIs and other predominant symptoms in this patient population. Using univariable and multivariable modeling, we analyzed the associations between bloating predominance, DGBI subtype, and clinical characteristics.

Results:

Of the 586 patients surveyed, 242 (41%) reported predominant bloating. Bloating-predominant patients were more likely to be female, younger, and meet the criteria for IBS-mixed (IBS-M), functional constipation, and functional dyspepsia compared with nonbloating-predominant patients. Bloating-predominant patients were also more likely to endorse concurrently predominant constipation, incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain, belching, and/or nausea. On multivariable logistic regression, constipation and abdominal pain severity were positively associated, although depression was negatively associated with predominant bloating.

Conclusions:

Patients with predominant bloating are more likely to have constipation-related symptoms than diarrhea-related symptoms. They are also more likely to have more severe abdominal pain than patients without predominant bloating. These findings help characterize patients with bloating as a predominant symptom and suggest that diagnosing and treating constipation should be considered as first-line treatment.
Commentary on the First-Line Support for Assistance in Breathing in Children Trials on Noninvasive Respiratory Support: Taking a Closer Look
Authors: Ramnarayan Padmanabhan , Peters Mark J.
Published: October 2022

Noninvasive respiratory support modalities such as high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are used frequently in pediatric critical care to support acutely ill children with respiratory failure (step-up management) and children following extubation (step-down management). Although there are several observational studies and database analyses comparing the efficacy of HFNC and CPAP, and a few small randomized clinical trials (RCTs), until recently, there were no large RCTs comparing the two modalities in a mixed group of critically ill children. In the first half of 2022, results from the First-Line Support for Assistance in Breathing in Children (FIRST-ABC) trials were published; these comprised a master protocol of two trials: one in acutely ill children (step-up RCT) and one in extubated children (step-down RCT). Each of these pragmatic trials randomized 600 children to either HFNC or CPAP when the treating clinician decided that noninvasive respiratory support beyond standard oxygen therapy was required. The primary outcome was time to liberation from all forms of respiratory support (invasive and noninvasive), excluding supplemental oxygen. The FIRST-ABC trials represent a significant advance in the field of noninvasive respiratory support, which has traditionally been evidence-poor and associated with considerable variability in clinical practice. In this article, we provide an overview of how the FIRST-ABC trials were conceived and conducted, our view on the results, and how the trial findings have changed our clinical practice.
Postmortem Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in Perinatal Death: An Animal Control Study to Detect the Influence of Postmortem Interval
Authors: Tijssen Maud P.M. , Robben Simon G.F. , Klein Willemijn M. , Hofman Paul A.M.
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

Diffusion-weighted imaging may be useful as part of a postmortem magnetic resonance imaging protocol. However, apart from the effect of temperature on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), normal postmortem ADC changes can influence the interpretation. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between normal ADC changes and postmortem intervals (PMIs) and develop a reference standard for postmortem changes after temperature correction.

Materials and Methods:

Six premature lambs were scanned at different PMIs. ADC values were measured at different parenchymal locations. Correlation and linear regression between ADC values and PMI were analyzed for all locations, both uncorrected and corrected for temperature.

Results:

All locations showed a significant negative correlation between the PMI and ADC value, with (R
2 = 0.581–0.837, P < 0.001) and without (R
2 = 0.183–0.555, P < 0.001–0.018) temperature correction.

Conclusions:

The postmortem interval is negatively correlated with ADC values in the brain. A correlation coefficient for the PMI can be calculated after temperature correction to predict ADC changes. However, further research is required to evaluate its clinical application in humans.
Electrochemical-biosensor Microchip Based on Gold Nanoparticles as a Point-of-Care Test (POCT) for Quantitative Determination of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Authors: Boonprasert Kanyarat , Tharavanij Thipaporn , Pechyen Chiravoot , Ponsanti Khanittha , Tangnorawich Benchamaporn , Viyanant Vithoon , Na-Bangchang Kesara
Published: October 2022

Monitoring the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has become the gold standard measure of diabetes mellitus diagnosis and control in conjunction with FBG and oral glucose tolerance test. The study aimed to investigate the applicability of the newly developed nanoparticle-based electrochemical biosensor – multiwalled nanotubes corporated with gold nanoparticles (POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs) as a routine POCT for detection of HbA1c for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Finger-prick and venous blood samples were collected 108 DM and 98 non-DM subjects for determination of HbA1c and total hemoglobin by POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs in comparison with standard HPLC method. The performance of the POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs was evaluated using the standard cut-off HbA1c level of >6.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the test were 100.00%, 90.32%, 87.23%, and 100.00%, respectively. The probability of DM diagnosis in a subject with HbA1c >6.5 (positive predictive value) was 87.23% (82/94). The accuracy of the POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs was 94.18%, with %DMV (deviation of the mean value) of 0.25%. The results indicate satisfactory assay performance and applicability of the POCT-HbA1cMWCNTs/AuNPs for diagnosis of DM using the cut-off criteria of HbA1c >6.5.
Investigating SARS-CoV-2 infection and the health and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canadian CHILD Cohort: study methodology and cohort profile
Authors: Azeez Rilwan , Lotoski Larisa , Dubeau Aimée , Rodriguez Natalie , Reyna Myrtha E. , Freitas Tyler , Goguen Stephanie , Medeleanu Maria , Winsor Geoffrey L. , Brinkman Fiona S.L. , Cameron Emily E. , Roos Leslie , Simons Elinor , Moraes Theo J. , Mandhane Piush J. , Turvey Stuart E. , Bolotin Shelly , Wright Kim , McNeil Deborah , Patrick David M. , Bullard Jared , Langlois Marc-André , Arnold Corey R. , Galipeau Yannick , Pelchat Martin , Doucas Natasha , Subbarao Padmaja , Azad Meghan B.
Published: October 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all Canadian families, with some impacted differently than others. Our study aims to: 1) determine the prevalence and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Canadian families, 2) identify predictors of infection susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 and 3) identify health and psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study builds upon the CHILD Cohort Study, an ongoing multi-ethnic general population prospective cohort consisting of 3454 Canadian families with children born in Vancouver, Edmonton, Manitoba, and Toronto between 2009-12. During the pandemic, 1462 CHILD households (5378 individuals) consented to participate in the CHILD COVID-19 Add-On Study involving: (1) brief biweekly surveys about COVID-19 symptoms and testing; (2) quarterly questionnaires assessing COVID-19 exposure, testing and vaccination status, physical and mental health, and pandemic-driven life changes; (3) in-home biological sampling kits to collect blood and stool. Mean ages were 9 years (range 0-17) for children and 43 years (range 18-85) for adults. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection will be estimated from survey data and confirmed through serology testing. We will combine these new data with a wealth of pre-pandemic CHILD data and use multivariate modelling and machine learning methods to identify risk and resilience factors for susceptibility and severity to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic.

Interpretation

Our short-term findings will inform key stakeholders and knowledge users to shape current and future pandemic responses. Additionally, this study provides a unique resource to study the long-term impacts of the pandemic as the CHILD Cohort Study continues.