bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Portali i baze podataka o elementima nematerijalne kulturne baštine na festivalima folklora
Authors: Marić Toni , Raič Anka , Vidović Vedran , Šečić Mirela
Published: November 2021

Rad opisuje način
prikupljanja, obrade i digitalizacije materijala o nematerijalnoj kulturnoj
baštini u Bosni i Hercegovini koja se prezentira na festivalima folklora te
izgradnju multimedijalnih baza podataka i portala za njihovu promociju.
Navedene aktivnosti pojedine elemente nematerijalne kulturne baštine i
kulturno-umjetnička društva kao njihove baštinike čine vidljivijima i
dostupnijima javnosti uz davanje dodatnoga poticaja samim baštinicima za
njihovo prenošenje na mlade naraštaje. Opisano provodi Društvo za
digitalizaciju tradicijske kulturne baštine iz Širokog Brijega u suradnji s
partnerima i samim baštinicima elemenata kroz dva projekta.
Prvi projekt, diple.org,
realizira se s Udrugom hrvatskih amaterskih kulturno-umjetničkih društava u
BiH i prezentira tradicijsku kulturnu baštinu Hrvata u BiH, a drugi projekt, tkanica.org,
prezentira baštinike, njihove elemente i festivale folklora u BiH koji
djeluju u okrilju međunarodne organizacije CIOFF (International Council of
Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts) i realizira se sa Sekcijom
CIOFF-a za BiH. Projektima je do
sada obuhvaćeno više od dvije stotine baštinika. Obrađeni su detaljniji podatci
o sedam kulturno-umjetničkih društava, sedam festivala folklora, dva popisa
jednog broja karakterističnih elemenata na lokalitetima kao i jedan popis
vještina sviranja na sedam tradicijskih glazbala.
Realizacija
dosadašnjega dijela projekta pokazala je kako su baštinici elemenata koji ulažu
znatne napore u istraživanje na samom terenu o elementima nematerijalne
kulturne baštine svojega kraja uspjeli održati kontinuitet u radu i dodatno
skrenuti pozitivnu pozornost javnosti na svoju baštinu.
EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF BRONCHIPRET SYRUP IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH ACUTE BRONCHITIS AND ATOPIC BACKGROUND
Authors:   National Medical University. OO Bogomolets, Kyiv, Marushko Yu. V. , Hyshchak T. V. ,   National Medical University. OO Bogomolets, Kyiv, Khomych O. V. ,   National Medical University. OO Bogomolets, Kyiv
Published: November 2021

Keywords: acutebronchitis, atopicdermatitis, children, Bronchipret. Acute bronchitisis a topical issue in pediatrics and one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention. In children with anallergic background, special requirements are made for the treatment of acute bronchitis, as treatment should notincrease the allergy of the body. Objective: to study the effectiveness and safety of the drug Bronchipret syrup in children with acute bronchitis and atopic background. Materials and methods. The study in volved 30 children 3- 7 years old with acute bronchitis with a burdensome anamnesis of allergic diseases. Allergic background was assessed by serum IgE levels in blood serum. During treatment, all children received the drug Bronchipret syrup 3 times a day for 10 days. Repeated clinical examinations of patients were performed for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days from admission to the hospital. Results. Against the background of complex treatment with the inclusion of the drug Bronchipret, the intensity of fever and intoxication syndrome were significantly lower on the 3rd day of hospital treatment and on the 5th day in the vast majority of children disappeared. Improvement in the discharge of nasal and bronchial secretions was observed on the third day of therapy. Increase in eosiophil content wasn’t observed in any child during treatment. Within 10 day softreatment, significant changes in serum Ig E didn’t occur. Thus, at the beginning of the rapy it was in the range of 38.3 ± 1.3 kU / l, after 10 days – 36.8 ± 1.1 kU / l. Conclusions. Thedrug Bronchipret syrup has shown good efficacy and safety, no allergic complications in children with acute bronchitis and allergic background and can be recommended for useinpediatric practice.
ACTIVE LONGEVITY: WAYS TO ACHIEVE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATIONAL-ENERGETIC MEDICINE
Authors:   Nat. acad. ped. n. Of Ukraine, Krutov V. V.
Published: November 2021

Keywords: health, Spirit, energy, synergistic approach, gerontology, quality longevity, allopathic medicine, informational-energetic medicine. The article discusses the issue of active aging strategies that differ from those used in traditional medicine. Practice shows that the resources of the latter are insufficient for successfully overcoming the systemic problems of people, growing with aging and maximum in old age. The accumulation of the problematic nature of the physical body in long-lived people requires a special, comprehensive approach to treatment with penetration into the root nature of a person. Based on innovative knowledge, including data from his own research, the author is talking about a synergistic approach that includes, along with the existing practice of treating the elderly, methods of informational- energetic medicine. Medicine, working at the level of the subtle, causal sphere of a person, where the roots of all his diseases lie and are revealed. This way of solving, the author believes, bears the maximum healing effect for the body on all levels of its multidimensionality – substance, information, energy.
Chance Encounters with Literature, Language and Meaning in John Williams' Stoner and Eva Hoffman's Lost in Translation: A Life in a New Language
Authors: Agarwal Megha
Published: November 2021

John Williams' Stoner and Eva Hoffman's Lost in Translation: Life in a New Language are discrete texts, but both are accounts of literary lives. These are lives that have been moulded around language and literature, as well as lives that have been moulded into literature. Stoner is a fictional account of an unlikely individual's unexpected encounter with the sphere of literary studies, around which he then shapes the remainder of his life. Lost in Translation is a memoir about the author's struggle with language as an immigrant, a struggle that contributes to her exceptional ability to analyse and devise literary narratives. These fortuitous encounters with literature become a means to structure their respective fictional and non-fictional lives. In addition, Stoner and Hoffman are outsiders to academia, but both discover that their outsider status makes them especially attuned to the close analysis of words and to several questions of identity and the self. A comparative reading of Stoner and Lost in Translation thus draws our attention towards several large questions that reside at the heart of literary studies: What do we seek to translate into another language, into a commentary, into works of literary criticism or theory? What do we strive to render visible in our writing and teaching that revolves around these literary works? By reading John Williams' novel alongside Eva Hoffman's narrative, I aspire to lend these fairly abstract questions a more concrete guise. By way of conclusion, I emphasize how due to the force of chance and circumstance, Stoner and Hoffman stumble into literary studies where they are confronted by questions that underscore the arbitrariness and unknowability of literature, language and life.
Subject to the Law of Reason while Belonging to the World of Sense: the Inevitable Randomness of Human Experience in The Brothers Karamazov and ‘The Garden of Forking Paths'
Authors: Karin Lévai Ruth
Published: November 2021

Taking as its starting point the tension between the human condition as subject to the law of reason while belonging to the world of sense in establishing the categorical imperative as described by Kant, this article explores how belonging to the world of sense may be equated with randomness and the temporal as the presupposition for morality in Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov and Borges's ‘The Garden of Forking Paths'. The article also discusses the two authors' views of time and eternity as expressed in their nonfiction.
Randomness and Political Complexity in the Contemporary Arab Novel
Authors: Zakarriya Jihan
Published: November 2021

This essay examines the concept of randomness in three novels by contemporary Arab novelists, employing chaos theory and complexity theory. The three novels are Lebanese Rabie Gaber's dystopian novel Beirutus: Underground City ( Beirutus: Madīna Taḥt al-Arḍ, 2005), Egyptian Ezzedine Choukri Fishere's realistic novel Exit ( Bāb al-Khurūj, 2012), and Algerian Yasmina Khadra's detective novel What are Monkeys Waiting for? ( Qu'attendent les singes, 2014). Although they belong to different genres, all three are speculative novels and present different forms of political-security complexity and chaos in the contemporary Arab world. They represent unpredictable, random events that both resonate with and anticipate forthcoming events and political changes in the Arab world. Exit, for instance, represents the unexpected downfall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the return of the military rule after the 2011 revolution, and Beirutus the unexpected rubbish and environmental crisis in 2016 in Lebanon, while What are Monkeys Waiting for? anticipates the contemporary political turmoil in Algeria. Randomness and unpredictability in the three novels are used as a means of political projection and prediction, and as narrative strategies of literary activism against repressive realities and authoritarianism. By representing the unpredictable, Gaber, Fishere and Khadra implicitly incite resistance by warning of appalling forthcoming realities.
‘Lines of Flight or Tethered Wings’?: A Deleuzian Analysis of Women-specific Adventure Skills Courses in the United Kingdom
Authors: Avner Zoë , Boocock Emma , Hall Jenny , Allin Linda
Published: November 2021

In this article we examine women-specific adventure sport skills training courses in the UK utilising a feminist new materialist approach. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's (1987) concepts of ‘assemblage’, ‘lines of territorialisation’, and ‘lines of flight’, we apply a new lens to ask: what type(s) of material-discursive assemblages are produced through human and non-human, discursive, and non-discursive intra-actions on women-specific adventure sport skills courses? To what extent do these courses enable participants to engage with an alternative praxis and ethics and to think, feel, practice, and become otherwise? Our Deleuzian reading showed that the affective capacity of these courses is currently limited by dominant understandings of these courses as bridges to the real outdoors and as primarily designed for women who lack the confidence to participate in mixed-gender environments. However, these courses also enabled productive lines of flight and alternative understandings and practices related to the self, the body, others, material objects, learning, movement, and physical activity to emerge. These were both characterised and supported by less instrumental and hierarchical flows of relations and an openness to not knowing.
Farm Animal Enclosure Requirements, Industry Concentration, and Supply Chain Dynamics
Authors: Scheitrum Daniel P. , Schaefer K. Aleks
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we draw on microeconomic theory to show that farm animal enclosure regulations can and have lead to increased farm-level concentration in affected industries in the U.S. The desirability of this increased concentration is a function of modern industry structures. Farm animal enclosure requirements can push traditional “short” supply chains like eggs toward vertical integration. However, vertically integrated systems (e.g., broiler chickens and hogs) may benefit from the induced farm-level concentration by increasing bargaining power among contract farmers. In all systems, the increased farm-level concentration induced by enclosure requirements may lead to greater ability to solve future collective action problems like wastewater pollution and antimicrobial resistance.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Are Protected From Immunolysis by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Through Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase
Authors: Chinnadurai Raghavan , Porter Amanda Paige , Patel Mihir , Lipat Ariel Joy , Forsberg Mathews H. , Rajan Devi , Hematti Peiman , Capitini Christian M. , Bruker Charles
Published: November 2021

B7 family proteins serve as checkpoint molecules that protect tumors from T cell mediated lysis. Tryptophan degrading enzymes indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase (TDO) also induce T cell immune tolerance. However, little is known about the relative contribution of B7 molecules, tryptophan degrading enzymes, as well as the impact of tumor and stromal cell interactions to the development of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To investigate such interactions, we used a tripartite model of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Co-culture of HepG2 cells and activated PBMCs demonstrate that HepG2 cells undergo PBMC mediated cytolysis, despite constitutive expression of B7-H3 and upregulation of PD-L1 by IFNγ. Knockdown of B7-H3, PD-L1 or IDO does not modulate PBMC mediated lysis of HepG2 cells. However, TNFα preactivation enhances lysis of HepG2 cells, and blocking of TNFα production from PBMCs protects HepG2 cells. On the other hand, MSCs protect HepG2 cells from PBMC mediated lysis, even in the presence of TNFα. Further investigation showed that MSC mediated protection is associated with the unique secretome profile of upregulated and downregulated cytokines and chemokines. IFNγ activated MSCs are superior to TNFα activated or control MSCs in protecting HepG2 cells. Blockade of IFNγ driven IDO activity completely abolishes the ability of MSCs to protect HepG2 cells from cytolysis by PBMCs. These results suggest that inhibition of IFNγ activation of IDO induction in stromal cells, combined with usage of TNFα, could be a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to induce regression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Therapeutic Response-Based Reclassification of Multiple Tumor Subtypes Reveals Intrinsic Molecular Concordance of Therapy Across Histologically Disparate Cancers
Authors: Xu Yue , Zheng Jie , Cai Zhaoqing , Li Wang , Köhler Jens , Dai Yao , Cheng Xiaojie , Wu Tao , Zhang Fan , Wang Haiyun
Published: November 2021

Cancers that are histologically defined as the same type of cancer often need a distinct therapy based on underlying heterogeneity; likewise, histologically disparate cancers can require similar treatment approaches due to intrinsic similarities. A comprehensive analysis integrated with drug response data and molecular alterations, particularly to reveal therapeutic concordance mechanisms across histologically disparate tumor subtypes, has not yet been fully exploited. In this study, we integrated pharmacological, genomic, and transcriptomic profiling data provided from the Cancer Genome Project (CGP) in a systematic in silico investigation of the pharmacological subtypes of cancers and the intrinsic concordance of molecular mechanisms leading to similar therapeutic responses across histologically disparate tumor subtypes. We further developed a novel approach to redefine cell-to-cell similarity and drug-to-drug similarity from the therapeutic concordance, providing a new point of view to study cancer heterogeneity. This study demonstrates how pharmacological and omics data can be used to systematically classify cancers in terms of response to various compounds and provides us with a purely therapy-oriented perspective to view tumor classifications independent of histology subtypes. The knowledge of pharmacological subtypes of 367 drugs are available via our website (http://www.hywanglab.cn/dtdb/), providing the resources for precision medicine in the perspective of therapeutic response-based re-classification of tumor.
Synthesis of Novel Azo-Linked 5-Amino-Pyrazole-4-Carbonitrile Derivatives Using Tannic Acid–Functionalized Silica-Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as a Novel, Green, and Magnetically Separable Catalyst
Authors: Pashaki Farhad Sedighi , Nikpassand Mohammad
Published: November 2021

Tannic acid–linked silica-coated Fe3O4nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2@Tannic acid) were prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Fe3O4@SiO2@Tannic acid supplies an environmentally friendly procedure for the synthesis of some novel 5-amino-pyrazole-4-carbonitriles through the three-component mechanochemical reactions of synthetized azo-linked aldehydes, malononitrile, and phenylhydrazine orp-tolylhydrazine. These compounds were produced in high yields and at short reaction times. The catalyst could be easily recovered and reused for six cycles with almost consistent activity. The structures of the synthesized 5-amino-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile compounds were confirmed by1H NMR,13C NMR, and FTIR spectra, and elemental analyses.
Polycyclic Tetramate Macrolactams—A Group of Natural Bioactive Metallophores
Authors: Ding Ling , Zhang Sheng-Da , Haidar Ahmad Kasem , Bajimaya Manila , Guo Yaojie , Larsen Thomas Ostenfeld , Gram Lone
Published: November 2021

New infectious diseases and increase in drug-resistant microbial pathogens emphasize the need for antibiotics with novel mode-of-action. Tetramates represented by fungi-derived tenuazonic acid and bacterial polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs) are an important family of natural products with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Despite their potential application as new antibiotics, it remains unknown how PTMs function. In this study, genomic mining revealed that PTM biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are widespread in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and we investigated a sponge endosymbiont Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis harboring a potential PTM-BGC. Xanthobaccin A that previously has only been isolated from a Gram-negative bacterium was obtained after a scale-up fermentation, isolation, and structure elucidation through mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Xanthobaccin A as well as two previously reported tetramates, equisetin and ikarugamycin, exhibited antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis. In addition, these three tetramates were for the first time to be confirmed as metallophores and the stoichiometry of the complexes were shown to be Fe(III)(equisetin)3/Fe(III)(equisetin)2 and Fe(III)(ikarugamycin)2, respectively. Meanwhile, we found that all three tetramates could reduce ferric into ferrous iron, which triggers the Fenton chemistry reaction. Their antibacterial activity was reduced by adding the radical scavenger, vitamin C. Altogether, our work demonstrates that equisetin and PTMs can act as metallophores and their antimicrobial mechanism is possibly mediated through Fenton chemistry.
Status of the Recovery Mandate Under Section 7(a)(1) of the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Authors: Evansen Megan , Harl Heather , Carter Andrew , Malcom Jacob
Published: November 2021

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) is widely considered to be one of the strongest laws for protecting imperiled wildlife, with nearly all species protected under the law still existing today. Among the ESA's strongest provisions, at least as written, is the requirement under section 7(a)(1) that federal agencies use their authorities to help recover imperiled species. New initiatives like 30 x 30, the campaign to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, offer opportunities to reinvigorate and expand 7(a)(1) programs to play a significant role in biodiversity conservation. To gauge the current status of 7(a)(1) plans and assess their effectiveness, we collected all section 7(a)(1) materials available to the public through internet searches and direct requests to agencies. We evaluated the scope of existing 7(a)(1) programs and found that despite the clear potential benefits of strong programs, the section has been significantly underused by federal agencies. Further, we show that existing plans are highly inconsistent in content and style, and we trace that inconsistency to the lack of policy guidance for their creation and implementation. Based on these findings, we recommend five strategies for improving 7(a)(1) implementation: establishment of formal guidance from the federal wildlife agencies, tailored guidance from other federal agencies to help them meet their 7(a)(1) obligation, dedicated funding, integration of 7(a)(1) into existing initiatives and opportunities, and top-level executive branch coordination and cooperation.
Involving Children and Teenagers With Bilateral Cochlear Implants in the Design of the BEARS (Both EARS) Virtual Reality Training Suite Improves Personalization
Authors: Vickers Deborah , Salorio-Corbetto Marina , Driver Sandra , Rocca Christine , Levtov Yuli , Sum Kevin , Parmar Bhavisha , Dritsakis Giorgos , Albanell Flores Jordi , Jiang Dan , Mahon Merle , Early Frances , Van Zalk Nejra , Picinali Lorenzo
Published: November 2021

Older children and teenagers with bilateral cochlear implants often have poor spatial hearing because they cannot fuse sounds from the two ears. This deficit jeopardizes speech and language development, education, and social well-being. The lack of protocols for fitting bilateral cochlear implants and resources for spatial-hearing training contribute to these difficulties. Spatial hearing develops with bilateral experience. A large body of research demonstrates that sound localisation can improve with training, underpinned by plasticity-driven changes in the auditory pathways. Generalizing training to non-trained auditory skills is best achieved by using a multi-modal (audio-visual) implementation and multi-domain training tasks (localisation, speech-in-noise, and spatial music). The goal of this work was to develop a package of virtual-reality games (BEARS, Both EARS) to train spatial hearing in young people (8–16 years) with bilateral cochlear implants using an action-research protocol. The action research protocol used formalized cycles for participants to trial aspects of the BEARS suite, reflect on their experiences, and in turn inform changes in the game implementations. This participatory design used the stakeholder participants as co-creators. The cycles for each of the three domains (localisation, spatial speech-in-noise, and spatial music) were customized to focus on the elements that the stakeholder participants considered important. The participants agreed that the final games were appropriate and ready to be used by patients. The main areas of modification were: the variety of immersive scenarios to cover age range and interests, the number of levels of complexity to ensure small improvements were measurable, feedback, and reward schemes to ensure positive reinforcement, and an additional implementation on an iPad for those who had difficulties with the headsets due to age or balance issues. The effectiveness of the BEARS training suite will be evaluated in a large-scale clinical trial to determine if using the games lead to improvements in speech-in-noise, quality of life, perceived benefit, and cost utility. Such interventions allow patients to take control of their own management reducing the reliance on outpatient-based rehabilitation. For young people, a virtual-reality implementation is more engaging than traditional rehabilitation methods, and the participatory design used here has ensured that the BEARS games are relevant.
Reconstructing Permafrost Sedimentological Characteristics and Post-depositional Processes of the Yedoma Stratotype Duvanny Yar, Siberia
Authors: Shmelev Denis , Cherbunina Maria , Rogov Victor , Opfergelt Sophie , Monhonval Arthur , Strauss Jens
Published: November 2021

Cryogenic weathering is a key driver of periglacial sediment composition and properties. Selective mineral-grain weathering caused by freeze-thaw cycles in permafrost environments has the ability to dominate this process, leading to silt-rich grain-size distributions. The cryogenic weathering index (CWI) is a promising tool to quantify cryogenic weathering and freezing conditions. It considers the low resistance of quartz to freeze-thaw cycles compared to feldspars. Using this approach, this study aims to decipher post-depositional weathering by reconstructing cryogenic late Pleistocene Yedoma origins of the Yedoma stratotype exposure Duvanny Yar. To estimate the recent environmental endmember and to determine the initial mineral composition of sediment until freezing, the distribution of CWI in the active layer was studied. In addition to CWI, we studied mineral composition, heavy mineral distribution, grain size distribution and grain morphology. We suggest that cryogenic weathering likely altered polygenetic deposits (fluvial, nival, colluvial, lacustrine, alluvial, and aeolian processes) during sediment and ground ice accumulation. Moreover, we found two CWI distribution peaks in the late Pleistocene - Holocene sediments at the boundaries between glacial and interglacial ages. In conclusion, we see that the Duvanny Yar sediment facies varied by CWI, but also with grain-size distribution, suggesting environmental changes during formation. Nevertheless, post-depositional processes like cryogenic weathering have influenced sediment characteristics and should be considered in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.
Impact of Reduced Rainfall on Above Ground Dry Matter Production of Semi-natural Grassland in South Gloucestershire, UK: A Rainfall Manipulation Study
Authors: Ayling S. M. , Thompson Jill , Gray A. , McEwen L. J.
Published: November 2021

In the United Kingdom, agricultural grasslands cover 40% of the land area, make up 89% of the total agricultural area and are an important land use for ecosystem services and food security. Climate change predictions suggest that the United Kingdom will experience more frequent and severe periods of drought that may impact these grasslands. As part of the Drought Risk and You (DRY) project, a field experiment in which rain shelters reduced precipitation reaching the vegetation by approximately 50%, was set up in the South West of England. The experiment ran for 3 years, from October 2015 to October 2018. The study was carried out at two locations in the catchment of the Bristol River Frome. Both sites were species-rich semi-natural pastures that had received no inputs of fertilizer or herbicide for many years. Automatic weather stations recorded environmental conditions, especially rainfall, within the experimental area. The existing agricultural management regimes were approximated by cutting the vegetation in the plots, by hand, at the appropriate times of year. The effect of rainfall reduction on plant growth was assessed by biomass sampling. At both sites, the rainfall reduction treatment had only small effects on total above ground dry matter production (biomass). These effects were much smaller than the year-to-year variation in total biomass. Our results suggested that well-established permanent pastures in the South West of England were able to tolerate a 3-year period of reduced water supply. The observed year-to-year variation in biomass demonstrated how important the timing of dry weather is for biomass production, and this will be reflected in effects on yield and quality of hay.
Policy Implications on Carbon Labeling Scheme Toward Carbon Neutrality in China
Authors: Zhao Rui , Wu Dingye , Zhang Junke
Published: November 2021

Carbon labeling scheme as a quantitative measure on carbon emissions of product or service, can be applied to leading low carbon consumption and production, which is also a powerful tool to achieve carbon neutral. The policy brief reviews the progress of carbon labelling scheme to provide insight into its future perspectives on carbon neutrality in China. The results show that: ① China has not officially fostered as a carbon labeling system, but there is a pilot attempt to electric appliance; ② Publics’ perception towards carbon labeling scheme is in a lower level; ③ There is a room for improvement on the existing carbon labeling scheme, to improve its transparency and comparison.
Integrative Physiological Responses to Acute Dehydration in the Rufous-Collared Sparrow: Metabolic, Enzymatic, and Oxidative Traits
Authors: Navarrete Lucas , Bozinovic Francisco , Peña-Villalobos Isaac , Contreras-Ramos Carolina , Sanchez-Hernandez Juan C. , Newsome Seth D. , Nespolo Roberto F. , Sabat Pablo
Published: November 2021

Predictions indicate that birds worldwide will be affected by global warming and extreme climatic events which is especially relevant for passerines because the diurnal habits, small body size, and high mass-adjusted metabolic rates of this group make it particularly susceptible to increases in temperature and aridity. Some bird species respond to conditions that stress osmoregulation by increasing their rates of energy expenditure, nevertheless, the effect of dehydration on metabolic rates in birds has produced contrasting results. It also remains unknown whether hydration state may cause shifts in tissue-specific metabolic rates or modify tissue oxidative status. We used the rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), to experimentally test the effect of dehydration on metabolic enzymes in erythrocytes, tissue oxidative status, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and total evaporative water loss. We found a significant increase in mass-adjusted BMR in water restricted (WR) birds compared to control birds (CT). Activity of cytochrome-c-oxidase (COX) in red blood cells (RBCs) was also significantly higher in the WR group relative to the CT group and this activity was positively correlated with mass-adjusted BMR. We found a moderate effect of water restriction on membrane damage of skeletal muscle. In a second set of individuals subjected to the same experimental conditions, lean mass and total water were tightly correlated and decreased by 10 and 12%, respectively, in birds in the WR group relative to the CT group. Decreases in total water and lean mass leads to an increase in mass-adjusted BMR in WR Z. capensis, suggesting that birds may simultaneously increase protein catabolism and production of metabolic water through oxidation. The significant positive relationship between BMR and COX in RBCs is a finding that requires additional research to determine whether erythrocyte metabolism is affected by dehydration per se and or it more generally reflects rates of energy expenditure in birds.
Long-Read Assembly and Annotation of the Parasitoid Wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus, a Biological Control Agent for Filth Flies
Authors: Xiong Xiao , Kelkar Yogeshwar D , Geden Chris J , Zhang Chao , Wang Yidong , Jongepier Evelien , Martinson Ellen O. , Verhulst Eveline C , Gadau Jürgen , Werren John H , Wang Xu
Published: November 2021

The parasitoid wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a gregarious species that has received extensive attention for its potential in biological pest control against house fly, stable fly, and other filth flies. It has a high reproductive capacity and can be reared easily. However, genome assembly is not available for M. raptorellus or any other species in this genus. Previously, we assembled a complete circular mitochondrial genome with a length of 24,717 bp. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality nuclear genome of M. raptorellus, using a combination of long-read (104× genome coverage) and short-read (326× genome coverage) sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size is 314 Mbp in 226 contigs, with a 97.9% BUSCO completeness score and a contig N50 of 4.67 Mb, suggesting excellent continuity of this assembly. Our assembly builds the foundation for comparative and evolutionary genomic analysis in the genus of Muscidifurax and possible future biocontrol applications.
Construction of sRNA Regulatory Network for Magnaporthe oryzae Infecting Rice Based on Multi-Omics Data
Authors: Zhao Enshuang , Zhang Hao , Li Xueqing , Zhao Tianheng , Zhao Hengyi
Published: November 2021

Studies have shown that fungi cause plant diseases through cross-species RNA interference mechanism (RNAi) and secreted protein infection mechanism. The small RNAs (sRNAs) of Magnaporthe oryzae use the RNAi mechanism of rice to realize the infection process, and different effector proteins can increase the autotoxicity by inhibiting pathogen-associated molecular patterns triggered immunity (PTI) to achieve the purpose of infection. However, the coordination of sRNAs and proteins in the process of M. oryzae infecting rice is still poorly understood. Therefore, the combination of transcriptomics and proteomics to study the mechanism of M. oryzae infecting rice has important theoretical significance and practical value for controlling rice diseases and improving rice yields. In this paper, we used the high-throughput data of various omics before and after the M. oryzae infecting rice to screen differentially expressed genes and sRNAs and predict protein interaction pairs based on the interolog and the domain-domain methods. We were then used to construct a prediction model of the M. oryzae-rice interaction proteins according to the obtained proteins in the proteomic network. Finally, for the differentially expressed genes, differentially expressed sRNAs, the corresponding mRNAs of rice and M. oryzae, and the interacting protein molecules, the M. oryzae-rice sRNA regulatory network was built and analyzed, the core nodes were selected. The functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the potential effect pathways and the critical infection factors of M. oryzae sRNAs and proteins were mined and analyzed. The results showed that 22 sRNAs of M. oryzae, 77 secretory proteins of M. oryzae were used as effect factors to participate in the infection process of M. oryzae. And many significantly enriched GO modules were discovered, which were related to the infection mechanism of M. oryzae.
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate as a Novel Vaccine Adjuvant
Authors: Cheong Yucheol , Kim Minjin , Ahn Jina , Oh Hana , Lim Jongkwan , Chae Wonil , Yang Seung Won , Kim Min Seok , Yu Ji Eun , Byun Sanguine , Jang Yo Han , Seong Baik Lin
Published: November 2021

Vaccine adjuvants from natural resources have been utilized for enhancing vaccine efficacy against infectious diseases. This study examined the potential use of catechins, polyphenolic materials derived from green tea, as adjuvants for subunit and inactivated vaccines. Previously, catechins have been documented to have irreversible virucidal function, with the possible applicability in the inactivated viral vaccine platform. In a mouse model, the coadministration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigens induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies, comparable to that induced by alum, providing complete protection against the lethal challenge. Adjuvant effects were observed for all types of HA antigens, including recombinant full-length HA and HA1 globular domain, and egg-derived inactivated split influenza vaccines. The combination of alum and EGCG further increased neutralizing (NT) antibody titers with the corresponding hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, demonstrating a dose-sparing effect. Remarkably, EGCG induced immunoglobulin isotype switching from IgG1 to IgG2a (approximately >64–700 fold increase), exerting a more balanced TH1/TH2 response compared to alum. The upregulation of IgG2a correlated with significant enhancement of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) function (approximately 14 fold increase), providing a potent effector-mediated protection in addition to NT and HI. As the first report on a novel class of vaccine adjuvants with built-in virucidal activities, the results of this study will help improve the efficacy and safety of vaccines for pandemic preparedness.
Vulnerability Analysis of Episodic Beach Erosion by Applying Storm Wave Scenarios to a Shoreline Response Model
Authors: Kim Tae-Kon , Lim Changbin , Lee Jung-Lyul
Published: November 2021

Recently, because of the influence of climate change on sea level change, there has been growing concern regarding the erosion of beaches, which play a role in reducing the damage caused by coastal disasters. However, despite these concerns, a comprehensive understanding of the morphodynamic relationship between hazard factors and beach erosion is still lacking. Therefore, in this study, a vulnerability analysis of beach erosion was conducted by applying the shoreline response model (SLRM) of bulk model type, which identifies the physical characteristics of relevant coefficients based on the suspended sediment movement processes. To characterize wave energy incidence, storm wave scenario modeling and extreme wave analysis were conducted using wave data of 40 years on the east coast of Korea provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A dimensionless mathematical function representing the storm wave scenario was proposed as a function of the peak wave height. In addition, to examine whether the beach vulnerability curve (BVC) obtained from the SLRM is valid, it was compared with the long-term shoreline observation data conducted at Maengbang Beach. For the past 9 years, sand sampling and shoreline observations were performed at Maengbang Beach about 5 times a year. However, since observations were performed in time intervals of several months, the direct comparison with model results was impossible, so a comparative analysis through statistical analysis of shoreline variability was performed. The variability of the shoreline for each reference point followed a normal distribution with a standard deviation of approximately 7.1 m. As a result of comparing the BVC results obtained from these statistical characteristics with those obtained from the model, significant similarity was shown in the high wave condition. Finally, the model was performed on two factors (mean wave height and peak wave height) which appear in SWSF and three factors (wave energy at breaking point, beach response factor and beach recovery factor) which appear in SLRM, and by analyzing the results, an approximate formula for the BVC is derived. This novel BVC approximation equation provides an intuitive understanding of the factors that affect beach vulnerability as well as their importance, and estimates the beach buffer section required to prevent coastal facilities from being damaged by erosion during a specific period. The results of this study can help limit reckless coastal development and mitigate erosion damage.
Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Clostridium autoethanogenum Protein on the Growth Performance and Liver Health of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Lu Qisheng , Xi Longwei , Liu Yulong , Gong Yulong , Su Jingzhi , Han Dong , Yang Yunxia , Jin Junyan , Liu Haokun , Zhu Xiaoming , Xie Shouqi
Published: November 2021

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a novel protein source for aqua-feeds. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary CAP on growth performance, immunity, and liver health status of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four isonitrogenous and isolipid experimental diets were formulated to replace 0% (D1, control), 25% (D2), 50% (D3), and 75% (D4) of fish meal by CAP. Fish (15.05 ± 0.08 g) were randomly fed one of four experimental diets for 8 weeks. The results showed that weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feeding rate (FR), viscerosomatic index (VSI), and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of the D4 group were significantly lower than D1, D2, and D3 groups (P < 0.05). With the increase of substitution level, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of liver tissue was significantly decreased, while the plasma alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly higher in D3 and D4 groups than in D1 and D2 groups (P < 0.05). Replacing 50 or 75% fish meal by CAP significantly induced the transcription level of apoptosis-promoting genes (bcl-2-associated death protein [bad] and bcl-2-assoxicated × protein; bag [bax]), anti-apoptosis-related genes (tumor protein 53 [p53] and b-cell lymphoma-2 [bcl-2]), and the apoptotic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) death gene-3 like caspases (cysteine-aspartic proteases-3 [caspase-3], cysteine-aspartic proteases-8 [caspase-8], cysteine-aspartic proteases-9 [caspase-9], and cysteine-aspartic proteases-10 [caspase-10]) in liver, while suppressed the gene expression of the inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (il-1β), interleukin-8 (il-8), and tumor necrosis factor, tnf ] in head kidney. At the same time, dietary inclusion of CAP elevated the protein expression of bcl-2, autophagy microtubule-associated protein light chain 3A/B (LC3A/B-I), and LC3A/B-II by inhibiting the phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; P < 0.05). Moreover, the apoptosis rate of the D3 and D4 groups was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicated that the optimal level of CAP-replacing fish meal should be <50% that has no negative effect on the growth performance and liver health of juvenile largemouth bass. In addition, excessive CAP inclusion may damage liver health by activating autophagy and apoptosis signaling pathways.
Corrosion Performance and Rust Conversion Mechanism of Graphene Modified Epoxy Surface Tolerant Coating
Authors: Guo Xiaoping , Xu Hao , Pu Jibin , Yao Chao , Yang Jing , Liu Shuan
Published: November 2021

A graphene modified epoxy surface tolerant coating was prepared, and the corrosion performance and rust conversion mechanism of the prepared composite coating on rusty carbon steel substrate was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), and infrared (IR) spectrum were used to confirmed the iron rust conversion performance by the reaction of phytic acid and rust. electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization curve, and salt spray test were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of low surface treatment coatings. Results indicated most of the rust were dissolved and transformed with the reaction of phytic acid and rust on the rusty carbon steel; graphene could effectively improve the compactness and protective performance of the epoxy surface tolerant coating.
Automatic Adjustment of the Inspiratory Trigger and Cycling-Off Criteria Improved Patient-Ventilator Asynchrony During Pressure Support Ventilation
Authors: Liu Ling , Yu Yue , Xu Xiaoting , Sun Qin , Qiu Haibo , Chiumello Davide , Yang Yi
Published: November 2021

Background: Patient-ventilator asynchrony is common during pressure support ventilation (PSV) because of the constant cycling-off criteria and variation of respiratory system mechanical properties in individual patients. Automatic adjustment of inspiratory triggers and cycling-off criteria based on waveforms might be a useful tool to improve patient-ventilator asynchrony during PSV.

Method: Twenty-four patients were enrolled and were ventilated using PSV with different cycling-off criteria of 10% (PS10), 30% (PS30), 50% (PS50), and automatic adjustment PSV (PSAUTO). Patient-ventilator interactions were measured.

Results: The total asynchrony index (AI) and NeuroSync index were consistently lower in PSAUTO when compared with PS10, PS30, and PS50, (P < 0.05). The benefit of PSAUTO in reducing the total AI was mainly because of the reduction of the micro-AI but not the macro-AI. PSAUTO significantly improved the relative cycling-off error when compared with prefixed controlled PSV (P < 0.05). PSAUTO significantly reduced the trigger error and inspiratory effort for the trigger when compared with a prefixed trigger. However, total inspiratory effort, breathing patterns, and respiratory drive were not different among modes.

Conclusions: When compared with fixed cycling-off criteria, an automatic adjustment system improved patient-ventilator asynchrony without changes in breathing patterns during PSV. The automatic adjustment system could be a useful tool to titrate more personalized mechanical ventilation.
Stakeholder Engagement in Competency Framework Development in Health Professions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lepre Breanna , Palermo Claire , Mansfield Kylie J. , Beck Eleanor J.
Published: November 2021

Competency framework development in health professions has downstream implications for all relevant stakeholders, from the professionals themselves, to organisations, and most importantly end users of services. However, there is little guidance related to what stakeholders might be involved in the competency development process, and when. This review aimed to systematically review literature related to competency framework development methodology in health, to identify the breadth and purpose of key stakeholders commonly involved in the process. Studies were identified using five electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ERIC) and a search of websites of organisations involved in curriculum or regulation using keywords related to competency frameworks. The total yield from all databases was 10,625 results, with 73 articles included in the final review. Most articles were from Australia (30%) and were conducted in the nursing (34%) profession. Unsurprisingly, practitioners (86%) and academics (75%) were typically engaged as stakeholders in competency framework development. While many competency frameworks were described as patient-focused, only 14 (19%) studies elected to include service users as stakeholders. Similarly, despite the multi-disciplinary focus described in some frameworks, only nine (12%) studies involved practitioners from other professions. Limiting the conceptualisation of competence to that determined by members of the profession itself may not provide the depth of insight required to capture the complexity of healthcare and address the needs of important stakeholder groups. Future methodology should attempt to engage a variety of relevant stakeholders such as external health professions and the community to match professional education to health service demands.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=128350
Improved Dry Eye Symptoms and Signs of Patients With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction by a Dietary Supplement
Authors: Liu Kangcheng , Chan Yau Kei , Peng Xia , Yuan Ruolan , Liao Min , Liang Jingwen , Tang Xiangbo , Xu Yi , Cai Yingjun , Li Qiangxiang , Wang Hua
Published: November 2021

Purpose: To explore the therapeutic effect of a dietary supplement on dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: Sixty patients with MGD-related dry eye were included in this prospective and randomized, placebo-controlled study. All the subjects were treated with eye hot compress, artificial tears, and antibiotic ointment. After that, the patients received dietary supplementary or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The dry eye signs, function of MG, and visual quality of the patients were assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the treatment.

Results: Twelve weeks after the treatment, patients who received dietary supplement had a significantly better improvement of dry eye symptoms, in terms of ocular surface diseases index and tear breaking-up time (TBUT), than those who received placebo (P < 0.05). The functions of MG, in terms of meibum quality and MG exclusion and MG obstruction scores, were significantly improved in both dietary supplement and placebo groups (P < 0.05). Patients who received dietary supplement had a significantly better improvement in the MG structure, in terms of acinar diameter and acinar density, than those who received placebo (P < 0.05). The number of inflammatory cells near MG was significantly lower in the dietary supplement group when compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). The objective visual quality was significantly improved in the dietary supplement group, but not in the placebo group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The dietary supplement can effectively improve the symptoms and signs of MGD-related dry eye, reduce the inflammatory reaction of MG, restore the gland structure, and indirectly improve the visual quality.