bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coping strategies for stress in medical students with type D personality
Authors: Sumin A , Shcheglova AV , Prokashko IUY
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Aim. To study the choice of coping strategies and coping adequacy in medical students with type D personality.

Material and methods. The study included 98 participants - 68 women and 30 men, studying at the General Medicine Faculty (Kemerovo State Medical University), aged 18 to 23 years (mean age 19.1 ± 2.0 years). All participants completed psychological questionnaires to identify predisposition to psychological distress and choice of coping strategies.

Results. All subjects (n = 98) were divided into two groups: subjects with type D personality (n = 44) and subjects without type D personality (n = 54). Type D personality in men was detected in 20.4%, in women in 79.6% (p = 0.03). In students with type D, the average scores on the negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) scales were higher (16.0 and 13.5 points) than in students without type D (6.5 and 9.0 points), (p < 0.001 in both cases). Subjects with type D had higher scores on the "Escape-avoidance" (p < 0.001), "Accepting responsibility" (p = 0.009) and "Distancing" (p = 0.05) scales of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WSQ) and "Avoidance" (p = 0.007) scale of the Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) questionnaire. The indicator of coping strategies showed a very low level of use of avoidance strategies: with type D - 9.09%, without type D - 31.48% (p = 0.007). Students with type D had a pronounced preference for the "Escape-avoidance" strategy of 75.0% (p = 0.000018). According to univariate logistic regression analysis, an increase of 1 point in the values on the "Escape-avoidance" scale increased the chance of identifying type D by 1.15 times (95% CI 1.07-1.23; p < 0.001). On the contrary, an increase in the score on the "Positive Reappraisal" scale reduced the probability of identifying type D personality (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.86-0.98; p = 0.005). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the identified association between the "Escape-avoidance" strategy and type D personality has high values (AUC = 0.779; 95% CI 0.688-0.870).

Conclusion. Predominance of inadequate of coping strategies, such as "Escape-avoidance" and "Avoidance", was found in healthy medical students with type D personality. According to logistic regression analysis, the independent strategy associated with type D personality is the "Escape-avoidance" and without type D - "Positive Reappraisal".
Feasibility of hybrid telerehabilitation as component of a novel comprehensive care program after acute myocardial infarction in a one-year follow-up preliminary experience of a single center
Authors: Piotrowicz E , Orzechowski P , Kowalik I , Piotrowicz R
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Health Fund

Background. A novel comprehensive care program after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) „KOS-zawał" was implemented in Poland. It includes acute intervention, complex revascularization, implantation of cardiovascular electronic devices (in case of indications), rehabilitation or hybrid telerehabilitation (HTR) and scheduled outpatient follow-up. HTR is a unique component of this program.

The purpose of the pilot study was to evaluate a feasibility, safety and patients’ acceptance of HTR as component of a novel care program after AMI and to assess mortality in a one-year follow-up.

Methods

The study included 55 patients (LVEF 55.6 ± 6.8%; aged 57.5 ± 10.5 years). Patients underwent a 5-week HTR based on Nordic walking, consisting of an initial stage (1 week) conducted within an outpatient center and a basic stage (4-week) home-based telerehabilitation five times weekly. HTR was telemonitored with a device adjusted to register electrocardiogram (ECG) recording and to transmit data via mobile phone network to the monitoring center. The moments of automatic ECG registration were pre-set and coordinated with exercise training. The influence on physical capacity was assessed by comparing changes in functional capacity (METs) from the beginning and the end of HTR. Patients filled in a questionnaire in order to assess their acceptance of HTR at the end of telerehabilitation.

Results

HTR resulted in a significant improvement in functional capacity and workload duration in exercise test (Table). Safety: there were neither deaths nor adverse events during HTR. Patients accepted HTR, including the need for interactive everyday collaboration with the monitoring center.

Prognosis

all patients survived in a one-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Hybrid telerehabilitation is a feasible, safe form of rehabilitation, well accepted by patients. There were no deaths in a one-year follow-up.

Outcomes before and after HTR Before telerehabilitation After telerehabilitation P Exercise time [s] 381.5 ± 92.0 513.7 ± 120.2 <0.001 Maximal workload [MET] 7.9 ± 1.8 10.1 ± 2.3 <0.001 Heart rate rest [bpm] 68.6 ± 12.0 66.6 ± 10.9 0.123 Heart rate max effort [bpm] 119.7 ± 15.9 131.0 ± 20.1 <0.001 SBP rest [mmHg] 115.6 ± 14.8 117.7 ± 13.8 0.295 DBP rest [mmHg] 74.3 ± 9.2 76.2 ± 7.3 0.079 SBP max effort [mm Hg] 159.5 ± 25.7 170.7 ± 25.5 0.003 DBP max effort [mm Hg] 84.5 ± 9.2 87.2 ± 9.3 0.043 SBP systolic blood pressure, DBP diastolic blood pressure.
Hybrid cardiac rehabilitation program as a potential enhancer of adherence to cardiac rehabilitation in smoking patients with coronary heart disease - a retrospective single-centre analysis
Authors: Cabral M , Santos R , Januario F , Antunes A , Fonseca-Pinto R
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has well known beneficial effects on physical capacity, health-related quality of life, morbidity and mortality following an acute cardiac event. It is also known that smoking status is a powerful predictor of recurrent cardiovascular disease events. However, it has been noted that smoker patients may be less likely to access or complete CR.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of anxiety and depression and its improvement, depending on the smoking status of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on phase 2 of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (CRP). Additionally, we intend to investigate the mental health impact on smoker patients" group in conventional CR versus telemonitored CR.

A retrospective study was conducted and patients in CRP between 2017 and 2020 were included. Patient selection and information collection were obtained through medical records. The outcomes of anxiety and depression were evaluated through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 for non-smokers or ex-smokers and group 2 for smokers. For group 2 patients, a sub-analysis was performed for patients following the conventional CR versus the telemonitored CR, with the use of MOVIDA mobile application. Variables were analysed in the beginning (T0) and in the end (T1) of phase 2, around 3 months after. Group comparisons tests and statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software v25.0. A p-value less than 0.05 is statistically significant. 

We analysed 107 patients, which 93 of these were assiduous and 69 concluded the phase 2 of CRP: 39 patients in group 1 and 30 patients in group 2. Two groups have similar baseline characteristics, except for the higher presence of diabetes (p = 0.02) in group 1. It was noted an improvement in both anxiety and depression items for group 1 (p < 0.01 for both), but only for anxiety item for group 2 (p = 0.03). In subgroup analysis, we observed no improvement for smoking patients following the conventional CR for both anxiety and depression items (p = 0.60 and p = 0.71, respectably) versus a significant difference in telemonitored CR patients (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04).

We hypothesise that, when compared to conventional CR, cardiac telemonitored exercise using modern communication methods may result in an improved mental health state among smoking patients, which can lead to a better adherence for CRP. Further studies including more patients and phase 3 of CRP are needed to confirm these results.
The impact of different preventive counseling programs on medication adherence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation
Authors: Pogosova N , Ovchinnikova AI , Yufereva YM , Sokolova OY , Davtyan KV , Ausheva AK
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Poor medication adherence is a major contributor to suboptimal health outcomes and increased costs in cardiovascular (CV) diseases including atrial fibrillation (AF).

Purpose

To assess the impact of different preventive counseling programs on medication adherence in AF patients (pts) after catheter ablation (CA).

Methods

A prospective randomized controlled study with 3 parallel groups of pts with paroxysmal AF after CA (radiofrequency or cryoablation).  Pts were randomized (1:1:1) into 3 groups. Before discharge, pts from all groups received 1 preventive counseling session with focus on their individual risk factors profile. After discharge both intervention groups received 6 sessions of biweekly remote preventive counseling by phone (Group 1) or via email(Group 2) for 3 months after enrollment. Group 3 received usual care. Medication adherence was assessed using the 4-item Morisky-Green scale at baseline and at 12 months. 

Results

A total of 135 pts aged 35 to 80 years were enrolled (mean age, 57.3 ± 9.1 years, men, 51.8%). The groups were well balanced according to demographic and clinical features. Baseline levels of non-adherenсe and partial adherence were high in all groups (53.4%, 71.1% and 73.3% respectively). At 1 year of follow-up pts from both intervention groups demonstrated a significant improvement of medication adherence vs control (table). 

Conclusions

Preventive counseling programs with remote support via phone or e-mail improve medication adherence in AF pts after CA.

Мedication adherence 1 group (support via phone) 2 group (support via e-mail) Control group P for Group 1 vs. control at 12 months P for Group 2 vs. control at 12 months Baseline After 12 months Baseline After 12 months Baseline After 12 months Adherence,% 46.7 60 28.9 60 26.7 31.1 <0.01 <0.01 Partial adherence ,% 17.8 20 31.1 20 24.4 33.3 n/s n/s Non-adherence,% 35.6 60 40 20 48.9 35.6 n/s n/s
Evaluation of basic life support education for high school students in a city in brazil
Authors: Coutinho Cordeiro J , Oliveira De Deus M , Sousa Pinheiro S , Aparecida De Sousa Pereira L , Souto Lucio De Oliveira MC
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The researchers themselves.

Background

Cardiorespiratory Arrest (CRP) is a medical emergency that requires urgent aid as well as technical skills to initiate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) maneuvers, primarily among the lay population, seeing as the majority of CRP episodes take place in community environments. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the Basic Life Support (BLS) skills of high school students before and after a theoretical-practical approach. Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted, consisting of theoretical-practical training on BLS running 60 minutes total (20 minutes of theory and 40 minutes of practice), addressing various steps in layman’s out-of-hospital BLS. Evaluations were conducted before and after training. The instrument was developed by the researchers themselves and underwent a previous validation process. The statistical software employed for the purpose of analyzing the data was SPSS version 21.0 for Windows. At the outset, descriptive statistics were employed to present the data, as well as the Wilcoxon test to compare the results of questionnaires taken before and after the intervention. Results: The sample consisted of 322 students from private institutions in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The median age was 16.0 years, with an interquartile interval (IQ) of 2 years, with 181 (56.2%) students being female and 141 (43.8%) male. The before and after results revealed statistically significant differences in performance: pre-training – median = 5 points, IQ = 2 points; post training – 9 points, IQ = 2 points; p < 0.0001. Conclusion: The conduction of theoretical-practical classes was followed by an increase in correct answers to the BLS questionnaire. The results suggest that simple educational strategies might aid in the training of lay young people to respond correctly to CRP scenarios.
The acute effects of an ultramarathon on biventricular function and ventricular arrhythmias in master athletes
Authors: Cavigli L , Zorzi A , Spadotto V , Gismondi A , Sisti N , Valentini F , Anselmi F , Mandoli GE , Spera L , Di Florio A , Baccani B , Cameli M , D"ascenzi F
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background. Endurance sports practice has significantly increased over the last decades, with a growing proportion of participants older than 40 years. Although the benefits of moderate regular exercise are well known, concerns exist regarding the potential negative effects induced by extreme endurance sport. The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of an ultramarathon race on the ECG, biventricular function and ventricular arrhythmias in a population of master athletes.

Methods. Master athletes participating in an ultramarathon (50 km, 600 meters of elevation gain) with no history of heart disease were recruited. A single-lead ECG was recorded continuously from the day before to the end of the race. Echocardiography and 12-lead resting ECG were performed before and at the end of the race.

Results. The study sample consisted of 68 healthy non-professional master athletes. Compared with baseline, R-wave amplitude in V1 and QTc duration were higher after the race (p < 0.001). Exercise-induced isolated premature ventricular beats were observed in 7% of athletes; none showed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia before or during the race. Left ventricular ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and twisting did not significantly differ before and after the race. After the race, no significant differences were found in right ventricular inflow and outflow tract dimensions, fractional area change, s’ and GLS.

Conclusions. In master endurance athletes running an ultra-marathon, exercise-induced ventricular dysfunction or relevant ventricular arrhythmias were not detected. These results did not confirm the hypothesis of a detrimental acute effect of strenuous exercise on the heart.

Abstract Figure.
High disease activity is associated with higher blood pressure in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis patients, post-hoc analyses of IMPROVED study
Authors: Gegenava M , Bergstra SA , Maassen H , Allaart CF
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Purpose: purpose of our project was to investigate the association between disease activity and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA 2010 criteria) or undifferentiated arthritis (UA) who were treated to target disease activity score (DAS)<1.6 in the IMPROVED study. Methods: The associations between disease activity and SBP/DBP were tested for 610 patients (364 RA, 246 UA), cross-sectionally and over time. GEE analyses were performed with both SBP and DBP as outcome measures and disease activity categories (DAS<1.6;>1.6 but ≤2.4; >2.4), CRP level, treatment arms or the number of visits on a certain drug as potential predictors in separate analyses. Separate analyses tested potential contributions of gender, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) status, and fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR (American college of rheumatology/ European league against rheumatism) classification criteria. In addition association of BP with various levels of disease activity was tested with T-test. Results: At the baseline mean (SD) SBP was 133 (20) and DBP mean (SD) was 80 (10).  SBP > 140mm Hg was observed in 40% of patients and DBP > 90 mm Hg  in 21% of patients. SBP and DBP statistically significantly decreased during 5 years follow up (mainly during year 1), but the difference in mm Hg was small. Estimates from GEE analysis showed that patients with high DAS >2.4 (HDAS) had a statistically significantly higher SBP (average 3 mm Hg higher, 95% CI 1.7; 4.2, p < 0.01), than the patients in with DAS ≤2.4. ANOVA analyses showed a statistically significant association between SBP and DAS. In addition, post hoc analyses showed that patients with HDAS had a statistically significantly higher  SBP (mean (SD) 132 (19) than the patients with DAS < 1.6 (remission) (mean (SD) 129 (20), p < 0.01), and patients in LDAS but DAS≥1.6 had a statistically significantly higher SBP (mean (SD) 131 (19) than the patients in remission (mean (SD)  129 (20), p = 0.02) (Figure 1), whereas no association was found between DAS category and DBP. Gender, ACPA status or fulfilling the 2010 classification criteria did not influence the relation between DAS and blood pressure. Conclusions: In patients with RA or UA, a higher DAS is associated with higher blood pressure, but the clinical impact is unclear.

Abstract Figure 1
Willingness of non-participants of conventional cardiac rehabilitation to participate in cardiac telerehabilitation: results of semi-structured interviews
Authors: Falter M , Scherrenberg M , Kaihara T , Intan-Goey V , Dendale P
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is considered a Class IA recommendation in secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Participation rates are low however. Telerehabilitation (TR) is widely studied to overcome known barriers. However, the willingness of patients that refuse centre-based CR to participate in TR is scarcely studied. This study aims to assess the willingness to participate in TR in patients that refuse conventional centre-based CR, as well as the main barriers to participation in CR and TR.

Methods

Patients were screened during hospitalisation on the cardiology, cardiac surgery and cardiac intensive care departments. Patients that were eligible for CR but refused to participate were asked to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview consisting of 18 questions was performed during hospitalisation. After signing an informed consent, interviews were conducted, recorded and analysed. Additional data was extracted and analysed from the hospital electronic health records.

Results

A total of 20 patients were included. Mean age was 69.6 years (± 10), 17 patients were male (85%), cardiac pathologies were ischemic heart disease (10), heart failure (5) and arrhythmia (5). Six patients (30%) owned a smartphone. Primary reasons not to participate in conventional CR were transport issues (7), lack of motivation (5), cost (3), already being physically active at home (2), or other reasons (3).

Eight patients (40%) indicated that, if a programme existed, they would participate in a TR programme.

In the group of patients that would not want to participate in TR (n = 12), 10 said lack of digital literacy was a reason, 9 said not having the needed technology (either a computer, a smartphone or both) was a reason. Five said that lack of motivation was a reason and 3 didn’t see the utility of doing rehabilitation at home or rehabilitation at all. The most important reason not to participate was a lack of digital literacy in 6 patients, and a lack of motivation or not seeing the utility of rehabilitation in 6 patients.

In the group of patients that would participate in TR, all 8 said that not needing transport was an advantage, 2 indicated that being able to perform rehabilitation on flexible hours was an advantage. All 8 indicated that not needing transport was the main advantage of TR for them. The most important barrier for this group was not being fluent with computers and/or smartphone (3).

Conclusions

Of a group of patients not willing to participate in conventional CR, 40% would be prepared to participate in TR. Lack of digital literacy and lack of motivation were the main reasons not to participate in TR. Not needing transport was seen as the main advantage of TR. Further research in larger populations will be needed to confirm these results.
First experience with a ready-to-use solution for remote monitoring of patients suffering from heart failure
Authors: Lemieux H , Picard F , Barritault F , Labarre J , Lafitte S , Maribas P , Chaouky H , Abdennadher M , Lasserre R , Amara W , Pages N , Nisse-Durgeat S , Diebold B
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high mortality rate and recurrent hospitalizations.

Purpose

To present the first data of the patients using Satelia® Cardio solution

Method

Satelia® Cardio is a HF patient management solution with a remote monitoring system and a therapeutic guidance by a dedicated-nurse phone platform, supported by the ETAPES Program. The system is accessible from any device and requiring no installation. After the inclusion, the patient is contacted by the nurse, he then receives an SMS alerts following cardiologist prescription (on regular basis), with a link leading to a web page on which he will answer 7 questions and enter his current body weight. Satelia® Cardio algorithm is based on these data inputs, their variability, and the weight. In case of worsening of symptoms, the cardiologist will be notified. Since Covid-19 lockdown, more than 1400 patients have been monitored with the solution.

Results

165 centers (306 cardiologists) are using Satelia® Cardio with 3540 HF patients monitored in the last 29 months. The patients with a mean age of 72 years (19-100) are predominantly males (67%), and mostly NYHA II/III (69%/31%) with a mean LVEF of 40%. The adherence to the system is very good (91%) with 78% of patients still monitored (n = 2787). The main reasons for stopping are related to the occurrence of death (205/753) or patient/HCP decision (392/753), or other reasons (156/753). Over the period of analysis, the HF patients answered to 163 700 questionnaires, generating 8210 alerts transmitted to the referent cardiologists.

Conclusion

Patient management solution with a remote monitoring system is key to improving the follow-up of HF patients. The solution Satelia® Cardio is an easy way to use a web application to monitor HF patients, especially on the current period of Covid-19 with a low rate of premature discontinuation. A further step will be to initiate studies to assess the potential benefits for both patients and HCPs  of such remote monitoring solution in HF.
Left ventricular mass index as a predictor of coronary calcification, coronary lesion and association with coronary artery tortuosity
Authors: Farhan HASAN , Khaleel Z , Dakhil ZA
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Despite Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is a common angiographic finding, there is limited data regarding pathogenesis and aetiology of this coronary entity, one proposed hypothesis was the change in geometry of left ventricle (LV) which predispose for CAT. Very little is known about echocardiographic parameters and their significance in CAT.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as a predictor of coronary calcium burden (represented by CT coronary calcium scoring CaCs), coronary obstructive lesions and association of LVMI with CAT in patients with chronic chest pain who were referred for coronary angiography (CA).

Methods

Cross-sectional study enrolled patients with chronic chest pain whom referred for CCTA and coronary angiography (CA). Demographic characteristics and CA results were collected. LVMI was calculated for each patient. Patients were grouped into those with CAT vs without CAT.

Results

The study recruited 150 patients including 106 (70.7%) with CAT. Among total study patients; mean LVMI was higher in elderly≥ 65 years (147.5 ± 52 vs 52.5 ± 8.4, p < 0.001), hypertensive (129 ± 52.4 vs 96.6 ± 38.9, p = 0.001) and diabetics (144.2 ± 65.3 vs 102.5 ± 30.7, p = 0.001). LVMI was lower in patients with CAT (115.4 ± 46.2 vs 123.6 ± 59.8 in non-CAT group, p = 0.001), in same line, among CAT group: 49% had normal LVMI vs 45.5% in non-CAT counterparts, mild increase in LVMI seen in 18.3% vs 6.6% in non-CAT group while severe increase in LVMI seen in 33.25% vs 16.5% in non-CAT patients. Mean LVMI was higher in patients with obstructive coronary artery lesions (137.9 ± 56.3 vs 93.6 ± 27.3, p = 0.001), similarly, mean LVMI was increasing with higher grade of CT coronary calcium scoring as it was 88.5 ± 27.3 in absent CaCs while mean LVMI was 154.4 ± 62.4 in severe CaCs, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

 left ventricular mass index increased in elderly, obese, hypertensive and diabetics. Severe grade of increase in LVMI was higher in patients with coronary artery tortuosity compared to those without coronary tortuosity. Similarly, LVMI can be useful echocardiographic predictor of coronary calcification as well as obstruction, further studies are warranted to explore pathophysiological basis and clinical impacts  of these findings.

Abstract Figure.
Tail Beat Synchronization during Schooling Requires a Functional Posterior Lateral Line System in Giant Danios,Devario aequipinnatus
Authors: Mekdara Prasong J , Nasimi Fazila , Schwalbe Margot A B , Tytell Eric D
Published: May 2021

Swimming in schools has long been hypothesized to allow fish to save energy. Fish must exploit the energy from the wakes of their neighbors for maximum energy savings, a feat that requires them to both synchronize their tail movements and stay in certain positions relative to their neighbors. To maintain position in a school, we know that fish use multiple sensory systems, mainly their visual and flow sensing lateral line system. However, how fish synchronize their swimming movements in a school is still not well understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that this synchronization may depend on functional differences in the two branches of the lateral line sensory system that detects water movements close to the fish’s body. The anterior branch, located on the head, encounters largely undisturbed free-stream flow, while the posterior branch, located on the trunk and tail, encounters flow that has been affected strongly by the tail movement. Thus, we hypothesize that the anterior branch may be more important for regulating position within the school, while the posterior branch may be more important for synchronizing tail movements. Our study examines functional differences in the anterior and posterior lateral line in the structure and tail synchronization of fish schools. We used a widely available aquarium fish that schools, the giant danio, Devario equipinnatus. Fish swam in a large circular tank where stereoscopic videos recordings were used to reconstruct the 3D position of each individual within the school and to track tail kinematics to quantify synchronization. For one fish in each school, we ablated using cobalt chloride either the anterior region only, the posterior region only, or the entire lateral line system. We observed that ablating any region of the lateral line system causes fish to swim in a “box” or parallel swimming formation, which was different from the diamond formation observed in normal fish. Ablating only the anterior region did not substantially reduce tail beat synchronization but ablating only the posterior region caused fish to stop synchronizing their tail beats, largely because the tail beat frequency increased dramatically. Thus, the anterior and posterior lateral line system appears to have different behavioral functions in fish. Most importantly, we showed that the posterior lateral line system played a major role in determining tail beat synchrony in schooling fish. Without synchronization, swimming efficiency decreases, which can have an impact on the fitness of the individual fish and group.
Biology’s best friend: Bridging disciplinary gaps to advance canine science
Authors: Bryce Authors: Caleb M , Davis Michael S , Gompper Matthew E , Hurt Aimee , Koster Jeremy M , Larson Greger , Ostrander Elaine A , Udell Monique A R , Urfer Silvan , Wirsing Aaron J , Jimenez Ana G
Published: May 2021

The rich history and global abundance of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) present a unique opportunity and an ideal model for interdisciplinary research. Canine evolutionary history demonstrates unprecedented changes across all levels of biological organization. These include diversification from highly social, pack-dwelling wild carnivores (extant gray wolves, C. lupus), to increased dependence on humans (domestication), to modern in-home colonization featuring close physical proximity to humans (interspecies bonding). The young, emerging field of “canine science” comprises diverse biological disciplines including evolution, genetics, cognition, behavior, physiology, comparative medicine, and ecology, drawing on studies of both natural and experimental systems and scaling across all levels of biological organization, from genomes to ecosystems. However, limited connections bridge the various fields associated with canine science, although in every branch it is recognized that this species is one of the most phenotypically variable mammals. Yet there has been growing interest in integrating the insights from genomic evolution with those from ecophysiology and ecology, thus facilitating a more biologically comprehensive perspective of dogs. In particular, integrative, mechanistic, and/or ecological studies have been generally underrepresented. To address these emerging interests, we have collected the most compelling questions in the field of canine biology and present avenues of current and future research. This paper serves to both orient the reader to this special issue, as well as offer a forward-looking perspective from diverse biological sub-disciplines to highlight current and future goals in canine research.
The Extremal Number of Surfaces
Authors: Kupavskii Andrey , Polyanskii Alexandr , Tomon István , Zakharov Dmitriy
Published: May 2021

In 1973, Brown, Erdős and Sós proved that if $\mathcal{H}$ is a 3-uniform hypergraph on $n$ vertices which contains no triangulation of the sphere, then $\mathcal{H}$ has $O(n^{5/2})$ edges, and this bound is the best possible up to a constant factor. Resolving a conjecture of Linial, also reiterated by Keevash, Long, Narayanan and Scott, we show that the same result holds for triangulations of the torus. Furthermore, we extend our result to every closed orientable surface $\mathcal{S}$.
On the Benefits of Using MVC Pattern for Structuring Event-B Models of WIMP Interactive Applications
Authors: Singh Neeraj Kumar , Aït-Ameur Yamine , Geniet Romain , Méry Dominique , Palanque Philippe
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a formal development approach for designing interactive applications using a correct-by-construction approach. In this work, we propose a refinement strategy using model-view-controller (MVC) to structure and design Event-B formal models of the interactive application. The proposed MVC-based refinement strategy facilitates the development of an abstract model and a series of refined models by introducing the possible modes, controller’s behaviour and visual components of the interactive application while preserving the required interaction-related safety properties. To demonstrate the effectiveness, scalability, reliability and feasibility of our approach, we use a small example (from automotive domain) and real-life industrial case studies (from aviation). The entire development is realized in Event-B and the associated Rodin tool is used to analyse and verify the correctness of the formalized model. Finally, the developed Event-B models are used to generate source code using EB2ALL tool for going from the specification to the implementation of the interactive application.
Effects of early high nutrition related to metabolic imprinting events on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle)
Authors: Khounsaknalath Sithyphone , Etoh Kotaro , Sakuma Kaori , Saito Kunihiko , Saito Akira , Abe Tsuyoshi , Ebara Fumio , Sugiyama Toshie , Kobayashi Eiji , Gotoh Takafumi
Published: May 2021

The study was conducted to clarify how early high plane of nutrition related to metabolic imprinting affected growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle). Wagyu steers were allocated randomly into 2 dietary groups: (1) steers fed milk replacer (crude protein 26.0%, crude fat 25.5%; maximum intake 0.6 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed roughage (orchard grass hay) ad libitum from 4 to 10 mo of age (roughage group, RG; n = 11); (2) steers fed milk replacer (maximum intake of 1.8 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed a high-concentrate diet from 4 to 10 mo of age (early high nutrition, EHN; n = 12). After 11 mo of age, all steers were fed roughage ad libitum until 31 mo of age and then slaughtered. Growth performance, carcass traits, longissimus muscle (LM) meat quality and intramuscular fat (IMF) content, plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration, and bone mineral density were measured. Body weight was greater in EHN steers (571 kg) than RG steers (520 kg; P < 0.01). Plasma IGF-I levels were higher in EHN steers than in RG steers at 3, 10, and 14 mo of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively); however, plasma IGF-I levels were lower in EHN steers compared with RG steers at 30 mo of age (P < 0.01). The total weight of the muscles and bones of the left half of the carcass was not different between the 2 groups (P = 0.065). Five of the 19 muscles investigated (semimembranosus, P = 0.036; infraspinatus, P = 0.024; supraspinatus, P = 0.0019; serratus ventralis cervicis, P = 0.032; serratus ventralis thoracis, P = 0.027) were heavier in EHN steers. Total fat weight in the left half of the carcass was 30% greater (P = 0.025) in HNE carcasses. Subcutaneous and perirenal fat weights were 53% and 84% greater (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively) in EHN carcasses. The LM IMF content was greater in EHN loins (13.2%) compared with RG loins (9.4%) at 31 mo of age (P = 0.038); however, no differences were found for shear force, tenderness, and cook loss. These results suggested early high-nutrition affected the growth and meat quality of livestock.
Efficient induction of proximity-dependent labelling by biotin feeding in BMAL1-BioID knock-in mice
Authors: Murata Kazuya , Mimura Asuka , Suzuki Hayate , Mikami Natsuki , Hamada Yuko , Kato Kanako , Iki Natsumi , Ishida Miyuki , Daitoku Yoko , Tanimoto Yoko , Okiyoneda Tsukasa , Fujiyama Tomoyuki , Dinh Tra Thi Huong , Mizuno Seiya , Sugiyama Fumihiro
Published: May 2021

Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) is a useful method to identify unknown protein–protein interactions. Few reports have described genetically engineered knock-in mouse models for in vivo BioID. Thus, little is known about the proper method for biotin administration and which tissues are applicable. Here, we established a BioID knock-in mouse model of Brain and Muscle ARNT-Like 1 (BMAL1) and the BirA biotin ligase with R118G mutation (BirA*). The BMAL1-BioID mouse model was used to investigate the effect of biotin diet feeding on protein biotinylation in several tissues. The BMAL1-BirA* fusion protein-retained proper intracellular localization of BMAL1 and binding to CLOCK protein in HEK293T cells. A biotin labelling assay in mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed the protein biotinylation activity of BMAL1-BirA* expressed in knock-in mouse cells depending on biotin supplementation. Lastly, feeding a 0.5% biotin diet for 7 days induced protein biotinylation in the brain, heart, testis and liver of BMAL1-BioID mice without adverse effects on spermatogenesis. In the kidney, the biotin diet increased biotinylated protein levels in BMAL1-BioID and control mice, suggesting the existence of endogenous biotinylation activity. These results provide valuable information to optimize the in vivo BioID procedure.
Presumptive stridulatory organs inParanthuracf.japonicaRichardson, 1909 (Isopoda: Cymothoida: Paranthuridae)
Authors: Kakui Keiichi , Shiraki Shoki
Published: May 2021

Morphological diversity of sound-producing structures has not been well investigated among members of superorder Peracarida. Presumptive stridulatory sound-producing organs have been reported in some amphipods and tanaidaceans, and sound production by these organs has been documented in two isopod species in Oniscidea and Sphaeromatidea. We describe three presumptive stridulatory organs in the paranthurid isopod Paranthura cf. japonica Richardson, 1909, the first case known in Cymothoida. One type, consisting of a scale-bearing knob on the posterolateral corner of a pereonite and the scale-bearing anterolateral corner of the succeeding pereonite, was found between two pairs of pereonites (1, 2 and 2, 3). A second type involves a serrated structure in the sub-posterolateral region of pereonites 1 and 2, with the sharp anterolateral margins of pereonites 2 and 3 appearing to provide corresponding plectra. The third type involves an extension bearing a pair of serrated structures on the posteroventral margin of pereonites 1 and 2; the anterior-ventrolateral edges of pereonites 2 and 3 appear to provide corresponding plectra. All three organs occurred in both sexes of P. cf. japonica. Our discovery of novel, presumptive stridulatory organs in an intertidal isopod indicates that much remains to be learned about the biology of even common peracarid species.
The Contribution of Gestures to the Semantics of Non-Canonical Questions
Authors: Ippolito Michela
Published: May 2021

The symbolic gesture MAT (mano a tulipano) used by native speakers of Italian characterizes non-canonical wh questions when used both as a co-speech and pro-speech gesture. MAT can be executed with either a fast tempo contour or a slow tempo contour. Tempo is semantically significant: descriptively, a fast tempo characterizes a biased but information-seeking non-canonical question; a slow tempo characterizes a rhetorical non-canonical question. I argue that the fast contour is the default tempo of MAT and that it brings about a biased interpretation. Slowing down the movement occurs when the feature [slow] is added: the semantic contribution of this feature is to add the presupposition that the question is resolved in the conversational context, resulting in the rhetorical interpretation of the question.
A rare case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with right ovarian torsion and hypoplasia of the left adnexa
Authors: Masoumi Shahrbabak Maryam , Ebrahimi Meimand Faridadin
Published: May 2021

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a congenital disorder caused by the abnormal absence of paramesonephric ducts. The main characteristics of this syndrome include hypoplasia or aplasia of the uterus, absence of the cervix and upper part of vagina. Otherwise, ovaries and fallopian tubes have normal functions. A 9-year-old girl presented to the emergency department by acute abdominal pain. Based on a high probable diagnosis of ovarian torsion, surgical exploration was accomplished demonstrating rudimentary or aplastic uterus, hypoplasia of the left adnexa and torsion of the right ovary. In consideration of MRKH syndrome, further assessments were done and the diagnosis was confirmed.

As this syndrome is rare and there is a probability of ovarian torsion caused by malformation of the ovarian ligament, physicians should be aware of this syndrome to diagnose it earlier and preserve the ovarian tissue.
The shape and scatter of the galaxy main sequence for massive galaxies at cosmic noon
Authors: Sherman Sydney , Jogee Shardha , Florez Jonathan , Finkelstein Steven L , Ciardullo Robin , Wold Isak , Stevans Matthew L , Kawinwanichakij Lalitwadee , Papovich Casey , Gronwall Caryl
Published: May 2021

We present the main sequence for all galaxies and star-forming galaxies for a sample of 28 469 massive (M⋆ ≥ 1011 M⊙) galaxies at cosmic noon (1.5 < z < 3.0), uniformly selected from a 17.5 deg2 area (0.33 Gpc3 comoving volume at these redshifts). Our large sample allows for a novel approach to investigating the galaxy main sequence that has not been accessible to previous studies. We measure the main sequence in small mass bins in the SFR–M⋆ plane without assuming a functional form for the main sequence. With a large sample of galaxies in each mass bin, we isolate star-forming galaxies by locating the transition between the star-forming and green valley populations in the SFR–M⋆ plane. This approach eliminates the need for arbitrarily defined fixed cutoffs when isolating the star-forming galaxy population, which often biases measurements of the scatter around the star-forming galaxy main sequence. We find that the main sequence for all galaxies becomes increasingly flat towards present day at the high-mass end, while the star-forming galaxy main sequence does not. We attribute this difference to the increasing fraction of the collective green valley and quiescent galaxy population from z = 3.0 to z = 1.5. Additionally, we measure the total scatter around the star-forming galaxy main sequence and find that it is ∼0.5–1.0 dex with little evolution as a function of mass or redshift. We discuss the implications that these results have for pinpointing the physical processes driving massive galaxy evolution.
The cosmology dependence of galaxy clustering and lensing from a hybrid N-body–perturbation theory model
Authors: Kokron Nickolas , DeRose Joseph , Chen Shi-Fan , White Martin , Wechsler Risa H
Published: May 2021

We implement a model for the two-point statistics of biased tracers that combines dark matter dynamics from N-body simulations with an analytic Lagrangian bias expansion. Using Aemulus, a suite of N-body simulations built for emulation of cosmological observables, we emulate the cosmology dependence of these non-linear spectra from redshifts z = 0 to z = 2. We quantify the accuracy of our emulation procedure, which is sub-per cent at $k=1\, h \,{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$ for the redshifts probed by upcoming surveys and improves at higher redshifts. We demonstrate its ability to describe the statistics of complex tracer samples, including those with assembly bias and baryonic effects, reliably fitting the clustering and lensing statistics of such samples at redshift z ≃ 0.4 to scales of $k_{\rm max} \approx 0.6\, h\,\mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$. We show that the emulator can be used for unbiased cosmological parameter inference in simulated joint clustering and galaxy–galaxy lensing analyses with data drawn from an independent N-body simulation. These results indicate that our emulator is a promising tool that can be readily applied to the analysis of current and upcoming data sets from galaxy surveys.
Simultaneous 2.25/8.60 GHz observations of the newly discovered magnetar –Swift J1818.0–1607
Authors: Huang Zhi-Peng , Yan Zhen , Shen Zhi-Qiang , Tong Hao , Lin Lin , Yuan Jian-Ping , Liu Jie , Zhao Ru-Shuang , Ge Ming-Yu , Wang Rui
Published: May 2021

Swift J1818.0–1607 discovered in early 2020 is not only the fifth magnetar known with periodic radio pulsations but also the fastest rotating one. Simultaneous 2.25/8.60 GHz observations of Swift J1818.0–1607 were carried out with Shanghai Tian Ma Radio Telescope (TMRT) from MJD 58936 to 59092. The spin-frequency ν and first-order derivative $\dot{\nu }$ of this magnetar were obtained with piecewise fitting method because of its instable timing properties. We found that the amplitude of short-term $\dot{\nu }$ fluctuations decreased with time, and the long-term declining trend of ν discovered previously continued in our observations. The best fit long-term $\dot{\nu }$ were about $-2.25\times 10^{-11} \, \mathrm{s}^{-2}$ using our observation data spanning 156 d. The derived characteristic age was about 522 yr, supporting the recent viewpoint that this magnetar may be older than initially thought shortly after its discovery. The flux density of this magnetar was increased at both 2.25 and 8.60 GHz during our observations, and its radio spectrum became flatter at the same time. We also detected bright-quiet type emission mode switching in Swift J1818.0–1607.
Enormous explosion energy of Type IIP SN 2017gmr with bipolar 56Ni ejecta
Authors: Utrobin Victor P , Chugai Nikolai N , Andrews Jennifer E , Smith Nathan , Jencson Jacob , Howell D Andrew , Burke Jamison , Hiramatsu Daichi , McCully Curtis , Bostroem K Azalee
Published: May 2021

The unusual Type IIP SN 2017gmr is revisited in order to pinpoint the origin of its anomalous features, including the peculiar light curve after about 100 d. The hydrodynamic modelling suggests the enormous explosion energy of ≈1052 erg. We find that the light curve with the prolonged plateau/tail transition can be reproduced either in the model with a high hydrogen abundance in the inner ejecta and a large amount of radioactive 56Ni, or in the model with an additional central energy source associated with the fallback/magnetar interaction in the propeller regime. The asymmetry of the late H α emission and the reported linear polarization are reproduced by the model of the bipolar 56Ni ejecta. The similar bipolar structure of the oxygen distribution is responsible for the two-horn structure of the [O i] 6360, 6364 Å emission. The bipolar 56Ni structure along with the high explosion energy are indicative of the magneto-rotational explosion. We identify narrow high-velocity absorption features in H α and He i10 830 Å lines with their origin in the fragmented cold dense shell formed due to the outer ejecta deceleration in a confined circumstellar shell.
Probing modified gravity theories with multiple measurements of high-redshift quasars
Authors: Lian Yujie , Cao Shuo , Biesiada Marek , Chen Yun , Zhang Yilong , Guo Wuzheng
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we quantify the ability of multiple measurements of high-redshift quasars to constrain several theories of modified gravity, including the Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati braneworld scenario, generalized Chaplygin gas, f(T) modified gravity, and modified polytropic Cardassian model. Recently released sample of 1598 quasars with X-ray and ultraviolet flux measurements in the redshift range of 0.036 ≤ z ≤ 5.1003, as well as a compilation of 120 intermediate-luminosity radio quasars covering the redshift of 0.46 < z < 2.76 are respectively used as standard probes at higher redshifts. For all considered modified gravity theories, our results show that there is still some possibility that the standard Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) scenario might not be the best cosmological model preferred by the current quasar observations. In order to improve cosmological constraints, the quasar data are also combined with the latest observations of baryon acoustic oscillations, which strongly complement the constraints. Finally, we discuss the support given by the data to modified gravity theories, applying different information theoretic techniques like the Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and Jensen–Shannon divergence.