bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning the Effective Spin Hamiltonian of a Quantum Magnet
Authors: Yu Sizhuo , Gao Yuan , Chen Bin-Bin , Li Wei
Published: October 2021

To understand the intriguing many-body states and effects in the correlated quantum materials, inference of the microscopic effective Hamiltonian from experiments constitutes an important yet very challenging inverse problem. Here we propose an unbiased and efficient approach learning the effective Hamiltonian through the many-body analysis of the measured thermal data. Our approach combines the strategies including the automatic gradient and Bayesian optimization with the thermodynamics many-body solvers including the exact diagonalization and the tensor renormalization group methods. We showcase the accuracy and powerfulness of the Hamiltonian learning by applying it firstly to the thermal data generated from a given spin model, and then to realistic experimental data measured in the spin-chain compound copper nitrate and triangular-lattice magnet TmMgGaO4. The present automatic approach constitutes a unified framework of many-body thermal data analysis in the studies of quantum magnets and strongly correlated materials in general.
Ultrasound-Guided Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling: A Minimally Invasive Autopsy Strategy During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil, 2020
Authors: Duarte-Neto Amaro Nunes , Ferraz da Silva Luiz Fernando , Monteiro Renata Aparecida de Almeida , Theodoro Filho Jair , Leite Thabata Larissa Luciano Ferreira , de Moura Catia Sales , Gomes-Gouvêa Michele Soares , Pinho João Renato Rebellho , Kanamura Cristina Takami , de Oliveria Ellen Pierre , Bispo Kely Cristina Soares , Arruda Cássia , dos Santos Aline Brito , Aquino Flavia Cristina Gonçalves , Caldini Elia Garcia , Mauad Thais , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Dolhnikoff Marisa
Published: October 2021

Background

Minimally invasive autopsies, also known as minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), have proven to be an alternative to complete diagnostic autopsies (CDAs) in places or situations where this procedure cannot be performed. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, CDAs were suspended by March 2020 in Brazil to reduce biohazard. To contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 pathology, we have conducted ultrasound (US)–guided MITS as a strategy.

Methods

This case series study includes 80 autopsies performed in patients with COVID-19 confirmed by laboratorial tests. Different organs were sampled using a standardized MITS protocol. Tissues were submitted to histopathological analysis as well as immunohistochemical and molecular analysis and electron microscopy in selected cases.

Results

US-guided MITS proved to be a safe and highly accurate procedure; none of the personnel were infected, and accuracy ranged from 69.1% for kidney, up to 90.1% for lungs, and reaching 98.7% and 97.5% for liver and heart, respectively. US-guided MITS provided a systemic view of the disease, describing the most common pathological findings and identifying viral and other infectious agents using ancillary techniques, and also allowed COVID-19 diagnosis confirmation in 5% of the cases that were negative in premortem and postmortem nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusions

Our data showed that US-guided MITS has the capacity similar to CDA not only to identify but also to characterize emergent diseases.
PSV-2 Maternal nutrient restriction and re-alimentation influences liver and muscle tissue development and gene expression
Authors: Smith Brandon I , Vasquez-Hidalgo Manuel A , Vonnahme Kimberly A , Grazul-Bilska Anna T , Swanson Kendall C , Mishra Neha , Reed Sarah A , Zinn Steven A , Govoni Kristen E
Published: October 2021

To determine the effects of maternal nutrient restriction and re-alimentation on fetal liver and muscle development, 48 pregnant ewes with singletons, were fed a control diet [100% National Research Council (NRC) requirements (CON)] starting at the beginning of gestation. On day 50 of gestation, ewes (n = 7) were euthanized and fetal liver and skeletal muscle samples were collected. The remaining animals were fed either CON or 60% NRC requirements (RES), a subset were euthanized at day 90 of gestation (n = 7/treatment), and fetal samples obtained. Remaining ewes were maintained on the current diet (CON-CON, n = 6; RES-RES, n = 7) or switched to alternative diet (CON-RES, RES-CON; n = 7/treatment). On day 130 of gestation, remaining ewes were euthanized, and fetal samples collected. Fetal liver was analyzed for general tissue morphology, and fetal skeletal muscles were analyzed for lipid accumulation. mRNA expression of growth and metabolic factors were quantified in liver and muscle tissues. Hepatocellular vacuolation was increased in RES-CON and RES-RES compared with CON-CON and CON-RES (P < 0.01). In semitendinosus and triceps brachii, intramyocellular lipid content increased 19% and 15%, respectively, in RES-CON and RES-RES compared with CON-CON and CON-RES (P£0.02) and in longissimus dorsi, lipid content was decreased 7% in CON-RES and RES-RES compared with CON-CON and RES-CON (P=0.01). In liver, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, glycogen synthase 2, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 expression increased 1.92-fold, 1.45-fold, and 1.47-fold, respectively (P£0.03) in CON-RES and RES-RES compared with RES-CON and CON-CON. In LD, IGF1-R expression increased 3.19-fold in CON-RES and RES-RES compared with RES-CON and CON-CON (P = 0.05). These results demonstrate that maternal nutrient restriction followed by re-alimentation restores liver and muscle gene expression of growth and metabolic factors while negatively impacting liver composition and muscle lipid content potentially leading to altered tissue function and metabolism later in life. Supported by USDA-AFRI grants 2016-67016-24884 and 2017-67016-26568.
PSV-4 Peri-estrus ovarian, uterine, and hormonal variables influence the uterine luminal fluid metabolome in beef heifers
Authors: da Silva Felipe Alves Correa Carvalho , da Silva Gabriela , Vieira Bruna , Neto Adomar , Rocha Cecilia Constantino , Junior Gilmar Arantes , Silva Amanda , Lo Turco Edson , Nogueira Guilherme D , Pugliesi Guilherme , Binelli Mario
Published: October 2021

In cattle, uterine luminal fluid (ULF) is the main source of molecules that support embryo development and survival during the peri-implantation period. Overarching hypothesis was that peri-estrus changes in ULF volume through accumulation and resorption mechanisms influence ULF composition during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Objectives were (1) to characterize individual temporal and spatial changes in ULF volume, endometrial and luteal vascularity, endometrial and luteal size, and progesterone (P4) concentrations during the peri-estrus period in beef heifers and, (2) associate such changes with the metabolite composition in the ULF, four days after estrus. Fourteen Bos indicus heifers that presented a PGF2α responsive CL received 500 µg PGF2α analog i.m. and were examined daily by rectal B-mode and pulse-wave color-Doppler ultrasonography until the fifth day after estrus (estrus = d 0). Plasma P4 was measured daily. On d 4, the uterine body was sampled using a cytology brush for targeted metabolomic analysis by mass spectrometry. Multivariate analyses clustered heifers according to ovarian, uterine, and hormonal variables in clusters A (n = 5) and B (n = 8 heifers). Individual metabolite concentrations were compared between clusters A and B by univariate analysis using t-test after FDR correction. Concentrations of Pro, Ala, Leu, Gly, Val, Lys, Ile, Phe, Asp, Orn, Tyr, Arg, Trp, Suc, Cit, ADMA, the sum of essential Amino Acids (AA), sum of non-essential AA, sum of aromatic AA, and total AA were greater in cluster A (FDR ≤ 0.05). ULF volume dynamics and associated uterine, ovarian, and hormonal variables during the peri-estrus period presented a concerted variation among heifers, which was associated with the ULF composition four days after estrus. Potential implications for embryo receptivity and reproductive outcomes are the focus of the current investigation.
PSII-3 Daily weather patterns associated with colostrum production in dry cows
Authors: Connor Andrea , Alward Kayla , Nin-Leary Alexandra , Duncan Jane , Cockrum Rebecca
Published: October 2021

Insufficient consumption of colostrum and/or intake of poor-quality colostrum reduces thriftiness and survival of dairy calves. Additionally, heat stress during gestation of primiparous Holstein cows can impact hormone synthesis, leading to decreased colostrum and milk production. Previous research has primarily focused on Holstein cows who have a larger frame compared to other breeds. It is possible heat stress may impact Jersey cow colostrum production differently. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the relationship between temperature-humidity index (THI) and colostrum volume and quality in Jersey cows. Colostrum data was collected from Jersey cows (n = 75) from three farms and compared to the average THI values during the dry period. Colostrum data included volume, Brix score, fat, true protein (TP), solids non-fat (SNF), lactose, somatic cell count (SCC), and urea. Daily air temperature and humidity records were determined via local weather stations and used to calculate THI values. These values were averaged for the far-off and close-up periods. The data were analyzed separately for each farm using linear regression models in R version 1.3.1073. Covariates included season, dry period length, date of colostrum collection, and parity. Close-up and far-off THI tended to predict an increased volume (β=0.3656; P = 0.0724) and somatic cell count (β=82.07; P = 0.0964) for Farm 1. Far-off THI was a significant predictor for Brix for Farm 2 (β=0.2482; P ≤ 0.01) and Farm 3 (β=-0.1762; P ≤ 0.01) and increased Brix score in Farm 2 but decreased it in Farm 3. THI was not a significant predictor for any other colostrum values. Based on these results, we suggest that an increased THI during the far-off period potentially increases Brix score without compromising other values. However, more research is needed to further investigate the effects of the close-up period on volume and of covariates on other values.
PSIX-23 Correlation between VRTN and PPARD gene variants and the phenotypic manifestation of productive traits and the hind limbs conformation in pigs
Authors: Bakoev Siroj , Getmantseva Lyubov , Bakoev Faridun , Shevtsova Varvara , Getmantseva Varvara , Bakoev Nekruz , Usatov Alexander
Published: October 2021

We formed three samples: Landrace (L, n = 86), Large White (LW, n = 120), and Duroc pigs (D, n = 140). Three traits investigated: the mean daily gain (ADG), early maturity (DAY100) and limb condition (LEG; good/bad). The PPARD (rs80828473) and VRTN (rs343248943) genes were selected. The effects of genotypes PPARD on ADG and DAY100 were determined in Duroc by the association with these traits. Pigs D of AA, comparing to GG had better ADG by 82.3 (P = 0.01) and DAY100 by 6.5 (P = 0.05). Pigs L with the AA genotype, comparing to the GG genotype, had the best ADGs by 101.0 (P = 0.05) and DAY100 by 13.1 (P = 0.04). The effect of the PPARD in LW is unknown as AA genotype was not detected in LW. For the VRTN gene D pigs of the AG and GG genotype comparing to the AA genotype had the best ADGs by 49.1 (P = 0.03) and 56.5 (P = 0.09); DAY100 by 4.8 (P = 0.03) and 9.7 (P = 0.005). Pigs D of AA genotype (P = 0.01) had the best limbs conformation but demonstrated lower productivity. In Landrace pigs, no differences in ADG and DAY100 associated with the VRTN genotypes were found. The possible reason is the low frequency of the GG genotype in this group. Regarding to the limbs the desired genotype in pigs L is AA (P = 0.05). In Large white pigs a positive effect of the AG genotype on ADG and DAY100 was found, comparing to the AA genotype it was 100.6 g (P = 0.02) and 11.7 days. (P = 0.01). The effect of the VRTN different genotypes on the LW limbs has not been found. Research was performed with the Russian Foundation for Basic Research financial support 19-016-00068 A.
PSII-B-22 High-impact minimester course in animal science
Authors: Bowhay Ciana , Wickersham Tryon , Dunlap Kathrin
Published: October 2021

Many Animal Science students have little exposure to working livestock production systems prior to entering college. As such, they can lack insight into day-to-day challenges and rationale behind decision making in these systems, opening the door for adoption of misconceptions frequently promoted in popular press. Additionally, students identify lack of first-hand knowledge and experience in the industry as a challenge to their educational success. Field trips stimulate interest and motivation, provide context for learning, and influence long-term career goals, but are underutilized in higher education. Potential impact of such experiences prompted creation of the Texas Panhandle Beef Production Tour, a 2-credit hour course that takes place during the spring minimester. To cement learning through reflection, students were asked to respond to a series of questions before, during, and after visiting beef production sites in the Texas Panhandle to probe preconceptions, observations, and outcomes of the experience. We then performed a retroactive evaluation of these reflections (n = 22) to determine cogent themes. Emergent themes included surprise at the intensive systems of data collection and management and the level of technology used at each site. Cattle were calmer and more comfortable than expected at feedlots, dairy, and packing plants visited. Students expressed new appreciation and understanding of course material and a desire to share their insights with others after completing the tour. Finally, participants gained a broader view of industry opportunities and returned with renewed motivation to pursue additional hands-on opportunities. Participation in this course provided valuable insight into the livestock production industry and motivated students to explore new career options and address their own preconceptions of the industry through independent inquiry. Creation of similar courses may be useful to address misconceptions, create personal connections with course material, and broaden career interests in undergraduate animal science students.
The MukB-topoisomerase IV interaction mutually suppresses their catalytic activities
Authors: Kumar Rupesh , Bahng Soon , Marians Kenneth J
Published: October 2021

The bacterial condensin MukB and the cellular chromosomal decatenase, topoisomerase IV interact and this interaction is required for proper condensation and topological ordering of the chromosome. Here, we show that Topo IV stimulates MukB DNA condensation by stabilizing loops in DNA: MukB alone can condense nicked plasmid DNA into a protein–DNA complex that has greater electrophoretic mobility than that of the DNA alone, but both MukB and Topo IV are required for a similar condensation of a linear DNA representing long stretches of the chromosome. Remarkably, we show that rather than MukB stimulating the decatenase activity of Topo IV, as has been argued previously, in stoichiometric complexes of the two enzymes each inhibits the activity of the other: the ParC subunit of Topo IV inhibits the MukF-stimulated ATPase activity of MukB and MukB inhibits both DNA crossover trapping and DNA cleavage by Topo IV. These observations suggest that when in complex on the DNA, Topo IV inhibits the motor function of MukB and the two proteins provide a stable scaffold for chromosomal DNA condensation.
The reactome pathway knowledgebase 2022
Authors: Gillespie Marc , Jassal Bijay , Stephan Ralf , Milacic Marija , Rothfels Karen , Senff-Ribeiro Andrea , Griss Johannes , Sevilla Cristoffer , Matthews Lisa , Gong Chuqiao , Deng Chuan , Varusai Thawfeek , Ragueneau Eliot , Haider Yusra , May Bruce , Shamovsky Veronica , Weiser Joel , Brunson Timothy , Sanati Nasim , Beckman Liam , Shao Xiang , Fabregat Antonio , Sidiropoulos Konstantinos , Murillo Julieth , Viteri Guilherme , Cook Justin , Shorser Solomon , Bader Gary , Demir Emek , Sander Chris , Haw Robin , Wu Guanming , Stein Lincoln , Hermjakob Henning , D’Eustachio Peter
Published: October 2021

The Reactome Knowledgebase (https://reactome.org), an Elixir core resource, provides manually curated molecular details across a broad range of physiological and pathological biological processes in humans, including both hereditary and acquired disease processes. The processes are annotated as an ordered network of molecular transformations in a single consistent data model. Reactome thus functions both as a digital archive of manually curated human biological processes and as a tool for discovering functional relationships in data such as gene expression profiles or somatic mutation catalogs from tumor cells. Recent curation work has expanded our annotations of normal and disease-associated signaling processes and of the drugs that target them, in particular infections caused by the SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses and the host response to infection. New tools support better simultaneous analysis of high-throughput data from multiple sources and the placement of understudied (‘dark’) proteins from analyzed datasets in the context of Reactome’s manually curated pathways.
Finding a Home in House
Authors: Capetola Christine
Published: October 2021

Discussed most often as a musical genre and queer familial structure, house has long been a home for Blackness—and for femininity. This chapter theorizes a notion of Black queer femmeness along the sounds, affects, and vibrations of house. Through charting the use of Black female vocals across the genre’s origins in the early 1980s, dance pop in the early 1990s, and the mid-2010s’ house resurgence in both the mainstream and indie spheres, this chapter explores how house simultaneously amplifies the femininity of Black female house vocalists and detaches femininity from gendered bodies altogether. In the process, it posits that house works as an affective, or felt, political and cultural configuration, one that opens up the space for new relationalities within and between Black, queer, and/or femme communities. By charting how musical artists continue to return to house’s aesthetics and affective power, this chapter invites readers to listen and feel with the recent past(s) of house music for guidance and inspiration on navigating structural oppressions that continue to reverberate across time: governmental neglect of the life chances of Black and Brown people, police violence against Black and Brown people, and the looming presence of anti-Black racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. Through such an engagement with the recent past, house accentuates the ongoing resonances between the 1980s and today.
Custom Arrangements
Authors: Greenburg Jann-Michael
Published: October 2021

Custom arrangements are: (a) derivative works, generally musical arrangements, based upon preexisting copyrighted musical works, (b) reproduced in the form of sheet music copies, and (c) distributed to specific third-party performance ensembles. Arrangers who create custom arrangements are able to utilize software and Internet services to create such arrangements physically and digitally and distribute them physically and via file sharing. This chapter explores the legal framework and justification for custom arrangement licensing under American law, with a focus on the reproduction, derivative work, distribution, and display rights afforded to copyright owners. Differences between physical and digital sheet music are noted where relevant. The chapter also addresses both practical and normative arguments encountered in the world of custom arrangement licensing and concludes with brief commentary on the custom arrangement licensing process.
Bleeding Kansas
Authors: Oertel Kristen T.
Published: October 2021

Many historians identify Bleeding Kansas as a fundamental cause of the Civil War, and this chapter demonstrates how violence in Kansas Territory not only inflamed sectional tensions but also represents the origins of military conflict between Northerners and Southerners. Antislavery or “free-state” settlers and pro-slavery settlers formed military companies in the late 1850s and fought each other in ways that would set the stage for the larger war. Average men and women answered their communities’ call to arms and actuated their political ideals with bullets, defending not only their homes but also their views about slavery and abolition. The words and gunfire exchanged by the people residing on the Kansas-Missouri border galvanized the nation and brought it to the brink of war in 1861, but settlers on the border had already been at war for years.
The Union Blockade
Authors: Symonds Craig L.
Published: October 2021

Declaring a blockade of the Confederate coast was the first important strategic decision made by the administration of Pres. Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Though it started modestly, before the war was over it absorbed more ships and more naval personnel than all of America’s previous wars combined. By implying a recognition of the Confederacy as a belligerent, Lincoln’s declaration complicated the administration’s foreign policy, and the very size of the undertaking challenged the Union’s shipbuilding capacity. Though it never succeeded in cutting off Southern trade completely, it severely reduced the South’s exports, especially cotton; demonstrated the vulnerability of the South’s coastal defenses; and provided a safety valve for Black refugees. By exposing weaknesses in the Confederate economy, the blockade contributed to an inflationary spiral that depressed civilian morale. In the end, the cumulative impact of the blockade very likely helped shorten the war.
Forts Henry and Donelson
Authors: Phillips Jason
Published: October 2021

This chapter explains the campaign for Forts Henry and Donelson as a contest for vital resources—human, animal, and mineral—that shaped Union and Confederate strategies and outcomes. By combining military, political, and material history, it shows how sailors, soldiers, citizens, and slaves shaped the battles and their aftermath while facing environmental challenges, including frigid weather, muddy roads, and swollen rivers. These conditions mixed with intangible factors, like morale, rumors, emotions, egos, prejudices, loyalties, and culture, to frame how people fought and thought about the campaign. By combining naval and army operations, Adm. Andrew Foote’s ironclad flotilla and Brig. Gen. Ulysses Grant’s army deprived the Confederacy of its richest iron and hog region and accelerated emancipation in the western theater by establishing its first contraband camp at Fort Donelson.
Industry Emergence Between Technology and Zeitgeist
Authors: Tumasjan Andranik
Published: October 2021

This chapter examines the dynamics of industry emergence using the case of the blockchain and crypto (BC) industry. The BC industry is a rapidly developing field that has—in less than a decade—transformed from initially being a volunteer project of a small group of cypherpunks to a global industry with a plethora of actors involving vivid entrepreneurial and corporate activity. Importantly, the review of the extant literature and evidence reveals that ideological driving forces, which have been neglected in prior industry emergence research, constitute a major catalyst of this rapid industry development. In this vein, the chapter shows that the ideological notion of ‘decentralization’ has strongly contributed to the BC industry’s rapid growth by matching the zeitgeist in times of financial crises with increasing centralization by large digital platforms.
Listening Together
Authors: Sloan Nate
Published: October 2021

Podcasting presents a form of communication that is aural in nature, and as such generates innovative possibilities for the practice of public music theory. An intimate and personality-driven medium, podcasting reframes “what counts” as music theory. Since podcasting is an enterprise dependent on listener attention, it raises the stakes for why music theory matters. Podcasting diverges from typical academic discourse in its emphasis on story and humanity, requiring theorists to make transparent their interpretative models. This chapter relates the history of podcasting technology, surveys the landscape of public music theory podcasts, and considers the benefits and limitations of this nascent field.
Athletic Contests in Contexts of Epic and Other Related Archaic Texts
Authors: Nagy Gregory
Published: October 2021

The ritual ordeal of the athlete re-enacts the ordeals of the warrior, and, like heroic deeds, athletic activity compensates for the athlete’s mortality as the athlete figuratively dies a ritual death in recurrent festivals. The origin of athletics is related both to initiation and to funeral games, and real or symbolic death and rebirth is common to both activities. Epinikian songs refer to those done ‘in compensation for’ (epi) the ordeal involved in winning the victory. Epinician songs also in a sense depict the community’s welfare as being contingent on the reciprocity of aristocratic exchange, and also related to revelry. The non-recurrent agōn occurs in Homeric epic, including gymnic and musikos events (recitation of epics and hymns). Later seasonally recurring festivals became the dominant form. The Panathenaia features the ‘art of the Muses’ among its events, namely rhapsodic contests in the reading of Homer. The apobatēs event in the Panathenaia serves as an evocative link between Homeric heroes in combat and the contestants in armour jumping from chariots in the Athenian games.
Gender and Sexuality in Greek Sport
Authors: Scanlon Thomas F.
Published: October 2021

Greek sport was in its earliest forms and predominantly thereafter a male activity. Greek masculine virtues were consistently reflected in texts discussing sport from Homer onward. The athletic and the martial spheres were often in tension regarding how greatly success in sport was valued as a measure of male excellence. The Greek gymnasium and athletic nudity were factors that fostered the Greek male sexual system of pederasty. Material culture in the form of sculpture, inscriptions, and vase paintings reflects the androcentrism of Greek sport. Female participation in Greek sport has a historical existence much less consistent and widespread than that of males, seen most prominently during the Roman empire.
‘Professional’ Organizations in the Hellenistic World
Authors: Weiler Ingomar
Published: October 2021

This contribution focuses on the development of the so-called ancient ‘professionalism’ in sport. Beginning with an often quoted passage in Galen’s Thrasyboulos and some critical comments by Plato and Euripides on athletes, the paper discusses the various definitions of professional athletes in modern scholarship (E. N. Gardiner, H. A. Harris, J. Jüthner, H. W. Pleket, N .B. Crowther, D. Young, H. Lee, M. Golden, D. G. Kyle). The last mentioned scholars show that the application of the nineteenth-century concepts of amateurism and professionalism to ancient sports is anachronistic. There, however, is no doubt that changes existed in the history of athletics since the foundation of the gymnasium. The rise of ‘professionalism’ is connected to this development. The second part discusses various types of ‘worldwide’ athletic guilds (synodos tōn hieronikōn kai stephaneitōn, ecumenical federation of athlētai). These guilds made efforts to retain guarantees concerning their privileges, exemptions, and honors. Two documents from the late Hellenistic period (inscription of Erythrae, letter from Mark Antony) illustrate these endeavours.
Sex in the Arena
Authors: Futrell Alison
Published: October 2021

Although popular culture has long perceived the gladiators as the manliest of Romans, posturing before howling crowds of plebeians as the rock stars of their day, the sex of gladiators as constructed by Romans is rather more complicated. This chapter considers the sexualized nuances of the arena, touching on the relative masculinity of gladiators within Roman social and political hierarchy, as well as the sliding scale of virility among the different styles of combat. The phenomenon of women in the arena is explored: were spectacles that were populated by women contestants designed to titillate and persuade in a way that was different from the more standard shows? Instances of spectacularized sex, shows that allegedly featured literal sexual engagement, point to demonstrations of moral and political authority by imperial sponsors; literary descriptions of risqué performances likewise functioned as moralizing critique of imperial powerbrokers. The genre of textual descriptions shaded the message of sexual power as well; Christian martyr acts reworked the suffering of Christian women condemned to the arena, claiming for them authority and agency that was both founded on and defiant of their gender.
Sport in Ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East
Authors: Decker Wolfgang
Published: October 2021

Ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East are new fields of sport history. From the beginning of Egyptian history Pharaoh displays his sportsmanship which is embodied in the dogma of kingship, including his run during the Jubilee Festival. He is an eternal victor acting as a perfect bow shooter at targets, helmsman of ships and trainer of horses. Only his very participation on a competition is taboo. Sources of wrestling, stick fencing and running are to be emphasized in the private sector. The Near Eastern ruler was also said to have showed high performance in sport. Shulgi ran 320 km in one day. There is the famous scene of wrestling into the epic of Gilgamesh between the hero and Enkidu. As to the Hittite civilization, there is to be mentioned the so called Book of Horse Training, which contains prescriptions for training for the condition and technique of chariot horses.
Complete Genome Sequence Resource for Xanthomonas fragariae Causing Crown Infection Pockets in Strawberry
Authors: Wei Feng , Wang Danjuan , Fan Sihao , Shi Jiancheng , Cai Xiaolin , Li Yulian , Ma Yangyang , Wen Yingqiang , Feng Jiayue
Published: October 2021

Xanthomonas fragariae is a global quarantine pathogen, which typically inflicts angular leaf spots. In the present study, we report a new 4.11-Mb high-quality genome sequence of X. fragariae YL19. YL19 can cause the typical angular leaf spot symptoms on strawberry plants in China as well as crown infection pocket symptoms. This new symptom has not been reported in other X. fragariae. Compared with typical X. fragariae strains, including PD885, NBC2815, PD5205, Fap21, and Fap29, the genome and plasmid in YL19 were smaller in size, lacking 109 coding genes, and have more carbohydrate-active enzyme and secondary metabolism genes. The YL19 genome ought to clarify the molecular mechanisms of genome evolution, host adaptation, and pathological process of X. fragariae and help improve strawberry management strategies.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Characterization of Pseudomonas syringae Isolated from Systemic Infection of Zucchini in Australia
Authors: Djitro Noel , Roach Rebecca , Mann Rachel , Rodoni Brendan , Gambley Cherie
Published: October 2021

Zucchini plants with symptoms including twisted petioles, necrotic leaves, crown rot, and internal fruit rot were found in Bundaberg, Australia, at a commercial field for the first time during late autumn 2016, resulting in direct yield losses of 70 to 80%. Three Pseudomonas syringae strains isolated from symptomatic leaf (KL004-k1), crown (77-4C), and fruit (KFR003-1) were characterized and their pathogenicity evaluated on pumpkin, rockmelon, squash, and zucchini. Biochemical assays showed typical results for P. syringae. The three isolates differed, however, in that two produced fluorescent pigment (KFR003-1 and 77-4C) whereas the third, KL004-k1, was nonfluorescent. Multilocus sequence analysis classified the isolates to phylogroup 2b. The single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis of core genome from the Australian and closely related international isolates of P. syringae showed two separate clusters. The Australian isolates were clustered based on fluorescent phenotype. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that all three isolates moved systemically within the inoculated plants and induced necrotic leaf symptoms in zucchini plants. Their identities were confirmed with specific PCR assays for P. syringae and phylogroup 2. Pathogenicity experiments also showed that the Eva variety of zucchini was more susceptible than the Rosa variety for all three isolates. Isolate KL004-k1 was more virulent than 77-4C on pumpkin, rockmelon, squash, and zucchini. This study expands the knowledge of P. syringae isolates that infect cucurbits and provides useful information for growers about the relative susceptibility of a range of cucurbit species.
Capgras syndrome
Authors: Perkins Amanda
Published: October 2021

Although rare, this condition can be seen in a variety of well-known disorders, including Lewy body dementia and schizophrenia.
Multipollutant, longitudinal analysis of the association between urinary tungsten and incident diabetes in a rural population
Authors: Riseberg Emily , James Katherine A. , Woodin Mark , Melamed Rachel , Alderete Tanya , Corlin Laura
Published: October 2021

Background:

Cross-sectional studies suggest tungsten (W) exposure may be associated with diabetes. We assessed longitudinal associations between urinary W and fasting glucose, 2-hour glucose, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), β-cell function (HOMA-β), and incident type 2 diabetes.

Methods:

We used data from 1,609 Hispanic and non-Hispanic White adults with 20 to 74 years of age residing in rural Colorado and participating in the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study. Urinary metal exposure values were measured at baseline and natural log-transformed. We assessed longitudinal associations between urinary W and continuous outcome measures using linear-mixed effect models and associations with incident diabetes using Fine and Gray competing risks regression models (competing event = all-cause mortality). The main adjustment set of covariates included: age, sex, ethnicity, education, smoking status, hypertension, body mass index, caloric intake, alcohol intake, and urinary creatinine levels. Secondary models were further adjusted for arsenic, cadmium, and lead exposures. We assessed whether sex or ethnicity were effect modifiers.

Results:

At baseline, the median W concentration was 0.22 μg/L (interquartile range = 0.20, 0.59). In the main cross-sectional analyses, lnW levels were significantly associated with 3% higher lnHOMA-IR (95% CI = 1 to 5). In the main longitudinal models, lnW was significantly associated with 1% higher natural log-transformed fasting glucose (95% CI = <1 to 1), 3% higher natural log-transformed HOMA-IR (95% CI = 2 to 5), and 28% higher incident diabetes (subdistribution hazard ratio=1.28, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.50). Results remained significant when further adjusting for other metals. We observed evidence for effect modification by sex and ethnicity.

Conclusion:

Urinary W was longitudinally associated with adverse metabolic health indicators.
Evaluating the biocompatibility and biological performance of FePt-decorated nano-epoxy nanoparticles in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chou Ruey-Hwang , Yang Meng-Yin , Yang Yi-Ping , Yeh Chun-An , Lai Wei-Yi , Lin Tzu-Wei , Teng Yuan-Chi , Hsieh Shu-Chen , Kung Mei-Lang , Hsieh Hsien-Hsu , Hung Huey-Shan
Published: October 2021

Background:

Nanoparticles have wide potential applications in biolabeling, bioimaging, and cell tracking. Development of dual functional nanoparticles increases the versatility.

Methods:

We combined the fluorescent property of nano-epoxy (N-Epo) and the magnetic characteristic of FePt to fabricate the FePt-decorated N-Epo (N-Epo-FePt). The size in diameter of N-Epo-FePt (177.38 ± 39.25 nm) was bigger than N-Epo (2.28 ± 1.01 nm), both could be absorbed into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and have multiple fluorescent properties (blue, green, and red).

Results:

N-Epo-FePt prevented N-Epo-induced platelet activation, CD68+-macrophage differentiation in blood, and intracellular ROS generation in MSCs. The induction of apoptosis and the inhibitory effects of N-Epo-FePt on cell migration, MMP-9 activity, and secretion of SDF-1α were less than that of N-Epo in MSCs.

Conclusion:

N-Epo-FePt was more biocompatible without altering biological performance than N-Epo in MSCs. These results suggest that N-Epo-FePt nanoparticle can be used for fluorescence labeling of MSCs and is potential to apply to bioimaging and cell tracking of MSCs in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
Mutations in Van Der Woude Families From Ethiopia
Authors: Eshete Mekonen , Alade Azeez , Abate Fikre , Mossey Peter A. , Awotoye Waheed A. , Busch Tamara , Hailu Abiye , Demissie Yohannes , Butali Azeez
Published: October 2021

Background:

Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is the most common syndromic orofacial cleft which accounts for approximately 2% of all cleft lip (CL) and/or palate cases. It is characterized by the presence of lower lip pits, in addition to CL, CL with or without cleft palate, cleft palate only, and hypodontia. It is inherited as an autosomal-dominant trait with almost complete penetrance but variable expressivity, and different variants in IRF6 gene have been reported in different populations around the world including African populations (Ethiopian, Ghanaian, and Nigerian).

Methods and Findings:

The authors investigated the role of IRF6 in Ethiopian families with VWS. The DNA of 7 families with VWS from Ethiopia were screened by Sanger sequencing. The authors screened all 9 exons of IRF6 and found a novel missense variant in exon 4 (p. Gly65Glu). This variant was predicted to be deleterious/probably damaging by Sift and PolyPhen, respectively. The IRF6 variant (p. Gly65Glu) segregates in the family since it was identified in the father and a sibling.

Conclusion:

Several of the individuals with lower lip pits in this study did not seek treatment. This is due to lack of awareness about the significance of this minor looking deformity and its consequences, and availability of treatment for birth defects. Therefore, it is important to educate families. Finally, screening for novel variants in known genes has a role in counseling and prenatal diagnosis for high-risk families.
A Multimodal Approach to Huge Fibrous Dysplasia With Ocular Symptoms Using a Navigation System and Endoscope
Authors: Cho Seung Woo , Choi Woo Seok , Kim Baek-Kyu
Published: October 2021

Background:

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare sporadic benign disease, which involves from single to several bones with unilateral distribution. Recently, image-based surgical navigation systems have played a significant role in surgical process on neurological and orthopedic operations. However, because an intraoral approach can visualize the field for maxillary surgery, there are few cases using endoscopes for excision of FD. Even though, a huge mass involving posterior side of maxillary sinus can be assisted with an endoscope to protect essential structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of plastic and reconstructive surgeons to perform the operation of a huge FD with both an endoscope and a navigation system.

Methods:

Preoperative computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging was performed for precise diagnosis and setting the navigation system (Medtronic Navigation, Louisville, CO). The main problem of the patient was exophthalmos and decreased visual acuity, the authors decided to remove the mass involving the intraorbital portion and sphenoidal portion. Moreover, the mass was extending to intracranium, cooperation with the department of neurosurgery and otolaryngology was planned. The tumor reached by the endoscope was resected as much as possible. During the excision of the sphenoidal portion by the head and neck surgeon of the department of otolaryngology, cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed and repaired by the neurosurgeon.

Results:

The exophthalmos measured by Hertel exophthalmometry was reduced only 1 mm, however, gross morphology of the patient was totally changed after the operation. Visual acuity of the right eye was improved from 0.3 to 0.9. The patient was followed up about 6 months and had a seizure event at 2 weeks after the surgery. Afterwards, the symptom has been well controlled by the medication.

Conclusions:

This multimodal approach offers a safe, rapid surgical aid in treating huge lesions involving orbital and intracranial area.
Identifying Prepubertal Children with Risk for Suicide Using Deep Neural Network Trained on Multimodal Brain Imaging-Derived Phenotypes
Authors: Kim Bo-Gyeom , Ahn Gun , Kim Sooyoung , Kim Kakyeong , Kim Hyeonjin , Lee Eunji , Ahn Woo-Young , Kim Jae-Won , Cha Jiook
Published: October 2021

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in youth worldwide. Early identification of children with high risk for suicide is key to effective screening and prevention strategies. Brain imaging can show functional or structural abnormalities related to youth suicidality, but literature is scarce. Here we tested the extent to which brain imaging is useful in predicting suicidal risk in children. In the largest to date, multi-site, multi-ethnic, epidemiological developmental samples in the US (N = 6,172; the ABCD study), we trained and validated machine learning models and deep neural networks on the multimodal brain imaging derived phenotypes (morphometry, white matter connectivity, functional activation, and connectivity) along with behavioral and self-reported psychological questionnaire data. The model trained on diffusion white matter connectomes showed the best performance (test AUC-ROC = 74.82) with a one percentage increase compared with the baseline model trained on behavioral and psychological data (test AUC-ROC = 74.16). Models trained on other MRI modalities showed similar but slightly lower performances. Model interpretation showed the important brain features involved in attention, emotion regulation, and motor coordination, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, temporal gyrus, and precentral gyrus. It further showed that the interaction of brain features with depression and impulsivity measures contributed to the optimal prediction of youth suicidality. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a multimodal brain imaging approach to youth suicidality prediction and uncovers the relationships of the psychological and multi-dimensional and multi-modal neural features to youth suicidality.
Inferring age-specific differences in susceptibility to and infectiousness upon SARS-CoV-2 infection based on Belgian social contact data
Authors: Franco Nicolas , Coletti Pietro , Willem Lander , Angeli Leonardo , Lajot Adrien , Abrams Steven , Beutels Philippe , Faes Christel , Hens Niel
Published: October 2021

Several important aspects related to SARS-CoV-2 transmission are not well known due to a lack of appropriate data. However, mathematical and computational tools can be used to extract part of this information from the available data, like some hidden age-related characteristics. In this paper, we present a method to investigate age-specific differences in transmission parameters related to susceptibility to and infectiousness upon contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. More specifically, we use panel-based social contact data from diary-based surveys conducted in Belgium combined with the next generation principle to infer the relative incidence and we compare this to real-life incidence data. Comparing these two allows for the estimation of age-specific transmission parameters. Our analysis implies the susceptibility in children to be around half of the susceptibility in adults, and even lower for very young children (preschooler). However, the probability of adults and the elderly to contract the infection is decreasing throughout the vaccination campaign, thereby modifying the picture over time.
Axillary Microbiota is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Authors: Arikan Muzaffer , Yildiz Zeynep , Demir Tugce Kahraman , Yilmaz Nesrin H. , Sen Aysu , Hanoglu Lutfu , Yildirim Suleyman
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Cognitive impairment (CI) is among the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with substantially negative impact on patient management and outcome. The development and progression of CI exhibits high interindividual variability which requires better diagnostic and monitoring strategies. PD patients often display sweating disorders resulting from autonomic dysfunction which has been associated with CI. As the axillary microbiota is known to change with humidity level and sweat composition, we hypothesized that axillary microbiota of PD patients shifts in association with CI progression thus can be used as proxy for classification of CI stages in PD.

Methods

We compared the axillary microbiota compositions of 103 PD patients (55 PD patients with dementia (PDD) and 48 PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI)) and 26 cognitively normal healthy controls (HC).

Results

We found that axillary microbiota profiles differentiate HC, PD-MCI and PDD groups based on differential ranking analysis and detected an increasing trend in the log ratio ofCorynebacteriumtoAnaerococcusin progression from HC to PDD. In addition, phylogenetic factorization revealed that the depletion ofAnaerococcus, PeptoniphilusandW5053genera is associated with PD-MCI and PDD. Moreover, functional predictions suggested significant increase of myo-inositol degradation, ergothioneine biosynthesis, propionate biosynthesis, menaquinone biosynthesis, and the proportion of aerobic bacteria and biofilm formation capacity in parallel to CI.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that alterations in axillary microbiota are associated with CI in PD. Thus, axillary microbiota holds potential to be exploited as a non-invasive biomarker in the development of novel strategies.
Willingness to take the Covid-19 vaccines and associated factors at a tertiary institution community in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Modi Bhadrashil H , Pretorius Deidré , Francis Joel M
Published: October 2021

Background

SA is aiming to achieve herd immunity against Covid-19 by the first quarter of 2022. The success of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out depends primarily on the willingness of the population to take the vaccines.

Aim

This study examined the willingness to take the Covid-19 vaccine, along with the factors of concern, efficacy, and preferences of the individual which may increase the willingness to be vaccinated.

Setting

This study was conducted at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, amongst adult students and academic and professional staff.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online study from 27 July – 14 August 2021. We performed descriptive and inferential analysis to determine the factors associated with willingness to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Results

2364 participants responded to a survey link and 82% were students, 66.8% were in the 18-29 years age band, females represented 64.0% and 49.2% were black people. 1965 (83.3%) were willing to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, the most preferred vaccines were Pfizer (41%) and J&J (23%), local pharmacy (29%) and GP (17%) were the preferred places for vaccination and the trusted sources of information on Covid-19 vaccines were the general practitioners (40.6%) and specialists (19,2%). Perceptions that vaccines are safe (aOR=31.56, 95%CI: 16.02-62.12 for affirmative agreement) and effective (aOR=5.92, 95%CI: 2.87-12.19 for affirmative agreement) were the main determinants for willingness to taking a COVID-19 vaccine

Conclusion

It is imperative to reinforce the message of Covid-19 vaccine safety and efficacy and to include the GPs and the community pharmacies in the vaccination roll-out in SA.