bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum proteomes of Santa Gertrudis cattle before and after infestation with Rhipicephalus australis ticks
Authors: Raza Ali , Schulz Benjamin L. , Nouwens Amanda , Jackson Lousie A. , Piper Emily K. , James Peter , Jonsson Nicholas N. , Tabor Ala E.
Published: April 2021

Previous studies have applied genomics and transcriptomics to identify immune and genetic markers as key indicator traits for cattle tick susceptibility/resistance; however, results differed between breeds, and there is lack of information on the use of host proteomics. Serum samples from Santa Gertrudis cattle (naïve and phenotyped over 105 days as tick‐resistant [TR] or tick‐susceptible [TS]) were used to conduct differential abundance analyses of protein profiles. Serum proteins were digested into peptides followed by identification and quantification using sequential window acquisition of all instances of theoretical fragment ion mass spectrometry. Before tick infestation, abundance of 28 proteins differed significantly (adjusted P < 10−5) between TR and TS. These differences were also observed following tick infestation (TR vs TS) with a further eight differentially abundant proteins in TR cattle, suggesting possible roles in adaptive responses. The intragroup comparisons (TS‐0 vs TS and TR‐0 vs TR) showed that tick infestation elicited quite similar responses in both groups of cattle, but with relatively stronger responses in TR cattle. Many of the significantly differentially abundant proteins in TR Santa Gertrudis cattle (before and after tick infestation) were associated with immune responses including complement factors, chemotaxis for immune cells and acute‐phase responses.
Chain of command vs. Who’s in command: Structure, politics, and regulatory enforcement
Authors: Reenock Christopher , Konisky David M. , Uttermark Matthew J.
Published: April 2021

Agencies vary over which individuals have final authority to make decisions. But this authority differs in two important ways. While officials with final authority can be either political appointees or civil servants they can also be located anywhere within the agency’s hierarchy. This begs the question of whether it is the nature of political appointees or the workflow of actions through an agency that are more responsible for inserting politics into agency decisions. This study addresses this question by employing new institutional data on all state and local air agencies to examine how decision‐making authority competes or reinforces political appointee’s efforts to shape agency actions. Our empirical exercise centers on the regulation of 16,000 major air pollution sources under the U.S. Clean Air Act. Our results suggest that while political appointees may influence regulatory output, centralized workflow, regardless of party, impedes output.
Introduction to Special Issue on Risk Assessment, Economic Evaluation, and Decisions
Authors: Hammitt James K. , Robinson Lisa A.
Published: April 2021

Integrating risk assessment, economic evaluation, and uncertainty to inform policy decisions is a core challenge to risk analysis. In September 2019, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, with support from the Society for Risk Analysis Economics and Benefits Analysis Specialty Group and others, convened a workshop to address this issue. The workshop built in part on the recommendations of the 2009 National Research Council report, Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment. It honored John S. Evans, whose thoughtful and innovative teaching and scholarship have significantly advanced thinking on these issues. This special issue features a profile of Dr. Evans and nine articles that build on work presented at the workshop.
Antimicrobial drug resistance profile of isolated bacteria in dogs and cats with urologic problems at Chiang Mai University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Thailand (2012–2016)
Authors: Amphaiphan Chiradet , Yano Terdsak , Som‐in Manita , Kungwong Phunnapha , Wongsawan Kanruethai , Pusoonthornthum Rosama , Salman Mo D. , Tangtrongsup Sahatchai
Published: April 2021

The present study aimed to estimate the proportion of bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs and cats, assess risks associated with bacterial UTI, and to determine bacterial isolates' antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance pattern from the urinary tract of dogs and cats with urologic problems. The medical records from animals visiting Chiang Mai University Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016 were reviewed. In total, 203 dogs and 49 cats with urinary tract diseases that had samples submitted for bacterial culture were identified;198 and 24 bacterial isolates were recovered from dogs' and cats' submitted samples, respectively. At least one episode of bacterial UTI was detected in 75.4% (95% CI: 69.4–81.3) of dogs and in 40.8% (95% CI: 26.6–55.1) of cats with UTI and submitted urine cultures. Of 242 submitted urinary samples from dogs and 60 urinary samples from cats, bacteria were identified in 74.0% (95% CI: 68.4–79.5) and 38.3% (95% CI: 26.0–50.6), respectively. The most common pathogen of bacteria positive cultured from dogs was Staphylococcus spp. (30.3%), followed by Escherichia coli (16.7%), and Proteus spp. (13.6%). For cats, the most common pathogen was Pseudomonas spp. (25.0%), followed by E. coli (20.8%) and Proteus spp. (16.7%). Staphylococcus spp. isolates from dogs and Proteus spp. isolates from cats were highly susceptible to Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC) at 88% and 75%, respectively. Of all isolated bacteria, 67.1% of the bacteria from dogs and 83.3% from cats were multidrug‐resistant (MDR). The proportion of MDR‐bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats with urologic problems in this study was high. This observation raises concerns regarding the potential of zoonotic transmission of MDR‐bacteria from these companion animals. The results suggested that AMC remains a good empirical drug for treating UTIs in dogs in this region.
European starlings (sturnus vulgaris) discriminate rhythms by rate, not temporal patterns
Authors: Samuels Brendon , Grahn Jessica , Henry Molly J. , MacDougall-Shackleton Scott A.
Published: April 2021

Humans can perceive a regular psychological pulse in music known as the beat. The evolutionary origins and neural mechanisms underlying this ability are hypothetically linked to imitative vocal learning, a rare trait found only in some species of mammals and birds. Beat perception has been demonstrated in vocal learning parrots but not in songbirds. We trained European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) on two sound discriminations to investigate their perception of the beat and temporal structure in rhythmic patterns. First, we trained birds on a two-choice discrimination between rhythmic patterns of tones that contain or lack a regular beat. Despite receiving extensive feedback, the starlings were unable to distinguish the first two patterns. Next, we probed the temporal cues that starlings use for discriminating rhythms in general. We trained birds to discriminate a baseline set of isochronous and triplet tone sequences. On occasional probe trials, we presented transformations of the baseline patterns. The starlings' responses to the probes suggest they relied on absolute temporal features to sort the sounds into “fast” and “slow” and otherwise ignored patterns that were present. Our results support that starlings attend to local features in rhythms and are less sensitive to the global temporal organization.
Effects of perceptual abilities and lexical knowledge on the phonetic categorization of second language speech
Authors: Wiener Seth , Liu Jiang
Published: April 2021

This study examined how phonetic categorization in a second language (L2) is jointly affected by perceptual abilities and lexical knowledge. Adult L1 Mandarin Chinese and L1 English-L2 Mandarin learners performed a phonetic categorization task. The stimuli varied the F0 contour along a continuum resulting in four different tonal word/nonword end point combinations. Both L1 and L2 listeners categorized more ambiguous tokens as words than nonwords, thus demonstrating a lexical bias in their behavior, i.e., the Ganong effect. Non-phonetic, linguistic information can thus modify L2 phonetic categorization of lexical tones. This effect, however, can be constrained by the listener's pitch perception abilities.
SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 Disrupts Bidirectional Nucleocytoplasmic Transport through Interactions with Rae1 and Nup98
Authors: Addetia Amin , Lieberman Nicole A. P. , Phung Quynh , Hsiang Tien-Ying , Xie Hong , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Shrestha Lasata , Loprieno Michelle A. , Huang Meei-Li , Gale Michael , Jerome Keith R. , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: April 2021

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an RNA virus with a large genome that encodes multiple accessory proteins. While these accessory proteins are not required for growth
in vitro
, they can contribute to the pathogenicity of the virus.
Enterovirus 2A
pro
Cleavage of the YTHDF m
6
A Readers Implicates YTHDF3 as a Mediator of Type I Interferon-Driven JAK/STAT Signaling
Authors: Kastan Jonathan P. , Tremblay Martine W. , Brown Michael C. , Trimarco Joseph D. , Dobrikova Elena Y. , Dobrikov Mikhail I. , Gromeier Matthias
Published: April 2021

It is believed that ∼7,000 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are subject to
N
6
-methyladenosine modification. The biological significance of this remains mysterious.
An Infection-Tolerant Mammalian Reservoir for Several Zoonotic Agents Broadly Counters the Inflammatory Effects of Endotoxin
Authors: Balderrama-Gutierrez Gabriela , Milovic Ana , Cook Vanessa J. , Islam M. Nurul , Zhang Youwen , Kiaris Hippokratis , Belisle John T. , Mortazavi Ali , Barbour Alan G.
Published: April 2021

Animals that are natural carriers of pathogens that cause human diseases commonly manifest little or no sickness as a consequence of infection. Examples include the deer mouse,Peromyscus leucopus, which is a reservoir for Lyme disease and several other disease agents in North America, and some types of bats, which are carriers of viruses with pathogenicity for humans.
Lineage-Specific Rewiring of Core Pathways Predating Innovation of Legume Nodules Shapes Symbiotic Efficiency
Authors: Cui Wen-Jing , Zhang Biliang , Zhao Ran , Liu Li-Xue , Jiao Jian , Zhang Ziding , Tian Chang-Fu
Published: April 2021

Significant roles of complex extracellular microbiota in environmental adaptation of eukaryotes in ever-changing circumstances have been revealed. Given the intracellular infection ability, facultative endosymbionts can be considered pioneers within complex extracellular microbiota and are ideal organisms for understanding the early stage of interkingdom adaptation.
Impact of extreme weight loss on factor VIII concentrate pharmacokinetics in haemophilia
Authors: van Moort Iris , Bukkems Laura H , Nieuwenhuizen Laurens , Cnossen Marjon H
Published: April 2021

We explored the effects of extreme weight loss after gastric bypass surgery on factor VIII concentrate pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters in a patient with haemophilia A. We present a 32-year-old man with severe haemophilia A, with a body mass index (BMI) of 42.6 kg/m2who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. We showed that a population PK model with ideal body weight as morphometric variable instead of bodyweight led to an adequate description of the individual PKs in this patient with a variable BMI. Strikingly, no differences were observed in the individual PK parameters after extreme weight loss. Therefore, the resulting extreme weight loss after surgery did not lead to prophylactic dose changes in this patient with severe haemophilia. We carefully conclude that population PK–pharmacodynamic models are still obligatory to give more insight into functional effects of significant weight loss on the haemostatic balance.
Rare bile leak from left triangular ligament
Authors: Shah Monali , Shah Mihir M. , Kooby David A.
Published: April 2021

Variations of the biliary system present challenges to abdominal operations and can affect postoperative outcomes. Bile leak is an uncommon complication of total gastrectomy. However, any procedure that involves mobilisation of the left lobes of the liver should be executed with additional caution. A thorough assessment including preoperative imaging for aberrant anatomy should be performed, especially aberrant bile ducts in the left triangular ligament. Ligation or suturing of the left triangular ligament should be considered when the aberrant anatomy suggests, to decrease the risk of postoperative bile leak. In addition, the left lateral segment of the liver should be thoroughly inspected on initial completion of the operation.
Use of hyperbaric oxygenation as an adjunctive treatment for severe pernicious anaemia in a bloodless medicine patient
Authors: Johnson-Arbor Kelly , Verstraete Richard
Published: April 2021

Severe anaemia in patients who cannot receive blood transfusion is an indication for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Most reports of the use of HBO for anaemia involve patients with acute blood loss. This report details a case of HBO used for a patient with severe pernicious anaemia. A 35-year-old Jehovah’s Witnesses believer presented to a hospital with fatigue, dyspnoea and haemoglobin of 26 g/L. She was diagnosed with pernicious anaemia. As she could not receive blood transfusion due to her religious beliefs, vitamin B12supplementation and HBO were administered and resulted in significant improvement in her condition. The mechanisms of action of HBO, including increased systemic plasma oxygenation, can alleviate signs and symptoms of anaemia regardless of its aetiology. HBO administration can greatly enhance the plasma arterial oxygen content, leading to clinical improvement in patients with anaemia who cannot receive blood transfusion.
Knowledge, attitude and experience of episiotomy practice among obstetricians and midwives: a cross-sectional study from China
Authors: Yang Jingxuan , Bai Hua
Published: April 2021

Objective

Episiotomy is still performed widely by obstetricians and midwives in some Chinese maternity units, but the reasons are unknown. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and experience towards the practice of episiotomy among obstetricians and midwives in China’s public hospitals and consider strategies to reduce its practice.

Methods

A cross-sectional web survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among obstetricians and midwives in 90 public hospitals in Henan Province, China.

Results

900 (82.21%) participants completed the questionnaire. Average knowledge level (4.15, SD=1.10) on complications and overuse was identified among participants. Episiotomy was performed more frequently in secondary hospitals than in tertiary hospitals (p<0.05). Senior clinicians were more likely to perform episiotomy than younger ones (p<0.05). Almost half of the clinicians (42.11%) considered the current rate of episiotomy (45%) to be right or too low. The most common reason for performing episiotomy identified by obstetricians (83.94%) and midwives (79.69%) was to reduce third-degree or fourth-degree perineal laceration. Both obstetricians (80.29%) and midwives (82.57%) agreed that the most significant obstacle to reducing the rate of episiotomy was lack of training on reducing perineal tears.

Conclusion

In sum, episiotomy was driven by previous training, practitioners’ experience and local norms rather than the latest medical evidence. Clinicians in secondary hospitals and senior clinicians are key training targets. It is urgent to improve current clinical policies and surgical procedure guidelines for obstetricians and midwives regarding episiotomy.
Ethical dilemmas and validity issues related to the use of new cooling technologies and early recognition of exertional heat illness in sport
Authors: Muniz-Pardos Borja , Angeloudis Konstantinos , Guppy Fergus M , Tanisawa Kumpei , Hosokawa Yuri , Ash Garrett I , Schobersberger Wolfgang , Grundstein Andrew J , Yamasawa Fumihiro , Racinais Sebastien , Casa Douglas J , Pitsiladis Yannis P
Published: April 2021

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is expected to be among the hottest Games in modern history, increasing the chances for exertional heat stroke (EHS) incidence, especially in non-acclimatised athletes/workers/spectators. The urgent need to recognise EHS symptoms to protect all attendees’ health has considerably accelerated research examining the most effective cooling strategies and the development of wearable cooling technology and real-time temperature monitoring. While these technological advances will aid the early identification of EHS cases, there are several potential ethical considerations for governing bodies and sports organisers. For example, the impact of recently developed cooling wearables on health and performance is unknown. Concerning improving athletic performance in a hot environment, there is uncertainty about this technology’s availability to all athletes. Furthermore, the real potential to obtain real-time core temperature data will oblige medical teams to make crucial decisions around their athletes continuing their competitions or withdraw. Therefore, the aim of this review is (1) to summarise the practical applications of the most novel cooling strategies/technologies for both safety (of athletes, spectators and workers) and performance purposes, and (2) to inform of the opportunities offered by recent technological developments for the early recognition and diagnosis of EHS. These opportunities are presented alongside several ethical dilemmas that require sports governing bodies to react by regulating the validity of recent technologies and their availability to all.
Palliative medicine integration in the USA: cancer centre executives’ attitudes
Authors: Chen Joseph , de la Rosa Allison , Lai Dejian , Dev Rony , Revere Frances Lee , Lairson David , Wermuth Paige , Bruera Eduardo , Hui David
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To compare cancer centre (CC) executives’ attitudes towards palliative care between National Cancer Institute-designated CCs (NCI-CCs) and non-NCI-designated CCs (non-NCI-CCs) in 2018 and to examine the changes in attitudes and beliefs between 2009 and 2018.

Methods

CC chief executives at all NCI-CCs and a random sample of non-NCI-CCs were surveyed from April to August 2018. Twelve questions examined the executives’ attitudes towards palliative care integration, perceived barriers and self-assessments. The primary outcome was agreement on the statement ‘a stronger integration of palliative care services into oncology practice will benefit patients at my institution.’ Survey findings from 2018 were compared with data from 2009 to examine changes in attitudes.

Results

52 of 77 (68%) NCI-CCs and 88 of 126 (70%) non-NCI-CCs responded to the survey. A vast majority of executives at NCI-CCs and non-NCI-CCs endorsed palliative care integration (89.7% vs 90.0%; p>0.999). NCI-CCs were more likely to endorse increasing funding for palliative care (52.5% vs 23.1%; p=0.01) and hiring physician specialists (70.0% vs 37.5%; p=0.004) than non-NCI-CCs. The top three perceived barriers among NCI-CCs and non-NCI-CCs were limited institutional budgets (57.9% vs 59.0%; p=0.92), poor reimbursements (55.3% vs 43.6%; p=0.31), and lack of adequately trained palliative care physicians and nurses (52.6% vs 43.6%; p=0.43). Both NCI-CCs and non-NCI-CCs favourably rated their palliative care services (89.7% vs 71.8%; p=0.04) with no major changes since 2009.

Conclusion

CC executives endorse integration of palliative care, with greater willingness to invest in palliative care among NCI-CCs. Resource limitation continues to be a major barrier.
Antidiabetic Effect of Sophora Pachycarpa Seeds Extract In Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice: A Statistical Evaluation
Authors: Mahdavi Behnam , Hajar Toktam , Ghodsi Alireza , Mohammadhosseini Majid , Mehmandost Mohammad , Talebi Elahe
Published: April 2021

Undoubtedly, identification of the chemical composition of organic extracts or secondary metabolites of plant materials and evaluation of their potential bioactivity are among the main objectives of natural products-based investigations. In the present study, we report the chemical composition and antidiabetic activity of Sophora pachycarpa (Family Fabaceae) seeds extract (SPE) for the first time. First, the plant seeds were macerated in ethanol. The extract was subjected to analysis on a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system to identify the chemical composition. In vivo assay was run to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the extract. Forty mice were divided into four groups, namely healthy mice, untreated diabetic mice, diabetic mice treated with metformin and diabetic mice treated with SPE. The antidiabetic activity of SPE was analyzed using three statistical methods, namely analysis of variance, K-means, and principal component analysis. According to GC-MS analysis, alkaloids of sophoridine, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and n-hexadecanoic acid were among the most abundant constituent components of SPE. The extract also exhibited a notable antidiabetic activity and remarkably decreased the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) enzymes. The statistical analyses revealed there are no significant differences between the ability of SPE and metformin in the regulation of fasting blood sugar level and liver enzymes (ALP, SGPT, and SGOT). A quinolizidine alkaloid, namely sophoridine, along with fatty acids, viz oleic, linoleic, and n-hexadecanoic acid, were characterized as the major compounds in S. tachycardia seeds extract. The plant extract was also found as a potent agent to reduce blood glucose and liver enzymes.
Surgical treatment for infective endocarditis in the ageing society: a nationwide retrospective study in Japan
Authors: Kiriyama Hiroyuki , Kaneko Hidehiro , Itoh Hidetaka , Kamon Tatsuya , Morita Kojiro , Jo Taisuke , Fujiu Katsuhito , Daimon Masao , Takeda Norifumi , Morita Hiroyuki , Yasunaga Hideo , Komuro Issei
Published: April 2021

Objective

The current status of surgical treatment for infective endocarditis (IE) among very elderly people is unclear.

Methods

We extracted data on patients in Japan with community-acquired IE who were admitted and discharged between April 2010 and February 2018 using a nationwide inpatient, the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. We divided patients into three groups: non-elderly (<65 years), elderly (65–79 years) and very elderly (≥80 years). A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed to compare proportions of surgical treatment and in-hospital mortality among the groups.

Results

We identified 20 667 eligible patients (median age 70 years, 61.0% men). The proportion of very elderly patients significantly increased (19.1% in 2010 to 29.7% in 2018). The proportion of surgical treatment was significantly lower, and in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in very elderly patients. This tendency was more pronounced among patients with in-hospital complications such as heart failure, stroke or embolism. Surgical treatment was significantly associated with lower in-hospital mortality even in very elderly patients, both in an unmatched (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.78) and a propensity score matched cohort (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.85).

Conclusions

The proportion of very elderly patients with IE was increasing, and very elderly patients had higher in-hospital mortality. The proportion of surgical treatment for IE among very elderly patients was low, but it was associated with lower in-hospital mortality. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal strategy for IE among very elderly patients.
Associations between cellular levels of ATP and prodigiosin pigment throughout the growth cycle of Serratia marcescens
Authors: Haddix Pryce L.
Published: April 2021

Serratia marcescens is a prolific producer of the red, membrane-associated pigment prodigiosin. Earlier work has established both a positive role for prodigiosin in ATP production during the population lag phase and a negative role during high-rate, low cell density growth. This study uses the growth rate and growth phase modulation afforded by chemostat culture to extend prodigiosin functional analysis to the high-density and stationary phases. Cellular levels of prodigiosin were positively associated with cellular levels of ATP during high-density growth, and artificial pigment induction during this phase increased cellular ATP levels. Following peak high-density ATP per cell, the early stationary phase enabled significant population growth, while prodigiosin levels remained high and ATP declined. During the late stationary phase, ATP per cell was positively associated with prodigiosin per cell, while both declined during continued growth. These results provide correlational evidence for the multiple effects of prodigiosin pigment on ATP production throughout the growth cycle. Earlier work and the data presented here enable the formulation of a working model for the oscillating relationships between cellular levels of ATP and prodigiosin during batch culture.
The p +9Be elastic scattering below 30MeV: Optical model analysis and data normalization
Authors: Maridi H. M. , Pakou A. , Rusek K.
Published: April 2021

Differential cross-section data of elastic scattering for [Formula: see text]Be below a proton incident energy of 30[Formula: see text]MeV are evaluated by using two techniques. First, optical model analysis is performed and applied to the analyzing powers and reaction cross-sections to extract the optical potential parameters. Then, angular distributions of the differential cross-section are calculated with this potential and compared with the experimental data and normalization coefficients are extracted. Second, a consistent comparison between data sets with similar energies is considered in a minimization process to obtain another set of data normalization coefficients. The two techniques lead to similar normalized values for the existing data and consistently validate a body of low-energy data that can be safely used for further theoretical studies. Furthermore, the systematic behavior and energy dependence of the volume integral are determined as well as the energy dependence of the reaction cross-sections is predicted.
HANDSHAKE: HANDling System for Human Autonomous KEeping
Authors: Muscolo Giovanni Gerardo
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a novel biped-wheeled-wearable machine, named HANDSHAKE, and obtained by an evolution of two robots presented in other works: one flexible-wheeled leg and one biped-flexible-wheeled robot. A critical design analysis of these two robots helped the author to propose a novel machine able to revolutionize the lower body exoskeletons’ world. Conceptual and functional design, mechanical behavior (kinematics and dynamics), and multibody simulation of the biped-wheeled exoskeleton are presented in this paper, and a first reduced scale prototype is used to show the feasibility of the proposed solution. The simple control architecture used in this work underlines the enormous advantages to use the HANDSHAKE system for people with a complete absence of mobility, which are completely supported by this machine. This is possible thanks to the wheeled feet of the HANDSHAKE system which allow to support more weights respect to the classical exoskeletons, available on market and literature. The proposed machine increases stability, dynamic balance, autonomy, reducing power supply and complexity in comparison with classical exoskeleton systems because the wheeled feet are always in contact with the ground. These advantages, recognized in humanoid robots, may be used also in exoskeletons.
Nature Inspired Antimicrobial Nanotextured Surfaces
Authors: Tan Yee Lin
Published: April 2021

The development of cross infections arising from bacteria transmission on frequently touched facilities has led to an urgent need to promptly disinfect these surfaces, such as hand railings, door handles and elevator buttons. Conventional antimicrobial disinfectants are not ideal as they contribute to the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis. In recent years, the discovery that the wings of insects such as the Clanger cicada (Psaltoda claripennis) possess naturally occurring antimicrobial properties has led to a growing interest to synthetically recreate these surfaces. The use of a physical contact killing mechanism on such nanotextured surfaces is a promising strategy for curbing the proliferation of bacteria, as it is unlikely to contribute to the formation of antimicrobial resistance. Here, I highlight the key advantages of using these antimicrobial nanotextured materials and how they could play a role in safeguarding public health security, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapter 7.4 Active volcanoes in Marie Byrd Land
Authors: Dunbar N. W. , Iverson N. A. , Smellie J. L. , McIntosh W. C. , Zimmerer M. J. , Kyle P. R.
Published: April 2021

Two volcanoes in Marie Byrd Land, Mount Berlin and Mount Takahe, can be considered active, and a third, Mount Waesche, may be as well; although the chronology of activity is less well constrained. The records of explosive activity of these three volcanoes is well represented through deposits on the volcano flanks and tephra layers found in blue ice areas, as well as by the presence of cryptotephra layers found in West and East Antarctic ice cores. Records of effusive volcanism are found on the volcano flanks but some deposits may be obscured by pervasive glacerization of the edifices. Based on a compilation of tephra depths–ages in ice cores, the activity patterns of Mount Takahe and Mount Berlin are dramatically different. Mount Takahe has erupted infrequently over the past 100 kyr. Mount Berlin, by contrast, has erupted episodically during this time interval, with the number of eruptions being dramatically higher in the time interval between
c.
32 and 18 ka. Integration of the Mount Berlin tephra record from ice cores and blue ice areas over a 500 kyr time span reveals a pattern of geochemical evolution related to small batches of partial melt being progressively removed from a single source underlying Mount Berlin.
Absence does not mean absence: modern-day land use and the visibility of the archaeological record (the Kibbanahalli Palaeolithic Complex, southern India)
Authors: Srinivas Akash
Published: April 2021

Kibbanahalli is an important Lower Palaeolithic site-complex in southern Karnataka, a state in the southern region of Peninsular India. This region is crucial as it is somewhat centrally located between areas to the north, east and south, where decades of systematic Palaeolithic research has led to the establishment of firm cultural stratigraphy(ies) and even, in some cases, of chronology(ies). However, in stark contrast to these regions, southern Karnataka is often ignored in prehistoric research. Over 90 years of (intermittent) investigations at this site-complex have laid the foundations of our understanding of the Palaeolithic occupation of this region. It is of utmost importance to continue Palaeolithic research in this area as it is one of the fastest-growing industrializing and urbanizing zones of the world, with large population centres such as Bangalore (Bengaluru), Mysore (Mysuru) and others located here. Documenting the rich Palaeolithic heritage in this region before its eventual surrender to the forces of ‘development’ is thus a priority. Further, it is also necessary, if possible, to qualify and quantify the impact of these developmental processes on the visibility and preservation of the archaeological record, in general, and the Palaeolithic record, in particular, which might serve as a model for future research in similar regions. These recent investigations have led to the identification of many new Palaeolithic localities, and a secure identification of the technological attribution of their lithic assemblages. The presence of a uniform stratigraphic association of the archaeological horizon and similarities in their lithic collections has led to the reclassification of the many localities at Kibbanahalli and its vicinity into a site-complex. This paper reports on a series of field observations and remotely sensed data collected to understand the distribution pattern of the various Palaeolithic localities of this site-complex. Results of this study highlight the critical role played by modern-day land-use patterns on the observed distribution of the archaeological record, as well as its visibility. This observation challenges previous interpretations regarding the settlement patterns and strategies suggested for the Palaeolithic occupation of this region. Further, this study draws attention to the need and necessity to understand the role of various site formation processes, especially modern-day land-use activities, on the observed and observable patterns in the archaeological record, as well as the visibility, or lack thereof, of the archaeological record.
Performance Enhancement of Transparent Amorphous IGZO Thin-Film Transistor Realized by Sputtered Amorphous AlOx Passivation Layer
Authors: Li Yuanbo , Sun Jianxun , Salim Teddy , Liu Rongyue , Chen Tupei
Published: April 2021

We report a high-mobility transparent Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT) with sputtered AlOx passivation layer. The interfacial region between the IGZO layer and the AlOx layer played a crucial role in improving the field-effect mobility (the maximum field-effect mobility increased from 6.292 cm2 Vs−1 for the TFT without the AlOx layer to 69.01 cm2 Vs−1 for the TFT with the passivation layer) and the on/off current ratio (from ∼107 without the layer to ∼108 with the layer). The driving current of IGZO TFT was also significantly enhanced. The formation of the interfacial layer has been investigated and verified. The ion bombardment during the AlOx deposition broke the In-O bond in IGZO, generating oxygen ions (O2−). The segregation of the O2− was facilitated by the sputtered amorphous AlOx. A metallic In-rich layer with high oxygen vacancy concentration was formed at the interface, leading to an increase in the carrier concentration in the interfacial layer. Besides the electrical performance, the reliability tests, including long-term exposure in the ambient environment and positive bias illumination stress (PBIS), showed improved results as well.
Evaluation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor expression in nondiabetic and diabetic atherosclerotic mice using PET tracer 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4
Authors: Ståhle Mia , Hellberg Sanna , Virta Jenni , Liljenbäck Heidi , Metsälä Olli , Li Xiang-Guo , Jauhiainen Matti , Saukko Pekka , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo , Nuutila Pirjo , Knuuti Juhani , Saraste Antti , Roivainen Anne
Published: April 2021

Cardiovascular effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist therapies are potentially mediated by anti-inflammatory effects on atherosclerosis. Our study demonstrates that 68Ga-NODAGA-exendin-4, a radioligand specifically targeting GLP-1R, detects GLP-1R expression in inflamed atherosclerotic lesions in nondiabetic and diabetic hypercholesterolemic mice. Immunofluorescence staining suggests that GLP-1R is primarily localized in M2 macrophages in lesions. This study describes a new potential tool that may have translational relevance for studies of pharmacological modification of GLP-1R signaling in atherosclerosis.
Nephron-deficient HSRA rats exhibit renal injury with age but have limited renal damage from streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia
Authors: Cobb Meredith B. , Wu Wenjie , Attipoe Esinam M. , Johnson Ashley C. , Garrett Michael R.
Published: April 2021

The HSRA rat, a novel model of nephron deficiency, provides a unique opportunity to study the association between nephron number and confounding cardiovascular complications that impact kidney health. Although hypertension was previously shown to exacerbate renal injury in young HSRA animals, diabetic hyperglycemia did not lead to worse renal injury, suggesting that nephron number has limited impact on kidney injury, at least in this model.
Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Suggest the Mechanism for Biological Activity of Rosmarinic Acid
Authors: Guan Minglong , Guo Lan , Ma Hengli , Wu Huimei , Fan Xiaoyun
Published: April 2021

Rosmarinic acid (RosA) is a natural phenolic acid compound, which is mainly extracted from Labiatae and Arnebia. At present, there is no systematic analysis of its mechanism. Therefore, we used the method of network pharmacology to analyze the mechanism of RosA. In our study, PubChem database was used to search for the chemical formula and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number of RosA. Then, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) was used to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of RosA, and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) was used to identify the potential target genes of RosA. In addition, the Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of target genes were carried out by using the web-based gene set analysis toolkit (WebGestalt). At the same time, we uploaded the targets to the STRING database to obtain the protein interaction network. Then, we carried out a molecular docking about targets and RosA. Finally, we used Cytoscape to establish a visual protein-protein interaction network and drug-target-pathway network and analyze these networks. Our data showed that RosA has good biological activity and drug utilization. There are 55 target genes that have been identified. Then, the bioinformatics analysis and network analysis found that these target genes are closely related to inflammatory response, tumor occurrence and development, and other biological processes. These results demonstrated that RosA can act on a variety of proteins and pathways to form a systematic pharmacological network, which has good value in drug development and utilization.
Total Roman2-Reinforcement of Graphs
Authors: Kheibari M. , Ahangar H. Abdollahzadeh , Khoeilar R. , Sheikholeslami S. M.
Published: April 2021

A total Roman2-dominating function (TR2DF) on a graphΓ=V,Eis a functionl:V⟶0,1,2, satisfying the conditions that (i) for every vertexy∈Vwithly=0, eitheryis adjacent to a vertex labeled 2 underl, oryis adjacent to at least two vertices labeled 1; (ii) the subgraph induced by the set of vertices with positive weight has no isolated vertex. The weight of a TR2DFlis the value∑y∈Vly. The total Roman2-domination number (TR2D-number) of a graphΓis the minimum weight of a TR2DF onΓ. The total Roman2-reinforcement number (TR2R-number) of a graph is the minimum number of edges that have to be added to the graph in order to decrease the TR2D-number. In this manuscript, we study the properties of TR2R-number and we present some sharp upper bounds. In particular, we determine the exact value of TR2R-numbers of some classes of graphs.
Effects of Propofol versus Sevoflurane on Postoperative Pain and Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Oocyte Pickup Patients
Authors: Orak Yavuz , Tolun Fatma İnanç , Bakacak Murat , Yaylalı Aslı , Kıran Hakan , Öksüz Hafize , Doğaner Adem , Yağmur Işıl , Altun Ahmet
Published: April 2021

Background. Pain aggravates the autonomic response to stress and raises neuroendocrine stress hormone levels. We compared the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on postoperative pain and neuroendocrine stress hormones. A prospective, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients. Methods. We randomly allocated patients to groups P (remifentanil/propofol, n = 30) and S (remifentanil/sevoflurane, n = 30). Preoperative blood samples were taken to measure serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), glucagon, cortisol, aldosterone, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Intraoperatively and postoperatively, clinical parameters were monitored at different time points. The hormone levels were again measured in the follicular fluid and blood postoperatively. Result. Demographic data were similar. The preoperative serum aldosterone levels were significantly higher in group P (

p
=
0.001

). Preoperative and postoperative serum ACTH, glucagon, cortisol, and PGE2 levels were significantly different in group P (

p
=
0.009

,

p
=
0.004

,

p
=
0.029

, and

p
=
0.002

); serum ACTH, glucagon, and PGE2 levels increased while serum cortisol levels decreased postoperatively. In group S, serum CRH and aldosterone levels, both increased in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative (

p
=
0.001

,

p
=
0.006

). Postoperatively, glucagon and PGE2 levels were both higher in group P than group S (

p
=
0.019

,

p
=
0.015

). In postoperative follicular fluid, glucagon and PGE2 levels were higher in group P, while cortisol levels were higher in group S (

p
=
0.001

,

p
=
0.007

, and

p
=
0.001

). Conclusion. The effects of anesthetic agents were different. In group P, in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation, ACTH, glucagon, and PGE2 increased postoperatively, while cortisol decreased. In group S, aldosterone and CRH increased postoperatively. Glucagon and PG E2 were higher in group P than S, postoperatively.
The Lattice Structures of Approximation Operators Based on L‐Fuzzy Generalized Neighborhood Systems
Authors: Song Qiao-Ling , Zhao Hu , Zhang Juan-Juan , Ramadan A. A. , Zhang Hong-Ying , Chen Gui-Xiu
Published: April 2021

Following the idea of L‐fuzzy generalized neighborhood systems as introduced by Zhao et al., we will give the join‐complete lattice structures of lower and upper approximation operators based on L‐fuzzy generalized neighborhood systems. In particular, as special approximation operators based on L‐fuzzy generalized neighborhood systems, we will give the complete lattice structures of lower and upper approximation operators based on L‐fuzzy relations. Furthermore, if L satisfies the double negative law, then there exists an order isomorphic mapping between upper and lower approximation operators based on L‐fuzzy generalized neighborhood systems; when L‐fuzzy generalized neighborhood system is serial, reflexive, and transitive, there still exists an order isomorphic mapping between upper and lower approximation operators, respectively, and both lower and upper approximation operators based on L‐fuzzy relations are complete lattice isomorphism.
Dynamic Response of an Inhomogeneous Elastic Pile in a Multilayered Saturated Soil to Transient Torsional Load
Authors: Liu Kaifu , Zhang Zhiqing
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we solve the dynamic response of an inhomogeneous elastic pile embedded in a multilayered saturated soil and subjected to a transient torsional load via a semianalytical method. To portray the inhomogeneity of the pile and the stratification of surrounding soil, the pile-soil system is subdivided into Nth layers along the depth direction in view of the variation of shear modulus or cross-sectional dimension of the pile or differences in soil properties. Then, the vibration displacement solution with undermined constants for any saturated soil layer subjected to the time-harmonic torsional load is obtained by virtue of the separation of variables scheme. To establish the connection of adjacent longitudinal soil layers, the circumferential contact traction at the interface of the adjacent layers is treated as the distributed Winkler subgrade model independent of the radial distance. Then, by utilizing the continuity conditions of the pile-soil system and the method of recursion typically used in the transfer function technique, the torsional impedance of the pile top can be derived in the frequency domain. By virtue of inverse Fourier transform and convolution theorem, the velocity response of an inhomogeneous pile subjected to a transient half-sine exciting torque and embedded in a layered saturated soil is gained in the time domain. Finally, selected numerical results are gained to investigate the influence of typical defects in pile and soil layering on the velocity response of the pile top in the time domain.
Inventory and Ordering Decisions in Dual‐Channel Supply Chains Involving Free Riding and Consumer Switching Behavior with Supply Chain Financing
Authors: Xu Senyu , Tang Huajun , Lin Zhijun
Published: April 2021

This study introduces a dual‐channel supply chain including a supplier and a retailer with capital constraints, in which the retailer can apply for the trade credit financing from the supplier. This work investigates the effects of two typical behaviors, free riding behavior and consumer switching behavior, on inventory, ordering, and sales effort decisions in decentralized and centralized decision situations with stochastic demand. In order to achieve the optimal performance in the centralized system, this research designs a partial buyback contract to coordinate the supply chain. Furthermore, numerical analysis is provided to test the feasibility of the model. The results indicate that in the dual‐channel supply chain with the above two behaviors, (1) the optimal sales effort level, optimal order quantity, the optimal offline, and online profits under the centralized decision‐making are more than those under decentralized scenario, except for the optimal inventory level; (2) the increase of the offline consumer switching rate will lead to the reduction of the offline order quantity and the offline expected profit and raise the online inventory level and the online expected profit; (3) the increase of the online consumer switching rate will raise the offline order quantity and the offline expected profit but has no significant impact on the online inventory level and the online expected profit; (4) the increase of the free riding coefficient of the supplier, no matter whether in decentralized or centralized systems, will reduce the offline sales effort level, the offline expected profit, and the online expected profit and raise the inventory level. Finally, this work provides some managerial implication.
Optimization of AL6061-T6 Tube End Forming Process Using Response Surface Method
Authors: Shaaban Amr , Elsabbagh Adel M.
Published: April 2021

Tube end closing is a metal forming process that replaces welding processes while closing tubes ends. It depends on deforming a rotating tube using a roller, and therefore, it is also called tube end spinning. The process involves many parameters like contact depth, roller inclination angle, roller diameter, mandrel curvature, and tube rotational speed. This study develops a finite element model (FE-model) for this process and validates it through experimental results. The numerical and experimental results have shown minor deviation of 1.87%. The FE-model is then employed to carry out a statistical analysis based on the response surface method (RSM). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis have proved the accuracy of the obtained mathematical model. The contact depth has proved to have the most significant effect in the process responses, while the roller diameter has the least effect. Finally, an optimization analysis is carried out to select the finest conditions for the process.
A Study of Efficiency Evaluation of National Quality Online Courses during the Epidemic: Based on Fuzzy Logic Calculation and Bootstrap-DEA
Authors: Li Zhen-Hui , Yang Jia-Jia , Qin Hai-Qing , Xia Yi-Wei , Zhuang Mei-er
Published: April 2021

The study combines fuzzy logic calculation method and bootstrap-DEA to explore the efficiency of National Quality Online Courses (NQOOCs) during the new coronavirus epidemic. We choose Project 985 universities in China as our sample considering their academic influence. The results show that the efficiency value of NQOOCs calculated by bootstrap-DEA differs from the efficiency value measured by traditional DEA. The difference of universities` ranking is more pronounced in bootstrap-DEA. The amount of input resources (including human resources, science and technology resources, and financial resources) may not be directly reflected on the efficiency of NQOOCs. There is still much room for improvement in the efficiency of NQOOCs in most universities.