bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Common Genetic Variants for Drug-Resistance to Specific Anti-Seizure Medications
Authors: Wolking Stefan , Campbell Ciarán , Stapleton Caragh , McCormack Mark , Delanty Norman , Depondt Chantal , Johnson Michael R. , Koeleman Bobby P. C. , Krause Roland , Kunz Wolfram S. , Marson Anthony G. , Sander Josemir W. , Sills Graeme J. , Striano Pasquale , Zara Federico , Sisodiya Sanjay M. , Cavalleri Gianpiero L. , Lerche Holger ,   EpiPGX Consortium
Published: June 2021

Objective: Resistance to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) presents a significant hurdle in the treatment of people with epilepsy. Genetic markers for resistance to individual ASMs could support clinicians to make better-informed choices for their patients. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether the response to individual ASMs was associated with common genetic variation.

Methods: A cohort of 3,649 individuals of European descent with epilepsy was deeply phenotyped and underwent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping. We conducted genome-wide association analyses (GWASs) on responders to specific ASMs or groups of functionally related ASMs, using non-responders as controls. We performed a polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses based on risk variants for epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders and ASM resistance itself to delineate the polygenic burden of ASM-specific drug resistance.

Results: We identified several potential regions of interest but did not detect genome-wide significant loci for ASM-specific response. We did not find polygenic risk for epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, and drug-resistance associated with drug response to specific ASMs or mechanistically related groups of ASMs.

Significance: This study could not ascertain the predictive value of common genetic variants for ASM responder status. The identified suggestive loci will need replication in future studies of a larger scale.
Antiproteinuric and Hyperkalemic Mechanisms Activated by Dual Versus Single Blockade of the RAS in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Corrêa José Wilson N. , Boaro Karoline R. , Sene Letícia B. , Polidoro Juliano Z. , Salles Thiago A. , Martins Flavia L. , Bendhack Lusiane M. , Girardi Adriana C. C.
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the antiproteinuric and hyperkalemic mechanisms activated by dual renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade in renovascular hypertensive rats (2-kidney 1-clip model [2K-1C]). Six weeks after clipping the left renal artery or sham operation (2K), rats were treated with losartan, enalapril, or both drugs for two weeks. We found that 2K-1C rats displayed higher tail-cuff blood pressure (BP), increased non-clipped kidney Ang II concentration, and more pronounced urinary albumin excretion than 2K. BP was decreased by the treatment with either enalapril or losartan, and the combination of both drugs promoted an additional antihypertensive effect in 2K-1C rats. Renal Ang II content and albuminuria were reduced by either enalapril or losartan in monotherapy and restored to control levels by dual RAS blockade. Albuminuria in 2K-1C rats was accompanied by downregulation of the glomerular slit protein podocin, reduction of the endocytic receptors megalin and cubilin, and a marked decrease in the expression of the ClC-5 chloride channel, compared to 2K animals. Treatment with losartan and enalapril in monotherapy or combination increased the expression of podocin, cubilin, and ClC-5. However, only the combined therapy normalized podocin, cubilin, and ClC-5 protein abundance in the non-clipped kidney of 2K-1C rats. Renovascular hypertensive 2K-1C rats had a lower concentration of plasma potassium compared to 2K rats. Single RAS blockade normalized potassium plasma concentration, whereas 2K-1C rats treated with dual RAS blockade exhibited hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia in 2K-1C rats was accompanied by an increase in the cleaved activated forms of α-ENaC and γ-ENaC and the expression of β-ENaC. Combined RAS blockade but not monotherapy significantly reduced the expression of these ENaC subunits in 2K-1C rats. Indeed, double RAS blockade reduced the abundance of cleaved-α-ENaC to levels lower than those of 2K rats. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the antiproteinuric effect of dual RAS blockade in 2K-1C rats is associated with the restored abundance of podocin and cubilin, and ClC-5. Moreover, double RAS blockade-induced hyperkalemia may be due, at least partially, to an exaggerated downregulation of cleaved α-ENaC in the non-clipped kidney of renovascular hypertensive rats.
The Genomic Impact of Mycoheterotrophy in Orchids
Authors: Jąkalski Marcin , Minasiewicz Julita , Caius José , May Michał , Selosse Marc-André , Delannoy Etienne
Published: June 2021

Mycoheterotrophic plants have lost the ability to photosynthesize and obtain essential mineral and organic nutrients from associated soil fungi. Despite involving radical changes in life history traits and ecological requirements, the transition from autotrophy to mycoheterotrophy has occurred independently in many major lineages of land plants, most frequently in Orchidaceae. Yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this shift are still poorly understood. A comparison of the transcriptomes of Epipogium aphyllum and Neottia nidus-avis, two completely mycoheterotrophic orchids, to other autotrophic and mycoheterotrophic orchids showed the unexpected retention of several genes associated with photosynthetic activities. In addition to these selected retentions, the analysis of their expression profiles showed that many orthologs had inverted underground/aboveground expression ratios compared to autotrophic species. Fatty acid and amino acid biosynthesis as well as primary cell wall metabolism were among the pathways most impacted by this expression reprogramming. Our study suggests that the shift in nutritional mode from autotrophy to mycoheterotrophy remodeled the architecture of the plant metabolism but was associated primarily with function losses rather than metabolic innovations.
What's Behind Image? Toward a Better Understanding of Image-Driven Behavior
Authors: Regner Tobias
Published: June 2021

Our experimental design systematically varies image concerns in a dictator/trust game. In comparison to the baseline, we either decrease the role of self-image concerns (by providing an excuse for selfish behavior) or increase the role of social-image concerns (by conveying the transfer choice to a third person). In this set up, we analyze the underlying processes that motivate subjects to give less/more. Controlling for distributional preferences and expectations, our results indicate that moral emotions (guilt and shame) are a significant determinant of pro-social behavior. The disposition to guilt explains giving in the baseline, while it does not when an excuse for selfish behavior exists. Subjects' disposition to shame is correlated to giving when their choice is public and they can be identified.

JEL Classifications:C72, C91, D03, D80
An Exploratory Study on Cross-Cultural Differences in Facial Emotion Recognition Between Adults From Malaysia and Australia
Authors: Mohan Sindhu Nair , Mukhtar Firdaus , Jobson Laura
Published: June 2021

While culture and depression influence the way in which humans process emotion, these two areas of investigation are rarely combined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the difference in facial emotion recognition among Malaysian Malays and Australians with a European heritage with and without depression. A total of 88 participants took part in this study (Malays n = 47, Australians n = 41). All participants were screened using The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV) to assess the Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnosis and they also completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). This study consisted of the facial emotion recognition (FER) task whereby the participants were asked to look at facial images and determine the emotion depicted by each of the facial expressions. It was found that depression status and cultural group did not significantly influence overall FER accuracy. Malaysian participants without MDD and Australian participants with MDD performed quicker as compared to Australian participants without MDD on the FER task. Also, Malaysian participants more accurately recognized fear as compared to Australian participants. Future studies can focus on the extent of the influence and other aspects of culture and participant condition on facial emotion recognition.
Culture-Related Health Disparities in Quality of Life: Assessment of Instrument Dimensions Among Chinese
Authors: Li Minghui , Bao Zhang , Lv Gang , Zhou Jianying , Chen Pingyu , Luo Nan
Published: June 2021

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the major focuses of primary care. However, HRQoL instruments used in China are mainly developed from Western countries. Such instruments may not cover all important health concepts valued by the Chinese as health is a culture-specific concept.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify culture-specific health dimensions and culture-related health disparities in primary care that are considered important by Chinese living in China.

Methods: A purposive sample of 164 adult Chinese (67 healthy persons and 97 patients) were interviewed face to face. In-depth open-ended questions were asked to elicit culture-specific dimensions of quality of life in primary care settings in China.

Results: Twelve health dimensions were identified. Five most frequently mentioned dimensions were: mood (N = 52, 31.71%), physical activities (N = 48, 29.27%), work (N = 40, 24.39%), diet (N = 32, 19.51%), and vitality (N = 28, 17.07%). Significantly more healthy persons reported mood (49.25 vs. 19.59%, P < 0.001), mindset (16.42 vs. 0.00%, P < 0.001), and self-care (11.94 vs. 2.06%, P = 0.016) characterizing good HRQoL, while more patients emphasized on work (4.48 vs. 38.14%, P < 0.001). Diet and vitality appeared to be culture-specific dimensions related to health among Chinese.

Conclusions: To better adapt or develop HRQoL instruments for Chinese, dimensions or items regarding diet might be included and disparities in the meaning of vitality between Chinese and Western cultures should be considered.
Age-Dependent Decline in Salinity Tolerance in a Euryhaline Fish
Authors: Inokuchi Mayu , Yamaguchi Yoko , Moorman Benjamin P. , Seale Andre P.
Published: June 2021

Euryhaline teleost fish are characterized by their ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental salinities by modifying the function of osmoregulatory cells and tissues. In this study, we experimentally addressed the age-related decline in the sensitivity of osmoregulatory transcripts associated with a transfer from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW) in the euryhaline teleost, Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. The survival rates of tilapia transferred from FW to SW were inversely related with age, indicating that older fish require a longer acclimation period during a salinity challenge. The relative expression of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter 1a (nkcc1a), which plays an important role in hyposmoregulation, was significantly upregulated in younger fish after SW transfer, indicating a clear effect of age in the sensitivity of branchial ionocytes. Prolactin (Prl), a hyperosmoregulatory hormone in O. mossambicus, is released in direct response to a fall in extracellular osmolality. Prl cells of 4-month-old tilapia were sensitive to hyposmotic stimuli, while those of >24-month-old fish did not respond. Moreover, the responsiveness of branchial ionocytes to Prl was more robust in younger fish. Taken together, multiple aspects of osmotic homeostasis, from osmoreception to hormonal and environmental control of osmoregulation, declined in older fish. This decline appears to undermine the ability of older fish to survive transfer to hyperosmotic environments.
Impact of COVID-19 on Neighborhood Social Support and Social Interactions in Umeå Municipality, Sweden
Authors: Zetterberg Liv , Santosa Ailiana , Ng Nawi , Karlsson Matilda , Eriksson Malin
Published: June 2021

The objectives are to, for neighborhoods with different levels of social capital, (1) map out the levels of social interactions, emotional support, and instrumental support before the COVID-19 crisis, (2) analyze how social interactions, emotional support, and instrumental support had changed during the pandemic and, (3) analyze changes in self-rated health during the pandemic. This study is based on a telephone survey with a subsample of 168 respondents in Umeå municipality who participated in a large base-line social capital survey in 2006. We asked whether neighbors talk to, care for, and help each other, before and during the Covid crisis. Individuals rated their health as poor or good. We compared people's self-rated health and their perceptions about their neighborhoods between those who lived in high or low/medium social capital neighborhoods. Before the pandemic, participants in high social capital neighborhoods reported more active neighborhood interaction and support. During the crisis, social interaction and support increased in all neighborhoods, but more in high social capital neighborhoods. Overall, people seemed to help and care for each other more during than before the crisis. More individuals in the high social capital neighborhoods reported improvement in their health during the pandemic, than those in the low/medium social capital neighborhoods. Our findings indicate that neighborhoods social capital can be strengthened during a crisis, in particular in areas with existing high levels of social capital. The findings need to be interpreted carefully due to its small sample size but observed patterns warrant further investigation.
How Does Residential Property Market React to Flood Risk in Flood-Prone Regions? A Case Study in Nagoya City
Authors: Inoue Ryo , Hatori Kohei
Published: June 2021

To quantify the flood risk awareness of real estate market participants and residents, previous studies analyzed the effect of flood risks on residential property values. However, most studies focused on the impact of recent flood events and the publication of new flood risk information; the behavior in flood-prone regions in which repeated damages occurred and lessons learned consequently has not been the focus of analysis. Moreover, there is a growing national concern in Japan about an increase in future flood risks due to climate change, although their effect on property values has not been discussed. In this study, we analyzed residential property values in Nagoya City (Aichi Prefecture, Japan), a megacity that has experienced significant flood damage in major historical and recent floods. The main objective of this study is to determine the effects of past and recent flood experiences and the increasing concerns about flood risks on recent residential property values. The results revealed that historical flood damage had the largest impact on residential property values in Nagoya City, and devaluation increased due to growing concerns about natural disasters in Japan. The disclosure of flood risk information also had an impact on property values, increasing devaluation after disclosure. On the contrary, the occurrence of recent floods did not have an impact on property values, suggesting that flood risk awareness had already been strong in the target area. These findings are different from those of many previous studies. The observed trends in residential property values in the target area are likely a characteristic response in flood-prone regions, where flood risk awareness is enhanced due to repeated flood damage.
Modeling and Prediction of Near-Earth Plasma Sheet Parameters Using the Rice Convection Model and the Recurrent Neural Network
Authors: Priyadarshi Shishir , Yang Jian , Sun Weiqin
Published: June 2021

Interaction between Earth’s magnetotail and its inner magnetosphere plays an important role in the transport of mass and energy in the ionosphere–magnetosphere coupled system. A number of first-principles models are devoted to understanding the associated dynamics. However, running these models, including both magnetohydrodynamic models and kinetic drift models, can be computationally expensive when self-consistency and high spatial resolution are required. In this study, we exploit an approach of building a parallel statistical model, based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) type of recurrent neural network, to forecast the results of a first-principles model, called the Rice Convection Model (RCM). The RCM is used to simulate the transient injection events, in which the flux-tube entropy parameter, dawn-to-dusk electric field component, and cumulative magnetic flux transport are calculated in the central plasma sheet. These key parameters are then used as initial inputs for training the LSTM. Using the trained LSTM multivariate parameters, we are able to forecast the plasma sheet parameters beyond the training time for several tens of minutes that are found to be consistent with the subsequent RCM simulation results. Our tests indicate that the recurrent neural network technique can be efficiently used for forecasting numerical simulations of magnetospheric models. The potential to apply this approach to other models is also discussed.
The Application of a System of Eye Tracking in Laparoscopic Surgery: A New Didactic Tool to Visual Instructions
Authors: Marín-Conesa Ester , Sánchez-Ferrer Francisco , Grima-Murcia María Dolores , Sánchez-Ferrer María Luisa
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery is an increasingly used technique, but it requires a high degree of learning, and communication between the operating room crew is considerably difficult. The use of eye tracking has been proposed as a didactic and evaluation tool in several settings, including in laparoscopy in simulators.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the use of eye tracking systems (Tobii glasses 2) in laparoscopic surgery as a didactic and assessment tool to improve communication in the operating room and improve patients' security.

Methodology: An anonymous survey was sent to the students and medical teachers of a faculty of medicine and practicing doctors and residents. The message contained an explanation about the use of the Tobii glasses, a link to watch the video showing its use in a laparoscopic surgery, and the survey to complete after watching the video.

Results: The survey was answered by 113 participants (51.3% medical students, 27.4% medical teachers, 18.6% practicing doctors, and 2.7% medicine residents). Eighty-three percent agreed with the usefulness of the “Tobii glasses” in the operating room for improving communication between the main surgeon and the assistant, for learning complex surgery techniques, for obtaining didactic videos, and for indicating anatomical structures. The item scored worst was the price of the glasses.

Conclusions: It is possible to record and project expert gaze patterns in the operating room in real time using the Tobii glasses. This device allows improving communication among the surgical crew and the learning of residents and also improving the security of surgical patients.
Case Report: Modified Thoracoscopic-Assisted Cervical Resection for Retrosternal Goiter
Authors: Nesti Cédric , Wohlfarth Benny , Borbély Yves M. , Kaderli Reto M.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The treatment of choice for retrosternal goiters (RSG) is surgical resection to relieve symptoms and rule out malignancy. Although the majority of RSG can be removed by a cervical approach only, an extracervical approach (e.g., sternotomy, thoracotomy or thoracoscopy) may be required. Herein, we describe a refined thoracoscopic-assisted cervical two-team RSG resection without thoracoscopic mediastinal dissection.

Technique: A 57-year-old man presented with a large RSG with posterior mediastinal extension (PME) and extensive peritumoral vascularization. Due to its extension below the aortic arch and its small connection with the right thyroid lobe, a combined cervical and thoracoscopic approach was intended. The endocrine surgery unit performed the cervical mobilization of the right thyroid lobe, while the thoracic surgery unit gently pushed the mediastinal tumor through the thoracic inlet without performing mediastinal dissection. This allowed a safe visualization of the inserting vessels by the endocrine surgery team at the neck, followed by a stepwise division of the vessels and resection of the retrosternal nodule through the cervical access.

Comment: The described approach is indicated for RSG with posterior mediastinal extension, anteroposterior dimension smaller than the thoracic inlet and inaccessibility from a cervical approach only. This minimally invasive approach is associated with a faster recovery, decreased morbidity and postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results.
A Study of Ising Formulations for Minimizing Setup Cost in the Two-Dimensional Cutting Stock Problem
Authors: Arai Hiroshi , Haraguchi Harumi
Published: June 2021

We proposed the method that translates the two-dimensional CSP for minimizing the number of cuts to the Ising model. After that, we conducted computer experiments of the proposed model using the benchmark problem. From the above, the following results are obtained. (1) The proposed Ising model adequately represents the target problem. (2) Acceptance rates were as low as 0.2% to 9.8% and from 21.8% to 49.4%. (3) Error rates from optimal solution were as broad as 0% to 25.9%. For future work, we propose the following changes: (1) Improve the Hamiltonian for constraints. (2) Improve the proposed model to adjust more complex two-dimensional CSP and reduce the number of spins when it deals with large materials and components. (3) Conduct experiments using a quantum annealer.
Flywheel-Based Boom Energy Recovery System for Hydraulic Excavators with Load Sensing System
Authors: Li Jiansong , Han Yu , Li Shaohui
Published: June 2021

A hydraulic excavator (HE) is a typical piece of construction equipment and is widely used in various construction fields. However, the poor energy efficiency of HEs results in serious energy waste and has aroused the attention of researchers. Furthermore, rising fuel prices and increasing stringent waste gas emission legislation sparked demand for ways to improve energy efficiency. Recovering the otherwise wasted boom potential energy of a conventional HE by proper methods offers the potential to improve the fuel efficiency of HEs. In this paper, a mechanical energy recovery system consisting of a pump/motor and a flywheel is presented for HEs using a load sensing system. When the boom moves down, the boom potential energy is converted into mechanical energy by the boom cylinder and the pump/motor to accelerate the flywheel. When needed, the captured energy stored in the flywheel is converted back into a form of pressure energy to directly drive the boom cylinder up without throttling the main valve. In the lifting process, a compound circuit that consists of a throttling control circuit and a displacement control circuit is presented. A control strategy is proposed to optimize the energy recovery and reuse procedure. A 4-t HE is used as a study case to investigate the energy-saving potential of the proposed system. Numeric simulations show that the proposed system, when compared with a conventional load sensing system, can reduce as much as 48.9% energy consumption in a non-loaded cycle of boom lifting and lowering process. As to a fully loaded case, the energy-saving rate is 16.9%. This research indicates the flywheel-based scheme is promising for developing an energy-efficient fluid power system for HEs and reducing energy consumptions.
Evaluation of the Effect of Different Hand-Held Sprayer Types on a Greenhouse Pepper Crop
Authors: Sánchez-Hermosilla Julián , Rincón Victor J. , Páez Francisco C. , Pérez-Alonso José , Callejón-Ferre Ángel-Jesús
Published: June 2021

The cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses is characterised by high planting density and environmental conditions that favour the development of pests and diseases. These are mainly controlled using plant protection products applied with a hand-held sprayer. This is inefficient low-tech equipment that is difficult to calibrate. The study evaluates one hand-held spray gun and two hand-held spray lances that are widely used in greenhouse vegetable crops. The tests were carried out on a pepper crop at two different developmental stages. Plant canopy deposition and losses to the ground were quantified using a colorimetric method based on applying a tartrazine solution. The results show that the flat-fan spray lance obtains a more uniform spray distribution in the plant canopy and results in losses to the ground that are between 2 and 2.75 times less than when using the other hand-held sprayers tested.
Genetic Variation in Grain Yield and Quality Traits of Spring Malting Barley
Authors: Hu Yuncai , Barmeier Gero , Schmidhalter Urs
Published: June 2021

Cultivation of malting barley is particularly challenging as the requirements of growers, for high yield, and that of the brewing industry, seeking a specific quality criteria, must be met simultaneously. Furthermore, significant genotypic and environmental variations in grain yield and quality properties may occur. To investigate the relationships between grain yield and quality parameters of spring malting barley, a 2-year experiment was carried out in order to characterise the genotypic and year effects on grain yield, quality properties, and yield components of 23 high-yielding varieties of spring malting barley under optimal nitrogen (N) fertilisation. Compared to the grain quality properties of the grain protein content and the grain retention fraction of grain size >2.5 mm, less genotypic and environmental variation in grain yield was observed. Grain yield was closely related to spikes per m2, suggesting the importance of tiller formation and establishment as a decisive factor influencing malting barley yields. A major interactive effect of genotypes and year on grain size was observed. Regarding weather effects, the global radiation intensity during the post-anthesis phase was the major factor affecting the final grain size in this study. Grain protein content was primarily dependent on the year effect, suggesting that optimal N fertilisation levels must vary between years to ensure the correct protein content required for the needs of the brewing industry is met. Therefore, we recommend further development strategies addressing N fertilisation and soil N mineralisation to optimise the production of spring malting barley.
Untargeted Metabolomic Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction in Rabbits Induced by a High Fat Diet
Authors: Fan Huimei , Li Yanhong , Wang Jie , Shao Jiahao , Tang Tao , Elzo Mauricio A. , Wang Li , Lai Tianfu , Ma Yuan , Gan Mingchuan , Jia Xianbo , Lai Songjia
Published: June 2021

Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome caused by a high fat diet (HFD) have become public health problems worldwide. These diseases are characterized by the oxidation of skeletal muscle mitochondria and disruption of insulin resistance, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, this study aims to reveal how high-fat diet causes skeletal muscle metabolic disorders. In total, 16 weaned rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, one group was fed a standard normal diet (SND) and the other group was fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks. At the end of the five-week experiment, skeletal muscle tissue samples were taken from each rabbit. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that high fat diet significantly altered the expression levels of phospholipids, LCACs, histidine, carnosine, and tetrahydrocorticosterone in skeletal muscle. Principal component analysis (PCA) and least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed that, compared with the SND group, skeletal muscle metabolism in HFD group was significantly up-regulated. Among 43 skeletal muscle metabolites in the HFD group, phospholipids, LCACs, histidine, carnosine, and tetrahydrocorticosteroids were identified as biomarkers of skeletal muscle metabolic diseases, and may become potential physiological targets of related diseases in the future. Untargeted metabonomics analysis showed that high-fat diet altered the metabolism of phospholipids, carnitine, amino acids and steroids in skeletal muscle of rabbits. Notably, phospholipids, LCACs, histidine, carnopeptide, and tetrahydrocorticosteroids block the oxidative capacity of mitochondria and disrupt the oxidative capacity of glucose and the fatty acid-glucose cycle in rabbit skeletal muscle.
Application of YOLOv4 for Detection and Motion Monitoring of Red Foxes
Authors: Schütz Anne K. , Schöler  Verena , Krause  E. Tobias , Fischer  Mareike , Müller  Thomas , Freuling Conrad M. , Conraths  Franz J. , Stanke Mario , Homeier-Bachmann Timo , Lentz Hartmut H. K.
Published: June 2021

Animal activity is an indicator for its welfare and manual observation is time and cost intensive. To this end, automatic detection and monitoring of live captive animals is of major importance for assessing animal activity, and, thereby, allowing for early recognition of changes indicative for diseases and animal welfare issues. We demonstrate that machine learning methods can provide a gap-less monitoring of red foxes in an experimental lab-setting, including a classification into activity patterns. Therefore, bounding boxes are used to measure fox movements, and, thus, the activity level of the animals. We use computer vision, being a non-invasive method for the automatic monitoring of foxes. More specifically, we train the existing algorithm ‘you only look once’ version 4 (YOLOv4) to detect foxes, and the trained classifier is applied to video data of an experiment involving foxes. As we show, computer evaluation outperforms other evaluation methods. Application of automatic detection of foxes can be used for detecting different movement patterns. These, in turn, can be used for animal behavioral analysis and, thus, animal welfare monitoring. Once established for a specific animal species, such systems could be used for animal monitoring in real-time under experimental conditions, or other areas of animal husbandry.
An Ethical Framework for the Use of Horses in Competitive Sport: Theory and Function
Authors: Campbell Madeleine L. H.
Published: June 2021

Growing ethical concern about equestrian sport is reflected in publications by regulatory authorities, animal charities, and the lay press; and in government debate and social media. However, attempts by regulators and stakeholders to address ethical issues in equine sport have been discipline specific and ad hoc. Ethical frameworks can help stakeholders to make contextual decisions about what should or should not be done in a particular situation. However, when existing animal welfare frameworks and existing sports ethics frameworks are reviewed in this paper, it becomes clear that none provide us with a suitable or sufficient tool for considering ethical issues which can arise in situations where the athlete is a non-human, non-consenting participant. This paper presents the theoretical development of a novel ethical framework, with the aim of providing stakeholders with a tool which they might apply to the consideration of the ethical questions which inevitably arise in relation to (equestrian) sport. The derivation and limitations of the ethical framework are explained. The use of the framework will serve both to underwrite the continuation of the social license to use horses in sport and also to enable those within equestrian sport to critically assess existing and proposed practices and to make welfare-improving adjustments to practice if/where necessary. The theoretical framework as presented here is currently being practically tested and refined in consultation with industry stakeholders, and that research will be submitted for publication in due course.
Characterization and Typology of Backyard Small Pig Farms in Jipijapa, Ecuador
Authors: Valverde Lucio Alfredo , Gonzalez-Martínez Ana , Alcívar Cobeña Jose Luis , Rodero Serrano Evangelina
Published: June 2021

To characterize the traditional systems of small pig producers in Jipijapa (Manabí, Ecuador) and to classify farms into representative categories, we interviewed fifty-five farmers from seven communities considering four dimensions: social, organizational, production methods, and local food resources. Multiple correspondence analyses and hierarchical clusters were carried out using the Ward method. The analysis differentiated communities based on social, productive, and local resource variables, showing three factors that accounted for 85.3% of the total variance: the socioeconomic dimension, related to the welfare of families, explained 34.4% of the variation, the care provided to animals explained 30.9%, and the management practices for the supply of food explained 20%. We identified five clusters that shared common characteristics: Group 1 included farmers from Albajacal, wage workers, and Creole pig breeders, Group 2 included farmers raising pigs under lockdown conditions, Group 3 typified traditional farms from the La Cuesta community, Group 4 included landowners, and Group 5 included professionalized farmers in Colón Alfaro. We also studied the supplied alternative food formulations made up of crop surpluses. The role of small pig farmers is a social activity linked to the location, the crops of each area, and the specific practices for the care of animals.
A Prediction Method for Animal-Derived Drug Resistance Trend Using a Grey-BP Neural Network Combination Model
Authors: Li Xinxing , Zhang Ziyi , Xu Ding , Wu Congming , Li Jianping , Zheng Yongjun
Published: June 2021

There is an increasing drug resistance of animal-derived pathogens, seriously posing a huge threat to the health of animals and humans. Traditional drug resistance testing methods are expensive, have low efficiency, and are time-consuming, making it difficult to evaluate overall drug resistance. To develop a better approach to detect drug resistance, a small sample of Escherichia coli resistance data from 2003 to 2014 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province was used, and multiple regression interpolation was applied to impute missing data based on the time series. Next, cluster analysis was used to classify anti-E. coli drugs. According to the classification results, a GM(1,1)-BP model was selected to analyze the changes in the drug resistance of E. coli, and a drug resistance prediction system was constructed based on the GM(1,1)-BP Neural Network model. The GM(1,1)-BP Neural Network model showed a good prediction effect using a small sample of drug resistance data, with a determination coefficient R2 of 0.7830 and an RMSE of only 0.0527. This model can be applied for the prediction of drug resistance trends of other animal-derived pathogenic bacteria, and provides the scientific and technical means for the effective assessment of bacterial resistance.
A Balance between the Activities of Chloroplasts and Mitochondria Is Crucial for Optimal Plant Growth
Authors: Xu Zhou , Zhang Renshan , Yang Meijing , Law Yee-Song , Sun Feng , Hon Ngai Lung , Ngai Sai Ming , Lim Boon Leong
Published: June 2021

Energy metabolism in plant cells requires a balance between the activities of chloroplasts and mitochondria, as they are the producers and consumers of carbohydrates and reducing equivalents, respectively. Recently, we showed that the overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana purple acid phosphatase 2 (AtPAP2), a phosphatase dually anchored on the outer membranes of chloroplasts and mitochondria, can boost the plant growth and seed yield of Arabidopsis thaliana by coordinating the activities of both organelles. However, when AtPAP2 is solely overexpressed in chloroplasts, the growth-promoting effects are less optimal, indicating that active mitochondria are required for dissipating excess reducing equivalents from chloroplasts to maintain the optimal growth of plants. It is even more detrimental to plant productivity when AtPAP2 is solely overexpressed in mitochondria. Although these lines contain high level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), they exhibit low leaf sucrose, low seed yield, and early senescence. These transgenic lines can be useful tools for studying how hyperactive chloroplasts or mitochondria affect the physiology of their counterparts and how they modify cellular metabolism and plant physiology.
Indoxyl-Sulfate-Induced Redox Imbalance in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Lu Chien-Lin , Zheng Cai-Mei , Lu Kuo-Cheng , Liao Min-Tser , Wu Kun-Lin , Ma Ming-Chieh
Published: June 2021

The accumulation of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate (IS) induces target organ damage in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and causes complications including cardiovascular diseases, renal osteodystrophy, muscle wasting, and anemia. IS stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in CKD, which impairs glomerular filtration by a direct cytotoxic effect on the mesangial cells. IS further reduces antioxidant capacity in renal proximal tubular cells and contributes to tubulointerstitial injury. IS-induced ROS formation triggers the switching of vascular smooth muscular cells to the osteoblastic phenotype, which induces cardiovascular risk. Low-turnover bone disease seen in early CKD relies on the inhibitory effects of IS on osteoblast viability and differentiation, and osteoblastic signaling via the parathyroid hormone. Excessive ROS and inflammatory cytokine releases caused by IS directly inhibit myocyte growth in muscle wasting via myokines’ effects. Moreover, IS triggers eryptosis via ROS-mediated oxidative stress, and elevates hepcidin levels in order to prevent iron flux in circulation in renal anemia. Thus, IS-induced oxidative stress underlies the mechanisms in CKD-related complications. This review summarizes the underlying mechanisms of how IS mediates oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CKD’s complications. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential role of oral AST-120 in attenuating IS-mediated oxidative stress after gastrointestinal adsorption of the IS precursor indole.
Validated Filter-Based Photoreceptor Count Algorithm on Retinal Heidelberg High Magnification Module™ Images in Healthy and Pathological Conditions
Authors: Mulders Timo , Dhooge Patty , van der Zanden Ludo , Hoyng Carel B. , Theelen Thomas
Published: June 2021

Recently introduced, the Heidelberg Engineering™ high magnification module enables in vivo visualization of cone photoreceptor cells. Currently, a reliable analysis of cone mosaic on high magnification module images is hindered by an unfavorable signal-to-noise ratio. In this paper, we describe how a novel high magnification module high-pass filter may enhance cone signals in healthy participants and patients. We compared the cone counts of our filter-based algorithm to the counts of two human graders. We found a good to excellent intragrader and intergrader correlation in both patients and healthy participants. We identified a good correlation between the average cone counts of both graders and high-pass filter cone counts in patients and healthy participants. We observed no significant difference between manual and filter-based counts via the Bland–Altman analysis. In conclusion, a quantitative cone analysis on high magnification module images is feasible manually by human graders and automatically by a filter-based algorithm. However, larger datasets are needed to improve repeatability and consistency by training human graders.
Lignocellulolytic Potential of the Recently Described Species Aspergillus olivimuriae on Different Solid Wastes
Authors: Carota Eleonora , Crognale Silvia , Russo Cristina , Petruccioli Maurizio , D’Annibale Alessandro
Published: June 2021

The genus Aspergillus encompasses several species with relevant lignocellulose-degrading capacity, and a novel species, denominated A. olivimuriae, was recently discovered after its isolation from table olive brine. The acquisition of insight into this species and the assessment of its potential relied on a bioinformatics approach, based on the CAZy database, associated with enzymatic activity profiles in solid-state cultures on four different types of waste, including residual thistle biomass (RTB), spent coffee grounds (SCG), digestate solid fraction and barley straw. The CAZy analysis of A. olivimuriae genome showed that the number of predicted genes for each family was close to that of other Aspergillus species, except for cellobiose dehydrogenase, acetyl xylan esterase and polygalacturonases. In A. olivimuriae solid-state cultures, hemicellulose degradation outperformed that of cellulose, and lignin removal did not occur, regardless of the growth substrate. This is in line with its CAZy content and the extent of hemicellulolytic, and ligninolytic activities detected in its solid-state cultures. RTB and barley straw were the substrates enabling the best glycosyl hydrolase production levels. The exception was SCG, the hemicellulose composition of which, mainly made of glucomannans and galactomanans, led to the highest β-mannanase and β-mannosidase production levels (3.72 ± 0.20 and 0.90 ± 0.04 IU g−1 substrate, respectively).
Semi-Analytical Method for Computing Effective Thermoelastic Properties in Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials
Authors: Avellaneda Rodolfo , Rodríguez-Alemán Suset , Otero José A.
Published: June 2021

Effective elastic and thermal properties for isotropic or transversely isotropic thermoelastic fibrous composite materials are obtained. Fibers are distributed with the same periodicity along the two perpendicular directions to the fiber orientation. The periodic cell of the composite has a square or hexagonal distribution. Perfect contact between the fiber and the matrix is presented. The effective properties are calculated using a semi-analytical method. The semi-analytical method consists of obtaining the differential equations that describe the local problems using the Asymptotic Homogenization Method. Then, these equations are solved using the Finite Element Method. Effective elastic coefficient (C¯), effective thermal expansion coefficient (α¯) and the effective thermal conductivity (κ¯) are obtained. The numerical results are compared with the semi-analytical solution and with results reported by other authors. Additionally, the effective properties for a fiber with an elliptical cross section are calculated. Distributions of the fiber’s cross section with different orientations are also studied. A MATLAB program for computing the effective coefficients is presented.
The Relationship between the Performance of Soccer Players on the Curved Sprint Test, Repeated Sprint Test, and Change-of-Direction Speed Test
Authors: Baranovič Tomáš , Zemková Erika
Published: June 2021

The curved sprint test is the most commonly used test in team sports. From a practical point of view, it would be interesting to know to what extent it is related to a direct sprint and a sprint involving changes in direction. This study investigated the relationship between the times taken by soccer players in the curved sprint test, repeated sprint test involving changes in direction, and change-of-direction speed test. Two age groups of soccer players U15 and U17 (n = 22) took the curved sprint test, the repeated straight sprint test, and the repeated straight sprint test involving changes in direction. The total time taken in the curved sprint test did not differ significantly from the total time taken in the repeated straight sprint test (46.80 ± 1.85 s and 34.51 ± 1.66 s, respectively; T = 120). The total time taken in the curved sprint test was not significantly different from the total time taken in the repeated straight sprint test involving changes in direction (46.80 ± 1.85 s and 82.36 ± 4.47 s, respectively; T = 115). There was no significant correlation between the total times taken in the curved sprint test (CST) and the repeated sprint test involving changes in direction (RSCD) (r = 0.180). There was also no significant correlation between the total times taken in the curved sprint test (CST) and the repeated straight sprint test (RSST) (r = 0.301). The non-significant relationship between these abilities implies that they are independent of each other and may have to be tested and trained complementarily.
Cyclic Tests and Numerical Analyses on Bolt-Connected Precast Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams
Authors: Li Jing , Jiang Lizhong , Zheng Hong , Jiang Liqiang , Zhou Lingyu
Published: June 2021

A bolt-connected precast reinforced concrete deep beam (RDB) is proposed as a lateral resisting component that can be used in frame structures to resist seismic loads. RDB can be installed in the steel frame by connecting to the frame beam with only high-strength bolts, which is different from the commonly used cast-in-place RC walls. Two 1/3 scaled specimens with different height-to-length ratios were tested to obtain their seismic performance. The finite element method is used to model the seismic behavior of the test specimens, and parametric analyses are conducted to study the effect on the height-to-length ratio, the strength of the concrete and the height-to-thickness ratio of RDBs. The experimental and numerical results show that the RDB with a low height-to-length ratio exhibited a shear–bending failure mode, while the RDB with a high height-to-length ratio failed with a shear-dominated failure mode. By comparing the RDB with a height-to-length ratio of 2.0, the ultimate capacity, initial stiffness and ductility of the RDB with a height-to-length ratio of 0.75 increased by 277%, 429% and 141%, respectively. It was found that the seismic performance of frame structures could be effectively adjusted by changing the height-to-length ratio and length-to-thickness of the RDB. The RDB is a desirable lateral-resisting component for existing and new frame buildings.
A Linear Microwave Plasma Source Using a Circular Waveguide Filled with a Relatively High-Permittivity Dielectric: Comparison with a Conventional Quasi-Coaxial Line Waveguide
Authors: Cha Ju-Hong , Kim Sang-Woo , Lee Ho-Jun
Published: June 2021

For a conventional linear microwave plasma source (LMPS) with a quasi-coaxial line transverse electromagnetic (TEM) waveguide, a linearly extended plasma is sustained by the surface wave outside the tube. Due to the characteristics of the quasi-coaxial line MPS, it is easy to generate a uniform plasma with radially omnidirectional surfaces, but it is difficult to maximize the electron density in a curved selected region. For the purpose of concentrating the plasma density in the deposition area, a novel LMPS which is suitable for curved structure deposition has been developed and compared with the conventional LMPS. As the shape of a circular waveguide, it is filled with relatively high-permittivity dielectric instead of a quasi-coaxial line waveguide. Microwave power at 2.45 GHz is transferred to the plasma through the continuous cylindrical-slotted line antenna, and the radiated electric field in the radial direction is made almost parallel to the tangential plane of the window surface. This research includes the advanced 3D numerical analysis and compares the results with the experiment. It shows that the electron density in the deposition area is higher than that of the conventional quasi-coaxial line plasma MPS.