bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship
Authors: Marcet-Rius Míriam , Pageat Patrick , Bienboire-Frosini Cécile , Teruel Eva , Monneret Philippe , Leclercq Julien , Cozzi Alessandro
Published: November 2020

It is now widely recognised that a positive human-animal relationship is beneficial not only for farm animals’ welfare but also for productivity and the quality of products. A better understanding of animal emotions is an important goal in disciplines ranging from neuroscience to animal welfare science, but few reliable tools exist for measuring these emotions. In this study, whether the provision of toys to solicit play behaviour in pigs is associated with a change in the human-animal relationship and the emotional state of pigs was investigated. We involved a group of sixteen mini-pigs housed in an experimental setting and the use of a preliminary test called the ‘strange person’ test. After a Control and a Play session (with medium-sized dog toys, balls with ropes), the strange person test was performed. During the test, a person wearing a colourful overall, a hood, a mask, gloves and boots (unknown person with an odd appearance) entered the pen, where 2 mini-pigs were housed, for a 2-min video recording. The strange person test results after the Play and Control sessions were compared. The results showed that the latency to approach the person (duration in seconds) and the duration for which the pig was distant from the strange person (duration in seconds) were significantly lower after the Play session than after the Control session (Degrees of Freedom =30; Statistic of the F test =39.1;p < 0.0001 and Degrees of Freedom =15; Statistic of the F test =54.3; p < 0.0001, respectively). The duration of direct contact (duration in seconds) (Degrees of Freedom =15; Statistic of the F test =14.8;p = 0.002), the need to separate the pig from the strange person (frequency) (Degrees of Freedom =30; Statistic of the F test =9.3;p = 0.005) and the duration of tail movement (duration in seconds) (Degrees of Freedom =15; Statistic of the F test =12.6;p = 0.003) were all significantly higher after the Play sessions than after the Control sessions. Overall, the results suggest a change in the human-animal relationship after the Play sessions: the pigs seemed to be less fearful and more inclined to interact with the strange person, showing a more positive emotional state. This preliminary study suggests that the provision of toys, and more precisely, the opportunity to perform object play behaviour, and sometimes, spontaneously, social play behaviour, can improve the human-animal relationship. Additional research to explore this topic thoroughly may yield interesting results because a positive emotional state of the animals and a good human-animal relationship are essential to ensure good quality of life of farm animals.
The in vivo toxicity evaluation of leaf and root methanolic extracts of Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f using animal model
Authors: Mlozi Stephano Hanolo , Mmongoyo Juma A. , Chacha Musa
Published: November 2020

Background

Traditionally, herbal medicines are commonly used to cure several diseases since immemorial of human life. Nevertheless, the safety of some traditionally used medicinal plants is uncertain. Since Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f is a traditionally used medicinal plant, the effects of its extracts were evaluated on lethality (LD50) and sub-acute toxicity in this study.

Methods

Phytochemistry screening and an in vivo toxicity evaluation of leaf and root methanolic extracts of T. vogelii using laboratory albino rats were conducted. Methanolic extracts of doses 600, 1200, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weights were administered single dose in rats to observe deaths within 72 h in order to determine the LD50. Methanolic extracts doses of 600, 1200 and 2000 mg/kg body weights were consecutively administered for 14 days in order to evaluate sub-acute toxicity.

Results

Tannins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids and saponins were identified in the phytochemical screening. The LD50 experiments revealed zero deaths of rats for the administered doses, 600 to 5000 mg/kg body weight. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney for sub-acute toxicity test showed safety at all doses except root methanolic extracts dose of 2000 mg/kg which exhibited necrosis and vacuolation of liver cells on the 14th day. Nonetheless, hepatic necrosis and hepatic vacuolation disappeared upon time elongation without dose administration to 28th day.

Conclusion

The conducted toxicity evaluation of methanolic leaf and root extracts in albino rats revealed no deleterious effects, henceforth, suggesting that T. vogelii could be safe to users using it as a medicinal plant.
Morphology of Stephanella hina (Bryozoa, Phylactolaemata): common phylactolaemate and unexpected, unique characters
Authors: Schwaha Thomas F. , Hirose Masato
Published: November 2020

Stephanella hinais a little studied freshwater bryozoan belonging to Phylactolaemata. It is currently the only representative of the family Stephanellidae, which in most reconstructions is early branching, sometimes even sister group to the remaining phylactolaemate families. The morphological and histological details of this species are entirely unknown. Consequently, the main aim of this study was to conduct a detailed morphological analysis ofS. hinausing histological serial sections, 3D reconstruction, immunocytochemical staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques. The general morphology is reminiscent of other phylactolaemates; however, there are several, probably apomorphic, details characteristic ofS. hina. The most evident difference lies in the lophophoral base, where the ganglionic horns/extensions do not follow the traverse of the lophophoral arms but bend medially inwards towards the mouth opening. Likewise, the paired forked canal does not fuse medially in the lophophoral concavity as found in all other phylactolaemates. Additional smaller differences are also found in the neuro-muscular system: the rooting of the tentacle muscle is less complex than in other phylactolaemates, the funiculus lacks longitudinal muscles, the caecum has smooth muscle fibres, latero-abfrontal tentacle nerves are not detected and the medio-frontal nerves mostly emerge directly from the circum-oral nerve ring. In the apertural area, several neurite bundles extend into the vestibular wall and probably innervate neurosecretory cells surrounding the orifice. These morphological characteristics support the distinct placement of this species in a separate family. Whether these characteristics are apomorphic or possibly shared with other phylactolaemates will require the study of the early branching Lophopodidae, which remains one of the least studied taxa to date.
3D - Printed Patient Specific Instrumentation in Corrective Osteotomy of the Femur and Pelvis: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Baraza Njalalle , Chapman Chris , Zakani Sima , Mulpuri Kishore
Published: November 2020

Background

The paediatric patient population has considerable variation in anatomy. The use of Computed Tomography (CT)-based digital models to design three-dimensionally printed patient specific instrumentation (PSI) has recently been applied for correction of deformity in orthopedic surgery. This review sought to determine the existing application of this technology currently in use within paediatric orthopaedics, and assess the potential benefits that this may provide to patients and surgeons.

Methods

A review was performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for published literature, as well as Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov for grey literature. The search strategy revolved around the research question: “What is the clinical impact of using 3D printed PSI for proximal femoral or pelvic osteotomy in paediatric orthopaedics?” Two reviewers, using predetermined inclusion criteria, independently performed title and abstract review in order to select articles for full text review. Data extracted included effect on operating time and intraoperative image use, as well as osteotomy and screw positioning accuracy. Data were combined in a narrative synthesis; meta-analysis was not performed given the diversity of study designs and interventions.

Results

In total, ten studies were included: six case control studies, three case series and a case report. Five studies directly compared operating time using PSI to conventional techniques, with two showing a significant decrease in the number of intraoperative images and operative time. Eight studies reported improved accuracy in executing the surgical plan compared to conventional methods.

Conclusion

Compared to conventional methods of performing femoral or pelvic osteotomy, use of PSI has led to improved accuracy and precision, decreased procedure times, and decreased intra-operative imaging requirements. Additionally, the technology has become more cost effective and accessible since its initial inception and use.
Bilateral asymmetric tonic seizure in insulo-opercular epilepsy: an anatomo-electro-clinical study
Authors: Hu Xiangshu , Li Kaihui , Wang Xiao , Yang Ping , Tan Qinghua , Li Danfang , Wang Xiaobo , Zeng Fang , Jin Yang , Fei Lingxia , Li Hua , Chen Junxi , Guo Qiang
Published: November 2020

Background

Insulo-opercular seizures are highly heterogeneous in seizure semiology and electrical features. Bilateral asymmetric limb posturing, as a classical pattern of supplementary sensorimotor area (SMA) seizure, also occurs in insulo-opercular epilepsy. This study was aimed to study the anatomo-electro-clinical correlations in bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures (BATS), in order to advance the understanding of insulo-opercular epilepsy.

Methods

Eight patients with insulo-opercular epilepsy as confirmed by stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) and manifesting BATS as the major ictal motor sign, in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital Epilepsy Center from 2014 to 2018, were employed in this study. The BATS of the patients were evaluated, and the semiologic features and concomitant intracerebral EEG changes were quantified. Then the variables were examined with Cluster Analysis, and the semiologic features were correlated with anatomic localization using the Kendall correlation test.

Results

Of the 8 patients, the most frequent initial motor sign was bilateral asymmetric tonic posturing (62.5%). Facial tonic-clonic sign also had a high prevalence in the evolution of seizures (87.5%). The results of Cluster Analysis showed that the semiologic features were subdivided into two main groups, one group comprising exclusively BATS and the other including signs of focal tonic seizure, aura, focal limb tonic-clonic seizure (TCS), facial TCS, hypermotor behavior, eye movement, autonomic changes and generalized TCS. The BATS was strongly associated with the posterior long gyrus (PLG) of insula (t = 0.732) and parietal operculum (t = 1.000); the hypermotor behaviors were associated with the anterior long gyrus (ALG) (t = 0.770); and the autonomic changes were associated with the anterior limiting sulcus (ALS) (t = 0.734) and middle short gyrus (MSG) (t = 0.700).

Conclusions

The seizure semiology of insulo-opercular epilepsy is characterized, in temporal order, by BATS, with or without simultaneous hypermotor behaviors, and frequently ends up with facial tonic-clonic signs, which is different from that of the SMA seizure. The early spread network involving the posterior insular lobe and parietal operculum may contribute to this pattern of manifestation.
Impact of narcissistic leadership on employee work outcomes in banking sector of Pakistan
Authors: Asrar-ul-Haq Muhammad , Anjum Talha
Published: November 2020

Background

Narcissism has been studied as a positive as well as a negative trait. It is a personality disorder in which a person is preoccupied with power, self and vanity. Narcissists often pursue leadership and work for their personal interests which ultimately affect others’ well-being. It affects employee performance and leads toward turnover. The purpose of this study is to examine how narcissistic leadership can impact subordinates’ job-related outcomes.

Method

Data are collected from 310 banking professionals using Likert scale survey questionnaire and analyzed through SEM using AMOS.

Results

Results show that narcissistic leadership has a negative impact on subordinate job satisfaction and well-being, whereas a positive relationship with stress and intentions to quit. However, its relationship with job performance was observed to be insignificant.

Conclusion

Bosses with narcissistic tendencies drive hardworking employees away. The initial problem in narcissistic individuals is their elevated ego. To reverse the trend of narcissism, changes should be made at different levels, i.e., home, school, college or university. In order to tackle narcissism at work place, different established strategies can be used to deal with such individual/leader.
Innovations in Thermal Processing: Hot-Melt Extrusion and KinetiSol® Dispersing
Authors: Tan Deck Khong , Davis Daniel A. , Miller Dave A. , Williams Robert O. , Nokhodchi Ali
Published: November 2020

Thermal processing has gained much interest in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for the enhancement of solubility, bioavailability, and dissolution of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with poor aqueous solubility. Formulation scientists have developed various techniques which may include physical and chemical modifications to achieve solubility enhancement. One of the most commonly used methods for solubility enhancement is through the use of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). Examples of commercialized ASDs include Kaletra®, Kalydeco®, and Onmel®. Various technologies produce ASDs; some of the approaches, such as spray-drying, solvent evaporation, and lyophilization, involve the use of solvents, whereas thermal approaches often do not require solvents. Processes that do not require solvents are usually preferred, as some solvents may induce toxicity due to residual solvents and are often considered to be damaging to the environment. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on recent innovations reported for using hot-melt extrusion and KinetiSol® Dispersing technologies to formulate poorly water-soluble APIs in amorphous solid dispersions. We will address development challenges for poorly water-soluble APIs and how these two processes meet these challenges.
Ambient temperature affects multiple drivers of physiology and behaviour: adaptation for timely departure of obligate spring migrants
Authors: Sur Sayantan , Chaturvedi Khushboo , Sharma Aakansha , Malik Shalie , Rani Sangeeta , Kumar Vinod
Published: November 2020

We investigated the role of ambient temperature in departure from wintering areas of migratory blackheaded buntings in spring. Birds transferred at 22 and 35 oC temperatures to long days were compared with one another and to controls held on short days for indices of readiness to migrate (Zugunruhe, fattening, weight gain), levels of testosterone, and gonadal recrudescence. Temperature affected the development of migratory behaviour and physiology: buntings under long days at 35oC, compared to those at 22oC, showed altered migratory behaviour (daily activity and Zugunruhe onset), and enhanced muscle growth and plasma testosterone levels; however, no effect on testis growth. Temperature was perceived at both peripheral and central levels, and affected multiple molecular drivers culminating into the migratory phenotype. This was evidenced by post-mortem comparison of the expression of 13 genes with known functions in the skin (temperature-sensitive TRP channels: trpv4 and trpm8), hypothalamus and/ or midbrain (migration-linked genes: th, ddc, adcyap1 and vps13a) and flight muscles (muscle growth associated genes: ar, srd5a3, pvalb, mtor, myod, mstn and hif1a). In photostimulated birds, the expression of trpv4 in skin, of th in hypothalamus and midbrain, and of srd5a3, ar pvalb and mtor genes in flight muscle, in parallel with T levels, was greater at 35oC than the 22oC. These results demonstrate the role of ambient temperature in development of the spring migration phenotype, and suggest that transcriptional responsiveness to temperature is a component of the overall adaptive strategy in latitudinal songbird migrants for timely departure from wintering areas in spring.
Site-specific Concurrent Validity of the ActiGraph GT9X Link in the Estimation of Activity-related Skeletal Loading
Authors: HIGGINS SIMON , HIGGINS LAUREN Q. , VALLABHAJOSULA SRIKANT
Published: November 2020

To inform the development of bone-specific physical activity (PA) assessment methods and contribute to bone-specific PA guidelines, accelerometer outcomes that provide the most valid estimates of skeletal loading in adults must be identified.

Purpose

The aims of this project were twofold: 1) to assess the concurrent validity of raw accelerometer outputs with ground reaction forces (GRF) and loading rates (LR) calculated from force plate across a range of simulated habitual PA and 2) to identify the optimal wear site among the ankle, hip, and wrist with the strongest relationships between accelerometer and force plate and/or skeletal outcomes.

Methods

Thirty healthy young adults (23.0 ± 4.5 yr, 50% female) wore a triaxial accelerometer at the right ankle, hip, and wrist while performing eight trials of walking, jogging, running, low box drops, and high box drops over an in-ground force plate. Repeated-measures correlations and linear mixed models were used to assess concurrent validity of accelerometer and force plate outcomes across wear sites.

Results

Strong repeated-measures associations were observed between peak hip resultant acceleration and resultant LR (r
rm 1169 = 0.74, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.718, 0.769) and peak hip resultant accelerations and resultant GRF (r
rm 1169 = 0.69, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.660, 0.720) when data were combined across activities. By contrast, small to moderate associations were seen between ankle-based outcomes and corresponding GRF and LR during walking and jogging (r
rm 209 = 0.17–0.34, all P < 0.001). No significant associations were seen with wrist-based outcomes during any activity. In addition, linear mixed models suggested that 24%–50% of the variability in peak GRF and LR could be attributed to measured accelerations at the hip.

Conclusion

Peak accelerations measured at the hip were identified as the strongest proxies for skeletal loading assessed via force plate.
Cold-inducible RNA binding protein promotes breast cancer cell malignancy by regulating Cystatin C levels
Authors: Indacochea Alberto , Guerrero Santiago , Ureña Macarena , Araujo Ferrán , Coll Olga , LLeonart Matilde E. , Gebauer Fátima
Published: November 2020

Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRBP) is a stress-responsive protein that promotes cancer development and inflammation. Critical to most CIRBP functions is its capacity to bind and posttranscriptionally modulate mRNA. However, a transcriptome-wide analysis of CIRBP mRNA targets in cancer has not yet been performed. Here, we use an ex vivo breast cancer model to identify CIRBP targets and mechanisms. We find that CIRBP transcript levels correlate with breast cancer subtype and are an indicator of luminal A/B prognosis. Accordingly, overexpression of CIRBP in nontumoral MCF-10A cells promotes cell growth and clonogenicity, while depletion of CIRBP from luminal A MCF-7 cells has opposite effects. We use RNA immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (RIP-seq) to identify a set of 204 high confident CIRBP targets in MCF-7 cells. About 10% of these showed complementary changes after CIRBP manipulation in MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells, and were highly interconnected with known breast cancer genes. To test the potential of CIRBP-mediated regulation of these targets in breast cancer development, we focused onCystatin C (CST3), one of the most highly interconnected genes, encoding a protein that displays tumor suppressive capacities. CST3 depletion restored the effects of CIRBP depletion in MCF-7 cells, indicating that CIRBP functions, at least in part, by down-regulating CST3 levels. Our data provide a resource of CIRBP targets in breast cancer, and identify CST3 as a novel downstream mediator of CIRBP function.
Frequency and clinical significance of prostatic involvement in men with febrile urinary tract infection: a prospective observational study
Authors: Arjunlal Thayyil Shahilal , Deepanjali Surendran , Manikandan Ramanitharan , Medha Rajappa
Published: November 2020

Background: Frequent asymptomatic involvement of the prostate has been demonstrated in men with febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). In view of this, men with fUTI are often given a longer duration of antibiotic treatment; however, evidence to support this is limited.

Methods: We prospectively studied adult men with fUTI admitted under the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care hospital in southern India.  fUTI was defined as fever of ≥38°C with at least one symptom/sign of UTI and pyuria, requiring hospitalization. We estimated serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at enrollment, one month and three months after treatment completion. We assessed prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and estimated the serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels at baseline and after three months.

Results: We enrolled 64 men (median [IQR] age 53 [45-60] years); 50 patients completed follow-up. At baseline, 24 (38%) of 64 patients had elevated serum PSA values compared to age-specific upper limit. The median (IQR) serum PSA level was 2.15 (1.18-3.02) ng/mL and median (IQR) serum hs-CRP level was 2.23 (1.85-2.74) mg/dL (N=64). At three months, serum PSA levels decreased by ≥25% in 47 (94%) of 50 patients. The median (IQR) of prostatic volume was 25.4 (18.9-34) mL at baseline (N=64), and ≥10% decrease in prostatic volume was observed in 24 (48%) of 50 patients at three months. The change in the serum PSA levels did not correlate with clinical findings like prostatic tenderness or with prostatic volume changes. Further, serum PSA levels did not correlate with hs-CRP levels. On follow-up, seven patients had lower urinary tract symptoms; only one of them had recurrent fUTI.  

Conclusions: Asymptomatic prostatic involvement, although common in men with fUTI, does not seem to influence the treatment outcomes.
The Relationship between Social Justice Leadership, Trust in Principals and Student Motivation
Authors: Akman Yener
Published: November 2020

Motivation for school is an important concept which influences students’ academic, social and cultural development. Leadership behaviours to be displayed by school principals can be thought to affect the network of social relations in school and to support the climate of trust in school for students to develop positive attitudes towards the school. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the correlations between school principals’ social justice leadership behaviours, students’ trust in school principals and motivation for school. The study group was composed of 762 secondary school students from Altindag district of Ankara. The data were collected with social justice leadership scale, trust in the school principal scale and motivation for the school scale. The data were put to descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings demonstrated that students had moderate level of perceptions of school principals’ social justice leadership behaviours and trust in school principals and high level of motivation for school. Besides, significant correlations were also found between the variables. Additionally, it was found that social justice leadership predicted significantly trust in school principals and motivation for school. The findings showed that the social justice leadership behaviors of the school principal play a key role on students’ motivation and their trust in the principals.
200×200 µm2 structured light source
Authors: Hirose Kazuyoshi , Kamei Hiroki , Sugiyama Takahiro , Kurosaka Yoshitaka
Published: November 2020

3D structured illumination is important in high-speed 3D metrology where beam patterns are roughly categorized into multi-dot and fringe patterns. For example, large-scale multi-dot patterns are utilized for facial recognition in an iPhone X on the basis of an active stereo method, while fringe patterns are utilized in Grey code patterns or fringe projection profilometry including Fourier transform profilometry and the phase shifting profilometry, which is suitable for high-resolution measurement. Among these applications, the light sources include a combination of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and diffractive optical elements (DOEs), a projector, and so on. Recently, we demonstrated static arbitrary two-dimensional beam patterns without a zero-order beam from needle-tip sized integrable spatial-phase-modulating surface-emitting lasers (iPMSELs). Due to their compactness (they are one order of magnitude smaller than DOE), surface-emitting device, lack of zero-order beam, and ease of switching the beam patterns electrically, iPMSELs will be suitable as an ultra-compact light source for 3D metrology that not only downsizes the conventional light source but also contributes to 3D inspections in narrow spaces such as dental and endoscope examinations. In this context, we have examined two beam patterns (multi-dot and fringe) both without a zero-order beam by using the iPMSELs. In the former, we have demonstrated projection of large-scale dot patterns of more than 10,000 points, which is the same order of magnitude as points in a practical device from a 200×200-µm2 emitter. Since the emitter has approximately 1 mega scattering points, this structure enables 1-mega-pixel images in the wavenumber space, which are comparable to the images of a typical projector emitting several-mega-pixel images from several tens of centimeters. In the latter, we successfully shifted the fringe patterns, which is vital to applying the phase shifting profilometry, despite the superposition of the conjugate ±1st order beam patterns.
Multi-user volumetric 360° display based on retro-reflective transparent surfaces
Authors: Martinez Christophe , Lee Yann , Clement Nicolas , Sermet Frederic , Sarrasin Denis
Published: November 2020

We present in details the development of a 360° volumetric display based on the use of a transparent projection surface. The optical scheme derives from the Pepper’s ghost configuration, known as holographic display. Our optical system requires high angular diffusion efficiency and an innovative transparent retro-reflective surface has been developed for that purpose. This surface is made of sparse cube corner distribution and we give some elements of its design and characterization. We describe also the optical design of the 360° display and gave the feedback of its presentation to the public during a symposium.
2D beam steerer based on metalens on silicon photonics
Authors: Chang You-Chia , Chul Shin Min , Phare Christopher T. , Miller Steven A. , Shim Euijae , Lipson Michal
Published: November 2020

Beam steering with solid-state devices represents the cutting-edge technology for next-generation LiDARs and free-space communication transceivers. Here we demonstrate a platform based on a metalens on a 2D array of switchable silicon microring emitters. This platform enables scalable, efficient, and compact devices that steer in two dimensions using a single wavelength. We show a field of view of 12.4° × 26.8° using an electrical power of less than 83 mW, offering a solution for practical miniature beam steerers.
Ultraprecise Rydberg atomic localization using optical vortices
Authors: Jia Ning , Qian Jing , Kirova Teodora , Juzeliūnas Gediminas , Reza Hamedi Hamid
Published: November 2020

We propose a robust localization of the highly-excited Rydberg atoms
interacting with doughnut-shaped optical vortices. Compared with the earlier
standing-wave (SW)-based localization methods, a vortex beam can provide an
ultraprecise two-dimensional localization solely in the zero-intensity center,
within a confined excitation region down to the nanometer scale. We show that
the presence of the Rydberg-Rydberg interaction permits counter-intuitively much
stronger confinement towards a high spatial resolution when it is partially
compensated by a suitable detuning. In addition, applying an auxiliary SW
modulation to the two-photon detuning allows a three-dimensional confinement of
Rydberg atoms. In this case, the vortex field provides a transverse confinement,
while the SW modulation of the two-photon detuning localizes the Rydberg atoms
longitudinally. To develop a new subwavelength localization technique, our
results pave a path one step closer to reducing excitation volumes to the level
of a few nanometers, representing a feasible implementation for the future
experimental applications.
Multi-wavelength phase retrieval for coherent diffractive imaging
Authors: Malm Erik , Fohtung Edwin , Mikkelsen Anders
Published: November 2020

Phase retrieval is a numerical procedure concerned with the recovery of a complex-valued signal from measurements of its amplitude. We describe a generalization of this method for multi-wavelength data acquired in a coherent diffractive imaging experiment. It exploits the wavelength-dependent scaling of the support domain to recover separate reconstructions for each wavelength, providing new possibilities for coherent diffractive imaging experiments. Limitations on the number of wavelengths are discussed through adaptation of the constraint ratio, and the method’s performance is investigated as a function of the source spectrum, sample geometry, and degree of complexity through numerical simulations.
Storage and retrieval of slow-light dark solitons
Authors: Shou Chong , Huang Guoxiang
Published: November 2020

We show that stable slow-light dark solitons with finite continuous-wave background can be generated in a

Λ

-type atomic system via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). We also show that such dark solitons can be stored and retrieved with high efficiency and fidelity. Moreover, an optical routing of them can be realized via EIT in the system with a double-

Λ

-type level configuration.
QTL-Seq identifies quantitative trait loci of relative electrical conductivity associated with heat tolerance in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)
Authors: Song Hui , Huang Yunping , Gu Binquan
Published: November 2020

Heat is a major abiotic stress that seriously affects watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production. However, its effects may be mitigated through grafting watermelon to heat tolerant bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) rootstocks. Understanding the genetic basis of heat tolerance and development of reliable DNA markers to indirectly select for the trait are necessary in breeding for new varieties with heat tolerance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the inheritance of heat tolerance and identify molecular markers associated with heat tolerance in bottle gourd. A segregating F2population was developed from a cross between two heat tolerant and sensitive inbred lines. The population was phenotyped for relative electrical conductivity (REC) upon high temperature treatment which was used as an indicator for heat tolerance. QTL-seq was performed to identify regions associated with heat tolerance. We found that REC-based heat tolerance in this population exhibited recessive inheritance. Seven heat-tolerant quantitative trait loci (qHT1.1,qHT2.1,qHT2.2,qHT5.1,qHT6.1,qHT7.1, andqHT8.1) were identified withqHT2.1being a promising major-effect QTL. In theqHT2.1region, we identified three non-synonymous SNPs that were potentially associated with heat tolerance. These SNPs were located in the genes that may play roles in pollen sterility, intracellular transport, and signal recognition. Association of the three SNPs with heat tolerance was verified in segregating F2populations, which could be candidate markers for marker assisted selection for heat tolerance in bottle gourd. TheqHT2.1region is an important finding that may be used for fine mapping and discovery of novel genes associated with heat tolerance in bottle gourd.
Renoprotective and haemodynamic effects of adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist, pioglitazone, in renal vasculature of diabetic Spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Afzal Sheryar , Abdul Sattar Munavvar , Johns Edward James , Eseyin Olorunfemi A.
Published: November 2020

Pioglitazone, a therapeutic drug for diabetes, possesses full PPAR-γ agonist activity and increase circulating adiponectin plasma concentration. Plasma adiponectin concentration decreases in hypertensive patients with renal dysfunctions. Present study investigated the reno-protective, altered excretory functions and renal haemodynamic responses to adrenergic agonists and ANG II following separate and combined therapy with pioglitazone in diabetic model of hypertensive rats. Pioglitazone was given orally [10mg/kg/day] for 28 days and adiponectin intraperitoneally [2.5μg/kg/day] for last 7 days. Groups of SHR received either pioglitazone or adiponectin in combination. A group of Wistar Kyoto rats [WKY] served as normotensive controls, whereas streptozotocin administered SHRs served as diabetic hypertensive rats. Metabolic data and plasma samples were taken on day 0, 8, 21 and 28. In acute studies, the renal vasoconstrictor actions of Angiotensin II [ANGII], noradrenaline [NA], phenylephrine [PE] and methoxamine [ME] were determined. Diabetic SHRs control had a higher basal mean arterial blood pressure than the WKY, lower RCBP and plasma adiponectin, higher creatinine clearance and urinary sodium excretion compared to WKY [all P<0.05] which were normalized by the individual drug treatments and to greater degree following combined treatment. Responses to intra-renal administration of NA, PE, ME and ANGII were larger in diabetic SHR than WKY and SHRs [P<0.05]. Adiponectin significantly blunted responses to NA, PE, ME and ANG II in diabetic treated SHRs by 40%, whereas the pioglitazone combined therapy with adiponectin further attenuated the responses to adrenergic agonists by 65%. [all P <0.05]. These findings suggest that adiponectin possesses renoprotective effects and improves renal haemodynamics through adiponectin receptors and PPAR-γ in diabetic SHRs, suggesting that synergism exists between adiponectin and pioglitazone. A cross-talk relationship also supposed to exists between adiponectin receptors, PPAR-γ and alpha adrenoceptors in renal vasculature of diabetic SHRs.
Regulatory and evolutionary adaptation of yeast to acute lethal ethanol stress
Authors: Yang Jamie , Tavazoie Saeed
Published: November 2020

The yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaehas been the subject of many studies aimed at understanding mechanisms of adaptation to environmental stresses. Most of these studies have focused on adaptation to sub-lethal stresses, upon which a stereotypic transcriptional program called the environmental stress response (ESR) is activated. However, the genetic and regulatory factors that underlie the adaptation and survival of yeast cells to stresses that cross the lethality threshold have not been systematically studied. Here, we utilized a combination of gene expression profiling, deletion-library fitness profiling, and experimental evolution to systematically explore adaptation ofS.cerevisiaeto acute exposure to threshold lethal ethanol concentrations—a stress with important biotechnological implications. We found that yeast cells activate a rapid transcriptional reprogramming process that is likely adaptive in terms of post-stress survival. We also utilized repeated cycles of lethal ethanol exposure to evolve yeast strains with substantially higher ethanol tolerance and survival. Importantly, these strains displayed bulk growth-rates that were indistinguishable from the parental wild-type strain. Remarkably, these hyper-ethanol tolerant strains had reprogrammed their pre-stress gene expression states to match the likely adaptive post-stress response in the wild-type strain. Our studies reveal critical determinants of yeast survival to lethal ethanol stress and highlight potentially general principles that may underlie evolutionary adaptation to lethal stresses in general.
Clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ono Manabu , Kobayashi Seiichi , Hanagama Masakazu , Ishida Masatsugu , Sato Hikari , Makiguchi Tomonori , Yanai Masaru
Published: November 2020

Smoking-related interstitial lung abnormalities are different from specific forms of fibrosing lung disease which might be associated with poor prognoses. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities and that with pulmonary fibrosis are considered different diseases; however, they could share a common spectrum. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities. In this prospective observational study, we analyzed data from the Ishinomaki COPD Network Registry. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without comorbid interstitial lung abnormalities by comparing the annualized rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations per patient during the observational period. Among 463 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 30 (6.5%) developed new interstitial lung abnormalities during the observational period. After 1-to-3 propensity score matching, we found that the annualized rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations per patient during the observational period was 0.06 and 0.23 per year in the interstitial lung abnormality and control groups, respectively (P = 0.043). Our findings indicate slow progression of interstitial lung abnormality lesions in patients with pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Further, interstitial lung abnormality development did not significantly influence on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. We speculate that post-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease interstitial lung abnormalities might involve smoking-related interstitial fibrosis, which is different from specific forms of fibrosing lung disease associated with poor prognoses.
A cross-country and country-specific modelling of stock market performance, bank development and global equity index in emerging market economies: A case of BRICS countries
Authors: Kalu Ebere Ume , Arize Augustine C. , Okoro Okoro E. U. , Onaga Florence Ifeoma , Alio Felix Chukwubuzo
Published: November 2020

This study investigated in cross-country and panel form the interactions of bank development, stock market development and global equity index, focusing on the BRICS countries covering the period 1990 to 2018. We found a bidirectional causation between bank development (CPSGDP) and stock market performance as proxied by the depth of the markets (MCAPGDP) in the BRICS countries. Cointegration was also found using the panel cointegration framework and the bounds test for the ARDL estimators. This largely proves that a long-run relationship of both direct and reverse nature exists between bank development and stock market performance. For the bank development and market performance models respectively, all the error-correction terms were found to be negatively significant, indicating that they both share dynamic profile and adjust appreciably to deviations from equilibrium between the short run and the long run. The global equity index showed that stock market development interacts more with the global financial environment than bank development in the BRICS countries. Our findings support the complementarity and coevolution hypothesis in the stock market and bank development nexus.
In-vitro inhibitory effect of maternal breastmilk components on rotavirus vaccine replication and association with infant seroconversion to live oral rotavirus vaccine
Authors: Kazimbaya Katayi Mwila , Chisenga Caroline C. , Simuyandi Michelo , Phiri Cynthia Mubanga , Laban Natasha Makabilo , Bosomprah Samuel , Permar Sallie R. , Munsaka Sody , Chilengi Roma
Published: November 2020

Background

Despite contributing to a significant reduction in rotavirus associated diarrhoea in highly burdened low- and middle-income countries, live attenuated, oral rotavirus vaccines have lower immunogenicity and efficacy in these settings in comparison to more developed countries. Breastmilk has been implicated among factors contributing to this lowered oral vaccine efficacy. We conductedin-vitroexperiments to investigate the inhibitory effects of maternal antibody and other non-antibody components in breastmilk on rotavirus vaccine strain (Rotarix) multiplication in MA104 cell culture system and assessed associations within-vivovaccine seroconversion in vaccinated infants.

Methods

Breastmilk samples were collected from mothers before routine rotavirus vaccination of their infant at 6 weeks of age. For each sample, whole breastmilk, purified IgA, purified IgG and IgG and IgA depleted breastmilk samples were prepared as exposure preparations. A 96 well microtitre plate was set up for each sample including a control in which only MA104 cells were grown as well as a virus control with MA104 cells and virus only. The outcome of interest was 50% inhibition dilution of each of the exposure preparations calculated as the titer at which 50% of virus dilution was achieved. Samples from 30 women were tested and correlated to vaccine seroconversion status of the infant. HIV status was also correlated to antiviral breastmilk proteins.

Results

The mean 50% inhibitory dilution titer when whole breastmilk was added to virus infected MA104 cells was 14.3 (95% CI: 7.1, 22.7). Incubation with purified IgG resulted in a mean 50% inhibitory dilution of 5 (95%CI -1.6, 11.6). Incubating with purified IgA resulted in a mean 50% inhibitory dilution of 6.5 (95% CI -0.7, 13.7) and IgG and IgA depleted breastmilk did not yield any inhibition with a titer of 1.06 (95%CI 0.9, 1.2). Higher milk IgA levels contributed to a failure of infants to seroconvert. HIV was also not associated with any antiviral breastmilk proteins.

Discussion and conclusion

Whole breastmilk and breastmilk purified IgG and IgA fractions showed inhibitory activity against the rotavirus vaccine Rotarix™ whilst IgA and IgG depleted breastmilk with non-antibody breastmilk fraction failed to show any inhibition activityin-vitro. These findings suggest that IgA and IgG may have functional inhibitory properties and indicates a possible mechanism of how mothers in rotavirus endemic areas with high titres of IgA and IgG may inhibit viral multiplication in the infant gut and would potentially contribute to the failure of their infants to serocovert. There was not association of HIV with either lactoferrin, lactadherin or tenascin-C concentrations.
When and how do hospital nurses cope with daily stressors? A multilevel study
Authors: Martínez-Zaragoza Fermín , Benavides-Gil Gemma , Rovira Tatiana , Martín-del-Río Beatriz , Edo Silvia , García-Sierra Rosa , Solanes-Puchol Ángel , Fernández-Castro Jordi
Published: November 2020

Background

During their workday, nurses face a variety of stressors that are dealt with using different coping strategies. One criticism of the contextual models of work stress is that they fail to focus on individual responses like coping with stress. Neverthless, little is know about the momentary determinants of coping in nurses.

Objectives

To identify the momentary predictors of problem-focused approaching coping and emotion-focused approaching coping, as well as those for seeking social support and refusal coping strategies, during the working day in nurses.

Design

This study uses descriptive, correlational, two-level design with repeated measures.

Settings

Wards of two University hospitals.

Participants

A random cohort of 113 nurses was studied.

Methods

An ecological momentary assessment was made of demand, control, effort, reward, nursing task, coping, mood and fatigue, and of coping style by questionnaire. Multilevel two-level statistical analyses were performed in order to identify both within person and between person relationships.

Results

Different momentary types of coping were associated with different tasks. The problem-focused coping could be explained by the direct care and medication tasks, demand, planning coping style, mood, and negatively by acceptation coping style. Emotion-focused coping could be explained by documentation and medication tasks (negatively), mood, demand, distraction, and disengagement coping styles. Seeking social support coping could be explained by the task of communication, mood, fatigue (negatively), and seeking emotional support as a coping style. Refusal coping could be explained by mood, and the coping style of focusing and venting emotions. Refusal coping is not specific to any task.

Conclusions

The choice of the coping strategy depends on the task, of their appraisal and on the different styles of coping.
Factors associated with patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services among out-patients attending public health clinics: Questionnaire development and its application
Authors: Ismail Aniza , Gan Yan Nee , Ahmad Norfazilah
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Patient satisfaction is widely used to measure quality of healthcare by identifying potential areas for improvement. Aim of study is to assess patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services and its associated factors using newly developed questionnaire among outpatients attending public health clinics.

Materials and methods

Public Health Clinic Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PHC-PSQ) towards pharmacy services was developed using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s α. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 patients visiting the pharmacy in three randomly selected public health clinics recruited via systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a set of questionnaire including PHC-PSQ. Factors associated with patient satisfaction was analysed using multiple linear regression.

Results

Final PHC-PSQ consisted of three domains (administrative competency, technical competency and convenience of location) and 22 items with 69.9% total variance explained. Cronbach's α for total items was 0.96. Total mean score for patient satisfaction was 7.56 (SD 1.32). Older age and higher education were associated with lower patient satisfaction mean score. Patients who had visited the pharmacy more than once in the past three months, perceived to be in better health status and had a more correct general knowledge of pharmacists expressed higher patient satisfaction mean score.

Conclusions

PHC-PSQ is a newly developedtool to measure patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services in public health clinics in Malaysia. Patient satisfaction was relatively high. Age, education, frequency of visit, self-perceived health status and general knowledge of pharmacists were factors significantly associated with patient satisfaction.