bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimethyl fumarate-related immune and transcriptional signature is associated with clinical response in multiple sclerosis-treated patients
Authors: Sánchez-Sanz Alicia , García-Martín Santiago , Sabín-Muñoz Julia , Moreno-Torres Irene , Elvira Víctor , Al-Shahrour Fátima , García-Grande Aranzazu , Ramil Elvira , Rodríguez-De la Fuente Ofir , Brea-Álvarez Beatriz , García-Hernández Ruth , García-Merino Antonio , Sánchez-López Antonio José
Published: July 2023

Background and objective

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an immunomodulatory drug approved for the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS). The identification of response biomarkers to DMF is a necessity in the clinical practice. With this aim, we studied the immunophenotypic and transcriptomic changes produced by DMF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its association with clinical response.

Material and methods

PBMCs were obtained from 22 RRMS patients at baseline and 12 months of DMF treatment. Lymphocyte and monocyte subsets, and gene expression were assessed by flow cytometry and next-generation RNA sequencing, respectively. Clinical response was evaluated using the composite measure “no evidence of disease activity” NEDA-3 or “evidence of disease activity” EDA-3 at 2 years, classifying patients into responders (n=15) or non-responders (n=7), respectively.

Results

In the whole cohort, DMF produced a decrease in effector (TEM) and central (TCM) memory T cells in both the CD4+ and CD8+ compartments, followed by an increase in CD4+ naïve T cells. Responder patients presented a greater decrease in TEM lymphocytes. In addition, responder patients showed an increase in NK cells and were resistant to the decrease in the intermediate monocytes shown by non-responders. Responder patients also presented differences in 3 subpopulations (NK bright, NK dim and CD8 TCM) at baseline and 4 subpopulations (intermediate monocytes, regulatory T cells, CD4 TCM and CD4 TEMRA) at 12 months. DMF induced a mild transcriptional effect, with only 328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after 12 months of treatment. The overall effect was a downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes, chemokines, and activators of the NF-kB pathway. At baseline, no DEGs were found between responders and non-responders. During DMF treatment a differential transcriptomic response was observed, with responders presenting a higher number of DEGs (902 genes) compared to non-responders (189 genes).

Conclusions

Responder patients to DMF exhibit differences in monocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations and a distinguishable transcriptomic response compared to non-responders that should be further studied for the validation of biomarkers of treatment response to DMF.
Type and duration of water stress influence host selection and colonization by exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Ranger Christopher M. , Parajuli Madhav , Gresham Sean , Barnett Jenny , Villani Sara , Walgenbach James , Baysal-Gurel Fulya , Owen James S. , Reding Michael E.
Published: July 2023

Fungus-farming ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini tunnel into plants and trees to establish chambers for cultivating their nutritional fungal mutualists and rearing offspring. Some xyleborine ambrosia beetles preferentially infest and perform better in living but weakened trees. Flood stress predisposes horticultural tree crops to infestation, but the impact of drought stress has not been well studied. Our objectives were to compare the effects of flood stress vs. drought stress on host selection and colonization by xyleborine ambrosia beetles and to assess the duration of flooding. Container-grown Cornus florida L. trees were flood stressed using a pot-in-pot system to submerge the roots in water while drought-stressed conditions were imposed by withholding irrigation and precipitation. When experimental trees were held under field conditions for 14 days, 7.5 × more ambrosia beetles landed on stems of the flood-stressed than on the drought-stressed trees. During two additional experiments over 14 and 22 days, ambrosia beetles tunneled into the flood-stressed trees but not the drought-stressed or standard irrigation trees. By simultaneously deploying trees that were flood stressed for varying lengths of time, it was found that more tunnel entrances, and xyleborine adults and offspring were recovered from trees that were flooded for 1–16 days and 7–22 days than from trees that were flooded for 14–29 days and 28–43 days. These results indicate that acute and severe drought stress does not predispose C. florida to infestation, but flood stress and the duration of flooding influence ambrosia beetle host selection and colonization. Understanding the role of host quality on ambrosia beetle preference behavior will assist with predicting the risk of infestation of these opportunistic insects in horticultural tree crops.
Present and future flooding and erosion along the NW Spanish Mediterranean Coast
Authors: Sánchez-Artús Xavier , Gracia Vicente , Espino Manuel , Sierra Joan Pau , Pinyol Jordi , Sánchez-Arcilla Agustín
Published: July 2023

Coastal flooding and eros-ion caused by extreme events are the main factors responsible for beach hazards. This effect will be exacerbated by the sea level rise induced by climate change. The present work determines the vulnerability to erosion and flooding along 55 beaches grouped in different coastal archetypes, representative of the Catalan coast. The vulnerability assessment has been done through the numerical simulation of different combinations for projected waves and mean water levels under present conditions and the climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for the year 2100. A storm event approach has been used to determine coastal flooding and erosion with return periods of 50, 100, and 500 years using the XBeach numerical model. Results show that shoreline retreat is not the best proxy to characterize the erosion. The low-lying nature of the coast, the non-presence of well-developed berms, and the existence of river mouth and torrents govern the coastal flooding. The sea level rise appears to be a dominant variable in coastal hazards.
Comparison of different therapeutic approaches for pulmonary cryptococcosis in kidney transplant recipients: a 15-year retrospective analysis
Authors: Chen Shuyang , Yu Guoqing , Chen Meiyan , You Yanjing , Gu Lei , Wang Qing , Wang Huijuan , Lai Guoxiang , Yu Zongyang , Wen Wen
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) due to weakened cell-mediated immunity caused by immunosuppressors. However, the nonspecific symptoms associated with PC can often lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 23 kidney transplant recipients with PC between April 2006 to January 2021.

Results

The median time from transplantation to the diagnosis of pathology-proven PC 4.09  years. Seventeen patients presented respiratory symptoms, including sputum-producing cough and dyspnea. Additionally, three patients also developed central nervous system (CNS) infections. Chest CT scans frequently revealed nodule-shaped lesions, which can mimic lung carcinoma. Serological tests did not demonstrate any specific changes. Nine patients received surgical resection as treatment. Fourteen patients were treated with antifungal medication only. No recurrence was observed in all 23 patients.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that fever and sputum-producing cough are common symptoms of PC, and cryptococcal meningitis should not be excluded if corresponding symptoms occur. Fluconazole is a common and effective antifungal agent. Surgical resection should be considered for patients who do not respond well to antifungal therapy. Clinicians should be aware of these findings when evaluating transplant recipients with respiratory symptoms.
Planning an artificial intelligence diabetic retinopathy screening program: a human-centered design approach
Authors: Scanzera Angelica C. , Beversluis Cameron , Potharazu Archit V. , Bai Patricia , Leifer Ariel , Cole Emily , Du David Yuzhou , Musick Hugh , Chan R. V. Paul
Published: July 2023

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States and throughout the world. With early detection and treatment, sight-threatening sequelae from DR can be prevented. Although artificial intelligence (AI) based DR screening programs have been proven to be effective in identifying patients at high risk of vision loss, adoption of AI in clinical practice has been slow. We adapted the United Kingdom Design Council’s Double-Diamond model to design a strategy for care delivery which integrates an AI-based screening program for DR into a primary care setting. Methods from human-centered design were used to develop a strategy for implementation informed by context-specific barriers and facilitators. The purpose of this community case study is to present findings from this work in progress, including a system of protocols, educational documents and workflows created using key stakeholder input.
A protease activity-based machine-learning approach as a complementary tool for conventional diagnosis of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Tanaka Kazuki , Tanigawa Naoki , Song Isaiah , Komatsu Toru , Kuriki Yugo , Tanaka Yukari , Fukudo Shin , Urano Yasuteru , Fukuda Shinji
Published: July 2023

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has no clinically accepted biomarkers even though it affects a large number of individuals worldwide. To address this lack of understanding, we evaluated peptidase activity in fecal samples from 35 patients with diarrheal IBS without symptom exacerbation (IBS-n) and 35 healthy subjects using a library of 384 fluorescent enzymatic substrate probes. IBS-n patients had high trypsin-like peptidase activity for cleavage of C-terminal lysine and arginine residues and low elastase-like activity for cleavage of C-terminal serine and glycine residues. These fluorescent probe library data, together with diagnostic machine-learning techniques, were able to accurately predict IBS-n. This approach can be used to diagnose diseases where no clinically accepted biomarkers exist, in which fecal enzyme activity is altered and also suggests that the development of new therapies targeting enzyme activities is possible.
Emotion regulation strategies and the two-dimensional model of adult attachment: a pilot study
Authors: Domic-Siede Marcos , Guzmán-González Mónica , Burgos Josefa , Carvallo Catalina , Flores-Guerra Camila , Fredes-Valenzuela Constanza , Suazo Javiera , Véliz-García Oscar , Calderón Carlos , Sánchez-Corzo Andrea , Perrone-Bertolotti Marcela , Marín-Medina Jennifer
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Emotion Regulation plays a crucial role in human’s daily lives. Extensive research has shown that people with different attachment orientations exhibit divergencies in how they perform emotion regulation strategies.

Methods

44 adults performed an experimental emotion regulation task in which they were instructed to attend, reappraise, or suppress their emotions while viewing negative and neutral images taken from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). Afterward, participants rated valence, arousal, and emotional dominance elicited by the images. Additionally, attachment orientations were measured using the ECR-12 questionnaire.

Results

Results showed a relationship between attachment avoidance and the level of arousal during the reappraisal condition; specifically, the higher attachment avoidance levels, the greater the emotional intensity during the implementation of cognitive reappraisal strategy. Such results suggest an association between failing in downregulate intense emotions using cognitive reappraisal when there are higher levels of attachment avoidance. Consistently, we also found that lower dominance during reappraisal was associated with more levels of avoidance.

Conclusion

These results indicate that people with higher levels of attachment avoidance experience difficulties when using the cognitive reappraisal strategy to reduce the emotional impact produced by negative emotional stimuli. Our findings reinforce the idea that avoidant people experience high physiological activation when experience emotions.
A predictive coding approach to psychedelic virtual-induced hallucinations and creative cognition in aging
Authors: Magni Giulia , Tuena Cosimo , Riva Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

Recent research has investigated the potential of psychedelic substances in treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders. In particular, there has been a growth in studies concerning the intersection of psychedelics, Virtual Reality (VR), and Cognitive Flexibility (CF). Indeed, the use of immersive technology allows the simulation of the perceptual and cognitive effects of psychedelic substances without the potential risks associated with them. CF is strongly associated with creative cognition, a complex cognitive mechanism involved in creative thinking and associated with the prefrontal cortex and the neural networks supporting executive functions, memory, attention, and spontaneous modes of thought. The Bayesian brain approach, which is rooted in predictive coding, has emerged as a promising framework for understanding the effects of psychedelic hallucinations on cognitive functioning. Psychedelic substances may enhance creativity by inducing a state of CF, allowing for a wider range of associations and possibilities to be explored and increasing openness to experience. A decline in cognitive abilities, including creative processing and divergent thinking, is observed during the aging process. In particular, studies on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) show poorer performance in executive functions, including CF. The present paper suggests that psychedelic hallucinations induced by VR may help optimize the balance between top-down expectations and bottom-up sensory information. Therefore, enhanced CF and creativity may be crucial during the aging process for maintaining cognitive functions and preventing pathological conditions.
Predictive factors and clinicopathological characteristics of outcome in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a single-institution study
Authors: Wan Zheng , Wang Bing , Yao Jing , Li Qing , Miao Xin , Jian Yanbing , Huang Sisi , Lai Shengwei , Li Chen , Tian Wen
Published: July 2023

Objective

To elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Method

A total of 24912 thyroid carcinoma patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital from 2005 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 94 patients (39 males and 55 females, a male-female ratio of 1:1.4) fulfilled the selection criteria. Of these, 73 patients had undergone surgery. The clinical and pathological data were collected from each enrolled patient. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic factors. All analyses were performed with the SPSS version 26.0 and R version 1.2.5033 in the R Studio environment.

Results

The specimens included 20 cases of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma complicated with papillary thyroid carcinoma, 17 cases complicated with follicular thyroid carcinoma, 34 cases complicated with other pathological types and 23 with a separate entity. The patient demonstrated a large age span, median age was 57 years (range 8–85 years, average 55.20 ± 15.74 years). The survival time of the 94 cases was calculated, and the mean Overall survival time was 33 (range, 1-170) months, and the mean Recurrence-free survival time was 14 (range, 1-90) months. Recurrence-free mortality is related to the age at diagnosis, extrathyroidal extension and Associated thyroid cancer (p<0.05). In contrast, overall mortality is related to the age at diagnosis, sex, extrathyroidal extension, T stage (AJCC 8th), surgery and radiation (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Middle-aged and elderly patients are still at high risk for poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The pathologic results of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma are varied, and reasonable treatment has an important impact on the prognosis of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Common practice patterns in the diagnosis and management of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome: a survey study of uveitis specialists
Authors: Choo Charlene H. , Acharya Nisha R. , Shantha Jessica G.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) syndrome is an inflammatory condition characterized by bilateral, granulomatous panuveitis with or without systemic manifestations, and accounts for up to 18% of referrals for panuveitis at tertiary centers in the United States of America. Despite ongoing research, there is limited evidence and no clear consensus on how to diagnose and treat patients with VKH, leading to variations in practice patterns among uveitis specialists.

Methods

An anonymous, online survey was distributed to uveitis specialists in the American Uveitis Society (AUS). The survey included 21 questions that asked for non-identifiable demographics and covered topics such as preferred imaging modalities, treatment for the first episode of VKH, and perceived efficacy of immunomodulatory therapy (IMT).

Results

A total of 104 surveys were included for analysis, representing a 38.4% response rate from the AUS listserv. A majority of respondents were uveitis fellowship trained and practiced in North America in an academic setting. Fluorescein angiography and enhanced depth imaging with optical coherence tomography were rated as the most consistently useful methods for the diagnosis of VKH. For treatment of acute initial-onset VKH, responses were divided between a preference for high-dose systemic corticosteroids with IMT (61.5%) and without IMT (37.5%). Methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil were the most common IMTs to be used as first-line therapies, but adalimumab and infliximab were perceived to be the most effective for the treatment for VKH.

Discussion

While there are some common trends in the practice patterns for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with VKH, there was no clear consensus on the topic of IMT. There was a slight preference among uveitis specialists to use both IMT and systemic corticosteroids for the first episode of acute VKH.
Rapamycin treatment induces tubular proteinuria: role of megalin-mediated protein reabsorption
Authors: Peres Rodrigo A. S. , Peruchetti Diogo B. , Silva-Aguiar Rodrigo P. , Teixeira Douglas E. , Gomes Carlos P. , Takiya Christina M. , Pinheiro Ana Acacia S. , Caruso-Neves Celso
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Rapamycin is an immunosuppressor that acts by inhibiting the serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1. Therapeutic use of rapamycin is limited by its adverse effects. Proteinuria is an important marker of kidney damage and a risk factor for kidney diseases progression and has been reported in patients and animal models treated with rapamycin. However, the mechanism underlying proteinuria induced by rapamycin is still an open matter. In this work, we investigated the effects of rapamycin on parameters of renal function and structure and on protein handling by proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs).

Methods: Healthy BALB/c mice were treated with 1.5 mg/kg rapamycin by oral gavage for 1, 3, or 7 days. At the end of each treatment, the animals were kept in metabolic cages and renal function and structural parameters were analyzed. LLC-PK1 cell line was used as a model of PTECs to test specific effect of rapamycin.

Results: Rapamycin treatment did not change parameters of glomerular structure and function. Conversely, there was a transient increase in 24-h proteinuria, urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCr), and albuminuria in the groups treated with rapamycin. In accordance with these findings, rapamycin treatment decreased albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate uptake in the renal cortex. This effect was associated with reduced brush border expression and impaired subcellular distribution of megalin in PTECs. The effect of rapamycin seems to be specific for albumin endocytosis machinery because it did not modify renal sodium handling or (Na++K+)ATPase activity in BALB/c mice and in the LLC-PK1 cell line. A positive Pearson correlation was found between megalin expression and albumin uptake while an inverse correlation was shown between albumin uptake and UPCr or 24-h proteinuria. Despite its effect on albumin handling in PTECs, rapamycin treatment did not induce tubular injury measured by interstitial space and collagen deposition.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that proteinuria induced by rapamycin could have a tubular rather than a glomerular origin. This effect involves a specific change in protein endocytosis machinery. Our results open new perspectives on understanding the undesired effect of proteinuria generated by rapamycin.
Resonant THz detection by periodic multi-gate plasmonic FETs
Authors: Zhang Yuhui , Shur Michael
Published: July 2023

We show that a periodic multi-grated-gate structure can be applied to THz plasmonic FETs (TeraFETs) to improve the THz detection sensitivity. The introduction of spatial non-uniformity by separated gate sections creates regions with distinct carrier concentrations and velocities, giving rise to harmonic behaviors. The resulting frequency spectrum of DC voltage response is composed of “enhanced” and “suppressed” regions. In the enhanced region, the amplitude of response voltage can be enlarged up to ∼100% compared to that in a uniform channel device. The distribution pattern of those regions is directly related to the number of gate sections (Ns). A mapping of response amplitude in a Ns-frequency scale is created, which helps distinguish enhanced/suppressed regions and locate optimal operating parameters.
High-brightness electron injectors for high-duty cycle X-ray free electron lasers
Authors: Sannibale Fernando
Published: July 2023

The successful development in the last two decades of X-ray free electron lasers (FELs) with their revolutionary brightness performance has been tightly dependent on the parallel development of electron guns and injectors capable of providing the high-brightness electron beams required by FELs lasing at these short wavelengths. The ultimate brightness delivered by a linear accelerator (linac) is already set at its injector and the remaining part of the accelerator can be only designed to preserve the injector performance. The technology to be used for the accelerator part of an X-Ray FEL strongly depends on the duty-cycle at which the FEL operates. Normal-conducting, room-temperature, copper-based radio frequency (RF) technology is typically used for low duty-cycles of up to approximately 10−3. For higher duty-cycles and up to continuous wave (CW) operation, the linac must rely on superconductive RF technology because, with the higher duty-cycle, the increasingly higher power dissipated in normal conducting RF structures becomes excessive for the warm technology. The situation changes in the lower energy part of the accelerator, where injector schemes, based on direct current, normal-conducting, and superconducting RF electron guns, are demonstrating the beam quality performance required by high-duty-cycle X-ray FELs. In this paper we start with a description of the requirements for such injectors, followed by an overview of the pursued technologies and schemes, and by a discussion on the main differences in terms of beam dynamics between low and high duty-cycle injectors.
Writing knowledge, practices, efficacy, interests, attitudes, and beliefs of deaf education teachers: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wolbers Kimberly , Dostal Hannah , Graham Steve , Branum-Martin Lee , Allen Thomas , Holcomb Leala , Saulsburry Rachel
Published: July 2023

Writing teachers play an extraordinarily important role in their students’ writing development. Teachers’ motivational beliefs, such as attitudes toward writing, perceptions of their efficacy to teach writing, or preparation to use evidence-based instructional practices, impact their writing instruction, which directly affects the advancement of students’ writing skills. Deaf writers are a subpopulation of writers who may face discriminatory beliefs toward their writing development stemming from ableism, audism, or linguicism. Deaf education teachers may doubt their abilities to teach bilingual/multilingual students or teach deaf students experiencing language deprivation. The current study investigates whether deaf education teachers’ beliefs can be fostered through an intensive one-year professional development (PD) program designed specifically for deaf education teachers. In this randomized controlled trial, we examine the extent to which the participation of deaf education teachers in specialized PD and subsequent writing instruction implementation (n = 26) impacts their pedagogical contentknowledge, use of evidence-basedpracticesfor teaching writing,interest,attitudes,efficacyin teaching writing, andepistemological beliefsabout writing compared to teachers in a business as usual condition (n = 24). Pre-post regression analyses indicate statistically significant group differences (with the treatment group scoring higher) on all variables except attitude and some epistemological beliefs. We speculate that specialized, sustained PD paired with supported implementation of writing instruction and ongoing teacher reflection are contributing factors to changes in teachers’ motivational beliefs.
Assessment of physical activity among adolescents: a guide to the literature
Authors: Sedlačík Marek , Lacinová Veronika , Hasilová Kamila
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this article is to systematically review articles and annual reports concerning young peoples' physical activity (PA) and linking this to considerations of the state and national defense.

Method

A systematic search of the literature included an analysis of publications accessible in global databases and other available books, student papers, and projects. The articles and reports were categorized based on year of publication, methods used, age of respondents, sample size, country, and digital object identifier (DOI).

Results

The result of this search is an overview of the extent and manner in which the worldwide scientific community is addressing the current situation and the long-term development of the physical fitness of adolescents. This publication also maps to what extent professional publications and articles are addressing PA from the perspective of the needs of armies and armed forces of various countries around the world.

Conclusions

The article provides a systematic overview of methods used to measure PA, and an overview of articles dealing with assessing PA. The examined articles indicate that from the perspective of not only national defense, but also health and overall quality of life, in particular, we need initiatives to encourage and motivate young people to increase their everyday PA. The research therefore also includes an overview of factors that may considerably influence PA. The results ascertained in this publication will be used, i.a. for investigating a longitudinal defense research project of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic in which the authors are participating.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with (a)symmetric tonic neck primitive reflexes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Meng , Yu Jing , Kim Hyun-Duck , Cruz Angelita Bautista
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Investigation on the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and primary reflexes is in the initial stage, with considerable differences in the findings. This study evaluated the association between ADHD and primitive reflexes using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Data were obtained from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, American Psychological Association Psyclnfo, and Education Resources Information Center), Embase, Scopus, and ProQuest. Articles were searched from the date of inception of the respective databases to January 01, 2023, and StataCorp Stata (version 15) was used for the analysis.

Results

Four articles with 229 samples were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed a significant positive and moderate correlation between ADHD and primitive reflexes, particularly asymmetric tonic neck reflex: summary r value = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.27–0.64; symmetric tonic neck reflex: summary r value = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.25–0.52. Overall, findings from the sub-group analysis indicate that the behavioral problem measuring tool (Conners’ scale), sex, and primitive reflex test could significantly moderate the relationships between ADHD and ATNR and STNR primitive reflexes.

Conclusion

ADHD symptoms in children are closely related to the non-integration of (a)symmetric tonic neck primitive reflexes. Longitudinal or experimental studies should be conducted to reveal the causal relationship between ADHD and primitive reflexes in the future.
A translational model for early childhood intervention: developing, implementing, and scaling-up effective practices
Authors: Shaw Kallen R. , Salloum Ramzi G. , Snyder Patricia A.
Published: July 2023

Early intervention (EI) researchers (i.e., those focused on children birth to age 3 and their families who experience early vulnerabilities) often engage in translational research and implementation science at the intersection of public health, pediatrics, and EI. There is currently a significant research-to-practice gap in EI despite ongoing efforts to close it. Translational research and implementation science are promising approaches to promote transdisciplinary collaborations among researchers and to move EI research into practice, thus supporting positive outcomes for young children and families. This commentary proposes a contemporary alignment of translational research phases for EI. Two literature reviews served to inform development of this alignment: (1) a narrative literature review identified existing applications of translational phases to EI; and (2) a rapid review identified examples of existing behavior-focused translational models across disciplines. Several case examples of current translational research being conducted in EI are discussed and classified according to their respective translational phase. The proposed alignment and case examples provide a basis for transdisciplinary conversations among those working across the various fields and disciplines relevant to EI research. A shift in EI research to reflect a translational and implementation focus will help bridge the research-to-practice gap and, most importantly, speed the movement of scientific evidence into real-world contexts to positively impact young children and families.
Connecting the science and practice of implementation – applying the lens of context to inform study design in implementation research
Authors: Harvey Gillian , Rycroft-Malone Jo , Seers Kate , Wilson Paul , Cassidy Christine , Embrett Mark , Hu Jiale , Pearson Mark , Semenic Sonia , Zhao Junqiang , Graham Ian D.
Published: July 2023

The saying “horses for courses” refers to the idea that different people and things possess different skills or qualities that are appropriate in different situations. In this paper, we apply the analogy of “horses for courses” to stimulate a debate about how and why we need to get better at selecting appropriate implementation research methods that take account of the context in which implementation occurs. To ensure that implementation research achieves its intended purpose of enhancing the uptake of research-informed evidence in policy and practice, we start from a position that implementation research should be explicitly connected to implementation practice. Building on our collective experience as implementation researchers, implementation practitioners (users of implementation research), implementation facilitators and implementation educators and subsequent deliberations with an international, inter-disciplinary group involved in practising and studying implementation, we present a discussion paper with practical suggestions that aim to inform more practice-relevant implementation research.
What decades of policies aimed at agricultural water pollution can teach us about agricultural climate change mitigation: a US perspective
Authors: Secchi Silvia
Published: July 2023

The Inflation Reduction Act has catalyzed resources for climate change mitigation in several sectors of the US economy, including agriculture. As these activities ramp up, a clear delineation of the US approach to agricultural climate mitigation is emerging. Practices and policy frameworks are similar to those used to address water quality concerns from agriculture, which started in the 1970s. In fact, some of the programs being deployed to address climate change are the same. In both cases, policies rely on a voluntary approach and subsidies, and focus on practices not outcomes. The experience of agricultural water quality programs can provide useful insights on the effectiveness of the approach being used in agricultural climate change mitigation. Voluntary practices have generally been ineffective in improving water quality. More comprehensive policies, or at least better targeted ones, and more system-based analytical capacity are needed.
Discriminant canonical tool for inferring the effect of αS1, αS2, β, and κ casein haplotypes and haplogroups on zoometric/linear appraisal breeding values in Murciano-Granadina goats
Authors: Fernández Álvarez Javier , Navas González Francisco J. , León Jurado José M. , González Ariza Antonio , Martínez Martínez María A. , Pastrana Carlos Iglesias , Pizarro Inostroza María G. , Delgado Bermejo Juan V.
Published: July 2023

Genomic tools have shown promising results in maximizing breeding outcomes, but their impact has not yet been explored. This study aimed to outline the effect of the individual haplotypes of each component of the casein complex (αS1, β, αS2, and κ-casein) on zoometric/linear appraisal breeding values. A discriminant canonical analysis was performed to study the relationship between the predicted breeding value for 17 zoometric/linear appraisal traits and the aforementioned casein gene haplotypic sequences. The analysis considered a total of 41,323 zoometric/linear appraisal records from 22,727 primiparous does, 17,111 multiparous does, and 1,485 bucks registered in the Murciano-Grandina goat breed herdbook. Results suggest that, although a lack of significant differences (p > 0.05) was reported across the predictive breeding values of zoometric/linear appraisal traits for αS1, αS2, and κ casein, significant differences were found for β casein (p < 0.05). The presence of β casein haplotypic sequences GAGACCCC, GGAACCCC, GGAACCTC, GGAATCTC, GGGACCCC, GGGATCTC, and GGGGCCCC, linked to differential combinations of increased quantities of higher quality milk in terms of its composition, may also be connected to increased zoometric/linear appraisal predicted breeding values. Selection must be performed carefully, given the fact that the consideration of apparently desirable animals that present the haplotypic sequence GGGATCCC in the β casein gene, due to their positive predicted breeding values for certain zoometric/linear appraisal traits such as rear insertion height, bone quality, anterior insertion, udder depth, rear legs side view, and rear legs rear view, may lead to an indirect selection against the other zoometric/linear appraisal traits and in turn lead to an inefficient selection toward an optimal dairy morphological type in Murciano-Granadina goats. Contrastingly, the consideration of animals presenting the GGAACCCC haplotypic sequence involves also considering animals that increase the genetic potential for all zoometric/linear appraisal traits, thus making them recommendable as breeding animals. The relevance of this study relies on the fact that the information derived from these analyses will enhance the selection of breeding individuals, in which a desirable dairy type is indirectly sought, through the haplotypic sequences in the β casein locus, which is not currently routinely considered in the Murciano-Granadina goat breeding program.
LSTM-CNN Network-Based State-Dependent ARX Modeling and Predictive Control with Application to Water Tank System
Authors: Kang Tiao , Peng Hui , Peng Xiaoyan
Published: July 2023

Industrial process control systems commonly exhibit features of time-varying behavior, strong coupling, and strong nonlinearity. Obtaining accurate mathematical models of these nonlinear systems and achieving satisfactory control performance is still a challenging task. In this paper, data-driven modeling techniques and deep learning methods are used to accurately capture a category of a smooth nonlinear system’s spatiotemporal features. The operating point of these systems may change over time, and their nonlinear characteristics can be locally linearized. We use a fusion of the long short-term memory (LSTM) network and convolutional neural network (CNN) to fit the coefficients of the state-dependent AutoRegressive with the eXogenous variable (ARX) model to establish the LSTM-CNN-ARX model. Compared to other models, the hybrid LSTM-CNN-ARX model is more effective in capturing the nonlinear system’s spatiotemporal characteristics due to its incorporation of the strengths of LSTM for learning temporal characteristics and CNN for capturing spatial characteristics. The model-based predictive control (MPC) strategy, namely LSTM-CNN-ARX-MPC, is developed by utilizing the model’s local linear and global nonlinear features. The control comparison experiments conducted on a water tank system show the effectiveness of the developed models and MPC methods.
Balancing Control of an Absolute Pressure Piston Manometer Based on Fuzzy Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control
Authors: Wu Hongda , Zhai Xianyi , Gao Teng , Wang Nan , Zhao Zongsheng , Pang Guibing
Published: July 2023

As an international standard pressure-measuring instrument, the absolute pressure piston manometer’s working medium is gas, so the actual working process will be affected by many internal uncertainties and external disturbances, leading to its long stability time and poor performance. In this paper, a fuzzy linear active disturbance rejection control strategy (FLADRC) for absolute pressure piston manometers is proposed to address these problems. First, the characteristics of the main components are analyzed according to the actual working principle of the system to establish a theoretical model of the controlled system. Second, the corresponding linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC) is designed according to the model. The principle of fuzzy control is introduced to adaptively adjust the controller parameters of the LADRC in real time, which improves the disadvantages of the LADRC parameters, which are difficult to rectify and have poor immunity to disturbances due to fixed parameters, and the stability of the control method is subsequently demonstrated. Finally, a simulation model is built in the Simulink environment in MATLAB, and three different pressure operating points are selected for the corresponding experiments to make a comparative analysis with Kp, PID, and LADRC. The results show that FLADRC enables the absolute pressure piston manometer to achieve better stability and greater immunity to disturbances. This also verifies the effectiveness and feasibility of the control strategy in practical engineering applications.
Effects of Orange Peel Biochar and Cipangopaludina chinensis Shell Powder on Soil Organic Carbon Transformation in Citrus Orchards
Authors: Hu Lening , Qin Rui , Zhou Liming , Deng Hua , Li Ke , He Xunyang
Published: July 2023

In view of the continuous decline in organic carbon content in citrus orchard soil, to explore the effects of biochar and farmland waste on the transformation of organic carbon in citrus orchard soil. In this study, the soil of a citrus orchard in Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, was collected. The citrus peel and the Cipangopaludina chinensis shell were used as raw materials, the citrus peel was used to prepare biochar, and the Cipangopaludina chinensis shell was powdered. The materials were added to the soil in different proportions. A 30-day indoor incubation soil was conducted to investigate the effects of adding different proportions of citrus peel biochar and Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder on the transformation of organic carbon in citrus orchard soil. Compared with the control group, the addition of 4% orange peel biochar, 2% orange peel biochar + 2% Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder, 2.6% orange peel residue biochar + 1.3% Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder, and 3% orange peel biochar + 1% Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder increased soil organic carbon by 22.49%, 20.06%, 19.81%, and 21.35%, respectively. Compared with the control, 2.6% orange peel biochar + 1.3% Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder had the best effect on the improvement of soil organic carbon components, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and readily oxidized organic carbon (ROC) increased by 19.81%, 64.88%, 67.81%, and 19.44%, respectively. Different proportions of orange peel residue biochar and Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder were applied to the soil of the citrus orchard to effectively increase the soil organic carbon component content and enzyme activities. This study provides a theoretical basis for the carbon sequestration mechanism of citrus orchard soil using different proportions of orange peel residue biochar and Cipangopaludina chinensis shell powder.
Multi-Omics Approaches in Plant–Microbe Interactions Hold Enormous Promise for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Kumar Umesh , Raj Subhisha , Sreenikethanam Arathi , Maddheshiya Rahul , Kumari Seema , Han Sungsoo , Kapoor Krishan K. , Bhaskar Rakesh , Bajhaiya Amit K. , Gahlot Dharmender K.
Published: July 2023

Plants do not grow in isolation; they interact with diverse microorganisms in their habitat. The development of techniques to identify and quantify the microbial diversity associated with plants contributes to our understanding of the complexity of environmental influences to which plants are exposed. Identifying interactions which are beneficial to plants can enable us to promote healthy growth with the minimal application of agrochemicals. Beneficial plant–microbial interactions assist plants in acquiring inaccessible nutrients to promote plant growth and help them to cope with various stresses and pathogens. An increased knowledge of plant–microbial diversity can be applied to meet the growing demand for biofertilizers for use in organic agriculture. This review highlights the beneficial effects of soil–microbiota and biofertilizers on improving plant health and crop yields. We propose that a multi–omics approach is appropriate to evaluate viability in the context of sustainable agriculture.
E-Cadherin Immunostaining in Equine Melanocytic Tumors
Authors: Pimenta José , Pires Isabel , Prada Justina , Cotovio Mário
Published: July 2023

Melanocytic tumors are an important neoplastic disease in human and veterinary medicine, presenting large differences regarding tumor behavior between species. In horses, these tumors present a prolonged benign behavior, with rare invasiveness and metastases. In humans and small animals, invasion and metastasis have been associated with an Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, where the loss of E-cadherin expression plays a key role in tumor progression. This process and the role of E-cadherin have not yet been evaluated in equine melanocytic tumors. This study aimed to assess the immunolabeling of E-cadherin in equine melanocytic tumors and relate this with clinicopathological variables. A total of 72 equine melanocytic tumors were classified as benign and malignant and evaluated by immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin expression. A different pattern of immunostaining was found, contrasting with other species. A total of 69.4% of tumors presented raised immunolabeling of E-cadherin, with 70.7% of melanomas remaining with high expression. The typical loss of immunostaining was not seen in malignant melanomas and no differences were found between benign and malignant melanomas regarding E-cadherin immunostaining. The high immunolabeling of E-cadherin may contribute to the low invasiveness of these tumors, and it is in accordance with the benign behavior of equine melanoma and with the genetic factors associated with its development.
Review and Evaluation of Ostertagia ostertagi Antibody ELISA for Application on Serum Samples in First Season Grazing Calves
Authors: Charlier Johannes , Wang Tong , Verschave Sien H. , Höglund Johan , Claerebout Edwin
Published: July 2023

The O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay is widely used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes using milk samples from adult dairy cows. This assay is potentially also useful to analyse serum samples from first-season grazing (FSG) calves, providing a more cost-effective and robust diagnostic technique than the current serum pepsinogen assay. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its use in serum samples from FSG calves has not yet been conducted. In this study, we first reviewed the available scientific literature in which the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA was applied to serum samples from FSG calves. Then, a field study was conducted to compare results from the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA assay with a serum pepsinogen assay on a set of 230 serum samples from 11 commercial dairy herds (seven in Belgium and four in Sweden). The literature review showed an increase in mean antibody levels, expressed as optical density ratio (ODR) values, from <0.4 (early grazing season) to values of 0.7–1.1 (late grazing season). Three out of five studies found a negative correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels measured during the late grazing season and weight gain, while the other two studies found no correlation between the two variables. Our field studies showed a good correlation between O. ostertagi antibody levels and the results from the pepsinogen assay. Both indicators were negatively related to average daily weight gain in the Belgian herds, but not in the Swedish herds. Overall, the results suggest that the O. ostertagi-Ab ELISA test can be a useful tool in FSG calves and could replace the use of the serum pepsinogen assay at the end of the grazing season for general monitoring purposes.
Shape, Microstructure, and Chemical Composition of Pearls from the Freshwater Clam Diplodon chilensis Native to South America
Authors: Collado Gonzalo A. , Valladares Moisés A. , Suárez Cristian , Seguel Mathias , Cabello-Guzmán Gerardo
Published: July 2023

The capability to produce pearls is widespread in the phylum Mollusca, including bivalves of the superfamily Unionoidea. Here, we identified and characterized natural pearls formed by Diplodon chilensis, a freshwater clam native to southern South America, using samples obtained from two lakes located in the Chilean Patagonia. Pearls were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Naturally formed pearls were found in both male and female D. chilensis specimens. Pearls are produced in different shapes, including spherical, ellipsoidal, buttoned, and bumpy, ranging in size from 200 µm to 1.9 mm. The internal microstructure is composed of irregular polygonal tablets, about 0.40 to 0.55 μm in thickness. EDX analysis showed that pearls are composed of calcium carbonate. FTIR and Raman spectra recorded several peaks attributable to the aragonite in pearls of this species, as has been shown in other mollusks. In addition to these results, pearls of different colors are illustrated.