bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing Fluorescent Conjugated Polymers through One Pot Enzymatic Polymerization for Sensing Applications
Authors: Kiratitanavit W
Published: August 2021

Fluorescence based polymeric sensors are simple, extremely sensitive, versatile and adaptable for detection of different types of analysts. However, the multi-step synthesis using toxic chemicals followed by purification is often required for obtaining these fluorophores. Here the possibility of utilizing enzymes as the catalyst, for the one step polymerization of naturally occurring monomers to yield fluorescent conjugated polymers is presented. Four monomers, 4- Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HPA), Hydroxytyrosol (HDT), Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and Serotonin (Sero) were polymerized using Horseradish peroxidase as the biocatalyst. The broad peaks of IR spectrum were obtained from all polymers comparing with the sharp peaks of monomers. The decrease of UV-Vis intensity at significant wavelength of each monomer was found when the polymer was formed. These polymers exhibit fluorescence with significant stokes shift around 100 nm rendering them useful in fluorescence quenching-based sensors. In the detection of lead ion, DNT and TNT in solution through fluorescence-quenching are studied. Both nitro aromatic compounds were detected from electron interaction between phenol and nitro-aromatic compound structures that poly(HPA) and poly(Sero) detected at 1 ppm level. From having carboxylic group, poly(HPA) detected lead at 50 ppb at neutral pH.
An Assessment of the Implications of Biodiesel Consumption Promotion in the Transportation Sector for Thailand
Authors: Purathanang T , Wattana S
Published: August 2021

This paper assesses the implications of the promotion of biodiesel consumption in the Thai transportation sector in terms of energy, environment and agriculture. In order to analyse the implications, scenarios are modelled quantitatively to assess their impacts for the period 2019-2037. Scenarios developed in this paper represent various percentages of biodiesel blending mandates including REF (7% biodiesel blend), B10 (10% biodiesel blend) and B20 (20% biodiesel blend). The analytical tool employed to assess the scenario impacts is the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) model. The analyses suggest that an increase in percentage share of biodiesel blend would contribute to a reduction in diesel consumption and hence crude oil requirement. Consequently, it would generate less CO2 emissions and especially less Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) - an issue of contemporary environmental health concerns. It is, further, revealed that higher shares of biodiesel in diesel would result in an increase demand for oil palm production in order to meet a rising growth in biodiesel production. Such an increase in demand for oil palm feedstock would result in higher commodity prices and therefore higher income for farmers. However, a high oil palm production demand would require a substantial crop cultivation area. The effort to increase palm planting and productivity to meet the growing demand is a challenging task. In order to overcome this challenge, this paper suggests the implementation of agricultural zoning and the advancement of crop species and biodiesel conversion technology.
Progressive Web App for Crop Field Data Collection
Authors: Koysawat Phunon , Boonprakob Chayanon , Saengprachatanarug Khwantri , Chaosakul Arnut , Wanjantuk Panupong , Wongphati Mahisorn , Santiteerakul Santawat , Chinapas Adulwit , Saikaew Kanda Runapongsa
Published: August 2021

General farming needs to have a matter of data collection. For efficient cultivation planning and harvesting, information must be collected for evaluation and analysis to make each harvest decision. For example, we need to assess plants’ ages, changes in size, color, and other senses (sweetness, smell, etc.) to plan for different crop field growth phases. Also, data collection problems occur due to the need to collect data in multiple locations simultaneously. Collecting information manually in the form of documents makes the process challenging to analyze. There is a need to collect field data more efficiently. Thus, this article proposes developing a web application to replace manual note-taking to reduce errors in recording and gathering data and missing data. Users can locate and modify crop field locations using latitude and longitude and work seamlessly with the Google Earth application. Furthermore, to accommodate practical use in real-life, the web application developed using Progressive Web Application (PWA) can perform without the Internet. Besides, PWA web applications are as fast as using an application on a smartphone without downloading and saving space. Based on the experimental result, compared with the process without using the application, it was found that the proposed application could reduce time in collecting sugarcane sampling data by about 45.28%
Prediction of Vegetarian Food Preferences for the Aging Society
Authors: Kengpol Athakorn , Punyota Wilaitip
Published: August 2021

The objective of this research is to predict vegetarian food preferences from chronic disease among the elderly by using a hybrid method that includes both an artificial neural network (ANN) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), called ANN-PSO. ANN is a mathematical model that mimics the human brain that is intelligent in learning, prediction, recognition, classification by practice, and solving complex problems. In this study, data collection of vegetarian food preferences, including gender (male and female), a chronic disease selected from the diseases that are common among the elderly, and a vegetarian menu suitable for the chronic disease. Data were collected by interviewing 100 elderly people. Then, the data were analysed using artificial neural networks and applied the particle swarm optimization method to determine the appropriate parameters (weights) for the neural network. The results indicate that the application of PSO along with ANN can accurately predict vegetarian preferences for the aging society. The accurate vegetarian prediction model resulted in increasing consumption of vegetarian food and allowed manufacturers to produce meals or present menus tailored to the individual preferences of the elderly.
Comparison of machine learning algorithms for mortality prediction in intensive care patients on multi-center critical care databases
Authors: Pattalung Thanakron Na , Chaichulee Sitthichok
Published: August 2021

Current scoring systems for mortality prediction in intensive care patients are usually applied once after 24 hours of admission, as all parameters needed for scoring are not yet available. In addition, several parameters are dynamic and may change according to patient conditions. It is hypothesized that mortality prediction should be made at the earliest when relevant information becomes available and continuously during patient stay. This study focuses on the development of algorithms for mortality prediction from vital signs and laboratory results based on the data from three recent critical care databases, i.e. the eICU collaborative research database, the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database, and the MIMIC-IV database. We employed logistic regression, κ-nearest neighbours, neural networks and tree-based classifiers for such problem. Our models had the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) ranging from 0.67 – 0.95. Reliable mortality prediction can be made as early as the first 4 hours after ICU admission. We provided comprehensive analysis on different time frames used for prediction, models trained with top attributes, models trained with data combination, and missing values. Our results provide guidelines and benchmarks for the development of such algorithm in local narratives.
Quantification of climate change mitigation potential at Novi Sad landfill
Authors: Milovanovic D , Zivancev M , Ubavin D , Bezanovic V , Petrovic M
Published: August 2021

Unsanitary landfills and inadequate waste management system represent the 3rd largest global anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the environment. Waste management system in Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, significantly contributes to the national carbon footprint. Unsanitary Municipal solid waste landfill in Novi Sad receives and deposits mixed waste without any treatment, thus causing the organic waste to biodegrade within the landfill body, and produce and emit the landfill gas (mostly CH4 and CO2) in the environment. Other potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions from waste management system include vehicles used for waste collection, machinery used at the landfill and landfill fires. The purpose of this study is to determine total baseline emissions of relevant greenhouse gases from the waste management system in Novi Sad, and to estimate and quantify the emission reduction potential for defined organic waste treatment scenario. The potential scenarios for organic waste diversion and treatment from the landfill include composting, anaerobic digestion, mechanical biological treatment, waste to energy, etc. Quantification of baseline emissions and climate change mitigation potential are estimated using the Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool, the model developed by Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
Performance Evaluation of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine on Highways
Authors: Shoib Abdul Rashid , Binti Azhar Siti Khadijah , Didane Djamal Hissein , Mohammed Akmal Nizam , Ogab Mohammed , Afolabi Lukmon Owolabi
Published: August 2021

The consumption of electricity at highways is increasing over time, consequently, more fossil fuel is burned to generate more electrical energy. However, this expensive cost of burning fossil fuels can be saved by replacing them with renewable energy sources such as wind energy. Wind energy can be generated by using a wind turbine. Therefore, this study aims to develop a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) that can work effectively in highway wind speed conditions while evaluating its performance in terms of torque and power by using a simulation approach. The simulation involves the use of K-omega shear-stress transport (SST) as the turbulence viscosity model. The VAWT undergoes two types of tests during the simulation process. In Test 1, the wind turbine is tested with a various number of blades at constant wind speed to find which model has the best performance in terms of torque and power output. Then, the selected model with the better output proceeds to Test 2 where it is tested with different sizes of blade radius. The results have shown that a Savonius wind turbine with five blades produces more torque and power output compared to the other rotors with two, three and four blades reaching the maximum at 140 RPM. In terms of blade radius, the model with a 400 mm radius has a better performance and capable of producing higher torque and power output than the other blade sizes.
Cluster decomposition principle and two-electron wave function of the Cooper pair in the BCS superconducting state
Authors: Higuchi Katsuhiko , Higuchi Masahiko
Published: August 2021

We present the explicit forms of the maximum eigenvalue and the corresponding eigenfunction for the second-order reduced density matrix (RDM2) of the BCS superconducting state (SS). Using these quantities, we deal with two topics in the present paper. As the first topic, it is shown that the cluster decomposition principle holds in the BCS-SS. This proof gives a theoretical foundation that the abnormal density can be chosen as the order parameter of the SS. As the second topic, it is shown that such an eigenfunction is spin singlet and spatially extends isotopically, and further that the mean distance of two electrons which consists of the above eigenfunction is in a good agreement with Pippard’s coherence length. This means that maximum geminal of the RDM2 of the BCS-SS can be regarded as the Cooper pair itself which are condensed to the same energy level in a number of

O

N

.
Discourses between the Public and the Private: Transnational Families at the Crossroads
Authors: Purkarthofer Judith , Lanza Elizabeth , Berg Mina Finstad
Published: August 2021

Raising a child is a challenging venture, regardless of where one lives in the world. Most children are raised in their families; however, many states have welfare services if the child’s well-being is at stake. Scandinavian countries follow a rather strict policy in placing the child’s individual rights above those of the family, and Norway has child welfare legislation that applies to all children in the country, regardless of their status, nationality or citizenship. This institutional structure has raised issues about how family life is negotiated in society. In this article, we analyze the ways in which language and culture are used to address expectations of (good) normal family life in both private and public discourses with implications for transnational families. We thus problematize the notion of the family as a private domain or space. Furthermore, by examining institutional involvement in child-rearing, we extend research on family language policy to contexts of foster care. We thereby raise the discussion to a societal level about private and public expectations towards family life in a late-modern society.
Genome sequencing data analysis for rare disease gene discovery
Authors: Umlai Umm-Kulthum Ismail , Bangarusamy Dhinoth Kumar , Estivill Xavier , Jithesh Puthen Veettil
Published: August 2021

Rare diseases occur in a smaller proportion of the general population, which is variedly defined as less than 200 000 individuals (US) or in less than 1 in 2000 individuals (Europe). Although rare, they collectively make up to approximately 7000 different disorders, with majority having a genetic origin, and affect roughly 300 million people globally. Most of the patients and their families undergo a long and frustrating diagnostic odyssey. However, advances in the field of genomics have started to facilitate the process of diagnosis, though it is hindered by the difficulty in genome data analysis and interpretation. A major impediment in diagnosis is in the understanding of the diverse approaches, tools and datasets available for variant prioritization, the most important step in the analysis of millions of variants to select a few potential variants. Here we present a review of the latest methodological developments and spectrum of tools available for rare disease genetic variant discovery and recommend appropriate data interpretation methods for variant prioritization. We have categorized the resources based on various steps of the variant interpretation workflow, starting from data processing, variant calling, annotation, filtration and finally prioritization, with a special emphasis on the last two steps. The methods discussed here pertain to elucidating the genetic basis of disease in individual patient cases via trio- or family-based analysis of the genome data. We advocate the use of a combination of tools and datasets and to follow multiple iterative approaches to elucidate the potential causative variant.
qTeller: a tool for comparative multi-genomic gene expression analysis
Authors: Woodhouse Margaret R , Sen Shatabdi , Schott David , Portwood John L , Freeling Michael , Walley Justin W , Andorf Carson M , Schnable James C
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Over the last decade, RNA-Seq whole-genome sequencing has become a widely used method for measuring and understanding transcriptome-level changes in gene expression. Since RNA-Seq is relatively inexpensive, it can be used on multiple genomes to evaluate gene expression across many different conditions, tissues and cell types. Although many tools exist to map and compare RNA-Seq at the genomics level, few web-based tools are dedicated to making data generated for individual genomic analysis accessible and reusable at a gene-level scale for comparative analysis between genes, across different genomes and meta-analyses.

Results

To address this challenge, we revamped the comparative gene expression tool qTeller to take advantage of the growing number of public RNA-Seq datasets. qTeller allows users to evaluate gene expression data in a defined genomic interval and also perform two-gene comparisons across multiple user-chosen tissues. Though previously unpublished, qTeller has been cited extensively in the scientific literature, demonstrating its importance to researchers. Our new version of qTeller now supports multiple genomes for intergenomic comparisons, and includes capabilities for both mRNA and protein abundance datasets. Other new features include support for additional data formats, modernized interface and back-end database and an optimized framework for adoption by other organisms’ databases.

Availability and implementation

The source code for qTeller is open-source and available through GitHub (https://github.com/Maize-Genetics-and-Genomics-Database/qTeller). A maize instance of qTeller is available at the Maize Genetics and Genomics database (MaizeGDB) (https://qteller.maizegdb.org/), where we have mapped over 200 unique datasets from GenBank across 27 maize genomes.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Values-Based Scenarios of Water Security: Rights to Water, Rights of Waters, and Commercial Water Rights
Authors: Jenkins Willis , Rosa Lorenzo , Schmidt Jeremy , Band Lawrence , Beltran-Peña Areidy , Clarens Andres , Doney Scott , Emanuel Ryan E , Glassie Alison , Quinn Julianne , Rulli Maria Cristina , Shobe William , Szeptycki Leon , D'Odorico Paolo
Published: August 2021

Although a wide body of scholarly research recognizes multiple kinds of values for water, water security assessments typically employ just some of them. In the present article, we integrate value scenarios into a planetary water security model to incorporate multiple water-related social values and illustrate trade-offs among them. Specifically, we incorporate cultural values for environmental flows needed to sustain ecosystem function (rights of waters), the water requirements of a human right to food (rights to water), and the economic value of water to commercial enterprise (commercial water rights). Pairing quantitative hydrological modeling with qualitative systems of valuing, we suggest how to depict the available water for realizing various combinations of the values underlying those rights. We account for population growth and dietary choices associated with different socioeconomic pathways. This pluralist approach incorporates multiple kinds of values into a water security framework, to better recognize and work with diversity in cultural valuation of water.
Between Commerciality and Authenticity: The Imaginary of Social Media Influencers in the Platform Economy
Authors: Arriagada Arturo , Bishop Sophie
Published: August 2021

Influencers are highly visible tastemakers who professionally publish content on social media platforms. In their work, influencers are tasked with reconciling their contradictory positioning—they are both promoters of consumption, and marshals of “authentic” sociality and community. Influencers thus organize their social world in ways that enable them to justify moving between two contradictory poles of commerciality and authenticity. In this article, we argue that these navigations necessitate “influencer imaginaries.” This concept was drawn from, first, in-depth interviews with 35 Chilean social media influencers, and second, from participant observation with advertising agencies who hire them. The influencer “imaginary” sheds light on how individuals experience and justify the commodification of the self and forms of knowledge as subject to valuation in markets when they communicate their brands. Thus, the imaginary was shown to emerge from three intertwined narratives: to resolve information asymmetries in markets; differentiate influencers from celebrities and advertisers as average people; and negotiate self-definition with regard to agencies, audiences, and themselves.
Intravenous Injection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA Vaccine Can Induce Acute Myopericarditis in Mouse Model
Authors: Li Can , Chen Yanxia , Zhao Yan , Lung David Christopher , Ye Zhanhong , Song Wenchen , Liu Fei-Fei , Cai Jian-Piao , Wong Wan-Man , Yip Cyril Chik-Yan , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Sridhar Siddharth , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Chu Hin , Kok Kin-Hang , Jin Dong-Yan , Zhang Anna Jinxia , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: August 2021

Background

Post-vaccination myopericarditis is reported after immunization with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. The effect of inadvertent intravenous injection of this vaccine on the heart is unknown.

Methods

We compared the clinical manifestations, histopathological changes, tissue mRNA expression, and serum levels of cytokine/chemokine and troponin in Balb/c mice at different time points after intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) vaccine injection with normal saline (NS) control.

Results

Although significant weight loss and higher serum cytokine/chemokine levels were found in IM group at 1–2 days post-injection (dpi), only IV group developed histopathological changes of myopericarditis as evidenced by cardiomyocyte degeneration, apoptosis, and necrosis with adjacent inflammatory cell infiltration and calcific deposits on visceral pericardium, although evidence of coronary artery or other cardiac pathologies was absent. Serum troponin level was significantly higher in IV group. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike antigen expression by immunostaining was occasionally found in infiltrating immune cells of the heart or injection site, in cardiomyocytes and intracardiac vascular endothelial cells, but not skeletal myocytes. The histological changes of myopericarditis after the first IV-priming dose persisted for 2 weeks and were markedly aggravated by a second IM- or IV-booster dose. Cardiac tissue mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon (IFN)-β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α increased significantly from 1 dpi to 2 dpi in the IV group but not the IM group, compatible with presence of myopericarditis in the IV group. Ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes was consistently found in the IV group. All other organs appeared normal.

Conclusions

This study provided in vivo evidence that inadvertent intravenous injection of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines may induce myopericarditis. Brief withdrawal of syringe plunger to exclude blood aspiration may be one possible way to reduce such risk.
Pre-Hospital Administration of Remdesivir During a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Outbreak in a Skilled Nursing Facility
Authors: Dunay Megan A , McClain Sarah L , Holloway Rick L , Norris Sarah L W , Bendixsen Randall Talie , Mohr Caitlin E , Sasaki Brent H , Coones Joseph A , Vietri Nicholas J
Published: August 2021

Completion of a 5-day course of remdesivir was associated with approximately 17-fold increased odds of survival among a sample of 54 nursing home residents with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during the course of an outbreak from October to December 2020. Remdesivir was well tolerated; administration was logistically feasible in a pre-hospital environment.
Some Effects of endo-Brevicomin Background on Southern Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Aggregation Behavior
Authors: Sullivan Brian T , Brownie Cavell
Published: August 2021

Semiochemical background in the environment can influence insect orientation to release points of the same or different semiochemicals. endo-Brevicomin is a pheromone component of the tree-killing bark beetle Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) that has a biphasic dose–response curve, enhancing attraction at low release rates but reducing attraction at high rates. We investigated the effect of artificial manipulation of background levels of endo-brevicomin on D. frontalis responses to sources of aggregation attractant in the field. Traps baited with the aggregation pheromone component frontalin and the host odor alpha-pinene were deployed either with or without a background of endo-brevicomin produced by three surrounding dispensers of this semiochemical each located 20 m away. Two tested levels of endo-brevicomin background caused catches to increase by an order of magnitude above those in the absence of background. Presence of background also altered the beetles' biphasic dose–response when endo-brevicomin dispensers were added to traps. Background reduced or concealed attraction-enhancement otherwise observed for low-release dispensers added to traps, and it decreased the release rate necessary to produce reductions in catches. We propose that spatial variability in abundance of natural, background sources of endo-brevicomin in the environment (i.e., infested trees) is a cause of the observed variability in effects of endo-brevicomin dispensers on southern pine beetle behavior in the field. Furthermore, our results illustrate the potential complexity of the density-dependent effects of biphasic pheromone components on bark beetle mass attack and colonization behavior.
Enhanced prediction of atrial fibrillation and mortality among patients with congenital heart disease using nationwide register-based medical hospital data and neural networks
Authors: Giang Kok Wai , Helgadottir Saga , Dellborg Mikael , Volpe Giovanni , Mandalenakis Zacharias
Published: August 2021

Aims

To improve short-and long-term predictions of mortality and atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) from a nationwide population using neural networks (NN).

Methods and results

The Swedish National Patient Register and the Cause of Death Register were used to identify all patients with CHD born from 1970 to 2017. A total of 71 941 CHD patients were identified and followed-up from birth until the event or end of study in 2017. Based on data from a nationwide population, a NN model was obtained to predict mortality and AF. Logistic regression (LR) based on the same data was used as a baseline comparison. Of 71 941 CHD patients, a total of 5768 died (8.02%) and 995 (1.38%) developed AF over time with a mean follow-up time of 16.47 years (standard deviation 12.73 years). The performance of NN models in predicting the mortality and AF was higher than the performance of LR regardless of the complexity of the disease, with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic of >0.80 and >0.70, respectively. The largest differences were observed in mortality and complexity of CHD over time.

Conclusion

We found that NN can be used to predict mortality and AF on a nationwide scale using data that are easily obtainable by clinicians. In addition, NN showed a high performance overall and, in most cases, with better performance for prediction as compared with more traditional regression methods.
Risk factors and their contribution to population health in the European Union (EU-28) countries in 2007 and 2017
Authors: Santos João Vasco , Gorasso Vanessa , Souza Júlio , Wyper Grant M A , Grant Ian , Pinheiro Vera , Viana João , Ricciardi Walter , Haagsma Juanita A , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Plass Dietrich , Freitas Alberto
Published: August 2021

Background

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study has generated a wealth of data on death and disability outcomes in Europe. It is important to identify the disease burden that is attributable to risk factors and, therefore, amenable to interventions. This paper reports the burden attributable to risk factors, in deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), in the 28 European Union (EU) countries, comparing exposure to risks between them, from 2007 to 2017.

Methods

Retrospective descriptive study, using secondary data from the GBD 2017 Results Tool. For the EU-28 and each country, attributable (all-cause) age-standardized death and DALY rates, and summary exposure values are reported.

Results

In 2017, behavioural and metabolic risk factors showed a higher attributable burden compared with environmental risks, with tobacco, dietary risks and high systolic blood pressure standing out. While tobacco and air quality improved significantly between 2007 and 2017 in both exposure and attributable burden, others such as childhood maltreatment, drug use or alcohol use did not. Despite significant heterogeneity between EU countries, the EU-28 burden attributable to risk factors decreased in this period.

Conclusion

Accompanying the improvement of population health in the EU-28, a comparable trend is visible for attributable burden due to risk factors. Besides opportunities for mutual learning across countries with different disease/risk factors patterns, good practices (i.e. tobacco control in Sweden, air pollution mitigation in Finland) might be followed. On the opposite side, some concerning cases must be highlighted (i.e. tobacco in Bulgaria, Latvia and Estonia or drug use in Czech Republic).
Minireview: Epidemiological impact of arboviral diseases in Latin American countries, arbovirus-vector interactions and control strategies
Authors: Segura Nidya A , Muñoz Ana L , Losada-Barragán Mónica , Torres Orlando , Rodríguez Anny K , Rangel Héctor , Bello Felio
Published: August 2021

Mosquitoes are the most crucial insects in public health due to their vector capacity and competence to transmit pathogens, including arboviruses, bacterias and parasites. Re-emerging and emerging arboviral diseases, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), constitute one of the most critical health public concerns in Latin America. These diseases present a significant incidence within the human settlements increasing morbidity and mortality events. Likewise, among the different genus of mosquito vectors of arboviruses, those of the most significant medical importance corresponds to Aedes and Culex. In Latin America, the mosquito vector species of YFV, DENV, ZIKV, and CHIKV are mainly Aedes aegypti and Ae. Albopictus. Ae. aegypti is recognized as the primary vector in urban environments, whereas Ae. albopictus, recently introduced in the Americas, is more prone to rural settings. This minireview focuses on what is known about the epidemiological impact of mosquito-borne diseases in Latin American countries, with particular emphasis on YFV, DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV, vector mosquitoes, geographic distribution, and vector-arbovirus interactions. Besides, it was analyzed how climate change and social factors have influenced the spread of arboviruses and the control strategies developed against mosquitoes in this continent.
Spatiotemporal Asymmetry in Metachronal Rowing at Intermediate Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Herrera-Amaya Adrian , Seber Elizabeth K , Murphy David W , Patry Wyatt L , Knowles Thomas S , Bubel MacKenzie M , Maas Amy E , Byron Margaret L
Published: August 2021

In drag-based swimming, individual propulsors operating at low Reynolds numbers (where viscous forces dominate over inertial forces) must execute a spatially asymmetric stroke to produce net fluid displacement. Temporal asymmetry (that is, differing duration between the power vs. recovery stroke) does not affect the overall generated thrust in this time-reversible regime. Metachronal rowing, in which multiple appendages beat sequentially, is used by a wide variety of organisms from low to intermediate Reynolds numbers. At the upper end of this range, inertia becomes important, and increasing temporal asymmetry can be an effective way to increase thrust. However, the combined effects of spatial and temporal asymmetry are not fully understood in the context of metachronal rowing. To explore the role of spatiotemporal asymmetry in metachronal rowing, we combine laboratory experiments and reduced-order analytical modeling. We measure beat kinematics and generated flows in two species of lobate ctenophores across a range of body sizes, from 7 to 40 mm in length. We observe characteristically different flows in ctenophores of differing body size and Reynolds number, and a general decrease in spatial asymmetry and increase in temporal asymmetry with increasing Reynolds number. We also construct a one-dimensional mathematical model consisting of a row of oscillating flat plates whose flow-normal areas change with time, and use it to explore the propulsive forces generated across a range of Reynolds numbers and kinematic parameters. The model results show that while both types of asymmetry increase force production, they have different effects in different regions of the parameter space. These results may have strong biological implications, as temporal asymmetry can be actively controlled while spatial asymmetry is likely to be partially or entirely driven by passive fluid-structure interaction.
Metachronal Coordination of Multiple Appendages for Swimming and Pumping
Authors: Byron Margaret , Santhanakrishnan Arvind , Murphy David
Published: August 2021

Synopsis

As a strategy for creating fluid flow, metachronal motion is widespread across sizes and species, including a broad array of morphologies, length scales, and coordination patterns. Because of this great diversity, it has not generally been viewed holistically: The study of metachrony for swimming and pumping has historically been taxonomically siloed, in spite of many commonalities between seemingly disparate organisms. The goal of the present symposium was to bring together individuals from different backgrounds, all of whom have made substantial individual contributions to our understanding of the fluid dynamics of metachronal motion. Because these problems share a common physical–mathematical basis, intentionally connecting this community is likely to yield future collaborations and significant scientific discovery. Here, we briefly introduce the concept of metachronal motion, present the benefits of creating a research network based on the common aspects of metachrony across biological systems, and outline the contributions to the symposium.
Forum: Did “America First” Construct America Irrelevant?
Authors: Boyer Mark A , Thies Cameron G , Pauly Louis W , Shih Chih-yu , De Alba-Ulloa Jessica , Singh Shweta , Bigo Didier , Messari Nizar , Youde Jeremy , Zvobgo Kelebogile , Tierney Michael J , Jackson Emily B , Parajon Eric
Published: August 2021

Did “America First” construct America irrelevant? Answering this question has been the subject of much debate in the popular press, the policy community, and scholarly circles. That asked, it is worth remembering that scholars and policymakers have long argued that one of the most enduring and important aspects of the US role in the world is American structural power. Perhaps nowhere has the Trump administration's approach to world affairs been more notable in perhaps diminishing US structural power than in withdrawing from multilateral forums. On an individual level of analysis, however, Trump's ever-changing, whiplash style of leadership made allies and adversaries less certain about American actions, intentions, and the direction of future policy trajectories. These issues point to the possibility that such impacts were more about Trump being Trump and less about a decline in American structural power. Only time will tell whether President Biden is able to rebuild from that structural wreckage. With these ideas in mind, the forum editors asked scholars representing diverse voices and perspectives to provide varying analyses of America First, specifically in light of the emergence of multiple global challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic to racial reckoning through the climate crisis and more. As you will see, each author brings a decidedly different lens to the questions we pose below and also generates divergent analyses of the present and the future.
Response Surface Methodology to Optimize Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Polygonum cuspidatum
Authors: Ruan Ningjie , Jiao Zhen , Tang Linglong
Published: August 2021

Background

Resveratrol and emodin are abundant polyhydroxy compounds that are found in the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Polygonum cuspidatum and widely used due to their excellent antioxidant properties.

Objective

This study aimed to obtain the maximum extraction yields of resveratrol and emodin from P. cuspidatum via green extraction.

Methods

The extracts were acquired through supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction with ethanol as cosolvent. The independent variables of the extraction process, namely temperature (45–55°C), pressure (20–30 MPa), and ethanol content (80–120 mL/L), were optimized by response surface methodology.

Results

These variables had marked effects on the yields of resveratrol and emodin. Second-order polynomial mathematical models were developed and applied to predict the optimal extraction conditions (i.e., temperature of 51.8°C, pressure of 25.34 MPa, and ethanol content of 110.83 mL/L). Under these conditions, confirmatory experiments showed that the yields of resveratrol and emodin were 2.564 ± 0.121 and 2.804 ± 0.108 mg/g, respectively. High antioxidant properties, strong free radical scavenging abilities, and good reducing abilities were observed for the extracts.

Conclusion

Resveratrol and emodin can be successfully extracted from P. cuspidatum by SC-CO2, and RSM can optimize the process.

Highlights

The SC-CO2 extraction of resveratrol and emodin from P. cuspidatum was developed, and RSM was successfully used to optimize the extraction parameters and predict the optimal conditions.
Evaluation of the molecular response of corpora lutea to manganese–amino acid complex supplementation in gilts
Authors: Studer Jamie M , Kiefer Zoe E , Goetz Brady M , Keating Aileen F , Baumgard Lance H , Rambo Zachary J , Schweer Wesley P , Wilson Mark E , Rapp Christof , Ross Jason W
Published: August 2021

Porcine pregnancy establishment and maintenance are dependent on the formation of functional corpora lutea (CL). Manganese (Mn) is critical for CL function as it is a cofactor for Mn superoxide dismutase and enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis. Previously, we have shown that luteal Mn content increased and luteal progesterone (P4) concentration decreased in the CL of gilts fed diets supplemented with an Mn–amino acid complex (Availa-Mn; Zinpro Corporation) compared with controls fed Mn sulfate. Importantly, serum P4 increased from 0 (estrus onset) to 12 d post estrus (dpe), as expected, but P4 abundance in circulation was not affected by dietary Mn source (P = 0.15). We hypothesized that a more bioavailable Mn source (which results in increased luteal Mn content) would alter the luteal proteome and abundance of mRNA associated with steroid biogenesis during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Postpubertal gilts (n = 32) were assigned to one of the four gestation diets. The control diet (CON) contained 20 ppm of supplemental Mn in the form of Mn sulfate. Three additional diets included 20 (TRT1), 40 (TRT2), or 60 (TRT3) ppm of supplemental Mn in the form of a Mn–amino acid complex instead of Mn sulfate. Dietary treatment began at estrus synchronization (approximately 20 d before estrus) and continued through 12 dpe when gilts were euthanized and tissues were collected. Protein and total RNA extracts from the CL were used for proteomic analysis via label-free liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to assess global protein abundance and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess specific mRNA abundance, respectively. Compared with CON, 188, 382, and 401 proteins were differentially abundant (P < 0.10) in TRT1, TRT2, and TRT3, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment software revealed that proteins involved in P4 signaling and cholesterol synthesis were downregulated in CL of gilts fed Mn–amino acid complex compared with controls. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that relative transcript abundance of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes (CYP11A1 and StAR) in CL tissue was decreased in gilts from TRT2 compared with CON (P = 0.02), but TRT1 and TRT3 were not affected (P ≥ 0.30). Collectively, these data support our hypothesis that a more bioavailable dietary Mn source may influence luteal function by altering the abundance of protein and mRNA involved in steroidogenesis.
Incidences of deep vein thrombosis and major bleeding under the administration of fondaparinux for thromboprophylaxis after periacetabular osteotomy: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Fukushima Kensuke , Saito Hiroki , Koyama Tomohisa , Ohashi Yoshihisa , Uchiyama Katsufumi , Takahira Naonobu , Takaso Masashi
Published: August 2021

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an effective joint-preserving procedure for patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Although deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is considered a serious complication of orthopaedic surgery, there is no consensus regarding a thromboprophylaxis strategy after PAO. We have routinely administered fondaparinux for DVT prophylaxis in adult patients undergoing PAO. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidences of DVT and major bleeding under the administration of fondaparinux for thromboprophylaxis after PAO. A total of 95 patients (100 hips) who underwent PAO with post-operative administration of fondaparinux for thromboprophylaxis were retrospectively enrolled. The incidences of DVT on ultrasound, major bleeding, and administration cessation were evaluated. Asymptomatic DVT occurred in one patient, major bleeding occurred in 14 hips and the administration of fondaparinux was stopped in 17 hips. Given the observed incidence of major bleeding, safer DVT prophylaxis modalities should be considered during PAO.
Multi-omics profiling: the way toward precision medicine in metabolic diseases
Authors: Hu Cheng , Jia Weiping
Published: August 2021

Metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are alarming health burdens around the world, while therapies for these diseases are far from satisfying as their etiologies are not completely clear yet. T2DM, NAFLD, and MetS are all complex and multifactorial metabolic disorders based on the interactions between genetics and environment. Omics studies such as genetics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, proteomics, and metabolomics are all promising approaches in accurately characterizing these diseases. And the most effective treatments for individuals can be achieved via omics pathways, which is the theme of precision medicine. In this review, we summarized the multi-omics studies of T2DM, NAFLD, and MetS in recent years, provided a theoretical basis for their pathogenesis and the effective prevention and treatment, and highlighted the biomarkers and future strategies for precision medicine.
Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of Enolase in the Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: Xu Xing-Li , Yang Hu
Published: August 2021

Rhipicephalus microplus is the main blooding-sucking ectoparasite of bovines and is regarded as important vectors of animal diseases such as Babesiosis. Mining protective antigens of R. microplus to develop antitick vaccine is the most potential tick control strategy. In this study, the specific primers were designed according to the conserved nucleotide sequence of enolase gene in Haemaphysalis flava, Ixodes ricinus, and Ornithodoros moubata. The fragment of enolase gene was obtained by PCR using cDNA template from fully engorged female R. microplus. The full-length cDNA of enolase gene was amplified using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Expression pattern of enolase gene in different tissues of R. microplus was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Results showed that the full-length enolase cDNA containing 2052 bp was obtained successfully. The complete cDNA included an ORF of 1305 nucleotides encoding a protein of 434 amino acids. The enolase exhibited 85.0% amino acid identity to the enolase of H. flava, 81.1% to I. ricinus enolase, and 81.3% to O. moubata enolase. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the enolase had the highest expression in the salivary gland of R. microplus.
Residual Cognitive Capacities in Patients With Cognitive Motor Dissociation, and Their Implications for Well-Being
Authors: Graham Mackenzie
Published: August 2021

Patients with severe disorders of consciousness are thought to be unaware of themselves or their environment. However, research suggests that a minority of patients diagnosed as having a disorder of consciousness remain aware. These patients, designated as having “cognitive motor dissociation” (CMD), can demonstrate awareness by imagining specific tasks, which generates brain activity detectable via functional neuroimaging. The discovery of consciousness in these patients raises difficult questions about their well-being, and it has been argued that it would be better for these patients if they were allowed to die. Conversely, I argue that CMD patients may have a much higher level of well-being than is generally acknowledged. It is far from clear that their lives are not worth living, because there are still significant gaps in our understanding of how these patients experience the world. I attempt to fill these gaps, by analyzing the neuroscientific research that has taken place with these patients to date. Having generated as comprehensive a picture as possible of the capacities of CMD patients, I examine this picture through the lens of traditional philosophical theories of well-being. I conclude that the presumption that CMD patients do not have lives worth living is not adequately supported.
Well-being, Gamete Donation, and Genetic Knowledge: The Significant Interest View
Authors: Groll Daniel
Published: August 2021

The Significant Interest view entails that even if there were no medical reasons to have access to genetic knowledge, there would still be reason(s) for prospective parents to use an identity-release donor as opposed to an anonymous donor. This view does not depend on either the idea that genetic knowledge is profoundly prudentially important or that donor-conceived people have a right to genetic knowledge. Rather, it turns on general claims about (1) parents’ obligations to help promote their children’s well-being and (2) the connection between a person’s well-being and the satisfaction of what I call their “worthwhile significant subjective interests.” To put this view (too) simply, the fact that a donor-conceived person—who knows she is donor-conceived—is likely to be very interested in acquiring genetic knowledge gives prospective parents a weighty reason to use an identity-release donor. This is because parents should promote their children’s well-being through the satisfaction of their children’s worthwhile significant interests.
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking: Conceptual, Personal, and Policy Questions
Authors: Moskop John C
Published: August 2021

Although voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) as a way to hasten one’s death is not yet a widely recognized practice in the United States, it has received increasing attention in the medical and bioethics literature in recent years. After a brief review of the broader context of human death and dying, this article poses and examines 11 conceptual, personal, and public policy questions about VSED. The article identifies essential features of VSED and discusses whether VSED is a type of suicide. It identifies reasons why people may or may not choose VSED, and it considers responses by family members and professional caregivers to people who have chosen VSED. It also considers how public policies may permit and regulate or restrict the practice of VSED. Examination of these questions is designed to increase understanding of VSED and to inform moral evaluation of this practice.