bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diving into the diet of provisioned smooth stingrays using stable isotope analysis
Authors: Pini‐Fitzsimmons Joni , Raoult Vincent , Gaston Troy , Knott Nathan A. , Brown Culum
Published: March 2023

Recreational fishing waste, produced from processing catches at shore‐based fish cleaning facilities and discarded into adjacent waters, is foraged by various aquatic species. However, the potential alterations to the diet of consumers of these resources are poorly studied. Smooth stingrays (Bathytoshia brevicaudata) are a large demersal mesopredatory ray species and common scavenger of recreational fishing discards around southern Australia. Due to their attraction to fish cleaning sites, they are also common targets of unregulated ‘stingray feeding’ tourism where they are fed commercially produced baits (e.g., pilchards). This study provides a preliminary assessment of the diet of smooth stingrays provisioned recreational fishing discards and baits at two sites in southern New South Wales, Australia (Discard Site: recreational fishing discards only; Provisioning Site: recreational fishing discards and commercial baits) using stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), and Bayesian stable isotope mixing models. Our results indicate that at both sites invertebrates, considered a main part of the natural diet of smooth stingrays, made a limited contribution to the diets of provisioned stingrays, while a benthic teleost fish that is a common recreational catch was the dominant contributor. As the assessed teleost is potentially a natural prey item for smooth stingrays, it remains unclear whether the contribution came from recreational fishing discards or natural foraging. However, due to smooth stingrays’ typically opportunistic foraging strategy, we expected a greater mixture of resources from low to high trophic level prey than was observed. These results suggest that smooth stingrays have either lower reliance on invertebrates as a result of utilizing provisioned resources or higher reliance on teleost fishes than previously thought. Commercial bait products fed to stingrays at the Provisioning Site were not a major contributor to the diets of smooth stingrays, suggesting this activity has a low impact on their nutrition.
Encapsulated natural pigments: Techniques and applications
Authors: Singh Shivani , Aeri Vidhu , Sharma Vasudha
Published: March 2023

Natural food colorants have proven to be just as impactful as artificial ones, with the added advantages of being safer, offering health benefits in addition to instilling organoleptic attributes, exerting multiple benefits as ingredients that also function as polyphenols, antioxidants, sometimes as preservatives, and consequently giving food products its efficacious characteristics. Color plays a crucial role in determining the quality of a product as well as its acceptance. Regardless of their collective advantages like owing great color intensity, there are many factors like handling, storage, and processing conditions that influence their final hue which is sometimes not desirable. An overview of current literature on utilizable wall materials for natural colorants and a description of techniques for microencapsulating food colorants are provided in this paper. The retention of pigment for maximum bioavailability in the human gastrointestinal system through food supplementation requires adequate encapsulation strategies. The present review also discusses recent developments in traditionally used techniques that have been employed to maximize physicochemical characteristics of food. Additionally, the purpose of this review is to explore and examine some of the application of natural food colors in food industry.

Practical application

To meet the ever‐increasing consumer demand for natural‐derived and safer food ingredients that lack any adverse effects and can even encourage good health, a number of experiments have been conducted for the development of more effective and selective food colorants that are consumer‐friendly. To equate their properties with synthetic ones, natural colorants must be optimized for processing conditions, research into new sources, and new formulations for stability must be done. This article reflects on one such strategy which is encapsulation. The purpose of this review is to elaborate on the usage of different techniques and applications in order to assess the stability, efficiency and commercial possibilities of encapsulated colorant and to summarize briefly the regulation administered by different authorities for standardization of these colorants. Therefore, it is strongly advised that rules and initiatives to educate consumers and food businesses concerning food colors be put into effect. Regulations, labeling requirements, and product developments make it difficult to navigate this rapidly changing dynamics of natural food colors. Therefore, substantial studies on each valid core and wall material provide immeasurable scope of study. Furthermore, the stabilization of natural pigments poses the greatest challenge to their use as food colors. This can only be overcome by extensive research that can make us familiar with all their implications.
Use of DDTs and PCBs as chemical tracers in assessing the foraging locations and habits of northern elephant seals from Guadalupe Island (Mexico)
Authors: Muntaner‐López Gádor , González‐Armas Rogelio , Galván‐Magaña Felipe , Lowe Christopher G. , Elorriaga‐Verplancken Fernando R. , Lorenzi Varenka , Villalobos Hector , Hoyos‐Padilla Edgar Mauricio
Published: March 2023

Organochlorine contaminants (OCs) accumulate in top predators, reaching high levels associated with negative physiological effects. Measuring OCs is key for assessing the accumulation of their loads and evaluating the efficiency of contaminant regulations. Some OCs generate specific signatures in certain areas, which allow us to track potential movements and feeding habits of species. Thirty‐five blubber biopsies were taken from northern elephant seals (NES) during fall at Guadalupe Island (GI), Mexico, an important site for hauling‐out, molting, and breeding. Biopsies were analyzed for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (tDDTs), hexachlorobenzene, chlordanes, and total PCB congeners (tPCBs). tDDTs were higher in adults than in juveniles, suggesting age class‐based bioaccumulation, related to time and differences in foraging and habitat use between age groups. Females had higher variability of OCs than males, attributed to multiple causes, including variation in the use of foraging grounds and niche segregation. The DDT:PCB ratios were the highest, showing similarity with the Palos Verdes (California) contaminant signature, suggesting the use of similar feeding areas in relation to juvenile NES from Southern California.

Our baseline of OC levels for NES at GI, allows future monitoring of changes in legacy contaminants over time, and the evaluation of the efficiency of their regulations.
Precision of the Abaxis VetScan VS2 for postmortem biochemical analysis of delphinid vitreous humor
Authors: Zorotrian Tiffany , Stern Adam W. , Gao Hanzhi , Costidis Alexander , Fontaine Christine , Deming Alissa , Harms Craig , Adams Hayley R.
Published: March 2023

Biochemical analysis of vitreous humor has several forensic applications, including toxicology, estimation of the postmortem interval, and as proxy for select antemortem serum analytes. Estimation of postmortem interval from vitreous humor analytes such as potassium has potential to be a valuable forensic tool for marine mammal strandings, as time of death is essential to provide spatial and temporal context for anthropogenic interactions. The Abaxis VetScan VS2 (VetScan) chemistry analyzer is inexpensive, compact, and requires low sample volume (100 μl), making it ideal for organizations with limited resources and limited samples. This pilot study compared accuracy of the Vetscan on delphinid serum/plasma (n = 7) to the Beckman Coulter AU480, validated the precision of the Vetscan for biochemical analysis of delphinid vitreous humor using the described sample processing protocol, and assessed analyte stability at room temperature in delphinid vitreous humor. Pooled samples (n = 12) of delphinid vitreous humor were serially analyzed and the between‐run and within‐run coefficient of variation of the VetScan was acceptable for most analytes tested but was not for creatinine, total bilirubin, amylase, and alanine aminotransferase. These results demonstrated the precision of the VetScan for the analysis of glucose, albumin, globulin, total protein, urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in delphinid vitreous humor.
OeBAS and CYP716C67 catalyze the biosynthesis of health‐beneficial triterpenoids in olive (Olea europaea) fruits
Authors: Alagna Fiammetta , Reed James , Calderini Ornella , Thimmappa Ramesha , Cultrera Nicolò G. M. , Cattivelli Alice , Tagliazucchi Davide , Mousavi Soraya , Mariotti Roberto , Osbourn Anne , Baldoni Luciana
Published: March 2023

The bioactive properties of olive (Olea europaea) fruits and olive oil are largely attributed to terpenoid compounds, including diverse triterpenoids such as oleanolic, maslinic and ursolic acids, erythrodiol, and uvaol. They have applications in the agri‐food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Some key steps involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds are still unknown.

Genome mining, biochemical analysis, and trait association studies have been used to identify major gene candidates controlling triterpenoid content of olive fruits.

Here, we identify and functionally characterize an oxidosqualene cyclase (OeBAS) required for the production of the major triterpene scaffold β‐amyrin, the precursor of erythrodiol, oleanolic and maslinic acids, and a cytochrome P450 (CYP716C67) that mediates 2α oxidation of the oleanane‐ and ursane‐type triterpene scaffolds to produce maslinic and corosolic acids, respectively. To confirm the enzymatic functions of the entire pathway, we have reconstituted the olive biosynthetic pathway for oleanane‐ and ursane‐type triterpenoids in the heterologous host, Nicotiana benthamiana. Finally, we have identified genetic markers associated with oleanolic and maslinic acid fruit content on the chromosomes carrying the OeBAS and CYP716C67 genes.

Our results shed light on the biosynthesis of olive triterpenoids and provide new gene targets for germplasm screening and breeding for high triterpenoid content.
The effects of family involvement on proactive R&D management capability: detrimental or beneficial?
Authors: Wong Ying‐Jiuan , Lee Cheng‐Yu
Published: March 2023

While previous research has discussed the impact of family involvement on innovation by adopting the agency, stewardship, or resource‐based‐related theories, the results remain inconsistent. Incorporating the perspective of social embeddedness associated with the effects of family social capital, this study provides a better understanding of how family involvement affects proactive R&D management capability (PRDMC), by using continuous assessment of family ownership and the top management team. In addition, board capital is an effective mechanism for family firms; however, directors' human and social capital similar and dissimilar in both backgrounds and networks. We further reveal how heterogeneity and homogeneity of human and social capital affect the relationship between family involvement and PRDMC via the lens of board capital breadth (BCB) and board capital depth (BCD). Our findings show that family involvement has an inverted U‐shaped relationship with the PRDMC. We also find that BCB mitigates the negative effects of excessive family involvement on the PRDMC, but has an insignificant effect at low or moderate levels of family involvement. On the other hand, BCD increases the disadvantages of excessive family involvement on the PRDMC, with an insignificant effect on PRDMC at low or moderate levels of family involvement.
Localization and expression of SLX4 in the testis of sterile male cattle‐yak
Authors: Zhao Shang‐Shang , Wu Shi‐Xin , Jia Gong‐Xue , Abulizi Wusiman , Yang Qi‐En
Published: March 2023

Cattle‐yak, the hybrid offspring of yak (Bos grunniens) and cattle (Bos taurus), serves as a unique model to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive isolation. While female cattle‐yaks are fertile, the males are completely sterile due to spermatogenic arrest at the meiosis stage and massive germ cell apoptosis. Interestingly, meiotic defects are partially rescued in the testes of backcrossed offspring. The genetic basis of meiotic defects in male cattle‐yak remains unclear. Structure‐specific endonuclease subunit (SLX4) participates in meiotic double‐strand break (DSB) formation in mice, and its deletion results in defects in spermatogenesis. In the present study, we examined the expression patterns of SLX4 in the testes of yak, cattle‐yak, and backcrossed offspring to investigate its potential roles in hybrid sterility. The results showed that the relative abundances of SLX4 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in the testis of cattle‐yak. The results of immunohistochemistry revealed that SLX4 was predominately expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Chromosome spreading experiments showed that SLX4 was significantly decreased in the pachytene spermatocytes of cattle‐yak compared with yak and backcrossed offspring. These findings suggest that SLX4 expression was dysregulated in the testis of cattle‐yak, potentially resulting in the failure of crossover formation and collapses of meiosis in hybrid males.
Pietro Aretino's (un)Virgilian Sack of Rome☆
Authors: Goethals Jessica
Published: March 2023

Pietro Aretino was a particularly frequent commentator on the catastrophic 1527 Sack of Rome by the Spanish, German and Italian troops of Charles V. This article examines one of his most extended, and curious, responses to the Sack: the explicit parody of Virgil's Books I‐IV of The Aeneid that opens Day Two of his Dialogo. The episode features a satirical Cinquecento take on the story of Aeneas and Dido: a despicable baron who escaped Rome and a ruling lady in whom his tale of the city's fall stoked a desire that ultimately resulted in her abandonment and suicide. Commentary on these pages has centred especially on the Didonian scenes of the lady's laments and Aretino's explicit acknowledgement of his having ‘filched’ them from Virgil's Book IV. The baron's account of the Sack, in contrast, often has been summarized as a mere attempt – largely ineffective – to offer readers a conveniently contemporary equivalent to Aeneas's narration of the fall of Troy in Books II and III. This article argues instead that the baron's description is pointedly unVirgilian and draws on another body of unheroic texts: publications, including Aretino's own, on the Sack that circulated in its aftermath.
Inequality Measurement and The Rich: Why Inequality Increased More Than We Thought
Authors: Cowell Frank A. , Flachaire Emmanuel
Published: March 2023

To compare income and wealth distributions and to assess the effects of policy that affect those distributions require reliable inequality‐measurement tools. However, commonly used inequality measures such as the Gini coefficient have an apparently counter‐intuitive property: income growth among the rich may actually reduce measured inequality. We show that there are just two inequality measures that both avoid this anomalous behavior and satisfy the principle of transfers. We further show that the recent increases in US income inequality are understated by the conventional Gini coefficient and explain why a simple alternative inequality measure should be preferred in practice.
United in disagreement: Analyzing policy networks in EU policy making
Authors: Abel Dennis , Mertens Armin
Published: March 2023

Shared belief systems are generally assumed to forge policy networks. Empirical evidence whether and to what extend shared policy core beliefs create ally networks and under which circumstances shared policy core beliefs are not necessary to form these networks, however, is limited. Based on a novel inferential network approach in combination with mediation analysis, this study investigates the role of belief systems as a link between interest group type and policy preference congruence, ultimately leading to ally networks in the European Union. In order to measure the intervening effect of policy core beliefs, automated text analysis is used. Our results suggest that shared policy core beliefs are a strong mediator for members of the same interest group. In addition, “strange bedfellow” networks between NGOs and businesses do, in fact, lack belief congruence and emerge on issues with low potential for intergroup conflict. This paper makes a contribution to our understanding of ally network formation and adds to the emerging line of research which combines quantitative text with inferential network analysis.
Setting up a University City. Geographies of Exclusion in North Turin
Authors: Cenere Samantha , Mangione Erica , Santangelo Marco , Servillo Loris
Published: March 2023

Universities have progressively seen a change in their role as actors in the transformation of cities, with the growth of student populations and related studentification processes that are seen both as drivers of development and causes of negative externalities. What risks being overshadowed, however, is the complex array of interests and agencies that are involved. The aim of the article is, thus, to explore the production of geographies of exclusion that cannot be simply linked to the negative impacts directly exerted by the increased pressure of students' concentrations on specific neighbourhoods. They can also be related to the specific form that urban development strategies driven by higher education institutions takes in post‐industrial cities. The case of Turin, Italy, shows that a dominant narrative on the role of universities has triggered various stakeholders' strategic orientation and that, therefore, variegated transformations can be interpreted as the effects of capital investments that materialise in university‐related ‘fixes’.
A worldwide survey on perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis for heart transplantation: From theory to clinical practice
Authors: Seminari Elena , Ladini Giulia Sofia , Colaneri Marta , Chow Jennifer , Bruno Raffaele
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of our survey was to analyze the current attitudes toward antimicrobial prophylaxis in heart transplanting centers worldwide.

Methods

The survey was composed of a total of 50 questions, it consisted of four different sections as follows. The first section collected physicians’ personal data and centers’ general characteristics, second assessed the approach to patients colonized with multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDROs), while the third consisted of the infection risk related to cardiovascular devices, and antimicrobial treatment data, the last focused on donor's colonization.

Results

A total of 56 answers from 26 different countries were collected, mostly from Europe (n = 30) and the USA (n = 16). A first‐generation cephalosporin (58.9%) or a combination therapy with vancomycin (10.7%) were the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial prophylaxis. Roughly 30% of the centers used different antimicrobial prophylaxis,mostly including Gram negative bacteria coverage. The frequency of screening for multidrug resistant Gram‐negative bacteria was higher in Europe, where the percentage of centers providing screening for extended spectrum beta‐lactamase (46.7%) and carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) (53.3%) was higher than in other geographic area (p = .019; p = .013, respectively).

Conclusion

This survey highlights a heterogeneity of clinical practice concerning antimicrobial prophylaxis at transplant. The concern for potential Gram‐negative bacteria infection was responsible for broader antimicrobial coverage in 30% of centers.

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Validation of the INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE score in a large cohort of liver transplant recipients with carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacterales infection
Authors: Rinaldi Matteo , Bonazzetti Cecilia , Gallo Mena , Ferraro Giuseppe , Freire Maristela , Terrabuio Débora Raquel Benedita , Tandoi Francesco , Romagnoli Renato , De Rosa Francesco Giuseppe , Mularoni Alessandra , Ferrarese Alberto , Burra Patrizia , Halpern Marcia , Balbi Elizabeth , Simkins Jacques , Abbo Lilian , Morrás Ignacio , Cantero Mireia , Alagna Laura , Bandera Alessandra , Clemente Wanessa Trinidade , Valerio Maricela , Fernández Ainhoa , Muñoz Patricia , Statlender Liran , Yahav Dafna , Camargo Luis Fernando Aranha , Girão Evelyne Santana , Grossi Paolo , Viale Pierluigi , Curti Stefania , Giannella Maddalena ,   CRECOOLT study group
Published: March 2023

Background

Management of infections due to carbapenemase‐resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients remains a difficult challenge. The INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE score has been specifically developed from SOT recipients to stratify mortality risk, but an external validation is lacking.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective cohort study of liver transplant (LT) recipients colonized with CRE infection who developed infection after transplant over 7‐year period. Primary endpoint was all‐cause 30‐day mortality from infection onset. A comparison between INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE and other selected scores was performed. A two‐level mixed effects logistic regression model with random effects for the center was fitted. Performance characteristics at optimal cut‐point were calculated. Multivariable Cox regression analysis of risk factors for all‐cause 30‐day mortality was carried out.

Results

Overall, 250 CRE carriers developed infection after LT and were analyzed. The median age was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 46–62) and 157 were males (62.8%). All‐cause 30‐day mortality was 35.6%. A sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 11 showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of 69.7%, 76.4%, 62.0%, 82.0%, and 74.0%, respectively. An INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE ≥ 11 reported a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 73.0%, 62.1%, 51.6%, 80.6% and 66.0%, respectively. At multivariable analysis acute renal failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE score ≥ 11 and SOFA score ≥ 11 were independently associated with all‐cause 30‐day mortality, while a tigecycline‐based targeted regimen was found to be protective.

Conclusions

Both INCREMENT‐SOT‐CPE ≥ 11 and SOFA ≥ 11 were identified as strong predictors of all‐cause 30‐day mortality in a large cohort of CRE carriers developing infection after LT.

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Corneal stromal ulcerations in a referral population of dogs and cats in the Netherlands (2012–2019): Bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Verdenius Clara Y. , Broens Els M. , Slenter Inge J. M. , Djajadiningrat‐Laanen Sylvia C.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To evaluate bacterial isolates from corneal stromal ulcerations in dogs and cats in the Netherlands, review their antibiotic susceptibility, determine whether recent topical treatment affected bacterial culture results, and investigate whether (multi‐drug) resistance patterns changed over time.

Animals studied

Client‐owned dogs and cats were diagnosed with corneal stromal ulceration at the Utrecht University Clinic for Companion Animals between 2012 and 2019.

Procedures

Retrospective analysis.

Results

In total, 163 samples were collected from 122 dogs (130 samples) and 33 cats. Positive cultures were obtained from 76 canine and 13 feline samples (59% and 39%, respectively) and included Staphylococcus (42 in dogs, 8 in cats), Streptococcus (22 in dogs, 2 in cats), and Pseudomonas (9 in dogs, 1 in cats) species. Significantly fewer positive cultures were found in dogs and cats previously treated with topical antibiotics (χ2 = 6.52, p = .011 and χ2 = 4.27, p = .039, respectively). Bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol was more common in dogs previously treated with chloramphenicol (χ2 = 5.24, p = .022). The incidence of acquired antibiotic resistance did not increase significantly over time. In dogs, the incidence of multi‐drug‐resistant isolates increased significantly between 2012–2015 and 2016–2019 (9.4% vs. 38.6%, p = .0032).

Conclusions

Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas species were the most common bacteria associated with canine and feline corneal stromal ulcerations. Previous treatment with antibiotics affected bacterial culture results and antibiotic sensitivity. Although the overall incidence of acquired antibiotic resistance did not change over time, the incidence of multi‐drug‐resistant isolates in dogs increased over an 8‐year period.
Open projections and Murray–von Neumann equivalence
Authors: Kaneda Masayoshi , Schick Thomas
Published: March 2023

We characterize the ‐algebras for which openness of projections in their second duals is preserved under Murray–von Neumann equivalence. They are precisely the extensions of commutative ‐algebras by annihilator ‐algebras. We also show that the annihilator ‐algebras are precisely the ‐algebras for which all projections in their second duals are open.
Design and Optimization of a Helix Finned Tube Heat Exchanger for 2 K Superfluid Helium Vertical Test Stand
Authors: Xianjin Wang , Xiaofei Niu , Feng Bai , Peng Zhang , Shuping Chen , Junhui Zhang
Published: March 2023

A 2 K heat exchanger is essential for 2 K superfluid helium cryogenic systems, as it increases cooling capacity and improves overall system efficiency. The thermal performance of a 2 K heat exchanger is affected by many factors, such as fluid properties, operating conditions, and geometric parameters. The segmented effectiveness-NTU method approach is used to design the heat exchanger because the physical prosperities of helium vary significantly in the heat exchanger's working temperature, which greatly influences heat transfer characteristics. Meanwhile, the response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the heat exchanger. The optimum combination of geometry parameters is found based on thermal performance and fabrication. According to analyses of single and multiple geometric characteristics by RSM, the tube diameter and fin number have the most significant impact on the heat exchanger performance. Finally, the performance of the heat exchanger is verified experimentally. The experimental results are in good agreement with the present design and optimization model.
Cardiorespiratory Responses to a 20-Minutes Shallow Water Tabata-Style Workout
Authors:   Central Washington University, Miller Laura Jean , D'Acquisto Leo Joseph ,   Central Washington University, D'Acquisto Debra Mary ,   Central Washington University, Roemer Karen ,   Central Washington University, Fisher Mitchell Grant ,   Central Washington University
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine physiological responses to a 20-min Tabata-style shallow water exercise workout (TS-SWE). Volunteers (n = 9, females) had recently participated in an experiment (Experiment I) that measured, in part, peak oxygen uptake and heart rate (VO2 and HR) during SWE (D’Acquisto, Miller, D’Acquisto, Roemer, & Fisher, 2015). Peak VO2 and HR were used in the current study to compute relative physiological responses (e.g., %VO2 and %HR peak) to TS-SWE. VO 2, HR, rating of perceived exertion (RPE; Borg 6–20 scale), and blood lactate were measured during a TS-SWE. TS-SWE consisted of 4 × 4 min bouts (20-s maximal efforts followed by 10 s of rest for each bout; 1 min rest between bouts). TS-SWE elicited cardiorespiratory and psychophysical responses (RPE) classified as vigorous to “near-maximal to maximal intensity” according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s guidelines for exercise prescription, suggesting that a TS-SWE workout imposes a substantial physiological load on the human body.
YouTube Videos and the Rip Current Hazard: Swimming in a Sea of (Mis)information
Authors:   UNSW Australia, Mackellar Katherine , Brander Robert ,   UNSW Australia, Shaw Wendy ,   UNSW Australia
Published: March 2023

Rip currents are strong, narrow, offshore flows found on many global beaches and contribute to hundreds of drownings and tens of thousands of rescues each year. Yet despite long-standing educational efforts, public understanding of rip currents is poor. YouTube represents a new visual-based social media platform with the potential to educate a large and global audience about the rip current hazard. This study analyzed the content of 256 rip current–related YouTube videos with over 5 million total views as of March 2, 2015 finding that the accuracy of informa- tion disseminated about rip currents on YouTube is mixed and of varying quality. Existing videos are good at emphasizing correct rip current terminology, visual imagery, and a range of escape strategies, but greater emphasis in future videos must be placed on rip current avoidance, particularly through promoting the need to swim near lifeguards and how to spot rip currents.
Limited Sampling Strategies to Predict Ganciclovir Exposure after Valganciclovir Administration and to Reduce Monitoring Constraints in Renal Transplant Children
Authors: Facchin A. , Benyoub N. , Elie V. , Magreault S. , Jacqz-Aigrain E.
Published: March 2023

Valganciclovir, the ganciclovir prodrug, is an antiviral agent used to prevent cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant children. Therapeutic drug monitoring is still necessary to ensure optimal therapeutic area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC
0–24
) of 40 to 60 μg·h/mL since valganciclovir presents a high pharmacokinetic variability.
Impacts of Domestication and Veterinary Treatment on Mobile Genetic Elements and Resistance Genes in Equine Fecal Bacteria
Authors: Mitchell Scott W. , Moran Robert A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Chapman Belinda , Bull Michelle , Muscatello Gary , Coleman Nicholas V.
Published: March 2023

There is increasing acknowledgment that a “one health” approach is required to tackle the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. This requires that the issue is examined from not only the perspective of human medicine but also includes consideration of the roles of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and agriculture and recognizes the importance of other ecological compartments in the dissemination of ARGs and mobile genetic elements such as C1I.
Improved Bacterial Single-Cell RNA-Seq through Automated MATQ-Seq and Cas9-Based Removal of rRNA Reads
Authors: Homberger Christina , Hayward Regan J. , Barquist Lars , Vogel Jörg
Published: March 2023

Gene expression heterogeneity among isogenic bacteria is linked to clinically relevant scenarios, like biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance. The recent development of bacterial single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables the study of cell-to-cell variability in bacterial populations and the mechanisms underlying these phenomena.
Exploring Human Milk, Nutrition, Growth, and Breastfeeding Rates at Discharge(HUMMINGBIRD Study): a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chmelova Kristina , Berrington Janet , Shenker Natalie , Zalewski Stefan , Rankin Judith , Embleton Nick
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Mother’s own breast milk (MOM) is the optimal nutrition for preterm infants as it reduces the incidence of key neonatal morbidities and improves long-term outcomes. However, MOM shortfall is common and either preterm formula or pasteurised donor human milk (DHM) may be used, although practice varies widely. Limited data suggest that the use of DHM may impact maternal beliefs and behaviours and therefore breastfeeding rates. The aim of this pilot study is to determine if longer duration of DHM exposure increases breastfeeding rates, and if a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design is feasible.

Methods and analysis

The Human Milk, Nutrition, Growth, and Breastfeeding Rates at Discharge (HUMMINGBIRD) Study is a feasibility and pilot, non-blinded RCT with a contemporaneous qualitative evaluation. Babies born less than 33 weeks’ gestation or with birth weight <1500 g whose mothers intend to provide MOM are randomly assigned to either control (DHM used to make up shortfall until full feeds and preterm formula thereafter) or intervention (DHM used for shortfall until 36 weeks’ corrected age or discharge if sooner). The primary outcome is breast feeding at discharge. Secondary outcomes include growth, neonatal morbidities, length of stay, breastfeeding self-efficacy and postnatal depression using validated questionnaires. Qualitative interviews using a topic guide will explore perceptions around use of DHM and analysed using thematic analysis.

Ethics approval and dissemination

Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee granted approval (IRAS Project ID 281071) and recruitment commenced on 7 June 2021. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN57339063.
Potential use of telemedicine in paediatrics: a single-centre retrospective review
Authors: Sarkari Zenaz Zarir , Fish Corey
Published: March 2023

Recent advancements and adoption of telemedicine have affected all aspects of healthcare including paediatrics. While telemedicine has the potential to increase access to paediatric care, the limitations of this service in its current iteration bring into question its usefulness for direct replacement of in-person care, particularly in an acute or urgent care setting. This retrospective review demonstrates that only a small percentage of in-person visits to our practice would have resulted in definitive diagnosis and treatment if facilitated via telemedicine. There is a need for better and more widespread data collection techniques and tools suitable for paediatric remote care implementation before telemedicine becomes a useful diagnostic and treatment tool in an acute or urgent care setting.
Paediatric admissions with SARS-CoV-2 during the Delta and Omicron waves: an Australian single-centre retrospective study
Authors: Cheng Daryl R , Schrader Silja , McMinn Alissa , Crawford Nigel W , Tosif Shidan , Mcnab Sarah , Steer Andrew C
Published: March 2023

Background

The clinical course of Australian children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 infection is not well understood, particularly over the Omicron period.

Methods

This study describes paediatric admissions to a single tertiary paediatric institution through the Delta and Omicron variant waves. All children admitted from 1 June 2021 to 30 September 2022 with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection were included for analysis.

Results

117 patients were admitted during the Delta wave compared with 737 during the Omicron wave. The median length of stay was 3.3 days (IQR 1.7–6.75.1) during Delta, compared with 2.1 days (IQR 1.1–3.4) during Omicron (p<0.01). 83 patients (9.7%) required intensive care unit (ICU) admission, a greater proportion during Delta (20, 17.1%) than Omicron (63, 8.6%, p<0.01). Patients admitted to the ICU were less likely to have received a dose of COVID-19 vaccination prior to admission than patients admitted to the ward (8, 24.2% vs 154, 45.8%, p=0.028).

Conclusion

The Omicron wave resulted in an absolute increase in the number of children compared with Delta, but cases had lower severity, demonstrated by shorter length of stay and a smaller proportion of patients requiring intensive care. This is consistent with US and UK data describing a similar pattern.
Association between serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratios and lung function in the general American population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2007–2012
Authors: Wen Jun , Wei Chengcheng , Giri Mohan , Zhuang Rongjuan , Shuliang Guo
Published: March 2023

Background

Assessment of lung function is essential for the early screening chronic airway diseases (CADs). Nevertheless, it is still not widely used for early diagnosing CADs in epidemiological or primary care settings. Thus, we used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to discuss the relationship between the serum uric acid/serum creatinine (SUA/SCr) ratio and lung function in general adults to gain the role of SUA/SCr in early assessment of lung function abnormalities.

Methods

From 2007 to 2012 NHANES, a total of 9569 people were included in our study. Using the regression model, XGBoost algorithm model, generalised linear model and two-piecewise linear regression model, the link between the SUA/SCr ratio and lung function was investigated.

Results

After correcting for confounding variables, the data revealed that forced vital capacity (FVC) declined by 47.630 and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased by 36.956 for each additional unit of SUA/SCr ratio. However, there was no association between SUA/SCr and FEV1/FVC. In the XGBoost model of FVC, the top five most important were glycohaemoglobin, total bilirubin, SUA/SCr, total cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase, whereas in FEV1, were glycohaemoglobin, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, SUA/SCr and serum calcium. In addition, we determined the linear and inverse association between SUA/SCr ratio and FVC or FEV1 by constructing a smooth curve.

Conclusions

In the general American population, the SUA/SCr ratio is inversely linked with FVC and FEV1, but not with FEV1/FVC, according to our research. Future studies should investigate the impact of SUA/SCr on lung function and identify possible mechanisms of action.
Long-term functional outcomes improved with deep brain stimulation in patients with disorders of consciousness
Authors: Yang Yi , He Qiheng , Dang Yuanyuan , Xia Xiaoyu , Xu Xin , Chen Xueling , Zhao Jizong , He Jianghong
Published: March 2023

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been preliminarily applied to treat patients with disorders of consciousness (DoCs). The study aimed to determine whether DBS was effective for treating patients with DoC and identify factors related to patients’ outcomes.

Methods

Data from 365 patients with DoCs who were consecutively admitted from 15 July 2011 to 31 December 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Multivariate regression and subgroup analysis were performed to adjust for potential confounders. The primary outcome was improvement in consciousness at 1 year.

Results

An overall improvement in consciousness at 1 year was achieved in 32.4% (12/37) of the DBS group compared with 4.3% (14/328) of the conservative group. After full adjustment, DBS significantly improved consciousness at 1 year (adjusted OR 11.90, 95% CI 3.65–38.46, p<0.001). There was a significant treatment×follow up interaction (H=14.99, p<0.001). DBS had significantly better effects in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS) compared with patients with vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (p for interaction <0.001). A nomogram based on age, state of consciousness, pathogeny and duration of DoCs indicated excellent predictive performance (c-index=0.882).

Conclusions

DBS was associated with better outcomes in patients with DoC, and the effect was likely to be significantly greater in patients with MCS. DBS should be cautiously evaluated by nomogram preoperatively, and randomised controlled trials are still needed.
Performance Evaluation of Data-Centric Networks Based on Parallel and Distributed Architectures for Machine Intelligence Research
Authors: Xie Linjiang , Hang Feilu , Guo Wei , Zhang Zhenhong , Li Hanruo
Published: March 2023

Maintaining computer network security has long been an essential component of computer administration. Network security has become essential to companies’ safety and steady development in real-time implementation for diverse physical domains employing computers. Establishing a specific physical domain has consistently included a priority job of improving the safety of computer systems management. Study results on the practical implementation of machine intelligence in network security maintenance. Specifically, this paper examines and offers security management techniques for computer network data protection to establish an all-encompassing security shield for networked computers, with the ultimate goal of improving the safety and reliability of the net-worked computers used in commercial settings. Furthermore, the comprehensive research analysis determines an architectural model for machine intelligence-based network security maintenance (MI-NSM), implying an intrusion detection scheme with a novel neural network system. Labelling important properties of objects or data points and searching for commonalities allows the auto-mobile’s AI to distinguish between a human, the street, another car, and the sky. The simulation evaluation is performed using the NS2 simulator and observes the security maintenance efficiency over the current security solutions.
Determination of the dependence of the two-dimensional combined density of states on external factors in quantum-dimensional heterostructures
Authors: Gulyamov G , Erkaboev U. I. , Rakhimov R. G. , Mirzaev J. I. , Sayidov N. A.
Published: March 2023

In this work, a new model has been developed for calculating the effect of a quantizing magnetic field on the temperature dependence of the two-dimensional combined density of states in direct-gap heterostructures with quantum wells. The temperature dependence of the oscillations of the two-dimensional combined density of states of the quantum well is explained by the thermal smearing of the Gaussian distribution function in a strong magnetic field. Based on the proposed new models, the Landau levels of charge carriers in a direct-gap quantum well are determined in a wide temperature range. The experimental results were interpreted using the oscillations of the combined density of states of the quantum well in a quantizing magnetic field.
SQL#: A Language for Maintainable and Debuggable Database Queries
Authors: Hu Yamin , Jiang Hao , Tang Hanlin , Lin Xin , Hu Zongyao
Published: March 2023

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the dominant language for managing relational databases. However, complex SQL queries are hard to write and maintain because of the intricate inter-table and inter-column relations. To this end, we propose a novel query language called SQL#, which allows programmers to construct complex queries module by module and explicitly specify the relations between different modules according to the logical steps of constructing queries. Besides, we design a SQL#-based system, aiming to facilitate the maintenance of SQL# queries. Specifically, the system renders a SQL# program into a hierarchical graph, which could help programmers understand the high-level structures of SQL# programs and the intricate relations between different components within SQL# programs. In addition, the system can ease the generation of the intermediate tables that correspond to the logical steps of constructing queries, which could help programmers debug complex SQL# queries. Notably, the design of SQL# makes it easy for the system to generate the hierarchical graph and the intermediate tables. Controlled experiments suggest that the SQL#-based system reduces the durations of writing and understanding database queries by 79% and 39%, respectively, compared to raw SQL code.
RESEARCH AND APPLICATION ADVANCES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DIAGNOSIS AND EPIDEMIC PREDICTION OF COVID-19
Authors: LIU JINPING , WU JUANJUAN , GONG SUBO , HU WAIGUANG , ZHOU YING , HU SHANSHAN
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 is a dangerous disease that directly damages human health, with the properties of severely contagious and highly variable. It is endangering the health and safety of people all around the world. Thus, it compels governments to seek rapid detection, diagnosis and treatment, and epidemic forecasting approaches under the consumption of considerable human resources, material, and financial resources, for the purpose of curbing its development. In view of diverse merits, such as flexibility, rapidity, and non-intrusion, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have unparalleled advantages in the rapid, non-contact auxiliary diagnosis and epidemic prediction of COVID-19. This paper reviews the AI’s technical advances and clinical applications in the COVID-19 epidemic, including computer-aided diagnosis and epidemic prediction, especially the pipelines of medical imaging and analytical techniques. The survey aims to comprehensively investigate the application of AI technologies in the fight against the epidemic and attempt to organize related works in a globally understandable way. This survey also summarizes current challenging issues in the diagnosis and prediction of COVID-19 with AI technologies and puts forward some suggestions for future work.
INVESTIGATION OF THE TIME FRACTIONAL GENERALIZED (2 + 1)-DIMENSIONAL ZAKHAROV–KUZNETSOV EQUATION WITH SINGLE-POWER LAW NONLINEARITY
Authors: LIU JIAN-GEN , ZHANG YU-FENG , WANG JING-JING
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we studied the time fractional generalized [Formula: see text]-dimensional Zakharov–Kuznetsov (ZK) equation with single-power law nonlinearity, which can be used to describe weakly nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in strongly magnetized lossless plasma in two dimensions. Through the fractional Lie transformation group idea, the symmetries, similarity reduction, one-parameter Lie transformation group and conservation laws of these considered equations were obtained. In addition, some new exact solutions were also constructed for them. These novel results provide a new perspective for studying the evolutionary mechanism of these considered models.
OSCILLATORY PROPERTY AND DIMENSIONS OF RADEMACHER SERIES
Authors: PAN YUEWEI , YI SHANFENG
Published: March 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be the Rademacher series, where [Formula: see text] is the classical Rademacher function system and [Formula: see text] is an arbitrary real number sequence. In this paper, we first show that the value range of the Rademacher series at any subinterval of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text]. This result provides us with the basic facts that when [Formula: see text], the Rademacher series cannot converge to an approximate continuous function, and there is no approximate limit at any point of [Formula: see text]. Further, when [Formula: see text], we show various dimensions of the level set of Rademacher series on any subinterval of [Formula: see text]. Finally, we give the relationship between the box dimension and the coefficient of Rademacher series when [Formula: see text], and the exact values of box dimension, packing dimension and Hausdorff dimension are obtained in some special cases.
FRACTAL INTERPOLATION ALGORITHMS FOR COMPLEX CURVES AND SURFACES
Authors: DAI ZHONG , LIU SHUTANG
Published: March 2023

This paper provides a new idea for interpolating complex curves and surfaces by fractal interpolation. A type of bivariate fractal interpolation functions with function vertical scaling factors for the special interpolation data set is presented. The interpolation algorithm is proposed for complex curves by contour lines of two types of fractal interpolation functions which are proposed by this paper and Navascués et al. [Construction of fractal surfaces, Fractals 28(2) (2020) 2050033], respectively. Meanwhile, some properties of the interpolation algorithm are introduced. Then, the two classes of fractal interpolation functions are extended to the cases of trivariate functions. We also introduce the interpolation algorithm for complex surfaces based on iso-surfaces of fractal interpolation functions constructed. Finally, several examples are provided.