bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptome and methylome of polar bears, giant and red pandas reveal diet‐driven adaptive evolution
Authors: Chen Lei , Ma Jinnan , Xu Wencai , Shen Fujun , Yang Zhisong , Sonne Christian , Dietz Rune , Li Linzhu , Jie Xiaodie , Li Lu , Yan Guoqiang , Zhang Xiuyue
Published: June 2024

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the evolution of species adaptations, yet little information is available on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the adaptive evolution of bamboo‐eating in both giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens). To investigate the potential contribution of epigenetic to the adaptive evolution of bamboo‐eating in giant and red pandas, we performed hepatic comparative transcriptome and methylome analyses between bamboo‐eating pandas and carnivorous polar bears (Ursus maritimus). We found that genes involved in carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and protein metabolism showed significant differences in methylation and expression levels between the two panda species and polar bears. Clustering analysis of gene expression revealed that giant pandas did not form a sister group with the more closely related polar bears, suggesting that the expression pattern of genes in livers of giant pandas and red pandas have evolved convergently driven by their similar diets. Compared to polar bears, some key genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and biological oxidation and cholesterol synthesis showed hypomethylation and higher expression in giant and red pandas, while genes involved in fat digestion and absorption, fatty acid metabolism, lysine degradation, resistance to lipid peroxidation and detoxification showed hypermethylation and low expression. Our study elucidates the special nutrient utilization mechanism of giant pandas and red pandas and provides some insights into the molecular mechanism of their adaptive evolution of bamboo feeding. This has important implications for the breeding and conservation of giant pandas and red pandas.
Pharmacological treatment for mental health illnesses in adults receiving dialysis: A scoping review
Authors: Wichart Jenny , Yoeun Peter , Chin Tracy , Evernden Christopher , Berendonk Charlotte , Kerr Jodi , Birchall Alexandra , Boschee Belinda , Defoe Kimberly , Dhaliwal Jasleen , KarisAllen Tasia , Kennedy Megan , McDonald Alexis , Mierzejewski Monika K. , Schick‐Makaroff Kara
Published: June 2024

Background

Pharmacologic management of mental health illnesses in patients receiving dialysis is complex and lacking data.

Objective

Our objective was to synthesize published data for the treatment of depression, bipolar and related disorders, schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, and anxiety disorders in adults receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Methods

We undertook a scoping review, searching the following databases: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data on patients who received only short‐term dialysis, a kidney transplant, or non‐pharmacologic treatments were excluded.

Results

Seventy‐three articles were included: 41 focused on depression, 16 on bipolar disorder, 13 on schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, 1 on anxiety disorders, and 2 addressing multiple mental health illnesses. The majority of depression studies reported on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a treatment. Sertraline had the most supporting data with use of doses from 25 to 200 mg daily. Among the remaining SSRIs, escitalopram, citalopram, and fluoxetine were studied in controlled trials, whereas paroxetine and fluvoxamine were described in smaller reports and observational trials. There are limited published data on other classes of antidepressants and on pharmacological management of anxiety. Data on treatment for patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and related disorders are limited to case reports.

Conclusion

Over half of the studies included were case reports, thus limiting conclusions. More robust data are required to establish effect sizes of pharmacological treatments prior to providing specific recommendations for their use in treating mental health illnesses in patients receiving dialysis.
Maize grown for bioenergy on peat emits twice as much carbon as when grown on mineral soil
Authors: Lloyd I. L. , Morrison R. , Grayson R. P. , Cumming A. M. J. , D'Acunha B. , Galdos M. V. , Evans C. D. , Chapman P. J.
Published: June 2024

The area of land dedicated to growing maize for bioenergy in the United Kingdom is rapidly expanding. To understand how maize production influences soil carbon (C) dynamics, and whether this is influenced by soil type, we measured net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using the eddy covariance technique over the 2021 growing season. We combined the NEE data with C imports and exports to calculate the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of two maize crops grown for bioenergy in the United Kingdom, one site on mineral soil and the other on lowland agricultural peat. Maize was similarly productive at both sites—gross primary productivity was 1107 g C m−2 at the site with mineral soil and 1407 g C m−2 at the peat site. However, total ecosystem respiration was considerably higher from the peat site (1198 g C m−2) compared with the mineral soil site (678 g C m−2). After accounting for the removal of C in harvested biomass, both sites were net C sources, but C losses were over two times greater from the peat site (NEP = 290 g C m−2) than the mineral site (NEP = 136 g C m−2). While annual crops may be needed to produce bioenergy in the short term, growing maize for bioenergy in the United Kingdom does not appear to be a viable option for C sequestration over the long term, as it leads to high carbon losses from agroecosystems, especially those on organic soils. Instead, growing perennial bioenergy crops on mineral soils with a low organic C content is a more appropriate option.
Linking regional species pool size to dispersal–selection relationships in soil fungal communities across terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Chen Beibei , Pan Haibo , Song Xiaofeng , Yao Yajun , Qi Jiejun , Bai Xiaoli , Peng Ziheng , Liu Yu , Chen Shi , Gao Hang , Liang Chunling , Liu Jiai , Gao Jiamin , Wei Gehong , Jiao Shuo
Published: June 2024

Aim

Revealing the role of regional species pool size in community assembly rules is essential for extending the species‐pool framework to large‐scale community ecology, and thus for more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity formation. However, little has been done to couple the regional species‐pool effect into local ecological processes in soil fungal communities, which play essential roles in ecosystems worldwide. Here, we performed large‐scale soil surveys of fungal communities to examine the linkage between regional species pool size and Dispersal–Selection Relationships (DSRs), and their relations to community structure.

Location

China.

Time period

July–August 2019.

Major taxa studied

Fungal communities.

Methods

By conducting the nationwide soil survey of ~1200 samples from various ecosystems across China, including agricultural, forest, grassland, and wetland soils, we examined the linkage between regional species pool size and DSRs, and their relationship to fungal community structure.

Results

We found that selection was negatively related to dispersal, which was consistent with the general view that the strength of selection is weakened by dispersal homogenization, and that this relationship was stronger in regions with larger species pools. Moreover, an increase in community dispersion was correlated with stronger effect size of DSRs, implying greater heterogeneity among fungal communities under larger species pools.

Main conclusions

Our study clearly illustrates the association of regional species pool size with local assembly rules and community formation of soil fungi across terrestrial ecosystems.
Will the Stars Sing on the Last Day? Cosmology and Eschatology†
Authors: Root Michael
Published: June 2024

Changes in the scientific picture of the origin and destiny of the physical universe present particular challenges to Christian eschatology. Both the great expansion of our picture of the size and age of the universe and the recent perception of an inexorable progression of the universe toward heat death in the far future alter the secular understanding of the universe with which Christian theology engages. In this essay, these challenges are considered in relation to how the theologian is to understand the eschatological role of physical objects far removed from interaction with humanity, for example, distant stars. Anthropocentric understandings of their role become implausible in light of recent changes in cosmology. This essay explores the traditional doctrine of bodily resurrection as a potential key to understanding the eschatological significance of stars. The insistence that the risen body is both radically transformed and yet numerically identical with the present body provides some parameters for understanding the nature of an eschatologically transformed universe and how its flourishing might be a witness to the glory of God.
Creative Pedagogies: School Without Walls and Forest of Imagination
Authors: Hay Penny
Published: June 2024

This paper responds directly to the question, how do we communicate our philosophy of art education? It does this by drawing upon previous research with House of Imagination, School Without Walls and doctoral research exploring children's learning identity as artists, to illuminate a philosophical approach to art education and its pedagogy that highlights both human and more‐than‐human dimensions of learning in communities of practice involving artists, researchers and educators working alongside children and young people where spaces of possibility for practice and innovation emerge. The paper focuses particularly on current and creative research in the Forest of Imagination, a long‐term participatory contemporary arts and architecture event in Bath, UK. Forest of Imagination offers an alternative, creative approach to learning, focusing on ecological imagination and nature connection. As a new aesthetic imaginary, the Forest of Imagination is a living, breathing art classroom, inspiring curiosity, imagination and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Socio‐demographic variation in diagnosis of and prescribing for common mental illnesses among children and young people during the COVID‐19 pandemic: time series analysis of primary care electronic health records
Authors: Hussey Louise Jane , Kontopantelis Evan , Mok Pearl L. H. , Ashcroft Darren M. , Carr Matthew J. , Garg Shruti , Chew‐Graham Carolyn A. , Kapur Nav , Lovell Karina , Webb Roger T.
Published: June 2024

Background

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the mental health of children and young people (CYP) has been widely reported. Primary care electronic health records were utilised to examine trends in the diagnosing, recording and treating of these common mental disorders by ethnicity and social deprivation in Greater Manchester, England.

Methods

Time‐series analyses conducted using Greater Manchester Care Record (GMCR) data examined all diagnosed episodes of anxiety disorders and depression and prescribing of anxiolytics and antidepressants among patients aged 6–24 years. The 41‐month observation period was split into three epochs: Pre‐pandemic (1/2019–2/2020); Pandemic Phase 1 (3/2020–6/2021); Pandemic Phase 2 (7/2021–5/2022). Rate ratios for all CYP specific to sex, age, ethnicity, and neighbourhood‐level Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile were modelled using negative binomial regression.

Results

Depression and anxiety disorder rates were highest in females, CYP aged 19–24, and White and ‘Other’ ethnic groups. During Pandemic Phase 1, rates for these diagnoses fell in all demographic subgroups and then rose to similar levels as those recorded pre‐pandemic. In Pandemic Phase 2, rates in Black and Mixed‐ethnicity females rose to a significantly greater degree (by 54% and 62%, respectively) than those in White females. Prescribing rates increased throughout the study period, with significantly greater rises observed in non‐White females and males. The temporal trends were mostly homogeneous across deprivation quintiles.

Conclusion

The observed fluctuations in frequency of recorded common mental illness diagnoses likely reflect service accessibility and patients' differential propensities to consult as well as changing levels of distress and psychopathology in the population. However, psychotropic medication prescribing increased throughout the observation period, possibly indicating a sustained decline in mental health among CYP, and also clinicians' responses to problems presented. The comparatively greater increases in frequencies of diagnosis recording and medication prescribing among ethnic minority groups warrants further investigation.
The GABAergic pathway from anterior cingulate cortex to lateral hypothalamus area regulates irritable bowel syndrome in mice and its underlying mechanism
Authors: Guo Ruixiao , Gao Shengli , Feng Xufei , Liu Hua , Ming Xing , Sun Jinqiu , Luan Xinchi , Liu Zhenyu , Liu Weiyi , Guo Feifei
Published: June 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, has a high global prevalence. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is a pivotal region involved in pain processing, should be further investigated regarding its role in the regulation of visceral sensitivity and mental disorders. A C57BL/6J mouse model for IBS was established using chronic acute combining stress (CACS). IBS‐like symptoms were assessed using behavioral tests, intestinal motility measurements, and abdominal withdrawal reflex scores. Fluoro‐Gold retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry techniques were employed to investigate the projection of ACC gamma‐aminobutyric acid‐producing (GABAergic) neurons to the lateral hypothalamus area (LHA). Chemogenetic approaches enabled the selective activation or inhibition of the ACC–LHA GABAergic pathway. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot analyses were conducted to determine the expression of histamine, 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). Our findings suggest that CACS induced IBS‐like symptoms in mice. The GABA type A receptors (GABAAR) within LHA played a regulatory role in modulating IBS‐like symptoms. The chemogenetic activation of ACC–LHA GABAergic neurons elicited anxiety‐like behaviors, intestinal dysfunction, and visceral hypersensitivity in normal mice; however, these effects were effectively reversed by the administration of the GABAAR antagonist Bicuculline. Conversely, the chemogenetic inhibition of ACC–LHA GABAergic neurons alleviated anxiety‐like behaviors, intestinal dysfunction, and visceral hypersensitivity in the mouse model for IBS. These results highlight the crucial involvement of the ACC–LHA GABAergic pathway in modulating anxiety‐like behaviors, intestinal motility alterations, and visceral hypersensitivity, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for alleviating IBS‐like symptoms.

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Extent of alteration, paleomagnetic history, and infrared spectral properties of the Tarda ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Bates H. C. , Aspin R. , Fu C. Y. , Harrison C. S. , Feaver E. , Branagan‐Harris E. , King A. J. , Bryson J. F. J. , Sridhar S. , Nichols C. I. O.
Published: June 2024

Tarda is an ungrouped, hydrated carbonaceous chondrite (C2‐ung) that was seen to fall in Morocco in 2020. Early studies showed that Tarda chemically resembles another ungrouped chondrite, Tagish Lake (C2‐ung), which has previously been linked to the dark D‐type asteroids. Samples of D‐type asteroids provide an important opportunity to investigate primitive conditions in the outer solar system. We show that Tarda contains few intact chondrules and refractory inclusions and that its composition is dominated by secondary Mg‐rich phyllosilicates (>70 vol%), carbonates, oxides, and Fe‐sulfides that formed during extensive water–rock reactions. Quantitative assessment of first‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams shows that Tarda's magnetic mineralogy (i.e., framboidal magnetite) is comparable to that of the CI chondrites and differs notably from that of most CM chondrites. These traits support a common formation process for magnetite in Tarda and the CI chondrites. Furthermore, Tarda's pre‐terrestrial paleomagnetic remanence is similar to that of Tagish Lake and samples returned from asteroid Ryugu, with a very weak paleointensity (<0.6 μT) suggesting that Tarda's parent body accreted more distally than that of the CM chondrites, possibly at a distance of >5.4–8.3 AU. An origin in the cold, outer regions of the solar system is further supported by the presence of distinct, porous clasts enriched in aliphatic‐rich organics that potentially retain a pristine interstellar composition. Together, our observations support a genetic relationship between Tarda and Tagish Lake.
Geoclimatic drivers of diversification in the largest arid and semi‐arid environment of the Neotropics: Perspectives from phylogeography
Authors: Guillory Wilson X. , de Medeiros Magalhães Felipe , Coelho Felipe Eduardo Alves , Bonatelli Isabel A. S. , Palma‐Silva Clarisse , Moraes Evandro M. , Garda Adrian Antonio , Burbrink Frank T. , Gehara Marcelo
Published: June 2024

The South American Dry Diagonal, also called the Diagonal of Open Formations, is a large region of seasonally dry vegetation extending from northeastern Brazil to northern Argentina, comprising the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Chaco subregions. A growing body of phylogeography literature has determined that a complex history of climatic changes coupled with more ancient geological events has produced a diverse and endemic‐rich Dry Diagonal biota. However, the exact drivers are still under investigation, and their relative strengths and effects are controversial. Pleistocene climatic fluctuations structured lineages via vegetation shifts, refugium formation, and corridors between the Amazon and Atlantic forests. In some taxa, older geological events, such as the reconfiguration of the São Francisco River, uplift of the Central Brazilian Plateau, or the Miocene inundation of the Chaco by marine incursions, were more important. Here, we review the Dry Diagonal phylogeography literature, discussing each hypothesized driver of diversification and assessing degree of support. Few studies statistically test these hypotheses, with most support drawn from associating encountered phylogeographic patterns such as population structure with the timing of ancient geoclimatic events. Across statistical studies, most hypotheses are well supported, with the exception of the Pleistocene Arc Hypothesis. However, taxonomic and regional biases persist, such as a proportional overabundance of herpetofauna studies, and the under‐representation of Chaco studies. Overall, both Pleistocene climate change and Neogene geological events shaped the evolution of the Dry Diagonal biota, though the precise effects are regionally and taxonomically varied. We encourage further use of model‐based analyses to test evolutionary scenarios, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations to progress the field beyond its current focus on the traditional set of geoclimatic hypotheses.
Antioxidants are ineffective at quenching reactive oxygen species inside bacteria and should not be used to diagnose oxidative stress
Authors: Korshunov Sergey , Imlay James A.
Published: June 2024

A wide variety of stresses have been proposed to exert killing effects upon bacteria by stimulating the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A key part of the supporting evidence has often been the ability of antioxidant compounds to protect the cells. In this study, some of the most‐used antioxidants—thiourea, glutathione, N‐acetylcysteine, and ascorbate—have been examined. Their ability to quench superoxide and hydrogen peroxide was verified in vitro, but the rate constants were orders of magnitude too slow for them to have an impact upon superoxide and peroxide concentrations in vivo, where these species are already scavenged by highly active enzymes. Indeed, the antioxidants were unable to protect the growth and ROS‐sensitive enzymes of E. coli strains experiencing authentic oxidative stress. Similar logic posits that antioxidants cannot substantially quench hydroxyl radicals inside cells, which contain abundant biomolecules that react with them at diffusion‐limited rates. Indeed, antioxidants were able to protect cells from DNA damage only if they were applied at concentrations that slow metabolism and growth. This protective effect was apparent even under anoxic conditions, when ROS could not possibly be involved, and it was replicated when growth was similarly slowed by other means. Experimenters should discard the use of antioxidants as a way of detecting intracellular oxidative stress and should revisit conclusions that have been based upon such experiments. The notable exception is that these compounds can effectively degrade hydrogen peroxide from environmental sources before it enters cells.
Temperate trees locally engineer decomposition and litter‐bound microbiomes through differential litter deposits and species‐specific soil conditioning
Authors: Yates Caylon , King William L. , Richards Sarah C. , Wilson Cullen , Viddam Vedha , Blakney Andrew J. C. , Eissenstat David M. , Bell Terrence H.
Published: June 2024

Leaf decomposition varies widely across temperate forests, shaped by factors like litter quality, climate, soil properties, and decomposers, but forest heterogeneity may mask local tree influences on decomposition and litter‐associated microbiomes. We used a 24‐yr‐old common garden forest to quantify local soil conditioning impacts on decomposition and litter microbiology.

We introduced leaf litter bags from 10 tree species (5 arbuscular mycorrhizal; 5 ectomycorrhizal) to soil plots conditioned by all 10 species in a full‐factorial design. After 6 months, we assessed litter mass loss, C/N content, and bacterial and fungal composition. We hypothesized that (1) decomposition and litter‐associated microbiome composition would be primarily shaped by the mycorrhizal type of litter‐producing trees, but (2) modified significantly by underlying soil, based on mycorrhizal type of the conditioning trees.

Decomposition and, to a lesser extent, litter‐associated microbiome composition, were primarily influenced by the mycorrhizal type of litter‐producing trees. Interestingly, however, underlying soils had a significant secondary influence, driven mainly by tree species, not mycorrhizal type. This secondary influence was strongest under trees from the Pinaceae.

Temperate trees can locally influence underlying soil to alter decomposition and litter‐associated microbiology. Understanding the strength of this effect will help predict biogeochemical responses to forest compositional change.
Effect of aromatic massage on brain waves and physiological indices of older adults
Authors: Sato Mitue , Koshu Yuu , Sugimoto Masahiro
Published: June 2024

Background

Massage and aromatherapy are frequently used by older adults as alternative interventions to enhance immunity and induce relaxation. This pilot study evaluated the effect of massage therapy with oil and aromatherapy alone and in combination using objective biological indices.

Methods

Twenty‐eight participants recruited by convenience sampling included adults aged between 25 and 65 years (Group 1), elderly individuals over 65 years without nursing care (Group 2), and older adults over 65 needing long‐term nursing support (Group 3). A multiple‐group pretest‐post‐test design was employed, and the effect among the three groups was compared. Interventions included: (i) oil massage therapy; (ii) aromatherapy; and (iii) aroma oil massage therapy. Each therapy session lasted 5 min, with 3 min of observation before and after the session and 10 min interval between sessions. Group 3 omitted one therapy (2: aromatherapy) to reduce their physical burden. An electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded for α, β, and θ activities of brain waves. EEG data were collected at three points: before, during, and after each treatment. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (s‐IgA) concentration, oxygen saturation (SPO2), and pulse rate were measured before and after each session.

Results

Across all therapy modalities, there was a noticeable increase in the α wave, indicative of relaxation, during the treatment. Significant differences were observed before and during the oil massage in both Group 1 and Group 2. Aromatherapy demonstrated a significant difference before and during treatment in Group 1. Among the biological parameters, s‐IgA levels indicated no significant changes. The pulse rate decreased with oil massage. Significant differences were noted before and after therapy in all cases for SPO2 and in Group 2 for pulse rate.

Conclusions

Three therapies induced EEG and physiological changes in the adult group and older adults without nursing care. However, these effects are limited in older adults requiring nursing care.
Nursing and midwifery students' perceptions of the elderly in nursing homes: a metaphor analysis
Authors: Bahadir‐Yilmaz Emel
Published: June 2024

Background

Nursing and midwifery students' perceptions and attitudes toward older adults affect their behaviours, career choices and/or the quality of care provided to older adults after graduation. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of second year nursing and midwifery students toward elderly people staying in nursing homes through metaphor analysis.

Methods

This qualitative study has used the phenomenological approach. The sample of the study consisted of 128 nursing and midwifery students by purposive sampling method. Students were prompted to complete a sentence to express their perceptions about the elderly living in nursing homes: ‘The elderly in the nursing home is similar to … because …’ Participants were required to fill in their responses in two stages, providing metaphors in the first blank and reasons for their metaphors in the second blank.

Results

The results indicated that five main themes and 12 sub‐themes were obtained from student metaphors: (i) needing help in meeting their needs (need for care and need for love); (ii) the emotional burden of a life away from loved ones (loneliness, abandonment, and helplessness); (iii) exhaustion at the end of the road (end, loss, and unproductive); (iv) holding on to life again (friendship and beginning); and (v) post‐traumatic growth (strong and experienced).

Conclusion

Students should question how to create opportunities and increase interaction for the elderly in the age of changing and developing technology before graduation and should be trained as professional individuals who are willing for this purpose.
The glycogenolytic enzyme acid α‐glucosidase is expressed in the bovine uterine endometrium
Authors: Berg Malia D. , Dean Matthew
Published: June 2024

Progesterone has been shown to stimulate glycogen catabolism in uterine epithelial cells. Acid α‐glucosidase (GAA) is an enzyme that breaks down glycogen within lysosomes. We hypothesized that progesterone may stimulate glycogenolysis in the uterine epithelium via GAA. We found that GAA was more highly expressed in the stroma on Day 1 than on Day 11. However, GAA did not appear to differ in the epithelium on Days 1 and 11. Progesterone (0‐10 μM) had no effect on the levels of the full‐length inactive protein (110 kDa) or the cleaved (active) peptides present inside the lysosome (70 and 76 kDa) in immortalized bovine uterine epithelial (BUTE) cells. Furthermore, the activity of GAA did not differ between the BUTE cells treated with 10 μM progesterone or control. Overall, we confirmed that GAA is present in the cow endometrium and BUTE cells. However, progesterone did not affect protein levels or enzyme activity.
Foreign direct investment spillovers and regional innovation in China: The spatial moderating role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Sheng Yuxue , Yang Xin , Chih Yao‐Yu , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2024

This study examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and regional innovation relationship in Chinese cities from 2009 to 2018, considering the influence of local absorptive capacity (ABC). We employ spatial panel regression moderated models with an interaction term between ABC and FDI. Our findings reveal spatial correlation and heterogeneity in the impact of FDI on regional innovation. Across various ABC percentile points, both direct and indirect effects of FDI are significantly negative. However, incorporating the moderating variable ABC weakens the detrimental effect, and as ABC increases, the inhibitory effect dissipates, resulting in a positive impact on regional innovation.
Depositional environments, hematite–chamosite differentiation and origins of Middle Ordovician iron ooids in the Upper Yangtze region, South China
Authors: Luan Xiaocong , Sproat Colin D. , Jin Jisuo , Zhan Renbin
Published: June 2024

Middle Ordovician iron ooids in the Upper Yangtze region of South China are composed mainly of hematite and/or chamosite, found in mixed siliciclastic and carbonate successions, with hematitic ooids occurring in the west, and predominantly chamositic ooids in the east of the study area. In the three iron ooid‐bearing Middle–Upper Ordovician successions, 19 microfacies are recognized and grouped into eight facies associations, representing a shallow‐water mosaic comprising restricted and semi‐restricted lagoons, and open marine subtidal deposits interfingering with tidal flat and shoal facies. Hematitic ooids with well‐sorted and well‐rounded quartz grains formed in the transgressive shoal setting when the depositional environments changed from restricted lagoon to bioclast–quartz shoal and open marine subtidal. Episodic stasis and erosional intervals during transgression controlled the formation of hematite‐rich and mixed hematite–chamosite laminae within the cortices of hematitic ooids. In contrast, chamositic ooids formed in a semi‐restricted lagoonal environment, under long‐term transgressive condensation. Alternating episodes of relatively oxic conditions with thriving organisms and eutrophication‐driven anoxia resulted in the alternation of porous and dense laminae consisting mainly of chamosite in chamositic ooids. The stromatolite‐like cauliflower structures associated with chamositic ooids suggest microbial activity that promoted iron concentration, similar to the origin of approximately coeval iron‐rich oncoids in South China. Various iron ooid types demonstrate that these coated grains could form in a range of depositional setting and palaeooceanographic conditions on a generally shallow‐marine platform during the Ordovician.
Discovery of the novel KIR2DL3*00111 allele in a Chinese Han individual
Authors: Zhen Jianxin , Yang Zhichao , Deng Zhihui
Published: June 2024

The novel KIR2DL3*00111 allele differs from the closest allele KIR2DL3*00101 by a single silent mutation.
Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in small animal surgery: A 2020 survey of small animal diplomate and resident veterinary surgeons
Authors: Stoneburner Regan M. , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Scott Jacqueline E.
Published: June 2024

Objective

To document the utilization and training of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques within the American, European, Australian and New Zealand Colleges of Small Animal Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS, ECVS, and ANZCVS) in 2020.

Study design

Observational study.

Sample population

Diplomates and residents of the ACVS, ECVS, and FANZCVS.

Methods

An electronic survey was sent using veterinary list servers. Questions were organized into categories evaluating (1) the demographics of the study population and the caseload, (2) comfort level with specific procedures, (3) motivating factors and limitations, and (4) surgical training and the role of the governing bodies.

Results

Respondents included 111 practicing surgeons and 28 residents. Respondents’ soft‐tissue MIS caseloads had increased since they first started performing MIS; however, most respondents were only comfortable performing basic laparoscopy. Over half of the respondents agreed on the patient benefits and high standard of care provided by MIS. Perceived adequate soft‐tissue training in MIS during residency was strongly associated with perceived proficiency at the time of survey response. Most respondents agreed that the specialty colleges should take a more active role in developing standards for soft‐tissue MIS, with residents agreeing that a required standardized course would be beneficial.

Conclusion

Soft‐tissue MIS is widely performed by diplomates and residents. Perceived adequate soft‐tissue MIS training was strongly associated with perceived proficiency.

Clinical significance

There is substantial underutilization of advanced MIS techniques in veterinary specialty surgical practice, which might be improved by a stronger focus on MIS training during residency.
Identifying Inner Race Faults in Deep Groove Ball Bearing Using Nonlinear Mode Decomposition and Hilbert Transform
Authors: Singh Swapna , Yelve Nitesh P.
Published: June 2024

This study focuses on the analysis of vibration-based signatures obtained from deep groove ball bearings with faults on the inner race. Various time−frequency-based methods are commonly used to diagnose faults in bearings. However, due to the non-self-adaptive nature of these methods and the nonlinear and nonstationary signals produced by the faults, mode decomposition techniques are seen as promising methods. This article presents a novel approach based on Nonlinear Mode Decomposition (NMD), which decomposes the complex signal into nonlinear modes. The data are taken from an online database of deep groove ball bearing with inner race faults of different sizes. These data are then subjected to NMD to extract nonlinear modes. Statistical parameters are applied to select a subset of significant nonlinear modes from the complete set. Finally, the Fast Fourier Transform is applied to the Hilbert Transform (HT) of the selected modes to see fault frequency and its higher harmonics resulting from nonlinearity. Additionally, the instantaneous frequency and instantaneous phase, two key parameters acquired from the HT, are also plotted for normal and faulty bearings, and the results are discussed in the article. The proposed method offers a valuable approach for accurately detecting and diagnosing deep groove ball-bearing faults.
Cu1−xAlx films as alternatives to copper for advanced interconnect metallization
Authors: Soulié Jean-Philippe , Sankaran Kiroubanand , Pourtois Geoffrey , Swerts Johan , Tőkei Zsolt , Adelmann Christoph
Published: June 2024

CuxAl1−x thin films with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 have been studied as potential alternatives for metallization of advanced interconnects. First-principles simulations were used to obtain the CuxAl1−x electronic structure and cohesive energy to benchmark different intermetallics and their prospects for interconnect metallization. Next, thin CuxAl1−x films were deposited by PVD with thicknesses in the range between 3 and 28 nm. The lowest resistivities of 9.5 μΩ cm were obtained for 28 nm thick stoichiometric CuAl and CuAl2 after 400 °C postdeposition annealing. Based on the experimental results, we discuss the main challenges for the studied aluminides from an interconnect point of view, namely, control of the film stoichiometry, the phase separation observed for off-stoichiometric CuAl and CuAl2, as well as the presence of a nonstoichiometric surface oxide.
Asymmetric sound scattering by gratings of monopolar and dipolar resonators in a viscoelastic material
Authors: McIntosh Alexander G. D. , Sharma Gyani Shankar , Skvortsov Alexei , MacGillivray Ian , Kessissoglou Nicole
Published: June 2024

A self-consistent analytical model of a locally resonant coating exhibiting strong asymmetric wave scattering is presented. Gratings of resonant inclusions composed of cavities and hard particles embedded in a soft matrix are translated to the problem of sound scattering by monopolar and dipolar type resonators in a one-dimensional waveguide. Equations of motion for gratings of cavities and hard particles are developed that incorporate added mass, damping, and restoration forces to take into account multiple scattering effects. Expressions for the impedances of the resonators are derived from which the particle velocity fields are obtained. Monopole and dipole strengths are also calculated in terms of polarizability tensor components, which in turn are obtained from a retrieval method. Sound scattering by monopolar and dipolar resonators of different size and distribution within the waveguide are examined. Using detailed understanding of the interaction between groups of resonators, optimized solutions for a new class of acoustic materials can be designed by selecting layers of resonators to produce a given response.
Reducing contaminating noise effects when calculating low-boom loudness levels
Authors: Anderson Mark C. , Gee Kent L. , Durrant J. Taggart , Loubeau Alexandra , Doebler William J. , Klos Jacob
Published: June 2024

During NASA X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft community response tests, low-boom recordings will contain contaminating noise from instrumentation and ambient acoustical sources. This noise can inflate sonic boom perception metrics by several decibels. This paper discusses the development and comparison of robust lowpass filtering techniques for removing contaminating noise effects from low-boom recordings. The two filters are a time-domain Butterworth-magnitude filter and a frequency-domain Brick Wall filter. Both filters successfully reduce noise contamination in metric calculations for simulated data with real-world contaminating noise and demonstrate comparable performance to a modified ISO 11204 correction. The Brick Wall filter's success indicates that further attempts to match boom spectrum high-frequency roll-off beyond the contaminating noise floor are unnecessary and have marginal improvements on final metric calculations. Additionally, the Butterworth filter removes statistical correlation between ambient and boom levels for a real-world flight campaign, adding evidence that these techniques also work on other boom shapes. Overall, both filters can produce accurate metric calculations with only a few hundred hertz of positive signal-to-noise ratio. This work describes methods for accurate metric calculations in the presence of moderate noise contamination that should benefit X-59 and future low-boom supersonic aircraft testing.
Gut microorganisms of
Locusta migratoria
in various life stages and its possible influence on cellulose digestibility
Authors: Li Kai , Li Wen-Jing , Liang Ke , Li Fei-Fei , Qin Guo-Qing , Liu Jia-Hao , Zhang Yu-Long , Li Xin-Jiang
Published: June 2024

Locusta migratoria
is an important phytophagous pest, and its gut microbial communities play an important role in cellulose degradation. In this study, the gut microbial and cellulose digestibility dynamics of
Locusta migratoria
were jointly analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and anthrone colorimetry. The results showed that the gut microbial diversity and cellulose digestibility across life stages were dynamically changing. The species richness of gut bacteria was significantly higher in eggs than in larvae and imago, the species richness and cellulose digestibility of gut bacteria were significantly higher in early larvae (first and second instars) than in late larvae (third to fifth instars), and the diversity of gut bacteria and cellulose digestibility were significantly higher in imago than in late larvae. There is a correlation between the dynamics of gut bacterial communities and cellulose digestibility.
Enterobacter
,
Lactococcus,
and
Pseudomonas
are the most abundant genera throughout all life stages. Six strains of highly efficient cellulolytic bacteria were screened, which were dominant gut bacteria. Carboxymethyl cellulase activity (CMCA) and filter paper activity (FPA) experiments revealed that
Pseudomonas
had the highest cellulase enzyme activity. This study provides a new way for the screening of cellulolytic bacteria and lays the foundation for developing insects with significant biomass into cellulose-degrading bioreactors.

IMPORTANCE

Cellulose is the most abundant and cheapest renewable resource in nature, but its degradation is difficult, so finding efficient cellulose degradation methods is an urgent challenge.
Locusta migratoria
is a large group of agricultural pests, and the large number of microorganisms that inhabit their intestinal tracts play an important role in cellulose degradation. We analyzed the dynamics of
Locusta migratoria
gut microbial communities and cellulose digestibility using a combination of high-throughput sequencing technology and anthrone colorimetry. The results revealed that the gut microbial diversity and cellulose digestibility were dynamically changed at different life stages. In addition, we explored the intestinal bacterial community of
Locusta migratoria
across life stages and its correlation with cellulose digestibility. The dominant bacterial genera at different life stages of
Locusta migratoria
were uncovered and their carboxymethyl cellulase activity (CMCA) and filter paper activity (FPA) were determined. This study provides a new avenue for screening cellulolytic bacteria and lays the foundation for developing insects with significant biomass into cellulose-degrading bioreactors.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of plasma membranes from the fish pathogen
Saprolegnia parasitica
reveals promising targets for disease control
Authors: Mélida Hugo , Kappel Lisa , Ullah Sadia Fida , Bulone Vincent , Srivastava Vaibhav
Published: June 2024

The phylum Oomycota contains economically important pathogens of animals and plants, including
Saprolegnia parasitica
, the causal agent of the fish disease saprolegniasis. Due to intense fish farming and banning of the most effective control measures, saprolegniasis has re-emerged as a major challenge for the aquaculture industry. Oomycete cells are surrounded by a polysaccharide-rich cell wall matrix that, in addition to being essential for cell growth, also functions as a protective “armor.” Consequently, the enzymes responsible for cell wall synthesis provide potential targets for disease control. Oomycete cell wall biosynthetic enzymes are predicted to be plasma membrane proteins. To identify these proteins, we applied a quantitative (iTRAQ) mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to the plasma membrane of the hyphal cells of
S. parasitica
, providing the first complete plasma membrane proteome of an oomycete species. Of significance is the identification of 65 proteins enriched in detergent-resistant microdomains (DRMs).
In silico
analysis showed that DRM-enriched proteins are mainly involved in molecular transport and β-1,3-glucan synthesis, potentially contributing to pathogenesis. Moreover, biochemical characterization of the glycosyltransferase activity in these microdomains further supported their role in β-1,3-glucan synthesis. Altogether, the knowledge gained in this study provides a basis for developing disease control measures targeting specific plasma membrane proteins in
S. parasitica
.

IMPORTANCE

The significance of this research lies in its potential to combat saprolegniasis, a detrimental fish disease, which has resurged due to intensive fish farming and regulatory restrictions. By targeting enzymes responsible for cell wall synthesis in
Saprolegnia parasitica
, this study uncovers potential avenues for disease control. Particularly noteworthy is the identification of several proteins enriched in membrane microdomains, offering insights into molecular mechanisms potentially involved in pathogenesis. Understanding the role of these proteins provides a foundation for developing targeted disease control measures. Overall, this research holds promise for safeguarding the aquaculture industry against the challenges posed by saprolegniasis.
Graves’ ophthalmopathy: the clinical and psychosocial outcomes of different medical interventions – a systematic review
Authors: Bello Oyinlola Maria , Druce Maralyn , Ansari Ejaz
Published: June 2024

Background

Graves’ ophthalmopathy is a complex autoimmune disorder that can significantly affect quality of life (QoL), vision and physical appearance. Recently, a deeper understanding of the underlying pathogenesis has led to the development of novel treatment options.

Aims

The purpose of this review is to explore the current literature on conventional and novel treatment modalities and to evaluate which interventions provide the most favourable psychological and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate to severe, active Grave’s ophthalmopathy. For example, QoL is an important psychosocial outcome of disease management. However, available literature demonstrates that not all clinically effective treatment options improve patients’ QoL.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the clinical and psychosocial outcomes of different therapies for Graves’ ophthalmopathy. An extensive database search of Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted. Studies generated were reviewed and the relevant selected data were retrieved and analysed.

Results

Results showed intravenous steroids, rituximab (RTX), tocilizumab and teprotumumab were all significantly effective in improving Clinical Activity Scores. Orbital radiotherapy showed a slight improvement in proptosis and diplopia. All interventions were safe with few serious adverse events being reported across all studies. All treatment modalities demonstrated beneficial improvements in both components of the Graves’ Ophthalmopathy-QoL (QoL) questionnaire, apart from orbital radiotherapy which only demonstrated improvements in the visual functioning subscale. Teprotumumab was identified to be the most effective intervention for improving both clinical and psychosocial outcomes. However, further research needs to be conducted to evaluate its side effect profile and cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, with time it has the potential to be a first-line treatment option in the management of active moderate to severe Graves’ ophthalmopathy.