bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of technological factors on the reproductive performance of sows in an industrial breeder
Authors: Daryin A I , Kerdyashov N N , Busov A A , Zykina E A
Published: January 2022

The most important element of pork production technology is herd reproduction. Among all reproductive qualities of sows, the most important are prolificacy, heavy litter, and preservation of piglets during the suckling period. Therefore, the study of reproductive qualities of pigs is relevant to the theory and practice of pig breeding. The research was carried out under reproductive conditions in an industrial pig breeding complex. It is noted that the greatest increase in sows prolificacy is observed when the service-period is 21-28 days, i.e. when one heat is skipped, as compared to sows with a service-period of 1-7 days, i.e. without heat skipping. The highest farrowing rate was observed in groups of sows without heat skipping, but taking into account the prolificacy, the highest number of piglets was obtained in groups of sows with a service-period of 21-28 days - 33.35-34.70 animals. The survival rate of piglets in all groups of sows was 90.3%. Stillbirth rate was 0.85 heads per sow. Slight variations in this indicator from 0.79 to 0.95 were recorded depending on the service period of the sows. On average the crushed piglets amounted to 0.76 animals per nest. There were slight fluctuations from 0.73 to 0.79 depending on the service-period of the sows. Fetal mummification of fetuses was 0.37 per nest. It is noted that there is a tendency to increase the number of mummified fetuses with increasing service-period of sows. The number of mummified fetuses increases with increasing multiplicity of sows, which was observed in groups of sows with a service period of 21-28 and 45 days or more.
Endophytic isolates of Bacillus subtilis: prospects of application for improving the quality of food raw materials
Authors: Idiyatov I I , Eroshin A I , Yusupov S A , Zdoroveva E V , Tremasova A M
Published: January 2022

Endophytic microorganisms are most closely in contact with agricultural plants, inhabit their internal tissues, provide protection from pathogens, and have a direct impact on plant health and productivity. This is the relevance of studying the properties of endophytic organisms for the regulation of population density of pathogenic micromycetes. In this work, a comparative assessment of the antifungal activity of endophytic isolates B. subtilis EFS3, B. subtilis EFS9, B. subtilis EFS13 was carried out with respect to field isolates of microscopic fungi of the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor. The studied endophytic bacilli inhibited the growth of micromycetes both due to the antibiotic substances produced and by direct contact, i.e., antibiotic and alimentary types of antagonism were noted in the mechanism of antifungal action. Thus, the studied endophytic bacteria are able to influence the development of pathogenic fungi and can be used to develop biological products that contribute to improving the quality of food raw materials of plant origin.
Results of experimental studies of cold running-in of a diesel engine D-240 with increased load-rate modes
Authors: Morunkov A N , Timokhin S V , Spitsyn I A , Orekhov A A , Ivanov A S
Published: January 2022

Currently used diesel engine running-in methods are based mainly on typical technologies with the use of serial running-in and braking stands, which have limited speed and capacity for cold and hot running-in at idle and under load of all types of modern diesel engines, available in agricultural enterprises. In addition, typical running-in technologies have a number of technological, economic and environmental drawbacks. Taking into account high cost of up-to-date running-in equipment and low level of equipment of enterprises with serial running-in equipment, including those with long service life, the modernization of existing equipment is the urgent task, as well as the development of new technologies and means for their realization. The technology of cold running-in of diesels with increased load-rate modes using modernized running-in-brake stands and the developed system for increasing gas loads is proposed. The results of experimental studies show the possibility of creating higher load-rate modes during cold running-in of diesels and allow improving the typical technologies of running-in of diesels and means for their implementation.
Mechanical and fatigue behaviour of Sandwich elements with ABS core cells and GFRP plies, as function of cellular geometry and process parameters
Authors: Panella F W , Pirinu A , Saponaro A , Santoro M
Published: January 2022

The present work aim is to fully apply the potential of FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology with economic printing machine, in order to create performant ABS cores, to be subsequently used as shaped moulds for sandwich plate assembly with GFRP skins, representing simple prototypes to validate production concept and its structural behaviour. The further task of this study is to empirically optimize the geometry of the core as function of required thickness and technological building parameters, in order to achieve light and mechanically performing structures with extremely reduced costs. After compression experimental tests on core cell geometries, fatigue tests under bending are also executed on reinforced GFRP plates in order to validate best compromise between ABS core design and GFRP laminated skin properties and stiffness requirement, highlighting influence of ABS wire performances as deposited in the form of beam-based lattice geometry. In addition, the authors employ the digital image correlation technique to perform the strain and displacement field of lattice structures and sandwich interfaces.
Integrated multi-objective optimisation of the support structure of heliostats in concentrated solar power plants using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Lomazzi L , Cadini F , Giglio M , Cancro C , Ciniglio G , Graditi G , Pontecorvo A
Published: January 2022

The optimisation of the support structure of heliostats in concentrating solar power plants is a fundamental task aimed at attempting to reduce the high levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of current configurations. In this work, an integrated multi-objective optimisation framework is presented, which relies on the combination of a lean and fast structural model with a genetic algorithm to simultaneously minimise both the overall mass of the support structure and the mean angle of rotation of the mirror surface, which directly affects the optical efficiency of the component. A particular feature of the proposed framework is that it represents an integrated solution, i.e., it allows to simultaneously optimise the main components of the heliostat support structure, i.e., the pedestal, the truss and the back support structure, assuming they are off-the-shelf components easily available on the market. The optimisation problem is set up selecting as design variables (i) the number of elements in the back support structure and (ii) the relevant characteristics of all the components considered, i.e., section shape and dimensions, according to the components commercial datasheets. At each iteration of the optimisation process, the structural model is fed with the current design variables values and, according to some computed aerodynamic loads, it allows evaluating the displacement and rotation of the points of interest within the mirror surface. An aerodynamic model present in the literature based on experimental wind tunnel tests is used to estimate the wind forces acting on the heliostat as a function both of the mirror inclination angle with respect to the ground and of the wind direction with respect to the mirror orientation. In this work, the proposed methodology is demonstrated on a realistic case study and the results commented in detail, highlighting possible future developments and the limitations of the framework.
Design and construction of an offshore diffuser augmented wind turbine with a high efficiency alternator
Authors: Demelio G P , Camporeale SM , Castellano A , Cupertino F , Torresi M
Published: January 2022

This paper describes the design and the assembly of a new type of a ducted wind turbine with an electric power generator adopting permanent high coercive magnets embedded in the peripheral ring of the rotor. The nominal power is 20 kW, and the maximum diameter of the external duct is 9 meters. The project has been carried out within the Marine Energy Laboratory (MEL) funded by the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research (MIUR) and collects the most advanced technologies of naval maritime engineering and combines them with energy and turbomachinery technologies. The presence of a divergent duct enables the interception of a greater air mass flow rate, allowing the reduction of the rotor diameter and the deflections of the blades; hence, at constant tip speed ratio, a higher rotational speed compared to conventional turbines and a better efficiency of the permanent magnet power generator.
Investigating encapsulation design strategy of photovoltaic cells in the case of a solar race car
Authors: Pavlovic A , Mikhnych V , Bertoldi M , Fragassa C
Published: January 2022

The efficiency in converting solar energy into electricity is fundamental wherever photovoltaic panels are present, still more crucial in the design of racing solar vehicles. Even minimal reductions in conversion ratio, maintained for the long solar races, cause solar cars to lose race positions and competitiveness. Here we introduce a numerical-experimental study for choosing the best combination of materials to encapsulate cells in solar roofs. The tangible expectation is to improve the performance of the monocrystalline silicon cells used in our solar vehicle by maximizing heat dissipation to the environment. The operating temperature is in fact a determining factor for efficient conversion, with efficiency drops of the order of 5% every 10 °C. Different stratifications, some of which quite unusual in solar panel design, were compared by transient thermal simulations and experiments. Specifically, five alternatives were analyzed, varying in the presence and thickness of the encapsulation materials (ETFE, EVA and PET). The main scope of the work, however, was not choosing the best among several specific hypotheses, but the development of an accurate numerical model able to predict the behavior of the solar panel in conditions close to the expected ones. This model, in fact, has provided valuable help in optimizing the vehicle design by allowing to evaluate the effect of alternative materials and construction solutions in the cell’s construction housing structure.
Development of a hybrid racing car model and optimization of the torque delivery strategy by means of genetic algorithms
Authors: Bertucco J , Dindo L , Vendramin M , Meneghetti G
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes an optimization of torque strategy of All Wheel Drive hybrid vehicle taking part to Le Mans Hypercar championship. Using the software VI-Grade CarRealTime an existing reference model has been considered, and new co-simulated model with CarRealTime and Simulink with custom torque distribution has been defined. Subsequently, a simpler vehicle model has been developed only in Simulink to speed up the optimization problem, while conserving the same torque strategy of the co-simulated model. Regarding the optimization problem, two analysis are proposed. The first one is based on single-objective optimization that reduces the fuel consumption, by optimizing the use of the electric powertrain along the track; the second one is a multi-objective optimization that minimizes the fuel consumption and variation of State of Charge (SoC) using the same decision variable of single-objective optimization. The same penalty function is adopted in both cases to have a final SoC equal to the initial one. This analysis allow to design the size of battery and fuel tank as low as possible.
Interferometric weak value of polarization observable and differential Jones matrix algebra
Authors: Modak Niladri , Das Sayantan , Bordoloi Priyanuj , Ghosh Nirmalya
Published: January 2022

The quantification of simultaneously present weak polarization anisotropy effects are of practical interest from polarimetric and metrological perspective. Recently, in Modak et al (2021 Phys. Rev. A 103 053518), we experimentally demonstrated a classical analog of post-selected quantum weak measurement through optical interferometry to amplify all possible weak polarization anisotropy effects individually. Here, we propose an extension of this interferometric framework for applying it in a realistic scenario to quantify simultaneously present polarization anisotropy effects. Moreover, a clear correspondence of differential Jones matrix approach with the present scheme is indicated. The proposed scheme enables the measurement of differential Jones matrices through characteristic Stokes vector elements. Our proposal leads to a new class of polarimeter for experimental detection of differential Jones matrix of non-depolarizing anisotropic medium exhibiting simultaneous multiple polarimetric effects of tiny magnitude.
Effect of low-velocity impact on mechanical property and fatigue life of DP590/AA6061 self-piercing riveted joints
Authors: Zhao Yi-Guang , Huang Zhi-Chao , Jiang Yu-Qiang
Published: January 2022

The low-velocity impact behaviors of DP590/AA6061 self-piercing riveting (SPR) joints are studied at the impact energies of 5 J, 10 J, 20 J, 30 J, and room temperature (25 °C). The lap shear and fatigue tests, and the cross-sectional microscopies of joints are used to assess the mechanical property evolutions of the joints after low-velocity impact. The results show that the absorbed impact energies of SPR joints reach the critical value at an impact energy of 30 J, the exceeded impact energy causes crack failures in the sheets and decreases the interlocking performance of the joints. The static property and the absorbed energy of the SPR joints are reduced by 16% and 36% when the joints are impacted at 30 J, respectively. The low-velocity impacts do not change the failure forms of the joints, but significantly reduce the mechanical interlocking properties of the joints. The fatigue lives of the SPR joints are reduced due to low-velocity impact, and the impacted joints are more sensitive to cyclic loadings.
Assembly-dependent translation of subunits 6 (Atp6) and 9 (Atp9) of ATP synthase in yeast mitochondria
Authors: Kabala Anna M , Binko Krystyna , Godard François , Charles Camille , Dautant Alain , Baranowska Emilia , Skoczen Natalia , Gombeau Kewin , Bouhier Marine , Becker Hubert D , Ackerman Sharon H , Steinmetz Lars M , Tribouillard-Tanvier Déborah , Kucharczyk Roza , di Rago Jean-Paul
Published: January 2022

The yeast mitochondrial ATP synthase is an assembly of 28 subunits of 17 types of which 3 (subunits 6, 8, and 9) are encoded by mitochondrial genes, while the 14 others have a nuclear genetic origin. Within the membrane domain (FO) of this enzyme, the subunit 6 and a ring of 10 identical subunits 9 transport protons across the mitochondrial inner membrane coupled to ATP synthesis in the extra-membrane structure (F1) of ATP synthase. As a result of their dual genetic origin, the ATP synthase subunits are synthesized in the cytosol and inside the mitochondrion. How they are produced in the proper stoichiometry from two different cellular compartments is still poorly understood. The experiments herein reported show that the rate of translation of the subunits 9 and 6 is enhanced in strains with mutations leading to specific defects in the assembly of these proteins. These translation modifications involve assembly intermediates interacting with subunits 6 and 9 within the final enzyme and cis-regulatory sequences that control gene expression in the organelle. In addition to enabling a balanced output of the ATP synthase subunits, these assembly-dependent feedback loops are presumably important to limit the accumulation of harmful assembly intermediates that have the potential to dissipate the mitochondrial membrane electrical potential and the main source of chemical energy of the cell.
Exogenous auxin-induced ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 2 (ESR2) enhances femaleness of cucumber by activating theCsACS2gene
Authors: Niu Huanhuan , Wang Hu , Zhao Bosi , He Jiao , Yang Luming , Ma Xiongfeng , Cao Jiajian , Li Zheng , Shen Junjun
Published: January 2022

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) has been a model for the study of sex differentiation over the last two decades. Cucumber sex differentiation is mainly under genetic control, but plant growth regulators can also influence or even change it. However, the effect of exogenous auxin application on cucumber sex differentiation is not well understood at the physiological level. In this study, we explored the effects of different exogenous auxin concentrations on cucumber varieties with different mutant sex-controlling genotypes and found that there was a dosage effect of exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the enhancement of cucumber femaleness. Several ACC synthetase (ACS) family members responded directly to exogenous IAA, increasing endogenous ethylene synthesis, and this process appeared to be independent of the previously identified sex-related ACC oxidase CsACO2. We further demonstrated that ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 2 (ESR2) responded to exogenous auxin induction by binding to ERE cis-acting element regions in the CsACS2 promoter, directly activating CsACS2 expression and thus increasing endogenous ethylene content, which may induce femaleness. These findings reveal that exogenous auxin increases cucumber femaleness by inducing a sex-controlling gene and promoting ethylene synthesis.
AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TRANSPLANT IN A PATIENT WITH RECURRENT MACULAR HOLE AND ATROPHIC AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Siotto-Pintor Emanuele , Tatti Filippo , Peiretti Enrico
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

To report a case of a recurrent macular hole (MH) and atrophic age-related macular degeneration in a patient, treated with human amniotic membrane transplant.

Methods:

Interventional case report.

Results:

A 72-year-old man was referred to our Retina Unit for a recurrent MH associated with atrophic age-related macular degeneration. The patient was already operated for a full-thickness MH without any anatomical and functional benefit. A 25-gauge vitrectomy, under local anesthesia was performed. A human amniotic membrane patch was transplanted under the retina through a 180° retinectomy to close the MH and eventually exploit his regenerative effects on the atrophic pigment epithelium. Follow-up was taken at 1, 3, and 6 months and 1 year. No intra- or postoperative complications were recorded. At 1 month, a complete MH closure was achieved, and best-corrected visual acuity increased from 20/400 to 20/320. Unfortunately, after 1 year, the macular atrophic area increased and the best-corrected visual acuity came back to 20/400.

Conclusion:

A human amniotic membrane was used to close a MH in a patient with atrophic age-related macular degeneration, although progression of the geographic atrophy continued after MH closure.
The Relationship Between Ultraviolet B and DNA Methylation in Skin Cancers
Authors: Wu Yi-Lin , Zhang Yue-Yue , He Yong , Lyu Qun , Li Li-Ming , Jiang Ming-Jun
Published: January 2022

Ultraviolet B is regarded as an important factor in many skin diseases, especially skin cancers. Increasingly more evidence is showing that changes in DNA methylation occur in patients with skin cancers. Changes in DNA methylation have also been observed in ultraviolet B-irradiated cells and mouse models. DNA methylation modifier enzymes are simultaneously affected. We herein review the evidence to date showing that Ultraviolet B affects changes in DNA methylation modifier enzymes in skin cancers. However, the mechanism of how ultraviolet B regulates the changes in DNA methylation modifier enzymes remains to be further elucidated. Understanding the mechanism by which ultraviolet B modulates DNA methylation modifier enzymes can help to identify potential therapeutic markers or targets and develop novel strategies for preventing or treating ultraviolet B-induced skin damage.
Polycistronic baculovirus expression of SUGT1 enables high-yield production of recombinant leucine-rich repeat proteins and protein complexes
Authors: Snead Kelly , Wall Vanessa , Ambrose Hannah , Esposito Dominic , Drew Matthew
Published: January 2022

The SHOC2-MRAS-PPP1CA (SMP) complex is a holoenzyme that plays a vital role in the MAP kinase signaling pathway. Previous attempts to produce this challenging three-protein complex have relied on co-infection with multiple viruses and the use of affinity tags to attempt to isolate functional recombinant protein complexes. Leucine-rich repeat containing proteins have been historically challenging to express, and we hypothesized that co-expression of appropriate chaperones may be necessary for optimal production. We describe here how the SUGT1 chaperone can, in conjunction with polycistronic protein expression in baculovirus-infected insect cells, dramatically enhance production yield and quality of recombinant SHOC2, the SMP complex, and other leucine-rich repeat proteins.

Highlights

Improved yields and purity of LRR proteins and multiprotein complexes through chaperone co-expression, DNA construct design, and use of polycistronic baculovirus.

Over 300-fold yield increase of SMP protein complex from 0.1 mg/L to 32.6 mg/L.

SUGT1 co-expression is a highly effective technique for recombinant LRR protein expression and purification.

Polycistronic baculovirus infection is ideal for production of multiprotein complexes
YTHDC2 control of gametogenesis requires helicase activity but not m6A binding
Authors: Saito Yuhki , Hawley Ben R. , Puno M. Rhyan , Sarathy Shreya N. , Lima Christopher D. , Jaffrey Samie R. , Darnell Robert B. , Keeney Scott , Jain Devanshi
Published: January 2022

Mechanisms regulating meiotic progression in mammals are poorly understood. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader and 3′ → 5′ RNA helicase YTHDC2 switches cells from mitotic to meiotic gene expression programs and is essential for meiotic entry, but how this critical cell fate change is accomplished is unknown. Here, we provide insight into its mechanism and implicate YTHDC2 in having a broad role in gene regulation during multiple meiotic stages. Unexpectedly, mutation of the m6A-binding pocket of YTHDC2 had no detectable effect on gametogenesis and mouse fertility, suggesting that YTHDC2 function is m6A-independent. Supporting this conclusion, CLIP data defined YTHDC2-binding sites on mRNA as U-rich and UG-rich motif-containing regions within 3′ UTRs and coding sequences, distinct from the sites that contain m6A during spermatogenesis. Complete loss of YTHDC2 during meiotic entry did not substantially alter translation of its mRNA binding targets in whole-testis ribosome profiling assays but did modestly affect their steady-state levels. Mutation of the ATPase motif in the helicase domain of YTHDC2 did not affect meiotic entry, but it blocked meiotic prophase I progression, causing sterility. Our findings inform a model in which YTHDC2 binds transcripts independent of m6A status and regulates gene expression during multiple stages of meiosis by distinct mechanisms.
A fast and cost-effective short circuit protection scheme for low-power converters for small-scale photovoltaic application
Authors: Ebadi Mazdak , Abbasi Negin , Maghsoudi Hamidreza
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an integrated protection scheme for converters of a low-power, low-cost photovoltaic system. Power electronic converters use a variety of methods to limit overload and fault current. The use of insulated and non-insulated sensors along with additional circuits to detect and limit fault current can cause current to be limited or completely cut off before damage to semiconductor devices. In addition, fuses that have slower performance are used as backup for any type of protection.

Design/methodology/approach

First, all the candidate points for protection are investigated. In this paper, after examining the performance of glass fuses as linear resistors, they are used as a current feedback element. A simple, isolated and reliable circuit for fault detection at various points of the system has been proposed that can be implemented and operated in single shot or auto-reclose operating mode.

Findings

The experimental results of this circuit on a dc/dc converter and an H-bridge inverter show that it can cut off all instantaneous short circuit errors in less than 50 µs and prevent damage to the semiconductor switch.

Originality/value

In low-cost and low-power converters, it is usually not cost-effective to use complex and expensive devices. For this reason, these converters are more vulnerable to faults. On the other hand, in complex systems such as photovoltaics, several converters are used simultaneously in different parts, and the occurrence of a fault in each of them causes the whole system to fail.
Industry 4.0 enablers in retailing: a literature review
Authors: Bruni Roberto , Piccarozzi Michela
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study and describe the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept in the retail industry by identifying the technology enablers, the benefits and the challenges involved in adopting these technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is built on a systematic literature review (SLR) about the I4.0 concept within retail studies through the enablers codified by the Industry 4.0 literature.

Findings

The concept of Industry 4.0 within the retail context is presented through three relevant technology enablers I4.0 emerges as a latent concept represented by technologies adopted to study customer behaviour and manage customer relationships and, partially, to optimise retail management. Furthermore, the paper highlights the benefits and challenges stemming from the adoption of I4.0 technology enablers in the retail industry.

Originality/value

The use of a SLR to describe the I4.0 concept in the retail industry identifying the relevant technology enablers and their relations. The article lays the foundations for future studies on the integrated effects of the contemporary actions of multiple technologies on retail management.
AI as customer
Authors: Huang Ming-Hui , Rust Roland T.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to note that customers are not necessarily human and to figure out how best to serve artificial intelligence (AI) customers. The authors also propose several major research streams, as examples, to help launch research on AI customers and how to serve them.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper is a conceptual one that draws upon research from many areas to support the ideas proposed.

Findings

AI customer are proliferating. AI as customers can augment or replace human customers and can be the customer itself. Service providers may also be AI, which means that both humans serving AI customers and AI serving AI customers are relevant here. The authors show that even truly autonomous AI customers are likely to be more common in the future. The authors conclude that reverse engineering will probably not be successful in understanding AI customers and that an approach similar to how we research human consumer behavior is likely to be more useful.

Originality/value

Virtually, the entire literature on customers and how to serve them assumes that customers are human. With the rapid advancement of AI, purchase decisions are increasingly made by AI, suggesting that it is now important and necessary to consider the possibility of AI customers and how best to serve them. This paper opens the door for such research.
Metagenomic insights into the environmental adaptation and metabolism of Candidatus Haloplasmatales, one archaeal order thriving in saline lakes
Authors: Zhou Heng , Zhao Dahe , Zhang Shengjie , Xue Qiong , Zhang Manqi , Yu Haiying , Zhou Jian , Li Ming , Kumar Sumit , Xiang Hua
Published: January 2022

The KTK 4A‐related Thermoplasmata thrives in the sediment of saline lakes; however, systematic research on its taxonomy, environmental adaptation and metabolism is lacking. Here, we detected this abundant lineage in the sediment of five artificially separated ponds (salinity 7.0%–33.0%) within a Chinese soda‐saline lake using culture‐independent metagenomics and archaeal 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The phylogenies based on the 16S rRNA gene, and 122 archaeal ubiquitous single‐copy proteins and genome‐level identity analyses among the metagenome‐assembled genomes demonstrate this lineage forming a novel order, Candidatus Haloplasmatales, comprising four genera affiliated with the identical family. Isoelectric point profiles of predicted proteomes suggest that most members adopt the energetically favourable ‘salt‐in’ strategy. Functional prediction indicates the lithoheterotrophic nature with the versatile metabolic potentials for carbohydrate and organic acids as well as carbon monoxide and hydrogen utilization. Additionally, hydrogenase genes hdrABC‐mvhADG are linked with incomplete reductive citrate cycle genes in the genomes, suggesting their functional connection. Comparison with the coupling of HdrABC‐MvhADG and methanogenesis pathway provides new insights into the compatibility of laterally acquired methanogenesis with energy metabolism in the related order Methanomassiliicoccales. Globally, our research sheds light on the taxonomy, environmental adaptative mechanisms, metabolic potentials and evolutional significance of Ca. Haloplasmatales.
Turnip mosaic virus, a virus for all seasons
Authors: Nellist Charlotte F. , Ohshima Kazusato , Ponz Fernando , Walsh John A.
Published: January 2022

Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is an economically important virus infecting a broad range of arable and vegetable crops and many wild plant species. It is also of particular scientific interest as it has the broadest host range of any of the potyviruses, infects dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, is transmitted by many (>89) aphid species and is the best adapted potyvirus to Arabidopsis thaliana. For these reasons it has been particularly well studied from many angles and is being exploited for biotechnological purposes. This review aims to consolidate the most recent advances in research on TuMV and will form the basis of an updated version on the Association of Applied Biologists (AAB) Description of Plant Viruses for TuMV.
Retracted: The association between keratoconus and allergic eye diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Seth Ishith , Bulloch Gabriella , Vine Michael , Outmezguine Joseph , Seth Nimish , Every James , Daniell Mark
Published: January 2022

Background

To investigate association between keratoconus and allergic eye diseases, eye rubbing, and atopy.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched for relevant published studies from inception to April 2021 without restrictions or filters. We included case–control, cohort, and cross‐sectional studies that investigated eye allergy, atopy, or eye rubbing as possible risk factors for KC. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study analysed keratoconus prevalence and risk factors including eye rubbing, family history of keratoconus, atopy, and allergic eye diseases. The National Institute of Health Study Quality Assessment tool was utilised. Pooled data were presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.3 software.

Results

Out of 573 articles, we excluded 161 duplicates than 361 articles by title and abstract screening. The remaining 51 articles underwent full‐text screening, and 29 articles were excluded. Twenty‐one studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and fifteen for quantitative synthesis. There was no significant association found between KC and allergic eye diseases (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.96, 1.11], p = 0.45), eye rubbing (OR = 1.59, 95% CI [0.70, 3.63], p = 0.27), or atopy (OR = 1.08, 95% CI [0.80, 1.44], p = 0.62).

Conclusion

No significant association was observed between KC and allergic eye disease, eye rubbing, or atopy. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify and validate these findings.
Modulation effect of acupuncture treatment on chronic neck and shoulder pain in female patients: Evidence from periaqueductal gray‐based functional connectivity
Authors: Xu Hui , Chen Yilin , Tao Yin , Zhang Yiwen , Zhao Teng , Wang Mi , Fan Lihua , Zheng Yunsong , Guo Chenguang
Published: January 2022

Aims

Chronic neck and shoulder pain (CNSP) is a common neurological disorder, which females are more likely to suffer from. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a key role in the descending modulation of pain. This study aimed to investigate altered PAG‐based functional connectivity (FC) in female patients with CNSP related to healthy controls (HCs) and the effect of acupuncture for female patients with CNSP using PAG‐based FC biomarkers.

Methods

PAG‐based FC value was calculated based on resting‐state functional images and then compared between patients with CNSP at pre‐acupuncture, post‐acupuncture, and HCs. Then, correlational analyses were performed to examine the relationships between increased PAG‐based FC strength and improved clinical parameters in patients after acupuncture treatment.

Results

Before acupuncture treatment, compared to HCs, patients with CSNP showed altered PAG‐based FC with widely distributed brain regions, including the left medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral posterior insula (pIns), and cingulate gyrus. After treatment, patients with CNSP exhibited specially improved PAG‐pIns FC compared to that before treatment, and no significant difference was observed in the increased PAG‐pIns FC strength between HCs and patients with CNSP after treatment. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing reduction was significantly correlated with the increased PAG‐pIns FC strength in patients after treatment.

Conclusion

The effect of acupuncture treatment may relate to the increased PAG‐pIns FC, which significantly correlated with pain catastrophizing reduction after treatment. These findings shed important mechanistic information on the role of therapeutic approaches in treating chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Improved self‐attentive Musical Instrument Digital Interface content‐based music recommendation system
Authors: Yadav Naina , Kumar Singh Anil , Pal Sukomal
Published: January 2022

Automatic music recommendation is an open research problem that has seen much work in recent years. A common and successful music recommendation approach is collaborative filtering, which has worked well in this domain. One major drawback of this method is that it suffers from a cold‐start problem, and it requires a lot of user‐personalized information. It is an ineffective mechanism for recommending new and unpopular songs as well as for new users. In this article, we report a hybrid methodology that uses the song's content information. We use MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) content data, a compressed version of an audio song that contains digital information about a song and is machine‐readable. We describe a model called MSA‐SRec (MIDI Based Self Attentive Sequential Music Recommendation), a latent factor‐based self‐attentive deep learning model that uses a substantial amount of sequential information as content information of the song for recommendation generation. We use MIDI data of a song that is under‐explored content information for music recommendation. We show that using MIDI as content data with user and item latent vector produces reasonable recommendations. We also demonstrate that using MIDI over other music metadata performs better with various state‐of‐the‐art models of recommendation systems.
Combined effects of climate and fire‐driven vegetation change constrain the distributions of forest vertebrates during the 21st century
Authors: Hoecker Tyler J. , Turner Monica G.
Published: January 2022

Aim

Biodiversity conservation relies in part on enduring habitat in protected areas. In fire‐prone ecosystems, shifts in species’ ranges will result both from changes in climate and fire‐catalysed vegetation change, which could lead to niche contraction and undermine protected‐area efficacy. We explored these dynamics for three forest species with varied niches representative of other taxa and different hypothesized responses to fire‐regime change (black‐backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus; North American marten, Martes spp.; and red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). We asked: How do the extent and spatial pattern of these species’ distributions change during the 21st century based on the independent and joint effects of climate and vegetation?

Location

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Wyoming, USA).

Methods

For each species, we developed separate distribution models based on climate and forest attributes, projected under four climate‐fire scenarios (a 2 × 2 design with moderate and high temperature and precipitation change). A spatially explicit forest landscape model calibrated for Greater Yellowstone was used to project fire and forest dynamics through 2100, and climate suitability was estimated with MaxEnt.

Results

Suitable habitat for all three species based on climate or vegetation alone frequently did not overlap on the landscape, and habitat patches became simpler in shape and farther apart. Climatically suitable habitat for the black‐backed woodpecker increased in all scenarios, and suitable forest structure expanded by a factor of 30 in dry scenarios with more fire. Climatically suitable habitat for martens declined with warming and drying; the area of suitable vegetation fell >80% with fire‐driven losses of mature forest. Red squirrel habitat was maintained in all scenarios, but was sensitive to aridity, and patches were redistributed and compacted.

Main conclusions

Projections based on climate alone may misrepresent future species distributions, especially where disturbances accelerate vegetation change. Our results identify important consequences of fire‐regime change for wildlife in forests dominated by obligate‐seeder or fire‐sensitive conifers.
Virtual objective structured clinical examination during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An essential addition to dental assessment
Authors: Donn James , Scott James Alun , Binnie Vivian , Mather Craig , Beacher Nicholas , Bell Aileen
Published: January 2022

Introduction

COVID‐19 has profoundly affected dental undergraduate teaching and assessment. The pandemic resulted in cessation of face‐to face teaching and assessment in many countries, with an associated move online. Objective structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), an important modality for clinical assessment in dentistry and medicine, is not possible with pandemic restrictions in place. As a result, interest in virtual objective structured clinical examination (VOSCE) has been revived. Student and staff evaluation of any assessment process is important, where the views of all involved are required in establishment of authenticity. This papers aims to explore and describe the views of undergraduate dental students and staff in relation to VOSCE

Materials and Method

Qualitative methods utilising online focus groups and video recording were used in this study. Five focus groups, involving 24 participants were undertaken.

Results

Thematic analysis following a deductive semantic approach was carried out resulting in the identification of six themes relating to the VOSCE: VOSCE preconceptions, examination preparation, examination process, fairness, comparison with OSCE and possible improvements. Consideration of these themes, and their interaction, is likely to prove important for optimisation of this assessment modality.

Conclusions

Overall, both staff and students considered the VOSCE a useful and fair examination and a suitable alternative to OSCE. The potential for a number of improvements in the assessment process was identified.
Functional connectivity and epileptogenicity of nodular heterotopias: A single‐pulse stimulation study
Authors: Boulogne Sébastien , Pizzo Francesca , Chatard Benoit , Roehri Nicolas , Catenoix Hélène , Ostrowsky‐Coste Karine , Giusiano Bernard , Guenot Marc , Carron Romain , Bartolomei Fabrice , Rheims Sylvain
Published: January 2022

Objective

Nodular heterotopias (NHs) are malformations of cortical development associated with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy with frequent poor surgical outcome. The epileptogenic network is complex and can involve the nodule, the overlying cortex, or both. Single‐pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) during stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) allows the investigation of functional connectivity between the stimulated and responsive cortices by eliciting cortico‐cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). We used SPES to analyze the NH connectome and its relation to the epileptogenic network organization.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 12 patients with NH who underwent 1 Hz or 0.2 Hz SPES of NH during SEEG. Outbound connectivity (regions where CCEPs were elicited by NH stimulation) and inbound connectivity (regions where stimulation elicited CCEPs in the NH) were searched. SEEG channels were then classified as “heterotopic” (located within the NH), “connected” (located in normotopic cortex and showing connectivity with the NH), and “unconnected.” We used the epileptogenicity index (EI) to quantify implication of channels in the seizure‐onset zone and to classify seizures as heterotopic, normotopic, and normo‐heterotopic.

Results

One hundred thirty‐five outbound and 72 inbound connections were found. Three patients showed connectivity between hippocampus and NH, and seven patients showed strong internodular connectivity. A total of 39 seizures were analyzed: 23 normo‐heterotopic, 12 normotopic, and 4 heterotopic. Logistic regression found that “connected” channels were significantly (p = 8.4e‐05) more likely to be epileptogenic than “unconnected” channels (odds ratio 4.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.17, 10.21]) and heterotopic channels were also significantly (p = .024) more epileptogenic than “unconnected” channels (odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI [1.17, 9.23]).

Significance

SPES reveals widespread connectivity between NH and normotopic regions. Those connected regions show higher epileptogenicity. SPES might be useful to assess NH epileptogenic network.
Flexibility for fuelling reproduction in a pelagic ray (Mobula eregoodoo) suggested by bioenergetic modelling
Authors: Lawson Christopher L , Dudgeon Christine L , Richardson Anthony J , Broadhurst Matt K , Bennett Michael B
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the measurements of energy density and bioenergetic modelling for a pelagic ray, Mobula eregoodoo, to estimate its relative allocation to various bodily processes and especially reproduction. The data revealed M. eregoodoo uses up to 21.0% and 2.5% of its annual energy budget on growth and reproduction, respectively. During pregnancy, females depleted energy reserves in the liver, which, along with their biennial reproductive cycle, aligns with general theory that ectotherms are capital breeders and thus build energy reserves before reproduction. Nonetheless, the reduction in energy reserves did not account for all reproductive costs, and therefore, gravid females supplement reproductive costs through energy derived from the diet, according to an income‐breeding strategy. These characteristics imply that M. eregoodoo exhibits some flexibility in fuelling reproduction depending on energy availability throughout the reproductive cycle, which may be prevalent in other elasmobranchs. The data represent the first estimates of both the metabolic costs of gestation in elasmobranchs and the relative cost of reproduction in rays. Energy costs and plasticity associated with highly variable reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs may influence long‐term population viability under a rapidly changing environment.
Integrins as a drug target in liver fibrosis
Authors: Rahman Syedia R. , Roper James A. , Grove Jane I. , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Pun K. Tao , Bennett Andrew J.
Published: January 2022

As the worldwide prevalence of chronic liver diseases is high and continuing to increase, there is an urgent need for treatment to prevent cirrhosis‐related morbidity and mortality. Integrins are heterodimeric cell‐surface proteins that are promising targets for therapeutic intervention. αv integrins are central in the development of fibrosis as they activate latent TGFβ, a known profibrogenic cytokine. The αv subunit can form heterodimers with β1, β3, β5, β6 or β8 subunits and one or more of these integrins are central to the development of liver fibrosis, however, their relative importance is not understood. This review summarises the current knowledge of αv integrins and their respective β subunits in different organs, with a focus on liver fibrosis and the emerging preclinical and clinical data with regards to αv integrin inhibitors.
Malnutrition matters: Association of stunting and underweight with early childhood development indicators in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Manisha L. , Perry Kelly E. , Thapa Basant , Adhikari Ramesh P. , Weissman Amy
Published: January 2022

Malnutrition is a threat to optimal child development, with its occurrence during foetal and infancy stages associated with poor cognitive, motor and socio‐emotional skills. However, information on the effects of various types of malnutrition on early childhood development (ECD) is limited in Nepal. To assess the association of stunting, wasting and underweight (three prominent forms of malnutrition) with the four domains of the ECD index (literacy‐numeracy, physical, social‐emotional and learning development) among children 36–59 months of age, we conducted an adjusted logistic regression using Nepal's national household Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 data set. The study sample consisted of children aged 36–59 months (n = 2871). Children were considered developmentally on track if they met criteria in each of the four ECD domains. Regarding ECD status of children 36–59 months old, 35% of children were not developmentally on track for the ECD index. The adjusted odds ratio indicated that stunting was associated with lower odds of not being developmentally on track according to the ECD index as well as the literacy‐numeracy, physical and learning domains of the ECD index. Likewise, underweight was associated with lower odds of not being developmentally on track according to the ECD index, primarily for ECD domains of literacy‐numeracy, physical and learning. Notably, no association between wasting and ECD indicators was observed. Children's nutrition status impacts child development outcomes. Adding ECD interventions, such as responsive and stimulating caregiving, within nutrition programmes among children who are stunted and underweight could improve child development outcomes.