bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of light regime and time of slaughter in broiler on broiler performance, liver antioxidant status, and expression of genes related to peptide absorption in the jejunum and melatonin synthesis in the brain
Authors: Pontes Mauricio Pires de , Khatlab Angélica de Souza , Del Vesco Ana Paula , Granzoto Gabriela Hernandes , Soares Maria Amélia Menck , Sousa Fabiana Cristina Belchior de , Souza Maria Luiza Rodrigues de , Gasparino Eliane
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to assess the effects of light regime and time of slaughter on primal cut and organ weights, peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) gene expression in the jejunum, arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (AANAT) gene expression in the brain, and liver oxidant/antioxidant status in broilers aged 37 days. The experiment was conducted in a factorial completely randomized design, with two light regimes (intermittent light varying according to bird age and continuous light under an 18 h light/6 h dark photoperiod) and four times of slaughter (2:00, 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00 h). There was an interaction effect on PEPT1 and AANAT expression, lipid and protein oxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In both light regimes, PEPT1 expression responded cubically to slaughter time. In the continuous light group, PEPT1 expression was highest in birds slaughtered at 2:00 and 14:00 h, whereas, in the intermittent light treatment, expression was highest at 8:00 h. In the continuous light regime, AANAT expression had a cubic relationship with time of slaughter, with the greatest values recorded at 20:00 h. In the intermittent light regime, slaughter time showed a cubic effect on lipid oxidation, which was highest at 8:00 h. In the continuous light group, there was a cubic effect on nitrite concentration, lipid oxidation, protein oxidation, and SOD activity; nitrite levels, lipid oxidation, and protein oxidation were highest and SOD activity was lowest in birds slaughtered at 14:00 h. Time of slaughter influenced catalase activity, which responded cubically; catalase activity was lowest at 8:00 and 14:00 h. This study is the first to demonstrate that PEPT1 expression in the jejunum of broilers follows a diurnal rhythm and varies according to light regime. The results also suggest that mainly continuous lighting and slaughter at 14:00 h when the animals are possibly more active may be more stressful to broilers.
Horizontal transmission of disseminated neoplasia in the widespread clam Macoma balthica from the Southern Baltic Sea
Authors: Michnowska Alicja , Hart Samuel F. M. , Smolarz Katarzyna , Hallmann Anna , Metzger Michael J.
Published: April 2022

Disseminated neoplasia (DN) is one of the most challenging and unrecognised diseases occurring in aquatic fauna. It has been diagnosed in four bivalve species from the Gulf of Gdańsk (Southern Baltic Sea) with the highest frequency in Macoma balthica (formerly Limecola balthica), reaching up to 94% in some populations. The aetiology of DN in the Baltic Sea has not yet been identified, with earlier studies trying to link its occurrence with environmental pollution. Taking into account recent research providing evidence that DN is horizontally transmitted as clonal cells between individuals in some bivalve species, we aimed to test whether DN is a bivalve transmissible neoplasia (BTN) in the population of M. balthica from the Gulf of Gdańsk highly affected with cancer. We examined mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI) and elongation factor 1α (EF1α) sequences of genomes obtained from haemolymph and tissues of neoplastic and healthy individuals. Sequence analysis resulted in detection of an independent transmissible cancer lineage occurring in four neoplastic clams that is not present in healthy animals. This study describes the first case of BTN in the clam M. balthica (MbaBTN), providing further insights for studies on this disease.
Effects of mild‐ and moderate‐intensity illumination on short‐term axial length and choroidal thickness changes in young adults
Authors: Chakraborty Ranjay , Baranton Konogan , Spiegel Daniel , Lacan Pascale , Guillon Matthias , Barrau Coralie , Villette Thierry
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Previous studies have shown that time spent outdoors is protective against myopia development in children. In this study, we examined the effects of 500 and 1000 lux of illumination to the eye on axial length (AL) and choroidal thickness (CT) changes in young adults.

Methods

Fifteen participants (mean age, 21.60 years [2.16]) with a mean refraction of −0.34 D (0.37) were exposed to 500 and 1000 lux of illumination for 120 min in a dark room on two different days, using a pair of light‐emitting glasses. Ocular measurements were repeated on an additional day in darkness (~5 lux). Ocular biometrics and CT were measured and analysed in the right eye before the light exposure (0 min), after 30, 60 and 120 min of exposure and 30 min after light offset to measure recovery using the Lenstar biometer and the Cirrus optical coherence tomographer, respectively.

Results

Exposure to 500 and 1000 lux of illumination resulted in a significant reduction in AL at 30, 60 and 120 min compared to darkness (AL change at 120 min: darkness, +0.020 mm [0.004]; 500 lux, −0.006 mm [0.004]; 1000 lux, −0.013 mm [0.004]; p < 0.001). Exposure to 500 and 1000 lux caused a significant overall thickening of the subfoveal choroid compared to darkness (CT change across 120 min: darkness, −0.010 mm [0.007]; 500 lux, +0.006 mm [0.005]; 1000 lux, +0.009 mm [0.003], p = 0.02). Ocular changes were not significantly different between the two illumination levels (p > 0.05) and returned to baseline within 30 min of light offset.

Conclusions

Exposure to mild‐ or moderate‐intensity illumination on the eye can induce a significant short‐term reduction in AL and an increase in CT in young adults. Future studies on larger cohorts with varying light intensities are needed to better understand the effects of ocular illumination on AL changes in humans.
The OsEIL1‐OsERF115‐target gene regulatory module controls grain size and weight in rice
Authors: Liu Chang , Ma Tian , Yuan Dingyang , Zhou Yang , Long Yan , Li Ziwen , Dong Zhenying , Duan Meijuan , Yu Dong , Jing Yizhi , Bai Xiaoyue , Wang Yanbo , Hou Quancan , Liu Shuangshuang , Zhang Jin‐Song , Chen Shou‐Yi , Li Dayong , Liu Xue , Li Zhikang , Wang Wensheng , Li Jinping , Wei Xun , Ma Biao , Wan Xiangyuan
Published: April 2022

Grain size is one of the essential determinants of rice yield. Our previous studies revealed that ethylene plays an important role in grain‐size control; however, the precise mechanism remains to be determined. Here, we report that the ethylene response factor OsERF115 functions as a key downstream regulator for ethylene‐mediated grain development. OsERF115 encodes an AP2/ERF‐type transcriptional factor that is specifically expressed in young spikelets and developing caryopses. Overexpression of OsERF115 significantly increases grain length, width, thickness and weight by promoting longitudinal elongation and transverse division of spikelet hull cells, as well as enhancing grain‐filling activity, whereas its knockout mutations lead to the opposite effects, suggesting that OsERF115 positively regulates grain size and weight. OsERF115 transcription is strongly induced by ethylene, and OsEIL1 directly binds to the promoter to activate its expression. OsERF115 acts as a transcriptional repressor to directly or indirectly modulate a set of grain‐size genes during spikelet growth and endosperm development. Importantly, haplotype analysis reveals that the SNP variations in the EIN3‐binding sites of OsERF115 promoter are significantly associated with the OsERF115 expression levels and grain weight, suggesting that natural variations in the OsERF115 promoter contribute to grain‐size diversity. In addition, the OsERF115 orthologues are identified only in grass species, implying a conserved and unique role in the grain development of cereal crops. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of ethylene‐mediated grain‐size control and a potential strategy based on the OsEIL1‐OsERF115‐target gene regulatory module for genetic improvement of rice yield.
Vessel sharing and its impact on maritime operations and carbon emissions
Authors: Park Hyunwoo , Blanco Christian C. , Bendoly Elliot
Published: April 2022

The shipping industry touches approximately 90% of all international trade, producing roughly one billion tons of greenhouse gases each year. Changes in the operations and coordination of global‐shipping vessels can have a substantial impact on vessel's carbon emissions, but these efforts need to fulfill the service expectation of individual firms receiving consignments. We examine the associated gains (or losses) in operational efficiencies and environmental benefits (if there are any) from vessel sharing. We do so by analyzing a dataset that merges multiple years of U.S. port records and maritime emissions data. Using simultaneous regression equation models, our results indicate that the maritime emissions (attributable to receiving firms) drop by 5%, on average, for each additional carrier sharing a vessel. We confirm several operational efficiencies emerging from vessel sharing, such as increased average utilization and reductions in “route redundancy.” These operational changes mediate the total effect of vessel sharing on emissions. However, we do find that vessel sharing is associated with a slight increase in lead time, measured as the number of days it took to deliver the goods. Although our empirical setting is in the global shipping industry, asset sharing is a mechanism that can be adopted by any industry. Our findings show the importance of exploring the conditions and settings where sharing may or may not have operational and/or environmental trade‐offs.
Populism and Layers of Social Belonging: Support of Populist Parties in Europe
Authors: Langenkamp Alexander , Bienstman Simon
Published: April 2022

Although scholars hypothesized early on that social belonging is an important predictor for voting behavior, its role for populist voting remains empirically ambiguous and underexplored. This contribution investigates how different aspects of social belonging, that is, quality, quantity, and perception of one's own social relationships, relate to electoral abstention and to populist voting on the left and right. Employing multilevel regression models using data from four waves of the European Social Survey, this study finds that all measures of social belonging foster turnout, but they exert an incoherent influence on populist voting depending on the party's ideological leaning. While social belonging plays a subordinate role for left populist support, strong social belonging reduces the probability to support populist parties on the right. With that, the study analysis offers a nuanced view on how different dimensions of social belonging relate to electoral behavior. By doing so, this study sheds light on what aspects of social belonging encourage, or inhibit, which form of “protest at the ballot box.”
The history of buffy coat platelet concentrates: The Dutch story
Authors: van der Meer Pieter F. , Reesink Hendrik W. , de Korte Dirk , Loos Johannes A. , Klei Thomas R. L.
Published: April 2022

The buffy coat method as a source for platelet concentrates was developed in the 1970s and is still used in many blood centres around the world. Development of the method sparked various technological advances in blood collection, processing and storage. At the time, the need for platelet concentrates sharply increased because of better treatment regimens for (onco)haematological diseases, which forced blood centres to standardize and automate their production processes as much as the technology would allow. In this review, a historical overview of the Dutch experiences is provided in the context of the international developments.
Comparative Assessment of Falling-Film and Convective-Flow Absorption in Microscale Geometries
Authors: Nagavarapu Ananda Krishna , Garimella Srinivas
Published: April 2022

A comparative assessment between two modes for ammonia–water absorption, microchannel falling-film absorption and microscale convective-flow, is presented in this study. The microchannel falling-film absorber consists of an array of short microchannel tubes arranged parallel to each other and stacked in several vertical rows to provide the necessary transfer area. Dilute solution flows in a falling-film mode around these cooled tubes while absorbing the counter-current vapor. The microscale convective-flow absorber consists of an array of parallel, aligned alternating sheets with integral microscale features, enclosed between cover plates. Several absorber variants were designed for each flow configuration, and optimal prototypes were identified based on design and operational constraints for a 10.5 kW cooling capacity chiller. Comparative assessments of heat and mass transfer characteristics are presented while accounting for fabrication considerations. This work will guide the development of miniaturized absorption heat pump components.
Product Perceptual Similarity Evaluation: From Attributive Error to Human Knowledge Hierarchy
Authors: Jiang Wei , Zhao Wu , Du Lin , Zhang Kai , Yu Miao
Published: April 2022

A crucial part of any recommendation system for manufactured goods is the method used to evaluate the similarity of products. However, despite being central to the performance of many online retailers, current ways of evaluating product similarity are inconsistent with several characteristics of human perception and consequently often generate obvious errors when applied in practice. This paper proposes a new approach that uses the results of a perceptual evaluation of respondents to determine their “inherent knowledge hierarchy.” Using this characterization of the user, we propose a new strategy for determining the perceived similarity of products (PSIM strategy). After a preliminary verification of the proposed approach, we found that the performance of the PSIM strategy is much better than current strategies in terms of both accuracy and robustness. Beyond the application of PSIM in product recommendation systems, the findings of this study have the potential to help designers and companies better understand their customers’ emotional needs.
In situ studies on atomic layer etching of aluminum oxide using sequential reactions with trimethylaluminum and hydrogen fluoride
Authors: Reif Johanna , Knaut Martin , Killge Sebastian , Albert Matthias , Mikolajick Thomas , Bartha Johann W.
Published: April 2022

Controlled thin film etching is essential for future semiconductor devices, especially with complex high aspect ratio structures. Therefore, self-limiting atomic layer etching processes are of great interest to the semiconductor industry. In this work, a process for atomic layer etching of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) films using sequential and self-limiting thermal reactions with trimethylaluminum and hydrogen fluoride as reactants was demonstrated. The Al2O3 films were grown by atomic layer deposition using trimethylaluminum and water. The cycle-by-cycle etching was monitored throughout the entire atomic layer etching process time using in situ and in real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry. The studies revealed that the sequential surface reactions were self-limiting versus reactant exposure. Spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis also confirmed the linear removal of Al2O3. Various process pressures ranging from 50 to 200 Pa were employed for Al2O3 etching. The Al2O3 etch rates increased with process pressures: Al2O3 etch rates of 0.92, 1.14, 1.22, and 1.31 Å/cycle were obtained at 300 °C for process pressures of 50, 100, 150, and 200 Pa, respectively. The Al2O3 etch rates increased with the temperature from 0.55 Å/cycle at 250 °C to 1.38 Å/cycle at 350 °C. Furthermore, this paper examined the temperature dependence of the rivalry between the removal (Al2O3 etching) and growth (AlF3 deposition) processes using the reactants trimethylaluminum and hydrogen fluoride. The authors determined that 225 °C is the transition temperature between AlF3 atomic layer deposition and Al2O3 atomic layer etching. The high sensitivity of in vacuo x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allowed the investigation of the interface reactions for a single etching pulse as well as the initial etch mechanism. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicated that the fluorinated layer is not completely removed after each trimethylaluminum exposure. The Al2O3 atomic layer etching process mechanism may also be applicable to etch other materials such as HfO2.
Time-resolved ion energy distribution in pulsed inductively coupled argon plasma with/without DC bias
Authors: Chen Zhiying , Blakeney Joel , Carruth Megan , Ventzek Peter L. G. , Ranjan Alok
Published: April 2022

Pulsed plasmas have emerged as promising candidates as a means for precise control of ion energy/angle dependent surface processes and surface chemistry during the plasma process, which are key to 3 nm and beyond device fabrication. The ion energy distribution functions (IEDFs) and ion fluxes over a pulsed period are important to understand as they directly influence the feature profile, damage, and selectivity. We have developed an advanced plasma diagnostics (APD) system with advanced pulsing capability, including source, bias, and synchronous pulsing. It is a compact inductively coupled plasma system with a RF source frequency of 13.56 MHz intended to diagnose the general behavior of biased high density plasmas. We report the effect of the pulse frequency (2–10 kHz), RF duty cycle (25%–75%), DC duty cycle (5%–50%), phase lag (50–60 μs), RF power (120–180 W), DC bias voltage (0–150 V), and discharge pressure (20–80 mTorr) on the IEDFs and ion flux over a pulse period on the APD system. The time-resolved IEDFs and ion flux were measured using a retarding field energy analyzer. The ion energy transitions in a pulsed period from a plasma ignition stage to a stable stage and from plasma in a glow period to an afterglow period are studied. The results indicate that the ion energy and ion flux are tailored by RF pulsing and RF-DC pulsing. The time-resolved IEDF demonstrates the merits of pulsing to precisely control ion energy and flux, and the ion energy spread was narrowed by the pulsed plasma.
In a Pinch: Cefiderocol for CRAB Infections
Authors: Karaba Sara M. , Hirsch Elizabeth B. , Heil Emily L.
Published: April 2022

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRAB) can cause significant infections with limited treatment options available. Falcone et al. (
https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.02142-21
) describe a single-center retrospective study comparing clinical outcomes among patients with CRAB infections treated with cefiderocol-containing versus colistin-containing regimens.
Microbial Activities and Selection from Surface Ocean to Subseafloor on the Namibian Continental Shelf
Authors: Vuillemin Aurèle , Coskun Ömer K. , Orsi William D.
Published: April 2022

Microbial activities in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) transform inorganic fixed nitrogen into greenhouse gases, impacting the Earth’s climate and nutrient equilibrium. Coastal OMZs are predicted to expand with global change and increase carbon sedimentation to the seafloor.
mucG, mucH,
and
mucI
Modulate Production of Mutanocyclin and Reutericyclins in Streptococcus mutans B04Sm5
Authors: Baker Jonathon L. , Tang Xiaoyu , LaBonte Sandra , Uranga Carla , Edlund Anna
Published: April 2022

S. mutans
must be able to outcompete neighboring organisms in its ecological niche in order to cause dental caries.
S. mutans
B04Sm5 inhibited the growth of neighboring commensal streptococci through production of reutericyclins via the
muc
biosynthetic gene cluster. In this study, an
S. mutans
pangenome database and updated phylogenetic tree were generated that will serve as valuable resources for the
S. mutans
research community and that provide insights into the carriage and evolution of
S. mutans
muc.
The MucG and MucH regulators, and the MucI transporter, were shown to modulate production of reutericyclins and mutanocyclin.
UV Irradiation of Vaccinia Virus-Infected Cells Impairs Cellular Functions, Introduces Lesions into the Viral Genome, and Uncovers Repair Capabilities for the Viral Replication Machinery
Authors: Templeton Conor W. , Traktman Paula
Published: April 2022

Poxviruses remain of significant interest because of their continuing clinical relevance, their utility for the development of vaccines and oncolytic therapies, and their illustration of fundamental principles of viral replication and virus/cell interactions. These viruses are unique in that they replicate exclusively in the cytoplasm of infected mammalian cells, providing novel challenges for DNA viruses.
Multiple Hybridization Events Punctuate the Evolutionary Trajectory ofMalassezia furfur
Authors: Theelen Bart , Mixão Verónica , Ianiri Giuseppe , Goh Joleen Pei Zhen , Dijksterhuis Jan , Heitman Joseph , Dawson Thomas L. , Gabaldón Toni , Boekhout Teun
Published: April 2022

Malassezia furfuris a common commensal member of human/animal microbiota that is also associated with several pathogenic states. Recent studies report involvement ofMalasseziaspecies in Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic cancer progression, and exacerbation of cystic fibrosis.
Automated 16S Sequencing Using an R-Based Analysis Module for Bacterial Identification
Authors: Locher Kerstin , Belanger Corrie R. , Eckbo Eric , Caza Melissa , Velapatino Billie , Charles Marthe K.
Published: April 2022

Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is widely used as a diagnostic tool for bacterial identification, especially in cases where routine diagnostic methods fail to provide an identification, for organisms that are difficult to culture, or from specimens where cultures remain negative. Our simplified protocol is tailored toward use in frontline laboratories with little to no experience with sequencing.
The bZip Transcription Factor VdMRTF1 is a Negative Regulator of Melanin Biosynthesis and Virulence in Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Lai Meijun , Cheng Zhuo , Xiao Luyao , Klosterman Steven J. , Wang Yonglin
Published: April 2022

Verticillium wilt is difficult to manage because the pathogen colonizes the plant xylem tissue and produces melanized microsclerotia which survive for more than 10 years in soil without a host. The molecular mechanisms underlying microsclerotia formation are of great importance to control the disease.
Ancient roots of tungsten in western North America
Authors: Elongo V. , Falck H. , Rasmussen K.L. , Robbins L.J. , Creaser R.A. , Luo Y. , Pearson D.G. , Sarkar C. , Adlakha E. , Palmer M.C. , Scott J.M. , Hickey K. , Konhauser K. , Lecumberri-Sanchez P.
Published: April 2022

The highly irregular and localized distribution of tungsten deposits worldwide constitutes a supply challenge for basic industries such as steel and carbides. Over Earth's history, tungsten has preferentially accumulated at paleocontinental margins formed during the breakup of supercontinents. Later crustal thickening of these paleogeographic regions and the magmas they produce are associated with large tungsten districts. However, all of the largest tungsten deposits in the modern North American Cordillera, which preserves over 3 b.y. of geologic record in a paleocontinental margin with abundant crustal magmatism, are limited to the narrow Canadian Tungsten Belt in northwestern Canada. We use neodymium isotopic compositions of scheelite (CaWO4) from the Canadian Tungsten Belt and the paleogeographic distribution of tungsten deposits in the North American Cordillera to constrain the factors that control tungsten distribution. We document that tungsten is specifically associated with materials that, on average, were derived from the mantle during the Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic. Weathering and erosion of the supercontinents Columbia and Rodinia favored pre-enrichment of tungsten in sediments. The orogenic heating of pre-enriched sediments produced reduced melts that were capable of efficiently scavenging tungsten and formed the largest deposits in North America.
Origin of Tibetan post-collisional high-K adakitic granites: Anatexis of intermediate to felsic arc rocks
Authors: Yi Jian-Kang , Zhu Di-Cheng , Weinberg Roberto F. , Wang Qing , Xie Jin-Cheng , Zhang Liang-Liang , Zhao Zhi-Dan
Published: April 2022

Potassium-rich adakitic rocks have been used to infer high-pressure (HP) melting of thickened or foundered mafic lower crust in post-collisional settings. However, their origin remains debated because of their potassic rather than sodic nature. We address this debate by investigating the source of post-collisional Oligocene high-K adakitic granites in southern Tibet, which are widely attributed to melting of overthickened mafic lower crust. Our new data provide evidence for the generation of these high-K adakitic granites by anatexis of exposed migmatitic intermediate to felsic arc orthogneisses. These granites contain high-Th/U Oligocene magmatic zircons (30−22 Ma), and inherited zircons (66−48 Ma) with the same εHf(t) (0 to +12) as the coeval migmatites. The migmatites have in turn low-Th/U metamorphic Oligocene zircon rims around 66−48 Ma magmatic zircon cores recording the anatectic event at 29−25 Ma. Phase equilibrium modeling yields an anatectic temperature of ~740 °C and pressure (P) of ~0.9 GPa and shows that garnet is stable at P > 0.7 GPa in the melt-present field. The results indicate that high-K adakitic magmas are derived from melting of older intermediate to felsic arc rocks at intermediate pressures, in the garnet stability field, without any involvement of HP melting of metabasaltic rocks. We propose that hybridization between such purely crustal magmas and subcontinental lithospheric mantle–derived shoshonitic magmas results in the hybridized post-collisional Oligocene–Miocene mafic microgranular enclave–bearing potassic adakitic granitic rocks in southern Tibet.
Oxygen isotope evidence for progressively assimilating trans-crustal magma plumbing systems in Iceland
Authors: Caracciolo A. , Halldórsson S.A. , Bali E. , Marshall E.W. , Jeon H. , Whitehouse M.J. , Barnes J.D. , Guðfinnsson G.H. , Kahl M. , Hartley M.E.
Published: April 2022

The oxygen isotope composition of mantle-derived melts can place important constraints on how magmas are processed as they traverse the crust. Assimilation of crustal material is a crucial aspect of basalt petrogenesis, as it affects the chemical and rheological characteristics of eruptive magmas at active volcanoes. We report oxygen isotope (δ18O) and trace element (TE) data from a suite of well-characterized basaltic melt inclusions and groundmass glasses from the Bárðarbunga volcanic system in Iceland to assess how and where in the plumbing system crustal rocks interact with ascending magmas. While both melt inclusions and groundmass glasses record a large range in δ18O values (+3.2‰ to +6.4‰ and +2.6‰ to +5.5‰, respectively) groundmass glasses record lower values on average. Relationships between incompatible trace element (e.g., Zr/Nb) and oxygen isotope ratios are best explained with three-component mixing, where primary melts derived from depleted and enriched mantle components with distinct δ18O values mix and acquire a low-δ18O character upon progressive contamination with altered Icelandic crust. The majority (60%) of melt inclusions require 10–30% exchange of oxygen with the Icelandic crust. In addition, for the first time, we link the extent of oxygen isotope exchange with melt equilibration depths, showing that most of the contamination occurs at 1–2 kbar (3–7 km depth). We propose that a progressively assimilating, multi-tiered plumbing system is a characteristic feature of the Bárðarbunga volcanic system, whereby chemical modifications resulting from interaction with the crust systematically increase as melts migrate through higher crustal levels. We show that similar processes may also occur across the active rift zone in Iceland.
Infaunalization and resource partitioning during the Mesozoic marine revolution
Authors: Buatois Luis A. , Mángano M. Gabriela , Desai Bhawanisingh , Carmona Noelia B. , Burns Fiona , Meek Dean , Eglington Bruce
Published: April 2022

Infaunalization has been regarded as representing a response to increased predation pressures and is therefore central to the Mesozoic marine revolution, which gives pre-eminence to the role that enemy-directed evolution has played as a driving force of biotic change. Our ichnologic compilation from 39 Middle Triassic to Late Jurassic shallow-marine siliciclastic units allows us to evaluate the vertical partitioning of the infaunal ecospace through the application of the ichnoguild concept. This study shows that infaunal communities experienced a marked increase in ecospace utilization during the Early Jurassic, reaching a plateau during the rest of the Jurassic. This trend is expressed by an increase in the maximum number of ichnoguilds per community and per tier and in the number of ichnotaxa per ichnoguild. This pattern shows important partitioning of the infaunal ecospace into a series of tiers and that several organisms were able to exploit the same resources available at discrete sediment zones below the sea bottom. The increase in the maximum number of ichnoguilds per community and per tier suggests that niche partitioning was a key factor in a more efficient use of the infaunal ecospace and in driving alpha diversity. However, the increase in the number of ichnotaxa per ichnoguild indicates that ichnoguilds were packed with organisms exploiting similar resources, arguing against the role of competitive exclusion in structuring communities. Because several episodes of predation increase took place during the Mesozoic, an unequivocal link between predation pressures and infaunalization cannot be demonstrated empirically.
Supplemental Material: Time scales of open-system processes in a complex and heterogeneous mush-dominated plumbing system
Authors: Albert Helena , al. et
Published: April 2022

Geological setting, analytical methods, thermobarometric conditions, and details on the diffusion modeling. 
EFFORT study: Comparing impact of operation and assisted reproductive technologies on fertility for women with deep infiltrating endometriosis – study protocol for a multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Raos Maja , Roman Horace , Seyer-Hansen Mikkel , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler , Knudsen Ulla Breth
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) affecting the rectum or sigmoid colon is associated with infertility, severe pain and decreased quality of life. As most women with DIE are young, many have a pregnancy intention. Treatment possibilities of endometriosis-associated infertility are surgery or assisted reproductive technologies (ART). However, no studies have compared the two interventions directly. Therefore, this study aims to determine the cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) and the live birth rate (LBR) after first-line surgery compared with first-line ART for women with rectosigmoid DIE and a pregnancy intention.

Methods and analysis

Multicentre, parallel-group, randomised trial of women with rectosigmoid DIE and a pregnancy intention for at least 6 months in Aarhus, Denmark and Bordeaux, France. 352 women aged 18–38 years are randomised 1:1 to either surgical management (shaving, disc excision or segmental resection) or ART management (at least two in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures if not pregnant after the first cycle). Women in the surgical intervention group will attempt to get pregnant by either spontaneous conception or ART, depending on the endometriosis fertility index score. Primary outcome measures are CPR and LBR at 18 months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes are: Non-viable pregnancies, time to pregnancy, pain score, quality of life, complication rate, bowel and bladder function, endocrine and inflammatory profile, number of oocytes, blastocysts, frozen embryos and blastocyst morphology score within 18 months after either intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

Conduct of this study is approved by the Danish National Committee on Health Research Ethics and Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France VIII. Study participants must sign an informed consent form. The results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (no.NCT04610710).

Protocol version

The Danish National Committee on Health Research Ethics: Fifth protocol version approved 7 September 2020 (no. 1-10-72-96-20). Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France VIII: Version 1.1 22JAN2021 the 9 March 2021.
Mental health specialist video consultations for patients with somatic symptom disorder in primary care: protocol for a randomised feasibility trial (the VISION trial)
Authors: Haun Markus W , Tönnies Justus , Graue Leike , Hartmann Mechthild , Wensing Michel , Szecsenyi Joachim , Wild Beate , Friederich Hans-Christoph
Published: April 2022

Introduction

General practitioners (GP) report increasing difficulties in referring patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in specialised psychosocial care. Barriers are structural conditions of the respective healthcare system and patients’ reservations against receiving specialised psychosocial care. As patients with SSD often predominantly assume somatic influencing factors for the development and maintenance of their somatic complaints, close collaboration between the GP and mental health specialist (MHS) seems particularly important. Integrating internet-based video consultations by remotely located MHS and primary care can improve effective treatment of patients with SSD by overcoming structural barriers and provide low-threshold and timely care. The aim of this randomised controlled feasibility trial is to investigate the feasibility of implementing MHS video consultations in primary care practices.

Methods and analysis

Fifty primary care patients with SSD will be individually randomised in two groups receiving either enhanced treatment as usual as provided by their GP (control group) or two versus five video consultations conducted by an MHS additionally to enhanced treatment as usual. The video consultations focus on (a) diagnostic clarification, (b) the development of a biopsychosocial disorder model, and (c) development of a treatment plan against the background of a stepped-care algorithm based on clinical outcomes. We will investigate the following outcomes: effectiveness of the recruitment strategies, patient acceptance of randomisation, practicability of the technical and logistical processes related to implementing video consultations in the practices’ workflows, feasibility of the data collection and clinical parameters.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and has been approved by the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg Ethics Committee (S-620/2021). The findings will be disseminated to the research community through presentations at conferences and publications in scientific journals. This feasibility trial will prepare the ground for a large-scale, fully powered randomised controlled trial.

Trial registration number

DRKS00026075.
Facilitating national football teams return to training and competition during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Guard Andrew , Brenneman Anne , Bradley Matt , Chiampas George T
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Provide a robust framework to provide a safe environment for return to training and competition of the US national soccer teams following domestic and international travel.

Methods

US Soccer COVID-19 working group created a return to play manual for its national teams, prescribing discrete phases to return to training and competition. This was underpinned by strict health and safety and travel protocols for specific venues and persons. This was complemented by an aggressive testing cadence and isolation policies for delegations (players, internal and external support staff). Between September 2020 and April 2021, there were nine events for males and females at the youth, senior and Paralympic level, with international opponents hosted domestically.

Results

In total, 6590 point of care (POC) (n=1810) and PCR (n=4780) tests combined were run. Overall positivity rate for players and staff in male events of 0.10% (n=2) and 0.00% (n=0) for females were recorded. Staff positivity rate was 0.14% overall, and external vendors 0.10%. Total POC and PCR positives in male events (n=2) occurred either the day of arrival or the following day.

Conclusion

The implementation of strictly adhered to protocols and testing cadences yielded low positivity rates within team delegations. By comparison, initial league-wide COVID-19 testing in mid-2020 in other sports reported league-wide positivity rates of 2.9% (National Football League), 2.7% (Major League Soccer) and 5.3% (National Basketball Association). The English Premier League reported an increase in positivity rate in early 2021 from 1.22% to 1.74%.

With the implementation of regimented protocols and stringent testing, it is possible to hold elite-level international sporting competitions involving long-haul travel while ensuring continued safety during a global pandemic.
Clinical outcomes in spontaneous coronary artery dissection
Authors: Garcia-Guimaraes Marcos , Masotti Monica , Sanz-Ruiz Ricardo , Macaya Fernando , Roura Gerard , Nogales Juan Manuel , Tizón-Marcos Helena , Velázquez-Martin Maite , Veiga Gabriela , Flores-Ríos Xacobe , Abdul-Jawad Altisent Omar , Jimenez-Kockar Marcelo , Camacho-Freire Santiago , Moreu Jose , Ojeda Soledad , Santos-Martinez Sandra , Sanz-Garcia Ancor , del Val David , Bastante Teresa , Alfonso Fernando
Published: April 2022

Objective

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome. Our aim was to assess adverse events at follow-up from a nationwide prospective cohort.

Methods

The Spanish Registry on SCAD (SR-SCAD) included patients from 34 hospitals. All coronary angiograms were analysed by two experts. Those cases with doubts regarding the diagnosis of SCAD were excluded. The angiographic SCAD classification by Sawet alwas followed. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) was predefined as composite of death, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularisation, SCAD recurrence or stroke. All events were assigned by a Clinical Events Committee.

Results

After corelab evaluation, 389 patients were included. Most patients were women (88%); median age 53 years (IQR 47–60). Most patients presented as non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (54%). A type 2 intramural haematoma (IMH) was the most frequent angiographic pattern (61%). A conservative initial management was selected in 78% of patients. At a median time of follow-up of 29 months (IQR 17–38), 46 patients (13%) presented MACCE, mainly driven by reinfarctions (7.6%) and unplanned revascularisations (6.2%). Previous history of hypothyroidism (HR 3.79; p<0.001), proximal vessel involvement (HR 2.69; p=0.009), type 2 IMH (HR 2.12; p=0.037) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) at discharge (HR 2.18; p=0.042) were independent predictors of MACCE.

Conclusions

In this large prospective cohort of patients with SCAD, prognosis was overall favourable, with events mainly driven by reinfarctions or unplanned revascularisations. History of hypothyroidism, proximal vessel involvement, type 2 IMH and DAPT at discharge were associated with MACCE.

Trial registration number

NCT03607981.
Thinning to meet sawlog objectives at shorter rotation in lodgepole pine stands
Authors: Hossain Kazi L. , Lieffers Victor J. , Pinno Bradley D.
Published: April 2022

We modelled how pre-commercial and commercial thinning affects development of merchantable timber, specifically large sawlogs (>20 cm diameter), on various site qualities and at different harvest ages. Data from juvenile permanent sample plots from post-harvest regenerated lodgepole pine stands in Alberta were projected using the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM 21). Pre-commercial thinning (PCT) and different levels of commercial thinning (CT) with PCT were assessed on stands of good, medium, and fair site quality. Results show site quality alone had the greatest impact on merchantable yields with good sites producing ∼1.5 times the yield of medium and ∼4.3 times that of the fair sites. Moderate thinning on good sites produced a greater quantity of large sawlogs (>20 cm diameter) and their associated volume over unthinned stands than that on medium or fair sites, though thinning positively influenced total yield on these sites as well. On good sites, at age 50, CT treatments produced about ∼50 m3/ha more volume of large sawlogs (>20 cm) than the control; such gain drops to 18 m3/ha on medium sites. In addition, the mean annual increment culminated earlier on good sites, also enabling earlier harvest.
On free fall of quantum matter
Authors: Emelyanov Viacheslav A.
Published: April 2022

We propose an approach that allows to systematically take into account gravity in quantum particle physics. It is based on quantum field theory and the general principle of relativity. These are used to build a model for quantum particles in curved spacetime. We compute by its means a deviation from a classical geodesic in the Earth’s gravitational field. This shows that free fall depends on quantum- matter properties. Specifically, we find that the free-fall universality and the wave-packet spreading are mutually exclusive phenomena. We then estimate the Eötvös parameter for a pair of atoms freely falling near the Earth’s surface, provided that the wave-packet spreading is more fundamental than the weak equivalence principle.
Numerical prediction of thermal stress–strain behavior on the wire-directed energy deposition additive manufacturing for automotive component
Authors: Lee Jin-Woo , Park Soo-Jeong , Kim Yun-Hae
Published: April 2022

Wire-directed energy deposition (wire-DED) is used to create a shape in a layer-by-layer manner by depositing a consumable welding wire, where a welding arc is the source of heat. This technology can be used to fabricate large components with higher deposition rates compared to other 3D metal printing methods. Despite these benefits, the components of wire-DED are affected by heat distortion and residual stress. Therefore, the prediction of deformation before fabrication using wire-DED is essential for determining the range of machining for the final products. In this study, the deformation and time required were evaluated using various simulation models of wire-DED.
ROLE OF ALLEE EFFECT AND HARVESTING OF A FOOD-WEB SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF SCAVENGERS
Authors: GUPTA R. P. , YADAV DINESH K.
Published: April 2022

The role of scavengers, which consume the carcasses of predators along with predation of the prey, has been ignored in comparisons to herbivores and predators. It has now become a topic of high interest among researchers working with food-web systems of prey–predator interactions. The food-web considered in these works contains prey, predators, and scavengers as the third species. In this work, we attempt to study a food-web model of these species in the presence of the multiplicative Allee effect and harvesting. It is observed that this makes the model more complex in the form of multiple co-existing steady states. The conditions for the existence and local stability of all possible steady states of the proposed system are analyzed. The global stability of the steady state lying on the x-axis and the interior steady state have been discussed by choosing suitable Lyapunov functions. The existence conditions for saddle-node and Hopf bifurcations are derived analytically. The stability of Hopf bifurcating periodic solutions with respect to both Allee and harvesting constants is examined. It is also observed that multiple Hopf bifurcation thresholds occur for harvesting parameters in the case of two co-existing steady states, which indicates that the system may regain its stability. The proposed model is also studied beyond Hopf bifurcation thresholds, where we have observed that the model is capable of exhibiting period-doubling routes to chaos, which can be controlled by a suitable choice of Allee and harvesting parameters. The largest Lyapunov exponents and sensitivity to initial conditions are examined to ensure the chaotic nature of the system.
GLOBAL DYNAMICS OF A PREY–PREDATOR MODEL WITH HOLLING TYPE III FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE IN THE PRESENCE OF HARVESTING
Authors: DEBNATH SURAJIT , MAJUMDAR PRAHLAD , SARKAR SUSMITA , GHOSH UTTAM
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we have investigated global dynamics of a two-species food chain model with the Holling type III functional response that includes linear harvesting for the prey and nonlinear harvesting for the predator. The long-time continued existence of both species is discussed using uniform persistence theory. Stability of various equilibrium points is described in terms of model parameters. The local asymptotic stability of non-hyperbolic equilibrium points is determined with the help of center manifold theorem. Global behavior of solutions of the model system when both species are present is determined by considering the global properties of the coexistence equilibrium. Here, we have taken a comprehensive view by considering different bifurcations of co-dimension one and two and have discussed the importance of various model parameters on the system dynamics. The model system shows much more complex and realistic behavior compared to a model system without any harvesting, with constant harvesting or linear-yield harvesting of either or both of the species. Numerical simulations have been conducted to illustrate the theoretical findings.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Questionnaire for Brachial Plexus Injury Using Rasch Analysis
Authors: DOI Kazuteru , SEM Sei Haw , HATTORI Yasunori , SAKAMOTO Sotetsu , HAYASHI Kota
Published: April 2022

Background: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is the most widely used patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for assessment of upper extremity disability assessment. However, DASH is a multidimensional measurement with different difficulty levels and ratio apportionment of the items categorised by ordinal scale. This has caused a misinterpretation of the total disability scores. We created a modified DASH adapted to the Rasch model. The aim of this study is to compare the functional recovery and quality of life (QOL) improvement and to assess the validity of the original DASH and modified DASH between C56/C567, C5-8 and total types of brachial plexus injury (BPI) following surgical reconstruction.

Methods: A total of 183 BPI patients who underwent reconstructive surgery were evaluated for functional recovery using the range of motion and power of the affected limb, and improvement in QOL with DASH. The collected data were analysed using Rasch measurement theory to detect the misfit items. The original and modified DASH were compared under the three different types of BPI after item reduction by removing the misfit items.

Results: There were significant differences in functional recovery between three types of palsy. However, PROM using DASH score with or without misfit items (12 items) did not show any significant differences.

Conclusions: DASH is not suitable for comparison of upper extremity disabilities even after being corrected mathematically due to the inclusion of items from many different domains unequally. Therefore, each item of the function (with or without compensation of the uninjured hand), pain and impact to the patients should be evaluated separately.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Prognostic)