bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphogenesis-inspired two-dimensional electrowetting in droplet networks
Authors: El-Beyrouthy Joyce , Makhoul-Mansour Michelle , Gulle Jesse , Freeman Eric
Published: April 2023

Living tissues dynamically reshape their internal cellular structures through carefully regulated cell-to-cell interactions during morphogenesis. These cellular rearrangement events, such as cell sorting and mutual tissue spreading, have been explained using the differential adhesion hypothesis, which describes the sorting of cells through their adhesive interactions with their neighbors. In this manuscript we explore a simplified form of differential adhesion within a bioinspired lipid-stabilized emulsion approximating cellular tissues. The artificial cellular tissues are created as a collection of aqueous droplets adhered together in a network of lipid membranes. Since this abstraction of the tissue does not retain the ability to locally vary the adhesion of the interfaces through biological mechanisms, instead we employ electrowetting with offsets generated by spatial variations in lipid compositions to capture a simple form of bioelectric control over the tissue characteristics. This is accomplished by first conducting experiments on electrowetting in droplet networks, next creating a model for describing electrowetting in collections of adhered droplets, then validating the model against the experimental measurements. This work demonstrates how the distribution of voltage within a droplet network may be tuned through lipid composition then used to shape directional contraction of the adhered structure using two-dimensional electrowetting events. Predictions from this model were used to explore the governing mechanics for complex electrowetting events in networks, including directional contraction and the formation of new interfaces.
What drives the change of capacity factor of wind turbine in the United States?
Authors: Xu Jiayu , Zou Junyu , Ziegler Alan D , Wu Jie , Zeng Zhenzhong
Published: April 2023

The capacity factor (CF) is a vital parameter used to quantify the performance and efficiency of a wind turbine. An increase in generation efficiency leads to higher wind power production, improving the economics within the growing global wind market. In this research, we use a data-driven statistical method to explore the contributions of the three main drivers of CF change: turbine aging, changes in wind speed, and technological improvements. We find that for the group of old turbines (operated before 2008) with an unchanging technical condition, wind increases contributed ∼10% to the increasing CF on average from 2010 to 2020. For new turbines (built from 2008 to 2020), technological improvements had a strong positive effect on CF from 2015 to 2020, exceeding the effect of wind increases and offsetting the effects of aging. On average, rising wind speeds increased CF by ∼5% per year, while technological improvements increased it by ∼12%. As the installed capacity of wind turbines grew, technological progress became the dominant driver in CF increase. However, poor site selection potentially compromised the positive effect on CF afforded by technology changes early in the decade.
Emissions and uptake of volatiles by sampling components in breath analysis
Authors: Pham Y Lan , Holz Olaf , Beauchamp Jonathan
Published: April 2023

The first and most crucial step in breath research is adequate sampling, which plays a pivotal role in quality assurance of breath datasets. In particular, the emissions or uptake of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by sampling interface materials present a risk of disrupting breath gas samples. This study investigated emissions and uptake by three interface components, namely a silicon facemask, a reusable 3D-printed mouthpiece adapter, and a pulmonary function test filter compatible with the commercial Respiration Collector for In-Vitro Analysis (ReCIVA) breath sampling device. Emissions were examined before and after (hydro-)thermal treatment of the components, and uptake was assessed by exposing each material to 12 representative breath VOCs comprising alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, terpenes, sulphurous and nitrogenous compounds at different target concentration ranges (∼10 ppbV and ∼100 ppbV). Chemical analyses of VOCs were performed using proton transfer reaction-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-TOFMS) with supporting analyses via thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-TOFMS (TD-GC×GC-TOFMS). The filter exhibited the lowest overall emissions compared to the mask or adapter, which both had equivalently high emissions (albeit for different compounds). Treatment of the materials reduced the total VOC emissions by 62% in the mask, 89% in the filter and 99% in the adapter. Uptakes of compounds were lowest for the adapter and most pronounced in the mask. In particular, 1-butanol, acetone, 2-butanone, 1,8-cineole and dimethyl sulphide showed negligible uptake across all materials, whereas ethanol, nonanal, acetic acid, butanoic acid, limonene and indole exhibited marked losses. Knowledge of emissions and/or uptake by sampling components is key to reducing the likelihood of erroneous data interpretation, ultimately expediting progress in the field of breath test development.
Moonlight and Rainfall Influence Efficacy of Sex Pheromones in Controlling Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Shallot
Authors: Hidayah B N , Adnyana I P C P , Suparjan  , Aisah A R , Rahayu M
Published: April 2023

Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) is one of the horticultural commodities that have high economic value in Indonesia. The caterpillar, Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important pest of shallot crops which decreases both production and yield quality. Farmers commonly spray pesticides to control S. exigua. This can cause negative impacts on the environment and farmers’ health. Therefore, environmentally friendly control measures need to be implemented. Use of sex pheromone traps can be an alternative in controlling S. exigua. This research aims to study the effect of moonlight and rainfall on the number of male imagos of S. exigua captured in sex pheromone traps and to study the correlation of the number of S. exigua imagos captured on the percentage of infested leaves and shallot yield. This study was conducted from March to June 2016 in Labuhan Lombok Village, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, Indonesia. Sex pheromone traps were randomly set on 12 shallot cultivation plots (Super Phillips variety). The number of male moths caught was recorded every 3-4 days, and then at the end of observations the percentage of infested leaves was determined. The number of captured male imagos of S. exigua had a significant linear relationship with the percentage of infested leaves and shallot yield with the correlation coefficient values of -0.607 and 0.829 respectively. The application of sex pheromone traps to control S. exigua on shallot, during moonlight and rainfall, has the potential to decrease both insecticide and production cost and to increase farmers’ income.
Morphophysiological responses of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) to osmopriming treatment to overcoming salinity stress
Authors: Amalia D.R. , Rachmawati D.
Published: April 2023

Global climate change induced environmental stress such as salinity significantly impact growth and crop productivity. Red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) is a vegetable commodity that has high nutritional value, but its productivity will decrease when grown in saline area. Seed priming is one of the pre-planting treatment techniques used to increase plant growth under unfavourable conditions. Osmopriming is one of the priming techniques where the seeds will be immersed in a solution with a high osmotic potential, such as PEG (Polyethylene Glycol). The purpose of this study was to determine the morphophysiological response of red amaranth to osmopriming treatment under salinity stress. Complete randomized design was used to arrange this experiment containing two variables including seed osmopriming (0, 5% and 10% of PEG) and salinity stress (0, 50, and 100 mM of NaCl). Morphophysiological parameters were measured including plant height, number of leaves, root length, leaf chlorophyll content, proline content, oxalic acid content and Ca-oxalate crystal density. After seed osmopriming with 10% of PEG 6000 increased plant height, number of leaves and root length of red amaranth Under salinity stress. Chlorophyll content increased while proline, oxalic acid content and Ca-oxalate crystal density decreased on osmopriming with 10% of PEG 6000. Seed osmopriming enhances morphophysiological characters to overcome problems in cultivating of red amaranth on saline area.
Farmer income increase in Indonesia using the jajar legowo rice system
Authors: Anggraeni R , Kadarso  , Sumbodo B T , Wibawanti E S , Murjiyanto R
Published: April 2023

Indonesia produces large amounts of rice. However, almost every year, rice imports are still carried out to meet the needs of food stock, and supply in several regions still needs to catch up to demand. The application of rice cultivation technology contributes to increasing the productivity of cultivated rice products with the “Jajar Legowo System” (JLS). The purpose of this study is to compare the income of JLS cultivation and conventional systems (CS). This research applied the descriptive-analytic method from the survey. The purposive method was applied deliberately in determining the location of the study by considering certain objectives. This study uses a simple random sampling techniques to collect samples from 30 JLS and CS farmers. The collected data is first compiled, described, and then analyzed by quantitative research methods, namely, taking a sample from a population using a questionnaire as a data tool. The research results showed that the application of JLS rice cultivation technology significantly increased productivity (13.62%), income (29.88%), efficiency (18.90%), and benefits for rice farmers (8.53%) compared to that CS. Rice cultivation using JLS is appropriate in Indonesia to increase farmers’ income. The application of JLS can improve farmers’ income. This technology is feasible to develop in Indonesia.
Physio-Morphology Of Soybean In Various Population Proportions Of Intercropping With Corn
Authors: Setiawan Agus Nugroho , Budiastuti Sri , Purwanto Edi , Supriyadi
Published: April 2023

Soybean is Indonesia’s important food crop, generally grown in monoculture. Global climate change can affect unfavourable environmental conditions and reduce soybean yields. Soybean yields can be increased by intercropping, which can improve the plant’s environmental conditions. One of the crops that can be intercropped with soybeans is corn because planting corn between soybeans can create a favourable microclimate for soybeans. This study aims to obtain the right population proportion in soybean and corn intercropping based on physio-morphological responses. This research was conducted in Kasihan, Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region, in July-November 2021, with a single-factor experimental method arranged in a single plot design. The treatment was the proportion of soybean and corn population, consisting of 4 proportions, i.e. 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, and monoculture soybean and corn as controls. The variables observed were leaf area, dry weight, chlorophyll content, stomatal density, number of pods, seed weight, and soybean yield. The results showed that the proportion of soybeans and corn intercropping population did not affect chlorophyll content and stomata density. A population proportion of 3:1 produces the number of leaves and specific leaf area, the number of pods, and pod weight per plant higher than monoculture soybeans and other intercropping population proportions.
The Portrait of Agronomic activity of Oil Palm Independent Small Holder in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia
Authors: Supriyanto  , Arifin Nur , Sulistyowati Henny , Ruliyansyah Agus , Pramulya Muhammad
Published: April 2023

Indonesia is the largest palm oil producer in the world. One of the provinces with the largest oil palm area in Indonesia is the West Kalimantan Province, which 1,89 million ha. Of this total plantation area, 54,7% (1.456.534 ha) are smallholder plantations. The use of huge area for oil palm cultivation is often associated with global warming because it is considered to source of carbon release from irresponsible cultivation processes. The main problem of oil palm independent smallholder plantations is the low productivity because of does not implementing the sustainable cultivation technologies. This study was conducted to describe the process of oil palm cultivation carried out by oil palm independent small holder in West Kalimantan Province. The research has been conducted through structured interviews in four districts with a purposive sampling method. The results showed that the most sustainable agronomic activities that have been carried out by oil palm farmers are plantations establishment in non-forest estate (APL) and use of certified seeds. Meanwhile, sustainable agronomic activities that have not been carried out by most oil palm farmers include without-burning land clearing, weed and pest-diseases control according to guidelines, and fertilization, castration, pruning, and harvesting rotation as recommended. On average, the productivity of oil palm independent smallholder in West Kalimantan is about 8,36 tons of FFB/ha/year, still below the Indonesian national average of oil palm productivity. These results indicate that most of oil palm independent small holder in West Kalimantan Province need to increase their agronomic capacity so that their productivity can increase.
Grey and green infrastructure alternatives for water-related disaster mitigation: the case of Mandailing Natal, North Sumatera, Indonesia
Authors: Prastica R M S , Adiluhung M T P , Amarendra N P
Published: April 2023

Flood disaster in Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatera, Indonesia is challenging due to its barriers to reduce the disaster impact. Flood disaster mitigation should be prepared for both structural and non-structural alternatives to apply. Meanwhile, the government seems to face budget allocation and geographical condition of the area to choose the better alternatives. This research aims to investigate the suitable alternative to be applied in the study area as flood disaster mitigation. There are three alternatives: (1) river channel modification, (2) earth-embankment dam construction, or (3) rainwater harvesting (RWH) application. The investigation is carried out through hydrological analysis, hydraulics analysis, and numerical analysis of channel and dam by using HEC-RAS and Geo-Studio supporting tool. Meanwhile, rainwater harvesting is computed based on a mathematical model from previous studies. Since the alternative is chosen because of the runoff reduction capability and budget expenditure prediction, rainwater harvesting seems to be the more recommended to be applied in the study area. The RWH could make 86.36% runoff reduction. Despite river channel modification could extract almost 100% of runoff, the allocation for the construction is too high for the government to handle.
Application of nano Fe on the growth of rice under drought stress
Authors: Darmaningtyas R F , Sakya A T , Supriyono
Published: April 2023

Climate change is indicated by extreme weather changes, namely drought on agricultural land, thus limiting crop growth. The availability of rice as a food source in developing countries has not met the increasing food needs of the population. The low planting area and productivity, which are said to be the triggers for the problem, can be overcome by nutrient management on dry land. Iron serves a function in the physiology and metabolism of plants. Iron sprayed on the leaves in the form of nano Fe2O3 can increase the efficiency of nutrient absorption by plants. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the application of nano Fe concentration on rice growth in drought-stress conditions. The study was conducted in the Sleman experimental field using the Split Plot Design method with two factors (water content of 100; 50% and nano-Fe concentration of 0; 0.5; 1; 1.5; 2 ppm). Based on the results of the study showed that there was an independent effect of treatment on growth. Spraying nano Fe 0.5-1 and 1.5-2 ppm reduced membrane damage by 3.27% and 8.25% respectively, and there was a negative correlation between membrane damage and growth parameters.
Determinants of environmental disclosure of mining industry near the COVID-19 outbreak: Some Indonesian evidence
Authors: Ika S R , Emilia E , Hasthoro H A , Widagdo A K
Published: April 2023

In their business operations, mining companies that process natural resources must deal with environmental degradation. The companies shall do environmental preservation to mitigate global warming due to business processes and make an environmental responsibility report to ensure a sustainable business. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic affects environmental responsibility is the focus of this study. The pandemic disrupts all sectors, including the mining industry. Therefore, this study investigates the level of environmental reporting made by mining companies before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, this study also investigates the determinants of the level of environmental reporting disclosed in either the annual report or sustainability report. Thirty-seven companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the mining sector in 2019 and 2020 were used as a sample. Results from the Wilcoxon signed rank analysis suggest that the level of environmental disclosure increased following the epidemic’s spread, contrasted to levels prior to the outbreak. The multiple regression analysis reveals that public ownership and size are likely to enhance environmental disclosure. Meanwhile, leverage tends to reduce environmental disclosure. The analysis offers perspective on the capital market authority agency’s new strategy aimed at enhancing aspects that could influence environmental responsibility disclosure.
The Air Temperature Effects on the Growth and Herbal Yield of Java tea (Orthosiphon Aristatus) Medicinal Plant.
Authors: Ngezahayo Eric , Komariah Komariah , Masykuri Mohammad
Published: April 2023

Orthosiphon aristatus (Java Tea) is a traditional and economically valuable medicinal plant with different pharmaceutical activities for preventing various diseases. Air temperature is one of the environmental elements that have an impact on plant growth and herbal production. The study aimed to assess how java tea plants respond to high air temperatures and to learn if soil with compost fertilizer may have a substantial impact on plant growth. The research was arranged using a completely randomized design, with air temperature as the main factor with three replicates for each treatment. Plastic Pots of java tea plants were maintained in the greenhouse (control) for three months and in the growth chamber day/night temperatures of 25/25°C, 30/25°C, 35/25°C, 40/25°C, 45/25°C and 50/25°C. Plants placed in a growth chamber showed significantly affected by temperature by comparing treatments in the greenhouse (control). Java tea plants kept at 30/25°C and 35/25°C had considerably higher plant height, leaf numbers, fresh and dry weight values than other treatments, whereas the 40°C treatment had the greatest growth decline, reduced leaf number, dry weight, and fresh weight. Moreover, all plants subjected to 45/25°C and 50°C/25°C in the growth chamber suffered more severely in all traits up to mortality. Therefore,30/25°C treatment would be more valuable for high marketability due to increased plant height, leaf number, and dry mass compared to other treatments.
Soil Moisture Detection of Rainfed Farm Through Planetscope Image
Authors: Sumani  , Salma Widya Noor
Published: April 2023

Information on soil moisture is very important in activities cultivation of crops, especially in rainfed land which is very vulnerable to climate change. The need for a method for estimating soil water content is very urgent because of the amount of time and energy required by the gravimetric method. One way that can be applied is with Planetscope Imagery. Planetscope sensors are inexpensive so they are increasingly being used for science and environmental applications, including for land cover classification. The research was carried out on rainfed land, the slopes of Mount Lawu - Central Java, at different altitudes, in the highlands, the middle plains, and the lowlands, with descriptive explorative research method, using purposive sampling to obtain an image to determine the Color Digital Number value. The results of the color digital number are used for correlation and regression analysis to determine the relationship between the actual soil moisture content and the digital number on the Planetscope image. The T-test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between the results of the actual moisture content and the predicted moisture content. The results showed that the accuracy of Planetscope imagery in predicting soil moisture content in the highlands, middle plains, and lowlands was 86.16%; 89.07%, and 95%. These results indicate the high accuracy of PlanetScope images in predicting soil moisture content in rainfed rice fields in the toposequence of Mount Lawu, Central Java.
A locally optimal preconditioned Newton-Schur method for symmetric elliptic eigenvalue problems
Authors: Chen Wenbin , Shao Nian , Xu Xuejun
Published: April 2023

A locally optimal preconditioned Newton-Schur method is proposed for solving symmetric elliptic eigenvalue problems. Firstly, the Steklov-Poincaré operator is used to project the eigenvalue problem on the domain

Ω
\Omega

onto the nonlinear eigenvalue subproblem on

Γ
\Gamma

, which is the union of subdomain boundaries. Then, the direction of correction is obtained via applying a non-overlapping domain decomposition method on

Γ
\Gamma

. Four different strategies are proposed to build the hierarchical subspace

U

k
+
1

U_{k+1}

over the boundaries, which are based on the combination of the coarse-subspace with the directions of correction. Finally, the approximation of eigenpair is updated by solving a local optimization problem on the subspace

U

k
+
1

U_{k+1}

. The convergence rate of the locally optimal preconditioned Newton-Schur method is proved to be

γ
=
1
−

c

0

T

h
,
H

−
1

\gamma =1-c_{0}T_{h,H}^{-1}

, where

c

0

c_{0}

is a constant independent of the fine mesh size

h
h

, the coarse mesh size

H
H

and jumps of the coefficients; whereas

T

h
,
H

T_{h,H}

is the constant depending on stability of the decomposition. Numerical results confirm our theoretical analysis.
The slope robustly determines convex functions
Authors: Daniilidis Aris , Drusvyatskiy Dmitriy
Published: April 2023

We show that the deviation between the slopes of two convex functions controls the deviation between the functions themselves. This result reveals that the slope—a one dimensional construct—robustly determines convex functions, up to a constant of integration.
Bounded cohomology classes of exact forms
Authors: Battista Ludovico , Francaviglia Stefano , Moraschini Marco , Sarti Filippo , Savini Alessio
Published: April 2023

On negatively curved compact manifolds, it is possible to associate to every closed form a bounded cocycle – hence a bounded cohomology class – via integration over straight simplices. The kernel of this map is contained in the space of exact forms. We show that in degree 2 this kernel is trivial, in contrast with higher degree. In other words, exact non-zero

2
2

-forms define non-trivial bounded cohomology classes.

This result is the higher dimensional version of a classical theorem by Barge and Ghys [Invent. Math. 92 (1988), pp. 509–526] for surfaces. As a consequence, one gets that the second bounded cohomology of negatively curved manifolds contains an infinite dimensional space, whose classes are explicitly described by integration of forms. This also showcases that some recent results by Marasco [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 151 (2023), pp. 2707–2715] can be applied in higher dimension to obtain new non-trivial results on the vanishing of certain cup products and Massey products. Some other applications are discussed.
Bracket words: A generalisation of Sturmian words arising from generalised polynomials
Authors: Adamczewski Boris , Konieczny Jakub
Published: April 2023

Generalised polynomials are maps constructed by applying the floor function, addition, and multiplication to polynomials. Despite superficial similarity, generalised polynomials exhibit many phenomena which are impossible for polynomials. In particular, there exist generalised polynomial sequences which take only finitely many values without being periodic; examples of such sequences include the Sturmian words, as well as more complicated sequences like

⌊
2

{
π

n
2

+

2

n

⌊

3

n
⌋

}

⌋

\left \lfloor 2\left \{ \pi n^2 + \sqrt {2}n\left \lfloor \sqrt {3}n \right \rfloor \right \} \right \rfloor

.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate letter-to-letter codings of finitely-valued generalised polynomial sequences, which we call bracket words, from the point of view of combinatorics on words. We survey existing results on generalised polynomials and their corollaries in terms of bracket words, and also prove several new results. Our main contribution is a polynomial bound on the subword complexity of bracket words.
The continuity of 𝑝-rationality and a lower bound for 𝑝’-degree characters of finite groups
Authors: Hung Nguyen
Published: April 2023

Let

p
p

be a prime and

G
G

a finite group. We propose a strong bound for the number of

p
′

p’

-degree irreducible characters of

G
G

in terms of the commutator factor group of a Sylow

p
p

-subgroup of

G
G

. The bound arises from a recent conjecture of Navarro and Tiep [Forum Math. Pi 9 (2021), pp. 1–28] on fields of character values and a phenomenon called the continuity of

p
p

-rationality level of

p
′

p’

-degree characters. This continuity property in turn is predicted by the celebrated McKay-Navarro conjecture (see G. Navarro [Ann. of Math. (2) 160 (2004), pp. 1129–1140]). We achieve both the bound and the continuity property for

p
=
2

p=2

.
Odd torsion Brauer elements and arithmetic of diagonal quartic surfaces over number fields
Authors: Ieronymou Evis
Published: April 2023

We use recent advances in the local evaluation of Brauer elements to study the role played by odd torsion elements of the Brauer group in the arithmetic of diagonal quartic surfaces over arbitrary number fields. We show that over a local field if the order of the Brauer element is odd and coprime to the residue characteristic then the evaluation map it induces on the local points is constant. Over number fields we give a sufficient condition on the coefficients of the equation, which is mild and easy to check, under which the odd torsion does not obstruct weak approximation. We also note a systematic way to produce

K
3

K3

surfaces over

Q

2

\mathbb {Q}_2

with good reduction and a non-trivial 2-torsion element of the Brauer group with Swan conductor zero.
Metastable complex vector bundles over complex projective spaces
Authors: Hu Yang
Published: April 2023

We apply Weiss calculus to enumerate rank

r
r

topological complex vector bundles over complex projective spaces

C

P
l

\mathbb {C}P^l

with vanishing Chern classes when

r
=
l
−
1

r=l-1

and

r
=
l
−
2

r=l-2

, which are the first two cases in the metastable range.
Nonmuscle myosin IIB is a driver of cellular reprogramming
Authors: Balaban Amanda E. , Nguyen Ly T. S. , Parajón Eleana , Robinson Douglas N.
Published: April 2023

To test the impact of engineering cells with altered contractile properties, NMIIB and mutants that have different assembly and force-generating properties were introduced. Adding NMIIB into pancreatic ductal epithelia–derived cancer cells led to altered cell morphology. Additionally, NMIIB is highly integrated with a range of cellular systems, including metabolism and gene expression. Modifying the contractile machinery leads to cellular reprogramming.
Effect of a neurokinin 3 receptor-selective agonist administration on the embryos recovered from superovulated cows
Authors: Matsuyama Shuichi , Nakamura Sho , Minabe Shiori , Ohkura Satoshi , Kimura Koji
Published: April 2023

Superovulation (SOV) treatment of cows results in unovulated follicles and inconsistent quality of the recovered embryos. It has been demonstrated that luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion is suppressed during SOV treatment of cows, which may cause insufficient follicle development and variation in the development of recovered embryos and unovulated follicles. Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone/LH secretion is controlled by the activity of kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin (KNDy) neurons in the arcuate nucleus in many mammals. As neurokinin B promotes the activity of KNDy neurons, we hypothesized that senktide, a neurokinin B receptor agonist, has the potential as a therapeutic drug to improve the ovulation rate and quality of recovered embryos in SOV-treated cows via stimulation of LH secretion. Senktide was administered intravenously (30 or 300 nmol/min) for 2 h, beginning from 72 h after the start of SOV treatment. LH secretion was examined before and after administration, and embryos were collected 7 d after estrus. Senktide administration increased LH secretion in SOV-treated cows. The ratios of code 1, code 1 and 2, and blastocyst stage embryos to recovered embryos were increased by senktide (300 nmol/min) administration. Moreover, the mRNA levels of MTCO1, COX7C, and MTATP6 were upregulated in recovered embryos of senktide (300 nmol/min)-administered animals. These results indicate that the administration of senktide to SOV-treated cows enhances LH secretion and upregulates the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism in embryos, thereby improving embryo development and embryo quality.
Nature's chefs: Uniting the hidden diversity of food making and preparing species across the tree of life
Authors: Taylor Brad W , Allf Bradley , Hopkins Skylar R , Irwin Rebecca E , Jewell Michelle , Nevo Omer , Nichols Lauren M , Rodríguez Valerón Nabila , Evans Joshua D , Sörensen Pia M , Dunn Robert R
Published: April 2023

There may be no such thing as a free meal, but many species have evolved mechanisms for other species to consume the literal fruits of their labors. In the present article, inspired by a chef's recognition that such species are “nature's chefs,” we consider food-making species from the plant, animal, and fungal kingdoms, which produce food or mimic food to increase their own fitness. We identify three ways that species can produce or prepare meals—as food, drinks, or lures—and further distinguish between those providing an honest meal and those deceiving consumers with food mimics. By considering these species holistically, we highlight new hypotheses about the ecology and evolution of the widespread phenomenon of organisms that produce food for other organisms. We find surprising and useful generalities and exceptions among species as different as apple trees and anglerfish by examining species interactions across taxa, systems, and disciplines.
How and what adverse events are reported and captured in randomized control trials of emollients in the treatment of eczema?
Authors: Emmett Elizabeth R , Allen Megan , Crownshaw Sarah , Ridd Matthew J
Published: April 2023

Background

Emollients are universally recommended for atopic dermatitis/eczema (‘eczema’), to improve the skin barrier and reduce symptoms. However, our knowledge of the frequency and nature of adverse effects associated with their use is limited.

Objectives

We sought to determine how well adverse events are reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of emollients for eczema.

Methods

MEDLINE was searched from inception (1946) to May 2022. Inclusion criteria were RCTs of moisturizers or emollients used as a leave-on treatment (as the intervention or control) in adults or children with eczema. Exclusion criteria were non-RCTs; patients with other diagnoses included; use of emollient as bath additives, soap substitutes or as preventative; and not published in English. References of eligible papers were reviewed for any additional, relevant research. Data were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet and analysed descriptively. An assessment of study quality was carried out using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for RCTs.

Results

From 369 potential papers, 35 papers (reporting on 34 studies) were included. Most research was conducted in research centres or hospitals (unclear in 34%). In total, 89% reported collecting data on adverse events related to emollient treatment use but the methods used were poorly reported (40% unclear). Four papers used patient questionnaires/diaries. However, it was unclear how and what was collected as only two studies showed the questionnaires used.

Conclusions

Reporting of adverse events related to emollient use in trials of patients with eczema is poor and inconsistent. Agreement should be reached on how and what adverse events should be collected, to standardize reporting across studies.
New insights of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis from the perspective of COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Yang Yang , Xiong Yi , Xu Gaosi
Published: April 2023

The occurrence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) has been reported since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, but whether there is a causal relationship or coincidence remains to be verified. We combined the term COVID-19 vaccination with each word of AAV to search for case reports and case series published in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases before 13 March 2023. A total of 56 patients who developed AAV after COVID-19 vaccination were identified from 44 research centers. Of the 56 subjects, 43 (76.7%) were vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine, followed by the adenovirus vaccine (14.3%) and inactivated vaccine (9.0%) (P = 0.015). Compared with relapsed AAV, new-onset AAV patients had at least two other diseases previously (P < 0.001). Twenty-five (44.6%) patients presented symptoms after the first injection, and the medium onset time was 12 (1–77) days, while Twenty-eight (50.0%) patients developed symptoms after the second dose, and their medium period was 14 (1–60) days. Forty-four (78.5%) patients achieved remission after immunosuppressive agents, plasma exchange, and hemodialysis. One (1.8%) patient died from progressive respiratory failure and nine (16.1%) did not recover, leaving five patients permanently dependent on hemodialysis. Pathogenic ANCA may be activated by enhanced immune response and epitope spreading after COVID-19 vaccination and induced the occurrence of AAV, especially in genetically susceptible populations.
The clinical and experimental treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Nijhuis L , Swart J F , Prakken B J , van Loosdregt J , Vastert S J
Published: April 2023

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and comprises of multiple subtypes. The most relevant disease subtypes, grouped upon current insight in disease mechanisms, are nonsystemic (oligo- and polyarticular) JIA and systemic JIA (sJIA). In this review, we summarize some of the main proposed mechanisms of disease in both nonsystemic and sJIA and discuss how current therapeutic modalities target some of the pathogenic immune pathways. Chronic inflammation in nonsystemic JIA is the result of a complex interplay between effector and regulatory immune cell subsets, with adaptive immune cells, specifically T-cell subsets and antigen-presenting cells, in a central role. There is, however, also innate immune cell contribution. SJIA is nowadays recognized as an acquired chronic inflammatory disorder with striking autoinflammatory features in the first phase of the disease. Some sJIA patients develop a refractory disease course, with indications for involvement of adaptive immune pathways as well. Currently, therapeutic strategies are directed at suppressing effector mechanisms in both non-systemic and sJIA. These strategies are often not yet optimally tuned nor timed to the known active mechanisms of disease in individual patients in both non-systemic and sJIA. We discuss current treatment strategies in JIA, specifically the ‘Step-up’ and ‘Treat to Target approach’ and explore how increased insight into the biology of disease may translate into future more targeted strategies for this chronic inflammatory disease at relevant time points: preclinical disease, active disease, and clinically inactive disease.
Survey-Based Assessment of Water, Sanitation, and Animal-Associated Risk Factors for Moderate-to-Severe Diarrhea in the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Study: The Gambia, Mali, and Kenya, 2015–2018
Authors: Berendes David M , Fagerli Kirsten , Kim Sunkyung , Nasrin Dilruba , Powell Helen , Kasumba Irene N , Tennant Sharon M , Roose Anna , Jahangir Hossain M , Jones Joquina Chiquita M , Zaman Syed M A , Omore Richard , Ochieng John B , Verani Jennifer R , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Sow Samba O , Doh Sanogo , Sugerman Ciara E , Mintz Eric D , Kotloff Karen L
Published: April 2023

Background

Pediatric exposures to unsafe sources of water, unsafely managed sanitation, and animals are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. In the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa case-control study, we examined associations between these risk factors and moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) in children <5 years old in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali.

Methods

We enrolled children <5 years old seeking care for MSD at health centers; age-, sex-, and community-matched controls were enrolled at home. Conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for a priori confounders, were used to evaluate associations between MSD and survey-based assessments of water, sanitation, and animals living in the compound.

Results

From 2015 to 2018, 4840 cases and 6213 controls were enrolled. In pan-site analyses, children with drinking water sources below “safely managed” (onsite, continuously accessible sources of good water quality) had 1.5–2.0-fold higher odds of MSD (95% confidence intervals [CIs] ranging from 1.0 to 2.5), driven by rural site results (The Gambia and Kenya). In the urban site (Mali), children whose drinking water source was less available (several hours/day vs all the time) had higher odds of MSD (matched odds ratio [mOR]: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7). Associations between MSD and sanitation were site-specific. Goats were associated with slightly increased odds of MSD in pan-site analyses, whereas associations with cows and fowl varied by site.

Conclusions

Poorer types and availability of drinking water sources were consistently associated with MSD, whereas the impacts of sanitation and household animals were context-specific. The association between MSD and access to safely managed drinking water sources post-rotavirus introduction calls for transformational changes in drinking water services to prevent acute child morbidity from MSD.
Giardia Detection and Codetection With Other Enteric Pathogens in Young Children in the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Case-Control Study: 2015–2018
Authors: Marcenac Perrine , Traoré Awa , Kim Sunkyung , Prentice-Mott Graeme , Berendes David M , Powell Helen , Kasumba Irene N , Nasrin Dilruba , Jones Joquina Chiquita M , Zaman Syed M A , Ochieng John B , Juma Jane , Sanogo Doh , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Verani Jennifer R , Liu Jie , Houpt Eric R , Jahangir Hossain M , Sow Samba O , Omore Richard , Tennant Sharon M , Mintz Eric D , Kotloff Karen L
Published: April 2023

Background

Giardia has been associated with reduced risk of diarrhea in children in low-resource settings, but the mechanism underlying this association is unknown. To assess whether Giardia may shape colonization or infection with other enteric pathogens and impact associations with diarrhea, we examined Giardia and enteric pathogen codetection among children <5 years old in Kenya, The Gambia, and Mali as part of the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa study.

Methods

We tested for Giardia and other enteric pathogens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on stool, respectively. We evaluated associations between Giardia and enteric pathogen detection using multivariable logistic regression models separately for children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD, cases) and free of diarrhea (controls).

Results

Among 11 039 enrolled children, Giardia detection was more common among controls (35%) than cases (28%, P < .001). Campylobacter coli/jejuni detection was associated with Giardia in controls in The Gambia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] [95% confidence interval {CI}]: 1.51 [1.22‒1.86]) and cases across all sites (1.16 [1.00‒1.33]). Among controls, the odds of astrovirus (1.43 [1.05‒1.93]) and Cryptosporidium spp. (1.24 [1.06‒1.46]) detection were higher among children with Giardia. Among cases, the odds of rotavirus detection were lower in children with Giardia in Mali (.45 [.30‒.66]) and Kenya (.31 [.17‒.56]).

Conclusions

Giardia was prevalent in children <5 years old and was associated with detection of other enteric pathogens, with differing associations in cases versus controls and by site. Giardia may affect colonization or infection by certain enteric pathogens associated with MSD, suggesting an indirect mechanism of clinical impact.
Norovirus Disease Among Children <5 Years in 3 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Findings From the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Study, 2015–2018
Authors: Omore Richard , Powell Helen , Sow Samba O , Jahangir Hossain M , Ogwel Billy , Doh Sanogo , Ochieng John B , Jones Joquina Chiquita M , Zaman Syed M A , Awuor Alex O , Juma Jane , Kasumba Irene N , Roose Anna , Jamka Leslie P , Nasrin Dilruba , Liu Jie , Keita Adama Mamby , Traoré Awa , Onwuchekwa Uma , Badji Henry , Sarwar Golam , Antonio Martin , Sugerman Ciara E , Mintz Eric D , Houpt Eric R , Verani Jennifer R , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Tennant Sharon M , Platts-Mills James A , Tate Jacqueline E , Parashar Umesh D , Kotloff Karen L
Published: April 2023

Background

To address a paucity of data from sub-Saharan Africa, we examined the prevalence, severity, and seasonality of norovirus genogroup II (NVII) among children <5 years old in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali following rotavirus vaccine introduction.

Methods

Population-based surveillance was conducted to capture medically-attended moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) cases, defined as a child 0–59 months old passing ≥3 loose stools in a 24-hour period with ≥1 of the following: sunken eyes, poor skin turgor, dysentery, intravenous rehydration, or hospitalization within 7 days of diarrhea onset. Diarrhea-free matched controls randomly selected from a censused population were enrolled at home. Stools from cases and controls were tested for enteropathogens, including norovirus and rotavirus, by TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional reverse transcription PCR. We used multiple logistic regression to derive adjusted attributable fractions (AFe) for each pathogen causing MSD, which takes into consideration the prevalence in both cases and controls, for each site and age. A pathogen was considered etiologic if AFe was ≥0.5. In further analyses focusing on the predominant NVII strains, we compared rotavirus and NVII severity using a 20-point modified Vesikari score and examined seasonal fluctuations.

Results

From May 2015 to July 2018, we enrolled 4840 MSD cases and 6213 controls. NVI was attributed to only 1 MSD episode. NVII was attributed to 185 (3.8%) of all MSD episodes and was the sole attributable pathogen in 139 (2.9%); peaking (36.0%) at age 6–8 months with majority (61.2%) aged 6–11 months. MSD cases whose episodes were attributed to NVII alone compared with rotavirus alone were younger (median age, 8 vs 12 months, P < .0001) and had less severe illness (median Vesikari severity score, 9 vs 11, P = .0003) but equally likely to be dehydrated. NVII occurred year-round at all study sites.

Conclusions

Infants aged 6–11 months bear the greatest burden of norovirus disease, with NVII predominating. An early infant vaccine schedule and rigorous adherence to guidelines recommended for management of dehydrating diarrhea may offer substantial benefit in these African settings.
Drivers of Decline in Diarrhea Mortality Between GEMS and VIDA Studies
Authors: Deichsel Emily L , Powell Helen , Troeger Christopher , Hossain M Jahangir , Sow Samba O , Omore Richard , Jasseh Momodou , Onwuchekwa Uma , Obor David , Sanogo Doh , Jones Joquina Chiquita M , Nasrin Dilruba , Tapia Milagritos D , Kotloff Karen L
Published: April 2023

Background

Statistical modeling suggests that decreasing diarrhea-associated mortality rates in recent decades are largely attributed to improved case management, rotavirus vaccine, and economic development.

Methods

We examined data collected in 2 multisite population-based diarrhea case-control studies, both conducted in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali: the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS; 2008–2011) and Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA; 2015–2018). Population-level diarrhea mortality and risk factor prevalence, estimated using these study data, were used to calculate the attribution of risk factors and interventions for diarrhea mortality using a counterfactual framework. We performed a decomposition of the effects of the changes in exposure to each risk factor between GEMS and VIDA on diarrhea mortality for each site.

Results

Diarrhea mortality among children under 5 in our African sites decreased by 65.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: –80.0%, −45.0%) from GEMS to VIDA. Kenya and Mali had large relative declines in diarrhea mortality between the 2 periods with 85.9% (95% CI: −95.1%, −71.5%) and 78.0% (95% CI: −96.0%, 36.3%) reductions, respectively. Among the risk factors considered, the largest declines in diarrhea mortality between the 2 study periods were attributed to reduction in childhood wasting (27.2%; 95% CI: −39.3%, −16.8%) and an increased rotavirus vaccine coverage (23.1%; 95% CI: −28.4%, −19.4%), zinc for diarrhea treatment (12.1%; 95% CI: −16.0%, −8.9%), and oral rehydration salts (ORS) for diarrhea treatment (10.2%).

Conclusions

The VIDA study sites demonstrated exceptional reduction in diarrhea mortality over the last decade. Site-specific differences highlight an opportunity for implementation science in collaboration with policymakers to improve the equitable coverage of these interventions globally.
Influence of Timing of Maternal Pertussis Immunization on the Avidity of Transferred Antibodies in Term and Preterm Neonates
Authors: Sartoretti Julie , Fontannaz Paola , Martinez de Tejada Begoña , Othenin-Girard Véronique , Chilin Antonina , Lemaître Barbara , Blanchard-Rohner Géraldine , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Eberhardt Christiane Sigrid
Published: April 2023

The timing of maternal pertussis vaccination influences the titers of cord-blood anti-pertussis antibodies. Whether it affects their avidity is unknown. We demonstrate in 298 term and 72 preterm neonates that antibody avidity is independent of the timing of maternal vaccination, whether comparing second with third trimester or intervals before birth.