bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
microRNAs and Gene–Environment Interactions in Autism: Effects of Prenatal Maternal Stress and the SERT Gene on Maternal microRNA Expression
Authors: Beversdorf David Q. , Shah Ayten , Jhin Allison , Noel-MacDonnell Janelle , Hecht Patrick , Ferguson Bradley J. , Bruce Danielle , Tilley Michael , Talebizadeh Zohreh
Published: July 2021

Background:Genetics and environment both are critical in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their interaction (G × E) is less understood. Numerous studies have shown higher incidence of stress exposures during pregnancies with children later diagnosed with ASD. However, many stress-exposed mothers have unaffected children. The serotonin transporter (SERT) gene affects stress reactivity. Two independent samples have shown that the association between maternal stress exposure and ASD is greatest with maternal presence of theSERTshort (S)-allele (deletion in the promoter region). MicroRNAs play a regulatory role in the serotonergic pathway and in prenatal stress and are therefore potential mechanistic targets in this setting.

Design/methods:We profiled microRNA expression in blood from mothers of children with ASD, with known stress exposure during pregnancy. Samples were divided into groups based onSERTgenotypes (LL/LS/SS) and prenatal stress level (high/low).

Results:Two thousand five hundred mature microRNAs were examined. The ANOVA analysis showed differential expression (DE) of 119 microRNAs; 90 were DE in high- vs. low-stress groups (stress-dependent). Two (miR-1224-5p, miR-331-3p) were recently reported by our group to exhibit stress-dependent expression in rodent brain samples from embryos exposed to prenatal stress. Another, miR-145-5p, is associated with maternal stress. AcrossSERTgenotypes, with high stress exposure, 20 significantly DE microRNAs were detected, five were stress-dependent. These microRNAs may be candidates for stress ×SERTgenotype interactions. This is remarkable as these changes were from mothers several years after stress-exposed pregnancies.

Conclusions:Our study provides evidence for epigenetic alterations in relation to a G × E model (prenatal maternal stress ×SERTgene) in ASD.
Profiling Suicide Exposure Risk Factors for Psychological Distress: An Empirical Test of the Proposed Continuum of Survivorship Model
Authors: Bhullar Navjot , Sanford Rebecca L. , Maple Myfanwy
Published: July 2021

The Continuum of Survivorship proposes a way in which individuals may experience the suicide death of someone known to them along a continuum from being exposed to the death through to long-term bereavement. The present study provides a first empirical testing of the proposed model in an Australian community sample exposed to suicide. Using a Latent Profile Analysis, we tested the suicide exposure risk factors (time since death, frequency of pre-death contact, reported closeness, and perceived impact) to map to the Continuum of Survivorship model. Results revealed identification of five profiles, with four ranging from suicide exposed to suicide bereaved long-term broadly aligning with the proposed model, with one further profile being identified that represented a discordant profile of low closeness and high impact of suicide exposure. Our findings demonstrate that while the proposed model is useful to better understand the psychological distress related to exposure to suicide, it cannot be used as “shorthand” for identifying those who will be most distressed, nor those who may most likely need additional support following a suicide death. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Exploring Feasibility of Multivariate Deep Learning Models in Predicting COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Chen Shi , Paul Rajib , Janies Daniel , Murphy Keith , Feng Tinghao , Thill Jean-Claude
Published: July 2021

Background: Mathematical models are powerful tools to study COVID-19. However, one fundamental challenge in current modeling approaches is the lack of accurate and comprehensive data. Complex epidemiological systems such as COVID-19 are especially challenging to the commonly used mechanistic model when our understanding of this pandemic rapidly refreshes.

Objective: We aim to develop a data-driven workflow to extract, process, and develop deep learning (DL) methods to model the COVID-19 epidemic. We provide an alternative modeling approach to complement the current mechanistic modeling paradigm.

Method: We extensively searched, extracted, and annotated relevant datasets from over 60 official press releases in Hubei, China, in 2020. Multivariate long short-term memory (LSTM) models were developed with different architectures to track and predict multivariate COVID-19 time series for 1, 2, and 3 days ahead. As a comparison, univariate LSTMs were also developed to track new cases, total cases, and new deaths.

Results: A comprehensive dataset with 10 variables was retrieved and processed for 125 days in Hubei. Multivariate LSTM had reasonably good predictability on new deaths, hospitalization of both severe and critical patients, total discharges, and total monitored in hospital. Multivariate LSTM showed better results for new and total cases, and new deaths for 1-day-ahead prediction than univariate counterparts, but not for 2-day and 3-day-ahead predictions. Besides, more complex LSTM architecture seemed not to increase overall predictability in this study.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of DL models to complement current mechanistic approaches when the exact epidemiological mechanisms are still under investigation.
Multi-State Analysis of the Impact of Childhood Starvation on the Healthy Life Expectancy of the Elderly in China
Authors: Dong Huiling , Du Chunjing , Wu Bingyi , Wu Qunhong
Published: July 2021

Background: Child malnutrition is not only common in developing countries but also an important issue faced by developed countries. This study aimed to explore the influence and degree of childhood starvation on the health of the elderly, which provides a reference for formulating health-related policies under the concept of full lifecycle health.

Methods: Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2008, 2011, and 2014, this study took a total of 13,185 elderly people aged 65–99 years as the target population. By IMaCH software, with gender and income level as the control variables, the average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy of the elderly were measured. The x2test was used to explore the differences in the socioeconomic status of elderly people with or without starvation in childhood. Statistical differences between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were analyzed by rank tests.

Results: (1) The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in age, gender, residency, education level, and income level between the groups with or without starvation (P < 0.05). (2) Transition probabilities in health–disability, health–death, and disability–death all showed an upward trend with age (P < 0.05), where the elderly who experienced starvation in childhood were higher than those without such an experience (P < 0.05). However, the probability of disability–health recovery showed a downward trend with age (P < 0.05), in which the elderly who experienced starvation in childhood were lower than those without starvation (P < 0.05). (3) For the elderly who experienced starvation in childhood, the health indicators of the average life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and healthy life expectancy proportion accounted for the remaining life were lower than those of the elderly without childhood starvation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy of the elderly with childhood starvation are lower than those without childhood starvation. It shows that the negative impact of childhood starvation on health through the life course till old age has a persistent negative cumulative effect on the quantity and quality of life. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the nutritional status of children in poor families from the perspective of social policymaking.
Potential for Deep Rural Broadband Coverage With Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Radio Networks
Authors: Feltrin Luca , Jaldén Niklas , Trojer Elmar , Wikström Gustav
Published: July 2021

Since the first generation of cellular networks was rolled out, the priority has been to improve the connectivity and capacity of densely populated areas, such as urban centers, whereas rural areas received less attention. The lower subscriber density of such areas makes it difficult to get a positive business case with current wireless technologies and current cost structures. Base stations are deployed more sparsely in rural areas and are typically shared by several operators and are thus not able to provide high-performance connectivity, compared to urban areas, resulting in a connectivity gap. Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently introducing Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) in 5G NR scope with Release 17 for broadband services, and this development will likely continue in 6G networks. In parallel, Sparse Terrestrial Networks (STN) using high towers and large antenna arrays, are being developed to deliver very long transmission ranges. In this paper we discuss the characteristics and the expected performance of networks based on satellites or terrestrial large cell networks, in relation to the traffic density and required infrastructure, with a focus on remote and sparsely populated areas. The two solutions are found to deliver in complementary traffic and partly different use case scenarios.
Investigating Remote-Sensing Techniques to Reveal Stealth Coronal Mass Ejections
Authors: Palmerio Erika , Nitta Nariaki V. , Mulligan Tamitha , Mierla Marilena , O’Kane Jennifer , Richardson Ian G. , Sinha Suvadip , Srivastava Nandita , Yardley Stephanie L. , Zhukov Andrei N.
Published: July 2021

Eruptions of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun are usually associated with a number of signatures that can be identified in solar disc imagery. However, there are cases in which a CME that is well observed in coronagraph data is missing a clear low-coronal counterpart. These events have received attention during recent years, mainly as a result of the increased availability of multi-point observations, and are now known as “stealth CMEs.” In this work, we analyze examples of stealth CMEs featuring various levels of ambiguity. All the selected case studies produced a large-scale CME detected by coronagraphs and were observed from at least one secondary viewpoint, enabling a priori knowledge of their approximate source region. To each event, we apply several image processing and geometric techniques with the aim to evaluate whether such methods can provide additional information compared to the study of “normal” intensity images. We are able to identify at least weak eruptive signatures for all events upon careful investigation of remote-sensing data, noting that differently processed images may be needed to properly interpret and analyze elusive observations. We also find that the effectiveness of geometric techniques strongly depends on the CME propagation direction with respect to the observers and the relative spacecraft separation. Being able to observe and therefore forecast stealth CMEs is of great importance in the context of space weather, since such events are occasionally the solar counterparts of so-called “problem geomagnetic storms.”
Playing Minecraft Improves Hippocampal-Associated Memory for Details in Middle Aged Adults
Authors: Stark Craig E. L. , Clemenson Gregory D. , Aluru Ujwal , Hatamian Nikki , Stark Shauna M.
Published: July 2021

Concerns are often raised about the impact that playing video games may have on cognition and behavior, whether gameplay is intense and protracted as with competitive Esports or whether it is more casual gameplay. Work in our lab and others, however, has shown that at least some classes of games can improve memory function. In particular, playing immersive 3D games that provide rich experiences and novelty improve memory on tasks that rely upon the hippocampus in effects that mirror the effects of “environmental enrichment” in numerous rodent studies. Our goal in the present study was to determine whether even modest amounts of gameplay (~30 min/day for 4 weeks) would result in improved memory performance in middle-aged adults. Not only is this demographic potentially highly receptive to gaming (they make up a significant portion of Esports viewers and of game players), but interventions in middle age may be a prime time for reducing later age-related cognitive decline. Here, we found that the benefits in middle age paralleled effects previously observed in young adults as playing Minecraft, showing improved memory performance on a hippocampal dependent memory task.
Correlated Imaging of the Equine Hyoid Apparatus Using CT, Micro-CT, and Histology
Authors: Hartl Bettina , Egerbacher Monika , Kneissl Sibylle Maria
Published: July 2021

Background: Detailed radiological evaluation of the normal hyoid apparatus by computed tomography (CT) has not yet been conducted. Thus, it is unclear what type of junction connects the different parts of the equine hyoid apparatus.

Objectives: To describe the normal CT anatomy of the equine hyoid apparatus, and to determine the junction type that connects the different parts of the hyoid apparatus.

Study Design: Combination of retrospective study and prospective cadaver study.

Methods: The medical records of horses that underwent head CT scans from 2009 to 2018 were retrieved. Inclusion criteria for the CT scans were visibility of at least two of the four junctions of the hyoid apparatus. CT images were analyzed in three different planes. Additionally, 10 cadaver heads were processed using CT, micro-CT of selected joints, and histology of all joints.

Results: CT scans of 200 horses fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The tympanohyoid cartilage consisted of hyaline cartilage. Areas of mineralization within the cartilage were visible on CT scans as early as 2 years of age. The epihyoid was not fused with the stylohyoid in one-third of the horses. All horses younger than 2.5 years showed three ossification centers of the basihyoid, and all horses younger than 1.5 years had a non-fullydeveloped lingual process. In total, 10 of 11 horses between 1.5 and 3 years had separate ossification centers of the lingual process. We found a synchondrosis between the styloid process and the stylohyoid bone. The basihyoid and thyrohyoid, as well as the stylohyoid and epiyhoid were connected by a synostosis in two-thirds of the horses. The remaining parts were connected to one another by synovial joints.

Main limitations: The junctions studied by histologic examination were from older horses, therefore growing patterns of different bones could not be totally clarified.

Conclusion: The temporohyoid joint is a synchondrosis. The epihyoid is an ossification center of the stylohyoid and fuses with the stylohyoid in two-thirds of horses. The lingual process has a separate ossification center.
Characterization of Vitamin B12 Compounds in Fermented Poultry Manure Fertilizers
Authors: Katsura Hiromi , Koseki Kyohei , Bito Tomohiro , Takenaka Shigeo , Watanabe Fumio
Published: July 2021

(1) Background: Currently, no data are available on the vitamin B12 content of an organic fertilizer product, viz. fermented poultry manure, or whether the organic fertilizer product contains vitamin B12 or inactive corrinoids (or both). (2) Methods: This study conducted a microbiological assay to determine the vitamin B12 content of various commercially available fermented poultry manure fertilizer products. (3) Results: The results varied from 1.4 μg to approximately 20 μg per 100 g of dry weight. In the bioautography analysis, selected products had two positive spots with identical Rf values of vitamin B12 and pseudovitamin B12. High-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization−mass spectrometry analyses of the selected products indicated that these fertilizers primarily contained vitamin B12. They also contained minor inactive cobamides such as pseudovitamin B12, 2-methyladenyl cobamide, and 2-methylmercaptoadenyl cobamide. (4) Conclusions: These results suggested that edible plants would enrich vitamin B12 using fermented poultry manure organic fertilizer products.
Deficit Irrigation Strategies on Tree Physiological and Chemical Properties: Treatment Effects, Prediction Based Model Analyses and Inter-Correlations
Authors: Ezzat Ahmed , Salama Abdel-Moety , Szabó Szilárd , Yaseen Arshad Abdulkhalq , Molnár Bianka , Holb Imre J.
Published: July 2021

Irrigation is a key factor for different physiological aspects of fruit trees. Therefore, such irrigation protocols that can save water consumption during irrigation and maintain fruit trees productivity are an essential goal especially under semiarid climate conditions. The aim of this 3-year apricot study was to investigate the effect of four deficit irrigation (DI) treatments (control, moderate regulated deficit irrigation: RDIm, severe RDI: RDIs and continuous DI: CDI) on 15 tree physiological properties (chilling requirement—CR, heat requirement—HR, days from end—dormancy until fruit harvest—DEDFH, sum of growing degree days—sGDD, total number of buds—TNB, number of flower buds—NFB, number of vegetative buds—NVB, starting date of flowering—SDF, number of opened flower buds—NOFB, flower bud abscission—FBA, fruit set—FS, seasonal vegetative growth—SVG, fruit number per tree—FNT, fruit weight—FW, fruit yield—FY), and on two tree chemical properties (total soluble carbohydrates—TSC and total proline content—TPC) on apricot cultivars ‘Ninfa’ and ‘Canino’ in Egypt. Results showed that both DI treatments and cultivars significantly influenced the values of CR, HR, TNB, SDF, NOFB, FS, SVG, FNT, FY, TSC, and TPC. Values of FBA were significantly affected by years and DI treatments, while sGDD by years and cultivars. Values of DEDFH, NFB, and FW were significantly influenced only by cultivars, while NVB only by DI treatments. The RDIm treatment gave the most acceptable values for most measured properties compared to the fully irrigated control treatment. Prediction based model analysis demonstrated that generalized linear models (GLMs) can be predictors for the measured tree properties in the DI treatments. The best goodness-of-fit of the predicted GLMs was reached for HR, NOFB, FS, SVG, FNT, TSC, and TPC. In all the four DI treatments, 22 pair-variables (TNB versus (vs.) NFB, TNB vs. NOFB, TNB vs. NOFB, NFB vs. NOFB, NFB vs. FNT, NFB vs. FY, NFB vs. FW, NOFB vs. SVG, NOFB vs. FNT, NOFB vs. FY, FS vs. FNT, FS vs. FY, SVG vs. FNT, SVG vs. FY, SVG vs. TSC, FNT vs. FY, FY vs. FW, CR vs. TSC, HR vs. TNB, HR vs. NFB, HR vs. FNT, HR vs. FY, and NOFB vs. FBA) correlated significantly in Pearson correlation and regression analyses. Principal component analyses explained 82% of the total variance and PC1, PC2, and PC3 explained 23, 21, and 15% of the total variance and correlated with the HR, TNB, FS, FNT and FY; FBA, SVG, TSC, and TPC; and NFB, NVB and NOFB, respectively, indicating strong connections among tree physiological and chemical properties. In conclusion, DI techniques using moderate water deficits can be managed successfully in apricot production under semiarid Mediterranean climate conditions such as the one in Egypt.
Agronomic Evaluation of the Results of Selection within Late-Maturing Dactylis glomerata Populations
Authors: Robins Joseph G. , Bushman B. Shaun , Jensen Kevin B.
Published: July 2021

Selection from novel orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) germplasm sources resulted in the development of a late-maturing orchardgrass population. This population comprises 58 families that were evaluated with 5 commercial cultivars under frequent and infrequent harvest intervals at two Cache County, UT, USA field locations during 2013 and 2014. The objective of this study was to characterize the performance of individual families when compared to check cultivars Intensive and Latar. Across locations and harvest intervals, individual families produced greater herbage dry mass and nutritive value than the check cultivars did, i.e., up to 12% greater herbage dry mass than that of the highest check, Intensive, and 1% (neutral-detergent-fiber digestibility) to 14% (water soluble carbohydrates) greater forage quality than that of the corresponding highest check cultivar. However, there were substantial genotype-by-environment interactions between families and locations, but not harvest intervals. Because of this, results were analyzed across harvest intervals but within locations. Within each location, there were families that possessed similar or greater maturity, herbage dry mass, in vitro true digestibility, and neutral-detergent-fiber digestibility at both locations. Overall, on the basis of the performance of its component families, this late-maturing orchardgrass population exhibited potential for developing improved cultivars.
Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Growth, Physiology and Postharvest Quality of Kale (Brassica oleracea), Wheat (Triticum durum) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Microgreens
Authors: Katsenios Nikolaos , Christopoulos Miltiadis V. , Kakabouki Ioanna , Vlachakis Dimitrios , Kavvadias Victor , Efthimiadou Aspasia
Published: July 2021

Microgreens’ popularity is increasing worldwide, and many efforts are focused on novel techniques that could increase fresh production without affecting the quality and the shelf life of the young plants. Three species of microgreens (kale, durum wheat, and spinach) were cultivated in a greenhouse experiment in November–December 2020. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) was applied at three different growth stages (seed, newly developed plant, and before harvest) and three different times of exposure at each stage, while untreated seeds were used as control. According to the results, certain PEMF treatments increased fresh weight for all three plant species, while dry weight was higher in the treated plants for wheat and spinach, compared to the control. As for the color parameters L*, a*, and b*, at the harvest and postharvest, PEMF treatments had no negative effects, either at harvest or at green color retention, during storage. Moreover, PEMF treatments improved green color in wheat, and restricted yellow color in spinach. An important finding regarding respiration was that PEMF treatments increased both O2 consumption and CO2 production for durum wheat and CO2 production for spinach.
Impact of Marker Pruning Strategies Based on Different Measurements of Marker Distance on Genomic Prediction in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Ren Duanyang , Teng Jinyan , Diao Shuqi , Lin Qing , Li Jiaqi , Zhang Zhe
Published: July 2021

With the availability of high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and the development of genotype imputation methods, high-density panel-based genomic prediction (GP) has become possible in livestock breeding. It is generally considered that the genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) accuracy increases with the marker density, while studies have shown that the GEBV accuracy does not increase or even decrease when high-density panels were used. Therefore, in addition to the SNP number, other measurements of ‘marker density’ seem to have impacts on the GEBV accuracy, and exploring the relationship between the GEBV accuracy and the measurements of ‘marker density’ based on high-density SNP or whole-genome sequence data is important for the field of GP. In this study, we constructed different SNP panels with certain SNP numbers (e.g., 1 k) by using the physical distance (PhyD), genetic distance (GenD) and random distance (RanD) between SNPs respectively based on the high-density SNP data of a Germany Holstein dairy cattle population. Therefore, there are three different panels at a certain SNP number level. These panels were used to construct GP models to predict fat percentage, milk yield and somatic cell score. Meanwhile, the mean (d¯) and variance (σd2) of the physical distance between SNPs and the mean (r2¯) and variance (σr22) of the genetic distance between SNPs in each panel were used as marker density-related measurements and their influence on the GEBV accuracy was investigated. At the same SNP number level, the d¯ of all panels is basically the same, but the σd2, r2¯ and σr22 are different. Therefore, we only investigated the effects of σd2, r2¯ and σr22 on the GEBV accuracy. The results showed that at a certain SNP number level, the GEBV accuracy was negatively correlated with σd2, but not with r2¯ and σr22. Compared with GenD and RanD, the σd2 of panels constructed by PhyD is smaller. The low and moderate-density panels (< 50 k) constructed by RanD or GenD have large σd2, which is not conducive to genomic prediction. The GEBV accuracy of the low and moderate-density panels constructed by PhyD is 3.8~34.8% higher than that of the low and moderate-density panels constructed by RanD and GenD. Panels with 20–30 k SNPs constructed by PhyD can achieve the same or slightly higher GEBV accuracy than that of high-density SNP panels for all three traits. In summary, the smaller the variation degree of physical distance between adjacent SNPs, the higher the GEBV accuracy. The low and moderate-density panels construct by physical distance are beneficial to genomic prediction, while pruning high-density SNP data based on genetic distance is detrimental to genomic prediction. The results provide suggestions for the development of SNP panels and the research of genome prediction based on whole-genome sequence data.
Spinal Locomotion in Cats Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Study
Authors: Martins Ângela , Silva Cátia Marina , Gouveia Débora , Cardoso Ana , Coelho Tiago , Gamboa Óscar , Marcelino Eduardo , Ferreira António
Published: July 2021

This article aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intensive neurorehabilitation in paraplegic cats, with no deep pain perception (grade 0 on the modified Frankel scale), with more than three months of injury. Nine cats, admitted to the Arrábida Veterinary Hospital/Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center (CRAA), were subjected to a 12-week intensive functional neurorehabilitation protocol, based on ground and underwater treadmill locomotor training, electrostimulation, and kinesiotherapy exercises, aiming to obtain a faster recovery to ambulation and a modulated locomotor pattern of flexion/extension. Of the nine cats that were admitted in this study, 56% (n = 5) recovered from ambulation, 44% of which (4/9) did so through functional spinal locomotion by reflexes, while one achieved this through the recovery of deep pain perception. These results suggest that intensive neurorehabilitation can play an important role in ambulation recovery, allowing for a better quality of life and well-being, which may lead to a reduction in the number of euthanasia procedures performed on paraplegic animals.
Characterization of an Ex Vivo Equine Endometrial Tissue Culture Model Using Next-Generation RNA-Sequencing Technology
Authors: Monteiro de Barros Maithê R. , Davies-Morel Mina C. G. , Mur Luis A. J. , Creevey Christopher J. , Alison Roger H. , Nash Deborah M.
Published: July 2021

Persistent mating-induced endometritis is a major cause of poor fertility rates in the mare. Endometritis can be investigated using an ex vivo equine endometrial explant system which measures uterine inflammation using prostaglandin F2α as a biomarker. However, this model has yet to undergo a wide-ranging assessment through transcriptomics. In this study, we assessed the transcriptomes of cultured endometrial explants and the optimal temporal window for their use. Endometrium harvested immediately post-mortem from native pony mares (n = 8) were sampled (0 h) and tissue explants were cultured for 24, 48 and 72 h. Tissues were stored in RNALater, total RNA was extracted and sequenced. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined using DESeq2 (R/Bioconductor). Principal component analysis indicated that the greatest changes in expression occurred in the first 24 h of culture when compared to autologous biopsies at 0 h. Fewer DEGs were seen between 24 and 48 h of culture suggesting the system was more stable than during the first 24 h. No genes were differentially expressed between 48 and 72 h but the low number of background gene expression suggested that explant viability was compromised after 48 h. ESR1, MMP9, PTGS2, PMAIP1, TNF, GADD45B and SELE genes were used as biomarkers of endometrial function, cell death and inflammation across tissue culture timepoints. STRING assessments of gene ontology suggested that DEGs between 24 and 48 h were linked to inflammation, immune system, cellular processes, environmental information processing and signal transduction, with an upregulation of most biomarker genes at 24 h. Taken together our observations indicated that 24–48 h is the optimal temporal window when the explant model can be used, as explants restore microcirculation, perform wound healing and tackle inflammation during this period. This key observation will facilitate the appropriate use of this as a model for further research into the equine endometrium and potentially the progression of mating-induced endometritis to persistent inflammation between 24 and 48 h.
Brain Lateralization and Cognitive Capacity
Authors: Rogers Lesley J.
Published: July 2021

One way to increase cognitive capacity is to avoid duplication of functions on the left and right sides of the brain. There is a convincing body of evidence showing that such asymmetry, or lateralization, occurs in a wide range of both vertebrate and invertebrate species. Each hemisphere of the brain can attend to different types of stimuli or to different aspects of the same stimulus and each hemisphere analyses information using different neural processes. A brain can engage in more than one task at the same time, as in monitoring for predators (right hemisphere) while searching for food (left hemisphere). Increased cognitive capacity is achieved if individuals are lateralized in one direction or the other. The advantages and disadvantages of individual lateralization are discussed. This paper argues that directional, or population-level, lateralization, which occurs when most individuals in a species have the same direction of lateralization, provides no additional increase in cognitive capacity compared to individual lateralization although directional lateralization is advantageous in social interactions. Strength of lateralization is considered, including the disadvantage of being very strongly lateralized. The role of brain commissures is also discussed with consideration of cognitive capacity.
Feeding Malic Acid to Chickens at Slaughter Age Improves Microbial Safety with Regard to Campylobacter
Authors: Ren Fangzhe , Yang Wenbin , Hu Juanjuan , Huang Pingyu , Jiao Xin-An , Huang Jinlin
Published: July 2021

This study supplied malic acid-supplemented drinking water to flocks that were naturally Campylobacter-positive and assessed the effect of feeding malic acid to chickens on Campylobacter reduction and poultry production. In Experiment 1, chickens were provided with malic acid-supplemented drinking water for three weeks. The contamination loads of Campylobacter were decreased by 0.91–0.98 log after the first week of use (p < 0.05). However, this effect did not persist over time and significant decontamination could not be found in the second and third weeks of application. Thus, in Experiment 2 malic acid-supplemented drinking water was given to chickens for a period of five days at slaughter age. The Campylobacter carriage was found to be effectively decreased by 1.05–1.55 log (p < 0.05). Malic acid had no adverse effects on chicken body weight, weight gain, intestinal indices, or the microbiota. In addition, it could change the composition of chicken meat since the moisture content was increased by 5.12–5.92% (p < 0.05) and the fat content was decreased by 1.60% (p < 0.05). Our study provides an effective means for reducing the contamination of Campylobacter during the chicken rearing period and this method can be applied to promote the safe development of poultry farming and its products.
Learning by Doing: The Use of Distance, Corners and Length in Rewarded Geometric Tasks by Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Baratti Greta , Rizzo Angelo , Miletto Petrazzini Maria Elena , Sovrano Valeria Anna
Published: July 2021

Zebrafish spontaneously use distance and directional relationships among three-dimensional extended surfaces to reorient within a rectangular arena. However, they fail to take advantage of either an array of freestanding corners or an array of unequal-length surfaces to search for a no-longer-present goal under a spontaneous cued memory procedure, being unable to use the information supplied by corners and length without some kind of rewarded training. The present study aimed to tease apart the geometric components characterizing a rectangular enclosure under a procedure recruiting the reference memory, thus training zebrafish in fragmented layouts that provided differences in surface distance, corners, and length. Results showed that fish, besides the distance, easily learned to use both corners and length if subjected to a rewarded exit task over time, suggesting that they can represent all the geometrically informative parts of a rectangular arena when consistently exposed to them. Altogether, these findings highlight crucially important issues apropos the employment of different behavioral protocols (spontaneous choice versus training over time) to assess spatial abilities of zebrafish, further paving the way to deepen the role of visual and nonvisual encodings of isolated geometric components in relation to macrostructural boundaries.
Tail-Biting in Pigs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Henry Maggie , Jansen Hannah , Amezcua Maria del Rocio , O’Sullivan Terri L. , Niel Lee , Shoveller Anna Kate , Friendship Robert M.
Published: July 2021

Tail-biting is globally recognized as a welfare concern for commercial swine production. Substantial research has been undertaken to identify risk factors and intervention methods to decrease and understand this vice. Tail-biting appears to be multifactorial and has proven difficult to predict and control. The primary objective of the scoping review was to identify and chart all available literature on the risk factors and interventions associated with tail-biting in pigs. A secondary objective was to identify gaps in the literature and identify the relevance for a systematic review. An online literature search of four databases, encompassing English, peer-reviewed and grey literature published from 1 January 1970 to 31 May 2019, was conducted. Relevance screening and charting of included articles were performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 465 citations were returned from the search strategy. Full-text screening was conducted on 118 articles, with 18 being excluded in the final stage. Interventions, possible risk factors, as well as successful and unsuccessful outcomes were important components of the scoping review. The risk factors and interventions pertaining to tail-biting were inconsistent, demonstrating the difficulty of inducing tail-biting in an experimental environment and the need for standardizing terms related to the behavior.
Effectiveness of Oil-Based Denture Dentifrices-Organoleptic Characteristics, Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Action
Authors: dos Santos Andrezza C. M. , Oliveira Viviane C. , Macedo Ana P. , Bastos Jairo K. , Ogasawara Mário S. , Watanabe Evandro , Chaguri Isabela M. , Silva-Lovato Cláudia H. , Paranhos Helena F. O.
Published: July 2021

Denture dentifrices must be effective and not deleterious to prosthetic devices. This study formulated and evaluated dentifrices based on oils of Copaifera officinalis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Melaleuca alternifolia, Pinus strobus, and Ricinus communis. Organoleptic characteristics (appearance, color, odor, taste), physicochemical properties (pH, density, consistency, rheological, abrasiveness, weight loss, and surface roughness) and antimicrobial (Hole-Plate Diffusion–HPD)/anti-biofilm (Colony Forming Units–CFU) action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans were evaluated. Formulations were compared with water (negative control) and a commercial dentifrice (positive control). The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (α = 0.05). The organoleptic and physicochemical properties were adequate. All dentifrices promoted weight losses, with high values for C. officinalis and R. communis, and an increase in surface roughness, without differing from each other. For antimicrobial action, C. officinalis and E. citriodora dentifrices were similar to positive control showing effectiveness against S. mutans and C. albicans and no dentifrice was effective against S. aureus; regarding the anti-biofilm action, the dentifrices were not effective, showing higher CFU counts than positive control for all microorganisms. The dentifrices presented satisfactory properties; and, although they showed antimicrobial action when evaluated by HPD, they showed no effective anti-biofilm action on multispecies biofilm.
Heuristic and Numerical Geometrical Methods for Estimating the Elevation and Slope at Points Using Level Curves. Application for Embankments
Authors: Deaconu Adrian Marius , Deaconu Ovidiu
Published: July 2021

Both the calculation of ground slopes at points on the map and the elevation estimation for these points bear significant importance and also have applications in various domains, such as civil engineering, road and railway design. The paper presents two methods that use level curves: one that is fast and approximate and another which is slower, but more precise. The running speed of the two proposed methods and their results are compared by performing 100 million experiments. The paper also presents how these methods can be applied to optimize embankments. An accurate method to calculate the horizontal plane of the excavation/filling when building a new house is also presented.
From Femtoseconds to Hours—Measuring Dynamics over 18 Orders of Magnitude with Coherent X-rays
Authors: Lehmkühler Felix , Roseker Wojciech , Grübel Gerhard
Published: July 2021

X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) enables the study of sample dynamics between micrometer and atomic length scales. As a coherent scattering technique, it benefits from the increased brilliance of the next-generation synchrotron radiation and Free-Electron Laser (FEL) sources. In this article, we will introduce the XPCS concepts and review the latest developments of XPCS with special attention on the extension of accessible time scales to sub-μs and the application of XPCS at FELs. Furthermore, we will discuss future opportunities of XPCS and the related technique X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy (XSVS) at new X-ray sources. Due to its particular signal-to-noise ratio, the time scales accessible by XPCS scale with the square of the coherent flux, allowing to dramatically extend its applications. This will soon enable studies over more than 18 orders of magnitude in time by XPCS and XSVS.
White Brined Cheese Production by Incorporation of a Traditional Milk-Cereal Prebiotic Matrix with a Candidate Probiotic Bacterial Strain
Authors: Plessas Stavros , Ganatsios Vasillios , Mantzourani Ioanna , Bosnea Loulouda
Published: July 2021

The aim of the present study is the evaluation of a novel potentially probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei SP5, previously isolated from dairy products, as a starter culture of white brined cheese production, either free or immobilized on a traditional food, “trahanas”, in order to provide protection to the starter culture and a prebiotic effect. All produced cheeses were compared with cheese manufactured by renin enzyme. Several parameters that affect the acceptability, quality, and shelf life of white brined cheese were investigated, including microbial populations, physicochemical characteristics, and cheese volatiles through 70 days of ripening and storage. White brined cheese production by free or immobilized L. paracasei SP5 resulted in significantly higher acidity (over 0.8 g of lactic acid/100 g of cheese at the 70th day of ripening) and significantly reduced counts (around 50%) of coliforms, yeasts, and fungi compared to cheese produced with no starter culture. The use of the freeze-dried novel starter culture, either free or immobilized, improved the aromatic profile of cheeses as was proven through a GC-MS analysis. In addition, it should be underlined that the application of the novel strain led to white brined cheese with improved overall quality and sensory characteristics. The results indicate the potential industrial use of freeze-dried L. paracasei SP5 as a starter culture for the production of good-quality functional white brined cheeses.
Design of a Distributed Wireless Sensor Platform for Monitoring and Real-Time Communication of the Environmental Variables during the Supply Chain of Perishable Commodities
Authors: Torres-Sanchez Roque , Zafra María Teresa Martínez , Soto-Valles Fulgencio , Jiménez-Buendía Manuel , Toledo-Moreo Ana , Artés-Hernández Francisco
Published: July 2021

Monitoring the main environmental conditions during storage and transportation of perishable foods is necessary to predict quality losses throughout shelf life. By far, temperature is the main factor affecting quality and shelf life, but there are other variables that would greatly affect quality losses such us relative humidity, O2, CO2, ethylene, etc. Thus, the real-time knowledge of the evolution of these parameters during the whole supply chain allows suppliers to prevent for food losses. This paper deeply describes the design of a flexible monitoring system with real-time communication to be used in the supply chain of perishable commodities, using Wi-Fi wireless communication as collaborative networks between different measurement points. Aspects such as consumption, performance and feasibility of the system are described in detail to check the adaptability of its use.
In-Vitro Investigation of Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of Transmucosal versus Submerged Bone Level Implants Used in Fixed Prosthesis
Authors: Cosola Saverio , Toti Paolo , Babetto Enrico , Covani Ugo , Peñarrocha-Diago Miguel , Peñarrocha-Oltra David
Published: July 2021

Background: The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the fatigue performance of different dental fixtures in two different emergence profiles. Biological failures are frequently reported because the problem canonly be solved by replacing a failing implant with a new one. Clinicians addressed minor mechanical failures, such as bending, loosening or the fracture of screws, abutment, or the entire prosthesis, by simply replacing or fixing them. Methods: Transmucosal and submerged bone-level dental implants underwent fatigue strength tests (statical and dynamical performance) by a standardized test: UNI EN ISO 14801:2016. Two types of emergence profiles (Premium sub-crestal straight implant with a cylindrical-shaped coronal emergence or Prama one-piece cylindrical-shape implant with transmucosal convergent neck and hyperbolic geometry) were tested, and dynamic fatigue were run to failure. Data was analyzed by a suitable statistical tool. Results: The Wöhler curve of 0.38 cm Premium group c2, appeared to be significantly different from that of the 0.38 cm Prama group c3 (nonparametric one-way ANOVA χ2 = 6; degree of freedom = 1; probability = 0.0043) but not from that of the 0.33 cm Premium group c1 (nonparametric one-way ANOVA χ2 = 0.62; degree of freedom = 1; probability = 0.4328). Fatigue performance of configuration 2 was one and a half times better than that of configuration 3. Group c3 had a better ultimate failure load (421.6 ± 12.5 N) than the other two settings i.e., c1 (324.5 ± 5.5 N) and c2 (396.3 ± 5.6) reaching almost a nonsignificant level. Conclusions: It was observed that a transmucosal implant design could provide the highest resistance to static fracture. On the other hand, an equicrestal implant design could increase dynamic endurance.
Integrated Design Methodology of Automated Guided Vehicles Based on Swarm Robotics
Authors: Aloui Khalil , Guizani Amir , Hammadi Moncef , Soriano Thierry , Haddar Mohamed
Published: July 2021

In recent years, collaborative robots have become one of the main drivers of Industry 4.0. Compared to industrial robots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are more productive, flexible, versatile, and safer. They are used in the smart factory to transport goods. Today, many producers and developers of industrial robots have entered the AGV sector. However, they face several challenges in designing AGV systems, such as the complexity and discontinuity of the design process, as well as the difficulty of defining a decentralized system decision. In this paper, we propose a new integrated design methodology based on swarm robotics to address the challenges of functional, physical, and software integration. This methodology includes two phases: a top-down phase from requirements specification to functional and structural modeling using the systems modeling language (SysML); with a bottom-up phase for model integration and implementation in the robot operating system (ROS). A case study of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system was chosen to validate our design methodology and illustrate its contributions to the efficient design of AGVs. The novelty of this proposed methodology is the combination of SysML and ROS to address traceability management between the different design levels of AGV systems, in order to achieve functional, physical and software integration.
Regional Manufacturing Industry Demand Forecasting: A Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Dou Zixin , Sun Yanming , Zhang Yuan , Wang Tao , Wu Chuliang , Fan Shiqi
Published: July 2021

With the rapid development of the manufacturing industry, demand forecasting has been important. In view of this, considering the influence of environmental complexity and diversity, this study aims to find a more accurate method to forecast manufacturing industry demand. On this basis, this paper utilizes a deep learning model for training and makes a comparative study through other models. The results show that: (1) the performance of deep learning is better than other methods; by comparing the results, the reliability of this study is verified. (2) Although the prediction based on the historical data of manufacturing demand alone is successful, the accuracy of the prediction results is significantly lower than when taking into account multiple factors. According to these results, we put forward the development strategy of the manufacturing industry in Guangdong. This will help promote the sustainable development of the manufacturing industry.
Modeling of the Suspended Solid Removal of a Granular Media Layer in an Upflow Stormwater Runoff Filtration System
Authors: Hwang Yuhoon , Seo Younggyo , Ko Seokoh , Kim Dogun
Published: July 2021

Upflow granular media filtration devices are widely used for stormwater runoff treatment. However, the system performance is not well characterized due to the irregular removal of suspended solid (SS) in the pretreatment (sedimentation) chamber and, hence, its irregular input to the media layer. In this regard, the performance of the granular media layer of an upflow filtration system is investigated herein by the use of various models. Due to the significant variation in the SS concentration of the influent and effluent to and from the media layer, the deep bed filtration model, the k-C* model, and the porous media capture model provide limited descriptions of the system performance. By contrast, the performance is well described using the kinetic model, the modified k-C* model using a specific deposit, and the modified porous media capture model using a specific deposit. The parameters of the latter models are shown to be in good correlation with the filtration velocity, SS removal, and specific deposit. The results suggest that modeling using a specific SS deposit can provide an accurate description of the granular media layer performance under a highly variable influent SS concentration.