bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A kinetic model for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol pathways
Authors: Abdullah H , Khan M M R , Yaakob Z , Ismail N A
Published: December 2019

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. CO2 could be converted to valuable products such as hydrocarbons through the photocatalytic process. The aim of this research was to develop the kinetic model for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol (CH3OH) in liquid phase reaction using cerium oxide-titanium dioxide (CeO2-TiO2) catalyst. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood approach was used in developing rate laws for the catalytic reaction using the catalytic reaction mechanism proposed. The catalytic reaction mechanism is about the adsorption of reactant (CO2 dissolved in the liquid phase), the reaction on catalyst surface and desorption of product. The experimental kinetic data were evaluated in the Polymath 6.1 software. In this study, two types of mechanism are proposed whereas one is considered the carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation while the other is not. Based on the model fitting, it was found that the model considers the CO oxidation is fitted well with the experimental data represents that the oxidation reaction of intermediate product, CO is the rate-determining step in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH3OH in liquid phase reaction.
Screening of the factors for novel pour point depressant copolymer synthesis to improve the copolymer yield
Authors: Elarbe B S , Ridzuan N , Yusoh K , Elganidi I , Abdullah N
Published: December 2019

Pour point depressants (PPDs) commonly used in the oil and gas industry as a chemical wax inhibitor to control the temperature of the crude oil below their wax appearance temperature (WAT) points, and to improve the flowability of crude oil. In this study, different conditions of Stearyl Acrylate-Behenyl Acrylate (SABA) copolymer were synthesized by free-radical solution polymerization method at different range conditions of polymerization. Four factors considered during the synthesize of the copolymer are the mass ratio of monomers (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, and 3:1 wt%), reaction temperature from 60 to 100 °C, the concentration of initiator from 0.5 to 2.5 wt% and reaction time from 5 to 9 hour. The results showed that the best conditions to obtain the highest yield of SABA copolymer were at the mass ratio of monomers of 1:1 (w/w), the reaction temperature of 90 °C, the reaction time of 7 h, and concentration of initiator at 1 wt%.
Treatment of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) using Membrane Anaerobic System (MAS)
Authors: Hybat M S , Abdurahman N H , Yasmeen Z H , Jemaat Z , Azhari N H
Published: December 2019

The directly discharged of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) into the river causes environmental hazards due to the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The main issue of the traditional methods for POME treatment is that are not suitable for high suspended solid wastewaters and their gas production is less efficient at a high treatment volume. Therefore, in this study Membrane Anaerobic System (MAS) was used as alternative effective method for treating POME. The result obtained from the six steady states with concentration ranging from 11,048 to 15,700 mg/L mg/L for the MLSS, while the MLVSS recorded a concentration range between 10,540 and 17,600 mg/L. Moreover, the COD removal efficiency and HRT recorded from 94 to 97% and 150 to 10 days, respectively. Also, the coefficient of microorganism yield, decay rate, and the produced methane gas were obtained as 0.52g VSS/g COD, 0.31 day-1 and 0.182 to 0.564 l/g, respectively. Kinetic equations from Monod, Contois, and Chen, & Hashimoto were employed to describe the kinetics of POME treatment at organic loading rates ranging from 0.5 to 13 kg COD/m3/day. POME were characterized using Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, in the regions of 900 to 1740 and 2800 to 3400 cm-1. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the obtained result confirmed the potential of Membrane Anaerobic System (MAS) for the efficient treatment of POME effluent.
The efficiency of membrane anaerobic system (MAS) in treating sugarcane mill effluent (SCME)
Authors: Yasmeen Z H , Abdurahman N H , Hybat M S , Yunus R M
Published: December 2019

In recent times, the environmental issues have been on an alarming rate mostly for public authorities, societies, and industrial establishments. Sugarcane mill effluent (SCME) which contain high miscellaneous pollutants such as the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solid (TSS) and the volatile suspended solid (VSS). However, the conventional method has the merit of COD reduction from SCME, but is limited in capturing the methane gas produced. In this study the membrane anaerobic system (MAS) was used as a cost-effective replacement method for treating SCME. In this study, six steady states were reached as part of the kinetic study with concentration ranging from 6312 to 14043 mg/l. for the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and 4790 to 12887 mg/l for mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS). The three kinetic equations (Monod, Contois and Chen and Hashimoto) were used to explain the kinetics of SCME treatment at organic loading rates ranging from 0.5 to 13 kg COD/m3/day. The removal efficiency of COD was from 94.2% to 93.9% and produced methane gas (CH4) 75.4%. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were subsequently used to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the content of the biomass before and after treatment.
Preparation and characterization of grease formulated from waste transformer oil
Authors: Mohd Sofi S N A , Abd Aziz M A , Anang Japar N S , Abdu Rahman N W , Abdulhalim A R , Mohd Yunus M Y
Published: December 2019

Grease is known as a lubricating material in a form of solid to semisolid mixture which is produced with the combination of base oil (80% - 95%), thickener (2% - 15%) and additive (0% - 10%). The limitation of soap grease performances as well as the volatile oil prices worldwide has led the interest in seeking alternative grease formulation. This research is focusing on the formulation of non-soap based grease from waste transformer oil (WTO) by two types of non-soap based thickeners, i.e. fumed silica and bentonite. The grease is prepared using different ratios of WTO and non-soap thickener ranging from 90:10 to 65:35. The physical and chemical properties of the formulated grease were evaluated using the ASTM International grease testing standard – for consistency and oil separation, and using the thermalgravimetric analyzer (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) – for thermal stability and composition identification. It was found that the grease consistencies were directly proportional to the amount of thickener and the oil separated from the grease will affect the grease stability. Greases were found thermally stable at temperature as high as 150 °C. From the overall test, the best formulation was the grease formulated using bentonite with the ratio of 80:20 with NLGI grade 2 consistency.
Thermal stability of melt-blended poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/polyamide 66 (PA66)/graphene nanoplatelets (GnP)
Authors: Alhadadi W , Almaqtari A , Hafidzah F , Bijarimi M , Desa M S Z , Merzah H , Normaya E , Norazmi M
Published: December 2019

In recent times the blending of different biodegradable materials to produce nanocomposites with improved properties has been a significant point of discourse by many researchers. This study reports a melt blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), polyamide (Nylon 66) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnP). The thermal stability and chemical functional characteristics of the nanocomposites produced were succinctly investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The blending was carried out by using a twin-screw extruder at a revolution speed and time of 50 rpm and 20 minutes, respectively. The composition of GnP in the PLA/PA66 was varied from 0 – 5 wt.%. The results showed that the increased of the GnP concentrations improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. It was also observed that a strong interaction between the polymeric materials as demonstrated by the FTIR analysis. The use of a low concentration of graphene in PLA/PA66 blend has been demonstrated to improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites.
24 fractional factorial design for PVDF/Pebax film composite synthesis on gas selectivity study
Authors: Abdul Wahab M S , Sunarti A R , Ramli N H , Ahmad A L
Published: December 2019

One of the key indicator for membrane film excellencies is by having a good ideal selectivity, and it is defined as the permeability ratio of two pure gases which be separated. This study focused on factors screening and interaction between involved factors in membrane film development on gas selectivity by employing 24 fractional factorial design (FFD). A total of four factors; Pebax concentration, bath temperature, evaporation times and quenching times were chosen to run simultaneously and ideal selectivity was chosen as a single respond. Order of contribution was found to be as follows; Pebax concentration > quenching times > bath temperature > evaporation times, while the most impacting factors towards gas selectivity was Pebax concentration (main effect), evaporation times - Pebax concentration (interaction effect), quenching times (main effect). The composite film produced via this design of experiment managed to obtain higher barrer of CO2 permeability of 393 and selectivity of 64.75. The outcome of the study indicates a very strong judgement in utilizing FFD to minimize and eliminate factors by considering the interaction among the factors involves in membrane film development for an ideal gas selectivity.
Modeling of vanillin adsorption from aqueous solution using resin H103 by artificial neural network
Authors: Chan W S , Samah R A , Zainol N , Fakharudin A S , Aziz S A , Phang L Y
Published: December 2019

Vanillin adsorption onto resin H103 was modelled using artificial neural network (ANN) approach and the best ANN algorithm was determined in this work. The first step of ANN modeling was ANN set up, followed by the optimization of ANN. The parameters for the input layers are contact time, initial vanillin concentration, resin dosage, pH, and temperature while the response is residual vanillin concentration. The neural network was trained using backpropagation (BP) algorithm. The result shows that the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was best suited the training function and the optimized ANN involved seven neurons at the hidden layer. This model can produce a correlation of determination value of 0.9999 with the mean square error (MSE) value of 0.0277. The best adsorption efficiencies for each factor were 98.11%, 96.03%, 98.14%, 98.2%, and 98.10% at 2.0 g of adsorbent dosage, 30 min of contact time, 100 mg/L of initial vanillin concentration, pH 5, and 25 °C, respectively. The outcomes of this work proved that ANN is excellent in predicting experimental data of vanillin adsorption by resin H103.
Integrated chemical, technology & equipment process knowledge management system based on risk based process safety
Authors: Anuar N I P , Aziz H A , Ahmad R
Published: December 2019

Major accidents in the industry such as fire, gas explosion, and unexpected toxic gas release are continuously reported worldwide. Lacking Process Knowledge Management (PKM) and failure to update and access the information was identified as one of the contributing factors. One of the established elements that intended to minimize this issue is PKM. However, lacking a systematic system to implement the PKM program has hindered the improvement of process safety level at workplace. The study focuses on development of PKMS database based on Risk Based Process Safety (RBPS) guideline. PKMS was developed by using Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) concept. Validation of system was conducted through inserting real plant data from two chemical plants and feedback from process safety expert for further improvement. The developed PKMS allows the end user to store, review, modify and update the data regarding hazardous chemicals, technology and equipment information that involve with the operation. PKMS emphasis hazards related with the process in systematic ways thus minimizing potential incomplete control of hazard. PKMS interfaces allows management to do a self-check audit and helps the management to track the information. As leading indicator, PKMS allows the user to review overall status of the company compliance to the safety standard.
Psychological impact of noise exposure among machine and non-machine operators in construction industry
Authors: Kee H Y , Fauzan N S , Widia M
Published: December 2019

Noise hazard is reported as a serious issue among the construction industry in Malaysia. The aim of the study is to determine the personal noise exposure level and the prevalence of psychological health effect symptoms among the machine and non-machine operators on construction site in Malaysia. Sixty-one (61) construction workers were participated as respondents and categorized into machine and non-machine operators group. All respondents were monitored for 8 hours working time using personal noise dosimeter for personal noise monitoring. Questionnaires and interviewed sessions were used to determine the prevalence of psychological health effect symptoms. The results obtained reveal that the construction workers have high personal noise exposure level where machine operators are significantly higher compared to non-machine operators. The prevalence of psychological health effect symptoms among machine operators is 89% higher than the non-machine operators. Lastly, there is a significant positive relationship between the personal noise exposure level and the prevalence of psychological health effect symptoms among the construction workers.
Influence of natural smoke vent opening in stairway of multistorey building
Authors: Nurud S S , Saari M , Abdullah I , NorMariah A , Rafee B
Published: December 2019

Stairway used as an escape as well as firefighter’s route during evacuation. In addition, stairway connecting different floors of a building and becomes a path for the smoke spread in fire event. In a building, every escape route should be installed with smoke control system to ensure the prevention of dangerous smoke accumulation at those areas. The fire perimeter in terms of heat output and smoke generation is highly depends on building occupancy and the efficacy of smoke confinement may have a great challenge. In this paper, numerical simulations were conducted to study the efficacy of natural smoke vent to confine fire-induced smoke transportation in the stairways of multi-storeys buildings. The simulation used Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) was conducted on a full-scale building where the influences of smoke vent opening at different fire size were discussed. When the value of heat release rate (HRR) were kept constant, the different vent’s size opening had a different influence on the efficacy of smoke vent and an appropriate opening size was obtained and proposed for further action. The finding of this study can assist the fire engineer to ensure that the smoke vent installation play a good role in confinement of smoke diffusion.
LQG based control design of electric vehicle driveline
Authors: Akbar Zeeshan Ali , Mumtaz Fahad , Ullah Hameed , Asad Bashir Muhammad
Published: December 2019

In this paper LQG (Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian) based control design for drive line of Electric vehicle is presented. Driveline oscillations is a phenomenon of fluctuating vehicle speed caused by torsional vibrations in the vehicle drive line which results as jerks in the vehicle motion. These oscillations result in uncomfortable vehicle ride which is contemporary research problem. The control objective is to achieve steady state driveline in lesser time for this purpose LQG based control is pursued with certain modification in vehicle dynamic model. This paper includes driveline modelling, control design and verification by simulations. Results of simulation show the considerable mitigation of oscillations and LQG based control for driveline of electric vehicle works very well.
Obstacle detection using ultrasonic sensor for a mobile robot
Authors: Azeta Joseph , Bolu Christian , Hinvi Daniel , Abioye Abiodun A
Published: December 2019

There have been a number of successful attempts in designing obstacle avoiding robots. These works differ by selection of sensors, path mapping process and the algorithms applied to set the operational parameters. In this paper we present a los cost ultrasonic distance sensor for obstacle avoidance for mobile robot navigation. The system is implemented using microcontroller Arduino Uno, a Wi-Fi module, an Arduino motor shield driver which controls the robot through the geared dc motors. The system showed good performance under various lighting conditions. Experimental results with varied positions of obstacle show the flexibility of the robot to avoid it and have shown a decent performance in our laboratory. The robot is additionally ready to acknowledge victims before it, the sensing element system is extremely low-cost as a result of it solely uses one distance sensing element.
Finding verifying vertices of a coefficients polytope of characteristic polynomial for analyzing a robust oscillability of a control system with interval parameters
Authors: Khozhaev I V , Gayvoronskiy S A , Ezangina T A
Published: December 2019

The paper is dedicated to extending a root locus theory to systems with interval parameters, which are described with a characteristic polynomial with interval coefficients. On a basis of angular equation of a root locus a set of interval inequalities, including departure angles of root locus edge branches, determining oscillability degree of a control system, was derived. Solving the system of inequalities for low-order control systems resulted in a set of vertices of a characteristic polynomial coefficients polytope, projections of which on a complex plane determine an oscillability of such systems. Examples of application are provided.
Variability in Action Selection Relates to Striatal Dopamine 2/3 Receptor Availability in Humans: A PET Neuroimaging Study Using Reinforcement Learning and Active Inference Models
Authors: Adams Rick A , Moutoussis Michael , Nour Matthew M , Dahoun Tarik , Lewis Declan , Illingworth Benjamin , Veronese Mattia , Mathys Christoph , de Boer Lieke , Guitart-Masip Marc , Friston Karl J , Howes Oliver D , Roiser Jonathan P
Published: December 2019

Choosing actions that result in advantageous outcomes is a fundamental function of nervous systems. All computational decision-making models contain a mechanism that controls the variability of (or confidence in) action selection, but its neural implementation is unclear—especially in humans. We investigated this mechanism using two influential decision-making frameworks: active inference (AI) and reinforcement learning (RL). In AI, the precision (inverse variance) of beliefs about policies controls action selection variability—similar to decision ‘noise’ parameters in RL—and is thought to be encoded by striatal dopamine signaling. We tested this hypothesis by administering a ‘go/no-go’ task to 75 healthy participants, and measuring striatal dopamine 2/3 receptor (D2/3R) availability in a subset (n = 25) using [11C]-(+)-PHNO positron emission tomography. In behavioral model comparison, RL performed best across the whole group but AI performed best in participants performing above chance levels. Limbic striatal D2/3R availability had linear relationships with AI policy precision (P = 0.029) as well as with RL irreducible decision ‘noise’ (P = 0.020), and this relationship with D2/3R availability was confirmed with a ‘decision stochasticity’ factor that aggregated across both models (P = 0.0006). These findings are consistent with occupancy of inhibitory striatal D2/3Rs decreasing the variability of action selection in humans.
A Cortico-Collicular Amplification Mechanism for Gap Detection
Authors: Weible Aldis P , Yavorska Iryna , Wehr Michael
Published: December 2019

Auditory cortex (AC) is necessary for the detection of brief gaps in ongoing sounds, but not for the detection of longer gaps or other stimuli such as tones or noise. It remains unclear why this is so, and what is special about brief gaps in particular. Here, we used both optogenetic suppression and conventional lesions to show that the cortical dependence of brief gap detection hinges specifically on gap termination. We then identified a cortico-collicular gap detection circuit that amplifies cortical gap termination responses before projecting to inferior colliculus (IC) to impact behavior. We found that gaps evoked off-responses and on-responses in cortical neurons, which temporally overlapped for brief gaps, but not long gaps. This overlap specifically enhanced cortical responses to brief gaps, whereas IC neurons preferred longer gaps. Optogenetic suppression of AC reduced collicular responses specifically to brief gaps, indicating that under normal conditions, the enhanced cortical representation of brief gaps amplifies collicular gap responses. Together these mechanisms explain how and why AC contributes to the behavioral detection of brief gaps, which are critical cues for speech perception, perceptual grouping, and auditory scene analysis.
Long-term Outcome of Patients With Nonoperated Prosthetic Valve Infective Endocarditis: Is Relapse the Main Issue?
Authors: Lecomte Raphaël , Laine Jean-Baptiste , Issa Nahéma , Revest Matthieu , Gaborit Benjamin , Le Turnier Paul , Deschanvres Colin , Benezit François , Asseray Nathalie , Le Tourneau Thierry , Pattier Sabine , Al Habash Ousama , Raffi François , Boutoille David , Camou Fabrice
Published: December 2019

In nonoperated prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), long-term outcome is largely unknown. We report the follow-up of 129 nonoperated patients with PVE alive at discharge. At 1 year, the mortality rate was 24%; relapses and reinfection were rare (5% each). Enterococcal PVE was associated with a higher risk of relapse.
NADPH oxidase-4 promotes eccentric cardiac hypertrophy in response to volume overload
Authors: Schnelle Moritz , Sawyer Iain , Anilkumar Narayana , Mohamed Belal A , Richards Daniel A , Toischer Karl , Zhang Min , Catibog Norman , Sawyer Greta , Mongue-Din Héloïse , Schröder Katrin , Hasenfuss Gerd , Shah Ajay M
Published: December 2019

Aims

Chronic pressure or volume overload induce concentric vs. eccentric left ventricular (LV) remodelling, respectively. Previous studies suggest that distinct signalling pathways are involved in these responses. NADPH oxidase-4 (Nox4) is a reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme that can limit detrimental cardiac remodelling in response to pressure overload. This study aimed to assess its role in volume overload-induced remodelling.

Methods and results

We compared the responses to creation of an aortocaval fistula (Shunt) to induce volume overload in Nox4-null mice (Nox4−/−) vs. wild-type (WT) littermates. Induction of Shunt resulted in a significant increase in cardiac Nox4 mRNA and protein levels in WT mice as compared to Sham controls. Nox4−/− mice developed less eccentric LV remodelling than WT mice (echocardiographic relative wall thickness: 0.30 vs. 0.27, P < 0.05), with less LV hypertrophy at organ level (increase in LV weight/tibia length ratio of 25% vs. 43%, P < 0.01) and cellular level (cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area: 323 µm2 vs. 379 μm2, P < 0.01). LV ejection fraction, foetal gene expression, interstitial fibrosis, myocardial capillary density, and levels of myocyte apoptosis after Shunt were similar in the two genotypes. Myocardial phospho-Akt levels were increased after induction of Shunt in WT mice, whereas levels decreased in Nox4−/− mice (+29% vs. −21%, P < 0.05), associated with a higher level of phosphorylation of the S6 ribosomal protein (S6) and the eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in WT compared to Nox4−/− mice. We identified that Akt activation in cardiac cells is augmented by Nox4 via a Src kinase-dependent inactivation of protein phosphatase 2A.

Conclusion

Endogenous Nox4 is required for the full development of eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and remodelling during chronic volume overload. Nox4-dependent activation of Akt and its downstream targets S6 and 4E-BP1 may be involved in this effect.
Echocardiographic phenotype and prognosis in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Chacko Liza , Martone Raffaele , Bandera Francesco , Lane Thirusha , Martinez-Naharro Ana , Boldrini Michele , Rezk Tamer , Whelan Carol , Quarta Cristina , Rowczenio Dorota , Gilbertson Janet A , Wongwarawipat Tanakal , Lachmann Helen , Wechalekar Ashutosh , Sachchithanantham Sajitha , Mahmood Shameem , Marcucci Rossella , Knight Daniel , Hutt David , Moon James , Petrie Aviva , Cappelli Francesco , Guazzi Marco , Hawkins Philip N , Gillmore Julian D , Fontana Marianna
Published: December 2019

Aims

Transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an increasingly recognized cause of heart failure. We sought to characterize the structural and functional echocardiographic phenotype across the spectrum of wild-type (wtATTR-CM) and hereditary (hATTR-CM) transthyretin cardiomyopathy and the echocardiographic features predicting prognosis.

Methods and results

We studied 1240 patients with ATTR-CM who underwent prospective protocolized evaluations comprising full echocardiographic assessment and survival between 2000 and 2019, comprising 766 with wtATTR-CM and 474 with hATTR-CM, of whom 314 had the V122I variant and 127 the T60A variant. At diagnosis, patients with V122I-hATTR-CM had the most severe degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction across all echocardiographic parameters and patients with T60AhATTR-CM the least; patients with wtATTR-CM had intermediate features. Stroke volume index, right atrial area index, longitudinal strain, and E/e’ were all independently associated with mortality (P < 0.05 for all). Severe aortic stenosis (AS) was also independently associated with prognosis, conferring a significantly shorter survival (median survival 22 vs. 53 months, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The three distinct genotypes present with varying degrees of severity. Echocardiography indicates a complex pathophysiology in which both systolic and diastolic function are independently associated with mortality. The presence of severe AS was independently associated with significantly reduced patient survival.
Expanding the capillary electrophoresis-based glucose unit database of the GUcal app
Authors: Jarvas Gabor , Szigeti Marton , Campbell Matthew P , Guttman Andras
Published: December 2019

GUcal is a standalone application for automatically calculating the glucose unit (GU) values for separated N-glycan components of interest in an electropherogram and suggests their tentative structures by utilizing an internal database. We have expanded the original database of GUcal by integrating all publicly available capillary electrophoresis (CE) data in the GlycoStore collection (https://www.glycostore.org) and with in-house measured GU values. The GUcal app is freely available online (https://www.gucal.hu) and readily facilitates CE-based high throughput GU value determination for first line structural elucidation.
Heparan sulfate inhibits transforming growth factor β signaling and functionsin cisandin transto regulate prostate stem/progenitor cell activities
Authors: Rai Sumit , Alsaidan Omar Awad , Yang Hua , Cai Houjian , Wang Lianchun
Published: December 2019

Prostate stem/progenitor cells (PrSCs) are responsible for adult prostate tissue homeostasis and regeneration. However, the related regulatory mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, we examined the role of heparan sulfate (HS) in PrSC self-renewal and prostate regeneration. Using an in vitro prostate sphere formation assay, we found that deletion of the glycosyltransferase exostosin 1 (Ext1) abolished HS expression in PrSCs and disrupted their ability to self-renew. In associated studies, we observed that HS loss inhibited p63 and CK5 expression, reduced the number of p63+- or CK5+-expressing stem/progenitor cells, elevated CK8+ expression and the number of differentiated CK8+ luminal cells and arrested the spheroid cells in the G1/G0 phase of cell cycle. Mechanistically, HS expressed by PrSCs (in cis) or by neighboring cells (in trans) could maintain sphere formation. Furthermore, HS deficiency upregulated transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and inhibiting TGFβ signaling partially restored the sphere-formation activity of the HS-deficient PrSCs. In an in vivo prostate regeneration assay, simultaneous loss of HS in both epithelial cell and stromal cell compartments attenuated prostate tissue regeneration, whereas the retention of HS expression in either of the two cellular compartments was sufficient to sustain prostate tissue regeneration. We conclude that HS preserves self-renewal of adult PrSCs by inhibiting TGFβ signaling and functions both in cis and in trans to maintain prostate homeostasis and to support prostate regeneration.
Humpback whales extend their stay in a breeding ground in the Tropical Eastern Pacific
Authors: Avila Isabel Cristina , Dormann Carsten F , García Carolina , Payán Luis Fernando , Zorrilla María Ximena
Published: December 2019

During the austral winter, G-stock humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, migrate to the Tropical Eastern Pacific to breed. To analyse if the whale migration times have changed over time, we analysed 31 years (1988–2018) of arrival and departure times to Gorgona National Park, Colombia, an important breeding site. During this period, whales have significantly changed their arrival time, coming now earlier, but their departure time has not changed significantly. Hence, humpback whales now stay 1 month longer than 31 years ago. Humpbacks arrived in Gorgona at the earliest during the beginning of May and stayed at the most until late December. The change observed in the arrival time to breeding grounds could be related to ice sheet mass changes in autumn in Antarctica and increase in population size over the past decades but we were unable to determine which factor is more important in explaining the observed trend. Management decisions in Colombia need to account for a longer stay, specifically restricting anthropogenic activities from 1May to 31December. We urge other researchers to review their data, in case this shift is evident in other regions and management plans need to be updated.
Vibration of effects in epidemiologic studies of alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk
Authors: Chu Lingzhi , Ioannidis John P A , Egilman Alex C , Vasiliou Vasilis , Ross Joseph S , Wallach Joshua D
Published: December 2019

Background

Different analytical approaches can influence the associations estimated in observational studies. We assessed the variability of effect estimates reported within and across observational studies evaluating the impact of alcohol on breast cancer.

Methods

We abstracted largest harmful, largest protective and smallest (closest to the null value of 1.0) relative risk estimates in studies included in a recent alcohol–breast cancer meta-analysis, and recorded how they differed based on five model specification characteristics, including exposure definition, exposure contrast levels, study populations, adjustment covariates and/or model approaches. For each study, we approximated vibration of effects by dividing the largest by the smallest effect estimate [i.e. ratio of odds ratio (ROR)].

Results

Among 97 eligible studies, 85 (87.6%) reported both harmful and protective relative effect estimates for an alcohol–breast cancer relationship, which ranged from 1.1 to 17.9 and 0.0 to 1.0, respectively. The RORs comparing the largest and smallest estimates in value ranged from 1.0 to 106.2, with a median of 3.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.0–5.2]. One-third (35, 36.1%) of the RORs were based on extreme effect estimates with at least three different model specification characteristics; the vast majority (87, 89.7%) had different exposure definitions or contrast levels. Similar vibrations of effect were observed when only extreme estimates with differences based on study populations and/or adjustment covariates were compared.

Conclusions

Most observational studies evaluating the impact of alcohol on breast cancer report relative effect estimates for the same associations that diverge by >2-fold. Therefore, observational studies should estimate the vibration of effects to provide insight regarding the stability of findings.
Interfaces for collecting data from patients: 10 golden rules
Authors: Vickers Andrew J , Chen Ling Y , Stetson Peter D
Published: December 2019

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has more than a decade's experience creating online interfaces for obtaining data from patients as part of routine clinical care. We have developed a set of “golden rules” for design of these interfaces. Many relate to the knowledge imbalance between professional staff (whether medical or informatics) and patients, who are often old and sick and have limited knowledge of technology. Others relate to the clinical nature of the encounter: data cannot be taken from patients as part of clinical care unless there is a plan to act on whatever information is prepared. We also note that the plethora of marketing questionnaires makes patients suspicious of surveys: patient trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. Addition of these golden rules to standard approaches to interface design will maximize our ability to obtain data from patients and thus improve communication between patients and clinicians.
301 Effects of housing system on performance and behavior of dairy calves before and after weaning
Authors: Liu Shuai , Alugongo Gibson , Li Jinghui , Cao Zhijun , Wang Yajing , Li Shengli
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of housing system on performance and behavior of dairy calves during pre-weaning (d 1–42), weaning (d 43–56), post-weaning (d 57–63) and mixing (d 64–70) period. Thirty-seven newborn Holstein dairy calves were allocated to individual (n = 17) or pair housing (n = 10 pairs). After that, calves remained in their pens until d 63 ± 1, and then PH group and IH group were mixed and moved to 6 group pens randomly. Starter intake, fecal consistency scores and body weight were collected. Instantaneous scan-sampling with 5-min intervals was used to collect the behavioral observations (lying, ruminating, standing, eating, drinking, walking, self-grooming, manipulating object) for 48 h beginning on d 43, 50, 57 and the second day after mixing. Data were analyzed by mixed effect model with treatment, time, and the interaction between them as fixed effects, and animal within treatment as a random effect. During post-weaning period, PH group had higher starter intake (P = 0.02) and average daily gain (P = 0.02) than IH group. PH group weighed more on d 63 (P = 0.002) and d 70 (P = 0.002). PH group had higher diarrhea frequency than IH group in week 3 (P = 0.03). PH increased lying time in week 8 (P = 0.03) and walking time during post-weaning period (P = 0.05), yet IH group spent more time standing in week 8 (P = 0.008), eating during post-weaning period (P = 0.008), self-grooming during weaning period (week 7, P = 0.007; week 8, P = 0.03). Furthermore, previous housing system had no effect on calves’ behavior after mixing. In conclusion, Pair housing during post-weaning period improved performance of calves and housing system had on effect on behavior after mixing.

Figure 1. ADG (mean±SEM) for calves housed individually (n = 17 calves) or in pairs (n = 10 pairs). PH = calves housed in pairs; IH = calves housed individually. * P ≤ 0.05, † P < 0.10. Figure 2. BW (mean±SEM) for calves housed individually (n = 17 calves) or in pairs (n = 10 pairs). PH = calves housed in pairs; IH = calves housed individually. * P ≤ 0.05, † P < 0.10. Figure 3. Diarrhea frequency for calves housed individually (n = 17 calves) or in pairs (n = 10 pairs) before 63d. PH = calves housed in pairs; IH = calves housed individually. * P ≤ 0.05. Figure 4. Time (mean±SEM) for calves (n = 6) performing each behavior as affected by different housing system during weaning, post-weaning and mixing period.* P ≤ 0.05.
304 Transgenerational influence of prenatal stress on temperament, birth weight, and weaning weight of Brahman calves
Authors: Littlejohn Brittni P , Riley David G , Neuendorff Don A , Long Charles R , Welsh Thomas H , Randel Ronald D
Published: December 2019

The objective was to evaluate the transgenerational influence of prenatal transportation stress (PNS) on temperament, birth weight, and weaning weight in Brahman calves. Dams were derived from multiparous cows that were transported for 2 h at 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 d of gestation (n = 48) or maintained as Controls (n = 48). Heifers born to Transported or Control cows were followed through maturity and their calves (n = 79; 35 calves born to Control dams and 44 to PNS dams) studied across multiple years. Calf birth and weaning weights were recorded. Calf temperament at weaning was evaluated utilizing pen score (PS; 1=calm and 5=excitable), exit velocity (EV; m/sec), and temperament score (TS; (PS+EV)/2). Data were analyzed using mixed linear models. Fixed effects included dam treatment, calf sex, and birth season nested within birth year (season nested within year was identified as an efficient parameterization). Calf sire was a random effect. Birth weight was not affected by dam treatment, calf sex, or season nested within year (P > 0.1). Weaning weight was greater in males than females (P < 0.01). Weaning weight was affected by season nested within year (P < 0.01). DOA at weaning was a covariate for weaning weight (0.74±0.09 kg; P < 0.01), but not PS, EV, or TS (P < 0.1). Weaning weight was not affected by dam treatment (P > 0.1). TS was affected by season nested within year (P = 0.04) but not dam treatment or calf sex (P > 0.1). EV was not affected by dam treatment, calf sex, or season nested within year (P > 0.1). PS was affected by season nested within year (P < 0.01) but not calf sex (P > 0.1). Calves born to PNS dams had greater (P = 0.02) PS than calves born to Controls (3.17±0.20 and 2.58±0.22, respectively). There was a transgenerational influence of PNS on temperament but not birth or weaning weight.
320 Carcass characteristics of Bos indicus-Bos taurus steers following BVDV type 1b challenge
Authors: Knowles Arthur , Paschal Joe , Runyan Chase , Sawyer Jason , Herring Andy
Published: December 2019

Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), is a component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide. Documentation of animal genetic influences and performance variability specific to BVDV challenge is limited. This study evaluated individual animal effects in the 14 d following BVDV Type 1b intranasal challenge in yearling, Nellore-Angus (Bos indicus-Bos taurus) F2 and F3 crossbred steers (n = 363) on carcass traits 180 d post-challenge. Prior to challenge steers were confirmed to be free of BVDV infection with families balanced across non-vaccinated control, killed (KV), or modified-live (MLV) commercial BRD vaccines. Hot carcass weight (HCW), adjusted fat thickness (AFT), longissimus muscle area (REA) and marbling score (MARB) were analyzed through mixed models with sire and pen(year) as random effects; potential fixed effects of vaccine, type of cross, pyrexia status, clinical sign presentation, and levels of feed intake and ADG 14 d post-challenge were investigated. Vaccine influenced AFT (P = 0.016); MLV steers had 0.26 cm less AFT than KV steers. Marbling was affected by type of cross (P = 0.023) with up to 0.60 marbling scores higher (P < 0.05) in some parental combinations; an interaction between type of cross and pyrexia status also affected MARB (P = 0.017) with one parental combination having higher MARB associated with pyrexia. Hot carcass weight was not affected by pyrexia, but was affected by feed intake (P = 0.019), with steers in the highest vs. lowest category averaging 24.0 kg heavier. No animals presented morbidity signs severe enough for therapeutic treatment, yet presence of mild clinical symptoms affected REA (P = 0.012), resulting in 3.4 cm2 lower REA, however, this pattern was inconsistent among feed intake levels. This study affirms the complexity of health impacts on beef carcass traits and the need for improved study of subclinical illness in beef production systems.
318 Total flavonoids from Rhizoma drynariae ameliorate low calcium-induced osteoporosis by regulating the bone metabolism in caged laying hens
Authors: Huang Jie , Zhang Lei , Zhou Zhongxin
Published: December 2019

Cage layer osteoporosis (CLO) is one of the most serious bone metabolic diseases in laying hens industry. This disease not only causes huge economic losses, but also greatly affects the welfare of animals. Traditional Chinese medicines are widely used for prevention and treatment of all kinds of diseases. It is famous for excellent treatment, low side effects, and wide range of use safety. Total flavonoids from Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD) is an herbal product extracted from the dried root of Rhizoma drynariae. Recently, many researcher reports about the beneficial effects of TFRD in relation to various types of bone conditions but no report is available about promoting effect of TFRD against CLO. Therefore, current study was conducted to explore the ameliorating effect of TFRD in low calcium-induced osteoporosis. A total of 144 Lohmann pink-shell laying hens of 31-week-old were equally distributed in four groups: The control group (containing calcium 3.5% in based diet), the low calcium group (containing calcium 1.5% in low-calcium diet), the test group 1 (adding 500 mg/kg TFRD to low-calcium diet), the test group 2 (adding 2000 mg/kg TFRD to low-calcium diet). The birds were fed the diets for 60 d. The bone mineral density of tibia was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry indicating that the low calcium group had lower bone density than the control group. Compared with the low calcium group, the supplementation of TFRD protects bone tissue and prevents bone density from decreasing. Serum biochemical analysis showed that TFRD supplementation decreased the level of alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteocalcin and calcitonin. Therefore, adding TFRD to low-calcium diet can improve the activity of important biochemical markers, clearly inhibit bone resorption and alleviate osteoporosis induce by low-calcium diet in caged laying hens.
319 Effects of repeated exposure to either energized or non-energized prods on the behavioral responses of beef cattle to handling
Authors: Gellatly Désirée , Meléndez Daniela M , Marti Sonia , Moya Diego , Yang Xiaohui , Church John S , Schwartzkopf-Genswein Karen S
Published: December 2019

The cattle industry has adopted the use of low stress handling aids however, the continuous-pulse electric prod is still used on hard-to-move cattle. This study aimed to assess behavioral responses of beef cattle after five consecutive exposures to either energized or non-energized prods for 1 s while enclosed in a squeeze chute. A total of 208 7–8 mo old crossbred Angus steers (487.6 ± 41.68 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: non-energized prod (CT), continuous-pulse electric prod (CP), broken-pulse electric prod (BP) and a vibration prod (VP) that did not produce a shock. Prior to (d -3, -2 and -1; baseline), during (d 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) and after (d 5, 6 and 7) the application of treatments, behavior of each steer was assessed including: using voice and touch (VAT; score), race transit time (RTT; s), squeeze chute score (SC; score) and flight speed (FS; m/s). Data was analyzed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS including treatment, day and interaction as fixed effects. No treatment effect (P > 0.05) was found for VAT. The VP steers had greater (P < 0.05) RTT on d 4 and 5 compared to CT and CP, respectively. The CP steers had greater (P < 0.05) SC than CT, BP and VP. The CP had greater (P < 0.05) FS from d 0 to 7 compared to all other treatments with the exception that no differences (P > 0.05) were observed on d 1 between CP and BP. Based on SC and FS, the CP prod was more aversive to cattle than all other prods. However, due to the lack of differences in VAT and RTT measures between control and electric prods, further studies are required to determine the aversiveness of prods balanced with their ability to move hard-to-move cattle.
317 Survey of veterinary student attitudes toward animal welfare and pain
Authors: Martin Miriam S , Baysinger Angela , Viscardi Abbie , Kleinhenz Michael , Edwards-Callaway Lily , Johnstone Elizabeth C , Coetzee Johann
Published: December 2019

Discrepancies in the background and training of veterinarians regarding the painfulness of procedures across species may impact their decision to use analgesia. The objective of this study was to investigate veterinary student attitudes toward pain and animal welfare. An electronic survey instrument was developed to assess demographic information, perceptions of animal welfare, concern with specific animal welfare issues, and estimation of pain scores on a scale of 1–10 for certain procedures and conditions. A subset of 131 responses from veterinary students were analyzed from an ongoing study involving 14 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada. Results suggest that females believed more strongly that an animal welfare and ethics course should be part of the veterinary curriculum than males (P = 0.03). Respondent preparedness to discuss certain welfare topics differed based on background (farm/ranch, rural or urban community) (P ≤ 0.03) and year of veterinary school (P ≤ 0.02). Respondent willingness to administer pain management also differed by background (P = 0.04). Whether respondents had observed a veterinarian in practice properly administer pain medication to a food animal also differed by area of interest, background, and year in veterinary school (P ≤ 0.03). Assigned pain scores for bovine dystocia, bovine acute metritis, canine tail docking and porcine castration also differed by background (P ≤ 0.03). These data show that gender, background and the year of veterinary school should be considered when developing and standardizing the delivery of animal welfare topics across the veterinary curriculum.