bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochar increases soil enzyme activities in two contrasting pastoral soils under different grazing management
Authors: Garbuz Stanislav , Mackay Alec , Camps-Arbestain Marta , DeVantier Brian , Minor Maria
Published: August 2022

Context Soil enzyme activities are key regulators of carbon and nutrient cycling in grazed pastures. Aims We investigated the effect of biochar addition on the activity of seven enzymes involved in the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in a Sil-andic Andosol and a Dystric Cambisol under permanent pastures. Methods The study consisted of a one-year field-based mesocosm experiment involving four pastures under different nutrient and livestock practices: with and without effluent under dairy cow grazing on the Andosol, and with either nil or high phosphorus fertiliser input under sheep grazing on the Cambisol. Soil treatments were: (1) willow biochar added at 1% w/w; (2) lime added at the liming equivalence of biochar (positive control); (3) no amendments (negative control). Key results Compared with the Cambisol, the Andosol had higher dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline and acid phosphatase and, especially, nitrate-reductase activities, aligning with its higher pH and fertility. In both soils, biochar addition increased the activity of all enzymes, except for acid phosphatase and peroxidase; lime addition increased peroxidase and nitrate-reductase activity. Conclusions The increased enzyme activity was strongly positively correlated with soil biological activity following biochar addition. Biochar caused a 40–45% increase in cellulase activity, attributed to increased root biomass following biochar addition. The response in acid and alkaline phosphatase activity can be attributed to the impact of biochar and lime addition on soil pH. Implications The results provide more insights in realising the potential benefits of biochar to the provision of ecosystem services for grazed pastures.
Neutrophils activated by membrane attack complexes increase the permeability of melanoma blood vessels
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Wang Yuanyuan , Bauer Alexander T. , Kirschfink Michael , Ding Peipei , Gebhardt Christoffer , Borsig Lubor , Tüting Thomas , Renné Thomas , Häffner Karsten , Hu Weiguo , Schneider Stefan W. , Gorzelanny Christian
Published: August 2022

The microenvironment of malignant melanomas defines the properties of tumor blood vessels and regulates infiltration and vascular dissemination of immune and cancer cells, respectively. Previous research in other cancer entities suggested the complement system as an essential part of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we confirm activation of the complement system in samples of melanoma patients and murine melanomas. We identified the tumor endothelium as the starting point of the complement cascade. Generation of complement-derived C5a promoted the recruitment of neutrophils. Upon contact with the vascular endothelium, neutrophils were further activated by complement membrane attack complexes (MACs). MAC-activated neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Close to the blood vessel wall, NETs opened the endothelial barrier as indicated by an enhanced vascular leakage. This facilitated the entrance of melanoma cells into the circulation and their systemic spread. Depletion of neutrophils or lack of MAC formation in complement component 6 (C6)–deficient animals protected the vascular endothelium and prevented vascular intravasation of melanoma cells. Our data suggest that inhibition of MAC-mediated neutrophil activation is a potent strategy to abolish hematogenous dissemination in melanoma.
A reproducing kernel Hilbert space method for nonlinear partial differential equations: applications to physical equations
Authors: Attia Nourhane , Akgül Ali
Published: August 2022

The partial differential equations (PDEs) describe several phenomena in wide fields of engineering and physics. The purpose of this paper is to employ the reproducing kernel Hilbert space method (RKHSM) in obtaining effective numerical solutions to nonlinear PDEs, which are arising in acoustic problems for a fluid flow. In this paper, the RKHSM is used to construct numerical solutions for PDEs which are found in physical problems such as sediment waves in plasma, sediment transport in rivers, shock waves, electric signals’ transmission along a cable, acoustic problems for a fluid flow, vibrating membrane, and vibrating string. The RKHSM systematically produces analytic and approximate solutions in the form of series. The convergence analysis and error estimations are discussed to prove the applicability theoretically. Three applications are tested to show the performance and efficiency of the used method. Computational results indicated a good agreement between the exact and numerical solutions.
Model-agnostic interpretation of 10 billion years of cosmic evolution traced by BOSS and eBOSS data
Authors: Brieden Samuel , Gil-Marín Héctor , Verde Licia
Published: August 2022

We present the first model-agnostic analysis of the complete set of Sloan Digital Sky Survey III (BOSS) and -IV (eBOSS) catalogues of luminous red galaxy and quasar clustering in the redshift range 0.2 ≤ z ≤ 2.2 (10 billion years of cosmic evolution), which consistently includes the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), redshift space distortions (RSD) and the shape of the transfer function signatures, from pre- and post-reconstructed catalogues in Fourier space. This approach complements the standard analyses techniques which only focus on the BAO and RSD signatures, and the full-modeling approaches which assume a specific underlying cosmology model to perform the analysis. These model-independent results can then easily be interpreted in the context of the cosmological model of choice. In particular, when combined with z > 2.1 Ly-α BAO measurements, the clustering BAO, RSD and Shape parameters can be interpreted within a flat-ΛCDM model yielding h = 0.6816 ± 0.0067, Ωm = 0.3001 ± 0.0057 and 109 × As
= 2.43 ± 0.20 (or σ
8 = 0.858 ± 0.036) with a Big Bang Nucleosynthesis prior on the baryon density.
Without any external dataset, the BOSS and eBOSS data alone imply Ωm = 0.2971 ± 0.0061 and 109 × As
= 2.39+0.24
-0.43 (or σ
8 = 0.857 ± 0.040).
For models beyond ΛCDM, eBOSS data alone (in combination with Planck) constrain the sum of neutrino mass to be Σmν
< 0.40 eV with a BBN prior (Σmν
< 0.082 eV) at 95% CL, the curvature energy density to Ωk = -0.022+0.032
-0.038 (Ωk = 0.0015 ± 0.0016) and the dark energy equation of state parameter to w = -0.998+0.085
-0.073 (w = -1.093+0.048
0.044) at 68% CL without a BBN prior.
These results are the product of a substantial improvement of the state-of-the-art methodologies and represent the most precise model-agnostic cosmological constrains using spectroscopic large-scale data alone.
Spin-polarized proton acceleration by an intense laser pulse with a foil-gas target
Authors: Yan Xue , Ji Liangliang
Published: August 2022

A novel scheme for obtaining high-energy polarized proton beams by the interaction of a femtosecond laser pulse with a foil-gas composite target has been proposed. The carbon plasmas heated by the laser pulse expand toward the prepolarized HCl gas and excite shock waves in the gas target, reflecting and accelerating spin-polarized protons. According to the results from particle-in-cell simulations with the addition of spin dynamics, protons of several MeV are produced with the polarization rate remaining above 90% in the high energy region. The simulation results show that a large number of the reflected protons are subjected to a weak azimuthal magnetic field and with less depolarization. The intensity of laser pulses and the thickness of foils also affect the strength of the azimuthal magnetic field, which affects the depolarization of the proton beams.
Breath response following a nutritional challenge monitored by secondary electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Wüthrich Cedric , de Figueiredo Miguel , Burton-Pimentel Kathryn Jane , Vergères Guy , Wahl Fabian , Zenobi Renato , Giannoukos Stamatios
Published: August 2022

On-line breath analysis using secondary electrospray ionization coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (SESI-HRMS) is a sensitive method for biomarker discovery. The strengths of this technology have already been demonstrated in the clinical environment. For the first time, this study demonstrates the application of SESI-HRMS in the field of nutritional science using a standardized nutritional intervention, consisting of a high-energy shake (950 kcal, 8% protein, 35% sugar and 57% fat). Eleven subjects underwent the intervention on three separate days and their exhaled breath was monitored up to six hours postprandially. In addition, sampling was performed during equivalent fasting conditions for selected subjects. To estimate the impact of inter- and intra-individual variability, analysis of variance simultaneous component analysis was conducted, revealing that the inter-individual variability accounted for 30% of the data variation. To distinguish the effect of the intervention from fasting conditions, partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed. Candidate compound annotation was performed with pathway analysis and collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments. Pathway analysis highlighted, among others, features associated with the metabolism of linoleate, butanoate and amino sugars. Tentative compounds annotated through CID measurements include fatty acids, amino acids, and amino acid derivatives, some of them likely derived from nutrients by the gut microbiome (e.g. propanoate, indoles), as well as organic acids from the Krebs cycle. Time-series clustering showed an overlap of observed kinetic trends with those reported previously in blood plasma.
Research on the exposure of workers in a courier company to the exhaust emissions of diesel engines
Authors: Haiducu M , Ștepa R A , Chiurtu E R , Scarlat I P
Published: August 2022

The paper presents the research on the development of a method for analysis of elemental carbon from diesel emissions in the workplace based on existing methods and studies on the exposure of workers in a courier company to emissions of diesel engines in the context of occupational exposure limit in Directive (EU) 2019/130 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work. It is estimated that more than 3.6 million workers in Europe are exposed to diesel emissions. Occupational exposure takes place mainly in mining, construction, transport, agriculture and other activities using diesel vehicles and equipment. New data on the carcinogenicity of diesel engine emissions and the change in their classification from potentially carcinogenic (Group 2B) to carcinogenic (Group 1), as well as the high number of workers exposed to these types of chemical pollutants, highlighted the need to set occupational exposure limits for emissions diesel engines in the work environment.
Plant available potassium and phosphorus in arable soil: a comparative study on testing methods
Authors: Surleva A , Angelova L
Published: August 2022

Determination of soil fertility status is based on determination of plant available nutrients which occur in several forms. This strongly challenges the choice of extracting solution and detection technique. Deriving a mathematical model for data recalculation would allow relating the results of different methods without loss of agronomical validation data. This comparative study was aimed at assessing the relationship between two methods for determination of plant available potassium and phosphorus in arable soil. Soil K and P were extracted followed a diluted double acid (Mehlich 1) and an acetate/lactate methods (ALM). Potassium in the obtained extracts was determined by flame AES and phosphorus - by molybdenum blue spectrophotometry. To compare the results obtained by the both extraction methods, the uncertainty of measurement of each method was assessed following the single laboratory validation and quality control approach. The expended uncertainty was found to be 2 mg/100g as P2O5 and 7 mg/100g as K2O (at k=2). The results from the comparative analysis of 93 arable soil samples showed a correlation between Mehlich-1 and ALM extracted P and K within uncertainty limits (at k=3). Based on the recalculated values of extractable K and P, the fertility status of 60 % of soil samples were correctly classified, 30 % with acceptable error and 7 % could not be classified. The study showed that Mehlich-1 and ALM methods provided comparable results for studied range of soil samples. However, determination of soil fertility status based on recalculated results should be made with caution as it could be highly influenced by soil type.
Research on valorisation of spent garnets as addition in cementitious materials – preliminary experimental evaluation
Authors: Baeră C , Chendeş R , Gruin A , Perianu A , Vasile V , Varga L
Published: August 2022

Abrasive waterjet (AWJ) material processing represents a relatively new and extremely efficient method in the specific industries, implying various applicability areas, attributed to different materials, with different properties and domains of use. Besides numerous advantages of the AWJ cutting and generally of the material processing techniques, they also involve the waste generation: the abrasive sands are converted into sludge material, collected into recipients and further on, after natural drying, they become waste dumps randomly deserted. The enlargement of the AWJ techniques in the latest years determines the corresponding increase of the associated Garnet wastes (Spent Garnets, SG), thus leading towards the clear need of identifying opportunities for their recycling and valorisation. Aggregates are basic raw materials in the production of concrete, mortar and plasters, composite cementitious and/or cement-free materials (geopolymer concrete) in the building materials and generally, in the construction industry. The rapid growth of the population, recorded mainly in urban areas, determines an increasing demand on housing facilities and consequently, on concrete production and aggregates consumption. Aggregates and sand, mainly exploited from riverbeds or quarries, represent exhaustible natural resource for which substitution solutions need to be found, in order to control and reduce their extraction from the natural landscape. Considering the superposition of this independent cause and effect situations, the rapid growth of Spent Garnets (SG) landfills, generated by AWJ processes, and, on the other hand, the need to substitute the natural aggregate in construction industry, a reliable solution could emerge from the potential valorisation of SG wastes as partial or even complete substitution of sands / aggregates in the composition of construction materials. The present paper offers a preliminary overview regarding the possibility of incorporating SG wastes of local production in usual cement-based materials, as partial substitute of the aggregate, for the double purpose of waste management implementation and natural resources protection, on the transition path towards the implementing the Circular Economy (CE) concept in the Romanian industry.
Study of shoot-through control pulse generation for a Z-source converter with wind turbine energy system
Authors: Kumari Sweta , Mandal Rajib Kumar
Published: August 2022

In this paper, there is a discussion about different modulation schemes for a dc-to-ac ZSC, also named Z-source inverter (ZSI), for triggering the main switches of three-phase legs or poles of an inverter. A prototype of an 8.5-kilowatt wind turbine with a 5.8-kilowatt Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) system employed with voltage-controlled ZSI is implemented in this paper. For voltage control of load side of a wind turbine generation system (WTGS), a Proportional Integral (PI) controller is used. Three types of PWM schemes namely simple boost pulse width modulation (SB-PWM), third harmonic injection boost control (THIBC-PWM) and the space vector pulse width modulation (SV-PWM) techniques are compared on the basis of total harmonic distortion of the output ac-waveform of the Z-source Converter (ZSC) to find out that, which modulation technique is the best fit for a ZSI integrated with WTGS. The pros and cons of these techniques are compared in terms of line-voltage harmonics, phase-voltage harmonics, phase-current harmonics and switching stress of switches with detailed simulation results. These different modulation techniques are implemented on the MATLAB-Simulink domain. From Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) analysis, simple boost control technique is found to be the most appropriate shoot-through control technique for a ZSI in collaboration with WTGS.
Low Na-β′′-alumina electrolyte/cathode interfacial resistance enabled by a hydroborate electrolyte opening up new cell architecture designs for all-solid-state sodium batteries
Authors: Bay Marie-Claude , Grissa Rabeb , Egorov Konstantin V , Asakura Ryo , Battaglia Corsin
Published: August 2022

Development of low-resistance electrode/electrolyte interfaces is key for enabling all-solid-state batteries with fast-charging capabilities. Low interfacial resistance and high current density were demonstrated for Na-β′′-alumina/sodium metal interfaces, making Na-β′′-alumina a promising solid electrolyte for high-energy all-solid-state batteries. However, integration of Na-β′′-alumina with a high-energy sodium-ion intercalation cathode remains challenging. Here, we report a proof-of-concept study that targets the implementation of a Na-β′′-alumina ceramic electrolyte with a slurry-casted porous NaCrO2 cathode with infiltrated sodium hydroborates as secondary electrolyte. The hydroborate Na4(B12H12)(B10H10) possesses similar sodium-ion conductivity of 1 mS cm−1 at room temperature as Na-β′′-alumina and can be fully densified by cold pressing. Using the Na4(B12H12)(B10H10) secondary electrolyte as interlayer between Na-β′′-alumina and NaCrO2, we obtain a cathode-electrolyte interfacial resistance of only 25 Ω cm2 after cold pressing at 70 MPa. Proof-of-concept cells with a sodium metal anode and a NaCrO2 cathode feature an initial discharge capacity of 103 mAh g−1 at C/10 and 42 mAh g−1 at 1 C with an excellent capacity retention of 88% after 100 cycles at 1 C at room temperature. Ion-milled cross-sections of the cathode/electrolyte interface demonstrate that intimate contact is maintained during cycling, proving that the use of hydroborates as secondary electrolyte and as an interlayer is a promising approach for the development of all-solid-state batteries with ceramic electrolytes.
Landmarks in the Development of Literature: Toward a Map of Language, Writing, and Literature
Authors: Brodie Thomas L.
Published: August 2022

Among biblical reference books, fine works such as the Ancient Near Eastern Texts need to be supplemented by publications that incorporate Mediterranean literature, particularly the literature of the Greeks. Literary continuity runs from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant into the works of the Greeks and Romans; and judgments about biblical texts are best made within that broad context. The Primary History (Genesis‐2 Kings) fits best after the development of Greek historiography, and Genesis’ dependence on Homer's Odyssey confirms the Greek connection.
Genesis in the Lectionaries
Authors: Brodie Thomas L.
Published: August 2022

The reading of Genesis in synagogues and churches has followed diverse modes. Genesis figures in the annual Babylonian cycle, the triennial Palestinian cycle, and various forms of Christian cycles. The appendix distills some readings from Anglican and Roman Catholic lectionaries.
A World Without Deception
Authors: Parfit Derek
Published: August 2022

Discusses what would make someone's life go best; whether causing someone to exist can benefit this person. It considers a world without deception. Are we our brains? Closest continuers. The social discount rate. Rawlsian principles. Buddhism and the No Self View.
A Child's Guide to Elementary Aspects of Computability
Authors: Velupillai Kumaraswamy
Published: August 2022

In the appendix, a brief and introductory survey of selected, relevant results from classical recursion theory is given. The Turing Machine model of computability is made central, but a definition in terms of recursive functions is also discussed. That the two notions of computability and randomness provide the epistemological fulcra for computable economics is emphasized.
Documentation on Human Rights Violations
Authors:   The Independent International Commission on Kosovo
Published: August 2022

In addition to the index, acronyms, a bibliography, and endnotes, the book contains six additional annexes. They include documentation on human rights violations, basic facts and figures on Kosovo, summaries of the Rambouillet Agreement and the Ahtisaari–Chernomyrdin Agreement, the text of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the summary of the Kosovo Commission's work.
Appendix
Authors: Pomfret Richard
Published: August 2022

Describes and analyses discriminatory trading arrangements between the USA and Canada before CUSTA. The history is useful because it sheds some light on the prospects for NAFTA, but more importantly, it illustrates why an RTA may not come into existence even between countries that share a long common border and trade intensively with one another.
Genome-wide alignment-free phylogenetic distance estimation under a no strand-bias model
Authors: Balaban Metin , Bristy Nishat Anjum , Faisal Ahnaf , Bayzid Md Shamsuzzoha , Mirarab Siavash
Published: August 2022

Summary: While alignment has been the dominant approach for determining homology prior to phylogenetic inference, alignment-free methods can simplify the analysis, especially when analyzing genome-wide data. Furthermore, alignment-free methods present the only option for emerging forms of data, such as genome skims, which do not permit assembly. Despite the appeal, alignment-free methods have not been competitive with alignment-based methods in terms of accuracy. One limitation of alignment-free methods is their reliance on simplified models of sequence evolution such as Jukes–Cantor. If we can estimate frequencies of base substitutions in an alignment-free setting, we can compute pairwise distances under more complex models. However, since the strand of DNA sequences is unknown for many forms of genome-wide data, which arguably present the best use case for alignment-free methods, the most complex models that one can use are the so-called no strand-bias models. We show how to calculate distances under a four-parameter no strand-bias model called TK4 without relying on alignments or assemblies. The main idea is to replace letters in the input sequences and recompute Jaccard indices between k-mer sets. However, on larger genomes, we also need to compute the number of k-mer mismatches after replacement due to random chance as opposed to homology. We show in simulation that alignment-free distances can be highly accurate when genomes evolve under the assumed models and study the accuracy on assembled and unassembled biological data.

Availability and implementation

Our software is available open source at https://github.com/nishatbristy007/NSB.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Detecting and quantifying antibody reactivity in PhIP-Seq data with BEER
Authors: Chen Athena , Kammers Kai , Larman H Benjamin , Scharpf Robert B , Ruczinski Ingo
Published: August 2022

Because of their high abundance, easy accessibility in peripheral blood, and relative stability ex vivo, antibodies serve as excellent records of environmental exposures and immune responses. Phage Immuno-Precipitation Sequencing (PhIP-Seq) is the most efficient technique available for assessing antibody binding to hundreds of thousands of peptides at a cohort scale. PhIP-Seq is a high-throughput approach for assessing antibody reactivity to hundreds of thousands of candidate epitopes. Accurate detection of weakly reactive peptides is particularly important for characterizing the development and decline of antibody responses. Here, we present BEER (Bayesian Enrichment Estimation in R), a software package specifically developed for the quantification of peptide reactivity from PhIP-Seq experiments. BEER implements a hierarchical model and produces posterior probabilities for peptide reactivity and a fold change estimate to quantify the magnitude. BEER also offers functionality to infer peptide reactivity based on the edgeR package, though the improvement in speed is offset by slightly lower sensitivity compared to the Bayesian approach, specifically for weakly reactive peptides.

Availability and implementation

BEER is implemented in R and freely available from the Bioconductor repository at https://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/beer.html.
Estimating the Period Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection During the Omicron (BA.1) Surge in New York City (NYC), 1 January to 16 March 2022
Authors: Qasmieh Saba A , Robertson McKaylee M , Teasdale Chloe A , Kulkarni Sarah G , Nash Denis
Published: August 2022

In a population-based survey of adults in New York City, we assessed positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests (including via exclusive at-home testing) and possible cases among untested respondents. An estimated 27.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.8%–32.0%) or 1.8 million adults (95% CI: 1.6–2.1 million) had SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 January and 16 March 2022.
Management and Control Issues Related to Two Mumps Outbreaks in Houston: Future Implications
Authors: Schulte Joann , Short Kirstin , Persse David
Published: August 2022

Background

Mumps is a highly contagious disease spread by airborne droplets, making control especially difficult in congregate, crowded settings such as shelters and jails. A mumps outbreak in Honduras, starting in 2018 among adults who were unvaccinated, spread northward with Central Americans migrating to the United States. We describe 2 mumps outbreaks in Houston during 2019 among migrants at the Houston Contract Detention Facility (HCDF) and among inmates at the Harris County Jail (HCJ).

Methods

We investigated cases of acute onset parotitis. Three or more mumps cases in a facility was considered an outbreak. Confirmed cases had positive polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Probable cases were linked epidemiologically to a confirmed case in the same unit and a positive serology for serum anti-mumps immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody. Outbreak control measures included enhanced surveillance, isolation of housing units, educational outreach, and immunization with Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Results

At HCDF, during a 10-month period, we investigated 42 possible cases. Of the possible cases, 28 were lab-confirmed with 9 probable, 4 ruled out, and 1 vaccine reaction. All were migrants. At HCJ, during a 3-month period, we investigated 60 suspect cases; 20 cases were lab-confirmed, 13 probable and 27 ruled out. All but 2 were inmates. Only about a third of those offered MMR vaccination accepted.

Conclusions

Successful outbreak resolution required close cooperation with HCDF and HCJ with ongoing surveillance, isolation of units with cases and MMR vaccination. Such facilities will have outbreaks; regular communications with local public health could improve response.
Maintenance of quantitative genetic variance in complex, multitrait phenotypes: the contribution of rare, large effect variants in 2 Drosophila species
Authors: Hine Emma , Runcie Daniel E , Allen Scott L , Wang Yiguan , Chenoweth Stephen F , Blows Mark W , McGuigan Katrina
Published: August 2022

The interaction of evolutionary processes to determine quantitative genetic variation has implications for contemporary and future phenotypic evolution, as well as for our ability to detect causal genetic variants. While theoretical studies have provided robust predictions to discriminate among competing models, empirical assessment of these has been limited. In particular, theory highlights the importance of pleiotropy in resolving observations of selection and mutation, but empirical investigations have typically been limited to few traits. Here, we applied high-dimensional Bayesian Sparse Factor Genetic modeling to gene expression datasets in 2 species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila serrata, to explore the distributions of genetic variance across high-dimensional phenotypic space. Surprisingly, most of the heritable trait covariation was due to few lines (genotypes) with extreme [>3 interquartile ranges (IQR) from the median] values. Intriguingly, while genotypes extreme for a multivariate factor also tended to have a higher proportion of individual traits that were extreme, we also observed genotypes that were extreme for multivariate factors but not for any individual trait. We observed other consistent differences between heritable multivariate factors with outlier lines vs those factors without extreme values, including differences in gene functions. We use these observations to identify further data required to advance our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and nature of standing genetic variation for quantitative traits.
Extraoral Taste Buds on the Paired Fins of Damselfishes
Authors: Hardy Adam R , Hale Melina E
Published: August 2022

Synopsis

Some fish species have taste buds on the surface of their bodies and fins, as well as in the oral cavity. The extraoral taste system of fish has traditionally been studied in species that inhabit environments and/or employ feeding strategies where vision is limited. Here we examined taste sensation in a new ecological context by investigating the paired fins of damselfish (Pomacentridae), a group of diurnal midwater fishes that inhabit the light-rich waters of coral reefs. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of taste buds on the paired fins of Chromis viridis, including on the distal tips of elongate leading-edge pelvic fin rays, where they are particularly densely packed, suggesting specialization for chemosensation. Similar anatomical results were also recorded from two other species, Pomacentrus amboinensis and Pomacentrus coelestis. We found that afferent pectoral fin nerves of C. viridis responded to a food-derived stimulus. By investigating the extraoral taste system in a new phylogenetic and ecological context, these results show that taste buds on fins are more widespread amongst fish than previously known and are present even in highly visual environments.
Technical note: Evaluation of sampling methods for methane concentration from in vitro fermentation
Authors: D’Souza Genevieve M , Norris Aaron B , Tedeschi Luis O
Published: August 2022

The objectives of this multipart study were 1) to assess the efficacy of sampling methods of methane concentration ([CH4]) of headspace gas produced during in vitro gas production (IVGP) fermentation, 2) to verify whether headspace [CH4] sampled from an exetainer has the same [CH4] as the headspace of IVGP bottles, 3) to measure relative humidity (RH) within an IVGP bottle, and 4) to compare [CH4] on a dry-gas (DG) basis when accounting for water vapor pressure (Pw). The original IVGP protocol recommends placing bottles on ice (0 °C) for 30 min to stop fermentation (ICE). A laboratory protocol recommends placing the bottles in the refrigerator (4 to 6 °C) to slow fermentation for 48 h and subsequently allowing the bottles to return to ambient temperature before sampling (FRIDGE). This study evaluated the previous methods against a direct sampling of the headspace gas after incubation (DIRECT). Rumen inoculum from four rumen-cannulated beef steers was combined and homogenized before incubating the fermentable substrate of ground alfalfa hay. After 48 h of IVGP incubation, each bottle was randomly assigned to a treatment protocol. The pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T) of headspace gas in each bottle were recorded. Headspace gas was then thoroughly mixed, and 12 mL gas was removed into an evacuated exetainer for [CH4] sampling via gas chromatography (EXET; Objective 1). Eight bottles from ICE and FRIDGE were randomly selected to follow EXET, whereas the remaining bottles had [CH4] directly measured from their headspace (BOTT; Objective 2). Five diets of differing feed composition and nutrient densities were used with a blank to test the RH of the IVGP slurry (Objective 3). Using RH, [CH4] was transformed to a DG basis to account for Pw (Objective 4). Statistical analysis was completed using a random coefficients model. There were no differences between EXET and BOTT (P = 0.28). The RH of the IVGP slurry was 100% (P = 1.00), confirming that IVGP gas is saturated with water vapor. The P, V, and T differed among treatments (P < 0.01). The [CH4] of DIRECT, ICE, and FRIDGE were different (P < 0.01). Dry-gas P, V, and [CH4] differed among treatments (P < 0.01). As the methods differ in their assessment of [CH4], there is no clear recommendation. Instead, to present a more accurate [CH4], P, V, and T should be measured when sampling headspace gas and equations presented should be used to remove volume inflation due to water vapor and present [CH4] on a DG basis.
Efficacy and safety of a novel source of dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in growing pigs
Authors: Sandoval Jorge L , Ventura Diego E , Fiallos Orlando B , Anderson Brian L , Sparks J Chris , Starkey Jessica D , Starkey Charles W
Published: August 2022

A randomized complete block design experiment was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of supplementation of increasing concentrations of a novel, bacterial fermentation-derived vitamin D source on growth performance and tissue deposition of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) in growing swine. Dietary treatments were as follows: commercial control with vitamin D3 (CON) at NRC recommended concentrations and three diets composed of CON + increasing inclusions (25, 50, and 250 µg/kg equivalent) of 25OHD3 from a novel source (CON + 25; CON + 50; and CON + 250, respectively). Pigs (n = 144) were assigned to 24 pens which were allotted to one of the four dietary treatments and fed for 42 d. Blood samples were collected for 25OHD3 concentration determination and individual body weights (BW) were measured on experimental day 0, 39, and 63. On day 42, tissues from 48 pigs (12 pigs per dietary treatment) were analyzed for 25OHD3 concentration. No differences were observed in growth performance. Day 39 serum 25OHD3 concentrations were greatest in CON + 250-fed pigs and linearly decreased as dietary 25OHD3 inclusion decreased (P < 0.0001). On day 42, tissue 25OHD3 concentrations increased linearly as 25OHD3 increased in the diet (P < 0.0001). On day 63, 21 d after dietary 25OHD3 withdrawal, serum 25OHD3 concentrations of all 25OHD3-fed pigs decreased to that of or within 2.76 ± 0.89 ng/mL of CON-fed pigs which demonstrates that feeding 250 µg/kg 25OHD3 is well tolerated by growing pigs and will clear the body within 21 d.
Review of Evidence
Authors: Whiteside Stephen P. H. , Ollendick Thomas H. , Biggs Bridget K.
Published: August 2022

This chapter reviews the empirical support for exposure in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders and obsessive–compulsive disorder. The research examining the treatment of anxiety in children often combines multiple diagnoses (i.e., transdiagnostic) and/or multiple treatment components. As such, the chapter begins with a review of the large literature base supporting cognitive–behavioral therapy for childhood anxiety disorders and then focuses on the smaller literatures examining specific diagnoses and the use of exposure per se. The chapter also reviews the outcome literature for other components of treatment to help readers evaluate the empirical support for exposure relative to these other components. Finally, the research pertaining to developmental and contextual factors that are unique to children is discussed.
In Vivo Exposure Case Examples
Authors: Whiteside Stephen P. H. , Ollendick Thomas H. , Biggs Bridget K.
Published: August 2022

This chapter presents case examples to more fully illustrate how to implement exposure therapy with a variety of presenting problems. The chapter includes case examples detailing primarily in vivo exposure for social anxiety, specific phobias, and separation anxiety. Each example begins with a brief description of the case and then conceptualizes the case using the model presented previously in this book. Each case then includes description of family involvement, discussion of creating a fear ladder, presentation of a detailed exposure, and comments on the course of treatment. Each case illustrates a broader point related to the implementation of exposure, which is discussed last.
Obstacles to Implementation
Authors: Whiteside Stephen P. H. , Ollendick Thomas H. , Biggs Bridget K.
Published: August 2022

Exposure therapy has the most empirical support of any intervention and thus offers patients the best chance to experience symptom relief and improvement in functioning. This chapter discusses additional issues that sometimes occur when implementing exposure. The chapters in the preceding sections presented the underlying theory of exposure and illustrated the delivery of exposure for a variety of clinical presentations. However, anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder do not occur in a vacuum and thus the delivery of exposure is often complicated by obstacles and challenges. This chapter discusses common obstacles to exposure therapy, including those emanating from patients (e.g., defiance and depressed mood), parents (e.g., accommodation and overenthusiasm), therapists (e.g., misdiagnosis and timidity), and the environment (e.g., leaving the office and ethics).
John Bowlby and the Tavistock Separation Research Unit
Authors: Duschinsky Robbie
Published: August 2022

This chapter focuses on the work of John Bowlby. It describes the lines of agreement and disagreement between Bowlby and the psychoanalytic theory of his day, and the extent of his debt to Robert Hinde and ethology. The chapter clarifies ways in which incompatibilities between psychoanalysis and ethology have contributed to tensions within Bowlby’s work and subsequent attachment theory. The chapter discusses Bowlby’s unpublished book written with Jimmy Robertson in the 1950s and 1960s on the effects of major separations experienced by young children. It presents previously unavailable ideas from Bowlby’s unpublished book on defence mechanisms from the 1960s, which sheds light on his later information processing model. The chapter also pieces together the full story of Bowlby’s work with a patient, Mrs Q. The chapter closes by discussing some ways in which limitations in Bowlby’s work have proven to be obstacles for later attachment researchers.
Procedural Ultrasound
Authors: Yechoor Poornima , Lovallo Emily , Dreyfuss Andrea , Nagdev Arun
Published: August 2022

This chapter uses clinical vignettes and multiple-choice questions to explore core and advanced principles of procedural ultrasound. The cases assess image acquisition pearls and pitfalls, image interpretation, false positive and negative findings, and integration into patient management. Each case includes detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answer choices, incorporating landmark studies as well as the latest literature that clinical sonographers will find of interest. A broad range of ultrasound-guided procedures will be covered including central venous access, nerve blocks, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, paracentesis, pericardiocentesis, and transvenous pacemaker placement. Relevant references and sources for each case are also included, as well as keywords for each section.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Authors: Salibian Raffi , Roth Antoinette
Published: August 2022

This chapter uses clinical vignettes and multiple-choice questions to explore core and advanced principles of musculoskeletal ultrasound, including joint effusions, tendon pathology, dislocations, and complex masses. The cases will assess image acquisition pearls and pitfalls, image interpretation, false positive and negative findings, and integration into patient management. Clinical vignettes will include patients presenting with a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints that are commonly seen in emergency departments and other clinics. Each case will include detailed explanations for correct and incorrect answers, incorporating landmark studies as well as the latest literature that clinical sonographers will find of interest.
Bitemporal Focus Epilepsy
Authors: Ho Allen L. , Halpern Casey H.
Published: August 2022

Bitemporal epilepsy is a difficult problem, especially when the epilepsy originates in the hippocampus. The diagnosis of bitemporal epilepsy is mostly reached after some form of invasive monitoring. There are now four standard surgical epilepsy treatments available to patients. Generally, if there is a clear single seizure foci that is safe to resect with minimal cognitive risks, then resective (anterior temporal lobectomy, selective amygdalohippocampectomy) or ablative (laser interstitial thermal selective amygdalohippocampotomy) treatments are appropriate in order to achieve the highest likelihood of seizure freedom. Bilateral resection is not an option for bitemporal epilepsy. Responsive neurostimulation and vagus nerve stimulation are the only surgical options. Because of its recording ability, responsive neurostimulation provides a better treatment option for bitemporal epilepsy, given its focal nature, and provides the ability to quantify the relative frequency of seizures between both sides.
Atonic Seizures
Authors: Selden Nathan R.
Published: August 2022

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome is a severe form of childhood epilepsy associated with multiple seizure types, typically including frequent atonic, or ‘drop attack’, seizures. Onset may be cryptogenic or secondary to diffuse congenital or perinatal cortical injury. In patients with ongoing drop seizures despite aggressive therapy with anti-convulsant medications, ketogenic diet, and/or vagal nerve stimulation, corpus callosotomy may reduce the frequency and severity of generalized seizures, particularly drop attacks. Depending on the level of baseline neuropsychological function, either anterior 2/3rds or complete callosotomy may be offered. Callosotomy is most commonly undertaken using a bifrontal craniotomy with an interhemispheric approach.
Focal Spasticity of Upper and Lower Limbs
Authors: Abdel Ghany Walid A. , Nada Mohamed A.
Published: August 2022

Focal spasticity is a common problem after stroke and traumatic brain injury. The surgical treatment of focal spasticity can be designed to address the joints most involved with the spasticity. Given its focal nature, peripheral treatment is the preferred option. The peripheral surgical treatment of choice is peripheral neurotomy. The chosen nerves for treatment are the nerves supplying the largest muscle group contributing to the form of spasticity encountered. Selective neurotomy refers to the technique by which the motor branches of the main nerve are partially severed based on the severity of motor response to stimulation. This technique can be combined with other interventions, such as botulinum toxin injections or tendon lengthening.
Hypertension
Authors: Collins C. Scott , Wittich Christopher M.
Published: August 2022

Hypertension is the most common condition seen in primary care. It can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and death if not adequately treated. Normal blood pressure is defined as less than 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure is defined as 120 to 129/less than 80 mm Hg. Stage 1 hypertension is a blood pressure of 130 to 139/80 to 89 mm Hg; stage 2, 140 or more/90 or more mm Hg.
Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kapoor Ekta , Shah Pankaj
Published: August 2022

Diabetes mellitus, characterized by increased levels of plasma glucose (fasting or postprandial, or both), is the most common metabolic disorder, affecting approximately 10% of the US population.
Obesity and Nutritional Disorders
Authors: Hurt Ryan T. , Mundi Manpreet S.
Published: August 2022

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing in the United States and the westernized world. The cause of the recent obesity epidemic involves a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The 2 major environmental factors that contribute to overweight and obesity are excess caloric intake and low physical activity. Additional risk factors include smoking cessation, sleep deprivation, contributory social networks, lower socioeconomic status, medications, and, less commonly, health conditions. An optimal diet should provide the caloric requirements to maintain the weight within an ideal BMI range and minimize the risk of illness. A high intake of fruits and vegetables has been consistently shown to provide multiple health benefits, particularly in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Thyroid Disorders
Authors: Stan Marius N.
Published: August 2022

Current assays measure thyrotropin (also called thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]) concentrations as low as 0.01 mIU/L, allowing differentiation between low-normal values and suppressed values. In patients with a normal pituitary gland, thyrotropin levels are increased in primary hypothyroidism, during recovery from nonthyroid illness, and with thyroid hormone resistance. Thyrotropin levels are low in hyperthyroidism, in nonthyroidal illness, in the first trimester of pregnancy, and with the use of certain drugs (eg, somatostatin, dopamine, and glucocorticoids). In patients with pituitary disease, however, thyrotropin levels are unreliable since the values can be inappropriately normal in relation to thyroid hormone concentrations. Thus, thyrotropin levels may be normal or increased in patients with thyrotropin-producing tumors and normal or decreased in patients with central hypothyroidism.
Men’s Health
Authors: Beckman Thomas J.
Published: August 2022

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common among older men and results from epithelial and stromal cell growth in the prostate, which in turn causes urinary outflow resistance. Over time, this resistance leads to detrusor muscle dysfunction, urinary retention, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such as urgency, frequency, and nocturia. Evidence has shown that BPH progresses when left untreated. Complications of BPH include urinary tract infections, obstructive nephropathy, and recurrent hematuria.

Male sexual dysfunction includes ED, decreased sexual desire (libido), anatomical abnormalities (eg, Peyronie disease), and ejaculatory dysfunction and affects millions of men in the United States.
Women’s Health
Authors: Sandhu Nicole P. , Kuhle Carol L.
Published: August 2022

This chapter focuses on a variety of women’s health issues, and their causes and treatment.
Central Nervous System Infections
Authors: Beam Elena , Tosh Pritish K. , Sohail M. Rizwan
Published: August 2022

Central nervous system infections can be an emergency. This chapter covers testing, diagnosis, and therapy for bacterial meningitis, meningococcus, pneumococcus, influenza, Listeria, brain abscess, aseptic meningitis and encephalitis, chronic meningitis, poliovirus, rabies, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, epidural abscess, and iatrogenic and postoperative central nervous system infections.
Sexually Transmitted, Urinary Tract, and Gastrointestinal Tract Infections
Authors: Whitaker Jennifer A. , Sohail M. Rizwan
Published: August 2022

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health burden. About 20 million STIs occur annually in the United States. The 3 nationally reported STIs in the United States are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Of these, chlamydia is the most commonly reported. Other common STIs that are not nationally reported include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and trichomoniasis.
Movement Disorders
Authors: Hassan Anhar , Benarroch Eduardo E.
Published: August 2022

Movement disorders are common in adult clinical practice. An important first step in evaluation and management of these disorders is identification of a potentially reversible cause, most commonly a medication effect. All patients younger than 50 years presenting with any type of movement disorder should be evaluated for Wilson disease.