bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert consensus on neurodevelopmental outcomes in pregnancy pharmacovigilance studies
Authors: Bromley R. L. , Bickle Graz M. , Bluett-Duncan M. , Chambers C. , Damkier P. , Dietrich K. , Dolk H. , Grant K. , Mattson S. , Meador K. J. , Nordeng H. , Oberlander T. F. , Ornoy A. , Revet A. , Richardson J. , Rovet J. , Schuler-Faccini L. , Smearman E. , Simms V. , Vorhees C. , Wide K. , Wood A. , Yates L. , Ystrom E. , Supraja T. A. , Adams J.
Published: June 2023

Background: Exposure in utero to certain medications can disrupt processes of fetal development, including brain development, leading to a continuum of neurodevelopmental difficulties. Recognizing the deficiency of neurodevelopmental investigations within pregnancy pharmacovigilance, an international Neurodevelopmental Expert Working Group was convened to achieve consensus regarding the core neurodevelopmental outcomes, optimization of methodological approaches and barriers to conducting pregnancy pharmacovigilance studies with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods: A modified Delphi study was undertaken based on stakeholder and expert input. Stakeholders (patient, pharmaceutical, academic and regulatory) were invited to define topics, pertaining to neurodevelopmental investigations in medication-exposed pregnancies. Experts were identified for their experience regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes following medicinal, substances of misuse or environmental exposures in utero. Two questionnaire rounds and a virtual discussion meeting were used to explore expert opinion on the topics identified by the stakeholders.

Results: Twenty-five experts, from 13 countries and professionally diverse backgrounds took part in the development of 11 recommendations. The recommendations focus on the importance of neurodevelopment as a core feature of pregnancy pharmacovigilance, the timing of study initiation and a core set of distinct but interrelated neurodevelopmental skills or diagnoses which require investigation. Studies should start in infancy with an extended period of investigation into adolescence, with more frequent sampling during rapid periods of development. Additionally, recommendations are made regarding optimal approach to neurodevelopmental outcome measurement, comparator groups, exposure factors, a core set of confounding and mediating variables, attrition, reporting of results and the required improvements in funding for potential later emerging effects. Different study designs will be required depending on the specific neurodevelopmental outcome type under investigation and whether the medicine in question is newly approved or already in widespread use.

Conclusion: An improved focus on neurodevelopmental outcomes is required within pregnancy pharmacovigilance. These expert recommendations should be met across a complementary set of studies which converge to form a comprehensive set of evidence regarding neurodevelopmental outcomes in pregnancy pharmacovigilance.
Arum palaestinum delays hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation through the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and exhibits anticoagulant effects with antimicrobial properties
Authors: Dwikat Majdi , Amer Johnny , Jaradat Nidal , Salhab Ahmad , Rahim Ahmad Abdal , Qadi Mohammad , Aref Aseel , Ghanim Mustafa , Murad Haya , Modallal Ali , Shalabni Kawkab
Published: June 2023

Background:Arum palaestinum Boiss (AP) is a wild plant in Palestine whose leaves have a long history as food and medicine in Middle Eastern countries. The current study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics of AP flower extract, including its antimicrobial and coagulation cascade activities and its effects on anticancer molecular pathways.

Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of AP flowers was assessed using a microdilution assay against eight pathogens. The coagulation properties were assessed by prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT) tests using standard hematological methods. The biological effects of AP on hepatocellular carcinoma were measured by assessing the impact of AP on cell cycle, proliferation (CFSE), apoptosis (annexin-v+/PI), and tumorigenicity (αFP and HBsAg), as well as its effects on the PI3K-AKT-mTOR molecular signaling pathway.

Results: The antimicrobial screening results revealed that the aqueous extract of AP had potent antibacterial effects against P. vulgaris and E. faecium compared to ampicillin, with MIC values of 6.25, 6.25, and 18 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the AP aqueous extract exerted anticoagulant activity, with significant prolonged results in the aPTT and TT tests (25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, respectively) and slightly prolonged results in the PT test (50 μg/mL). The anticancer results indicated a delay in the cell cycle through decreased cell proliferation rates following incubation with AP fractions. The effect of the aqueous fraction was most evident in a delay in the S phase. The aqueous and DMSO fractions maintained the cells in the G2-M phase, similar to the DOX, while the flower extract in methanol accelerated the cells in the G2-M phase, suggesting that AF flower extracts may have anti-cancer properties. The aqueous extract of AP 1) reduced secretions of HCC αFP by 1.55-fold and 3.3-fold at the 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations, respectively (p = 0.0008); 2) decreased phosphorylation in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway (p < 0.05); and 3) shifted cells from necrosis to apoptosis by 50% and 70% at the 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations, respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed the activities of the bioactive components for the treatment of infectious diseases and blood coagulation disorders, which could also be a potential therapeutic approach for delaying HCC tumorigenicity.
Current mode multi scroll chaotic oscillator based on CDTA
Authors: Lin Yuan , Gong Junhui , Yu Fei , Huang Yuanyuan
Published: June 2023

Compared to voltage mode circuits, current mode circuits have advantages such as large dynamic range, fast speed, wide frequency band, and good linearity. In recent years, the development of call flow modeling technology has been rapid and has become an important foundation for analog integrated circuits. In this paper, a current mode chaotic oscillation circuit based on current differential transconductance amplifier (CDTA) is proposed. This proposed circuit fully utilizes the advantages of current differential transconductance amplifier: a current input and output device with a large dynamic range, virtual ground at the input, extremely low input impedance, and high output impedance. The linear and non-linear parts of the proposed circuit operate in current mode, enabling a true current mode multi scroll chaotic circuit. Pspice simulation results show that the current mode chaotic circuit proposed can generate multi scroll chaotic attractors.
Comparing two extracellular additives to facilitate extended storage of red blood cells in a supercooled state
Authors: William Nishaka , Isiksacan Ziya , Mykhailova Olga , Olafson Carly , Yarmush Martin L. , Usta O. Berk , Acker Jason P.
Published: June 2023

Background: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels guide many aspects of the red blood cell (RBC) hypothermic storage lesions. As a result, efforts to improve the quality of hypothermic-stored red cell concentrates (RCCs) have largely centered around designing storage solutions to promote ATP retention. Considering reduced temperatures alone would diminish metabolism, and thereby enhance ATP retention, we evaluated: (a) whether the quality of stored blood is improved at −4°C relative to conventional 4°C storage, and (b) whether the addition of trehalose and PEG400 can enhance these improvements.

Study Design and Methods: Ten CPD/SAGM leukoreduced RCCs were pooled, split, and resuspended in a next-generation storage solution (i.e., PAG3M) supplemented with 0–165 mM of trehalose or 0–165 mM of PEG400. In a separate subset of samples, mannitol was removed at equimolar concentrations to achieve a fixed osmolarity between the additive and non-additive groups. All samples were stored at both 4°C and −4°C under a layer of paraffin oil to prevent ice formation.

Results: PEG400 reduced hemolysis and increased deformability in −4°C-stored samples when used at a concentration of 110 mM. Reduced temperatures did indeed enhance ATP retention; however, in the absence of an additive, the characteristic storage-dependent decline in deformability and increase in hemolysis was exacerbated. The addition of trehalose enhanced this decline in deformability and hemolysis at −4°C; although, this was marginally alleviated by the osmolarity-adjustments. In contrast, outcomes with PEG400 were worsened by these osmolarity adjustments, but at no concentration, in the absence of these adjustments, was damage greater than the control.

Discussion: Supercooled temperatures can allow for improved ATP retention; however, this does not translate into improved storage success. Additional work is necessary to further elucidate the mechanism of injury that progresses at these temperatures such that storage solutions can be designed which allow RBCs to benefit from this diminished rate of metabolic deterioration. The present study suggests that PEG400 could be an ideal component in these solutions.
The journey of preproteins across the chloroplast membrane systems
Authors: Ballabani Gent , Forough Maryam , Kessler Felix , Shanmugabalaji Venkatasalam
Published: June 2023

The photosynthetic capacity of chloroplasts is vital for autotrophic growth in algae and plants. The origin of the chloroplast has been explained by the endosymbiotic theory that proposes the engulfment of a cyanobacterium by an ancestral eukaryotic cell followed by the transfer of many cyanobacterial genes to the host nucleus. As a result of the gene transfer, the now nuclear-encoded proteins acquired chloroplast targeting peptides (known as transit peptides; transit peptide) and are translated as preproteins in the cytosol. Transit peptides contain specific motifs and domains initially recognized by cytosolic factors followed by the chloroplast import components at the outer and inner envelope of the chloroplast membrane. Once the preprotein emerges on the stromal side of the chloroplast protein import machinery, the transit peptide is cleaved by stromal processing peptidase. In the case of thylakoid-localized proteins, cleavage of the transit peptides may expose a second targeting signal guiding the protein to the thylakoid lumen or allow insertion into the thylakoid membrane by internal sequence information. This review summarizes the common features of targeting sequences and describes their role in routing preproteins to and across the chloroplast envelope as well as the thylakoid membrane and lumen.
Investigating the moral compensatory effect of unethical pro-organizational behavior on ethical voice
Authors: Xia Fubin , Lu Ping , Wang Lifang , Bao Jiangdong
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) can hinder the development of the organization. The existing literature on UPB rarely examines whether and how employees remedy such ethical misconduct after they have committed it. Based on moral compensation theory and social exchange theory, this study explores the self-moral compensation process of employees who engage in UPB.

Methods

Specifically, we adopt a moderated mediating model to examine how and when UPB facilitates ethical voice. We tested our theoretical model using data from 415 full-time employees in Chinese companies, which we obtained via a three-stage questionnaire.

Results

The results of the regression analysis revealed that UPB has a significant positive effect on ethical voice, and that moral ownership plays a mediating role between UPB and ethical voice. Furthermore, the results support the moderating role of benevolent leadership in the positive direct effect of UPB on ethical voice, and the positive indirect effect of UPB on ethical voice via moral ownership. When benevolent leadership is strong, the direct effect of UPB on ethical voice and indirect mediating effect of moral ownership are both significantly positive, whereas neither are significant when benevolent leadership is weak.

Discussion

These findings show the ethical compensation effect of UBP on ethical voice and provide a novel and comprehensive understanding of the consequences of UPB. They also have significant value for ethical practices in managing employee (mis)behavior.
Female intrasexual competitiveness interacts with body mass index to predict willingness to use a risky diet pill
Authors: Arnocky Steven , Brennan Hillary , Denomme Brittany , Davis Adam C.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Previous research has highlighted the putative role of intrasexual competition (IC) in predicting women’s body dissatisfaction, weight loss effort, and, at its extreme, eating disorders. However, extant research reporting on these links is limited by its exclusion of potential confounds, including psychopathologies such as depression. Moreover, it is presently unclear whether women higher in body mass index (BMI) may be more prone to the influence of IC in taking dieting risks.

Methods

To address these gaps in the literature, 189 young adult women completed measures of IC, depressive symptoms, willingness to use a risky diet pill, and had their height and weight measured.

Results

Results showed that IC interacted with BMI to predict willingness to use a risky diet pill, such that women high in both IC and BMI were most likely to take the risky diet pill. Further exploratory analyses considering potential directional links between BMI and depression supported mediating roles of depression (from BMI) and BMI (from depression) in predicting willingness to use a risky diet pill.

Discussion

Results suggest that links between IC and dieting risks may be moderated by women’s BMI, and that these links hold when considering depressive symptoms. Future longitudinal research would benefit from a better understanding of the potential directional links between BMI, depression, and diet pill use.
Comparison of treatment costs for primary localized prostate cancer in Austria and Vienna: an economic analysis
Authors: Moll Matthias , Goldner Gregor
Published: June 2023

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Several efficient treatments are available for primary prostate cancer, but an economic comparison of these modalities has not been done in Austria.

Objective and setting

The current study provides an economic comparison of radiotherapy and surgery for prostate cancer in Vienna and Austria.

Methods

We analyzed the catalog of medical services of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection and present the treatment costs for the public health sector with an LKF-point value and monetary value in 2022.

Results

External beam radiotherapy, especially ultrahypofractionated, is the least costly treatment modality for low-risk prostate cancer, with costs of 2,492 € per treatment. For intermediate-risk prostate cancer, differences between moderate hypofractionation and brachytherapy are small, with costs of 4,638–5,140 €. In a high-risk setting, differences between radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy are small (7,087 € vs. 7474.06 €).

Conclusion

From a purely financial point of view, treatment of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer in Vienna and Austria should consist of radiotherapy as long as the current catalog of services is up to date. For high-risk prostate cancer, no major difference was found.
Nutritional status of a young adult population in saline-prone coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Mazumder Tapas , Rutherford Shannon , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur , Talukder Mohammad Radwanur
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Like many low- and middle-income countries, understanding the nutritional status of the young population in Bangladesh has had less attention. With projected climate change and associated sea level rise, the existing problem of salinity in coastal Bangladesh will significantly increase and further worsen agrobiodiversity. This research aimed to examine the nutritional status of a young population in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh to inform appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the burden on health and economic outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014, and anthropometric measures were conducted for 309 young people aged 19–25 years in a rural saline-prone subdistrict in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from body height and weight, and data about socio-demographic factors were collected. To identify the socio-demographic risk factors affecting undernutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2), multinomial logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

Overall, one-fourth of the study population was classified as underweight, and nearly one-fifth were overweight or obese. The proportion of underweight was significantly higher in women (32.5%) compared to that of men (15.2%). Overall, employment, especially in women, was associated with reduced odds of being underweight (adjusted odds ratio—aOR: 0.32; 95% confidence interval - CI: 0.11, 0.89). Subjects with secondary education incomplete (grades 6-9) compared to those with primary or below education (grades 0-5; aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.59) and employed compared to those unemployed groups (aOR: 5.84; 95% CI: 2.67, 12.74) were more likely to be overweight or obese in this study population. These associations were more pronounced in women.

Discussion

Multisectoral program strategies are required to tackle the growing burden of malnutrition (both under and overweight) in this young age group tailored to local contexts including in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh.
Fluctuations in emergency department visits related to acute otitis media are associated with extreme meteorological conditions
Authors: Nieratschker Michael , Haas Markus , Lucic Mateo , Pichler Franziska , Brkic Faris F. , Parzefall Thomas , Riss Dominik , Liu David T.
Published: June 2023

Background

Climate change has been associated with a higher frequency of extreme weather events, resulting in an overall increase in morbidity and mortality. Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common otolaryngological infections and accounts for 1.5% of emergency department visits. This study aimed to identify associations between extreme weather events and the immediate and delayed risks for AOM-related emergency department visits (EV).

Methods

A total of 1,465 AOM-related EVs were identified in the Vienna General Hospital between 2015 and 2018. A distributed lag non-linear model was applied to evaluate the relationship between extreme weather conditions and the total number of AOM-related EVs per day. The relative risk (RR) and cumulative RR (cRR) of single-day events and extended weather events over three days were analyzed over a lag period of 14 days.

Results

AOM-related EVs showed a pronounced seasonality, with the highest occurrence during winter. Single-day weather events affected AOM-related EVs only at high relative humidity. Prolonged extreme weather conditions over three days, however, significantly increased the cRR for AOM-related EVs to 3.15 [1.26–7.88; p = 0.014] and 2.14 [1.14–4.04; p = 0.018] at mean temperatures of −4°C (1st-percentile - p1) and 0°C (p5) on the same day. Relative humidity of 37% (p1) decreased RR to 0.94 [0.88–0.99; p = 0.032] on day 7, while extremely high humidity of 89% (p99) led to an increased cRR of 1.43 [1.03–2.00; p = 0.034] on day 7. Heavy prolonged precipitation of 24mm (p95) reduced cRR beginning day 4 up until day 14 to 0.52 [0.31–0.86; p = 0.012]. Prolonged low atmospheric pressure events of 985hPa (p5) reduced the RR to 0.95 [0.91–1.00; p = 0.03], whereas extremely high atmospheric pressure events of 1013hPa (p99) increased the RR to 1.11 [1.03–1.20; p = 0.008]. Extremely low wind speeds significantly diminished the RR of AOM-related EVs.

Conclusions

While single-day extreme weather events had little impact on the occurrence of AOM-related EVs, extended periods of extreme temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speeds and atmospheric pressure significantly impacted the RR for AOM-related EVs. These findings could help improve healthcare resource allocation in similar climates and aid in educating patients about the role of environmental factors in AOM.
Seroprevalence and trends of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in Syrian blood donors at Damascus University Blood Center between 2004 and 2021
Authors: Alassad Alia , Al Rahwanji Mhd Jawad , Yousfan Amal , Al Moualem Sally , Farhat Arwa , Youssef Lama A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted viral infections (TTVIs) is a valuable indicator for assessing blood safety, population health and health system performance in the times of peace and conflicts. Only scarce information is available on the impact of the decade-long violent conflict on the prevalence of TTVIs in Syria. Moreover, hepatitis B vaccine was introduced to the national vaccination program in 1993; however, no data is available on the vaccine effectiveness.

Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we compiled the screening results for major TTVIs, namely hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), of volunteer donors at Damascus University Blood Center from May 2004 to October 2021. Prevalence was expressed in percentages for the entire study group and subgroups. Chi-square test and linear regression were used to examine the differences and describe trends in prevalence, respectively, based on demographic characteristics (i.e., age and gender) and time. P-value of <0.005 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Of the total 307,774 donors (82.27% males, median age 27 years), 5,929 (1.93%) had serological evidence of at least one TTVI, and 26 (0.0085%) had multiple infections. The lowest prevalence (1.09%) was detected in donors aged 18–25 years old, and a higher prevalence (2.05%) was evident in males in comparison with females (1.38%). The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV was 1.18, 0.52, and 0.23%, respectively. Trend analyses revealed a significant regression in HBV and HIV prevalence from 2011 to 2021. HBV seropositivity depicted a temporal decline by ~80%, from 0.79% in 2011 to 0.16% in 2021 in those born in 1993 and thereafter.

Discussion

The seroprevalence of HBV, HIV, and to a lesser extent HCV dropped over the study 18-year period. Possible explanations may include implementation of the HBV vaccine, robust national health system, conservative sociocultural values, and isolation.
Hydrological forecasting at impact scale: the integrated ParFlow hydrological model at 0.6 km for climate resilient water resource management over Germany
Authors: Belleflamme Alexandre , Goergen Klaus , Wagner Niklas , Kollet Stefan , Bathiany Sebastian , El Zohbi Juliane , Rechid Diana , Vanderborght Jan , Vereecken Harry
Published: June 2023

In the context of the repeated droughts that have affected central Europe over the last years (2018–2020, 2022), climate-resilient management of water resources, based on timely information about the current state of the terrestrial water cycle and forecasts of its evolution, has gained an increasing importance. To achieve this, we propose a new setup for simulations of the terrestrial water cycle using the integrated hydrological model ParFlow/CLM at high spatial and temporal resolution (i.e., 0.611 km, hourly time step) over Germany and the neighboring regions. We show that this setup can be used as a basis for a monitoring and forecasting system that aims to provide stakeholders from many sectors, but especially agriculture, with diagnostics and indicators highlighting different aspects of subsurface water states and fluxes, such as subsurface water storage, seepage water, capillary rise, or fraction of plant available water for different (root-)depths. The validation of the new simulation setup with observation-based data monthly over the period 2011–2020 yields good results for all major components of the terrestrial water cycle analyzed here, i.e., volumetric soil moisture, evapotranspiration, water table depth, and river discharge. As this setup relies on a standardized grid definition and recent globally available static fields and parameters (e.g., topography, soil hydraulic properties, land cover), the workflow could easily be transferred to many regions of the Earth, including sparsely gauged regions, since ParFlow/CLM does not require calibration.
The several faces of the medicalization of birth. Italy and its peculiarities
Authors: Spina Elena
Published: June 2023

Background

Medical-scientific advances in maternal care gradually improved the health of mothers and new-borns. However, this has contributed to increasing levels of medicalization, defined as the overuse of medical interventions even in low-risk pregnancies and childbirths. In Italy pregnancy and birth still appear to be rather medicalized than in the rest of Europe. Moreover, the uneven distribution of these practice over the territory appears to be evident. The purpose of this article is to both highlight and explain the Italian peculiarity in terms of high medicalization of childbirth and its territorial variability.

Theoretical framework

The extensive literature on medicalization of childbirth was systematized by some scholars who use childbirth as a case study to distinguish four meanings of medicalization, by classifying them into two generations of theories. Alongside this literature several studies attempted to interpret differences in maternity model of care showing the important role played by path dependence.

Results

In the European scenario, Italy stands out for its high percentage of cesarean sections, but also for its excessive recourse to antenatal visits during pregnancy and the application of interventions during labor and vaginal births. Going into regional detail, however, Italian situation appears rather uneven: relevant differences emerge in relation to medicalization of both pregnancy and birth.

Discussion

The article explores the possibility that areas whit different sociocultural, economic, political and institutional background may have introjected different meanings of medicalization, thus reproducing different maternity models of care. In fact, the simultaneous presence, in Italy, of four different meanings of medicalization seems to be rooted. Even with some similar traits, different conditions and situations emerge in different geographical areas, leading to the prevalence of one meaning rather than another and resulting on different outcomes in terms of medicalization.

Conclusion

The data presented in this article seem to deny the existence of a national maternity model of care and. On the contrary, they confirm the idea that medicalization is not necessarily linked to the different health conditions of mothers in different geographical areas and that a path dependent variable is able to explain it.
Batch effect correction methods for NASA GeneLab transcriptomic datasets
Authors: Sanders Lauren M. , Chok Hamed , Samson Finsam , Acuna Ana Uriarte , Polo San-Huei Lai , Boyko Valery , Chen Yi-Chun , Dinh Marie , Gebre Samrawit , Galazka Jonathan M. , Costes Sylvain V. , Saravia-Butler Amanda M.
Published: June 2023

Introduction:RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from space biology experiments promise to yield invaluable insights into the effects of spaceflight on terrestrial biology. However, sample numbers from each study are low due to limited crew availability, hardware, and space. To increase statistical power, spaceflight RNA-seq datasets from different missions are often aggregated together. However, this can introduce technical variation or “batch effects”, often due to differences in sample handling, sample processing, and sequencing platforms. Several computational methods have been developed to correct for technical batch effects, thereby reducing their impact on true biological signals.

Methods:In this study, we combined 7 mouse liver RNA-seq datasets from NASA GeneLab (part of the NASA Open Science Data Repository) to evaluate several common batch effect correction methods (ComBat and ComBat-seq from the sva R package, and Median Polish, Empirical Bayes, and ANOVA from the MBatch R package). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify library preparation method and mission as the primary sources of batch effect among the technical variables in the combined dataset. We next quantitatively evaluated the ability of each of the indicated methods to correct for each identified technical batch variable using the following criteria: BatchQC, PCA, dispersion separability criterion, log fold change correlation, and differential gene expression analysis. Each batch variable/correction method combination was then assessed using a custom scoring approach to identify the optimal correction method for the combined dataset, by geometrically probing the space of all allowable scoring functions to yield an aggregate volume-based scoring measure.

Results and Discussion:Using the method described for the combined dataset in this study, the library preparation variable/ComBat correction method pair out ranked the other candidate pairs, suggesting that this combined dataset should be corrected for library preparation using the ComBat correction method prior to downstream analysis. We describe the GeneLab multi-study analysis and visualization portal which will allow users to access the publicly available space biology ‘omics data, select multiple studies to combine for analysis, and examine the presence or absence of batch effects using multiple metrics. If the user chooses to perform batch effect correction, the scoring approach described here can be implemented to identify the optimal correction method to use for their specific combined dataset prior to analysis.
Investigating the modulatory effects of Moringa oleifera on the gut microbiota of chicken model through metagenomic approach
Authors: Soundararajan Sowmiya , Selvakumar Jasmine , Maria Joseph Zion Mercy , Gopinath Yuvapriya , Saravanan Vaishali , Santhanam Rameshkumar
Published: June 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to assess the effects of supplementing chicken feed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder, a phytobiotic, on the gastrointestinal microbiota. The objective was to examine the microbial changes induced by the supplementation.

Methods

A total of 40, one-day-old chickens were fed their basal diet for 42 days and then divided into two groups: SG1 (basal diet) and SG2 (basal diet + 10 g/kg Moringa oleifera leaf powder). Metagenomics analysis was conducted to analyze operational taxonomic units (OTUs), species annotation, and biodiversity. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for molecular characterization of isolated gut bacteria, identified as Enterococcus faecium. The isolated bacteria were tested for essential metabolites, demonstrating antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities.

Results and discussion

The analysis revealed variations in the microbial composition between the control group (SG1) and the M. oleifera-treated group (SG2). SG2 showed a 47% increase in Bacteroides and a 30% decrease in Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes compared to SG1. TM7 bacteria were observed exclusively in the M. oleifera-treated group. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera leaf powder acts as a modulator that enhances chicken gut microbiota, promoting the colonization of beneficial bacteria. PICRUSt analysis supported these findings, showing increased carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the M.oleifera-treated gut microbiota.

Conclusion

This study indicates that supplementing chicken feed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a phytobiotic enhances the gut microbiota in chicken models, potentially improving overall health. The observed changes in bacterial composition, increased presence of Bacteroides, and exclusive presence of TM7 bacteria suggest a positive modulation of microbial balance. The essential metabolites from isolated Enterococcus faecium bacteria further support the potential benefits of Moringa oleifera supplementation.
Three-dimensional computed tomographic angular measurements of the canine tibia using a bone-centered coordinate system
Authors: Brühschwein Andreas , Schmitz Bronson , Zöllner Martin , Reese Sven , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Canine tibial alignment is determined by two-dimensional angular measurements, and tibial torsion is challenging. Aim of the study was the development and evaluation of a CT technique to measure canine tibial varus and torsion angles independent from positioning and truly three-dimensional.

Materials and methods

A bone-centered 3D cartesian coordinate system was introduced into the CT-scans of canine tibiae and aligned with the anatomical planes of the bone based on osseous reference points. Tibial torsion, and varus (or valgus) angles were calculated based on geometric definition of projection planes with VoXim® medical imaging software using 3D coordinates of the reference points. To test accuracy of the tibial torsion angle measurements, CT scans of a tibial torsion model were performed in 12 different hinge rotation setups ranging from the normal anatomical situation up to +/ 90° and compared to goniometer measurements. Independency of tibial positioning on the CT scanner table was evaluated in 20 normal canine tibiae that were scanned in a position parallel to the z-axis and two additional off-angle double oblique positions having 15° and 45° deviation in direction of the x- and y-axes. Angular measurements in oblique positions were compared with the normal parallel position by subtraction. Precision was tested using clinical CT scans of 34 canine patients with a clinical diagnosis of patellar luxation.

Results

Accuracy testing in the tibial torsional deformity model revealed a difference of 0.2° demonstrated by Passing-Bablok analysis and Bland–Altman-Plots. Testing for independency from tibial positioning resulted in mean differences less than 1.3°. Precision testing in clinical patients resulted in coefficients of variation for repeated measurements of 2.35% (intraobserver agreement) and 0.60% (interobserver agreement) for the tibial torsion angle, and 2.70% (intraobserver agreement) and 0.97% (interobserver agreement) for the tibial varus (or valgus) angle.

Discussion

The technique is lacking determination of bone deformities in the sagittal plane, and demonstration of accuracy in severe complex bone deformities in multiple planes.

In conclusion, we developed a method to measure canine tibial torsional and varus or valgus deformities, that calculates in 3D space, and we demonstrated its accuracy in a torsional deformity model, and its precision in CT data of clinical patients.
Iterative Oblique Decision Trees Deliver Explainable RL Models
Authors: Engelhardt Raphael C. , Oedingen Marc , Lange Moritz , Wiskott Laurenz , Konen Wolfgang
Published: June 2023

The demand for explainable and transparent models increases with the continued success of reinforcement learning. In this article, we explore the potential of generating shallow decision trees (DTs) as simple and transparent surrogate models for opaque deep reinforcement learning (DRL) agents. We investigate three algorithms for generating training data for axis-parallel and oblique DTs with the help of DRL agents (“oracles”) and evaluate these methods on classic control problems from OpenAI Gym. The results show that one of our newly developed algorithms, the iterative training, outperforms traditional sampling algorithms, resulting in well-performing DTs that often even surpass the oracle from which they were trained. Even higher dimensional problems can be solved with surprisingly shallow DTs. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different sampling methods and insights into the decision-making process made possible by the transparent nature of DTs. Our work contributes to the development of not only powerful but also explainable RL agents and highlights the potential of DTs as a simple and effective alternative to complex DRL models.
Eleven Years of Health Monitoring in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy)
Authors: Rossi Arianna , Santi Annalisa , Barsi Filippo , Casadei Gabriele , Di Donato Alessandra , Fontana Maria Cristina , Galletti Giorgio , Garbarino Chiara Anna , Lombardini Annalisa , Musto Carmela , Prosperi Alice , Pupillo Giovanni , Rugna Gianluca , Tamba Marco
Published: June 2023

In recent years, the growth of wild ungulates has increased the focus on their health monitoring. In particular, the health status of wild boars is relevant for the economic impact on the pig industry. The Emilia-Romagna region activated a wildlife monitoring plan to better evaluate the health status of the wild boar population. Between 2011 and 2021, samples of found dead and hunted wild boar have been examined for trichinellosis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, african swine fever, classical swine fever, Aujeszky’s disease, swine vesicular disease, and swine influenza A. Trichinella britovi was identified in 0.001% of the examined wild boars; neither M. bovis nor M. tuberculosis were found in M. tuberculosis complex positive samples; 2.3% were positive for Brucella suis; 29.4% of the sera were positive for Aujeszky’s disease virus; and 0.9% of the samples were positive for swine influenza A virus. With an uncertain population estimate, the number of animals tested, the number of positives, and the sampling method do not allow us to make many inferences but suggest the need to implement and strengthen the existing surveillance activity, as it seems to be the only viable alternative for safeguarding animal and human health.
Animal Welfare Science: Why and for Whom?
Authors: Fragoso Alessandra Akemi Hashimoto , Capilé Karynn , Taconeli Cesar Augusto , de Almeida Gabrielle Cristine , de Freitas Paula Pimpão , Molento Carla Forte Maiolino
Published: June 2023

There are, in the literature, distinct ways to approach animal welfare. The objective of this work was to study the value attributed to farm animals in the scientific papers published in animal welfare and animal production journals at three different points in time, separated by a decade each. The first ten papers mentioning “animal welfare” or “animal well-being” in their objectives or hypotheses from each journal and each focus year were selected. The 180 papers were blindly scored by five assessors between 1 and 10, according to the degree of intrinsic value attributed to animals. The overall mean score and standard deviation were 5.60 ± 2.49, with 6.46 ± 2.29 and 4.74 ± 2.40 for AW and AP journals, respectively, and 5.37 ± 2.44, 5.68 ± 2.52 and 5.75 ± 2.41 for the focus years of 2000, 2010 and 2020, respectively. There was an interaction between focus year and publication area: papers from AW journals scored better over time, in contrast with papers from AP journals, for which scores remained similar over decades. The inter-assessor agreement is moderate, which may reflect the subject complexity, as the language used in the papers studied was ambiguous in relation to why and for whom it is performed. The low overall mean score evidenced that the animal welfare scientific publications are, on average, not prioritizing the interests of the animals. Thus, our results evidenced the presence of animal welfarism in animal welfare science, a problem that seems not to be intrinsic to animal welfare science itself, but rather to the way research is frequently conceived, conducted, interpreted, summarized and applied. Therefore, it seems urgent to further study the motivation for animal welfare research. The statement of the main justification for animal welfare papers, with an explicit declaration of the motivational priorities that constitute each scientific animal welfare study, may be an interesting recommendation for the improvement of animal welfare science.
Know an Emotion by the Company It Keeps: Word Embeddings from Reddit/Coronavirus
Authors: García-Rudolph Alejandro , Sanchez-Pinsach David , Frey Dietmar , Opisso Eloy , Cisek Katryna , Kelleher John D.
Published: June 2023

Social media is a crucial communication tool (e.g., with 430 million monthly active users in online forums such as Reddit), being an objective of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. One of them (word embeddings) is based on the quotation, “You shall know a word by the company it keeps,” highlighting the importance of context in NLP. Meanwhile, “Context is everything in Emotion Research.” Therefore, we aimed to train a model (W2V) for generating word associations (also known as embeddings) using a popular Coronavirus Reddit forum, validate them using public evidence and apply them to the discovery of context for specific emotions previously reported as related to psychological resilience. We used Pushshiftr, quanteda, broom, wordVectors, and superheat R packages. We collected all 374,421 posts submitted by 104,351 users to Reddit/Coronavirus forum between January 2020 and July 2021. W2V identified 64 terms representing the context for seven positive emotions (gratitude, compassion, love, relief, hope, calm, and admiration) and 52 terms for seven negative emotions (anger, loneliness, boredom, fear, anxiety, confusion, sadness) all from valid experienced situations. We clustered them visually, highlighting contextual similarity. Although trained on a “small” dataset, W2V can be used for context discovery to expand on concepts such as psychological resilience.
Influence of the Pre-Existing Defects on the Strain Distribution in Concrete Compression Stress Field by the AE and DICM Techniques
Authors: Morozova Nadezhda , Shibano Kazuma , Shimamoto Yuma , Suzuki Tetsuya
Published: June 2023

This research investigates the influence of the pre-existing defects within concrete taken from the in-service irrigation structure on the strain distribution. The X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) technique is employed to investigate the internal concrete matrix and evaluate the defect distribution in it. The cracking system in a concrete matrix is detected as a damage type caused by the severe environment, and it is varied by the different degrees in all samples. The geometric properties of defects and their spatial location are obtained by image processing of CT images. The compression test with Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measurements is conducted to analyze the fracture processes and acquire the damage spatial information. The AE signal descriptors are effective parameters for real-time detection and potential local damage monitoring. Moreover, the analysis of the DICM strain and displacement fields reveals the most potential fracture zones. The AE source location analysis indicated a connection between pre-existing defects and strain localization. The AE events and strain are high in the defect areas. Additionally, the amplitude and frequency of the AE events correlated with the location of the defects indicating that the structure weakness at that point leads to concentrated deformation development.
Methods to Reproduce In-Plane Deformability of Orthotropic Floors in the Finite Element Models of Buildings
Authors: Frappa Giada , Pitacco Igino , Baldassi Simone , Pauletta Margherita
Published: June 2023

In the modelling of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, the rigid diaphragm hypothesis to represent the in-plane behavior of floors was and still is very commonly adopted because of its simplicity and computational cheapness. However, since excessive floor in-plane deformability can cause a very different redistribution of lateral forces on vertical resisting elements, it may be necessary to consider floor deformability. This paper investigates the classical yet intriguing question of modeling orthotropic RC floor systems endowed with lightening elements by means of a uniform orthotropic slab in order to describe accurately the building response under seismic loads. The simplified method, commonly adopted by engineers and based on the equivalence between the transverse stiffness of the RC elements of the real floor and those of the orthotropic slab, is presented. A case study in which this simplified method is used is also provided. Then, an advanced finite element (FE)-based method to determine the elastic properties of the equivalent homogenized orthotropic slab is proposed. The novel aspect of this method is that it takes into account the interaction of shell elements with frame elements in the 3D FE model of the building. Based on the results obtained from the application of this method to a case study, a discussion on the adequacy of the simplified method is also provided.
Equivalent Base Expansions in the Space of Cliffordian Functions
Authors: Zayed Mohra , Hassan Gamal
Published: June 2023

Intensive research efforts have been dedicated to the extension and development of essential aspects that resulted in the theory of one complex variable for higher-dimensional spaces. Clifford analysis was created several decades ago to provide an elegant and powerful generalization of complex analyses. In this paper, first, we derive a new base of special monogenic polynomials (SMPs) in Fréchet–Cliffordian modules, named the equivalent base, and examine its convergence properties for several cases according to certain conditions applied to related constituent bases. Subsequently, we characterize its effectiveness in various convergence regions, such as closed balls, open balls, at the origin, and for all entire special monogenic functions (SMFs). Moreover, the upper and lower bounds of the order of the equivalent base are determined and proved to be attainable. This work improves and generalizes several existing results in the complex and Clifford context involving the convergence properties of the product and similar bases.
Reduced Antibiotic Resistance in the Rhizosphere of Lupinus albus in Mercury-Contaminated Soil Mediated by the Addition of PGPB
Authors: González-Reguero Daniel , Robas-Mora Marina , Fernández-Pastrana Vanesa M. , Probanza-Lobo Agustín , Jiménez-Gómez Pedro Antonio
Published: June 2023

The emergence of antibiotic resistance (AR) poses a threat to the “One Health” approach. Likewise, mercury (Hg) pollution is a serious environmental and public health problem. Its ability to biomagnify through trophic levels induces numerous pathologies in humans. As well, it is known that Hg-resistance genes and AR genes are co-selected. The use of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can improve plant adaptation, decontamination of toxic compounds and control of AR dispersal. The cenoantibiogram, a technique that allows estimating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of a microbial community, has been postulated as a tool to effectively evaluate the evolution of a soil. The present study uses the metagenomics of 16S rRNA gene amplicons to understand the distribution of the microbial soil community prior to bacterial inoculation, and the cenoantibiogram technique to evaluate the ability of four PGPB and their consortia to minimize antibiotic resistance in the rhizosphere of Lupinus albus var. Orden Dorado grown in Hg-contaminated soils. Results showed that the addition of A1 strain (Brevibacterium frigoritolerans) and its consortia with A2, B1 and B2 strains reduced the edaphic community´s MIC against cephalosporins, ertapenem and tigecycline. The metagenomic study revealed that the high MIC of non-inoculated soils could be explained by the bacteria which belong to the detected taxa,. showing a high prevalence of Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Actinobacteria.