bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial invertebrates of dairy pastures in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Chirgwin Evatt , Kemp Stuart , Maino James L. , Babineau Marielle , Roberts Isobel , Govender Alana , Umina Paul A.
Published: May 2022

Context The Australian dairy industry largely relies on grass-based pastures to feed cattle, yet these pastures also host dynamic invertebrate communities that can damage or benefit pasture productivity. While Australian dairy managers have traditionally focused on invertebrates that damage pastures (i.e. pests), invertebrates that provide valuable ecosystem services by acting as natural enemies to pests or delivering other beneficial functions (e.g. nutrient cycling) have received less attention. Aim Surveying the natural enemies and other beneficial invertebrate communities in pastures across seven Australian dairy regions and to explore how environmental and farm management factors impact these. Method Fifty seven pastures samples were collected during spring and autumn over two years. In doing so, we identified and counted 2 661 315 invertebrates or invertebrate colonies. Key results We found natural enemies and other beneficial invertebrate communities have a similar taxonomic composition across regions, with a small number of taxa dominating all regions, and rainfall the most consistent environmental driver in the abundance of these dominant taxa. Conclusions Farm management strategies to maintain or promote existing communities of beneficial taxa will likely be similar across regions. Associations between invertebrate communities suggest pest communities may indirectly impact the abundance and/or diversity of natural enemies and other beneficial invertebrates. Implications Although still an early step, our findings provide important baseline information that can be used to provide dairy managers with strategies to promote communities of beneficial invertebrates, and consequently maximise the benefits these invertebrates provide.
Do opposites attack? Resource interactions between an alien and native crayfish from the Lake Eyre Basin
Authors: King Georgia , Balcombe Stephen , Capon Samantha , Cockayne Bernie
Published: May 2022

Context Investigating resource competition between introduced and native species is important to understand the impacts of invasive species, not only on native species, but also with respect to the wider ecosystem. Within the Lake Eyre Basin, there is concern that feral populations of the tropical Cherax quadricarinatus are outcompeting the basins’ native crayfish species, the temperate–subtropical Cherax destructor. Aims This study sought to observe the behavioural and inter-specific food competition between juvenile C. quadricarinatus and C. destructor under experimental conditions to inform whether C. quadricarinatus has the potential to outcompete native C. destructor populations. Methods Interactions were quantified by establishing a behavioural intensity score, dominance score and recording the total time in possession of the food resource in a range of interspecific and intraspecific experimental pairings at 26°C. Key results Cherax quadricarinatus had a significantly higher dominance (z = −2.276, P = 0.023) and behavioural intensity score (t = 4.723, P < 0.001) than did C. destructor, but there was no difference between the two species for time in possession of the food resource (z = −1.334, P = 0.182). Conclusions and implications These results have significant ecological implications because the capacity of C. quadricarinatus to displace C. destructor, a keystone species, has the potential to irreversibly alter ecosystem function in invaded habitats.
A trial of the AASPIRE healthcare toolkit with Australian adults on the autism spectrum
Authors: Kang Lisa R. J. , Barlott Tim , Turpin Merrill , Urbanowicz Anna
Published: May 2022

Background Autistic adults experience barriers to accessing health care, such as service provider communication not meeting their needs, healthcare facilities causing sensory discomfort and feeling fear or anxiety regarding their healthcare visit. The Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) developed and trialled an online healthcare toolkit to reduce such barriers and improve healthcare interactions between autistic adults and their primary care providers in the United States. This preliminary study aimed to explore experiences of autistic adults using the AASPIRE Healthcare Toolkit in Australia. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six autistic adults about their experiences and perceptions of utilising the toolkit in an Australian healthcare setting. Results Participants identified that the toolkit facilitated their interactions with health professionals by providing structure to appointments, supplementing new knowledge and increasing individual confidence. They also offered suggestions to tailor the toolkit for use in Australia. Conclusions Future research should seek to explore the experiences of autistic adults using a version of the toolkit adapted for Australian use, as well as exploring the views of health professionals utilising it.
Descriptive norms about condom use predict odds of using a condom during last sexual experience in a large, national survey of adolescents from Australia
Authors: McCarthy Molly , Kauer Sylvia , Fisher Christopher
Published: May 2022

Background Reducing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents is an important public health goal in Australia and worldwide. This study estimated the association between condom use during last heterosexual sexual experience with two descriptive norms among a large, national sample of secondary school students from Australia. Methods A large, national online survey of 14- to 18-year-olds in Australia was conducted in 2018; a sub-analysis of sexually active participants (n = 2989) used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the relationships between condom use during last sexual experience and condom use norms. The analysis controlled for the effects of age, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, remoteness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases. Results Overall, 1673 (56.0% [95% confidence interval: 54.2%, 57.8%]) sexually active respondents reported using condoms during their last sexual experience. Perceiving that all same-age peers used condoms conferred higher odds of using condoms during their last heterosexual sexual experience (adjusted odds ratio: 3.06 [95% CI: 1.6, 6.0]). Perceptions about whether the suggestion to initiate condom use came from boys, girls, or both boys and girls was not associated with condom use. Differences in condom use related to socio-demographic characteristics are reported. Conclusions As part of a holistic approach to sexuality education, health educators and service providers may emphasise that young people frequently choose to use condoms.
Firebrand transport from a novel firebrand generator: numerical simulation of laboratory experiments
Authors: Wadhwani R. , Sutherland D. , Ooi A. , Moinuddin K.
Published: May 2022

Firebrands (often called embers) increase the propagation rate of wildfires and often cause the ignition and destruction of houses. Predicting the motion of firebrands and the ignition of new fires is therefore of significant interest to fire authorities. Numerical models have the potential to accurately predict firebrand transport. The present study focuses on conducting a set of benchmark experiments using a novel firebrand generator, a device that produces controlled and repeatable sets of firebrands, and validating a numerical model for firebrand transport against this set of experiments. The validation is conducted for the transport of non-burning and burning cubiform firebrand particles at two flow speeds. Four generic drag sub-models used to estimate drag coefficients that are suited for a wide variety of firebrand shapes are verified for their applicability to firebrand transport modelling. The four sub-models are found to be good in various degrees at predicting the transport of firebrand particles.
Many-body effects in the X-ray absorption spectra of liquid water
Authors: Tang Fujie , Li Zhenglu , Zhang Chunyi , Louie Steven G. , Car Roberto , Qiu Diana Y. , Wu Xifan
Published: May 2022

Significance

In X-ray absorption spectroscopy, an electron–hole excitation probes the local atomic environment. The interpretation of the spectra requires challenging theoretical calculations, particularly in a system like liquid water, where quantum many-body effects and molecular disorder play an important role. Recent advances in theory and simulation make possible new calculations that are in good agreement with experiment, without recourse to commonly adopted approximations. Based on these calculations, the three features observed in the experimental spectra are unambiguously attributed to excitonic effects with different characteristic correlation lengths, which are distinctively affected by perturbations of the underlying H-bond structure induced by temperature changes and/or by isotopic substitution. The emerging picture of the water structure is fully consistent with the conventional tetrahedral model.
Acquisition of non-sibilant anterior English fricatives by adult second language learners
Authors: Wiener Seth , Gao Zhe , Li Xiaomeng , Wu Zhiyi
Published: May 2022

This study examined the acquisition of the non-sibilant anterior fricatives /v, θ, ð/ by adult second language (L2) English talkers. Twenty-four Mandarin Chinese-L2 English talkers read aloud fricative-initial words. These talkers were chosen as their L1 contained /f/ but not /v, θ, ð/. Twenty L1 English listeners were asked to identify the L2-produced speech and rate the talker’s accent. On average, 69% of the fricatives were correctly identified. /v/ was the most difficult to correctly identify and was identified less accurately than /θ/ and /ð/. A ‘moderate’ accent was reported by L1 listeners, but accent rating did not predict L1 identification behavior. An exploratory acoustic analysis involving the correctly identified words from 22 talkers revealed that L2 talkers produced mean temporal differences used for voicing in line with published L1 data. Non-sibilant fricatives – particularly /v/ – may require pedagogical interventions to push L2 talkers off their learning plateau.
How do Andalusian journalism students perceive Andalusian and Castilian linguistic varieties of Spanish?
Authors: Santana Marrero Juana
Published: May 2022

The media is currently one of the main channels of opinion on the Andalusian variety of Spanish. They show the struggle between those who propagate the idea that it is just another Spanish dialect and those who disqualify Andalusian people because of their pronunciation. Additionally, there is a fluctuation between those communicators who maintain their Andalusian vernacular features in the media and those who change some of them for phonetic results closer to those of the central-northern part of Spain. In this research, using PRECAVES XXI methodology, we survey the perception that a group of Andalusian journalism students have of Andalusian and Castilian varieties, as they are supposed to have an immediate impact on their future profession. Our results show that most of them identified Castilian Spanish as the most prestigious language model, that affective characteristics of Andalusian Spanish were evaluated fairly positively, and that some negative stereotypes about the latter still persist.
Lessons for adaptive mesh refinement in numerical relativity
Authors: Radia Miren , Sperhake Ulrich , Drew Amelia , Clough Katy , Figueras Pau , Lim Eugene A , Ripley Justin L , Aurrekoetxea Josu C , França Tiago , Helfer Thomas
Published: May 2022

We demonstrate the flexibility and utility of the Berger–Rigoutsos adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm used in the open-source numerical relativity (NR) code GRChombo for generating gravitational waveforms from binary black-hole (BH) inspirals, and for studying other problems involving non-trivial matter configurations. We show that GRChombo can produce high quality binary BH waveforms through a code comparison with the established NR code Lean. We also discuss some of the technical challenges involved in making use of full AMR (as opposed to, e.g. moving box mesh refinement), including the numerical effects caused by using various refinement criteria when regridding. We suggest several ‘rules of thumb’ for when to use different tagging criteria for simulating a variety of physical phenomena. We demonstrate the use of these different criteria through example evolutions of a scalar field theory. Finally, we also review the current status and general capabilities of GRChombo.
The role of harvesting in population control in the presence of correlated noise sources
Authors: Mandal Saroj Kumar , Jana Dipak Kumar , Poria Swarup
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we compare the role of constant and Michaelis-Menten type harvesting in single species population control in presence of correlated noise sources. Our aim is to determine a statistical correlation between the noises in the model parameters and population size. The characteristic time scale over which the population size of prey and predator varies are very much different, this fact justifies to consider a single species model as the predator population can be chosen to be constant within the generation time of prey. Steady state probability distributions and stationary potentials of the population are determined by Fokker-Planck equations. Stochastic bifurcation analysis and mean first passage times have been computed. Noise induced critical transitions are observed depending on the strength of the noises. The extinction possibility of population in stochastic control with Michaelis-Menten type harvesting is higher than the constant harvesting. One of our key findings is the transition from bistable to tristable state for weak noises. Another valuable finding is the noise enhanced stability phenomenon for negatively correlated noises. Constant rate of harvesting is better in deterministic case whereas Michaelis-Menten type harvesting is better in stochastic case to reduce population size. The obtained results may be helpful to understand toxin producing phytoplankton blooms and its control in marine ecosystem. Moreover, the study can be useful to explain wild prey population outbreak or extinction in forest.
Temperature insensitive refractive index sensor based on collar-shaped fiber ring
Authors: Wen Xiaodong , Bai Yan , Ji Gaoqing , Ning Tigang
Published: May 2022

A collar-shaped fiber ring (CSFR) with a single mode fiber for refractive index (RI) measurement is proposed and fabricated. Three CSFRs, with fiber lengths of 3.0 cm, 3.5 cm, and 4.0 cm, were fabricated and tested. The maximum RI sensitivity is higher than 630 nm RIU−1 when the RI value is 1.398. Moreover, the temperature experimental result shows that the CSFR is insensitive to temperature in the range of 10 °C–100 °C. Particularly, CSFRs are easily produced without any devices such as a fusion splicer or UV laser system.
Semantic fMRI neurofeedback: a multi-subject study at 3 tesla
Authors: Ciarlo Assunta , Russo Andrea G , Ponticorvo Sara , di Salle Francesco , Lührs Michael , Goebel Rainer , Esposito Fabrizio
Published: May 2022

Objective. Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rt-fMRI-NF) is a non-invasive procedure allowing the self-regulation of brain functions via enhanced self-control of fMRI based neural activation. In semantic rt-fMRI-NF, an estimated relation between multivariate fMRI activation patterns and abstract mental states is exploited for a multi-dimensional feedback stimulus via real-time representational similarity analysis (rt-RSA). Here, we assessed the performances of this framework in a multi-subject multi-session study on a 3 T MRI clinical scanner. Approach. Eighteen healthy volunteers underwent two semantic rt-fMRI-NF sessions on two different days. In each session, participants were first requested to engage in specific mental states while local fMRI patterns of brain activity were recorded during stimulated mental imagery of concrete objects (pattern generation). The obtained neural representations were to be replicated and modulated by the participants in subsequent runs of the same session under the guidance of a rt-RSA generated visual feedback (pattern modulation). Performance indicators were derived from the rt-RSA output to assess individual abilities in replicating (and maintaining over time) a target pattern. Simulations were carried out to assess the impact of the geometric distortions implied by the low-dimensional representation of patterns’ dissimilarities in the visual feedback. Main results. Sixteen subjects successfully completed both semantic rt-fMRI-NF sessions. Considering some performance indicators, a significant improvement between the first and the second runs, and within run increasing modulation performances were observed, whereas no improvements were found between sessions. Simulations confirmed that in a small percentage of cases visual feedback could be affected by metric distortions due to dimensionality reduction implicit to the rt-RSA approach. Significance. Our results proved the feasibility of the semantic rt-fMRI-NF at 3 T, showing that subjects can successfully modulate and maintain a target mental state when guided by rt-RSA derived feedback. Further development is needed to encourage future clinical applications.
Overview of the emissivity measurements performed in WEST: in
situ and post-mortem observations
Authors: Gaspar J. , Corre Y. , Rigollet F. , Aumeunier M.-H. , Bernard E. , Brezinsek S. , Courtois X. , Dejarnac R. , Diez M. , Dubus L. , Ehret N. , Fedorczak N. , Firdaouss M. , Houry M. , Le Bohec M. , Loarer T. , Martin C. , Moncada V. , Moreau P. , Pocheau C. , Reilhac P. , Tsitrone E. , WEST Team the
Published: May 2022

This paper summarizes the emissivity measurements performed on the plasma-facing units (PFU) of the WEST lower divertor during the first phase of WEST running with a mix of actively cooled ITER-like PFUs made of bulk tungsten (W) and inertially cooled PFUs made of graphite with a coating of tungsten. In situ assessments of the emissivity and laboratory measurements after removing the W-coated graphite and ITER-grade PFUs from the WEST device are shown. The measurements exhibit a complex pattern with strong emissivity variation as a function of space and time mainly explained with the variation of magnetic equilibrium (strike point location) as well as the plasma performances during the experimental campaigns. The exposed ITER-grade PFU exhibits sharp spatial variation of the emissivity from 0.05 to 0.85 at a monoblock scale (12 mm) at the transition of the erosion (strike point location) and deposition (next to the strike point location) areas on the high-field side. On the low-field side, the emissivity varies from 0.12 at the strike point location, to 0.2 a few cm away in the low-field-side direction. This emissivity range after exposure is much higher than the emissivity variation of unexposed PFU with emissivity from 0.09 to 0.15. In situ observation performed on the W-coated graphite PFU shows a rapid evolution, typically a few pulses, of the emissivity in the inner and outer strike point location. The whole spatial distribution is discussed as well as its variation due to the plasma operation from the start-up of WEST to the removal of the W-coated graphite components.
CMS HCAL VTRx-induced communication loss and mitigation
Authors: Cummings G.
Published: May 2022

The compact muon solenoid experiment phase 1 hadron calorimeter upgrade implemented the first large-scale application of VTRx modules, radiation and magnetic field tolerant optical transceivers. During run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider, the CMS hadron calorimeter endcap experienced a failure of control communication that revealed a variable manufacturing weakness in the VTRx and affected nearly half of the communication links in the hadron calorimeter endcaps. The CMS hadron calorimeter team provided the first observation of this phenomenon, linked the loss to the VTRx, revealed its temperature dependence, and pioneered the mitigation tactic adopted by other LHC experiments. Aspects of the CMS hadron calorimeter team’s role in the larger VTRx investigations are presented.
First measurement of the surface tension of a liquid scintillator based on Linear Alkylbenzene (HYBLENE 113)
Authors: Alt J. , Arutinov D. , Bezshyyko O. , Bretz T. , Brignoli A. , Conaboy A. , Deucher P. , De Paola F. , del Giudice G. , di Cristo C. , Fecarotta O. , Fiorillo A. , Fischer H. , Glückler H. , Grewing C. , Hollnagel A. , Lacker H. , Miano A. , Natour G. , Orlov V. , Prota A. , Rehbein F. , Reghunath A. , Salzano A. , Schaaf M. , Scharf C. , Schmidt J. , Schumann M. , Vagts A. , van Waasen S. , Wurm M.
Published: May 2022

We measured the surface tension of linear alkylbenzene (LAB)
HYBLENE 113 mixed with Diphenyloxazole (PPO) as well as of pure LAB
HYBLENE 113 as part of material studies for the liquid-scintillator
based surround background tagger (SBT) in the proposed SHiP
experiment. The measurement was performed using the iron wire method
and the surface tension for linear alkyl benzene HYBLENE 113 plus
PPO was found to be (30.0 ± 0.6) mN/m 22.0 ± 0.5°C and
for pure HYBLENE 113, (29.2 ± 0.6) mN/m at
21.0 ± 0.5°C.
Human and natural resource exposure to extreme drought at 1.0 °C–4.0 °C warming levels
Authors: Runde Isabelle , Zobel Zachary , Schwalm Christopher
Published: May 2022

Extreme drought occurs on every continent, negatively impacting natural systems and the built environment. Realized and anticipated future warming affects global hydrology, influencing the severity and frequency of both extreme precipitation events and precipitation deficits. Understanding future drought conditions is essential for risk aware water management strategies and to protect food security for a growing human population, while safeguarding natural capital critical to limiting further warming. Here we quantify socioeconomic and ecological exposure to extreme drought. We focus on global, regional, and national scales at increasing levels of climate warming, from today’s 1.0 °C world to 4.0 °C of warming. Drought is quantified using the self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index calculated from globally mosaiced regional climate simulation (REMO2015). Exposure to extreme drought increases monotonically with warming level. For every 0.5 °C warming increase up to 3.0 °C, an additional 619 million people live in areas with 25% likelihood of annual extreme drought, in addition to the 1.7 billion people (25% of 2020 global population) exposed in today’s 1.0 °C world. Spatially, global drying is amplified in the tropics, where drought frequency increases at twice the global rate. Per 0.5 °C increase in warming, extreme drought annual likelihoods increase 1.5 times greater in forested than non-forested areas, jeopardizing climate regulation associated with forested biomes. Cropland exposure to 50% likelihood of annual extreme drought in two of the highest producing countries, China and Brazil, increases 4× and 13× between 1.0 °C and 2.0 °C, spanning a third of national cropland by 3.0 °C. At 1.5 °C (4.0 °C), 16% (39%) of global hydroelectric generating capacity will be exposed to at least a 50% likelihood of annual extreme drought, up from 5% in today’s 1.0 °C world. Given the near-term likelihood of surpassing 1.5 °C, high resolution drought exposure assessments must inform risk aware development and resilience efforts.
The contribution of emission sources to the future air pollution disease burden in China
Authors: Conibear Luke , Reddington Carly L , Silver Ben J , Arnold Stephen R , Turnock Steven T , Klimont Zbigniew , Spracklen Dominick V
Published: May 2022

Air pollution exposure is a leading public health problem in China. Despite recent air quality improvements, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure remains large, the associated disease burden is substantial, and population ageing is projected to increase the susceptibility to disease. Here, we used emulators of a regional chemical transport model to quantify the impacts of future emission scenarios on air pollution exposure in China. We estimated how key emission sectors contribute to these future health impacts from air pollution exposure. We found that PM2.5 exposure declines in all scenarios across China over 2020–2050, with reductions of 15% under current air quality legislation, 36% when exploiting the full potential of air pollutant emission reduction technologies, and 39% when that technical mitigation potential is combined with emission controls for climate mitigation. However, population ageing means that the PM2.5 disease burden under current legislation (CLE) increases by 17% in 2050 relative to 2020. In comparison to CLE in 2050, the application of the best air pollution technologies provides substantial health benefits, reducing the PM2.5 disease burden by 16%, avoiding 536 600 (95% uncertainty interval, 95UI: 497 800–573 300) premature deaths per year. These public health benefits are mainly due to reductions in industrial (43%) and residential (30%) emissions. Climate mitigation efforts combined with the best air pollution technologies leads to an additional 2% reduction in the PM2.5 disease burden, avoiding 57 000 (95UI: 52 800–61 100) premature deaths per year. Up to 90% of the 2020–2050 reductions in PM2.5 exposure are already achieved by 2030, assuming efficient implementation and enforcement of currently committed air quality policies in key sectors. Achieving reductions in PM2.5 exposure and the associated disease burden after 2030 will require further tightening of emission limits for regulated sectors, addressing other sources including agriculture and waste management, and international coordinated action to mitigate air pollution across Asia.
An analogue of adjoint ideals and PLT singularities in mixed characteristic
Authors: Ma Linquan , Schwede Karl , Tucker Kevin , Waldron Joe , Witaszek Jakub
Published: May 2022

We use the framework of perfectoid big Cohen-Macaulay (BCM) algebras to define a class of singularities for pairs in mixed characteristic, which we call purely BCM-regular singularities, and a corresponding adjoint ideal. We prove that these satisfy adjunction and inversion of adjunction with respect to the notion of BCM-regularity and the BCM test ideal defined by the first two authors. We compare them with the existing equal characteristic purely log terminal (PLT) and purely

F
F

-regular singularities and adjoint ideals. As an application, we obtain a uniform version of the Briançon-Skoda theorem in mixed characteristic. We also use our theory to prove that two-dimensional Kawamata log terminal singularities are BCM-regular if the residue characteristic

p
>
5

p>5

, which implies an inversion of adjunction for three-dimensional PLT pairs of residue characteristic

p
>
5

p>5

. In particular, divisorial centers of PLT pairs in dimension three are normal when

p
>
5

p > 5

. Furthermore, in Appendix A we provide a streamlined construction of perfectoid big Cohen-Macaulay algebras and show new functoriality properties for them using the perfectoidization functor of Bhatt and Scholze.
Identification of 6-epi-heliolactone as a biosynthetic precursor of avenaol in Avena strigosa
Authors: Moriyama Daisuke , Wakabayashi Takatoshi , Shiotani Nanami , Yamamoto Shunya , Furusato Yui , Yabe Kohki , Mizutani Masaharu , Takikawa Hirosato , Sugimoto Yukihiro
Published: May 2022

Strigolactones (SLs) known as rhizosphere signaling molecules and plant hormones regulating shoot architecture, are classified into two distinct groups, canonical and non-canonical SLs based on their structures. Avenaol, a non-canonical SL found in the root exudates of black oat (Avena strigosa), has a characteristic bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane skeleton. Elucidating the biosynthetic mechanism of this peculiar structure is a challenge for further understanding the structural diversification of non-canonical SLs. In this study, a novel non-canonical SL, 6-epi-heliolactone in black oat root exudates was identified. Feeding experiments showed that 6-epi-heliolactone was a biosynthetic intermediate between methyl carlactonoate and avenaol. Inhibitor experiments proposed the involvement of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase in converting 6-epi-heliolactone to avenaol. These results provide new insights into the stereochemistry diversity of non-canonical SLs and a basis to explore the biosynthetic pathway causing avenaol.
Neurovascular coupling mechanisms in health and neurovascular uncoupling in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhu Winston M , Neuhaus Ain , Beard Daniel J , Sutherland Brad A , DeLuca Gabriele C
Published: May 2022

To match the metabolic demands of the brain, mechanisms have evolved to couple neuronal activity to vasodilation, thus increasing local cerebral blood flow and delivery of oxygen and glucose to active neurons. Rather than relying on metabolic feedback signals such as the consumption of oxygen or glucose, the main signalling pathways rely on the release of vasoactive molecules by neurons and astrocytes, which act on contractile cells. Vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes are the contractile cells associated with arterioles and capillaries, respectively, which relax and induce vasodilation.

Much progress has been made in understanding the complex signalling pathways of neurovascular coupling, but issues such as the contributions of capillary pericytes and astrocyte calcium signal remain contentious. Study of neurovascular coupling mechanisms is especially important as cerebral blood flow dysregulation is a prominent feature of Alzheimer’s disease. In this article we will discuss developments and controversies in the understanding of neurovascular coupling and finish by discussing current knowledge concerning neurovascular uncoupling in Alzheimer’s disease.
Escherichia coli Strains from Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases have Disease-specific Genomic Adaptations
Authors: Dubinsky Vadim , Reshef Leah , Rabinowitz Keren , Wasserberg Nir , Dotan Iris , Gophna Uri
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

Escherichia coli is over-abundant in the gut microbiome of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Here, we aimed to identify IBD-specific genomic functions of diverse E. coli lineages.

Methods

We investigated E. coli genomes from patients with ulcerative colitis [UC], Crohn’s disease [CD] or a pouch, and healthy subjects. The majority of genomes were reconstructed from metagenomic samples, including newly sequenced faecal metagenomes. Clinical metadata were collected. Functional analysis at the gene and mutation level were performed and integrated with IBD phenotypes and biomarkers.

Results

Overall, 530 E. coli genomes were analysed. The E. coli B2 lineage was more prevalent in UC compared with other IBD phenotypes. Genomic metabolic capacities varied across E. coli lineages and IBD phenotypes. Host mucin utilisation enzymes were present in a single lineage and depleted in patients with a pouch, whereas those involved in inulin hydrolysis were enriched in patients with a pouch. E. coli strains from patients with UC were twice as likely to encode the genotoxic molecule colibactin than strains from patients with CD or a pouch. Strikingly, patients with a pouch showed the highest inferred E. coli growth rates, even in the presence of antibiotics. Faecal calprotectin did not correlate with the relative abundance of E. coli. Finally, we identified multiple IBD-specific non-synonymous mutations in E. coli genes encoding for bacterial cell envelope components.

Conclusions

Comparative genomics indicates that E. coli is a commensal species adapted to the overactive mucosal immune milieu in IBD, rather than causing it. Our results reveal mutations that may lead to attenuated antigenicity in some E. coli strains.
Estimate of inbreeding depression on growth and reproductive traits in a Large White pig population
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhuo Yue , Ning Chao , Zhou Lei , Liu Jian-Feng
Published: May 2022

With the broad application of genomic information, SNP-based measures of estimating inbreeding have been widely used in animal breeding, especially based on runs of homozygosity. Inbreeding depression is better estimated by SNP-based inbreeding coefficients than pedigree-based inbreeding in general. However, there are few comprehensive comparisons of multiple methods in pigs so far, to some extent limiting their application. In this study, to explore an appropriate strategy for estimating inbreeding depression on both growth traits and reproductive traits in a Large White pig population, we compared multiple methods for the inbreeding coefficient estimation based on both pedigree and genomic information. This pig population for analyzing the influence of inbreeding was from a pig breeding farm in the Inner Mongolia of China. There were 26,204 pigs with records of age at 100 kg (AGE) and back-fat thickness at 100 kg (BF), and 6,656 sows with reproductive records of the total number of piglets at birth (TNB), and the number of alive piglets at birth (NBA), and litter weight at birth. Inbreeding depression affected growth and reproductive traits. The results indicated that pedigree-based and SNP-based inbreeding coefficients had significant effects on AGE, TNB, and NBA, except for BF. However, only SNP-based inbreeding coefficients revealed a strong association with inbreeding depression on litter weight at birth. Runs of homozygosity-based methods showed a slight advantage over other methods in the correlation analysis of inbreeding coefficients and estimation of inbreeding depression. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the model-based approach (RZooRoH) could avoid miscalculations of inbreeding and inbreeding depression caused by inappropriate parameters, which had a good performance on both AGE and reproductive traits. These findings might improve the extensive application of runs of homozygosity analysis in pig breeding and breed conservation.
BCS President Mayank Prakash
Authors: Prakash Mayank
Published: May 2022

Mayank Prakash FBCS became the 65th BCS President in March 2022. He shares his hopes for professionalism and cross-industry collaboration.
Ready for a Career in Quantum?
Authors: Runciman Brian
Published: May 2022

Interested in engineering? Programming? Lateral thinking?

Brian Runciman MBCS spoke to IBM Distinguished Engineer Richard Hopkins about the many career possibilities presented by quantum computing — both now and those that are coming down the line.
How Will AI Transform Project Management?
Authors: Skinner Lloyd J
Published: May 2022

Project management plays a vital part in the UK’s economy, with around two million people working in the profession and contributing £156bn to the UK annually, writes Lloyd J Skinner MBCS, CEO of greyfly.ai.
NFTs: The Future of Digital IP or Just a Remix of DRM?
Authors: Umeh Jude
Published: May 2022

Jude Umeh MBCS ponders the promise of NFTs as the future of digital intellectual property and the creative world, or whether they’re simply a reincarnation of DRM and all its woes.
A Robot Promoted Me: The Future of Automation
Authors: Hamilton Johanna
Published: May 2022

David Cameron, Co-founder and Chief Automation Officer of CamTEC Consulting, tells Johanna Hamilton AMBCS about the opportunities of automation.
Web 3.0: The Evolution
Authors: Subramanian Ramakrishnan
Published: May 2022

NFTs, cryptos, decentralisedi finance, metaverse — it feels like everyone is talking about Web 3.0. Ramakrishnan Subramanian MBCS provides the background to the next web trend and why it matters.
New Fintech Offerings Driving Financial Inclusion
Authors: Fratiloiu Ion
Published: May 2022

The financial services (FS) sector has been going through a period of astonishing change, writes Ion Fratiloiu, Head of Commercial at Yobota, with a groundswell of new offerings and ideas arriving at an ever-more impressive pace.
Business Analysis
Authors: Lovelock Christina
Published: May 2022

Christina Lovelock MBCS explores strengths, specialisms and silos in job roles.
How Covid-19 Changed Computer Science Education
Authors: Gill Sukhpal Singh , Naeem Usman , Fuller Stephanie , Chen Yue , Uhlig Steve
Published: May 2022

The global pandemic has forced lecturers and academics to transform how computer science is taught. Discover how innovative technology and techniques are being used during lectures that can now reach an international audience.
Designing a New Digital Health and Care MSC Programme
Authors: Dearing Wendy
Published: May 2022

From a chance discussion over a coffee to a fully live and living post graduate course, Professor Wendy Dearing celebrates a new addition to Wales’ health and care.
Increased supply of methionine during a heat-stress challenge in lactating holstein cows alters mammary tissue mTOR signaling and its response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Coleman Danielle Nicole , Vailati-Riboni Mario , Pate Russell T , Aboragah Ahmad , Luchini Daniel , Cardoso Felipe C , Loor Juan J
Published: May 2022

The first objective was to investigate the effects of feeding rumen-protected methionine (RPM) during a heat stress (HS) challenge on abundance and phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-related signaling proteins in mammary gland. The second objective was to investigate how HS and RPM may modulate the response of mammary gland explants to an inflammatory challenge using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Thirty-two multiparous, lactating Holstein cows (184 ± 59 DIM) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 environmental treatment groups, and 1 of 2 dietary treatments [TMR with RPM (Smartamine M; Adisseo Inc.; 0.105% DM as top dress) or TMR without RPM (CON)] in a crossover design. There were two periods with two phases per period. In phase 1 (9 d), all cows were in thermoneutral conditions (TN) and fed ad libitum. During phase 2 (9 d), group 1 (n = 16) cows were exposed to HS using electric heat blankets, whereas group 2 cows (n = 16) remained in TN but were pair-fed to HS counterparts to control for DMI decreases associated with HS. After a washout period (14 d), the study was repeated (period 2). Environmental treatments were inverted in period 2 (sequence), whereas dietary treatments remained the same. Mammary tissue was harvested via biopsy at the end of both periods. Tissue was used for protein abundance analysis and also for incubation with 0 or 3 μg/mL of LPS for 2 h and subsequently used for mRNA abundance. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Analysis of protein abundance data included the effects of diet, environment and their interaction, and period and sequence to account for the crossover design. The explant data model also included the effect of LPS and its interaction with environment and diet. Abundance of phosphorylated mTOR and ratio of phosphorylated eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (p-EEF2) to total EEF2 in non-challenged tissue was greater with RPM supplementation (P = 0.04 for both) and in both cases tended to be greater with HS (P = 0.08 for both). Regardless of RPM supplementation, incubation with LPS upregulated mRNA abundance of IL8, IL6, IL1B, CXCL2, TNF, NFKB1, and TLR2 (P < 0.05). An environment × LPS interaction was observed for NFKB1 (P = 0.03); abundance was greater in LPS-treated explants from non-HS compared with HS cows. Abundance of CXCL2, NFKB1, NOS2, NOS1, and SOD2 was lower with HS (P < 0.05). Although LPS did not alter mRNA abundance of the antioxidant transcription factor NFE2L2 (P = 0.59), explants from HS cows had lower abundance of NFE2L2 (P < 0.001) and CUL3 (P = 0.04). Overall, RPM supplementation may alter mTOR activation in mammary tissue. Additionally, although HS reduced explant immune and antioxidant responses, RPM did not attenuate the inflammatory response induced by LPS in vitro.
EMCN knockout leads to increased monocyte infiltration in kidney and albuminuria in mice
Authors: Hu Zhengping , Cano Issahy , Saint‐Geniez Magali , Ng Yin‐shan Eric , D'Amore Patricia
Published: May 2022

Endomucin (EMCN), a type I integral membrane glycoprotein, is specifically expressed in endothelium and enriched in kidney glomerular endothelium. We have previously reported that under resting conditions EMCN functions as an anti‐inflammatory molecule, preventing leukocyte‐endothelial cell adhesion and that EMCN plays an important role in modulating VEGFR2 signaling. The goal of this study is to characterize the phenotype of the kidney in the first‐reported EMCN knockout mouse model. EMCN−/−mice (with a EGFP tag for the knockout allele) were obtained by crossing EMCN‐floxed mice, generated in conjunction with Cyagen Biosciences, with the ROSA26‐Cre mice. The mRNA level of EMCN, CD31, CD34, E‐selection, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1 were quantified by reverse transcription PCR and semi‐quantitative PCR using total RNA isolated from the adult mouse kidneys. The mRNA level of EMCN in EMCN−/−mice were not detectable (n>4, p<0.0001) compared to EMCN+/+. Renal CD34 at mRNA level was decreased (fold change, 0.68±0.09 vs 1, n=4, p<0.05) and VCAM‐1 was increased (fold change, 2.2 ±0.45 vs 1, n=4, p<0.01) in EMCN−/− kidneys compared to wildtype (wt) controls. CD31, E‐selection, and ICAM‐1 mRNA levels were unchanged between EMCN−/−and wildtype kidneys. Kidneys from adult EMCN+/+ and EMCN−/− mice were collected, fixed, and sectioned. Expression and localization of EMCN, eGFP, CD45 and podocin in adult kidneys were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantified, which revealed a significant increase in CD45+ cell infiltration in EMCN−/− mice compared to EMCN+/+ mice (72.50±8.13 cells/mm2 vs 39.67±4.91 cells/ mm2, n=4, p<0.001). To characterize the renal inflammatory cell composition, freshly collected kidneys from EMCN+/+ and EMCN−/− were enzymatically digested and the leukocyte markers CD45, CD3, CD4, CD19, CD11b, Ly6G and Ly6C were examined by flow cytometry to identify the proportion of myeloid populations. Flow cytometry analysis suggested a trend of increased CD45+ cells in the kidney from EMCN−/−mice compared to wildtype (n=9, p=0.07), and revealed a significant increase in the percentage of Ly6GhighLy6Chighmyeloid cells in EMCN−/−compared to wildtype kidneys (1.6±0.23 vs 1.01±0.18, n=9, p<0.05). Sporadic albuminuria was detected through Coomassie staining in spot urine samples of EMCN−/− mice. Ultrastructural morphology of glomeruli, examined from both EMCN+/+ and EMCN−/− through transmission electron microscopy, showed the effacement of podocyte foot processes and disorganized endothelial cell fenestrations in glomerular capillaries of EMCN−/− mice compared to wt. The result indicates EMCN plays a key role in the prevention of inflammatory cells infiltration in kidney, presumably by blocking leukocyte adhesion, and is also involves in maintaining normal glomerular filtration barrier structure and function, potentially via its role in VEGFR2 signaling.
Mast Cell (MC)‐Induced Cholestasis is Dependent on Apical Sodium Bile Acid Transporter (ASBT) Expression
Authors: Meadows Vik , Kundu Debjyoti , Zhou Tianhao , Owen Travis , Meyer Alison , Kyritsi Konstantina , Chen Lixian , Kennedy Lindsey , Alpini Gianfranco , Francis Heather
Published: May 2022

Background

Impaired bile flow is a characteristic of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Up to 80% of PSC patients present with irritable bowel disease (IBD). Mast cell (MC) injection into normal or MC‐deficient mice increases ductular reaction (DR), biliary senescence, liver fibrosis and total bile acid (TBA) levels in liver and serum. MCs infiltrate the liver, activating cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and in the intestine, MCs increase intestinal permeability in PSC and IBD patients, respectively. Bacterial translocation and leaky gut have been proposed to initiate cholestatic injury. BA circulation is dependent on apical sodium BA transporter (ASBT) expression in ileum and cholangiocytes, and inhibition of ASBT by Vivo‐Morpholino blocks cholehepatic and enterohepatic BA circulation and reduces hepatic and ileal MC infiltration in cholestatic mice.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the role of ASBT and disruption of BA circulation in a model of MC‐induced cholestasis.

Methods

WT and ASBT knockout (KO) mice, 14‐16 wks of age, received sterile 1X PBS or 5x106 MCs (MC/9 ATCC CRL8306) via tail vein injection. Three days after injection we collected liver, colon, and isolated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes and supernatants from all mice. Hepatic damage was determined by H&E staining and liver TBA content. DR was determined with CK‐19 immunohistochemistry (marker of cholangiocytes) and semi‐quantification. Hepatic inflammation was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and semi‐quantification of F4/80. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by fast green‐Sirius red staining and semi‐quantification of collagen deposition. Cholehepatic shunting was determined by TBA levels in isolated cholangiocyte and hepatocyte supernatant. Intestinal permeability was determined by colon ZO‐1 immunostaining and hepatic bacterial translocation by quantification of colony forming units (CFUs) from liver homogenates.

Results

MC injection increased liver damage, DR, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis in WT mice that was reduced in ASBT KO + MC mice. Cholehepatic shunting increased in WT + MC mice demonstrated by enhanced TBA content in isolated hepatocyte and cholangiocyte supernatants compared to WT mice that was reduced in ASBT KO + MC mice. MC injection lowered colonic ZO‐1 expression in WT mice, but no change was noted in ASBT KO + MC mice. MC injection increased bacterial translocation in WT mice, yet ASBT KO + MC mice had reduced bacterial translocation similar to WT and ASBT KO mice.

Conclusion

MC injection increases PSC phenotypes in WT mice that are reduced when BA circulation is disrupted by KO of ASBT. Regulation of ASBT is a potential therapeutic strategy for PSC and PSC‐IBD patients.