bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tibialis anterior electromyographic bursts during sleep in histamine‐deficient mice
Authors: Berteotti Chiara , Lo Martire Viviana , Alvente Sara , Bastianini Stefano , Matteoli Gabriele , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Lin Jian‐Sheng , Silvani Alessandro , Zoccoli Giovanna 
Published: December 2020

SummaryAntihistamine medications have been suggested to elicit clinical features of restless legs syndrome. The available data are limited, particularly concerning periodic leg movements during sleep, which are common in restless legs syndrome and involve bursts of tibialis anterior electromyogram. Here, we tested whether the occurrence of tibialis anterior electromyogram bursts during non‐rapid eye movement sleep is altered in histidine decarboxylase knockout mice with congenital histamine deficiency compared with that in wild‐type control mice. We implanted six histidine decarboxylase knockout and nine wild‐type mice to record neck muscle electromyogram, bilateral tibialis anterior electromyogram, and electroencephalogram during the rest (light) period. The histidine decarboxylase knockout and wild‐type mice did not differ significantly in terms of sleep architecture. In both histidine decarboxylase knockout and wild‐type mice, the distribution of intervals between tibialis anterior electromyogram bursts had a single peak for intervals < 10 s. The total occurrence rate of tibialis anterior electromyogram bursts during non‐rapid eye movement sleep and the occurrence rate of the tibialis anterior electromyogram bursts separated by intervals < 10 s were significantly lower in histidine decarboxylase knockout than in wild‐type mice. These data do not support the hypothesis that preventing brain histamine signalling may promote restless legs syndrome. Rather, the data suggest that limb movements during sleep, including those separated by short intervals, are a manifestation of subcortical arousal requiring the integrity of brain histamine signalling.
Comparison of defence buzzes in hoverflies and buzz‐pollinating bees
Authors: Vallejo‐Marín M. , Vallejo G. C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBees and many flies, particularly hoverflies (Syrphidae), have evolved a diverse range of mechanisms to gather pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants. Bees and hoverflies use protein‐rich pollen as a food resource to mature reproductive organs and eggs and, in bees, to feed their larvae. A particularly striking pollen‐collecting behaviour involves the production of thoracic vibrations to dislodge pollen from flowers. Vibratile pollen collection is widespread in bees (>11 600 species) but extremely rare in flies (~1 species of hoverfly). Why the use of floral vibrations to collect pollen is so rare among flies is currently unknown. A hypothesis proposed to explain why flies do not engage in vibratile or buzz pollination is that they are unable to reach the vibration amplitude required to expel pollen from anthers. Here we document, for the first time, the mechanical properties of non‐flight thoracic vibrations produced by hoverflies and compare them to the vibrations produced by buzz‐pollinating bees under similar contexts (defence buzzes). We analysed ~4000 vibrations produced by nearly 300 individuals representing 20 species of hoverflies and 22 bee taxa, recorded using a miniature piezoelectric accelerometer. We characterised both frequency and acceleration amplitude components of non‐flight thoracic vibrations and their relationship to insect size. Our results show that, after accounting for size, buzz‐pollinating bees and hoverflies produce vibrations with similar acceleration. We show experimentally that the acceleration amplitude produced by some hoverflies is sufficient to elicit pollen release from buzz‐pollinated flowers (Solanum dulcamara and S. rostratum). Our study does not support the hypothesis that the dearth of buzz‐pollinating flies is caused by their inability to produce vibrations of sufficient amplitude. We discuss alternative hypotheses to explain why most flies do not engage in buzz pollination and suggest that the lack of buzz‐pollinating flies might be best explained through their life history.
The contribution of insects to African swine fever virus dispersal: data from domestic pig farms in Lithuania
Authors: Turčinavičienė J. , Petrašiūnas A. , Bernotienė R. , Masiulis M. , Jonušaitis V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOutbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in domestic pig farms in Lithuania typically begin in June and are detected through October, suggesting that insects might be involved in the transmission of the virus. Entomological collecting was performed to obtain two data sets: from farms with ASF outbreaks, and from farms without ASF outbreaks but in an ASF‐infected area. Target insects from the families Muscidae, Calliphoridae and Tabanidae were analysed for the presence of ASF Virus (ASFV) DNA. Musca domestica L., Calliphoridae flies and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) collected by entomological net during ASF outbreaks were confirmed to be ASFV positive. Viral DNA detected in insects collected by Nzi traps from farms with no ASFV outbreaks indicate that Culex, Lucilia, M. domestica and S. calcitrans are likely to play a role in spreading the ASFV mechanically. This finding could suggest contamination from outside of the farms: from infected wild boar or their carcasses. The role of Stomoxys flies as mechanical vectors could be accidental, because we did not find a significant correlation between the activity of S. calcitrans and the number of ASF outbreaks in pig farms, whereas temperatures positively correlated to the number of ASF outbreaks during 2018–2019.
Device‐associated health care‐associated infections: The effectiveness of a 3‐year prevention and control program in the Republic of Cyprus
Authors: Iordanou Stelios , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth , Middleton Nicos , Palazis Lakis , Timiliotou‐Matsentidou Chrystalla , Raftopoulos Vasilios 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDevice‐associated health care‐associated infections (DA‐HAIs) are a major threat to patient safety, particularly in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a bundle of infection control measures to reduce DA‐HAIs in the ICU of a General Hospital in the Republic of Cyprus, over a 3‐year period.MethodsWe studied 599 ICU patients with a length of stay (LOS) for at least 48 hours. Our prospective cohort study was divided into three surveillance phases. Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP), central line‐associated blood‐stream infections (CLABSI), and catheter‐associated blood‐stream infections (CAUTI) incidence rates, LOS, and mortality were calculated before, during, and after the infection prevention and control programme.ResultsThere was a statistically significant reduction in the number of DA‐HAI events during the surveillance periods, associated with DA‐HAIs prevention efforts. In 2015 (prior to programme implementation), the baseline DA‐HAIs instances were 43: 16 VAP (10.1/1000 Device Days), 21 (15.9/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 6 (2.66/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 198). During the second phase (2016), CLABSIs prevention measures were implemented and the number of infections were 24: 14 VAP (12.21/1000DD), 4 (4.2/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 6 (3.22/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 184). During the third phase (2017), VAP and CAUTI prevention measures were again implemented and the rates were 6: (3 VAP: 12.21/1000DD), 2 (1.95/1000DD) CLABSIs, and 1 (0.41/1000DD) CAUTIs, (n = 217). There was an overall reduction of 87% in the total number of DA‐HAIs instances for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017.ConclusionsThe significant overall reduction in DA‐HAI rates indicates that a comprehensive infection control programme can affect DA‐HAI rates.
A model for systems‐level influences on toddler immunization completion
Authors: McFadden SarahAnn M. , Sonney Jennifer , Bekemeier Betty 
Published: December 2020

AbstractToddler immunization completion rates vary across populations in the United States, and this variation may be contributing to the national rise in vaccine preventable diseases. Yet existing theoretical scholarship for improving toddler immunization uptake is largely focused on the individual level, neglecting the multiple system‐level environments that should be considered. Population characteristics are distinct from the sum of individual characteristics. Thus, a reformulation of the ecological systems theory is proposed to provide theoretical direction and guide future population health research regarding system‐level influences on vaccine coverage.
Exogenous methyl jasmonate promotes salt stress‐induced growth inhibition and prioritizes defense response of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.
Authors: Gao Ziqi , Gao Shuai , Li Pengxuan , Zhang Yan , Ma Binjie , Wang Yingchun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractJasmonates (JAs) play a key role in the regulation of growth and the defense response to environmental stresses. JAs inhibit plant growth and promote defense response. However, their roles in desert halophyte in the response to salt stress remain poorly understood. The effects of the combination of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and NaCl treatment (the “MeN” condition) on the growth regulation and defense response of Nitraria tangutorum seedlings were investigated. Compared with NaCl treatment alone, exogenous MeJA aggravated the growth inhibition of seedlings by antagonizing to growth‐related hormones and suppressing the transcript levels of these hormones‐responsive genes, including gibberellin (GA)‐responsive NtPIF3, NtGAST1, NtGSAT4, and cytokinin (CYT)‐responsive NtARR1, NtARR11, NtARR12. Meanwhile, exogenous MeJA enhanced defense response and alleviated the stress damage by increasing antioxidase activity and antioxidant content, accumulating more osmolytes, maintaining lower Na+/K+ ratios in shoots and higher Na+ efflux rates in roots of plants. In addition, exogenous MeJA increased the contents of endogenous JA and ABA, and the transcript levels of genes involved in their biosynthesis and responsiveness, thereby further regulating the transcript levels of defense response genes. These findings suggest that exogenous MeJA increases salt stress‐induced growth inhibition and prioritizes the defensive responses (e.g. antioxidant defense, osmotic adjustment, and ion homeostasis) of N. tangutorum. These effects may be related to the amplification of jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) signals.
Combined effects of water stress and salinity on growth, physiological, and biochemical traits in two walnut genotypes
Authors: Wang Baoqing , Zhang Junpei , Pei Dong , Yu Lei 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDue to its great economic value, walnut (Juglans regia L.) has received increasing attention during recent years. However, water stress and salinity limit walnut growth, production, and quality. We employed two walnut genotypes, precocious walnut, and late‐bearing walnut, to investigate their growth, photosynthetic capacity, non‐structural carbohydrate contents, Cl− allocation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and osmotic regulation under water stress, salinity, and their combination. We found that late‐bearing walnut showed higher total biomass and net photosynthetic rate, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, higher osmoregulation, and lower ROS accumulation than precocious walnut under stressful conditions. In addition, late‐bearing walnut restricted salt transport and allocated more Cl− into roots, whereas precocious walnut allocated more Cl− into leaves when exposed to salinity stress. These data collectively demonstrated that late‐bearing walnut possesses better stress tolerance under water stress, salinity, and especially under their combination. Such knowledge of genotype‐specific responses and tolerances to water stress and salinity is important for walnut plantation management under increasing drought and aggravated soil salinization occurring with climate change.
Physical and social anhedonia are associated with suicidality in major depression, but not in schizophrenia
Authors: Sagud Marina , Tudor Lucija , Šimunić Lucija , Jezernik Dejana , Madžarac Zoran , Jakšić Nenad , Mihaljević Peleš Alma , Vuksan‐Ćusa Bjanka , Šimunović Filipčić Ivona , Stefanović Ivana , Kosanović Rajačić Biljana , Kudlek Mikulić Suzan , Pivac Nela 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis cross‐sectional study investigated the association of physical and social anhedonia with suicidality in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and in non‐psychiatric controls.MethodAll participants completed the revised Physical Anhedonia Scale (RPAS) and the revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS) and were subdivided according to positive life‐time suicide attempt history. MDD patients were evaluated with the Montgomery‐Ãsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), healthy respondents with the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), and schizophrenia patients with the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS).ResultsIn 683 study participants, the prevalence of each anhedonia was the highest in MDD, followed by schizophrenia, and lowest in the control group. Among MDD patients, those with physical and social anhedonia had greater rates of recent suicidal ideation, while a higher frequency of individuals with life‐time suicide attempts was detected in those with only social anhedonia. In contrast, no association between either anhedonia and life‐time suicide attempts or recent suicidal ideation was found in patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionsAssessing social and physical anhedonia might be important in MDD patients, given its association with both life‐time suicide attempts and recent suicidal ideation. Suicidality in schizophrenia, while unrelated to anhedonia, might include other risk factors.
MRI T2/STIR epaxial muscle hyperintensity in some dogs with intervertebral disc extrusion corresponds to histologic patterns of muscle degeneration and inflammation
Authors: Morrison Emily J. , Baron‐Chapman Matthew L. , Chalkley Mark 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging hyperintensity on T2‐weighted turbo SE and STIR sequences of the paraspinal musculature in canine patients being imaged for thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion is frequently observed but poorly understood in veterinary medicine. The objective of this prospective analytical study was to describe the histopathology of muscle hyperintensity in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions and to determine if a relationship exists between the presence of this hyperintensity and various patient factors. Twenty privately owned dogs who underwent surgical decompression of intervertebral disc extrusions diagnosed on MRI were enrolled (10 normal “control or nonaffected cases” without MRI paraspinal musculature hyperintensity and 10 “affected cases” with hyperintensity). Surgical biopsies of the epaxial musculature at the region of hyperintensity (affecteds) and at the site of the disc herniation (controls) were submitted for histopathology. The degree of myofiber degeneration and necrosis was scored using an ordinal scoring system: absent (0), minimal (10), mild (20), moderate (30), marked/severe (40), and massive (50). Associations between hyperintensity presence and patient age, weight, body condition, neurologic status, acuteness of onset, number of disc herniation sites, degree of spinal cord compression, and volume of herniated material were investigated. Nonaffected patients were significantly older (median age = 9.4 years) than affected patients (median age = 3.5 years), but no other significant associations were found. Acute myofiber degeneration/necrosis and intramuscular inflammation were observed in half of affected patients. Therefore, T2/STIR muscle hyperintensity in some patients with intervertebral disc extrusion may represent muscle degeneration and inflammation.
Coxiella burnetii in the environment: A systematic review and critical appraisal of sampling methods
Authors: Abeykoon A. M. Hasanthi , Clark Nicholas Joshua , Soares Magalhaes Ricardo Jorge , Vincent Gemma Anne , Stevenson Mark Anthony , Firestone Simon Matthew , Wiethoelter Anke Katrin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractQ fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Its primary mode of transmission is by inhalation of aerosols originating from infected animals and contaminated environments. The organism has a very low infective dose, can persist in the environment for long periods of time and large outbreaks fuelled by windborne spread have been previously reported. Detection of C. burnetii in the environment is therefore important during human and animal outbreak investigations and for the control and prevention of Q fever. This study aimed to systematically review and critically appraise the published literature on sampling methods used to detect C. burnetii from different environmental samples. A search of four electronic databases with subsequent hand searching identified 47 eligible articles published since 1935. These articles described sampling of dust, air, soil and liquids in attempts to detect C. burnetii during 19 Q fever outbreaks and in 28 endemic settings. Environmental positivity was most commonly associated with ruminant livestock populations. Evidence describing spatio‐temporal characteristics and associated geographical dispersion gradients was limited. The most commonly tested sample type was dust which also yielded the highest bacterial loads of >108 bacteria/cloth. The MD8 (Sartorius) air sampler was used widely for air sampling. Soil was the only sample type for which a validated laboratory protocol was established specifically for C. burnetii. Each environmental sample type has its advantages and limitations which are discussed in detail and a simplified framework to guide decisions around environmental sampling for C. burnetii is provided. In any type of environmental sampling, it is recommended to use standardized and validated methods and to match the most ideal sampling strategy and timing with the research context. These conditions are essential to be considered when designing future Q fever management plans that involve environmental sampling for C. burnetii.
Design of a Legged and Clamper-Based Capsule Robot With Active Locomotion Function
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ye Dongxu , Song Shuang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This paper presents a legged and clamper-based capsule robot (CR) with active locomotion function. The CR utilizes the extension and contraction of the anchoring legs to expand the collapsed intestinal wall, crawl in the intestinal tract, and stand in large spaces such as the stomach and large intestine organs. The mechanical structure design, kinematic analysis, principle of locomotion, and force analysis of the CR are presented. The design concept and locomotion principles of the proposed CR are verified by a prototype with the diameter of 13 mm and length of 39 mm. Three experiments were conducted to test the locomotion performance of the proposed CR. In the experiments, the prototype successfully expands the collapsed phantom intestine, stands on the plane, and moves forward in transparent tube at a promising speed. Experimental results indicate that the CR has good locomotion capabilities.
Research on Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Homing Method Based on Fuzzy-Q-FastSLAM
Authors: Dong Lingyan , Xu Hongli , Feng Xisheng , Li Ning 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Autonomous docking guidance is one of the key technologies to achieve the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) docking with the sub-sea docking station (DS) to realize long-term resident operation. In the process of AUV docking, the combination of long-distance acoustic guidance based on acoustic sensor and terminal visual guidance based on camera is often adopted. However, affected by the accuracy of the navigation sensor and acoustic positioning sensor carried by AUV, as well as the ocean current, AUV cannot accurately know its own position and the position of the DS, resulting in a large acoustic guidance error and the inability to enter the visual guidance stage with a reasonable deviation, thus leading to the docking failure. In this article, an improved FastSLAM algorithm is proposed to estimate the position of AUV and DS simultaneously. The positioning accuracy of traditional FastSLAM algorithm is affected by such factors as the estimation accuracy of the statistical characteristics of process noise. An improved algorithm for FastSLAM based on fuzzy Q-learning is proposed. The homing path is planned based on the Dubins theory. The path is tracked by line-of-sight guidance. The results of matlab simulation and experimental data analyzing of the portable AUV are applied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Validation of a Directed Energy Ignition System on a Large-Bore Single Cylinder Gas-Fueled Engine
Authors: Pommier Forrest , Lepley David , Beshouri Greg , Jacobs Timothy 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The natural gas industry has seen a considerable increase in production recently as the world seeks out new sources of economical, reliable, and more environmentally friendly energy. Moving this natural gas requires a complex network of pipelines and compressors, including reciprocating engines, to keep the gas moving. Many of these engines were designed more than 40 years ago and must be retrofit with modern technologies to improve their performance while simultaneously reducing the harmful emissions that they produce. In this study a directed energy ignition system is tested on a two-stroke, single cylinder, natural gas-fired engine. Stability and emissions will be observed throughout a range of spark waveforms for a single speed and load that enables the most fuel-lean operation of the engine.
Improving the combustion process of the legacy pipeline engines is a substantial area of opportunity for reducing emissions output. One means of doing so is by improving an engines ability to operate at leaner conditions. To accomplish this, an ignition system needs to be able to send more energy to the spark plug in a controlled manner than a tradition capacitive-discharge ignition system. Controlling the energy is accomplished by optimizing the structure of the waveform or “profile” for each engine design. With this particular directed energy ignition system, spark profiles are able to be configured by changing the duration and amount of current sent to the spark plug. This study investigates a single operating speed and load for 9 different spark energy configurations. Engine operation at these test conditions will allow for emissions and engine performance data, using directed energy, to be analyzed in contrast to capacitive-discharge ignition.