bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular methods for the detection and quantification of Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis inoculum associated with macadamia
Authors: Prasannath Kandeeparoopan , Galea Victor J. , Akinsanmi Olufemi A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPestalotiopsis blight and leaf spot in macadamia are caused by species of Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis. Conidia produced by these pathogens are mostly dispersed by wind and rain splash and are the primary infecting propagules. Rapid detection and quantification of airborne conidia are essential to determine the seasonal dynamics of inoculum and critical infection periods in macadamia orchards. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) using a new primer pair and a hydrolysis probe was developed to detect and quantify airborne conidia of Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis species. The amplification efficiency of the qPCR was 96.4% and the assay had a limit of detection of 400 fg of Pestalotiopsis/Neopestalotiopsis gDNA, which corresponds to approximately 10 conidia. The qPCR assay coupled with spore trapping was used to monitor airborne conidia dispersal under field conditions. The results showed that the assay is specific and sensitive for detecting and quantifying Pestalotiopsis/Neopestalotiopsis conidia in macadamia orchards. The detection and quantification of the pathogen inoculum will improve our understanding of disease epidemiology and the ability to manage these diseases in macadamia.
Three SNPs within exons of INHA and ACVR2B genes are significantly associated with litter size in Dazu black goats
Authors: Wang Shi‐Zhi , E Guang‐Xin , Zeng Yan , Han Yan‐Guo , Huang Yong‐Fu , Na Ri‐Su 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyse the association between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within INHA and ACVR2B and litter size in Dazu black goats. In total, twenty‐two SNPs were genotyped in 190 individuals by SNaPshot and resequencing. The results showed that three SNPs (SNP_1, SNP_12 and SNP_13 in this study) were detected to have significant additive genetic effect on the recorded goat litter size (p < .05). The SNP_1 (NC_030809.1), a non‐synonymous substitution of G for T at chr2‐g. 28314990 in the exon 2 of INHA gene (NM_001285606.1), resulted in homozygote 2 (HOM2) contributed 0.25 and heterozygote (HET) contributed 0.12 larger litter than homozygote 1 (HOM1). Meanwhile, SNP_12 (Chr22‐g. 11721225 A > T) and SNP_13 (Chr22‐g. 11721227 A > C) (NC_030829.1) simultaneously mutated at the first and third position of a triplet AAA (lysine, K) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene (XM_018066623.1) had estimated genetic effects of HOM1 (0.00) and HOM2 (0.03) larger than HET (−0.12). In conclusion, one SNPs (chr2‐g. 28314990 T > G) within the exon 2 of INHA and two SNPs (Chr22‐g. 11721225 A > T and Chr22‐g. 11721227 A > C) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene were highly recommended as candidate markers of litter size in Dazu black goats. A large‐scale association study to assess the impact of these variants on litter size is still necessary.
Cyberbullying among Turkish high school students
Authors: Cagirkan Baris , Bilek Gunal 
Published: March 2021

Cyberbullying, a new form of the traditional bullying that has been transferred to the electronic environments (social media, online gaming environments, blogs, etc.), from the physical context to the virtual context, refers mainly to aggression that is deliberately carried out by adolescents. This study aims to measure the level of cyberbullying in Turkish high school students living in Eastern Turkey and identify the demographic and socio‐economic factors which lead to being bully and being cyberbullied. The study population consists of 470 students aged from 15–19 years. exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were implemented to identify the factor structure of the scale and it was observed that the Turkish version of the cyberbullying scale (CBS) is best represented by a one‐factor structure. The comparisons across demographic and socio‐economic variables were implemented using independent samples t test, one‐way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD. To summarize the key findings, the variables that significantly affect the students’ CBS scores are; gender, school type, number of siblings, ownership of a mobile phone, length of ownership of a mobile phone, private access to the Internet, family supervision, purpose of Internet usage, length of time spent on the Internet and type of application used to message with others.
A direct injection technique for investigation of lung sensory properties and reflex functions
Authors: Walker Jerome F. , Yu Jerry 
Published: March 2021

New FindingsThis article reviews a unique direct injection technique that complements the more conventional right atrial injection and aerosol delivery methods to study sensory and reflex effects of the lung sensors. Used in combination with other methods, this technique should contribute to the pulmonary sensory research.AbstractThe lungs house sensory receptors (sensors) that mediate a variety of sensory and reflex responses to mechanical or chemical changes. These reflexes are mainly carried through pulmonary sympathetic and vagal afferent pathways. The chemosensors in the lung periphery are especially important in pulmonary diseases and their reflex responses have traditionally been studied either by aerosol delivery, which also activates receptors in the central airways, or by right atrial injection, which also activates receptors lying outside the lung. Thus, these techniques may confound the interpretation of sensory function. Our laboratory has developed a direct injection technique to deliver agents into the lung parenchyma, which complements the conventional techniques with some important advantages. This article reviews the technique.
Vitamin D binding protein/GC‐globulin: a novel regulator of alpha cell function and glucagon secretion
Authors: Viloria Katrina , Hewison Martin , Hodson David J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe contribution of glucagon to type 1 and type 2 diabetes has long been known, but the underlying defects in alpha cell function are not well‐described. During both disease states, alpha cells respond inappropriately to stimuli, leading to dysregulated glucagon secretion, impaired glucose tolerance and hypoglycaemia. The mechanisms involved in this dysfunction are complex, but possibly include changes in alpha cell glucose‐sensing, alpha cell de‐differentiation, paracrine feedback, as well as alpha cell mass. However, the molecular underpinnings of alpha cell failure are still poorly understood. Recent transcriptomic analyses have identified vitamin D binding protein (DBP), encoded by GC/Gc, as an alpha cell signature gene. DBP is highly localized to the liver and alpha cells and is virtually absent from other tissues and cell types under non‐pathological conditions. While the vitamin D transportation role of DBP is well characterized in the liver and circulation, its function in alpha cells remains more enigmatic. Recent work reveals that loss of DBP leads to smaller and hyperplastic alpha cells, which secrete less glucagon in response to low glucose concentration, despite vitamin D sufficiency. Alpha cells lacking DBP display impaired Ca2+ fluxes and Na+ conductance, as well as changes in glucagon granule distribution. Underlying these defects is an increase in the ratio of cytoskeletal F‐actin to G‐actin, highlighting a novel intracellular actin scavenging role for DBP in islets.
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CANDU-Like Features in Emerging Small Modular Reactor Designs
Authors: Hussein Esam M. A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Several small modular reactor (SMR) designs are emerging, but only the CANDU® SMR and a couple of Indian designs incorporate the familiar features of the larger CANDU reactors. This paper shows that while the CANDU-reactor concept did not seem to receive wider attention among SMR designers, it has influenced a few. The paper discusses how the CANDU-reactor operating experience can aid in the construction and operation of some SMRs. For example, the concept of passive reactor shutdown by draining the moderator, which was utilized in the early Pickering A units, is adopted in the Copenhagen Atomics Waste Burner; a molten slat (LiF-ThF 4) heavy-water moderated reactor. The heavy-water and lithium in this salt produce tritium and can benefit from the CANDU-reactor experience in handling tritium. The online refueling of CANDU reactors, their large heat sinks, and seamless configuration are also reflected in SMR designs.
Pressure Drop, Air Entrainment, and Moments of the Axial Velocity in the Laminar-Turbulent Transition Jet Flow in Domestic Gas Injectors
Authors: Carrillo Ibañez William A. , Demétrio Márcio J. E. , Oliveira Amir A. M. , Pereira Fernando M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This work aims at characterizing the flow in the outlet of three gas injectors used in atmospheric burners and developing correlations for the discharge coefficient, air entrainment, momentum, and energy flow rates. These devices have millimeter-sized orifices, a cup-like region at the injector outlet, and the flow occurs in the transition from the laminar to the fully turbulent regimes. The pressure drop was measured and correlated as a function of the orifice Reynolds number for the three injectors. The correlations are able to predict the discharge coefficient within ±5% deviation from the measurements in the range 90≤Re≤4400. The axial velocity and turbulent intensity were measured at the outlet of the injectors using a hot-wire anemometer at the orifice Reynolds number of 3060, which is typical of the applications. The measurements were compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions using the γ−Reθ Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes transition model in the star-ccm+ commercial package. The results indicate the strong influence of the shape of the outlet cup-like region of the injectors on the development of an internal mixing layer and the external mixing layer in the free jet. The momentum and energy flow rates for the injector model with the largest cup are reduced to 50% and 21%, respectively, of the simplest gas injector. However, the gas jet in this injector carries 28% of the stoichiometric air before leaving the cup. These aspects must be taken into account in the preliminary design of atmospheric burners.
Channel-Confined Wake Structure Interactions Between Two Permeable Side-by-Side Bars of a Square Cross-Section
Authors: Jamshed Saqib , Dhiman Amit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The current research focuses on the laminar flow through permeable side-by-side bars of a square cross section in a channel-confined domain. Vorticity generation on the leeward sides of the permeable bodies further necessitates the study for a better understanding of underlying physics. Reynolds number (Re) and Darcy number (Da) are varied from 5 to 150 and 10−6 to 10−2, respectively, at transverse gap ratios s/d = 2.5–10. In the perspective of periodic unsteady flow, critical Re for the onset of vortex shedding is analyzed. Streamlines, vorticity, pressure coefficient distribution, and velocity profiles are discussed to identify the wake patterns. In lower permeability level, vortex-shedding from the permeable square cylinders is observed either in synchronized antiphase mode or a single large vortex street with a synchronized in-phase pattern in the near wake. A steady-state wake pattern symmetric and flocked toward the centerline is observed for all s/d at a higher permeability level regardless of Re. Wake patterns are not altered for Da = 10−6 to 10−3; instead, prompt extermination of the two vortex streets downstream is observed at Da = 10−3 as compared to Da = 10−6. The impact of s/d, Re, and permeability on the drag is examined. A jump in the flow characteristics and drag forces is noticed at higher Re for the midrange Da remarkably at lower s/d. For the extent of high permeability, the drag coefficient asymptotically gets closer to zero.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Following Noncontact Collegiate Recreational Activity: A Case Report
Authors: Morogiello Jenna , Roessler Rebekah 
Published: March 2021

A healthy 19-year-old male (body mass = 68.04 kg, height = 175.26 cm) participating in a collegiate intramural flag football tournament presented with unilateral gastrocnemius exercise-associated muscle cramps. He was given electrolytes, stretched, and returned to play. The exercise-associated muscle cramps progressed to his quadriceps bilaterally within 23 min of initial reported symptoms. Emergency medical services was activated and the patient was transported by ambulance to the emergency department, where he was diagnosed with acute exertional rhabdomyolysis. This case report explores the rarity of exertional rhabdomyolysis in a noncontact intramural sport and highlights the necessity for early recognition and treatment.
Effect of Maximally Relaxed Lying Posture on the Severity of Stuttering in Young Adults Who Stutter
Authors: Almudhi Abdulaziz , Zafar Hamayun 
Published: March 2021

The current study was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of maximally relaxed lying posture on disfluencies in young adults who stutter. A total of 24 participants (17 males, seven females; mean age = 24.9 ± 6.2 years) with developmental stuttering were a part of the study. The participants were asked to perform spontaneous speaking and reading aloud tasks in standard sitting and maximally relaxed lying postures. The severity of stuttering for the studied postures was estimated by using the Stuttering Severity Instrument. The results on the Stuttering Severity Instrument showed that stuttering parameters improved during the maximally relaxed lying posture compared with the standard sitting position. The results are discussed in the light of motor control concepts. It is concluded that the maximally relaxed lying posture can facilitate improvement in stuttering scores during spontaneous speaking as well as reading aloud in young adults who stutter. Reduced stuttering scores in the maximally relaxed lying posture suggest that speech therapists can position participants in this position while treating people who stutter.
Substrate Oxidation Is Altered by Obesity During Submaximal Cycling in Prepubertal and Early Pubertal Children: A Quality Study
Authors: Delaney Kerri Z. , Spatari Leandra , Henderson Mélanie , Santosa Sylvia , Mathieu Marie-Eve 
Published: March 2021

Background: To examine substrate oxidation in prepubertal and early pubertal children as a function of body weight, body composition, and sex during an exhaustive cycling test. Methods: This study included 320 children in prepubertal and early puberty (Tanner stage 1 or 2; n = 188 males) who completed a minimum of 4 stages (2–5 min/stage) of an adapted version of the McMaster exhaustive exercise protocol on an upright cycle ergometer. Substrate utilization, relative to individual VO2peak, was determined using VO2 and VCO2 data, obtained with breath-by-breath gas analysis during exercise. Results: Both peak (mg/kg lean body mass·min) and submaximal lipid oxidation (mg/kg lean body mass·min) were highest (P < .01) in children with healthy weight (HW), then overweight, and lowest in obese (OB). Both females with HW (compared with males with HW) and females with OB (compared with males with OB) had higher (P < .01) peak and submaximal lipid oxidation. In children with OB, fat-free mass correlated positively (P < .01) with submaximal lipid oxidation (r = .50). In contrast, in children with HW and overweight, fat-free mass correlated positively (P < .01) with carbohydrate oxidation (r = .52 and r = .47, respectively). Conclusion: Obesity during childhood may alter substrate oxidation during exercise. These results may have implications in the implementation of exercise programs in prepubertal or early puberty to control adiposity.
Inhaled nitrous oxide-induced functional B12deficiency
Authors: Padayachee Yorissa , Richards Chris , Morgan Owen 
Published: March 2021

Recreational nitrous oxide (N2O) is commonly used among young people partly due to its low cost and accessibility, and awareness of its potential adverse effects is poor in this group. One such adverse effect is degeneration of the spinal cord due to its disruption of DNA synthesis by inactivating cobalamin (B12).A 19-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 4-week history of worsening paraesthesia in his fingers and lower limbs, and weakness in the hands and lower limbs for 2 weeks. On examination, he had an ataxic gait, reduced power of grip strength and ankle movements, and impaired sensation in the lower limbs. An MRI brain and spine revealed myelopathy of the cervical and thoracic cord.On further questioning, he reported recreational N2O inhalation. His symptoms improved after stopping this and he was treated with supplementation of B vitamins. Education strategies regarding the risks of N2O misuse are indicated.
Natural killer T cell immunotherapy combined with oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus or reovirus treatments differentially increases survival in mouse models of ovarian and breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Gebremeskel Simon , Nelson Adam , Walker Brynn , Oliphant Tora , Lobert Lynnea , Mahoney Douglas , Johnston Brent 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundOncolytic viruses reduce tumor burden in animal models and have generated promising results in clinical trials. However, it is likely that oncolytic viruses will be more effective when used in combination with other therapies. Current therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapeutics, come with dose-limiting toxicities. Another option is to combine oncolytic viruses with immunotherapeutic approaches.MethodsUsing experimental models of metastatic 4T1 breast cancer and ID8 ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis, we examined natural killer T (NKT) cell-based immunotherapy in combination with recombinant oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or reovirus. 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells or ID8 ovarian cancer cells were injected into syngeneic mice. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with VSV or reovirus followed by activation of NKT cells via the intravenous administration of autologous dendritic cells loaded with the glycolipid antigen α-galactosylceramide. The effects of VSV and reovirus on immunogenic cell death (ICD), cell viability and immunogenicity were tested in vitro.ResultsVSV or reovirus treatments followed by NKT cell activation mediated greater survival in the ID8 model than individual therapies. The regimen was less effective when the treatment order was reversed, delivering virus treatments after NKT cell activation. In the 4T1 model, VSV combined with NKT cell activation increased overall survival and decreased metastatic burden better than individual treatments. In contrast, reovirus was not effective on its own or in combination with NKT cell activation. In vitro, VSV killed a panel of tumor lines better than reovirus. VSV infection also elicited greater increases in mRNA transcripts for proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and antigen presentation machinery compared with reovirus. Oncolytic VSV also induced the key hallmarks of ICD (calreticulin mobilization, plus release of ATP and HMGB1), while reovirus only mobilized calreticulin.ConclusionTaken together, these results demonstrate that oncolytic VSV and NKT cell immunotherapy can be effectively combined to decrease tumor burden in models of metastatic breast and ovarian cancers. Oncolytic VSV and reovirus induced differential responses in our models which may relate to differences in virus activity or tumor susceptibility.
Medical treatment of polymeric cerebral granulomatous reactions following endovascular procedures
Authors: Boyle Therese , Fernando Suran L , Steinfort Brendan , Li Jamma , Krause Martin , Harrington Tim , Assaad Nazih , Faulder Ken 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundEndovascular procedures are standard of care for an increasing range of cerebrovascular diseases. Many endovascular devices contain plastic and are coated with a hydrophilic polymer which has been rarely described to embolize, resulting in distal granulomatous inflammatory lesions within the vascular territory.MethodsWe reviewed three cases of cerebral granulomatous reactions that occurred after endovascular intervention for internal carotid aneurysms. The patient procedure details, presentation, relevant investigations, and treatment course are described. We also provide a literature review on endovascular granulomatous reactions.ResultsThese three cases represent the largest biopsy proven series of cerebral granulomatosis following endovascular intervention. We highlight the variable clinical presentation, with two of the three cases having an unusually delayed onset of up to 4 years following the intervention. We show the characteristic histological findings of granulomatous lesions with foreign body material consistent with a type IV reaction, radiological abnormalities of enhancing lesions within the vascular territory of the intervention, and the requirement of prolonged immunosuppression for maintenance of clinical remission, with two of the three patients requiring a corticosteroid sparing agent. In comparison with the available literature, in addition to hydrophilic gel polymer, we discuss that plastic from the lining of the envoy catheter may be a source of embolic material. We also discuss the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration and the implementation of novel biomaterials for the prevention of these reactions in the future.ConclusionsThere is a need for increased awareness of this severe complication of cerebral endovascular procedures and further longitudinal studies of its prevalence, optimal management and preventative measures.
Impairments in glycaemic control do not increase linearly with repeated nights of sleep restriction in healthy adults: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sweeney Emma L. , Peart Daniel J. , Ellis Jason G. , Walshe Ian H. 
Published: March 2021

Evidence suggests reduced glycaemic control following sleep restriction in healthy individuals. However, it remains unknown if impairments in glycaemic control increase with each additional night of sleep restriction in a linear manner. This randomised crossover study aimed to determine if the impairment in glycaemic control increases with each additional night of sleep restriction. Ten healthy individuals underwent 4 nights of control sleep (8 hours in bed) and 4 nights of sleep restriction (4 hours in bed) in a sleep laboratory. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted each morning. Serum glucose and insulin were measured. Glucose and insulin area under the curve were higher overall in the sleep restriction trial compared with control (p < 0.001 and p = 0.033); however, no effect of day (p = 0.620 and p = 0.863) or interaction effect (p = 0.152 and p = 0.285) were observed. This supports previous literature showing a detrimental impact of sleep restriction on glucose regulation. The present findings, however, suggest the impairment in glycaemic control does not increase in a linear manner with an increasing number of nights of sleep restriction. This may have implications for the design of future studies examining sleep restriction and glycaemic control. Novelty: Four nights of sleep restriction impaired glycaemic control in healthy individuals, but did not do so in a linear manner. No effect of number of nights of restriction was found for glucose or insulin, which may have implications for future studies.