bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of including the cause of missing records on genetic evaluations for growth in commercial pigs
Authors: Hollifield Mary Kate , Lourenco Daniela , Tsuruta Shogo , Bermann Matias , Howard Jeremy T , Misztal Ignacy 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
It is of interest to evaluate crossbred pigs for hot carcass weight (HCW) and birth weight (BW); however, obtaining a HCW record is dependent on livability (LIV) and retained tag (RT). The purpose of this study is to analyze how HCW evaluations are affected when herd removal and missing identification are included in the model and examine if accounting for the reasons for missing traits improves the accuracy of predicting breeding values. Pedigree information was available for 1,965,077 purebred and crossbred animals. Records for 503,716 commercial three-way crossbred terminal animals from 2014 to 2019 were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics. Two pedigree-based models were compared; model 1 (M1) was a threshold-linear model with all four traits (BW, HCW, RT, and LIV), and model 2 (M2) was a linear model including only BW and HCW. The fixed effects used in the model were contemporary group, sex, age at harvest (for HCW only), and dam parity. The random effects included direct additive genetic and random litter effects. Accuracy, dispersion, bias, and Pearson correlations were estimated using the linear regression method. The heritabilities were 0.11, 0.07, 0.02, and 0.04 for BW, HCW, RT, and LIV, respectively, with standard errors less than 0.01. No difference was observed in heritabilities or accuracies for BW and HCW between M1 and M2. Accuracies were 0.33, 0.37, 0.19, and 0.23 for BW, HCW, RT, and LIV, respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and RT was 0.34 ± 0.03, and between BW and LIV was 0.56 ± 0.03. Similarly, the genetic correlation between HCW and RT was 0.26 ± 0.04, and between HCW and LIV was 0.09 ± 0.05, respectively. The positive and moderate genetic correlations between BW and other traits imply a heavier BW resulted in a higher probability of surviving to harvest. Genetic correlations between HCW and other traits were lower due to the large quantity of missing records. Despite the heritable and correlated aspects of RT and LIV, results imply no major differences between M1 and M2; hence, it is unnecessary to include these traits in classical models for BW and HCW.
Compensatory feeding during early gestation for sows with a high weight loss after a summer lactation increased piglet birth weight but reduced litter size
Authors: Liu Fan , Braden Casie J , Smits Robert J , Craig Jessica R , Henman David J , Brewster Chris J , Morrison Rebecca S , Athorn Rebecca Z , Leury Brian J , Zhao Weicheng , Cottrell Jeremy J , Dunshea Frank R , Bell Alan W 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Sows mated in summer produce a greater proportion of born-light piglets (&lt;1.1 kg) which contributes to increased carcass fatness in the progeny population. The reasons for the low birth weight of these piglets remain unclear, and there have been few successful mitigation strategies identified. We hypothesized that: 1) the low birth weight of progeny born to sows mated in summer may be associated with weight loss during the previous summer lactation; and 2) increasing early gestation feed allowance for the sows with high lactational weight loss in summer can help weight recovery and improve progeny birth weight. Sows were classified as having either low (av. 1%) or high (av. 7%) lactational weight loss in their summer lactation. All the sows with low lactational weight loss (LLStd) and half of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a standard gestation feeding regime (HLStd) (2.6 kg/d; day 0–30 gestation), whereas the rest of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a compensatory feed allowance (HLComp) (3.5 kg/d; day 0–30 gestation). A comparison of LLStd (n = 75) versus HLStd sows (n = 78) showed that this magnitude of weight loss over summer lactation did not affect the average piglet or litter birth weight, but such results may be influenced by the higher litter size (P = 0.030) observed in LLStd sows. A comparison of HLStd versus HLComp (n = 81) sows showed that the compensatory feeding increased (P = 0.021) weight gain of gestating sows by 6 kg, increased (P = 0.009) average piglet birth weight by 0.12 kg, tended to reduce (P = 0.054) the percentage of born-light piglets from 23.5% to 17.1% but reduced the litter size by 1.4 (P = 0.014). A subgroup of progeny stratified as born-light (0.8–1.1 kg) or -normal (1.3–1.7 kg) from each sow treatment were monitored for growth performance from weaning until 100 kg weight. The growth performance and carcass backfat of progeny were not affected by sow treatments. Born-light progeny had lower feed intake, lower growth rate, higher G:F, and higher carcass backfat than born-normal progeny (all P &lt; 0.05). In summary, compensatory feeding from day 0 to 30 gestation in the sows with high weight loss during summer lactation reduced the percentage of born-light progeny at the cost of a lower litter size, which should improve growth rate and carcass leanness in the progeny population born to sows with high lactational weight loss.
Testing for Prohibited Substances in Rural Agricultural Show Exhibits: A Twenty-Three Year Experience
Authors: Schembri Mark , Suann Craig , Keledjian John , McIntyre Bradley , Lerner Jacob , Suttie Joseph 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The administration of prohibited substances has been used in agricultural show competitions and animal racing industries to gain unfair competitive advantages. We report the first large prospectively designed descriptive study of drug testing in four species (n = 1,598) over a 23 year period. 4.7% of tested exhibits returned positive results. Commonly detected substances included legitimate veterinary therapeutics such as the sedative acepromazine and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone. Targeted testing was more likely to return a positive result than random screening (50 vs 4.7% respectively) although numbers in this targeted sample were small (n = 12). Random drug testing programs were successful in detecting the minority of exhibits using prohibited substances although a wide variety of drugs were found to be used. Further vigilance and research is required in an ever-changing competitive climate to remain at the forefront of detecting new medications in animal show competitions.
A taxonomic revision ofPennellaOken, 1815 based on morphology and genetics (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Pennellidae)
Authors: Suyama Satoshi , Yanagimoto Takashi , Nakai Kazuyoshi , Tamura Tsutomu , Shiozaki Ko , Ohshimo Seiji , Chow Seinen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe taxonomy of the genus PennellaOken, 1815, a large parasitic copepod, is in a deplorable state. We performed morphological and genetic analyses on 52 Pennella individuals collected from 12 species of definitive hosts. Based on the morphological characteristics and their hosts, 29 individuals were determined or suggested to be large-size species (P. balaenoptera, P. filosa, P. instructa, and P. benzi), whereas 20 were considered intermediate- or small-size species. The remaining three small individuals, presumed to be newly attached, exhibited insufficient morphological characteristics for species identification or grouping. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence analysis detected 154 haplotypes from 52 individuals classified into Groups I–IV. Sequences of Group IV were determined to be pseudogenes. Levels of divergence between all groups were significant (FST = 0.488–0.830, P &lt; 0.001). All haplotypes of Group I were detected in intermediate- and small-size groups possessing large and well-branched antennary processes on the cephalothorax. Although Groups I and II exhibited the smallest difference in nucleotide sequence divergence (FST = 0.488 and K2P = 1.485 ± 0.355%), the morphological characteristics of Group I appeared to be distinct from those of the other groups. The substantial sequence divergence (FST = 0.830 and K2P = 4.123 ± 0.719%) between Groups II and III also supported their species status, but no characteristic morphological difference was observed between individuals in these groups. Results suggest that Pennella may contain only two or three species. and that some morphological characteristics and definitive host species previously used for species identification are not valid.
Improvement of the comfort perception scale in oral mucositis
Authors: Erden Yasemin , Ipek Coban Gulay 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Objective
The study was conducted to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for determining the comfort perceptions of patients with oral mucositis.

Method
The study was carried out methodologically between April 2017 and October 2019 in outpatient chemotherapy centers and clinics in which malignant patients were treated in a university hospital and educational-research hospital in Erzurum, Turkey of the study sample comprised 380 patients who developed oral mucositis after treatment. A ‘Patient Identification Information Form,’ draft ‘Comfort Perception Scale in Oral Mucositis’ and ‘General Comfort Scale’ were used to collect the study data. Validity and reliability analyses were used when evaluating the data. Percentage, mean, independent groups t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, variance analysis and advanced analyzes were also used.

Results
In this study, while the face validity of the scale was obtained, the content validity index was found to be 0.62 Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of the scale for explanatory factor analysis was 0.94, and Bartlett’s test x2 = 9142.156 (P &lt; 0.05). For the confirmatory factor analysis, the corrected chi-square value was 3.54, the root-mean-square error was 0.082, and the scale structure was confirmed according to these results. As a result, the scale consisted of 31 items and 2 sub-scales. Item-total correlation values ranged from 0.83 to 0.33. As a result of similar scale validity, a significant negative correlation was found between the Comfort Perception Scale in Oral Mucositis and General Comfort Scale scores (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
The Comfort Perception Scale in Oral Mucositis is a reliable and valid scale. In this study, it was determined that patient comfort was affected according to some variables.
Highlights in Veterinary Entomology, 2020: The Importance of the Contributions of Government Scientists to Research in Veterinary Entomology
Authors: Lohmeyer Kimberly H 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The field of veterinary entomology is primarily associated with the study of arthropods that impact the health of animals. Papers featured in the compilation of highlighted research from 2020 focused on studies conducted by scientists from the federal government that sought to understand and manage arthropods associated with wild and domesticated animals. The topics of these articles included research from the basic tenets of veterinary entomology: 1) biology and ecology of economically important pests, 2) novel control tactics and resistance management, 3) genomics, and 4) pathogen transmission. Key findings of the highlighted papers are presented and discussed to serve as a presentation record.
Current Status of Pyrethroids Resistance inAedes aegypti(Culicidae: Diptera) in Lahore District, Pakistan: A Novel Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Nawaz Saira , Tahir Hafiz Muhammad , Asif Mahmood Muhammad , Summer Muhammad , Ali Shaukat , Ali Aamir , Gormani Ali Haidar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is a major vector responsible for dengue transmission. Insecticides are being used as the most effective tool to control vector populations in Lahore, Pakistan. Control of Ae. aegypti is threatened by the development of resistance against insecticides. The current status of insecticide resistance was evaluated against pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin) in different populations of Lahore (Model Town, Mishri Shah, Sadar Cantt, Walton, and Valencia). The susceptibility of the larval and adult populations was tested following the standard WHO guidelines. Moderate to high levels of resistance were found against pyrethroids in the larval (RR50: 3.6–27.2 and RR90: 5–90) and adult populations (percentage mortality &lt; 98%). Biochemical assays revealed a statistically significant increase in the enzyme level in all field populations compared to the laboratory strain. The value of esterase was one-fold higher, monooxygenase was 3.9- to 4.7-fold higher, and glutathione S-transferases was 1.9- to 2.6-fold higher in field populations compared to the laboratory strain. These results depict the presence of resistance against deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin in field populations of Lahore mediated by metabolic enzymes i.e. esterases, monooxygenases, and glutathione S-transferase.
Electroacupuncture Alleviates Neuroinflammation and Motor Dysfunction by Regulating Intestinal Barrier Function in a Mouse Model of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ma Xue , Wang Qiang , Yuan Wei , Wang Yuan , Zhou Feng , Kang Kaiwen , Tong Xiaopeng , Liu Zhibin 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is the main nonmotor characteristic of Parkinson disease (PD), manipulation of gastrointestinal function by altering gut-brain axis is a potentially novel entry point for the treatment of PD. Acupuncture has been reported to confer beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects and mechanism of acupuncture on the pathophysiology and gastrointestinal function of PD. A PD mouse model was established by rotenone, and electroacupuncture was used to regulate the gastrointestinal function. Rotenone was found to induce the types of brain pathologies and gastrointestinal dysfunction that are similar to those observed with PD. Electroacupuncture significantly increased the spontaneous activity of mice with PD and increased the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, while reducing the expression of Iba-1 in substantia nigra (SN), suggesting that motor dysfunction and neurological damage was alleviated. In addition, electroacupuncture significantly reduced the deposition of α-synuclein in both colon and SN, reduced intestinal inflammation, and exerted protective effects on enteric nervous system and intestinal barrier. In conclusion, electroacupuncture confers beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal system of mice with PD and can alleviate neuroinflammation and neuropathic injury by inhibiting intestinal inflammation, promoting intestinal barrier repair and reducing α-synuclein deposition in the colon.
Telltale signs of metal recycling in the circumgalactic medium of a z ∼ 0.77 galaxy
Authors: Tejos N , López S , Ledoux C , Fernández-Figueroa A , Rivas N , Sharon K , Johnston E J , Florian M K , D’Ago G , Katsianis A , Barrientos F , Berg T , Corro-Guerra F , Hamel M , Moya-Sierralta C , Poudel S , Rigby J R , Solimano M 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
We present gravitational-arc tomography of the cool-warm enriched circumgalactic medium (CGM) of an isolated galaxy (‘G1’) at z ≈ 0.77. Combining VLT/MUSE adaptive-optics and Magellan/MagE echelle spectroscopy, we obtain partially resolved kinematics of Mg ii in absorption and [O ii] in emission. The unique arc configuration allows us to probe 42 spatially independent arc positions transverse to G1, plus four positions in front of it. The transverse positions cover G1’s minor and major axes at impact parameters of ≈10–30 and ≈60 kpc, respectively. We observe a direct kinematic connection between the cool-warm enriched CGM (traced by Mg ii) and the interstellar medium (traced by [O ii]). This provides strong evidence for the existence of an extended disc that co-rotates with the galaxy out to tens of kiloparsecs. The Mg ii velocity dispersion (σ ≈ 30–100 km s−1, depending on position) is of the same order as the modelled galaxy rotational velocity (vrot ≈ 80 km s−1), providing evidence for the presence of a turbulent and pressure-supported CGM component. We regard the absorption to be modulated by a galactic-scale outflow, as it offers a natural scenario for the observed line-of-sight dispersion and asymmetric profiles observed against both the arcs and the galaxy. An extended enriched co-rotating disc together with the signatures of a galactic outflow, are telltale signs of metal recycling in the z ∼ 1 CGM.
A speckle-imaging search for close triple companions of cataclysmic binaries
Authors: Shara Michael M , Howell Steve B , Furlan Elise , Gnilka Crystal L , Moffat Anthony F J , Scott Nicholas J , Zurek David 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
The orbital periods of most eclipsing cataclysmic binaries are not undergoing linear secular decreases of order a few parts per billion as expected from simple theory. Instead, they show several parts per million increases and decreases on time-scales of years to decades, ascribed to magnetic effects in their donors, triple companions, or both. To directly test the triple companion hypothesis, we carried out a speckle-imaging survey of six of the nearest and brightest cataclysmic variables. We found no main-sequence companions earlier than spectral types M4V in the separation range ∼0.02–1.2 arcsec, corresponding to projected linear separations of ∼2–100 au, and periods of ∼3–1000 yr. We conclude that main-sequence triple companions to cataclysmic variables are not very common, but cannot rule out the presence of the faintest M dwarfs or close brown dwarf companions.
AstroSat and MAXI view of Cygnus X-1: Signature of an ‘extreme’ soft nature
Authors: Kushwaha Ankur , Agrawal V K , Nandi Anuj 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT
We present a detailed spectral and timing analysis of Cygnus X-1 with multi-epoch observations, during 2016–2019, by SXT and LAXPC onboard AstroSat. We model the spectra in broad energy range of $0.5\!-\!70.0\, \rm {keV}$ to study the evolution of spectral properties while Cygnus X-1 transited from hard state to an extreme soft state via intermediate states in 2017. Simultaneous timing features are also examined by modelling the power density spectra in $3.0\!-\!50.0\, \rm {keV}$. We find that during high-soft state (HSS) observations, made by AstroSat on 2017 October 24 (MJD 58050), the energy spectrum of the source exhibits an inner disc temperature ($kT\rm _{in}$) of $0.46 \pm 0.01\, \rm {keV}$, a very steep photon index (Γ) of 3.15 ± 0.03 along with a fractional disc flux contribution of ∼45 per cent. The power density spectrum in the range of $0.006\!-\!50.0\, \rm {Hz}$ is also very steep with a power-law index of 1.12 ± 0.04 along with a high root mean square value of ∼25 per cent. Comparing the spectral softness of HSS with those of previously reported, we confirm that AstroSat observed Cygnus X-1 in the ‘softest’ state. The lowest MAXI spectral hardness ratio of ∼0.229 corroborates the softest nature of the source. Moreover, we estimate the spin of the black hole by continuum-fitting method, which indicates that Cygnus X-1 is a maximally rotating ‘hole’. Further, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to estimate the uncertainty in spin parameter, which is constrained as a* &gt; 0.9981 with 3σ confidence interval. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings.
Insights into the structure and RNA-binding specificity of Caenorhabditis elegans Dicer-related helicase 3 (DRH-3)
Authors: Li Kuohan , Zheng Jie , Wirawan Melissa , Trinh Nguyen Mai , Fedorova Olga , Griffin Patrick R , Pyle Anna M , Luo Dahai 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
DRH-3 is critically involved in germline development and RNA interference (RNAi) facilitated chromosome segregation via the 22G-siRNA pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. DRH-3 has similar domain architecture to RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and belongs to the RIG-I-like RNA helicase family. The molecular understanding of DRH-3 and its function in endogenous RNAi pathways remains elusive. In this study, we solved the crystal structures of the DRH-3 N-terminal domain (NTD) and the C-terminal domains (CTDs) in complex with 5′-triphosphorylated RNAs. The NTD of DRH-3 adopts a distinct fold of tandem caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) structurally similar to the CARDs of RIG-I and MDA5, suggesting a signaling function in the endogenous RNAi biogenesis. The CTD preferentially recognizes 5′-triphosphorylated double-stranded RNAs bearing the typical features of secondary siRNA transcripts. The full-length DRH-3 displays unique structural dynamics upon binding to RNA duplexes that differ from RIG-I or MDA5. These features of DRH-3 showcase the evolutionary divergence of the Dicer and RLR family of helicases.
Developing and Validating Measures of Absolute and Relative E-Cigarette Product Risk Perceptions: Single Items Can Be Surprisingly Comprehensive
Authors: O’Brien Erin Keely , Baig Sabeeh A , Persoskie Alexander 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Tobacco risk perceptions are important predictors of behavior and are impacted by tobacco communications. Our systematic literature review (completed in 2018) found there were no measures of e-cigarette risk perceptions that were completely consistent with tobacco researcher recommendations (eg, specifying use frequency) and had demonstrated validity and reliability. The current study develops measures to assess specific risk perceptions, including absolute risks and risks compared with cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy, and all nicotine cessation.

Methods and Results
We generated a list of tobacco health effects based on our previous systematic review of tobacco risk perception measures. Based on health effects prioritized by regulatory science experts, we developed 63 items to assess seven types of e-cigarette risk perceptions: absolute health and addiction risks, health and addiction risks relative to cigarettes, pregnancy health risks relative to cigarettes, health risks relative to nicotine replacement therapy, and health risks relative to all nicotine cessation. We fielded these items in an online survey (N = 1642). Through reliability and validity analyses, we reduced this pool to 21 items, including many single-item measures. Supporting the measures’ validity, each measure was negatively associated with current e-cigarette use, e-cigarette intentions, and skepticism about e-cigarette harms; and positively associated with perceiving e-cigarettes as equally or more harmful than cigarettes and intentions to quit e-cigarettes.

Discussion
This study developed and validated brief measures of several types of e-cigarette risk perceptions. Surprisingly, we found that for many types of risk perceptions, multi-item measures were redundant and these perceptions were well-represented by single-item measures.

Implications
This study developed measures of seven types of e-cigarette health risk perceptions, including absolute health and addiction risk, and risk relative to cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy, and cessation. We reduced 63 items to 21 to measure all of these constructs. These measures follow tobacco researcher recommendations, were developed using a rigorous measures development process, and demonstrated some aspects of reliability and validity. Because these measures are publicly available, they can be used by public health and industry researchers.