bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematology parameters as potential indicators of feed efficiency in pigs
Authors: Lindholm-Perry Amanda K , Kuehn Larry A , Wells James E , Rempel Lea A , Chitko-McKown Carol G , Keel Brittney N , Oliver William T 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe identification of an inexpensive, indirect measure of feed efficiency in swine could be a useful tool to help identify animals with improved phenotypes to supplement expensive phenotypes including individual feed intakes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hematology parameters in pigs at the beginning and end of a feed efficiency study, or changes in those values over the study, were associated with average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or gain-to-feed (G:F). Whole blood samples were taken at days 0 and 42 from pigs (n = 178) that were monitored for individual feed intakes and body weight gain during a 6-week study. Blood samples were analyzed for blood cell parameters including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts, red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count, and mean platelet volume (MPV). Feed efficiency parameters were predicted using an ANOVA model including fixed effects of farrowing group and pen (sex constant) and individual hematology parameters at day 0, day 42 or their change as covariates. At day 0, platelet count was positively associated with ADFI (P &lt; 0.05) and negatively associated with G:F (P &lt; 0.1), and lymphocyte count was positively associated with ADFI (P &lt; 0.05). At day 42, neutrophil, RBC counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit were associated with ADFI (P &lt; 10−3). Over the course of the study, changes in RBC measurements including RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, and MCHC (P &lt; 10−4) which may improve oxygen carrying capacity, were associated with ADG and ADFI. The change in hematocrit over the course of the study was the only parameter that was associated with all three measures of feed efficiency (P &lt; 0.05). Changes in RBC parameters, especially hematocrit, may be useful measurements to supplement feed efficiency phenotypes in swine.
Interaction of early metabolizable protein supplementation and virginiamycin on feedlot growth performance and carcass characteristics of calf-fed Holstein steers
Authors: Carvalho Pedro H V , Latack Brooke C , Flores Ruben , Montano Martin F , Zinn Richard A 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
One hundred sixty-eight Holstein steer calves (133.4 ± 7.9 kg) were used to evaluate the influence of virginiamycin (VM) supplementation on cattle growth performance and liver abscess incidence, and the effect of feeding 100% vs. 87% of metabolizable protein (MP) requirements during the initial 112 d on growth performance, efficiency of energy utilization, and carcass characteristics. Steers were balanced by weight and assigned to 28 pens (6 steers/pen). During the initial 112-d feeding period, dietary treatments consisted of two levels of MP (100% vs. 87% of expected requirements) supplemented with or without 22.5 mg/kg VM in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. There were no VM × MP supplementation interactions (P ≥ 0.14) on any of the parameters measured in both experiments. Calf-fed Holstein steers supplemented with VM increased (P ≤ 0.03) overall average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (G:F), observed/expected net energy (NE) values for maintenance and gain, and final body weight (BW). Cattle fed VM also increased (P ≤ 0.04) carcass weight, dressing percent, and longissimus muscle area. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.22) of VM supplementation on any other carcass characteristics. Calf-fed Holstein steers fed 100% MP requirements during the initial 112-d feeding period had greater (P ≤ 0.02) ADG, G:F, observed/expected NE values for maintenance and gain, and live BW compared with steers fed 87% of the expected MP requirements. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.17) of MP supply during the initial 112-d period on overall (342 d) growth performance measurements. The incidence of liver abscesses was low (averaging 7.7%) and not affected by dietary treatments. We conclude that, independent of MP supplies, supplemental VM enhances overall growth performance and efficiency of energy utilization of calf-fed Holstein steers.
Increasing standardization for smart(er) contracts
Authors: Aleinieh Tarek Kadour , Zoboli Laura 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Legal standardization traditionally played an important role in contractual relations. With technological and commercial development and expansion of trade from the individual and collective levels to internationalization, it became necessary to create a set of standards to keep pace with this development and facilitate the contractual process. Although smart contracts are considered a leap in the contractual relationship, it cannot be overlooked that these contracts share many characteristics with traditional contracts. To gain a greater position in the global market, smart contracts also need to be well functioning and efficient. In this context, the article tackles the phenomenon of legal standardization and identifies the main weaknesses of smart contracts—to answer two crucial questions: how can these contracts be smarter, and how should we employ standardization to ensure their efficiency?
A comprehensive evolutionary and epidemiological characterization of insertion and deletion mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genomes
Authors: Liu Xue , Guo Liping , Xu Tiefeng , Lu Xiaoyu , Ma Mingpeng , Sheng Wenyu , Wu Yinxia , Peng Hong , Cao Liu , Zheng Fuxiang , Huang Siyao , Yang Zixiao , Du Jie , Shi Mang , Guo Deyin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, which causes the current pandemic of respiratory illness, is evolving continuously and generating new variants. Nevertheless, most of the sequence analyses thus far focused on nucleotide substitutions despite the fact that insertions and deletions (indels) are equally important in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we analyzed 1,099,664 high-quality sequences of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to re-construct the evolutionary and epidemiological histories of indels. Our analysis revealed 289 circulating indel types (237 deletion and 52 insertion types, each represented by more than ten genomic sequences), among which eighteen were recurrent indel types, each represented by more than 500 genome sequences. Although indels were identified across the entire genome, most of them were identified in nsp6, S, ORF8, and N genes, among which ORF8 indel types had the highest frequencies of frameshift. Geographical and temporal analyses of these variants revealed a few alterations of dominant indel types, each accompanied by geographic expansion to different countries and continents, which resulted in the fixation of several types of indels in the field, including the current variants of concern. Evolutionary and structural analyses revealed that indels involving S N-terminal domain regions were linked to the 3/4 variants of concern, resulting in significantly altered S protein that might contribute to the selective advantage of the corresponding variant. In sum, our study highlights the important role of insertions and deletions in the evolution and spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Genetic, environmental and intrinsic determinants of the human antibody epitope repertoire
Authors: Andreu-Sánchez Sergio , Bourgonje Arno R. , Vogl Thomas , Kurilshikov Alexander , Leviatan Sigal , Moreno Angel J. Ruiz , Hu Shixian , Sinha Trishla , Vila Arnau Vich , Klompus Shelley , Kalka Iris N. , de Leeuw Karina , Arends Suzanne , Jonkers Iris , Withoff Sebo ,   Lifelines cohort study, Brouwer Elisabeth , Weinberger Adina , Wijmenga Cisca , Segal Eran , Weersma Rinse K. , Fu Jingyuan , Zhernakova Alexandra 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPhage-displayed immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP-Seq) has successfully enabled high-throughput profiling of human antibody profiles. However, a comprehensive overview of environmental and genetic determinants shaping human adaptive immunity is currently lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of genetic, environmental and intrinsic factors on the variation in human antibody repertoires. We characterized serological antibody repertoires against 344,000 peptides using PhIP-Seq libraries from a wide range of microbial and environmental antigens in 1,443 participants from a population cohort. We demonstrate individual-specificity, temporal consistency and co-housing similarities in antibody repertoire. Genetic analyses showed involvement of the HLA, IGHV and FUT2 regions. Furthermore, we uncovered associations between 48 phenotypic factors and 544 antibody-bound peptides, including age, cell counts, sex, smoking behavior and allergies, among others. Overall, our results indicate that human antibody epitope repertoires are shaped by both host genetics and environmental exposures and highlight unique signatures of distinct phenotypes and genotypes.
A Magnetic Field Prevents Alcoholic Liver Disease by Reducing Oxidative Stress
Authors: Song Chao , Chen Hanxiao , Yu Biao , Zhang Lei , Wang Junjun , Feng Chuanlin , Yang Xingxing , Tian Xiaofei , Fan Yixiang , Ji Xinmiao , Wang Hua , Xie Can , Zhang Xin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe radical-pair recombination change will affect the generation of free radicals, which can be regulated by static magnetic fields (SMFs) in a SMF setting dependent way. It is well known that alcohol consumption leads to significantly increased free radical levels and health risks, which lacks effective treatment method besides alcohol abstinence. Here we compared different SMF settings and found that a downward SMF of ∼0.1 T with magnetic flux of ∼4.5×10−3 Wb could effectively alleviate alcohol-induced liver damage and lipid accumulation, and improve liver function. The inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and oxidative stress were significantly reduced. EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) experiments also confirmed the reduced amount of free radical by SMF treatment. Moreover, the lifespan of heavy alcohol drinking mice was also significantly changed due to the SMF effects on liver cell ROS level, DNA synthesis and liver cell regeneration. Our study shows that moderate SMFs with specific parameters have great promises to be developed into a physical method to reduce alcohol-induced liver damage in the future.
MORPHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF CELL-TO-CELL VARIATIONS IN ACTION POTENTIAL DYNAMICS IN SUBSTANTIA NIGRA DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS
Authors: Moubarak Estelle , Inglebert Yanis , Tell Fabien , Goaillard Jean-Marc 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTAction potential (AP) shape is a critical electrophysiological parameter, in particular because it strongly modulates neurotransmitter release. AP shape is also used to distinguish neuronal populations, as it greatly varies between neuronal types. For instance, AP duration ranges from hundreds of microseconds in cerebellar granule cells to 2-3 milliseconds in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons. While most of this variation seems to arise from differences in the subtypes of voltage- and calcium-gated ion channels expressed, a few studies suggested that dendritic morphology may also affect AP shape. However, AP duration also displays significant variability in a same neuronal type, while the determinants of these variations are poorly known. Using electrophysiological recordings, morphological reconstructions and realistic Hodgkin-Huxley modeling, we investigated the relationships between dendritic morphology and AP shape in SNc DA neurons. In this neuronal type where the axon arises from an axon-bearing dendrite (ABD), the duration of the somatic AP could be predicted from a linear combination of the complexities of the ABD and the non-ABDs. Dendrotomy simulation and experiments showed that these correlations arise from the causal influence of dendritic topology on AP duration, due in particular to a high density of sodium channels in the somato-dendritic compartment. In addition, dendritic morphology also modulated AP back-propagation efficiency in response to barrages of EPSCs in the ABD. In line with previous findings, these results demonstrate that dendritic morphology plays a major role in defining the electrophysiological properties of SNc DA neurons and their cell-to-cell variations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAction potential (AP) shape is a critical electrophysiological parameter, in particular because it strongly modulates neurotransmitter release. AP shape (e.g. duration) greatly varies between neuronal types but also within a same neuronal type. While differences in ion channel expression seem to explain most of AP shape variation across cell types, the determinants of cell-to-cell variations in a same neuronal type are mostly unknown. We used electrophysiological recordings, neuronal reconstruction and modeling to show that, due to the presence of sodium channels in the somato-dendritic compartment, a large part of cell-to-cell variations in somatic AP duration in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons is explained by variations in dendritic topology.
Promising or problematic? Perceptions of active learning from STEM students with ADHD and specific learning disabilities
Authors: Pfeifer Mariel A. , Cordero Julio J. , Stanton Julie Dangremond 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSTEM instructors are encouraged to adopt active learning in their courses, yet our understanding of how active learning affects different groups of students is still developing. One group often overlooked in higher education research is students with disabilities. Two of the most commonly occurring disabilities on college campuses are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific learning disorders (SLD). We investigated how the incorporation of active-learning practices influences the learning and self-advocacy experiences of students with ADHD and/or SLD (ADHD/SLD) in undergraduate STEM courses. Semi-structured interviews with 25 STEM majors with ADHD/SLD were conducted and data were analyzed using qualitative methods. Most participants perceived themselves to learn best in a STEM course with at least some elements of active learning. Participants described how they perceived active learning to support or hinder their learning and how active learning affected their self-advocacy. Active-learning barriers could be attributed to a combination of instructional factors. These factors included how a particular active-learning practice was implemented within a STEM course and limited awareness of universal design for learning. Defining the supports and barriers perceived by students with ADHD/SLD is a crucial first step in developing more inclusive active-learning STEM courses. Suggestions for research and teaching are provided.
Whole-brain optical access in small adult vertebrates with two- and three-photon microscopy
Authors: Akbari Najva , Tatarsky Rose L , Bass Andrew H , Xu Chris 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAlthough optical microscopy has allowed us to study the entire brain in early developmental stages, access to the brains of live, adult vertebrates has been limited. Danionella, a genus of miniature, transparent fish closely related to zebrafish has been introduced as a neuroscience model to study the entire adult vertebrate brain. However, the extent of optically accessible depth in these animals has not been quantitatively characterized. Here, we show that two- and three-photon microscopy can be used to access the entire depth of the adult wild type Danionella dracula brain without any modifications to the animal other than mechanical stabilization. Three-photon microscopy provides high signal to background ratio and optical sectioning through the deepest part of the brain. While vasculature can be observed with two-photon microscopy, the deeper regions have low contrast. We show that multiphoton microscopy is ideal for readily penetrating the entire adult brain within the geometry of these animals’ head structures and without the need for pigment removal. With multiphoton microscopy enabling optical access to the entire adult brain and a repertoire of methods that allow observation of the larval brain, Danionella provides a model system for readily studying the entire brain over the lifetime of a vertebrate.
Radiation Exposure Determination in a Secure, Cloud-Based Online Environment
Authors: Shirley Ben C. , Mucaki Eliseos J. , Knoll Joan H.M. , Rogan Peter K. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTRapid sample processing and interpretation of estimated exposures will be critical for triaging exposed individuals after a major radiation incident. The dicentric chromosome (DC) assay assesses absorbed radiation using metaphase cells from blood. The Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identifier and Dose Estimator System (ADCI) identifies DCs and determines radiation doses. This study aimed to broaden accessibility and speed of this system, while protecting data and software integrity. ADCI Online is a secure web-streaming platform accessible worldwide from local servers. Cloud-based systems containing data and software are separated until they are linked for radiation exposure estimation. Dose estimates are identical to ADCI on dedicated computer hardware. Image processing and selection, calibration curve generation, and dose estimation of 9 test samples completed in <2 days. ADCI Online has the capacity to alleviate analytic bottlenecks in intermediate-to-large radiation incidents. Multiple cloned software instances configured on different cloud environments accelerated dose estimation to within clinically relevant time frames.
Direct and latent effects of ocean acidification on the transition of a sea urchin from planktonic larva to benthic juvenile
Authors: Dorey Narimane , Butera Emanuela , Espinel-Velasco Nadjejda , Dupont Sam 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOngoing ocean acidification (OA) is expected to affect marine organisms and ecosystems. While sea urchins can survive a wide range of pH, this comes at a high energetic cost, and early life stages are particularly vulnerable. Information on how OA affects transitions between life-history stages is scarce. We evaluated the direct and indirect effects of pH (pHT8.0, 7.6 and 7.2) on the development and transition between life-history stages of the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus droebachiensis, from fertilization to early juvenile. Continuous exposure to low pH negatively affected larval mortality and growth. At pH 7.2, formation of the rudiment (the primordial juvenile) was delayed by two days. Larvae raised at pH 8.0 and transferred to 7.2 after competency had mortality rates five to six times lower than those kept at 8.0, indicating that pH also has a direct effect on older, competent larvae. Latent effects were visible on the larvae raised at pH 7.6: they were more successful in settling (45%) and metamorphosing (30%) than larvae raised at 8.0 (17 and 1% respectively). These direct and indirect effects of OA on settlement and metamorphosis have important implications for population survival.
Urine proteomics as a non-invasive approach to monitor exertional rhabdomyolysis during military training
Authors: Carneiro Andréia , Macedo-da-Silva Janaína , Santiago Verônica Feijoli , Oliveira Gilberto Santos , Guimarães Thiago , Mendonça Clarissa Ferolla , de Oliveira Branquinho Jéssica Laís , Lucena Cintia Verdan , Osório Juliana Batista , Pernambuco Eduardo , Moreira Josino Costa , Pesquero João Bosco , Pereira Marcos Dias , Palmisano Giuseppe 
Published: December 2021

AbstractExertional rhabdomyolysis (ERM), a condition often associated with strenuous exercise, a common practice in the military activities, can be defined as the process of injury and rupture of muscle cell membranes, with leakage of its components into the blood stream. Creatine kinase (CK) has been extensively used for ERM diagnosis, albeit several studies reported the discrepancy between CK levels and clinical signs or symptoms. In this study, we analyzed the biochemical profile of the blood, and the urinary proteome of ten marine soldiers in a special training course. The samples were collected in two periods, M1 and M2, which correspond to the lowest and highest CK levels during training, respectively. Quantitative urinary proteome profile of M1 and M2 was determined showing changes with highest significance in immune system and cell adhesion-related pathways after strenuous physical exercise. Changes in the abundance of several proteins was observed in individuals carrying genetic polymorphisms related to greater risk for muscle damage. Remarkably, we identified a panel of proteins (CTSH, PIK3IP1, DEFB1, ITGB1, BCAN, and TNFRSF10C) that present high correlation with three classical blood biochemical markers of ERM and AGT MET235Thr and ACE I/D polymorphisms. These proteins represent potential urine markers of muscle damage due to intense physical conditions such as military training activities.
Commanding or being a simple intermediary: how does it affect moral behavior and related brain mechanisms?
Authors: Caspar Emilie A. , Ioumpa Kalliopi , Arnaldo Irene , Di Angelis Lorenzo , Gazzola Valeria , Keysers Christian 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTHistory has shown that fractioning operations between several individuals along a hierarchical chain allows diffusing responsibility between components of the chain, which has the potential to disinhibit antisocial actions. Here, we present two studies, one using fMRI (Study 1) and one using EEG (Study 2), designed to help understand how commanding or being in an intermediary position impacts the sense of agency and empathy for pain. In the age of military drones, we also explored whether commanding a human or robot agent influences these measures. This was done within a single behavioral paradigm in which participants could freely decide whether or not to send painful shocks to another participant in exchange for money. In Study 1, fMRI reveals that activation in social cognition and empathy-related brain regions was equally low when witnessing a victim receive a painful shock while participants were either commander or simple intermediary transmitting an order, compared to being the agent directly delivering the shock. In Study 2, results indicated that the sense of agency did not differ between commanders and intermediary, no matter if the executing agent was a robot or a human. However, we observed that the neural response over P3 was higher when the executing agent was a robot compared to a human. Source reconstruction of the EEG signal revealed that this effect was mediated by areas including the insula and ACC. Results are discussed regarding the interplay between the sense of agency and empathy for pain for decision-making.