bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of available energy value and digestive metabolism in dairy goats: A comparative study of grain types and processing methods
Authors: Su Xiaodong , Zhang Lei , Sun Yiyang , Wu Yanbo , Ren Jianrong , Wu Shengru , Lei Xinjian , Zhang Jun , Wang Dangdang , Ren Hao , Yao Junhu 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
The diverse types and processing methods of grains intricately influence the sites and digestibility of starch digestion, thereby impacting energy utilization. This study aimed to explore the impact of grain variety and processing methods on the net energy (NE) in dairy goats, analyzing these effects at the level of nutrient digestion and metabolism.
Methods
Eighteen castrated Guanzhong dairy goats (44.25 ± 3.59 kg BW) were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of six replicates. The substitution method was employed to determine the net energy (NE) values of the dry-rolled corn (DRC), dry-rolled wheat (DRW) or steam-flaked corn (SFC, 360 g/L). Briefly, two phases were performed. Throughout the basal phase, all goats were fed the same basal diet. In the substitution phase, 30% of the basal diet was replaced with DRC, DRW and SFC, respectively.
Results
The NE values of the DRC, DRW and SFC were 7.65, 7.54 and 7.44 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Compared to the DRC group, the DRW group showed increased digestibility of starch and crude protein (CP). Similarly, the SFC group exhibited increased organic matter (OM) and starch digestibility and a trend towards higher dry matter (DM) digestibility, reduced fecal OM and starch content. Additionally, fecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations decreased in goats fed SFC. Correspondingly, digestible energy (DE) in the DRW and SFC groups tended to be higher than in the DRC group. DRW increased total VFA concentration compared to DRC, while SFC increased the proportion of propionate and decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio in the rumen. Both the DRW and SFC diets elevated serum glucose levels. Furthermore, heat increment (HI) and GasE (gas energy) related to fermentation were significantly higher in the DRW and SFC groups compared to the DRC group.
Conclusion
Our findings indicated that DRW and SFC increased rumen starch fermentation in goats, thereby improving total tract starch digestion and DE. However, DRW and SFC failed to improve NE value due to increased heat and gas energy production from fermentation. Therefore, for dairy goats, excessively refined processing of grains in the diet does not effectively improve energy efficiency.
Plant-parasitic nematodes on hemp in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
Authors: Núñez-Rodríguez Lester A , Rivedal Hannah , Ocamb Cynthia M , Gent David H , Zasada Inga A 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background Plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the most important biotic factors that impact crop production globally. Since hemp cultivation in the U.S. was banned from 1970 to 2018, little information is available about current plant-parasitic nematode pressure on U.S. hemp production. The production of hemp has gained interest in Washington and Oregon, states where several genera of plant-parasitic nematodes have been associated with various crops. This report is the first to define plant-parasitic nematodes associated with hemp in these states in the Pacific Northwest.
Methods Soil and root samples from hemp fields were collected in early autumn in 2021, 2022, and 2023. The occurrence, population density, and identity of plant-parasitic nematodes in these samples were determined using morphological and molecular identification methods. A Bayesian analysis of available sequence data was used to analyze phylogenetic relationships of nematode species found in hemp fields. Additionally, the host status of hemp ‘Alpha Explorer’ to three plant-parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne chitwoodi,M. hapla, and Pratylenchus neglectus, was tested under greenhouse conditions. The occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes and reproduction factor values of the three nematode species were analyzed with non-parametric methods.
Results Pratylenchus spp. were the most frequent plant-parasitic nematodes recovered from soil samples, being present in 64 % of samples (n = 89). Only two endoparasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. and Pratylenchus spp., were found in root samples with Pratylenchus spp. as the most frequent (30 out of 37 samples). A large diversity of Pratylenchus spp. was detected in hemp root samples. Hemp ‘Alpha Explorer’ was a poor host for Pratylenchus neglectus, resulting in low reproduction values (< 1). Additionally, results of our study indicated that hemp is not a host for Meloidogyne chitwoodi.
Conclusions Pratylenchus spp. are the most important plant-parasitic nematodes found in hemp fields in Oregon and Washington. This study reports for the first time, five Pratylenchus species (Pratylenchus crenatus, P. fallax, P. hexincisus, P. neglectus, and P. scribneri) associated with hemp in Oregon and Washington; P. penetrans was also found in the region on hemp plants. The host status results indicate that hemp can be considered a non-host for M. chitwoodi and a poor host for M. hapla and P. neglectus.
Exploring Parental Factors Influencing Low BirthWeight on the 2022 CDC Natality Dataset
Authors: Dola Sumaiya Sultana , Valderrama Camilo E. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims: Low birth weight (LBW), known as the condition of a newborn weighing less than 2500 g, is a growing concern in the United States (US). Previous studies have identified some factors contributing to this issue. However, these studies have primarily focused on individual factors rather than examining the correlations between multiple factors. Additionally, much of the research has concentrated on maternal health, demographics, and socioeconomic factors, often overlooking potential influences from father-related factors such as paternal age, educational level, and ethnicity. Moreover, many of these studies have been limited to local populations, which may not represent the entire US population. To address these limitations, this study employs a machine learning approach to analyze the 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Natality Dataset, identifying the most significant factors contributing to LBW across the US.
Methods: Relevant variables such as anthropometric, socioeconomic, maternal, and paternal factors from the dataset were used to train logistic regression, random forest, extreme gradient boosting, and an attention mechanism model to predict normal and LBW newborns. The predictive models were interpretable through odds ratio, feature importance, and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), revealing the factors contributing most to LBW.
Results: Our approach predicted normal birth weight and LBW newborns with an accuracy of 70%, 73%, 74%, and 59.5% for the logistic regression, random forest, extreme gradient boosting, and an attention mechanism model, respectively. The models indicated that both maternal and paternal factors influence birth weights. Among these factors, ethnicity, age, and education level were the most common among parents. Additionally, maternal characteristics, like height, BMI, pre-pregnancy weight, and weight gain during pregnancy, were significant in determining birth weights.
Conclusion: Our findings provide insights to support pregnancy guidelines. Specifically, parents should prioritize early and regular prenatal consultations, proper nutrition, and avoiding smoking. This should be a priority, particularly for vulnerable populations in which LBW is a high burden. Moreover, the significant influence of ethnicity and maternal height on LBW suggests the need to reconsider the 2500-gram cut-off established by the World Health Organization to account for the differences in parent height across ethnicities.
An adaptive Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Program Enables Basal Epithelial Cells to Bypass Stress-Induced Stasis and Contributes to Metaplastic Breast Cancer Progenitor State
Authors: Caruso Joseph A. , Tlsty Thea D. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: Human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) cultures encounter a stress-associated barrier termed stasis, during which most cells adopt a senescence-like phenotype. From these cultures, rare variants emerge from the basal epithelial population, re-initiating growth. Variants exhibit pre-malignant properties, including an aberrant epigenetic program that enables continued proliferation and acquisition of genetic changes. Following oncogenic transformation, variants produce tumors that recapitulate the histopathological characteristics of metaplastic breast cancer (MBC), a rare subtype characterized by squamous and mesenchymal differentiation.
Methods: Using the conventional serum-free HMEC culture system, we probed the capacity for phenotypic plasticity inherent to basal epithelial cell populations from human breast tissue as they navigated stasis and emerged as variant populations.
Results: We observed robust activation of a TGF-β-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in basal epithelial cells during stasis, followed by subsequent attenuation of this program in emerging variants. Inhibiting the TGF-β pathway or depleting the EMT regulators Snail or Slug allowed basal epithelial cells to collectively bypass stasis, demonstrating that cellular dysfunction and arrest resulting from TGF-β and EMT activation are central to this in vitro barrier. The spontaneous emergence of variants from stasis cultures was associated with a restricted EMT trajectory, which diverted cells away from a complete mesenchymal state characterized by irreversible growth arrest, and instead limited variants to epithelial and intermediate EMT states associated with greater proliferative capacity and stemness. Epigenetic mechanisms, which contributed to the dysregulated growth control characteristic of the variant phenotype, also contributed to the constrained EMT program in variants. By overcoming the cellular dysfunction and growth arrest resulting from TGF-β and EMT activation, variants exhibited increased oncogenic transformation efficiency compared to pre-stasis basal epithelial cells. Inhibiting the TGF-β pathway prior to stasis significantly reduced EMT in the basal epithelial population, alleviated selective pressure driving variant emergence, and enhanced oncogenic transformation efficiency, resulting in tumors with markedly diminished metaplastic differentiation.
Conclusions: This study reveals how adaptive EMT reprogramming governs basal epithelial cell fate decisions and contributes to the development of MBC progenitors by restricting access to terminal mesenchymal states that induce growth arrest and, instead, favoring intermediate states with enhanced tumorigenic potential.
Multi-objective optimization of glazing and shading configurations for visual, thermal, and energy performance of cooling dominant climatic regions of India
Authors: Chaturvedi Pushpendra Kr. , Kumar Nand , Lamba Ravita , Mehta Kedar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Climate adaptive passive design features such as glazing and shading configurations, often exhibit conflicting behaviour to maintaining indoor visual and thermal environment while minimizing energy consumption. This study employed the MOO approach through SPEA-II and HypE algorithms to find the efficient glazing and shading configurations in four cooling dominant climatic zones of India such as hot and dry, composite, warm and humid, and temperate. A residential building situated in Jaipur city (India) was chosen for the analysis and to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the optimization process. Twenty-six design variables including wall window ratio, louvers depth, louvers count, fin depth and fins count of each orientation, window height, sill height, glazing U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, and visual light transmittance were imported into the Octopus to investigate their interactive impact on the Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI), Thermal Discomfort Percentage (TDP) and Energy Use Intensity (EUI). The optimized trade-off solutions represented a considerable improvement; UDI increased by 24.61%, 21.90%, 14.91% & 26.41%, and TDP reduced by 10.38%, 1.5%, 13.95%, & 17.68%, and EUI decreased by 10.10%, 1.9%, 15.82%, & 19.19% compared to initially generated solutions for Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore cities respectively. Finally, the Bayesian machine learning technique has been used for sensitivity analysis to identify the correlation between the design variables and performance objectives. The outcomes of this research can help architects in selecting optimal glazing and shading features for both new building design and retrofitting of existing buildings in the tropical climatic conditions of India.
Sea urchin-like sulfur-doped Ni(OH)2 as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Wu Fang , Ge Jin-Long , Zhu Yujun , Jiao Yuhong , Wu Zhong , Feng Chao , Zhao Yupei , Li Qiu 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The development of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is remarkably desirable but challenging. Herein, we design and fabricate a sea urchin-like S-doped Ni(OH)2 electrocatalyst on nickel foam using a simple hydrothermal method, followed by treatment with Na2S solution. The introduction of S not only modulates the electronic structure of Ni(OH)2, but also improve the electronic conductivity, thus enhancing the OER performance of Ni(OH)2. Owing to the free-standing feature, modified electronic structure and sea urchin-like structure, the optimized S-Ni(OH)2-30 min delivered excellent OER performance with overpotentials of 306 and 392 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm− 2, respectively, Tafel slope of 89.2 mV dec− 1 and stability for 12 h at 20 mA cm− 2. This work demonstrates the importance of incorporating S in Ni(OH)2 to optimize the electronic structure for improving OER activity and provides a promising pathway to synthesize Ni(OH)2-based electrocatalysts.
Genome-wide characterization of Solanum tuberosum UGT gene family and functional analysis of StUGT178 in salt tolerance
Authors: Ma Yu , Song Jiafeng , Sheng Suao , Wang Daijuan , Wang Tongtong , Wang Nan , Chen Airu , Wang Lixia , Peng Yaxuan , Lv Zhaoyan , Zhu Xiaobiao , Hou Hualan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) widely exists in plants and plays an essential role in catalyzing the glycosylation reaction associated with metabolic processes. UGT gene family have been identified in many species to date. However, the comprehensive identification and systematic analysis has not been documented yet in the latest potato genome. In this study, a total of 295 UGT members (StUGT) were identified and unevenly distributed on twelve chromosomes in potato. All StUGT genes were classified into 17 groups (A-P, R) and the UGT genes within same groups have similar structural characterization. Tandem duplication was the major driving force for the StUGT gene expansion. The prediction of cis-acting elements showed that development process, light, phytohormone, and abiotic stress responsive elements generally existed in StUGT promoter regions. Analysis of spatial and temporal expression pattern demonstrated that StUGT genes were widely and differentially expressed in various tissues. Additionally, to investigate the salt stress response genes, we analyzed the expression profiles of StUGT genes under salt treatment. A total of 50 and 20 StUGT genes were continuously up- and down-regulated, respectively, implicating that these genes involved in the regulation of salt resistance. The heterologous expression of StUGT178 promoter and protein in Arabidopsis further demonstrated that StUGT178 gene significantly response to salt treatment, and enhanced salinity resistance by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and H2O2 accumulation. These results provide comprehensive information for better understanding StUGT genes, and offer a foundation for uncovering their function associated with salt stress in potato.
Catalyzing Change: Assessing Inner Setting Context of Cervical Cancer Prevention Efforts in Loreto, Peru, Prior to Transition from VIA to HPV Screen-and-Treat
Authors: Nussbaum Lauren , Brown Joanna , Meza-Sánchez Graciela , Soto Sandra , Jurczuk Magdalena , Vásquez Javier Vásquez , Grandez Henrry Daza , Jara Lita E. Carrillo , Liñán Renso López , Gravitt Patti E. , Paz‑Soldán Valerie A. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to understand health care providers’ perspectives regarding the facilitators of and barriers to the success of the former Pap and VIA-based cervical cancer program in Iquitos, Peru, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform the transition to the HPV screen-and-treat intervention. By exploring the pre-implementation organizational context, or inner setting, through the opinions of those who would implement the HPV-based intervention at the patient care level, this research lays the foundation to assess readiness before implementation and understand what’s necessary to design contextually appropriate and sustainable interventions in LMIC settings.
Methods: We conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with health professionals (12 nurse-midwives, 4 doctors, and 3 laboratory technicians) who administered the former Pap- and VIA-based cervical cancer EDT program.
Results: Providers identified information gaps between the primary level of care, where cervical cancer screening occurs, and the hospital level of care, where diagnosis and treatment occurs. These gaps, which were caused in part by fragmented, antiquated, and overlapping data systems, resulted in the loss of patients between levels of care. Participants also noted a lack of trained personnel and basic materials. Some providers found their way around these gaps by facilitating informal information exchanges among providers to ensure women were not lost to follow-up.
Conclusions: PPC relied on these findings and other data from INSPIRE Phase 1 to implement a HPV-based screen-and-treat program that dramatically increased screening and treatment; however, challenges remain regarding resources and sustainability related to HPV technology.
A community-oriented, data-driven resource to improve protocol design for cardiac modelling from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Palpant Nathan , Cao Yuanzhao , Shim Woo Jun , Hudson James , Bao Shaine Chenxin , Negi Sumedha , Fang Chen , Chow Chris Siu Yeung 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Protocols for culturing cardiac cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are critical for studying mechanisms of development and disease. This study provides data-driven analysis of a community-oriented database to assess parameters used in published cardiac differentiation protocols, including a web-accessible portal for user-guided customization of protocols. Validation studies support context-dependent roles for media composition in deriving functional maturation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.
Undoing of firing rate adaptation enables invariant population codes.
Authors: Brandão Sofia , Ramirez Luisa , Walter Alexander , Silies Marion , Martelli Carlotta 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Adaptation often implements an efficient coding strategy to align neuron sensitivity to relevant stimuli. However, when sensory information is encoded in populations of neurons, adaptation of individual units could deteriorate stimulus information relevant for behavior. One prominent example is the encoding of olfactory information, which occurs at the population level. We show that if individual ORNs were to adapt following an efficient coding principle, contrast information would be lost at the population level, impairing the detection of ON and OFF stimuli. Surprisingly, adaptation of ORN firing responses is compensated at the axon terminal, where calcium transients are kept background-invariant by inhibitory feedback. We demonstrate that achieving this invariance across different background conditions requires an adaptation strategy that shifts response amplitude, rather than sensitivity as predicted by the efficient coding principle. This background invariance is passed on to second-order olfactory neurons, through facilitation of vesicle release that involves modulation of Unc13 proteins. We conclude that synaptic and circuit computations compensate peripheral firing rate adaptation, enhancing the separation of ON and OFF contrasts, while preserving the identity of ON stimuli in population codes. Our findings identify a strategy that allows neural circuits to minimize the cost of information transmission while preserving information content.
Swallow Strength and Skill Training with Biofeedback in Acute Post Stroke Dysphagia (ssSIP): Protocol paper.
Authors: Benfield Jacqueline K , Woods Kirsten , Woodhouse Lisa , Roadevin Cristina , James Marilyn , Bath Philip M , England Timothy J , Radford Kate , Steele Catriona 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Post stroke dysphagia is common and has negative consequences on health and wellbeing. Collectively behavioural interventions including swallow strength and skill training with biofeedback improve dysphagia, but little is known about which interventions are most effective and at what dose. Early intensive intervention may be most beneficial for motor recovery, but it is unclear whether dysphagia therapy such as this is feasible to deliver in the inpatient acute stage.
Aim
To understand the feasibility of clinical teams delivering swallow strength and skill training with biofeedback in acute inpatient stroke and explore which dose may result in better outcomes.
Methods
120 participants from inpatient stroke units in the UK will be recruited in this multicentre prospective randomised controlled feasibility trial. If eligible they will be randomised to either usual care, low intensity therapy or high intensity therapy groups. In addition to usual care, treatment groups will receive 10–20 x 35-minute sessions of swallow strength and skill training with surface electromyographic biofeedback over two weeks. The primary outcome is feasibility measured by recruitment and treatment fidelity. Secondary outcomes will explore treatment effects and dose of the intervention on swallowing, clinical, quality of life and health economic outcomes. Embedded qualitative process evaluation of intervention delivery (fidelity, barriers and enablers), clinical staff training and trial procedures informed by the Conceptual Framework for Intervention Fidelity (CFIF) and Conceptual Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Criteria have been outlined for progression to a definitive study.
Discussion
This trial will inform the feasibility of a definitive study to determine the effectiveness of optimal of dose swallow strength and skill training with surface electromyographic biofeedback on severity of dysphagia three months post stroke. The process evaluation will inform refinements to intervention, training and trial procedures to ensure effective delivery.
Trial registration
Registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT05744245, Date of release 20/12/2022