bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farm management practices, biosecurity and influenza a virus detection in swine farms: a comprehensive study in Colombia
Authors: Ciuoderis-Aponte Karl , Diaz Andres , Muskus Carlos , Peña Mario , Hernández-Ortiz Juan , Osorio Jorge 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBiosecurity protocols (BP) and good management practices are key to reduce the risk of introduction and transmission of infectious diseases into the pig farms. In this observational cross-sectional study, survey data were collected from 176 pig farms with inventories over 100 sows in Colombia. We analyzed a complex survey dataset to explore the structure and identify clustering patterns using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) of swine farms in Colombia, and estimated its association with Influenza A virus detection. Two principal dimensions contributed to 27.6% of the dataset variation. Farms with highest contribution to dimension 1 were larger farrow-to-finish farms, using self-replacement of gilts and implementing most of the measures evaluated. In contrast, farms with highest contribution to dimension 2 were medium to large farrow-to-finish farms, but implemented biosecurity in a lower degree. Additionally, two farm clusters were identified by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and the odds of influenza A virus detection was statistically different between clusters (OR 7.29, CI: 1.7,66, p = < 0.01). Moreover, after logistic regression analysis, three important variables were associated with higher odds of influenza detection: (1) “location in an area with a high density of pigs”, (2) “farm size”, and (3) “after cleaning and disinfecting, the facilities are allowed to dry before use”. Our results revealed two clustering patterns of swine farms. This systematic analysis of complex survey data identified relationships between biosecurity, husbandry practices and influenza status. This approach helped to identify gaps on biosecurity and key elements for designing successful strategies to prevent and control swine respiratory diseases in the swine industry.
Film-trigger applicator (FTA) for improved skin penetration of microneedle using punching force of carboxymethyl cellulose film acting as a microneedle applicator
Authors: Kim Youseong , Min Hye Su , Shin Jiwoo , Nam Jeehye , Kang Geonwoo , Sim Jeeho , Yang Huisuk , Jung Hyungil 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Dissolving microneedle (DMN) is a transdermal drug delivery system that creates pore in the skin and directly deliver drug through the pore channel. DMN is considered as one of the promising system alternatives to injection because it is minimally invasive and free from needle-related issues. However, traditional DMN patch system has limitations of incomplete insertion and need of complex external devices. Here, we designed film-trigger applicator (FTA) system that successfully delivered DMN inside the skin layers using fracture energy of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) film via micropillars. We highlighted advantages of FTA system in DMN delivery compared with DMN patch, including that the film itself can act as DMN applicator.

Methods

FTA system consists of DMNs fabricated on the CMC film, DMN array holder having holes aligned to DMN array, and micropillars prepared using general purpose polystyrene. We analyzed punching force on the film by micropillars until the film puncture point at different CMC film concentrations and micropillar diameters. We also compared drug delivery efficiency using rhodamine B fluorescence diffusion and skin penetration using optical coherence tomography (OCT) of FTA with those of conventional DMN patch.
In vivo
experiments were conducted to evaluate DMN delivery efficiency using C57BL/6 mice and insulin as a model drug.

Results

FTA system showed enhanced delivery efficiency compared with that of the existing DMN patch system. We concluded CMC film as a successful DMN applicator as it showed enhanced DMN penetration in OCT and rhodamine B diffusion studies. Further, we applied FTA on shaved mouse dorsal skin and observed successful skin penetration. The FTA group showed higher level of plasma insulin
in vivo
than that of the DMN patch group.

Conclusions
FTA system consisting of simple polymer film and micropillars showed enhanced DMN delivery than that of the existing DMN patch system. Because FTA works with simple finger force without sticky patch and external devices, FTA is a novel and promising platform to overcome the limitations of conventional microneedle patch delivery system; we suggest FTA as a next generation applicator for microneedle application in the future.
Analysis of the viscoelasticity in coal based on the fractal theory
Authors: Zhao TaiLang , Zou GuanGui , Peng SuPing , Zeng Hu , Gong Fei , Yin YaJun 
Published: October 2022

Coal is a complex viscoelastic porous medium with fractal characteristics at different scales. To model the macroscale structure of coal, a fractal viscoelastic model is established, and the P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation characteristics are discussed based on the complex modulus derived from this model. The numerical simulation results indicate that the fractional order [Formula: see text] and relaxation time [Formula: see text] greatly affect the P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation. The fractal viscoelastic model indicates a full-band velocity dispersion between 1 Hz and 104 Hz. Meanwhile, the P-wave velocity has a weaker dispersion with the fractal viscoelastic model than with the Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model between 1 Hz and 104 Hz for the same relaxation time and elastic modulus, but the velocity at 1 Hz based on the fractal viscoelastic model is higher with the Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model. Simultaneously, the velocities of five coal samples are tested, and the attenuation factor is calculated using a low-frequency system. The experimental results indicate a strong dispersion in coal in the range of 10–250 Hz. The classic Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model cannot describe the dispersion characteristics of coal, but the fractal viscoelastic model can describe them well by using the appropriate fractional order and relaxation time.
Two-stage broad learning inversion framework for shear-wave velocity estimation
Authors: Yang Xiao-Hui , Han Peng , Yang Zhentao , Chen Xiaofei 
Published: October 2022

Shear-wave (S-wave) velocity is considered an essential parameter for the study of the earth, and Rayleigh wave inversion has been widely accepted and used to determine it. Given high-quality measured dispersion curves, the inversion performance depends on the applied optimization algorithm inside the inversion process. We propose a novel inversion framework to promote efficient and accurate inversion, i.e., a two-stage broad learning inversion framework (TS-BL). The proposed TS-BL not only inherits the powerful mapping capability and simple configured structure of broad learning (BL) network but also makes two significant improvements to better acclimatize itself to Rayleigh wave inversion. First, TS-BL adopts a two-stage inversion strategy to perform optimizing two times. It does not yield the same search space in the two inversion stages. In the first stage, because the inversion aims to find an approximation rather than the accurate value of model parameters, the difficulty in constructing the mapping model is reduced by sacrificing accuracy. Then, an effective BL network can be established using smaller sample sizes. In the second stage, the search space becomes much narrower, commencing with the approximation results obtained in the prior stage. This helps the final BL network to easily and quickly model the actual relationship between measured dispersion curves and unknown model parameters. After that, the forward modeling of measurements rather than the validation data set is exploited for tuning the network’s hyperparameters. The physical model is superior to the validation data set for selecting a suitable network complexity to adapt to the measured dispersion curves because the latter only describes an overall relationship. As a result, accurate S-wave velocities can be efficiently acquired by using the proposed TS-BL with a low cost of training samples. The efficiency and reliability of TS-BL have been demonstrated in numerical and field data examples.
Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction and Neuropsychological Development in Children
Authors: Chen Yuanzhi , Luo Zhong-Cheng , Zhang Ting , Fan Pianpian , Ma Rui , Zhang Jun , Ouyang Fengxiu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractContextThyroid hormones are essential for fetal brain development. The potential effects of maternal gestational thyroid dysfunction on offspring neuropsychological development remain inconclusive.ObjectiveThis work aimed to estimate effects of maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy on offspring neuropsychological development in the first 2 years.MethodsWe prospectively examined 1903 mothers and their children from the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Thyroid hormones were assessed at about 12 gestational weeks. Maternal thyroid function was classified into 7 categories: euthyroid, overt/subclinical hyperthyroidism, overt/subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroxinemia, and hypothyroxinemia. Neuropsychological development was assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at age 6 months, and Bayley Scales at age 24 months.ResultsCompared with children of euthyroid mothers, maternal overt hypothyroidism was associated with 7.0 points (95% CI, 1.7-12.4) lower scores in personal-social domain in girls aged 6 months, 7.3 points (95% CI, 2.0-12.6) lower in motor domain, and 7.7 points (95% CI, 1.1-14.2) lower social-emotional scores in boys at age 24 months; maternal subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with 6.5 points (95% CI, 1.0-12.1) poorer social-emotional domain in boys at age 6 months, and 7.4 points (95% CI, 0.1-14.8) poorer adaptive behavior domain in boys at age 24 months; maternal hypothyroxinemia was associated with 9.3 points (95% CI, 3.5-15.1) lower motor scores in boys at age 24 months; and maternal subclinical hyperthyroidism was associated with 6.9 points (95% CI, 0.1-13.7) lower language scores in girls at age 24 months.ConclusionMaternal overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroxinemia during early pregnancy were associated with weakened neuropsychological development in infancy, and some effects may be sex specific.
Diabetes Mellitus is Associated With Higher Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in the General US Population
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Muraca Emanuele , Bianconi Eleonora , Cannistraci Rosa , Perra Silvia , Zerbini Francesca , Perseghin Gianluca 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Context
Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are biomarkers of neuroaxonal injury in multiple neurological diseases.

Objective
Given the paucity of data on the distribution of sNfL levels in the general population, in the present study we identified predictors of sNfL levels in a community setting and investigated the association between diabetes and sNfL.

Methods
sNfL levels were measured in 2070 people aged 20 to 75 years from the general US population (275 with and 1795 without diabetes) that participated in the 2013-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated the association between diabetes and sNfL levels after adjustment for age, sex, race-ethnicity, alcohol use, and kidney function using a multivariable linear regression model. Cognitive function was evaluated in a subset of participants aged 60 to 75 years using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease-Word Learning test, the Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test.

Results
The weighted prevalence of diabetes was 10.4% (95% CI, 9.0-11.9). In each age stratum, patients with diabetes exhibited higher sNfL levels compared with nondiabetic participants. Age, proportion of males, prevalence of diabetes, and homeostatic model of insulin resistance increased progressively across quartiles of sNfL levels in the overall population, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed an opposite trend. In the multivariable model, age, sex, eGFR, alcohol use and diabetes were significantly associated with sNfL levels. Moreover, higher sNfL levels were associated with worse performance in all 3 cognitive function tests.

Conclusion
Diabetes is associated with higher sNfL. Further large-scale and prospective studies are needed to replicate our results and evaluate the ability of sNfL to predict the incidence of neuropathy and dementia in this patient population.
Spatial Knowledge Making from Writing about Appalachia outside Appalachia
Authors: Shepley Nathan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis article uses narrative inquiry to examine one instructor's experiences teaching two first-year writing classes, each one marked by different pedagogical choices. Themed with the topic of place and foregrounding the recurring example of Appalachia, the classes were nonetheless taught outside the region usually called Appalachia and to college students coming from, and identifying with, places other than Appalachia. This resulting data lends support for easing non-Appalachian-identified students into studying Appalachia as a rhetorical case and for encouraging students to explore various ways that textual representations of Appalachia reveal social and economic patterns noticeable in some form elsewhere.
Dentate gyrus morphogenesis is regulated by β-catenin function in hem-derived fimbrial glia
Authors: Parichha Arpan , Datta Debarpita , Suresh Varun , Chatterjee Mallika , Holtzman Michael J. , Tole Shubha 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT
The dentate gyrus, a gateway for input to the hippocampal formation, arises from progenitors in the medial telencephalic neuroepithelium adjacent to the cortical hem. Dentate progenitors navigate a complex migratory path guided by two cell populations that arise from the hem, the fimbrial glia and Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells. As the hem expresses multiple Wnt genes, we examined whether β-catenin, which mediates canonical Wnt signaling and also participates in cell adhesion, is necessary for the development of hem-derived lineages. We report that, in mice, the fimbrial glial scaffold is disorganized and CR cells are mispositioned upon hem-specific disruption of β-catenin. Consequently, the dentate migratory stream is severely affected, and the dentate gyrus fails to form. Using selective Cre drivers, we further determined that β-catenin function is required in the fimbrial glial scaffold, but not in the CR cells, for guiding the dentate migration. Our findings highlight a primary requirement for β-catenin for the organization of the fimbrial scaffold and a secondary role for this factor in dentate gyrus morphogenesis.
Absence of atrial smooth muscle in the heart of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): a re-evaluation of its role in diving physiology
Authors: Costello Leah M. , García-Párraga Daniel , Crespo-Picazo Jose Luis , Codd Jonathan R. , Shiels Holly A. , Joyce William 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT
Contraction of atrial smooth muscle in the hearts of semi-aquatic emydid turtles regulates ventricular filling, and it has been proposed that it could regulate stroke volume during characteristic rapid transitions in cardiac output associated with diving. For this hypothesis to be supported, atrial smooth muscle should be widely distributed in diving Testudines. To further understand the putative function and evolutionary significance of endocardial smooth muscle in Testudines, we studied the hearts of loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta (n=7), using immunohistochemistry and histology. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of prominent atrial smooth muscle in C. caretta. However, smooth muscle was readily identified in the sinus venosus. Our results suggest that atrial smooth muscle does not contribute to the diving capabilities of C. caretta, indicating that the possible roles of smooth muscle in emydid turtle hearts require a re-evaluation. In sea turtles, the sinus venosus may instead contribute to regulate cardiac filling.
Ethanolamine Derivatives Prompt Oxidation-Mediated Cleavage of Phosphorothioated DNA via Redox Control and Competition with Desulphurization
Authors: Hu Kunling , Sun Wenhua , Tang Ruobing , Zhang Boying , An Ran , Liang Xingguo 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
In the early 2000s, an epoch-making discovery of phosphorothioated DNA (PS-DNA, also as medicines) was made to show that sulfur atoms are present on the DNA backbone in microorganisms. However, its reaction activity and mechanism have not been well clarified. We show that PS-DNA is cleaved efficiently via oxidation, but not previously believed alkylation; this sulfur modification can be repaired by desulphurization once the sulfhydryl is further oxidized. When Tris or other ethanolamine derivatives are present, the cleavage becomes extremely efficient. Analyzed by enzymatic digestion, ligation, and mass spectroscopy, a mechanism is proposed to explain effects of ethanolamine derivatives and the competition between repair and breakage. Tris favors cleavage by keeping and utilizing the oxidation at –S(O)OH (sulfinic group) stage. The hydroxyl group on ethanolamine derivatives attacks the activated phosphor atom for cleavage with an intramolecular-like mode to form simultaneously a phosphoester bond. Desulphurization is dominant once the PS-DNA is oxidized to –S(O2)OH (sulfonic group). We believe that the biological significance of PS-DNA is protection of DNA nucleobases from weak oxidants by direct repairing or cleavage-repairing approach, which is affected by amines. Besides understanding the biological significance of PS-DNA, our findings will contribute greatly to developing new bio-techniques and nucleic acid medicines.
Efficacy and positive outcome of physical activity in pregnant women
Authors: Okafor Uchenna Benedine , Goon Daniel Ter 
Published: October 2022

Background & Objective: Evidence has shown the innumerable benefits of prenatal physical activity practice; therefore, the knowledge pregnant women have, and efforts to sustain the knowledge and encourage them to engage in prenatal physical activity, are desirable. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes concerning prenatal physical activity of pregnant women attending primary health antenatal care clinics.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1082 pregnant in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa were sampled from July to October 2019. Socio-demographic and maternal characteristics, and knowledge, attitude and practices towards prenatal activity were obtained.
Results: Overall, 62.4% women had high knowledge regarding prenatal physical activity; and half of the women showed a positive attitude toward it (50.1%). The majority of the participants affirmed prenatal physical activity is safe (88.2%) and beneficial for the baby (79.6%). Whilst participants had knowledge of other types of antenatal exercises, 80.9% of the women had no knowledge of swimming exercise. Negative attitudes towards physical activity included the feeling of tiredness (67.7%), lack of interest (64.8%), and inadequate information on physical activity (59.5%).
Conclusions: The women had high knowledge of prenatal physical activity, and relatively positive attitudes toward prenatal physical activity. The feeling of tiredness, lack of motivation and inadequate information on physical activity constituted negative attitudes towards physical activity. There is need to provide education and advocacy in the clinical settings; also, interventions to encourage and promote prenatal physical activity in the community and at home are desirable to address the weaknesses identified in this study regarding the women’s knowledge and attitudes concerning prenatal physical activity.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.4911
How to cite this:Okafor UB, Goon DT. Efficacy and positive outcome of physical activity in pregnant women. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.4911
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A2TEA: Identifying trait-specific evolutionary adaptations
Authors: Stöcker Tyll , Uebermuth-Feldhaus Carolin , Boecker Florian , Schoof Heiko 
Published: October 2022

Background: Plants differ in their ability to cope with external stresses (e.g., drought tolerance). Genome duplications are an important mechanism to enable plant adaptation. This leads to characteristic footprints in the genome, such as protein family expansion. We explore genetic diversity and uncover evolutionary adaptation to stresses by exploiting genome comparisons between stress tolerant and sensitive species and RNA-Seq data sets from stress experiments. Expanded gene families that are stress-responsive based on differential expression analysis could hint at species or clade-specific adaptation, making these gene families exciting candidates for follow-up tolerance studies and crop improvement. Software: Integration of such cross-species omics data is a challenging task, requiring various steps of transformation and filtering. Ultimately, visualization is crucial for quality control and interpretation. To address this, we developed A2TEA: Automated Assessment of Trait-specific Evolutionary Adaptations, a Snakemake workflow for detecting adaptation footprints in silico. It functions as a one-stop processing pipeline, integrating protein family, phylogeny, expression, and protein function analysis. The pipeline is accompanied by an R Shiny web application that allows exploring, highlighting, and exporting the results interactively. This allows the user to formulate hypotheses regarding the genomic adaptations of one or a subset of the investigated species to a given stress. Conclusions: While our research focus is on crops, the pipeline is entirely independent of the underlying species and can be used with any set of species. We demonstrate pipeline efficiency on real-world datasets and discuss the implementation and limits of our analysis workflow as well as planned extensions to its current state. The A2TEA workflow and web application are publicly available at: https://github.com/tgstoecker/A2TEA.Workflow and https://github.com/tgstoecker/A2TEA.WebApp, respectively.