bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal age at first calving in pasture-based dairy systems
Authors: Vargas-Leitón Bernardo , Romero-Zúñiga Juan José , Castillo-Badilla Gloriana , Saborío-Montero Alejandro 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

The age at first calving (AFC) is one of the most used indicators to evaluate the efficiency of rearing systems in dairy cattle herds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between AFC and different parameters of productive and reproductive efficiency in dairy cows of Holstein and Jersey breeds and their crosses. A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out with information on the performance of 77,311 cows with birth and culling dates between 1990 and 2016 from 633 specialized dairy herds from mid and high-altitude regions of Costa Rica. Cows were classified into five categories according to their age in months at first calving (≤ 24, 25–27, 28–30, 31–33, ≥ 34). A generalized linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of AFC and racial factors on milk production (first lactation, lifetime total, and per day of life), open period (first calving and lifetime total), and herd life. The mean AFC was 29.5, 29.1, and 28.0 months for Holstein, Holstein×Jersey, and Jersey, respectively. The AFC was significantly associated (P < 0.01) with all the variables evaluated. Cows with AFC ≤ 24 presented a higher (P < 0.01) milk production (total lifetime and per day of life), as well as a longer herd life, compared to cows in categories of AFC > 28 m. The reduction in AFC contributes to a significant increase in the efficiency of dairy herds in Costa Rica.
Users’ preference for using emoji in the online medical community
Authors: Liao Jing , Jiang Mengyao , Duan Yifan , Liu Jiaxiu , Zhou Xiaoyu , Zhang Zhuyue , Wei Peng , Hou Xiaorong 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
The application of information technology in the medical industry is growing. The traditional face-to-face doctor–patient interaction has turned into an online doctor–patient interaction, particularly in the case of an epidemic outbreak. Online doctor–patient communication has become increasingly common. Text communication can no longer meet people’s new communication needs. The appearance of emoji compensates for the challenges in online doctor–patient interactions to convey nontext information, such as facial emoji, gestures and voice tones.
Objective
This study aimed to explore the impact of using emoji during online doctor–patient communication on users’ perception of the medical community by considering the moderating effect of demographics.
Methods
An online questionnaire survey was conducted amongst 520 people from December 2021 to January 2022 by random sampling. The frequency, emoji use style and the users’ previous consultation experience score were used as the main independent variables in this study. The perceived effect of the user was adopted as the dependent variable. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis.
Result
For the use frequency and style of emoji mentioned in this study, a significant difference exists between the preference of users who use emoji for a single time and those who use the same emoji continuously (P < 0.001), with the former showing a better performance than the latter. A significant difference exists between users who use open-style emoji and users who use neutral-style emoji (P < 0.001). The emoji perception effect of open style was better than that of neutral style. Users’ preference for emoji use is not affected regardless of whether they are platform users a platform is used (P > 0.05). Men and individuals under 30 are easily influenced by the use of emoji and the characteristics of emoji use. People (users) with educational attainment not higher than high school education tend to have preferences for the frequency of emoji use.
Conclusion
The characteristics of emoji use affected the perceived effect of online communication with doctors. Single use of emoji and relatively open style of emoji had a positive impact on the degree of acceptance of doctors’ information. Men and people under the age of 30 showed more expressive preferences for facial features than women and people over the age of 30. Therefore, doctors should properly use emoji for patients with different characteristics to help strengthen the communication between doctors and patients. Moreover, the online medical community should design diversified emoji for patients with different characteristics to provide personalized services.
Multi-Scale Mechanical Properties of Bulk-Heterojunction Films in Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Xiao Biao , Zhong Tian , Guo Feng , Lei Shiyun , Li Qingduan , Jia Tao , Wang Xunchang , Yang Renqiang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The mechanical properties of ¬bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) films play critical roles in the operational stability of flexible polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, research on the mechanical properties of BHJ films is far behind the studies on their optoelectronic properties. Herein, investigations are conducted to systematically evaluate the multi-scale mechanical properties of the BHJ films. The fullerene derivative PC71BM, the fused ring non-fullerene electron acceptor Y6, and the polymer acceptor PRi-C39 are selected as the acceptor materials of the BHJ films for comparative analysis. Interestingly, the tensile moduli of the films based on PC71BM, Y6, and PRi-C39 measured by using the “film-on-water” (FOW) method decrease sequentially, and their fracture strain and toughness show an increasing trend. Moreover, the nanoindentation moduli of the BHJ films based on different electron acceptors vary in accordance with the results of FOW characterizations, and their moduli and hardness distributions are uniform in these films. Time-dependent creep analyses from both macroscopic tensile measurements and microscopic indentation characterizations illustrate that the occurrence of creep deformation in the PC71BM, Y6 and PRi-C39 based films decrease sequentially. Contact angle tests demonstrate that the main reason for the different mechanical properties in these films is the varied interactions between the donor and the acceptors. All results above demonstrate the effects of acceptor type on the multi-scale mechanical properties of the BHJ films, which are of great importance for the designing of novel electron acceptor materials and manufacturing of reliable flexible PSCs.
The stromal-tumor amplifying STC1-Notch1 feedforward signal promotes the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Bai Shuya , Zhao Yuchong , Chen Wei , Peng Wang , Wang Yun , Xiong Si , - Aruna , Li Yanling , Yang Yilei , Chen Shiru , Cheng Bin , Wang Ronghua 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play crucial roles in tumor stemness. Stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) was found secreted by CAFs in various cancers, but its main source and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was still unclear.
Methods
The serum and intracellular expression levels of STC1 were detected by ELISA and western blot. The role of CAFs-derived STC1 in HCC stemness was probed by sphere formation, sorafenib resistance, colony formation, and transwell migration and invasion assays in vitro and orthotopic liver xenograft tumor model in vivo. An HCC tissue microarray containing 72 samples was used to identify the STC1 and the Notch1 in HCC tissues. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to further explore the underlying mechanisms. ELISA assays were used to detect the serum concentration of STC1 in HCC patients.
Results
We demonstrated that CAFs were the main source of STC1 in HCC and that CAFs-derived STC1 promoted HCC stemness through the activation of the Notch signaling pathway. In HCC patients, the expression of STC1 was positively correlated with poor prognosis and the Nocth1 expression. Co-IP assay showed that STC1 directly bound to Notch1 receptors to activate the Notch signaling pathway, thereby promoting the stemness of HCC. Our data further demonstrated that STC1 was a direct transcriptional target of CSL in HCC cells. Furthermore, ELISA revealed that the serum STC1 concentration was higher in patients with advanced liver cancer than patients with early liver cancer.
Conclusions
CAFs-derived STC1 promoted HCC stemness via the Notch signaling pathway. STC1 might serve as a potential biomarker for the prognostic assessment of HCC, and the stromal-tumor amplifying STC1-Notch1 feedforward signal could provide an effective therapeutic target for HCC patients.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before and during the implementation of the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan: A cross-sectional study from 2000-2021
Authors: Taty Nadège , Bompangue Didier , Muyembe JJ , De Richmond Nancy 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) implemented the first strategic Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan (MCEP) in 2008–2012. Two subsequent MCEPs have since been implemented covering the periods 2013–2017 and 2018–2022. The current study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera over the recent 22-year period to determine the impact of the MCEPs on cholera epidemics, establish lessons learned and provide an evidence-based foundation to improve the implementation of the next MCEP (2023–2027).
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, secondary weekly epidemiological cholera data covering the 2000–2021 period was extracted from the DRC Ministry of Health surveillance databases. The data series was divided into four periods: pre-MCEP 2003–2007 (pre-MCEP), first MCEP (MCEP-1), second MCEP (MCEP-2) and third MCEP (MCEP-3). For each period, we assessed the overall cholera profiles and seasonal patterns. We analyzed the spatial dynamics and identified cholera risk clusters at the province level. We also assessed the evolution of cholera sanctuary zones identified during each period.
Results
During the 2000–2021 period, the DRC recorded 520,024 suspected cases and 12,561 deaths. The endemic provinces remain the most affected with more than 75% of cases, five of the six endemic provinces were identified as risk clusters during each MCEP period (North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami and Haut-Katanga). Several health zones were identified as cholera sanctuary zones during the study period: 14 health zones during MCEP-1, 14 health zones during MCEP-2 and 29 health zones during MCEP-3. Over the course of the study period, seasonal cholera patterns remained constant, with one peak during the dry season and one peak during the rainy season.
Conclusion
Despite the implementation of three MCEPs, the cholera context in the DRC remains largely unchanged since the pre-MCEP period (p-value > 0.05). To better orient cholera elimination activities, the method used to classify priority health zones should be optimized by analyzing epidemiological; water, sanitation and hygiene; socio-economic; environmental and health indicators at the local level. Additional studies should also aim to identify bottlenecks and gaps in the coordination and strategic efforts of cholera elimination interventions at the local, national and international levels.
Non-invasive Authentication of Mail Packages using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Horace-Herron Kelsey , Masna Naren Vikram Raj , Dehghanzadeh Peyman , Mandal Soumyajit , Bhunia Swarup 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The international postal network is one of the most widely used methods for correspondence throughout the world. Most postal traffic across the globe consists of legitimate interpersonal, business-consumer, and business-business communications. However, the global postal system is also utilized for criminal activity. In particular, it is often utilized to ship and distribute contraband, including illegal psychoactive drugs such as fentanyl and heroin, to consumers. Existing technological solutions are capable of identifying synthetic opioids and other illegal drugs within packages, but are accompanied by several disadvantages that make them unsuitable for large-scale authentication of international mail traffic. This paper presents a novel method for non-invasive authentication of mail packages that overcomes these challenges. The approach uses nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy to detect and quantify the presence of known active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) within the package. It has been experimentally demonstrated using a benchtop prototype. Test results from a variety of package types demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed authentication approach.
Fenretinide inhibits obesity and fatty liver disease but induces Smpd3 to increase serum ceramides and worsen atherosclerosis in LDLR-/- mice
Authors: Thompson Dawn , Mahmood Shehroz , Morrice Nicola , Kamli-Salino Sarah , Dekeryte Ruta , Hoffmann Philip A. , Doherty Mary K. , Whitfield Philip D. , Delibegovic Mirela , Mody Nimesh 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Fenretinide is a synthetic retinoid that can prevent obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in mice by directly altering retinol/retinoic acid homeostasis and inhibiting excess ceramide biosynthesis. We determined the effects of Fenretinide on LDLR−/− mice fed high-fat/high-cholesterol diet +/- Fenretinide, a model of atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fenretinide prevented obesity, improved insulin sensitivity and completely inhibited hepatic triglyceride accumulation, ballooning and steatosis. Moreover, Fenretinide decreased the expression of hepatic genes driving NAFLD, inflammation and fibrosis e.g. Hsd17b13, Cd68 and Col1a1. The mechanisms of Fenretinide’s beneficial effects in association with decreased adiposity were mediated by inhibition of ceramide synthesis, via hepatic DES1 protein, leading to increased dihydroceramide precursors. However, Fenretinide treatment in LDLR−/− mice enhanced circulating triglycerides and worsened aortic plaque formation. Interestingly, Fenretinide led to a 4-fold increase in hepatic sphingomyelinase Smpd3 expression, via a retinoic acid-mediated mechanism and a further increase in circulating ceramide levels, linking induction of ceramide generation via sphingomyelin hydrolysis to a novel mechanism of increased atherosclerosis. Thus, despite beneficial metabolic effects, Fenretinide treatment may under certain circumstances enhance the development of atherosclerosis. However, targeting both DES1 and Smpd3 may be a novel, more potent therapeutic approach for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
The P1/HC-Pro of turnip mosaic virus has more inhibits RISC activity unlike the other potyviruses
Authors: Hong Syuan-Fei , Fang Ru-Ying , Wei Wei-Lun , Pan Zhao-Jun , Hung Yu-Ling , Pham Thang Ha , Chiu Yen-Hsin , Shen Tang-Long , Huang Chien-Kang , Lin Shih-Shun 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Ectopically expressing viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSR) in transgenic Arabidopsis overcome host range limitation and viral titer variation, and have similar VSR levels to investigate RNA silencing suppression. Therefore, identifying the insertion of the transgenic VSR gene and developing an endogenous AGO1-based in vitro RNA-inducing silencing complex (RISC) assay prompted further investigation into VSR-mediated suppression. Three P1/HC-Pro plants from turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) (P1/HC-ProTu), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (P1/HC-ProZy), and tobacco etch virus (P1/HC-ProTe) were investigated for in vitro RISC cleavage efficiency. We identified T-DNA insertion for these P1/HC-Pro plants and applied these plant materials to compare the endogenous AGO1 levels and RISC activity. Our results indicated that P1/HC-ProTu plants have lower AGO1 levels and lower RISC activity than the other P1/HC-Pro plants. In addition, the phenomena are consistent with those in TuMV-infected Arabidopsis, implying that HC-ProTu could directly interfere with AGO1 stability. In this study, we demonstrated the application of various plant materials with an in vitro RISC assay in VSR-mediated RNA silencing suppression.
Lessons Learned from the epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Nakfa District, Eritrea, 2007– 2021
Authors: Mengistu Samuel Tekle , Kesete Yafet , Tesfay Meron , Ghebremeskel Ghirmay Ghebrekidan , Abraham Saron , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih , Achila Oliver Okoth 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Mitigation of the its impact requires high-quality data on multiple themes. In this analysis, our objective was to provide information on the incidence and spatio-temporal distribution of tuberculosis in one of the remotest districts (Nakfa) in Eritrea.
Methodology:
In this retrospective observational study, data on patients diagnosed with tuberculosis were captured from 2007–2021 in the Nakfa hospital registry. The crude incidence rate (CIR) and the age-standardized rate (ASR) were analyzed and expressed per 100,000 persons per year. The Joinpoint Regression Program, Version 4.9.0.0 and Arc GIS (v 10.7.1 (Esri, Redlands, CA, USA)) were used to evaluate the temporal trends and spatio-temporal distribution of tuberculosis.
Results
Of the 2,155 Nakfa district sputum samples collected during the study period, 165 (7.6%) were smear positive for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Smear-negative PTB was diagnosed in 47 individuals and 104 patients with extra-pulmonary TB. Among all these TB patients, 178 were female vs. 138 males. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 32 years (IQR: 20–50). The average annual incidence rate was 55.64 (95% CI 48.2–60.1) cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In the Joint Point Regression model, age adjusted incidence (AAR) increased from 2009 (AAR = 57.96) to 2018 (AAR = 91.67) (p-value = 0.004) and decreased thereafter (AAR = 23.03). The highest AAR of TB was reported in women > 45 years. This corresponded to an annual increase of 11.3% from 2009–2018 (p-value = 0.004) and a decrease of 38.5% in 2018–2021 (p-value = 0.012). The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the incidence rate was − 6.6% (95%CI: -15.7-3.6). The incidence rate in patients > 65 years demonstrated a significant increase (APC = 16.1%; 95%CI: 8.8–24.0) in the joint point (p-value < 0.001) and a precipitous decline (APC= -33%; 95%CI: -52.3 -6.7) in 2017–2021 (p-value = 0.023). Spatiotemporal analysis demonstrated that TB is largely clustered in areas close proximity to Nakfa Hospital. Lastly, active case finding activities in 2017 and 2018 suggested possible under diagnosis of TB.
Conclusion
The incidence of tuberculosis in Nakfa district is relatively stable. However, the distribution is largely uneven. Active case-finding activities in 2017 and 2018 suggested that the observed heterogeneity in case density may be associated with underdiagnosis of TB in some subzones in the district. More decentralization of TB care services and intensification of case finding through the expansion of sputum collection are required.
Evolutionary dynamics of genome size and content during the adaptive radiation of Heliconiini butterflies
Authors: Cicconardi Francesco , Milanetti Edoardo , de Castro Érika , Mazo-Vargas Anyimilehidi , Belleghem Steven Van , Ruggieri Angelo , Rastas Pasi , Hanly Joseph , Evans Elizabeth , Jiggins Chris , McMillan W. Owen , Papa Riccardo , Marino Daniele di , Martin Arnaud , Montgomery Stephen 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Heliconius butterflies, a speciose genus of Müllerian mimics, represent a classic example of an adaptive radiation involving a range of derived dietary, life history, physiological and neural traits. However, key lineages within the genus, and across the broader Heliconiini tribe, lack genomic resources, contrasting our understanding of how adaptive and neutral processes shaped genome evolution across their radiation. Here, we build new, highly contiguous genome assemblies for nine new Heliconiini, reference-assembled genomes for 29 species, and improve 10 existing assemblies, to provide a major new dataset of annotated genomes for 63 species, including 58 species within the Heliconiini tribe. We provide a robust, dated heliconiine phylogeny, identify major patterns of introgression, explore the evolution of genome size, content, and the genomic basis of key innovations in this enigmatic group for the first time. We illustrate how dense genomic sampling improves our resolution of gene-phenotype links, and our understanding of how genomes evolve.
CaCl2 Priming Promotes Sorghum Seed Germination under Salt Stress by Activating Sugar Metabolism
Authors: xing yifan , Chen xiaofei , Zhang Min , Li Bang , Cui Tong , Liu chang , Liu Chunjuan , Chen Bingru , Zhou Yufei 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Salt stress notably inhibits the germination of sorghum seeds. CaCl2 priming effectively promotes seed germination under salt stress, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study explored the CaCl2 -primed regulation of sorghum seed germination under salt stress. Hydro-primed seeds (HPS) and CaCl2-primed seeds (CaPS) were cultured under NaCl stress. The unprimed seeds were cultured in distilled water (NPN) or 150 mM NaCl stress (NPS). Primed and unprimed seeds were evaluated for amylase activity, starch content, sugar metabolism, and mitochondrial repair. We found that salt stress significantly inhibited sorghum seed germination and reduced the germination rate. It also decreased amylase activity, starch decomposition, and sugar accumulation during germination, indicating inhibition of sugar metabolism. However, CaCl2 priming reversed the adverse effects of salt stress, increasing amylase activity, starch decomposition, and sugar content. It also up-regulated the expression of genes for phosphofructokinase and other enzymes involved in the glycolytic, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), and pentose phosphate pathways. CaCl2 priming also resulted in the repair and maintenance of mitochondrial structural integrity, contributing to activation of the TCA cycle. In short, CaCl2 priming promotes sorghum seed germination by activating sugar metabolism under salt stress and provides a strategy for improving seed germination during agricultural production.
Evolutionary design of swing-up controllers for stabilization task of underactuated inverted pendulums
Authors: Meza-Sánchez Marlen , Rodríguez-Liñán M. C. , Clemente Eddie , Herrera Leonardo 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The development of control laws for underactuated mechanical systems with pendulum-like behaviors is of paramount importance due to their use in the modeling of more complex systems and other challenging tasks. The underactuated feature describes constraints in the maneuverability and capabilities of a mechanical system with the advantage of offering less energy consumption. In this work, a novel methodology for solving the automation of evolved nonlinear controllers for the swing-up phase of switching control laws for underactuated inverted pendulums is proposed. Automatic synthesis of linear controllers with optimal performance applied to linear systems modeled as transfer functions is a forward leap proposed by Koza in 2003. Our proposed approach introduces the nonlinear nature within the automated construction of a set of swing-up controllers integrating an evolutionary process based on GP. The presented framework is based on an analytic behaviorist setup that merges Control Theory with Genetic Programming. Control Theory is applied to formulate the mathematical description of the problem and the design of the fitness function that guides the automated synthesis; Genetic Programming is implemented as an evolutionary engine for the construction of the solutions. The advantage is that the symbolic feature of Genetic Programming is exploited to develop large sets of nonlinear controllers that can be further studied with analytic tools from the Control Theory approach. The proposed framework is applied to an underactuated two-link inverted pendulum giving a set of 13590 evolved nonlinear swing-up controllers with the same and better fitness value than a state-of-the-art human-made design.