Preterm infants show postnatal deficits of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) which are essential for adequate growth and neurodevelopment. Human milk is a primary source of fatty acids (FAs) for the preterm infant, and therefore, knowledge about milk FA levels is required to design appropriate supplementation strategies. Here, we expanded on our previous study (Nilsson et al., 2018, Acta Paediatrica, 107, 1020–1027) determining FA composition in milk obtained from mothers of extremely low gestational age (<28 weeks) infants on three occasions during lactation. There was a clear difference in FA composition in milk collected at Day 7 and milk collected at postmenstrual weeks (PMW) 32 or PMW 40. Notably, the proportion of LCPUFAs was low and declined significantly during milk maturation. These results strengthen previous data that the content of FAs required by the preterm infant is not supplied in sufficient amounts when the mother’s own milk is the sole source of these essential nutrients.

Atmospheric simulation data present richer information in terms of spatiotemporal resolution, spatial dimension, and the number of physical quantities compared to observational data; however, such simulations do not perfectly correspond to the real atmospheric conditions. Additionally, extensive simulation data aids machine learning-based image classification in atmospheric science. In this study, we applied a machine learning model for tropical cyclone detection, which was trained using both simulation and satellite observation data. Consequently, the classification performance was significantly lower than that obtained with the application of simulation data. Owing to the large gap between the simulation and observation data, the classification model could not be practically trained only on the simulation data. Thus, the representation capability of the simulation data must be analyzed and integrated into the observation data for application in real problems.

Asteroid and cometary impacts have been considered one of the possible routes for exogenous delivery of organics to the early Earth. It is well established that amino acids can be synthesized due to impact-driven shock processesing of simple molecules and that amino acids can survive the extreme conditions of impact events. In the present study, we simulate impact-induced shock conditions utilizing a shock tube that can maintain a reflected shock temperature of about 5,500 K for 2 ms time scale. We have performed shock processing of various combinations of amino acids with subsequent morphological analysis carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), revealing that the shock processed amino acids demonstrate an extensive range of complex structures. These results provide evidence for the further evolution of amino acids in impact-induced shock environments leading to the formation of complex structures and thus providing a pathway for the origin of life.

This article presents cyclic hardening/softening behaviors (experimental data) of the heat-treated aluminum-matrix nano-clay-composite (AlSi_N_HT6), compared to those of the piston aluminum alloy (AlSi) under strain-controlled loading. For such an objective, standard samples were fabricated by gravity and stir-casting methods. Low-cycle fatigue experiments were carried out under different strain amplitudes (0.20–0.45%) and at various temperatures (25–300°C). Obtained results implied that no obvious change was observed on material properties of aluminum alloy by reinforcements, but a decrement was observed due to increasing the temperature. Results also indicated that the increase of the temperature from 25°C to 200°C has changed the cyclic behavior of both materials (AlSi_N_HT6 and AlSi) from hardening to softening. Moreover, the temperature effect was more significant than the total strain amplitude influences in cyclic behaviors.

This study quantified CO2 emissions from tropical peat swamp soils in Brunei Darussalam. At each site, soil was collected from areas of intact and degraded peat and CO2 flux, and total organic content were measured ex situ. Soil organic content (~20–99%) was not significantly different between intact and degraded forest samples. CO2 flux was higher for intact forest samples than degraded forest samples (~1.0 vs. ~0.6 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, respectively) but did not differ among forest locations. From our laboratory experiments, we estimated a potential emissions of ~10–20 t CO2 ha−1 y−1 which is in the lower range of values reported for other tropical peat swamps. However, our results are likely affected by unmeasured variation in root respiration and the lability of resident carbon. Overall, these findings provide experimental evidence to support that clearance of tropical peat swamp forests can increase CO2 emissions due to faster rates of decomposition.

Land equivalent ratio (LER) is a most widely used indicator of yield advantage of multi-crop farms over sole-crop farms, and usually measured using crop biomass yield per unit area. Most often, crop yields are compared between both systems using the same area. In this paper, we demonstrate that although the yield per unit area and the yield per plant are widely different, LER remains invariant. As a corollary, area time equivalent ratio and land use efficiency, derived from LER, also remain unchanged when using the two different measures of crop yields. We recommend that when the estimation of the exact land area is difficult due to complex crop planting designs, yield per plant estimate is much easier and equally valid for estimation of LER and its derivative indices.

The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance represents a major public health risk. The activity of integral membrane transporter proteins contributes to antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria and proton gradient-driven multidrug efflux representatives of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of secondary transporters are the dominant antimicrobial efflux proteins in Escherichia coli. In many, but not all, of the characterized MFS multidrug transporters, an aspartic acid residue at position D+5 of the conserved signature Motif A is essential for transport activity. The present work extends those studies to the E. coli MFS multidrug/H+ antiporter MdtM and used a combination of mutagenesis, expression studies, antimicrobial resistance assays, and transport activity measurements to reveal that a negatively charged residue at position D+5 is critical for MdtM transport function.

It is often assumed that consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for eco-labeled products in research settings is not because of a desire for environmental protection, but rather that they are socially compelled to make decisions that reflects favorably on them, limiting the validity of findings. Using a second-price Vickrey experimental auction, this study found higher WTP for an eco-labeled product than a comparable good, but that social desirability bias, measured by the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale, was not a significant predictor of WTP. Instead, environmental consciousness, environmental knowledge, education, and available information were stronger predictors of WTP for eco-labeled goods.

Previous research has demonstrated that unique names increased in Japan, which shows a rise in uniqueness-seeking and individualism. To increase the validity of the prior findings, it is important to confirm the robustness of their results. Therefore, this study examined another indicator of historical changes in names in Japan. Specifically, I investigated whether the rates of common names decreased in Japan between 2004 and 2018. The dataset used in the previous study was analyzed. The results consistently showed that the rates of common names decreased for both boys and girls for the period. These results were consistent with the previous research, which further increases the validity of the finding that Japanese culture became more individualistic.

The anthelmintic dinitroaniline oryzalin interferes with the formation of microtubules and inhibits meiosis and mitosis in nematodes. Exposure to oryzalin resulted in deterioration in morphology of the oocytes and loss of synaptonemal complexes at meiotic prophase I. The nuclear matrix and envelope were poorly formed, and the central rachis was diminished. These results provide the basis for the loss of fecundity after treatment with the oryzalin resulting in control of parasitic nematodes.

In this study, we define the cardinal temperatures and thermal time for germination and emergence of pigeonpea genotypes. Seeds of six genotypes were subjected to constant temperatures ranging between 5 and 50°C in petri dishes with filter paper (germination) and with media (emergence) were placed in a thermal gradient plate. A nonlinear bent-stick model fitted to the rate of development to germination and emergence resulted in parameters predicting cardinal temperatures including base (Tb), optimum (To), maximum (Tm), and thermal time. Estimated Tb for 50% germination and emergence were 8.4 and 10.8°C, respectively, with no significant differences between genotypes. Optimum temperatures were 33.8 and 37.9°C for germination and emergence, respectively, with genotypes differing significantly. Thermal time for 50% germination and emergence varied significantly among genotypes. The results suggest that genotypic responses to the temperature are typical for their tropical origin and hence their suitability for cropping in summer dominant rainfall regions insubtropical Australia.

Compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is a common feature of astrophysical systems such as the solar atmosphere and interstellar medium. Such systems are rife with shock waves that can redistribute and dissipate energy. For an MHD system, three broad categories of shocks exist (slow, fast, and intermediate); however, the occurrence rates of each shock type are not known for turbulent systems. Here, we present a method for detecting and classifying the full range of MHD shocks applied to the Orszag–Tang vortex. Our results show that the system is dominated by fast and slow shocks, with far less-frequent intermediate shocks appearing most readily near magnetic reconnection sites. We present a potential mechanism that could lead to the formation of intermediate shocks in MHD systems, and study the coherency and abundances of shocks in compressible MHD turbulence.

Evidence demonstrates increased vulnerability to thoughts and behaviors related to suicide (i.e., suicidal ideation) in students. This study examined the interaction between insomnia-symptoms and student-status (students vs. non-students) on reports of suicidal thoughts of behaviors. A total of 363 (N = 363) university students and 300 (N = 300) members of the general population provided complete data on measures of insomnia-symptoms and suicidal ideation. Students indicated greater reports of both total and lifetime ideation while also considering suicidal behavior within the past year. However, no differences were observed in reports of possible future attempt(s) and the disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviors to another person. Moreover, students presenting concurrent symptoms of insomnia reported significantly elevated levels of suicidal ideation relative to nonstudents. These outcomes highlight the possible role of insomnia symptoms in accentuating suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the student population.

Proton electrochemical gradient-driven multidrug efflux activity of representatives of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of secondary active transporters contributes to antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria. Integral to the mechanism of these transporters is a proposed competition between substrate and protons for the binding site of the protein. The current work investigated the competition between protons and antimicrobial substrate for binding to the Escherichia coli MFS multidrug/H+ antiporter MdtM by measuring the quench of intrinsic protein fluorescence upon titration of substrate tetraphenylphosphonium into a solution of purified MdtM over a range of pH values between pH 8.8 and 5.9. The results, which revealed that protons inhibit binding of substrate to MdtM in a competitive manner, are consistent with those reported in a study on the related MFS multidrug/H+ antiporter MdfA and provide further evidence that competition for binding between substrate and protons is a general feature of secondary multidrug efflux.

Ethnoveterinary use of plants dates back to ancient times. This study aimed to validate purported efficacy of Sericocomopsis hildebrandtii and a concoction of Carissa edulis and Ximenia americana in treating Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs. Twenty-four infected pigs were randomly allocated to T1, T2, and T0 groups, each with eight pigs. Each T1 pig was provided with 8 g of S. hildebrandtii root powder, whereas each T2 pig was given 8 g of the concoction. T0 was a control. The pigs were slaughtered 16 weeks post treatment and carcase dissections were performed to establish cyst numbers. T1 cyst numbers were significantly lower than those of T0 (p = .004) and T2 (p = .013). No difference was observed between T2 and T0. This study validated efficacy of S. hildebrandtii but not of X. americana and C. edulis. Further studies are necessary for validation and documentation of plants of ethnoveterinary importance.

This study investigated the effects of pretreatment with antioxidants, kaempferol, and zinc gluconate on serum biochemical changes and impairment in body weight gain following noise-exposure in Wistar rats. Thirty-five animals were evenly grouped into five cohorts: Groups II, III, IV, and V were exposed to noise stress, induced by exposing rats to 100 dB (4 hr/day) for 15 days, from days 33 to 48 after starting the drug treatments. Treatment with kaempferol and/or zinc mitigated noise-induced deficits in body weight gain, and levels of serum lipid and protein fractions. The combined treatment significantly (p < .05) decreased malondialdehyde concentration in kaempferol + zinc gluconate treated group, compared to the group administered deionized water + noise. This result demonstrates that biochemical dyshomeostasis and lipid peroxidation may be involved in the molecular mechanism underlying noise stress and the assortment of kaempferol and zinc gluconate produced an improved mitigating outcome in Wistar rats.

The use of a Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival time approach is generally considered appropriate to report antimalarial efficacy trials. However, when a treatment arm has 100% efficacy, confidence intervals may not be computed. Furthermore, methods that use probability rules to handle missing data for instance by multiple imputation, encounter perfect prediction problem when a treatment arm has full efficacy, in which case all imputed values are either treatment success or all imputed values are failures. The use of a survival K–M method addresses this imputation problem in estimating the efficacy estimates also referred to as cure rates. We discuss the statistical challenges and propose a potential way forward.

The proposed approach includes the use of K–M estimates as the main measure of efficacy. Confidence intervals could be computed using the binomial exact method. p-Values for comparison of difference in efficacy between treatments can be estimated using Fisher’s exact test. We emphasize that when efficacy rates are not 100% in both groups, the K–M approach remains the main strategy of analysis considering its statistical robustness in handling missing data and confidence intervals can be computed under such scenarios.

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone well-known for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone health. Biological actions of vitamin D are mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) present in various cells and tissues. Vitamin D has been implicated in multiple aspects of neuromuscular functions. This study aimed to investigate the role of VDR signaling during early stage of locomotor development utilizing a gene knockdown approach. Zebrafish larvae deficient in VDR showed severe motor impairment and no obvious response to touch. These results indicate that VDR signaling is indispensable for the correct neuromuscular development and touch-evoked escape swimming behavior in zebrafish.

Reliable hepatitis C prevalence estimates are crucial for a good follow-up of the indicators to eliminate hepatitis by 2030 as set by the World Health Organization. In Belgium, no recent national population-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence estimate is available. The current study estimated HCV prevalence as part of the first Belgian Health Examination Survey, which was organized in 2018 as a second stage of the sixth Belgian Health Interview Survey. This national population-based cross-sectional study resulted in a weighted national HCV seroprevalence of 0.02% (95% CI 0.00–0.07%). The results show a much lower HCV seroprevalence compared to previous studies.