Risk factors associated with exposure to bovine respiratory disease pathogens during the peri-weaning period in dairy bull calves

peer-reviewedBackground Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains among the leading causes of death of cattle internationally. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with exposure to BRD pathogens during the peri-weaning period (day (d)-14 to d 14 relative to weaning at 0) in dairy bull calves using serological responses to these pathogens as surrogate markers of exposure. Clinically normal Holstein-Friesian and Jersey breed bull calves (n = 72) were group housed in 4 pens using a factorial design with calves of different breeds and planes of nutrition in each pen. Intrinsic, management and clinical data were collected during the pre-weaning (d − 56 to d − 14) period. Calves were gradually weaned over 14 days (d − 14 to d 0). Serological analysis for antibodies against key BRD pathogens (BRSV, BPI3V, BHV-1, BHV-4, BCoV, BVDV and H. somni) was undertaken at d − 14 and d 14. Linear regression models (for BVDV, BPI3V, BHV-1, BHV-4, BCoV and H. somni) and a single mixed effect random variable model (for BRSV) were used to identify risk factors for changes in antibody levels to these pathogens. Results BRSV was the only pathogen which demonstrated clustering by pen. Jersey calves experienced significantly lower changes in BVDV S/P than Holstein-Friesian calves. Animals with a high maximum respiratory score (≥8) recorded significant increases in H. somni S/P during the peri-weaning period when compared to those with respiratory scores of ≤3. Haptoglobin levels of between 1.32 and 1.60 mg/ml at d − 14 were significantly associated with decreases in BHV-1 S/N during the peri-weaning period. Higher BVDV S/P ratios at d − 14 were significantly correlated with increased changes in serological responses to BHV-4 over the peri-weaning period. Conclusions Haptoglobin may have potential as a predictor of exposure to BHV-1. BRSV would appear to play a more significant role at the ‘group’ rather than ‘individual animal’ level. The significant associations between the pre-weaning levels of antibodies to certain BRD pathogens and changes in the levels of antibodies to the various pathogens during the peri-weaning period may reflect a cohort of possibly genetically linked ‘better responders’ among the study population

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Interpretation of Signals Recorded by Ocean-Bottom Pressure Gauges during the Passage of Atmospheric Lamb Wave on 15 January 2022

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano on 15 January 2022 was the first powerful explosive eruption in history to be recorded with high quality by a wide range of geophysical equipment. The atmospheric Lamb wave caused by the explosion repeatedly circled the Earth and served as one of the reasons for the formation of tsunami waves. In this paper, the Lamb wave manifestations are analyzed in the recordings of tsunamimeters, i.e., in data from DONET and DART pressure sensors located in the area of the Japanese Islands. The work is aimed at studying the physics of the formation of pressure variations at the ocean floor in order to develop a method for isolating free gravity waves in records obtained by bottom pressure sensors. Within the framework of shallow water theory, an analysis of the response of the water layer to the atmospheric Lamb wave was performed. This response combines a forced perturbation, the amplitude of which depends on the depth of the ocean, and free gravity waves arising as a result of the restructuring of the forced perturbation on the submarine slopes. Analytical formulas are given for the amplitude and energy of the forced perturbation and free waves arising at the depth jump. With the aid of numerical simulation, the finite length of a slope was revealed to significantly affect the parameters of free waves when exceeding 50 km. The analysis of in situ data (DONET, DART) confirms the validity of theoretical concepts presented in the work. In particular, it is shown that variations of bottom pressure in the deep ocean exceed the amplitude of atmospheric pressure fluctuations in the Lamb wave

Aerobic exercise capacity of healthy young men with the early repolarization phenomenon

Data on the performance of individuals with the early repolarization phenomenon (ERP) are contradictory. Aim of the study was to investigate the aerobic physical performance of individuals with ERP. Material and methods. 536 healthy men aged 18-45 years, who do not have contraindications to perform a load test according to physical, laboratory and instrumental examination (ECG, spirometry, echocardiography, clinical blood analysis), and who reached the VO2max during cardiopulmonary exercise testing were included in the study. We compared physical performance of groups formed on the basis of ECG data: the main group - persons with ERP (113 people) and the control group-persons without ERP (423 people). Results. In the group with ERP, the VO2max, cardiac output, oxygen pulse and stroke volume at peak load were lower than in the group without ERP, by 5,8 % (p=0,03), 9,2 % (p=0,05), 7,2 % (p=0.01) and 8,9 % (p=0,04). When compared to echocardiography data, the final systolic size of the left ventricle in the group with ERP was 12,6 % larger than in the group without ERP (p=0,03). Conclusion. In individuals with ERP, a decrease in cardiac output was detected, which may be associated with a relative deterioration in left ventricle systolic function and may affect the aerobic physical performance. The described differences were revealed only after removing the influence of anthropometric, spirometric and laboratory indicators

Automatic Tsunami Hazard Assessment System: “Tsunami Observer”

The current prototype of a fully automatic earthquake tsunami hazard assessment system, “Tsunami Observer”, is described. The transition of the system to the active phase of operation occurs when information about a strong earthquake (Mw ≥ 6.0) is received. In the first stage, the vector field of coseismic displacements of the Earth’s crust is calculated by using the Okada formulas. In the calculations, use is made of data on the coordinates, the seismic moment, the focal mechanism, and the depth of the earthquake, as well as empirical patterns. In the second stage, the initial elevation of the water surface at the tsunami’s focus is determined with the vector field of coseismic displacements of the bottom and the distribution of ocean depths, and the earthquake’s potential energy is calculated. In the third stage, the intensity of the tsunami is estimated on the Soloviev–Imamura scale in accordance with the magnitude of the potential energy by using the empirical relationship that is obtained as a result of a statistical analysis of historical tsunami events. In the final stage, if the energy exceeds the critical value of 109 J, a numerical simulation of the tsunami is performed, which allows the determination of the predominant directions of wave energy propagation and estimation of the runup height on the nearest coast. In this work, data on the operation of the system over the last 3 years are presented

Automatic Tsunami Hazard Assessment System: “Tsunami Observer”

The current prototype of a fully automatic earthquake tsunami hazard assessment system, “Tsunami Observer”, is described. The transition of the system to the active phase of operation occurs when information about a strong earthquake (Mw ≥ 6.0) is received. In the first stage, the vector field of coseismic displacements of the Earth’s crust is calculated by using the Okada formulas. In the calculations, use is made of data on the coordinates, the seismic moment, the focal mechanism, and the depth of the earthquake, as well as empirical patterns. In the second stage, the initial elevation of the water surface at the tsunami’s focus is determined with the vector field of coseismic displacements of the bottom and the distribution of ocean depths, and the earthquake’s potential energy is calculated. In the third stage, the intensity of the tsunami is estimated on the Soloviev–Imamura scale in accordance with the magnitude of the potential energy by using the empirical relationship that is obtained as a result of a statistical analysis of historical tsunami events. In the final stage, if the energy exceeds the critical value of 109 J, a numerical simulation of the tsunami is performed, which allows the determination of the predominant directions of wave energy propagation and estimation of the runup height on the nearest coast. In this work, data on the operation of the system over the last 3 years are presented

Lanthanide-Ion-Doping Effect on the Morphology and the Structure of NaYF₄:Ln³⁺ Nanoparticles

Two series of β-NaYF4:Ln3+ nanoparticles (Ln = La–Nd, Sm–Lu) containing 20 at. % and 40 at. % of Ln3+ with well-defined morphology and size were synthesized via a facile citric-acid-assisted hydrothermal method using rare-earth chlorides as the precursors. The materials were composed from the particles that have a shape of uniform hexagonal prisms with an approximate size of 80–1100 nm. The mean diameter of NaYF4:Ln3+ crystals non-monotonically depended on the lanthanide atomic number and the minimum size was observed for Gd3+-doped materials. At the same time, the unit cell parameters decreased from La to Lu according to XRD data analysis. The diameter-to-length ratio increased from La to Lu in both studied series. The effect of the doping lanthanide(III) ion nature on particle size and shape was explained in terms of crystal growth dynamics. This study reports the correlation between the nanoparticle morphologies and the type and content of doping lanthanide ions. The obtained results shed light on the understanding of intrinsic factors’ effect on structural features of the nanocrystalline materials

Heterometallic Europium(III)–Lutetium(III) Terephthalates as Bright Luminescent Antenna MOFs

A new series of luminescent heterometallic europium(III)–lutetium(III) terephthalate metal–organic frameworks, namely (EuxLu1−x)2bdc3·nH2O, was synthesized using a direct reaction in a water solution. At the Eu3+ concentration of 1–40 at %, the MOFs were formed as a binary mixture of the (EuxLu1−x)2bdc3 and (EuxLu1−x)2bdc3·4H2O crystalline phases, where the Ln2bdc3·4H2O crystalline phase was enriched by europium(III) ions. At an Eu3+ concentration of more than 40 at %, only one crystalline phase was formed: (EuxLu1−x)2bdc3·4H2O. All MOFs containing Eu3+ exhibited sensitization of bright Eu3+-centered luminescence upon the 280 nm excitation into a 1ππ* excited state of the terephthalate ion. The fine structure of the emission spectra of Eu3+ 5D0-7FJ (J = 0–4) significantly depended on the Eu3+ concentration. The luminescence quantum yield of Eu3+ was significantly larger for Eu-Lu terephthalates containing a low concentration of Eu3+ due to the absence of Eu-Eu energy migration and the presence of the Ln2bdc3 crystalline phase with a significantly smaller nonradiative decay rate compared to the Ln2bdc3·4H2O

Image Processing Procedure for Remote Recording of the Gambusia SP. Introduced Into A Water for Anti-malaria

The object of research is the procedure for processing digital images for remote registration of Gambusia sp., introduced into water bodies to combat malaria, which threatens not only the African region, but also other latitudes of the world. One of the most problematic areas of research is the elimination of the masking effect of a biological object under conditions of interference (for example, water turbidity) that make it difficult to recognize Gambusia sp. on digital images taken from aboard light drones. In the course of the study, approaches were used that allow dividing a digital image into segments and sub-segments, followed by determining the ratio of the colorimetric parameters of the RGB model of the bottom section. Dispersion and correlation analysis of mean values and mean square deviation values of the RGB model parameters were used. The standard deviation was considered as the degree of diversity of colorimetric parameters in the color of a biological object. The proposed procedure made it possible to reveal a moderate negative correlation between the predominance of green and yellow-orange-red phytopigments in the dynamics of the Margalef model of phytocenosis succession in the places of introduction and habitation of Gambusia sp. This is due to the fact that the shielding of phytocenosis areas by Gambusia sp. is reflected in the nature of the relationship of the colorimetric parameters of the RGB model of the bottom area, namely, they affect the correlation between the average values of the parameters G/(R+G+B) and R/G or between the mean value and the standard deviation of the parameter G/(R+G+B). This makes it possible to use Gambusia sp. in regions affected by malaria, a wide range of light drones with remote photofixation of relatively low quality. The implementation of these possibilities will require much less material costs and a small number of personnel than underwater video filming and other known methods for studying the ichthyofauna of small water bodies in conditions of interference. It is about the registration of the results of the introduction of Gambusia sp. in such water bodies to fight malaria

Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Luminescent Micro- and Nanocrystalline Eu-Based MOFs as Luminescent Probes for Heavy Metal Ions

The luminescent coarse-, micro- and nanocrystalline europium(III) terephthalate tetrahydrate (Eu2bdc3·4H2O) metal-organic frameworks were synthesized by the ultrasound-assisted wet-chemical method. Electron micrographs show that the europium(III) terephthalate microparticles are 7 μm long leaf-like plates. According to the dynamic light scattering technique, the average size of the Eu2bdc3·4H2O nanoparticles is equal to about 8 ± 2 nm. Thereby, the reported Eu2bdc3·4H2O nanoparticles are the smallest nanosized rare-earth-based MOF crystals, to the best of our knowledge. The synthesized materials demonstrate red emission due to the 5D0–7FJ transitions of Eu3+ upon 250 nm excitation into 1ππ* state of the terephthalate ion. Size reduction results in broadened emission bands, an increase in the non-radiative rate constants and a decrease in both the quantum efficiency of the 5D0 level and Eu3+ and the luminescence quantum yields. Cu2+, Cr3+, and Fe3+ ions efficiently and selectively quench the luminescence of nanocrystalline europium(III) terephthalate, which makes it a prospective material for luminescent probes to monitor these ions in waste and drinking water