The Aberrant Expression of Biomarkers and Risk Prediction for Neoplastic Changes in Barrett's Esophagus-Dysplasia.

: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a pre-neoplastic condition associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The accurate diagnosis of BE and grading of dysplasia can help to optimize the management of patients with BE. However, BE may be missed and the accurate grading of dysplasia based on a routine histology has a considerable intra- and interobserver variability.

Step-by-Step Guide for Synthesis and Delamination of Ti C T MXene.

To advance the MXene field, it is crucial to optimize each step of the synthesis process and create a detailed, systematic guide for synthesizing high-quality MXene that can be consistently reproduced. In this study, a detailed guide is provided for an optimized synthesis of titanium carbide (Ti C T ) MXene using a mixture of hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids for the selective etching of the stoichimetric-Ti AlC MAX phase and delamination of the etched multilayered Ti C T MXene using lithium chloride at 65 °C for 1 h with argon bubbling. The effect of different synthesis variables is investigated, including the stoichiometry of the mixed powders to synthesize Ti AlC , pre-etch impurity removal conditions, selective etching, storage, and drying of MXene multilayer powder, and the subsequent delamination conditions.

Quantum deep learning by sampling neural nets with a quantum annealer.

We demonstrate the feasibility of framing a classically learned deep neural network as an energy based model that can be processed on a one-step quantum annealer in order to exploit fast sampling times. We propose approaches to overcome two hurdles for high resolution image classification on a quantum processing unit (QPU): the required number and the binary nature of the model states. With this novel method we successfully transfer a pretrained convolutional neural network to the QPU.

Consensus on a netball video analysis framework of descriptors and definitions by the netball video analysis consensus group.

Using an expert consensus-based approach, a netball video analysis consensus (NVAC) group of researchers and practitioners was formed to develop a video analysis framework of descriptors and definitions of physical, technical and contextual aspects for netball research. The framework aims to improve the consistency of language used within netball investigations. It also aims to guide injury mechanism reporting and identification of injury risk factors.

"The Magic Glasses Philippines": a cluster randomised controlled trial of a health education package for the prevention of intestinal worm infections in schoolchildren.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) cause substantial disease and disability globally. Health education has proven complementary to school-based drug administration programs for STH control. We determined the generalizability of the impact of "The Magic Glasses" health education package for STH prevention in schoolchildren in Laguna province, the Philippines, having previously shown its positive impact in China.

Human leukocyte antigen epitope mismatch loads and the development of de novo donor-specific antibodies in cardiothoracic organ transplantation.

De novo donor-specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (dnDSA) are associated with increased risk of rejection and mortality in solid organ transplantation. Such dnDSA is produced in some recipients upon allorecognition of mismatched HLA post-transplant. HLA matching is not currently considered in the allocation of deceased donor hearts and lungs and pre-transplant immunological risk stratification is based entirely on the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of circulating donor-directed HLA antibodies.

Rumen volatile fatty acid molar proportions, rumen epithelial gene expression, and blood metabolite concentration responses to ruminally degradable starch and fiber supplies.

The objective of this work was to characterize rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, rumen epithelial gene expression, and blood metabolite responses to diets with different starch and fiber sources. Six ruminally cannulated yearling Holstein heifers (body weight = 330 ± 11.3 kg) were arranged in a partially replicated Latin square experiment with 4 treatments consisting of different starch [barley (BAR) or corn (CRN)] and fiber [timothy hay (TH) or beet pulp (BP)] sources.

Sports Organizations as Complex Systems: Using Cognitive Work Analysis to Identify the Factors Influencing Performance in an Elite Netball Organization.

There is increasing interest in the adoption of a complex systems thinking approach when attempting to understand and optimize sports performance. Despite this, few studies have attempted to model elite sports organizations. The aim of this study was to use methods from the Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework to develop a model of an elite netball organization and identify wider organizational functions and constraints influencing performance.

Ruminal volatile fatty acid absorption is affected by elevated ambient temperature.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term elevated ambient temperature on ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) dynamics and rumen epithelium gene expression associated with the transport and metabolism of VFA. Eight ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers (200 kg) were used in a factorial, repeated measures experiment with two treatments and two periods. During the first period, animals were provided with feed ad libitum and housed at 20 °C.

Reconsidering McKenzie's Six Adventure Education Programming Elements Using an Ecological Dynamics Lens and Its Implications for Health and Wellbeing.

Two decades ago, McKenzie's meta-analysis of literature provided six fundamental elements of adventure education programme design still used to guide research and practice today. While the value of McKenzie's early work should not be underestimated, adventure education has undergone considerable changes. Adventurous activities are now available in urban and indoor contexts and used to facilitate a growing health and wellbeing agenda.

A Systems Approach to Performance Analysis in Women's Netball: Using Work Domain Analysis to Model Elite Netball Performance.

Netball is a newly professional women's sport, as such there has been little research conducted investigating performance analysis (PA) in elite netball. The aim of this study was to develop a model of the elite netball performance system to identify the complex relationships among key performance indicators. Eleven elite subject matter experts (SMEs) participated in workshops to produce a systems model of the netball match performance.

Propionate Affects Insulin Signaling and Progesterone Profiles in Dairy Heifers.

Emerging data highlighting gut microbiome influences on health support evaluation of how microbial fermentation end-products influence postabsorptive systems. This study aimed to investigate the effect of increased propionate status on progesterone profiles and insulin sensitivity in dairy heifers. Eleven Holstein heifers, synchronized in estrus, were assigned to one of two continuous, 5-day IV treatments: sodium propionate (PRO; n = 5) or saline (CON; n = 6).

Implications of butyrate and its derivatives for gut health and animal production.

Butyrate is produced by microbial fermentation in the large intestine of humans and animals. It serves as not only a primary nutrient that provides energy to colonocytes, but also a cellular mediator regulating multiple functions of gut cells and beyond, including gene expression, cell differentiation, gut tissue development, immune modulation, oxidative stress reduction, and diarrhea control. Although there are a large number of studies in human medicine using butyrate to treat intestinal disease, the importance of butyrate in maintaining gut health has also attracted significant research attention to its application for animal production, particularly as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics.

Effects of fatty acid glyceride product SILOhealth 104 on the growth performance and carcass composition of broiler chickens.

Butyric acid is the primary energy source for colonocytes, and has shown potential as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics, due to its antimicrobial activity and positive effects on production performance traits of broiler chickens. SILOhealth 104 (SILO S.P.

Attractive toxic sugar baits for controlling mosquitoes: a qualitative study in Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

Background: Malaria elimination is unlikely to be achieved without the implementation of new vector control interventions capable of complementing insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Attractive-toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) are considered a new vector control paradigm. They are technologically appropriate as they are simple and affordable to produce.

Effects of supplementation level and feeding schedule of butyrate glycerides on the growth performance and carcass composition of broiler chickens.

Mixed mono- and tributyrate glycerides have been used for effective delivery of butyrate to the gut to benefit broilers. However, limited information is available on the efficacy of butyrate glycerides individually and in combination with different levels and feeding schedules. The present study has first investigated the effects of monobutyrin at inclusion levels of zero, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 ppm on the performance of broilers, and second, the effects of its combination with tributyrin.

Epidermal growth factor containing culture supernatant enhances intestine development of early-weaned pigs in vivo: potential mechanisms involved.

We have previously generated epidermal factor expressing Lactococcus lactis (EGF-LL) using a bioengineering approach, and shown that EGF-LL fermentation supernatant enhanced newly weaned pigs growth. The objective of the current study was to further understand the mechanisms behind this improved performance. Sixty-four piglets were weaned at 3 weeks of age and then fed ad libitum according to a 2-phase feeding program.

Validation of climate model-inferred regional temperature change for late-glacial Europe.

Comparisons of climate model hindcasts with independent proxy data are essential for assessing model performance in non-analogue situations. However, standardized palaeoclimate data sets for assessing the spatial pattern of past climatic change across continents are lacking for some of the most dynamic episodes of Earth's recent past. Here we present a new chironomid-based palaeotemperature dataset designed to assess climate model hindcasts of regional summer temperature change in Europe during the late-glacial and early Holocene.

Growth performance of early-weaned pigs is enhanced by feeding epidermal growth factor-expressing Lactococcus lactis fermentation product.

We have previously generated epidermal growth factor expressing Lactococcus lactis (EGF-LL) using bioengineering approach, and shown that feeding newly-weaned piglets EGF-LL improves digestive function. To address concerns over the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), the objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of feeding the EGF-LL fermentation product, after removal of the genetically modified EGF-LL, on growth performance and intestine development of newly-weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty newly-weaned piglets were fed ad libitum according to a 2-phase feeding program.

Development of an educational cartoon to prevent worm infections in Chinese schoolchildren.

Background: With more than two billion people infected worldwide, soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are the most widespread infections. To date, STH control efforts rely predominantly on recurrent mass drug administration (MDA), which does not prevent reinfection. Additional public health measures including novel health educational tools are required for more sustained integrated control of STH.

Evaluating Australian football league player contributions using interactive network simulation.

This paper focuses on the contribution of Australian Football League (AFL) players to their team's on-field network by simulating player interactions within a chosen team list and estimating the net effect on final score margin. A Visual Basic computer program was written, firstly, to isolate the effective interactions between players from a particular team in all 2011 season matches and, secondly, to generate a symmetric interaction matrix for each match. Negative binomial distributions were fitted to each player pairing in the Geelong Football Club for the 2011 season, enabling an interactive match simulation model given the 22 chosen players.

Epidermal growth factor-expressing Lactococcus lactis enhances growth performance of early-weaned pigs fed diets devoid of blood plasma.

The effect of supplementing Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) that was engineered to express epidermal growth factor (EGF-LL) to early-weaned pigs fed diets with typical levels of blood plasma (5%) or diets without blood plasma [blood plasma was substituted with soybean (Glycine max) meal and fish meal, based on amino acid supply] was examined. A total of 108 weaned piglets (19-26 d of age; mean initial BW 6.

Evaluating a computer based skills acquisition trainer to classify badminton players.

The aim of the present study was to compare the statistical ability of both neural networks and discriminant function analysis on the newly developed SATB program. Using these statistical tools, we identified the accuracy of the SATB in classifying badminton players into different skill level groups. Forty-one participants, classified as advanced, intermediate, or beginner skilled level, participated in this study.

Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire anxiety items in an adult british clinical sample: one scale or two?

In seeking to establish British clinical normative data for the two anxiety scales (anxious symptoms and anxious arousal) of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ), the responses of 237 British National Health Service outpatients were examined. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) failed to confirm the expected structure. Data were presented and discussed, considering the 28 anxiety item pool in terms of being either two highly correlated scales of somatic anxiety versus psychological anxiety, or as a single general anxiety scale.