A deep learning approach predicting the activity of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines against emerging variants.

Understanding which viral variants evade neutralization is crucial for improving antibody-based treatments, especially with rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Yet, conventional assays are labor intensive and cannot capture the full spectrum of variants. We present a deep learning approach to predict changes in neutralizing antibody activity of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccine-elicited sera/plasma against emerging viral variants.

Exploring alternative practice placement models in occupational therapy and physiotherapy: perspectives and experiences of learners and practice educators: a qualitative systematic review.

Within physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice placements, there is a predominance of the one-to-one supervision model which creates limitations for placement capacity expansion. Alternative placement models must be explored to meet training requirements for these professions and ensure the availability of a future workforce. The aim of this review is to explore the experiences and perceptions of practice educators and learners regarding alternative placement models, to inform future planning and the adoption of these opportunities.

The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Sensory Processing and Connected Motor Planning and Skills: A Scoping Review.

Background: Traumatic experiences during childhood have been suggested to alter the course of sensory and motor development due to the impact on neural connections within the brain at integral periods. This connection has been alluded to in literature and is discussed anecdotally by practitioners suggesting the impact is commonly seen in practice. Previous scoping reviews in this area have focused solely on the process of sensory modulation without exploring the connection to motor planning.

Farm-level risk factors associated with increased milk β-hydroxybutyrate and hyperketolactia prevalence on farms with automated milking systems.

The objectives of this study were to determine the farm-level hyperketolactia (HKL) prevalence, as diagnosed from the milk BHB concentration, on dairy farms milking with an automated milking system (AMS) and to describe the farm-level housing, management, and nutritional risk factors associated with increased farm-average milk BHB and the within-herd HKL prevalence in the first 45 DIM. Canadian AMS farms (n = 162; eastern Canada, n = 8; Quebec, n = 24; Ontario, n = 75; western Canada n = 55) were visited once between April and September 2019 to record housing and herd management practices. The first test milk data for each cow under 45 DIM were collected, along with the final test of the previous lactations for all multiparous cows, from April 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020.

Farm-level nutritional factors associated with milk production and milking behavior on Canadian farms with automated milking systems.

The objective of this study was to describe the nutritional strategies used on Canadian dairy farms with automated milking systems (AMS), both at the feed bunk and the concentrate offered at the AMS, as well as to determine what dietary components and nutrients, as formulated, were associated with milk production and milking behaviors on those farms. Formulated diets (including ingredients and nutrient content) and AMS data were collected from April 1, 2019, until September 30, 2020, on 160 AMS farms (eastern Canada [East] = 8, Ontario [ON] = 76, Quebec [QC] = 22, and western Canada [West] = 54). Both partial mixed ration (PMR) and AMS concentrate samples were collected from May 1 to September 30, 2019, on 169 farms (East = 12, ON = 63, QC = 42, West = 52).

A resonant sextuplet of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright star HD 110067.

Planets with radii between that of the Earth and Neptune (hereafter referred to as 'sub-Neptunes') are found in close-in orbits around more than half of all Sun-like stars. However, their composition, formation and evolution remain poorly understood. The study of multiplanetary systems offers an opportunity to investigate the outcomes of planet formation and evolution while controlling for initial conditions and environment.

A super-massive Neptune-sized planet.

Neptune-sized planets exhibit a wide range of compositions and densities, depending on factors related to their formation and evolution history, such as the distance from their host stars and atmospheric escape processes. They can vary from relatively low-density planets with thick hydrogen-helium atmospheres to higher-density planets with a substantial amount of water or a rocky interior with a thinner atmosphere, such as HD 95338 b (ref. ), TOI-849 b (ref.

Paediatric safety assessment of BNT162b2 vaccination in a multistate hospital-based electronic health record system in the USA: a retrospective analysis.

Background: The emergency use authorisation of BNT162b2 (tozinameran; Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech) for children aged 5-17 years has resulted in rapid vaccination in the paediatric population. However, there are few studies of adverse events associated with vaccination in children. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the adverse events of two-dose BNT162b2 vaccination in the paediatric population.

Dairy cow hoof impact and slide measurements for common Ontario dairy farm floorings.

In the context of understanding lameness and injury from slipping, our objective was to characterize hoof impact and slide of 5 cows walking on 6 flooring surfaces commonly used in Ontario dairy farms: diamond-grooved concrete (DC), sanded epoxy-covered concrete (EC), grooved rubber mat (GR), high-profile rubber mat (HR), low-profile rubber mat (LR), and turf grass (TG; Kentucky bluegrass/fescue mix). Surface hardness was measured on each surface using a Clegg Impact Soil Tester. Five trained lactating Holstein cows were each walked over all 6 surfaces sequentially in a randomized order.

ELISA-Based Biosensors.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is by definition a biosensor. However, not all immuno-biosensors involve the use of enzymes, while other biosensors incorporate ELISA as a key signaling component. In this chapter, we review the role of ELISA in signal amplification, integration with microfluidic systems, digital labeling, and electrochemical detection.

Mycotoxin Quantification by Competitive ELISA.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are useful in the quantification of antigens like mycotoxins. The zearalenone (ZEA) mycotoxin is commonly found in cereal crops such as corn and wheat, which are used in domestic and farm animal feed. When consumed by farm animals, ZEA can cause harmful reproductive effects.

Well-Based Multiplex Food Allergen Colorimetric ELISA.

Food allergy is a well-recognized and significant health hazard around the world. At least 160 food groups have been identified that present allergenic reactions or other sensitivities and intolerance in humans. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an accepted platform for identifying the nature of the food allergy and its severity.

A Unique Multiplex ELISA to Profile Growth Factors and Cytokines in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Multiplex arrays designed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are robust and cost-effective for profiling biomarkers. Identification of relevant biomarkers in biological matrices or fluids helps in the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a sandwich ELISA-based multiplex assay to assess growth factor and cytokine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples derived from multiple sclerosis patients, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, and control subjects without any neurological disorder.

Lateral Flow Microarray-Based ELISA for Cytokines.

Cytokines are well known to be involved in numerous biological responses with diverse mechanisms of action, including the inflammatory process. The so-called "cytokine storm" has recently been associated with cases of severe COVID-19 infection.Lateral flow microarray (LFM) devices have been constructed for multiplex detection of cytokines.

Interference in ELISA.

ELISA is a well-established technique used worldwide to quantify analytes present in a diverse milieu of biological samplings. It is especially important to clinicians who rely on the accuracy and precision of the test to administer patient care. Those results are to be held with great scrutiny since the assay is subject to error caused by interfering substances found in the sample matrix.

Antibody Immobilization.

In the ELISA format(s), the capture antibody is usually affixed to a solid phase, commonly referred to as the immunosorbent. How to tether the antibody most effectively will depend upon the physical properties of the support (plate well, latex bead, flow cell, etc.) as well as its chemical nature (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, the presence of reactive groups such as epoxide, etc.

ELISA Essentials: Surfaces, Antibodies, Enzymes, and Substrates.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a powerful analytical tool for the assessment of the kind and quantity of specific analytes found within a biological sample. It is based upon the exceptional specificity of antibody recognition of its cognate antigen and the power of enzyme-mediated signal amplification for sensitivity. However, development of the assay is not without challenges.

Third dose vaccination with mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 vaccines improves protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

As of 2021 November 29, booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection has been recommended for all individuals aged 18 years and older in the United States. A key reason for this recommendation is the expectation that a booster vaccine dose can alleviate observed waning of vaccine effectiveness (VE). Although initial reports of booster effectiveness have been positive, the level of protection from booster vaccination is unclear.

Association of housing and management practices with milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile, predicted using Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy, in farms with automated milking systems.

Milk fatty acid (FA) profile can be divided into (1) de novo (C4-C14) that are synthesized in the mammary gland; (2) preformed (≥C18) that are absorbed from blood and originate from mobilized adipose tissues or dietary fat; and (3) mixed (C16), which have both origins. Our objectives were to describe the FA profile, as predicted using Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy, of bulk tank milk from automated milking system (AMS) farms and to assess the association of management and housing factors with the bulk tank milk composition and FA profile of those AMS farms. The data used were collected from 124 commercial Canadian Holstein dairy farms with AMS, located in the provinces of Ontario (n = 68) and Quebec (n = 56).

A Bayesian Modelling Framework for Integration of Ecosystem Services into Freshwater Resources Management.

Models of ecological response to multiple stressors and of the consequences for ecosystem services (ES) delivery are scarce. This paper describes a methodology for constructing a BBN combining catchment and water quality model output, data, and expert knowledge that can support the integration of ES into water resources management. It proposes "small group" workshop methods for elucidating expert knowledge and analyses the areas of agreement and disagreement between experts.

Farm-level factors associated with lameness prevalence, productivity, and milk quality in farms with automated milking systems.

Impaired locomotion (lameness) may negatively affect the ability and desire of cows to milk voluntarily, which is a key factor in success of automated milking systems (AMS). The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with herd-level lameness prevalence and associations of lameness and other farm-level factors with milking activity, milk yield, and milk quality in herds with AMS. From April to September 2019, 75 herds with AMS in Ontario, Canada, were visited, and data on barn design and farm management practices were collected.

Benchmarking of farms with automated milking systems in Canada and associations with milk production and quality.

The objective of this study was to benchmark the herd-level housing and management strategies of automated milking system (AMS) farms across Canada and assess the associations of these herd-level housing factors and management practices with milk production and quality. Canadian AMS farms (n = 197; Western Canada: n = 50, Ontario: n = 77, Quebec: n = 59, Atlantic Canada: n = 11) were each visited once from April to September 2019, and details were collected related to barn design and herd management practices. Milk-recording data for the 6 mo before farm visits were collected.

Well-Based Antibody Arrays.

Multiplex immunoassays are important tools in basic research and diagnostics. The ability to accurately quantify the presence of several antigens within an individual sample all at once has been useful in developing a proteomics view of biology. This in turn has enabled the development of disease-associated immunodiagnostic panels for better prognosis and well-being.

What Change in Body Mass Index Is Required to Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity through Lifestyle Interventions: A Meta-Regression.

Using meta-regression, this article aims at establishing the minimum change in BMI-standard deviation score (SDS) needed to improve lipid profiles and blood pressure in children and adolescents with obesity, to aid future trials and guidelines. Studies with participants involved in lifestyle interventions, aged 4-19 years, with a diagnosis of obesity according to defined BMI thresholds, were considered for inclusion in a large systematic review. Interventions had to report pre- and post-intervention (or mean change in) BMI-SDS, plus either systolic blood pressure (SBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and/or triglycerides (TGs).