Article
Ecology
Shannon Kachel, Rana Bayrakcismith, Zairbek Kubanychbekov, Rahim Kulenbekov, Thomas McCarthy, Byron Weckworth, Aaron Wirsing
Summary: Spatial responses to risk from multiple predators can have emergent consequences for prey, and the interaction between predator and prey traits is a key factor influencing antipredator behavior. However, this interaction has been understudied in large vertebrate systems. Our study aimed to generalize the understanding of how predators influence ecosystems by considering multiple sources of contingency. We found that prey spatial responses and the resulting multiple-predator effects are contingent on the interplay of hunting mode and escape tactics.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rika Kobayashi, Theodorus P. M. Goumans, N. Ole Carstensen, Thomas M. Soini, Nicola Marzari, Iurii Timrov, Samuel Ponce, Edward B. Linscott, Christopher J. Sewell, Giovanni Pizzi, Francisco Ramirez, Marnik Bercx, Sebastiaan P. Huber, Carl S. Adorf, Leopold Talirz
Summary: The global pandemic has disrupted chemistry teaching practices by forcing many courses online, particularly impacting the practical component of the chemistry curriculum. As a result, fewer hands-on computational chemistry teaching laboratories are delivered online due to unrecognized differences and issues between in-person and virtual teaching. More adaptation and solutions are needed to address these challenges during this transition.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Yuzhe Qin, Hao Su, Xiaolong Wang
Summary: This paper proposes an imitation learning method for dexterous manipulation with multi-finger robot hand, where the policy is learned from human demonstrations and transferred to a real robot hand. The authors introduce a novel single-camera teleoperation system to efficiently collect 3D demonstrations, and construct a customized robot hand for each user to ensure stable data collection. The results show significant improvement over baselines in multiple complex manipulation tasks, and the learned policy is robust when transferred to the real robot.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Walter F. Wiggins, M. Travis Caton, Kirti Magudia, Michael H. Rosenthal, Katherine P. Andriole
Summary: Understanding deep learning in medical imaging is crucial for the next generation of radiologists. However, setting up the technical requirements for deep learning can be a challenge for those with limited computer programming experience and access to GPU-accelerated computing.
JOURNAL OF DIGITAL IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Masako Kishida, Masaaki Nagahara
Summary: This article deals with the risks associated with maximum hands-off control, aiming to minimize the length of non-zero control input. By considering stochastic systems and employing worst-case conditional value-at-risk, the study proposes two risk-aware maximum hands-off control problems and derives a risk-constrained sparse model predictive control method.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vicente Palacios, Barbara Marti-Domken, Shannon M. Barber-Meyer, Bilal Habib, Jose Vicente Lopez-Bao, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Victor Sazatornil, Emilio Jose Garcia, L. David Mech
Summary: This study used automatic sound recorders to analyze the spontaneous vocalizations of 24 wolf packs in six regions across North America, Asia, and Europe. The findings showed variations in howling occurrence and timing among different areas, influenced by human activities and population density. Additionally, the use of automatic sound recorders presents promising advantages for wolf-monitoring programs.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Samantha L. Hamlin, Max Nielsen-Pincus
Summary: Flooding has impacted over two billion people since 1995. While gray infrastructure has been traditionally used, many communities are now looking towards green infrastructure to manage flood risks. Through evaluating policy evolution and diffusion models, communities are focusing on green infrastructure as a way to address floodplain management policies and improve flood risk management processes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Diederik van Liere, Natasa Siard, Pim Martens, Dusanka Jordan
Summary: Research found significant similarities between the behavior of young wolves and their parent pack, suggesting that early-life experiences play a role in determining wolves' approach towards sheep and humans. By implementing new prevention methods, conflicts between wolves and humans can be avoided.
Article
Education & Educational Research
C. R. Narayanaswamy, Vignesh Narayanaswamy
Summary: This article applies R, a free software, and recent stock-price data to illustrate the concept of portfolio diversification. It demonstrates the use of a user-friendly dashboard to enhance student engagement and interest in learning finance concepts.
INTERACTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yujie Zheng, Laura Blackstone, Paul Segall
Summary: The volume of the magma chamber is crucial for assessing and predicting volcano hazards. We discovered that the deformation response of the magma chamber to trapdoor faulting events depends on the product of the chamber's absolute volume and magma compressibility. By estimating the upper and lower limits of compressibility and comparing them with observations, we determined the upper and lower bounds of the chamber volume.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Wei-Sheng Wang, Yu-Ping Cheng, Hsin-Yu Lee, Chia-Ju Lin, Yueh-Min Huang
Summary: This study designs a VR-based learning system for embedded electronic circuits and compares the knowledge, comprehension, and application levels as well as learning performance, anxiety, and confidence levels in different learning environments. The results show that groups receiving VR-mediated training have higher levels of knowledge, comprehension, and application. Learners with higher levels of knowledge and application also exhibit lower anxiety and higher confidence during practical tasks. The VR system described here improves cognitive levels and performance on hands-on tasks, while reducing anxiety and increasing confidence.
JOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. P. Chmiel, D. K. Burns, M. Azor, F. Borca, M. J. Boniface, Z. D. Zlatev, N. M. White, T. W. Daniels, M. Kiuber
Summary: This study utilized an extreme gradient boosting decision tree model to identify patients at risk of early reattendances to emergency departments, showing moderate performance in classifying low and high-risk groups. The explanations of model predictions were provided using SHAP values, and clustering techniques such as the UMAP algorithm were employed to investigate different sub-groups of patient explanations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher Argueta, Jasmine Vargas, Andrew Parkins, Jianhua Ren, Georgios Pantouris
Summary: Offering a 2-week summer camp on cancer research for high school students can spark interest in science, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare them for college and careers. By carefully selecting laboratory methods with visible results, complex concepts are made more accessible and engaging. The positive feedback received suggests that this pedagogy can be used as a template for similar programs.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Jacob A. Greenberg, Erin Schwarz, John Paige, Jonathan Dort, Sharon Bachman
Summary: Surgeons faced limited opportunities to learn new techniques and procedures during the COVID19 pandemic, prompting SAGES to create a hands-on course that could be completed at home. The course was successfully delivered through a telementoring platform, providing surgeons with the opportunity to continue their professional development remotely.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chonnipa Yeerum, Piyanat Issarangkura Na Ayutthaya, Kullapon Kesonkan, Kanokwan Kiwfo, Siripat Suteerapataranon, Piyatida Panitsupakamol, Pathinan Paengnakorn, Dujrudee Chinwong, Surarong Chinwong, Chalermpong Saenjum, Monnapat Vongboot, Kate Grudpan
Summary: Analytical chemistry educators in Thailand have adapted their teaching methods to the new normal brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, by implementing Lab-at-Home (LAH) experiments. Despite overall satisfaction with the LAH as a tool for new normal experimentation, some students faced poor internet connections during synchronous online classes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kathryn M. Meurs, Brian G. Williams, Dylan DeProspero, Steven G. Friedenberg, David E. Malarkey, J. Ashley Ezzell, Bruce W. Keene, Darcy B. Adin, Teresa C. DeFrancesco, Sandra Tou
Summary: This study identifies a novel form of cardiomyopathy associated with ALMS1 in Sphynx cats. The presence of a specific mutation in the ALMS1 gene was positively associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in affected cats. These findings suggest that genes involved in cardiac development and cell regulation, such as ALMS1, may play a role in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
ORPHANET JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
A. L. Walker, T. C. DeFrancesco, J. D. Bonagura, B. W. Keene, K. M. Meurs, S. P. Tou, K. Kurtz, B. Aona, L. Barron, A. McManamey, J. Robertson, D. B. Adin
Summary: Prior grain-free diets (pGF) have an effect on reverse cardiac remodeling and clinical outcomes in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and congestive heart failure (CHF). The study found that dogs in the pGF group that survived at least one week after diagnosis of DCM, CHF treatment, and diet change had better clinical outcomes and reverse ventricular remodeling compared to dogs in the grain-inclusive (GI) group.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. O'Donnell, D. Adin, C. E. Atkins, T. DeFrancesco, B. W. Keene, S. Tou, K. M. Meurs
Summary: The study evaluated the presence of known MYBPC3 and MYH7 variants in cats with HCM and found that these variants are not common in non-Maine Coon and non-Ragdoll populations. The clinical utility of genetic testing for these variants may be limited to the specific cat breeds in which they have been identified. Further research is needed to identify causative variants for the feline HCM population.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Barry A. Hedgespeth, Adam J. Birkenheuer, Steven G. Friedenberg, Natasha J. Olby, Kathryn M. Meurs
Summary: An 18-month-old intact male Schnauzer dog with chronic respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues was euthanized due to lack of response to treatment. Whole genome sequencing revealed a deleterious mutation in the NAT10 gene, which has not been found in other breeds but is associated with ciliary aplasia in humans.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kathryn M. Meurs, Keith Montgomery, Steven G. Friedenberg, Brian Williams, Brian C. Gilger
Summary: A genetic defect in the NOG gene was found in many Boxer dogs with SCCEDs, potentially leading to corneal superficial chronic defects. NOG is a constitutive protein in the cornea that acts as a potent inhibitor of BMP and likely regulates limbal epithelial progenitor cells, with dysregulation of these cells potentially playing a role in the pathogenesis of RCE.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Brian Williams, Steven G. Friedenberg, Bruce W. Keene, Sandy P. Tou, Teresa C. DeFrancesco, Kathryn M. Meurs
Summary: Canine familial mitral valve disease (MMVD) may have a shared genetic cause, but there is genetic heterogeneity within canine breeds.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
L. Shen, A. H. Estrada, K. M. Meurs, M. Sleeper, C. Vulpe, C. J. Martyniuk, C. A. Pacak
Summary: Cardiomyopathies, such as dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, are common and have poor prognosis in large breed dogs. Selective breeding has been recommended to reduce disease prevalence, and treatment focuses on symptom management. Genetic mutations underlying these diseases have been discovered, allowing for screening and selective breeding, as well as potential gene therapies. Challenges remain in clinical translation of these technologies, but the field of gene therapy holds promise for future applications.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Christian Woelfel, Kathryn Meurs, Steven Friedenberg, Nicole DeBruyne, Natasha J. Olby
Summary: This is a case of a 10-month-old castrated male cat with episodic limb rigidity, hypertrophied musculature, and other symptoms. Electromyography and whole genome sequencing identified a mutation in the CLCN1 gene causing myotonic discharges. Treatment with phenytoin resulted in long-term improvement.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Deepmala Agarwal, Etienne Cote, Lynne O'Sullivan, Kathryn M. Meurs, Jorg Steiner
Summary: In Boxer dogs, exercise testing can improve the accuracy of binary classification of those with or without arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy by increasing the number of premature ventricular complexes and serum cardiac troponin-I concentrations in affected dogs compared to unaffected dogs. This effect is also associated with the presence or absence of the striatin mutation. Exercise should be a controlled variable when screening Boxer dogs for cardiomyopathy.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anna K. McManamey, Teresa C. DeFrancesco, Kathryn M. Meurs, Mark G. Papich
Summary: The pharmacokinetics of pimobendan were investigated in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The study found that the pharmacokinetic parameters were highly variable among this group of dogs, and the variability was not associated with dog characteristics.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Maria J. Reimann, Daniel N. Faisst, Mads Knold, Kathryn M. Meurs, Joshua A. Stern, Signe E. Cremer, Jacob E. Moller, Ingrid Ljungvall, Jens Haggstrom, Lisbeth H. Olsen
Summary: This study investigated the influence of a variant in the canine phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) gene (PDE5A:E90K) on the treatment response to pimobendan and basal platelet aggregation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). The results showed that the PDE5A:E90K polymorphism did not affect the inhibitory effect of pimobendan on platelet aggregation or the basal platelet aggregation response.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Brethel, Seth Locker, Renee Girens, Paulo Rivera, Kathryn Meurs, Darcy Adin
Summary: The role of taurine in the treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs was explored in this study. Oral taurine supplementation was found to suppress the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system in dogs with CHF. The study showed that taurine increased blood taurine concentrations and decreased the aldosterone to angiotensin II ratio, indicating potential benefits in CHF treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley L. Walker, Ronald H. L. Li, Nghi Nguyen, Carina E. Jauregui, Kathryn M. Meurs, Allison L. Gagnon, Joshua A. Stern
Summary: This study is the first to evaluate the presence of anti-desmoglein-2 antibodies in dogs of various breeds and cardiac disease state. The results showed that the antibodies were detected in all dogs. In dogs with cardiac disease, there was a weak correlation with left ventricular dilation and a strong correlation with the complexity of ventricular arrhythmias in ARVC Boxers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Darcy Adin, Clarke Atkins, Oliver Domenig, Catherine Glahn, Teresa Defrancesco, Kathryn Meurs
Summary: This study found that circulating RAAS is activated in systemically hypertensive cats receiving amlodipine. This suggests that the use of concurrent RAAS-suppressant therapy might be indicated in amlodipine-treated SHT cats with chronic kidney disease.
