bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Crop Residue Removal to Reduce N2O Emissions Driven by Quality or Quantity? A Field Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Essich Lisa , Nkebiwe Peteh Mehdi , Schneider Moritz , Ruser Reiner
Published: November 2020

In order to quantify the reduction potential for nitrous oxide (N2O) release from arable soils through the removal of crop residues, we conducted an experiment after sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) harvest with three treatments: (i) ploughing of the crop residues (+CR:D), (ii) returning residues after ploughing on the surface (+CR:S), and (iii) removal of the residues and ploughing (−CR). N2O fluxes were measured over 120 days in south Germany. High positive correlations between N2O fluxes and the CO2 fluxes and soil nitrate contents suggested denitrification as the main N2O source. N2O emissions in +CR:D was higher than in +CR:S (2.39 versus 0.93 kg N2O−N ha−1 120 d−1 in +CR:D and +CR:S). Residue removal in −CR reduced the N2O emission compared to +CR:D by 95% and to +CR:S by 87%. We further conducted a meta-analysis on the effect of crop residue removal on N2O emissions, where we included 176 datasets from arable soils with mainly rain fed crops. The overall effect of residue removal showed a N2O reduction of 11%. The highest N2O reduction of 76% was calculated for the removal subgroup with C/N-ratio < 25. Neither the remaining C/N-ratio subgroups nor the grouping variables “tillage” or “residue quantity” differed within their subgroup.
Dietary Green Seaweed Compromises Overall Feed Conversion Efficiency but not Blood Parameters and Meat Quality and Stability in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Matshogo Tumisang Ben , Mnisi Caven Mguvane , Mlambo Victor
Published: November 2020

Using seaweeds as sources of nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds can promote sustainable production of functional poultry products. This study investigated the physiological and meat quality responses of Cobb 500 broiler chickens to graded levels of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) meal (SWM). Three hundred, two-week-old male chicks (159.3 ± 11.76 g live-weight) were randomly assigned to five diets formulated by diluting a standard broiler diet with SWM at 0 (SW0), 20 (SW20), 25 (SW25), 30 (SW30) and 35 g/kg (SW35). There were neither linear nor quadratic trends (p > 0.05) for overall feed intake, overall growth performance and carcass and meat quality traits. Overall feed conversion efficiency (R2 = 0.192, p = 0.018) and spleen weights (R2 = 0.182; p = 0.020) linearly declined as SWM levels increased. Linear and quadratic responses (p > 0.05) were observed for lymphocytes. There were linear effects for meat pH except on day 7 of storage. Meat lightness (L*) linearly increased whereas meat redness (a*) quadratically responded to SWM levels (day 3 of storage). While an optimum inclusion level could not be established for seaweed based on growth performance, improvements in some meat shelf life indicators were observed in the broilers reared on seaweed-containing diets.
A Weak Allele of FASCIATED EAR 2 (FEA2) Increases Maize Kernel Row Number (KRN) and Yield in Elite Maize Hybrids
Authors: Trung Khuat Huu , Tran Quan Hong , Bui Ngoc Hong , Tran Thuy Thi , Luu Kong Quy , Tran Nga Thi Thu , Nguyen Loan Thi , Nguyen Diep Thi Ngoc , Vu Bach Duong , Quan Duong Thi Thuy , Nguyen Diep Thuy , Nguyen Hien Thi , Dang Cuong Cao , Tran Bao Manh , Khanh Tran Dang , Vi Son Lang
Published: November 2020

Meristems are central to plant growth and development, yet evidence of directly manipulating this control to improve crop yield is scarce. Kernel row number (KRN) is an important agronomic trait that can directly affect maize (Zea mays L.) yield. However, this trait is difficult to select by phenotyping, since it is highly variable in the mixed genetic backgrounds in early selfing generations. This study sought to improve this trait by marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) of a weak allele of FASCIATED EAR 2 that is known to affect inflorescence meristem size, but the effect of which on yield is unclear. All of the four introgressed tropical elite inbreds of different heterotic groups, which are homozygous for the fea2-1328 allele, had 2–5 more KRNs compared to their respective recurrent parents. Furthermore, one hybrid made from crosses between two introgressed parents also had KRN increases that resulted in up to 28% yield increase compared to the original hybrid across multiple yield trials. The novel negative effects of the pericentromeric fea2 and/or its linkage drag effect on plant height, seed weight, and ear length, which could prevent line improvement, were revealed in several genetic backgrounds. Integration of conventional phenotypic selection to overcome these undesirable effects was discussed. This is the first work to demonstrate the possibility to increase yield of maize varieties using a mutation in a meristem size regulator. The crossing, selection strategies, and recombinant lines in this work can be applied to other elite maize hybrids and provide a potentially straightforward, non-transgenic way to improve the yield of an existing variety by 8–28%.
The Combined Effects of Vegetative Stage Corms, Ultra Low Oxygen Cooling Storage and Incubation Time on Crocus sativus L.
Authors: García-Rodríguez M. Valle , Moratalla-López Natalia , Carrión Claudia , López-Córcoles Horacio , Alonso Gonzalo L.
Published: November 2020

In order to extend the flowering season of Crocus sativus L. more time than the methods developed to date and to study their limits, a multivariable trial was carried out with the following factors: vegetative stages of the corm; ultra low oxygen (ULO) cooling storage and incubation time. The main production parameters and the quality saffron were studied. The usage of corms lifted 40 days earlier leaf senescence (V3–40 d) was not technically viable. No benefits were obtained from corms lifted shortly after leaf senescence (V3). Most of the parameters decreased with increasing of storage in ULO chambers for the vegetative stages studied. The corms lifted 20 days earlier leaf senescence (V3–20 d), stored from 0 to 120 days in ULO chambers and incubated 30 and 60 days provided greater number of flowers and more weight of saffron than corms non-incubated. A predictive model was obtained which allows to know the saffron yield in corms lifted in the stage V3–20 d, stored from 0 to 180 days in ULO chambers followed by incubation from 30 to 120 days. The combination of the three factors studied allowed to extend the Crocus sativus L. flowering from October to early February with an acceptable saffron yield and a quality similar than saffron grown traditionally.
Winter Triticale: A Long-Term Cropping Systems Experiment in a Dry Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Schillinger William F. , Archer David W.
Published: November 2020

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) is a cereal feed grain grown annually worldwide on 4.2 million ha. Washington is the leading state for rainfed (i.e., non-irrigated) triticale production in the USA. A 9-year dryland cropping systems project was conducted from 2011 to 2019 near Ritzville, WA to compare winter triticale (WT) with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (WW) grown in (i) a 3-year rotation of WT-spring wheat (SW) -no-till summer fallow (NTF) (ii) a 3-year rotation of WW-SW-undercutter tillage summer fallow (UTF) and (iii) a 2-year WW-UTF rotation, We measured grain yield, grain yield components, straw production, soil water dynamics, and effect on the subsequent SW wheat crop (in the two 3-year rotations). Enterprise budgets were constructed to evaluate the production costs and profitability. Grain yields averaged over the years were 5816, 5087, and 4689 kg/ha for WT, 3-year WW, and 2-year WW, respectively (p < 0.001). Winter triticale used slightly less water than WW (p = 0.019). Contrary to numerous reports in the literature, WT never produced more straw dry biomass than WW. Winter wheat produced many more stems than WT (p < 0.001), but this was compensated by individual stem weight of WT being 60% heavier than that of WW (p < 0.001). Spring wheat yield averaged 2451 vs. 2322 kg/ha after WT and WW, respectively (p = 0.022). The market price for triticale grain was always lower than that for wheat. Winter triticale produced an average of 14 and 24% more grain than 3-year and 2-year WW, respectively, provided foliar fungal disease control, risk reduction, and other rotation benefits, but was not economically competitive with WW. A 15–21% increase in WT price or grain yield would be necessary for the WT rotation to be as profitable as the 3-year and 2-year WW rotations, respectively.
Statistical Analysis versus the M5P Machine Learning Algorithm to Analyze the Yield of Winter Wheat in a Long-Term Fertilizer Experiment
Authors: Thai Thi Huyen , Omari Richard Ansong , Barkusky Dietmar , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko Dorothea
Published: November 2020

To compare how different analytical methods explain crop yields from a long-term field experiment (LTFE), we analyzed the grain yield of winter wheat (WW) under different fertilizer applications in Müncheberg, Germany. An analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear mixed-effects model (LMM), and MP5 regression tree model were used to evaluate the grain yield response. All the methods identified fertilizer application and environmental factors as the main variables that explained 80% of the variance in grain yields. Mineral nitrogen fertilizer (NF) application was the major factor that influenced the grain yield in all methods. Farmyard manure slightly influenced the grain yield with no NF application in the ANOVA and M5P regression tree. While sources of environmental factors were unmeasured in the ANOVA test, they were quantified in detail in the LMM and M5P model. The LMM and M5P model identified the cumulative number of freezing days in December as the main climate-based determinant of the grain yield variation. Additionally, the temperature in October, the cumulative number of freezing days in February, the yield of the preceding crop, and the total nitrogen in the soil were determinants of the grain yield in both models. Apart from the common determinants that appeared in both models, the LMM additionally showed precipitation in June and the cumulative number of days in July with temperatures above 30 °C, while the M5P model showed soil organic carbon as an influencing factor of the grain yield. The ANOVA results provide only the main factors affecting the WW yield. The LMM had a better predictive performance compared to the M5P, with smaller root mean square and mean absolute errors. However, they were richer regressors than the ANOVA. The M5P model presented an intuitive visualization of important variables and their critical thresholds, and revealed other variables that were not captured by the LMM model. Hence, the use of different methods can strengthen the statement of the analysis, and thus, the co-use of the LMM and M5P model should be considered, especially in large databases involving multiple variables.
Evaluation of Iraqi Rice Cultivars for Their Tolerance to Drought Stress
Authors: Al Azzawi Tiba Nazar Ibrahim , Khan Murtaza , Hussain Adil , Shahid Muhammad , Imran Qari Muhammad , Mun Bong-Gyu , Lee Sang-Uk , Yun Byung-Wook
Published: November 2020

Drought stress is a serious problem around the globe and particularly in the Republic of Iraq. Rice is the third most consumed crop for the Iraqi people; however, its cultivation and production is very low due to several challenges including drought. The current study was performed to evaluate five Iraqi rice cultivars along with relevant (drought-tolerant and drought-susceptible) controls under drought stress, either by treatment with 10% PEG (polyethylene glycol) or through water withholding to induce natural drought stress. The phenotypes of all the cultivars were evaluated and the transcriptional responses of key drought-responsive candidate genes, identified through the EST-SSR marker-based approach, were studied. We also studied transcript accumulation of drought-related transcriptional factors, such as OsGRASS23, OsbZIP12, and OsDREB2A. Moreover, the reference cultivars also included a drought-tolerant inter-specific cultivar Nerica 7 (a cross between Oryza sativa ssp. indica X O.glaberrima). Among the cultivars, the more drought-tolerant phenotypic characteristics and higher transcript accumulation of drought-related marker genes OsE647 and OsE1899 and transcriptional factors OsGRASS23, OsbZIP12, and OsDREB2A were observed in four (out of five) significantly drought-tolerant Iraqi cultivars; Mashkab, followed by Furat, Yasmen, and Amber 33. On another note, Amber Barka was found to be significantly drought susceptible. Mashkab and Amber Barka were found to be the most drought-tolerant and-susceptible cultivars, respectively. The identified tolerant cultivars may potentially serve as a genetic source for the incorporation of drought-tolerant phenotypes in rice.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting Direct Organogenesis in a Somatic Tissue Culture of Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern
Authors: Blinstrubienė Aušra , Burbulis Natalija , Jonytienė Vaida , Masienė Ramunė
Published: November 2020

In this study, the influence of genotype, concentration of thidiazuron (TDZ), and explant position on the culture medium in organogenesis in a somatic tissue culture of two gloxinia cultivars was investigated. Isolated explants cultured on the medium containing TDZ formed adventitious shoots directly without an intervening callus phase. Explant regeneration frequency varied depending on the genotype, TDZ concentration, and explant position on the medium. The analysis of variance revealed that cultivar (C), TDZ concentration (T), position of explant on culture medium (P), and the interaction of C × T, C × P, T × P, and C × T × P significantly influenced the frequency of shoot formation. However, the effect of interface C × P and C × T × P on the number of shoots per explant was not significant. “Snowy” leaf explants manifested a significantly higher mean shoot formation frequency (p ˂ 0.01) in comparison with the cultivar “Midnight Purple”. The medium enriched with 3.5 μM TDZ resulted in the highest organogenesis frequency, while the highest shoot number per explant was acquired on medium supplemented with 4.0 μM TDZ. The explants of the tested cultivars cultured on the medium with the adaxial side down showed a significantly higher (p ˂ 0.01) shoot formation frequency in comparison with explants cultured on the medium with the abaxial side, and they showed a higher mean number of shoots per explant. An effective method for in vitro organogenesis of Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern without an intervening callus phase was established.
Transfer-to-Transfer Learning Approach for Computer Aided Detection of COVID-19 in Chest Radiographs
Authors: Narayanan Barath , Hardie Russell , Krishnaraja Vignesh , Karam Christina , Davuluru Venkata
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has severely impacted lives across the globe. Respiratory disorders in COVID-19 patients are caused by lung opacities similar to viral pneumonia. A Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system for the detection of COVID-19 using chest radiographs would provide a second opinion for radiologists. For this research, we utilize publicly available datasets that have been marked by radiologists into two-classes (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19). We address the class imbalance problem associated with the training dataset by proposing a novel transfer-to-transfer learning approach, where we break a highly imbalanced training dataset into a group of balanced mini-sets and apply transfer learning between these. We demonstrate the efficacy of the method using well-established deep convolutional neural networks. Our proposed training mechanism is more robust to limited training data and class imbalance. We study the performance of our algorithm(s) based on 10-fold cross validation and two hold-out validation experiments to demonstrate its efficacy. We achieved an overall sensitivity of 0.94 for the hold-out validation experiments containing 2265 and 2139 marked as COVID-19 chest radiographs, respectively. For the 10-fold cross validation experiment, we achieve an overall Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.996 for COVID-19 detection. This paper serves as a proof-of-concept that an automated detection approach can be developed with a limited set of COVID-19 images, and in areas with scarcity of trained radiologists.
D-Lactate Increases Cytokine Production in Bovine Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes via MCT1 Uptake and the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NFκB Pathways
Authors: Manosalva Carolina , Quiroga John , Teuber Stefanie , Cárdenas Sebastián , Carretta María Daniella , Morán G Gabriel , Alarcón Pablo , Hidalgo María Angélica , Burgos Rafael Agustín
Published: November 2020

Acute ruminal acidosis (ARA) is caused by the excessive intake of highly fermentable carbohydrates, followed by the massive production of D-lactate and the appearance of neutrophilic aseptic polysynovitis. Bovines with ARA develop different lesions, such as ruminitis, polioencephalomalacia (calves), liver abscess and lameness. Lameness in cattle with ARA is closely associated with the presence of laminitis and polysynovitis. However, despite decades of research in bovine lameness as consequence of ruminal acidosis, the aetiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are components of synovial tissue, and under pathological conditions, FLSs increase cytokine production, aggravating inflammatory responses. We hypothesized that D-lactate could induce cytokine production in bovine FLSs. Analysis by qRT-PCR and ELISA revealed that D-lactate, but not L-lactate, increased the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in a monocarboxylate transporter-1-dependent manner. In addition, we observed that the inhibition of the p38, ERK1/2, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB pathways reduced the production of IL-8 and IL-6. In conclusion, our results suggest that D-lactate induces an inflammatory response; this study contributes to the literature by revealing a potential key role of D-lactate in the polysynovitis of cattle with ARA.
Urban Hedgehog Behavioural Responses to Temporary Habitat Disturbance versus Permanent Fragmentation
Authors: Berger Anne , Barthel Leon M. F. , Rast Wanja , Hofer Heribert , Gras Pierre
Published: November 2020

Anthropogenic activities can result in both transient and permanent changes in the environment. We studied spatial and temporal behavioural responses of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) to a transient (open-air music festival) and a permanent (highly fragmented area) disturbance in the city of Berlin, Germany. Activity, foraging and movement patterns were observed in two distinct areas in 2016 and 2017 using a “Before & After“ and “Control & Impact“ study design. Confronted with a music festival, hedgehogs substantially changed their movement behaviour and nesting patterns and decreased the rhythmic synchronization (DFC) of their activity patterns with the environment. These findings suggest that a music festival is a substantial stressor influencing the trade-off between foraging and risk avoidance. Hedgehogs in a highly fragmented area used larger home ranges and moved faster than in low-fragmented and low-disturbed areas. They also showed behaviours and high DFCs similar to individuals in low-fragmented, low disturbed environment, suggesting that fragmentation posed a moderate challenge which they could accommodate. The acute but transient disturbance of a music festival, therefore, had more substantial and severe behavioural effects than the permanent disturbance through fragmentation. Our results are relevant for the welfare and conservation measure of urban wildlife and highlight the importance of allowing wildlife to avoid urban music festivals by facilitating avoidance behaviours.
Gonadectomy in Raccoons: Anesthetic and Cardiorespiratory Effects of Two Ketamine-Based Pre-Anesthetic Protocols before Sevoflurane-Sufentanil
Authors: Nannarone Sara , De Monte Valentina , Arcelli Rolando , Menchetti Laura , Gialletti Rodolfo
Published: November 2020

Nineteen raccoons were enrolled in this study. The aim was to evaluate and compare the quality of anesthesia and the cardiorespiratory effects following treatment with a ketamine-based combination with either dexmedetomidine (KD group) or midazolam (KM group) in raccoons undergoing ovariohysterectomy/orchiectomy. General anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and sufentanil infusion. The time required to approach the animals was similar among groups resulting in a median of 5 min after IM injection. Animals in group KD were scored with greater myorelaxation (p < 0.01) and easier intubation (p < 0.05). Moreover 70% of them did not require other drugs for tracheal intubation unlike animals in group KM, which required propofol in 100% of cases. After intubation and connection to the breathing circuit, physiological parameters were monitored continuously and recorded every 5 min. Sevoflurane requirements were lower in group KD than KM (p = 0.005). Blood pressure was maintained within physiological ranges in both groups but with higher values in group KM (p < 0.05). Mild respiratory depression occurred during surgery and animals in group KM showed greater respiratory acidosis (p < 0.05). Recovery was smooth and uneventful in all animals. Both anesthetic protocols can be recommended for safe anesthesia in wild raccoons.
Identification and Characterization of Hypothalamic Alternative Splicing Events and Variants in Ovine Fecundity-Related Genes
Authors: Zhang Zhuangbiao , Tang Jishun , He Xiaoyun , Di Ran , Zhang Xiaosheng , Zhang Jinlong , Hu Wenping , Chu Mingxing
Published: November 2020

Previous studies revealed that alternative splicing (AS) events and gene variants played key roles in reproduction; however, their location and distribution in hypothalamic fecundity-related genes in sheep without the FecB mutation remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we described the hypothalamic AS events and variants in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Small Tail Han sheep without the FecB mutation at polytocous sheep in the follicular phase vs. monotocous sheep in the follicular phase (PF vs. MF) and polytocous sheep in the luteal phase vs. monotocous sheep in the luteal phase (PL vs. ML) via an RNA-seq study for the first time. We found 39 DEGs with AS events (AS DEGs) in PF vs. MF, while 42 AS DEGs were identified in PL vs. ML. No DEGs with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were observed in PF vs. MF, but five were identified in PL vs. ML. We also performed a correlation analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics, and the results suggested several key DEGs/differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), such as galectin 3 (LGALS3) in PF vs. MF and aspartoacylase (ASPA) and transthyretin (TTR) in PL vs. ML, could be candidate genes influencing ovine litter size. In addition, further analyses suggested that AS events, SNPs and miRNA-binding sites existed in key DEGs/DEPs, such as ASPA and TTR. All in all, this study provides a new insight into ovine and even other mammalian reproduction.
λ Recombineering Used to Engineer the Genome of Phage T7
Authors: Jensen Jordan D. , Parks Adam R. , Adhya Sankar , Rattray Alison J. , Court Donald L.
Published: November 2020

Bacteriophage T7 and T7-like bacteriophages are valuable genetic models for lytic phage biology that have heretofore been intractable with in vivo genetic engineering methods. This manuscript describes that the presence of λ Red recombination proteins makes in vivo recombineering of T7 possible, so that single base changes and whole gene replacements on the T7 genome can be made. Red recombination functions also increase the efficiency of T7 genome DNA transfection of cells by ~100-fold. Likewise, Red function enables two other T7-like bacteriophages that do not normally propagate in E. coli to be recovered following genome transfection. These results constitute major technical advances in the speed and efficiency of bacteriophage T7 engineering and will aid in the rapid development of new phage variants for a variety of applications.
Is Early Oral Antimicrobial Switch Useful for Less Critically Ill Adults with Community-Onset Bacteraemia in Emergency Departments?
Authors: Lee Ching-Chi , Chen Po-Lin , Hsieh Chih-Chia , Yang Chao-Yung , Lin Chih-Hao , Ko Wen-Chien
Published: November 2020

To compare prognoses and adverse events between bacteraemic patients in the emergency department (ED) who received an early antimicrobial IV-to-PO switch and those treated with late or no IV-to-PO switch, an 8-year multicentre cohort consisting of adults with community-onset bacteraemia was conducted. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared in matched cohorts by the closest propensity score calculated based on the independent determinants of 30-day mortality identified by the multivariate regression model. Of the 6664 hospitalised patients who received no or late IV-to-PO switch, 2410 were appropriately matched with 482 patients treated with early IV-to-PO switch and discharged from the ED. There were no significant differences between the two matched groups in their baseline characteristics, including the patient demographics, severity and types of comorbidities, severity and sources of bacteraemia, and the 15- and 30-day mortality rates. Notably, in addition to the shorter lengths of intravenous antimicrobial administration and hospital stay, less phlebitis and lower antimicrobial costs were observed in patients who received an early IV-to-PO switch. Similarity was observed in the clinical failure rates between the two groups. Furthermore, the inappropriate administration of empirical antibiotics and inadequate source control were identified as the only independent determinants of the post-switch 30-day crude mortality in patients who received an early IV-to-PO switch. In conclusion, for less critically ill adults with community-onset bacteraemia who received appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy and adequate source control, an early IV-to-PO switch might be safe and cost-effective after a short course of intravenous antimicrobial therapy.
Plant Volatile, Phenylacetaldehyde Targets Breast Cancer Stem Cell by Induction of ROS and Regulation of Stat3 Signal
Authors: Choi Hack Sun , Kim Su-Lim , Kim Ji-Hyang , Ko Yu-Chan , Lee Dong-Sun
Published: November 2020

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are undifferentiated cells that give rise to tumor and resistance to chemotherapy. This study reports that phenylacetaldehyde (PAA), a flower flavor, inhibits formation on breast CSCs. PAA showed anti-proliferation and increased apoptosis of breast cancer. PAA also reduced tumor growth in an in vivo mice model. PAA reduced the CD44+/CD24− and ALDH1-expressing cells, mammosphere formation, and CSC marker genes. PAA preferentially induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and combined treatment with PAA and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) decreased inhibition of mammosphere formation. PAA reduced phosphorylation of nuclear Stat3. PAA inhibited Stat3 signaling through de-phosphorylation of Stat3 and reduced secretory IL-6. Our results suggest that the PAA-induced ROS deregulated Stat3/IL-6 pathway and PAA may be a potential agent targeting breast cancer and CSCs.
Bioactive Compounds of Edible Fruits with Their Anti-Aging Properties: A Comprehensive Review to Prolong Human Life
Authors: Dhalaria Rajni , Verma Rachna , Kumar Dinesh , Puri Sunil , Tapwal Ashwani , Kumar Vinod , Nepovimova Eugenie , Kuca Kamil
Published: November 2020

Aging is a complicated biological process in which functional and structural alterations in a living organism take place over time. Reactive oxygen species is one of the main factors responsible for aging and is associated with several chronic pathologies. The relationship between aging and diet is quite interesting and has attained worldwide attention. Healthy food, in addition to dietary antioxidants, are required to delay the process of aging and improve the quality of life. Many healthy foods such as fruits are a good source of dietary nutrients and natural bioactive compounds which have antioxidant properties and are involved in preventing aging and other age-related disorders. Health benefits linked with healthy consumption of fruit have drawn increased interest. A significant number of studies have documented the advantages of fruit intake, as it suppresses free-radical development that further reduces the oxidative stress created in the body and protects against several types of diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and other cardiovascular diseases that ultimately prevent aging. In addition, fruits have numerous other properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and have health-promoting effects. Mechanisms of various bioactive compounds that aids in preventing various diseases and increases longevity are also described. This manuscript provides a summary of various bioactive components present in fruits along with their health-promoting and antiaging properties.
Tuning of Proanthocyanidin Extract’s Composition through Quaternary Eutectic Solvents Extraction
Authors: Neto Rodrigo T. , Santos Sónia A. O. , Oliveira Joana , Silvestre Armando J. D.
Published: November 2020

Currently available proanthocyanidins extraction methods rely on dedicated crops and have low specificity and yield which limits their industrial application. Consequently, the development of novel methodologies and the use of sustainable sources is of great importance. Eutectic solvents have been proposed has good alternatives for conventional solvents due to their low price, easiness of preparation, biocompatibility and ability of being custom made to a specific application. Herein the effective extraction of proanthocyanidins from grape pomace and the possibility of tuning the extract’s characteristics such as mean degree of polymerization and galloylation percentage is explored by means of varying the composition of a quaternary eutectic solvent composed by choline chloride, glycerol, ethanol and water. It was found that mean degree of polymerization values can vary from 6.0 to 7.37 and galloylation percentage can vary from 32.5% to 47.1% while maintaining extraction yield above 72.2 mg of proanthocyanidins per g of biomass. Furthermore, the increase of temperature up to 100 °C has showed a significant effect on the extraction yield being possible to increase it by 238% when compared to the conventional extraction method.
Antioxidant Lifestyle, Co-Morbidities and Quality of Life Empowerment Concerning Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Martinez-Urbistondo Diego , Suarez del Villar Rafael , Argemí Josepmaria , Daimiel Lidia , Ramos-López Omar , San-Cristobal Rodrigo , Villares Paula , Martinez Jose Alfredo
Published: November 2020

The assessment of liver fibrosis has gained importance since the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Indeed, the description of the association between undetected liver fibrosis and lifestyle in terms of antioxidant habits, comorbidity and quality of life (QoL) domains may help in the characterization of subjects with NAFLD. A cross-sectional evaluation of (n = 116) consecutive patients from an Internal Medicine ambulatory evaluation was performed. Demographic data, lifestyle, co-morbidity, QoL (according to the SF-36 index) and analytical values to calculate the oxidative related Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index were recorded. The association between FIB-4 and co-morbidity, antioxidant habits in QoL was assessed in univariate analysis (p < 0.05) and confirmed in multivariable analysis for 4 of the 8 SF-36 categories: Physical QoL, Physical role, Social QoL and General QoL, as well as in the Physical summary of SF-36 (p < 0.05). Finally, interactions were assessed between co-morbidity, FIB-4 and antioxidant habits showed in the prediction of mean SF-36 (p < 0.01). Liver fibrosis assessed by the oxidative surrogate index FIB-4 is associated with the interaction between antioxidant lifestyle, co-morbidity and physical, social and general aspects of QoL in apparent liver disease-free individuals, generating a proof of concept for health empowerment and personalized medicine.
Nox4 Facilitates TGFβ1-Induced Fibrotic Response in Human Tenon’s Fibroblasts and Promotes Wound Collagen Accumulation in Murine Model of Glaucoma Filtration Surgery
Authors: Shah Manisha H. , Chan Elsa C. , Van Bergen Nicole J. , Pandav Surinder S. , Ng Sze , Crowston Jonathan G. , Peshavariya Hitesh M.
Published: November 2020

Collagen accumulation in sub-conjunctival tissue at the surgical wound is one of the major complications associated with glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). This process often leads to unwanted fibrotic scar formation at the lesion site and dysfunction of tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) is implicated in transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ)-induced collagen production in ocular fibroblasts and scarring responses in a mouse model of corneal injury. Here, we propose that Nox4 is an important facilitator of TGFβ-induced responses. We tested this hypothesis in human Tenon’s fibroblasts (HTF) and also assessed a role of Nox4 in an experimental mouse model of GFS. TGFβ1 induced Nox4 mRNA expression but downregulated Nox5 in HTF. Targeting Nox4 gene expression with an adenovirus carrying a Nox4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) (Ad-Nox4i) or removal of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with EUK-134 (25 μM) in HTFs significantly reduced TGFβ1-induced Nox4 expression, H2O2 production, and collagen synthesis (p < 0.05, n = 3–6). SIS3 (5 μM) that prevents Smad3 phosphorylation is found to suppress TGFβ1-induced collagen production in HTFs. Furthermore, Ad-Nox4i and EUK-134 both abolished TGFβ1-stimulated proliferation of HTFs. We also compared collagen deposition at the wound arising from GFS between wildtype (WT) and Nox4 knockout (KO) mice. Both collagen deposition and fibrovascularization at the wound were significantly decreased in Nox4 KO mice at 14 days after GFS. Our results provide comprehensive evidence that Nox4 is an important mediator for TGFβ1-induced responses in HTFs and collagen deposition in surgical wound following GFS in mice. As such, pharmacological inhibition of Nox4 would be a viable therapeutic strategy for the control of scarring after glaucoma surgery.
Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Supplementation in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review of Human Studies
Authors: Petrovic Snjezana , Arsic Aleksandra , Ristic-Medic Danijela , Cvetkovic Zorica , Vucic Vesna
Published: November 2020

Being characterized by progressive and severe damage in neuronal cells, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the major cause of disability and morbidity in the elderly, imposing a significant economic and social burden. As major components of the central nervous system, lipids play important roles in neural health and pathology. Disturbed lipid metabolism, particularly lipid peroxidation (LPO), is associated with the development of many NDDs, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), all of which show elevated levels of LPO products and LPO-modified proteins. Thus, the inhibition of neuronal oxidation might slow the progression and reduce the severity of NDD; natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols and antioxidant vitamins, seem to be the most promising agents. Here, we summarize current literature data that were derived from human studies on the effect of natural polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E supplementation in patients with AD, PD, and ALS. Although these compounds may reduce the severity and slow the progression of NDD, research gaps remain in antioxidants supplementation in AD, PD, and ALS patients, which indicates that further human studies applying antioxidant supplementation in different forms of NDDs are urgently needed.
MobiDiabet: Mobile Telemonitoring System for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
Authors: Alcala Juárez Anakaren , Hernández Villegas Manuel Alejandro , Domínguez Eduardo López , Hernández Velázquez Yesenia , Domínguez Isidro Saúl , Ovando Diego Liliana , Hernández Sánchez Olivia , De La Calleja Jorge , Pomares Hernández Saúl Eduardo , Medina Nieto María Auxilio
Published: November 2020

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2019, approximately 416.7 million people worldwide suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is a chronic degenerative disease of long term and slow progression. This condition requires a strict follow-up by physicians and nutritionists, combined with rigorous adherence to treatment by the patient to avoid possible complications. In this context, this paper describes the analysis, design, development, and preliminary usability assessment of a telemonitoring system focused on the monitoring, control, and remote nutritional therapy of people with T2DM. The proposed system comprises two mobile web applications, one focused on the patient and another oriented to physicians and nutritionists. The central services that our system provides to the patient and health personnel are: generate risk alerts; consult food menu options; receive recommendations; consult results of the food intake frequency questionnaire; patient history management; record anthropometry of patients, and review health education material. We carry out a preliminary usability assessment of our system based on a field study with four physicians, two nutritionists, and seven patients with T2DM. Based on the obtained results, our telemonitoring system shows a satisfactory/favorable opinion in terms of usability from the users’ perspective.
Effect of Low and High Viscosity Composites on Temperature Rise of Premolars Restored through the Bulk-Fill and the Incremental Layering Techniques
Authors: De Santis Roberto , Gallicchio Vito , Lodato Vincenzo , Rengo Sandro , Valletta Alessandra , Rengo Carlo
Published: November 2020

Background: Deep dental cavities can be restored through a single step according to the bulk-fill technique. Due to the great amount of resin to be cured, a main concern is the temperature rise occurring in the pulp chamber, potentially higher than that developed through the incremental layering technique. Temperature rise of bulk-fill composites have been evaluated. Methods: Bulk-fill composites, differing in material composition and viscosity, were used. Maximum temperature and temperature rate occurring in the composites were measured. Mesio-occlusal-distal cavities of human premolars were restored through the bulk-fill or the incremental layering techniques, and peak temperature and temperature rate occurring in the dentin, 1 mm below the cavity floor, were evaluated. Results: Temperature peak and temperature rise of flowable composites were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than packable composites. For both the techniques, higher temperature peaks were recorded in the dentin for flowable composites. Peak temperatures higher than 42 °C were recorded for the incremental layering technique considering flowable composites. Conclusions: For all the composites, the light curing modality of 1000 mW/cm2 for 20 s can be considered safe if the bulk-fill technique is performed. Instead, for the incremental layering technique, potentially dangerous temperature peaks have been recorded for flowable composites.
Special Issue on Dynamics of the Global Savanna and Grasslands Biomes
Authors: Herrero Hannah Victoria , Southworth Jane
Published: November 2020

Savanna and grassland biomes cover more of the earth’s surface than any other biome type, and yet they are still largely understudied [...]
Polarization-Insensitive Metasurface for Harvesting Electromagnetic Energy with High Efficiency and Frequency Stability over Wide Range of Incidence Angles
Authors: Yu Fan , He Guo-Qiang , Yang Xue-Xia , Du Jinxin , Gao Steven
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a polarization-insensitive metasurface, harvesting electromagnetic (EM) energy with high efficiency and frequency stability over a wide range of incidence angles, is proposed. The previously reported metasurfaces suffer from their maximum efficiencies shifting with the frequency when the incidence angle increases. By introducing a square-shaped metal via ring around the elements, the mutual coupling among adjacent cells is reduced so that the proposed metasurface can maintain maximum efficiency at the fixed operation frequency over a wide range of incidence angles. Furthermore, with one single harvesting via in the proper position for the connection of a harvesting load, the metasurface can collect EM energy effectively with both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations in one single harvesting load. Compared with the reported metasurfaces, this proposed metasurface has a higher efficiency and fixed operation frequency within a wide incidence range. The energy distribution, harvesting efficiency, and surface current are simulated to investigate the operation mechanism of the proposed metasurface. The simulation results show that the maximum harvesting efficiency is 91% at 5.8 GHz for both TE and TM polarizations at the normal incidence. When the incident angle increases to 75°, the maximum efficiency is achieved at 5.79 GHz (0.19% shift), and the maximum efficiencies of TM and TE polarizations are 91% and 68%, respectively. A 5 × 5 array is fabricated and tested. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
Effect of Process Parameters and Definition of Favorable Conditions in Multi-Material Extrusion of Bimetallic AZ31B–Ti6Al4V Billets
Authors: Fernández Daniel , Rodríguez-Prieto Alvaro , Camacho Ana María
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates the extrusion process to manufacture bimetallic cylinders combining a magnesium alloy core (AZ31B) and a titanium alloy sleeve (Ti6Al4V) of interest in aeronautical applications. A robust finite element model has been developed to determine the most influential parameters and to study the effect of them on the extrusion force and damage induced by means of Design of Experiments (DOE) and Taguchi method. The results show that the most influential parameters in the extrusion forces are the friction between sleeve and container/die and the height of the cylinder; and the less influential ones are the process temperature and ram speed. Moreover, minimum values of forces along with low damage can be reached by favorable interface contact conditions, minimizing the friction at the core-container/die interface, as the main influencing factor; followed by the geometrical dimensions of the billet, being the billet height more important when paying attention to the minimum forces, and being the core diameter when considering the minimum damage as the most important criterion. The results can potentially be used to improve the efficiency of this kind of extrusion process and the quality of the extruded part that, along with the use of lightweight materials, can contribute to sustainable production approaches.
System Reliability Assessment of Cable-Supported Bridges under Stochastic Traffic Loads Based on Deep Belief Networks
Authors: Lu Naiwei , Liu Yang , Noori Mohammad , Xiao Xinhui
Published: November 2020

A cable-supported bridge is usually a key junction of a highway or a railway that demands a higher safety margin, especially when it is subjected to harsh environmental and complex loading conditions. In comparison to short-span girder bridges, long-span flexible structures have unique characteristics that increase the complexity of the structural mechanical behavior. Therefore, the system safety of cable-supported bridges is critical but difficult to evaluate. This study proposes a novel and intelligent approach for system reliability evaluation of cable-supported bridges under stochastic traffic load by utilizing deep belief networks (DBNs). The related mathematical models were derived taking into consideration the structural nonlinearities and high-order statically indeterminate characteristics. A computational framework is presented to illustrate the steps followed for system reliability evaluation using DBNs. In a case study, a prototype suspension bridge is selected to investigate the system reliability under stochastic traffic loading based on site-specific traffic monitoring data. The numerical results indicated that DBNs provide an accurate approximation for the mechanical behavior accounting for structural nonlinearities and different system behaviors, which can be treated as a meta-model to estimate the structural failure probability. The dominant failure modes of the suspension bridge are the fracture of suspenders followed by the bending failure of girders. The degradation of suspenders due to fatigue-corrosion damage has a significant effect on the system reliability of a suspension bridge. The numerical results provide a theoretical basis for the design on cable replacement strategies.
Wave Planning for Cart Picking in a Randomized Storage Warehouse
Authors: Shiau Jiun-Yan , Huang Jie-An
Published: November 2020

Randomized storage strategy is known as a best practice for storing books of an online bookstore, it simplifies the order picking strategy as to retrieve books in purchase orders from closest locations of the warehouse. However, to be more responsive to customers, many distribution centers have adopted a just-in-time strategy leading to various value-added activities such as kitting, labelling, product or order assembly, customized packaging, or palletization, all of which must be scheduled and integrated in the order-picking process, and this is known as wave planning. In this study, we present a wave planning mathematical model by simultaneously consider: (1) time window from master of schedule (MOS), (2) random storage stock-keeping units (SKUs), and (3) picker-to-order. A conceptual simulation, along with a simplified example for the proposed wave planning algorithm, has been examined to demonstrate the merits of the idea. The result shows the wave planning module can improve the waiting time for truck loading of packages significantly and can reduce the time that packages are heaping in buffer area. The main contribution of this research is to develop a mixed integer programming model that helps the bookseller to generate optimal wave picking lists for a given time window.
Quality Assurance Technologies of Big Data Applications: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Ji Shunhui , Li Qingqiu , Cao Wennan , Zhang Pengcheng , Muccini Henry
Published: November 2020

Big data applications are currently used in many application domains, ranging from statistical applications to prediction systems and smart cities. However, the quality of these applications is far from perfect, such as functional error, failure and low performance. Consequently, assuring the overall quality for big data applications plays an increasingly important role. This paper aims at summarizing and assessing existing quality assurance (QA) technologies addressing quality issues in big data applications. We have conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) by searching major scientific databases, resulting in 83 primary and relevant studies on QA technologies for big data applications. The SLR results reveal the following main findings: (1) the quality attributes that are focused for the quality of big data applications, including correctness, performance, availability, scalability and reliability, and the factors influencing them; (2) the existing implementation-specific QA technologies, including specification, architectural choice and fault tolerance, and the process-specific QA technologies, including analysis, verification, testing, monitoring and fault and failure prediction; (3) existing strengths and limitations of each kind of QA technology; (4) the existing empirical evidence of each QA technology. This study provides a solid foundation for research on QA technologies of big data applications and can help developers of big data applications apply suitable QA technologies.