bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Risk Spillover Effect between the Carbon and Stock Markets under the Shocks from Exogenous Events
Authors: Xia Mengli , Chen Zhang-Hangjian , Wang Piao
Published: December 2022

Based on the DY spillover index model, we explore the static and dynamic risk spillover relationships between the Chinese carbon and stock markets from the perspective of the entire market and different industry levels. Furthermore, we examine the impact of diverse types of exogenous events on the risk spillover effects. The empirical results of the sectoral stock market show that the carbon market is the primary risk taker, and the risk spillover to the carbon market is mainly from high-carbon-emitting industries, such as the oil and electricity industries. However, the risk spillover relationship will be reversed under the shocks from exogenous events. The shocks from different types of exogenous events enhance the risk spillover from the carbon market to the stock market, specifically to the oil sector. The Sino–U.S. trade war and the COVID-19 outbreak are more impactful than government policies. These findings help investors to understand the risk conduct patterns among different financial sub-markets, and have implications for regulators to strengthen market risk management.
Combined Biological Method for Simultaneous Removal of Hydrogen Sulphide and Volatile Methylsiloxanes from Biogas
Authors: Gaj Kazimierz , Cichuta Klaudia
Published: December 2022

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and volatile methylsiloxanes (VMSs) are key pollutants from the point of view of the operators of biogas plants. H2S poses corrosive hazards, while VMSs transform into difficult-to-remove deposits, reducing the availability and yield of biogas combustion equipment. This study provides a critical overview and evaluation (so-called SWOT analysis) of implemented and promising methods to reduce the content of the above pollutants in biogas, with particular emphasis on biological techniques. The aim of the analyses was to develop an innovative concept for a hybrid biological method for the combined removal of H2S and VMSs using the same device, i.e., a two-phase biotrickling filter (BTF), in which the organic phase that intensifies the mass transfer of VMSs is in the form of a low-viscosity methyl silicone oil. The finally developed technological schematic diagram includes the basic devices and media streams. The concept is characterized by closed media circuits and comprehensively solves the problem of purifying biogas from sewage sludge. In conclusion, key issues requiring further research are identified.
Grafting with Different Rootstocks Induced DNA Methylation Alterations in Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]
Authors: Liu Zhuangzhuang , Tan Pengpeng , Liang Youwang , Shang Yangjuan , Zhu Kaikai , Peng Fangren , Li Yongrong
Published: December 2022

Rootstocks are well known to have important effects on scion growth performance. However, the involved mechanisms remain unclear. Recent studies provided some clues on the potential involvement of DNA methylation in grafting, which open up new horizons for exploring how rootstocks induce the growth changes. To better understand the involvement of DNA methylation in rootstock-induced growth alterations, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was used to evaluate the methylation profiles of two sets of pecan grafts with different growth performances on different sizes of rootstocks. The results showed that methylated cytosines accounted for 24.52%–25.60% of all cytosines in pecan. Methylation levels in CG were the highest, with the lowest levels being in CHH (C= cytosine; G= guanine; H = adenine, thymine, or cytosine). Rootstocks induced extensive methylation alterations in scions with 934, 2864, and 15,789 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) determined in CG, CHG, and CHH contexts, respectively. DMR-related genes (DMGs) were found to participate in various processes associated with plant growth, among which 17 DMGs were found, most likely related to hormone response, that may play particularly important roles in graft growth regulation. This study revealed DNA methylomes throughout the pecan genome for the first time, and obtained abundant genes with methylation alterations that were potentially involved in rootstock-induced growth changes in pecan scions, which lays a good basis for further epigenetic studies on pecan and deeper understanding of grafting mechanisms in pecan grafts.
Perceived Effectiveness and Responsibilities of the Forest Biological Disasters Control System of China: A Perspective of Government Administrators
Authors: Cai Qi , Wang Guangyu , Wen Xuanye , Zhang Xufeng , Zhou Zefeng
Published: December 2022

Forest biological disaster control (FBDC) is appealing the attention in China and even across the world, while the control system plays a pivotal role in the entire control work. The survey-based comprehensive indicators system was developed to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the entropy weight model and the perceived responsibilities of the FBDC system of China from the perspective of government administrators at the province-, prefecture-, and county- levels. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Simultaneous Equations Models (SEM) were further developed to quantitatively analyze the affecting factors of the perceived effectiveness. The results indicated that the perceived effectiveness of the FBDC system in China was relatively low, with a value of 47.18 (the range is 0–100). In specific, the county level has the highest value of 48.85, while the province level has the lowest value of 42.99. The major limiting factors perceived are the insufficiency of the funds and employees. In addition, the intelligentization level, the implementation of the quarantine enforcement, the infrastructure construction, and the involvement of the local communities also need to be further improved. The salary does not positively affect the perceived effectiveness, while administrators with higher education levels and ages usually have higher salaries. Furthermore, compared with the province- and prefecture-level agencies, the county-level agencies have higher perceived effectiveness and more perceived responsibilities with higher workloads. Thus, future policies are suggested to focus on diversifying the investment sources, refining the employee recruitment and promotion system, and paying more attention to the county-level agencies. The results of this study could help to enhance the understanding of the FBDC system of China, hence improving the control efficiency and reducing the economic loss caused by forest biological disasters in China.
Changes in Moisture Characteristics of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood Owing to Microbial Degradation
Authors: Cao Huimin , Gao Xin , Chen Jiabao , Xi Guanglan , Yin Yafang , Guo Juan
Published: December 2022

Studying waterlogged archaeological wood moisture characteristics can provide strong support for the safe dehydration and preservation of waterlogged wooden artifacts. Herein, six waterlogged archaeological wood samples with moisture contents of 154%–968% chosen from two ancient Chinese shipwrecks, Nanhai No. 1 and Changjiangkou No. 2, and six non-degraded modern wood samples of the relevant corresponding species were selected to study the moisture characteristics by low-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the dynamic sorption of water vapor (DVS). It was found that the six waterlogged archaeological wood samples exhibited three deterioration states: slightly, moderately, and seriously deteriorated. Wood deterioration caused significantly increased fiber saturation point (FSP) values for waterlogged archaeological wood. This is mainly owing to changes in the pore size distribution of cell walls. Moreover, NMR is more accurate than DVS in obtaining FSP for severely degraded samples. Additionally, moisture content was positively associated with wood deterioration. Maximum water content (MWC), free water content, and bound water content exhibited an exponential relationship with the basic density (BD). The contribution of bound water in waterlogged archaeological wood was less than that of modern wood and decreased with deterioration.
Fermentation of Dietary Fibre-Added Milk with Yoghurt Bacteria and L. rhamnosus and Use in Ice Cream Production
Authors: Sezer Elif , Ayar Ahmet , Yılmaz Suzan Öztürk
Published: December 2022

This study investigated whether the use of fermented milk with added dietary fibre in ice cream production positively affected quality characteristics, especially viability, during a shelf life of 90 days at −25 °C. For this purpose, fermented milk was prepared with cultures (yoghurt and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) and dietary fibre (wheat fibre and inulin). In addition to the viable cell count, some related quality characteristics, such as the sensory, physical, chemical, and thermal properties, and energy content were also examined. Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus in all yoghurt ice creams and L. rhamnosus in ice cream with wheat fibre had the highest viability for 90 days, up to 95.95%. The best scores regarding “general acceptability” belonged to the ice cream with L. rhamnosus and inulin, with a score of 7.81 out of 9. The dietary fibre decreased overrun from around 23% to 14–18%, which was positive for the viability of the cultures. The cultures and dietary fibre decreased the melting temperature down to −1.15 °C. The caloric value of the ice creams (166–168 kcal/100 g) was lower than that of standard ice cream. Probiotic ice cream production with dietary fibre and a single L. rhamnosus culture may be preferred in terms of sensory properties, cell viability, and economic aspects.
Advanced Monitoring and Control of Redox Potential in Wine Fermentation across Scales
Authors: Nelson James , Coleman Robert , Chacón-Rodríguez Leticia , Runnebaum Ron , Boulton Roger , Knoesen André
Published: December 2022

Combined with real-time monitoring of density and temperature, the control of the redox potential provides a new approach to influencing cell metabolism during growth, cell viability and non-growing yeast activity in wine fermentations. Prior research indicates that the problem of sluggish and incomplete fermentation can be alleviated by maintaining a constant redox potential during the ethanol fermentation. A secondary trait of hydrogen sulfide formation from elemental sulfur also seems to be associated with the development of low redox potentials during fermentation and this might be prevented by the deliberate control of redox potentials in a certain range. While the control of the redox potential during wine fermentations has been demonstrated previously at the research scale (100 L), the ability to control it in larger volumes typically seen in commercial conditions remained unanswered. Wine fermentations from the same load of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the 2021 harvest were conducted at three volumes: 100 L and 1500 L in a research winery and 10,000 L in a commercial winery. Using only pulses of air delivery, the redox potential was successfully controlled to −40 mV referenced to a silver/silver chloride electrode throughout the fermentations, at all scales. This appears to be the first published result of a controlled fermentation trial that includes the commercial scale and demonstrates the scalability of control of redox potential in wine fermentations.
Machine Learning Failure-Aware Scheme for Profit Maximization in the Cloud Market
Authors: Igried Bashar , Al-Serhan Atalla Fahed , Alsarhan Ayoub , Aljaidi Mohammad , Aldweesh Amjad
Published: December 2022

A successful cloud trading system requires suitable financial incentives for all parties involved. Cloud providers in the cloud market provide computing services to clients in order to perform their tasks and earn extra money. Unfortunately, the applications in the cloud are prone to failure for several reasons. Cloud service providers are responsible for managing the availability of scheduled computing tasks in order to provide high-level quality of service for their customers. However, the cloud market is extremely heterogeneous and distributed, making resource management a challenging problem. Protecting tasks against failure is a challenging and non-trivial mission due to the dynamic, heterogeneous, and largely distributed structure of the cloud environment. The existing works in the literature focus on task failure prediction and neglect the remedial (post) actions. To address these challenges, this paper suggests a fault-tolerant resource management scheme for the cloud computing market in which the optimal amount of computing resources is extracted at each system epoch to replace failed machines. When a cloud service provider detects a malfunctioning machine, they transfer the associated work to new machinery.
A Geospatial Approach to Improving Fish Species Detection in Maumee Bay, Lake Erie
Authors: Bowser Jessica , Briggs Andrew , Thompson Patricia , McLean Matthew , Bowen Anjanette
Published: December 2022

Maumee Bay of western Lake Erie is at high risk for invasion by aquatic invasive species due to large urban and suburban populations, commercial shipping traffic, recreational boating, and aquaculture ponds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program has been monitoring for new invasive species since 2013 and is continually looking to adapt sampling methods to improve efficiency to increase the chance of detecting new aquatic invasive species at low abundances. From 2013–2016, the program used a random sampling design in Maumee Bay with three gear types: boat electrofishing, paired fyke nets, and bottom trawling. Capture data from the initial three years was used to spatially explore fish species richness with the hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) in ArcGIS. In 2017, targeted sites in areas with high species richness (hot spots) were added to the randomly sampled sites to determine if the addition of targeted sampling would increase fish species detection rates and detection of rare species. Results suggest that this hybrid sampling design improved sampling efficiency as species not detected or were rare in previous survey years were captured and species were detected at a faster rate (i.e., in less sampling effort), particularly for shallow-water gear types. Through exploring past data and experimenting with targeted sampling, the EDM program will continue to refine and adapt sampling efforts to improve efficiency and provide valuable knowledge for the early detection of aquatic invasive species. The use of geospatial techniques such as hot spot analysis is one approach fisheries researchers and managers can use to incorporate targeted sampling in a non-subjective way to improve species detection.
Magnetic Composite Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Deep Eutectic Solvents: Preparation and Its Application for the Determination of Pyrethroids in Tea Drinks
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Liu Huifang , Xu Xiaomin , Chen Ge , Li Lingyun , Zhang Yanguo , Liu Guangyang , Xu Donghui
Published: December 2022

In this study, a novel composite material prepared by using deep eutectic solvent (tetrabutylammonium chloride-dodecanol, DES5) functionalized magnetic MWCNTs−ZIF−8 (MM/ZIF−8@DES5) was employed as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of six pyrethroids from tea drinks. The characterization results show that MM/ZIF−8@DES5 possessed sufficient specific surface area and superparamagnetism, which could facilitate the rapid enrichment of pyrethroids from tea drink samples. The results of the optimization experiment indicated that DES5, which comprised tetrabutylammonium chloride and 1-dodecanol, was selected for the next experiment and that the adsorption properties of MM/ZIF−8@DES5 were higher than those of MM/ZIF−8 and M-MWCNTs. The validation results show that the method has a wide linear range (0.5–400 μg L−1, R2 ≥ 0.9905), low LOD (0.08–0.33 μg L−1), and good precision (intra-day RSD ≤ 5.6%, inter-day RSD ≤ 8.6%). The method was successfully applied to the determination of pyrethroids in three tea drink samples.
Selenium Nanoparticles Synergistically Stabilized by Starch Microgel and EGCG: Synthesis, Characterization, and Bioactivity
Authors: Zhou Jiaojiao , Liu Yuantao , Hu Yili , Zhang Die , Xu Wei , Chen Lei , He Jiangling , Cheng Shuiyuan , Cai Jie
Published: December 2022

Selenium (Se) is a chemical element essential to human health because of its bioactive properties, including antioxidative, anticancer, and immunomodulating activities. Despite the high therapeutic potential of Se, its intrinsic properties of poor stability, a narrow therapeutic window, and low bioavailability and bioactivity have limited its clinical applications. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) exhibit lower toxicity and higher bioactivity than other Se forms. Herein, we report a green method for the preparation of monodisperse SeNPs with starch microgel (SM) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) through Se-O bonds and polysaccharide–polyphenol interactions (namely, SM-EGCG-SeNPs). SM-EGCG-SeNPs showed higher stability, bioactivities, and cytotoxicity than SeNPs and SM-SeNPs at the equivalent dose. SM-EGCG-SeNPs induced the apoptosis of cancer cells via the activation of several caspases and reactive oxygen species overproduction. This work proposes a facile method for the design and potentiation of structure-bioactive SeNPs via polysaccharide–polyphenol interactions.
Comprehensive Chemical Characterization of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Oil with a Focus on Minor Lipid Components
Authors: Oteri Marianna , Bartolomeo Giovanni , Rigano Francesca , Aspromonte Juan , Trovato Emanuela , Purcaro Giorgia , Dugo Paola , Mondello Luigi , Beccaria Marco
Published: December 2022

A comprehensive chemical characterization of different lipid components, namely fatty acid composition after derivatization in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), sterols, carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenols in Chia seed oil, obtained by Soxhlet extraction, was reported. Reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) coupled to UV and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors was employed for carotenoids, polyphenols, and TAGs determination; normal phase-LC in combination with fluorescence detector (FLD) was used for tocopherols analysis; PL and FFA fractions were investigated after a rapid solid phase extraction followed by RP-LC-MS and NanoLC coupled to electron ionization (EI) MS, respectively. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization (FID) and MS detectors were used for FAMEs and sterols analysis. Results demonstrated a significant content of bioactive compounds, such as the antioxidant tocopherols (22.88 µg mL−1), and a very high content of essential fatty acids (81.39%), namely α-linolenic (62.16%) and linoleic (19.23%) acids. In addition, for the best of authors knowledge, FFA profile, as well as some carotenoid classes has been elucidated for the first time. The importance of free fatty acids in vegetable matrices is related to the fact that they can be readily involved in metabolic processes or biosynthetic pathways of the plant itself. For a fast and reliable determination of this chemical class, a very innovative and sensitive NanoLC-EI-MS analytical determination was applied.
The Potential Role of Iceland in Northern Europe’s Protein Self-Sufficiency: Feasibility Study of Large-Scale Production of Spirulina in a Novel Energy-Food System
Authors: Tzachor Asaf , Richards Catherine E. , Smidt-Jensen Asger , Skúlason Arnar Þór , Ramel Alfons , Geirsdóttir Margrét
Published: December 2022

Europe is dependent on protein-rich crop imports to meet domestic food demand. This has moved the topic of sustainable protein self-sufficiency up the policy agenda. The current study assesses the feasibility of protein self-sufficiency in Iceland, and its capacity to meet Northern Europe’s demand, based on industrial-scale cultivation of Spirulina in novel production units. Production units currently operating in Iceland, and laboratory-derived nutritional profile for the Spirulina cultivated, provide the basis for a theoretical protein self-sufficiency model. Integrating installed and potentially installed energy generation data, the model elaborates six production scale-up scenarios. Annual biomass produced is compared with recommended dietary allowance figures for protein and essential amino acids to determine whether Northern Europe’s population demands can be met in 2030. Results show that Iceland could be protein self-sufficient under the most conservative scenario, with 20,925 tonnes of Spirulina produced using 15% of currently installed capacity. In a greater allocation of energy capacity used by heavy industry, Iceland could additionally meet the needs of Lithuania, or Latvia, Estonia, Jersey, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Faroe Islands. Under the most ambitious scenario utilizing planned energy projects, Iceland could support itself plus Denmark, or Finland, or Norway, or Ireland with up to 242,366 tonnes of biomass. On a protein-per-protein basis, each kilogram of Spirulina consumed instead of beef could save 0.315 tonnes CO2-eq. Under the most ambitious scenario, this yields annual savings of 75.1 million tonnes CO2-eq or 7.3% of quarterly European greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, practicalities of production scale-up are discussed.
Millimeter/Submillimeter VLBI with a Next Generation Large Radio Telescope in the Atacama Desert
Authors: Akiyama Kazunori , Kauffmann Jens , Matthews Lynn D. , Moriyama Kotaro , Koyama Shoko , Hada Kazuhiro
Published: December 2022

The proposed next generation Event Horizon Telescope (ngEHT) concept envisions the imaging of various astronomical sources on scales of microarcseconds in unprecedented detail with at least two orders of magnitude improvement in the image dynamic ranges by extending the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). A key technical component of ngEHT is the utilization of large aperture telescopes to anchor the entire array, allowing the connection of less sensitive stations through highly sensitive fringe detections to form a dense network across the planet. Here, we introduce two projects for planned next generation large radio telescopes in the 2030s on the Chajnantor Plateau in the Atacama desert in northern Chile, the Large Submillimeter Telescope (LST) and the Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST). Both are designed to have a 50-meter diameter and operate at the planned ngEHT frequency bands of 86, 230 and 345 GHz. A large aperture of 50 m that is co-located with two existing EHT stations, the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) Telescope in the excellent observing site of the Chajnantor Plateau, will offer excellent capabilities for highly sensitive, multi-frequency, and time-agile millimeter very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations with accurate data calibration relevant to key science cases of ngEHT. In addition to ngEHT, its unique location in Chile will substantially improve angular resolutions of the planned Next Generation Very Large Array in North America or any future global millimeter VLBI arrays if combined. LST and AtLAST will be a key element enabling transformative science cases with next-generation millimeter/submillimeter VLBI arrays.
Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Buspirone in Improving Dysphagia in Patients with GERD and Ineffective Esophageal Motility: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Alborzi Avanaki Foroogh , Baghereslami Elham , Varpaei Hesam Aldin , Farhadi Narges , Aletaha Najmeh , Allameh Farshad , Taher Mohammad
Published: December 2022

Background: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is the most common esophageal motility disorder associated with low-to-moderate amplitude contractions in the distal esophagus in manometric evaluations. Despite recent new conceptions regarding the pathophysiology of esophageal motility and IEM, there are still no effective therapeutic interventions for the treatment of this disorder. This study aimed to investigate the effect of buspirone in the treatment of concomitant IEM and GERD. Methods and Materials: The present study was a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran. Patients with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysphagia underwent upper endoscopy to rule out any mechanical obstruction and were diagnosed with an ineffective esophageal motility disorder based on high-resolution manometry. They were given a package containing the desired medication(s); half of the packets contained 10 mg (for 30 days) of buspirone and 40 mg (for 30 days) of pantoprazole, and the other half contained only 40 mg (for 30 days) of pantoprazole. Dysphagia was scored based on the Mayo score, as well as a table of dysphagia severity. Manometric variables were recorded before and after the treatment. Results: Thirty patients (15 pantoprazole and 15 pantoprazole plus buspirone) were included. Females comprised 63.3% of the population, with a mean age of 46.33 ± 11.15. The MAYO score and resting LES pressure significantly changed after treatment. The MAYO and Swallowing Disorder Questionnaire scores significantly decreased after treatment in both groups of patients. Our results revealed that the post-intervention values of manometric variables differed significantly between the two groups after controlling for the baseline values of the variables. This analysis did not demonstrate the superiority of buspirone. Conclusion: Buspirone seems to have no superiority over PPI. Treatment with concomitant IEM and GERD using proton pump inhibitors improves the patient’s clinical condition and quality of life. However, adding buspirone to the treatment regimen did not appear to make a significant difference in patient treatment.
A Comprehensive Review of Food Hydrogels: Principles, Formation Mechanisms, Microstructure, and Its Applications
Authors: Nath Pinku Chandra , Debnath Shubhankar , Sridhar Kandi , Inbaraj Baskaran Stephen , Nayak Prakash Kumar , Sharma Minaxi
Published: December 2022

Food hydrogels are effective materials of great interest to scientists because they are safe and beneficial to the environment. Hydrogels are widely used in the food industry due to their three-dimensional crosslinked networks. They have also attracted a considerable amount of attention because they can be used in many different ways in the food industry, for example, as fat replacers, target delivery vehicles, encapsulating agents, etc. Gels—particularly proteins and polysaccharides—have attracted the attention of food scientists due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, nutritional properties, and edibility. Thus, this review is focused on the nutritional importance, microstructure, mechanical characteristics, and food hydrogel applications of gels. This review also focuses on the structural configuration of hydrogels, which implies future potential applications in the food industry. The findings of this review confirm the application of different plant- and animal-based polysaccharide and protein sources as gelling agents. Gel network structure is improved by incorporating polysaccharides for encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Different hydrogel-based formulations are widely used for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, food texture perception, risk monitoring, and food packaging applications.
Advances in Hemostatic Hydrogels That Can Adhere to Wet Surfaces
Authors: Han Wenli , Wang Shige
Published: December 2022

Currently, uncontrolled bleeding remains a serious problem in emergency, surgical and battlefield environments. Despite the specific properties of available hemostatic agents, sealants, and adhesives, effective hemostasis under wet and dynamic conditions remains a challenge. In recent years, polymeric hydrogels with excellent hemostatic properties have received much attention because of their adjustable mechanical properties, high porosity, and biocompatibility. In this review, to investigate the role of hydrogels in hemostasis, the mechanisms of hydrogel hemostasis and adhesion are firstly elucidated, the adhesion design strategies of hemostatic hydrogels in wet environments are briefly introduced, and then, based on a comprehensive literature review, the studies and in vivo applications of wet-adhesive hemostatic hydrogels in different environments are summarized, and the improvement directions of such hydrogels in future studies are proposed.
Genealogy in Law as a Technology for Categorizing, Contesting and Deconstructing Monoracialism
Authors: Pap András L.
Published: December 2022

Contextualized by contestation and deconstruction of monoracialism, this article provides an assessment of how law, as a distinct tool and technology, conceptualizes and operationalizes race and ethnicity. The focus of the comparative project, by bringing examples from various countries and jurisdictions, is specifically on the morphology and dynamics of legal categorization. A separate discussion concentrates on conceptualizing groupness and membership, with distinguished attention on self-identification and “objective” criteria. The paper shows that although identity politics has dominated the past decades, ethno-racial self-identification is not the only operationalizing model legal regimes apply, especially with the recent boost in artificial intelligence, and bio-genetic research. Examples for the “re-biologization” of ethno-racial conceptualization are brought from a wide range of legal regimes, including citizenship, anti-discrimination, asylum, and indigenous law.
Photosynthesis and Salt Exclusion Are Key Physiological Processes Contributing to Salt Tolerance of Canola (Brassica napus L.): Evidence from Physiology and Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Gul Hafiza , Ulfat Mobina , Zafar Zafar , Haider Waseem , Ali Zain , Manzoor Hamid , Afzal Shehrooz , Ashraf Muhammad , Athar Habib-ur-Rehman
Published: December 2022

Plant salt tolerance is controlled by various physiological processes such as water and ion homeostasis, photosynthesis, and cellular redox balance, which are in turn controlled by gene expression. In the present study, plants of six canola cultivars (DGL, Dunkled, Faisal Canola, Cyclone, Legend, and Oscar) were evaluated for salt tolerance by subjecting them to 0 or 200 mM NaCl stress. Based on growth, cultivars DGL, Dunkled, and Faisal Canola were ranked as salt tolerant, while cultivars Cyclone, Legend, and Oscar were ranked as salt-sensitive ones. Differential salt tolerance in these canola cultivars was found to be associated with a relatively lower accumulation of Na+ and greater accumulation of K+ in the leaves, lower oxidative damage (MDA), and better antioxidative defense system (Superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD, and catalase, CAT). Cultivar Oscar was the poorest to discriminate Na+ and K+ uptake and accumulation in leaves and had poor antioxidant potential to scavenge ROS. Salt stress did not affect the structural stability of photosystem-II (PSII) till three weeks, thereafter it caused a significant decrease. Salt stress increased the performance index (PIABS) by increasing the density of active reaction centers in Oscar. Salt stress decreased the antenna size thereby lowering the absorption and trapping energy flux, and maintaining the electron transport with an increase in heat dissipation. This may represent a potential mechanism to cope with salt stress. Transcriptome analysis of salt-sensitive cultivar Oscar further revealed that salt stress down-regulated DEGs related to hormonal signal transduction pathways, photosynthesis, and transcription factors, while DEGs related to the biosynthesis of amino acid and ion transport were up-regulated. In conclusion, salt tolerance in canola cultivars was associated with ion exclusion and maintenance of photosynthesis. Salt stress sensitivity in cultivar Oscar was mainly associated with poor control of ion homeostasis which caused oxidative stress and reduced photosynthetic efficiency.
DelInsCaller: An Efficient Algorithm for Identifying Delins and Estimating Haplotypes from Long Reads with High Level of Sequencing Errors
Authors: Wang Shenjie , Zhang Xuanping , Qiang Geng , Wang Jiayin
Published: December 2022

Delins, as known as complex indel, is a combined genomic structural variation formed by deleting and inserting DNA fragments at a common genomic location. Recent studies emphasized the importance of delins in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Although the long reads from PacBio CLR sequencing significantly facilitate delins calling, the existing approaches still encounter computational challenges from the high level of sequencing errors, and often introduce errors in genotyping and phasing delins. In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithmic pipeline, named delInsCaller, to identify delins on haplotype resolution from the PacBio CLR sequencing data. delInsCaller design a fault-tolerant method by calculating a variation density score, which helps to locate the candidate mutational regions under a high-level of sequencing errors. It adopts a base association-based contig splicing method, which facilitates contig splicing in the presence of false-positive interference. We conducted a series of experiments on simulated datasets, and the results showed that delInsCaller outperformed several state-of-the-art approaches, e.g., SVseq3, across a wide range of parameter settings, such as read depth, sequencing error rates, etc. delInsCaller often obtained higher f-measures than other approaches; specifically, it was able to maintain advantages at ~15% sequencing errors. delInsCaller was able to significantly improve the N50 values with almost no loss of haplotype accuracy compared with the existing approach as well.
Effects of Chinese yam Polysaccharides on the Muscle Tissues Development-Related Genes Expression in Breast and Thigh Muscle of Broilers
Authors: Deng Jiahua , Zhang Jinzhou , Jin Yan , Chang Yadi , Shi Mingyan , Miao Zhiguo
Published: December 2022

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Chinese yam polysaccharides (CYP) on myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), and myostatin (MSTN) mRNA expression of breast and thigh muscle tissues in broilers. A total of 360 (1-day-old, gender-balanced) crossbred broilers chicks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly distributed into four groups, with three replicates in each group and each replicate included 30 broilers. The feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Experimental broilers were fed 0.00 mg/kg basal diet (control group), 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. The results showed that CYP250 and CYP500 groups had higher thigh muscle percentage (TMP) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of MYOD1, MYOG mRNA in breast muscle tissues of CYP500 and CYP1000 groups was higher (p < 0.05), and the expression of MSTN mRNA in thigh muscle of CYP250, CYP500, and CYP1000 groups was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the expression of MYOD1 mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of each group (p > 0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of MYOD1, MYOG, and MSTN mRNA in the thigh muscle tissue of broiler chickens in the CYP500 group were positively correlated with TMP. However, the expression of MYOG mRNA in thigh muscle tissue of the CYP1000 group was negatively correlated with TMP. In general, this study indicated that appropriate dietary CYP supplementation influenced the growth and development of thigh muscle tissue in broilers by altering TMP and muscle tissue development-related genes expression. Therefore, CYP could be used as a potential feed additive to promote the development of muscle tissues in broilers.
Molecular Evolution of the Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein (BPIFA1) Regulating the Innate Immune Responses in Mammals
Authors: Ahmad Hafiz Ishfaq , Khan Faheem Ahmed , Khan Musarrat Abbas , Imran Safdar , Akhtar Rana Waseem , Pandupuspitasari Nuruliarizki Shinta , Negara Windu , Chen Jinping
Published: December 2022

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, a primary factor of the innate immune system of mammals, participates in natural immune protection against invading bacteria. BPIFA1 actively contributes to host defense via multiple mechanisms, such as antibacterial, surfactant, airway surface liquid control, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the evolutionary history and selection forces on the BPIFA1 gene in mammals during adaptive evolution are poorly understood. This study examined the BPIFA1 gene of humans compared with that of other mammalian species to estimate the selective pressure derived by adaptive evolution. To assess whether or not positive selection occurred, we employed several different possibility tests (M1 vs. M2 and M7 vs. M8). The proportions of positively selected sites were significant, with a likelihood log value of 93.63 for the BPIFA1 protein. The Selecton server was used on the same dataset to reconfirm positive selection for specific sites by employing the Mechanistic-Empirical Combination model, thus providing additional evidence supporting the findings of positive selection. There was convincing evidence for positive selection signals in the BPIFA1 genes of mammalian species, which was more significant for selection signs and creating signals. We performed probability tests comparing various models based on dN/dS ratios to recognize specific codons under positive selection pressure. We identified positively selected sites in the LBP-BPI domain of BPIFA1 proteins in the mammalian genome, including a lipid-binding domain with a very high degree of selectivity for DPPC. BPIFA1 activates the upper airway’s innate immune system in response to numerous genetic signals in the mammalian genome. These findings highlight evolutionary advancements in immunoregulatory effects that play a significant role in the antibacterial and antiviral defenses of mammalian species.
Mapping QTLs Controlling Soybean Rust Disease Resistance in Chiang Mai 5, an Induced Mutant Cultivar
Authors: Chanchu Thongchai , Yimram Tarika , Chankaew Sompong , Kaga Akito , Somta Prakit
Published: December 2022

Soybean rust (SBR) caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi is an important folia disease of soybean (Glycine max). In this study, we identified QTLs controlling SBR in Chiang Mai 5 (CM5), an SBR-resistant cultivar developed by induced mutation breeding. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 108 lines developed from a cross between Sukhothai 2 (SKT2, a susceptible cultivar) and CM5 was evaluated for SBR resistance under field conditions in Thailand. QTL analysis for the resistance in the RIL population identified a single QTL, qSBR18.1, for resistance. qSBR18.1 was mapped to a 212-kb region on chromosome 18 between simple sequence repeat markers Satt288 and sc21_3420 and accounted for 21.31–35.09% depending on the traits evaluated for resistance. The qSBR18.1 interval overlapped with genomic regions containing resistance to P. pachyrhizi 4 (Rpp4), a locus for SBR resistance. Three tightly linked genes, Glyma.18G226250, Glyma.18G226300, and Glyma.18G226500, each encoding leucine-rich repeat-containing protein, were identified as candidate genes for SBR resistance at the qSRB18.1. The qSBR18.1 would be useful for breeding of SBR resistance.
Sex Differences in Response to Marek’s Disease: Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Regions (QTLRs) to the Z Chromosome
Authors: Lipkin Ehud , Smith Jacqueline , Soller Morris , Burt David W. , Fulton Janet E.
Published: December 2022

Marek’s Disease (MD) has a significant impact on both the global poultry economy and animal welfare. The disease pathology can include neurological damage and tumour formation. Sexual dimorphism in immunity and known higher susceptibility of females to MD makes the chicken Z chromosome (GGZ) a particularly attractive target to study the chicken MD response. Previously, we used a Hy-Line F6 population from a full-sib advanced intercross line to map MD QTL regions (QTLRs) on all chicken autosomes. Here, we mapped MD QTLRs on GGZ in the previously utilized F6 population with individual genotypes and phenotypes, and in eight elite commercial egg production lines with daughter-tested sires and selective DNA pooling (SDP). Four MD QTLRs were found from each analysis. Some of these QTLRs overlap regions from previous reports. All QTLRs were tested by individuals from the same eight lines used in the SDP and genotyped with markers located within and around the QTLRs. All QTLRs were confirmed. The results exemplify the complexity of MD resistance in chickens and the complex distribution of p-values and Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) pattern and their effect on localization of the causative elements. Considering the fragments and interdigitated LD blocks while using LD to aid localization of causative elements, one must look beyond the non-significant markers, for possible distant markers and blocks in high LD with the significant block. The QTLRs found here may explain at least part of the gender differences in MD tolerance, and provide targets for mitigating the effects of MD.
Reading Behind Bars: Literacy and Survival in U.S. Prison Literature
Authors: Owens-Murphy Katie
Published: December 2022

This paper unpacks the contradiction between the benefits of literacy and the punitive prison policies that seek to curb or regulate reading by beginning with the complicated historical relationship between incarceration and literacy. I then turn to the testimonies of two prominent incarcerated autodidacts who I now regularly teach within my prison literature classes both on my university campus and at a men’s prison. The writings of Malcolm X and Etheridge Knight model the difficulties of negotiating the institutional risks and personal and political rewards of learning to read and write behind bars—particularly while Black. What is more, while literacy may provide an “on-ramp” toward higher education, barriers for incarcerated people continue to proliferate in our current era in the form of book bans, paywalls, and the material conditions of prisons themselves.
Triple-P e-Parenting to Improve Awareness of Psychiatric Nurses on Preventing Cyberbullying in Adolescents
Authors: Yosep Iyus , Pramukti Iqbal , Agustina Hana Rizmadewi , Kurniawan Kurniawan , Agustina Habsyah Saparidah , Hikmat Rohman
Published: December 2022

The impact of cyberbullying includes mental health problems and an increased risk of suicide. Psychiatric nurses play an important role in reducing the impact of cyberbullying on students. Nurses, educators, and counselors also play a role to prevent cyberbullying by improving awareness. The purpose of this study is to explore the awareness and involvement of mental nurses and their motivation and confidence in preventing cyberbullying. The research method used in this study was a quasi-experimental pre-post tests study. The sample in this study included 192 respondents. Data analysis used a t-test (pair t-test). This study shows that seminars about cyberbullying and Triple-P e-Parenting are effective in increasing nurses’ awareness regarding the incidence of cyberbullying in adolescents (p < 0.001). The aspects that influence the increase in awareness of mental nurses are attitude (p < 0.001) and parenting (p < 0.001). Awareness of nurses as parents related to cyberbullying is important to prevent cyberbullying in adolescents. Seminars about cyberbullying, the role of parents, and how to prevent cyberbullying are effective in preventing cyberbullying in adolescents by paying attention to the experiences of parents who have children affected by cyberbullying.
The Evaluation of Inflammatory Biomarkers in Predicting Progression of Acute Pancreatitis to Pancreatic Necrosis: A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Review
Authors: Asim Riaz Hafiz Muhammad , Islam Zara , Rasheed Lubna , Sarfraz Zouina , Sarfraz Azza , Robles-Velasco Karla , Sarfraz Muzna , Cherrez-Ojeda Ivan
Published: December 2022

Acute pancreatitis is the acute inflammation of the pancreas; 30% of cases may progress to pancreatic necrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) in detecting pancreatic necrosis in adults with confirmed acute pancreatitis within 14 days of symptom onset and without organ failure. A systematic search was conducted across the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science until May 30, 2022, with the following keywords: acute disease, biomarkers, C-reactive protein, calcitonin, differential, diagnosis, lactate dehydrogenase, pancreatitis, acute necrotizing, necrosis, sensitivity, specificity. Statistical analysis was conducted in RevMan 5.4.1 (Cochrane). Five studies pooling 645 participants were included of which 59.8% were males, with a mean age of 49 years. CRP was the best cutoff at 279 mg/L (χ2 = 47.43, p < 0.001), followed by 200 mg/L (χ2 = 36.54, p < 0.001). LDH was cut off at 290 units/L (χ2 = 51.6, p < 0.001), whereas PCT did not display the most reliable results at 0.05 ng/mL. Inflammatory biomarkers are scalable diagnostic tools that may confer clinical value by decreasing the mortality of acute pancreatitis sequelae.
The Healthcare Experiences of African Americans with a Dual Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and a Nutrition-Related Chronic Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mahadevan Meena , Amutah-Onukagha Ndidiamaka , Kwong Valerie
Published: December 2022

For HIV-positive African Americans, the mistrust of medical providers due to anticipation of unequal treatment care, prejudice, and bias can become a major deterrent to medication and treatment adherence. Although programs and services incorporate strategies to improve patient–provider relationships, a deeper understanding of their healthcare experiences, especially among those with a dual diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and a nutrition-related chronic disease, is lacking. This qualitative study aimed to address this gap by conducting focus groups with participants who identified themselves as being African American, and having a dual diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, and a chronic disease. Content analysis generated several major themes, highlighting the impact of a negative healthcare experience on their ability to self-manage their health. Factors such as lack of consistency in care team, negative interactions with doctors, feelings of stigma due to prejudice and bias from healthcare staff, loss of privacy, and the need for comprehensive services that targeted their physical, emotional, and nutritional health emerged as recurring sub-themes. These findings provide the foundation for the design of a comprehensive intervention model that helps participants to communicate their medical needs more effectively, thus optimizing their overall health outcomes and quality of life.