bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practicing Social Isolation During a Pandemic in Brazil: A Description of Psychosocial Characteristics and Traits of Personality During COVID-19 Lockout
Authors: Zanini Daniela Sacramento , Peixoto Evandro Morais , Andrade Josemberg Moura de , Tramonte Lucia
Published: May 2021

The experience of the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus and the consequent disease triggered by it (COVID-19) brought to light fragilities that have been long overlooked by the scientific community and by various political and social institutions. The pandemic also brought to the fore certain social practices resulting from individual behaviors, such as wearing a mask and practicing social isolation. It demonstrated the need for social commitment and pro-social behaviors if societies are to respond successfully. The purpose of this article is to evaluate psychological and sociodemographic characteristics associated with compliance or noncompliance of individuals with these practices in two different phases of the pandemic experience in Brazil: in the first month and after three months. Participants for the first phase of the study were recruited through advertisements in the media and social networks. 1,914 individuals aged between 14 and 81 years agreed to participate, 78.2% of these were women, from 25 Federative Units in Brazil. In the second phase, 761 individuals who participated in the first phase, were reassessed. The authors used the following instruments for data collection: a standardized questionnaire collecting information of sociodemographic characteristics and dynamics of social isolation; the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; the Life Satisfaction Scale; the Positive and Negative Affections Scale; and the Reduced Personality Markers and Stress Mindset Scale. All instruments used presented evidence of validity and adequate reliability indexes. The comparison of categorical exploratory variables with motives for following social isolation protocols was performed using Pearson’s Chi-square, and the comparison of continuous exploratory variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. Covariance Analysis was performed using as covariates those that showed significance/effect on isolation in previous analyses. The results showed that respondents practicing social isolation to comply with governmental recommendations had lower scores on the scales of neuroticism and conscientiousness. They reported also less stress, anxiety, and depression, and less general distress. Overall, these respondents also displayed more positive affect, and tended to reframe stress in a more positive way than others. These preliminary results describe the psychological characteristics of individuals and their associations with social behaviors in a period of collective stress and high social risk.
Eco-Feedback for Food Waste Reduction in a Student Residence
Authors: Lim Veranika , Bartram Lyn , Funk Mathias , Rauterberg Matthias
Published: May 2021

Eco-feedback aims at increasing awareness of resource use to encourage conservation. A growing area of concern in sustainable living is food waste, and many new institutional waste receptacles incorporate waste sorting and recycling instructions for waste management. However, little attention has been paid to the design of encouraging awareness of waste in the home, particularly at the point of food waste. We explored the design challenges and effectiveness of novel eco-feedback techniques at the point of food waste through an in-situ study in a university residence. Our E-COmate system captures and visualizes domestic food waste data for more readily comprehensible and accessible information within a home environment embedded in an existing waste bin. Four E-COmate smart bins were introduced, deployed and evaluated for 8 weeks at a student residence in Canada. The aim of the study was to see whether a system like E-COmate could impact food waste patterns and awareness, and if so, to what extent it engages consumers. To explore its impact, a mix of methods was adopted. Waste audits were conducted to explore waste changes. Retrospective interviews were carried out to gain insights in residences' reflections and motivations. We show that E-COmate had a positive impact on participants' awareness of and behavior toward their food waste. Participants who had E-COmate installed in their kitchens showed overall a significant decrease in food waste and in particular a decrease of almost 32% in edible or once edible food waste, and a 69% decrease in generated compost waste during the last 2 weeks compared to the first 2 baseline weeks. Furthermore, while our control group showed an increase of 244% of waste of starches and grains toward the last 2 weeks (i.e., the end of term) compared to the 2 baseline weeks, the intervention group only showed an increase of 4.5% in waste of grains and starches. Eco-feedback further engaged residences in reducing food waste practices starting at the grocery store (e.g., by buying in smaller portions). In sum, eco-feedback as provided by E-COmate had positive impacts on reducing food waste. These findings are a result of increased awareness, the constant presence and immediacy of E-COmate served as a reminder, and their understanding of how much they actually waste as a group. Their awareness was reflected in how they adapted their shopping behavior as one way to reduce waste at home.
Short Term Safety, Immunogenicity, and Reproductive Effects of Combined Vaccination With Anti-GnRH (Gonacon) and Rabies Vaccines in Female Feral Cats
Authors: Novak Shiri , Yakobson Boris , Sorek Shir , Morgan Liat , Tal Smadar , Nivy Ran , King Roni , Jaebker Lauren , Eckery Douglas C. , Raz Tal
Published: May 2021

Overpopulation of free-roaming cats is a major problem leading to negative impacts on animal health and welfare, public nuisance, transmission of zoonotic diseases, and well-documented harm to wildlife. Surgical sterilization had failed to provide a practical solution to free-roaming cats' overpopulation under field conditions; therefore, efficient and safe non-surgical immunocontraception methods are aspired. Rabies is a deadly virus that may infect people and animals. However, the safety and efficacy of combined vaccination with anti-GnRH and rabies vaccines in feral cats, which often suffer from disrupted health conditions and experienced high stress level, has never been studied. Therefore, our objective was to examine the short-term safety and efficacy of anti-GnRH vaccine (Gonacon), in combination with rabies vaccine in female feral cats. Mature feral female cats were captured and divided into the following groups: (I) GonaconX1-Rabies: queens vaccinated with both Gonacon and rabies (n= 5); (II) GonaconX2-Rabies: queens vaccinated twice with Gonacon (3 weeks apart) and with Rabies (n= 4); (III) OVx-Rabies: queens ovariohysterectomized and vaccinated with rabies (n= 4); (IV) Intact-Rabies: queens vaccinated against rabies and remained intact (n= 3). Comprehensive veterinary examinations and blood tests were performed every 2 weeks for 14 weeks. Data were analyzed by Repeated-Measures-ANOVA or Fisher-Exact-Test. There were neither systemic nor local adverse reactions at the vaccination sites. Blood count (PCV, TS, RBC, HGB, HCT, WBC) and chemistry (Total protein, Total globulin, Albumin, Urea, Creatinine, Creatine kinase, Bilirubin, GGT, ALT, AST) analyses revealed no differences among groups. There were no differences in serum rabies antibodies titers among groups, and queens kept a protective titer (>0.5 IU/mL) starting at 2–4 weeks after vaccination. Anti-GnRH antibodies were detected in all Gonacon-vaccinated queens, excluding one queen (GonaconX2-Rabies group). Anti-müllerian hormone serum concentrations reduced significantly after ovariohysterectomy, as well as gradually following vaccination with Gonacon, but it remained high in intact queens. Evaluation of vaginal cytology and ovarian histology suggested that reproductive cyclicity was suppressed in Gonacon-vaccinated queens. Our results support the conclusion that in the short term, the combined vaccination with Gonacon and rabies is safe and effective in female feral cats. However, further long-term studies are warranted to test this immunologic regimen in feral cats.
Inoculation of Klebsiella variicola Alleviated Salt Stress and Improved Growth and Nutrients in Wheat and Maize
Authors: Kusale Supriya P. , Attar Yasmin C. , Sayyed R. Z. , El Enshasy Hesham , Hanapi Siti Zulaiha , Ilyas Noshin , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Bahkali Ali H. , Marraiki Najat
Published: May 2021

Although wheat and maize are the major economically important cereal crops and staple food sources in the world, their productivity is highly affected by excess salts in soil (salinity). Applications of multifarious halophilic plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in saline soil protect the plants from osmotic damages and promote plant growth through the secretion of plant growth promoting (PGP) and osmolytes. In this study, Klebsiella variicola SURYA6—a PGPR—was evaluated for plant-growth-promotion and salinity amelioration in wheat and maize, and enrichment of soil nutrients. The results of the present study revealed that K. variicola SURYA6 grows luxuriously under high salinity stress conditions and produces copious amounts of three principal salinity ameliorating traits, such as 1 aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharides (EPS), and osmolytes—such as proline, sugars, proteins, and amino acids. The isolate also exhibited sensitivity to a wide range of antibiotics, lack of hemolytic ability, and absence of catalase and oxidase activities confirming its nonpathogenic nature. Inoculation of wheat and maize seeds with this multifarious strain, improved the physicochemical properties of soil, improved seed germination by 33.9% and 36.0%, root length by 111.0%, 35.1%, shoot height by 64.8% and 78.9%, and chlorophyll content by 68.4% and 66.7% in wheat and maize seedlings, respectively, at 45 days after sowing (DAS) under salinity stress. The improvement in plant growth can be correlated with the secretion of PGP traits and improved, uptake of minerals such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg). While amelioration of salinity can be the result of secretion of osmolytes and the change in pH from salinity to neutrality. This inoculation also significantly improved the soil nutrients under salinity stress conditions. Inoculation of K. variicola SURYA6, resulted in more improved growth and nutrients contents in plants and enriched soil nutrients under salinity stress as compared to normal (non-saline) conditions. Such multifarious strain can serve as a potent bio-inoculant for growth promotion of wheat and maize in saline soil. However, multi-year field trials under different agro-climatic conditions are required to confirm the bio-efficacy of K. variicola SURYA6.
Effect of a Newly-Developed Nutrient Solution and Electrical Conductivity on Growth and Bioactive Compounds in Perilla frutescens var. crispa
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Loan , Yeom Moon-Sun , Oh Myung-Min
Published: May 2021

We evaluated the effect of a newly-developed nutrient solution of red perilla (NSP) with various electrical conductivity (EC) levels on plant growth, mineral content, and bioactive compounds. Four-week-old seedlings were grown in greenhouse nutrient solution as control (CT) (EC 1–3 dS m−1) or NSP (EC 1–6 dS m−1). NSP 1 dS m−1 induced better growth characteristics, whereas higher EC levels inhibited plant growth. Most of the macro-elements contents significantly decreased under NSP 6 dS m−1, whereas the micro-elements contents fluctuated according to EC levels. Total phenolic concentration in NSP was lower than that in CT, and total phenolic content was highest under NSP 1 dS m−1. Total anthocyanin and antioxidant concentrations and contents increased at lower EC levels. Rosmarinic and caffeic acids concentrations increased at higher EC levels, whereas there were no significant differences in these compound contents among the EC levels. No difference in perillaldehyde concentration was observed, whereas the content was higher at lower EC levels. Overall, these results suggest that NSP 1 dS m−1 is suitable for cultivating red perilla in plant factories.
Will Triazoles Still Be of Importance in Disease Control of Zymoseptoria tritici in the Future?
Authors: Klink Holger , Verreet Joseph-Alexander , Hasler Mario , Birr Tim
Published: May 2021

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, is one of the most important foliar wheat diseases worldwide. Current control strategies of STB rely mainly on fungicides, whereby triazoles (demethylation inhibitors; DMIs) have been the backbone in the control of Z. tritici in the last decades. However, in recent years a gradual loss of sensitivity of Z. tritici to several active ingredients of the triazole group has been reported in several European wheat-growing areas. Nevertheless, a new triazole fungicide, namely, mefentrifluconazole, has recently become available in disease management of STB, which belongs to a completely new triazole subclass, the so-called isopropanol triazoles. In this study, the trend in sensitivity development of Z. tritici towards older triazoles (tebuconazole, prothioconazole, and propiconazole) and the new isopropanol triazole mefentrifluconazole was determined in microtiter assays using Z. tritici field populations isolated in 1999, 2009, 2014, and 2020 in a high-disease-pressure and high-fungicide-input area in northern Germany in order to investigate whether the loss of sensitivity of Z. tritici to older triazoles also applies to mefentrifluconazole. For the three triazole fungicides tebuconazole, prothioconazole and propiconazole, a significant shift towards decreasing sensitivity of Z. tritici field populations was observed from 1999 to 2020, whereas the efficacy of mefentrifluconazole in reducing the in vitro fungal growth by 50% (EC50) remained unchanged over the investigated period, demonstrating a stable sensitivity of Z. tritici towards mefentrifluconazole. Although older triazoles are suffering from a loss of sensitivity of Z. tritici field populations due to the selection and spread of less triazole sensitive strains within the Z. tritici population, the efficacy of the new triazole mefentrifluconazole with its unique isopropanol unit was not affected by these changes within the Z. tritici population. Thus, the introduction of such new molecular units could also represent an important contribution for older groups of active ingredients, which previously suffered from a loss of sensitivity.
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilisation and Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on the Fatty Acid Profile of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) Seeds
Authors: Szpunar-Krok Ewa , Wondołowska-Grabowska Anna , Bobrecka-Jamro Dorota , Jańczak-Pieniążek Marta , Kotecki Andrzej , Kozak Marcin
Published: May 2021

Soybean is a valuable protein and oilseed crop ranked among the most significant of the major crops. Field experiments were carried out in 2016–2019 in South-East Poland. The influence of soybean cultivars (Aldana, Annushka), nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30, 60 kg∙ha−1 N) and inoculation with B. japonicum (control, HiStick® Soy, Nitragina) on the content of fatty acids (FA) in soybean seeds was investigated in a three-factorial experiment. This study confirms the genetic determinants of fatty acid composition in soybean seeds and their differential accumulation levels for C16:0, C16:1, C18:1n9, C18:2, C18:3, and C20:0 as well saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Increasing the rate from 30 to 60 kg ha−1 N did not produce the expected changes, suggesting the use of only a “starter” rate of 30 kg ha−1 N. Inoculation of soybean seeds with a strain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum (HiStick® Soy, BASF, Littlehampton, UK and Nitragina, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation–State Research Institute, Puławy, Poland) is recommended as it will cause a decrease in SFA and C16:0 acid levels. This is considered nutritionally beneficial as its contribution to total fatty acids determines the hypercholesterolemic index, and it is the third most accumulated fatty acid in soybean seeds. The interaction of cultivars and inoculation formulation on fatty acid content of soybean seeds was demonstrated. An increase in the value of C16:0 content resulted in a decrease in the accumulation of C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 acids. The content of each decreased by almost one unit for every 1% increase in C16:0 content. The dominant effect of weather conditions on the FA profile and C18:2n6/C18:3n3 ratio was demonstrated. This suggests a need for further evaluation of the genetic progress of soybean cultivars with respect to fatty acid composition and content under varying habitat conditions.
Response of Twenty Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) Cultivars to Low Mowing Height
Authors: Schiavon Marco , Macolino Stefano , Pornaro Cristina
Published: May 2021

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is the most widely used species in the European transition zone, however, despite its good wear tolerance, its use is still limited to lawns and landscape areas due to concerns about its ability to withstand low mowing regimes. A two years field study was conducted to access performance of twenty tall fescue cultivars (‘Ares’, ‘Armani’, ‘Dynamites LS’, ‘Firecracker SLS’, ‘Firewall’, ‘Foxhound’ ‘Granditte’, ‘JT-LT2′, ‘JT-338′, ‘Karakum’, ‘Lexington’, ‘Olympic Gold’, ‘Rebounder’, ‘Rhambler SRP’, ‘Starlett’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Talladega’, ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘Titanium 2LS’, ‘Turfway’) mowed weekly at 18 mm. Turfgrass was evaluated every two weeks for visual quality, color, density, texture and uniformity, as well as percent green cover (PGC) and dark green color index (DGCI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and traction twice per year. Although no cultivars showed sufficient quality throughout the year, ‘Turfway’, ‘Titanium 2LS’ and ‘JT-338’ achieved high quality rating during spring and fall, the two seasons with the highest frequency of games played on sports field in northern Italy. Traction ratings collected in these study fell within acceptable range for football fields. Our results suggest that improved dwarf-type tall fescue cultivars can be used in sport fields in Northern Italy.
Bacillus Subtilis 29784 as a Feed Additive for Broilers Shifts the Intestinal Microbial Composition and Supports the Production of Hypoxanthine and Nicotinic Acid
Authors: Choi Pearl , Rhayat Lamya , Pinloche Eric , Devillard Estelle , De Paepe Ellen , Vanhaecke Lynn , Haesebrouck Freddy , Ducatelle Richard , Van Immerseel Filip , Goossens Evy
Published: May 2021

The probiotic Bacillus subtilis strain 29784 (Bs29784) has been shown to improve performance in broilers. In this study, we used a metabolomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach to evaluate effects of Bs29874 in the broiler intestine. Nicotinic acid and hypoxanthine were key metabolites that were produced by the strain in vitro and were also found in vivo to be increased in small intestinal content of broilers fed Bs29784 as dietary additive. Both metabolites have well-described anti-inflammatory effects in the intestine. Furthermore, Bs29784 supplementation to the feed significantly altered the ileal microbiome of 13-day-old broilers, thereby increasing the abundance of genus Bacillus, while decreasing genera and OTUs belonging to the Lactobacillaceae and Enterobacteriacae families. Moreover, Bs29784 did not change the cecal microbial community structure, but specifically enriched members of the family Clostridiales VadinBB60, as well as the butyrate-producing families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae. The abundance of various OTUs and genera belonging to these families was significantly associated with nicotinic acid levels in the cecum, suggesting a possible cross-feeding between B. subtilis strain 29784 and these beneficial microbes. Taken together, the data indicate that Bs29784 exerts its described probiotic effects through a combined action of its metabolites on both the host and its microbiome.
Fermented Rapeseed Meal as a Component of the Mink Diet (Neovison vison) Modulating the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota
Authors: Wlazło Łukasz , Nowakowicz-Dębek Bożena , Czech Anna , Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska Anna , Ossowski Mateusz , Kułażyński Marek , Łukaszewicz Marcin , Krasowska Anna
Published: May 2021

Fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) was used in the diet of American mink (Neovison vison). An advantage of this product is its prebiotic and functional properties, which can modify the bacterial microbiota of the GIT. A control group and three experimental groups were formed, with 60 animals in each group. The control group received a basal diet and the experimental groups received a diet with a 2%, 4% or 6% of FRSM as a replacement of extruded wheat. Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y was used to ferment the rapeseed meal (RSM). The study was conducted on mink from the age of 16–17 weeks until slaughter. Changes in the microbiota were analysed in samples of the animals’ faeces and intestinal contents. The analyses included determination of the total number of bacteria and fungi, the number of coliforms and Escherichia coli, the total number of anaerobic Clostridium perfringens, and the presence of Salmonella spp. In animals receiving 4% and 6% FRSM (groups II and III), the content of microscopic fungi and the number of C. perfringens bacteria was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower than in the animals from the control group (group 0). A decrease in E. coli was observed in all experimental groups (I, II and III), although these differences were not statistically significant. The inclusion of FRSM in the feed ration did not affect the number of lactic acid intestinal bacteria. Analysis of the results obtained from the stool samples showed that the inclusion of FRSM in the ration did not significantly affect the number of microorganisms in each group. However, as in the case of the intestinal contents, in these samples there was a decrease in the total number of C. perfringens in the experimental groups (I, II and III), with a simultaneous increase in the number of mesophilic bacteria in relation to the control. There was no detection of Salmonella bacteria in any of the analysed material.
Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacer jejuni on Swine Processing at a Slaughterhouse in Eastern Spain
Authors: Marin Clara , Lorenzo-Rebenaque Laura , Moreno-Moliner Judith , Sevilla-Navarro Sandra , Montero Estefania , Chinillac Mᵃ Carmen , Jordá Jaume , Vega Santiago
Published: May 2021

Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported gastrointestinal disease in humans in the EU, mainly from poultry meat consumption. C. jejuni is the main species involved in the human disease. However, little is known about the role of swine meat in its epidemiology. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of C. jejuni on swine processing at the slaughterhouse. To this end, a total of 21 pig herds were intensively sampled at the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter isolation was based on official method ISO 10272-1:2018, speciation was determined by the hippurate hydrolysis test, and antibiotic susceptibility was performed according to standard disc diffusion assay. The results showed that all batches shed Campylobacter in faeces upon arrival at the slaughterhouse and remained positive at the end of the slaughtering process (42.8%). Moreover, 41.5% of Campylobacter strains isolated were C. jejuni and all of them were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 96.3% were multidrug-resistant strains. In conclusion, the high level of multidrug-resistant C. jejuni swine batch contamination at the slaughterhouse makes it necessary to include the swine sector in national control programmes to reduce the bacterium and its resistance.
Selection Response Due to Different Combination of Antagonistic Milk, Beef, and Morphological Traits in the Alpine Grey Cattle Breed
Authors: Mancin Enrico , Sartori Cristina , Guzzo Nadia , Tuliozi Beniamino , Mantovani Roberto
Published: May 2021

Selection in local dual-purpose breeds requires great carefulness because of the need to preserve peculiar traits and also guarantee the positive genetic progress for milk and beef production to maintain economic competitiveness. A specific breeding plan accounting for milk, beef, and functional traits is required by breeders of the Alpine Grey cattle (AG), a local dual-purpose breed of the Italian Alps. Hereditability and genetic correlations among all traits have been analyzed for this purpose. After that, different selection indexes were proposed to identify the most suitable for this breed. Firstly, a genetic parameters analysis was carried out with different datasets. The milk dataset contained 406,918 test day records of milk, protein, and fat yields and somatic cells (expressed as SCS). The beef dataset included performance test data conducted on 749 young bulls. Average daily gain, in vivo estimated carcass yields, and carcass conformation (SEUROP) were the phenotypes obtained from the performance tests. The morphological dataset included 21 linear type evaluations of 11,320 first party cows. Linear type traits were aggregated through factor analysis and three factors were retained, while head typicality (HT) and rear muscularity (RM) were analyzed as single traits. Heritability estimates (h2) for milk traits ranged from 0.125 to 0.219. Analysis of beef traits showed h2 greater than milk traits, ranging from 0.282 to 0.501. Type traits showed a medium value of h2 ranging from 0.238 to 0.374. Regarding genetic correlation, SCS and milk traits were strongly positively correlated. Milk traits had a negative genetic correlation with the factor accounting for udder conformations (−0.40) and with all performance test traits and RM. These latter traits showed also a negative genetic correlation with udder volume (−0.28). The HT and the factor accounting for rear legs traits were not correlated with milk traits, but negatively correlated with beef traits (−0.32 with RM). We argue that the consequence of these results is that the use of the current selection index, which is mainly focused on milk attitude, will lead to a deterioration of all other traits. In this study, we propose more appropriate selection indexes that account for genetic relationships among traits, including functional traits.
Effect of Different Watering Regimes in Summer Season on Water Intake, Feed Intake, and Milk Production of Marecha She-camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Faraz Asim , Khan Naeem Ullah , Passantino Annamaria , Pugliese Michela , Eyduran Ecevit , Pastrana Carlos Iglesias , Ismail Amir , Tauqir Nasir Ali , Waheed Abdul , Nabeel Muhammad Shahid
Published: May 2021

Twelve lactating healthy Marecha she-camels in the early lactation stage during the summer at Camel Breeding and Research Station Rakh-Mahni (Pakistan) were included. All animals were fed with Medicago sativa and Cicer arientinum ad libitum and divided into three groups in relation to the access to water, after a period of seven days of adaptation to experimental conditions. Group 1 (G1) was considered as control having access to water once every day; Group 2 (G2) had access once every 4 days, while Group 3 (G3) had access once every 6 days. The duration of the study was 60 days with an adaptation period to experimental conditions of 7 days before the onset of the study. Dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated on a dry matter basis. On average the ambient temperature and relative humidity during the trial were 39–41 °C and 55–63%, respectively. The DMI, water intake, milk production, and body weight changes were affected (p < 0.001) during various watering regimes. The mean values of water intake were found to be 82.94 ± 1.34 L higher in G3 than G1 and G2.
Camelina Oil Supplementation Improves Bone Parameters in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Puzio Iwona , Graboś Dorota , Bieńko Marek , Radzki Radosław P. , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Kosior-Korzecka Urszula
Published: May 2021

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of administration of Camelina sativa oil (CO) as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on bone parameters in ovariectomized rats (OVX). Overall, 40 10-week-old healthy female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 animals in each. Rats in the control group (SHO) were subjected to a sham operation, whereas experimental rats (OVX) were ovariectomized. After a 7-day recovery period, the SHO the rats received orally 1 mL of physiological saline for the next 6 weeks. The OVX rats received orally 1 mL of physiological saline (OVX-PhS), 5 g/kg BW (OVX-CO5), or 9 g/kg BW (OVX-CO9) of camelina oil. The use of camelina oil had a significant effect on body weight, lean mass, and fat mass. The camelina oil administration suppressed the decrease in the values of some densitometric, tomographic, and mechanical parameters of femur caused by estrogen deficiency. The CO treatment increased significantly the serum level of osteocalcin and decreased the serum level of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen in the OVX rats. In conclusion, camelina oil exerts a positive osteotropic effect by inhibiting ovariectomy-induced adverse changes in bones. Camelina oil supplementation can be used as an efficient method for improving bone health in a disturbed state. However, further research must be carried out on other animal species supplemented with the oil.
Influence of Backfat Thickness and the Interval from Altrenogest Withdrawal to Estrus on Reproductive Performance of Gilts
Authors: Thitachot Krittawat , Sirinopwong Voramet , Seemuang Viriya , Ratchatasriprasert Akkapon , Kirkwood Roy N. , Am-in Nutthee
Published: May 2021

Estrus synchronization of gilts can be achieved by feeding the orally active progestogen altrenogest (AT) to cycling gilts at 20 mg/day for 14 to 18 days with gilts usually returning to estrus 4 to 8 days after the last feeding. In practice, gilts failing to exhibit estrus by 6 days after AT withdrawal may compromise weekly breeding targets. The cause of prolonged intervals to estrus are unknown but may involve prolonged suppression due to the release of progesterone (P4), and by extension AT, from adipose tissues. The present study examined relationships between gilt P2 backfat depth (<13.5 mm, 14–16.5 mm, >17 mm groups), the AT withdrawal to estrus interval, and subsequent reproductive performance in gilts. We noted longer intervals to estrus in gilts with greater P2 backfat depths (p < 0.0001), and higher serum P4 concentrations on the last day of AT feeding and at estrus detection (p < 0.05). Total born litter sizes were unaffected by backfat depth, but pigs born alive progressively decreased with increasing backfat depth with the fattest gilts producing the fewest liveborn pigs (p < 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that adipose tissues may provide a reservoir of steroid, with its release from fatter gilts having potential negative effects on their subsequent reproductive performance.
Modern Hybrid Rye, as an Alternative Energy Source for Broiler Chickens, Improves the Absorption Surface of the Small Intestine Depending on the Intestinal Part and Xylanase Supplementation
Authors: Donaldson Janine , Świątkiewicz Sylwester , Arczewka-Włosek Anna , Muszyński Siemowit , Szymańczyk Sylwia , Arciszewski Marcin Bartłomiej , Siembida Anna Zacharko , Kras Katarzyna , Piedra Jose Luis Valverde , Schwarz Tomasz , Tomaszewska Ewa , Dobrowolski Piotr
Published: May 2021

The current study investigated the effects of the inclusion of modern hybrid rye (Brasetto variety) to a corn–wheat-based diet, with or without xylanase, on the absorptive surface of the small intestine of broilers. A total of 224 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four experimental groups with seven replicate cages of eight birds/replicate. A 2 × 2 factorial study design was used, with rye inclusion (0% or 20%) and xylanase supplementation (0 or 200 mg/kg of feed) as factors. Inclusion of rye increased duodenal and ileal crypt depth, villi height, the villus-to-crypt ratio and absorption surface area (p < 0.05), and ileal mucosa thickness and crypt width (p < 0.05). Xylanase supplementation attenuated the effects of rye in the duodenum and ileum and decreased the villi height and villus-to-crypt ratio in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Rye and xylanase had no effect on the spatial distribution of claudin 3 and ZO-1 protein, but xylanase supplementation reduced the amount of claudin 3 in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicate that 20% inclusion of modern hybrid rye to the diets of broilers improved the structure of the duodenum and ileum, but these effects were attenuated by xylanase supplementation.
Convolutional Adaptive Network for Link Prediction in Knowledge Bases
Authors: Hou Xiaoju , Liu Yanshen , Li Zhifei
Published: May 2021

Knowledge bases (KBs) have become an integral element in digitalization strategies for intelligent engineering and manufacturing. Existing KBs consist of entities and relations and deal with issues of newly added knowledge and completeness. To predict missing information, we introduce an expressive multi-layer network link prediction framework—namely, the convolutional adaptive network (CANet)—which facilitates adaptive feature recalibration by networks to improve the method’s representational power. In CANet, each entity and relation is encoded into a low-dimensional continuous embedding space, and an interaction operation is adopted to generate multiple specific embeddings. These embeddings are concatenated into input matrices, and an attention mechanism is integrated into the convolutional operation. Finally, we use a score function to measure the likelihood of candidate information and a cross-entropy loss function to speed up computation by reducing the convolution operations. Using five real-world KBs, the experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Experimental Analysis of Driver Visual Characteristics in Urban Tunnels
Authors: Fang Song , Ma Jianxiao
Published: May 2021

Through an urban tunnel-driving experiment, this paper studies the changing trend of drivers’ visual characteristics in tunnels. A Tobii Pro Glasses 2 wearable eye tracker was used to measure pupil diameter, scanning time, and fixation point distribution of the driver during driving. A two-step clustering algorithm and the data-fitting method were used to analyze the experimental data. The results show that the univariate clustering analysis of the pupil diameter change rate of drivers has poor discrimination because the pupil diameter change rate of drivers in the process of “dark adaptation” is larger, while the pupil diameter change rate of drivers in the process of “bright adaptation” is relatively smooth. The univariate and bivariate clustering results of drivers’ pupil diameters were all placed into three categories, with reasonable distribution and suitable differentiation. The clustering results accurately corresponded to different locations of the tunnel. The clustering method proposed in this paper can identify similar behaviors of drivers at different locations in the transition section at the tunnel entrance, the inner section, and the outer area of the tunnel. Through data-fitting of drivers’ visual characteristic parameters in different tunnels, it was found that a short tunnel, with a length of less than 1 km, has little influence on visual characteristics when the maximum pupil diameter is small, and the percentage of saccades is relatively low. An urban tunnel with a length between 1 and 2 km has a significant influence on visual characteristics. In this range, with the increase in tunnel length, the maximum pupil diameter increases significantly, and the percentage of saccades increases rapidly. When the tunnel length exceeds 2 km, the maximum pupil diameter does not continue to increase. The longer the urban tunnel, the more discrete the distribution of drivers’ gaze points. The research results should provide a scientific basis for the design of urban tunnel traffic safety facilities and traffic organization.
Mass Concentration, Chemical Composition, and Source Characteristics of PM2.5 in a Plateau Slope City in Southwest China
Authors: Shi Jianwu , Feng Yinchuan , Ren Liang , Lu Xiuqing , Zhong Yaoqian , Han Xinyu , Ning Ping
Published: May 2021

In order to investigate the seasonal variations in the chemical characteristics of PM2.5 at the plateau slope of a mountain city in southwest China, 178 PM2.5 filters (89 quartz and 89 Teflon samples for PM2.5) were collected to sample the urban air of Wenshan in spring and autumn 2016 at three sites. The mass concentrations, water-soluble inorganic ions, organic and inorganic carbon concentrations, and inorganic elements constituting PM2.5 were determined, principal component analysis was used to identify potential sources of PM2.5, and the backward trajectory model was used to calculate the contribution of the long-distance transmission of air particles to the Wenshan area. The average concentration of PM2.5 in spring and autumn was 44.85 ± 10.99 μg/m3. Secondary inorganic aerosols contributed 21.82% and 16.50% of the total PM2.5 in spring and autumn, respectively. The daily mean value of OC/EC indicated that the measured SOC content was generated by the photochemical processes active during the sampling days. However, elements from anthropogenic sources (Ti, Si, Ca, Fe, Al, K, Mg, Na, Sb, Zn, P, Pb, Mn, As and Cu) accounted for 99.38% and 99.24% of the total inorganic elements in spring and autumn, respectively. Finally, source apportionment showed that SIA, dust, industry, biomass burning, motor vehicle emissions and copper smelting emissions constituted the major components in Wenshan. This study is the first to investigate the chemical characterizations and sources of PM2.5 in Wenshan, and it provides effective support for local governments formulating air pollution control policies.
Seasonal Variability of Trends in Regional Hot and Warm Temperature Extremes in Europe
Authors: Sulikowska Agnieszka , Wypych Agnieszka
Published: May 2021

Extremely hot or warm weather over the course of the year may have significant impacts on many aspects of human life, the economy, and the natural environment. Until now a thorough assessment of changes of extreme heat or warm events in Europe was hindered by the number of metrics employed, time periods examined, and most studies being conducted in the summer season only. Here, we employ the Extremity Index (EI) to investigate long-term trends in extremely hot or warm days in Europe over the course of the year, with a special focus on their frequency, spatial extent, and intensity. An extreme temperature event (ETE) is defined as a day with an unusually high temperature for a given location and season, even if such a temperature would not be considered extremely high in an absolute sense. The research is conducted in five spatial domains that together cover a large portion of Europe. The period of the most recent 70 years is considered. In all examined regions, mainly significant increasing trends since 1950 are evident for seasonal EI; therefore, also for ETE frequency, intensity, and spatial range. Yet, every region is characterized by its own event pattern, and trends across the continent strongly vary geographically and seasonally. Our study highlights that examined trends of temperature extremes are accelerating and in the last 40 years the rate of change has been even more than three times greater than in the entire study period. The greatest changes were noted for the summer season in Central Europe and Eastern Europe for the most recent 40-year period.
Reexamining the Impact of Industrial Structure on Haze Pollution Based on the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Wang Lu , Jiang Shumin , Xu Hua
Published: May 2021

In this study, the static and dynamic spatial Durbin model between industrial structure and haze pollution in Yangtze River Delta is constructed. Later, the spatial spillover effect and time lag effect of haze pollution in Yangtze River Delta are analyzed. The impact of rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure on haze pollution and its spatial spillover effect are discussed. The results show that: (i) PM2.5 has a significant positive spatial spillover effect and time lag effect; (ii) in the short run, the rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure has no inhibitory effect on haze pollution, while the rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure of surrounding cities has an inhibitory effect on local haze pollution; (iii) in the long run, the rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure of surrounding cities have an inhibitory effect on local haze pollution; (iv) economic growth, FDI, the number of Industrial Enterprises above Designated Size, and population density also have spatial spillover effects on haze pollution. Therefore, considering the spatial spillover effect of haze pollution from the perspective of urban agglomeration and long-term, strengthening the joint prevention and control and comprehensive treatment among cities, further promoting the rationalization and upgrading of industrial structure is conducive to reducing haze pollution.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Associated with Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System
Authors: Choi Sangwon , Lee Ju-Young , Bae Jong , Song Hong-Ki , Lee Ju-Hun , Kim Yerim
Published: May 2021

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) is a rare disease that is characterized by reversible multifocal stenosis of the cerebral arteries with various clinical manifestations. Though the pathomechanism of RCVS was unclear, we reported RCVS related to the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS). A previous healthy 36-year-old woman had thunderclap headache after implanting the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS a year ago. In the serial angiography, we initially found left vertebra artery (VA), and then additionally new stenosis of both anterior cerebral arteries and middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Bilateral MCA stenosis improved but developed stenosis of right VA after a week. The mean flow velocities of both MCA increased in the first transcranial doppler (TCD), but normalized in the follow up TCD. Levonorgestrel might act as the vasoconstrictitve factor that increased the level of endothelin-1, diminished the release of NO and raised oxidative low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Although the exact pathological mechanisms for RCVS were not yet elucidated, this case might help clinicians understand the mechanisms of RCVS.
Executive Function, Working Memory, and Verbal Fluency in Relation to Non-Verbal Intelligence in Greek-Speaking School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Ralli Asimina M. , Chrysochoou Elisavet , Roussos Petros , Diakogiorgi Kleopatra , Dimitropoulou Panagiota , Filippatou Diamanto
Published: May 2021

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is often associated with impairments in working memory (WM), executive functions (EF), and verbal fluency. Moreover, increasing evidence shows poorer performance of children with DLD on non-verbal intelligence tests relative to their typically developing (TD) peers. Yet, the degree and generality of relevant difficulties remain unclear. The present study aimed at investigating WM capacity, key EFs and verbal fluency in relation to non-verbal intelligence in Greek-speaking school-age children with DLD, compared to TD peers (8–9 years). To our knowledge, the present study is the first to attempt a systematic relevant assessment with Greek-speaking school-age children, complementing previous studies mostly involving English-speaking participants. The results showed that children with DLD scored lower than TD peers on the non-verbal intelligence measure. Groups did not differ in the inhibition measures obtained (tapping resistance to either distractor or proactive interference), but children with DLD were outperformed by TD peers in the WM capacity, updating, monitoring (mixing cost), and verbal fluency (phonological and semantic) measures. The effects showed limited (in the case of backward digit recall) or no dependence on non-verbal intelligence. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications as well as in relation to future lines of research.
Computational Mechanisms Mediating Inhibitory Control of Coordinated Eye-Hand Movements
Authors: Jana Sumitash , Gopal Atul , Murthy Aditya
Published: May 2021

Significant progress has been made in understanding the computational and neural mechanisms that mediate eye and hand movements made in isolation. However, less is known about the mechanisms that control these movements when they are coordinated. Here, we outline our computational approaches using accumulation-to-threshold and race-to-threshold models to elucidate the mechanisms that initiate and inhibit these movements. We suggest that, depending on the behavioral context, the initiation and inhibition of coordinated eye-hand movements can operate in two modes—coupled and decoupled. The coupled mode operates when the task context requires a tight coupling between the effectors; a common command initiates both effectors, and a unitary inhibitory process is responsible for stopping them. Conversely, the decoupled mode operates when the task context demands weaker coupling between the effectors; separate commands initiate the eye and hand, and separate inhibitory processes are responsible for stopping them. We hypothesize that the higher-order control processes assess the behavioral context and choose the most appropriate mode. This computational mechanism can explain the heterogeneous results observed across many studies that have investigated the control of coordinated eye-hand movements and may also serve as a general framework to understand the control of complex multi-effector movements.
Many Faces of the Hidden Souls: Medical and Neurological Complications and Comorbidities in Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Zhang Bei , Huang Karen , Karri Jay , O’Brien Katherine , DiTommaso Craig , Li Sheng
Published: May 2021

Early and goal-directed management of complications and comorbidities is imperative to facilitate neurorecovery and to optimize outcomes of disorders of consciousness (DoC). This is the first large retrospective cohort study on the primary medical and neurological complications and comorbidities in persons with DoC. A total of 146 patients admitted to a specialized inpatient DoC rehabilitation program from 1 January 2014 to 31 October 2018 were included. The incidences of those conditions since their initial brain injuries were reviewed per documentation. They were categorized into reversible causes of DoC, confounders and mimics, and other medical/neurological conditions. The common complications and comorbidities included pneumonia (73.3%), pain (75.3%), pressure ulcers (70.5%), oral and limb apraxia (67.1%), urinary tract infection (69.2%), and 4-limb spasticity (52.7%). Reversible causes of DoC occurred very commonly. Conditions that may confound the diagnosis of DoC occurred at surprisingly high rates. Conditions that may be a source of pain occurred not infrequently. Among those that may diminish or confound the level of consciousness, 4.8 ± 2.0 conditions were identified per patient. In conclusion, high rates of various complications and comorbidities occurred in persons with DoC. Correcting reversible causes, identifying confounders and mimics, and managing general consequences need to be seriously considered in clinical practice.