bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elasticity of the Achilles Tendon in Individuals With and Without Plantar Fasciitis: A Shear Wave Elastography Study
Authors: Pan Weiyi , Zhou Jiping , Lin Yuyi , Zhang Zhijie , Wang Yulong
Published: June 2021

The elastic properties of the Achilles tendon (AT) are altered in local injury or other diseases and in response to changes in mechanical load. Recently, elastography has been used to evaluate variations in tendon elastic properties, mainly among healthy individuals or athletes. Therefore, this study evaluated the biomechanical changes in ATs in individuals with and without plantar fasciitis (PF). The purposes were as follows: (1) to evaluate the passive stiffness of three regions of the AT which defined as 0 (AT0 cm), 3 (AT3 cm), and 6 cm (AT6 cm) above the calcaneal tuberosity in participants with and without PF, (2) to investigate the interplay between the passive stiffness in patients with PF and pain, (3) to detect optimal cut-off points of stiffness of the AT in assessing individuals with chronic PF, and (4) to determine the correlation between the plantar fascia thickness (PFT) and pain. This cross-sectional study included 40 participants (mean age = 51 ± 13 years). When the ankle was in a relaxed position, patients with PF experienced increased passive stiffness in AT0 cm (p = 0.006) and AT3 cm (P = 0.003), but not in the neutral position. Significant correlations were observed between pain and stiffness of AT (AT0 cm r = 0.489, P = 0.029; AT3 cm r = 487, P = 0.030; AT6 cm r = 0.471, P = 0.036), but not in the PFT (P = 0.557). Optimal cut-off stiffness was AT (452 kPa) in the relaxed ankle position. The plantar fascia of patients with PF was significantly thicker than that of the controls (P < 0.001). Findings from the present study demonstrate that tendon stiffness is a good indicator of the clinical situation of patients with PF. Monitoring passive tendon stiffness may provide additional information to assess severity of the condition and guide therapeutic. The treatment programs for PF should also be tailored to the distal AT, as conventional therapy might not be targeted to tight tendons.
Functional Characterization of the EMBRYONIC FLOWER 2 Gene Involved in Flowering in Ginkgo biloba
Authors: Zhou Xian , Wang Lanlan , Yan Janping , Ye Jiabao , Cheng Shuiyuan , Xu Feng , Wang Guiyuan , Zhang Weiwei , Liao Yongling , Liu Xiaomeng
Published: June 2021

Ginkgo biloba has edible, medicinal, and ornamental value. However, the long juvenile phase prevents the development of the G. biloba industry, and there are few reports on the identification and functional analysis of genes regulating the flowering time of G. biloba. EMBRYONIC FLOWER 2 (EMF), an important protein in flower development, functions to promote vegetative growth and repress flowering. In this study, a novel EMF gene (GbEMF2) was cloned and characterized from G. biloba. GbEMF2 contains a 2,193 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 730 amino acids. GbEMF2 harbors conserved VEFS-Box domain by the plant EMF protein. The phylogenic analysis showed that GbEMF2 originated from a polycomb-group (Pc-G) protein ancestor and was a member of the EMF2 protein. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that GbEMF2 was expressed in all detected organs, and it showed a significantly higher level in ovulating strobilus and microstrobilus than in other organs. Compared with emf2 mutant plants, overexpression of GbEMF2 driven by the CaMV 35S promoter in emf2 mutant Arabidopsis plants delayed flowering but earlier than wild-type (WT) plants. This result indicated that GbEMF2 repressed flowering in G. biloba. Moreover, the RNA-seq analysis of GbEMF2 transgenic Arabidopsis plants (GbEMF2-OE/emf2), WT plants, and emf2 mutants screened out 227 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Among these DEGs, FLC, MAF5, and MAF5-1 genes were related to flower organ development and regulated by GbEMF2. In addition, some genes participating in sugar metabolism, such as Alpha-amylase 1 (AMY1), BAM1, and Sucrose synthase 3 (SUS3) genes, were also controlled by GbEMF2. Overall, our results suggested that GbEMF2 negatively regulates flowering development in G. biloba. This finding provided a foundation and target gene for shortening the Ginkgo juvenile period by genetic engineering technology.
Maize Inbred Line B96 Is the Source of Large-Effect Loci for Resistance to Generalist but Not Specialist Spider Mites
Authors: Bui Huyen , Greenhalgh Robert , Gill Gunbharpur S. , Ji Meiyuan , Kurlovs Andre H. , Ronnow Christian , Lee Sarah , Ramirez Ricardo A. , Clark Richard M.
Published: June 2021

Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) yield loss from arthropod herbivory is substantial. While the basis of resistance to major insect herbivores has been comparatively well-studied in maize, less is known about resistance to spider mite herbivores, which are distantly related to insects and feed by a different mechanism. Two spider mites, the generalist Tetranychus urticae, and the grass-specialist Oligonychus pratensis, are notable pests of maize, especially during drought conditions. We assessed resistance (antibiosis) to both mites of 38 highly diverse maize lines, including several previously reported to be resistant to one or the other mite species. We found that line B96, as well as its derivatives B49 and B75, were highly resistant to T. urticae. In contrast, neither these three lines, nor any others included in our study, were notably resistant to the specialist O. pratensis. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping with replicate populations from crosses of B49, B75, and B96 to susceptible B73 identified a QTL in the same genomic interval on chromosome 6 for T. urticae resistance in each of the three resistant lines, and an additional resistance QTL on chromosome 1 was unique to B96. Single-locus genotyping with a marker coincident with the chromosome 6 QTL in crosses of both B49 and B75 to B73 revealed that the respective QTL was large-effect; it explained ∼70% of the variance in resistance, and resistance alleles from B49 and B75 acted recessively as compared to B73. Finally, a genome-wide haplotype analysis using genome sequence data generated for B49, B75, and B96 identified an identical haplotype, likely of initial origin from B96, as the source of T. urticae resistance on chromosome 6 in each of the B49, B75, and B96 lines. Our findings uncover the relationship between intraspecific variation in maize defenses and resistance to its major generalist and specialist spider mite herbivores, and we identified loci for use in breeding programs and for genetic studies of resistance to T. urticae, the most widespread spider mite pest of maize.
Comparing the Impact of Heart Rate-Based In-Game Adaptations in an Exergame-Based Functional High-Intensity Interval Training on Training Intensity and Experience in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Martin-Niedecken Anna Lisa , Schwarz Tiziana , Schättin Alexandra
Published: June 2021

Physical inactivity remains one of the biggest societal challenges of the 21st century. The gaming industry and the fitness sector have responded to this alarming fact with game-based or gamified training scenarios and thus established the promising trend of exergaming. Exergames—games played with the (whole) body as physical input—have been extolled as potential attractive and effective training tools. Simultaneously, researchers and designers are still exploring new approaches to exploit the full potential of this innovative and enjoyable training method. One way to boost the attractiveness and effectiveness of an exergame is to individualize it with game adaptations. A physiological parameter that is often used to balance the physical challenge and intensity of exergames to the player’s fitness skills is the heart rate (HR). Therefore, researchers and designers often rely on age-based, maximum HR (HRmax) formulas originating from performance diagnostics. In combination with the player’s assessed real-time HR during an exergame session, the pre-determined HRmaxis used to adapt the game’s challenge to reach a pre-defined HR and physical intensity level (in-exergame adaptations), respectively. Although the validity and reliability of these age-based HRmaxformulas were proven in heterogeneous target populations, their use is still often criticized as HR is an individual parameter that is affected by various internal and external factors. So far, no study has investigated whether the formula-based pre-calculated HRmaxcompared to a standardized individually pre-assessed HRmaxelicits different training intensities, training experiences, and flow feelings in an exergame. Therefore, we compared both variants for in-exergame adaptation with the ExerCube – a functional high-intensity interval training exergame – in healthy young adults. Comparing the results of the two conditions, no significant differences were found for HR parameters and perceived physical and cognitive exertion, nor for overall flow feelings and physical activity enjoyment. Thus, the formula-based in-exergame adaptation approach was suitable in the presented study population, and the ExerCube provided an equally reliable in-exergame adaptation and comparable exergame play experiences. We discuss our findings in the context of related work on exergame adaptation approaches and draw out some implications for future adaptive exergame design and research topics.
The Influence of COVID-19 on the Well-Being of People: Big Data Methods for Capturing the Well-Being of Working Adults and Protective Factors Nationwide
Authors: Zhang Xiyang , Wang Yu , Lyu Hanjia , Zhang Yipeng , Liu Yubao , Luo Jiebo
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the lives of people across the globe. To investigate the mental impact of COVID-19 and to respond to the call of researchers for the use of unobtrusive and intensive measurement in capturing time-sensitive psychological concepts (e.g., affect), we used big data methods to investigate the impact of COVID-19 by analyzing 348,933 tweets that people posted from April 1, 2020 to April 24, 2020. The dataset covers 2,231 working adults, who are from 454 counties across 48 states in the United States. In this study, we theorize the similarity and dissimilarity between COVID-19 and other common stressors. Similar to other stressors, pandemic severity negatively influenced the well-being of people by increasing negative affect. However, we did not find an influence of pandemic severity on the positive affect of the people. Dissimilar to other stressors, the protective factors for people during COVID-19 are not common factors that make people resilient to stress and they echo the unique experience during COVID-19. Moreover, we analyzed the text content of 348,933 tweets through Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC) and word cloud analysis to further reveal the psychological impact of COVID-19 and why the protective factors make people resilient to the mental impact of COVID-19. These exploratory analyses revealed the specific emotions that people experienced and the topics that people are concerned about during the pandemic. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Distributed Cognition and the Experience of Presence in the Mars Exploration Rover Mission
Authors: Chiappe Dan , Vervaeke John
Published: June 2021

Although research on presence in virtual environments has increased in the last few decades due to the rise of immersive technologies, it has not examined how it is achieved in distributed cognitive systems. To this end, we examine the sense of presence on the Martian landscape experienced by scientific team members in the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission (2004–2018). How this was achieved is not obvious because the sensorimotor coupling that typically underlies presence in mundane situations was absent. Nonetheless, we argue that the Three-Level model can provide a framework for exploring how presence was achieved. This account distinguishes between proto-presence, core-presence, and extended-presence, each level dependent on being able to respond effectively to affordances at a particular level of abstraction, operating at different timescales. We maintain that scientists' sense of presence on Mars involved core-presence and extended-presence rather than proto-presence. Extended-presence involved successfully establishing distal intentions (D-intentions) during strategic planning, i.e., long term conceptual goals. Core-presence involved successfully enacting proximal intentions (P-intentions) during tactical planning by carrying out specific actions on a particular target, abstracting away from sensorimotor details. This was made possible by team members “becoming the rover,” which enhanced their ability to identify relevant affordances revealed through images. We argue, however, that because Mars exploration is a collective activity involving shared agency by a distributed cognitive system, the experience of presence was a collective presence of the team through the rover.
Challenge Accepted! a Critical Reflection on How to Perform a Health Survey Among University Students—An Example of the Healthy Campus Mainz Project
Authors: Reichel Jennifer L. , Rigotti Thomas , Tibubos Ana Nanette , Werner Antonia M. , Schäfer Markus , Edelmann Dennis , Pfirrmann Daniel , Deci Nicole , Beutel Manfred E. , Stark Birgit , Simon Perikles , Letzel Stephan , Dietz Pavel
Published: June 2021

Background: Universities represent an important setting of everyday life for health promotion. The Healthy Campus Mainz project aims to develop an evidence-based and comprehensive student health management program covering physical, mental, and social health promotion. Hence, an initial health survey was performed in order to identify the students' health concerns and resources. Up until now, it remains unclear which topics to choose in a health survey among university students and which strategies can be recommended to receive an acceptable response rate or representative student sample within a university setting. The present paper contributes to the call for the present research topic “Public Health Promotion in University Students” by describing methods for health assessment. Therefore, the current paper aims to give an empirical example on how to perform a health survey among university students, focusing on (1) choosing topics for the survey and (2) methodological considerations of how to reach the target population.

Methods: An online questionnaire including around 270 items was developed covering a comprehensive set of health topics. Participants were recruited via the university email. Mixed channels for survey promotion, such as lecture visits and social media, were used, accompanied by different monetary and non-monetary incentives. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe the sample.

Results: A total of 5,006 participants (out of 31,213 registered students) viewed the first page of the questionnaire; of whom, 4,714 continued further. After a manual data cleaning according to the predefined criteria, the final sample was 4,351, demonstrating a response rate of 13.9%. Students from different study disciplines participated. However, some study disciplines showed a low participation rate, hence, making the results not free from some bias.

Discussion: This survey is exceptional as it integrates a great variety of health aspects. The incentive strategy demonstrated promising results. Future research should try to improve target-group-specific recruitment strategies for the traditionally underrepresented groups, such as males and specific study disciplines. This would not only include advancing marketing strategies, but also refining the incentive strategy.
LenSelect: Object Selection in Virtual Environments by Dynamic Object Scaling
Authors: Weller Rene , Wegele Waldemar , Schröder Christoph , Zachmann Gabriel
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We present a novel selection technique for VR called LenSelect. The main idea is to decrease the Index of Difficulty (ID) according to Fitts’ Law by dynamically increasing the size of the potentially selectable objects. This facilitates the selection process especially in cases of small, distant or partly occluded objects, but also for moving targets. In order to evaluate our method, we have defined a set of test scenarios that covers a broad range of use cases, in contrast to often used simpler scenes. Our test scenarios include practically relevant scenarios with realistic objects but also synthetic scenes, all of which are available for download. We have evaluated our method in a user study and compared the results to two state-of-the-art selection techniques and the standard ray-based selection. Our results show that LenSelect performs similar to the fastest method, which is ray-based selection, while significantly reducing the error rate by 44%.
Model Kinetic Equations for Multiply Ionized Gas Mixtures
Authors: Rydalevskaya Maria A. , Voroshilova Yulia N.
Published: June 2021

Model kinetic equations are proposed for the description of ionized monoatomic gas mixture flows. The mixtures are assumed enough rarefied to be treated as ideal gases after multiple ionization steps. The model equations contain the equilibrium distribution functions for the components of the gas mixtures under consideration like it was done in BGK equations and their well-known generalizations. However, in this paper the new forms of the equilibrium distribution functions are used which correspond to the entropy maximum under the constraints of momentum, total energy, nuclei and electrons (both bound and free) conservation. It is shown that the derived model equations allow us to study the local equilibrium flows of the ionized gases and the transport processes of energy, nuclei and electrons in the non-equilibrium conditions.
LncRNA-42060 Regulates Tamoxifen Sensitivity and Tumor Development via Regulating the miR-204-5p/SOX4 Axis in Canine Mammary Gland Tumor Cells
Authors: Xu Enshuang , Hu Mengxin , Ge Reidong , Tong Danning , Fan Yuying , Ren Xiaoli , Liu Yun
Published: June 2021

Tamoxifen is the drug of choice for endocrine therapy of breast cancer. Its clinical use is limited by the development of drug resistance. There is increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with tumor drug resistance. Therefore, we established two TAM-resistant cell lines, CHMpTAM and CHMmTAM. The different expression levels of lncRNA and miRNA in CHMmTAM and CHMm were screened by RNA sequencing, and the lncRNA-miRNA interactions were analyzed. LncRNA ENSCAFG42060 (lnc-42060) was found to be significantly upregulated in drug-resistant cells and tumor tissues. Further functional validation revealed that the knockdown of lnc-42060 inhibited proliferation, migration, clone formation, restoration of TAM sensitivity, and reduction of stem cell formation in drug-resistant cells, whereas overexpression of lnc-4206 showed opposite results. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that lnc-42060 could act as a sponge for miR-204-5p, further regulating SOX4 expression activity and thus influencing tumor cell progression. In conclusion, we screened lncRNAs and miRNAs associated with TAM resistance in canine mammary gland tumor cells for the first time. lnc-42060 served as a novel marker that may be used as an important biomarker for future diagnosis and treatment.
Longitudinal Survey of Fecal Microbiota in Healthy Dogs Administered a Commercial Probiotic
Authors: Ciaravolo Susan , Martínez-López Lina María , Allcock Richard J. N. , Woodward Andrew P. , Mansfield Caroline
Published: June 2021

The aim of this longitudinal microbiome study was to investigate the effects of a commercially available veterinary synbiotic product (Blackmore's® Paw DigestiCare 60™) on the fecal microbiome of healthy dogs using 16S rRNA gene microbial profiling. Fifteen healthy, privately-owned dogs participated in a 2-week trial administration of the product. Fecal samples were collected at different time points, including baseline (prior to treatment), during administration and after discontinuation of product. Large intra- and inter-individual variation was observed throughout the study, but microbiome composition at higher phylogenetic levels, alpha and beta diversity were not significantly altered after 2 weeks of probiotic administration, suggesting an absence of probiotic impact on microbial diversity. Administration of the synbiotic preparation did, however, result in transient increases in probiotic species from Enterococacceae and Streptococacceae families as well as an increase in Fusobacteria; with the fecal microbiota partially reverting to its baseline state 3-weeks after cessation of probiotic administration.
Fogászati implantáció biszfoszfonát-terápiában részesülő betegeknél
Authors: Palásti Levente , Kivovics Márton , Kapor Klára , Németh Orsolya
Published: June 2021

A biszfoszfonátok (BP) a csontrezorpciót gátló szerek, melyek alkalmazása egyre növekvő tendenciát mutat. A hatóanyagcsoport bizonyított, nemkívánatos mellékhatásaként előfordulhat bizonyos esetekben az állcsontok nekrózisa (Medication Related Osteonecrosis of The Jaws, MRONJ), így BP terápiában részesülő páciensek fogászati ellátása különleges körültekintést igényel [1]. Nemzetközi irodalmi adatok szerint oszteoporózis miatt orális BP-terápiában részesülő pácienseknél a beültetett implantátumok sikerességi rátája eléri a BP-terápiában nem részesült páciensek implantációs sikerességi rátáját. Ezen páciens-csoportnál, amennyiben a kritikus komorbid tényezők kizárhatók, a MRONJ kialakulásának kockázata alacsony fogászati implantációt követően [2, 3].Esetismertetésünk során egy herediter spasztikus paraplégia állapotú oszteoporózis miatt orális BP- terápiában részesülő páciens dentális implantátumokkal történő fogászati rehabilitációját mutatjuk be. Mivel a témával kapcsolatban ellentmondásos adatokat találhatunk a hazai és a nemzetközi irodalomban, így szükséges a téma további kutatása.
Biochar Improves Root Growth of Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. Container Seedlings
Authors: Chen Hong , Chen Chen , Yu Fangyuan
Published: June 2021

Background: The faulty development of the root system is a major threat that affects the survival rate of container seedlings of Sapium sebiferum in the transplanting and reforestation processes. The current study was conducted to determine the impact of biochar on the root growth and development of S. sebiferum container seedlings. Methods: Varied concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) of straw and bamboo biochar were applied in six groups, whereas the control group (CK) was only treated with matrix. Results: The treatment with 3% straw biochar (C2) proved to be the most effective soil conditioner for cultivating S. sebiferum seedlings. Moreover, C2 increased seedling height (58.92%); ground diameter (33.86%, biomass of the over-ground part (12.73 g), the underground part (7.48 g), and the fibrous part (0.076 g) compared to the CK (control). Conclusions: Biochar not only improved the root morphology by developing primary lateral roots, but it also accelerated the assimilation of N from the matrix to indirectly facilitate stem growth through enhancing NR activity. The change in root growth strategy contributed to the growth in S. sebiferum seedlings, thereby improving the survival rate during transplanting and reforestation.
Modeling Soil Water Content and Crop-Growth Metrics in a Wheat Field in the North China Plain Using RZWQM2
Authors: Du Kun , Qiao Yunfeng , Zhang Qiuying , Li Fadong , Li Qi , Liu Shanbao , Tian Chao
Published: June 2021

Soil water content (SWC) is an important factor restricting crop growth and yield in cropland ecosystems. The observation and simulation of soil moisture contribute greatly to improving water-use efficiency and crop yield. This study was conducted at the Shandong Yucheng Agro-ecosystem National Observation and Research Station in the North China Plain. The study period was across the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth stages from 2017 to 2019. A cosmic-ray neutron probe was used to monitor the continuous daily SWC. Furthermore, the crop leaf area index (LAI), yield, and aboveground biomass of winter wheat were determined. The root zone quality model 2 (RZWQM2) was used to simulate and validate the SWC, crop LAI, yield, and aboveground biomass. The results showed that the simulation errors of SWC were minute across the wheat growth stages and mature stages in 2017–2019. The root mean square error (RMSE) and relative root mean square error (RRMSE) of the SWC simulation at the jointing stage of winter wheat were 0.0296 and 0.1605 in 2017–2018, and 0.0265 and 0.1480 in 2018–2019, respectively. During the rain-affected days, the RMSE (0.0253) and RRMSE (0.0980) for 2017–2018 were significantly lower than those of 2018–2019 (0.0301 and 0.1458, respectively), indicating that rain events decreased the model accuracy in the dry years compared to the wet years. The simulated LAIs were significantly higher than the measured values. The simulated yield value of winter wheat was 5.61% lower and 3.92% higher than the measured yield in 2017–2018 and in 2018–2019, respectively. The simulated value of aboveground biomass was significantly (45.48%) lower than the measured value in 2017–2018. This study showed that, compared with the dry and cold wheat growth period of 2018–2019, the higher precipitation and temperature in 2017–2018 led to a poorer simulation of SWC and crop-growth components. This study indicated that annual abnormal rainfall and temperature had a significant influence on the simulation of SWC and wheat growth, especially under intensive climate-change stress conditions.
Preliminary Application of Vermicompost in Rice Production: Effects of Nursery Raising with Vermicompost on Fragrant Rice Performances
Authors: Ruan Shaoyi , Wu Feida , Lai Rifang , Tang Xiangru , Luo Haowen , He Longxin
Published: June 2021

Vermicompost is an excellent organic fertilizer, but the application of vermicompost in fragrant rice production has not yet been reported. Seedling nursery is an important component of rice production. The present study firstly applied vermicompost in fragrant rice production through nursery raising. The seedlings of three fragrant rice cultivars were raised in matrix with different rations of vermicompost (the treatment without vermicompost was taken as the control), and the growth parameters and physiological characters of seedlings were investigated. The results showed that, compared with the control, the application of vermicompost significantly (p < 0.05) increased the plant height, stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight of fragrant rice seedlings by 11.22–24.73%, 38.34–65.87%, 16.74–30.46%, and 16.61–35.16%, respectively. Nursery raising with vermicompost significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the net photosynthetic rate by 5.99–12.93%, relative to the control. Higher contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and total chlorophyll were recorded in vermicompost treatments than in the control. Compared with the control, vermicompost treatments also increased root length, surface area, mean diameter, root volume, root tip number, and root activity of fragrant rice seedlings by 12.42–27.82%, 15.04–38.65%, 12.64–23.12%, 42.41–63.58%, 18.62–24.95%, and 12.01–26.29%, respectively. Moreover, nursery raising with vermicompost enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide, peroxidase, and catalase by 7.97–24.21%, 17.11–44.99%, and 7.37–15.95%, respectively, relative to the control. Moreover, 7.92–29.40% lower malondialdehyde contents were recorded in vermicompost treatments compared with the control. Therefore, nursery raising with vermicompost could be a good agronomy practice in machine-transplanted fragrant rice.
A Review of Climate-Smart Agriculture Research and Applications in Africa
Authors: Barasa Paul M. , Botai Christina M. , Botai Joel O. , Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe
Published: June 2021

Funders and governments are promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as key to agricultural adaptation under climate change in Africa. However, with its progressions still at the policy level and framework description, there is a need to understand the current developments and activities conducted within the CSA research field. We conducted a scientific mapping and analyses of CSA research studies in Africa to understand the (i) thematic trends, (ii) developments, (iii) nature of collaboration networks, and (iv) general narratives supporting the adoption and application of CSA in Africa. Results show that several African countries had endorsed CSA as an approach to addressing agricultural productivity challenges, supporting adaptation strategies, and building resilience to climate change. However, a majority do not have national Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plans (CSAIPs). Additionally, CSA research in Africa is still developing, with only a few countries dominating the research outputs. For a successful implementation of CSA, a framework provided by the CSAIPs must be established to guide the processes. This will provide a framework to guide the integration of government programs, policies, and strategic plans by combining other inputs from stakeholders to support decision making and implementation of CSA.
Molecular and Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Profiling of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Hospital and Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) Environment
Authors: Hsu Bing-Mu , Chen Jung-Sheng , Lin I-Ching , Hsu Gwo-Jong , Koner Suprokash , Hussain Bashir , Huang Shih-Wei , Tsai Hsin-Chi
Published: June 2021

To provide evidence of the cross-contamination of emerging pathogenic microbes in a local network between long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and hospitals, this study emphasizes the molecular typing, the prevalence of virulence genes, and the antibiotic resistance pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA isolates were characterized from 246 samples collected from LTCFs, medical tubes of LTCF residents, and hospital environments of two cities, Chiayi and Changhua. Species identification, molecular characterization, and drug resistance analysis were performed. Hospital environments had a higher MRSA detection rate than that of LTCF environments, where moist samples are a hotspot of MRSA habitats, including tube samples from LTCF residents. All MRSA isolates in this study carried the exfoliative toxin eta gene (100%). The majority of MRSA isolates were resistant to erythromycin (76.7%), gentamicin (60%), and ciprofloxacin (55%). The percentage of multidrug-resistant MRSA isolates was approximately 50%. The enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction results showed that 18 MRSA isolates belonged to a specific cluster. This implied that genetically similar isolates were spread between hospitals and LTCFs in Changhua city. This study highlights the threat to the health of LTCFs’ residents posed by hospital contact with MRSA.
National Facilitators and Barriers to the Implementation of Incentives for Antibiotic Access and Innovation
Authors: Årdal Christine , Lacotte Yohann , Edwards Suzanne , Ploy Marie-Cécile ,   on behalf of the European Union Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (EU-JAMRAI)
Published: June 2021

Prominent reports have assessed the challenges to antibiotic innovation and recommended implementing “pull” incentives, i.e., mechanisms that give increased and predictable revenues for important, marketed antibiotics. We set out to understand countries’ perceptions of these recommendations, through frank and anonymous dialogue. In 2019 and 2020, we performed in-depth interviews with national policymakers and antibiotic resistance experts in 13 countries (ten European countries and three non-European) for a total of 73 individuals in 27 separate interviews. Interviewees expressed high-level support for antibiotic incentives in 11 of 13 countries. There is recognition that new economic incentives are needed to maintain a reliable supply to essential antibiotics. However, most countries are uncertain which incentives may be appropriate for their country, which antibiotics should be included, how to implement incentives, and how much it will cost. There is a preference for a multinational incentive, so long as it is independent of national pricing, procurement, and reimbursement processes. Nine countries indicated a preference for a model that ensures access to both existing and new antibiotics, with the highest priority for existing antibiotics. Twelve of thirteen countries indicated that shortages of existing antibiotics is a serious problem. Since countries are skeptical about the public health value of many recently approved antibiotics, there is a mismatch regarding revenue expectations between policymakers and antibiotic innovators. This paper presents important considerations for the design and implementation of antibiotic pull mechanisms. We also propose a multinational model that appears to match the needs of both countries and innovators.
The August 2018 Geomagnetic Storm Observed by the High-Energy Particle Detector on Board the CSES-01 Satellite
Authors: Palma Francesco , Sotgiu Alessandro , Parmentier Alexandra , Martucci Matteo , Piersanti Mirko , Bartocci Simona , Battiston Roberto , Burger William Jerome , Campana Donatella , Carfora Luca , Castellini Guido , Conti Livio , Contin Andrea , D’Angelo Giulia , De Donato Cinzia De , De Santis Cristian De , Follega Francesco Maria , Iuppa Roberto , Lazzizzera Ignazio , Marcelli Nadir , Masciantonio Giuseppe , Mergé Matteo , Oliva Alberto , Osteria Giuseppe , Palmonari Federico , Panico Beatrice , Perfetto Francesco , Picozza Piergiorgio , Pozzato Michele , Ricci Ester , Ricci Marco , Ricciarini Sergio Bruno , Sahnoun Zouleikha , Scotti Valentina , Sparvoli Roberta , Vitale Vincenzo , Zoffoli Simona , Zuccon Paolo
Published: June 2021

On 25 August 2018, a G3-class geomagnetic storm reached the Earth’s magnetosphere, causing a transient rearrangement of the charged particle environment around the planet, which was detected by the High-Energy Particle Detector (HEPD) on board the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES-01). We found that the count rates of electrons in the MeV range were characterized by a depletion during the storm’s main phase and a clear enhancement during the recovery caused by large substorm activity, with the key role played by auroral processes mapped into the outer belt. A post-storm rate increase was localized at L-shells immediately above ∼3 and mostly driven by non-adiabatic local acceleration caused by possible resonant interaction with low-frequency magnetospheric waves.
Cone Beam Computer Tomography and Histological Evaluation of Dental Follicle of Impacted Lower Third Molar Germs in Teens: A Histo-Radiographic Correlation Study in a Case Series
Authors: D’Angeli Giacomo , Zara Francesca , Belloni Alessio , D’Angeli Francesco Maria , Dello Spedale Venti Michele , Messineo Daniela , Corsi Alessandro , Sfasciotti Gian Luca
Published: June 2021

The dental follicle (DF) is the tissue that surrounds the crown of the developing tooth. In X-ray, images it appears as a radiolucent area. The removal of an impacted mandibular third molar is a common procedure in oral surgery. The radiographic evidence of pathology, commonly defined as a pericoronal radiolucency measuring at least mm 2.5 mm in any dimension, is accepted for the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Mesioangular impactions are usually more closely placed to the inferior alveolar canal, and the use of cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) before the removal of impacted mandibular third molars has been reported to be appropriate in these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microscopic features of radiographically normal DFs associated with mesioangular impacted mandibular third molars examined through CBCT. Thirteen mesioangular impacted third molars from ten patients (5 males and 5 females, mean age ± SD: 15.1 ± 1.66) with a maximum width of the DF <2.5 mm, as digitally established by CBCT, were included in this study. All the DFs associated with the removed third molars were examined histologically through the analysis of different variables. The mean (±SD) and range of the maximum width of the DFs were 1.35 (±0.47) mm and 0.71–2.21 mm, respectively. Nine (69.23%) DFs showed odontogenic remnants, five (38.46%) showed focal squamous metaplasia and eight (61.53%) mild mesenchymal myxoid degeneration. The maximum width of the DF failed to show any significant correlation with all the histological variables considered in this study. Aware of the limited number of patients included in this study, the histo-radiographic correlation in our case series confirm data in the literature, according to which normal pericoronal imaging may be associated with DF tissue changes/variations that in turn are potentially associated with the development of pathologies including odontogenic cysts and tumors. Whether these changes/variations are enough to make prophylactic germectomy of impacted third molars the standard by themselves remains to be established. However, they require accurate correlations with the radiographic data for the appropriate histologic assessment of a DF.
Influence of Pore-Size/Porosity on Ion Transport and Static BSA Fouling for TiO2-Covered Nanoporous Alumina Membranes
Authors: Gelde Lourdes , Cuevas Ana Laura , Benavente Juana
Published: June 2021

The influence of geometrical parameters (pore radii and porosity) on ion transport through two almost ideal nanoporous alumina membranes (NPAMs) coated with a thin TiO2 layer by the atomic layer deposition technique (Sf-NPAM/TiO2 and Ox-NPAM/TiO2 samples) was analyzed by membrane potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The results showed the significant effect of pore radii (10 nm for Sf-NPAM/TiO2 and 13 nm for Ox-NPAM/TiO2) when compared with porosity (9% and 6%, respectively). Both electrochemical techniques were also used for estimation of protein (bovine serum albumin or BSA) static fouling, and the results seem to indicate deposition of a BSA layer on the Sf-NPAM/TiO2 fouled membrane surface but pore-wall deposition in the case of the fouled Ox-NPAM/TiO2 sample. Moreover, a typical and simple optical technique such as light transmission/reflection (wavelength ranging between 0 and 2000 nm) was also used for membrane analysis, showing only slight transmittance differences in the visible region when both clean membranes were compared. However, a rather significant transmittance reduction (~18%) was observed for the fouled Sf-NPAM/TiO2 sample compared to the fouled Ox-NPAM/TiO2 sample, and was associated with BSA deposition on the membrane surface, thus supporting the electrochemical analysis results.
A New Ice Accretion Model for Aircraft Icing Based on Phase-Field Method
Authors: Dai Hao , Zhu Chunling , Zhao Huanyu , Liu Senyun
Published: June 2021

Aircraft icing presents a serious threat to the aerodynamic performance and safety of aircraft. The numerical simulation method for the accurate prediction of icing shape is an important method to evaluate icing hazards and develop aircraft icing protection systems. Referring to the phase-field method, a new ice accretion mathematical model is developed to predict the ice shape. The mass fraction of ice in the mixture is selected as the phase parameter, and the phase equation is established with a freezing coefficient. Meanwhile, the mixture thickness and temperature are determined by combining mass conservation and energy balance. Ice accretions are simulated under typical ice conditions, including rime ice, glaze ice and mixed ice, and the ice shape and its characteristics are analyzed and compared with those provided by experiments and LEWICE. The results show that the phase-field ice accretion model can predict the ice shape under different icing conditions, especially reflecting some main characteristics of glaze ice.
Seamless Human–Robot Collaborative Assembly Using Artificial Intelligence and Wearable Devices
Authors: Dimitropoulos Nikos , Togias Theodoros , Zacharaki Natalia , Michalos George , Makris Sotiris
Published: June 2021

Seamless human–robot collaboration requires the equipping of robots with cognitive capabilities that enable their awareness of the environment, as well as the actions that take place inside the assembly cell. This paper proposes an AI-based system comprised of three modules that can capture the operator and environment status and process status, identify the tasks that are being executed by the operator using vision-based machine learning, and provide customized operator support from the robot side for shared tasks, automatically adapting to the operator’s needs and preferences. Moreover, the proposed system is able to assess the ergonomics in human–robot shared tasks and adapt the robot pose to improve ergonomics using a heuristics-based search algorithm. An industrial case study derived from the elevator manufacturing sector using a high payload collaborative robot is presented to demonstrate that collaboration efficiency can be enhanced through the use of the discussed system.
Recent Updates on the Synthesis of Bioactive Quinoxaline-Containing Sulfonamides
Authors: Irfan Ali , Ahmad Sajjad , Hussain Saddam , Batool Fozia , Riaz Haseeba , Zafar Rehman , Kotwica-Mojzych Katarzyna , Mojzych Mariusz
Published: June 2021

Quinoxaline is a privileged pharmacophore that has broad-spectrum applications in the fields of medicine, pharmacology and pharmaceutics. Similarly, the sulfonamide moiety is of considerable interest in medicinal chemistry, as it exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities. Therefore, the therapeutic potential and biomedical applications of quinoxalines have been enhanced by incorporation of the sulfonamide group into their chemical framework. The present review surveyed the literature on the preparation, biological activities and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of quinoxaline sulfonamide derivatives due to their broad range of biomedical activities, such as diuretic, antibacterial, antifungal, neuropharmacological, antileishmanial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anticancer action. The current biological diagnostic findings in this literature review suggest that quinoxaline-linked sulfonamide hybrids are capable of being established as lead compounds; modifications on quinoxaline sulfonamide derivatives may give rise to advanced therapeutic agents against a wide variety of diseases.
Investigating the Micro/Macro-Texture Performance of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavement under Simulated Traffic Abrasion
Authors: Adresi Mostafa , Lacidogna Giuseppe
Published: June 2021

Since the roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is almost smooth due to roller vibrations in the construction process, the lack of macro-texture prevents it from being used as a final surface. This study has made efforts to improve the RCCP by proposing different scenarios to create new micro-/macro-texture surfaces and investigate their durability and skid resistance under traffic abrasion conditions. To prepare the micro-texture, eight RCCP specimens were cast using various 50–50% mixing proportions, and each of them alone in the form of siliceous and calcareous fine aggregates (natural and manufactured). For the macro-texture, each specimen was textured using such methods as seeding (three cases), stamping (two cases), and brooming (two cases). Since the durable texture should withstand the abrasive traffic flow, the RCCP-surface abrasion resistance was measured by the simulation method proposed in ASTM C944, and their skid resistance was evaluated by measuring the British pendulum test according to ASTM E303 before and after abrasion. The results showed that abrasion resistance of RCCP samples to changes in mixing design and skid resistance to changes in macro-texture have significant changes. In addition, different siliceous-calcareous sand combinations not only made the concrete mix more economical but also improved its performance in case of abrasion and skid resistance. The more was the manufactured sand proportion, the higher the fracture rate was and, hence, the abrasion resistance. Different macro-textures created on RCCP specimens generally showed acceptable skid resistance. In this regard, stamping had the highest mean texture depth (MTD) as well as BPN, and seeding had the lowest.
Novel Data-Driven Models Applied to Short-Term Electric Load Forecasting
Authors: Lopez-Martin Manuel , Sanchez-Esguevillas Antonio , Hernandez-Callejo Luis , Arribas Juan Ignacio , Carro Belen
Published: June 2021

This work brings together and applies a large representation of the most novel forecasting techniques, with origins and applications in other fields, to the short-term electric load forecasting problem. We present a comparison study between different classic machine learning and deep learning techniques and recent methods for data-driven analysis of dynamical models (dynamic mode decomposition) and deep learning ensemble models applied to short-term load forecasting. This work explores the influence of critical parameters when performing time-series forecasting, such as rolling window length, k-step ahead forecast length, and number/nature of features used to characterize the information used as predictors. The deep learning architectures considered include 1D/2D convolutional and recurrent neural networks and their combination, Seq2seq with and without attention mechanisms, and recent ensemble models based on gradient boosting principles. Three groups of models stand out from the rest according to the forecast scenario: (a) deep learning ensemble models for average results, (b) simple linear regression and Seq2seq models for very short-term forecasts, and (c) combinations of convolutional/recurrent models and deep learning ensemble models for longer-term forecasts.
Neuronutraceuticals Modulate Lipopolysaccharide- or Amyloid-β 1-42 Peptide-Induced Transglutaminase 2 Overexpression as a Marker of Neuroinflammation in Mouse Microglial Cells
Authors: Gatta Nicola Gaetano , Parente Andrea , Guida Francesca , Maione Sabatino , Gentile Vittorio
Published: June 2021

Background: Tissue type 2 transglutaminase (TG2, E.C. 2.3.2,13) is reported to be involved in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in mouse microglial BV2 cells and peripheral macrophages. In this study, by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) peptide-stimulated microglial cell line BV2 and mouse primary microglial cells, we examined the effects of different neuronutraceutical compounds, such as curcumin (Cu) and N-Palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), known for their anti-inflammatory activity, on TG2 and several inflammatory or neuroprotective biomarker expressions. Methods: Mouse BV2 cells were treated with LPS or Aβ1-42 in the presence of curcumin or PEA, in order to evaluate the expression of TG2 and other inflammatory or neuroprotective markers using Real Time-PCR and Western blot analyses. Results: Curcumin and PEA were capable of reducing TG2 expression in mouse microglial cells during co-treatment with LPS or Aβ 1-42. Conclusions: The results show the role of TG2 as an important marker of neuroinflammation and suggest a possible use of curcumin and PEA in order to reduce LPS- or Aβ1-42-induced TG2 overexpression in mouse microglial cells.