bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug resistance biomarkers in ovarian cancer: a bibliometric study from 2017 to 2022
Authors: Cabarca Sindy , Ili Carmen , Vanegas Carlos , Gil Laura , Vertel-Morrinson Melba , Brebi Priscilla
Published: November 2024

Background

Late diagnosis and patient relapse, mainly due to chemoresistance, are the key reasons for the high mortality rate of ovarian cancer patients. Hence, the search for biomarkers of high predictive value within the phenomenon of chemoresistance is vital. This study performs a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature concerning biomarkers of drug resistance in ovarian cancer, considering the period from 2017 to 2022.

Methods

The terms “drug resistance biomarker” and “ovarian cancer” were linked by the Boolean operator “AND”. The search was done in PubMed, selecting documents published over the last 5 years (2017-2022), which were analyzed with the open-source tool Bibliometrix developed in the R package. The language of the publications was restricted to English. Several types of papers such as case reports, clinical trials, comparative studies, and original articles were considered.

Results

A total of 335 scientific articles were analyzed. The United States and China were the leading contributors and established the largest number of scientific collaborations. The Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were the most influential institutions. The Journal of Ovarian Research, International Journal of Molecular Science, and Scientific Reports are among the most relevant journals. The study identified high-profile, relevant thematic niches and important descriptors that indicate topics of interest, including studies on women, cell lines, solid tumors, and gene expression regulation. As well as studies involving middle-aged and adult participants, and those focusing on prognosis evaluation. Descriptors such as “drug resistance,” “neoplasm,” “genetics,” “biomarker,” “gene expression profile,” and “drug therapy” would indicate new research trends. In addition, we propose that BCL-2, CHRF, SNAIL, miR-363, iASPP, ALDH1, Fzd7, and EZH2 are potential biomarkers of drug resistance.

Conclusions

This paper contributes to the global analysis of the scientific investigation related to drug resistance biomarkers in ovarian cancer to facilitate further studies and collaborative networks, which may lead to future improvements in therapy for this lethal disease.
Reverse resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor in a patient with recurrent cardia cancer by intratumoral injection of recombinant human adenovirus type 5: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhao Qiu , Xiao Min , Ma Jian , Fu Cong , Gao Qianqian , Bi Yanzhi
Published: November 2024

Advanced metastatic cardia cancer is an intractable malignance with poor prognosis. It is often accompanied by upper digestive tract obstruction, which seriously affects the quality of patients. Therefore, effective relief of eating obstruction is an important goal in the treatment of cardia cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant efficacy in cardia cancer, but only a small percentage of patients will benefit from them due to immune resistance. Oncolytic viruses have been shown to enhance the efficacy of ICIs by altering the immune microenvironment. This indicates that oncolytic virus has the potential value of overcoming the immune resistance of cardia cancer. Here, we present a case with local recurrent and multiple metastatic cardia cancer accompanied by eating obstruction. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy plus ICI therapy, the patient´s metastases were significant shrink, but the recurrent carida lesion were almost unchanged. Then we implemented exploratory local injection of recombinant human adenovirus type 5(H101) into recurrent cardia lesion by painless gastroscopy. Surprisingly, the cardia lesion shrank significantly, and the eating obstruction was greatly relieved. We also observed a significant increase of infiltrated CD4+T cells in biopsy tissues after H101 treatment. Our study not only conformed the value of oncolytic viruses to reverse ICI resistance in patients with gastric cancer, but also revealed its underlying impact on immune microenvironment.
Progestin-based pharmacotherapy in fertility preservation in early endometrial cancer
Authors: Qin Zhendong , Zhang Di , Cao Guangming , Li Hua
Published: November 2024

Endometrial cancer is a common tumor of the female reproductive system. In recent years, as the age of onset of the disease has gradually become younger, this has caused distress to some young patients with reproductive needs, and the active search for methods of preserving reproductive function has gradually attracted attention. In this paper, we will systematize the current status of progestin-based pharmacotherapy in combination with other drug therapies in the conservative management of early-stage endometrial cancer. With the expectation of providing a reference for the treatment of early stage endometrial cancer patients in China and for the in-depth development of related research in this field.
Functional outcomes and healthcare utilization trends in postsurgical and nonsurgical patients following high-frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation therapy
Authors: Tieppo Francio Vinicius , Leavitt Logan , Alm John , Mok Daniel , Yoon Byung-Jo Victor , Nazir Niaman , Lam Christopher M. , Latif Usman , Sowder Timothy , Braun Edward , Sack Andrew , Khan Talal W. , Sayed Dawood
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of disability in the United States and is associated with a steadily increasing burden of healthcare expenditures. Given this trend, it is essential to evaluate interventions aimed at reducing disability and optimizing healthcare utilization (HCU) in affected populations. This study investigates the impact of prior spinal surgery on functional outcomes and HCU patterns following high-frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included 160 subjects who underwent implantation of a 10 kHz SCS device. Participants were divided into surgical and non-surgical cohorts for comparative analysis. Pain relief was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), while disability levels were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). HCU was examined through the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits, outpatient visits for interventional pain procedures, and opioid consumption measured in morphine milliequivalents (MME).

Results

No statistically significant differences were observed between the surgical and non-surgical groups regarding pain relief and disability outcomes. Additionally, ED visits and outpatient visits for interventional pain procedures did not show significant differences between the two cohorts.

Discussion

This study represents the first comparative analysis of pain, disability, and HCU trends between surgical and non-surgical populations following 10 kHz SCS therapy. The results suggest that prior spinal surgery may not substantially affect the efficacy of 10 kHz SCS therapy in terms of pain relief, disability reduction, or HCU patterns.
Transferable lessons for care provided to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on an analysis of facilitators and barriers to SARS-CoV-2 testing
Authors: Gotto George S. , Bohall Jeriel , Northrup Rachel , Errichetti Cheryl Lyn , Chiang Danielle , van Stone Maureen , Jones Erin , Meck Megan , Kalb Luther
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The purpose of this article is to report on the lessons learned from parents and caregivers of school-age children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Missouri and Maryland regarding the facilitators and barriers to SARS-COV-2 testing.

Methods

Parents participated in interview sessions that employed fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM), a reliable knowledge-based method that facilitates democratic discourse to understand how stakeholders make decisions. A total of 94 parents from Missouri (58) and Maryland (36) participated in the FCM sessions.

Results

Eight primary barriers and eight primary facilitating factors were identified that influence a successful SARS-COV-2 test. Analyzing the connections between these factors provided valuable information about not only which ideas were most central to the goal of a successful test, but also which factors could be modified to improve the likelihood of success. Results indicate that the physical environment and child preparedness play a central role in successful SARS-COV-2 testing for children with IDD; however, these factors within the context of other invasive procedures should be studied further.

Discussion

It is likely that the findings from this study are transferable to other diagnostic procedures such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA), which require similar testing techniques using a nasopharyngeal swab.
Evaluation of pitolisant, sodium oxybate, solriamfetol, and modafinil for the management of narcolepsy: a retrospective analysis of the FAERS database
Authors: Zhou Xiaodan , Chen Jia , Xu Bangtian , Chen Li
Published: November 2024

Objective

Narcolepsy, a rare neurological disorder believed to have an autoimmune etiology, necessitates lifelong management. This study aimed to provide evidence supporting the safety of pharmacological treatment for narcolepsy.

Methods

Five-year data on pitolisant, sodium oxybate, solriamfetol, and modafinil were extracted from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) self-reporting database for the period spanning from 2019 to 2023. Various statistical methods, including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network analysis (BCPNN), and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS), were employed to quantify the signals. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted between demographic data, outcomes, and inherent associations among the medications and the signals.

Results

After data analysis, we obtained 50 signals (a cumulative count of 762 cases) for pitolisant, 640 signals (corresponding to 46,962 cases) for sodium oxybate, 40 signals (equivalent to 1,228 cases) for solriamfetol, and finally, 72 signals (representing 632 cases) for modafinil. The majority of these patients were female. Psychiatric and nervous system disorders were identified as the predominant adverse drug events (ADEs). For sodium oxybate, it is crucial to consider psychiatric disorders (such as suicidal ideation), respiratory disorders (including sleep apnea syndrome and respiratory depression), and signs of pregnancy and congenital familial diseases. For solriamfetol, noteworthy new ADEs include drug inefficacy, suicidal ideation, restless legs syndrome, and somnambulism. Furthermore, a relationship has been observed between modafinil use and restricted fetal growth, spontaneous abortion, cognitive disorders, and drug inefficacy and abuse.

Conclusion

The majority of observed adverse reactions in this study were consistent with those listed in the product instructions. However, potential novel or notable ADE signals were identified through real-world pharmacovigilance analysis. It is anticipated that this paper will offer additional information regarding safe and rational medication for narcolepsy.
Nanotechnological prospective for enhancing the antibacterial activity of mupirocin and cinnamon essential oil: a combination therapy
Authors: Aldhubiab Bandar , Almuqbil Rashed M. , Shehata Tamer M. , Soliman Wafaa E. , Elsewedy Heba S.
Published: November 2024

Backgrounds

The aim of the current study was to develop a distinctive nanolipid formulation, namely, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), which would deliver an antibacterial medication such as mupirocin (MP). Additionally, cinnamon essential oil (CEO), which is reported to exhibit antibacterial activity, was utilized in the development process in an attempt to improve the influence of MP.

Methods

As a consequence, different MP–NLC formulations were developed using the central composite design (CCD) approach. One optimized formula was selected and incorporated within the pre-formulated gel matrix, providing the MP–NLC-gel formula for efficient topical application. MP–NLC-gel was assessed for its physical characteristics to check its suitability for topical application and evaluated for its in vitro drug release over 6 h. Furthermore, it studied the formulation for its stability at different conditions; 25°C ± 2°C and at 4°C ± 3°C for 6 months. Finally, the formulation was examined for its antibacterial performance against gram-positive and -negative bacteria.

Results

The developed topical NLC-gel formulation demonstrated pH 5.8, viscosity 14,510 cP, and spreadability 58.1 mm, which were seemed to be satisfactory properties for successful topical application. The drug was released successfully for over 6 h with 52.9%. Additionally, it was stable in both storage conditions for 6 months since it displayed non-significant variations in its evaluated characteristics compared to those of fresh preparation. Ultimately, the developed gel formulation could inhibit the growth of different bacterial strains, especially gram-negative strains.

Conclusion

To sum up, these findings would demonstrate the efficiency of NLC prepared with CEO and incorporating MP to be a promising antibacterial lipid nanocarrier.
Formation of single-dominant-species patches of Dicranopteris dichotoma primarily influenced by understory light intensity
Authors: Dong Dubin , Tong Jiali , Liao Liang , Yi Lita , Yan Wende , Yu Fei
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The Dicranopteris dichotoma fern community plays vital roles in nutrient sequestration, succession regulation, and ecological threshold control. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation of the D. dichotoma–dominant community remain unclear.

Methods

This study established four different community types to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the formation of a D. dichotoma–dominant community.

Results

We found that climate was the primary factor affecting the formation of patches dominated by D. dichotoma at the regional scale. Specifically, higher annual mean temperature and annual mean precipitation were associated with larger single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma. Understory light intensity was the major factor affecting the formation of the D. dichotoma community at the community scale. Light intensity ranging from 200 to 500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was most conducive to the development of a large D. dichotoma community. Additionally, understory light intensity enhanced the importance value of D. dichotoma in the herb community by decreasing its biomass proportion of support modules and increasing its biomass proportion of photosynthetic and reproductive modules. Soil properties and D. dichotoma characteristics showed interactions with each other. Acidic red-yellow soil was most suitable for the formation of single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma, and the growth of D. dichotoma further decreased the soil pH. Soil total phosphorus content was identified as a limiting factor for formation of the D. dichotoma community.

Discussion

In summary, the formation of single-dominant-species patches of D. dichotoma is mainly influenced by a combination of climate, community, and soil.
Mechanisms and control measures of low temperature storage-induced chilling injury to solanaceous vegetables and fruits
Authors: Yuan Qi , Jiang Yaqin , Yang Qihong , Li Weiliu , Gan Guiyun , Cai Liangyu , Li Wenjia , Qin Chunchun , Yu Chuying , Wang Yikui
Published: November 2024

Low temperature storage is widely used for storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables after harvest. As a cold-sensitive fruit vegetable, post-harvest solanaceous vegetables and fruits are susceptible to chilling injury during low temperature storage, which reduces its sensory quality and edible quality and shortens its storage period, thus leading to huge economic losses. Therefore, it is an essential to clarify the occurrence mechanism of chilling injury caused by low temperature storage in solanaceous vegetables and fruits, and to propose corresponding prevention and control measures for chilling injury. In recent years, a series of progress has been made in the research on chilling injury prevention and control and low temperature stress tolerance of solanaceous vegetables and fruits. This paper describes the chilling injury symptoms of postharvest solanaceous vegetables and fruits, clarifies the physiological and biochemical mechanisms in the chilling injury process, the molecular mechanisms, and prevention and control measures, and summarizes the latest research advancements on chilling injury and chilling tolerance regulation of solanaceous vegetables and fruits, which can provide valuable references for low temperature storage and chilling injury prevention and control measures of solanaceous vegetables and fruits.
Chromosome-level assembly of the Clinopodium gracile genome
Authors: Gao Yubang
Published: November 2024

Clinopodium gracile is an important medicinal herb in the Lamiaceae family. This species lacks corresponding genomic resources, which significantly limits the study of its active compound synthesis pathways, breeding practices, and assessment of natural genetic variations. We assembled the chromosomal-level genome of C. gracile using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) technology and Hi-C sequence. The assembled genome is 307.3 Mb in size and consists of 9 chromosomes. The scaffold N50 was 36.3 Mb. The BUSCO completeness (Embryophyta_db10) of the genome was 97.2%. The genome annotates 40,083 protein coding genes. C. gracile and S. miltiorrhiza diverged approximately 30.615 million years ago. C. gracile has not undergone recent species-specific WGD events. A high proportion of young LTRs indicates a recent transposable element (TE) transposition burst in C. gracile.
Effect of swearing on physical performance: a mini-review
Authors: Washmuth Nicholas B. , Stephens Richard , Ballmann Christopher G.
Published: November 2024

Swearing, or using taboo language with the potential to offend, has been shown to improve physical performance during short and intense tasks requiring strength and power development. While consistent ergogenic effects of swearing have been observed across studies, the mechanisms by which swearing impacts physical performance are not fully clear. Swearing has been shown to modulate physiological (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance), psychological (i.e., state disinhibition), and nociceptive (i.e., pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain perception) responses, thus making it plausible that these mechanisms allow swearing to positively impact physical performance. A variety of dosages of swearing (i.e., word used, intensity, frequency, quantity) have been reported to improve physical performance. Although habituation to the positive physical performance effects of swearing has not been explored formally through empirical research, habituation to swearing has been observed in other contexts. From a practical application standpoint, swearing represents a low-risk, effective, and inexpensive intervention that has the potential to acutely improve physical performance although the taboo nature of swearing may limit its utility in real-world situations. The purpose of the following review is to provide an overview of available evidence on swearing and physical performance and discuss likely underlying mechanisms. Exploration of different swearing approaches and habituation will also be highlighted and suggestions for future research will be discussed, to more comprehensively understand if swearing can be strategically used for performance enhancement.
Availability and readiness of public health facilities to provide differentiated service delivery models for HIV treatment in Zambia: implications for better treatment outcomes
Authors: Kaonga Patrick , Sampa Mutale , Musukuma Mwiche , Mulawa Mulanda Joseph , Mulavu Mataanana , Sitali Doreen , Moonga Given , Mweemba Oliver , Matenga Tulani Francis , Zyambo Cosmas , Hamoonga Twaambo , Phiri Henry , Halwindi Hikabasa , Chavula Malizgani Paul , Zulu Joseph Mumba , Jacobs Choolwe
Published: November 2024

Background

There is persistent pressure on countries with a high burden of HIV infection to reach desired targets for HIV treatment outcomes. This has led to moving from the “one-size-fits-all” model to differentiated service delivery (DSD) models, which are meant to be more patient-centered and efficient but without compromising on the quality of patient care. However, for DSD models to be efficient, facilities should have indicators of HIV services available and ready to provide the DSD models. We aimed to assess the availability of HIV service indicators and the readiness of facilities to provide DSD models for HIV treatment in selected public health facilities in Zambia.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey among public health facilities in Zambia that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) services. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire based on a World Health Organization (WHO) Service Availability Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool to assess the availability of HIV service indicators and the readiness of facilities to implement DSD models for HIV treatment. Availability and readiness were considered latent constructs, and therefore, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine the correlations between them and their respective indicators.

Results

Of 60 public health ART facilities, the overall availability of HIV service indicators was 80.0% (48/60), and readiness to provide the DSD models was 81.7% (48/60). However, only 48 and 39% of the facilities had all indicators of availability and readiness, respectively. Retention in care for HIV multidisciplinary teams was more likely to occur in urban areas than in rural areas. SEM showed that the standardized estimate between availability and readiness was significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). In addition, both availability and readiness were significantly and positively correlated with most of their respective indicators.

Conclusion

Although most facilities had available HIV service indicators and were ready to provide DSD models, most facilities did not have all indicators of availability and readiness. In addition, there were differences between rural and urban facilities in some indicators. There is a need for persistent and heightened efforts meant to implement DSD in HIV treatment, especially in rural areas to accelerate reaching the desired HIV treatment outcomes.
Sex differences in the associations of accelerometer-determined physical activity with physical and cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care
Authors: Zeng Ziwei , Hsu Chun Liang , van Schooten Kimberley Stefanie , Yang Yijian
Published: November 2024

Older adults residing in long-term care often experience declines in physical and cognitive functions despite the access to in-house physical activity (PA) programs. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of PA with physical function and global cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care, while examining potential sex differences. A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 67 participants (34 men, 33 women). PA levels were assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. Physical function, including muscular strength, postural sway, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and cognitive function were measured. Spearman correlation analysis revealed no significant associations between PA metrics and muscular strength, postural sway, or global cognitive function across the entire samples (p ≥ 0.091). Multiple linear regression models were developed for the entire sample, males, and females to examine the associations between PA and physical function measures and global cognitive function. After adjustments for confounders, light PA was significantly associated with higher SPPB sub-scores (gait: β = 0.600, p < 0.001; sit-to-stand: β = 0.574, p < 0.001), faster usual gait speed (β = 0.659, p = 0.012), and shorter sit-to-stand times (β = −0.305, p = 0.041) across the whole sample. Similar significant associations were observed in males between light PA and SPPB scores (total: β = 0.319, p = 0.040; gait: β = 0.532, p < 0.001; sit-to-stand: β = 0.417, p = 0.009), usual gait speed (β = 0.762, p = 0.017), and sit-to-stand times (β = −0.677, p < 0.001). In females, a significant association was found between light PA and global cognitive function (β = 0.319, p = 0.012) after adjusting for confounders. This study highlights sex differences in the association of accelerometer-determined PA with physical and cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care, with LPA showing beneficial effects, especially for physical function in males and for cognitive function in females.
Managing human-AI collaborations within Industry 5.0 scenarios via knowledge graphs: key challenges and lessons learned
Authors: Krause Franz , Paulheim Heiko , Kiesling Elmar , Kurniawan Kabul , Leva Maria Chiara , Estrada-Lugo Hector Diego , Stübl Gernot , Üre Nazim Kemal , Dominguez-Ledo Javier , Khan Maqbool , Demolder Pedro , Gaux Hans , Heinzl Bernhard , Hoch Thomas , Martinez-Gil Jorge , Silvina Agastya , Moser Bernhard A.
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we discuss technologies and approaches based on Knowledge Graphs (KGs) that enable the management of inline human interventions in AI-assisted manufacturing processes in Industry 5.0 under potentially changing conditions in order to maintain or improve the overall system performance. Whereas KG-based systems are commonly based on a static view with their structure fixed at design time, we argue that the dynamic challenge of inline Human-AI (H-AI) collaboration in industrial settings calls for a late shaping design principle. In contrast to early shaping, which determines the system's behavior at design time in a fine granular manner, late shaping is a coarse-to-fine approach that leaves more space for fine-tuning, adaptation and integration of human intelligence at runtime. In this context we discuss approaches and lessons learned from the European manufacturing project Teaming.AI, https://www.teamingai-project.eu/, addressing general challenges like the modeling of domain expertise with particular focus on vertical knowledge integration, as well as challenges linked to an industrial KG of choice, such as its dynamic population and the late shaping of KG embeddings as the foundation of relational machine learning models which have emerged as an effective tool for exploiting graph-structured data to infer new insights.
Neurodiversity Can Explain Differences in How People Experience Everyday Life
Authors: Crompton Catherine J. , Alcorn Alyssa M. , Cebula Katie , Fletcher-Watson Sue
Published: November 2024

Neurodiversity means that all people’s brains process information differently from each other. In other words, people think and learn in a variety of ways. Being neurodivergent means that the way a person’s brain processes information might be quite distinctive, or even rare—and in some cases this difference might have a name, like ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. About one person in every five is neurodivergent: maybe you are neurodivergent yourself! In this article, we discuss the ways that neurodiversity can affect how people experience day-to-day life. We explain some of the research that has explored how neurodivergent people process information. We also share some on-going research that focuses on making places like schools and hospitals more comfortable for neurodivergent people. When we all understand what neurodiversity is, it is easier for everyone to be themselves, no matter how they think, feel and learn.
Attribute Relevance Score: A Novel Measure for Identifying Attribute Importance
Authors: Neirz Pablo , Allende Hector , Saavedra Carolina
Published: November 2024

This study introduces a novel measure for evaluating attribute relevance, specifically designed to accurately identify attributes that are intrinsically related to a phenomenon, while being sensitive to the asymmetry of those relationships and noise conditions. Traditional variable selection techniques, such as filter and wrapper methods, often fall short in capturing these complexities. Our methodology, grounded in decision trees but extendable to other machine learning models, was rigorously evaluated across various data scenarios. The results demonstrate that our measure effectively distinguishes relevant from irrelevant attributes and highlights how relevance is influenced by noise, providing a more nuanced understanding compared to established methods such as Pearson, Spearman, Kendall, MIC, MAS, MEV, GMIC, and Phik. This research underscores the importance of phenomenon-centric explainability, reproducibility, and robust attribute relevance evaluation in the development of predictive models. By enhancing both the interpretability and contextual accuracy of models, our approach not only supports more informed decision making but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms in diverse application domains, such as biomedical research, financial modeling, astronomy, and others.
Application of the Water-Based Electro-Hydraulic Actuator (EHA) to the Heavy-Duty Collaborative Robot
Authors: Song Ha-Gwon , Lim Dong-Won
Published: November 2024

In this paper, the design of a driving mechanism for a heavy-duty collaborative robot (cobot) capable of lifting payloads up to 20 kg is presented. This study focuses on an articulated robot utilizing a water-based Electro-Hydraulic Actuator (EHA). The Denavit–Hartenberg (D–H) representation was employed to relate the rotational angles and the end-effector’s location, facilitating the design of the actuators. The maximum required torques for joints 2 and 3, responsible for lifting for 12 s, were calculated under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The results showed that the maximum required torques were 126.67 Nm and 58.86 Nm for joint 2 and 3, respectively. The maximum torque for joint 2 occurs when the pitch links are fully extended, whereas the maximum torque for joint 3 occurs when the third link is parallel to the ground. The torques, due to the inertia and Coriolis dynamic terms, were also calculated and found to be lower than those required for the gravitational term. Various maneuvering scenarios, along with Ansys Motion simulation, were analyzed for the verification of the results. Based on the calculated maximum torques, the linear actuators of the EHA were designed. The heavy-duty cobot can be built with the developed actuator proposed in this paper. The total weight of the entire frame was measured to be 14.59 kg, resulting in a high Payload/Weight (P/W) ratio of 1.37. In conclusion, the robot was made lighter and can operate more efficiently, particularly for heavy loads up to 20 kg.
Spiral of Silence: Consumer Attention, Media Emotion, and Pork Price Fluctuations
Authors: Li Xia
Published: November 2024

This study utilized web crawling and text analysis to collect weekly data from July 2018 to March 2022. Using the spiral of silence theoretical framework, it explores the relationship between consumer online attention during sudden animal epidemics and pork price volatility. The research found that consumer online attention, influenced by animal disease outbreaks, significantly intensifies pork price volatility both directly and indirectly through changes in media sentiment and consumer expectations. On the one hand, the sentiment in official media reports partially mediates the relationship between consumer attention and pork price volatility. As consumer attention increases, positive sentiment in official media also rises, exerting an indirect stabilizing effect on pork prices. On the other hand, consumer expectations also have a partial mediating role, and the volume of negative news reports from unofficial media significantly amplifies the impact of consumer attention on pork price volatility. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between consumer online attention and market fluctuations in the agricultural sector and offer practical recommendations for enhancing demand-side management strategies.
Response of Long-Term Water and Phosphorus of Wheat to Soil Microorganisms
Authors: Hu Junjie , Lian Yanhao , Guo Hui , Li Zongzhen , Pang Haifang , Zhang Mengjiao , Ren Yongzhe , Lin Tongbao , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: November 2024

Phosphorus deficiency critically constrains crop growth. Soil microbial diversity, which is crucial for maintaining terrestrial ecosystem integrity, plays a key role in promoting soil P cycling. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the survival strategies of microorganisms under P-limited conditions and explore their roles in community regulation. We initiated a comprehensive, long-term, in situ wheat field experiment to measure soil physicochemical properties, focusing on the different forms of soil inorganic P. Subsequently, 16S rRNA and ITS marker sequencing was employed to study changes in soil microbial abundance and community structure and predict functional alterations. The results showed that soil water and P deficiencies significantly affected wheat growth and development, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial diversity and function. Prolonged P deficiency lowered soil pH, significantly increasing phosphatase content (58%) under W1 (normal irrigation) conditions. Divalent calcium phosphate decreased significantly under W0 (lack of irrigation) and W1 conditions, and the most stable ten-valent calcium phosphate began to transform under W0 conditions. Soil microbial diversity increased (e.g., Proteobacteria and Vicinamibacterales) and enhanced the transport capacity of bacteria. P deficiency affected the coexistence networks between bacteria and fungi, and SEM (structural equation modeling) analysis revealed a stronger correlation in bacteria (r2 = 0.234) than in fungi (r2 = 0.172). In soils deprived of P for 7 years, the soil P content and forms were coupled with microbial changes. Microorganisms exhibited community and functional changes in response to low-phosphorus soil, concurrently influencing soil P status. This study enhances our understanding of rhizospheric processes in soil P cycling under microbial feedback, particularly the impact of microbial interactions on changes in soil P forms under P-limited conditions.
Genetic Diversity and Genome-Wide Association Study of Pleurotus pulmonarius Germplasm
Authors: Li Qian , Ying Xuebing , Yang Yashu , Gao Wei
Published: November 2024

Pleurotus pulmonarius is prized by consumers for its distinct flavor, strong aroma, and dense, crispy texture. Although China has extensive germplasm resources for P. pulmonarius, only a limited number of cultivars are commercially available. A comprehensive evaluation and detailed analysis of P. pulmonarius germplasm, alongside the exploration of superior germplasm resources, are essential for developing new varieties. In this study, we resequenced the genomes of 47 P. pulmonarius strains collected nationwide, identifying a total of 4,430,948 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. After filtering based on minor allele frequency and data integrity, 181,731 high-quality SNP markers were retained. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the strains into six clusters, with strains from similar geographical regions clustering together. Most CBS strains formed a single cluster; cultivated varieties exhibited higher genetic similarity, whereas wild strains displayed greater diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and population structure analyses, using the same SNP markers, corroborated the phylogenetic findings. DNA fingerprinting, derived from 369 core SNPs, further underscored the genetic diversity among strains. Significant morphological variation was observed, with strains in groups ZP, CBS, and WHLJ exhibiting notably higher yields and cap widths compared to other groups. Correlation analysis revealed associations among various phenotypes, while genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified multiple SNP markers within candidate genes linked to agronomic traits, most of which were controlled by multiple genes. This research offers a molecular-level characterization and evaluation of P. pulmonarius germplasm resources, providing a scientific basis for enriching available germplasm and advancing breeding materials.
Stomatal Density Variation Within and Among Different Soybean Cultivars Across Various Growth Stages
Authors: Sultana Syada Nizer , Jo Hyun , Song Jong Tae , Kim Kihwan , Lee Jeong-Dong
Published: November 2024

Stomata regulate CO2 and water vapor exchange between leaves and the atmosphere, serving as a vital indicator of climate change resilience. Therefore, understanding the difference in stomatal numbers and patterns among different soybean cultivars across growth stages is essential to comprehending the complex mechanisms underlying soybean adaptation to climate change. The accurate measurements of stomatal density in soybean leaves are essential to understanding the complexity of stomatal density by environmental conditions. We demonstrated that the five epidermal sections and five microscopic images taken from both sides of each epidermal section at each leaf position (tip, middle, and bottom) were sufficient for stomatal measurements. Furthermore, we investigated variations in stomatal density among leaflet locations (left, right, and central) and leaf position across different growth stages. Notably, while there was no significant variation between the two leaves of the vegetative cotyledon (VC) stage and among the three leaflets of the V1 (first trifoliate) to V4 (fourth trifoliate) growth stages, leaves of the VC stage exhibited the lowest stomatal density, whereas those of the V4 stage exhibited the highest stomatal density. These findings could serve as a valuable tool for evaluating stomatal density, analyzing physiological differences under adverse climatic conditions, and phenotyping a large-scale population to identify the genetic factors responsible for stomatal density variations in soybean genotypes.
Effective Microbial Strategies to Remediate Contaminated Agricultural Soils and Conserve Functions
Authors: Oro Carolina E. Demaman , Saorin Puton Bruna M. , Venquiaruto Luciana D. , Dallago Rogério M. , Tres Marcus V.
Published: November 2024

The growing global emphasis on sustainable agriculture has brought increased attention to the health and productivity of soils, especially through the lens of soil microbiology. Microbial communities in soil are essential for nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and maintaining overall soil health. However, agricultural practices, including synthetic fertilizers and intensive farming, have led to short time impacts in these microbial ecosystems, potentially threatening soil fertility and environmental quality. Agricultural expansion and food production generate waste and chemical inputs, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides, leading to significant environmental contamination. This scenario requires the implementation of remediation strategies that are both sustainable and energy efficient. In this context, microbiological processes present a much promising approach to mitigating the environmental impacts of soil pollution. Techniques such as bioremediation, which harness the natural metabolic capabilities of soil microorganisms, and bioaugmentation, which involves the introduction of specific microbial strains to increase degradation processes, are being explored. These approaches are vital for restoring soil health, contributing to environmental conservation and soil biodiversity, improving nutrient cycling, and promoting long-term agricultural productivity.
Heavy Metal Remediation Using Phosphate-Solubilizing Fungi: From Bioprocess to Application
Authors: Tian Da , Zhang Shuo , Wang Dechao , Zhang Liangliang , Chen Haoming , Ye Xinxin
Published: November 2024

Heavy metal pollution has been a major environmental issue in recent years, seriously threatening land, water sources, agriculture, and human health. The remediation of heavy metal pollution has been a continuously vital issue for current research. Bioremediation is an effective and cost-efficient approach to reduce heavy metal toxicity. Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) have shown promise in heavy metal bioremediation due to their high tolerance and activity levels. However, the full potential of PSF in bioremediation needs further exploration. PSF activity, metabolite production, and environmental conditions can influence their efficiency in remediating heavy metals. These factors play a critical role in the practical application of PSF and necessitate improvement pathways. This article reviews potential strategies to enhance heavy metal remediation using PSF and optimizing bioprocesses and applications.
Identification of Reactive Oxygen Species Genes Mediating Resistance to Fusarium verticillioides in the Peroxisomes of Sugarcane
Authors: Li Xiang , Gao Yijing , Yang Cuifang , Huang Hairong , Li Yijie , Long Shengfeng , Yang Hai , Liu Lu , Shen Yaoyang , Wang Zeping
Published: November 2024

Pokkah boeng disease (PBD), which is caused by Fusarium verticillioides, is a major sugarcane disease in Southeast Asian countries. Breeding varieties to become resistant to F. verticillioides is the most effective approach for minimizing the damage caused by PBD, and identifying genes mediating resistance to PBD via molecular techniques is essential. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) is one of a cell’s first responses to pathogenic infections. Plant peroxisomes play roles in several metabolic processes involving ROSs. In this study, seedlings of YT94/128 and GT37 inoculated with F. verticillioides were used to identify PBD resistance genes. The cells showed a high degree of morphological variation, and the cell walls became increasingly degraded as the duration of the infection increased. There was significant variation in H2O2 accumulation over time. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activities increased in both seedlings. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed that peroxidase-metabolism-related genes are mainly involved in matrix protein import and receptor recycling, adenine nucleotide transport, peroxisome division, ROS metabolism, and processes related to peroxisomal membrane proteins. The expression levels of SoCATA1 and SoSOD2A2 gradually decreased after sugarcane infection. F. verticillioides inhibited the expressions of C5YVR0 and C5Z4S4. Sugarcane infection by F. verticillioides disrupts the balance of intracellular ROSs and increases the cell membrane’s lipid peroxidation rate. Defense-related enzymes play a key regulatory role in maintaining a low, healthy level of ROSs. The results of this study enhance our understanding of the mechanism through which peroxisomes mediate the resistance of sugarcane to PBD and provide candidate genes that could be used to breed varieties with improved traits via molecular breeding.
Enhancing Oxygen-Dissolving Capacity of Rotary Drum Food Waste Composting: Tumbling Process Optimization and Experimental Validation with Discrete and Finite Element Methods
Authors: Wang Jufei , Zhu Xueru , Zhu Zhenming , Li Chao , Peng Xuesong , Qiu Shilong , Ren Jinbo , Wu Xinhui , Nyambura Samuel Mbugua , Li Hua , Zheng Shuhe
Published: November 2024

An optimized tumbling process can significantly improve the oxygen dissolving capacity of composting and fertilizer quality: by increasing the fluffiness of the lower layer of the pile, localized anaerobic fermentation can be avoided, thereby enhancing compost quality. This paper presents a method for improving the oxygen dissolving capacity of rotary drum food waste composting through a combination of simulation optimization and experimental validation. First, the discrete element method was used to optimize the key parameters of the tumbling process. The response surface method was then employed to analyze the composting test results and determine the optimal conditions. To ensure the reliability of the equipment under this method, failure risk analysis was conducted using the finite element method. The simulation optimization results showed that with a rotary drum reactor speed of 3.5 r/min, a horizontal angle of inclination of 2.5°, a mixing blade angle of inclination of 43°, and a blade pitch of 580 mm, the fluffiness of the lower layer of the pile increased by 8.515%, achieving the best tumbling and indirectly enhancing oxygen dissolving capacity. The maximum deformation of the load-bearing components was only 0.0548 mm, and the minimum safety factor was 4.408 (≥1 is considered safe). A 14-day composting experiment was conducted to validate the optimized parameters. The results showed that the maximum temperature of the compost pile reached 68.34 °C (lasting 7 days), with the pH, moisture content, C/N ratio, humus substances, humic acid, and fulvic acid contents of the fertilizer all meeting or exceeding the levels recommended by Chinese national standards. These findings indicate that the optimized tumbling device effectively improved the stability and dissolved oxygen efficiency of food waste composting, providing valuable practical insights and a research foundation for enhancing oxygen efficiency in the composting of other organic wastes.
Development of a Drone-Based Phenotyping System for European Pear Rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae) in Orchards
Authors: Maß Virginia , Seidl-Schulz Johannes , Leipnitz Matthias , Fritzsche Eric , Geyer Martin , Pflanz Michael , Reim Stefanie
Published: November 2024

Computer vision techniques offer promising tools for disease detection in orchards and can enable effective phenotyping for the selection of resistant cultivars in breeding programmes and research. In this study, a digital phenotyping system for disease detection and monitoring was developed using drones, object detection and photogrammetry, focusing on European pear rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae) as a model pathogen. High-resolution RGB images from ten low-altitude drone flights were collected in 2021, 2022 and 2023. A total of 16,251 annotations of leaves with pear rust symptoms were created on 584 images using the Computer Vision Annotation Tool (CVAT). The YOLO algorithm was used for the automatic detection of symptoms. A novel photogrammetric approach using Agisoft’s Metashape Professional software ensured the accurate localisation of symptoms. The geographic information system software QGIS calculated the infestation intensity per tree based on the canopy areas. This drone-based phenotyping system shows promising results and could considerably simplify the tasks involved in fruit breeding research.