bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Study on Attitude and Resistance of a Side-Damaged Ship during Steady Flooding
Authors: Xue Wen , Gao Zhiliang , Xu Sangming
Published: October 2022

The computational fluid dynamics method is used to analyze the attitude and resistance of a side-damaged frigate DTMB-5415 during steady flooding phase. The volume of fluid method is used to capture the interface between water and air. The shear stress transport k-ω model is employed to include the turbulence effect. The dynamic overlapping grid method is utilized to deal with the mesh update due to the ship motion in the simulation. First, the resistance, floating position and wave profile of an intact ship for different forward speeds are calculated. By comparing the results with experimental data, the calculation method is verified. Then, the resistances, attitudes and flow fields for the ship in intact, side-damaged (symmetrical and asymmetric flooding) and damage-repaired conditions are calculated and compared. For the side-damaged condition, the main change of the ship’s attitude is that the ship’s sinkage increases as the forward speed increases. Compared with symmetrical flooding, the ship’s heel increases during asymmetric flooding, while the sinkage decreases. For symmetrical flooding, the resistance of the ship increases significantly compared to the intact ship case. The increased resistance is mainly caused by the increase of ship sinkage. The existence of opening that affects the flow field causes additional increase of ship resistance. The pressure resistance is the main component of increased resistance, which is similar to the asymmetric flooding case.
A Two-Stage Path Planning Algorithm Based on Rapid-Exploring Random Tree for Ships Navigating in Multi-Obstacle Water Areas Considering COLREGs
Authors: Zhang Jinfen , Zhang Han , Liu Jiongjiong , Wu Da , Soares C. Guedes
Published: October 2022

A two-stage ship path planning method is proposed, based on the Rapid-exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm, which is composed of global path planning and local path planning, addressing the important problem of finding an economical and safe path from start to destination for ships under dynamic environment, especially in waters with multiple obstacles and multiple target ships. The global path planning takes into consideration the ship draft and Under Keel Clearance to find navigable water using RRT, and reduces the path length and waypoints based on elliptic sampling and smoothing. In the local path planning, a dynamic collision risk detection model is constructed by introducing the Quaternion Ship Domain under a dynamic environment, and the restrictions of ship manoeuvrability and COLREGs are also involved. The simulation results show that the proposed model can find a satisfactory path within a few iterations, and keep clear of both static obstacles and dynamic ships. The research can be used to make and verify planned ship routes before sailing and to guide officers to make decisions regarding collision avoidance.
Optimized Screening Methods for Investigation of the Larval Settlement of Lanice conchilega on Artificial Substrates
Authors: D’Hurlaborde Alice , Semeraro Alexia , Sterckx Thomas , Van Hoey Gert
Published: October 2022

The Belgium sandy coastline is very vulnerable to erosion; therefore, development of sustainable and nature-based coastal protection solutions is important. Enhancing the settlement of the ecosystem engineer Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766) which stabilises the sediment bed, is a possible solution. In order to enhance larval settlement by artificial substrates in the field, efficient methodologies are required to screen a wide range of artificial substrates and measure how they influence currents and larval settlement. Therefore, in this study, we describe the development of innovative artificial substrate screening methodologies using an optimised recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) by: (1) analysing the capture rate of passively floating plastic particles, (2) measuring current velocity by means of an acoustic doppler velocimeter and (3) monitoring settlement of living L. conchilega larvae. Of the eight substrates evaluated, one was proven to significantly enhance the settlement of L. conchilega, namely Geotextile 3D knitted fabric with PES knit, PA spacers and wood sticks mounted at a density of 680 sticks/m2. The results of this study show that controlled lab conditions, in conjunction with innovative methods, allowed for successful screening of a number of substrates in a short time in terms of their ability to enhance larvae settlement.
Numerical Modeling of the Impact of Sea Level Rise on Tidal Asymmetry in Hangzhou Bay
Authors: Li Ying , Yang Enshang , Pan Yun , Gao Yun
Published: October 2022

The tidal asymmetry under the action of sea level rise in Hangzhou Bay. Coastlines dominated by the tide are not only directly affected by the rise of the mean sea level but also by the tidal dynamics. The computational domain of the hydrodynamic model covers the entire Hangzhou Bay and takes into account the feedback between the tidal motion and the erodible bottom. Its main application fields include: the simulation of different sea level rise (SLR) rates, the interaction between tidal duration and skewness and the interaction between tidal range and astronomical tide. The results on tidal asymmetry in Hangzhou Bay is a systematic process consisting of four aspects: Firstly, the tide increase, which is affected by the sea level rise, is between 25% and 50%. Secondly, the value of the sea level rise is about two times the added value of the tidal range, and the tidal range increased to the left side of the tidal wave propagation direction, which accelerated the propagation velocity. Thirdly, the sea level rise amplified the M2 tidal amplitude and delayed the M2 tidal phase in the inner bay, which reduced about 50%. Finally, the change of the tidal range caused by tide level had the same magnitude as the change caused by the mean sea level rise. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the importance of the predictions of the response area affected by tidal asymmetry based on the action of the sea level rise in Hangzhou Bay.
Development of Recovery System for Underwater Glider
Authors: Huynh Thinh , Tran Minh-Thien , Lee Munhaeng , Kim Young-Bok , Lee Jungwoo , Suh Jin-Ho
Published: October 2022

This study proposes a novel autonomous system that is able to retrieve an underwater glider safely and quickly. After a long-period mission, the glider is out of its energy, floats up in the middle of the sea, and needs retrieval. However, most of the recovery processes are conducted manually, which is not effective and even damages the glider or injures the worker. In this study, we propose the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in a recovery process that consists of three stages: (i) driving the ROV into the near area of the glider, (ii) automatically catching the glider using the ROV’s onboard sensors and capturing mechanisms, and (iii) retrieving the glider to the mother ship or station. Mathematical models were formulated to realize the feasibility of the system. A cascade adaptive sliding mode control-proportional integral controller is designed to cope with the thruster’s characteristics, the dynamics of the ROV and the glider, and oceanic disturbances. Finally, simulation studies were conducted in the system operation scenarios and their results validate the efficiency of the proposed process.
Spatial Distribution of Tsunami Hazard Posed by Earthquakes along the Manila Trench
Authors: Ma Feng , Zhao Guangsheng , Gao Xingyu , Niu Xiaojing
Published: October 2022

Quantitative probability has been computed for the tsunami hazard posed by earthquakes from the Manila Trench, which has been regarded as a huge threat in the South China Sea. This study provides a spatial distribution of the tsunami hazard covering the affected area with a spatial resolution of 0.1° for disaster prevention of islands and continental coasts. The quantitative probability of the tsunami hazard is computed by an efficient model, which can realize a large amount of potential tsunami scenarios analysis in order to consider the randomness and uncertainty in earthquake magnitude, source location and focal depth. In the model, for each potential tsunami scenario, the occurrence probability of the corresponding earthquake and the intensity of tsunami waves at each target location are computed. The occurrence probability of each scenario is estimated based on the historical earthquake records. Then, the subsequent tsunami caused by each scenario is computed using a new, efficient approach, instead of direct simulation using an ocean dynamics model. A total of 1,380,000 scenarios are computed in order to obtain a stable statistical result. Based on the results, the spatial distribution of the tsunami hazard is discussed and high-hazard regions along the coast have been identified.
Estimation of Phytoplankton Size Classes in the Littoral Sea of Korea Using a New Algorithm Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Kang Jae Joong , Oh Hyun Ju , Youn Seok-Hyun , Park Youngmin , Kim Euihyun , Joo Hui Tae , Hwang Jae Dong
Published: October 2022

The size of phytoplankton (a key primary producer in marine ecosystems) is known to influence the contribution of primary productivity and the upper trophic level of the food web. Therefore, it is essential to identify the dominant sizes of phytoplankton while inferring the responses of marine ecosystems to change in the marine environment. However, there are few studies on the spatio-temporal variations in the dominant sizes of phytoplankton in the littoral sea of Korea. This study utilized a deep learning model as a classification algorithm to identify the dominance of different phytoplankton sizes. To train the deep learning model, we used field measurements of turbidity, water temperature, and phytoplankton size composition (chlorophyll-a) in the littoral sea of Korea, from 2018 to 2020. The new classification algorithm from the deep learning model yielded an accuracy of 70%, indicating an improvement compared with the existing classification algorithms. The developed classification algorithm could be substituted in satellite ocean color data. This enabled us to identify spatio-temporal variation in phytoplankton size composition in the littoral sea of Korea. We consider this to be highly effective as fundamental data for identifying the spatio-temporal variation in marine ecosystems in the littoral sea of Korea.
Impacts of Mesoscale Eddies on Biogeochemical Variables in the Northwest Pacific
Authors: Kang Jianhua , Wang Yu , Huang Shuhong , Pei Lulu , Luo Zhaohe
Published: October 2022

Mesoscale eddies play an important role in regulating biogeochemical cycles. However, the response of biogeochemical variables to cold and warm eddies has not been well elucidated, mainly due to most previous studies relying on remote sensing techniques and lacking in situ observations below the surface water. Here, we used hydrographic and biochemical data from one survey in the northwestern Pacific to document the vertical biogeochemical structure of one cold and two warm eddies. We first compared the changes of key variables in the eddy core relative to eddy outside, explained the role of key layers (the mixing depth, pycnocline, nutricline, euphotic) in causing these changes, and then analyzed the main environmental factors affecting chlorophyll a (Chla) and phytoplankton communities. Finally we focused on the response mechanisms of key biogeochemical variables to the cold and warm eddies. The results showed that biological variables (Chla, microphytoplankton, picophytoplankton), salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), and dissolved inorganic silicate (DSi) in the cold eddy core increased by 0.2–134%, while in the warm eddy core, they decreased by 0.2–70% relative to the eddy outside. The cold and warm eddies were able to force the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM), which rose or fell with the pycnocline, nutricline and euphotic depth (Zeu) as a whole. Cold eddies with a raised thermocline could lead to about 20 m elevated DCM and enhanced phytoplankton biomass when the nutricline and thermocline were coincident. In contrast, warm eddies drove isopycnals downward, resulting in a 10–25 m drop in DCM and a decrease in nutrient and Chla concentrations at the center of the eddies. The significant difference in the vertical structure of the phytoplankton community between the center and the outside of the eddy might be explained by the direct influence of both nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry changes. The contribution of microphytoplankton to total biomass was much smaller than that of picophytoplankton in oligotrophic waters where the DIN:DIP and DSi:DIN ratios are significantly low. Compared to nutrients, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) might not be the main factor controlling phytoplankton biomass and abundance attributed to Zeu being consistently deeper than the mixed depth (Zm), whereas it was likely to be the key limiting factor affecting the vertical distribution of the phytoplankton community.
Grouping Pilots’ Maneuvering Types According to Berthing Velocity Using Agglomerative Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Kang Eun-Ji , Lee Hyeong-Tak , Kim Dae-Gun , Yoon Kyoung-Kuk , Cho Ik-Soon
Published: October 2022

A pilot guides a ship through a safe waterway based on extensive experience and knowledge of the region for piloting so that the ship can berth quickly and safely. There are insufficient studies on pilots who play crucial roles in pilotage, and most of the available studies have focused on psychological stress or tension. In this study, we group pilots through quantitative analysis of data to help in the safety management of pilots. In particular, berthing velocity and berthing energy were employed as basic data, and the mean and standard deviation values for each pilot after preprocessing were used for analysis. As a result of using the agglomerative clustering algorithm, we could group pilots into three types: cautious, efficient, and hazardous. Further, analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was a significant difference between the cautious and hazardous types.
Fluid–Structure Interaction Analysis and Verification Test for Soil Penetration to Determine the Burial Depth of Subsea HVDC Cable
Authors: Song Chang-Yong
Published: October 2022

Recently, there have been frequent reports of subsea cable breakage accidents caused by the drop of an anchor pile for aquaculture works involving subsea cables for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission embedded in the southwest sea of Korea. To determine the burial depth that can ensure the safety of subsea HVDC cables embedded under the seabed from the drop of anchor files, the soil penetration characteristics of anchor piles should be reasonably estimated. In the present study, the penetration characteristics of anchor piles into the soil under which subsea HVDC cables are embedded were evaluated using numerical simulations and field verification tests. The numerical simulation for the soil penetration phenomena of anchor piles was carried out using the fluid–structure interaction analysis method using the general purpose nonlinear finite element analysis code based on explicit time integration. Regarding the soil into which anchor piles penetrate, three types of soil—a clay layer, a sand layer, and a clay–sand mixed layer—were considered, which are the representative soil types in the southwest sea of Korea, where many subsea HVDC cables have been embedded. The result of fluid–structure interaction analysis showed that the maximum penetration into the clay layer was higher than that into the sand layer and the clay–sand mixed layer by 86.3% and 36.4% or more, respectively. The error rates of the field verification test and the fluid–structure interaction analysis were found to be 9.8%, 2.4%, and 2.4% in the clay layer, the sand layer, and the clay–sand mixed layer, respectively, which were found to be reasonable levels when considering that it was the numerical simulation for the soil penetration of an anchor pile resulting from drop impacts. The penetration depths of anchor piles were found to be the deepest in the clay layer, showing values of 3.9 to 4.1 m, and those in the sand layer were the shallowest, showing values of 1.9 to 2.1 m.
Ballast Water Dynamic Allocation Optimization for Revolving Floating Cranes Based on a Hybrid Algorithm of Fuzzy-Particle Swarm Optimization with Domain Knowledge
Authors: Liu Qiao , Lu Zhenxing , Liu Zhijie , Lin Peng , Wang Xiaobang
Published: October 2022

Ballast systems and ballast water dynamic allocation between ballast tanks are very important for ensuring the offshore operation efficiency and safety of the revolving floating crane (RFC). Its modeling and solving have multiple difficulties such as modeling complexity, solving complexity and engineering practicability. Early studies showed that domain knowledge is of great significance for the optimization of the design quality and innovation of such complex engineering issues. By analyzing the coupled operation process characteristics among the floating crane, ship hull and ballast system, a ballast water allocation optimization model based on dynamic programming strategy is established. The domain knowledge of ship ballasting is extracted, and a domain knowledge base of expert experience rules for the ballast water allocation is established. A Fuzzy-Particle Swarm Optimization (FPSO) algorithm is given to obtain the optimal allocation scheme, which uses fuzzy logic inference to process domain knowledge and improve the solving quality. Three different cases are given to illustrate the validity of the proposed model and algorithm by comparing it with other algorithms. The analysis results show that the established optimization method can effectively improve the operation efficiency and reduce the calculation time and the number of ballast tanks involved in allocation, which makes the optimal scheme more suitable for engineering applications.
Two New Species of Backusella (Mucorales, Mucoromycota) from Soil in an Upland Forest in Northeastern Brazil with an Identification Key of Backusella from the Americas
Authors: de Lima Catarina Letícia Ferreira , Lundgren Joana D’arc Alves Leitão , Nguyen Thuong Thuong Thi , Cordeiro Thalline Rafhaella Leite , Lima Diogo Xavier , Gurgel Luciana Melo Sartori , da Costa Diogo Paes , Lee Hyang Burm , Santiago André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo
Published: October 2022

During a survey of Mucorales from a forest located in Pernambuco state, Brazil, two new Backusella species were discovered and described based on morphological and molecular data (internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences). Both species were characterized as unbranched sporangiophores and sporangia with columellae of varied shapes forming. Multispored sporangiola were frequent, whereas unispored sporangiola were rare. URM 8395 forms sporangiophores that may support hyaline, slightly curved or circinate pedicels with multispored sporangiola at their apical portion, and abundant giant cells and chlamydospores. Columellae of sporangia are hyaline, conical (majority), or ellipsoidal with a truncate base, globose to subglobose or subglobose to conical, and, rarely, with slight medial constriction. URM 8427 does not form sporangiola from pedicels, giant cells are not observed, and columellae of sporangia are globose to subglobose, cylindrical with a truncate base, some with a slight constriction, applanate, obovoid, ellipsoidal, or, rarely, conical. Some columellae may have one side more swollen than the other and some are arranged obliquely on the sporangiophores. Sterile sporangia may or may not be formed on short sporophores. The detailed description and illustration of both novel species as well as an identification key for Backusella from the Americas are provided.
Evaluation of the Ability of Seven Active Ingredients of Fungicides to Suppress Phytophthora cactorum at Diverse Life Stages, and Variability in Resistance Found among Isolates
Authors: Ali Asad , Kumar Ram , Mazákova Jana , Maňasová Marie , Zouhar Miloslav , Pánek Matěj
Published: October 2022

Phytophthora cactorum is considered an important plant pathogen which is causing major damage to strawberry plants worldwide. In the current study, the ability of the active ingredients of seven different fungicides, azoxystrobin, cymoxanil, dimethomorph, fenamidone, fluopicolide, metalaxyl and propamocarb, to suppress the mycelial growth, sporangial formation and zoospore release of P. cactorum isolates, was tested. The variation in resistance against various fungicides was found among the isolates. The active ingredients are also unequally efficient against different life stages of P. cactorum, which is probably associated with their different modes of action. A significant level of resistance was recorded against metalaxyl and dimethomorph; however, these were totally inefficient against the zoospore release, while azoxystrobin did not inhibit mycelial growth. The only fungicide efficient against all three P. cactorum life stages tested was fluopicolide, although the calculated resistance factor gives evidence of the rise of resistance in the majority of isolates even against this fungicide. Significant differences were found between responses to fungicides of isolates from strawberry and from other host species. Based on the Mahalanobis distances calculated in the discriminant analysis comprising all of the assays performed, the similarities among isolates were estimated.
Characterization of Alternaria and Colletotrichum Species Associated with Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in Maharashtra State of India
Authors: Manjunatha Nanjundappa , Sharma Jyotsana , Pokhare Somnath S. , Agarrwal Ruchi , Patil Prakash G. , Sirsat Jaydip D. , Chakranarayan Mansi G. , Bicchal Aarti , Ukale Anmol S. , Marathe Rajiv A.
Published: October 2022

Fungal pathogens are a major constraint affecting the quality of pomegranate production around the world. Among them, Alternaria and Colletotrichum species cause leaf spot, fruit spot or heart rot (black rot), and fruit rot (anthracnose) or calyx end rot, respectively. Accurate identification of disease-causing fungal species is essential for developing suitable management practices. Therefore, characterization of Alternaria and Colletotrichum isolates representing different geographical regions, predominantly Maharashtra—the Indian hub of pomegranate production and export—was carried out. Fungal isolates could not be identified based on morphological characteristics alone, hence were subjected to multi-gene phylogeny for their accurate identification. Based on a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, Alternaria isolates were identified as within the A. alternata species complex and as A. burnsii, while Colletotrichum isolates showed genetic closeness to various species within the C. gloeosporioides species complex. Thus, the current study reports for the first time that, in India, the fruit rots of pomegranate are caused by multiple species and not a single species of Alternaria and Colletotrichum alone. Since different species have different epidemiology and sensitivity toward the commercially available and routinely applied fungicides, the precise knowledge of the diverse species infecting pomegranate, as provided by the current study, is the first step towards devising better management strategies.
Geographical Correlation and Genetic Diversity of Newly Emerged Races within the Ug99 Lineage of Stem Rust Pathogen, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, in Different Wheat-Producing Areas
Authors: Shahin Atef , Mazrou Yasser S. A. , Omara Reda Ibrahim , Hermas Gamalat , Gad Mohamed , Mabrouk Ola Ibrahim , Abd-Elsalam Kamel A. , Nehela Yasser
Published: October 2022

Wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide. Identifying stem rust races in general, Ug99 lineage particularly, and determining resistance genes are critical goals for disease assessment. Thirty wheat varieties and monogenic lines with major stem rust resistance genes (Sr) were examined here over the course of three succeeding seasons from 2020 to 2022. Fourteen stem rust races have been identified in ten African countries, as well as Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) and ten European countries. The Ug99 group (Clade I) included four races (TTKSK, TTKST, TTKTK, and TTKTT) and was reported in five African countries (Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) and Iran, but none of the European countries. On the other hand, none of the races in Clade III-B (TTRTF) and Clade IV-B (TKTTF and TTTTF) were found in Egypt. Furthermore, Egyptian races were clustered separately from races identified from other countries, and six races were found only in Egypt, including PKSTC, RKTTH, TKTTC, TTTSK, TCKTC, and TKTTH. Races from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Iran were all closely associated with one another, according to correlation analysis. However, most races identified from other investigated regions, including Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Morocco, Italy, Poland, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, were adversely linked with Egyptian races. The diagnostic 350 bp long PCR fragment linked with virulence to Sr31, Clement (Sr31), and Brigardier (Sr31) was used to identify the TTKSK (Ug99) race. The identification of the regional associations and genetic diversity of newly emerged races within the Ug99 lineage of P. graminis tritici in Africa, Asia, and Europe is one of the key goals of this study. It will help plant breeders to develop new resistant lines against the virulent races, especially TTKSK (Ug99) and TTTSK. This helps in ensuring global food security in the context of climate change.
Season, Vegetation Proximity and Building Age Shape the Indoor Fungal Communities’ Composition at City-Scale
Authors: Niculita-Hirzel Hélène , Wild Pascal , Hirzel Alexandre H.
Published: October 2022

Exposure to particular microbiome compositions in the built environment can affect human health and well-being. Identifying the drivers of these indoor microbial assemblages is key to controlling the microbiota of the built environment. In the present study, we used culture and metabarcoding of the fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer ribosomal RNA region to assess whether small-scale variation in the built environment influences the diversity, composition and structure of indoor air fungal communities between a heating and an unheated season. Passive dust collectors were used to collect airborne fungi from 259 dwellings representative of three major building periods and five building environments in one city—Lausanne (Vaud, Switzerland)—over a heating and an unheated period. A homogenous population (one or two people with an average age of 75 years) inhabited the households. Geographic information systems were used to assess detailed site characteristics (altitude, proximity to forest, fields and parks, proximity to the lake, and density of buildings and roads) for each building. Our analysis indicated that season was the factor that explained most of the variation in colonies forming unit (CFU) concentration and indoor mycobiome composition, followed by the period of building construction. Fungal assemblages were more diverse during the heating season than during the unheated season. Buildings with effective insulation had distinct mycobiome compositions from those built before 1975 — regardless of whether they were constructed with pre-1945 technology and materials or 1945 — 1974 ones. The urban landscape—as a whole—was a significant predictor of cultivable Penicillium load—the closer the building was to the lake, the higher the Penicillium load—but not of fungal community composition. Nevertheless, the relative abundance of eleven fungal taxa detected by metabarcoding decreased significantly with the urbanization gradient. When urban landscape descriptors were analyzed separately, the explanatory power of proximity to vegetation in shaping fungal assemblages become significant, indicating that land cover type had an influence on fungal community structure that was obscured by the effects of building age and sampling season. In conclusion, indoor mycobiomes are strongly modulated by season, and their assemblages are shaped by the effectiveness of building insulation, but are weakly influenced by the urban landscape.
A Novel Medium for Isolating Two Japanese Species in the Fusarium graminearum Species Complex and a Dipstick DNA Chromatography Assay for Species Identification and Trichothecene Typing
Authors: Suga Haruhisa , Hayashi Masahiro , Kushiro Masayo , Miyano Norichika , Inoue Hiroyoshi , Nakajima Kaori , Kawakami Taku , Tonooka Takuji , Nakajima Takashi , Shimizu Masafumi , Kageyama Koji
Published: October 2022

Members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex (Fg complex) are the primary pathogens that cause Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley. Fg complex members grow poorly on Fusarium oxysporum-selective media, such as Komada and Fo-G2, that have also been used for the isolation of other Fusarium species. Therefore, Komada medium was modified as FG medium for the isolation of Fg complex members. However, the production of pentachloronitrobenzene that is the most effective component of FG medium is discontinued and new media is required for the selective isolation of Fg complex members. In addition, the rapid diagnosis of isolated fungi is useful for the disease control. Novel tools have been developed for isolating and characterizing Fg complex members. FG21, a semi-selective medium for isolating Fg complex members, was developed using potato dextrose agar. Furthermore, a dipstick DNA chromatography assay was developed both to identify Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto and Fusarium asiaticum in the Fg complex and their trichothecene mycotoxin types. The easier isolation and characterization of Fg complex members in Japan was attained by the combined use of FG21 medium and the dipstick DNA chromatography assay.
All-Trans Retinoic Acid Effect on Candida albicans Growth and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Pistoia Enrico Salvatore , Cosio Terenzio , Campione Elena , Pica Francesca , Volpe Antonio , Marino Daniele , Di Francesco Paolo , Monari Claudia , Fontana Carla , Favaro Marco , Zampini Paola , Orlandi Augusto , Gaziano Roberta
Published: October 2022

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common fungal pathogen causing recurrent mucosal and life-threatening systemic infections. The ability to switch from yeast to hyphae and produce biofilm are the key virulence determinants of this fungus. In fact, Candida biofilms on medical devices represent the major risk factor for nosocomial bloodstream infections. Novel antifungal strategies are required given the severity of systemic candidiasis, especially in immunocompromised patients, and the lack of effective anti-biofilm treatments. Retinoids have gained attention recently due to their antifungal properties. Material and methods: The present study aimed at evaluating the in vitro effects of different concentrations (300 to 18.75 µg/mL) of All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA), a vitamin A metabolite, on Candida growth and biofilm formation. Results: ATRA completely inhibited the fungal growth, by acting as both fungicidal (at 300 µg/mL) and fungistatic (at 150 µg/mL) agent. Furthermore, ATRA was found to negatively affect Candida biofilm formation in terms of biomass, metabolic activity and morphology, in a dose-dependent manner, and intriguingly, its efficacy was as that of amphotericin B (AmB) (2–0.12 μg/mL). Additionally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that at 300 μg/mL ATRA induced plasma membrane damage in Candida cells, confirming its direct toxic effect against the fungus. Conclusion: Altogether, the results suggest that ATRA has a potential for novel antifungal strategies aimed at preventing and controlling biofilm-associated Candida infections.
An Endoglucanase Secreted by Ustilago esculenta Promotes Fungal Proliferation
Authors: Zhang Zhongjin , Bian Jiahui , Zhang Yafen , Xia Wenqiang , Li Shiyu , Ye Zihong
Published: October 2022

Ustilago esculenta is a fungus of two morphological forms, among the filamentous dikaryon that can induce the plant stem to expand to form fleshy stem. In order to establish biotrophy with Zizania latifolia which belongs to the tribe Oryzeae (Poaceae), U. esculenta firstly needs to secrete a bunch of effectors, among them being cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs). We have isolated a gene, UeEgl1, which was differentially expressed in MT-type and T-type U. esculenta at an early stage of infection, and specifically induced in the filamentous growth of the T-type. Bioinformatics analysis and enzyme activity assay indicated that UeEgl1 functions outside the cell as a β-1,4-endoglucanase with a conserved domain of the glycosyl hydrolase family 45 (GH45) which targets the main component of the plant cell wall β-1,4 linked glycosidic bonds. The phenotype analysis of UeEgl1 deletion mutants and UeEgl1 over-expression transformants showed that UeEgl1 had no significant effect on the budding, cell fusion, and filamentous growth of U. esculenta in vitro. Further study found that over-expression of UeEgl1 promoted the proliferation of mycelia inside Z. latifolia, and raised plant defense responses. The above results show that the UeEgl1 gene may play an important role in the early stage of infection through the decomposition of the plant cell wall.
Genomic Analysis and Antimicrobial Components of M7, an Aspergillus terreus Strain Derived from the South China Sea
Authors: Qi Jiangfeng , Chen Chaoyi , He Yajing , Wang Ying
Published: October 2022

As a typical filamentous fungus, Aspergillus species are highly adaptive to diverse ecological habitats, represented by their occurrence in both terrestrial and marine environments; this could plausibly be ascribed to their preeminent biological diversity and metabolic variability. In this context, marine-derived Aspergillus fungi have recently attracted great interest as a promising potential source of biologically active compounds. The present study depicts the genomic and chemical profiles of M7, a strain of Aspergillus terreus isolated from mussels in the South China Sea; the crude extracts of its soybean fermentation exhibit potent growth-inhibitory properties against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. Subsequently, functional genomics analysis based on sequences implied a considerable biosynthetic potential of the strain, which is substantiated by the 75 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) identified via genome mining; the majority (49 BGCs) were functionally unknown. Representatively, the putative biosynthetic pathways of terramide A and terramide B, the bacteriostatic products obtained through chemical separation and characterized from the fermentation, could not be allocated to any known BGC, highlighting the metabolic potency and diversity of this strain. Meanwhile, based on a comprehensive analysis of fermentation conditions, we confirmed that the presence of environmental iron was inversely correlated with antimicrobial characteristics of the strain M7, presumably due to the interference in the biosynthetic pathway or bioactive mechanisms of the antimicrobial components, e.g., terramide A and B. Our observations provide genomic and biochemical insight into the metabolic and ecological novelties of this strain, underpinning the diversity of biosynthetic flexibility and adaptive strategies of marine Aspergillus fungi.
Nitric Oxide Negatively Regulates the Rapid Formation of Pleurotus ostreatus Primordia by Inhibiting the Mitochondrial aco Gene
Authors: Hou Ludan , Huang Chenyang , Wu Xiangli , Zhang Jinxia , Zhao Mengran
Published: October 2022

Nitric oxide (NO) is as a signaling molecule that participates in the regulation of plant development and in a number of physiological processes. However, the function and regulatory pathway of NO in the growth and development of edible mushrooms are still unknown. This study found that NO played a negative role in the transformation of Pleurotus ostreatus from vegetative growth to reproductive growth by the exogenous addition of NO donors and scavengers. Further studies showed that NO can inhibit the gene expression and enzyme activity of aconitase (ACO). Moreover, the overexpression (OE) of mitochondrial aco and RNA interference (RNAi) confirmed that ACO participates in the regulation of the primordia formation rate. The effects of aco OE and RNAi on the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and energy metabolism were further measured. The results showed that RNAi-aco mutant strains can affect the enzyme activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase of mitochondria (ICDHm) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) in the TCA cycle, thereby reducing the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in the TCA cycle, decreasing the contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and negatively regulating the rapid formation of primordia. In addition, H2O2 was significantly increased during the transformation from vegetative growth to reproductive growth of P. ostreatus. Additionally, the exogenous addition of H2O2 and its scavengers further confirmed the positive regulation by H2O2 in primordia formation. This study shows that during the growth and development of P. ostreatus, NO can inhibit the expression of the mitochondrial aco gene and ACO protein in the TCA cycle, reduce the production of ATP and H2O2 in the respiratory chain, and negatively regulate the rate of primordia formation.
Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Their Potential Use in the Treatment of COVID-19-Related Pathologies
Authors: Trivedi Purvi , Abbas Amna , Lehmann Christian , Rupasinghe H. P. Vasantha
Published: October 2022

The highly contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been declared a global pandemic and public health emergency as it has taken the lives of over 5.7 million in more than 180 different countries. This disease is characterized by respiratory tract symptoms, such as dry cough and shortness of breath, as well as other symptoms, including fever, chills, and fatigue. COVID-19 is also characterized by the excessive release of cytokines causing inflammatory injury to the lungs and other organs. It is advised to undergo precautionary measures, such as vaccination, social distancing, use of masks, hygiene, and a healthy diet. This review is aimed at summarizing the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and potential biologically active compounds (bioactive) found in plants and plant food. We conclude that many plant food bioactive compounds exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and support in attenuating organ damage due to reduced cytokine release and improving the recovery process from COVID-19 infection.
Does the Timing of the Surgery Have a Major Role in Influencing the Outcome in Elders with Acute Subdural Hematomas?
Authors: Trevisi Gianluca , Scerrati Alba , Rustemi Oriela , Ricciardi Luca , Ius Tamara , Auricchio Anna Maria , De Bonis Pasquale , Albanese Alessio , Mangiola Annunziato , Maugeri Rosario , Nicolosi Federico , Sturiale Carmelo Lucio
Published: October 2022

Background: The incidence of traumatic acute subdural hematomas (ASDH) in the elderly is increasing. Despite surgical evacuation, these patients have poor survival and low rate of functional outcome, and surgical timing plays no clear role as a predictor. We investigated whether the timing of surgery had a major role in influencing the outcome in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively retrieved clinical and radiological data of all patients ≥70 years operated on for post-traumatic ASDH in a 3 year period in five Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into three surgical timing groups from hospital arrival: ultra-early (within 6 h); early (6–24 h); and delayed (after 24 h). Outcome was measured at discharge using two endpoints: survival (alive/dead) and functional outcome at the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Univariate and multivariate predictor models were constructed. Results: We included 136 patients. About 33% died as a result of the consequences of ASDH and among the survivors, only 24% were in good functional outcome at discharge. Surgical timing groups appeared different according to presenting the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GCS), which was on average lower in the ultra-early surgery group, and radiological findings, which appeared worse in the same group. Delayed surgery was more frequent in patients with subacute clinical deterioration. Surgical timing appeared to be neither associated with survival nor with functional outcome, also after stratification for preoperative GCS. Preoperative midline shift was the strongest outcome predictor. Conclusions: An earlier surgery was offered to patients with worse clinical-radiological findings. Additionally, after stratification for GCS, it was not associated with better outcome. Among the radiological markers, preoperative midline shift was the strongest outcome predictor.
Factors Influencing Personalized Management of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sergi Bruno , Settimi Stefano , Federici Gaia , Galloni Costanza , Cantaffa Carla , De Corso Eugenio , Lucidi Daniela
Published: October 2022

Management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a complex process aimed at identifying a clinical indication for fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (sRT) or microsurgical resection or wait and scan (WS). The aim of the review was to clarify which patient and tumor parameters may lead to different therapeutic choices, with a view to a personalized VS approach. A systematic review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria was conducted between February and March 2022. The authors defined six parameters that seemed to influence decision-making in VS management: 1-incidental VS; 2-tumor size; 3-tumor regrowth after sRT; 4-subtotal resection; 5-patients’ age; 6-symptoms. The initial search yielded 3532 articles, and finally, 812 articles were included. Through a qualitative synthesis of the included studies, management strategies were evaluated and discussed. An individualized proposal of procedures is preferable as compared to a single gold-standard approach in VS decision-making. The most significant factors that need to be considered when dealing with a VS diagnosis are age, tumor size and hearing preservation issues.
High-Frequency Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation Modulates Gamma-Band EEG Source-Based Large-Scale Functional Network Connectivity in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Yeh Ta-Chuan , Huang Cathy Chia-Yu , Chung Yong-An , Im Jooyeon Jamie , Lin Yen-Yue , Ma Chin-Chao , Tzeng Nian-Sheng , Chang Hsin-An
Published: October 2022

Schizophrenia is associated with increased resting-state large-scale functional network connectivity in the gamma frequency. High-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (hf-tRNS) modulates gamma-band endogenous neural oscillations in healthy individuals through the application of low-amplitude electrical noises. Yet, it is unclear if hf-tRNS can modulate gamma-band functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia. We performed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial to contrast hf-tRNS (N = 17) and sham stimulation (N = 18) for treating negative symptoms in 35 schizophrenia patients. Short continuous currents without neuromodulatory effects were applied in the sham group to mimic real-stimulation sensations. We used electroencephalography to investigate if a five-day, twice-daily hf-tRNS protocol modulates gamma-band (33–45 Hz) functional network connectivity in schizophrenia. Exact low resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) was used to compute intra-cortical activity from regions within the default mode network (DMN) and fronto-parietal network (FPN), and functional connectivity was computed using lagged phase synchronization. We found that hf-tRNS reduced gamma-band within-DMN and within-FPN connectivity at the end of stimulation relative to sham stimulation. A trend was obtained between the change in within-FPN functional connectivity from baseline to the end of stimulation and the improvement of negative symptoms at the one-month follow-up (r = −0.49, p = 0.055). Together, our findings suggest that hf-tRNS has potential as a network-level approach to modulate large-scale functional network connectivity pertaining to negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction without Acellular Dermal Matrix: Have We Come Full Circle?
Authors: Schmidt Volker J. , Toyserkani Navid Mohamadpour
Published: October 2022

Breast reconstruction is an integral part of breast cancer treatment [...]
Dose-Dependent Effects of Melatonin on the Viability, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs)
Authors: Patil Shankargouda , Alamoudi Ahmed , Zidane Bassam , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Alzahrani Fuad M. , Banjer Hamsa Jameel , Reda Rodolfo , Balaji Thodur Madapusi , Bhandi Shilpa , Raj A. Thirumal , Testarelli Luca
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are derived from pulp tissue lodged within human teeth and are mesenchymal in origin. These DPSCs have been demonstrated to dissociate into clusters of various cell lineages and are very easy to isolate, culture, and expand. Melatonin, a multifaceted molecule with a spectrum of effects in the human body, is known to influence stem cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation, but little is known about the impact melatonin has on the capacity of DPSCs to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. The primary objective of this research was to explore the impact that melatonin has on proliferation, and the capacity of DPSCs to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. (2) Methodology: DPSCs were extracted from 12 healthy human teeth, cultured, and expanded. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the surface stem cell markers. Further, melatonin was added to the cultured DPSCs in various concentrations, to assess cytotoxicity using an MTT assay. Following this, the DPSCs were tested for their proliferative ability, as well as adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation capabilities under the influence of variable concentrations of melatonin. (3) Results: DPSCs obtained from human teeth demonstrated surface characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells, as shown by the positive expression of CD105, CD90, and CD73 markers. An MTT cytotoxicity assay revealed that melatonin was well tolerated by the cells at low (1 µM) and high (25 µM) concentrations. Assessment of DPSC cell differentiation elucidated that melatonin at 1 µM and 25 µM concentrations with the induction media stimulated DPSCs to differentiate into osteocytes, but did not have much influence on adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. (4) Conclusions: Melatonin could be used in stem cell and tissue engineering applications for osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs and could protect these cells due to its cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant roles, in addition to being an osteopromoter molecule.