bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provided a New Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms of Epididymis Regulating Semen Volume in Drakes
Authors: Hu Xinyue , Ouyang Qingyuan , Tang Bincheng , Zhang Xin , Hu Jiwei , Hu Bo , Hu Shenqiang , Li Liang , He Hua , Liu Hehe , Wang Jiwen
Published: November 2022

Semen volume is an important factor in artificial insemination (AI) of ducks. In drakes, seminal plasma that is produced by the epididymis determines the semen volume. However, the mechanism of epididymis regulating semen volume of drakes remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to preliminarily reveal the mechanism regulating the semen volume through comparing the epididymal histomorphology and mRNA expression profiles between drakes with high-volume semen (HVS) and low-volume semen (LVS). Phenotypically, drakes in the HVS group produced more sperm than drakes in the LVS group. In addition, compared with the HVS group, the ductal square of ductuli conjugentes (DC) and dutus epididymidis (DE) in epididymis was significantly smaller in the LVS group, and the lumenal diameter and epithelial thickness of DC/DE were significantly shorter in the LVS group. In transcriptional regulation, 72 different expression genes (DEGs) were identified from the epididymis between HVS and LVS groups. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the DEGs were mainly related to hormone secretion, neurotransmitter synthesis/transport, transmembrane signal transduction, transmembrane transporter activity, and nervous system development (p < 0.05). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with hormone and neurotransmitter transmission (p < 0.05). In addition, further analysis of the top five pathways enriched by KEGG, nine key candidate genes (including SLC18A2, SNAP25, CACNA1B, GABRG2, DRD3, CAMK2A, NR5A1, and STAR) were identified, which could play a crucial role in the formation of semen. These data provide new insights into the molecular mechanism regulating semen volume of drakes and make feasible the breeding of drakes by semen volume.
Insight into the Economic Effects of a Severe Korean PRRSV1 Outbreak in a Farrow-to-Nursery Farm
Authors: Kim Jung-Hee , Kim Seung-Chai , Kim Hwan-Ju , Jeong Chang-Gi , Park Gyeong-Seo , Choi Jong-San , Kim Won-Il
Published: November 2022

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a disease that has inflicted economic losses in the swine industry. The causative agent, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), is known to have a high genetic diversity which leads to heterogeneous pathogenicity. To date, the impact of PRRS outbreaks on swine production and the economy of the swine industry in South Korea has been rarely reported. In this study, we compare the reproductive performance in the breeding-farrowing phase and growth performance in the nursery phase, in two 27-week periods, one before and one after a PRRSV1 outbreak on a 650-sow farrow-to-nursery farm caused by a Korean PRRSV1 isolate which was genetically distinct from vaccine strains or other global strains. The reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of nursery pigs were compared using row data consisting of 1907 mating records, 1648 farrowing records, and 17,129 weaning records from 32 breeding batches. The following variables were significantly different between the pre-PRRS outbreak period and the post-PRRS outbreak period: the farrowing rate (−7.1%, p < 0.0001), the abortion rate (+3.9%, p < 0.0001), the return rate (+2.9%, p = 0.0250), weaning to estrus interval days (+1.9 days, p < 0.0001), total piglets born (−1.2 pigs/litter, p < 0.0001), piglets born alive (−2.2 pigs/litter, p < 0.0001), weaned piglets (−2.7 pigs/litter, p < 0.0001), pre-weaning mortality (+7.4%, p < 0.0001), weaning weight (−0.9 kg/pig, p = 0.0015), the mortality rate (+2.8%, p < 0.0001), average daily gain (−69.8 g/d, p < 0.0001), and the feed conversion ratio (+0.26, p = 0.0036). Economic losses for a period of 27 weeks after a PRRS outbreak were calculated at KRW 99,378 (USD 82.8) per mated female for the breeding-farrowing phase, KRW 8,968 (USD 7.5) per pig for the nursery growth phase, and KRW 245,174 (USD 204.3) per sow in the post-outbreak period. In conclusion, the farrow-to-nursery farm in our study suffered extensive production and economic losses as a result of a PRRSV1 outbreak.
Effect of Zearalenone-Induced Ferroptosis on Mice Spermatogenesis
Authors: Li Yajing , Zhu Zhendong , Cui Haixiang , Ding Kexin , Zhao Yong , Ma Xiangping , Adetunji Adedeji Olufemi , Min Lingjiang
Published: November 2022

Male reproductive health is critically worsening around the world. It has been reported that the mycotoxin ZEA causes reproductive toxicity to domestic animals and affects spermatogenesis, thereby inhibiting male reproductive function. Ferroptosis is a newly identified type of programmed cell death that is different from apoptosis and it depends on iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Whether ferroptosis is linked to ZEA’s detrimental effect on spermatogenesis needs to be further explored. This study clarifies ferroptosis’s involvement in ZEA-induced damage on spermatogenesis. The reproductive injury model used in this study was induced by gavaging male mice in the ZEA treatment group with 30 μg/kg of ZEA for five weeks. Results show that ZEA treatment reduced mouse sperm motility and concentration, destroyed the structure of the seminiferous tubules of the testis, damaged the antioxidant defense system, and blocked spermatogenesis. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) inhibition of ferroptosis partially alleviated ZEA-induced oligozoospermia in mice. In addition, ZEA treatment was found to activate a signaling pathway associated with ferroptosis in mouse testis. ZEA also downregulated the expression of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4, and decreased the protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4, resulting in the accumulation of lipid peroxides and an increase in the level of 4-HNE protein in the testis. Importantly, these changes were accompanied by an increase in the relative contents of Fe2+ and Fe3+. Iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation are the causes of ferroptosis in spermatogenic cells, leading to a decrease in sperm motility and concentration. While the administration of Fer-1 at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg also increased the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins by upregulating Nrf2 expression, reducing iron accumulation, and reversing ZEA-induced ferroptosis, Fer-1 at 1.5 mg/kg had the best repairing effect for all parameters. In conclusion, ZEA-induced ferroptosis may be mediated by a notable reduction in Nrf2, SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression levels. Overall, ferroptosis is a novel therapeutic target for mitigating ZEA-induced reproductive toxicity.
Egg Rejection and Nest Sanitation in an Island Population of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica): Probability, Response Latency, and Sex Effects
Authors: Yang Qiuhui , Chen Xiangyang , Zhang Ziqi , Han Jingru , Wu Neng , Yang Canchao
Published: November 2022

Bird nests function as vessels for eggs and nestlings, and an environment for rearing offspring. However, foreign objects falling into bird nests and nestling eggshells may be harmful. Moreover, the smell of fecal sacs increases the risk of detection by predators. Many bird species have evolved nest sanitation to prevent damage to their nests. Furthermore, egg rejection evolved in some birds to thwart brood parasites that lay eggs in their nests. We studied 133 nests of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) in an island population through a nest content manipulation experiment to determine nest sanitation and egg rejection behaviors and their relationship. Swallows rejected non-egg foreign objects more frequently (100% vs. 58.6%) and sooner than parasite eggs, which supports the hypothesis that nest sanitation is a pre-adaptation to egg rejection. However, nest sanitation did not increase egg rejection, either in probability or latency. Furthermore, both sexes incubated the eggs, cleaned the nests, and removed parasite eggs, implying that both are confronted with natural selection related to nest sanitation and brood parasitism. However, females invested more time in these behaviors than males. This provides evidence for the evolutionary relationship of nest sanitation and egg rejection behaviors in barn swallows.
Genetic Diversity of Montenegrin Local Sheep Breeds Based on Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Marković Milan , Radonjić Dušica , Zorc Minja , Đokić Milena , Marković Božidarka
Published: November 2022

The Montenegrin sheep population mostly consists of local breeds and their crossbreeds that are very valuable from their genome preservation point of view. The aim of this study was the investigation of the genetic diversity of seven Montenegrin sheep breeds (Jezeropivska—JP, Sora—SOR, Zetska zuja—ZZ, Bardoka—BAR, Sjenička—SJ, Ljaba—Lj, and Piperska zuja—PIP) using 18 microsatellite sets of markers. The genotyping was done for 291 samples from seven populations using the multiplex amplification of sequences with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The parameters of genetic diversity were estimated using several software tools. In total, 243 alleles were found, with a range of 6 to 25 by locus. The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho), polymorphism information content (PIC), and Fis values (fixation index) per marker were 0.728, 0.781, and −0.007, respectively. The mean number of alleles per breed varied from 4.889 in ZZ to 10.056 in JP. The highest Ho was estimated for JP (0.763) and the lowest for ZZ (0.640). The genetic structure showed close relations between SOR and JP, and both of them with SJ, while ZZ, LJ, and PIP were more distanced. This study provides useful indicators for the development of further in-depth studies and the creation of appropriate conservation programs.
Wildlife Disease Monitoring: Methods and Perspectives
Authors: Mazzamuto Maria V. , Schilling Anna-Katarina , Romeo Claudia
Published: November 2022

In the last few decades, scientific interest in wildlife diseases has steadily grown and has recently been boosted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which highlighted that the health of humans, livestock, wildlife and, ultimately, of the whole environment is inextricably linked [...]
Radiomics Modeling of Catastrophic Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fractures in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using μCT
Authors: Basran Parminder S. , McDonough Sean , Palmer Scott , Reesink Heidi L.
Published: November 2022

Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures are the most common musculoskeletal injury in race-horses. X-ray CT imaging can detect expressed radiological features in horses that experienced catastrophic fractures. Our objective was to assess whether expressed radiomic features in the PSBs of 50 horses can be used to develop machine learning models for predicting PSB fractures. The μCTs of intact contralateral PSBs from 50 horses, 30 of which suffered catastrophic fractures, and 20 controls were studied. From the 129 intact μCT images of PSBs, 102 radiomic features were computed using a variety of voxel resampling dimensions. Decision Trees and Wrapper methods were used to identify the 20 top expressed features, and six machine learning algorithms were developed to model the risk of fracture. The accuracy of all machine learning models ranged from 0.643 to 0.903 with an average of 0.754. On average, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest (RUS Boost), and Log-regression models had higher performance than K-means Nearest Neighbor, Neural Network, and Random Forest (Bagged Trees) models. Model accuracy peaked at 0.5 mm and decreased substantially when the resampling resolution was greater than or equal to 1 mm. We find that, for this in vitro dataset, it is possible to differentiate between unfractured PSBs from case and control horses using μCT images. It may be possible to extend these findings to the assessment of fracture risk in standing horses.
Exploring the Interactive Effects of Thymol and Thymoquinone: Moving towards an Enhanced Performance, Gross Margin, Immunity and Aeromonas sobria Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Ibrahim Doaa , Shahin Sara E. , Alqahtani Leena S. , Hassan Zeinab , Althobaiti Fayez , Albogami Sarah , Soliman Mohamed Mohamed , El-Malt Rania M. S. , Al-Harthi Helal F. , Alqadri Nada , Elabbasy Mohamed Tharwat , El-Hamid Marwa I. Abd
Published: November 2022

Plant-derived bioactive compounds with promising nutritional and therapeutic attributes (phytogenics) are among the top priorities in the aquaculture sector. Therefore, the impact of thymol (Thy) and/or thymoquinone (ThQ) on the growth, immune response antioxidant capacity, and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) resistance of Nile tilapia was investigated. Four fish groups were fed a control diet and three basal diets supplemented with 200 mg/kg diet of Thy or ThQ and a blend of both Thy and ThQ at a level of 200 mg/kg diet each. At the end of the feeding trial (12 weeks), the tilapias were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent A. sobria (2.5 × 108 CFU/mL) harboring aerolysin (aero) and hemolysin (hly) genes. The results revealed that tilapias fed diets fortified with a combination of Thy and ThQ displayed significantly enhanced growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Notably, the expression of the genes encoding digestive enzymes (pepsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, α-amylase and lipase) and muscle and intestinal antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) was significantly upregulated in Thy/ThQ-fed fish. An excessive inflammatory response was subsided more prominently in the group administrated Thy/ThQ as supported by the downregulation of il-β, il-6 and il-8 genes and in contrast, the upregulation of the anti-inflammatory il-10 gene. Remarkably, dietary inclusion of Thy/ThQ augmented the expression of autophagy-related genes, whilst it downregulated that of mtor gene improving the autophagy process. Furthermore, Thy/ThQ protective effect against A. sobria was evidenced via downregulating the expression of its aero and hly virulence genes with higher fish survival rates. Overall, the current study encouraged the inclusion of Thy/ThQ in fish diets to boost their growth rates, promote digestive and antioxidant genes expression, improve their immune responses and provide defense against A. sorbia infections with great economic benefits.
Numerical and Field Investigations of Tremors Induced by Thick-Hard Strata Fracture
Authors: Guo Ying , Lu Caiping , He Zhilong , Song Jiefang
Published: November 2022

Large energy mining-induced tremors are generally caused by the rupture of thick-hard overlying strata, and the roadway is prone to rockburst danger under its dynamic load. Through numerical simulations, the laws and influencing factors of stress, deformation, fracture and energy caused by mining-induced tremors (red bed breaking) were revealed, and the results were verified by field observations. The main conclusions were obtained: (1) the tensile stress and the compressive stress were concentrated in the middle of the thick-hard rock and both sides of the goaf, which were prone to tensile and shear failure type caused by mining-induced tremors, respectively; (2) after the goaf was formed, the compressive stress around the roadway was transformed into tensile stress. When a strong mining-induced tremor occurred, the tensile stress increased further. Meanwhile, when it was close to the tensile strength of the coal around the roadway, a rockburst occurred; (3) the energy of the mining-induced tremor released by shear failure was larger than that of the tensile failure. With the increase in shear strength of the roof, the released energy also increased; (4) according to the frequency-spectrum of the mining-induced tremors located in the extremely thick-hard overlying strata above the working face in the Baodian coal mine, the dynamic load generated by the tremors was superimposed on the high static load around the roadway, which was very likely to induce the instability of the roadway. The research conclusions have certain guiding significance for rockburst prevention in coal mines with thick-hard strata roofs.
Optimal Design and Tuning of Novel Proportional Integral Derivative with Filter Thyristor-Controlled Series Compensator Stabiliser Using a New Hybrid Technique
Authors: Khawaja Abdul Waheed , Kamari Nor Azwan Mohamed , Zainuri Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd , Zulkifley Mohd Asyraf , Zaman Mohd Hairi Mohd , Musirin Ismail
Published: November 2022

This paper proposes a novel robust thyristor-controlled series compensator (TCSC) controller based on proportional integral derivative with filter (PIDF) and uses a new hybrid optimisation evolutionary programming sine cosine algorithm (EPSCA) to improve the power system’s angle stability. The problem of the PIDF-TCSC design is transformed into an optimisation problem based on performance indices, such as damping factor, damping ratio, and eigenvalues, where the multi-objective function is employed to obtain the optimal stabiliser parameters. To examine the robustness of PIDF-TCSC, it was tested on a single-machine infinite-bus power system under different operating conditions. The performance of the system with the PIDF-TCSC controller was compared with the simulation results, and the results obtained with the proposed EPSCA were compared with those obtained with SCA, moth flame optimisation, and EP-based PIDF-TCSC methods. Simulation results showed the effectiveness of EPSCA for the PIDF-TCSC design and the superior robust performance for the enhancement of power system stability compared with other techniques in different cases.
Application of Neural Networks for Water Meter Body Assembly Process Optimization
Authors: Suszyński Marcin , Meller Artur , Peta Katarzyna , Trączyński Marek , Butlewski Marcin , Klimenda Frantisek
Published: November 2022

The proposed model of the neural network (NN) describes the optimization task of the water meter body assembly process, based on 18 selected production parameters. The aim of this network was to obtain a certain value of radial runout after the assembly. The tolerance field for this parameter is 0.2 mm. The repeatability of this value is difficult to achieve during production. To find the most effective networks, 1000 of their models were made (using various training methods). Ten NN with lowest errors of the output value prediction were chosen for further analysis. During model validation the best network achieved the efficiency of 93%, and the sum of squared residuals (SSR) was 0.007. The example of the prediction of the value of radial runout of machine parts presented in this paper confirms the adopted statement about the usefulness of the presented method for industrial conditions and is based on the analysis of hundreds of thousands of parametric and descriptive data on the process flow collected to create an effective network model.
A Machine Learning-Based 10 Years Ahead Prediction of Departing Foreign Visitors by Reasons: A Case on Türkiye
Authors: Tutsoy Onder , Tanrikulu Ceyda
Published: November 2022

The most important underlying reasons for marketing failures are incomplete understanding of customer wants and needs and the inability to accurately predict their future behaviors. This study develops a machine learning model to estimate the number of departing foreign visitors from Türkiye by reasons for the next 10 years to gain a deeper understanding of their future behaviors. The data between 2003 and 2021 are extensively analyzed, and a multi-dimensional model having a higher-order fractional-order polynomial structure is constructed. The resulting model can predict the 10 reasons of departing foreign visitors for the next 10 years and can update the predictions every year as new data becomes available as it has stable polynomial parameters. In addition, a batch-type genetic algorithm is modified to learn the unknown model parameters by considering the disruptions, such as the coup attempt in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2019, termed as uncertainties. Thus, the model can estimate the overall behavior of the departing foreign visitors in the presence of uncertainties, which is the dominant character of the foreign visitors by their reasons. Furthermore, the developed model is utterly data-driven, meaning it can be trained with the data collected from different cities, regions, and countries. It is predicted that the departing foreign visitors for all reasons will increase at various rates between 2022 and 2031, while the increase in transit visitors is predicted to be higher than the others. The results are discussed, and suggestions are given considering the marketing science. This study can be helpful for global and local firms in tourism, governmental agencies, and civil society organizations.
A Technical Device for Determining the Predispositions of Students—Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots during Multitasking Training
Authors: Antosko Matej , Lipovsky Pavol
Published: November 2022

The specific professions of aviation personnel include the professions of the pilot and air traffic controller. These occupations are specific in that while performing their work, they must be able to simultaneously operate the devices in the handling area and in the pedipulation area, supplemented by acoustic sensations in the form of correspondence between flying and ground stations. The performance requirements of pilots and air traffic controllers place high demands on their health, psychological condition, attention, and concentration, due to being in constant pursuit of minimization of erroneous decisions, otherwise defined as the human factor in aviation. This article is focused on the development and testing of a technical device for measuring the relative error rate of students in multitasking tasks in preparation for employment. The main result is a designed technical device with hardware (HW) and software (SW) parts. An experimental method was used to measure the qualitative and quantitative performance indicators of the test subjects. The results of the experiment were observed and evaluated based on the analytical-synthetic method based on critical thinking. By comparing and abstracting the measured data, the reference values of the performance indicators of the tested subjects were determined. The selection of the final sample of subjects consisted of two phases. In the first phase, questionnaires were evaluated, and in the second phase, reaction time measurements during multitasking tasks using technical equipment were evaluated. Based on the measurements, an error ratio was defined, which could be graphically represented. The testing proved the full functionality of the designed technical equipment for these purposes in aviation education.
Near Infrared Illumination Optimization for Vein Detection: Hardware and Software Approaches
Authors: Abd Rahman Abu Bakar , Juhim Floressy , Chee Fuei Pien , Bade Abdullah , Kadir Fairrul
Published: November 2022

Venepuncture is one of the most crucial processes in many medical procedures. However, finding a real-time and vibrant visualization of the vein structures faces many difficulties. Several devices were introduced to solve this problem, yet, these devices shared common drawbacks, primarily when visualizing deep veins or veins in a thicker tissue of the human body. This study proposes a novel method for visualizing vein structures using a near-infrared (NIR) imaging technique enhanced with Hessian ridge detection. Several factors, including the wavelength of NIR light, square LED and ring LED arrangement and the effect of the diffuser and number of LEDs, were evaluated in the study. This study improves the overall quality of the acquired vein images and highlights the vein-morphological structure through image processing techniques. The study’s main aim is to achieve the highest number of visible veins. Based on the optical window, the maximum absorption range in the NIR spectrum was found from 700 to 950 nm. The NIR light absorption of human deoxygenated blood in the vein was highest at 850 nm peak of wavelength. The image processing further enhances the vein image by highlighting the extracted vein. The study also suggests that the square LED arrangements of NIR illumination are much more robust than the ring LED arrangement in ensuring excellent light penetration. The light diffuser further adds promising effects to the NIR illumination process. In terms of the square LED arrangement, increasing the square LED for enlarging the illumination area did not show any degradation effects in the visualization process. Overall, this paper presents an integrated hardware and software solution for the NIR image acquisition of a vein visualization system to cope with the image visualization of the vein for a thicker part of the human tissue, particularly on the arm and palm area.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Advances in Atmospheric Electricity”
Authors: Pérez-Invernón Francisco J. , Malagón-Romero Alejandro
Published: November 2022

The field of atmospheric electricity has been very active in the last decades [...]
An Investigation of the Fengyun-4A/B GIIRS Performance on Temperature and Humidity Retrievals
Authors: Wang Sufeng , Lu Feng , Feng Yutao
Published: November 2022

The Fengyun-4A/B (FY-4A/B) geostationary satellite carries the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS). The instrument parameters of the GIIRS on FY-4A and FY-4B are not exactly the same, which is crucial for the atmospheric temperature and humidity measurements. The objective of this paper is to discuss the influence of spectral range on the retrieval for the FY-4A/B GIIRS. Firstly, we performed channel selection to choose the appropriate channels for retrieval. Then, the multiple cycling utilization of the physical retrieval method is proposed and conducted for improving the accuracy, and the retrieval results of FY-4A/B GIIRS are compared. Finally, perturbation analysis is performed to discuss the sensitivity of the retrieval to temperature perturbations due to the difference in spectral range between the two GIIRS. The results show the retrieval method can realize the improvement of the average accuracy by more than 0.9 K for temperature and 3.0% for humidity. As the spectral range widens, the retrieval accuracy of FY-4B GIIRS is superior to that of FY-4A GIIRS from 130 hPa to 400 hPa. Furthermore, perturbation analysis also shows the extension of the spectral range is beneficial to the retrieval. This study could offer the usefulness of current GIIRS instruments with observed on-orbit bias, and a reference for the parameter design of the subsequent instruments.
A Simple and Effective Random Forest Refit to Map the Spatial Distribution of NO2 Concentrations
Authors: Chi Yufeng , Zhan Yu
Published: November 2022

This study proposes a random forest–random pixel ID (RF–RID) method, which could reduce local anomalies in the simulation of NO2 spatial distribution and significantly improve prediction accuracy in rural areas. First, the 470 nm MAIAC AOD and OMI NO2 total and tropospheric vertical column were packed using the two-step method (TWS). Second, using RID, the filled data and auxiliary variables were combined with random forest (RF) to build an RF–RID model to predict the 1 km/d NO2 spatial distribution in southwestern Fujian (SWFJ) in 2018. The results show that the RF–RID achieves enhanced performance in the CV of the observed sample (R = 0.9117, RMSE = 3.895). Meanwhile, RF–RID has a higher correlation with the road length (RL) in remote areas, and the proposed method solves the issue related to strips or patches of NO2 spatial distribution. This model offers insights into the related research on air pollutants in large areas.
Comparative Analysis of Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation during PM2.5 Pollution and Complex Pollution of PM2.5 and O3 in Chengdu, China
Authors: Song Tianli , Feng Miao , Song Danlin , Liu Song , Tan Qinwen , Wang Yuancheng , Luo Yina , Chen Xi , Yang Fumo
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, many cities in China are suffering from both fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 µm) and ozone (O3) pollution. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is an important component of PM2.5 and is closely related to the oxidation processes. To investigate the characteristics and formation pathways of SOA during different types of haze pollution episodes, carbonaceous components of PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored continuously in Chengdu in April 2019, when Chengdu experienced not only PM2.5 pollution (SPP) but also a complex pollution of PM2.5 and O3 (CoP). In the CoP episode, the concentrations of SOA increased by 51.2% as compared to SPP, and the SOA concentrations were positively correlated with PM2.5 mass concentrations. These suggest that SOA drove the increase in PM2.5 levels during the haze event to some extent. The preliminary VOC source analysis based on the feature ratio showed that vehicle emission and fuel volatilization sources were the main sources of VOCs at this urban site. In addition, coal emissions and biomass burning were also important contributors. High-carbon alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons significantly contributed to the SOA formation. These results provide a preliminary understanding of SOA formation during different types of pollution episodes in Chengdu, which can help us to further understand air pollution in this typical region.
Protein-Functionalized Microgel for Multiple Myeloma Cells’ 3D Culture
Authors: Marín-Payá Juan Carlos , Clara-Trujillo Sandra , Cordón Lourdes , Gallego Ferrer Gloria , Sempere Amparo , Gómez Ribelles José Luis
Published: November 2022

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic neoplasm caused by an uncontrolled clonal proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells (nPCs) in the bone marrow. The development and survival of this disease is tightly related to the bone marrow environment. Proliferation and viability of nPCs depend on their interaction with the stromal cells and the extracellular matrix components, which also influences the appearance of drug resistance. Recapitulating these interactions in an in vitro culture requires 3D environments that incorporate the biomolecules of interest. In this work, we studied the proliferation and viability of three multiple myeloma cell lines in a microgel consisting of biostable microspheres with fibronectin (FN) on their surfaces. We also showed that the interaction of the RPMI8226 cell line with FN induced cell arrest in the G0/G1 cell cycle phase. RPMI8226 cells developed a significant resistance to dexamethasone, which was reduced when they were treated with dexamethasone and bortezomib in combination.
Regenerative Efficacy of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Derived Bone Graft Putty in Rabbit Bone Defect Model
Authors: Chiu Yen-Lung , Luo Yun-Li , Chen Yuan-Wu , Wu Chi-Tsung , Periasamy Srinivasan , Yen Ko-Chung , Hsieh Dar-Jen
Published: November 2022

Bone defects can arise from numerous reasons, such as aging, tumor, trauma, infection, surgery, and congenital diseases. Bone grafts are commonly used as a substitute to fill the void and regenerate the defect. Due to its clean and green technology, the supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction aided the production of bone grafts is a recent trend. The SCCO2-derived bone graft has osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties along with excellent biocompatible, nontoxic, bioabsorbable, osteoconductive, and good mechanical properties; however, clinical usage during surgery is time-consuming. Therefore, we produced a putty material combining bone graft powder and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) powder and tested its regenerative efficacy in the critical defect in the rabbit model. The putty was found to retain the tubular structure. In addition, the putty depicted excellent stickiness and cohesiveness in both saline and blood medium. The bone regeneration of bone graft and putty was similar; both had excellent bone healing and regeneration of critical defects as evaluated by the X-ray, microtomography, hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, and alizarin red staining. Putty contains a less washout rate, good mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. In conclusion, the SCCO2-derived moldable putty could be a promising easy-to-use alternative for bone grafts at present which might have real-world usage in orthopedics as a potential bone void filler and dental socket preservation.
Field Traction Performance Test Analysis of Bionic Paddy Wheel and Vaned Wheel
Authors: Xue Long , Xie Baofeng , Lin Fei , Cheng Song , Li Lan , Liu Muhua , Li Jing
Published: November 2022

In order to improve the traction performance of a wheel of a micro-tiller on the soil surface of a paddy field, we extracted the surface curve of a cow’s hoof and used the cow’s hoof as a bionic prototype to design a bionic paddy wheel. In order to verify the passability of the bionic paddy wheel in paddy soil, a wheel-soil test bench was built in the experimental field with a moisture content of 36%. The test results show that under the condition of the same load on the wheel, the changing laws of torque, drawbar pull, and slip ratio of the bionic paddy wheel and the conventional vaned wheel are similar. The torque and drawbar pull of the bionic paddy wheel are higher than those of the conventional vaned wheel at the same slip ratio. The maximum torque and hook traction provided by the bionic paddy wheel and the conventional vaned wheel both increase with the increase of the load on the wheel. Under the same load on the wheel, the bionic paddy wheel is at least 22% higher than the conventional vaned wheel. Compared with the conventional vaned wheel, the bionic paddy wheel can provide a higher driving force and hook traction, which can improve the working efficiency of the vehicle in the paddy field.
The Modification of Polyvinyl Alcohol for Ice Nucleation Based upon the Structures of Antifreeze Glycoproteins Found in Antarctic Fish
Authors: Bleszynski Monika
Published: November 2022

Various alternative compounds have been investigated to prevent icing, one of which includes poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA), which has shown promising anti-freeze effects. However, determining the optimal structures and formulations of PVA for anti-icing applications has remained a challenge. Building upon our previous work, which used molecular dynamics simulations to assess the effects of hydroxyl group separation distance on ice nucleation, in this work, PVA was modified based upon the structures of antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) found in Antarctic fish, and examined as a potential antifreeze compound. Four different PVA samples with different degrees of hydrolysis were fabricated and subsequently examined for their effects on ice crystallization. The results showed that the modified PVA samples with degrees of hydrolysis of 76% and 66% had an effect on ice crystallization, delaying ice crystallization by an average of approximately 20 min, and even preventing ice crystallization altogether in a small portion of the sample. Meanwhile, other samples with degrees of hydrolysis of 100% and 34% either showed no effect on ice crystallization, shortened the ice crystallization time, and appeared to promote ice nucleation.
A Concise and Systematic Review on Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring for Potential Diabetes Management
Authors: Laha Soumyasanta , Rajput Aditi , Laha Suvra S. , Jadhav Rohan
Published: November 2022

The current standard of diabetes management depends upon the invasive blood pricking techniques. In recent times, the availability of minimally invasive continuous glucose monitoring devices have made some improvements in the life of diabetic patients however it has its own limitations which include painful insertion, excessive cost, discomfort and an active risk due to the presence of a foreign body under the skin. Due to all these factors, the non-invasive glucose monitoring has remain a subject of research for the last two decades and multiple techniques of non-invasive glucose monitoring have been proposed. These proposed techniques have the potential to be evolved into a wearable device for non-invasive diabetes management. This paper reviews research advances and major challenges of such techniques or methods in recent years and broadly classifies them into four types based on their detection principles. These four methods are: optical spectroscopy, photoacoustic spectroscopy, electromagnetic sensing and nanomaterial based sensing. The paper primarily focuses on the evolution of non-invasive technology from bench-top equipment to smart wearable devices for personalized non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring in these four methods. With the rapid evolve of wearable technology, all these four methods of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring independently or in combination of two or more have the potential to become a reality in the near future for efficient, affordable, accurate and pain-free diabetes management.
Real-Time Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Bloodstream Using Plasmonic Fiber Sensors
Authors: Zhu Shaodi , Xie Zhenming , Chen Yuzhi , Liu Shiyue , Kwan Yiu-Wa , Zeng Shuwen , Yuan Wu , Ho Ho-Pui
Published: November 2022

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are single cancer cells or cancer cell clusters that are present in the circulatory system. Assessing CTC levels in patients can aid in the early detection of cancer metastasis and is essential for the purposes of accurate cancer prognosis. However, current in vitro blood tests are limited by the insufficient blood samples and low concentration levels of CTCs, which presents a major challenge for practical biosensing devices. In this work, we propose the first surface plasmon resonance (SPR) fiber probe to work intravenously, which offers a real-time detection of CTCs in bloodstreams. By exposing the protein-functionalized fiber probe to circulating blood, a continuous capture of CTCs ensures a constant increase in enrichment and hence greatly enhances enumeration accuracy. The performance of our plasmonic fiber probe was demonstrated to specifically detect Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells in flowing whole mouse blood. Further, a detection limit of ~1.4 cells per microliter was achieved by using an epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody-based receptor layer and a 15 min enrichment period. This pilot study validates real-time CTC detection directly in the bloodstream by using plasmonic fiber probes, which exhibit promising clinical potential for in vivo diagnostic tests involving low concentration biomarkers in circulating blood.
Development of Folate-Group Impedimetric Biosensor Based on Polypyrrole Nanotubes Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Deller Andrei E. , Soares Ana L. , Volpe Jaqueline , Ruthes Jean G. A. , Souto Dênio E. P. , Vidotti Marcio
Published: November 2022

In this study, polypyrrole nanotubes (PPy-NT) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrochemically synthesized to form a hybrid material and used as an electroactive layer for the attachment of proteins for the construction of a high-performance biosensor. Besides the enhancement of intrinsic conductivity of the PPy-NT, the AuNPs act as an anchor group for the formation of self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) from the gold–sulfur covalent interaction between gold and Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). This material was used to evaluate the viability and performance of the platform developed for biosensing, and three different biological approaches were tested: first, the Avidin-HRP/Biotin couple and characterizations were made by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), wherein we detected Biotin in a linear range of 100–900 fmol L−1. The studies continued with folate group biomolecules, using the folate receptor α (FR-α) as a bioreceptor. Tests with anti-FR antibody detection were performed, and the results obtained indicate a linear range of detection from 0.001 to 6.70 pmol L−1. The same FR-α receptor was used for Folic Acid detection, and the results showed a limit of detection of 0.030 nmol L−1 and a limit of quantification of 90 pmol L−1. The results indicate that the proposed biosensor is sensitive and capable of operating in a range of clinical interests.
Assessing Measurement Properties of a Simplified Chinese Version of Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI-SC) in Community Residents
Authors: Meng Runtang , Lau Esther Yuet Ying , Spruyt Karen , Miller Christopher B. , Dong Lu
Published: November 2022

Background: The study aimed to assess the measurement properties of a simplified Chinese version of the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI-SC) in the community. Methods: A psychometric evaluation through an observational cross-sectional survey design was conducted. Community residents (N = 751) in Hangzhou, China completed the SCI-SC and the simplified Chinese version of the Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ) in July 2021. Data were randomly split into a development sample (N = 375) for model development by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a holdout sample (N = 376) for validation by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multi-group CFA (MGCFA) was used to assess configural, metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance across gender, age, marital status, body mass index (BMI), napping habits, generic exercise, hobby, and administered survey. Moreover, statistical analyses were performed to determine the reliability (alpha and omega) and construct validity of the instrument. Results: Both factor analyses showed a stable solution with two dimensions of Sleep Pattern and Sleep-Related Impact. Good structural validity, robust internal consistency, and construct validity with the SQQ were demonstrated. There was evidence of strict invariance across gender, BMI, napping habits, generic exercise, hobby, and administered survey subgroups, but only metric and scalar invariances were established across age and marital status groups, respectively. Conclusions: The SCI-SC demonstrated promising psychometric properties, with high SQQ concordance and consistent structure of the original version. The SCI-SC can be used by sleep researchers as well as healthcare professionals in various contexts in detecting risks for insomnia disorder in the community.
Janka Hardness Evaluation of Plantation-Grown Eucalyptus nitens for Engineered Flooring Applications
Authors: Millaniyage Kuluni , Kotlarewski Nathan , Wallis Louise , Taoum Assaad , Nolan Gregory
Published: November 2022

Hardness is commonly used to determine the suitability of a timber species for flooring applications. In this study, Janka hardness test is conducted on sawlog managed Eucalyptus nitens and regrowth forest Eucalyptus obliqua sourced from Tasmania, Australia. Plantation E. nitens timber is currently entering the Australian market and the feasibility of using this fast grown species in value added applications such as timber flooring is advantageous. Further to testing Janka hardness on solid timber samples, a regime of engineered timber flooring prototypes consisting of plantation E. nitens top layers, veneers and solid densified E. nitens boards were developed and subjected to Janka hardness test. The results were compared against solid E. obliqua flooring and a commercially available engineered flooring product with Tasmanian Oak top layer. The results showed that Janka hardness of plantation grown E. nitens, and E. obliqua currently available in the market are lower than the values published in the literature. This indicates that the material properties of fast grown plantation timber and regrowth forest material are different to the native forest timber properties published decades earlier. Furthermore, some of the tested engineered flooring prototypes showed similar behaviour to timber flooring products currently in market, suggesting that E. nitens engineered flooring would be suitable for domestic/light commercial flooring applications despite the general conception of unsuitability due to lower densities.
Experimental Seismic Assessment of Nonstructural Elements: Testing Protocols and Novel Perspectives
Authors: Zito Martino , Nascimbene Roberto , Dubini Paolo , D’Angela Danilo , Magliulo Gennaro
Published: November 2022

Nonstructural elements (NEs) are generally defined as elements typically housed within buildings/facilities that are not part of the structural system. Nonstructural elements are often classified as architectural elements, mechanical/electrical/hydraulic systems, and building contents. Nonstructural elements are often associated with critical seismic risk, due to their high vulnerability and exposure to seismic actions, especially for critical facilities such as hospitals and nuclear plant facilities. Accordingly, the combination of major exposure and vulnerability makes NEs extremely critical in terms of seismic risk even for low to moderate seismicity. The paper reviews and evaluates the main international testing approaches and protocols for the seismic assessment of NEs by means of experimental methods, which are referred to for seismic qualification. Existing test protocols are technically analyzed considering quasi-static, single-floor dynamic, and multi-floor dynamic procedures, supplying technical and operative guidance for their implementation, according to the latest advances in the field. The study proposes novel perspectives and a unified approach for the seismic assessment and qualification of NEs. The technical recommendations lay the groundwork for a more robust and standardized testing and qualification framework. In particular, the provided data might represent the first step for developing code and regulation criteria for the experimental seismic assessment and qualification of NEs.
Glucose Enhances Pro-Tumorigenic Functions of Mammary Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells on Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Mosca Giusy , Migliaccio Teresa , Liguoro Domenico , Nele Gisella , Schonauer Fabrizio , D’Andrea Francesco , Liotti Federica , Prevete Nella , Melillo Rosa Marina , Reale Carla , Ambrosino Concetta , Miele Claudia , Beguinot Francesco , D’Esposito Vittoria , Formisano Pietro
Published: November 2022

Adiposity and diabetes affect breast cancer (BC) progression. We addressed whether glucose may affect the interaction between mammary adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MAT-MSCs) and BC cells. Two-dimensional co-cultures and spheroids were established in 25 mM or 5.5 mM glucose (High Glucose-HG or Low Glucose-LG) by using MAT-MSCs and MCF7 or MDA-MB231 BC cells. Gene expression was measured by qPCR, while protein levels were measured by cytofluorimetry and ELISA. CD44high/CD24low BC stem-like sub-population was quantified by cytofluorimetry. An in vivo zebrafish model was assessed by injecting spheroid-derived labeled cells. MAT-MSCs co-cultured with BC cells showed an inflammatory/senescent phenotype with increased abundance of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF and p16INK4a, accompanied by altered levels of CDKN2A and LMNB1. BC cells reduced multipotency and increased fibrotic features modulating OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, αSMA and FAP in MAT-MSCs. Of note, these co-culture-mediated changes in MAT-MSCs were partially reverted in LG. Only in HG, MAT-MSCs increased CD44high/CD24low MCF7 sub-population and promoted their ability to form mammospheres. Injection in zebrafish embryos of HG spheroid-derived MCF7 and MAT-MSCs was followed by a significant cellular migration and caudal dissemination. Thus, MAT-MSCs enhance the aggressiveness of BC cells in a HG environment.