bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Sarcopenia in Patients on Maintenance Dialysis in Australia—A Single Centre, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Umakanthan Marille , Li John Wing , Sud Kamal , Duque Gustavo , Guilfoyle Daniel , Cho Kenneth , Brown Chris , Boersma Derek , Gangadharan Komala Muralikrishna
Published: September 2021

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. The prevalence of sarcopenia in the dialysis population varies from 4% to 63%. However, the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in the Australian dialysis population remain uncertain. Aim: To study the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients on maintenance dialysis by using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: We evaluated adult patients on maintenance haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in this single-centre cross-sectional study in Australia. Patient’s clinical (age, gender, dialysis modality and diabetic status) and laboratory parameters (serum albumin, calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels) were investigated. We employed bioimpedance spectroscopy, hand grip dynamometer and the timed up and go test (TUG) to evaluate muscle mass, strength and function, respectively. Results: We evaluated 39 dialysis patients with a median age of 69 years old. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18%. Sarcopenia was associated with low serum albumin (p = 0.02) and low serum phosphate level (p = 0.04). Increasing age and female sex were potential risk factors for sarcopenia (p = 0.05 and 0.08, respectively). Low lean muscle mass, reduced hand grip strength and prolonged TUG were present in 23.1%, 41% and 40.5%, respectively, of the cohort. The hand grip test had good correlation with lean muscle evaluation and the TUG. Conclusions: Sarcopenia was prevalent in 18% of maintenance haemodialysis patients from an Australian single-centre cohort, with low serum albumin and phosphate as significant risk factors.
The Effect of Dietary Protein Imbalance during Pregnancy on the Growth, Metabolism and Circulatory Metabolome of Neonatal and Weaned Juvenile Porcine Offspring
Authors: Sciascia Quentin L. , Prehn Cornelia , Adamski Jerzy , Daş Gürbüz , Lang Iris S. , Otten Winfried , Görs Solvig , Metges Cornelia C.
Published: September 2021

Protein imbalance during pregnancy affects women in underdeveloped and developing countries and is associated with compromised offspring growth and an increased risk of metabolic diseases in later life. We studied in a porcine model the glucose and urea metabolism, and circulatory hormone and metabolite profile of offspring exposed during gestation, to maternal isoenergetic low–high (LP-HC), high–low (HP-LC) or adequate (AP) protein–carbohydrate ratio diets. At birth, LP-HC were lighter and the plasma acetylcarnitine to free carnitine ratios at 1 day of life was lower compared to AP offspring. Plasma urea concentrations were lower in 1 day old LP-HC offspring than HP-LC. In the juvenile period, increased insulin concentrations were observed in LP-HC and HP-LC offspring compared to AP, as was body weight from HP-LC compared to LP-HC. Plasma triglyceride concentrations were lower in 80 than 1 day old HP-LC offspring, and glucagon concentrations lower in 80 than 1 day old AP and HP-LC offspring. Plasma urea and the ratio of glucagon to insulin were lower in all 80 than 1 day old offspring. Aminoacyl-tRNA, arginine and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, histidine and beta-alanine metabolism differed between 1 and 80 day old AP and HP-LC offspring. Maternal protein imbalance throughout pregnancy did not result in significant consequences in offspring metabolism compared to AP, indicating enormous plasticity by the placenta and developing offspring.
Development of Visceral and Subcutaneous-Abdominal Adipose Tissue in Breastfed Infants during First Year of Lactation
Authors: Gridneva Zoya , Rea Alethea , Lai Ching Tat , Tie Wan Jun , Kugananthan Sambavi , Murray Kevin , Hartmann Peter E. , Geddes Donna T.
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to investigate relationships between infant abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adiposity and human milk (HM) components and maternal body composition (BC) during first year of lactation. Subcutaneous-abdominal depth (SAD), subcutaneous-abdominal fat area (SFA), visceral depth (VD) and preperitoneal fat area of 20 breastfed infants were assessed at 2, 5, 9 and 12 months using ultrasound. Maternal BC was determined with bioimpedance spectroscopy. HM macronutrients and bioactive components concentrations and infant 24-h milk intake were measured and calculated daily intakes (CDI) determined. Maternal adiposity associated with infant SFA (negatively at 2, 5, 12, positively at 9 months, all overall p < 0.05). 24-h milk intake positively associated with infant SAD (p = 0.007) and VD (p = 0.013). CDI of total protein (p = 0.013), total carbohydrates (p = 0.004) and lactose (p = 0.013) positively associated with SFA. Lactoferrin concentration associated with infant VD (negatively at 2, 12, positively at 5, 9 months, overall p = 0.003). CDI of HM components and maternal adiposity have differential effects on development of infant visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adiposity. Maintaining healthy maternal BC and continuing breastfeeding to 12 months and beyond may facilitate favourable BC development reducing risk of obesity.
Update on Nutraceuticals
Authors: Tesoriere Luisa
Published: September 2021

Plants provide us with not only nutritional value but have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes [...]
Effects of Zembrin® (Sceletium tortuosum) Supplementation on Mood, Soreness, and Performance Following Unaccustomed Resistance Exercise: A Pilot Study
Authors: Berry Angela , Langley Haley , Rogers Rebecca , Benjamin Courteney , Williams Tyler , Ballmann Christopher
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate acute Zembrin® (Sceletium tortuosum) supplementation on muscle soreness, markers of muscle damage, mood, and exercise performance following unaccustomed resistance exercise. Untrained females (n = 16) were divided into two groups with a different three-day treatment regimen: (1) placebo (PL) and (2) Zembrin® (ZEM). During the initial visit, baseline perceived soreness, range of motion (ROM), mood state (profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire), and plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentrations (LDH) were measured followed by the performance of an eccentric bicep curl protocol with their non-dominant arm. The total repetitions and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout the exercise. The participants then supplemented with the corresponding treatment immediately following, the subsequent day, and 30 min prior to completing a 48 h follow-up visit. For the 48 h visit, all procedures were repeated and comparisons were drawn for perceived soreness, ROM, LDH, mood scores, total repetitions, and RPE. The findings indicate that short-term ZEM supplementation resulted in lower perceived soreness (p = 0.020) and a greater preservation of ROM (p = 0.028) at 48 h versus the PL group. Mood worsened from the baseline to 48 h regardless of the treatment (p = 0.043) but the decrements were exacerbated in the PL group compared with the ZEM group (p < 0.001). LDH levels (p = 0.019) and RPE (p = 0.008) were higher and total repetitions were lower (p < 0.001) at 48 h irrespective of the treatment. Although short-term dietary enrichment with ZEM did not alter the exercise performance or biomarkers of muscle damage, the current results suggest ZEM supplementation may be effective in reducing the markers of soreness and preserve mood following unaccustomed eccentric exercise.
Combined Subciliary/Transantral Approach for Reconstruction of Orbital Floor Fracture
Authors: Narita Norihiko , Ito Yumi , Kato Yukinori , Kimura Yukihiro , Imoto Yoshimasa , Ogi Kazuhiro , Okamoto Masayuki , Takabayashi Tetsuji , Fujieda Shigeharu
Published: September 2021

Orbital floor fracture, especially with constriction of orbital soft tissue, should be reconstructed surgically. Although various approaches to treat the orbital floor have been reported, procedures have not been unified among hospitals or surgeons. Since 2009, we have adopted a procedure combining a transorbital approach via subciliary incision with a transantral approach through upper gingival incision. The combined approach compensates for the shortcomings of each approach, leading to successful reconstruction. It is applicable safely for trapdoor fracture of the orbital floor in children, which more frequently constricts orbital soft tissue and which leaves permanent diplopia. This report retrospectively assessed clinical preoperative findings and postoperative outcomes of patients who received reconstruction of orbital floor fracture with the combined approach in our department from August 2009 through March 2021. Data of 21 patients with orbital floor fracture were analyzed, only one (4.8%) of whom had postoperative diplopia. Specifically, we describe children with trapdoor fracture treated with the combined approach, resulting in complete recovery. The combined approach stands as an excellent procedure for reconstruction of orbital floor fracture in adults and even in children.
Molecular Functions of Hydrogen Sulfide in Cancer
Authors: Shackelford Rodney E. , Mohammad Islam Z. , Meram Andrew T. , Kim David , Alotaibi Fawaz , Patel Stavan , Ghali Ghali E. , Kevil Christopher G.
Published: September 2021

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that exerts a multitude of functions in both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. H2S-synthesizing enzymes are increased in a variety of human malignancies, including colon, prostate, breast, renal, urothelial, ovarian, oral squamous cell, and thyroid cancers. In cancer, H2S promotes tumor growth, cellular and mitochondrial bioenergetics, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, tumor blood flow, metastasis, epithelia–mesenchymal transition, DNA repair, protein sulfhydration, and chemotherapy resistance Additionally, in some malignancies, increased H2S-synthesizing enzyme expression correlates with a worse prognosis and a higher tumor stage. Here we review the role of H2S in cancer, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms by which H2S promotes cancer development, progression, dedifferentiation, and metastasis.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Thymoquinone and Lycopene Mitigate the Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxic Neuropathy
Authors: Aboubakr Mohamed , Elshafae Said M. , Abdelhiee Ehab Y. , Fadl Sabreen E. , Soliman Ahmed , Abdelkader Afaf , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Bayoumi Khaled A. , Baty Roua S. , Elgendy Enas , Elalfy Amira , Baioumy Bodour , Ibrahim Samah F. , Abdeen Ahmed
Published: September 2021

CPF (chlorpyrifos) is an organophosphate pesticide used in agricultural and veterinary applications. Our experiment aimed to explore the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and/or lycopene (LP) against CPF-induced neurotoxicity. Wistar rats were categorized into seven groups: first group served as a control (corn oil only); second group, TQ (10 mg/kg); third group, LP (10 mg/kg); fourth group, CPF (10 mg/kg) and deemed as CPF toxic control; fifth group, TQ + CPF; sixth group, (LP + CPF); and seventh group, (TQ + LP + CPF). CPF intoxication inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AchE), decreased glutathione (GSH) content, and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biomarker. Furthermore, CPF impaired the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) along with enhancement of the level of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. CPF evoked apoptosis in brain tissue. TQ or LP treatment of CPF-intoxicated rats greatly improved AchE activity, oxidative state, inflammatory responses, and cell death. Co-administration of TQ and LP showed better restoration than their sole treatment. In conclusion, TQ or LP supplementation may alleviate CPF-induced neuronal injury, most likely due to TQ or LPs’ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.
Modulation of Colorectal Tumor Behavior via lncRNA TP53TG1-Lipidic Nanosystem
Authors: Masoumi Farimah , Saraiva Sofia M. , Bouzo Belén L. , López-López Rafael , Esteller Manel , Díaz-Lagares Ángel , de la Fuente María
Published: September 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging group of RNAs with a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis. In gastrointestinal cancers, TP53 target 1 (TP53TG1) is an epigenetically regulated lncRNA that represents a promising therapeutic target due to its tumor suppressor properties regulating the p53-mediated DNA damage and the intracellular localization of the oncogenic YBX1 protein. However, to translate this finding into the clinic as a gene therapy, it is important to develop effective carriers able to deliver exogenous lncRNAs to the targeted cancer cells. Here, we propose the use of biocompatible sphingomyelin nanosystems comprising DOTAP (DSNs) to carry and deliver a plasmid vector encoding for TP53TG1 (pc(TP53TG1)-DSNs) to a colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116). DSNs presented a high association capacity and convenient physicochemical properties. In addition, pc(TP53TG1)-DSNs showed anti-tumor activities in vitro, specifically a decrease in the proliferation rate, a diminished colony-forming capacity, and hampered migration and invasiveness of the treated cancer cells. Consequently, the proposed strategy displays a high potential as a therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer.
Multifaced Role of Dual Herbal Principles Loaded-Lipid Nanocarriers in Providing High Therapeutic Efficacity
Authors: Lacatusu Ioana , Iordache Teodora Alexandra , Mihaila Mirela , Mihaiescu Dan Eduard , Pop Anca Lucia , Badea Nicoleta
Published: September 2021

Although many phytochemicals have been used in traditional medicine, there is a great need to refresh the health benefits and adjust the shortcomings of herbal medicine. In this research, two herbal principles (Diosgenin and Glycyrrhiza glabra extract) coopted in the Nanostructured Lipid Carriers have been developed for improving the most desirable properties of herbal medicine—antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The contribution of phytochemicals, vegetable oils and of lipid matrices has been highlighted by comparative study of size, stability, entrapment efficiency, morphological characteristics, and thermal behavior. According to the in vitro MTS and RTCA results, the dual herbal-NLCs were no cytotoxic toward endothelial cells at concentrations between 25 and 100 µg/mL. A rapid release of Glycyrrhiza glabra and a motivated delay of Diosgenin was detected by the in vitro release experiments. Dual herbal-NLCs showed an elevated ability to annihilate long-life cationic radicals (ABTS•+) and short-life oxygenated radicals (an inhibition of 63.4% ABTS•+, while the ability to capture radical oxygen species reached 96%). The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited by the newly herbals-NLC (up to 97.9% inhibition of TNF-α and 62.5% for IL-6). The study may open a new pharmacotherapy horizon; it provides a comprehensive basis for the use of herbal-NLC in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Variant-Coherence Gaussian Sources
Authors: Gori Franco , Santarsiero Massimo
Published: September 2021

The celebrated Gaussian Schell model source with its shift-invariant degree of coherence may be the basis for devising sources with space-variant properties in the spirit of structured coherence. Starting from superpositions of Gaussian Schell model sources, we present two classes of genuine cross-spectral densities whose degree of coherence varies across the source area. The first class is based on the use of the Laplace transform while the second deals with cross-spectral densities that are shape-invariant upon paraxial propagation. For the latter, we present a set of shape-invariant cross-spectral densities for which the modal expansion can be explicitly found. We finally solve the problem of ascertain whether an assigned cross-spectral density is shape-invariant by checking if it satisfies a simple differential constraint.
Constraints on General Relativity Geodesics by a Covariant Geometric Uncertainty Principle
Authors: Escors David , Kochan Grazyna
Published: September 2021

The classical uncertainty principle inequalities are imposed over the general relativity geodesic equation as a mathematical constraint. In this way, the uncertainty principle is reformulated in terms of proper space–time length element, Planck length and a geodesic-derived scalar, leading to a geometric expression for the uncertainty principle (GeUP). This re-formulation confirms the need for a minimum length of space–time line element in the geodesic, which depends on a Lorentz-covariant geodesic-derived scalar. In agreement with quantum gravity theories, GeUP imposes a perturbation over the background Minkowski metric unrelated to classical gravity. When applied to the Schwarzschild metric, a geodesic exclusion zone is found around the singularity where uncertainty in space-time diverged to infinity.
A Simple Method for the Acquisition and Transmission of Brassica Yellows Virus from Transgenic Plants and Frozen Infected Leaves by Aphids
Authors: Zuo Deng-Pan , He Meng-Jun , Chen Xiang-Ru , Hu Ru-Jian , Zhao Tian-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Peng Yan-Mei , Wang Ying , Li Da-Wei , Yu Jia-Lin , Han Cheng-Gui
Published: September 2021

Brassica yellows virus (BrYV) is a tentative species of the genus Polerovirus, which occurs widely, and mostly damages Brassicaceae plants in East Asia. Because BrYV cannot be transmitted mechanically, an insect-based transmission method is required for further virus research. Here, a reliable and unrestricted method is described, in which non-viruliferous aphids (Myzus persicae) acquired BrYV from transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, harboring the full-length viral genome germinated from seeds and its frozen leaves. The aphids then transmitted the virus to healthy plants. There was no significant difference in acquisition rates between fresh and frozen infected leaves, although the transmission rate from frozen infected leaves was lower compared to fresh infected leaves. This simple novel method may be used to preserve viral inocula, evaluate host varietal resistance to BrYV, and investigate interactions among BrYV, aphids, and hosts.
Combined Abiotic Stresses Repress Defense and Cell Wall Metabolic Genes and Render Plants More Susceptible to Pathogen Infection
Authors: Sewelam Nasser , El-Shetehy Mohamed , Mauch Felix , Maurino Veronica G.
Published: September 2021

Plants are frequently exposed to simultaneous abiotic and biotic stresses, a condition that induces complex responses, negatively affects crop productivity and is becoming more exacerbated with current climate change. In this study, we investigated the effects of individual and combined heat and osmotic stresses on Arabidopsis susceptibility to the biotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) and the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytiscinerea (Bc). Our data showed that combined abiotic and biotic stresses caused an enhanced negative impact on plant disease resistance in comparison with individual Pst and Bc infections. Pretreating plants with individual heat or combined osmotic-heat stress strongly reduced the expression of many defense genes including pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-1 and PR-5) and the TN-13 gene encoding the TIR-NBS protein, which are involved in disease resistance towards Pst. We also found that combined osmotic-heat stress caused high plant susceptibility to Bc infection and reduced expression of a number of defense genes, including PLANT DEFENSIN 1.3 (PDF1.3), BOTRYTIS SUSCEPTIBLE 1 (BOS1) and THIONIN 2.2 (THI2.2) genes, which are important for disease resistance towards Bc. The impaired disease resistance against both Pst and Bc under combined abiotic stress is associated with reduced expression of cell wall-related genes. Taken together, our data emphasize that the combination of global warming-associated abiotic stresses such as heat and osmotic stresses makes plants more susceptible to pathogen infection, thus threatening future global food security.
Bordered Pit Formation in Cell Walls of Spruce Tracheids
Authors: Chukhchin Dmitry G. , Vashukova Ksenia , Novozhilov Evgeniy
Published: September 2021

The process of pit formation in plants still has various questions unaddressed and unknown, which opens up many interesting and new research opportunities. The aim of this work was elucidation of the mechanism for the formation of bordered pits of the spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) tracheid with exosomes participation and mechanical deformation of the cell wall. Sample sections were prepared from spruce stem samples after cryomechanical destruction with liquid nitrogen. The study methods included scanning electron microscopy and enzymatic treatment. Enzymatic treatment of the elements of the bordered pit made it possible to clarify the localization of cellulose and pectin. SEM images of intermediate stages of bordered pit formation in the radial and tangential directions were obtained. An asynchronous mechanism of formation of bordered-pit pairs in tracheids is proposed. The formation of the pit pair begins from the side of the initiator cell and is associated with enzymatic hydrolysis of the secondary cell wall and subsequent mechanical deformation of the primary cell walls. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the S1 layer of the secondary cell wall is carried out by exosome-delivered endoglucanases.
The Cultivation of Chelidonium majus L. Increased the Total Alkaloid Content and Cytotoxic Activity Compared with Those of Wild-Grown Plants
Authors: Krizhanovska Valerija , Sile Inga , Kronberga Arta , Nakurte Ilva , Mezaka Ieva , Dambrova Maija , Pugovics Osvalds , Grinberga Solveiga
Published: September 2021

The effect of cultivation practises on both the phytochemical profile and biological activity of aqueous ethanol extracts of Chelidonium majus L. was studied. Extracts were prepared from aerial parts of the same plant population collected in the wild and grown under organic farming conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of alkaloids and flavonoid derivatives were performed by LC/MS methods, and the cytotoxicity of lyophilised extracts was studied in B16-F10, HepG2, and CaCo-2 cells. Coptisine was the dominant alkaloid of extracts prepared from wild-grown plants, whereas after cultivation, chelidonine was the most abundant alkaloid. The total alkaloid content was significantly increased by cultivation. Ten flavonol glycoconjugates were identified in C. majus extracts, and quantitative analysis did not reveal significant differences between extracts prepared from wild-grown and cultivated specimens. Treatment with C. majus extracts resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cytotoxicity in all three cell lines. The extracts prepared from cultivated specimens showed higher cytotoxicity than the extracts prepared from wild-grown plants. The strongest cytotoxic effect of cultivated C. majus was observed in B16-F10 cells (IC50 = 174.98 ± 1.12 µg/mL). Cultivation-induced differences in the phytochemical composition of C. majus extracts resulted in significant increases in the cytotoxic activities of the preparations.
Identification of Bacterial Wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila) Resistances in USDA Melon Collection
Authors: Acharya Bimala , Mackasmiel Lucas , Taheri Ali , Ondzighi-Assoume Christine A. , Weng Yiqun , Dumenyo C. Korsi
Published: September 2021

Bacterial wilt (BW) caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Erwinia tracheiphila (Et.), is an important disease in melon (Cucumis melo L.). BW-resistant commercial melon varieties are not widely available. There are also no effective pathogen-based disease management strategies as BW-infected plants ultimately die. The purpose of this study is to identify BW-resistant melon accessions in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) collection. We tested 118 melon accessions in two inoculation trials under controlled environments. Four-week-old seedlings of test materials were mechanically inoculated with the fluorescently (GFP) labeled or unlabeled E. tracheiphila strain, Hca1-5N. We recorded the number of days to wilting of inoculated leaf (DWIL), days to wilting of whole plant (DWWP) and days to death of the plant (DDP). We identified four melon lines with high resistance to BW inoculation based on all three parameters. Fluorescent microscopy was used to visualize the host colonization dynamics of labeled bacteria from the point of inoculation into petioles, stem and roots in resistant and susceptible melon accessions, which provides an insight into possible mechanisms of BW resistance in melon. The resistant melon lines identified from this study could be valuable resistance sources for breeding of BW resistance as well as the study of cucurbit—E. tracheiphila interactions.
Herbicide-Resistant Invasive Plant Species Ludwigia decurrens Walter
Authors: Kurniadie Denny , Widianto Ryan , Widayat Dedi , Umiyati Uum , Nasahi Ceppy , Kato-Noguchi Hisashi
Published: September 2021

Ludwigia decurrens Walter is a dicotyledonous plant belonging to the family Onagraceae. It is native to Central Eastern USA but has been spreading quickly and has naturalized in aquatic and riparian ecosystems (including rice paddy fields) in many countries; therefore, it is now considered an invasive noxious weed. L. decurrens is highly competitive with rice and causes a significant reduction in rice production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide penoxsulam for the control of L. decurrens in rice fields. The seeds of L. decurrens were collected from four villages in Indonesia, and penoxsulam was applied to L. decurrens in seven dosages (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 g a.i. ha−1) 3 weeks after seed sowing. The plant populations from Hegarmanah, Jatisari, and Joho showed complete mortality at the recommended dosage of penoxsulam (10 g a.i. ha−1). However, the plants from Demakan grew, flowered, and produced seeds 56 days after treatment with 40 g a.i. ha−1 of penoxsulam. The resistance index value of the population was 36.06. This is the first report of a penoxsulam-resistant weed from a dicotyledonous plant species and also the first report of a herbicide-resistant population of L. decurrens. The appearance of herbicide-resistant L. decurrens is a serious issue from both an environmental and an economic perspective, especially since protected forest and freshwater ecosystems are located at a short distance from the study area. Further research is needed to evaluate herbicide mixtures and/or the rotation of herbicide action sites. The identification of the penoxsulam-resistance mechanism in L. decurrens is also necessary to develop a herbicide resistance management strategy.
A Hierarchical Grid Solver for Simulation of Flows of Complex Fluids
Authors: Castelo Antonio , Afonso Alexandre M. , De Souza Bezerra Wesley
Published: September 2021

Tree-based grids bring the advantage of using fast Cartesian discretizations, such as finite differences, and the flexibility and accuracy of local mesh refinement. The main challenge is how to adapt the discretization stencil near the interfaces between grid elements of different sizes, which is usually solved by local high-order geometrical interpolations. Most methods usually avoid this by limiting the mesh configuration (usually to graded quadtree/octree grids), reducing the number of cases to be treated locally. In this work, we employ a moving least squares meshless interpolation technique, allowing for more complex mesh configurations, still keeping the overall order of accuracy. This technique was implemented in the HiG-Flow code to simulate Newtonian, generalized Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids flows. Numerical tests and application to viscoelastic fluid flow simulations were performed to illustrate the flexibility and robustness of this new approach.
Interfacial Transcrystallization and Mechanical Performance of 3D-Printed Fully Recyclable Continuous Fiber Self-Reinforced Composites
Authors: Zhang Manyu , Tian Xiaoyong , Li Dichen
Published: September 2021

To fully exploit the preponderance of three-dimensional (3D)-printed, continuous, fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic composites (CFRTPCs) and self-reinforced composites (which exhibit excellent interfacial affinity and are fully recyclable), an approach in which continuous fiber self-reinforced composites (CFSRCs) can be fabricated by 3D printing is proposed. The influence of 3D-printing temperature on the mechanical performance of 3D-printed CFSRCs based on homogeneous, continuous, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filament, utilized as a reinforcing phase and matrix, respectively, was studied. Experimental results showed a qualitative relationship between the printing temperature and the mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength, as well as Young’s modulus, were 300.2 MPa and 8.2 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, transcrystallization that occurred in the process of 3D printing resulted in an interface between fibers and the matrix. Finally, the recyclability of 3D-printed CFSRCs has also been demonstrated in this research for potential applications of green composites.
Low-Mass Liquid Crystalline Materials Blended in Recycled Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer for Corrosion Inhibitor Application
Authors: Chen Chun-Jui , Huang Bo-Wei , Tseng Po-Jung , Yang Zhi-Yu , Huang Xiang , Rwei Syang-Peng , Chen Hsiu-Hui
Published: September 2021

In this work, the development and application of multicomponents obtained from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) waste and monotropic liquid crystals as anticorrosion coatings are reported. The r-PET raw material was alcoholyzed and reproduced as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) with different amounts (n%, n = 0, 1, 3, and 5) of 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA). Then, a fluorine-containing liquid crystal (4-cyano-3-fluorophenyl 4-ethylbenzoate (4CFE)) was incorporated into the TPEE mixture via solvent blending to modify and enhance the water resistance. The adhesion behavior of the coating on glass and iron substrates was evaluated by cross-cut tests and immersion tests in aqueous NaCl. In the corrosion resistance measurements, all of the coating samples fabricated with 10 ± 1 mm thickness were less active toward electrochemical corrosion (PEF% > 99%) than the bare iron plate, indicating that our work provided better protection against corrosion of the iron plate.
pH-Responsive Succinoglycan-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogels with Highly Improved Mechanical Strength for Controlled Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Shin Younghyun , Kim Dajung , Hu Yiluo , Kim Yohan , Hong In Ki , Kim Moo Sung , Jung Seunho
Published: September 2021

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based hydrogels are generally superabsorbent and biocompatible, but their low mechanical strength limits their application. To overcome these drawbacks, we used bacterial succinoglycan (SG), a biocompatible natural polysaccharide, as a double crosslinking strategy to produce novel interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels in a non-bead form. These new SG/CMC-based IPN hydrogels significantly increased the mechanical strength while maintaining the characteristic superabsorbent property of CMC-based hydrogels. The SG/CMC gels exhibited an 8.5-fold improvement in compressive stress and up to a 6.5-fold higher storage modulus (G′) at the same strain compared to the CMC alone gels. Furthermore, SG/CMC gels not only showed pH-controlled drug release for 5-fluorouracil but also did not show any cytotoxicity to HEK-293 cells. This suggests that SG/CMC hydrogels could be used as future biomedical biomaterials for drug delivery.
Determination of Strain Limits for Dimensioning Polyurethane Components
Authors: Stanko Michael , Lehmenkühler Peter , Stommel Markus
Published: September 2021

Within the scope of this contribution, a method for the determination of a strain limit for designing components made of elastomeric polyurethane systems is presented. The knowledge of a material-specific strain limit is essential for the structural-mechanical calculation of plastic components in the context of component design. Compared to a commonly used component design, based on a simplified dimensioning approach taking only linear viscoelastic deformations into account, the strain limit determined in this study allows an improved utilisation of lightweight construction potential in the dimensioning of technical components made of polyurethanes through the consideration of permissible nonlinear viscoelastic deformations. The test method comprises a sequence of quasi-static loading and unloading cycles, with a subsequent load-free recovery phase, allowing the relaxation of the viscoelastic forces. Standardised tensile and simple shear test specimens and a dynamic mechanical thermal analyser (DMTA) are used within the tests. The strain limit is determined by means of the so-called residual energy ratio, which is a characteristic quantity for the evaluation of hystereses of load–unload cycles. These hystereses are increasingly formed by deformations outside the range of linear viscoelastic deformations. The residual energy ratio relates the proportion of deformation energy recovered during unloading to the deformation work that is applied. In this contribution, the residual energy ratio is successfully used to detect a significant evolution of loss energy under increasing load and to correlate this transition to a characteristic strain. The latter is used as a dimensioning parameter for the design of components made of elastomeric polyurethane materials for quasi-static load cases. The determination of this strain limit is performed under consideration of the criterion of reversibility of deformation.
Arrowroot and Cassava Mixed Starch Products Identification by Raman Analysis with Chemometrics
Authors: Macedo Isaac Yves Lopes de , Cereda Marney Pascoli , Bet Camila Delinski , Junior Jose Francisco Santos Silveira , Carvalho Murilo Ferreira de , Gil Eric de Souza
Published: September 2021

Food frauds present a major problem in the foodstuff industry. Arrowroot and cassava may be targeted in adulteration and falsification processes. Raman analysis combined with chemometric techniques was proposed to identify the mixing and adulteration of these foodstuffs in commercial products. 67 cassava and 5 arrowroot samples were prepared in laboratory. 21 cassava and 5 arrowroot commercial samples were purchased in local stores. Raman assays were performed in the range of 400 to 2300 cm−1. Principal component analysis with K-means clustering was used to identify the adulteration of these products. It was possible to observe the separation of three different groups in the data, these groups labelled group 1, 2 and 3 were correspondent to cassava-like samples, mixed samples, and arrowroot-like samples, respectively. Despite the visual analysis related to sensory characteristics and the visual analysis of each Raman spectrum of cassava and arrowroot not being able to differentiate these foodstuffs, the chemometric approaches with the Raman specters data were able to identify which samples were pure arrowroot, pure cassava and which were mixed products. The proposed approach showed to be an effective tool in the investigation of fraud for arrowroot and cassava.
Agave By-Products: An Overview of Their Nutraceutical Value, Current Applications, and Processing Methods
Authors: Álvarez-Chávez Jimena , Villamiel Mar , Santos-Zea Liliana , Ramírez-Jiménez Aurea K.
Published: September 2021

Agave, commonly known as “maguey” is an important part of the Mexican tradition and economy, and is mainly used for the production of alcoholic beverages, such as tequila. Industrial exploitation generates by-products, including leaves, bagasse, and fibers, that can be re-valorized. Agave is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, fructans, and pectin, as well as simple carbohydrates. Regarding functional properties, fructans content makes agave a potential source of prebiotics with the capability to lower blood glucose and enhance lipid homeostasis when it is incorporated as a prebiotic ingredient in cookies and granola bars. Agave also has phytochemicals, such as saponins and flavonoids, conferring anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, among other benefits. Agave fibers are used for polymer-based composite reinforcement and elaboration, due to their thermo-mechanical properties. Agave bagasse is considered a promising biofuel feedstock, attributed to its high-water efficiency and biomass productivity, as well as its high carbohydrate content. The optimization of physical and chemical pretreatments, enzymatic saccharification and fermentation are key for biofuel production. Emerging technologies, such as ultrasound, can provide an alternative to current pretreatment processes. In conclusion, agaves are a rich source of by-products with a wide range of potential industrial applications, therefore novel processing methods are being explored for a sustainable re-valorization of these residues.
Buoyant Ontologies: The Roots and Ramifications of Dialogue in Buber and Heidegger
Authors: Wilde Niels
Published: September 2021

Both Buber and Heidegger develop a notion of responsivity—in terms of dialogue regarding the former, and correspondence in the case of the latter—not merely as different types of discourse, but as transcendental structures in a relational or fundamental ontology. However, the responsive register is also transmitted on a different frequency; one that begins from elsewhere, not in a transcendental a priori, but in a transcendent address. Through a focused reading of Buber and Heidegger, I argue that responsivity not only takes place across the transcendental–transcendent divide, but shapes the ontological makeup of such a divide. In short, the ontological conditions of dialogue are negotiated, in turn, through dialogue.
Jesus and Spirituality: Reading the Fourth Gospel in the Light of the Indian Culture
Authors: Thomaskutty Johnson
Published: September 2021

The Gospel of John is considered as one of the significant literary masterpieces that appeals to Indian spirituality and ideals in multifarious ways. The Gospel has unique features as a universalistic rhetoric that encompasses feelings and aspirations of Indians. The character of Jesus in the Gospel and His assimilative power to contemporary realities reverberate the situational aspects of Indian communities. In the current article, first of all, an attempt is made to explore the character of Jesus and the impression of the Johannine spirituality in relation to Indian realities. We also attempt to place the Fourth Gospel in Indian context in order to derive an interpretative dynamism that takes into account both the Jesus of John and the diverse religious and cultural aspects of today’s context. The character of Jesus and the spirituality reflected in John have much in common with the mystical traditions of the Indian religions.
The Application of NIRS to Determine Animal Physiological Traits for Wildlife Management and Conservation
Authors: Morgan Laura R. , Marsh Karen J. , Tolleson Douglas R. , Youngentob Kara N.
Published: September 2021

The ability to measure and monitor wildlife populations is important for species management and conservation. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to rapidly detect physiological traits from wildlife scat and other body materials could play an important role in the conservation of species. Previous research has demonstrated the potential for NIRS to detect diseases such as the novel COVID-19 from saliva, parasites from feces, and numerous other traits from animal skin, hair, and scat, such as cortisol metabolites, diet quality, sex, and reproductive status, that may be useful for population monitoring. Models developed from NIRS data use light reflected from a sample to relate the variation in the sample’s spectra to variation in a trait, which can then be used to predict that trait in unknown samples based on their spectra. The modelling process involves calibration, validation, and evaluation. Data sampling, pre-treatments, and the selection of training and testing datasets can impact model performance. We review the use of NIRS for measuring physiological traits in animals that may be useful for wildlife management and conservation and suggest future research to advance the application of NIRS for this purpose.
Research on the Shearer Positioning Method Based on SINS and LiDAR with Velocity and Absolute Position Constraints
Authors: Zheng Jiangtao , Li Sihai , Liu Shiming , Fu Qiangwen
Published: September 2021

Accurate positioning of the shearer with a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) is the key technology to realize the automation of the longwall face. Unfortunately, the existing positioning methods have a strong dependence on the attitude accuracy of the SINS. The position errors gradually increase with the drift of the SINS attitude. To reduce the dependence on the SINS attitude and further increase the shearer positioning accuracy, this paper proposes a positioning method based on SINS and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with velocity and absolute position constraints. A Kalman filter (KF) model based on these constraints was established. Simulation analysis shows that the attitude calibration between the shearer body, SINS and LiDAR, and the initial attitude alignment of the SINS are the keys to determining the shearer positioning accuracy. Even if there are small horizontal bends in the running track of the shearer and the features have small horizontal errors, an excellent positioning effect can still be obtained. In addition, four cutting processes were simulated with a reciprocating travel of 44.6 m and an advance distance of 1.2 m. Compared with the relative positioning method, the positioning accuracy of the proposed method was improved by 37%, 63%, 76%, and 69% from the first to the fourth cutting cycle, respectively, calculated by spherical error probable (SEP) values, and positioning accuracy had a lower dependence on the installation deflection angles between the SINS, the LiDAR, and the SINS attitude accuracy.
Empirical Models for Spatio-Temporal Live Fuel Moisture Content Estimation in Mixed Mediterranean Vegetation Areas Using Sentinel-2 Indices and Meteorological Data
Authors: Costa-Saura José M. , Balaguer-Beser Ángel , Ruiz Luis A. , Pardo-Pascual Josep E. , Soriano-Sancho José L.
Published: September 2021

Live fuel moisture content (LFMC) is an input factor in fire behavior simulation models highly contributing to fire ignition and propagation. Developing models capable of accurately estimating spatio-temporal changes of LFMC in different forest species is needed for wildfire risk assessment. In this paper, an empirical model based on multivariate linear regression was constructed for the forest cover classified as shrublands in the central part of the Valencian region in the Eastern Mediterranean of Spain in the fire season. A sample of 15 non-monospecific shrubland sites was used to obtain a spatial representation of this type of forest cover in that area. A prediction model was created by combining spectral indices and meteorological variables. This study demonstrates that the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) extracted from Sentinel-2 images and meteorological variables (mean surface temperature and mean wind speed) are a promising combination to derive cost-effective LFMC estimation models. The relationships between LFMC and spectral indices for all sites improved after using an additive site-specific index based on satellite information, reaching a R2adj = 0.70, RMSE = 8.13%, and MAE = 6.33% when predicting the average of LFMC weighted by the canopy cover fraction of each species of all shrub species present in each sampling plot.
Progress and Monitoring Opportunities of Skid Resistance in Road Transport: A Critical Review and Road Sensors
Authors: Rasol Mezgeen , Schmidt Franziska , Ientile Silvia , Adelaide Lucas , Nedjar Boumediene , Kane Malal , Chevalier Christophe
Published: September 2021

Skid resistance is a significant feature that provides consistent traffic safety management for road pavements. An appropriate level of Skid resistance describes the contribution that the pavement surface makes to tire/road friction, and the surface of the road pavement can reduce vehicle operation cost, traffic accidents, and fatalities, particularly in wet conditions. Wet conditions decrease the level of the skid resistance (pavement friction), and this may lead to serious struggles related to driving on the road pavement (e.g., skidding or hydroplaning), which contributes to higher crash rates. The knowledge of skid resistance is essential to ensure reliable traffic management in transportation systems. Thus, a suitable methodology of skid resistance measurement and the understanding of the characterization of the road pavement are key to allow safe driving conditions. This paper presents a critical review on the current state of the art of the research conducted on skid resistance measurement techniques, taking into account field-based and laboratory-based methodologies, and novel road sensors with regard to various practices of skid resistance, factors influencing the skid resistance, the concept of the minimum skid resistance and thresholds. In conclusion, new trends that are relevant to data collection approaches and innovative procedures to further describe the data treatment are discussed to achieve better understanding, more accurate data interoperability, and proper measurement of skid resistance.
Diagnostics of Es Layer Scintillation Observations Using FS3/COSMIC Data: Dependence on Sampling Spatial Scale
Authors: Tsai Lung-Chih , Su Shin-Yi , Liu Chao-Han , Schuh Harald , Wickert Jens , Alizadeh Mohamad Mahdi
Published: September 2021

The basic theory and experimental results of amplitude scintillation from GPS/GNSS radio occultation (RO) observations on sporadic E (Es) layers are reported in this study. Considering an Es layer to be not a “thin” irregularity slab on limb viewing, we characterized the corresponding electron density fluctuations as a power-law function and applied the Ryton approximation to simulate spatial spectrum of amplitude fluctuations. The scintillation index S4 and normalized signal amplitude standard deviation S2 are calculated depending on the sampling spatial scale. The theoretical results show that both S4 and S2 values become saturated when the sampling spatial scale is less than the first Fresnel zone (FFZ), and S4 and S2 values could be underestimated and approximately proportional to the logarithm of sampled spatial wave numbers up to the FFZ wave number. This was verified by experimental analyses using the 50 Hz and de-sampled FormoSat-3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (FS3/COSMIC) GPS RO data in the cases of weak, moderate, and strong scintillations. The results show that the measured S2 and S4 values have a very high correlation coefficient of >0.97 and a ratio of ~0.5 under both complete and undersampling conditions, and complete S4 and S2 values can be derived by dividing the measured undersampling S4 and S2 values by a factor of 0.8 when using 1-Hz RO data.