bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Effects of the Tritordeum-Based Diet Compared to the Low-FODMAPs Diet on the Fecal Metabolome of IBS-D Patients: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Caponio Giusy , Celano Giuseppe , Calabrese Francesco , Riezzo Giuseppe , Orlando Antonella , D’Attoma Benedetta , Ignazzi Antonia , Vacca Mirco , Porrelli Annalisa , Tutino Valeria , De Angelis Maria , Giannelli Gianluigi , Russo Francesco
Published: November 2022

Since irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder—still lacks effective therapy, a nutritional approach may represent a practical alternative. Different reports demonstrated that a low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) diet (LFD) reduces symptoms in IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients, also inducing beneficial pathophysiological and biochemical modifications. More recently, diets with alternative cereals having a different gluten composition, such as tritordeum, have also been considered (TBD). We investigated the impact of TBD and LFD on the fecal metabolome composition in 38 IBS-D patients randomly allocated to the two diets for 12 weeks. Summarily, at baseline, the profile of fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of IBS-D patients was not significantly different in the two groups. After treatment, significant changes were observed in the two groups regarding the VOCs content since some of them increased in the TBD group (namely, decanoic acid), whereas others (i.e., nonanal and ethanol) increased in the LFD one. Further, at baseline, short-chain fatty acids were positively related to inflammation and showed a significant decreasing trend after both diets compared to baseline values (namely, acetic and propanoic acid). Preliminary results from this pilot study suggest a potential positive intervention of TBD and LFD affecting the fecal metabolome composition in IBS-D patients.
Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction and Levodopa Regulate Proteins Involved in Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Pathways in Differentiated Neuroblastoma Cells: Insights from Quantitative Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Magalingam Kasthuri Bai , Ramdas Premdass , Somanath Sushela Devi , Selvaduray Kanga Rani , Bhuvanendran Saatheeyavaane , Radhakrishnan Ammu Kutty
Published: November 2022

Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), a palm oil-derived vitamin E fraction, is reported to possess potent neuroprotective effects. However, the modulation of proteomes in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells (diff-neural cells) by TRF has not yet been reported. This study aims to investigate the proteomic changes implicated by TRF in human neural cells using a label-free liquid-chromatography-double mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach. Levodopa, a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), was used as a drug control. The human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were differentiated for six days and treated with TRF or levodopa for 24 h prior to quantitative proteomic analysis. A total of 81 and 57 proteins were differentially expressed in diff-neural cells following treatment with TRF or levodopa, respectively. Among these proteins, 32 similar proteins were detected in both TRF and levodopa-treated neural cells, with 30 of these proteins showing similar expression pattern. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that most of the proteins regulated by TRF and levodopa are key players in the ubiquitin-proteasome, calcium signalling, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial pathway and axonal transport system. In conclusion, TRF is an essential functional food that affects differential protein expression in human neuronal cells at the cellular and molecular levels.
Green Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Annona glabra and Annona squamosa Extracts with Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Apoptosis Potentials, Assisted by In Silico Modeling, and Metabolic Profiling
Authors: Mokhtar Fatma A. , Selim Nabil M. , Elhawary Seham S. , Abd El Hadi Soha R. , Hetta Mona H. , Albalawi Marzough A. , Shati Ali A. , Alfaifi Mohammad Y. , Elbehairi Serag Eldin I. , Fahmy Lamiaa I. , Ibrahim Rana M.
Published: November 2022

Annona glabra L. (AngTE) and Annona squamosa L. (AnsTE) fruits have been widely used in cancer treatment. Accordingly, their extracts were used to synthesize silver nanoparticles via a biogenic route (Ang-AgNPs) and (Ans-AgNPs), respectively. Chemical profiling was established using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. All species were tested for anticancer activity against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa), prostate adenocarcinoma metastatic (PC3), and ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3) using sulphorhodamine B assay. Apoptosis was determined using Annexin flow cytometry along with cell cycle analysis and supported by a molecular docking. The antibacterial and synergistic effect when combined with gentamicin were evaluated. A total of 114 compounds were tentatively identified, mainly acetogenins and ent-kaurane diterpenes. AnsTE and Ans-AgNPs had the most potent cytotoxicity on HeLa and SKOV3 cells, inducing a significant apoptotic effect against all tumor cells. The AnsTE and Ans-AgNPs significantly arrested PC3, SKOV3, and HeLa cells in the S phase. The nanoparticles demonstrated greater antibacterial and antifungal activities, as well as a synergistic effect with gentamicin against P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Finally, a molecular docking was attempted to investigate the binding mode of the identified compounds in Bcl-2 proteins’ receptor, implying that the fruits and their nanoparticles are excellent candidates for treating skin infections in patients with ovarian or prostatic cancer.
Development and Evaluation of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of Labetalol in Healthy and Diseased Populations
Authors: Hafsa Hafsa , Zamir Ammara , Rasool Muhammad Fawad , Imran Imran , Saeed Hamid , Ahmad Tanveer , Alsanea Sary , Alshamrani Ali A. , Alruwaili Abdullah H. , Alqahtani Faleh
Published: November 2022

Labetalol is a drug that exhibits both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking properties. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) has recommended labetalol as an initial treatment option for the management of severe hypertension. The physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model is an in silico approach to determining the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a drug by incorporating blood flow and tissue composition of the organs. This study was conducted to evaluate the primary reasons for the difference in PK after intravenous (IV) and oral administration in healthy and diseased (renal and hepatic) populations. A comprehensive literature search was done using two databases, PubMed and Google Scholar. Various PK parameters were screened for the development of the PBPK model utilizing a population-based PK-Sim simulator. Simulations were performed after creating building blocks firstly in healthy individuals and then in diseased patients after IV and oral administration. The disposition of labetalol after IV and oral administration occurring in patients with the hepatic and renal disease was predicted. The model was evaluated by calculating the Robs/pred ratio and average fold error (AFE), which was in the two-fold error range. Moreover, Box-whisker plots were made to compare the overall concentration of the drug in the body at various stages of disease severity. The presented model provides useful quantitative estimates of drug dosing in patients fighting against severe chronic diseases.
Editorial for Special Issue: “Additive Manufacturing Approaches to Produce Drug Delivery Systems”
Authors: Valente Joana F. A. , Alves Nuno
Published: November 2022

Cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing (AM) have had an enormous impact in a multitude of sectors [...]
Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Predict Maternal Pharmacokinetics and Fetal Exposure to Oxcarbazepine
Authors: He Lixia , Ke Meng , Wu Wanhong , Chen Jiarui , Guo Guimu , Lin Rongfang , Huang Pinfang , Lin Cuihong
Published: November 2022

Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes that may affect drug pharmacokinetics (PKs). The aim of this study was to establish a maternal–fetal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and its active metabolite, 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-carbazepine (MHD), to (1) assess differences in pregnancy, (2) predict changes in PK target parameters of these molecules following the current dosing regimen, (3) assess predicted concentrations of these molecules in the umbilical vein at delivery, and (4) compare different methods for estimating drug placental penetration. Predictions using the pregnancy PBPK model of OXC resulted in maternal concentrations within a 2-fold error, and extrapolation of the model to early-stage pregnancies indicated that changes in median PK parameters remained above target thresholds, requiring increased frequency of monitoring. The dosing simulation results suggested dose adjustment in the last two trimesters. We generally recommend that women administer ≥ 1.5× their baseline dose of OXC during their second and third trimesters. Test methods for predicting placental transfer showed varying performance, with the in vitro method showing the highest predictive accuracy. Exposure to MHD in maternal and fetal venous blood was similar. Overall, the above-mentioned models can enhance understanding of the maternal–fetal PK behavior of drugs, ultimately informing drug-treatment decisions for pregnant women and their fetuses.
Drought Stress Priming Improved the Drought Tolerance of Soybean
Authors: Sintaha Mariz , Man Chun-Kuen , Yung Wai-Shing , Duan Shaowei , Li Man-Wah , Lam Hon-Ming
Published: November 2022

The capability of a plant to protect itself from stress-related damages is termed “adaptability” and the phenomenon of showing better performance in subsequent stress is termed “stress memory”. While drought is one of the most serious disasters to result from climate change, the current understanding of drought stress priming in soybean is still inadequate for effective crop improvement. To fill this gap, in this study, the drought memory response was evaluated in cultivated soybean (Glycine max). To determine if a priming stress prior to a drought stress would be beneficial to the survival of soybean, plants were divided into three treatment groups: the unprimed group receiving one cycle of stress (1S), the primed group receiving two cycles of stress (2S), and the unstressed control group not subjected to any stress (US). When compared with the unprimed plants, priming led to a reduction of drought stress index (DSI) by 3, resulting in more than 14% increase in surviving leaves, more than 13% increase in leaf water content, slight increase in shoot water content and a slower rate of loss of water from the detached leaves. Primed plants had less than 60% the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance compared to the unprimed plants, accompanied by a slight drop in photosynthesis rate, and about a 30% increase in water usage efficiency (WUE). Priming also increased the root-to-shoot ratio, potentially improving water uptake. Selected genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins and MYB, NAC and PP2C domain-containing transcription factors were shown to be highly induced in primed plants compared to the unprimed group. In conclusion, priming significantly improved the drought stress response in soybean during recurrent drought, partially through the maintenance of water status and stronger expression of stress related genes. In sum, we have identified key physiological parameters for soybean which may be used as indicators for future genetic study to identify the genetic element controlling the drought stress priming.
The Role of Phosphate Fertilization on Physiological Responses of the Young Bertholletia excelsa Plants Grown in a P-Deficient Amazon Ferralsol
Authors: Corrêa Viviane , Gonçalves José , Costa Karen , Oliveira Igor , Santos José , Oliveira Sabrina , Ferreira Marciel , Lima Roberval , Araújo Wagner , Nunes-Nesi Adriano
Published: November 2022

Phosphorus (P) reacts with soil minerals, which makes it less available to plants. Considering that Amazonian soils have a low pH and nutrient availability, both of these properties contribute to an increase in P limitation. Here, we investigate how the addition of P to the substrate affects morpho-physiological traits of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 24-month-old saplings, and the P treatments consisted of a control (Ferrasol without P addition) and 100, 200, 400, and 500 mg P kg−1 of added to the soil. When B. excelsa saplings were fertilized with phosphate, the N:P leaf ratio reduced from 50 to 26. Addition of P favored the photochemical efficiency of PSII (FV/FM), and the application of 200 mg kg−1 increased photosynthesis (PN) by 50%. Furthermore, phosphorus enhanced light and nutrient use efficiency. An increase in B. excelsa dry biomass was observed when 200 mg P kg−1 was added, with maximum yield occurring at 306.2 mg P kg−1. Physiological parameters suggest robust responses by B. excelsa to P fertilization. In addition, our findings reveal the critical role of P on B. excelsa growth in Ferralsol, as well as the potential of P fertilization to improve functional traits of this important Amazonian tree.
The Combination of Monochromatic LEDs and Elicitation with Stressors Enhances the Accumulation of Glucosinolates in Mustard Sprouts with Species-Dependency
Authors: Guijarro-Real Carla , Hernández-Cánovas Lorena , Abellán-Victorio Ángel , Ben-Romdhane Oumaima , Moreno Diego A.
Published: November 2022

This work studies the enhancement of glucosinolates (GSLs) in mustard sprouts as health promoters. Sprouts of Sinapis alba, Brassica nigra, and B. carinata were grown under broad-spectrum, monochromatic blue or red light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, irrigated with 0–100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), and sprayed with 0–250 µM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as elicitor. The use of LEDs did not result in increased sprout biomass in any case. The effect of the applied treatments on the GSLs depended on the species and were restricted to Brassica spp. The red LEDs produced an overall increase in GSLs over 500% in B. carinata (from 12 to 81 mg 100 g−1 F.W.), compared to the white broad-spectrum lights, although the highest increase in content was obtained in treated sprouts with 250 µM MeJA (104 an 105 mg 101 g−1 F.W., under the red and blue LEDs, respectively). The combination of blue LEDs, 100 mM NaCl, and 250 µM MeJA enhanced the levels of GLSs in B. nigra to the maximum (81 mg 100 g−1 F.W.). Overall, these results indicate that by modifying the growing conditions for a given sprout, enhancement in the accumulation of GSLs as health promoters is possible. The use of these treatments is a sustainable alternative to genetic modification when looking for bioactive-enriched foods, delivering natural plant foods rich in bioactive ingredients (e.g., glucosinolates). Nevertheless, the response to the treatments varies among species, indicating that treatments will require adjustment across sprouts. Further research continues with producing cruciferous sprouts to obtain GSL-enriched formulas for further studying the effects of their bioavailability and bioactivity on health-promotion.
Determining Effective Environmental Factors in the Distribution of Endangered Endemic Medicinal Plant Species Using the BMLR Model: The Example of Wild Celery (Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff., Apiaceae) in Zagros (Iran)
Authors: Jahantab Esfandiar , Mahmoudi Mohammad Reza , Sharafatmandrad Mohsen , Karimian Vahid , Sheidai-Karkaj Esmaeil , Khademi Abdolvahab , Morshedloo Mohammad Reza , Hano Christophe , Lorenzo Jose M.
Published: November 2022

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is a medicinal species native to Iran. The goal of this research was to determine the environmental factors important for the distribution of K. doratissima in Iran using BMLR modeling. Six random transects were established throughout the species’ habitat, and 220 quadrats with an area of 4 m2 were plotted. The canopy cover percentages of K. doratissima were estimated in each quadrat. Topographic factors, including elevation, slope, and aspect maps, were generated by creating DEM images. Land use, land evaluation, evaporation, temperature, and precipitation maps of the area were created accordingly. The data collected from the experiments were analyzed using the Minitab and R statistical packages. To determine the effect of the studied factors in the distribution of K. doratissima, we ran a set of backward multiple linear regressions. The results showed that the effects of evaporation, elevation, and slope were significant in the species’ distribution, with elevation having a positive effect and evaporation and slope showing negative effects. Further, elevation had the highest effect on distribution (greatest absolute value of beta at 9.660). The next most significant factors in the plant’s distribution were evaporation (beta = 8.282) and slope (beta = 0.807), respectively.
Laser Joining of Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced PEEK and Titanium Alloy with High Strength
Authors: Wang Haipeng , Ren Zhongjing , Guan Yingchun
Published: November 2022

The generation of high-performance heterojunctions between high-strength resin matrix composites and metals is of great significance for lightweight applications in fields such as aerospace and automobile engineering. Herein, we explored the feasibility of employing a laser joining process to achieve high-strength heterojunctions between continuous carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CCF30/PEEK) composites and titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V). A joint strength of over 50 MPa was achieved through constructing mechanical interlocking structures between CCF30/PEEK and Ti6Al4V. Tensile tests revealed that the fracture of joints was mainly ascribed to the detachment of carbon fibers from the resin matrix and the breakage of carbon fibers. The structures with different orientations and dimensions were confirmed to significantly influence the formation of interlocking structures near the joining interface and the resultant fracture strength of joints. It is believed that the results presented in this study provide a strong foundation for the production of high-performance heterojunctions.
Structure–Properties Relationships Involved in the Embrittlement of Epoxies
Authors: Delannoy Romain , Tognetti Vincent , Richaud Emmanuel
Published: November 2022

This paper illustrates a study of the thermal oxidation of several epoxy amine networks. Oxidation was followed at the molecular scale using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) and at the macromolecular scale using tensile tests. FTIR showed the major formation of amides, while tensile tests showed the progressive increase in the elastic modulus (~0.5 GPa for room temperature Young modulus) and decrease in ultimate strain and volumic energy for failure (assessed using the integrals of stress-strain curves). Both ultimate strain and volumic energy were divided by more than two. Linear correlations between oxidation trackers (amide concentration) and changes in mechanical parameters are presented and discussed.
Experimental and Finite Element Simulation of Polyolefin Elastomer Foams Using Real 3D Structures: Effect of Foaming Agent Content
Authors: Rostami-Tapeh-Esmaeil Ehsan , Heydari Amirhosein , Vahidifar Ali , Esmizadeh Elnaz , Rodrigue Denis
Published: November 2022

In this study, polyolefin elastomer (POE) foams were prepared without any curing agent using a single-step foaming technique. The effect of azodicarbonamide (ADC) content as a chemical foaming agent on the foams’ morphology and mechanical properties was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical properties (tension and compression) and hardness. The results showed that increasing the ADC content from 2 to 3, 4 and 5 phr (parts per hundred rubber) decreased the foam density from 0.75 to 0.71, 0.65 and 0.61 g/cm3, respectively. The morphological analysis revealed that increasing the ADC content from 2 to 4 phr produced smaller cell sizes from 153 to 109 µm (29% lower), but a higher cell density from 103 to 591 cells/mm3 (470% higher). However, using 5 phr of ADC led to a larger cell size (148 µm) and lower cell density (483 cells/mm3) due to cell coalescence. The tensile modulus, strength at break, elongation and hardness properties continuously decreased by 28%, 21%, 16% and 14%, respectively, with increasing ADC content (2 to 5 phr). On the other hand, the compressive properties, including elastic modulus and compressive strength, increased by 20% and 64%, respectively, with increasing ADC content (2 to 5 phr). The tensile and compression tests revealed that the former is more dependent on foam density (foaming ratio), while the latter is mainly controlled by the cellular structure (cell size, cell density and internal gas pressure). In addition, 2D SEM images were used to simulate the foams’ real 3D structure, which was used in finite element methods (FEM) to simulate the stress–strain behavior of the samples at two levels: micro-scale and macro-scale. Finally, the FEM results were compared to the experimental data. Based on the information obtained, a good agreement between the macro-scale stress–strain behavior generated by the FEM simulations and experimental data was obtained. While the FEM results showed that the sample with 3 phr of ADC had the lowest micro-scale stress, the sample with 5 phr had the highest micro-scale stress due to smaller and larger cell sizes, respectively.
Aluminium-Assisted Alloying of Carbon Steel in Submerged Arc Welding with Al-Cr-Ni Unconstrained Metal Powders: Thermodynamic Interpretation of Gas Reactions
Authors: Coetsee Theresa , De Bruin Frederik
Published: November 2022

Unconstrained metal powders of chromium and nickel, in combination with aluminium, were used in the submerged arc welding (SAW) process to simplify weld metal alloying. Unconstrained metal powders refer to non-alloyed metal powders that are not constrained in tubular wire, such as fluxed-cored and metal-cored wire. Aluminium powder is used to control the oxygen potential at the molten flux–weld pool interface. The results presented here show that the addition of aluminium powder to the weld metal enhances Cr and Ni yields to 89% for Cr and 91% for Ni, compared to lower values reported in pre-alloyed powder application. Alloying of the carbon steel in the base plate and weld wire combination was achieved at 6.0% Cr, 6.2% Ni, and 4.5% Al, with the weld metal oxygen controlled to 162 ppm O. Thermodynamic analysis was applied to investigate the likely gas reactions in the arc cavity emanating from the chemical interaction between Cr, Ni, and Al. The effects of gas-based chemical reactions on the yield of Cr and Ni to the weld pool are discussed and incorporated into our SAW reaction flow diagram. Overall SAW process productivity gains can be accomplished by using unconstrained metal powders to alloy the weld metal because expensive and time consuming steps, such as the manufacturing of alloyed wire and alloyed powder, can now be eliminated.
The Influence of Solvent and Extraction Time on Yield and Chemical Selectivity of Cuticular Waxes from Quercus suber Leaves
Authors: Simões Rita , Miranda Isabel , Pereira Helena
Published: November 2022

The cuticular lipid compounds, usually named cuticular waxes, present in the cuticular layering of Quercus suber adult leaves were extracted with solvents of different polarities (n-hexane, dichloromethane and acetone) and analysed by GC–MS. Q. suber leaves have a substantial cuticular wax layer (2.8% of leaf mass and 239 μg/cm2), composed predominantly by terpenes (43–63% of all compounds), followed by aliphatic long chain molecules, mainly fatty acids, and by smaller amounts of aliphatic alcohols and n-alkanes. The major identified compound was lupeol (1.2% of leaves in n-hexane extract). The recovery and composition of cuticular lipids depended on the solvent and extraction time. The non-polar or weak polar solvents n-hexane and dichloromethane extracted similar lipid yields (77% and 86% of the total extract, respectively) while acetone solubilised other cellular compounds, namely sugars, with the lipid compounds representing 43% of the total extract. For cuticular lipids extraction, solvents with a low polarity such as n-hexane are the more suitable with an adequate extraction duration, e.g., n-hexane with a minimum extraction of 3 h.
Polytheism Tendency in the Trend of Integration of the Three Major Religions: Worship of Silkworm Deity Art of Medieval China
Authors: Ju Fei
Published: November 2022

A silkworm deity was a Trade God worshipped by the court and the folk, and was also a spiritual symbol of sericulturists in medieval China. Images of the silkworm deity in ancient Chinese art are important relics of material heritage for studying culture and ritual activities in medieval China. This paper investigates images of silkworm worship from the Han Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty to distinguish between their use by the court and the folk. This paper explores the gradual personification of the silkworm deity in medieval China, as well as the differences in the identity of the silkworm deity connected to the varying status of worshipers and the functions of the silkworm deity. It is proposed that silkworm deity worship is evidence of a tendency toward polytheism, and has a variety of identities and unified functions under the trend of continuous integration of three major religions and folk religion. The worship of the silkworm deity has the characteristics of hybridity, integrated and patriarchal, as well as the social edification and practical functionality caused by the different mentality of official and folk silkworm deity worship in medieval China.
In Like Manner of “Amazing Grace”: A Christian’s Journey for Relationship and the Sound of Spirituality
Authors: Quindag Susan
Published: November 2022

I was 13 years old when I heard Judy Collins’ rendition of “Amazing Grace” over the radio. At that time, I thought it was an unusual song to be played over a rock station. Collins sang the first verse with a pure yet moving vocal quality unaccompanied until the second verse when an unpretentious-sounding choir joined her. I was immediately mesmerized by the sound, even though I did not understand the meaning of the text. However, after embracing Christianity, “Amazing Grace” has been a wonderful companion and master teacher throughout my journey. In this transcendent autoethnography, I answer the research question, “What does spirituality sound like?” by using “Amazing Grace”. I describe how this hymn played a role in my early Christian life when it caused me to consider biblical truth. Then, I explore the lessons I learned about biblical grace. From a music educator’s perspective, I discuss my fundamental belief that “spiritual music is relationship” and show how “Amazing Grace” is a model for the sound of spirituality. I conclude with the prose of seven biblical reflections on what spirituality sounds like—a sound that leads us to a profound relationship with God.
Cognitivism and Religion: Am I My Keeper’s Brother?
Authors: Jenkins Timothy
Published: November 2022

The key factor which underwrites both the enduring appeal of cognitivism and its differences with social anthropology relates to its ‘naturalism’, the continuity perceived between animal and humankind, combined with a view of the priority of realism over the imagination. This paper begins by tracing the path by which cognitivism first marginalized religion and then restored it to a central place, always relying on a naturalistic account that links mental properties to long term evolutionary patterns. After a brief review of the problems anthropologists have raised with some of the implications of this approach, the paper turns to a recent essay by an evolutionary biologist that casts doubt, using a wide range of evidence from the natural science side, on the continuity between animal worlds and human world views. It concludes by drawing some lessons as to the kind of realism required which might reconcile the two social scientific approaches.
A Machine Learning-Based Anomaly Prediction Service for Software-Defined Networks
Authors: Latif Zohaib , Umer Qasim , Lee Choonhwa , Sharif Kashif , Li Fan , Biswas Sujit
Published: November 2022

Software-defined networking (SDN) has gained tremendous growth and can be exploited in different network scenarios, from data centers to wide-area 5G networks. It shifts control logic from the devices to a centralized entity (programmable controller) for efficient traffic monitoring and flow management. A software-based controller enforces rules and policies on the requests sent by forwarding elements; however, it cannot detect anomalous patterns in the network traffic. Due to this, the controller may install the flow rules against the anomalies, reducing the overall network performance. These anomalies may indicate threats to the network and decrease its performance and security. Machine learning (ML) approaches can identify such traffic flow patterns and predict the systems’ impending threats. We propose an ML-based service to predict traffic anomalies for software-defined networks in this work. We first create a large dataset for network traffic by modeling a programmable data center with a signature-based intrusion-detection system. The feature vectors are pre-processed and are constructed against each flow request by the forwarding element. Then, we input the feature vector of each request to a machine learning classifier for training to predict anomalies. Finally, we use the holdout cross-validation technique to evaluate the proposed approach. The evaluation results specify that the proposed approach is highly accurate. In contrast to baseline approaches (random prediction and zero rule), the performance improvement of the proposed approach in average accuracy, precision, recall, and f-measure is (54.14%, 65.30%, 81.63%, and 73.70%) and (4.61%, 11.13%, 9.45%, and 10.29%), respectively.
Solutions of Detour Distance Graph Equations
Authors: Prabha S. Celine , Palanivel M. , Amutha S. , Anbazhagan N. , Cho Woong , Song Hyoung-Kyu , Joshi Gyanendra Prasad , Moon Hyeonjoon
Published: November 2022

Graph theory is a useful mathematical structure used to model pairwise relations between sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks. Graph equations are nothing but equations in which the unknown factors are graphs. Many problems and results in graph theory can be formulated in terms of graph equations. In this paper, we solved some graph equations of detour two-distance graphs, detour three-distance graphs, detour antipodal graphs involving with the line graphs.
Underwater Optical-Sonar Image Fusion Systems
Authors: Kim Hong-Gi , Seo Jungmin , Kim Soo Mee
Published: November 2022

Unmanned underwater operations using remotely operated vehicles or unmanned surface vehicles are increasing in recent times, and this guarantees human safety and work efficiency. Optical cameras and multi-beam sonars are generally used as imaging sensors in underwater environments. However, the obtained underwater images are difficult to understand intuitively, owing to noise and distortion. In this study, we developed an optical and sonar image fusion system that integrates the color and distance information from two different images. The enhanced optical and sonar images were fused using calibrated transformation matrices, and the underwater image quality measure (UIQM) and underwater color image quality evaluation (UCIQE) were used as metrics to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. Compared with the original underwater image, image fusion increased the mean UIQM and UCIQE by 94% and 27%, respectively. The contrast-to-noise ratio was increased six times after applying the median filter and gamma correction. The fused image in sonar image coordinates showed qualitatively good spatial agreement and the average IoU was 75% between the optical and sonar pixels in the fused images. The optical-sonar fusion system will help to visualize and understand well underwater situations with color and distance information for unmanned works.
A Novel Zernike Moment-Based Real-Time Head Pose and Gaze Estimation Framework for Accuracy-Sensitive Applications
Authors: Vankayalapati Hima , Kuchibhotla Swarna , Chadalavada Mohan , Dargar Shashi , Anne Koteswara , Kyamakya Kyandoghere
Published: November 2022

A real-time head pose and gaze estimation (HPGE) algorithm has excellent potential for technological advancements either in human–machine or human–robot interactions. For example, in high-accuracy advent applications such as Driver’s Assistance System (DAS), HPGE plays a crucial role in omitting accidents and road hazards. In this paper, the authors propose a new hybrid framework for improved estimation by combining both the appearance and geometric-based conventional methods to extract local and global features. Therefore, the Zernike moments algorithm has been prominent in extracting rotation, scale, and illumination invariant features. Later, conventional discriminant algorithms were used to classify the head poses and gaze direction. Furthermore, the experiments were performed on standard datasets and real-time images to analyze the accuracy of the proposed algorithm. As a result, the proposed framework has immediately estimated the range of direction changes under different illumination conditions. We obtained an accuracy of ~85%; the average response time was 21.52 and 7.483 ms for estimating head poses and gaze, respectively, independent of illumination, background, and occlusion. The proposed method is promising for future developments of a robust system that is invariant even to blurring conditions and thus reaching much more significant performance enhancement.
The Rise of Donald Trump Right-Wing Populism in the United States: Middle American Radicalism and Anti-Immigration Discourse
Authors: Campani Giovanna , Fabelo Concepción Sunamis , Rodriguez Soler Angel , Sánchez Savín Claudia
Published: November 2022

Populism has been an inherent phenomenon in the history of the United States since the beginning of the republic to the present, but it is only in 2016 that a populist leader, Donald Trump, has won the presidential election. The article considers Trump’s victory as part of the history of USA populism, taking into consideration the demand and the support for it in specific groups of radicalized, mainly white American citizens, who, since the late 1960s, felt abandoned or even betrayed by the mainstream political leadership through times of economic restructuring, cultural changes, and demographic transitions. This broad overview shows how USA populism, far from being the product of lunatic leaders, is deeply rooted in long-term processes concerning millions of people. The United States are a nation that has been built by immigration and wracked by debates about each successive wave of it: however, the forms debates on immigration have taken vary according to the generations. This paper makes the attempt to analyze the specificities of the present debate. The major changes introduced in migration policies in 1965 have slowly produced demographic changes in the ethnic components of the nation. The transformational demographic change- the majority ethnic group- non-Hispanic white people becoming one of multiple minorities- has been exploited by right-wing populists, such as Pat Buchanan, since the Nineties. Donald Trump’s speech on immigration is connected with different ideological positions—conservatism, paleo-conservatism, nativism, white suprematism—that form the puzzle of Trumpism, which has become a reference for international populists. Furthermore, opposition to immigration means delimiting the borders of the nation: this is an evident symbol of the rejection of the globalist idea of a borderless world that an elite pursues and that is repudiated by Trumpism. With his open contempt for “globalism” (as the idea that economic and foreign policy should be planned in an international way) and for the liberal–cosmopolitan elites who have provided ideological cover for it, Donald Trump has rallied many Americans and gained supporters in different parts of the world.
Monitoring Internal Training Intensity Correlated with Neuromuscular and Well-Being Status in Croatian Professional Soccer Players during Five Weeks of the Pre-Season Training Phase
Authors: Maleš Josip , Ouergui Ibrahim , Kuna Danijela , Žuvela Frane , De Giorgio Andrea , Kuvačić Goran
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the changes in internal training intensity, well-being, and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and to determine their relationship across five weeks of the pre-season training phase in professional soccer players. A total of 22 professional male soccer players (age = 21.7 ± 4 years, body height = 185.9 ± 6.3 cm, body weight = 79 ± 6.3 kg, BMI = 22.8 ± 1.4 kg·m−2; VO2max = 52.9 ± 3.2) from the Croatian Second League voluntary participated in this study. The players spent 2230 ± 117 min in 32 technical/tactical and strength/conditioning training sessions, mostly at the low intensity zone (61%), and played 8 friendly matches at a high intensity (>90%). A one-way repeated measure of analysis ANOVA revealed a significant difference between weeks in CMJ performance (F(1,22) = 11.8, p < 0.001), with CMJ height in weeks 4 and 5 being likely to very likely higher than that noted in week 1. Moreover, significant differences between weeks were found in all internal training intensity measures (average [F(1,22) = 74.8, p < 0.001] and accumulated weekly internal training intensity [F(1,22) = 55.4, p < 0.001], training monotony [F(1,22) = 23.9, p < 0.001], and training strain [F(1,22) = 34.5, p < 0.001]). Likewise, differences were observed for wellness status categories (fatigue [F(1,22) = 4.3, p = 0.003], sleep [F(1,22) = 7.1, p < 0.001], DOMS [F(1,22) = 5.7, p < 0.001], stress [F(1,22) = 15.6, p < 0.001]), mood [F(1,22) = 12.7, p < 0.001], and overall well-being status score (F(1,22) = 13.2, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed large negative correlations between average weekly internal training intensity and fatigue (r = −0.63, p = 0.002), DOMS (r = −0.61, p = 0.003), and WBI (r = −0.53, p = 0.011). Additionally, fatigue was significantly associated (large negative correlation) with accumulated weekly internal training intensity (r = −0.51, p = 0.014) and training strain (r = −0.61, p = 0.003). Small, but non-significant, correlations were found between CMJ performance and wellness status measures. These findings highlight the utility and simplicity of monitoring tools to improve athletes’ performance.
Modeling of Water Quality in West Ukrainian Rivers Based on Fluctuating Asymmetry of the Fish Population
Authors: Trach Yuliia , Chernyshev Denys , Biedunkova Olga , Moshynskyi Victor , Trach Roman , Statnyk Ihor
Published: November 2022

Increased concentrations of chemicals in surface waters affect the development of fish and the state of water bodies in general. In turn, the human consumption of fish that have accumulated heavy metals can cause toxicological hazards and endanger health. The importance of this area and the lack of water quality assessment methods in Ukraine based on the fluctuating asymmetry level of fish and the chemical parameters of water informed the object and aim of the current research. The object of this study was the use of fish populations as a bioindicator of water quality. The study had three purposes: (1) the determination of the dominant fish species and a comparison of their fluctuating asymmetry in the studied rivers; (2) the evaluation of the sensitivity/tolerance of the selected fish populations for assessing water quality; and (3) the creation of a model for assessing the water quality of the studied rivers based on the determined fluctuating asymmetry of the typical fish populations. Each of the studied fish populations had different frequency of fluctuating asymmetry (FFA) levels: the common roach had the highest value, and the silver crucian carp had the lowest. The final stage of the study was building an artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting water quality based on the FFA of meristic features. Optimal results were obtained for the ANN model with the ReLU activation function and SGD optimization algorithm (MAPE = 6.7%; R2 = 0.97187). Such values for the MAPE and R2 indicators demonstrated that the level of agreement between the target and forecast data was satisfactory. The novelty of this research lay in the development of a model for assessing water quality based on the comparison of the fluctuating asymmetry values of the typical fish populations in the studied rivers.
Coupling Effects of Strain Rate and Low Temperature on the Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Frozen Water-Saturated Sandstone
Authors: Yan Zhiqiang , Li Zeng , Tan Yizhong , Ma Linjian , Yu Liyuan , Li Hongya
Published: November 2022

The mechanical properties of water-rich rocks in a subzero temperature environment are quite different from those at room temperature, which introduces many unexpected engineering hazards. The dynamic compressive behaviors of frozen water-saturated sandstone are related to strain rate and temperature at different degrees. In this paper, quasi-static and dynamic tests were conducted on the saturated sandstone utilizing the MTS-816 apparatus and the modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device with a freezing module, which are constrained at a temperature range of −1 °C~−20 °C and a strain rate range of 10−5 s−1~200 s−1. The coupling effect of strain rate and temperature on the mechanical characteristics of saturated sandstone is systematically investigated. It is found that the quasi-static compressive strength of frozen saturated sandstone increases with the applied temperature from −1 °C to −5 °C and decreases with that from −5 °C to −20 °C, while the dynamic compressive strength exhibits an opposite trend. Different from the primary shear failure under quasi-static tests, the failure pattern of the frozen specimens becomes tensile failure under dynamic tests with an evident sensitivity to the applied temperature. Furthermore, the dissipated energy can be positively correlated with strain rate, while the growth rate of dissipated energy decreases with the applied temperature from −1 °C to −5 °C and increases with that from −5 °C to −20 °C. A new water-ice phase transition mechanism was further introduced, which divided the freezing process of water-saturated rock into the intensive stage and the stable water-ice phase transition stage. The underlying mechanism of water-ice phase transition governing the dynamic mechanical behavior of frozen saturated sandstone was also revealed.
Trichodinids (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Peritrichida) of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Philippines
Authors: BONDAD-REANTASO M.G. , ARTHUR J.R.
Published: November 2022

During a survey of the trichodinida of wild and cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) throughout the Philippines, a total of eight species belonging to two genera were encountered. Among these was Trichodina r,elasquezae n. sp., from the skin and gills of brackishwater cultured tilapia from Leganes, Iloilo. Other species identified include T. centrostrigata Basson, Van As, and Paperna, 1983; T. acuta Lom, 1970; T. heterodentata Duncan, 1977; T. siluri Lom, 1970; Trichodina Bp.; Tripartiella clavodonta Basson and Van As, 1987; and Tripartiella tilapiae (Duncan, 1977) n. comb. Trichodina equatoralis Kazubski, 1986 is considered a synonym of T. heterodentata, while Trichodinella lechridens Basson and Van As, 1987 and T. macrosoma Basson and Van As, 1987 are regarded as synonyms of Tripartiella tilapiae.
Velvet Shrimps (Metapenaeopsis spp.) of Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia
Authors: WATSON R.A. , KEATING J .A.
Published: November 2022

The velvet shrimps, Metapenaeopsis rouo (Racek and Dall 1965) and M. palmensis (Haswell 1879), form a large part of penaeid shrimp catches from Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia, and are caught from 5 to 30 mm carapace length. Recruitment to the fishery 00CUrs annually in January to Mu-ch and abundance is greatest during May to October. Females are first found mature at 12 mm carapace length and spawning occunr year-round with peaks in April, July and October. Males begin to mature at 5 mm carapace length and all have joined petasmaa by 9 mm carapace length. M. rosea males are heavier than their female counterparts at any given carapace length and no difference was found between male and female M. palmensis. Male and female M. roseo were heavier than thoee of M. palmensis at the same length. Until recently catches of these species were discarded but increasingly those of larger sizes are retained and marketed.
Les bocages face au remembrement
Authors: Renard Jean
Published: November 2022

L'auteur rappelle la très grande hétérogénéité des paysages bocagers de l'Ouest de la France et les difficultés de pratiquer en ces milieux si divers une réorganisation foncière. Il évalue les possibilités et les contraintes respectives du regroupement cultural et du remembrement. Il note que le remembrement doit être mené différemment selon les cas et qu'une participation des agriculteurs et des spécialistes intéressés est nécessaire. En tout état de cause le remembrement doit aérer le bocage mais non pas le détruire et il doit être l'occasion d'un aménagement global du milieu rural.
Vers une philosophie des rivages
Authors: Guilcher André
Published: November 2022

A reflection on present-time evolution of shorelines, bearing on exemples taken in different parts of the world, leads to the conclusion that, beside general or natural causes of coastal retreat as the greenhouse effect (which remains to be precised), local anthropic actions as dams on rivers, exploitation of beach sediments by man, etc, are quite often the true origin of shore recession. Anyhow, the retreat is not universal. Coastal management must not follow general, inflexible rules : each particular case deserves a particular solution, after careful examination of the different factors involved. Conservation of sites for scientific purposes should occur more often than it is now the case. Remote sensing is and will be an indispensable tool for studies in this respect.
Apport de la géomorphologie à une problématique environnementale : comment faciliter le ramassage des algues vertes (Ulva armoricana) en baie de Saint-Michel-en-Grève (Côtes-d’Armor) ?
Authors: Gad Laurent , Suanez Serge , Hénaff Alain , Lidou Françoise , Morel Valérie
Published: November 2022

À partir des années 1980, une vaste zone déprimée appelée la poche du Yar se creuse en haut d’estran directement à l’arrière de la confluence entre le Yar et le Roscoat en baie de Saint-Michel-en-Grève. Sa présence engendrait deux problèmes que le Conseil général des Côtes-d’Armor avait à résoudre : d’une part, le piégeage d’algues vertes (Ulva armoricana) qui, après pourrissement, créaient des désagréments olfactif et paysager durant la période estivale ; d’autre part, la mise à nu du substrat rocheux rendant difficile le ramassage des algues par les engins. Une étude approfondie des processus hydrodynamiques et morphosédimentaires du secteur a permis de proposer l’intervention technique la plus appropriée afin de l’éliminer. L’accent a été mis sur une gestion qui tienne compte des dynamiques naturelles, socioéconomiques ainsi que du respect de la législation, privilégiant ainsi l’approche intégrée et environnementale. Les résultats obtenus sur le suivi topo-morphologique sont présentés.
Dynamique littorale d’un delta estuarien : les Bijagos (Guinée-Bissau)
Authors: Pennober Gwenaëlle
Published: November 2022

La dynamique littorale de l’archipel des Bijagos (Guinée-Bissau, Afrique de l’Ouest), est étudiée dans un contexte d’évolution accélérée des littoraux ouest africains. Ce vaste ensemble de quatre-vingts îles et îlots s’étale sur 10 000 km2, entre le Sénégal et la République populaire de Guinée. L’analyse des formations littorales a débouché sur la description d’un delta estuarien très particulier, visiblement en accrétion. Son existence est liée à un contexte hydrodynamique et structural régional qui s’est révélé exceptionnel.