bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commercializing Sonic Seasoning in Multisensory Offline Experiential Events and Online Tasting Experiences
Authors: Spence Charles , Wang Qian Janice , Reinoso-Carvalho Felipe , Keller Steve
Published: September 2021

The term “sonic seasoning” refers to the deliberate pairing of sound/music with taste/flavour in order to enhance, or modify, the multisensory tasting experience. Although the recognition that people experience a multitude of crossmodal correspondences between stimuli in the auditory and chemical senses originally emerged from the psychophysics laboratory, the last decade has seen an explosion of interest in the use and application of sonic seasoning research findings, in a range of multisensory experiential events and online offerings. These marketing-led activations have included a variety of different approaches, from curating pre-composed music selections that have the appropriate sonic qualities (such as pitch or timbre), to the composition of bespoke music/soundscapes that match the specific taste/flavour of particular food or beverage products. Moreover, given that our experience of flavour often changes over time and frequently contains multiple distinct elements, there is also scope to more closely match the sonic seasoning to the temporal evolution of the various components (or notes) of the flavour experience. We review a number of case studies of the use of sonic seasoning, highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities associated with the various approaches, and consider the intriguing interplay between physical and digital (online) experiences. Taken together, the various examples reviewed here help to illustrate the growing commercial relevance of sonic seasoning research.
The Effect of Pranayamic Breathing as a Positive Psychology Exercise on Foreign Language Learning Anxiety and Test Anxiety Among Language Learners at Tertiary Level
Authors: Tasan Murselin , Mede Enisa , Sadeghi Karim
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the impact of pranayamic breathing (PB) as a positive psychology exercise on mitigating foreign language anxiety (FLLA) and test anxiety (TA) of undergraduate English students studying at a Turkish university. Additionally, the study examined the effects of PB on academic achievement in listening and reading comprehension skills of the participants as well as exploring learners’ and their instructor’s perceptions of using PB techniques in their classrooms. The sample consisted of 140 sophomore English language learners. Two intact classes, each comprising 70 participants, were selected as the experimental and the control group using convenience sampling. Two basic PB techniques, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama and Bhramari Pranayama, were implemented to the experimental group on a weekly basis for a total of 7 weeks. In this mixed-method study, the quantitative data were gathered using English Language Learning Anxiety Scale, Foreign Language Test Anxiety Scale, and listening and reading achievement pre- and post-tests, while the qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and the teacher’s reflective journal. The findings revealed that the implementation of positive psychology technique of pranayama breathing mitigated the FLLA and TA levels significantly and also improved listening and reading comprehension skills of the participants to a considerable extent. The findings also demonstrated that both the students and their instructor perceived PB implementation as a useful and a practical medium in alleviating the anxious feelings, promoting the general class atmosphere and regulating daily habits despite the implementational challenges shared by the instructor.
L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Potential Novel Biomarkers for Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Nie Li-Juan , Liang Jun , Shan Feng , Wang Bao-Shi , Mu Yuan-Yuan , Zhou Xie-Hai , Xia Qing-Rong
Published: September 2021

The lack of biomarkers greatly limits the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Endogenous L-carnitine (LC) and its derivative acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) play antidepressant roles by improving brain energy metabolism, regulating neurotransmitters and neural plasticity. The levels of ALC in people and rodents with depression are significantly reduced. It is necessary to determine whether serum LC and ALC might be used as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of MDD. Here, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine the concentration of LC and ALC in the serum of healthy controls and patients with MDD; among the latter, in patients who were responsive (effective group) and non-responsive (ineffective group) after 2 weeks of treatment. The diagnostic value of serum LC and ALC for MDD was assessed. Compared with healthy controls, the serum LC and ALC concentrations in patients with MDD were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis shows that the HDRS-24 score was negatively associated with serum ALC (r = −0.325, P = 0.007). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.801 with 83.1% sensitivity and 66.3% specificity for LC, and an AUC of 0.898 with 88.8% sensitivity and 76.4% specificity for ALC, differentiating patients with MDD from healthy controls. Furthermore, the concentration of LC and ALC in patients with depression was significantly increased in the effective treatment group, and no significant change was observed in the ineffective treatment group. These results suggest that serum LC and ALC may be novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of MDD.
The Cognitive, Ecological, and Developmental Origins of Self-Disturbance in Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Baptista Axel , Cohen David , Jacquet Pierre Olivier , Chambon Valérian
Published: September 2021

Self-disturbance is recognized as a key symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Although it is the source of significant distress and significant costs to society, it is still poorly specified. In addition, current research and models on the etiology of BPD do not provide sufficient evidence or predictions about who is at risk of developing BPD and self-disturbance, and why. The aim of this review is to lay the foundations of a new model inspired by recent developments at the intersection of social cognition, behavioral ecology, and developmental biology. We argue that the sense of agency is an important dimension to consider when characterizing self-disturbances in BPD. Second, we address the poorly characterized relation between self-disturbances and adverse life conditions encountered early in life. We highlight the potential relevance of Life-History Theory—a major framework in evolutionary developmental biology—to make sense of this association. We put forward the idea that the effect of early life adversity on BPD symptomatology depends on the way individuals trade their limited resources between competing biological functions during development.
Mandated or Voluntary Treatment of Men Who Committed Child Sexual Abuse: Is There a Difference?
Authors: von Franqué Fritjof , Briken Peer
Published: September 2021

Child sexual abuse is associated with multiple and often severe consequences for people who are affected by it. From the perspective of indicative prevention, the treatment of people who have sexually abused children represents one important strategy, with the assumption that there is often a risk for sexual recidivism. However, there is still very limited knowledge about how men who have not been convicted of child sexual abuse but participate in voluntary treatment (here called non-forensic clients) differ from those who have been convicted and undergo mandated treatment (here called forensic clients). This study compared 22 forensic and 22 non-forensic clients regarding pedophilic interests, static and dynamic risk factors, responsivity features, and treatment progress during an individualized treatment based on the principles of risk, need, and responsivity. We found neither differences in the rates in the DSM-5 diagnosis of pedophilic disorder, nor in risk and responsivity associated scores at the beginning of treatment. In both groups, a low to moderate risk for sexual re-offending was estimated. Both groups improved their functioning on dynamic risk and responsivity factors under treatment, while age at the beginning of therapy also had a positive effect on all outcomes. Non-forensic clients had a higher amount of responsivity associated resources than forensic clients during treatment. The limitations of these results and their implications for further research and prevention approaches are discussed.
On Blurry Boundaries When Defining Digital Biomarkers: How Much Biology Needs to Be in a Digital Biomarker?
Authors: Montag Christian , Elhai Jon D. , Dagum Paul
Published: September 2021

Recent years have seen a rise in research where so called “digital biomarkers” represent the focal study interest. Many researchers understand that digital biomarkers describe digital footprints providing insights into healthy and pathological human (neuro-)biology. Beyond that the term digital biomarker is also used at times to describe more general concepts such as linking digital footprints to human behavior (which itself can be described as the result of a biological system). Given the lack of consensus on how to define a digital biomarker, the present short mini-review provides i) an overview on various definitions and ii) distinguishes between direct (narrow) or indirect (broad) concepts of digital biomarkers. From our perspective, digital biomarkers meant as a more direct (or narrow) concept describe digital footprints being directly linked to biological variables, such as stemming from molecular genetics, epigenetics, endocrinology, immunology or brain imaging, to name a few. More indirect concepts of digital biomarkers encompass digital footprints being linked to human behavior that may act as latent variables indirectly linked to biological variables.
“Salus Populi Suprema Lex”: Considerations on the Initial Response of the United Kingdom to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Authors: Favi Evaldo , Leonardis Francesca , Manzia Tommaso Maria , Angelico Roberta , Alalawi Yousof , Alfieri Carlo , Cacciola Roberto
Published: September 2021

In several countries worldwide, the initial response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been heavily criticized by general public, media, and healthcare professionals, as well as being an acrimonious topic in the political debate. The present article elaborates on some aspects of the United Kingdom (UK) primary reaction to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; specifically, from February to July 2020. The fact that the UK showed the highest mortality rate in Western Europe following the first wave of COVID-19 certainly has many contributing causes; each deserves an accurate analysis. We focused on three specific points that have been insofar not fully discussed in the UK and not very well known outside the British border: clinical governance, access to hospital care or intensive care unit, and implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. The considerations herein presented on these fundamental matters will likely contribute to a wider and positive discussion on public health, in the context of an unprecedented crisis.
Does Family Migration Affect Access to Public Health Insurance? Medical Insurance Participation in the Context of Chinese Family Migration Flows
Authors: Liu Luchan
Published: September 2021

Using 2017 Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS) data, logistic regression models were developed to explore the family migration rate on health care participation of floating population. The analysis reveals that 68.69% of the floating population in China moves with at least one family member, but the local health insurance participation rate of them are relative low. However, family migration rate has a significant positive correlation with the health insurance participation of the floating population at the destination, which explains by family support and social integration mechanisms. The higher the degree of family migration, the higher the likelihood of participating in local health insurance system. Age, labor contract types, migration range and cities numbers, health records, and the accessibility of health resources have a significant negative correlation with health care participation of the floating population at the destination; gender, health, marriage, education, hukou types, monthly income, migration history, and move duration have a significant positive correlation. The effect of family migration rate on health care participation is weaker in group in which people are low-educated and signs non-fixed-term contract or gets bottom 50% monthly income or under the no-kids family structure. Potential policies informed by these findings are also explored.
Cochlear Size Assessment Predicts Scala Tympani Volume and Electrode Insertion Force- Implications in Robotic Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery
Authors: Dhanasingh Anandhan , Swords Chloe , Bance Manohar , Van Rompaey Vincent , Van de Heyning Paul
Published: September 2021

Objectives: The primary aim was to measure the volume of the scala tympani (ST) and the length of the straight portion of the cochlear basal turn from micro-computed tomography (μCT) images. The secondary aim was to estimate the electrode insertion force based on cochlear size and insertion speed. Both of these objectives have a direct clinical relevance in robotic assisted cochlear implant (CI) surgery.

Methods: The ST was segmented in thirty μCT datasets to create a three-dimensional (3D) model and calculate the ST volume. The diameter (A-value), the width (B-value), and the straight portion of the cochlear basal turn (S-value) were measured from the oblique coronal plane. Electrode insertion force was measured in ST models of two different sizes, by inserting FLEX24 (24 mm) and FLEX28 (28 mm) electrode arrays at five different speeds (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mm/s).

Results: The mean A-, B-, and S-values measured from the 30 μCT datasets were 9.0 ± 0.5, 6.7 ± 0.4, and 6.9 mm ± 0.5, respectively. The mean ST volume was 34.2 μl ± 7 (range 23–50 μl). The ST volume increased linearly with an increase in A- and B-values (Pearson's coefficient r = 0.55 and 0.56, respectively). The A-value exhibited linear positive correlation with the B-value and S-value (Pearson's coefficient r = 0.64 and r = 0.66, respectively). In the smaller of the two ST models, insertion forces were higher across the range of insertion speeds during both array insertions, when compared to the upscaled model. Before the maximum electrode insertion depths, a trend toward lower insertion force for lower insertion speed and vice-versa was observed.

Conclusion: It is important to determine pre-operative cochlear size as this seems to have an effect upon electrode insertion forces. Higher insertion forces were seen in a smaller sized ST model across two electrode array lengths, as compared to an upscaled larger model. The ST volume, which cannot be visualized on clinical CT, correlates with clinical cochlear parameters. This enabled the creation of an equation capable of predicting ST volume utilizing A- and B-values, thus enabling pre-operative prediction of ST volume.
Quantitative Analysis of Temporal Bone Density and Thickness for Robotic Ear Surgery
Authors: Talon Emile , Visini Miranda , Wagner Franca , Caversaccio Marco , Wimmer Wilhelm
Published: September 2021

Background and Objective: Quantitative assessment of bone density and thickness in computed-tomography images offers great potential for preoperative planning procedures in robotic ear surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed-tomography scans of subjects undergoing cochlear implantation (N = 39). In addition, scans of Thiel-fixated ex-vivo specimens were analyzed (N = 15). To estimate bone mineral density, quantitative computed-tomography data were obtained using a calibration phantom. The temporal bone thickness and cortical bone density were systematically assessed at retroauricular positions using an automated algorithm referenced by an anatomy-based coordinate system. Two indices are proposed to include information of bone density and thickness for the preoperative assessment of safe screw positions (Screw Implantation Safety Index, SISI) and mass distribution (Column Density Index, CODI). Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effects of age, gender, ear side and position on bone thickness, cortical bone density and the distribution of the indices.

Results: Age, gender, and ear side only had negligible effects on temporal bone thickness and cortical bone density. The average radiodensity of cortical bone was 1,511 Hounsfield units, corresponding to a bone mineral density of 1,145 mg HA/cm3. Temporal bone thickness and cortical bone density depend on the distance from Henle's spine in posterior direction. Moreover, safe screw placement locations can be identified by computation of the SISI distribution. A local maximum in mass distribution was observed posteriorly to the supramastoid crest.

Conclusions: We provide quantitative information about temporal bone density and thickness for applications in robotic and computer-assisted ear surgery. The proposed preoperative indices (SISI and CODI) can be applied to patient-specific cases to identify optimal regions with respect to bone density and thickness for safe screw placement and effective implant positioning.
Validity and Responsiveness of the Generic Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument (VetMetrica™) in Cats With Osteoarthritis. Comparison of Vet and Owner Impressions of Quality of Life Impact
Authors: Scott E. Marian , Davies Vinny , Nolan Andrea M. , Noble Cory E. , Dowgray Nathalie J. , German Alexander J. , Wiseman-Orr M. Lesley , Reid Jacqueline
Published: September 2021

Validity is not an inherent property of a measurement scale and so evidence for validity relating to its use for particular purposes, with defined populations and in specified contexts must be accumulated. We have published the development of a web-based, generic health-related quality of life instrument (VetMetrica™) to measure the affective impact of chronic disease in cats and provided evidence for its validity in a mixed population of cats, some of which, according to veterinary judgement, were healthy and others of which were suffering from chronic conditions likely to affect their quality of life, often with multiple co-morbidities present. The first aim of the current study was to demonstrate the construct validity of the VetMetrica™ generic instrument when used with cats suffering from osteoarthritis, by testing the hypothesis that the health-related quality of life profile of cats with different severities of osteoarthritis would differ and by demonstrating convergent validity between the health-related quality of life profile scores and independently quantified vet-assessed pain and quality of life impact scores. The latter involved simple correlation analysis and investigation of the relationship between health-related quality of life domain scores and vet-assessed scores, when adjusted for other potential explanatory variables including number of comorbidities and age. Responsiveness—the ability to detect clinically relevant change—is an essential quality for an evaluative instrument and it also provides evidence for “longitudinal validity”. Therefore, a second aim of this study was to demonstrate that changes in health-related quality of life domain scores concurred with the clinician's impression of change over time in the health status of cats with osteoarthritis, thus providing evidence for the instrument's responsiveness. Previously, we have reported disagreement between owner and vet impression as to health status in cats in general, but not in relation to any specific disease. Accordingly, the third study aim was to investigate the extent of agreement or disagreement between owner impression of the impact of osteoarthritis on their cats' quality of life and vet impression of such impact. Fifty one percentage of cat owners believed their cats to be perfectly healthy despite a clinician diagnosis of osteoarthritis
Closed-Loop Cognitive-Driven Gain Control of Competing Sounds Using Auditory Attention Decoding
Authors: Aroudi Ali , Fischer Eghart , Serman Maja , Puder Henning , Doclo Simon
Published: September 2021

Recent advances have shown that it is possible to identify the target speaker which a listener is attending to using single-trial EEG-based auditory attention decoding (AAD). Most AAD methods have been investigated for an open-loop scenario, where AAD is performed in an offline fashion without presenting online feedback to the listener. In this work, we aim at developing a closed-loop AAD system that allows to enhance a target speaker, suppress an interfering speaker and switch attention between both speakers. To this end, we propose a cognitive-driven adaptive gain controller (AGC) based on real-time AAD. Using the EEG responses of the listener and the speech signals of both speakers, the real-time AAD generates probabilistic attention measures, based on which the attended and the unattended speaker are identified. The AGC then amplifies the identified attended speaker and attenuates the identified unattended speaker, which are presented to the listener via loudspeakers. We investigate the performance of the proposed system in terms of the decoding performance and the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) improvement. The experimental results show that, although there is a significant delay to detect attention switches, the proposed system is able to improve the SIR between the attended and the unattended speaker. In addition, no significant difference in decoding performance is observed between closed-loop AAD and open-loop AAD. The subjective evaluation results show that the proposed closed-loop cognitive-driven system demands a similar level of cognitive effort to follow the attended speaker, to ignore the unattended speaker and to switch attention between both speakers compared to using open-loop AAD. Closed-loop AAD in an online fashion is feasible and enables the listener to interact with the AGC.
Drivers and Barriers Influencing the Willingness to Adopt Technologies for Variable Rate Application of Fertiliser in Lower Austria
Authors: Blasch Julia , Vuolo Francesco , Essl Laura , van der Kroon Bianca
Published: September 2021

Even though a broad range of technologies for variable rate application of nitrogen fertiliser is available, there are hardly any documented cases of their use in Austria. In this study, the drivers and barriers of adoption have been investigated. A survey of 242 farmers in Lower Austria was conducted. The survey covered the farmers’ economic situation, concerns, and expectations regarding the future of their farms and their interest in precision farming technologies. A choice experiment was included in the survey to elicit farmers’ preferences for different features of variable rate application technologies. A series of multinomial logit, mixed logit and latent class logit models were run to analyze the choice experiment. Most farmers were interested in variable rate application, whereas technology costs, yield and environmental improvements were found to be important drivers of adoption. Also, farm size, farming system, technological level and network activities seem to play an important role in the uptake of variable rate application technologies.
The C4 Atriplex halimus vs. the C3 Atriplex hortensis: Similarities and Differences in the Salinity Stress Response
Authors: Calone Roberta , Cellini Antonio , Manfrini Luigi , Lambertini Carla , Gioacchini Paola , Simoni Andrea , Barbanti Lorenzo
Published: September 2021

Soil properties and the ability to sustain agricultural production are seriously impaired by salinity. The cultivation of halophytes is seen as a solution to cope with the problem. In this framework, a greenhouse pot experiment was set up to assess salinity response in the perennial C4 species Atriplex halimus, and in the following three cultivars of the annual C3 Atriplex hortensis: green, red, and scarlet. The four genotypes were grown for 35 days with water salinity (WS) ranging from 0 to 360 mM NaCl. Plant height and fresh weight (FW) increased at 360 vs. 0 WS. The stomatal conductance (GS) and transpiration rate (E) were more severely affected by salinity in the C4 A. halimus than in the C3 species A. hortensis. This was reflected in a lower leaf water potential indicating stronger osmotic adjustment, and a higher relative water content associated with more turgid leaves, in A. halimus than A. hortensis. In a PCA including all the studied traits, the GS and E negatively correlated to the FW, which, in turn, positively correlated with Na concentration and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), indicating that reduced gas exchange associated with Na accumulation contributed to sustain iWUE under salinity. Finally, FTIR spectroscopy showed a reduced amount of pectin, lignin, and cellulose under salinity, indicating a weakened cell wall structure. Overall, both species were remarkably adapted to salinity: From an agronomic perspective, the opposite strategies of longer vs. faster soil coverage, involved by the perennial A. halimus vs. the annual A. hortensis cv. scarlet, are viable natural remedies for revegetating marginal saline soils and increasing soil organic carbon.
Genetic Variation and Phylogeny of Wabisuke Camellias by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Analysis
Authors: Kim Jung-Hee , Koike Itsumi , Nakashima Toshiki , Hiramatsu Michikazu , Miyajima Ikuo , Mizunoe Yuki , Okubo Hiroshi , Ozaki Yukio
Published: September 2021

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was conducted on the wabisuke camellia and its relative camellia species. Genetic polymorphism was identified among the ‘Uraku’ camellia, its offspring ‘Tosa-uraku’ and Camellia japonica, whereas the two accessions of the old ‘Uraku’ showed monomorphism in all the fragments. The results suggested that the two old ‘Uraku’ trees are asexually-propagated clonal strains. The genetic distance between wabisuke cultivars and Chinese camellias and between wabisuke camellias and C. sinensis was much further than that between wabisuke cultivars and Camellia japonica. It has also been suggested that wabisuke camellias can be classified into two subgroups, I-1 and I-2, and that Subgroup I-2 originated from C. japonica, while Subgroup I-1, including ‘Uraku’ (synonym: ‘Tarokaja’), was developed by the repeated hybridization of C. japonica to interspecific hybrids with the Chinese camellias, e.g., C. pitardii var. pitardii, or by the involvement of related species not investigated in this study.
Changes in Serum Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Sheep with Gastrointestinal Nematodes
Authors: Schmidt Elizabeth Moreira dos Santos , Fachiolli Daniele Floriano , de Oliveira Raphaela Moreira , Almeida Fabiana Alves , Pariz Cristiano Magalhães , de Lima Meirelles Paulo Roberto , Costa Ciniro , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Erel Ozcan , Neselioglu Salim , Ceron Jose Joaquin , Rubio Camila Peres
Published: September 2021

This work aimed to evaluate the thiol-disulphide homeostasis in serum of lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes presenting different levels of parasite load indirectly indicated by faecal worm egg counts (EPG). Furthermore, the possible changes in the thiol-disulphide dynamic after different procedures to reduce the parasitic charge, such as the integrated crop-livestock system or anthelmintic treatment, were assessed. The results were compared with a panel of various oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The lambs were divided into three groups: animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and packed cell volume (PCV) lower than 24% (G1); animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and normal PCV (>24%) (G2); and animals presenting EPG lower than 5000 and normal PCV (>24%) (G3). The highly infected lambs (G1 and G2) showed lower total thiol (TT) and native thiol (SH) (p ≤ 0.01) than those from G3. After treatment, TT and SH increased significantly in all groups (p ≤ 0.01), and the disulphide (SS)/TT and SS/SH ratios decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in G1 and G2. These results show that the thiol-disulphide balance was impaired in lambs infected by gastrointestinal nematodes and that it could be potentially used as a biomarker to monitor this disease.
High-Condensed Tannin Diet and Transportation Stress in Goats: Effects on Physiological Responses, Gut Microbial Counts and Meat Quality
Authors: Batchu Phaneendra , Hazard Toni , Lee Jung H. , Terrill Thomas H. , Kouakou Brou , Kannan Govind
Published: September 2021

Feeding condensed tannin (CT)-containing diets such as sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) and reducing stress have been reported to improve meat quality and food safety in goats. In a completely randomized design with split-plot, thirty-six uncastrated male Spanish goats were assigned to 3 dietary treatments (n = 12/treatment): ground ‘Serala’ sericea lespedeza hay (SER), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay (BG), or bermudagrass hay—dewormed goats (BG-DW; Control) at 75% of intake, with a corn-based supplementation (25%) for 8 weeks. Prior to slaughter, goats were either transported for 90 min to impose stress or held in pens. Basophil counts were lower (p < 0.01) in the SER group compared to BG or BG-DW groups suggesting a better anti-inflammatory capacity due to polyphenols in the SER diet. Compared to BG-DW group, cortisol level was higher (p < 0.05) and norepinephrine was lower (p < 0.05) in the SER group. The SER group had the lowest aerobic plate counts (APC) in both rumen and rectum (p < 0.01). Longissimus dorsi muscle initial pH was not affected by diet or stress. Feeding sericea hay to goats may have beneficial effects, such as enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties during stress and reduced gut microbial counts, without changing meat quality characteristics.
Route Path Selection Optimization Scheme Based Link Quality Estimation and Critical Switch Awareness for Software Defined Networks
Authors: Isyaku Babangida , Bakar Kamalrulnizam Abu , Mohd Zahid Mohd Soperi , Alkhammash Eman H. , Saeed Faisal , Ghaleb Fuad A.
Published: September 2021

Software-defined network (SDN) is a new paradigm that decouples the control plane and data plane. This offered a more flexible way to efficiently manage the network. However, the increasing number of traffics due to the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices also increase the number of flow arrival which in turn causes flow rules to change more often, and similarly, path setup requests increased. These events required route path computation activities to take place immediately to cope with the new network changes. Searching for an optimal route might be costly in terms of the time required to calculate a new path and update the corresponding switches. However, the current path selection schemes considered only single routing metrics either link or switch operation. Incorporating link quality and switch’s role during path selection decisions have not been considered. This paper proposed Route Path Selection Optimization (RPSO) with multi-constraint. RPSO introduced joint parameters based on link and switches such as Link Latency (LL), Link Delivery Ratio (LDR), and Critical Switch Frequency Score (CWFscore). These metrics encourage path selection with better link quality and a minimal number of critical switches. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme reduced path stretch by 37%, path setup latency by 73% thereby improving throughput by 55.73%, and packet delivery ratio by 12.5% compared to the baseline work.
Intra–Community Scale Variability of Air Quality in the Center of a Megacity in South Korea: A High-Density Cost-Effective Sensor Network
Authors: Park Yongmi , Park Ho-Seon , Han Subin , Hwang Kyucheol , Lee Seunghyun , Choi Jin-Young , Lee Jae-Bum , Lee Sang-Hyun , Kwak Kyung-Hwan , Kim Jae-Jin , Choi Wonsik
Published: September 2021

To investigate the spatial and temporal variability of air quality (CO, NO2, O3, and PM2.5) with a high spatial resolution in various adjacent micro-environments, 30 sets of sensor-nodes were deployed within an 800 × 800 m monitoring domain in the center of the largest megacity (Seoul) in South Korea. The sensor network was operated in summer and winter. The daily variation in air pollutant concentrations revealed a similar trend, with discernible concentration differences among monitoring sub-sites and a government-operated air quality monitoring station. These differences in pollutant levels (except PM2.5) among the sub-sites were pronounced in the daytime with high volumes of traffic. The coefficient of divergence and Pearson correlation coefficient showed that spatial and temporal variability was more significant in summer than winter. Ozone displayed the greatest spatial variability, with little temporal variability among the sub-sites and a negative correlation with NO2, implying that ozone concentrations were primarily determined by vehicular NOX emissions due to NO titration effects under the urban canopy. The PM2.5 concentration displayed homogeneous spatial and temporal distributions over the entire monitoring period, implying that PM2.5 monitoring with at least a 1 × 1 km resolution is sufficient to examine the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in urban areas.
Improved Calculation of Load and Resistance Factors Based on Third-Moment Method
Authors: Wang Jiao , Ye Xinying , Zheng Weiji , Liu Peng
Published: September 2021

Load and resistance factor design (LRFD) is widely used in building codes for reliability design. In the calculation of load and resistance factors, the third-moment method (3M) has been proposed to overcome the shortcomings (e.g., inevitable iterative computation, requirement of probability density functions (PDFs) of random variables) of other methods. With the existing 3M method, the iterative is simplified to one computation, and the PDFs of random variables are not required. In this paper, the computation of load and resistance factors is further simplified to no iterations. Furthermore, the accuracy of the proposed method is proved to be higher than the existing 3M methods. Additionally, with the proposed method, the limitations regarding applicable range in the existing 3M methods are avoided. With several examples, the comparison of the existing 3M method, the ASCE method, the Mori method, and the proposed method is given. The results show that the proposed method is accurate, simple, safe, and saves material.
Carbenoxolone as a Multifunctional Vehicle for Electrodeposition of Materials
Authors: Liu Xinqian , Veldhuis Stephen , Mathews Ritch , Zhitomirsky Igor
Published: September 2021

This investigation describes for the first time the application of carbenoxolone for electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of different carbon materials, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and their composite films. Carbenoxolone is a versatile biosurfactant, which adsorbs on materials due to its amphiphilic structure and allows their charging and dispersion. Moreover, carbenoxolone exhibits film-forming properties, which are investigated in experiments on EPD of films using water and ethanol-water solvents. The new deposition process is monitored in situ and the deposition yield and film microstructure are analyzed at different conditions. The EPD mechanism of materials involves electrode reactions of the carbenoxolone surfactant. The data of potentiodynamic studies coupled with the results of impedance spectroscopy show that PTFE films can be applied to protect metals from corrosion. Electron microscopy, electrochemical techniques and modeling are used for analysis of the microstructure and porosity of films prepared at different conditions. Carbenoxolone is applied as a co-surfactant for the EPD of composites.
Enhancement of Strength and Resistance to Sulfate Attack in Bio-Coating Material through Negative Pressure Method for Bacteria Immobilization
Authors: Yang Keun-Hyeok , Kwon Seung-Jun , Yoon Hyun-Sub
Published: September 2021

In recent years, many studies have been performed on the crack repairing technique in concrete or the protection of the concrete surface against sulfate ions. Bacterial immobilization and survival rate are the dominant influencing factors for the repair of concrete. In this study, a negative pressure method (NPM) was developed to forcibly remove air in the porous materials of concrete, which was applied for surface repair through bio-coating using Rhodobacter capsualtus. For normal repair—repair using the conventional simple soaking method (SSM) and repair through NPM—various evaluations of the concrete strength and durability were performed. Since a reinforced concrete (RC) structure for the application of these repair methods is a sewer pipe exposed to sulfate ingress, variations in concrete mass and strength were analyzed by the accelerated sulfate resistance test. The diffusion coefficient of the sulfate ion in the repair materials and the bacterial count after the accelerating test were also measured. In order to investigate the changes in the properties of the concrete hydrates, surface analyses with SEM, XRD, and TGA were carried out on the concrete under the repair layer after the tests. In all the experimental results, the bacterial immobilization rate was evaluated, and the high immobilization rate indicates the excellent shielding of sulfate ions as well as improves the survival rate of bacteria. This not only improves the service life of the coating repair but also extends the service life of the structure itself. As a result of analyzing the composition of concrete protected by different types of repair, the results most similar to the general concrete composition without sulfate attack were obtained in the case of applying NPM, which shows the least damage from sulfate attack.
A Facile HPLC-UV-Based Method for Determining the Concentration of the Bacterial Universal Signal Autoinducer-2 in Environmental Samples
Authors: Lee Kibaek , Lee Chung-Hak , Choo Kwang-Ho
Published: September 2021

As a universal quorum sensing (QS) signal, autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is utilized by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria to coordinate several group behaviors, such as biofilm formation, virulence, and motility, when the bacterial cell density exceeds the thresholds. The determination of the AI-2 level is essential to understand the physiological and biochemical processes involved in bacterial communication. However, the current methods for AI-2 determination are complicated, time-consuming, and require costly equipment, such as a mass spectrometer (MS) or fluorescence detector (FLD). In this study, we present a new and easily applicable method for AI-2 determination. This method, based on the primary derivatization of AI-2 with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN), uses an affordable high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument with a UV detector. Under optimized conditions, our method showed a good linearity (r2 = 0.999) and demonstrated the effective detection of AI-2 levels in various environmental samples, as follows: 0.38 (±0.05) μM for E. coli K12, 0.48 (±0.05) μM for Aeromonas sp. YB-2, 0.32 (±0.06) μM for the Enterobacter sp. YB-3, and 0.28 (±0.16) μM for activated sludge.
EAR-Net: Efficient Atrous Residual Network for Semantic Segmentation of Street Scenes Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Shin Seokyong , Lee Sanghun , Han Hyunho
Published: September 2021

Segmentation of street scenes is a key technology in the field of autonomous vehicles. However, conventional segmentation methods achieve low accuracy because of the complexity of street landscapes. Therefore, we propose an efficient atrous residual network (EAR-Net) to improve accuracy while maintaining computation costs. First, we performed feature extraction and restoration, utilizing depthwise separable convolution (DSConv) and interpolation. Compared with conventional methods, DSConv and interpolation significantly reduce computation costs while minimizing performance degradation. Second, we utilized residual learning and atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) to achieve high accuracy. Residual learning increases the ability to extract context information by preventing the problem of feature and gradient losses. In addition, ASPP extracts additional context information while maintaining the resolution of the feature map. Finally, to alleviate the class imbalance between the image background and objects and to improve learning efficiency, we utilized focal loss. We evaluated EAR-Net on the Cityscapes dataset, which is commonly used for street scene segmentation studies. Experimental results showed that the EAR-Net had better segmentation results and similar computation costs as the conventional methods. We also conducted an ablation study to analyze the contributions of the ASPP and DSConv in the EAR-Net.
Variety Identification of Chinese Walnuts Using Hyperspectral Imaging Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Jiang Hongzhe , Ye Liancheng , Li Xingpeng , Shi Minghong
Published: September 2021

Chinese walnuts have extraordinary nutritional and organoleptic qualities, and counterfeit Chinese walnut products are pervasive in the market. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique to accurately identify and visualize Chinese walnut varieties. Hyperspectral images of 400 Chinese walnuts including 200 samples of Ningguo variety and 200 samples of Lin’an variety were acquired in range of 400–1000 nm. Spectra were extracted from representative regions of interest (ROIs), and principal component analysis (PCA) of spectra showed that the characteristic second principal component (PC2) was potentially effective in variety identification. The PC transformation was also conducted to hyperspectral images to make an exploratory visualization according to pixel-wise PC scores. Three different modeling methods including partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and support vector machine (SVM) were individually employed to develop classification models. Results indicated that raw full spectra constructed PLS-DA model performed best with correct classification rates (CCRs) of 97.33%, 95.33%, and 92.00% in calibration, cross-validation, and prediction sets, respectively. Successful projects algorithm (SPA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), and PC loadings were individually used for effective wavelengths selection. Subsequently, simplified PLS-DA model based on wavelengths selected by CARS yielded the best 96.33%, 95.67% and 91.00% CCRs in the three sets. This optimal CARS-PLS-DA model acquired a sensitivity of 93.62%, a specificity of 88.68%, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.91, and Kappa coefficient of 0.82 in prediction set. Classification maps were finally generated by classifying the varieties of each pixel in multispectral images at CARS-selected wavelengths, and the general variety was then readily discernible. These results demonstrated that features extracted from HSI had outstanding ability, and could be applied as a reliable tool for the further development of an on-line identification system for Chinese walnut variety.
Synthesis of Proposed Structure of Aaptoline B via Transition Metal-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization and Evaluation of Its Neuroprotective Properties in C. Elegans
Authors: Kim Soobin , Yang Wooin , Han Dong-Seok , Cha Young-Taek
Published: September 2021

A concise synthesis of the proposed structure of aaptoline B, a pyrroloquinoline derived from a marine sponge, was accomplished. A key feature of this synthesis is the versatile transition metal-catalyzed cycloisomerization of N-propargylaniline to construct a quinoline skeleton. However, the spectral data of the synthesized aaptoline B did not agree with those of previous studies. The structure of the synthesized aaptoline B was confirmed using a combined 2D NMR analysis. Furthermore, we assessed the possible neuroprotective potential of aaptoline B using the C. elegans model system. In this study, aaptoline B significantly improved the viability and the morphology of dopaminergic neurons of nematodes under MPP+ exposure conditions. We also found that MPP+-induced motor deficits in nematodes were efficiently restored by aaptoline B treatment. Our findings demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of aaptoline B against MPP+-induced dopaminergic neuronal damage. Further studies are underway to explain its pharmacological mechanism.
Paint Coating Removal by Heating for High-Strength Bolted Joints in Steel Bridge and Its Influence on Bolt Axial Force
Authors: Nakahara Tomonori , Hirohata Mikihito , Kondo Shinsuke , Furuichi Toru
Published: September 2021

A series of experiments were carried out for developing a paint coating removal method for high-strength bolted joints in steel bridges. The paint-coated bolted joint specimens were heated to the target temperature of 200 °C by using a sheet-type ceramic heater. The maximum temperature of specimens could be controlled within 10% of the target value. The paint coating was easily removed by using general tools after heating. The behaviour of bolts with thermal expansion and shrinkage was monitored by strain gauges attached to the bolts during heating. It was estimated that the axial forces of the bolts were reduced by 2.6% of the initially installed axial forces, on average.
Early Spatial Memory Impairment in a Double Transgenic Model of Alzheimer’s Disease TgF-344 AD
Authors: Proskauer Pena Stephanie L. , Mallouppas Konstantinos , Oliveira Andre M. G. , Zitricky Frantisek , Nataraj Athira , Jezek Karel
Published: September 2021

Before the course of Alzheimer’s disease fully manifests itself and largely impairs a patient’s cognitive abilities, its progression has already lasted for a considerable time without being noticed. In this project, we mapped the development of spatial orientation impairment in an active place avoidance task—a highly sensitive test for mild hippocampal damage. We tested vision, anxiety and spatial orientation performance at four age levels of 4, 6, 9, and 12 months across male and female TgF-344 AD rats carrying human genes for presenilin-1 and amyloid precursor protein. We found a progressive deterioration of spatial navigation in transgenic animals, beginning already at the age of 4 months, that fully developed at 6 months of age across both male and female groups, compared to their age-matched controls. In addition, we described the gradual vision impairment that was accentuated in females at the age of 12 months. These results indicate a rather early onset of cognitive impairment in the TgF-344 AD Alzheimer’s disease model, starting earlier than shown to date, and preceding the reported development of amyloid plaques.
Problematic Internet Use among University Students and Its Relationship with Social Skills
Authors: Romero-López Miriam , Pichardo Carmen , De Hoces Isabel , García-Berbén Trinidad
Published: September 2021

Internet use has been steadily and unstoppably gaining ground in all areas of life, from recreational activities to the establishment of social relations. However, addictive use of the Internet is a problem that seriously affects some people. Factors that may influence the occurrence of inappropriate internet use include age and social skills. For this reason, the aim of this study is to analyze the influence of social skills and age on the development of problematic internet use in university students. The study involved 514 students enrolled at a university in Spain, who filled in two questionnaires, one on problematic internet use and the other on social skills. Multivariate multiple linear regression models revealed that some social skills variables (conversation and social ease, empathic and positive feeling skills, risk coping) predicted problematic internet use. In addition, age played a role in preference for online social interaction and deficient self-regulation. Younger students were more at risk of having obsessive thoughts related to internet use and of engaging in compulsive internet use compared to older students.