bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Flower Volatile Diversity in Natural Populations of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw. in Bulgaria: Toward the Development of a Core Collection
Authors: Alekseeva Marina , Zagorcheva Tzvetelina , Rusanova Mila , Rusanov Krasimir , Atanassov Ivan
Published: July 2021

We studied the genetic and flower volatile diversity in natural populations of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw. in Bulgaria using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of flower volatiles from individual plants. Two regions, including the Kresna Gorge and Eastern Rhodopes, typical for the species comprising eight populations and 239 individual plants were included in this study. An analysis with 11 SSR markers and eight SRAP primer combinations showed that SRAP markers were substantially more informative than the SSR markers and were further used for genetic diversity analysis. The results showed low-range to mid-range genetic differentiation between the populations with pairwise fixation index (Fst) values ranging between 0.0047 and 0.11. A total of 10 genetic clusters were identified. An analysis of the flower volatile diversity identified a total of 63 compounds with the vast majority of plants belonging to the carvacrol chemotype and just a single plant to the thymol chemotype. Large deviations were observed for individual compounds within each region as well as within the populations. Hierarchical clustering showed a clear sample grouping based on the two different regions. In addition, an in-depth analysis identified six major and 23 minor metabolite clusters. The overall data set and cluster analysis were further used for the development and testing of a simple and straightforward strategy for the selection of individual plants for the development of a core collection representing the sampled natural populations for this species in Bulgaria. The proposed strategy involves precise genetic clustering of the tested plants followed by the selection of a minimal set from each genetic cluster representing the different metabolite clusters. The selected core set was further compared with a core set extracted by the PowerCore software. A comparison of the genetic and metabolic affiliation of the members of both sets showed that the reported approach selected representatives from each genetic cluster and minor metabolic cluster, whereas some metabolic clusters were unrepresented in the PowerCore set. The feasibility and efficiency of applying the pointed strategy for the development of a core collection representing both the genetic and metabolite diversity of natural populations in aromatic and medicinal plants toward subsequent steps of selection and breeding are discussed.
Attriters and Bilinguals: What’s in a Name?
Authors: Gallo Federico , Ramanujan Keerthi , Shtyrov Yury , Myachykov Andriy
Published: July 2021

The use of language as a universal tool for communication and interaction is the backbone of human society. General sociocultural milieu and specific contextual factors can strongly influence various aspects of linguistic experience, including language acquisition and use and the respective internal neurolinguistic processes. This is particularly relevant in the case of bilingualism, which encompasses a diverse set of linguistic experiences, greatly influenced by societal, cultural, educational, and personal factors. In this perspective piece, we focus on a specific type of linguistic experience: non-pathological first-language (L1) attrition—a phenomenon that is strongly tied to immersion in non-L1 environments. We present our view on what may be the essence of L1 attrition and suggest ways of examining it as a type of bilingual experience, in particular with relation to its neurocognitive bases.
From Therapeutic Factors to Mechanisms of Change in the Creative Arts Therapies: A Scoping Review
Authors: de Witte Martina , Orkibi Hod , Zarate Rebecca , Karkou Vicky , Sajnani Nisha , Malhotra Bani , Ho Rainbow Tin Hung , Kaimal Girija , Baker Felicity A. , Koch Sabine C.
Published: July 2021

Empirical studies in the creative arts therapies (CATs; i.e., art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, psychodrama, and poetry/bibliotherapy) have grown rapidly in the last 10 years, documenting their positive impact on a wide range of psychological and physiological outcomes (e.g., stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, and pain). However, it remains unclearhowandwhythe CATs have positive effects, and which therapeutic factors account for these changes. Research that specifically focuses on the therapeutic factors and/or mechanisms of change in CATs is only beginning to emerge. To gain more insight into how and why the CATs influence outcomes, we conducted a scoping review (Nstudies= 67) to pinpoint therapeutic factors specific to each CATs discipline, joint factors of CATs, and more generic common factors across all psychotherapy approaches. This review therefore provides an overview of empirical CATs studies dealing with therapeutic factors and/or mechanisms of change, and a detailed analysis of these therapeutic factors which are grouped into domains. A framework of 19 domains of CATs therapeutic factors is proposed, of which the three domains are composed solely of factors unique to the CATs: “embodiment,” “concretization,” and “symbolism and metaphors.” The terminology used in change process research is clarified, and the implications for future research, clinical practice, and CATs education are discussed.
The Development and Validation of a Short Form of the Forbearance Scale
Authors: Ho Man Yee , Liang Siya
Published: July 2021

The Forbearance Scale (FS) is a 16-item self-report measure of forbearance. In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the FS subscale and composite scores and developed a 9-item short form of the measure (FS-SF 9). A sample of 1,137 participants was drawn from community, NGO, and college settings. The sample was split into a derivation sample (n = 567) and a validation sample (n = 570). Exploratory factor analyses of the derivation sample data were used to select short-form items. Using the validation sample, confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess fit for proposed item-to-factor assignments. The results of the confirmatory factor analyses supported that the FS-SF 9 had a theoretically congruent factor structure and that all the subscale and composite scores displayed high internal consistency. Correlations with scores from established measures of a lack of forgiveness and emotion regulation also supported the validity of the FS-SF 9. Our data suggest that the FS-SF 9 subscales and composite score retained the psychometric strengths of their longer FS counterparts. Overall, the short form of the FS provides a brief assessment of the construct measured by the full form. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed.
Computer-Assisted Avatar-Based Treatment for Dysfunctional Beliefs in Depressive Inpatients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kocur Martin , Dechant Martin , Wolff Christian , Nothdurfter Caroline , Wetter Thomas C. , Rupprecht Rainer , Shiban Youssef
Published: July 2021

Dysfunctional cognitions are a crucial part of depression. Cognitive therapy aims to modify dysfunctional beliefs. Typically, dysfunctional beliefs are questioned, and patients are trained to think of alternative functional beliefs. We developed a computer-assisted, avatar-based adjunct for cognitive therapy that aims to reduce dysfunctional beliefs and symptom severity. Besides, it aims to promote alternative functional beliefs. In a randomized controlled trial with 34 patients diagnosed with major depression currently undergoing inpatient treatment at the university psychiatric hospital in Regensburg, Germany, participants were randomly assigned to receive either treatment as usual (TAU) or computer-assisted avatar-based treatment for dysfunctional beliefs (CAT-DB) in addition to TAU. In CAT-DB participants are faced with a virtual avatar expressing their personal dysfunctional beliefs. Participants are asked to contradict these and express alternative functional beliefs. Assessments of conviction of dysfunctional beliefs, functional beliefs and symptom severity were done shortly before the intervention (pre-treatment), right after the intervention (post-treatment) and 14 days later (follow-up). The reduction in conviction of dysfunctional beliefs and symptom severity, and the increase in conviction of alternative functional beliefs at post-treatment and follow-up were significantly greater for the group receiving CAT-DB. Our study provides an indication in favor of the effectiveness of CAT-DB for depressive patients. It is a simple tool that could support classical cognitive therapy. Further studies at different centres, with larger sample sizes and varying therapeutic contexts are required to prove the effectiveness of our intervention.
Cyberbullying and Mental Health in Adults: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use and Gender
Authors: Schodt Kaitlyn B. , Quiroz Selena I. , Wheeler Brittany , Hall Deborah L. , Silva Yasin N.
Published: July 2021

Previous research has identified a link between mental health and cyberbullying, primarily in studies of youth. Fewer studies have examined cyberbullying in adults or how the relation between mental health and cyberbullying might vary based on an individual's social media use. The present research examined how three indicators of mental health—depression, anxiety, and substance use—interact with social media use and gender to predict cyberbullying in adults. In Study 1, U.S. adults recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 525) completed an online survey that included measures of mental health and cyberbullying. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant three-way interactions between mental health, degree of social media use, and gender in models predicting cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Specifically, for men, depression and anxiety predicted greater cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, particularly among men with relatively higher levels of social media use. In contrast, depression and anxiety were uncorrelated with cyberbullying for women, regardless of level of social media use. Study 2 largely replicated these findings using well-validated measures of mental health (e.g., Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Substance Use scale) in U.S. adults recruited through Prolific.co (N = 482). Together, these results underscore the importance of examining mental health correlates of cyberbullying within the context of social media use and gender and shed light on conditions in which indicators of mental health may be especially beneficial for predicting cyberbullying in adults.
Analysis of Major Depression Risk Genes Reveals Evolutionary Conservation, Shared Phenotypes, and Extensive Genetic Interactions
Authors: Sall Saveen , Thompson Willie , Santos Aurianna , Dwyer Donard S.
Published: July 2021

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects around 15% of the population at some stage in their lifetime. It can be gravely disabling and it is associated with increased risk of suicide. Genetics play an important role; however, there are additional environmental contributions to the pathogenesis. A number of possible risk genes that increase liability for developing symptoms of MDD have been identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The goal of this study was to characterize the MDD risk genes with respect to the degree of evolutionary conservation in simpler model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and zebrafish, the phenotypes associated with variation in these genes and the extent of network connectivity. The MDD risk genes showed higher conservation in C. elegans and zebrafish than genome-to-genome comparisons. In addition, there were recurring themes among the phenotypes associated with variation of these risk genes in C. elegans. The phenotype analysis revealed enrichment for essential genes with pleiotropic effects. Moreover, the MDD risk genes participated in more interactions with each other than did randomly-selected genes from similar-sized gene sets. Syntenic blocks of risk genes with common functional activities were also identified. By characterizing evolutionarily-conserved counterparts to the MDD risk genes, we have gained new insights into pathogenetic processes relevant to the emergence of depressive symptoms in man.
Making Childhood Obesity a Priority: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on Facilitating Communication and Improving Treatment
Authors: Serban Costela Lacrimioara , Putnoky Salomeia , Ek Anna , Eli Karin , Nowicka Paulina , Chirita-Emandi Adela
Published: July 2021

In Romania, one in four children has excess weight. Because childhood obesity is a sensitive topic, many healthcare professionals find it difficult to discuss children's excess weight with parents. This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators in childhood obesity-related communication, as perceived by healthcare professionals in Romania. As part of the STOP project, healthcare professionals (family physicians, pediatricians, and dieticians) who treat children with excess weight were invited to a telephone interview. The semi-structured questions were translated from a questionnaire previously used at the Swedish study site of the STOP project. Interviews were transcribed and then used for thematic analysis. Fifteen doctors and three dieticians (16 females and 2 males), with average 18.2 ± 10.1 years of experience, were interviewed. Four main themes were identified. Professionals reported that when children began experiencing obesity-related stigma or comorbidities, this became the tipping point of weight excess, where parents felt motivated to begin treatment. Barriers in communication were part of several layers of distrust, recognized as tension between professionals and caregivers due to conflicting beliefs about excess weight, as well as lack of trust in medical studies. Most respondents felt confident using models of good practice, consisting of a gentle approach and patient-centered care. Nonetheless, professionals noted systemic barriers due to a referral system and allocation of clinical time that hinder obesity treatment. They suggested that lack of specialized centers and inadequate education of healthcare professional conveys the system does not prioritize obesity treatment and prevention. The interviewed Romanian doctors and dieticians identified patient-centered care as key to treating children with obesity and building trust with their caregivers. However

their efforts are hindered by healthcare system barriers, including the lack of specialized centers, training, and a referral system. The findings therefore suggest that, to improve childhood obesity prevention and treatment, systemic barriers should be addressed.

Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03800823; 11 Jan 2019.
How Demanding Is Volunteer Work at a Crisis Line? An Assessment of Work- and Organization-Related Demands and the Relation With Distress and Intention to Leave
Authors: Willems Renate C. W. J. , Drossaert Constance H. C. , Miedema Harald S. , Bohlmeijer Ernst T.
Published: July 2021

Background:Crisis line services, run by volunteers, offer a listening ear 24/7 to people who cannot or do not want to use professional help. Although previous studies have identified various potential stressors crisis line volunteers face, as yet a comprehensive assessment is lacking with regards to the frequency and perceived stressfulness of work- and organization-related demands, and their relationship with distress and a volunteer's intention to leave.

Objective:To identify the frequency and impact of particular stressful situations (demands). In addition, to examine the extent to which these demands are associated with volunteers' demographics, distress and intention to leave the crisis line service.

Method:In a cross-sectional study among 543 volunteers of a Dutch crisis line service the participants filled out a questionnaire about their experience of a large number of work- and organization-related demands and their perceived stressfulness. To calculate the impact of demands, the occurrence and stressfulness were multiplied. In addition, work-related distress, intention to leave the crisis line service as well as a number of demographics and work-related characteristics were assessed.

Results:Work-related demands with the highest impact on volunteers were calls from people with psychiatric problems and suicidal intentions. “Having no time for a break” was the organization-related demand with the highest impact on volunteers. Eighteen percentage of the volunteers scored moderate or high on distress and 4% had the intention to leave the crisis line service within 1 year. Most work- and organization-related demands were positively associated with volunteers' distress and intention to leave the organization. Being older, being male and spending more hours per week volunteering were significantly, positively correlated with work-related demands. The total explained variance for distress was 16% and for intention to leave 13%.

Conclusion:Although most crisis line volunteers experienced low impact from work- and organization-related demands, these demands were significantly related to experienced distress and the intention to leave crisis line service. For volunteers with moderate to high distress it can be useful to implement interventions aimed at increasing personal resources to help them deal with the challenges of the work at the crisis line.
Are We There Yet? - A Systematic Literature Review on Chatbots in Education
Authors: Wollny Sebastian , Schneider Jan , Di Mitri Daniele , Weidlich Joshua , Rittberger Marc , Drachsler Hendrik
Published: July 2021

Chatbots are a promising technology with the potential to enhance workplaces and everyday life. In terms of scalability and accessibility, they also offer unique possibilities as communication and information tools for digital learning. In this paper, we present a systematic literature review investigating the areas of education where chatbots have already been applied, explore the pedagogical roles of chatbots, the use of chatbots for mentoring purposes, and their potential to personalize education. We conducted a preliminary analysis of 2,678 publications to perform this literature review, which allowed us to identify 74 relevant publications for chatbots’ application in education. Through this, we address five research questions that, together, allow us to explore the current state-of-the-art of this educational technology. We conclude our systematic review by pointing to three main research challenges: 1) Aligning chatbot evaluations with implementation objectives, 2) Exploring the potential of chatbots for mentoring students, and 3) Exploring and leveraging adaptation capabilities of chatbots. For all three challenges, we discuss opportunities for future research.
Robot Art, in the Eye of the Beholder?: Personalized Metaphors Facilitate Communication of Emotions and Creativity
Authors: Cooney Martin
Published: July 2021

Socially assistive robots are being designed to support people’s well-being in contexts such as art therapy where human therapists are scarce, by making art together with people in an appropriate way. A challenge is that various complex and idiosyncratic concepts relating to art, like emotions and creativity, are not yet well understood. Guided by the principles of speculative design, the current article describes the use of a collaborative prototyping approach involving artists and engineers to explore this design space, especially in regard to general and personalized art-making strategies. This led to identifying a goal: to generate representational or abstract art that connects emotionally with people’s art and shows creativity. For this, an approach involving personalized “visual metaphors” was proposed, which balances the degree to which a robot’s art is influenced by interacting persons. The results of a small user study via a survey provided further insight into people’s perceptions: the general design was perceived as intended and appealed; as well, personalization via representational symbols appeared to lead to easier and clearer communication of emotions than via abstract symbols. In closing, the article describes a simplified demo, and discusses future challenges. Thus, the contribution of the current work lies in suggesting how a robot can seek to interact with people in an emotional and creative way through personalized art; thereby, the aim is to stimulate ideation in this promising area and facilitate acceptance of such robots in everyday human environments.
Comparisons Between First Person Point-of-View 180° Video Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display and 3D Video Computer Display in Teaching Undergraduate Neuroscience Students Stereotaxic Surgeries
Authors: Neuwirth Lorenz S. , Ros Maxime
Published: July 2021

Introduction:Students interested in neuroscience surgical applications learn about stereotaxic surgery mostly through textbooks that introduce the concepts but lack sufficient details to provide students with applied learning skills related to biomedical research. The present study employed a novel pedagogical approach which used an immersive virtual reality (VR) alternative to teach students stereotaxic surgery procedures through the point of view (POV) of the neuroscientist conducting the research procedures.

Methods:The study compared the 180° video virtual reality head-mounted display (180° video VR HMD) and the 3D video computer display groups to address the learning gaps created by textbooks that insufficiently teach stereotaxic surgery, by bringing students into the Revinax®Virtual Training Solutions educational instruction platform/technology. Following the VR experience, students were surveyed to determine their ratings of the learning content and comprehension of the material and how it compared to a traditional lecture, an online/hybrid lecture, and YouTube/other video content, as well as whether they would have interest in such a pedagogical tool.

Results:The 180° video VR HMD and the 3D video computer display groups helped students attend to and learn the material equally, it improved their self-study, and they would recommend that their college/university invest in this type of pedagogy. Students reported that both interventions increased their rate of learning, their retention of the material, and its translatability. Students equally preferred both interventions over traditional lectures, online/hybrid courses, textbooks, and YouTube/other video content to learn stereotaxic surgery.

Conclusion:Students preferred to learn in and achieve greater learning outcomes from both the 180° video VR HMD and the 3D video computer display over other pedagogical instructional formats and thought that it would be a more humane alternative to show how to conduct the stereotaxic surgical procedure without having to unnecessarily use/practice and/or demonstrate on an animal. Thus, this pedagogical approach facilitated their learning in a manner that was consistent with the 3-Rs in animal research and ethics. The 180° video VR HMD and the 3D video computer display can be a low-cost and effective pedagogical option for distance/remote learning content for students as we get through the COVID-19 pandemic or for future alternative online/hybrid classroom instruction to develop skills/reskill/upskill in relation to neuroscience techniques.
Cooperating With “Open Cards”—The Role of Small Intermediary Businesses in Realizing Sustainable International Coffee Supply
Authors: Weber Hanna , Wiek Arnim
Published: July 2021

Despite improvements, international food supply in general and coffee supply in particular continue to cause significant greenhouse gas emissions, economic inequities, and negative impacts on human well-being. There is agreement that dominant economic paradigms need to change to comply with the sustainability principles of environmental integrity, economic resilience, and social equity. However, so far, little empirical evidence has been generated to what extent and under which conditions sustainable international coffee supply could be realized through small intermediary businesses such as roasteries, breweries, and/or retailers. This case study reports on a collaborative project between a small coffee brewery and its customers in the U.S. and a small coffee roastery and its suppliers in Mexico that demonstrates how sustainable coffee supply could look like and explores under which conditions it can be realized. A research team facilitated the cooperation using a transdisciplinary research approach, including field visits and stakeholder workshops. The project (i) assessed the sustainability challenges of the current supply and value chains; (ii) developed a vision of a joint sustainable coffee supply chain; (iii) build a strategy to achieve this vision, and (iv) piloted the implementation of the strategy. We discuss the project results against the conditions for sustainable international coffee supply offered in the literature (why they were fulfilled, or not). Overall, the study suggests that small intermediary coffee businesses might have the potential to infuse sustainability across their supply chain if cooperating with “open cards.” The findings confirm some and add some conditions, including economic resilience through cooperation, problem recognition, transparency, trust, and solidarity across the supply chain. The study concludes with reflections on study limitations and future research needs.
Design of an FPGA Hardware Optimizing the Performance and Power Consumption of a Plenoptic Camera Depth Estimation Algorithm
Authors: Bhatti Faraz , Greiner Thomas
Published: July 2021

Plenoptic camera based system captures the light-field that can be exploited to estimate the 3D depth of the scene. This process generally consists of a significant number of recurrent operations, and thus requires high computation power. General purpose processor based system, due to its sequential architecture, consequently results in the problem of large execution time. A desktop graphics processing unit (GPU) can be employed to resolve this problem. However, it is an expensive solution with respect to power consumption and therefore cannot be used in mobile applications with low energy requirements. In this paper, we propose a modified plenoptic depth estimation algorithm that works on a single frame recorded by the camera and respective FPGA based hardware design. For this purpose, the algorithm is modified for parallelization and pipelining. In combination with efficient memory access, the results show good performance and lower power consumption compared to other systems.
Additive Manufacturing of Flexible Material for Pneumatic Actuators Application
Authors: Fateri Miranda , Carneiro João Falcão , Frick Achim , Pinto João Bravo , Gomes de Almeida Fernando
Published: July 2021

In this paper, endurance of peristaltic linear pneumatic actuators was studied using different hose geometries. Towards this goal, different hose geometries were additively manufactured using Fused Layer Manufacturing techniques of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer. Material properties of the elastomer were studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and the tensile test. The relations between the sample’s print temperature and build direction on the actuator endurance were investigated. Lastly, the relation between the geometry design of the PLPA actuator and its endurance is also discussed. Based on this methodology, authors present results showing that the use of a customized shaped hose with geometrical reinforcement at sides leads to a considerable rise in the hose endurance, when compared with the conventional circular design.
Robust Model Reference Adaptive Control for Tail-Sitter VTOL Aircraft
Authors: Ajel Ahmed R. , Humaidi Amjad J. , Ibraheem Ibraheem Kasim , Azar Ahmad Taher
Published: July 2021

This study presents a control design of roll motion for a vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle (VTOL-UAV) design based on the Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) scheme in the hovering flight phase. The adaptive laws are developed for the UAV system under nonparametric uncertainty (gust and wind disturbance). Lyapunov-based stability analysis of the adaptive controlled UAV system under roll motion has been conducted and the adaptive laws have been accordingly developed. The Uniform Ultimate Boundness (UUB) of tracking error has been proven and the stability analysis showed that the incorporation of dead-zone modification in adaptive laws could guarantee the uniform boundness of all signals. The computer simulation has been conducted based on a proposed controller for tracking control of the roll motion. The results show that the drift, which appears in estimated gain behaviors due to the application of gust and wind disturbance, could be stopped by introducing dead-zone modification in adaptive laws, which leads to better robustness characteristics of the adaptive controller.
Effect of Colour of Light on Rooting Cuttings and Subsequent Growth of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum Ramat./Kitam.)
Authors: Schroeter-Zakrzewska Anita , Pradita Faisal Anggi
Published: July 2021

A closed system for plant production with artificial light is an innovative method of plant cultivation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of light colour on rooting cuttings and subsequent growth of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum Ramat./Kitam.) During the experiments, the following conditions were maintained: photoperiod 16 h or 10 h, temperature 22 °C, relative humidity of 65–70%. LED lamps emitted the following light colours: white, blue, white + blue (50:50), and red + blue (75:25). For all light spectra, the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 50 μmol m−2 s−1. The effectiveness of exposure to different light colours was measured with parameters: cutting weight (g), cutting length (cm), length of roots, and index of leaf greenness (SPAD). The measurements referred to plant features determining plant quality, i.e., the number of flower buds and flower head, the diameter of the flower head, height of plants, index of leaf greenness (SPAD), the number of leaves, and the fresh and dry weights of aboveground parts of plants. The rooting of cuttings and subsequent growth are integral processes in the cultivation of potted chrysanthemums. Both were differently affected by the colour of light from LED lamps. The exposure to red + blue light resulted in the highest leaf greenness index (SPAD) value and the shortest cuttings with the longest roots. White + blue light significantly influenced most of the growth parameters, except the height of the plants and the number of leaves.
Unraveling Factors Affecting Micropropagation of Four Persian Walnut Varieties
Authors: Yegizbayeva Togzhan Kadylbekovna , García-García Silvia , Yausheva Tatyana Viktorovna , Kairova Markhabat , Apushev Amangeldy Kairbekovich , Oleichenko Sergey Nikolaevich , Licea-Moreno Ricardo Julian
Published: July 2021

Walnuts are considered recalcitrant to tissue culture, with a great genetic determinism on all stages of micropropagation; while other factors, also with great impact, become more complicated with the reproduction of newly realized varieties. In this research, a holistic approach aimed to determine the influence of genotype and the nutritive formulation throughout the whole cycle of micropropagation of four Persian walnut varieties (Juglans regia L.) was presented. During the in vitro establishment it was determined that besides genotype and culture medium, the effect of collection season and the likely interaction amongst factors had a great influence on the successful introduction of all four genotypes. However, all cultures were affected by a deep decay, being necessary the introduction of ethylenediamine di-2-hydroxyphenyl acetate ferric, as iron source, and Phloroglucinol in both Murashige and Skoog (1962) and the corrected Driver and Kuniyuki (1987) formulations. These modifications allowed the stabilization of cultures, maintaining thereafter a steady quality. Either proliferation, rooting and ex vitro survival of four clones were affected by the culture medium, obtaining the best results with the corrected Driver and Kuniyuki (1987) formulation. Finally, in vitro plants produced from all clones were acclimated with high survival rates (75.9–91.1% for the best culture medium), depending of clone and the culture medium used. Microsatellite analysis showed that micropropagated plants maintained the same genetic profiles of their corresponding donor trees. These results might contribute to deepening of the understanding of factors that determine the success of micropropagation of walnuts, and the extents of its influence; whereas, it sets the basis for the commercial micropropagation of all four clones.
The Potential Utilization of High-Fiber Agricultural By-Products as Monogastric Animal Feed and Feed Additives: A Review
Authors: Chuang Wen-Yang , Lin Li-Jen , Shih Hsin-Der , Shy Yih-Min , Chang Shang-Chang , Lee Tzu-Tai
Published: July 2021

With the increase in world food demand, the output of agricultural by-products has also increased. Agricultural by-products not only contain more than 50% dietary fiber but are also rich in functional metabolites such as polyphenol (including flavonoids), that can promote animal health. The utilization of dietary fibers is closely related to their types and characteristics. Contrary to the traditional cognition that dietary fiber reduces animal growth, it can promote animal growth and maintain intestinal health, and even improve meat quality when added in moderate amounts. In addition, pre-fermenting fiber with probiotics or enzymes in a controlled environment can increase dietary fiber availability. Although the use of fiber has a positive effect on animal health, it is still necessary to pay attention to mycotoxin contamination. In summary, this report collates the fiber characteristics of agricultural by-products and their effects on animal health and evaluates the utilization value of agricultural by-products.
Ingestion of Soil by Grazing Sport Horses
Authors: Jurjanz Stefan , Collas Claire , Quish Carol , Younge Bridget , Feidt Cyril
Published: July 2021

Data on soil ingestion in horses are lacking in contrast to other free-range animals. The importance of soil as a vector for environmental pollutants to food is less relevant in horses but several disorders secondary to soil ingestion, such as sand colic or enteritis have been reported. Therefore, soil ingestion has been studied on Irish sport horses grazing at three offered levels of daily herbage: 2, 3 and 4% of their body weight. Soil ingestion was estimated by the faecal recovery of a soil natural marker. Horses had 4.5, 4.1 and 3.7% of soil in their total intake respectively for the 2, 3 and 4% herbage offers. The 4% offer presented significantly less intake (543 g/d) compared to the more restricted offers (624 and 648 g respectively for 3 and 2%). The post-grazing sward height was significantly lower on the 2% offer (3.1 cm) compared to the higher offers (4.1 and 4.4 cm respectively for 3 and 4%). Thus, restricted herbage allowance made grazing closer to the ground and increased soil ingestion. The sward height appeared to be a reliable indicator to manage animal withdrawal from a pasture to limit soil ingestion and the risk of gastrointestinal pathologies caused by it.
Elucidation of Teicoplanin Interactions with Drug Targets Related to COVID-19
Authors: Azam Faizul
Published: July 2021

Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic effective against several bacterial infections, has exhibited promising therapeutic efficiency against COVID-19 in vitro, and the rationale for its use in COVID-19 is yet to be recognized. Hence, in this study a number of molecular modeling techniques were employed to decrypt the mechanistic insight of teicoplanin interaction with several COVID-19 drug targets. Initially, molecular docking was employed to study the teicoplanin interaction with twenty-five SARS-CoV-2 structural and non-structural proteins which was followed by molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) computation for binding energy predictions of top ten models from each target. Amongst all macromolecular targets, the N-terminal domain of the nucleocapsid protein displayed the strongest affinity with teicoplanin showing binding energies of −7.4 and −102.13 kcal/mol, in docking and Prime MM/GBSA, respectively. Thermodynamic stability of the teicoplanin-nucleocapsid protein was further probed by molecular dynamics simulations of protein–ligand complex as well as unbounded protein in 100 ns trajectories. Post-simulation MM-GBSA computation of 50 frames extracted from simulated trajectories estimated an average binding energy of −62.52 ± 12.22 kcal/mol. In addition, conformational state of protein in complex with docked teicoplanin displayed stable root-mean-square deviation/fluctuation. In conclusion, computational investigation of the potential targets of COVID-19 and their interaction mechanism with teicoplanin can guide the design of novel therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are warranted to establish the clinical use or relapses, if any, of teicoplanin in the therapeutic management of COVID-19 patients.
The Epistatic Landscape of Antibiotic Resistance of Different Clades of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Muzondiwa Dillon , Hlanze Hleliwe , Reva Oleg N.
Published: July 2021

Drug resistance (DR) remains a global challenge in tuberculosis (TB) control. In order to develop molecular-based diagnostic methods to replace the traditional culture-based diagnostics, there is a need for a thorough understanding of the processes that govern TB drug resistance. The use of whole-genome sequencing coupled with statistical and computational methods has shown great potential in unraveling the complexity of the evolution of DR-TB. In this study, we took an innovative approach that sought to determine nonrandom associations between polymorphic sites in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genomes. Attributable risk statistics were applied to identify the epistatic determinants of DR in different clades of Mtb and the possible evolutionary pathways of DR development. It was found that different lineages of Mtb exploited different evolutionary trajectories towards multidrug resistance and compensatory evolution to reduce the DR-associated fitness cost. Epistasis of DR acquisition is a new area of research that will aid in the better understanding of evolutionary biological processes and allow predicting upcoming multidrug-resistant pathogens before a new outbreak strikes humanity.
Analysis of Wastewater Reveals the Spread of Diverse Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing E. coli Strains in uMgungundlovu District, South Africa
Authors: Gumede Siyabonga N. , Abia Akebe L. K. , Amoako Daniel G. , Essack Sabiha Y.
Published: July 2021

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), favouring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) interchange among bacteria and they can provide valuable information on ARB circulating in a community. This study characterised extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli from the influent and effluent of four WWTPs in uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. E. coli was enumerated using the membrane filtration method and confirmed using the API 20E test and real-time polymerase chain reaction. ESBL-producers were phenotypically identified by their susceptibility to the third-generation cephalosporins using the disc diffusion and the double-disc synergy methods against cefotaxime (30 µg) with and without 10 µg clavulanic acid. Genotypic verification was by PCR of the TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes. The clonality of isolates was assessed by ERIC-PCR. The highest E. coli count ranged between 1.1 × 105 (influent) and 4.3 × 103 CFU/mL (effluent). Eighty pure isolates were randomly selected, ten from the influent and effluent of each of the four WWTP. ESBLs were phenotypically confirmed in 49% (n = 39) of the isolates, of which 77% (n = 30) were genotypically confirmed. Seventy-three percent of the total isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Only two isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics. Overall, resistance to first and second-generation cephalosporins was higher than to third and fourth generation cephalosporins. Also, 15% of the isolates were resistant to carbapenems. The CTX-M-type ESBL (67%; n = 20) was the most common ESBL antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) followed by TEM (57%; n = 17) and SHV-types (27%; n = 8). Also, a substantial number of isolates simultaneously carried all three ESBL genes. ERIC-PCR revealed a high diversity of isolates. The diversity of the isolates observed in the influent samples suggest the potential circulation of different ESBL-producing strains within the studied district, requiring a more comprehensive epidemiological study to prevent the spread of ESBL-producing bacteria within impoverished communities.
Role of RND Efflux Pumps in Drug Resistance of Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens
Authors: Scoffone Viola Camilla , Trespidi Gabriele , Barbieri Giulia , Irudal Samuele , Perrin Elena , Buroni Silvia
Published: July 2021

Drug resistance represents a great concern among people with cystic fibrosis (CF), due to the recurrent and prolonged antibiotic therapy they should often undergo. Among Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) determinants, Resistance-Nodulation-cell Division (RND) efflux pumps have been reported as the main contributors, due to their ability to extrude a wide variety of molecules out of the bacterial cell. In this review, we summarize the principal RND efflux pump families described in CF pathogens, focusing on the main Gram-negative bacterial species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepacia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) for which a predominant role of RND pumps has been associated to MDR phenotypes.
Time Course of Redox Biomarkers in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Relation with Inflammatory, Multiorgan Impairment Biomarkers and CT Findings
Authors: Kosanovic Tijana , Sagic Dragan , Djukic Vladimir , Pljesa-Ercegovac Marija , Savic-Radojevic Ana , Bukumiric Zoran , Lalosevic Miodrag , Djordjevic Marjana , Coric Vesna , Simic Tatjana
Published: July 2021

Although the original data on systemic oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients have recently started to emerge, we are still far from a complete profile of changes in patients’ redox homeostasis. We aimed to assess the extent of oxidative damage of proteins, lipids and DNA during the course of acute disease, as well as their association with CT pulmonary patterns. In order to obtain more insight into the origin of the systemic oxidative stress, the observed parameters were correlated with inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers of multiorgan impairment. In this prospective study, we included 58 patients admitted between July and October 2020 with COVID-19 pneumonia. Significant changes in malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and advanced oxidation protein products levels exist during the course of COVID-19. Special emphasis should be placed on the fact that the pattern of changes differs between non-hospitalized and hospitalized individuals. Our results point to the time-dependent relation of oxidative stress parameters with inflammatory and multiorgan impairment biomarkers, as well as pulmonary patterns in COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Correlation between redox biomarkers and immunological or multiorgan impairment biomarkers, as well as pulmonary CT pattern, confirms the suggested involvement of neutrophils networks, IL-6 production, along with different organ/tissue involvement in systemic oxidative stress in COVID-19.
GSNOR Contributes to Demethylation and Expression of Transposable Elements and Stress-Responsive Genes
Authors: Rudolf Eva Esther , Hüther Patrick , Forné Ignasi , Georgii Elisabeth , Han Yongtao , Hell Rüdiger , Wirtz Markus , Imhof Axel , Becker Claude , Durner Jörg , Lindermayr Christian
Published: July 2021

In the past, reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were supposed to be stress-induced by-products of disturbed metabolism that cause oxidative damage to biomolecules. However, emerging evidence demonstrates a substantial role of RNS as endogenous signals in eukaryotes. In plants, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is the dominant RNS and serves as the •NO donor for S-nitrosation of diverse effector proteins. Remarkably, the endogenous GSNO level is tightly controlled by S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) that irreversibly inactivates the glutathione-bound NO to ammonium. Exogenous feeding of diverse RNS, including GSNO, affected chromatin accessibility and transcription of stress-related genes, but the triggering function of RNS on these regulatory processes remained elusive. Here, we show that GSNO reductase-deficient plants (gsnor1-3) accumulate S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the principal methyl donor for methylation of DNA and histones. This SAM accumulation triggered a substantial increase in the methylation index (MI = [SAM]/[S-adenosylhomocysteine]), indicating the transmethylation activity and histone methylation status in higher eukaryotes. Indeed, a mass spectrometry-based global histone profiling approach demonstrated a significant global increase in H3K9me2, which was independently verified by immunological detection using a selective antibody. Since H3K9me2-modified regions tightly correlate with methylated DNA regions, we also determined the DNA methylation status of gsnor1-3 plants by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. DNA methylation in the CG, CHG, and CHH contexts in gsnor1-3 was significantly enhanced compared to the wild type. We propose that GSNOR1 activity affects chromatin accessibility by controlling the transmethylation activity (MI) required for maintaining DNA methylation and the level of the repressive chromatin mark H3K9me2.
Damage Detection and Localization on Real Structures Subjected to Strong Motion Earthquakes Using the Curvature Evolution Method: The Navelli (Italy) Case Study
Authors: Ditommaso Rocco , Iacovino Chiara , Auletta Gianluca , Parolai Stefano , Ponzo Felice Carlo
Published: July 2021

In recent years, structural health monitoring (SHM) has received increasing interest from both research and professional engineering communities. This is due to the limitations related to the use of traditional methods based on visual inspection for a rapid and effective assessment of structures and infrastructures when compared with the great potential offered by newly developed automatic systems. Most of these kinds of systems allow the continuous estimation of structural modal properties that are strictly correlated to the mechanical characteristics of the monitored structure. These can change as a result of material deterioration and structural damage related to earthquake shaking. Furthermore, a suitable configuration of a dense sensor network in a real-time monitoring system can allow to detect and localize structural and non-structural damage by comparing the initial and a final state of the structure after a critical event, such as a relevant earthquake. In this paper, the modal curvature evaluation method, used for damage detection and localization on framed structures, considering the mode curvature variation due to strong earthquake shaking, is further developed. The modified approach is validated by numerical and experimental case studies. The extended procedure, named “Curvature Evolution Method” (CEM), reduces the required computing time and the uncertainties in the results. Furthermore, in this work, an empirical relationship between curvature variation and damage index has been defined for both bare and infilled frames.