bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Antibacterial Rule in Fermented Feed with Different Amounts of CaCO3 by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Li Jibin , Heng Xinyu , Ni Zhong , Chen Huayou
Published: October 2023

Fermented feed is needed to maintain the vitality of probiotics and cannot be sterilized. Fermented feeds, especially those with added CaCO3, have a high risk of contamination with pathogens. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella flexneri are the main pathogenic bacteria threatening animal breeding. This study developed a new microbial quantitative real-time PCR analysis method to investigate the antibacterial rule in fermented feed with different amounts of CaCO3. Moreover, using the qPCR method, we found that the feed pH decreased slowly with the increase of CaCO3 addition. In the early stage of fermentation, CaCO3 addition promoted three pathogenic bacteria growth. In the middle and late fermentation, CaCO3 addition inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri, and the greater the CaCO3 addition, the stronger the inhibitory effect. The CaCO3 addition reduced the growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, and the inhibition effect was weaker with the increase of CaCO3 addition. From the inhibitory effect on intestinal pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri, the optimal addition amount of CaCO3 was 12%. At this level of addition, the number of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bacillus subtilis were also the highest, and the content of organic acids with antibacterial effects was also the highest. The addition of CaCO3 had an inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic bacteria, mainly attributed to the promotion of the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and the organic acid of its fermentation product had an inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria. This study provides theoretical guidance for the antibacterial rule of high-pH fermented feed with different amounts of CaCO3.
Insights into Co-Cultivation of Photosynthetic Microorganisms for Novel Molecule Discovery and Enhanced Production of Specialized Metabolites
Authors: Rojas-Villalta Dorian , Gómez-Espinoza Olman , Murillo-Vega Francinie , Villalta-Romero Fabián , Guerrero Maritza , Guillén-Watson Rossy , Núñez-Montero Kattia
Published: October 2023

Meso- and extremophilic microalgae and cyanobacteria have a wide range of biotechnological applications. However, the industrial demand for bioactive molecules and the redundancy of these molecules has resulted in a need for new methodologies for enhanced production and the discovery of specialized metabolites. Co-cultivation has been established as a promising approach to addressing these challenges. In this context, this work aimed to describe the state of the art of the co-cultivation method involving meso- and extremophilic photosynthetic microorganisms, as well as discuss the advantages, challenges, and limitations of this approach. Co-culture is defined as an ecology-driven method in which various symbiotic interactions involving cyanobacteria and microalgae can be used to explore new compounds and enhanced production. Promising results regarding new bioactive metabolite expression and increased production through co-cultivation-based research support that idea. Also, the metabolic diversity and evolutionary adaptations of photosynthetic microorganisms to thrive in extreme environments could improve the efficiency of co-cultivation by allowing the implementation of these microorganisms. However, the complexity of ecological interactions and lack of standardization for co-cultivation protocols are obstacles to its success and scientific validation. Further research in symbiotic interplays using -omics and genetic engineering, and predictive experimental designs for co-cultures are needed to overcome these limitations.
Effect of Photo Irradiation on the Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Sewage Sludge-Reduced Methane and Hydrogen Sulfide Productions
Authors: Toya Shotaro , Iriguchi Shunsuke , Yamaguchi Kohei , Maeda Toshinari
Published: October 2023

Since a large amount of sewage sludge (WSS) is generated daily, exploring effective methods for utilizing WSS is necessary. Although a photo-fermentation system sometimes alters the characteristics of microbial functions, there have been no attempts to perform photo-fermentation using WSS, which is regularly treated via dark fermentation. In this study, the effect of photo-fermentation (photo-irradiation) on anaerobic digestion using WSS was revealed. Photo-irradiation during the anaerobic digestion of WSS significantly reduced the amount of methane and hydrogen sulfide. Methane production was also reduced 5.6-fold at 13 days under light conditions, whereas hydrogen sulfide was consumed almost completely at 6 days. However, it was shown that the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria in WSS under light treatment increased. Photo-irradiation also stimulated the growth of green sulfur bacteria and induced anoxygenic photosynthesis, via which process the fermented samples turned green in a manner that was correlated with their consumption of hydrogen sulfide. The production of organic acids was lowered in the samples that were irradiated using light. Finally, dark/light switching fermentation was only able to reduce hydrogen sulfide while methane production remained the same. The amounts of methane and hydrogen sulfide were 35 mmol/g VS, and they were undetected at 58 days in photo-irradiated samples compared to the control samples that produced 37 mmol/g VS of methane and 15 ppm/g VS of hydrogen sulfide.
Biofortified Beverage with Chlorogenic Acid from Stressed Carrots: Anti-Obesogenic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Gastélum-Estrada Alejandro , Rabadán-Chávez Griselda , Reza-Zaldívar Edwin E. , de la Cruz-López Jessica L. , Fuentes-Palma Sara A. , Mojica Luis , Díaz de la Garza Rocío I. , Jacobo-Velázquez Daniel A.
Published: October 2023

Using wounding stress to increase the bioactive phenolic content in fruits and vegetables offers a promising strategy to enhance their health benefits. When wounded, such phenolics accumulate in plants and can provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesogenic properties. This study investigates the potential of using wounding stress-treated carrots biofortified with phenolic compounds as a raw material to extract carrot juice with increased nutraceutical properties. Fresh carrots were subjected to wounding stress via slicing and then stored at 15 °C for 48 h to allow phenolic accumulation. These phenolic-enriched slices were blanched, juiced, and blended with orange juice (75:25 ratio) and 15% (w/v) broccoli sprouts before pasteurization. The pasteurized juice was characterized by its physicochemical attributes and bioactive compound content over 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Additionally, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesogenic potentials were assessed using in vitro assays, both pre- and post-storage. The results reveal that juice derived from stressed carrots (SJ) possessed 49%, 83%, and 168% elevated levels of total phenolics, chlorogenic acid, and glucosinolates, respectively, compared to the control juice (CJ) (p < 0.05). Both juices reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and nitric oxide production in Raw 264.7 cells, without significant differences between them. SJ further displayed a 26.4% increase in cellular antioxidant activity. The juice’s bioactive characteristics remained stable throughout storage time. In conclusion, the utilization of juice obtained from stressed carrots in a blend with orange juice and broccoli sprouts offers a promising method to produce a beverage enriched in bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential.
Postharvest Quality Improvement of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv Nagano) with Forced-Air Precooling and Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Authors: Yeboah Samuel , Hong Sae Jin , Park Yeri , Choi Jeong Hee , Eum Hyang Lan
Published: October 2023

Optimum postharvest storage conditions increase the postharvest quality and shelf life of horticultural crops. The effects of forced-air precooling (FAP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on shelf life, physicochemical quality, and health-promoting properties of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Nagano) harvested at 90 and 50% coloring stages in May and July respectively, stored at 11 °C, 95% relative humidity were assessed. Fruits were subjected to four treatments: FAP + 30 μm polyethylene liner (FOLO); FAP-only (FOLX); 30 μm polyethylene liner-only (FXLO); and control (FXLX). The quality attributes, viz. weight loss, firmness, color, soluble solids content (SSC), soluble sugars, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-dephenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were evaluated. The investigated parameters differed significantly (p < 0.05) among treatments except for soluble sugars. FOLO maintained sensory quality (weight loss, firmness, and color), physicochemical (SSC and soluble sugars), and health-promoting properties compared to other treatments during storage. The 50% coloring fruits had a huge variation between treatments than 90% coloring. The results revealed more TPC and antioxidant capacity in the 50% than in the 90% coloring fruits. The study highlights the need to consider the ideal fruit coloring stage at harvest under the effect of FAP and MAP treatments in preserving bell pepper’s postharvest quality and shelf life.
Applications of Gas Sensing in Food Quality Detection: A Review
Authors: Ma Minzhen , Yang Xinting , Ying Xiaoguo , Shi Ce , Jia Zhixin , Jia Boce
Published: October 2023

Food products often face the risk of spoilage during processing, storage, and transportation, necessitating the use of rapid and effective technologies for quality assessment. In recent years, gas sensors have gained prominence for their ability to swiftly and sensitively detect gases, making them valuable tools for food quality evaluation. The various gas sensor types, such as metal oxide (MOX), metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors, surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, colorimetric sensors, and electrochemical sensors, each offer distinct advantages. They hold significant potential for practical applications in food quality monitoring. This review comprehensively covers the progress in gas sensor technology for food quality assessment, outlining their advantages, features, and principles. It also summarizes their applications in detecting volatile gases during the deterioration of aquatic products, meat products, fruit, and vegetables over the past decade. Furthermore, the integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence into gas sensor arrays is discussed, enhancing their adaptability and reliability in diverse food environments and improving food quality assessment efficiency. In conclusion, this paper addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by rapid gas sensor-based food quality detection technologies and suggests potential interdisciplinary solutions and directions.
The Use of Apple Vinegar from Natural Fermentation in the Technology Production of Raw-Ripened Wild Boar Loins
Authors: Łepecka Anna , Szymański Piotr , Okoń Anna , Łaszkiewicz Beata , Onacik-Gür Sylwia , Zielińska Dorota , Dolatowski Zbigniew J.
Published: October 2023

Wild boar meat is difficult to process, mainly due to its hardness and stringiness. Three types of raw-ripened wild boar loins were produced (C—control treatment, R1 and R2—treatments with the addition of apple vinegar in various production variants). The research aimed to develop a new innovative technology for the production of wild boar loin using apple vinegar for marinating and to determine the impact of apple vinegar on the microbiological and sensory quality, and physico-chemical parameters of the product. As part of the research, a technology for the production of ripened wild boar products was developed and the composition of fatty acids, cholesterol content, pH value, oxidation-reduction potential, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) index, color, microbiological, sensory, and statistical analysis were determined. It was found that the loins were characterized by a high content of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (20.18–43.37%), a low content of trans fatty acids (0.30–0.57%), and a high cholesterol content (75.13–85.28 mg/100 g of the product). Samples with apple vinegar (R1 and R2) were characterized by a lower pH value (5.10–5.70; p < 0.05), a comparable oxidation-reduction potential (409.75–498.57 mV), and a low TBARS index (0.461–1.294 mg malondialdehyde/kg of product). Their color was lighter (L* 38.25–40.65). All the tested loins were characterized by appropriate microbiological quality guaranteeing the storage durability of the product. R1 and R2 treatments were characterized by the greatest juiciness. The highest overall quality was achieved by R1 loins (7.36–7.76 c.u.). The apple vinegar used to marinate the loins had a positive effect on their microbiological and sensory quality as well as physico-chemical parameters. Moreover, the technology guarantees the appropriate quality and health safety of the products.
Dynamic Modeling and Response Analysis of Dielectric Elastomer Incorporating Fractional Viscoelasticity and Gent Function
Authors: Li Qiaoyan , Sun Zhongkui
Published: October 2023

Dielectric Elastomer (DE) has been recognized for its remarkable potential in actuation and sensing applications. However, the functionality of most DE materials is restricted by their high viscoelastic effects. Currently, there is a lack of dynamic models that consider both viscoelasticity and stiffening effects. To address this research gap, we propose a fractional-order model in this study. Specifically, the model comprehensively integrates both viscoelastic and stiffening effects under electromechanical coupling, utilizing the principle of virtual work. Further, the effects of the system parameters are analyzed. The results indicate that the fractional-order derivative influences the hysteresis behaviors during the transient state and affects the duration of the transient process. Furthermore, when the system’s energy surpasses a certain threshold, the steady-state response can transition between two distinct potential wells. Through the manipulation of electromechanical coupling parameters, bifurcation can be induced, and the occurrence of snap-through and snap-back behaviors can be controlled. These findings have significant implications for the design and optimization of DE materials in various applications.
On the Global Nonexistence of a Solution for Wave Equations with Nonlinear Memory Term
Authors: Reda Soufiane Bousserhane , Memou Amer , Berkane Abdelhak , Himadan Ahmed , Moumen Abdelkader , Saber Hicham , Alraqad Tariq
Published: October 2023

The paper is devoted to the problem of the local existence for a solution to a nonlinear wave equation, with the dissipation given by a nonlinear form with the presence of a nonlinear memory term. Moreover, the global nonexistence of a solution is established using the test function method. We combine the Fourier transform and fractional derivative calculus to achieve our goal.
Multi-Signal Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis for Uncertain Systems —Application to the Energy Consumption of Software Programs in Microcontrollers
Authors: de la Torre Juan Carlos , Pavón-Domínguez Pablo , Dorronsoro Bernabé , Galindo Pedro L. , Ruiz Patricia
Published: October 2023

Uncertain systems are those wherein some variability is observed, meaning that different observations of the system will produce different measurements. Studying such systems demands the use of statistical methods over multiple measurements, which allows overcoming the uncertainty, based on the premise that a single measurement is not representative of the system’s behavior. In such cases, the current multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) method cannot offer confident conclusions. This work presents multi-signal MFDFA (MS-MFDFA), a novel methodology for accurately characterizing uncertain systems using the MFDFA algorithm, which enables overcoming the uncertainty of the system by simultaneously considering a large set of signals. As a case study, we consider the problem of characterizing software (Sw) consumption. The difficulty of the problem mainly comes from the complexity of the interactions between Sw and hardware (Hw), as well as from the high uncertainty level of the consumption measurements, which are affected by concurrent Sw services, the Hw, and external factors such as ambient temperature. We apply MS-MFDFA to generate a signature of the Sw consumption profile, regardless of the execution time, the consumption levels, and uncertainty. Multiple consumption signals (or time series) are built from different Sw runs, obtaining a high frequency sampling of the instant input current for each of them while running the Sw. A benchmark of eight Sw programs for analysis is also proposed. Moreover, a fully functional application to automatically perform MS-MFDFA analysis has been made freely available. The results showed that the proposed methodology is a suitable approximation for the multifractal analysis of a large number of time series obtained from uncertain systems. Moreover, analysis of the multifractal properties showed that this approach was able to differentiate between the eight Sw programs studied, showing differences in the temporal scaling range where multifractal behavior is found.
Exploring Potential of Gellan Gum for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Gussenov Iskander , Berzhanova Ramza Zh. , Mukasheva Togzhan D. , Tatykhanova Gulnur S. , Imanbayev Bakyt A. , Sagyndikov Marat S. , Kudaibergenov Sarkyt E.
Published: October 2023

Extensive laboratory and field tests have shown that the gelation response of gellan gum to saline water makes it a promising candidate for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The objective of this mini-review is to evaluate the applicability of gellan gum in EOR and compare its efficiency to other precursors, in particular, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM). At first, the “sol-gel” phase transitions of gellan gum in aqueous-salt solutions containing mono- and divalent cations are considered. Then the rheological and mechanical properties of gellan in diluted aqueous solutions and gel state are outlined. The main attention is paid to laboratory core flooding and field pilot tests. The plugging behavior of gellan in laboratory conditions due to “sol-gel” phase transition is discussed in the context of conformance control and water shut-off. Due to its higher strength, gellan gum gel provided ~6 times greater resistance to the flow of brine in a 1 mm-width fracture compared to HPAM gel. The field trials carried out in the injection and production wells of the Kumkol oilfield, situated in Kazakhstan, demonstrated that over 6 and 11 months, there was an incremental oil recovery of 3790 and 5890 tons, respectively. To put it into perspective, using 1 kg of dry gellan resulted in the incremental production of 3.52 m3 (or 22 bbls) of oil. The treatment of the production well with 1 wt.% gellan solution resulted in a considerable decrease in the water cut up to 10–20% without affecting the oil flow rate. The advantages and disadvantages of gellan compared to HPAM are analyzed together with the economic feasibility of gellan over HPAM. The potential for establishing gellan production in Kazakhstan is emphasized. It is anticipated that gellan gum, manufactured through fermentation using glucose–fructose syrup from Zharkent and Burunday corn starch plants, could be expanded in the future for applications in both the food industry and oil recovery.
Cellulose Fabrics Functionalized with Sol–Gel Photocatalytic Coatings Based on Iron (III) Phthalocyanine Tetracarboxylic Acids–TiO2–Silica Hybrids
Authors: Raditoiu Alina , Raditoiu Valentin , Raduly Monica Florentina , Gabor Augusta Raluca , Frone Adriana Nicoleta , Grapin Maria , Anastasescu Mihai
Published: October 2023

Photocatalytic coatings are difficult to obtain on textile materials because of the sometimes contradictory properties that must be achieved. In order to obtain a high efficiency of a photocatalytic effect, the metal–oxide semiconductor must be found in the vicinity of the coating–air interface in order to come into direct contact with the contaminant species and allow light radiation access to its surface. Another necessary condition is related to the properties of the covering textile material as well as to the stability of the xerogel films to light and wet treatments. In this sense, we proposed a solution based on hybrid silica films generated by sol–gel processes, coatings that contain as a photocatalyst TiO2 sensitized with tetracarboxylic acid of iron (III) phthalocyanine (FeTCPc). The coatings were made by the pad–dry–cure process, using in the composition a bifunctional anchoring agent (3-glycidoxipropyltrimethoxysilane, GLYMO), a crosslinking agent (sodium tetraborate, BORAX), and a catalyst (N-methylimidazole, MIM) for the polymerization of epoxy groups. The photodegradation experiments performed on methylene blue (MB), utilized as a model contaminant, using LED or xenon arc as light sources, showed that the treatment with BORAX improves the resistance of the coatings to wet treatments but worsens their photocatalytic performances.
Loading of Silver (I) Ion in L-Cysteine-Functionalized Silica Gel Material for Aquatic Purification
Authors: Al-Anber Mohammed A. , Al Ja’afreh Malak , Al-Momani Idrees F. , Hijazi Ahmed K. , Sobola Dinara , Sagadevan Suresh , Al Bayaydah Salsabeel
Published: October 2023

The L-cysteine-functionalized silica (SG-Cys−Na+) matrix was effectively loaded with silver (I) ions using the batch sorption technique. Optimal Ag(I) loading into SG-Cys−Na+ reached 98% at pHi = 6, 80 rpm, 1 mg L−1, and a temperature of 55 °C. The Langmuir isotherm was found to be suitable for Ag(I) binding onto SG-Cys−Na+ active sites, forming a homogeneous monolayer (R2 = 0.999), as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicated matrix stability and the absence of Ag2O and Ag(0) phases, observed from diffraction peaks. The pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.999) suggested chemisorption-controlled adsorption, involving chemical bonding between silver ions and SG-Cys−Na+ surface. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated, indicating higher initial concentrations leading to increased equilibrium constants, negative ΔG values, positive ΔS values, and negative ΔH. This study aimed to explore silver ion saturation on silica surfaces and the underlying association mechanisms. The capability to capture and load silver (I) ions onto functionalized silica gel materials holds promise for environmental and water purification applications.
Homologous Recombination and Repair Functions Required for Mutagenicity during Yeast Meiosis
Authors: Morciano Liat , Elgrabli Renana M. , Zenvirth Drora , Arbel-Eden Ayelet
Published: October 2023

Several meiotic events reshape the genome prior to its transfer (via gametes) to the next generation. The occurrence of new meiotic mutations is tightly linked to homologous recombination (HR) and firmly depends on Spo11-induced DNA breaks. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms governing mutagenicity during meiosis, we examined the timing of mutation and recombination events in cells deficient in various DNA HR-repair genes, which represent distinct functions along the meiotic recombination process. Despite sequence similarities and overlapping activities of the two DNA translocases, Rad54 and Tid1, we observed essential differences in their roles in meiotic mutation occurrence: in the absence of Rad54, meiotic mutagenicity was elevated 8-fold compared to the wild type (WT), while in the tid1Δ mutant, there were few meiotic mutations, nine percent compared to the WT. We propose that the presence of Rad54 channels recombinational repair to a less mutagenic pathway, whereas repair assisted by Tid1 is more mutagenic. A 3.5-fold increase in mutation level was observed in dmc1∆ cells, suggesting that single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) may be a potential source for mutagenicity during meiosis. Taken together, we suggest that the introduction of de novo mutations also contributes to the diversification role of meiotic recombination. These rare meiotic mutations revise genomic sequences and may contribute to long-term evolutionary changes.
When Mast Cells Run Amok: A Comprehensive Review and Case Study on Severe Neonatal Diffuse Cutaneous Mastocytosis
Authors: Olteanu Emilian-Gheorghe , Bataneant Mihaela , Puiu Maria , Chirita-Emandi Adela
Published: October 2023

Neonatal diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (NDCM) is defined as the infiltration of the epidermis by a clonal proliferation of mast cells, observed at birth, without initial signs of systemic involvement. The typical driver mutation is in the KIT gene. We report a rare case of a boy, born at term, already presenting at birth with generalized subcutaneous nodules on the face, scalp, trunk, back, hands, and feet. The spleen, liver, and inflammatory markers were normal at birth. Tryptase was significantly elevated. A bone marrow biopsy showed no mast cell involvement at age 2 months. A punch biopsy at age 2 months revealed CD117-positive cells diffusely infiltrating the skin, with subsequent DNA NGS sequencing for the formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue (FFPE) identifying the pathogenic NM_000222.3:c.1504_1509dup; p.(Ala502_Tyr503dup) variant in the KIT gene previously associated with cutaneous mastocytosis. At 2 years follow-up, he had splenomegaly and multiple cervical and inguinal adenopathy, while the skin nodules persisted, especially on the scalp with accompanying pruritus. He received oral and local sodium cromoglycate, oral antihistamines, antibiotic cream for skin infection, and iron supplementation; however, compliance to treatment was relatively low. The prognosis is difficult to predict, as he developed systemic involvement, failure to thrive, and mild psychomotor delay. A case aggregation of NDCM reported in the literature was performed to provide a comprehensive overview of this rare pathology, to better understand the prognosis. NDCM is a life-threatening disease with severe complications. Almost half had severe complications, such as mast hepatosplenomegaly, adenopathy, bacterial infections, mast cell leukaemia, and systemic involvement.
Navigating the ALS Genetic Labyrinth: The Role of MAPT Haplotypes
Authors: Tourtourikov Ivan , Dabchev Kristiyan , Todorov Tihomir , Angelov Teodor , Chamova Teodora , Tournev Ivailo , Kadiyska Tanya , Mitev Vanyo , Todorova Albena
Published: October 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by wide clinical and biological heterogeneity, with a large proportion of ALS patients also exhibiting frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum symptoms. This project aimed to characterize risk subtypes of the H1 haplotype within the MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) gene, according to their possible effect as a risk factor and as a modifying factor in relation to the age of disease onset. One hundred patients from Bulgaria with sporadic ALS were genotyped for the variants rs1467967, rs242557, rs1800547, rs3785883, rs2471738, and rs7521. Haploview 4.2 and SHEsisPlus were used to reconstruct haplotype frequencies using genotyping data from the 1000 Genomes project as controls. Genotype–phenotype correlation was investigated in the context of age of disease onset and risk of disease development. While the individual variants of the subtypes do not influence the age of onset of the disease, a correlation was found between the specific haplotype GGAGCA (H1b) and the risk of developing sALS, with results showing that individuals harboring this haplotype have a nearly two-fold increased risk of developing sALS compared to other H1 subtypes. The results from this study suggest that fine transcriptional regulation at the MAPT locus can influence the risk of ALS.
Thyroid Transcriptomics Revealed the Reproductive Regulation of miRNA in the Follicular and Luteal Phases in Small-Tail Han Sheep with Different FecB Genotypes
Authors: Chang Cheng , He Xiaoyun , Di Ran , Wang Xiangyu , Han Miaoceng , Liang Chen , Chu Mingxing
Published: October 2023

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a type of endogenous short−stranded ncRNA that influences many biological processes such as animal growth, development and metabolism. The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland in sheep, and an increasing number of studies have shown that the thyroid gland plays an important role in animal reproduction, but the molecular mechanisms of the thyroid gland in sheep reproduction are poorly understood. In this study, RNA-seq was used to detect transcriptome expression patterns in the thyroid gland between the follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecB BB (MM) and FecB ++ (ww) small-tail Han (STH) sheep, respectively, and to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) associated with reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis of the target genes of these DEMs revealed that they can be enriched in multiple GO terms associated with the reproductive process in animals and in the KEGG signaling pathway. The miRNA–mRNA coexpression network revealed that oar-miR-133 and oar-miR-370-3p may play an important role in sheep reproduction. The results of the dual-luciferase reporter assay suggest a possible targeting relationship between novel-51 and TARBP2. These results provided a novel resource for elucidating regulatory mechanisms underlying STH sheep prolificacy.
Late Quaternary Relative Sea-Level Changes and Vertical GNSS Motions in the Gulf of Corinth: The Asymmetric Localization of Deformation Inside an Active Half-Graben
Authors: Evelpidou Niki , Ganas Athanassios , Karkani Anna , Spyrou Evangelos , Saitis Giannis
Published: October 2023

Remains of past sea levels such as tidal notches may provide valuable information for the investigation of relative sea-level changes (RSL) of eustatic/tectonic origin. In this review, we focus on case studies of coastal changes from the Corinth Gulf, where impacts of past earthquakes can be traced through various indicators. The southern coast has undergone a tectonic uplift during the Holocene, whereas the northern coast has undergone subsidence. The magnitude of RSL fall in the south Corinth Gulf is larger than RSL rise in the north. Exploiting previous measurements and datings, we created a geodatabase regarding the relative sea-level changes of the whole gulf, including geodetic data based on permanent GNSS observations. The combination of geomorphological (long-term) and geodetic (short-term) data is a key advance for this area, which is characterized by fast rates of N-S crustal extension and strong earthquakes. The joint dataset fits the tectonic model of an active half-graben where the hanging wall (northern coast) subsides and the footwall (southern coast) is uplifted. The highest uplift rates (3.5 mm/year) are near Aigion, which indicates an asymmetric localization of deformation inside this active rift.
A Quantitative Social Network Analysis of the Character Relationships in the Mahabharata
Authors: Gultepe Eren , Mathangi Vivek
Published: October 2023

Despite the advances in computational literary analysis of Western literature, in-depth analysis of the South Asian literature has been lacking. Thus, social network analysis of the main characters in the Indian epic Mahabharata was performed, in which it was prepossessed into verses, followed by a term frequency–inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) transformation. Then, Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) word vectors were obtained by applying compact Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) on the term–document matrix. As a novel innovation to this study, these word vectors were adaptively converted into a fully connected similarity matrix and transformed, using a novel locally weighted K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm, into a social network. The viability of the social networks was assessed by their ability to (i) recover individual character-to-character relationships; (ii) embed the overall network structure (verified with centrality measures and correlations); and (iii) detect communities of the Pandavas (protagonist) and Kauravas (antagonist) using spectral clustering. Thus, the proposed scheme successfully (i) predicted the character-to-character connections of the most important and second most important characters at an F-score of 0.812 and 0.785, respectively, (ii) recovered the overall structure of the ground-truth networks by matching the original centralities (corr. > 0.5, p < 0.05), and (iii) differentiated the Pandavas from the Kauravas with an F-score of 0.749.
Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Some Open-Field Ancient-Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes and Promising Breeding Lines
Authors: Laayouni Yosr , Tlili Imen , Henane Imen , Ali Ahlem Ben , Égei Márton , Takács Sándor , Azam Muhammad , Siddiqui Mohammed Wasim , Daood Hussein , Pék Zoltàn , Helyes Lajos , R’him Thouraya , Lenucci Marcello Salvatore , Ilahy Riadh
Published: October 2023

Tomato landraces have progressively faded into obscurity, making way for new hybrids and elite tomato cultivars. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the agronomic attributes, physicochemical properties, and functional traits across seven cultivars, comprising two high-pigment varieties, ‘HLT−F81’ and ‘HLT−F82’, as well as five underutilized ancient-tomato genotypes considered as landraces. Most of the studied genotypes exhibited satisfactory horticultural and processing traits. The average fruit weight ranged from 73.3 g in ‘Rimone’ to 91.83 g in ‘HLT−F81’, while the soluble solids content ranged from 4.66 °Brix in ‘Justar’ to 6.08 °Brix in ‘HLT−F81’. The functional quality and the content of most antioxidants, as well as the antioxidant activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions, proved to be the most discriminating parameters among the tomato genotypes. The content of β−carotene and lycopene spanned from 2.94 mg kg−1 fw in ‘Rio Grande’ to 13.94 mg kg−1 fw in ‘HLT−F82’ and 227.8 mg kg−1 fw in ‘HLT−F81’, yielding large variations compared to ‘Rio Grande’. The total phenolic content ranged from 139.83 mg GAE kg−1 fw in ‘Rimone’ to 352.41 mg GAE kg−1 fw in ‘HLT-F81’, while the flavonoid content varied from 136.16 mg RE kg−1 fw in ‘Justar’ to 311.23 mg RE kg−1 fw in ‘HLT-F82’. The presence of tocopherol isomers was genotype-dependent, with a higher content in lines carrying the high-pigment mutations. Among the tested tomato genotypes, the high-pigment tomato line ‘HLT−F81’ achieved the highest hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity values. This study primarily focused on the recovery and valorization of tomato genetic resources and landraces. It also aimed to identify desirable horticultural (yield, low-input, and low-water demand), processing (°Brix and titratable acidity), and quality (rich antioxidant berries) traits for introgression into new tomato cultivars better suited to the evolving climate conditions of the near future.
Possible Contribution of Corticular Photosynthesis to Grapevine Winter Hardiness
Authors: Sundyreva Maria A. , Yanykin Denis V. , Khristin Mikhail S. , Gryaznova Ulyana V. , Lutskiy Evgenij O. , Semenova Galina A. , Naydov Ilya A. , Savchenko Tatyana V.
Published: October 2023

Numerous studies show that photosynthesis in non-foliar tissues contributes to plant productivity. Here, we demonstrate that in chlorenchyma tissues of lignified branches of grape vines, photosynthetic activity is maintained during winter and provide evidence that corticular photosynthesis could contribute to the plant’s freeze tolerance. In a collection of grape varieties that varied noticeably in freeze tolerance, a positive correlation between the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II in the wintering vines and the ability to survive harsh winter temperatures was observed. A more detailed comparison of two grapevine varieties differing in freeze tolerance showed that the vines of the more tolerant variety have more abundant corticular chlorenchyma with chloroplasts containing a better developed network of photosynthetic membranes, characterized by a higher photosynthetic pigments content, higher efficiency of both photosystems, and higher mobility of antennae complexes under the changing light intensity. In addition, we found that freezing temperatures induced more damage in vine samples when they were preliminarily treated with a specific inhibitor of photosynthetic electron transfer. The data obtained could be useful in the generation of freeze-tolerant grape varieties.
Influence of Field and Storage Diseases and Pests on Tuber Yield and Quality of Exotic and Local Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Genotypes
Authors: Saffa Musa Decius , Saquee Francess Sia , Norman Prince Emmanuel , Kavhiza Nyasha John , Simbo Diakite , Zargar Meisam , Lyashko Marina , Pakina Elena , Vvedenskey Valentin
Published: October 2023

Field and storage trials were conducted to assess the response of exotic and local yam genotypes to major diseases (anthracnose, yam mosaic virus (YMV) and dry rot) and pests (i.e., mealy bug and nematodes) for the identification of parents with desired complementary traits for crossing. The experiment was conducted at the Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) experimental site in Sierra Leone during two cropping seasons, 2020 and 2021. A total of 113 genotypes of yam comprising 15 D. rotundata, 4 D. prahensilis, 7 D. esculenta, 74 D. alata, 7 D. bulbifera, and 4 D. cayenensis were assessed. Results showed a significant (p < 0.001) linear relationship between yield and disease severity among yam genotypes. In-field disease (anthracnose and yam mosaic virus) infection accounted for 38% of the total variation observed in the fresh tuber yield. Findings on fresh tuber yield revealed that for every ton increase in yield of yams, anthracnose and YMV severities at five months after planting (MAP) decreased by 0.5 and 3.1 units, respectively. About 30 genotypes had low infection of disease, of which two belonged to D. rotundata (TDr 205 and TDr 96/00587), two belonged to D. prahensilis (PSLY074-13 and BMSLY085-13), three belonged to D. bulbifera (MOSLY022-12, MOSLY024-12 and KESLY09-12), and one belonged to D. esculenta (WRSLY083-13), while the remaining were D. alata. About 27 genotypes had intermediate infection, and 14 had high disease susceptibility, all of which belonged to D. alata. Storage disease infection had a highly significant (p < 0.002) linear relationship among yam genotypes. Dry rot, mealy bug, and nematode infection accounted for 15.1% of the total variation in fresh tuber weight loss. The findings were relevant for selecting parents with complementary traits of interest targeted at yam population improvement.
The Effect of Biostimulants on Fruit Quality of Processing Tomato Grown under Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Liava Vasiliki , Chaski Christina , Añibarro-Ortega Mikel , Pereira Alexis , Pinela José , Barros Lillian , Petropoulos Spyridon A.
Published: October 2023

Water shortage can be a restrictive factor for the growth and quality of vegetable crops. Considering the alleviating effects of biostimulant application against water stress, this study aimed to investigate the effect of four biostimulant products (protein and amino acids with carboxylic acids (Tr1); protein and amino acids with seaweed extracts (Tr2); humic and fulvic acids with seaweed extracts (Tr3); SiO2 (Tr4); and control (no biostimulants added)) and two irrigation systems (regulated deficit irrigation (RDI)—65% of field capacity and regular irrigation (RI)—100% of field capacity) on quality parameters of processing tomato fruit. Regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application increased the energetic value, carbohydrates, and free sugars content, while organic acids showed a variable response to biostimulant use. In terms of tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, δ-) and carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene), regular irrigation and biostimulant application negatively affected their content, while Tr3 treatment had a beneficial impact on these lipophilic compounds under RDI conditions. The main fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2n6) acids, which increased when plants were treated with Tr3 and Tr1 biostimulants under a deficit regime. Antioxidant activity (assessed by TBARS and OxHLIA assays) and total phenolic and flavonoids content also showed a variable response to the studied factors. In particular, the application of Tr3 and the control treatment under RDI increased the total phenolic content, while the control and Tr3 treatments under the same irrigation regime recorded the highest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that the adoption of eco-friendly strategies such as regulated deficit irrigation and biostimulant application can beneficially affect the quality traits of processing tomatoes.
Morpho-Physiological, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, and Diffuse Reflectance Spectra Characteristics of Lettuce under the Main Macronutrient Deficiency
Authors: Kanash Elena V. , Sinyavina Nadezhda G. , Rusakov Dmitryi V. , Egorova Ksenia V. , Panova Gayane G. , Chesnokov Yuriy V.
Published: October 2023

The aim of the present work was to assess the physiological state of plants and photosynthetic apparatus activity in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by non-invasive methods (leaf diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and chlorophyll fluorescence) under the deficiency of one of the macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium). Our experiments assessed the deficiency of each of the macronutrients relative to plants vegetating under optimal nutrition. The used methods showed that the deficiency of macronutrients causes changes in the optical characteristics of lettuce plants (cvs. ‘Vitaminnyi’ and ‘Kokarda’), including a decrease in the chlorophyll content (57% and 51%) and a change in metabolism, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of light energy conversion in photochemical processes of photosynthesis and an increase in the dissipation of excess light energy (19% and 10%). Linear regression equations, describing the relationship between net productivity and spectral characteristics of diffuse leaf reflectance with high accuracy, have been obtained. Changes in all studied indicators of the physiological state of plants under the influence of macronutrient deficiency are more pronounced at the early stages of development than in later periods, when the first symptoms of aging appear (decrease in ChlRI). The observed differences between lettuce cultivars and their response to nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium deficiency are non-specific and mainly represent quantitative variation. The method for assessing the spectral characteristics of diffuse reflection of leaves seems to be the most promising for monitoring the physiological status of plants and early detection of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium deficiency.
Quantifying the Effect of Light Intensity Uniformity on the Crop Yield by Pea Microgreens Growth Experiments
Authors: Balázs László , Kovács Gergő Péter , Gyuricza Csaba , Piroska Petra , Tarnawa Ákos , Kende Zoltán
Published: October 2023

Differences in individual plant growth are affected by the spatial variation of light intensity, reducing the homogeneity of microgreen crops. Identifying the tradeoffs between light uniformity and crop quality is challenging due to the confounding effect of nonuniform illuminance with other noise factors. This study presents the results of hydroponic pea (Pisum sativum, L.) growth experiments aimed at quantifying the effect of photon irradiance variations. By adjusting the power of LED luminaires, we established one uniformly illuminated zone and two non-uniformly illuminated zones. Germinated seeds with 6 cm-long radicles were transplanted to cultivation trays with known light intensity in predetermined positions. Plants were cut 12 days after the start of light treatment and measured for fresh weight and shoot height. Our findings revealed no significant difference between the crop yield on trays having the same average PPFD but different light uniformity. However, correlation analysis of individual measurement data showed that local PPFD differences explained 31% of the fresh weight variation, and the rest was attributed to noise in the germination and growth processes. We also discuss the implications of our findings for the design and optimization of vertical farms.
Public Health Policy, Political Ideology, and Public Emotion Related to COVID-19 in the U.S
Authors: Gao Jingjing , Gallegos Gabriela A. , West Joe F.
Published: October 2023

Social networks, particularly Twitter 9.0 (known as X as of 23 July 2023), have provided an avenue for prompt interactions and sharing public health-related concerns and emotions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person communication became less feasible due to stay-at-home policies in the United States (U.S.). The study of public emotions extracted from social network data has garnered increasing attention among scholars due to its significant predictive value for public behaviors and opinions. However, few studies have explored the associations between public health policies, local political ideology, and the spatial-temporal trends of emotions extracted from social networks. This study aims to investigate (1) the spatial-temporal clustering trends (or spillover effects) of negative emotions related to COVID-19; and (2) the association relationships between public health policies such as stay-at-home policies, political ideology, and the negative emotions related to COVID-19. This study employs multiple statistical methods (zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression, random-effects model, and spatial autoregression (SAR) model) to examine relationships at the county level by using the data merged from multiple sources, mainly including Twitter 9.0, Johns Hopkins, and the U.S. Census Bureau. We find that negative emotions related to COVID-19 extracted from Twitter 9.0 exhibit spillover effects, with counties implementing stay-at-home policies or leaning predominantly Democratic showing higher levels of observed negative emotions related to COVID-19. These findings highlight the impact of public health policies and political polarization on spatial-temporal public emotions exhibited in social media. Scholars and policymakers can benefit from understanding how public policies and political ideology impact public emotions to inform and enhance their communication strategies and intervention design during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors Associated with Low Albumin in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Aged 75 Years and Above
Authors: Kobayashi Kazunari , Nishida Tomoko , Sakakibara Hisataka
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to clarify the factors associated with low albumin in Japanese older adults aged ≥75 years. The data utilized were the health checkup data of older adults aged ≥75 years from 42 municipalities in Gifu Prefecture, which were provided by the National Health Insurance database system. After excluding the data of individuals with incomplete information on serum albumin, BMI, lifestyle habits, or weight at previous year, the data from 18,674 individuals’ health checkup were analyzed. A logistic regression showed that low albumin was associated with smoking, not walking at least 1 h/day, slow walking speed, difficulty in chewing, slow eating speed, weight loss in the previous year, and underweight. Furthermore, an analysis conducted for older adults aged ≥85 years showed that low albumin was associated with not walking at least 1 h/day, difficulty in chewing, slow eating speed, weight loss in the previous year, and underweight. In the future, the number of older adults will increase in Japan; therefore, a strategic approach to promote the health of these aged individuals will become even more necessary. An early approach to maintaining an active physical life, an appropriate weight, and good oral function will lead to improved health in older adults.