bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization Design of Pot Slot Structure of Tea De-enzyming and Carding Machine
Authors: Bi Haijun , Jia Pengcheng , Qin Kuan , Yu Lei , Cao Chengmao , Bai Yuxuan
Published: November 2022

The problems of the uneven strip shape and low efficiency of tea de-enzyming and carding machines in the working process were addressed by analyzing the trajectory of tea particles and establishing a force model diagram of tea particles in the pot slot. The three-dimensional geometric model of the tea de-enzyming and carding machine was drawn using UG software, and the simulation model of tea particles was established using EDEM software. The work efficiency of the tea de-enzyming and carding machine was improved, and the rate of broken tea was reduced using the EDEM software to simulate the movement of tea particles in the pot slot under different heights of the convex bar, pot slot angle of inclination, and number of slots. The average velocity and interaction force curve of tea particles were obtained. The influence of the number of slots, the inclination angle of the slot, and the height of the convex bar on the effect of tea into strips were verified using a scheme design based on the quadratic regression orthogonal combination rotation test, and experimental research based on three factors and three levels was carried out. Design-Expert 11 software (Stat-Ease, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was used to optimize the response surface and analyze the regression model of the relevant test data. The 6CSL-800 tea de-enzyming (Anji Yuanfeng Tea Machinery Co., Ltd., Huzhou, China) and carding machine (Anji Yuanfeng Tea Machinery Co., Ltd., Huzhou, China) was used as the verification test prototype, six sets of verification tests were carried out, and the test results showed that the maximum value of the strip rate index and the minimum value of the broken tea rate index were obtained. The order of the indicators affecting the bar-type rate and broken tea rate of the de-enzyming and carding machine from high to low is as follows: the height of the convex bar, the inclination angle of the slot body, and the number of slots bodies. When the height of the convex bar was 10 mm, the inclination angle of the slot was 90°, the number of slots was 12, the bar-type rate was 89.45%, and the broken tea rate was 1.63%. The prediction results of the regression model of the bar-type rate and broken tea rate of the tea de-enzyming and carding machine were verified by employing six sets of control tests with the 6CSL-800 tea de-enzyming and carding machine as the validation test prototype. The actual values of the bar-type rate obtained from the six sets of control tests were 88.19%, 90.37%, and 87.33% (1,2,3 group), and the actual values of the broken tea rate were 1.66%, 1.69%, and 1.61% (4,5,6 group), with average values of 88.63% and 1.65%. The control test was basically consistent with the results of parameter optimization. The processed finished tea has good quality, which can provide theoretical reference for the optimization and design of tea de-enzyming and carding machines and similar tea machines in the future.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Veterinary Medicine and Public Health
Authors: Roncada Paola , Tilocca Bruno
Published: November 2022

Animal productions, and populations, have been rapidly expanding over the last decades, forcing the ever-closer coexistence of human beings and domestic animals on our yet “narrow” planet [...]
A Smart Textile Band Achieves High-Quality Electrocardiograms in Unrestrained Horses
Authors: McCrae Persephone , Spong Hannah , Rutherford Ashley-Ann , Osborne Vern , Mahnam Amin , Pearson Wendy
Published: November 2022

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an essential tool in assessing equine health and fitness. However, standard ECG devices are expensive and rely on the use of adhesive electrodes, which may become detached and are associated with reduced ECG quality over time. Smart textile electrodes composed of stainless-steel fibers have previously been shown to be a suitable alternative in horses at rest and during exercise. The objective of this study was to compare ECG quality using a smart textile girth band knit with silver and carbon yarns to standard adhesive silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes. Simultaneous three-lead ECGs were recorded using a smart textile band and Ag/AgCl electrodes in 22 healthy, mixed-breed horses that were unrestrained in stalls. ECGs were compared using the following quality metrics: Kurtosis (k) value, Kurtosis signal quality index (kSQI), percentage of motion artifacts (%MA), peak signal amplitude, and heart rate (HR). Two-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison tests was conducted to compare each metric. No significant differences were found in any of the assessed metrics between the smart textile band and Ag/AgCl electrodes, with the exception of peak amplitude. Kurtosis and kSQI values were excellent for both methods (textile mean k = 21.8 ± 6.1, median kSQI = 0.98 [0.92–1.0]; Ag/AgCl k = 21.2 ± 7.6, kSQI = 0.99 [0.97–1.0]) with <0.5% (<1 min) of the recording being corrupted by MAs for both. This study demonstrates that smart textiles are a practical and reliable alternative to the standard electrodes typically used in ECG monitoring of horses.
Use of Infrared Thermography to Assess Body Temperature as a Physiological Stress Indicator in Horses during Ridden and Lunging Sessions
Authors: Martins Joana Noronha , Silva Severiano R.
Published: November 2022

Equitation is a cause of physiological stress in the equine athlete, and personality is a factor generally associated with the different responses of equines to stressors. This study explored ocular temperature, measured via infrared thermography, associated with personality and stress in horses submitted to dressage exercising in riding lessons, ridden training and lunging. Infrared thermograms of 16 horses were taken before and after sessions using an FLIR F4 camera (FLIR Systems AB, Sweden) to determine maximum eye surface IRT temperature (IRTmax), and total training time was registered (T). A novel-stimulus test was conducted for personality assessment, and the ridden behavior was scored (mRBS). The results showed that T was statistically different (p ˂ 0.001) between modalities, but no differences were found in any IRTmax tests. Statistical correlations were found between mRBS and personality groups, sex and age (all p < 0.001). Additionally—and with caution, given the sample—no association was found between mRBS and post-workout IRT readings and modality, or between pre-workout IRT readings and personality groups. We conclude that trained horses show little stress when working in a familiar environment and when the workout plan is submaximal. The personality test was adequate and positively correlated with ridden behavior.
Towards a Genetic Linkage Map of the California Condor, an Endangered New World Vulture Species
Authors: Romanov Michael N. , Da Yang , Chemnick Leona G. , Thomas Steven M. , Dandekar Sugandha S. , Papp Jeanette C. , Ryder Oliver A.
Published: November 2022

The development of a linkage map is an important component for promoting genetic and genomic studies in California condors, an endangered New World vulture species. Using a set of designed anonymous microsatellite markers, we genotyped a reference condor population involving 121 individuals. After marker validation and genotype filtering, the genetic linkage analysis was performed using 123 microsatellite loci. This resulted in the identification of 15 linkage groups/subgroups that formed a first-generation condor genetic map, while no markers linked to a lethal chondrodystrophy mutation were found. A panel of polymorphic markers that is instrumental in molecular parentage diagnostics and other genetic studies in the California condor was selected. Further condor conservation genomics research will be focused on updating the linkage map and integrating it with cytogenetic and BAC-based physical maps and ultimately with the genome sequence assembly.
A Study of Land Ecological Environment Evaluation Based on an Ideal Point Model
Authors: Chen Zhen , Shi Lianwu
Published: November 2022

The paper took Guang’an City in Sichuan Province of China as a research region, and it built an evaluation index system based on 14 evaluation indices according to four criteria, namely, ecological background, ecological structure, ecological benefits, and ecological stress. The Delphi algorithm and entropy weight (a combination of subjective and objective methods) were used to calculate the weight value of each evaluation index, and an ideal point model was used to calculate the ideal point value. The ideal point ecological grade was classified, and the principal component analysis method was used to obtain the main control factors of each year, which revealed the relationship between the ecological distribution of ideal points and the environmental impact factor, with the changing characteristics of the ecology in the research region according to the hotspot model of the spatial differentiation of land ecological quality as the main control factor. Lastly, the paper also analyzed the land ecological quality of Guangan City in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. The study results show that the overall land ecological quality in Guang’an City generally increased from 2005 to 2015. The proportion of forest land area and the temperature were the most important main control factors. The air temperature and the land ecological quality were positively correlated.
Nanomaterial-Based Fluorescent Biosensor for Food Safety Analysis
Authors: Zhou Jiaojiao , Gui Yue , Lv Xuqin , He Jiangling , Xie Fang , Li Jinjie , Cai Jie
Published: November 2022

Food safety issues have become a major threat to public health and have garnered considerable attention. Rapid and effective detection methods are crucial for ensuring food safety. Recently, nanostructured fluorescent materials have shown considerable potential for monitoring the quality and safety of food because of their fascinating optical characteristics at the nanoscale. In this review, we first introduce biomaterials and nanomaterials for food safety analysis. Subsequently, we perform a comprehensive analysis of food safety using fluorescent biosensors based on nanomaterials, including mycotoxins, heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticide residues, foodborne pathogens, and illegal additives. Finally, we provide new insights and discuss future approaches for the development of food safety detection, with the aim of improving fluorescence detection methods for the practical application of nanomaterials to ensure food safety and protect human health.
Lived Experiences of Female Nurses with COVID-19 Deaths on Their Watch
Authors: Alwesmi Mai B. , Dator Wireen Leila , Karavasileiadou Savvato
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on health systems, leading to a spike in stress, anxiety, and depression conditions among healthcare workers worldwide. Considering the mental health status of nurses, a pillar of the health system, is crucial for assuring the quality of the healthcare provided during and after pandemics. This study aimed to explore the experiences of female nurses who witnessed their patients dying of COVID-19. Seven female COVID-19 nurses were interviewed in person. Thematic analysis of the respondents’ verbatim answers was implemented. Six main themes were identified. Theme 1 illustrates nurses’ experience of emotional and psychological trauma as they witnessed their patients with COVID-19 die under their care. Theme 2 reveals aftershock reactions, including somatization, isolation, and emotional disengagement. Theme 3 highlights the hindrances and difficult situations related to the in-hospital care of COVID-19 patients. Theme 4 demonstrates victorious feelings and celebration of the patient’s survival. Theme 5 emphasizes the nurse’s ability to be calm and recognize the takeaways or lessons they have learned from this phase for their careers and lives. Theme 6 sheds light on nurses’ emerging abilities and competencies. This study will hopefully provide a basis for a debriefing program that might be beneficial to the nurses and the health system. This might affect nurses’ ability to work closely with patients, cope emotionally with challenges, and fulfil their professional tasks.
The Novel IGF-1R Inhibitor PB-020 Acts Synergistically with Anti-PD-1 and Mebendazole against Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kang Bo , Zhang Xiaobing , Wang Weibing , She Shiqi , Chen Wenjie , Chen Cheng , Wang Yisha , Pan Xiaoyun , Xu Ouyuan , Wang Yingjie
Published: November 2022

CRC is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Chemotherapy is widely used for the treatment of CRC, but its efficacy remains unsatisfactory, mainly due to drug resistance. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new strategies to overcome drug resistance. Combination therapy that aims to achieve additive or synergistic therapeutic effects is an effective approach to tackle the development of drug resistance. Given its established roles in tumor development, progression and metastasis, IGF-1R is a promising drug target for combination therapy against CRC. In this study, we revealed that the novel IGF-1R inhibitor PB-020 can act synergistically with mebendazole (MBZ) to reduce the viability of CRC cells and block xenograft CRC progression. Moreover, the PB-020/anti-PD-1 combination synergistically blocked CRC propagation in the MC38 murine colon carcinoma model. Both combination therapies potently suppressed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway genes in CRC that may be associated with the development of drug resistance. Our findings establish a preclinical proof-of-concept for combating CRC using combined multi-target treatment with PB-020 and clinical anticancer drugs, which may provide useful clues for clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these drug combinations in CRC patients.
Neuroprotection of Rodent and Human Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vitro/Ex Vivo by the Hybrid Small Molecule SA-2
Authors: Pham Jennifer H. , Johnson Gretchen A. , Rangan Rajiv S. , Amankwa Charles E. , Acharya Suchismita , Stankowska Dorota L.
Published: November 2022

The mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of the hybrid antioxidant-nitric oxide donating compound SA-2 in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration models were evaluated. The in vitro trophic factor (TF) deprivation model in primary rat RGCs and ex vivo human retinal explants were used to mimic glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Cell survival was assessed after treatment with vehicle or SA-2. In separate experiments, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) were used in ex vivo rat retinal explants and primary rat RGCs, respectively, to induce oxidative damage. Mitochondrial and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed following treatments. In the TF deprivation model, SA-2 treatment produced a significant decrease in apoptotic and dead cell counts in primary RGCs and a significant increase in RGC survival in ex vivo human retinal explants. In the oxidative stress-induced models, a significant decrease in the production of ROS was observed in the SA-2-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated group. Compound SA-2 was neuroprotective against various glaucomatous insults in the rat and human RGCs by reducing apoptosis and decreasing ROS levels. Amelioration of mitochondrial and cellular oxidative stress by SA-2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing neurodegeneration in glaucomatous RGCs.
Terminal Uridylyltransferases TUT4/7 Regulate microRNA and mRNA Homeostasis
Authors: Zhang Pengcheng , Frederick Mallory I. , Heinemann Ilka U.
Published: November 2022

The terminal nucleotidyltransferases TUT4 and TUT7 (TUT4/7) regulate miRNA and mRNA stability by 3′ end uridylation. In humans, TUT4/7 polyuridylates both mRNA and pre-miRNA, leading to degradation by the U-specific exonuclease DIS3L2. We investigate the role of uridylation-dependent decay in maintaining the transcriptome by transcriptionally profiling TUT4/7 deleted cells. We found that while the disruption of TUT4/7 expression increases the abundance of a variety of miRNAs, the let-7 family of miRNAs is the most impacted. Eight let-7 family miRNAs were increased in abundance in TUT4/7 deleted cells, and many let-7 mRNA targets are decreased in abundance. The mRNAs with increased abundance in the deletion strain are potential direct targets of TUT4/7, with transcripts coding for proteins involved in cellular stress response, rRNA processing, ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, cell–cell signaling, and regulation of metabolic processes most affected in the TUT4/7 knockout cells. We found that TUT4/7 indirectly control oncogenic signaling via the miRNA let-7a, which regulates AKT phosphorylation status. Finally, we find that, similar to fission yeast, the disruption of uridylation-dependent decay leads to major rearrangements of the transcriptome and reduces cell proliferation and adhesion.
Extracellular Vesicles from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived MSCs Affect Vessel Formation In Vitro and Promote VEGFR2-Mediated Cell Survival
Authors: Muñiz-García Ana , Wilm Bettina , Murray Patricia , Cross Michael J.
Published: November 2022

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as novel tools in regenerative medicine. Angiogenesis modulation is widely studied for the treatment of ischaemic diseases, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Here, we have shown that EVs from human umbilical cord-derived MSCs can affect VEGFR2 signalling, a master regulator of angiogenesis homeostasis, via altering the phosphorylation of AKT. This translates into an inhibition of apoptosis, promoting exclusively cell survival, but not proliferation, in human microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, when comparing EVs from normoxic cells to those obtained from hypoxia (1% O2) preconditioned cells, hypoxia-derived EVs appear to have a slightly enhanced effect. Furthermore, when studied in a longer term endothelial-fibroblast co-culture angiogenesis model in vitro, both EV populations demonstrated a positive effect on vessel formation, evidenced by increased vessel networks with tubes of significantly larger diameters. Our data reveals that EVs selectively target components of the angiogenic pathway, promoting VEGFR2-mediated cell survival via enhancement of AKT activation. Our data show that EVs are able to enhance specific components of the VEGF signalling pathway and may have therapeutic potential to support endothelial cell survival.
Transcriptomic Landscape and Functional Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Limbal Epithelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Polisetti Naresh , Rapp Julian , Liang Paula , Dettmer-Monaco Viviane , Bucher Felicitas , Pruszak Jan , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Cathomen Toni , Schlunck Günther , Reinhard Thomas
Published: November 2022

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a complex, multifactorial disease affecting limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC), which are essential for maintaining corneal stability and transparency. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (hiPSC-) LEPC are a promising cell source for the treatment of LSCD. However, their similarity to native tissue-derived (T-) LEPC and their functional characterization has not been studied in detail. Here, we show that hiPSC-LEPC and T-LEPC have rather similar gene expression patterns, colony-forming ability, wound-healing capacity, and melanosome uptake. In addition, hiPSC-LEPC exhibited lower immunogenicity and reduced the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared with T-LEPC. Similarly, the hiPSC-LEPC secretome reduced the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells more than the T-LEPC secretome. Moreover, hiPSC-LEPC successfully repopulated decellularized human corneolimbal (DHC/L) scaffolds with multilayered epithelium, while basal deposition of fibrillary material was observed. These findings suggest that hiPSC-LEPC exhibited functional properties close to native LEPC and that hiPSC-LEPC-DHC/L scaffolds might be feasible for transplantation in patients suffering from LSCD in the future. Although hiPSC-LEPC-based stem cell therapy is promising, the current study also revealed new challenges, such as abnormal extracellular matrix deposition, that need to be overcome before hiPSC-LEPC-based stem cell therapies are viable.
Destabilizing COXIV in Müller Glia Increases Retinal Glycolysis and Alters Scotopic Electroretinogram
Authors: Nsiah Nana Yaa , Inman Denise M.
Published: November 2022

Müller glia (MG), the principal glial cell of the retina, have a metabolism that defies categorization into glycolytic versus oxidative. We showed that MG mount a strong hypoxia response to ocular hypertension, raising the question of their relative reliance on mitochondria for function. To explore the role of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in MG energy production in vivo, we generated and characterized adult mice in which MG have impaired cytochrome c oxidase (COXIV) activity through knockout of the COXIV constituent COX10. Histochemistry and protein analysis showed that COXIV protein levels were significantly lower in knockout mouse retina compared to control. Loss of COXIV activity in MG did not induce structural abnormalities, though oxidative stress was increased. Electroretinography assessment showed that knocking out COX10 significantly impaired scotopic a- and b-wave responses. Inhibiting mitochondrial respiration in MG also altered the retinal glycolytic profile. However, blocking OXPHOS in MG did not significantly exacerbate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss or photopic negative response after ocular hypertension (OHT). These results suggest that MG were able to compensate for reduced COXIV stability by maintaining fundamental processes, but changes in retinal physiology and metabolism-associated proteins indicate subtle changes in MG function.
Checkpoint Kinase 1 (CHK1) Functions as Both a Diagnostic Marker and a Regulator of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jin , Seo Bo-Gyeong , Seo Eun-Chan , Lee Kwang-Min , Hwangbo Cheol
Published: November 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is more difficult to treat and has a higher mortality rate than other subtypes. Although hormone receptor-targeted therapy is an effective treatment to increase survival rate in breast cancer patients, it is not suitable for TNBC patients. To address the issues, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TNBC patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed. A total of 170 genes were obtained from three Genomic Spatial Events (GSEs) using the intersection of each GSE dataset and 61 DEGs were identified after validation with the gene enrichment analysis. We combined this with the degree scores from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, of which 7 genes were correlated with survival rate. Finally, a proteomics database revealed that only the CHK1 protein level was differently expressed in basal-like compared with other subtypes. We demonstrated that CHK1 expression was higher in TNBC cell lines compared with non-TNBC cell lines, and CHK1 promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as migration and invasion ability. Our study provides new insight into the TNBC subnetwork that may be useful in the prognosis and treatment of TNBC patients.
The Influence of the Coating on the Saw Blade on the Energy Intensity of Cross-Cutting of Wood
Authors: Kováč Ján , Kuvik Tomáš , Melicherčík Ján , Krilek Jozef
Published: November 2022

Cutting wood in the transverse direction is the most widespread in the logging process, and it is used in felling trees, shortening the length of trunks, and assortment production. In practice, it is particularly important that the entire wood processing process starts with the least energy-intensive process (i.e., the energy demand of the entire process). The aim of the study is to determine the effect of coatings on the energy demand of saw blades. The conditions of the experiment were taken from previous experiments. In the experiment, two types of saw blades of the same type, EN 41 9418 or 75 Cr1 (DIN 1.2003), were selected. Two types of saw blades (SB with SC (cemented carbide) slices and PK without SC (cemented carbide) slices) and two types of wood (beech and spruce) were used in the experiments. The saw blades were coated with three types of PVD coatings (physical method of layer deposition). The results show that the least energy-demanding saw blade is HSS_M (tool steel saw blade without SK blades with Maximizer coating) at a feed speed of 12 m·min−1 and a cutting speed of 60 ms−1, with a power of 1310.63 W. When sawing spruce wood, it was proven that the most energy-demanding saw blade is HSS_K_I at a feed rate of 12 m·min−1 and a cutting speed of 60 ms−1, with a power of 2113.56 W. The least energy-consuming saw blade is HSS_M at a feed rate of 12 m·min−1 and a cutting speed of 60 m·s−1, with a power of 1251.54 W. The results provide a comparison of the measured values of the performances of the cross-cutting wood process using a statistical program.
In Situ Deposition of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Ti Foil by a Facile, Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Lazau Carmen , Nicolaescu Mircea , Orha Corina , Pop Aniela , Căprărescu Simona , Bandas Cornelia
Published: November 2022

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was successfully deposited in situ onto Ti foil via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for the development of Ti-TiO2-rGO composite structures. The TiO2 crystallin layer was produced by the thermal oxidation of titanium foil in the presence of 0.5 M hydrofluoric acid in a controlled atmosphere consisting of a mixed flow gas of Ar and O2 at 500 °C. A great advantage of using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method for obtaining composite structures is the fast and uniform heating mode, which prevents the aggregation of graphene layers. Specific analyses, such as X-ray diffraction, UV-VIS analysis, and SEM morphology, were used to investigate the structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of the composites. The I-V measurements of the Ti-TiO2-rGO composite structures were performed using forward bias with an applied voltage between −3 V and +3 V and a step rate of 10 mV/s. Moreover, the electrochemical behavior was obtained by cyclic voltammetry in a 1 M KNO3 supporting electrolyte and in the presence of 4 mM K3Fe(CN)6 to determine the electroactive surface area and apparent diffusion coefficient. The charge transfer resistance was investigated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a 0.1 M Na2SO4 supporting electrolyte and within a frequency range of 100 kHz to 0.1 Hz to confirm the role of rGO on the electrode’s surface. This study provided new insights into the development of high-performance and cost-effective Ti-TiO2-rGO structures both for the development of electrochemical electrodes and gas sensors.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders: A Clinical Update
Authors: Chan Natalie Hoi Ying , Ip Ching Kiu , Li Dion Tik Shun , Leung Yiu Yan
Published: November 2022

Myogenous temporomandibular disorders (M-TMDs) are the most common chronic orofacial pain, affecting the masticatory muscles and, thus, jaw movement. While a concise diagnosis is crucial to formulate a rational treatment plan, the similarities in clinical presentations that M-TMDs share with other neuromuscular disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) could easily confuse physicians. In addition to the basics, such as thorough history taking and meticulous clinical examinations, different imaging techniques are useful adjuncts to facilitate the diagnostic process. This review presents an overview of the current understanding on a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities for M-TMD patients. It is essential to highlight that there is not a single treatment for all, and the benefits of multidisciplinary strategies have been noted for the effective management of myogenous TMD pain. Treatment modalities ranging from conservative to minimally invasive options are discussed in this review.
Investigation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps as Potential Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Non-Acute Subdural Hematomas: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bounajem Michael T. , Denorme Frederik , Rustad John L. , Campbell Robert A. , Grandhi Ramesh
Published: November 2022

Non-acute subdural hematomas (NASHs) are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality, particularly with recurrences. Although recurrence is believed to involve a disordered neuroinflammatory cascade involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), this pathway has yet to be completely elucidated. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are key factors that promote inflammation/apoptosis and can be induced by VEGF. We investigated whether NETs are present in NASH membranes, quantified NET concentrations, and examined whether NET and VEGF levels are correlated in NASHs. Samples from patients undergoing NASH evacuation were collected during surgery and postoperatively at 24 and 48 h. Fluid samples and NASH membranes were analyzed for levels of VEGF, NETs, and platelet activation. NASH samples contained numerous neutrophils positive for NET formation. Myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (a marker of NETs) remained elevated 48 h postoperatively (1.06 ± 0.22 day 0, 0.72 ± 0.23 day 1, and 0.83 ± 0.33 day 2). VEGF was also elevated in NASHs (7.08 ± 0.98 ng/mL day 0, 3.40 ± 0.68 ng/mL day 1, and 6.05 ± 1.8 ng/mL day 2). VEGF levels were significantly correlated with myeloperoxidase-DNA levels. These results show that NETs are increasing in NASH, a finding that was previously unknown. The strong correlation between NET and VEGF levels indicates that VEGF may be an important mediator of NET-related inflammation in NASH.
Effects of Water Deficit Stress on Growth Parameters of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Selected Clones under In Vitro Conditions
Authors: Szyp-Borowska Iwona , Ukalska Joanna , Niemczyk Marzena , Wojda Tomasz , Thomas Barb R.
Published: November 2022

Rapid screening methods for drought-resistant genotypes are urgently needed in tree improvement programs in the face of current climate change. We used a plant tissue culture technique to assess the phenotypic response of three highly productive genotypes of Robinia pseudoacacia to water deficit induced by mannitol and sucrose in a range of water potentials from 0 MPa to −1.5 MPa in an eight-week experiment. Our study showed genotype-specific responses to induced drought stress, indicating the potential for tree improvement in productivity and stress tolerance. Considering that all plantlets were constantly supplied with carbon, from the medium during the drought-induced experiment, our results suggest that hydraulic failure rather than carbon starvation may be the main cause of drought-induced mortality. Furthermore, our results showed different metabolic pathways of sucrose depending on the concentration of sucrose in the medium and different responses to osmoticum (mannitol vs. sucrose) and its concentration among the clones tested. We believe, that for large-scale breeding programs wanting to select for drought-tolerant genotypes, the use of culture media containing 90 gL−1 mannitol or 90 gL−1 sucrose at an early selection stage should provide satisfactory screening results. However, lab-based screening should be supported by further field trials, preferably at multiple sites, to assess the long-term impact and phenotypic stability of the early selection strategies.
Can Tourism and Natural Parks Coexist? Comparison of Europe, China, and the United States of America
Authors: Fratini Fabio , Rescic Silvia , Luvidi Loredana
Published: November 2022

Over the years, people’s interest in protecting the natural environment and its resources has increased significantly. In this context, natural parks have become a new tourist destination, which has grown exponentially in recent decades and developed into mass tourism. This made it necessary to realize adequate infrastructures (roads, accommodation facilities reception, etc.) to allow visitors to enjoy parks. A recent trip to China made it possible to observe how this type of tourism has developed and raised some concerns and the need to understand whether this phenomenon is also present in other countries. In particular, this research examines the infrastructures (roads, accommodation facilities, and visitor centres) of some parks in the United States and Europe to compare them with the Chinese experience. The analysis revealed a difference in the visiting facilities of European parks compared to those in China and North America. In fact, the management and fruition of European parks seem to have less impact on the territories because they make use of road networks and accommodation facilities already present in the territory and that are often present in small villages. While in the case of China and the USA, it has been necessary to build new visitor centres and accommodation facilities in territories that were often uninhabited.
Using Daily Stretching to Counteract Performance Decreases as a Result of Reduced Physical Activity—A Controlled Trial
Authors: Warneke Konstantin , Konrad Andreas , Keiner Michael , Zech Astrid , Nakamura Masatoshi , Hillebrecht Martin , Behm David G.
Published: November 2022

There are many reasons for reduced physical activity leading to reduced maximal strength and sport-specific performance, such as jumping performance. These include pandemic lockdowns, serious injury, or prolonged sitting in daily work life. Consequently, such circumstances can contribute to increased morbidity and reduced physical performance. Therefore, a demand for space-saving and home-based training routines to counteract decreases in physical performance is suggested in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of using daily static stretching using a stretching board to counteract inactivity-related decreases in performance. Thirty-five (35) participants were either allocated to an intervention group (IG), performing a daily ten-minute stretch training combined with reduced physical activity or a reduced physical activity-only group (rPA). The effects on maximal voluntary contraction, range of motion using the knee-to-wall test, countermovement jump height (CMJheight), squat jump height (SJheight), drop jump height (DJheight), contact time (DJct) and the reactive strength index (DJRSI) were evaluated using a pre-test-post-test design. The rPA group reported reduced physical activity because of lockdown. Results showed significant decreases in flexibility and jump performance (d = −0.11–−0.36, p = 0.004–0.046) within the six weeks intervention period with the rPA group. In contrast, the IG showed significant increases in MVC90 (d = 0.3, p < 0.001) and ROM (d = 0.44, p < 0.001) with significant improvements in SJheight (d = 0.14, p = 0.002), while no change was measured for CMJheight and DJ performance. Hence, 10 min of daily stretching seems to be sufficient to counteract inactivity-related performance decreases in young and healthy participants.
Spatial Coupling Coordination Evaluation of Mixed Land Use and Urban Vitality in Major Cities in China
Authors: Dong Lijing , Zhang Lingyu
Published: November 2022

Based on the data from 35 major cities in China in 2020, this paper applies the Simpson’s diversity index, the entropy value method, and the coupling coordination degree model to comprehensively measure the coupling coordination level of mixed land use and urban vitality in major cities in China and further analyze their spatial distribution characteristics. In addition, this paper analyzes the factors affecting the spatial variation of the coupling coordination level with the help of the geographic probe model. The study finds that: (1) The overall level of coupling coordination between mixed land use and urban vitality is high in 35 major cities in China. There is no disorder between mixed land use and urban vitality. (2) In terms of the spatial distribution of the coupling coordination between mixed land use and urban vitality in 35 cities in China, five cities, namely Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, have the highest level of coupling coordination between mixed land use and urban vitality, reaching “good coordination” with a discrete spatial distribution. Central cities such as Hangzhou and Nanjing have the second highest level of coupling coordination and are at the “intermediate coordinate” with a “strip-like distribution” in space. Twenty cities in the north and south have the lowest coupling coordination levels and are in the “primary coordination.” Among these twenty cities, seven cities in the south have a higher level of coupling coordination than thirteen cities in the north, with a spatial distribution of a “C” shape. The northern cities have the lowest level of coupling coordination, with a “W”-shaped distribution in space. (3) Population size plays an essential role in guiding the level of coupling coordination between mixed land use and urban vitality in major cities in China, followed by government regulation and economic level. At the same time, transportation conditions and industrial structure have the weakest influence on the level of coupling coordination between mixed land use and urban vitality in major cities in China.
Urban Agriculture as an Alternative Source of Food and Water Security in Today’s Sustainable Cities
Authors: Nowysz Aleksandra , Mazur Łukasz , Vaverková Magdalena Daria , Koda Eugeniusz , Winkler Jan
Published: November 2022

The concept of a regenerative city goes far beyond a sustainable one. The regenerative approach is to think of urban green space as a productive landscape, a source of food, and a support for biodiversity. In this approach, the so-called urban wastelands have a positive significance. Urban agriculture (UA) has become a commonly discussed topic in recent years with respect to sustainable development. Therefore, the combination of urban fabric and local food production is crucial for ecological reasons. The key issues are the reduction of food miles and the demand for processed food, the production of which strains the natural environment. At the same time, UA enables regeneration and restoration. An original methodological approach was used in the study following the mixed-method research concept: literature survey, case studies, and comparative analysis of objects. A review of UA architecture (UAA) projects was carried out to supplement the knowledge acquired during the bibliometric analysis. In sum, 25 existing projects, including allotment gardens, community gardens, and urban farms in the global north, were compared in this study. As a result of the analyses carried out, the breakdown of urban agriculture was developed into the following categories: (i) architectural–urban, (ii) ecological, (iii) social, and (iv) economic, including the impact of UA on physical activity and social interaction. UA is also a factor shaping the urban landscape. In conclusion, agrarian practice in urban environments has led to the creation of a new type of space, known as UAA. Production in the context of UA exceeds private goods, such as food produced for sale or for individual use. Additional goods include public goods. The review shows that UA fulfills economic, social, and environmental functions, thus falling under the concept of sustainable development.
Interactive Associations between Physical Activity and Sleep Duration in Relation to Adolescent Academic Achievement
Authors: Brown Denver M. Y. , Porter Carah , Hamilton Faith , Almanza Fernanda , Narvid Christina , Pish Megan , Arizabalo Diego
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The present study aimed to examine independent and interactive associations between physical activity and sleep duration with adolescent academic achievement. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 cycle of the US-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. A total of 13,677 American adolescents in grades 9 through 12 (MAGE = 16.06 ± 1.24 years; 50.9% female) self-reported their sleep and physical activity behavior as well as their grades. Linear regression models fit with cubic splines were computed to capture potential non-linear associations. Results: Findings for the independent effect models revealed significant curvilinear relationships between physical activity and sleep with academic achievement wherein optimal grades were associated with 7–9 h/night of sleep and 5–7 days/week of physical activity. A significant physical activity by sleep interaction was also observed for academic achievement, which demonstrated that the association between sleep duration and academic achievement is not uniform across levels of physical activity engagement, and tradeoffs may exist. Conclusions: Overall, the results help to identify different combinations of physical activity and sleep behavior associated with optimal academic achievement and suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to physical activity and sleep recommendations may not be adequate for promoting academic achievement during adolescence.
Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial Protocol
Authors: Cheung Teris , Ho Yuen Shan , Fong Kwan Hin , Lam Yuen Ting Joyce , Li Man Ho , Tse Andy Choi-Yeung , Li Cheng-Ta , Cheng Calvin Pak-Wing , Beisteiner Roland
Published: November 2022

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common developmental disorder in children. The latest non-intrusive brain stimulation (NIBS) technology—transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS)—has been proven effective in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorders and adults with major depressive disorder. Nonetheless, there is so far no robust randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted on adolescents with ASD nationwide. This study proposes a two-armed (verum TPS group vs. sham TPS group), double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Both groups will be measured at four timepoints, namely, baseline (T1), 2 weeks immediately after post-TPS intervention (T2), and at the 1-month (T3) and 3-month (T4) follow-ups. Thirty-four subjects, aged between 12 and 17, diagnosed with ASD will be recruited in this study. All subjects will be computerized randomised into the verum TPS group or the sham TPS group on a 1:1 ratio. All subjects will undertake functional MRI (fMRI) before and after the 2-weeks TPS interventions, which will be completed in 2 weeks’ time. This will be the first RCT evaluating the efficacy of TPS adolescents with ASD in Hong Kong. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05408793.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Methods for Detection of Antibodies against Type I Interferons in Patients with Endocrine Disorders
Authors: Nuralieva Nurana , Yukina Marina , Sozaeva Leila , Donnikov Maxim , Kovalenko Liudmila , Troshina Ekaterina , Orlova Elizaveta , Gryadunov Dmitry , Savvateeva Elena , Dedov Ivan
Published: November 2022

Autoantibodies against type 1 interferons (IFN-I) are a highly specific marker for type 1 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS-1). Moreover, determination of antibodies to omega-interferon (IFN-ω) and alpha2-interferon (IFN-α2) allows a short-term diagnosis in patients with isolated and atypical forms of APS-1. In this study, a comparison of three different methods, namely multiplex microarray-based, cell-based and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of antibodies against omega-interferon and alpha2-interferon, was carried out. A total of 206 serum samples from adult patients with APS-1, APS-2, isolated autoimmune endocrine pathologies or non-autoimmune endocrine disorders, and healthy individuals were analyzed. In the APS-1 patient cohort (n = 18), there was good agreement between the results of anti-IFN-I antibody tests performed by three methods, with 100% specificity and sensitivity for microarray-based assay. Although only the cell-based assay can determine the neutralizing activity of autoantibodies, the microarray-based assay can serve as a highly specific and sensitive screening test to identify anti-IFN-I antibody positive patients.
Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr Is Biosafe Alloy for Building of Ecofriendly Greenhouse Framework of New Generation
Authors: Sarimov Ruslan M. , Glinushkin Alexey P. , Sevostyanov Mikhail A. , Konushkin Sergey V. , Serov Dmitry A. , Astashev Maxim E. , Lednev Vasily N. , Yanykin Denis V. , Sibirev Alexey V. , Smirnov Alexander A. , Baimler Ilya V. , Simakin Alexandr V. , Bunkin Nikolay F. , Gudkov Sergey V.
Published: November 2022

The search for environmentally neutral construction materials is an important aim of science from the middle of the XX century. We elaborated the method of the smelting of the new alloy Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr. The Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr was a β-phase alloy with an ~550 MPa yield strength, an ~700 MPa of ultimate strength and >50 GPa Young’s modulus. The Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr alloy did not generate reactive oxygen species in contradistinction to the widely used NiTi. The biocompatibility of Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr was studied. The human cell line cultured on the alloy showed a high mitotic index (2.2%) and a low cytotoxicity (<4% dead cells). The 30 days of the cultivation of the plants near the Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr blanks did not influence the morphology and plants area. Therefore, Ti-20Nb-10Ta-5Zr may be considered as a material for the manufacture of environmentally neutral greenhouses of a new generation.
Preparation and Characterization of Synchronous Chemical Conversion Coating on 6061 Aluminum Alloy/7075 Aluminum Alloy/Galvanized Steel Substrates
Authors: Zhan Wen , Li Xinxiang , Qian Xuzhen , Li Yingpeng , Ding Yunhu , Zu Yunhe , Xie Fan , Tian Feng
Published: November 2022

This paper aimed to develop synchronous chemical conversion coating on multi-metal substrates with good corrosion resistance to meet the primer process of new energy light vehicle bodies. Titanium/zirconium-based chemical conversion coatings were prepared on 6061 aluminum alloy/7075 aluminum alloy/galvanized steel substrates. By measuring the open circuit potential (OCP), the formation of a muti-metal synchronous conversion coating can be roughly divided into three steps. Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques showed that the self-corrosion current density of the conversion coating decreased significantly while the resistance increased. The surface morphology and composition of the conversion coatings were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Additionally, the micro-zone characteristics of conversion coatings were analyzed by an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). The synchronous conversion coatings exhibit uniformity and relative smoothness. Additionally, a number of tiny cracks, pores, intermetallic compounds, enrichments and inclusions provide efficient active sites for the nucleation of chemical conversion. Consequently, in the synchronous conversion coating, the structure of aluminum alloy mainly consists of Al2O3/TiO2/ZrO2/ZrF4, while the structure of conversion coating of galvanized steel contains TiO2/Fe2O3/ZrO2.
Holographic Microwave Image Classification Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wang Lulu
Published: November 2022

Holographic microwave imaging (HMI) has been proposed for early breast cancer diagnosis. Automatically classifying benign and malignant tumors in microwave images is challenging. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have demonstrated excellent image classification and tumor detection performance. This study investigates the feasibility of using the CNN architecture to identify and classify HMI images. A modified AlexNet with transfer learning was investigated to automatically identify, classify, and quantify four and five different HMI breast images. Various pre-trained networks, including ResNet18, GoogLeNet, ResNet101, VGG19, ResNet50, DenseNet201, SqueezeNet, Inception v3, AlexNet, and Inception-ResNet-v2, were investigated to evaluate the proposed network. The proposed network achieved high classification accuracy using small training datasets (966 images) and fast training times.