bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Scientific and Technological Perspectives on the Development of New Food Products from Family Farming
Authors: Silva Vanessa de Lima , de Jesus Fabiane do Espírito Santo , Mendes Edina Carla , de Lima Julie Silva , de Magalhães Marinho Larissa Queiroz , Oliveira Tainara Santos , da Silva Edilene Ferreira , Nunes Itaciara Larroza , Machado Bruna Aparecida Souza , Costa Samantha Serra , Ferreira Ribeiro Camila Duarte
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to identify the development of new food products related to family farming from scientific and technological perspectives. Data were collected from the scientific literature and patent documents in the Scopus and National Institute of Industrial Property databases, using a combination of terms, such as “family farm* OR small-hold farm* OR agricultur* farm* labor OR farm* size OR peasant farm* OR agriculture* food* product* AND food* product*”. The asterisk (*) denotes a truncation character used in articles and patent databases to perform a search using multiple terms with the same root but different suffixes. A total of 716 articles and 532 patents were identified. The data from the scientific articles provide an overview of family farming participation in the development of food products and how products that are developed by family farmers resonate with society. The patent documents found showed the development of innovative production technologies, such as machines and production methods to improve the quality of the products sold by family farmers. Therefore, there is great potential for family farming foods to advance in this technological area, with the prospect of increasing publications and new patent applications related to this subject.
Evaluation of LAI Dynamics by Using Plant Canopy Analyzer and Its Relationship to Yield Variation of Soybean in Farmer Field
Authors: Yamamoto Shuhei , Hashimoto Naoyuki , Homma Koki
Published: March 2023

Soybean yield largely varies spatially and yearly in farmer fields. Appropriate growth diagnosis is recommended to stabilize the yield. Leaf area index (LAI) is a representative diagnostic item, but an evaluation method of LAI dynamics with growth has not been established. In this study, we utilized a growth function consisting of an exponential function and a power math function. Parameters were derived from the growth function to be analyzed with yield variability. The LAI was measured weekly by a plant canopy analyzer in farmer fields for 4 years. The dynamics were parameterized by fitting the growth function. The relationship between the parameters of LAI dynamics and soybean yield was analyzed. The growth function was well fitted to measured LAI at R2 = 0.82~0.90 and RMSE = 0.54~0.69 m2 m−2. The parameters of the growth function, such as maximum LAI (LAImax) and cumulative temperature at maximum LAI (TLAImax), quantified the spatial and yearly differences in LAI dynamics, partly explaining those in the yield. The growth function utilized in this study is considered a robust method to quantify LAI dynamics and to diagnose soybean production. The quantification of LAI dynamics may help to develop crop growth monitoring with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) remote sensing as a new diagnostic tool.
Genome-Wide Association Study for Agronomic Traits in Wild Soybean (Glycine soja)
Authors: Kim Woon Ji , Kang Byeong Hee , Moon Chang Yeok , Kang Sehee , Shin Seoyoung , Chowdhury Sreeparna , Jeong Soon-Chun , Choi Man-Soo , Park Soo-Kwon , Moon Jung-Kyung , Ha Bo-Keun
Published: March 2023

The agronomic traits of soybean are important because they are directly or indirectly related to its yield. Cultivated soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) has lost genetic diversity during domestication and selective breeding. However, wild soybean (G. soja) represents a useful breeding material because it has a diverse gene pool. In this study, a total of 96,432 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 203 wild soybean accessions from the 180K Axiom® Soya SNP array were employed in the association analysis. Wild soybean accessions were divided into four clusters based on their genetic distance using ADMIXTURE, principal component analysis, and neighbor-joining clusters. The linkage disequilibrium decayed rapidly in wild soybean. A genome-wide association study was conducted for days to flowering (DtF), days to maturity (DtM), the number of pods (NoP), and the 100-seed weight (100SW), which are major agronomic traits for wild soybean accessions. A total of 22 significant SNPs were found to be associated with DtF, DtM, and the 100SW. Based on the detected SNP markers, Glyma.12g210400, a gene related to DtF, Glyma.17g115300, a gene related to DtM, and Glyma.14g140200, a gene related to the 100SW, were selected as candidate genes. The SNP markers related to agronomic traits identified in this study are expected to help improve the quality of soybean cultivars through selective breeding.
An Explorative Study of the Causal Pathogenesis of Green Liver Discoloration in Organically Reared Female Bronze Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) Considering the Infectious Risk Factors
Authors: Cuta Larissa , Baums Christoph Georg , Cramer Kerstin , Harzer Maxi , Hauptmann Jutta , Heenemann Kristin , Krautwald-Junghanns Maria-Elisabeth , Stegmaier Ines , Vahlenkamp Thomas W. , Schmidt Volker
Published: March 2023

A recent study revealed that organically raised Bronze turkeys showed a high prevalence of green liver discoloration. This alteration is commonly associated with the Turkey Osteomyelitis Complex and potentially caused by opportunistic bacteria. Therefore, 360 organically fattened Bronze turkeys were examined post-mortem throughout two fattening trials with two examinations each to determine possible infectious risk factors and reduce disease prevalence. Clinical and pathoanatomical examinations were performed on every hen. Histopathological, bacteriological, parasitological, and virological examinations were performed on at least six hens without and, if applicable, six hens with green livers on each examination date. Overall, 9.0% of all hens had a green liver without a correlation with bacterial or parasitological findings but multiple health impairments. The discoloration correlated significantly with the detection of immunosuppressive turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus at the early stage and macro- and histological joint/bone lesions at the late fattening stage, indicating the presence of two different predisposing pathogeneses. Flocks not being vaccinated against hemorrhagic enteritis but having a virus-positive sample showed the highest prevalence of green liver discoloration and developed worse in various parameters. In conclusion, an adequate vaccination schedule and the prevention of field infections may lead to a decreased risk of performance reduction and improved animal health.
Prevalence of Antibiotic Residues in Pork in Kenya and the Potential of Using Gross Pathological Lesions as a Risk-Based Approach to Predict Residues in Meat
Authors: Bor Nicholas , Seguino Alessandro , Sentamu Derrick Noah , Chepyatich Dorcas , Akoko James M. , Muinde Patrick , Thomas Lian F.
Published: March 2023

The human population is growing and urbanising. These factors are driving the demand for animal-sourced proteins. The rising demand is favouring livestock intensification, a process that frequently relies on antibiotics for growth promotion, treatment and prevention of diseases. Antibiotic use in livestock production requires strict adherence to the recommended withdrawal periods. In Kenya, the risk of residues in meat is particularly high due to lack of legislation requiring testing for antibiotic residues in meat destined for the local market. We examined pig carcasses for gross pathological lesions and collected pork samples for antibiotic residue testing. Our aim was to determine if a risk-based approach to residue surveillance may be adopted by looking for an association between lesions and presence of residues. In total, 387 pork samples were tested for antibiotic residues using the Premi®Test micro-inhibition kit. The prevalence of antibiotic residues was 41.26% (95% CI, 34.53–48.45%). A logistic regression model found no significant associations between gross pathological lesions and the presence of antibiotic residues. We recommend that the regulating authorities strongly consider routine testing of carcasses for antibiotic residues to protect meat consumers. Future studies should research on farming practices contributing to the high prevalence of residues.
RETRACTED: Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Lytic Phage, vB_PseuP-SA22, and Its Efficacy against Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Teklemariam Addisu , Al-Hindi Rashad , Alharbi Mona , Alotibi Ibrahim , Azhari Sheren , Qadri Ishtiaq , Alamri Turki , Esmael Ahmed , Harakeh Steve
Published: March 2023

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) poses a serious public health threat in multiple clinical settings. In this study, we detail the isolation of a lytic bacteriophage, vB_PseuP-SA22, from wastewater using a clinical strain of CRPA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis identified that the phage had a podovirus morphology, which agreed with the results of whole genome sequencing. BLASTn search allowed us to classify vB_PseuP-SA22 into the genus Bruynoghevirus. The genome of vB_PseuP-SA22 consisted of 45,458 bp of double-stranded DNA, with a GC content of 52.5%. Of all the open reading frames (ORFs), only 26 (44.8%) were predicted to encode certain functional proteins, whereas the remaining 32 (55.2%) ORFs were annotated as sequences coding functionally uncharacterized hypothetical proteins. The genome lacked genes coding for toxins or markers of lysogenic phages, including integrases, repressors, recombinases, or excisionases. The phage produced round, halo plaques with a diameter of 1.5 ± 2.5 mm on the bacterial lawn. The TEM revealed that vB_PseuP-SA22 has an icosahedral head of 57.5 ± 4.5 nm in length and a short, non-contractile tail (19.5 ± 1.4 nm). The phage showed a latent period of 30 min, a burst size of 300 PFU/infected cells, and a broad host range. vB_PseuP-SA22 was found to be stable between 4–60 °C for 1 h, while the viability of the virus was reduced at temperatures above 60 °C. The phage showed stability at pH levels between 5 and 11. vB_PauP-SA22 reduced the number of live bacteria in P. aeruginosa biofilm by almost five logs. The overall results indicated that the isolated phage could be a candidate to control CRPA infections. However, experimental in vivo studies are essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of vB_PauP-SA22 before its use in humans.
Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Mitophagy Activation Contribute to TNF-Dependent Impairment of Myogenesis
Authors: Chernyavskij Daniil A. , Pletjushkina Olga Yu. , Kashtanova Anastasia V. , Galkin Ivan I. , Karpukhina Anna , Chernyak Boris V. , Vassetzky Yegor S. , Popova Ekaterina N.
Published: March 2023

Many muscular pathologies are associated with oxidative stress and elevated levels of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that cause muscle protein catabolism and impair myogenesis. Myogenesis defects caused by TNF are mediated in part by reactive oxygen species (ROS), including those produced by mitochondria (mitoROS), but the mechanism of their pathological action is not fully understood. We hypothesized that mitoROS act by triggering and enhancing mitophagy, an important tool for remodelling the mitochondrial reticulum during myogenesis. We used three recently developed probes—MitoTracker Orange CM-H2TMRos, mito-QC, and MitoCLox—to study myogenesis in human myoblasts. Induction of myogenesis resulted in a significant increase in mitoROS generation and phospholipid peroxidation in the inner mitochondrial membrane, as well as mitophagy enhancement. Treatment of myoblasts with TNF 24 h before induction of myogenesis resulted in a significant decrease in the myoblast fusion index and myosin heavy chain (MYH2) synthesis. TNF increased the levels of mitoROS, phospholipid peroxidation in the inner mitochondrial membrane and mitophagy at an early stage of differentiation. Trolox and SkQ1 antioxidants partially restored TNF-impaired myogenesis. The general autophagy inducers rapamycin and AICAR, which also stimulate mitophagy, completely blocked myogenesis. The autophagy suppression by the ULK1 inhibitor SBI-0206965 partially restored myogenesis impaired by TNF. Thus, suppression of myogenesis by TNF is associated with a mitoROS-dependent increase in general autophagy and mitophagy.
Vitamins and Radioprotective Effect: A Review
Authors: Lledó Inés , Ibáñez Blanca , Melero Ana , Montoro Alegría , Merino-Torres Juan F. , San Onofre Nadia , Soriano Jose M.
Published: March 2023

The radioprotective effect ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo of vitamins was reviewed using PubMed and Embase and conducted according to the PRISMA statement. A total of 38 articles were included in this review, which includes the radioprotective effect of vitamins from ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo studies. Vitamins A, C, D and E were used alone, in combination or with other nutritional and non-nutritional compounds. The use of vitamins in natural form or supplementation can be useful to reduce the radiation effect in the body, organs and/or cells. Only four (A, C, D and E) out of thirteen vitamins have been detected with radioprotective properties being mainly vitamin E followed by vitamin C, A and D.
Heme, Heme Oxygenase-1, Statins, and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Stevenson David K. , Vreman Hendrik J. , Wong Ronald J.
Published: March 2023

Heme, a metalloporphyrin, or more specifically, a tetrapyrrole containing ferrous iron, is an ancient molecule [...]
Effect of Different Genotypes and Harvest Times of Sage (Salvia spp. Labiatae) on Lipid Oxidation of Cooked Meat
Authors: Bak Kathrine H. , Bauer Susanne , Bauer Friedrich
Published: March 2023

Lipid oxidation is the primary non-microbial reason for quality deterioration of meat and meat products. Lipid oxidation can be prevented or delayed by antioxidants. In this study, 15 sage (Salvia spp. Labiatae) extracts (five genotypes, three harvest times) were tested for their ability to reduce lipid oxidation (peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) in ground, uncured, cooked porcine and bovine meat (60%/40% mixture) during 14 days of refrigerated storage. Additionally, total phenolic content was determined, and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was measured as radical scavenging activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay), reducing power, and superoxide anion scavenging activity. All 15 sage extracts were able to reduce lipid oxidation, though showing expected differences depending on genotype and harvest time. The extracts of S. officinalis accession from Foggia, Italy performed better than the other genotypes when looking at the entire storage period and considering both PV and TBARS. Of the applied methods for determining antioxidant capacity, superoxide anion scavenging activity proved to be the best determinant of the ability of sage to reduce lipid oxidation in the meat sample.
Optimization of Design Parameters Using SQP for an Agricultural Pipe Extraction Device
Authors: Lee Su-Min , Lee Sang-Hong , Han Hyun-Woo , Oh Jooseon , Shim Sung-Bo
Published: March 2023

Removal of agricultural pipes used in crop support and greenhouse agriculture is manpower-intensive. However, most agricultural workers are elderly. Therefore, auxiliary devices should be used to allow pipe removal with as little force as possible. In this study, the design parameters of an extraction device were optimized within constraints to minimize the force required to remove agricultural pipes. The optimization parameters are the length of each link and the initial link angle of the device. The driving force, according to the design parameters, was calculated by applying the theory of kinematics. An optimal design plan was derived using an optimization algorithm to minimize the force driving the device within the desired constraint. As a result of the optimization, it was confirmed that the force required to remove the pipe was reduced by 87.1% compared with the initial design value and was designed to suit the user’s convenience.
Characteristics of Commercial Effervescent Tablets Using Selected Pharmacopeial and Novel Analytical Methods
Authors: Meisner Michał , Duda Piotr , Szulc-Musioł Beata , Sarecka-Hujar Beata
Published: March 2023

In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the shelf life of effervescent tablets may be assessed during storage using total directional hemispherical reflectance (THR). We also analyzed selected pharmacopeial parameters of the tablets and used X-ray microtomography to assess the internal structure of the tablets. Two types of effervescent tablets of one commercial product containing magnesium and vitamin B6 (expired and unexpired) were analyzed. In addition, randomly selected unexpired and expired tablets were dried in a vacuum oven for 24 h at 50 °C. The expired effervescent tablets disintegrated in a significantly shorter time than the unexpired tablets (68 s vs. 83 s, p = 0.016). The remaining pharmacopeial parameters did not differ between the two types of tablets. We observed that expired effervescent tablets showed lower mean values of THR in five spectral ranges, which indicates that a greater amount of radiation beam was transmitted into their inner structure than for unexpired tablets. The density of the inner structure assessed on the microtomographic scans differed significantly between all the analyzed tablets (p < 0.001). The highest mean density was observed in the case of the unexpired tablets dried in a vacuum oven (1.273 g/cm3), while the lowest density was observed in the case of the expired tablets (1.261 g/cm3). The expired tablets had a larger pore diameter compared to the unexpired tablets (0.095 mm vs. 0.074 mm, respectively; p = 0.007). Additionally, the percentage of porosity was higher in the expired tablets compared to the unexpired tablets (p < 0.001).
Prediction Method of Swirling Flame Lean Blowout Based on Flame Image Morphological Features
Authors: Zhang Bin , Liu Haoyang , Liu Xunchen , Liu Hong
Published: March 2023

Swirling flame oscillation, with a local extinguishment-and-reignition phenomenon in advanced low-pollution lean premixed combustion technology, remains a challenge in understanding the underlying physics and predict in technical combustors. Here, a prediction method on swirling flame lean blowout (LBO) is proposed from flame image morphological features. In this method, flame features are first extracted by performing morphological algorithms on flame images. Then, the information of the time series of images is included. By designing the blowout state judgment criterion and the blowout state description method, the typical binary judgment is transformed into a numerical prediction. Finally, a random forest regression model is applied to build a predictive model for the swirling flame LBO. The results show that, with the data set from nine operating conditions, the model can achieve a determination coefficient of 0.9766 and a root mean square error of 3.78 on the 10% test set, which shows a strong generalization ability. This method exhibits potential for practical application in LBO control due to its simplicity and efficiency.
Contribution of Atmospheric Depositions to Inventory of Nutrients in the Coastal Waters of Crimea
Authors: Varenik Alla V. , Konovalov Sergey K.
Published: March 2023

Coastal zones are extremely vulnerable and, at the same time, anthropogenically pressed. Excessive enrichment of marine waters with nutrients and organic matter can lead to “red tides”, oxygen deficits, decreasing assimilation capacity, etc. The purpose of this work is to study atmospheric precipitations as a source of nutrients directly affecting waters of the coastal areas of Crimea and, ultimately, strengthening eutrophication consequences. In 2004–2008, and from 2015 to present, samples of atmospheric precipitations have been collected at the Marine Hydrometeorological Station in Sevastopol. They have been analyzed for the content of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica. For 2009–2014, direct measurements are unavailable and a previously retrieved multiple nonlinear regression equation has been used to estimate the concentration of inorganic nitrogen in atmospheric precipitations depending on meteorological conditions, including the number of precipitations, number of days without precipitations, relative air humidity, wind direction vectors, and air temperature. Data obtained in this study have revealed that atmospheric precipitations are one of important inputs of nutrients for local areas. Their relative contribution increases on the time scale of days, while the role of rivers remains the most important on the annual scale. The contribution of atmospheric precipitations to the inventory of nutrients becomes more significant in the summer, when seasonal stratification in the water column prevents vertical mixing of waters, and the ambient concentration of nutrients in the upper layer of water is minimal.
Rock Image Classification Based on EfficientNet and Triplet Attention Mechanism
Authors: Huang Zhihao , Su Lumei , Wu Jiajun , Chen Yuhan
Published: March 2023

Rock image classification is a fundamental and crucial task in the creation of geological surveys. Traditional rock image classification methods mainly rely on manual operation, resulting in high costs and unstable accuracy. While existing methods based on deep learning models have overcome the limitations of traditional methods and achieved intelligent image classification, they still suffer from low accuracy due to suboptimal network structures. In this study, a rock image classification model based on EfficientNet and a triplet attention mechanism is proposed to achieve accurate end-to-end classification. The model was built on EfficientNet, which boasts an efficient network structure thanks to NAS technology and a compound model scaling method, thus achieving high accuracy for rock image classification. Additionally, the triplet attention mechanism was introduced to address the shortcoming of EfficientNet in feature expression and enable the model to fully capture the channel and spatial attention information of rock images, further improving accuracy. During network training, transfer learning was employed by loading pre-trained model parameters into the classification model, which accelerated convergence and reduced training time. The results show that the classification model with transfer learning achieved 92.6% accuracy in the training set and 93.2% Top-1 accuracy in the test set, outperforming other mainstream models and demonstrating strong robustness and generalization ability.
Study of the Load-Bearing Characteristics of Bolts under Asymmetric Freezing Conditions
Authors: Dong Jie , Yan Xin , Li Zhao-Qi , Liu Yang , Zheng Ying-Hao , Feng Kai
Published: March 2023

To investigate the load-bearing characteristics of anchor rods under asymmetric freezing conditions such as those in cold regions and the effect of frost swelling, a model test device was developed using a controlled-temperature environmental box and a hydraulic actuator. Laboratorial pull-out model tests of anchor rods in soil layers were conducted at different moisture contents and freezing temperatures, the changes in anchor rod pull-out force before and after freezing were quantitatively described, load–displacement relationship curves were prepared, and the frost swelling displacement of anchor rods under asymmetric freezing conditions and the stress evolution of surrounding soil were observed and recorded. The shear strength of the anchor–soil interface increased with decreasing temperature, and the ultimate values of the pull-out force at 0, −3 and −7 °C were 4, 17.04 and 18.1 times greater than those at room temperature, respectively, for 10% water content. The pull-out force of the frozen anchor increased with increasing water content. The bolts were displaced by the freezing expansion force. Their lateral displacements at 0, −3 and −7 °C were 2.9, 3.2 and 3.5 mm, respectively, and their vertical displacements were 0.2, 3.5 and 4.3 mm, respectively, for 10% water content. The total displacement increased with increasing moisture content, and the maximum transverse displacements were 3.5, 3.65 and 3.8 mm for 10, 12 and 14% water contents, respectively, and 4.3, 5.1 and 5.5 mm in the vertical direction, respectively. The ultimate pull-out forces after freezing and thawing were 71, 68 and 52% of that before freezing for 10, 12 and 14% water, respectively.
The Possibility of Using Waste Biomass from Selected Plants Cultivated for Industrial Purposes to Produce a Renewable and Sustainable Source of Energy
Authors: Zardzewiały Miłosz , Bajcar Marcin , Puchalski Czesław , Gorzelany Józef
Published: March 2023

Waste biomass generated during agricultural production is a popular source of energy used in many developed and developing countries, due to economic factors and easy availability. Pellets produced from waste biomass generated during the cultivation of plants for industrial purposes are a good substitute for fossil fuels, the consumption of which should decrease for environmental reasons. This article presents the results of research on the use of waste biomass generated during the cultivation of plants for industrial purposes, such as sunflower, tobacco, and Jerusalem artichoke for the production of pellets. In addition, coniferous sawdust was used for the production of pellets. Mechanical, calorimetric, and thermogravimetric properties were tested. It was noted that pellets made of Jerusalem artichoke biomass (1591.45 N) were the most resistant to mechanical damage. The calorific value of the tested fuels ranged from 16.35 to 17.70 MJ·kg−1, and the ash content was below 5%. In addition, during the combustion of pellets, the lowest emissions of nitrogen oxides were recorded for pellets made of tobacco stalks—45.56 mg·m−3 and sulfur dioxide for pellets consisting of a mixture of coniferous sawdust and tobacco stalks—1.88 mg·m−3. The addition of coniferous sawdust to each type of biomass tested resulted in a reduction in the emission of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, and an increase in the emission of nitrogen oxides. Based on the research, we found that the waste biomass generated during the cultivation of the tested plants for industrial purposes is a suitable raw material for the production of pellets used for industrial and non-industrial purposes.
Investigation of the Beam Quality of a Compact Non-Chain Pulsed DF Laser with a Confocal Positive Branch Unstable Resonator
Authors: Zhang Laiming , Ruan Peng , Chen Fei , Shao Chunlei , Pan Qikun , Guo Jin
Published: March 2023

The results of detailed studies on the beam quality of a non-chain pulsed electric discharged DF laser based on a compact inner cavity confocal positive branch unstable resonator were presented herein. The theoretical and experimental divergence angles for magnification M = 1.65, 1.85, 2.05, and 2.25 were calculated according to Fraunhofer diffraction and measured by the method of calibrated apertures. The smallest divergence of θ = 0.66 mrad was obtained with M = 2.25 in our experiment, which is 1.95 times the theoretical value. The corresponding far-field energy density at 10 km distance from the laser exit was 82.8 mJ/m2. The beam quality and energy density were increased by 11 and 91 times, respectively, compared with a similar stable resonator in our lab.
Proposal for Mathematical and Parallel Computing Modeling as a Decision Support System for Actuarial Sciences
Authors: Santos Marcos dos , Gomes Carlos Francisco Simões , Pereira Júnior Enderson Luiz , Moreira Miguel Ângelo Lellis , Costa Igor Pinheiro de Araújo , Fávero Luiz Paulo
Published: March 2023

This paper aims to find the actuarial tables that best represent the occurrences of mortality and disability in the Brazilian Armed Forces, thus providing a better dimensioning of the costs of military pensions to be paid by the pension system. To achieve this goal, an optimization software was developed that tests 53 actuarial tables for the death of valid military personnel, 21 boards for entry into the disability of assets, and 21 boards for mortality of invalids. The software performs 199 distinct adherence tests for each table analyzed through linear aggravations and de-escalations in the probabilities of death and disability. The statistical–mathematical method used was the chi-square adherence test in which the selected table is the one with the null hypothesis “observed data” equal to the “expected data” with the highest degree of accuracy. It is expected to bring a significant contribution to society, as a model of greater accuracy reduces the risk of a large difference between the projected cost and the cost observed on the date of the year, thus contributing to the maintenance of public governance. Additionally, the unprecedented and dual nature of the methodology presented here stands out. As a practical contribution, we emphasize that the results presented streamline the calculation of actuarial projections, reducing by more than 90% the processing times of calculations referring to actuarial projections of retirees from the armed forces. As a limitation of the study, we emphasize that, although possibly replicable, the database was restricted only to the Brazilian Armed Forces.
Application of Evolutionary Optimization Techniques in Reverse Engineering of Helical Gears: An Applied Study
Authors: Pourmostaghimi Vahid , Heidari Farshad , Khalilpourazary Saman , Qazani Mohammad Reza Chalak
Published: March 2023

Reverse engineering plays an important role in the manufacturing and automobile industries in designing complicated spare parts, reducing actual production time, and allowing for multiple redesign possibilities, including shape alterations, different materials, and changes to other significant parameters of the component. Using reverse engineering methodology, damaged gears can be identified and modeled meticulously. Influential parameters can be obtained in the shortest time. Because most of the time it is impossible to solve gear-related inverse equations mathematically, metaheuristic methods can be used to reverse-engineer gears. This paper presents a methodology based on measurement over balls and span measurement along with evolutionary optimization techniques to determine the geometry of a pure involute of a cylindrical helical gear. Advanced optimization techniques, i.e., Grey Wolf Optimization, Whale Optimization, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Genetic Algorithm, were applied for the considered reverse engineering case, and the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithms were compared. Confirmatory calculations and experiments reveal the remarkable efficiency of Grey Wolf Optimization and Particle Swarm Optimization techniques in the reverse engineering of helical gears compared to other techniques and in obtaining influential gear design parameters.
Full-Length Transcriptomes and Sex-Based Differentially Expressed Genes in the Brain and Ganglia of Giant River Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Liu Dong , Hong Zhenzhen , Gui Lang , Zhao Li , Wang Yude , Sun Shengming , Li Mingyou
Published: March 2023

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is an important aquaculture prawn that exhibits sexual dimorphism in growth, with males growing much faster than females. However, the mechanisms controlling these complex traits are not well understood. The nervous system plays an important role in regulating life functions. In the present work, we applied PacBio RNA-seq to obtain and characterize the full-length transcriptomes of the brains and thoracic ganglia of female and male prawns, and we performed comparative transcriptome analysis of female and male prawns. A total of 159.1-Gb of subreads were obtained with an average length of 2175 bp and 93.2% completeness. A total of 84,627 high-quality unigenes were generated and annotated with functional databases. A total of 6367 transcript factors and 6287 LncRNAs were predicted. In total, 5287 and 6211 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the brain and thoracic ganglion, respectively, and confirmed by qRT-PCR. Of the 435 genes associated with protein processing pathways in the endoplasmic reticula, 42 DEGs were detected, and 21/26 DEGs with upregulated expression in the male brain/thoracic ganglion. The DEGs in this pathway are regulated by multiple LncRNAs in polypeptide folding and misfolded protein degradation in the different organs and sexes of the prawn. Our results provide novel theories and insights for studying the nervous system, sexual control, and growth dimorphism.
The Effect of One Night of Sleep on Mnemonic Discrimination of Emotional Information
Authors: Cellini Nicola
Published: March 2023

Mnemonic discrimination is the process of separating similar but distinct experiences and memories in the brain. This process seems to be differently modulated by retention periods that included sleep or only wakefulness. The current study was designed to explore whether a night of sleep may modulate emotional mnemonic discrimination. Thirty-eight participants performed the encoding phase of an emotional mnemonic similarity task composed of 48 negative, 48 neutral, and 48 positive pictures at 9 am (Wake group) or 9 pm (Sleep group). The encoding was followed by an immediate test (T1) in which participants were exposed to 36 targets (old), 36 foils (new), and 36 lures (similar) pictures, and they had to decide whether the pictures were old, new, or similar. Twelve hours later, they performed a delayed test (T2), similar to T1 but with different stimuli. Overall, performances decreased from T1 to T2. There were no differences between groups for recognition memories, whereas the reduction in mnemonic discrimination was more pronounced in the Wake group. Moreover, negative pictures were better discriminated that the neutral and positive ones. In conclusion, the current study showed that a night of sleep can stabilize mnemonic discrimination, regardless of the valence of the encoded stimuli, suggesting that sleep may not preferentially process emotional information.
ACTIVE YOU: Teacher Attributes and Attitudes Predicting Physical Activity Promotion
Authors: Centeio Erin E. , Jung Yeonhak , Castelli Darla M.
Published: March 2023

Background: Based on the Health Belief Model, this study examined preservice teacher attributes and attitudes toward providing physical activity opportunities for children in school. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to collect proof of concept and feasibility data for the ACTIVE YOU intervention as part of teacher education. Conclusions: Examination of a diverse sample of preservice teachers during their fieldwork revealed that those who engage in healthy behaviors and had positive attitudes toward physical activity in schools are more likely to take action and promote physical activity for their students.
Heart Rate as a Correlate for the Emotional Processing of Body Stimuli in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Horndasch Stefanie , Sharon Elisabeth , Eichler Anna , Graap Holmer , Moll Gunther H. , Kratz Oliver
Published: March 2023

In anorexia nervosa, aberrant emotional reactions toward body stimuli have been discussed. We investigated heart rate as a physiological marker when viewing body stimuli and hypothesized altered HR reactions toward those highly significant and emotional stimuli in anorexia nervosa. In total, 37 anorexia nervosa patients and 43 control participants viewed pictures of women of five different weight categories, while their cardiac activity was recorded. R-R intervals following picture onset were determined, and means were calculated for three distinct time periods. The overall change in HR relative to baseline across all picture categories was greater in the patient group than in the control group (significant effect of “group”, p = 0.002, partial η2 = 0.120). A significant decrease in HR 2 to 8 s after picture presentation was found for pictures of women of extreme weight in both participant groups (significant “category ∗ time segment interaction”, p = 0.01, partial η2 = 0.037) and correlated with scores of sociocultural attitudes toward the appearance for the extremely underweight category (r = −0.33, p = 0.005). Therefore, differential HR reactions for anorexia nervosa patients and control participants were found for body stimuli in general. The highest HR decelerations in response to pictures of strongly underweight and overweight women may reflect emotional processes such as anxiety due to social comparison.
The Interrelationship of Reflexivity, Sensitivity and Integrity in Conducting Interviews
Authors: Muthanna Abdulghani , Alduais Ahmed
Published: March 2023

By employing a thematic review of 74 relevant publications and our learning, teaching, and research experiences and expertise, we discussed the concepts of ‘reflexivity’, ‘sensitivity’ and ‘integrity’, and the factors that enhance or hinder their practice. We also categorized the levels of sensitivity according to the stages of conducting and interpreting interviews in qualitative research. By categorizing the three levels of sensitivity ‘i.e., high sensitivity during interviewing, higher sensitivity during transcribing data, and highest sensitivity and criticality during interpreting data’ with practical examples, we offer an approach that facilitates and supports the application of ethical interviews. We conclude that achieving sensitivity and reflexivity enhances the trustworthiness of the overall research and reflects the application of research ethics and integrity in practice.
A Tripartite Evolutionary Game on Promoting the Development of Nearly-Zero Energy Consumption Buildings in China
Authors: Huang Hong , Yusoff Wardah Fatimah Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Nearly zero-energy-consumption buildings are the inevitable trend of future buildings. There have been a large number of studies on nearly zero building technology issues. However, there is no detailed study on how to effectively promote the development of nearly zero-energy consumption buildings according to China’s national conditions. Here, by establishing an evolutionary game model, this paper discusses the dynamic game scheme selection and stability strategy of three stakeholders, namely local government, real estate companies, and construction consumers, related to the development of nearly zero-energy-consumption buildings in the development process. The conditions required for evolutionary stabilization strategies were identified. Finally, Matlab data simulation analysis is used to further illustrate the stability and equilibrium strategies of each subject and the sensitivity analysis of the main influencing factors at various stages in the development process of nearly zero-energy-consuming buildings. The research results show that the government plays a leading role in the early stage of the development of nearly zero-energy consumption buildings, and as the market matures, government intervention gradually withdraws from the market; furthermore, if the cost of supervision is prohibitively high, the government’s willingness to supervise the market will be reduced. This will hinder consumers and developers from choosing nearly zero-energy-consuming buildings and if the penalties and subsidies are too low, it will be meaningless to the evolution of the optimal solution of the three parties. On this basis, targeted promotion programs are established to realize the rapid development of China’s nearly zero-energy-consumption building sector. Our research results can provide important scientific basis for the development of the nearly zero-energy building industry in China.
Characterization of Envelope Air Leakage Behavior for Centrally Air-Conditioned Single-Family Detached Houses
Authors: Makawi Mohamed A. , Budaiwi Ismail M. , Abdou Adel A.
Published: March 2023

Air leakage is an essential factor contributing to overall building performance. It plays a major role in determining energy consumption in harsh climates, particularly in residential buildings, as it represents a significant component of the envelope-induced thermal load. In centrally air-conditioned houses, the HVAC system can substantially alter the pressure distribution across the exterior envelope, reforming the air leakage behavior. Nonetheless, limited information is available to characterize and better understand such behavior to accurately predict building performance and energy consumption toward meeting the emerging requirements for sustainable buildings. This study experimentally investigated the air leakage behavior of a selected sample of centrally air-conditioned typical single-family detached houses in Saudi Arabia. The air leakage behavior was investigated by measuring the overall airtightness and the contribution of the different air leakage paths using the viable method of the blower door test (BDT). The air leakage rate was then calculated using the measured induced pressure across the envelope during the HVAC system operation. Results indicated that the air leakage behavior is significantly altered by the pressurization induced by the central HVAC system, eliminating air infiltration and producing an outward airflow across the entire envelope. The study addresses a current challenge in characterizing envelope air leakage behavior for a common type of house and, thus, would indirectly contribute to more accurate thermal and energy performance assessments. Several aspects were highlighted for consideration when defining the contribution of air leakage to energy consumption prediction and studying air leakage behavior in other types of buildings.
5-Fluorouracil Suppresses Colon Tumor through Activating the p53-Fas Pathway to Sensitize Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to FasL+ Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity
Authors: Yang Yingcui , Zhang Mingqing , Zhang Yongdan , Liu Kebin , Lu Chunwan
Published: March 2023

Myelosuppression is a major adverse effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. However, recent findings indicate that 5-FU selectively suppresses myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), to enhance antitumor immunity in tumor-bearing mice. 5-FU-mediated myelosuppression may thus have a beneficial effect for cancer patients. The molecular mechanism underlying 5-FU’s suppression of MDSCs is currently unknown. We aimed at testing the hypothesis that 5-FU suppresses MDSCs through enhancing MDSC sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis. We observed that, although FasL is highly expressed in T cells, Fas is weakly expressed in myeloid cells in human colon carcinoma, indicating that downregulation of Fas is a mechanism underlying myeloid cell survival and accumulation in human colon cancer. 5-FU treatment upregulated expression of both p53 and Fas, and knocking down p53 diminished 5-FU-induced Fas expression in MDSC-like cells, in vitro. 5-FU treatment also increased MDSC-like cell sensitivity to FasL-induced apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, we determined that 5-FU therapy increased expression of Fas on MDSCs, suppressed MDSC accumulation, and increased CTL tumor infiltration in colon tumor-bearing mice. In human colorectal cancer patients, 5-FU chemotherapy decreased MDSC accumulation and increased CTL level. Our findings determine that 5-FU chemotherapy activates the p53-Fas pathway, to suppress MDSC accumulation, to increase CTL tumor infiltration.
Updated Clinical Evidence on the Role of Adipokines and Breast Cancer: A Review
Authors: Verras Georgios-Ioannis , Tchabashvili Levan , Chlorogiannis David-Dimitris , Mulita Francesk , Argentou Maria-Ioanna
Published: March 2023

With the recent leaps in medicine, the landscape of our knowledge regarding adipose tissue has changed dramatically: it is now widely regarded as a fully functional endocrine organ. In addition, evidence from observational studies has linked the pathogenesis of diseases like breast cancer with adipose tissue and mainly with the adipokines that are secreted in its microenvironment, with the catalog continuously expanding. Examples include leptin, visfatin, resistin, osteopontin, and more. This review aims to encapsulate the current clinical evidence concerning major adipokines and their link with breast cancer oncogenesis. Overall, there have been numerous meta-analyses that contribute to the current clinical evidence, however more targeted larger-scale clinical studies are still expected to solidify their clinical utility in BC prognosis and reliability as follow-up markers.
Evolution of the Targeted Therapy Landscape for Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Cholangiocarcinoma the ‘NSCLC’ of GI Oncology?
Authors: Gupta Amol , Kurzrock Razelle , Adashek Jacob J.
Published: March 2023

In the past two decades, molecular targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape of several malignancies. Lethal malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have become a model for precision-matched immune- and gene-targeted therapies. Multiple small subgroups of NSCLC defined by their genomic aberrations are now recognized; remarkably, taken together, almost 70% of NSCLCs now have a druggable anomaly. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Novel molecular alterations have been recently identified in patients with CCA, and the potential for targeted therapy is being realized. In 2019, a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) inhibitor, pemigatinib, was the first approved targeted therapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic intrahepatic CCA who had FGFR2 gene fusions or rearrangement. More regulatory approvals for matched targeted therapies as second-line or subsequent treatments in advanced CCA followed, including additional drugs that target FGFR2 gene fusion/rearrangement. Recent tumor-agnostic approvals include (but are not limited to) drugs that target mutations/rearrangements in the following genes and are hence applicable to CCA: isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1); neurotrophic tropomyosin-receptor kinase (NTRK); the V600E mutation of the BRAF gene (BRAFV600E); and high tumor mutational burden, high microsatellite instability, and gene mismatch repair-deficient (TMB-H/MSI-H/dMMR) tumors. Ongoing trials investigate HER2, RET, and non-BRAFV600E mutations in CCA and improvements in the efficacy and safety of new targeted treatments. This review aims to present the current status of molecularly matched targeted therapy for advanced CCA.
High Sensitivity of the Tiger Beetle, Cicindela circumpicta, to Toxicity from Pyrethroids and Neonicotinoids, and Implications for Ecosystem Function and Species Extinctions
Authors: Svehla Sheri , Brosius Tierney , Higley Leon , Hunt Tom
Published: March 2023

Risks to non-target species from pesticides have been a concern since the 1960s, but non-target arthropods have never received the attention as have non-target vertebrate species. Pesticide exposure could be a contributing factor in the decline of the endangered Cicindela nevadica lincolniana, as well as declines in predaceous and pollinating insects. Consequently, we examined susceptibility to three common pesticides (glyphosate, bifenthrin, and imidacloprid) of larvae of Cicindela circumpicta, a co-occurring species with Cicindela nevadica lincolniana and a potential model species for insect predators generally. Toxicity was tested by direct, 24-h exposure by contact to larvae. No toxicity from glyphosate was observed at any of the doses tested, nor was death in any controls observed. In contrast, C. circumpicta showed alarmingly high sensitivity to small amounts of both imidacloprid and bifenthrin, two of the most widely used insecticides worldwide. This level of toxicity shows a 3-fold higher sensitivity than reported for insect pollinators. The high sensitivity of tiger beetles to neonicotinoids, and the wide and continual use of this pesticide, strongly indicates the potential for declines in larval insect predators generally, and with the decline of C. n. lincolniana specifically. Results suggest that the focus of the concern for non-target impacts from neonicotinoids should be expanded for insect natural enemies.