bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiative simulation of non-Newtonian MHD fluid over a boundary-driven multi-physical curved mechanism: Keller–Box evidence
Authors: Sanni Kehinde M. , Asghar Saleem , Al-Shbeil Isra , Cătaş Adriana
Published: April 2023

This study is numerically driven to ascertain the flow of two-dimensional heat transfer of an incompressible electrically conducting non-Newtonian fluid over a continuous power-law stretching curved surface. The flow model considers rheological fluid viscosity using curvilinear (r −, s −) coordinates. The energy equation for the curved mechanism is examined in two streams: the prescribed surface temperature and the prescribed heat flux. Surface frictional heating is influenced by thermal radiation and viscous dissipation. Similarity transformations are executed to reduce partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. The Keller–Box shooting method with the Jacobi iterative techniques is numerically computed for the degenerated nonlinear system of the boundary value problem. The associated boundary-layer thickness and flow fields- velocity and temperature are analyzed against characterizing parameters. Significant results are obtained and discussed with graphical plots showing that fluid velocity can be controlled by virtue of fluid parameters and stretching power index. These results are useful in polymer dynamics involving the melting and manufacturing of stretchable sheets.
Toward accurate cerebral blood flow estimation in mice after accounting for anesthesia
Authors: Wei Zhiliang , Li Yuguo , Bibic Adnan , Duan Wenzhen , Xu Jiadi , Lu Hanzhang
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To improve the accuracy of cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement in mice by accounting for the anesthesia effects.

Methods: The dependence of CBF on anesthesia dose and time was investigated by simultaneously measuring respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) under four different anesthetic regimens. Quantitative CBF was measured by a phase-contrast (PC) MRI technique. RR was evaluated with a mouse monitoring system (MouseOX) while HR was determined using an ultrashort-TE MRI sequence. CBF, RR, and HR were recorded dynamically with a temporal resolution of 1 min in a total of 19 mice. Linear regression models were used to investigate the relationships among CBF, anesthesia dose, RR, and HR.

Results: CBF, RR, and HR all showed a significant dependence on anesthesia dose (p < 0.0001). However, the dose in itself was insufficient to account for the variations in physiological parameters, in that they showed a time-dependent change even for a constant dose. RR and HR together can explain 52.6% of the variations in CBF measurements, which is greater than the amount of variance explained by anesthesia dose (32.4%). Based on the multi-parametric regression results, a model was proposed to correct the anesthesia effects in mouse CBF measurements, specifically CBFcorrected=CBF+0.58RR−0.41HR−32.66Dose. We also reported awake-state CBF in mice to be 142.0 ± 8.8 mL/100 g/min, which is consistent with the model-predicted value.

Conclusion: The accuracy of CBF measurement in mice can be improved by using a correction model that accounts for respiration rate, heart rate, and anesthesia dose.
A novel model for hemolysis estimation in rotating impeller blood pumps considering red blood cell aging
Authors: Wang Liang , Yun Zhong , Yao Jinfu , Tang Xiaoyan , Feng Yunhao , Xiang Chuang
Published: April 2023

For blood pumps with a rotating vane-structure, hemolysis values are estimated using a stress-based power-law model. It has been reported that this method does not consider the red blood cell (RBC) membrane’s shear resistance, leading to inaccurate estimation of the hemolysis value. The focus of this study was to propose a novel hemolysis model which can more accurately predict the hemolysis value when designing the axial flow blood pump. The movement behavior of a single RBC in the shear flow field was simulated at the mesoscale. The critical value of shear stress for physiological injury of RBCs was determined. According to the critical value, the equivalent treatment of RBC aging was studied. A novel hemolysis model was established considering the RBC’s aging and the hemolysis’ initial value. The model’s validity was verified under the experimental conditions of shear stress loading and the conditions of the shear flow field of the blood pump. The results showed that compared with other hemolysis models for estimating the hemolysis value of blood pumps, the novel hemolysis model proposed in this paper could effectively reduce the estimation error of the hemolysis value and provide a reference for the optimal design of rotary vane blood pumps.
The opportunities and challenges of using Drosophila to model human cardiac diseases
Authors: Zhao Yunpo , van de Leemput Joyce , Han Zhe
Published: April 2023

The Drosophila heart tube seems simple, yet it has notable anatomic complexity and contains highly specialized structures. In fact, the development of the fly heart tube much resembles that of the earliest stages of mammalian heart development, and the molecular-genetic mechanisms driving these processes are highly conserved between flies and humans. Combined with the fly’s unmatched genetic tools and a wide variety of techniques to assay both structure and function in the living fly heart, these attributes have made Drosophila a valuable model system for studying human heart development and disease. This perspective focuses on the functional and physiological similarities between fly and human hearts. Further, it discusses current limitations in using the fly, as well as promising prospects to expand the capabilities of Drosophila as a research model for studying human cardiac diseases.
Hoverflies provide pollination and biological pest control in greenhouse-grown horticultural crops
Authors: Li Hui , Wyckhuys Kris A. G. , Wu Kongming
Published: April 2023

Beneficial insects provide pollination and biological control in natural and man-made settings. Those ecosystem services (ES) are especially important for high-value fruits and vegetables, including those grown under greenhouse conditions. The hoverfly Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae) delivers both ES, given that its larvae prey upon aphid pests and its adults pollinate crops. In this study, we investigated this dual role of E. corollae in three insect-pollinated and aphid-affected horticultural crops i.e., tomato, melon and strawberry within greenhouses in Hebei province (China). Augmentative releases of E. corollae increased fruit set and fruit weight of all three crops, and affected population dynamics of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). On melon and strawberry, E. corollae suppressed A. gossypii populations by 54-99% and 50-70% respectively. In tomato, weekly releases of 240 E. corollae individuals/100 m2led to 95% fruit set. Meanwhile, releases of 160 hoverfly individuals per 100 m2led to 100% fruit set in melon. Also, at hoverfly/aphid release rates of 1:500 in spring and 1:150 in autumn, aphid populations were reduced by more than 95% on melon. Lastly, on strawberry, optimum levels of pollination and aphid biological control were attained at E. corollae release rates of 640 individuals/100 m2. Overall, our work shows how augmentative releases of laboratory-reared hoverflies E. corollae can enhance yields of multiple horticultural crops while securing effective, non-chemical control of resident aphid pests.
Spreading positive change: Societal benefits of meditation
Authors: Engert Veronika , Klimecki Olga Maria , Kanske Philipp ,   the Mindful Universities Research Group
Published: April 2023

Research over the past decades has revealed a variety of beneficial effects of meditation training. These beneficial effects span the levels of health and well-being, cognition, emotion, and social behavior. Around the same time, sociologists have shown that traits and outcomes on the individual level have the potential to spread in communities over three or more degrees. This means, for example, that changes can spread from one person to the next, and on to yet another person. Here, we propose that meditation-induced changes may likewise spread through the social networks of meditation practitioners. Such spreading may happen by positively influencing others through prosocial actions, improved cognitive functioning, and increased positive affect. Positive affective states and their underlying physiological correlates may also be shared in the literal sense. We argue that the spreading of positive meditation effects could provide the basis for collective responses to some of the urgent challenges we face in our current time and society and call for future meditation research to examine the phenomenon.
The relationship between unhealthy lifestyle patterns and depressive symptoms among residents in Beijing, China: A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Zhang Lanchao , Liu Yihua , Lin Yuxin , Yang Xiaochen , Gong Litong , Chang Chun
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Depression is a prevalent mental disorder that has an irreversible impact on people’s health status. Unhealthy lifestyles are modifiable and influence mental health significantly. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of different unhealthy lifestyles and their patterns on depressive symptoms.

Methods

The data for this study were obtained from the 2017 Community Diagnostic survey in Daxing District, Beijing. It was a cross-sectional study that included 6,252 samples. The Patient Health Questionnaire version 9 was used to measure depressive symptoms, and the self-administered questionaires were used to investigate five unhealthy lifestyles, including sleep deprivation, the inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Respondents were assigned 1 point for each of their unhealthy lifestyles, and their overall unhealthy lifestyle scores were calculated. The total scores of unhealthy lifestyles ranged from 0 to 5. Descriptive analyses and Firth’s logistic regression model were used to analyze the relationship between unhealthy lifestyle and depression symptoms.

Results

It was found that 12.1% of the participants had depressive symptoms. The respondents whose unhealthy lifestyle scores were 2 (OR1.45, 95%CI:1.01 to 2.12), 3 (OR2.29, 95%CI:1.57 to 3.42), 4 (OR 3.04, 95%CI:1.96 to 4.76), or 5 (OR4.08, 95%CI:2.09 to 7.78) were more likely to experience depressive symptoms in comparison with those whose unhealthy lifestyle scores were 0, and the OR increased with the unhealthy lifestyle scores. When the participants had 3 or more unhealthy lifestyles at the same time, different combination patterns of unhealthy lifestyles showed a different effect on depression. The OR was 3.01 (95%CI:1.45 to 5.95) for the combination of sleep deprivation—insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables—excessive alcohol consumption, and was 2.89 (95%CI:1.52 to 5.25) for the combination of sleep deprivation—insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables—physical inactivity—excessive alcohol consumption.

Discussion

The co-existence of multiple unhealthy behavioral lifestyles are associated with depressive symptoms. Among the five unhealthy lifestyles, sleep deprivation and the inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables may have a greater impact on depression.
Causal effects of education attainment on oral and oropharyngeal cancer: New evidence from a meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Gui , Xie Junyang , Liu Di , Zhang Xiaowen , Tang Anzhou
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Higher educational attainment (EA) has proven to be beneficial for preventing and treating various types of cancers. Currently, there is little evidence on the association between EA and prevention of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer (OCPC).

Methods

Several databases were searched until October 1, 2022, and a meta-analysis was performed. A Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted with EA (i.e., the exposure) data derived from the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium and 6,034 cases of OCPC (i.e., outcome) selected from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit genome-wide association study. Five methods were used to evaluate the causality between EA and OCPC. The leave-one-out sensitivity test, MR-Egger regression, and multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis were applied to evaluate the MR results.

Results

The meta-analysis included 36 eligible studies. EA was significantly and negatively associated with OCPC risk (odds ratio [OR]: 0.439, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.383–0.503, P < 0.001). MR analysis revealed that the risk of OCPC, oropharyngeal cancer, and oral cavity cancer decreased with an increase in education (OR: 0.349, 95% CI: 0.222–0.548, P < 0.001; OR: 0.343, 95% CI: 0.198–0.597; P < 0.001; OR: 0.342, 95% CI: 0.195–0.601, P < 0.001, respectively). Even after correcting for mediators, high EA still significantly reduced the risk of OCPC (OR: 0.361, 95% CI: 0.281–0.463, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Both the meta-analysis and MR results demonstrated that high levels of EA can reduce the risk of OCPC in the general population.
Insurers' intervention, separation of two rights and firm's technology innovation
Authors: Xu Bin , Hao Fangjing
Published: April 2023

This paper takes insurers' intervention as the entry point, and sets insurers' intervention, separation of two rights and firms' technological innovation in a specific context to study the transmission mechanism and economic consequences using panal model. The results show that there is a positive relationship between insurers' intervention and firm's technological innovation, and the degree of separation of two rights has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between insurers' intervention and technological innovation, and this effect is more obvious in the sample of state-owned enterprises. Therefore, the state should formulate relevant policies to guide the equity investment behavior of insurance companies so as to improve the operational efficiency of market resources.
Impact of pulsed electric fields (PEF) treatment on the peeling ability of tomatoes and kiwi fruits
Authors: Giancaterino Marianna , Jaeger Henry
Published: April 2023

Peeling is a standard food processing operation that removes the outer layer of fruits and vegetables. It can improve the appearance and texture of many fruits and vegetables and is often necessary for further food preparation. Developing new and innovative peeling methods to minimise losses and enhance product quality is an area of active research in the food industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate how PEF affects the peeling ability of tomatoes and kiwi fruits, as well as the chemical and physical characteristics of the resulting peeled products. In detail, monopolar exponential decay pulses were applied, with an electric field strength of 1.0 kV/cm and a resulting total energy input in the range of 0.6 and 5.0 kJ/kg for tomatoes and 1.2 and 12.6 kJ/kg for kiwi fruits. Two methods were used to compare the effectiveness of PEF treatments with traditional peeling methods: hot-water blanching (98°C for 60 s) and lye peeling (98°C for 45 s, in 2% NaOH solution). The peeling efficiency was evaluated through manual and mechanical methods as well as measuring weight loss. The quality of the final peeled product was assessed by mechanical properties of the pericarp, colour (L*, a*, b* scale), ascorbic acid content, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity. The PEF treatment applied to whole red tomatoes (1.0 kV/cm, 5.0 kJ/kg) and whole kiwi fruits (1.0 kV/cm, 12.6 kJ/kg) resulted in a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) of up to 43% and 83% in the force required for mechanical peeling, respectively. The PEF treatment showed comparable or superior peeling ability and significantly reduced product losses compared to hot-water blanching and lye peeling methods. However, the softening and the weight losses tend to increase by increasing the pulses for both investigated matrices. Moreover, by applying PEF instead of blanching or lye peeling, the chemical quality and the colour were better preserved (ΔE < 2). This study proved that PEF could be a promising non-thermal technology to better peel tomatoes and kiwi fruits without affecting their final quality. Consequently, applying PEF as a treatment to facilitate peeling has remarkable potential as an industrial application to reduce energy consumption and issues related to wastewater management typically occurring during the peeling with lye agents.
How catching the interstellar wind in the inner solar system led the way on a road to interdisciplinary research between heliophysics and astrophysics
Authors: Möbius Eberhard
Published: April 2023

Combined in situ observations of the interstellar wind through the solar system and of its pickup ions (PUIs), implanted after ionization in the solar wind, explain, in comparison with interstellar absorption lines of nearby stars, that the Sun is in an interaction region of the two nearest interstellar clouds. This new finding disrupts the long-held understanding that we are inside the local interstellar cloud (LIC). We discuss how space physics evolved toward such interdisciplinary studies between heliophysics and astrophysics. In 1984, the discovery of interstellar He+ PUIs exposed the very local interstellar medium to in situ diagnostics at 1AU. These PUIs provide the interstellar gas composition and form a stepping stone for the acceleration of ions, especially into anomalous cosmic rays. Using the Sun as a gravitational spectrograph, direct imaging of the neutral interstellar wind, first for He and then for H, O, and Ne, provides the interstellar gas velocity vector and temperature at the heliopause. Combining the interstellar gas flow vectors, those of secondary neutral He and O, and the interstellar magnetic field direction deduced from the interstellar H deflection and termination shock anisotropy seen by the Voyagers provides synergistically the heliosphere’s shape, its interaction with the interstellar medium, and constrains our radiation environment. This ISMF organizes the bright Ribbon seen in all-sky images of energetic neutral atoms with the potential to provide its precision determination. The elemental and isotopic composition from PUI and neutral gas observations constrains the galactic evolution and Big Bang cosmology, opening additional interdisciplinary opportunities.
Combination of conservative and surgical methods in the treatment of giant lymphedema of the scrotum: A case report
Authors: Istranov Andrey L. , Makarov Ivan G. , Makarova Natalya V. , Tulina Inna , Ulasov Ilya V. , Isakova Yuliya I.
Published: April 2023

Objective

Genital lymphedema is a severe, disabling condition associated with a malfunction of the lymphatic system. Primary lymphedema of the scrotum is a variant of congenital dysplasia of lymphatic vessels. Secondary genital lymphedema is much more common and can be caused by parasitic invasion (filariasis) or damage to the lymphatic system during the treatment of cancer (radiation therapy, lymphadenectomy). Healthcare providers are frequently unable to detect and treat this illness successfully in ordinary clinical practice. This paper uses the case of a patient with stage 3 secondary lymphedema (unknown genesis) of both lower extremities and lymphedema of the scrotum, complicated by recurrent erysipelas, a history of lymphorrhoea, impaired skin trophic and multiple papillomatosis, to demonstrate the efficacy of a combination of conservative and surgical methods in the treatment of giant lymphedema of the scrotum.

Methods

In the treatment, the combination of decongestant physical therapy (CDPT, CDT) according to M. Földi was used at pre-surgery and post-surgery stages, combined with a reconstructive operation, including the removal of the affected tissues of the urogenital region, phalloplasty, and scrotoplasty with rotational skin flaps.

Results

A decrease in the circumference of the lowest extremities in the lower leg area by 68 cm on the right and by 69 cm on the left was achieved by conservative treatment. Due to the combination of conservative and surgical treatment, the patient's body weight decreased by 69.4 kg, and the scrotum decreased by 63 cm. Subsequently, the patient fully recovered his sexual function.

Conclusion

A combination of complex decongestive physical therapy and surgery is necessary for patients with advanced genital edema. The isolated use of surgical or conservative treatment does not provide a sufficient improvement in the patient's quality of life. Modern plastic surgery technologies enable patients to achieve complete functional and cosmetic recovery, while proper selection and usage of compression hosiery help preserve and improve the outcomes acquired following treatment.
Advances of endoscopic and surgical management in gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Yue Lei , Sun Yingchao , Wang Xinjie , Hu Weiling
Published: April 2023

As one of the most common mesenchymal malignancies in the digestive system, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) occur throughout the alimentary tract with diversified oncological characteristics. With the advent of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era, the treatment regimens of patients with GISTs have been revolutionized and GISTs have become the paradigm of multidisciplinary therapy. However, surgery resection remains recognized as the potentially curative management for the radical resection and provided with favorable oncological outcomes. The existing available surgery algorithms in clinical practice primarily incorporate open procedure, and endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery together with combined operation techniques. The performance of various surgery methods often refers to the consideration of risk evaluation of recurrence and metastases; the degree of disease progression; size, location, and growth pattern of tumor; general conditions of selected patients; and indications and safety profile of various techniques. In the present review, we summarize the fundamental principle of surgery of GISTs based on risk assessment as well as tumor size, location, and degree of progress with an emphasis on the indications, strengths, and limitations of current surgery techniques.
Batch correction and harmonization of –Omics datasets with a tunable median polish of ratio
Authors: Dammer Eric B. , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Johnson Erik C. B.
Published: April 2023

Large scale −omics datasets can provide new insights into normal and disease-related biology when analyzed through a systems biology framework. However, technical artefacts present in most −omics datasets due to variations in sample preparation, batching, platform settings, personnel, and other experimental procedures prevent useful analyses of such data without prior adjustment for these technical factors. Here, we demonstrate a tunable median polish of ratio (TAMPOR) approach for batch effect correction and agglomeration of multiple, multi-batch, site-specific cohorts into a single analyte abundance data matrix that is suitable for systems biology analyses. We illustrate the utility and versatility of TAMPOR through four distinct use cases where the method has been applied to different proteomic datasets, some of which contain a specific defect that must be addressed prior to analysis. We compare quality control metrics and sources of variance before and after application of TAMPOR to show that TAMPOR is effective at removing batch effects and other unwanted sources of variance in −omics data. We also show how TAMPOR can be used to harmonize −omics datasets even when the data are acquired using different analytical approaches. TAMPOR is a powerful and flexible approach for cleaning and harmonization of −omics data prior to downstream systems biology analysis.
Feasibility of Low Latency, Single-Sample Delay Resampling: A New Kriging Based Method
Authors: Jedermann Reiner
Published: April 2023

Wireless sensor systems often fail to provide measurements with uniform time spacing. Measurements can be delayed or even miss completely. Resampling to uniform intervals is necessary to satisfy the requirements of subsequent signal processing. Common resampling algorithms, based on symmetric finite impulse response (FIR) filters, entail a group delay of 10 s of samples, which is not acceptable regarding the typical interval of wireless sensors of seconds or minutes. The purpose of this paper is to verify the feasibility of single-delay resampling, i.e., the algorithm resamples the data without waiting for future samples. A new method to parametrize Kriging interpolation is presented and compared with two variants of Lagrange interpolation in detailed simulations for the resulting prediction error. Kriging provided the most accurate resampling in the group-delay scenario. The single-delay scenario required almost double the OSR to achieve the same signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). An OSR between 1.8 and 3.1 was necessary for single-delay resampling, depending on the required SNR and signal distortions in terms of jitter, missing samples, and noise. Kriging was the least noise-sensitive method. Especially for signals with missing samples, Kriging provided the best accuracy. The simulations showed that single-delay resampling is feasible, but at the expense of higher OSR and limited SNR.
Unsupervised Cyclic Siamese Networks Automating Cell Imagery Analysis
Authors: Stallmann Dominik , Hammer Barbara
Published: April 2023

Novel neural network models that can handle complex tasks with fewer examples than before are being developed for a wide range of applications. In some fields, even the creation of a few labels is a laborious task and impractical, especially for data that require more than a few seconds to generate each label. In the biotechnological domain, cell cultivation experiments are usually done by varying the circumstances of the experiments, seldom in such a way that hand-labeled data of one experiment cannot be used in others. In this field, exact cell counts are required for analysis, and even by modern standards, semi-supervised models typically need hundreds of labels to achieve acceptable accuracy on this task, while classical image processing yields unsatisfactory results. We research whether an unsupervised learning scheme is able to accomplish this task without manual labeling of the given data. We present a VAE-based Siamese architecture that is expanded in a cyclic fashion to allow the use of labeled synthetic data. In particular, we focus on generating pseudo-natural images from synthetic images for which the target variable is known to mimic the existence of labeled natural data. We show that this learning scheme provides reliable estimates for multiple microscopy technologies and for unseen data sets without manual labeling. We provide the source code as well as the data we use. The code package is open source and free to use (MIT licensed).
Resistance Breeding for Northern Corn Leaf Blight with Dominant Genes, Polygene, and Their Combinations—Effects on Disease Traits
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyang , Reid Lana M. , Woldemariam Tsegaye , Wu Jinhe , Jindal Krishan K. , Kebede Aida
Published: April 2023

Resistance breeding is the most effective method to control northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). The objectives were to (1) Assess effects of dominant genes (Ht(s)), polygene (PG), and their combinations to disease rating (DR), number of lesions per leaf (NLPL), and lesion size (LS); (2) Estimate genetic components, general combining abilities (GCA), and heritability under two Line × Tester analyses; and (3) Determine gene action through mid-parent heterosis (MPH) and better-parent heterobeltiosis (BPH) analysis. A total of 163 genotypes, including 120 crosses, their parents, and 10 hybrid checks, were evaluated under two NCLB artificial inoculations in 2015 and 2016. The results indicated that PG had the best resistance to DR, NLPL, and LS in crosses, followed by PGHt(s) and single Ht(s). Ht1 had both resistant and susceptible lesions. Ht2 and Ht3 expressed more resistance to LS significantly, while Htm1 and Htn1 had more resistance to NLPL. Htm1/Ht2, PG/Htm1, and the other 11 combinations were found excellent for NCLB resistance. Line × Tester analysis showed that additive effects were more important, and GCA of Ht(s) reduced disease traits. However, lower narrow sense heritability indicated that additive effects were low. MPH and BPH results showed that dominant and over-dominant gene actions existed for DR and NLPL.
Composting as an Alternative for the Treatment of Solid Waste from the Kraft Pulp Industry
Authors: Zambrano Riquelme Marcia , Rodríguez-Luna Dante , Alcalá Francisco Javier , Rubilar Olga , Alvear Marysol , Encina-Montoya Francisco , Vidal Gladys
Published: April 2023

The increasing industrial pulp production has led to a negative growth of the associated solid wastes, thus making necessary alternative ways of handling them in suitable sanitary landfills to minimize adverse effects on the environment and well-being of people. Solid waste treatment prior to its disposal is a target to minimize pollution of the natural resources (air, soil, water) due to accidental leaching. This paper aims to determine better experimental conditions in the container to develop an optimal composting design for pulp solid wastes. For this, an experimental methodology is introduced. This paper presents the results about the influence of independent control variables (grits addition and composting process time) on dependent variables (chemical and biological), for which a composting design was used, and a face-centered central composite factor was applied. The results showed mature compost over 60-day treatment, with the following experimental observations (i) the grits addition did not decrease the pH in the first stage of the composting process; and (ii) the microbial activities were high during the active stage of the composting progress and evolved to stable, lower values together with a proper trend of N–NH4+ and N–NO3− at the end. Grits addition of around 6% is the optimal experimental amount to use for the composting process of the secondary sludge from the Kraft mill industry. In conclusion, treating secondary sludges and grit residues from the Kraft mill industry to produce compost is feasible and sustainable. This action reduces the environmental pollution risk (evidenced by soil pH change and possible water pollution) and improves the soil assimilation capability of inorganic micronutrients and organic compounds after application. Thus, the controlled waste reuse will pass from a negative input to the environment to a positive, sustainable solution, which can be used as a soil-nutrient improver in agriculture.
Feeding, Nutrition and Rearing Systems of the Rabbit
Authors: Birolo Marco
Published: April 2023

During the last years, several issues have contributed to a progressive decline in rabbit meat consumption in the European Union, including consumers’ concerns for animal welfare, the unsuitable presentation of the end product, an increased popularity of rabbits as pet animals, high production costs (aggravated by the ongoing geopolitical crises), and criticism about the environmental sustainability of rabbit farms [...]
Effect of Dietary Manganese on the Growth Performance, Lipid Metabolism, and Antioxidant Capacity in the Post-Larval Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Authors: Liu Dongwu , Li Lingyao , Zhang Qin , Yu Hairui
Published: April 2023

In this study, post-larval coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (initial weight 0.37 ± 0.03 g) were fed with 6 experimental diets with increasing manganese (Mn) content (2.4, 8.5, 14.8, 19.8, 24.6, and 33.7 mg kg−1) for 12 weeks. Our results indicated that the feed conversion rate (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF), crude protein, moisture, crude lipid, ash, whole-body Mn, and vertebral Mn were affected by the elevation of Mn content in the diet. The activities of hepatic GSH-PX, Mn-SOD, and CAT were enhanced with increasing Mn content in the diet and reached the highest value at 19.8 mg kg−1 Mn. However, the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2·−), and malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced with increasing Mn content in the diet. In addition, the activity of hepatic lipase (HL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was increased with the elevation of dietary Mn content and reached a peak value at 14.8 mg kg−1 Mn. The activity of fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and the content of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) were increased following the elevation of Mn content from 2.4 to 19.8 mg kg−1 in the diet. The results indicated that the appropriate dietary Mn supplementation improved the feeding efficiency, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity of coho salmon. The dietary Mn requirement for post-larval coho salmon was 17.35 mg kg−1 and 19.75 mg kg−1 based on the SGR and FCR, respectively. An optimal dietary level of Mn enhances hepatic lipid metabolism, and the signaling pathway of PI3K/AKT/mTOR may be involved in regulating the activity of enzymes related to lipid metabolism.
Homocysteine—Potential Novel Diagnostic Indicator of Health and Disease in Horses
Authors: Gołyński Marcin , Metyk Michał , Ciszewska Jagoda , Szczepanik Marcin Paweł , Fitch Gareth , Bęczkowski Paweł Marek
Published: April 2023

Homocysteine is an endogenous, non-protein sulfuric amino acid, an intermediate metabolite formed by the methionine transmethylation reaction. Its elevated serum concentration in humans, hyperhomocysteinemia, is a sensitive indicator and a risk factor for coagulation disorders, cardiovascular diseases and dementia. However, the role of homocysteine in veterinary species has not been unequivocally established. Although some research has been conducted in dogs, cats, cattle and pigs, relatively few studies on homocysteine have been conducted in horses. So far, it has been established in this species that homocysteine has an atherogenic effect, plays a role in early embryo mortality and is responsible for the induction of oxidative stress. These preliminary findings support establishing a reference range in a normal population of horses, including horses in training and merit further investigations into the role of this amino acid in health and disease in this species.
Tropilaelaps mercedesae Infestation Is Correlated with Injury Numbers on the Brood and the Population Size of Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Authors: Ling Tial C. , Phokasem Patcharin , Sinpoo Chainarong , Chantawannakul Panuwan , Khongphinitbunjong Kitiphong , Disayathanoowat Terd
Published: April 2023

Tropilaelaps mercedesae, one of the most devastating parasitic mites of honey bee Apis mellifera hosts, is a major threat to honey products by causing severe damage to honey bee colonies. Here, we recorded injury numbers caused by T. mercedesae to different body parts of the larval, pupal, and crippled adult stages of honey bee A. mellifera. We evaluated the relationship between infestation rate and injury numbers per bee for both larvae and pupae. We also noted the total bee numbers per beehive and examined the relationship between the infestation rate and population size. T. mercedesae infested all developmental stages of honey bees, with the highest injury numbers in the abdomens of bee pupae and the antennas of crippled adult bees. Although larvae received more injury numbers than pupae, both infestation rate and injury numbers decreased as the larval stage progressed to the pupal stage. The infestation rate increased as the population size per beehive decreased. This study provided new perspectives to the understanding of changes in the effects of T. mercedesae infestations on different developmental stages of honey bees. It also showed useful baseline information for screening honey bee stock that might have high defensive behaviors against mite infestation.
The Significance of a Multilocus Analysis for Assessing the Biodiversity of the Romanov Sheep Breed in a Comparative Aspect
Authors: Marzanov Nurbiy S. , Devrishov Davud A. , Ozerov Mikhail Y. , Maluchenko Oleg P. , Marzanova Saida N. , Shukurova Elena B. , Koreckaya Elena A. , Kantanen Juha , Petit Daniel
Published: April 2023

The Romanov breed was evaluated using immunological and genetic markers. The seven blood group systems were characterized with a greater accuracy than in previous works on sheep in the Russian Federation, and were compared to eight ruminant species. Unlike other breeds, Romanov sheep shows a higher frequency of HBA than HBB alleles. There are 3–4 genotypes at the transferrin locus whereas in other breeds 6–11 genotypes have been found. At the albumin locus, the majority of the identified genotypes were heterozygotes, unlike in the other breeds studied. In the prealbumin locus, the Romanov breed was the only one where all the genotypes were heterozygous. We speculate that polymorphism at two loci (BMP-15 and BMPR1B) could effect on the high ovulation rates of Romanov sheep. Based on different genetic markers, the prevalence of heterozygotes in the Romanov sheep could determine their higher viability. A cluster analysis showed the close proximity of 12 populations of the Romanov breed, as the breeding stock come from the Yaroslavl region.
Does Parity Influence the Magnitude of the Stress Response of Nellore Cows at Weaning?
Authors: de Paula Camila , Rennó Luciana Navajas , Ferreira Matheus Fellipe de Lana , Moreira Samira Silveira , Martins Hudson Caio , Rodrigues Isabela Iria , Detmann Edenio , Valadares Filho Sebastião de Campos , Paulino Mário Fonseca
Published: April 2023

Most studies investigate the impact of stress at weaning on calves; however, little is known about the responses of cows, and whether they would differ according to parity. This study aims to investigate whether parity would influence the weaning stress response in beef cows. Thirty pregnant Nellore cows with their respective calves were randomly allocated to five paddocks and two females from each parity group were placed in the paddocks. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between parity and evaluation days regarding cortisol, where on d + 7, the higher concentration was observed for multiparous cows. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between parity and evaluation day for red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), and hemoglobin (HB), whereby higher RBC counts on d + 4 were observed for multiparous cows. For HCT and HB, on all post-weaning collection days, higher values were observed for multiparous cows. The day of evaluation had an (p < 0.05) effect on all recorded behaviors, except for rumination (p > 0.05). Nellore cows, regardless of parity, underwent behavioral and physiological changes on abrupt weaning. Physiological parameters indicated that the magnitude of stress was greater in multiparous cows.
Quercetin: Synergistic Interaction with Antibiotics against Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Odabaş Köse Elif , Koyuncu Özyurt Özlem , Bilmen Süreyya , Er Hakan , Kilit Cansu , Aydemir Esra
Published: April 2023

Infections caused by resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii are now a global problem that requires the immediate development of new antimicrobial drugs. Combination therapy is one of the strategies used to solve this problem. Based on this information, the purpose of this study was to determine whether quercetin (QUE), in combination with three antibiotics, is effective against colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains (ColR-Ab). The effects of the combination of QUE with colistin (COL), amikacin (AMK), and meropenem (MEM) were evaluated according to the checkerboard synergy test. The combinations of QUE + COL and QUE + AMK showed synergistic activity on ColR-Ab strains with FICI values in the range of 0.1875–0.5 and 0.1875–0.2825, respectively. A 4- to 16-fold decrease in COL MIC and a 16- to 64-fold decrease in AMK MIC values were detected. Synergistic activity was confirmed by the time-kill test, and these combinations were found to be bactericidal at the end of 24 h. According to spectrophotometric measurements, the combinations of QUE + COL and QUE + AMK induced membrane damage, leading to the leakage of nucleic acids. Cell lysis and cell death were confirmed with SEM observations. The detected synergy offers an opportunity for the future development of treatment strategies for potential infections caused by ColR-Ab strains.
The Importance of Natural Antioxidants in Female Reproduction
Authors: Vašková Janka , Klepcová Zuzana , Špaková Ivana , Urdzík Peter , Štofilová Jana , Bertková Izabela , Kľoc Marek , Rabajdová Miroslava
Published: April 2023

Oxidative stress (OS) has an important role in female reproduction, whether it is ovulation, endometrium decidualization, menstruation, oocyte fertilization, or development andimplantation of an embryo in the uterus. The menstrual cycle is regulated by the physiological concentration of reactive forms of oxygen and nitrogen as redox signal molecules, which trigger and regulate the length of individual phases of the menstrual cycle. It has been suggested that the decline in female fertility is modulated by pathological OS. The pathological excess of OS compared to antioxidants triggers many disorders of female reproduction which could lead to gynecological diseases and to infertility. Therefore, antioxidants are crucial for proper female reproductive function. They play a part in the metabolism of oocytes; in endometrium maturation via the activation of antioxidant signaling pathways Nrf2 and NF-κB; and in the hormonal regulation of vascular action. Antioxidants can directly scavenge radicals and act as a cofactor of highly valuable enzymes of cell differentiation and development, or enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Compensation for low levels of antioxidants through their supplementation can improve fertility. This review considers the role of selected vitamins, flavonoids, peptides, and trace elements with antioxidant effects in female reproduction mechanisms.
Biochar-Dual Oxidant Composite Particles Alleviate the Oxidative Stress of Phenolic Acid on Tomato Seed Germination
Authors: Tu Yuting , Shen Jinchun , Peng Zhiping , Xu Yanggui , Li Zhuxian , Liang Jianyi , Wei Qiufang , Zhao Hongbo , Huang Jichuan
Published: April 2023

Phenolic acid is a well-known allelochemical, but also a pollutant in soil and water impeding crop production. Biochar is a multifunctional material widely used to mitigate the phenolic acids allelopathic effect. However, phenolic acid absorbed by biochar can still be released. In order to improve the removal efficiency of phenolic acids by biochar, the biochar-dual oxidant (BDO) composite particles were synthesized in this study, and the underlying mechanism of the BDO particles in ameliorating p-coumaric acid (p-CA) oxidative damage to tomato seed germination was revealed. Upon p-CA treatment, the BDO composite particles application increased the radical length, radical surface area, and germination index by 95.0%, 52.8%, and 114.6%, respectively. Compared to using biochar or oxidants alone, the BDO particles addition resulted in a higher removal rate of p-CA and produced more O2•−, HO•, SO4•− and 1O2 radicals via autocatalytic action, suggesting that BDO particles removed phenolic acid by both adsorption and free radical oxidation. The addition of BDO particles maintained the levels of the antioxidant enzyme activity close to the control, and reduced the malondialdehyde and H2O2 by 49.7% and 49.5%, compared to the p-CA treatment. Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that 14 key metabolites and 62 genes were involved in phenylalanine and linoleic acid metabolism, which increased dramatically under p-CA stress but down-regulated with the addition of BDO particles. This study proved that the use of BDO composite particles could alleviate the oxidative stress of phenolic acid on tomato seeds. The findings will provide unprecedented insights into the application and mechanism of such composite particles as continuous cropping soil conditioners.
Reliability Modeling of Products with Self-Recovery Features for Competing Failure Processes in Whole Life Cycle
Authors: Wang Xingang , Wang Baoyan , Niu Yiqun , He Ziqiu
Published: April 2023

In light of the increasing demand for the reliability analysis of self-recovery products, with features of limited storage period and multistage degradation, a reliability evaluation model in whole life cycle is proposed. The degradation process comprises one storage phase and two working phases. On the basis of the idea of competitive failure, the shock process and the feature of self-recovery were introduced into the model. Furthermore, the problem of it being difficult to add variables to a reliability model is solved with the use of the Stieltjes integral. The influences of the parameters of model reliability are analyzed, and the results demonstrate that the new model could adequately describe the competing failure process. The model also exhibited certain feasibility and theoretical reference values.
Enclosure Fire with Time-Dependent Changes in Ventilation Factor and Geometry—Field Model Parameters Analysis
Authors: Malkocevic Damir , Blagojevic Milan
Published: April 2023

The fire scenarios currently used for structural fire design are based on traditional methods that derive from the extrapolation of existing fire test data. The traditional “furnace” geometry test allows a good circulation of the fire gases and a relatively homogeneous temperature distribution throughout the enclosure. These conditions are different from what is observed in real-situation fires. As a result, the need for a field model for an enclosure fire has increased significantly, and appropriate deterministic models are necessary for fire safety engineering. The effects of different strategies involving the opening of doors and windows with changes in the enclosure’s geometry were observed to gain an insight into the impact of how ventilation and geometry influence changes during the development of a fire. This article presents and discusses the results of the field model compared with similar tests and experiments described in the technical and scientific literature. Generating data using a field model reduces experimental costs and facilitates sensitivity analyses of the parameters of problems.
Kinematic Calibration Method for Six-Hardpoint Positioning Mechanisms Using Optimal Measurement Pose
Authors: Yu Zhiyuan , Wu Xiaoxia , Wang Fuguo
Published: April 2023

In this study, a kinematic calibration method is proposed. The method selects the optimal measurement poses based on the observability index O1, and is used for six-hardpoint positioning mechanisms, which can identify and compensate for kinematic parameter errors of the mechanism. The calibration method is based on the derived error model. In order to improve the problem that measurement noise affects calibration accuracy, the proposed calibration method selects specific poses for calibration based on the observability index O1, effectively improving the calibration accuracy. The reason for using O1 is that we compared the performance of the five observability indices through simulation, and the results show that the calibration based on O1 has the highest accuracy. In order to achieve pose selection based on observability indices, the DETMAX algorithm has been improved to achieve better performance of selection. Finally, an overall evaluation of the proposed calibration method is conducted, and the results show that the method can accurately identify kinematic parameter errors, with a fast error convergence speed. Compared with the traditional method, the proposed method has higher accuracy, reducing the mean position error by 78.4% and the mean attitude error by 70.6%. The proposed method is instrumental in the accurate kinematic calibration of six-hardpoint positioning mechanisms, and can effectively improve the accuracy of the mechanism, thus improving the pose accuracy of the primary mirror of the ground-based large aperture telescope.