bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Intravitreal Therapy on Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Udaondo Mirete Patricia , Muñoz-Morata Carmen , Albarrán-Diego César , España-Gregori Enrique
Published: January 2023

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the variation in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and its relationship with the variation in central macular thickness (CME) in response to intravitreal therapy with an antiangiogenic (anti-VEGF) drug or corticosteroid in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Material and methods: This retrospective study included 70 eyes of 35 patients: 26 eyes received 4−5 intravitreal injections of aflibercept, 26 eyes were treated with a single intravitreal implant injection of dexamethasone, and 18 eyes without DME did not receive intravitreal therapy. SPECTRALIS® optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to measure the SFCT and CME before and at the end of the follow-up period. Results: The mean reductions in CME were 18.8 +/− 14.7% (aflibercept) and 29.7 +/− 16.9% (dexamethasone). The mean reductions in SFCT were 13.8 +/− 13.1% (aflibercept) and 19.5 +/− 9.6% (dexamethasone). The lowering effects of both parameters were significantly greater in the group treated with the dexamethasone implant (p = 0.022 and p = 0.046 for CMT and SFCT, respectively). Both therapies significantly decreased both CME and SFCT, independent of factors such as age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There were no changes in the mean values of CME and SFCT in the untreated eyes. Conclusions: SFCT significantly decreased in response to intravitreal therapy with anti-VEGF or corticosteroids, irrespective of age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There was a correlation between the changes in CME and SFCT after intravitreal therapy with aflibercept or dexamethasone implantation. SFCT was not a good predictor of the CME response but could be used to monitor the response to treatment. Local intravitreal therapy only affected the treated eye.
Association of Inflammation, Ectopic Bone Formation, and Sacroiliac Joint Variation in Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Tung Nguyen Tran Canh , He Zhongyuan , Makino Hiroto , Yasuda Taketoshi , Seki Shoji , Suzuki Kayo , Watanabe Kenta , Futakawa Hayato , Kamei Katsuhiko , Kawaguchi Yoshiharu
Published: January 2023

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is considered a multifactorial condition characterized by ectopic new bone formation in the spinal ligament. Recently, its connections with inflammation as well as sacroiliac (SI) joint ankylosis have been discussed. Nevertheless, whether inflammation, spinal ligament ossification, and SI joint changes are linked in OPLL has never been investigated. In this study, whole-spinal computed tomography and serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were obtained in 162 patients with cervical OPLL. Ossification lesions were categorized as plateau and hill shapes. Accordingly, patients were divided into plateau-shaped (51 males and 33 females; mean age: 67.7 years) and hill-shaped (50 males and 28 females; mean age: 67.2 years) groups. SI joint changes were classified into four types and three subtypes, as previously described. Interactions among ossification shapes, hs-CRP levels, and morphological changes in the SI joint were investigated. The plateau shape was more common in the vertebral segments (59.5%), compared to the hill shape, which was predominant in the intervertebral regions (65.4%). Serum hs-CRP levels in the plateau-shaped group (0.11 ± 0.10 mg/dL) were significantly higher than those in the hill-shaped group (0.07 ± 0.08 mg/dL). SI joint intra-articular fusion was the main finding in the plateau-shaped group and showed significantly higher hs-CRP levels compared to the anterior para-articular bridging, which more frequently occurred in the hill-shaped group. Our findings suggested a possible inflammation mechanism that might contribute to the new bone formation in OPLL, particularly the plateau shape.
The Association between the Hematocrit at Admission and Preoperative Deep Venous Thrombosis in Hip Fractures in Older People: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Li Dong-Yang , Lu Dong-Xing , Yan Ting , Zhang Kai-Yuan , Zhang Bin-Fei , Zhang Yu-Min
Published: January 2023

Hematocrit, a commonly used hematological indicator, is a simple and easily applicable test. As a marker of anisocytosis and anemia, it indicates the percentage of blood cells per unit volume of whole blood. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the level of the hematocrit at admission and preoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hip fractures of older people. We collected the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with geriatric hip fractures between 1 January 2015, and 30 September 2019, at the largest trauma center in northwestern China. Doppler ultrasonography was used to diagnose DVT. The correlation between hematocrit levels at admission and preoperative DVT was assessed using linear and nonlinear multivariate logistic regression, according to the adjusted model. All analyzes were performed using EmpowerStats and R software. In total, 1840 patients were included in this study, of which 587 patients (32%) had preoperative DVT. The mean hematocrit level was 34.44 ± 5.64 vol%. Linear multivariate logistic regression models showed that admission hematocrit levels were associated with preoperative DVT (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99; p = 0.0019) after adjustment for confounding factors. However, the linear association was unstable, and nonlinearity was identified. An admission hematocrit level of 33.5 vol% was an inflection point for the prediction. Admission hematocrit levels <33.5 vol% were not associated with preoperative DVT (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.97–1.04, p = 0.8230), whereas admission hematocrit levels >33.5 vol% were associated with preoperative DVT (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 25 0.91–0.97, p = 0.0006). Hematocrit levels at admission were nonlinearly associated with preoperative DVT, and hematocrit at admission was a risk factor for preoperative DVT. However, the severity of a low hematocrit was not associated with preoperative DVT when the hematocrit was <33.5 vol%.
Gelatin and Bioactive Glass Composites for Tissue Engineering: A Review
Authors: Barreto Maria E. V. , Medeiros Rebeca P. , Shearer Adam , Fook Marcus V. L. , Montazerian Maziar , Mauro John C.
Published: January 2023

Nano-/micron-sized bioactive glass (BG) particles are attractive candidates for both soft and hard tissue engineering. They can chemically bond to the host tissues, enhance new tissue formation, activate cell proliferation, stimulate the genetic expression of proteins, and trigger unique anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer functionalities. Recently, composites based on biopolymers and BG particles have been developed with various state-of-the-art techniques for tissue engineering. Gelatin, a semi-synthetic biopolymer, has attracted the attention of researchers because it is derived from the most abundant protein in the body, viz., collagen. It is a polymer that can be dissolved in water and processed to acquire different configurations, such as hydrogels, fibers, films, and scaffolds. Searching “bioactive glass gelatin” in the tile on Scopus renders 80 highly relevant articles published in the last ~10 years, which signifies the importance of such composites. First, this review addresses the basic concepts of soft and hard tissue engineering, including the healing mechanisms and limitations ahead. Then, current knowledge on gelatin/BG composites including composition, processing and properties is summarized and discussed both for soft and hard tissue applications. This review explores physical, chemical and mechanical features and ion-release effects of such composites concerning osteogenic and angiogenic responses in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, recent developments of BG/gelatin composites using 3D/4D printing for tissue engineering are presented. Finally, the perspectives and current challenges in developing desirable composites for the regeneration of different tissues are outlined.
Pepper-Mediated Green Synthesis of Selenium and Tellurium Nanoparticles with Antibacterial and Anticancer Potential
Authors: Shah Veer , Medina-Cruz David , Vernet-Crua Ada , Truong Linh B. , Sotelo Eduardo , Mostafavi Ebrahim , González María Ujué , García-Martín José Miguel , Cholula-Díaz Jorge L. , Webster Thomas J.
Published: January 2023

The production of nanoparticles for biomedical applications (namely with antimicrobial and anticancer properties) has been significantly hampered using traditional physicochemical approaches, which often produce nanostructures with poor biocompatibility properties requiring post-synthesis functionalization to implement features that such biomedical applications require. As an alternative, green nanotechnology and the synthesis of environmentally friendly nanomaterials have been gaining attention over the last few decades, using living organisms or biomolecules derived from them, as the main raw materials to produce cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and ready-to-be-used nanomaterials. In this article and building upon previous knowledge, we have designed and implemented the synthesis of selenium and tellurium nanoparticles using extracts from fresh jalapeño and habanero peppers. After characterization, in this study, the nanoparticles were tested for both their antimicrobial and anticancer features against isolates of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and skin cancer cell lines, respectively. The nanosystems produced nanoparticles via a fast, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method showing different antimicrobial profiles between elements. While selenium nanoparticles lacked an antimicrobial effect at the concentrations tested, those made of tellurium produced a significant antibacterial effect even at the lowest concentration tested. These effects were correlated when the nanoparticles were tested for their cytocompatibility and anticancer properties. While selenium nanoparticles were biocompatible and had a dose-dependent anticancer effect, tellurium-based nanoparticles lacked such biocompatibility while exerting a powerful anti-cancer effect. Further, this study demonstrated a suitable mechanism of action for killing bacteria and cancer cells involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In summary, this study introduces a new green nanomedicine synthesis approach to create novel selenium and tellurium nanoparticles with attractive properties for numerous biomedical applications.
Quality Assessment of Sea Surface Salinity from Multiple Ocean Reanalysis Products
Authors: Wang Haodi , You Ziqi , Guo Hailong , Zhang Wen , Xu Peng , Ren Kaijun
Published: January 2023

Sea surface salinity (SSS) is one of the Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) as defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). Acquiring high-quality SSS datasets with high spatial-temporal resolution is crucial for research on the hydrological cycle and the earth climate. This study assessed the quality of SSS data provided by five high-resolution ocean reanalysis products, including the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) 1/12° global reanalysis, the Copernicus Global 1/12° Oceanic and Sea Ice GLORYS12 Reanalysis, the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis, the ECMWF Oceanic Reanalysis System 5 (ORAS5) product and the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean Phase II (ECCO2) reanalysis. Regional comparison in the Mediterranean Sea shows that reanalysis largely depicts the accurate spatial SSS structure away from river mouths and coastal areas but slightly underestimates the mean SSS values. Better SSS reanalysis performance is found in the Levantine Sea while larger SSS uncertainties are found in the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea. The global comparison with CMEMS level-4 (L4) SSS shows generally consistent large-scale structures. The mean ΔSSS between monthly gridded reanalysis data and in situ analyzed data is −0.1 PSU in the open seas between 40° S and 40° N with the mean Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) generally smaller than 0.3 PSU and the majority of correlation coefficients higher than 0.5. A comparison with collocated buoy salinity shows that reanalysis products well capture the SSS variations at the locations of tropical moored buoy arrays at weekly scale. Among all of the five products, the data quality of HYCOM reanalysis SSS is highest in marginal sea, GLORYS12 has the best performance in the global ocean especially in tropical regions. Comparatively, ECCO2 has the overall worst performance to reproduce SSS states and variations by showing the largest discrepancies with CMEMS L4 SSS.
Study on Evolution Characteristics of Gas–Liquid Interaction in a New Gas-Curtain Launcher
Authors: Zhang Xinwei , Yu Yonggang , Hu Yubo
Published: January 2023

For the new idea of a gas-curtain launcher with a grooved tube, the gas-curtain flow field and interior ballistic characteristics are mainly investigated in this paper. The coupling of the gas–liquid interaction model and interior ballistic equations is realized by solving the gas flow equation. Analyses have focused on the morphological evolution of the gas-curtain, pressure distribution, turbulence intensity evolution, and interior ballistic performance. The results show that multiple groove jets first expand independently of each other, and their shape changes from rectangular to triangular. The groove jets then come into contact with each other and form a gas-curtain. Meanwhile, the gas-curtain expansion results in complex changes in the pressure and turbulence intensity of the flow field in the tube. The parameters distribution in the flow field gradually have a simple tendency as the gas-curtain increases and the projectile moves. The moment the projectile starts moving, the gas volume fraction reaches 83%, indicating that the gas-curtain has made remarkable achievements in drag reduction. Significantly, under the calculated conditions in this paper, an initial velocity of 360.58 m/s was obtained at a maximum chamber pressure of 86.34 MPa.
Integrated Analytical Approach: An Added Value in Environmental Diagnostics
Authors: Renzi Monia , Pastorino Paolo , Provenza Francesca , Anselmi Serena , Specchiulli Antonietta , Cavallo Andrea
Published: January 2023

Environmental diagnostics are commonly used to identify anthropogenic influences in various environmental settings. However, the use of a single survey technique is limiting and leads to an incomplete and often inaccurate picture of reality. In this study, three real cases analyzing impacts on marine ecosystems have been presented to prove how the integration of different diagnostic techniques can be very beneficial to better understand the phenomena that occur as well as the impacts and associated damages. Studies combining classical diagnostics based on the determination of contaminant levels by chemical analysis, ecotoxicological tests and stress biomarkers with diagnostics by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy-FESEM and X-ray diffraction-XRD microscopy are reported. Findings suggest that the embedding of chemical analyses, ecotoxicology and microchemical FESEM and XRD analyses allow us to hit the mark and give precise and effective responses in environmental management.
A Rational Approach to the Ecological Transition in the Cruise Market: Technologies and Design Compromises for the Fuel Switch
Authors: Bertagna Serena , Kouznetsov Ivan , Braidotti Luca , Marinò Alberto , Bucci Vittorio
Published: January 2023

Supporting policies to achieve a green revolution and ecological transition is a global trend. Although the maritime transport of goods and people can rightly be counted among the least polluting sectors, much can be done to further reduce its environmental footprint. Moreover, to boost the ecological transition of vessels, a whole series of international regulations and national laws have been promulgated. Among these, the most impactful on both design and operational management of ships concern the containment of air-polluting emissions in terms of GHG, NOx, SOx and PM. To address this challenge, it might seem that many technologies already successfully used in other transport sectors could be applied. However, the peculiar characteristics of ships make this statement not entirely true. In fact, technological solutions recently adopted, for example, in the automotive sector must deal with the large size of vessels and the consequent large amount of energy necessary for their operation. In this paper, with reference to the case study of a medium/large-sized passenger cruise ship, the use of different fuels (LNG, ammonia, hydrogen) and technologies (internal combustion engines, fuel cells) for propulsion and energy generation on board will be compared. By imposing the design constraint of not modifying the payload and the speed of the ship, the criticalities linked to the use of one fuel rather than another will be highlighted. The current limits of application of some fuels will be made evident, with reference to the state of maturity of the relevant technologies. Furthermore, the operational consequences in terms of autonomy reduction will be presented. The obtained results underline the necessity for shipowners and shipbuilders to reflect on the compromises required by the challenges of the ecological transition, which will force them to choose between reducing payload or reducing performance.
Aspergillus spp. Isolated from Lungs of Poultry (Gallus gallus) at the Mycology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica between 2008 and 2021 and Associated Factors
Authors: Ulloa-Avellán Oscar , Calderón-Hernández Alejandra , Rubí-Chacón Randall , Vargas-Leitón Bernardo
Published: January 2023

Aspergillosis is a disease caused by some species of the fungus Aspergillus, occurring in both mammals (including humans) and birds, the latter being the most susceptible group. Aspergillus must be considered a public health concern as it affects the poultry industry economically and is an occupational risk to its workers. A retrospective study of fungal isolates from the lungs of chickens (Gallus gallus), analyzed between 2008 and 2021 at the Mycology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica was performed to report the prevalence of Aspergillus spp. in poultry farms in Costa Rica and their associated factors. A total of 1113 cases were received, of which 31% (n = 392; 95% CI: 28.3–33.7) were positive for fungal isolation. Aspergillus was the most frequently detected genus, and the most frequent sections were Fumigati (n = 197/392, 50.3%), Flavi (n = 90/392, 22.9%), and Nigri (n = 50/392, 12.7%). Significant effects (p < 0.05) related to the year, geographical origin, purpose, and age were identified in relation to the Aspergillus infection. The identified factors are explained by climatic variations in the tropics and the particularities of the birds. Future research including molecular characterization and antifungal susceptibility tests in animals, humans, and the environment, are needed to better understand the risks of the diseases caused by those fungi in this country.
Molecular Diagnosis of Endemic Mycoses
Authors: Valero Clara , Martín-Gómez María Teresa , Buitrago María José
Published: January 2023

Diagnosis of endemic mycoses is still challenging. The moderated availability of reliable diagnostic methods, the lack of clinical suspicion out of endemic areas and the limitations of conventional techniques result in a late diagnosis that, in turn, delays the implementation of the correct antifungal therapy. In recent years, molecular methods have emerged as promising tools for the rapid diagnosis of endemic mycoses. However, the absence of a consensus among laboratories and the reduced availability of commercial tests compromises the diagnostic effectiveness of these methods. In this review, we summarize the advantages and limitations of molecular methods for the diagnosis of endemic mycoses.
Mechanism of Pydiflumetofen Resistance in Fusarium graminearum in China
Authors: Zhou Feng , Zhou Huan-Huan , Han Ao-Hui , Guo Kou-Yun , Liu Tian-Cheng , Wu Yan-Bing , Hu Hai-Yan , Li Cheng-Wei
Published: January 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB), which is primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a widespread and devastating disease of wheat. In the absence of resistant varieties, the control of FHB relies heavily on the application of fungicides, and the new generation SDHI fungicide, pydiflumetofen, has recently been registered in China for the control of FHB in wheat. The current study explored three genetically stable, highly resistant laboratory mutants (S2-4-2R, S27-3R, and S28-2R, with EC50 values of 25.10, 28.57, and 19.22 μg/mL, respectively) to investigate the potential risks associated with pydiflumetofen resistance. Although the mycelial growth of the mutants differed little compared to their parental isolates, the study found that the resistant mutants exhibited significantly reduced (p < 0.05) levels of sporulation and pathogenicity, which suggests a significant fitness cost associated with pydiflumetofen resistance in F. graminearum. Sequence analysis of the Sdh target protein identified numerous amino acid substitutions in the predicted sequences of the four subunits: FgSdhA, FgSdhB, FgSdhC, and FgSdhD. Indeed, the mutants were found to have a series of substitution in multiple subunits such that all three exhibited five identical changes, including Y182F in the FgSdhA subunit; H53Q, C90S, and A94V in FgSdhB; and S31F in FgSdhC. In addition, gene expression analysis revealed that all of the FgSdh genes had significantly altered expression (p < 0.05), particularly FgSdhA and FgdhC, which exhibited remarkably low levels of expression. However, the study found no evidence of cross-resistance between pydiflumetofen and tebuconazole, fludioxonil, prochloraz, fluazinam, carbendazim, pyraclostrobin, or difenoconazole, which indicates that these fungicides, either in rotation or combination with pydiflumetofen, could mitigate the risk of resistance emerging and provide ongoing control of FHB to ensure high and stable wheat yields.
Proteomic Response of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Exposed to the Antifungal 4-Methoxynaphthalene-N-acylhydrazone Reveals Alteration in Metabolism
Authors: Silva Lívia do Carmo , Silva Kleber Santiago Freitas e , Rocha Olívia Basso , Barbosa Katheryne Lohany Barros , Rozada Andrew Matheus Frederico , Gauze Gisele de Freitas , Soares Célia Maria de Almeida , Pereira Maristela
Published: January 2023

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a neglected mycosis with a high socioeconomic impact that requires long-term treatment with antifungals that have limitations in their use. The development of antifungals targeting essential proteins that are present exclusively in the fungus points to a potentially promising treatment. Methods: The inhibitor of the enzyme homoserine dehydrogenase drove the synthesis of N’-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methoxy-1-naphthohydrazide (AOS). This compound was evaluated for its antifungal activity in different species of Paracoccidioides and the consequent alteration in the proteomic profile of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Results: The compound showed a minimal inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.75 to 6.9 μM with a fungicidal effect on Paracoccidioides spp. and high selectivity index. AOS differentially regulated proteins related to glycolysis, TCA, the glyoxylate cycle, the urea cycle and amino acid metabolism, including homoserine dehydrogenase. In addition, P. brasiliensis inhibited protein synthesis and stimulated reactive oxygen species in the presence of AOS. Conclusions: AOS is a promising antifungal agent for the treatment of PCM, targeting important metabolic processes of the fungus.
Respiratory Complications and Weaning Considerations for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Narrative Review
Authors: Hendershot Kristopher A. , O’Phelan Kristine H.
Published: January 2023

Respiratory complications following traumatic spinal cord injury are common and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The inability to cough and clear secretions coupled with weakened respiratory and abdominal muscles commonly leads to respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, and pneumonia. Higher level and severity of the spinal cord injury, history of underlying lung pathology, history of smoking, and poor baseline health status are potential predictors for patients that will experience respiratory complications. For patients who may require prolonged intubation, early tracheostomy has been shown to lead to improved outcomes. Prediction models to aid clinicians with the decision and timing of tracheostomy have been shown to be successful but require larger validation studies in the future. Mechanical ventilation weaning strategies also require further investigation but should focus on a combination of optimizing ventilator setting, pulmonary toilet techniques, psychosocial well-being, and an aggressive bowel regimen.
Lipedema Research—Quo Vadis?
Authors: Ernst Anna M. , Bauer Hannelore , Bauer Hans-Christian , Steiner Marianne , Malfertheiner Anna , Lipp Anna-Theresa
Published: January 2023

When studying the current literature, one might get the impression that lipedema is a “modern” disease, with increasing incidence and augmenting prevalence throughout Western countries during the last decade. However, a quick look into older textbooks shows that disproportionate accumulation of fat in female bodies has long been known without being recognized as an independent disease. Nevertheless, it was not until 1940 that Allen and Hines described a “syndrome characterized by fat legs and orthostatic edema” in a seminal publication. The mere awareness that people who have lipedema are not just overweight but suffer from a yet poorly defined pathological condition, may be considered a decisive leap forward in the understanding of lipedema. A number of comprehensive publications have since dealt with the clinical presentation of lipedema and have provided the first clues towards the potential pathological mechanisms underlying its initiation and progression. Nevertheless, despite all effort that has been undertaken to unravel lipedema pathology, many questions have remained unanswered. What can be deduced with certainty from all experimental and medical evidence available so far is that lipedema is neither a cosmetic problem nor is it a problem of lifestyle but should be accepted as a serious disease with yet undetermined genetic background, which makes women’s lives unbearable from both a physical and psychological point of view. To date, results from clinical inspections have led to the categorization of various types and stages of lipedema, describing how the extremities are affected and evaluating its progression, as demonstrated by skin alterations, adipose tissue volume increase and physical and everyday-behavioral impediments. There is accumulating evidence showing that advanced stages of lipedema are usually accompanied by excessive weight or obesity. Thus, it is not unreasonable to assume that the progression of lipedema is largely driven by weight gain and the pathological alterations associated with it. Similarly, secondary lymphedema is frequently found in lipedema patients at advanced stages. Needless to say, both conditions considerably blur the clinical presentation of lipedema, making diagnosis difficult and scientific research challenging. The present literature review will focus on lipedema research, based on evidence fromex vivo and in vitro data, which has accumulated throughout the last few decades. We will also open the discussion as to whether the currently used categorization of lipedema stages is still sufficient and up-to-date for the accurate description of this enigmatic disease, whose name, strangely enough, does not match its pathologic correlate.
Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing with RUSLE Model for Estimation of Soil Erosion
Authors: Ghosh Amlan , Rakshit Sayandeep , Tikle Suvarna , Das Sandipan , Chatterjee Uday , Pande Chaitanya B. , Alataway Abed , Al-Othman Ahmed A. , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Mattar Mohamed A.
Published: January 2023

Globally, soil erosion is a significant problem contributing to nutrient loss, water quality degradation, and sand accumulation in water bodies. Currently, various climate factors are affecting the natural resources entire worldwide. Agricultural intensification, soil degradation, and some other human impacts all contribute to soil erosion, which is a significant issue. Management and conservation efforts in a watershed can benefit from a soil erosion study. Modeling can establish a scientific and accurate method to calculate sediment output and soil erosion below a variety of circumstances. The measured soil loss tolerance was compared to the risk of soil erosion (T value).In this study, GIS and remote sensing techniques have been integrated with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to estimate soil loss in the Mayurakshi river basin of eastern India. To determine soil erosion-prone areas, rainfall, land use, and land cover maps, as well as a digital elevation model (DEM), were used as input. The annual soil loss in the basin area is estimated to be 4,629,714.8 tons. Accordingly, the study basin was categorized into five soil loss severity classes: very low (40.92%), low (49%), moderate (6.5%), high (2.4%) and very high (1.18%) risk classes. Soil erosion rates ranged from very slight to slight throughout the majority of the region. The section of the basin’s lower plain has been discovered to be least affected by soil loss. The results of study area can be helpful to conservation of soil management practices and watershed development program in the basin area.
Impact of Conservation Tillage Technologies on the Biological Relevance of Weeds
Authors: Winkler Jan , Dvořák Jiří , Hosa Jiří , Martínez Barroso Petra , Vaverková Magdalena Daria
Published: January 2023

Limited tillage provides a number of benefits, but a question remains how it affects weed community and biodiversity evolving from the weed community. Our field experiment was established in the cadastral area of Branišovice (South Moravian Region, Czech Republic). Three different tillage technologies were used in this field experiment: conventional tillage, minimum tillage, and no-tillage technology. In 2001–2004, infestation by weeds was evaluated in the stands of spring barley, winter wheat grown after a dicot pre-crop (rape, soybean), in the stands of wheat grown after wheat, and in stands of maize. The recorded weed species were divided according to the criteria of biological relevance. Based on the results of the four-year field experiment, it is possible to state that tillage technologies have only a limited influence on the intensity of weeding but substantially alter the species spectrum of weeds. Weed vegetation in the no-tillage variant exhibits higher values of biological relevance, which allows a higher occurrence of weed-dependent species of organisms. Weed vegetation in the minimum soil tillage variant has the lowest biological relevance values, which limits the occurrence of weed-dependent organisms. Alterations in weeding caused by different tillage technologies are part of the process of vegetation microevolution in the agricultural landscape.
The Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Coordination Degree Concerning China’s Cultivated Land Green Utilization Efficiency and High-Quality Agricultural Development
Authors: Zhou Min , Sun Hanxiaoxue , Ke Nan
Published: January 2023

The cultivated land green utilization efficiency (CLGUE) is closely related to high-quality agricultural development (HAD), but the evolutionary characteristics of the relationship between HAD and CLGUE have received little study. In the context of the rural revitalization strategy and high-quality development in China, it is important to ensure food security and cultivated land system security through coordinating HAD and CLGUE. In this study, 31 Chinese provinces were used as the research object, and the entropy weight TOPSIS model and SBM-Undesirable model were used to measure HAD and CLGUE, respectively. In addition, the coupling coordination degree model and the geographical analysis model were used to investigate the development of coordination degree concerning HAD and CLGUE from both geographical and temporal perspectives. The following findings are the result of this study. Firstly, both China’s overall HAD and CLGUE exhibited an upward tendency, with average annual growth rates of 4.35% and 4.08%, respectively. Secondly, there was a volatility upward trend shown by the level of coordination degree regarding HAD and CLGUE in China. Additionally, the coordination degree showed significant spatial-temporal disparities across the 31 provinces due to the variance in the natural endowment of agricultural development resources. Lastly, the coordination degree concerning HAD and CLGUE throughout China showed obvious patterns of spatial agglomeration at the provincial level. However, the geographical aggregation and dispersion of the provinces with high or low coordination levels have diminished somewhat. Furthermore, there was a conversion from hot spot aggregation regions in MGPAs to cold spot aggregation regions in GPMBAs. The conclusions of the present study enrich the theoretical literature on the relationship between HAD and CLGUE, and provide an empirical reference for the policy maker of the developing pathway of “high HAD and high CLGUE”.
Land Cover Changes and Their Influence on Recharge in a Mediterranean Karstic Aquifer (Alicante, Spain)
Authors: Ruiz María Candela , Valdés-Abellán Javier , Pla Concepción , Fernández-Mejuto Miguel , Benavente David
Published: January 2023

Groundwater plays a key role in the subsistence of people and their activities throughout the globe, particularly in arid zones. In the highly dynamic context of the Mediterranean landscape, a deep understanding of aquifer systems is essential for their optimal management. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of land cover on recharge in the Almudaina-Segaria aquifer, through the simulation of different land cover scenarios. The results showed a 32% decrease in the total water volume + entering the aquifer when extensive agriculture was replaced by natural forests, with a remarkable drop in the water table elevation for a large portion of the aquifer, depending on geology and topography. Considering the demographic evolution and ongoing climatic changes, it is fundamental to incorporate a management perspective where surface and underground processes are integrated as a fundamental part of a sustainable system.
Phylogeny and Morphology Determine Vulnerability to Global Warming in Pristimantis Frogs
Authors: González-del-Pliego Pamela , Freckleton Robert P. , Scheffers Brett R. , Basham Edmund W. , Acosta-Galvis Andrés R. , Medina Uribe Claudia A. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Edwards David P.
Published: January 2023

Global warming is a great threat to biodiversity with negative impacts spanning the entire biological hierarchy. One of the main species’ traits determining survival at higher temperature is the thermal point at which an animal loses its ability to escape from deadly conditions (critical thermal maximum—CTmax). Variation in CTmax across species is the outcome of environmental and evolutionary factors, but studies do not typically measure the degree to which environment or phylogeny influences the variation in trait values. Here, we aim to elucidate whether local environmental variables or phylogeny influence CTmax in highly climate change-threatened amphibians in the Tropical Andes. We measured CTmax from 204 individuals belonging to seven Pristimantis frog species encountered in primary and secondary forests, and cattle pastures. We recorded their habitat, elevation, and the range of environmental temperatures they experienced over one year. Using phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that physiological thermal tolerance is related to phylogeny, positively related to body length, but not affected by environmental factors. We suggest that both phylogeny and morphology determine vulnerability to global warming.
Reform of Collective Land for Construction and Rental Housing and the Growth of Farmers’ Property Income: Evidence from China
Authors: Yao Peng , Jia Qi , Liu Jianxu , Yamaka Woraphon
Published: January 2023

Increasing farmers’ income has always been the core task of China’s land reform. In 2017, a nationwide pilot project on the use of collective construction land for the construction of rental housing was launched. This study employed the synthetic difference-in-differences method to examine whether the reform contributed to the growth of farmers’ property income. It was found that, compared with non-pilot areas, the property income of farmers in the pilot reform of collective construction land rental housing has increased by about 0.4334% on average, and this conclusion is still valid after a series of robustness tests. The role of the reform in promoting farmers’ property income is more evident in Western China, Southern China and non-major grain-producing areas. By revealing the impact of the reform on farmers’ property income, this paper enriches the literature related to the field of farmers’ income increase and provides a policy reference for narrowing the urban–rural gap and achieving the development of rural revitalization and common prosperity.
The Global Land Rush and Agricultural Investment in Ghana: Existing Knowledge, Gaps, and Future Directions
Authors: Anku John , Andrews Nathan , Cochrane Logan
Published: January 2023

The large-scale acquisition of land by investors intensified following the 2007/2008 triple crises of food, energy, and finance. In the years that followed, tens of millions of hectares of land were leased or sold for agricultural investment. This phenomenon has resulted in a growing body of scholarship that seeks to explain trends, institutional regimes, impacts, and the variety of actors involved, among other subtopics, such as impacts on food security and livelihoods. Focusing on the case study of Ghana, this paper presents a review that uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to critically assess the state of large-scale land acquisitions for agricultural development in Ghana. Our objective in this review is to provide an overview of what we know about such acquisitions in Ghana while pointing to gaps and directions for future research. Contrary to the perception of large-scale land acquisitions being undertaken by foreign investors, the review shows there is a significant role of Ghanaian investors. Additionally, we found the negative impact of these acquisitions, specifically biofuel projects, which featured predominantly in the literature captured in this study. In addition, the role of traditional authorities (chiefs) was a central focus of studies dedicated to land acquisitions in Ghana. Areas that are either understudied or missing from the literature include conflicts, climate change, biodiversity, corporate social responsibility, gendered social differentiation, ethnicity, and the role of diaspora. These gaps call for future research that examines the land question from a multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspective.
Inventory and Spatial Distribution of Ancient Landslides in Hualong County, China
Authors: Huang Yuandong , Xu Chong , Li Lei , He Xiangli , Cheng Jia , Xu Xiwei , Li Junlei , Zhang Xujiao
Published: January 2023

The establishment of a regional historical landslide inventory plays an indispensable role in landslide assessment and prevention. In this study, based on the Google Earth platform, an inventory of ancient landslides in Hualong County, Qinghai Province was established. The inventory includes 3517 ancient landslides with individual areas ranging from 2354.6 m2 to 12.44 km2. The dominant characteristics include an elevation of 2600–2800 m, slope of 10–20°, aspects SW, W, and NW, mudstone and sandstone of Paleoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic and Quaternary loess, 8–10 km from faults, 0–1 km from rivers, cultivated and grassland types, NDVI of 0.25–0.3, and an average precipitation in the range of 480–500 mm. In addition, the geometric analysis of landslides shows that the average height and length of ancient landslides in the study area are 151.92 m and 429.52 m, respectively. The power law relationship between the two is L = 0.41 × H1.37. The ancient landslide inventory of this study exhibits an integrated pattern of the development characteristics and spatial distribution of landslides in the Tibetan Plateau and the upper Yellow River basin, as well as providing a significant reference for subsequent landslide susceptibility mapping in the area.
Biblical Gardens and the Resilience of Cultural Landscapes—A Case Study of Gdańsk, Poland
Authors: Trojanowska Monika
Published: January 2023

In recent years, several biblical gardens were constructed in the harsh climate of Poland. They try to convey spiritual values through the medium of garden art and design. Rarely are they built from scratch with a granted budget; the majority of them represent the effort to revitalize degraded urban space and cultural heritage. In most cases, they are constructed and maintained as a challenge by groups of enthusiasts with no institutional financial help. From the very beginning, they are attracting numerous visitors, individuals, and organized groups to previously neglected spaces. The scope of this paper is to present the phenomenon of their construction, discuss the selected case studies, and try to identify whether their creation is strengthening the resilience of cultural landscapes.
Alternative Methods as Tools for Obesity Research: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches
Authors: Pamplona Juliana Helena , Zoehler Bernardo , Shigunov Patrícia , Barisón María Julia , Severo Vanessa Rossini , Erich Natalie Mayara , Ribeiro Annanda Lyra , Horinouchi Cintia Delai da Silva , Suzukawa Andréia Akemi , Robert Anny Waloski , Abud Ana Paula Ressetti , Aguiar Alessandra Melo de
Published: January 2023

The study of adipogenesis is essential for understanding and treating obesity, a multifactorial problem related to body fat accumulation that leads to several life-threatening diseases, becoming one of the most critical public health problems worldwide. In this review, we propose to provide the highlights of the adipogenesis study based on in vitro differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We list in silico methods, such as molecular docking for identification of molecular targets, and in vitro approaches, from 2D, more straightforward and applied for screening large libraries of substances, to more representative physiological models, such as 3D and bioprinting models. We also describe the development of physiological models based on microfluidic systems applied to investigate adipogenesis in vitro. We intend to identify the main alternative models for adipogenesis evaluation, contributing to the direction of preclinical research in obesity. Future directions indicate the association of in silico and in vitro techniques to bring a clear picture of alternative methods based on adipogenesis as a tool for obesity research.
Analysis of the C2H2 Gene Family in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Cold Stress: Identification and Expression
Authors: Li Sinan , Li Yunlong , Cai Quan , Li Xin , Sun Yan , Yu Tao , Yang Jianfei , Zhang Jianguo
Published: January 2023

The C2H2 zinc finger protein is one of the most common zinc finger proteins, widely exists in eukaryotes, and plays an important role in plant growth and development, as well as in salt, low-temperature, and drought stress and other abiotic stress responses. In this study, C2H2 members were identified and analyzed from the low-temperature tolerant transcriptome sequencing data of maize seedlings. The chromosome position, physical and chemical properties, evolution analysis, gene structure, conservative motifs, promoter cis elements and collinearity relationships of gene the family members were analyzed using bioinformatics, and the expression of the ZmC2H2 gene family under cold stress was analyzed by fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results showed that 150 members of the C2H2 zinc finger protein family were identified, and their protein lengths ranged from 102 to 1223 bp. The maximum molecular weight of the ZmC2H2s was 135,196.34, and the minimum was 10,823.86. The isoelectric point of the ZmC2H2s was between 33.21 and 94.1, and the aliphatic index was 42.07–87.62. The promoter cis element analysis showed that the ZmC2H2 family contains many light-response elements, plant hormone-response elements, and stress-response elements. The analysis of the transcriptome data showed that most of the ZmC2H2 genes responded to cold stress, and most of the ZmC2H2 genes were highly expressed in cold-tolerant materials and lowly expressed in cold-sensitive materials. The real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that ZmC2H2-69, ZmC2H2-130, and ZmC2H2-76 were significantly upregulated, and that ZmC2H2-149, ZmC2H2-33, and ZmC2H2-38 were significantly downregulated. It is hypothesized that these genes, which function in different metabolic pathways, may play a key role in the maize cold response. These genes could be further studied as candidate genes. This study provides a theoretical reference for further study on the function analysis of the maize C2H2 gene family.
A Review of Research on Wind Turbine Bearings’ Failure Analysis and Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Peng Han , Zhang Hai , Fan Yisa , Shangguan Linjian , Yang Yang
Published: January 2023

Bearings are crucial components that decide whether or not a wind turbine can work smoothly and that have a significant impact on the transmission efficiency and stability of the entire wind turbine’s life. However, wind power equipment operates in complex environments and under complex working conditions over long time periods. Thus, it is extremely prone to bearing wear failures, and this can cause the whole generator set to fail to work smoothly. This paper takes wind turbine bearings as the research object and provides an overview and analysis for realizing fault warnings, avoiding bearing failure, and prolonging bearing life. Firstly, a study of the typical failure modes of wind turbine bearings was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of the tribological problems and the effects of the bearings. Secondly, the failure characteristics and diagnosis procedure for wind power bearings were examined, as well as the mechanism and procedure for failure diagnosis being explored. Finally, we summarize the application of fault diagnosis methods based on spectrum analysis, wavelet analysis, and artificial intelligence in wind turbine bearing fault diagnosis. In addition, the directions and challenges of wind turbine bearing failure analysis and fault diagnosis research are discussed.