bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monkeypox: Is the world ready for another pandemic?
Authors: Haruna Usman Abubakar , Musa Shuaibu Saidu , Manirambona Emery , Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo , Sarría-Santamera Antonio
Published: October 2022

As the world continues to endure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an outbreak of Monkeypox occurs and continues to spread unabatedly. The double-stranded DNA monkeypox virus is a sylvatic zoonosis, which occasionally infects humans and is a member of the genus Orthopoxviruses. Although scientists believed the virus to have low transmissibility, the speed and degree with which it spreads is alarming and could land one in a hospital or even kill one. Additionally, the fact that unusual transmissions are occurring among people without travel history to endemic regions suggests undetected transmissions, raising concerns about our preparedness for another pandemic. Contrary to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a vaccine that could offer some protection against the monkeypox virus. Therefore, there is a need for coordinated efforts among authorities concerned and community-based organizations to raise awareness of the potential pandemic of monkeypox, activate surveillance systems and laboratory capacity, and heighten contact tracing and vaccination of at-risk individuals to stem the outbreak while there is still the opportunity to prevent it from becoming a pandemic.
The state of artificial intelligence in pediatric urology
Authors: Khondker Adree , Kwong Jethro CC. , Malik Shamir , Erdman Lauren , Keefe Daniel T. , Fernandez Nicolas , Tasian Gregory E. , Wang Hsin-Hsiao Scott , Estrada Carlos R. , Nelson Caleb P. , Lorenzo Armando J. , Rickard Mandy
Published: October 2022

Review Context and Objective

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer new tools to advance care in pediatric urology. While there has been interest in developing ML models in the field, there has not been a synthesis of the literature. Here, we aim to highlight the important work being done in bringing these advanced tools into pediatric urology and review their objectives, model performance, and usability.

Evidence Acquisition

We performed a comprehensive, non-systematic search on MEDLINE and EMBASE and combined these with hand-searches of publications which utilize ML to predict outcomes in pediatric urology. Each article was extracted for objectives, AI approach, data sources, model inputs and outputs, model performance, and usability. This information was qualitatively synthesized.

Evidence Synthesis

A total of 27 unique ML models were found in the literature. Vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, pyeloplasty, and posterior urethral valves were the primary topics. Most models highlight strong performance within institutional datasets and accurately predicted clinically relevant outcomes. Model validity was often limited without external validation, and usability was hampered by model deployment and interpretability.

Discussion

Current ML models in pediatric urology are promising and have been applied to many major pediatric urology problems. These models still warrant further validation. However, with thoughtful implementation, they may be able to influence clinical practice in the near future.
Embodied social cognition investigated with virtual agents: The infinite loop between social brain and virtual reality
Authors: Oker A.
Published: October 2022

While the debate regarding the embodied nature of human cognition is still a research interest in cognitive science and epistemology, recent findings in neuroscience suggest that cognitive processes involved in social interaction are based on the simulation of others’ cognitive states and ours as well. However, until recently most research in social cognition continues to study mental processes in social interaction deliberately isolated from each other following 19th century’s scientific reductionism. Lately, it has been proposed that social cognition, being emerged in interactive situations, cannot be fully understood with experimental paradigms and stimuli which put the subjects in a passive stance towards social stimuli. Moreover, social neuroscience seems to concur with the idea that a simulation process of possible outcomes of social interaction occurs before the action can take place. In this “perspective” article, we propose that in the light of past and current research in social neuroscience regarding the implications of mirror neuron system and empathy altogether, these findings can be interpreted as a framework for embodied social cognition. We also propose that if the simulation process for the mentalization network works in ubiquity with the mirror neuron system, human experimentations for facial recognition and empathy need a new kind of stimuli. After a presentation of embodied social cognition, we will discuss the future of methodological prerequisites of social cognition studies in this area. On the matter, we will argue that the affective and reactive virtual agents are at the center in conducting such research.
A comparison of the energy demands of quadrupedal movement training to walking
Authors: Buxton Jeffrey D. , Sherman Sally A. , Sterrett Micah T. , Kannel Kristia D. , Blanchflower Morgan E. , Jancay Kelli T. , Jenkins Anna K. , Donofrio Troy P. , Prins Philip J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Quadrupedal movement training (QMT) is a novel alternative form of exercise recently shown to improve several fitness characteristics including flexibility, movement quality, and dynamic balance. However, the specific energy demands of this style of training remain unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the energy expenditure (EE) of a beginner-level quadrupedal movement training (QMT) class using Animal Flow (AF) to walking, and to compare EE between segments of the AF class and gender.

Methods

Participants (15 male, 15 female) completed 60-min sessions of AF, treadmill walking at a self-selected intensity (SSIT) and treadmill walking at an intensity that matched the heart rate of the AF session (HRTM). Indirect calorimetry was used to estimate energy expenditure.

Results

AF resulted in an EE of 6.7 ± 1.8 kcal/min, 5.4 ± 1.0 METs, and HR of 127.1 ± 16.1 bpm (63.4 ± 8.1% of the subjects' age-predicted maximum HR), while SSIT resulted in an EE of 5.1 ± 1.0 kcal/min, 4.3 ± 0.7 METs, HR of 99.8 ± 13.5 bpm (49.8 ± 6.7% age-predicted maximum HR), and HRTM resulted in and EE of 7.6 ± 2.2 kcal/min, 6.1 ± 1.0 METs, and HR of 124.9 ± 16.3 bpm (62.3 ± 8.2% age-predicted maximum HR). Overall, EE, METs, HR and respiratory data for AF was greater than SSIT (p's < 0.001) and either comparable or slightly less than HRTM. The Flow segment showed the highest EE (8.7 ± 2.7 kcal/min), METs (7.0 ± 1.7) and HR (153.2 ± 15.7 bpm). Aside from HR, males demonstrated greater EE, METs, and respiratory values across all sessions and segments of AF than females.

Conclusions

QMT using AF meets the ACSM's criteria for moderate-intensity physical activity and should be considered a viable alternative to help meet physical activity guidelines.
Analysis of risk factors for postoperative dysphagia after C1-2 fusion
Authors: Sun Dong , Mou Jianhui , Wang Zhaolin , Liu Peng
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for dysphagia after C1-2 fusion in patients with C1-2 junction diseases.

Summary of the background data

Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication of posterior C1-2 junction surgery. The incidence is 9.5% to 26.3%. However, the etiopathogenisis of postoperative dysphagia remains controversial.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent C1-2 fusion from January 2016 to January 2020. The patients were divided into dysphagia group and control group in accordance with the Bazaz R dysphagia scoring system. The patients' age, gender, BMI(body mass index), cause of disease, and changes in the C01cobb, C02cobb, C12cobb, C27cobb, dC02cobb, dC01cobb, dC12cobb, d C27cobb angles before and after operation, were recorded. The parameters and changes were compared to analyze the risk factors for dysphagia after C1-2 fusion.

Results

65 cases (15, with dysphagia; 50, without dysphagia) were included. The incidence of postoperative dysphagia was 23%. The differences in age, gender ratio, and BMI between the two groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The differences among postoperative C12 (29.8° ± 11.24° vs. 20.46° ± 13.39°), postoperative C27cobb (10.56° ± 8.53° vs. 20.21° ± 13.21°), and dC12cobb (9.49° ± 5.16° vs. 1.07° ± 12.44°) between the two groups were significant (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that dC12cobb > 5° was a significant independent risk factor for postoperative dysphagia, And preoperative C27cobb was a preventive factor of postoperative dysphagia.

Conclusions

Dysphagia after the C1-2 fusion was common. dC02cobb and dC12cobb were the significant independent risk factors for postoperative dysphagia. Preoperative c27cobb was a preventive factor of dysphagia.
Carbon dioxide tolerability and toxicity in rat and man: A translational study
Authors: van der Schrier Rutger , van Velzen Monique , Roozekrans Margot , Sarton Elise , Olofsen Erik , Niesters Marieke , Smulders Chantal , Dahan Albert
Published: October 2022

Background: Due the increasing need for storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) more individuals are prone to be exposed to high concentrations of CO2 accidentally released into atmosphere, with deleterious consequences.

Methods: We tested the effect of increasing CO2 concentrations in humans (6–12%) and rats (10–50%) at varying inhalation times (10–60 min). In humans, a continuous positive airway pressure helmet was used to deliver the gas mixture to the participants. Unrestrained rats were exposed to CO2 in a transparent chamber. In both species regular arterial blood gas samples were obtained. After the studies, the lungs of the animals were examined for macroscopic and microscopic abnormalities.

Results: In humans, CO2 concentrations of 9% inhaled for >10 min, and higher concentrations inhaled for <10 min were poorly or not tolerated due to exhaustion, anxiety, dissociation or acidosis (pH < 7.2), despite intact oxygenation. In rats, concentrations of 30% and higher were associated with CO2 narcosis, epilepsy, poor oxygenation and, at 50% CO2, spontaneous death. Lung hemorrhage and edema were observed in the rats at inhaled concentrations of 30% and higher.

Conclusion: This study provides essential insight into the occurrence of physiological changes in humans and fatalities in rats after acute exposure to high levels of CO2. Humans tolerate 9% CO2 and retain their ability to function coherently for up to 10 min. These data support reconsideration of the current CO2 levels (<7.5%) that pose a risk to exposed individuals (<7.5%) as determined by governmental agencies to ≤9%.
Prenatal exposure to a low dose of BPS causes sex-dependent alterations to vascular endothelial function in adult offspring
Authors: Connors Liam T. , Zhu Hai-Lei , Gill Manvir , Walsh Emma , Singh Radha D. , Easson Sarah , Ahmed Sofia B. , Habibi Hamid R. , Cole William C. , Thompson Jennifer A.
Published: October 2022

Background: Bisphenol S (BPS) is among the most commonly used substitutes for Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical used as a plasticizer in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Bisphenols interfere with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling, which modulates vascular function through stimulation of nitric oxide (NO) production via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). BPS can cross into the placenta and accumulates in the fetal compartment to a greater extent than BPA, potentially interfering with key developmental events. Little is known regarding the developmental impact of exposure to BPA substitutes, particularly with respect to the vasculature.

Objective: To determine if prenatal BPS exposure influences vascular health in adulthood.

Methods: At the time of mating, female C57BL/6 dams were administered BPS (250 nM) or vehicle control in the drinking water, and exposure continued during lactation. At 12-week of age, mesenteric arteries were excised from male and female offspring and assessed for responses to an endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine, ACh) and endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) vasodilator. Endothelium-dependent dilation was measured in the presence or absence of L-NAME, an eNOS inhibitor. To further explore the role of NO and ER signaling, wire myography was used to assess ACh responses in aortic rings after acute exposure to BPS in the presence or absence of L-NAME or an ER antagonist.

Results: Increased ACh dilation and increased sensitivity to Phe were observed in microvessels from BPS-exposed females, while no changes were observed in male offspring. Differences in ACh-induced dilation between control or BPS-exposed females were eliminated with L-NAME. Increased dilatory responses to ACh after acute BPS exposure were observed in aortic rings from female mice only, and differences were eliminated with inhibition of eNOS or inhibition of ER.

Conclusion: Prenatal BPS exposure leads to persistent changes in endothelium-dependent vascular function in a sex-specific manner that appears to be modulated by interaction of BPS with ER signaling.
Prediction of fresh and ripened cheese yield using detailed milk composition and udder health indicators from individual Brown Swiss cows
Authors: Mariani Elena , Malacarne Massimo , Cipolat-Gotet Claudio , Cecchinato Alessio , Bittante Giovanni , Summer Andrea
Published: October 2022

The composition of raw milk is of major importance for dairy products, especially fat, protein, and casein (CN) contents, which are used worldwide in breeding programs for dairy species because of their role in human nutrition and in determining cheese yield (%CY). The aim of the study was to develop formulas based on detailed milk composition to disentangle the role of each milk component on %CY traits. To this end, 1,271 individual milk samples (1.5 L/cow) from Brown Swiss cows were processed according to a laboratory model cheese-making procedure. Fresh %CY (%CYCURD), total solids and water retained in the fresh cheese (%CYSOLIDS and %CYWATER), and 60-days ripened cheese (%CYRIPENED) were the reference traits and were used as response variables. Training-testing linear regression modeling was performed: 80% of observations were randomly assigned to the training set, 20% to the validation set, and the procedure was repeated 10 times. Four groups of predictive equations were identified, in which different combinations of predictors were tested separately to predict %CY traits: (i) basic composition, i.e., fat, protein, and CN, tested individually and in combination; (ii) udder health indicators (UHI), i.e., fat + protein or CN + lactose and/or somatic cell score (SCS); (iii) detailed protein profile, i.e., fat + protein fractions [CN fractions, whey proteins, and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) compounds]; (iv) detailed protein profile + UHI, i.e., fat + protein fractions + NPN compounds and/or UHI. Aside from the positive effect of fat, protein, and total casein on %CY, our results allowed us to disentangle the role of each casein fraction and whey protein, confirming the central role of β-CN and κ-CN, but also showing α-lactalbumin (α-LA) to have a favorable effect, and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) a negative effect. Replacing protein or casein with individual milk protein and NPN fractions in the statistical models appreciably increased the validation accuracy of the equations. The cheese industry would benefit from an improvement, through genetic selection, of traits related to cheese yield and this study offers new insights into the quantification of the influence of milk components in composite selection indices with the aim of directly enhancing cheese production.
Effects of oral of administration of monoglycide laurate on virus load and inflammation in PEDV infected porcine
Authors: Liu Zheyan , Zhu Ling , Zhao Xiaonan , Liu Jian , Cheng Huangzuo , Zhang Lina , Tang Huaqiao , Sun Xiangang , Hu Youjun , Xu Zhiwen
Published: October 2022

To investigate the effect of monoglyceryl laurate (GML) against PEDV in vivo, the clinical signs, pathological changes, tissue viral load and cytokine levels of piglets were compared in different GML treatment groups and PEDV infected group. The diets of experimental groups were supplemented with different doses of GML (5g for A1, 10g for A2, 20g for A3) on day 1, 2, and 3 after PEDV challenge, and the virus challenge group (group C) and blank group (group B) were set as control. The results showed that compared with group C, groups As could reduce the mortality rate of piglets, among which the protection rates of groups A2 and A3 could reach 100%. The trend of weight loss of piglets was effectively slowed down and growth performance recovered in GML treated groups. GML reduced the pathological damage of intestinal tract and the viral load in intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes. The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in the blood of group As were inhibited by GML in a dose-dependent manner when compared with group C. Our study suggests that GML has potential anti-PEDV effects in vivo.
Salt Tolerance Indicators in ‘Tahiti’ Acid Lime Grafted on 13 Rootstocks
Authors: Martins Gabriel O. , Santos Stefane S. , Esteves Edclecio R. , de Melo Neto Raimundo R. , Gomes Filho Raimundo R. , de Melo Alberto S. , Fernandes Pedro D. , Gheyi Hans R. , Soares Filho Walter S. , Brito Marcos E. B.
Published: October 2022

The citrus yield is limited by soil and/or water salinity, but appropriate rootstocks can ensure the sustainability of the production system. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to evaluate the salt content in the soil and the production and physiological aspects of the ‘Tahiti’ acid lime combined with thirteen rootstocks, irrigated with saline water in the first two production years to identify indicators of salt tolerance. The rootstocks evaluated were: ‘Santa Cruz Rangpur’ lime, ‘Indio’, ‘Riverside’ and ‘San Diego’ citrandarins, ‘Sunki Tropical’ mandarin, and eight hybrids, obtained from the Citrus Breeding Program of Embrapa Cassava and Fruits. The waters used had three saline levels: 0.14, 2.40, and 4.80 dS m−1, in a randomized block adopting a split-plot design, with rootstocks in the plots and saline waters in the subplots, with four replicates. From August 2019 to February 2021, fruit harvests and agronomic traits were measured. At the end of each production year, the soil characteristics, leaf gas exchange, and chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis were performed. It was concluded that: (1) the effects of water salinity on citrus are of osmotic nature, reducing gas exchange, (2) the salinity did not significantly damage the photosynthetic apparatus until the second year of production, and (3) using more stable, salt-tolerant rootstocks makes it possible to cultivate ‘Tahiti’ acid lime under irrigation with waters of 2.4 dS m−1 electrical conductivity.
Processing Method of Gearbox with Non-Circular Gear Train and Its Application in Rice Potted Seedling Transplanting Mechanism
Authors: Xu Xin , Zhou Maile , Chen Xuegeng , Yang Jiajia
Published: October 2022

A non-circular gear train has the advantages of compact structure, easy to achieve dynamic balance, and is often used to drive an end-effector to achieve complex trajectory and attitude. The gearbox is the key component of non-circular gear train, which has complex structure, and requires high precision of each wheel shaft hole and its relative position. Conventional methods often use numerical control process tools to process the gearbox with non-circular gear train. The processing cost is too high, and there are some problems, such as shaft hole deflection and it can be difficult to ensure the phase position. This research has proposed a processing method of the gearbox with non-circular gear train and developed the corresponding combination tool. Taking the gearbox of a rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism as an example, a special cutting tool with five boring tools was designed which can process five holes at one clamping, and greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of gearbox processing. The processed gearbox and other parts were assembled into a rice potted seedling transplanting mechanism and assembled into a rice potted seedling transplanting process to conduct a seedling transplanting performance experiment. The results show that the processing of the gearbox with non-circular gear train satisfies the requirement of processing accuracy, and the transplanting mechanism can accurately complete seedling picking, transporting, planting, and other series of actions. The processing method is suitable for the large-scale manufacturing of transplanting mechanism. In this research, aiming at the double arm transplanting mechanism of high-speed rice potted seedling transplanting, the gearbox was analyzed, and a processing method of the gearbox was proposed.
Non-Destructive Estimation of Fruit Weight of Strawberry Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Basak Jayanta Kumar , Paudel Bhola , Kim Na Eun , Deb Nibas Chandra , Kaushalya Madhavi Bolappa Gamage , Kim Hyeon Tae
Published: October 2022

Timely monitoring of fruit weight is a paramount concern for the improvement of productivity and quality in strawberry cultivation. Therefore, the present study was conducted to introduce a simple non-destructive technique with machine learning models in measuring fruit weight of strawberries. Nine hundred samples from three strawberry cultivars, i.e., Seolhyang, Maehyang, and Santa (300 samples in each cultivar), in six different ripening stages were randomly collected for determining length, diameter, and weight of each fruit. Pixel numbers of each captured fruit’s image were calculated using image processing techniques. A simple linear-based regression (LR) and a nonlinear regression, i.e., support vector regression (SVR) models were developed by using pixel numbers as input parameter in modeling fruit weight. Findings of the study showed that the LR model performed slightly better than the SVR model in estimating fruit weight. The LR model could explain the relationship between the pixel numbers and fruit weight with a maximum of 96.3% and 89.6% in the training and the testing stages, respectively. This new method is promising non-destructive, time-saving, and cost-effective for regularly monitoring fruit weight. Hereafter, more strawberry samples from various cultivars might need to be examined for the improvement of model performance in estimating fruit weight.
Seed-Germination Ecology of Vicia villosa Roth, a Cover Crop in Orchards
Authors: Yang Cheng , Sun Ruihong , Lu Xingtao , Jin Tao , Peng Xuegang , Zhang Na , Wang Jinxin , Wang Hengzhi , Liu Weitang
Published: October 2022

Vicia villosa Roth is an annual cover crop that is widely grown in orchards in China. Information on seed ecology is valuable as it helps famers to plant cover crops and manage other weed species in agricultural practice; however, information on V. villosa seed-germination ecology is limited. Thus, this study investigated the seed germination and seedling emergence of V. villosa under various temperatures, photoperiods, levels of salt stress, pH, levels of osmotic stress, and burial depths. The results showed that the germination values of the V. villosa seeds were greater than 93% at the constant temperature range of 5–30 °C and fluctuating temperatures of 5/15 °C–20/30 °C; in particular, the germination of the seeds peaked 20 °C and 15/25 °C, with germination values of 95% and 94.5%, respectively. Light was not necessary for the V. villosa seeds’ germination. When the pH was in the range of 5–10, the germination values of the V. villosa seeds fluctuated between 85% and 94%, and obvious inhibition of germination was observed at pH = 4, with a germination value of 15%. The Vicia villosa seeds exhibited obvious salt tolerance, and the seed-germination value was still greater than 50% when the salt concentration reached 280 mM. The seeds were relatively sensitive to osmotic stress, and the germination value was lower than 50% when the osmotic potential was −0.5 MPa. In addition, the germination value of the seeds peaked when the seeds were 1–2 cm underneath the ground; in particular, the seeds still germinated and emerged when the seeds were buried in soli at a depth of 10 cm. These results confirmed that V. villosa, as a cover crop, has considerable potential to be planted and grown in orchards in China and, furthermore, that it may contribute to early weed management in fields, supporting the establishment of V. villosa populations.
Feline Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Review of the Classification and Histological Grading, with Comparison to Human and Canine
Authors: Dobromylskyj Melanie
Published: October 2022

Soft tissue sarcomas are one of the most commonly diagnosed tumours arising in the skin and subcutis of our domestic cats, and are malignant neoplasms with a range of histological presentations and potential biological behaviours. However, unlike their canine and human counterparts, there is no well-established histological grading system for pathologists to apply to these tumours, in order to provide a more accurate and refined prognosis. The situation is further complicated by the presence of feline injection site sarcomas as an entity, as well as confusion over terminology for this group of tumours and which histological types should be included. There is also an absence of large scale studies. This review looks at these tumours in domestic cats, their classification and histological grading, with comparisons to the human and canine grading system.
Role of the Melanocortin System in Gonadal Steroidogenesis of Zebrafish
Authors: Navarro Sandra , Crespo Diego , Schulz Rüdiger W. , Ge Wei , Rotllant Josep , Cerdá-Reverter José Miguel , Rocha Ana
Published: October 2022

In teleost, as in other vertebrates, stress affects reproduction. A key component of the stress response is the pituitary secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which binds to the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) in the adrenal glands and activates cortisol biosynthesis. In zebrafish, Mc2r was identified in male and female gonads, while ACTH has been shown to have a physiological role in modulating reproductive activity. In this study, the hypothesis that other melanocortins may also affect how the zebrafish gonadal function is explored, specifically steroid biosynthesis, given the presence of members of the melanocortin signaling system in zebrafish gonads. Using cell culture, expression analysis, and cellular localization of gene expression, our new observations demonstrated that melanocortin receptors, accessory proteins, antagonists, and agonists are expressed in both the ovary and testis of zebrafish (n = 4 each sex). Moreover, melanocortin peptides modulate both basal and gonadotropin-stimulated steroid release from zebrafish gonads (n = 15 for males and n = 50 for females). In situ hybridization in ovaries (n = 3) of zebrafish showed mc1r and mc4r in follicular cells and adjacent to cortical alveoli in the ooplasm of previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes. In zebrafish testes (n = 3), mc4r and mc1r were detected exclusively in germ cells, specifically in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Our results suggest that melanocortins are, directly or indirectly, involved in the endocrine control of vitellogenesis in females, through modulation of estradiol synthesis via autocrine or paracrine actions in zebrafish ovaries. Adult zebrafish testes were sensitive to low doses of ACTH, eliciting testosterone production, which indicates a potential role of this peptide as a paracrine regulator of testicular function.
Effect of Dimethylacetamide Concentration on Motility, Quality, Antioxidant Biomarkers, Anti-Freeze Gene Expression, and Fertilizing Ability of Frozen/Thawed Rooster Sperm
Authors: Mehaisen Gamal M. K. , Elomda Ahmed M. , Hamad Shaimaa K. , Ghaly Mona M. , Sun Yanyan , Li Yunlei , Zong Yunhe , Chen Jilan , Partyka Agnieszka , Nazmi Ali , Abbas Ahmed O. , Stino Farid K. R.
Published: October 2022

Sperm cryopreservation is of great importance for the poultry industry but still needs to be optimized. The high susceptibility of poultry sperm to cryodamage leads to low fertility rates after cryopreservation. Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of including a cryoprotectant, dimethylacetamide (DMA), in the chicken semen freezing extenders at a final concentration of 3%, 6%, or 9% on the post-thawed sperm motility, quality, antioxidant biomarkers, anti-freeze gene expression, and fertilizing ability. Results showed that the total motile sperm, progressivity, and viability were quadratically increased (p < 0.05) in the 6% DMA group. The antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation were negatively (p < 0.05) affected by the increase in DMA concentration. Furthermore, some anti-freeze-associated genes such as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and ras homolog family member A (RHOA) were linearly and quadratically down-regulated (p < 0.05) with the high concentration of DMA. Finally, the fertility and hatchability rates did not indicate statistical differences between DMA groups. It can be concluded that using the low concentration of 3–6% DMA in the freezing semen extender is preferable to obtain acceptable results in the post-thawed sperm quality and fertility.
Insights into the Vibrio Genus: A One Health Perspective from Host Adaptability and Antibiotic Resistance to In Silico Identification of Drug Targets
Authors: Marques Pedro Henrique , Prado Lígia Carolina da Silva , Felice Andrei Giacchetto , Rodrigues Thaís Cristina Vilela , Pereira Ulisses de Padua , Jaiswal Arun Kumar , Azevedo Vasco , Oliveira Carlo José Freire , Soares Siomar
Published: October 2022

The genus Vibrio comprises an important group of ubiquitous bacteria of marine systems with a high infectious capacity for humans and fish, which can lead to death or cause economic losses in aquaculture. However, little is known about the evolutionary process that led to the adaptation and colonization of humans and also about the consequences of the uncontrollable use of antibiotics in aquaculture. Here, comparative genomics analysis and functional gene annotation showed that the species more related to humans presented a significantly higher amount of proteins associated with colonization processes, such as transcriptional factors, signal transduction mechanisms, and iron uptake. In comparison, those aquaculture-associated species possess a much higher amount of resistance-associated genes, as with those of the tetracycline class. Finally, through subtractive genomics, we propose seven new drug targets such as: UMP Kinase, required to catalyze the phosphorylation of UMP into UDP, essential for the survival of bacteria of this genus; and, new natural molecules, which have demonstrated high affinity for the active sites of these targets. These data also suggest that the species most adaptable to fish and humans have a distinct natural evolution and probably undergo changes due to anthropogenic action in aquaculture or indiscriminate/irregular use of antibiotics.
Online Kanji Characters Based Writer Identification Using Sequential Forward Floating Selection and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Hasan Md. Al Mehedi , Shin Jungpil , Maniruzzaman Md.
Published: October 2022

Writer identification has become a hot research topic in the fields of pattern recognition, forensic document analysis, the criminal justice system, etc. The goal of this research is to propose an efficient approach for writer identification based on online handwritten Kanji characters. We collected 47,520 samples from 33 people who wrote 72 online handwritten-based Kanji characters 20 times. We extracted features from the handwriting data and proposed a support vector machine (SVM)-based classifier for writer identification. We also conducted experiments to see how the accuracy changes with feature selection and parameter tuning. Both text-dependent and text-independent writer identification were studied in this work. In the case of text-dependent writer identification, we obtained the accuracy of each Kanji character separately. We then studied the text-independent case by considering some of the top discriminative characters from the text-dependent case. Finally, another text-dependent experiment was performed by taking two, three, and four Kanji characters instead of using only one character. The experimental results illustrated that SVM provided the highest identification accuracy of 99.0% for the text-independent case and 99.6% for text-dependent writer identification. We hope that this study will be helpful for writer identification using online handwritten Kanji characters.
Directionally Solidified Cobalt-Doped MgO-MgAl2O4 Eutectic Composites for Selective Emitters
Authors: Merino Rosa I. , Oliete Patricia B. , Moshtaghioun Bibi Malmal , Sola Daniel , Peña José I.
Published: October 2022

Cobalt-doped MgO-MgAl2O4 eutectic composites were explored for their use as selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic devices. Eutectic ceramic rods with different cobalt content were directionally solidified by using the laser floating zone technique at two processing rates to obtain microstructures with different domain sizes. Thermal emission between 1000 °C and 1500 °C and optical properties (reflectance and transmittance) at room temperature were measured in the Co-doped composites and the effect on microstructure and cobalt content was investigated. Thermal emission consisted of an intense broad band at about 1.67 µm matching with the bandgap of the InGaAs cell. The emission was ascribed to the de-excitation from the 4T1(F) multiplet to the 4A2(F) ground state of the thermally excited Co ions located in the tetrahedral sites of the MgAl2O4 phase. The selectivity of the thermal emission showed a decrease with the cobalt content due to the enhancement of other electronic transitions, which leads to keeping the cobalt content in these composites at low levels (<0.15% at Co) for their use as selective emitters.
Proof of Concept of Reconfigurable Solvent Vapor Sensor Tag with Wireless Power Transfer for IoT Applications
Authors: Ayadi Houda , Machac Jan , Svanda Milan , Boulejfen Noureddine , Latrach Lassaad
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a concept of a reconfigurable chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor tag for detecting solvent vapors/gas in IoT applications was presented. The concept was based on the authors’ previously published rectangular loop structure equipped with a U-folded dipole loaded with a glide-symmetrical interdigital capacitor coated with a thin layer of tetrasulfonated copper phthalocyanine deposited as a sensing layer to improve the sensing capability in the presence of acetone vapor. In order to further maximize the sensitivity of the designed structure to the desired solvent, a circuit for a central frequency adjustment using a radio frequency varactor diode biased with a wireless power transfer (WPT) was designed. By varying the DC bias of the diode, a continuous tunable range of approximately 200 MHz was achieved. The proposed reconfigurable wireless sensor tag was manufactured and the frequency shift was verified by measurement. The proposed external frequency control can be applied to a wide class of electrical resonators.
Recent Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Wearable Sensors in Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Junaid Sahalu Balarabe , Imam Abdullahi Abubakar , Abdulkarim Muhammad , Surakat Yusuf Alhaji , Balogun Abdullateef Oluwagbemiga , Kumar Ganesh , Shuaibu Aliyu Nuhu , Garba Aliyu , Sahalu Yusra , Mohammed Abdullahi , Mohammed Tanko Yahaya , Abdulkadir Bashir Abubakar , Abba Abdallah Alkali , Iliyasu Kakumi Nana Aliyu , Hashim Ahmad Sobri
Published: October 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable sensors are gradually transforming healthcare service delivery from the traditional hospital-centred model to the personal-portable-device-centred model. Studies have revealed that this transformation can provide an intelligent framework with automated solutions for clinicians to assess patients’ general health. Often, electronic systems are used to record numerous clinical records from patients. Vital sign data, which are critical clinical records are important traditional bioindicators for assessing a patient’s general physical health status and the degree of derangement happening from the baseline of the patient. The vital signs include blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, and heart pulse rate. Knowing vital signs is the first critical step for any clinical evaluation, they also give clues to possible diseases and show progress towards illness recovery or deterioration. Techniques in machine learning (ML), a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), have recently demonstrated an ability to improve analytical procedures when applied to clinical records and provide better evidence supporting clinical decisions. This literature review focuses on how researchers are exploring several benefits of embracing AI techniques and wearable sensors in tasks related to modernizing and optimizing healthcare data analyses. Likewise, challenges concerning issues associated with the use of ML and sensors in healthcare data analyses are also discussed. This review consequently highlights open research gaps and opportunities found in the literature for future studies.
Target State Optimization: Drivability Improvement for Vehicles with Dual Clutch Transmissions
Authors: Schmiedt Marius , He Ping , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: October 2022

Vehicles with dual clutch transmissions (DCT) are well known for their comfortable drivability since gear shifts can be performed jerklessly. The ability of blending the torque during gear shifts from one clutch to the other, making the type of automated transmission a perfect alternative to torque converters, which also comes with a higher efficiency. Nevertheless, DCT also have some drawbacks. The actuation of two clutches requires an immense control effort, which is handled in the implementation of a wide range of software functions on the transmission control unit (TCU). These usually contain control parameters, which makes the behavior adaptable to different vehicle and engine platforms. The adaption of these parameters is called calibration, which is usually an iterative time-consuming process. The calibration of the embedded software solutions in control units is a widely known problem in the automotive industry. The calibration of any vehicle subsystem (e.g., engine, transmission, suspension, driver assistance systems for autonomous driving, etc.) requires costly test trips in different ambient conditions. To reduce the calibration effort and the accompanying use of professionals, several approaches to automize the calibration process are proposed. Due to the fact that a solution is desired which can optimize different calibration problems, a generic metaheuristic approach is aimed. Regardless, the scope of the current research is the optimization of the launch behavior for vehicles equipped with DCT since, particularly at low speeds, the transmission behavior must meet the intention of the driver (drivers tend to be more perceptive at low speeds). To clarify the characteristics of the launch, several test subject studies are performed. The influence factors, such as engine sound, maximal acceleration, acceleration build-up (mean jerk), and the reaction time, are taken into account. Their influence on the evaluation of launch with relation to the criteria of sportiness, comfort, and jerkiness, are examined based on the evaluation of the test subject studies. According to the results of the study, reference values for the optimization of the launch behavior are derived. The research contains a study of existing approaches for optimizing driving behavior with metaheuristics (e.g., genetic algorithms, reinforcement learning, etc.). Since the existing approaches have different drawbacks (in scope of the optimization problem) a new approach is proposed, which outperforms existing ones. The approach itself is a hybrid solution of reinforcement learning (RL) and supervised learning (SL) and is applied in a software in the loop environment, and in a test vehicle.
MEM and MEM4PP: New Tools Supporting the Parallel Generation of Critical Metrics in the Evaluation of Statistical Models
Authors: Homocianu Daniel , Tîrnăucă Cristina
Published: October 2022

This paper describes MEM and MEM4PP as new Stata tools and commands. They support the automatic reporting and selection of the best regression and classification models by adding supplemental performance metrics based on statistical post-estimation and custom computation. In particular, MEM provides helpful metrics, such as the maximum acceptable variance inflation factor (maxAcceptVIF) together with the maximum computed variance inflation factor (maxComputVIF) for ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, the maximum absolute value of the correlation coefficient in the predictors’ correlation matrix (maxAbsVPMCC), the area under the curve of receiving operator characteristics (AUC-ROC), p and chi-squared of the goodness-of-fit (GOF) test for logit and probit, and also the maximum probability thresholds (maxProbNlogPenultThrsh and maxProbNlogLastThrsh) from Zlotnik and Abraira risk-prediction nomograms (nomolog) for logistic regressions. This new tool also performs the automatic identification of the list of variables if run after most regression commands. After simple successive invocations of MEM (in a .do file acting as a batch file), the collectible results are produced in the console or exported to specially designated files (one .csv for all models in a batch). MEM4PP is MEM’s version for parallel processing. It starts from the same batch (the same .do file with its path provided as a parameter) and triggers different instances of Stata to parallelly generate the same results (one .csv for each model in a batch). The paper also includes some examples using real-world data from the World Values Survey (the evidence between 1981 and 2020, version number 1.6). They help us understand how MEM and MEM4PP support the testing of predictor independence, reverse causality checks, the best model selection starting from such metrics, and, ultimately, the replication of all these steps.
Eating More and Fighting Less: Social Foraging Is a Potential Advantage for Successful Expansion of Bird Source Populations
Authors: Li Xiang , Wang Xiaochen , Lu Jinyao , Li Li , Li Dongming , Xing Xiaoying , Lei Fumin
Published: October 2022

Animals can expand distributions in response to climatic and environmental changes, but the potential expansive ability of a source population is rarely evaluated using designed experiments. Group foraging can increase survival in new environments, but it also increases intraspecific competition. The trade-off between benefit and conflict needs to be determined. The expanding Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis was used as a model to test mechanisms promoting successful expansion. Social foraging and its advantages were evaluated using lab-designed feeding trials. Consuming novel foods was compared between bulbuls and a sympatric, nonexpansive relative species, the finchbill Spizixos semitorques, from native areas at both solitary and social levels. Bulbuls increased their eating times when transferred from solitary to group, whereas social context did not affect finchbills. Bulbuls were significantly more likely to eat with their companions than finchbills when in a group. Thus, exploring food resources in a bulbul source population was facilitated by social context, indicating that social foraging is an important means by which birds successfully expand and respond to environmental changes. This research increases understanding of successful expansion mechanisms and will consequently help predict invasive potentials of alien species.
Highly Sensitive Plasmonic Biosensors with Precise Phase Singularity Coupling on the Metastructures
Authors: Youssef Joelle , Zhu Shaodi , Crunteanu Aurelian , Orlianges Jean-Christophe , Ho Ho-Pui , Bachelot Renaud , Zeng Shuwen
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we demonstrated the ability of a plasmonic metasensor to detect ultra-low refractive index changes (in the order of ∆n = 10−10 RIU), using an innovative phase-change material, vanadium dioxide (VO2), as the sensing layer. Different from current cumbersome plasmonic biosensing setups based on optical-phase-singularity measurement, our phase signal detection is based on the direct measurement of the phase-related lateral position shift (Goos–Hänchen) at the sensing interface. The high sensitivity (1.393 × 108 μm/RIU for ∆n = 10−10 RIU), based on the Goos–Hänchen lateral shift of the reflected wave, becomes significant when the sensor is excited at resonance, due to the near-zero reflectivity dip, which corresponds to the absolute dark point (lower than 10−6). GH shifts in the order of 2.997 × 103 μm were obtained using the optimal metasurface configuration. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) curves (reflectivity, phase, GH) and electromagnetic simulations were derived using the MATLAB programming algorithm (by the transfer matrix method) and Comsol modeling (by finite element analysis), respectively. These results will provide a feasible way for the detection of cancer biomarkers.
The Dimensional Stability and Bonding Performance of Hybrid CLT Fabricated with Lumber and COSB
Authors: Liang Zhijun , Chen Guojun , Wang Yi , Wang Zhiqiang , Gong Meng
Published: October 2022

The differences of physical and mechanical properties of different laminations, such as softwood, hardwood or other structural composite lumber, in hybrid cross-laminated timber (HCLT), lead to their dimensional stability and bonding performance more complex than generic cross-laminated timber (CLT). In this paper, the spruce-pine-fir (SPF) dimension lumber and construction oriented strand board (COSB) were employed to fabricate HCLT. The effects of four configurations and three adhesives on the dimensional stability and bonding performance of CLT and HCLT were evaluated in term of the water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), block shear strength (BSS), wood failure percentage (WFP) and rate of delamination (RD). The results showed that with the increase of the COSB laminations, the WA of HCLT specimens decreased, and the values of TS, BBS and WFP increased. The configuration had a significant influence on the dimensional stability, BBS and WFP of the specimen. The adhesive had a significant influence on the dimensional stability and some bonding performances of the specimen. The phenol resorcinol formaldehyde (PRF) specimens had the lowest average RD value compared with the one-component polyurethane (PUR) and emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) specimens. Failures were prone to occur in the middle of the thickness of COSB lamination during block shear and delamination tests. The outcome of this paper could help the engineering application of HLCT.