bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring mindfulness interventions across cultures: a comparative meta-analysis of mindfulness interventions for athletes in Western and Eastern contexts
Authors: Du Senyao , Ning Ziheng
Published: October 2024

Objective

Applying mindfulness training across cultures can be challenging because its internal motivation depends on values, but there are differences between Western and Eastern contexts. This meta-analysis examines the comparative impacts of the Western Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach and the culturally-adapted Chinese Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment (MAIC) mindfulness training for athletes, to explore the importance of cultural adaptation in cross-cultural psychology to psychological skills training.

Methods

This meta-analysis was registered with Prospero (ID: CRD42023474474) and adhered to the PRISMA principles. The PICO search methodology was employed to identify pertinent Chinese and English literature across six databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP) from 2003 to 2023. The evidence originated from randomized controlled trials. Effect sizes were evaluated across three primary domains: athletic performance, mindfulness, and psychological flexibility, and heterogeneity and publication bias.

Results

Both MAC and MAIC demonstrated positive effects across all outcome categories in 18 studies. MAIC exhibited substantially larger effect sizes compared to MAC. In mindfulness (MAIC: g = 1.273, p < 0.001; MAC: g = 0.521, p = 0.001), sports performance (MAIC: g = 0.945, p = 0.015; MAC: g = 0.550, p < 0.001), MAC did not provide evidence of improved psychological flexibility (g = 0.076, p = 0.747), while MAIC demonstrated significant benefits (g = 0.964, p < 0.001).

Discussion

While MAIC is based on MAC, it yields more significant outcomes. This may be the “Insight” component introduced by MAIC, which skillfully integrates Eastern context. The MAIC strategy not only becomes more appropriate for local athletes but also indirectly enhances their mindfulness, athletic performance, and psychological flexibility, resulting from cultural adaptation. The new idea not only solves the culture shock caused by the direct application of Western MAC approach on Chinese athletes, but also provides a new solution to the problem that there is insufficient evidence to support the effect of the MAC approach on “psychological flexibility.” Investigating differential effects between MAC and MAIC contributes to understanding the significance of culturally adapting mindfulness training and transnational movement of practices. The findings will assist practitioners in selecting evidence-based protocols tailored to athlete needs and cultural contexts.

Systematic review registration

Prospero (ID: CRD42023474474).
Longitudinal trajectories of the overall and regional body composition between severe acute malnourished and well-nourished children of Rohingya refugee camps
Authors: Manir Mohammad Zahidul , Huq A. K. Obidul
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The present study aimed to observe how body composition differs between severe acute malnutrition (SAM) (treated with ready-to-use therapeutic food, RUTF) and well-nourished children.

Methods

A longitudinal investigation was conducted among well-nourished and SAM children of 6-59 months in Rohingya refugee camps. These two groups (350 children in each group) of children were observed over 12 weeks and individual data were collected during admission, follow-up visits, and at the time of discharge. Anthropometric information was collected following standard procedures. The thicknesses of the biceps, triceps, subscapular, and supra iliac skinfolds were measured using a Herpenden-type skinfold caliper. Separate linear mixed models were conducted to assess associations of the independent variables (i.e., group and time) with each of the dependent variables (i.e., biceps, triceps, subscapular, supra-iliac skinfold thickness (ST), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM)).

Results

Both in well-nourished and SAM children, the mean biceps, triceps, subscapular, and supra-iliac ST, FM, and FFM increased over the 12 weeks. The increase in biceps ST was significantly faster in the SAM children compared to the well-nourished children (difference in slope = 0.366 mm every four weeks; p < 0.001). The increment rate in triceps ST was also faster in the SAM children compared to the well-nourished children (difference in slope = 0.430 mm every four weeks; p < 0.001). Moreover, the pace of increase in subscapular (difference in slope = 0.027 mm every four weeks; p < 0.001), and supra-iliac (difference in slope = 0.211 mm every four weeks, p < 0.001) ST was also significantly higher in the SAM group. Similarly, the change in FM (difference in slope = 0.065 kg every four weeks, p < 0.001) and FFM (difference in slope = 0.152 kg every four weeks, p = 0.023) was also significantly faster in SAM children compared to the well-nourished children over the treatment period. Furthermore, the girls gained significantly higher triceps ST, subscapular ST, FM, and FFM compared to the boys.

Conclusion

The benefit of RUTF was evident from this longitudinal study in the recovery of FM and FFM contents among the SAM children of Rohingya refugee camps.
Predicting IDH and ATRX mutations in gliomas from radiomic features with machine learning: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chung Chor Yiu Chloe , Pigott Laura Elin
Published: October 2024

Objective

This systematic review aims to evaluate the quality and accuracy of ML algorithms in predicting ATRX and IDH mutation status in patients with glioma through the analysis of radiomic features extracted from medical imaging. The potential clinical impacts and areas for further improvement in non-invasive glioma diagnosis, classification and prognosis are also identified and discussed.

Methods

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic and Test Accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement. Databases including PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Medline, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to April 2024. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability concerns. Additionally, meta-regression identified covariates contributing to heterogeneity before a subgroup meta-analysis was conducted. Pooled sensitivities, specificities and area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated for the prediction of ATRX and IDH mutations.

Results

Eleven studies involving 1,685 patients with grade I–IV glioma were included. Primary contributors to heterogeneity included the MRI modalities utilised (conventional only vs. combined) and the types of ML models employed. The meta-analysis revealed pooled sensitivities of 0.682 for prediction of ATRX loss and 0.831 for IDH mutations, specificities of 0.874 and 0.828, and AUC values of 0.842 and 0.948, respectively. Interestingly, incorporating semantics and clinical data, including patient demographics, improved the diagnostic performance of ML models.

Conclusions

The high AUC in the prediction of both mutations demonstrates an overall robust diagnostic performance of ML, indicating the potential for accurate, non-invasive diagnosis and precise prognosis. Future research should focus on integrating diverse data types, including advanced imaging, semantics and clinical data while also aiming to standardise the collection and integration of multimodal data. This approach will enhance clinical applicability and consistency.
Unveiling game meat: an analysis of marketing mix and consumer preferences for a forest ecosystem product
Authors: Riedl Marcel , Němec Martin , Jarský Vilém , Zahradník Daniel
Published: October 2024

This study explores the dynamics of the game meat market, with a particular focus on venison and wild boar meat, to assess the impact of a nuanced marketing mix and strategy grounded in a comprehensive customer analysis. By conducting three pivotal research studies—namely, the Omnibus Survey (2022) and Consumer Market Analysis Polls (2021 and 2023)—and analysing their data, this research comprehensively analyses buyers’ preferences, motivations, and purchasing patterns. This paper is guided by three research questions aimed at examining the relationship between the game meat consumption and engagement in forest ecosystem services, including forest visitation, the sociodemographic characteristics of consumers and the criteria for market segmentation. The analysis focuses on identifying factors influencing the game meat consumption and examines how these factors may influence consumer behavior over time. It also explores the implications for the development of marketing strategies, based on Michael E. Porter’s approach, which is discussed in detail. Additionally, the research evaluates the role of game meat within the context of forest ecosystem services, its contribution to forest reforestation initiatives, and its relevance in the formulation of forest policy. This examination highlights the dual nature of game meat as both a market commodity and a critical element in ecosystem management and policy frameworks, seeking to harmonize the economic and ecological objectives.
Liver Transplantation for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Chemotherapy and Radioembolization: An Intention-To-Treat Study
Authors: Maspero Marianna , Sposito Carlo , Bongini Marco A. , Cascella Tommaso , Flores Maria , Maccauro Marco , Chiesa Carlo , Niger Monica , Pietrantonio Filippo , Leoncini Giuseppe , Bellia Valentina , Bhoori Sherrie , Mazzaferro Vincenzo
Published: October 2024

Liver transplantation (LT) is a potentially curative experimental treatment for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC). Pre-transplant downstaging may help defining tumor aggressiveness and drive patient selection. We report the preliminary results of LT for liver-limited unresectable iCC after sequential downstaging with systemic chemotherapy and radioembolization (SYS-TARE). In case of sustained disease stability after SYS-TARE, patients underwent surgical nodal sampling and, if negative, were listed for LT. In this study, 13 patients with unresectable iCC underwent downstaging with SYS-TARE. The median age was 70 years and 77% were female. All had single bulky lesions at diagnosis. After SYS-TARE, 9 (69%) dropped out: 3 due to progressive disease after TARE with no response to second-line, 4 due to extrahepatic disease development and 2 due to positive nodal disease at pre-listing abdominal exploration. The median OS after dropout was 11.5 months. Four (31%) were successfully listed and transplanted. At pathology, viable tumor ranged from 30% to less than 5%. All four patients are alive and disease-free at 73, 40, 12, and 8 months from LT. LT for unresectable iCC after downstaging with SYS-TARE appears to select suitable patients for LT, achieving optimal oncological outcomes in case of response to therapy and no lymphnodal spread.
Design and Testing of a Branched Air-Chamber Type Pneumatic Seed Metering Device for Rice
Authors: Zha Xiantao , Chen Lin , Chen Dongquan , He Yupeng , Yang Ranbing
Published: October 2024

To meet the diverse seeding requirements of super hybrid rice, common hybrid rice, and conventional rice—which vary from 1 to 3 seeds, 2 to 4 seeds, and 5 to 8 seeds per hole, respectively—this study developed a branched air-chamber type pneumatic seed metering device for rice. The device utilizes an air chamber control board to manage the branched air chamber casing, enabling precise adjustments to the seeding quantity. This study presents a theoretical analysis of the seed metering device’s operation and its critical components. Structural parameter optimization was conducted using Ansys-Fluent (2021 R1) software, followed by multi-objective optimization of operational parameters through bench testing. Simulation results indicated that optimal vacuum pressure in the seed metering disc pores reached a maximum of 857 Pa with a chamber depth of 22 mm, an angle of 100°, and a cavity depth of 25 mm, achieving a minimal coefficient of variation of 0.86%. Bench test results showed that for seeding targets of 1 to 3 rice seeds per hole, the optimal operational parameters were: two openings, a working vacuum of 1355 Pa, and a rotor speed of 32.78 r/min, resulting in a missed seeding rate of 4.70%, a qualification rate of 85.81%, and a re-seeding rate of 9.49%. For targets of 2 to 4 seeds per hole, the best parameters included three openings, a working vacuum of 1357 Pa, and a speed of 32.87 r/min, with a missed seeding rate of 4.60%, a qualification rate of 85.59%, and a re-seeding rate of 9.81%. For 5 to 8 seeds per hole, optimal parameters were six openings, a vacuum of 1339 Pa, and a rotor speed of 31.07 r/min, yielding a missed seeding rate of 4.09%, a qualification rate of 87.27%, and a re-seeding rate of 8.64%. These findings demonstrate that the branched air-chamber type pneumatic seed metering device effectively meets the varied direct seeding requirements of rice, enhancing the adaptability of pneumatic seed metering devices to different seeding quantities in rice and potentially informing the design of pneumatic seeders for other crops.
Digital Literacy and the Livelihood Resilience of Livestock Farmers: Empirical Evidence from the Old Revolutionary Base Areas in Northwest China
Authors: Ma Xuefeng , Cheng Liang , Li Yahui , Zhao Minjuan
Published: October 2024

Enhancing the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers in the old revolutionary base areas helps them to cope with the increasingly complex external risk shocks of recent years and promotes the sustainable development of regional agriculture. This study is based on survey data from 1047 livestock farmers in the Ningxia and Gansu provinces of the northwest old revolutionary base area. It incorporates the characteristics of livestock farmers and the elements of psychological capital into the sustainable livelihood analysis framework to construct a livelihood resilience index system. After measuring livelihood resilience, this paper uses a general linear regression model and a probit model to explore the impact and mechanism of digital literacy on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers. The results show the following: (1) digital literacy has a significant positive effect on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers, and the impact of different dimensions of digital literacy on different dimensions of livelihood resilience also varies. Additionally, this effect also shows the heterogeneity in different village clustering forms and different income groups. In areas inhabited by ethnic minorities and among moderate-income groups, the role of digital literacy on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers is more significant. (2) The improvement of digital literacy has a significant positive impact on livelihood resilience through three different pathways: the “differential mode of association”, learning channels, and types of income. (3) Digital literacy has led to the psychological aspects of rural hollowing-out problems among livestock farmers, which is particularly evident in families with only one type of caregiving burden (either only left-behind elderly people or only left-behind children). This problem is more evident. Therefore, this paper poses that the advancement of agricultural and rural economic development in China should not only focus on the cultivation of farmers’ digital literacy but also accelerate the construction of digital infrastructure to ensure the long-term effective mechanism of improving digital literacy. At the same time, in the process of promoting digital rural areas, attention should be paid to the psychological isolation issues that the network era brings to farmers.
Spatiotemporal Dynamic Relationship of Meteorological Factors and Sugar Content of Sugarcane by Vector Autoregression Model
Authors: Zheng Guojun , Long Shengfeng , Zhu Guanghu , Wang Qinlong , Luo Ting , Huang Hairong , Liu Lu , Fang Hui , Ma Pengcheng , Shen Yaoyang , Wang Zeping
Published: October 2024

Sugarcane is a globally significant economic crop, and sugar content is a key determinant of its financial and industrial value. This study utilized sugar content information from spring-planted and ratoon sugarcane in six research regions across Guangxi, China from 2008 to 2023 along with concurrent meteorological data. By conducting statistical tests, the critical meteorological factors influencing the sugar content of sugarcane (effective cumulative temperature and rainfall) were identified. These factors were then used as independent variables to construct a vector autoregression (VAR) model, which was employed to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic relationships between sugar content and meteorological variables across different planting periods. The empirical results demonstrated that the influence of effective cumulative temperature on sugar content across various regions and planting periods shifted from positive to negative in the short-term, eventually reverting to a positive effect after a period of alternating influences. The impact of rainfall mirrored effective cumulative temperature, though it was relatively less pronounced. The sugarcane in Nanning and Baise was less influenced by effective cumulative temperature and rainfall, with the short-term impact changing from positive to negative and diminishing over time. Our findings provide scientific insights for guiding the ecosystem management of sugarcane in China.
Organic Farming as a Driver of Environmental Benefits or the Other Way Around? Environmental Conditions vs. Organic Farming Development in the EU with Particular Focus on Poland
Authors: Malinowski Mariusz , Smutka Luboš , Sadowski Arkadiusz
Published: October 2024

Organic farming takes on particular importance in the context of implementing the sustainable development concept as it combines environmentally safe farming methods with (as a general assumption) producing pollution-free food. Hence, environmental conditions might play a role in determining the development pace of that type of farming. The key objective of this paper is therefore to identify the scope and direction of multidimensional relationships between the development level of organic farming and environmental conditions. This was performed with the canonical analysis. The research process included the structuring of the authors’ own synthetic metrics used in assessing the condition of the environment and the development level of organic farming. The study covered European Union countries and all 380 Polish districts (Poland is one of the very few Union members where organic farming development is currently inconsistent with the expected trends adopted under the Common Agricultural Policy). It follows from the analyses that when the variables relating to environmental conditions are known, they can explain only less than 10% of variance in the set of variables used in describing the development level of Polish organic farming. In turn, the analysis at Union level suggests that a positive—but not stronger than moderate—correlation exists between the two phenomena.
An Attention-Based Spatial-Spectral Joint Network for Maize Hyperspectral Images Disease Detection
Authors: Liu Jindai , Liu Fengshuang , Fu Jun
Published: October 2024

Maize is susceptible to pest disease, and the production of maize would suffer a significant decline without precise early detection. Hyperspectral imaging is well-suited for the precise detection of diseases due to its ability to capture the internal chemical characteristics of vegetation. However, the abundance of redundant information in hyperspectral data poses challenges in extracting significant features. To overcome the above problems, in this study we proposed an attention-based spatial-spectral joint network model for hyperspectral detection of pest-infected maize. The model contains 3D and 2D convolutional layers that extract features from both spatial and spectral domains to improve the identification capability of hyperspectral images. Moreover, the model is embedded with an attention mechanism that improves feature representation by focusing on important spatial and spectral-wise information and enhances the feature extraction ability of the model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model across different field scenarios, achieving overall accuracies (OAs) of 99.24% and 97.4% on close-up hyperspectral images and middle-shot hyperspectral images, respectively. Even under the condition of a lack of training data, the proposed model performs a superior performance relative to other models and achieves OAs of 98.29% and 92.18%. These results proved the validity of the proposed model, and it is accomplished efficiently for pest-infected maize detection. The proposed model is believed to have the potential to be applied to mobile devices such as field robots in order to monitor and detect infected maize automatically.
The Influence of Silage Additives Supplementation on Chemical Composition, Aerobic Stability, and In Vitro Digestibility in Silage Mixed with Pennisetum giganteum and Rice Straw
Authors: Ma Jian , Lin Lu , Lu Yuezhang , Weng Beiyu , Feng Yaochang , Du Chunmei , Wei Chen , Gao Rui , Gan Shangquan
Published: October 2024

The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the influence of lactic acid bacteria and cellulase supplementation on the chemical composition, fermentation parameters, aerobic stability, microbial count, and in vitro nutrients digestibility of silage prepared with Pennisetum giganteum and rice straw. This study consisted of four treatments: a control group with no additive supplementation (CON), a lactic acid bacteria supplementation group (LAB), a cellulase supplementation group (CEL), and a combined supplementation group (LAC). After ensiling for 60 d, the chemical composition, fermentation parameters, microbial count, and aerobic stability were determined. Additionally, ruminal fermentation characteristics were evaluated by an in vitro incubation technique. Compared with CON silage, the quality of LAB and CEL silages was enhanced to a certain degree. Combined supplementation with lactic acid bacteria and cellulase in mixed silage of Pennisetum giganteum and rice straw noticeably increased (p < 0.05) the dry matter, crude protein, and lactic acid contents, whereas it reduced (p < 0.05) the pH and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen as well as the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations. The lactic acid bacteria count in LAC silage was higher (p < 0.05) than that of CON silage, whereas an opposite trend of yeast, aerobic bacteria, and mold was observed between the two groups. The aerobic stability time, in vitro crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility in LAC silage were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with those in CON silage. Moreover, the in vitro ruminal ammonia nitrogen content was reduced (p < 0.05), and the microbial protein and propionic acid concentrations were increased (p < 0.05) in silage after combined inoculation with additives. Taken together, the quality of Pennisetum giganteum and rice straw mixed silage can be improved by inoculation with lactic acid bacteria and cellulase, and combined supplementation shows the greatest improvement in silage quality.
No-Tillage Treatment with Total Green Manure Mulching Reduces Soil Respiration by Regulating Soil Water Content Affecting Heterotrophic Respiration
Authors: Shang Yongpan , Yu Aizhong , Wang Yulong , Wang Pengfei , Lyu Hanqiang , Wang Feng , Yang Xuehui , Liu Yalong , Yin Bo , Zhang Dongling
Published: October 2024

Green manure is widely applied in agricultural production due to its beneficial soil modification and fertilization effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of green manure return methods on soil respiration (Rs) and its components remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of green manure return methods on Rs in maize fields by quantifying Rs levels. A field experiment was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the inland river oasis irrigation area of Gansu, with five treatment conditions: tillage with a full quantity of green manure incorporated into the soil (TG), no tillage with a full quantity of green manure mulched on the soil surface (NTG), tillage with roots incorporated into the soil and above-ground green manure removed (T), no tillage with above-ground manure removed (NT), and conventional tillage and leisure (CT). The results showed that, compared with CT, the NTG treatment increased the maize grain yield while reducing the soil heterotrophic respiration rate (Rh) by 8.5–9.8% and Rs by 6.7–8.7%, but did not significantly affect the soil autotrophic respiration rate (Ra), and decreased the carbon emission efficiency (CEE) by 20.8–25.6%. The increase in the soil water content (SWC) significantly reduced Rh during all growth periods, which was the primary factor in the reduction of Rs. Additionally, the net ecosystem productivity carbon sequestration (NEP-C) of the farmland ecosystem was positive under this system, indicating that the soil acts as a carbon “sink”. Therefore, a no-tillage treatment with a full quantity of green manure mulched on the soil surface can be used as a reasonable green manure return method to reduce carbon emissions from farmland in arid oasis irrigation regions.
Deciphering Nitrogen Stress Responses in Maize Rhizospheres: Comparative Transcriptomics of Monocropping and Intercropping Systems
Authors: Zhang Bing , Nasar Jamal , Dong Siqi , Feng Guozhong , Zhou Xue , Gao Qiang
Published: October 2024

A well-developed rhizospheric system is crucial for maize to adapt to environmental stresses, thereby enhancing yield and quality. However, nitrogen (N) stress significantly impedes rhizospheric development and growth in maize. The genetic responses of maize’s rhizosphere to N stress under monocropping systems with exogenous inorganic N fertilization and intercropping systems reliant on biological N fixation are not well understood, especially regarding common and specific response genes. Therefore, through transcriptomic analysis, this study systematically investigated the gene expression and molecular responses of maize’s rhizosphere under two N supply regimes to N stress. The results showed that N stress generated 196 common and 3350 specific differentially expressed genes across the two systems, with the intercropping system exhibiting a stronger specific response. KEGG analysis revealed that the common genes, though few, are involved in key pathways essential for crop growth. Maize monocropping specific differentially expressed genes (MM) were enriched in pathways related to membrane lipids, cell wall formation, and intracellular signaling, while maize/alfalfa intercropping specific differentially expressed genes (MA) were linked to stress resistance through the glutathione metabolic pathway. WGCNA analysis identified five co-expression modules (CM). MA significantly increased the transcription factor families and structural domains directly targeting rhizospheric growth and development genes, including AP2, GRAS, Cys2His2 Zinc Finger, and LBD in CM blue. Conversely, MM significantly increased the transcription factor families and NAC structural domain targeting the promoters of N transporter protein genes in CM pink. This study emphasizes the importance of both common and specific genes in maintaining maize growth under suboptimal N supply in monocropping and intercropping systems.
Effect of BTHWA Biostimulation on Lettuce Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Gas Exchange, and Thermography
Authors: Ahmad Nisar , Krzesinski Włodzimierz , Spychalski Maciej , Kukawka Rafal , Smiglak Marcin
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to examine lettuce using different concentrations of the biostimulator N-methyl-N-methoxyamide-7-carboxybenzo(1.2.3)thiadiazole (BTHWA), a new benzothiadiazole derivative. Different concentrations of BTHWA during watering and spraying were applied to lettuce. Chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, thermal images, and plant parameter data were used to study physiological process and the growth of lettuce. Chlorophyll fluorescence data showed a strong effect after the first BTHWA application to lettuce. After three applications, the plants were harvested and data were recorded. Similarly, in the second experiment, gas exchange and thermal images were recorded after the first treatment of BTHWA. Our findings showed improved chlorophyll efficiency after the first BTHWA application, and no adverse effects were recorded on the overall photochemistry at any concentration. Regarding growth parameters, spraying BTHWA reduced the fresh weight but decreased the damage index. A lower watering concentration (0.066 mg/L) applied three times did not cause any damage to plants and fresh weight, even after repeated applications. Infrared thermal images showed BTHWA application also significantly affected plant temperature. Gas exchange data revealed that sprayed plants exhibited higher transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rates when compared to watered and control plants. This study suggests that application of a low dose of BTHWA is safe to use in agriculture practices in lettuce without compromising its growth and yield.
The Impact of Flow Channel Structural Parameters on Both the Hydraulic Performance and Anticlogging Abilities of Variable Flow Emitters
Authors: Niu Peining , Mo Yan , Yao Baolin , Yang Zongze , Zhang Yanqun , Zhang Dequan
Published: October 2024

Variable flow emitters are used in subsurface drip irrigation to address challenges in soil moisture transport. This study investigates the impact of flow channel structural parameters on the hydraulic performance and anticlogging ability of emitters using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and experimental tests. The results show that the realizable k–ε turbulence model can be used to simulate the flow field inside the variable flow emitter flow channel. The nRMSE between the measured (qm) and simulated (q) values of the flow rate is 11.23%, and the relative error between the measured (xm) and simulated (x) values of the flow index is 4.66%, which gives a high simulation accuracy. A polar analysis shows that the tooth angle (A) has the smallest effect on the effluent flow rate at 0.1 MPa (q0.1), x, and particle passage rate (η) of the variable flow emitter. Flow channel depth (D), tooth spacing (B), and tooth height (E) have a different order of precedence in the influence of the three indices, which are D > B > E > A, B > E > D > A and E > B > D > A, respectively. The value of η is positively correlated with the mean flow velocity (v) and the mean turbulent kinetic energy (k) in the flow channel, and η tends to increase and then decrease with the increase of x. The retention time of the particles in the flow channel is closely related to the magnitude of v and k. Three multivariate lin ear regression equations (R2 = 0.883–0.995) were constructed for q0.1, x, and η versus the flow channel structural parameters. The optimal design combination of channel structure parameters for different scenarios was determined using the scipy.optimize.minimize function in Python 3.8.0. The research results provide a reference for the optimal design of variable flow emitters.
Effects of Rainfall Variability and Land Cover Type on Soil Organic Carbon Loss in a Hilly Red Soil Region of Southern China
Authors: Chang Mengqi , Xiao Shengsheng , Liao Yunhua , Huang Junjie , Li Haifeng
Published: October 2024

Rainfall intensity (RI) and land cover type are two important factors that affect soil erosion and thus the transfer and loss of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the in situ quantitative monitoring of SOC loss under natural rainfall and various land cover types restored on eroded lands has not been thoroughly examined. In order to further study the effects of rainfall changes and vegetation types on SOC loss in the red soil region of Southern China, the Jiangxi Eco-Science Park of Soil and Water Conservation in De’an County, Jiangxi Province, was taken as the research object. Considering natural rainfall and based on the long-term field in situ monitoring of rainfall and runoff and sediment data, we studied the effects of three land cover types (bare land, orchards, and grass cover) on surface runoff, sediment production, and SOC loss in relation to 1 hour of RI during natural rainfall in the red soil region of Southern China during rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021 (March to August). Compared with bare land plots, the orchard and grass cover plots had surface runoff reductions of 67% and 98%, respectively, and sediment reductions of 79% and 99% over the two rainy seasons, respectively. With an increasing RI over 1 hour, total SOC loss increased for each of the three land cover types. More SOC loss was associated with sediments, and the enrichment ratio of SOC in the sediments (ERoc) decreased significantly. The ERoc values decreased in the following order: bare land (1.23) > orchard (1.08) > grass cover (0.81). Bare land exhibited the highest proportion of SOC associated with sediment in the total SOC loss (Ps), at 68.69%, followed by the orchard plots, at 55.02%, and then the grass cover plots at 49.24%. With the transfer of land cover type from bare land to orchard and to grass cover (decreased soil loss intensity, SLI), more SOC was lost associated with runoff in the form of dissolved organic carbon (DOC); the values of ERoc and organic carbon loss intensity (CLI) also decreased significantly. These findings are crucial to improving our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of rainfall changes and land cover types on SOC loss during soil erosion.
N-Alkane Assimilation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Interactions with Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Libisch Balázs
Published: October 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with potential for degrading n-alkanes are frequently cultured from hydrocarbon-contaminated sites. The initial hydroxylation step of long-chain n-alkanes is mediated by the chromosomally encoded AlkB1 and AlkB2 alkane hydroxylases. The acquisition of an additional P. putida GPo1-like alkane hydroxylase gene cluster can extend the substrate range assimilated by P. aeruginosa to <C12 n-alkanes. Efficient niche colonization of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites is facilitated by avid iron-uptake systems, such as pyoverdine, and the production of several compounds with antimicrobial activities. A GPo1-like gene cluster can facilitate detoxification and solvent tolerance in P. aeruginosa. The overproduction of various multidrug efflux pumps, in particular, the MexAB-OprM system, can also contribute to solvent tolerance, which is often associated with reduced susceptibility or full resistance to certain clinically relevant antibiotics. These characteristics, together with the remarkable conservation of P. aeruginosa virulence determinants among human, animal, and environmental isolates, necessitate further studies from a One Health perspective into the acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms of environmental P. aeruginosa strains and possible ways for their dissemination into the human population.
Golden Tomato Juice Enhances Hepatic PPAR-α Expression, Mitigates Metabolic Dysfunctions and Influences Redox Balance in a High-Fat-Diet Rat Model
Authors: Di Majo Danila , Ricciardi Nicolò , Moncada Alessandra , Allegra Mario , Frinchi Monica , Di Liberto Valentina , Pitonzo Rosa , Rappa Francesca , Saiano Filippo , Vetrano Filippo , Miceli Alessandro , Giglia Giuseppe , Ferraro Giuseppe , Sardo Pierangelo , Gambino Giuditta
Published: October 2024

Golden tomato (GT), harvested at the veraison stage, has gained attention due to its rich content of bioactive compounds and potential health benefits. Previous studies have highlighted GT’s antioxidant properties and its positive effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition characterized by obesity, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress. This study investigates for the first time a derivative from GT, i.e., the juice (GTJ), which could be a potential candidate for development as a functional food. We first characterized GT juice, identifying 9-oxo-10(E),12(E)-octadecadienoic (9-oxo-10(E),12(E)-ODA) fatty acid, a known peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)–mass spectrometry. Then, using a high-fat-diet (HFD) rat model, we assessed the impact of daily GT juice supplementation in addressing MetS. We outlined that GTJ improved body weight and leptin-mediated food intake. Moreover, it ameliorated glucose tolerance, lipid profile, systemic redox homeostasis, hepatic oxidative stress, and steatosis in HFD rats. Furthermore, GT juice enhances the hepatic transcription of PPAR-α, thus putatively promoting fatty acid oxidation and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that GT juice mitigates lipidic accumulation and putatively halters oxidative species at the hepatic level through PPAR-α activation. Our study underscores the protective effects of GT juice against MetS, highlighting its future potential as a nutraceutical for improving dysmetabolism and associated alterations.
Functional Breads with Encapsulated Vitamin C and Fish Oil: Nutritional, Technological, and Sensory Attributes
Authors: Uriho Angelo , Chen Kaiwen , Zhou Fanlin , Ma Lingling , Chen Cheng , Zhang Shuning , Omedi Jacob Ojobi , Huang Weining , Li Ning , Liang Li
Published: October 2024

The fortification of bread is considered an effective approach for improving its nutritional properties. However, the incorporation of free bioactive components into bread formulations may affect the overall quality of breads in different ways, depending on the sensitivity of bioactive components to baking factors. In this study, the incorporation of encapsulated vitamin C (ascorbic acid and its salts) and fish oil in breads was investigated for their stability and effect on bread quality. The combination of fish oil emulsions increased the retention of encapsulated ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, or sodium ascorbate in breads compared to that of the free non-combined vitamin. At the same time, the combination of vitamin gels increased the retention of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and decreased the lipid oxidation in breads compared to the non-combined encapsulated forms. The highest retention values of ascorbic groups, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and DHA were about 70%, 88%, and 95% in breads after baking, respectively. There was the negative correlation between the ABTS radical scavenging capacity and peroxide value in breads. The specific volume of breads was improved by vitamin gels but reduced by fish oil emulsions. Their combination resisted individual impact on the specific volume of breads. The breads with combined ascorbic acid gels and fish oil emulsions showed similar textural properties to the control one. The functional bread with calcium ascorbate gel and fish oil emulsion had the highest moisture content of 45.87%. The inclusion of vitamin gels plus fish oil emulsion decreased free water but increased the bound water. Combining ascorbic acid gels with fish oil emulsions effectively reduced and masked the fishy flavor. The integration of encapsulation techniques and multi-nutrient fortification is proposed as an effective way to enhance the nutritional value and quality of functional bread through synergistic effects.
The Effect of the Root Bark of Lycium chinense (Lycii Radicis Cortex) on Experimental Periodontitis and Alveolar Bone Loss in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Yang Jinwon , Song Hyosun , Lee Jeongjun , Chung Hunsuk , Kwon Young-Sam , Jegal Kyung-Hwan , Kim Jae-Kwang , Ku Sae-Kwang
Published: October 2024

Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC), the dried root bark of Lycium chinese Mill., has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb in East Asia to treat fever and hyperhidrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LRC extract on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and associated alveolar bone loss in rats. Twenty-four hours after ligation placement, LRC was orally administered once daily for 10 days. Firstly, LRC administration inhibited anaerobic bacterial proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in gingival tissues. Additionally, LRC exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. LRC treatment also downregulated mRNA expression of these inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, LRC showed an antioxidant effect by decreasing the malondialdehyde level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in gingival tissues. Moreover, LRC effectively prevented the connective tissue degradation by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression and the loss of collagen-occupied areas in gingival tissues. LRC also decreased the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) ratio, as well as the number and occupied areas of osteoclasts on the alveolar bone surface, thereby inhibiting alveolar bone loss. In summary, these findings suggest that LRC is a promising medicinal herb for alleviating periodontitis and related alveolar bone loss through its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Inhibiting Ferroptosis Prevents the Progression of Steatotic Liver Disease in Obese Mice
Authors: Park Gi Cheol , Bang Soo-Young , Kim Ji Min , Shin Sung-Chan , Cheon Yong-il , Kim Kwang Min , Park Hanaro , Sung Eui-Suk , Lee Minhyung , Lee Jin-Choon , Lee Byung-Joo
Published: October 2024

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, has been implicated in the progression of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in obesity. This study investigated the role of ferroptosis in the development of hepatic steatosis and MASH in obese mice and assessed the therapeutic potential of ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor. C57BL/6J wild-type (n = 8) and ob/ob mice (n = 16) were maintained on a standard chow diet. Mice were divided into three groups that included C57BL/6 (n = 8), ob/ob (n = 8), and ob/ob + ferrostatin-1 (FER) (n = 8), with the latter group receiving an intraperitoneal injection of 5 μM/kg ferrostatin three times per week for eight weeks. Following treatment, serum and tissue samples were collected for analysis. Significant hepatic steatosis and increased lipogenesis markers were observed in ob/ob mice, which were restored to baseline levels in the ob/ob + FER group treated with ferrostatin-1. Elevated oxidative stress was indicated by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the ob/ob group, while glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity was significantly reduced. Ferrostatin-1 treatment decreases MDA levels and restores GPX4 activity. Additionally, ferrostatin mitigates iron overload and promotes macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, thereby reducing liver inflammation and fibrosis. Ferrostatin treatment reversed mitochondrial dysfunction in ob/ob mice. Our findings revealed that ferroptosis plays a significant role in the progression of obesity to hepatic steatosis and MASH. Inhibiting ferroptosis using ferrostatin-1 effectively improves liver histology, reduces oxidative stress, normalizes lipogenesis, and modulates macrophage polarization. This study highlights the potential of targeting ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy for obesity-related liver diseases, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.
Numerical Simulation of Organic Pollution Migration in the Heterogeneous Aquifer and the Application of Chemotactic Bacteria for Remediation: A Case Study of a Chemical Contamination Site in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Cao Shaohua , Zhao Hailong , Wang Xiaopu , Zhu Xin , Long Tao
Published: October 2024

Groundwater pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems and public safety. Traditional remediation methods have limitations, necessitating innovative approaches. This study integrates numerical modeling and bioremediation to address groundwater contamination in an industrial site. It explores the potential of chemotactic bacteria to enhance remediation efficiency. The research establishes groundwater pollutant transport models, analyzes flow fields, and assesses the distribution of various pollutants. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of chemotactic bacteria, particularly chemotactic bacteria that can rapidly adapt as the pollutant concentration decreases, the concentration of chemotactic bacteria in the low-permeability area has increased by 112%. This study provides insights into the practical application of bioremediation and the promising role of bacterial chemotaxis in treating contaminated groundwater.
Data-Driven Optimised XGBoost for Predicting the Performance of Axial Load Bearing Capacity of Fully Cementitious Grouted Rock Bolting Systems
Authors: Jodeiri Shokri Behshad , Mirzaghorbanali Ali , McDougall Kevin , Karunasena Warna , Nourizadeh Hadi , Entezam Shima , Hosseini Shahab , Aziz Naj
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the application of eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and hybrid metaheuristics optimisation techniques to predict the axial load bearing capacity of fully grouted rock bolting systems. For this purpose, a comprehensive dataset of 72 pull-out tests was built, considering various influential parameters such as three water-to-grout (W/G) ratios, five ranges of curing time (CT), three different grout admixtures with two different fly ash (FA) contents, and two different diameter confinements (DCs). Additionally, to find out the effect of the mechanical behaviour of grouts on the performance of fully grouted rock bolting systems, seventy-two uniaxial compression strength (UCS) samples were cast and tested simultaneously with pull-out samples. The UCS samples were prepared with the same details as the pull-out samples to avoid any inconsistency. The results highlight that peak load values generally increase with longer curing times, lower W/G, and higher UCS and DC values. The main novelty of this paper lies in its data-driven approach, using various XGBoost models. This method offers a time-, cost-, and labour-efficient alternative to traditional experimental methods for predicting rock bolt performance. For this purpose, after building the dataset and dividing it randomly into two training and testing datasets, five different XGBoost models were developed: a standalone XGBoost model and four hybrid models incorporating Harris hawk optimisation (HHO), the jellyfish search optimiser (JSO), the dragonfly algorithm (DA), and the firefly algorithm (FA). These models were subsequently evaluated for their ability to predict peak load values. The results demonstrate that all models effectively predicted peak load values, but the XGBoost-JSO hybrid model demonstrated superior performance, achieving the highest R-squared coefficients of 0.987 and 0.988 for the training and testing datasets, respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed that UCS values were the most influential parameter, while FA content had the least impact on the maximum peak load values of fully cementitious grouted rock bolts.