bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational Behavior in Green Supply Chain Integration: Nexus Between Information Technology Capability, Green Innovation, and Organizational Performance
Authors: Abbas Adnan , Luo Xiaoguang , Wattoo Muhammad Umair , Hu Rui
Published: March 2022

Stakeholder pressure and public awareness of environmental protection drive organizations to improve environmental practices in the supply chain (SC), such as green supply chain integration (GSCI) and green innovation (GI). The use of information technology (IT) is crucial to manufacturing organizations’ GSCI and performance. However, the research on the relationship between IT capabilities, GSCI, GI and organizational performance is still limited. Therefore, empirical research is needed on the cognitive thinking of employees using IT capabilities to improve GSCI and organizational performance. The data for this study comes from SC personnel in manufacturing organizations through a structured questionnaires and was analyzed by employing structural equation modeling. Based on the results, this paper concludes that organizational IT capabilities positively affect the GSCI and improve organizational performance (environmental and operational performance). Furthermore, the study discovered that GI increases organizational performance and acts as a positive mediator in the link between GSCI and performance. The findings contribute to existing GSCI and GI knowledge, which can provide a bird’s eye-view to develop an organization’s IT capabilities to achieve competitive performance goals.
Trajectories of Adaptive Behaviors During Childhood in Females and Males in the General Population
Authors: Nishimura Tomoko , Kato Takeo , Okumura Akemi , Harada Taeko , Iwabuchi Toshiki , Rahman Md. Shafiur , Hirota Tomoya , Takahashi Michio , Adachi Masaki , Kuwabara Hitoshi , Takagai Shu , Nomura Yoko , Takahashi Nagahide , Senju Atsushi , Tsuchiya Kenji J.
Published: March 2022

Little is known about the trajectory patterns and sex differences in adaptive behaviors in the general population. We examined the trajectory classes of adaptive behaviors using a representative sample and examined whether the class structure and trajectory patterns differed between females and males. We further explored sex differences in neurodevelopmental traits in each latent class. Participants (n = 994) were children in the Hamamatsu Birth Cohort for Mothers and Children (HBC Study)—a prospective birth cohort study. Adaptive behaviors in each domain of communication, daily living skills, and socialization were evaluated at five time points when participants were 2.7, 3.5, 4.5, 6, and 9 years old using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–Second Edition. Parallel process multigroup latent class growth analysis extracted sex-specific trajectory classes. Neurodevelopmental traits of children at age 9, autistic traits, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits, and cognitive ability were examined for females and males in each identified class. A 4-class model demonstrated the best fit. Moreover, a 4-class model that allowed for differences in class probabilities and means of growth parameters between females and males provided a better fit than a model assuming no sex differences. In the communication domain, females scored higher than their male counterparts in all four classes. In the daily living skills and socialization domains, the two higher adaptive classes (Class 1: females, 18.6%; males, 17.8%; Class 2: females, 48.8%; males, 49.8%) had similar trajectories for males and females, whereas in the two lower adaptive behavior classes (Class 3: females, 27.5%; males, 29.4%; Class 4: females, 5.1%; males, 3.0%), females had higher adaptive scores than their male counterparts. In Class 4, females were more likely to have autistic and ADHD traits exceeding the cutoffs, while males were more likely to have below-average IQ. Different trajectories in females and males suggest that adaptive skills may require adjustment based on the sex of the child, when standardizing scores, in order to achieve better early detection of skill impairment.
Exploring Extracurricular Clubs for Building Social Competence of Students With Autism
Authors: McDaniel Sara L. , Hall Laura J. , Kraemer Bonnie K.
Published: March 2022

Individuals with autism experience challenges in social communication that directly impacts in-school and post-school performance. A growing number of these students are taught in general education settings in public high schools, where creating opportunities for practice of social communication skills is frequently a challenge. This exploratory, mixed methods pilot investigation explores existing and potential opportunities for high school students with autism to practice 21st century skills, including communication, in extracurricular club environments. Findings indicate that extracurricular club settings are rich environments in which all participating students, including those with autism, have opportunities to practice critical 21st century skills in a context related to their interests.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of Occupational LowBack Pain Prevention Behaviors Questionnaire Among Clinical Nurses: A Validation Study
Authors: Zhang Chunqi , Yang Zhen , Zhang Huijun
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study aimed to translate and validate of the Chinese version of the Occupational Low Back Pain Prevention Behaviors Questionnaire among clinical nurses.

Methods

A total of 1,186 clinical nurses were recruited from three provinces in northeast China. The reliability of the translated questionnaire was measured by internal consistency, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability. The validity of the translated questionnaire was evaluated by content validity index, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

The Cronbach's α value of the questionnaire was 0.891, and the coefficient values for the six domains ranged between 0.804 and 0.917. The split-half reliability and test-retest reliability were 0.663 and 0.734, respectively. Furthermore, the content validity index of the questionnaire was 0.938. The 6-factor structure, supported by the eigenvalues, total variance explained, and scree plot accounted for 63.038% of the total variance. In the confirmatory factor analysis, as the results of model fitting, χ2/df = 3.753, RMSEA = 0.048, GFI = 0.929, AGFI = 0.913, TLI = 0.934, IFI = 0.943, CFI = 0.943, PGFI = 0.759, PNFI = 0.807.

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the Occupational Low Back Pain Prevention Behaviors Questionnaire had suitable reliability and validity among clinical nurses. Under the high prevalence of occupational low back pain, the questionnaire can provide a reference for developing educational intervention plans among clinical nurses.
The Secrets in our Teeth
Authors: James Hannah F. , Griffith Jacob I. , Long Kelsie , Cheung Christina , Willmes Malte
Published: March 2022

Your dentist can tell a lot about your health and daily habits just by looking at your teeth. But did you know that archaeological scientists have discovered that there is a lot more information hidden in teeth? We can study the chemical composition of teeth and can find out what types of food a person ate, and even where that food was growing. When we find teeth in archaeological sites, a method called isotope analysis can be used to reconstruct the movements and diets of people, even when no written records are available. In this article, we will discuss what our teeth are made of and how isotope analysis can be used to learn more about ancient people. We will then look at an archaeological site in France, where children discovered bones and teeth on the playground behind their kindergarten.
The Secret Superpower of Moths: Sound-Absorbing Stealth Camouflage
Authors: Holderied Marc W.
Published: March 2022

Today’s military aircraft typically use highly engineered “stealth” coatings that make them almost invisible to radar. Nature might seem an unlikely place to find such advanced technology, but one should never underestimate the ingenuity of evolution—moths developed their own form of stealth cloaking over 60 million years ago! That is before humans even walked the Earth! We discovered that the tiny scales on moth wings, which form fine dust when touched, provide stealth camouflage against the sonar used by their most dangerous foes—bats. By absorbing bats’ high-pitched calls, moths become nearly invisible to bats. Such stealth camouflage is a true superpower, as the coating on moth wings is light enough to allow flight, while still absorbing all the sounds bats make. The moths’ trick is that scales of various shapes work together to create a powerful super-absorber that is now inspiring humans to develop new sound-absorbing materials of our own.
Relationship Between Pre- and Post-exercise Body Mass Changes and Pre-exercise Urine Color in Female Athletes
Authors: Lopez Rebecca M. , Lund Dallin C. , Tritsch Amanda J. , Liebl Victoria
Published: March 2022

Although studies use body mass changes or urine color to measure hydration status, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pre-practice urine color and exercise body mass changes in female tackle football players. Twenty-six female American football players (Age: 29.9 ± 7.3 years; Height: 165.2 ± 2.6 cm; Weight: 83.8 ± 24.4 kg) volunteered. Fluid consumptions (FC) was measured during tackle football practices, while urine color (Ucol), and percent body mass loss (%BML) were taken before and after practices. Subjects were grouped by %BML: lost mass (LM), gained mass (GM), or no change (NC). A one-way ANOVA compared groups on Ucol and FC. There were differences across groups for pre-practice Ucol (P < 0.01) and FC (P < 0.01). GM had a higher pre-practice Ucol than LM (P < 0.01) and NC (P < 0.05) and consumed more fluid than LM (P < 0.01) and NC (P < 0.05). A stepwise linear regression examined the extent that Ucol and FC were related to %BML. When predicting BML, FC accounted for 45% of variance (P < 0.01). The addition of pre-practice Ucol increased predicted variance explained (R2 change= 2.5%, P = 0032). Subjects who gained mass during practice arrived with elevated urine color (Ucol 5 ± 2), while those who lost mass arrived with pale urine color (Ucol 3 ± 2). Findings indicate those who arrived with an elevated urine color attempted to improve hydration status by consuming more fluid and gaining body mass during exercise.
Bacterial Modulation of the Plant Ethylene Signaling Pathway Improves Tolerance to Salt Stress in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Fortt Jonathan , González Máximo , Morales Paloma , Araya Nelson , Remonsellez Francisco , Coba de la Peña Teodoro , Ostria-Gallardo Enrique , Stoll Alexandra
Published: March 2022

Salinity has extensive adverse effects on plant growth and the development of new agronomic strategies to improve crop salt tolerance is becoming necessary. Currently, the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to mitigate abiotic stress in crops is of increasing interest. The most analyzed mechanism is based on ACC deaminase activity, an enzyme that decreases the ethylene synthesis, an important phytohormone in plant stress response. We aimed to identify other PGPR mediated mechanisms involved in the regulation of salt stress in plant. We used three PGPR strains (ESL001, ESL007, SH31), of which only ESL007 demonstrated ACC deaminase activity, to evaluate their effect on lettuce plants under salt stress (100 mM NaCl). We measured growth and biochemical parameters (e.g., proline content, lipid peroxidation and ROS degradation), as well as expression levels of genes involved in ethylene signaling (CTR1, EBF1) and transcription factors induced by ethylene (ERF5, ERF13). All bacterial strains enhanced growth on salt-stressed lettuce plants and modulated the proline levels. Strains ESL007 and SH31 triggered a higher catalase and ascorbate-peroxidase activity, compared to non-stressed plants. Differential expression of ethylene-related genes in inoculated plants subjected to salinity was observed. We gained consistent evidence for the existence of alternative mechanisms to ethylene modulation, which probably rely on bacterial IAA production and other chemical signals. These mechanisms modify the expression of genes associated with ethylene signaling and regulation, complementarily to the ACC deaminase model to diminish abiotic stress responses.
Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in a Telecoupled World: Insights From Vanuatu
Authors: Nef Danny Philipp , Kotra Krishna Kumar , Stauffacher Michael , Six Johan , Kruetli Pius
Published: March 2022

Food insecurity is a pressing problem in many regions across the world. Drivers of food insecurity are becoming increasingly embedded in sociocultural and economic processes that transcendent multiple spatial and temporal scales. This is due to the increasingly globalized interconnections of places and people. Understanding this complexity is essential to devise locally relevant and effective adaptation strategies to tackle existing vulnerabilities causing food insecurity. This article analytically addresses the complexity in cross-scale dynamics by combining a case study from northern Vanuatu with a conceptual analysis of the broader socioeconomic dynamics within the telecoupling framework. Our aim is to identify drivers of vulnerability that span multiple temporal and spatial scales and contribute to food insecurity in a given location while exploring the relevance and applicability of the framework for the holistic assessment of vulnerability to food insecurity. The transdisciplinary approach used in this work involved local community members and local agriculture extension officers at all stages of the study process. For this, we used complementary research methods, such as workshops, participant observations, and in-depth interviews. The results showed that potential vulnerability to food insecurity in northern Vanuatu is likely to be related to individual choices aimed at maximizing income, enabled by economic development and driven by socio-cultural changes. These choices and their consequences are perceived in many cases to be responsible for lower subsistence food production and the overuse of natural food resources. However, economic changes in particular can also enable additional livelihoods that complement existing (subsistence-based) strategies, leading to a reduction in one-sided dependencies and thus to an overall increase in the resilience of local livelihoods. We find the telecoupling approach to be a useful tool to holistically capture a local vulnerability context. However, we also encountered challenges in describing telecouplings that operate over longer time scales.
An Observational Study Investigating Potential Risk Factors and Economic Impact for Bovine Ischaemic Teat Necrosis on Dairy Farms in Great Britain
Authors: Crosby-Durrani Hayley E. , Blowey Roger W. , Manning Al , Afonso João Sucena , Carter Stuart D. , Evans Nicholas J. , Angell Joseph W.
Published: March 2022

Bovine ischaemic teat necrosis (ITN) is an emerging disease of unknown aetiology that affects the teats of dairy cattle. It causes economic and animal welfare issues with many animals being culled. No effective treatments or epidemiological data to inform control strategies are currently available. The aim of this observational study was to investigate farmer-reported experiences and identify potential farm-level risk factors. In January 2018, a questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,855 Great Britain (GB) dairy farmers. A usable response rate of 12.3% was obtained. Fifty-one per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 44.4–57.8%] of farmers reported having experienced ITN on their farm between 1985 and 2018. Rising numbers of farms indicated that ITN is an emerging disease with 46.3% of farmers reporting the first case in the 3 years up to 2018. At the animal level, 47.3% (95% CI: 38.7–55.9%) of the cases occurred during the first lactation and 78.9% (95% CI: 75.2–82.6%) within the first 90 days in milk. Only 20.8% (95% CI: 15.9–26.4%) of the cases were reported to recover, whereas 22.8% (95% CI: 17.8–28.5%) of the cases required culling. The remaining cases experienced complications such as loss of a teat and/or mastitis. From these data, the cost of ITN, through production losses and expenditure, was estimated to be £1,121 per farm per year. The costs were estimated at £720, £860 and £2,133 for recovered, complicated and culled cases, respectively. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between the presence of ITN on farm and various risk factors. The presence of udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) (odds ratio 2.80; 95% CI: 1.54–5.07; p < 0.01) and chapped teats (odds ratio 6.07; 95% CI: 1.96–18.76; p < 0.01) in the milking herd was associated with the presence of ITN at the farm level. This is the first national questionnaire of ITN within GB and highlights the association of UCD and chapped teats with ITN at the farm level. While there are many limitations and potential bias around farmer questionnaires, these findings highlight several key areas for further disease investigation and possible intervention.
MAL Inhibits the Production of HIV-1 Particles by Sequestering Gag to Intracellular Endosomal Compartments
Authors: Miyakawa Kei , Nishi Mayuko , Jeremiah Sundararaj Stanleyraj , Morikawa Yuko , Ryo Akihide
Published: March 2022

The host innate immune response is the first line of defense against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The type I interferon (IFN) response is a robust anti-viral response that induces the transcription of several IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). However, the effects of ISGs, particularly on the HIV-1 Gag protein, remain largely unknown. Hence, we screened ISG-encoded proteins by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer to identify the crucial host effectors that suppressed Gag function. Consequently, we identified the transmembrane protein MAL as a Gag-interacting ISG product. In fact, ectopic expression of MAL substantially inhibited the production of HIV-1 particles, leading to the translocation, accumulation, and eventual lysosomal degradation of Gag in the host endosomal compartments. Owing to the conserved N-terminal region of MAL, which specifically interacts with HIV-1 Gag, this particular antiviral function of MAL targeting Gag is also conserved among orthologs of various animal species. Notably, the antiviral activity of MAL was partially antagonized by the viral accessory protein Nef, as it interfered with the interaction between MAL and Gag. Therefore, this study reveals a previously unidentified antiviral function of MAL and its viral counteraction. It also sheds new light on therapeutic strategies against HIV-1 infection based on the intrinsic antiviral immunity of host cells.
Fatigue Analysis of Spike Segment of Special Tractor Wheels in Terms of Design Improvement for Chernozem Soil
Authors: Abrahám Rudolf , Majdan Radoslav , Kollárová Katarína , Tkáč Zdenko , Hajdu Štefan , Kubík Ľubomír , Masarovičová Soňa
Published: March 2022

The driving wheels affect the tractive efficiency, fuel consumption, and soil compaction. This study presents the fatigue analysis of a spike segment that is the main part of an innovative driving wheels designed to improve tractor tractive performance. The design improvement was proposed for Chernozem soil allowing the full penetration of spikes. The spike segment was loaded by forces resulting from the maximum drawbar pull at 100% wheel slip and penetrometer resistance. A drawbar pull increase caused by the spike tires was also calculated. The experiments were performed using a subcompact tractor in the first gear on a grass field at soil moisture 18.8%. Gerber theory was used for the fatigue analysis performed using ANSYS software. The dependances of the safety factor on the horizontal rod diameter and the number of load cycles was constructed. The safety factor of 1.73 calculated for the spike segment made of steel S355 is suitable for the reduction of the actual horizontal rod diameter (12 mm). The fatigue analysis showed a safety factor of 1.28 at 100,000 load cycles in the case of a reduced diameter (10 mm). A diameter of 8 mm was also simulated, but the calculated safety factors do not allow it in terms of safe operation.
Effect of Organic and Conventional Cereal Production Methods on Fusarium Head Blight and Mycotoxin Contamination Levels
Authors: Bernhoft Aksel , Wang Juan , Leifert Carlo
Published: March 2022

Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals constitute major problems for animal and human health worldwide. A range of plant pathogenic Fusarium species that can infect cereal plants in the field are considered the most important source of mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin, in small-grain cereal crops in temperate climates. In this article, we (i) critically review the available knowledge on the impact of contrasting production systems (organic versus conventional) and specific agronomic parameters on the occurrence and concentrations of DON, ZEA, and T-2/HT-2 in small-grain cereals (wheat, oats, barley, and rye), and (ii) discuss Fusarium mycotoxin risks in the context of the need to develop more sustainable cereal production systems. Overall, the available evidence from studies of acceptable scientific quality suggests that the incidence and concentrations of Fusarium mycotoxin are lower in organic compared with conventional cereals. Specifically, 24 comparisons showed lower mycotoxin levels in organic production, 16 detected no significant difference, and only 2 showed higher levels in organic production. When the mean concentrations from all studies were compared, conventionally produced cereals had 62%, 110%, and 180% higher concentrations of DON, ZEA, and T-2/HT-2, respectively, than organic cereals. Overall, published studies on the effects of specific agronomic practices on mycotoxin levels suggest that diverse crop rotations and high soil organic matter content/biological activity are associated with a lower risk of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, whereas (i) high mineral nitrogen fertiliser inputs, (ii) some fungicides and herbicides, and (iii) minimum or no tillage may increase the risks of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination in cereals. The management of Fusarium head blight and mycotoxins, therefore, requires a preventative, integrated, holistic agronomic approach.
Development and Metabolic Characterization of Horse Gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam. (Verdc.)) Mutants for Powdery Mildew Resistance
Authors: Sudhagar Rajaprakasam , Priyanka Shanmugavel , Chockalingam Vanniarajan , Sendhilvel Vaithiyanathan , Souframanien Jegadeesan , Raja Kalimuthu , Kanagarajan Selvaraju
Published: March 2022

Horse gram is one of the lesser-known beans widely grown in India. One hundred and twenty-three homozygous horse gram mutants were screened for powdery mildew (PM) disease resistance using the grade 0 to 4. The mutants were grouped based on the disease level of 0 to 2 (resistant) and susceptible (3 to 4). The PM altered the chlorophyll fluorescence (a/b ratio), maturity duration, and yield attributing traits. The yield loss ranged from 4.55% to 72.66%. After affirming the resistance level, the resistant mutant (RM) with minimum yield loss (scale:0) and the susceptible mutant (SM) with maximum loss (scale:4) were used for metabolomic analysis through GC-MS. PM infection induced expression of 66 metabolites representing 32 functional classes. The number of unique classes in RM and SM was 13 and 11, respectively, while eight were common. A fold change in the common metabolites indicated an enhanced accumulation of amine, alcohol, and ester in RM. Along with pathogen-induced defensive metabolites, RM produced silane and fluorene, whose biological significance in disease resistance is unknown. Though SM expressed defence-related bio-molecules, it failed to yield better.
The Vase Life of the Leaves of Selected Perennial Species after the Application of Growth Regulators
Authors: Janowska Beata , Nowińska Maria , Andrzejak Roman
Published: March 2022

The aim of the study was to assess the post-harvest life of the leaves of Hemerocallis × hybrida ‘Agata’, Limonium latifolium, and Heuchera hybrida ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ after the application of growth regulators from the group of gibberellins (GAs) and cytokinins (CKs), ionic liquids (2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylethylammonium gibberellinate [Chol][Gib] and acetylcholine gibberellinate [Gib][Ach]), as well as quaternary ammonium salts with the gibberellinate anion (1-ethyl quinine gibberellinate [Q-C2][Gib]) and 1-dodecyl acetylcholine gibberellinate [Q-C12][Gib]). The leaves were conditioned for 4 h in aqueous solutions of benzyladenine (BA), meta-methoxytopolin (MemT) and its riboside (MemTR), gibberellic acid (GA3), [Q-C2][Gib], [Gib][Ach], [Chol][Gib], and [Q-C12][Gib] at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg·dm−3. Conditioning of Hemerocallis × hybrida ‘Agata’ with MemT and [Chol][Gib] at both concentrations, [Q-C2][Gib] (100 mg·dm−3) and [Gib][Ach] (50 mg·dm−3), extended the vase life of the leaves by 7–9 days. The application of [Gib][Ach] (50 and 100 mg·dm−3) and [Q-C12][Gib] (100 mg·dm−3) resulted in the longest vase life of the leaves of Limonium latifolium. Conditioning of the leaves of Heuchera hybrida ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ with BA, MemT, and MemTR (50 and 100 mg·dm−3) extended their vase life by 9.5–51.3 days. BA at a concentration of 100 mg·dm−3 was the most effective. MemT (50 mg·dm−3), MemTR (100 mg·dm−3), [Q-C2][Gib] (100 mg·dm−3), [Gib][Ach] (100 mg·dm−3), and [Chol][Gib] (50 mg·dm−3) inhibited the degradation of proteins in the leaves of Hemerocallis × hybrida ‘Agata’; [Chol][Gib] (50 and 100 mg·dm−3)—in the leaves of Limonium latifolium; all the conditioners except for BA—in the leaves of Heuchera hybrida ‘Chocolate Ruffles’. GA3, MemTR, [Gib][Ach], [Q-C12][Gib] at both concentrations, [Q-C2][Gib], and [Chol][Gib] (50 mg·dm−3) inhibited the degradation of chlorophyll in the leaves of Hemerocallis × hybrida ‘Agata’. All conditioners except for [Gib][Ach] and [Q-C12][Gib] inhibited chlorophyll degradation in the leaves of Limonium latifolium. All conditioners except for MemT and MemTR (50 mg·dm−3) inhibited chlorophyll degradation in the leaves of Heuchera hybrida ‘Chocolate Ruffles’. [Chol][Gib] (50 mg·dm−3) was the most effective.
Spatiotemporal Deep Learning Model for Prediction of Taif Rose Phenotyping
Authors: Abdelmigid Hala M. , Baz Mohammed , AlZain Mohammed A. , Al-Amri Jehad F. , Zaini Hatim Ghazi , Abualnaja Matokah , Morsi Maissa M. , Alhumaidi Afnan
Published: March 2022

Despite being an important economic component of Taif region and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as a whole, Taif rose experiences challenges because of uncontrolled conditions. In this study, we developed a phenotyping prediction model using deep learning (DL) that used simple and accurate methods to obtain and analyze data collected from ten rose farms. To maintain broad applicability and minimize computational complexity, our model utilizes a complementary learning approach in which both spatial and temporal instances of each dataset are processed simultaneously using three state-of-the-art deep neural networks: (1) convolutional neural network (CNN) to treat the image, (2) long short-term memory (LSTM) to treat the timeseries and (3) fully connected multilayer perceptions (MLPs)to obtain the phenotypes. As a result, this approach not only consolidates the knowledge gained from processing the same data from different perspectives, but it also leverages on the predictability of the model under incomplete or noisy datasets. An extensive evaluation of the validity of the proposed model has been conducted by comparing its outcomes with comprehensive phenotyping measurements taken from real farms. This evaluation demonstrates the ability of the proposed model to achieve zero mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean square percentage error (MSPE) within a small number of epochs and under different training to testing schemes.
Enhancing Irrigation Salinity Stress Tolerance and Increasing Yield in Tomato Using a Precision Engineered Protein Hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum-Derived Biostimulant
Authors: Ikuyinminu Elomofe , Goñi Oscar , O’Connell Shane
Published: March 2022

Most vegetable crops are salt sensitive, growing inadequately in salinised soils due to the accumulation of toxic ions from prolonged irrigation regimes. Plant biostimulants are a potential tool that can be used to counteract salinity stress and increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the proprietary protein hydrolysate and Ascophyllum nodosum-derived biostimulant PSI-475 to activate salinity stress tolerance responses in plants. After characterising PSI-475 composition, initial biostimulant activity screening was performed using Arabidopsis thaliana. PSI-475 stimulated primary root growth (+5.5–20.0%) and photosynthetic pigments content (18.8–63.0%) under unstressed and salinity stressed conditions. Subsequently, PSI-475 was assessed by foliar application on tomato plants (cv. Micro-Tom) that received a saline irrigation water program, which caused a significant decrease in fruit yield (−37.5%). Stressed plants treated with PSI-475 increased this parameter by 31.8% versus the stressed control. Experimental data suggest that PSI-475 can alleviate the negative effects of saline irrigation by improving osmotic adjustment and ion homeostasis markers. PSI-475 was also able to provide significant yield benefits in unstressed plants (+16.9%) that were associated with improved leaf biochemical markers. The data presented support the use of this precision biostimulant to target the negative effects of salinity stress from irrigation.
Genotype by Environment Interaction and Selection Response for Milk Yield Traits and Conformation in a Local Cattle Breed Using a Reaction Norm Approach
Authors: Sartori Cristina , Tiezzi Francesco , Guzzo Nadia , Mancin Enrico , Tuliozi Beniamino , Mantovani Roberto
Published: March 2022

Local breeds are often reared in various environmental conditions (EC), suggesting that genotype by environment interaction (GxE) could influence genetic progress. This study aimed at investigating GxE and response to selection (R) in Rendena cattle under diverse EC. Traits included milk, fat, and protein yields, fat and protein percentage, and somatic cell score, three-factor scores and 24 linear type traits. The traits belonged to 11,085 cows (615 sires). Variance components were estimated in a two-step reaction norm model (RNM). A single trait animal model was run to obtain the solutions of herd-EC effect, then included in a random regression sire model. A multivariate response to selection (R) in different EC was computed for traits under selection including beef traits from a performance test. GxE accounted on average for 10% of phenotypic variance, and an average rank correlation of over 0.97 was found between bull estimated breeding values (EBVs) by either including or not including GxE, with changing top ranks. For various traits, significantly greater genetic components and R were observed in plain farms, loose housing rearing system, feeding total mixed ration, and without summer pasture. Conversely, for beef traits, a greater R was found for mountain farms, loose housing, hay-based feeding and summer pasture.
A Review: Antimicrobial Therapy for Human Pythiosis
Authors: Medhasi Sadeep , Chindamporn Ariya , Worasilchai Navaporn
Published: March 2022

Human pythiosis is associated with poor prognosis with significant mortality caused by Pythium insidiosum. Antimicrobials’ in vitro and in vivo results against P. insidiosum are inconsistent. Although antimicrobials are clinically useful, they are not likely to achieve therapeutic success alone without surgery and immunotherapy. New therapeutic options are therefore needed. This non-exhaustive review discusses the rationale antimicrobial therapy, minimum inhibitory concentrations, and efficacy of antibacterial and antifungal agents against P. insidiosum. This review further provides insight into the immunomodulating effects of antimicrobials that can enhance the immune response to infections. Current data support using antimicrobial combination therapy for the pharmacotherapeutic management of human pythiosis. Also, the success or failure of antimicrobial treatment in human pythiosis might depend on the immunomodulatory effects of drugs. The repurposing of existing drugs is a safe strategy for anti-P. insidiosum drug discovery. To improve patient outcomes in pythiosis, we suggest further research and a deeper understanding of P. insidiosum virulence factors, host immune response, and host immune system modification by antimicrobials.
Low-Molecular-Weight Synthetic Antioxidants: Classification, Pharmacological Profile, Effectiveness and Trends
Authors: Stoia Mihaela , Oancea Simona
Published: March 2022

Mounting research has been performed and published on natural antioxidants, more so than on synthetic ones, as key molecules that control oxidative damage and its pathway to disease. Since the discovery of vitamins, various fully synthetic or natural-identical compounds have been developed as stable small molecules translated into constantly active and completely controlled products which are widely exploited in the food and pharmaceutical industries. There is currently a debate within the literature about their mechanism of action, bioavailability, safety and real benefit for human health. Using a semiquantitative method and eligible criteria of selection, this review aimed to provide a very useful classification of antioxidants and a comprehensive cross-disciplinary description of 32 approved synthetic/natural-identical antioxidants, in terms of regulatory, antioxidant mechanism of action, safety issues, pharmacological properties, effectiveness in human health, timeline and future trends. Enriched interpretation of the data was obtained from summary bibliometrics, useful to portray the “good antioxidant” within the period 1966–2021 and, hopefully, to encourage further research.
Oxidative Stress in Obesity
Authors: Martínez-Martínez Ernesto , Cachofeiro Victoria
Published: March 2022

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk [...]
Reconstructing the 26 June 1917 Samoa Tsunami Disaster
Authors: Sischka Laura , Bosserelle Cyprien , Williams Shaun , Ting Josephina Chan , Paulik Ryan , Whitworth Malcolm , Talia Lameko , Viskovic Paul
Published: March 2022

The 1917 Samoa tsunamigenic earthquake is the largest historical event to impact this region. Over a century later, little is known about the tsunami magnitude and its implications for modern society. This study reconstructs the 1917 tsunami to understand its hazard characteristics in the Samoan region and assesses the risk implications of tsunamis sourced from different locations along the subduction zone bend of the Northern Tonga Trench (NTT). We model the event from its origin to produce outputs of tsunami inundation extent and depth at spatially flexible grid resolution, which are validated using available runup observations and Apia harbour tide gauge records. We then combine the inundation model with digital distributions of buildings to produce exposure metrics for evaluating the likely impacts on present-day coastal assets and populations if a similar tsunami were to occur. Results exhibit recorded and modelled wave arrival time discrepancies in Apia harbour of between 30–40 min, with runup underestimated in southeast Upolu Island compared with the rest of the country. These differences could reflect complexities in the tsunami source mechanism that are not represented in our modelling and require further investigation. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that if a characteristic 1917-type event were to occur again, approximately 71% of exposed people would reside in Savai’i. Overall, this study provides the first detailed inundation model of the 1917 tsunami that supports an appreciation of the regional risk to local tsunamis sourced at the subduction zone bend of the NTT in Samoa.
Response Surface Methodology as a Tool for Optimization of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment and Microwave-Convective Drying of Apple
Authors: Matys Aleksandra , Dadan Magdalena , Witrowa-Rajchert Dorota , Parniakov Oleksii , Wiktor Artur
Published: March 2022

The benefits of using hybrid drying are increasingly remarked. Microwave-convective drying (MW-CD) links the advantages of both microwave and convective drying methods and allows the negative phenomena that appear when the methods are used separately to diminish. Most importantly, reduced specific energy consumption and relatively short drying time are observed, which can be additionally decreased by the application of various preliminary treatments, e.g., pulsed electric field (PEF). Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of PEF pretreatment on the MW-CD of apples and its chosen physicochemical properties. This research was designed using response surface methodology (RSM). The first variable was microwave power (100, 200, and 300 W), and the second was specific energy input (1, 3.5, and 6 kJ/kg). Optimization responses were assumed: drying time to MR = 0.02, water activity, hygroscopicity after 72 h, rehydration ratio, relative dry matter content, total phenolic content, ability to scavenge ABTS•+ radical cations, and DPPH• radicals based on the EC50 values. The most optimal parameters were comprised of specific energy intake of 3.437 kJ/kg and microwave power of 300 W (desirability equalled 0.624), which provided the most minimized drying time and obtaining of apples with the most desired properties.
Modelling the Valvetrain of the Car Engine to Study the Effects of Valve Rotation
Authors: Jelenschi Liviu , Scutaru Maria Luminita , Marin Marin , Cofaru Corneliu
Published: March 2022

The valve performs an alternating translational motion along its axis of symmetry, which is accompanied by a rotation about its own axis, possibly due the valve body’s cylindrical geometry and due to the conjugate element, the guide, which is also a cylindrically shape body. By ensuring this rotational motion of the valve, a number of advantages are obtained, mainly related to the increase of the operating period of the valve and implicitly of the engine. Following the critical analysis of the current state of research on the valvetrain systems and the rotational motion of the valves, the advantages and the disadvantages of valve rotation during engine operation were established. To this end, it has been established that, in addition to the theoretical approach to the problem, it is necessary to create a virtual model of the valvetrain mechanism to do a thorough analysis of the problem. Based on the model, the influence of the camshaft speed, temperature and lubricating oil pressure were monitored by changing the coefficient of friction, the influence of the cam position relative to the tappet and the influence of the valve spring. In this paper, the authors want to determine the rotational motion characteristics of internal combustion engine valves and to suggest measures that can be taken to ensure valve rotation at all operating modes without the use of auxiliary devices for generating rotational motion.
Study on Filling Capacity of Optical Glass in a Novel Rapid Hot Embossing Process
Authors: Li Jianzhi , Gong Feng , Wang Xin , Yang Gao
Published: March 2022

This paper aims to present a novel rapid hot embossing approach and to study filling capacity of optical glass in the hot embossing process. Firstly, a novel rapid hot embossing device is developed, which consists of a rapid heating module and a precision loading module. Particularly, the rapid heating module allows a maximum temperature of 800 °C and a heating rate of 300 °C/min, with decent temperature control accuracy and uniform temperature distribution. In hot embossing process, by incompletely filling the microhole of silicon carbide mold, a microlens would be formed on the surface of glass disc, and the filling capacity of glass is quantified by the maximum height of the microlens. The tailor-made hot embossing device was exploited to conduct a series of experiments for evaluating effects of process parameters on the filling capacity of N-BK7 glass. Experimental results indicate that the filling capacity of glass could be enhanced by increasing the embossing force, the embossing temperature, the soaking time but decreasing the annealing rate. Furthermore, compared to soaking time and annealing rate, embossing force and embossing temperature have more significant influence on the filling capacity of N-BK7 glass. Therefore, the novel rapid hot embossing is a practical and promising technology for fabricating microstructures on glass materials with high softening points.
No-Tillage Improvement of Nitrogen Absorption and Utilization in a Chinese Mollisol Using 15N-Tracing Method
Authors: Huang Dandan , Chen Xuewen , Zhang Shixiu , Zhang Yan , Gao Yan , Zhang Yang , Liang Aizhen
Published: March 2022

To better understand the mechanism of nitrogen (N) distribution, absorption, utilization and loss in fertilizer under different tillage practices, a study was conducted to quantitatively explore the fate of fertilizer N in the soil–plant–atmosphere using the 15N labelling technique under the long-term conservation tillage experiment in Northeast China. The test crop used was corn. This study compared the residual amount of 15N fertilizer in soil, the content of 15N fertilizer N in particle organic nitrogen (PON), light fraction organic matter nitrogen (LFOMN) and heavy fraction organic matter N (HFOMN) under different tillage practices. In addition, N uptake, utilization and distribution by corn, the emission of N2O and the gas loss of fertilizer N, and the fertilizer N utilization rate were also taken into account. The results showed that no tillage (NT) had a significantly lower amount of residual 15N fertilizer than a moldboard plow (MP) (p < 0.05). In general, the content under NT at the 0–30 cm soil layer was 7.85% lower than that of MP. NT led to significantly greater PON and LFOMN of soil organic N compared to MP (p < 0.05). 15N from N uptake, fertilizer absorption and utilization under NT were significantly higher than that under MP (p < 0.05), the soil N absorbed by plants under NT or MP was greater than 70%. The distribution of 15N from N fertilizer in each corn part increases in this order: seed > leave > sheath > stem > bract > ear; about 57.91–64.92% of 15N is distributed in the grain. NT resulted in significantly lower average and cumulative N2O emissions than those from MP based on the static closed chamber approach (p < 0.05). The average and cumulative emissions of soil fertilizer 15N-N2O under MP were also significantly greater than that of NT. Among the N2O emissions, 15.3% and 22.98% came from fertilizer N under NT and MP, respectively. On average, 0.1–0.16% of fertilizer N was lost in the form of N2O. There was a significant difference in fertilizer utilization between NT and MP, and NT was 4.23% larger than MP (p < 0.05). These one year findings suggest that NT plays a positive role in improving the N absorption and utilization of fertilizer in a Chinese mollisol and long-term effects need to be further studied.
Role of Betaglycan in TGF-β Signaling and Wound Healing in Human Endometriotic Epithelial Cells and in Endometriosis
Authors: Mwaura Agnes N. , Riaz Muhammad A. , Maoga Jane B. , Mecha Ezekiel , Omwandho Charles O. A. , Scheiner-Bobis Georgios , Meinhold-Heerlein Ivo , Konrad Lutz
Published: March 2022

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrium most often in the pelvis. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily is also involved in the pathogenesis; however, betaglycan (BG, syn. TGF-β type III receptor) as an important co-receptor was not studied. We analyzed mainly BG ectodomain shedding because released soluble BG (sBG) often antagonizes TGF-β signaling. Furthermore, we studied the role of TGF-βs and BG in wound healing and evaluated the suitability of BG measurements in serum and endocervical mucus for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Evaluation of the BG shedding and signaling pathways involved as well as wound healing was performed with enzyme-linked immune assays (ELISAs), reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown, and scratch assays with human endometriotic epithelial cells. TGF-β1/2 stimulation resulted in a significant dose-dependent reduction in BG shedding in endometriotic cells, which was TGF-β/activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK-5)/mother against decapentaplegic homolog3 (SMAD3)- but not SMAD2-dependent. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) using the pan-MMP inhibitor GM6001 and tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP3) equally attenuated BG shedding, signifying the involvement of MMPs in shedding. Likewise, recombinant BG moderately reduced the secretion of TGF-β1/2 and wound healing of endometriotic cells. TGF-β1 significantly enhanced the secretion of MMP2 and MMP3 and moderately promoted wound healing. In order to evaluate the role of BG in endometriosis, serum (n = 238) and mucus samples (n = 182) were analyzed. Intriguingly, a significant reduction in the levels of sBG in endocervical mucus but not in the serum of endometriosis patients compared to controls was observed. Collectively, these observations support a novel role for BG in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
Pheromone Guidance of Polarity Site Movement in Yeast
Authors: Jacobs Katherine C. , Lew Daniel J.
Published: March 2022

Cells’ ability to track chemical gradients is integral to many biological phenomena, including fertilization, development, accessing nutrients, and combating infection. Mating of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides a tractable model to understand how cells interpret the spatial information in chemical gradients. Mating yeast of the two different mating types secrete distinct peptide pheromones, called a-factor and α-factor, to communicate with potential partners. Spatial gradients of pheromones are decoded to guide mobile polarity sites so that polarity sites in mating partners align towards each other, as a prerequisite for cell-cell fusion and zygote formation. In ascomycetes including S. cerevisiae, one pheromone is prenylated (a-factor) while the other is not (α-factor). The difference in physical properties between the pheromones, combined with associated differences in mechanisms of secretion and extracellular pheromone metabolism, suggested that the pheromones might differ in the spatial information that they convey to potential mating partners. However, as mating appears to be isogamous in this species, it is not clear why any such signaling difference would be advantageous. Here we report assays that directly track movement of the polarity site in each partner as a way to understand the spatial information conveyed by each pheromone. Our findings suggest that both pheromones convey very similar information. We speculate that the different pheromones were advantageous in ancestral species with asymmetric mating systems and may represent an evolutionary vestige in yeasts that mate isogamously.