bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Twins with Distributed Particle Simulation for Mine-to-Mill Material Tracking
Authors: Servin Martin , Vesterlund Folke , Wallin Erik
Published: May 2021

Systems for transport and processing of granular media are challenging to analyse, operate and optimise. In the mining and mineral processing industries, these systems are chains of processes with a complex interplay among the equipment, control and processed material. The material properties have natural variations that are usually only known at certain locations. Therefore, we explored a material-oriented approach to digital twins with a particle representation of the granular media. In digital form, the material is treated as pseudo-particles, each representing a large collection of real particles of various sizes, shapes and mineral properties. Movements and changes in the state of the material are determined by the combined data from control systems, sensors, vehicle telematics and simulation models at locations where no real sensors could see. The particle-based representation enables material tracking along the chain of processes. Each digital particle can act as a carrier of observational data generated by the equipment as it interacts with the real material. This make it possible to better learn the material properties from process observations and to predict the effect on downstream processes. We tested the technique on a mining simulator and demonstrated the analysis that can be performed using data from cross-system material tracking.
A Review on the Utilization of Lignin as a Fermentation Substrate to Produce Lignin-Modifying Enzymes and Other Value-Added Products
Authors: Iram Attia , Berenjian Aydin , Demirci Ali
Published: May 2021

The lignocellulosic biomass is comprised of three major components: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Among these three, cellulose and hemicellulose were already used for the generation of simple sugars and subsequent value-added products. However, lignin is the least applied material in this regard because of its complex and highly variable nature. Regardless, lignin is the most abundant material, and it can be used to produce value-added products such as lignin-modifying enzymes (LMEs), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), microbial lipids, vanillin, muconic acid, and many others. This review explores the potential of lignin as the microbial substrate to produce such products. A special focus was given to the different types of lignin and how each one can be used in different microbial and biochemical pathways to produce intermediate products, which can then be used as the value-added products or base to make other products. This review paper will summarize the effectiveness of lignin as a microbial substrate to produce value-added products through microbial fermentations. First, basic structures of lignin along with its types and chemistry are discussed. The subsequent sections highlight LMEs and how such enzymes can enhance the value of lignin by microbial degradation. A major focus was also given to the value-added products that can be produced from lignin.
The Potential of Sweetpotato as a Functional Food in Sub-Saharan Africa and Its Implications for Health: A Review
Authors: Amagloh Flora C. , Yada Benard , Tumuhimbise Gaston A. , Amagloh Francis K. , Kaaya Archileo N.
Published: May 2021

Increasing urbanization in developing countries has resulted in busier lifestyles, accompanied by consumption of fast foods. The consequence is an increased prevalence in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Food-based approaches would be cheaper and more sustainable in reducing these NCDs compared to drugs, which may have side effects. Studies have suggested that consuming functional foods could potentially lower NCD risks. Sweetpotato is regarded as a functional food because it contains bioactive compounds. Recently, sweetpotato has gained attention in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but research has focused on its use in alleviating micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A deficiency, particularly the orange-fleshed variety of sweetpotato. Some studies conducted in other parts of the world have investigated sweetpotato as a functional food. There is a need to characterize the sweetpotato varieties in SSA and determine how processing affects their bioactive components. This review highlights some of the studies conducted in various parts of the world on the functionality of sweetpotato, its bioactive compounds, and how these are influenced by processing. In addition, the potential health benefits imparted by sweetpotato are expounded. The knowledge gaps that remain in these studies are also addressed, focusing on how they can direct sweetpotato research in SSA.
Lupeol Accumulation Correlates with Auxin in the Epidermis of Castor
Authors: Li Donghai , Pan Cheng , Lu Jianjun , Zaman Wajid , Zhao Huayan , Zhang Jixing , Lü Shiyou
Published: May 2021

Lupeol, a natural lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene, possesses various pharmacological properties, and its production attracts attention. Significant quantities of lupeol are deposited on the castor aerial organ surface and are easily extractable as a predominant wax constituent. Thus, castor might be considered as a potential bioreactor for the production of lupeol. The lupeol biosynthesis pathway is well known, but how it is regulated remains largely unknown. Among large numbers of castor cultivars, we targeted one accession line (337) with high levels of lupeol on its stem surface and low levels thereof on its hypocotyl surface, implicating that lupeol synthesis is differentially regulated in the two organs. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we did comparative transcriptome analysis of the first internode of 337 stem and the upper hypocotyl. Our results show that large amounts of auxin-related genes are differentially expressed in both parts, implying some possible interactions between auxin and lupeol production. We also found that several auxin-responsive cis-elements are present in promoter regions of HMGR and LUS genes encoding two key enzymes involved in lupeol production. Furthermore, auxin treatments apparently induced the expression levels of RcHMGR and RcLUS. Furthermore, we observed that auxin treatment significantly increased lupeol contents, whereas inhibiting auxin transport led to an opposite phenotype. Our study reveals some relationships between hormone activity and lupeol synthesis and might provide a promising way for improving lupeol yields in castor.
Dynamic Navigated “Sandwich” Technique: A Novel Surgical Approach for Safe Osteotomies in the Rehabilitation of an Atrophic Posterior Mandible: A Case Report
Authors: Felice Pietro , Bonifazi Lorenzo , Karaban Maryia , Berti Cesare , Pellegrino Gerardo , Barausse Carlo
Published: May 2021

A 56-year-old female patient with vertical atrophy of the right posterior mandible was treated adopting an interpositional bone block approach using a cancellous heterologous bone block. Osteotomies of the patient’s mandible were performed with the help of dynamic computer-assisted surgery using virtual anatomical patient information obtained from a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The use of the dynamic computer-assisted surgery allowed authors to perform the horizontal osteotomy line as planned preoperatively on the CBCT virtual reconstruction, trying to minimize the risks of the inlay technique. No neurological complications were observed after surgery. The inlay technique could benefit from the aid of dynamic navigation technologies in posterior atrophic mandibles, increasing the reproducibility of the technique. A likely safer method for performing osteotomies with the “sandwich” technique in the posterior atrophic mandible is reported.
Active Individual Nanoresonators Optimized for Lasing and Spasing Operation
Authors: Szenes András , Vass Dávid , Bánhelyi Balázs , Csete Mária
Published: May 2021

Plasmonic nanoresonators consisting of a gold nanorod and a spherical silica core and gold shell, both coated with a gain layer, were optimized to maximize the stimulated emission in the near-field (NF-c-type) and the outcoupling into the far-field (FF-c-type) and to enter into the spasing operation region (NF-c*-type). It was shown that in the case of a moderate dye concentration, the nanorod has more advantages: smaller lasing threshold and larger slope efficiency and larger achieved intensities in the near-field in addition to FF-c-type systems’ smaller gain and outflow threshold, earlier dip-to-peak switching in the spectrum and slightly larger far-field outcoupling efficiency. However, the near-field (far-field) bandwidth is smaller for NF-c-type (FF-c-type) core–shell nanoresonators. In the case of a larger dye concentration (NF-c*-type), although the slope efficiency and near-field intensity remain larger for the nanorod, the core–shell nanoresonator is more advantageous, considering the smaller lasing, outflow, absorption and extinction cross-section thresholds and near-field bandwidth as well as the significantly larger internal and external quantum efficiencies. It was also shown that the strong-coupling of time-competing plasmonic modes accompanies the transition from lasing to spasing occurring, when the extinction cross-section crosses zero. As a result of the most efficient enhancement in the forward direction, the most uniform far-field distribution was achieved.
Do All Roads Lead to Rome? The Potential of Different Approaches to Diagnose Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infection in Cats
Authors: Raue Katharina , Raue Jonathan , Hauck Daniela , Söbbeler Franz , Morelli Simone , Traversa Donato , Schnyder Manuela , Volk Holger , Strube Christina
Published: May 2021

An infection with the cat lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, can be subclinical, but it can also cause severe respiratory clinical signs. Larvae excretion, antibody levels, clinical assessment findings of the respiratory system and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded and compared for six cats with experimental aelurostrongylosis. In five cats, patency started 33–47 days post infection (pi), but two cats excreted larvae only in long intervals and low numbers. Positive ELISA results were observed in four cats with patent aelurostrongylosis, starting between five days before and 85 days after onset of patency. One seropositive cat remained copromicroscopically negative. Mild respiratory signs were observed in all cats examined. A computed tomographic (CT) examination of the lungs displayed distinct alterations, even in absence of evident clinical signs or when larvae excretion was low or negative. The thoracic radiograph evaluation correlated with the CT results, but CT was more distinctive. After anthelmintic treatment in the 25th week post infection, pulmonary imaging findings improved back to normal within 6–24 weeks. This study shows that a multifaceted approach, including diagnostic imaging, can provide a clearer diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Furthermore, a CT examination provides an alternative to post mortem examination and worm counts in anthelmintic efficacy studies.
High Incidence of Congenital Syphilis after Implementation of the Brazilian Ministry of Health Ordinances Related to Maternal Diagnostics
Authors: Veras Ítala Santos , Feitosa Caroline Alves , de Souza Amâncio José , Campos Leila Carvalho , Barbosa Costa Galileu , Ferreira Viviane Matos
Published: May 2021

The increasing rates of maternal and congenital syphilis (CS) infections are public health concerns and need further investigation in order to provide better assistance in epidemiological surveillance and new strategies for the assistance and prevention of CS. In December 2011, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMH) implemented ordinance number 3.242, reinforced in 2012 by ordinance number 77, aiming to improve the quality of the syphilis diagnosis system using rapid tests. Here, we evaluate the incidence, lethality, and possible factors associated with CS in Salvador, Bahia, in the pre-resolution period (2007 to 2011) and post-resolution (2012 to 2016). An observational, ecological time-series study is conducted using secondary data collected from the National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Linear regression analysis to estimate increases or reductions in the mean incidence over time is also performed. A total of 5470 CS cases are analyzed. The incidence ranges from 2.1 cases per 1000 live births in 2007 to 17.1 cases per 1000 live births in 2019, showing a progressive increase in incidence over the years and reduction of lethality in the post-resolution period. The number of CS cases reported prior to the implementation of the ordinances (2007–2011) does not reveal a significant increase in the incidence. However, in the post-ordinances period (2012–2019), there is an average increase of the number of CS cases by three times over the years, with an average increase of 1.8 new cases annually. Our findings highlight the importance of diagnosis and support information in strategies for CS prevention. Furthermore, these data show a positive impact of resolutions on the diagnosis and evolution of the disease.
Microbial Contamination in Hospital Environment Has the Potential to Colonize Preterm Newborns’ Nasal Cavities
Authors: Cason Carolina , D’Accolti Maria , Campisciano Giuseppina , Soffritti Irene , Ponis Giuliano , Mazzacane Sante , Maggiore Adele , Risso Francesco Maria , Comar Manola , Caselli Elisabetta
Published: May 2021

Infants born before 28 weeks are at risk of contracting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which could be caused by pathogens residing on contaminated hospital surfaces. In this longitudinal study, we characterized by NGS the bacterial composition of nasal swabs of preterm newborns, at the time of birth and after admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), comparing it with that of the environmental wards at the time of delivery and during the hospitalization. We characterized the resistome on the samples too. The results showed that environmental microorganisms responsible for HAIs, in particular Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Escherichia-Shigella spp., and K. pneumoniae, were detected in higher percentages in the noses of the babies after 13 days of hospitalization, in terms of the number of colonized patients, microorganism amount, and relative abundance. The analysis of nasal bacteria resistome evidenced the absence of resistance genes at the time of birth, some of which appeared and increased after the admission in the NICU. These data suggest that hospital surface microbiota might be transported to respiratory mucosae or other profound tissues. Our study highlights the importance of a screening that allows characterizing the microbial profile of the environment to assess the risk of colonization of the newborn.
Design of a Free Space Optical Communication System for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command and Control Link
Authors: Zhang Yiqing , Wang Yuehui , Deng Yangyang , Du Axin , Liu Jianguo
Published: May 2021

An electromagnetic immune Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) system for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) command and control link is introduced in this paper. The system uses the scheme of omnidirectional receiving and ground scanning transmitting. It has a strong anti-turbulence ability by using a large area detector and short-focus lens. The design of omnidirectional communication improves the ability of anti-vibration and link establishment. Pure static reception has no momentum effect on the platform. The receiver is miniaturized under no use of a gimbal mirror system, beacon camera system, Four-Quadrant Photodetector (QPD) and multi-level lens system. The system can realize omnidirectional reception and the communication probability in 1 s is greater than 99.99%. This design strengthens the ability of the FSOC system, so it can be applied in the UAV command and control, the satellite submarine communication and other occasions where the size of the platform is restricted.
All-Metal Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber and Refractive Index Sensing Performance
Authors: Yu Jing , Lang Tingting , Chen Huateng
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber made of stainless steel. We found that the absorption rate of electromagnetic waves reached 99.95% at 1.563 THz. Later, we analyzed the effect of structural parameter changes on absorption. Finally, we explored the application of the absorber in refractive index sensing. We numerically demonstrated that when the refractive index (n) is changing from 1 to 1.05, our absorber can yield a sensitivity of 74.18 μm/refractive index unit (RIU), and the quality factor (Q-factor) of this sensor is 36.35. Compared with metal–dielectric–metal sandwiched structure, the absorber designed in this paper is made of stainless steel materials with no sandwiched structure, which greatly simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs.
Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism Responsible for Efficiently Inhibiting Metastasis of Human Non-Small Cell Lung and Colorectal Cancer Cells Targeting the Matrix Metalloproteinases by Selaginella repanda
Authors: Adnan Mohd , Siddiqui Arif Jamal , Hamadou Walid Sabri , Snoussi Mejdi , Badraoui Riadh , Ashraf Syed Amir , Jamal Arshad , Awadelkareem Amir Mahgoub , Sachidanandan Manojkumar , Hadi Sibte , Khan Mushtaq Ahmad , Patel Mitesh
Published: May 2021

Selaginella species are known to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic as well as anticancer effects. However, no study has examined the cytotoxic and anti-metastatic efficacy of Selaginella repanda (S. repanda) to date. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-metastatic properties of ethanol crude extract of S. repanda in human non-small-cell lung (A-549) and colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cells with possible mechanisms. Effect of S. repanda crude extract on the growth, adhesion, migration and invasion of the A-549 and HCT-116 were investigated. We demonstrated that S. repanda crude extract inhibited cell growth of metastatic cells in a dose and time dependent manner. Incubation of A-549 and HCT-116 cells with 100–500 µg/mL of S. repanda crude extract significantly inhibited cell adhesion to gelatin coated surface. In the migration and invasion assay, S. repanda crude extract also significantly inhibited cellular migration and invasion in both A-549 and HCT-116 cells. Moreover, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that the activity and mRNA level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) were inhibited. While the activity of tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1); an inhibitor of MMPs was stimulated by S. repanda crude extract in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, the present study not only indicated the inhibition of motility and invasion of malignant cells by S. repanda, but also revealed that such effects were likely associated with the decrease in MMP-2/-9 expression of both A-549 and HCT-116 cells. This further suggests that S. repanda could be used as a potential source of anti-metastasis agent in pharmaceutical development for cancer therapy.
‘Honeycrisp’ Bitter Pit Response to Rootstock and Region under Eastern New York Climatic Conditions
Authors: Donahue Daniel J. , Reig Córdoba Gemma , Elone Sarah E. , Wallis Anna E. , Basedow Michael R.
Published: May 2021

There are still unknown factors at play in the causation of bitter pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ as well as in other apple varieties. To investigate some of these factors, we conducted a survey of 34 ‘Honeycrisp’ orchard blocks distributed across two disparate production regions in eastern New York State, representing a variety of rootstocks, over three growing seasons. Weather, soil, horticultural traits, fruit quality traits, pick timing, leaf and peel minerals were evaluated for their impact on bitter pit (BP) incidence; factors were further evaluated for their interaction with region and rootstock. ‘Honeycrisp’ trees on B.9 rootstock were smaller but with comparable terminal shoot growth when compared to those on M.26 and M.9 rootstocks. B.9 fruits, which had similar fruit size to M.26 and M.9 and had good fruit quality at harvest and after storage, were much less likely to express bitter pit symptoms compared to M.9 and M.26 rootstocks. Not all traits evaluated individually correlated significatively with bitter pit incidence after a period in storage. Depending on rootstock and region, the correlation could be significant in one situation, with no correlation at all in another. In this study, peel Mg/Ca ratio and peel Ca correlated with BP for all three rootstocks, with the strongest correlations associated with the M.9 clones. These same traits correlated with BP for both regions. Pick timing had a significant influence on BP incidence following storage, with later picks offering better bitter pit storage performance. While excessively large fruits, those in the 48 and 56 count size categories, were found to be highly susceptible to BP regardless of rootstock, B.9 BP fruit susceptibility for smaller sizes was found to be size neutral. A PLSR prediction model for each rootstock and each region showed that different variables correlated to BP depending on the situation. Thus, the results could suggest that in addition to the variables considered in this study, there are other less studied factors that can influence the expression of BP symptoms. We strongly suggest that rootstock BP performance be considered a critical parameter when planning a commercial ‘Honeycrisp’ orchard and be evaluated in rootstock breeding and development programs prior to wide commercial release.
Modulation of Photorespiratory Enzymes by Oxidative and Photo-Oxidative Stress Induced by Menadione in Leaves of Pea (Pisum sativum)
Authors: Bapatla Ramesh B. , Saini Deepak , Aswani Vetcha , Rajsheel Pidakala , Sunil Bobba , Timm Stefan , Raghavendra Agepati S.
Published: May 2021

Photorespiration, an essential component of plant metabolism, is concerted across four subcellular compartments, namely, chloroplast, peroxisome, mitochondrion, and the cytoplasm. It is unclear how the pathway located in different subcellular compartments respond to stress occurring exclusively in one of those. We attempted to assess the inter-organelle interaction during the photorespiratory pathway. For that purpose, we induced oxidative stress by menadione (MD) in mitochondria and photo-oxidative stress (high light) in chloroplasts. Subsequently, we examined the changes in selected photorespiratory enzymes, known to be located in other subcellular compartments. The presence of MD upregulated the transcript and protein levels of five chosen photorespiratory enzymes in both normal and high light. Peroxisomal glycolate oxidase and catalase activities increased by 50% and 25%, respectively, while chloroplastic glycerate kinase and phosphoglycolate phosphatase increased by ~30%. The effect of MD was maximum in high light, indicating photo-oxidative stress was an influential factor to regulate photorespiration. Oxidative stress created in mitochondria caused a coordinative upregulation of photorespiration in other organelles. We provided evidence that reactive oxygen species are important signals for inter-organelle communication during photorespiration. Thus, MD can be a valuable tool to modulate the redox state in plant cells to study the metabolic consequences across membranes.
Unusual Stylar-End Breakdown and Sour Rot on Key Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) in Pre-Harvest Condition in Italy
Authors: Gusella Giorgio , Fiorenza Alberto , Aiello Dalia , Polizzi Giancarlo
Published: May 2021

Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is an emerging crop in Italy, especially in the Southern regions, where the environmental conditions are suitable for its cultivation. A field survey in Sicily in a commercial orchard of Key lime revealed the widespread presence of water-soaked spots and sunken/dry lesions at the stylar-end, mainly in pre-harvest condition. Water-soaked spots were attributed to Geotrichum citri-aurantii, an agent of sour rot on Citrus spp., whereas the sunken/dry lesion was attributed to the physiological disorder known as stylar-end breakdown. Sour rot and stylar-end breakdown are usually considered post-harvest diseases and rarely found in the field on fruit still attached to the tree. Although Geotrichum citri-aurantii is not responsible for the stylar-end breakdown, its association with this alteration reveals the importance of the environmental conditions and the agronomic practices in diseases/disorders development. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Geotrichum citri-aurantii on Key lime in Europe.
Nitrendipine-Treatment Increases Cork Spot Disorder Incidence in Pear ‘Akituki’ (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai.) by Altering Calcium Distribution Inside the Fruit
Authors: Cui Zhenhua , Wang Nannan , Li Dingli , Wang Ran , Ma Chunhui
Published: May 2021

‘Akituki’ (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai.) is a very popular and profitable pear cultivar in China. However, its high susceptibility to cork spot disorder has limited its expansion of cultivated area. The mechanisms of cork spot disorder have been discussed extensively, focusing on Ca2+ deficiency, yet no consensus has been made. In this study, we applied nitrendipine (NI) as a Ca2+ uptake inhibitor to explore the role of calcium in cork spot disorder occurrence. Results showed that NI treatment on the fruit remarkably increased the incidence of cork spot disorder; alteration of mineral contents happened at the early developmental stage of the fruit, especially on the outer flesh and the peel of the fruit; and this gap was filled gradually along with the expansion of the fruit. Significant differences in the expression levels of Ca2+ transport-related genes were found in the inner flesh, outer flesh and peel during the fruit growth period. The observation of free Ca2+ localization indicated the intracellular imbalance of Ca2+ in the NI-treated fruit. In conclusion, NI treatment reduced the calcium content in the fruit at an early developmental stage, altered the related expression of genes and influenced the cellular Ca2+ balance in the fruit, which prompted the occurrence of cork spot disorder. Measures for the prevention and control of cork spot disorder should be taken at the early stage of the fruit development in the field.
24-Epibrasinolide Modulates the Vase Life of Lisianthus Cut Flowers by Modulating ACC Oxidase Enzyme Activity and Physiological Responses
Authors: Darvish Mohammad , Shirzad Habib , Asghari Mohammadreza , Noruzi Parviz , Alirezalu Abolfazl , Pateiro Mirian , Takshe Aseel , Lorenzo José Manuel
Published: May 2021

Ethylene is the most important factor playing roles in senescence and deterioration of harvested crops including cut flowers. Brassinosteroids (BRs), as natural phytohormones, have been reported to differently modulate ethylene production and related senescence processes in different crops. This study was carried out to determine the effects of different levels of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on ACC oxidase enzyme activity, the final enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis pathway, vase life, and senescence rate in lisianthus cut flowers. Harvested flowers were treated with EBL (at 0, 3, 6, and 9 µmol/L) and kept at 25 °C for 15 days. The ACC oxidase activity, water absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) production and vase solution absorption rates, chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents, and the vase life of the flowers were evaluated during and at the end of storage. EBL at 3 µmol/L significantly (p ≤ 0.01) enhanced the flower vase life by decreasing the ACC oxidase activity, MDA production and senescence rates, and enhancing chlorophyll and anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, relative water content, and vase solution absorption rates. By increasing the concentration, EBL negatively affected the flower vase life and postharvest quality probably via enhancing the ACC oxidase enzyme activity and subsequent ethylene production. EBL at 6 and 9 µmol/L and in a concentration dependent manner, enhanced the ACC oxidase activity and MDA production rate and decreased chlorophyll and anthocyanin accumulation and water absorption rate. The results indicate that the effects of brassinosteroids on ethylene production and physiology of lisianthus cut flowers is highly dose dependent.
Breeding of Buckwheat for Usage of Sprout and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuro , Hara Takahiro , Katsu Kenjiro
Published: May 2021

Buckwheat is recognized as an important traditional crop and supports local economies in several regions around the world. Buckwheat is used, for example, as a cereal grain, noodle and bread. In addition, buckwheat is also used as a sprout or a young seedling. For these foods, sprouting is an important characteristic that affects food quality. For foods made from buckwheat flour, pre-harvest sprouting may decrease yield, which also leads to the deterioration of noodle quality. Breeding buckwheat that is resistant to pre-harvest sprouting is therefore required. Germination and subsequent growth are also important characteristics of the quality of sprouts. Although buckwheat sprouts are the focus because they contain many functional compounds, such as rutin, several problems have been noted, such as thin hypocotyls and husks remaining on sprouts. To date, several new varieties have been developed to resolve these quality issues. In this review, we summarize and introduce research on the breeding of buckwheat related to quality, sprouting and subsequent sprout growth.
The Color of Money: Threshold Effects in Quantum Economics
Authors: Orrell David
Published: May 2021

Many cognitive phenomena of the sort studied by behavioral psychologists show evidence of a threshold effect, where a certain minimum impulse is required in order to produce a change. An example is the phenomenon of preference reversal, where a change in context affects a decision, but only if the effect on perceived utility is sufficiently large. Similar threshold effects play a role in the endowment effect, where the change of context from owning to buying something induces a step change in its perceived value, or the ultimatum game, where people demand a certain minimum threshold amount before a deal can be accepted. The situation is similar to the photoelectric experiment in physics, where a minimum threshold of energy from a photon is required in order to dislodge an electron from an atom. In physics, this quantum of energy is written as the product of Planck’s constant and frequency. This paper uses the concept of entropic force to derive a similar expression for quantum economics. The theory is applied to a range of cognitive and economic phenomena exhibiting a threshold effect.
Mechanism of Deoxygenation and Cracking of Fatty Acids by Gas-Phase Cationic Complexes of Ni, Pd, and Pt
Authors: Parker Kevin , Pho Victoria , O’Hair Richard A. J. , Ryzhov Victor
Published: May 2021

Deoxygenation and subsequent cracking of fatty acids are key steps in production of biodiesel fuels from renewable plant sources. Despite the fact that multiple catalysts, including those containing group 10 metals (Ni, Pd, and Pt), are employed for these purposes, little is known about the mechanisms by which they operate. In this work, we utilized tandem mass spectrometry experiments (MSn) to show that multiple types of fatty acids (saturated, mono-, and poly-unsaturated) can be catalytically deoxygenated and converted to smaller hydrocarbons using the ternary metal complexes [(phen)M(O2CR)]+], where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and M = Ni, Pd, and Pt. The mechanistic description of deoxygenation/cracking processes builds on our recent works describing simple model systems for deoxygenation and cracking, where the latter comes from the ability of group 10 metal ions to undergo chain-walking with very low activation barriers. This article extends our previous work to a number of fatty acids commonly found in renewable plant sources. We found that in many unsaturated acids cracking can occur prior to deoxygenation and show that mechanisms involving group 10 metals differ from long-known charge-remote fragmentation reactions.
Benchmarking Audio Signal Representation Techniques for Classification with Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Sharan Roneel V. , Xiong Hao , Berkovsky Shlomo
Published: May 2021

Audio signal classification finds various applications in detecting and monitoring health conditions in healthcare. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have produced state-of-the-art results in image classification and are being increasingly used in other tasks, including signal classification. However, audio signal classification using CNN presents various challenges. In image classification tasks, raw images of equal dimensions can be used as a direct input to CNN. Raw time-domain signals, on the other hand, can be of varying dimensions. In addition, the temporal signal often has to be transformed to frequency-domain to reveal unique spectral characteristics, therefore requiring signal transformation. In this work, we overview and benchmark various audio signal representation techniques for classification using CNN, including approaches that deal with signals of different lengths and combine multiple representations to improve the classification accuracy. Hence, this work surfaces important empirical evidence that may guide future works deploying CNN for audio signal classification purposes.
THz-TDS Reflection Measurement of Coating Thicknesses at Non-Perpendicular Incidence: Experiment and Simulation
Authors: Burger Ruben , Frisch Julia , Hübner Matthias , Goldammer Matthias , Peters Ole , Rönneberg Enno , Wu Datong
Published: May 2021

Time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) in the terahertz (THz) frequency range is gaining in importance in nondestructive testing of dielectric materials. One application is the layer thickness measurement of a coating layer. To determine the thickness from the measurement data, the refractive index of the coating layer must be known in the surveyed frequency range. For perpendicular incidence of the radiation, methods exist to extract the refractive index from the measurement data themselves without prior knowledge. This paper extends these methods for non-perpendicular incidence, where the polarization of the radiation becomes important. Furthermore, modifications considering effects of surface roughness of the coating are introduced. The new methods are verified using measurement data of a sample of Inconel steel coated with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and with COMSOL simulations of the measurement setup. To validate the thickness measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the layer structure are used. The results show good agreement with an average error of 1% for the simulation data and under 4% for the experimental data compared to reference measurements.
Efficient Retrieval of Music Recordings Using Graph-Based Index Structures
Authors: Zalkow Frank , Brandner Julian , Müller Meinard
Published: May 2021

Flexible retrieval systems are required for conveniently browsing through large music collections. In a particular content-based music retrieval scenario, the user provides a query audio snippet, and the retrieval system returns music recordings from the collection that are similar to the query. In this scenario, a fast response from the system is essential for a positive user experience. For realizing low response times, one requires index structures that facilitate efficient search operations. One such index structure is the K-d tree, which has already been used in music retrieval systems. As an alternative, we propose to use a modern graph-based index, denoted as Hierarchical Navigable Small World (HNSW) graph. As our main contribution, we explore its potential in the context of a cross-version music retrieval application. In particular, we report on systematic experiments comparing graph- and tree-based index structures in terms of the retrieval quality, disk space requirements, and runtimes. Despite the fact that the HNSW index provides only an approximate solution to the nearest neighbor search problem, we demonstrate that it has almost no negative impact on the retrieval quality in our application. As our main result, we show that the HNSW-based retrieval is several orders of magnitude faster. Furthermore, the graph structure also works well with high-dimensional index items, unlike the tree-based structure. Given these merits, we highlight the practical relevance of the HNSW graph for music information retrieval (MIR) applications.
The Influence of Government Effectiveness and Corruption on the High Levels of Homicide in Latin America
Authors: Chainey Spencer P. , Croci Gonzalo , Rodriguez Forero Laura Juliana
Published: May 2021

Most research that has examined the international variation in homicide levels has focused on structural variables, with the suggestion that socio-economic development operates as a cure for violence. In Latin America, development has occurred, but high homicide levels remain, suggesting the involvement of other influencing factors. We posit that government effectiveness and corruption control may contribute to explaining the variation in homicide levels, and in particular in the Latin America region. Our results show that social and economic structural variables are useful but are not conclusive in explaining the variation in homicide levels and that the relationship between homicide, government effectiveness, and corruption control was significant and highly pronounced for countries in the Latin American region. The findings highlight the importance of supporting institutions in improving their effectiveness in Latin America so that reductions in homicide (and improvements in citizen security in general) can be achieved.
A Review on Comparative Remarks, Performance Evaluation and Improvement Strategies of Quadrotor Controllers
Authors: Roy Rupal , Islam Maidul , Sadman Nafiz , Mahmud M. A. Parvez , Gupta Kishor Datta , Ahsan Md Manjurul
Published: May 2021

The quadrotor is an ideal platform for testing control strategies because of its non-linearity and under-actuated configuration, allowing researchers to evaluate and verify control strategies. Several control strategies are used, including Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID), Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), Backstepping, Feedback Linearization Control (FLC), Sliding Mode Control (SMC), and Model Predictive Control (MPC), Neural Network, H-infinity, Fuzzy Logic, and Adaptive Control. However, due to several drawbacks, such as high computation, a large amount of training data, approximation error, and the existence of uncertainty, the commercialization of those control technologies in various industrial applications is currently limited. This paper conducts a thorough analysis of the current literature on the effects of multiple controllers on quadrotors, focusing on two separate approaches: (i) controller hybridization and (ii) controller development. Besides, the limitations of the previous works are discussed, challenges and opportunities to work in this field are assessed, and potential research directions are suggested.
Dissecting the Environmental Consequences of Bacillus thuringiensis Application for Natural Ecosystems
Authors: Belousova Maria E. , Malovichko Yury V. , Shikov Anton E. , Nizhnikov Anton A. , Antonets Kirill S.
Published: May 2021

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural pathogen of different invertebrates, primarily insects, is widely used as a biological control agent. While Bt-based preparations are claimed to be safe for non-target organisms due to the immense host specificity of the bacterium, the growing evidence witnesses the distant consequences of their application for natural communities. For instance, upon introduction to soil habitats, Bt strains can affect indigenous microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, and further establish complex relationships with local plants, ranging from a mostly beneficial demeanor, to pathogenesis-like plant colonization. By exerting a direct effect on target insects, Bt can indirectly affect other organisms in the food chain. Furthermore, they can also exert an off-target activity on various soil and terrestrial invertebrates, and the frequent acquisition of virulence factors unrelated to major insecticidal toxins can extend the Bt host range to vertebrates, including humans. Even in the absence of direct detrimental effects, the exposure to Bt treatment may affect non-target organisms by reducing prey base and its nutritional value, resulting in delayed alleviation of their viability. The immense phenotypic plasticity of Bt strains, coupled with the complexity of ecological relationships they can engage in, indicates that further assessment of future Bt-based pesticides’ safety should consider multiple levels of ecosystem organization and extend to a wide variety of their inhabitants.
On A. D. Sakharov’s Hypothesis of Cosmological Transitions with Changes in the Signature of the Metric
Authors: Shestakova Tatyana
Published: May 2021

The paper discusses possible consequences of A. D. Sakharov’s hypothesis of cosmological transitions with changes in the signature of the metric, based on the path integral approach. This hypothesis raises a number of mathematical and philosophical questions. Mathematical questions concern the definition of the path integral to include integration over spacetime regions with different signatures of the metric. One possible way to describe the changes in the signature is to admit time and space coordinates to be purely imaginary. It may look like a generalization of what we have in the case of pseudo-Riemannian manifolds with a non-trivial topology. The signature in these regions can be fixed by special gauge conditions on components of the metric tensor. The problem is what boundary conditions should be imposed on the boundaries of these regions and how they should be taken into account in the definition of the path integral. The philosophical question is what distinguishes the time coordinate among other coordinates but the sign of the corresponding principal value of the metric tensor. In particular, there is an attempt in speculating how the existence of the regions with different signature can affect the evolution of the Universe.
The Adjuvants Polyphosphazene (PCEP) and a Combination of Curdlan Plus Leptin Promote a Th17-Type Immune Response to an Intramuscular Vaccine in Mice
Authors: Chaffey Alyssa , Hamonic Glenn , Chand Dylan , Mutwiri George K. , Wilson Heather L.
Published: May 2021

Our aim was to determine whether polyphosphazene (PCEP), Curdlan (β-glucan, a dectin-1 agonist), and Leptin could act as adjuvants to promote a Th17-type adaptive immune response in mice. Mice were vaccinated via the intramuscular route then boosted three weeks later with Ovalbumin plus: PCEP, Leptin, Curdlan, PCEP+Curdlan, Curdlan+Leptin, or saline. Mice vaccinated with OVA+PCEP and OVA+Curdlan+Leptin showed significantly higher frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells secreting IL-17 relative to OVA-vaccinated mice. No formulation increased the frequency of CD4+ T cells secreting IL-4 or IFNγ. Since activation of innate immunity precedes the development of adaptive immunity, we wished to establish whether induction of Th17-type immunity could be predicted from in vitro experiments and/or from the local cytokine environment after immunization with adjuvants alone. Elevated IL-6 and TGFβ with reduced secretion of IL-12 is a cytokine milieu known to promote differentiation of Th17-type immunity. We injected the immunostimulants or saline buffer into murine thigh muscles and measured acute local cytokine production. PCEP induced significant production of IL-6 and reduced IL-12 production in muscle but it did not lead to elevated TGFβ production. Curdlan+Leptin injected into muscle induced significant production of TGFβ and IL-17 but not IL-6 or IL-12. We also stimulated splenocytes with media or PCEP, Leptin, Curdlan, PCEP+Curdlan, Curdlan+Leptin, PCEP+Leptin, and PCEP+Curdlan+Leptin and measured cytokine production. PCEP stimulation of splenocytes failed to induce significant production of IL-6, IL-12, TGFβ, or IL-17 and therefore ex vivo splenocyte stimulation failed to predict the increased frequency of Th17-type T cells in response to the vaccine. Curdlan-stimulated splenocytes produced Th1-type, inducing cytokine, IL-12. Curdlan+/-PCEP stimulated TGF-β production and Curdlan+Leptin+/- PCEP induced secretion of IL-17. We conclude that PCEP as well as Curdlan+Leptin are Th17-type vaccine adjuvants in mice but that cytokines produced in response to these adjuvants in muscle after injection or in ex vivo cultured splenocytes did not predict their role as a Th17-type adjuvant. Together, these data suggest that the cytokine environments induced by these immunostimulants did not predict induction of an antigen-specific Th17-type adaptive immune response. This is the first report of these adjuvants inducing a Th17-type adaptive immune response.
COVID-19 Vaccine: A Survey of Hesitancy in Patients with Celiac Disease
Authors: Costantino Andrea , Topa Matilde , Roncoroni Leda , Doneda Luisa , Lombardo Vincenza , Stocco Davide , Gramegna Andrea , Costantino Claudio , Vecchi Maurizio , Elli Luca
Published: May 2021

(1) Background: COVID-19 vaccination campaigns offer the best hope of controlling the pandemic. However, the fast production of COVID-19 vaccines has caused concern among the general public regarding their safety and efficacy. In particular, patients with chronic illnesses, such as celiac disease (CD), may be more fearful. Information on vaccine hesitancy plays a pivotal role in the development of an efficient vaccination campaign. In our study, we aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Italian CD patients. (2) Methods: an anonymous questionnaire was sent to CD patients followed at our tertiary referral center for CD in Milan, Italy. Patients were defined as willing, hesitant and refusing. We evaluated the reasons for hesitancy/refusal and the possible determinants, calculating crude and adjusted odds ratios [AdjORs] with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. (3) Results: the questionnaire was sent to 346 patients with a response rate of 29.8%. Twenty-six (25.2%) of the 103 respondents were hesitant, with a total refusal rate of 4.8%. The main reason was fear of adverse events related to vaccination (68.2%). Among hesitant patients, 23% declared that their opinion was influenced by their CD. The determinants positively influencing willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 were adherence to a GFD, perception of good knowledge about COVID-19 and its vaccines, and a positive attitude to previous vaccines (AdjOR 12.71, 95% CI 1.82–88.58, AdjOR 6.50, 95% CI 1.44–29.22, AdjOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.11–4.34, respectively). (4) Conclusions: CD patients should be vaccinated against COVID-19 and a specific campaign to address the determinants of hesitancy should be developed.
Accidental Interruption of the Cold Chain for the Preservation of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Grau Santiago , Ferrández Olivia , Martín-García Elena , Maldonado Rafael
Published: May 2021

Maintenance in restricted cold temperature conditions is a mandatory requirement to preserve the stability of mRNA vaccines [...]