bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of probiotic complexes in feed diets to improve the quality of rabbit meat
Authors: Kurchaeva E E , Vostroilov A V , Mihailov E V , Aristov A V , Popova Ya A
Published: January 2020

We examined the efficiency of probiotic “Sporotermin” and “A2” for increasing the productivity and physiological status of the rabbits. The studies were conducted on a crossbreed population of rabbits (Soviet chinchilla and New Zealand red) at the age of 45 days, divided into control and experimental groups of 15 heads in each by the method of pairs-analogues in the vivarium of the faculty of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry technology of the Voronezh State University in 2017-2018. Rabbits of group 1 (control) received all-mash without additives, rabbits of group 2 and 3 additionally received probiotic preparation “Sporotermin” in a dosage of 1.0 g/kg of feed (rabbits of group 2) and “A2” in a dosage of 0.6 g/kg of feed (rabbits of group 3). Upon reaching the age of 120 days, the live weight of all groups exceeded 3.0 kg, while rabbits of the 2nd group had an advantage over individuals of the 1st and 3rd groups by 295.0 g (9.10 %) and 115.0 g (3.36%). At the end of the experiment (120 days) in animals of the 2nd and 3rd groups there was a significant increase in the amount of total blood serum protein by 5.59 and 3.92% (P>0,95), respectively, compared with the control, as well as an increase in the amount of hemoglobin. In the experimental groups carcass yield made up 60.38 % and 56.88% (P>0,99), while in the control amounted to 55.56 % Thus, the preparation “Sporotermin” is a promising product from a number of probiotics used in animal nutrition and allows improving the productivity and meat quality of rabbits.
Using the method of relief plasters to highlight potentially erosion-hazardous areas on agricultural land
Authors: Netrebina Yu S , Khakhulina N B , Sambulov N I , Rejepov M B , Vaneeva M V
Published: January 2020

With the strong development of soil erosion, land fertility decreases, crops are damaged, ravines turn agricultural land into uncomfortable land and make field cultivation difficult, siltation of rivers and reservoirs occurs. In this regard, issues of land protection from erosion are relevant. The article discusses the issues of identifying potentially erosion-hazardous lands using the method of relief plasters, previously used in landscape science. This method allows to facilitate the identification of destructive processes at an early stage of development and to prevent them in advance. The location of the zones identified by this method (morphoisographs), and their dynamics, characterizes the changes associated with ecological-landscape measures, for example, planting of forest belts, afforestation of ravines and, accordingly, redistribution of surface and underground waters. A morphoisograph, as the line most sensitive to negative phenomena (changes in the chemical, biological, and mechanical composition of soils, soil erosion, etc.) can become the main criterion for identifying potentially unstable zones. The authors highlighted agricultural land that is potentially unstable to erosion. The introduction of a morphoisograph into ecological landscape design expands the possibilities of detailed accounting for the development of erosion processes in the future.
Economic use of cows of red-motley dairy breed in pedigree factories of Voronezh region
Authors: Artemov E S , Vostroilov A V , Volkova E E , Kurchaeva E E , Andrianov E A
Published: January 2020

The article describes the milk productivity of the main genealogical lines of cows of the Voronezh type of red-mottled dairy breed of cattle bred in the Voronezh region, taking into account the linear affiliation. A sample of cows produced breeding plants area of PZ “Druzhba” and PZ “Bolshevik”. Analyzing the results of milk production and longevity of livestock, paid attention to the number of cows on lactations; percentage of disposal to 1 lactation; milk yield for 305 days of lactation, kg; milk yield of average productivity for 305 days of lactation, kg; average age of cows in lactations; lifetime productivity of cows, kg.
External and internal factors to improve the quality and environmental safety of milkian
Authors: Zuev N P
Published: January 2020

During lactation, a significant amount of nutrients is excreted from the body of cows with milk. In addition, their significant costs for the functioning of the mammary gland. The quality of feed rations also has an effect on the taste and technological qualities of milk. The aim of this work was to identify and establish the degree of influence of some external, paratypical factors on the level of milk productivity of cows. The material for the study was a dairy herd of cows with milk production indices of at least three completed lactations. These data allow concluding that feeding cows is not enough both in terms of total energy nutrition and individual nutrients. In close connection with the level of feeding of rearing animals and young cows is their body weight as an indicator of the growth and development of animals.
Possibility of using digital technology in determining the color number of vegetable oil
Authors: Peregonchaya O V , Korol’kova N V , Sokolova S A , D’yakonova O V
Published: January 2020

The results obtained in the work allow drawing a conclusion about the principal possibility of using a digital camera of mobile devices to record the intensity of object coloring. In this case, a strong influence on the measurement results has the conditions of digital image fixation: object illumination, color temperature, camera settings. Manual adjustment of camera settings such as: ISO, white balance, exposure time, focal length allows reducing the amount of systematic errors in the analysis of color parameters of the image.

In the process of adsorption refining revealed that all the samples showed good sensory characteristics, that is, the consistency is uniform, no turbidity, transparency, light yellow hue, natural Shine. Empirically, the optimal amount of adsorbent to reduce the color number of vegetable oil: 2.5 %. GALLEON V2 SUPER sorbent is more effective compared to GRADE F-160 under equal conditions of adsorption refining.
Improving salmonellosis etioprophylaxis in calves using immunomodulators of various pharmacological classes
Authors: Skogoreva A M , Manzhurina O A , Popova O V , Semyonov S N , Aristov A V , Kudrin L P
Published: January 2020

In order to improve the immune response to salmonellosis in vaccinated calves, we tried applying the 0.01 % solution of miramistin combined with an inactive emulsified vaccine. Timogen was used as the control medicine because it is well known for its immunomodulatory properties regulating the cellular and the humoral immunity. The research was carried out at a large farm in Lipetskaya oblast that has a high salmonellosis incidence rate among calves. This research uses the epizootological, the clinical, the immunological, the hematological, and the molecular genetic methods. We ascertained that the application of the 0.01% solution of miramistin and timogen to calves for the purposes of salmonellosis etioprophylaxis combined with an inactive emulsified vaccine promoted high cellular immunity. These medicines increased the levels of lymphocytes and their T-cells by 7.0% and 12.5%; their B-populations by 2.8% and 5.1%, the neutrophil phagocytic activity by 5.9% and 13.0%, the phagocytic number by 7.2% and 15.0%, the phagocytic index by 7.0% and 18.0% respectively. The improvement of humoral immunity factors comprised 3.0% and 7.2% for blood serum bactericidal activity; 3.0% н 4.3% for blood serum lysozyme activity; and 1.7% and 2.0% for blood serum complement activity. The O-agglutinins and H-agglutinins to salmonella antigen increased by 1.5 and 2 times respectively, and the disease rate decreased by 40.0% and 80.0%, while promoting the survival rate by 80.0% and 87.0% respectively, which shows that the 0.01% solution of miramistin has better immunomodulatory properties.
Improvement of elements of oil flax cultivation technology on gray forest soil
Authors: Lupova E I , Vysotskaya E A , Vinogradov D V
Published: January 2020

The article proposes the results of investigations on agroecological assessment of oil flax varieties depending on the sowing time in the southern part of the Nonchernozem belt of Russia. The experiments took place at the agrotechnological experimental station of Ryazan State Agrotechnological University Named after P.A. Kostychev on gray forest soil typical of the region. It should be noted that the introduction of new varieties into the zone requires a more detailed study of the technology of their cultivation, including the determination of the optimal seeding rate and sowing date for specific weather conditions. The objects of investigations were domestic varieties of flax: Istok, VNIIMK 620, Sunlin and LM 98. Sowing was carried out in two terms - the third decade of April and the first decade of May. According to the results of experiments, it can be concluded that the yield was formed due to the density of planting, largely due to better survival in the second term of sowing. Despite significantly lower yield parameters of the second crop, such as the number of bolls per plant, the mass of 1,000 seeds, the number of seeds per boll, the yield of Sunlin and LM-98 varieties was higher than in the first term of sowing. On average, the maximum productivity was shown by Istok variety when the first sowing period (21.2 dt/ha) and Sunlin variety when the second period of sowing (20.6 dt/ha). During the years of studying varieties, flax oil content was 36.3-46.3 %. There was a decrease in this parameter in all experimental varieties by 1-3.5 % in the second period of sowing.
Production of sauces based on lipidic carotenoid pumpkin extract
Authors: Nelyubina E G , Bobkova E Yu , Ivanov D V , Grygoryants I A , Terekhova A A
Published: January 2020

One of the main line of the development of food industry is replacing a part of the recipe of classic sauces; however, this problem cannot be solved without using vegetable stock. In particular, we propose using pumpkin, a native plant of the Volga region. The use of the lipidic carotenoid pumpkin extract allows solving a few problems of the food chemistry; however, this study only deals with partial replacement of the raw stock for production of sauces for this product. The preparation of sauces with addition of the lipidic carotenoid pumpkin extract does not require replacing the equipment and process lines, therefore this line of research may be considered a promising one.
Comparative studies of milk quality of cows of red-mottled breed due to genotype
Authors: Vostroilov A V , Artemov E S , Sutolkin A A , Sysoeva M G , Bondarenko A A
Published: January 2020

The results of studies on the influence of the genotype of red-mottled cows of Holstein breed on the chemical composition and technological properties of milk are presented. In a herd of cows of the red-mottled breed of the cattle of “Roschinskoye”, for the assessment of the chemical composition and technological properties of milk depending on the genotype of the animals by the method of pairs-analogs, 3 groups of full-aged cows were formed: 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4-blood on KPG. The selected milk on the farm was analyzed in the laboratory of Voronezh State Agricultural University named after the Emperor Peter the Great. For a more complete picture of the qualitative indicators of the milk obtained from the full-aged cows with blood 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 KPG, butter was also produced. As a result of the production of a trial batch of dairy products, the technological properties of the milk during processing, as well as oil and physical, chemical and organoleptic characteristics of the finished product, were determined. On the basis of the conducted research, the recommendations on improvement of the red-mottled dairy breed of the cattle were given.
Improving the optimization methodology for the structure of agrolandscapes
Authors: Zotova K Y , Nedikova E V
Published: January 2020

The unstable economic situation of agricultural producers and the agrarian sector as a whole necessitates the search for methods of organizing production to ensure stabilization and a consistent improvement of the agricultural sector. The analysis of the territory as the basis of the agro-industrial complex is of great importance, and therefore, it is necessary to develop a combination of optimizing agrolandscapes aimed at improving the efficiency of agricultural production. In this regard, the authors improved the methodology for optimizing the structure of agrolandscapes based on determining the influence degree of the level of anthropogenic load on the ecological condition of the territory, which, in turn, directly depends on the ratio of agricultural lands of the agrolandscape and determining the share of each type of land on the growth of ecological and economic efficiency of the territory. Within the proposed methodology the cumulative impact of natural and anthropogenic factors was assessed using two agricultural enterprises of the Voronezh region as an example. It made possible to comprehensively assess the environmental effectiveness of the study area. This technique of optimizing the structure of the agricultural landscape of enterprises can provide the environmental and economic efficiency assessment of any agricultural enterprise in the Central Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation.
Kinematic study of a robot-weeder with a sprayer function and fertigation
Authors: Ovchinnikov A S , Bocharnikova O V , Vorobyeva N S , Dyashkin A V , Bocharnikov V S , Fomin S D
Published: January 2020

The paper presents the design of a robot-weeder with the function of a sprayer and fertigation for mechanical point-weed destruction and chemical treatment of plants. Based on the kinematic analysis, the optimal geometrical parameters of the constituent parts and components of the structure are obtained, the configurations of the service areas of the cutting tool and the spray nozzle are determined.
State regulation of consumption safety in the Russian Federation
Authors: Bukhtoyarov N I , Vysotskaya E A , Remizov D G , Khuzina N A
Published: January 2020

Food security is considered as the most important component of the national security of the state and as one of the goals of social, economic and agricultural policy, the ways of its achievement are shown. The conditions for substantiating conclusions and conclusions in studies of consumption safety are given. It is proposed to consider security as a characteristic of the quality of a system that determines its ability and ability to self-preservation. Mandatory conditions are given under which safety is ensured, actions to maintain it are indicated, quantitative and qualitative characteristics are given. The main threats and risks to the safety of consumption and ways to prevent them are considered. Attention is paid to international cooperation to create a legal framework in this area. The main regulatory legal acts regulating the sphere of consumer safety in the Russian Federation are given. The corresponding conclusion is made. It is shown that continuous improvement of the food safety system contributes to increasing the efficiency of individual sectors of agriculture and processing industry, as also increasing the competitiveness of their products.
Logistic approach to the production and processing of agricultural products
Authors: Medelyaeva Z P , Zharkovskaya I G , Erofeeva I E
Published: January 2020

AIC is a complex system that includes several areas, a significant number of subcomplexes, a variety of industries, interconnected by logistics flows. It is important that the logistics flows are properly regulated, contribute to the full use of agricultural raw materials, by-products from the processing of raw materials, provide a synergistic effect for all participants in the supply chain. Under the conditions of the Central Black Earth Economic Region, the development of dairy and sugar beet subcomplexes, capable of developing integration ties, improving crop rotation, and providing jobs in the first and third sectors of the agricultural sector, is proposed as system-forming ones.
Results of seeder pneumatic system distributor and aero-product stream flow in the pipeline numerical studies
Authors: Kravtsov A , Konovalov V , Zaitsev V , Petrov A , Petrova S
Published: January 2020

Seed drills with a seed metering device and a pneumatic system of flow stream and distribution of grain seeds to the coulters of the seeder with pneumatic sowing have become widespread in the sphere of agriculture. The aim of this study was to establish the functional dependence of the aero-product stream flow nature in the pipeline and in the grain seeder distributor. The research method involved numerical studies of the developed 3D model of the seeder pneumatic system. The influence of the geometric features of the internal cavity of the distributor top of the seeder pneumatic system, the flow rate in the pipeline in the range from 15 to 25 m/s, the concentration of seeds in the flow stream from 0.52 to 1.57 kg/kg air were taken into account. The values of static, dynamic and total pressure, pressure losses by sections, rates of flow streams in the areas, areas of intense mechanical impact (surface wear) were studied. The regression equations of these indicators have been obtained the factors studied being taken into consideration. The greatest pressure losses have been observed in the distributortops with a cap having the shape of a concave hemisphere. The flat surface of the cap makes it possible to achieve intermediate pressure losses in the distributor top. The smallest pressure loss is observed in the distributor top with a convex cone-shaped cap.
Forecasting of the soil processing units working bodies resource
Authors: Buylov V N , Lyulyakov I V , Makarov S A , Danilin A V , Chekmarev V V
Published: January 2020

The necessity of developing a mathematical model of the calculation and theoretical forecasting of the resource of the working body of the tillage aggregate is substantiated. The formula as a mathematical model is proposed. The results of calculations using this formula made it possible to evaluate several options for hardening the processing of samples and establish preferable ones. These options were samples hardened by boration and surfacing of metal powders in a liquid coolant. The proposed formula allows predicting the value of the resource of the working bodies of tillage and sowing units during their hardening, restoration and manufacturing process.
Identifying reasons for failure of soil processing units of working bodies
Authors: Buylov V N , Lyulyakov I V , Pavlov A V , Rusinov A V , Mezhetsky G D
Published: January 2020

The causes of wear of the working bodies of soil cultivating units are analyzed. The main culling parameters are presented, due to which the working bodies lose their performance. The analysis of factors affecting the degree of wear of working bodies is carried out. Theoretical recommendations are proposed for the creation of an equal-strength tillage unit, the working bodies of which wear out with equal intensity.
Market research of rice cereals
Authors: Maslova G M , Glinkina I M , Kashirina N A , Bailova N V
Published: January 2020

Rice groats are in high demand among buyers. Given the current situation in the rice market, market research conducted to identify consumer preferences and the main factors affecting the choice and degree of satisfaction with the quality of rice cereals aroused some interest. The article gives a brief description of the rice market, its structure, the main stages of development, describes the factors affecting the formation of demand. The research of self-sufficiency and structure of the Russian rice market, growth rates is given. The dynamics of rice export and import in 2018 is presented. A marketing research was conducted aimed at clarifying the preferences of consumers of rice cereals, identifying the main factors affecting their choice and the degree of satisfaction with quality in the market of the Voronezh region. Based on studies for trade enterprises, several recommendations have been developed aimed at increasing demand and increasing cereal sales.
Innovative soil leaching technology: A case study from Bukhara region of Uzbekistan
Authors: Khamidov M Kh , Khamraev K Sh , Isabaev K T
Published: January 2020

The paper presents the results of field experiments on improving leaching technology in salty fields of Bukhara oasis through Biosolvent chemical compound (BChC). Scientific researches were carried in irrigated fields of scientific-research center of Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers Bukhara Branch which is located in Bukhara region, Kagan district, during 2017-2019 years. Leaching saline soils through Biosolvent reduces salt content in the active soil layer from 0.417 % to 0.204, while desalinization ratio will be 1.84. With this innovative technology leaching norm was 30% less compared to the control.
Calculation of the power value of additional heat sources for a cylindrical biogas reactor
Authors: Vendin S V , Mamontov A Yu
Published: January 2020

When processing organic waste into biogas, it is necessary to take into account the design features of the equipment, the composition of the raw materials and the technological modes of its fermentation. If there is a lack of heat produced during the chemical fermentation reaction, additional (third-party) heat sources are used to ensure the technological regime. It can be various heat exchangers or electric heaters. The article presents the results of theoretical studies evaluating the power value of additional (third-party) heat sources for heating raw materials in a biogas reactor. The analytical dependences for estimating the power of external heat sources for the considered physical model were obtained on the basis of solving the Fourier heat equation in layered media. The analysis of the influence of design parameters and thermophysical characteristics on the amount of required power of additional (third-party) heat sources, as well as on the distribution of the temperature field in a biogas reactor, is carried out.
Social responsibility and professional competence of safegueard specialists for the quality and safety of food products
Authors: Goncharov V N , Erokhin A M , Ivashova V A , Kolosova O U , Tronina L A , Kamalova O N
Published: January 2020

The article analyses the opinion of technologists in processing enterprises of the Stavropol Territory on the importance of social responsibility and professional competence of workers and how this is reflected in the actual competence profile of the Federal State Educational Standard for graduates of higher education programs. In the quality management system for training future process technologists, the analysis of actual required competencies in the production processes versus to needed competencies of the staff, is a determining factor to be able to update the content of educational programs. The level of professional competence is characterized by different aspects in the business and personal qualities of the specialist: it is reflected in the level of knowledge, skills, and experience needed to achieve the goal in a particular type of professional activity, as well as the moral position of the specialist. These aspects together are reflected in the social responsibility of a process technologist in processing enterprises and ensuring the quality and safety of food products. The opinion of the professional community confirms this viewpoint.
Development of a mathematical model of fuel equipment and the rationale for diagnosing diesel engines by moving the injector needle
Authors: Marusin A V , Danilov I K , Khlopkov S V , Marusin A V , Uspenskiy I A
Published: January 2020

The article discusses the problem of diagnosing diesel fuel equipment. The most common methods for diagnosing fuel equipment are presented. The rationale for diagnosing the technical condition of the plunger elements of the high pressure fuel pump by moving the injector needle is given.
Marketing researches of the modified starch market and the technologies of its production
Authors: Ushakov D S , Shepelev V V , Patlasov Yu O
Published: January 2020

The relevancy of the problem of modified starches production is determined by its diversity by raw materials using in manufacture process (banana, chestnut, tapioca, rice, barley, wheat, corn, potato modified starches), by main consumers (food, construction, oil and gas industries), goals of use (production of biodegradable containers, bio-absorbents, micro composites, bio-lubricants, enzyme technology of nanotechnology). The regional relevance of the study problem is based on the need to produce iodized starches for the food industry consumption. Food products produced from these starches will reduce the thyroid gland incidence, at the same time the magnetized wheat starches production will reduce the cardiovascular disease incidence. The analysis of the Russian and world market of modified starches was conducted. The current state and capacity of the world market of modified starches, trends and technology of various modified starches (phosphate, acetate, cationic, cationic cold swelling starches, etc.) production were studied. Results of the study show that Russia’s export of modified starches has a weak potential for growth. Russian market of modified starches demonstrates a tendency of increase the competition between modified starches manufacturers due to the new participants’ entry in the market. Generally it stimulates the import substitution process. The volume of modified starches imports in Russia is associated with the correlation of manufacturers’ prices and expectations of Russia state support for the deepening of domestic agricultural products processing.
Theoretical and economic studies of a floor duct in the form of cylindrical pipes
Authors: Volkov A I , Maslova L A , Koloshein D V , Borychev S N
Published: January 2020

The article presents the results of studies of a floor duct in the form of cylindrical pipes (utility model patent No. 183361) at farms in Ryazan region, from September 27, 2018 to February 26, 2019. The studies included laying potatoes in three sections of the potato storage having different duct designs (section “A” is an air duct in the form of cylindrical pipes, section “B” is in the form of a front trihedral prism, section “C” is a serial air duct in the form of a semicircle). We also studied the temperature range of the potato bulk ventilated by cooling air in order to clarify the optimal microclimate parameters (temperature, humidity, flow rate) as applied to the conditions of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation.
Combining multi-scale 3D printing technologies to engineer reinforced hydrogel-ceramic interfaces
Authors: Diloksumpan Paweena , de Ruijter Mylène , Castilho Miguel , Gbureck Uwe , Vermonden Tina , van Weeren P René , Malda Jos , Levato Riccardo
Published: January 2020

Multi-material 3D printing technologies that resolve features at different lengths down to the microscale open new avenues for regenerative medicine, particularly in the engineering of tissue interfaces. Herein, extrusion printing of a bone-biomimetic ceramic ink and melt electrowriting (MEW) of spatially organized polymeric microfibres are integrated for the biofabrication of an osteochondral plug, with a mechanically reinforced bone-to-cartilage interface. A printable physiological temperature-setting bioceramic, based on α-tricalcium phosphate, nanohydroxyapatite and a custom-synthesized biodegradable and crosslinkable poloxamer, was developed as bone support. The mild setting reaction of the bone ink enabled us to print directly within melt electrowritten polycaprolactone meshes, preserving their micro-architecture. Ceramic-integrated MEW meshes protruded into the cartilage region of the composite plug, and were embedded with mechanically soft gelatin-based hydrogels, laden with articular cartilage chondroprogenitor cells. Such interlocking design enhanced the hydrogel-to-ceramic adhesion strength >6.5-fold, compared with non-interlocking fibre architectures, enabling structural stability during handling and surgical implantation in osteochondral defects ex vivo. Furthermore, the MEW meshes endowed the chondral compartment with compressive properties approaching those of native cartilage (20-fold reinforcement versus pristine hydrogel). The osteal and chondral compartment supported osteogenesis and cartilage matrix deposition in vitro, and the neo-synthesized cartilage matrix further contributed to the mechanical reinforcement at the ceramic-hydrogel interface. This multi-material, multi-scale 3D printing approach provides a promising strategy for engineering advanced composite constructs for the regeneration of musculoskeletal and connective tissue interfaces.
Enhanced mechanical properties and wear resistance of cold-rolled carbon nanotubes reinforced copper matrix composites
Authors: Van Duong Luong , Van Luan Nguyen , Ngoc Anh Nguyen , Bao Trung Tran , Danh Chung Le , Quang Huan Nguyen , Thi Nhung Do , Ngoc Minh Phan , Dinh Phuong Doan , Van Trinh Pham
Published: January 2020

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Cu composite containing 0.5 vol% MWCNTs were prepared by a high energy ball milling followed by conventional sintering and finally cold rolling. Microstructure studies showed that MWCNTs were uniformly dispersed and implanted inside the Cu matrix. The MWCNT/Cu composites showed an improvement in hardness and tensile strength up to 37% and 44% respectively compared to those of pure Cu. The enhancement is attributed to the uniform dispersion and strengthening due to the addition of MWCNTs. The yield strength of the composite has been quantified by several strengthening mechanisms including grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening, Orowan strengthening and load transfer. The calculated results indicated that the load transfer strengthening has the largest contribution to the yield strength of the composite which implied the key role of the interfacial bond strength between MWCNTs and Cu matrix on the strengthening behaviors. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate of the composites were reduced with the addition of MWCNT content due to the self-lubrication effect of CNTs and high mechanical properties.
Structure and properties of PVA/silk fibroin hydrogels and their effects on growth behavior of various cell types
Authors: Hou Ruixia , Wang Yuxi , Han Jiali , Zhu Yabin , Zhang Hua , Zhang Libing , Li Liping , Xu Kui , Fu Guanglei , Mou Xianbo , Chen Xi , Yang Lu , Nie Lei
Published: January 2020

Controllable regulation of cell behavior is one of the most important factors conducive to the restoration of tissue functions. Recently, various strategies have been developed using physical or chemical cues. Although these techniques are effective, the high cost and complex fabrication procedures impede their application. In this study, we used a low cost and simple strategy to fabricate PVA/silk fibroin composite hydrogels using a cyclic freeze-thaw method. With the increase of freeze-thaw cycles, the pore size of hydrogels decreased, the elastic modulus increased, and the swelling rate decreased. Furthermore, we chose two shapes of model cells, a spindle using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and smooth muscle cells, and a round shape using BV2 microglial cells. PVA/silk fibroin composite hydrogels inhibited the adhesion and proliferation of stem cells and muscle cells and changed their cell shape from spindle to round, maintained the initial round shape of BV2 microglial cells, and promoted the proliferation of BV2 microglial cells. These results demonstrate that PVA/silk fibroin composite hydrogels can be used as a novel hydrogel system to regulate cell behavior.
Method screening for conjugation of the small molecules onto the vinyl-coated Fe3O4/silica nanoparticles: highlighting the efficiency of ultrasonication
Authors: Taheri-Ledari Reza , Rahimi Jamal , Maleki Ali
Published: January 2020

Method development for surface functionalization of vinyl-coated iron oxide nanoparticles via [4 + 2] one-pot cycloaddition is presented in this work. Small molecules are loaded onto the surface of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/SiO2 NPs) by various methods. The main factors such as surface modification ratio, core/shell structure maintenance, spherical morphology preservation and particle size uniformity were precisely investigated by various analyses. In this regard, reflux, microwave and ultrasound wave irradiation have been well compared as three different effective methods for carrying out the cycloaddition (CA) reactions onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. Overall, it was concluded that the safer and faster method for this purpose is implemented by the ultrasound wave irradiation.
Phonon transport properties of NbCoSb compound
Authors: Ozisik Havva Bogaz , Deligoz Engin , Ozisik Haci , Ateser Engin
Published: January 2020

We present a first-principles study of the phonon transport properties of the Half-Heusler NbCoSb compound. The single crystal elastic constants have been calculated using the stress- strain method. The mechanical properties such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and anisotropy factor are estimated using the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation. The Grüneisen parameters, phonon life time, and lattice thermal conductivity have been studied in detail. The elastic and phonon properties reveal that this compound is mechanically and dynamically stable. An analysis of the harmonic and anharmonic phonon dispersion and vibrational density of states reveal that, NbCoSb has a very low lattice thermal conductivity, hence, it is a candidate thermoelectric material.
Observation of long spin lifetime in MAPbBr3 single crystals at room temperature
Authors: Yang Shijia , Vetter Eric , Wang Tonghui , Amassian Aram , Sun Dali
Published: January 2020

The emergence of hybrid metal halides (HMH) materials, such as the archetypal CH3NH3PbBr3, provides an appealing material platform for solution-processed spintronic applications due to properties such as unprecedented large Rashba spin-splitting states and highly efficient spin-to-charge (StC) conversion efficiencies. Here we report the first study of StC conversion and spin relaxation time in MAPbBr3 single crystals at room temperature using a spin pumping approach. Microwave frequency and power dependence of StC responses are both consistent with the spin pumping model, from which an inverse Rashba–Edelstein effect coherence length of up to ∼30 picometer is obtained, highlighting a good StC conversion efficiency. The magnetic field angular dependence of StC is investigated and can be well-explained by the spin precession model under oblique magnetic field. A long spin relaxation time of up to ∼190 picoseconds is obtained, which can be attributed to the surface Rashba state formed at the MAPbBr3 interface. Our oblique Hanle effect by FMR-driven spin pumping technique provides a reliable and sensitive tool for measuring the spin relaxation time in various solution processed HMH single crystals.
Smooth Muscle Distribution Patterns of Choledochal Cysts and Their Implications for Pathogenesis and Postoperative Complications
Authors: Hwang Hee Sang , Kim Mee-Jeong , Lee Seung-Soo , Lee Jae Hoon , Song Ki Byung , Kim Hyoung Jung , Hwang Shin , Lee Sung Koo , Kim Myung-Hwan , Hong Seung-Mo
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Histopathologic characteristics of choledochal cysts and their clinical implications have not been previously comprehensively studied.

Methods

Smooth muscle distribution patterns and other histologic findings (inflammation, metaplasia, dysplasia, and heterotopia) in 233 surgically resected choledochal cysts were evaluated.

Results

Mean patient age was 23.3 ± 19.8 years, with male:female ratio of 0.3. Most cases were Todani type I (175 cases, 75.1%) or IVa (56 cases, 24.1%). Choledochal cysts with thin scattered/no muscle fiber (175 cases, 75.1%) were the predominant pattern and were associated with more frequent postoperative biliary stricture (P = .031), less frequent pyloric metaplasia (P = .016), and mucosal smooth muscle aggregates (P < .001) compared to cysts with thick muscle bundles. Severe chronic cholangitis (P = .049), pyloric metaplasia (P = .019), mucosal smooth muscle aggregates (P < .001), biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (P = .021), and associated bile duct (P = .021) and gallbladder carcinomas (P = .03) were more common in adults (age >20 years vs ≤20 years), suggesting that chronic irritation in association with developmental anomalies involves tumorigenesis from choledochal cysts.

Conclusion

Smooth muscle distribution pattern of choledochal cyst may predict postoperative complication, raising clinical implications of smooth muscle patterns in postoperative management of choledochal cysts.
Prevalence and Recent Trends in Exposure to Night Shiftwork in Canada
Authors: Rydz Ela , Hall Amy L , Peters Cheryl E
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Night shiftwork has been linked to various health outcomes. Knowing where and to what extent workers are exposed to this type of shiftwork can help prioritize areas for intervention and further study. This study describes recent estimates of exposure to night shiftwork in Canada for 2011, and temporal trends from 1997 to 2010.

Methods

Estimates by occupation, industry, province, and sex were calculated using data from the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID) from 1996 to 2011. Workers who reported rotating or regular night shifts were classified as exposed to shiftwork involving nights, while those reporting other types of shiftwork, outside of regular daytime and evening shifts, were classified as possibly exposed. Results, with 97.5% confidence intervals (CIs), were summarized for three exposure categories: exposed workers, possibly exposed workers, and evening shift workers. Trends in 3-year rolling averages were described.

Results

In 2011, approximately 1.8 million Canadians (97.5% CI, 1.7–1.8 million), or 12% of the working population (97.5% CI, 11–12%), were exposed to night shiftwork; 45% were female. An additional 2.6 million were possibly exposed (97.5% CI, 2.5–2.7 million workers), and 745 000 worked evening shifts (97.5% CI, 701 000–792 000). This amounts to 17% (97.5% CI, 17–18%) and 4.9% (97.5% CI, 4.6–5.2%) of the labour force, respectively. Industries with the highest prevalence were accommodation and food services (20%; 97.5% CI, 18–22%), forestry, fishing, mining, oil, and gas (19%; 97.5% CI, 16–23%), and healthcare and social assistance (18%; 97.5% CI, 17–19%). By occupation, the highest prevalence of exposure was in occupations in protective services (37%; 97.5% CI, 32–42%), professional occupations in health (35%; 97.5% CI, 32–39%), and machine operators and assemblers in manufacturing (24%; 97.5% CI, 22–28%). The overall number of exposure workers increased by 29% from 1997 to 2010, but the overall proportion remained relatively the same (11% and 12%, respectively). The proportion of female workers exposed increased by 2%.

Conclusions

These estimates characterize exposure to night shiftwork in Canada. Continued collection of shiftwork data, with greater detail on scheduling, workplace and personal factors, is needed for high-quality surveillance and investigations of shiftwork and health.
Skin Barrier Impairment due to the Occlusive Effect of Firefighter Clothing
Authors: van den Eijnde Wilbert , Heus Ronald , Falcone Denise , Peppelman Malou , van Erp Piet
Published: January 2020

At fire scenes, firefighters are exposed to potentially harmful substances. Besides inhalation of these products, also skin contamination and the risk of dermal absorption is getting more attention. In this perspective, skin barrier impairment due to the occlusive effect of firefighter clothes could enhance the risk of penetration of hazardous substances. The effect of a firefighter jacket and cellophane on the skin was studied in a paired comparison involving 16 volunteers. Biophysical parameters were measured before, immediately after and 30 min after ending the occlusion. Reflectance confocal microscopy was used to study the skin morphology. Immediately after wearing a firefighter jacket, Transepidermal Water Loss values were significantly increased. This is an indication of an occlusive effect of the firefighter jacket. The skin barrier was fully restored after 30 min after occlusion with cellophane or wearing a firefighter jacket.
Eliminating Take-Home Exposures: Recognizing the Role of Occupational Health and Safety in Broader Community Health
Authors: Kalweit Andrew , Herrick Robert F , Flynn Michael A , Spengler John D , Berko J Kofi , Levy Jonathan I , Ceballos Diana M
Published: January 2020

Toxic contaminants inadvertently brought from the workplace to the home, known as take-home or paraoccupational exposures, have often been framed as a problem that arises due to unsanitary worker behavior. This review article conceptualizes take-home exposures as a public health hazard by (i) investigating the history of take-home contaminants and how they have been studied, (ii) arguing that an ecosocial view of the problem is essential for effective prevention, (iii) summarizing key structural vulnerabilities that lead populations to be at risk, and (iv) discussing future research and prevention effort needs. This article reframes take-home exposures as one of many chronic pathways that contributes to persistent health disparities among workers, their families, and communities. Including the role of work in community health will increase the comprehensiveness of prevention efforts for contaminants such as lead and pesticides that contribute to environmental disparities.
Is Obesity Related to Processing Speed Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Large-Scale, Multicenter Study
Authors: Galioto Rachel , Conway Devon S , Planchon Sarah M , Rao Stephen M
Published: January 2020

Background

Obesity is linked to greater physical disability and increased comorbidities among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Its contribution to cognition in this group is unclear. This observational study examines the link between obesity and processing speed in a large sample of patients with MS (PwMS).

Methods

As part of routine clinical care at our center, PwMS completed the Processing Speed Test (PST), an electronic implementation of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Bivariate correlations were conducted to examine the association between PST and BMI in the group overall and in subgroups based on demographic and clinical variables. A one-way ANOVA examined differences in PST by BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese).

Results

The sample included 8,713 patients. No association between PST and BMI was found in the entire sample (r = .01), nor within subgroups based on demographic and disease variables. No difference in PST score was found between BMI categories.

Conclusions

No association between BMI and processing speed was found among PwMS regardless of demographic or disease-specific patient characteristics.
Systematical identification of cell-specificity of CTCF-gene binding based on epigenetic modifications
Authors: Wu Jie , Zhang Li , Song Qian , Yu Lei , Wang Shuyuan , Zhang Bo , Wang Weida , Xia Peng , Chen Xiaowen , Xiao Yun , Xu Chaohan
Published: January 2020

The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) mediates transcriptional regulation and implicates epigenetic modifications in cancers. However, the systematically unveiling inverse regulatory relationship between CTCF and epigenetic modifications still remains unclear, especially the mechanism by which histone modification mediates CTCF binding. Here, we developed a systematic approach to investigate how epigenetic changes affect CTCF binding. Through integration analysis of CTCF binding in 30 cell lines, we concluded that CTCF generally binds with higher intensity in normal cell lines than that in cancers, and higher intensity in genome regions closed to transcription start sites. To facilitate the better understanding of their associations, we constructed linear mixed-effect models to analyze the effects of the epigenetic modifications on CTCF binding in four cancer cell lines and six normal cell lines, and identified seven epigenetic modifications as potential epigenetic patterns that influence CTCF binding intensity in promoter regions and six epigenetic modifications in enhancer regions. Further analysis of the effects in different locations revealed that the epigenetic regulation of CTCF binding was location-specific and cancer cell line-specific. Moreover, H3K4me2 and H3K9ac showed the potential association with immune regulation of disease. Taken together, our method can contribute to improve the understanding of the epigenetic regulation of CTCF binding and provide potential therapeutic targets for treating tumors associated with CTCF.
The open targets post-GWAS analysis pipeline
Authors: Peat Gareth , Jones William , Nuhn Michael , Marugán José Carlos , Newell William , Dunham Ian , Zerbino Daniel
Published: January 2020

Motivation

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are a powerful method to detect even weak associations between variants and phenotypes; however, many of the identified associated variants are in non-coding regions, and presumably influence gene expression regulation. Identifying potential drug targets, i.e. causal protein-coding genes, therefore, requires crossing the genetics results with functional data.

Results

We present a novel data integration pipeline that analyses GWAS results in the light of experimental epigenetic and cis-regulatory datasets, such as ChIP-Seq, Promoter-Capture Hi-C or eQTL, and presents them in a single report, which can be used for inferring likely causal genes. This pipeline was then fed into an interactive data resource.

Availability and implementation

The analysis code is available at www.github.com/Ensembl/postgap and the interactive data browser at postgwas.opentargets.io.
Bending the Curve of Global Freshwater Biodiversity Loss: An Emergency Recovery Plan
Authors: Tickner David , Opperman Jeffrey J , Abell Robin , Acreman Mike , Arthington Angela H , Bunn Stuart E , Cooke Steven J , Dalton James , Darwall Will , Edwards Gavin , Harrison Ian , Hughes Kathy , Jones Tim , Leclère David , Lynch Abigail J , Leonard Philip , McClain Michael E , Muruven Dean , Olden Julian D , Ormerod Steve J , Robinson James , Tharme Rebecca E , Thieme Michele , Tockner Klement , Wright Mark , Young Lucy
Published: January 2020

Despite their limited spatial extent, freshwater ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity, including one-third of all vertebrate species. This biodiversity is declining dramatically: Globally, wetlands are vanishing three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrate populations have fallen more than twice as steeply as terrestrial or marine populations. Threats to freshwater biodiversity are well documented but coordinated action to reverse the decline is lacking. We present an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. Priority actions include accelerating implementation of environmental flows; improving water quality; protecting and restoring critical habitats; managing the exploitation of freshwater ecosystem resources, especially species and riverine aggregates; preventing and controlling nonnative species invasions; and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. We recommend adjustments to targets and indicators for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals and roles for national and international state and nonstate actors.