bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-benefit ratio of anthelmintic treatment and its comparative efficacy in commercial dairy farms
Authors: Rashid Muhammad , Zahra Naveed , Chudhary Amna , Rehman Tauseef Ur , Aleem Muhammad Tahir , Alouffi Abdulaziz , Mohammed Aymen , Rashid Muhammad Imran , Ehsan Muhammad , Malik Muhammad Irfan , Hussain Dilber Ghulam , Bakhsh Amir , Almutairi Mashal M.
Published: November 2022

Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major challenges in obtaining optimal production and maintaining the health and welfare of all animals including cattle and buffaloes. Anti-parasitic treatments appear to be a reliable countermeasure. However, the effectiveness and selection of suitable anthelmintics require situational assessments in a given locality. In the current study, the efficacy and impact of benzimidazole (albendazole) were assessed in a total of 400 (100 each) on the performance of buffaloes, buffalo-heifer, cattle, and cattle-heifers at two commercial dairy farms in the Province of Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, the cost-benefit ratio was calculated by assessing the inputs (medication, feed, and labor cost) and outputs (milk and weight gain). The qualitative and quantitative examination of helminth eggs in each type of animal indicated a prevalence of 73.3, 78.3, 76.6, and 85.0% in cattle, cattle-heifers, buffaloes, and buffaloes-heifers, respectively. Specifically, a highest rate (10.0–13.3%) of Haemonchus sp. infection was only observed in cattle and heifers, while Fasciola sp. infections (10.0–11.6%) were the most often found species in buffaloes and heifers. The highest anthelmintic impacts (egg per gram of feces, p < 0.001) were observed on day 14 post-medication. Until 60 days of post-anthelmintic treatment, an average increase of 0.8 and 0.7 L in milk production per day in cattle and buffaloes, respectively while a total of 11.45 and 9.45 kg body weight were noticed in cattle-heifer and buffaloes-heifer, respectively. Cumulative cost-benefit analysis indicated a positive correlation between treated and non-treated animals. These findings reiterate the importance of anthelmintic drugs in reducing the impacts of parasites on the productivity, health, and well-being of an animal under high infection challenges.
Red seaweed extracts reduce methane production by altering rumen fermentation and microbial composition in vitro
Authors: Choi Youyoung , Lee Shin Ja , Kim Hyun Sang , Eom Jun Sik , Jo Seong Uk , Guan Le Luo , Park Tansol , Seo Jakyeom , Lee Yookyung , Bae Dongryeoul , Lee Sung Sill
Published: November 2022

A series of in vitro batch culture incubations were carried out to investigate changes in rumen fermentation characteristics, methane (CH4) production, and microbial composition in response to supplementation with five different red seaweed species (Amphiroa anceps, AANC; Asparagopsis taxiformis, ATAX; Chondracanthus tenellus, CTEN; Grateloupia elliptica, GELL; and Gracilaria parvispora, GPAR). Prior to the incubations, the total flavonoid and polyphenol content of the red seaweed extracts was quantified. The incubated substrate consisted of timothy hay and corn grain [60:40 dry matter (DM) basis]. Treatments were substrate mixtures without seaweed extract (CON) or substrate mixtures supplemented with 0.25 mg/mL of red seaweed extract. Samples were incubated for 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Each sample was incubated in triplicates in three separate runs. In vitro DM degradability, fermentation parameters (i.e., pH, volatile fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen), total gas production, and CH4 production were analyzed for all time points. Microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing after 24 h of incubation. The highest CH4 reduction (mL/g DM, mL/g digested DM, and % of total gas production) was observed in ATAX (51.3, 50.1, and 51.5%, respectively, compared to CON; P < 0.001) after 12 h of incubation. The other red seaweed extracts reduced the CH4 production (mL/g DM; P < 0.001) in the range of 4.6–35.0% compared to CON after 24 h of incubation. After 24 h of incubation, supplementation with red seaweed extracts tended to increase the molar proportion of propionate (P = 0.057) and decreased the acetate to propionate ratio (P = 0.033) compared to the CON. Abundances of the genus Methanobrevibacter and total methanogens were reduced (P = 0.050 and P = 0.016) by red seaweed extract supplementation. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (P < 0.05, LDA ≥ 2.0) showed that UG Succinivibrionaceae, Anaeroplasma, and UG Ruminococcaceae, which are associated with higher propionate production, starch degradation, and amylase activity were relatively more abundant in red seaweed extracts than in the CON. Our results suggest that supplementation with red seaweed extracts altered the microbiota, leading to the acceleration of propionate production and reduction in CH4 production.
An Auto-Encoder with Genetic Algorithm for High Dimensional Data: Towards Accurate and Interpretable Outlier Detection
Authors: Li Jiamu , Zhang Ji , Bah Mohamed Jaward , Wang Jian , Zhu Youwen , Yang Gaoming , Li Lingling , Zhang Kexin
Published: November 2022

When dealing with high-dimensional data, such as in biometric, e-commerce, or industrial applications, it is extremely hard to capture the abnormalities in full space due to the curse of dimensionality. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly complicated but essential to provide interpretations for outlier detection results in high-dimensional space as a consequence of the large number of features. To alleviate these issues, we propose a new model based on a Variational AutoEncoder and Genetic Algorithm (VAEGA) for detecting outliers in subspaces of high-dimensional data. The proposed model employs a neural network to create a probabilistic dimensionality reduction variational autoencoder (VAE) that applies its low-dimensional hidden space to characterize the high-dimensional inputs. Then, the hidden vector is sampled randomly from the hidden space to reconstruct the data so that it closely matches the input data. The reconstruction error is then computed to determine an outlier score, and samples exceeding the threshold are tentatively identified as outliers. In the second step, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used as a basis for examining and analyzing the abnormal subspace of the outlier set obtained by the VAE layer. After encoding the outlier dataset’s subspaces, the degree of anomaly for the detected subspaces is calculated using the redefined fitness function. Finally, the abnormal subspace is calculated for the detected point by selecting the subspace with the highest degree of anomaly. The clustering of abnormal subspaces helps filter outliers that are mislabeled (false positives), and the VAE layer adjusts the network weights based on the false positives. When compared to other methods using five public datasets, the VAEGA outlier detection model results are highly interpretable and outperform or have competitive performance compared to current contemporary methods.
Enhancement of Guided Wave Detection and Measurement in Buried Layers of Multilayered Structures Using a New Design of V(z) Acoustic Transducers
Authors: Lematre Michaël , Lethiecq Marc
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the possibility of enhancement of the generation and detection of poorly energetic acoustic-guided waves in multilayered structures using a new design for a V(z) transducer. By defining a modified V(z) transducer composed of segmented piezoelectric elements, the acoustical energy can be directed towards specific angles in such a way as to generate guided waves that are poorly energetic. By comparing the results using this new design to those obtained with a classical V(z) transducer, it is shown that the generation and detection of such waves is greatly improved, especially for poorly energetic waves that belong to a buried layer in a multilayered structure. This is especially seen on the components of the spectra of V(z). The modeling of the modified V(z) signature for a multi-element focused transducer is widely detailed first. Then, in order to illustrate the advantages of our proposed method, a three-layer structure (aluminum/epoxy/steel) is discussed. The interest of this method for the characterization of elastic properties of “buried” layers through specific guided waves that are detected with great difficulty—or even not at all—with a classical V(z) transducer is demonstrated, especially for the A0 and S0 modes corresponding to the steel layer inside the three-layer structure. In this study, we also develop a specific tracking method for particular guided waves possessing large phase velocity variations over the considered frequency range, as is the case for the S0 mode of the steel sub-layer.
Designing for Resilience: How Dutch Maternity Care Collaborations Anticipate, Adapt, and Thrive during a Pandemic
Authors: van den Berg Jennifer , Alblas Alex A. , Le Blanc Pascale M. , Romme A. Georges L.
Published: November 2022

The success factors and challenges of interorganizational collaboration have been widely studied from different disciplinary perspectives. However, the role of design in making such collaborations resilient has received little attention, although deliberately designing for resilience is likely to be vital to the success of any interorganizational collaboration. This study explores the resilience of interorganizational collaboration by means of a comparative case study of Dutch maternity care providers, which have been facing major challenges due to financial cutbacks, government-enforced collaborative structures, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings make two contributions to the literature. First, we further develop the construct of interorganizational resilience. Second, we shed light on how well-designed distributed decision-making enhances resilience, thereby making a first attempt at meeting the challenge of designing for interorganizational resilience.
Improved Random Forest for the Automatic Identification of Spodoptera frugiperda Larval Instar Stages
Authors: Xu Jiajun , Feng Zelin , Tang Jian , Liu Shuhua , Ding Zhiping , Lyu Jun , Yao Qing , Yang Baojun
Published: November 2022

Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm, FAW) is a global agriculture pest. Adults have a strong migratory ability and larvae feed on the host stalks, which pose a serious threat for maize and other crops. Identification and counting of different instar larvae in the fields is important for effective pest management and forecasting emergence and migration time of adults. Usually, the technicians identify the larval instars according to the larva morphological features with the naked eye or stereoscope in the lab. The manual identification method is complex, professional and inefficient. In order to intelligently, quickly and accurately identify the larval instar, we design a portable image acquisition device using a mobile phone with a macro lens and collect 1st-6th instar larval images. The YOLOv4 detection method and improved MRES-UNet++ segmentation methods are used to locate the larvae and segment the background. The larval length and head capsule width are automatically measured by some graphics algorithms, and the larval image features are extracted by SIFT descriptors. The random forest model improved by Boruta feature selection and grid search method is used to identify the larval instars of FAWs. The test results show that high-definition images can be easily collected by using the portable device (Shenzhen, China). The MRES-UNet++ segmentation method can accurately segment the larvae from the background. The average measurement error of the head capsule width and body length of moth larvae is less than 5%, and the overall identification accuracy of 1st–6th instar larvae reached 92.22%. Our method provides a convenient, intelligent and accurate tool for technicians to identify the larval instars of FAWs.
Approach of AI-Based Automatic Climate Control in White Button Mushroom Growing Hall
Authors: Barauskas Rimantas , Kriščiūnas Andrius , Čalnerytė Dalia , Pilipavičius Paulius , Fyleris Tautvydas , Daniulaitis Vytautas , Mikalauskis Robertas
Published: November 2022

Automatic climate management enables us to reduce repetitive work and share knowledge of different experts. An artificial intelligence-based layer to manage climate in white button mushroom growing hall was presented in this article. It combines visual data, climate data collected by sensors, and technologists’ actions taken to manage climate in the mushroom growing hall. The layer employs visual data analysis methods (morphological analysis, Fourier analysis, convolutional neural networks) to extract indicators, such as the percentage of mycelium coverage and number of pins of different size per area unit. These indicators are used to generate time series that represent the dynamics of the mushroom growing process. The incorporation of time synchronized indicators obtained from visual data with monitored climate indicators and technologists’ actions allows for the application of a supervised learning decision making model to automatically define necessary climate changes. Whereas managed climate parameters and visual indicators depend on the mushroom production stage, three different models were created to correspond the incubation, shock, and fruiting stage of the mushroom production process (using decision trees, K-nearest neighbors’ method). An analysis of the results showed that trends of the selected visual indicators remain similar during different cultivations. Thus, the created decision-making models allow for the definition of the majority of the cases in which the climate change or transition between the growing stages is needed.
The Effects of Irrigation, Topping, and Interrow Spacing on the Yield and Quality of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Fibers in Temperate Climatic Conditions
Authors: Bajić Ivana , Pejić Borivoj , Sikora Vladimir , Kostić Mirjana , Ivanovska Aleksandra , Pejić Biljana , Vojnov Bojan
Published: November 2022

The study was aimed at determining the most suitable irrigation schedule program for hemp grown for fibers by using evaporation from the free water surface (Eo), measured by a Class A pan and related crop plant coefficient (Kc). The experiment, carried out in Vojvodina, a northern part of the Republic of Serbia, included three irrigation regimes: I1, I2, and I3 corresponding, respectively, to daily evaporation from an open water surface (Eo), two interrow spacings: RS1 (12.5 cm) and RS2 (25 cm), and topped (T) and not topped (NT) variants. The Kc values used for the calculation of daily evapotranspiration (ETd) were 0.42 for April and May and 1.00 (I1), 0.80 (I2), and 0.60 (I3) from June to the harvest. In addition, the nonirrigated (Io) control variant was also included in the trial. The dioecious fiber hemp variety Marina was used for the trials. Irrigation was carried out by a drip irrigation system and was scheduled based on the water budget method. It started when readily available water (RAW) in the soil layer of 0.4 m was completely depleted by the plants. In the first year of the study, irrigation did not influence the yield of hemp fiber, but in the second one, the best result was achieved for the irrigation variant I1. Interrow spacing did not have a statistically significant effect on both the hemp fiber yield and the quality. The topping of plants significantly decreased the yield of hemp, and it is not recommended when the hemp is cultivated for fibers. The quality of the hemp fibers was not influenced by irrigation, inter-row spacing, and topping. The rate of hemp evapotranspiration was in an interval of 312 mm (ETa) to 520 mm (ETm). The highest values of IWUE and ETWUE in both years and the bark yield in the first year were detected for the I3 irrigation variant, which suggested that the crop plant coefficient (Kc) of 0.6 could be recommended for the correction of Eo values in the calculation of the daily evapotranspiration of hemp (ETd) from June to August. The yield response factor (Ky) with values of 0.22 and 0.60 for the total growing season reveals that, in rainy years, hemp for fiber production could be grown without irrigation in the temperate climate of the Vojvodina region. However, such years are rare. Without doubt, irrigation of fiber hemp is recommended in the mentioned region in order to obtain high yields of good quality product.
Nutrient Composition and Growth of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) at Different Ages and Stages of the Life Cycle
Authors: Toviho Odunayo A. , Bársony Péter
Published: November 2022

The nutrient composition of yellow mealworm (YM) Tenebrio molitor varies based on the stages of the life cycle, the rearing conditions, and the feeding substrate. This study monitored the growth of yellow mealworm larvae at 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age, separating samples into large-sized and small-sized insects. During the experiment, we measured the nutrient composition: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), crude fibre, chitin, crude ash, and nitrogen free extract (NFE) of YM at different age groups and sizes. We measured the nutrient composition of the pre-moult, moult, cuticle, and pupae as well. The results show that there is no significant difference between the compositions of the different age groups, but larger-sized individuals had a higher DM and crude fibre and lower chitin and NFE than the smaller sizes. The pre-moult and moult stages showed no significant difference in nutrient composition. Although the cuticle had a high DM (97.5%), that did not cause any significant difference between the DM of the moult and pre-moult, because it is only a negligible part of the total wet weight. With the increased DM, the crude protein content and the chitin content, fibre, ash content, and NFE increased, while the fat content decreased. The DM, CF, and chitin contents of pupae are significantly lower than those of the pre-moult and moult stages. Our results show that it is the size and not the age that has a positive effect on the nutrient composition of YM.
Screening Soybean Genotypes for High-Temperature Tolerance by Maximin-Minimax Method Based on Yield Potential and Loss
Authors: Jumrani Kanchan , Bhatia Virender Singh , Kataria Sunita , Landi Marco
Published: November 2022

Temperature rise between 2.6 and 4.8 °C will impact the productivity of soybean at the turn of the twenty-first century. To predict differences in soybean genotypes to high temperatures, twelve soybean genotypes were grown in greenhouses maintained at a mean temperature of 26, 29, 32, and 35 °C, respectively, with one set in natural conditions. The leaf area, total biomass, photosynthesis, Fv/Fm, pollen germination, and reproductive efficiency were significantly high under natural conditions, and a further increase in temperature to 26, 29, 32, and 35 °C resulted in a decline in these parameters. The average seed yield of 12 soybean genotypes was 13.2 g/plant under ambient temperature and there was mild reduction of 8% and 14% when genotypes were grown at 26 and 29 °C, respectively. Severe decline by 51% and 65% in yield was observed at 32 and 35 °C, respectively. The total stress response index in twelve genotypes ranged from −1068 (JS 95-60) to −333 (EC 538828). NRC7 and EC 538828 performed comparatively better than other genotypes. Screening for high-temperature tolerance in soybean is very constrained in breeding programs. This genetic variability among soybean genotypes to elevated temperature reveals that heat tolerance can be improved through plant breeding programs. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of identifying efficient selection strategies in improving the productivity of soybean in future climate scenarios.
Transfer Learning with Convolutional Neural Networks for Cider Apple Varieties Classification
Authors: García Cortés Silverio , Menéndez Díaz Agustín , Oliveira Prendes José Alberto , Bello García Antonio
Published: November 2022

Cider production requires detailed knowledge of the apple varieties used. Of the hundreds of varieties of cider and dessert apples in Spain, only a few are accepted for producing cider under the “Sidra de Asturias” protected designation of origin. The visual characteristics of many of these varieties are very similar, and only experts can distinguish them. In this study, an artificial intelligence system using Transfer Learning techniques was developed for classifying some Asturian apple varieties. The performance of several convolutional neural network architectures was compared for classifying an image database created by the authors that included nine of the most common apple varieties. The best overall accuracy (98.04%) was obtained with the InceptionV3 architecture, thus demonstrating the reliability of the classification system, which will be useful for all cider or apple producers.
Rhizobial Symbiosis in Crop Legumes: Molecular and Cellular Aspects
Authors: Tsyganova Anna V. , Tsyganov Viktor E.
Published: November 2022

The production of high-value, environmentally friendly and healthy food has been the major global focus of sustainable agriculture in recent years [...]
Sandy Habitats Play an Important Role in Shrub Encroachment in Grasslands
Authors: Xie Lina , Li Yuchen , Guo Hongyu , Wang Chunwen , Chen Qing , He Peng , Ma Chengcang
Published: November 2022

Shrub species have increased in density and cover in desertification areas, however, the role of sandy habitats in contributing to the expansion of shrubs is poorly understood. Although the effect of sandy habitats on plant growth and reproduction have been demonstrated, most existing studies lack either experimental demonstration or an integrated study during the whole shrub life cycle. We performed field and laboratory experiments to examine the responses of four stages in the life cycle of shrubs (seed germination, plant growth, seed reproduction, clonal reproduction) to sandy habitats (including sand substrate, sand burial and wind erosion) for Caragana shrubs. Results showed that both sand substrate and sand burial facilitated seed germination, seedling biomass, sapling establishment, plant growth, and root-shoot ratio of Caragana. Meanwhile, they both strongly increased seed number and seed preservation, and thus enhanced sexual reproduction. Sand burial favored clonal reproduction of Caragana by promoting the formation of branch-derived ramets, while wind erosion benefited clonal reproduction by facilitating the formation of root-derived ramets. These results suggested that sandy habitats facilitated seed germination, plant growth, sexual reproduction, and clonal reproduction of Caragana, which could explain why shrub abundance, shrub area and shrub height of Caragana in sandy areas was higher than in grasslands. Our study provided an experimental demonstration that sandy habitats promoted the population growth of Caragana shrubs during the whole life cycle and highlighted the significant role of sandy habitats in facilitating shrub encroachment in grasslands.
Effects of Biochar on the Microenvironment of Saline-Sodic Soil and Maize Growth
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Wang Hongyi , Zhao Changjiang , Yang Kejun , Li Zuotong , Yin Kuide
Published: November 2022

Biochar is a valuable soil amendment substance. However, no systematic study has investigated the effects of biochar on the microenvironment of saline-sodic soils and maize yield in cold areas of Heilongjiang Province. We investigated variations in soil physicochemical properties, soil bacterial and fungal community structure, maize root formation, plant dry matter accumulation, grain filling rate, and maize yield in saline soils treated with biochar (0, 20, 40, and 80 t/ha). Biochar improved saline soil properties and structure, slightly decreasing bulk density and pH and increasing the water-stable aggregate stabilization rate. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, Nitrospira, and Gemmatimonas and the fungal genus Guehomyces were increased, promoting the conversion of soil organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, biochar reduced the relative abundance of some fungal pathogenic genera, including Fusarium, Gibberella, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Epicoccum. However, shifts in soil bacterial and fungal community structure were indirectly driven by biochar-induced changes in soil physicochemical properties, with organic carbon as the most critical. Biochar promoted maize growth, development, and yield (root length, surface area, volume, dry matter accumulation, grain filling rate, and final weight). Biochar application at 40 t/ha had the greatest effect on soil microenvironment improvement, with the highest maize yield.
“Not All Who Wander Are Lost”: The Life Transitions and Associated Welfare of Pack Mules Walking the Trails in the Mountainous Gorkha Region, Nepal
Authors: Watson Tamlin , Kubasiewicz Laura M. , Nye Caroline , Thapa Sajana , Norris Stuart L. , Chamberlain Natasha , Burden Faith A.
Published: November 2022

Equids in general experience transient lives where ownership may change multiple times, for working equids this can be more extreme where ownership changes are not only numerous but abrupt, and situations encountered prove difficult, diverse and tough for equids to adapt. In this study, we investigate the life cycle of pack mules in Nepal, investigating the challenges they face during their lives through to end of life. To gain insight into the lives of mules, we conducted semi-structured interviews and livelihood surveys with 27 key informants, gathering the perspectives of the people working with mules. Welfare assessments of the mules were undertaken via the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool (EARS) by a trained assessor. Mules had to adapt swiftly to changes in industry type, enduring long distance transportation in overloaded vehicles and across country borders with no checks for biosecurity or welfare. Mules had to show swift adaptation to their new environment, to respond to and learn new tasks via inhumanely administered training, using inappropriate techniques, delivered by owners lacking in understanding of mule behaviour and learning. Environmental conditions were often hard; the negotiation of difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions during monsoon and subsequent high-altitude working without acclimatisation likely pushed mules to their biological limits. This study investigates the lives of a population of mules in the mountains of Nepal, developing a better understanding of their needs and their ‘truth’ or ‘telos’ informing what measures will help them to thrive.
Effects of the Inclusion of Ground Pouteria sapota Kernel on Intake, Digestibility, and Growth Performance in Lambs
Authors: Sánchez-Zárate Adriana , Chay-Canul Alfonso J. , Aguilar-Urquizo Edgar , Sanginés-García J. Roberto , Moo-Huchin Víctor Manuel , Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Piñeiro-Vázquez Ángel T.
Published: November 2022

This study determined the effect of replacing ground corn and soybean meal with ground Pouteria sapota kernel (PSSM) in lamb diets on nutrient intake and digestibility, performance, and carcass traits. Twenty-one male hair sheep lambs with an average body weight of 22 ± 3.5 kg were randomly assigned to three treatment diets containing PSSM at 0, 10, and 20% of the total dry matter (DM) inclusion. The study lasted 60 days, which included 15 days for adaption and 45 days for sample collection. The PSSM inclusion did not affect intake or performance (p > 0.05). However, ether extract (EE) digestibility linearly increased (p < 0.0001), while crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) linearly decreased. Final body weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, feeding efficiency, and carcass traits were not affected by PSSM inclusion. In conclusion, these results suggest that PSSM can replace up to 200 g/kg DM of ground corn and soybean meal without affecting intake or animal performance.
Efficacy and Safety of Colistin versus Tigecycline for Multi-Drug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens—A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Abushanab Dina , Nasr Ziad G. , Al-Badriyeh Daoud
Published: November 2022

Background: We intended to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of colistin versus tigecycline as monotherapy or combination therapy against multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens. Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, and in the grey literature (i.e., ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar) up to May 2021. Outcomes were clinical response, mortality, infection recurrence, and renal and hepatic toxicity. We pooled odd ratios (OR) using heterogeneity-guided random or fixed models at a statistical significance of p < 0.05. Results: Fourteen observational studies involving 1163 MDR/XDR pathogens, receiving tigecycline versus colistin monotherapy or combination, were included. Base-case analyses revealed insignificant differences in the clinical response, reinfection, and hepatic impairment. The 30-day mortality was significantly relatively reduced with tigecycline monotherapy (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.75, p = 0.007). The colistin monotherapy significantly relatively reduced in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.27, 95%CI 1.24–4.16, p = 0.008). Renal impairment rates were lower with tigecycline monotherapy or in combination, and were lower with monotherapy versus colistin-tigecycline combination. Low-risk of bias and moderate/high evidence quality were associated with all studies. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there were no statistically significant differences in main efficacy outcomes between colistin and tigecycline monotherapies or combinations against MDR/XDR infections, except for lower rates of 30-day mortality with tigecycline and in-hospital mortality with colistin. Tigecycline was associated with favourable renal toxicity outcomes.
Protective Effects of Withagenin A Diglucoside from Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera) against Human Dermal Fibroblast Damaged by TNF-α Stimulation
Authors: Lee Sullim , Choi Yea Jung , Lee Seulah , Kang Ki Sung , Jang Tae Su , Kim Ki Hyun
Published: November 2022

Human skin is constructed with many proteins such as collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin play a key role in providing strength and elasticity to the human skin and body. However, damage to collagen causes various symptoms such as wrinkles and freckles, which suggests that they are important to maintain skin condition. Extrinsic or intrinsic skin aging produces an excess of skin destructive factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which is a major mediator of the aging process. In aged skin, TNF-α provokes the generation of intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species). It triggers the excessive secretion of MMP-1, which is a collagen-degrading enzyme that causes the collapse of skin collagen. Therefore, we aimed to search for a natural-product-derived candidate that inhibits the skin damage caused by TNF-α in human dermal fibroblasts. In this study, the protective effect of withagenin A diglucoside (WAD) identified from Withania somnifera against TNF-α-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts is investigated. W. somnifera (Solanaceae), well-known as ‘ashwagandha’, is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant useful for promoting health and longevity. Our experimental results reveal that WAD from W. somnifera suppresses the generation of intercellular ROS. Suppressing intracellular ROS generation inhibits MMP-1 secretion and the collapse of type 1 collagen. The effect of WAD is shown to depend on the inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation, c-Jun phosphorylation, COX-2 expression, and NF-κB phosphorylation. Further, WAD-depressed expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 triggers various inflammatory reactions in human skin. These findings suggest that WAD has protective effects against skin damage. Accordingly, our study provides experimental evidence that WAD can be a potential agent that can be applied in various industrial fields, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals related to skin aging.
What Is the Relationship between Antioxidant Efficacy, Functional Composition, and Genetic Characteristics in Comparing Soybean Resources by Year?
Authors: Chu Han-Na , Lee Suji , Wang Xiaohan , Wee Chi-Do , Yoon Hye-Myeong , Jung Eun-Suk , Seo Mi-Kyung , Kwon Yongseok , Jang Kyeong-A , Kim Haeng-Ran
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to analyze the physiological activity of 48 soybean resources harvested in 2020 to identify the soybean resources’ relationships with individual isoflavone compounds and their genetic properties. These data will subsequently be compared with the research results on soybeans harvested in 2019. Initially, with respect to the physiological activity (6 types) and substances (19 types), this study evaluated the differences between the cultivation year (two years), seed coat color (three colors), and the interaction of the year and seed coat color of soybeans through ANOVA. Among the physiological activities, there were differences in the estrogen, estrogen receptor alpha, and UCP-1 (uncoupling protein-1) activities depending on the cultivation year. Moreover, there were differences in NO (nitric oxide), revealing differences in the ABTS (2, 2′-azino-bis-3ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities due to the seed coat color and the interaction of the year and seed coat color. Soybeans harvested in 2020 exhibited increased ABTS, DPPH, and NO inhibitory activities and reduced estrogen, estrogen receptor alpha, and UCP-1 activities compared to those harvested in 2019. According to the ANOVA results, eight of the nineteen individual derivatives illustrated yearly differences, while three derivatives displayed differences due to the seed coat color. Secondly, according to the relationship between the efficacy, derivative substances, and genetic properties, it was determined that genistein 7-O-(2″-O-apiosyl)glucoside (F5) is the individual isoflavone derivative that affected the six types of physiological activity, on which the genome-wide association study (GWAS) showed no significant differences for genetic properties. These results were inconsistent with the 2019 data, where three types of individual compounds, including F5, were proposed as substances that correlated with efficacy and there was a high correlation with genetic properties. Therefore, this study selected B17, B23, B15, B24, and Y7 as excellent varieties that are stable and highly functional in the cultivation environment, producing only small annual differences. The results of this study will be utilized as basic data for predicting soybean varieties and their cultivation, which have high environmental stability under climate variation and properly retain the functional substances and efficacy.
Research Progress on Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Wu Yiwei , Zou Haidong
Published: November 2022

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most important microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, which can lead to blindness in severe cases. Mitochondria are energy-producing organelles in eukaryotic cells, which participate in metabolism and signal transduction, and regulate cell growth, differentiation, aging, and death. Metabolic changes of retinal cells and epigenetic changes of mitochondria-related genes under high glucose can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and induce mitochondrial pathway apoptosis. In addition, mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics also change adaptively. These mechanisms may be related to the occurrence and progression of DR, and also provide valuable clues for the prevention and treatment of DR. This article reviews the mechanism of DR induced by mitochondrial dysfunction, and the prospects for related treatment.
Microcurrent and Gold Nanoparticles Combined with Hyaluronic Acid Accelerates Wound Healing
Authors: Mendes Carolini , Thirupathi Anand , Zaccaron Rubya Pereira , Corrêa Maria Eduarda Anastácio Borges , Bittencourt João V. S. , Casagrande Laura de Roch , de Lima Anadhelly C. S. , de Oliveira Lara L. , de Andrade Thiago A. M. , Gu Yaodong , Feuser Paulo Emílio , Machado-de-Ávila Ricardo A. , Silveira Paulo Cesar Lock
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of iontophoresis and hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with a gold nanoparticle (GNP) solution in an excisional wound model. Fifty Wistar rats (n = 10/group) were randomly assigned to the following groups: excisional wound (EW); EW + MC; EW + MC + HA; EW + MC + GNPs; and EW + MC + HA + GNPs. The animals were induced to a circular excision, and treatment started 24 h after injury with microcurrents (300 µA) containing gel with HA (0.9%) and/or GNPs (30 mg/L) in the electrodes (1 mL) for 7 days. The animals were euthanized 12 h after the last treatment application. The results demonstrate a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNϒ, IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-6) in the group in which the therapies were combined, and they show increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and growth factors (FGF and TGF-β) in the EW + MC + HA and EW + MC + HA + GNPs groups. As for the levels of dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and nitrite, as well as oxidative damage (carbonyl and sulfhydryl), they decreased in the combined therapy group when compared to the control group. Regarding antioxidant defense, there was an increase in glutathione (GSH) and a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the combined therapy group. A histological analysis showed reduced inflammatory infiltrate in the MC-treated groups and in the combination therapy group. There was an increase in the wound contraction rate in all treated groups when compared to the control group, proving that the proposed therapies are effective in the epithelial healing process. The results of this study demonstrate that the therapies in combination favor the tissue repair process more significantly than the therapies in isolation.
Development of Daily and Extreme Temperature Estimation Model for Building Structures Based on Raw Meteorological Data
Authors: Yang Jianyu , Yang Yongda , Zou Jiaming , Yang Weijun
Published: November 2022

For building environments, meteorological factors such as daily mean temperature, extreme temperature and seasonal temperature changes, are essential, as they impact building structures significantly. Due to the importance of detailed and accurate temperature data, and taking Beijing, China, as an example, this paper developed a fast and effective interpolation method to extract hourly meteorological data, based on 30 years’ raw meteorological data. With the interpolated data, this paper defined the extreme weather for buildings. Moreover, a temperature model based on probability and statistical analysis was constructed, and the general climate standard for days and extreme climate for typical days with different return periods were obtained. Furthermore, meteorological models for standard annual temperature were also achieved, reflecting the daily variation and annual variation of temperature, and can provide continuous-numerical-simulation parameters for analyzing daily and annual temperature. According to the daily temperature difference obeys the Gumble Distribution, the daily temperature difference in different return periods and extreme climates is obtained by analysis. Therefore, annual temperature ranges of different recurrence intervals and extreme climate are also achieved, and the annual temperature ranges can be used to analyze the effect of different recurrence intervals and extreme weather on building structures.
Responses of Water Temperature and Level to Large Earthquakes in Tibet
Authors: Gesang Zhuoma , Zhu Ye , Ji Yingfeng , Zhu Weiling , Qu Rui , Ciren Duoji , Xie Chaodi
Published: November 2022

Well water levels can reflect the stress placed on a confined subsurface aquifer system in a similar manner to a strain meter. Based on observations of the geophysical field in Lhasa combined with digital data recorded at an underground fluid well at the Lhasa geomagnetic station in recent years, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of co-seismic changes caused by 14 different-magnitude M ≥ 5 earthquakes recorded in the well. The results show that (1) the co-seismic changes in water temperature and water level are different; the water level exhibits oscillation-type changes, while the water temperature variations indicate first heating and subsequent recovery. (2) The co-seismic changes are related to the epicentral distance, magnitude and focal depth of the earthquake. The closer the epicenter is to the well, the earlier the co-seismic responses occur, but the time interval between the co-seismic changes in the water level and temperature differs. (3) The co-seismic ratio of the water temperature is higher than that of the water level; this may be related to faulty water level instrumentation or segmented records.
Classification of the Human Protein Atlas Single Cell Using Deep Learning
Authors: Alsubait Tahani , Sindi Taghreed , Alhakami Hosam
Published: November 2022

Deep learning has made great progress in many fields. One of the most important fields is the medical field, where we can classify images, detect objects and so on. More specifically, deep learning algorithms entered the field of single-cell classification and revolutionized this field, by classifying the components of the cell and identifying the location of the proteins in it. Due to the presence of large numbers of cells in the human body of different types and sizes, it was difficult to carry out analysis of cells and detection of components using traditional methods, which indicated a research gap that was filled with the introduction of deep learning in this field. We used the Human Atlas dataset which contains 87,224 images of single cells. We applied three novel deep learning algorithms, which are CSPNet, BoTNet, and ResNet. The results of the algorithms were promising in terms of accuracy: 95%, 93%, and 91%, respectively.
A Comprehensive Study of Local, Global, and Combined Optimization Methods on Synthetic Seismic Refraction and Direct Current Resistivity Data
Authors: Edigbue Paul , Demirci Ismail , Akca Irfan , Hamdan Hamdan Ali , Kirmizakis Panagiotis , Soupios Pantelis , Candansayar Emin , Hanafy Sherif , Al-Shuhail Abdullatif
Published: November 2022

Most geophysical inversions face the problem of non-uniqueness, which poses a challenge in the mapping and delineation of the subsurface anomalies. To tackle this challenge, a combined local and global optimization approach is considered for jointly inverting two-dimensional direct current resistivity (DCR) and seismic refraction (SR) data that aim to estimate the corresponding physical model parameters. In this combined approach, the output of the local optimization method is used to determine the search space and tuning parameters for the global optimization algorithm. The multi-objective genetic algorithm (non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm) was utilized to jointly optimize the objective functions of two different methods. Because the genetic algorithm is a population-based optimization method, it requires numerous forward calculations. To deal with the expected high computational cost associated with this approach, parallel computing was utilized for the forward function evaluations to reduce the run time of the entire process. The proposed approach was tested using synthetic two-dimensional resistivity and velocity models that had three different types of anomalies (dyke, positive, and combined positive and negative). The results showed an improvement in the anomaly delineation in the output of the combined local and global optimization method compared with the local optimization method. Additionally, similar synthetic models were tested using only the single objective global optimization algorithm (conventional global optimization), which showed promising anomaly delineation.
Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Prospecting Potential of the Dahongliutan Pluton, Western Kunlun Orogen
Authors: Zhou Bing , Zhang Zhixue , Shi Zeming , Song Hao , Yu Linsong
Published: November 2022

Triassic granitoids are abundant on the northwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The Dahongliutan pluton, located in the eastern Western Kunlun orogen, formed in the Late Triassic.Previous field studies have identified potential mixing of crustal and mantle magmas. In this study, we used zircon U–Pb ages and major and trace elemental analyses to investigate the tectonic evolution of the pluton, and to determine whether any exchange of mantle-derived material occurred between the pluton and the source area. We found that the pluton has relatively high SiO2 contents, and the aluminum saturation index is consistent with peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline granite. The pluton is enriched in light rare earth elements; both light and heavy rare earth elements are highly fractionated. The magma that formed the pluton was predominantly derived from the crust; however, a small amount of upper mantle material was involved in the early stages of magma formation. The pluton underwent composite emplacement as a result of tectonic extension and magmatic emplacement, which may have occurred in the late Triassic post-collisional orogenic stage. Late Triassic magmatism provided heat and ore-forming material for Pb–Zn, Cu, Fe, and rare metal mineralization, which is of considerable importance for geological prospecting.
Health Parameters of Potato Tubers under the Influence of Soil Applied Bio-Preparations and Bio-Stimulants
Authors: Gleń-Karolczyk Katarzyna , Bolligłowa Elżbieta , Luty Lidia
Published: November 2022

Increasing consumption of processed potatoes and consumer preference for buying potatoes washed and packed in transparent packages are a reason for increasing quality standards for potatoes. Processing and trade require potato tubers with smooth skin and without signs of disease, such as common scab, black scurf, and silver scurf. It is necessary to introduce protective measures to reduce the growth of pathogens causing these diseases and, at the same time, are safe for the environment and the consumer. To meet these requirements, the effects of application to soil and treatment of seed potatoes in the following solutions were examined: biological control agents (BCAs): Pythium oligandrum (BCAPo), Bacillus subtillis str. QST 713 (BCABs); microbial soil additives (MSADs): Efficient microorganisms (EM), UGMax soil conditioner, Biogen Rewital (BR); plant growth promoter (PGP): Ecklonia maxima (PGPEm) for the infection of the tubers by Streptomyces scabies (S.s), Rhizoctonia solani (R.s) Helminthosporium solani (H.s) and potato yield. Average Disease Severity Index (DSI) for common scab (S.s) 62.0%, black scurf (R.s) 57.88%, and silver scurf (H.s) 54.24%, obtained from three growing seasons, indicate their significant economic importance. The bio-preparations used significantly reduced their intensity. The effectiveness of protection for individual pathogens varied and was highly dependent on hydrothermal conditions. The analyzed preparations showed E between 8.0% and 50.8% against S.s. However, a stronger effectiveness was found in relation to H.s (12.9–56.6%) and R.s (19.5–69.2%). In years with water deficit, PGPEm and MSADs are more effective than BCAs in protecting potato tubers from skin diseases and contribute to higher yield increases. There was a significant negative correlation between the total DSI and the potato tuber yield.