bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder-Oriented Firms Have Feelings and Moral Standing Too
Authors: Quintelier Katinka J. P.
Published: February 2022

A central claim in stakeholder theory is that, if we see stakeholders as human beings, we will attribute higher moral standing or show more moral consideration to stakeholders. But would the same hold for firms? In this paper, I apply the concepts of humanization and moral standing to firms, and I predict that (1) individuals attribute higher moral standing to stakeholder-oriented than to profit-oriented firms, because (2) individuals attribute more experience (such as feelings) to stakeholder-oriented than to profit-oriented firms. Five experiments support these predictions across different operationalizations of stakeholder and profit orientations. The analyses show that moral standing attributions are not fully explained by attributions of agency (such as thinking) to firms, or by attributions of experience or agency to human stakeholders (instead of firms). By unearthing the importance of experience attributions for moral standing attributions to firms, this work provides novel insights in ongoing legal, philosophical and public debates related to firms’ moral standing. The findings also bring the debate about firms’ moral standing to the heart of stakeholder theory, and lead to new normative and descriptive research questions about the interests of firms and their stakeholders.
Mental Health Profiles in a Sample of Moroccan High School Students: Comparison Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mzadi Abdennour El , Zouini Btissame , Kerekes Nóra , Senhaji Meftaha
Published: February 2022

Background

Adolescent high school students may be particularly susceptible to suffering from the effect of isolation, physical distancing restrictions, and school closures imposed during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic. Given the biological and psychological changes that occur during this period of development, adolescents' experiences of these pandemic measures could significantly threaten their mental health and cause long-term consequences.

Aim

The main objectives of the study were to determine the impact of confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the psychological distress of Moroccan adolescents and identify the risk and protective factors that could influence their mental health.

Methods

The participants in this study were Moroccan high school students who were recruited at two different times—before the COVID-19 pandemic (350 students, mean age: 16.55 years; 53.71% female; data collected in 2014/2015) and after the announcement of the pandemic (457 students, mean age: 16.84; 64.1% female; data collected in 2020). Students responded to an anonymous survey that included several validated instruments, such as the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity questionary, and elicited information about the students' psychosocial environment, gender, and age. The scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory dimensions from the pre-pandemic period and during 2020 were compared. A comparison between the scores of the two genders of the 2020 sample was also carried out. In addition, binary regression analysis was performed to predict the associations between gender, frequency of physical activity, the presence of the number of negative psychosocial factors, and those dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory that significantly changed between the samples.

Results

Female students reported higher psychological distress than male students in both data collection periods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students scored significantly (p< 0.001) higher in depression and paranoid ideation, and they scored significantly (p= 0.01) lower in hostility and anxiety compared with the pre-pandemic period. Female gender and the experience of physical or psychological abuse significantly increased the risk of reporting higher scores in depression and paranoid ideation symptoms during 2020. Moderate and frequent physical activities were significantly and negatively associated with depression (p= 0.003 andp= 0.004; respectively).

Conclusions

This study confirms the stressful impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Moroccan high school students, who reported more symptoms of depression and paranoid ideation compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Female students reported higher psychological distress than male students did. The experience of physical /psychological abuse during the pandemic worsened mental health, while moderate/frequent physical activity improved it.
Non-targeted Metabolomics Profiling of Plasma Samples From Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Wu Zhonghao , Yu Heming , Tian Yu , Wang Yue , He Yong , Lan Tianlan , Li Yan , Bai Mengge , Chen Xiangyu , Chen Zhi , Ji Ping , Zhang Hongmei , Jin Xin , Song Jinlin , Cheng Ke , Xie Peng
Published: February 2022

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by multiple factors. Although there are clear guidelines for the diagnosis of MDD, the direct and objective diagnostic methods remain inadequate thus far.

Methods

This study aims to discover peripheral biomarkers in patients with MDD and promote the diagnosis of MDD. Plasma samples of healthy controls (HCs, n = 52) and patients with MDD (n = 38) were collected, and then, metabolism analysis was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Heatmap analysis was performed to identify the different metabolites. Meanwhile, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of these differential metabolites were generated.

Results

Six differential metabolites were found by LC–MS/MS analysis. Three of these were increased, including L-aspartic acid (Asp), diethanolamine, and alanine. Three were decreased, including O-acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC), cystine, and fumarate. In addition, LAC, Asp, fumarate, and alanine showed large areas under the curve (AUCs) by ROC analysis.

Conclusion

The study explored differences in peripheral blood between depressed patients and HCs. These results indicated that differential metabolites with large AUCs may have the potential to be promising biomarkers for the diagnosis of MDD.
Quantitative Evaluation of TOD Performance Based on Multi-Source Data: A Case Study of Shanghai
Authors: Qiang Dan , Zhang Lingzhu , Huang Xiaotong
Published: February 2022

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has been widely adopted as a primary urban planning strategy to better integrate transit and land use; further, the pedestrian-oriented perspective has been receiving increasing attention. However, most studies so far have only focused on few features and fail to capture comprehensive perceptions in the transportation (T), pedestrian-oriented accessibility (O), and urban development (D) dimensions. New emerging urban datasets provide a more refined and systematic approach to quantify the characteristics of metro station areas. This study offers a more efficient and convenient process and comprehensive approach to measure TOD performance. With a combination of traditional data collected by an official department, high-resolution open data, and innovative technology, large-scale analyses of 347 metro stations in Shanghai were conducted. Fifteen indicators for T, O, and D were chosen to categorize TOD performance into five clusters. Radar charts, boxplots, and colored maps were used to display numerous quantitative factors for each type. Combining the results with the Shanghai Comprehensive Plan (2017–2035) showed that the majority of Cluster 4 is located at the center of the Five New Towns. The correlation analysis between ridership and TOD performance showed that the transportation dimension indicator has a strong correlation with daily ridership, followed by the O and D indicators. Moreover, ridership per capita was found to be affected by resident density, employment density, O value, and D value, whereas no significant correlation was found between ridership per capita and T value. Population plays a pivotal role in metro passenger traffic, indicating ridership per capita had a high, strong correlation with resident density, with R = 0.658 for weekdays and R = 0.654 for weekends. This study reinterpreted the node-place method and 5Ds framework, resulting in a renewal method with new datasets and analysis tools. It contributes to providing pedestrian-oriented TOD planning methodology for urban planners and policymakers by combining T, O, and D dimensions and visualizing the results with current urban planning.
Eco-Innovations Transition of Agri-food Enterprises Into a Circular Economy
Authors: Hamam Manal , D'Amico Mario , Zarbà Carla , Chinnici Gaetano , Tóth József
Published: February 2022

Eco-innovations that reduce the environmental effect of manufacturing and consumption are seen as critical components of sustainable development and a critical component of the transition to a circular economy. Food systems address the issue of food waste, which is generally acknowledged as a cost to the economy, the environment, and society. Eco-innovations seem to be critical for the food system's transformation to a more circular model centered on sustainable food production and processing. The goal of this paper was to determine the variables that influenced the introduction of product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations in European Union agri-food enterprises between 2012 and 2014. According to a preliminary analysis of the data, 57.40% of agribusinesses did not implement any form of innovation, which prompted the authors to study the difficulties surrounding innovation development over the 3-year reference period. Several key factors emerge as significant influences on the introduction of product innovations (0.055**); contractual requirements as significant influences on the introduction of process innovations (−0.081***); and environmental incentives as significant influences on the introduction of marketing innovations (0.062***). Additionally, product (0.704***) and process (1.051***) innovations tend to have a greater influence on enterprises' views of circular benefits. The investigation also demonstrates how enterprises and end users interpret the effect of various forms of innovation differently. Indeed, end users, in contrast to how enterprises understand it, believe that organizational (0.611***) and marketing (0.916***) innovations are critical in pursuing circular benefits.
Evaluation of 3D Robotic-Guided Exoscopic Visualization in Microneurosurgery
Authors: Keric Naureen , Krenzlin Harald , Kurz Elena , Wesp Dominik M. A. , Kalasauskas Darius , Ringel Florian
Published: February 2022

Objective

The three-dimensional (3D) exoscope is a novel apparatus introduced in recent years. Although an operating microscope (OM) is customarily used, this novel application offers several advantages. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the feasibility of deploying a robotic-guided 3D-exoscope for microneurosurgery and gauge its subsequent performance.

Methods

The use of a 3D exoscope was compared with that of OM during 16 surgical procedures. Postoperatively, surgeons completed an eight-item Likert-scale satisfaction survey. As a second step, a predefined surgical task was then undertaken by surgeons with varying levels of experience, assessing the time entailed. Two questionnaires, the satisfaction survey and NASA task load index (NASA-TLX), were administered.

Results

During routine procedures, the exoscope proved superior in magnification and ergonomic maintenance, showing inferior image contrast, quality, and illumination. It again ranked higher in magnification and ergonomic maintenance during the suturing task, and the OM excelled in treatment satisfaction and stereoscopic orientation. Workload assessment using the NASA-TLX revealed no difference by modality in the pairwise analysis of all components. At varying levels of experience, beginners bear a significantly higher burden in all principle components than mid-level and expert participants (p = 0.0018). Completion times for the suturing task did not differ (p = 0.22).

Conclusion

The quality of visualization by 3D exoscope seems adequate for treatment and its ergonomic benefit is superior to that of OM. Although experienced surgeons performed a surgical simulation faster under the OM, no difference was evident in NASA-TLX surveys. The 3D exoscope is an excellent alternative to the OM.
Application of Rapid Rehabilitation Surgical Nursing Combined With Continuous Nursing in Self-Care Ability, Medication Compliance and Quality of Life of Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Song Linyan , Jin Qing , Zhu Liying , Liu Zhe , Cheng Wenjuan
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore the effects of rapid rehabilitation surgery (FTS) nursing combined with continuous nursing on self-care ability, medication compliance and quality of life of patients after renal transplantation.

Methods

Sixty patients who received kidney transplantation in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group with 30 patients in each group according to the random number table method. The control group was given FTS nursing, while the observation group was given continuous nursing on the basis of the control group. General data were collected and compared between the two groups. Postoperative indexes such as the time of first intake and the like of patients in the two groups were recorded. The patients' comfort, self-care ability, medication compliance and quality of life after renal transplantation were evaluated in the two groups. During the follow-up, the hospitalization of patients with complications was recorded.

Results

There was no significant difference in the first intake, blood glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, blood potassium or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the postoperative physical, mental, psychological, social and environmental dimensions between the two groups (P > 0.05). The scores of cognitive symptom management, exercise and communication with doctors in the two groups in post-intervention were higher than those in pre-intervention, and the scores in the observation group in post-intervention were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The medication compliance in the observation group (93.33%) was higher than that in the control group (70.00%) (χ2 = 5.455, P = 0.020). In post-intervention, the scores of quality of life of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The admission rate of complications in the observation group (10.00%) was lower than that in the control group (30.00%) (χ2 = 3.750, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

FTS nursing can help renal transplantation patients to obtain more stable postoperative blood pressure, renal function and other indicators and comfort. On this basis, combined with continuous nursing can improve patients' self-care ability and medication compliance, which is of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients.
Detection of the ABCB11930_1931del TC Mutation in Two Suspected Ivermectin-Sensitive Cats and Their Relatives by a Novel TaqMan Allelic Discrimination Assay
Authors: Nürnberger Daniela , Wagner Lisa , Müller Simon F. , Leiting Silke , Leidolf Regina , Alber Jörg , Hamann Melanie , Geyer Joachim
Published: February 2022

The multidrug resistance gene MDR1 (syn. ABCB1) encodes for the multidrug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is highly expressed at the blood-brain barrier and protects the brain from potentially neurotoxic compounds, such as ivermectin. MDR1 mutation in dogs is known to be linked to dramatically increased brain accumulation of ivermectin and life-threatening neurological toxicity. The present report describes two suspected ivermectin-sensitive Maine Coon cats, which exhibited neurological toxicity following subcutaneous application of therapeutic doses of ivermectin. Both cats showed a homozygous 2-bp deletion in the MDR1/ABCB1 coding sequence (ABCB11930_1931del TC, syn. MDR1 nt1930(del2)) that had previously been associated with a drug-sensitive phenotype in cats. For cat MDR1 genotyping, a novel TaqMan allelic discrimination assay was established and validated. This assay was used forABCB11930_1931del TC genotyping of the drug-sensitive cats as well as of more than 50 relatives. About half of them had the heterozygous MDR1(+/-) genotype, while none of these related cats with former ivermectin treatment had a history of drug-sensitivity. In conclusion: The present study supports previous findings on drug-sensitivity in cats with homozygousABCB11930_1931del TC mutation. The newly established TaqMan allelic discrimination assay provides a useful and reliable method for routine MDR1 genotyping in cats in order to identify drug-sensitive cats prior to treatment with established P-gp substrates such as ivermectin and other macrocyclic lactones and thus to improve therapeutic safety.
Evidence From the Decade of Action for Road Safety: A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Interventions in Low and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Tavakkoli Maryam , Torkashvand-Khah Zahra , Fink Günther , Takian Amirhossein , Kuenzli Nino , de Savigny Don , Cobos Muñoz Daniel
Published: February 2022

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of road safety interventions in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), considering the principles of systems theory presented in the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched for original research studies published during 2011–2019 in the following databases: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Global Health Library, ProQuest and TRID. We included studies conducted in LMICs, evaluating the effects of road traffic safety interventions and reporting health-related outcomes.

Results: Of 12,353 non-duplicate records, we included a total of 33 studies. Most interventions were related to legislation and enforcement (n = 18), leadership (n = 5) and speed management (n = 4). Overall, legislation and enforcement interventions appear to have the largest impact. Few studies were found for road infrastructure, vehicle safety standard and post crash response interventions.

Conclusion: Based on the currently available evidence, legislation and enforcement interventions appear most impactful in LMICs. However, many interventions remain understudied and more holistic approaches capturing the complexity of road transport systems seem desirable.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=197267, identifier CRD42020197267.
The Impact of Good Governance on the People’s Satisfaction with Public Administrative Services in Vietnam
Authors: Chien Nguyen Ba , Thanh Nguyen Nghi
Published: February 2022

The State of Vietnam continues to show the cumbersome, limited effectiveness of the public sector and the widespread corruption of public servants. Yet, it has been endeavoring to renovate national governance in the direction of good governance to improve the quality of public services to meet the requirements of an increasingly high level of education and social life democratization. Since 2018, the Vietnamese government has been applying the Satisfaction Index of Public Administrative Services (SIPAS) to measure people’s satisfaction with administrative services. This fact has received full attention from scientists, and there have been many studies on this issue. Therefore, this study has explored the impact of good governance on people’s satisfaction with administrative services by employing some variables of the SIPAS scale, including five dependent variables, namely: accessibility; administrative procedures; civil servants’ ethics and capacity; the results of the procedure settlement; the reception and handling of comments, feedback, and recommendations; and an independent variable, namely the people’s satisfaction, to add more evidence to previous studies and enrich the research literature. This study has been conducted through a cross-sectional survey using an intentional sampling technique (n = 500). The multivariate linear regression analysis technique was applied to prove the hypotheses. According to the research findings, all independent variables have a positive and significant relationship with the dependent variable. They imply that good governance initially has positive and significant effects on the Vietnamese people’s satisfaction level.
Lessons Learned from IDEASSat: Design, Testing, on Orbit Operations, and Anomaly Analysis of a First University CubeSat Intended for Ionospheric Science
Authors: Chiu Yi-Chung , Chang Loren C. , Chao Chi-Kuang , Tai Tzu-Ya , Cheng Kai-Lun , Liu Hsin-Tzu , Tsai-Lin Rong , Liao Chi-Ting , Luo Wei-Hao , Chiu Guan-Po , Hou Kai-Jie , Wang Ruo-Yu , Gacal Glenn Franco , Lin Pin-An , Denduonghatai Sittinat , Yu Tsai-Ru , Liu Jann-Yenq , Chandran Amal , Athreyas Kashyapa Bramha Naren , Hari Priyadarshan , Varghese Joji John , Meftah Mustapha
Published: February 2022

Given the pervasive use of satellite and over the horizon wireless communication technology in modern society, ionospheric disturbances that can disrupt such services are a crucial consideration. Ionospheric irregularities, plasma bubbles and other phenomena can have a great impact on satellite navigation and communications, impacting other systems reliant on such technologies. The Ionospheric Dynamics and Attitude Subsystem Satellite (IDEASSat) was a 3U developed by National Central University (NCU) to measure irregularities in the ionosphere, as well as to establish spacecraft engineering and operations capacity at NCU. The onboard Compact Ionospheric Probe (CIP) could measure high-resolution plasma parameters, which can be used for identifying ionospheric irregularities that can cause scintillation in satellite navigation and communications signals. Part of the spacecraft sub-systems were independently designed and developed by students, who were also responsible for integration, testing, and operations. IDEASSat was successfully launched into low Earth orbit on 24 January 2021, and then began mission operations. The spacecraft successfully demonstrated three-axis attitude stabilization and control, tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C), as well as flight software and ground systems that could support autonomous operation. The spacecraft experienced a critical anomaly 22 days after launch, followed by a 1.5-month communications blackout. The spacecraft briefly recovered from the blackout for long enough to replay flight data, which allowed for the cause of the blackout to be determined as an inability of the electrical power subsystem reset circuit to recover from an ionizing radiation induced single event latch-up. Although the mission was not completed, flight data obtained during the mission will help to improve the designs of future spacecraft in development at NCU. This paper will introduce IDEASSat’s final flight model design and implementation, integration, testing, environmental verification, and failure analysis, and will review the performance of the spacecraft during on-orbit operations. The results and experiences encountered in implementation and operations of the IDEASSat mission are presented here as a reference for other university small satellite teams.
Phytotoxicity and Plant Defence Induction by Cinnamomum cassia Essential Oil Application on Malus domestica Tree: A Molecular Approach
Authors: Werrie Pierre-Yves , Juillard Anthony , Heintz Christelle , Brisset Marie-Noëlle , Fauconnier Marie-Laure
Published: February 2022

Essential oils (EOs) are actively investigated as an alternative to numerous synthetic biocide products. Due to their large spectra of biological activities, the impact of EOs on non-target organisms should be characterized for biopesticide development purposes. In this study the potential phytotoxicity of Cinnamomum cassia EO (CEO) on apple trees (Malus domestica) was investigated in terms of oxidative burst (glutathione redox state) and damage (malondialdehyde). At 2%, CEO concentration the reduced glutathione leaf content drops from 269.6 ± 45.8 to 143 ± 28.4 nmol g−1FW, after 30 min, illustrating a rapid and strong oxidative burst. Regarding oxidative damage, malondialdehyde increased significantly 24 h post application to 10.7 ± 3.05 nmol g−1FW. Plant defence induction was previously suspected after trans-cinnamaldehyde (CEO main compound) application. Therefore, the elicitor potential was investigated by qRT-PCR, on the expression level of 29 genes related to major defence pathways (PR protein, secondary metabolism, oxidative stress, parietal modification). Multivariate analysis and increased expression levels suggest induction of systemic resistance. Hence, the present research illustrates the dose–dependent phytotoxicity of CEO in terms of lipid peroxidation. Transcriptional data illustrates the elicitor properties of CEO. These findings can help to design pest management strategies considering both their risks (phytotoxicity) and benefits (defence activation combined with direct biocide properties).
Precision Pollination Strategies for Advancing Horticultural Tomato Crop Production
Authors: Dingley Angus , Anwar Sidra , Kristiansen Paul , Warwick Nigel W. M. , Wang Chun-Hui , Sindel Brian M. , Cazzonelli Christopher I.
Published: February 2022

Global climate change and anthropological activities have led to a decline in insect pollinators worldwide. Agricultural globalisation and intensification have also removed crops from their natural insect pollinators, and sparked research to identify alternate natural insect pollinators and artificial technologies. In certain countries such as Australia the importation of commercial insect pollinators is prohibited, necessitating manual labour to stimulate floral pollination. Artificial pollination technologies are now increasingly essential as the demand for food grown in protected facilities increases worldwide. For tomato fruits, precision pollination has the ability to vastly improve their seed set, size, yield, and quality under optimal environmental conditions and has become financially beneficial. Like many crops from the Solanaceae, tomatoes have a unique self-pollinating mechanism that requires stimulation of the floral organs to release pollen from the poricidal anthers. This review investigates various mechanisms employed to pollinate tomato flowers and discusses emerging precision pollination technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of various pollinating technologies currently available in the protected-cropping industry are described. We provide a buzz perspective on new promising pollination technologies involving robotic air and acoustic devices that are still in their nascency and could provide non-contact techniques to automate pollination for the tomato horticultural industry.
Development of Pedotransfer Functions to Predict Soil Physical Properties in Southern Quebec (Canada)
Authors: Perreault Simon , El Alem Anas , Chokmani Karem , Cambouris Athyna N.
Published: February 2022

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are empirical fits to soil property data and have been used as an alternative tool to in situ measurements for estimating soil hydraulic properties for the last few decades. PTFs of Saxton and Rawls, 2006 (PTFs’S&R.2006) are some of the most widely used because of their global aspect. However, empirical functions yield more accurate results when trained locally. This study proposes a set of agricultural PTFs developed for southern Quebec, Canada for three horizons (A, B, and C). Four response variables (bulk density (ρb), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), volumetric water content at field capacity (θ33), and permanent wilting point (θ1500)) and four predictors (clay, silt, organic carbon, and coarse fragment percentages) were used in this modeling process. The new PTFs were trained using the stepwise forward regression (SFR) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) algorithms. The CCA- and SFR-PTFs were in most cases more accurate. Θ1500 and at θ33 estimates were improved with the SFR. The ρb in the A horizon was moderately estimated by the PTFs’S&R.2006, while the CCA- and SFR-PTFs performed equally well for the B and C horizons, yet qualified weak. However, for all PTFs for all horizons, Ksat estimates were unacceptable. Estimation of ρb and Ksat could be improved by considering other morphological predictors (soil structure, drainage information, etc.).
Considerations on Field Methodology for Macrofungi Studies in Fragmented Forests of Mediterranean Agricultural Landscapes
Authors: Fernández Ruiz Abel , Rodríguez de la Cruz David , Vicente Villardón José Luis , Sánchez Durán Sergio , García Jiménez Prudencio , Sánchez Sánchez José
Published: February 2022

The methodology used for the determination of macrofungal diversity in Mediterranean areas differs in the time of sampling and the number of years displayed, making it difficult to compare results. Furthermore, the results could be refuted because the studies are being conducted over an insufficient number of years or without considering the variation of the meteorological conditions from one year to the next and its effects on fruiting time, which might not fit the sampling. In order to optimize field work on fungal fruiting in Mediterranean environments dominated by holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), a weekly field analysis of macrofungal diversity from February 2009 to June 2013 was carried out in a Mediterranean holm oak forest in the middle-west of the Iberian Peninsula. The results revealed that fruiting bodies appeared throughout the year and that there was a delay in autumn fruiting, overlapping with spring. All this seems to indicate that weekly collection throughout the year and for a period of two years could be sufficient to estimate the macrofungal biodiversity of this ecosystem.
Effect of Myostatin Gene Mutation on Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality in Marchigiana Bulls
Authors: Ceccobelli Simone , Perini Francesco , Trombetta Maria Federica , Tavoletti Stefano , Lasagna Emiliano , Pasquini Marina
Published: February 2022

The myostatin gene also called Growth Differentiation Factor 8 gene (GDF8) is one of the most investigated loci that can be responsible for several quantitative and qualitative carcass and meat traits in double-muscled beef cattle. The objective of the study was to bring to light the effect of the myostatin polymorphism on slaughtering performance and meat quality in Marchigiana beef cattle. The experiment was carried out on 78 bulls reared according to the “cow-calf” extensive managing system. At the end of the fattening period, in vivo and carcass data were recorded. From each carcass, a steak of Longissimus thoracis was taken and used to determine the meat’s analytical composition and colorimetric properties. Finally, from each steak a sample of Longissimus thoracis was collected, then used for DNA extraction and genotyping at the myostatin locus. The heterozygous bulls showed slight superiority in the carcass data (e.g., hot carcass weight: 426.09 kg—heterozygotes vs. 405.32 kg—normal) and meat quality parameters, although not always with statistical significance. Only fat and ashes content were significantly affected by the myostatin genotype (heterozygotes: 2.01%, 1.26%; normal: 3.04%, 1.15%). The greater muscularity of heterozygous animals compared to normal ones could be a starting point to improving productive efficiency in Marchigiana beef cattle.
The Concentration of ProAKAP4 and Other Indicators of Cryopotential of Spermatozoa Cryopreserved in Extender with Holothuroidea Extract Addition
Authors: Kowalczyk Alicja , Gałęska Elżbieta , Bubel Anna
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of proAKAP4 and other indicators of cryopotential of spermatozoa cryopreserved in extender with Holothuroidea extract addition. Nine Holstein Friesian bulls, 3.5 years old, of known health status, were used for the study. The animals were kept and fed equally. Semen was collected once a week using an artificial vagina. The commercially available Holothuroidea extract was used as a supplement to the commercial extender (0, 2, 4 and 6 µL/mL) before the freezing/thawing process. The viability, motility, motion parameters, and acrosome integrity of the sperm were analyzed with (test) or without (control) extract samples. Furthermore, the concentration of the proAKAP4 biomarker in frozen sperm was assessed. It was shown that the addition of 4 and 6 µL of the extract may have a positive effect on the quality parameters of the sperm after thawing. The results indicate that extender supplementation with the above extract modulates (increases) the concentration of proAKAP4 in sperm at all tested levels. Additionally, this indicator has become helpful in identifying sperm of poor biological quality. Moreover, it has been proven that the proAKAP4 biomarker can be successfully used to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of various extenders for semen cryopreservation.
Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Punica granatum and Its Galloyl-HHDP-Glucose Compound, Alone or in Combination with Fluconazole, Have Antifungal and Antivirulence Properties against Candida spp.
Authors: Mendonça Aline Michelle Silva , Monteiro Cristina de Andrade , Moraes-Neto Roberval Nascimento , Monteiro Andrea Souza , Mondego-Oliveira Renata , Nascimento Camila Evangelista Carnib , da Silva Luís Cláudio Nascimento , Lima-Neto Lidio Gonçalves , Carvalho Rafael Cardoso , de Sousa Eduardo Martins
Published: February 2022

Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection among immunocompromised patients. Its treatment includes the use of antifungals, which poses limitations such as toxicity and fungal resistance. Plant-derived extracts, such as Punica granatum, have been reported to have antimicrobial activity, but their antifungal effects are still unknown. We aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antiviral potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of P. granatum (PgEA) and its isolated compound galloyl-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-glucose (G-HHDP-G) against Candida spp. In silico analyses predicted the biological activity of G-HHDP-G. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, and their effects on biofilm formation, preformed biofilms, and phospholipase production were determined. In silico analysis showed that G-HHDP-G has antifungal and hepatoprotective effects. An in vitro assay confirmed the antifungal effects of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, with MIC in the ranges of 31.25–250 μg/mL and 31.25 ≥ 500 μg/mL, respectively. G-HHDP-G and PgEA synergistically worked with fluconazole against planktonic cells. The substances showed antibiofilm action, alone or in combination with fluconazole, and interfered with phospholipase production. The antifungal and antibiofilm actions of PgEA and G-HHDP-G, alone or in combination with fluconazole, in addition to their effects on reducing Candida phospholipase production, identify them as promising candidates for therapeutics.
Effect of Farm Management Practices on Morbidity and Antibiotic Usage on Calf Rearing Farms
Authors: Sandelin Atte , Hälli Outi , Härtel Heidi , Herva Tuomas , Kaartinen Liisa , Tuunainen Erja , Rautala Helena , Soveri Timo , Simojoki Heli
Published: February 2022

Antimicrobial resistance has been recognized as one of the top health threats to human society. Abundant use of antibiotics in both humans and animals has led to ever-increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In food production, decreasing morbidity in beef herds would be an effective way to reduce the use of antibiotics. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to determine overall morbidity on calf rearing farms and to identify associated risk factors. Data were collected by questionnaire, meat companies’ databases and the national cattle register for 28,228 calves transported to 87 calf rearing farms. All medications given to these calves were retrospectively followed for 180 days from calf arrival to the farm. In total, 34,532 parenteral antibiotic medications were administered to the 28,228 study calves (122.3%), and 17,180 calves (60.9%) were medicated with antibiotics at least once during the follow-up. Higher numbers of calves transported to the same farm and larger age variation in calves in the same arrival batch were both associated with increased morbidity. In contrast, higher arrival age of individual calves was associated with decreased morbidity. Our study identifies several factors to consider in decreasing morbidity and antibiotic usage on calf rearing farms.
Modulation of Antioxidant Defense in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fed with a Diet Supplemented by the Waste Derived from the Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Authors: Magara Gabriele , Prearo Marino , Vercelli Cristina , Barbero Raffaella , Micera Marco , Botto Alfonso , Caimi Christian , Caldaroni Barbara , Bertea Cinzia Margherita , Mannino Giuseppe , Barceló Damià , Renzi Monia , Gasco Laura , Re Giovanni , Dondo Alessandro , Elia Antonia Concetta , Pastorino Paolo
Published: February 2022

Phytotherapy is based on the use of plants to prevent or treat human and animal diseases. Recently, the use of essential oils and polyphenol-enriched extracts is also rapidly increasing in the aquaculture sector as a means of greater industrial and environmental sustainability. Previous studies assessed the antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of these bioactive compounds on fish. However, studies on the modulation of oxidative stress biomarkers are still scant to date. Thus, in this study, the modulation of antioxidant defense against oxidative stress exerted by fish diets supplemented with a basil supercritical extract (F1-BEO) was assessed in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. The F1-BEO extracted with supercritical fluid extraction was added to the commercial feed flour (0.5, 1, 2, 3% w/w) and mixed with fish oil to obtain a suitable compound for pellet preparation. Fish were fed for 30 days. The levels of stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glyoxalase I, glyoxalase II, lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione and malondialdehyde showed a boost in the antioxidant pathway in fish fed with a 0.5% F1-BEO-supplemented diet. Higher F1-BEO supplementation led to a failure of activity of several enzymes and the depletion of glutathione levels. Malondialdehyde concentration suggests a sufficient oxidative stress defense against lipid peroxidation in all experimental groups, except for a 3% F1-BEO-supplemented diet (liver 168.87 ± 38.79 nmol/mg prot; kidney 146.86 ± 23.28 nmol/mg prot), compared to control (liver 127.76 ± 18.15 nmol/mg prot; kidney 98.68 ± 15.65 nmol/mg prot). Our results suggest supplementing F1-BEO in fish diets up to 0.5% to avoid potential oxidative pressure in farmed trout.
Genesis of the Baiyangping Cu–Co and Pb–Zn Mineralizations in Lanping Basin, SW China
Authors: Zhu Jiaxuan , Duan Hongyu , Yang Lifei , Chen Qi , Liu Lijun , Shi Kangxing , Qian Jinlong , Li Qiaoxin , Hu Rong
Published: February 2022

The Oligocene to Miocene Baiyangping Cu–Co and Pb–Zn mineralization was deposited during the collision of the India and Asia continents. The mineralization is hosted in veins in faulted carbonate and clastic rocks, which act as fluid pathways. A detailed fluid-inclusion analysis and C–O–S isotopic study are reported, focusing on the origin of the mineralizing fluids and mineralizing processes. The microthermometry of fluid inclusions hosted in quartz and carbonates indicate that the fluid peak temperature for both Cu–Co and Pb–Zn mineralizations ranges from 160 to 200 °C and from 120 to 160 °C, respectively. During these metallogenic hydrothermal events, salinity evolved from 2.7 wt% NaCl equiv to 24.8 wt% NaCl equiv. The δ34S values measured on sphalerite and tennantite range from +5.2‰ to +9.5‰, which indicates that sulfur originated from a reservoir characterized by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The C–O isotopic values obtained from the carbonate samples suggest that the fluid mainly originates from basinal brines. The combination of C and S isotopic values of the Cu–Co and Pb–Zn mineralization indicate the sedimentary source of the basin. Mineralization is controlled by faults, thermochemical sulfate reduction, and the physicochemical conditions of the fluid.
The Existence of Shared Muscle Synergies Underlying Perturbed and Unperturbed Gait Depends on Walking Speed
Authors: Hagedoorn Lotte , Zadravec Matjaž , Olenšek Andrej , van Asseldonk Edwin , Matjačić Zlatko
Published: February 2022

Muscle synergy theory assumes that the central nervous system generates a wide range of complex motor outputs by recruiting muscle synergies with different strengths and timings. The current understanding is that a common set of muscle synergies underlies unperturbed as well as perturbed walking at self-selected speeds. However, it is not known whether this is the case for substantially slower walking. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a shared set of muscle synergies underlies balance recovery responses following inward- and outward-directed perturbations in the mediolateral direction at various perturbation onsets and walking speeds. Twelve healthy subjects walked at three walking speeds (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 m/s) on a treadmill while perturbations were applied to the pelvis using the balance assessment robot. A set of sixteen EMG signals, i.e., eight muscles per leg, was measured and decomposed into muscle synergies and weighting curves using non-negative matrix factorization. The muscles included were left and right tibialis anterior, soleus, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, rectus femoris, hamstring, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus. In general, four muscle synergies were needed to adequately reconstruct the data. Muscle synergies were similar for unperturbed and perturbed walking at a high walking speed (0.8 m/s). However, the number of similar muscle synergies between perturbed and unperturbed walking was significantly lower for low walking speeds (0.4 and 0.6 m/s). These results indicate that shared muscle synergies underlying perturbed and unperturbed walking are less present during slow walking compared to fast walking.
Accuracy of Master Casts Generated Using Conventional and Digital Impression Modalities: Part 2—The Full Arch Dimension
Authors: Sayed Mohammed E. , Al-Mansour Hosain , Alshehri Abdulkarim Hussain , Al-Sanabani Fuad , Al-Makramani Bandar M. A. , Mugri Maryam Hassan , Ahmed Walaa Magdy , Alqahtani Nasser M. , Bukhary Dalea Mohammed , Alsurayyie Fatimah H. , Shaabi Fawzia Ibraheem , Akkam Yasir Yahya , Hakami Hanan Ibrahim , Jain Saurabh
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of master casts generated by conventional (putty and light body consistencies polyvinyl siloxane and alginate) and digital impression techniques on a typodont master model with full-arch-prepared abutment teeth. The null hypotheses tested were as follows: (1) no statistically significant differences in accuracy between casts made by the two impression modalities and the typodont master model at each of the four locations (horizontal straight, horizontal curved, horizontal cross arch, and vertical), and (2) no statistically significant differences in dimensions measured at each of the four locations between the casts generated using the conventional and digital impression techniques. For the conventional technique, 10 impressions each were made for the typodont model using polyvinyl siloxane and alginate impression materials, and the casts were poured. For the digital technique, the typodont model was scanned 10 times using a TRIOS-3 3Shape intraoral scanner, and the casts were printed. The measurements for the horizontal (anteroposterior and cross arch) and vertical dimensions were made using a stereomicroscope and the accuracy of fabricated casts was expressed as the percentage of deviation from the typodont master model’s values. A one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) were used to analyze the data. In the current study, the only measurement that did not exceed 0.5% in dimensional change was with the stone casts produced by both the 3M ESPE PVS and Kromopan alginate impression materials at the HAPC dimension. The casts generated by impressions made using the 3M ESPE PVS impression material were the most accurate, whereas the casts generated by making digital impressions using the TRIOS-3 3Shape intraoral scanner were the least accurate among the three tested groups. The greatest number of distortions above 0.5% (at all dimensional locations) was produced by the digital models printed using the ASIGA 3D printer.
Estimating Interference with a Two-Dimensional Viterbi Algorithm for Bit-Patterned Media Recording
Authors: Nguyen Thien An , Lee Jaejin
Published: February 2022

Bit-patterned media recording (BPMR) is proposed as a candidate for future magnetic data storage to overcome superparamagnetism. The distance between magnetic islands in BPMR must be reduced to increase the areal density (AD). As magnetic islands become closer, two-dimensional (2D) interference is increased, including intersymbol interference (ISI) based on the down-track direction and intertrack interference (ITI) from the cross-track direction. We propose an estimator to predict interference from neighboring (upper and lower) tracks. This estimator exploits the 2D Viterbi algorithm (VA) with reduced states. We removed the interference from the neighboring track and applied a simple 1D VA to detect the received signal. The simulation results show that our model performs better than previously proposed models.
Deep-Learning Method Based on 1D Convolutional Neural Network for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Machines
Authors: Chuya-Sumba Jorge , Alonso-Valerdi Luz María , Ibarra-Zarate David I.
Published: February 2022

Fault diagnosis in high-speed machining centers (HSM) is critical in manufacturing systems, since early detection saves a substantial amount of time and money. It is known that 42% of failures in these centers occur in rotatory machineries, such as spindles, in which, the bearings are fundamental elements for effective operation. Nowadays, there are several machine- and deep-learning methods to diagnose the faults. To improve the performance of those traditional machine-learning tools, a deep-learning network that works on raw signals, which do not require previous analysis, has been proposed. The 1D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) proposed model showed great capacity of adapting to three types of configurations and three different databases, despite a training set with a smaller number of categories. The network still detected faults at early damage stages. Additionally, the low computational cost shows the Deep-Learning Neural Network’s (DLNN) suitability for real-time applications in industry. The proposed structure reached a precision of 99%; real-time processing was around 8 ms per signal, and standard deviation of repeatability was 0.25%.
Design and Optimization of Laser Processing Control System and Process Parameters for Micro Crystal Resonator Frequency Modulation
Authors: Hu Jian , Guo Sangdu , Fang Bao , Yu Xindong , Gu Zhiqiang , Li Gangyan
Published: February 2022

The adjustment of the natural frequency of a micro crystal resonator (MCR) is the key requirement in its manufacturing, which determines the actual performance of the product. Laser processing is a new method for MCR frequency modulation, and its process parameters directly affect the frequency modulation effect. Aiming at the laser processing equipment for MCR frequency modulation, the structure of the laser processing control system for MCR frequency modulation is designed by analyzing the requirements of a laser processing control system. The working flow of the laser processing control system for MCR frequency modulation is studied, the motion control method of the laser processing platform for MCR frequency modulation is proposed, and the laser processing control system for MCR frequency modulation is designed. By analyzing the laser characteristics for MCR frequency modulation, an orthogonal experiment is carried out to optimize the laser processing parameters for MCR frequency modulation.