bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation of Hydrogen Jet Dispersion Below and Around a Car in a Tunnel
Authors: Koutsourakis Nektarios , Tolias Ilias C. , Giannissi Stella G. , Venetsanos Alexandros G.
Published: September 2023

Accidental release from a hydrogen car tank in a confined space like a tunnel poses safety concerns. This Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study focuses on the first seconds of such a release, which are the most critical. Hydrogen leaks through a Thermal Pressure Relief Device (TPRD), forms a high-speed jet that impinges on the street, spreads horizontally, recirculates under the chassis and fills the area below it in about one second. The “fresh-air entrainment effect” at the back of the car changes the concentrations under the chassis and results in the creation of two “tongues” of hydrogen at the rear corners of the car. Two other tongues are formed near the front sides of the vehicle. In general, after a few seconds, hydrogen starts moving upwards around the car mainly in the form of buoyant blister-like structures. The average hydrogen volume concentrations below the car have a maximum of 71%, which occurs at 2 s. The largest “equivalent stoichiometric flammable gas cloud size Q9” is 20.2 m3 at 2.7 s. Smaller TPRDs result in smaller hydrogen flow rates and smaller buoyant structures that are closer to the car. The investigation of the hydrogen dispersion during the initial stages of the leak and the identification of the physical phenomena that occur can be useful for the design of experiments, for the determination of the TPRD characteristics, for potential safety measures and for understanding the further distribution of the hydrogen cloud in the tunnel.
Study of Contact Pressure Distribution in Bolted Encapsulated Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly
Authors: Ren Gui , Xing Yanfeng , Cao Juyong , Wang Ying , Peng Linfa , Miao Xuelong
Published: September 2023

The distribution of contact pressure on the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) significantly affects the performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). This paper establishes a PEM fuel cell model to investigate the impact of bolt load and its distribution, sealing gasket hardness, and size on the magnitude and distribution of contact pressure on the MEA during assembly. Thermal–mechanical coupling is employed to simulate the thermal effects resulting from chemical reactions under operational conditions. The findings reveal that there is an extremum of pressure uniformity in the range of 5000 to 6250 N for bolt loads. When the average bolt load is lower than this extremum, altering the distribution of the load can effectively enhance the uniform distribution of contact pressure. Stiffer gaskets reduce the contact pressure on the MEA while increasing the pressure on the gasket itself, resulting in reduced deformation. A rational matching relationship among gaskets, Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs), and seal grooves is proposed. During operational conditions, thermal effects decrease the sealing performance and also impact the magnitude and distribution of contact pressure on the MEA. These outcomes provide significant guidance for the assembly and performance evaluation of PEMFCs.
Assessment of Various Iron Extraction Treatments on Waterlogged Archaeological Oak
Authors: Pelé-Meziani Charlène , Macchioni Nicola , Sozzi Lorena , Guilminot Elodie , Lemoine Gwenaël , Pizzo Benedetto , Mevellec Jean Yves , Pecoraro Elisa , Monachon Mathilde
Published: September 2023

Treatments of organic objects to extract ferrous compounds from waterlogged archaeological wood are well documented. For several years, numerous laboratories have been seeking to determine suitable conservation treatments for such organic objects. For chemical treatments, complexing agents such as EDTA and DTPA, along with acids such as citric and oxalic acids, were selected. In addition, oxidants and reducing agents were tested as pre-treatments to improve extraction rates. In fact, chemicals produce a selective reaction on ferrous compounds, which may improve or be inhibited by complexation or dissolution reactions. Their action depends on the type of compound to be extracted and those present inside the wood. The objective of this study was to make a comparative assessment of the various chemical conservation treatments identified and complement the evaluation of their extraction efficiency with a study of their impact on organic matter by adding criteria such as their visual aspect (using a spectrocolorimeter) and physicochemical actions by means of infrared spectroscopy and micromorphological observations. The effectiveness of EDTA was confirmed, as was that of citric acid, despite some questions arising concerning the presence of wood fibers in the treatment solution, even after rinsing. On the other hand, the extraction rate of oxalic acid, which has a very acidic pH, was unsurprisingly lower, but its visual and anatomical results raised the possibility of using it over a short period of time in view of the effectiveness observed on the wood surface. Pre-treatments improved extraction rates, except in the case of EDTA, which independently had a high extraction rate. It was observed that pre-treatments did not appear to cause any significant chemical degradation of the organic matter. This study provides a tool to assist conservators in selecting a chemical treatment that is in line with the state of decay of the wood, the characteristics of the ferrous compounds to be extracted, and the conservation objectives.
Tree Species Affect Beetle Diversity on the Common Deciduous Dead Wood in Lithuanian Unmanaged Forests
Authors: Lekoveckaitė Aistė , Jimenez Maria Fernanda Torres , Trakimas Giedrius , Ferenca Romas , Podėnienė Virginija
Published: September 2023

Beetles living in dead wood are species-specific, suggesting that beetle diversity may vary between different deciduous tree species. However, the patterns of diversity variation among deciduous trees are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the diversity of beetles associated with dead wood in the second decay stage in four protected areas of Lithuania, using trunk-emergence traps on Alnus glutinosa L., Gaertn. (black alder), Betula sp. L. (birch), Fraxinus excelsior L. (European ash), Populus tremula L. (European aspen), Quercus robur L. (common oak), and Tilia cordata Mill. (small-leaved linden). The findings of our study indicated variation in beetle diversity among the six tree species examined. We identified the greatest diversity of beetles in the decaying trunks of Quercus robur, followed by T. cordata, and F. excelsior. Our cluster analysis suggested a higher similarity in beetle diversity among tree species sharing the same type of bark; however, our db-RDA analysis showed that tree species explained more variance in the data than bark type. Our results support previous research highlighting the importance of dead wood species diversity in maintaining the diversity of beetles in forests. Within the context of current biodiversity decline, understanding the similarities or differences in beetle communities between tree species is key to tackling the loss of insect species.
Coupling UAV Hyperspectral and LiDAR Data for Mangrove Classification Using XGBoost in China’s Pinglu Canal Estuary
Authors: Ou Jinhai , Tian Yichao , Zhang Qiang , Xie Xiaokui , Zhang Yali , Tao Jin , Lin Junliang
Published: September 2023

The fine classification of mangroves plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of their structural and functional aspects which has significant implications for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, water quality enhancement, and sustainable development. Accurate classification aids in effective mangrove management, protection, and preservation of coastal ecosystems. Previous studies predominantly relied on passive optical remote sensing images as data sources for mangrove classification, often overlooking the intricate vertical structural complexities of mangrove species. In this study, we address this limitation by incorporating unmanned aerial vehicle-LiDAR (UAV-LiDAR) point cloud 3D data with UAV hyperspectral imagery to perform multivariate classification of mangrove species. Five distinct variable scenarios were employed: band characteristics (S1), vegetation index (S2), texture measures (S3), fused hyperspectral characteristics (S4), and a canopy height model (CHM) combined with UAV hyperspectral characteristics and LiDAR point cloud data (S5). To execute this classification task, an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm was employed. Our investigation focused on the estuary of the Pinglu Canal, situated within the Maowei Sea of the Beibu Gulf in China. By comparing the classification outcomes of the five variable scenarios, we assessed the unique contributions of each variable to the accurate classification of mangrove species. The findings underscore several key points: (1) The fusion of multiple features in the image scenario led to a higher overall accuracy (OA) compared to models that employed individual features. Specifically, scenario S4 achieved an OA of 88.48% and scenario S5 exhibited an even more impressive OA of 96.78%. These figures surpassed those of the individual feature models where the results were S1 (83.35%), S2 (83.55%), and S3 (71.28%). (2) Combining UAV hyperspectral and LiDAR-derived CHM data yielded improved accuracy in mangrove species classification. This fusion ultimately resulted in an OA of 96.78% and kappa coefficient of 95.96%. (3) Notably, the incorporation of data from individual bands and vegetation indices into texture measures can enhance the accuracy of mangrove species classification. The approach employed in this study—a combination of the XGBoost algorithm and the integration of UAV hyperspectral and CHM features from LiDAR point cloud data—proved to be highly effective and exhibited strong performance in classifying mangrove species. These findings lay a robust foundation for future research efforts focused on mangrove ecosystem services and ecological restoration of mangrove forests.
Super-Resolution Reconstruction of Particleboard Images Based on Improved SRGAN
Authors: Yu Wei , Zhou Haiyan , Liu Ying , Yang Yutu , Shen Yinxi
Published: September 2023

As an important forest product, particleboard can greatly save forestry resources and promote low-carbon development by reusing wood processing residues. The size of the entire particleboard is large, and there are problems with less image feature information and blurred defect outlines when obtaining the particleboard images. The super-resolution reconstruction technology can improve the quality of the particleboard surface images, making the defects clearer. In this study, the super-resolution dense attention generative adversarial network (SRDAGAN) model was improved to solve the problem that the super-resolution generative adversarial network (SRGAN) reconstructed image would produce artifacts and its performance needed to be improved. The Batch Normalization (BN) layer was removed, the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) was optimized to construct the dense block, and the dense blocks were constructed via a densely skip connection. Then, the corresponding 52,400 image blocks with high resolution and low resolution were trained, verified, and tested according to the ratio of 3:1:1. The model was comprehensively evaluated from the effect of image reconstruction and the three indexes of PSNR, SSIM, and LPIPS. It was found that compared with BICUBIC, SRGAN, and SWINIR, the PSNR index of SRDAGAN increased by 4.88 dB, 3.25 dB, and 2.68 dB, respectively; SSIM increased by 0.0507, 0.1122, and 0.0648, respectively; and LPIPS improved by 0.1948, 0.1065, and 0.0639, respectively. The reconstructed images not only had a clearer texture, but also had a more realistic expression of various features, and the performance of the model had been greatly improved. At the same time, this study also emphatically discussed the image reconstruction effect with defects. The result showed that the SRDAGAN proposed in this study can complete the super-resolution reconstruction of the particleboard images with high quality. In the future, it can also be further combined with defect detection for the actual production to improve the quality of forestry products and increase economic benefits.
Effects of Temperature, Precipitation, and CO2 on Plant Phenology in China: A Circular Regression Approach
Authors: Tang Yi , Zhou Wenhao , Du Yi
Published: September 2023

Leveraging circular regression, this study analyzed phenological data from China spanning the period 2003 to 2015, meticulously examining the effects of temperature, precipitation, and CO2 concentrations on the phenological patterns of woody and herbaceous plants. For woody plants, the results showed that rising temperatures and increased precipitation notably advanced early growth phases, such as budburst, leaf unfolding, and first flowering (p < 0.001). Specifically, CO2 concentrations had a pronounced impact on the leaf unfolding phase (p < 0.001). In contrast, autumnal events, particularly fruit maturity, autumn coloring, and leaf fall, were delayed by warmer temperatures and higher precipitation (p < 0.001), Of these events, only fruit maturity demonstrated sensitivity to CO2 concentration variations. In the realm of herbaceous plants, elevated temperatures and precipitation collectively hastened the budburst phase (p < 0.001), which is an effect further accentuated by high CO2 levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, rising temperatures and augmented precipitation were instrumental in advancing the flowering phase (p < 0.001). Conversely, warmer conditions slowed down the fruiting process (p < 0.001), with this delay somewhat mitigated by the effects of increased precipitation. Interestingly, while CO2 concentrations had negligible influence on the flowering and fruiting stages, they noticeably delayed seed dispersal and the initiation of senescence (p < 0.001). Overall, the prevailing trend suggests that plants, whether woody or herbaceous in nature, tend to prolong their growth season under warmer and more humid conditions. The influence of CO2 concentration, however, is contingent upon the specific phenological phase and plant type. Our findings emphasize the nuanced and stage-specific responses of plant phenology to temperature, precipitation, and CO2, highlighting the value of using circular regression in ecological studies.
Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizospheric Bacteria (PGPR) on Survival, Growth and Rooting Architecture of Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones
Authors: Nwigwe Chimdi , Fossey Annabel , de Smidt Olga
Published: September 2023

Clonal plantation involves the rooting of cuttings from superior genotypes selected for their hybrid vigor and desired qualities. However, the cuttings of some Eucalyptus species and their hybrid genotypes present difficulties in their rooting capacity. Applying PGPR to cutting growth medium as a root stimulating agent has not been extensively studied for Eucalyptus tree species. We aimed to assess the rooting capacity of cuttings taken from two poor-rooting Eucalyptus hybrid clones of E. grandis × E. nitens through the application of PGPR in nursery trials. Seven rhizospheric bacterial species that demonstrated the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid and to solubilise phosphate were used to prepare two rhizospheric consortium inoculums in which Pseudomonas-Bacillus strains and non-Pseudomonas-Bacillus were grouped. Inoculums were tested for their rooting stimulating capacity on cuttings of the hybrids GN 018B and GN 010 and compared to the nursery standard indole-3-butyric acid. A total of 320 cuttings were treated. Both hybrid clones demonstrated significant (p < 0.0001) genotype differences for all three growth responses, i.e., total, root, and shoot length. Cuttings of both hybrids demonstrated high survival rates and rooting percentage. Although several rooting architectural configurations were prevalent, the Pseudomonas-Bacillus consortium promoted adventitious root development and fibrosity in GN 018B hybrids.
An Investigation of Bacterial Pathogens Associated with Diseased Nile Tilapia in Small-Scale Cage Culture Farms on Lake Kariba, Siavonga, Zambia
Authors: Siamujompa Mazuba , Ndashe Kunda , Zulu Frederick Chitonga , Chitala Chanda , Songe Mwansa M. , Changula Katendi , Moonga Ladslav , Kabwali Emmanuel Shamulai , Reichley Stephen , Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda
Published: September 2023

This study investigated disease outbreaks in farmed Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in Siavonga among small-scale cage culture farms on Lake Kariba in order to establish bacterial etiological agents associated with fish mortality and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility. A total of 300 fish samples from 11 farms were aseptically collected and bacteria were isolated from the kidney, liver, brain, and spleen. The isolates were identified using their morphological characteristics and conventional biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of selected bacteria was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The following well-known fish pathogens were identified at a prevalence of Aeromonas spp. (13%), Pseudomonas spp. (10.3%), Micrococcus spp. (9.7%), Klebsiella spp. (8.7%), Lactococcus spp. (7.3%), Streptococcus spp. (7.0%), and Acinetobacter spp. (7.0%). All the isolates tested were susceptible to doxycycline, and complete resistance to ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole, and cephalothin was recorded in the Bacillus spp. The observed resistance could be attributed to bacteria from terrestrial sources as fish farmers do not administer antibiotics to fish. To our knowledge, this is the first study to establish the occurrence of several bacterial species infecting tilapia in Zambia and the first to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of fish bacteria among small-scale farms on Lake Kariba. The current study provides baseline information for future reference and fish disease management on Lake Kariba and in Zambia.
Cleaner Fish Do Not Impact the Pigmentation of Salmon Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in Commercial Aquaculture Cages
Authors: Imsland Albert Kjartan Dagbjartarson , Berg Jon Petter , Nola Velimir , Geitung Lena , Oldham Tina
Published: September 2023

Salmon lice are one of the biggest challenges to sustainable salmonid aquaculture. The species display high evolutionary potential, which is evident by its development of resistance to numerous chemical compounds used for delousing. In response to this, salmon farms now use non-chemical delousing methods to minimize the damage done by salmon lice, including heavy reliance on cleaner fish. Anecdotal reports from farmers and fish health personnel in areas where cleaner fish are used have suggested that salmon lice are becoming less pigmented, potentially making them harder for cleaner fish to visually detect. This experiment investigated changes in the pigmentation of salmon lice in relation to the use of cleaner fish, louse stage and sex, temperature, preferred salmon swimming depth, daylength, and salinity. Salmon lice were sampled from snorkel cages on a commercial salmon farm where three cages were stocked with farmed lumpfish and ballan wrasse, and three cages were without cleaner fish. Water temperature, salinity, and depth were recorded using a conductivity, temperature, and depth recorder. Pigmentation was measured via photographic analysis of individual lice. Although louse pigmentation varied considerably throughout the experiment, using cleaner fish throughout a single production cycle did not reduce average louse pigmentation compared to control cages. On average, male lice were significantly darker pigmented than females, but otherwise there were no patterns in louse pigmentation in relation to life stage, salinity, temperature, or daylength. Salmon lice exhibit a high degree of evolvability and have become resistant to every chemical removal treatment developed thus far. The present data suggest that, with the densities and species of cleaner fish commonly used in commercial salmon production, there is not strong directional selection on louse pigmentation. Lice, at least with regard to visual appearance, are not likely to adapt in a way which reduces cleaner fish efficacy anytime soon.
Physical Characterization of a Novel Carrot Juice Whey-Enriched Beverage Fermented with Milk or Water Kefir Starter Cultures
Authors: Rejdlová Anita , Salek Richardos Nikolaos , Míšková Zuzana , Lorencová Eva , Kůrová Vendula , Adámek Richard , Sumczynski Daniela
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the selected physicochemical, rheological, and sensory properties of a new whey-enriched carrot juice beverage (carrot juice: whey ratios of 100:0; 95:5; 85:15; 75:25; 65:35) fermented with milk or water kefir starter cultures over a storage period of 21 days (at 4 ± 1 °C). In general, for all tested samples, the values of total soluble solids, pH, and density decreased with increasing storage time. In contrast, the values of ethanol, degree of fermentation, and total dissolved solids increased with the prolongation of the storage time. Furthermore, it was found that all the model samples exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. Based on the sensory analysis performed, samples containing 25% (w/w) whey were evaluated as the most acceptable. Last but not least, the present study can serve as a basis for optimizing the manufacturing technology of a novel fermented vegetable beverage enriched with whey.
Polypropylene/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Breathing Film for Inhibiting Pseudomonas and Maintaining Microbial Communities and Postharvest Quality of Allium mongolicum Regel during Storage
Authors: Bu Hongyu , Hu Jian , Han Feng , Wang Limei , Chen Qianru , Cheng Peifang , Yue Hai , Dong Tungalag , Yun Xueyan
Published: September 2023

Allium mongolicum Regel (A. mongolicum) is a healthy edible plant but highly perishable with a short shelf life of 1–2 d. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) could inhibit the postharvest senescence and decay of the vegetables. Thus, the aim of this study was to apply MAP with different gas permeabilities to the storage of A. mongolicum and evaluate its effects on maintaining microbial communities and the postharvest quality of A. mongolicum. The results showed that polypropylene/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PP/PBAT, abbreviated as PAT) MAP was suitable for the storage of A. mongolicum by establishing an optimal atmosphere of 0.5–0.6% O2 and 6.2–7.1% CO2 in the bag. It could delay the postharvest senescence of A. mongolicum and maintain its quality by slowing down its respiration rate and weight loss, reducing cell membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation, maintaining the cell wall, and reducing infection and the growth of microorganisms. However, A. mongolicum in HPT was more perishable than that in PAT during storage. Pseudomonas was found to be the main spoilage bacteria, and they could also be effectively inhibited by PAT-MAP. The next-generation sequencing results also showed the growth of Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Streptococcus, Aureobasidium, Didymella, and Fusarium, responsible for A. mongolicum decay or human disease, was well inhibited by PAT-MAP. The results suggested that PAT-MAP could be used to maintain microbial diversity and the postharvest quality of A. mongolicum under cold storage conditions. It provided a feasible solution for the preservation, food quality, and safety control of A. mongolicum.
Child Trafficking in Africa: Reimagining the Problem
Authors: Okorie Mitterand , Okeja Uchenna
Published: September 2023

Current perspectives on the intractability of child trafficking in Africa considers the problem as a failure of law enforcement or a lack of political will by state actors. In response, these works tend to suggest the need for strengthened institutional mechanisms as a preventative measure to curb the problem. We contend however, that this perspective does not fully appreciate the seeming detachment of civil society in Africa regarding the plight of children. In light of this, we argue that an examination of child trafficking as an intractable human rights problem ought to first, interrogate how childhood is viewed in the continent. Such interrogation creates the possibility of reimagining the problem by observing the lived realities of children in Africa and the (in)ability of society to keep track with their humanity. Further, we propose the need to memorialize the harms that children in Africa have been exposed to in the past and present through commemorative markers, as a means of appreciating the precarity of childhood in the continent. We reason that doing so will create a stronger sense of responsibility for state and civil society towards children and potentially curb child trafficking.
3D Body-Wave Velocity Structure of the Southern Aegean, Greece
Authors: Karakonstantis Andreas , Vallianatos Filippos
Published: September 2023

This study delves into the southern Aegean regionwhere the subduction of the oceanic Mediterranean lithosphere under the Aegean continental one takes place. This region is considered one of the most active ones in the eastern Mediterranean Sea due to intense tectonic movements in the Late Quaternary. More than 1200 manually revised events from 2018 to 2023 have been used in order to obtain the 3D structure of body-wave velocity and VP/VS ratioto 80 km depth through earthquaketomography. A series of resolution tests have been performed and demonstrated fair resolution of the derived velocity structures in the area of interest. The derived anomalies of body-waves (dVP, dVS) and VP/VS ratio provided important information about the southern Aegean regional tectonics and secondarily active faults of smaller scale (>20 km). The region is marked by significant low-velocity anomalies in the crust and uppermost mantle, beneath the active arc volcanoes. The seismicity related to the Hellenic Subduction Zone (HSZ) is connected to a low-angle positive anomaly of VP and VS, correlated withthe observed intermediate-depth seismicity (H ≥ 40 km) in this part of the study area. This result could be related to the diving HSZ slab.
Naturalistic Elements in Percival Everett’s Wounded
Authors: Milne Leah Abuan
Published: September 2023

This article examines Percival Everett’s 2005 novel Wounded through three applications of the word “naturalistic” in order to show how the work complicates divisions between nature and man and man and animal. First, the article shows how its protagonist, John Hunt, contends with his relationship to nature as both a source of respite and as part of his livelihood as a horse trainer. Next, “naturalistic” elements of Wounded reveal how the mythic West of classic Westerns has influenced perspectives on the “real” West. Finally, the article assesses Wounded as a work of American literary naturalism, particularly in terms of the questions it inspires about free will and determinism. Together, these applications of the word “naturalistic” expose how nature acts as John’s barometer for human morality and individualism, forcing us to question whether man is truly superior over nature.
Responsiveness of the Arabic Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand in Patients with Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Aldaihan Mishal M. , Alnahdi Ali H.
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to examine the responsiveness of the Arabic Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand short version (Quick-DASH) in patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Participants with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (N = 88) under physical therapy care were assessed at initial visit and later at a follow-up visit, and they completed the Arabic Quick-DASH, DASH, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Global Assessment of Function (GAF), and the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRC). Responsiveness of the Arabic Quick-DASH was assessed by examining six pre-defined hypotheses. Consistent with the pre-defined hypotheses, the Arabic Quick-DASH changes scores exhibited significant positive correlation with the change in DASH (r = 0.98), GAF (r = 0.67), NPRS (r = 0.72), and the GRC (r = 0.78). As hypothesized, the Arabic Quick-DASH showed a large effect size above the pre-determined level (ES = 1.61, SRM = 1.49) in patients who reported improved upper extremity function. The Arabic Quick-DASH change score discriminated between patients who reported improvement versus no improvement in upper extremity function (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.90). The results supported 100% (six out of six) of the pre-defined hypotheses. The Arabic Quick-DASH demonstrated sufficient responsiveness where all the pre-defined hypotheses were supported, leading to the established validity of the Arabic Quick-DASH change score as a measure of change in upper extremity function and symptoms. The minimal importance change in the Arabic Quick-DASH needs to be determined in future studies.
Characteristics and Drug Utilization of Patients with Hereditary Angioedema in Italy, a Real-World Analysis
Authors: Giacomini Elisa , Leogrande Melania , Perrone Valentina , Andretta Margherita , Bacca Marcello , Chinellato Alessandro , Ciaccia Andrea , Cillo Mariarosaria , Lombardi Renato , Mancini Daniela , Pagliaro Romina , Pastorello Maurizio , Procacci Cataldo , Degli Esposti Luca
Published: September 2023

This real-world analysis investigated the characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) in Italy using the administrative data of health units across Italy. Patients were identified via exemption code or HAE-specific treatments (thus, all known forms, type I, II and, III, were included). The index date was that of first prescription of HAE treatments within the inclusion period (01/2010–06/2021) or of the date of exemption. The number of HAE patients included was 148 (43.2% male, mean age 43.3 years). Gastrointestinal disorders affected 36.5% patients, hypertension affected 28.4%, hypercholesterolemia affected 11.5%, and depression affected 9.5%. The frequent gastrointestinal involvement was further confirmed by the use of antiemetics and systemic antihistamines that doubled after the index date. Among patients enrolled by treatment (n = 125), n = 105 (84%) were receiving a treatment for acute attacks. This analysis provided insights into the characterization of patients with HAE and their management in Italian clinical practice, suggesting that an unmet therapeutic need could be present for such patients in terms of the clinical burden.
Efficiency and Resource Allocation in Government Hospitals in Saudi Arabi: A Casemix Index Approach
Authors: Alshehri Abdulrahman , Balkhi Bander , Gleeson Ghada , Atassi Ehab
Published: September 2023

In Saudi Arabia, the evaluation of healthcare institutions’ performance and efficiency is gaining prominence to ensure effective resource utilization. This study aims to assess the efficiency of government hospitals in Saudi Arabia using the case mix index (CMI) approach. Comprehensive data from 67 MoH hospitals were collected and analyzed. The CMI was calculated by assigning weights to different patient groups based on case complexity and resource requirements, facilitating comparisons of hospital performance in terms of resource utilization and patient outcomes. The findings reveal variations in the CMI across hospitals in relation to size and type. The average CMI was 1.26, with the highest recorded at 1.67 and the lowest at 1.02. Medical cities demonstrated the highest CMI (1.47), followed by specialized hospitals (1.32), and general hospitals (1.21). The study highlights opportunities for enhancing productivity and efficiency, particularly in hospitals with lower CMI, by benchmarking against peer institutions with similar capacities and patient case mix. These findings have significant implications for hospital operations and resource allocation policies, supporting ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of government hospitals in Saudi Arabia. By incorporating these insights into healthcare strategies, policymakers can work towards enhancing the overall performance and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
The Effect of Job Satisfaction on Psychological Well-Being for Taiwanese Home-Care Workers, Mediated by Emotional Labor
Authors: Kuo Tung-Sheng , Chu Li-Chuan , Kao Pi-Lien , Shih Chia-Lung
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of job satisfaction on psychological well-being through emotional labor for Taiwanese home-care workers. A total of 316 home-care workers who worked in Chiayi, Taiwan, were recruited in this study. Most of the participants were Taiwanese (96.5%). The mean age of the participants was 42.05 ± 12.15 years, and the participants were predominantly female (80%). The mean work experience was 5.64 ± 5.13 years. Job satisfaction, emotional labor, and psychological well-being were measured. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects on job satisfaction, emotional labor, and psychological well-being. The results demonstrated that the internal factors of job satisfaction had indirect effects on psychological well-being through the mediating effects of surface acting and deep acting. However, it was also observed that the external factors of job satisfaction had indirect effects on psychological well-being through the mediating effect of surface acting but not deep acting. The model explained 57.6% of the variance in psychological well-being. The internal factors of job satisfaction are more important than the external factors affecting psychological well-being through the mediating effect of deep acting. Based on our results, we recommend enhancing the deep acting of emotional labor to improve the psychological well-being of Taiwanese home-care workers.
Microbiome Reveals the Effects of Biogas Fertilizer on Soil Microbial Community Structure and Diversity in Perennial Apple Orchards
Authors: Han Cong , Zhang Zhongxing , Gao Yanlong , Wang Wanxia , Chen Jiao , Wang Yanxiu
Published: September 2023

Fruit trees are perennial crops that grow in one place for their whole lives, which leads to the deterioration of the soil as well as a decline in fruit quality and yield. Microbial diversity and community structure are important soil factors affecting stress resistance and the quality of fruit trees. Additionally, biogas fertilizer also plays an important role in improving fruit quality. Whether biogas fertilizer can improve continuous cropping barriers by affecting microbial diversity and community structure remains to be further investigated. Therefore, 7-year-old Fuji apples were used as material, and biogas fertilizer was applied continuously for three years. The results show that the contents of soil organic matter (SOM), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and soil porosity (SP) increased by 0.712, 0.217, 1.089, and 0.401 after applying biogas fertilizer, respectively. The concentrations of vitamin C, titratable acid, and soluble solids also significantly increased. We also found that the relative abundance of dominant soil flora significantly increased, such as Sphingomonas (g_Sphingomonas), Chlamydomonas (g_Chlamydomonas), and Stachybotry (g_Stachybotry), while the relative abundance of inferior flora significantly decreased, such as Cryptococcus (g_Cryptococcus) and Alternaria (g_Alternaria). In summary, biogas fertilizer can improve the physicochemical properties of the soil as well as the structure and diversity of the microbial communities in rainfed orchards, resulting in higher fruit quality.
SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern and Clinical Severity in the Mexican Pediatric Population
Authors: Maldonado-Cabrera Anahí , Colin-Vilchis Jesus Alejandro , Haque Ubydul , Velazquez Carlos , Alvarez Villaseñor Andrea Socorro , Magdaleno-Márquez Luis Eduardo , Calleros-Muñoz Carlos Iván , Figueroa-Enríquez Karen Fernanda , Angulo-Molina Aracely , Gallego-Hernández Ana Lucía
Published: September 2023

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) presents global heterogeneity, and their relative effect on pediatric severity is still limited. In this study, we associate VOCs with pediatric clinical severity outcomes in Mexico. Bioinformatics methods were used to characterize VOCs and single amino acid (aa) mutations in 75,348 SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequences from February 2020 to October 2022. High-predominance VOCs groups were calculated and subsequently associated with 372,989 COVID-19 clinical pediatric outcomes. We identified 21 high-frequency mutations related to Omicron lineages with an increased prevalence in pediatric sequences compared to adults. Alpha and the other lineages had a significant increase in case fatality rate (CFR), intensive critical unit (ICU) admission, and automated mechanical ventilation (AMV). Furthermore, a logistic model with age-adjusted variables estimated an increased risk of hospitalization, ICU/AMV, and death in Gamma and Alpha, in contrast to the other lineages. We found that, regardless of the VOCs lineage, infant patients presented the worst severity prognoses. Our findings improve the understanding of the impact of VOCs on pediatric patients across time, regions, and clinical outcomes. Enhanced understanding of the pediatric severity for VOCs would enable the development and improvement of public health strategies worldwide.
Synergistic Interaction of 5-HT1B and 5-HT2B Receptors in Cytoplasmic Ca2+ Regulation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells: Possible Involvement in Pathologies
Authors: Rybakova Elena Yu. , Avdonin Piotr P. , Trufanov Sergei K. , Goncharov Nikolay V. , Avdonin Pavel V.
Published: September 2023

The aim of this work was to explore the involvement of 5-HT1B and 5-HT2B receptors (5-HT1BR and 5-HT2BR) in the regulation of free cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We have shown by quantitative PCR analysis, that 5-HT1BR and 5-HT2BR mRNAs levels are almost equal in HUVEC. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated, that 5-HT1BR and 5-HT2BR are expressed both in plasma membrane and inside the cells. Intracellular 5-HT1BR are localized mainly in the nuclear region, whereas 5-HT2BR receptors are almost evenly distributed in HUVEC. 5-HT, 5-HT1BR agonist CGS12066B, or 5-HT2BR agonist BW723C86 added to HUVEC caused a slight increase in [Ca2+]i, which was much lower than that of histamine, ATP, or SFLLRN, an agonist of protease-activated receptors (PAR1). However, activation of 5-HT1BR with CGS12066B followed by activation of 5-HT2BR with BW723C86 manifested a synergism of response, since several-fold higher rise in [Ca2+]i occurred. CGS12066B caused more than a 5-fold increase in [Ca2+]i rise in HUVEC in response to 5-HT. This 5-HT induced [Ca2+]i rise was abolished by 5-HT2BR antagonist RS127445, indicating that extracellular 5-HT acts through 5-HT2BR. Synergistic [Ca2+]i rise in response to activation of 5-HT1BR and 5-HT2BR persisted in a calcium-free medium. It was suppressed by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 and was not inhibited by the ryanodine and NAADP receptors antagonists dantrolene and NED-19. [Ca2+]i measurements in single cells demonstrated that activation of 5-HT2BR alone by BW723C86 caused single asynchronous [Ca2+]i oscillations in 19.8 ± 4.2% (n = 3) of HUVEC that occur with a long delay (66.1 ± 4.3 s, n = 71). On the contrary, histamine causes a simultaneous and almost immediate increase in [Ca2+]i in all the cells. Pre-activation of 5-HT1BR by CGS12066B led to a 3–4 fold increase in the number of HUVEC responding to BW723C86, to synchronization of their responses with a delay shortening, and to the bursts of [Ca2+]i oscillations in addition to single oscillations. In conclusion, to get a full rise of [Ca2+]i in HUVEC in response to 5-HT, simultaneous activation of 5-HT1BR and 5-HT2BR is required. 5-HT causes an increase in [Ca2+]i via 5-HT2BR while 5-HT1BR could be activated by the membrane-permeable agonist CGS12066B. We hypothesized that CGS12066B acts via intracellular 5-HT1BR inaccessible to extracellular 5-HT. Intracellular 5-HT1BR might be activated by 5-HT which could be accumulated in EC under certain pathological conditions.
Mitochondrial-Derived Vesicles: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Authors: Picca Anna , Guerra Flora , Calvani Riccardo , Coelho-Júnior Hélio José , Landi Francesco , Bucci Cecilia , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: September 2023

Mitophagy is crucial for maintaining mitochondrial quality. However, its assessment in vivo is challenging. The endosomal–lysosomal system is a more accessible pathway through which subtypes of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which also contain mitochondrial constituents, are released for disposal. The inclusion of mitochondrial components into EVs occurs in the setting of mild mitochondrial damage and during impairment of lysosomal function. By releasing mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs), cells limit the unload of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns with proinflammatory activity. Both positive and negative effects of EVs on recipient cells have been described. Whether this is due to the production of EVs other than those containing mitochondria, such as MDVs, holding specific biological functions is currently unknown. Evidence on the existence of different MDV subtypes has been produced. However, their characterization is not always pursued, which would be relevant to exploring the dynamics of mitochondrial quality control in health and disease. Furthermore, MDV classification may be instrumental in understanding their biological roles and promoting their implementation as biomarkers in clinical studies.
Wheat VQ Motif-Containing Protein VQ25-A Facilitates Leaf Senescence via the Abscisic Acid Pathway
Authors: Meng Xiao , Lu Mingyue , Xia Zelin , Li Huilong , Liu Duo , Li Ke , Yin Pengcheng , Wang Geng , Zhou Chunjiang
Published: September 2023

Leaf senescence is an important factor affecting the functional transition from nutrient assimilation to nutrient remobilization in crops. The senescence of wheat leaves is of great significance for its yield and quality. In the leaf senescence process, transcriptional regulation is a committed step in integrating various senescence-related signals. Although the plant-specific transcriptional regulation factor valine-glutamine (VQ) gene family is known to participate in different physiological processes, its role in leaf senescence is poorly understood. We isolated TaVQ25-A and studied its function in leaf senescence regulation. TaVQ25-A was mainly expressed in the roots and leaves of wheat. The TaVQ25-A-GFP fusion protein was localized in the nuclei and cytoplasm of wheat protoplasts. A delayed senescence phenotype was observed after dark and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment in TaVQ25-A-silenced wheat plants. Conversely, overexpression of TaVQ25-A accelerated leaf senescence and led to hypersensitivity in ABA-induced leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. A WRKY type transcription factor, TaWRKY133, which is tightly related to the ABA pathway and affects the expression of some ABA-related genes, was found to interact with TaVQ25-A both in vitro and in vivo. Results of this study indicate that TaVQ25-A is a positive regulator of ABA-related leaf senescence and can be used as a candidate gene for wheat molecular breeding.
Fluconazole-Induced Protein Changes in Osteogenic and Immune Metabolic Pathways of Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Osteopetrosis Patients
Authors: Alkhayal Zikra , Shinwari Zakia , Gaafar Ameera , Alaiya Ayodele
Published: September 2023

Osteopetrosis is a rare inherited disease caused by osteoclast failure, resulting in increasing bone density in humans. Patients with osteopetrosis possess several dental and cranial complications. Since carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II) deficiency is a major cause of osteopetrosis, CA-II activators might be an attractive potential treatment option for osteopetrosis patients. We conducted comprehensive label-free quantitative proteomics analysis on Fluconazole-treated Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from CA-II-Deficient Osteopetrosis Patients. We identified 251 distinct differentially expressed proteins between healthy subjects, as well as untreated and azole-treated derived cells from osteopetrosis patients. Twenty-six (26) of these proteins were closely associated with osteogenesis and osteopetrosis disease. Among them are ATP1A2, CPOX, Ap2 alpha, RAP1B and some members of the RAB protein family. Others include AnnexinA1, 5, PYGL, OSTF1 and PGAM4, all interacting with OSTM1 in the catalytic reactions of HCO3 and the Cl- channel via CAII regulation. In addition, the pro-inflammatory/osteoclast regulatory proteins RACK1, MTSE, STING1, S100A13, ECE1 and TRIM10 are involved. We have identified proteins involved in osteogenic and immune metabolic pathways, including ERK 1/2, phosphatase and ATPase, which opens the door for some CA activators to be used as an alternative drug therapy for osteopetrosis patients. These findings propose that fluconazole might be a potential treatment agent for CAII- deficient OP patients. Altogether, our findings provide a basis for further work to elucidate the clinical utility of azole, a CA activator, as a therapeutic for OP.
Comparison of the Formation of Plant–Microbial Interface in Pisum sativum L. and Medicago truncatula Gaertn. Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules
Authors: Tsyganova Anna V. , Seliverstova Elena V. , Tsyganov Viktor E.
Published: September 2023

Different components of the symbiotic interface play an important role in providing positional information during rhizobial infection and nodule development: successive changes in cell morphology correspond to subsequent changes in the molecular architecture of the apoplast and the associated surface structures. The localisation and distribution of pectins, xyloglucans, and cell wall proteins in symbiotic nodules of Pisum sativum and Medicago truncatula were studied using immunofluorescence and immunogold analysis in wild-type and ineffective mutant nodules. As a result, the ontogenetic changes in the symbiotic interface in the nodules of both species were described. Some differences in the patterns of distribution of cell wall polysaccharides and proteins between wild-type and mutant nodules can be explained by the activation of defence reaction or premature senescence in mutants. The absence of fucosylated xyloglucan in the cell walls in the P. sativum nodules, as well as its predominant accumulation in the cell walls of uninfected cells in the M. truncatula nodules, and the presence of the rhamnogalacturonan I (unbranched) backbone in meristematic cells in P. sativum can be attributed to the most striking species-specific features of the symbiotic interface.