bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulations of the Internal Ballistics of Paraffin–Oxygen Hybrid Rockets at Different Scales
Authors: Migliorino Mario Tindaro , Bianchi Daniele , Nasuti Francesco
Published: August 2021

Hybrid rockets are considered a promising future propulsion alternative for specific applications to solid or liquid rockets. In order to raise their technology readiness level, it is important to perform predictive numerical simulations of their internal ballistics. The objective of this work is to describe and validate a numerical approach based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations with sub-models for fluid–surface interaction, radiation, chemistry, and turbulence. Particular attention is given to scale effects by considering two different paraffin–oxygen hybrid rocket engines and a simplified grain evolution approach from the initial to the final port diameter. Moreover, a mild sensitivity of the computed regression rate to paraffin’s melting temperature, surface radiation emissivity, and Schmidt numbers is observed. Results highlight the increasing importance of radiation effects at larger scales and pressures. A numerical rebuilding of regression rate and pressure is obtained with simulations at the time-space-averaged port diameter, producing a reasonable agreement with the available experimental data, but a noticeable improvement is obtained by considering the grain evolution in time.
Response of Cover Crops to Phytopythium vexans, Phytophthora nicotianae, and Rhizoctonia solani, Major Soilborne Pathogens of Woody Ornamentals
Authors: Panth Milan , Witcher Anthony , Baysal-Gurel Fulya
Published: August 2021

Management of plant diseases is a subject of concern for researchers as well as growers. Different management practices are being developed and used to combat the rising number of plant pathogens, which threaten nursery crop production. Use of cover crops for sustainable management of soilborne diseases is being explored as an alternative strategy to the chemicals. However, the potential threat of these cover crops acting as a secondary host of these devastating soilborne pathogens has not been described. We studied the response of the major cover crops being used by woody ornamental growers in the Southeastern United States to Phytopythium vexans, Phytophthora nicotianae, and Rhizoctonia solani in greenhouse conditions to identify the effective cover crops that can be used in a nursery field production system. Data related to post-emergence damping-off and plant growth parameters (plant height increase and fresh weight) were recorded. Similarly, cover crop roots were assessed for root rot disease severity using a scale of 0–100% roots affected. Among the tested cover crops, the grass cover crops triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun) H. Scholz), and the legumes Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense (L.) Poir) and cowpea ‘Iron and Clay’ (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), showed lower root rot disease severity and post-emergence damping-off in the soil inoculated with P. nicotianae, R. solani, or P. vexans compared to the other crops. Since these cover crops can act as non-host crops and benefit the main crop in one way or another, they can be used in the production system. Further research is recommended to evaluate their performance in a natural field setting.
Advances in Precision Coffee Growing Research: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Santana Lucas Santos , Ferraz Gabriel Araújo e Silva , Teodoro Alberdan José da Silva , Santana Mozarte Santos , Rossi Giuseppe , Palchetti Enrico
Published: August 2021

Precision coffee-growing technologies contribute to increased yield, operational efficiency, and final product quality. In addition, they strengthen coffee growing in the global agricultural scenario, which makes this activity increasingly competitive. Scientific research is essential for technological development and offering security regarding its application. For relevant research identification, bibliometric revision methods expose the best studies and their relationships with countries and authors, providing a complete map of research directions. This study identified the main contributions and contributors to academic research generation about precision coffee growing from 2000 to 2021. Bibliometric analysis was performed in VOSViewer software from the referential bases Scopus and Web of Science that identified 150 articles. Based on the number of citations, publications about precision coffee-growing showed Brazilian institutions at the top of the list, and Brazil’s close relationships with North American and South African institutions. Geostatistical analysis, remote sensing and spatial variability mapping of cultivation areas were used in most experimental research. A trend in research exploring machine learning technologies and autonomous systems was evident. The identification of the main agents of scientific development in precision coffee growing contributes to objective advances in the development and application of new management systems. Overall, this analysis represents wide precision coffee growing research providing valuable information for farmers, policymakers, and researchers.
Soil Microbial Activity and Biomass in Semiarid Agroforestry Systems Integrating Forage Cactus and Tree Legumes
Authors: Camelo Dayanne , Dubeux José Carlos Batista , dos Santos Mércia Virginia Ferreira , Lira Mario Andrade , Fracetto Giselle Gomes Monteiro , Fracetto Felipe José Cury , da Cunha Márcio Vieira , de Freitas Erinaldo Viana
Published: August 2021

Vegetation cover affects soil organic matter and activity of soil microorganisms. We investigated the intercropping effect of forage cactus with tree legumes on soil microbial biomass and organic matter in the semi-arid tropic, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. We assessed the following cropping systems: (i) Gliricidia sepium intercropped with cactus cv. IPA-Sertânia; (ii) Leucaena leucocephala intercropped with cactus cv. IPA-Sertânia; and (iii) Cactus cv. IPA-Sertânia in monoculture. Samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons in the 0- to 0.10- and 0.10- to 0.20-m soil layers at 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 m in a perpendicular gradient from tree legume rows. The following responses were determined: δ13C and δ15N, C and N, microbial activity and biomass, and metabolic, microbial, and mineralization quotient. δ13C and δ15N varied with the distance from the trees. In the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, the cropping systems showed similar values for C, N, microbial activity, carbon, and nitrogen in the microbial biomass. The presence of tree legumes at the end of the rainy season favored soil microbiota, which showed a reduced loss of C-CO2, with no indication of metabolic stress and greater microbial biomass and microbial quotient in relation to forage cactus in monoculture.
Effect of Biochar on Soil CO2 Fluxes from Agricultural Field Experiments in Russian Far East
Authors: Bovsun Mariia A. , Castaldi Simona , Nesterova Olga V. , Semal Viktoriia. A. , Sakara Nikolay A. , Brikmans Anastasia V. , Khokhlova Alexandra I. , Karpenko Tatyana Y.
Published: August 2021

Agricultural soils are a major source of greenhouse gases. Biochar is a soil improver and, when applied to the soil, sequesters carbon. However, a different combination of soil and climatic conditions and biochar leads to different research results. In this research, the effects of 1 kg/m2 and 3 kg/m2 biochar application to clay soils on the CO2 flow in field experiments along two cropping seasons in the Russian Far East were investigated. Data showed that biochar significantly reduces the cumulative flow of soil CO2, compared with untreated field plots. In 2018, the greatest reduction in soil CO2 emissions (28.2%) with 3 kg/m2 of biochar was obtained, while in 2019, the greatest decrease in the cumulative CO2 flow at the application dose of 1 kg/m2 (57.7%) was recorded. A correlation between a decrease in the value of the cumulative CO2 flux and an increase in the biomass grown in the studied areas of agricultural crops during the season of 2018 was found.
Improvement of Organic Farm Assessment Procedures on the Example of Organic Farming in Poland—Recommendations for Organic Farming in Poland
Authors: Miśniakiewicz Małgorzata , Łuczak Jacek , Maruszewska Natalia
Published: August 2021

Organic farming is an agricultural production system that combines tradition, innovation, and science to provide high-quality food, benefit the shared environment, and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. It is a subject of certification (i.e., issuing a declaration by a third party) based on a decision preceded by a review that compliance with specified requirements has been demonstrated in relation to products, processes, systems, or persons. As a result, organic food is created. The aim of the article was to conduct a critical analysis of the procedures and practices for the evaluation of organic farms carried out by Polish certification bodies and to identify areas for their improvement. The presented results are the effect of qualitative research based on in-depth interviews with the representatives of organic farms certifiers. They were preceded by preparatory research, in which the Delphi method was used. The questioned units in total provide services to approximately 50% of organic producers in Poland and each of them have at least 10 years of experience in the certification of organic farms. Specific areas of improvement in the process of evaluation of organic farms were identified and briefly discussed. As a result, the authors also formulated appropriate recommendations for improvement in the identified areas. Implementation of these recommendations would make it possible to standardize the activities of individual certification bodies and increases the transparency and credibility of the organic farming control system in Poland. Consequently, such implementation has the potential to increase consumer confidence in organic food.
Effect of Barley Sowing Density on the Integrated Weed Management of Lolium rigidum (Annual Ryegrass) in Mediterranean Dryland: A Modeling Approach
Authors: D’Amico María Belén , Chantre Guillermo R. , Calandrini Guillermo L. , González-Andújar José L.
Published: August 2021

Population models are particularly helpful for understanding long-term changes in the weed dynamics associated with integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. IWM practices for controlling L. rigidum are of high importance, mainly due to its widespread resistance that precludes chemical control as a single management method. The objective of this contribution is to simulate different IWM scenarios with special emphasis on the impact of different levels of barley sowing densities on L. rigidum control. To this effect, a weed–crop population model for both L. rigidum and barley life cycles was developed. Our results point out: (i) the necessity of achieving high control efficiencies (>99%), (ii) that the increase of twice the standard sowing density of barley resulted in a reduction of 23.7% of the weed density, (iii) non-herbicide-based individual methods, such as delayed sowing and weed seed removal at harvest, proved to be inefficient for reducing drastically weed population, (iv) the implementation of at least three control tactics (seed removal, delay sowing and herbicides) is required for weed infestation eradication independently of the sowing rate, and (v) the effect of an increase in the sowing density is diluted as a more demanding weed control is reached. Future research should aim to disentangle the effect of different weed resistance levels on L. rigidum population dynamics and the required efficiencies for more sustainable IWM programs.
The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?
Authors: Benammar Achraf , Derisoud Emilie , Vialard François , Palmer Eric , Ayoubi Jean Marc , Poulain Marine , Chavatte-Palmer Pascale
Published: August 2021

Although there are large differences between horses and humans for reproductive anatomy, follicular dynamics, mono-ovulation, and embryo development kinetics until the blastocyst stage are similar. In contrast to humans, however, horses are seasonal animals and do not have a menstrual cycle. Moreover, horse implantation takes place 30 days later than in humans. In terms of artificial reproduction techniques (ART), oocytes are generally matured in vitro in horses because ovarian stimulation remains inefficient. This allows the collection of oocytes without hormonal treatments. In humans, in vivo matured oocytes are collected after ovarian stimulation. Subsequently, only intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed in horses to produce embryos, whereas both in vitro fertilization and ICSI are applied in humans. Embryos are transferred only as blastocysts in horses. In contrast, four cells to blastocyst stage embryos are transferred in humans. Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation has been mastered in humans, but not completely in horses. Finally, both species share infertility concerns due to ageing and obesity. Thus, reciprocal knowledge could be gained through the comparative study of ART and infertility treatments both in woman and mare, even though the horse could not be used as a single model for human ART.
Transcriptome Analysis of Differentially Expressed mRNA Related to Pigeon Muscle Development
Authors: Ding Hao , Lin Yueyue , Zhang Tao , Chen Lan , Zhang Genxi , Wang Jinyu , Xie Kaizhou , Dai Guojun
Published: August 2021

The mechanisms behind the gene expression and regulation that modulate the development and growth of pigeon skeletal muscle remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed gene expression analysis on skeletal muscle samples at different developmental and growth stages using RNA sequencing (RNA−Seq). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using edgeR software. Weighted gene co−expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the gene modules related to the growth and development of pigeon skeletal muscle based on DEGs. A total of 11,311 DEGs were identified. WGCNA aggregated 11,311 DEGs into 12 modules. Black and brown modules were significantly correlated with the 1st and 10th day of skeletal muscle growth, while turquoise and cyan modules were significantly correlated with the 8th and 13th days of skeletal muscle embryonic development. Four mRNA−mRNA regulatory networks corresponding to the four significant modules were constructed and visualised using Cytoscape software. Twenty candidate mRNAs were identified based on their connectivity degrees in the networks, including Abca8b, TCONS−00004461, VWF, OGDH, TGIF1, DKK3, Gfpt1 and RFC5, etc. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that many pathways were related to the growth and development of pigeon skeletal muscle, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMPK, FAK, and thyroid hormone pathways. Five differentially expressed genes (LAST2, MYPN, DKK3, B4GALT6 and OGDH) in the network were selected, and their expression patterns were quantified by qRT−PCR. The results were consistent with our sequencing results. These findings could enhance our understanding of the gene expression and regulation in the development and growth of pigeon muscle.
Cytokines That Serve as Embryokines in Cattle
Authors: Ealy Alan D. , Speckhart Savannah L. , Wooldridge Lydia K.
Published: August 2021

The term “embryokine” has been used to denote molecules produced by the endometrium, oviduct, or by embryo itself that will influence embryo development. Several cytokines have been identified as embryokines in cattle and other mammals. This review will describe how these cytokines function as embryokines, with special emphasis being placed on their actions on in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos. Embryokines are being explored for their ability to overcome the poor development rates of IVP embryos and to limit post-transfer pregnancy retention efficiencies that exist in IVP embryos. This review will focus on describing two of the best-characterized cytokines, colony-stimulating factor 2 and interleukin 6, for their ability to modify bovine embryo quality and confirmation, promote normal fetal development, and generate healthy calves. Additional cytokines will also be discussed for their potential to serve as embryokines.
Successful Intratracheal Treatment of Phage and Antibiotic Combination Therapy of a Multi-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Murine Model
Authors: Duplessis Christopher , Warawa Jonathan M. , Lawrenz Matthew B. , Henry Matthew , Biswas Biswajit
Published: August 2021

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) is a common etiology of bacteria-mediated lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Given the paucity of novel antibiotics in our foreseeable pipeline, developing novel non-antibiotic antimicrobial therapies saliently targeting drug resistant PsA isolates remains a priority. Lytic bacteriophages (or phages) have come under scrutiny as a potential antimicrobial for refractory bacterial infections. We evaluated intratracheally and intraperitoneally (IP) administered phage therapy (with/without meropenem) in an acute immunocompromised mouse model of multi-drug resistant (MDR) PsA pulmonary infection. The MDR P. aeruginosa respiratory disease model used in these studies was developed to investigate novel therapies that might have efficacy as either monotherapies or as combination therapy with meropenem. Methods: We utilized eight-week-old, 18 g BALB/cJ female mice and an MDR strain of PsA (UNC-D). Mice were immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide. We employed a three-phage cocktail targeting PsA (PaAH2ΦP (103), PaBAP5Φ2 (130), and PaΦ (134)), confirmed to exhibit in vitro suppression of the infecting isolate out to 45 h. Suppression was confirmed with phages acting in isolation and in combination with meropenem. Results: IP administration of phage did not protect mice from death. A one-time delivery of phage directly to the lungs via a single intubation-mediated, intratracheal (IMIT) instillation protected mice from lethal infection. Protection was observed despite delaying therapy out to 6 h. Finally, we observed that, by slowing the progression of infection by treatment with a sub-efficacious dose of meropenem, we could protect the mice from lethal infection via IP phage administration coupled to meropenem, observing partial additive effects of phage–antibiotic combination therapy. Conclusions: A personalized phage cocktail administered via IMIT exhibits high therapeutic efficacy, despite delayed treatment of 6 h in a lethal MDR PsA pneumonia model. IP phage alone did not forestall mortality, but exhibited efficacy when combined with meropenem and IMIT-administered phage. These additive effects of combined IP phage and meropenem confirm that phage may indeed reach the lung bed via the systemic circulation and protect mice if the infection is not too acute. Therefore, adjunctive phage therapy with concerted attention to identifying optimal phage targeting of the infecting isolate in vitro may exhibit transformative potential for combating the specter of MDR bacterial infections. Phage should serve as an integral component of a four-pronged approach coupled with antibiotics, source control, and immune optimization.
Interplay between Non-Coding RNA Transcription, Stringent/Relaxed Phenotype and Antibiotic Production in Streptomyces ambofaciens
Authors: Pinatel Eva , Calcagnile Matteo , Talà Adelfia , Damiano Fabrizio , Siculella Luisa , Peano Clelia , De Benedetto Giuseppe Egidio , Pennetta Antonio , De Bellis Gianluca , Alifano Pietro
Published: August 2021

While in recent years the key role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of gene expression has become increasingly evident, their interaction with the global regulatory circuits is still obscure. Here we analyzed the structure and organization of the transcriptome of Streptomyces ambofaciens, the producer of spiramycin. We identified ncRNAs including 45 small-RNAs (sRNAs) and 119 antisense-RNAs (asRNAs I) that appear transcribed from dedicated promoters. Some sRNAs and asRNAs are unprecedented in Streptomyces and were predicted to target mRNAs encoding proteins involved in transcription, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, and regulation of morphological and biochemical differentiation. We then compared ncRNA expression in three strains: (i) the wild-type strain; (ii) an isogenic pirA-defective mutant with central carbon metabolism imbalance, “relaxed” phenotype, and repression of antibiotic production; and (iii) a pirA-derivative strain harboring a “stringent” RNA polymerase that suppresses pirA-associated phenotypes. Data indicated that the expression of most ncRNAs was correlated to the stringent/relaxed phenotype suggesting novel effector mechanisms of the stringent response.
Quercetin Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Restores Gut Microbiome in Mice on High-Fat Diets
Authors: Tan Yuqing , Tam Christina C. , Rolston Matt , Alves Priscila , Chen Ling , Meng Shi , Hong Hui , Chang Sam K. C. , Yokoyama Wallace
Published: August 2021

Quercetin is a flavonoid that has been shown to have health-promoting capacities due to its potent antioxidant activity. However, the effect of chronic intake of quercetin on the gut microbiome and diabetes-related biomarkers remains unclear. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed HF or HF supplemented with 0.05% quercetin (HFQ) for 6 weeks. Diabetes-related biomarkers in blood were determined in mice fed high-fat (HF) diets supplemented with quercetin. Mice fed the HFQ diet gained less body, liver, and adipose weight, while liver lipid and blood glucose levels were also lowered. Diabetes-related plasma biomarkers insulin, leptin, resistin, and glucagon were significantly reduced by quercetin supplementation. In feces, quercetin supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The expression of genes Srebf1, Ppara, Cyp51, Scd1, and Fasn was downregulated by quercetin supplementation. These results indicated that diabetes biomarkers are associated with early metabolic changes accompanying obesity, and quercetin may ameliorate insulin resistance.
Acetylated Resveratrol and Oxyresveratrol Suppress UVB-Induced MMP-1 Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Lee Jae-Eun , Oh Jijeong , Song Daeun , Lee Mijeong , Hahn Dongyup , Boo Yong Chool , Kang Nam Joo
Published: August 2021

Resveratrol (RES) and oxyresveratrol (OXYRES) are considered and utilized as active ingredients of anti-aging skin cosmetics. However, these compounds are susceptible to oxidative discoloration and unpleasant odor in solutions, limiting their use in cosmetics. Accordingly, RES and OXYRES were chemically modified to acetylated derivatives with enhanced stability, and their anti-aging effect on the skin and detailed molecular mechanism of their acetylated derivatives were investigated. Acetylated RES and OXYRES lost their acetyl group and exerted an inhibitory effect on H2O2-induced ROS levels in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. In addition, RES, OXYRES, and their acetylated derivatives suppressed UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression via inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Furthermore, RES, OXYRES, and their acetylated derivatives suppressed type I collagen in TPA-treated HDF cells. Collectively, these results suggest the beneficial effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of RES, OXYRES, and their acetylated derivatives for anti- skin aging applications.
Impact of Ascorbate—Glutathione Cycle Components on the Effectiveness of Embryogenesis Induction in Isolated Microspore Cultures of Barley and Triticale
Authors: Żur Iwona , Kopeć Przemysław , Surówka Ewa , Dubas Ewa , Krzewska Monika , Nowicka Anna , Janowiak Franciszek , Juzoń Katarzyna , Janas Agnieszka , Barna Balázs , Fodor József
Published: August 2021

Enhanced antioxidant defence plays an essential role in plant survival under stress conditions. However, excessive antioxidant activity sometimes suppresses the signal necessary for the initiation of the desired biological reactions. One such example is microspore embryogenesis (ME)—a process of embryo-like structure formation triggered by stress in immature male gametophytes. The study focused on the role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defence in triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) microspore reprogramming. ME was induced through various stress treatments of tillers and its effectiveness was analysed in terms of ascorbate and glutathione contents, total activity of low molecular weight antioxidants and activities of glutathione–ascorbate cycle enzymes. The most effective treatment for both species was a combination of low temperature and exogenous application of 0.3 M mannitol, with or without 0.3 mM reduced glutathione. The applied treatments induced genotype-specific defence responses. In triticale, both ascorbate and glutathione were associated with ME induction, though the role of glutathione did not seem to be related to its function as a reducing agent. In barley, effective ME was accompanied by an accumulation of ascorbate and high activity of enzymes regulating its redox status, without direct relation to glutathione content.
Bacterial Adhesion to Grade 4 and Grade 5 Turned and Mildly Acid-Etched Titanium Implant Surfaces: An In Vitro and Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Sbricoli Luca , Cecoro Gennaro , Leone Claudio , Nastri Livia , Guazzo Riccardo , Guida Luigi , Annunziata Marco
Published: August 2021

Aim of the present study was to investigate the bacterial adhesion to titanium (Ti) implant surfaces, different for composition and topographic features. Grade 4 and 5 turned (T-4, T-5,) and mildly acid-etched (MA-4, MA-5) Ti 6 × 1 mm disks were topographically analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy and 3D profilometry. Bacterial cultures (Streptococcus sanguinis) were in vitro seeded and, after two and six hours, adherent bacteria were quantified by colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Ti samples were also exposed to the oral environment of six periodontally healthy volunteers and, after 12 h, the formed biofilm was evaluated by CFU counting. Inter-group differences were tested by the Mann–Whitney U-Test (α = 0.05). MA surfaces were significantly rougher than T ones, whereas no difference between grade 4 and grade 5 disks was detected. Significantly higher in vitro bacterial adhesion for MA than T disks was shown at two and six hours. Significantly higher values of CFU counting for MA than T surfaces and for grade 5 than grade 4 disks were found at the 12 h-ex vivo test. Bacterial adhesion showed to be sensitive to both Ti surface topography and composition, with possible implications on peri-implant tissue health maintenance.
Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignin Model Compounds (Pyrocatechol, Guaiacol, Vanillic and Ferulic Acids) over Nanoceria Catalyst for Biomass Conversion
Authors: Nastasiienko Nataliia , Kulik Tetiana , Palianytsia Borys , Laskin Julia , Cherniavska Tetiana , Kartel Mykola , Larsson Mats
Published: August 2021

Understanding the mechanisms of thermal transformations of model lignin compounds (MLC) over nanoscale catalysts is important for improving the technologic processes occurring in the pyrolytic conversion of lignocellulose biomass into biofuels and value-added chemicals. Herein, we investigate catalytic pyrolysis of MLC (pyrocatechol (P), guaiacol (G), ferulic (FA), and vanillic acids (VA)) over nanoceria using FT-IR spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry (TPD MS), and thermogravimetric analysis (DTG/DTA/TG). FT-IR spectroscopic studies indicate that the active groups of aromatic rings of P, G, VA, and FA as well as carboxylate groups of VA and FA are involved in the interaction with nanoceria surface. We explore the general transformation mechanisms of different surface complexes and identify their decomposition products. We demonstrate that decomposition of carboxylate acid complexes occurs by decarboxylation. When FA is used as a precursor, this reaction generates 4-vinylguaiacol. Complexes of VA and FA formed through both active groups of the aromatic ring and decompose on the CeO2 surface to generate hydroxybenzene. The formation of alkylated products accompanies catalytic pyrolysis of acids due to processes of transalkylation on the surface.
System for Neural Network Determination of Atrial Fibrillation on ECG Signals with Wavelet-Based Preprocessing
Authors: Lyakhov Pavel , Kiladze Mariya , Lyakhova Ulyana
Published: August 2021

Today, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries. The most common arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk of ischemic stroke. An electrocardiogram is one of the best methods for diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias. Often, the signals of the electrocardiogram are distorted by noises of varying nature. In this paper, we propose a neural network classification system for electrocardiogram signals based on the Long Short-Term Memory neural network architecture with a preprocessing stage. Signal preprocessing was carried out using a symlet wavelet filter with further application of the instantaneous frequency and spectral entropy functions. For the experimental part of the article, electrocardiogram signals were selected from the open database PhysioNet Computing in Cardiology Challenge 2017 (CinC Challenge). The simulation was carried out using the MatLab 2020b software package for solving technical calculations. The best simulation result was obtained using a symlet with five coefficients and made it possible to achieve an accuracy of 87.5% in recognizing electrocardiogram signals.
Social Responses to Virtual Humans: The Effect of Human-Like Characteristics
Authors: Park Sung , Catrambone Richard
Published: August 2021

As a virtual human is provided with more human-like characteristics, will it elicit stronger social responses from people? Two experiments were conducted to address these questions. The first experiment investigated whether virtual humans can evoke a social facilitation response and how strong that response is when people are given different cognitive tasks that vary in difficulty. The second experiment investigated whether people apply politeness norms to virtual humans. Participants were tutored either by a human tutor or a virtual human tutor that varied in features and then evaluated the tutor’s performance. Results indicate that virtual humans can produce social facilitation not only with facial appearance but also with voice. In addition, performance in the presence of voice synced facial appearance seems to elicit stronger social facilitation than in the presence of voice only or face only. Similar findings were observed with the politeness norm experiment. Participants who evaluated their tutor directly reported the tutor’s performance more favorably than participants who evaluated their tutor indirectly. This valence toward the voice synced facial appearance had no statistical difference compared to the valence toward the human tutor condition. The results suggest that designers of virtual humans should be mindful about the social nature of virtual humans.
Use of Terbium Doped Phosphate Glasses for High Dose Radiation Dosimetry—Thermoluminescence Characteristics, Dose Response and Optimization of Readout Method
Authors: Gasiorowski Andrzej , Szajerski Piotr , Cuevas Jose Francisco Benavente
Published: August 2021

The phosphate glass samples doped with Tb2O3 oxide (general formula: P2O5-Al2O3-Na2O-Tb2O3) were synthesized and studied for usage in high-dose radiation dosimetry (for example, in high-activity nuclear waste disposals). The influence of terbium concentration on thermoluminescent (TL) signals was analyzed. TL properties of glasses were investigated using various experimental techniques such as direct measurements of TL response vs. radiation dose, Tmax–Tstop and VHR (various heating rate) methods, and glow curve deconvolution analysis. The thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) technique was used as the main investigation tool to study detectors’ dose responses. It has been proved that increasing the concentration of terbium oxide in glass matrices significantly increases the thermoluminescence yield of examined material. For the highest dose range (up to 35 kGy), the dependence of the integrated thermoluminescent signals vs. dose can be considered as a saturation-type curve. Additional preheating of samples improves linearity of signal vs. dose dependencies and leads to a decrease of the signal loss over time. All obtained data suggest that investigated material can be used in high-dose radiation dosimetry. Additional advantages of the investigated dosimetric system are its potential ability to re-use the same dosimeters multiple times and the fact that reading dosimeters only requires usage of a basic TL reader without any modifications.
Design and Experimental Study of the General Mechanical Pneumatic Combined Seed Metering Device
Authors: Xiong Dengyu , Wu Mingliang , Xie Wei , Liu Rong , Luo Haifeng
Published: August 2021

To address the problems of high damage rate, low seeding accuracy, and poor seeding generally in the seeding process, a general-purpose seeding device was designed in this study based on the principle of mechanical pneumatic combined seeding. The air-blowing-type cleaning and seed unloading of the device laid the conditions for precise seeding and flexible seeding. In addition, single-factor experiments were performed on seeds (e.g., soybeans, corn, and rape-seeds) with different particle sizes and shapes to verify the general properties of the seed metering device. A multi-factor response surface optimization experiment was performed by applying soybean seeds as the test object to achieve the optimal performance parameters of the seed metering device. At a seed-clearing air velocity of 16.7 m/s, a seed feeding drum speed of 13.7 r/min, and a hole cone angle of 35.6°, corresponding to the optimal performance index, the qualified index, the replay index, and the missed index reached 97.94%, 0.03%, and 2.03%, respectively. The verification test results are consistent with the optimized ones. As indicated from the results, the seed metering device exhibits good general properties, low damage rate, great precision, and high efficiency; it is capable of meeting general seeding operations of different crop seeds and technically supporting for the reliability and versatility of the seeder.
Human Activity Classification Based on Angle Variance Analysis Utilizing the Poincare Plot
Authors: Ahmed Solaiman , Bhuiyan Tanveer Ahmed , Kishi Taiki , Nii Manabu , Kobashi Syoji
Published: August 2021

We propose a single sensor-based activity classification method where the Poincare plot was introduced to analyze the variance of the angle between acceleration vector with gravity calculated from the raw accelerometer data for human activity classification. Two datasets named ‘Human Activity Recognition’ and ‘MHealth dataset’ were used to develop the model to classify activity from low to vigorous intensity activities and posture estimation. Short-term and long-term variability analyzing the property of the Poincare plot was used to classify activities according to the vibrational intensity of body movement. Commercially available Actigraph’s activity classification metric ‘count’ resembled value was used to compare the feasibility of the proposed classification algorithm. In the case of the HAR dataset, laying, sitting, standing, and walking activities were classified. Poincare plot parameters SD1, SD2, and SDRR of angle in the case of angle variance analysis and the mean count of X-, Y-, and Z-axis were fitted to a support vector machine (SVM) classifier individually and jointly. The variance- and count-based methods have 100% accuracy in the static–dynamic classification. Laying activity classification has 100% accuracy from other static conditions in the proposed method, whereas the count-based method has 98.08% accuracy with 10-fold cross-validation. In the sitting–standing classification, the proposed angle-based algorithm shows 88% accuracy, whereas the count-based approach has 58% accuracy with a support vector machine classifier with 10-fold cross-validation. In the classification of the variants of dynamic activities with the MHealth dataset, the accuracy for angle variance-based and count-based methods is 100%, in both cases, for fivefold cross validation with SVM classifiers.
Structural Design and Friction Performance Test of a New Conical Groove Friction Disks in Wet Clutch
Authors: Wang Yanzhong , Yang Kai , Wu Xiangyu
Published: August 2021

Wet clutch transmits its power by the friction torque between friction and separate disks. Conical groove friction disk is a new attempt in Wet clutch. Its configurations allow significant enhancement of torque delivery performances, compared with the traditional plane friction disk. In order to study the frictional performances of the conical groove friction configuration, the friction coefficient calculation model of conical groove friction disk was established, and experimental investigation was used to measure the friction coefficient under sliding velocity conditions. The influence of configuration parameters: cone heights and angles on friction coefficients were evaluated in a typical variable speed test. The results indicated that configuration parameters can affect friction performance in a constant speed period. The equivalent radius can directly describe the friction region of a conical groove friction disk. The constant speed test can be a useful method.
A Tribute to Oleg Zatsarinny (1953–2021): His Life in Science
Authors: Bartschat Klaus , Fischer Charlotte Froese , Grum-Grzhimailo Alexei N.
Published: August 2021

Oleg Ivanovich Zatsarinny (Figure 1) was born in the city of Uzhgorod, Ukraine, on 4 November 1953 [...]
Microwave Atom Chip Design
Authors: Miyahira William , Rotunno Andrew P. , Du ShuangLi , Aubin Seth
Published: August 2021

We present a toolbox of microstrip building blocks for microwave atom chips geared towards trapped atom interferometry. Transverse trapping potentials based on the AC Zeeman (ACZ) effect can be formed from the combined microwave magnetic near fields of a pair or a triplet of parallel microstrip transmission lines. Axial confinement can be provided by a microwave lattice (standing wave) along the microstrip traces. Microwave fields provide additional parameters for dynamically adjusting ACZ potentials: detuning of the applied frequency to select atomic transitions and local polarization controlled by the relative phase in multiple microwave currents. Multiple ACZ traps and potentials, operating at different frequencies, can be targeted to different spin states simultaneously, thus enabling spin-specific manipulation of atoms and spin-dependent trapped atom interferometry.
Multicriteria Evaluation of Deep Neural Networks for Semantic Segmentation of Mammographies
Authors: Rubio Yoshio , Montiel Oscar
Published: August 2021

Breast segmentation plays a vital role in the automatic analysis of mammograms. Accurate segmentation of the breast region increments the probability of a correct diagnostic and minimizes computational cost. Traditionally, model-based approaches dominated the landscape for breast segmentation, but recent studies seem to benefit from using robust deep learning models for this task. In this work, we present an extensive evaluation of deep learning architectures for semantic segmentation of mammograms, including segmentation metrics, memory requirements, and average inference time. We used several combinations of two-stage segmentation architectures composed of a feature extraction net (VGG16 and ResNet50) and a segmentation net (FCN-8, U-Net, and PSPNet). The training examples were taken from the mini Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) database. Experimental results using the mini-MIAS database show that the best net scored a Dice similarity coefficient of 99.37% for breast boundary segmentation and 95.45% for pectoral muscle segmentation.
Side Effects of mRNA-Based and Viral Vector-Based COVID-19 Vaccines among German Healthcare Workers
Authors: Klugar Miloslav , Riad Abanoub , Mekhemar Mohamed , Conrad Jonas , Buchbender Mayte , Howaldt Hans-Peter , Attia Sameh
Published: August 2021

Background: the increasing number of COVID-19 vaccines available to the public may trigger hesitancy or selectivity towards vaccination. This study aimed to evaluate the post-vaccination side effects of the different vaccines approved in Germany; Methods: a cross-sectional survey-based study was carried out using an online questionnaire validated and tested for a priori reliability. The questionnaire inquired about demographic data, medical and COVID-19-related anamneses, and local, systemic, oral, and skin-related side effects following COVID-19 vaccination; Results: out of the 599 participating healthcare workers, 72.3% were females, and 79.1% received mRNA-based vaccines, while 20.9% received a viral vector-based vaccine. 88.1% of the participants reported at least one side effect. Injection site pain (75.6%) was the most common local side effect, and headache/fatigue (53.6%), muscle pain (33.2%), malaise (25%), chills (23%), and joint pain (21.2%) were the most common systemic side effects. The vast majority (84.9%) of side effects resolved within 1–3 days post-vaccination; Conclusions: the mRNA-based vaccines were associated with a higher prevalence of local side effects (78.3% vs. 70.4%; Sig. = 0.064), while the viral vector-based vaccine was associated with a higher prevalence of systemic side effects (87.2% vs. 61%; Sig. < 0.001). Females and the younger age group were associated with an increased risk of side effects either after mRNA-based or viral vector-based vaccines. The gender- and age-based differences warrant further rigorous investigation and standardized methodology.
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment: A Review
Authors: Chlebicz-Wójcik Agnieszka , Śliżewska Katarzyna
Published: August 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome is not a life-threatening disease, yet it significantly affects the quality of life and contributes to economic loss. It is estimated that even up to 45% of the world’s population can suffer from the disease. The first attempts to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome were made at the end of the 19th century; however, establishing appropriate diagnostic criteria and treatment methods is still ongoing. To date, little is known about the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome; however, growing attention is drawn to the intestinal microbiota as a factor in the disease development. For this reason, researchers have conducted many studies on therapies that modulate the microbiota, among which probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are widely studied. To date, most studies have examined probiotics; however, there are also several studies demonstrating the efficacy of prebiotics and synbiotics. The aim of this review was to summarize findings on the usefulness of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Influence of the Levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury and Lead on Overall Survival in Lung Cancer
Authors: Pietrzak Sandra , Wójcik Janusz , Baszuk Piotr , Marciniak Wojciech , Wojtyś Małgorzata , Dębniak Tadeusz , Cybulski Cezary , Gronwald Jacek , Alchimowicz Jacek , Masojć Bartłomiej , Waloszczyk Piotr , Gajić Darko , Grodzki Tomasz , Jakubowska Anna , Scott Rodney J. , Lubiński Jan , Lener Marcin R.
Published: August 2021

The effects of heavy metals on cancer risk have been widely studied in recent decades, but there is limited data on the effects of these elements on cancer survival. In this research, we examined whether blood concentrations of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead were associated with the overall survival of lung cancer patients. The study group consisted of 336 patients with lung cancer who were prospectively observed. Blood concentrations of heavy metals were measured to study the relationship between their levels and overall survival using Cox proportional hazards analysis. The hazard ratio of death from all causes was 0.99 (p = 0.94) for arsenic, 1.37 (p = 0.15) for cadmium, 1.55 (p = 0.04) for mercury, and 1.18 (p = 0.47) for lead in patients from the lowest concentration quartile, compared with those in the highest quartile. Among the patients with stage IA disease, this relationship was statistically significant (HR = 7.36; p < 0.01) for cadmium levels in the highest quartile (>1.97–7.77 µg/L) compared to quartile I (0.23–0.57 µg/L, reference). This study revealed that low blood cadmium levels <1.47 µg/L are probably associated with improved overall survival in treated patients with stage IA disease.
In Vivo Lentiviral Gene Delivery of HLA-DR and Vaccination of Humanized Mice for Improving the Human T and B Cell Immune Reconstitution
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Koenig Johannes , Schneider Andreas , Wermeling Fredrik , Boddul Sanjaykumar , Theobald Sebastian J. , Vollmer Miriam , Kloos Doreen , Lachmann Nico , Klawonn Frank , Lienenklaus Stefan , Talbot Steven R. , Bleich André , Wenzel Nadine , von Kaisenberg Constantin , Keck James , Stripecke Renata
Published: August 2021

Humanized mouse models generated with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and reconstituting the human immune system (HIS-mice) are invigorating preclinical testing of vaccines and immunotherapies. We have recently shown that human engineered dendritic cells boosted bonafide human T and B cell maturation and antigen-specific responses in HIS-mice. Here, we evaluated a cell-free system based on in vivo co-delivery of lentiviral vectors (LVs) for expression of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DRA*01/ HLA-DRB1*0401 functional complex, “DR4”), and a LV vaccine expressing human cytokines (GM-CSF and IFN-α) and a human cytomegalovirus gB antigen (HCMV-gB). Humanized NOD/Rag1null/IL2Rγnull (NRG) mice injected by i.v. with LV-DR4/fLuc showed long-lasting (up to 20 weeks) vector distribution and expression in the spleen and liver. In vivo administration of the LV vaccine after LV-DR4/fLuc delivery boosted the cellularity of lymph nodes, promoted maturation of terminal effector CD4+ T cells, and promoted significantly higher development of IgG+ and IgA+ B cells. This modular lentigenic system opens several perspectives for basic human immunology research and preclinical utilization of LVs to deliver HLAs into HIS-mice.
The Multi-Level Pattern Memory Test (MPMT): Initial Validation of a Novel Performance Validity Test
Authors: Omer Elad , Braw Yoram
Published: August 2021

Performance validity tests (PVTs) are used for the detection of noncredible performance in neuropsychological assessments. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy (i.e., discrimination capacity) of a novel PVT, the Multi-Level Pattern Memory Test (MPMT). It includes stages that allow profile analysis (i.e., detecting noncredible performance based on an analysis of participants’ performance across stages) and minimizes the likelihood that it would be perceived as a PVT by examinees. In addition, it utilizes nonverbal stimuli and is therefore more likely to be cross-culturally valid. In Experiment 1, participants that were instructed to simulate cognitive impairment performed less accurately than honest controls in the MPMT (n = 67). Importantly, the MPMT has shown an adequate discrimination capacity, though somewhat lower than an established PVT (i.e., Test of Memory Malingering—TOMM). Experiment 2 (n = 77) validated the findings of the first experiment while also indicating a dissociation between the simulators’ objective performance and their perceived cognitive load while performing the MPMT. The MPMT and the profile analysis based on its outcome measures show initial promise in detecting noncredible performance. It may, therefore, increase the range of available PVTs at the disposal of clinicians, though further validation in clinical settings is mandated. The fact that it is an open-source software will hopefully also encourage the development of research programs aimed at clarifying the cognitive processes involved in noncredible performance and the impact of PVT characteristics on clinical utility.