bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, and Antiprotozoal Potentials of Artemisia copa Phil. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Larrazábal-Fuentes María José , Fernández-Galleguillos Carlos , Palma-Ramírez Jenifer , Romero-Parra Javier , Sepúlveda Kevin , Galetovic Alexandra , González Jorge , Paredes Adrián , Bórquez Jorge , Simirgiotis Mario J. , Echeverría Javier
Published: December 2020

Artemisia copa Phil. (Asteraceae) (known as copa-copa) is a native species of Chile used as an infusion in traditional medicine by Atacameños people in the Altiplano, highlands of northern Chile. In this research, we have investigated for the first time the cholinesterase inhibition potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and the chemical profiling of the infusions prepared from the aerial parts of A. copa by high resolution spectrometry. In addition, total phenolic, total flavonoid content, antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC) and antiprozoal activity were tested. Artemisia copa showed good inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE (3.92 ± 0.08 µg/ml and 44.13 ± 0.10 µg/ml). The infusion displayed a total phenolics content of 155.6 ± 2.9 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g and total flavonoid content of 5.5 ± 0.2 mg quercetin equivalents/g. Additionally, trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi was found (LD50 of 131.8 µg/ml). Forty-seven metabolites were detected in the infusion of A. copa including several phenolic acids and flavonoids which were rapidly identified using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography orbitrap mass spectrometry analysis (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS) for chemical profiling. The major compounds identified in the infusions were studied by molecular docking against AChE and BChE. The UHPLC-MS fingerprints generated can be also used for the authentication of these endemic species. These findings reveal that A. copa infusions can be used as beverages with protective effects.
High-Sensitive Multiwavelength Dynamic Diffuse Optical Tomography System: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Zhang Limin , Cao Bin , He Xiangdong , Sun Zhilong , Li Jiao , Zhou Zhongxing , Gao Feng
Published: December 2020

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a novel functional imaging technique that has the potential clinical application for breast cancer screening. Currently, an underexploited benefit of DOT is its ability to track and characterize dynamic events related to physiological progression, which can provide additional imaging contrast. In this work, we propose a novel 3-wavelength, 32-source–detector continuous-wave dynamic DOT system that allows relatively fast and high-sensitivity imaging by combining phase lock and photon counting technologies and obtains a balance between cost and effectiveness through series parallel measurement mode. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed system prototype, we systematically investigated the key specifications of the system, including stability, channel cross talk, and dynamic range. Furthermore, the static and dynamic phantom experiments validated the capability of the system to detect the target with low absorption contrast as well as track the changes in the target’s absorption coefficient. These preliminary results indicate that the system has great application prospects in imaging of the low-contrast lesion as well as capturing the dynamic changes of hemodynamics in tumor tissue.
Systems View of Deconditioning During Spaceflight Simulation in the PlanHab Project: The Departure of Urine 1 H-NMR Metabolomes From Healthy State in Young Males Subjected to Bedrest Inactivity and Hypoxia
Authors: Šket Robert , Deutsch Leon , Prevoršek Zala , Mekjavić Igor B. , Plavec Janez , Rittweger Joern , Debevec Tadej , Eiken Ola , Stres Blaz
Published: December 2020

We explored the metabolic makeup of urine in prescreened healthy male participants within the PlanHab experiment. The run-in (5 day) and the following three 21-day interventions [normoxic bedrest (NBR), hypoxic bedrest (HBR), and hypoxic ambulation (HAmb)] were executed in a crossover manner within a controlled laboratory setup (medical oversight, fluid and dietary intakes, microbial bioburden, circadian rhythm, and oxygen level). The inspired O2 (FiO2) fraction next to inspired O2 (PiO2) partial pressure were 0.209 and 133.1 ± 0.3 mmHg for the NBR variant in contrast to 0.141 ± 0.004 and 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg (approx. 4,000 m of simulated altitude) for HBR and HAmb interventions, respectively. 1H-NMR metabolomes were processed using standard quantitative approaches. A consensus of ensemble of multivariate analyses showed that the metabolic makeup at the start of the experiment and at HAmb endpoint differed significantly from the NBR and HBR endpoints. Inactivity alone or combined with hypoxia resulted in a significant reduction of metabolic diversity and increasing number of affected metabolic pathways. Sliding window analysis (3 + 1) unraveled that metabolic changes in the NBR lagged behind those observed in the HBR. These results show that the negative effects of cessation of activity on systemic metabolism are further aggravated by additional hypoxia. The PlanHab HAmb variant that enabled ambulation, maintained vertical posture, and controlled but limited activity levels apparently prevented the development of negative physiological symptoms such as insulin resistance, low-level systemic inflammation, constipation, and depression. This indicates that exercise apparently prevented the negative spiral between the host’s metabolism, intestinal environment, microbiome physiology, and proinflammatory immune activities in the host.
TasselNetV2+: A Fast Implementation for High-Throughput Plant Counting From High-Resolution RGB Imagery
Authors: Lu Hao , Cao Zhiguo
Published: December 2020

Plant counting runs through almost every stage of agricultural production from seed breeding, germination, cultivation, fertilization, pollination to yield estimation, and harvesting. With the prevalence of digital cameras, graphics processing units and deep learning-based computer vision technology, plant counting has gradually shifted from traditional manual observation to vision-based automated solutions. One of popular solutions is a state-of-the-art object detection technique called Faster R-CNN where plant counts can be estimated from the number of bounding boxes detected. It has become a standard configuration for many plant counting systems in plant phenotyping. Faster R-CNN, however, is expensive in computation, particularly when dealing with high-resolution images. Unfortunately high-resolution imagery is frequently used in modern plant phenotyping platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles, engendering inefficient image analysis. Such inefficiency largely limits the throughput of a phenotyping system. The goal of this work hence is to provide an effective and efficient tool for high-throughput plant counting from high-resolution RGB imagery. In contrast to conventional object detection, we encourage another promising paradigm termed object counting where plant counts are directly regressed from images, without detecting bounding boxes. In this work, by profiling the computational bottleneck, we implement a fast version of a state-of-the-art plant counting model TasselNetV2 with several minor yet effective modifications. We also provide insights why these modifications make sense. This fast version, TasselNetV2+, runs an order of magnitude faster than TasselNetV2, achieving around 30 fps on image resolution of 1980 × 1080, while it still retains the same level of counting accuracy. We validate its effectiveness on three plant counting tasks, including wheat ears counting, maize tassels counting, and sorghum heads counting. To encourage the use of this tool, our implementation has been made available online at https://tinyurl.com/TasselNetV2plus.
Expression and Function Studies of CYC/TB1-Like Genes in the Asymmetric Flower Canna (Cannaceae, Zingiberales)
Authors: Yu Qianxia , Tian Xueyi , Lin Canjia , Specht Chelsea D. , Liao Jingping
Published: December 2020

The asymmetric flower, lacking any plane of symmetry, is rare among angiosperms.Canna indicaL. has conspicuously asymmetric flowers resulting from the presence of a half-fertile stamen, while the other androecial members develop as petaloid staminodes or abort early during development. The molecular basis of the asymmetric distribution of fertility and petaloidy in the androecial whorls remains unknown. Ontogenetic studies have shown thatCannaflowers are borne on monochasial (cincinnus) partial florescences within a racemose inflorescence, with floral asymmetry likely corresponding to the inflorescence architecture. Given the hypothesized role ofCYC/TB1genes in establishing floral symmetry in response to the influence of the underlying inflorescence architecture, the spatiotemporal expression patterns of threeCanna CYC/TB1homologs (CiTBL1a,CiTBL1b-1, andCiTBL1b-2) were analyzed during inflorescence and floral development using RNAin situhybridization and qRT-PCR. In the young inflorescence, bothCiTBL1aandCiTBL1b-1were found to be expressed in the bracts and at the base of the lateral florescence branches, whereas transcripts ofCiTBL1b-2were mainly detected in flower primordia and inflorescence primordia. During early flower development, expression ofCiTBL1aandCiTBL1b-1were both restricted to the developing sepals and petals. In later flower development, expression ofCiTBL1awas reduced to a very low level whileCiTBL1b-1was detected with extremely high expression levels in the petaloid androecial structures including the petaloid staminodes, the labellum, and the petaloid appendage of the fertile stamen. In contrast, expression ofCiTBL1b-2was strongest in the fertile stamen throughout flower development, from early initiation of the stamen primordium to maturity of the ½ anther. Heterologous overexpression ofCiTBLgenes inArabidopsisled to dwarf plants with smaller petals and fewer stamens, and altered the symmetry of mature flowers. These data provide evidence for the involvement ofCYC/TB1homologs in the development of the asymmetric Cannaceae flower.
How Speakers Orient to the Notable Absence of Talk: A Conversation Analytic Perspective on Silence in Psychodynamic Therapy
Authors: Knol A. S. L. , Koole Tom , Desmet Mattias , Vanheule Stijn , Huiskes Mike
Published: December 2020

Silence has gained a prominent role in the field of psychotherapy because of its potential to facilitate a plethora of therapeutically beneficial processes within patients’ inner dynamics. This study examined the phenomenon from a conversation analytical perspective in order to investigate how silence emerges as an interactional accomplishment and how it attains interactional meaning by the speakers’ adjacent turns. We restricted our attention to one particular sequential context in which a patient’s turn comes to a point of possible completion and receives a continuer by the therapist upon which a substantial silence follows. The data collection consisted of 74 instances of such post-continuer silences. The analysis revealed that silence (1) can retroactively become part of a topic closure sequence, (2) can become shaped as an intra-topic silence, and (3) can be explicitly characterized as an activity in itself that is relevant for the therapy in process. Only in this last case, the absence of talk is actually treated as disruptive to the ongoing talk. Although silence is often seen as a therapeutic instrument that can be implemented intentionally and purposefully, our analysis demonstrated how it is co-constructed by speakers and indexically obtains meaning by adjacent turns of talk. In the ensuing turns, silence indeed shows to facilitate access to the patient’s subjective experience at unconscious levels.
A Further Look at Reading the Mind in the Eyes-Child Version: Association With Fluid Intelligence, Receptive Language, and Intergenerational Transmission in Typically Developing School-Aged Children
Authors: Rosso Anna Maria , Riolfo Arianna
Published: December 2020

A number of tasks have been developed to measure the affective theory of mind (ToM), nevertheless, recent studies found that different affective ToM tasks do not correlate with each other, suggesting that further studies on affective ToM and its measurement are needed. More in-depth knowledge of the tools that are available to assess affective ToM is needed to decide which should be used in research and in clinical practice, and how to interpret results. The current study focuses on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) primarily to investigate in a sample of 112 children the currently unexplored relationships in middle childhood between performance on the RMET and fluid intelligence. Relationships with receptive vocabulary, age, and sex were also investigated. Moreover, because studying the family's influence on children mentalization could have important implications in developing prevention and treatment interventions, this study offers a novel contribution to the field by exploring the family's influence on children's RMET performance. Although significant positive correlations were found among RMET-C performance, fluid intelligence, and receptive language, regression analysis revealed that fluid intelligence was the only predictor. No family influence was found on children's RMET performance. On the whole, results from the current study offer some support to the hypothesis that RMET-C is not a “pure” ToM task, specifically the effect of fluid intelligence on RMET performance should be taken into account when RMET is used both in research and in the clinical setting.
Behavioral and Neural Effects of Familiarization on Object-Background Associations
Authors: Baumann Oliver , McFadyen Jessica , Humphreys Michael S.
Published: December 2020

Associative memory is the ability to link together components of stimuli. Previous evidence suggests that prior familiarization with study items affects the nature of the association between stimuli. More specifically, novel stimuli are learned in a more context-dependent fashion than stimuli that have been encountered previously without the current context. In the current study, we first acquired behavioral data from 62 human participants to conceptually replicate this effect. Participants were instructed to memorize multiple object-scene pairs (study phase) and were then tested on their recognition memory for the objects (test phase). Importantly, 1 day prior, participants had been familiarized with half of the object stimuli. During the test phase, the objects were either matched to the same scene as during study (intact pair) or swapped with a different object’s scene (rearranged pair). Our results conceptually replicated the context-dependency effect by showing that breaking up a studied object-context pairing is more detrimental to object recognition performance for non-familiarized objects than for familiarized objects. Second, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine whether medial temporal lobe encoding-related activity patterns are reflective of this familiarity-related context effect. Data acquired from 25 human participants indicated a larger effect of familiarization on encoding-related hippocampal activity for objects presented within a scene context compared to objects presented alone. Our results showed that both retrieval-related accuracy patterns and hippocampal activation patterns were in line with a familiarization-mediated context-dependency effect.
Exploring Responses to Body Weight Criticism: Defensive Avoidance When Weight Is Seen as Controllable
Authors: Täuber Susanne , Flint Stuart W. , Gausel Nicolay
Published: December 2020

In Western society, weight moralization is reflected in the belief that weight is controllable across the weight spectrum. However, the effect of holding such beliefs is unclear. We therefore propose that these beliefs affect people differently depending on their BMI. When confronted with negative, self-related feedback, people’s coping strategies are often reflected in the ways they relate to their self. We examine three such self-to-self relations (i.e., reassured, inadequate, and hated self). Extending prior research, we predict that weight controllability beliefs are related to positive self-to-self relations for adults with a low, and to negative self-to-self relations for adults with a high BMI. Accordingly, we expected that weight controllability beliefs would be associated with defensive avoidance among people with a high, but not with a low BMI. We tested our hypotheses in a sample of 348 adults who participated in an online survey. Weight controllability beliefs were associated with increased defensive avoidance in people with high BMI, and with decreased defensive avoidance in adults with a low BMI. Forms of self-to-self relating fully mediated this association, demonstrating positive effects on adults with a low, and negative effects on adults with a high BMI. Additionally, in an open ending section, we found seven social settings that deprive people from satisfying their need to belong and to be accepted due to their weight. We discuss our findings against a call for a less moralized public discourse about overweight and obesity that is particularly relevant in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Roles of 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphisms in First-Episode, Drug-Naive Adult Patients With Depression
Authors: Li Zhuoqing , He Bo , Xu Jian , Dai Nan , Ping Liangliang , Zhou Cong , Shen Zonglin , Xu Xiufeng , Cheng Yuqi
Published: December 2020

5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism is considered as a predisposition and promising genetic candidate to major depressive disorder (MDD), as it is associated with impaired one-carbon cycles, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Cortical thickness (CT) and subcortical structure volumes have been extensively studied in MDD and have been proposed as one of the phenotypes for MDD. We intend to discuss the association between CT, subcortical structure volume, and MTHFR C677T polymorphism in first-episode, treatment-naive patients with MDD. In this study, 127 adult patients with MDD and 101 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. All subjects underwent T1-weighted MRI, MTHFR C677T genotyping, and FreeSurfer software-based morphological analysis. MDD patients have been detected to have significantly decreased volumes in the left nucleus accumbens (P < 0.001). The MTHFR 677 T allele carriers manifested with thinner CT in the left caudal anterior cingulate cortex (cACC, P = 0.009) compared with CC genotype. There were significant genotype-by-diagnosis interactions for the CT in the left cACC (P = 0.009), isthmus cingulate (P = 0.002), medial orbitofrontal lobe (P = 0.012), posterior cingulate (P = 0.030), and the right lateral orbitofrontal lobe (P = 0.012). We also found a trend in the interaction effect on the volume of the left putamen (P = 0.050). Our results revealed that MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be involved in the dysfunction of limbic–cortical–striatal–pallidal–thalamic (LCSPT) circuits mediating emotion processing, which may contribute to pathogenesis of MDD.
Prevalence and Related Factors of Insomnia Among Chinese Medical Staff in the Middle and Late Stage of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Dianying , Liu Shaohua , Zhu Lin , Li Dongbin , Huang Donghua , Deng Hongdong , Guo Huiyun , Huang Dan , Liao Yuanping , Mao Zhongzhen , Miao Qiumei , Liu Wanglin , Xiu Meihong , Zhang Xiangyang
Published: December 2020

Background: The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has brought serious psychological pressure to people, especially medical health staff. At present, there are few studies on insomnia and related factors of medical health staff in the middle and late stage of the epidemic of COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of insomnia and its related risk factors among medical workers in China in the middle and later stage of COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the relationship between insomnia and psychological resilience.

Methods: From February 14 to March 29, 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 606 medical staff in China through Ranxing Technology's “SurveyStar” network platform. All subjects were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and simplified Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC-10).

Results: In the middle and later stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the incidence of insomnia among medical staff was 32.0%. Compared with non-insomnia group, the insomnia group had younger age, lower education level, longer daily working hours and less psychological resilience. In addition, the prevalence of insomnia was higher in medical staff with a history of somatic diseases. The severity of insomnia of Chinese medical staff was associated with age, education level, daily working hours, psychological resilience and somatic diseases.

Conclusions: Our study shows that nearly 1/3 of Chinese medical workers suffer from insomnia nearly a month after the COVID-19 outbreak. Compared with the general population, medical staff who are working with COVID are more prone to insomnia. Risk factors for insomnia include younger age, lower education level, longer working hours per day, and physical illness. The tenacious dimension of psychological resilience is a protective factor for insomnia.
Neurocognition and Social Cognition Predicting 1-Year Outcomes in First-Episode Psychosis
Authors: Lindgren Maija , Holm Minna , Kieseppä Tuula , Suvisaari Jaana
Published: December 2020

Cognitive performance at illness onset may predict outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP), and the change in cognition may associate with clinical changes. Cognitive testing was administered to 54 FEP participants 2 months after entering treatment and to 39 participants after 1 year. We investigated whether baseline cognition predicted 1-year outcomes beyond positive, negative, and affective symptoms and whether the trajectory of cognition associated with clinical change. Baseline overall neurocognitive performance predicted the 1-year social and occupational level, occupational status, and maintaining of life goals. The domain of processing speed associated with the 1-year remission, occupational status, and maintaining of life goals. Baseline social cognition associated with occupational status a year later and the need for hospital treatment during the 1st year after FEP. Most of the associations were retained beyond baseline positive and affective symptom levels, but when accounting for negative symptoms, cognition no longer predicted 1-year outcomes, highlighting how negative symptoms overlap with cognition. The trajectory of neurocognitive performance over the year did not associate with changes in symptoms or functioning. Cognitive testing at the beginning of treatment provided information on the 1-year outcome in FEP beyond positive and affective symptom levels. In particular, the domains of processing speed and social cognition could be targets for interventions that aim to improve the outcome after FEP.
Reduction of Management Costs and Avoidance of Air Release of Carcinogens Through a Waste Segregation Program in a Brazilian Medical Institution
Authors: Cesario Fabiane Kellem Oliveira , Fontoura Renata Pereira , da Conceição Junior Amarildo Henrique , Cruz Amanda Gentil , Nimer Nidah Fawzi Said , Morais Poliana Brito , Omena Brenda Monteiro , dos Santos Edivaldo Bazilio , Silvestrini Anderson Arantes , Andrade Rosângela Vieira
Published: December 2020

Hospital waste management is a current sustainability challenge. Although not always performed, the most applied approach in current protocols is the proper segregation of waste. The incineration of hospital waste is an significant source of emission of specific toxic particles and gases. We highlighted dioxins, whose representatives have been considered carcinogenic agents since 1994. Several experimental and epidemiologic studies have shown greater cancer morbidity and mortality associated with dioxin exposure. In the present study, we presented the impact of a hospital waste management program implemented in an oncology institution based on proper segregation and consequent reduction of incinerated mass. Data were collected for 8 years and the waste was separated into five categories: infectious (A4), chemical (B), recyclable (DR), non-recyclable (DNR), and sharps (E). The classes addressed to incineration were A4, B, and E. A team education starting from the admission process and with a continued education program was essential for a successfully implemented program. We achieved a 66% saving of waste from incineration, equivalent to 76 tons, of which 71.9 tons corresponded to recyclable waste. If the waste separation protocol was not implemented, the biohazardous and chemical material would contaminate the rest of the residues, making incineration as a final destination mandatory for all the waste. This scenario would result in significantly more dioxins release and a 64% higher cost of waste management. This low-cost implementation measure was effective in the cost reduction of waste management and minimization of air release of human carcinogens.
Underground Radiobiology: A Perspective at Gran Sasso National Laboratory
Authors: Esposito Giuseppe , Anello Pasquale , Ampollini Marco , Bortolin Emanuela , De Angelis Cinzia , D'Imperio Giulia , Dini Valentina , Nuccetelli Cristina , Quattrini Maria Cristina , Tomei Claudia , Ianni Aldo , Balata Marco , Carinci Giuseppe , Chiti Maurizio , Frasciello Oscar , Cenci Giovanni , Cipressa Francesca , De Gregorio Alex , Porrazzo Antonella , Tabocchini Maria Antonella , Satta Luigi , Morciano Patrizia
Published: December 2020

Scientific community and institutions (e. g., ICRP) consider that the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, which extrapolates stochastic risk at low dose/low dose rate from the risk at moderate/high doses, provides a prudent basis for practical purposes of radiological protection. However, biological low dose/dose rate responses that challenge the LNT model have been highlighted and important dowels came from radiobiology studies conducted in Deep Underground Laboratories (DULs). These extreme ultra-low radiation environments are ideal locations to conduct below-background radiobiology experiments, interesting from basic and applied science. The INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) (Italy) is the site where most of the underground radiobiological data has been collected so far and where the first in vivo underground experiment was carried out using Drosophila melanogaster as model organism. Presently, many DULs around the world have implemented dedicated programs, meetings and proposals. The general message coming from studies conducted in DULs using protozoan, bacteria, mammalian cells and organisms (flies, worms, fishes) is that environmental radiation may trigger biological mechanisms that can increase the capability to cope against stress. However, several issues are still open, among them: the role of the quality of the radiation spectrum in modulating the biological response, the dependence on the biological endpoint and on the model system considered, the overall effect at organism level (detrimental or beneficial). At LNGS, we recently launched the RENOIR experiment aimed at improving knowledge on the environmental radiation spectrum and to investigate the specific role of the gamma component on the biological response of Drosophila melanogaster.
Coexistence of Cooperative Models as Structural Answer to Lock-Ins in Diversification Pathways: The Case of the Walloon Dairy Sector
Authors: De Herde Véronique , Baret Philippe V. , Maréchal Kevin
Published: December 2020

Drawing on an analysis of the Walloon dairy sector, this paper aims at bringing novel insights on the coexistence issue in agrifood transition studies. Whereas most studies explore the coexistence of farm models, our study focuses on value chains, in particular on cooperatives. In the Walloon Region, new dairy cooperatives emerged, as substitute or as complement to the incumbent vertically integrated dairy cooperatives. This paper focuses on the coexistence of dairy cooperative models as enabler of transition toward product diversification. Dairy cooperatives are hybrid actors: economic agents on the market on the one hand, structure of collective agency on the other hand. Williamson's framework ofNew Institutional Economicsacknowledges that the allocation of resources by cooperatives depends on governance processes and on the wider institutional context in which the cooperatives evolve. Within the broader frame of theMulti-Level Perspective, this approach allows to consider the socio-technical coherence in which the cooperatives evolve, the effects of this coherence on their pathways of development, and the complementarity of the cooperative models. This qualitative analysis builds on semi-directed interviews with actors of the Walloon dairy sector. The results outline distinctions between the new cooperative models and mainstream dairy cooperatives in market approach, definition of milk quality, distribution of added value, governance, and interactions with partners. Both models evolve within a distinct socio-technical coherence, holding, in the case of the mainstream dairy cooperatives, lock-ins to diversification related to the relationship with the farmer-members and the milk they produce in the industrial vertically integrated model. The new cooperative models circumvent these lock-ins through de-integration and externalization of initiatives, remuneration, and risk. They allow specific groups of actors—still related or unrelated to the mainstream dairy cooperative—to explore new market pathways in accordance with their potential, and to mutually agree on criteria qualifying milk. This research draws the picture of a possible reconfiguration of the dairy landscape toward a more diversified ecosystem of actors and invites to consider structures of governance in collective action as a cornerstone issue, because of their significant role in terms of enablement, coexistence, and complementarity throughout the transition process.
Diet as an Exposure Source and Mediator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Toxicity
Authors: Roth Katherine , Imran Zunaira , Liu Wanqing , Petriello Michael C.
Published: December 2020

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitously found in the environment due to their widespread commercial use and high chemical stability. Humans are exposed primarily through ingestion of contaminated water and food and epidemiological studies over the last several decades have shown that PFAS levels are associated with adverse chronic health effects, including cardiometabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Perhaps the most well-established effects, as demonstrated in animal studies and human epidemiological studies, are the metabolic alterations PFAS exposure can lead to, especially on lipid homeostasis and signaling. This altered lipid metabolism has often been linked to conditions such as dyslipidemia, leading to fatty liver disease and steatosis. Western diets enriched in high fat and high cholesterol containing foods may be an important human exposure route of PFAS and may also act as an important modulator of associated toxicities. In fact, the chemical structure of PFAS resemble fatty acids and may activate some of the same signaling cascades critical for endogenous metabolism. In this review we aim to outline known dietary exposure sources of PFAS, describe the detrimental metabolic health effects associated with PFAS exposure, and focus on studies examining emerging interaction of dietary effects with PFAS exposure that further alter the dysregulated metabolic state.
The Contrail Mitigation Potential of Aircraft Formation Flight Derived from High-Resolution Simulations
Authors: Unterstrasser Simon
Published: December 2020

Formation flight is one potential measure to increase the efficiency of aviation. Flying in the upwash region of an aircraft’s wake vortex field is aerodynamically advantageous. It saves fuel and concomitantly reduces the carbon foot print. However, CO2 emissions are only one contribution to the aviation climate impact among several others (contrails, emission of H2O and NOx). In this study, we employ an established large eddy simulation model with a fully coupled particle-based ice microphysics code and simulate the evolution of contrails that were produced behind formations of two aircraft. For a large set of atmospheric scenarios, these contrails are compared to contrails behind single aircraft. In general, contrails grow and spread by the uptake of atmospheric water vapour. When contrails are produced in close proximity (as in the formation scenario), they compete for the available water vapour and mutually inhibit their growth. The simulations demonstrate that the contrail ice mass and total extinction behind a two-aircraft formation are substantially smaller than for a corresponding case with two separate aircraft and contrails. Hence, this first study suggests that establishing formation flight may strongly reduce the contrail climate effect.
Development of Microwave Slow-Wave Comb Applicators for Soil Treatment at Frequencies 2.45 and 0.922 GHz (Theory, Design, and Experimental Study)
Authors: Brodie Graham , Pchelnikov Yuriy , Torgovnikov Grigory
Published: December 2020

In agriculture and industry, it is often necessary to heat surface layers of material like soil, timber, concrete, and so on, with microwave (MW) energy. Traditional MW irradiators (antennas) cannot restrain their heating to the surface, with the energy penetrating deeply into the material. Slow-wave comb applicators can provide the required energy distribution in the surface layer. Theoretical analyses of the comb applicators used for heating were carried out and on this basis, three comb applicators were designed and made for soil treatment: two applicators Comb 1 and Comb 2 for frequency 2.45 GHz and Comb 3 for frequency 0.922 GHz. An experimental study of applicators was carried out using two MW plants: 30 kW (2.45 GHz) and 60 kW (0.922 GHz) for heating soil with moisture content in the range from 32% to 173% and density 460 to 1290 kg m−3. The study showed that comb applicators provide the following advantages: reduction in energy dissipation in material depth and release of the significant part of applied MW energy in layers close to the applicator surface. Comb applicators can provide the required soil top layer treatment (sterilization) with reasonable efficiency and can be recommended for practical use in shallow soil treatment for weed seed and pathogen control in agricultural applications. Comb applicators can also be used for effective heating and MW treatment of the surface layers of wood, concrete, bricks, plastics, and other dielectric materials.
Orchard Planting Density and Tree Development Stage Affects Physiological Processes of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Tree
Authors: Laužikė Kristina , Uselis Nobertas , Kviklys Darius , Samuolienė Giedrė
Published: December 2020

One of the most important factors affecting photosynthesis and metabolism is light absorbance by leaves and penetration through the canopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of planting density and tree development stages on photosynthetic activity, photosynthetic pigments, and carbohydrates in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees in a combined way. The apple tree, Auksis, was grafted on dwarfing rootstock P 22. Space between rows was 3 m, trees were planted in 2001 in four distances: 0.25 m, 0.50 m, 0.75 m, and 1.00 m. Measurements and leaf samples were taken in the end of May (leaves fully expanded BBCH 20–25), in the middle of July (beginning of apple maturity BBCH 73–75) and at the end of August (harvest time BBCH 87–88) according BBCH—growth stages. Photosynthetic rate was significantly the lowest in the spring and tended to rise until fruit ripening, when it increased up to 19.4% compared to spring. Significantly the highest chlorophyll b and carotene α and β contents were found at the BBCH 73–75. The lowest levels of fructose and sorbitol in leaves were found at BBCH 73–75. The amount of starch accumulated in the leaves increased three times in summer compared to spring. Reduced distance between trees to four times (from 1 m to 0.25 m) showed clear competitive stress, as the decrease of photosynthetic rate (up to 36.4–38.6%) and total starch (up to 37–53%) was observed. The photosynthetic behaviour of apple trees was significantly affected by the development stage during the particular season which is related with physiological changes of metabolites transport and their distribution during fruit ripening and leaf senescence.
Tomato Crop Performances under Chemical Nutrients Monitored by Electric Signal
Authors: Mihalache Gabriela , Peres Catalina Iuliana , Bodale Ilie , Achitei Vladut , Gheorghitoaie Madalin Vasile , Teliban Gabriel Ciprian , Cojocaru Alexandru , Butnariu Monica , Muraru Vergil , Stoleru Vasile
Published: December 2020

Fertigation is considered an efficient alternative to the enhanced use of chemical fertilizers. Since most of the fertigation systems rely on a theoretical electrical conductivity value of the nutrient solution, we tried to evaluate if this is the real need of the plants as well as if all the nutrients are needed at once. Therefore, we analyzed the electrical signals of the nutrients applied individually or in different mixes, correlating the electrical signals with the leaf gas exchange processes, studying the relation between the electrical signals and different plant phenological stages and the influence of the treatments on the lycopene content, nutritional composition, and antinutritional factors as well as the mineral bioavailability of tomato fruits cv. Brillante F1. The study was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Ten different treatments consisting of MaEs (major elements) (V1—MgSO4, V2—KNO3, V3—K2SO4, V4—Ca(NO3)2, V5—KH2PO4, V6—KCl, V7—MgSO4 + KNO3 + KH2PO4, V8—K2SO4 + Ca(NO3)2 + KCl, V9—the mix of V1 to V6, commonly used in agricultural practices, V10—one nutrient each day) were applied daily when plants were 42 days old. The results showed that the values of the electrical signals varied depending on the treatment and the plant phenological stage. Five different trends of the electrical signals were identified. In addition, the shape of the signals varied during the day in accordance with the photosynthesis and the amount of CO2 registered. The results of the treatments’ influence on the nutritional composition and lycopene content of tomato fruits suggested that plants do not need all the nutrients at once; the highest values are registered for K2SO4 fertilization. However, this fertilizer also had the highest registered tannin, saponin, and trypsin inhibitors content, constituting a disadvantage considering the high nutritional values and lycopene content. Regarding the bioavailability of zinc, calcium, and iron for the human diet, regardless of the treatment applied, phytic acid did not affect the availability of zinc and calcium, but it had a negative impact on iron availability; also, the amount of oxalate could impair the bioavailability of calcium. The study suggests that tomato plants do not need all nutrients at once for quality fruits. However, further studies are needed in order to develop a fertigation scheme based on a smart nutrient use that provides an improved nutritional composition and mineral bioavailability. In addition, it is necessary to evaluate the influence of treatments on yield.
Effect of Foliar Applied Acetylsalicilic Acid on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Field Conditions
Authors: Matysiak Kinga , Siatkowski Idzi , Kierzek Roman , Kowalska Jolanta , Krawczyk Roman
Published: December 2020

The exogenous application of salicylic acid prevents plant damage caused by various abiotic stresses (drought, high and low temperatures, salinity) and helps plants to build resistance to biotic stresses (pathogens). Acetylsalicylic acid, which is a synthetic salicylic acid derivative, has the same properties. In the face of climate change and a greater likelihood of extreme weather events, the use of these acids can significantly help to ensure proper growth and development of plants, especially sensitive species, even under stress conditions. The problem, however, is choosing the right dose (concentration) and time of application, and individual species sensitivity. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the growth and yield parameters of spring wheat. A field trial was carried out in 2013 and 2014 at the Institute of Plant Protection—National Research Institute in Poznan (Poland). The experiment was established on spring wheat cv. ‘Tybalt’, in four replications. Acetylsalicylic acid was tested in two concentrations: 0.3 and 0.5 mM. Each concentration was applied to the crop twice at growth stage BBCH 29 (end of tillering) and 7 days afterwards, and at growth stage BBCH 37 (flag leaf just visible) and 7 days afterwards. The study evaluated 12 traits of the crop, including plant height, chlorophyll content in the flag leaf, length of the ear, and quality and quantity parameters of the yield. The study showed that both the selection of the appropriate concentration and the time of acetylsalicylic acid application have a significant impact on the growth and development of the wheat. The acetylsalicylic acid increased the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, the number of grains in the ear, the mass of a thousand grains, and grain yield. The present study did not confirm significant differences between the acetylsalicylic acid concentrations. The concentration of 0.5 mM proved more effective only for such traits as plant height and protein content in the grain. The study showed that it is not the concentration but the time of acetylsalicylic acid application that is more important for the growth of the wheat. Although there were no significant differences between the effects of earlier and later application time on plant height or chlorophyll content, most of the structural and qualitative parameters of the yield (number of grains in the ear, grain density, grain hardness, protein, gluten and starch content) were better after later application of acetylsalicylic acid (GS BBCH 37).
The Use of Activated Micronized Zeolite Clinoptilolite as a Possible Alternative to Antibiotics and Chestnut Extract for the Control of Undifferentiated Calf Diarrhea: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Cerbu Constantin , Ilaș Vlad Alexandru , Czopowicz Michał , Potârniche Adrian Valentin , Bodart-Nieva Elisa-Paz , Mureșan Elena Andruța , Kaba Jarosław , Spinu Marina , Pall Emoke
Published: December 2020

Today, zeolite appears as an interesting alternative for the symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the properties of activated micronized (5 microns) zeolite clinoptilolite (MZC) from Transylvania, Romania, first by testing it in vitro and then in vivo on calves with diarrhea. To assess the toxic potential of the MZC, we performed a cell cytotoxicity assay using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) technique on primary bovine intestinal epithelial cells (BIECs). The antimicrobial activity of MZC was investigated by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) on Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The uncontrolled in vivo study was carried out over 8 days on a fattening farm, with some 650 calves. Selected calves were randomly assigned to four groups of 20 individuals. Several combinations between MZC, chestnut extract, and oxytetracycline were tested. At the beginning of the study, all calves had diarrhea, while at the end of the study, the prevalence of diarrhea was significantly lower in all four groups (p < 0.001), including the ones treated with MZC. Due to its low cytotoxicity on the intestinal cells and with regards to the results we obtained in vivo, MZC may be considered an alternative for the symptomatic treatment of undifferentiated diarrhea in calves.
Influence of Subclinical Ketosis in Dairy Cows on Ingestive-Related Behaviours Registered with a Real-Time System
Authors: Antanaitis Ramūnas , Juozaitienė Vida , Televičius Mindaugas , Malašauskienė Dovilė , Urbutis Mingaudas , Baumgartner Walter
Published: December 2020

According to the literature, rumination time can be used as biomarker in the diagnosis of subclinical ketosis (SCK). We hypothesized that SCK in cows influences ingestive-related behaviours registered with the real-time system. The aim of the current study was to determine the influence of SCK on dairy cows’ ingestive-related behaviours registered with a real-time system. Twenty Lithuanian Black and White breed dairy cows were selected based on the following criteria: First day after calving, having two or more lactations (on average 3.0 ± 0.13 lactations), and being clinically healthy. The experiment lasted 18 days. Cows were tested 24 h a day for 17.5 days. On the day of diagnosis (day 0), data were recorded for 12 h. During the experimental period, one cow was studied for a total of 420 h. For the registration of rumination behaviour, the RumiWatch system (RWS) was used. It was found that cows with SCK showed lesser average values for the following parameters: rumination time and rumination chews (1.48 and 1.68 times respectively; p < 0.001), drinking time (1.50 times; p < 0.001), chews per minute, bolus and chews per bolus (1.12, 1.45 and 1.51 times; p < 0.001). From the 15th day before the diagnosis of SCK, rumination time in health cows was greater than that in SCK cows from −0.96% (−17 day) to 187.79% (0 days, < 0.001). We estimated the greater average value of drinking time in healthy cows compared with SCK cows from 34.22% on day −17 to −121.67% on day 0 (p < 0.001). Decrease in rumination time was associated with a significant increase in the probability of risk of SCK. Further studies are needed with a larger number of cows with SCK.
Influence of ADAPTIL® during the Weaning Period: A Double-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Santos Natalia R. , Beck Alexandra , Maenhoudt Cindy , Fontbonne Alain
Published: December 2020

ADAPTIL®, a dog-appeasing pheromone, was shown to modify the dam–puppies’ interactions during the neonatal period but could also influence the weaning period. Fourteen bitch/litter dyads continuously exposed to ADAPTIL® from the third/fourth weeks until the seventh/eighth weeks postpartum were compared to 11 dyads exposed to a placebo. Maternal and puppy behaviours were video-recorded, and at three time points (weeks three/four, weeks five/six and weeks seven/eight) after parturition. The well-being of the puppies and the overall relationship with the bitch were assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS) completed by the caregivers. All mothering behaviours, such as time of contact, licking and the amount of time dedicated to nursing puppies, decreased gradually from weeks three/four to weeks seven/eight. A switch in nursing position was observed over time: the use of the standing position increased compared to the lying position. The treatment had an effect on the nursing position: bitches in the ADAPTIL® group nursed more often in a lying (p = 0.007) or sitting position (p = 0.037), whereas for the placebo group, they favoured the standing position (p = 0.011). Once the puppies became more demanding for suckling, the bitches started showing rejection signs or aggressive growling, with a peak at weeks seven/eight. The pheromone seemed to reduce the intensity of avoidance in bitches exposed to ADAPTIL® at all time points. The score of all events combined as a sign of frustration showed a difference over the full period (p = 0.003), with the placebo group having a significantly higher score. From the caregiver perspective (through the VAS), under ADAPTIL®, the bitches were calmer when puppies tried to suckle (p = 0.001), more tolerant towards pups (p = 0.025), showed a greater motherly attitude (p = 0.016), the puppies cried less when left alone (p < 0.001) and interactions amongst pups were more harmonious (p = 0.055). Under ADAPTIL®, the bitches were less annoyed by the puppies, who seemed to cope better with frustration. The breeders perceived a benefit of the pheromone during the weaning period.