bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drone Launched Short Range Rockets
Authors: Shubov Mikhail V.
Published: June 2020

A concept of drone launched short range rockets (DLSRR) is presented. A drone or an aircraft rises DLSRR to a release altitude of up to 20 km. At the release altitude, the drone or an aircraft is moving at a velocity of up to 700 m/s and a steep angle of up to 68° to the horizontal. After DLSRRs are released, their motors start firing. DLSRRs use slow burning motors to gain altitude and velocity. At the apogee of their flight, DLSRRs release projectiles which fly to the target and strike it at high impact velocity. The projectiles reach a target at ranges of up to 442 km and impact velocities up to 1.88 km/s. We show that a rocket launched at high altitude and high initial velocity does not need expensive thermal protection to survive ascent. Delivery of munitions to target by DLSRRs should be much less expensive than delivery by a conventional rocket. Even though delivery of munitions by bomber aircraft is even less expensive, a bomber needs to fly close to the target, while a DLSRR carrier releases the rockets from a distance of at least 200 km from the target. All parameters of DLSRRs, and their trajectories are calculated based on theoretical (mechanical and thermodynamical) analysis and on several MatLab programs.
Analysis of Dairy Product Price Transmission in Hungary: A Nonlinear ARDL Model
Authors: Ben Abdallah Marwa , Fekete Farkas Maria , Lakner Zoltan
Published: June 2020

This paper addresses the assessment of the price transmission of dairy products in Hungary. Monthly prices are used in testing the hypothesis of asymmetric price transmission between farmers and retailers. The magnitude of short- and long-run asymmetric transmission between price levels is measured through a nonlinear autoregressive distributed model (NARDL). The cointegration of variables is validated through bounds test of the NARDL model. The estimated NARDL model proves the existence of long- and short-run asymmetric relationships between producer milk price and most retailer dairy product prices. Furthermore, the model confirms the presence of a significantly positive long-run price asymmetry for butter, buttercream, sour cream, and Trappista cheese. The positive long-run price transmission asymmetry results could be explained by the strong market power of milk processors, which are granted through their concentrations and the absence of competitiveness in the market. The short-run asymmetry of price transmission could be explained by implementing some policy interventions, such as the milk quotas, which limit milk production. Analyzing the asymmetric relationship between the producer milk price and the retailer dairy product prices could give a clear vision of the dairy sector and how prices move between market actors, highlighting the retailers’ purchasing power feature, and its role in determining the market price interaction.
Soil, Site, and Management Factors Affecting Cadmium Concentrations in Cacao-Growing Soils
Authors: Scaccabarozzi Daniela , Castillo Luis , Aromatisi Andrea , Milne Lynne , Búllon Castillo Adolfo , Muñoz-Rojas Miriam
Published: June 2020

Soil contamination by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) such as Cadmium (Cd), is a major environmental concern because of its potential implications to human health. Cacao-based products have been identified as food sources with relatively high Cd contents. Here, we assessed Cd concentrations of cacao-growing soils in four major agricultural regions with contrasting climates in Peru, one of the main exporters of cacao products worldwide. At each study site (n = 40) a broad range of potential factors affecting Cd concentration in soils, i.e., site, soil and management, were evaluated. Concentrations of Cd ranged between 1.1–3.2 mg kg−1. Mean values per region were below 2.7 mg kg−1, usually established as upper-limit for non-polluted soils. Cadmium concentrations were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in sites at higher elevations and in a temperate, drier climate. Cadmium correlated positively with pH (r = 0.57; p < 0.05) and was higher (p < 0.001) in alluvial sediments and Leptosols. Management factors (cacao variety, cultivation year, management practices) and agroecology did not affect Cd concentrations directly. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering a broad range of both natural and anthropogenic factors to evaluate Cd concentrations in cacao-growing soils and contribute to effective and sustainable cacao production by improving land management and planning.
Agronomic Performance of Different Open-Pollinated Beetroot Genotypes Grown Under Organic Farming Conditions
Authors: Yasaminshirazi Khadijeh , Hartung Jens , Groenen René , Heinze Thomas , Fleck Michael , Zikeli Sabine , Graeff-Hoenninger Simone
Published: June 2020

Due to the increase of the organic cultivation of beetroot and its growing importance as a functional food, the potential advantages of open-pollinated genotypes as an alternative for F1 hybrid genotypes has been investigated. In this regard, six field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 in three different locations to investigate the agronomic potential of new and existing open-pollinated genotypes of beetroot and their performance under the specific conditions of organic agriculture. Fifteen beetroot genotypes, including one F1 hybrid as a commercial control and one breeding line, were compared regarding their total and marketable yield, individual beet weight, diameter of beet, and leaves-growth-base width. Furthermore, five randomly selected beetroots meeting common marketable criteria were evaluated optically with regard to skin smoothness, corky surface, root tail, scab incidence, and uniformity. Results of this study indicated a significant impact of genotype on eight of the assessed traits. The cylindrical-shaped genotype, Carillon RZ, demonstrated significantly higher total and marketable yields, with 53.28 ± 3.34 t ha−1 and 44.96 ± 3.50 t ha−1, respectively, compared to the yellow-colored genotype, Burpees Golden, which obtained the lowest total yield, 36.06 ± 3.38 t ha−1, and marketable yield, 27.92 ± 3.55 t ha−1. Moreover, the comparison of the open-pollinated genotypes with the F1 hybrid, Monty RZ F1, revealed that except for the traits yield, scab, and uniformity, the open-pollinated genotypes indicated desirable competitive outcomes and thus offer suitable alternatives for organic cropping systems. Overall, the observed genetic variability can be beneficial for breeding and food product development.
Fatty Acid Composition Dynamics of Rye (Secale cereale L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Forages under Cattle Grazing
Authors: Phillips Hannah N. , Heins Bradley J. , Delate Kathleen , Turnbull Robert
Published: June 2020

There is little information on the fatty acid dynamics of forages under grazing. The objectives of this study were to determine the fatty acid compositions of fall-planted rye (Secale cereale L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) forages while rotationally grazed by steers (Bos Taurus L.) for seven weeks in the spring and summer in Minnesota, USA. With respect to the total fatty acids in forages, the concentration of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) decreased linearly while the concentration of linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) increased quadratically over the grazing interval. Simultaneously, the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio increased quadratically in forages. The fatty acid composition had a greater magnitude of variation in wheat compared to rye over the course of the grazing interval. The omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio was lower in wheat compared to rye for at least the first five weeks, but was ≤ 0.21 for both forages during the entire grazing interval. Results from this study indicated that forage fatty acid compositions varied based on number of days of the grazing interval and forage species, informing producers of potential grazing schedule adjustments to manage the dietary fatty acid intake of grazing cattle.
Quality Improvement of Netted Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) through Precise Nitrogen and Potassium Management in a Hydroponic System
Authors: Yam Rita S.W. , Fan Yen-Tzu , Lin Jing-Tian , Fan Chihhao , Lo Hsiao-Feng
Published: June 2020

The quality-oriented fruit production in well-controlled enclosed hydroponic systems has been greatly enhanced by the technology of precision agriculture. Over-fertilisation has been commonly applied to the traditional hydroponic culture of fruit crops, without considering different nutrient demands during development. Adjusting the nutrient formulations depending on crop developmental stages could enable efficient fertilisation to increase yield quality. In this study, N-reduced and K-modified nutrient solutions were applied for a two-step nutrient manipulation experiment, to improve the fruit quality (Experiment I) and optimise the fertilisation schemes (Experiment II) of hydroponic netted melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus). The N-reduced and K-modified treatments, before fruiting stage in Experiment I, obtained higher fruit quality with increased fruit weight, dry matter ratio, flesh thickness, and total soluble solids. In Experiment II, fruits cultured under treatment II-3 (applied with 100-75-100% N and 100-125-75% K during VG-PYF-FEM) had the highest overall preferences, with ‘rich’ aroma, ‘dense’ texture, and ‘perfect’ sweetness, compared to all other experimental treatments. Our study successfully improved the fertilisation schemes for a hydroponic netted melon with precise N- and K-nutrient formulations specific to different developmental stages. Our study promotes the future advancement of precise fertilisation to improve fruit quality and reduce environmental pollution from farming activities.
Transcriptomic Analysis of L. japonicus Symbiosis Reveals New Candidate Genes for Local and Systemic Regulation of Nodule Function
Authors: Pérez-Delgado Carmen M. , García-Calderón Margarita , Monje-Rueda María Dolores , Márquez Antonio J. , Betti Marco
Published: June 2020

Several aspects of the legume–rhizobia symbiosis are far from being completely understood, such as the transport of compounds through the symbiosome membrane and the molecular actors (receptors, transcription factors and hormones) involved in the systemic regulation of nodulation. In this work, the transcriptomes of L. japonicus plants growing under symbiotic or non-symbiotic conditions were studied in roots and shoots, in order to look for new genes involved in nodule function and regulation both at the local and systemic levels. Several of the genes differentially expressed in roots were well-known nodulins; however, other genes with unknown function were also discovered that showed univocal nodule-specific expression profiles. Transporters of the Nitrate Transporter1/Peptide Transporter Family family, putative oligopeptide transporters, as well as other uncharacterized transporters were upregulated in nodulated roots. Five transcription factors, as well as receptors/kinases and an f-box domain containing protein, all of unknown function, were also more upregulated in nodulated roots. In the shoots of nodulated plants, genes involved in jasmonic acid and indole-3-acetic acid metabolism were differentially expressed. Moreover, three genes encoding for different glutaredoxins, proteins that were recently involved in the systemic signaling of the Arabidopsis nitrogen status, were highly downregulated in the leaves of nodulated plants. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified nitrate reductase as a central hub in nitrogen metabolism, and a putative protein of the NADH-ubiquinone complex was highly connected to several SWEET transporters. Clustering analysis of the differentially expressed genes also suggested a possible role for a previously uncharacterized ethylene-responsive transcription factor and for LBD38 homologs in L. japonicus nodule function. The new genes identified in this study represent a promising target for the understating and manipulation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation, with the aim of improving crop legumes’ productivity.
Current Status of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Scientific Literature: A Critical Comment on Their Internal Validity
Authors: López-Cepero Javier
Published: June 2020

Many meta-analyses and systematic reviews have tried to assess the efficacy of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), reaching inconsistent conclusions. The present work posits a critical exploration of the current literature, using some recent meta-analyses to exemplify the presence of unattended threats. The present comment illustrates that the field (1) comprehends inconsistencies regarding the terms and definitions of AAIs; (2) pays more attention to the characteristics of the animals than to the action mechanisms of AAIs; (3) does not provide a clear connection between anthrozoology (how humans and non-human animals interact in communities), benefits of the human–animal interaction (HAI), and the design of AAIs; and (4) implicitly reinforces these phenomena through research designs. Thus, some conclusions extracted from these meta-analyses need further discussion. Increasing the internal validity of AAIs in empirical studies is an urgent task, which can be addressed by (1) developing a better understanding of how anthrozoology, the HAI, and AAIs relate to each other; (2) highlighting the mechanisms that explain the results in an empirical and specific way; and (3) changing the design of interventions, adopting a component-centered approach, and focusing on the incremental efficacy and efficiency of AAI programs.
Changes in the Percentages of B- and T-Lymphocytes and Antibody Titres in Laying Hens Infested with Dermanyssus gallinae—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Koziatek-Sadłowska Sylwia , Sokół Rajmund
Published: June 2020

(1) Background: Dermanyssus gallinae, a hematophagous ectoparasite, adversely affects the health status of laying hens, leading to reduced egg production and significant economic losses in commercial farms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of D. gallinae on the development of post-vaccination immune responses in layer hens. (2) Methods: A total of 80 blood samples were collected at four time-points (B1–B4) from 10 Hy-Line Brown hens, randomly selected from a commercial layer farm. The flock was naturally infested with D. gallinae and treated twice with Biobeck PA 910 (AI silicon dioxide). The samples were collected before and after each treatment. The percentages of IgM+ B cells, CD3+/CD4+ T cells and CD3+/CD8a+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry; the titres of antibodies against avian encephalomyelitis, infectious bronchitis virus, Newcastle disease virus, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, reticuloendotheliosis virus and avian reovirus were determined by the immunoenzymatic method. (3) Results: The percentage of Th cells and post-vaccination anti-IBV and anti-NDV antibodies decreased significantly at the second infestation peak when the number of parasites was twice higher than at the first infestation peak. Non-significant negative correlations were found between the number of mites and the percentage of B cells (R = −0.845, p > 0.05) and between the number of mites and the percentage of Th cells (R = −0.522, p > 0.05), and a significant positive correlation was noted between the number of mites and the percentage of Tc cells (R = −0.982, p < 0.05). There were non-significant correlations between the number of mites and antibody titres. (4) Conclusion: The present findings suggested that D. gallinae might inhibit immune responses since the percentages of B cells and Th cells were negatively correlated with the number of mites. The percentage of Tc cells was positively correlated with the number of mites, which indicated that D. gallinae could stimulate cellular immune responses in infested laying hens. However, further research is needed to determine whether D. gallinae suppresses the production of vaccine-induced antibodies.
The Impact of Common Recovery Blood Sampling Methods, in Mice (Mus Musculus), on Well-Being and Sample Quality: A Systematic Review
Authors: Whittaker Alexandra L , Barker Timothy H
Published: June 2020

Blood sampling is often performed in laboratory mice. Sampling techniques have the potential to cause pain, distress and impact on lifetime cumulative experience. In spite of institutions commonly providing guidance to researchers on these methods, and the existence of published guidelines, no systematic evaluation of the evidence on this topic exists. A systematic search of Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed, identifying 27 studies on the impact of recovery blood sample techniques on mouse welfare and sample quality. Studies were appraised for quality using the SYstematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool. In spite of an acceptable number of studies being located, few studies examined the same pairwise comparisons. Additionally, there was considerable heterogeneity in study design and outcomes, with many studies being at a high risk of bias. Consequently, results were synthesised using the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) reporting guidelines. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was utilised for assessment of certainty in the evidence. Due to the heterogeneity and GRADE findings, it was concluded that there was not enough high-quality evidence to make any recommendations on the optimal method of blood sampling. Future high-quality studies, with standardised outcome measures and large sample sizes, are required.
Managing Free-Range Laying Hens—Part A: Frequent and Non-Frequent Range Users Differ in Laying Performance but Not Egg Quality
Authors: Sibanda Terence Zimazile , Kolakshyapati Manisha , Welch Mitchell , Schneider Derek , Boshoff Johan , Ruhnke Isabelle
Published: June 2020

Little is known about the impact of ranging on laying performance and egg quality of free-range hens. The aim of this study was to characterise egg production of commercial free-range laying hen sub-populations of low-, moderate- and high-range use at an early age. A total of five flocks with 40,000 hens/flock were investigated where 1875 hens/flock were randomly selected at 16 weeks of age, monitored for their range use and subsequently grouped into “stayers” (the 20% of hens that spent the least time on the range), “roamers” (the 20% of the hens that used the range more than stayers but less than rangers) and “rangers” (the 60% of the hens that spent the most time on the range). Eggs from the individual groups were collected in 10-weekly intervals until hens were 72 weeks of age, commercially graded and tested for several quality parameters. Significant differences were noted for hen-day production. For example, at 22 weeks of age, rangers enjoyed a laying rate of 88.0% ± 1.1%, while stayers performed at 78.2% ± 1.9% but at 72 weeks of age egg production of rangers was 85.1% ± 0.9% and of stayers was 95.5% ± 0.9% (p < 0.05). Range use was of minor importance to the egg quality.
Factors Affecting the Patterns of Total Amount and Proportions of Leukocytes in Bovine Milk
Authors: Zecconi Alfonso , Zanini Lucio , Cipolla Micaela , Stefanon Bruno
Published: June 2020

Differential leukocyte count (DSCC) in milk is considered important to improve knowledge of udder immune response. The investigations on milk DSCC were limited by the techniques available until recently, when a high-throughput tool to perform DSCC opened the way to explore these factors in rapid and economically sustainable ways. We hypothesized that DSCC alone does not fully describe the pattern of these cells, since the total amount is also influenced by milk yield and SCC. Therefore, this study was designed to describe DSCC and total amount of different leukocytes in milk during the course of lactation in cows differing in parity and in levels of SCC. This study considered 17,939 individual milk tests from 12 dairy herds in Lombardy Region, where DCC testing was applied in the period of February 2018–December 2019 (23 months). The samples were divided into two subsets—“healthy” (HS) with SCC ≤200,000 cells/mL and “inflamed” (IS) with SCC >200,000 cells/mL. Cow in HS have a P + LT average between 5.0 × 108 and 3.0 × 109 cells. In IS cows, the values were 1.6 × 1010 and 2.5 × 1010. Therefore, the presence of a well-defined inflammatory process increased the overall amount of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and lymphocytes (LYM) of 1 log, from 1 × 109 to 1 × 1010. The assessment of the total amount of PMN and LYM, to our knowledge, have never been reported in scientific literature; the values observed may be proposed as benchmarks for studies on udder immune response. When data were analyzed by days in milk (DIM), they showed that cows in first and second lactation have a significantly lower amount of PMN + LYM, when compared to cows in third and higher lactation. However, these differences are numerically not very large (7%), and suggest that, in healthy animals, the number of immune cells is kept as constant as possible. In IS, the analysis of trends based on DIM showed that both DSCC and P + LT have a significant negative trend. These data suggest that only in this group, the presence of high SCC as lactation proceeds is associated with a progressive increase in the number of macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the pattern of DSCC and the total amount of PMN + LYM in relation to parity, days in milk, and SCC, and it may be considered as the first contribution in the investigation on mammary gland immune response by the means of differential cell counts in milk.
Impact of SNPs in ACACA, SCD1, and DGAT1 Genes on Fatty Acid Profile in Bovine Milk with Regard to Lactation Phases
Authors: Kęsek-Woźniak Marzena M. , Wojtas Edyta , Zielak-Steciwko Anna E.
Published: June 2020

Milk fat is a dietary source of fatty acids (FA), which can be health promoting or can increase risks of some diseases. FA profile composition depends on many factors, among them gene polymorphism. This study analyzed the relation between polymorphism of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACACA), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) genes with FA profile in milk from Polish Holstein-Friesian cattle and determined changes of FA percentage during lactation with regard to polymorphism. Milk samples were collected twice: during the first phase of lactation (<90 Days in milk; DIM) and at the end of lactation (>210 DIM). During the first milk collection, blood samples were taken to analyze three chosen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): AJ312201.1g.1488C > G SNP in ACACA gene, A293V SNP in SCD1 gene, and K232A SNP in DGAT1 gene. Increased concentration of FA that are less beneficial for human health and have lower concentration of healthy FA in homozygotes: GG in ACACA, VV in SCD1, and KK in DGAT1 were observed, as well as a strong influence of the analyzed genes on FA with 18C atoms was also found. Moreover, it was demonstrated that lactation phase significantly affected FA percentage in milk depending on the phenotype. These results may contribute their part to knowledge toward obtaining more beneficial milk composition.
Pharmacokinetic Profile of Oral Administration of Mefloquine to Clinically Normal Cats: A Preliminary In-Vivo Study of a Potential Treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Authors: Yu Jane , Kimble Benjamin , Norris Jacqueline M. , Govendir Merran
Published: June 2020

The pharmacokinetic profile of mefloquine was investigated as a preliminary study towards a potential treatment for feline coronavirus infections (such as feline infectious peritonitis) or feline calicivirus infections. Mefloquine was administered at 62.5 mg orally to seven clinically healthy cats twice weekly for four doses and mefloquine plasma concentrations over 336 h were measured using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) after a single oral dose of mefloquine was 2.71 ug/mL and time to reach Cmax (Tmax) was 15 h. The elimination half-life was 224 h. The plasma concentration reached a higher level at 4.06 ug/mL when mefloquine was administered with food. Adverse effects of dosing included vomiting following administration without food in some cats. Mild increases in serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), but not creatinine, concentrations were observed. Mefloquine may provide a safe effective treatment for feline coronavirus and feline calicivirus infections in cats.
A Review of Enteric Methane Emission Measurement Techniques in Ruminants
Authors: Zhao Yiguang , Nan Xuemei , Yang Liang , Zheng Shanshan , Jiang Linshu , Xiong Benhai
Published: June 2020

To identify relationships between animal, dietary and management factors and the resulting methane (CH4) emissions, and to identify potential mitigation strategies for CH4 production, it is vital to develop reliable and accurate CH4 measurement techniques. This review outlines various methods for measuring enteric CH4 emissions from ruminants such as respiration chambers (RC), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer, GreenFeed, sniffer method, ventilated hood, facemask, laser CH4 detector and portable accumulation chamber. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed. In general, RC, SF6 and ventilated hood are capable of 24 h continuous measurements for each individual animal, providing accurate reference methods used for research and inventory purposes. However, they require high labor input, animal training and are time consuming. In contrast, short-term measurement techniques (i.e., GreenFeed, sniffer method, facemask, laser CH4 detector and portable accumulation chamber) contain additional variations in timing and frequency of measurements obtained relative to the 24 h feeding cycle. However, they are suitable for large-scale measurements under commercial conditions due to their simplicity and high throughput. Successful use of these techniques relies on optimal matching between the objectives of the studies and the mechanism of each method with consideration of animal behavior and welfare. This review can provide useful information in selecting suitable techniques for CH4 emission measurement in ruminants.
Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants Circulating among Thermophilic Campylobacter Isolates Recovered from Broilers in Ireland Over a One-Year Period
Authors: Lynch Caoimhe T. , Lynch Helen , Burke Sarah , Hawkins Kayleigh , Buttimer Colin , Mc Carthy Conor , Egan John , Whyte Paul , Bolton Declan , Coffey Aidan , Lucey Brigid
Published: June 2020

Campylobacteriosis is the leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis, very often associated with poultry consumption. Thermophilic Campylobacter (Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli) isolates (n = 158) recovered from broiler neck skin and caecal contents in Ireland over a one-year period, resistant to at least one of three clinically relevant antimicrobial classes, were screened for resistance determinants. All ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates (n = 99) harboured the C257T nucleotide mutation (conferring the Thr-86-Ile substitution) in conjunction with other synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations, which may have epidemiological value. The A2075G nucleotide mutation and amino acid substitutions in L4 and L22 were detected in all erythromycin-resistant isolates (n = 5). The tetO gene was detected in 100% (n = 119) of tetracycline-resistant isolates and three of which were found to harbour the mosaic tetracycline resistance gene tetO/32/O. Two streptomycin-resistant C. jejuni isolates (isolated from the same flock) harboured ant(6)-Ib, located in a multidrug resistance genomic island, containing aminoglycoside, streptothricin (satA) and tetracycline resistance genes (truncated tetO and mosaic tetO/32/O). The ant(6)-Ie gene was identified in two streptomycin-resistant C. coli isolates. This study highlights the widespread acquisition of antimicrobial resistance determinants among chicken-associated Campylobacter isolates, through horizontal gene transfer or clonal expansion of resistant lineages. The stability of such resistance determinants is compounded by the fluidity of mobile genetic element.
A Nationwide Survey of Australian General Practitioners on Antimicrobial Stewardship: Awareness, Uptake, Collaboration with Pharmacists and Improvement Strategies
Authors: Saha Sajal K. , Kong David C. M. , Thursky Karin , Mazza Danielle
Published: June 2020

Implementing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs is central to optimise antimicrobial use in primary care. This study aims to assess general practitioners’ (GPs’) awareness of AMS, uptake of AMS strategies, attitudes towards GP–pharmacist collaboration in AMS and future AMS improvement strategies. A paper-based survey of nationally representative GPs across Australia was conducted in 2019. Of 386 respondent GPs, 68.9% were familiar with AMS. Respondents most frequently used the Therapeutic Guidelines (TG) (83.2%, 321/385) and delayed antimicrobial prescribing (72.2%, 278/385) strategies, whereas few utilised point-of-care tests (18.4%, 71/382), patient information leaflets (20.2%, 78/384), peer prescribing reports (15.5%, 60/384) and audit and feedback (9.8%, 38/384). GPs were receptive to pharmacists’ recommendations on the choice (50.5%, 192/381) and dose (63%, 241/382) of antimicrobials, and more than 60% (235/381) supported a policy fostering increased GP–pharmacist collaboration. Most GPs agreed to have AMS training (72%, 278/386), integration of electronic TG (eTG) with prescribing software (88.3%, 341/386) and policies limiting the prescribing of selected antimicrobials (74.4%, 287/386) in the future. Conclusively, GPs are aware of the importance of judicious antimicrobial prescribing but inadequately uptake evidence-based AMS strategies. The majority of GPs support GP–pharmacist collaborative AMS approaches to optimise antimicrobial use. Developing a feasible GP–pharmacist collaborative AMS implementation model and facilitating stewardship resources and training could foster AMS activities in primary care.
Superior Antioxidant Capacity of Berberis iliensis—HPLC-Q-TOF-MS Based Phytochemical Studies and Spectrophotometric Determinations
Authors: Abdykerimova Saniia , Sakipova Zuriyadda , Nakonieczna Sylwia , Koch Wojciech , Biernasiuk Anna , Grabarska Aneta , Malm Anna , Kozhanova Kaldanay , Kukula-Koch Wirginia
Published: June 2020

The aim of the present study was to determine the composition, antiradical and antimicrobial activity of fruits, leaves and roots of an underestimated species of barberry—Berberis iliensis—growing in Kazakhstan. Particular attention was paid to the determination of the composition of its extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. As a result of the chromatographic and spectrometric study 33 secondary metabolites from the groups of phenolic acids and their esters, flavonoids, alkaloids and organic acids were identified and 15 of them—quantified. The isomers of caffeoyl-glucaric acid, caffeic acid derivatives, isoquercetin, berberine and jatrorrhizine were the most abundant components of the tested extracts. The antiradical activity tests were performed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu assays on four types of extracts (water, ethanol, ethanol-water 7:3 v/v, ethanol-water 1:1 v/v) from the three organs of the plant. The highest antiradical potential (IC50 = 80 ± 6.36 µg/mL) and phenolic content (440 ± 17.1 mg gallic acid equivalents/L) was calculated for ethanol- water (1:1 v/v) extracts from the leaves and could be influenced by the abundant presence of simple phenolic acids, flavonoids and glucaric acid esters. Among reference microorganisms, M. luteus, S. epidermidis, some S. aureus and B. cereus belonging to Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts from Candida species were the most sensitive to roots extract that was found the most active among the studied samples. The results of the study classify Berberis iliensis as a strong antioxidant agent and as a plant with an antimicrobial potential.
Sodium Hydroxide Treatment of Waste Rubber Crumb and Its Effects on Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Composites
Authors: Nuzaimah M. , Sapuan S.M. , Nadlene R. , Jawaid M.
Published: June 2020

This study investigated the optimum NaOH concentration treatment for rubber crumbs that improves adhesion between the polymer matrix and rubber filler in rubber polyester composites. The composite was prepared by mixing rubber crumbs from waste rubber gloves with unsaturated polyester matrix. Rubber crumbs were cryogenically ground from waste gloves and treated with 1%, 4%, 7%, and 10% NaOH (by volume). Treatment with 7% and 10% NaOH provides better wettability and hydrophilicity for rubber as it decreases the surface contact angle by approximately 27%. Higher concentration of NaOH intensively etched the rubber and made the surface rougher with more microcracks, providing a larger surface area for greater polyester coverage and holding the rubber firmly. It also induced more functional groups that increased the rubber surface energy and removed the hydrophobic layer on the rubber. These factors strengthened the interfacial rubber–polyester adhesion, as shown by the SEM micrograph of the tensile fracture which the rubber crumbs adhere well to the polyester matrix. The FTIR analysis of rubber treated with higher NaOH concentration showed a higher peak intensity, which demonstrated more polar groups were generated on the rubber surface. More polar groups created further connections to the polar groups in the polyester matrix, thereby enhancing adhesion between the rubber filler and the matrix.
New Trends Towards Enhanced Structural Efficiency and Aesthetic Potential in Tall Buildings: The Case of Diagrids
Authors: Scaramozzino Domenico , Lacidogna Giuseppe , Carpinteri Alberto
Published: June 2020

Due to the increasing number of people and activities within the cities, tall buildings are exploited worldwide to address the need for new living and commercial spaces, while limiting the amount of used land. In recent decades, the design of tall buildings has undergone a remarkable improvement, thanks to the development of new computational tools and technological solutions. This has led to the realization of innovative structural systems, like diagrids, which allow the achievement of high structural performances and remarkable architectural effects. In this paper, a thorough and updated review of diagrid structural systems is provided. Simplified methodologies for the preliminary design and structural analysis are reported. Special attention is also paid to the optimization of the structural response based on the geometrical pattern. A discussion of the effect of local deformability, stability and shear-lag phenomenon is carried out. Results from nonlinear and dynamic analyses for the seismic assessment of diagrid systems are reported, and attention is also paid to the recent research on diagrid nodes. Eventually, an overview of twisted, tapered, tilted and freeform diagrid towers is carried out, with a final mention of hexagrids, another recent evolution of tubular systems for tall buildings.
An Iterative Hybrid Harmonics Detection Method Based on Discrete Wavelet Transform and Bartlett–Hann Window
Authors: Wang Guishuo , Wang Xiaoli , Zhao Chen
Published: June 2020

The current signal harmonic detection method(s) cannot reduce the errors in the analysis and extraction of mixed harmonics in the power grid. This paper designs a harmonic detection method based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) using Bartlett–Hann window function. It improves the detection accuracy of the existing methods in the low frequency steady-state part. In addition, it also separates the steady harmonics from the attenuation harmonics of the high frequency part. Simulation results show that the proposed harmonic detection method improves the detection accuracy of the steady-state part by 1.5175% compared to the existing method. The average value of low frequency steady-state amplitude detection of the proposed method is about 95.3375%. At the same time, the individual harmonic components of the signal are accurately detected and recovered in the high frequency part, and separation of the steady-state harmonics and the attenuated harmonics is achieved. This method is beneficial to improve the ability of harmonic analysis in the power grid.
Assessment of the Design for Manufacturability Using Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Matuszek Józef , Seneta Tomasz , Moczała Aleksander
Published: June 2020

The study proposes a procedure for assessing the designed manufacturing process for a new products. The purpose of the developed procedure is to evaluate the production process from the point of view of product design manufacturability of a unit and the small-lot production process. Evaluation of the design for the production process of a new product is based on criteria like process performance efficiency. Fuzzy logic-based methods were used to assess the designed process at different stages of its implementation—processing, assembly and organization of production. The developed method was illustrated by an example. The method presented in the study may be used by designers of production processes and employees of companies involved in the rationalization of already implemented production processes. The proposed method applies specifically to small-lot and unit production.
Concrete Silos: Failures, Design Issues and Repair/Strengthening Methods
Authors: Maraveas Chrysanthos
Published: June 2020

The review article investigated failure, design issues, repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) silos, primarily in agricultural set-ups. The durability of RC structures was influenced by the nature of the bulk solids, materials used in the reinforcement of the structures. Traditionally, high-grade steel has been used in silo wall reinforcement because it is affordable and readily available. However, it is susceptible to corrosion. In contrast, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) have better mechanical properties (tensile strength, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio) and are not corroded. Additionally, there are limited scalable and facile methods for commercial production. The low ductility elevates the risk of brittle fracture in external pre-stressing concrete repair/strengthening. Beyond the material factors, the existing silo design codes such as BS EN 1991-4:2006, Australian Standard AS 3774-1996, and American Society of Agricultural Engineers ANSI/ASAE EP433 DEC1988 (R2011), and American Concrete Institute ACI 313-97 are limited by simplified characterization of loading/unloading scenarios and exclusion of specific hopper geometries and configurations. The funnel and mass flow scenarios and accumulation of bulk materials contribute to silo failure. In brief, the present repair/strengthening strategies (external pre-stressing, insertion/removal of inserts, shear columns, and FRPs alternatives to steel) do not adequately address the diverse variables that elevate the risk of material failure.
Effect of the Addition of GGBS on the Frost Scaling and Chloride Migration Resistance of Concrete
Authors: Correia Vera , Gomes Ferreira João , Tang Luping , Lindvall Anders
Published: June 2020

Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) can partially replace cement in concrete to improve certain properties. However, some concerns regarding its performance have been raised. This research aimed at investigating the properties of concrete with GGBS, with special focus on its frost scaling and chloride ingress resistance. Concretes with different amounts of GGBS, different efficiency factors, and different air contents have been tested. The effects of other factors, namely the curing temperature, the use of superplasticizer and carbonation, have also been investigated. The results showed that the frost resistance generally decreases with the increase of the amount of GGBS. However, this research showed that it is possible to produce frost resistant concrete with up to 50% of GGBS by changing some properties of the mix (such as increasing the air content). The results also showed a significant improvement of the chloride ingress resistance for concrete with high additions of GGBS.
Histopathological Signatures of the Femoral Head in Patients with Osteonecrosis and Potential Applications in a Multi-Targeted Approach: A Pilot Study
Authors: Desando Giovanna , Roseti Livia , Bartolotti Isabella , Dallari Dante , Stagni Cesare , Grigolo Brunella
Published: June 2020

(1) Background: Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head is a disabling disease for which limited treatment options exist. Identifying therapeutic targets of its evolution could provide crucial insights into multi-targeted approaches. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the histopathological features of patients with non-traumatic femoral head (NTFH) and post-traumatic femoral head (PTFH) ON to produce a fresh vision for clinical use. (2) Methods: We got biopsies from patients with different ON stages, according to the ARCO system. Samples from multi-organ donors were used as controls. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed on the osteochondral unit. (3) Results: The PTFH group displayed several fibrotic reactions, a small stem cell pool and a lower international cartilage repair society (ICRS)-I score than NTFH, which instead presented intact cartilage similar to the controls. Immunostaining for collagen I and autotaxin confirmed these features in the PTFH group, which displayed top levels of MMP-13 involved in cartilage loss and reduced CB-2 in the underlying bone. Both groups manifested a similar pattern of apoptotic and pain mediators. (4) Conclusions: The different histopathological features suggest a multi-disciplinary and multi-targeted approach for ON. Further studies are necessary to measure the effect size to gain clinical evidence.
Dialogue Enhanced Extended Reality: Interactive System for the Operator 4.0
Authors: Serras Manex , García-Sardiña Laura , Simões Bruno , Álvarez Hugo , Arambarri Jon
Published: June 2020

The nature of industrial manufacturing processes and the continuous need to adapt production systems to new demands require tools to support workers during transitions to new processes. At the early stage of transitions, human error rate is often high and the impact in quality and production loss can be significant. Over the past years, eXtended Reality (XR) technologies (such as virtual, augmented, immersive, and mixed reality) have become a popular approach to enhance operators’ capabilities in the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The purpose of this research is to explore the usability of dialogue-based XR enhancement to ease the cognitive burden associated with manufacturing tasks, through the augmentation of linked multi-modal information available to support operators. The proposed Interactive XR architecture, using the Spoken Dialogue Systems’ modular and user-centred architecture as a basis, was tested in two use case scenarios: the maintenance of a robotic gripper and as a shop-floor assistant for electric panel assembly. In both cases, we have confirmed a high user acceptance rate with an efficient knowledge communication and distribution even for operators without prior experience or with cognitive impairments, therefore demonstrating the suitability of the solution for assisting human workers in industrial manufacturing processes. The results endorse an initial validation of the Interactive XR architecture to achieve a multi-device and user-friendly experience to solve industrial processes, which is flexible enough to encompass multiple tasks.
Predicting the Trend of Stock Market Index Using the Hybrid Neural Network Based on Multiple Time Scale Feature Learning
Authors: Hao Yaping , Gao Qiang
Published: June 2020

In the stock market, predicting the trend of price series is one of the most widely investigated and challenging problems for investors and researchers. There are multiple time scale features in financial time series due to different durations of impact factors and traders’ trading behaviors. In this paper, we propose a novel end-to-end hybrid neural network, a model based on multiple time scale feature learning to predict the price trend of the stock market index. Firstly, the hybrid neural network extracts two types of features on different time scales through the first and second layers of the convolutional neural network (CNN), together with the raw daily price series, reflect relatively short-, medium- and long-term features in the price sequence. Secondly, considering time dependencies existing in the three kinds of features, the proposed hybrid neural network leverages three long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks to capture such dependencies, respectively. Finally, fully connected layers are used to learn joint representations for predicting the price trend. The proposed hybrid neural network demonstrates its effectiveness by outperforming benchmark models on the real dataset.
A Study on the Amplitude Comparison Monopulse Algorithm
Authors: Kim Minjeong , Hong Daseon , Park Sungsu
Published: June 2020

This paper presents two amplitude comparison monopulse algorithms and their covariance prediction equation. The proposed algorithms are based on the iterated least-squares estimation method and include the conventional monopulse algorithm as a special case. The proposed covariance equation is simple but predicts RMS errors very accurately. This equation quantitatively states estimation accuracy in terms of major parameters of amplitude comparison monopulse radar, and is also applicable to the conventional monopulse algorithm. The proposed algorithms and covariance prediction equations are validated by the numerical simulations with 100,000 Monte Carlo runs.
Identification of the Wear Margin of a Pipeline–Machine Subsystem
Authors: Bielawski Piotr Jan
Published: June 2020

The quality of company asset management is significantly dependent on the quality of a system for asset wear margin identification. A pipeline–machine subsystem may be an essential part of assets in many production companies. It is necessary to build models of pipeline–machine subsystems and models of a system for the identification of subsystem wear margin. The method used consists of a decomposition of desired characteristics of an enterprise into desired characteristics of a pipeline–machine subsystem. Methods for the identification of real characteristics of a subsystem depend on the character of subsystem operation. In this study, hydrodynamic and thermodynamic models of the subsystem are built. Tests are conducted on industrial and laboratory objects. The boundaries of the subsystem are defined and changes in pressure, temperature and mass flow rate in the pipeline are presented. Causes of changes in the mentioned quantities are described. Desired characteristics of the subsystem resulting from decomposition are described. The presented methods of determining efficiency for steady working conditions and open flow use hydrodynamic and thermodynamic models. Energy efficiency of the subsystem is decomposed into efficiencies of main elements of the subsystem. A method is proposed for determining the subsystem’s energy efficiency in the case of the flow into a closed vessel. It is possible to determine the hydraulic efficiency of the subsystem components: the suction pipe, the discharge pipe and the machine. The efficiency of the machine determined by the hydrodynamic method is complementary to the efficiency obtained by the thermodynamic method. The machine set efficiency is composed of hydraulic efficiency of the machine; mechanical efficiency of the machine, the gearbox and motor; and electric efficiency of the motor. Hydraulic efficiency of the pipeline is related to substitute measure of wear margin—the coefficient of resistance. Pressure drop is a diagnostic symptom. Thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger is related to a substitute measure of wear margin—the coefficient of heat penetration. Temperatures and mass flow rate in the heat exchanger are diagnostic symptoms. It is possible to determine the capacity and efficiency of subsystems with one side closed—such as those filling hydrophore and gas vessels.