bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leakage Fault Diagnosis of Lifting and Lowering Hydraulic System of Wing-Assisted Ships Based on WPT-SVM
Authors: Ma Ranqi , Zhao Haoyang , Wang Kai , Zhang Rui , Hua Yu , Jiang Baoshen , Tian Feng , Ruan Zhang , Wang Hao , Huang Lianzhong
Published: December 2022

Wing-assisted technology is an effective way to reduce emissions and promote the decarbonization of the shipping industry. The lifting and lowering of wing-sail is usually driven by hydraulic system. Leakage, as an important failure form, directly affects the safety as well as the functioning of hydraulic system. To increase the system reliability and improve the wing-assisted effect, it is essential to conduct leakage fault diagnosis of lifting and lowering hydraulic system. In this paper, an AMESim simulation model of lifting and lowering hydraulic system of a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) is established to analyze the operation characteristics of the hydraulic system. The effectiveness of the model is verified by the operation data of the actual hydraulic system. On this basis, a wavelet packet transform (WPT)-based sensitive feature extracting method of leakage fault for the hydraulic system is proposed. Subsequently, a support vector machine (SVM)-based multi-classification model and diagnosis method of leakage fault are proposed. The study results show that the proposed method has an accuracy of as high as 97.5% for six leakage fault modes. It is of great significance for ensuring the reliability of the wing-sail operation and improving the utilization rate of the offshore wind resources.
Bioactive Alpha-Pyrone and Phenolic Glucosides from the Marine-Derived Metarhizium sp. P2100
Authors: Ma Zhong-Lian , Yu Zhi-Pu , Zheng Yao-Yao , Han Na , Zhang Ya-Hui , Song Shu-Yue , Mao Jun-Qiu , Li Jiao-Jiao , Yao Guang-Shan , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: December 2022

Glycoside compounds have attracted great interest due to their remarkable and multifarious bioactivities. In this study, four hitherto unknown 4-methoxy-β-D-glucosyl derivatives were obtained and identified from the marine-derived fungus Metarhizium sp. P2100, including three alpha-pyrone glycosides (1–3) and one phenolic glycoside (4). Their planar structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configurations of 1–3 were determined by a single-crystal X-ray crystallographic experiment, a comparison of the experimental, and a calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, respectively. Compounds 2 and 3 are a pair of rare epimeric pyranoside glycosides at C-7 with a core of aglycone as 2H-pyrone. Compounds 1–4 exhibited weak anti-inflammatory activities. In particular, compounds 1–3 displayed inhibitory activities against α-amylase, showing a potential for the development of a new α-amylase inhibitor for controlling diabetes.
Inhibition of Aflatoxin Production by Citrinin and Non-Enzymatic Formation of a Novel Citrinin-Kojic Acid Adduct
Authors: Ichinomiya Masayuki , Fukushima-Sakuno Emi , Kawamoto Ayaka , Nakagawa Hiroyuki , Hatabayashi Hidemi , Nakajima Hiromitsu , Yabe Kimiko
Published: December 2022

Screening for microorganisms that inhibit aflatoxin production from environments showed that Penicillium citrinum inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. The inhibitory substance in the culture medium of P. citrinum was confirmed to be citrinin (CTN). RT-PCR analyses showed that CTN did not inhibit expressions of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes (aflR, pksL1, and fas-1) of A. parasiticus, whereas feeding experiments using A. parasiticus showed that CTN inhibited the in vivo conversion of dihydrosterigmatocystin to AFB2·AFG2. These results suggest that CTN inhibits a certain post-transcriptional step in aflatoxin biosynthesis. CTN in the culture medium of A. parasiticus was found to be decreased or lost with time, suggesting that a certain metabolite produced by A. parasiticus is the cause of the CTN decrease; we then purified, characterized, and then analyzed the substance. Physico-chemical analyses confirmed that the metabolite causing a decrease in CTN fluorescence was kojic acid (KA) and the resulting product was identified as a novel substance: (1R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydro-6,8-dihydroxy-1-(3-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl)-3,4,5-trimethyl-1H-isochromene-7-carboxylic acid, which was named “CTN-KA adduct”. Our examination of the metabolites’ toxicities revealed that unlike CTN, the CTN-KA adduct did not inhibit aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. These results indicate that CTN’s toxicity was alleviated with KA by converting CTN to the CTN-KA adduct.
Transcriptome Comparison between Two Strains of Ustilago esculenta during the Mating
Authors: Wang Shuqing , Gao Lidan , Yin Yumei , Zhang Yafen , Tang Jintian , Cui Haifeng , Li Shiyu , Zhang Zhongjin , Yu Xiaoping , Ye Zihong , Xia Wenqiang
Published: December 2022

Ustilago esculenta is a smut fungus that obligately infects Zizania latifolia and stimulates tissue swelling to form galls. Unlike T-type, MT-type U. esculenta can only proliferate within plant tissues and infect the offspring of their host. Production of telispores, haploid life, and plant cuticle penetration are not essential for it, which may lead to the degeneration in these processes. Transcriptome changes during the mating of T- and MT-type U. esculenta were studied. The functions of several secreted proteins were further confirmed by knock-out mutants. Our results showed that MT-type U. esculenta can receive environmental signals in mating and circumstance sensing as T-type does. However, MT-type U. esculenta takes a longer time for conjunction tube formation and cytoplasmic fusion. A large number of genes encoding secreted proteins are enriched in the purple co-expression module. They are significantly up-regulated in the late stage of mating in T-type U. esculenta, indicating their relationship with infecting. The knock-out of g6161 (xylanase) resulted in an attenuated symptom. The knock-out of g943 or g4344 (function unidentified) completely blocked the infection at an early stage. This study provides a comprehensive comparison between T- and MT-type during mating and identifies two candidate effectors for further study.
Preservation Methods in Isolates of Sporothrix Characterized by Polyphasic Approach
Authors: de Souza Rabello Vanessa Brito , Corrêa-Moreira Danielly , Santos Cledir , Abreu Pinto Tatiana Casto , Procopio-Azevedo Anna Carolina , Boechat Jéssica , Coelho Rowena Alves , Almeida-Paes Rodrigo , Costa Gisela , Lima Nelson , Zancopé-Oliveira Rosely Maria , Marques Evangelista Oliveira Manoel
Published: December 2022

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis with worldwide distribution and caused by eight pathogenic species of the Sporothrix genus. Different ex situ preservation methods are used around the world to maintain the survival, morphophysiological and genetic traits of fungal strains isolated from patients with sporotrichosis for long terms. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival, phenotypic and genotypic stability of Sporothrix strains after preservation on PDA slant stored at 4 °C, sterile water and cryopreservation at −80 °C, for a period of time of 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of storage. Eight clinical Sporothrix isolates were identified based on a polyphasic approach consisting of classical macro- and micro-morphological traits, biochemical assays, proteomic profiles by MALDI-TOF MS and molecular biology. According to the final identification, one strain was identified as S. schenckii (CMRVS 40428) and seven strains were re-identified as S. brasiliensis (CMRVS 40421, CMRVS 40423, CMRVS 40424, CMRVS 40425, CMRVS 40426, CMRVS 40427 and CMRVS 40433). In addition, it was observed that the isolates survived after the different time points of storage in distilled water, PDA slant and cryopreservation at −80 °C. For fungi preserved in water, low polymorphisms were detected by the partial sequencing of β-tubulin. Cryopreservation at −80 °C induced morphological changes in one single isolate. The proteomic profiles obtained by MALDI-TOF MS after preservation showed differences among the methods. In conclusion, preservation on agar slant stored at 4 °C was the most effective method to preserve the eight clinical Sporothrix strains. This method produced less change in the phenotypic traits and kept the genetic integrity of all strains. Agar slant stored at 4 °C is a simple and inexpensive method and can be especially used in culture collections of limited funding and resources.
Applications of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Fungal Infections: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khan Samavia , Farabi Banu , Navarrete-Dechent Cristian , Rao Babar , Safai Bijan
Published: December 2022

Cutaneous and adnexal fungal infections are typically diagnosed with potassium hydroxide (KOH) skin scrapings, fungal cultures, and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) biopsy staining. All three current methods of fungal diagnosis require sample processing and turnover time which leads to a delay in diagnosis. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive, in vivo skin imaging technology that provides real-time dermatologic diagnoses. We present an updated systematic review of the applications of RCM in diagnosing fungal infections in an effort to explore the utility of RCM as an adjunct clinical tool in detecting cutaneous and adnexal fungi We systematically searched the MEDLINE (via PubMed) for studies published from January 2000 to October 2022 that described the utility of RCM in the setting of fungal infections. Of the 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 202 patients were included. The following information on the application of RCM in the setting of fungal infections was extracted from each study, if reported: study type, year published, number of patients included, diagnosis/diagnostic methods, and RCM description. Concordant within all included studies, fungal infections presented on RCM as bright, linear, branching, filamentous structures at the level of stratum corneum. A limitation of this review is that 11 of 25 studies were case reports (n = 1). Larger scale studies should be conducted to explore the utility of RCM in diagnosing fungal infections and to enrich the RCM descriptions of specific fungal conditions.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Genetic Variants for Severe Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in a Taiwanese Population
Authors: Lin Min-Rou , Chou Po-Hsin , Huang Kuei-Jung , Ting Jafit , Liu Chia-Ying , Chou Wan-Hsuan , Lin Gan-Hong , Chang Jan-Gowth , Ikegawa Shiro , Wang Shih-Tien , Chang Wei-Chiao
Published: December 2022

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal curvature deformity that appears in the adolescent period. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing on 11 unrelated Taiwanese patients with a Cobb’s angle greater than 40 degrees. Our results identified more than 200 potential pathogenic rare variants, however, most of which were carried only by one individual. By in silico pathogenicity annotation studies, we found that TTN, CLCN1, and SOX8 were the most important genes, as multiple pathogenic variants were within these genes. Furthermore, biological functional annotation indicated critical roles of these AIS candidate genes in the skeletal muscle. Importantly, a pathogenic variant on SOX8 was shared by over 35% of the patients. These results highlighted TTN, CLCN1, and SOX8 as the most likely susceptibility genes for severe AIS.
The Effect of Epidural Analgesia on Quality of Recovery (QoR) after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Kovač Ruben , Juginović Ivo , Delić Nikola , Velat Ivan , Vučemilović Hrvoje , Vuković Ivan , Kozomara Verica , Duplančić Božidar
Published: December 2022

No studies are currently regarding the quality of recovery (QoR) after open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and epidural morphine analgesia. This was a randomized, prospective, and controlled study that explored QoR on the first postoperative day after ORP. Sixty-one men were randomized into two groups. The first (epidural) group received general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia with morphine and ropivacaine. The second (control) group received general anesthesia and continuous postoperative intravenous analgesia with tramadol. Both groups received multimodal analgesia with metamizole. The primary outcome measure was the total QoR-40 score. Secondary outcome measures were: QoR-15, QoR-VAS and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, anxiety and nausea. The median difference in the total QoR-40 score after 24 postoperative hours between the two groups of patients was 2 (95% CI: −3 to 8), p = 0.35. The global multivariate inference test for secondary outcomes between groups was not significant p > 0.05). QoR-VAS was correlated with QoR-40 (r = 0.69, p ≤ 0.001) and with QoR-15 (r = 0.65, p ≤ 0.001). The total QoR-40 and QoR-15 alpha coefficient with 95% CI was 0.88 (0.83-0.92) and 0.83 (0.77–0.89), respectively. There was no difference in the QoR between the epidural and the control group after ORP. The QoR-40 and QoR-15 showed good convergent validity and adequate reliability.
Planting Structure Adjustment and Layout Optimization of Feed Grain and Food Grain in China Based on Productive Potentials
Authors: Li Tingting
Published: December 2022

Increasing feed grain supply, particularly domestic supply, is intended to guarantee feed grain security and, as a result, food security. Based on the Global Agro-Ecological Zones (GAEZ) model, the potential yield and actual yield of feed and food grain in China were estimated. According to the theory of factor endowment, the yield potential development coefficient and the yield efficiency advantage index were then constructed to determine whether the current spatial layout of feed grain is reasonable and how it could be adjusted. The results showed that: (1) There was an imbalance in feed crops production: yield loss in high-potential regions and excessive development in low-potential regions. The imbalances lead to a mismatch between feed production and resource endowment which causes productivity losses and ecological risks. (2) There was considerable potential for increasing the feed grain yield on the Northeast China Plain, the Loess Plateau and in the northern arid and semiarid region. The soybean yield can be increased by about 25%, and the maize yield can be increased by even more. (3) The feed grain should be planted in regions with sufficient potential yield but insufficient actual yield; 26.42% of China’s soybeans and 34.74% of its maize were planted in these regions. (4) Some 16.69% and 15.65% of wheat and rice planting areas could be adjusted to soybeans, respectively; 20.76% and 21.04% of wheat and rice planting areas could be adjusted to maize, respectively. Through agricultural technology research and development, infrastructure support, comprehensive planning design and policy design, the yield potentials of feed grain can be realized. This will redress the imbalance wherein a food grain surplus and a feed grain shortage coexist.
Spatial Variability of Forest Species: Case Study for Alto Alentejo, Portugal
Authors: Coelho Ana Margarida , Sousa Adélia M. O. , Gonçalves Ana Cristina
Published: December 2022

Landscape evaluation and monitoring enable us to understand the interactions between its components and the effects of disturbances (whether they are natural or artificial) in its dynamics. Forests have a wide variability and diversity, and their analysis at the landscape level allows us to evaluate its spatial distribution pattern. This study focused on the analysis of the landscape spatial variability of forest species with data derived from remote sensing and landscape metrics of a case study in Alto Alentejo, Portugal. Sentinel-2 satellite images were used to produce a land use and land cover map with a random forest classification algorithm, where the bands, vegetation and texture indices were the explanatory variables. The obtained land use/cover map has classified five forest classes and one non-forest class. The map was used to evaluate the diversity with eleven composition and configuration landscape diversity metrics for Alto Alentejo and for four sub-regions delimited according to their edaphic-climatic characteristics. The results showed that the land use/cover map had a good precision (a global precision of 89% and a kappa of 86%) and that both Alto Alentejo and its sub-regions had high forest diversity both in composition and configuration.
Monitoring of Carbon Stocks in Pastures in the Savannas of Brazil through Ecosystem Modeling on a Regional Scale
Authors: Santos Claudinei Oliveira dos , Pinto Alexandre de Siqueira , Silva Janete Rego da , Parente Leandro Leal , Mesquita Vinícius Vieira , Santos Maiara Pedral dos , Ferreira Laerte Guimaraes
Published: December 2022

In 2020, Brazil was the seventh largest emitter of GHG (greenhouse gases), releasing ~2.16 GtCO2e (gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent) into the atmosphere. Activities related to land use contributed approximately 73% of national emissions in that year. Considering that pastures represent the primary land use in the country, occupying approximately 20% of the territory, the mapping and monitoring of C stocks in these areas is essential to determine their contribution to national emissions. In this study, based on the integrated use of the CENTURY model, georeferenced databases, and the R environment, we mapped and analyzed, for the first time, the C stocks dynamics associated with the pasture areas of the Cerrado biome between 2000 and 2019. The average C stocks in the soil (0–20 cm) and in the aboveground biomass estimated by modeling were ~31 MgC·ha−1 and ~4 MgC·ha−1, respectively, values close to those observed in the literature for the region. Furthermore, the model results corresponded to the edaphic patterns of the region, with the highest average estimated C stocks in Cambisols (~34 MgC·ha−1) and the lowest in Neosols (~29 MgC·ha−1). The temporal dynamics of soil C stocks in these areas are directly related to the age of the pastures. In fact, stocks tend to be reduced in recently converted areas and stabilized in areas that have been under this land use for a longer time (≥30 years). As a result, a loss of ~103 MtC (millions of tons of carbon) was estimated in the Cerrado pasture soils in twenty years. The mapping and monitoring of C stocks in this land use type through approaches such as the one presented in this study is essential to support the Brazilian government’s efforts to mitigate C emissions.
The Impacts of Urban Environments on Community Trust of the Low-Income Group: A Case Study for the Pearl River Delta Region
Authors: Xu Gang , Liao Yuxin , Jiang Yixin , Xu Peiyao , Yang Lilin , Huang Wenhua , Zhang Manru , Wu Rong
Published: December 2022

Under the burgeoning development of urbanization in China, the low-income groups have received attention recently. By applying a linear regression model and utilizing the date from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey, this study has explored the effects of urban environments on the community trust in low-income groups, paying particular attention to the difference between local residents and migrants in the Pearl River Delta (PRD). The empirical findings suggest the following: (1) community trust in low-income groups is influenced by social environment dimension, urban space dimension, and sociodemographic characteristics. Specifically, urbanization rate, population density, POl density, land development intensity, social contact, self-rated health, and age have significant effects on the community trust of low-income groups. (2) For local residents, social environment dimension (social contact), urban space dimension (urbanization rate), and sociodemographic characteristics (political status, hukou status, age, and self-rated health) have significant effects on community trust. (3) In the case of migrants, only the sociodemographic characteristics (working in private enterprises or organizations and in agriculture) have a significant impact on community trust. According to the empirical results, the optimization of physical space and social space should consider low-income groups’ needs in livable community planning.
Mapping the Barriers of Utilizing Public Private Partnership into Brownfield Remediation Projects in the Public Land Ownership
Authors: Zhang Heng , Liu Guiwen , Han Qingye , Chen Gong
Published: December 2022

The financing issue is increasingly becoming a key problem for brownfield remediation in public land ownership, and Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode is considered a potentially effective solution. However, some barriers impede the utilization of the PPP mode into brownfield remediation projects in the situation of public land ownership. By taking China as an example, the study investigates the barriers when the PPP mode is used in brownfield remediation projects to deal with financing dilemmas. Specifically, 39 original barriers are first obtained from existing related literature. Based on these original barriers, a semi-structured questionnaire is designed and used in a Delphi process to achieve 14 final barriers, which can reflect the particular situation in China. To identify the interrelationship among these barriers, Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) is used to map the hierarchical structure of the final barriers, and the Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) analysis is applied to show the relationship strengths of barriers. According to the results of the ISM and MICMAC analyses, three key barriers are determined, and several corresponding recommendations are provided from the perspective of the public administration.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Carbon and Water Use Efficiency on the Loess Plateau and Their Influencing Factors
Authors: Zhang Qi , Lu Jinxin , Xu Xuexuan , Ren Xiuzi , Wang Junfeng , Chai Xiaohong , Wang Weiwei
Published: December 2022

Quantitative assessment of the dynamics of carbon and water use efficiency on the Loess Plateau in the context of complex climate change and its driving mechanisms is important for the improvement of the regional ecological environment and the enhancement of ecological service functions. In order to assess the impact of climate change and human activities on the carbon and water use efficiency of the Loess Plateau, this study investigates the spatial and temporal rates of change in CUE, WUE, and meteorological factors at the image metric scale using one-dimensional linear fit regression, investigates the spatial correlation between CUE and meteorological factors using partial correlation analysis, and quantifies the relative contributions of human activities to CUE and WUE using residual analysis. The following are the study’s conclusions: (1) The CUE and WUE of the Loess Plateau decreased geographically from 2000 to 2020, and both the CUE and WUE of the Loess Plateau exhibited a non-significant declining trend (p > 0.05), with the CUE falling at a rate of 0.001/10a (a: year) and the WUE decreasing at a rate of 0.047/10a (a: year). (2) From 2000 to 2020, the mean values of the CUE and WUE of the Loess Plateau were 0.60 and 1.75, respectively, with a clear spatial difference. (3) CUE was favorably linked with precipitation in 56.51% of the Loess Plateau, dispersed throughout the south-central portion of the Loess Plateau and Inner Mongolia, whereas the biased association with temperature was not statistically significant and often negative. (4) An examination of residuals revealed that human activities affected the trend of CUE and WUE to some degree. Only the WUE residuals of evergreen broadleaf forests exhibited a strong upward trend that was considerably influenced by people. In conclusion, this study used remote sensing image data and meteorological data to systematically analyze the spatial and temporal dynamic patterns of carbon use efficiency and water use efficiency on the Loess Plateau over the past 21 years, as well as the characteristics of their responses to climate change and human activities, thereby providing theoretical guidance for the study of carbon and water cycles in terrestrial ecosystems on the Loess Plateau.
Establishment of a Monitoring Model for the Cotton Leaf Area Index Based on the Canopy Reflectance Spectrum
Authors: Fan Xianglong , Lv Xin , Gao Pan , Zhang Lifu , Zhang Ze , Zhang Qiang , Ma Yiru , Yi Xiang , Yin Caixia , Ma Lulu
Published: December 2022

Cotton is the main economic crop in China and is important owing to its use as an industrial raw material and a cash crop. This experiment was conducted in the main cotton-producing area of Xinjiang, China. A hyperspectrometer was used to monitor the canopy spectral reflectance of cotton at different stages of growth. The results showed that the leaf area index (LAI) increased with the increase in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer added during the early full boll stage and decreased with the increase in nitrogen fertilization in the full and late boll stages. Insufficient or excessive fertilization led to a decrease in the LAI. The visible light band indicated that the canopy spectral reflectance decreased, and the amount of fertilizer increased in all the growth stages. The near-infrared band revealed that the canopy spectral reflectance increased with the amount of nitrogen applied during the bud stage, early boll stage, and the most vigorous period of boll growth. During the flowering period, the spectral reflectance followed the order N3 > N4 > N2 > N1 > N0. During the entire growth period of cotton, the values of the cotton LAI predicted using the ratio vegetation index (RVI) model were found to best fit the measured values. The LAI monitoring models of cotton in each growth stage were different. The TVI model is the best in the bud and early boll stages. The NDVI model is the best in the flowering stage, and the DVI model is the best in the full boll stage. This study provides a basis to accurately monitor the LAI in each growth period of cotton.
Pedodiversity and Organic Matter Stock of Soils Developed on Sandstone Formations in the Northern Apennines (Italy)
Authors: Vittori Antisari Livia , Trenti William , Buscaroli Alessandro , Falsone Gloria , Vianello Gilmo , De Feudis Mauro
Published: December 2022

Pedodiversity is considered the cornerstone of biodiversity. This work aimed to (1) assess pedodiversity according to vegetation, topographic factors, and lithology and to (2) identify the major soil-forming factors on soil organic matter (SOM) stock at a 0–30 cm depth. These goals were reached using data from 147 georeferenced soil profiles distributed along 400–1000 m (≤1000) and 1000–2134 m (>1000) altitudinal gradients in the northern part of the Apennine chain in Italy. Soils showed mainly weak or incipient development (i.e., Entisols and Inceptisols), which could be attributed to sand-based lithology, high slope gradients, and low SOM accumulation rates, which promote soil erosion processes. However, higher pedodiversity was observed at >1000 m than at ≤1000 m, likely due to the higher vegetation cover diversity and climate variability; Spodosols and Mollisols were also found. A greater SOM stock was found at >1000 than ≤1000 m, and vegetation seemed to not affect SOM amounts, suggesting a greater influence of climate on SOM content compared to vegetation. Considering ecosystem conservation, the observed spatial pedodiversity could be considered a critical basis for the protection of soil resources and pedodiversity itself in mountain regions.
A Topographic Perspective on the Propensity for Degradation of Plateau Swampy Meadows in Maduo County, West China
Authors: Li Xilai , Zhang Jing , Gao Jay
Published: December 2022

The swampy meadows atop the vast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in West China fall into alpine, pediment, valley, floodplain, terrace, lacustrine, and riverine types according to their hydro-geomorphic properties. They have suffered degradation to various levels of severity due to climate change and external disturbance. In this paper, we studied the propensity of these types of swampy meadows to degrade from the topographic perspective. Evaluated against four degradation indicators of vegetation, hydrology, soil erosion, and pika (Ochotona curzoniae) damage, degradation severity at 106 swampy meadows representing all types of wetlands was graded to one of four levels, from which the field-based propensity to degrade (PtD) index value was derived. Judged against this index, terrace and alpine swampy meadows are the most prone to degradation while valley, lacustrine, and riverine swampy meadows are the least. The index value of a given swampy meadow type bears a close relationship (R2 = 0.916) with its rate of change during 1990–2013, which confirms the validity of the proposed index in predicting the propensity of swampy meadows to change. The observed differential PtD of different types of swampy meadows is attributed primarily to elevation (R2 = 0.746; p = 0.027) and, secondarily, to surface morphology (R2 = 0.696; p = 0.039). Thus, the elevation at which a swampy meadow is situated is a more important factor to its PtD than its surface morphology. In particular, swampy meadows located at a higher elevation with a convex surface are much more prone to degradation than those at a lower elevation of a concave slope. Such findings can guide the proper management of different types of swampy meadows to achieve sustainable animal husbandry.
“Some Don’t Even Know Where South Is!”: Linguistic Strategies for Spatial Reference and Seasons in Ishigaki Yaeyaman and Their Disappearance
Authors: Guay Matthew L.
Published: December 2022

Many inhabitants of the Yaeyama Archipelago continue to hold a low status view towards their heritage language despite current efforts to halt language shift. An ideology of inferiority stemming from the colonization of the mind renders them psychologically dependent on being Japanese and unable to see their own language as valuable. The problem is further compounded by the lack of ethnolinguistic and sociolinguistic research on the knowledge concepts of the language including the reference system despite it being a profound feature of the language. This paper first rectifies this by describing the unique conceptualizations in the orientation systems as well as the seasonal terms of Yaeyaman. The focus is then shifted to the situations and frequency of their use in Yaeyaman and in Ishigaki-substrate Japanese to look for how language shift has impacted these spatial and environmental viewpoints in the minds of Yaeyaman speakers. I show through the words of the speakers, while describing their use of these systems, how their minds have been unconsciously colonized and how this drives an automatic behavior of language accommodation towards the Japanese. I argue that language accommodation to speakers of Japanese is largely responsible for the disuse of the unique Yaeyaman worldview concepts as well as the decrease in domains where the language is spoken. As a consequence, a unique way of looking at the world and a feature to take pride in is falling into disuse.
Contact-Induced Change in an Endangered Language: The Case of Cypriot Arabic
Authors: Armostis Spyros , Karyolemou Marilena
Published: December 2022

Cypriot Arabic (CyAr) is a severely endangered Semitic variety spoken by Cypriot Maronites. It belongs to the group of “peripheral varieties” of Arabic that were separated from the core Arabic-speaking area and came into contact with non-Semitic languages. Although there has been a renewed interest since the turn of the century for the study of CyAr, some aspects of its structure are still not well known. In this paper, we present and analyze a number of developments in CyAr induced by contact with Cypriot Greek. Our methodology for investigating such phenomena makes a novel contribution to the description of this underrepresented variety, as it was based not only on existing linguistic descriptions and text corpora in the literature, but mainly on a vast corpus of naturalistic oral speech data from the Archive of Oral Tradition of CyAr. Our analysis revealed the complexity of investigated contact phenomena and the differing degrees of integration of borrowings into the lexico-grammatical system of CyAr.
The Role of Daily Implant-Based Multiparametric Telemonitoring in Patients with a Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Guckel Denise , El Hamriti Mustapha , Rojas Sebastian V. , Fox Henrik , Costard-Jäckle Angelika , Gummert Jan , Fink Thomas , Sciacca Vanessa , Isgandarova Khuraman , Braun Martin , Khalaph Moneeb , Imnadze Guram , Schramm René , Morshuis Michiel , Sommer Philipp , Sohns Christian
Published: December 2022

The telemonitoring of heart failure (HF) patients is becoming increasingly important. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of telemonitoring in end-stage HF patients with a ventricular-assistance device (VAD). A total of 26 HF-patients (66 ± 11 years, 88% male) on VAD therapy with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or a cardiac resynchronization defibrillator (CRT-D) including telemonitoring function were enrolled. The long-term follow-up data (4.10 ± 2.58 years) were assessed. All the patients (n = 26, 100%) received daily ICD/CRT-D telemonitoring. In most of the patients (73%, n = 19), the telemedical center had to take action for a mean of three times. An acute alert due to sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) occurred in 12 patients (63%) with 50% of them (n = 6) requiring ICD shock delivery. Eight patients (67%) were hospitalized due to symptomatic VAs. In 11 patients (92%), immediate medication adjustments were recommended. Relevant lead issues were revealed in thirteen patients (50%), with six patients (46%) undergoing consecutive lead revisions. Most of the events (83%) were detected within 24 h. Daily telemonitoring significantly reduced the number of in-hospital device controls by 44% (p < 0.01). The telemonitoring ensured that cardiac arrhythmias and device/lead problems were identified early, allowing pre-emptive and prompt interventions. In addition, the telemonitoring significantly reduced the number of in-hospital device controls in this cohort of HF patients.
Perceived Application and Barriers for Gait Assessment in Physical Therapy Practice in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hobani Salhah , Alhakami Anas Mohammed , Uddin Shadab , Ahmad Fuzail , Alsobayel Hana
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Gait is a major function of independence that determines the quality of life, participation, and restriction. Gait assessment in physical therapy practice is fundamental for assessing musculoskeletal conditions. This study planned to determine the extent and barriers of using gait assessment tools by physical therapists in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional design was used. A standardized survey was sent through e-mail and social media to physical therapists working in hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers in different Saudi Arabian regions. Results: A total of 320 physical therapists from different regions in Saudi Arabia participated. There was a significant relationship between using gait assessment tools by physical therapists and patient groups (p = 0.002), receiving training (p = 0.001), dealing with patients who suffer from gait problems (p = 0.001), and visiting the gait laboratory (p = 0.001). Physical therapists’ use of gait assessment tools for musculoskeletal conditions in clinical practice in Saudi Arabia was limited. The primary barrier preventing physical therapists from using gait assessment methods in clinical practice was a lack of resources, including instruments, space, time, and funds.
Molecular Identification of Protozoan Sarcocystis in Different Types of Water Bodies in Lithuania
Authors: Baranauskaitė Agnė , Strazdaitė-Žielienė Živilė , Servienė Elena , Butkauskas Dalius , Prakas Petras
Published: December 2022

Representatives of the genus Sarcocystis are unicellular parasites having a two-host life cycle and infecting mammals, birds, and reptiles. Until now, Sarcocystis spp. have been mainly investigated in definitive and intermediate hosts. Only a few studies have been conducted on the detection of Sarcocystis parasites in water samples. The aim of this research was to examine whether the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. parasitizing farm animals varies in different types of water bodies. Water samples (n = 150) were collected from the entire territory of Lithuania, dividing water bodies into five groups (lakes, rivers, ponds/canals, swamps, and the inshore zone of the territorial Baltic Sea area). One-liter samples were filtered and subsequently analyzed using nested PCR. At least one of the analyzed Sarcocystis spp. (S. arieticanis, S. bertrami, S. bovifelis, S. capracanis, S. cruzi, S. hirsuta, S. miescheriana, and S. tenella) was determined in all examined samples from water bodies. No significant difference in Sarcocystis spp. prevalence between different types of water sources was detected. Our research proved that selecting appropriate primers is important for the accurate identification of parasites in samples collected from water bodies.
Antibacterial Activity of Crocus sativus L. Petals Extracts against Foodborne Pathogenic and Spoilage Microorganisms, with a Special Focus on Clostridia
Authors: Primavilla Sara , Pagano Cinzia , Roila Rossana , Branciari Raffaella , Ranucci David , Valiani Andrea , Ricci Maurizio , Perioli Luana
Published: December 2022

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of novel antimicrobial agents able to inhibit or kill food-borne bacteria or to interrupt the onset of food spoilage. Crocus sativus L. petals, typically considered as waste obtained from saffron spice production, could be a source of natural bioactive compounds to be used as food preservatives. The purpose of this work was to investigate the antibacterial properties of two hydroalcoholicsaffron petal extracts obtained by maceration (SPEA) and by ultrasonic bath (SPEB) methods. The main polyphenols identified in both extracts were gallic and chlorogenic acids, representing almost 70% of the phenolic fraction monitored. The antibacterial activity was studied by the agar well-diffusion method, against food-borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Both extracts showed activity mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, in particular those belonging to the Clostridiaceae family (C. perfringens, C. botulinum and C. difficile), with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 13 to 18 mm. The antibacterial properties against Clostridia were further analyzed, determining MIC and MBC and performing a time-kill test. SPEA showed lower MIC/MBC values (250 mg/mL) compared to SPEB (500 mg/mL), suggesting that it could be more active against the assayed strains, probably because of its higher content of gallic acid. SPEA and SPEB, tested at a concentration of 1 × MIC, showed bactericidal activity against C. perfringens, C. botulinum and C. difficile and these results suggest that saffron petals could represent a valuable natural alternative source to conventional preservatives. Further investigations are needed to evaluate possible applications in the food industry.
Thymus musilii Velen. Methanolic Extract: In Vitro and In Silico Screening of Its Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Quorum Sensing, Antibiofilm, and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Noumi Emira , Ahmad Iqrar , Bouali Nouha , Patel Harun , Ghannay Siwar , ALrashidi Ayshah Aysh , Abdulhakeem Mohammad A. , Patel Mitesh , Ceylan Ozgur , Badraoui Riadh , Mousa Elayyan Afnan Elayyan , Adnan Mohd , Kadri Adel , Snoussi Mejdi
Published: December 2022

Thymus musilii Velen. is a rare plant species cultivated in the Ha’il region (Saudi Arabia) under greenhouse conditions. In this work, we described, for the first time, the phytochemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-quorum sensing, and anticancer activities of T. musilii methanolic extract using both experimental and computational approaches. The obtained results showed the identification of eight small-like peptides and eighteen phyto-compounds by using high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HR-LCMS) dominated mainly by compounds belonging to isoprenoid, fatty acyl, flavonoid, and alkaloid classes. The tested extracts exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity with the mean diameter of growth inhibition zones ranging from 12.33 ± 0.57 mm (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) to 29.33 ± 1.15 mm (Candida albicans ATCC 10231). Low minimal inhibitory concentrations were recorded for the tested micro-organisms ranging from 0.781 mg/mL to 12.5 mg/mL. While higher doses were necessary to completely kill all tested bacterial and fungal strains. Thyme extract was able to scavenge DPPH•, ABTS•+, β-carotene, and FRAP free radicals, and the IC50 values were 0.077 ± 0.0015 mg/mL, 0.040 ± 0.011 mg/mL, 0.287 ± 0.012 mg/mL, and 0.106 ± 0.007 mg/mL, respectively. The highest percentage of swarming and swimming inhibition was recorded at 100 µg/mL with 39.73 ± 1.5% and 25.18 ± 1%, respectively. The highest percentage of biofilm inhibition was recorded at 10 mg/mL for S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 (53.96 ± 4.21%) and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 (49.54 ± 4.5 mg/mL). The in silico docking study revealed that the observed antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the constituent compounds of T. musilii are thermodynamically feasible, notably, such as those of the tripeptides (Asn-Met-His, His-Cys-Asn, and Phe-His-Gln), isoprenoids (10-Hydroxyloganin), and diterpene glycosides (4-Ketoretinoic acid glucuronide).
Production of Intestinal Mucins, sIgA, and Metallothionein after Administration of Zinc and Infection of Ascaridia galli in Chickens: Preliminary Data
Authors: Levkut Martin , Levkutová Mária , Grešáková Ľubomíra , Bobíková Katarína , Revajová Viera , Dvorožňáková Emília , Ševčíková Zuzana , Herich Róbert , Karaffová Viera , Žitňan Rudolf , Levkut Mikuláš
Published: December 2022

The effect of inorganic zinc and Ascaridia galli infection was studied on MUC1, MUC2 (mucin), sIgA (secretory immunoglobulin A), and metallothionein in the intestines of broilers. Thirty-five-day-old chickens (n = 24), COBB 500 breed, were included in a 14-day experiment. Chickens were divided into 4 groups of 6 chickens each: control ©, Ascaridia galli (AG), Zinc group (Zn), and combined group (AG + Zn). Samples from the intestine for determination of MUC1, MUC2, sIgA, and metallothionein were taken at 7 and 14 days during necropsy. Samples from the jejunum for determination of MUC1, MUC2, sIgA, and metallothionein were taken at 7 and 14 days during necropsy. The results demonstrated that 12 days’ administration of inorganic zinc increased production of MUC1 (p < 0.0001) and MUC2 (p < 0.001) in the Ascaridia galli-infected group (Ag + Zn) in comparison to control (C). The beneficial effect of zinc was also revealed in the production of sIgA (p < 0.0001) in the combined group (AG + Zn) at 7 days. The concentration of metallothionein increased mainly in the zinc group (p < 0.01) of first sampling and was upregulated in Zn and AG + Zn groups. The obtained data indicate the use of inorganic zinc as a suitable immunomodulator of intestinal immunity in Ascaridia galli-infected chickens.
Storage Quality Variation of Mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) after Cold Plasma Treatment
Authors: Ding Yuxuan , Mo Weixian , Deng Zilong , Kimatu Benard Muinde , Gao Juan , Fang Donglu
Published: December 2022

Flammulina velutipes is susceptible to mechanical damage, water loss, microbial growth, and other factors that lead to postharvest deterioration, thereby shortening the storage period. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of cold plasma treatment on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of F. velutipes during storage at 4 °C for 21 days. Compared to the control group, cold plasma cold sterilization (CPCS) treatment (150 Hz, 95 kV for 150 s) effectively inhibited the growth and multiplication of microorganisms on the surface of F. velutipes, with no significant effect on the fresh weight change and the superoxide anion generation rate, but with a higher postharvest 1,1-dephenyl-2-picrylhydrzyl (DPPH) clearance rate. Moreover, CPCS increased antioxidant enzyme activities, delayed both malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and vitamin C loss, inhibited the browning reaction and polyphenol oxidases (PPO) activity and protected F. velutipes cell membrane from disruption. In general, CPCS not only achieved bacteriostatic effects on F. velutipes during storage, but also reduced cell damage from free radical oxidation, resulting in better postharvest quality and longer shelf life.
A Review of Aviation Spline Research
Authors: Zhao Guang , Zhao Xiangyang , Qian Liting , Yuan Yunbo , Ma Song , Guo Mei
Published: December 2022

Splines are irreplaceable in high-speed aviation fields due to their simplicity, reliability, and high specific power. Aviation splines are not only subjected to severe operating mechanical loads, but also sometimes operate under grease-lubricated and non-lubricated environments. All of this results in aviation splines suffering widespread failures. Since the 1960s, many researchers have carried out much research on aviation splines. The wide range of research topics demonstrates the technical challenges of understanding aviation spline. This paper reviews the research of aviation spline from the aspects of failure form, fatigue strength, surface contact stress, effects of lubrication, and misalignment on wear, as well as experiments. Relevant research shows crowned splines can mitigate the spline wear process induced by angular misalignment, and oil-lubricating splines experience almost no wear. This paper also looks forward to the future development directions of aviation splines.
Fretting Wear Characteristics of SLM-Formed 316L Stainless Steel in Seawater
Authors: Huang Mingji , Chen Ping , Qiao Xiaoxi
Published: December 2022

The fretting wear characteristics of two different energy density 316L stainless steels formed by selective laser melting (SLM) under different friction conditions are studied. The image method was used to study the porosity of two samples with different energy densities (46.88 J/mm3, 98.96 J/mm3) formed by SLM. The dynamic wear test, respectively, evaluates its wear morphology and wear depth under three conditions: dry friction, distilled water, and an 3.5% NaCl solution. The porosity of the samples with SLM forming an energy density of 46.88 J/mm3 and 98.96 J/mm3 are 7.66% and 1.00%, respectively. Under the three conditions, the friction coefficient and wear depth of the samples with high energy density are smaller than those of the samples with low energy density; the friction of the samples with two energy densities in aqueous solution is faster than dry friction in air and tends to be stable. The friction coefficient in 3.5% NaCl solution is the smallest; when the energy density is constant, the wear depth of the fretting wear is the largest under dry friction and the smallest in distilled water. Under dry-friction conditions, the wear mechanisms of fretting wear are mainly oxidative wear and adhesive wear. In the fretting wear in the distilled water and the 3.5% NaCl solution, both wear mechanisms are abrasive wear and fatigue wear.