bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Typhoon and flooding occurrences on Chongming Island, Changjiang Estuary, as revealed by a newly acquired sedimentary record
Authors: Zhao Peipei , Yang Yang , Jia Jianjun , Zhao Ning , Zhang Wentong , Gao Shu
Published: May 2024

Typhoon-induced storms surges and river flooding events represent two types of natural disasters that affect a wide range, occurring with high frequency and causing serious societal losses. Due to the limited duration of instrumental records, there is an inadequate understanding of the patterns and mechanisms underlying the variations in typhoons and floods. The interpretation of sedimentary records aptly compensates for these deficiencies in terms of the temporal scale, becoming a crucial medium for extending the temporal span of typhoon and flood records. Previous studies in this field have primarily focused on the identification of single types of extreme events. The Changjiang Estuary, particularly Chongming Island, is significantly affected by both typhoons and river floods, making it an excellent area for synchronous comparative studies of these two types of extreme events. Based on the analysis of a core sample, ZP02, collected from Chongming Island, in terms of chronological, sedimentological, and geochemical characteristics, specific tracing fingerprints for event deposits from typhoon and flood events are established. Sediments from typhoon events generally exhibit erosive contact surfaces, coarser grain sizes, and a tendency to become finer upwards, often featuring layers mixed with coarse sand and shell fragments. In contrast, flood event deposits vary in grain size, either coarser or finer, with abrupt contact surfaces compared to normal sediment layers, and are predominantly brownish-yellow in color. The fingerprint tracing results indicate that the typhoon event layers are characterized by high values in principal component 2 (PC2) of the elements, Zr/Fe and Sr/Fe ratios, with low values in principal component 1 (PC1) the elements and Ti/Ca ratio. Flood event deposits are marked by high values in PC1 and Ti/Ca ratio, low values in PC2 and Sr/Fe ratio, and an increase in Zr/Fe ratio in coarser flood layers but no significant change in finer layers. Based on these fingerprints, 19 layers of typhoon and the same number of flood events were identified in core ZP02, which correspond well with documentary records. The establishment of tracing fingerprints for typhoon and flood event deposits provides methodological support for the identification and interpretation of various extreme event deposits.
Ampholytic ion-exchange magnetic beads: a promising tool for selecting short fragments in circulating cell-free DNA analysis
Authors: He Gan , Wang Weixuan , Zhou Yongxia , Zhao Guowei , Liao Juan
Published: May 2024

Objective

For liquid biopsy of cancer, the extraction of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma is required. We evaluated the efficacy of use of magnetic submicron particles coated with abundant small zwitterions (MSP-ZEWBs) for extracting short fragments of cfDNA.

Methods

We developed and optimized an MSP-ZEWB-based cfDNA extraction method using ampholytic ion-exchange materials and compared its results with those using a control kit. We measured the cfDNA concentration by quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction and using the Qubit method and analyzed cfDNA fragmentation patterns using a bioanalyzer.

Results

The fragment size of cfDNA isolated from glycine hydrochloric acid at a pH of 2.2 exhibited a better alignment with the DNA marker. The highest DNA intensity was observed at the final concentration of 0.8% polyethylene glycol 8000. The intensity of cfDNA decreased significantly when isolated from plasma with DNA marker using MSP-ZEWBs with an adsorption buffer containing guanidine hydrochloride or isothiocyanoguanidine. All fragments were successfully extracted using MSP-ZEWBs from both plasma and phosphate-buffered saline. Notably, the intensity of short cfDNA fragments isolated using MSP-ZEWBs remained consistent for recovery of long DNA fragments. indicating a potential selective of small fragments.

Conclusion

The extraction of plasma cfDNA with MSP-ZEWBs requires no protein denaturation, shows resistance to cells remaining in plasma, and demonstrates higher overall efficiency and better reproducibility than other extraction methods. Use of MSP-ZEWBs may greatly enhance liquid biopsy of cancers through the analysis of plasma cfDNA in clinical practice.
Enhancing root physiology for increased yield in water-saving and drought-resistance rice with optimal irrigation and nitrogen
Authors: Hou Danping , Liu Kun , Liu Shikun , Li Juncai , Tan Jinsong , Bi Qingyu , Zhang Anning , Yu Xinqiao , Bi Junguo , Luo Lijun
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Water-saving and drought-resistance rice (WDR) plays a vital role in the sustainable development of agriculture. Nevertheless, the impacts and processes of water and nitrogen on grain yield in WDR remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, Hanyou 73 (WDR) and Hyou 518 (rice) were used as materials. Three kinds of nitrogen fertilizer application rate (NFAR) were set in the pot experiment, including no NFAR (nitrogen as urea applied at 0 g/pot), medium NFAR (nitrogen as urea applied at 15.6 g/pot), and high NFAR (nitrogen as urea applied at 31.2 g/pot). Two irrigation regimes, continuous flooding cultivation and water stress, were set under each NFAR. The relationships between root and shoot morphophysiology and grain yield in WDR were explored.

Results

The results demonstrated the following: 1) under the same irrigation regime, the grain yield of two varieties increased with the increase of NFAR. Under the same NFAR, the reduction of irrigation amount significantly reduced the grain yield in Hyou 518 (7.1%–15.1%) but had no substantial influence on the grain yield in Hanyou 73. 2) Under the same irrigation regime, increasing the NFAR could improve the root morphophysiology (root dry weight, root oxidation activity, root bleeding rate, root total absorbing surface area, root active absorbing surface area, and zeatin + zeatin riboside contents in roots) and aboveground physiological indexes (leaf photosynthetic rate, non-structural carbohydrate accumulation in stems, and nitrate reductase activity in leaves) in two varieties. Under the same NFAR, increasing the irrigation amount could significantly increase the above indexes in Hyou 518 (except root dry weight) but has little effect on Hanyou 73. 3) Analysis of correlations revealed that the grain yield of Hyou 518 and Hanyou 73 was basically positively correlated with aboveground physiology and root morphophysiology, respectively.

Conclusion

The grain yield could be maintained by water stress under medium NFAR in WDR. The improvement of root morphophysiology is a major factor for high yield under the irrigation regime and NFAR treatments in WDR.
Tropical peanut maturation scale for harvesting seeds with superior quality
Authors: Fonseca de Oliveira Gustavo Roberto , Amaral da Silva Edvaldo Aparecido
Published: May 2024

Determining the moment for harvesting the tropical peanut with a focus on superior seed quality is not an easy task. Particularities such as indeterminate flowering, underground fruiting and uneven maturation further increase this technical challenge. It is in this context that we aim to investigate harvest indicators based on the maturation and late maturation phases of tropical peanuts to obtain seeds with superior physiological and health quality. The plants were grown in field conditions and their development stages were carefully monitored until seed production. The water content, dry weight, germination capacity, desiccation tolerance, vigor, longevity, and seed pathogens were evaluated throughout these stages. We showed that seeds from early stages (R5 and R6) did not fully tolerate desiccation and were highly sensitive to pathogen contamination after storage (Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Bacteria). At late stages (R7, R8, and R9), the seeds had optimized vigor, longevity and bioprotection against fungi and thermal stress. The peanut maturation scale for tropical agriculture provides unique harvesting guidelines that make it possible to monitor the plants’ development stages with a focus on producing superior quality seeds.
Molecular evidence provides new insights into the evolutionary origin of an ancient traditional Chinese medicine, the domesticated “Baizhi”
Authors: Lin Yingyu , Yao Gang , Huang Chunxiu , Chao Zhi , Tian Enwei
Published: May 2024

Introduction

“Baizhi” is a famous herbal medicine in China, and it includes four landraces named as ‘Hangbaizhi’, ‘Chuanbaizhi’, ‘Qibaizhi’, and ‘Yubaizhi’. Long-term artificial selection had caused serious degradation of these germplasms. Determining the wild progenitor of the landraces would be benefit for their breed improvements. Previous studies have suggested Angelica dahurica var. dahurica, A. dahurica var. formosana, or A. porphyrocaulis as potential candidates, but the conclusion remains uncertain, and their phylogenetic relationships are still in controversy.

Methods

In this study, the genetic variation and phylogenetic analyses of these species and four landraces were conducted on the basis of both the nrITS and plastome datasets.

Results

Genetic variation analysis showed that all 8 population of four landraces shared only one ITS haplotype, meanwhile extremely low variation occurred within 6 population at plastid genome level. Both datasets supported the four landraces might be originated from a single wild germplasm. Phylogenetic analyses with both datasets revealed largely consistent topology using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood methods. Samples of the four landraces and all wild A. dahurica var. dahurica formed a highly supported monophyletic clade, and then sister to the monophyly clade comprised by samples of A. porphyrocaulis, while four landraces were clustered into one clade, which further clustered with a mixed branches of A. porphyrocaulis and A. dahurica var. dahurica to form sister branches for plastid genomes. Furthermore, the monophyletic A. dahurica var. formosana was far distant from the A. dahurica var. dahurica-“Baizhi” clade in Angelica phylogeny. Such inferences was also supported by the evolutionary patterns of nrITS haplotype network and K2P genetic distances. The outcomes indicated A. dahurica var. dahurica is most likely the original plant of “Baizhi”.

Discussion

Considering of phylogenetic inference and evolutionary history, the species-level status of A. dahurica var. formosana should be accepted, and the taxonomic level and phylgenetic position of A. porphyrocaulis should be further confirmed. This study preliminarily determined the wild progenitor of “Baizhi” and clarified the phylogenetic relationships among A. dahurica var. dahurica, A. dahurica var. formosana and A. porphyrocaulis, which will provide scientific guidance for wild resources protections and improvement of “Baizhi”.
Pseudomonas synxantha volatile organic compounds: efficacy against Cadophora luteo-olivacea and Botrytis cinerea of kiwifruit
Authors: Di Francesco Alessandra , Jabeen Farwa , Vall-llaura Núria , Moret Erica , Martini Marta , Torres Rosario , Ermacora Paolo , Teixidó Neus
Published: May 2024

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are responsible for the antagonistic activity exerted by different biological control agents (BCAs). In this study, VOCs produced by Pseudomonas synxantha strain 117-2b were tested against two kiwifruit fungal postharvest pathogens: Cadophora luteo-olivacea and Botrytis cinerea, through in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro results demonstrated that P. synxantha 117-2b VOCs inhibit mycelial growth of C. luteo-olivacea and B. cinerea by 56% and 42.8% after 14 and 5 days of exposition, respectively. In vivo assay demonstrated significant inhibitory effects. VOCs used as a biofumigant treatment reduced skin-pitting symptoms disease severity by 28.5% and gray mold incidence by 66.6%, with respect to the untreated control. BCA volatiles were analyzed by solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC/MS), and among the detected compounds, 1-butanol, 3-methyl and 1-nonene resulted as the most produced. Their efficacy as pure synthetic compounds was assayed against mycelial growth of fungal pathogens by different concentrations (0.34, 0.56, and 1.12 µL mL−1 headspace). The effect of the application of VOCs as a biofumigant was also investigated as the expression level of seven defense-related genes of kiwifruit at different exposition times. The results indicated an enhancement of the expression of almost all the genes starting from 3 h of treatment. These results described P. synxantha VOCs characteristics and their potential as a promising method to adopt for protecting kiwifruit from postharvest diseases caused by C. luteo-olivacea and B. cinerea.
Regulatory microRNAs and phasiRNAs of paclitaxel biosynthesis in Taxus chinensis
Authors: Sun Ming-Sheng , Jia Yan , Chen Xin-Yi , Chen Ji-Shi , Guo Ying , Fu Fang-Fang , Xue Liang-Jiao
Published: May 2024

Paclitaxel (trade name Taxol) is a rare diterpenoid with anticancer activity isolated from Taxus. At present, paclitaxel is mainly produced by the semi-synthetic method using extract of Taxus tissues as raw materials. The studies of regulatory mechanisms in paclitaxel biosynthesis would promote the production of paclitaxel through tissue/cell culture approaches. Here, we systematically identified 990 transcription factors (TFs), 460 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 160 phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) in Taxus chinensis to explore their interactions and potential roles in regulation of paclitaxel synthesis. The expression levels of enzyme genes in cone and root were higher than those in leaf and bark. Nearly all enzyme genes in the paclitaxel synthesis pathway were significantly up-regulated after jasmonate treatment, except for GGPPS and CoA Ligase. The expression level of enzyme genes located in the latter steps of the synthesis pathway was significantly higher in female barks than in male. Regulatory TFs were inferred through co-expression network analysis, resulting in the identification of TFs from diverse families including MYB and AP2. Genes with ADP binding and copper ion binding functions were overrepresented in targets of miRNA genes. The miRNA targets were mainly enriched with genes in plant hormone signal transduction, mRNA surveillance pathway, cell cycle and DNA replication. Genes in oxidoreductase activity, protein-disulfide reductase activity were enriched in targets of phasiRNAs. Regulatory networks were further constructed including components of enzyme genes, TFs, miRNAs, and phasiRNAs. The hierarchical regulation of paclitaxel production by miRNAs and phasiRNAs indicates a robust regulation at post-transcriptional level. Our study on transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of paclitaxel synthesis provides clues for enhancing paclitaxel production using synthetic biology technology.
The impact of methamphetamine on psychosocial variables in patients from Iraq
Authors: Abbass Marwah , Al-Hemiary Nesif , Sahib Hayder B.
Published: May 2024

Background

The current work reviews the psychosocial factors associated with different urinary methamphetamine concentration levels.

Methods

From April to November 2023, 243 participants from Baghdad’s Al-Ataa Hospital were the subjects of a cross-sectional descriptive analysis study. We included 73 patients in this study.

Result

The urinary methamphetamine concentration levels were from 3 to 92,274 ng/ml, with a mean ± SD of 10,873.6 ± 18,641. Patients diagnosed with major depression disorder exhibited higher scores on GHQ-30, UCLA, MOAS, and BDI-II with a significant P-value of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.0001, and 0.0001, consequently with an effect size of 0.015, 0.001, 1.05, and 3.24, respectively.

Conclusions

The multi-screening test can produce a false positive. It frequently interferes with other drugs, especially antidepressants. This will result in patients being stigmatized and accused. On the other hand, those who accidentally come into contact with crystal smoke will experience the same withdrawal symptoms as the addicted patients. Their urinary methamphetamine level (titer) could have negative results. Urinary methamphetamine levels should be zero in healthy patients. In this situation, screening tests, expert opinion, and urine methamphetamine testing are strongly recommended.
The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among emergency medical services personnel in Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alanazi Sattam Zaid , Abusharha Ali , Afsar Tayyaba , Trembley Janeen H. , Razak Suhail
Published: May 2024

Background

Determining the prevalence of PTSD and contributing variables among (EMS) specialists was the goal of the current investigation. Furthermore, limited evidence exists regarding the application of PCL-5 for EMT practitioners, and the incidence of PTSD among different age groups and genders in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study includes 211 prehospital care providers of the Saudi Red Crescent Authority stations in Riyadh. The randomization was done using Google Forms into subgroups according to participants’ gender, years of experience, occupations, and average working hours. The presence and severity of PTSD symptoms were evaluated using the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The reliability statistics were calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha for the 20-survey questionnaire.

Results

The comparison of PCL-5 total scores indicated more PTSD symptomatology among females (1.61 + 0.799) as compared to male workers (1.13 + 0.642). The total score of PTSD demonstrated no statistically significant (P=0.79) differences between our age group classifications. In terms of the participants’ city (Riyadh), the total PTSD score was less than the cutoff point which is 31. PTSD total score may not be affected by working experience as indicated by the non-significant difference in prevalence among EMT practitioners having <5 years, 5-10 years and above 10 years of working experience (P=0.215 with X2 = 3.076). PTSD incidence is affected by the type of occupation as statistically significant differences between groups (P=0.001) were recorded depending on the position and responsibilities of EMS practitioners. PTSD is also affected by average working hours per week, and there were statistically significant differences between groups (P=0.001).

Conclusion

The total score of PTSD in the case of emergency service practitioners was found to be 33.7% among all the research participants, which may be regarded as a high prevalence when compared to the general population. Our investigations would contribute to a better understanding of the underlying factors of mental stress in EMS specialists in Saudi Arabia and to the development of adequate mental health practices.
Cellulose-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator Prepared by Multi-Fluid Electrospinning for Respiratory Protection and Self-Powered Sensing
Authors: Huang Jiaqi , Zhang Yan , Yu Haijiao , Han Guangping , Cheng Wanli
Published: May 2024

A cellulose-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with fiber–wave–arch structure was prepared through a multi-fluid electrospinning process for air filtration and wind sensing. The TENG is composed of a cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)/zein membrane and a cyanoethyl cellulose (CEC)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. The results show that the addition of CEC improves the output performance and filterability of TENG. At the same time, the reduced diameter and high roughness of CEC/PVDF nanofibers improve the output performance of the TENG. The TENG with a 6 wt% CEC/PVDF solution concentration has the highest output performance with a short-circuit current of 3.30 μA and an open-circuit voltage of 10.01 V. The particle filtration of 12 wt% CEC/PVDF TENG is the best, showing an efficiency of 98.84% and a pressure drop of 50 Pa. The TENG also has a good formaldehyde filtration capability with an efficiency of 92% at 0.25 mg/m3. The TENG shows great potential in self-powered sensor applications.
The Mediating Effect of Affective Commitment on the Relationship between Competence Development and Turnover Intentions: Does This Relationship Depend on the Employee’s Generation?
Authors: Moreira Ana , Tomás Carla , Antunes Armanda
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this investigation was to study the effect of organizational competency development practices on turnover intentions and whether affective commitment explains this relationship. Another of the study’s objectives was to test whether these relationships vary according to the generation to which the participant belongs. The study sample consisted of 2123 participants working in Portuguese organizations. The results indicate that organizational competency development practices (training, individualized support, and functional rotation) negatively and significantly affect turnover intentions and that affective commitment mediates this relationship. However, these relationships vary according to the participant’s generation. For Generation Y and Generation X, this mediating effect is found in all dimensions of organizational competency development practices. For the baby boomer generation, there is only a mediating effect of affective commitment in the relationship between individualized support and turnover intentions. These results indicate that human resources should consider the generation to which the participant belongs when implementing competency development practices.
Multi-Task Dynamic Spatio-Temporal Graph Attention Network: A Variable Taxi Time Prediction Model for Airport Surface Operation
Authors: Yang Xiaoyi , Yang Hongyu , Mao Yi , Wang Qing , Yin Suwan
Published: May 2024

Variable taxi time prediction is the core of the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system. An accurate taxi time prediction contributes to enhancing airport operational efficiency, safety and predictability. The deep dynamic spatio-temporal correlation inherent in airport traffic data is critical for taxi time prediction. However, existing machine learning (deep learning) methods have been unable to thoroughly exploit these correlations. To address this issue, we propose a deep learning-based model called the multi-task dynamic spatio-temporal graph attention network (MT-DSTGAN). Our model also predicts future entire airport traffic flow and taxiing segment traffic flow as auxiliary tasks, with the goal of enhancing the accuracy of aircrafts’ taxi time prediction. The proposed MT-DSTGAN model is implemented and assessed through a case study of Beijing Capital International Airport with a real-world dataset. The advantage of the proposed model, which shows better performance in various evaluation metrics, is demonstrated in a comparative study with other baseline works. In summary, the proposed MT-DSTGAN exhibits promising capabilities in perceiving the dynamic changes in the taxiing process of aircraft and demonstrates the ability to capture complex spatio-temporal correlations in airport traffic data.
The Effect of Renewable Phosphorus Biofertilizers on Selected Wheat Grain Quality Parameters
Authors: Jastrzębska Magdalena , Kostrzewska Marta K. , Saeid Agnieszka
Published: May 2024

Recycling and reusing phosphorus in agriculture can reduce the consumption of natural phosphorus resources, which are continuing to shrink. Phosphorus fertilizers made from renewable raw materials (sewage sludge ash, animal bones, dried animal blood) and activated with phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms (Bacillus megaterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans) offer an alternative to conventional fertilizers. These products should meet consumer and environmental safety standards. In this paper, based on field experiments conducted in northeast Poland, the effects of waste-derived biofertilizers on selected parameters of wheat yield quality are discussed. The study focuses on the technological properties of the grain (hectoliter weight, hardness index, Zeleny index, starch, wet gluten, and protein content), the content of proteogenic amino acids, macro- and micronutrients, and selected toxic elements in the grain. The quality parameters of wheat grain were not affected by the tested biofertilizers applied in P doses up to 35.2 kg ha−1, nor by conventional fertilizers.
Genetic Diversity, Linkage Disequilibrium, and Population Structure in a Common Bean Reference Collection
Authors: Ambachew Daniel , Londoño Jorge Mario , Rodriguez Castillo Nohra , Asfaw Asrat , Blair Matthew Wohlgemuth
Published: May 2024

An in-depth understanding of the extent and pattern of genetic diversity and population structure in crop populations is of paramount importance for any crop improvement program to efficiently promote the translation of genetic diversity into genetic gain. A reference collection of 150 common bean genotypes selected from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture’s global core collection was evaluated using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to quantify the amount of genetic diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and population structure. The cultivars and landraces of the collection were diverse and originated from 14 countries, and wild accessions were used as controls for each gene pool. The collection was genotyped using an SNP array, generating a total of 5398 locus calls distributed across the entire bean genome. The SNP data quality was checked, and two datasets were generated. The first dataset (Dataset_1) comprised a set of 5108 SNPs and 150 genotypes after filtering for 10% missing alleles and an MAF < 0.05. The second dataset (Dataset_2) comprised a set of 2300 SNPs that remained after removing any null-allele SNPs and LD pruning for a criterion of r2 < 0.2. Dataset_1 was used for a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), phylogenetic relationship determination, an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and a discriminant analysis of principal components. Dataset_2 was used for a population structure analysis using STRUCTURE software and is proposed for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The population structure analysis split the reference collection into two subpopulations according to an Andean or Mesoamerican gene pool. The Mesoamerican populations displayed higher genetic differentiation and tended to split into more groups that were somewhat aligned with common bean races. Andean beans were characterized by a larger average LD but lower LD percentage, a small average genetic distance between members of the population, and a higher major allele frequency, which suggested narrower genetic diversity compared to the Mesoamerican gene pool. In conclusion, the results indicated the presence of high genetic diversity, which is useful for a GWAS. However, the presence of significant linkage disequilibrium requires that genetic distance be considered as a co-factor for any further genetic studies. Overall, the molecular variation observed in the genotypes shows that this reference collection is valuable as a genebank-derived diversity panel which is useful for marker trait association studies.
The Effectiveness of Mixed Food Attractant for Managing Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) in Peanut Fields
Authors: Wang Liying , He Limei , Wang Tongwei , Xiao Tao , Zou Zongfeng , Wang Meng , Cai Xiaoling , Yao Bingtao , Yang Yu , Wu Kongming
Published: May 2024

Peanut is one of the widely cultivated oil-bearing and nut crops worldwide, so its stable production is crucial for oil supply and nuts, as well as socioeconomic development. Noctuid pests, such as Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), are the major pests in peanut. With growing resistance to chemical pesticides, there is an urgent need for advanced biocontrol solutions for peanut productions. We evaluated the control effect of Bioattract®, combined with the insecticide Coragen, a ‘mixed food attractant’, on noctuid pests through large-scale applications in four main peanut-producing provinces, Henan, Hebei, Shandong and Liaoning, of China from 2019 to 2023 in succession. The main types of insects attracted and killed by the mixed food attractant were noctuid pests, of which H. armigera, A. ipsilon and other pests were 84.2%, 10.4% and 5.4%, respectively. The female/male ratio of H. armigera was 1.04. In the mixed food attractant treatment fields, the average adjusted decrease rates of H. armigera were 68.74% ± 1.43% for the eggs and 66.84% ± 1.59% for the larvae; meanwhile, those of A. ipsilon were 59.24% ± 1.56% for the eggs and 51.06% ± 1.89% for the larvae. In addition, the damage rate of the new leaves of the peanut plants in the mixed food attractant treatment fields was significantly lower than that in the control fields, with an adjusted declined rate of 78.26% ± 0.80%. Compared with using conventional chemicals, applying biological food attractants could reduce costs by USD 43.85 ± 1.14 per hectare. These findings provide a basis for the large-scale promotion and application of Bioattract® for peanut pest management.
Doppler Ultrasonographic Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Flow to Evaluate the Hemodynamic Relevance of Left-to-Right Shunting Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs
Authors: van de Watering Anne E. , van Rossem Sophie A. M. , Baron Toaldo Marco , Beijerink Niek J. , Hulsman Alma H. , Szatmári Viktor , Santarelli Giorgia
Published: May 2024

In this multicenter, prospective, observational study, abdominal aortic flow was examined with pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound in dogs with a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and in apparently healthy dogs. Forty-eight dogs with a PDA and 35 controls were included. In the dogs with a PDA, 37/48 had hemodynamically significant PDAs (hsPDAs) while 11/48 had non-hsPDAs, based on the presence or absence of echocardiographic signs of left-sided volume overload, respectively. In 12 dogs (4/35 control dogs, 7/37 dogs with an hsPDA and 1/11 dogs with a non-hsPDA), the diastole was too short to visualize the end-diastolic flow. Antegrade end-diastolic flow was observed in 30/35 controls and 6/11 dogs with a non-hsPDA. Absent end-diastolic flow was observed in 1/35 control dogs and 3/11 dogs with a non-hsPDA. Retrograde end-diastolic flow was observed in 30/37 dogs with an hsPDA and 1/11 dogs with a non-hsPDA. Twenty-one dogs (15 with an hsPDA and 6 with a non-hsPDA) were reassessed after PDA closure, and, in 19/21, end-diastolic flow was visualized: 17/19 showed an antegrade flow, 1/19 an absent flow and 1/19 a retrograde flow. Sensitivity and specificity of retrograde end-diastolic flow for detection of hsPDAs were 100% and 90%, respectively. In conclusion, ultrasonographic assessment of abdominal aortic flow was feasible in dogs with PDA. However, end-diastolic flow was not always visualized. The presence of a retrograde end-diastolic flow was an accurate finding for discriminating hsPDAs and non-hsPDAs.
Shape Evolution in Two Acts: Morphological Diversity of Larval and Adult Neoaustraranan Frogs
Authors: Almeida-Silva Diego , Vera Candioti Florencia
Published: May 2024

Phenotypic traits can evolve independently at different stages of ontogeny, optimizing adaptation to distinct ecological contexts and increasing morphological diversity in species with complex life cycles. Given the relative independence resulting from the profound changes induced by metamorphosis, niche occupation and resource utilization in tadpoles may prompt evolutionary responses that do not necessarily affect the adults. Consequently, diversity patterns observed in the larval shape may not necessarily correspond to those found in the adult shape for the same species, a premise that can be tested through the Adaptive Decoupling Hypothesis (ADH). Herein, we investigate the ADH for larval and adult shape differentiation in Neoaustrarana frogs. Neoaustrarana frogs, particularly within the Cycloramphidae family, exhibit remarkable diversity in tadpole morphology, making them an ideal model for studying adaptive decoupling. By analyzing 83 representative species across four families (Alsodidae, Batrachylidae, Cycloramphidae, and Hylodidae), we generate a morphological dataset for both larval and adult forms. We found a low correlation between larval and adult shapes, species with a highly distinct larval shape having relatively similar shape when adults. Larval morphological disparity is not a good predictor for adult morphological disparity within the group, with distinct patterns observed among families. Differences between families are notable in other aspects as well, such as the role of allometric components influencing shape and morphospace occupancy. The larval shape has higher phylogenetic structure than the adult. Evolutionary convergence emerges as a mechanism of diversification for both larval and adult shapes in the early evolution of neoaustraranans, with shape disparity of tadpoles reaching stable levels since the Oligocene. The widest occupation in morphospace involves families associated with dynamically changing environments over geological time. Our findings support the ADH driving phenotypic diversity in Neoaustrarana, underscoring the importance of considering ontogenetic stages in evolutionary studies.
Automated Detection and Counting of Wild Boar in Camera Trap Images
Authors: Schütz Anne K. , Louton Helen , Fischer Mareike , Probst Carolina , Gethmann Jörn M. , Conraths Franz J. , Homeier-Bachmann Timo
Published: May 2024

Camera traps are becoming widely used for wildlife monitoring and management. However, manual analysis of the resulting image sets is labor-intensive, time-consuming and costly. This study shows that automated computer vision techniques can be extremely helpful in this regard, as they can rapidly and automatically extract valuable information from the images. Specific training with a set of 1600 images obtained from a study where wild animals approaching wild boar carcasses were monitored enabled the model to detect five different classes of animals automatically in their natural environment with a mean average precision of 98.11%, namely ‘wild boar’, ‘fox’, ‘raccoon dog’, ‘deer’ and ‘bird’. In addition, sequences of images were automatically analyzed and the number of wild boar visits and respective group sizes were determined. This study may help to improve and speed up the monitoring of the potential spread of African swine fever virus in areas where wild boar are affected.
Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Dogs: Frequency in Routine Clinical Practice and Association with Hematological Changes
Authors: Paltrinieri Saverio , Ferrari Roberta , Scavone Donatella , Pieroni Carolina , Diamanti Daniela , Tagliasacchi Filippo
Published: May 2024

(1) Background: the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been reported to increase in some infectious or inflammatory diseases in dogs, but no information on the frequency of increases in a routine clinical setting exists. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of an increased ESR in dogs and to investigate its possible association with hematologic changes; (2) Methods: A total of 295 EDTA blood samples were randomly selected from the routine caseload of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Samples were grouped in controls and in pathologic groups based on the clinical presentation. A routine hemogram was performed, then the ESR was measured using the instrument MINI-PET; (3) Results: compared with controls, the ESR was significantly higher in all the pathologic groups, except for the hematological disorders group. The highest ESR was found in samples from dogs with chronic kidney disease or inflammation, followed by those from dogs with mild chronic disorders, severe/acute diseases, tumors and urinary disorders. The ESR negatively correlated with hematocrit and positively with neutrophil counts. (4) Conclusions: The ESR increases more frequently in dogs with clinically evident inflammation or CKD, but also in several other conditions, likely as a consequence of anemia and acute phase response.
Vector Optical Bullets in Dielectric Media: Polarization Structures and Group-Velocity Effects
Authors: Laurinavičius Klemensas , Orlov Sergej , Gajauskaitė Ada
Published: May 2024

Theoretical studies on the generation of nondiffracting and nondispersive light pulses and their experimental implementation are one of the renowned problems within electromagnetics. Current technologies enable the creation of short-duration pulses of a few cycles with high power and fluency. An application of these techniques to the field of nondiffracting and nondispersive pulses requires a proper mathematical description of highly focused vector pulses. In this work, we study vector optical bullets in a dielectric medium with different polarization structures: linear, azimuthal, and radial. We report the differences caused by the vector model compared to the scalar model. We analyze effects caused by superluminal, subluminal, or even negative group velocity on the properties of vector optical bullets inside a dielectric material.
Innovative Cutting and Valorization of Waste Fishing Trawl and Waste Fishing Rope Fibers in Cementitious Materials
Authors: Hussan Ali , El Haddaji Badreddine , Zelloufi Mohammed , Sebaibi Nassim
Published: May 2024

The valorization of waste fishing trawl (WFT) and waste fishing rope (WFR) fibers in cementitious materials (CMs) has gained attention in recent years; however, the lack of information on the cutting and cleaning techniques for these fibers hinders their widespread commercial utilization. Existing research primarily relies on manual cutting, which proves to be impractical for large-scale production due to its time-consuming nature and lack of industrial feasibility. This research is a component of the VALNET project and introduces an innovative technique that utilizes the cutting mill to convert WFT and WFR into fibers to effectively overcome the constraints of earlier methodologies. By employing a rotor with blades, this apparatus enables efficient and precise cutting of WFT and WFR, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual cutting. The sustainable cleaning of WFT and WFR was carried out utilizing rain and wind by placing them outside for a certain period of time. The advancements presented in this study provide a pathway for an efficient and scalable valorization of WFT and WFR fibers in CM. The study focused on analyzing the impact of varying fiber sizes and percentages on the mechanical properties of CM. Different sizes obtained from the cutting machine and different fiber percentages were examined to gain a better understanding of their influence. The fibers obtained by the utilization of a 20 mm sieve yield optimal outcomes, while the incorporation of fibers at a volume fraction of 0.5% yields the most favorable results. Furthermore, the study presents evidence of a noticeable rise in porosity resulting from the incorporation of WFT and WFR fibers, regardless of their size and proportion. Porosity slightly increases as the fiber length increases, but the rise in fiber proportion leads to a significantly greater increase in porosity.
Parametric Optimization of System Modes for Nozzle Turbine Vane by Means of Costimulated Artificial Immune System
Authors: Robak Rafał , Szczepanik Mirosław , Rulik Sebastian
Published: May 2024

One requirement posed by customers is to achieve adequate durability levels as described in technical requirement documents. Modal analysis is one of the design assessments aimed at identifying the risks of high cycle fatigue (HCF). This article presents a novel application of an artificial immune system (AIS) in the optimization of a nozzle guide vane’s modal characteristics. The aim is to optimize the system’s natural frequencies in the vibration vane and adjacent hardware (turbine casing). The geometrical characteristics accounted for in the optimization process include the shell thicknesses on the turbine casing side and the nozzle outer band features (hook thickness, leaning and position). The optimization process is based on a representative model established from FEM analysis results. The framework is robust because of the applied metamodel and does not require time-consuming FEM analysis in order to evaluate the fitness function. The aim is to minimize the model area (a derivative of the system weight) with constraints imposed on the frequency (a penalty function). The optimum design is given as the solution with an increased shell thickness in the turbine casing and leaning nozzle outer band hooks to obtain the maximum stiffness of the system. The results obtained by means of the artificial immune system (AIS) and a novel variant based on an additional costimulation procedure (CAIS) are compared with the solution obtained by means of a genetic algorithm implemented in the commercial CAE software (Ansys version 19.2).
Analysis of the Mathematical Models for Identifying the Thickness of the Fouling Layer in Natural Gas Coolers
Authors: Čarnogurská Mária , Příhoda Miroslav , Andrejiová Miriam , Tóth Lukáš
Published: May 2024

This article presents an analysis of three different approaches to the identification of the thickness of the fouling layer inside the pipes of natural gas (NG) coolers. At present, there is no existing simple analytical procedure for the identification of the fouling layer thickness. The authors of this article describe in detail the balance method, which required the use of a large number of physical parameters, changes in their sizes depending on the output temperature of the gas, the temperature of the cooling air, the air quantity, as well as the physical properties of both media. The computational model was robust, and its disadvantage was the iterative computation. The second analysed method was a dimensional analysis. It was applied using the Buckingham’s theorem to express the individual similarity criteria. In this method, 10 simplexes and two complexes were created. The fouling layer thickness, expressed using a derived criterial equation, exhibited real results. The third analysed method was based on analysing selected physical parameters with the use of a multiple regression analysis in MinitabX 18 software. The analysis showed that the fouling layer thickness depended on fewer parameters than the number of parameters assumed in the dimensional analysis or the balance method. The standard deviation that was identified in the multiple linear regression for a double crossflow cooler was 0.0667 and the value of reliability (the coefficient of determination of the multiple linear regression) R2 was 0.9985.
Overheating in the Tree Shade of Urban Parks: A Field Study of Thermal Adaption in China
Authors: Zhang Zhongjun , Wang Yaqian , Zhu Dangwei
Published: May 2024

With increased atmospheric temperature, temperatures in the shade of trees in parks also increase, and people are faced with high temperature challenges. In this study, thermal comfort in the shade of the trees of an urban park during summer in China was assessed. The subjective responses of the respondents were recorded via questionnaires, and environment parameters were measured. The results show that the air temperature in the shade was 31.1 ± 3.0 °C during the day, and that it peaked at 36.9 °C; the globe temperature was 31.3 ± 3.1 °C, and it peaked at 40.1 ℃. Respondents’ clothing insulation was 0.31 ± 0.08 clo, and the effect of clothing adjustment on thermal adaptation was limited. Thermal sensation is linearly related to standard effective temperature (SET), and the upper limit of 80% acceptable SET was 32.1 °C. At different temperature values, the proportion of expected airflow enhancement exceeded 50%. The respondents preferred a neutral-warm sensation. Moreover, there was an obvious thermal adaptation, with thermal history and psychological adaptation being the main factors affecting thermal comfort. This study confirmed the value of shade and provided us with guidance for park planning and design.
Recent Advances in Fractional Calculus
Authors: Kórus Péter , Nápoles Valdés Juan Eduardo
Published: May 2024

This Special Issue of the scientific journal Axioms, entitled “Recent Advances in Fractional Calculus”, is dedicated to one of the most dynamic areas of mathematical sciences today [...]
Biomimetic Remineralization of Artificial Caries Lesions with a Calcium Coacervate, Its Components and Self-Assembling Peptide P11-4 In Vitro
Authors: Kharbot Basel , Askar Haitham , Gruber Dominik , Paris Sebastian
Published: May 2024

The application of calcium coacervates (CCs) may hold promise for dental hard tissue remineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the infiltration of artificial enamel lesions with a CC and its single components including polyacrylic acid (PAA) compared to that of the self-assembling peptide P11-4 in a pH-cycling (pHC) model. Enamel specimens were prepared from bovine incisors, partly varnished, and stored in demineralizing solution (DS; pH 4.95; 17 d) to create two enamel lesions per sample. The specimens were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 15). While one lesion per specimen served as the no-treatment control (NTC), another lesion (treatment, T) was etched (H3PO4, 5 s), air-dried and subsequently infiltrated for 10 min with either a CC (10 mg/mL PAA, 50 mM CaCl2 (Ca) and 1 M K2HPO4 (PO4)) (groups CC and CC + DS) or its components PAA, Ca or PO4. As a commercial control, the self-assembling peptide P11-4 (CurodontTM Repair, Credentis, Switzerland) was tested. The specimens were cut perpendicularly to the lesions, with half serving as the baseline (BL) while the other half was exposed to either a demineralization solution for 20 d (pH 4.95; group CC + DS) or pHC for 28 d (pH 4.95, 3 h; pH 7, 21 h; all five of the other groups). The difference in integrated mineral loss between the lesions at BL and after the DS or pHC, respectively, was analyzed using transversal microradiography (ΔΔZ = ΔZpHC − ΔZbaseline). Compared to the NTC, the mineral gain in the T group was significantly higher in the CC + DS, CC and PAA (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon). In all of the other groups, no significant differences between treated and untreated lesions were detected (p > 0.05). Infiltration with the CC and PAA resulted in a consistent mineral gain throughout the lesion body. The CC as well as its component PAA alone promoted the remineralization of artificial caries lesions in the tested pHC model. Infiltration with PAA further resulted in mineral gain in deeper areas of the lesion body.