bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of Danggui Niantong Decoction in patients with gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Sihan , Tian Jing , Jin Luchang , Wang Hongyan , Xie Chunguang , Zheng Jie , Liu Linfeng , Cao Jun , Zhang Wen , Zhang Xiangeng
Published: July 2023

Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Danggui Niantong Decoction (DGNT) systematically on gout treating.

Methods: This study was registered in PROSPERO, and the registration number was CRD42021271607. By the end of December, 2022, literature research was conducted among eight electronic databases. Main results of this study were blood uric acid (BUA) and Creactive protein (CRP). Secondary outcomes were erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum creatinine (Scr), urinary protein quantified at 24 h (Upro), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Study screening, data collection, as well as quality assessment were performed by two reviewers independently, and analysis was completed using Stata (SE15.0) and Review Manager (5.4).

Results: A total number of 13 studies were included in our meta-analysis (n = 1,094 participants). Results showed DGNT combined with conventional western medicine (CWM) was more effective than WM alone in BUA (weighted mean differences (WMD) = −3.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) [−50.36, −32.59], p = 0.000), CRP (WMD = −41.48, 95% CI [−4.32, −2.66], p = 0.017), ESR (WMD = −6.23, 95% CI [−9.28, −3.17], p = 0.019), Scr (WMD = −18.64, 95% CI [−23.09, −14.19], p = 0.001), Upro (WMD = −0.72, 95% CI [−0.91, −0.53], p = 0.000), and IL-8 (WMD = −4.77, 95% CI [−11.48, 1.94], p = 0.000). None of the adverse effects noted were severe, and no life-threatening event was reported.

Conclusion: This study shows that DGNT combined with CWM seems to have an effective clinical therapeutic potential. In addition, it also provides a scientific basis for better clinical application of DGNT in the future.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021271607; Identifier: PROSPERO, CRD42021271607.
Protease XIV abolishes NHE inhibition by empagliflozin in cardiac cells
Authors: Chen Sha , Schumacher Cees A. , Van Amersfoorth Shirley C. M. , Fiolet Jan W. T. , Baartscheer Antonius , Veldkamp Marieke W. , Coronel Ruben , Zuurbier Coert J.
Published: July 2023

Background: SGLT2i directly inhibit the cardiac sodium-hydrogen exchanger-1 (NHE1) in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes (CMs). However, other studies with SGLT2i have yielded conflicting results. This may be explained by methodological factors including cell isolation techniques, cell types and ambient pH. In this study, we tested whether the use of protease XIV (PXIV) may abrogate inhibition of SGLT2i on cardiac NHE1 activity in isolated rabbit CMs or rat cardiomyoblast cells (H9c2), in a pH dependent manner.

Methods: Rabbit ventricular CMs were enzymatically isolated from Langendorff-perfused hearts during a 30-min perfusion period followed by a 25-min after-dissociation period, using a collagenase mixture without or with a low dose PXIV (0.009 mg/mL) present for different periods. Empagliflozin (EMPA) inhibition on NHE activity was then assessed at pH of 7.0, 7.2 and 7.4. In addition, effects of 10 min PXIV treatment were also evaluated in H9c2 cells for EMPA and cariporide NHE inhibition.

Results: EMPA reduced NHE activity in rabbit CMs that were not exposed to PXIV treatment or undergoing a 35-min PXIV treatment, independent of pH levels. However, when exposure time to PXIV was extended to 55 min, NHE inhibition by Empa was completely abolished at all three pH levels. In H9c2 cells, NHE inhibition by EMPA was evident in non-treated cells but lost after 10-min incubation with PXIV. NHE inhibition by cariporide was unaffected by PXIV.

Conclusion: The use of protease XIV in cardiac cell isolation procedures obliterates the inhibitory effects of SGLT2i on NHE1 activity in isolated cardiac cells, independent of pH.
Infection of groundnut ringspot virus in Plumeria pudica characterized by irregular virus distribution and intermittent expression of symptoms
Authors: Favara Gabriel Madoglio , Oliveira Felipe Franco de , Ferro Camila Geovana , Kraide Heron Delgado , Carmo Eike Yudi Nishimura , Bello Vinicius Henrique , Ribeiro-Junior Marcos Roberto , Krause-Sakate Renate , Kitajima Elliot Watanabe , Rezende Jorge Alberto Marques
Published: July 2023

Plumeria pudica, known as bridal bouquet, exhibiting characteristic symptoms of orthotospovirus infection were found in different localities in Brazil. Symptoms were restricted to leaves of the middle and lower thirds of a few branches of each plant. Electron microscopy, molecular analyses, and complete genome sequencing identified the orthotospovirus as groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV),member of the species Orthotospovirus arachianuli. The virus was poorly transmitted mechanically to P. pudica. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses performed using total RNA extracted from leaf blades, primary veins, petioles, and regions of petiole insertion on branches indicated the presence of GRSV, predominantly in the symptomatic leaf blades. Symptomatic branches propagate vegetatively, often resulting in plants expressing GRSV symptoms. In contrast, vegetative propagation of the asymptomatic branches of infected plants predominantly generates plants without GRSV symptoms. The resistance of P. pudica plants to GRSV infection, restricted systemic viral movement, and expression of symptoms in infected plants suggest that this orthotospovirus does not threaten this ornamental plant.
Psychophysiological responses to psychological stress exposure and neural correlates in adults with mental disorders: a scoping review
Authors: Gecaite-Stonciene Julija , Rossetti Maria G. , Brambilla Paolo , Hughes Brian M. , Mickuviene Narseta , Bellani Marcella
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The dysregulation of psychophysiological responses to mental stressors is a common issue addressed in individuals with psychiatric conditions, while brain circuit abnormalities are often associated with psychiatric conditions and their manifestations. However, to our knowledge, there is no systematic overview that would comprehensively synthesize the literature on psychophysiological responses during laboratory-induced psychosocial stressor and neural correlates in people with mental disorders. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the existing research on psychophysiological response during laboratory-induced stress and its relationship with neural correlates as measured by magnetic resonance imaging techniques in mental disorders.

Methods

The systematic search was performed on PubMed/Medline, EBSCOhost/PsycArticles, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases during November 2021 following the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was evaluated by employing the checklists for cross-sectional and case-control studies from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewers Manual.

Results

Out of 353 de-duplicated publications identified, six studies were included in this review. These studies were identified as representing two research themes: (1) brain anatomy and psychophysiological response to mental stress in individuals with mental disorders, and (2) brain activity and psychophysiological response to mental stress in individuals with mental disorders.

Conclusions

Overall, the evidence from studies exploring the interplay between stress psychophysiology and neural correlates in mental disorders is limited and heterogeneous. Further studies are warranted to better understand the mechanisms of how psychophysiological stress markers interplay with neural correlates in manifestation and progression of psychiatric illnesses.
Validation of a violence risk screening for youth in psychiatric inpatient care—a pilot study of V-RISK-Y
Authors: Roaldset John Olav , Gustavsen Carina C. , Lockertsen Øyvind , Landheim Torbjørn , Bjørkly Stål K.
Published: July 2023

The reason for this study was the void of validated risk assessment screening tools for violence in adolescence psychiatry. Our aims were to test the predictive validity and feasibility of a pilot version of the Violence Risk Screening for Youth (V-RISK-Y). The V-RISK-Y was based on a violence risk screen for adults, the V-RISK-10, and adapted to adolescents, resulting in 12 risk items that are scored for (a) presence and (b) relevance for future violence. In this naturalistic, prospective observational study, the V-RISK-Y was scored at admission and compared with recorded episodes of violent acts and threats during hospital stay. The target population was all 92 patients admitted to the emergency department of adolescent psychiatry at Oslo University Hospital for 1 year, of which 67 patients were scored with the V-RISK-Y at admission and constituted the study sample. The predictive validity of the V-RISK-Y for violent behavior showed an AUC of 0.762 (p = 0.006). Staff approved the screener and found it to be equally or better usable than the V-RISK-10, which was previously used in the department. Still, a high proportion of raters failed to follow the scoring instructions of relevance scores, reducing feasibility. The results must be interpreted within the limits of a pilot study and low power. We conclude that results suggest changes of certain parts of the V-RISK-Y and provide a basis for testing a revised edition of the screener in a more comprehensive study, preferably with a multicenter design.
De-medicalized and decentralized HIV testing: a strategy to test hard-to-reach men who have sex with men in Cameroon
Authors: Ossomba Jean Paul Bienvenu Enama , Ngangue Patrice , Ekani Antoine Silvère Olongo , Kamgain Edgar Tanguy
Published: July 2023

Conventional HIV testing performed by a health professional has shown its limitations in targeting marginalized and vulnerable populations. Indeed, men who have sex with men (MSM) due to social discrimination are often uncomfortable using this service at the health facilities level. In this perspective, new differentiated approaches have been thought through de-medicalized and decentralized HIV testing (DDHT). This HIV testing strategy enables overcoming the structural, legal, and social barriers that prevent these populations from quickly accessing HIV services. This article discusses the prerequisites and added value of implementing this strategy for MSM living in a criminalized context and its implication in decentralizing health services toward the community level.
Assessing disparities in medical students’ knowledge and attitude about monkeypox: a cross-sectional study of 27 countries across three continents
Authors: Abd ElHafeez Samar , Gebreal Assem , Khalil Mohammad Adnan , Youssef Naglaa , Sallam Malik , Elshabrawy Abdelhamid , Abdel-Rahman Suzan , Mahboob Amira Saad , Yazbek Saja , Elbanna Eman H. , Adhyaru Riddhi , Rodoshi Zarin Nudar , Kih Yap Siew , Jawad Huda , Kolotouros Evangelos , Jaworski Arkadiusz , AlQarni Ghadah , Gablan Mohammad , Condurat Alexandra , Elden Ahmed El-Sayed Said Nour , Bennani Oumayma , Rawat Kamna , Ismail Areeba , Al-Hajj Yasser , Elehamer Nafisa M. K. , Nagi Jasleen , Admassu Habtamu , Al Asaad Saja Hassan , Duvuru Ruthwik , Ogunlana Olaoluwaposi , Alosaimi Bandar , Ghazy Ramy Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Background and aims

The recent monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the importance of evaluating the knowledge and attitude of medical students toward emerging diseases, given their potential roles as healthcare professionals and sources of public information during outbreaks. This study aimed to assess medical students’ knowledge and attitude about Mpox and to identify factors affecting their level of knowledge and attitude in low-income and high-income countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 11,919 medical students from 27 countries. A newly-developed validated questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge (14 items), attitude (12 items), and baseline criteria. The relationship between a range of factors with knowledge and attitude was studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

46% of the study participants were males; 10.7% were in their sixth year; 54.6% knew about smallpox; 84% received the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine; and 12.5% had training on Mpox. 55.3% had good knowledge of Mpox and 51.7% had a positive attitude towards it. Medical students in their third, fifth, or sixth year high- income countries who obtained information on Mpox from friends, research articles, social media and scientific websites were positive predictors for good knowledge. Conversely, being male or coming from high-income countries showed a negative relation with good knowledge about Mpox. Additionally, a positive attitude was directly influenced by residing in urban areas, being in the fifth year of medical education, having knowledge about smallpox and a history of receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Receiving information about Mpox from social media or scientific websites and possessing good knowledge about Mpox were also predictors of a positive attitude. On the other hand, being male, employed, or receiving a training program about Mpox were inversely predicting positive attitude about Mpox.

Conclusion

There were differences in knowledge and attitude towards Mpox between medical students in low and high-income countries, emphasizing the need for incorporating epidemiology of re-emerging diseases like Mpox into the medical curriculum to improve disease prevention and control.
Identifying the operational status of container terminals from high-resolution nighttime-light satellite image for global supply chain network optimization
Authors: Murata Hiroki , Shibasaki Ryuichi , Imura Naoto , Nishinari Katsuhiro
Published: July 2023

Container terminals are cargo gateways in the global maritime supply chain network. Major container terminals generally operate throughout the year, but do not operate at night, when container vessels are not calling at ports, or when there is no need to handle containers. Terminal congestion can delay containers’ shipping schedules, which impacts the supply chain network. To optimize global logistics, it is therefore important to understand fully the daily operational status of container terminals. A vessels’ automatic identification system data are not sufficient to determine whether containers are being handled in container terminals at night. Remote sensing, especially nighttime-light (NTL) imagery, might solve this problem. Recently, high-resolution images for the CE-SAT-IIB satellite with a pixel resolution of 5.1 m became available to observe NTL. This study assessed the operational status of container terminals based on satellite image taken at night. Eight terminals in the Port of Tokyo, Japan, were selected for the study. A Sentinel-2A image recorded during the day on 7 April 2021, and a CE-SAT-IIB image recorded during the night on 6 April 2021, were obtained. The digital numbers (DNs) of each red-, green-, and blue-(RGB) band image were analyzed, revealing that the red, green, and blue bands, in that order, had higher DNs in the Sentinel-2A daytime image and the CE-SAT-IIB NTL image at all terminals. One of the eight terminals had a low DN in the CE-SAT-IIB RGB image because its lights were off at the time the image was taken. The operational status of the terminals could be verified from the CE-SAT-IIB image by setting the DN threshold to the green or red bands. We also found that the CE-SAT-IIB image could distinguish white-light-emitting diode (LED) lamps from high-pressure sodium lamps based on color differences in the DNs of the RGB bands. If high-resolution NTL sensors were placed onboard microsatellites, a high-frequency observation constellation network could be constructed using a combination of NTL data and daytime images. This study showed the benefits and usefulness of NTL images of ports; the results will contribute to the overall optimization of the global maritime supply chain network.
Miras as a distance indicator in the CSST, JWST, and Gaia era
Authors: Sun Yan , Zhang Jingdong , Zhang Bo , Xu Shuangjing , Mai Xiaofeng , Ding Hao , Chen Wen , Wen Shiming
Published: July 2023

Mira variables are important distance indicators owing to the clear period–luminosity relation at infrared wavelengths. We have compiled a sample of 343 Galactic Miras selected from the American Association of Variable Star Observers database and Gaia Data Release 3. We used V-band observations from the American Association of Variable Star Observers to generate template light curves and derived mean magnitudes in the near-infrared JHK band from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey. Based on the Gaia-Two Micron All-Sky Survey diagram and the Gaia-LPV2 catalog, we classified 299 O-rich and 44 C-rich Miras. We fitted the Galactic period–luminosity relations for O-rich Miras in the near-infrared JHK band and estimated slopes (–2.74 ± 0.32, –3.14 ± 0.30, and –3.50 ± 0.25) and zero points (–5.58 ± 0.06 mag, –6.40 ± 0.06 mag, and –6.84 ± 0.05 mag) defined at logP (days) = 2.30, separately. Although the uncertainties of our derived Galactic PLRs for Miras are still larger than those of other galaxies, the multi-band sky survey conducted using the China Space Survey Telescope could help build more reliable and accurate PLRs for Miras, particularly in a near-infrared y band (927–1,080 nm).
Environmental cadmium exposure alters the internal microbiota and metabolome of Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Liu Songqing , Deng Xin , Li Zheng , Zhou Wenjing , Wang Gang , Zhan Jiasui , Hu Binhong
Published: July 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic element that can negatively affect both humans and animals. It enters the human and animal bodies through the respiratory and digestive tracts, following which it tends to accumulate in different organs, thereby seriously affecting human and animal health, as well as hampering social and economic development. Cd exposure can alter the composition of intestinal microbiota. In addition, it can damage the peripheral organs by causing the translocation of intestinal microbiota. However, the relationship between translocation-induced changes in the composition of microbiome in the blood and metabolic changes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Cd exposure on microbiota and serum metabolism in rats by omics analysis. The results demonstrated that Cd exposure disrupted the balance between the blood and intestinal flora in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, with a significant increase in gut microbiota (Clostridia_UCG_014, NK4A214_group) and blood microbiome (Corynebacterium, Muribaculaceae). However, Cd exposure caused the translocation of Corynebacterium and Muribaculaceae from the gut into the blood. In addition, Cd exposure was associated with the up-regulation of serum indoxyl sulfate, phenyl sulfate, and p-cresol sulfate; down-regulation of δ-tocopherol and L-glutamine; and changes in blood microbiome and metabolites. In conclusion, we identified novel metabolic biomarkers for Cd toxicity, which will also expand our understanding of the role of blood microbiome in Cd-induced injury.
Survey of equine veterinarians regarding primary equine back pain in the United States
Authors: Marshall-Gibson Marianne E. , Durham Matthew G. , Seabaugh Kathryn A. , Moorman Valerie J. , Ferris Dora J.
Published: July 2023

Back pain is a common complaint, clinical finding and performance limiting factor in sport horses. This study sought to gather current veterinary trends in the diagnosis, treatment and management of primary equine back pain in the United States. A 22 question survey was distributed electronically to equine practitioners through AAEP and ACVSMR listservs and through closed social media groups. The survey was open from April 20, 2022 to July 5, 2022. Responses were analyzed using Microsoft excel pivot tables. Ninety-seven survey responses were obtained and analyzed. Respondents reported the clinical signs most frequently relayed to them by the owner/rider/trainer of horses diagnosed with primary back pain were behavioral issues and poor performance. Most common diagnostic tests reported were radiography of the spinous processes, thoraco-lumbar vertebral bodies, and transcutaneous ultrasound of the thoraco-lumbar region. Most common pathologies reported were impinging dorsal spinous processes, degenerative sacro-iliac joint disease, and osteoarthritis in lumbar or thoracic articular process joints. In regards to impinging spinous process (“kissing spine”) treatments, 72.2% of respondents recommended surgery only after non-surgical treatments failed, and 14.6% of respondents never recommended surgery. The majority (82%) of respondents reported some level of improvement in clinical signs of primary back pain with rehabilitation alone. To date, there has been no consensus or discussion about common abnormalities, diagnostic tests, treatments or management options for primary equine back pain in the United States. Results of this survey are a starting point showing current trends in diagnosis, treatment and management of primary equine back pain among equine practitioners in the United States showing 82% of practitioners using rehabilitation as a component of treatment.
Evaluation and Comparison of SEA Torque Controllers in a Unified Framework
Authors: Rampeltshammer Wolfgang , Keemink Arvid , Sytsma Menno , van Asseldonk Edwin , van der Kooij Herman
Published: July 2023

Series elastic actuators (SEA) with their inherent compliance offer a safe torque source for robots that are interacting with various environments, including humans. These applications have high requirements for the SEA torque controllers, both in the torque response as well as interaction behavior with its environment. To differentiate state of the art torque controllers, this work introduces a unifying theoretical and experimental framework that compares controllers based on their torque transfer behavior, their apparent impedance behavior, and especially the passivity of the apparent impedance (i.e., their interaction stability) as well as their sensitivity to sensor noise. We compare classical SEA control approaches such as cascaded PID controllers and full state feedback controllers with advanced controllers using disturbance observers, acceleration feedback and adaptation rules. Simulations and experiments demonstrate the trade-off between stable interactions, high bandwidths and low noise levels. Based on these trade-offs, an application-specific controller can be designed and tuned, based on desired interaction with the respective environment.
Optimization and Design of Disc-Type Furrow Opener of No-Till Seeder for Green Manure Crops in South Xinjiang Orchards
Authors: Ye Rui , Ma Xueting , Zhao Jinfei , Liao Jiean , Liu Xinying , Xi Linqiao , Su Guangdong
Published: July 2023

For the issues of the poor stability of the furrow opener depth, large soil backfill depth, and inconsistent furrow shape on a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards in South Xinjiang, a double-disc, corrugated furrow opener is designed. This paper analyzes the law of soil movement between corrugated double-disc and traditional double-disc furrow openers using the discrete element method (DEM) and concludes that the corrugation width and number of corrugations on the corrugated double-disc furrow opener are the primary factors affecting furrowing operation. When the number of corrugations is sixteen, the forward speed is six kilometers per hour, and when the corrugation width is seventeen and a half millimeters, the simulation operation parameters are optimal. The soil-bin validation experiment results are as follows: Under the condition of an 80 mm furrow depth, the stability of the average furrow depth is enhanced by 3.54%, the working resistance and the average disrupted soil area are increased by 26.16 N and 220 mm2, respectively, and the backfill depth is decreased by 10.98 mm. The operation effect of a double-disc furrow opener with corrugated discs is enhanced by the high stability of the furrow depth, low working resistance, and small backfill depth. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of the furrow opener components of a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards.
Identification and Analysis of SOD Family Genes in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and Their Potential Roles in Stress Responses
Authors: Yu Shutao , Wang Chuantang , Wang Qi , Sun Quanxi , Zhang Yu , Dong Jingchao , Yin Yechao , Zhang Shihang , Yu Guoqing
Published: July 2023

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are crucial in safeguarding plants against reactive oxygen species (ROS) toxicity caused by abiotic or biotic factors. Although recent research has revealed the involvement of the SOD gene family in plant biological processes, the understanding of the SOD gene family in peanut remains inadequate. This study comprehensively characterizes the SOD gene family in the peanut genome. A total of 25 AhSOD genes were identified and subsequently categorized into three subfamilies: sixteen AhCSDs, six AhFSDs, and three AhMSDs according to the phylogenetic tree. A comprehensive analysis revealed that the AhSOD genes underwent segmental duplications. The majority of AhSOD genes exhibited conserved exon–intron and motif structures within the same subfamily. The examination of cis-acting elements within the promoter regions of SOD genes revealed that the expression of AhSOD was subject to regulation by plant hormones, as well as responses to defense and stress. RNA-seq analysis showed expression diversity of AhSOD genes in various tissues and cold, drought, and salt stresses. Furthermore, the regulation of AhSOD gene expression is anticipated to involve numerous transcription factors. The gene ontology annotation results validate the role of AhSOD genes in various stress stimuli, SOD activity, reactive oxygen species metabolic processes, and cellular oxidant detoxification processes. This investigation serves as the initial genome-wide analysis of the AhSOD gene family, providing a basis for comprehending the function of the AhSOD gene family and enhancing plant tolerance to cold, drought, and salt stresses.
Achieving Agroecosystem Resilience through an Agroecological Approach
Authors: Diacono Mariangela , Montemurro Francesco
Published: July 2023

As indicated by the recent IPCC report on climate change, the growing number of extreme climatic events (e [...]
Delay in the Ripening of Wine Grapes: Effects of Specific Phytotechnical Methods on Harvest Parameters
Authors: Jahnke Gizella , Szőke Barna Árpád , Steckl Szabina , Szövényi Áron Pál , Knolmajerné Szigeti Gyöngyi , Németh Csaba , Jenei Botond Gyula , Nyitrainé Sárdy Diána Ágnes
Published: July 2023

Due to climate change, the sugar content of grapes in Hungary has increased to such an extent that the high alcohol content alone can make wines disharmonious. In most vintages, this phenomenon is only a problem for early-ripening varieties. In order to prevent and treat this difficulty, we have carried out experiments in grape canopy management for four years with the aim of delaying ripening and thus reducing the sugar content of the grapes. The experiments were set up on an early (Pinot noir) and a late (Welshriesling) variety; two treatments (leaf removal—LR and short topping—ST) were applied and compared to untreated controls in the years 2019–2022. Our results showed that grape juice sugar yield was significantly reduced in all four years and for both cultivars, while the other measured parameters (yield, acidity, pH, and Botrytis infection) were only lightly affected.
Assessment of Stress Levels in Lactating Cattle: Analyzing Cortisol Residues in Commercial Milk Products in Relation to the Temperature-Humidity Index
Authors: Ataallahi Mohammad , Cheon Si Nae , Park Geun-Woo , Nugrahaeningtyas Eska , Jeon Jung Hwan , Park Kyu-Hyun
Published: July 2023

Chronic stress in the dairy cattle industry has negative impacts on animal health, productivity, and welfare. It has been confirmed that cortisol transfers to milk and resists the high temperature during milk processing. This study evaluated the relationship between the milk cortisol concentration (MCC) in commercial milk products and the temperature-humidity index (THI) at the time of milk production. Eleven commercially produced pasteurized and sterilized milk products, purchased in Chuncheon, Korea, with production dates ranging from July to October 2021 were analyzed. The MCC was extracted using diethyl ether and analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay. The average THI values based on microclimate data provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration were 77 ± 0.8, 75 ± 1.4, 69 ± 1.4, and 58 ± 1.8, in July, August, September, and October, respectively. The average MCC levels were 211.9 ± 95.1, 173.5 ± 63.8, 109.6 ± 53.2, and 106.7 ± 33.7 pg/mL in July, August, September, and October, respectively. The MCC in July was higher than in August, September, and October (p < 0.05), while it was lower in September and October than in August (p < 0.05). Significant variations in the MCC were observed in commercial milk products across the four production months (p < 0.05), except for two milk products. Overall, monitoring the cortisol residue in commercial dairy milk products can be an alternative indicator of stress in dairy cattle of farms.
COVID-19 and Male Infertility: Is There a Role for Antioxidants?
Authors: Kalfas Thomas , Kaltsas Aris , Symeonidis Evangelos , Symeonidis Asterios , Zikopoulos Athanasios , Moustakli Efthalia , Tsiampali Chara , Tsampoukas Georgios , Palapela Natalia , Zachariou Athanasios , Sofikitis Nikolaos , Dimitriadis Fotios
Published: July 2023

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), jeopardizes male fertility because of the vulnerability of the male reproductive system, especially the testes. This study evaluates the effects of the virus on testicular function and examines the potential role of antioxidants in mitigating the damage caused by oxidative stress (OS). A comprehensive PubMed search examined exocrine and endocrine testicular function alteration, the interplay between OS and COVID-19-induced defects, and the potential benefit of antioxidants. Although the virus is rarely directly detectable in sperm and testicular tissue, semen quality and hormonal balance are affected in patients, with some changes persisting throughout a spermatogenesis cycle. Testicular pathology in deceased patients shows defects in spermatogenesis, vascular changes, and inflammation. Acute primary hypogonadism is observed mainly in severely infected cases. Elevated OS and sperm DNA fragmentation markers suggest redox imbalance as a possible mechanism behind the fertility changes. COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for male fertility, but the efficacy of antioxidants to improve sperm quality after infection remains unproven due to limited research. Given the limited and inconclusive evidence, careful evaluation of men recovering from COVID-19 seeking fertility improvement is strongly recommended.
Study of the Effect of Laser Radiation Parameters on the Efficiency of Lithotripsy
Authors: Orekhov Ilya O. , Krivosheev Alexander V. , Kudashov Ivan A. , Bogomolov Vasily M. , Shupenev Alexander E. , Sazonkin Stanislav G. , Prosiannikov Mikhail Y. , Anokhin Nikolay V. , Shcherbachev Andrew V. , Apolikhin Oleg I. , Karasik Valeriy E. , Grigoryants Alexander G. , Pavlov Alexander V.
Published: July 2023

In this article, we report on experimental studies of the influence of several laser radiation parameters, such as the duration of the laser pulse, the radiation wavelength, and the pulse energy, on the efficiency of the destruction of urinary calculi. The study used a laser lithotripter based on a fiber Tm laser generating at a wavelength of 1940 nm with pulses with a duration of about 1800 μs and pulse energy of up to 6 J, as well as a femtosecond solid-state Yb laser generating at a wavelength of 1032 nm with a pulse duration of about 250 fs and pulse energy of up to 400 μJ. A comparative analysis was carried out according to such criteria as the productivity of lasers when removing a unit mass of images and the amount of sample displacement resulting from the retropulsion effect. The results obtained in this work demonstrated that the femtosecond laser loses approximately two times its efficiency in terms of sample material removal. However, this shows the absolute advantage of the photoionization mechanism of femtosecond laser ablation in the study of retropulsion and thermal heating, which were completely absent in this case.
Understanding the Research Challenges in Low-Resource Language and Linking Bilingual News Articles in Multilingual News Archive
Authors: Khan Muzammil , Ullah Kifayat , Alharbi Yasser , Alferaidi Ali , Alharbi Talal Saad , Yadav Kusum , Alsharabi Naif , Ahmad Aakash
Published: July 2023

The developed world has focused on Web preservation compared to the developing world, especially news preservation for future generations. However, the news published online is volatile because of constant changes in the technologies used to disseminate information and the formats used for publication. News preservation became more complicated and challenging when the archive began to contain articles from low-resourced and morphologically complex languages like Urdu and Arabic, along with English news articles. The digital news story preservation framework is enriched with eighteen sources for Urdu, Arabic, and English news sources. This study presents challenges in low-resource languages (LRLs), research challenges, and details of how the framework is enhanced. In this paper, we introduce a multilingual news archive and discuss the digital news story extractor, which addresses major issues in implementing low-resource languages and facilitates normalized format migration. The extraction results are presented in detail for high-resource languages, i.e., English, and low-resource languages, i.e., Urdu and Arabic. LRLs encountered a high error rate during preservation compared to high-resource languages (HRLs), corresponding to 10% and 03%, respectively. The extraction results show that few news sources are not regularly updated and release few new news stories online. LRLs require more detailed study for accurate news content extraction and archiving for future access. LRLs and HRLs enrich the digital news story preservation (DNSP) framework. The Digital News Stories Archive (DNSA) preserves a huge number of news articles from multiple news sources in LRLs and HRLs. This paper presents research challenges encountered during the preservation of Urdu and Arabic-language news articles to create a multilingual news archive. The second part of the paper compares two bilingual linking mechanisms for Urdu-to-English-language news articles in the DNSA: the common ratio measure for dual language (CRMDL) and the similarity measure based on transliteration words (SMTW) with the cosine similarity measure (CSM) baseline technique. The experimental results show that the SMTW is more effective than the CRMDL and CSM for linking Urdu-to-English news articles. The precision improved from 46% and 50% to 60%, and the recall improved from 64% and 67% to 82% for CSM, CRMDL, and SMTW, respectively, with improved impact of common terms as well.
Towards Digital Twins of 3D Reconstructed Apparel Models with an End-to-End Mobile Visualization
Authors: Doungtap Surasachai , Petchhan Jirayu , Phanichraksaphong Varinya , Wang Jenq-Haur
Published: July 2023

Digital twin technologies are still developing and are being increasingly leveraged to facilitate daily life activities. This study presents a novel approach for leveraging the capability of mobile devices for photo collection, cloud processing, and deep learning-based 3D generation, with seamless display in virtual reality (VR) wearables. The purpose of our study is to provide a system that makes use of cloud computing resources to offload the resource-intensive activities of 3D reconstruction and deep-learning-based scene interpretation. We establish an end-to-end pipeline from 2D to 3D reconstruction, which automatically builds accurate 3D models from collected photographs using sophisticated deep-learning techniques. These models are then converted to a VR-compatible format, allowing for immersive and interactive experiences on wearable devices. Our findings attest to the completion of 3D entities regenerated by the CAP–UDF model using ShapeNetCars and Deep Fashion 3D datasets with a discrepancy in L2 Chamfer distance of only 0.089 and 0.129, respectively. Furthermore, the demonstration of the end-to-end process from 2D capture to 3D visualization on VR occurs continuously.
An Overview of the IberSpeech-RTVE 2022 Challenges on Speech Technologies
Authors: Lleida Eduardo , Rodriguez-Fuentes Luis Javier , Tejedor Javier , Ortega Alfonso , Miguel Antonio , Bazán Virginia , Pérez Carmen , de Prada Alberto , Penagarikano Mikel , Varona Amparo , Bordel Germán , Torre-Toledano Doroteo , Álvarez Aitor , Arzelus Haritz
Published: July 2023

Evaluation campaigns provide a common framework with which the progress of speech technologies can be effectively measured. The aim of this paper is to present a detailed overview of the IberSpeech-RTVE 2022 Challenges, which were organized as part of the IberSpeech 2022 conference under the ongoing series of Albayzin evaluation campaigns. In the 2022 edition, four challenges were launched: (1) speech-to-text transcription; (2) speaker diarization and identity assignment; (3) text and speech alignment; and (4) search on speech. Different databases that cover different domains (e.g., broadcast news, conference talks, parliament sessions) were released for those challenges. The submitted systems also cover a wide range of speech processing methods, which include hidden Markov model-based approaches, end-to-end neural network-based methods, hybrid approaches, etc. This paper describes the databases, the tasks and the performance metrics used in the four challenges. It also provides the most relevant features of the submitted systems and briefly presents and discusses the obtained results. Despite employing state-of-the-art technology, the relatively poor performance attained in some of the challenges reveals that there is still room for improvement. This encourages us to carry on with the Albayzin evaluation campaigns in the coming years.
Design and Experimental Validation of a Scaled Test Bench for the Emulation of a Hybrid Fuel Cell Powertrain for Agricultural Tractors
Authors: Martini Valerio , Mocera Francesco , Somà Aurelio
Published: July 2023

Hybrid fuel cell powertrains are a promising strategy to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles and non-road mobile machinery. To preserve the state-of-health of fuel cells, an energy storage system with sufficient power capacity, such as ultra-capacitors or batteries, should be introduced in the system to help the fuel cell during sudden and abrupt changes in power demands. However, the presence of two or more energy sources necessitates the development of an energy management strategy. The energy management strategy should properly split the power request between the different energy sources. In this paper, the design and the experimental validation of a scaled test bench for the emulation of a fuel cell/battery powertrain for a vehicular application is presented. The fuel cell is emulated through an analogically controlled DC power source that reproduces its real voltage–current curve. To split the power between the emulated fuel cell and the batteries, controlled DC-DC is used and a simple energy management strategy based on a proportional-integral controller is developed. The external load is reproduced using a load unit composed of a programmable electronic load and a power supply. Experimental tests are performed to evaluate the system behaviour and to characterize its main components. The experimental results show that the system successfully emulates the powertrain in accordance with the proposed energy management strategy.
Development of a Temperature Management System for Battery Packs Using Phase Change Materials and Additive Manufacturing Options
Authors: Thaler Stephan M. , Zwatz Josef , Zettel Dominic , Hauser Robert , Lackner Roman
Published: July 2023

The broad acceptance of electromobility depends heavily on the performance and service life of the battery technology used. Lithium-ion battery technology is currently the most promising energy storage technology for mobile applications, but the performance and capacity of the cells are extremely temperature sensitive. Especially in these new complex and powerful applications, there is a significant need for thermal management. Depending on the ambient conditions, part of the effective battery energy must, therefore, be used to temper the system. So far, mainly active components have been used for this task. This not only reduces the overall efficiency but also increases the weight, volume, and maintenance requirements of the system. In the present work, an alternative battery temperature management system was developed. A concept based on latent heat storage materials was created, which uses the advantages of thermal energy storage and the design freedom of additive manufacturing technology, and its suitability for use in battery applications was checked. On the one hand, the use of systems for storing thermal energy was researched and, on the other hand, an innovative cooling concept was created considering new production possibilities.
Climate Change Impact on Sustainable Agricultural Growth: Insights from Rural Areas
Authors: Khan Nawab , Ma Jiliang , Zhang Huijie , Zhang Shemei
Published: July 2023

Agricultural production and advancement is significantly affected by climate change (CC), especially in drought-prone regions where farmers depend primarily on rainfall for their livelihoods. One of the main threats to the agricultural sector for decades has been global warming, and the sector is particularly susceptible to climatic circumstances. CC has become a crucial concern impeding sustainable development due to rapid changes in urbanization, industry, and agricultural systems. Food security, which is a worldwide concern, is another essential component connected to a country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. In view of these adverse consequences, the main objective of this study was to examine the impact of CC and food security on sustainable agricultural development in Pakistan. The study area was selected from twenty-four districts in two provinces of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). Collectively, the current research offers possible solutions to the dilemmas described above, which could have a significant impact on improving efficiency and technological progress. To address these issues, we introduced a slack-based approach to quantify inefficiencies in overall agricultural production. In addition, this study further scrutinized the decomposition of specific variables. The results show that Pakistan has an agricultural inefficiency of 0.62 under CC and food security constraints, of which 0.29 is primarily attributable to food security limitations. In the end, this study will help policymakers to make appropriate decisions to minimize the impact of CC on sustainable agriculture growth and improve human living standards and food security.
An Exploration and Exploitation-Based Metaheuristic Approach for University Course Timetabling Problems
Authors: Badoni Rakesh P. , Sahoo Jayakrushna , Srivastava Shwetabh , Mann Mukesh , Gupta D. K. , Verma Swati , Stanimirović Predrag S. , Kazakovtsev Lev A. , Karabašević Darjan
Published: July 2023

The university course timetable problem (UCTP) is known to be NP-hard, with solution complexity growing exponentially with the problem size. This paper introduces an algorithm that effectively tackles UCTPs by employing a combination of exploration and exploitation strategies. The algorithm comprises two main components. Firstly, it utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) to explore the search space and discover a solution within the global optimum region. Secondly, it enhances the solution by exploiting the region using an iterated local search (ILS) algorithm. The algorithm is tested on two common variants of UCTP: the post-enrollment-based course timetable problem (PE-CTP) and the curriculum-based course timetable problem (CB-CTP). The computational results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm yields competitive outcomes when compared empirically against other existing algorithms. Furthermore, a t-test comparison with state-of-the-art algorithms is conducted. The experimental findings also highlight that the hybrid approach effectively overcomes the limitation of local optima, which is encountered when solely employing GA in conjunction with local search.
Ethylene, ACC, and the Plant Growth-Promoting Enzyme ACC Deaminase
Authors: Gamalero Elisa , Lingua Guido , Glick Bernard R.
Published: July 2023

Here, a brief summary of the biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) and ethylene in plants, as well as overviews of how ACC and ethylene act as signaling molecules in plants, is presented. Next, how the bacterial enzyme ACC deaminase cleaves plant-produced ACC and thereby decreases or prevents the ethylene or ACC modulation of plant gene expression is considered. A detailed model of ACC deaminase functioning, including the role of indoleacetic acid (IAA), is presented. Given that ACC is a signaling molecule under some circumstances, this suggests that ACC, which appears to have evolved prior to ethylene, may have been a major signaling molecule in primitive plants prior to the evolution of ethylene and ethylene signaling. Due to their involvement in stimulating ethylene production, the role of D-amino acids in plants is then considered. The enzyme D-cysteine desulfhydrase, which is structurally very similar to ACC deaminase, is briefly discussed and the possibility that ACC deaminase arose as a variant of D-cysteine desulfhydrase is suggested.
Transcriptome Highlights Cannabinol Modulation of Mitophagy in a Parkinson’s Disease In Vitro Model
Authors: Gugliandolo Agnese , Blando Santino , Salamone Stefano , Pollastro Federica , Mazzon Emanuela , D’Angiolini Simone
Published: July 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates, known as Lewy bodies. It is known that mitochondria dysfunctions, including impaired localization, transport and mitophagy, represent features of PD. Cannabinoids are arising as new therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of cannabinol (CBN) pre-treatment in an in vitro PD model, namely retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). With this aim, we performed a transcriptomic analysis through next-generation sequencing. We found that CBN counteracted the loss of cell viability caused by MPP+ treatment. Then, we focused on biological processes relative to mitochondria functions and found that CBN pre-treatment was able to attenuate the MPP+-induced changes in the expression of genes involved in mitochondria transport, localization and protein targeting. Notably, MPP+ treatment increased the expression of the genes involved in PINK1/Parkin mitophagy, while CBN pre-treatment reduced their expression. The results suggested that CBN can exert a protection against MPP+ induced mitochondria impairment.