bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monocytes and T cells incorporated in full skin equivalents to study innate or adaptive immune reactions after burn injury
Authors: Mulder Patrick P.G. , Vlig Marcel , Elgersma Anouk , Rozemeijer Lotte , Mastenbroek Leonore S. , Middelkoop Esther , Joosten Irma , Koenen Hans J.P.M. , Boekema Bouke K.H.L.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Thermal injury often leads to prolonged and excessive inflammation, which hinders the recovery of patients. There is a notable absence of suitable animal-free models for investigating the inflammatory processes following burn injuries, thereby impeding the development of more effective therapies to improve burn wound healing in patients.

Methods

In this study, we established a human full skin equivalent (FSE) burn wound model and incorporated human peripheral blood-derived monocytes and T cells.

Results

Upon infiltration into the FSEs, the monocytes differentiated into macrophages within a span of 7 days. Burn-injured FSEs exhibited macrophages with increased expression of HLA-DR+ and elevated production of IL-8 (CXCL8), in comparison to uninjured FSEs. Among the T cells that actively migrated into the FSEs, the majority were CD4+ and CD25+. These T cells demonstrated augmented expression of markers associated with regulatory T cell, Th1, or Th17 activity, which coincided with significant heightened cytokine production, including IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IP-10 (CXCL10), and TGF-β1. Burn injury did not impact the studied effector T cell subsets or cytokine levels.

Discussion

Collectively, this study represents a significant advancement in the development of an immunocompetent human skin model, specifically tailored for investigating burn-induced innate or adaptive immune reactions at the site of burn injury.
Environmental protection clothing design and materials based on green design concept
Authors: Yang Cuiyu , Zhang Xianglei
Published: October 2023

This paper explores the integration of eco-friendly materials in clothing design to maintain high-quality and aesthetically pleasing interior clothing design. Texture, as a fundamental element in images, reveals surface characteristics and aids in visual interpretation. The paper introduces an enhanced DCNN-based algorithm for extracting texture features from clothing materials. The algorithm addresses the limitation of moment invariants by combining them with boundary direction characteristics, enhancing its ability to capture shape and spatial distribution information across the entire image. Experimental results validate the algorithm’s effectiveness in image analysis and the extraction of apparel material texture features. Applying environmental design principles to the apparel design domain, this study offers a novel perspective on sustainable clothing design. Overall, the paper emphasizes the importance of using eco-friendly materials in clothing design for a better future.
Optimization of a two-step CH4/air reaction mechanism in a CO2-enriched environment for high-fidelity combustion simulations
Authors: Castellani S. , Nassini P. C. , Andreini A.
Published: October 2023

In the gas turbine framework, the adoption of carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems coupled with strategies to improve the exhaust CO2 content is a promising technology to abate the carbon footprint of such machines. However, any departure of the oxidant from the air can compromise the accuracy of the conventional models to represent the combustion process. In this work, the effect of the CO2 enrichment of the mixture on an atmospheric premixed swirled flame is investigated by means of large eddy simulation (LES), comparing the numerical predictions with the experimental results. The high-fidelity numerical model features a dedicated global reaction mechanism derived through an in-house optimization procedure presented in this study. The chemical scheme is obtained by optimizing a widely used CH4–air two-step mechanism to improve key flame parameters such as the laminar flame speed and thickness and the resistance of the flame to the stretch with moderate CO2 dilution. The numerical results are analyzed in terms of flame shape, heat losses, and pressure fluctuations, showing a promising agreement with the experimental measurements and demonstrating the capabilities of the numerical model for CO2-diluted combustion.
Microbiota as key factors in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: White Zachary , Cabrera Ivan , Kapustka Isabel , Sano Teruyuki
Published: October 2023

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by prolonged inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is thought to occur due to dysregulation of the immune system allowing the host’s cells to attack the GI tract and cause chronic inflammation. IBD can be caused by numerous factors such as genetics, gut microbiota, and environmental influences. In recent years, emphasis on commensal bacteria as a critical player in IBD has been at the forefront of new research. Each individual harbors a unique bacterial community that is influenced by diet, environment, and sanitary conditions. Importantly, it has been shown that there is a complex relationship among the microbiome, activation of the immune system, and autoimmune disorders. Studies have shown that not only does the microbiome possess pathogenic roles in the progression of IBD, but it can also play a protective role in mediating tissue damage. Therefore, to improve current IBD treatments, understanding not only the role of harmful bacteria but also the beneficial bacteria could lead to attractive new drug targets. Due to the considerable diversity of the microbiome, it has been challenging to characterize how particular microorganisms interact with the host and other microbiota. Fortunately, with the emergence of next-generation sequencing and the increased prevalence of germ-free animal models there has been significant advancement in microbiome studies. By utilizing human IBD studies and IBD mouse models focused on intraepithelial lymphocytes and innate lymphoid cells, this review will explore the multifaceted roles the microbiota plays in influencing the immune system in IBD.
Transradial intra-aortic catheter looping in the angioplasty of severe intracranial symptomatic arteriosclerotic diseases
Authors: Xu Gang-Qin , Xia Jin-Chao , Cai Dong-Yang , Yang Bo-Wen , Zhao Tong-Yuan , Xue Jiang-Yu , Wang Zi-Liang , Li Tian-Xiao , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect and feasibility of intra-aortic catheter looping via transradial access in angioplasty for symptomatic intracranial severe (>70%) atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion of large arteries (SISOLAs).

Materials and methods

Patients with SISOLAs who underwent transradial endovascular angioplasty using the catheter looping technique in the ascending aorta were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical data and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Fifteen patients aged 48–71 years were enrolled in this study. Left vertebrobasilar artery occlusion was present in 1 (6.7%) patient, severe left middle cerebral artery stenosis in 7 (46.7%) patients, severe left internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis of the ophthalmic segment in 4 (26.7%) patients, severe left ICA stenosis of the cavernous segment in 2 (13.3%) patients, and severe right middle cerebral artery stenosis in 2 (13.3%) patients. The arterial stenosis ranged from 70 to 92% (mean 86%) before stenting. The looping of a guiding catheter in the ascending aorta via transradial access for angioplasty was successful in all patients (100%). The vertebral artery intracranial segment occlusion was successfully recanalized, while severe stenosis in the remaining 14 patients was successfully eliminated. After endovascular recanalization, the residual stenosis was reduced by 12–26% (median 18%). No puncture-related complications or surgical-related neurological complications occurred in these patients. In the follow-up angiography conducted on 10 (66.7%) patients after 6–25 months, no in-stent restenosis was detected.

Conclusion

Intra-aortic guiding catheter looping via transradial access for endovascular angioplasty of SISOLAs is technically safe, feasible, and effective, especially when the transfemoral artery approach is difficult or impossible to undertake.
The power of multivariate approach in identifying EEG correlates of interlimb coupling
Authors: Hascher Sophie , Shuster Anastasia , Mukamel Roy , Ossmy Ori
Published: October 2023

Interlimb coupling refers to the interaction between movements of one limb and movements of other limbs. Understanding mechanisms underlying this effect is important to real life because it reflects the level of interdependence between the limbs that plays a role in daily activities including tool use, cooking, or playing musical instruments. Interlimb coupling involves multiple brain regions working together, including coordination of neural activity in sensory and motor regions across the two hemispheres. Traditional neuroscience research took a univariate approach to identify neural features that correspond to behavioural coupling measures. Yet, this approach reduces the complexity of the neural activity during interlimb tasks to one value. In this brief research report, we argue that identifying neural correlates of interlimb coupling would benefit from a multivariate approach in which full patterns from multiple sources are used to predict behavioural coupling. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach in an exploratory EEG study where participants (n= 10) completed 240 trials of a well-established drawing paradigm that involves interlimb coupling. Using artificial neural network (ANN), we show that multivariate representation of the EEG signal significantly captures the interlimb coupling during bimanual drawing whereas univariate analyses failed to identify such correlates. Our findings demonstrate that analysing distributed patterns of multiple EEG channels is more sensitive than single-value techniques in uncovering subtle differences between multiple neural signals. Using such techniques can improve identification of neural correlates of complex motor behaviours.
Perception of the McGurk effect in people with one eye depends on whether the eye is removed during infancy or adulthood
Authors: Moro Stefania S. , Qureshi Faizaan A. , Steeves Jennifer K. E.
Published: October 2023

Background

The visual system is not fully mature at birth and continues to develop throughout infancy until it reaches adult levels through late childhood and adolescence. Disruption of vision during this postnatal period and prior to visual maturation results in deficits of visual processing and in turn may affect the development of complementary senses. Studying people who have had one eye surgically removed during early postnatal development is a useful model for understanding timelines of sensory development and the role of binocularity in visual system maturation. Adaptive auditory and audiovisual plasticity following the loss of one eye early in life has been observed for both low-and high-level visual stimuli. Notably, people who have had one eye removed early in life perceive the McGurk effect much less than binocular controls.

Methods

The current study investigates whether multisensory compensatory mechanisms are also present in people who had one eye removed late in life, after postnatal visual system maturation, by measuring whether they perceive the McGurk effect compared to binocular controls and people who have had one eye removed early in life.

Results

People who had one eye removed late in life perceived the McGurk effect similar to binocular viewing controls, unlike those who had one eye removed early in life.

Conclusion

This suggests differences in multisensory compensatory mechanisms based on age at surgical eye removal. These results indicate that cross-modal adaptations for the loss of binocularity may be dependent on plasticity levels during cortical development.
Antidepressant-like effects of the Punica granatum and citalopram combination are associated with structural changes in dendritic spines of granule cells in the dentate gyrus of rats
Authors: Vega-Rivera Nelly-Maritza , González-Trujano María Eva , Luna-Angula Alexandra , Sánchez-Chapul Laura , Estrada-Camarena Erika
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Natural products such as phytoestrogens-enriched foods or supplements have been considered as an alternative therapy to reduce depressive symptoms associated with menopause. It is known that the aqueous extract of Punica granatum (AE-PG) exerts antidepressant-like effects by activating β-estrogen receptors and facilitates the antidepressant response of the clinical drug citalopram (CIT). However, the effects on neuroplasticity are unknown. Objectvie investigated the antidepressant-like response of combining AE-PG and CIT at sub-optimal doses, analyzing their effects on the formation and maturation of dendrite spines in granule cells as well as on the dendrite complexity.

Methods: Ovariectomized Wistar rats (3-month-old) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: A) control (saline solution as vehicle of CIT and AE-PG, B) AE-PG at a sub-threshold dose (vehicle of CIT plus AE-PG at 0.125 mg/kg), C) CIT at a sub-threshold dose (0.77 mg/kg plus vehicle of AE-PG), and D) a combination of CIT plus AE-PG (0.125 mg/kg and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively). All rats were treated intraperitoneally for 14 days. Antidepressant-like effects were evaluated using the force swimming test test (FST). The complexity of dendrites and the number and morphology of dendrite spines of neurons were assessed in the dentate gyrus after Golgi-Cox impregnation. The expressions of the mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) in plasma and of mBDNF and synaptophysin in the hippocampus, as markers of synaptogenesis, were also determined.

Results: Administration of CIT combined with AE-PG, but not alone, induced a significant antidepressant-like effect in the FST with an increase in the dendritic complexity and the number of dendritic spines in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, revealed by the thin and stubby categories of neurons at the granular cell layer. At the same time, an increase of mBDNF and synaptophysin expression was observed in the hippocampus of rats that received the combination of AE-PG and CIT.
Inclisiran: a new generation of lipid-lowering siRNA therapeutic
Authors: Zhang Yanzhen , Chen Huaigang , Hong Lang , Wang Hong , Li Bin , Zhang Mengyin , Li Jiamei , Yang Liu , Liu Fan
Published: October 2023

Atherosclerotic heart disease (AHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is a key strategy to prevent and treat AHD. Inclisiran is a novel siRNA drug that targets proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene expression and reduces LDL-C levels with only two or three injections per year. This review summarizes the mechanism, efficacy, safety, and applications of Inclisiran in various populations and settings, based on recent literature. It also compares Inclisiran with other lipid-lowering drugs, especially other PCSK9 inhibitors. We conclude that Inclisiran is a promising lipid-lowering agent that can provide convenience and effectiveness for patients with high cardiovascular risk. However, some challenges and limitations remain for Inclisiran, such as its long-term safety and efficacy, its cost-effectiveness and accessibility, and its interactions and synergies with other drugs. These issues need further investigation and evaluation in future studies.
Evaluating the influence of straw mulching and intercropping on nitrogen uptake, crop growth, and yield performance in maize and soybean
Authors: Liu Siping , Wang Lixue , Chang Liang , Khan Ismail , Nadeem Faisal , Rehman Abdul , Suo Ran
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Intercropping and straw mulching are sustainable agricultural practices that can positively affect crop growth and development, especially together.

Methods

A split-plot experimental design was used to investigate the effects of intercropping and straw mulching on crop growth, crop yield, nitrogen uptake, and photosynthetic characteristics. The main plot focused on three planting patterns: soybean monoculture (S), maize monoculture (M), and maize/soybean intercropping (I). The subplot structure consisted of four levels of straw mulching (0, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6 t ha-1).

Results

Interaction and variance analyses showed that straw mulching, intercropping, and their interaction had significant effects on plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, nitrogen uptake, photosynthetic characteristics, and crop yield. Based on two-year averages for maize and soybean, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was up to 51.6% higher, stomatal conductance (Sc) was up to 44.0% higher, transpiration rate (Tr) was up to 46.6% higher, and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci) was up to 25.7% lower relative to no mulching. The maximum increases of Pn, Sc, and Tr of intercropped maize were 15.48%, 17.28%, and 23.94%, respectively, and the maximum Ci was 17.75% lower than that of monoculture maize. The maximum increase of Pn, Sc, and Tr of monoculture soybean was 24.58%, 16.90%, and 17.91%, respectively, and the maximum Ci was 13.85% lower than that of intercropped soybean. The nitrogen uptake of maize and soybean in the mulching treatment was 24.3% higher than that in the non-mulching treatment; the nitrogen uptake of intercropped maize was 34.2% higher than that of monoculture maize, and the nitrogen uptake of monoculture soybean was 15.0% higher than that of intercropped soybean. The yield of maize and soybean in the mulching treatment was 66.6% higher than that in the non-mulching treatment, the maize yield under intercropping was 15.4% higher than that under monoculture, and the yield of monoculture soybean was 9.03% higher than that of intercropped soybean.

Discussion

The growth index and photosynthesis of crops are important parts of yield formation. The results of this study confirmed that straw mulching, intercropping, and their interaction can ultimately increase crop yield by improving crop growth, nitrogen uptake, and photosynthesis. This result can be used as the theoretical basis for the combined application of these measures in agriculture.
Do I want to work from home today? Specific job crafting strategies of public service employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a qualitative study
Authors: Seinsche Laura , Schubin Kristina , Neumann Jana , Pfaff Holger
Published: October 2023

Background

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees in Europe increasingly worked from home. In the German public sector, many employees experienced working from home for the first time. Concurrently, employees could use job crafting activities to alter job demands and resources while working from home. This exploratory case study aims to shed light on how public service employees craft their job demands and job resources, and how they perceive job satisfaction and productivity while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. A novel theoretical approach is applied to explore crafting activities that target specific job demands and resources when working from home, using a combined framework of resource-based job crafting based on the Job Demands–Resources model and time-spatial job crafting.

Methods

Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with employees from different public sectors in Germany between December 2021 and February 2022. According to the COREQ guidelines, the 12 semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and content-analyzed using MAXQDA.

Results

The results suggest that employees, who were new to working from home, developed personal crafting strategies for their flexible work environment. These strategies supported them in coping with hindering job demands (e.g., measures regarding work-related availability or interruptions) by optimizing their working conditions. Additionally, employees used strategies to increase their social resources (e.g., initiating meetings with colleagues) and structural resources (e.g., installing additional work equipment, planning of office days and working-from-home days). The use of given job resources and optimization of job demands are closely linked to the time-spatial demands fit. Thereby, the time-spatial demands fit is used to combine workplaces, work hours, or work tasks with the provided resources and demands to achieve an optimal work environment, which also facilitates employees' productivity and satisfaction.

Conclusion

The results enrich the resource-based and time-spatial demand job crafting research by adding specific job crafting strategies utilized by public service employees. Furthermore, the results highlight job crafting strategies for enhancing job satisfaction and productivity when working from home in the post-pandemic world, thus offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners.
Do Chinese viewers watch e-sports games for a different reason? Motivations, attitude, and team identification in predicting e-sports online spectatorship
Authors: Shi Minlong , Ren Ruqin
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Understanding factors that predict the intention of e-sports game online spectatorship has drawn a great deal of scholarly attention. Prior work on this topic has primarily focused on explaining the mediation mechanism between the spectator motivations and behavioral intention, such as attitude and subjective well-being, while overlooking the specific role of team identification and satisfaction with past experience, which were understudied in the previous studies but also prominent in the context of e-sports spectatorship. Besides, previous research was mainly conducted in a Western context; therefore, little was known about the online e-sports audience in China and their motivations to view e-sports games on live-streaming platforms.

Methods

The current study thus aims to examine if and how these factors are related to the intention of watching e-sports games online by hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling.

Results

Results from a survey of 452 Chinese e-sports online audiences suggested that three motivations (skill improvement, entertainment, and friends bonding), attitude towards e-sports game online spectatorship, and satisfaction with past experience were positively related to watching intention. These motivations and satisfaction also positively influenced attitude, while socialization opportunity (one of the motivations) negatively influenced attitude. Furthermore, team identification negatively moderated the relationship between satisfaction with past experience and behavioral intention. Also, attitude mediated the association between motivations, satisfaction, and behavioral intention.

Discussion

In general, our study identifies the motivations that relate to Chinese e-sports viewers’ attitude as well as their watching intention, and underscores the role of satisfaction with past experience, attitude, and team identification in the context of e-sports. These findings contribute to deriving a holistic view of e-sports game online spectatorship.
Temporal trends of food insecurity in Chad, 2016–2021
Authors: Kang Yunhee , Wabyona Edgar , Etienne Kississou , Allarabaye Madjioudal , Bakoi Abel , Doocy Shannon
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Considering persistently high levels of poverty and food insecurity in Chad, this study examines food insecurity trends from 2016 to 2021 and identifies risk factors for food insecurity in 2020 and 2021.

Methods

Data from six cross-sectional Enquête Nationale sur la Securité Alimentaire (ENSA) surveys from 2016 to 2021 collected in rural areas were used. The linear regressions for food consumption score (FCS), reduced coping strategy index (rCSI), and livelihood coping strategy index (LCSI) and logistic regressions for “poor food consumption” were used to estimate the annual rate of change. Risk factor analysis was conducted with demographic, socio-economic, and pandemic-related economic indicators in univariate models, and subsequent multivariate models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios.

Results

At a national level, there was a gradual decrease in FCS (1.16 points per year), an increase in LCSI (0.11 points), and an increase in the proportion of households with poor food consumption from 18.5% to 25.3% (1.55 percentage point) during 2016–2021; a similar trend for FCS and LCSI for worsened food insecurity was observed in the Sudanian zone. There was no significant change in rCSI during that time at the national level, but there was a reduction in the Saharan zone and an increasing trend in the Sahélian zone. Risk factors for poor food consumption in 2020–2021 included lower wealth status, a single income source, an illiterate household head, and Sahelian zone residence. The only characteristic significantly associated with increased coping mechanism use in both years was having a disabled household head.

Discussion

The results provide evidence of worsening food security in Chad in the past 6 years, both nationally and including the agricultural Sudanian zone. Food insecurity was consistently the highest in the Sahelian zone. While some risk factors for poor food consumption and diet-related coping mechanism use were consistent between 2020 and 2021, there were differences among other risk factors, likely a reflection of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A strategic shift in humanitarian and development programming is required to mitigate the rise in food insecurity at the national and regional levels, with a particular emphasis on the Sahelian zone.
48 h Normothermic Machine Perfusion With Urine Recirculation for Discarded Human Kidney Grafts
Authors: Messner Franka , Soleiman Afschin , Öfner Dietmar , Neuwirt Hannes , Schneeberger Stefan , Weissenbacher Annemarie
Published: October 2023

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has reshaped organ preservation in recent years. In this preclinical study, prolonged normothermic perfusions of discarded human kidney grafts were performed in order to investigate perfusion dynamics and identify potential quality and assessment indicators. Five human discarded kidney grafts were perfused normothermically (37°C) for 48 h using the Kidney Assist device with a red-blood-cell based perfusate with urine recirculation. Perfusion dynamics, perfusate and urine composition as well as injury markers were measured and analyzed. Donor age ranged from 41 to 68 years. All but one kidney were from brain dead donors. Perfusions were performed successfully for 48 h with all discarded kidneys. Median arterial flow ranged from 405 to 841 mL/min. All kidneys excreted urine until the end of perfusion (median 0.43 mL/min at the end of perfusion). While sodium levels were consistently lower in urine compared to perfusate samples, this was only seen for chloride and potassium in kidney KTX 2. Lactate, AST, LDH as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines increased over time, especially in kidneys KTX 3 and 4. Ex vivo normothermic perfusion is able to identify patterns of perfusion, biological function, and changes in inflammatory markers in heterogenous discarded kidney grafts.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Two-Stage Helical Pairs in Helical Hydraulic Rotary Actuator Using Ensemble of Metamodels and NSGA-II
Authors: Liu Song , Li Baoren , Gan Runlin , Xu Yue , Yang Gang
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to optimize the two-stage helical pairs (TSHPs) in a helical hydraulic rotary actuator (HHRA) in terms of volume, transmission efficiency, and maximum contact stress. Volume and transmission efficiency can be determined through analytical mathematical models. However, calculating the contact stress of helical pairs necessitates complex and time-consuming finite element simulation. To address this issue, a method for predicting the maximum contact stress using an ensemble of metamodels (EMs) is proposed, with an automated finite element simulation process developed for data provision. The superiority of the EMs is validated through comparative analysis with three stand-alone metamodels. The optimization is carried out using the NSGA-II algorithm, including four combinations of the three objectives, and global sensitivity is analyzed over the objectives. The results indicate a trade-off relationship between maximum contact stress and volume in the optimal space. Moreover, considering multiple combinations enhances the robustness of the optimization results. The method is effectively applied to the design of the TSHPs and provides a new idea for the related actuator design.
Modal Behavior of Microcantilevers Arrays with Tunable Electrostatic Coupling
Authors: Dick Nir , Krylov Slava
Published: October 2023

We analyse the spectral content and parametric resonant dynamics of an array of elastically and electrostatically coupled interdigitated micro cantilevers assembled into two identical half-arrays. In this uncommon arrangement, within each of the half-arrays, the beams are coupled only elastically. The half-arrays are intercoupled only electrostatically, through fringing fields. First, by using the reduced order (RO) model, we analyse the voltage-dependent evolution of the eigenvalues and the eigenvectors of the equivalent mass-spring system, starting from the small two, three and four beams arrays and up to large beams assemblies. We show that at the coupling voltages below a certain critical value, the shape of the eigenvectors, the frequencies of the veering and of the crossing are influenced by the electrostatic coupling and can be tuned by the voltage. Next, by implementing the assumed modes techniques we explore the parametric resonant behavior of the array. We show that in the case of the sub critical electrostatic coupling the actuating voltages required to excite parametric resonance in the damped system can be lower than in a strongly coupled array. The results of the work may inspire new designs of more efficient resonant sensors.
Satisfaction with the Work Done in University Employees: A Study from a Developing Country
Authors: Tavárez de Henríquez Joselina Caridad , Domínguez Valerio Cándida María
Published: October 2023

Job satisfaction is the positive emotional state derived from job appraisal and work experiences and is influenced by factors such as leadership, work engagement, the work done, relationships with co-workers, and salary. On a university level, employee satisfaction and engagement can affect both the performance and success of the institution as well as students’ learning. That is why understanding these factors is essential. In this context, this paper sets out to identify the factors of job satisfaction that influence the work engagement of university employees. The study focuses on the Dominican Republic, a developing country with different socio-economic environments. A sample of 468 questionnaires was obtained from university employees. The data collected were analysed using SPSS and Smart-PLS. The results showed that employee job satisfaction was the most significant factor influencing employee engagement. This suggests that when employees are satisfied with their jobs, they are more likely to be engaged with their organisation and show a higher level of dedication and effort in their jobs. However, it was not possible to corroborate the influence of satisfaction with leadership, satisfaction with salary, satisfaction with promotions, and satisfaction with co-workers on the university employee’s engagement. The results present implications and future research prospects. Among the main limitations of the study, it is worth noting that the sample was limited to employees of a single university, and other factors were not considered in the proposed model that could influence job satisfaction and commitment in university employees.
Synthetic Carvacrol Derivatives for the Management of Solenopsis Ants: Toxicity, Sublethal Effects, and Horizontal Transfer
Authors: Dantas Jaciele O. , Cavalcanti Sócrates C. H. , Araújo Ana Paula A. , Blank Arie F. , Silva Jefferson E. , Picanço Marcelo C. , Lima Eraldo , Andrade Valfran S. , Brito Thaysnara B. , Bacci Leandro
Published: October 2023

Ants belonging to the genus Solenopsis are highly significant invasive pests worldwide. The control of these insects has historically relied on the use of synthetic insecticides, which, unfortunately, has led to a range of ecological repercussions. In light of these challenges and the limited availability of registered products for managing these pests, our study set out to synthesize and assess the insecticidal properties of carvacrol derivatives. The lethal and sublethal effects caused by these derivatives were compared to the essential oil of Lippia gracilis (50.7% carvacrol) and to the base molecule—carvacrol. Carvacryl benzoate was the most toxic derivative to Solenopsis sp., with an LD50 of 3.20 μg/ mg. This compound was about 2 and 7.6 times more toxic than carvacrol at the doses needed to kill 50 and 90% of populations, respectively. The workers of Solenopsis sp. showed a rapid reduction in survival when exposed to carvacrol (LT50 = 8.43 h) and carvacryl benzoate (LT50 = 8.87 h). Insects treated with sublethal doses of the compounds did not show significant effects on self-cleaning, allogrooming and aggregation, with the exception of those treated with L. gracilis essential oil. The oil increased self-cleaning and reduced allogrooming and aggregation. Ants treated with carvacrol and carvacryl benzoate travelled greater distances and had higher movement speeds when compared to the control. These compounds exhibited decreased meanders and angular velocities. When live workers were exposed to dead individuals at the LD90 of the compounds, carvacryl benzoate was the derivative that most reduced survival due to horizontal transfer. These findings underscore the considerable potential of carvacrol derivatives, specifically carvacryl benzoate, as an alternative approach to managing ants of the Solenopsis genus.
Tracking Food Supply Chain Postharvest Losses on a Global Scale: The Development of the Postharvest Loss Information System
Authors: Péra Thiago Guilherme , Rocha Fernando Vinícius da , Caixeta Filho José Vicente
Published: October 2023

Reducing food losses presents an opportunity to enhance food security, minimize waste, and improve profitability within the production sector. Creating awareness among various stakeholders in the value chain about the significance of reducing postharvest losses is a fundamental step in this discussion. This article addresses the Postharvest Loss Information System (SIPPOC) development and applicability. SIPPOC encompasses tools designed to facilitate understanding food loss occurrences across different supply chain segments. The article provides insights into the tools incorporated within the information system and describes its historical background and protocol for database updates. In essence, SIPPOC enables the analysis of food loss throughout diverse logistical stages, thereby aiding in identifying critical points and implementing targeted actions for loss reduction. Drawing on SIPPOC data, the article further examines losses within the logistics chain by comparing potato, tomato, and mango agricultural productions.
Electrophysiological Responses of Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to Chestnut Plant Volatiles
Authors: Anastasaki Eirini , Psoma Aikaterini , Toufexi Savvina , Partsinevelos Georgios , Papachristos Dimitrios , Avtzis Dimitrios , Milonas Panagiotis
Published: October 2023

Curculio elephas is an oligophagous insect, attacking fruits of chestnut (Castanea spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.). It is considered one of the most important pests of European chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Europe and it occurs in a continuous range throughout Greece. The aim of this study was to identify the potential volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from chestnut reproductive plant tissues (catkin, nut, and bur) acting as attractants for C. elephas adults to be used for the development of a monitoring system integrating pest management tools. VOCs were sampled in situ during spring and autumn of 2021 and 2022 in different areas of Greece. For the collection and identification of VOCs, the dynamic-headspace technique combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), was employed. In total, 122 compounds from these tissues were detected, with most of them being terpenes (>80%). Further analysis showed that chestnut trees release different VOCs depending on their developmental stage. Antennae of both male and female chestnut weevil adults responded to terpenes, green leaf volatiles, and methyl salicylate. Identification of semiochemicals for manipulating weevils’ behavior will contribute to the development of efficient monitoring tools for the detection and management of this pest.
Effect of Different ET-Based Irrigation Scheduling on Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip Irrigated Maize
Authors: Simić Dejan , Pejić Borivoj , Bekavac Goran , Mačkić Ksenija , Vojnov Bojan , Bajić Ivana , Sikora Vladimir
Published: October 2023

The development of irrigation schedules based on water balance implies a study of daily plant water requirements. A properly selected irrigation method is also of most importance. The objective of this study was to find out how surface drip irrigation (SDI) and shallow subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), as well as different ET-based irrigation scheduling for maize (reference evapotranspiration (ETo), pan evaporation (Eo), and local climatic coefficients (lc)), affect grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield response factor (Ky) of maize. The field experiments were conducted in Vojvodina, a northern part of the Republic of Serbia, on the calcareous gleyic chernozem soil, using a complete block design in three replicates in 2019–2021. The water balance method was used for irrigation scheduling. The nonirrigated treatment was used as a control. The yield in irrigation conditions was statistically higher as compared with the nonirrigated control variant. Concerning the tested parameters, especially the maize yield, reference evapotranspiration (ETo) should be recommended as the most acceptable method for assessing maize evapotranspiration. Preference should be given to SSDI compared to SDI because the installation of laterals can be performed together with the sowing, which can ensure the uniform and timely emergence of plants. Based on the Ky coefficient of 0.71, it can be concluded that maize is moderately tolerant to water stress in Vojvodina’s temperate climate. The results can contribute to precise planning and efficient irrigation of maize in the region, implying high and stable yields.
Identification of Major Brown Planthopper Resistance Genes in Indigenous Thai Upland Rice Germplasm Using Molecular Markers
Authors: Kanngan Kittiya , Umalee Phijittra , Tangtrakulwanich Khanobporn , Nilthong Rungrote , Nilthong Somrudee
Published: October 2023

Brown planthopper (BPH) is the most problematic insect in rice cultivation, as it decreases crop yields. In this study, 143 upland rice varieties were genotyped for five essential Bph resistance genes: bph2, Bph3, Bph14, Bph15, and Bph17. The gene frequencies of the five Bph resistance genes varied from 33.57% to 61.54%. The 139 varieties contained one to five Bph resistance genes. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.4460 to 0.4984 with an average of 0.4744. Cluster analysis supported the subpopulations identified by STRUCTURE. An analysis of molecular variance analysis identified 7% variance among and 92% variance within subpopulations, indicating a significant gene exchange between the two subpopulations. The evaluation of BPH resistance using the SEM system by IRRI showed that 2 varieties were resistant to BPH, 29 varieties were moderately resistant, and 112 varieties were susceptible. The Bph3, Bph14, and Bph15 genes and BPH resistance showed significant correlation. These findings provide important information regarding BPH-resistant varieties for future use in rice breeding programs.
Adaptability Evaluation of the Spatiotemporal Fusion Model in the Summer Maize Planting Area of the Southeast Loess Plateau
Authors: He Peng , Yang Fan , Bi Rutian , Xu Lishuai , Wang Jingshu , Zheng Xinqian , Abudukade Silalan , Wang Wenbiao , Cui Zhengnan , Tan Qiao
Published: October 2023

Precise regional crop yield estimates based on the high-spatiotemporal-resolution remote sensing data are essential for directing agronomic practices and policies to increase food security. This study used the enhanced spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (ESTARFM), the flexible spatiotemporal data fusion (FSADF), and the spatial and temporal non-local filter based fusion model (STNLFFM) to calculate the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) of the summer maize planting area in the Southeast Loess Plateau based on the Sentinel-2 and MODIS data. The spatiotemporal resolution was 10 m and 1 d, respectively. Then, we evaluated the adaptability of the ESTARFM, FSADF, and STNLFFM fusion models in the field from the perspectives of spatial and textural characteristics of the data, summer maize NDVI growing curves, and yield estimation accuracy through qualitative visual discrimination and quantitative statistical analysis. The results showed that the fusion of ESTARFM–NDVI, FSDAF–NDVI, and STNLFFM–NDVI could precisely represent the variation tendency and local mutation information of NDVI during the growth period of summer maize, compared with MODIS–NDVI. The correlation between STNLFFM–NDVI and Sentinel-2–NDVI was favorable, with large correlation coefficients and a small root mean square error (RMSE). In the NDVI growing curve simulation of summer maize, STNLFFM introduced overall weights based on non-local mean filtering, which could significantly improve the poor fusion results at seedling and maturity stages caused by the long gap period of the high-resolution data in ESTARFM. Moreover, the accuracy of yield estimation was as follows (from high to low): STNLFFM (R = 0.742, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) = 6.22%), ESTARFM (R = 0.703, MAPE = 6.80%), and FSDAF (R = 0.644, MAPE = 10.52%). The FADSF fusion model was affected by the spatial heterogeneity in the semi-humid areas, and the yield simulation accuracy was low. In the semi-arid areas, the FADSF fusion model had the advantages of less input data and a faster response.
Mapping of the Waxy Gene in Brassica napus L. via Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) and Whole-Genome Resequencing
Authors: Zhang Junying , Zhu Jifeng , Yang Liyong , Li Yanli , Wang Weirong , Zhou Xirong , Jiang Jianxia
Published: October 2023

Plant cuticular wax is the covering of the outer layer of the plant. It forms a protective barrier on the epidermis of plants and plays a vital role like a safeguard from abiotic and biotic stresses. In the present study, Brassica napus L. materials with and without wax powder were observed. Genetic analysis showed that the separation ratio of waxy plants to waxless plants was 15:1 in the F2 population, which indicated that the wax powder formation was controlled by two pairs of genes. In order to identify the candidate genes associated with the wax powder trait of B. napus L., bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was performed. The homozygous waxy plants, the homozygous waxless plants, and plants from three parents were selected for establishing five DNA pools for genome-wide resequencing. The results of the resequencing showed that the site associated with wax powder trait was located in the region of 590,663–1,657,546 bp on chromosome A08. And 48 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found between the DNA sequences of waxy plants and waxless plants in this region. These SNPs were distributed across 16 gene loci. qRT-PCR analysis was conducted for the 16 candidate genes and three genes (BnaA08g01070D, BnaA08g02130D, and BnaA08g00890D) showed significantly differential expression between waxy and waxless parents. BnaA08g01070D and BnaA08g02130D were significantly down-regulated in the waxless parent, while BnaA08g00890D was significantly up-regulated in the waxless parent. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the BnaA08g02130D gene was enriched in lipid biosynthetic or metabolic processes. All the results in our study would provide valuable clues for exploring the genes involved in wax powder development.
Soil Microbial Communities Show Different Patterns under Different Land Use Types in the Coastal Area of Nantong, China
Authors: Li Jinbiao , Hu Anyong , Wang Xiuping , Zhao Chuang , Jin Jiarui , Liu Guangming , Han Yujie , Liu Bo
Published: October 2023

Tidal flats in eastern China have undergone various transformations into other land-use types. Understanding the impact of land-use conversion on soil properties and microbial communities is crucial for effective ecological conservation efforts. In this study, we compared soil chemical properties and the diversity, composition, and ecological functions of soil bacterial and fungal communities across four land-use types: natural bare land (BL), unused reclaimed tidal land (Phragmites, PL), agricultural land (maize, ML), and shelterbelt land (SL), utilizing next-generation sequencing technology. The results indicated that soil electrical conductivity decreased, while soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient contents increased in ML and SL compared to BL and PL. The bacterial Chao1 and fungal Chao1 and Shannon values vary across different land-use types. A higher relative abundance of Acidobacteriota, specifically RB41, was found in ML compared to BL. Principal coordinate and PerMANOVA analysis showed that the composition of bacterial and fungal communities differed significantly across the four land-use types. SOC explained the most variance in both bacterial and fungal communities. Carbon-related functional genes and fungal guilds exhibit greater diversity across the four land-use types compared to nitrogen-related functional genes. In conclusion, the transformation of natural land-use types to managed one greatly altered soil chemical and microbial properties. Our study offers foundational insights into the microbial communities in the typical land-use types of Eastern China’s coastal area. Future studies should emphasize the quantification of human interventions and their impact on soil microbial communities and ecological functions.