bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apathy in Parkinson’s Disease: A Retrospective Study of Its Prevalence and Relationship With Mood, Anxiety, and Cognitive Function
Authors: Foley Jennifer A. , Cipolotti Lisa
Published: November 2021

Apathy is thought to be an important clinical feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, its prevalence ranges greatly across studies because of differing definitions, assessment tools, and patient inclusion criteria. Furthermore, it remains unclear how the presentation of apathy in PD is related to mood disorder and/or cognitive impairment. This study sought to examine the prevalence of a pure apathy syndrome in PD, distinct from both depression and anxiety, and reveal its associated cognitive profile. A retrospective study was performed on 177 PD patients who had completed measures of apathy [Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES)] and mood functioning [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] and had undergone extensive neuropsychological assessment, using measures of intellectual functioning, memory, executive function, attention, language, visual processing, and cognitive speed; 14.7% of the sample indicated clinically significant levels of apathy, but this nearly always co-presented with depression and/or anxiety, with cases of “pure” apathy very rare (2.8%). On extensive cognitive assessment, patients with mood disorder performed worse on a measure of non-verbal intellectual functioning, but patients with additional apathy or apathy only demonstrated no further losses. The syndrome of apathy in PD greatly overlaps with that of depression and anxiety, suggesting that apathy in PD may be in large an epiphenomenon of mood disorder, with no specific neuropsychological features.
The Peacock Fallacy: Art as a Veblenian Signal
Authors: Mendoza Straffon Larissa
Published: November 2021

The fact that world-over people seem inexplicably motivated to allocate time and effort to apparently useless cultural practices, like the arts, has led several evolutionary scholars to suggest that these might be costly Zahavian signals correlated with genetic fitness, such as the infamous peacock’s tail. In this paper, I review the fundamental arguments of the hypothesis that art evolved and serves as a costly Zahavian signal. First, I look into the hypothesis that humans exert mate choice for indirect benefits and argue that the data supports mate choice for direct benefits instead. Second, I argue that art practice may well be a costly signal, however not necessarily related to good genes. Third, I suggest that Thorstein Veblen’s original concept of conspicuous signals as social tools to obtain and convey prestige provides a better account than the Zahavian model for the evolution and function of art in society. As a Veblenian signal, art could still have many of the effects suggested for visual art as a Zahavian signal, except not for the indirect benefits of optimal offspring, but for the direct benefits of acquiring and conveying social status.
Impact of Co-occurring Mental Disorders and Chronic Physical Illnesses on Frequency of Emergency Department Use and Hospitalization for Mental Health Reasons
Authors: Gentil Lia , Grenier Guy , Meng Xiangfei , Fleury Marie-Josée
Published: November 2021

Background: Patients with mental disorders (MD) are at high risk for a wide range of chronic physical illnesses (CPI), often resulting in greater use of acute care services. This study estimated risk of emergency department (ED) use and hospitalization for mental health (MH) reasons among 678 patients with MD and CPI compared to 1,999 patients with MD only.

Methods: Patients visiting one of six Quebec (Canada) ED for MH reasons and at onset of a MD in 2014–15 (index year) were included. Negative binomial models comparing the two groups estimated risk of ED use and hospitalization at 12-month follow-up to index ED visit, controlling for clinical, sociodemographic, and service use variables.

Results: Patients with MD, more severe overall clinical conditions and those who received more intensive specialized MH care had higher risks of frequent ED use and hospitalization. Continuity of medical care protected against both ED use and hospitalization, while general practitioner (GP) consultations protected against hospitalization only. Patients aged 65+ had lower risk of ED use, whereas risk of hospitalization was higher for the 45–64- vs. 12–24-year age groups, and for men vs. women.

Conclusion: Strategies including assertive community treatment, intensive case management, integrated co-occurring treatment, home treatment, and shared care may improve adequacy of care for patients with MD-CPI, as well as those with MD only whose clinical profiles were severe. Prevention and outreach strategies may also be promoted, especially among men and older age groups.
SARS-CoV-2 Positive and Isolated at Home: Stress and Coping Depending on Psychological Burden
Authors: Kowalski Elias , Schneider Axel , Zipfel Stephan , Stengel Andreas , Graf Johanna
Published: November 2021

Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to pronounced health changes, especially for those infected and psychologically burdened. This cross-sectional study examined the stress experience and coping strategies during home isolation of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and analyzed differences regarding psychological burden.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 infected respondents were recruited by telephone and completed an online survey during their home isolation. This questionnaire assessed sociodemographic aspects, somatic factors, psychological burden (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder), perceived stress and coping behavior during the home isolation.

Results: Out of 838 SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals during the study period, 648 were contacted and 224 home-isolated respondents were included in the study. Disgrace, social restrictions, job fear, health concerns, and infectiousness could be explored as stressors during the home isolation. Fifty-four percent experienced psychological burden. SARS-CoV-2 infected and home-isolated individuals with psychological burden perceived significant stressors more strongly (p < 0.001, r = 0.5) and coped significantly less (p < 0.001, r = 0.3) with their infection and home isolation compared to SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals without psychological burden.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with psychological burden experienced higher stressors and were unable to cope adaptively with home isolation. Therefore, a general and standardized screening procedure for psychological burden should be established. SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with psychological burden should receive targeted support with professional help in the areas of stress experience and coping skills during their home isolation and beyond to avoid long-term consequences.
The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in High Income Countries Such as Canada: A Better Way Forward Without Lockdowns
Authors: Joffe Ari R. , Redman David
Published: November 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused tragic morbidity and mortality. In attempt to reduce this morbidity and mortality, most countries implemented population-wide lockdowns. Here we show that the lockdowns were based on several flawed assumptions, including “no one is protected until everyone is protected,” “lockdowns are highly effective to reduce transmission,” “lockdowns have a favorable cost-benefit balance,” and “lockdowns are the only effective option.” Focusing on the latter, we discuss that Emergency Management principles provide a better way forward to manage the public emergency of the pandemic. Specifically, there are three priorities including the following: first, protect those most at risk by separating them from the threat (mitigation); second, ensure critical infrastructure is ready for people who get sick (preparation and response); and third, shift the response from fear to confidence (recovery). We argue that, based on Emergency Management principles, the age-dependent risk from SARS-CoV-2, the minimal (at best) efficacy of lockdowns, and the terrible cost-benefit trade-offs of lockdowns, we need to reset the pandemic response. We can manage risk and save more lives from both COVID-19 and lockdowns, thus achieving far better outcomes in both the short- and long-term.
Practical Application of QR Code Electronic Manuals in Equipment Management and Training
Authors: Ma Lifang , Mu Yonghong , Wei Ling , Wang Xiumei
Published: November 2021

Objective: To explore the application value of QR code electronic manuals in operating theater equipment management and training.

Methods: The control group adopted the traditional management mode. Training was carried out before each device was put into use in the department. A unified operation process and a paper card manual for common faults were formulated and hung next to each device. For the observation group, the electronic manuals generated by the QR code were pasted on the operating theater equipment for management and training. The management and training effect was compared between the two groups.

Results: The efficiency of equipment management and training using the QR code electronic manuals was significantly higher than that of traditional training, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The QR code manuals are very effective in operating theater equipment management and training. They can be read and learned in time to improve the operating theater equipment utilization rate, accuracy rate, and equipment management and training quality.
Trends in Informal Payments by Patients in Europe: A Public Health Policy Approach
Authors: Horodnic Adrian V.
Published: November 2021

Background: A new institutional approach toward informal payments in healthcare views informal payments as arising when there is a misalignment between values/norms (informal institutions) and the formal rules (formal institutions) of patients. However, less knowledge is available on the effectiveness of this approach in tackling informal payments in healthcare. This study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the trends in the effect of institutional misalignment on informal payments made by patients.

Methods: A quantitative study design with data extracted from the last three waves of special Eurobarometer surveys on corruption was used to model the propensity of European patients in 27 European Union countries and the United Kingdom to make informal payments. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed in order to test the relationship between the formal–informal institution misalignment and the likelihood to make informal payments. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to test the robustness of the findings.

Results: The finding is that there is a strong association between the formal–informal institution misalignment and the likelihood to make informal payments for public healthcare services. Similarly, social norms play a pivotal role. When patients perceive that informal practices are widespread in the public healthcare sector they are more likely to make informal payments themselves.

Conclusion: The outcome is a call for complementing deterrence measures toward informal payments in healthcare with measures aiming to reduce the formal–informal institution misalignment and to change the social norms. This can be achieved by improving the structural conditions at country level and by changing values/norms and beliefs of patients.
Influence of a Socially Assistive Robot on Physical Activity, Social Play Behavior, and Toy-Use Behaviors of Children in a Free Play Environment: A Within-Subjects Study
Authors: Raja Vora Joseline , Helmi Ameer , Zhan Christine , Olivares Eliora , Vu Tina , Wilkey Marie , Noregaard Samantha , Fitter Naomi T. , Logan Samuel W.
Published: November 2021

Background: Play is critical for children’s physical, cognitive, and social development. Technology-based toys like robots are especially of interest to children. This pilot study explores the affordances of the play area provided by developmentally appropriate toys and a mobile socially assistive robot (SAR). The objective of this study is to assess the role of the SAR on physical activity, play behavior, and toy-use behavior of children during free play.

Methods: Six children (5 females, Mage = 3.6 ± 1.9 years) participated in the majority of our pilot study’s seven 30-minute-long weekly play sessions (4 baseline and 3 intervention). During baseline sessions, the SAR was powered off. During intervention sessions, the SAR was teleoperated to move in the play area and offered rewards of lights, sounds, and bubbles to children. Thirty-minute videos of the play sessions were annotated using a momentary time sampling observation system. Mean percentage of time spent in behaviors of interest in baseline and intervention sessions were calculated. Paired-Wilcoxon signed rank tests were conducted to assess differences between baseline and intervention sessions.

Results: There was a significant increase in children’s standing (∼15%; Z = −2.09; p = 0.037) and a tendency for less time sitting (∼19%; Z = −1.89; p = 0.059) in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase. There was also a significant decrease (∼4.5%, Z = −2.70; p = 0.007) in peer interaction play and a tendency for greater (∼4.5%, Z = −1.89; p = 0.059) interaction with adults in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase. There was a significant increase in children’s interaction with the robot (∼11.5%, Z = −2.52; p = 0.012) in the intervention phase as compared to the baseline phase.

Conclusion: These results may indicate that a mobile SAR provides affordances through rewards that elicit children’s interaction with the SAR and more time standing in free play. This pilot study lays a foundation for exploring the role of SARs in inclusive play environments for children with and without mobility disabilities in real-world settings like day-care centers and preschools.
Application of Radon Transform to Multi-Angle Measurements Made by the Research Scanning Polarimeter: A New Approach to Cloud Tomography. Part I: Theory and Tests on Simulated Data
Authors: Alexandrov Mikhail D. , Emde Claudia , Van Diedenhoven Bastiaan , Cairns Brian
Published: November 2021

The Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) is an airborne along-track scanner measuring the polarized and total reflectances in 9 spectral channels. The RSP was a prototype for the Aerosol Polarimetery Sensor (APS) launched on-board the NASA Glory satellite. Currently the retrieval algorithms developed for the RSP are being adopted for the measurements of the space-borne polarimeters on the upcoming NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite mission. The RSP’s uniquely high angular resolution coupled with the high frequency of measurements allows for characterization of liquid water cloud droplet sizes using the polarized rainbow structure. It also provides geometric constraints on the cumulus cloud’s 2D cross section yielding the cloud’s geometric shape estimates. In this study we further build on the latter technique to develop a new tomographic approach to retrieval of cloud internal structure from remote sensing measurements. While tomography in the strict definition is a technique based on active measurements yielding a tomogram (directional optical thickness as a function of angle and offset of the view ray), we developed a “semi-tomographic” approach in which tomogram of the cloud is estimated from passive observations instead of being measured directly. This tomogram is then converted into 2D spatial distribution of the extinction coefficient using inverse Radon transform (filtered backprojection) which is the standard tomographic procedure used e.g., in medical CT scans. This algorithm is computationally inexpensive compared to techniques relying on highly-multi-dimensional least-square fitting; it does not require iterative 3D RT simulations. The resulting extinction distribution is defined up to an unknown constant factor, so we discuss the ways to calibrate it using additional independent measurements. In the next step we use the profile of the droplet size distribution parameters from the cloud’s side (derived by fitting the polarized rainbows) to convert the 2D extinction distribution into that of the droplet number concentration. We illustrate and validate the proposed technique using 3D-RT-simulated RSP observations of a LES-generated Cu cloud. Quantitative comparisons between the retrieved and the original optical and microphysical parameters are presented.
Active Virtual Reality Games Reduce Pain Sensitivity in Young, Healthy Adults
Authors: Evans Eric , Naugle Keith E. , Ovispo Alex , Kaleth Anthony S. , Arnold Brent , Naugle Kelly M.
Published: November 2021

Separately, both physical activity and virtual reality can attenuate pain sensitivity in healthy adults. What is unknown is whether virtual reality combined with physical activity (active virtual reality) could have a greater hypoalgesic effect compared to non-active virtual reality distraction (passive virtual reality engagement).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether playing physically active virtual reality games exert a greater hypoalgesic effect than a non-active virtual reality game.

Methods: Participants (n = 36) played three different active virtual reality games (Beat Saber, Holopoint, and Hot Squat) and one non-active virtual reality game (Relax Walk) for 15 min on four different visits. During gameplay, participants wore accelerometers on the thigh, wrist, and waist to measure movement intensity and quantity. Pressure pain thresholds were measured on the forearm and thigh immediately prior to gameplay (pretest) and immediately following each gaming bout (posttest).

Results: Analysis of the accelerometer data indicated that Hot Squat elicited greater whole-body and lower body moderate to vigorous physical activity compared to the other games. The ANOVA revealed an overall hypoalgesic effect of the virtual reality games on the forearm, regardless of game type. Results also showed a significant hypoalgesic effect on the thigh following gameplay for Hot Squat, Holopoint, and Relax Walk VR. The magnitude of pain reduction was significantly greater during Hot Squat compared to the other games.

Conclusion: Virtual reality gameplay exerted a hypoalgesic effect on experimental pressure pain. Additionally, the data provided evidence of a potential enhanced hypoalgesic effect of physically active virtual reality compared to non-active VR on pressure pain sensitivity.
A Novel Fiber-1-Edited and Highly Attenuated Recombinant Serotype 4 Fowl Adenovirus Confers Efficient Protection Against Lethal Challenge
Authors: Mu Yaru , Xie Quan , Wang Weikang , Lu Hao , Lian Mingjun , Gao Wei , Li Tuofan , Wan Zhimin , Shao Hongxia , Qin Aijian , Ye Jianqiang
Published: November 2021

Currently, a fatal disease of hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS) caused by serotype 4 fowl adenovirus (FAdV-4) has spread worldwide and resulted in tremendous economic losses to the poultry industry. Various vaccines against FAdV-4 were developed to control the disease; however, few live-attenuated vaccines were available. In this study, we targeted the N-terminal of fiber-1 and rescued a recombinant virus FAdV4-RFP_F1 expressing the fusion protein of RFP and Fiber-1 based on the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. In vitro studies showed that FAdV4-RFP_F1 replicated slower than the wild type FAdV-4, but the peak viral titer of FAdV4-RFP_F1 could still reach 107.0 TCID50/ml with high stability in LMH cells. Animal studies found that FAdV4-RFP_F1 not only was highly attenuated to the 2-week-old SPF chickens, but could also provide efficient protection against lethal challenge of FAdV-4. All these demonstrate that the recombinant virus FAdV4-RFP_F1 could be as an efficient live-attenuated vaccine candidate for FAdV-4, and the N-terminal of fiber-1 could be as a potential insertion site for expressing foreign genes to develop FAdV-4-based vaccine.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Late-Ripening Sweet Orange Fruits (Citrus sinensis) after Foliar Application of Glomalin-Related Soil Proteins
Authors: Wu Hui-Hui , Srivastava Anoop Kumar , Li Yan , Zou Ying-Ning , Hashem Abeer , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi , Wu Qiang-Sheng
Published: November 2021

Glomalin, one of the glycoproteins generated in the spores and hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, has multiple functions in plants and soil, while the role of foliar spray of easily extractable glomalin-related soil proteins (EE-GRSP) in citrus fruits is not well defined. Our study aimed to use referenced transcriptome sequencing to uncover the mechanism and the role of exogenous EE-GRSP in two late-ripening varieties of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruits including Navel Lane Late (LW) and Rohde Red Valencia (XC). The 1804 and 1861 differentially expressed genes were identified in fruits of LW and XC, respectively, following foliar spray of EE-GRSP. Photosynthesis ranked second in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolism in the LW variety, and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organizations ranked first in KEGG metabolism in the XC variety. The response to foliar spray of EE-GRSP affected the fruit starch and sucrose metabolism of KEGG, with 15 (10 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated) and 13 (2 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated) differentially expressed genes identified in the LW and XC variety, respectively. Cs5g19060 (sucrose phosphate synthase 4) was activated and reduced by EE-GRSP on XC and LW, respectively. Cs1g18220 (β-fructofuranosidase) and Cs2g12180 (glycosyl hydrolase family 9) genes were up-regulated and down-regulated in LW and XC, respectively. These results established the involvement of molecular signaling in response to foliar spray of EE-GRSP activating fruit sugar metabolism is dependent on citrus varieties.
Challenges and Opportunities in Applying Genomic Selection to Ruminants Owned by Smallholder Farmers
Authors: Burrow Heather M. , Mrode Raphael , Mwai Ally Okeyo , Coffey Mike P. , Hayes Ben J.
Published: November 2021

Genomic selection has transformed animal and plant breeding in advanced economies globally, resulting in economic, social and environmental benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Although genomic selection offers great potential in low- to middle-income countries because detailed pedigrees are not required to estimate breeding values with useful accuracy, the difficulty of effective phenotype recording, complex funding arrangements for a limited number of essential reference populations in only a handful of countries, questions around the sustainability of those livestock-resource populations, lack of on-farm, laboratory and computing infrastructure and lack of human capacity remain barriers to implementation. This paper examines those challenges and explores opportunities to mitigate or reduce the problems, with the aim of enabling smallholder livestock-keepers and their associated value chains in low- to middle-income countries to also benefit directly from genomic selection.
The Perennial Grain Crop Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey (Kernza™) as an Element in Crop Rotations: A Pilot Study on Termination Strategies and Pre-Crop Effects on a Subsequent Root Vegetable
Authors: Dimitrova Mårtensson Linda-Maria , Barreiro Ana , Olofsson Jenny
Published: November 2021

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) may benefit soil fertility in crop rotations. To investigate termination strategies, i.e., autumn ploughing (AP), autumn harrowing (AH) and spring harrowing (SH) on a five-year-old IWG stand, a pilot study was performed. After the treatments, beetroots were sown and the IWG plants were counted twice during the beetroot growing season. The number of IWG plants was highest (20) after the SH strategy, intermediate (14) after the AH, and lowest (3) after the conventional termination strategy, AP. After the first plant count, the plots were subject to mechanical weeding in the form of a stale seedbed (i.e., harrowing twice before sowing). At beetroot harvest, the number of IWG plants was low (3 in SH and AH, 0 in AP) and similar between the treatments. The beetroot production was highest after AP and lowest in SH, and intermediary in AH, which showed no difference from AP and SH. At beetroot harvest, the weed biomass did not differ between the termination strategies. The weeds were mainly annuals. There were no differences in soil bulk density between termination strategies. Our results show that shallow soil tillage is enough to terminate IWG, as long as it repeated. We suggest further studies that investigate the dynamics of crop sequences with IWG, and how to benefit from this crop in rotations.
Sustainable Purchasing of Fresh Food by Restaurants and Cafes in France
Authors: Chevallier-Chantepie Arthus , Batt Peter J.
Published: November 2021

This paper explores the purchasing practices adopted by restaurants and cafés operating in France to observe how the owner/operator(s) attitudes towards sustainable business practice impact on the choice of fresh food suppliers. A two-stage cluster analysis revealed the presence of two clusters: conventional buyers and green buyers that showed significant differences in the adoption of sustainable purchasing practices, the perceived benefits derived from the adoption of sustainable business practices, and barriers to the adoption of green purchasing. In making the decision to operate as a green restaurant, the personal beliefs of the owner/operator(s) were paramount, guided in part by the belief that in order to prepare and present the best-tasting food to patrons, executive chefs needed to procure the very best ingredients. In procuring the best quality fresh food ingredients, executive chefs preferred to deal with many small suppliers with whom they had developed a long-term relationship based on their reputation for delivering premium quality products in season.
The Utilisation of Tannin Extract as a Dietary Additive in Ruminant Nutrition: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yanza Yulianri Rizki , Fitri Ainissya , Suwignyo Bambang , Elfahmi  , Hidayatik Nanik , Kumalasari Nur Rochmah , Irawan Agung , Jayanegara Anuraga
Published: November 2021

The objective of this meta-analysis was to elucidate whether there are general underlying effects of dietary tannin extract supplementation on rumen fermentation, digestibility, methane production, performance, as well as N utilisation in ruminants. A total of 70 papers comprised of 348 dietary treatments (from both in vivo and in situ studies) were included in the study. The database was then statistically analysed by the mixed model methodology, in which different experiments were considered as random effects and tannin-related factors were treated as fixed effects. The results revealed that an increased level of tannin extract inclusion in the diet lowered ruminant intake, digestibility, and production performance. Furthermore, the evidence also showed that an increased level of tannin extract decreased animal N utilisation where most of rumen by-pass protein was not absorbed well in the small intestine and directly excreted in the faeces. Due to the type of tannin extract, HT is more favourable to maintain nutrient intake, digestibility, and production performance and to mitigate methane production instead of CT, particularly when supplemented at low (<1%) to moderate (~3%) levels.
Susceptibility to Nisin, Bactofencin, Pediocin and Reuterin of Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis Causing Bovine Mastitis
Authors: Bennett Samantha , Ben Said Laila , Lacasse Pierre , Malouin François , Fliss Ismail
Published: November 2021

Antibiotics are the most effective strategy to prevent and treat intramammary infections. However, their misuse has led to the dissemination of multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR) for both animals and humans. Efforts to develop new alternative strategies to control bacterial infections related to MDR are continuously on the rise. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different bacteriocins and reuterin against MDR Staphylococcus and Streptococcus clinical isolates involved in bovine mastitis. A bacterial collection including S. aureus (n = 19), S. dysgalactiae (n = 17) and S. uberis (n = 19) was assembled for this study. Antibiotic resistance profiles were determined by the disk diffusion method. In addition, sensitivity to bacteriocins and reuterin was evaluated by determining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). A total of 21 strains (37.5%) were MDR. MICs ranged from ≤1.0 μg/mL to ≥100 μg/mL for nisin and 2.0 to ≥250 μg/mL for bactofencin. Reuterin was active against all tested bacteria, and MICs vary between 70 and 560 μg/mL. Interestingly, 20 MDR strains were inhibited by bactofencin at a concentration of ≤250 μg/mL, while 14 were inhibited by nisin at an MIC of ≤100 μg/mL. Pediocin did not show an inhibitory effect.
Application of Bacteriophages on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Biofilm
Authors: Mangieri Nicola , Foschino Roberto , Picozzi Claudia
Published: November 2021

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli are pathogenic bacteria able to form biofilms both on abiotic surfaces and on food, thus increasing risks for food consumers. Moreover, biofilms are difficult to remove and more resistant to antimicrobial agents compared to planktonic cells. Bacteriophages, natural predators of bacteria, can be used as an alternative to prevent biofilm formation or to remove pre-formed biofilm. In this work, four STEC able to produce biofilm were selected among 31 different strains and tested against single bacteriophages and two-phage cocktails. Results showed that our phages were able to reduce biofilm formation by 43.46% both when used as single phage preparation and as a cocktail formulation. Since one of the two cocktails had a slightly better performance, it was used to remove pre-existing biofilms. In this case, the phages were unable to destroy the biofilms and reduce the number of bacterial cells. Our data confirm that preventing biofilm formation in a food plant is better than trying to remove a preformed biofilm and the continuous presence of bacteriophages in the process environment could reduce the number of bacteria able to form biofilms and therefore improve the food safety.
A Systematic Study of the Antibacterial Activity of Basidiomycota Crude Extracts
Authors: Clericuzio Marco , Bivona Mattia , Gamalero Elisa , Bona Elisa , Novello Giorgia , Massa Nadia , Dovana Francesco , Marengo Emilio , Robotti Elisa
Published: November 2021

The excessive consumption of antibiotics in clinical, veterinary and agricultural fields has resulted in tremendous flow of antibiotics into the environment. This has led to enormous selective pressures driving the evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogenic and commensal bacteria. In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted research aiming to develop medical features using natural products that are often competitive with synthetic drugs in clinical performance. Fungi are considered an important source of bioactive molecules, often effective against other fungi and/or bacteria, and thus are potential candidates in the search of new antibiotics. Fruiting bodies of sixteen different fungal species of Basidiomycota were collected in the Italian Alps. The identification of fungal species was performed through Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing. Most species belong to genera Cortinarius, Mycena and Ramaria, whose metabolite contents has been scarcely investigated so far. The crude extracts obtained from the above mushrooms were tested for their inhibition activity against five human pathogens: Candida albicans ATCC 14053, C. glabrata ATCC 15126, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883. Twelve crude extracts showed activity against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Highest activity was shown by some Cortinarius species, as C. nanceiensis.
Cluster of Single-Board Computers at the Edge for Smart Grids Applications
Authors: Bourhnane Safae , Abid Mohamed Riduan , Zine-dine Khalid , Elkamoun Najib , Benhaddou Driss
Published: November 2021

Increases in power demand and consumption are very noticeable. This increase presents a number of challenges to the traditional grid systems. Thus, there is the need to come up with a new solution that copes with the stringent demand on energy and provides better power quality, which gives a better experience to the end users. This is how the concept of smart grids (SG) came to light. SGs have been introduced to better monitor and control the power produced and consumed. In addition to this, SGs help with reducing the electricity bill through the integration of renewable energy sources. The underlying smartness of the SGs resides in the flow of information in addition to the flow of energy. Information/data flowing implies the use of smart sensors and smart meters that sense and send data about the power produced and consumed, and the data about the environment where they are deployed. This makes SGs a direct application of IoT. In this paper, we are implementing an edge platform that is based on single-board computers (SBCs) to process data stemming from SG. The use of SBCs is driven by the energy efficiency and cost effectiveness concepts that the SG is trying to apply. The platform in question is tested against a distributed job that averages random numbers using Hadoop’s MapReduce programming model. The SBC that we are using in this implementation is the NVIDIA Jetson Developer Kit. The results of this work show that a cluster of SBCs is low-cost, easy to maintain, and simple to deploy, which makes it a great candidate for providing edge computing. Although it revealed a performance that beat the one of the remote cloud servers, it could not outperform the single-computer edge platform.
Relationship between Anti-Wrinkle Property of Cotton Fabrics and Crosslinking Properties of Glycosyl Polyaldehydes and Polyuronic Acids Finishing Agents: A Molecular Simulation Study
Authors: Lou Jiangfei , Wang Dan , Yuan Jiugang , Fan Xuerong
Published: November 2021

In this paper, monosaccharide (glucose and fructose), disaccharide (sucrose and trehalose), trisaccharide (raffinose) and tetrasaccharide (stachyose) were selected as the research objects and the glycosyl polyaldehydes and glycosyl polyuronic acid anti-wrinkle finishing agents were prepared via selective oxidation. The anti-wrinkle properties of their finished fabrics were analyzed, the molecular radius, the number of reactive groups, the number of reaction sites and the number of rotatable bonds of the finishing agent were calculated to evaluate its diffusion rate and crosslinking characteristics inside the cellulose. Through molecular simulation, the number of possible conformations of the anti-wrinkle finishing agent with the single cross-linked state was calculated, and the distance between different cross-linking points was measured, and the relationship between the effective cross-linking radius and the anti-wrinkle performance was studied. The results showed that trehalose polyaldehydes, raffinose polyaldehydes, trehalose polyuronic acid, and raffinose polyuronic acid finished fabrics had an excellent anti-wrinkle property, the strength retention rates of the fabrics were all above 68%, and the whiteness index was above 70. The smaller the molecular radius was, the easier the finishing agent was to diffuse into the cellulose. The most suitable crosslinking radius of glycosyl finishing agent was 3.5–6.0 Å.
Histological Evaluation of Multisonic Technology for Debridement of Vital and Necrotic Pulp Tissues from Human Molar Teeth. An Observational Study
Authors: Jaramillo David E. , Arriola Alberto R.
Published: November 2021

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of a multisonic technology for the debridement of vital and necrotic pulp tissues in freshly extracted human mandibular molar teeth. Methods: Twelve teeth with a diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) and twelve teeth with a diagnosis of pulp necrosis with symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP) were extracted. The GentleWave® procedure was performed on 10 teeth from each group. Four non-treated teeth served as histologic controls. Histological consecutive 5 µm sections were obtained from the apical, middle, and coronal portion of the canals. The canals were evaluated for the presence of pulpal debris and bacteria. Results: In nine out of the ten specimens with SIP, no pulpal debris was detected in any portion of the canals. In the necrotic pulp group, eight out of the ten specimens had no detectable pulpal debris in any portion of the canal spaces. No bacteria were detected in the main canals, isthmuses, or lateral canals, but were detected deep within the dentinal tubules in 10 specimens. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the multisonic technology was effective at removing vital and necrotic pulp tissue as well as bacteria from the root canal system, including inaccessible areas.
Enhanced Potential Field-Based Collision Avoidance in Cluttered Three-Dimensional Urban Environments
Authors: Choi Daegyun , Kim Donghoon , Lee Kyuman
Published: November 2021

With the various applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the number of UAVs will increase in limited airspace, leading to an increased risk collision. To reduce such potential risk, this work proposes a collision avoidance strategy for UAVs using an enhanced potential field (EPF) approach in cluttered three-dimensional urban environments. Using the EPF formulated in a two-dimensional environment, the avoidance maneuvers for both horizontal and vertical planes are generated by introducing rotation matrices, and these maneuvers are combined by applying a weighting factor. The numerical simulations with various meaningful scenarios are conducted to validate the performance of the proposed approach. To mimic practical situations, UAV dynamics and sensor limitations were considered. The simulation results show that the proposed approach provides an efficient, reliable, and collision-free path without local minima and unreachable goal issues.
CBCIoT: A Consensus Algorithm for Blockchain-Based IoT Applications
Authors: Uddin Moin , Muzammal Muhammad , Hameed Muhammad Khurram , Javed Ibrahim Tariq , Alamri Bandar , Crespi Noel
Published: November 2021

Internet of things is widely used in the current era to collect data from sensors and perform specific tasks through processing according to the requirements. The data collected can be sent to a blockchain network to create secure and tamper-resistant records of transactions. The combination of blockchain with IoT has huge potential as it can provide decentralized computation, storage, and exchange for IoT data. However, IoT applications require a low-latency consensus mechanism due to its constraints. In this paper, CBCIoT, a consensus algorithm for blockchain-based IoT applications, is proposed. The primary purpose of this algorithm is to improve scalability in terms of validation and verification rate. The algorithm is developed to be compatible with IoT devices where a slight delay is acceptable. The simulation results show the proposed algorithm’s efficiency in terms of block generation time and transactions per second.
Could Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Levels IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, Total Antioxidant Status and Lactate Dehydrogenase Be Associated with Peri-Implant Bone Loss? A Pilot Study
Authors: Drafta Sergiu , Guita Dragos Mihai , Cristache Corina Marilena , Beuran Irina Adriana , Burlibasa Mihai , Petre Alexandru Eugen , Burlibasa Liliana
Published: November 2021

Background: The mechanisms of periimplantitis are mostly based on biofilm-induced inflammatory lesions around dental implants. However, the host reaction, reflected by the intensity of the inflammatory response to bacterial products, is crucial for peri-implant bone destruction. The aim of this pilot study was to measure total antioxidant status (TAS), the amount of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor), salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the correlation with one-year peri-implant bone loss. Methods: Seven consecutive patients (Group 1), with the presence of at least one prior inserted dental implant, and three healthy individuals, fully dentate (Group 0), were enrolled. IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, TAS and LDH were determined in saliva of both groups. Peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL) at one year compared to baseline was evaluated for Group 1. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was found in Group 1 between MBL and the IL-8 (p = 0.033) and a strong negative correlation between MBL and TAS (p = 0.002), but no statistically significant differences of the assessed parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusions: In the limits of the present preliminary study, salivary TAS and proinflammatory cytokines could be associated with the risk of peri-implant bone loss over time.
EnCaps: Clothing Image Classification Based on Enhanced Capsule Network
Authors: Yu Feng , Du Chenghu , Hua Ailing , Jiang Minghua , Wei Xiong , Peng Tao , Hu Xinrong
Published: November 2021

Clothing image classification is more and more important in the development of online clothing shopping. The clothing category marking, clothing commodity retrieval, and similar clothing recommendations are the popular applications in current clothing shopping, which are based on the technology of accurate clothing image classification. Wide varieties and various styles of clothing lead to great difficulty for the accurate clothing image classification. The traditional neural network can not obtain the spatial structure information of clothing images, which leads to poor classification accuracy. In order to reach the high accuracy, the enhanced capsule (EnCaps) network is proposed with the image feature and spatial structure feature. First, the spatial structure extraction model is proposed to obtain the clothing structure feature based on the EnCaps network. Second, the enhanced feature extraction model is proposed to extract more robust clothing features based on deeper network structure and attention mechanism. Third, parameter optimization is used to reduce the computation in the proposed network based on inception mechanism. Experimental results indicate that the proposed EnCaps network achieves high performance in terms of classification accuracy and computational efficiency.
Landslide Displacement Prediction Method Based on GA-Elman Model
Authors: Wang Chenhui , Zhao Yijiu , Bai Libing , Guo Wei , Meng Qingjia
Published: November 2021

The deformation process of landslide displacement has complex nonlinear characteristics. In view of the problems of large error, slow convergence and poor stability of the traditional neural network prediction model, in order to better realize the accurate and effective prediction of landslide displacement, this research proposes a landslide displacement prediction model based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimized Elman neural network. This model combines the GA with the Elman neural network to optimize the weights, thresholds and the number of hidden neurons of the Elman neural network. It gives full play to the dynamic memory function of the Elman neural network, overcomes the problems that a single Elman neural network can easily fall into local minimums and the neuron data is difficult to determine, thereby effectively improving the prediction performance of the neural network prediction model. The displacement monitoring data of a slow-varying landslide in the Guizhou karst mountainous area are selected to predict and verify the landslide displacement, and the results are compared with the traditional Elman neural network prediction results. The results show that the prediction results of GA-Elman model are in good agreement with the actual monitoring data of landslide. The average error of the model is low and the prediction accuracy is high, which proves that the GA-Elman model can play a role in the prediction of landslide displacement and can provide reference for the early warning of landslide displacement deformation.
Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Bioflocculant-Producing Bacteria from Activated Sludge of Vulindlela Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Nkosi Nkanyiso Celukuthula , Basson Albertus K. , Ntombela Zuzingcebo G. , Maliehe Tsolanku S. , Pullabhotla Rajasekhar V. S. R.
Published: November 2021

The low microbial flocculant yields and efficiencies limit their industrial applications. There is a need to identify bacteria with high bioflocculant production. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify a bioflocculant-producing bacterium from activated sludge wastewater and characterise its bioflocculant activity. The identification of the isolated bacterium was performed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The optimal medium composition (carbon and nitrogen sources, cations and inoculum size) and culture conditions (temperature, pH, shaking speed and time) were evaluated by the one-factor-at-a-time method. The morphology, functional groups, crystallinity and pyrolysis profile of the bioflocculant were analysed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. The bacterium was identified as Proteus mirabilis AB 932526.1. Its optimal medium and culture conditions were: sucrose (20 g/L), yeast extract (1.2 g/L), MnCl2 (1 g/L), pH 6, 30 °C, inoculation volume (3%), shaking speed (120 rpm) for 72 h of cultivation. SEM micrograph revealed the bioflocculant to be amorphous. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups. The bioflocculant was completely pyrolyzed at temperatures above 800 °C. The bacterium has potential to produce bioflocculant of industrial importance.
Monthly Rainfall Signatures of the North Atlantic Oscillation and East Atlantic Pattern in Great Britain
Authors: West Harry , Quinn Nevil , Horswell Michael
Published: November 2021

Atmospheric-oceanic circulations (teleconnections) have an important influence on regional climate. In Great Britain, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has long been understood as the leading mode of climate variability, and its phase and magnitude have been found to influence regional rainfall in previous research. The East Atlantic Pattern (EA) is also increasingly recognised as being a secondary influence on European climate. In this study we use high resolution gridded rainfall and Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) time series data for Great Britain to map the monthly rainfall signatures of the NAO and EA over the period January 1950–December 2015. Our analyses show that the influence of the two teleconnections varies in space and time with distinctive monthly signatures observed in both average rainfall/SPI-1 values and incidences of wet/dry extremes. In the winter months the NAO has a strong influence on rainfall and extremes in the north-western regions. Meanwhile, in the southern and central regions stronger EA-rainfall relationships are present. In the summer months opposing positive/negative phases of the NAO and EA result in stronger wet/dry signatures which are more spatially consistent. Our findings suggest that both the NAO and EA have a prominent influence on regional rainfall distribution and volume in Great Britain, which in turn has implications for the use of teleconnection forecasts in water management decision making. We conclude that accounting for both NAO and EA influences will lead to an enhanced understanding of both historic and future spatial distribution of monthly precipitation.