bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disturbed functional connectivity and topological properties of the frontal lobe in minimally conscious state based on resting-state fNIRS
Authors: Chen Hui , Miao Guofu , Wang Sirui , Zheng Jun , Zhang Xin , Lin Junbin , Hao Chizi , Huang Hailong , Jiang Ting , Gong Yu , Liao Weijing
Published: February 2023

Background

Patients in minimally conscious state (MCS) exist measurable evidence of consciousness. The frontal lobe is a crucial part of the brain that encodes abstract information and is closely related to the conscious state. We hypothesized that the disturbance of the frontal functional network exists in MCS patients.

Methods

We collected the resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data of fifteen MCS patients and sixteen age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scale of MCS patients was also composed. The topology of the frontal functional network was analyzed in two groups.

Results

Compared with HC, the MCS patients showed widely disrupted functional connectivity in the frontal lobe, especially in the frontopolar area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Moreover, the MCS patients displayed lower clustering coefficient, global efficiency, local efficiency, and higher characteristic path length. In addition, the nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in the left frontopolar area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were significantly reduced in MCS patients. Furthermore, the nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were positively correlated to auditory subscale scores.

Conclusion

This study reveals that MCS patients’ frontal functional network is synergistically dysfunctional. And the balance between information separation and integration in the frontal lobe is broken, especially the local information transmission in the prefrontal cortex. These findings help us to understand the pathological mechanism of MCS patients better.
A robust role for motor cortex
Authors: Lopes Gonçalo , Nogueira Joana , Dimitriadis George , Menendez Jorge Aurelio , Paton Joseph J. , Kampff Adam R.
Published: February 2023

The role of motor cortex in non-primate mammals remains unclear. More than a century of stimulation, anatomical and electrophysiological studies has implicated neural activity in this region with all kinds of movement. However, following the removal of motor cortex, rats retain most of their adaptive behaviors, including previously learned skilled movements. Here we revisit these two conflicting views of motor cortex and present a new behavior assay, challenging animals to respond to unexpected situations while navigating a dynamic obstacle course. Surprisingly, rats with motor cortical lesions show clear impairments facing an unexpected collapse of the obstacles, while showing no impairment with repeated trials in many motor and cognitive metrics of performance. We propose a new role for motor cortex: extending the robustness of sub-cortical movement systems, specifically to unexpected situations demanding rapid motor responses adapted to environmental context. The implications of this idea for current and future research are discussed.
Prognostic significance of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in surgically resected schwannomas
Authors: Takahara Kento , Tamura Ryota , Kuranari Yuki , Karatsu Kosuke , Akiyama Takenori , Toda Masahiro
Published: February 2023

Objective

The goal of schwannoma resection is to control the tumor while preserving neurological function. Schwannomas have a variable postoperative growth pattern, therefore preoperative prediction of a schwannoma’s growth pattern is favorable. This study aimed to examine the relationship between preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and postoperative recurrence and retreatment in patients with schwannoma.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 124 patients who underwent schwannoma resection in our institution. Associations between preoperative NLR, other patient and tumor characteristics, and tumor recurrence and retreatment were analyzed.

Results

Median follow-up was 2569.5 days. Postoperative recurrence occurred in 37 patients. Recurrence that required retreatment occurred in 22. Treatment-free survival (TFS) was significantly shorter in patients with NLR ≥2.21 (P = 0.0010). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression showed that NLR and neurofibromatosis type 2 were independent predictors of retreatment (P = 0.0423 and 0.0043, respectively). TFS was significantly shorter in patients with NLR ≥2.21 in the following subgroups: sporadic schwannoma, primary schwannoma, schwannoma ≥30 mm in size, subtotal resection, vestibular schwannoma, and postoperative recurrence.

Conclusions

Preoperative NLR ≥2.21 before surgery was significantly associated with retreatment after schwannoma resection. NLR may be a novel predictor of retreatment and assist surgeons in preoperative surgical decision making.
A scoping review of echocardiographic and lung ultrasound biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Authors: Martini Silvia , Corsini Iuri , Corvaglia Luigi , Suryawanshi Pradeep , Chan Belinda , Singh Yogen
Published: February 2023

Despite recent improvements in neonatal care, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still associated with high mortality and with an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). This scoping review provides an updated overview of echocardiographic and lung ultrasound biomarkers associated with BPD and PH, and the parameters that may prognosticate their development and severity, which could be clinically helpful to undertake preventive strategies. A literature search for published clinical studies was conducted in PubMed using MeSH terms, free-text words, and their combinations obtained through appropriate Boolean operators. It was found that the echocardiography biomarkers for BPD, and especially those assessing right ventricular function, are reflective of the high pulmonary vascular resistance and PH, indicating a strong interplay between heart and lung pathophysiology; however, early assessment (e.g., during the first 1–2 weeks of life) may not successfully predict later BPD development. Lung ultrasound indicating poor lung aeration at day 7 after birth has been reported to be highly predictive of later development of BPD at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. Evidence of PH in BPD infants increases risk of mortality and long-term PH; hence, routine PH surveillance in all at risk preterm infants at 36 weeks, including an echocardiographic assessment, may provide useful information. Progress has been made in identifying the echocardiographic parameters on day 7 and 14 to predict later development of pulmonary hypertension. More studies on sonographic markers, and especially on echocardiographic parameters, are needed for the validation of the currently proposed parameters and the timing of assessment before recommendations can be made for the routine clinical practice.
Biosafety, histological alterations and residue depletion of feed administered anti-parasitic drug emamectin benzoate in golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822) as a model candidate fish for sport fishery and conservation in temperate waters
Authors: Mallik Sumanta Kumar , Singh Shivam , Shahi Neetu , Patil Prasanna Kumar , Kala Krishna , Pathak Richa , Giri Abhay Kumar , Das Partha , Tandel Ritesh Shantilal , Chandra Suresh , Krishna Nanitha , Ravindran Rajisha , Pandey Pramod Kumar
Published: February 2023

In the present experiment, the attempt has been made to study the biosafety, toxicity, residue depletion and drug tolerance of graded doses of emamectin benzoate (EB) in juveniles of golden mahseer, Tor putitora as a model candidate fish for sport fishery and conservation in temperate waters through an extended medicated feeding. The graded doses of EB viz., 1× (50 μg/kg fish/day), 2 × (100 μg/kg fish/day), 5 × (250 μg/kg fish/day) and 10 × (500 μg/kg fish/day) were administered to golden mahseer juveniles through medicated diet for 21 days at water temperature of 18.6°C. The higher doses of EB did not cause any mortality during and 30 days after the end of medication period, but considerable variations in feeding and behavior were observed. Severe histological alterations observed after EB-diets (5 × and 10×) were vacuolation, pyknotic nuclei, melanomacrophage centre and necrosis in liver; Bowman’s capsule dilation, degenerated renal tubules in kidney; myofibril disintegration, muscle oedema, splitting of muscle fibres, migration of inflammatory cells in muscle; and abundant goblet cells, dilated lamina propria and disarrangement of mucosa in intestine tissues. The residual concentrations of EB metabolites Emamectin B1a and B1b were analyzed using muscle extracts and were found to be peaked during medication period followed by gradual depletion in post-medication period. The outcome of this study showed that the Emamectin B1a residual concentration in fish muscle in 1×, 2×, 5×, and 10× EB treatment groups were 1.41 ± 0.49, 1.2 ± 0.7, 9.7 ± 3.3, and 37.4 ± 8.2 μg/kg at 30 days of post-medication period, respectively, which falls under the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 100 μg/kg. The results support the biosafety of EB at recommended dose of 50 μg/kg fish/day for 7 days. As residue of EB is recorded falling within the MRL, no withdrawal period is recommended for golden mahseer.
Activation of the sirtuin silent information regulator 1 pathway inhibits pathological myocardial remodeling
Authors: Wang Youheng , Zhao Rusheng , Wu Chengyan , Liang Xuefei , He Lei , Wang Libo , Wang Xuehui
Published: February 2023

Myocardial remodeling refers to structural and functional disorders of the heart caused by molecular biological changes in the cardiac myocytes in response to neurological and humoral factors. A variety of heart diseases, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and valvular heart disease, can cause myocardial remodeling and eventually lead to heart failure. Therefore, counteracting myocardial remodeling is essential for the prevention and treatment of heart failure. Sirt1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+-dependent deacetylase that plays a wide range of roles in transcriptional regulation, energy metabolism regulation, cell survival, DNA repair, inflammation, and circadian regulation. It positively or negatively regulates myocardial remodeling by participating in oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and other processes. Taking into account the close relationship between myocardial remodeling and heart failure and the involvement of SIRT1 in the development of the former, the role of SIRT1 in the prevention of heart failure via inhibition of myocardial remodeling has received considerable attention. Recently, multiple studies have been conducted to provide a better understanding of how SIRT1 regulates these phenomena. This review presents the progress of research involving SIRT1 pathway involvement in the pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial remodeling and heart failure.
Targeting acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 for cancer therapy
Authors: Yu Yong , Nie Qingzhu , Wang Ziyi , Di Yu , Chen Xiaolong , Ren Kaiming
Published: February 2023

Metabolic adaptation is an emerging hallmark of tumors. De novo fatty acid synthesis is an important metabolic process to produce metabolic intermediates for energy storage, biosynthesis of membrane lipids and generation of signaling molecules. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) is a critical enzyme in the fatty acid synthesis, which carboxylates acetyl-CoA carboxylic acid to form malonyl-CoA. The role of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 in fatty acid synthesis makes it a promising therapeutic target for various metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity and diabetes. Tumors have a high energy flow and a strong dependence on fatty acid synthesis. Thus, acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibition has become a potential choice for anti-tumor therapy. In this review, we first introduced the structure and expression pattern of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1. We also discussed the molecular mechanisms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 in the initiation and progression of various cancer types. Furthermore, acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 inhibitors has also been discussed. Collectively, we summarized the interplay between acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and tumorigenesis, indicating acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 as a promising therapeutic target for tumor management.
Research on the intersection angle measurement and positioning accuracy of a photoelectric theodolite
Authors: Fu Qiang , Zhao Feng , Zhu Rui , Liu Zhuang , Li Yingchao
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a heterogeneous intersection formula, a method of fusion of coordinates, and an error allocation method are introduced in order to improve the target coordinate measurement accuracy of the intersection measurement of the theodolite. Additionally, the angle measurement accuracy of the theodolite is divided into horizontal and vertical components for discussion, and the coordinate measurement accuracy of the theodolite obtained by this method is compared and analyzed. This paper first introduces the formula for coplanar intersection, then suggests the formula for fusing theodolite coordinates and error, and then verifies the accuracy of the formula through experimentation. Finally, it simulates the goniometric accuracy with the normal distribution error using MATLAB and derives the coordinate measurement accuracy using this method. The simulation results demonstrate the viability of the error distribution approach and fusion formula used for data processing in this paper.
Effect of short-term exposure to high temperatures on the reproductive behavior and physiological enzyme activities in the fruit fly Zeugodacus tau (Walker)
Authors: Li Mao , Wei Xiao-Man , Li Juan , Wei Shi-Ming , Zhang Jin-Long , Chen Guo-Hua , Zhang Xiao-Ming
Published: February 2023

Zeugodacus tau is an economically important invasive pest of various vegetables and fruits. In this study, we evaluated the effects of short-term (12 h) exposure to high temperatures on the reproductive behaviors and physiological enzyme activities of adult Z. tau flies. When compared to the control group, the mating rate in the treated group increased significantly after exposure to 34°C and 38°C. After 34°C exposure, the mating rate of the control♀-treated♂ mating was the highest (60.0%). The use of high temperatures for a short period reduced the pre-mating period and lengthened the duration of copulation. After 38°C exposure, the mating between treated♀ and treated♂ had the shortest pre-mating period of 39.0 min and the longest copulation duration of 67.8 min. Mating after a brief exposure to high temperatures had a negative impact on female reproduction, whereas mating with males who previously had a brief exposure to 34°C and 38°C significantly increased female fecundity. After 40 °C exposure, the mating between treated♀ and control♂ showed the lowest fecundity and hatching rate of 293.25 eggs and 25.71%, respectively. The mating between control♀ and treated♂ showed the highest fecundity of 1,016.75 eggs after exposure to 38°C. The SOD, POD, and CAT activities exhibited significant changes (increase or decrease) after the short-term exposure of Z. tau adults to high temperatures. After being exposed to 38°C, SOD activity increased by 2.64 and 2.10 times in females and males in the treated group, respectively, compared to the SOD activity in the control group. The AchE, CarE, and GST activities first increased and then decreased with the increase in temperature. CarE activity changed the most after exposure to 38°C, with females and males in the treated group increasing by 7.81 and 1.69 times, respectively, compared to the activity in the control group. In conclusion, mating strategy and physiological stress are important adaptive mechanisms of Z. tau for adapting to short-term heat stress in a sex-specific manner.
TM7 (Saccharibacteria) regulates the synthesis of linolelaidic acid and tricosanoic acid, and alters the key metabolites in diapause Clanis bilineata tsingtauica
Authors: Qian Lei , Chen Bo-jian , Deng Pan , Gui Fu-rong , Cao Ye , Qin Yi , Liao Huai-jian
Published: February 2023

Good exploitation and utilization of edible insects can effectively alleviate global food security crisis in years. The study on diapause larvae of Clanis bilineata tsingtauica (DLC) was conducted to explore how gut microbiota regulate the nutrients synthesis and metabolism of edible insects. The results showed that C. bilineata tsingtauica maintained a total and stable nutrition levels at early phase of diapause. The activity of instetinal enzymes in DLC fluctuated markedly with diapause time. Additionally, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant taxa, and TM7 (Saccharibacteria) was the marker species of gut microbiota in DLC. Combined the gene function prediction analysis with Pearson correlation analysis, TM7 in DLC was mainly involved in the biosynthesis of diapause-induced differential fatty acids, i.e., linolelaidic acid (LA) and tricosanoic acid (TA), which was probably regulated by changing the activity of protease and trehalase, respectively. Moreover, according to the non-target metabolomics, TM7 might regulate the significant differential metabolites, i.e., D-glutamine, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and trehalose, via the metabolism of amino acid and carbohydrate pathways. These results suggest that TM7 increased LA and decreased TA via the intestinal enzymes, and altered intestinal metabolites via the metabolism pathways, maybe a key mechanism for regulating the nutrients synthesis and metabolisms in DLC.
Cybervictimization and cyberbullying among college students: The chain mediating effects of stress and rumination
Authors: Luo Qing , Wu Na , Huang Lu
Published: February 2023

The popularity of the Internet has led to an increase in cybervictimization and cyberbullying. Many studies have focused on the factors influencing cybervictimization or cyberbullying, but few have researched the mechanism that mediates these phenomena. Therefore, in this study, we use a chain mediation model to explore the mechanisms of cybervictimization and cyberbullying. This research is based on the general aggression model and examines whether stress and rumination play a mediating role in the relationship between cybervictimization and cyberbullying among Chinese college students. This study included 1,299 Chinese college students (597 men and 702 women, M = 21.24 years, SD = 3.16) who completed questionnaires on cybervictimization, stress, rumination, and cyberbullying. Harman’s one-factor test was used to analyze common method bias; mean and standard deviations were used to analyze the descriptive statistics, Pearson’s moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between variables, and Model 6 of the SPSS macro examined the mediating effect of stress and rumination. The results indicate that rumination mediated the relationship between cybervictimization and cyberbullying. In addition, stress and rumination acted as a chain mediator in this association. These results have the potential to reduce the likelihood of college students engaging in cyberbullying as a result of cybervictimization, minimize the rate of cyberbullying among youths, and lead to the development of interventions for cybervictimization and cyberbullying.
The influence of school inclusive education climate on physical education teachers’ inclusive education competency: The mediating role of teachers’ agency
Authors: Xue Rui , Chai Hongqin , Yao Lei , Fu Wangqian
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Teachers’ inclusive education competency is the key to the successful implementation of inclusive education. Under the background of China’s vigorous development of inclusive education, the influence mechanism of inclusive education competency of Chinese physical education teachers has not been paid attention to. The present study concentrates on the relationships between school inclusive education climate, physical education teachers’ agency, and inclusive education competency.

Methods

Data were collected from 286 primary and junior high school physical education teachers through nationwide convenience sampling on the Internet in China by completing the School Inclusive Education Climate Scale, Physical Education Teachers’ Agency Scale, PE Teachers’ Inclusive Education Competency Scale.

Results

Results of structural equation modelling revealed that school inclusive education climate had a significant effect on physical education teachers’ agency. School inclusive education climate had a significant influence on physical education teachers’ inclusive education competency. The mediation effect of physical education teachers’ agency on the relationship between school inclusive education climate and inclusive education competency was significant as well.

Discussion

These results demonstrate that school inclusive education climate plays a direct and indirect role in promoting physical education teachers’ inclusive education competency.
Abnormalities in electroencephalographic microstates among violent patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Lin Ruoheng , Li Qiguang , Liu Ziwei , Zhong Shaoling , Sun Qiaoling , Guo Huijuan , Cao Hui , Zhang Xiangbin , Hu Yuhang , Zhou Jiansong , Wang Xiaoping
Published: February 2023

Schizophrenia is often associated with a remarkably increased risk of violence, which has become a public health concern and brought a great economic burden. Recent studies have reported changes in the electroencephalograms (EEG) of patients with schizophrenia. The evidence for an association between EEG and violence in patients with schizophrenia is not conclusive. This study aimed to investigate EEG microstates in violent patients with schizophrenia. Forty-three violent patients with schizophrenia (the VS group) and 51 non-violent patients with schizophrenia (the NVS group) were included, and their EEG microstates were recorded using 21-Channel EEG recordings. The two groups were compared for differences of four microstate classes (A–D) with regards to three microstate parameters (duration, occurrence, and coverage). Compared with the NVS group, the VS group exhibited increased duration, occurrence, and coverage of microstate class A and decreased occurrence of microstate class B. The VS group also had lower probabilities of transitions from “B to C” and from “C to B”, as compared with the NVS group. In addition, the MOAS score was positively correlated with the duration, occurrence, and coverage of microstate A. The present study found an abnormal pattern of EEG microstates in violent patients with schizophrenia, which might help clinicians identify patients with schizophrenia who might engaged in violence as well as develop intervention strategies at an early stage.
Naming the “baby” or the “beast”? The importance of concepts and labels in healthcare safety investigation
Authors: Wiig Siri , Macrae Carl , Frich Jan , Øyri Sina Furnes
Published: February 2023

This paper focuses on concepts and labels used in investigation of adverse events in healthcare. The aim is to prompt critical reflection of how different stakeholders frame investigative activity in healthcare and to discuss the implications of the labels we use. We particularly draw attention to issues of investigative content, legal aspects, as well as possible barriers and facilitators to willingly participate, share knowledge, and achieve systemic learning. Our message about investigation concepts and labels is that they matter and influence the quality of investigation, and how these activities may contribute to system learning and change. This message is important for the research community, policy makers, healthcare practitioners, patients, and user representatives.
Recent methodological developments in data-dependent analysis and data-independent analysis workflows for exhaustive lipidome coverage
Authors: Valmori Marie , Marie Vincent , Fenaille François , Colsch Benoit , Touboul David
Published: February 2023

Untargeted lipidomics applied to biological samples typically involves the coupling of separation methods to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Getting an exhaustive coverage of the lipidome with a high confidence in structure identification is still highly challenging due to the wide concentration range of lipids in complex matrices and the presence of numerous isobaric and isomeric species. The development of innovative separation methods and HRMS(/MS) acquisition workflows helped improving the situation but issues still remain regarding confident structure characterization. To overcome these issues, thoroughly optimized MS/MS acquisition methods are needed. For this purpose, different methodologies have been developed to enable MS and MS/MS acquisition in parallel. Those methodologies, derived from the proteomics, are referred to Data Dependent Acquisition (DDA) and Data Independent Acquisition (DIA). In this context, this perspective paper presents the latest developments of DDA- and DIA-based lipidomic workflows and lists available bioinformatic tools for the analysis of resulting spectral data.
The conservation of urban flower visitors Down Under
Authors: Iwasaki Jay M. , Hogendoorn Katja
Published: February 2023

The majority of the human population now lives in urban environments and that proportion is forecast to increase dramatically by 2050. As urbanization increases, the urban environment will increasingly play a role in biodiversity conservation. Floral visitors, often erroneously referred to as pollinators, are integral to the maintenance of ecosystem services and function. Several floral visitors are capable of adapting to urban environments, but for comprehensive protection, management practices must be tailored to specific groups. Urban biodiversity conservation is usually discussed from the northern hemisphere perspective, which has a very different ecology than its southern counterpart. Here we compare and contrast conservation strategies for urban flower visitors in Australia and New Zealand to the northern hemisphere, with a focus on birds and bees. The differences in flower visitors and floral characteristics mean that unique management strategies, which consider the local evolutionary context and integrate native flora, are required to support urban flower visitors. An additional important difference is that neither honey bees nor bumble bees, which reach high local densities in many areas, are native to the region, and thus should be excluded from urban biodiversity schemes.
Recording and analysing physical control variables used in clarinet playing: A musical instrument performance capture and analysis toolbox (MIPCAT)
Authors: Almeida André , Li Weicong , Schubert Emery , Smith John , Wolfe Joe
Published: February 2023

Measuring fine-grained physical interaction between the human player and the musical instrument can significantly improve our understanding of music performance. This article presents a Musical Instrument Performance Capture and Analysis Toolbox (MIPCAT) that can be used to capture and to process the physical control variables used by a musician while performing music. This includes both a measurement apparatus with sensors and a software toolbox for analysis. Several of the components used here can also be applied in other musical contexts. The system is here applied to the clarinet, where the instrument sensors record blowing pressure, reed position, tongue contact, and sound pressures in the mouth, mouthpiece, and barrel. Radiated sound and multiple videos are also recorded to allow details of the embouchure and the instrument’s motion to be determined. The software toolbox can synchronise measurements from different devices, including video sources, extract time-variable descriptors, segment by notes and excerpts, and summarise descriptors per note, phrase, or excerpt. An example of its application shows how to compare performances from different musicians.
A 360° perspective of women in soil science focused on the U.S
Authors: Grunwald Sabine , Daroub Samira
Published: February 2023

Gender parity and equity concerns in soil science have been reported in the United States and at global scale. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes have discouraged women away from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research in particular soil science. However, it has been recognized that science and gender equality are essential to ensure sustainable development as highlighted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Gender equity is part of diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives in higher education and professional soil science organizations in the U.S. and elsewhere. In this article we aim to provide a holistic 360° perspective of women and soils addressing gender parity, equality, and equity in the soil science profession focused on the U.S. Our critical analysis is grounded in Integral theory that considers 1) systemic institutional, organizational, educational, legal, social, political, and other system phenomena (collective perspective), 2) historical and cultural phenomena such as people’s values, beliefs, motivations, communications, traditions, memes, morals, and ethics (interpersonal perspective), and 3) individual psycho-spiritual attitudes, stories, personal voices, emotions, and experiences (subjective intrapersonal perspective). This paper provides a critical review of the issues and barriers confronting women researchers, teachers, and professionals in soil science in the U.S. complemented by examples from around the globe. Concluding remarks present future perspectives of women and soils that include leadership training, mentoring for change, personal development of women soil scientists, and participation that co-creates gender parity, equity, and equality in the soil science profession.
Applications of water activated by ozone, electrolysis, or gas plasma for microbial decontamination of raw and processed meat
Authors: Roobab Ume , Madni Ghulam Muhammad , Ranjha Muhammad Modassar Ali Nawaz , Khan Abdul Waheed , Selim Samy , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Samy Mennatalla , Zeng Xin-An , Aadil Rana Muhammad
Published: February 2023

A raw or processed meat product can be a breeding ground for spoilage bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., etc.). Failure of decontamination results in food quality loss and foodborne illnesses caused by pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Often, meat processors decontaminate the carcass using cheap chemicals or artificial antimicrobial agents not listed on the ingredient list, which is discouraged by health-conscious consumers. Foods with clean labels became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led consumers to choose healthier ingredients. Novel methods of controlling or improving meat safety are constantly being discovered. This review focuses on novel means of electrochemically activate water that is being investigated as a sanitizing agent for carcasses and processing area decontamination during production or at the end. Water can be activated by using non-thermal techniques such as ozonation, electrolysis, and cold plasma technologies. Recent studies showed that these activated liquids are powerful tools for reducing microbial activity in raw and processed meat. For instance, plasma-activated water can be used to enhance microbiological safety and avoid the negative effects of direct gaseous plasma on the organoleptic aspects of food products. In addition, electrolyzed water technology offers hurdle enhancement by combining with non-thermal strategies that have great potential. Ozonation is another way of activating water which provides a very convenient way to control microbiological safety and finds several recent applications as aqueous ozone for meat decontamination. These solutions are highly reactive and convenient for non-conventional applications in the meat industry related to food safety because of their antimicrobial or antiviral impact. The present review highlights the efficacy of activated-water decontamination of raw and processed meat via non-thermal solutions.
Equine osteoarthritis: Strategies to enhance mesenchymal stromal cell-based acellular therapies
Authors: Jammes Manon , Contentin Romain , Cassé Frédéric , Galéra Philippe
Published: February 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that eventually leads to the complete degradation of articular cartilage. Articular cartilage has limited intrinsic capacity for self-repair and, to date, there is no curative treatment for OA. Humans and horses have a similar articular cartilage and OA etiology. Thus, in the context of a One Health approach, progress in the treatment of equine OA can help improve horse health and can also constitute preclinical studies for human medicine. Furthermore, equine OA affects horse welfare and leads to significant financial losses in the equine industry. In the last few years, the immunomodulatory and cartilage regenerative potentials of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated, but have also raised several concerns. However, most of MSC therapeutic properties are contained in their secretome, particularly in their extracellular vesicles (EVs), a promising avenue for acellular therapy. From tissue origin to in vitro culture methods, various aspects must be taken into consideration to optimize MSC secretome potential for OA treatment. Immunomodulatory and regenerative properties of MSCs can also be enhanced by recreating a pro-inflammatory environment to mimic an in vivo pathological setting, but more unusual methods also deserve to be investigated. Altogether, these strategies hold substantial potential for the development of MSC secretome-based therapies suitable for OA management. The aim of this mini review is to survey the most recent advances on MSC secretome research with regard to equine OA.
Protective effects of α-terpineol and Bacillus coagulans on intestinal function in weaned piglets infected with a recombinant Escherichia coli expressing heat-stable enterotoxin STa
Authors: Wu Tao , Zhang Qian , Xu Haiwang , Li Peng , Zhao Di , Wang Lei , Yi Dan , Hou Yongqing
Published: February 2023

This study was to investigate the impact of α-terpineol (α-TPN) and Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) on weaned piglets infected with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Thirty-two weaned piglets were assigned into four treatments: Control group (basal diet), STa group (basal diet + 1 × 1010 CFU ETEC), TPN+STa group (basal diet + 0.01% α-TPN + ETEC) and BC+STa group (basal diet + 2 × 106 CFU B. coagulans + ETEC). Result showed that both α-TPN and B. coagulans could alleviate diarrhea (decreased diarrhea rate), intestinal injury (improved intestinal morphology, decreased blood I-FABP concentration, increased protein expression level of Occludin), oxidative stress (increased GSH-Px activity and decreased MDA content) and inflammation (altered concentration of TNF-α, IL-1β in blood) induced by ETEC infection. Mechanism investigation further demonstrated that the beneficial effects of α-TPN and B. coagulans supplementation upon ETEC infection may be achieved by decreasing the protein expression levels of caspase-3, AQP4 and p-NF-κB and decreasing the gene expression levels of INSR and PCK1. Besides, α-TPN supplementation could specifically decreased expression level of gene b0,+AT, and B. coagulans supplementation could specifically decreased expression level of gene AQP10 and protein HSP70 in ETEC-infected weaned piglets. These results suggested that α-TPN and B. coagulans can be used as antibiotic alternatives against ETEC infection in weaned piglets.
Smoking is a Risk Factor for Generation Z, Too: The Evolution of the Attitudes
Authors: Pavlikova Barbara , Baska Tibor , Freel Lenka , Van Dijk Jitse Pieter
Published: February 2023

Objectives: Generation Z, defined as “post-millennial,” is considered to be the first generation that could end smoking. The objective is also to take into account the evolutionary aspect of the smoking and attitudes of the Generation Z. The aim of this study was to explore the willingness of Generation Z in Slovakia to comply with the legislation adopted in the field of anti-tobacco policy and to investigate some selected social factors—intention, subjective norm and percevied behavioral control—that contribute to a lower rate of compliance.

Methods: Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data on cigarette smoking among 3,557 adolescents (age range 13–15) in 2016 as well as on attitudes towards tobacco use and control measures were used to explore the level of compliance of adolescents with anti-tobacco regulations in Slovakia within the Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC). We used the concept of intention as explained in Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour (1985), focusing on the role of subjective norm and perceived behavioural control.

Results: We found a decrease in ever smoking, current smoking and frequent smoking. We found that these adolescents start experimenting with dependence-causing substances, such as tobacco, regardless of existing rules.

Conclusion: Adolescents were attracted to smoking, although they were aware of health effects of passive smoking, and a vast majority liked smoke-free places. They are also influenced by their peers and parental models.
Case report: Urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis with trophoblastic differentiation: A rare case report and review of literature
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Wang Jinsui , Zhang Wenwen , Wang Daoying , Wang Xiaojun , Liang Xiaoqin
Published: February 2023

We report a rare case of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the renal pelvis with trophoblastic differentiation that occurred in a 55-year-old male patient. The patient presented with gross hematuria and paroxysmal lumbago pain 5 months ago. The enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large space occupying lesion in the left kidney and multiple retroperitoneal lymph node enlargements. Histologically, high-grade infiltrating urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) contained giant cells which were positive for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Three weeks after resection, positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scan showed multiple nodules of metastasis in the left renal region, extensive systemic muscle, bone, lymph node, liver and bilateral lung metastases. The patient underwent bladder perfusion chemotherapy and gemcitabine combined with cisplatin chemotherapy regimens. This is the eighth documented case of UC of the renal pelvis with trophoblastic differentiation. Due to its rarity and extremely poor prognosis, it is important to clarify the characteristics of the disease and make an accurate and prompt diagnosis.
A Novel Intelligent Method for Fault Diagnosis of Steam Turbines Based on T-SNE and XGBoost
Authors: Liang Zhiguo , Zhang Lijun , Wang Xizhe
Published: February 2023

Since failure of steam turbines occurs frequently and can causes huge losses for thermal plants, it is important to identify a fault in advance. A novel clustering fault diagnosis method for steam turbines based on t-distribution stochastic neighborhood embedding (t-SNE) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is proposed in this paper. First, the t-SNE algorithm was used to map the high-dimensional data to the low-dimensional space; and the data clustering method of K-means was performed in the low-dimensional space to distinguish the fault data from the normal data. Then, the imbalance problem in the data was processed by the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) algorithm to obtain the steam turbine characteristic data set with fault labels. Finally, the XGBoost algorithm was used to solve this multi-classification problem. The data set used in this paper was derived from the time series data of a steam turbine of a thermal power plant. In the processing analysis, the method achieved the best performance with an overall accuracy of 97% and an early warning of at least two hours in advance. The experimental results show that this method can effectively evaluate the condition and provide fault warning for power plant equipment.
Cross-Border Provision of Services: Case Study in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Nováčková Daniela , Paškrtová Lucia , Vnuková Jana
Published: February 2023

The European Union places great emphasis on removing obstacles within its internal market, which is considered a fundamental pillar of European economic integration. By way of legal acts, the conditions for the functioning freedoms of the internal market are harmonized in all EU Member States. In our study, we focus on freedom to provide services, in order to clarify the system and conditions for providing cross-border services and to identify concrete entities providing this kind of services in Slovakia. The subject of the study is the provision of services by foreign entities in the territory of the Slovak Republic, who have already obtained authorization to perform the services on the territory of their Member State of establishment in accordance with Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27 December 2006, pp. 36–68). At the same time, the study also focuses on the system of taxation of cross-border services. Based on facts and data obtained from the Register of Cross-border Services, we have identified areas of providing cross-border services in Slovakia. In our study, we have applied the methods of comparative analysis, legal research, the study of literature, and the decisions of the EU Court of Justice. The study also includes clarification of the concept of cross-border provision of services.
Multi-Megawatt Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blade Optimization Based on PSO Method
Authors: Kaviani Hamid , Moshfeghi Mohammad
Published: February 2023

Blade optimization methods are crucial for wind turbine design. In this research, a new set of values for the parameters of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method is proposed, and its effects on the enhancement of the power generation of the NREL WP-Baseline 1.5 MW horizontal axis wind turbine are investigated. First, the PSO parameters are tuned, and the convergence speed and the optimal accuracy of the objective function are improved. Then, the Class/Shape Transformation (CST) method is employed, and an appropriate order of the shape function polynomial is selected. In the third step, the WP-Baseline 1.5 MW blade is optimized according to the tuned PSO parameters, and the airfoil is represented by CST algorithms. Later, a CFD model, including 37 million cells and an IDDES turbulence model, was validated and used for a comparison of the power generation of the original and optimized blades. The optimized blade produced more power for all wind speeds above 4.5 m/s, with a maximum of 13.8% at 10 m/s and +7.25% at the rated wind speed (11.5 m/s). It should be noted that since the algorithms, tunings, and techniques adopted in the present study were general, the presented method can be used as a systematic approach for the aerodynamics shape optimization of multi-megawatt HAWTs.
Prospects for Biodiesel Production from Emerging Algal Resource: Process Optimization and Characterization of Biodiesel Properties
Authors: Hasnain Maria , Munir Neelma , Abideen Zainul , Macdonald Heather , Hamid Maria , Abbas Zaheer , El-Keblawy Ali , Mancinelli Roberto , Radicetti Emanuele
Published: February 2023

The present work focuses on the optimization of the energy conversion process and the use of algal resources for biodiesel production with ultrasound and microwave techniques in Oedogonium, Oscillatoria, Ulothrix, Chlorella, Cladophora, and Spirogyra for the first time. The fuel properties are investigated to optimize the efficiency of the newly emerging algal energy feedstock. The study indicates that the optimized microwave technique improves the lipid extraction efficiency in Oedogonium, Oscillatoria, Ulothrix, Chlorella, Cladophora, and Spirogyra (38.5, 34, 55, 48, 40, and 33%, respectively). Moreover, the ultrasonic technique was also effective in extracting more lipids from Oedogonium sp., Oscillatoria sp., Ulothrix sp., Chlorella, Cladophora sp., and Spirogyra sp. (32, 21, 51, 40, and 36%, respectively) than from controls, using an ultra-sonication power of 80 kHz with an 8-min extraction time. The fatty acid composition, especially the contents of C16:0 and C18:1, were also enhanced after the microwave and sonication pretreatments in algal species. Enhancement of the lipids extracted from algal species improved the cetane number, high heating value, cold filter plugging point, and oxidative stability as compared to controls. Our results indicate that the conversion of biofuels from algae could be increased by the ultrasound and microwave techniques, to develop an eco-green and sustainable environment.
Numerical Simulation of the Picking Process of Supernormal Jujube Branches
Authors: Zhang Ren , Wang Guofeng , Wang Wei , Ren Dezhi , Gong Yuanjuan , Yue Xiang , Hou Junming , Yang Mengmeng
Published: February 2023

This paper elaborates on a digital simulation study on supernormal particle flow used to investigate and analyze the process of picking up jujube branches, which was a meaningful attempt to search for accurate and effective advanced numerical analogy methods in the agricultural field. In this paper, the meshless technology based on the element-free Galerkin method was used for the first time to present the effects of particle size, particle number and particle acting force on the movement of irregular particles, and the influence of the gear rotation speed, the feeding amount, and the jujube branch size on the movement behavior as well as the picking rate. It can describe not only the particles’ dynamic movement in the process of picking up jujube twigs, such as feeding, collision, throwing and rolling, but also the effect of the quality and shape caused by the particle size, which in turn affects the surface force of particles and interparticle acting force, thereby affecting the weight function in the analytical solution, the total feeding amount and the effect of the acting force resulting from the particles’ contact, roll and collision caused by gear rotation. The findings reveal that the digital simulation, based on the meshless Galerkin technology and Rocky software, is effective in dealing with issues related to supernormal particle flow. By eliminating the influence of geometric shapes on calculations, the method boasts an effective solution to the movement problems of irregularly shaped particles, which would be further applied in the agriculture field.
A New Method and Model for the Estimation of Residual Value of Agricultural Tractors
Authors: Herranz-Matey Ivan , Ruiz-Garcia Luis
Published: February 2023

The residual value of a tractor affects the cost of ownership. As there is not much transactional information available for used tractors, nor is there a history of new tractor prices, existing studies struggle to forecast the residual value of agricultural tractors. This is made even more challenging by the emission-regulation-related tractor price increase, low inflation in recent decades, and the complexity of the portfolio offerings from manufacturers. Using the new equivalent tractors, grouped by families of similar characteristics, bypasses these challenges and enables us to obtain larger data sets. These large data sets can be forecasted using transparent linear power regressions that offer the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE = 1.5574) and the highest combined, adjusted coefficient of determination (RSqAdj = 0.8457), outperforming all previously tested studies as well as the ensemble, Gaussian process regression, kernel, linear regression, neural network, support vector machine, and decision tree models. The accessibility of the public information required, as well as its processing using mainstream software through a model that is simple to use, yet robust, enables any stakeholder (manufacturers, sellers, financers, insurers, and, most of all, users) to reliably determine the residual value of an agricultural tractor, empowering them to make fact-based, cost-of-ownership-optimized decisions.