bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy of betatiosolum-l in treatment of acute parenchymal hepatitis in cows
Authors:   Krasnodar Veterinary Department, Grin Vladimir A. , Abramov Andrey A. , Semenenko Marina P. , Kuzminova Elena V. , Rud Ekaterina N. ,   Krasnodar Research Centre for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Published: December 2020

Results of studies to determine therapeutic efficacy of betatiosolum-L in cows at acute parenchymal hepatitis in the conditions of livestock farming in Krasnodar region are presented in the article. For the experiment, two groups of ten animals in each were formed from the sick cows. In addition to symptomatic treatment, the experimental group got the pathogenetic therapy according to the scheme: intramuscular injection of betatiosolum-L at the dose of 30 ml (15 ml on each side of the thigh) twice a day during 14 days. In the second group of cows, the studied preparation wasn't used. The significant decrease in the level of total protein by 13.5% was determined with the simultaneous increase in the concentration of albumin and а-globulins on the background of the decrease in the Y-globulin fraction to the limits of physiological norm in the experimental group. The dynamics of the level of enzymes in the group with hepatoprotective therapy showed the presence of their intense decrease in AST (by 27.5%), in ALT (by 50.4%) and in ALP (in 1.51 times). More effective correction of carbohydrate metabolism disorders was revealed, which manifested itself in the increase in glucose level by 41.2%, triglycerides by 42.1%, and in the decrease in cholesterol concentration by 7.9% and in bilirubin in 3.1 times. Clinically, it was manifested by weakening of yellowness of the mucous membranes in experimental animals. Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract and increased appetite were registered, defecation was improved. Milk productivity began to recover. The concentration of medium mass molecules (MMM) in animals decreased by 31.6% in comparison with the background values. Ultrasound study established the normalization of the liver size and the restoration of its structure in 75% of the experimental animals.
Effects of the Fertilizer Added with DMPP on Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Microbial Functional Diversity
Authors: Tedeschi Anna , De Marco Anna , Polimeno Franca , Di Tommasi Paul , Maglione Giuseppe , Ottaiano Lucia , Arena Carmen , Magliulo Vincenzo , Vitale Luca
Published: December 2020

Agricultural sites contribute extensively to atmospheric emissions of climate-altering gases such as nitrous oxide. Several strategies have been considered to mitigate the impact of agriculture on climate, among these the utilization of fertilizers added with nitrification inhibitors such as DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) may represent a suitable solution. DMPP inhibits the growth and activity of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, particularly the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, which are involved in N2O production. At present, little information is available on the effects of DMPP on the catabolic diversity of soil microbial community. In this study, the N2O emission by soil was performed by using the static chamber technique. The biological determinations of the microbial biomass carbon and the catabolic profile were assessed by measuring the substrate-induced respiration during the entire growing season of a potato crop under two nitrogen treatments: fertilization with and without DMPP. Our results did not show a clear mitigation of N2O emission by DMPP, even if a tendency to lower N2O fluxes in DMPP plots occurred when soil temperatures were lower than 20 °C. Conversely, DMPP deeply affected the microbial biomass and the catabolism of soil microorganisms, exerting a negative effect when it accumulated in excessive doses in the soil, limiting the growth and the capacity of soil microorganism communities to use different substrates.
Effects of Irrigation, Peat-Alternative Substrate and Plant Habitus on the Morphological and Production Characteristics of Sicilian Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Biotypes Grown in Pot
Authors: La Bella Salvatore , Virga Giuseppe , Iacuzzi Nicolò , Licata Mario , Sabatino Leo , Consentino Beppe Benedetto , Leto Claudio , Tuttolomondo Teresa
Published: December 2020

Irrigation and growing substrate are considered as essential cultivation practices in order to obtain good productive and qualitative performance of potted rosemary plants. In pot growing, the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the substrate must be stable over time in order to allow regular plant growth. However, the effects of cultivation techniques on the characteristics of potted rosemary are little known. Peat is traditionally used as the organic growing medium; however, despite numerous advantages, its use has determined a degradation of peatlands in the northern hemisphere and an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of irrigation and peat-alternative substrates on the morphological, aesthetic and production characteristics of potted Sicilian rosemary biotypes with different habitus types. Two years, two different irrigation levels, three peat-alternative substrates and three types of rosemary plant habitus were tested in a split-split-split-plot design for a four-factor experiment. The results highlight that irrigation and substrate determined significant differences for all tested parameters. Rosemary plants demonstrated the best performances when irrigation was more frequent; vice versa, the greatest percent content in essential oil was obtained when irrigation events were less frequent. The chemical–physical characteristics of peat-alternative substrates changed with decreases in the peat content and increases in the compost content. The erect habitus biotype showed the best adaptation capacity to the various treatments. Our results suggest that irrigation and peat-alternative substrates significantly affect the growth of rosemary plants and should, therefore, be taken into consideration in order to improve the cultivation of this species in pots for ornamental purposes.
Persistence of Human Pathogens in Manure-Amended Australian Soils Used for Production of Leafy Vegetables
Authors: Ekman Jennifer , Goldwater Adam , Bradbury Mark , Matthews Jim , Rogers Gordon
Published: December 2020

Incorporation of manures into soil can add nutrients, improve soil structure and enhance biodiversity, thereby improving the sustainability of vegetable production systems. Unfortunately, manures can also potentially contain human enteric pathogens. To reduce the risk of contamination, Australian guidelines recommend a withholding period of 90 days between manure application and harvest for high-risk products such as leafy salad greens. Our study examined the appropriateness of these guidelines under conditions replicating those on a commercial vegetable farm. Cow manure and poultry litter with/without addition of non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeriainnocua and Salmonella sv. sofia were added to sandy and clay loam soils typical of those used to grow vegetables. Bacterial populations were monitored in the soil and on crops of cos lettuce during spring (A), summer (B) and autumn (C) trials, with testing conducted by a commercial laboratory. Significant declines in E. coli occurred within 6 to 16 days in all trials. Modelling indicated that E. coli populations would be at or close to the limit of detection within 50 days for all of the combinations tested. A 2–3 log die-off of Salmonella spp. occurred within three weeks. However, occasional detections continued throughout trial A. As a result, the probability of detection after 50 days fell from 1.0 to 0.1 and 0.02 in trials B and C, respectively, but remained at 0.44 in trial A. Listeria spp. was the most persistent in soil but was not detected on lettuce at commercial maturity. While this study was limited in scope, the results suggest that a 90 day withholding period between application of manure and harvest significantly reduces risk from enteric pathogens under Australian field conditions.
Fat Encapsulation Reduces Diarrhea in Piglets Partially by Repairing the Intestinal Barrier and Improving Fatty Acid Transport
Authors: Tian Min , Chen Jiaming , Wu Zhihui , Song Hanqing , Yang Fei , Cui Chang , Chen Fang , Zhang Shihai , Guan Wutai
Published: December 2020

(1) Background: Nutritional strategies to enhance gut function and reduce the piglet diarrhea rate are critical to increase the growth performance of piglets. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dietary fat types and/or fat microencapsulation techniques are involved in regulating the fatty acid transport system and the mechanical and immunological barriers of the small intestine. (2) Methods: Three hundred twenty-four weaning piglets were randomly divided into three groups fed a soybean oil diet (SBO, control group, 6.0% soybean oil), palm oil diet (PO, 6.0% palm oil), or encapsulated palm oil diet (EPO, 7.5% encapsulated palm oil). (3) Results: A significantly lower mRNA expression of the claudin was observed in the duodenum and jejunum of the PO group than in the SBO group (p < 0.05). However, the mRNA expression and protein abundance of claudin and ZO-1 in the jejunum of the EPO group were higher (p < 0.05) than in the PO group. Porcine β-defensin (pBD) secretion was not significantly different between the SBO and PO groups (p > 0.05), while the pBD-2 levels were significantly different (p < 0.05). Compared with the PO group, the EPO group exhibited a significantly increased secretion of pBD-2 and pBD-129 in the small intestine (p < 0.05) and pBD-1 in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05). The protein abundances of apolipoprotein AIV (Apo AIV) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) were significantly lower in the PO group than in the SBO group (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the protein abundances of fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), fatty acid translocase (CD36), and I-FABP were higher in the EPO group than in the PO group. Furthermore, the low digestibility of palm oil (PO group) might negatively regulate intestinal tight junctions, fatty acid transporters, lipoproteins, and β-defensin through the activation of the AMPK/mTORC1 and AMPK/Sirt1/NF-κB pathways. (4) Conclusions: In summary, microencapsulation techniques might alleviate the negative effects of palm oil and help to improve the intestinal fatty acid transport system and barrier function.
Molecular Evidence of Hemolivia mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and the Endosymbiont Candidatus Midichloria Mitochondrii in Hyalomma aegyptium Infesting Testudo graeca Tortoises from Doha, Qatar
Authors: Barradas Patrícia F. , Lima Clara , Cardoso Luís , Amorim Irina , Gärtner Fátima , Mesquita João R.
Published: December 2020

Tick-borne agents constitute a growing concern for human and animal health worldwide. Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard tick with a three-host life cycle, whose main hosts for adults are Palearctic tortoises of genus Testudo. Nevertheless, immature ticks can feed on a variety of hosts, representing an important eco-epidemiological issue regarding H. aegyptium pathogens circulation. Hyalomma aegyptium ticks are vectors and/or reservoirs of various pathogenic agents, such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are emergent tick-borne bacteria with a worldwide distribution and zoonotic potential, responsible for diseases that cause clinical manifestations that grade from acute febrile illness to a fulminant disease characterized by multi-organ system failure, depending on the species. Babesia and Hepatozoon/Hemolivia are tick-borne parasites with increasing importance in multiple species. Testudo graeca tortoises acquired in a large animal market in Doha, Qatar, were screened for a panel of tick-borne pathogens by conventional PCR followed by bidirectional sequencing. The most prevalent agent identified in ticks was Hemolivia mauritanica (28.6%), followed by Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (9.5%) and Ehrlichia spp. (4.7%). All samples were negative for Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. Overall, 43% of the examined adult ticks were infected with at least one agent. Only 4.7% of the ticks appeared to be simultaneously infected with two agents, i.e., Ehrlichia spp. and H. mauritanica. This is the first detection of H. mauritanica, Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus M. mitochondrii in H. aegyptium ticks collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises, in Qatar, a fact which adds to the geographical extension of these agents. The international trade of Testudo tortoises carrying ticks infected with pathogens of veterinary and medical importance deserves strict control, in order to reduce potential exotic diseases.
Assessing the Uniformity in Australian Animal Protection Law: A Statutory Comparison
Authors: Morton Rochelle , Hebart Michelle L. , Ankeny Rachel A. , Whittaker Alexandra L.
Published: December 2020

Animal welfare is not included in the Australian Constitution, rendering it a residual power of the states and territories. Commentators have suggested that inconsistencies exist between the state and territory statutes, and that a uniform approach would be beneficial. However, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the nature or extent of these purported inconsistencies. This review addresses this gap by providing a state-by-state comparison of animal protection statutes based on key provisions. Utilizing systematic review methodology, every current Australian statute with an enforceable protection provision relating to animal welfare was identified. A total of 436 statutes were examined, with 42 statutes being included in the detailed analysis. The comparison showed that animal protection laws are generally consistent between each Australian jurisdiction and were found to have similar shortcomings, notably including lack of a consistent definition of ‘animal’ and reliance on forms of legal punishment to promote animal welfare which have questionable effectiveness. It is argued that there is a need for attention to definitions of key terms and future consideration of alternative forms of penalties, but that a uniform federal approach may not be necessary to address these shortcomings.
Alterations in Energy Partitioning and Methane Emissions in Murciano-Granadina Goats Fed Orange Leaves and Rice Straw as a Replacement for Beet Pulp and Barley Straw
Authors: Romero Tamara , Palomares José L. , Moya Vicente J. , Loor Juan J. , Fernández Carlos
Published: December 2020

Considering the huge quantities of crops by-products and pruning waste such as rice straw and citrus leaves produced annually worldwide, and their potential pollution capacity, recycling as feed for livestock is an alternative. The objective was to study these by-products effect on energy balance and methane emissions in 10 Murciano-Granadina goats at maintenance. The control diet (CTR) included barley straw and beet pulp while the experimental diet (ORG) consisted of rice straw and orange leaves. Differences were found for energy intake (248 kJ/kg of BW0.75 greater for CTR than ORG). The intake of metabolizable energy was 199 kJ/kg of BW0.75 lower in ORG than CTR, and the energy efficiency was higher with CTR (0.61) than ORG (0.48). Protein retained in the body was 9 g/goat greater with CTR than ORG, and fat retention in the body was approximately 108 g/goat greater with CTR than ORG. Despite more unfavorable energy balance in response to feeding ORG than CTR, the retention of body energy was always positive. Reductions in CH4 emissions were detected when goats were fed ORG diet (from 22.3 to 20.0 g/d). Overall results suggested that feeding orange leaves and rice straw was effective in reducing CH4 emissions without adversely affecting energy balance.
Study on the Function and Mechanism of Lin28B in the Formation of Chicken Primordial Germ Cells
Authors: Zuo Qisheng , Zhou Jing , Wang Man , Zhang Yani , Chen Guohong , Li Bichun
Published: December 2020

Lin28A and Lin28B are two homologues of the same family of RNA binding proteins (RBPs). The function and molecular mechanism of Lin28A in the formation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) are very clear, but the related research on Lin28B is rarely reported. Here, we found that the overexpression of Lin28B can promote the formation of PGC in vivo. Furthermore, the overexpression of Lin28B also resulted in the inhibition of totipotency gene expression and upregulated the PGCs marker genes, and a significant increase in the number of PGCs in genital ridge, as detected by Periodic Acid-Schiff(PAS) staining. However, the inhibited Lin28B expression showed completely opposite results, which were confirmed on the PGC induction model in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that the overexpression of Lin28B can inhibit the maturation of let-7a-3p, and the results of high-throughput sequencing indicated that let-7a-3p was a negative regulator of the formation process of PGCs. Therefore, we conclude that our results determine that Lin28B participates in the formation of PGCs through let-7a-3p, which set a theoretical foundation for improving the function and mechanism of Lin28 family in the formation of PGCs.
Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions in Pregnant Women in Małopolska Province
Authors: Różańska Anna , Pac Agnieszka , Jachowicz Estera , Jaślan Dorota , Siewierska Małgorzata , Wójkowska-Mach Jadwiga
Published: December 2020

Background: excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics is a common event that contributes to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Based on the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC)-Net reports, outpatient antibiotics prescribing in Poland, is higher than the European average rate. However, ECDC reports do not provide data on consumption in specific patient groups. Additional studies focused on selected patient groups are needed for a more detailed analysis. The use of antibiotics during pregnancy is inevitable due to the proven risk of complications in this period, perinatal infections, and infections in newborns, in the situation of frequent infections of the genital tract, urinary tract, and asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of antibiotics/the implementation of antibiotic prescriptions ordered by gynecologists during pregnancy in pregnant women in Małopolska Voivodeship, with particular emphasis on demographic data and drug groups. Material and methods: the analysis used data on the reimbursement of antibiotics from the Małopolska Health Fund for 2013–2014. The database contained information of a demographic nature: age, place of residence, date of birth, as well as information on the type of drug, and the number of packages purchased by the patients. Results: the study included 67,917 women. During pregnancy, 23.6% filled their prescriptions for antibiotics. In the first trimester, the percentage of women filling their prescriptions for antibiotics was the lowest and amounted to 7.8%, in the second and third trimesters, these were 9.0% and 11.2%, respectively. The inhabitants of rural areas bought antibiotics more often (23.5%). Most frequently, antibiotics were purchased by women under 18 years of age (32.1%), but the use of antibiotics in women aged 18–34 and over 35 was similar, amounting to 23.8% and 22.7%, respectively. Most often (94.78% of cases) monotherapy was used, including beta-lactams and beta-lactams with an inhibitor (67.3%), then second-generation cephalosporins (13.5%), macrolides (14.73%), and others. Prescription of two different preparations was found in 5.06% of cases, three (0.19%), and four or more (0.03%). Conclusions: due to the fact that studies on antibiotic therapy in pregnant women in Poland are rare, it is impossible to assess the situation thoroughly. Additionally, in Poland, the prevalence of gestational infections is unknown, and their diagnostics is important, especially in relation to microbiological diagnostics and targeted treatment. However, the present results indicate the need to implement broad health promotion programs, accessible to all women, also those living outside large cities, particularly promoting the prevention of urinary tract infections and reproductive health in general.
Concentration of Penicillin G in Jawbone Affected by Antiresorptive Agent-Related Osteonecrosis Following a Single Preoperative Dose
Authors: Poxleitner Philipp , Ermer Michael Andreas , Trittler Rainer , Feuerstein Carolin Lena , Otten Jörg-Elard , Schmelzeisen Rainer , Voss Pit Jacob , Steybe David
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of penicillin G in bone affected by antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ) following a single preoperative dose of 10 million international units (6000 mg). ARONJ is a major concern in patients administered antiresorptive agents for conditions associated with pathologically increased bone resorption. Antibiotic therapy is a key component of most treatment approaches for ARONJ and penicillin based regimens, providing a cost effective therapy option with a favorable side effect profile, are administered most frequently. In this study, high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was applied to evaluate penicillin G concentration in serum and bone samples of 19 patients suffering from ARONJ and undergoing surgical treatment under perioperative intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. Penicillin G bone concentrations were above the limit of detection (0.1 μg/g bone tissue) in 16 out of 19 samples, with a median concentration of 2.7 μg/g (range 0.1–8.8 μg/g). Penicillin G concentrations in intraoperative serum samples were above the limit of detection in all serum samples, with a median concentration of 116 μg/mL (range 1–232 μg/mL). Thus, considering bacteria frequently found in ARONJ lesions, penicillin G at levels providing adequate antimicrobial activity was detected in the serum and 16 out of 19 osteonecrotic lesions of patients suffering from ARONJ.
The Not-So-Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Antibiotic Research: An Interdisciplinary Opportunity
Authors: Servitje Lorenzo
Published: December 2020

Literary-rhetorical devices like figurative language and analogy can help explain concepts that exceed our capacity to grasp intuitively. It is not surprising these devices are used to discuss virulence, pathogenesis, and antibiotics. Allusions to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde seem to be used with particular frequency in research pertaining to pathogens, especially in studies contemporary with our evolving understanding of antibiotic resistance. More recent references to the text have appeared in research parsing definitions of virulence and acknowledging the role of anti-virulence in future therapeutics. While it is obvious that scientists invoke Stevenson’s story for stylistic purposes, its use could go beyond the stylistic—and might even generate rhetorical and imaginative possibilities for framing research. This perspective discusses the first published allusion to Jekyll and Hyde in reference to virulence and pathogenesis; comments on a select number of specific instances of Jekyll and Hyde in contemporary scientific literature; briefly contextualizes the novel; and concludes with the implications of a more productive engagement with humanistic disciplines in the face of antibiotic resistance.
Antioxidant Effect of Lycium barbarum Leaf through Inflammatory and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Mechanism
Authors: Lee So Rok , An Mi-Yeong , Hwang Hye-Jeong , Yoon Ju-Gyeong , Cho Jin Ah
Published: December 2020

Although the prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a defective immune response of the gastrointestinal tract, has been increasing in North America and Western Europe, recent studies have shown that this disease is also increasing rapidly in Asia. Several studies have been searching for functional foods that can prevent or reduce IBD symptoms because the drug treatments for IBD are expensive with complications. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), an observational study of a genome-wide set of genetic variants in different individuals, showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the causes of IBD. Previously, we reported the effects of Lyciumbarbarum fruit and this study investigated the effects of Lycium barbarum leaf (LL) on inflammation and ER stress of the intestine. The paracellular permeability, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory response were measured on polarized Caco-2 cells. The ER stress pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated on MEF-knockout cell lines, and on the intestines of the mice fed a high-fat diet with lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Our data showed that the LL pretreatment strengthened the tight junction integrity and reduced NO production both in the presence and in the absence of inflammation. Furthermore, LL inhibited ER stress and inflammation via IRE1α and XBP1 in vitro as well as in the inflamed intestines of mice, highlighting the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function of LL in an IRE1α-XBP1-dependent manner.
Mitochondria, Oxidative Stress, cAMP Signalling and Apoptosis: A Crossroads in Lymphocytes of Multiple Sclerosis, a Possible Role of Nutraceutics
Authors: Signorile Anna , Ferretta Anna , Ruggieri Maddalena , Paolicelli Damiano , Lattanzio Paolo , Trojano Maria , De Rasmo Domenico
Published: December 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex inflammatory and neurodegenerative chronic disease that involves the immune and central nervous systems (CNS). The pathogenesis involves the loss of blood–brain barrier integrity, resulting in the invasion of lymphocytes into the CNS with consequent tissue damage. The MS etiology is probably a combination of immunological, genetic, and environmental factors. It has been proposed that T lymphocytes have a main role in the onset and propagation of MS, leading to the inflammation of white matter and myelin sheath destruction. Cyclic AMP (cAMP), mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress exert a role in the alteration of T lymphocytes homeostasis and are involved in the apoptosis resistance of immune cells with the consequent development of autoimmune diseases. The defective apoptosis of autoreactive lymphocytes in patients with MS, allows these cells to perpetuate, within the CNS, a continuous cycle of inflammation. In this review, we discuss the involvement in MS of cAMP pathway, mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and their interaction in the alteration of T lymphocytes homeostasis. In addition, we discuss a series of nutraceutical compounds that could influence these aspects.
The Prediction Method on the Early Failure of Hydropower Units Based on Gaussian Process Regression Driven by Monitoring Data
Authors: Huang Huade , Qin Aisong , Mao Hanling , Fu Jiahe , Huang Zhenfeng , Yang Yi , Li Xinxin , Huang He
Published: December 2020

The hydropower units have a complex structure, complicated and changing working conditions, complexity and a diversity of faults. Effectively evaluating the healthy operation status and accurately predicting the failure for the hydropower units using the real-time monitoring data is still a difficult problem. To this end, this paper proposes a prediction method for the early failure of hydropower units based on Gaussian process regression (GPR). Firstly, by studying the correlation between different monitoring data, nine state parameters closely related to the operation of hydropower units are mined from the massive data. Secondly, a health evaluation model is established based on GPR using the historical multi-dimensional monitoring information and fault-free monitoring data at the initial stage of unit operation. Finally, a condition monitoring directive based on the Mahalanobis distance (MD) is designed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by several typical examples of monitoring data of a hydropower station in Guangxi, China. The results show that, in three cases, the abnormal conditions of the unit are found 2 days, 4 days and 43 days earlier than those of regular maintenances respectively. Therefore, the method can effectively track the change process of the operation state of hydropower units, and detect the abnormal operation state of hydropower units in advance.
Failure Threshold Determination of Rolling Element Bearings Using Vibration Fluctuation and Failure Modes
Authors: Behzad Mehdi , Feizhoseini Sajjad , Arghand Hesam Addin , Davoodabadi Ali , Mba David
Published: December 2020

One of the challenges in predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of rolling element bearings (REBs) is determining a proper failure threshold (FT). In the literature, the FT is usually assumed to be a constant value of an extracted feature from the vibration signals. In this study, a degradation indicator was extracted to describe damage to REBs by applying principal component analysis (PCA) to their run-to-failure data. The relationship between this degradation indicator and the vibration peak was represented through a joint probability distribution using statistical copula models. The FT was proposed as a probability distribution based on the fluctuation increase in the vibration trend. A set of run-to-failure tests was conducted. Applying the proposed method to this dataset led to various FTs for the different failure modes that occurred. It is shown that, for inner race degradation, a higher FT can be assumed than for rolling element degradation. This could help extend the lives of REBs regarding the degrading elements. A dataset for an industrial machine was also analyzed and it is shown that the proposed model estimated a reasonable and proper FT in an actual case study.
ID-Service: A Blockchain-Based Platform to Support Digital-Identity-Aware Service Accountability
Authors: Argento Luciano , Buccafurri Francesco , Furfaro Angelo , Graziano Sabrina , Guzzo Antonella , Lax Gianluca , Pasqua Francesco , Saccà Domenico
Published: December 2020

Accountability refers to the need of individuals or organizations to account for their activities, accept responsibility, and disclose results in a transparent manner. Nowadays, the pervasivity of digital systems is making increasingly critical security, reliability, and trustworthiness of such services. When a service is delivered by involving different (eventually conflicting) parties, accountability could be achieved by including in digital transactions a trusted third party (TTP). Blockchain decentralizes trust, thus avoiding to rely on a single TTP. However, to deal with accountability in concrete solutions, the issue of securely integrating digital identity and Blockchain should be solved. The paper describes the results of a three-year research project merging academic and industrial expertise, to design and implement a Blockchain-based platform for service accountability integrating eIDAS-compliant Public Digital Identity. The platform has been used in several real-life contexts made available by industrial project partners, which demonstrated the effectiveness and novelty of the solution.
A Review on the Importance of Microbial Biopolymers Such as Xanthan Gum to Improve Soil Properties
Authors: Mendonça Amanda , Morais Paula V. , Pires Ana Cecília , Chung Ana Paula , Oliveira Paulo Venda
Published: December 2020

Chemical stabilization of soils is one of the most used techniques to improve the properties of weak soils in order to allow their use in geotechnical works. Although several binders can be used for this purpose, Portland cement is still the most used binder (alone or combined with others) to stabilize soils. However, the use of Portland cement is associated with many environmental problems, so microbiological-based approaches have been explored to replace conventional methods of soil stabilization as sustainable alternatives. Thus, the use of biopolymers, produced by microorganisms, has emerged as a technical alternative for soil improvement, mainly due to soil pore-filling, which is called the bioclogging method. Many studies have been carried out in the last few years to investigate the suitability and efficiency of the soil–biopolymer interaction and consequent properties relevant to geotechnical engineering. This paper reviews some of the recent applications of the xanthan gum biopolymer to evaluate its viability and potential to improve soil properties. In fact, recent results have shown that the use of xanthan gum in soil treatment induces the partial filling of the soil voids and the generation of additional links between the soil particles, which decreases the permeability coefficient and increases the mechanical properties of the soil. Moreover, the biopolymer’s economic viability was also analyzed in comparison to cement, and studies have demonstrated that xanthan gum has a strong potential, both from a technical and economical point of view, to be applied as a soil treatment.
The Method of Production Scheduling with Uncertainties Using the Ants Colony Optimisation
Authors: Paprocka Iwona , Krenczyk Damian , Burduk Anna
Published: December 2020

Production and maintenance tasks apply for access to the same resources. Maintenance-related machine downtime reduces productivity, but the costs incurred due to unplanned machine failures often outweigh the costs associated with predictive maintenance. Costs incurred due to unplanned machine failure include corrective maintenance, reworks, delays in deliveries, breaks in the work of employees and machines. Therefore, scheduling of production and maintenance tasks should be considered jointly. The problem of generating a predictive schedule with given constrains is considered. The objective of the paper is to develop a scheduling method that reflects the operation of the production system and nature of disturbances. The original value of the paper is the development of the method of a basic schedule generation with the application of the Ant Colony Optimisation. A predictive schedule is built by planning the technical inspection of the machine at time of the predicted failure-free time. The numerical simulations are performed for job/flow shop systems.
Characterization of Magnetite–Silica Magnetic Fluids by Laser Scattering
Authors: Velichko Elena N. , Nepomnyashchaya Elina K. , Gareev Kamil G. , Martínez Javier , Maicas Marco C.
Published: December 2020

The paper is concerned with structural, morphological and magnetic properties of magnetite-silica magnetic fluids. The granulometric composition of the magnetic fluids was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the phase composition was studied by X-ray diffraction and reflection high-energy electron diffraction, and magnetic properties were studied by vibrating sample magnetometry. In order to reveal the particle size distribution, dynamic light scattering and a proposed modification of depolarized dynamic light scattering were employed. The shape and dimensions of magnetic nanoparticles and also their aggregates are described. While the aspect ratio for the aggregates was 0.5–0.99, individual nanoparticles had an average aspect ratio of 0.9 and were nearly spherical. The sedimentation stability of a diluted magnetic fluid was also investigated. When the fluids were diluted 200 times, the stability was partially lost, and the nanoparticles aggregated, thereby forming clusters, and precipitated.
Influence of the Secondary Ion Beam Source on the Laser Damage Mechanism and Stress Evolution of IBS Hafnia Layers
Authors: Stevanovic Igor , Balogh-Michels Zoltán , Bächli Andreas , Wittwer Valentin J. , Südmeyer Thomas , Stuck Alexander , Gischkat Thomas
Published: December 2020

Ion beam sputtered hafnia is a preferred high index coating material for laser applications. It exhibits a mostly amorphous structure and an adequate laser-induced damage (LIDT) threshold. In this work, we investigated the influence of an assisting ion source on the film stress as well as the LIDT of the sputtered hafnia layers. The stress increases with an increasing ion energy of the assisting ion beam. We identified a maximum compressive stress of 3–3.5 GPa before the film cracks, blisters, and delaminates. Different states of stress lead to different laser-induced damage thresholds and damage morphologies.
Blockchain-Based Distributed Patient-Centric Image Management System
Authors: Jabarulla Mohamed Yaseen , Lee Heung-No
Published: December 2020

In recent years, many researchers have focused on developing a feasible solution for storing and exchanging medical images in the field of health care. Current practices are deployed on cloud-based centralized data centers, which increase maintenance costs, require massive storage space, and raise privacy concerns about sharing information over a network. Therefore, it is important to design a framework to enable sharing and storing of big medical data efficiently within a trustless environment. In the present paper, we propose a novel proof-of-concept design for a distributed patient-centric image management (PCIM) system that is aimed to ensure safety and control of patient private data without using a centralized infrastructure. In this system, we employed an emerging Ethereum blockchain and a distributed file system technology called Inter-Planetary File System (IPFS). Then, we implemented an Ethereum smart contract called the patient-centric access control protocol to enable a distributed and trustworthy access control policy. IPFS provides the means for decentralized storage of medical images with global accessibility. We describe how the PCIM system architecture facilitates the distributed and secured patient-centric data access across multiple entities such as hospitals, patients, and image requestors. Finally, we deployed a smart contract prototype on an Ethereum testnet blockchain and evaluated the proposed framework within the Windows environment. The evaluation results demonstrated that the proposed scheme is efficient and feasible.
Prediction of Blast-Induced Ground Vibration Using an Adaptive Network-Based Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Jelušič Primož , Ivanič Andrej , Lubej Samo
Published: December 2020

Efforts were made to predict and evaluate blast-induced ground vibrations and frequencies using an adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which has a fast-learning capability and the ability to capture the non-linear response during the blasting process. For this purpose, the ground vibrations generated by the blast in a tunnel tube were monitored at a residential building located directly above the tunnel tube. To investigate the usefulness of this approach, the prediction by the ANFIS was also compared to those by three of the most commonly used vibration predictors. The efficiency criteria chosen for the comparison between the predicted and actual data were the sum of squares due to error (SSE), the root mean squared error (RMSE), and the goodness of fit (R-squared and adjusted R-squared). The results show that the ANFIS prediction model performs better than the commonly used predictors.
Resolving Dilemmas Arising during Design and Implementation of Digital Repository of Heterogenic Scientific Resources
Authors: Kubik Tomasz , Kwiecień Agnieszka
Published: December 2020

The creation of digital repositories for archiving and disseminating scientific resources faces many challenges. These challenges relate not only to the modelling of the processes of preparing, depositing, sharing, maintaining, and curating resources. They also face the feasibility of the adopted assumptions and final implementation. Such kind of issues become particularly important in the case of processing of resources containing multimedia. The critical factor then becomes a properly designed architecture that supports efficient data processing and universal data presentation. This article aims to answer questions that may arise when approaching various designing and implementation dilemmas, such as how to handle processes in a digital repository, how to use cloud solutions in its construction, how to work with user interfaces, and how to process collected multimedia. The presented study explores their practical context based on the experiences gained during the AZON platform’s implementation. This platform stores tens of thousands of scientific resources: books, articles, magazines, teaching materials, presentations, photos, 3D scans, audio and video files, databases, and many more. It serves as a running example for all presented proposals.
Political Art Criticism and the Need for Theory
Authors: Neofetou Daniel
Published: December 2020

Day-to-day art criticism and art theory are qualitatively distinct. Whereas the best art criticism entails a closeness to its objects which is attuned to particularity, art theory inherently makes generalized claims, whether these claims are extrapolated from the process of art criticism or not. However, this article argues that these dynamics are effectively reversed if we consider the disparity between the criticism of so-called political art and attempts over the last century to elaborate theory which accounts for the political in art qua art. Art theory has located the political force of art precisely in the way that its particularity opposes or resists the status quo. Art criticism, on the other hand, tends to treat artwork as a text to be interpreted whose particularity may as well dissolve when translated into discourse. Drawing from the work of Theodor W. Adorno, this article argues that political art theory calls for art criticism more attuned to experience if it is to elucidate art’s critical valence.
Understanding the Heterogeneity of Tourists’ Choices under Climate Change Risks: A Segmentation Analysis
Authors: Lam-González Yen. E. , Galindo Carmen García , Hernández Matías M. González , León Carmelo J.
Published: December 2020

This paper undertakes a data-driven segmentation analysis on tourists’ choice of island destinations in the context of a changing climate. To this end, 2528 tourists visiting ten European islands in the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Atlantic regions were posed hypothetical situations in which diverse impacts caused by CC (i.e., beach loss, heatwaves, storm intensification, etc.) were affecting the islands being visited. In each scenario, tourists’ responses ranged from stay on the island to change to an alternative destination. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of four segments: (1) LO-loyal oriented—tourists willing to stay on the island despite any climatic event (in this group, tourists would often change the travel date); (2) RA-risk-averse—tourists who would always avoid islands affected by CC; (3) WIL-risk-specific—a segment of tourists with a special aversion to the risks associated with wildlife disappearance and damage to infrastructure, and (4) 3S-sun, sea and sand seekers—tourists who would always avoid visiting islands where CC induced effects are related to beach loss or extreme events. Further analysis is dedicated to comparing segments in regard to their sociodemographic characteristics, the image of the island, and the importance given to the protection of environmental attributes when choosing an island destination. The results alert us about the climate-specific risks and tourist profiles that are relevant to explaining changes in the tourism geography and seasonality of islands. The findings are useful for providing operational marketing recommendations for destination managers, especially for taking competitive advantage of climate services, and for prevention and responsiveness management strategies.
Annual Cycle of East Asian Precipitation Simulated by CMIP6 Models
Authors: Yan Yuhan , Zhu Congwen , Liu Boqi , Jiang Song
Published: December 2020

Annual cycle is fundamental in the East Asian monsoon (EAM) systems, profoundly governing the spatiotemporal distribution of the East Asian rainfall. The present study identified the dominant modes of the annual cycle in the East Asian rainfall based on the Fourier harmonic analysis and the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) decomposition. We evaluated the performance of the first two leading modes (i.e., EOF-1 and EOF-2) in historical experiments (1979–2014) of the 21 released climate models of phase six of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Comparing with the observation, although the CMIP6 models yield the essential fidelity, they still show considerable systematic biases in the amplitude and phase of the annual cycle, especially in east and south China. Most models exhibit substantial phase delays in the EOF-2 mode of the annual cycle. Some specific models (BCC-ESM1, CanESM5, and GFDL-CM4) exhibiting better performance could capture the observed annual cycle and the underlying physics in climatology and interannual variability. The limited fidelity of the EOF-2 mode of the EAM annual cycle primarily hinders the monsoon variability simulation and thus the reliable future projection. Therefore, the dominant modes of the EAM annual cycle act as the evaluate benchmark in the EAM modelling framework. Their improvement could be one possible bias correction strategy for decreasing the uncertainty in the CMIP6 simulation of the EAM.
Composition and Pollution Characteristics of Precipitation in Jeju Island, Korea for 1997–2015
Authors: Bu Jun-Oh , Ko Hee-Jung , Kang Chang-Hee , Kim Won-Hyung , Song Jung-Min
Published: December 2020

This study focuses on the long-range chemical composition and pollution characteristics of precipitation components. Samples were collected from Jeju Island in 1997–2015, and their major ionic components were analyzed. Comparison of ion balance, electrical conductivity, and acid fraction of precipitation samples yielded correlation coefficients in the range of 0.937–0.980. The volume-weighted mean pH and electrical conductivity of the wet precipitation of the Jeju area were 4.81 and 21.7 μS/cm, respectively. Ionic strengths of the wet precipitation samples were within the range of 0.24 ± 0.26 mM, indicating that more than 30% of the total precipitation satisfied the pure precipitation criterion. Of the total precipitation in the Jeju area, 44% exhibited a pH in the range of 4.5–5.0, indicating weak acidity. The composition of sea salts and secondary pollutants in the precipitation were 56.8% and 28.7%, respectively, indicating that the precipitation in the Jeju area was affected by the surrounding coastal area. The acidity contributions by inorganic and organic acids were 92.3% and 7.7%, respectively, whereas, the neutralization factors for ammonia and calcium carbonate were 47.0% and 20.0%, respectively. Clustered back trajectory analysis indicates that the concentrations of most ionic components were higher in the airflow pathways to the Jeju area.
Induction of Genomic Instability in a Primary Human Fibroblast Cell Line Following Low-Dose Alpha-Particle Exposure and the Potential Role of Exosomes
Authors: Elbakrawy Eman Mohammed , Mayah Ammar , Hill Mark A. , Kadhim Munira
Published: December 2020

Purpose: To study the induction of genomic instability (GI) in the progeny of cell populations irradiated with low doses of alpha-particles and the potential role of exosome-encapsulated bystander signalling. Methods: The induction of GI in HF19 normal fibroblast cells was assessed by determining the formation of micronuclei (MN) in binucleate cells along with using the alkaline comet assay to assess DNA damage. Results: Low dose alpha-particle exposure (0.0001–1 Gy) was observed to produce a significant induction of micronuclei and DNA damage shortly after irradiation (assays performed at 5 and 1 h post exposure, respectively). This damage was not only still evident and statistically significant in all irradiated groups after 10 population doublings, but similar trends were observed after 20 population doublings. Exosomes from irradiated cells were also observed to enhance the level of DNA damage in non-irradiated bystander cells at early times. Conclusion: very low doses of alpha-particles are capable of inducing GI in the progeny of irradiated cells even at doses where <1% of the cells are traversed, where the level of response was similar to that observed at doses where 100% of the cells were traversed. This may have important implications with respect to the evaluation of cancer risk associated with very low-dose alpha-particle exposure and deviation from a linear dose response.