bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cross-Sectional Study of Antimicrobial Usage on Commercial Broiler and Layer Chicken Farms in Bangladesh
Authors: Imam Tasneem , Gibson Justine S. , Foysal Mohammad , Das Shetu Bhusan , Gupta Suman Das , Fournié Guillaume , Hoque Md. Ahasanul , Henning Joerg
Published: January 2021

Commercial poultry production is growing rapidly in Bangladesh to address the increasing demand for poultry meat and eggs. Challenges faced by producers include the occurrence of poultry diseases, which are usually treated or controlled by antimicrobials. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 57 commercial layer and 83 broiler farms in eight subdistricts of the Chattogram district, Bangladesh, to assess antimicrobial usage in relation to clinical signs observed in chicken flocks on these farms. Of the 140 commercial chicken farms, 137 (97.9%) used antimicrobials and 24 different antimicrobial agents were administered. On layer farms, the most commonly used antimicrobials were ciprofloxacin (37.0% of farms, 20/54), amoxicillin (33.3%, 18/54), and tiamulin (31.5%, 17/54), while on broiler farms, colistin (56.6%, 47/83), doxycycline (50.6%, 42/83), and neomycin (38.6%, 32/83) were most commonly administered. Only 15.3% (21/137) of farmers used antimicrobials exclusively for therapeutic purposes, while 84.7% (116/137) of farmers used them prophylactically, administering them either for prophylactic purposes only (22.6% of farmers, 31/137) or in combination with therapeutic purposes (62.1% of farmers, 85/137). About 83.3% (45/54) of layer farmers were selling eggs while antimicrobials were being administered compared to 36.1% (30/83) of the broiler farmers selling broiler chickens while administering antimicrobials. Overall, 75.2% (103/137) of farmers reported clinical signs for which they administered antimicrobials, while 24.8% (34/137) of farmers reported no clinical signs but still administered antimicrobials. Respiratory signs (71.8% of farms with clinical signs, 74/103) were most commonly reported, followed by enteric signs (32.0%, 33/103) and increased mortality (16.5%, 17/103). About 37.2% (51/137) of farmers bought antimicrobials exclusively from feed and chick traders, followed by veterinary medical stores (35.0%, 48/137). Purchasing antimicrobials from feed and chick traders was more common among broiler than layer farmers. It is recommended that commercial poultry farmers should keep records of antimicrobials used with dosage and duration of administration along with indication of use. This would allow farmers and veterinarians to review if antimicrobial usage had the desired effects and to evaluate the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents under an antimicrobial stewardship approach.
Active Control of Submerged Systems by Moving Mass
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi Mohammad Yaghoub
Published: January 2021

In this study, the active vibration control of a rectangular plate submerged in water was investigated. Mass dampers were attached to the plate, and the system was modeled via assumed mode. Water is modeled as an inviscid fluid with moving boundaries at fluid–solid interaction surfaces and applied forces on the plate being calculated by Bernoulli equation. The natural frequencies of the plate in vacuum and in water (for partial and fully submerged cases) found from numerical calculations are compared with experimental results to prove the accuracy of the model. Subsequently, for frequency computations, particular frequencies were chosen and active damping was applied for them. To actively control the plate’s vibration by a moving mass with static stable methods, the displacement data of some points were used as input. First, to increase the damping of target mode at low-frequency, the negative acceleration feedback control algorithm in modal-space was applied. Then, the decentralized method was examined. Both methods were successful in suppressing vibration of the submerged rectangular plate.
Proof of Concept Study for Fuselage Boundary Layer Ingesting Propulsion
Authors: Seitz Arne , Habermann Anaïs Luisa , Peter Fabian , Troeltsch Florian , Castillo Pardo Alejandro , Della Corte Biagio , van Sluis Martijn , Goraj Zdobyslaw , Kowalski Mariusz , Zhao Xin , Grönstedt Tomas , Bijewitz Julian , Wortmann Guido
Published: January 2021

Key results from the EU H2020 project CENTRELINE are presented. The research activities undertaken to demonstrate the proof of concept (technology readiness level—TRL 3) for the so-called propulsive fuselage concept (PFC) for fuselage wake-filling propulsion integration are discussed. The technology application case in the wide-body market segment is motivated. The developed performance bookkeeping scheme for fuselage boundary layer ingestion (BLI) propulsion integration is reviewed. The results of the 2D aerodynamic shape optimization for the bare PFC configuration are presented. Key findings from the high-fidelity aero-numerical simulation and aerodynamic validation testing, i.e., the overall aircraft wind tunnel and the BLI fan rig test campaigns, are discussed. The design results for the architectural concept, systems integration and electric machinery pre-design for the fuselage fan turbo-electric power train are summarized. The design and performance implications on the main power plants are analyzed. Conceptual design solutions for the mechanical and aero-structural integration of the BLI propulsive device are introduced. Key heuristics deduced for PFC conceptual aircraft design are presented. Assessments of fuel burn, NOx emissions, and noise are presented for the PFC aircraft and benchmarked against advanced conventional technology for an entry-into-service in 2035. The PFC design mission fuel benefit based on 2D optimized PFC aero-shaping is 4.7%.
3D Gravity Inversion on Unstructured Grids
Authors: Sun Siyuan , Yin Changchun , Gao Xiuhe
Published: January 2021

Compared with structured grids, unstructured grids are more flexible to model arbitrarily shaped structures. However, based on unstructured grids, gravity inversion results would be discontinuous and hollow because of cell volume and depth variations. To solve this problem, we first analyzed the gradient of objective function in gradient-based inversion methods, and a new gradient scheme of objective function is developed, which is a derivative with respect to weighted model parameters. The new gradient scheme can more effectively solve the problem with lacking depth resolution than the traditional inversions, and the improvement is not affected by the regularization parameters. Besides, an improved fuzzy c-means clustering combined with spatial constraints is developed to measure property distribution of inverted models in both spatial domain and parameter domain simultaneously. The new inversion method can yield a more internal continuous model, as it encourages cells and their adjacent cells to tend to the same property value. At last, the smooth constraint inversion, the focusing inversion, and the improved fuzzy c-means clustering inversion on unstructured grids are tested on synthetic and measured gravity data to compare and demonstrate the algorithms proposed in this paper.
Extending In-Plane Impedance Measurements from 2D to 3D Cultures: Design Considerations
Authors: De Leon Sorel E. , Cleuren Lana , Oo Zay Yar , Stoddart Paul R. , McArthur Sally L.
Published: January 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have recently emerged as tools for biologically modelling the human body. As 3D models make their way into laboratories there is a need to develop characterisation techniques that are sensitive enough to monitor the cells in real time and without the need for chemical labels. Impedance spectroscopy has been shown to address both of these challenges, but there has been little research into the full impedance spectrum and how the different components of the system affect the impedance signal. Here we investigate the impedance of human fibroblast cells in 2D and 3D collagen gel cultures across a broad range of frequencies (10 Hz to 5 MHz) using a commercial well with in-plane electrodes. At low frequencies in both 2D and 3D models it was observed that protein adsorption influences the magnitude of the impedance for the cell-free samples. This effect was eliminated once cells were introduced to the systems. Cell proliferation could be monitored in 2D at intermediate frequencies (30 kHz). However, the in-plane electrodes were unable to detect any changes in the impedance at any frequency when the cells were cultured in the 3D collagen gel. The results suggest that in designing impedance measurement devices, both the nature and distribution of the cells within the 3D culture as well as the architecture of the electrodes are key variables.
The Long-Term Evolutionary History of Gradual Reduction of CpG Dinucleotides in the SARS-CoV-2 Lineage
Authors: Subramanian Sankar
Published: January 2021

Recent studies suggested that the fraction of CG dinucleotides (CpG) is severely reduced in the genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The CpG deficiency was predicted to be the adaptive response of the virus to evade degradation of the viral RNA by the antiviral zinc finger protein that specifically binds to CpG nucleotides. By comparing all representative genomes belonging to the genus Betacoronavirus, this study examined the potential time of origin of CpG depletion. The results of this investigation revealed a highly significant correlation between the proportions of CpG nucleotide (CpG content) of the betacoronavirus species and their times of divergence from SARS-CoV-2. Species that are distantly related to SARS-CoV-2 had much higher CpG contents than that of SARS-CoV-2. Conversely, closely related species had low CpG contents that are similar to or slightly higher than that of SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest a systematic and continuous reduction in the CpG content in the SARS-CoV-2 lineage that might have started since the Sarbecovirus + Hibecovirus clade separated from Nobecovirus, which was estimated to be 1213 years ago. This depletion was not found to be mediated by the GC contents of the genomes. Our results also showed that the depletion of CpG occurred at neutral positions of the genome as well as those under selection. The latter is evident from the progressive reduction in the proportion of arginine amino acid (coded by CpG dinucleotides) in the SARS-CoV-2 lineage over time. The results of this study suggest that shedding CpG nucleotides from their genome is a continuing process in this viral lineage, potentially to escape from their host defense mechanisms.
Effect of Transhumant Livestock Grazing on Pseudo-Alpine Grassland Bird Communities
Authors: Kotsonas Evangelos G. , Bakaloudis Dimitrios E. , Vlachos Christos G. , Abraham Eleni M. , Goutner Vassilis
Published: January 2021

Transhumance is a traditional animal husbandry system, but its effects on grassland avian communities have not been dealt with in depth. In this study, we quantified the influence of transhumance on the grassland avifauna, in representative pseudo-alpine grasslands with no (NGG), low (LGG), and high (HGG) grazing intensity in the Pindos Mountains, Central Greece. Two point count surveys were conducted within 20 sites in each grassland during the bird breeding season of 2016. We assessed bird diversity indices and accounted for whether the recorded habitat and topographic variables were involved in their variation. A total of 25 bird species were recorded, with the grazed grasslands supporting the most species of high conservation value, while the NGG showed the highest bird diversity. Bird species richness and diversity increased with the decrease of vegetation height, vegetation height heterogeneity, and the increase of rock cover. Bird communities exhibited different patterns among the three grazing regimes and specific bird species of high conservation value appeared to prefer different grasslands. Six species preferred HGG, one preferred LGG, while two preferred NGG. Our study highlights the necessity of heterogeneous pseudo-alpine grasslands with short and tall grass areas in order to maintain highly diverse bird communities.
Precision Medicine Care in ADHD: The Case for Neural Excitation and Inhibition
Authors: Mamiya Ping , Arnett Anne , Stein Mark
Published: January 2021

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Its core symptoms, including difficulties regulating attention, activity level, and impulses, appear in early childhood and can persist throughout the lifespan. Current pharmacological options targeting catecholamine neurotransmissions have effectively alleviated symptoms in some, but not all affected individuals, leaving clinicians to implement trial-and-error approach to treatment. In this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence from both preclinical and human studies that suggest imbalance of excitation/inhibition (E/I) in the fronto-striatal circuitry during early development may lead to enduring neuroanatomical abnormality of the circuitry, causing persistence of ADHD symptoms in adulthood. We propose a model of precision medicine care that includes E/I balance as a candidate biomarker for ADHD, development of GABA-modulating medications, and use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and scalp electrophysiology methods to monitor the effects of treatments on shifting E/I balance throughout the lifespan.
The Symptom Structure of Postdisaster Major Depression: Convergence of Evidence from 11 Disaster Studies Using Consistent Methods
Authors: North Carol S. , Baron David
Published: January 2021

Agreement has not been achieved across symptom factor studies of major depressive disorder, and no studies have identified characteristic postdisaster depressive symptom structures. This study examined the symptom structure of major depression across two databases of 1181 survivors of 11 disasters studied using consistent research methods and full diagnostic assessment, addressing limitations of prior self-report symptom-scale studies. The sample included 808 directly-exposed survivors of 10 disasters assessed 1–6 months post disaster and 373 employees of 8 organizations affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks assessed nearly 3 years after the attacks. Consistent symptom patterns identifying postdisaster major depression were not found across the 2 databases, and database factor analyses suggested a cohesive grouping of depression symptoms. In conclusion, this study did not find symptom clusters identifying postdisaster major depression to guide the construction and validation of screeners for this disorder. A full diagnostic assessment for identification of postdisaster major depressive disorder remains necessary.
Influence of Magnetic Field with Schumann Resonance Frequencies on Photosynthetic Light Reactions in Wheat and Pea
Authors: Sukhov Vladimir , Sukhova Ekaterina , Sinitsyna Yulia , Gromova Ekaterina , Mshenskaya Natalia , Ryabkova Anastasiia , Ilin Nikolay , Vodeneev Vladimir , Mareev Evgeny , Price Colin
Published: January 2021

Photosynthesis is an important target of action of numerous environmental factors; in particular, stressors can strongly affect photosynthetic light reactions. Considering relations of photosynthetic light reactions to electron and proton transport, it can be supposed that extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF) may influence these reactions; however, this problem has been weakly investigated. In this paper, we experimentally tested a hypothesis about the potential influence of ELFMF of 18 µT intensity with Schumann resonance frequencies (7.8, 14.3, and 20.8 Hz) on photosynthetic light reactions in wheat and pea seedlings. It was shown that ELFMF decreased non-photochemical quenching in wheat and weakly influenced quantum yield of photosystem II at short-term treatment; in contrast, the changes in potential and effective quantum yields of photosystem II were observed mainly under chronic action of ELFMF. It is interesting that both short-term and chronic treatment decreased the time periods for 50% activation of quantum yield and non-photochemical quenching under illumination. Influence of ELFMF on pea was not observed at both short-term and chronic treatment. Thus, we showed that ELFMF with Schumann resonance frequencies could influence photosynthetic light processes; however, this effect depends on plant species (wheat or pea) and type of treatment (short-term or chronic).
On the Existence of Leray-Hopf Weak Solutions to the Navier-Stokes Equations
Authors: Berselli Luigi C. , Spirito Stefano
Published: January 2021

We give a rather short and self-contained presentation of the global existence for Leray-Hopf weak solutions to the three dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, with constant density. We give a unified treatment in terms of the domains and the relative boundary conditions and in terms of the approximation methods. More precisely, we consider the case of the whole space, the flat torus, and the case of a general bounded domain with a smooth boundary (the latter supplemented with homogeneous Dirichlet conditions). We consider as approximation schemes the Leray approximation method, the Faedo-Galerkin method, the semi-discretization in time and the approximation by adding a Smagorinsky-Ladyžhenskaya term. We mainly focus on developing a unified treatment especially in the compactness argument needed to show that approximations converge to the weak solutions.
The Impacts of Dam Construction and Removal on the Genetics of Recovering Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Populations across the Elwha River Watershed
Authors: Fraik Alexandra K. , McMillan John R. , Liermann Martin , Bennett Todd , McHenry Michael L. , McKinney Garrett J. , Wells Abigail H. , Winans Gary , Kelley Joanna L. , Pess George R. , Nichols Krista M.
Published: January 2021

Dam construction and longitudinal river habitat fragmentation disrupt important life histories and movement of aquatic species. This is especially true for Oncorhynchus mykiss that exhibits both migratory (steelhead) and non-migratory (resident rainbow) forms. While the negative effects of dams on salmonids have been extensively documented, few studies have had the opportunity to compare population genetic diversity and structure prior to and following dam removal. Here we examine the impacts of the removal of two dams on the Elwha River on the population genetics of O. mykiss. Genetic data were produced from >1200 samples collected prior to dam removal from both life history forms, and post-dam removal from steelhead. We identified three genetic clusters prior to dam removal primarily explained by isolation due to dams and natural barriers. Following dam removal, genetic structure decreased and admixture increased. Despite large O. mykiss population declines after dam construction, we did not detect shifts in population genetic diversity or allele frequencies of loci putatively involved in migratory phenotypic variation. Steelhead descendants from formerly below and above dammed populations recolonized the river rapidly after dam removal, suggesting that dam construction did not significantly reduce genetic diversity underlying O. mykiss life history strategies. These results have significant evolutionary implications for the conservation of migratory adaptive potential in O. mykiss populations above current anthropogenic barriers.
Lime Production in the Late Chalcolithic Period: The Case of Arslantepe (Eastern Anatolia)
Authors: Mignardi Silvano , De Vito Caterina , Botticelli Michela , Favero Gabriele , Balossi Restelli Francesca , Marinacci Luca , Alkhasoneh Samah , Medeghini Laura
Published: January 2021

Plaster and mortar samples from Arslantepe (Turkey) hold potential to provide unique information about the lime production and adhibition during the Late Chalcolithic period (4th millennium BCE). A multi-analytical approach including polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) has been applied to characterize mortar samples from temple C and elite residences dated back to the late Chalcolithic 3–4 (3800–3400 BCE). A marly limestone has been identified as starting raw material for the lime production, probably coming from two different sources (local and brought from a different part of the Malatya plain). Moreover, different aggregate selection and the use of different production techniques were also detected in the samples, which are probably related to the function of the buildings. Evidence of a re-plastering process was also detected in the two elite houses, which probably refers to a routine maintenance process.
Correlation between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Wharf Roach (Ligia spp.) and Environmental Components of the Intertidal and Supralittoral Zone along the Japanese Coast
Authors: Honda Masato , Mukai Koki , Nagato Edward , Uno Seiichi , Oshima Yuji
Published: January 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in wharf roach (Ligia spp.), as an environmental indicator, and in environmental components of the intertidal and supralittoral zones were determined, and the PAH exposure pathways in wharf roach were estimated. Wharf roaches, mussels, and environmental media (water, soil and sand, and drifting seaweed) were collected from 12 sites in Japan along coastal areas of the Sea of Japan. PAH concentrations in wharf roaches were higher than those in mussels (median total of 15 PAHs: 48.5 and 39.9 ng/g-dry weight (dw), respectively) except for samples from Ishikawa (wharf roach: 47.9 ng/g-dw; mussel: 132 ng/g-dw). The highest total PAH concentration in wharf roach was from Akita (96.0 ng/g-dw), followed by a sample from Niigata (85.2 ng/g-dw). Diagnostic ratio analysis showed that nearly all PAHs in soil and sand were of petrogenic origin. Based on a correlation analysis of PAH concentrations between wharf roach and the environmental components, wharf roach exposure to three- and four-ring PAHs was likely from food (drifting seaweed) and from soil and sand, whereas exposure to four- and five-ring PAHs was from several environmental components. These findings suggest that the wharf roach can be used to monitor PAH pollution in the supralittoral zone and in the intertidal zone.
A Conceptual Model of Long-Term Weight Loss Maintenance: The Importance of Cognitive, Empirical and Computational Approaches
Authors: Haywood Darren , Lawrence Blake J. , Baughman Frank D. , Mullan Barbara A.
Published: January 2021

Living with obesity is related to numerous negative health outcomes, including various cancers, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Although much is known about the factors associated with obesity, and a range of weight loss interventions have been established, changing health-related behaviours to positively affect obesity outcomes has proven difficult. In this paper, we first draw together major factors that have emerged within the literature on weight loss to describe a new conceptual framework of long-term weight loss maintenance. Key to this framework is the suggestion that increased positive social support influences a reduction in psychosocial stress, and that this has the effect of promoting better executive functioning which in turn facilitates the development of healthy habits and the breaking of unhealthy habits, leading to improved ongoing maintenance of weight loss. We then outline how the use of computational approaches are an essential next step, to more rigorously test conceptual frameworks, such as the one we propose, and the benefits that a mixture of conceptual, empirical and computational approaches offer to the field of health psychology.
The Effect of Eight-Week Sprint Interval Training on Aerobic Performance of Elite Badminton Players
Authors: Liu Haochong , Leng Bo , Li Qian , Liu Ye , Bao Dapeng , Cui Yixiong
Published: January 2021

This study was aimed to: (1) investigate the effects of physiological functions of sprint interval training (SIT) on the aerobic capacity of elite badminton players; and (2) explore the potential mechanisms of oxygen uptake, transport and recovery within the process. Thirty-two elite badminton players volunteered to participate and were randomly divided into experimental (Male-SIT and Female-SIT group) and control groups (Male-CON and Female-CON) within each gender. During a total of eight weeks, SIT group performed three times of SIT training per week, including two power bike trainings and one multi-ball training, while the CON group undertook two Fartlek runs and one regular multi-ball training. The distance of YO-YO IR2 test (which evaluates player’s ability to recover between high intensity intermittent exercises) for Male-SIT and Female-SIT groups increased from 1083.0 ± 205.8 m to 1217.5 ± 190.5 m, and from 725 ± 132.9 m to 840 ± 126.5 m (p < 0.05), respectively, which were significantly higher than both CON groups (p < 0.05). For the Male-SIT group, the ventilatory anaerobic threshold and ventilatory anaerobic threshold in percentage of VO2max significantly increased from 3088.4 ± 450.9 mL/min to 3665.3 ± 263.5 mL/min (p < 0.05),and from 74 ± 10% to 85 ± 3% (p < 0.05) after the intervention, and the increases were significantly higher than the Male-CON group (p < 0.05); for the Female-SIT group, the ventilatory anaerobic threshold and ventilatory anaerobic threshold in percentage of VO2max were significantly elevated from 1940.1 ± 112.8 mL/min to 2176.9 ± 78.6 mL/min, and from 75 ± 4% to 82 ± 4% (p < 0.05) after the intervention, which also were significantly higher than those of the Female-CON group (p < 0.05). Finally, the lactate clearance rate was raised from 13 ± 3% to 21 ± 4% (p < 0.05) and from 21 ± 5% to 27 ± 4% for both Male-SIT and Female-SIT groups when compared to the pre-test, and this increase was significantly higher than the control groups (p < 0.05). As a training method, SIT could substantially improve maximum aerobic capacity and aerobic recovery ability by improving the oxygen uptake and delivery, thus enhancing their rapid repeated sprinting ability.
First Report on Megaselia scalaris Loew (Diptera: Phoridae) Infestation of the Invasive Pest Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China
Authors: Tang Yunlin , Li Qingyan , Xiang Li , Gu Ruocheng , Wu Yanyan , Zhang Yonghong , Bai Xingrong , Niu Xiaohui , Li Tian , Wei Junhong , Pan Guoqing , Zhou Zeyang
Published: January 2021

The invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda first emerged in China in January 2019 and has, to date, migrated to 29 provinces and municipalities in China, causing heavy crop damage in large areas. As a response to this invasive species from the environment, some indigenous natural enemies have been discovered and reported after S. frugiperda invasion. In this paper, parasitic flies were collected and identified from S. frugiperda collected in the Yunnan, Guangxi, and Henan provinces and the Chongqing municipality in China. By using both conventional and molecular approaches, we were able to show that all the parasitic flies of S. frugiperda identified in the four regions were Megaselia. scalaris, and that they attacked the pest larvae and pupae. This is the first report on an indigenous Chinese Megaselia species that has parasitic ability against the invasive pest S. frugiperda, potentially providing new ideas for pest control in China.
Extracellular Vesicles in Viral Pathogenesis: A Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Authors: Purvinsh Lada , Gorshkov Andrey , Brodskaia Aleksandra , Vasin Andrey
Published: January 2021

Secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a fundamental property of living cells. EVs are known to transfer biological signals between cells and thus regulate the functional state of recipient cells. Such vesicles mediate the intercellular transport of many biologically active molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, specific lipids) and participate in regulation of key physiological processes. In addition, EVs are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases: infectious, neurodegenerative, and oncological. The current EV classification into microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes is based on their size, pathways of cellular biogenesis, and molecular composition. This review is focused on analysis of the role of EVs (mainly exosomes) in the pathogenesis of viral infection. We briefly characterize the biogenesis and molecular composition of various EV types. Then, we consider EV-mediated pro- and anti-viral mechanisms. EV secretion by infected cells can be an important factor of virus spread in target cell populations, or a protective factor limiting viral invasion. The data discussed in this review, on the effect of EV secretion by infected cells on processes in neighboring cells and on immune cells, are of high significance in the search for new therapeutic approaches and for design of new generations of vaccines.
Improving Manufacturing Supply Chain by Integrating SMED and Production Scheduling
Authors: Parwani Viren , Hu Guiping
Published: January 2021

Globalization has led to a significant effect on today’s manufacturing sector. Manufacturers need to find new and innovative ways to increase efficiency and reduce waste in the manufacturing supply chain. Lean/six sigma tools can help companies increase production efficiency and stay in competition. Manufacturing in smaller batches can keep the supply chain lean and customizable. This leads to frequent changeovers and downtime. A changeover is usually required when a single machine produces different products based on the requirement. A large-scale industry can either install multiple individual production lines to cater to the demand (usually expensive) or make frequent machinery changes. Single Minute Exchange Die (SMED) is a system designed for reducing the changeover time for machines. It reduces the time taken to complete the activities and eliminates non-essential activities throughout the changeover. Scheduling an operating procedure within SMED in such case is a challenge. Project scheduling model with workforce constraints can be used to create a set of heuristics to provide us with an optimized list of tasks. The paper proposes to design a scheduling heuristic model to allocate tasks to the operators to get the least amount of operator idle time and reduce changeover downtime costs. The paper further illustrates the benefit of the model in a case study and proposes its integration within the existing SMED methodology. This results in a benefit-to-cost ratio of 7.5% for production scheduling compared to that of stages 4 and 5 in SMED, which is 1.2%.
Obesity as a Neuroendocrine Reprogramming
Authors: Ghanemi Abdelaziz , Yoshioka Mayumi , St-Amand Jonny
Published: January 2021

Obesity represents a health problem resulting from a broken balance between energy intake and energy expenditure leading to excess fat accumulation. Elucidating molecular and cellular pathways beyond the establishment of obesity remains the main challenge facing the progress in understanding obesity and developing its treatment. Within this context, this opinion presents obesity as a reprogrammer of selected neurological and endocrine patterns in order to adapt to the new metabolic imbalance represented by obesity status. Indeed, during obesity development, the energy balance is shifted towards increased energy storage, mainly but not only, in adipose tissues. These new metabolic patterns that obesity represents require changes at different cellular and metabolic levels under the control of the neuroendocrine systems through different regulatory signals. Therefore, there are neuroendocrine changes involving diverse mechanisms, such as neuroplasticity and hormonal sensitivity, and, thus, the modifications in the neuroendocrine systems in terms of metabolic functions fit with the changes accompanying the obesity-induced metabolic phenotype. Such endocrine reprogramming can explain why it is challenging to lose weight once obesity is established, because it would mean to go against new endogenous metabolic references resulting from a new “setting” of energy metabolism-related neuroendocrine regulation. Investigating the concepts surrounding the classification of obesity as a neuroendocrine reprogrammer could optimize our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and, importantly, reveal some of the mysteries surrounding the molecular pathogenesis of obesity, as well as focusing the pharmacological search for antiobesity therapies on both neurobiology synaptic plasticity and hormonal interaction sensitivity.
The Potential of Caffeic Acid Lipid Nanoparticulate Systems for Skin Application: In Vitro Assays to Assess Delivery and Antioxidant Effect
Authors: Hallan Supandeep , Sguizzato Maddalena , Drechsler Markus , Mariani Paolo , Montesi Leda , Cortesi Rita , Björklund Sebastian , Ruzgas Tautgirdas , Esposito Elisabetta
Published: January 2021

The object of this study is a comparison between solid lipid nanoparticles and ethosomes for caffeic acid delivery through the skin. Caffeic acid is a potent antioxidant molecule whose cutaneous administration is hampered by its low solubility and scarce stability. In order to improve its therapeutic potential, caffeic acid has been encapsulated within solid lipid nanoparticles and ethosomes. The effect of lipid matrix has been evaluated on the morphology and size distribution of solid lipid nanoparticles and ethosomes loaded with caffeic acid. Particularly, morphology has been investigated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, while mean diameters have been evaluated by photon correlation spectroscopy. The antioxidant power has been evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl methodology. The influence of the type of nanoparticulate system on caffeic acid diffusion has been evaluated by Franz cells associated to the nylon membrane, while to evaluate caffeic acid permeation through the skin, an amperometric study has been conducted, which was based on a porcine skin-covered oxygen electrode. This apparatus allows measuring the O2 concentration changes in the membrane induced by polyphenols and H2O2 reaction in the skin. The antioxidative reactions in the skin induced by caffeic acid administered by solid lipid nanoparticles or ethosomes have been evaluated. Franz cell results indicated that caffeic acid diffusion from ethosomes was 18-fold slower with respect to solid lipid nanoparticles. The amperometric method evidenced the transdermal delivery effect of ethosome, indicating an intense antioxidant activity of caffeic acid and a very low response in the case of SLN. Finally, an irritation patch test conducted on 20 human volunteers demonstrated that both ethosomes and solid lipid nanoparticles can be safely applied on the skin.
New Nanoparticle Formulation for Cyclosporin A: In Vitro Assessment
Authors: Gendron Amandine , Lan Linh Tran Natalie , Laloy Julie , Brusini Romain , Rachet Aurélie , Gobeaux Frédéric , Nicolas Valérie , Chaminade Pierre , Abreu Sonia , Desmaële Didier , Varna Mariana
Published: January 2021

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a molecule with well-known immunosuppressive properties. As it also acts on the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), CsA has been evaluated for ischemic heart diseases (IHD). However, its distribution throughout the body and its physicochemical characteristics strongly limit the use of CsA for intravenous administration. In this context, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an opportunity to circumvent the above-mentioned limitations. We have developed in our laboratory an innovative nanoformulation based on the covalent bond between squalene (Sq) and cyclosporin A to avoid burst release phenomena and increase drug loading. After a thorough characterization of the bioconjugate, we proceeded with a nanoprecipitation in aqueous medium in order to obtain SqCsA NPs of well-defined size. The SqCsA NPs were further characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their cytotoxicity was evaluated. As the goal is to employ them for IHD, we evaluated the cardioprotective capacity on two cardiac cell lines. A strong cardioprotective effect was observed on cardiomyoblasts subjected to experimental hypoxia/reoxygenation. Further research is needed in order to understand the mechanisms of action of SqCsA NPs in cells. This new formulation of CsA could pave the way for possible medical application.
Sugarcane Yield Mapping Using High-Resolution Imagery Data and Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Canata Tatiana Fernanda , Wei Marcelo Chan Fu , Maldaner Leonardo Felipe , Molin José Paulo
Published: January 2021

Yield maps provide essential information to guide precision agriculture (PA) practices. Yet, on-board yield monitoring for sugarcane can be challenging. At the same time, orbital images have been widely used for indirect crop yield estimation for many crops like wheat, corn, and rice, but not for sugarcane. Due to this, the objective of this study is to explore the potential of multi-temporal imagery data as an alternative for sugarcane yield mapping. The study was based on developing predictive sugarcane yield models integrating time-series orbital imaging and a machine learning technique. A commercial sugarcane site was selected, and Sentinel-2 images were acquired from the beginning of the ratoon sprouting until harvesting of two consecutive cropping seasons. The predictive yield models RF (Random forest) and MLR (Multiple Linear Regression) were developed using orbital images and yield maps generated by a commercial sensor-system on harvesting. Original yield data were filtered and interpolated with the same spatial resolution of the orbital images. The entire dataset was divided into training and testing datasets. Spectral bands, especially the near-infrared at tillering crop stage showed greater contribution to predicting sugarcane yield than the use of derived spectral vegetation indices. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) obtained for the RF regression based on multiple spectral bands was 4.63 Mg ha−1 with an R2 of 0.70 for the testing dataset. Overall, the RF regression had better performance than the MLR to predict sugarcane yield.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Rotation Forest Ensemble Technique with Different Decision Trees in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China
Authors: Fang Zhice , Wang Yi , Duan Gonghao , Peng Ling
Published: January 2021

This study presents a new ensemble framework to predict landslide susceptibility by integrating decision trees (DTs) with the rotation forest (RF) ensemble technique. The proposed framework mainly includes four steps. First, training and validation sets are randomly selected according to historical landslide locations. Then, landslide conditioning factors are selected and screened by the gain ratio method. Next, several training subsets are produced from the training set and a series of trained DTs are obtained by using a DT as a base classifier couple with different training subsets. Finally, the resultant landslide susceptibility map is produced by combining all the DT classification results using the RF ensemble technique. Experimental results demonstrate that the performance of all the DTs can be effectively improved by integrating them with the RF ensemble technique. Specifically, the proposed ensemble methods achieved the predictive values of 0.012–0.121 higher than the DTs in terms of area under the curve (AUC). Furthermore, the proposed ensemble methods are better than the most popular ensemble methods with the predictive values of 0.005–0.083 in terms of AUC. Therefore, the proposed ensemble framework is effective to further improve the spatial prediction of landslides.
Improving the Accuracy of Multiple Algorithms for Crop Classification by Integrating Sentinel-1 Observations with Sentinel-2 Data
Authors: Chakhar Amal , Hernández-López David , Ballesteros Rocío , Moreno Miguel A.
Published: January 2021

The availability of an unprecedented amount of open remote sensing data, such as Sentinel-1 and -2 data within the Copernicus program, has boosted the idea of combining the use of optical and radar data to improve the accuracy of agricultural applications such as crop classification. Sentinel-1’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides co- and cross-polarized backscatter, which offers the opportunity to monitor agricultural crops using radar at high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, we assessed the potential of integrating Sentinel-1 information (VV and VH backscatter and their ratio VH/VV with Sentinel-2A data (NDVI) to perform crop classification and to define which are the most important input data that provide the most accurate classification results. Further, we examined the temporal dynamics of remote sensing data for cereal, horticultural, and industrial crops, perennials, deciduous trees, and legumes. To select the best SAR input feature, we tried two approaches, one based on classification with only SAR features and one based on integrating SAR with optical data. In total, nine scenarios were tested. Furthermore, we evaluated the performance of 22 nonparametric classifiers on which most of these algorithms had not been tested before with SAR data. The results revealed that the best performing scenario was the one integrating VH and VV with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and cubic support vector machine (SVM) (the kernel function of the classifier is cubic) as the classifier with the highest accuracy among all those tested.
Monitoring Skeletal Anomalies in Big-Scale Sand Smelt, Atherina boyeri, as a Potential Complementary Tool for Early Detection of Effects of Anthropic Pressure in Coastal Lagoons
Authors: Leone Chiara , De Luca Francesca , Ciccotti Eleonora , Martini Arianna , Boglione Clara
Published: January 2021

Mediterranean coastal lagoons are increasingly affected by several threats, all concurrently leading to habitat degradation and loss. Methods based on fish for the assessment of the ecological status are under implementation for the Water Framework Directive requirements, to assess the overall quality of coastal lagoons. Complementary tools based on the use of single fish species as biological indicators could be useful as early detection methods of anthropogenic impacts. The analysis of skeletal anomalies in the big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, from nine Mediterranean coastal lagoons in Italy was carried out. Along with the morphological examination of fish, the environmental status of the nine lagoons was evaluated using a method based on expert judgement, by selecting and quantifying several environmental descriptors of direct and indirect human pressures acting on lagoon ecosystems. The average individual anomaly load and the frequency of individuals with severe anomalies allow to discriminate big-scale sand smelt samples on the basis of the site and of its quality status. Furthermore, a relationship between skeletal anomalies and the environmental quality of specific lagoons, driven by the anthropogenic pressures acting on them, was found. These findings support the potentiality of skeletal anomalies monitoring in big-scale sand smelt as a tool for early detection of anthropogenic impacts in coastal lagoons of the Mediterranean region.
Climate Change-Enhanced Cyanobacteria Domination in Lake Kinneret: A Retrospective Overview
Authors: Gophen Moshe
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study is re-evaluation of the long-term record of limnological parameters in Lake Kinneret (1970–2018) and its drainage basin (1940–2018) aimed at an indication of the possible impact of climate change on water quality in Lake Kinneret. The methodological approach is based on indication of significant changes, of temperature increase, decline in rainfall, causing a reduction in river discharges, and lake water inflows. These climatological changes were accompanied by a reduction in nitrogen and a slight increase in phosphorus in the lake Epilimnion. The outcome was Epilimnetic Nitrogen deficiency and Phosphorus sufficiency, which enhanced domination replacement of Peridinium spp. by Cyanobacterial. We concluded sequel suggested climate change affected water quality deterioration in Lake Kinneret.
Different Waters for Different Performances: Can We Imagine Sport-Related Natural Mineral Spring Waters?
Authors: Presta Valentina , Ambrosini Luca , Carubbi Cecilia , Masselli Elena , Mirandola Prisco , Arcari Maria Luisa , Gobbi Giuliana , Vitale Marco
Published: January 2021

Preserving the hydration status means to balance daily fluids and salt losses with gains, where the losses depend on several physiological and environmental factors. Especially for athletes, these losses could be relevant and negatively influence the performance: therefore, their hydro-saline status must be preserved with personalized pre- and rehydration plans all along the performance period. Scientific literature in this field is mainly dedicated to artificial sport drinks. Different territories in most world areas are rich in drinking natural mineral spring waters with saline compositions that reflect their geological origin and that are used for human health (often under medical prescription). However, scarce scientific attention has been dedicated to the use of these waters for athletes. We therefore reviewed the existing literature from the innovative viewpoint of matching spring water mineral compositions with different athletic performances and their hydro-saline requirements.
Flux-Modulated Permanent Magnet Machines: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Zhao Xing , Niu Shuangxia
Published: January 2021

High torque density is a desirable feature of electrical machines used in traction applications, such as electric vehicle (EV)/hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) propulsion, wind turbines, more electric aircrafts, etc. The flux-modulated permanent magnet (FMPM) machine is considered as one of the most promising candidates to achieve high torque density. The incorporated gearing effect is ideal in reducing the rotating speed and amplifying the output torque of the FMPM machines. This paper aims at a comprehensive review of the topology evolution of the FMPM machines. Based on different structures, the FMPM machines are grouped into four categories: surface-type FMPM machines, spoke-type FMPM machines, partitioned stator FMPM machines, and bidirectional FMPM machines. The operating principles, advantages, drawbacks, and major applications of the FMPM machines are discussed in detail. In the end, the current state of the art, opportunities, challenges, and future trends of the FMPM machines are discussed. Therefore, this paper offers a systematic guidance on the selection and design of the FMPM machines.