bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solarplast®—An Enzymatically Treated Spinach Extract
Authors: Simon Annie , Mazhar Shahneela , Khokhlova Ekaterina , Leeuwendaal Natasha , Phipps Christopher , Deaton John , Rea Kieran , Colom Joan
Published: July 2023

In the modern world we are constantly bombarded by environmental and natural stimuli that can result in oxidative stress. Antioxidant molecules and enzymes help the human body scavenge reactive oxygen species and prevent oxidative damage. Most organisms possess intrinsic antioxidant activity, but also benefit from the consumption of antioxidants from their diet. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach are a well-researched rich source of dietary antioxidant molecules. However, plant cell walls are difficult to digest for many individuals and the bio-accessibility of nutrients and antioxidants from these sources can be limited by the degree of digestion and assimilation. Through a specific enzymatic process, Solarplast® contains organic spinach protoplasts without the cell wall, which may facilitate higher yield and efficacy of beneficial antioxidant molecules. In this study, analytical techniques coupled to in vitro bioassays were used to determine the potential antioxidant activity of Solarplast® and determine its antioxidant enzymatic capabilities. Solarplast® demonstrated superior antioxidant activity when compared to frozen spinach leaves in TOC, FRAP and TEAC antioxidant assays. Several antioxidant enzymes were also increased in Solarplast®, when compared to frozen spinach. As a functional readout, Solarplast® attenuated hydrogen peroxide-, ethanol- and acetaminophen-induced increases in oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in both intestinal (HT-29) and liver (HepG2) cell lines. These findings suggest that Solarplast® may represent a non-GMO, plant-based food supplement to help reduce oxidative stress in the human body.
Low-Cost Sensor for Lycopene Content Measurement in Tomato Based on Raspberry Pi 4
Authors: Villaseñor-Aguilar Marcos-Jesús , Padilla-Medina José-Alfredo , Prado-Olivarez Juan , Botello-Álvarez José-Erinque , Bravo-Sánchez Micael-Gerardo , Barranco-Gutiérrez Alejandro-Israel
Published: July 2023

Measuring lycopene in tomatoes is fundamental to the agrifood industry because of its health benefits. It is one of the leading quality criteria for consuming this fruit. Traditionally, the amount determination of this carotenoid is performed using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. This is a very reliable and accurate method, but it has several disadvantages, such as long analysis time, high cost, and destruction of the sample. In this sense, this work proposes a low-cost sensor that correlates the lycopene content in tomato with the color present in its epicarp. A Raspberry Pi 4 programmed with Python language was used to develop the lycopene prediction model. Various regression models were evaluated using neural networks, fuzzy logic, and linear regression. The best model was the fuzzy nonlinear regression as the RGB input, with a correlation of R2 = 0.99 and a mean error of 1.9 × 10−5. This work was able to demonstrate that it is possible to determine the lycopene content using a digital camera and a low-cost integrated system in a non-invasive way.
The Impact of Vavilov’s Concept of the Centres of Crop Origin and Diversity on Research, Conservation, and Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources Today: A Review on the Occasion of Vavilov’s 135th Anniversary
Authors: Loskutov Igor G. , Ebert Andreas W. , Diederichsen Axel
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue of Plants is dedicated to the eminent scientist Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov (1887–1943) in remembrance of his 135th birthday on 25 November 1887 [...]
Plasma-Assisted Abatement of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Thermodynamic Analysis and Validation in Gliding Arc Discharge
Authors: Surace Mikaela J. , Murillo-Gelvez Jimmy , Shaji Mobish A. , Fridman Alexander A. , Rabinovich Alexander , McKenzie Erica R. , Fridman Gregory , Sales Christopher M.
Published: July 2023

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic organofluorine surfactants that are resistant to typical methods of degradation. Thermal techniques along with other novel, less energy-intensive techniques are currently being investigated for the treatment of PFAS-contaminated matrices. Non-equilibrium plasma is one technique that has shown promise for the treatment of PFAS-contaminated water. To better tailor non-equilibrium plasma systems for this application, knowledge of the energy required for mineralization, and in turn the roles that plasma reactive species and heat can play in this process, would be useful. In this study, fundamental thermodynamic equations were used to estimate the enthalpies of reaction (480 kJ/mol) and formation (−4640 kJ/mol) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, a long-chain legacy PFAS) in water. This enthalpy of reaction estimate indicates that plasma reactive species alone cannot catalyze the reaction; because the reaction is endothermic, energy input (e.g., heat) is required. The estimated enthalpies were used with HSC Chemistry software to produce a model of PFOA defluorination in a 100 mg/L aqueous solution as a function of enthalpy. The model indicated that as enthalpy of the reaction system increased, higher PFOA defluorination, and thus a higher extent of mineralization, was achieved. The model results were validated using experimental results from the gliding arc plasmatron (GAP) treatment of PFOA or PFOS-contaminated water using argon and air, separately, as the plasma gas. It was demonstrated that PFOA and PFOS mineralization in both types of plasma required more energy than predicted by thermodynamics, which was anticipated as the model did not take kinetics into account. However, the observed trends were similar to that of the model, especially when argon was used as the plasma gas. Overall, it was demonstrated that while energy input (e.g., heat) was required for the non-equilibrium plasma degradation of PFOA in water, a lower energy barrier was present with plasma treatment compared to conventional thermal treatments, and therefore mineralization was improved. Plasma reactive species, such as hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) and/or hydrated electrons (e−(aq)), though unable to accelerate an endothermic reaction alone, likely served as catalysts for PFOA mineralization, helping to lower the energy barrier. In this study, the activation energies (Ea) for these species to react with the alpha C–F bond in PFOA were estimated to be roughly 1 eV for hydroxyl radicals and 2 eV for hydrated electrons.
Trade-Offs and Synergies among 17 Ecosystem Services in Africa: A Long-Term Multi-National Analysis
Authors: Ogbodo Uzoma S. , Liu Shuguang , Feng Shuailong , Gao Haiqiang , Pan Zhenzhen
Published: July 2023

The proper management of multiple ecosystem services (ESs) in a balanced manner is an important and challenging responsibility. However, due to infrastructural constraints, we need to understand more about the spatial interactions among ESs in most African countries. Therefore, we took 48 African countries, 5 African geopolitical regions, and the African continent as case studies to diagnose the spatial trade-offs and synergies among 17 ESs and 8 types of land use and land cover (LULC) in 2000 and 2019. The implications of our findings at the national, regional, continental, and global levels were explored. To achieve this, we mapped the spatial distributions of the 17 ESs at the continental level using classified land cover data from MODIS remotely sensed data, with a spectral band between 0.405 and 14.385 µm and a spatial resolution of 500 m. Then, we used Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to determine the spatial interactions among the 17 ESs. The results show that regulation services showed synergies at the continental level in gas regulation (0.66), climate regulation (0.71), disturbance regulation (0.14), water regulation (0.53), water supply (0.71), and waste treatment (0.06). Moreover, we found moderate levels of interactions among most ESs in the 48 countries, with most regulating services and supporting services exhibiting trade-offs with other categories of ESs, among other findings. The results will inform scientific communities and authorities at all levels on how to deliver human well-being and quality of life, and usher in a sustainable change where we expect better ecosystem management and ecological conservation.
Mapping Alteration Minerals Using ZY-1 02D Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data in Coalbed Methane Enrichment Areas
Authors: Chen Li , Sui Xinxin , Liu Rongyuan , Chen Hong , Li Yu , Zhang Xian , Chen Haomin
Published: July 2023

As a clean energy resource, coalbed methane (CBM) is an important industry in China’s dual-carbon strategic planning. Despite the immense potential of CBM resources in China, the current exploration level remains low due to outdated survey technology, impeding large-scale exploration and development. This study investigates the application of hyperspectral data in CBM enrichment areas, specifically focusing on the extraction of alteration minerals in the Hudi coal mine area of the Qinshui Basin using ZY-1 02D and Hyperion hyperspectral data. The hyperspectral alteration mineral identification methods are summarized and analyzed. A method that combines spectral feature matching and diagnostic characteristic parameters is proposed for mineral extraction based on the spectral characteristics of different minerals. The extraction results are verified through field samples using X-ray diffraction analysis. Results show that (1) both ZY-1 02D and Hyperion hyperspectral data yield favorable extraction results for clay and carbonate minerals; (2) the overall accuracy of clay and carbonate minerals extraction is higher using ZY-1 02D data compared with Hyperion data, with accuracies of 81.67% and 79.03%, respectively; (3) the proposed method effectively extracts alteration minerals in CBM enrichment areas using hyperspectral data, thereby providing valuable technical support for the application of hyperspectral data.
Estimation of the Multielement Content in Rocks Based on a Combination of Visible–Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and Band Index Analysis
Authors: Jiang Guo , Chen Xi , Wang Jinlin , Wang Shanshan , Zhou Shuguang , Bai Yong , Liao Tao , Yang He , Ma Kai , Fan Xianglian
Published: July 2023

Rock geochemical methods are effective for geological surveys, but typical sampling and laboratory-based analytical methods are time-consuming and costly. However, using visible–near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate the metal element content of rock is an alternative method. This study discussed the potential of hyperspectral estimation of Cu and its significant associated elemental content. Ninety-five rock samples were collected from the Kalatage Yudai copper–nickel deposit in Hami, Xinjiang. The effects of different spectral resolutions, spectral preprocessing, band indices, and characteristic band selection on the estimation of the element contents of Fe, Cu, Co, and Ti were investigated. The results show that when the spectral resolution is 5 nm, good results are obtained for all four metal elements, Fe, Cu, Co, and Ti, with the coefficients of determination R2 reaching 0.54, 0.59, 0.41, and 0.78, respectively. The best results are obtained for all transformed spectra with continuum removal, inverse transformation, continuum removal, and logarithmic transformation, respectively. In addition, the accuracy of the estimation models constructed by combining band indices and feature band selection was superior compared with full-band spectra for Fe (R2 = 0.654, MAE = 1.27%, and RPD = 1.498), Cu (R2 = 0.694, MAE = 20.509, and RPD = 1.711), Co (R2 = 0.805, MAE = 2.573, and RPD = 2.199), and Ti (R2 = 0.501, MAE = 0.04%, and RPD = 1.412). The results indicate that using band indices can provide a more accurate estimation of metal element content, providing a new technical method for the efficient acquisition of regional mineralization indicator element content distribution.
A Radio Frequency Region-of-Interest Convolutional Neural Network for Wideband Spectrum Sensing
Authors: Olesiński Adam , Piotrowski Zbigniew
Published: July 2023

Wideband spectrum sensing plays a crucial role in various wireless communication applications. Traditional methods, such as energy detection with thresholding, have limitations like detecting signals with low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This article proposes a novel deep learning-based approach for RF signal detection in the wideband spectrum. The objective is to accurately estimate the noise distribution in a wideband radio spectrogram and improve the detection performance by substracting it. The proposed method utilizes convolutional neural networks to analyze radio spectrograms. Model evaluation demonstrates that the RFROI-CNN approach outperforms the traditional energy detection with thresholding method by achieving significantly better detection results, even up to 6 dB, and expanding the capabilities of wideband spectrum sensing systems. The proposed approach, with its precise estimation of noise distribution and consideration of neighboring signal power values, proves to be a promising solution for RF signal detection.
Electromyographic Activity of the Pelvic Floor Muscles and Internal Oblique Muscles in Women during Running with Traditional and Minimalist Shoes: A Cross-Over Clinical Trial
Authors: García-Arrabé María , García-Fernandez Pablo , Díaz-Arribas María José , López-Marcos Jose Javier , González-de-la-Flor Ángel , Estrada-Barranco Cecilia , Roy Jean-Sébastien
Published: July 2023

The study aimed to investigate the effects of footwear on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and internal oblique (IO) muscles during running at different speeds. The study also aimed to explore the correlation between EMG activity of PFMs and IO muscles and participants’ morphological characteristics. Ten nulliparous female runners were included in the study. The participants ran for 90 s at speeds of 9, 11, and 13 km/h wearing both traditional and minimalist shoes. EMG outcomes were presented as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC). Comparative analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank test. Correlational analysis was performed using the Rho–Spearman correlation coefficient. The %MVC for the IO muscles was significantly lower when using minimalist shoes compared to traditional shoes (p = 0.04). No statistically significant differences were found for the PFMs (p > 0.05). The study also observed large correlations between age and %MVC of the PFMs and IO muscles (rho = −0.64; p = 0.04). Minimalist shoes decreased the activity of IO muscles in female runners. However, no significant differences in EMG activity of PFMs were found when comparing traditional and minimalist footwear. The long-term effects of minimalist footwear on EMG activity of PFMs and IO muscles, as well as their relationship to morphological characteristics, require further investigation.
Integrated High-Temporal-Resolution and High-Density Subretinal Prosthesis Using a Correlated Double-Sampling Technique
Authors: Kang Hosung , Kim Jungyeon , Kim Jungsuk
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a 1600-pixel integrated neural stimulator with a correlated double-sampling readout (DSR) circuit for a subretinal prosthesis. The retinal stimulation chip inserted beneath the photoreceptor layer comprises an array of an active pixel sensor (APS) and biphasic pulse shaper. The DSR circuit achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the APS with a short integration time to simultaneously improve the temporal and spatial resolutions of restored vision. This DSR circuit is adopted along with a 5 × 5-pixel tile, which reduces pixel size and improves the SNR by increasing the area occupied by storage capacitors. Moreover, a low-mismatch reference generator enables a low standard deviation between individual pulse shapers. The 1600-pixel retinal chip, fabricated using the 0.18 μm 1P6M CMOS process, occupies a total area of 4.3 mm × 3.3 mm and dissipates an average power of 3.4 mW; this was demonstrated by determining the stimulus current patterns corresponding to the illuminations of an LCD projector. Experimental results show that the proposed high-density stimulation array chip can achieve a high temporal resolution owing to its short integration time.
Generating Topologically Consistent BIM Models of Utility Tunnels from Point Clouds
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang Fangshuo , Yang Fan , Qian Peng , Wang Quankai , Wu Yunjie , Wang Keli
Published: July 2023

The development and utilization of urban underground space is an important way to solve the “great urban disease”. As one of the most important types of urban underground foundations, utility tunnels have become increasingly popular in municipal construction. The investigation of utility tunnels is a general task and three-dimensional laser scanning technology has played a significant role in surveying and data acquisition. However, three-dimensional laser scanning technology suffers from noise and occlusion in narrow congested utility tunnel spaces, and the acquired point clouds are imperfect; hence, errors and redundancies are introduced in the extracted geometric elements. The topology of reconstructed BIM objects cannot be ensured. Therefore, in this study, a hierarchical segmentation method for point clouds and a topology reconstruction method for building information model (BIM) objects in utility tunnels are proposed. The point cloud is segmented into facades, planes, and pipelines hierarchically. An improved mean-shift algorithm is proposed to extract wall line features and a local symmetry-based medial axis extraction algorithm is proposed to extract pipelines from point clouds. A topology reconstruction method that searches for the neighbor information of wall and pipeline centerlines and establishes collinear, perpendicular, and intersecting situations is used to reconstruct a topologically consistent 3D model of a utility tunnel. An experiment on the Guangzhou’s Nansha District dataset successfully reconstructed 24 BIM wall objects and 12 pipelines within the utility tunnel, verifying the efficiency of the method.
Complex Evaluation of Storage Impact on Maize (Zea mays L.) Quality Using Chromatographic Methods
Authors: Topan Calin , Nicolescu Mihai , Simedru Dorina , Becze Anca
Published: July 2023

Maize (Zea mays L.), a food crop cultivated worldwide, is renowned for its nutritional and economic value. However, its quality can be significantly affected by various storage conditions, leading to changes in its nutritional composition and potential contamination with harmful substances, such as aflatoxins. This article presents a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of storage on maize quality, focusing on several key parameters analyzed using liquid chromatographic methods and FT-NIR spectrometry. The research reveals a decline in the concentrations of key nutrients over the storage period. Specifically, there was a 19.7% loss in vitamin B1, a 12.43% loss in vitamin B3, a 16.96% loss in α-tocopherol, a 13.61% loss in total tocopherols, and an 8.02% loss in β-carotene. Aflatoxins were mostly undetectable, with one exception in January that remained below the maximum permitted level of 0.3 µg/kg. The parameters include the concentration of vitamins B1, B3, α-tocopherol, total tocopherols, β-carotene, aflatoxin B1, total aflatoxins, carbohydrate content, and protein content. Aflatoxins were mostly undetectable, with one exception in January—0.3 µg/kg—that remained below the maximum permitted level. The study underscores the importance of cooling maize immediately after drying to minimize nutrient loss, providing valuable insights for optimizing storage processes to maintain the nutritional quality of maize.
Salivary Markers Responses in the Post-Exercise and Recovery Period: A Systematic Review
Authors: Neves Rafael Santos , da Silva Marco Antônio Rabelo , de Rezende Mônica A. C. , Caldo-Silva Adriana , Pinheiro João , Santos Amândio M. C.
Published: July 2023

The use of saliva to monitor immune and hormonal responses in training, competitions, and during recovery is an easy and non-invasive alternative means of collecting samples compared to serum collection. Saliva can provide insight into a number of interesting biomarkers such as cortisol, testosterone, immunoglobulins, alpha-amylase, and melatonin, among others. High-intensity and exhaustive exercises, such as training or competition, provide variations in immune, protein and hormonal markers. An adequate recovery period, calming down, and recovery methods can contribute to a fast normalization of these markers, decreasing illness, as well as the likelihood of overtraining and injuries, but their effectiveness is still inconclusive. The aim of this review was to investigate the evidence of salivary markers in post-exhaustive exercise during the recovery period. This study is a systematic review from three electronic databases with studies from 2011 to 2021 within healthy humans. The search found 213 studies, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, while excluding duplicated studies, 14 studies were included in this review. The most cited salivary markers were cortisol and testosterone, as well as their ratio, alpha-amylase and IgA. Half of the studies applied a variety of recovery methods that showed controversial results over salivary markers’ impact. However, they showed an impact on the markers from the exercise, which was still dependent on exercise intensity, methodology, and duration.
Study of Flood Simulation in Small and Medium-Sized Basins Based on the Liuxihe Model
Authors: Li Jingyu , Chen Yangbo , Zhu Yanzheng , Liu Jun
Published: July 2023

The uneven distribution of meteorological stations in small and medium-sized watersheds in China and the lack of measured hydrological data have led to difficulty in flood simulation and low accuracy in flood forecasting. Traditional hydrological models no longer achieve the forecasting accuracy needed for flood prevention. To improve the simulation accuracy of floods and maximize the use of hydrological information from small and medium-sized watersheds, high-precision hydrological models are needed as a support mechanism. This paper explores the applicability of the Liuxihe model for flood simulation in the Caojiang river basin and we compare flood simulation results of the Liuxihe model with a traditional hydrological model (Xinanjiang model). The results show that the Liuxihe model provides excellent simulation of field floods in Caojiang river basin. The average Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient is 0.73, the average correlation coefficient is 0.9, the average flood peak present error is 0.33, and the average peak simulation accuracy is 93.9%. Compared with the traditional flood hydrological model, the Liuxihe model simulates floods better with less measured hydrological information. In addition, we found that the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm can improve the simulation of the model, and its practical application only needs one representative flood for parameter optimization, which is suitable for areas with little hydrological information. The study can support flood forecasting in the Caojiang river basin and provide a reference for the preparation of flood forecasting schemes in other small and medium-sized watersheds.
Fixed Points and λ-Weak Contractions
Authors: Manolescu Laura , Juratoni Adina
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we introduce a new type of contractions on a metric space (X,d) in which the distance d(x,y) is replaced with a function, depending on a parameter λ, that is not symmetric in general. This function generalizes the usual case when λ=1/2 and can take bigger values than m1/2. We call these new types of contractions λ-weak contractions and we provide some of their properties. Moreover, we investigate cases when these contractions are Picard operators.
Assessment of Dynamic Object Information Utilization Service in a Control Center for Each Urban Scale via Fuzzy AHP
Authors: Choi Woochul , Kim Taehoon , Na Joonyeop , Youn Junhee
Published: July 2023

Recently, the demand for citizen-sensible service solutions such as traffic, crime prevention, and disasters in smart cities is increasing. In order to provide technology-based smart city services, local government control centers could be utilized. Accordingly, this paper presented a method for selecting a control center-based dynamic object information utilization service model through in-depth interviews with 26 related local government control center operation personnel. A comparative analysis according to the size of the local government to which the evaluator belongs was also performed. As a methodology, Fuzzy AHP was used, which can support rational decision-making by mathematically expressing ambiguous phenomena such as subjective and uncertain judgments. The summary of the research results is as follows. Services related to recent incidents in South Korea (e.g., school zone traffic accidents and lowland inundation) were identified as very important. These social issues are significant factors in policy decisions. In comparing the results for each urban scale, the importance of pedestrian safety services on backside roads and main road traffic services was found to be important in the metropolitan area and regional, medium, and small cities, respectively. This was attributed to metropolitan cities with high population density, and medium and small cities experiencing alienated traffic information. In metropolitan areas, new services are highly important owing to the demand for a more scientific control service and future mobility based on a sound control infrastructure. In medium and small cities, facility management services were assessed relatively highly owing to the poor conditions of regional cities with a lack of supervising personnel in the field and a lack of surveillance system infrastructure. This paper was able to confirm the difference in service preference by city size, and it is necessary to select the optimal service model considering these results.
Air, Dermal, and Urinary Metabolite Levels of Backpack and Tractor Sprayers Using the Herbicide Acetochlor in Thailand
Authors: Kallayanatham Nichcha , Pengpumkiat Sumate , Kongtip Pornpimol , Pundee Ritthirong , Nankongnab Noppanun , Kongtawelert Amarin , Woskie Susan R.
Published: July 2023

Acetochlor is a chloroacetanilide selective pre-emergent herbicide used for controlling grass and broadleaf weeds in crops. This study compared the acetochlor exposures of backpack and tractor sprayers and assessed whether dermal or air exposures were more important contributors to the overall body burden as measured by urinary metabolites. Sixty sugarcane farmers in Nakhonsawan province, Thailand participated in the study, and breathing zone air and dermal patch samples were collected during spraying. Urine samples were collected before spraying, at the end of the spraying task, and on the day after spraying. For backpack and tractor sprayers, there was no significant difference in their breathing zone air concentrations, total body dermal samples, or urinary 2-methy-6-methyaniline (EMA) concentrations on the day after spraying. In addition, although most backpack and tractor sprayers wore long pants and long sleeve shirts, they were still exposed to acetochlor, as evidenced by a significant increase in the urinary EMA from before spraying (GM = 11.5 µg/g creatinine) to after spraying (GM = 88.5 µg/g creatinine) to the next day (GM = 111.0 µg/g creatinine). Breathing zone air samples were significantly correlated with those of total body dermal patch samples and with urinary EMA concentrations after spraying. This suggests that both air and dermal exposure contribute to urinary EMA levels.
Burying Hatchets into Endemic Diagnoses: Disseminated Blastomycosis from a Potentially Novel Occupational Exposure
Authors: Davar Kusha , Jeng Arthur , Donovan Suzanne
Published: July 2023

Background: Blastomycosis is an endemic fungal disease predominantly observed in the northern regions of North America. It manifests primarily as pulmonary disease but can also involve dissemination to the skin, bones, and genitourinary tract. Detailed Case Description: We describe a case of a patient in Southern California with disseminated blastomycosis following his occupational exposure to decaying wood. The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin therapy followed by oral itraconazole therapy with full resolution of his symptoms. Conclusions: The patient’s case presentation serves as a reminder regarding Blastomyces infections diagnosed outside of endemic regions and suggests a potential link between blastomycosis and a novel occupational exposure surrounding axe throwing.
ICP8-vhs- HSV-2 Vaccine Expressing B7 Costimulation Molecules Optimizes Safety and Efficacy against HSV-2 Infection in Mice
Authors: Korom Maria , Wang Hong , Bernier Kaelin M. , Geiss Brian J. , Morrison Lynda A.
Published: July 2023

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) causes most sexually transmitted genital ulcerative disease. No effective prophylactic vaccine is currently available. Replication-defective (ICP8-) HSV stimulates immune responses in animals without producing progeny virus, making it potentially useful as a safe form of a live vaccine against HSV. We previously demonstrated that mice generate a stronger response to ICP8- virus encoding B7-2 costimulation molecules than to the parental replication-defective virus. We have also demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity of an ICP8-, virion host shutoff (vhs)- virus which can no longer destabilize viral and host mRNAs. Here, we constructed a triple mutant, ICP8-vhs-B7-2+ strain, and compared it to both double mutant viruses. Immunization of mice with a single dose of ICP8-B7-2+ or ICP8-vhs-B7-2+ virus decreased challenge virus replication in the vaginal mucosa, genital disease, and mortality more effectively than immunization with the ICP8-vhs- virus. Immunization with ICP8-B7-2+ or ICP8-vhs-B7-2+ virus also effectively suppressed subsequent HSV-2 infection of the nervous system compared to immunization with the ICP8-vhs- virus. ICP8-B7-2+ and ICP8-vhs-B7-2+ strains induced more IFN gamma-producing CD8 T cells and memory CD8 T cells than did ICP8-vhs- virus, potentially explaining the enhanced protective effects. Thus, B7 costimulation molecules expressed from a replication-defective vaccine can enhance vaccine efficacy, even in an immunocompetent host.
Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing and Holder Pasteurization of Human Milk on Inactivation of Human Coronavirus 229E and Hepatitis E Virus
Authors: Bouquet Peggy , Alexandre Virginie , De Lamballerie Marie , Ley Delphine , Lesage Jean , Goffard Anne , Cocquerel Laurence
Published: July 2023

In preterm infants, sterilized donor milk (DM) is frequently used for feeding when breast milk is lacking. Most human milk banks use the Holder pasteurization method (HoP) to ensure the microbiological safety of DM. However, this method degrades many bioactive factors and hormones. Recently, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing, which preserves bioactive factors in human milk, has been proposed as an alternative method to ensure the safety of DM. Although HHP treatment has been shown to be effective for viral inactivation, the effect of HHP on viruses that may be present in the complex nutritional matrix of human milk has not yet been defined. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two HHP protocols (4 cycles at 350 MPa at 38 °C designated as 4xHP350 treatment, and 1 cycle at 600 MPa at 20 °C designated as 1xHP600 treatment) with the HoP method on artificially virus-infected DM. For this purpose, we used human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) as surrogate models for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Our results showed that HCoV-229E is inactivated by HHP and HoP treatment. In particular, the 4xHP350 protocol is highly effective in inactivating HCoV-229E. However, our results demonstrated a matrix effect of human milk on HCoV-229E inactivation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HEV is stable to moderate pressure HHP treatment, but the milk matrix does not protect it from inactivation by the high-pressure HHP treatment of 600 MPa. Importantly, the complex nutritional matrix of human milk protects HEV from inactivation by HoP treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that HHP and HoP treatments do not lead to complete inactivation of both surrogate virus models, indicating that these treatments cannot guarantee total viral safety of donor milk.
Impacts of Environmental Variables on Rice Production in Malaysia
Authors: Solaymani Saeed
Published: July 2023

Climate change has brought significant changes to the earth and agriculture is the main economic sector that has suffered. The current study aims to assess the impact of climatic factors—measured by precipitation, temperature, and CO2 emissions—on rice production using time series from 1961 to 2019 in Malaysia. This research follows the ARDL bounds test and dynamic ARDL simulations methods to estimate long- and short-term connections of the variables under consideration. Empirical evidence indicates that long-run cointegration exist between variables. The results suggest that the sensitivity of rice production to changes in harvested area and temperature is high, while it is low for other inputs. Due to high humidity, the effect of precipitation on rice production is not significant, while temperature can reduce rice yield in the long and short term. However, the impact of carbon emissions on rice production is insignificant. Among the other determinants of rice production, the impact of agricultural labor is negative, but more area cultivation increases rice production over the long and short term. Results also show that the magnitude of the impact of the 2% increase (decrease) in temperature on rice production is greater than the changes in rainfall and carbon emissions. The results for the frequency domain causality test show that a one-way causality exists between temperature and rice production and between carbon emissions and rice production in the short and long run. Hence, the findings of this study can help policy makers to formulate appropriate adaptation methods and mitigation policies to reduce the negative effects of climate change on Malaysian rice production.
Explaining a diagnosis of fibromyalgia in primary care: a scoping review
Authors: McConnell Kerrie , Heron Neil , Hart Nigel D
Published: July 2023

Background

Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic pain in the UK, with a huge individual and societal impact. Despite this, it remains difficult to diagnose and treat. The explanation of a fibromyalgia diagnosis can lead to difficult therapeutic relationships, with attitudinal issues and negative profiling of patients. This can lead to frustration, and have a harmful impact on health outcomes.

Aim

To review how an explanation of a fibromyalgia diagnosis is provided in primary care in order to establish a model of best practice when educating patients on their diagnosis.

Design & setting

Scoping review of articles written in English.

Method

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and grey literature were searched. Articles were extracted, reviewed, and analysed according to the inclusion criteria.

Results

In total, 29 records met the inclusion criteria. The following six overarching themes were identified: patient education; physician education; importance of the multidisciplinary team; importance of patient-centred care; the value of primary care; and useful resources. The literature illustrated that describing fibromyalgia using analogies to illustrate the pain sensitisation process can help patients understand their diagnosis better. This improves their willingness to accept management plans, particularly engagement with non-pharmacological therapies, which the literature suggested are best delivered within a multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion

Key aspects of fibromyalgia should be explained to patients in order for them to gain a better understanding of their diagnosis. A 'one-size-fits-all' model for explaining the fibromyalgia diagnosis to patients is inappropriate because patients' experiences are individualised. Further research is required on whether different explanations impact patient outcomes.
IN VITRO ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITY OF GLIOCLADIUM SP.
Authors: Rozhkova Т. О. , Biliavska L. O.
Published: July 2023

Objective. Get effective isolates of Gliocladium sp. by in vitro evaluation of the antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic species of fungi obtained from different substrates. Methods. Study of the efficiency of Gliocladium sp. Was conducted against Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. poae, Cladosporium sp., Alternaria tenuissima and A. arborescens. Fungi were identified by anamorph morphology. The dual culture was grown on Czapek-Dox medium with glucose. Incubation was carried out for seven days in a thermostat at 22–25 °C. Results. Gliocladium sp. was isolated from the roots of winter wheat of Bohdana variety after seed sprouting in the soil for three days. During this period, the fungi colonized the roots, while the analysis of the seeds on potato-glucose agar did not detect them. Isolates of the studied genus had a significant growth rate. Study of the antagonistic activity of Gliocladium sp. against B. cinerea and F. solani 1 showed high efficiency against the former and very low against the latter. Inhibition of fungal growth was different. B. cinerea developed worse when grown with Gliocladium sp. than when grown alone. During separate cultivation of F. solani 1, its growth lag was registered for the first two days of recording, compared to dual culture. The study of five different isolates showed their different effects on the studied fungi. Isolate No. 4 showed the highest antagonistic activity. Conclusion. The minimum percentage of inhibition of the development of phytopathogenic fungi using isolates of Gliocladium sp. was 15.6 % for F. solani 1, the maximum was 81.3 % for F. poae. Isolate No. 2 had the lowest parameters of fungal growth inhibition, but it was the only one that effectively restrained the development of F. oxysporum. Isolate No. 6 inhibited the development of B. cinerea by 69.9 %. Study of the efficiency Gliocladium sp. isolates against the representatives of various species and genera demonstrated their better effect on melanized fungi. The greatest growth inhibition was reported for Alternarium species and Cladosporium sp.
Icelandic Farmhouses
Authors: Nannini Sofia
Published: July 2023

Icelandic Farmhouses. Identity, Landscape and Construction (1790-1945) retraces the history of Icelandic rural architecture between the late eighteenth century and the mid-twentieth century. Through the study of Icelandic rural buildings, this book narrates a very special history of architecture: one of adaptation and tradition, scarcity of building materials and transfers of knowledge with Europe. The history of Icelandic farmhouses is intermixed with construction issues, nationalistic debates,
and a quest for a much-needed modernization of the standards of living. The book aims to retrace the role of modern building techniques in the development of Icelandic
rural architecture and society.
Study of Explosive Power as Performance Enhancing Factor Among Kabaddi Players
Authors: Kumar Dr. Naresh
Published: July 2023

The study of power as a performance-enhancing factor among Kabaddi players is essential to comprehend the relationship between power development and athletic performance in this dynamic sport. Power plays a crucial role in Kabaddi, as it influences the ability to generate force rapidly, efficiently, and explosively, enabling athletes to execute actions such as sprinting, jumping, and tackling opponents effectively. This abstract provides an overview of the methodologies used to investigate power in Kabaddi performance. Performance tests, including vertical jump tests, standing broad jump tests, and agility tests, assess power-related abilities. Strength training interventions, targeting power development, involve exercises such as squats, lunges, power cleans, and plyometrics. Biomechanical analysis using motion capture systems and force plates evaluates the mechanics of Kabaddi movements. Comparative studies compare power-related characteristics and performance outcomes between elite and non-elite players. Longitudinal studies track the progress of players over time, measuring changes in strength, speed, agility, and on-field performance. These research approaches aim to enhance our understanding of power's impact on Kabaddi performance, provide evidence-based recommendations for training, and contribute to the development of Kabaddi players.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A FACTOR IN STRENGTHENING THE STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Savchuk Borys P. , Yehorova Inga V. , Vintoniak Oksana V. , Kotenko Ruslan M. , Fedchyshyn Nadiya O. , Nesterova Svitlana Yu. , Bilavych Halyna V.
Published: July 2023

The aim of the article is to reveal the potential of Emotional Intelligence (EI) as a factor in strengthening the students’ mental health (MH) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and methods: The experimental work was carried out in four stages: 1) preparation - substantiation of its scientific and theoretical principles; 2) ascertaining - development of prognostic tools, conducting an on-line survey of students, an analysis of its results; 3) formative - training with the experimental group participants following the author’s methodology; 4) control - survey of experimental group members, determination of experimental results. About 230 students of Ukraine took part in the survey. The statistical processing of the survey results was performed by formal mathematical calculations and calculating Student’s t-criterion in order to verify the equality of the mean dependent values in different samples.
Results: The presented results of the research and experiment prove that Emotional Intelligence, in particular its four identified components (іnformation, аdaptivebehaviour, self-control, empathy), can be an effective factor not only in maintaining university students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in their adaptation to other adverse conditions. A comparison of the results of our research with similar sociological research shows the similarity of problems and changes in the students’ mental health all over the world during the pandemic. The materials tested during the development of prognostic tools and training methods can be taken into account for the organization of such research and training activities.
Conclusions: The presented results of the research and experiment prove that EI, in particular its four identified components, can be an effective factor not only in maintaining university students’ MH during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in their adaptation to other adverse conditions. A comparison of the results of our research with similar sociological research shows the similarity of problems and changes in the students’ MH all over the world during the pandemic. The materials tested during the development of prognostic tools and training methods are publicly available on the Internet, so they can be taken into account for the organization of such research and training activities. At the same time, we insist that the pandemic should not only intensify the study of changes in MH, but also stimulate the search for effective means to strengthen it. Sir Winston Churchill’s eloquent appeal “Never let a good crisis go to waste” should be a guideline in solving this problem.
The NGS panel for genetic testing in cardiology: from the evaluation of disease risk to pharmacogenetics
Authors: Miroshnikova V. V. , Pchelina S. N. , Donnikov M. Yu. , Vorobyev A. S. , Tsay V. V. , Kovalenko L. V. , Glotov O. S.
Published: July 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of mortality in many countries worldwide. Genetic testing is an integral part of CVD prevention. The most common hereditary diseases in the practice of a cardiologist are cardiomyopathy and channelopathy (arrhythmogenic syndromes), as well as familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes a high risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). The total carrier frequency of pathogenic variants is 1:100. Timely genetic diagnosis is necessary for conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac death (for example, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies). Pharmacogenetic testing is also important in cardiology, since it allows taking into account the role of genetic factors in the formation of a response to therapy. Incorporating individual patient characteristics can increase efficiency and minimize the likelihood of complications. The design of modern targeted cardiopanels must necessarily take into account monogenic and oligogenic forms of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular pathologies, polymorphic markers associated with a violation of the lipid spectrum of blood plasma and the early development of CVD in a particular population, as well as a minimum set of pharmacogenetic markers according to modern recommendations for clinical pharmacologists. In this review we provide a justification for the optimal design of such a panel for use in medical practice and scientific research.
An updating-based working memory load alters the dynamics of eye movements but not their spatial extent during free viewing of natural scenes
Authors: Wyche Nicholas J. , Edwards Mark , Goodhew Stephanie C.
Published: July 2023

The relationship between spatial deployments of attention and working memory load is an important topic of study, with clear implications for real-world tasks such as driving. Previous research has generally shown that attentional breadth broadens under higher load, while exploratory eye-movement behaviour also appears to change with increasing load. However, relatively little research has compared the effects of working memory load on different kinds of spatial deployment, especially in conditions that require updating of the contents of working memory rather than simple retrieval. The present study undertook such a comparison by measuring participants’ attentional breadth (via an undirected Navon task) and their exploratory eye-movement behaviour (a free-viewing recall task) under low and high updating working memory loads. While spatial aspects of task performance (attentional breadth, and peripheral extent of image exploration in the free-viewing task) were unaffected by the load manipulation, the exploratory dynamics of the free-viewing task (including fixation durations and scan-path lengths) changed under increasing load. These findings suggest that temporal dynamics, rather than the spatial extent of exploration, are the primary mechanism affected by working memory load during the spatial deployment of attention. Further, individual differences in exploratory behaviour were observed on the free-viewing task: all metrics were highly correlated across working memory load blocks. These findings suggest a need for further investigation of individual differences in eye-movement behaviour; potential factors associated with these individual differences, including working memory capacity and persistence versus flexibility orientations, are discussed.
New Dimming Events in Southern R Coronae Borealis Stars
Authors: Pearce Andrew , Love Tom , Velez Peter , Reichart Daniel E. , Haislip Joshua B. , Kouprianov Vladimir V. , Bowers Craig , Verveer Arie
Published: July 2023

This paper reports on photometry of dimming events for three Southern R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. Two of these stars have recently entered a dimming phase (IO Nor and V653 Sco), while the other (GU Sgr) is emerging from a dimming event. Low resolution spectra of one of the targets indicates blueshifted Na i D lines, and hydrogen alpha emission. As the number of known RCBs grows, the need to monitor them and detect dimming events at an early stage increases.