bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Potential Leachability in a Sandy Soil Amended with Manure-Based Fertilisers
Authors: Prado Joana , Alvarenga Paula , Ribeiro Henrique , Fangueiro David
Published: March 2023

The application of manure-based fertilisers (MBFs) is considered an important practice for achieving agricultural sustainability. However, the potential losses of nutrients to the environment need to be thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to assess nutrients’ potential leachability from a sandy soil, fertilised with MBFs produced by mixing manure from one single animal species with N- or P-mineral fertilisers, to achieve target N:P ratios (1:1, 2:1 and 0.5:1). MBFs were prepared by combining pig slurry, cattle slurry or poultry manure with N- and P-mineral fertilisers, or slurry-derived materials, obtained by solid–liquid separation. A leaching experiment was set-up in soil columns treated with MBFs, for 59 days, with seven leaching events. Poultry manure application to soil led to higher potential N leaching, while pig slurry induced higher P leaching. All 2:1 MBFs decreased P leaching, relative to the original manure, with the higher reduction (52%) being observed for pig slurry with urea. The addition of urea to poultry manure also diminished its potential for N leaching. The behaviour of P-enriched materials, pig slurry solid fraction and both 0.5:1 MBFs obtained with phosphoric acid addition showed a higher risk of P leaching, while the use of superphosphate as a P-mineral source decreased the risk of P leaching. Concluding, it is possible to use specific MBFs, enriched with N and P from mineral sources, and have lower N and P leaching potential, reducing the risks associated with manure soil application, while increasing their interest as alternative fertilisers.
Effects of Sowing Date Variation on Winter Wheat Yield: Conclusions for Suitable Sowing Dates for High and Stable Yield
Authors: Liu Jiahong , He Qijin , Zhou Guangsheng , Song Yanling , Guan Yue , Xiao Xiao , Sun Weiwei , Shi Yuxin , Zhou Kexin , Zhou Sijia , Wu Yaxin , Ma Selimai , Wang Rongwan
Published: March 2023

Timely sowing and harvesting play important roles in agricultural production. The appropriate management decisions are necessary to cope with climate change and ensure high and stable crop yields. This study analyzed the effects of sowing date on the growth process of winter wheat and quantified the effects of climate resources and photothermal potential yield on theoretical yield at different stages of winter wheat. The analysis was based on the data from winter wheat interval sowing experiments conducted at the Hebei Gucheng Agricultural Meteorology National Observation and Research Station (Gucheng station) in north China (115°40′ E, 39°08′ N) during 2017–2019. The results showed that: (1) with the delay in sowing date, the growth process of winter wheat significantly advanced, the proportion of vegetative growth period significantly reduced (0.19% for per day delay), the proportion of reproductive growth period (RGP) significantly increased (0.12% for per day delay), and the prewintering light and temperature resources significantly reduced (12.2 °C·d accumulated temperature and 19.0 MJ·m−2 solar radiation for per day delay); (2) the theoretical yield of winter wheat showed a significant exponential relationship with the photothermal potential yield of the whole growth period: the minimum photothermal potential for yield formation was 26.6 t·ha−1, and the maximum theoretical yield was 12.6 t·ha−1; and (3) the wheat yield and yield stability were highest when the RGP photothermal potential yield was 16.0 t·ha−1 and the prewintering active accumulated temperature was 400 °C·d. This study also proposed a method to estimate the suitable sowing and harvesting dates to achieve high and stable yield of winter wheat, showing that the suitable sowing dates of winter wheat at Gucheng station from 1997 to 2021 ranged from 1 to 15 October, with no significant interannual variation; the suitable harvesting period ranged from 5 June to 10 July and showed a trend of gradual advance with the delay of the year. The results of the study provide a reference for sowing date adjustment of crops to adapt to climate change.
Transpiration Efficiency of Some Potato Genotypes under Drought
Authors: Salehi-Soghadi Zohreh , Islam Md. Saiful , Manschadi Ahmad M. , Kaul Hans-Peter
Published: March 2023

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the third most consumed food crop after rice and wheat in the world. It is a short-duration crop, suitable for growing in a wide range of environments, but abiotic factors can limit potato production, and drought is the main one. Therefore, managing drought stress is of utmost importance under climate change conditions. Potato as a drought-sensitive crop needs choice of suitable genotypes for dry environments. In this study, transpiration efficiency (TE), soil water conservation and drought tolerance were analysed for potato genotypes from different origins. Three glasshouse experiments under different Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) conditions with water-stressed (WS) and well-watered (WW) plants resulted in significantly different total amounts of transpiration among the genotypes and water supply levels. Transpiration in WS plants was the same as with WW plants up to a specific threshold “Fraction of Transpirable Soil Water” (FTSW) and then sharply decreased in response to soil drying. Genotypes showed a substantial variation in FTSW thresholds (0.19 to 0.36 FTSW) under low VPD condition, which narrowed down (0.19 to 0.29) when air humidity was lower. Furthermore, we observed hardly any relationships between TE and FTSW threshold (r = 0.125) or TE and water saving (r = 0.031). Our results provide insights into genotypic interactions with VPD on FTSW threshold and TE under dry-down conditions in potato.
Beef Steers and Enteric Methane: Reducing Emissions by Managing Forage Diet Fiber Content
Authors: Santander Daniel , Clariget Juan , Banchero Georgget , Alecrim Fabiano , Simon Zinno Claudia , Mariotta Julieta , Gere José , Ciganda Verónica S.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the methane (CH4) emissions that are produced by enteric fermentation is one of the main problems to be solved for livestock, due to their GHG effects. These emissions are affected by the quantity and quality of their diets, thus, it is key to accurately define the intake and fiber content (NDF) of these forage diets. On the other hand, different emission prediction equations have been developed; however, there are scarce and uncertain results regarding their evaluation of the emissions that have been observed in forage diets. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the NDF content of a forage diet on CH4 enteric emissions, and to evaluate the ability of models to predict the emissions from the animals that are consuming these forage diets. In total, thirty-six Angus steers (x¯ = 437 kg live weight) aged 18 months, blocked by live weight and placed in three automated feeding pens, were used to measure the enteric CH4. The animals were randomly assigned to two forage diets (n = 18), with moderate (<50%, MF) and high (>50%, HF) NDF contents. Their dry matter intake was recorded individually, and the CH4 emissions were measured using the SF6 tracer gas technique. For the model evaluation, six prediction equations were compared with 29 studies (n = 97 observations), analyzing the accuracy and precision of their estimates. The emission intensities per unit of DMI, per ADG, and per gross energy intake were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the animals consuming the MF diet than in the animals consuming the HF diet (21.7 vs. 23.7 g CH4/kg DMI, 342 vs. 660 g CH4/kg ADG, and 6.7% vs. 7.5%, respectively), but there were no differences in the absolute emissions (p > 0.05). The best performing model was the IPCC 2006 model (r2 = 0.7, RMSE = 74.04). These results show that reducing the NDF content of a forage diet by at least 10% (52 g/kg DM) reduces the intensity of the g CH4/kg DMI by up to 8%, and that of the g CH4/kg ADG by almost half. The use of the IPCC 2006 model is suitable for estimating the CH4 emissions from animals consuming forage-based diets.
Molecular Epidemiology and Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in Guangzhou: A Representative City of Southern China
Authors: Wen Shuxian , Mai Ying , Chen Xu , Xiao Kun , Lin Yongping , Xu Zhenbo , Yang Ling
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of Haemophilus influenzae in Guangzhou, China. A total of 80 H. influenzae isolates were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2020 to April 2021. Species identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, molecular capsular typing, multilocus sequence typing and the clinical characteristics analysis of patients were performed. For all recruited isolates, the majority of H. influenzae strains from patients with respiratory symptoms were found to be non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi). The isolates were relative susceptible to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, quinolones and chloramphenicol, despite having a high ampicillin resistance rate (>70%). The genotyping results reveal a total of 36 sequence types (STs), with ST12 being the most prevalent ST. Remarkably, the 36 STs identified from 80 NTHi isolates within a short period of 15 months and in a single medical setting have revealed a high genetic diversity in NTHi isolates. In comparison, it is noteworthy that the most prevalent STs found in the present study have rarely been found to overlap with those from previous studies. This is the first study on the molecular epidemiology of NTHi isolates in Guangzhou, a city that is representative of southern China.
Determination of the Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Associated with Poultry in Four Districts in Zambia
Authors: Mwikuma Grace , Kainga Henson , Kallu Simegnew Adugna , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Hang’ombe Bernard Mudenda
Published: March 2023

The presence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterococci in poultry is a growing public health concern worldwide due to its potential for transmission to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance and to detect drug-resistant genes in Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium in poultry from four districts in Zambia. Identification of Enterococci was conducted using phenotypic methods. Antimicrobial resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method and antimicrobial resistance genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction and gene-specific primers. The overall prevalence of Enterococci was 31.1% (153/492, 95% CI: 27.1–35.4). Enterococcus faecalis had a significantly higher prevalence at 37.9% (58/153, 95% CI: 30.3–46.1) compared with E. faecium, which had a prevalence of 10.5% (16/153, 95% CI: 6.3–16.7). Most of the E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates were resistant to tetracycline (66/74, 89.2%) and ampicillin and erythromycin (51/74, 68.9%). The majority of isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (72/74, 97.3%). The results show that poultry are a potential source of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, which can be transmitted to humans. Resistance genes in the Enterococcus species can also be transmitted to pathogenic bacteria if they colonize the same poultry, thus threatening the safety of poultry production, leading to significant public health concerns.
Worldwide Dissemination of blaKPC Gene by Novel Mobilization Platforms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Forero-Hurtado Daniela , Corredor-Rozo Zayda Lorena , Ruiz-Castellanos Julián Santiago , Márquez-Ortiz Ricaurte Alejandro , Abril Deisy , Vanegas Natasha , Lafaurie Gloria Inés , Chambrone Leandro , Escobar-Pérez Javier
Published: March 2023

The dissemination of blaKPC-harboring Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KPC-Pa) is considered a serious public health problem. This study provides an overview of the epidemiology of these isolates to try to elucidate novel mobilization platforms that could contribute to their worldwide spread. A systematic review in PubMed and EMBASE was performed to find articles published up to June 2022. In addition, a search algorithm using NCBI databases was developed to identify sequences that contain possible mobilization platforms. After that, the sequences were filtered and pair-aligned to describe the blaKPC genetic environment. We found 691 KPC-Pa isolates belonging to 41 different sequence types and recovered from 14 countries. Although the blaKPC gene is still mobilized by the transposon Tn4401, the non-Tn4401 elements (NTEKPC) were the most frequent. Our analysis allowed us to identify 25 different NTEKPC, mainly belonging to the NTEKPC-I, and a new type (proposed as IVa) was also observed. This is the first systematic review that consolidates information about the behavior of the blaKPC acquisition in P. aeruginosa and the genetic platforms implied in its successful worldwide spread. Our results show high NTEKPC prevalence in P. aeruginosa and an accelerated dynamic of unrelated clones. All information collected in this review was used to build an interactive online map.
Creatine Supplementation Potentiates Exercise Protective Effects against Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Costa Godinho Loriane R. L. , Cella Paola S. , Guimarães Tatiana A. S. , Palma Guilherme H. Dantas , Nunes Jonathan H. C. , Deminice Rafael
Published: March 2023

We tested the hypothesis that creatine supplementation may potentiate exercise’s protective effects against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-eight Swiss mice were randomly allocated into five groups: control (C, n = 7), exercised (Ex, n = 7), treated with doxorubicin (Dox, n = 8), treated with doxorubicin and exercised (DoxEx, n = 8), and treated with doxorubicin, exercised, and supplemented with creatine (DoxExCr, n = 8). Doxorubicin was administered weekly (i.p.) for a total dose of 12 mg/kg. Creatine supplementation (2% added to the diet) and strength training (climbing stairs, 3 times a week) were performed for a total of 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that doxorubicin caused hepatotoxicity, which was evidenced by increased (p < 0.05) hepatic markers of inflammation (i.e., TNF-α and IL-6) and oxidative damage, while the redox status (GSH/GSSG) was reduced. The plasma concentrations of liver transaminases were also significantly (p < 0.05) elevated. Furthermore, doxorubicin-treated animals presented hepatic fibrosis and histopathological alterations such as cellular degeneration and the infiltration of interstitial inflammatory cells. Exercise alone partly prevented doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity; thus, when combined with creatine supplementation, exercise was able to attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress, morphological alterations, and fibrosis. In conclusion, creatine supplementation potentiates the protective effects of exercise against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.
Hyaluronan and Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling—Novel Cues from the Matrix?
Authors: Berdiaki Aikaterini , Neagu Monica , Spyridaki Ioanna , Kuskov Andrey , Perez Serge , Nikitovic Dragana
Published: March 2023

Hyaluronan (HA) is a naturally occurring non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) localized to the cell surface and the tissue extracellular matrix (ECM). It is composed of disaccharides containing glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, is synthesized by the HA synthase (HAS) enzymes and is degraded by hyaluronidase (HYAL) or reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) actions. HA is deposited as a high molecular weight (HMW) polymer and degraded to low molecular weight (LMW) fragments and oligosaccharides. HA affects biological functions by interacting with HA-binding proteins (hyaladherins). HMW HA is anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antiangiogenic, whereas LMW HA has pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenetic, and oncogenic effects. ROS/RNS naturally degrade HMW HA, albeit at enhanced levels during tissue injury and inflammatory processes. Thus, the degradation of endothelial glycocalyx HA by increased ROS challenges vascular integrity and can initiate several disease progressions. Conversely, HA exerts a vital role in wound healing through ROS-mediated HA modifications, which affect the innate immune system. The normal turnover of HA protects against matrix rigidification. Insufficient turnover leads to increased tissue rigidity, leading to tissue dysfunction. Both endogenous and exogenous HMW HA have a scavenging capacity against ROS. The interactions of ROS/RNS with HA are more complex than presently perceived and present an important research topic.
Novel Reversible Inhibitors of Xanthine Oxidase Targeting the Active Site of the Enzyme
Authors: Rullo Rosario , Cerchia Carmen , Nasso Rosarita , Romanelli Virgilio , Vendittis Emmanuele De , Masullo Mariorosario , Lavecchia Antonio
Published: March 2023

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a flavoprotein catalysing the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid, while simultaneously producing reactive oxygen species. Altered functions of XO may lead to severe pathological diseases, including gout-causing hyperuricemia and oxidative damage of tissues. These findings prompted research studies aimed at targeting the activity of this crucial enzyme. During the course of a virtual screening study aimed at the discovery of novel inhibitors targeting another oxidoreductase, superoxide dismutase, we identified four compounds with non-purine-like structures, namely ALS-1, -8, -15 and -28, that were capable of causing direct inhibition of XO. The kinetic studies of their inhibition mechanism allowed a definition of these compounds as competitive inhibitors of XO. The most potent molecule was ALS-28 (Ki 2.7 ± 1.5 µM), followed by ALS-8 (Ki 4.5 ± 1.5 µM) and by the less potent ALS-15 (Ki 23 ± 9 µM) and ALS-1 (Ki 41 ± 14 µM). Docking studies shed light on the molecular basis of the inhibitory activity of ALS-28, which hinders the enzyme cavity channel for substrate entry consistently with the competitive mechanism observed in kinetic studies. Moreover, the structural features emerging from the docked poses of ALS-8, -15 and -1 may explain the lower inhibition power with respect to ALS-28. All these structurally unrelated compounds represent valuable candidates for further elaboration into promising lead compounds.
Mechanisms and Effect of Increased Physical Activity on General and Abdominal Obesity and Associated Metabolic Risk Factors in a Community with Very High Rates of General and Abdominal Obesity
Authors: Gariballa Salah , Al-Bluwi Ghada S. M. , Yasin Javed
Published: March 2023

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the UAE. Physical inactivity is one of the possible factors linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications. However, the molecular mechanisms through which physical inactivity is contributing to increased obesity-related pathologies are not clear. Aims: to measure the effects of increased physical activity on obesity and related metabolic risk factors. Materials and Methods: We investigated the effects of physical activity on body weight, waist circumference (WC) and metabolic risk factors in 965 community free-living Emirati subjects. Physical activity, dietary intake, antioxidant enzymes and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation were measured both at baseline and follow up. A validated questionnaire was used to assess occupation and leisure-related physical activity. We compared metabolic risk factors between subjects stratified by physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine the independent effects of increased physical activity on presence and absence of obesity, body weight and waist circumference (WC) change at follow up. Results: A total of 965 community free-living subjects [801 (83%) females, mean (SD) age 39 ± 12 years] were recruited and followed up with for a period of 427 ± 223 days. Using WHO cut-of-points for body mass index (BMI), 284 (30%) subjects were overweight and 584 (62%) subjects were obese, compared to 69 (8%) at normal body weight. We found men to be more physically active than women at both leisure and work times. BMI, hip circumference, total body fat, HDL and inflammatory markers (us CRP, TNF) were significantly higher in female subjects, whilst fat free-mass, WC, blood pressure and HbA1c were higher in male subjects (p < 0.05). Hypertension and diabetes were more common in male subjects compared to female subjects (p < 0.05). Increased physical activity both at baseline and follow up were associated with decreased BMI, WC and inflammatory markers, including us-CRP and TNF. Increased physical activity was associated with significant decrease in abdominal obesity in female subjects and general obesity in both male and females after adjusting for important prognostic indicators [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.531 (0.399, 0.707); p < 0.001; 0.475 (0.341, 0.662); p < 0.001 respectively]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that increased physical activity may decrease the risk of obesity and also mitigate the associated oxidative damage and inflammatory responses.
Fusing Context Features and Spatial Attention to Improve Object Detection
Authors: Liu Tianjia , Wu Jinsong , Luo Xuze , Xu Guangquan
Published: March 2023

Context features are mostly used to determine the boundary of a target, which allows one to better locate an object. In this paper, we propose the fusion of the spatial attention mechanism and contextual features to simulate the recognition of objects based on the human eye, thereby improving the detection accuracy of detectors. We chose the PASCAL VOC2007+2012 general dataset to test the generality of our method and examined the improved accuracy of our proposed detector on various targets. Our method showed improved accuracy for small targets and partially overlapping targets. Our proposed model improved the detector’s accuracy by 3.34%.
Enhancing Ductal Carcinoma Classification Using Transfer Learning with 3D U-Net Models in Breast Cancer Imaging
Authors: Khalil Saman , Nawaz Uroosa , Zubariah  , Mushtaq Zohaib , Arif Saad , ur Rehman Muhammad Zia , Qureshi Muhammad Farrukh , Malik Abdul , Aleid Adham , Alhussaini Khalid
Published: March 2023

Breast cancer ranks among the leading causes of death for women globally, making it imperative to swiftly and precisely detect the condition to ensure timely treatment and enhanced chances of recovery. This study focuses on transfer learning with 3D U-Net models to classify ductal carcinoma, the most frequent subtype of breast cancer, in histopathology imaging. In this research work, a dataset of 162 microscopic images of breast cancer specimens is utilized for breast histopathology analysis. Preprocessing the original image data includes shrinking the images, standardizing the intensities, and extracting patches of size 50 × 50 pixels. The retrieved patches were employed to construct a basic 3D U-Net model and a refined 3D U-Net model that had been previously trained on an extensive medical image segmentation dataset. The findings revealed that the fine-tuned 3D U-Net model (97%) outperformed the simple 3D U-Net model (87%) in identifying ductal cancer in breast histopathology imaging. The fine-tuned model exhibited a smaller loss (0.003) on the testing data (0.041) in comparison to the simple model. The disparity in the training and testing accuracy reveals that the fine-tuned model may have overfitted to the training data indicating that there is room for improvement. To progress in computer-aided diagnosis, the research study also adopted various data augmentation methodologies. The experimental approach that was put forward achieved state-of-the-art performance, surpassing the benchmark techniques used in previous studies in the same field, and exhibiting greater accuracy. The presented scheme has promising potential for better cancer detection and diagnosis in practical applications of mammography.
Research on Influences of Ultrasonic Vibration Agitation Stirring on Carbonation Resistance of Cement-Based Materials after Absorption of CO2
Authors: Liu Lili , Ji Yongsheng , Gao Furong , Xu Zhishan
Published: March 2023

To disclose influences of ultrasonic vibration agitation on the carbonation resistance of cement-based materials after absorption of CO2, the variation laws in internal carbonization zone were explored by the testing carbonization depth and carbonization range (pH variation range) of cement mortar after CO2 absorption at different ages. Results demonstrated that when CO2 absorption volumes of the cement mortar before carbonization were 0.44%, 0.88%, 1.32%, 1.76%, and 2.20% (28 d), the carbonization depth under ultrasonic vibration decreased by 5.5%, 12.3%, 21.7%, 20.7%, and 26.7% compared to those under mechanical stirring, respectively. When the ultimate CO2 absorption volume increased to 2.2% of cement mass, the extended degree of cement mortar was 103.23 mm, which decreased by 5.4% compared to that before CO2 absorption. pH variation values of the carbonization range under ultrasonic vibration presented a rising trend with the increase of CO2 absorption volume of cement mortar before carbonation. This indicated that, with the increase of CO2 absorption volume of cement mortar before carbonation increases under ultrasonic vibration, the carbonization process of the hardened body of cement mortar might be decelerated to some extent. Additionally, changes in internal composition and physical images of cement-based materials after absorption of CO2 were analyzed through microtest means like SEM and XRD. A carbonation resistance model was constructed, thus enabling disclosure of the variation mechanism of carbonation resistance of cement-based materials after absorption of CO2 under mechanical stirring and ultrasonic vibration. Results demonstrated that the higher CO2 absorption volume of fresh slurry generated more “nano-level” CaCO3 crystal nucleus. Accordingly, it could improve the porous structure of the cement mortar, decrease the quantity of capillary tubes significantly, improve the compaction degree of cement-based materials effectively, and lower the diffusion rate of CO2 in the cement paste base, thus improving the carbonation resistance. Research conclusions have important significance to decrease CO2 emissions and improve carbonation resistance of concrete.
Robust Algorithm Software for NACA 4-Digit Airfoil Shape Optimization Using the Adjoint Method
Authors: Tanabi Naser , Silva Agesinaldo Matos , Pessoa Marcosiris Amorim Oliveira , Tsuzuki Marcos Sales Guerra
Published: March 2023

Optimizing the aerodynamic shape of an airfoil is a critical concern in the aviation industry. The introduction of flexible airfoils has allowed the shape of the airfoil to vary, depending on the flight conditions. Therefore, in this study, we propose an algorithm that is capable of robustly optimizing the shape of the airfoil based on variable parameters of the airfoil and flight conditions. The proposed algorithm can be understood as an optimization method, which employs the adjoint method, a powerful tool for estimating the sensitivity of the model output to the input in numerous studies. From an aerodynamic perspective, the development of shape geometry is a crucial step in airfoil development. The study used NACA-4 digit airfoils as input for the initial assumption and the range of shape change. The optimal shape was found using the proposed algorithm by defining one NACA profile as the initial value and another NACA profile as the limit for the optimized shape, considering the aerodynamic coefficients and flight conditions. However, morphing airfoils have certain deformation limitations. As an innovation in the algorithm, bounds were defined for the shape change during optimization so that the result can be constructed within the capabilities of the morphing wing. These bounds can be adjusted (depending on the capabilities of the airfoils). To validate the proposed algorithm, the study compared it with a previous flow solver for the same airfoil.
Special Issue on Sewage Sludge: Latest Advances and Prospects
Authors: Carnevale Miino Marco , Collivignarelli Maria Cristina
Published: March 2023

To solve problems about sewage sludge production, management and minimization, research plays an essential role [...]
Advancements in Numerical Methods for Forward and Inverse Problems in Functional near Infra-Red Spectroscopy: A Review
Authors: Hussain Abida , Faye Ibrahima , Muthuvalu Mohana Sundaram , Tang Tong Boon , Zafar Mudasar
Published: March 2023

In the field of biomedical image reconstruction, functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRs) is a promising technology that uses near infra-red light for non-invasive imaging and reconstruction. Reconstructing an image requires both forward and backward problem-solving in order to figure out what the image’s optical properties are from the boundary data that has been measured. Researchers are using a variety of numerical methods to solve both the forward and backward problems in depth. This study will show the latest improvements in numerical methods for solving forward and backward problems in fNIRs. The physical interpretation of the forward problem is described, followed by the explanation of the state-of-the-art numerical methods and the description of the toolboxes. A more in-depth discussion of the numerical solution approaches for the inverse problem for fNIRs is also provided.
Assessing Global Efforts in the Selection of Vertebrates as Umbrella Species for Conservation
Authors: Yang Nan , Price Megan , Xu Yu , Zhu Yun , Zhong Xue , Cheng Yuehong , Wang Bin
Published: March 2023

The umbrella-species strategy has been proposed as an attainable tool to achieve multi-species and community conservation with limited investment. There have been many umbrella-related studies since the concept’s inception; thus, a summary of global study efforts and recommended umbrella species is important for understanding advances in the field and facilitating conservation applications. Here, we collated 213 recommended umbrella species of terrestrial vertebrates from 242 scientific articles published during 1984–2021 and analyzed their geographic patterns, biological features, and conservation statuses to identify global trends in the selection of umbrella species. We found a considerable geographic bias: most studies and, consequently, recommended umbrella species are from the Northern Hemisphere. There is also a strong taxonomic bias, with grouses (order Galliformes) and large carnivores being the most popular umbrella species and amphibians and reptiles being largely overlooked. In addition, wide-ranging and non-threatened species were frequently recommended as umbrella species. Given the observed biases and trends, we caution that appropriate species need to be chosen for each location, and it is important to confirm that popular, wide-ranging species are effective umbrella species. Moreover, amphibians and reptiles should be investigated for their potential as umbrella species. The umbrella-species strategy has many strengths and, if applied appropriately, may be one of the best options in today’s conservation research and funding landscape.
Combined Effect of Salt Stress and Nitrogen Level on the Primary Metabolism of Two Contrasting Hydroponically Grown Cichorium spinosum L. Ecotypes
Authors: Chatzigianni Martina , Savvas Dimitrios , Papadopoulou Evgenia-Anna , Aliferis Konstantinos A. , Ntatsi Georgia
Published: March 2023

Stamnagathi (Cichorium spinosum L.) is an indigenous plant species well-known for its health-promoting properties. Salinity is a long-term issue with devastating consequences on land and farmers. Nitrogen (N) constitutes a crucial element for plant growth and development (chlorophyll, primary metabolites, etc.). Thus, it is of paramount importance to investigate the impact of salinity and N supply on plants’ metabolism. Within this context, a study was conducted aiming to assess the impact of salinity and N stress on the primary metabolism of two contrasting ecotypes of stamnagathi (montane and seaside). Both ecotypes were exposed to three different salinity levels (0.3 mM—non-saline treatment, 20 mM—medium, and 40 mM—high salinity level) combined with two different total-N supply levels: a low-N at 4 mM and a high-N at 16 mM, respectively. The differences between the two ecotypes revealed the variable responses of the plant under the applied treatments. Fluctuations were observed at the level of TCA cycle intermediates (fumarate, malate, and succinate) of the montane ecotype, while the seaside ecotype was not affected. In addition, the results showed that proline (Pro) levels increased in both ecotypes grown under a low N-supply and high salt stress, while other osmoprotectant metabolites such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) exhibited variable responses under the different N supply levels. Fatty acids such as α-linolenate and linoleate also displayed variable fluctuations following plant treatments. The carbohydrate content of the plants, as indicated by the levels of glucose, fructose, α,α-trehalose, and myo-inositol, was significantly affected by the applied treatments. These findings suggest that the different adaptation mechanisms among the two contrasting ecotypes could be strongly correlated with the observed changes in their primary metabolism. This study also suggests that the seaside ecotype may have developed unique adaptation mechanisms to cope with high N supply and salinity stress, making it a promising candidate for future breeding programs aimed at developing stress tolerant varieties of C. spinosum L.
Molecular Basis of Plant Profilins’ Cross-Reactivity
Authors: Terán María , García-Ramírez Benjamín , Mares-Mejía Israel , Ortega Enrique , O’Malley Andrea , Chruszcz Maksymilian , Rodríguez-Romero Adela
Published: March 2023

Profilins are ubiquitous allergens with conserved structural elements. Exposure to profilins from different sources leads to IgE-cross-reactivity and the pollen–latex–food syndrome. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that cross-react with plant profilins and block IgE-profilin interactions are relevant for diagnosis, epitope mapping, and specific immunotherapy. We generated IgGs mAbs, 1B4, and 2D10, against latex profilin (anti-rHev b 8) that inhibit the interaction of IgE and IgG4 antibodies from sera of latex- and maize-allergic patients by 90% and 40%, respectively. In this study, we evaluated 1B4 and 2D10 recognition towards different plant profilins, and mAbs recognition of rZea m 12 mutants by ELISAs. Interestingly, 2D10 highly recognized rArt v 4.0101 and rAmb a 8.0101, and to a lesser extent rBet v 2.0101, and rFra e 2.2, while 1B4 showed recognition for rPhl p 12.0101 and rAmb a 8.0101. We demonstrated that residue D130 at the α-helix 3 in profilins, which is part of the Hev b 8 IgE epitope, is essential for the 2D10 recognition. The structural analysis suggests that the profilins containing E130 (rPhl p 12.0101, rFra e 2.2, and rZea m 12.0105) show less binding with 2D10. The distribution of negative charges on the profilins’ surfaces at the α-helices 1 and 3 is relevant for the 2D10 recognition, and that may be relevant to explain profilins’ IgE cross-reactivity.
Delay and Acceleration Threshold of Movement Perception in Patients Suffering from Vertigo or Dizziness
Authors: Toupet Michel , Guigou Caroline , Chea Cyrielle , Guyon Maxime , Heuschen Sylvie , Bozorg Grayeli Alexis
Published: March 2023

Background: The objective was to evaluate the delay and the acceleration threshold (AT) of movement perception in a population of patients suffering from dizziness and analyze the factors influencing these parameters. Methods: This prospective study included 256 adult subjects: 16 control and 240 patients (5 acute unilateral vestibular loss, 13 compensated unilateral loss, 32 Meniere diseases, 48 persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), 95 benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), 10 central cases, 19 bilateral vestibulopathy, 14 vestibular migraine, and 4 age-related dizziness). Patients were evaluated for the sound–movement synchronicity perception (maximum delay between the bed oscillation peak and a beep perceived as synchronous, PST) and AT during a pendular movement on a swinging bed. Results: We observed higher PST in women and in senior patients regardless of etiology. AT was higher in senior patients. AT was not influenced by etiology except in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy who had higher thresholds. AT was related to unipodal stance performance, past history of fall, and stop-walking-when-talking test. Conclusions: Delay and acceleration thresholds appear to be coherent with clinical findings and open insights on the exploration of symptoms that cannot be explained by routine otoneurological tests.
Correlation between Blood Type 0 and Risk of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Recurrence: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hamed Motaz , Lampmann Tim , Salemdawod Abdallah , Asoglu Harun , Houedjissin Naomi , Thudium Marcus , Asadeh Lakghomi , Schmeel Frederic Carsten , Schuch Fabiane , Vatter Hartmut , Banat Mohammed
Published: March 2023

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common disease in the neurological and neurosurgical world. The recommended treatment for cSDH patients with moderate or severe neurological symptoms is surgical evacuation, but cSDH frequently recurs. The patient’s ABO blood type may influence the outcome. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between cSDH recurrence and blood type O. We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of patients with cSDH who were surgically treated. Recurrence was defined as the need for re-operation within the first 12 weeks after the initial surgery. We analyzed standard demographic data, duration and type of surgery, ABO blood types, and the re-operation rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. A total of 229 patients were included. The recurrence of hematoma was identified in 20.5% of patients. Blood type O was found to be significantly associated with cSDH recurrence leading to re-operation within 12 weeks (p = 0.02, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.5). Thrombocyte aggregation inhibition and oral anticoagulants were not predictors of cSDH recurrence. Patients with blood type O in our cohort were identified to be at higher risk of cSDH recurrence and may, therefore, be a more vulnerable patient group. This finding needs further evaluation in larger cohorts.
Thermophysical Characterization of Paraffins versus Temperature for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Kraiem Manel , Karkri Mustapha , Fois Magali , Sobolciak Patrik
Published: March 2023

Latent heat storage systems (LHSS), using solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs), are attracting growing interest in many applications. The determination of the thermophysical properties of PCMs is crucial for selecting the appropriate material for an LHSS and for predicting the thermal behavior of the PCM. In this context, the thermophysical characterization of four paraffins (RT21, RT27, RT35HC, RT50) at different temperatures, including the solid and liquid phases, is conducted in this investigation. This work is part of a strategic technological brick in the CERTES laboratory of the Paris Est University to build a database for phase change material properties. It contains the measurements of the thermophysical, optical and mechanical properties. It will serve as input for the numerical simulations to study the behavior of PCMs in LHSS. The temperatures and the latent heats of the phase transitions as well as the thermal dependence of the specific heat of the paraffins were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the DSC measurements under successive thermal cycles revealed good reliability of the paraffins. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed, and the results highlighted the thermal stability of the paraffins. Moreover, the evolutions of the thermal conductivities and diffusivities with temperature were measured simultaneously using the hot disk method. A discontinuity of the thermal conductivities was observed near the melting temperatures. Furthermore, the measurements of the densities of the paraffins at different temperatures were carried out. The volume changes and the coefficients of thermal expansion were assessed. The obtained outcomes of this study were compared with the available bibliographical data.
Ectopic Rod Photoreceptor Development in Mice with Genetic Deficiency of WNT2B
Authors: Blomfield Alexandra K. , Maurya Meenakshi , Bora Kiran , Pavlovich Madeline C. , Yemanyi Felix , Huang Shuo , Fu Zhongjie , O’Connell Amy E. , Chen Jing
Published: March 2023

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for embryonic eye development in both the anterior eye and retina. WNT2B, a ligand and activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, assists in the development of the lens and peripheral regions of the eye. In humans WNT2B mutations are associated with coloboma and WNT2B may also assist in retinal progenitor cell differentiation in chicken, yet the potential role of WNT2B in retinal neuronal development is understudied. This study explored the effects of WNT2B on retinal neuronal and vascular formation using systemic Wnt2b knockout (KO) mice generated by crossing Wnt2bflox/flox (fl/fl) mice with CMV-cre mice. Wnt2b KO eyes exhibited relatively normal anterior segments and retinal vasculature. Ectopic formation of rod photoreceptor cells in the subretinal space was observed in Wnt2b KO mice as early as one week postnatally and persisted through nine-month-old mice. Other retinal neuronal layers showed normal organization in both thickness and lamination, without detectable signs of retinal thinning. The presence of abnormal photoreceptor genesis was also observed in heterozygous Wnt2b mice, and occasionally in wild type mice with decreased Wnt2b expression levels. Expression of Wnt2b was found to be enriched in the retinal pigment epithelium compared with whole retina. Together these findings suggest that WNT2B is potentially involved in rod photoreceptor genesis during eye development; however, potential influence by a yet unknown genetic factor is also possible.
Preschoolers’ Perceptual Analogical Reasoning and Map Reading: A Preliminary Study on the Mediating Effect of Spatial Language
Authors: Giancola Marco , Pino Maria Chiara , Riccio Valentina , Piccardi Laura , D’Amico Simonetta
Published: March 2023

Reading and interpreting a map represents an essential part of daily life, enabling appropriate orientation and navigation through space. Based on the idea that perceptual analogical reasoning is critical in aligning the spatial structure of the map with the spatial structure of the space and given the critical role of language, especially spatial language, in encoding and establishing spatial relations among elements in the environment, the present study investigated the joint contribution of perceptual analogical reasoning and spatial language in map reading. The study was conducted with 56 typically developing 4- to 6-year-old children, and the results indicated that perceptual abstract reasoning affected map reading through the mediating effect of spatial language. These findings yielded theoretical and practical implications regarding the role of perceptual abstract reasoning and spatial language in shaping map-reading abilities in the early stages of life, highlighting that domain-specific language competencies are necessary to improve the encoding of spatial relations, to establish object correspondences, and to ensure successful navigation. Limitations and future research directions were discussed.
A Wind Tunnel Test of the Anti-Icing Properties of MoS2/ZnO Hydrophobic Nano-Coatings for Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Liu Bo , Liu Zhiyuan , Li Yan , Feng Fang
Published: March 2023

Wind turbines operating in cold regions are prone to blade icing, which seriously affects their aerodynamic characteristics and safety performance. Coatings are one of the effective solutions to the icing problem on wind turbine blades. In this study, MoS2/ZnO/PDMS superhydrophobic nano-anti-icing coatings were prepared using the hydrothermal method and the liquid phase method. SEM revealed that the MoS2/ZnO coating was a typical superhydrophobic nanostructure with an ultra-thin sheet-like morphology of clusters and a hilly nano-rough structure, with contact angles (CA) of 152.1° and 4.7° with water droplets and the sliding angle (SA), respectively. The MoS2/ZnO/PDMS coating had an adhesion strength to ice of 78 kPa, which was 60.2% lower than an uncoated surface. The icing effects of the NACA0018 airfoil blade model with or without MoS2/ZnO coatings were studied at different ambient temperatures and wind speeds using the icing wind tunnel test. The results showed that, compared to uncoated blades, the level of icing was lower on the blade airfoil surface that was coated with MoS2/ZnO. At 10 m/s and −10 °C, the icing thickness and icing area of the leading edge of the blade airfoil were 13.7% and 28.3% lower, respectively. This study provides a valuable reference for the development of anti-icing coatings for wind turbine blades.
Effects of Substrates on Thin-Film Growth of Nickel Zinc Ferrite by Spin-Spray Deposition
Authors: Liu Hai , Yu Zhong , Song Xinglian , Ran Maojun , Jiang Xiaona , Lan Zhongwen , Sun Ke
Published: March 2023

In certain applications, such as on-chip integrated inductors, ferrite materials are highly desirable owing to their superior magnetic and insulation properties. Spin-spray deposition is a promising method for producing high-quality thin films of ferrite, as it does not require a vacuum and can operate at low temperatures. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of the substrate on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the thin films, and the growth mechanism of this phenomenon was discussed. In addition, first-order reversal curve measurements were used to study the coercivity and grain size distribution. The results indicate that thermal conductivity played a significant role in determining the thin-film growth during spin spray deposition. Polyimide is considered a more suitable substrate under this process due to its appropriate thermal conductivity, which results in more uniform grain distribution and improved magnetic properties, with maximum permeability and a cutoff frequency reaching 55 and 485 MHz, respectively. Our results provide valuable insights into the mechanism of spin-spray deposition and offer an effective way to tune the performance of ferrite thin-film materials.
Thermoelectric and Structural Properties of Sputtered AZO Thin Films with Varying Al Doping Ratios
Authors: Isram Muhammad , Magrin Maffei Riccardo , Demontis Valeria , Martini Leonardo , Forti Stiven , Coletti Camilla , Bellani Vittorio , Mescola Andrea , Paolicelli Guido , Rota Alberto , Benedetti Stefania , Bona Alessandro di , Ribeiro Joana M. , Tavares Carlos J. , Rossella Francesco
Published: March 2023

Nanomaterials can be game-changers in the arena of sustainable energy production because they may enable highly efficient thermoelectric energy conversion and harvesting. For this purpose, doped thin film oxides have been proven to be promising systems for achieving high thermoelectric performances. In this work, the design, realization, and experimental investigation of the thermoelectric properties exhibited by a set of five Al:ZnO thin films with thicknesses of 300 nm and Al doping levels ranging from 2 to 8 at.% are described. Using a multi-technique approach, the main structural and morphological features of the grown thin films are addressed, as well as the electrical and thermoelectrical transport properties. The results show that the samples exhibited a Seebeck coefficient absolute value in the range of 22–33 μV/K, assuming their maximum doping level was 8 at.%, while the samples’ resistivity was decreased below 2 × 10−3 Ohm·cm with a doping level of 3 at.%. The findings shine light on the perspectives of the applications of the metal ZnO thin film technology for thermoelectrics.