bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research and Explainable Analysis of a Real-Time Passion Fruit Detection Model Based on FSOne-YOLOv7
Authors: Ou Juji , Zhang Rihong , Li Xiaomin , Lin Guichao
Published: July 2023

Real-time object detection plays an indispensable role in facilitating the intelligent harvesting process of passion fruit. Accordingly, this paper proposes an FSOne-YOLOv7 model designed to facilitate the real-time detection of passion fruit. The model addresses the challenges arising from the diverse appearance characteristics of passion fruit in complex growth environments. An enhanced version of the YOLOv7 architecture serves as the foundation for the FSOne-YOLOv7 model, with ShuffleOne serving as the novel backbone network and slim-neck operating as the neck network. These architectural modifications significantly enhance the capabilities of feature extraction and fusion, thus leading to improved detection speed. By utilizing the explainable gradient-weighted class activation mapping technique, the output features of FSOne-YOLOv7 exhibit a higher level of concentration and precision in the detection of passion fruit compared to YOLOv7. As a result, the proposed model achieves more accurate, fast, and computationally efficient passion fruit detection. The experimental results demonstrate that FSOne-YOLOv7 outperforms the original YOLOv7, exhibiting a 4.6% increase in precision (P) and a 4.85% increase in mean average precision (mAP). Additionally, it reduces the parameter count by approximately 62.7% and enhances real-time detection speed by 35.7%. When compared to Faster-RCNN and SSD, the proposed model exhibits a 10% and 4.4% increase in mAP, respectively, while achieving approximately 2.6 times and 1.5 times faster real-time detection speeds, respectively. This model proves to be particularly suitable for scenarios characterized by limited memory and computing capabilities where high accuracy is crucial. Moreover, it serves as a valuable technical reference for passion fruit detection applications on mobile or embedded devices and offers insightful guidance for real-time detection research involving similar fruits.
Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein (Nramp) Family in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica): Characterization, Expression Analysis and Relationship with Metal Content under Cd Stress
Authors: Yang Yang , Zheng Jie , Liang Yinpei , Wang Xinyue , Li Kangping , Chen Liang , Aduragbemi Amo , Han Yuanhuai , Sun Zhaoxia , Li Hongying , Hou Siyu
Published: July 2023

The excessive content of heavy metals and the deficiency of beneficial trace elements in cereals have threatened global food security and human health. As important metal transporters, Natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (Nramps) are involved in the absorption and transport of various metal ions in plants, including beneficial elements and hazardous heavy metals, yet little is known about their roles in foxtail millet. In this study, 12 Nramps were identified in foxtail millet genome and divided into three clades. Expansion and functional differentiation of SiNramp gene family is evident in the high proportion of gene duplication as well as the diversity in protein structure and expression characteristics. The SiNramp genes exhibited different response patterns to Cd stress in different tissues. Based on the integration of ionome, RNA-seq and orthologous analysis, the association of SiNramp genes with the accumulation of different metal ions was investigated, and the possible functions of several SiNramp genes were predicted, such as SiNramp6 and SiNramp12. In general, this study provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for the study of Nramp genes in foxtail millet and other minor gramineous crops, which will lay a foundation for further research on the mechanism of metal transport and accumulation.
Identification of Patterns in the Stock Market through Unsupervised Algorithms
Authors: Barradas Adrian , Canton-Croda Rosa-Maria , Gibaja-Romero Damian-Emilio
Published: July 2023

Making predictions in the stock market is a challenging task. At the same time, several studies have focused on forecasting the future behavior of the market and classifying financial assets. A different approach is to classify correlated data to discover patterns and atypical behaviors in them. In this study, we propose applying unsupervised algorithms to process, model, and cluster related data from two different data sources, i.e., Google News and Yahoo Finance, to identify conditions in the stock market that might help to support the investment decision-making process. We applied principal component analysis (PCA) and a k-means clustering approach to group data according to their principal characteristics. We identified four conditions in the stock market, one comprising the least amount of data, characterized by high volatility. The main results show that, regularly, the stock market tends to have a steady performance. However, atypical conditions are conducive to higher volatility.
Reducing Stocking Densities and Using Cooling Systems for More Adapted Pigs to High Temperatures When Reared in Intensive Conditions
Authors: Contreras-Jodar Alexandra , Escribano Damián , Cerón José Joaquin , López-Arjona Marina , Aymerich Pau , Soldevila Carme , Fàbrega Emma , Dalmau Antoni
Published: July 2023

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of reducing stocking density and using cooling systems to mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures in growing pigs (females and castrated males) reared in intensive conditions (from 25 to 100 kg) during summer (June to October 2020). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial where pigs were provided with an evaporative cooling system and/or raised at regular or at lower stocking densities (i.e., 0.68 to 0.80 m2/animal). Treatments were distributed in four different rooms containing sex-balanced pens with either castrated males or females. Temperature and humidity were recorded throughout the experiment, and the temperature–humidity index was calculated. Heat stress (HS) on pigs was measured through changes in animals’ performance, animal-based indicators (dirtiness and activity budget) and physiological indicators (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and hair cortisol). The use of cooling, lowering stocking density and the combination of both strategies had positive effects on pigs’ final body weight (+5 kg, +3 kg, +9 kg, respectively; p < 0.001). The prevalence of dirtiness was similar at the stocking densities tested, and no clear effect of the cooling system was found. Both mitigation strategies lowered the physiological indicators of stress, although only hair cortisone can be considered an indicator of HS. In conclusion, both mitigation strategies are effective in improving pig welfare and performance, especially when both are combined. The severity of the stocking density effect may depend on the severity of the temperature.
Knee Joint Osteoarthritis in Overweight Cats: The Clinical and Radiographic Findings
Authors: Bonecka Joanna , Skibniewski Michał , Zep Paweł , Domino Małgorzata
Published: July 2023

Despite a high prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) reported in the domesticated cat population, studies on feline knee joint OA are scarcer. Knee joint OA is a painful, age-related, chronic degenerative joint disease that significantly affects cats’ activity and quality of life. In dogs and humans, one may consider overweight as a risk factor for the development and progression of knee joint OA; therefore, this study aims to assess the severity of knee joint OA in the body-weight-related groups of cats concerning clinical symptoms and radiographic signs. The study was conducted on sixty-four (n = 64) cats with confirmed OA. The demographic data on sex, neutering, age, and breed were collected. Then, the body condition score (BCS) was assessed, and each cat was allocated to the underweight, normal-weight, or overweight group. Within clinical symptoms, joint pain, joint swelling, joint deformities, lameness, reluctance to move, and apathy were graded. Based on the radiographic signs, minor OA, mild OA, moderate OA, and severe OA were scored. Prevalence and co-occurrence of the studied variables were then assessed. Joint pain was elicited in 20–31% of the OA-affected joints, joint deformities in 21–30%, and lameness in 20–54%, with no differences between weight-related groups. Severe OA was detected in 10–16% of the OA-affected joints, with no differences between weight-related groups. Severe OA in feline knee joints appears with similar frequency in overweight, underweight, and normal-weight cats. However, the general prevalence of clinical symptoms and radiographic signs is different in overweight cats.
A Circular Economy Approach to Integrate Divergent Ruminant Production Systems: Using Dairy Cow Feed Leftovers to Enhance the Out-of-Season Reproductive Performance in Goats
Authors: Machado-Ramos Maria G. , Meza-Herrera Cesar A. , De Santiago-Miramontes Angeles , Mellado Miguel , Véliz-Deras Francisco G. , Arellano-Rodríguez Fernando , Contreras-Villarreal Viridiana , Arévalo José R. , Carrillo-Moreno Dalia I. , Flores-Salas Jessica M.
Published: July 2023

Based on a circular economy approach, we evaluated the possible effect of targeted supplementation with leftover feed from dairy cows (i.e., intensive system) on the reproductive performance of crossbred/rangeland goats (i.e., extensive system) in arid Northern Mexico. During the deep-anestrous season (i.e., March–April, 25° North), multiparous goats (n = 38) with a similar body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) supplemented group (SG; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.07; BW: 43.7 ± 1.8 kg), receiving 400 g goat d−1 of dairy-cow-feed leftovers prior to grazing; and (2) non-supplemented group (NS; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.06; BW: 44.3 ± 2.5 kg). Both groups were directed to the rangeland for a period of ≈8 h. While the experimental period lasted 36 d, the experimental breeding considered 11 d (d0–d10). The anovulatory status of goats was ultrasonographically confirmed on days −20, −10, and −1 prior to male–female interaction. Previously, bucks were separated for 3 weeks from the experimental females and received exogenous testosterone every third day (i.e., 50 mg i.m.) prior to mating. With respect to the response variables, namely BW, BCS, blood glucose levels (BGLs), estrus induction (GIE, %), latency to estrus (LTE, h), estrus duration (ED, h), and luteal tissue volume (LTV, mm), no differences (p > 0.05) occurred between experimental groups. However, the response variables, namely goats ovulating (GO, %; 78.9 vs. 47.3), total number of corpuses luteum (TNCL, n; 27 vs. 13), ovulation rate (OR, n; 1.42 vs. 0.73), multiple ovulation (MO, %; 73.3 vs. 55.5), and pregnancy rate on d 36 (PRd36, %, 68.4 vs. 36.8), favored (p < 0.05) the SG over the NS goats. Our results demonstrate that connecting the circularity of two divergent ruminant production systems (i.e., cow-intensive and goat-extensive) by using dairy cows’ feed leftovers as a targeted supplementation strategy in anestrous goats under a marginal-rangeland production system enhanced out-of-season reproductive outcomes (i.e., ovulation rate and pregnancy rate), thus benefiting marginal goat producers and their families.
Botulism in Cattle: A Case Report of an Outbreak in Sardinia (Italy)
Authors: Pinna Luigia , Coccollone Annamaria , Maxia Marcella , Bano Luca , Scalfaro Concetta , Mandas Daniela , Liciardi Manuele
Published: July 2023

Clostridium botulinum is the main causative agent of botulism in humans and animals. The ingestion of the botulinum neurotoxin, usually types C and D, has been shown to produce disease (neurological symptoms) in most botulism cases in cattle. We report an outbreak in Southern Sardinia that involved a livestock farm with 120 animals, 39 of which died. The aim of this report is to describe the course of this outbreak and the progression of symptoms up to the death of some animals; we also describe the therapeutic approach applied in this case and the analytical techniques used to diagnose the disease. Finally, we emphasize the importance of promptly proceeding with the sampling of several matrixes when a suspicion of botulism arises.
Prevalence and Characterization of Dental and Skull-Bone Pathologies of the Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania
Authors: Jurgelėnas Eugenijus , Jasinevičiūtė Indrė , Daugnora Linas
Published: July 2023

The present investigation endeavours to discern dental and non-dental pathologies affecting cranial structures of raccoon dogs, while focusing on cases of periodontitis. Furthermore, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysis based on sex and the nature of the pathologies encountered. The number of investigated skulls amounted to 126, including 76 males and 50 females. The predominant pathology identified was hypodontia, which accounted for 26.7% of males and 20% of females. Notably, the majority of hypodontia cases involved the absence of the mandibular third molar. Another noteworthy pathology was various stages of periodontitis, with rates ranging from 21.3% in males to 8% in females. Other pathologies, like tooth fractures and abrasion, were significantly less encountered. Excessive bone formation was relatively abundant and localized in specific areas—the parietal bone and the occipital regions. This tendency was observed in 8% of male cases and 6% of females. We found that the total number of dental and skull-bone pathologies is significantly more common in males than in females (p = 0.003). Additionally, the total number of various cases of periodontitis is more common in males too (p = 0.04).
Preliminary Feasibility of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Authenticate Grazing in Dairy Goats through Milk and Faeces Analysis
Authors: Rodríguez-Hernández Pablo , Díaz-Gaona Cipriano , Reyes-Palomo Carolina , Sanz-Fernández Santos , Sánchez-Rodríguez Manuel , Rodríguez-Estévez Vicente , Núñez-Sánchez Nieves
Published: July 2023

Consumers are increasingly prone to request information about the production systems of the food they buy. For this purpose, certification and authentication methodologies are necessary not only to protect the choices of consumers, but also to protect producers and production systems. The objective of this preliminary work was to authenticate the grazing system of dairy goats using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) analyses of milk and faeces of the animals. Spectral information and several mathematical pre-treatments were used for the development of six discriminant models based on different algorithms for milk and faeces samples. Results showed that the NIRS spectra of both types of samples had some differences when the two feeding regimes were compared. Therefore, good discrimination rates were obtained with both strategies (faeces and milk samples), with classification percentages of up to 100% effectiveness. Discrimination of feeding regime and grazing authentication based on NIRS analysis of milk samples and an alternative sample such as faeces is considered as a potential approach for dairy goats and small ruminant production.
Prevalence of Clostridioides difficile in Canine Feces and Its Association with Intestinal Dysbiosis
Authors: Werner Melanie , Ishii Patricia Eri , Pilla Rachel , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Steiner Joerg M. , Busch-Hahn Kathrin , Unterer Stefan , Suchodolski Jan S.
Published: July 2023

The role of Clostridioides (C.) difficile as an enteropathogen in dogs is controversial. In humans, intestinal bile acid-dysmetabolism is associated with C. difficile prevalence. The relationship between fecal qPCR-based dysbiosis index (DI) and especially the abundance of bile acid-converting Clostridium hiranonis with the presence of C. difficile in dogs was explored across the following 4 cohorts: 358 fecal samples submitted for routine diagnostic work-up, 33 dogs with chronic enteropathy, 14 dogs with acute diarrhea, and 116 healthy dogs. Dogs that tested positive for C. difficile had significantly higher DI (median, 4.4 (range from 0.4 to 8.6)) and lower C. hiranonis (median, 0.1 (range from 0.0 to 7.5) logDNA/g) than dogs that tested negative for C. difficile (median DI, −1 (range from −7.2 to 8.9); median C. hiranonis abundance, 6.2 (range from 0.1 to 7.5) logDNA/g; p < 0.0001, respectively). In 33 dogs with CE and 14 dogs with acute diarrhea, the treatment response did not differ between C. difficile-positive and -negative dogs. In the group of clinically healthy dogs, 9/116 tested positive for C. difficile, and 6/9 of these had also an abnormal DI. In conclusion, C. difficile is strongly linked to intestinal dysbiosis and lower C. hiranonis levels in dogs, but its presence does not necessitate targeted treatment.
Antimicrobial Activity of Peptides Produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis on Swine Pathogens
Authors: Sanca Fernando M. M. , Blanco Iago R. , Dias Meriellen , Moreno Andrea M. , Martins Simone M. M. K. , Stephano Marco A. , Mendes Maria A. , Mendonça Carlos M. N. , Pereira Wellison A. , Azevedo Pamela O. S. , Gierus Martin , Oliveira Ricardo P. S.
Published: July 2023

Swine production is of great importance worldwide and has huge economic and commercial impact. Due to problems with bacterial infection, the use of antimicrobials has increased in the last decades, particularly in Latin America and Asia. This has led to concerns about antimicrobial resistance, which poses risks to human health and the environment. The use of probiotic organisms has been proposed as an alternative to this use, as these beneficial bacteria can produce antimicrobial peptides, such as bacteriocins, which allow the induction of inhibitory effects against pathogenic microorganisms. Among probiotics, some bacteria stand out with the inhibition of animal pathogens. The bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLISs) of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strain L2, present in its cell-free supernatant, were tested against pathogenic strains isolated from pig samples, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Streptococcus suis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Staphylococcus hyicus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Compounds secreted by L. lactis L2 have been shown to inhibit the growth of some pathogenic species, particularly Gram-positive bacteria, with S. suis being the most prominent. Antimicrobial peptides with a molecular size of 500–1160 Daltons were isolated from BLISs. The results highlight the potential of L. lactis BLISs and its peptides as natural antimicrobials for use in the food industry and to reduce the use of growth promoters in animal production.
Epidemiological Characterization of Isolates of Salmonella enterica and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Backyard Production System Animals in the Valparaíso and Metropolitana Regions
Authors: Urzúa-Encina Constanza , Fernández-Sanhueza Bastián , Pavez-Muñoz Erika , Ramírez-Toloza Galia , Lujan-Tomazic Mariela , Rodríguez Anabel Elisa , Alegría-Morán Raúl
Published: July 2023

Backyard production systems (BPS) are distributed worldwide, rearing animals recognized as reservoirs of Salmonella enterica and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), both zoonotic pathogens. The aim of this study was to characterize isolates of both pathogens obtained from animals raised in BPS from two central Chile regions. The presence of pathogens was determined by bacterial culture and confirmatory PCR for each sampled BPS, calculating positivity rates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors. Additionally, phenotypic antimicrobial resistance was determined. A positivity rate of 2.88% for S. enterica and 14.39% for STEC was determined for the complete study region (Valparaíso and Metropolitana regions). Risk factor analysis suggests that the presence of ruminants (OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.002–1.075) increases the risk of STEC-positive BPS, and the presence of ruminants (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.002–1.075) and the animal handlers being exclusively women (OR = 3.54; 95% CI = 1.029–12.193) increase the risk for S. enterica/STEC positivity. Eighty percent of S. enterica isolates were multidrug resistant, and all STEC were resistant to Cephalexin. This study evidences the circulation of multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacterial strains in animals kept in BPS and the presence of factors that modify the risk of BPS positivity for both pathogens.
Genetic Correlations between Boar Taint Compound Concentrations in Fat of Purebred Boars and Production and Ham Quality Traits in Crossbred Heavy Pigs
Authors: Faggion Sara , Carnier Paolo , Bonfatti Valentina
Published: July 2023

Selecting pigs with reduced ability to accumulate boar taint (BT) compounds in their tissues is an alternative to male surgical castration. As the majority of slaughter pigs are crossbred, before selecting against BT in purebreds, it is essential to consider possible impacts on commercial traits in crossbreds. This study estimated the genetic correlations between BT compound levels measured in 1115 purebred pigs and carcass and ham quality traits collected in 26,577 crossbred Italian heavy pigs. Genetic correlations were estimated in bivariate Bayesian analyses including one BT trait and one production or ham quality trait at a time. Heritability of androstenone, skatole, and indole was 0.41, 0.49, and 0.37, respectively. A moderate negative correlation between skatole and carcass yield (−0.40), and between all BT compounds and backfat (from −0.26 to −0.55) was observed. Conversely, positive correlations (from 0.11 to 0.54) were found between skatole and ham fat thickness traits. Correlations between BT compounds and iodine number ranged from −0.07 (for androstenone) to −0.64 (for skatole), whereas those with PUFA ranged from −0.13 (for indole) to −0.33 (for skatole). Hence, reducing BT could decrease ham fat thickness and increase unsaturated fatty acids, with potential negative impacts on product quality.
A Study on Differential Biomarkers in the Milk of Holstein Cows with Different Somatic Cells Count Levels
Authors: She Yuanhang , Liu Jianying , Su Minqiang , Li Yaokun , Guo Yongqing , Liu Guangbin , Deng Ming , Qin Hongxian , Sun Baoli , Guo Jianchao , Liu Dewu
Published: July 2023

Dairy cow mastitis is one of the common diseases of dairy cows, which will not only endanger the health of dairy cows but also affect the quality of milk. Dairy cow mastitis is an inflammatory reaction caused by pathogenic microorganisms and physical and chemical factors in dairy cow mammary glands. The number of SCC in the milk of dairy cows with different degrees of mastitis will increase in varying degrees. The rapid diagnosis of dairy cow mastitis is of great significance for dairy cow health and farm economy. Based on the results of many studies on the relationship between mastitis and somatic cell count in dairy cows, microflora, and metabolites in the milk of Holstein cows with low somatic cell level (SCC less than 200,000), medium somatic cell level (SCC up to 200,000 but less than 500,000) and high somatic cell level (SCC up to 5000,00) were analyzed by microbiome and metabolic group techniques. The results showed that there were significant differences in milk microbiota and metabolites among the three groups (p < 0.05), and there was a significant correlation between microbiota and metabolites. Meanwhile, in this experiment, 75 differential metabolites were identified in the H group and L group, 40 differential metabolites were identified in the M group and L group, and six differential microorganisms with LDA scores more than four were found in the H group and L group. These differential metabolites and differential microorganisms may become new biomarkers for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cow mastitis in the future.
Centennial Variation and Mechanism of the Extreme High Temperatures in Summer over China during the Holocene Forced by Total Solar Irradiance
Authors: Liu Lu , Sun Weiyi , Liu Jian , Wan Lingfeng
Published: July 2023

Under the background of global warming, the frequency and intensity of extreme climate have increased, especially extreme high temperatures. In order to correctly predict the changes in the extreme high temperatures in summer in China in this century, it is urgent to deepen the understanding of the characteristics and physical mechanisms of the extreme high temperatures in summer on the centennial timescale. Many researchers have explored the mechanism of the influences of the variability of the solar cycle on climate change, while the mechanism of the influences of the centennial variation of solar activity on climate change remains elusive. Here, we use the outputs from the Control (CTRL) experiment, Total solar irradiance and Orbital (TSI_ORB) experiment, and Orbital (ORB) experiment from Nanjing Normal University-Holocene (NNU-Hol) experiments to study the extreme high temperatures in summer in China during the Holocene. On the basis of verifying the consistency of the centennial period between the TSI (TSI_ORB minus ORB plus CTRL) experiment and the reconstructed data, we compared the centennial variation characteristics of the summer extreme high temperature in the CTRL experiment and the TSI experiment. It shows that under the modulation of total solar irradiance, the centennial spatial pattern of the summer extreme high temperatures changed from dipole mode to uniform mode, with 300-year and 500-year periodicity, compared to the influence of only internal variability. On the centennial time scale, the greatest difference is located in northeast China. The subsidence movement and the reduction of cloud cover caused by the anticyclone under the control of high-pressure lead to the increase of downward solar radiation, thus making a positive center is showed in northeast China on the impacts of total solar irradiance. Furthermore, the center of the Rossby wave train in the barotropic structure of the upper circulation related to the summer extreme high temperature significantly moves northward. This barotropic structure is composed of continuous pressure ridges from Eurasia to North America and the North Atlantic, which is conducive to the increase of the summer extreme high temperatures. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying physical mechanisms. Under the influence of total solar irradiance, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) with the same centennial cycle as extreme high temperatures lead to obvious subsidence movement and increase of radiation flux, causing an increase in extreme high temperatures over northeast China.
Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol over Non-Noble Catalysts: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Xu Lujing , Chen Xixi , Deng Chao , Hu Kehao , Gao Ruxing , Zhang Leiyu , Wang Lei , Zhang Chundong
Published: July 2023

The malignant environmental changes caused by the ever-increasing amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions have been particularly prominent in recent years. To achieve carbon mitigation and carbon neutrality, CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is regarded as a promising and sustainable route. However, the development of catalysts with exceptional performance and the establishment of a clear structure–activity relationship remain formidable challenges. Considering the lack of a state-of-the-art review on the catalytic progress of CO2 hydrogenation to methanol over non-noble catalysts, we conducted a detailed review in terms of the thermodynamic analysis, catalytic development, and reaction mechanism. In this work, we mainly reviewed the latest research progress of different catalysts including Cu-based, In2O3-based, bimetallic, solid solution, and other catalysts. Meanwhile, we summarized the effects of the support materials, promoters, and preparation methods on the catalytic performance. In addition, we also summarized the possible reaction mechanisms of direct hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. Overall, this work would be of importance for the researchers to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the design and development of efficient catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol.
Research on Typhoon Precipitation Prediction over Hainan Island Based on Dynamical–Statistical–Analog Technology
Authors: Jiang Xianling , Ma Yunqi , Ren Fumin , Ding Chenchen , Han Jing , Shi Juan
Published: July 2023

Based on the Dynamical–Statistical–Analog Ensemble Forecast model for Landfalling Typhoon Precipitation (DSAEF_LTP model), the optimal forecast scheme for the tropical cyclone (TC) accumulated precipitation over Hainan Island, China (DSAEF_LTP_HN) is established. To test the forecasting performance of DSAEF_LTP_HN, its forecasting results are compared with other numerical models. The average threat score (TS) of accumulated precipitation forecast by DSAEF_LTP_HN is compared with other numerical models over independent samples. The results show that for accumulated precipitation ≥100 mm, the TS produced by DSAEF_LTP_HN reaches 0.39, ranking first, followed by ECMWF (0.36). For accumulated precipitation ≥250 mm, the TS of DSAEF_LTP_HN (0.04) is second only to ECMWF (0.19). Further analysis reveals that the forecasting performance of DSAEF_LTP_HN for TC precipitation is closely related to the TC characteristics. The longer the TC impacts Hainan Island and the heavier the precipitation delivered to Hainan Island, the better the forecasting performance of DSAEF_LTP_HN is. DSAEF_LTP_HN can successfully capture the center of heavy precipitation. However, there is still a phenomenon of false forecasts for some TC heavy precipitation, which requires further improvement of the model in the future.
Chinese Provincial Air Pollutant Concentration Prediction over the Long Term
Authors: Zhao Kai , Xu Limin
Published: July 2023

Although China’s urban air quality has improved, there are still many cities that do not meet China’s ambient air quality standards and experience serious air pollution problems, causing tremendous damage to people’s health and sustainable social development. For the sake of obtaining the specific time when China’s ambient air quality will reach the standard, the annual mean air pollutant concentrations of 27 Chinese provinces are predicted and analyzed. Based on original data from air pollutant concentrations in 27 Chinese provinces from 2017 to 2021, a gray prediction model with fractional order accumulation is established to analyze and predict the concentration of pollutants in 27 provinces. The applicability of the model is then validated by mean absolute percentage error values. According to the forecast results, by 2026, the concentrations of six pollutants, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3, will all meet Class II air quality standards in 25 Chinese provinces, namely Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shanxi, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Anhui, Jilin, Fujian, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Qinghai, Hunan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Gansu, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang (corrected for the effect of sandstorms). Tianjin, Sichuan, and Xinjiang (not corrected for the effect of sandstorms) still exceed the standard in the annual mean concentration of PM2.5, NO2, and PM10, respectively. Sichuan and Tianjin are, respectively, expected to meet Class II air quality standards in 2027 and 2030, and Xinjiang (not corrected for the effect of sandstorms) is expected to fail to meet Class II standards in the next 15 years. Finally, the current situation with respect to China’s ambient air quality in 27 Chinese provinces is analyzed, and corresponding suggestions are put forward to offer an explicit direction for relevant departments.
Moisture Source Analysis of Two Case Studies of Major Extreme Precipitation Events in Summer in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Alvarez-Socorro Gleisis , Fernández-Alvarez José C. , Nieto Raquel
Published: July 2023

Extreme summer precipitation events commonly affect the Iberian Peninsula (IP), and studying the moisture sources that generate intense precipitation is extremely important. Therefore, this study analyzed the moisture sources of two major extreme precipitation events in summer in the IP. The events occurred on 18 September 1999 and 7 September 1989, and the anomalies of the associated meteorological variables are shown with respect to a 30-year reference period (1985–2014). A Lagrangian approach is used for determining the moisture source pattern using only the precipitating particles that reach the target region. In this research a dynamic downscaling methodology is applied using the WRF-ARW model forced using the ERA5 reanalysis and then the WRF-ARW outputs used to force the Lagrangian dispersion model FLEXPART-WRF. Specifically, the first event was associated with an atmospheric river favoring strong moisture transport from remote sources and the second event was caused by local convergence of moisture under the influence of a cut-off low system. For the 18 September 1999 case study, the major contribution to moisture reaching the target region was associated with the central and eastern North Atlantic, with values of up to approximately 32%. In addition, the moisture source pattern exhibited a strong anomaly in the climatological pattern. However, the origin of the moisture sources associated with the case of 7 September 1989 was mainly the western Mediterranean Sea, with a contribution of up to 40% or higher. Finally, Northwest Africa and precipitation recycling processes over the IP contributed approximately 16% to the moisture supply for this event.
Towards a UK Airborne Bioaerosol Climatology: Real-Time Monitoring Strategies for High Time Resolution Bioaerosol Classification and Quantification
Authors: Crawford Ian , Bower Keith , Topping David , Di Piazza Simone , Massabò Dario , Vernocchi Virginia , Gallagher Martin
Published: July 2023

Biological particulate matter (BioPM) is a poorly constrained, ubiquitous, and diverse subset of atmospheric aerosols. They influence climate, air quality, and health via many mechanisms, spurring renewed interest in constraining their emissions to elucidate their impacts. In order to build the framework required to assess the role of BioPM in these multidisciplinary areas, it is necessary to develop robust, high time-resolution detection methodologies so that BioPM emissions can be understood and characterized. In this study, we present ambient results from intensive monitoring at UK peri-urban and coastal ground sites using high time-resolution real-time bioaerosol spectrometers. We demonstrate the utility of a new dimensional reduction-driven BioPM classification scheme, where laboratory sample training data collected at the ChAMBRe facility were used to generate broad taxonomic class time series data of key species of interest. We show the general trends of these representative classes, spanning spring, early summer, and autumn periods between 2019 and 2021. Diurnal behaviors and meteorological relationships were investigated and contextualized; a key result arising from this study was the demonstration of rainfall-induced enhancement of nighttime Penicillium-like aerosol, where rainfall crucially only acts to enhance the quantity emitted without significantly influencing the early morning timing of peak spore liberation.
Atmospheric Dynamic Response to Coupling Currents to Wind Stress over the Gulf Stream
Authors: May Jackie , Bourassa Mark
Published: July 2023

Atmospheric near-surface stress and boundary layer wind responses to surface currents are examined with high resolution coupled atmosphere–ocean models over the Gulf Stream during winter. Because the ocean and atmosphere are linked through surface stress, the two fluids can cause dramatic changes through feedback processes. When the current feedback is included, we find that the current gradient in the cross-wind direction drives the stress curl pattern and wind curl pattern to have minima and maxima at locations matching those of the ocean surface vorticity pattern. Furthermore, we find the large- (>30 km) and small-scale, or submesoscale (<30 km), stress curl and wind curl responses to ocean surface vorticity are complimentary; however, the large- and small-scale wind divergence responses are counteractive. These responses (commonly called coupling coefficients) are found to depend on the relative position to the Gulf Stream maximum current. Throughout the atmospheric boundary layer, we find including the current feedback also leads to changes in the atmospheric secondary circulation on either side of the Gulf Stream extension. The winter seasonal means suggest the current feedback will impact climate, and investigating individual events, such as an atmospheric front passing over the Gulf Stream, suggests the current feedback will also impact the intensity of weather.
Impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on the Net Primary Productivity of Grassland in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Pang Yanmei , Chen Chao , Guo Bin , Qi Dongmei , Luo Yu
Published: July 2023

Climate change and anthropogenic activities have had a profound effect on the variation in grassland productivity in the Tibetan Plateau in recent decades. Quantifying the impacts of climatic and anthropogenic variables on grassland productivity is a necessary step in making the management policies of a sustainable grassland ecosystem. Net primary productivity (NPP) is an important part of the terrestrial carbon cycle and can be used to assess vegetation growth. Based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach model and statistical analysis method, in this study we estimated the variations in grassland potential NPP (PNPP), actual NPP (ANPP) and human-induced NPP (HNPP) in the Northwest Sichuan Plateau (NWSP) of the Southeast Tibetan Plateau from 2001 to 2020. Also, we assessed the contribution of climatic change and anthropogenic activities to grassland ANPP. The results showed that the average values of grassland ANPP, PNPP and HNPP in the whole NWSP increased at the rates of 3.81, 9.14 and 7.18 g C m−2 a−1, respectively. Grassland ANPP increased in 91.7% of the total area. Climate-oriented impacts led grassland ANPP to increase in 82.6% of the area, and temperature increase was the dominant factor. Additionally, anthropogenic activity was the major reason for the grassland ANPP’s decline (5.4% of the total area). Overall, our findings are beneficial for the formulation of practical countermeasures regarding climate change adaption and damaged grassland recovering in the plateau.
Direct Integration of 3D Printing and Cryogel Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Olevsky Levi M. , Anup Amritha , Jacques Mason , Keokominh Nadia , Holmgren Eric P. , Hixon Katherine R.
Published: July 2023

Cryogels, known for their biocompatibility and porous structure, lack mechanical strength, while 3D-printed scaffolds have excellent mechanical properties but limited porosity resolution. By combining a 3D-printed plastic gyroid lattice scaffold with a chitosan–gelatin cryogel scaffold, a scaffold can be created that balances the advantages of both fabrication methods. This study compared the pore diameter, swelling potential, mechanical characteristics, and cellular infiltration capability of combined scaffolds and control cryogels. The incorporation of the 3D-printed lattice demonstrated patient-specific geometry capabilities and significantly improved mechanical strength compared to the control cryogel. The combined scaffolds exhibited similar porosity and relative swelling ratio to the control cryogels. However, they had reduced elasticity, reduced absolute swelling capacity, and are potentially cytotoxic, which may affect their performance. This paper presents a novel approach to combine two scaffold types to retain the advantages of each scaffold type while mitigating their shortcomings.
Leveraging Genomic and Bioinformatic Analysis to Enhance Drug Repositioning for Dermatomyositis
Authors: Irham Lalu Muhammad , Adikusuma Wirawan , La’ah Anita Silas , Chong Rockie , Septama Abdi Wira , Angelina Marissa
Published: July 2023

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disease that is classified as a type of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, which affects human skin and muscles. The most common clinical symptoms of DM are muscle weakness, rash, and scaly skin. There is currently no cure for DM. Genetic factors are known to play a pivotal role in DM progression, but few have utilized this information geared toward drug discovery for the disease. Here, we exploited genomic variation associated with DM and integrated this with genomic and bioinformatic analyses to discover new drug candidates. We first integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) and phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) catalogs to identify disease-associated genomic variants. Biological risk genes for DM were prioritized using strict functional annotations, further identifying candidate drug targets based on druggable genes from databases. Overall, we analyzed 1239 variants associated with DM and obtained 43 drugs that overlapped with 13 target genes (JAK2, FCGR3B, CD4, CD3D, LCK, CD2, CD3E, FCGR3A, CD3G, IFNAR1, CD247, JAK1, IFNAR2). Six drugs clinically investigated for DM, as well as eight drugs under pre-clinical investigation, are candidate drugs that could be repositioned for DM. Further studies are necessary to validate potential biomarkers for novel DM therapeutics from our findings.
Identification of Cell-Attachment Factors Derived from Green Algal Cells Disrupted by Sonication in Fabrication of Cell Plastics
Authors: Nakanishi Akihito , Nemoto Shintaro , Yamamoto Naotaka , Iritani Kohei , Watanabe Marina
Published: July 2023

Cell plastics which are composed of unicellular green algal cells have been proposed in previous studies. While unicellular green algae can be freely arranged using fabrication processes, a matrix is required to attach the cells together. To date, although the cell contents collected from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii show the possibility of attaching cells, but it is unclear which components can be considered attachment factors. Therefore, in this study, C. reinhardtii cells were disrupted with sonication, and the components were separated and purified with hexane. The cell plastics with only 0.5 wt% of intermediate showed similar mechanical properties to those with 17 wt% and 25 wt% of cell components that were untreated with hexane, meaning that the purified intermediates could function as matrices. The purified intermediate was composed of approximately 60 wt% of protein as the main component, and proteomic analysis was performed to survey the main proteins that remained after hexane treatment. The protein compositions of the cell content and purified intermediate were compared via proteomic analysis, revealing that the existing ratios of 532 proteins were increased in the purified intermediate rather than in the cell content. In particular, the outer structure of each of the 49 proteins—the intensity of which was increased by over 10 times—had characteristically random coil conformations, containing ratios of proline and alanine. The information could suggest a matrix of cell plastics, inspiring the possibility to endow the cell plastics with more properties and functions.
Validation of Lead-DBS β-Oscillation Localization with Directional Electrodes
Authors: Boëx Colette , Awadhi Abdullah Al , Tyrand Rémi , Corniola Marco V. , Kibleur Astrid , Fleury Vanessa , Burkhard Pierre R. , Momjian Shahan
Published: July 2023

In deep brain stimulation (DBS) studies in patients with Parkinson’s disease, the Lead-DBS toolbox allows the reconstruction of the location of β-oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) using Vercise Cartesia directional electrodes (Boston Scientific). The objective was to compare these probabilistic locations with those of intraoperative monopolar β-oscillations computed from local field potentials (0.5–3 kHz) recorded by using shielded single wires and an extracranial shielded reference electrode. For each electrode contact, power spectral densities of the β-band (13–31 Hz) were compared with those of all eight electrode contacts on the directional electrodes. The DBS Intrinsic Template AtLas (DISTAL), electrophysiological, and DBS target atlases of the Lead-DBS toolbox were applied to the reconstructed electrodes from preoperative MRI and postoperative CT. Thirty-six electrodes (20 patients: 7 females, 13 males; both STN electrodes for 16 of 20 patients; one single STN electrode for 4 of 20 patients) were analyzed. Stimulation sites both dorsal and/or lateral to the sensorimotor STN were the most efficient. In 33 out of 36 electrodes, at least one contact was measured with stronger β-oscillations, including 23 electrodes running through or touching the ventral subpart of the β-oscillations’ probabilistic volume, while 10 did not touch it but were adjacent to this volume; in 3 out of 36 electrodes, no contact was found with β-oscillations and all 3 were distant from this volume. Monopolar local field potentials confirmed the ventral subpart of the probabilistic β-oscillations.
Advances and Prospects for Hydrogel-Forming Microneedles in Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Hou Xiaolin , Li Jiaqi , Hong Yongyu , Ruan Hang , Long Meng , Feng Nianping , Zhang Yongtai
Published: July 2023

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) is one of the key approaches for treating diseases, avoiding first-pass effects, reducing systemic adverse drug reactions and improving patient compliance. Microneedling, iontophoresis, electroporation, laser ablation and ultrasound facilitation are often used to improve the efficiency of TDD. Among them, microneedling is a relatively simple and efficient means of drug delivery. Microneedles usually consist of micron-sized needles (50–900 μm in length) in arrays that can successfully penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver drugs in a minimally invasive manner below the stratum corneum without touching the blood vessels and nerves in the dermis, improving patient compliance. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs) are safe and non-toxic, with no residual matrix material, high drug loading capacity, and controlled drug release, and they are suitable for long-term, multiple drug delivery. This work reviewed the characteristics of the skin structure and TDD, introduced TDD strategies based on HFMs, and summarized the characteristics of HFM TDD systems and the evaluation methods of HFMs as well as the application of HFM drug delivery systems in disease treatment. The HFM drug delivery system has a wide scope for development, but the translation to clinical application still has more challenges.