bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Clonorchis sinensis Infection in Residents of Binyang, Guangxi: A Cross-Sectional and Logistic Analysis Study
Authors: Xu Meng , Jiang Yanyan , Yin Jianhai , Cao Shengkui , Shen Yujuan , Cao Jianping
Published: May 2021

Background: Clonorchiasis is a serious food-borne parasitic disease caused by Clonorchis sinensis infection. C. sinensis, a major fish-borne trematode, is a known causative agent of cholangiocarcinoma. The risk factors for C. sinensis infection include individual eating behaviors and environmental factors. In this study, we evaluated the C. sinensis infection rate and the associated risk factors among residents in Binyang County, Guangxi, China.

Methods: In 2016 and 2017, five villages from Binyang, Guangxi were selected by multistage cluster random sampling for a cross-sectional study. A modified Kato-Katz thick smear method was used to examine C. sinensis eggs in fecal samples in triplicate (three smears for each sample). Both uni-variate and multi-variate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the risk factors for C. sinensis infection.

Results: A total of 1,977 fecal samples were collected from villagers in the investigated areas. The overall infection rates of C. sinensis in Binyang County was 20.49% (405/1,977). The mean age of participants was 39.42 ± 23.48 (range: 3–89 years old), and the highest infection rate (33.72%) was seen in the age group of 40-49 years old, followed by those aged 50–59 (31.83%). Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that higher infection rates were significantly associated with males (aOR = 6.51, 95% CI = 4.67–9.08), Zhuang (aOR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.62–3.59), ages (aOR = 33.51, 95% CI = 10.13–110.86), frequency of raw fresh fish consumption (aOR = 14.56, 95% CI = 9.80–21.63), and close contact with cats and dogs (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.02–2.30). Occupations and education levels showed no significant association with C. sinensis infection (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: High levels of C. sinensis infection were observed among residents in Binyang County, Guangxi. Intervention strategies should be strengthened among the investigated population at high risk, such as males, Zhuang and older individuals, especially those who frequently eat raw fresh fish. In addition, the individuals contacting with cats and/or dogs were observed to have significantly higher infection rate of C. sinensis than those having no contact with cats and dogs. The association between contacting with cats and/or dogs and C. sinensis infection needs to be explored and confirmed in the future study by more epidemiological investigations of human C. sinensis infection from different areas.
An Implementation Evaluation of A Group-Based Parenting Intervention to Promote Early Childhood Development in Rural Kenya
Authors: Luoto Jill E. , Lopez Garcia Italo , Aboud Frances E. , Singla Daisy R. , Zhu Rebecca , Otieno Ronald , Alu Edith
Published: May 2021

Early childhood development (ECD) parenting interventions can improve child developmental outcomes in low-resource settings, but information about their implementation lags far behind evidence of their effectiveness, hindering their generalizability. This study presents results from an implementation evaluation of Msingi Bora (“Good Foundation” in Swahili), a group-based responsive stimulation and nutrition education intervention recently tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial across 60 villages in rural western Kenya. Msingi Bora successfully improved child cognitive, receptive language, and socioemotional outcomes, as well as parenting practices. We conducted a mixed methods implementation evaluation of the Msingi Bora trial between April 2018 and November 2019 following the Consolidated Advice for Reporting ECD implementation research (CARE) guidelines. We collected qualitative and quantitative data on program inputs, outputs, and outcomes, with a view to examining how aspects of the program's implementation, such as program acceptance and delivery fidelity, related to observed program impacts on parents and children. We found that study areas had initially very low levels of familiarity or knowledge of ECD among parents, community delivery agents, and even supervisory staff from our partner non-governmental organization (NGO). We increased training and supervision in response, and provided a structured manual to enable local delivery agents to successfully lead the sessions. There was a high level of parental compliance, with median attendance of 13 out of 16 fortnightly sessions over 8 months. For delivery agents, all measures of delivery performance and fidelity increased with program experience. Older, more knowledable delivery agents were associated with larger impacts on parental stimulation and child outcomes, and delivery agents with higher fidelity scores were also related to improved parenting practices. We conclude that a group-based parenting intervention delivered by local delivery agents can improve multiple child and parent outcomes. An upfront investment in training local trainers and delivery agents, and regular supervision of delivery of a manualized program, appear key to our documented success. Our results represent a promising avenue for scaling similar interventions in low-resource rural settings to serve families in need of ECD programming. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03548558, June 7, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03548558.
Evaluation of Acoustic Features after Refurbishment Works Inside Two Historical Opera Theatres Located in Italy
Authors: Bevilacqua Antonella , Tronchin Lamberto
Published: May 2021

The acoustical characteristics of a room where the artistic performance is presented to the audience have a critical impact on the experience of both artists and spectators. It is important to know how the original aspects and the refurbishment works throughout the centuries are brought to the characterization of the sound field in such theatres, with positive and negative consequences. This paper presents the acoustical assessment of the Teatro Nuovo of Spoleto and the Teatro Alighieri of Ravenna, very important landmark centers for their historical and cultural activities. The acoustical characteristics have been gathered by placing the sound source on both the stage and orchestra pit, and the receivers in the stalls and balconies areas at different levels. It is of great interest to show the acoustical parameters of such Opera houses and some acoustical limits derived from intermediate interventions due to the need of the committees to allocate as many spectators as possible for income reasons. After an acoustic analysis of the existing conditions, the authors compare the acoustic behaviour inside the Teatro Nuovo of Spoleto using the image-source method (ISM) to investigate a change of ceiling configurations that occurred with the refurbishing works of the 20th century.
Calibration and Evaluation of the FAO AquaCrop Model for Canola (Brassica napus) under Varied Moistube Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Dirwai Tinashe Lindel , Senzanje Aidan , Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe
Published: May 2021

The AquaCrop model was calibrated and validated for canola (Brassica napus) under Moistube irrigation (MTI) and various water regimes [(i) 100%, (ii) 75%, and (iii) 55% of crop water requirement (ETc)] over two seasons, 2019 and 2020. The normalised root mean square (nRMSE), Model Efficiency (EF), R2, and the Willmot’s index of agreement (d) statistics were used to evaluate the model’s efficiency in simulating biomass (B), canopy cover (CC), yield (Y), and harvest index (HI). The calibration results indicated the model simulated with accuracy the CC (under 100% ETcR2 = 0.99, EF = 0.92, nRMSE = 6.4%, d = 0.98) and 75% ETc (R2 = 0.99, EF = 0.92, nRMSE = 10.3%, d = 0.98). The model simulated CC well for validation for 100% ETc (R2 = 0.97, EF = 0.93, nRMSE = 22.5%, d = 0.98) and 75% ETc (R2 = 0.84, EF = 0.45, nRMSE = 59.2%, d = 0.86) irrigation regimes. Final biomass simulations were reasonably good under 100% ETc, 75% ETc, and 55% ETc irrigation regimes (R2 > 0.90, d > 0.65). The study showed the usefulness of AquaCrop for assessing yield response of canola to full and deficit irrigation scenarios under MTI.
Molecular Genetic Diversity and Line × Tester Analysis for Resistance to Late Wilt Disease and Grain Yield in Maize
Authors: Kamara Mohamed M. , Ghazy Nasr A. , Mansour Elsayed , Elsharkawy Mohsen M. , Kheir Ahmed M. S. , Ibrahim Khaled M.
Published: May 2021

Late wilt disease (LWD) caused by the fungus Magnaporthiopsis maydis poses a major threat to maize production. Developing high-yielding and resistant hybrids is vital to cope with this destructive disease. The present study aimed at assessing general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities for agronomic traits and resistance to LWD, identifying high-yielding hybrids with high resistance to LWD, determining the parental genetic distance (GD) using SSR markers and investigating its relationship with hybrid performance and SCA effects. Ten diverse yellow maize inbred lines assembled from different origins and three high-yielding testers were crossed using line × tester mating design. The obtained 30 test-crosses plus the check hybrid TWC-368 were evaluated in two field trials. Earliness and agronomic traits were evaluated in two different locations. While resistance to LWD was tested under two nitrogen levels (low and high levels) in a disease nursery that was artificially infected by the pathogen Magnaporthiopsis maydis. Highly significant differences were detected among the evaluated lines, testers, and their corresponding hybrids for most measured traits. The non-additive gene action had more important role than the additive one in controlling the inheritance of earliness, grain yield, and resistance to LWD. The inbred lines L4 and L5 were identified as an excellent source of favorable alleles for high yielding and resistance to LWD. Four hybrids L5 × T1, L9 × T1, L4 × T2, and L5 × T2, exhibited earliness, high grain yield, and high resistance to LWD. Parental GD ranged from 0.60 to 0.97, with an average of 0.81. The dendrogram grouped the parental genotypes into three main clusters, which could help in reducing number of generated crosses that will be evaluated in field trials. SCA displayed significant association with the hybrid performance for grain yield and resistance to LWD, which suggests SCA is a good predictor for grain yield and resistance to LWD.
Silicon Enhances Resistance to Red Crown Rot Caused by Calonectria ilicicola in Soybean
Authors: Win Khin Thuzar , Maeda Satoru , Kobayashi Michie , Jiang Chang-Jie
Published: May 2021

Silicon (Si) application is known to enhance plant resistance to diverse pathogens. Therefore, a greenhouse study was conducted to determine whether Si reduces red crown rot (RCR) of soybean caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen Calonectria ilicicola. The soybean cultivar Enrei was grown in soil mixed with different concentrations of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and inoculated with C. ilicicola (1% w/v). Si application significantly reduced RCR severity and relative fungal growth in the roots, as per qPCR, at both sampling time points. Notably, the shoot Si content correlated significantly with RCR severity in the roots. In addition, Si application reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde, indicating that the maintenance of cellular membrane integrity is an important mechanism underlying Si-mediated protection of soybean plants from RCR. Furthermore, Si-treated plants exhibited improved water and nitrogen uptake and root and shoot growth. Aboveground biomass and seed yield at harvest increased with increasing Si concentration (0.0–3.0 g Na2SiO3 kg−1 soil). However, further increase in Si concentration (6.0 g Na2SiO3 kg−1 soil) reduced seed yield. Therefore, Si treatment can be used as an effective strategy to control RCR in soybean.
The Use of Wood Fiber for Reducing Risks of Hydrophobicity in Peat-Based Substrates
Authors: Durand Stan , Jackson Brian E. , Fonteno William C. , Michel Jean-Charles
Published: May 2021

Peat substrates are well known to become hydrophobic during desiccation, thus degrading their water retention properties. Synthetic wetting agents are commonly incorporated to limit the risk of hydrophobicity, but substrates companies are searching for more sustainable alternatives. To that end, the effect of wood fiber addition in peat-based mixes was measured using contact angles and hydration curves. The study was carried out on two raw materials (white milled peat and wood fiber) and binary mixes. The results showed a shift from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic character with a decrease in the ability to rewet of peat-based substrates in relation to the intensity of drying, whereas wood fiber remained hydrophilic. Increasing wood fiber content in peat-based mixes improved the rehydration efficiency, but with a lower intensity of that measured with synthetic wetting agent addition. Our results highlighted the hydrophilic nature of wood fiber and demonstrated an additional benefit of wood fiber use in peat-based growing media.
Characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus on Misshapen and Damaged Ovine Feet: A Longitudinal Study of Four UK Sheep Flocks
Authors: Best Caroline M. , Roden Janet , Phillips Kate , Pyatt Alison Z. , Cogan Tristan , Grogono-Thomas Rosemary , Behnke Malgorzata C.
Published: May 2021

Dichelobacter nodosus is the causal agent of ovine footrot, a contagious disease of welfare and economic concern worldwide. Damaged feet may be subclinical carriers of D. nodosus and covertly spread infection. Accordingly, we evaluated the risk of misshapen and damaged feet on D. nodosus presence and load in four commercial UK sheep flocks. Foot-level observations and swabs (n = 972) were collected from ewes (n = 85) over 12 months. On average, ewes were sampled three times. Feet were inspected for disease and scored (good/poor) for three hoof conformation traits (sole and heel, wall, and wall overgrowth). Swabs were analysed for presence and load of D. nodosus, and mixed models were constructed. Poor hoof conformation traits were present in 92.5% of foot-level observations. Feet with poor sole and heel conformation were more likely to have higher D. nodosus loads (β = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04–0.35) than those with good conformation. Furthermore, on feet positive for D. nodosus, wall overgrowth was associated with higher D. nodosus loads (β = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.01–0.52). Feet with aspects of poor conformation covertly harbour D. nodosus and are a source of infection. Flock management should be guided by hoof conformation to reduce disease challenge.
Comparison of Different Materials for Self-Pressurized Vitrification of Feline Oocytes—First Results
Authors: Fernandez-Gonzalez Lorena , Huebinger Jan , Jewgenow Katarina
Published: May 2021

Cryobanking is a crucial part on species conservation. Nowadays, there is no suitable protocol for vitrification of feline oocytes. Self-pressurized rapid freezing of different cell types proved to mimic the advantages of high pressure freezing. As this method could also be applied for gamete rescue under field conditions, the aim here was to analyse the impact of self-pressurized vitrification on feline cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) and to determine the appropriate material. Therefore, COCs of domestic cat were randomly vitrified (n = 189) in metal tubes of different materials: Aluminium, silver, and titanium. No significant differences were found on oocytes’ competence after thawing. On average, 44% of the COCs presented normal morphology and 48.2% of them showed a polar body after in vitro maturation (IVM) and were subsequently fertilised. Aluminium tubes were positive on toxicity tests, producing the lowest cleavage rates. Silver tubes showed no toxic effect, but the cleavage rate was lower than with titanium tubes, and a previous association with embryotoxicity and biological alterations makes us aware of its indiscriminate use. Titanium seems to be the only inert material of them, presenting a slightly higher maturation (55.6%) and cleavage (20%) rates. Nevertheless, more studies should follow to increase embryo competence after warming.
Reactive Oxygen Species-Induced TRPM2-Mediated Ca2+ Signalling in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ding Ran , Yin Ya-Ling , Jiang Lin-Hua
Published: May 2021

Endothelial cells form the innermost layer of blood vessels with a fundamental role as the physical barrier. While regulation of endothelial cell function by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is critical in physiological processes such as angiogenesis, endothelial function is a major target for interruption by oxidative stress resulting from generation of high levels of ROS in endothelial cells by various pathological factors and also release of ROS by neutrophils. TRPM2 is a ROS-sensitive Ca2+-permeable channel expressed in endothelial cells of various vascular beds. In this review, we provide an overview of the TRPM2 channel and its role in mediating ROS-induced Ca2+ signaling in endothelial cells. We discuss the TRPM2-mediated Ca2+ signaling in vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis and in post-ischemic neovascularization. In particular, we examine the accumulative evidence that supports the role of TRPM2-mediated Ca2+ signaling in endothelial cell dysfunction caused by various oxidative stress-inducing factors that are associated with tissue inflammation, obesity and diabetes, as well as air pollution. These findings provide new, mechanistic insights into ROS-mediated regulation of endothelial cells in physiology and diseases.
Comprehensive Profiling of Most Widely Used Spices for Their Phenolic Compounds through LC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 and Their Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Ali Akhtar , Wu Hanjing , Ponnampalam Eric N. , Cottrell Jeremy J. , Dunshea Frank R. , Suleria Hafiz A. R.
Published: May 2021

Spices have long been used to improve food flavor, due to their appealing fragrance and sensory attributes. Nowadays, spices-based bioactives, particularly phenolic compounds, have gained attention due to their wide range of significant effects in biological systems. The present study was conducted to characterize the 12 widely used spices (allspice, black cardamom, black cumin, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, cumin, fennel, nutmeg, star-anise, and turmeric) for their phenolics with the liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS2), polyphenols estimation, and their antioxidant potential. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total tannin content and their antioxidant activities were estimated in all spices. Clove and allspice had the highest value of total polyphenol content (215.14 and 40.49 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g of sample), while clove and turmeric had the highest total flavonoids (5.59 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) per g of sample) and total tannin contents (23.58 mg catechin equivalent (CE) per g of sample), respectively. On the other hand, black cumin and black pepper had the highest phosphomolybdate activity (15.61 and 15.43 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) per g of sample), while clove was almost identified with highest free radical scavenging capacity. A positive correlation was observed among phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. In this quest, a total of 79 phenolic compounds were tentatively characterized by using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 including 26 phenolic acids, 33 flavonoids, 16 other polyphenols, and 4 lignans. The high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) quantification of phenolic compounds exhibited higher phenolic acids. These results provided us some valuable information that spices have powerful antioxidant potential that can be further used in human food and animal feed as a supplement for different health promoting applications.
Distinction between 2′- and 3′-Phosphate Isomers of a Fluorescent NADPH Analogue Led to Strong Inhibition of Cancer Cells Migration
Authors: Manuel Raoul , Lima Michelle de Souza , Dilly Sébastien , Daunay Sylvain , Abbe Patricia , Pramil Elodie , Solier Stéphanie , Guillaumond Fabienne , Tubiana Sarah-Simha , Escargueil Alexandre , Pêgas Henriques João Antonio , Ferrand Nathalie , Erdelmeier Irène , Boucher Jean-Luc , Bertho Gildas , Agranat Israel , Rocchi Stéphane , Sabbah Michèle , Slama Schwok Anny
Published: May 2021

Specific inhibition of NADPH oxidases (NOX) and NO-synthases (NOS), two enzymes associated with redox stress in tumor cells, has aroused great pharmacological interest. Here, we show how these enzymes distinguish between isomeric 2′- and 3′-phosphate derivatives, a difference used to improve the specificity of inhibition by isolated 2′- and 3′-phosphate isomers of our NADPH analogue NS1. Both isomers become fluorescent upon binding to their target proteins as observed by in vitro assay and in vivo imaging. The 2′-phosphate isomer of NS1 exerted more pronounced effects on NOS and NOX-dependent physiological responses than the 3′-phosphate isomer did. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations explain this specificity at the level of the NADPH site of NOX and NOS, where conserved arginine residues distinguished between the 2′-phosphate over the 3′-phosphate group, in favor of the 2′-phosphate.
Antioxidant Properties of Plant-Derived Phenolic Compounds and Their Effect on Skin Fibroblast Cells
Authors: Merecz-Sadowska Anna , Sitarek Przemysław , Kucharska Ewa , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Zajdel Karolina , Cegliński Tomasz , Zajdel Radosław
Published: May 2021

Plants are rich sources of a diverse range of chemicals, many of which have significant metabolic activity. One large group of secondary compounds are the phenolics, which act as inter alia potent reactive oxygen scavengers in cells, including fibroblasts. These common dermis residue cells play a crucial role in the production of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, and maintaining the integrity of connective tissue. Chronic wounds or skin exposure to UV-irradiation disrupt fibroblast function by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which may damage cell components and modify various signaling pathways. The resulting imbalance may be reversed by the antioxidant activity of plant-derived phenolic compounds. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the impact of phenolics on fibroblast functionality under oxidative stress conditions. It examines a range of compounds in extracts from various species, as well as single specific plant-derived compounds. Phenolics are a good candidate for eliminating the causes of skin damage including wounds and aging and acting as skin care agents.
Open-Air Cold Plasma Device Leads to Selective Tumor Cell Cytotoxicity
Authors: Almeida-Ferreira Catarina , Silva-Teixeira Rafael , Laranjo Mafalda , Almeida Nuno , Brites Gonçalo , Dias-Ferreira João , Marques Inês , Neves Rita , Serambeque Beatriz , Teixo Ricardo , Abrantes Ana Margarida , Caramelo Francisco , Botelho Maria Filomena
Published: May 2021

The need for effective and safe therapies for cancer is growing as aging is modifying its epidemiology. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has gained attention as a potential anti-tumor therapy. CAP is a gas with enough energy to ionize a significant fraction of its constituent particles, forming equal numbers of positive ions and electrons. Timely-resolved output voltage measurement, emission spectroscopy, and quantification of reactive species (RS) in plasma-activated media (PAM) were performed to characterize the physical and chemical properties of plasma. To assess the cytotoxicity of cold atmospheric plasma in human tumors, different cell lines were cultured, plated, and exposed to CAP, followed by MTT and SRB colorimetric assays 24 h later. Human fibroblasts, phenotypically normal cells, were processed similarly. Plasma cytotoxicity was higher in cells of breast cancer, urinary bladder cancer, osteosarcoma, lung cancer, melanoma, and endometrial cancer. Cytotoxicity was time-dependent and possibly related to the increased production of hydrogen peroxide in the exposed medium. Sixty seconds of CAP exposure renders selective effects, preserving the viability of fibroblast cells. These results point to the importance of conducting further studies of the therapy with plasma.
Comparison between Up-Conversion Detection in Glow-Discharge Detectors and the Schottky Diode for MMW/THz High-Power Single Pulse
Authors: Haj Yahya Adnan , Klein Avi , Balal Nezah , Borodin Dmitri , Friedman Aharon
Published: May 2021

Generally, glow-discharge detectors (GDD), acting on miniature neon indicator lamps, and Schottky diode detectors serve as efficient, fast, and room-temperature millimeter wave (MMW)/THz detectors. Previous studies on GDD implemented a repetition of terahertz sources, and low-power radiation, and showed good results in terms of detection, responsivity, and noise-equivalent power. This paper presents a comparison between a detector based on a GDD lamp and a Schottky diode detector for the detection of a high-power single pulse. With this comparison, we touch upon two GDD detection methods, the visual light emitting from the GDD and the electrical current of the GDD detector. Results showed better response time and better sensitivity for the GDD detection method compared to with the Schottky diode.
Measurement of Absolute Acoustic Nonlinearity Parameter Using Laser-Ultrasonic Detection
Authors: Park Seong-Hyun , Kim Jongbeom , Song Dong-Gi , Choi Sungho , Jhang Kyung-Young
Published: May 2021

The absolute acoustic nonlinearity parameter β is defined by the displacement amplitudes of the fundamental and second-order harmonic frequency components of the ultrasonic wave propagating through the material. As β is a sensitive index for the micro-damage interior of industrial components at early stages, its measurement methods have been actively investigated. This study proposes a laser-ultrasonic detection method to measure β. This method provides (1) the β measurement in a noncontact and nondestructive manner, (2) inspection ability of different materials without complex calibration owing to direct ultrasonic displacement detection, and (3) applicability for the general milling machined surfaces of components owing to the use of a laser interferometer based on two-wave mixing in the photorefractive crystal. The performance of the proposed method is validated using copper and 6061 aluminum alloy specimens with sub-micrometer surface roughness. The experimental results demonstrated that the β values measured by the proposed method for the two specimens were consistent with those obtained by the conventional piezoelectric detection method and the range of previously published values.
Aerodynamic Characteristics of Coupled Twin Circular Bridge Hangers with Near Wake Interference
Authors: Wang Chaoqun , Hua Xugang , Huang Zhiwen , Wen Qing
Published: May 2021

Much work has been devoted to the investigation and understanding of the flow-induced vibrations of twin cylinders vibrating individually (e.g., vortex-induced vibration and wake-induced galloping), but little has been devoted to coupled twin cylinders with synchronous galloping. The primary objective of this work is to investigate the aerodynamic forcing characteristics of coupled twin cylinders in cross flow and explore their effects on synchronous galloping. Pressure measurements were performed on a stationary section model of twin cylinders with various cylinder center-to-center distances from 2.5 to 11 diameters. Pressure distributions, reduced frequencies and total aerodynamic forces of the cylinders are analyzed. The results show that the flow around twin cylinders shows two typical patterns with different spacing, and the critical spacing for the two patterns at wind incidence angles of 0° and 9° is in the range of 3.8D~4.3D and 3.5D~3.8D, respectively. For cylinder spacings below the critical value, vortex shedding of the upstream cylinder is suppressed by the downstream cylinder. In particular, at wind incidence angles of 9°, the wake flow of the upstream cylinder flows rapidly near the top edge and impacts on the inlet edge of the downstream cylinder, which causes a negative and positive pressure region, respectively. As a result, the total lift force of twin cylinders comes to a peak while the total drag force jumps to a higher value. Moreover, there is a sharp drop of total lift coefficient for α = 9–12°, indicating the potential galloping instability. Finally, numerical simulations were performed for the visualization of the two flow patterns.
Towards a Better Understanding of Nutritional and Therapeutic Effects of Honey and Their Applications in Apitherapy
Authors: Cucu Alexandra-Antonia , Baci Gabriela-Maria , Moise Adela Ramona , Dezsi Ştefan , Marc Bianca Dana , Stângaciu Ştefan , Dezmirean Daniel Severus
Published: May 2021

The nutritional and therapeutic aspects of natural products have gained more interest in recent years, owing to the importance that has been given to health and well-being. In this regard, honey represents an organic product whose high level of biologically active compounds and valuable nutrients have been extensively studied in order to prove its ability to provide an enhancement in health status. The use of honey in the process of healing or preventing certain diseases has been practiced throughout history and is now known as apitherapy. The aim of this review is to expand the knowledge and understanding towards the physicochemical characteristics of honey and the action of its main bioactive compounds towards health-beneficial properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, etc.) for apitherapeutic purposes. Notwithstanding all the assets, the usage of honey for medical purposes encounters some limi-tations regarding the factors that may affect the therapeutic potential of honey in apitherapy that will be pointed out in this overview.
Corrosion-Resistance Analysis of HA Layer Deposited through Electrophoresis on Ti4Al4Zr Metallic Substrate
Authors: Cimpoeșu Ramona , Vizureanu Petrică , Știrbu Ioan , Sodor Alina , Zegan Georgeta , Prelipceanu Marius , Cimpoeșu Nicanor , Ioanid Nicoleta
Published: May 2021

An alloy surface with possible applications in the medical field, Ti4A14Zr, was improved through the deposition of a thin hydroxyapatite (HA) layer. In this paper, we analyzed the growth of a HA layer through electrophoresis and the corrosion resistance of the metallic sample covered with the ceramic layer. The substrate surface was processed via chemical procedures before the HA deposition. The state of the metallic surface and that of the layer of HA were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of the chemical composition. The results indicate a high increase in the corrosion resistance associated with the ceramic layer compared to the metallic basic layer. Moreover, the analysis revealed the formation of a homogeneous TiO2 layer on the surface of the metallic substrate. The titanium oxide layer identified by SEM–EDS and confirmed by EIS was very homogeneous and resistant, with a compact microstructural appearance and submicron dimension. The layer composed of TiO2 and HA provided good corrosion protection.
Facial Artery Myomucosal Flap vs. Islanded Facial Artery Myomucosal Flap Viability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Giudice Giorgio Lo , Fragola Romolo , Nicoletti Giovanni Francesco , Cervino Gabriele , Pedullà Eugenio , Zerbinati Nicola , Rauso Raffaele
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to estimate the overall viability of the islanded facial artery myomucosal flap (iFAMM) compared to the facial artery myomucosal flap (FAMM). A systematic review of English articles was performed on PubMed and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Search terms included every nomenclature variant for FAMM flap and iFAMM flap. A total of 373 articles were identified, and 20 articles were considered eligible for inclusion in the review. A total of 486 flaps were evaluated (350 FAMM and 136 i-FAMM flaps). In all studies, the primary outcome assessed was flap viability, collecting the rate of total and partial flap necrosis and then comparing FAMM to i-FAMM. Overall reported partial/total necrosis rate for FAMM flap was 9.7%, 1.4% as total and 8.3% as partial necrosis. Overall partial/total reported necrosis rate for iFAMM flaps was 2.2%, 1.5% as total and 0.7% as partial necrosis. FAMM flaps, both as classical or islanded variants, are an effective option for intraoral small/medium sized defect reconstruction. Outcomes from the present review show a higher partial/total survival rate when this flap is harvested as islanded flap.
A Rule-Based AI Method for an Agent Playing Big Two
Authors: Sugiyanto  , Fernando Gerry , Tai Wen-Kai
Published: May 2021

Big Two is a popular multiplayer card game in Asia. This research proposes a new method, named rule-based AI, for an agent playing Big Two. The novel method derives rules based on the number of cards the AI agent has left and the control position. The rules for two to four cards left are used to select the card combination to discard based on the number of cards remaining in the agent’s hand. The rules for more than four cards left conditionally prioritize discarding the card combination in the classified cards with lower priority. A winning strategy provides guidelines to guarantee that the AI agent will win when a win is achievable within three moves. We also design the rules for the AI agent without control for holding cards and splitting cards. The experimental results show that our proposed AI agent can play Big Two well and outperform randomized AI, conventional AI, and human players, presenting winning rates of 89.60%, 73.00%, and 55.05%, respectively, with the capability of maximizing the winning score and minimizing the number of cards left when the chance of winning is low.
A Post-Anfal Village in Iraqi Kurdistan: The Remote Sensing Retrogressive Analysis
Authors: Starková Lenka
Published: May 2021

The Anfal genocide represents one of the most important events in the recent history of Iraqi Kurdistan. This topic is still very sensitive for the majority of local people; on the other hand, it needs to be studied as part of a modern social transformation of the Iraqi agricultural landscape. The violent liquidation of Qazbagi village in the 1980s prompted a large-scale change in the morphology and social structure of the settlement area. This development could be reconstructed through multi-temporal remote sensing, combined with field verification and oral research. According to the results of this study, research focused on the development of rural settlements can be extended to older periods (modern history before the 20th century, the Middle Ages) and thus elucidate the process of nucleation and dispersion of agricultural settlements, which has rarely been studied in an Iraqi context.
High-Resolution Assessment of Air Quality in Urban Areas—A Business Model Perspective
Authors: Schäfer Klaus , Lande Kristian , Grimm Hans , Jenniskens Guido , Gijsbers Roel , Ziegler Volker , Hank Marcus , Budde Matthias
Published: May 2021

The increasing availability of low-cost air quality sensors has led to novel sensing approaches. Distributed networks of low-cost sensors, together with data fusion and analytics, have enabled unprecedented, spatiotemporal resolution when observing the urban atmosphere. Several projects have demonstrated the potential of different approaches for high-resolution measurement networks ranging from static, low-cost sensor networks over vehicular and airborne sensing to crowdsourced measurements as well as ranging from a research-based operation to citizen science. Yet, sustaining the operation of such low-cost air quality sensor networks remains challenging because of the lack of regulatory support and the lack of an organizational framework linking these measurements to the official air quality network. This paper discusses the logical inclusion of lower-cost air quality sensors into the existing air quality network via a dynamic field calibration process, the resulting sustainable business models, and how this expansion can be self-funded.
Regularization of the Ill-Posed Cauchy Problem for Matrix Factorizations of the Helmholtz Equation on the Plane
Authors: Juraev Davron Aslonqulovich , Noeiaghdam Samad
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we present an explicit formula for the approximate solution of the Cauchy problem for the matrix factorizations of the Helmholtz equation in a bounded domain on the plane. Our formula for an approximate solution also includes the construction of a family of fundamental solutions for the Helmholtz operator on the plane. This family is parameterized by function K(w) which depends on the space dimension. In this paper, based on the results of previous works, the better results can be obtained by choosing the function K(w).
About the Normal Projectivity and Injectivity of Krasner Hypermodules
Authors: Bordbar Hashem , Cristea Irina
Published: May 2021

Inspired by the concepts of projective and injective modules in classical algebraic structure theory, in this paper we initiate the study of the chains of hypermodules over a Krasner hyperring R, endowing first the set HomRn(M,N) of all normal homomorphisms between two R-hypermodules M and N with a structure of R-hypermodule. Then, our study focuses on the concepts of normal injectivity and projectivity of hypermodules over a Krasner hyperring R, characterizing them by the mean of chains of R-hypermodules.
Traceability for Trustworthy AI: A Review of Models and Tools
Authors: Mora-Cantallops Marçal , Sánchez-Alonso Salvador , García-Barriocanal Elena , Sicilia Miguel-Angel
Published: May 2021

Traceability is considered a key requirement for trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI), related to the need to maintain a complete account of the provenance of data, processes, and artifacts involved in the production of an AI model. Traceability in AI shares part of its scope with general purpose recommendations for provenance as W3C PROV, and it is also supported to different extents by specific tools used by practitioners as part of their efforts in making data analytic processes reproducible or repeatable. Here, we review relevant tools, practices, and data models for traceability in their connection to building AI models and systems. We also propose some minimal requirements to consider a model traceable according to the assessment list of the High-Level Expert Group on AI. Our review shows how, although a good number of reproducibility tools are available, a common approach is currently lacking, together with the need for shared semantics. Besides, we have detected that some tools have either not achieved full maturity, or are already falling into obsolescence or in a state of near abandonment by its developers, which might compromise the reproducibility of the research trusted to them.
Coupling of Microalgae Cultivation with Anaerobic Digestion of Poultry Wastes: Toward Sustainable Value Added Bioproducts
Authors: Rajagopal Rajinikanth , Mousavi Seyyed Ebrahim , Goyette Bernard , Adhikary Suman
Published: May 2021

Third generation biofuels and high-value bioproducts produced from microalgal biomass have been considered promising long-term sustainable alternatives for energy and/or food production, potentially decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Microalgae as a source of biofuels have been widely studied for bioethanol/biodiesel/biogas production. However, critical research is needed in order to increase the efficiency of microalgae production from high-N agri-waste, not only for biofuels but also for bio-based products, and thus enhance its commercial viability. The growth in the poultry industry has led to increased chicken manure (CM), which are rich in ammonia, phosphate, potassium, and other trace elements. These constituents could be used as nutrients for growing microalgae. In this research, a two-stage (liquid–solid) anaerobic digester treating CM at 20 ± 1 °C was performed, and liquid digestate (leachate) obtained after the digestion process was used as a substrate to grow the microalgal strain Chlorella vulgaris CPCC 90. Considering the high-N content (NH3-N: 5314 mg/L; TKN: 6197 mg/L) in liquid digestate, different dilutions were made, using distilled water to obtain viz. 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and 100% of the digestate concentrations for the microalgae cultivation. Preliminary results showed that Chlorella vulgaris CPCC 90 was able to grow and utilize nutrients from a 10% diluted CM digestate. Future research is underway to enhance microalgal growth at higher digestate concentrations and to optimize the use of microalgae/microalgae-bacteria consortia for better adaptation to high-N content wastes. An AD-microalgae coupling scenario has been proposed for the circulation bioeconomy framework.
GP88/PGRN Serum Levels Are Associated with Prognosis for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Greither Thomas , Steiner Tina , Bache Matthias , Serrero Ginette , Otto Sven , Taubert Helge , Eckert Alexander W. , Kappler Matthias
Published: May 2021

Progranulin (PGRN)/GP88 is a growth factor that is expressed in a wide range of tumor tissues. The secreted form is involved in various biological processes including proliferation and inflammation. In several tumor types, the serum GP88 level is associated with a patient’s prognosis; however, data for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) have not yet been reported. We measured the serum GP88 levels in 96 OSCC patients by an enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) and correlated these data with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes. The GP88 levels in the serum of OSCC patients and healthy volunteers were comparable. In OSCC patients, the levels did not correlate with age, sex, or TNM status. In a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, a serum GP88 level < 68 ng/mL was significantly associated with worsened survival (p = 0.0005, log-rank-test) as well as in uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses (RR = 4.6 [1.6–12.9], p = 0.004 and RR = 4.2 [1.2–12.0], p = 0.008). This effect was predominant in OSCC patients older than 60.5 years (p = 0.027), while in younger patients no significant association between serum GP88 levels and prognosis could be observed. Altogether, lower serum GP88 levels are significantly associated with a worsened outcome for an OSCC and may be an interesting candidate for risk stratification during OSCC therapy.
Enhancement of Fear Extinction Memory and Resistance to Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Butyrylcholinesterase Knockout Mice and (R)-Bambuterol Treated Mice
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Cao Yan , Lin Yue , Tan Keai Sinn , Zhao Haishan , Guo Haihua , Tan Wen
Published: May 2021

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is detected in plaques preferentially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may be associated with stress disorders. However, the physiological function of BChE in the central nervous system remains to be further investigated. BChE knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice with orally or intranasal administration of (R)-bambuterol were used to explore the effect of BChE on behavior changes. (R)-bambuterol is a specific and reversible inhibitor of BChE. The behavior changes were evaluated and compared among 3–10 month old mice. Our finding showed that BChE KO and (R)-bambuterol administration enhanced episodic memory, including fear conditioning memory and fear extinction memory in fear conditioning and fear extinction test. BChE KO and (R)-bambuterol administered mice rescued age-related spatial memory and general activity in the water maze test and open field test. The brain metabolomics were imaged using a desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). The image of DESI-MS demonstrated that glutamine content increased in the brain of BChE KO mice. In conclusion, this study found that inhibition of BChE ameliorated episodic and spatial memories. This study also suggested that (R)-bambuterol as a BChE inhibitor has the potential application in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and early cognitive decline.
Musashi–1—A Stemness RBP for Cancer Therapy?
Authors: Bley Nadine , Hmedat Ali , Müller Simon , Rolnik Robin , Rausch Alexander , Lederer Marcell , Hüttelmaier Stefan
Published: May 2021

The RNA–binding protein Musashi–1 (MSI1) promotes stemness during development and cancer. By controlling target mRNA turnover and translation, MSI1 is implicated in the regulation of cancer hallmarks such as cell cycle or Notch signaling. Thereby, the protein enhanced cancer growth and therapy resistance to standard regimes. Due to its specific expression pattern and diverse functions, MSI1 represents an interesting target for cancer therapy in the future. In this review we summarize previous findings on MSI1′s implications in developmental processes of other organisms. We revisit MSI1′s expression in a set of solid cancers, describe mechanistic details and implications in MSI1 associated cancer hallmark pathways and highlight current research in drug development identifying the first MSI1–directed inhibitors with anti–tumor activity.
Post-Surgical Peritoneal Scarring and Key Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Herrick Sarah E. , Wilm Bettina
Published: May 2021

Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity, which consists of a continuous mesothelial covering of the cavity wall and majority of internal organs. Our understanding of the full pathophysiology of adhesion formation is limited by the fact that the mechanisms regulating normal serosal repair and regeneration of the mesothelial layer are still being elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that mesothelial cells do not simply form a passive barrier but perform a wide range of important regulatory functions including maintaining a healthy peritoneal homeostasis as well as orchestrating events leading to normal repair or pathological outcomes following injury. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of serosal repair and adhesion formation with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and novel gene expression signatures associated with these processes. We discuss changes in mesothelial biomolecular marker expression during peritoneal development, which may help, in part, to explain findings in adults from lineage tracing studies using experimental adhesion models. Lastly, we highlight examples of where local tissue specialisation may determine a particular response of peritoneal cells to injury.
Margin of Stability May Be Larger and Less Variable during Treadmill Walking Versus Overground
Authors: Fallahtafti Farahnaz , Mohammadzadeh Gonabadi Arash , Samson Kaeli , Yentes Jennifer M.
Published: May 2021

Margin of stability (MOS) is considered a measure of mechanical gait stability. Due to broad application of treadmills in gait assessment experiments, we aimed to determine if walking on a treadmill vs. overground would affect MOS during three speed-matched conditions. Eight healthy young participants walked on a treadmill and overground at Slow, Preferred, and Fast speed-matched conditions. The mean and variability (standard deviation) of the MOS in anterior-posterior and mediolateral directions at heel contact were calculated. Anterior-posterior and mediolateral mean MOS values decreased with increased speed for both overground and treadmill; although mediolateral mean MOS was always wider on the treadmill compared to overground. Due to lack of optic flow and different proprioceptive inputs during treadmill walking, subjects may employ strategies to increase their lateral stability on treadmill compared to overground. Anterior-posterior MOS variability increased with speed overground, while it did not change on treadmill, which might be due to the fixed speed of treadmill. Whereas, lateral variability on both treadmill and overground was U-shaped. Walking at preferred speed was less variable (may be interpreted as more stable) laterally, compared to fast and slow speeds. Caution should be given when interpreting MOS between modes and speeds of walking. As sagittal plane walking is functionally unstable, this raises the consideration as to the meaningfulness of using MOS as a global measure of gait stability in this direction.