bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Timing of Insemination at Spontaneous Estrus in Dairy Cattle
Authors: López-Gatius Fernando
Published: December 2022

Cows show spontaneous estrus over 8–20 h but become refractory to the bull about 10–12 h before ovulation. This indicates that ovulation occurs 10–12 h after the end of estrus behavior, yet spermatozoa from the bull ejaculate need to undergo maturation and capacitation for 6 to 8 h in the female reproductive tract before they are capable of fertilization. Traditionally, the onset of estrus has been considered the best timing for artificial insemination (AI) in cattle, that is, 6 to 24 h from the first signs of estrus. However, recent findings suggest this interval should be reduced to 16 to 6 h before ovulation, bringing it closer to the end of estrus. In this review, the end of estrus rather than its onset is proposed as the best guide for AI timing in dairy cattle, and physiological indicators of late estrus are discussed such as relaxation of the intravaginal part of the uterus, a lower cervical mucus viscosity and a softer pre-ovulatory follicular consistency as simple cues indicating a cow is ready for service.
Protein Supplementation during Mid-Gestation Alters the Amino Acid Patterns, Hepatic Metabolism, and Maternal Skeletal Muscle Turnover of Pregnant Zebu Beef Cows
Authors: Meneses Javier Andrés Moreno , Nascimento Karolina Batista , Galvão Matheus Castilho , Ramírez-Zamudio German Darío , Gionbelli Tathyane Ramalho Santos , Ladeira Marcio Machado , Duarte Marcio de Souza , Casagrande Daniel Rume , Gionbelli Mateus Pies
Published: December 2022

From 100 to 200 days of gestation, 52 cows carrying male (n = 30) or female (n = 22) fetuses were assigned to CON (basal diet—5.5% of CP, n = 26) or SUP (basal diet + protein supplement [40% CP, 3.5 g/kg BW]—12% of CP, n = 26) treatments. Glucose concentrations decreased at 200 (p ≤ 0.01; CON = 46.9 and SUP = 54.7 mg/dL) and 270 days (p ≤ 0.05; CON = 48.4 and SUP = 53.3 mg/dL) for CON compared to SUP. The same pattern occurred for insulin (p ≤ 0.01). At parturition, the NEFA concentration was greater (p = 0.01, 0.10 vs. 0.08 mmol/L) for CON than for SUP. Total AA increased in SUP (p ≤ 0.03) at mid- and late-gestation compared to CON. At 200 days, CON dams carrying females had less essential AA (p = 0.01) than cows carrying males. The SUP dams had greater expressions of protein synthesis markers, namely eIf4E and GSK3β (p ≤ 0.04), at day 200 and of MuFR1 (protein degradation marker, p ≤ 0.04) at parturition. Supplemented cows had higher hepatic pyruvate carboxylase expressions (p = 0.02). Therefore, PS alleviates the restriction overload on maternal metabolism.
The Photoperiod Regulates Granulosa Cell Apoptosis through the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 Signaling Pathway in Phodopus sungorus
Authors: Qi Yan , Xue Hui-Liang , Zheng Yun-Jiao , Yin Yun-Fei , Xu Wen-Lei , Xu Jin-Hui , Wu Ming , Chen Lei , Xu Lai-Xiang
Published: December 2022

The photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproduction of mammals by affecting the follicle development, for which the granulosa cells provide nutrition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were raised under different photoperiods to study the ovarian status and explore the potential mechanism of the follicle development mediated by the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway. Compared with the moderate daylight (MD) group, the short daylight (SD) group exhibited a significant decrease in the ovarian weight and increase in the atretic follicle number and granulosa cell apoptosis, whereas the long daylight (LD) group showed an increase in the ovarian weight, the growing follicle number, and the antral follicle number, but a decrease in the granulosa cell apoptosis. Based on these findings, the key genes of the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway controlling the granulosa cell apoptosis were studied using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In the SD group, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration significantly decreased and the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathways were activated, while the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3)/Akt signaling pathway was inhibited. The BAX expression was significantly increased, while the Bcl-xL expression was significantly decreased, leading to an increase in the caspase-3 activity, the granulosa cell apoptosis, and ovarian degeneration. However, in the LD group, the FSH concentration significantly increased, the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathway was inhibited, and the PIK3/Akt signaling pathway was activated. Taken together, our results indicate that the photoperiod can regulate the apoptosis of the granulosa cells by regulating the concentration of FSH, activating or inhibiting the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway, thereby affecting the ovarian function. Our research provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the photoperiod-regulated mechanisms of the mammalian seasonal reproduction.
Rubbing Salt in the Wound: Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of Pain-Related Genes Reveals the Pain Adaptation of Cetaceans in Seawater
Authors: Ding Xiaoyue , Yu Fangfang , He Xiaofang , Xu Shixia , Yang Guang , Ren Wenhua
Published: December 2022

Pain, usually caused by a strong or disruptive stimulus, is an unpleasant sensation that serves as a warning to organisms. To adapt to extreme environments, some terrestrial animals have evolved to be inherently insensitive to pain. Cetaceans are known as supposedly indifferent to pain from soft tissue injury representatives of marine mammals. However, the molecular mechanisms that explain how cetaceans are adapted to pain in response to seawater environment remain unclear. Here, we performed a molecular evolutionary analysis of pain-related genes in selected representatives of cetaceans. ASIC4 gene was identified to be pseudogenized in all odontocetes (toothed whales) except from Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whales), and relaxed selection of this gene was detected in toothed whales with pseudogenized ASIC4. In addition, positive selection was detected in pain perception (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) and analgesia (i.e., ASIC3, ANO1, CCK, and SCN9A) genes among the examined cetaceans. In this study, potential convergent amino acid substitutions within predicted proteins were found among the examined cetaceans and other terrestrial mammals, inhabiting extreme environments (e.g., V441I of TRPV1 in cetaceans and naked mole rats). Moreover, specific amino acid substitutions within predicted sequences of several proteins were found in the studied representatives of cetaceans (e.g., F56L and D163A of ASIC3, E88G of GRK2, and F159L of OPRD1). Most of the substitutions were located within important functional domains of proteins, affecting their protein functions. The above evidence suggests that cetaceans might have undergone adaptive molecular evolution in pain-related genes through different evolutionary patterns to adapt to pain, resulting in greater sensitivity to pain and more effective analgesia. This study could have implications for diagnosis and treatment of human pain.
Clinical Presentation, MRI Characteristics, and Outcome of Conservative or Surgical Management of Spinal Epidural Empyema in 30 Dogs
Authors: Blanco Carlos , Moral Meritxell , Minguez Juan José , Lorenzo Valentina
Published: December 2022

Spinal epidural empyema (SEE) represents a neurological emergency in veterinary medicine, but information on this condition is limited to date. This retrospective case series study describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and the outcome of conservative or surgical management of SEE in 30 dogs diagnosed with SEE from September 2015 to March 2020 at one referral neurology centre. The most frequent clinical sign was pain 28/30 (93%), and 22/30 (73%) showed neurological signs with ambulatory paraparesis/tetraparesis 15/30 (50%), monoparesis 1/30 (3.3%), non-ambulatory paraparesis 3/30 (10%), or paraplegia 3/30 (10%). MRI was valuable for the diagnosis and in the follow-up. In this group of dogs, 24/30 (80%) were conservatively treated and 6/30 (20%) were surgically treated. The outcome was considered favourable in all dogs: 20/30 (66.6%) achieved full recovery (3 surgically treated and 17 medically treated) and 10/30 (33.3%) dogs had an improvement in the neurological signs with residual ambulatory paresis (3 surgically treated and 7 medically treated). Surgical treatment showed better short-term (7 days) outcomes than medical treatment in non-ambulatory paraparetic or paraplegic dogs (33%). Nevertheless, this study suggests that a good recovery may be achieved with conservative treatment even for non-ambulatory or paraplegic dogs. Further prospective studies, with a standardised protocol of diagnostic tests and a homogeneous distribution of conservatively and surgically treated dogs, are needed to establish treatment guidelines.
Feed Supplemented with Aronia melanocarpa (AM) Relieves the Oxidative Stress Caused by Ovulation in Peak Laying Hens and Increases the Content of Yolk Precursors
Authors: Jing Bo , Xiao Huanwei , Yin Haixu , Wei Yingbo , Wu Haoyuan , Zhang Dongliang , Tsopmejio Ivan Stève Nguepi , Shang Hongmei , Jin Zhouyu , Song Hui
Published: December 2022

The continuous ovulation of laying hens during the peak period is likely to cause oxidative stress, resulting in a reduction in the laying cycle over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Aronia melanocarpa (AM) in the diet and its effect on the yolk precursor content caused by ovulation in laying hens during the peak period. A total of 300 25-week-old Roman brown laying hens were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates in each group, 10 in each replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, the positive control group was fed a Vitamin C (VC) plus basal diet, and the experimental group was fed 1%, 4%, and 7% doses of AM plus diet according to the principle of energy and nitrogen requirements, which lasted eight weeks. At the end of the study, the egg quality, biochemical, and antioxidant markers, as well as mRNA and protein expressions, were evaluated to determine the potential signaling pathways involved. Results showed that the addition of AM to the feed increased the weight of laying hens at the peak of egg production and improved egg quality. The biochemical markers, as well as the antioxidant parameters in the serum, liver, and ovarian tissues, were ameliorated. The gene and protein expression of recombinant kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in the liver and ovarian tissues was decreased, while nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression was increased. The feed supplemented with AM also increased the estrogen contents and lipid parameters, as well as the gene and protein expressions related to the yolk precursor. Feed supplemented with AM could improve the egg quality and the oxidative stress caused by the ovulation process of laying hens during the peak egg production period by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. These results suggest that the feed supplemented with 1% AM and 4% AM can improve egg production in peak laying hens.
Differences in Weight, Hierarchy, and Incidence of Lameness between Two Groups of Adult Pigs Derived from Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Authors: Romero-Aguirregomezcorta Jon , Ramírez Lisette L. , Ortín Alba , Ramis Guillermo , Romar Raquel , Coy Pilar
Published: December 2022

The in vitro production (IVP) and subsequent transfer of embryos (ET) to recipient mothers is not yet an established reproductive technology in the pig industry, as it is in cattle. However, that the trade of IVP-cryopreserved pig embryos is expected to start in the next decades. Society and governments are increasingly aware of the repercussions that IVP could have for animal health, welfare, behavior, or food safety, but proven scientific information for this type of animal does not exist, since no colonies of pigs have been created to this end. We created a small one and studied the differences between 16 IVP-derived pigs and 14 pigs derived from artificial insemination (AI), at 3.5 years of age, conceived from the same boar, and housed and fed under the same conditions since they were born. Incidence of lameness, position in the herd hierarchy, weight, adenosine deaminase activity, and hematological and biochemical analytes were compared between the two groups of animals. The results showed that the IVP animals weighed more, occupied higher positions in the herd hierarchy, and had a lower incidence of lameness. Although genetic differences from the maternal line could explain some of these results, it is also possible that the IVP animals developed better adaptative abilities, but more studies with a higher number of animals are necessary to reach consistent conclusions.
Effect of Rice Protein Meal Replacement of Fish Meal on Growth, Anti-Oxidation Capacity, and Non-Specific Immunity for Juvenile Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Lin Huaxing , He Shuqing , Tan Beiping , Zhang Xiaomin , Lin Yi , Yang Qihui
Published: December 2022

This study assessed the effect of rice protein meal replacement for fish meal on the growth, nonspecific immunity, and disease resistance on juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Six groups of iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipid feeds named FM, R10, R20, R40, R60, and R80 were prepared by replacing 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% in FM protein with RPM, respectively, and then fed to the shrimps (0.54 ± 0.01 g). An amount of 720 healthy and evenly sized shrimps were allocated to six groups (three replicates per group) and fed four times a day (7:00, 11:00, 17:00 and 21:00) for eight weeks. Results revealed no significant differences in WG, FCR, and SGR of shrimps after replacing FM with 10% RPM (p > 0.05). In the R10 and R20 groups, SOD and T-AOC activities were significantly higher than those in the FM group, whereas the opposite was observed for MDA content (p < 0.05). CAT, ACP, and LZM were all significantly higher in the R10, R20, and R40 groups than in the FM group (p < 0.05). GSH-Px activity in the R10 group was significantly higher than the activity in the FM group (p < 0.05). AKP, PO, TYS, GPT, and GOT activities were significantly higher in the R10 group than in the FM group (p < 0.05). Compared to the FM group, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3K (eif3k) gene was significantly up-regulated in the R10 group, whereas the penaiedin 3a (pen 3a) and anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (alf) genes were significantly up-regulated in the R10 and R20 groups (p < 0.05). The crustin a (cru a), immune deficiency (imd), and lysozyme (lzm) mRNA levels were significantly higher in the R10, R20, and R40 groups than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The prophenoloxidase (PO) mRNA levels in the R20 group were significantly higher than those in the FM group (p < 0.05). The replacement of 10–40% of FM with RPM improved the gut flora composition of shrimps, increasing beneficial bacteria (Bacteroidetes) abundance and reducing harmful bacteria (Aspergillus and Vibrio) abundance. After the challenge test of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (7 days), the cumulative mortality in the R10 group significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, replacement of 10% FM by RPM significantly improved digestibility, protein synthesis, antioxidant capacity, and disease resistance in L. vannamei.
Approach to Small Animal Neurorehabilitation by Locomotor Training: An Update
Authors: Gouveia Débora , Cardoso Ana , Carvalho Carla , Almeida António , Gamboa Óscar , Ferreira António , Martins Ângela
Published: December 2022

Neurorehabilitation has a wide range of therapies to achieve neural regeneration, reorganization, and repair (e.g., axon regeneration, remyelination, and restoration of spinal circuits and networks) to achieve ambulation for dogs and cats, especially for grade 1 (modified Frankel scale) with signs of spinal shock or grade 0 (deep pain negative), similar to humans classified with ASIA A lesions. This review aims to explain what locomotor training is, its importance, its feasibility within a clinical setting, and some possible protocols for motor recovery, achieving ambulation with coordinated and modulated movements. In addition, it cites some of the primary key points that must be present in the daily lives of veterinarians or rehabilitation nurses. These can be the guidelines to improve this exciting exercise necessary to achieve ambulation with quality of life. However, more research is essential in the future years.
Establishment of Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Reference Values and Analysis of Risk Factors for Pet Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Vivian C. Y. , Yang Ning-Ya , Lin Wen-Chi , Chen Jo-Wen , Yen Ching-Yi , Tsai Yi-Lun
Published: December 2022

Hematological and plasma biochemical examination are crucial in the veterinary care of sugar gliders, which are increasingly popular in Taiwan and the United States. However, published research of the species’ reference interval and related influencing factors were rare. The objectives of this study were to establish the hematological and plasma biochemical reference values for captive sugar gliders in Taiwan and to evaluate the influence of factors including age, gender, neuter status, location, season, diet, caging arrangement, and other pets in the household. A total of 42 clinically healthy pet sugar gliders were recruited. Morphometrical measurements and physiological data were collected, and hematological and plasma biochemical examinations were performed. The reference value of each index was calculated using Reference Value Advisor (RVA) software, following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) guidelines. Normality of data distribution was tested, and data transformation was conducted. The parametric method and robust method were used to determine reference limits. Univariate analysis was performed, and multiple regression models were built for each hematological and plasma biochemical parameter. Red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were higher in males, compared to females, while they were lower in the neutered group, compared to the intact group. Relative neutrophil counts were higher in elder sugar gliders, while relative lymphocyte counts were lower. Aspartate transaminase levels were higher in elder sugar gliders, while albumin levels were lower. Blood urea nitrogen levels were highest in spring. The blood profile and related effects presented in this study can provide useful information for veterinary care in pet sugar gliders.
Comprehensive Analyses of the Bacterial Population in Non-Healing Claw Lesions of Dairy Cattle
Authors: Hori Kaoru , Taniguchi Takako , Elpita Trigan , Khemgaew Rathanon , Sasaki Satomi , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Yasutomi Ichiro , Misawa Naoaki
Published: December 2022

Non-healing claw lesions (NHCLs) are a newly characterized disorder affecting the deep dermis of the hoof in dairy cattle. Although NHCLs are thought to be associated with bovine digital dermatitis (BDD), their precise etiology is not yet understood. To investigate the bacterial populations present in each type of NHCL (toe necrosis: TN, non-healing white line disease: nhWLD, and a non-healing sole ulcer: nhSU), and the newly added entity non-healing verrucous-like lesions (nhVLL), 16S rRNA-based metagenomic analysis with next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed. Twelve cases of NHCLs (3 TN, 3 nhWLD, 4 nhSU, and 2 nhVLL) were collected from five dairy farms in two prefectures in Japan. Three samples of healthy hoof dermis collected from two farms and a slaughterhouse were used as controls. Furthermore, culture-dependent and -independent approaches were conducted for detecting Treponema species and Fusobacterium necrophorum. As reported in BDD, Treponema species and F. necrophorum were detected frequently from NHCLs by PCR and immunohistochemistry, but NGS showed that these bacterial genera were not predominant in NHCLs. The predominant bacterial genera in NHCLs differed among the lesions examined, suggesting that Treponema species present predominantly in BDD were not predominant in NHCLs and that the bacterial population in NHCLs may vary among individual cattle and/or farms.
Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Heat Tolerance for Production Traits in Canadian Holsteins Cattle
Authors: Campos Ivan L. , Chud Tatiane C. S. , Junior Gerson A. Oliveira , Baes Christine F. , Cánovas Ángela , Schenkel Flavio S.
Published: December 2022

Understanding how cows respond to heat stress has helped to provide effective herd management practices to tackle this environmental challenge. The possibility of selecting animals that are genetically more heat tolerant may provide additional means to maintain or even improve the productivity of the Canadian dairy industry, which is facing a shifting environment due to climate changes. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for heat tolerance of milk, fat, and protein yields in Canadian Holstein cows. A total of 1.3 million test-day records from 195,448 first-parity cows were available. A repeatability test-day model fitting a reaction norm on the temperature-humidity index (THI) was used to estimate the genetic parameters. The estimated genetic correlations between additive genetic effect for production and for heat tolerance ranged from −0.13 to −0.21, indicating an antagonistic relationship between the level of production and heat tolerance. Heritability increased marginally as THI increased above its threshold for milk yield (0.20 to 0.23) and protein yield (0.14 to 0.16) and remained constant for fat yield (0.17). A Spearman rank correlation between the estimated breeding values under thermal comfort and under heat stress showed a potential genotype by environmental interaction. The existence of a genetic variability for heat tolerance allows for the selection of more heat tolerant cows.
Genomic Characterization of hox Genes in Senegalese Sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup 1858): Clues to Evolutionary Path in Pleuronectiformes
Authors: Mendizábal-Castillero Marco , Merlo Manuel Alejandro , Cross Ismael , Rodríguez María Esther , Rebordinos Laureana
Published: December 2022

The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup 1858), a marine flatfish, belongs to the Pleuronectiformes order. It is a commercially important species for fisheries and aquaculture. However, in aquaculture, several production bottlenecks have still to be resolved, including skeletal deformities and high mortality during the larval and juvenile phase. The study aims to characterize the hox gene clusters in S. senegalensis to understand better the developmental and metamorphosis process in this species. Using a BAC library, the clones that contain hox genes were isolated, sequenced by NGS and used as BAC-FISH probes. Subsequently the hox clusters were studied by sequence analysis, comparative genomics, and cytogenetic and phylogenetic analysis. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated the localization of four BAC clones on chromosome pairs 4, 12, 13, and 16 of the Senegalese sole cytogenomic map. Comparative and phylogenetic analysis showed a highly conserved organization in each cluster and different phylogenetic clustering in each hox cluster. Analysis of structural and repetitive sequences revealed accumulations of polymorphisms mediated by repetitive elements in the hoxba cluster, mainly retroelements. Therefore, a possible loss of the hoxb7a gene can be established in the Pleuronectiformes lineage. This work allows the organization and regulation of hox clusters to be understood, and is a good base for further studies of expression patterns.
Alternative Forages as Roughage for Ruminant: Nutritional Characteristics and Digestibility of Six Exotic Plants in Azores Archipelago
Authors: Nunes Helder P. B. , Teixeira Sofia , Maduro Dias Cristiana S. A. M. , Borba Alfredo E. S.
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional potential of unconventional plants: Pittosporum undulatum, Cryptomeria japonica, Acacia melanoxylon, Hedychium gardnerianum, Eucalyptus globulus, and Arundo donax, as an alternative roughage for ruminants. Chemical composition, gross energy, in vitro gas production, kinetics, and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in vitro were determined for each species. The obtained results showed variations between the studied forages concerning crude protein, and the different fiber fractions: NDF, ADF, and ADL The P. undulatum with a relative food value of 92.12%, showed a significant difference compared to the other species under study. After 96 h of incubation, the plants that produced, on average, less in vitro gas were A. melanoxylon and E. globulus. Among the studied species, A. donax stands out as the species that presented the highest gas production, with 31.53 mL. 200 mg−1 DM, observing a significant difference compared to the other plants. This is a reflection of it having the highest DMD (60.44 ± 1.22%) as well. P. undulatum was the species with the longest colonization time (4.8 h). Among the plants studied, we highlight P. undulatum as presenting a good quality in the RFV index and A. donax as having good digestibility. Both can be used as roughage in periods of greater shortage of pastures.
Fur, Fin, and Feather: Management of Animal Interactions in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities
Authors: Newton Wendy , Signal Tania , Judd Jenni A.
Published: December 2022

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have been occurring in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) for more than 40 years and may relieve loneliness and improve quality of life. The presence of animals in RACF poses an inherent risk to residents and the animals involved. Little is known about the policies and guidelines for including animals in the Australian RACF. We anticipated that most RACFs would have some policies, but they may lack the detail necessary to keep humans and animals safe. Using an adapted survey, we surveyed and interviewed a small but representative sample of Australian RACF managers. The results demonstrated that RACF did have animal policies; however, the content regarding the need for hand washing, infection prevention, and animal welfare was lacking. Including unregulated family pets in RACF was an unexpected additional risk factor identified during data analysis. There is a need for national guidelines tied to the national aged care policy, which includes training and educational resources for RACF and AAI providers.
Intra- and Interspecies RNA-Seq Based Variants in the Lactation Process of Ruminants
Authors: Farhadian Mohammad , Rafat Seyed Abbas , Mayack Christopher , Bohlouli Mehdi
Published: December 2022

The RNA-Seq data provides new opportunities for the detection of transcriptome variants’ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in various species and tissues. Herein, milk samples from two sheep breeds and two cow breeds were utilized to characterize the genetic variation in the coding regions in three stages (before-peak (BP), peak (P), and after-peak (AP)) of the lactation process. In sheep breeds Assaf and Churra, 100,462 and 97,768, 65,996 and 62,161, and 78,656 and 39,245 variants were observed for BP, P, and AP lactation stages, respectively. The number of specific variants was 59,798 and 76,419, 11,483 and 49,210, and 104,033 and 320,817 in cow breeds Jersy and Kashmiri, respectively, for BP, P, and AP stages. Via the transcriptome analysis of variation in regions containing QTL for fat, protein percentages, and milk yield, we detected a number of pathways and genes harboring mutations that could influence milk production attributes. Many SNPs detected here can be regarded as appropriate markers for custom SNP arrays or genotyping platforms to conduct association analyses among commercial populations. The results of this study offer new insights into milk production genetic mechanisms in cow and sheep breeds, which can contribute to designing suitable breeding systems for optimal milk production.
Optimization of Pyrazole Compounds as Antibiotic Adjuvants Active against Colistin- and Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Sannio Filomena , Brizzi Antonella , Del Prete Rosita , Avigliano Marialuce , Simone Tiziana , Pagli Carlotta , Ferraro Teresa , De Luca Filomena , Paolino Marco , Corelli Federico , Mugnaini Claudia , Docquier Jean-Denis
Published: December 2022

The diffusion of antibiotic-resistant, Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogens, an increasingly important global public health issue, causes a significant socioeconomic burden. Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, despite causing a lower number of infections than Enterobacterales, often show multidrug-resistant phenotypes. Carbapenem resistance is also rather common, prompting the WHO to include carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii as a “critical priority” for the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents. In a previous work, we identified several series of compounds showing either direct-acting or synergistic activity against relevant Gram-negative species, including A. baumannii. Among these, two pyrazole compounds, despite being devoid of any direct-acting activity, showed remarkable synergistic activity in the presence of a subinhibitory concentration of colistin on K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii and served as a starting point for the synthesis of new analogues. In this work, a new series of 47 pyrazole compounds was synthesized. Some compounds showed significant direct-acting antibacterial activity on Gram-positive organisms. Furthermore, an evaluation of their activity as potential antibiotic adjuvants allowed for the identification of two highly active compounds on MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, including colistin-resistant isolates. This work confirms the interest in pyrazole amides as a starting point for the optimization of synergistic antibacterial compounds active on antibiotic-resistant, Gram-negative pathogens.
Analysis of Factors Influencing the Prices of Tourist Offers
Authors: Kołakowska Agata , Godlewska Magdalena
Published: December 2022

Tourism is a significant branch of many world economies. Many factors influence the volume of tourist traffic and the prices of trips. There are factors that clearly affect tourism, such as COVID-19. The paper describes the methods of machine learning and process mining that allow for assessing the impact of various factors (micro, mezzo and macro) on the prices of tourist offers. The methods were used on large sets of real data from two tour operators, and the results of these studies are discussed in this paper. The research presented is part of a larger project aiming at predicting trip prices. It answers the question of which factors have the greatest impact on the price and which can be omitted in further work. Nevertheless, the dynamic world situation suggests that the ranking of factors may change and the presented universal methods may provide different results in the coming years.
The Phenomenon of Loss of Energy Flux Density in Pneumatic and Electromagnetic Generators for EPAT Therapy
Authors: Sawicki Michał , Maćkowski Michał , Płaczek Marek
Published: December 2022

Shock wave therapy involves introducing an acoustic wave into the living organism, whose pro-healing effect promotes the decomposition of stones and calcareous deposits. To generate such a wave, devices converting electrical energy into shock wave energy are used. Two versions of radial wave generators dominate the market: pneumatic and electromagnetic. The quality of the generator components and the design solutions significantly affect the amount of shock wave energy received. In the literature, there is a belief that, unfortunately, due to design limitations, it is not possible to obtain the same portion of energy for increasingly higher frequencies of generating wave pulses. The current study presents the results of a series of experiments carried out on two test benches. Two types of the wave generator were tested: pneumatic and electromagnetic. The obtained results clearly show that the mentioned problem occurs in both types of shock wave generators, regardless of whether it is a pneumatic or electromagnetic solution. This study discusses, in detail, the principle of operation of each type of generator and proposes a hypothesis on the source of the phenomenon.
Indoor Air Quality Assessment in Grocery Stores
Authors: Baptista Teresa , Almeida-Silva Marina , Silva Dário , Diogo Carlos , Canha Nuno
Published: December 2022

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a public and occupational health concern, as we are exposed to air pollutants daily given that we spend a great amount of our time in indoor environments. IAQ can be affected by numerous factors, from outdoor pollutants that get indoors through ventilation to building materials, furnishings, and activities carried by the building occupants. Exposure to air pollutants has been linked to a panoply of adverse effects on our health, well-being, and performance. The aim of this study was to assess the IAQ in grocery stores (GSs) in the municipality of Cascais in the Lisbon metropolitan area (Portugal) to characterize the workers’ occupational exposure to air pollutants. The study was conducted in 13 small “family” grocery stores. The IAQ monitoring campaign was conducted using low-cost sensor technologies and focused on several parameters, namely: carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH). Overall, the IAQ of the studied GSs complied with Portuguese legislation, except for PM2.5, where 23% of GSs presented levels above the established limit value. The mean inhaled dose of workers during a workday was estimated to be 157.7 ± 57.2 μg for PM2.5 and 165.8 ± 56.0 μg for PM10. The IAQ assessment allowed the identification of the best strategies to improve worker experience in indoor workplace environments.
Dissimilarity Corrective Generative Adversarial Network for Brain Image Segmentation
Authors: Prajapati Rukesh , Kwon Goo-Rak
Published: December 2022

More accurate diagnosis of brain disorders can be achieved by properly analyzing structural changes in the brain. For the quantification of change in brain structure, the segmentation task is crucial. Recently, generative adversarial networks (GAN) have been rapidly developed and used in many fields. Segmentation of medical images with these networks will greatly improve performance. However, segmentation accuracy improvement is a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a novel corrective algorithm for updating the accuracy and a novel loss function based on dissimilarity. First, we update the generator using the typical dice similarity coefficient (DSC) as a loss function only. For the next update, we use the same image as input and obtain the output; this time, we calculate dissimilarity and update the generator again. In this way, false prediction, due to the first weight update, can be updated again to minimize the dissimilarity. Our proposed algorithm can correct the weights to minimize the error. The DSC scores obtained with the proposed algorithm and the loss function are higher, and clearly outperformed the model with only DSC as the loss function for the generator.
Blockchain Technology and Artificial Intelligence Together: A Critical Review on Applications
Authors: Taherdoost Hamed
Published: December 2022

It is undeniable that the adoption of blockchain- and artificial intelligence (AI)-based paradigms is proceeding at lightning speed. Both paradigms provide something new to the market, but the degree of novelty and complexity of each is different. In the age of digital money, blockchains may automate installments to allow for the safe, decentralized exchange of personal data, information, and logs. AI and blockchains are two of the most talked about technologies right now. Using a decentralized, secure, and trustworthy system, blockchain technology can automate bitcoin payments and provide users access to a shared ledger of records, transactions, and data. Through the use of smart contracts, a blockchain may also regulate user interactions without the need for a central authority. As an alternative, AI provides robots with the ability to reason and make decisions and human-level intellect. This revelation led to a thorough assessment of the AI and blockchain combo created between 2012 and 2022. This critical review contains 121 articles from the recent decade that investigate the present situation and rationale of the AI and blockchain combination. The integration’s practical application is the emphasis of this overview’s meatiest portion. In addition, the gaps and problems of this combination in the linked literature have been studied, with a focus on the constraints.
An Example-Guide for Rapid Seismic Assessment and FRP Strengthening of Substandard RC Buildings
Authors: Tastani Sousana , Thermou Georgia
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a rapid seismic assessment and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) retrofit design methodology which relies on the European design guidelines recently published in Chapter 8 of fib Bulletin 90 on the use of externally applied FRP reinforcement in the seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete (r.c.) structures. For this purpose, an example-guide is developed with step-by-step hand calculations aiming to facilitate engineers of practice and researchers working in the field to easily understand the proposed methodology. A three-storey, pilotis-type residential r.c. building is selected typical of the Mediterranean construction practice in the 1970s. The methodology followed only aims to provide preliminary results on seismic assessment and retrofitting before the implementation of more sophisticated analysis if need be (e.g., in case of irregular buildings). The assessment procedure identified that the columns of the ground storey, being the most critical structural elements for the stability of the structure, are vulnerable to brittle failure modes. To remove all the brittle failure modes attributed to inherent deficiencies and enhance the overall deformation capacity of the building, the strengthening schemes applied in the ground storey (pilotis) is a combination of local strengthening measures, such as FRP wrapping, and global interventions. The latter may refer to the addition of r.c. jacketing to the central column to remove slenderness and of metal X-braces to modify the lateral deflection shape of the building and thus moderate the interstorey displacement demand.
Quality Assessment of Dual-Parallel Edge Deblocking Filter Architecture for HEVC/H.265
Authors: Christopher Prayline Rajabai , Sathasivam Sivanantham
Published: December 2022

Preserving the visual quality is a major constraint for any algorithm in image and video processing applications. AVC and HEVC are the extensively used video coding standards for various video processing applications in recent days. These coding standards use filters to preserve the visual quality of the processed video. To retain the quality of the reconstructed video, AVC uses an in-loop filter, called the deblocking filter, while HEVC uses two in-loop filters, the sampling adaptive offset filter and the deblocking filter. These filters are implemented in hardware by adopting various optimization techniques such as reduction of power utilization, reduction of algorithm complexity, and consuming lesser area. The quality of the reconstructed video should not be impacted by these optimization measures. For the HEVC/H.265 coding standard, a parallel edge deblocking filter architecture is designed, and the effectiveness of the parallel edge filter architecture is evaluated using various quantization values for various resolutions. The quality of the parallel edge filter architecture is on par with the HEVC reference model.
Strength Characteristics of Biochar-Amended Clay Covered Soil Mixed with Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria
Authors: Li Mingyu , Sun Wenjing , Chen Zhanyang
Published: December 2022

Adding biochar to soil can improve the soil’s physical–chemical properties, microscopic pore structure, and bacterial habitat. This affects the soil’s strength characteristics and the oxidization of methane. Using a Humboldt pneumatic direct shear instrument, this study investigated the effect of the amount of biochar in the soil, the soil’s methane-oxidizing bacteria, aeration time, and carbon content on the strength characteristics of a biochar-amended clay. The results show that when the biochar content is low, the soil’s stress–strain curve shows a strain hardening state as the strain increases. When the biochar content is greater than 10%, the methane-oxidizing bacteria increase as the shear strain increases. The stress–strain curves of the biochar–clay mixture all showed a softened state. Under the same biochar content, the soil’s stress–strain curves show strain softening as the methane filling time increases. However, with an increase in the amount of biochar, cohesion gradually increased and the internal friction angle did not change significantly. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the biochar–clay mixture with methane oxidizing bacteria revealed the influence of the evolution law of the samples’ micropore structure on the soil’s stress–strain curve and strength properties.
Expediting the Search for Climate-Resilient Reef Corals in the Coral Triangle with Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Mayfield Anderson B. , Dempsey Alexandra C. , Chen Chii-Shiarng , Lin Chiahsin
Published: December 2022

Numerous physical, chemical, and biological factors influence coral resilience in situ, yet current models aimed at forecasting coral health in response to climate change and other stressors tend to focus on temperature and coral abundance alone. To develop more robust predictions of reef coral resilience to environmental change, we trained an artificial intelligence (AI) with seawater quality, benthic survey, and molecular biomarker data from the model coral Pocillopora acuta obtained during a research expedition to the Solomon Islands. This machine-learning (ML) approach resulted in neural network models with the capacity to robustly predict (R2 = ~0.85) a benchmark for coral stress susceptibility, the “coral health index,” from significantly cheaper, easier-to-measure environmental and ecological features alone. A GUI derived from an ML desirability analysis was established to expedite the search for other climate-resilient pocilloporids within this Coral Triangle nation, and the AI specifically predicts that resilient pocilloporids are likely to be found on deeper fringing fore reefs in the eastern, more sparsely populated region of this under-studied nation. Although small in geographic expanse, we nevertheless hope to promote this first attempt at building AI-driven predictive models of coral health that accommodate not only temperature and coral abundance, but also physiological data from the corals themselves.
Test and Numerical Simulation of Pressure Pulsation under the Forward and Reverse Working Conditions of a Horizontal Axial Flow Pump
Authors: Bai Yalei , Wu Donglei
Published: December 2022

In daily operation, the flow state in the runner chamber of an axial flow pump is extremely complex, and the pressure pulsation caused by the vibration of the unit and the hydraulic excitation is also extremely complex. The pressure pulsation will also greatly damage the flow components of the unit. In this paper, a pressure pulsation test and research on an axial flow pump in a pumping station are conducted. The research results indicate that the pressure pulsation at the inlet of the runner and the inlet of the front guide vane are basically consistent with the numerical simulation results under the rated operating conditions, and the external characteristic curves are basically consistent. When running in the forward direction, the pressure pulsation at the inlet of the runner periodically changes, and the main frequency is the rotational frequency. In the reverse operation, the main frequency of the pressure pulsation at the outlet of the runner is the rotational frequency, and the main frequency of the pressure pulsation at the outlet of the movable guide vane is the pilot frequency; the pressure coefficient changes under different flow conditions. The distribution trends are consistent and decrease with the increase in flow rate; the velocity streamlines are evenly distributed near the design flow rate but are sparse and uneven under low flow conditions. Deviation from the design flow rate should be avoided during normal operation of the unit conditions to ensure safe and stable operation.
Characteristics, Sources and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Road Dust in the Typical County Town, Central China
Authors: Chen Wenmin , Zhang Xihao , Zhang Jiaquan , Duan Ning , Gong Xiangyi , Liu Shan , Zhan Changlin , Chen Wei , Xing Xinli
Published: December 2022

In this study, to investigate the contamination characteristics and potential health implications of heavy metals in road dust of the typical county in central China, heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Pb, Zn) in typical road dust with large traffic flow, in different functional areas of Yangxin County, were determined. The results of the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed that Co, Mn, Ni, and V were not polluted, while other heavy metals caused different degrees of pollution. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there were three main sources of heavy metals. The result of statistical analysis showed that heavy metal pollution in road dust mainly comes from traffic activities, industrial production activities, building pollution, and the natural environment. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of children and adults were within the safe range, and hand–oral contact was the main exposure route of non-carcinogenic risks. The non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic effects of heavy metals in urban road dust were acceptable to children and adults. However, we should still pay attention to the impact of heavy metals on the ecological environment and human health.
Waveguide Structure Design and Simulation for High-Temperature Corrosion Thickness Detection
Authors: Li Yan , Luo Xi , Liu Ruihao , Yun Ze , Zhang Jixiang
Published: December 2022

Equipment corrosion often happens in the petrochemical industry, especially when high temperature materials are transported. The corrosion phenomenon should be monitored as a leak may occur due to corrosion and even cause fires and explosions. However, ordinary ultrasonic testing is not suitable for high temperature conditions because the probe may break. A waveguide structure was designed to economically detect corrosion thickness even at a high temperature 500 deg C and avoid the failure of the ultrasonic probe. Based on the heat transfer simulation, a waveguide rod was determined with optimized material, length, width and thickness, and the experiment validated the calculated result. Then, ultrasonic propagation through the designed waveguide rod and specimen was simulated. Propagation, reflection, attenuation and dissipation of the ultrasonic wave within the combined structure were displayed. A clear ultrasound signal was found near the center, while signal attenuation and dispersion occurred as it is gradually far away from the center. With the waveguide structure, an ultrasonic-guided wave testing device was developed to measure the thickness at high temperatures. Measurement error increases with temperature if the wave velocity is regarded as a constant. A temperature-dependent method was applied to achieve high precision detection at high temperatures. The research has good application potential for the corrosion detection of high-temperature equipment.