bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Association between Blast Resistance and Yield Traits in Rice Detected Using a High-Density Bin Map
Authors: Kanyange Lydia , Fan Ye-Yang , Zhang Zhen-Hua , Huang De-Run , Huang Ting-Xu , Zhuang Jie-Yun , Zhu Yu-Jun
Published: May 2022

Avoiding linkage drag of the resistance genes will facilitate the use of gene resources for rice breeding. This study was conducted to confirm the avoidance of linkage drag due to Pi26 and Pi25 blast resistance genes, and to analyze the association of Pi26, Pi25, Pib and Pita with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yield traits. A recombinant inbred line population was derived from an indica rice cross Dan 71/Zhonghui 161. A linkage map consisting of 1219 bin markers, 22 simple sequence repeats and five gene markers was constructed. A total of 75 QTL were identified, including 2 for leaf blast resistance and 73 for eight yield traits. The two QTL for blast resistance were closely linked and located in the Pi26 and Pi25 regions, explaining 69.06 and 12.73% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. In a region covering Pi26 and Pi25, QTL were detected for grain yield and its key components. The alleles for enhancing blast resistance and grain yield were all from Dan 71. Not only was the linkage drag due to Pi26 and Pi25 avoided, but the results also indicate that these resistance genes may be used for simultaneously enhancing blast resistance and grain yield in rice. In the Pib and Pita regions, QTL was not detected for blast resistance, but was for yield traits. In each region, the allele for improving trait performance was derived from the parent carrying the resistance allele. In addition, four QTL clusters for grain weight and size, qGL4/qGW4.1, qGL11.2/qRLW11, qTGW11/qGW11 and qGL12/qGW12/qRLW12, were shown to be promising candidates for map-based cloning.
Comparisons of Corn Stover Silages after Fresh- or Ripe-Corn Harvested: Effects on Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation in Growing Beef Cattle
Authors: Zhang Min , Wang Rong , Wu Tingting , Yang Yingbai , He Zhixiong , Ma Zhiyuan , Tan Zhiliang , Lin Bo , Wang Min
Published: May 2022

Both waxy corn stover after fresh- (CF) and ripe-corn (CR) harvested are important byproducts of corn cropping system and have 20 d difference in harvest time. The study aimed to investigate the effects of prolonging harvest time on the nutritive value of corn stover silage by comparing CF with CR silages. In vitro ruminal experiment was firstly performed to investigate substrate degradation and fermentation of CF and CR silages. The CR diet was formulated by replacing 50% forage of CF silage with CR silage on a dry matter (DM) basis. Fourteen crossbred steers (Simmental × Limousin × local Chinese) aged 13 months with an average weight of 318.1 ± 37.1 kg were selected and randomly allocated into two dietary treatment groups. Although the CR silage had greater DM and fiber contents than CF silage, it did not alter in vitro degradation (p > 0.05), but with lower molar percentage of propionate and acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.05). The cattle fed CR diet had a higher DM intake and lower fiber digestibility with reduction in 18S rRNA gene copies of protozoa and fungi and 16S rRNA gene copies of Fibrobacter succinogenes (p < 0.05). Further 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis indicated a similar diversity of bacteria community between CR and CF treatments (p > 0.05). Few differences were observed in the abundance of genera larger than 1% (p > 0.05), except for the reduction in abundance of genera Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group in CR treatment (p < 0.05). In summary, prolonging 20 d harvest time of corn stover silage increases the forage fiber and DM content, which promotes feed intake with decreased fiber degradation, although rumen fermentation and growth performance are not changed in growing beef cattle.
Comparative Mitogenomics of True Frogs (Ranidae, Anura), and Its Implications for the Phylogeny and Evolutionary History of Rana
Authors: Chen Wan , Qian Weiya , Miao Keer , Qian Ruen , Yuan Sijia , Liu Wei , Dai Jianhua , Hu Chaochao , Chang Qing
Published: May 2022

The true frogs of the genus Rana are a complex and diverse group, containing approximately 60 species with wide distribution across Eurasia and the Americas. Recently, many new species have been discovered with the help of molecular markers and morphological traits. However, the evolutionary history in Rana was not well understood and might be limited by the absence of mitogenome information. In this study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of R. longicrus and R. zhenhaiensis, containing 22 tRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and a non-coding region, with 17,502 bp and 18,006 bp in length, respectively. In 13 protein codon genes, the COI was the most conserved, and ATP8 had a fast rate of evolution. The Ka/Ks ratio analysis among Rana indicated the protein-coding genes were suffering purify selection. There were three kinds of gene arrangement patterns found. The mitochondrial gene arrangement was not related to species diversification, and several independent shifts happened in evolutionary history. Climate fluctuation and environmental change may have played an essential role in species diversification in Rana. This study provides mitochondrial genetic information, improving our understanding of mitogenomic structure and evolution, and recognizes the phylogenetic relationship and taxonomy among Rana.
Ultrasonography of Parasitic Diseases in Domestic Animals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Corda Andrea , Corda Francesca , Secchi Valentina , Pentcheva Plamena , Tamponi Claudia , Tilocca Laura , Varcasia Antonio , Scala Antonio
Published: May 2022

The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the application of ultrasonography in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of helminthic diseases in domestic animals. Only peer reviewed papers written in English language were included in this systematic review. All papers concerning unicellular parasites, wild animals, non-domestic experimental animals, or ex vivo or in vitro applications of ultrasonography were excluded from the review. A total of 122 papers met the inclusion criteria. Among them 47% concerned nematodes, 37% cestodes, and 16% trematodes with the genus Dirofilaria, Echinococcus, and Fasciola the most represented, respectively. Helminths can be recognized in ultrasound images by their morphology, size, and location. In some cases, the parasite stages are not directly seen by ultrasound, but the lesions caused by them can be easily visualized. Ultrasound imaging is taking on an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, staging, monitoring, and control of parasitic diseases in veterinary medicine. However, it cannot replace the clinical approach and the diagnostic tests commonly used in veterinary parasitology.
Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in Nostrils and Buccal Mucosa of Healthy Camels Used for Recreational Purposes
Authors: Silva Vanessa , Caniça Manuela , Manageiro Vera , Verbisck Newton , Tejedor-Junco María Teresa , González-Martin Margarita , Corbera Juan Alberto , Poeta Patrícia , Igrejas Gilberto
Published: May 2022

Several different species of animals host staphylococci as normal microbiota. These animals can be a source of staphylococci zoonotic infections. People with routine or occupational exposure to infected/colonized animals are at risk of a potential transmission. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the presence of S. aureus and other staphylococci in camels used for recreational purposes as well as their antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors and genetic lineages. A total of 172 samples were collected from 86 healthy camels (nose and mouth) from different farms located in the Canary Islands, Spain. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed against 14 antimicrobial agents. The presence of virulence genes was studied by PCR. Multilocus sequence typing, spa typing and agr typing were performed in all S. aureus isolates. From the 86 camels tested, 42 staphylococci were isolated, of which there were 11 S. aureus, 13 S. lentus, 12 S. sciuri, 3 S. xylosus, S. epidermidis, S. hominis and S. chromogenes. Staphylococci isolates were resistant to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin and fusidic acid. All S. aureus isolates harbored the hla, hlb and hld virulence genes. S. aureus isolates were ascribed to three sequence types (STs) and three spa types. All S. aureus isolates belonged to agr type III. Camels from Gran Canaria used in recreational purposes have a moderate prevalence of S. aureus and other coagulase-negative staphylococci. Nevertheless, S. aureus isolates are susceptible to almost all antibiotics tested.
Transcriptome Sequencing to Identify Important Genes and lncRNAs Regulating Abdominal Fat Deposition in Ducks
Authors: Yang Chunyan , Wang Zhixiu , Song Qianqian , Dong Bingqiang , Bi Yulin , Bai Hao , Jiang Yong , Chang Guobin , Chen Guohong
Published: May 2022

Abdominal fat deposition is an important trait in meat-producing ducks. F2 generations of 304 Cherry Valley and Runzhou Crested White ducks were studied to identify genes and lncRNAs affecting abdominal fat deposition. RNA sequencing was used to study abdominal fat tissue of four ducks each with high or low abdominal fat rates. In all, 336 upregulated and 297 downregulated mRNAs, and 95 upregulated and 119 downregulated lncRNAs were identified. Target gene prediction of differentially expressed lncRNAs identified 602 genes that were further subjected to Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis. The target genes were enriched in pathways associated with fat synthesis and metabolism and participated in biological processes, including Linoleic acid metabolism, lipid storage, and fat cell differentiation, indicating that these lncRNAs play an important role in abdominal fat deposition. PPAPA, FOXO3, FASN, PNPLA2, FKBP5, TCF7L2, BMP2, FGF2, LIFR, ZBTB16, SIRT, GYG2, NCOR1, and NR3C1 were involved in the regulation of abdominal fat deposition. PNPLA2, TCF7L2, FGF2, LIFR, BMP2, FKBP5, GYG2, and ZBTB16 were regulated by the lncRNAs TCONS_00038080, TCONS_0033547, TCONS_00066773, XR_001190174.3, XR_003492471.1, XR_003493494.1, XR_001192142.3, XR_002405656.2, XR_002401822.2, XR_003497063.1, and so on. This study lays foundations for exploring molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of abdominal fat deposition in ducks and provides a theoretical basis for breeding high-quality meat-producing ducks.
Dynamic Anchor: A Feature-Guided Anchor Strategy for Object Detection
Authors: Liu Xing , Chen Huai-Xin , Liu Bi-Yuan
Published: May 2022

The majority of modern object detectors rely on a set of pre-defined anchor boxes, which enhances detection performance dramatically. Nevertheless, the pre-defined anchor strategy suffers some drawbacks, especially the complex hyper-parameters of anchors, seriously affecting detection performance. In this paper, we propose a feature-guided anchor generation method named dynamic anchor. Dynamic anchor mainly includes two structures: the anchor generator and the feature enhancement module. The anchor generator leverages semantic features to predict optimized anchor shapes at the locations where the objects are likely to exist in the feature maps; by converting the predicted shape maps into location offsets, the feature enhancement module uses the high-quality anchors to improve detection performance. Compared with the hand-designed anchor scheme, dynamic anchor discards all pre-defined boxes and avoids complex hyper-parameters. In addition, only one anchor box is predicted for each location, which dramatically reduces calculation. With ResNet-50 and ResNet-101 as the backbone of the one-stage detector RetinaNet, dynamic anchor achieved 2.1 AP and 1.0 AP gains, respectively. The proposed dynamic anchor strategy can be easily integrated into the anchor-based detectors to replace the traditional pre-defined anchor scheme.
Extraction of Antioxidants from Grape and Apple Pomace: Solvent Selection and Process Kinetics
Authors: Garcia-Montalvo Jorge , Garcia-Martín Alberto , Ibañez Bujan Jon , Santos Mazorra Victoria E. , Yustos Cuesta Pedro , Bolivar Juan M. , Ladero Miguel
Published: May 2022

Polyphenols have become a research target due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Obtention via extraction from natural sources includes the revalorization of food wastes such as grape pomace (GP) or apple pomace (AP). In this work, GP and AP were submitted to a liquid–solid extraction using different solvents of industrial interest. Process kinetics were studied measuring the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC), while the extraction liquor composition was analyzed employing chromatographic methods. Extraction processes using water-solvent mixtures stood out as the better options, with a particular preference for water 30%–ethanol 70% (v/v) at 90 °C, a mixture that quickly extracts up to 68.46 mg GAE/gds (Gallic Acid Equivalent per gram dry solid) and 122.67 TEAC/gds (TROLOX equivalent antioxidant capacity per gram dry solid) in case of GP, while ethylene water 10%–ethylene glycol 90% (v/v) at 70 °C allows to reach 27.19 mg GAE/gds and 27.45 TEAC/gds, in the case of AP. These extraction processes can be well-described by a second-order kinetic model that includes a solubility-related parameter for the first and fast-washing and two parameters for the slow mass transfer controlled second extraction phase. AP liquors were found to be rich in quercetin with different sugar moieties and GP extracts highlighted flavonols, cinnamic acids, and anthocyanins. Therefore, using identical extraction conditions for AP and GP and a comparative kinetic analysis of TPC and AC results for the first time, we concluded that ethanol/water mixtures are adequate solvents for polyphenols extraction due to their high efficiency and environmentally benign nature.
A Modified Compact Flexible Vivaldi Antenna Array Design for Microwave Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Qashlan Ayman M. , Aldhaheri Rabah W. , Alharbi Khalid H.
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a compact, flexible Vivaldi antenna is designed, and an array of nine identical antennas of this type is used as a microwave breast imaging model to detect cancerous tumors in the multilayers phantom model presented in this paper. The nine-antenna array is used to measure the backscattering signal of the breast phantom, where one antenna acts as a transmitter and the other eight antennas act as receivers of the scattered signals. Then, the second antenna is used as a transmitter and the other antennas as receivers, and so on till we have gone through all the antennas. These collected backscattered signals are used to reconstruct the image of the breast phantom using software called “Microwave Radar-based Imaging Toolbox (MERIT)”. From the reconstructed image, the tumor inside the breast model can be identified and located. Different tumor sizes in different locations are tested, and it is found that the locations can be determined irrespective of the tumor size. The proposed modified Vivaldi antenna has a very compact size of 25 × 20 × 0.1 mm3 and has a different geometry compared with conventional Vivaldi antennas. The first version of the antenna has two resonant frequencies at 4 and 9.4 GHz, and because we are interested more in the first band, where it gives us sufficient resolution, we have notched the second frequency by etching two slots in the ground plane of the antenna and adding two rectangular parasitic elements on the radiating side of the antenna. This technique is utilized to block the second frequency at 9.4 GHz, and, as a result, the bandwidth of the first resonant frequency is enhanced by 20% compared with the first design bandwidth. The modified antenna is fabricated on Polyimide flexible material 0.1 mm thick with a dielectric constant of 3.5 using a standard PCB manufacturing process. The measured performance of this antenna is compared with the simulated results using the commercially available simulation software Ansoft HFSS, and it is found that the measured results and the simulated results are in good agreement.
Study on Impact Compression Performance and Constitutive Model of Aluminum Oxide Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Yao Ao , Xu Jinyu , Xia Wei , Huang He , Ning Yipeng
Published: May 2022

In order to explore the impact compression performance of aluminum oxide fiber concrete, the impact compression test of aluminum oxide fiber concrete with different contents is carried out by using the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) comprehensive test system with a diameter of 100 mm. Our intent was to explore the influence law of different contents of aluminum oxide fiber on the impact compression performance of concrete matrixes, and to optimize and establish a constitutive model based on damage theory and stress residue. The results show that adding alumina short-cut fiber to concrete changes its mechanical properties of impact compression to a certain extent. When the volume content of fiber is 0.2%, the characteristics of strength, deformation, and energy are the best, and the excess aluminum oxide fiber reduces the original performance due to agglomeration and other factors; the strength characteristics, peak deformation characteristics, and energy characteristics of aluminum oxide fiber concrete are significantly affected by strain rate and impact velocity. Based on the Zhu-Wang-Tang non-linear viscoelastic model (ZWT model), the complexity coefficient is optimized and the residual stress term is added to construct the prediction model of aluminum oxide fiber concrete. The parameters in the model have a good prediction effect on the stress-strain curve under different strain rates.
Long Time Simulation Analysis of Geometry Dynamics Model under Iteration
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Bai Long , Ge Xinsheng , Xia Lili
Published: May 2022

Geometry modeling methods can conserve the geometry characters of a system, which helps the dynamic equations more concisely and is good for long simulations. Reduced attitude, Lie group and Lie algebra are three different expressions of geometry. Models for the dynamics of a planer pendulum and a 3D pendulum were built with these three geometry expressions. According to the variation method, the dynamics models as ordinary differential equations were transformed into nonlinear equations which are solved by Newton iteration. The simulation results show that Lie group and Lie algebra calculations can conserve the geometric structure, but have different long-time behavior. The complete Lie group expression has the best long simulation behavior and has the lowest sensitivity to the time step in both planer and 3D pendulum simulations, because it saves the complete geometry of the system in the dynamics model.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Square and Sinusoidal Waves Vibration Parameters on Heat Sink Forced Convective Heat Transfer Enhancement
Authors: Rasangika Ambagaha Hewage Dona Kalpani , Nasif Mohammad Shakir , Pao William , Al-Waked Rafat
Published: May 2022

Among numerous electronic cooling methods, a vibrating heat sink using sinusoidal wave vibration effectively enhances the heat transfer by disturbing the thermal boundary layer. However, sinusoidal wave vibration has reached its limits in enhancing heat transfer. The present study utilizes a new square wave-shaped vibration and numerically investigates the thermal performance of a heat sink subjected to sinusoidal and square waves vibration. It is found that using the square wave vibration is more beneficial to the thermal performance of the heat sink than the sinusoidal wave. The sudden impulsive motion of square wave vibration induces a higher randomness of the airflow profile and recirculation zones than the sinusoidal wave, causing the air flow to impinge directly into the fin surfaces, and further enhances the heat transfer. Furthermore, increasing the frequency and amplitude leads to a higher heat transfer enhancement. Moreover, square wave vibration achieves a 25% increase in Nusselt values compared to the nonvibrating fins and it is 11% higher than the Nusselt number recorded by the sinusoidal vibration. Consequently, Reynolds number values can be reduced by 42.2% to achieve the Nusselt number values of nonvibrating fins, potentially reducing the cooling system or fin size. This reduction may contribute to solving the challenges of electronic systems compactness.
Recent Development of Mid-Infrared Supercontinuum Generation in Fluoroindate Glass Fibers
Authors: Swiderski Jacek
Published: May 2022

Supercontinuum (SC) generation that leads to the emission of broadband radiation has been extensively studied. In particular, SC sources encompassing the wavelength range of 2–5 μm have attracted considerable interest in the last decade, and a continuous increase in the output power and spectrum width has been observed. To enable broadband and high-power SC generation, suitable nonlinear media combined with appropriate pump sources must be used, maintaining the output as spectrally flat. This paper briefly reviews the current state-of-the-art SC sources restricted to those based on fluoroindate fibers, including systems pumped with femtosecond, picosecond, and nanosecond pulses. First, the concept of SC generation in optical fibers is briefly presented. This is followed by an examination of indium fluoride optical fibers, with an emphasis on their material and waveguide properties. Furthermore, the advances in SC generation in fluoroindate fibers, including the latest results on high-power (Watt-level) continuum generation adopting different pump schemes, are also explored. A record time-averaged output power of 11.8 W with a spectrum spanning from ~1.9 to 4.9 µm has been demonstrated, which is certainly not the power limit of this technology. Finally, potential future directions of research are discussed at the end of this paper.
Bonding Failures of Lingual Orthodontic Brackets: A Retrospective Study Comparing Lingual Brackets with KommonBase Extensions, to Customized Lingual Brackets
Authors: Tepedino Michele , Mossaz Claude , Fillion Didier , Cattaneo Paolo M. , Cornelis Marie A.
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a clinical setting the bracket survival of lingual brackets bonded with the KommonBase system, and to compare it to the survival of a customized lingual bracket system. Two convenience samples of 13 consecutive patients treated with lingual fixed appliances with KommonBase extensions (Group 1) and 14 consecutive patients treated with customized Incognito™ lingual fixed appliances were retrospectively enrolled (Group 2). First time debondings were recorded from the files. Data were submitted to statistical analysis and a Log-rank test was used to compare the Kaplan–Meier survival curves between the two groups. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. Lingual brackets bonded with the KommonBase system showed a failure rate of 8%, while Incognito brackets showed a failure rate of 7.1%. The Log-rank test comparing the Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.343). Most debondings occurred during the first 6 months. Upper incisors and canines were less prone to debond than premolars and molars. In conclusion, no difference in bracket survival was observed between the KommonBase system and a customized lingual appliance.
A Novel Application of Laser in Biocontrol of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: El Semary Nermin , Al Naim Haifa , Aldayel Munirah F.
Published: May 2022

The effect of laser radiation has never been tested on the antimicrobial activity of cyanobacterial extracts. In order to investigate this, aqueous extracts from three cyanobacterial strains identified as Thermoleptolyngbya sp., Leptolyngbya sp., and Synechococcus elongatus were exposed to laser radiation. The aqueous extracts both directly exposed to the laser and those derived from pre-exposed biomass were tested for their antimicrobial activity to select the most active extracts under different exposure times and distances from the laser source. Methods: A fixed weight of one-month old cyanobacterial biomass was used in extraction. Another similar biomass was exposed to laser before aqueous extraction. The laser treatment was performed using two distances, 5 and 10 cm, with three exposure times, 4, 16, and 32 min. The antimicrobial assay was performed against the bacterial plant pathogen, whose identity was confirmed by molecular analysis and cell wall structure by a Gram stain. Results: The pathogenic bacterium was identified as Gram-negative Pantoae vagans. The aqueous extract that was not exposed to laser treatment (control) was mostly ineffective against the pathogenic bacterium, whereas a significant increase in the antimicrobial effect was observed for the extract directly exposed to the laser followed by the extract derived from laser-pre-exposed cyanobacterial biomass. In the case of Synechococcus elongatus extracts, the extract that was directly exposed to the laser showed the highest statistically significant antimicrobial activity against Pantoea vagans, with an inhibition zone of 15.5 mm, at 10 cm and 4 min of laser treatment. Conclusions: This is the first report on the effect of laser on enhancing the antimicrobial profile of cyanobacterial extracts. The direct exposure of cyanobacterial extracts to the laser was more effective and biologically safer than exposing the biomass itself prior to extraction. The laser used was a monochromatic red light within the visible range. This radiation increased the antimicrobial activity of cyanobacterial extracts and can be used as an eco-friendly biocontrol strategy.
A Fast Maritime Target Identification Algorithm for Offshore Ship Detection
Authors: Wu Jinshan , Li Jiawen , Li Ronghui , Xi Xing , Gui Dongxu , Yin Jianchuan
Published: May 2022

The early warning monitoring capability of a ship detection algorithm is significant for jurisdictional territorial waters and plays a key role in safeguarding the national maritime strategic rights and interests. In this paper, a Fast Maritime Target Identification algorithm, FMTI, is proposed to identify maritime targets rapidly. The FMTI adopts a Single Feature Map Fusion architecture as its encoder, thereby improving its detection performance for varying scales of ship targets, from tiny-scale targets to large-scale targets. The FMTI algorithm has a decent detection accuracy and computing power, according to the mean average precision (mAP) and floating-point operations (FLOPs). The FMTI algorithm is 7% more accurate than YOLOF for the mAP measure, and FMTI’s FLOPs is equal to 98.016 G. The FMTI can serve the demands of marine vessel identification while also guiding the creation of supplemental judgments for maritime surveillance, offshore military defense, and active warning.
Rod–Airfoil Interaction Noise Reduction Using Gradient Distributed Porous Leading Edges
Authors: Wang Yong , Tong Fan , Chen Zhengwu , Wang Chao , Jiang Shujie
Published: May 2022

Rod–airfoil interaction noise is a major concern in several practical industrial and aeronautical applications. In this study, we constructed bio-inspired gradient distributed porous leading edges to reduce rod–airfoil interaction noise. Noise radiations by NACA 0012 airfoils with nonporous aluminum and porous leading edges were experimentally compared in an anechoic wind tunnel by changing the streamwise gap between the upstream rod and the downstream airfoil, as well as the angle of attack of the airfoil. The results of detailed acoustic tests showed that the proposed gradient distributed porous leading edges can significantly reduce noise radiation around and above the peak frequency of the baseline rod–airfoil interaction. Parametric studies on the piecewise porous characteristics showed that rod–airfoil interaction noise reduction is sensitive to the coverage percentage, position, and arrangement order of the porous materials. Porous leading edges with lower pores per inch, larger coverage, and gradually sparse distributed pores better reduced noise. Moreover, the position of the porous material affected the frequency band of noise reduction, and the noise reduction performance was better when it was located in the downstream strips of the porous leading edge.
Effect of Postharvest UV-C Radiation on Nutritional Quality, Oxidation and Enzymatic Browning of Stored Mature Date
Authors: Dassamiour Saliha , Boujouraf Ourida , Sraoui Linda , Bensaad Mohamed Sabri , Derardja Ala eddine , Alsufyani Sultan J. , Sami Rokayya , Algarni Eman , Aljumayi Huda , Aljahani Amani H.
Published: May 2022

The effect of three doses of UV-C radiation (1, 3 and 6 kJ m−2) on conservation potential after harvest of the Deglet-Nour date for five months of storage at 10 °C was studied. Contents of water, total sugar, carotenoids, proteins, total polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins, as well as browning index, enzyme activities of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase and antioxidant capacity of samples were monitored during storage using standard methods. Doses 1 and 6 kJ m−2 significantly slowed the water loss of samples until the second month of storage, with 17.68% and 16.02% of loss compared to control (31.45%). In the second month of storage, a significant increase in carotenoids was also observed for doses 1 and 6 kJ m−2, with values of 4.17 and 4.02 mg kg−1 versus the control (3.45 mg kg−1), which resulted in deceleration in carotenoid degradation. A gradual decrease in total sugar content was noted for all samples; it was slower within irradiated ones at the second month, where the slowing down of sugar consumption was significantly favored in the samples irradiated at 1 and 6 kJ m−2, which was marked by decreases of 4.98% and 4.57% versus 8.96% in the control. Protein content of irradiated samples (3 and 6 kJ m−2) increased at the third month, giving 1.70 and 2.41 g kg−1 compared to 1.29 g kg−1 for the control. An important decrease in enzymatic activity of polyphenoloxidase was detected, in addition to a fluctuation in peroxidase during storage. The browning index was lower in the irradiated sample until the fourth month of storage, where the result was more significant. An increase in the content of condensed tannins was detected, especially during the two first months, and while the significant increase in the content of flavonoids was read at the last month, it was detected from the first month for polyphenols. This was more significant for the highest dose, were the content reached 0.537 g kg−1 versus 0.288 g kg−1 in control at the first month. A dose-dependent increase in antiradical activity was noted during the last months of storage, while the increase in iron-reducing power was detected at the first month. UV-C delayed installation of Deglet-Nour browning and enriched it with antioxidants.
Disruption, Digitalization and Connectivity: Asia’s Art Market in Transformation
Authors: Hua Sue
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the ongoing transformation in galleries, auctions, and museums in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore, where new models for art transactions and exhibiting practices lead to unprecedented evolution in the global art market. While the pandemic hit the art market unprecedentedly, art organizations in Asia are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as the digitalization of online auctions and virtual art-viewing technology has made up for the cancellation of art events. We are also seeing increased cross-regional and cross-national collaborations in marketing and exhibiting activities. Whether or not it is part of their active strategy, to keep up with the rapid market changes, galleries and auctions must now devote more resources to their digital platforms. Affluent art collectors in this region see art consumption not only as a socially conditioned, symbolic mechanism manifesting wealth and cultural capital but also as an attractive investment vehicle with an increased appetite for the financialization of artworks. What are the benefits and complications of the digitalization of online art transactions and art viewing? How do multi-sited auctions and exhibitions indicate the increased demand for collaboration between commercial art organizations and art institutions? Based on fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with actors in the art markets and secondary Chinese resources, this research generates insights into organizational behaviors in Asia’s art scene and how the art market players actively adapt and persevere via taking on new, entrepreneurial models of operation and speeding up trans-regional and trans-national connectivity with their Western counterparts.
Transformation and Migrant Mechanism of Sulfur and Nitrogen during Chemical Looping Combustion with CuFe2O4
Authors: Li Haichuan , Han Ziheng , Hu Chenye , Ma Jingjing , Guo Qingjie
Published: May 2022

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a key technology for capturing CO2. Different types of oxygen carrier (OC) particles are used in coal CLC. The migration and transformation behaviors of sulfur and nitrogen are basically the same when CaFe2O4 and Fe2O3/Al2O3 are used as OC. CLC can be divided into two reaction stages: coal pyrolysis and char gasification; SO2 and NO show bimodal release characteristics, both of which show a basic trend of rising first and then falling down. The contents of H2S and NO2 increased rapidly at the beginning of the reaction and then decreased slowly at the stage of char gasification. H2S is released rapidly during coal pyrolysis and discharged from the reactor with flue gas, and then part of H2S is converted to SO2 during the char gasification stage by OC particles. NO can be oxidized by OC particles and form NO2. The increase in the reaction temperature and oxygen-to-carbon ratio (O/C) contributes to the release of sulfur and nitrogen and higher reaction temperature and O/C can inhibit the formation of metal sulfide. O2 released by CuFe2O4 significantly increases the contents of SO2, H2S, NO and NO2 in flue gas. This work is helpful for improving control strategies for pollutants.
Self-Rated Health, Life Balance and Feeling of Empowerment When Facing Impacts of Permafrost Thaw—A Case Study from Northern Canada
Authors: Timlin Ulla , Ramage Justine , Gartler Susanna , Nordström Tanja , Rautio Arja
Published: May 2022

Climate warming in Arctic Canada, e.g., permafrost thaw, comprehensively impacts biota and the environment, which then affects the lives of people. This study aimed to investigate which perceived environmental and adaptation factors relate to self-rated well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life (sum variable = life balance), self-rated health, and feeling of empowerment to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. The study sample was collected from one community using a questionnaire (n = 53) and analyzed by cross-tabulation. Results indicated that most participants had at least good well-being, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and a medium level of health, and over 40% assessed being empowered to face the changes related to permafrost thaw. Problems and challenges associated with permafrost thaw, e.g., health, traditional lifeways, and infrastructure, were recognized; these had impacts on life balance, feeling of empowerment, and self-rated health. Traditional knowledge regarding adaptation to face changes was seen as important. More adaptation actions from the individual to global level seemed to be needed. This study provides an overview of the situation in one area, but more research, with a larger study sample, should be conducted to achieve a deeper understanding of climate-related impacts on life and holistic well-being.
Inventory of Commercial Cooking Activities and Emissions in a Typical Urban Area in Greece
Authors: Fameli Kyriaki-Maria , Kladakis Aggelos , Assimakopoulos Vasiliki D.
Published: May 2022

The pollutants emitted during meal preparation in restaurants deteriorate the air quality. Thus, it is an environmental issue that needs to be addressed, especially in areas where these activities are densely located. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact on air quality from commercial cooking activities by performing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the related parameters. The area of interest is located in the southeastern Mediterranean (Greater Athens area in Greece). Due to the lack of the necessary activity information, a survey was conducted. Emissions from the fuel burnt during the cooking procedures were calculated and it was found that, overall, 940.1 tonnes are attributed to commercial cooking activities annually (generated by classical pollutants, heavy metals, particulates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions). Comparing the contribution of different sources to the pollutants emitted, it was found that commercial cooking is responsible for about 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% of the total CO, NOx and PM10 values. Cooking organic aerosol (COA) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from grilled meat were also calculated, accounting for 724.9 tonnes and 37.1 tonnes, respectively. Monthly, daily and hourly profiles of the cooking activities were developed and emissions were spatially disaggregated, indicating the city center as the area with higher values. Numerical simulations were performed with the WRF/CAMx modeling system and the results revealed a contribution of about 6% to the total PM10 concentrations in the urban center, where the majority of restaurants are located.
Effects of Environmental Relative Vorticity and Seasonal Variation on Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Wu Yusi , Chen Shumin , Zhou Mingsen , Chen Yilun , Zhang Aoqi , Tu Chaoyong , Li Weibiao
Published: May 2022

An improved understanding of the environmental factors influencing tropical cyclones (TCs) is vital to enhance the accuracy of forecasting TC intensity. More than half of TCs that were substantially affected by environmental factors were predominantly affected by low-level environmental relative vorticity (hereafter, VOR TCs). In this study, the seasonal variation and related physical features of VOR TCs from 2003–2017 during TC seasons in summer and autumn over the western North Pacific were analyzed. Autumn VOR TCs exhibited the strongest intensity among all TCs over the western North Pacific. The enhanced environmental relative vorticity during the TC intensification period was larger and more favorably distributed for VOR TC development in autumn. The vorticity diagnostic analysis showed that the convergence was the positive source of environmental relative vorticity of VOR TCs, while the contribution of convergence was larger in autumn than in summer. The increased convergence was related to seasonal variation in larger-scale systems, especially the higher environmental pressure gradient, which reflected the larger subtropical high and the compressed East Asian summer monsoon trough in autumn. In addition, the East Asian summer monsoon trough was also somewhat stronger during the intensification period of VOR TCs, especially in autumn.
Krein’s Theorem in the Context of Topological Abelian Groups
Authors: Borsich Tayomara , Domínguez Xabier , Martín-Peinador Elena
Published: May 2022

A topological abelian group G is said to have the quasi-convex compactness property (briefly, qcp) if the quasi-convex hull of every compact subset of G is again compact. In this paper we prove that there exist locally quasi-convex metrizable complete groups G which endowed with the weak topology associated to their character groups G∧, do not have the qcp. Thus, Krein’s Theorem, a well known result in the framework of locally convex spaces, cannot be fully extended to locally quasi-convex groups. Some features of the qcp are also studied.
Design, Spectral Characteristics, Photostability, and Possibilities for Practical Application of BODIPY FL-Labeled Thioterpenoid
Authors: Guseva Galina B. , Antina Elena V. , Berezin Mikhail B. , Smirnova Anastassia S. , Pavelyev Roman S. , Gilfanov Ilmir R. , Shevchenko Oksana G. , Pestova Svetlana V. , Izmest’ev Evgeny S. , Rubtsova Svetlana A. , Ostolopovskaya Olga V. , Efimov Sergey V. , Klochkov Vladimir V. , Rakhmatullin Ilfat Z. , Timerova Ayzira F. , Khodov Ilya A. , Lodochnikova Olga A. , Islamov Daut R. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Nikitina Liliya E. , Boichuk Sergei V.
Published: May 2022

This paper presents the design and a comparative analysis of the structural and solvation factors on the spectral and biological properties of the BODIPY biomarker with a thioterpene fragment. Covalent binding of the thioterpene moiety to the butanoic acid residue of meso-substituted BODIPY was carried out to find out the membranotropic effect of conjugate to erythrocytes, and to assess the possibilities of its practical application in bioimaging. The molecular structure of the conjugate was confirmed via X-ray, UV/vis-, NMR-, and MS-spectra. It was found that dye demonstrates high photostability and high fluorescence quantum yield (to ~100%) at 514–519 nm. In addition, the marker was shown to effectively penetrate the erythrocytes membrane in the absence of erythrotoxicity. The conjugation of BODIPY with thioterpenoid is an excellent way to increase affinity dyes to biostructures, including blood components.
Telehealth and Burn Care: From Faxes to Augmented Reality
Authors: Park Caroline , Cho Youngwoo , Harvey Jalen , Arnoldo Brett , Levi Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Despite advances in telemedicine, practices remain diverse, ranging from telephonic to still images and video-based conferencing. We review the various modes of telemedicine in burn care and summarize relevant studies, including their contributions and limitations. We also review the role of a more recent technology, augmented reality, and its role in the triage and management of burn patients. Telemedicine in burn care remains diverse, with varied outcomes in accuracy and efficiency. Newer technologies such as augmented reality have not been extensively studied or implemented but show promise in immersive, real-time triage.
D-Carvone Attenuates CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and TGF-ß 1/SMAD3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ogaly Hanan A. , Aldulmani Sharah A. A. , Al-Zahrani Fatimah A. M. , Abd-Elsalam Reham M.
Published: May 2022

D-carvone is a natural monoterpene found in abundance in the essential oil of aromatic medicinal plants with a wide range of pharmacological values. However, the impact of D-carvone on liver fibrosis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic potential of D-carvone in a rat model of liver fibrosis and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride, CCl4 (2.5 mL/kg, interperitoneally every 72 h for 8 weeks). Oral treatment of rats with D-carvone (50 mg/kg, daily) started on the 3rd week of CCl4 administration. D-carvone significantly enhanced liver functions (ALT, AST), oxidant/antioxidant status (MDA, SOD, GSH, total antioxidant capacity; TAC), as well as histopathological changes. Moreover, D-carvone effectively attenuated the progression of liver fibrosis, evident by the decreased collagen deposition and fibrosis score by Masson trichrome staining (MT) and α-SMA protein expression. Moreover, D-carvone administration resulted in a significant downregulation of the pro-fibrogenic markers TGF-β1 and SMAD3 and upregulation of MMP9. These findings reveal the anti-fibrotic effect of D-carvone and suggest regulation of the TGF-β1/SMAD3 pathway, together with the antioxidant activity as a mechanistic cassette, underlines this effect. Therefore, D-carvone could be a viable candidate for inhibiting liver fibrosis and other oxidative stress-related hepatic diseases. Clinical studies to support our hypothesis are warranted.
MSPEDTI: Prediction of Drug–Target Interactions via Molecular Structure with Protein Evolutionary Information
Authors: Wang Lei , Wong Leon , Chen Zhan-Heng , Hu Jing , Sun Xiao-Fei , Li Yang , You Zhu-Hong
Published: May 2022

The key to new drug discovery and development is first and foremost the search for molecular targets of drugs, thus advancing drug discovery and drug repositioning. However, traditional drug–target interactions (DTIs) is a costly, lengthy, high-risk, and low-success-rate system project. Therefore, more and more pharmaceutical companies are trying to use computational technologies to screen existing drug molecules and mine new drugs, leading to accelerating new drug development. In the current study, we designed a deep learning computational model MSPEDTI based on Molecular Structure and Protein Evolutionary to predict the potential DTIs. The model first fuses protein evolutionary information and drug structure information, then a deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) to mine its hidden features, and finally accurately predicts the associated DTIs by extreme learning machine (ELM). In cross-validation experiments, MSPEDTI achieved 94.19%, 90.95%, 87.95%, and 86.11% prediction accuracy in the gold-standard datasets enzymes, ion channels, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and nuclear receptors, respectively. MSPEDTI showed its competitive ability in ablation experiments and comparison with previous excellent methods. Additionally, 7 of 10 potential DTIs predicted by MSPEDTI were substantiated by the classical database. These excellent outcomes demonstrate the ability of MSPEDTI to provide reliable drug candidate targets and strongly facilitate the development of drug repositioning and drug development.
Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism Underlying African Animal Trypanosomiasis by Means of the 1000 Bull Genomes Project Genomic Dataset
Authors: Rajavel Abirami , Klees Selina , Hui Yuehan , Schmitt Armin Otto , Gültas Mehmet
Published: May 2022

African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a neglected tropical disease and spreads by the vector tsetse fly, which carries the infectious Trypanosoma sp. in their saliva. Particularly, this parasitic disease affects the health of livestock, thereby imposing economic constraints on farmers, costing billions of dollars every year, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Mainly considering the AAT disease as a multistage progression process, we previously performed upstream analysis to identify transcription factors (TFs), their co-operations, over-represented pathways and master regulators. However, downstream analysis, including effectors, corresponding gene expression profiles and their association with the regulatory SNPs (rSNPs), has not yet been established. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the complex interplay of rSNPs, corresponding gene expression and downstream effectors with regard to the AAT disease progression based on two cattle breeds: trypanosusceptible Boran and trypanotolerant N’Dama. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into the effectors involved in the regulation of several signal transduction pathways, thereby differentiating the molecular mechanism with regard to the immune responses of the cattle breeds. The effectors and their associated genes (especially MAPKAPK5, CSK, DOK2, RAC1 and DNMT1) could be promising drug candidates as they orchestrate various downstream regulatory cascades in both cattle breeds.