bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitalisation in the WFP fresh food voucher programme: a pilot study from rural Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Dad Fazal , Dibari Filippo , Kebede Aweke , Lefu Emma , Ndumiyana Tafara , Butaumocho Blessing
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Malnutrition continues to pose a major challenge to human well-being around the world. In Ethiopia, 39% of children <5 years are stunted, with peaks in northern regions of the country such as Amhara (54.8%). Very few (2%) children in the region achieve the minimum dietary diversity and only a minority (27%) belong to households that can afford a nutritious diet. To tackle the high stunting rate, diets high in fruits and vegetables are widely recommended to improve dietary diversity. Programmes leveraging fresh food vouchers can be used to support vulnerable groups with malnutrition and limited affordability. Cash-based transfer (CBT) programmes have repeatedly been shown to improve child growth and increase household food security and dietary diversity. This study is part of the World Food Programme (WFP) intervention regarding a stunting reduction rural programme of restricted CBT for improving dietary diversity in households with children under 2 years of age and pregnant and lactating women.

Methods

A community- based pilot study to assess the itemised foods purchased by beneficiaries was conducted in the four most accessible woredas of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A total of 556 beneficiaries and 12 active retailers were selected randomly from 10 rural markets in the targeted woredas. A point of sale (POS) system was used to collect the itemised food prices and amounts of food procured by the beneficiaries.

Results and Discussion

Approximately 51, 35, and 15% of the beneficiaries purchased vegetables, fruits, and eggs, respectively. Prices, taste preferences of children, and shelf life determine the purchase of certain food items. The average food expenditure was 49 Ethiopian Birr (ETB; US$ 0.94), representing the 63 and 37% daily and monthly requirements, respectively, for affordability. The higher increase in prices of some food items might be due to their seasonality. Almost half of the Fresh Food Voucher (FFV) beneficiaries were purchasing and consuming vegetables. The finding indicates that the WFP fresh food voucher programme contributes 63% (49 ETB, US$ 0.94) and 37% (837 ETB, US$ 16.1) of the daily and monthly needs of affordability, respectively, for a diversified nutritious diet. The use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology in the WFP digital voucher under the Fresh Food Voucher (FFV) project was effective at collecting itemised prices of foods purchased by the beneficiaries. The point of sale (POS)1 system can be scaled up under the Fresh Food Voucher (FFV) programme so that the digital voucher can contain the itemised food prices. Timely data from the point of sale could be used for timely Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) development to improve dietary diversity.
What are the benefits of cultivating self-compassion in adults with low back pain? A systematic review
Authors: Greff Ballejos Kellen , Calvetti Prisla Ücker , Schaab Bruno Luis , Reppold Caroline Tozzi
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Low back pain is one of the most prevalent public health problems in the world, generating psychosocial impacts on quality of life and a high demand for medical care. Self-compassion may be beneficial for low back pain control, however, studies in the area are scarce. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to investigate the benefits of self-compassion-related interventions on low back pain and mental health in adults.

Methods

The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO and the method was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were conducted using the keywords “self-compassion” and “low back pain” in Portuguese, English, and Spanish in the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, PePSIC, PsycInfo, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Additional searches were also conducted through the references of the included studies.

Results

Thirty-three articles were identified and analyzed by two independent reviewers using Rayyan. Four of these studies were included. RoB 2 was used to assess the risk of bias of each study. The main findings suggest that self-compassion-related interventions demonstrate benefits in the treatment of low back pain, as well as reduction in pain intensity, psychological stress, and improvement of pain acceptance.

Discussion

However, these positive data must be analyzed carefully, as only two studies presented a low risk of bias. Despite growing interest in this field, more research self-compassion-related interventions for low back pain are suggested, since biopsychosocial aspects associated with low back pain can impact the outcome of treatment.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier (CRD42022376341).
Going vertical: examining the rise and impact of contemporary Russian sports cinema
Authors: Crosson Seán
Published: November 2023

Introduction

While Hollywood has been central to the definition and popularisation of the genre internationally, sport cinema also has a significant presence in national cinemas across the world, though less research has been undertaken to date of the place of sport within European cinema and its growing importance in this context. This article will introduce a new database and online research platform (Sport in European Cinema, sportandfilm.eu) recently made publicly available which enables a deeper consideration of the significance of sport in European cinema, including its increasing importance in the Russian context. Indeed the third most commercially successful indigenous film ever released (as of 2023) at the Russian box office is a sports film, Движение вверх (Going Vertical (AKA Three Seconds) (2017).

Methods

This article adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the place of sport in European cinema, including a case study of contemporary Russian sport cinema and its connection with broader political and ideological messaging.

Results

Sport cinema has become an increasingly important part of European cinema, both in terms of number of films produced and their impact on European society, as evident in the case study provided of Russian sport cinema.

Conclusion

This paper introduces a new research database dedicated to European Sport Cinema and identifies the increasing importance of sport cinema in the European context. It includes a case study of contemporary Russian sport cinema and identifies its role in articulating and affirming existing power structures and ideological hegemony within Russian society, as evident within Going Vertical and further recent Russian sport films in a particularly challenging period of national and international instability and contestation.
Lifetime prevalence of owner-reported medical conditions in the 25 most common dog breeds in the Dog Aging Project pack
Authors: Forsyth Kiersten K. , McCoy Brianah M. , Schmid Sarah M. , Promislow Daniel E. L. , Snyder-Mackler Noah ,   the DAP Consortium
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Large scale data on the prevalence of diverse medical conditions among dog breeds in the United States are sparse. This cross-sectional study sought to estimate the lifetime prevalence of medical conditions among US dogs and to determine whether purebred dogs have higher lifetime prevalence of specific medical conditions compared to mixed-breed dogs.

Methods

Using owner-reported survey data collected through the Dog Aging Project (DAP) Health and Life Experience Survey for 27,541 companion dogs, we identified the 10 most commonly reported medical conditions in each of the 25 most common dog breeds within the DAP cohort. Lifetime prevalence estimates of these medical conditions were compared between mixed-breed and purebred populations. The frequency of dogs for whom no medical conditions were reported was also assessed within each breed and the overall mixed-breed and purebred populations.

Results

A total of 53 medical conditions comprised the top 10 conditions for the 25 most popular breeds. The number of dogs for whom no medical conditions were reported was significantly different (p = 0.002) between purebred (22.3%) and mixed-breed dogs (20.7%). The medical conditions most frequently reported within the top 10 conditions across breeds were dental calculus (in 24 out of 25 breeds), dog bite (23/25), extracted teeth (21/25), osteoarthritis (15/25), and Giardia (15/25).

Discussion

Purebred dogs in the DAP did not show higher lifetime prevalence of medical conditions compared to mixed-breed dogs, and a higher proportion of purebred dogs than mixed-breed dogs had no owner-reported medical conditions. Individual breeds may still show higher lifetime prevalence for specific conditions.
Proanthocyanidins from Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) Leaves Effectively Inhibit the Formation of Biogenic Amines in the Brewing Soy Sauce
Authors: Li Jia , Jiang Kan , Yang Huaxia , Zhang Xiong , Huang Haizhi , Ye Xingqian , Zhi Zijian
Published: November 2023

Biogenic amines are a group of metabolites generated in the process of soy sauce brewing, which can result in severe negative impacts on human health at high concentrations. In this study, we innovatively proposed natural extracts (0.1 wt%), of proanthocyanidins, from Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) leaves to alternate commercial additives (0.1 wt%), i.e., sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, for lowering the harmful biogenic amine formation during the fermentation of soy sauce. HPLC results showed that natural extracts from Chinese bayberry leaves could effectively decrease the content of cadaverine, putrescine, histamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, and agmatine (p < 0.05). In contrast to the inhibitory influence exhibited by commercial sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, extracts from bayberry leaves can maintain spermidine, spermine, and tryptamine at certain concentrations. Furthermore, both sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate significantly reduced the production of ammonium salt and characteristic components (p < 0.05), like soluble saltless solids, total nitrogen, and amino acid nitrogen, during the 40-day fermentation of soy sauce, whereas proanthocyanidins extracted from Chinese bayberry leaves slightly inhibited the content of ammonium salt. Thus, we can conclude that, while inhibiting the biogenic amine and ammonium salt production, extracts from Chinese bayberry leaves facilitate or maintain the production of characteristic indicators compared to commercial sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Taken together, natural extracts from Chinese bayberry leaves can be considered a natural additive to significantly improve the quality of traditional brewing soy sauce.
Simulation of Climate Change Impacts on Crop Yield in the Saskatchewan Grain Belt Using an Improved SWAT Model
Authors: Zare Mohammad , Azam Shahid , Sauchyn David
Published: November 2023

Climate change has a potentially significant influence on agricultural production in southern Saskatchewan. Crop yields are susceptible to weather patterns and seasonal fluctuations in this sub-humid region owing to the predominance of rain-fed farming practices. A modified Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT-M) and the output from 10 high-resolution (0.22°) regional climate models (RCMs) were used to develop simulations of spring wheat and rain-fed canola in 296 rural municipalities (RM) for a historical baseline period (1975–2004) and three 30-year future periods: near (2010–2039), middle (2040–2069), and far (2070–2099). We combined SWAT-M with the S-curve method to adjust yield to the original drought stress in the source code and evaluated eight indices of extreme precipitation and temperature. Results of calibration and validation suggest that the simulated crop yields generally agree with observed data. Crop yield showed lesser performance compared with streamflow and soil water content (SWC) along with percent bias, ranging from −9.6% to −14.8%, while streamflow calibration ranges from −5.3% to −7.7%. The multi-model ensemble median showed increasing radiative forcing in the temperature and precipitation indices, such that the RCM-projected weather indices were found to be warmer and wetter than those estimated using regional historical data. The results of simulating canola and spring wheat indicate an increase in crop yield of 17% and 9.7% in the near future, 28.2% and 15.6% in the middle future, and 44.7% and 32% in the far future, respectively. Although, there has been an increase in the median wheat and canola yields, a significant reduction in the annual production is observed. This decline in yield amounts to around 1000 kg/ha and is anticipated to occur in the near and middle future. This trend is quite pronounced in the extreme south and southwest regions. Overall, this innovative research framework, along with the region-specific model outcomes in the form of crop yield projections, will aid in the formulation of future agricultural policies aimed at promoting effective climate adaptation strategies.
Bibliometric Network Analysis of Crop Yield Gap Research over the Past Three Decades
Authors: Hu Yimin , Yang Shuqi , Qian Xin , Li Zongxin , Fan Yuchuan , Manevski Kiril , Chen Yuanquan , Gao Wangsheng
Published: November 2023

Achieving global food security requires an understanding of the current status and the future trends in the yield gap for cropping systems worldwide. The aim of this study was to scientifically understand the existing yield gap research, recognize the knowledge base and influential articles, and uncover key research themes and how these have evolved over the past three decades. Bibliometric methods were used to analyze articles related to the yield gap available in the largest scientific database, the Web of Science. A total of 6049 relevant articles published from 1993 to 2023 were numerically analyzed for patterns, trends, and clusters. The findings identified a few primary authors of widely cited publications. Geographically, the United States and China were the two major contributors to the publication pool, with articles from China mostly affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University, while the United States had a more scattered distribution of affiliated institutions. The research on yield gaps primarily focused on biological factors, such as the effects of crop varieties, agronomic management, climate change, and soil conditions, with a limited exploration of social and economic factors. Within the auspices of the current food issues worldwide, this study provides a thorough view of the progress and key topics in crop yield gap research, contributing to the existing body of knowledge and providing guidance for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in agricultural productivity enhancement and sustainable food production. Amid the increasing trend in hunger worldwide over the past decade, we thus concluded that, by establishing appropriate benchmarks, re-prioritizing research needs, and focusing on transforming natural resources rather than inputs, the crop yield gap approach can be useful in terms of the clear inclusion of local contexts and socioeconomic constraints.
Early Maturity Mechanism and High-Yielding Cultivation of Short-Season Cotton in China
Authors: Qi Jie , Feng Keyun , Zhang Yanjun , Dong Hezhong
Published: November 2023

Short-season cotton is a type of cotton variety characterized by its abbreviated cycle, rapid development, and concentrated flowering and boll setting. Compared with full-season cotton, short-season cotton facilitates an easier attainment of desirable maturation even when sown relatively late. This advantage of late sowing and early maturation eliminates the necessity for plastic film mulching, thereby creating opportunities for diversified double cropping, such as cotton–wheat, cotton–garlic, cotton–rape, and cotton–triticale systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the morphological, physiological, and molecular biological mechanisms underlying early maturity in short-season cotton. Furthermore, the significance and application of short-season cotton is discussed in relation to optimizing planting patterns and methods, promoting its cultivation in saline fields, developing machine-harvested cotton, and encouraging plastic mulch-free cotton planting. Based on these analyses and discussions, the paper proposes future strategies aimed at enhancing the breeding and cultivation of short-season cotton. These findings serve as valuable references for global breeding and cultivation research, and application of short-season cotton in the future.
Effects of Different Tillage and Fertilization Methods on the Yield and Nitrogen Leaching of Fragrant Rice
Authors: Qiu Xinfeng , Zhang Xuechan , Mo Zhaowen , Pan Shenggang , Tian Hua , Duan Meiyang , Tang Xiangru
Published: November 2023

Conservation tillage and deep-side fertilization both hold the potential to reduce nitrogen leaching and improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in fragrant rice cultivation practices. However, the combined impact of different tillage practices with deep-side fertilization on nitrogen leaching remains uncertain. Therefore, this study conducted on-site experiments for four rice-growing seasons in both early and late seasons in 2018 and 2019 using the fragrant rice varieties “Meixiangzhan 2” (MX) and “Xiangyaxiangzhan” (XY). The four experimental treatments included the following: conventional tillage with regular fertilization (T1), conventional tillage with simultaneous deep fertilization (T2), reduced tillage with simultaneous deep fertilization (T3), and no-tillage with simultaneous deep fertilization (T4). Our results indicate that the T4 treatment exhibited higher nitrogen leaching rates and potential nitrogen losses throughout the entire rice growth cycle, with a 4.51% increase in total mineral nitrogen leaching (TMNL) and a 1.86% increase in potential nitrogen leaching compared to T1 treatment. In contrast, the T2 treatment demonstrated the lowest nitrogen leaching rate, resulting in a 6.01% reduction in TMNL and a 9.57% decrease in potential nitrogen leaching compared to T1, demonstrating the most optimal performance. It is important to note that a reduction in nitrogen leaching does not directly translate into an increase in rice yield. Our study involved the cultivation of two fragrant rice varieties, ‘Meixiangzhan2’ (MX) and ‘Xiangyaxiangzhan’ (XY), and the results revealed some interesting insights. For MX, the T1 treatment resulted in lower daily grain outputs compared to the other treatments, with disparities ranging from 5.35% to 9.94%. Similarly, for XY, the T1 treatment yielded significantly lower daily grain outputs compared to the other treatments, with discrepancies ranging from 6.26% to 10.81% during the late season of 2019. Therefore, this study suggests that conventional tillage combined with deep fertilizer application can be considered as an effective agricultural strategy to reduce nitrogen leaching and enhance fragrant rice yields.
Comparison of the Greenness Assessment of Chromatographic Methods Used for Analysis of UV Filters in Cosmetic Samples
Authors: Wejnerowska Grażyna , Narloch Izabela
Published: November 2023

Chemical ultraviolet filters are widely used in a variety of cosmetic products to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation. In order to guarantee consumers’ health, the content in sunscreens is regulated in a number of countries. Many analytical methods are used to determine UV filters in cosmetics samples. In recent years, attention has been paid to the fact that the methods should have a small impact on the environment. This work examined the greenness of 10 reported chromatographic methods in the literature for the determination of UV filters in cosmetic samples using two new tools: analytical greenness metric (AGREE) and analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep). Microextraction methods of sample preparation in the AGREEprep assessment show a higher score of greenness. The results recommended the use of both tools to assess the greening of methods before planning laboratory analytical methods to measure their ecological impact on the environment.
A Comparative Analysis of VirLock and Bacteriophage ϕ6 through the Lens of Game Theory
Authors: Kostadimas Dimitris , Kastampolidou Kalliopi , Andronikos Theodore
Published: November 2023

The novelty of this paper lies in its perspective, which underscores the fruitful correlation between biological and computer viruses. In the realm of computer science, the study of theoretical concepts often intersects with practical applications. Computer viruses have many common traits with their biological counterparts. Studying their correlation may enhance our perspective and, ultimately, augment our ability to successfully protect our computer systems and data against viruses. Game theory may be an appropriate tool for establishing the link between biological and computer viruses. In this work, we establish correlations between a well-known computer virus, VirLock, with an equally well-studied biological virus, the bacteriophage ϕ6. VirLock is a formidable ransomware that encrypts user files and demands a ransom for data restoration. Drawing a parallel with the biological virus bacteriophage ϕ6, we uncover conceptual links like shared attributes and behaviors, as well as useful insights. Following this line of thought, we suggest efficient strategies based on a game theory perspective, which have the potential to address the infections caused by VirLock, and other viruses with analogous behavior. Moreover, we propose mathematical formulations that integrate real-world variables, providing a means to gauge virus severity and design robust defensive strategies and analytics. This interdisciplinary inquiry, fusing game theory, biology, and computer science, advances our understanding of virus behavior, paving the way for the development of effective countermeasures while presenting an alternative viewpoint. Throughout this theoretical exploration, we contribute to the ongoing discourse on computer virus behavior and stimulate new avenues for addressing digital threats. In particular, the formulas and framework developed in this work can facilitate better risk analysis and assessment, and become useful tools in penetration testing analysis, helping companies and organizations enhance their security.
A Review of Resistance to Polymyxins and Evolving Mobile Colistin Resistance Gene (mcr) among Pathogens of Clinical Significance
Authors: Shahzad Shakeel , Willcox Mark D. P. , Rayamajhee Binod
Published: November 2023

The global rise in antibiotic resistance in bacteria poses a major challenge in treating infectious diseases. Polymyxins (e.g., polymyxin B and colistin) are last-resort antibiotics against resistant Gram-negative bacteria, but the effectiveness of polymyxins is decreasing due to widespread resistance among clinical isolates. The aim of this literature review was to decipher the evolving mechanisms of resistance to polymyxins among pathogens of clinical significance. We deciphered the molecular determinants of polymyxin resistance, including distinct intrinsic molecular pathways of resistance as well as evolutionary characteristics of mobile colistin resistance. Among clinical isolates, Acinetobacter stains represent a diversified evolution of resistance, with distinct molecular mechanisms of intrinsic resistance including naxD, lpxACD, and stkR gene deletion. On the other hand, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are usually resistant via the PhoP-PhoQ and PmrA-PmrB pathways. Molecular evolutionary analysis of mcr genes was undertaken to show relative relatedness across the ten main lineages. Understanding the molecular determinants of resistance to polymyxins may help develop suitable and effective methods for detecting polymyxin resistance determinants and the development of novel antimicrobial molecules.
Overexpression of Glutathione S-Transferases in Human Diseases: Drug Targets and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Lv Ning , Huang Chunyan , Huang Haoyan , Dong Zhiqiang , Chen Xijing , Lu Chengcan , Zhang Yongjie
Published: November 2023

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a major class of phase II metabolic enzymes. Besides their essential role in detoxification, GSTs also exert diverse biological activities in the occurrence and development of various diseases. In the past few decades, much research interest has been paid to exploring the mechanisms of GST overexpression in tumor drug resistance. Correspondingly, many GST inhibitors have been developed and applied, solely or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, for the treatment of multi-drug resistant tumors. Moreover, novel roles of GSTs in other diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis and neurodegenerative diseases, have been recognized in recent years, although the exact regulatory mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This review, firstly summarizes the roles of GSTs and their overexpression in the above-mentioned diseases with emphasis on the modulation of cell signaling pathways and protein functions. Secondly, specific GST inhibitors currently in pre-clinical development and in clinical stages are inventoried. Lastly, applications of GST inhibitors in targeting cell signaling pathways and intracellular biological processes are discussed, and the potential for disease treatment is prospected. Taken together, this review is expected to provide new insights into the interconnection between GST overexpression and human diseases, which may assist future drug discovery targeting GSTs.
In Vitro α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibition, Cytotoxicity and Free Radical Scavenging Profiling of the 6-Halogeno and Mixed 6,8-Dihalogenated 2-Aryl-4-methyl-1,2-dihydroquinazoline 3-Oxides
Authors: Magwaza Nontokozo M. , More Garland K. , Gildenhuys Samantha , Mphahlele Malose J.
Published: November 2023

Series of the 6-bromo/iodo substituted 2-aryl-4-methyl-1,2-dihydroquinazoline-3-oxides and their mixed 6,8-dihalogenated (Br/I and I/Br) derivatives were evaluated for inhibitory properties against α-glucosidase and/or α-amylase activities and for cytotoxicity against breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. The 6-bromo-2-phenyl substituted 3a and its corresponding 6-bromo-8-iodo-2-phenyl-substituted derivative 3i exhibited dual activity against α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.08 ± 0.02 μM and 1.01 ± 0.05 μM, respectively) and α-amylase (IC50 = 5.33 ± 0.01 μM and 1.18 ± 0.06 μM, respectively) compared to acarbose (IC50 = 4.40 ± 0.05 μM and 2.92 ± 0.02 μM, respectively). The 6-iodo-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-substituted derivative 3f, on the other hand, exhibited strong activity against α-amylase and significant inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 0.64 ± 0.01 μM and 9.27 ± 0.02 μM, respectively. Compounds 3c, 3l and 3p exhibited the highest activity against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 1.04 ± 0.03, 0.92 ± 0.01 and 0.78 ± 0.05 μM, respectively. Moderate cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 and A549 cell lines was observed for these compounds compared to the anticancer drugs doxorubicin (IC50 = 0.25 ± 0.05 μM and 0.36 ± 0.07 μM, respectively) and gefitinib (IC50 = 0.19 ± 0.04 μM and 0.25 ± 0.03 μM, respectively), and their IC50 values are in the range of 10.38 ± 0.08–25.48 ± 0.08 μM and 11.39 ± 0.12–20.00 ± 0.05 μM, respectively. The test compounds generally exhibited moderate to strong antioxidant capabilities, as demonstrated via robust free radical scavenging activity assays, viz., DPPH and NO. The potential of selected derivatives to inhibit superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also investigated via enzymatic assay in vitro. Molecular docking revealed the N-O moiety as essential to facilitate electrostatic interactions of the test compounds with the protein residues in the active site of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The presence of bromine and/or iodine atoms resulted in increased hydrophobic (alkyl and/or π-alkyl) interactions and therefore increased inhibitory effect against both enzymes.
Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized with Alginate Oligosaccharides Alleviate Heat Stress-Induced Oxidative Damage to Organs in Broilers through Activating Nrf2-Mediated Anti-Oxidation and Anti-Ferroptosis Pathways
Authors: Ye Xue-Qing , Zhu Yan-Ru , Yang Yu-Ying , Qiu Sheng-Jian , Liu Wen-Chao
Published: November 2023

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for maintaining health due to its ideal antioxidant properties. We previously prepared a new type of biogenic selenium nanoparticles based on alginate oligosaccharides (SeNPs-AOS), and this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of SeNPs-AOS (Se particle size = 80 nm, Se content = 8%) on organ health in broilers challenged with HS. A total of 192 21-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into four groups according to a 2 × 2 experimental design, including a thermoneutral zone group (TN, raised under 23 ± 1.5 °C); TN + SeNPs-AOS group (TN group supplemented 5 mg/kg SeNPS-AOS); HS group (HS, raised under 33 ± 2 °C for 10 h/day); and HS + SeNPs-AOS group (HS group supplemented 5 mg/kg SeNPS-AOS). There were six replicates in each group (eight broilers per replicate). The results showed that SeNPs-AOS improved the splenic histomorphology, enhanced the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of the spleen, as well as upregulating the splenic mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes in broilers under HS. In addition, SeNPs-AOS reversed the pathological changes in bursa caused by HS increased the activity of GST, GSH-Px, and CAT and upregulated the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant-related genes in the bursa of heat-stressed broilers. In addition, dietary SeNPs-AOS improved the hepatic damage, increased the activity of GSH-Px in the liver, and upregulated the mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes while downregulating the Keap1 gene expression of the liver in broilers during HS. Moreover, dietary SeNPs-AOS upregulated the anti-ferroptosis-related genes expression of liver in broilers under HS. In conclusion, dietary SeNPs-AOS could relieve HS-induced oxidative damage to the spleen, bursa of Fabricius and liver in broilers by upregulating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant gene expression and SeNPs-AOS could also upregulate the expression of hepatic Nrf2-related anti-ferroptosis genes in heat-stressed broilers. These findings are beneficial for the development of new nano-antioxidants in broilers.
MCAW-YOLO: An Efficient Detection Model for Ceramic Tile Surface Defects
Authors: Yu Xulong , Yu Qiancheng , Mu Qunyue , Hu Zhiyong , Xie Jincai
Published: November 2023

Traditional manual visual detection methods are inefficient, subjective, and costly, making them prone to false and missed detections. Deep-learning-based defect detection identifies the types of defects and pinpoints their locations. By employing this approach, we could enhance the production workflow, boost production efficiency, minimize company expenses, and lessen the workload on workers. In this paper, we propose a lightweight tile-defect detection algorithm that strikes a balance between model parameters and accuracy. Firstly, we introduced the mobile-friendly vision transformer into the backbone network to capture global and local information. This allowed the model to comprehend the image content better and enhance defect feature extraction. Secondly, we designed a lightweight feature fusion network. This design amplified the network’s detection capability for defects of different scales and mitigated the blurriness and redundancy in the feature maps while reducing the model’s parameter count. We then devised a convolution module incorporating the normalization-based attention module, to direct the model’s focus toward defect features. This reduced background noise and filtered out features irrelevant to defects. Finally, we utilized a bounding box regression loss with a dynamic focusing mechanism. This approach facilitated the prediction of more precise object bounding boxes, thereby improving the model’s convergence rate and detection precision. Experimental results demonstrated that the improved algorithm achieved a mean average precision of 71.9%, marking a 3.1% improvement over the original algorithm. Furthermore, there was a reduction of 26.2% in the model’s parameters and a 20.9% decrease in the number of calculations.
Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation of Pilot Cadets’ Flight Performance Based on G1 Method
Authors: Li Gen , Wang Haibo , Pan Ting , Liu Haibo , Si Haiqing
Published: November 2023

In this paper, to better evaluate the flight performance of pilot cadets, a flight performance evaluation index system was constructed based on the task of the traffic pattern, the flight training manual, and interviews with instructors. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model established by the G1 method was used to evaluate the flight performance of pilot cadets. The flight data of 30 flight cadets were collected to verify the applicability of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model. The results showed that the index system established in this paper can meet the requirements of flight performance evaluation. In addition, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation results were consistent with the evaluation results of experts. Therefore, the system is effective and feasible for the evaluation of pilot cadets’ flight performance through the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model established by the index system and G1 method.
An Animated Visualization Method for Large-Scale Unstructured Unsteady Flow
Authors: Tian Xiaokun , Yang Chao , Wu Yadong , He Zhouqiao , Hu Yan
Published: November 2023

Animation visualization is one of the primary methods for analyzing unsteady flow fields. In this paper, we addressed the issue of data visualization for large-scale unsteady flow fields using animation. Loading and rendering individual time steps sequentially can result in substantial frame delay, whereas loading and rendering all time steps simultaneously can result in excessive memory usage. To address these issues, the proposed method analyzes the variable description information in the data files to bypass redundant variables and read the flow field data as required. Second, a hash table is constructed to derive the two-dimensional surface mesh of the flow field and complex mesh cells are simplified into simple linear cells to reduce the mesh’s complexity. This paper presents a method for reducing the memory usage of complex data sets by more than 90%, compared with the ParaView data reading method. The proposed method is tested on four sets of unstructured unsteady flow field data with different data structures. The animation visualization method based on simplified data can achieve an average frame rate of less than 100ms and supports real-time user interaction on personal computers. It extends the ability of personal computers to analyze large-scale unstructured unsteady flow fields.
Fine Particulate Matter Reduction through Crop Surface Adsorption in an Agricultural Field Using the Coefficient Derived from Wind Tunnel Experiments
Authors: Lee Seong-Won , Kintu Kibwika Anthony , Seo Il-Hwan
Published: November 2023

Fine dust can have serious effects on human health and crop growth. Fodder crops can reduce airborne dust by coagulating soil particles and reducing wind speed on the surface and have the effect of reducing fine dust by adsorbing it on the crop surface. In this study, the dust reduction coefficient of crops was derived through a self-manufactured wind tunnel experiment to quantitatively assess the dust reduction effect of crops by type and planting density. Additionally, a dust reduction formula considering crop growth and weather conditions during the cultivation period was derived. The dust reduction coefficient was measured by the gravimetric method and the real-time size distribution of dust concentration before and after the crop. The PM reduction coefficient showed triticale at PM-2.5 82.2 mg/m3, PM-10 120 mg/m3, and barley at PM-2.5 14.5 mg/m3, PM-10 26.9 mg/m3 under moderate planting density. During the general planting density cultivation period of triticale and barley, PM-10 was reduced by 37.8 kg/ha and 8.5 kg/ha, respectively, and PM-2.5 was reduced by 25.9 kg/ha and 4.6 kg/ha. The dust reduction effect during the cultivation period was up to 126.1 kg/ha in terms of PM-10 when triticale was cultivated with densely sowing planting density.
Current Status of the Main Olive Pests: Useful Integrated Pest Management Strategies and Genetic Tools
Authors: Lantero Esther , Matallanas Beatriz , Callejas Carmen
Published: November 2023

Mediterranean olive cultivation faces challenges in the global environmental change context. Pests and diseases caused by arthropods such as Bactrocera oleae, Prays oleae, and certain vectors of Xylella fastidiosa are expected to increase and spread in part due to this global scenario. The control of these arthropods has relied on synthetic pesticides, the misuse of which has led to pest population resistance and concerns about their negative impacts on biodiversity and global health. Integrated pest management (IPM) methods have emerged through the careful consideration of all available control techniques and the subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations. This paper reviews the IPM guidelines for olive cultivation, prioritizing the use of biological control methods, and the integration of genetics and biotechnology, which bring precision, efficacy, and safety. It evidences the importance of genetic analysis in pest populations, pesticide resistance and in the contributions of predators to pest control. Advances in formulations and delivery systems for pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis, plant-incorporated protectants, improved SIT techniques, and the specific efficacy of biologicals pesticides are covered. Finally, this paper explores promising tools such as RNAi and gene drive while recognizing the ethical, environmental, and regulatory challenges associated with their use. Shortly, these innovations have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts of pests while ensuring the long-term viability of the olive industry.
Adaptability Analysis of Sentinel−1A and ALOS/PALSAR−2 in Landslide Detection in the Qinling-Daba Mountains
Authors: Yang Shuai , Zhang Jinmin , Fu Lei , Chen Chunhua , Liu Zijing , Zhang Wenlong
Published: November 2023

Due to the complex terrain and intense tectonic activity, and harsh climate in the Qinling-Daba Mountains, many landslides occur in the area. Most of these landslides are extremely active, posing a serious threat to the safety and property of local residents. As a mature deformation-monitoring technology, InSAR has been widely used in landslide detection, but the steep terrain and dense vegetation in the Qinling-Daba Mountains make detection challenging. Hence, it is important to choose suitable data sources and methods for landslide detection via InSAR in this area. This study was the first to collect ALOS/PALSAR−2 and Sentinel−1A images to detect landslides in the Qinling-Daba Mountains, applying a method combining IPTA and SBAS. In total, 88 landslides were detected and validated. The results show that the deformation-detection error rate of Sentinel−1A is 2% higher than that of ALOS/PALSAR−2 and that its landslide-recognition rate is 47.7% lower than that of ALOS/PALSAR−2. Upon comparing and analyzing the visibility, coherence, closed−loop residuals, and typical time series of landslide deformation from the two kinds of data, it was found that the extremely low quality of available Sentinel−1 A summer data is a major factor influencing that system’s performance. ALOS/PALSAR−2 is more likely to detect landslides in areas with high vegetation coverage, meeting more than 90% of the monitoring needs. It is thus highly suitable for landslide detection in the Qinling–Daba Mountains, where seasonality is significant. In this paper, for the first time, multiple data sources are compared in detail with regard to their utility in landslide detection in the Qinling–Daba Mountains. A large number of accuracy metrics are applied, and the results are analyzed. The study provides important scientific support for the selection of data sources for future landslide monitoring in the Qinling–Daba Mountain area and similar areas and for the selection of methods to evaluate the accuracy of InSAR monitoring.
Clayey Soil Improvement with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste
Authors: Urian Ana-Maria , Ilies Nicoleta-Maria , Nemes Ovidiu , Nagy Andor-Csongor
Published: November 2023

Population expansion and the development of technology have led to an increase in construction activities. In many cases, foundation grounds do not have a high enough bearing capacity and are not capable of ensuring the safe exploitation of the construction. A soil with poor mechanical characteristics must be improved using various methods, such as adding hydraulic binders (lime and cement), natural fibres, or more recently, plastic waste materials. This work aims to study the behaviour of plastic waste materials made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in soil improvement. Thus, the mechanical characteristics of a clay improved with shredded PET were studied. PET was added in relation to the dry mass of the clay, in percentages of 2%, 4% and 6%. The studied clay was collected from a construction site around Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from a depth of 1 ÷ 10 m. PET was provided by a local plastic waste repository. It comes from recycled water, beer and soda bottles and was cleaned using specific methods for cleaning and recycling plastic waste. PET was shredded into irregular shapes with sizes ranging from 3 mm to 12 mm and was randomly distributed in the test specimens. Compression and direct shear tests were carried out to study the compressibility and shear parameters of the improved soil (internal friction angle and cohesion). The experimental results showed an improvement in the mechanical characteristics of the clay even at a low PET addition of 2% and 4%. This method can contribute to solving two current problems of the modern world: reducing pollution by recycling plastic waste materials and using them to improve the mechanical characteristics of soil.
Reconstruction Algorithm Optimization Based on Multi-Iteration Adaptive Regularity for Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Tomography
Authors: Zhao Rong , Du Cheng , Zhang Jianyong , Cheng Ruixue , Yu Zhongqiang , Zhou Bin
Published: November 2023

Laser absorption spectroscopy tomography is an effective combustion diagnostic method for obtaining simultaneous two-dimensional distribution measurements of temperature and gas molar concentrations. For the reconstruction process of complex combustion flames, a new algorithm named ‘multi-iterative adaptive optimization regularization’ (MIARO) is proposed. This algorithm is a further development of another algorithm known as the ‘modified adaptive algebraic reconstruction technique’ (MAART) with the improvement of the initial value and adaptive regularization parameter selections. In MIARO, the problem of the MAART’s initial value sensitivity is compensated for, and in addition, reconstruction parameters are also introduced into the regularization so that both the quality of reconstruction and the convergence of regularization are guaranteed. In butane burner experiments, an average relative error of 1.82% was achieved with MIARO, compared to 2.44% with MAART, which is a significant reduction of 25.1%. The simulation and experimental results clearly demonstrate that the MIARO algorithm can be used to reconstruct dynamic combustion fields and eliminate boundary artifacts with improved measurement accuracy and robustness.
Estimation and Compensation of Heading Misalignment Angle for Train SINS/GNSS Integrated Navigation System Based on Observability Analysis
Authors: Chen Wei , Yang Gongliu , Tu Yongqiang
Published: November 2023

The inertial Navigation Systems/global navigation satellite system (SINS/GNSS) has become a research hotspot in the field of train positioning. However, during a uniform straight-line motion period, the heading misalignment angle of the SINS/GNSS is unobservable, resulting in the divergence of the heading misalignment angle and ultimately causing a divergence in the train’s speed and position estimation. To address this issue, this paper proposes an estimation and compensation method for the heading misalignment angle for train SINS/GNSS integrated navigation system based on an observability analysis. When the train enters a straight-line segment, the alignment of the train’s sideslip angle and the satellite velocity heading angle allows the achievement of velocity heading observation values that resolve the issue. In a curved segment, the heading angle becomes observable, allowing for an accurate estimation of the SINS’s heading misalignment angle using GNSS observations. The results showed that, whether the train is on a straight or curved track, the position estimation accuracy meets the simulation design criteria of 0.1 m, and the heading accuracy is better than 0.25°. In comparison to the results of pure GNSS position and velocity-assisted navigation, where heading divergence occurs during constant velocity straight-line segments, the method proposed in this paper not only converges but also achieves an accuracy comparable to the GNSS velocity-based heading alignment. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly improves the accuracy of the heading misalignment angle estimation, thereby enhancing the accuracy of speed and position estimation under a GNSS-denied environment.
Marine Bioactives and Their Application in the Food Industry: A Review
Authors: Senadheera Tharindu R. L. , Hossain Abul , Shahidi Fereidoon
Published: November 2023

The structurally diverse bioactive compounds found in marine organisms represent valuable resources for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The marine ecosystem encompasses over half of the world’s biota, providing an extensive range of bioactive compounds that can be extracted from various marine life forms, including marine microorganisms (such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and actinobacteria), algae (both macroalgae and microalgae), invertebrates (including sponges, mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans), and, most importantly, fish. Many of these organisms thrive in extreme marine environments, leading to the production of complex molecules with unique biological functions. Consequently, marine biomolecules, such as lipids (especially polyunsaturated fatty acids), proteins/peptides, polysaccharides, carotenoids, phenolics, and saponins, exhibit a wide range of biological properties and can serve as valuable components in nutraceuticals and functional foods. Nevertheless, most of these biomolecules are susceptible to oxidation and degradation; encapsulation-based technologies tend to preserve them and increase their bioavailability and functions. These biological compounds demonstrate diverse activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects, making them promising candidates for applications in the food industry. Despite their numerous health benefits, marine bioactive compounds have remained underutilized, not only in the food industry but also in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the various sources of marine bioactive compounds and their potential contributions to the food industry.