bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiautomated Segmentation and Volume Measurements of Cervical Carotid High-Signal Plaques Using 3D Turbo Spin-Echo T1-Weighted Black-Blood Vessel Wall Imaging: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Inoue Katsuhiro , Nakayama Ryohei , Isoshima Shiho , Takase Shinichi , Yamahata Tsunehiro , Umino Maki , Maeda Masayuki , Sakuma Hajime
Published: April 2022

Unstable carotid plaques are visualized as high-signal plaques (HSPs) on 3D turbo spin-echo T1-weighted black-blood vessel wall imaging (3D TSE T1-BB VWI). The purpose of this study was to compare manual segmentation and semiautomated segmentation for the quantification of carotid HSPs using 3D TSE T1-BB VWI. Twenty cervical carotid plaque lesions in 19 patients with a plaque contrast ratio of > 1.3 compared to adjacent muscle were studied. Using the mean voxel value for the adjacent muscle multiplied by 1.3 as a threshold value, the semiautomated software exclusively segmented and measured the HSP volume. Manual and semiautomated HSP volumes were well correlated (r = 0.965). Regarding reproducibility, the inter-rater ICC was 0.959 (bias: 24.63, 95% limit of agreement: −96.07, 146.35) for the manual method and 0.998 (bias: 15.2, 95% limit of agreement: −17.83, 48.23) for the semiautomated method, indicating improved reproducibility by the semiautomated method compared to the manual method. The time required for semiautomated segmentation was significantly shorter than that of manual segmentation times (81.7 ± 7.8 s versus 189.5 ± 49.6 s; p < 0.01). The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the semiautomated segmentation method allows for reliable assessment of the HSP volume in patients with carotid plaque lesions, with reduced time and effort for the analysis.
Prevalence of Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Egyptian Patients with Lymphoma: A New Vision
Authors: Elkashef Kholoud A. , Emam Wafaa A. , Mesbah Noha M. , Abo-Elmatty Dina M. , Abdel-Hamed Asmaa R.
Published: April 2022

Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is the absence of HCV RNA in serum and the presence of actively replicating HCV RNA in hepatocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as evidenced by the presence of antigenomic negative sense single-stranded RNA. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OCI in Egyptian lymphoma patients and assess changes in biochemical parameters in patients with confirmed OCI. The current study was conducted on 100 apparently healthy subjects as control group and 100 patients with lymphoma as a case group. HCV RNA was extracted and detected in both plasma and PBMCs using qRT-PCR. Total protein, albumin, ALT, AST, and total and direct bilirubin were measured in serum. OCI was detected in 6% of the patient group. OCI patients had lower levels of total protein and serum albumin and higher ALT and AST compared with lymphoma patients without OCI. Our study revealed that six out of 100 patients with lymphoma disorders had occult HCV infection (6%). Therefore, the possibility of this infection should be considered in patients with lymphoma.
A New Look at Calendar Anomalies: Multifractality and Day-of-the-Week Effect
Authors: Stosic Darko , Stosic Dusan , Vodenska Irena , Stanley H. Eugene , Stosic Tatijana
Published: April 2022

Stock markets can become inefficient due to calendar anomalies known as the day-of-the-week effect. Calendar anomalies are well known in the financial literature, but the phenomena remain to be explored in econophysics. This paper uses multifractal analysis to evaluate if the temporal dynamics of market returns also exhibit calendar anomalies such as day-of-the-week effects. We apply multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) to the daily returns of market indices worldwide for each day of the week. Our results indicate that distinct multifractal properties characterize individual days of the week. Monday returns tend to exhibit more persistent behavior and richer multifractal structures than other day-resolved returns. Shuffling the series reveals that multifractality arises from a broad probability density function and long-term correlations. The time-dependent multifractal analysis shows that the Monday returns’ multifractal spectra are much wider than those of other days. This behavior is especially persistent during financial crises. The presence of day-of-the-week effects in multifractal dynamics of market returns motivates further research on calendar anomalies for distinct market regimes.
Analysis of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge of Cuban Teachers in Primary Schools and Preschools
Authors: Hernández-González Osvaldo , Spencer-Contreras Rosario , Sanz-Cervera Pilar , Tárraga-Mínguez Raúl
Published: April 2022

Teachers’ knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) plays a key role in the successful inclusion of children with ASD in regular schools. The objective of this study was to analyze Cuban teachers’ knowledge of ASD of at inclusive primary schools and preschools and to compare it with the results obtained in previous studies carried out at an international level. To do this, a cross-sectional study was conducted with Cuban teachers from urban and rural areas throughout the country. The sample was selected using a non-probabilistic technique. In total, 131 primary school and preschool teachers participated. Data were collected by applying the Autism Knowledge Questionnaire (AKQ) that measures ASD knowledge. The results indicated that Cuban teachers had an acceptable knowledge regarding ASD (0.57). Primary education teachers (17.58 ± 4.06) showed a higher level of knowledge than preschool teachers (15.35 ± 2.74). Regarding previous training, teachers who claimed to have received some type of specific ASD training (10.88 ± 3.29) made a greater number of errors than teachers who had not received specific training on ASD (8.91 ± 3.06). At the international level, Cuban teachers were observed to have similar knowledge about ASD when compared to active teachers or pre-service teachers from other countries where similar studies have been carried out. The results suggest that the training of Cuban teachers is not yet optimal to educate students with ASD in primary schools and preschools which are open to diversity.
Evaluation of Production of Digital Twins Based on Blockchain Technology
Authors: Nabeeh Nada A. , Abdel-Basset Mohamed , Gamal Abduallah , Chang Victor
Published: April 2022

A blockchain, as a form of distributed ledger technology, represents the unanimity of replication, synchronization, and sharing of data among various geographical sites. Blockchains have demonstrated impressive and effective applications throughout many aspects of the business. Blockchain technology can lead to the advent of the construction of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs involve the real representation of physical devices digitally as a virtual representation of both elements and dynamics prior to the building and deployment of actual devices. DT products can be built using blockchain-based technology in order to achieve sustainability. The technology of DT is one of the emerging novel technologies of Industry 4.0, along with artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Therefore, the present study adopts intelligent decision-making techniques to conduct a biased analysis of the drivers, barriers, and risks involved in applying blockchain technologies to the sustainable production of DTs. The proposed model illustrates the use of neutrosophic theory to handle the uncertain conditions of real-life situations and the indeterminate cases evolved in decision-makers’ judgments and perspectives. In addition, the model applies the analysis of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods through the use of ordered weighted averaging (OWA) and the Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to achieve optimal rankings for DT production providers based on consistent weighted decision-maker’s judgments in order to maintain and to assure sustainability. An empirical study is applied to the uncertain environment to aid decision-makers in achieving ideal decisions for DT providers with respect to various DT challenges, promoting sustainability and determining the best service providers. The Monte Carlo simulation method is used to illustrate, predict, and forecast the importance of the weights of decision-makers’ judgments as well as the direct impact on the sustainability of DT production.
Very Low-Noise Figure HTSC RF Front-End
Authors: Holdengreber Eldad , Mizrahi Moshe , Citron Noy , Schacham Shmuel E. , Farber Eliyahu
Published: April 2022

A very low noise figure radio frequency (RF) front-end for the cellular realm is presented. The front-end is composed of two planar YBCO high critical temperature superconductor (HTSC) bandpass filters (BPFs) and a low temperature, low noise amplifier. Using advanced HTSC growth techniques, 8-pole hairpin BPFs are implemented in a YBCO thin film grown on both sides of a sapphire substrate. The front-end is designed and implemented based on the optimal configuration of the filters derived from advanced electromagnetic simulations. Measured performance at 77 K shows a high-frequency response and very low losses, with an insertion loss of 0.15 dB and a rejection ratio of −93 dBc. The integration of HTSC filters with the low noise amplifier results in a system with superior performance, with a low noise figure of around 0.5 dB. Low insertion loss and the compact dimensions of the filter, along with low total system noise, make the designed superconducting RF front-end highly attractive for radio receivers.
A 1.8 V Low-Power Low-Noise High Tunable Gain TIA for CMOS Integrated Optoelectronic Biomedical Applications
Authors: Di Patrizio Stanchieri Guido , De Marcellis Andrea , Battisti Graziano , Faccio Marco , Palange Elia , Guler Ulkuhan
Published: April 2022

This paper reports on a novel solution for a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) specifically designed as an analog conditioning circuit for low-voltage, low-power, wearable, portable and implantable optoelectronic integrated sensor systems in biomedical applications. The growing use of sensors in all fields of industry, biomedicine, agriculture, environment analysis, workplace security and safety, needs the development of small sensors with a reduced number of electronic components to be easily integrated in the standard CMOS technology. Especially in biomedicine applications, reduced size sensor systems with small power consumption are of paramount importance to make them non-invasive, comfortable tools for patients to be continuously monitored even with personalized therapeutics and/or that can find autonomous level of life using prosthetics. The proposed new TIA architecture has been designed at transistor level in TSMC 0.18 μm standard CMOS technology with the aim to operate with nanoampere input pulsed currents that can be generated, for example, by Si photodiodes in optical sensor systems. The designed solution operates at 1.8 V single supply voltage with a maximum power consumption of about 36.1 μW and provides a high variable gain up to about 124 dBΩ (with fine- and coarse-tuning capabilities) showing wide bandwidth up to about 1.15 MHz and low-noise characteristics with a minimum noise floor level down to about 0.39 pA/Hz. The overall circuit is described in detail, and its main characteristics and performances have been analyzed by performing accurate post-layout simulations.
Biogas and Biomethane Production and Usage: Technology Development, Advantages and Challenges in Europe
Authors: Pavičić Josipa , Novak Mavar Karolina , Brkić Vladislav , Simon Katarina
Published: April 2022

In line with the low-carbon strategy, the EU is expected to be climate-neutral by 2050, which would require a significant increase in renewable energy production. Produced biogas is directly used to produce electricity and heat, or it can be upgraded to reach the “renewable natural gas”, i.e., biomethane. This paper reviews the applied production technology and current state of biogas and biomethane production in Europe. Germany, UK, Italy and France are the leaders in biogas production in Europe. Biogas from AD processes is most represented in total biogas production (84%). Germany is deserving for the majority (52%) of AD biogas in the EU, while landfill gas production is well represented in the UK (43%). Biogas from sewage sludge is poorly presented by less than 5% in total biogas quantities produced in the EU. Biomethane facilities will reach a production of 32 TWh in 2020 in Europe. There are currently 18 countries producing biomethane (Germany and France with highest share). Most of the European plants use agricultural substrate (28%), while the second position refers to energy crop feedstock (25%). Sewage sludge facilities participate with 14% in the EU, mostly applied in Sweden. Membrane separation is the most used upgrading technology, applied at around 35% of biomethane plants. High energy prices today, and even higher in the future, give space for the wider acceptance of biomethane use.
New Insights into Abnormal Combustion Phenomena Induced by Diesel Spray-Wall Impingement under Engine-Relevant Conditions
Authors: Li Zhijie , Pan Jie , Li Wei , Wang Xiangting , Wei Haiqiao , Pan Jiaying
Published: April 2022

High altitude and low temperature is the common extreme environment for internal combustion engines. Under such operating conditions, heavy-duty diesel engines often suffer from serious abnormal combustion, such as knocking combustion, which results in piston crown breakdown and cylinder head erosion. Spray-wall impingement and pool fires are considered potential causes; however, the detailed mechanism remains poorly understood owing to the lack of research data. In this study, for the first time, the destructive abnormal combustion induced by diesel spray-wall impingement was identified using an optical rapid compression machine under engine-relevant conditions at high altitudes. Combining instantaneous pressure and temperature measurements with simultaneously recorded high-speed photography gives useful insights into understanding the detailed combustion processes. The experimental results show that depending on the extent of diesel spray-wall impingement, supersonic detonation-like reaction fronts featuring bright luminosity can be observed. The propagation of these reaction fronts in-cylinder results in severe pressure oscillations with an amplitude approaching hundreds of atmospheres, which is like the super-knock events in boosted direct-injection spark-ignition engines. Further parametric analysis indicates that the interplay between the diffusion combustion controlled by diesel spray and the premixed combustion dominated by attached film evaporation results in the formation of abnormal combustion. Destructive reaction fronts tend to occur at a prolonged ignition delay time, which facilitates the mixing between diesel evaporation and hot air.
SOC Balancing and Coordinated Control Based on Adaptive Droop Coefficient Algorithm for Energy Storage Units in DC Microgrid
Authors: Tian Guizhen , Zheng Yuding , Liu Guangchen , Zhang Jianwei
Published: April 2022

In order to achieve a state-of-charge (SOC) balance among multiple energy storage units (MESUs) in an islanded DC microgrid, a SOC balancing and coordinated control strategy based on the adaptive droop coefficient algorithm for MESUs is proposed. When the SOC deviation is significant, the droop coefficient for an energy storage unit (ESU) with a higher (or lower) SOC is set to a minimum value when discharging (or charging). The ESU with the higher (or lower) SOC is controlled to discharge (or charge) with the rated power, while the other ESU compensates for the remaining power when the demanded discharging (or charging) power is greater than the rated power of the individual ESU. Otherwise, when the demanded discharging (or charging) power is lower than the rated power of either ESU, the ESU with the higher (or lower) SOC releases (or absorbs) almost all the required power while the other ESU barely absorbs or releases power, thus quickly realizing SOC balancing. When the SOC deviation is slight, the fuzzy logic algorithm dynamically adjusts the droop coefficient and changes the power distribution relationship to balance the SOC accurately. Furthermore, a bus voltage recovery control scheme is employed to regulate the bus voltage, thus improving the voltage quality. The energy coordinated management strategy is adopted to ensure the power balance and stabilize the bus voltage in the DC microgrid. A simulation model is built in MATLAB/Simulink, and the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in achieving fast and accurate SOC balance and regulating the bus voltage.
Advantage of a Thermoelectric Generator with Hybridization of Segmented Materials and Irregularly Variable Cross-Section Design
Authors: Zhang Ye-Qi , Sun Jiao , Wang Guang-Xu , Wang Tian-Hu
Published: April 2022

As a direct energy converter between heat and electricity, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have potential applications including recovery of waste heat, and solar thermoelectric power generation. Geometric parameter and material are two critical factors to improve the TEG performance. However, the strategies base on structure design and material development are always separated. There are limited studies on the effects of consolidating them simultaneously. Here, an idea of segmented material coupled with irregularly variable cross-section design was conceived to further improve the TEG output power. The performance of TEGs with rectangular leg, segmented leg, variable cross-sectional leg, and the new design are compared. The coupling effects between various mechanisms are revealed, which are responsible for the superior performance provided by the developed design. Based on this knowledge, a multiparameters optimization was performed through the genetic algorithm to reach the optimal combination of design parameters. The results show that, with a constraint of certain material volume, the optimal performance of the TEG can be further enhanced by coupling segmented material and irregularly variable cross-section design. An improvement of 51.71% was achieved when compared with the conventional counterpart. This work offers a simple route to enhance the TEG performance when the device materials are specified, without an increase in the cost of manufacturing.
Monitoring and Automation of Complex Power Systems
Authors: Pau Marco , Pegoraro Paolo Attilio
Published: April 2022

This Special Issue aims at collecting new research contributions and perspectives on the topic of the monitoring and automation of modern power systems [...]
Genome-Wide Investigation of the MiR166 Family Provides New Insights into Its Involvement in the Drought Stress Responses of Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)
Authors: Tian Caiyun , Zhou Chengzhe , Zhu Chen , Chen Lan , Shi Biying , Lin Yuling , Lai Zhongxiong , Guo Yuqiong
Published: April 2022

MicroRNA166 (miR166) is a highly conserved plant miRNA that plays a crucial role in plant growth and the resistance to various abiotic stresses. However, the miR166s in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) have not been comprehensively identified and analyzed. This study identified 30 mature miR166s and twelve pre-miR166s in tea plants. An evolutionary analysis revealed that csn-miR166s originating from the 3′ arm of their precursors were more conserved than the csn-miR166s derived from the 5′ arm of their precursors. The twelve pre-miR166s in tea were divided into two groups, with csn-MIR166 Scaffold364-2 separated from the other precursors. The Mfold-based predictions indicated that the twelve csn-MIR166s formed typical and stable structures comprising a stem-loop hairpin, with minimum free energy ranging from −110.90 to −71.80 kcal/mol. An analysis of the CsMIR166 promoters detected diverse cis-acting elements, including those related to light responses, biosynthesis and metabolism, abiotic stress defenses, and hormone responses. There was no one-to-one relationship between the csn-miR166s and their targets, but most csn-miR166s targeted HD-Zip III genes. Physiological characterization of tea plants under drought stress showed that leaf water content proportionally decreased with the aggravation of drought stress. In contrast, tea leaves’ malondialdehyde (MDA) content proportionally increased. Moreover, the cleavage site of the ATHB-15-like transcript was identified according to a modified 5′ RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The RT-qPCR data indicated that the transcription of nine csn-miR166s was negatively correlated with their target gene.
Whole Body Vibrations during Fully Mechanised Logging
Authors: Staněk Luboš , Mergl Václav
Published: April 2022

This paper seeks to answer the question of whether the magnitude of vibrations affecting the whole body of the harvester operator (WBV) that are generated by the harvester boom is affected by the size of the processed trunk volume, to specify closer, the magnitude of WBVs generated during forest logging, and to localise these WBVs in individual partial operations. For these purposes, the production process, i.e., forest logging, was divided into six partial operations (Searching; Felling; Processing; Unproductive time; Machine movement; Stationary position). WBVs were scanned in the respective partial operations according to standard ISO 2631-1:1997 and the European Directive 2002/44/EC, and then the values were mutually compared. Volumes of processed trunks were recorded, which were then assigned to the given WBV during the respective operations. Research results did not demonstrate a correlation between the size of the transmitted vibrations and the volumes of cut trunks in the partial work operations of Felling and Processing. Neither a difference was found between the individual partial operations with two exceptions: Searching and Felling/Processing and Unproductive time. The research further showed that the average WBV of three partial operations did not meet the daily limit of 0.50 m/s2 permitted by European Directive 2002/44/EC, within a range from 12.20% to 27.02%.
Nanofiber Polymers for Coating Titanium-Based Biomedical Implants
Authors: Nhlapo Nthabiseng , Dzogbewu Thywill Cephas , de Smidt Olga
Published: April 2022

The excellent combination of properties has seen a steep increase in the demand for titanium (Ti)-based material as biomedical implant devices. However, some features that promote biocompatibility are found to be lacking in Ti implants. The use of polymer nanofiber (NF) coating on the surfaces of the implants has been proven to remedy these setbacks. In particular, electrospun NFs are versatile as natural extracellular matrix mimics and as facilitators in the biocompatibility function of Ti-based implants. Therefore, various properties of Ti implants coated with polymer NFs and the correlations among these properties are explored in this review. Synthetic polymers are favorable in tissue engineering applications because they are biocompatible and have low toxicity and degradation rates. Several approved synthetic polymers and polymer hybrids have been electrospun onto Ti implant surfaces to successfully improve the biomedical applicability of the implants with regard to their physical (including diameter and porosity), chemical (including corrosion resistance), mechanical (including elastic modulus, strength and ductility) and biological properties (including tissue integration, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity).
Length-Weight Relationships of 52 Species from the South of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Falsone Fabio , Geraci Michele Luca , Scannella Danilo , Gancitano Vita , Di Maio Federico , Sardo Giacomo , Quattrocchi Federico , Vitale Sergio
Published: April 2022

The Length-Weight relationships (LWRs) of 52 species (14 never reported before) of fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods living on the shelf and upper slope off Southern Sicily are provided. Data were collected in the framework of the International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS) in the South of Sicily (Central Mediterranean), covering a time frame ranging from 2012 to 2019. Linear regressions were significant for all species (p < 0.05) with R2 values ranging from 0.86 to 0.99. The intercept (a) of LWRs ranged from 0.0003 to 0.4677, while the slope (b) ranged from 2.1281 to 3.306. The Welch t-test, used to evaluate differences between the obtained LWRs with those reported in the literature, revealed that most of the LWRs (about 55%) reported in this study are in disagreement with those obtained previously by other authors from the Strait of Sicily. It is expected that the results obtained from this study will contribute to filling the knowledge gap of fish populations in this area and also assist fisheries scientists in future stock assessment studies.
Analysis of Key Chemical Components in Aqueous Extract Sediments of Panax Ginseng at Different Ages
Authors: Qu Di , Bo Panpan , Wen Liankui , Sun Yinshi
Published: April 2022

Panax ginseng beverages have been some of the most popular plant drinks among consumers in recent years, but they become turbid and sediment are easily formed during production and marketing, these are some of the key issues that affect the quality of the beverages. In this study, we analysed the physicochemical properties of sediments in aqueous extracts of 3- to 6-year-old ginseng, and by tracing the sediment formation process from 0–40 days, we observed that the sediment was gradually beginning on day 10. The solid content of ginseng aged 5 and 6 years was significantly higher than that of ginseng aged 3 and 4 years. There was no significant difference in the sediment amount sediment in the extracts of ginseng of different ages. The light transmittance of the extracts after centrifugation was significantly higher than before centrifugation. Colour-difference analysis found that there was a significant positive correlation between ginseng age and colour-difference value (ΔE). Chemical composition analysis showed that total sugar and proteins were the main components of the sediment. In addition, ginsenosides, amino acids and minerals were also involved in sediment formation to different degrees. A stepwise regression model was established through principal component analysis (PCA), and the regression equation for predicting the sediment amount was obtained as follows: sediment amount (mg/mL) = 2.906 − 0.126 × CTotal saponins − 0.131 × CFree amino acids.
Response Surface Methods to Optimise Milling Parameters for Spirit Alcohol Production from Irish Wheat Grain
Authors: Morris Sinead , Byrne John L. , Murphy Ben , Whelan Stephen J. , Carroll John P. , Ryan David
Published: April 2022

To standardise research activity and determine alcohol yield from native Irish hard wheat grain, a benchmark approach that reflects Irish industry norms is required. The goal of this study was to optimise milling parameters, grain particle size, and grain to liquid ratio towards developing a standard process. Hard wheat (Triticum avestivum cv. Costello) was used in this study. Experiments utilised a response surface method approach. When both 30 and 35 g of flour were used at a particle size of 0.2 mm, alcohol yield was >350 L of alcohol per tonne of grain (LA/tonne), but with a particle size of 0.65 and 1.1 mm, alcohol yield decreased to between 250 and 300 LA/tonne. It was noted that, during response surface study, >300 LA/tonne was achieved when grain amounts were >25 g, at a particle size of 0.2 mm; therefore, a follow-up experiment was conducted to determine whether there was a significant difference in grain amounts ranging from 25 to 35 g. During this experiment, no significant difference in alcohol yield was observed between 30 and 35 g of grain. Because there were no significant differences, the ideal milling parameters for alcohol yield were determined to be 30 g of flour with a particle size of 0.2 mm, achieving 389.5 LA/tonne. This study concludes that hard wheat can successfully be used for alcohol production, achieving >380 LA/tonne, when a milling size of 0.2 mm and more than 30 g of grain are used, and as such presents an opportunity for its increased use in Irish distilleries.
Use of Cocktail of Bacteriophage for Salmonella Typhimurium Control in Chicken Meat
Authors: Aguilera Matías , Martínez Sofía , Tello Mario , Gallardo María José , García Verónica
Published: April 2022

Foodborne diseases are extremely relevant and constitute an area of alert for public health authorities due to the high impact and number of people affected each year. The food industry has implemented microbiological control plans that ensure the quality and safety of its products; however, due to the high prevalence of foodborne diseases, the industry requires new microbiological control systems. One of the main causative agents of diseases transmitted by poultry meat is the bacterium Salmonella enterica. Disinfectants, antibiotics, and vaccines are used to control this pathogen. However, they have not been efficient in the total elimination of these bacteria, with numerous outbreaks caused by this bacterium observed today, in addition to the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The search for new technologies to reduce microbial contamination in the poultry industry continues to be a necessity and the use of lytic bacteriophages is one of the new solutions. In this study, 20 bacteriophages were isolated for Salmonella spp. obtained from natural environments and cocktails composed of five of them were designed, where three belonged to the Siphoviridae family and two to the Microviridae family. This cocktail was tested on chicken meat infected with Salmonella Typhimurium at 10 °C, where it was found that this cocktail was capable of decreasing 1.4 logarithmic units at 48 h compared to the control.
Molecular Evolutionary Rate Predicts Intraspecific Genetic Polymorphism and Species-Specific Selection
Authors: Wu Jiaqi , Yonezawa Takahiro , Kishino Hirohisa
Published: April 2022

It is unknown what determines genetic diversity and how genetic diversity is associated with various biological traits. In this work, we provide insight into these issues. By comparing genetic variation of 14,671 mammalian gene trees with thousands of individual human, chimpanzee, gorilla, mouse, and dog/wolf genomes, we found that intraspecific genetic diversity can be predicted by long-term molecular evolutionary rates rather than de novo mutation rates. This relationship was established during the early stage of mammalian evolution. Moreover, we developed a method to detect fluctuations of species-specific selection on genes based on the deviations of intraspecific genetic diversity predicted from long-term rates. We showed that the evolution of epithelial cells, rather than connective tissue, mainly contributed to morphological evolution of different species. For humans, evolution of the immune system and selective sweeps caused by infectious diseases are the most representative examples of adaptive evolution.
Methodologies for the De novo Discovery of Transposable Element Families
Authors: Storer Jessica , Hubley Robert , Rosen Jeb , Smit Arian
Published: April 2022

The discovery and characterization of transposable element (TE) families are crucial tasks in the process of genome annotation. Careful curation of TE libraries for each organism is necessary as each has been exposed to a unique and often complex set of TE families. De novo methods have been developed; however, a fully automated and accurate approach to the development of complete libraries remains elusive. In this review, we cover established methods and recent developments in de novo TE analysis. We also present various methodologies used to assess these tools and discuss opportunities for further advancement of the field.
Estimating Water Content in Water–Oil Mixtures and Porous MEDIA They Saturate: Joint Interpretation of NMR Relaxometry and Dielectric Spectroscopy
Authors: Shumskayte Mariya , Mezin Andrey , Chernova Elena , Burukhina Aleksandra , Golikov Nikita , Melkozerova Svetlana
Published: April 2022

This article deals with the topical problem of estimating water content in water–oil mixtures within porous media they saturate, according to low-field NMR relaxometry and dielectric spectroscopy. The aim of the research is experimental validation of the capability of complex data interpretation to acquire information on the filtration-volumetric properties of drill cuttings, relaxation characteristics of oil-containing fluids, the water/oil ratio in water–oil mixtures, and their saturation of drill cuttings to control the composition of liquids produced from boreholes. The studies are carried out on samples of cuttings and oils taken from fields in the Northern regions of the West Siberian oil-and-gas province, where NMR studies have not been performed before. Based on the experimental data obtained, the possibility of water content assessment in water-in-oil mixtures and porous media they saturate were proved through NMR relaxometry. With the use of the proposed methodology, the amount of water in oil–water mixtures was established, and their main NMR characteristics were determined. The relative error in evaluating the proportion of water in mixtures based on high-viscosity oils is less than 10%, and about 20% for those based on light oils. When determining the oil–water ratio in the pore space of the drill cuttings, the error is about 15%. It was proven that joint use of these two techniques makes it possible to increase the reliability of the oil–water ratio assessment of all the samples studied. Furthermore, it was revealed that the NMR spectrum shifts to the right, and the spectrum of the complex permittivity shifts downwards during the transition from high-viscosity oils to light ones.
The Use of Virtual Therapy in Cardiac Rehabilitation of Male Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Jóźwik Sandra , Wrzeciono Adam , Cieślik Błażej , Kiper Paweł , Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna , Gajda Robert
Published: April 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy (VRT) in the treatment of anxiety–depressive disorders and in reducing stress levels in a group of men with coronary heart disease (CHD) participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The study included 34 men with CHD who were assigned to the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). CR in the EG was supported by 8 VRT sessions, while CR in the CG was supplemented with 8 SAT sessions. Anxiety–depressive disorders were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Perceived stress was assessed using the Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). In the EG, all measured parameters improved after the intervention. Significant reductions in HADS total score, the HADS-A, general stress score, emotional tension, and the external stress were obtained. In the CG, a deterioration in all measured parameters was observed. Significant changes were obtained in the general stress score and intrapsychic stress. The analysis between groups showed that the effectiveness of psychological interventions significantly differed between groups. The study results confirmed that supplementing standard CR with VRT leads to an improvement in the mental state of the patients and thus has a positive effect on the course of CR. However, the small sample size and high withdrawal rate prompt cautious interpretation of the results.
The Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) Use among Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Therapy Programme in Hospital Taiping, Malaysia
Authors: Choo Ling Ling , Ahmad Zahari Muhammad Muhsin , Choy Seng Kit , Abdul Rahim Naemah , Abd Rashid Rusdi
Published: April 2022

Ketum use is significantly prevalent amongst individuals in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of Ketum use in individuals who are in the Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) Programme at the Hospital Taiping. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the methadone clinic at the Hospital Taiping. The study instruments used were Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) questionnaire, and Kratom Dependence Scale (KDS). A total of 215 subjects were recruited for this study. The prevalence of ketum users was 49.3% (n = 106). Chinese and Indian ethnicity had a lower tendency to use ketum compared to Malay ethnicity, with OR = 0.386 (95% CI 0.134, 1.113) and 0.119 (95% CI 0.035, 0.408), respectively. Individuals who used other illicit drugs had a higher tendency to use ketum with the adjusted OR = 9.914 (95% CI: 1.109, 88.602). Every one unit increase in SOWS increased the odds of being a ketum user by 1.340 (95% CI: 1.070, 1.677), whereas every one unit increase in duration in the MMT programme reduced the odds of being a ketum user by 0.990 (95% CI: 0.982, 0.998). Ketum use is prevalent amongst those in the MMT programme in this study. The high prevalence of ketum use is of concern and further interventions should be carried out to address this.
Usefulness of Novel Atherogenic Lipid Indices for the Evaluation of Metabolic Status Leading to Coronary Heart Disease in a Real-World Survey of the Japanese Population
Authors: Matsunaga Isamu , Ando Miyuki , Tsubakimoto Yuki , Nagasawa Miyuki , Kurumi Yoshimasa
Published: April 2022

We evaluated the usefulness of two novel cholesterol-triglyceride subgroup (CTS) indices, CTSqlt and CTSqnt, that potentially reflect the metabolic status regarding risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) using a retrospective longitudinal study of the Japanese general population. We recruited 12,373 individuals from the annual users of our healthcare center. Among them, the first onset of CHD was recorded in 131 individuals between April 2014 and March 2020. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses for all normalized lipid indices revealed that the CTSqnt index showed a comparable hazard ratio for the CHD outcome to non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nonHDL-c) and triglycerides. The HR of the CTSqlt index was significantly lower than for CTSqnt, but still comparable to that for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). In comparison with the other indices, CTSqlt is more sensitive to risk increment while the index value increases. Linear regression analyses for the CTS indices and previously known lipid indices suggest that the CTSqnt and CTSqlt indices reflect the quantity of atherogenic lipoproteins and particle size (quality) of smaller and denser LDLs, respectively. Furthermore, the CTSqnt/HDL-c index can be used as a comprehensive risk indicator that may represent the status of lipid metabolism determined by the CTSqlt and CTSqnt indices and thus may be useful for screening. The CTS indices can be used to evaluate the metabolic status of individuals, which may increase the risk of future CHD.
Plant Growth and Chemical Properties of Commercial Biochar- versus Peat-Based Growing Media
Authors: Glaser Bruno , Asomah Angela Amma Asieduaa
Published: April 2022

Peatlands have been irreversibly destroyed by draining and mining for horticulture, in the course of which tremendous amounts of greenhouse gasses were released into the atmosphere. To avoid this in the future, sustainable alternatives are urgently needed to substitute peat as growing media. An appropriate alternative could be biochar, because it has beneficial effects on nutrient availability and retention, water holding capacity, and organic matter stability. In this study, we compared three different commercially available biochar-containing growing media (Palaterra, Sonnenerde, Terra Magica) with three commercially available peat-based growing media (CompoSana, Dehner die leichte, Dehner mit Vorratsdünger), in a randomized greenhouse pot experiment. Pure sand was used as a control and, to test a potential amount effect, we mixed the used growing media with increasing amounts of pure sand (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 volume % of individual growing media). The consecutive yields of several agronomically relevant cereals (barley, wheat, and maize) were measured in the mixtures mentioned previously. Additionally, the contents of biochar, amino sugar, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in each pure growing media before and after the growth experiments. Only Sonnenerde exhibited an increased plant yield of 30–40% compared with peat-based growing media. The growing media exhibited no significant differences of chemical soil properties during the experiment. Only slight tendencies are recognizable towards higher fungal community in biochar- and peat-based growing media. A clear fungi contribution was observed in Palaterra, most probably due to the fact that fungi was a production ingredient. Surprisingly, peat-based growing media also contained about 30 g kg−1 black carbon, a polycondensed aromatic carbon typical for biochar. Overall, our results indicated that biochar-containing growing media, especially Sonnenerde, is a potential alternative for peat-based growing media in horticulture and can enhance degraded soils.
Assessment of Physicochemical, Microbiological and Toxicological Hazards at an Illegal Landfill in Central Poland
Authors: Szulc Justyna , Okrasa Małgorzata , Nowak Adriana , Nizioł Joanna , Ruman Tomasz , Kuberski Sławomir
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to assess the physicochemical, microbiological and toxicological hazards at an illegal landfill in central Poland. The research included the analysis of airborne dust (laser photometer), the number of microorganisms in the air, soil and leachate (culture method) and the microbial diversity in the landfill environment (high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina Miseq); the cytotoxicity (PrestoBlue) and genotoxicity (alkaline comet assay) of soil and leachate were tested. Moreover, an analysis of UHPLC-Q-ToF-UHRMS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry) was performed to determine the toxic compounds and microbial metabolites. The PM1 dust fraction constituted 99.89% and 99.99% of total dust and exceeded the threshold of 0.025 mg m−3 at the tested locations. In the air, the total number of bacteria was 9.33 × 101–1.11 × 103 CFU m−3, while fungi ranged from 1.17 × 102 to 4.73 × 102 CFU m−3. Psychrophilic bacteria were detected in the largest number in leachates (3.3 × 104 to 2.69 × 106 CFU mL−1) and in soil samples (8.53 × 105 to 1.28 × 106 CFU g−1). Bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria (42–64.7%), Bacteroidetes (4.2–23.7%), Actinobacteria (3.4–19.8%) and Firmicutes (0.7–6.3%) dominated. In the case of fungi, Basidiomycota (23.3–27.7%), Ascomycota (5.6–46.3%) and Mortierellomycota (3.1%) have the highest abundance. Bacteria (Bacillus, Clostridium, Cellulosimicrobium, Escherichia, Pseudomonas) and fungi (Microascus, Chrysosporium, Candida, Malassezia, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Fusarium, Stachybotrys, Cladosporium, Didymella) that are potentially hazardous to human health were detected in samples collected from the landfill. Tested leachates and soils were characterised by varied cyto/genotoxins. Common pesticides (carbamazepine, prometryn, terbutryn, permethrin, carbanilide, pyrethrin, carbaryl and prallethrin), quaternary ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chlorides), chemicals and/or polymer degradation products (melamine, triphenylphosphate, diphenylphtalate, insect repellent diethyltoluamide, and drugs (ketoprofen)) were found in soil and leachate samples. It has been proven that the tested landfill is the source of the emission of particulate matter; microorganisms (including potential pathogens) and cyto/genotoxic compounds.
Oral Health Status of Adult Dysphagic Patients That Undergo Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Long Term Enteral Feeding
Authors: Lopes Sara , Tavares Vitor , Mascarenhas Paulo , Lopes Marta , Cardote Carolina , Godinho Catarina , Oliveira Cátia , Santos Carla Adriana , Oom Madalena , Grillo-Evangelista José , Fonseca Jorge
Published: April 2022

Background: Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is required to maintain a feeding route when neurological or cancer dysphagia impact oral intake. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health and oral changes of PEG-patients without oral feeding for three months. Methods: Prospective observational study, with a PEG-patients convenience sample. Data were obtained before PEG (T0) and 3 months after gastrostomy (T1). Initial oral hygiene habits were collected through a questionnaire. Intra-oral evaluation was performed using: Plaque Index (IP), Gingival Index (IG), Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMF), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and Attachment Loss (AL). T0 and T1 were compared to evaluate oral health evolution. Results: Thirty-nine patients aged 65.3 ± 17.4 years were included. Initial (T0) oral health was worse than expectable. Between assessments period, oral indexes suffered a general deterioration with statistical relevance to the DMF. The frequency of deep periodontal pockets and attachment loss remained stable. Conclusions: PEG-patients presented poor oral health and insufficient oral hygiene habits, even before gastrostomy. After three months of PEG feeding, oral health suffered a general deterioration. This outcome was probably associated with the absence of oral feeding activity, which is beneficial to oral homeostasis, and further reduced oral hygiene. Improved oral daily care and dental appointments should become part of the PEG-patients follow-up.
Development and Evaluation of a Pioneer School-Based Gifted Education Program (Project GIFT) for Primary and Secondary Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Shek Daniel Tan Lei , Cheung Alan Chi Keung , Hui Anna Na Na , Leung Kim Hung , Cheung Ruby Shui Ha
Published: April 2022

In this study, we used a quasi-experimental research design with pretest and post-test data collected from an experimental group and a control group to investigate changes in students after participating in a school-based gifted education program (Project GIFT) in Hong Kong. There were 3207 successfully matched students (3rd to 9th graders) joining the Level 1 program (for all students) alone or both the Level 1 program and Level 2 program (for gifted students). Participants of the experimental and control groups completed validated measures on creativity, multiple intelligences, gifted characteristics, self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life before and after participating in the program(s). One-way ANCOVA results revealed that students in the experimental groups showed positive changes after joining the program(s), with a greater impact for students joining both Level 1 and Level 2 programs. Students participating in both Level 1 and Level 2 programs displayed significant improvement in creativity, academic performance, logical–mathematical intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, self-efficacy, autonomy, environmental mastery, and personal growth compared to the control counterparts. This study illustrates the benefits of the Level 1 and Level 2 programs in promoting the holistic development of the program participants.