bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational Learning Processes of Traditional Medicinal Knowledge and Socio-Spatial Transformation Dynamics
Authors: Ouma Anne
Published: July 2022

The transfer of traditional knowledge to new generations of traditional medicinal practitioners takes place through place-based intergenerational learning processes, which are increasingly challenged by intensified rural–urban migrations and accelerating biodiversity loss. Research on traditional medicinal knowledge (TMK) has mainly focused on the medicinal properties of different plant species while social, economic, and locational aspects of TMK learning processes have received less attention. The purpose of this article is to contribute to the research field by examining how the learning processes of TMK are affected by on-going socio-spatial transformations in rural and urban parts of the Eastern Lake Victoria region. Urbanization and migration are transforming the learning processes of TMK and affect the ways traditional practitioners are able to transfer TMK to a new generation of practitioners. Based on in-depth interviews, participant observations and focus group discussions with male and female traditional practitioners aged between 30 and 95 from rural and urban settings in Mwanza (Tanzania) and Nyanza (Kenya) in the Eastern Lake Victoria Region. The study analyzes the role of socio-spatial and migration dynamics on major intergenerational forms of learning of TMK (learning in place; being sent; ritual places); health knowledge diffusion and interactions between TMK and formal health systems. Despite some major challenges to the continuity of TMK learning due to increased migration identified by the traditional practitioners, many also saw emerging roles for TMK in primary health care for sustainable livelihoods for the younger generations of men and women in this region.
The Non-solventogenic Clostridium beijerinckii Br21 Produces 1,3-Propanediol From Glycerol With Butyrate as the Main By-Product
Authors: Mermejo Beatriz da Cruz , Bortolucci Jonatã , de Andrade Adalgisa Rodrigues , Reginatto Valeria
Published: July 2022

Ever-increasing biofuel production has raised the supply of glycerol, an abundant waste from ethanolic fermentation and transesterification, for biodiesel production. Glycerol can be a starting material for sustainable production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3 PD), a valued polymer subunit. Here, we compare how Clostridium pasteurianum DSMZ 525, a well-known 1,3-PD-producer, and the non-solventogenic Clostridium beijerinckii Br21 perform during glycerol fermentation. Fermentative assays in 80-, 390-, or 1,100-mM glycerol revealed higher 1,3-PD productivity by DSMZ 525 compared to Br21. The highest 1,3-PD productivities by DSMZ 525 and Br21 were obtained in 390 mM glycerol: 3.01 and 1.70 mM h−1, respectively. Glycerol uptake by the microorganisms differed significantly: C. beijerinckii Br21 consumed 41.1, 22.3, and 16.3%, while C. pasteurianum consumed 93, 44.5, and 14% of the initial glycerol concentration in 80, 390, and 1,100 mM glycerol, respectively. In 1,100 mM glycerol, C. beijerinckii Br21 growth was delayed. Besides 1,3-PD, we detected butyrate and acetate during glycerol fermentation by both strains. However, at 80 mM glycerol, C. beijerinckii Br21 formed only butyrate as the by-product, which could help downstream processing of the 1,3-PD fermentation broth. Therefore, C. beijerinckii Br21, an unexplored biocatalyst so far, can be used to convert glycerol to 1,3-PD and can be applied in biofuel biorefineries.
In vitro Screening of Sunflower Associated Endophytic Bacteria With Plant Growth-Promoting Traits
Authors: Adeleke Bartholomew Saanu , Ayangbenro Ayansina Segun , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: July 2022

Harnessing endophytic microbes as bioinoculants promises to solve agricultural problems and improve crop yield. Out of fifty endophytic bacteria of sunflowers, 20 were selected based on plant growth-promoting. These plant growth-promoting bacteria were identified as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas. The qualitative screening showed bacterial ability to produce hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharide, and solubilize phosphate. The high quantity of siderophore produced by B. cereus T4S was 87.73%. No significant difference was observed in the Bacillus sp. CAL14 (33.83%), S. indicatrix BOVIS40 (32.81%), S. maltophilia JVB5 (32.20%), S. maltophilia PK60 (33.48%), B. subtilis VS52 (33.43%), and P. saponiphilia J4R (33.24%), exhibiting high phosphate-solubilizing potential. S. indicatrix BOVIS40, B. thuringiensis SFL02, B. cereus SFR35, B. cereus BLBS20, and B. albus TSN29 showed high potential for the screened enzymes. Varied IAA production was recorded under optimized conditions. The medium amended with yeast extract yielded high IAA production of 46.43 μg/ml by S. indicatrix BOVIS40. Optimum IAA production of 23.36 and 20.72 μg/ml at 5% sucrose and 3% glucose by S. maltophilia JVB5 and B. cereus T4S were recorded. At pH 7, maximum IAA production of 25.36 μg/ml was obtained by S. indicatrix BOVIS40. All the isolates exhibited high IAA production at temperatures 25, 30, and 37°C. The in vitro seed inoculation enhanced sunflower seedlings compared to the control. Therefore, exploration of copious endophytic bacteria as bioinoculants can best be promising to boost sunflower cultivation.
A Prospective Cohort Study Investigating the Behavioural Development of Bitches in a Guide Dog Training Programme Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally
Authors: Moxon Rachel , Freeman Sarah , Payne Richard , Corr Sandra , England Gary C. W.
Published: July 2022

There are few studies that investigate the effect of neutering bitches before or after puberty. The majority of current literature examining the impact of the timing of neutering on health and behaviour has used age rather than the onset of puberty as the key variable. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the effects of timing of neutering in relation to puberty on behaviour in female dogs reared and trained in an assistance dog programme. The study examined data for bitches neutered before or after puberty to compare scores for six behavioural factors (training and obedience, aggression, fear and anxiety, excitability, attachment and attention-seeking, and social behaviour) measured at 1 and 3 years of age. Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches were neutered before (n= 155) or after (n= 151) puberty. Neutering before or after puberty had no impact on mean scores for the six behavioural factors at 1 or 3 years of age. When examining the change in behavioural factor scores between 1 and 3 years of age, only aggression behavioural factor scores were influenced by neutering before or after puberty. Bitches neutered after puberty were less likely to have aggression factor scores that increased between 1 and 3 years of age (OR = 0.959, 90% CI = 0.924 to 0.995,p= 0.06). However, the majority of bitches scored “0” for aggression at both time points (indicating no aggression behaviours were observed), and the number of bitches for which scores increased between 1 and 3 years of age was low (before puberty = 20, after puberty = 9). This is consistent with very mild aggressive behaviours being observed in a small number of animals and is, therefore, of questionable concern. The results suggest that, for Labrador and Golden Retriever crossbreed bitches, neutering before or after puberty has little to no effect on future behaviour. It is recommended that decisions about the timing of neutering are not informed solely by impacts on behaviour, but that they also consider evidence relating to the impacts on bitch health and well-being.
SARS-CoV-2 and the Missing Link of Intermediate Hosts in Viral Emergence - What We Can Learn From Other Betacoronaviruses
Authors: Schindell Brayden G. , Allardice Meagan , McBride Jessica A.M. , Dennehy Brendan , Kindrachuk Jason
Published: July 2022

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 has resulted in a global pandemic with devastating human health and economic consequences. The development of multiple vaccines, antivirals and supportive care modalities have aided in our efforts to gain control of the pandemic. However, the emergence of multiple variants of concern and spillover into numerous nonhuman animal species could protract the pandemic. Further, these events also increase the difficulty in simultaneously monitoring viral evolution across multiple species and predicting future spillback potential into the human population. Here, we provide historic context regarding the roles of reservoir and intermediate hosts in coronavirus circulation and discuss current knowledge of these for SARS-CoV-2. Increased understanding of SARS-CoV-2 zoonoses are fundamental for efforts to control the global health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Reevaluating Diversity and the History of Women in Soil Science: A Necessary Step for a Real Change
Authors: Reyes-Sánchez Laura Bertha , Irazoque Alejandra
Published: July 2022

Over the last decades, diversity in science has focused on the inclusion of individuals from formerly under-represented backgrounds. While this is important, it can result in reducing the topic to a game of numbers and quotas, but individuals are not numbers. Science today must include all that a human can be, and this means both to include the under-represented and the represented. As a group endeavor, science can only be as good and innovative as the sum of its individuals’ brilliance, because of this, science needs to ensure it has the largest pool of individuals to choose from. In the same sense, now more than ever, soil science faces problems that come from complex causes and require interdisciplinary equally complex solutions, meaning that it requires minds with different perspectives, different skills, and different life histories. Minds that contribute diverse knowledge and visions to the soil’s preservation so that it maintains its properties and ecosystem benefits over time: minds capable of making soil’s sustainable use. While only two aspects of diversity (the recognition of Women and Traditional Knowledge in soil science) were analyzed in this document, is an attempt of broadening the understand of diversity and their fundamental importance to achieve soil sustainability and contribute to reach the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) as has been widely documented in FAO (2010), mentioned in Reyes-Sánchez (2018) and discussed in Dawson et al. (Eur J Soil Sci, 2021, 72, 1929–1939).
An Efficient Parallel Algorithm for Detecting Packet Filter Conflicts
Authors: Lee Chun-Liang , Lin Guan-Yu , Chen Yaw-Chung
Published: July 2022

Advanced network services, such as firewalls, policy-based routing, and virtual private networks, must rely on routers to classify packets into different flows based on packet headers and predefined filter tables. When multiple filters are overlapped, conflicts may occur, leading to ambiguity in the packet classification. Conflict detection ensures the correctness of packet classification and has received considerable attention in recent years. However, most conflict-detection algorithms are implemented on a conventional central processing unit (CPU). Compared with a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU) exhibits higher computing power with parallel computing, hence accelerates the execution speed of conflict detection. In this study, we employed a GPU to develop two efficient algorithms for parallel conflict detection: the general parallel conflict-detection algorithm (the GPCDA) and the enhanced parallel conflict-detection algorithm (the EPCDA). In the GPCDA, we demonstrate how to perform conflict detection through parallel execution on GPU cores. While in the EPCDA, we analyze the critical procedure in conflict detection as to reduce the number of matches required for each filter. In addition, the EPCDA adopts a workload balance method to enable load balancing of GPU execution threads, thereby significantly improving performance. The simulation results show that with the 100 K filter database, the GPCDA and the EPCDA execute conflict detection 2.8 to 13.9 and 9.4 to 33.7 times faster, respectively, than the CPU-based algorithm.
Study on the Actuation Aspects for a Morphing Aileron Using an Energy–Based Design Approach
Authors: De Gaspari Alessandro
Published: July 2022

Evaluating the impact of morphing devices in terms of actuation energy is a promising approach to quantify, from the earliest stages of wing design, the convenience of active camber morphing compared to the use of conventional control surfaces. A morphing wing device consists of an adaptive structure coupled with an actuation system. The starting point for the design of the adaptive structure is a three-dimensional parametric-geometry-representation technique working on the definition of the external morphing shape. The morphing shape is defined to be feasible from the structural point of view and able to meet the aerodynamic design requirements. The new method presented here enables the computation of the actuation energy as a combination of strain energy and external aerodynamic work. The former is the energy required to deform the skin and can be computed in an analytical way, based on the same quantities used by the parameterization technique. The latter is used to compute the energy needed to counteract the external aerodynamic loads during the deformation. This method is applied to the design optimization of a morphing aileron which is installed on a 24 m span wing, starts at 65% of both the chord and the semi-span and extends for one third of the span. A parametric study shows the superiority of the morphing aileron, compared with an equivalent hinged aileron, in terms of energy saving, weight penalty reduction and ease of on-board installation. The morphing aileron is more compact and requires a lower actuation energy combined with a lower deflection, while providing the same roll moment.
Agricultural Vulnerability Assessment of High-Temperature Disaster in Shaanxi Province of China
Authors: Ma Yining , Guga Suri , Xu Jie , Su Yulin , Liu Xingpeng , Tong Zhijun , Zhang Jiquan
Published: July 2022

The negative impact of high-temperature disaster on agricultural production is becoming more and more serious, and reducing the vulnerability to high-temperature disaster is fundamental to achieving sustainable agricultural development. This study is mainly focused on the vulnerability to agricultural high-temperature disaster in Shaanxi Province, China. Firstly, 15 indicators were selected from the perspectives of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptability. Secondly, the combined weighting method (Critic-G1 model) was used to determine the weight of each index. Based on the aforementioned procedures, the Kullback–Leibler (KL)-distance-improved TOPSIS model was utilized to evaluate the vulnerability. Lastly, the obstacle model was used to analyze the influencing factors and to make recommendations for disaster prevention and mitigation. The results show that: (1) The improved TOPSIS model was closer to the results of the synthetical index method. (2) The northern and southern area of Shaanxi is more vulnerable to high-temperature disaster, especially in Ankang and Tongchuan. Low values are distributed in the Guanzhong Plain. (3) Sensitivity is the biggest obstacle to reducing the vulnerability to high-temperature disaster. Among the influencing factors, the meteorological yield reduction coefficient of variation, multiple cropping index and per capita net income of rural residents of the obstacle are high. Decreasing sensitivity should be accompanied by increasing adaptability to improve regional disaster preparedness and mitigation. The results of this study can provide a basis for the development of agricultural high-temperature disaster mitigation and loss reduction strategies and provide new ideas for future research.
Lamiaceae Plants in Bulgarian Rural Livelihoods—Diversity, Utilization, and Traditional Knowledge
Authors: Ivanova Teodora , Bosseva Yulia , Chervenkov Mihail , Dimitrova Dessislava
Published: July 2022

Lamiaceae comprises widely distributed medicinal and aromatic plants, many of which are traditionally used in European countries. The current study aimed to document Lamiaceae taxa used in rural Bulgaria (Southeast Europe) and to explore the related local knowledge and cultural practices that influence their utilization for various purposes. Field work included inventory of Lamiaceae diversity in home gardens and semi-structured interviews focused on the cultivation, collection, and utilization practices common among elderly inhabitants of 34 settlements in rural Bulgaria. We report the utilization of 27 Lamiaceae taxa, 9 of which were collected from the wild. Traditional and contemporary ways of utilizing Lamiaceae taxa as culinary and medicinal plants, in herbal teas, as repellents, ritual plants, etc., are presented. Recent knowledge on medicinal properties contributed to the introduction of new taxa in gardens (wild and cultivated), while traditional culinary practices were found to sustain the diversity of local forms (landraces).
Occupational Dermatitis Treated with Alitretinoin
Authors: Tammaro Antonella , Chello Camilla , Parisella Francesca Romana , Adebanjo Ganiyat Adenike Ralitsa
Published: July 2022

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis is an occupational skin condition which is characterized by a delayed cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction triggered by one or more work-related substances. In this article, we describe a hairdresser who presented with occupational allergic contact dermatitis and was treated with alitretinoin. It is important to emphasize the value of early diagnosis and treatment of occupational contact dermatitis as this allows us to tackle the physical, psychosocial and cost-related burdens that this disorder brings.
Does Feeding Management Make a Difference to Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Horses Reared for Meat Production?
Authors: Raspa Federica , Tarantola Martina , Muca Edlira , Bergero Domenico , Soglia Dominga , Cavallini Damiano , Vervuert Ingrid , Bordin Clara , De Palo Pasquale , Valle Emanuela
Published: July 2022

Horses reared for meat production are generally fed a diet rich in starch with the aim of maximizing production performances. This study evaluated the effects of two feeding management systems on horse welfare by analysing the relative time spent engaged in different behavioural activities. Nineteen Bardigiano horses aged 14.3 ± 0.7 months were randomly assigned to one of two group pens: one group was fed high amounts of starch-rich concentrates (HCG; n = 10), the other was fed a fibre-based diet (HFG; n = 9). Behavioural activities performed by each horse were video-recorded over a 96-h period. A scan sampling process (n = 144 scans/horse/day; total n of scans sampled = 10,368) was used, and the scans were analysed according to a specific ethogram. The mean frequency (%/24 h) spent exhibiting each behavioural activity was calculated to obtain the time budget. After checking for normality (Shapiro–Wilk test), Student’s t tests (normally distributed data) and Mann–Whitney tests (not normally distributed data) were used to compare the time budgets of the two groups of horses (HCG vs. HFG). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify the components explaining the variability in behavioural activities between the two groups. K-means cluster analysis subsequently confirmed the PCA results. The behavioural activities associated with feeding horses a fibre-based diet correlated with better horse welfare compared with feeding horses a starch-based diet. Feeding horses a fibre-based diet resulted advantageous from both the welfare and economic perspective; it allowed horses to spend more time expressing feeding behaviours and reduced energy expenditure in the form of excitable, or “fizzy”, behaviours.
Breeding Sustainable Beef Cows: Reducing Weight and Increasing Productivity
Authors: Snelling Warren M. , Thallman R. Mark , Spangler Matthew L. , Kuehn Larry A.
Published: July 2022

Programs for sustainable beef production are established, but the specific role of beef cows in these systems is not well defined. This work characterized cows for two traits related to sustainability, cow weight (CW) and cumulative weight weaned (WtW). Cow weight indicates nutrient requirements and enteric methane emissions. Cumulative weight weaned reflects reproductive performance and avoidance of premature culling for characteristics related to animal health, welfare, and worker safety. Both traits were evaluated with random regression models with records from a crossbred population representing 18 breeds that conduct US national cattle evaluations. The genomic REML analyses included additive and dominance components, with relationships among 22,776 animals constructed from genotypes of 181,286 potentially functional variants imputed from a low-pass sequence. Projected to 8 years of age, the additive heritability estimate for CW was 0.57 and 0.11 for WtW. Dominance heritability was 0.02 for CW and 0.19 for WtW. Many variants with significant associations with CW were within previously described quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth-related production, meat, and carcass traits. Significant additive WtW variants were covered by QTL for traits related to reproduction and structural soundness. All breeds contributed to groups of cows with high and low total genetic values (additive + dominance effects) for both traits. The high WtW cows and cows above the WtW mean but below the CW mean had larger heterosis values and fewer bases in runs of homozygosity. The high additive heritability of CW and dominance effects on WtW indicate that breeding to improve beef cow sustainability should involve selection to reduce CW and mate selection to maintain heterosis and reduce runs of homozygosity.
Research on Chengdu Ma Goat Recognition Based on Computer Vison
Authors: Pu Jingyu , Yu Chengjun , Chen Xiaoyan , Zhang Yu , Yang Xiao , Li Jun
Published: July 2022

The Chengdu ma goat is an excellent local breed in China. As one of the breeds listed in the National List of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Protection, the protection of its germplasm resources is particularly important. However, the existing breeding and protection methods for them are relatively simple, due to the weak technical force and lack of intelligent means to assist. Most livestock farmers still conduct small-scale breeding in primitive ways, which is not conducive to the breeding and protection of Chengdu ma goats. In this paper, an automatic individual recognition method for Chengdu ma goats is proposed, which saves labor costs and does not depend on large-scale mechanized facilities. The main contributions of our work are as follows: (1) a new Chengdu ma goat dataset is built, which forms the basis for object detection and classification tasks; (2) an improved detection algorithm for Chengdu ma goats based on TPH-YOLOv5 is proposed, which is able to accurately localize goats in high-density scenes with severe scale variance of targets; (3) a classifier incorporating a self-supervised learning module is implemented to improve the classification performance without increasing the labeled data and inference computation overhead. Experiments show that our method is able to accurately recognize Chengdu ma goats in the actual indoor barn breeding environment, which lays the foundation for precision feeding based on sex and age.
Conifer Needle Phyllosphere as a Potential Passive Monitor of Bioaerosolised Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: George Paul B. L. , Leclerc Samantha , Turgeon Nathalie , Veillette Marc , Duchaine Caroline
Published: July 2022

Monitoring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is vital to the One Health approach to tackling the antibiotic resistance crisis. It has been suggested that conifer needles can be used as passive bioaerosol samplers. Here, the use of conifer needles as biomonitors of ARGs in bioaerosols was assessed as a proof-of-concept. Needles were collected from trees surrounding pig farms, villages, and forest sites in Québec, Canada. Needles were homogenised and DNA was extracted. Results of qPCR analyses showed biomass estimates were consistent across samples. Number and quantity of ARGs was significantly lower in forest sites when compared to the farm and village, comprising a distinct resistome. Consistent with previous findings, the most common ARGs were tetracyclines and sulfonamides, which were found close to agricultural activities. Although results were limited, there is great potential for using the conifer phyllosphere as a passive bioaerosol sampler. This method represents an accessible way to promote ARG surveillance over long distances from point sources.
Preventative Effects of Antioxidants against PM10 on Serum IgE Concentration, Mast Cell Counts, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers in DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Mouse Model
Authors: Kwack Mi Hee , Bang Jin Seon , Lee Weon Ju
Published: July 2022

Particulate matter (PM) can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and skin aging. We investigated the effects of antioxidants such as dieckol, punicalagin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, and Siegesbeckiae Herba extract (SHE) against PM < 10 μm (PM10) on serum IgE concentration, mast cell counts, inflammatory cytokines, and keratinocyte differentiation markers in a 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis mouse model. Seven-week-old BALB/c mice were sensitized with 2% DNCB. Atopic dermatitis-like lesions were induced on the mice with 0.2% DNCB. Antioxidants and PM10 were applied to the mice for 4 weeks. PM10 increased the serum IgE concentration and spleen weight in mice, and all antioxidants downregulated these parameters. Histological examination showed an increase in epidermal thickness and mast cell counts in response to PM10, and all antioxidants showed a decrease. PM10 upregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17α, IL-25, IL-31 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in mice, and all antioxidants inhibited the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines. ELISA showed the same results as real-time PCR. PM10 downregulates the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, including loricrin and filaggrin, in mouse keratinocytes and antioxidants prevented the downregulation of the keratinocyte differentiation markers. Conclusively, PM10 aggravated the DNCB-induced mouse model in serum IgE concentration, mast cell counts, inflammatory cytokine, and keratinocyte differentiation markers. In addition, antioxidants modulated changes in the DNCB-induced mouse model caused by PM10.
Oxidative Stress and Human Ovarian Response—From Somatic Ovarian Cells to Oocytes Damage: A Clinical Comprehensive Narrative Review
Authors: Immediata Valentina , Ronchetti Camilla , Spadaro Daria , Cirillo Federico , Levi-Setti Paolo Emanuele
Published: July 2022

Basic scientific research on human reproduction and oxidative damage has been extensively performed; however, a more clinical view is still lacking. As a result, exhaustive data on the influence of oxidative stress on human ovarian response and, consequently, on fertility are still lacking. This narrative review aims at summarizing the role of oxidative stress in different conditions associated to female infertility and to list some of the main antioxidant agents. A systematic literature search was performed in May 2022 to retrieve studies regarding the oxidative stress and the human ovarian response from somatic ovarian cells to oocytes damage. Only human studies were included and the authors focused their review, in particular, on clinical implications in order to define a new research perspective on the assessment of any eventual strategy to preserve women’s fertility. Thereby, the authors evaluated the contribution of DNA repair pathways in improving women’s fertility by reducing the DNA damage associated with aging or diseases, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome, and eventually, in prolonging the reproductive lifespan after cancer treatment.
Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes: The Case for Future Pediatric Redoxomics Studies
Authors: Alu Stephanie N. , Los Evan A. , Ford George A. , Stone William L.
Published: July 2022

Considerable evidence supports the role of oxidative stress in adult type 2 diabetes (T2D). Due to increasing rates of pediatric obesity, lack of physical activity, and consumption of excess food calories, it is projected that the number of children living with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and T2D will markedly increase with enormous worldwide economic costs. Understanding the factors contributing to oxidative stress and T2D risk may help develop optimal early intervention strategies. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress, triggered by excess dietary fat consumption, causes excess mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide emission in skeletal muscle, alters redox status, and promotes insulin resistance leading to T2D. The pathophysiological events arising from excess calorie-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production are complex and not yet investigated in children. Systems medicine is an integrative approach leveraging conventional medical information and environmental factors with data obtained from “omics” technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. In adults with T2D, systems medicine shows promise in risk assessment and predicting drug response. Redoxomics is a branch of systems medicine focusing on “omics” data related to redox status. Systems medicine with a complementary emphasis on redoxomics can potentially optimize future healthcare strategies for adults and children with T2D.
GAN-Based Image Dehazing for Intelligent Weld Shape Classification and Tracing Using Deep Learning
Authors: Singh Abhilasha , Kalaichelvi Venkatesan , DSouza Ashlyn , Karthikeyan Ram
Published: July 2022

Weld seam identification with industrial robots is a difficult task since it requires manual edge recognition and traditional image processing approaches, which take time. Furthermore, noises such as arc light, weld fumes, and different backgrounds have a significant impact on traditional weld seam identification. To solve these issues, deep learning-based object detection is used to distinguish distinct weld seam shapes in the presence of weld fumes, simulating real-world industrial welding settings. Genetic algorithm-based state-of-the-art object detection models such as Scaled YOLOv4 (You Only Look Once), YOLO DarkNet, and YOLOv5 are used in this work. To support actual welding, the aforementioned architecture is trained with 2286 real weld pieces made of mild steel and aluminum plates. To improve weld detection, the welding fumes are denoised using the generative adversarial network (GAN) and compared with dark channel prior (DCP) approach. Then, to discover the distinct weld seams, a contour detection method was applied, and an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to convert the pixel values into robot coordinates. Finally, distinct weld shape coordinates are provided to the TAL BRABO manipulator for tracing the shapes recognized using an eye-to-hand robotic camera setup. Peak signal-to-noise ratio, the structural similarity index, mean square error, and the naturalness image quality evaluator score are the dehazing metrics utilized for evaluation. For each test scenario, detection parameters such as precision, recall, mean average precision (mAP), loss, and inference speed values are compared. Weld shapes are recognized with 95% accuracy using YOLOv5 in both normal and post-fume removal settings. It was observed that the robot is able to trace the weld seam more precisely.
The Characteristics and Mechanisms of High-Intensity Sound in a High-Speed Multistage Compressor
Authors: Zhao Fengtong , Cui Bo , Liu Haitao , Wu Fei , Sha Yundong
Published: July 2022

An experiment with a multistage high-speed compressor is conducted to investigate the high noise with abnormal blade vibration. Different points are selected to monitor the noise in the compressor and the amplitude of blade vibration. The evolution rhythm of sound frequency and sound pressure level against speed is captured. The relation between the vibration and the noise is obtained. A research method based on an acoustic analogy is developed to investigate the characteristics and mechanisms of high-intensity sound in a rectangular cavity pipeline. The calculated distribution of the first four-order acoustic mode inside the rectangular cavity pipe is consistent with the results in the literature, and the maximum calculation error of the acoustic mode frequency value is 2.7%, which certifies the effectiveness of the method. A simplified compressor model is established to study the vortex system and the sound field characteristics of this method when high-intensity sound occurs. The results present the motion law of shedding vortices with high-intensity sound, and the calculation error of the frequency corresponding to the high-intensity sound is 3.6%. The “frequency-locked phase-locked” characteristics (i.e., character frequency) keep constant at a range of velocities, showing similarity with the phenomenon obtained in experiment above, and beta mode forms of Parker are captured. The study in the present paper makes a contribution for the cognition of mechanisms with high-intensity sound in aeroengine compressors.
SBNN: A Searched Binary Neural Network for SAR Ship Classification
Authors: Zhu Hairui , Guo Shanhong , Sheng Weixing , Xiao Lei
Published: July 2022

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for ocean surveillance missions requires low latency and light weight inference. This paper proposes a novel small-size Searched Binary Network (SBNN), with network architecture search (NAS) for ship classification with SAR. In SBNN, convolution operations are modified by binarization technologies. Both input feature maps and weights are quantized into 1-bit in most of the convolution computation, which significantly decreases the overall computational complexity. In addition, we propose a patch shift processing, which can adjust feature maps with learnable parameters at spatial level. This process enhances the performance by reducing the information irrelevant to the targets. Experimental results on the OpenSARShip dataset show the proposed SBNN outperforms both binary neural networks from computer vision and CNN-based SAR ship classification methods. In particular, SBNN shows a great advantage in computational complexity.
An Empirical Investigation of the Link between Entrepreneurship Performance and Economic Development: The Case of EU Countries
Authors: Rusu Valentina Diana , Roman Angela , Tudose Mihaela Brîndușa , Cojocaru (Diaconescu) Oana Mirela
Published: July 2022

Theory and practice suggest that entrepreneurship is the engine of economic growth. The speed with which a nation moves from economic growth to economic development depends on the performance of entrepreneurial initiatives. Given the role played by entrepreneurship for the development of an economy, increasing its performance can help the development of national markets and the increase in national competitiveness. The main objective of our paper is to investigate the link between entrepreneurial performance and economic development of countries. The research was carried out on a sample of 27 European Union countries in a period of twelve years. We used panel data regression models. As dependent variables for expressing the economic development, we considered the global competitiveness index and the gross domestic product per capita growth. As independent variables, we used a set of indicators measuring entrepreneurial performance. Our findings highlight the significant role played by increased entrepreneurial performance for enhancing the economic development of EU countries. We also find that some indicators expressing entrepreneurial performance might have different effects on the economy depending on the stage of economic development of countries. Our research provides empirical evidence regarding the need for performant entrepreneurial activities for enhancing economic development.
Incident Angle Dependence of the Waveform of the Polarization-Sensitive Photoresponse in CuSe/Se Thin Film
Authors: Fateev Arseniy E. , Mogileva Tatyana N. , Kogai Vladimir Ya. , Mikheev Konstantin G. , Mikheev Gennady M.
Published: July 2022

The results of studying the waveforms of longitudinal and transverse photocurrent pulses generated in thin, semitransparent CuSe/Se films as a function of the angle of incidence (α) of a femtosecond laser beam at linear and circular polarizations are presented. It has been established that the durations of unipolar longitudinal photocurrent pulses at linear and circular polarizations of laser pumping do not depend on the angle α. It is shown that the evolution of the temporal profile of the helicity-sensitive transverse photocurrent with a change in α strongly depends on polarization. At linear polarization, the shape of the unipolar pulses remains virtually constant; however, at circular polarization, the generation of unipolar and bipolar pulses is possible, with the waveforms strongly depending on the angle α. The influence of the incidence angle on the waveforms of transverse photocurrent pulses is explained by the transformation of linear and circular polarization into an elliptical upon the refraction of light at the air/semitransparent film interface and by the interplay of photocurrents arising due to linear and circular surface photogalvanic effects in the film. The presented findings can be utilized to develop polarization and incidence angle-sensitive photovoltaic devices.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Strength of Dentin Replacement in Complex Posterior Tooth Restoration
Authors: Natsir Nurhayaty , Rahim Farida , Nugroho Juni Jekti , Rovani Christine Anastasia , Syam Syamsiah , Ruslin Muhammad , Saito Takashi , Ou Keng-Liang
Published: July 2022

Due to the increasing interest in direct restoration, there is a need to address the shortcomings of these restorations, mainly by increasing the longevity of complex direct restorations. The present study aimed to evaluate the tensile strength differences in the complex restoration of posterior teeth with dentin replacement constructed by fiber and non-fiber materials. The samples were extracted from the mandibular permanent-molar and prepared using a complex cavity. The cavity was subsequently restored with the centripetal incremental technique using a nano-fill composite and different base materials, namely fiber dentin replacement, non-fiber dentin replacement, and flowable composite. The universal testing machine was used to consider the tensile strength and the fracture patterns were assessed using stereomicroscopy, followed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) examination. The data were statistically analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test. No significant differences were noted in the tensile strength of the three base materials. By using stereomicroscopy and SEM, the adhesive fracture patterns were observed more clearly in the cavities with fiber-based dentin replacement, whereas mixed fracture patterns were evident in cavities with non-fiber dentin replacement and flowable composite bases. The results indicated that the addition of fiber in dentin replacement did not affect the tensile strength in the complex restoration. Therefore, dentin replacement of both fiber and non-fiber materials is applicable as a base material for complex restoration of the posterior tooth.
Evaluation of the Hydrochemical and Water Quality Characteristics of an Aquifer Located in an Urbanized Area
Authors: Loaiza Juan G. , Bustos-Terrones Yaneth , Bustos-Terrones Victoria , Monjardín-Armenta Sergio Alberto , Quevedo-Castro Alberto , Estrada-Vazquez Rogelio , Rangel-Peraza Jesús Gabriel
Published: July 2022

Groundwater is an important source of fresh water in the world. However, the excessive extraction and increasing pollution represent a major challenge for water sustainability in Mexico. Nowadays, since water quality changes in aquifers are not noticeable, aquifer monitoring and assessment are imperious. In this study, the water quality of the Cuernavaca aquifer was evaluated using a database of 23 parameters in 4 sampling points from 2012 to 2019. The spatial behavior of water quality variables was described by using interpolation. The temporal evaluation of groundwater quality was carried out through time series. Water quality indices (WQI) were obtained in this aquifer and the WQI values suggest that the groundwater could be considered as good quality for potable use and of medium-high quality for irrigation. The chemical characteristics of the groundwater were also evaluated using Gibb, Piper, and Schoeller diagrams. Finally, with a total of 34 samples of each parameter in each sampling site, a multivariate statistical analysis was performed using a Pearson correlation and hierarchical cluster analysis. This analysis showed a correlation between hydrochemical features and groundwater quality parameters, where nitrates presented the highest number of significant correlations with other parameters. These results may be useful for the authorities to adopt planning methods to improve the sustainable development of the aquifer.
Predictive Model for the Optimized Mixed-Air Temperature of a Single-Duct VAV System
Authors: Lee Jin-Hyun , Cho Young-Hum
Published: July 2022

As global warming accelerates due to greenhouse gas emissions, more efforts are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the methods used to save building energy is the efficient management of building mechanical systems. The economizer control of HVAC systems is an energy-efficient measure that improves operating methods by introducing outdoor air to save cooling energy when the outdoor-air temperature is sufficiently low. When the HVAC system is operated using economizer control, cooling energy can be saved, and the set-point of the mixed-air temperature is kept constant. Several studies are being conducted on the saving of energy using economizers. Although various studies have been conducted on the control of economizers, there is insufficient research dealing with the optimal control of mixed-air temperature in economizers that consider real-time changes. Therefore, in this study, predictive model-based mixed-air temperature optimization for a single-duct VAV system was constructed. For this, an ANN (Artificial Neural Network) that could be analyzed regardless of the variables was applied to predict the load and energy consumption and a simulator was constructed for the optimized mixed air temperature of the system. The predictive model-based control was evaluated in terms of its thermal comfort and energy, along with the existing economizer control. According to the application of the optimal economizer control, the energy consumption of the building was reduced by 28.9% compared to the existing dry-bulb temperature control, and was within ±1 °C of the indoor-air temperature set point.
Digital Twins in the Automotive Industry: The Road toward Physical-Digital Convergence
Authors: Piromalis Dimitrios , Kantaros Antreas
Published: July 2022

A newly introduced term in the field of simulating an artificial or physical system is that of the “Digital Twin” concept method. It employs a digital representation and modeling method, capable of expanding and improving the life cycle of complex items, systems, and processes. Nowadays, digital twin technology has become a key research field worldwide. In this context, it is applied and utilized in various fields. One such field is the automotive industry, a technological field that has great implications in users’ everyday life. Digital twin technology not only has great contributions from the initial stages of design until the final construction stages of vehicles, but also during its use, drawing useful information from its daily functions and making the driving experience more enjoyable, comfortable, and safe. It is worth noting that the vehicles that can greatly benefit from the use of digital twins are electric vehicles, which has tended to acquire greater shares in the last decade.
Simulating Flow and Hazardous Gas Dispersion by Using WRF–CFD Coupled Model under Different Atmospheric Stability Conditions
Authors: Zhou Hongxuan , Song Weiwei , Xiao Kaitao
Published: July 2022

In this paper, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is coupled with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to study the diffusion model of the accidental leakage of hazardous gas under different atmospheric stability conditions. First, the field test at Nanjing University was used to validate the different turbulence models of CFD. The experimental data confirm that the realizable k-ε model can describe the behavior of hazardous gas diffusion. On this basis, the diffusion process of the accidental release of tracer gas under different atmospheric stability conditions is simulated. The results show that atmospheric stability has a significant effect on the flow field distribution and the area of plume of hazardous substances. The ambient wind deflects under unstable conditions and vertical turbulence is slightly larger than that under neutral and stable conditions. Under stable conditions, the dilution of harmful gases is suppressed due to weak turbulent mixing. In addition, stable atmospheric conditions can increase near-surface gas concentrations.
Meteo-Climatic Conditions of Wind and Wave in the Perspective of Joint Energy Exploitation: Case Study of Dongluo Island, Hainan
Authors: Li Bo , Li Junmin , Chen Wuyang , Liu Junliang , Shi Ping
Published: July 2022

Combined wind and wave power generation has advantages such as energy synergy and complementarity and will play a leading role in the integrated development of offshore renewable energy. From the perspective of joint energy development, this study focuses on the meteo-climatic wind and wave conditions in Dongluo Island, Hainan, in the South China Sea. Based on the concurrent measurement from in situ monitoring system, hourly data from June 2020 to September 2021 are used to reveal typical climate characteristics associated with the weak (inverse) correlation between wind and wave. The energy flux density of wind and wave are also assessed to describe the energy pattern. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows the wind parameters contribute a larger variance to the matrix of the wind–wave dataset than the waves, suggesting a lower stability of the wind climate. The first three components via PCA are then classified into five clusters to represent different climatic characteristics. Among them, the dominating cluster symbolizes a climatic circumstance with weaker winds and waves below normal. This cluster, evenly distributed in different seasons, shows the lowest wave–wind correlation, suggesting a favorable condition of the synergy of the two energies throughout the year. The clusters with the second and third largest sample sizes are mainly dominated in spring and winter, respectively. The magnitudes of the wind and wave parameters in these two clusters yield to a relation of “as one falls, another rises”, implying a high interest in complementarity between the two resources to a certain extent. The energy features inferred by meteo-climatic clusters are further verified by direct assessment of energy density. There are generally consistent variations between wind–wave climate and energy, both in magnitude and in seasonality. Based on these results, differentiated exploitation schemes considering the complementarity or synergy of wind and wave according to different seasons are recommended.