bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of biological preparations in organic agriculture
Authors: Horodyska І. , Ternovyi Y. , Chub А.
Published: April 2023

The influence of the complex of the permitted in organic production substances prodused such as BioMag, PhytoDoctor, Biophosphorin, Urozhaj Organik and Tryxodermin on the indices of seeds of peas, beans and soybean was studied. The positive influence of biological preparations on quantitative and qualitative indices of legumes is established. It was shown an increase in the yield of pea, soybean and bean in relation to control on 16.5; 7.5 and 7.4% respectively. The weight of 1000 seeds of soybean in the variant with the treatment increased by 8.4% in relation to control, peas — by 5.6%, and beans — by 1.8%.
Change of vegetation and properties of pyrogenic formations on burnt peat soils of Western Polissya
Authors: Koval S. , Konishchuk V. , Shershun M.
Published: April 2023

The main causes of fires in peat bogs, distribution of their quantity in the territory of Ukraine are presented. The main types of secondary pyrogenic formations are presented, the change of drained soils, which have undergone pyrogenic degradation in the zone of Western Polissya, is estimated. Detailed description of the change of vegetation in the degraded area, soil cuts (compared with control), their agrochemical indices. The possibility of restoration of pyrogenically degraded peatlands for their further agricultural use is explored.
Normization of discharges of pollutants into water objects on the example of Kirillovsky deposit
Authors: Vovkodav G.
Published: April 2023

The estimation of influence and rate of discharge of pollutants entering the ChornyiTashlyk River during the discharge of the sewage of the Kirilivsky deposit during its work on the full (projected) power is presented.
Formation of land plots for forest plants
Authors: Kustovska O. , Kozak D.
Published: April 2023

The peculiarities of the formation of forestry areas for forest seedlings and the procedure for allocating land plots for forestry enterprises are substantiated. The necessity of expanding the areas of forest nurseries and the feasibility of forming land plots for forestry needs is proved. The research was conducted on the example of the Forest Research Station of Boyarka (a state-owned enterprise engaged in reproduction, protection, forest protection, wood processing and educational functions).
State control of land as a mechanism for effective management of land resources in the territory of the Lviv region
Authors: Khavar Yu. , Gubar Yu. , Sai V. , Vinarchik L.
Published: April 2023

The study of state control over the use and protection of land on the territory of the Lviv region is presented. The schemes of the constituent elements of state control, the organizational structure of the Office of Control over Land Use and Protection, and the preconditions for its implementation have been developed. The main types of violations of land legislation, which prevail in the territory of Lviv region are analyzed.
The essence of monitoring the use of agricultural land
Authors: Perovich L. , Gulko O.
Published: April 2023

The essence and content of monitoring of the use of agricultural land are considered. The block diagram of the monitoring of the use of agricultural land is proposed. The economic and ecological efficiency of using agricultural lands is analyzed.
Improvement of the methodology of normative monetary valuation of agricultural land
Authors: Ryzhok Z.
Published: April 2023

Make proposals for improving the methodology for determining the normative value of arable land, depending on market rental income. According to the proposed methodological approach, the capitalization rate is calculated using the mathematical model of discounting of cash flow on the basis of market data about the expected future return on economic indicators of the work of agricultural enterprises in the Lviv region.
Ecological and biological features of breeding and growing tea-hybrid roses
Authors: Balabak A.
Published: April 2023

The group of tea-hybrid is the most common and most popular in the world of roses. The possibility of using garden roses in green building is often limited by the influence of environmental factors, both abiotic and biotic. Research on the stability of tea-hybrid roses and the selection of optimal cultivation conditions are aimed at developing recommendations for their implementation in landscaping of populated areas of Ukraine.
Research on biomimetic design and impact characteristics of periodic multilayer helical structures
Authors: Liu Yu-Xi , Li Ai-Hua , Lin Shi-Yun , Sun Hong , Chen Bin
Published: April 2023

Osteons are composed of concentric lamellar structure, the concentric lamellae are composed of periodic thin and thick sub-lamellae, and every 5 sub-lamellae is a cycle, the periodic helix angle of mineralized collagen fibers in two adjacent sub-lamellae is 30°. Four biomimetic models with different fiber helix angles were established and fabricated according to the micro-nano structure of osteon. The effects of the fiber periodic helical structure on impact characteristic and energy dissipation of multi-layer biomimetic composite were investigated. The calculation results indicated that the stress distribution, contact characteristics and fiber failur during impact, and energy dissipation of the composite are affected by the fiber helix angle. The stress concentration of composite materials under external impact can be effectively improved by adjusting the fiber helix angle when the material composition and material performance parameters are same. Compared with the sample30, the maximum stress of sample60 and sample90 increases by 38.1% and 69.8%, respectively. And the fiber failure analysis results shown that the model with a fiber helix angle of 30° has a better resist impact damage. The drop-weight test results shown that the impact damage area of the specimen with 30° helix angle is smallest among the four types of biomimetic specimens. The periodic helical structure of mineralized collagen fibers in osteon can effectively improve the impact resistance of cortical bone. The research results can provide useful guidance for the design and manufacture of high-performance, impact-resistant biomimetic composite materials.
Polyoxidovanadates [MoVIVV9O28]5- and [H2PtIVVV9O28]5- interact with CHO cell plasma membrane lipids causing aggregation and activation of a G protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Kostenkova Kateryna , Althumairy Duaa , Rajan Ananthu , Kortz Ulrich , Barisas B. George , Roess Deborah A. , Crans Debbie C.
Published: April 2023

Mono substituted heteropolyoxidovanadates, when compared to effects of a corresponding isopolyoxidovanadate (POV), were found to be more effective initiators of signal transduction by a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), specifically the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). Here we report that LHRs signal productively when CHO cells expressing the receptor are treated with two heteropolyoxidovanadates PtIV in monoplatino(IV)nonavanadate(V) ([H2PtVIVV9O28]5-, V9Pt), and MoIV in monomolybdo(VI)nonavanadate(V) (Mo[VIVV9O28]5-, V9Mo). Both substituted decavanadate derivatives were more effective than decavanadate which is more charged, has greater stability and forms the [V10O28]6- anion (V10) in cell culture medium at pH 7.4. For viable CHO cells expressing 10 k or 32 k LHR/cell and treated with 11 μM V9Pt and 13 μM V9Mo, mono substituted heteropolyoxidovanadates significantly decreased the packing of plasma membrane lipids for about 1 h. This brief change in membrane structure was accompanied by increased aggregation of LHR and cell signaling as indicated by increased intracellular levels of cAMP. More pronounced changes in lipid packing and LHR signaling were associated with short acting heteropolyoxidovanadates than with the more stable V10. When LHR was overexpressed, V9Pt and V9Mo had little or no effect on membrane lipid packing or receptor aggregation and the LHR was constitutively activated as indicated by elevated intracellular cAMP levels. Speciation of V9Pt and V9Mo in H2O and cell medium was monitored using 51V NMR spectroscopy and confirmed that V9Pt and V9Mo had greater effects on CHO cells despite decomposing more rapidly in the cell growth medium. Thus, under conditions that promote CHO cell growth, V9Pt and V9Mo, despite their smaller molecular charge and their reduced stability, favor LHR signaling over that induced by V10. Importantly, under the same experimental conditions, CHO cells treated with V9Pt and V9Mo do not exhibit as strong toxic effects observed for cells treated with the longer lived V10. In summary, unlike the longer lived V10 which is more growth inhibitory to cells, monosubstituted heteropolyoxidovanadates are more effective in transiently initiating signaling by a G protein-coupled receptor but, because of rapid hydrolysis, inhibit cell growth less.
The integrative analysis based on super-enhancer related genes for predicting different subtypes and prognosis of patient with lower-grade glioma
Authors: Hu Yungang , Yang Qingqing , Cai Shuzhou , Wang Wei , Fu Shiyin
Published: April 2023

Objective: Emerging evidence revealed that super-enhancer plays a crucial role in the transcriptional reprogramming for many cancers. The purpose aimed to explored how the super-enhancer related genes affects the prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of patients with low-grade glioma (LGG).

Methods: In this study, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LGG cohorts and normal brain tissue cohort were identified by the comprehensive analysis of the super-enhancer (SE) related genes. Then non-negative matrix factorization was performed to seek the optimal classification based on the DEGs, while investigating prognostic and clinical differences between different subtypes. Subsequently, a prognostic related signature (SERS) was constructed for the comprehensive evaluation in term of individualized prognosis, clinical characteristics, cancer markers, genomic alterations, and immune microenvironment of patients with LGG.

Results: Based on the expression profiles of 170 DEGs, we identified three SE subtypes, and the three subtypes showed significant differences in prognostic, clinicopathological features. Then, nine optimal SE-related genes were selected to construct the SERS through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis. Survival analysis showed that SERS had strong and stable predictive ability for the prognosis of LGG patients in the The Cancer Genome Atlas, China Glioma Genome Atlas, and Remdrandt cohorts, respectively. We also found that SERS was highly correlated with clinicopathological features, tumor immune microenvironment, cancer hallmarks, and genomic alterations in LGG patients. In addition, the predictive power of SERS for immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment is also superior. The qRT-PCR results and immunohistochemical results also confirmed the difference in the expression of four key genes in normal cells and tumors, as well as in normal tissues and tumor tissues.

Conclusion: The SERS could be suitable to utilize individualized prognosis prediction and immunotherapy options for LGG patients in clinical application.
Effect of inclined pile on seismic response of bridge abutments undergoing liquefaction—Induced lateral displacement: Case study of Nishikawa bridge in the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake
Authors: Xue Ying-Ying , Wang Xing-Gang , Cai Fei
Published: April 2023

It is reported that the inclined pile could be either beneficial or detrimental for the abutment they support in the condition of liquefaction—induced lateral displacement. To clarify the effect of inclined pile on seismic response of bridge abutments undergoing liquefaction—induced lateral displacement, numerical analyses were carried out on the damaged abutment that was supported by inclined piles and that was displaced riverwards 100 mm–150 mm due to soil liquefaction during 2011 Great East Japan earthquake. Accordingly, a fully coupled dynamic effective stress finite element model was developed for the soil—pile—superstructure system. It was found that the shear failure of the bridge abutment was initialized from the inclined piles and then followed by the middle vertical pile. Moreover, the earthquake—induced liquefaction caused substantial lateral displacement of soils around the piles and thus dominated the backward rotation of the abutments supported by inclined piles. Additionally, the exclusion of the deck pinning effect may lead to a marked increase in the lateral displacement and rotation of abutments. If the abutment were supported by vertical piles, a much larger lateral displacement was expected and the promotion of the earth pressure behind the abutment was the main cause of the forward rotation of the piled abutment.
The efficacy and safety of Xueshuantong (lyophilized) for injection in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xi Junyu , Wei Ruili , Cui Xin , Liu Yi , Xie Yanming
Published: April 2023

Objective: Xueshuantong (lyophilized) for injection (XST) is an effective botanical drug for treating unstable angina pectoris (UAP). However, a meta-analysis of XST combined with conventional treatment (CT) against UAP has not been conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of XST combined with CT for UAP patients compared to CT alone.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of XST in UAP patients were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, and Chinese Biological Medicine Database databases. A meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 16.0, and the quality of the included literature was evaluated based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2.0 (RoB2.0) tool. The aggregate 95% confidence intervals (CIs), mean difference (MD), and relative risk (RR) estimates were calculated. A GRADE assessment was performed using GRADEprofiler 3.6, and trial sequent analysis was performed using TSA 0.9.

Results: Thirty-four studies involving 3,518 patients were included in the analysis. The combination of CT with XST improved the comprehensive clinical efficacy (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.18–1.26, p < 0.00001) and ECG improvement (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.18–1.31, p < 0.00001). The frequency of angina attacks was lower (MD = −0.73, 95% CI: −0.92 to −0.55, p < 0.00001), and the duration was shorter (MD = −1.08, 95% CI: −1.44 to −0.72, p < 0.00001) in the group that received CT combined with XST compared to the one without XST. Total cholesterol levels (MD = −1.30, 95% CI: −1.83 to −0.78, p < 0.00001) and triglyceride levels (MD = −0.76, 95% CI: −0.93 to −0.59, p < 0.00001) were lower in patients who received CT in combination with XST than those who received CT alone. CT combined with XST reduced whole blood viscosity (MD = −0.72, 95% CI = −0.99 to −0.44, p < 0.00001) and plasma viscosity (MD = −0.24, 95% CI: −0.46 to −0.03, p = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular events or adverse events among patients treated with the combination of XST and CT compared to CT alone. The GRADE assessment indicated that the composite quality of the evidence was low. The trial sequent analysis showed an adequate sample size and stable findings for the clinical efficacy of CT combined with XST for unstable angina.

Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis conditionally indicate that XST combined with CT improved the clinical outcomes of patients with unstable angina more than CT alone with a better safety profile. However, the results need further validation due to limitations in the quality of the included studies.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022357395.
Podocytes are likely the therapeutic target of IgA nephropathy with isolated hematuria: Evidence from repeat renal biopsy
Authors: Luo Mian-Na , Yin Yanqing , Li Shangmei , Hao Junfeng , Yao Cuiwei , Xu Yong-Zhi , Liu Hua-feng , Yang Lawei
Published: April 2023

Background: The present study aimed to prove the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients with isolated hematuria based on repeat renal biopsy data for the first time.

Methods: 29 IgAN patients with isolated hematuria who received repeat renal biopsies were analyzed retrospectively, while 29 non-isolated hematuria IgAN patients with similar age and background were randomly selected as the control group. Clinical parameters were collected at the time of biopsy. The treatment strategies (conservative treatment with RASS blocker or immunosuppressive treatment) were choosen according to the pathological results at the first renal biopsy. The activity and chronicity indexes of renal lesions were evaluated. Markers of cell inflammation and proliferation were tseted by immunochemistry. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Podocyte and oxidative stress marker (NPHS2 and 4-HNE) were detected by immunofluorescence.

Results: The IgAN patients with isolated hematuria had better clinical indicators than those with no-isolated hematuria, such as better renal function, higher albumin and lower uric acid. The interval between two biopsies in IgAN patients with isolated hematuria was 630 (interquartile range, 409.5–1,171) days. The hematuria of the patients decreased significantly from 30 (IQR, 4.00–35.00) RBC/ul in the first biopsy to 11 (IQR, 2.50–30.00) RBC/ul in the repeated biopsy (p < 0.05). The level of triglyceride decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The other clinical indicators were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Deposits of IgA and C3 in the glomerulus were persistent. The activity index decreased, especially cellular crescent formation, while the chronicity index increased. The ultrastructure of podocytes was improved after treatment. The oxidative stress products of podocytes reduced after treatment.

Conclusion: Although the clinical indicators of the IgAN patients with isolated hematuria were in the normal range, various acute and chronic pathological changes have occurred, and irreversible chronic changes have been progressing. Cell inflammation and proliferation persisted. Oxidative stress of podocytes was likely to be the therapeutic target. This study provided a strong basis for the progress of IgAN with isolated hematuria through pathological changes before and after treatment. This study will help clinicians recognize the harm of hematuria, change the traditional treatment concept, and help such patients get early treatment.
Nurses in China lack knowledge of inhaler devices: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Xie Ning , Zheng Zheng , Yang Qilian , Li Man , Ye Xiaofen
Published: April 2023

Objective: To understand the level of knowledge about inhaler devices among medical staff.

Methods: This study evaluated the knowledge of inhalation therapy and the use of inhaler devices among nurses in China. We administered a new self-designed online questionnaire to 1,831 nurses. The questionnaire comprised 11 questions, including the storage location of inhaler devices, steps involved in using inhaler devices, and common errors when using various devices.

Results: Among the 1,831 participants, 816(44.57%), 122(6.66%), and 893(48.77%) nurses worked in community, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, respectively. Adequate knowledge of inhaler devices was demonstrated by 20.10%, 8.20%, and 13.10% of nurses working in community, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, respectively. Of the nurses working in community hospitals, 27.70% knew the key points for using inhalers compared to 15.57% in secondary hospitals and 23.18% in tertiary hospitals (p < 0.01). Only 9.50%–26.00% of participants chose correct answers to the 9 questions about the use of inhalers. The accuracy rate of the responses was generally low, and the highest accuracy rate was 26.00%.

Conclusion: Knowledge of inhalation therapy was better among nurses working in community hospitals than among those working in high-level hospitals. This is because of the clearer division of work and higher workload in high-level hospitals. Overall, nurses’ knowledge of inhalation therapy is low. Furthermore, knowledge about inhaler devices should be strengthened among nurses in Chinese hospitals. It is necessary to create training opportunities for nurses in China to increase their awareness and knowledge regarding the management of chronic respiratory diseases.
Evaluation of clinical trials of ethnomedicine used for the treatment of diabetes: A systematic review
Authors: Elmi Gul Rehman , Anum Kamil , Saleem Kalsoom , Fareed Rameesha , Noreen Sobia , Wei Haiyan , Chen Yongxing , Chakraborty Avirup , Rehman Masood Ur , Liyuan Shi , Abbas Muhammad , Duan Yongtao
Published: April 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread metabolic disorder with a yearly 6.7 million deaths worldwide. Several treatment options are available but with common side effects like weight gain, cardiovascular diseases, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Therefore, ethnomedicine is gaining the interest of researchers in the treatment of DM. Ethnomedicine works by preventing intestinal absorption and hepatic production of glucose as well as enhancing glucose uptake in muscles and fatty tissues and increasing insulin secretion. A variety of plants have entered clinical trials but very few have gained approval for use. This current study provides an evaluation of such clinical trials. For this purpose, an extensive literature review was performed from a database using keywords like “ethnomedicine diabetes clinical trial”, “clinical trials”, “clinical trial in diabetes”, “diabetes”, “natural products in diabetes”, “ethno-pharmacological relevance of natural products in diabetes”, etc. Clinical trials of 20 plants and natural products were evaluated based on eligibility criteria. Major limitations associated with these clinical trials were a lack of patient compliance, dose-response relationship, and an evaluation of biomarkers with a small sample size and treatment duration. Measures in terms of strict regulations can be considered to achieve quality clinical trials. A specific goal of this systematic review is to discuss DM treatment through ethnomedicine based on recent clinical trials of the past 7 years.
Can We Reliably Detect Respiratory Diseases through Precision Farming? A Systematic Review
Authors: Garrido Luís F. C. , Sato Sabrina T. M. , Costa Leandro B. , Daros Ruan R.
Published: April 2023

Respiratory diseases commonly affect livestock species, negatively impacting animal’s productivity and welfare. The use of precision livestock farming (PLF) applied in respiratory disease detection has been developed for several species. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate if PLF technologies can reliably monitor clinical signs or detect cases of respiratory diseases. A technology was considered reliable if high performance was achieved (sensitivity > 90% and specificity or precision > 90%) under field conditions and using a reliable reference test. Risk of bias was assessed, and only technologies tested in studies with low risk of bias were considered reliable. From 23 studies included—swine (13), poultry (6), and bovine (4) —only three complied with our reliability criteria; however, two of these were considered to have a high risk of bias. Thus, only one swine technology fully fit our criteria. Future studies should include field tests and use previously validated reference tests to assess technology’s performance. In conclusion, relying completely on PLF for monitoring respiratory diseases is still a challenge, though several technologies are promising, having high performance in field tests.
Mechanism of Time-Dependent Instability of Deep Soft-Rock Roadway and Crack-Filling Reinforcement Technology
Authors: Wu Bowen , Chang Jucai , Li Chuanming , Wang Tuo , Shi Wenbao , Wang Xiangyu
Published: April 2023

Soft broken surrounding rock exhibits obvious rheological properties and time-dependent weakening effects under the action of deep high-ground stress, leading to the increasingly prominent problem of sustained large deformation in deep roadways. In this study, with the II5 Rail Rise in Zhuxianzhuang Coal Mine as an example, the mechanism and control technology of time-dependent damage and instability in a deep soft-rock roadway were explored through a field observation and numerical simulation. The research results show that the range of the loose circle in the deep fractured surrounding rock can reach 3.0 m. The expansion of shallow and deep cracks causes the primary plastic deformation and secondary rheological deformation of the surrounding rock, with the rheological deformation rate increasing by 21.4% every 55 days on average, which ultimately induces the instability and failure of the surrounding rock. Based on the mechanism of roadway instability, a control technology of high-preload bolt + deep- and shallow-borehole crack filling was proposed. The technology reduces deformation and ensures the stability of the roadway surrounding rock by inhibiting the propagation of deep and shallow cracks and reinforcing the surrounding rock.
Forecasting Stock Market Indices Using the Recurrent Neural Network Based Hybrid Models: CNN-LSTM, GRU-CNN, and Ensemble Models
Authors: Song Hyunsun , Choi Hyunjun
Published: April 2023

Various deep learning techniques have recently been developed in many fields due to the rapid advancement of technology and computing power. These techniques have been widely applied in finance for stock market prediction, portfolio optimization, risk management, and trading strategies. Forecasting stock indices with noisy data is a complex and challenging task, but it plays an important role in the appropriate timing of buying or selling stocks, which is one of the most popular and valuable areas in finance. In this work, we propose novel hybrid models for forecasting the one-time-step and multi-time-step close prices of DAX, DOW, and S&P500 indices by utilizing recurrent neural network (RNN)–based models; convolutional neural network-long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM), gated recurrent unit (GRU)-CNN, and ensemble models. We propose the averaging of the high and low prices of stock market indices as a novel feature. The experimental results confirmed that our models outperformed the traditional machine-learning models in 48.1% and 40.7% of the cases in terms of the mean squared error (MSE) and mean absolute error (MAE), respectively, in the case of one-time-step forecasting and 81.5% of the cases in terms of the MSE and MAE in the case of multi-time-step forecasting.
An Evolutionary Game Theoretic Analysis of Cybersecurity Investment Strategies for Smart-Home Users against Cyberattacks
Authors: Douha N’guessan Yves-Roland , Sasabe Masahiro , Taenaka Yuzo , Kadobayashi Youki
Published: April 2023

In the digital era, smart-home users face growing threats from cyberattacks that threaten their privacy and security. Hence, it is essential for smart-home users to prioritize cybersecurity education and training to secure their homes. Despite this, the high cost of such training often presents a barrier to widespread adoption and accessibility. This study aims to analyze the costs and benefits associated with various cybersecurity investment strategies for smart-home users in the context of cyberattacks. The study utilizes evolutionary game theory to model a game comprised of three populations: smart-home users, stakeholders, and attackers. We derive and analyze the replicator dynamics of this game to determine the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). Furthermore, we investigate the impacts of the costs and benefits of cybersecurity investment and cyberattack costs on the ESS. The findings indicate that incurring costs for cybersecurity training is beneficial for smart-home users to protect their homes and families. However, the training costs must be low and affordable for smart-home users in order to ensure their participation and engagement. Additionally, providing rewards for commitment to cybersecurity is crucial in sustaining interest and investment over the long term. To promote cybersecurity awareness and training for smart-home users, governments can incorporate it as a priority in national cybersecurity plans, provide subsidies for training costs, and incentivize good cybersecurity practices.
Screening and Optimization of Fermentation Medium for Bacillus velezensis BP-1 and Its Biocontrol Effects against Peyronellaea arachidicola
Authors: Ahsan Taswar , Liang Chunhao , Yu Shuyi , Pei Xue , Xie Jinhui , Lin Ying , Liu Xiaozhou , Umair Muhammad , Zang Chaoqun
Published: April 2023

In the submerged fermentation process, the introduction of novel nutrient media as sources of carbon and nitrogen can enhance antifungal activity. In this study, we used a submerged fermentation process to find the optimal media for the Bacillus velezensis BP-1 strain to grow in, and that would boost its antifungal activity against Peyronellaea arachidicola. By using a single-factor test and central composite design (CCD) in the response surface methodology, the optimal fermentation medium for the B. velezensis BP-1 strain was identified. The antagonistic potential of B. velezensis BP-1 was assayed against the P. arachidicola fungus to manage web blotch disease in peanut plant leaves. The LB medium was screened as the best medium, with a maximum antifungal activity of 90% in comparison to the other mediums. Semolina flour as the carbon source, peanut root extract as the nitrogen source, and magnesium sulfate as the inorganic salt were selected as the best nutrient components in comparison to the others. The response surface methodology was optimized by using 15 g/L of semolina flour as the carbon source, 13.68 g/L of peanut root extract as the nitrogen source, and 0.50 g/L of magnesium sulfate as the inorganic salt, achieving 90% inhibition of P. arachidicola. The in vitro bioassays showed that the optimized fermentation broth of B. velezensis BP-1 had significant antifungal activity, with an inhibition rate of 88.34% against P. arachidicola. In the pot experiments on disease control, the management effects revealed that the pre-inoculation spray of the B. velezensis BP-1 broth had significant efficiency (96%) when compared to the post-inoculation spray of the B. velezensis BP-1 broth. These findings suggest that the optimized fermentation broth of the B. velezensis BP-1 strain had strong antifungal activity. This could be a potent biocontrol tool for aiding in the early disease management of web blotch in peanut plants.
Dynamic Characteristics and Fault Mechanism of the Gear Tooth Spalling in Railway Vehicles under Traction Conditions
Authors: Lin Yunlei , Li Junbo , Chen Peixuan , Su Yongjie , Wang Jinhai
Published: April 2023

Gear tooth spalling is one of the inevitable fault modes in the long-term service of the traction transmission system of railway vehicles, which can worsen the dynamic load of the rotating mechanical system and reduce the operating quality. Therefore, it is necessary to study its fault mechanism to guide fault diagnosis scientifically. This paper established a planar railway vehicle model with a traction transmission system and an analytical time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) model of the spalling spur gear. Then, it analyzed the dynamic characteristics under traction conditions. The research found that the spalling length and depth affect the amplitude of the TVMS at the defect, while the width affects the range of the TVMS loss. The crest factor is the best evaluation indicator in ideal low-noise environments due to its sensitivity and linearity, but it is not good in strong-noise environments. Similarly, a time–frequency analysis tool cannot significantly detect the sideband characteristics that are excited by spalling. After high-pass filtering, the root mean square and variance exhibit excellent classification and vehicle speed independence in strong-noise environments. This research achievement can provide adequate theoretical support for feature selection and making strategies for fault diagnosis of railway vehicle gear systems.
Effect of Biofortification with Iodine by 8-Hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic Acid and 5-Chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol on the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Potato Tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) in a Pot Experiment
Authors: Krzemińska Joanna , Smoleń Sylwester , Kowalska Iwona , Pitala Joanna , Sularz Olga , Koronowicz Aneta
Published: April 2023

Iodine deficiency impacts on the development of thyroid disease. Vegetables and fruits usually have a low iodine content; hence, it makes sense to increase their iodine content. Potato is consumed daily by millions of consumers and would, therefore, be a good target for biofortification with iodine programs. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of biofortification via the application of soil solutions of two iodoquinolines [8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinic acid (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinoline (5-Cl-7-I-8-Q)] and KIO3 (as an iodine positive control) on the iodine content and basic chemical composition, macro and micronutrient content, nitrogen compounds, vitamin C, and antioxidant potential of potato tubers Solanum tuberosum L. The biofortification process had no significant effect on the tuber weight in yield. The application of I in forms of KIO3, 8-OH-7-I-5QSA, 5-Cl-7-I-8-Q resulted in an increase in the I content of tubers (1400.15; 693.65; 502.79, respectively, compared with control, 24.96 µg·kg−1 d.w.). This also resulted in a decrease in elements that are harmful to consumers, such as: Al, Ni, Cr, Ag, Pb and Tl. The enrichment of tubers with 8-OH-7-I-5QSA and 5-Cl-7-I-8-Q resulted in a significant reduction in the content of ammonium ions (from 19.16 to 14.96; 13.52 mg∙kg−1 f.w.) and chlorides (from 423.59 to 264.92; 265.31 mg∙kg−1 f.w.). Biofortification with 8-OH-7-I-5QSA improved the polyphenolic profile of the potato tuber from 197.31 to 233.33 mg GAE·100 g−1 f.w. A significant reduction in the carotenoid content of tubers after the enrichment of the plant with iodine in KIO3, 8-OH-7-I-5QSA and 5-Cl-7-I-8-Q (from 3.46 to 2.96, 2.45, and 1.47 mg∙100 g−1 d.w., respectively) was observed. It can be postulated that the production of potatoes enriched with iodoquinolines and/or KIO3 is worthwhile, as it can provide a good source of I in the diet and simultaneously reduce the risk of developing deficiencies.
Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods for Reliable Quantification of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bogožalec Košir Alexandra , Lužnik Dane , Tomič Viktorija , Milavec Mojca
Published: April 2023

Detection and quantification of DNA biomarkers relies heavily on the yield and quality of DNA obtained by extraction from different matrices. Although a large number of studies have compared the yields of different extraction methods, the repeatability and intermediate precision of these methods have been largely overlooked. In the present study, five extraction methods were evaluated, using digital PCR, to determine their efficiency in extracting DNA from three different Gram-negative bacteria in sputum samples. The performance of two automated methods (GXT NA and QuickPick genomic DNA extraction kit, using Arrow and KingFisher Duo automated systems, respectively), two manual kit-based methods (QIAamp DNA mini kit; DNeasy UltraClean microbial kit), and one manual non-kit method (CTAB), was assessed. While GXT NA extraction kit and the CTAB method have the highest DNA yield, they did not meet the strict criteria for repeatability, intermediate precision, and measurement uncertainty for all three studied bacteria. However, due to limited clinical samples, a compromise is necessary, and the GXT NA extraction kit was found to be the method of choice. The study also showed that dPCR allowed for accurate determination of extraction method repeatability, which can help standardize molecular diagnostic approaches. Additionally, the determination of absolute copy numbers facilitated the calculation of measurement uncertainty, which was found to be influenced by the DNA extraction method used.
Glucagon Promotes Gluconeogenesis through the GCGR/PKA/CREB/PGC-1α Pathway in Hepatocytes of the Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Yang Mengxi , Pan Mingzhu , Huang Dong , Liu Jiahuan , Guo Yanlin , Liu Yue , Zhang Wenbing
Published: April 2023

In order to investigate the mechanism of glucagon regulation of gluconeogenesis, primary hepatocytes of the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were incubated with synthesized glucagon, and methods based on inhibitors and gene overexpression were employed. The results indicated that glucagon promoted glucose production and increased the mRNA levels of glucagon receptor (gcgr), guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gs α subunit (gnas), adenylate cyclase 2 (adcy2), protein kinase A (pka), cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (creb1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (pgc-1α), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (pck1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (g6pc) in the hepatocytes. An inhibitor of GCGR decreased the mRNA expression of gcgr, gnas, adcy2, pka, creb1, pgc-1α, pck1, g6pc, the protein expression of phosphorylated CREB and PGC-1α, and glucose production. The overexpression of gcgr caused the opposite results. An inhibitor of PKA decreased the mRNA expression of pgc-1α, pck1, g6pc, the protein expression of phosphorylated-CREB, and glucose production in hepatocytes. A CREB-targeted inhibitor significantly decreased the stimulation by glucagon of the mRNA expression of creb1, pgc-1α, and gluconeogenic genes, and glucose production decreased accordingly. After incubating the hepatocytes with an inhibitor of PGC-1α, the glucagon-activated mRNA expression of pck1 and g6pc was significantly down-regulated. Together, these results demonstrate that glucagon promotes gluconeogenesis through the GCGR/PKA/CREB/PGC-1α pathway in the Japanese flounder.
Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Modified Nucleosides for Biomarker Discovery in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mohl Daniel A. , Lagies Simon , Zodel Kyra , Zumkeller Matthias , Peighambari Asin , Ganner Athina , Plattner Dietmar A. , Neumann-Haefelin Elke , Adlesic Mojca , Frew Ian J. , Kammerer Bernd
Published: April 2023

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for ~75% of kidney cancers. The biallelic inactivation of the von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor gene (VHL) is the truncal driver mutation of most cases of ccRCC. Cancer cells are metabolically reprogrammed and excrete modified nucleosides in larger amounts due to their increased RNA turnover. Modified nucleosides occur in RNAs and cannot be recycled by salvage pathways. Their potential as biomarkers has been demonstrated for breast or pancreatic cancer. To assess their suitability as biomarkers in ccRCC, we used an established murine ccRCC model, harboring Vhl, Trp53 and Rb1 (VPR) knockouts. Cell culture media of this ccRCC model and primary murine proximal tubular epithelial cells (PECs) were investigated by HPLC coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry using multiple-reaction monitoring. VPR cell lines were significantly distinguishable from PEC cell lines and excreted higher amounts of modified nucleosides such as pseudouridine, 5-methylcytidine or 2′-O-methylcytidine. The method’s reliability was confirmed in serum-starved VPR cells. RNA-sequencing revealed the upregulation of specific enzymes responsible for the formation of those modified nucleosides in the ccRCC model. These enzymes included Nsun2, Nsun5, Pus1, Pus7, Naf1 and Fbl. In this study, we identified potential biomarkers for ccRCC for validation in clinical trials.
Real-World Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: How Much Uncertainty Is in the Results?
Authors: Barr Heather K. , Guggenbickler Andrea M. , Hoch Jeffrey S. , Dewa Carolyn S.
Published: April 2023

Cost-effectiveness analyses of new cancer treatments in real-world settings (e.g., post-clinical trials) inform healthcare decision makers about their healthcare investments for patient populations. The results of these analyses are often, though not always, presented with statistical uncertainty. This paper identifies five ways to characterize statistical uncertainty: (1) a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER); (2) a 95% CI for the incremental net benefit (INB); (3) an INB by willingness-to-pay (WTP) plot; (4) a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC); and (5) a cost-effectiveness scatterplot. It also explores their usage in 22 articles previously identified by a rapid review of real-world cost effectiveness of novel cancer treatments. Seventy-seven percent of these articles presented uncertainty results. The majority those papers (59%) used administrative data to inform their analyses while the remaining were conducted using models. Cost-effectiveness scatterplots were the most commonly used method (34.3%), with 40% indicating high levels of statistical uncertainty, suggesting the possibility of a qualitatively different result from the estimate given. Understanding the necessity for and the meaning of uncertainty in real-world cost-effectiveness analysis will strengthen knowledge translation efforts to improve patient outcomes in an efficient manner.
9.9 µW, 140 dB DR, and 93.27 dB SNDR, Double Sampling ΔΣ Modulator Using High Swing Inverter-Based Amplifier for Digital Hearing Aids
Authors: Alizadeh Zanjani Shima , Jannesari Abumoslem , Torkzadeh Pooya
Published: April 2023

In this paper, an ultra-low-power second-order, single-bit discrete-time (DT) double sampling ΔΣ modulator was proposed for hearing aid applications. In portable biomedical devices that are permanently used such as hearing aids, short battery lifetime and power dissipation are considerable issues. In a typical delta–sigma modulator, the most power-consuming parts are the operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs), and their elimination without loss of efficiency is now challenging. This proposed modulator includes an ultra-low-power self-biased inverter-based amplifier with swing enhancement instead of power-hungry OTAs. Low voltage amplifier design reduces output swing voltage, affecting delta–sigma modulator efficiency and decreasing the signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) and dynamic range (DR) values. In this article, the proposed amplifier’s source and tail transistors were biased in the sub-threshold region, increasing the output swing voltage significantly and leading to desired properties for a hearing aid modulator. The proposed amplifier peak-to-peak swing voltage was approximately 1.01 V at a 1 V power supply. In addition, the proposed modulator design used a standard 180 nm CMOS technology, which obtained 140 dB DR and 93.27 dB SNDR for a 10 kHz signal bandwidth with an oversampling ratio (OSR) of 128. Finally, the modulator’s effective chip area was 0.02 mm2 and consumed only about 9.9 µW, while the figure of merit (FOMW) and FOMs achieved 1.31 fJ/step and 183.31, respectively.
A Unified Approach to Nested and Non-Nested Slots for Spoken Language Understanding
Authors: Wan Xue , Zhang Wensheng , Huang Mengxing , Feng Siling , Wu Yuanyuan
Published: April 2023

As chatbots become more popular, multi-intent spoken language understanding (SLU) has received unprecedented attention. Multi-intent SLU, which primarily comprises the two subtasks of multiple intent detection (ID) and slot filling (SF), has the potential for widespread implementation. The two primary issues with the current approaches are as follows: (1) They cannot solve the problem of slot nesting; (2) The performance and inference rate of the model are not high enough. To address these issues, we suggest a multi-intent joint model based on global pointers to handle nested and non-nested slots. Firstly, we constructed a multi-dimensional type-slot label interaction network (MTLN) for subsequent intent decoding to enhance the implicit correlation between intents and slots, which allows for more adequate information about each other. Secondly, the global pointer network (GP) was introduced, which not only deals with nested and non-nested slots and slot incoherence but also has a faster inference rate and better performance than the baseline model. On two multi-intent datasets, the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art results on MixATIS with 1.6% improvement of intent Acc, 0.1% improvement of slot F1 values, 3.1% improvement of sentence Acc values, and 1.2%, 1.1% and 4.5% performance improvements on MixSNIPS, respectively. Meanwhile, the inference rate is also improved.
Efficient GaN-on-Si Power Amplifier Design Using Analytical and Numerical Optimization Methods for 24–30 GHz 5G Applications
Authors: Peng Lin , Zhang Zhihao , Zhang Gary
Published: April 2023

This paper presents the design procedure of an efficient compact monolithic microwave integrated circuit power amplifier (MMIC PA) in a 0.1 μm GaN-on-Si process for 5G millimeter-wave communication. Load/source-pull simulations were conducted to correctly create equivalent large-signal matching models for stabilized power cells and to determine the optimal impedance domain. The shorted stub with bypass capacitors minimizes the transistor’s output reactance, simplifying the matching objective to an approximate real impedance transformation (IT). With miniaturization as the implementation guide, explicit formulas and tabulated methods based on mathematical analysis were applied to synthesize the filtering matching networks (MNs) for the input and output stages. In addition, a CAD-dependent numerical optimization approach was used for the interstage MN that needs to cope with high IT ratio and complex loads. The continuous-wave (CW) characterization for the proposed two-stage PA demonstrated 19.8 ± 0.7 dB of small-signal gain, very flat output power (Pout) and power-added efficiency (PAE) at 4 dB gain compression of 32–32.4 dBm and 34–34.6%, respectively, over 24–30 GHz, with 37.1% of peak PAE at mid-frequency.
Path Planning of Mecanum Wheel Chassis Based on Improved A* Algorithm
Authors: Xu Huimin , Yu Gaohong , Wang Yimiao , Zhao Xiong , Chen Yijin , Liu Jiangang
Published: April 2023

This study is concerned with path planning in a structured greenhouse, in contrast to much of the previous research addressing applications in outdoor fields. The prototype mainly comprises an independently driven Mecanum wheel, a lidar measuring module, a single-chip microcomputer control board, and a laptop computer. Environmental information collection and mapping were completed on the basis of lidar and laptop computer connection. The path planning algorithm used in this paper expanded the 8-search-neighborhood of the traditional A* algorithm to a 48-search-neighborhood, increasing the search direction and improving the efficiency of path planning. The Floyd algorithm was integrated to smooth the planned path and reduced the turning points in the path. In this way, the problems of the traditional A* algorithm could be solved (i.e., slow the path planning speed and high numbers of redundant points). Tests showed that the turning points, planning path time, and distance of the improved algorithm were the lowest. Compared with the traditional 8-search-neighborhood A* algorithm, the turning point was reduced by 50%, the planning time was reduced by 13.53%, and the planning distance was reduced by 13.96%. Therefore, the improved method of the A* algorithm proposed in this paper improves the precision of the planning path and reduces the planning time, providing a theoretical basis for the navigation, inspection, and standardization construction of greenhouses in the future.
Genetics of Plant Metabolism
Authors: Cultrera Nicolò G. M.
Published: April 2023

This Special Issue is aimed to collect scientific papers that support holistic methodological approaches, both top-down and horizontal, for the correct application of various omics sciences because, when well-integrated, they can contribute to our understanding of the genotypic plasticity of plant species [...]