bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factor Determining the Smallholder Farmer’s Perception on Organic Farming: A Case of Makmur Sejahtera Farmers Group, Batu City, Indonesia
Authors: Firdauzi Annisa , Ekowati Titik , Prasetyo Agus Subhan , Mariyono Joko
Published: May 2024

The perception of farmers in dealing with the phenomenon of climate change is to minimize the impact of reducing the productivity of agricultural products. Climate change which has an impact on the agricultural sector is also caused by unsustainable agricultural practices. Several studies have examined the adoption of organic farming innovations that are sustainable from an environmental aspect and increase farmer income. However, there has been no research on farmers' knowledge and perceptions of implementing organic farming as a climate change adaptation strategy. This research aims to analyze the factors that shape farmers' negative perceptions of organic farming and characteristics of the farmers. The sampling technique in this research uses a probability sampling approach with a total of 80 farmers with interviews using two languages, namely Javanese (local language) and Indonesian to make it easier to understand the research questions. This research used Second Order CFA with WarpPLS 5.0. The basic theory that is found in this study is farmers pay more attention to the attributes of innovation, observability of yields, and access to information. Farmers in Makmur Sejahtera Farmers Group are classified as laggards and late majority. The visible results from the demo plot of organic farming are lower than the results from land that applies conventional farming. Farmers prefer to use pesticides and chemical fertilizers to deal with pest explosions due to climate change. Based on the results, the adoption of organic farming for an adaptive climate change impact with a management policy was recommended.
STRUCTURALISM OF CHARACTER VALUES IN THE NOVEL â€œONE YEAR ACADEMICâ€ BY JUNIOR DANY WIBISONO
Authors: Syaiful Bahri
Published: May 2024

This study aims to determine the value theory of character education and structural theory. In line with the research objectives, this research uses qualitative research using descriptive methods. The data used in this study is a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic elements of literary works which include structural theory and the values of character education contained in the novel. The data source used in this research is the novel "One Academic Year" by Junior Dany Wibisono. The results of the analysis of the One Academic Year novel include structural theories such as intrinsic elements consisting of: (1) theme, namely the intrinsic elements of the novel which are the basis of the story, (2) plot/plot which is the storyline, (3) setting which refers to the background. time, atmosphere, and place of the story, (4) characterization is the determination of the character or character of the character, (5) point of view, namely the direction of a writer's point of view in conveying a story, (6) mandate, which is a moral message written by the author of the story. In addition, there are also extrinsic elements. The extrinsic element is the opposite of the novel's intrinsic element. The extrinsic elements of the novel are elements that are outside the literary work, but indirectly affect the structure of the literary work. The extrinsic element of a literary work depends on the author telling the work. Extrinsic elements for example are the values contained, background, and social situation. After structural theory, there are also character education values contained in the novel.
Metode Pengajaran Gus Yusuf Chudlori Pada Hadis-Hadis Yang Berkaitan Dengan Pendidikan Anak Dalam Kitab Ayyuha Al-Walad
Authors: Faridah Faridatul Miladiyah
Published: May 2024

Gus Yusuf is a religious scholar specializing in the field of Sufism. He extensively studies Sufi texts, one of which is the book Ayyuha al-Walad by Imam Ghazali. Although there have been many studies discussing or analyzing hadiths on child education, this research focuses specifically on one book, namely Ayyuha al-Walad. In the book Ayyuha al-Walad, many hadiths on education can be found, but it is also possible to find hadiths related to Sufism or education with a Sufi flavor. This is because the purpose of the book is to provide advice from Imam Ghazali to his students (who, after years of learning, still do not know what truly benefits them, so they ask their teacher to write down everything that should be followed in order to benefit in the hereafter). The author has selected hadiths that are relevant to the theme of education. This study utilizes both manual and digital library research methods. The data for the study includes the book Ayyuha al-Walad as the main reference, as well as commentaries on Ayyuha al-Walad and other foundational texts. The digital data sources include platforms such as Maktabah Syamilah, Jami' Kutubuttis'ah, the internet, and others. Gus Yusuf not only employs classical research methods but also utilizes modern methods, such as social media, as a means of preaching. This allows the general public to participate in the study without having to attend the gatherings in person. The study of the book Ayyuha al-Walad conducted by Gus Yusuf has received an extraordinary response and has been viewed thousands of times within a short period.
Islamic Perspective on Criminalization of Forced Marriage In Indonesia
Authors: AGUSTIAWAN M. HENDRI , Muhammad Abdulloh Rohmad Aziz
Published: May 2024

Forced marriage is a human rights violation that is widely practiced in various parts of the world, including Indonesia. This article aims to examine the Islamic perspective on the crime of forced marriage as regulated in Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Criminal Offense of Sexual Violence. This research is qualitative normative legal research analyzing laws and regulations in Indonesia and Islamic legal sources. The result of the study shows that Islam prohibits any form of forced marriage. Marriage must be based on the willingness and agreement of both parties. Perpetrators of forced marriage could be criminalized or sentenced to criminal sanction (takzir). Thus, Islam affirms the regulation of the criminal act of forced marriage as stated in Article Article 4 Paragraph (1) Letter e and Article 10 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 12 of 2022 concerning Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence. By criminalizing forced marriages, Islamic principles reject all forms of destruction and defend the values of justice, equality, and beneficialness.
TAXATION OF DIGITAL SERVICES IN UKRAINE AND WORLDWIDE
Authors:   SE “Institute for Economics and Forecasting of NAS of Ukraine”, Frolova Nataliya
Published: May 2024

Introduction. The article investigates modern approaches to the taxation of digital services both in Ukraine and in the world. A general overview of existing taxation of digital services, as well as an analysis of the components of digital service taxation in different countries, helps to identify important trends and better understand the directions of further improvements in this area in order to adapt the domestic system of digital service taxation to EU regulations. Problem Statement. To study current aspects of regulation of digital service taxation in the context of international cooperation and OECD initiatives, in particular within OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Tax Base Erosion and Profit Avoidance (G20/BEPS). The purpose is to generalize the international practice of digital service taxation in terms of studying the possibilities of its approbation in the conditions of Ukraine and evaluating the efficiency of Ukrainian value-added tax on the Services Electronically Supplied by Non-Residents. Methods: General scientific and special methods are used: analysis, synthesis, grouping, description, comparison, theoretical generalization and abstract-logical. Results. The authors examine the main principles underlying digital service taxation, and also compare the taxation systems of digital and traditional business in terms of their compliance with the main principles of taxation, in particular the principle of neutrality, efficiency, fairness, simplicity, flexibility and the principle of gained benefits. The efficiency of the Ukrainian value-added tax on the Services Electronically Supplied by Non-Residents for the period of 2022 was analysed based on the c-efficiency indicator and an assessment of the tax gap, the results of which revealed potential for increasing the volume of its revenues to the budget. Conclusions. The expediency of expanding the VAT base by lowering the VAT registration threshold for non-resident providers of digital services, as well as imposition of VAT on a wider range of services has been substantiated.
FINANCIAL CONTROLLING OF THE MERGER AND ACQUISITION PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
Authors:   Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Tereshchenko Oleg , Honcharenko Olha ,   Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman
Published: May 2024

Introduction. Geopolitical risks and crises have become a significant factor affecting financial and investment decisions. Military actions, pandemics, climate change, supply chain disruptions, and social upheavals have become drivers of uncertainty, leading to unpredictable volatility in global markets. This necessitates a reevaluation of traditional tools for supporting financial and investment decisions, including decisions regarding mergers and acquisitions (M&A transactions). Problem Statement. The problem lies in the insufficient adaptation of traditional decision-support tools for M&A to the new geopolitical reality, characterized by permanent crises, supply chain disruptions, and increased levels of uncertainty. Purpose. To determine the nature of the impact of geopolitical risks and behavioral factors on investment decision-making and to substantiate the concept of financial controlling in M&A. Methods. A mixed-method approach (Mixed Methods Research) was employed, whereby hypotheses were formulated based on inductive observations and then deductively tested. Within this framework, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied, including content analysis, abstract-logical and synthesis methods, regression-correlation analysis, and the online survey method (CAWI – Computer Assisted Web Interviewing). Results. The nature of the impact of geopolitical risks on the dynamics of the merger and acquisition market has been clarified. Based on empirical analysis, the influence of the subjective, behavioral component on investment decision-making as a whole and decisions regarding mergers and acquisitions in particular has been confirmed. For the first time, the concept of financial controlling in M&A has been substantiated, aimed at providing informational, methodological, and analytical support for relevant decisions. The essence of the ecosystem approach to the process of mergers and acquisitions has been revealed. Conclusions. It has been proven that geopolitical risks are insufficiently taken into account in the process of making investment decisions regarding M&A, which often leads to unsuccessful deals. This is a consequence of the shortcomings of existing company valuation and rating methodologies, as well as the influence of the subjective, behavioral component on investment decision-making. To address the complex issues associated with M&A, it is advisable to implement a comprehensive concept of financial controlling and an ecosystem approach to the merger and acquisition process.
Cyclic compressive loading induces a mature meniscal cell phenotype in mesenchymal stem cells with an atelocollagen-based scaffold
Authors: Oyama Shohei , Kanamoto Takashi , Ebina Kosuke , Etani Yuki , Hirao Makoto , Goshima Atsushi , Otani Shunya , Hikida Minami , Yamakawa Satoshi , Ito Shohei , Okada Seiji , Nakata Ken
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Biomechanical stimulation is reportedly pivotal in meniscal regeneration, although its effect on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) meniscal differentiation remains elusive. In this study, we investigated how cyclic compressive loading (CCL) could impact MSCs using three-dimensional cultures in atelocollagen-based meniscal substitute (ACMS).

Methods: We extracted MSCs from the meniscus, synovium, and articular cartilage, cultured them in three-dimensional cultures, and exposed them to CCL for 7 days. We then compared the transcriptomes of MSCs treated with and without CCL.

Results: Our RNA-seq analysis revealed that CCL induced significant transcriptome changes, significantly affecting chondrocyte-related genes, including SOX9, TGFB1, and PRG4 upregulation. CCL induced transcriptional differentiation of meniscus progenitors toward mature meniscal cells.

Conclusion: This study unveils the potential of mechanical stress in promoting MSC meniscal differentiation within ACMS. Our investigations provide new insights for mechanisms underlying meniscal regeneration with ACMS.
Role of TIM-1 in the development and treatment of tumours
Authors: Cao Jinmeng , Qing Jilin , Zhu Liya , Chen Zhizhong
Published: May 2024

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin structural domain 1 (TIM-1, also known as hepatitis A virus cell receptor 1) is a co-stimulatory molecule that is expressed predominantly on the surface of T cells. TIM-1 promotes the activation and proliferation of T cells, cytokine secretion, and can also be overexpressed in various types of cancer. Upregulation of TIM-1 expression may be associated with the development and progression of cancer. After reviewing the literature, we propose that TIM-1 affects tumour development mainly through two pathways. In the Direct pathway: overexpression in tumours activates tumour-related signaling pathways, mediates the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, and directly affects tumour development directly. In the indirect pathway: In addition to changing the tumour microenvironment and influencing the growth of tumours, TIM-1 binds to ligands to encourage the activation, proliferation, and generation of cytokines by immune cells. This review examines how TIM-1 stimulates the development of tumours in direct and indirect ways, and how TIM-1 is exploited as a target for cancer therapy.
Passive exercise provides a simultaneous and postexercise executive function benefit
Authors: Dalton Connor , Edgar Chloe , Tari Benjamin , Heath Matthew
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Passive exercise involves limb movement via an external force and is an intervention providing an immediate postexercise executive function (EF) benefit. It is, however, unknown whether EF is improved simultaneous with passive exercise—a salient question given the advent of passive (and active) exercise workstations designed to enhance productivity and wellbeing for individuals engaged in sedentary occupations.

Methods

Here, participants (N = 23) completed separate 20-min conditions involving active (i.e., via volitional muscle activation) and passive (i.e., via mechanically driven cycle ergometer) cycle ergometry and a non-exercise control condition. EF was assessed prior to (i.e., preintervention), simultaneous with, and immediately after (post-intervention) each condition via the antipointing task. Antipointing involves a goal-directed limb movement mirror-symmetrical to a target and is an ideal tool for the current investigation given that the task is mediated via EF inhibitory control networks that show response-dependent changes following a single bout of exercise.

Results and discussion

Results showed that passive exercise produced a simultaneous and post-intervention reduction in antipointing reaction time (RT), whereas active exercise selectively produced a post-intervention—but not simultaneous—RT reduction. Thus, passive and active exercise elicited a postexercise EF benefit; however, only passive exercise produced a simultaneous benefit. That passive—but not active—exercise produced a simultaneous benefit may reflect that the intervention provides the necessary physiological or psychological changes to elicit improved EF efficiency without the associated dual-task cost(s) of volitional muscle activity.
Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous novel variant in DOP1A gene in the Pakistan family with neurodevelopmental disabilities: case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Wei , Tariq Muhammad , Roy Bhaskar , Shen Juan , Khan Ayaz , Altaf Malik Naveed , He Sijie , Baig Shahid Mahmood , Fang Xiaodong , Zhang Jianguo
Published: May 2024

Background

Hereditary neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are prevalent in poorly prognostic pediatric diseases, but the pathogenesis of NDDs is still unclear. Irregular myelination could be one of the possible causes of NDDs.

Case presentation

Here, whole exome sequencing was carried out for a consanguineous Pakistani family with NDDs to identify disease-associated variants. The co-segregation of candidate variants in the family was validated using Sanger sequencing. The potential impact of the gene on NDDs has been supported by conservation analysis, protein prediction, and expression analysis. A novel homozygous variant DOP1A(NM_001385863.1):c.2561A>G was identified. It was concluded that the missense variant might affect the protein-protein binding sites of the critical MEC interaction region of DOP1A, and DOP1A-MON2 may cause stability deficits in Golgi-endosome protein traffic. Proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associate glycoprotein (MAG) could be targets of the DOP1A-MON2 Golgi-endosome traffic complex, especially during the fetal stage and the early developmental stages. This further supports the perspective that disorganized myelinogenesis due to congenital DOP1A deficiency might cause neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).

Conclusion

Our case study revealed the potential pathway of myelinogenesis-relevant NDDs and identified DOP1A as a potential NDDs-relevant gene in humans.
Implementation of a program for treatment of acute infections in nursing homes without hospital transfer
Authors: Kagansky Nadya , Rosenberg Reena , Derazne Estela , Mazurez Evelina , Levy Yochai , Barchana Micha
Published: May 2024

Background

Nursing care residents have high hospitalization rates. To address this, we established a unique virtual geriatric unit that has developed a program aimed at providing support to nursing homes.

Aims

We aimed to evaluate effectiveness of in-house intravenous antibiotic treatment in nursing hospitals after the implementation of the specially designed training program.

Methods

A cohort study of nursing home residents to evaluate a training program for providers, designed to increase awareness and give practical tools for in-house treatment of acute infections. Data obtained included types of infections, antibiotics used, hospital transfer, and length of treatment. Primary outcomes were in-house recovery, hospitalization and mortality. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess association between different factors and recovery.

Results

A total of 890 cases of acute infections were treated with intravenous antibiotics across 10 nursing homes over a total of 4,436 days. Of these cases, 34.8% were aged 90 years or older. Acute pneumonia was the most prevalent infection accounted for 354 cases (40.6%), followed by urinary tract infections (35.7%), and fever of presumed bacterial infection (17.1%). The mean duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment was 5.09 ± 3.86 days. Of the total cases, 800 (91.8%) recovered, 62 (7.1%) required hospitalization and nine (1.0%) resulted in mortality. There was no significant difference observed in recovery rates across different types of infections.

Discussion

Appling a simple yet unique intervention program has led to more “in-house” residents receiving treatment, with positive clinical results.

Conclusion

Treating in-house nursing home residents with acute infections resulted in high recovery rates. Special education programs and collaboration between healthcare organizations can improve treatment outcomes and decrease the burden on the healthcare system.
10 Hz rhythmic stimulation modulates electrophysiological, but not behavioral markers of suppression
Authors: Szaszkó Bence , Habeler Martin , Forstinger Marlene , Pomper Ulrich , Scheftner Manuel , Stolte Moritz , Grüner Markus , Ansorge Ulrich
Published: May 2024

We investigated the role of alpha in the suppression of attention capture by salient but to-be-suppressed (negative and nonpredictive) color cues, expecting a potential boosting effect of alpha-rhythmic entrainment on feature-specific cue suppression. We did so by presenting a rhythmically flickering visual bar of 10 Hz before the cue - either on the cue’s side or opposite the cue -while an arrhythmically flickering visual bar was presented on the respective other side. We hypothesized that rhythmic entrainment at cue location could enhance the suppression of the cue. Testing 27 participants ranging from 18 to 39 years of age, we found both behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of suppression: Search times for a target at a negatively cued location were delayed relative to a target away from the cued location (inverse validity effects). In addition, an event-related potential indicative for suppression (the Distractor Positivity, Pd) was observed following rhythmic but not arrhythmic stimulation, indicating that suppression was boosted by the stimulation. This was also echoed in higher spectral power and intertrial phase coherence of EEG at rhythmically versus arrhythmically stimulated electrode sites, albeit only at the second harmonic (20 Hz), but not at the stimulation frequency. In addition, inverse validity effects were not modulated by rhythmic entrainment congruent with the cue side. Hence, we propose that rhythmic visual stimulation in the alpha range could support suppression, though behavioral evidence remains elusive, in contrast to electrophysiological findings.
Child face recognition at scale: synthetic data generation and performance benchmark
Authors: Falkenberg Magnus , Bensen Ottsen Anders , Ibsen Mathias , Rathgeb Christian
Published: May 2024

We address the need for a large-scale database of children’s faces by using generative adversarial networks (GANs) and face-age progression (FAP) models to synthesize a realistic dataset referred to as “HDA-SynChildFaces”. Hence, we proposed a processing pipeline that initially utilizes StyleGAN3 to sample adult subjects, which is subsequently progressed to children of varying ages using InterFaceGAN. Intra-subject variations, such as facial expression and pose, are created by further manipulating the subjects in their latent space. Additionally, this pipeline allows the even distribution of the races of subjects, allowing the generation of a balanced and fair dataset with respect to race distribution. The resulting HDA-SynChildFaces consists of 1,652 subjects and 188,328 images, each subject being present at various ages and with many different intra-subject variations. We then evaluated the performance of various facial recognition systems on the generated database and compared the results of adults and children at different ages. The study reveals that children consistently perform worse than adults on all tested systems and that the degradation in performance is proportional to age. Additionally, our study uncovers some biases in the recognition systems, with Asian and black subjects and females performing worse than white and Latino-Hispanic subjects and males.
How social-ecological systems resilience unfolds from distinct worldviews
Authors: Oliveira Bruno M. , Boumans Roelof , Fath Brian D. , Harari Joseph
Published: May 2024

Resilience is a critically important factor to consider for sustainably managing natural resources and social-ecological systems (SESs). Each social system will, collectively, have its own goals for how resources are perceived and the principles that underpin their resilience, and, multiple actors, individually, will approach the question with different perspectives. Here, we represent these plural perspectives in terms of worldviews, using the typologies from cultural theory. We combined the underpinning resilience principles from a previously built SES model to assess the extent to which these worldviews influence the results. Resilience was measured using a prototype Dynamic Resilience Index (DRI) validated in a previous publication. The results show the resilience of our SESs will behave in three different ways depending on each worldview used. Free markets (individualists) start the simulation period with a higher resilience. Strong governance (hierarchy) will take a higher position around 2025 and maintain the best value to the end of the simulation in 2100. The precautionary principle (egalitarians) starts with the lowest values for the DRI but ends closer to the strong governance, and it is the only worldview that increased its resilience throughout the simulation. Each worldview couples better to a particular management approach, and the SES behavior responds accordingly. The relevance for the governance of the SES is great as each worldview brings flawed contributions to resilience and wellbeing. Our research also shows that a possible negotiated solution between these worldviews would locate resilience inside the “solution space,” which is graphically determined and discussed. Adopting each worldview is then discussed in terms of contributions and problems they imply to the system's resilience.
Glaucoma Detection using Fundus Images by Extracting Localized Disc Features
Authors: Ijaz Ayesha , Suhail Zobia
Published: May 2024

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It occurs due to high pressure in the eyes and other factors such as family history, age, ethnicity, etc. It damages the optic nervous system which is irreversible damage. That's why regular screening for glaucoma is crucial and recommended. Researchers are continuously searching for better methods to identify glaucoma at early stages before it becomes worse and incurable. Significant work has been conducted on it, but there is still room for improvement. The main goal of this study is to propose a reliable system for glaucoma detection that considers the key factors contributing to glaucoma development, in accordance with the decisions made by clinical experts. In this work, the U-net model is used with EfficentNetb3 as a backbone model for optic disc and optical cup segmentation. In addition, a general deep learning model that has 1D convolution layers and other basic layers is used for glaucoma classification. Features extracted from optical disc and optical cup are used to train the deep learning model and overall 95% classification accuracy and 0.92 AUC are achieved for glaucoma classification on the RIGA dataset.
Securing the Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Review of Security Challenges and Artificial Intelligence Solutions
Authors: Soofi Aized Amin , Tahir Muhammad , Raza Naeem
Published: May 2024

One of the major needs and challenges of this century is the use of cutting-edge technology considering the industry 4.0 revolution. The Internet of Things (IoT) falls in the category of a cutting-edge example of such innovation in the computing and information industry. In IoT compared to classical networking methods practically; every device we employ is accessible at any time from any location. Nevertheless, IoT continues to encounter several security challenges, and the magnitude of cyber-physical security risks is escalating alongside the widespread use of IoT technologies considering Moore’s laws expected to be 30 billion devices by 2025. IoT will continue to face vulnerabilities and risks unless there is a comprehensive understanding and proactive approach towards tackling its security concerns. To ensure both the cyber and physical security of IoT devices during data gathering and sharing, it is imperative to evaluate security considerations, identify instances of cyber-attacks, and implement effective security protocols at multiple layers for making highly secured IoT. Conventional security measures like data classification, strict access controls, monitoring privileged account access, encrypting sensitive data, security awareness training, network segregation, segmentation cloud security, application security, patch management, and physical security employed in the realm of IoT are inadequate in light of the current security difficulties posed by the proliferation of sophisticated attacks and threats. Utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, especially machine and deep learning models is becoming a compelling and effective approach to enhance security of the IoT devices. This research article presents a comprehensive review of the key aspects of IoT security, including the challenges, potential opportunities, and AI-driven solutions. The primary goal of this article is to provide technical resources for cybersecurity experts and researchers working on IoT initiatives.
Pictorial Task Assistance System using Electroencephalography Signals
Authors: Afreen Sadaf , Umar Saeed Sanay Muhammad , Khan Sheharyar
Published: May 2024

Neuromuscular disorders are a significant health problem globally. Patients may experience paralysis, muscle weakness, and communication problems because of these disorders. We propose a Pictorial Task Assistance System to help patients with communication issues using Electroencephalography (EEG). We developed an interface for patients containing an image of food and water. We collected EEG data from 25 healthy students using the Muse headset and Muse monitor app for our study, while they selected one of the images. The EEG data was used to train three supervised machine-learning algorithms for classification. The labels were acquired manually from participants. Using 10-fold cross-validation the results demonstrated that the Random Forest (RF) classifier achieved 88% accuracy, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) 80%, and 76% accuracy in Logistic Regression (LR) in the classification of food and water images. These results suggest that the proposed system has the potential to be a useful tool for patients suffering from neuromuscular disorders to perform communication for their necessary tasks.
Study on Working Characteristics of 4-Column Hydraulic Support in Lifting–Lowering–Moving State Based on Microcontact Theory and Rigid–Flexible–Mechanical–Hydraulic Coupling Simulation Model
Authors: Xie Bowen , Yang Yang
Published: May 2024

A hydraulic support is one of the most important pieces of equipment in fully mechanized coal mining, and its stability and reliability will have a direct impact on fully mechanized coal mining. In order to deeply elucidate the dynamic working characteristics of a hydraulic support during lifting, lowering, and moving, and to provide theoretical support for further optimizing the stability and reliability of a hydraulic support, the dynamic characteristics of a hydraulic support are studied in this paper. Firstly, in order to study the dynamic working characteristics of hydraulic support lifting, a rigid–flexible coupling dynamic simulation model of a hydraulic support is established; in order to study the dynamic working characteristics of hydraulic support moving, a microcontact dynamic model of a hydraulic support and the caving face roof and floor based on G-W contact theory is proposed, and the first rigid–flexible–mechanical–hydraulic coupling dynamic simulation system of a hydraulic support and the roof and floor of a caving face is established in the industry. Then, based on this foundation, simulation experiments are conducted for hydraulic support lifting, moving without pressure, and moving with pressure, respectively. The working characteristic parameters of the hydraulic support are collected and analyzed. The results show that working speed, working height, surface contact conditions, residual working resistance, and impact load have different effects on the stability and reliability of the hydraulic support. This study can provide in-depth technical support and theoretical guidance for understanding and improving the dynamic working characteristics of the hydraulic support.
Comprehensive Analysis of Groundwater Suitability for Irrigation in Rural Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Soomro Shoukat Ali , Hao Li , Memon Gulsher Ali , Junejo Abdul Rahim , Niu Wenquan , Channa Zahid Ali , Chandio Muhammad Kareem , Channa Jamshed Ali , Alkahtani Jawaher , Dahri Jahangeer
Published: May 2024

An irrigation quality assessment for rural Hyderabad was made by determining the pH, EC, TDS and TH beside major cations and anions. This study employed various parameters to determine the suitability of groundwater for irrigation and its hydrochemistry. Permissible limits of major cations and anions revealed that approximately 26% of samples exceeded acceptable levels for Electrical Conductivity (EC), 87% for Ca2+, 89% for Mg2+, and 60% for Na+, while none exceeded the limits for K+. Conversely, 47% of samples for HCO3−, 91% for Cl−, and 100% for SO42−, NO3−, and CO32− proved suitability for irrigation. Notably, irrigation indices highlighted favorable results, with 100% conformity for SAR, SSP, RSP, and PI values, and substantial percentages of 78% and 85% for MH and KR values, respectively, affirming their suitability for irrigation practices. Employing the USSL diagram, 22%, 65%, and 11% of samples fall into the C2S1, C3S1, and C4S1 categories. According to the Wilcox diagram, 25%, 43%, 30%, and 2% are classified under C1, C2, C3, and C4 categories, respectively. The Gibbs ratio shows a concentration within the evaporation dominance, and CAI values showed positive ion exchange. Overall, Hyderabad’s rural areas are generally suitable for irrigation, apart from certain areas where water quality may not be acceptable for plants lacking high salt tolerance.
Physicochemical Properties and Fine Structure of Starch in Jinong Xiangruan 1 and DGR1 Soft Rice Varieties Cultivated in Different Regions of China
Authors: Hua Zhuoyi , Iqbal Zubair , Han Yu , Wu Chenyang , Pei Zhongyou , Zhang Xin , Sun Jing , Qu Mingnan , Li Zhibin
Published: May 2024

Rice, a staple food for billions around the globe, is cultivated in numerous forms. Among them, soft rice is well known, which is characterized by its tender, creamy consistency and desirable texture. In this study, we examined the physicochemical properties and fine structure of starch from two soft rice varieties, Jinong Xiangruan 1 and DGR1, cultivated in different regions in China (Baodi District, Tianjin City; Liaoning Province; and Fengyang City, Anhui Province). The aim was to understand how amylopectin content (AC) influences rice quality. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the role of amylopectin in determining rice’s adhesive consistency and viscosity. Significant regional differences were observed in yield components such as the number of grains per panicle, seed setting rates and 1000-grain weight, with Liaoning generally showing higher performance metrics compared to other regions. Physicochemical analysis highlighted that though glue consistency and taste values showed little regional variation, AC significantly influenced rice hardness and viscosity. Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) profile analysis further demonstrated distinct differences in viscosity characteristics, underscoring the regional impacts on starch behavior. Additionally, molecular weight distribution and amylopectin chain length analysis, conducted via SEC-MALLS-RI and ICS ion chromatography, revealed notable differences in starch composition across varieties and locations. The findings suggest that environmental conditions play a crucial role in defining starch characteristics and, consequently, the eating quality of rice. This provides valuable insights for breeding high-quality japonica rice with broad adaptability.
Clonal Transgenerational Effects of Parental Grazing Environment on Offspring Shade Avoidance
Authors: Yin Jingjing , Ren Weibo , Fry Ellen L. , Xu Ke , Qu Kairi , Gao Kairu , Bao Hailong , Guo Fenghui
Published: May 2024

Grassland plants that endure livestock grazing exhibit a dwarf phenotype, which can be transmitted to clonal offspring. Yet to date, it remains poorly understood whether such transgenerational dwarf effects alter the plants’ response to shade. Here, we conducted a common garden experiment under sunlight and shade conditions with clonal Leymus chinensis offspring, the parents of which had endured livestock overgrazing (OG) and non-grazing (NG) in the field, respectively. Plant morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses were carried out. The results indicated that NG offspring showed greater shade avoidance than OG offspring. That is, NG offspring exhibited greater plasticity of vegetative height and leaf width, which may be contributed to their greater photosynthetic capacity and gibberellin (GA3) content compared with OG offspring when treated with shade. In addition, RNA-Seq profiling showed that differentially expressed genes in NG offspring were mainly enriched in RNA modification and metabolic processes, which facilitated rapid response to shade. Phytochrome interacting factors (PIFs) promoted downstream shade marker genes in NG offspring by significantly downregulating the expression of PHYC, SPY, and DELLA. Our findings suggest that light conditions should be taken into account to better understand transgenerational dwarf effects induced by livestock grazing on grassland ecosystems. These results provide new insights into the inducible factors of phenotypic variations in grassland plants that experience grazing.
Serum Biochemical Parameters of Broilers Affected by Wooden Breast Myopathy
Authors: Lebednikaitė Eglė , Sutkevičienė Neringa , Vilkonienė Toma , Balčiauskienė Žana , Kučinskas Kęstutis , Anskienė Lina , Pockevičius Alius
Published: May 2024

Wooden breast (WB) myopathy is a pathology of the pectoralis major muscle. Wooden breast is caused by multiple factors. The exact etiopathogenesis of this myodegenerative pathology is still unclear. Fast-growing commercial lines of broilers that are selected for high breast muscle yields are more susceptible to this myopathy. The biochemical analysis of blood is used to diagnose pathologies and understand disease processes. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine and compare the changes in the blood serum biochemical parameters of Ross 308 chicken broilers without myopathy and those affected by WB myopathy. Blood samples were collected from male and female Ross 308 broilers that were 43 days old, with an average live weight of 2.98–3.09 kg. Representative blood samples were selected from broilers with WB (n = 33) and without WB (n = 33). In the laboratory, the blood was centrifugated, and biochemical tests were performed with an automated computerized biochemistry analyzer. The research results showed that broilers with WB had elevated blood serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) (p = 0.018), potassium (p = 0.010), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.012). In conclusion, elevated serum levels of CK and potassium indicated that skeletal muscle cells were damaged. Moreover, increased ALT levels suggested a possible association between WB myopathy and liver damage. Additionally, these research findings underscore the diagnostic significance of CK and hint at its potential as a WB biomarker.
Relationship between Rumen Microbial Differences and Phenotype Traits among Hu Sheep and Crossbred Offspring Sheep
Authors: Wang Haibo , Zhan Jinshun , Jia Haobin , Jiang Haoyun , Pan Yue , Zhong Xiaojun , Zhao Shengguo , Huo Junhong
Published: May 2024

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of three–way hybrid sheep and Hu sheep on serum indicators, rumen fermentation, rumen enzyme activity, and microorganisms in sheep. Healthy and similar birth weights from three groups (Hu, n = 11; Charolais × Australian White × Hu, CAH, n = 11; Charolais × Dorper × Hu, CDH, n = 11) were selected to be fed by the ewes until 45 days of age. Subsequently, they were weaned intensively and underwent short–term fattening for 3 months along with selected male lambs fed intensively. During this period, they were fed and watered ad libitum. Blood and rumen fluid were collected and analyzed for serum indicators and rumen fluid microorganisms, enzyme activity, and VFA, respectively, at the end of the fattening period. Compared with Hu lamb, the offspring of the three–way hybrid lamb showed significant improvements in body weight, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine content. However, there was no significant effect on serum immunity and antioxidant indices. In addition, the rumen fluid volatile fatty acid (VFA) molar concentration and microcrystalline cellulose and lipase content were significantly lower in the three–way hybrid lamb compared to Hu lamb, but β–glucosidase, amylase, pepsin, and VFA molar ratio were not significantly affected. Subsequently, 16S rRNA sequencing diversity analysis revealed that three–way hybrid lamb significantly increased rumen microbial ACE and Chao1 indices compared to Hu lamb. Meanwhile, the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota and Synergistota significantly increased at the phylum level. Correlation analysis showed that Prevotella had the highest proportion, while Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group correlated most closely with others genus. The microbial communities isovaleric acid molar concentration and proportion were strongly correlated. In addition, there were significant differences in correlations between microbial communities and isobutyric acid, butyric acid and valeric acid content, and their molar proportion, but they were not significantly correlated with digestive enzymes. From the functional enrichment analysis, it was found that hybrid progeny were mainly enriched in the pyruvate metabolism, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, carbon metabolism, and quorum sensing pathways. In contrast, the Hu sheep were primarily enriched in the cysteine and methionine, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolite pathways. These results suggest that hybridization can play a role in regulating organismal metabolism and improve animal production performance by influencing the structure and characteristics of microbial communities.
The Effects of Feedstock, Pyrolysis Temperature, and Residence Time on the Properties and Uses of Biochar from Broom and Gorse Wastes
Authors: Cárdenas-Aguiar Eliana , Méndez Ana , Gascó Gabriel , Lado Marcos , Paz-González Antonio
Published: May 2024

Biochar (BC), which can be produced from several feedstocks, has been widely studied. However, the BC derived from highly pyrolytic shrubs, such as broom and gorse, has been less frequently used and only partially characterized. These wastes, when used for the preparation of biochar, can fix carbon and contribute to environmental conservation, helping to achieve sustainable development objectives. Eight biochars from broom and gorse were produced and fully analyzed, providing a more complete and novel description, with new insights for assessing their utilization. The aims of this study were to elucidate the effects of feedstock, pyrolysis temperature, and residence time on biochar properties and to assess the adequacy of these biochars as fuel. Elemental and proximate analyses and estimations of the lower and higher heating values were performed, and physical and chemical properties, as well as several other related energy indices, were determined. The experimental results showed that the temperature was a key factor in the properties of the biochars, while residence time was less important. The BCs obtained from the two feedstocks did not show important effects on the properties, which is consistent with the fact that they are woody legumes. These biochars had a high carbon content and were thermally stable. The BCs also had a high calorific value and suitable energetic properties. Additionally, their PAH contents were low, indicating that the use of these biochars would be safe. In conclusion, broom- and gorse-derived biochars can be considered as renewable fuels for green energy production.
Study on the Bouncing Process Induced by Ice Shedding on Overhead Conductors under Strong Wind Conditions
Authors: Dong Xinsheng , Zhao Mingguan , Li Meng , Zhu Yongcan
Published: May 2024

Strong winds can lead to more complex ice shedding oscillation processes for overhead conductors, inducing flashovers, strand breakages and other accidents. This study analyzes the aerodynamic parameters of several typical icing features and establishes a numerical model for ice shedding on overhead conductors under strong wind conditions. The results show that for the same amount of icing, the resistance and lift force on the conductor changes with ice shape, wind attack angle and wind speed, which has a significant effect on the ice shedding jumping process. When the wind attack angle approaches 180°, the airflow resistance of the fan-shaped and D-shaped icing conductors significantly increases. And in the process of ice shedding response of transmission lines, the lateral amplitude may exceed 20 m, which increase the discharge risk of horizontally arranged conductors. Moreover, for the significant lateral oscillation of conductors by ice shedding under strong wind, the maximum horizontal displacement is approximately 1.6 times the difference in lateral position before and after ice shedding.
Potential Role of Bioactive Compounds: In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Fermented Milk Thistle
Authors: Kucharska Edyta , Grygorcewicz Bartłomiej , Spietelun Monika , Olszewska Patrycja , Bobkowska Anna , Ryglewicz Joanna , Nowak Anna , Muzykiewicz-Szymańska Anna , Kucharski Łukasz , Pełech Robert
Published: May 2024

The group of innovative ingredients in cosmetic preparations includes bio-ferments (Bs), which are characterized by high bioactivity and biocompatibility, and one of the plants rich in bioactive compounds that has a beneficial effect on the skin and the body is Silybum marianum. Bio-ferments obtained from this plant are becoming increasingly useful as active ingredients in cosmetics. In the present study, four different bio-ferments were obtained by fermentation of pomace (B-P), extract (B-E), oil (B-O), and seeds (B-S) of milk thistle. Their biodegradability (%B), total polyphenols content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), and antimicrobial, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods), chelating (Fe2+ ions), and reduction (Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions) properties, as well as the acidity, were evaluated. The contact angle using the sessile drop method was assessed to investigate bio-ferments’ impact on skin wettability. Finally, the content of selected phenolic acids in the Bs was evaluated using the HPLC method, while the lactic acid (LA) content was assessed using the GC-MS method. All bio-ferments were characterized by high polyphenols content (13.56 ± 0.10–15.28 ± 0.12 mmol GA/L B), chelating (0.08 ± 0.01–0.17 ± 0.01 mmol Fe2+/L B) and antioxidant activity (DPPH method, 2.41 ± 0.01–3.53 ± 0.01 mmol Tx/L B), and reducing Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, and LA were identified in Bs. The most increased antibacterial activity for B-P was observed for a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 250 μL/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 250 μL/mL). Simultaneously, B-S demonstrated the highest inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli (MIC = 125 μL/mL), emphasizing the varied antimicrobial profiles of these bio-ferments against different bacterial strains. Research on aerobic biodegradation demonstrated a high level of degradation (%B = 60 ± 1–65 ± 3), and all Bs were categorized as readily degradable according to the OECD classification.