bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparasion Analysis of Video Quality on Codec VP8 and H.265 PBX Server with Pixel Conversion Method
Authors: Adi Putri Riza Rosyidah , Atmadja Martono Dwi , Junus Mochammad
Published: October 2022

Many studies and research are continuously being developed to improve the quality and capability of video compression. Compression of the video is done with the help of a video codec, in the video there are several types of video codecs including VP8 and H.265. These two codec models have very high resolutions for video. In implementing video calls, the determination of the codec has not been able to prove the results of video quality. To be able to know the quality of the resulting video, codec quality testing can be done through pixel conversion which can later be analyzed for video quality when making calls. In this study, a comparison of the performance of the VP8 and H.265 codecs will be carried out using the FreePBX server as a Raspberry Pi-based Video Call Server and is expected to find out which codecs are appropriate to use for the video call process. Based on the results of the comparison study between the two codecs, it shows that the value of the QoS parameter includes packet loss codec H.265 with a resolution of 720 lower with a value of 0.95%. The throughput value of the VP8 codec with 720p resolution is higher with a value of 1275.36 Kbps. The delay value in the H.265 codec with VGA resolution lower with a value of 6.78 ms. The results of the pixel conversion test show that the H265 codec has a higher PSNR value of 55.64 dB and a lower MSE value of 5.66.
Comparative Analysis of Voice Quality on iLBC and Speex Codecs Server PBX with Voice Comparison Method
Authors: Dewanti Reza Afrida , Atmaja Martono Dwi , Zakaria Nanak
Published: October 2022

VoIP servers provide several types of codecs including iLBC and Speex codecs, each type of codec has a different capacity and quality- different. So that in the process of choosing a codec implementation, VoIP becomes one of the things that affect the quality of communication. The iLBC and Speex codecs are intended for high quality but bitrate . By comparing iLBC and Speex communication, VoIP hoped that the better performance between the two codecs would communicate VoIP based on Quality of Service (QoS) and analyze the audio results of VoIP for voice quality analysis using the voice comparison method using Matlab. Based on the results of the research between the iLBC and Speex parameter value QoS including delay codec speex  is smaller than iLBC codec of 31.12 ms. The jitter value of the iLBC and speex is the same, namely 0.01. The packet loss value of the iLBC codec is smaller than the speex codec of 6.18%. The results of the sound quality test in matlab using the sound comparison method showed that the delta amplitude codec speex value was smaller than iLBC codec of 0.00004551 volts.
Component Loan Application Design and Check Loan Transactions for Dependent Free Letters at the AI Building at The State Polytechnic of Malang Web-Based
Authors: Sari Cindy Dwi Puspita , Nanak Zakaria M. , Adriati Wijayanti Rieke
Published: October 2022

The development of information and communication technology is a major need in this advanced era with the aim of all computerized activities ranging from office work, banking, administration, libraries, education, government, organizations, and many more that are very dependent on the sophistication of computers and existing applications. inside it. In the AI ??Polinema Building in the component borrowing room, the component borrowing system and transaction checking for existing collateral-free letters still use the conventional system which causes ineffectiveness in component borrowing and free-of-liberty letter processing. Therefore, a research will be conducted to design a component loan application and check loan transactions for a Web-based free letter. Based on the problems above, in this study the researchers created a system that can support component lending and checking loan transactions for Web-based free letters. This system uses the Visual Studio Code application. From this study, it was found that the system that has been created by the researcher can run well and can help improve the performance of the technicians on duty in the loan room as well as the effectiveness of time for students in the loan process and managing free letters.
Monitoring of Voltage and Load Current Integration of Solar Panels with Electric Grids Android-Based
Authors: Darmono Hendro , Koesmarijanto Koesmarijanto , Naufal Ferizal Rif'at
Published: October 2022

Energy has been a human need since ancient times which has been an indicator of prosperity. However, that doesn't mean there won't be problems. The longer the petroleum reserves are getting depleted, so sooner or later humans must make more use of non-fossil alternative energy. An example is solar energy whose availability will never run out. Therefore, the application of Solar Power Generation (PLTS) technology to utilize its energy potential. The goal of the project is to develop a system for integrating solar power with electrical grids that can track the voltage and current of the applied load. The PZEM004T sensor produces an accuracy of 99.4 percent on the voltage variable test, which compares favorably with the ACS712 current sensor's accuracy of 97.8 percent. The lowest light intensity measured in the current variable test is 24351 lux with an output voltage of 17.32V at the time range between 4-5 pm, and the highest is 103901 lux with an output voltage of 18.9V at the time range between 11-12 am. Accuracy is 98.5 percent with light loads and 99.2 percent when the charger is used. Relays' ability to switch between resources has been tested, and the results have met expectations.
Use of silos of legume-cereal grass mixtures in the diets of young cattle
Authors: Sharifyanov Bilus , Ishmuratov Halyaf , Shagaliev Fanuz
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this work is to increase the intensity of growth and development of young cattle when rearing highly productive cows, as well as when fattening for meat through the use of energy-saturated high-protein silos harvested using a new technology in feeding diets. To solve the tasks set in the conditions of LLC "Yenikeyev" Dyurtyulinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan, crops of mixtures of high-protein, energy-saturated unconventional and crops of mixtures of traditional fodder crops were isolated and silos were prepared by preliminary drying to 70% humidity and using a new generation preservative Biosib. The study of the chemical composition and nutritional value of feed was carried out in the laboratories of zooanalysis of the Bashkir Research Institute of the UFIC RAS and BASHNPVL according to generally accepted methods. Studies have shown that silos from legume-cereal grass mixtures, harvested according to new technologies, are real reserves for replenishing the range of feed for young cattle when growing highly productive cows in the winter-stall period of maintenance, as well as when fattening for meat. The feed is highly nutritious and of good quality. 1 kg of feed contains 0,22-0,24 EKE and 19,0-23,9 g of digestible protein. Feeding heifers 7 kg / head / day of silage of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk increases the intensity of their growth. Compared with the control, the average daily gains in live weight of animals in the experimental group were 7,8% higher. The use of 8 kg of silage in the diet of heifers of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk, while reducing the proportion of concentrates by 0,2 kg, contributes to an increase in live weight gain by 9,0% compared with a group of animals receiving a similar feed mixture of alfalfa and boneless stalk. Feeding bulls 12 and 17 kg of silage with a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk also increases the intensity of their growth. In comparison with the control, the average daily increments of animals of the experimental groups were higher by 9,5 and 14,3%. The use of 12 and 17 kg of silage in the diets of fattened young animals of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless rump reduces the cost of concentrated feed per unit of increase by 9,3 and 37,2%.
Main elements of the technology of creation and use of irrigated cultural pastures in the steppe zone of the Kabardino-Balkaria
Authors: Kushhov Aslan , Berbekova Natal'ya
Published: October 2022

An important condition for the development of animal husbandry and the reduction of the cost of its production is the creation of long-term irrigated cultivated pastures that ensure the collection of the cheapest and earliest fodder. At present, and in the future, in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, an urgent direction in providing farm animals with high-quality and cheap feed is to increase the efficiency of using natural fodder lands. For the most part, natural hayfields and pastures are characterized by relatively low yields, grass stands of low nutritional value. Intensive development of dairy and beef animal husbandry requires an increase in the areas occupied by the most resistant crops and varieties of annual and perennial fodder grasses, and their mixtures. Long-term herbage, with the correct selection of grass species, the development of appropriate agricultural techniques for their cultivation and rational use, will significantly increase the fodder capacity of natural forage lands and provide livestock farming with cheaper pasture fodder.
A colorimetric, sensitive, rapid, and simple diagnostic kit for the HLB putative causal agent detection
Authors: Stolowicz Fabiana , Larocca Luciana , Werbajh Santiago , Parma Yanil , Carrillo Carolina , Ogas Lorena , Agostini Juan Pedro , Redes Jonathan , Welin Bjorn , Castagnaro Atilio , Vojnov Adrian
Published: October 2022

Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most devastating diseases in citrus worldwide. The Gram-negative bacterial plant pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter spp.” is phloem-limited and vectored by citrus psyllids. The species “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (C.Las) has been detected in Argentina, and its vector has been found in at least nine provinces. Early detection of C.Las is critical for a successful management of HLB disease. Currently, HLB molecular diagnosis is carried out by PCR, nested PCR, real-time PCR, or another combination of these techniques, which require purification of genomic DNA, sophisticated equipment, and highly trained personnel. We have developed a prototype of a sensitive colorimetric kit to detect C.Las based on the specific DNA isothermal amplification of this microorganism. The reaction buffer contains hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB), an indicator dye that turns from violet to blue/light blue when the DNA amplification reaction is positive. Similar sensitivity to visualize a positive reaction was observed between HNB loop-mediated isothermal amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. The detection of C.Las-infected plants was up to 8 ng of total infected plant genomic DNA, similar to quantitative PCR. A blind validation test of the prototype kit was performed with purified DNA extracted from healthy or C.Las-infected midrib plants. Our kit showed 100% concordance with the results of a gold-standard quantitative PCR technique applied by the Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de EEA Montecarlo. The analysis of samples, without DNA purification to detect C.Las, showed a similar sensitivity to the analysis of the same samples in which C.Las DNA was previously purified.
Deep Image Prior for medical image denoising, a study about parameter initialization
Authors: Sapienza Davide , Franchini Giorgia , Govi Elena , Bertogna Marko , Prato Marco
Published: October 2022

Convolutional Neural Networks are widely known and used architectures in image processing contexts, in particular for medical images. These Deep Learning techniques, known for their ability to extract high-level features, almost always require a labeled dataset, a process that can be computationally expensive. Most of the time in the biomedical context, when images are used they are noisy and the ground-truth is unknown. For this reason, and in the context of Green Artificial Intelligence, recently, an unsupervised method that employs Convolutional Neural Networks, or more precisely autoencoders, has appeared in the panorama of Deep Learning. This technique, called Deep Image Prior (DIP) by the authors, can be used in areas such as denoising, superresolution, and inpainting. Starting from these assumptions, this work analyses the robustness of these networks with respect to different types of initialization. First of all, we analyze the different types of parameters: related to the Batch Norm and the Convolutional layers. For the results, we focus on the speed of convergence and the maximum performance obtained. However, this paper aims to apply acquired information on Computer Tomography noised images. In fact, the final purpose is to test the best initializations of the first phase on a phantom image and then on a real Computer Tomography one. In fact, Computer Tomography together with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography are some of the diagnostic tools currently available to neuroscientists and oncologists. This work shows how initializations affect final performances and, in addition, how they should be used in the medical image reconstruction field. The section on numerical experiments shows results that on the one hand confirm the importance of a good initialization to obtain fast convergence and high performance; on the other hand, it shows how the method is robust to the processing of different image types: natural and medical. Not a single good initialization is discovered, but many of them could be chosen, according to specific necessities of the single problem.
Multifunctional lignin-poly (lactic acid) biocomposites for packaging applications
Authors: Esakkimuthu Esakkiammal Sudha , DeVallance David , Pylypchuk Ievgen , Moreno Adrian , Sipponen Mika H.
Published: October 2022

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic biopolymer with many promising features but also shortcomings as a filler in polymer blends. The main objective of this work was to improve the processability and compatibility of lignin with poly (lactic acid) (PLA) through etherification of lignin. Commercial kraft lignin (KL) and oxypropylated kraft lignin (OPKL) were blended with PLA at different weight percentages (1, 5, 10, 20, and 40%) followed by injection molding. Low lignin contents between 1 and 10% generally had a favorable impact on mechanical strength and moduli as well as functional properties of the PLA-based composites. Unmodified lignin with free phenolic hydroxyl groups rendered the composites with antioxidant activity, as measured by radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation tests. Incorporating 5–10% of KL or OPKL improved the thermal stability of the composites within the 300–350°C region. DSC analysis showed that the glass transition temperature values were systematically decreased upon addition of KL and OPKL into PLA polymer. However, low lignin contents of 1 and 5% decreased the cold crystallization temperature of PLA. The composites of KL and OPKL with PLA exhibited good stabilities in the migration test, with values of 17 mg kg−1 and 23 mg kg−1 even at higher lignin content 40%, i.e., well below the limit defined in a European standard (60 mg kg−1). These results suggest oxypropylated lignin as a functional filler in PLA for safe and functional food packaging and antioxidant applications.
A tunable physiomimetic stretch system evaluated with precision cut lung slices and recellularized human lung scaffolds
Authors: Rosmark Oskar , Ibáñez-Fonseca Arturo , Thorsson Johan , Dellgren Göran , Hallgren Oskar , Larsson Callerfelt Anna-Karin , Elowsson Linda , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla
Published: October 2022

Breathing exposes lung cells to continual mechanical stimuli, which is part of the microenvironmental signals directing cellular functions together with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, developing systems that incorporate both stimuli is urgent to fully understand cell behavior. This study aims to introduce a novel in vitro culture methodology combining a cyclic stretch that simulates in vivo breathing with 3D cell culture platforms in the form of decellularized lung slices (DLS) and precision cut lung slices (PCLS). To this end, we have constructed a device that mimics the amplitudes and frequencies of distensions seen in the breathing human lung. For its validation, we cultured H441 lung epithelial cells in human DLS exposed to 16 stretch cycles per minute with a 10% stretch amplitude. Cell viability (resazurin reduction), proliferation (Ki-67) and YAP1 activation were evaluated at 24 and 96 h by immunohistochemistry, while the expression of SFTPB, COL3A1, COL4A3 and LAMA5 was evaluated by qPCR. Cyclic stretch induced an increase in SFTPB expression after 24 h without a concomitant increase in the stretch responsive gene YAP1. Moreover, the ECM milieu lowered the expression of the basement membrane protein genes COL4A3 and LAMA5 compared to tissue culture plastic control cultures, but no effect was observed by the mechanical stimuli. The device also confirmed good compatibility with PCLS culture, showing preserved morphology and metabolism in rat PCLS after 72 h of mechanical stretch. Thus, we present a novel device and methodology for the easy assembling and study of lung tissue slice cultures subjected to physiomimetic mechanical stimuli, which shows promise for future studies of cell and tissue function in a lung ECM milieu with physiological or pathological mechanical stimuli.
Pull planning versus push planning: Investigating impacts on crew performance from a location-based perspective
Authors: Ghanem Malek , Hamzeh Farook , Seppänen Olli , Shehab Lynn , Zankoul Emile
Published: October 2022

Push planning and pull planning are different approaches used for production planning and control. Push planning uses predetermined dates to control a project, whereas pull planning utilizes the system’s current state. Although researchers have compared these approaches from production planning perspective to improve project performance, the differences between push and pull in construction and their impacts on crew performance and congestion have not yet been explored. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of applying pull and push approaches at the location level through simulation, in addition to proposing hypotheses relating push and pull approaches to project and crew performance metrics. Agent-based modeling is used to simulate and describe how push and pull approaches affect crew performance. Results show that pull approaches can achieve significantly higher productivity, less idle time, lower crew turnover, and fewer task interruptions, although they can result in slightly increased project durations. Cross-analyzing the mentioned results with other performance metrics reveals that push and pull approaches should be applied together to achieve a flexible production control system. The significance of this study is embedded in exploring and understanding how the choice of push and pull planning approaches impacts the location-based management of tasks and crew performance. Such impacts on productivity, crew performance, and the flow of site operations enable a convergence to generalized conclusions regarding the efficacy of each method.
The effect of long non-coding RNAs in joint destruction of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhao Hanxiao , Li Li , Zhao Ning , Lu Aiping , Lu Cheng , He Xiaojuan
Published: October 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease accompanied with joint destruction. Serious joint destruction will eventually lead to disability and the decline of life quality in RA patients. At present, the therapeutic effect of drugs to alleviate joint destruction in RA is limited. Recently, accumulating evidences have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of joint diseases. Therefore, this paper reviews the expression change and the action mechanism of lncRNAs in joint destruction of RA in recent years. A more comprehensive understanding of the role of lncRNAs in joint destruction will help the treatment of RA.
Anatomical study and clinical significance of the posterior ramus of the spinal nerve of the lumbar spine
Authors: Zhang Zhenfeng , Liu Jing , Xu Yejie , Chen Zeyan , Luo Shiwen , Zhang Xin , Wang Guoliang , Cheng Liang
Published: October 2022

Background and objectives: Chronic nonspecific back pain is a common clinical disease typically treated by ultrasound-guided spinal injection. This minimally invasive treatment targets the posterior ramus of the spinal nerve (PRSN). The target of the medial branch is clear, but there is unclear target for the intermediate and lateral branches. This study attempted to observe the distribution of PRSN in the dorsal region of transverse process to provide a more detailed anatomical basis for treating spinal pain.

Methods: The present study was conducted on 16 transverse processes of six adult male embalmed corpses. The dorsal area of the transverse process was divided into three equal zones, which are zone I, zone II and zone III from inside to outside. The origin, distribution, quantity, transverse diameter, and relationship with the bone structure of the PRSN on the transverse process were observed.

Results: Sixty PRSNs were found in the lumbar of six cadavers, of which 48 were divided into three branches, and 12 PRSNs were divided into two branches. The intermediate branch is mainly distributed in zone I, and the lateral branch is mainly distributed in zone II. Twenty-nine communicating branches were found in 48 adjacent segments of six specimens, all of which originated from the intermediate branch of the previous segment and connected with the lateral branch of the next segment.

Conclusion: This anatomical study describing the PRSN may have important clinical significance for spinal surgeons. Understanding the bony localization targets of the PRSN and the links between the PRSNs may benefit patients with low back pain who receive spinal injections.
Arrays of Ag-nanoparticles decorated TiO2 nanotubes as reusable three-dimensional surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates for molecule detection
Authors: Zhai Haichao , Zhu Chuhong , Wang Xiujuan , Yuan Yupeng , Tang Haibin
Published: October 2022

Three-dimensional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates usually provide more hot spots in the excitation light beam and higher sensitivity when compared with the two-dimensional counterpart. Here a simple approach is presented for the fabrication of arrays of Ag-nanoparticles decorated TiO2 nanotubes. Arrays of ZnO nanorods were fabricated in advance by a hydrothermal method. Then TiO2 nanotube arrays were achieved by immersing the arrays of ZnO nanorods in an aqueous solution of (NH4)2TiF6 for 1.5 h. Vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays were modified with dense Ag nanoparticles by Ag mirror reaction. High density of Ag nanoparticles decorated on the fabricated TiO2 nanotubes provide plenty of hotspots for Raman enhancement. In addition, the fabricated array of Ag nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotubes can serve as a reusable SERS substrate because of the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanotubes. The SERS substrate adsorbed with analyte molecules can realize self-cleaning in deionized water after UV irradiation for 2.5 h. The sensitivity of the fabricated SERS substrate was investigated by the detection of organic dye molecules. The detectable concentration limits of rhodamine 6G (R6G), malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) were found to be 10−12 M, 10−9 M and 10−8 M, respectively. The enhancement factor (EF) of the three-dimensional SERS substrate was estimated to be as high as ∼1.4×108. Therefore, the prepared Ag nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotube arrays have promising potentials to be applied to rapid and trace SERS detection of organic chemicals.
Comparing extremes indices in recent observational and reanalysis products
Authors: Dunn Robert J. H. , Donat Markus G. , Alexander Lisa V.
Published: October 2022

Monitoring changes in climate extremes is vitally important in order to provide context for both our current and possible future climates. Datasets based on climate extremes indices from in situ observations and climate reanalyses are often used for this purpose. We assess the spatial and temporal consistency between these two classes of dataset on a global basis to understand where they agree or are complementary. As expected, the temperature time series expressed as anomalies, or self-normalizing indices, agree well. While there is sometimes a large spread in absolute values between products, both long-term trends and inter-annual variability are also in agreement. Spatially the temperature indices show high correlations, but comparisons between the cumulative distributions at each grid box show differences in regions at high altitude or where interpolation has been performed across climatic zones. The agreement is lower between the time series from observation-based and reanalysis datasets for precipitation indices. Trends in these indices show larger spatial heterogeneity, and inter-annual variation in the global averages is often larger than the magnitude of the long-term trend. These indices show larger spatial heterogeneity in the trends, which results in comparatively small long-term trends in the global averages, which are also small compared to the inter-annual variation. Spatially these indices show on average smaller correlations than for the temperature indices, but large regions show strong positive correlations for some precipitation indices. A subset of the reanalyses has higher correlations with the latest in situ-based dataset, HadEX3, and also have smaller differences in the per-grid box cumulative distributions, indicating close agreement to the observation-based dataset. Also, we outline how the comparisons herein suggest that the gridding method used when creating HadEX3 may need to be updated for future versions of this dataset, in order to retain detail arising from topographic features, for example.
Assessment of arterial damage in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A retrospective multicentric cohort
Authors: Adham Salma , Legrand Anne , Bruno Rosa-Maria , Billon Clarisse , Dalens Violaine , Boutouyrie Pierre , Mazzella Jean-Michaël , Gueguen Sonia , Frank Michael , Mirault Tristan , Jeunemaitre Xavier
Published: October 2022

Background

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder due to pathogenic variants in COL3A1 leading to medium-size-artery (MSA) dissection, aneurysm, rupture. Aortic lesions are rarer and less investigated. The objective was to describe the distribution of MSA and aortic lesions and the type of COL3A1 variants in a multicentric cohort of 330 adult vEDS patients.

Methods

At the time of the study, 87% were alive, 60.3% were index cases, and 60.0% were women. COL3A1 variants were identified using NGS and/or Sanger sequencing and classified according to functional consequences: 80.6% leading to dominant-negative (DN) and 19.4% leading to haploinsufficiency (HI). Imaging was systematically performed during the initial workup. Carotid mechanics were assessed by echo tracking in a subgroup of patients.

Results

Arterial lesions were reported in 82.4% of the patients (N = 272): 83.5% had MSA lesions alone, 3.3% had aortic lesions alone, and 13.2% both. DN variants were associated with a higher prevalence of arterial lesions (P < 0.044), especially in supra-aortic trunks and renal arteries. The prevalence of aortic lesions in HI patients with arterial lesions was higher than that in patients with DN (P 0.027), but not anymore when adjusted for age (P < 0.559). Carotid Young’s modulus was lower in patients with DN, in association with the higher incidence of MSA lesions in this group.

Conclusion

The prevalence of aortic lesions is not influenced by the COL3A1 genotype when adjusted for age. Patients with DN variant vEDS have a higher frequency of MSA lesions, especially in supra-aortic trunks associated with lower carotid stiffness. These results support optimized care and follow-up for these vulnerable patients.
Case report: What course to follow when left bundle branch pacing encounters acute myocardial infarction?
Authors: Zhang Xiaojiang , Ma Yanzhuo , Ru Leisheng , Wang Dongmei , Li Jie , Qi Shuying
Published: October 2022

Compared with traditional right ventricular apical pacing, His-bundle pacing (HBP) provides more physiologic pacing by activating the normal conduction system. However, HBP has some limitations including higher pacing thresholds. In addition, disease in the distal His-Purkinje system may prevent the correction of abnormal conduction. Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) may overcome these disadvantages by providing lower pacing thresholds and relatively narrow QRS duration that improve cardiac function. Here, we describe a rare case of a transient loss of ventricular capture due to acute anterior wall myocardial infarction in an LBB-paced patient. With the improvement of the ischemia, the function of the pacemaker partly recovered. We review the adaptations, advantages, and limitations, and long-term safety of LBBP.
The role of oxidized lipid species in insulin resistance and NASH in children
Authors: Santoro Nicola , Feldstein Ariel E.
Published: October 2022

During the last two decades, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common hepatic disease in pediatrics, mainly owing to the rising prevalence of pediatric obesity. Epidemiological studies have shown that the progressive increase in NAFLD prevalence is associated not only with obesity but also with changes in dietary habits experienced by all age groups, characterized by the increased intake of added sugars and certain fatty acids. In this review article, we focus on the effect of oxidized fatty acids deriving from linoleic acid and arachidonic acid on the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD in youth.
Association of METS-IR index with prevalence of gallbladder stones and the age at the first gallbladder stone surgery in US adults: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Jin , Yang Junping , Chen Yan , Rui Jing , Xu Maoqi , Chen Mingwei
Published: October 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) index and gallbladder stoneprevalence in US adults, as well as the age at first gallbladder stone surgery.

Methods

A logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and dose-response curve were computed for participants in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess the relationship between the METS-IR index and gallbladder stone prevalence and age at first surgery for gallbladder stones.

Results

This study ultimately included 9452 participants aged >20 years, of whom 534 self-reported a history of gallbladder stones, and after adjusting for all confounders, each unit increase in METS-IR index was associated with a 3.3% increase in gallbladder stone prevalence (OR= 1.033, 95% CI: 1.0258, 1.0403) along with an earlier age at first gallbladder stone surgery 0.26 years (β= -0.26, 95% CI: -0.35, -0.17), stratified analysis showed that increased METS-IR index was associated with increased prevalence of gallbladder stones in all subgroups, and the dose-response curve showed a positive linear correlation between METS-IR index and prevalence of gallbladder stones, while a negative linear correlation was observed between increased METS-IR index and age at first gallbladder stone There was a negative linear correlation between age at surgery.

Conclusion

The METS-IR index has been positively associated with gallbladder stone prevalence, thereby contributing to age at first surgery for gallbladder stones. However, the causal relationship between the METS-IR and gallbladder stones cannot be concluded.
Urinary IL-18 is associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Shi Caifeng , He Aiqin , Wu Xiaomei , Wang Lulu , Zhu Xueting , Jiang Lei , Yang Junwei , Zhou Yang
Published: October 2022

Objective

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been shown to be associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular death. Inflammation has been considered central to type 2 diabetes (T2D) pathophysiology, and inflammation markers have been linked to cardiovascular disease. The serum and urinary IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with T2D; however, whether interleukin 18 (IL-18) are associated with the severity of arterial stiffness remains to be determined. This study examined the relationship of IL-18 levels with pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a reflector for arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.

Methods

A total of 180 participants with T2D who had undergone PWV examination were enrolled. Serum and urinary IL-18 levels were measured using sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Arterial stiffness was determined by carotid–femoral PWV (cf-PWV) and carotid–radial PWV (cr-PWV).

Results

The urinary IL-18 levels correlated positively with cf-PWV in patients with T2D with DKD (r = 0.418, p < 0.001); however, we found no significant correlation between urinary IL-18 and cf-PWV in diabetic subjects without DKD. In addition, we found no significant correlation between urinary IL-18 and cr-PWV in participants with T2D with or without DKD. Moreover, the association remained significant when controlling for arterial stiffness risk factors, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. cf-PWV was greater in the higher group of urinary IL-18 than in the lower group. Nevertheless, we found no significant correlation between serum IL-18 and cf-PWV in participants with T2D.

Conclusion

The urinary IL-18 levels appear to be associated with greater cf-PWV, suggesting the link between urinary IL-18 and arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.
Environmental, social, governance disclosure and corporate sustainable growth: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Nannan , Li Dayao , Cui Dengfeng , Ma Xiaolong
Published: October 2022

The ultimate goal of business development is to achieve sustainable corporate growth and maximize shareholder wealth. Whether and how ESG disclosure affects sustainable growth needs to be further explored. Combining stakeholder theory and signaling theory, a panel data test based on 300 listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen in China finds that ESG disclosure can positively promote sustainable growth compared with companies that do not disclose ESG disclosure, and the higher the level of ESG disclosure, the greater the promotion effect on sustainable growth; and ESG disclosure further enhances sustainable growth by reducing financing constraints and enhancing human capital. In addition, the positive relationship between ESG disclosure and corporate sustainable growth is particularly pronounced for non- environmentally sensitive industries and when external environmental uncertainty intensifies. Our findings enrich the research related to ESG disclosure, provide motivation to motivate firms to consciously practice ESG disclosure from a sustainable growth perspective, and contribute to a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of ESG disclosure and sustainable corporate growth.
Sub-lethal fungicide concentrations both reduce and stimulate the growth rate of non-target soil fungi from a natural grassland
Authors: dela Cruz Jeane A. , Camenzind Tessa , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: October 2022

Conventional agriculture has relied extensively on the use of fungicides to prevent or control crop diseases. However, some fungicides, particularly broad-spectrum fungicides, not only eliminate target pathogens but also non-target and beneficial soil microbes. This scenario is not only limited to agricultural soil, but this may also potentially occur when neighboring environments are contaminated by fungicides through spray drift. Although concentrations may be sub-lethal, the chemicals may accumulate in the soil when used continuously resulting in more toxic effects. In this study, the effect on the colony extension rate of 31 filamentous soil saprobic fungi, initially isolated from a protected grassland ecosystem, were analyzed under fungicide treatment. These isolates were considered naive (no deliberate exposure), hence presumed to have not developed resistance. Two currently used fungicides with different modes of action were added to Potato Dextrose Agar at varying concentrations. Results showed a wide range of tolerance and sensitivity to isopyrazam and prothioconazole. Fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota were most negatively affected by both fungicides. Phylum Mucoromycota were the most tolerant to prothioconazole while isolates belonging to phylum Ascomycota differed in their responses to both fungicides. Negative effects on the growth rate were more pronounced at higher concentrations except for a few isolates that were inhibited at 1 mg·L−1. A slightly positive effect was also observed in three of the isolates under fungicide treatment. Lastly, the negative impact of fungicides was not associated with the growth strategy of the fungi, whether fast growing or slow growing, rather it is isolate-specific and phylogenetically conserved. The results of this study demonstrate that co-occurring fungi differ in their sensitivity to fungicides even without prior exposure. This difference in sensitivity among co-occurring fungi may result in shifts in community composition of the soil fungal community to the detriment of the more sensitive isolates.
An assessment of improving the sustainable agro-touristic offer in an emerging country using the integrative approach based on fuzzy logic
Authors: Puška Adis , Nedeljković Miroslav , Jeločnik Marko , Subić Jonel , Nancu Dumitru , Andrei Jean Vasile
Published: October 2022

The process of improving tourism requires prior determination of the existing offer, as well as assessment of the advantages and weaknesses of the given offer. Upon the analysis, it is possible to improve the tourist offer. This study examined ways in which agro-tourism can be improved, related to the foundation of sustainability. Methodologically, this article involves the use of expert assessment, additionally supported with fuzzy logic based on the fuzzy PIPRECIA and fuzzy MARCOS methods. Using the fuzzy PIPRECIA method, the criteria and sub-criteria were weighted, while the observed agro-tourism facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) were ranked according to the applied fuzzy MARCOS method. The results of the application of the fuzzy PIPRECIA method showed that for experts the most important are economic criteria, then environmental, and the latter important are social criteria. The most important sub-criterion is the quality of services. Out of the six facilities in question, the most appropriate results are achieved at the “Šadrvan” rural household, while the worst outcome is exhibited at the agro-tourism facility, (rural household) “Kovačević.” Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. The aim of this article was to evaluate the agritourism offer in BiH, taking into consideration these six agritourism facilities. Based on that, it is necessary to determine on what advantages to build agritourism in BiH, and what should be corrected in order to be more competitive. Based on the obtained results, the facilities management should determine which sustainability criteria would need to be improved, as well as on which criteria it is desirable to build a competitive advantage, aiming to advance the tourist offer.
Numerical simulation study of oil–water separation based on a super-hydrophilic copper net
Authors: Bai Kun , Liu Weinan , Zhao Maoyu , Li Kaifang , Tian Yiming
Published: October 2022

Green and environmentally friendly oil–water separation is an important technique for reducing environmental pollution. In this study, the oil–water separation effect of the super-hydrophilic copper net was optimized through numerical simulation and orthogonal experiments. To be specific, a super-hydrophilic copper net was prepared using the solution etching method to perform oil–water separation experiments, and a favorable oil–water separation effect was achieved. First, the influences of oil–water flow velocity, copper net mesh size, and surface wettability on the oil–water separation effect of the super-hydrophilic copper net were explored via single-factor experiments. The results showed that the oil resistance of the super-hydrophilic copper net degraded, and its oil–water separation effect became poor due to the increasing oil–water flow velocity, enlarged copper net mesh size, and reduced oil contact angle on the surface of the super-hydrophilic copper net. On this basis, the optimized oil–water separation parameters were obtained through orthogonal experiments. The optimized process parameters were as follows: velocity = 0.1 m/s, copper net mesh size = 30 μm, oil contact angle = 150°, and oil removal rate = 95.7%. Furthermore, the copper net was etched using sodium hydroxide and sodium persulfate mixed solution to prepare a 500-mesh super-hydrophilic copper net for the oil–water separation experiment and then the oil removal rate reached 96.4%. The study results provide a theoretical basis, method, and means for the practical application of super-hydrophilic copper nets.
Hydro-morphological stressors reduce distribution range and affect population status of cyprinid fishes in Austria
Authors: Hayes Daniel S. , Schaufler Gregor , Schmutz Stefan , Unfer Günther , Führer Simon , Auer Stefan , Seliger Carina
Published: October 2022

Rivers worldwide have been transformed into fragmented, impounded, channelized, and flow-regulated ecosystems. These anthropogenic transformations can reduce fish distribution and population status, especially of those species belonging to medium- or long-distance migratory guilds and those dependent on free-flowing rivers and intact sediment and habitat conditions. Here, we aim to understand how different hydro-morphological pressure types affect the distribution and population status of key potamodromous fish species of the rheophilic and lithophilic fish guilds, the barbel (Barbus barbus) and the nase (Chondrostoma nasus). We also assess the status of chub (Squalius cephalus) to include a species less sensitive to habitat degradation. For the first time, we assembled an extensive Austrian-wide GIS-based fish sampling database with hundreds of biological surveys, allowing us to analyze quantitatively >4,000 river kilometers for presence/absence of target fishes and to assess population status. The data reveal that the distribution range of target species decreased by around 40–60% compared to their natural ranges according to the reference standard (Leitbild). Hydro-morphological pressures affect target species’ population biomass, and trends between impact types can be detected. Chub and barbel exhibit the highest median biomass in free-flowing rivers and residual flow reaches, followed by reservoir sections. Of all pressure types, population biomass is lowest in hydropeaked river stretches. Nase biomass has a grand median of 0.0 kg/ha across all sites, showing hardly any differences between hydro-morphological pressure types. Overall, our results show a drastic shrinkage of the distribution range of three cyprinid fish species previously prominent in Austria. By linking current population vitality to hydro-morphological stressors and ecological status assessments, this study sets a baseline for data-based conservation actions of (Red-listed) species as well as policy and management frameworks.
The current state and prospects of China’s environmental, social, and governance policies
Authors: Ju Binbin , Shi Xiaonan , Mei Yueru
Published: October 2022

In recent years, climate change is getting more and more attention all around the world. China is a major participant in global climate governance. Enterprises play an important role in climate change governance, and the development of ESG concept is highly unified with the realization of global climate change governance and the “peaking carbon emission and carbon neutrality” goal in China. However, the development of ESG in China still faces many challenges. Based on the existing literature, data and policy documents, we analyze the current situation and existing problems of ESG development in China. Moreover, we propose ESG development policy recommendations that are suitable for China’s national conditions. Finally, in the context of environmental protection and resource conservation, our study will help enterprises achieve sustainable development.
Genome mining as a biotechnological tool for the discovery of novel biosynthetic genes in lichens
Authors: Singh Garima , Dal Grande Francesco , Schmitt Imke
Published: October 2022

Natural products (NPs) and their derivatives are a major contributor to modern medicine. Historically, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi have been instrumental in generating drugs and lead compounds because of the ease of culturing and genetically manipulating them. However, the ever-increasing demand for novel drugs highlights the need to bioprospect previously unexplored taxa for their biosynthetic potential. Next-generation sequencing technologies have expanded the range of organisms that can be explored for their biosynthetic content, as these technologies can provide a glimpse of an organism’s entire biosynthetic landscape, without the need for cultivation. The entirety of biosynthetic genes can be compared to the genes of known function to identify the gene clusters potentially coding for novel products. In this study, we mine the genomes of nine lichen-forming fungal species of the genus Umbilicaria for biosynthetic genes, and categorize the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) as “associated product structurally known” or “associated product putatively novel”. Although lichen-forming fungi have been suggested to be a rich source of NPs, it is not known how their biosynthetic diversity compares to that of bacteria and non-lichenized fungi. We found that 25%–30% of biosynthetic genes are divergent as compared to the global database of BGCs, which comprises 1,200,000 characterized biosynthetic genes from plants, bacteria, and fungi. Out of 217 BGCs, 43 were highly divergant suggesting that they potentially encode structurally and functionally novel NPs. Clusters encoding the putatively novel metabolic diversity comprise polyketide synthases (30), non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (12), and terpenes (1). Our study emphasizes the utility of genomic data in bioprospecting microorganisms for their biosynthetic potential and in advancing the industrial application of unexplored taxa. We highlight the untapped structural metabolic diversity encoded in the lichenized fungal genomes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation identifying genes coding for NPs with potentially novel properties in lichenized fungi.