bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heel riser height and slope gradient influence the kinematics and kinetics of ski mountaineering—A laboratory study
Authors: Lasshofer Michael , Seifert John , Wörndle Anna-Maria , Stöggl Thomas
Published: August 2022

In ski mountaineering, equipment and its interaction with the exercising human plays an important role. The binding, as the crucial connection between boot and ski, must ensure safe fixation during downhill skiing and a free moving heel when walking uphill. Uphill, the binding offers the possibility to adopt the height of the heel (riser height) to personal preferences and the steepness of the ascent. This possible adjustment and its influence on various biomechanical parameters are the focus of this work. For this study, 19 male leisure ski mountaineers were tested on a treadmill, ascending at a fixed submaximal speed (3.9 ± 0.4 km·h−1) at 8, 16, and 24% gradient and with three heel riser heights, low (0 cm), medium (3.0 cm) and high (5.3 cm). The applied biomechanical measurement systems included a 3D motion capture system in sagittal plane, pressure insoles, a with strain gauges instrumented pole, spirometry and a comfort scale. Step length and step frequency were influenced by the riser height and the gradient (p ≤ 0.001). The high riser height decreased the step length by 5% compared to the low riser height over all tested gradients, while steps were 9.2% longer at the 24% gradient compared to the 8% gradient over all three riser heights. The high riser height revealed a force impulse of the pole 13% lower than using the low riser height (p < 0.001). Additionally, the high riser height reduced the range of motion of the knee joint and the ankle joint compared to the low riser height (p < 0.001). Therefore, advantageous settings can be derived, with the low riser height creating proper range of motion for ankle, knee and hip joint and higher propulsion via the pole at 8%, while higher riser heights like the medium setting do so at steeper gradients. These findings are in line with the conducted comfort scale. We would not recommend the highest riser height for the analyzed gradients in this study, but it might be an appropriate choice for higher gradients.
Sensitivity and specificity of vessel wall MRI sequences to diagnose central nervous system angiitis
Authors: Ferlini Lorenzo , Ligot Noemie , Rana Arab , Jodaitis Lise , Sadeghi Niloufar , Destrebecq Virginie , Naeije Gilles
Published: August 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intracranial vessel wall (IVW) sequences is able to directly characterize disease processes affecting the VW increasing the accuracy of intracranial vasculopathies differential diagnosis. Nevertheless, data concerning the specificity and sensitivity of this technic for diagnosis of angiitis of the central nervous system (ACNS) are scant. We aimed at quantifying the IVW abnormalities in a cohort of primary and secondary ACNS and assessing the specificity of ACNS-associated IVW MRI abnormalities. We retrospectively included 36 patients with a diagnosis of ACNS with IVW imaging and we compared IVW MRI abnormalities with those of fifty successive patients admitted at the stroke unit for acute neurological deficit (stroke-unit-group). Since an ACNS was retained as cause of the acute neurological deficit in two patients in the stroke-unit-group, they were finally included in the ACNS group. In our cohort, headache and cognitive disorders were present in 29 and 55% of cases respectively, seizure were rare (n = 5, 13%). CSF analysis were abnormal in 29 patients (76%). MRI showed lesion with restricted diffusion in 82% of patients (n = 31). In 71% of our ACNS population (n = 27) multifocal vessel abnormalities were described in angiographic MRI sequences. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 14 patients and it was suggestive of an ACNS in 11 (79%). Brain-meningeal biopsy was performed in two cases (5%). The typical ACNS-associated IVW abnormalities, i.e., the multifocal concentric VW enhancement with wall thickening, was found in the 95% of ACNS patients (n = 36) whereas it was reported in 4% (n = 2) of the stroke-unit-group (specificity and sensitivity of concentric VW enhancement for ACNS diagnosis of 95% and 94%, respectively). IVW enhancement co-localized with multifocal angiographic stenosis in ACNS patients. The clinical, laboratory and imaging findings were comparable to those of previously described ACNS cohorts in the literature, and particularly to those of DSA-diagnosed patients. Our results suggest that concentric VW enhancement could efficaciously identify patients affected by medium-sized vessels CNS vasculitis with a specificity of 95% and sensitivity of 94%. Further studies with larger samples are necessary to confirm our findings.
Application of modified subtotal resection of adenomyosis combined with LNG-IUS and GnRH-a sequential therapy in severe adenomyosis: A case series
Authors: Qin Zhenyue , Dong Zhiyong , Tang Huimin , Zhang Shoufeng , Wang Huihui , Bao Mingyue , Wei Weiwei , Shi Ruxia , Chen Jiming , Xia Bairong
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective

Adenomyosis focus resection has always been the main surgical method for patients with uterine preservation, but its curative effect and surgical method are still controversial. We improved this method on the basis of the “double-flap method” and combined it with the levonorgestrel intrauterine delivery system (LNG-IUS) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) sequential treatment to determine the clinical effect and feasibility of this scheme in the treatment of severe adenomyosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective review. A total of 64 patients with severe adenomyosis were treated in the Department of Gynecology of Changzhou Second People's Hospital, which is affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, from December 2017 to September 2021. The transabdominal approach and laparoscopic approach were adopted for the purposes of treatment in this study. Hence, the patients were subdivided into the transabdominal approach subgroup and the laparoscopic approach subgroup. The hemoglobin, visual analog score (VAS) score, menstruation score, and other indices of each patient before and after treatment were observed, recorded, and analyzed.

Results

All 64 patients underwent the operation successfully. After the completion of sequential treatment, the CA125 decreased significantly 1 month after the operation, the average uterine volume significantly reduced, the hemoglobin value increased to a certain extent 3 months after the operation, and the menstrual score and dysmenorrhea during the first menstruation were significantly lower than they were before the operation. After the treatment, the therapeutic results of the transabdominal approach subgroup and endoscopic approach subgroup were compared on the basis of the observed indices, and no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). Only one patient had a downward movement of the LNG-IUS, and the vaginal ultrasound showed that the upper end of the LNG-IUS was approximately 1.5 cm from the bottom of the uterine cavity. The average follow-up period was 24.02 ± 11.77 months, and no lesion progression was found in any patients.

Conclusion

For patients suffering from severe adenomyosis who have no pregnancy plans and require uterine preservation, transabdominal or laparoscopic subtotal resection of the focus of adenomyosis, combined with the LNG-IUS + GnRH-a sequential treatment, may be a safe and effective alternative when conservative treatments such as drugs fail.
Efficacy of pump-controlled selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in total arch replacement: A propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Liu Yu , Jiang Hui , Wang Bin , Yang Zhonglu , Xia Lin , Wang Huishan
Published: August 2022

Background

Pump-controlled selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (PC-SACP) in total arch replacement (TAR) can regulate cerebral flow accurately, which might be beneficial for cerebral protection. However, the safety of PC-SACP for TAR combined with frozen elephant trunk implantation (FET) in patients with acute Type A dissections (ATAAD) is ambiguous.

Methods

A total of 192 patients with ATAAD underwent TAR at our institution from October 2019 to July 2021. The patients were divided into two groups based on PC-SACP used: PC group (SACP carried out by using a separate pump,n = 35) and Control group (SACP carried out as a traditional method,n = 157). Patients under PC-SACP were propensity-score matched to patients without PC-SACP, resulting in 35 pairs of patients.

Results

Preoperative characteristics, including age, gender, weight, and preoperative creatinine level, were similar between the two groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, circulatory arrest time, and minimum nasopharyngeal temperature did not differ between the two groups. However, SACP time (54 versus 40,P = 0.001) in the PC group was significantly longer than that in the Control group. The incidence of temporary neurologic dysfunction (5.7% versus 8.6,P = 0.643) showed a no significantly lower trend in the PC group compared with the Control group. Other clinical outcomes showed no significant intergroup differences.

Conclusions

PC-SACP in TAR is safe and feasible and might be beneficial for avoiding brain injury caused by “luxury” perfusion.
Application of dural suturing in the endoscopic endonasal approach to the sellar region
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Zhao Liang , Wang Yu , Dai Kexiang , Lu Ailin , Zhao Peng
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is widely used in the treatment of cranial base tumors. Skull base reconstruction is a crucial part of EEA, which has a great impact on patients’ prognosis. In this study, we report our experience with sellar dural suturing in cranial base reconstruction and retrospectively analyze its effect.

Methods

The clinical data of 134 patients who suffered intraoperative CSF leakage and underwent EEA surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from October 2018 to November 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. According to whether sellar dural suturing was performed during the operation, they were divided into a suture group (55 cases) and a control group (79 cases).

Results

The results showed that dural suturing of the sellar floor effectively reduced the postoperative hospitalization duration (p = 0.026) and the use rates of lumbar drainage (p = 0.047), autologous fat transplantation (p = 0.038), and pedicled nasoseptal flaps (p = 0.026).

Conclusion

Sellar dural suturing under endoscopy is a promising and effective method for cranial base reconstruction in EEA surgery and is worthy of clinical application.
Risk factors for tuberculous or nontuberculous spondylitis after percutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: A case-control study
Authors: Zheng Bo-Wen , Liu Fu-Sheng , Zheng Bo-Yv , Niu Hua-Qing , Li Jing , Lv Guo-Hua , Zou Ming-Xiang , Xu Zhun
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The contributing factors for spondylitis after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) remain unclear. Here, we sought to investigate the factors affecting spondylitis occurrence after PVP/PKP. We also compared the clinical characteristics between patients with tuberculous spondylitis (TS) and nontuberculous spondylitis (NTS) following vertebral augmentation.

Methods

Literature searches (from January 1, 1982 to October 16, 2020) using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Web of science databases were conducted to identify eligible studies according to predefined criteria. The local database was also retrospectively reviewed to include additional TS and NTS patients at our center.

Results

Thirty studies from the literature and 11 patients from our local institute were identified, yielding a total of 23 TS patients and 50 NTS patients for analysis. Compared with NTS group, patients in the TS group were more likely to have a history of trauma before PVP/PKP treatment. Univariate analyses of risk factors revealed pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes were significant factors for TS after PVP/PKP. Analyzing NTS, we found obesity, a history of preoperative trauma, urinary tract infection, diabetes and multiple surgical segments (≥2) were significantly associated with its occurrence following PVP/PKP treatment. Multivariate logistic analyses showed a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes were independent risk factors for TS after PVP/PKP, while diabetes and the number of surgically treated segments independently influenced NTS development.

Conclusions

A history of pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes were independent risk factors for TS. For NTS, diabetes and the number of surgically treated segments significantly influenced the occurrence of postoperative spinal infection. These data may be helpful for guiding risk stratification and preoperative prevention for patients, thereby reducing the incidence of vertebral osteomyelitis after PVP/PKP.
Australian veterinarians' perspectives on the contribution of the veterinary workforce to the Australian animal health surveillance system
Authors: Hayes Lynne , Manyweathers Jennifer , Maru Yiheyis , Davis Emma , Woodgate Robert , Hernandez-Jover Marta
Published: August 2022

This study investigated the involvement of private veterinarians in surveillance activities and the veterinary workforce's contribution to the Australian animal health surveillance system. The perception that there is overall a decreased engagement by veterinarians in surveillance outcomes at a time when there is increased need for bolstering of surveillance systems was investigated. Three key questions were considered: (1) What is the current contribution of private veterinarians to the Australian surveillance system? (2) What is the veterinary professions capacity to assume a more prominent role in surveillance? (3) What is the interest and ability of the veterinary profession in Australia to undertake this surveillance role now and into the future? Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 17 private veterinarians with data analyzed qualitatively to identify key themes. Results demonstrate that private veterinarians are aware of their responsibilities and are engaged in surveillance activities at both formal and informal levels. The key challenges associated with current and future contributions were related to workload, remuneration, conflicts of interest and clarity over how responsibility for surveillance is shared amongst those involved in the system. The study has demonstrated that even amongst an engaged population, barriers do need to be addressed if private veterinarians are to be tasked with increasing their involvement in animal health surveillance activities.
Effects of two alveolar recruitment maneuvers in an “open-lung” approach during laparoscopy in dogs
Authors: Di Bella Caterina , Vicenti Caterina , Araos Joaquin , Lacitignola Luca , Fracassi Laura , Stabile Marzia , Grasso Salvatore , Crovace Alberto , Staffieri Francesco
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a sustained inflation alveolar recruiting maneuver (ARM) followed by 5 cmH2O of PEEP and a stepwise ARM, in dogs undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Materials and methods

Twenty adult dogs were enrolled in this prospective randomized clinical study. Dogs were premedicated with methadone intramuscularly (IM); anesthesia was induced with propofol intravenously (IV) and maintained with inhaled isoflurane in pure oxygen. The baseline ventilatory setting (BVS) was as follows: tidal volume of 15 mL/kg, inspiratory pause of 25%, inspiratory to expiratory ratio of 1:2, and the respiratory rate to maintain the end-tidal carbon dioxide between 45 and 55 mmHg. 10 min after pneumoperitoneum, randomly, 10 dogs underwent sustained inflation ARM followed by 5 cmH2O of PEEP (ARMi), while 10 dogs underwent a stepwise recruitment maneuver followed by the setting of the “best PEEP” (ARMc). Gas exchange, respiratory system mechanics, and hemodynamic were evaluated before the pneumoperitoneum induction (BASE), 10 min after the pneumoperitoneum (PP), 10 min after the recruitment (ARM), and 10 min after the pneumoperitoneum resolution (PostPP). Statistical analysis was performed with the ANOVA test (p < 0.05).

Results

Static compliance decreased in both groups at PP (ARMc = 1.35 ± 0.21; ARMi = 1.16 ± 0.26 mL/cmH2O/kg) compared to BASE (ARMc = 1.78 ± 0.60; ARMi = 1.66 ± 0.66 mL/cmH2O/kg) and at ARM (ARMc = 1.71 ± 0.41; ARMi = 1.44 ± 0.84 mL/cmH2O/kg) and PostPP (ARMc = 1.75 ± 0.45; ARMi = 1.89 ± 0.59 mL/cmH2O/kg), and it was higher compared to PP and similar to BASE. The PaO2/FiO2, in both groups, was higher at ARM (ARMc = 455.11 ± 85.90; ARMi = 505.40 ± 31.70) and PostPP (ARMc = 521.30 ± 66.20; ARMi = 450.90 ± 70.60) compared to PP (ARMc = 369.53 ± 49.31; ARMi = 394.32 ± 37.72).

Conclusion and clinical relevance

The two ARMs improve lung function in dogs undergoing laparoscopic surgery similarly. Application of PEEP at the end of the ARMs prolonged the effects of the open-lung strategy.
The effect of naturally acquired rumen fluke infection on animal health and production in dairy and beef cattle in the UK
Authors: Atcheson Erwan , Lagan Bernard , McCormick Ross , Edgar Hilary , Hanna Robert E. B. , Rutherford Naomi H. , McEvoy Amanda , Huson Kathryn M. , Gordon Alan , Aubry Aurelie , Vickers Mary , Robinson Mark W. , Barley Jason P.
Published: August 2022

The incidence of paramphistomosis, caused by the rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, has greatly increased within Europe in the last 15–20 years. However, the production impacts of this disease are poorly understood. This study firstly aimed to investigate the prevalence of rumen fluke in England and Northern Ireland (NI) by conducting an abattoir survey of dairy and beef cattle which also allowed the impact of rumen fluke on carcass weight, conformation and fat classification to be assessed. Secondly, an experiment aimed to assess the impact of C. daubneyi infection on diarrhea score, production loss and welfare in dairy heifers, while also evaluating the impacts of treating infected heifers with oxyclozanide. Rumen fluke prevalence was greater in NI than in England, with 53.8% (95% CI 51.9 - 55.9%) of the NI cattle carcases sampled being infected compared to 16.3% (95% CI 15.8 - 16.8%) and 17.9% (95% CI 17.4 - 18.4%) detected at the two abattoirs in England. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the cold carcass weight between infected and non-infected cattle. Similarly, carcass conformation and fat classification were unaffected (P > 0.05) by the presence of rumen fluke. In the second experiment, daily live weight gain (DLWG), diarrhea score and welfare score were also unaffected (P > 0.05) by rumen fluke infection and by oxyclozanide treatment against rumen fluke. The farms in this experiment were managed to a high standard and animals had no intercurrent disease. Therefore, these findings suggest that on well–managed farms, production losses (growth rates) should not be compromised as a result of sub-clinical rumen fluke infection.
In vitro chemosensitivity of a canine tumor venereal transmissible cancer cell line
Authors: Franco Molina Moisés Armides , Santamaría-Martínez Edson Antonio , Santana Krimskaya Silvia Elena , Zarate-Triviño Diana Ginette , Kawas Jorge R. , Ramos Zayas Yareellys , Palacios Estrada Natanael , Prado García Heriberto , García Coronado Paola Leonor , Rodríguez Padilla Cristina
Published: August 2022

The canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is the most common malignity in dogs. Because there are reports that this tumor is resistant to vincristine sulfate, the chemotherapeutic options are scarce, and the development of new therapeutic approaches is necessary. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic activity of vincristine, doxorubicin, temozolomide, panobinostat, toceranib, gemcitabine, cisplatin, fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate on a CTVT cell line, determining that all drugs decreased the viability in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, they inhibit cellular migration in a time- and drug-dependent manner, as evaluated by the wound healing assay. On the other hand, vincristine, panobinostat, gemcitabine, toceranib, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate increased the percentage of cells in the subG1 phase, and doxorubicin, temozolomide, gemcitabine, toceranib, and methotrexate decreased the percentage of cells in the synthesis phase. To efficientize the use of vincristine, only toceranib increased the cytotoxic effect of vincristine in a synergistic manner. Our results confirm the use of vincristine as the gold standard for CTVT treatment as monotherapy and suggest the use of a combinatorial and sequential treatment with toceranib.
Friction Parameters Dynamic Change and Compensation for a Novel Dual-Drive Micro-Feeding System
Authors: Lu Ziteng , Feng Xianying , Su Zhe , Liu Yandong , Yao Ming
Published: August 2022

This paper introduces a novel dual-drive micro-feeding system (DDMS) to obtain precise micro-feed synthetic motion by rotating both the screw and the nut, which eliminates the effects of nonlinear friction at low micro-feeding speeds and has good resistance to external disturbances. For the DDMS system, firstly, the frictional force of the screw–ball–nut contact surface is analyzed, and the dynamic system model based on the unique frictional coupling model is established for the DDMS. Secondly, a velocity squared term is added to the Stribeck model to characterize the influence of the frictional coupling on the system. The correctness of the modified model is verified through experiments and frictional parameters identification by combining with the genetic algorithm (GA). The dynamic trend of the frictional parameters with different speed combinations is studied, and the method of fitting parameters using the modified Stribeck model is proposed. Finally, the DDMS three closed-loop error compensation model and the proportional derivative position controller with the friction feedforward compensator are put forward to realize the accurate position-tracking function. Experiment results show that the method reduces the average tracking error by about 60% compared to the conventional PD controller.
Application and Performance Evaluation of Resource Pool Architecture in Satellite Edge Computing
Authors: Qin Junxiang , Guo Xiye , Ma Xiaotian , Li Xuan , Yang Jun
Published: August 2022

Satellites will play a vital role in the future of the global Internet of Things (IoT); however, the resource shortage is the biggest limiting factor in the regional task of massiveequipment in the IoT for satellite service. Compared with the traditional isolated mode of satellite resources, the current research aims to realize resource sharing through satellite cooperation in satellite edge computing, to solve the problems of limited resources and low service quality of a single satellite. We propose a satellite resource pool architecture-oriented regional task in satellite edge computing. Different from fixed servers in ground systems, the satellite orbital motion brings challenges to the construction of the satellite resource pool. After the capacity planning of the satellite resource pool for regional tasks is given, an algorithm based on search matching is proposed to solve the dynamic satellite selection problem. A ground semi-physical simulation system is built to perform experiments and evaluate the performance of three modes of satellite resource sharing: isolated mode, cooperative mode, and pooled mode. The results show that the pooled mode, compared with the isolated mode, improves the task success rate by 19.52%, and at the same time increases network resources and energy consumption in the same scenario. Compared with the cooperation mode, the performance of task success rate and resource utilization rate is close to that of the pooled mode, but it has more advantages in response time and load balancing of satellite resources. This shows that in the IoT, the resource pool is of great benefit as it improves the task response time and improves the load balance of satellite resources without degrading the performance, which makes sense in task-demanding scenarios.
Spatiotemporal Patterns and Key Driving Factors of Soil Salinity in Dry and Wet Years in an Arid Agricultural Area with Shallow Groundwater Table
Authors: Sun Guanfang , Zhu Yan , Gao Zhaoliang , Yang Jinzhong , Qu Zhongyi , Mao Wei , Wu Jingwei
Published: August 2022

Soil salinization is a major eco-environmental problem in irrigated agro-ecosystems. Understanding regional soil salinity spatial patterns and seasonal dynamics and their driving factors under changing environments is beneficial to managing soil salinity to maintain agricultural production in arid agricultural areas. To better investigate this topic, soil salinity was measured, ranging from topsoil to the depth of 1.8 m in an irrigation district with 68 sampling sites before and after the crop growing seasons of the dry year of 2017 and wet year of 2018. Soil texture, groundwater table depth, groundwater salinity, and crop type were monitored. The results indicated that an increase in soil salinity in the root zone (0–0.6 m) was accompanied by a decrease in soil salinity in the deep soil (0.6–1.8 m) through the crop growing season due to water movement from the deep layer to shallow layer, whereas the opposite trend was observed during the fallow seasons. During the dry year, the area with soil desalted was measured to be 19.89%, 14.42%, and 2.78% lower at depths of 0–0.6 m, 0.6–1.2 m, and 1.2–1.8 m than that during the wet year. The groundwater table depth in the crop growing season had the least impact on the change in root zone soil salinity (p > 0.05). Interactions between crop types and groundwater table depth had a significant effect on the change of soil salinity in the root zone during the growing season of the dry year, but were insignificant during the wet year. Crop types, groundwater table depth, and climate conditions determined the contribution of shallow groundwater to crop water consumption and, to a greater extent, soil salinity. Regression tree analysis showed that groundwater salinity and soil texture had a greater influence on soil salinity than groundwater table depth and land elevation. The effect of groundwater on soil salinity is strongly related to soil texture, and the salinity of fine-textured soil was 36–54% greater than that of coarse-textured soil due to large capillary action. Therefore, we suggest strengthening groundwater management in areas with fine-textured soil to relieve soil salinization, particularly during dry years.
Microbes, Dodonaea viscosa and Chlorantraniliprole as Components of Helicoverpa armigera IPM Program: A Three Region Open-Field Study
Authors: Wakil Waqas , Tahir Muhammad , Ghazanfar Muhammad Usman , Qayyum Mirza Abdul , Yasin Muhammad , Maqsood Sumaira , Asrar Muhammad , Shapiro-Ilan David I.
Published: August 2022

Field trials were conducted on the efficacy of different control options against Helicoverpa armigera on tomato. We evaluated and compared pest control, safety to natural enemies, crop yield and economics of application for various treatments including: a mycoinsecticide based on Beauveria bassiana; a baculovirus, H. armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV); a plant extract from Dodonaea viscosa; and the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (Coragen®). Trial sites were located in the Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi regions in Punjab, Pakistan. A combined application of HaNPV + chlorantraniliprole was better than all other treatments in reducing pest larval populations and fruit damage, and in increasing crop yield. The least effective control was with D. viscosa, but plots treated with this plant extract also had the greatest number of natural enemies. Treatment with HaNPV + chlorantraniliprole resulted in the fewest natural enemies at all observation times and in all field sites, but the highest yields, varying from 42.8–46.6 tons ha−1, and the highest cost:benefit ratios of 1:1.74–1:1.81. Our findings suggest that a combined application of a specific microbial agent and an insecticide effectively controls H. armigera, increases tomato yield, reduces costs and maximizes economic returns. This open-field study concludes that all of the microorganisms and other treatments have the potential to combat H. armigera populations and could be used in successful integrated pest management programs.
The Birds and the Bees: Producing Beef and Conservation Benefits on Working Grasslands
Authors: Keyser Patrick D. , Buehler David A. , Fike John H. , Finke Deborah L. , Fuhlendorf Samuel D. , Martin James A. , Naumann Harley D. , Smith S. Ray
Published: August 2022

Globally, grasslands have been heavily degraded, more so than any other biome. Grasslands of the eastern U.S. are no exception to this trend and, consequently, native biota associated with the region’s >20 million ha of agricultural grasslands are under considerable stress. For example, grassland associated breeding bird populations have declined precipitously in recent decades as have numerous species of pollinators. Although there is increasing awareness of the role grasslands can play in global carbon cycles and in providing high quality dietary proteins needed by an increasing global population, there is a lack of awareness of the alarming trends in the sustainability of the native biota of these ecosystems. Here, we present the status of this conservation challenge and offer prospective solutions through a working lands conservation approach. Such a strategy entails maintaining appropriate disturbances (i.e., grazing, fire, and their combination), improved grazing management, an increased reliance on native grasses and forbs, and improved plant diversity within pastures. Furthermore, we note some examples of opportunities to achieve these goals, offer suggestions for agricultural and conservation policy, and provide a framework for evaluating tradeoffs that are inevitably required when pursuing a multi-purpose grassland management framework.
Comparative Approach on the Effects of Soil Amendments and Controlled-Release Fertilizer Application on the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, Physiological Performance and Fruit Quality of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Plants
Authors: Chatzistathis Theocharis , Tsaniklidis Georgios , Papaioannou Athanasios , Giannakoula Anastasia , Koukounaras Athanasios
Published: August 2022

Under the economic pressure from the increase of fertilizers’ prices due to the recent energy crisis, more efforts are needed to search for alternative and cheaper sources of nutrients for crops. The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of manure and inorganic amendments’ application to those derived from the application of a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on the growth, nutrition, physiology and fruit quality of pepper plants. For that reason, zeolite (ZEO) and vermiculite (VER) were applied either independently, or in combination between them, or with manure (MAN), in a pot experiment. Insignificant differences for plant growth among the treatments were recorded, while higher foliar N, Mg and Mn concentrations were determined in CRF. In contrast, a significantly higher K uptake was recorded in the ZEO and VER + ZEO treatments; the highest leaf P levels (0.47 and 0.44% D.W.) were recorded in the MAN + VER and ZEO treatments, respectively. The optimum photosynthetic II (PSII) performance was observed in the VER and in the MAN + ZEO (based on the performance index—PI) treatments. The highest stomata opening was found in the CRF treatment, while the photosynthetic rate of pepper plants showed its maximum values both in the CRF and VER treatments. Finally, fruit quality (as indicated by total soluble solids, total phenols and antioxidant activity—FRAP) was significantly influenced by treatment. In conclusion, significant differences in the growth, nutrition and physiological performance of pepper plants between soil amendments’ application (inorganic, such as zeolite and vermiculite, and organic, such as manures) and CRF application were recorded; thus, these amendments should be more thoroughly studied in future projects to investigate if they could partially decrease high inorganic fertilization rates in Capsicum annuum L.
Identification of New Sources for Earliness and Low Grain Moisture at Harvest through Maize Landraces’ Test-Cross Performance
Authors: Babic Vojka , Stanisavljevic Dusan , Zoric Miroslav , Mikic Sanja , Mitrovic Bojan , Andjelkovic Violeta , Kravic Natalija
Published: August 2022

Early maturity is a highly important factor in the interrelations between yield, grain moisture, and plant density, contributing to cost-efficient maize production. Landraces conserved in gene banks present a promising basis for enriching the diversity of early maize breeding material. To start and speed up the mobilization of the maize genetic resources maintained in the ex situ Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje gene bank collection, which are currently scattered, little studied, and underused, 63 landraces were selected as new potential sources of early maturity; their test-cross performance with two divergent early testers was evaluated. The majority of the landraces with a prevailed flint type (29) exhibited heterosis for yield when crossed with the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic—Iowa Dent tester (102NS), out of which 20 top crosses expressed grain moisture below the defined threshold value (21.1%). The best performing landraces can be used as a starting point for a new pre-breeding programme for the broadening of flint maize breeding material. In parallel, nine landraces expressed simultaneous heterosis when crossed with the flint tester (14NS), exhibiting grain moisture above the threshold value. A simultaneous heterotic effect with two divergent inbred testers implies the existence of an independent heterotic pool. These findings will contribute to the broadening of maize breeding material for early maturity and low grain moisture at harvest, which are important goals in maize breeding.
Natural Feed Additives and Novel Approaches for Healthy Rabbit Breeding
Authors: Placha Iveta , Pogány Simonová Monika , Lauková Andrea
Published: August 2022

Rabbit meat offers excellent nutritive and dietetic properties, but digestive disturbances, mainly during the post-weaning period, induce important economic losses for rabbit farmers [...]
Cerebrospinal Fluid System Infection in Children with Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis over 14 Years in a Major European Pediatric Cancer Center
Authors: Diederichs Antonia , Pawlik Evelyn , Barnbrock Anke , Schöning Stefan , Konczalla Jürgen , Finger Tobias , Lehrnbecher Thomas , Göttig Stephan , Bochennek Konrad
Published: August 2022

Infection of a cerebrospinal fluid system is a serious medical complication. We performed a retrospective monocentric analysis on temporary and permanent cerebrospinal fluid devices in children with and without cancer, covering a period of over 14 years. Between 2004 and 2017, 275 children with a cerebrospinal fluid system were seen at our institution. Thirty-eight children suffered from 51 microbiologically proven infectious episodes of the cerebrospinal fluid system (12 children with cancer and 26 children without cancer). Independently of the cerebrospinal fluid system used, the incidence of infection did not significantly differ between children with and without cancer and was the highest in children younger than one year. Infection occurred earlier in external ventricular drain (EVD) than ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, and in EVD significantly earlier in children with cancer compared with patients without cancer. The pathogens isolated were mainly Gram-positive bacteria, in particular Staphylococcus spp., which should be taken into account for empirical antimicrobial therapy.
Development of Dicationic Bisguanidine-Arylfuran Derivatives as Potent Agents against Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Bourgard Catarina , Rodríguez-Hernández Diego , Rudenko Anastasia , Rutgersson Carolin , Palm Martin , Larsson D. G. Joakim , Farewell Anne , Grøtli Morten , Sunnerhagen Per
Published: August 2022

Antibiotic resistance among bacteria is a growing global challenge. A major reason for this is the limited progress in developing new classes of antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigate the antibacterial activity of a dicationic bisguanidine-arylfuran, originally developed as an antitrypanosomal agent, and new derivatives thereof. The compounds showed good activity (EC50 2–20 µM) against antibiotic-resistant isolates of the Gram-negative members of the ESKAPE group (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) and Escherichia coli with different antibiotic susceptibility patterns, including ESBL isolates. Cytotoxicity was moderate, and several of the new derivatives were less cytotoxic than the lead molecule, offering better selectivity indices (40–80 for several ESKAPE isolates). The molecular mechanism for the antibacterial activity of these molecules is unknown, but sensitivity profiling against human ESKAPE isolates and E. coli collections with known susceptibility patterns against established antibiotics indicates that it is distinct from lactam and quinolone antibiotics.
Development of Stilbenoid and Chalconoid Analogues as Potent Tyrosinase Modulators and Antioxidant Agents
Authors: Vontzalidou Argyro , Dimitrakoudi Sapfo-Maria , Tsoukalas Konstantinos , Zoidis Grigoris , Chaita Eliza , Dina Evanthia , Cheimonidi Christina , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Lambrinidis George , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Mikros Emmanuel , Aligiannis Nektarios
Published: August 2022

A number of stilbenoid and chalconoid derivatives were prepared by straightforward methods, and their ability to modulate tyrosinase activity and to scavenge free radicals were evaluated in vitro. The cell-free in vitro evaluation revealed two diarylpropanes, 24 and 25, as potent tyrosinase inhibitors, whereas diarylpropenoic acids seemed to enhance the enzymatic activity. An in silico evaluation of the binding affinity of the selected compounds with the crystal structure of tyrosinase was also conducted in order to obtain better insight into the mechanism. Representative synthetic compounds with inhibitory and activating properties were further evaluated in melanoma cell lines B16F1 and B16F10 for their ability to moderate tyrosinase activity and affect melanin production. Dihydrostilbene analogues I and II, exhibited a stronger anti-melanogenic effect than kojic acid through the inhibition of cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin formation, while diarylpropanoic acid 44 proved to be a potent melanogenic factor, inducing cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin formation. Moreover, the antioxidant evaluation disclosed two analogues (29 and 11) with significant free-radical-scavenging activity (12.4 and 20.3 μM), which were 10- and 6-fold more potent than ascorbic acid (122.1 μΜ), respectively.
One-Coil Long-Stroke Permanent Magnetic Actuator Design Applied to Load Breaker Switch for Railway
Authors: Kim Seung-Jin , Hur Jae-Ho , Kim Young-Il , Yun Chi-Myeong , Jung Hosung
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes a design for a one-coil long-stroke permanent magnet actuator (PMA) applied to a load breaker switch with a novel mechanism applicable to railways. As a new load breaker switch applicable to railway overhead lines has a double-insulation structure of the vacuum interrupter (VI) and a disconnect switch (DS) for higher insulation, the actuator to control the switch requires a very long stroke. While the traditional mechanism of the PMA implements a stroke of 10 to 30 mm, the load breaker switch with a double-insulation structure requires a stroke of 120 mm. To do so, we used the finite element method (FEM) and designed a novel one-coil long-stroke PMA. Then, values from FEM analysis were compared with measured holding force data, and a simplified prototype test-jig was used to confirm the actuator’s operating characteristics. In addition, the electromagnetic force, plunger rotation, and part weight ratio, which affect operating performance, were adapted in its design. By doing so, we confirmed the operating performance required for the one-coil long-stroke PMA for a new load breaker switch with a double-insulation structure with a VI average opening speed of 1.4 m/s and an average closing speed of 0.9 m/s at 1/2 of full stroke.
Adaptive Residual Life Prediction for Small Samples of Mechanical Products Based on Feature Matching Preprocessor-LSTM
Authors: Liu Yongming , Song Junyu , Zhao Zhuanzhe , Ye Guowen , Liu Zhibo , Zhou Yang
Published: August 2022

In order to solve the problem of predicting the residual life of mechanical products accurately based on small-sample data, this paper proposes a small-sample adaptive residual life prediction model of mechanical products based on feature matching preprocessor-LSTM. First, aiming at the problem of low accuracy of remaining life prediction for small samples of mechanical products caused by multiple time scales and multiple fault states, the failure time data and performance degradation data are fused, and the failure rate and standard deviation are used as the remaining life prediction criteria to intuitively reflect The possibility of failure of a component or system at a certain point in time. Considering the demand of adaptive small-sample residual life prediction data, this paper establishes the adaptive matching pre-processor model of life characteristics. On this basis, the LSTM neural network is used to establish a small-sample adaptive residual life prediction model. Then, the XJTU-SY bearing life data set and the test data of the small-sample life characteristics measured by the RV reducer are used as the research objects, and a small amount of the data set is randomly selected. The remaining life expectancy is predicted from the sample data and compared with its standard remaining life, respectively. The comparison results show that the overall prediction error is small. This study shows that the remaining life prediction model established can better predict the remaining life of mechanical product sub-sample data and provides a feasible method for predicting the remaining life of mechanical product sub-samples.
A Review on AI for Smart Manufacturing: Deep Learning Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Xu Jiawen , Kovatsch Matthias , Mattern Denny , Mazza Filippo , Harasic Marko , Paschke Adrian , Lucia Sergio
Published: August 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been successfully applied in industry for decades, ranging from the emergence of expert systems in the 1960s to the wide popularity of deep learning today. In particular, inexpensive computing and storage infrastructures have moved data-driven AI methods into the spotlight to aid the increasingly complex manufacturing processes. Despite the recent proverbial hype, however, there still exist non-negligible challenges when applying AI to smart manufacturing applications. As far as we know, there exists no work in the literature that summarizes and reviews the related works for these challenges. This paper provides an executive summary on AI techniques for non-experts with a focus on deep learning and then discusses the open issues around data quality, data secrecy, and AI safety that are significant for fully automated industrial AI systems. For each challenge, we present the state-of-the-art techniques that provide promising building blocks for holistic industrial AI solutions and the respective industrial use cases from several domains in order to better provide a concrete view of these techniques. All the examples we reviewed were published in the recent ten years. We hope this paper can provide the readers with a reference for further studying the related problems.
Vibrations Affecting Stability and Edge Control of Snowboards
Authors: Fuss Franz Konstantin
Published: August 2022

Background: During a carving turn, vibrations are induced at the heel of the snowboard through edge friction when the heel slips sideways and subsequently travel through and along the board to the shovel, which vibrates and affects the edge control. The purpose of this study was to find a method for assessing the edge grip with a laser vibrometer. Method: Two boards, loaded and tilted at four different angles, were placed on a soft surface, with a shaker connected to the heel at the hindmost edge point. The shovel and particularly the frontmost edge point were scanned with a Polytec laser vibrometer. The frequency response functions of coherence, average shovel displacement, and displacement of the foremost edge point were recorded, and the latter was integrated for obtaining an edge mobility measure (EMM) to quantify the edge control. Results: Of the two boards compared, the shovel of board A was stiffer in the 1st and in the 3rd torsional mode, and the one of board B was stiffer in bending modes. The 2nd torsional mode was responsible for large edge vibrations and therefore for a diminished edge control. Shovel B had a smaller EMM at greater tilt angles, that is, less amplitude of the vibrations at the frontmost edge point, and therefore a better edge control. Shovel A, however, had a smaller EMM at smaller tilt angles. Conclusion: The method developed in this study provides a reliable test for assessment of edge control of a snowboard under standardized test conditions.
A Thunderstorm Gale Forecast Method Based on the Objective Classification and Continuous Probability
Authors: Guo Yinglian , Zhong Min , Chen Xuan , Zhou Zhimin , Xu Guirong , Xu Guanyu , Dong Liangpeng
Published: August 2022

Potential prediction is an important research content of thunderstorm gale weather forecast, and it is still a challenge because the environmental field of thunderstorm gale presents different characteristics under different weather conditions. Using the 12-year thunderstorm gale data of Hubei province in central China and the reanalysis data of National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), this study analyzed the percentile distribution of environmental physical quantities of thunderstorm gale, and the continuous probability method was adopted to establish the probability forecast models of thunderstorm gale in four different types of weather situation, which are in the rear of trough type, in front of trough type, in the periphery of the western Pacific subtropical high type and easterly airflow type. Finally, probability prediction was realized by objective classification criterion in operation. The results show that the method based on objective classification and continuous probability can significantly improve the probability of thunderstorm gale detection, and also reduce the missing alarm rate of thunderstorm gale. Moreover, the quantitative test of 16 weather processes under four types of weather situations also shows that the continuous probability method has a higher probability of detection than the bisection method, and significantly reduces the missing alarm of extreme wind by the bisection method.