bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole Corn Germ as an Energy Source in the Feeding of Feedlot Lambs: Metabolic and Productive Performance
Authors: Nascimento Camila de O. , Pina Douglas dos S. , Santos Stefanie A. , de Araújo Maria L. G. M. L. , Cirne Luis G. A. , Alba Henry D. R. , Rodrigues Thomaz C. G. C. , Silva Willian P. , Rodrigues Carlindo S. , Tosto Manuela S. L. , de Carvalho Gleidson G. P.
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary inclusion (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g/kg DM) of whole corn germ (WCG), an energy source, on the metabolic and productive performance of feedlot lambs. To this end, two complementary experiments were carried out. In Experiment I, we tested the effects of WCG inclusion levels on the metabolism of 10 uncastrated Santa Inês male lambs, which were distributed into two 5 × 5 Latin squares design. Non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility decreased (p = 0.01), whereas ether extract digestibility increased (p < 0.01) with the inclusion of WCG. Retained nitrogen did not change (p = 0.99) with the WCG inclusion. In Experiment II, we tested the effect of WCG inclusion levels on the production performance of 40 uncastrated Santa Inês male lambs, in a completely randomized design. There was a reduction in the intake of nutritional components (p < 0.05), except EE (p < 0.01), which increased with the increasing WCG levels. Production performance and blood parameters did not change. Based on the observed metabolism, performance, and feed efficiency, the use of WCG at up to 120 g/kg DM, in the total diet, is recommended as an alternative energy source for feedlot lambs.
Spatial–Temporal Patterns of Sympatric Asiatic Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus) and Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) in Northeastern China
Authors: Ji Yunrui , Liu Fang , Li Diqiang , Chen Zhiyu , Chen Peng
Published: May 2022

Studying the spatial and temporal interactions between sympatric animal species is essential for understanding the mechanisms of interspecific coexistence. Both Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bears (Ursus arctos) inhabit northeastern China, but their spatial–temporal patterns and the mechanism of coexistence were unclear until now. Camera traps were set in Heilongjiang Taipinggou National Nature Reserve (TPGNR) from January 2017 to December 2017 to collect photos of the two sympatric bear species. The Pianka index, kernel density estimation, and the coefficient of overlap were used to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of the two sympatric species. Our findings indicated that the spatial overlap between Asiatic black bears and brown bears was low, as Asiatic black bears occupied higher elevations than brown bears. The two species’ temporal activity patterns were similar at sites where only one species existed, yet they were different at the co–occurrence sites. Asiatic black bears and brown bears are competitors in this area, but they can coexist by changing their daily activity patterns. Compared to brown bears, Asiatic black bears behaved more diurnally. Our study revealed distinct spatial and temporal differentiation within the two species in TPGNR, which can reduce interspecific competition and facilitate coexistence between them.
Utility of Serum Ki-67 as a Marker for Malignancy in Dogs
Authors: Estaller Annkathrin , Kessler Martin , Wehrend Axel , Hirschberger Johannes , Neumann Stephan
Published: May 2022

Tumour markers are scarcely used in veterinary medicine, although they are non-invasive, contribute to a faster diagnosis and new therapeutic options. The nuclear protein Ki-67 is absent in G0-phase but is detectable throughout all active phases of the cell cycle. Consequently, it is used as a marker for the proliferating cell fraction of a cell population and thus could indicate neoplastic tissue present. Our study is designed to show whether Ki-67 can be considered as a potential canine serum tumour marker for veterinary medicine. We measured serum concentrations of Ki-67 in dogs with various malignant tumours (carcinomas (n = 35); sarcomas (n = 26); lymphomas (n = 21)) using a commercially available quantitative sandwich ELISA from mybiosource. Dogs with malignant tumours showed significantly higher serum Ki-67 concentrations compared to healthy dogs (n = 19) and non-neoplastic diseased dogs (n = 26). No significant difference in serum Ki-67 concentration was detected between carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma, nor between mammary adenocarcinoma and adenoma. In our investigations we also included some inflammatory parameters measured in blood, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and gained mixed results. The results of our study suggest that Ki-67 may be useful as a potential serum tumour marker, providing information about the presence of malignancies in a dog.
Efficacy of a Biocidal Paint in Controlling Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Improving the Quality of Air and Litter in Poultry Houses
Authors: Dzik Sara , Mituniewicz Tomasz , Beisenov Ariphzan
Published: May 2022

Effective disinfection and disinsection are the keys to successful operation of modern poultry farms and the safety of poultry products. The cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses are important aspects of farm hygiene management. The correct execution of all steps of cleaning, disinfection, and disinsection procedures and the use of appropriate products are crucial for the prevention and control of zoonotic and animal diseases. In this study it was assumed that a water-based slow-release biocidal paint could be useful in controlling insect pests such as Alphitobius diaperinus and reducing microbiological contamination of air and litter in poultry houses and have a beneficial effect on microclimate in poultry houses. Therefore, the locations of A. diaperinus in the poultry houses, the microbiological contamination of air and litter, as well as the microclimatic conditions in the houses and the physicochemical parameters of the litter were evaluated. The results suggest that the tested biocidal paint could be an effective alternative to other insecticides and disinfectants. Additionally, the research is of a practical nature and may be very useful for poultry producers in controlling A. diaperinus populations and maintaining proper hygiene in poultry houses. Further research is needed.
Transinusal Pathway Removal of an Impacted Third Molar with an Unusual Approach: A Case Report and a Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Mavriqi Luan , Lorusso Felice , Tartaglia Gianluca , Inchingolo Francesco , Scarano Antonio
Published: May 2022

Background: The purpose of the present case report was to investigate a very rare ectopic third molar removal by a trans-sinusal approach and report the study findings through a systematic review of the literature on this topic. Case presentation: A 38-year-old female patient was visited for pain at the level of the right maxillary region. No relevant medical history was reported. The CBCT tomography assessment revealed an impacted third tooth at the level of the postero-lateral maxilla. Review Methods: An electronic search was performed through Boolean indicators query on Pubmed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases. The clinical reports were identified and selected in order to perform a descriptive analysis. The surgical approach concerned a trans-sinusal access to the site for the ectopic tooth removal with a lateral antrostomy. No evident inflammatory alteration was associated to the ectopic tooth and a non-relevant post-operative sequelae was reported at the follow up. Results: A total of 34 scientific papers were retrieved from the database search. Only two cases reported a wait-and-see radiographical follow-up approach, while the most common treatment was surgical removal, also for asymptomatic cases. Conclusion: The third-molar ectopic tooth into the maxillary sinus is an uncommon occurrence that is beast treated by an in-chair intraoral tran-sinusal approach, with a consistent reduction of the invasivity, a mild morbidity and a successful functional outcome.
Microbial Landscape and Antibiotic Susceptibility Dynamics of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Kazakhstan 2018–2020
Authors: Kaliyeva Sholpan S. , Lavrinenko Alyona V. , Tishkambayev Yerbol , Zhussupova Gulzira , Issabekova Aissulu , Begesheva Dinara , Simokhina Natalya
Published: May 2022

Skin and soft tissue inflammatory diseases of bacterial origin occupy a significant part of hospitalizations to emergency departments. One of the most common causes of sepsis is soft tissue infection, which accounts for about a quarter of all nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in microbial landscape and antibiotic susceptibility of soft tissue infection pathogens among adults and children during the period 2018–2020. We studied 110 samples of pus admitted to the Scientific Research laboratory of the Karaganda Medical University from 2018 to 2020. Each sample was studied using the standard and express methods. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by using the diffuse disk method in accordance with the CLSI 2018 recommendations. As such, 50% of S. epidermidis strains in children and 30% in adults were methicillin resistant. Differences in the resistance of S. aureus strains in children and adults were insignificant. Thus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was not detected in children, but in adults, on the other hand, their percentage was 12.5%. The third cause of infection in adults was E. coli (13.72%), among which 75% were multidrug resistant. A. baumanii was found in 4.9% of adult patients’ samples, of which 60% were multidrug resistant. The effectiveness of the most prescribed antibiotics decreased due to the isolated strain resistance.
Use of Novel Antibiograms to Determine the Need for Earlier Susceptibility Testing and Administration for New β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitors in the United States
Authors: Klinker Kenneth P. , Hidayat Levita K. , Wenzler Eric , Balada-Llasat Joan-Miquel , Motyl Mary , DeRyke C. Andrew , Bauer Karri A.
Published: May 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat, and gram-negative bacteria, such as Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are particularly problematic with difficult-to-treat resistance phenotypes. To reduce morbidity and mortality, a reduction in the time to effective antimicrobial therapy (TTET) is needed, especially among critically ill patients. The antibiogram is an effective clinical tool that can provide accurate antimicrobial susceptibility information and facilitate early antimicrobial optimization, decrease TTET, and improve outcomes such as mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. Guidance is lacking on how to validate the susceptibility to new antibacterial agents. Commonly used traditional and combination antibiograms may not adequately assist clinicians in making treatment decisions. Challenges with the current susceptibility testing of new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations persist, impacting the appropriate antibacterial choice and patient outcomes. Novel antibiograms such as syndromic antibiograms that incorporate resistant gram-negative phenotypes and/or minimum inhibitory concentration distributions may assist in determining the need for earlier susceptibility testing or help define an earlier optimal use of the new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors. The purpose of this review is to emphasize novel antibiogram approaches that are capable of improving the time to susceptibility testing and administration for new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors so that they are earlier in a patient’s treatment course.
General Practitioners’, Pharmacists’ and Parents’ Views on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Malta: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Authors: Saleh Hager Ali , Borg Michael A. , Stålsby Lundborg Cecilia , Saliba-Gustafsson Erika A.
Published: May 2022

Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) remains a global health threat that requires urgent action. Antibiotic use is a key driver of ABR and is particularly problematic in the outpatient setting. General practitioners (GPs), the public, and pharmacists therefore play an important role in safeguarding antibiotics. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the antibiotic prescribing-use-dispensation dynamic in Malta from the perspective of GPs, pharmacists, and parents; Methods: we conducted 8 focus groups with 8 GPs, 24 pharmacists, and 18 parents between 2014 and 2016. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis; Results: Awareness on antibiotic overuse and ABR was generally high among interviewees although antibiotic use was thought to be improving. Despite this, some believed that antibiotic demand, non-compliance, and over-the-counter dispensing are still a problem. Nevertheless, interviewees believed that the public is more accepting of alternative strategies, such as delayed antibiotic prescription. Both GPs and pharmacists were enthusiastic about their roles as patient educators in raising knowledge and awareness in this context; Conclusions: While antibiotic use and misuse, and knowledge and awareness, were perceived to have improved in Malta, our study suggests that even though stakeholders indicated willingness to drive change, there is still much room for improvement.
Photosynthesis Mediated by RBOH-Dependent Signaling Is Essential for Cold Stress Memory
Authors: Di Qinghua , Li Yansu , Li Shuzhen , Shi Aokun , Zhou Mengdi , Ren Huazhong , Yan Yan , He Chaoxing , Wang Jun , Sun Mintao , Yu Xianchang
Published: May 2022

Cold tolerance is improved by cold stress acclimation (CS-ACC), and the cold tolerance level is ‘remembered’ by plants. However, the underlying signaling mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, the CS memory mechanism was studied by bioinformation, plant physiological and photosynthetic parameters, and gene expression. We found that CS-ACC induced the acquisition of CS memory and enhanced the maintenance of acquired cold tolerance (MACT) in cucumber seedlings. The H2O2 content and NADPH oxidase activity encoded by CsRBOH was maintained at higher levels during recovery after CS-ACC and inhibition of RBOH-dependent signaling after CS-ACC resulted in a decrease in the H2O2 content, NADPH oxidase activity, and MACT. CsRBOH2, 3, 4, and 5 showed high expression during recovery after CS-ACC. Many BZR-binding sites were identified in memory-responsive CsRBOHs promoters, and CsBZR1 and 3 showed high expression during recovery after CS-ACC. Inhibition of RBOH-dependent signaling or brassinosteroids affected the maintenance of the expression of these memory-responsive CsRBOHs and CsBZRs. The photosynthetic efficiency (PE) decreased but then increased with the prolonged recovery after CS-ACC, and was higher than the control at 48 h of recovery; however, inhibition of RBOH-dependent signaling resulted in a lower PE. Further etiolated seedlings experiments showed that a photosynthetic capacity was necessary for CS memory. Therefore, photosynthesis mediated by RBOH-dependent signaling is essential for CS memory.
Polyphenols in Ruminant Nutrition and Their Effects on Reproduction
Authors: Bešlo Drago , Došlić Gloria , Agić Dejan , Rastija Vesna , Šperanda Marcela , Gantner Vesna , Lučić Bono
Published: May 2022

The feeding of domestic animals with diets in which polyphenols are present is increasingly attracting the attention of nutritionists and scientists. This review summarizes the knowledge regarding polyphenols’ possible positive and negative effects and their bioavailability. The bioavailability of substances is a prerequisite for any postabsorption effect in vivo. Positive and negative properties have been confirmed in previous studies on the diets of domestic animals rich in polyphenols, such as secondary metabolites of plants. Free radicals are formed in every organism, leading to oxidative stress. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules and can react in cells with macromolecules and can cause damage, including in reproductive cells. Some polyphenols at specific concentrations have antioxidant properties that positively affect animal reproduction by improving the quality of male and female gametes. The intake of phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen function can induce various pathological conditions in the female reproductive tract, including ovarian, fallopian, and uterine dysfunction. The metabolism of genistein and daidzein yields the metabolites equol and p-phenyl-phenol, leading to a decline in cow fertilization. The findings so far confirm that numerous questions still need to be answered. This review points out the importance of using polyphenols that have both benificial and some unfavorable properties in specific diets.
Auranofin and Pharmacologic Ascorbate as Radiomodulators in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Steers Garett J. , Chen Gloria Y. , O’Leary Brianne R. , Du Juan , Van Beek Hannah , Cullen Joseph J.
Published: May 2022

Pancreatic cancer accounts for nearly one fourth of all new cancers worldwide. Little progress in the development of novel or adjuvant therapies has been made over the past few decades and new approaches to the treatment of pancreatic cancer are desperately needed. Pharmacologic ascorbate (P-AscH−, high-dose, intravenous vitamin C) is being investigated in clinical trials as an adjunct to standard-of-care chemoradiation treatments. In vitro, P-AscH− has been shown to sensitize cancer cells to ionizing radiation in a manner that is dependent on the generation of H2O2 while simultaneously protecting normal tissue from radiation damage. There is renewed interest in Auranofin (Au), an FDA-approved medication utilized in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, as an anti-cancer agent. Au inhibits the thioredoxin antioxidant system, thus increasing the overall peroxide burden on cancer cells. In support of current literature demonstrating Au’s effectiveness in breast, colon, lung, and ovarian cancer, we offer additional data that demonstrate the effectiveness of Au alone and in combination with P-AscH− and ionizing radiation in pancreatic cancer treatment. Combining P-AscH− and Au in the treatment of pancreatic cancer may confer multiple mechanisms to increase H2O2-dependent toxicity amongst cancer cells and provide a promising translatable avenue by which to enhance radiation effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.
Improvement of Winter Graft Techniques Using Cold Plasma and Plasma-Treated Solution on Cherry Cultures
Authors: Izmailov Andrey , Khort Dmitry , Filippov Rostislav , Pishchalnikov Roman Yu. , Simakin Alexander V. , Shogenov Yuri
Published: May 2022

The description of a new method of winter grafting of sweet cherry varieties “Revna” is given. The novelty of the method lies in the use of a portable device for generating cold plasma, as well as a plasma-treated solution, developed by the team of authors. It has been established that exposure to cold plasma affects the growth length of “Revna” cherries by 17–28%, while an increase in the diameter of the root collar by 20–23% was observed. The electrical resistivity in the grafting zone after exposure to plasma or plasma-activated water decreased by an average of 14% compared to the control, which indicated a better fusion of the transport fibers of the rootstocks and scions.
Soft Tissue Simulants for Survivability Assessment—A Sustainability Focussed Review
Authors: Read James , Hazael Rachael , Critchley Richard
Published: May 2022

Traditionally, human cadavers and porcine tissue have been used as means to replicate elements of the human body; however, because of the differences in biomechanical properties from the porcine limbs/organs and the potential for degradation of mechanical properties caused by ageing, they do not provide accurate material for either lethality or survivability assessment. In the 21st century and with more ethical ways of working being employed, the use of soft tissue analogues to undertake ballistic testing has become routinely accepted. However, gaps in the literature exist that have identified a difference in material characterisation. Procedurally, every researcher manufactures the gelatine differently, which, when combined with a lack of calibration procedures, can cause inconsistencies in output data, and additional concerns exist surrounding the repeatability of re-mouldable simulants, such as Perma-Gel®. Further, limited information is available on the environmental impact of ‘1 shot’ items, such as ballistic gelatine, which has become a well-known and widely accepted material for survivability assessment. This review identifies key inconsistencies within the literature, the risk associated with survivability assessment, and potential solutions to the issues identified within, with outcomes showing that the current methodologies for survivability assessment do not align with the wider UK government ambition of being Net Zero by 2050 unless changes are made.
Evaluation of Pt Deposition onto Dye-Sensitized NiO Photocathodes for Light-Driven Hydrogen Production
Authors: Droghetti Federico , Benazzi Elisabetta , Boaretto Rita , Natali Mirco
Published: May 2022

The design of photocathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which suitably couple dye-sensitized p-type semiconductors and a hydrogen evolving catalyst (HEC), currently represents an important target in the quest for artificial photosynthesis. In the present manuscript, we report on a systematic evaluation of simple methods for the deposition of Pt metal onto dye-sensitized NiO electrodes. The standard P1 dye was taken as the chromophore of choice and two different NiO substrates were considered. Both potentiostatic and potentiodynamic procedures were evaluated either with or without the inclusion of an additional light bias. Photoelectrochemical characterization of the resulting electrodes in an aqueous solution at pH 4 showed that all the methods tested are effective to attain photocathodes for hydrogen production. The best performances (maximum photocurrent densities of −40 µA·cm−2, IPCE of 0.18%, and ~60% Faradaic yield) were achieved using appreciably fast, light-assisted deposition routes, which are associated with the growth of small Pt islands homogenously distributed on the sensitized NiO.
Investigation on Characterization of Typical Characteristic in Compressor Based on Flat Plate Model
Authors: Zhao Fengtong , Cui Bo , Wu Fei , Jiang Shan , Yang Mingsui , Chen Yuying
Published: May 2022

The acoustic resonance of aero-engine compressors is very harmful, which can lead to the failure of components such as blades. The mechanism of acoustic resonance is very complicated. To solve this problem, characteristics of the noise signal under the abnormal vibration state of the rotor blade are analyzed through the noise measurement in the compressor in the paper. The frequency spectrum characteristics, sound pressure level, and phase relationship of the noise signal corresponding to the abnormal vibration of the rotor blade are captured, and the feature of “frequency locked” which is consistent with the acoustic resonance in the compressor is obtained. Numerical simulation is a better way to study the mechanism of acoustic resonance. Therefore, based on the Parker model, a research method of acoustic resonance characteristics and mechanism based on acoustic analogy is proposed from the solution of the sound-induced in the pipe cavity. The vortex system and sound field characteristics when the acoustic resonance occurs are calculated. The results show that the distribution characteristics of the shedding vortex can be recognized, which are consistent with the experimental results of Welsh when the acoustic resonance occurs. The error of the acoustic resonance frequency from numerical simulation results to experimental is 3.6%. The characteristic of “frequency locked” and Parker β mode of the acoustic resonance is captured. The acoustic analogy method is suitable for the characterization of the acoustic resonance performance and mechanism in the pipeline and in the aeroengine compressor.
Preliminary Study on the Mechanical Activation and High-Temperature Treatment of Saponite-Containing Tailings Generated during Kimberlite Ore Dressing
Authors: Drozdyuk Tatiana , Frolova Maria , Ayzenshtadt Arkady , Calay Rajnish Kaur , Jhatial Ashfaque Ahmed
Published: May 2022

This study investigates transformations of a pre-mechanically activated saponite-containing material with subsequent high-temperature treatment. The thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the mechanical activation of saponite leads to the destruction of its layered structure, accompanied by the release of silicon dioxide and magnesium oxide in free form. The values of surface activity for mechanically activated saponite-containing material are also calculated. It is shown that when mechanically activated saponite-containing material is mixed with water, minerals of the serpentine group are formed, and further high-temperature treatment leads to the formation of minerals of the olivine group. It is experimentally shown that high-temperature treatment leads to the creation of a more durable structure of the saponite-containing material. This is due to decreased porosity and pore size, and sorption of moisture from the environment is also reduced. The study showed that saponite-containing waste materials can be effectively treated to create composite materials based on magnesia binders. Thus, with this method, the waste is effectively recycled into various green building material and can be used as supplementary cementitious material or fine aggregate replacement in concrete.
A Hybrid Approach for an Efficient Estimation and Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Fast Dynamics and Practically Unavailable Measurements
Authors: Shahzad Kashif , Jawad Muhammad , Ali Khurram , Akhtar Jahanzeb , Khosa Ikramullah , Bajaj Mohit , Elattar Ehab E. , Kamel Salah
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an interesting hybrid solution to a challenging estimation and control problem of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). Apart from the inherently nonlinear nature of the PMSM, which makes this problem particularly challenging, is the unavailability of the measurements, rotor position, and speed. In an effort to efficiently cope with such issues along with the random noise environment, the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is chosen to estimate the states of the PMSM dynamic system and the Model Predictive Control (MPC) is utilized to control the state space vector in Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Additionally, the MPC has also been implemented in combination with the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and also with Sliding Mode Control (SMC), in order to vigorously compare these hybrid approaches in terms of accuracy, robustness, and transient response. The MPC-UKF, a combination that has never been implemented before, outperforms the other two by efficiently dealing with the issues of high nonlinearities, by accurately estimating the states while the measurements were practically unavailable, and coping with the fast dynamics of the PMSM.
Joining of CFRT/Steel Hybrid Parts via Direct Pressing of Cold Formed Non-Rotational Symmetric Pin Structures
Authors: Popp Julian , Römisch David , Merklein Marion , Drummer Dietmar
Published: May 2022

In this study, quasi-unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTs) are joined with metal sheets via cold formed cylindrical, elliptical and polygonal pin structures which are directly pressed into the CFRT component after local infrared heating. In comparison to already available studies, the unique novelty is the use of non-rotational symmetric pin structures for the CFRT/metal hybrid joining. Thus, a variation in the fiber orientation in the CFRT component as well as a variation in the non-rotational symmetric pins’ orientation in relation to the sample orientation is conducted. The created samples are consequently mechanically tested via single lap shear experiments in a quasi-static state. Finally, the failure behavior of the single lap shear samples is investigated with the help of microscopic images and detailed photographs. In the single lap shear tests, it could be shown that non-rotational symmetric pin structures lead to an increase in maximum testing forces of up to 74% when compared to cylindrical pins. However, when normalized to the pin foot print related joint strength, only one polygonal pin variation showed increased joint strength in comparison to cylindrical pin structures. The investigation of the failure behavior showed two distinct failure modes. The first failure mode was failure of the CFRT component due to an exceedance of the maximum bearing strength of the pin-hole leading to significant damage in the CFRT component. The second failure mode was pin-deflection due to the applied testing load and a subsequent pin extraction from the CFRT component resulting in significantly less visible damage in the CFRT component. Generally, CFRT failure is more likely with a fiber orientation of 0° in relation to the load direction while pin extraction typically occurs with a fiber orientation of 90°. It is assumed that for future investigations, pin structures with an undercutting shape that creates an interlocking joint could counteract the tendency for pin-extraction and consequently lead to increased maximum joint strengths.
Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Two Loci for Stripe Rust Resistance in a Durum Wheat Panel from Iran
Authors: Mehrabi Ali Ashraf , Steffenson Brian J. , Pour-Aboughadareh Alireza , Matny Oadi , Rahmatov Mahbubjon
Published: May 2022

Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst)) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.). Races of Pst with new virulence combinations are emerging more regularly on wheat-growing continents, which challenges wheat breeding for resistance. This study aimed to identify and characterize resistance to Pst races based on a genome-wide association study. GWAS is an approach to analyze the associations between a genome-wide set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and target phenotypic traits. A total of 139 durum wheat accessions from Iran were evaluated at the seedling stage against isolates Pstv-37 and Pstv-40 of Pst and then genotyped using a 15K SNP chip. In total, 230 significant associations were identified across 14 chromosomes, of which 30 were associated with resistance to both isolates. Furthermore, 17 durum wheat landraces showed an immune response against both Pst isolates. The SNP markers and resistant accessions identified in this study may be useful in programs breeding durum wheat for stripe rust resistance.
Kilohertz Pixel-Rate Multilayer Terahertz Imaging of Subwavelength Coatings
Authors: Molter Daniel , Ellenberger Kim-Sophie , Klier Jens , Duran Stefan , Jonuscheit Joachim , von Freymann Georg , Vieweg Nico , Deninger Anselm
Published: May 2022

The acquisition speed of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy systems has undergone a significant improvement in recent years. With the development of dual-laser-based sampling techniques such as ASOPS or ECOPS, waveform acquisition rates in the kilohertz range have become feasible. Here, we present measurements of sub-wavelength layers in multilayer systems at a rate of 1.6 kHz, where the individual layer thicknesses are analyzed in real time. For demonstration, we image layers on metallic and non-metallic disks with a 300 mm diameter, acquiring 240,000 pixels in only 2.5 min. By combining a rotation of the samples with a linear translation of the measurement head, we maximize the measurement yield. Owing to a “single-shot” (625 µs) dynamic range of 40 dB and a bandwidth above 3 THz of the ECOPS system, we achieve sub-micron repeatability for each layer.
Dependence of Electric Pulse Mediated Growth Factor Release on the Platelet Rich Plasma Separation Method
Authors: Neculaes Bogdan , Garner Allen L. , Klopman Steven , Longman Emme A.
Published: May 2022

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been explored for multiple clinical applications, including dentistry, orthopedics, sports medicine, diabetic foot ulcers, and cosmetic treatments. Topical applications of PRP typically use thrombin to induce platelet activation, which is accompanied by growth factor release and clotting of the PRP, prior to treatment. Injectable PRP treatments typically use non-activated PRP under the assumption that collagen at the site of the injury mediates platelet activation to ensure growth factor release in vivo. Ex-vivo electrical stimulation of platelets is emerging as a robust, easy to use, instrument-based PRP activation technique to facilitate growth factor release with or without clotting, while providing tunability of growth factor release, clot mechanical properties (when desired), and serotonin release from the dense granules. This paper briefly reviews the key results of the electrical activation of platelets and demonstrates successful growth factor release by electrical ex-vivo stimulation without clotting for three types of PRP separated from whole blood using available commercial kits: Harvest, EmCyte and Eclipse. While these three types of PRP feature a wide range of platelet and red blood cell content compared to whole blood, we demonstrate that pulsed electric fields enable growth factor release for all these biological matrices generated using whole blood from four human donors. These experiments open opportunities for using electrically stimulated PRP with released growth factors without clotting for injectable platelet treatments in relevant clinical applications.
CageView: A Smart Food Control and Monitoring System for Phenotypical Research In Vivo
Authors: Saeedi Mohammad , Maddahi Ali , Nassiri Amir Mahdi , Jackson Michael , Zareinia Kourosh
Published: May 2022

The present work introduces an automated and smart system (named CageView) used to monitor a mouse, detect motion, and control access to food in accordance with experimental schedules. We describe the components of the CageView platform and give a summarized description on how we employed a convolutional neural network to detect and recognize a mouse in real time before presenting the results of a case study. In particular, CageView is a programmable and remotely operable system such that (1) an experimenter at a remote workstation may set up a feeding and fasting schedule that allows feeding and fasting without requiring the physical presence of a staff member, (2) the experimenter can control access to food in real time regardless of the preset schedule, (3) the experimenter has real-time access to a live video feed to assess the mouse, (4) an artificial intelligence system tracks the mouse’s location and physical activity, and (5) a record is kept of activity, which can be displayed as a 2D representation of mouse movement or a histogram showing mouse movement in 15-min blocks for the duration of the experiment.
Resistance and Resilience of Nine Plant Species to Drought in Inner Mongolia Temperate Grasslands of Northern China
Authors: Miao Yuan , Zhou Zhenxing , Jiang Meiguang , Song Huanhuan , Yan Xinyu , Liu Panpan , Ji Minglu , Han Shijie , Chen Anqun , Wang Dong
Published: May 2022

Drought has been approved to affect the process of terrestrial ecosystems from different organizational levels, including individual, community, and ecosystem levels; however, which traits play the dominant role in the resistance of plant to drought is still unclear. The experiment was conducted in semi-arid temperate grassland and included six paired control and drought experimental plots. The drought treatment was completely removed from precipitation treatments from 20 June to 30 August 2013. At the end of the growing season in 2013, we removed the rain cover for ecosystem recovery in 2014. The results demonstrated that drought treatment increased the coverage of and abundance Heteropappus altaicus, Potentilla bifurca, and Artemisia scoparia by 126.2–170.0% and 63.4–98.9%, but decreased that of Artemisia frigida, Dontostemon dentatus, and Melissilus ruthenicu by 46.2–60.2% and 49.6–60.1%. No differences in coverage and abundance of Agropyron cristatum, Stipa kiylovii, and Cleistogenes squarrosa were found between control and drought treatment. The coverage and abundance of Stipa kiylovii have exceeded the original level before the drought stress, but Heteropappus altaicus still had not recovered in the first year after the disturbance. Our findings indicate that plant functional traits are important for the understanding of the resistance and resilience of plants to drought stress, which can provide data support for grassland management.
Reality-Virtuality Technologies in the Field of Materials Science and Engineering
Authors: Extremera Jamil , Vergara Diego , Rodríguez Sara , Dávila Lilian P.
Published: May 2022

The increasing use of reality-virtuality technologies (RVTs, which encompass virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) in different fields over the last decade is a phenomenon for which materials science and engineering (MSE) is no exception. To obtain an overview of the implementation of RVTs in MSE, this team conducted a systematic search of the scientific literature published since 2010 addressing the use of RVTs in MSE. Forty-one relevant papers were selected and analyzed in depth to reach several conclusions, including: (i) most of the works (67.3%) are focused on the MSE area of materials structure, processing, and properties, which implies that there are great possibilities for research in other MSE areas; (ii) most of the works (86.8%) are aimed exclusively at education or research, which means that there are many fields outside of the university in which the use of RVT tools has not been developed and evaluated; (iii) the most used technology is virtual reality (85.1%), which means that there are many research possibilities focused on augmented and mixed reality. Researchers can find in the present work examples of the use of RVTs in MSE as well as other relevant information useful to open new lines of research and ideas that can contribute to their current and future work.
Evaluation of Survivability of the Automatically Obfuscated Android Malware
Authors: Patel Himanshu , Patel Deep , Ahluwalia Jaspreet , Kapoor Vaishali , Narasimhan Karthik , Singh Harmanpreet , Kaur Harmanjot , Reddy Gadi Harshitha , Peruboina Sai Sushma , Butakov Sergey
Published: May 2022

Malware is a growing threat to all mobile platforms and hundreds of new malicious applications are being detected every day. At the same time, the development of automated software obfuscation techniques allows for the easy production of new malware variants even by attackers with entry-level programming skills. Such obfuscation techniques can evade the signature-based mechanism implemented in current antimalware technology. This paper presents the results of a study that examined how automated obfuscation techniques affect malicious and benign applications by two widely used malware detection approaches, namely static and dynamic analyses. The research explored 5000 samples of malware and benign programs and evaluated the impact of automated obfuscation on Android applications. The experimental results indicated that (1) up to 73% of the reviewed applications “survived” the automated obfuscation; (2) automated obfuscation reduced the detection ratio to 65–85% depending on the obfuscation method used. These findings call for a more active use of advanced malware detection methods in commonly used antivirus platforms.
Temporomandibular Disorders and Bruxism in Patients Attending a Tinnitus Clinic
Authors: Peleg Oren , Haddad Lama , Kleinman Shlomi , Sella Tunis Tatiana , Wasserman Gilad , Mijiritsky Eitan , Oron Yahav
Published: May 2022

The current study investigated the coexistence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and/or bruxism among 51 individuals seeking treatment in a tinnitus clinic. All participants completed a Hebrew version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), depression and anxiety questionnaires, and the diagnostic criteria TMD (DC/TMD) questionnaire. In addition to questionnaires, the participants underwent a clinical evaluation of the oral cavity, facial muscles, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Thirty-four participants (66.7%) were diagnosed with bruxism, while TMD was found in 14 (27.5%) of the cases. Patients with both tinnitus, TMD and bruxism scored the highest in the anxiety questionnaire. The severity of depression was found to be significantly associated with the tinnitus severity. These results emphasize the clinical bond between tinnitus, TMD, and bruxism.
Railway Bridge Condition Monitoring Using Numerically Calculated Responses from Batches of Trains
Authors: Ren Yifei , OBrien Eugene J. , Cantero Daniel , Keenahan Jennifer
Published: May 2022

This study introduces a novel method to determine apparent profile of the track and detect railway bridge condition using sensors on in-service trains. The concept uses a type of Inverse Newmark-β integration scheme on data from a batch of trains. In a self-calibration process, an optimization algorithm is used to find vehicle dynamic properties and speed. For bridge health monitoring, the apparent profile of the bridge is first determined, i.e., the true profile plus components of ballast and bridge deflection under the moving train. The apparent profile is used, in turn, to calculate the moving reference deflection influence line, i.e., the deflection due to a moving (static) unit load. The moving reference influence line is shown to be a good indicator of bridge stiffness. This numerical approach is assessed using an elaborate finite element model operated by an independent research group. The results show that the moving reference influence line can be found accurately and that it constitutes an effective indicator of the condition of a bridge.
The Relationship between Pulse Pressure and Periodontal Disease in Korean Populations with or without Hypertension
Authors: Yoon Hyun , Seong Jeong Min
Published: May 2022

Aims: This study evaluated the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and periodontal disease in Korean adults with or without hypertension (classified as HTN and non-HTN, respectively). Methods: Data on 3496 adults (≥20 years) were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015). We classified those with HTN as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, or current use of anti-hypertensive medications. Results: There were a few key findings: when logistic regression analysis was applied for periodontal disease (community periodontal index score ≥ 3), the odds ratios (OR) were significantly higher in the high PP (PP > 60 mmHg) than in the normal PP (PP ≤ 60 mmHg) in the HTN group (OR, 2.131; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.579–2.876). However, periodontal disease was not associated with high PP in the non-HTN group and was not significant (OR, 0.866; 95% CI, 0.494–1.518). Conclusions: In Korean adults, periodontal disease was positively associated with PP in the HTN group but not in the non-HTN group.
Two Low-Level Feature Distributions Based No Reference Image Quality Assessment
Authors: Fu Hao , Liu Guojun , Yang Xiaoqin , Wei Lili , Yang Lixia
Published: May 2022

No reference image quality assessment (NR IQA) aims to develop quantitative measures to automatically and accurately estimate perceptual image quality without any prior information about the reference image. In this paper, we introduce two low-level feature distributions (TLLFD) based method for NR IQA. Different from the deep learning method, the proposed method characterizes image quality with the distributions of low-level features, thus it has few parameters, simple model, high efficiency, and strong robustness. First, the texture change of distorted image is extracted by the weighted histogram of generalized local binary pattern. Second, the Weibull distribution of gradient is extracted to represent the structural change of the distorted image. Furthermore, support vector regression is adopted to model the complex nonlinear relationship between feature space and quality measure. Finally, numerical tests are performed on LIVE, CISQ, MICT, and TID2008 standard databases for five different distortion categories JPEG2000 (JP2K), JPEG, White Noise (WN), Gaussian Blur (GB), and Fast Fading (FF). The experimental results indicate that TLLFD method achieves superior performance and strong generalization for image quality prediction as compared to state-of-the-art full-reference, no reference, and even deep learning IQA methods.
Digital Technologies: From Scientific to Clinical Applications in Orthodontic and Dental Communities
Authors: Leonardi Rosalia
Published: May 2022

The significant progress made in our sector since the introduction of digital technologies has now made it possible to easily obtain all the information necessary to diagnose, design and perform interdisciplinary and complex therapies in a simpler and more reproducible way [...]
The Relationship between Personality and Postural Control in Young Adults—A Pilot Study
Authors: Błażkiewicz Michalina , Kędziorek Justyna , Wit Andrzej
Published: May 2022

Postural control is a term used to describe how the central nervous system regulates sensory information from other systems to produce adequate motor output to maintain a controlled, upright posture. Emotions (fear, anxiety) and thus personality type can affect the strategy of body control. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of personality on postural control. Thirty-three healthy individuals participated in this study. The big-five model was used to examine personality traits. Each participant performed four different standing tasks (one and both legs standing with eyes open (eo) and closed (ec): 2eo, 2ec, 1eo, 1ec). We showed that the dominant personality traits in the study group were extraversion and agreeableness. There were significantly low negative associations between nonlinear parameters and personality traits. A moderate correlation was noted for the 1eo trial between Openness and the Lyapunov exponent. In conclusion, nonlinear measures provide a possible link between personality and postural control. The relationships detected are weak. It shows that factors such as visual control and the size of the support area rather than personality will play a significant role in describing postural control.
Study on the Optimization and Stability of Machine Learning Runoff Prediction Models in the Karst Area
Authors: Mo Chongxun , Liu Guangming , Lei Xingbi , Zhang Mingshan , Ruan Yuli , Lai Shufeng , Xing Zhenxiang
Published: May 2022

Runoff prediction plays an extremely important role in flood prevention, mitigation, and the efficient use of water resources. Machine learning runoff prediction models have become popular due to their high computational efficiency. To select a model with a better runoff simulation and to validate the stability of the model, the following studies were done. Firstly, the support vector machine Model (SVM), the Elman Neural Network Model (ENN), and the multi-model mean model (MMM) were used for the runoff prediction, with the monthly runoff data from 1963–2007 recorded by the Pingtang hydrological station in the Chengbi River Karst Basin, China. Secondly, the comprehensive rating index method was applied to select the best model. Thirdly, the indicators of the hydrologic alteration–range of variability approach (IHA-RVA) was introduced to measure the model stability with different data structure inputs. According to the comprehensive rating index method, the SVM model outperformed the other models and was the best runoff prediction model with a score of 0.53. The overall change of the optimal model was 10.52%, which was in high stability.