bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-Supervised Blade Icing Detection Method Based on Tri-XGBoost
Authors: Man Junfeng , Wang Feifan , Li Qianqian , Wang Dian , Qiu Yongfeng
Published: January 2023

Blade icing caused by low-temperature environments results in the degradation of wind turbine power performance. As there is no obvious influence on the performance of wind turbines in the early stage of blade icing, it is difficult to detect the early icing state, so there will be inaccurate labels in the process of data collection. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel semi-supervised blade icing detection method based on a tri-training algorithm. In the proposed method, extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost) is used as the base classifier. A tri-training algorithm is used to integrate three base classifiers and the integrated model generates a pseudo-label for unlabeled data. In addition, we introduce Focal Loss as the loss of the base classifier in the proposed model, which solves the problem of class imbalance caused by the fact that the wind turbine is operating under normal conditions in most cases. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed blade icing detection method, experiments are implemented on the collected Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data. The experimental results show that the proposed method effectively improves the ability to identify blade icing. Compared with other methods, it has better classification performance, robustness, and generalization.
Fatigue Analysis of Flexible Joint Elastomers Combining Ogden Second-Order Constitutive Model with Cracking Energy Density
Authors: Zhang Jinyao , Ren Junxue , Xue Muyao , Tong Yue , Zheng Qing , Tang Haibin
Published: January 2023

As the core component of the flexible nozzle on solid rocket motors, the flexible joint relies on the shear deformation of its silicone rubber elastomers to achieve a large vector angle, and the joint is prone to fatigue failure when working under high pressure. Aiming to resolve the fatigue failure of flexible joint elastomers, the cracking energy density (CED) method was introduced into the fatigue analysis of flexible joints. A convenient integral formula for calculating the CED of elastomers was derived from the Ogden second-order constitutive model. The CED at the maximum value of the first principal elongation of the joint under 12.3 MPa and 6° swing angle was calculated by the finite element analysis (FEA), and then the fatigue life prediction of elastomers was conducted. The results show that the CED method can better predict the swing fatigue life and cracking plane orientation of elastomers compared with the SED. The results also show that the derived formula can efficiently and accurately obtain the CED distribution of the dangerous area of elastomers under load. The ratio of predicted life to measured life is 1/1.12 within the double dispersion factor. The predicted crack location and cracking plane orientation agree well with the fatigue test result. The method can provide a theoretical reference for fatigue analysis and structural reliability design of flexible joints.
Theoretical Research on Magnetic Confinement Mechanism of Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster
Authors: Du Yifan , Zheng Jinxing , Liu Haiyang , Li Yong , Zhou Cheng , Wang Ge , Tang Zhuoyao , Lu Yudong , Wang Luoqi
Published: January 2023

Since the invention of rockets, mankind has been constantly trying to explore the universe. It was not until the beginning of the last century that electric propulsion technology was introduced. With the same weight of fuel consumed as chemical propulsion, electric propulsion technology can transport a spacecraft to a more distant universe. With its excellent performance in terms of specific impulse and thrust, the MPDT (MagnetoPlasmaDynamic Thruster) is garnering significant attention in the field of electric propulsion. Recent research has focused on improving its propulsion performance and service life. Due to the complexity of its working mechanism, there is no perfect explanation for it. Further analysis of its working mechanism may lead to a solution to the improvement of certain significant performance aspects such as thrust. An ideal magnetic fluid model of the MPDT is established based on the MHD method, and the working mechanism is analyzed and summarized according to simulations and experiments. The results of the analysis indicate that reducing the size of the cathode could significantly improve the thruster’s performance.
Performance Analysis and Selection of Chinese Solar Greenhouses in Xinjiang Desert Area
Authors: Wu Xiao , Li Hong , Sang Siyu , He Anhui , Re Yimei , Xu Hongjun
Published: January 2023

This study aims to provide information and theoretical support for the development planning of facility agriculture in desert areas. Using sensor monitoring, USB cable, and computer connection record, we measured the temperature, humidity, and heat transfer distribution of ordinary brick wall greenhouse (G1), composite wall greenhouse (G2), and assembled solar greenhouse (G3) in the Aksu desert area of Xinjiang. The results showed that G3 had the highest average temperature among the three types of greenhouses in the cold season; no difference was detected between G1 and G2 in the night temperature, while G3 has the characteristics of fast heating and cooling. On a sunny day, the heating rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 3.62, 4.4, and 4.77 °C/h, respectively. The cooling rate for G1 is 2.66 °C/h; 2.96 °C/h for G2; and 3.93 °C/h for G3. The heating rate for each greenhouse is nearly identical when it is cloudy outside, and the cooling rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 2.71, 4.2, and 4.34 °C/h, respectively. Moreover, the G3 north wall’s thermal insulation performance has clear advantages. Its wall surface can reach a temperature of 59.1 °C (G1 is 42.7 °C and G2 is 41.6 °C). This study showed that G3 possesses the virtues of effective thermal insulation; the rear wall has a small footprint and preserves the arable land; it also achieves the necessary environmental conditions for crop growth without the use of auxiliary heating.
Spatiotemporal Variation in the Land Use/Cover of Alluvial Fans in Lhasa River Basin, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Chen Tongde , Jiao Juying , Wei Wei , Li Jianjun , Zhang Ziqi , Yang Haizhen , Ma Huifang
Published: January 2023

Alluvial fans are an important land resource with agricultural potential in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The spatiotemporal variation in land use/cover is an important indicator to understand the value of alluvial fans and protect and make scientific use of such fans. In this study, the spatiotemporal characteristics of land use/cover are determined by analysing the land use/cover changes of alluvial fans in the Lhasa River Basin (LRB) at different times, counties/districts, altitudes, and gradients. Results show that the area of cultivated land and the artificial land provided by alluvial fans for LRB has continuously increased. In 2000, 2010, and 2020, 17.72%, 21.84%, and 24.17% of cultivated land and 7.89%, 7.51%, and 25.24% of artificial land in LRB were provided by alluvial fans, respectively. At all altitudes and slopes, cultivated land and artificial land are increasing but the increasing part is basically due to the massive loss of grassland. The spatiotemporal changes in all land use/cover types of alluvial fans were dominated by human activities, although they were also influenced by natural factors to some degree.
Chemical Composition, Physicochemical and Bioactive Properties of Avocado (Persea americana) Seed and Its Potential Use in Functional Food Design
Authors: Siol Marta , Sadowska Anna
Published: January 2023

The appropriate use of avocado seed waste after industrial processing could reduce the problem of overconsumption and food waste in accordance with the “zero waste” concept. The presented study evaluates the physicochemical and bioactive properties of avocado seed and its possible use in functional food design, for example, cereal snacks in the form of cookies. The profile of polyphenol and lutein content was determined by chromatographic methodology, and the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant properties of the avocado seed powder were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The chemical composition (content of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, fat) and physicochemical properties, i.e., water activity, water holding capacity, and solubility in water of avocado seed powder, were examined. According to the fiber content (21.6 g/100 g) and bioactive compounds present in the avocado seed powder (content of phenolic 62.1 mg GAE/1 g, antioxidant potential (122.4 mmol Trolox/100 g), and low solubility in water (16.2%), it could be considered a valuable additive to cereal snacks. Our designed cereal products with various amounts of added avocado seed powder (6%, 12%, and 18%) showed that 6% added powder promoted an almost five-fold increase in the polyphenol content and four-fold higher antioxidant potential of the snacks compared to the control samples. In addition, the lowest level addition of avocado seed powder increased the dietary fiber content of the product to 4%; hence, they adhered to the nutrition claim of “source of fiber” in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006.
Physiological and Ultrastructural Changes in Dendranthema morifolium Cultivars Exposed to Different Cadmium Stress Conditions
Authors: Muhammad Luqman , Salahuddin Salahuddin , Khan Asif , Zhou Yunwei , He Miao , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Khan Murtaza , Ali Sajid
Published: January 2023

Ornamental plant species may vary substantially in their tolerance response to heavy metals. The aim of this research was to check chrysanthemum cultivars, namely Donglin Ruixue (C), Yellow (F), Red pocket (G), and New 9714 (I), which are commonly used as landscape plants to determine their levels of cadmium (Cd) tolerance at different cadmium concentrations through hydroponic cultures. Chrysanthemum cultivars were treated with five different Cd concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg L−1) and different physiological, enzymatic, and ultra-structure traits were taken under consideration in vitro. The results showed that cadmium concentration significantly inhibited the total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid content. Chlorophyll contents were significantly reduced at higher Cd concentrations in all cultivars, but the reduction rates were higher in cultivar F (59.49%), G (40.41%), I (44.97%), and C (33.86%). Similarly, the chlorophyll b reduction was higher than that of chlorophyll a in I (73.33%), followed by G (58.06%), F (61.66%), and C (32.43%), under Cd stress conditions. Additionally, the relative conductivity was recorded in cultivars C (146.48%), F (223.66%), G (165.96%), and I (154.92%), respectively, at 100 mg L−1 Cd concentrations. Likewise, MDA was significantly increased with high Cd stress, at 155.56, 325.27, 173.91, and 322.18%, in C, F, G, and I cultivars at 100 mg L−1, but it was promoted with a greater increase in F and I cultivars. Similarly, SOD and CAT activities were increased with the increase in Cd stress, but reduced in F and I cultivars at higher stress levels of 100 mg L−1. In the same way, POD activity was significantly higher in the C and G cultivars. Additionally, ultrastructure changes also occurred with the increase in the Cd stress, i.e., 20 mg L−1 to 100 mg L−1, and these changes caused alterations in cell organelles, including in the chloroplast, grana, lamella, thylakoid, and stroma. They also caused noticeable damage to mitochondria at higher Cd concentrations. It was concluded that the higher levels of antioxidative defense of the C and G cultivars of chrysanthemum indicated their ability to tolerate high Cd stress conditions. These could, therefore, be used for their phytoremediation potential in Cd-contaminated areas.
Effect of Soil Aeration and Root Morphology on Yield under Aerated Irrigation
Authors: Jin Cuicui , Lei Hongjun , Chen Jian , Xiao Zheyuan , Leghari Shah Jahan , Yuan Tianyou , Pan Hongwei
Published: January 2023

Soil compaction easily causes root hypoxia stress, resulting in poor root growth and the absorption of soil water and nutrients. We hypothesized that aerated irrigation (AI) could enhance nutrient uptake and utilization, thus unlocking the high yield potential by increasing soil aeration and root morphology indicators compared with that in the non-aeration treatment. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of soil aeration and root morphology on the yield of greenhouse cucumbers. The dissolved oxygen (DO) in irrigation water at 10 mg L−1 (A1), 20 mg L−1 (A2), and non-aeration treatment (A0) were applied via a subsurface drip irrigation system. The soil respiration rates, DO in soil water, root morphology, and crop yield were measured. The results showed that AI could significantly improve the soil respiration rate, DO in soil water, and root morphology compared with non-aeration treatment. The A2 significantly increased soil respiration rate by 11.63% and 11.93%, respectively, compared with the A1 and A0 treatments. Under A1 and A2, the DO in soil water increased by 20.01% and 18.02%, respectively, compared with the A0. Moreover, during the flowering and fruit set, the mature, and the late stages, the root surface area, root volume, root tip number, root forks, and root dry weight in the A2 treatment significantly increased than that in the A0 treatment. The soil respiration rate, DO in soil water, root length, and root forks were the main indexes correlated to the yield, respectively. The DO in soil water and root forks number significantly influenced the yield. The cucumber yield and economic benefits in A2 peaked at 53.04 t ha−1 and 3.95 × 104 USD ha−1, increased by 7.86% and 7.30% compared with that in the A0 treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). The results could provide technical support and scientific knowledge for regulating greenhouse cucumbers under AI.
Contrasting Effects of Nitrogen and Organic Fertilizers on Iron Dynamics in Soil after 38–Year Fertilization Practice
Authors: Liu Houjun , Yang Lei , Guo Jin , Yang Jinfeng , Li Na , Dai Jian , Feng Huan , Liu Ning , Han Xiaori
Published: January 2023

Various environmental factors and anthropogenic practices can affect the Fe biogeochemical cycles in soils. Nitrogen and carbon states are closely associated with Fe dynamics. However, we still have a limited understanding of the complex response of Fe biogeochemical processes to long–term nitrogen– and organic–fertilization regimes. This study investigated the Fe fraction and distribution, as well as the link between Fe and nitrogen/carbon, in bulk soil and in soil aggregates. The results showed that the long–term application of the nitrogen fertilizer increased the contents of water–soluble iron (Ws–Fe) and carbonate–bound iron (Ca–Fe) in the bulk soil and various sizes of aggregates, as well as the iron contents in soybeans. The decreased pH and enhanced Feammox reaction in response to the nitrogen–fertilizer treatments were responsible for the increase in the Ws–Fe and Ca–Fe fractions. By contrast, the long–term application of the organic fertilizer decreased the contents of Ws–Fe and Ca–Fe, while it increased the contents of Ox–Fe and Or–Fe. Moreover, the contents of Ox–Fe and Or–Fe were positively correlated with the organic–carbon contents in the micro–aggregates of 0.053–0.25 mm and <0.053 mm. These results indicated that the long–term use of the organic fertilizer encouraged Fe immobilization in organo–inorganic compounds. However, the application of the nitrogen fertilizer alleviated the Fe retention induced by the organic fertilizer. In conclusion, long–term nitrogen and organic fertilization have contrasting influences on the mineralogy and availability of Fe in soil. This study is useful for understanding the mechanism underlying the interaction between Fe and nitrogen/carbon, as well as Fe’s phytoavailability in response to different fertilization practices in brown soil.
Factors Affecting Droplet Loss behind Canopies with Air-Assisted Sprayers Used for Fruit Trees
Authors: Jiang Shijie , Li Wenwei , Yang Shenghui , Zheng Yongjun , Tan Yu , Xu Jiawei
Published: January 2023

Air-assisted sprayers are widely employed in orchards, but inappropriate spray parameters can lead to large droplet losses, pesticide waste, and environmental pollution. To investigate the factors affecting the droplet loss of an air-assisted sprayer behind canopies, a two-factor, five-level full experiment was conducted in an actual orchard, where the two factors were the power gradient and foliage area volume density (FAVD). In addition, the location of the sampling point was also considered in the data analysis, including horizontal distance, forward distance, and height. The results show that all factors significantly affected droplet coverage (p-value < 0.01). The droplet coverage showed an increase and then a decrease with an increasing power gradient, and the maximum coverage was measured at power gradient P3 (forward speed: 0.49 m/s, spray pressure: 0.30 MPa, and spray flow rate: 7.13 L/min) or P4 (forward speed: 0.58 m/s, spray pressure: 0.35 MPa, and spray flow rate: 8.44 L/min). The effect of FAVD on droplet coverage had obvious regularity, and this regularity did not change with the power gradient. At different positions behind canopies, the droplet coverage had great differences. The droplet coverage gradually decreases with increasing horizontal distance and height, while increasing with forward distance. This study provides a reference for the air-assisted sprayers to reduce droplet loss, and data support for subsequent research on precision spraying based on FAVD.
Robotic Path Planning for Rice Seeding in Hilly Terraced Fields
Authors: Yang Wenwu , Gong Congquan , Luo Xilin , Zhong Yong , Cui Ennan , Hu Jianhao , Song Shiyu , Xie Haoyang , Chen Weiman
Published: January 2023

To realize the autonomous operation of a terraced rice sowing robot, a set of sowing robot operation path planning algorithms with universal significance for small, irregular terraced plots is proposed. According to the characteristics of terraces and the agronomic requirements of sowing seeding, the operation path mainly includes parallel operation and boundaries surrounding the operation path. The boundary pre-collision detection method is expounded, and the cyclic detection method judges the U-turn area. The Bézier curve fitting algorithm was used to smooth the boundary wrapping path. To verify the feasibility of the algorithm, four typical irregular small fields located in 666.7-hectare terraces of Sama in Hong He Prefecture, Yunnan Province, were randomly selected, and a field map was obtained through Google Earth. An existing seeding robot was used as a model, and the simulation and comparison tests were carried out with the mainstream EHNS algorithm and boundary polyline algorithm under the ROS-kinetic platform in the Cen Village Scientific Research Base of South China Agricultural University. The actual boundaries of the four fields with the same simulation test were used as the map to verify the field experiment. The simulation test results show that the area coverage of the sowing operation is greater than 93.53% and the replay rate is less than 3.46%, and the field test results show that the area coverage of the sowing operation is greater than 94.33% and the replay rate is less than 3.03%. The simulation test is in good agreement with the field test results, indicating that the algorithm has good adaptability, which meets the requirements of a sowing robot for sowing operation path planning and can provide a certain reference for the path planning of irregular field operation robots in hilly and mountainous areas.
Bumble Bee Colony Maintains Nest Site despite High Disturbance Level
Authors: Drummond Francis A.
Published: January 2023

During the 2021 spring a Bombus terricola Kirby queen initiated a nest in the hollow iron front axle of a 1950 John Deere 40U tractor that was being repaired outside in Bowdoinham, Maine. The tractor was not moved during the lengthy repair period, from 15 April–10 June. Seven workers were observed flying out from the tractor axle upon starting it up on 10 June. The tractor was used 1–3 times a week between 15 June and 15 August, usually for 15–90 min at a time. The tractor was always returned to the same location after use. Based upon observed adults issuing from the tractor upon startup throughout the summer, the colony appeared to have survived long enough to produce gynes (next year’s queens).
Utilisation of Deep Learning with Multimodal Data Fusion for Determination of Pineapple Quality Using Thermal Imaging
Authors: Mohd Ali Maimunah , Hashim Norhashila , Abd Aziz Samsuzana , Lasekan Ola
Published: January 2023

Fruit quality is an important aspect in determining the consumer preference in the supply chain. Thermal imaging was used to determine different pineapple varieties according to the physicochemical changes of the fruit by means of the deep learning method. Deep learning has gained attention in fruit classification and recognition in unimodal processing. This paper proposes a multimodal data fusion framework for the determination of pineapple quality using deep learning methods based on the feature extraction acquired from thermal imaging. Feature extraction was selected from the thermal images that provided a correlation with the quality attributes of the fruit in developing the deep learning models. Three different types of deep learning architectures, including ResNet, VGG16, and InceptionV3, were built to develop the multimodal data fusion framework for the classification of pineapple varieties based on the concatenation of multiple features extracted by the robust networks. The multimodal data fusion coupled with powerful convolutional neural network architectures can remarkably distinguish different pineapple varieties. The proposed multimodal data fusion framework provides a reliable determination of fruit quality that can improve the recognition accuracy and the model performance up to 0.9687. The effectiveness of multimodal deep learning data fusion and thermal imaging has huge potential in monitoring the real-time determination of physicochemical changes of fruit.
Cloning and Molecular Characterization of the phlD Gene Involved in the Biosynthesis of “Phloroglucinol”, a Compound with Antibiotic Properties from Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Pseudomonas spp.
Authors: Gupta Payal , Dash Prasanta K. , Sanjay Tenkabailu Dharmanna , Pradhan Sharat Kumar , Sreevathsa Rohini , Rai Rhitu
Published: January 2023

phlD is a novel kind of polyketide synthase involved in the biosynthesis of non-volatile metabolite phloroglucinol by iteratively condensing and cyclizing three molecules of malonyl-CoA as substrate. Phloroglucinol or 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) is an ecologically important rhizospheric antibiotic produced by pseudomonads; it exhibits broad spectrum anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, leading to disease suppression in the rhizosphere. Additionally, DAPG triggers systemic resistance in plants, stimulates root exudation, as well as induces phyto-enhancing activities in other rhizobacteria. Here, we report the cloning and analysis of the phlD gene from soil-borne gram-negative bacteria—Pseudomonas. The full-length phlD gene (from 1078 nucleotides) was successfully cloned and the structural details of the PHLD protein were analyzed in-depth via a three-dimensional topology and a refined three-dimensional model for the PHLD protein was predicted. Additionally, the stereochemical properties of the PHLD protein were analyzed by the Ramachandran plot, based on which, 94.3% of residues fell in the favored region and 5.7% in the allowed region. The generated model was validated by secondary structure prediction using PDBsum. The present study aimed to clone and characterize the DAPG-producing phlD gene to be deployed in the development of broad-spectrum biopesticides for the biocontrol of rhizospheric pathogens.
Disulfiram—Mitigating Unintended Effects
Authors: Grout Martha M. , Mitchell Kenneth B.
Published: January 2023

Lyme disease caused by infection with a multitude of vector-borne organisms can sometimes be successfully treated in its very early stages. However, if diagnosis is delayed, this infection can become disseminated and, like another spirochetal infection syphilis, can affect multiple organ systems in the body, causing a wide variety of life-altering symptoms. Conventional antibiotic therapy may not be effective in eradicating the symptoms of the disease we know as Lyme disease. The recent literature has suggested that disulfiram (DSM) may be a potent drug in the armamentarium of physicians who treat chronic Lyme disease. The use of disulfiram in the treatment of Lyme disease started with a researcher who determined that DSM is bactericidal to spirochete. Encouraged by published case reports of apparent recovery from chronic Lyme disease, having prescribed DSM ourselves in the past for alcoholics who had a desire to stop drinking and prescribing it now for patients with chronic Lyme disease, we observed both predictable and potentially avoidable side effects not necessarily related to the ingestion of alcohol. We reviewed the published literature in PubMed and Google Scholar, using the following key words: Lyme Disease; Borrelia burgdorferi treatment; and disulfiram toxicity. This paper outlines the results of that research to help avoid some of the pitfalls inherent in this novel use of an old and established medication in the practice of clinical medicine.
Ethnopharmacology, Antimicrobial Potency, and Phytochemistry of African Combretum and Pteleopsis Species (Combretaceae): A Review
Authors: Silén Heidi , Salih Enass Y. A. , Mgbeahuruike Eunice Ego , Fyhrqvist Pia
Published: January 2023

Bacterial and fungal resistance to antibiotics is of growing global concern. Plants such as the African Combretum and Pteleopsis species, which are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of infections, could be good sources for antimicrobial extracts, drug scaffolds, and/or antibiotic adjuvants. In African countries, plant species are often used in combinations as traditional remedies. It is suggested that the plant species enhance the effects of each other in these combination treatments. Thus, the multi-species-containing herbal medications could have a good antimicrobial potency. In addition, plant extracts and compounds are known to potentiate the effects of antibiotics. The objective of this review is to compile the information on the botany, ethnopharmacology, ethnobotany, and appearance in herbal markets of African species of the genera Combretum and Pteleopsis. With this ethnobotanical information as a background, this review summarizes the information on the phytochemistry and antimicrobial potency of the extracts and their active compounds, as well as their combination effects with conventional antibiotics. The databases used for the literature search were Scopus, Elsevier, EBSCOhost, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciFinder. In summary, a number of Combretum and Pteleopsis species were reported to display significant in vitro antibacterial and antifungal efficacy. Tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, stilbenes, and alkaloids—some of them with good antimicrobial potential—are known from species of the genera Combretum and Pteleopsis. Among the most potent antimicrobial compounds are arjunglucoside I (MIC 1.9 µg/mL) and imberbic acid (MIC 1.56 µg/mL), found in both genera and in some Combretum species, respectively. The in vitro antimicrobial properties of the extracts and compounds of many Combretum and Pteleopsis species support their traditional medicinal uses.
Investigation of the Effect of pH on the Adsorption–Desorption of Doxycycline in Feed for Small Ruminants
Authors: Mileva Rositsa , Petkova Tsvetelina , Yaneva Zvezdelina , Milanova Aneliya
Published: January 2023

Orally administered tetracycline antibiotics interact with feed, which may impact their bioavailability and efficacy. Therefore, the pH-dependent adsorption of doxycycline and its interaction with feed for ruminants was studied in vitro. Adsorption experiments on animal feed (135 and 270 mg) with initial doxycycline concentrations of 35, 75, and 150 µg/mL were performed. Desorption experiments were conducted by agitation of a predetermined mass of doxycycline-loaded animal feed in PBS, at pH = 3.0, 6.0, and 7.4, to simulate changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotic concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. The adsorption/desorption of doxycycline was described by mathematical models. Chemisorption with strong intermolecular interactions between the active functional groups of doxycycline and the organic biomass was found. The experimental release curve comprised three sections: initial prolonged 27–30% release (pH = 6.0), followed by moderate 56–59% release (pH = 3.0), and final 63–74% release (pH = 7.4). The sigmoidal model showed a considerable role of diffusion with an initial prevalence of desorption and a decreased desorption rate thereafter. The Weibull equation revealed an initial release stage followed by a lag time section and sustained release. The study of doxycycline adsorption by the animal feed proved a maximum 80% encapsulation efficiency and revealed initial diffusion followed by chemisorption. The highest release efficiency of 74% suggests high bioavailability of doxycycline after oral administration in ruminants.
Intravenous Polymyxin B as Adjunctive Therapy to High-Dose Tigecycline for the Treatment of Nosocomial Pneumonia Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Zha Lei , Zhang Xue , Cheng Yusheng , Xu Qiancheng , Liu Lingxi , Chen Simin , Lu Zhiwei , Guo Jun , Tefsen Boris
Published: January 2023

Although the combination of polymyxin and tigecycline is widely used in treating carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections, the benefit of this combination is still uncertain. To assess whether adding polymyxin B to the high-dose tigecycline regimen would result in better clinical outcomes than the high-dose tigecycline therapy in patients with pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, we conducted a propensity score-matched cohort study in a single center between July 2019 and December 2021. Of the 162 eligible patients, 102 were included in the 1:1 matched cohort. The overall 14-day mortality in the matched cohort was 24.5%. Compared with high-dose tigecycline, the combination therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes, and showed similar 14-day mortality (OR, 0.72, 95% CI 0.27–1.83, p = 0.486), clinical cure (OR, 1.09, 95% CI 0.48–2.54, p = 0.823), microbiological cure (OR, 0.96, 95% CI 0.39–2.53, p = 0.928) and rate of nephrotoxicity (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.36–1.99, p = 0.712). Subgroup analyses also did not demonstrate any statistical differences. Based on these results, it is reasonable to recommend against adding polymyxin B to the high-dose tigecycline regimen in treating pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii.
Anti-Inflammatory, Neurotrophic, and Cytotoxic Oxylipins Isolated from Chaenomeles sinensis Twigs
Authors: Lee Da Yeong , Park Kyoung Jin , Subedi Lalita , Lee Gyu Sung , Lee Ji-Hyeok , Lee Won-Min , Choi Sang Un , Hong Seong-Min , Kim Sun Yeou , Kim Chung Sub
Published: January 2023

Oxylipins are important biological molecules with diverse roles in human and plants such as pro-/anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and regulatory activity. Although there is an increasing number of plant-derived oxylipins, most of their physiological roles in humans remain unclear. Here, we describe the isolation, identification, and biological activities of four new oxylipins, chaenomesters A–D (1–4), along with a known compound (5), obtained from Chaenomeles sinensis twigs. Their chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic (i.e., NMR) and spectrometric (i.e., HRMS) data analysis including 1H NMR-based empirical rules and homonuclear-decoupled 1H NMR experiments. Chaenomester D (4), an omega-3 oxylipin, showed a potent inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 cells (NO production, 8.46 ± 0.68 μM), neurotrophic activity in C6 cells through the induction of the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF, 157.7 ± 2.4%), and cytotoxicity in A549 human cancer cell lines (IC50 = 27.4 μM).
Effects of Resistance Exercise on Slow-Twitch Soleus Muscle of Infarcted Rats
Authors: Souza Lidiane Moreira , Gomes Mariana Janini , Brandao Bruna Brasil , Pagan Luana Urbano , Gatto Mariana , Damatto Felipe Cesar , Rodrigues Eder Anderson , Pontes Thierres Hernani Dias , Borim Patricia Aparecida , Fernandes Ana Angelica Henrique , Murata Gilson Masahiro , Zornoff Leonardo Antonio Mamede , Azevedo Paula Schmidt , Okoshi Katashi , Okoshi Marina Politi
Published: January 2023

Although current guidelines recommend resistance exercise in combination with aerobic training to increase muscle strength and prevent skeletal muscle loss during cardiac remodeling, its effects are not clear. In this study, we evaluated the effects of resistance training on cardiac remodeling and the soleus muscle in long-term myocardial infarction (MI) rats. Methods: Three months after MI induction, male Wistar rats were assigned to Sham (n = 14), MI (n = 9), and resistance exercised MI (R-MI, n = 13) groups. The rats trained three times a week for 12 weeks on a climbing ladder. An echocardiogram was performed before and after training. Protein expression of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1/protein kinase B (Akt)/rapamycin target complex (mTOR) pathway was analyzed by Western blot. Results: Mortality rate was higher in MI than Sham; in the R-MI group, mortality rate was between that in MI and Sham and did not differ significantly from either group. Exercise increased maximal load capacity without changing cardiac structure and left ventricular function in infarcted rats. Infarction size did not differ between infarcted groups. Catalase activity was lower in MI than Sham and glutathione peroxidase lower in MI than Sham and R-MI. Protein expression of p70S6K was lower in MI than Sham and p-FoxO3 was lower in MI than Sham and R-MI. Energy metabolism did not differ between groups, except for higher phosphofrutokinase activity in R-MI than MI. Conclusion: Resistance exercise is safe and increases muscle strength regardless structural and functional cardiac changes in myocardial-infarcted rats. This exercise modality attenuates soleus glycolytic metabolism changes and improves the expression of proteins required for protein turnover and antioxidant response.
The Total Dietary Antioxidant Capacity, Its Seasonal Variability, and Dietary Sources in Cardiovascular Patients
Authors: Czlapka-Matyasik Magdalena , Gramza-Michalowska Anna
Published: January 2023

The favourable role of dietary antioxidants in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and protection from them is widely discussed, and total dietary antioxidant capacity (TAOX) is perceived as a diet-quality marker. Data concerning TAOX and its dietary sources related to seasonal variability are limited. We aimed to analyse the TAOXs, seasonal variability, and sources in the daily diets of CVD patients. A total of 143 subjects (82 men, 61 women) since CVD problems were studied. Seasonal recalls were collected regarding dietary sources of antioxidant compounds in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. A food frequency questionnaire was used. The total dietary antioxidant capacity (in μmolTE/day) was calculated for each season. The primary sources of antioxidants in cardiovascular patients’ diets were drinks (33%), fruits (28%), vegetables (16%), and black tea (14%). The TAOXs of CVD patients’ diets significantly depended on the season (p < 0.001) and were highest in the summer and lowest in the spring. This seasonal variation in consumption was noted. Our findings suggest that a diet characterised with a TAOX might be subjected to fluctuations between seasons. We suggest considering modifications in the dietary recommendations for cardiovascular patients with a low antioxidant capacity between seasons.
The Effect of Carnosine on UVA-Induced Changes in Intracellular Signaling of Human Skin Fibroblast Spheroids
Authors: Aiello Gilda , Rescigno Francesca , Meloni Marisa , Zoanni Beatrice , Aldini Giancarlo , Carini Marina , D’Amato Alfonsina
Published: January 2023

Dermis fibroblasts are very sensitive to penetrating UVA radiation and induce photo-damage. To protect skin cells against this environmental damage, there is an urgent need for effective compounds, specifically targeting UVA-induced mitochondrial injury. This study aimed to analyze the effect of carnosine on the proteome of UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblast, cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) biological system recapitulating dermal compartment as a test system to investigate the altered cellular pathways after 48 h and 7 days of culture with or without carnosine treatment. The obtained results indicate that UVA dysregulates Oxidative Phosphorylation, the Fibrosis Signaling Pathway, Glycolysis I and Nrf2-mediated Oxidative Stress Response. Carnosine exercises provide a protective function against the harmful effects of UVA radiation by activating the Nrf2 pathway with the upregulations of some ROS-detoxifying enzymes such as the glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein family. Additionally, carnosine regulates the activation of the Epithelial Adherens Junction and Wound Healing Signaling Pathway by mediating the activation of structural proteins such as vinculin and zyxin as well as fibronectin 1 and collagen type XVIII alpha 1 chain against UVA-induced changes.
Structural Optimization of Cannabidiol as Multifunctional Cosmetic Raw Materials
Authors: Chen Xuelian , Su Jie , Wang Runan , Hao Rui , Fu Chenggong , Chen Jingjing , Li Jiazhong , Wang Xin
Published: January 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from the plant cannabis, can be used in the cosmetics industry for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle and whitening effects. However, CBD is purified from the hemp plant extract, its source is very limited and under strict control. So in this study, computational and experimental methods were combined to search for novel CBD substitutes with high biology potencies. The action mode between CBD and target protein cannabidiol receptor 1 was studied to find the key skeleton, which was used to virtually screen a natural products database to search for compounds with 70% similarity. The hit compounds with high docking scores were selected for the ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging experiments for antioxidant evaluation. The effects on the expressions of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), COX-2 and iNOS in RAW264.7 cell line were detected to demonstrate their anti-inflammatory abilities. The effect of anti-wrinkle ability were evaluated by detecting the extracellular matrix, such as collagen, elastin, fibronectin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HFF-1. The effects on melanin production and tyrosinase activity in Bb16F10 were also detected. As a result, two compounds were found to be superior to cannabidiol, in terms of antioxidant, anti-wrinkle and whitening efficacy with a lower cytotoxicity.
Dibenzylideneacetone Induces Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cells through Ros-Mediated Mitochondrial Damage
Authors: Zani Aline Pinto , Zani Caroline Pinto , Din Zia Ud , Rodrigues-Filho Edson , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Garcia Francielle Pelegrin , de Oliveira Silva Sueli , Nakamura Celso Vataru
Published: January 2023

Cervical cancer is a health problem among women worldwide. Considering the limitations of prevention and antineoplastic chemotherapy against cervical cancer, research is needed to discover new, more effective, and safe antitumor agents. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro cytotoxicity of a new synthetic dibenzylideneacetone derived from 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl (A3K2A3) against cervical cancer cells immortalized by HPV 16 (SiHa), and 18 (HeLa) by MTT assay. Furthermore, we performed spectrofluorimetry, flow cytometry, and Western blot analyzes to explore the inhibitory mechanism of A3K2A3 in cervical cancer cells. A3K2A3 showed cytotoxic activity against both cell lines. Mitochondrial depolarization and reduction in intracellular ATP levels were observed, which may be dependent on the redox imbalance between increased ROS and reduced levels of the antioxidant defense. In addition, damage to the cell membrane and DNA, and effective blocking of cell division in the G2/M phase were detected, which possibly led to the induction of apoptosis. This result was further confirmed by the upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, cytochrome C, and caspases 9 and 3. Our results provided the first evidence that A3K2A3 contributes to the suppression of cervical cancer in vitro, showing promise as a possible alternative for the treatment of this cancer.
Potential Improvement in a Portable Health Clinic for Community Health Service to Control Non-Communicable Diseases in Indonesia
Authors: Wulandari Hanifah , Lazuardi Lutfan , Majid Nurholis , Yokota Fumihiko , Sanjaya Guardian Yoki , Dewi Tika Sari , Meliala Andreasta , Islam Rafiqul , Nakashima Naoki
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has limited routine community health services, including screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). An adaptive and innovative digital approach is needed in the health technology ecosystem. A portable health clinic (PHC) is a community-based mobile health service equipped with telemonitoring and teleconsultation using portable medical devices and an Android application. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges and potential improvement in PHC implementation in Indonesia. This study was conducted in February–April 2021 in three primary health centers, Mlati II in Sleman District, Samigaluh II in Kulon Progo, and Kalikotes in Klaten. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 health workers and community health workers. At the baseline, 268 patients were examined, and 214 patients were successfully followed-up until the third month. A proportion of 32% of the patients required teleconsultations based on automatic triage. Implementation challenges included technical constraints such as complexity of applications; unstable networks; and non-technical constraints, such as the effectivity of training, the availability of doctors, and the workload at the primary health center. PHCs were perceived as an added value in addition to existing community-based health services. The successful implementation of PHCs should not only be considered with respect to technology but also in terms of human impact, organization, and legality.
Membrane Technology as a Strategy for Improving β-Galactosidase Concentration Processes: The Influence of the pH, Membrane Molecular Weight, Pressure, and Ionic Strength in the Process
Authors: Lemes Ailton Cesar , Molon Fabrício de Oliveira , Fagundes Alexandre da Silva , Egea Mariana Buranelo , Di Luccio Marco , Kalil Susana Juliano
Published: January 2023

The enzyme β-galactosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose, although for its effective application it is necessary to establish techniques for purification, concentration, or polishing, such as membrane separation processes, in particular ultrafiltration. The present study aimed to investigate ultrafiltration and diafiltration applied as initial steps for concentration and salt removal, respectively, in the β-galactosidase purification processes. Additionally, the influence levels of the pH (6.5, 7.7, or 7.5), membrane molecular weight cut-off (30, 50, 60, or 100 kDa), operating pressure (1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 kgf/cm2), and ionic strength of the ultrafiltration using NaCL or KCl (0.01–0.1 M) were evaluated considering the enzyme recovery, purification, retention, and concentration factors in relation to the proteins, volume, activity, and protein flux and yield of the processes. The ultrafiltration of the crude enzyme extract at pH 7.5 and 1.5 kgf/cm2 with a 50 kDa polyethersulfone membrane resulted in a volume concentration of the β-galactosidase extract up to 7.1-fold greater, a purification factor 1.2-fold greater, and an enzyme recovery rate of 108.9% by eliminating metabolites during the purification process. In addition, the lowest flux variation range (16.0 to 13.1 L/m2·h) was observed under these same conditions, thereby representing a decrease of 18.0%. An increase in the operating pressure and the addition of salts results in reduced enzyme recovery (up to 38% of the process yield (734.1 to 453.7 U/h) and up to 40% of the enzyme recovery rate (108.9 to 60.6%) during the ultrafiltration using NaCl, respectively). The operation in the diafiltration mode allowed salt removal after the purification of β-galactosidase (enzymatic recovery rates above 93.4%) via precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography elution and as part of an aqueous two-phase system using 6 diafiltration cycles, thereby revealing its application potential.
Lawn Lamp Design Based on Fuzzy Control and Secondary Optical Optimization
Authors: Qin Xinjing , Wang Zhisheng , Zhang Manqun , Feng Yue , Li Kexian
Published: January 2023

With the emergence of new technologies, the design of urban infrastructure is constantly being innovated, and the lawn lamp as urban lighting infrastructure is an important part of urban infrastructure. For the current lawn lamp function, there are single, large power consumption, low light energy utilization and other shortcomings. Combined with deep learning and optical design, this paper constructs an adaptive lighting control system based on the technology of the Internet. Considering the nonlinear and time-varying characteristics of external factors, a fuzzy control model with ambient light level and pedestrian flow as input and dimming coefficient K (0 < K < 1) as output is proposed to adjust the brightness of the light source and achieve energy savings. In order to improve the light energy utilization of the luminaire and reduce the glare index of the luminaire, a free-form total internal reflection (TIR) lens was designed by finding the optimal curvature of the lens through the polycurved edge light principle. The light source of the lawn lamp was simulated by TracePro, and the results showed that the light energy utilization reached 90%. Finally, the ambient illumination and pedestrian flow data of Dalian ZT Park were measured for different time periods at the site, and the data were normalized using the min-max normalization algorithm. The adaptive dimming capability of the system was verified through simulation tests and field tests, and the results showed that the lighting energy efficiency under the control system was 38%.