bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Variations in Chemical Composition, In Vitro Digestibility, and Metabolizable Energy of Plant Species Browsed by Goats in Southern Mediterranean Forest Rangeland
Authors: Chebli Youssef , El Otmani Samira , Chentouf Mouad , Hornick Jean-Luc , Cabaraux Jean-François
Published: May 2021

Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber, increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.
Agricultural Holdings and Slaughterhouses’ Impact on Patterns of Pathological Findings Observed during Post-Mortem Meat Inspection
Authors: Klinger Johannes , Conrady Beate , Mikula Marina , Käsbohrer Annemarie
Published: May 2021

Meat inspection data can provide valuable information about herd health to producers, veterinarians and veterinary authorities and can be used as a feedback system for farmers to improve their herd management. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of agricultural holdings, slaughterhouses and time periods (quarters) on the occurrence and composition of the prevalence of post-mortem findings of 4 million pigs slaughtered in Austria in 2016, by applying a permutation multivariate analysis of variance. Pneumonia (21.9%) and milk spots (19.9%) were the most frequently recorded conditions. Our analysis indicated a statistically significant influence of all three considered factors (agricultural holdings, slaughterhouses and periods) on the prevalence of post-mortem findings. The observed prevalence could not only be explained by the differences between the farms of origin and slaughterhouses but also by the variability within the slaughterhouses. Much of the explained variance of the prevalence was due to differences between producers (mean R2 = 0.61), followed by slaughterhouses (mean R2 = 0.19) and period (mean R2 = 0.05). To meet the demand for a valid feedback system to farmers and attending veterinarians, a robust and ideally more detailed recording of frequent pathologies, especially those affecting the respiratory tract and the liver, should be developed.
Role of Fucoidan on the Growth Behavior and Blood Metabolites and Toxic Effects of Atrazine in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Abdel-Warith Abdel-Wahab A. , Younis Elsayed M. , Al-Asgah Nasser A. , Gewaily Mahmoud S. , El-Tonoby Shaimaa M. , Dawood Mahmoud A. O.
Published: May 2021

Waterborne herbicides are stressful agents that threaten the productivity and safety of finfish species. In this study, the toxicity impacts of atrazine (ATZ) and the protective role of fucoidan were investigated on the health performance of Nile tilapia. For 40 days, the total number of 180 Nile tilapia was assigned in four groups (triplicates, 15 fish/replicate), where the first (control) and third groups were offered the control diet, while the second and fourth groups were offered a fucoidan (FCN). Further, in the third and fourth groups, the water was mixed with atrazine (ATZ) at 1.39 mg/L daily. The growth rate, FCR, and survival rate were markedly enhanced by fucoidan but severely declined by ATZ exposure (p < 0.05). The morphological structure of the intestine in the control fish revealed normal structure, while fucoidan-treated groups showed eminent enhancement and branching of the intestinal villi. The intestine of ATZ-treated fish revealed deterioration and the intestinal mucosa, inflammatory cell infiltration, and separation of lining epithelium. The highest Hb, PCV, RBCs, WBCs, total protein, and albumin were observed in Nile tilapia fed fucoidan, but the worst values were seen in ATZ-intoxicated fish (p < 0.05). The liver-related enzymes (ALT and AST) and kidney function (urea and creatinine) showed impaired values by ATZ toxicity and were regulated by dietary fucoidan. Meanwhile, fish fed fucoidan and exposed to ATZ had lower total cholesterol and triglyceride values than fish exposed to ATZ without fucoidan feeding (p < 0.05). The SOD, CAT, GPx, cortisol, and glucose levels were increased in ATZ-exposed fish and reduced by fucoidan (p < 0.05). However, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced in fucoidan-fed fish and increased in ATZ-exposed fish (p < 0.05). Altogether, dietary fucoidan is required in fish diets to alleviate the impacts of ATZ-induced toxicity.
Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Analysis to Predict Diet Composition of a Mountain Ungulate Species
Authors: Jarque-Bascuñana Laia , Bartolomé Jordi , Serrano Emmanuel , Espunyes Johan , Garel Mathieu , Calleja Alarcón Juan Antonio , López-Olvera Jorge Ramón , Albanell Elena
Published: May 2021

The diet composition of ungulates is important to understand not only their impact on vegetation, but also to understand the consequences of natural and human-driven environmental changes on the foraging behavior of these mammals. In this work, we evaluated the use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy analysis (NIRS), a quick, economic and non-destructive method, to assess the diet composition of the Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica. Fecal samples (n = 192) were collected from two chamois populations in the French and Spanish Pyrenees. Diet composition was initially assessed by fecal cuticle microhistological analysis (CMA) and categorized into four functional groups, namely: woody, herbaceous, graminoid and Fabaceae plants. Regressions of modified partial least squares and several combinations of scattering correction and derivative treatments were tested. The results showed that models based on the second derivative processing obtained the higher determination coefficient for woody, herbaceous and graminoid plants (R2CAL, coefficient of determination in calibration, ranged from 0.86 to 0.91). The Fabaceae group, however, was predicted with lower accuracy (R2CAL = 0.71). Even though an agreement between NIRS and CMA methods was confirmed by a Bland–Altman analysis, confidence limits of agreement differed by up to 25%. Our results support the viability of fecal NIRS analysis to study spatial and temporal variations of the Pyrenean chamois’ diets in summer and winter when differences in the consumption of woody and annual plants are the greatest. This new use for the NIRS technique would be useful to assess the consequences of global change on the feeding behavior of this mountain ungulate and also in other ungulate counterparts.
The Influence of Cellulose-Type Formulants on Anti-Candida Activity of the Tyrocidines
Authors: Masoudi Yasamin , van Rensburg Wilma , Barnard-Jenkins Bernice , Rautenbach Marina
Published: May 2021

Candida species are highly adaptable to environmental changes with their phenotypic flexibility allowing for the evasion of most host defence mechanisms. Moreover, increasing resistance of human pathogenic Candida strains has been reported against all four classes of available antifungal drugs, which highlights the need for combinational therapies. Tyrocidines are cyclic antimicrobial peptides that have shown synergistic activity with antifungal drugs such as caspofungin and amphotericin B. However, these cyclodecapeptides have haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity, but they have been used for decades in the clinic for topical applications. The tyrocidines tend to form higher-order structures in aqueous solutions and excessive aggregation can result in variable or diminished activity. Previous studies have shown that the tyrocidines prefer ordered association to celluloses. Therefore, a formulation with soluble cellulose was used to control the oligomer stability and size, thereby increasing the activity against Candida spp. Of the formulants tested, it was found that commercial hydroxy-propyl-methyl cellulose, E10M, yielded the best results with increased stability, increased anti-Candida activity, and improved selectivity. This formulation holds promise in topical applications against Candida spp. infections.
Melatonin Ameliorates Autophagy Impairment in a Metabolic Syndrome Model
Authors: Santos-Ledo Adrián , Luxán-Delgado Beatriz de , Caballero Beatriz , Potes Yaiza , Rodríguez-González Susana , Boga José Antonio , Coto-Montes Ana , García-Macia Marina
Published: May 2021

Metabolic syndrome is a global health problem in adults and its prevalence among children and adolescents is rising. It is strongly linked to a lifestyle with high-caloric food, which causes obesity and lipid metabolism anomalies. Molecular damage due to excessive oxidative stress plays a major role during the development of metabolic syndrome complications. Among the different hormones, melatonin presents strong antioxidant properties, and it is used to treat metabolic diseases. However, there is not a consensus about its use as a metabolic syndrome treatment. The aim of this study was to identify melatonin effects in a metabolic syndrome model. Golden hamsters were fed with 60% fructose-enriched food to induce metabolic syndrome and were compared to hamsters fed with regular chow diet. Both groups were also treated with melatonin. Fructose-fed hamsters showed altered blood lipid levels (increased cholesterol and LDL) and phenotypes restored with the melatonin treatment. The Harderian gland (HG), which is an ideal model to study autophagy modulation through oxidative stress, was the organ that was most affected by a fructose diet. Redox balance was altered in fructose-fed HG, inducing autophagic activation. However, since LC3-II was not increased, the impairment must be in the last steps of autophagy. Lipophagy HG markers were also disturbed, contributing to the dyslipidemia. Melatonin treatment improved possible oxidative homeostasis through autophagic induction. All these results point to melatonin as a possible treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
Antioxidant Ascorbic Acid Modulates NLRP3 Inflammasome in LPS-G Treated Oral Stem Cells through NFκB/Caspase-1/IL-1β Pathway
Authors: Pizzicannella Jacopo , Fonticoli Luigia , Guarnieri Simone , Marconi Guya D. , Rajan Thangavelu Soundara , Trubiani Oriana , Diomede Francesca
Published: May 2021

Human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs) and endothelial committed hGMSCs (e-hGMSCs) have considerable potential to serve as an in vitro model to replicate the inflammation sustained by Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on the inflammatory reverting action of lipopolysaccharide (LPS-G) on the cell metabolic activity, inflammation pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in hGMSCs and e-hGMSCs. Cells were treated with LPS-G (5 μg mL−1) or AA (50 μg mL−1) and analyzed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, immunofluorescence and Western blot methods. The rate of cell metabolic activity was decreased significantly in LPS-G-treated groups, while groups co-treated with LPS-G and AA showed a logarithmic cell metabolic activity rate similar to untreated cells. AA treatment attenuated the inflammatory effect of LPS-G by reducing the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NFκB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence acquisition. LPS-G-induced cells displayed an increase in ROS production, while AA co-treated cells showed a protective effect. In summary, our work suggests that AA attenuated LPS-G-mediated inflammation and ROS generation in hGMSCs and e-hGMSCs via suppressing the NFκB/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway. These findings indicate that AA may be considered as a potential factor involved in the modulation of the inflammatory pathway triggered by LPS-G in an vitro cellular model.
Plasma Medicine Technologies
Authors: Kaushik Nagendra Kumar , Bekeschus Sander , Tanaka Hiromasa , Lin Abraham , Choi Eun Ha
Published: May 2021

This Special Issue, entitled “Plasma Medicine Technologies”, covers the latest remarkable developments in the field of plasma bioscience and medicine. Plasma medicine is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of plasma physics, material science, bioscience, and medicine, towards the development of therapeutic strategies. A study on plasma medicine has yielded the development of new treatment opportunities in medical and dental sciences. An important aspect of this issue is the presentation of research underlying new therapeutic methods that are useful in medicine, dentistry, sterilization, and, in the current scenario, that challenge perspectives in biomedical sciences. This issue is focused on basic research on the characterization of the bioplasma sources applicable to living cells, especially to the human body, and fundamental research on the mutual interactions between bioplasma and organic–inorganic liquids, and bio or nanomaterials.
Special Issue “Advances in Control of Power Electronic Converters”
Authors: Lopez-Santos Oswaldo , Garcia Germain
Published: May 2021

The use of power converters has grown in the last years with the advances in photovoltaic and wind based power generation systems, and the progress in modern concepts such as microgrids and electric mobility. A consequence has been the development of devices allowing for the exchange of energy among different distribution buses, and feeding AC or DC loads from low DC voltage levels, whose proper operation is achieved by means of specialized control systems. Simultaneously, the power converters used for conventional industrial applications have evolved thanks to the application of new control methods, and the combination of these with well-established techniques. This special issue contributes theoretical and practical advances to the state-of-the-art field at the crossroads of power electronics and control systems. The seven included papers cover particular applications requiring either DC–DC, DC–AC or AC–DC conversion stages.
Moisture Measurement in Paper and Cardboard Packaging Waste Bales for Recycling
Authors: Silveira Ana , Cardoso João , Correia Maria José , Martinho Graça
Published: May 2021

Moisture content is a quality issue raised by recycling plants in the acceptance of paper and cardboard coming from waste streams. The current way to measure this parameter is by the oven drying method, which is a slow and invasive process, costing time and resources for the recyclers to do this type of quality control. An alternative to such a measurement technique is the use of plate-form devices which indirectly measure the moisture content using the dielectric properties of water and paper. This study has tested this method and developed a representative equation for the use of devices with these properties in the Portuguese market. For that, 48 wastepaper and cardboard bales were tested with both the traditional (oven drying) method and a commercial device equipped with dielectric technology. An equation that fits the studied reality (R2 = 0.76) was achieved, and possible problems regarding the use of this device were tested. The results showed that this type of device could be used as a time- and cost-saving, non-destructive and reliable method in the quality control of wastepaper and cardboard bales.
Flow Stress Modelling and 3D Processing Maps of Al4.5Zn4.5Mg1Cu0.12Zr Alloy with Different Scandium Contents
Authors: Khomutov Maxim G. , Pozdniakov Andrey V. , Churyumov Alexander Yu. , Barkov Ruslan Yu. , Solonin Alexey N. , Glavatskikh Maria V.
Published: May 2021

The hot deformation behaviour of an Al4.5Zn4.5Mg1Cu0.12Zr based alloy with 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15% Sc was investigated at temperatures between 300–450 °C and a strain rate of 0.1–15 s−1. The materials constants of a flow stress model based on the Zener-Hollomon parameter were determined (AARE was 5.8%). Three-dimensional processing maps were established by combining power dissipation efficiency and flow stability diagrams. Based on processing maps analysis and microstructures investigations, the optimal deformation parameters were determined as a temperature range of 350–400 °C and strain rates of 0.1–1 s−1 for the alloys with 0.05% and 0.1% Sc, and 0.1 s−1 for the alloy with 0.15% Sc.
Immobilization of Pectinolytic Enzymes on Nylon 6/6 Carriers
Authors: Ben-Othman Sana , Rinken Toonika
Published: May 2021

Pectinolytic enzymes are an important tool for sustainable food production, with a wide range of applications in food processing technologies as well as the extraction of bioactive compounds from pectin-rich raw materials. In the present study, we immobilized commercial pectinase preparation onto pellet and thread shaped nylon 6/6 carriers and assessed its stability and reusability. Five commercial pectinase preparations were tested for different pectin de-polymerizing activities (pectinase, polygalacturonase, and pectin lyase activities). Thereafter, Pectinex® Ultra Tropical preparation, exhibiting the highest catalytic activities among the studied preparations (p < 0.0001), was immobilized on nylon 6/6 using dimethyl sulfate and glutaraldehyde. The immobilization yield was in accordance with the carrier surface area available for enzyme attachment, and it was 1.25 ± 0.10 U/g on threads, which was over 40 times higher than that on pellets. However, the inactivation of immobilized enzymes was not dependent on the shape of the carrier, indicating that the attachment of the enzymes on the surface of nylon 6/6 carriers was similar. The half-life of enzyme inactivation fast phase at 4 °C was 12.8 days. After 5 weeks, the unused threads retained 63% of their initial activity. Reusability study showed that after 20 successive cycles the remaining activity of the immobilized pectinase was 22%, indicating the good prospects of reusability of the immobilized enzyme preparations for industrial application.
Acoustical Properties of Fiberglass Blankets Impregnated with Silica Aerogel
Authors: Begum Hasina , Horoshenkov Kirill V.
Published: May 2021

It is known that aerogel impregnated fibrous blankets offer high acoustic absorption and thermal insulation performance. These materials are becoming very popular in various industrial and building applications. Although the reasons for the high thermal insulation performance of these materials are well understood, it is still largely unclear what controls their acoustic performance. Additionally, only a small number of publications to date report on the acoustical properties of fibrous blankets impregnated with powder aerogels. There is a lack of studies that attempt to explain the measured absorption properties with a valid mathematical model. This paper contributes to this knowledge gap through a simulation that predicts the measured complex acoustic reflection coefficient of aerogel blankets with different filling ratios. It is shown that the acoustic performance of a fibrous blanket impregnated with aerogel is generally controlled by the effective pore size and porosity of the composite structure. It is shown that there is a need for refinement of a classical Biot-type model to take into account the sorption and pressure diffusion effects, which become important with the increased filling ratio.
Gas Barrier Performance of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayers Grown on Copper Foils with Electrochemical Polishing
Authors: Lee Chil Hyoung , Choi Go Bong , Kim Eun Mi , Lee Jongho , Lee Jaegeun , Moon Hi Gyu , Kim Myung Jong , Kim Yoong Ahm , Seo Tae Hoon
Published: May 2021

The demand for high-performance two-dimensional gas barrier materials is increasing owing to their potential for application in optoelectronic devices. These materials can help the devices maintain their properties over a long period. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the gas barrier performance of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) monolayers grown on copper foils via electrochemical polishing (ECP). The ECP treatment helped reduce the surface roughness of the copper foils. As a result, the nucleation density was reduced and highly crystalline h-BN monolayers were produced. The gas barrier performance of h-BN monolayers on copper foils with ECP was comparable to that of graphene. Our finding demonstrates the potential of monolayer h-BN as a high-performance and economical gas barrier material for organic-based optoelectronic devices.
Synthetic Jet Actuators with the Same Cross-Sectional Area Orifices-Flow and Acoustic Aspects
Authors: Smyk Emil , Wilk Joanna , Markowicz Marek
Published: May 2021

In this paper, synthetic jet actuators (SJAs) with three different orifice shapes (circular, square, and slot) with the same cross-section area were investigated. The SJA efficiency and the synthetic jet (SJ) Reynolds number were calculated based on the time-mean reaction force measurement. The momentum velocity was measured with hot-wire anemometry and additionally, the sound pressure level (SPL) was measured. The efficiency was equal maximally to 5.3% for each orifice shape, but the square orifice characterized the higher Reynolds number. The compared centerline (axial) velocities and the radial velocity profile at a distance of 112 mm were similar for each orifice type. The SPL measurement results were surprisingly constant in relation to each other. The square orifice generates the lowest SPL, approximately 2.8dB lower than the circular orifice, and approximately 4.2dB lower than the slot orifice, at each investigated real power. Finally, the differences to other papers and limitations of the approach to comparing orifices presented in the present paper were indicated.
Stateflow-Based Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Energy System to Mitigate Load Shedding
Authors: Bakht Muhammad Paend , Salam Zainal , Bhatti Abdul Rauf , Anjum Waqas , Khalid Saifulnizam A. , Khan Nuzhat
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the potential application of Stateflow (SF) to design an energy management strategy (EMS) for a renewable-based hybrid energy system (HES). The SF is an extended finite state machine; it provides a platform to design, model, and execute complex event-driven systems using an interactive graphical environment. The HES comprises photovoltaics (PV), energy storage units (ESU) and a diesel generator (Gen), integrated with the power grid that experiences a regular load shedding condition (scheduled power outages). The EMS optimizes the energy production and utilization during both modes of HES operation, i.e., grid-connected mode and the islanded mode. For islanded operation mode, a resilient power delivery is ensured when the system is subjected to intermittent renewable supply and grid vulnerability. The contributions of this paper are twofold: first is to propose an integrated framework of HES to address the problem of load shedding, and second is to design and implement a resilient EMS in the SF environment. The validation of the proposed EMS demonstrates its feasibility to serve the load for various operating scenarios. The latter include operations under seasonal variation, abnormal weather conditions, and different load shedding patterns. The simulation results reveal that the proposed EMS not only ensures uninterrupted power supply during load shedding but also reduces grid burden by maximizing the use of PV energy. In addition, the SF-based adopted methodology is envisaged to be a useful alternative to the popular design method using the conventional software tools, particularly for event-driven systems.
Bearing Anomaly Recognition Using an Intelligent Digital Twin Integrated with Machine Learning
Authors: Piltan Farzin , Kim Jong-Myon
Published: May 2021

In this study, the application of an intelligent digital twin integrated with machine learning for bearing anomaly detection and crack size identification will be observed. The intelligent digital twin has two main sections: signal approximation and intelligent signal estimation. The mathematical vibration bearing signal approximation is integrated with machine learning-based signal approximation to approximate the bearing vibration signal in normal conditions. After that, the combination of the Kalman filter, high-order variable structure technique, and adaptive neural-fuzzy technique is integrated with the proposed signal approximation technique to design an intelligent digital twin. Next, the residual signals will be generated using the proposed intelligent digital twin and the original RAW signals. The machine learning approach will be integrated with the proposed intelligent digital twin for the classification of the bearing anomaly and crack sizes. The Case Western Reserve University bearing dataset is used to test the impact of the proposed scheme. Regarding the experimental results, the average accuracy for the bearing fault pattern recognition and crack size identification will be, respectively, 99.5% and 99.6%.
Responsivity and Noise Equivalent Power of a Single Cold-Electron Bolometer
Authors: Agulo Ian Jasper , Kuzmin Leonid
Published: May 2021

We have developed a single-pixel capacitively coupled Cold-Electron Bolometer (CEB) and characterized it in the current-biased regime. The most attractive feature of the CEB is effective electron self-cooling of the absorber, which leads to a lower bolometer noise and higher dynamic range. The bolometer responsivity was measured by determining the voltage response to an applied power through the absorber from a heating current, modulated at frequencies from 35 Hz to 2 kHz. The optimum responsivity of 1.5 × 1010 V/W was measured at a modulation frequency of 35 Hz. The noise equivalent power (NEP) was subsequently obtained from the estimated bolometer noise voltage with respect to the measured bolometer responsivity. The NEP of better 2 × 10−18 W/Hz1/2 was obtained for modulation frequencies greater than 100 Hz. The background power and the bolometer time constant were also estimated from the experimental results. The photon-noise-limited operation of CEB will dominate for a signal power of 10 fW and higher at frequency 80 GHz and higher.
Affecting Casein Micelles by Pulsed Electrical Field (PEF) for Inclusion of Lipophilic Organic Compounds
Authors: Middendorf Dana , Bindrich Ute , Siemer Claudia , Töpfl Stefan , Heinz Volker
Published: May 2021

The increased consumption of reduced-fat or non-fat products leads to a reduced intake of fat-soluble bioactive substances, such as fat-soluble vitamins. Due to their natural role as transport systems for hydrophobic substances, casein micelles (CM) might depict a viable system. The structure of CM is characterized by a lipophilic core stabilized by an electric double layer-like structure. Modification allows accessibility of the core and, therefore, the inclusion of fat-soluble bioactive substances. Well-known modifications are pH reduction and use of rennet enzyme. A completely new procedure to modify CM structure is offered by pulsed electrical fields (PEF). The principle behind PEF is called electroporation and affects the electric double layer of CM so that it is interrupted. In this way, lipophilic substances can be incorporated into CM. In this work, we evaluated integration of β-carotene into native CM by an industry-compatible process to overcome disadvantages associated with the use of Na-caseinate and avoid great technical effort, e.g., due to treatment with high hydrostatic pressure. Our research has shown that PEF can be used for disintegration of CM and that significant amounts of β-carotene can be incorporated in CM. Furthermore, after disintegration using PEF, a combination of another PEF and thermal treatment was applied to restructure CM and trap significant amounts of β-carotene, permanently, ending up with an encapsulation efficiency of 78%.
A New Method to Evaluate Trueness and Precision of Digital and Conventional Impression Techniques for Complete Dental Arch
Authors: Seo KweonSoo , Kim Sunjai
Published: May 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present a new method to analyze the three-dimensional accuracy of complete-arch dental impressions and verify the reliability of the method. Additionally, the accuracies of conventional and intraoral digital impressions were compared using the new method. Methods: A master model was fabricated using 14 milled polyetheretherketone cylinders and a maxillary acrylic model. Each cylinder was positioned and named according to its corresponding tooth position. Twenty-five definitive stone casts were fabricated using conventional impressions of the master model. An intraoral scanner was used to scan the master model 25 times to fabricate 25 digital models. A coordinate measuring machine was used to physically probe each cylinder in the master model and definitive casts. An inspection software was used to probe cylinders of digital models. A three-dimensional part coordinate system was defined and used to compute the centroid coordinate of each cylinder. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was evaluated to examine the reliability of the new method. Independent two sample t-test was performed to compare the trueness and precision of conventional and intraoral digital impressions (α = 0.05). Results: ICC results showed that, the new method had almost perfect reliability for the measurements of the master model, conventional and digital impression. Conventional impression showed more accurate absolute trueness and precision than intraoral digital impression for most of the tooth positions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The new method was reliable to analyze the three-dimensional deviation of complete-arch impressions. Conventional impression was still more accurate than digital intraoral impression for complete arches.
Applicability of Honey on Silkworms (Bombyx mori) and Quality Improvement of Its Biomaterials
Authors: Baci Gabriela-Maria , Cucu Alexandra-Antonia , Moise Adela Ramona , Dezmirean Daniel Severus
Published: May 2021

Since ancient times, honey has been considered one of the most illustrious and esteemed natural products. Honey plays two key roles; specifically, it is an appreciated nutritional product, and also exhibits a wide range of beneficial properties for human health as a therapeutic agent. Furthermore, it has been shown that honey has valuable effects on the biological and physiological features of mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori). Bombyx mori exhibits importance not only for the economy, but it also serves as an important biotechnological bioreactor for the production of recombinant proteins that have a great impact in the medical field and beyond. It also represents an important model organism for life sciences. In view of the fact that silk fibroin serves as a natural biopolymer that displays high biocompatibility with human organisms and due to honey’s various and remarkable properties for human health, the two elements are currently used together in order to develop ideal biomaterials for a wide range of purposes. In this review, by discussing the applicability of honey on Bombyx mori and beyond, the importance of honey for life sciences and related fields is spotlighted.
Construction of Apple Leaf Diseases Identification Networks Based on Xception Fused by SE Module
Authors: Chao Xiaofei , Hu Xiao , Feng Jingze , Zhang Zhao , Wang Meili , He Dongjian
Published: May 2021

The fast and accurate identification of apple leaf diseases is beneficial for disease control and management of apple orchards. An improved network for apple leaf disease classification and a lightweight model for mobile terminal usage was designed in this paper. First, we proposed SE-DEEP block to fuse the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) module with the Xception network to get the SE_Xception network, where the SE module is inserted between the depth-wise convolution and point-wise convolution of the depth-wise separable convolution layer. Therefore, the feature channels from the lower layers could be directly weighted, which made the model more sensitive to the principal features of the classification task. Second, we designed a lightweight network, named SE_miniXception, by reducing the depth and width of SE_Xception. Experimental results show that the average classification accuracy of SE_Xception is 99.40%, which is 1.99% higher than Xception. The average classification accuracy of SE_miniXception is 97.01%, which is 1.60% and 1.22% higher than MobileNetV1 and ShuffleNet, respectively, while its number of parameters is less than those of MobileNet and ShuffleNet. The minimized network decreases the memory usage and FLOPs, and accelerates the recognition speed from 15 to 7 milliseconds per image. Our proposed SE-DEEP block provides a choice for improving network accuracy and our network compression scheme provides ideas to lightweight existing networks.
The Use of Supercontinuum Laser Sources in Biomedical Diffuse Optics: Unlocking the Power of Multispectral Imaging
Authors: Lange Frédéric , Giannoni Luca , Tachtsidis Ilias
Published: May 2021

Optical techniques based on diffuse optics have been around for decades now and are making their way into the day-to-day medical applications. Even though the physics foundations of these techniques have been known for many years, practical implementation of these technique were hindered by technological limitations, mainly from the light sources and/or detection electronics. In the past 20 years, the developments of supercontinuum laser (SCL) enabled to unlock some of these limitations, enabling the development of system and methodologies relevant for medical use, notably in terms of spectral monitoring. In this review, we focus on the use of SCL in biomedical diffuse optics, from instrumentation and methods developments to their use for medical applications. A total of 95 publications were identified, from 1993 to 2021. We discuss the advantages of the SCL to cover a large spectral bandwidth with a high spectral power and fast switching against the disadvantages of cost, bulkiness, and long warm up times. Finally, we summarize the utility of using such light sources in the development and application of diffuse optics in biomedical sciences and clinical applications.
Digital Twin for Designing and Reconfiguring Human–Robot Collaborative Assembly Lines
Authors: Kousi Niki , Gkournelos Christos , Aivaliotis Sotiris , Lotsaris Konstantinos , Bavelos Angelos Christos , Baris Panagiotis , Michalos George , Makris Sotiris
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses a digital twin-based approach for designing and redesigning flexible assembly systems. The digital twin allows modeling the parameters of the production system at different levels including assembly process, production station, and line level. The approach allows dynamically updating the digital twin in runtime, synthesizing data from multiple 2D–3D sensors in order to have up-to-date information about the actual production process. The model integrates both geometrical information and semantics. The model is used in combination with an artificial intelligence logic in order to derive alternative configurations of the production system. The overall approach is discussed with the help of a case study coming from the automotive industry. The case study introduces a production system integrating humans and autonomous mobile dual arm workers.
Pseudomonas entomophila 23S Produces a Novel Antagonistic Compound against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, a Pathogen of Tomato Bacterial Canker
Authors: Takishita Yoko , Souleimanov Alfred , Bourguet Carine , Ohlund Leanne B. , Arnold Alexandre A. , Sleno Lekha , Smith Donald L.
Published: May 2021

Biopesticides, which consist of antagonistic microorganisms, or the bioactive compounds they produce offer attractive alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals as a means of reducing plant diseases in crop production systems. In our previous study, a strain of Pseudomonas entomophila 23S was reported to have a strong antagonistic activity toward Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), a pathogen of tomato bacterial canker disease, which causes serious damage to the tomato production industry. This study focused on purification and characterization of the anti-Cmm compound(s) produced by P. entomophila 23S. The cell-free supernatant was first subjected to butanol extraction, fractioned by solid-phase extraction (SPE), and purified by high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC). The semi-preparative purified compounds retained anti-Cmm activity. These compounds were then characterized by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two anti-Cmm compounds, C15H16N2O and C16H18N2O, were isolated by this procedure. From the LC/MS spectra, the compounds were predicted to have an isoquinoline ring, the presence of which was confirmed by NMR. The compounds differed with respect to the presence of a methyl group in a side chain. In addition, P. entomophila 23S grown in different culture media produced the greatest amounts of these anti-Cmm compounds when in Nutrient Broth (NB), where bacterial growth was the slowest. NB composition is more favorable in stimulating P. entomophila 23S to produce higher amounts of these anti-Cmm compounds.
Using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Products to Assess Illuminances at Ground Level under Cloudless Conditions
Authors: Wandji Nyamsi William , Blanc Philippe , Dumortier Dominique , Mouangue Ruben , Arola Antti , Wald Lucien
Published: May 2021

Natural daylight is recognized as an important variable in the energy performance of buildings. A method that estimates the global illuminance received on a horizontal surface at ground level and its direct component at normal incidence under cloudless conditions is presented. The method uses the k-distribution method and the correlated-k approximation to compute a set of clearness indices integrated over 13 spectral bands covering the range 380–780 nm. A spectral resampling technique, including a spectral disaggregation and a spectral linear interpolation, is applied to these indices for providing a detailed set of solar irradiances at 1 nm in spectral resolution over the whole range. Then, these are weighted by the standardized CIE action spectrum for human eye for assessing the illuminance. Inputs to the method include the total column contents of ozone and water vapor as well as aerosol optical properties produced by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. Estimates of illuminance were compared to high-quality 1 min measurements of illuminance that were collected from two experimental sites located in two different climatic zones. A slight overestimation is observed for the global illuminance: the bias is between +1 klx and +3 klx, i.e., between +1% and +4% in relative value. The root mean square error varies between 5 klx (8%) and 6 klx (9%). The squared correlation coefficient ranges between 0.95 and 0.97. At the site providing the direct illuminance at normal incidence, the performance of the method is lower compared to global illuminance with a lower squared correlation coefficient of 0.53. The bias, relative bias, RMSE, and rRMSE are +7 klx, +9%, 12 klx, and 15%, respectively. The uncertainty of the method is of the order of the uncertainty of the measurements. The method offers accurate estimates of illuminance in cloudless conditions at high spatial and temporal resolutions useful for construction industries and operators as well as thermal simulation tools for optimal building design strategies.
Transdisciplinary Scientific Strategies for Soft Computing Development: Towards an Era of Data and Business Analytics
Authors: Espin-Andrade Rafael A. , Pedrycz Witold , Solares Efrain , Cruz-Reyes Laura
Published: May 2021

This research is a review and analysis paper that offers a transdisciplinary, methodological, and strategic vision for soft computing development towards a wider favorable impact in data analytics. Strategies are defined, explained, and illustrated by examples. The paper also shows how these strategies are expressed in three dimensions of an ambitious actions plan. They are all integrated into a master strategy called wide knowledge discovery, which offers a way towards the augmented analytics paradigm. Some contributions of this work are defining what kind of mathematical elements should be introduced into soft computing towards a better impact on the area of data analytics, offering orientation towards building new mathematical elements, and defining why and how they can be introduced.
Without Data Quality, There Is No Data Migration
Authors: Azeroual Otmane , Jha Meena
Published: May 2021

Data migration is required to run data-intensive applications. Legacy data storage systems are not capable of accommodating the changing nature of data. In many companies, data migration projects fail because their importance and complexity are not taken seriously enough. Data migration strategies include storage migration, database migration, application migration, and business process migration. Regardless of which migration strategy a company chooses, there should always be a stronger focus on data cleansing. On the one hand, complete, correct, and clean data not only reduce the cost, complexity, and risk of the changeover, it also means a good basis for quick and strategic company decisions and is therefore an essential basis for today’s dynamic business processes. Data quality is an important issue for companies looking for data migration these days and should not be overlooked. In order to determine the relationship between data quality and data migration, an empirical study with 25 large German and Swiss companies was carried out to find out the importance of data quality in companies for data migration. In this paper, we present our findings regarding how data quality plays an important role in a data migration plans and must not be ignored. Without acceptable data quality, data migration is impossible.
Acceleration or Brakes: Which Is Rational for Cell Cycle-Targeting Neuroblastoma Therapy?
Authors: Ando Kiyohiro , Nakagawara Akira
Published: May 2021

Unrestrained proliferation is a common feature of malignant neoplasms. Targeting the cell cycle is a therapeutic strategy to prevent unlimited cell division. Recently developed rationales for these selective inhibitors can be subdivided into two categories with antithetical functionality. One applies a “brake” to the cell cycle to halt cell proliferation, such as with inhibitors of cell cycle kinases. The other “accelerates” the cell cycle to initiate replication/mitotic catastrophe, such as with inhibitors of cell cycle checkpoint kinases. The fate of cell cycle progression or arrest is tightly regulated by the presence of tolerable or excessive DNA damage, respectively. This suggests that there is compatibility between inhibitors of DNA repair kinases, such as PARP inhibitors, and inhibitors of cell cycle checkpoint kinases. In the present review, we explore alterations to the cell cycle that are concomitant with altered DNA damage repair machinery in unfavorable neuroblastomas, with respect to their unique genomic and molecular features. We highlight the vulnerabilities of these alterations that are attributable to the features of each. Based on the assessment, we offer possible therapeutic approaches for personalized medicine, which are seemingly antithetical, but both are promising strategies for targeting the altered cell cycle in unfavorable neuroblastomas.
Paternal High-Protein Diet Programs Offspring Insulin Sensitivity in a Sex-Specific Manner
Authors: Gong Pengfei , Bailbé Danielle , Bianchi Lola , Pommier Gaëlle , Liu Junjun , Tolu Stefania , Stathopoulou Maria G. , Portha Bernard , Grandjean Valérie , Movassat Jamileh
Published: May 2021

The impact of maternal nutrition on offspring is well documented. However, the implication of pre-conceptional paternal nutrition on the metabolic health of the progeny remains underexplored. Here, we investigated the impact of paternal high-protein diet (HPD, 43.2% protein) consumption on the endocrine pancreas and the metabolic phenotype of offspring. Male Wistar rats were given HPD or standard diet (SD, 18.9% protein) for two months. The progenies (F1) were studied at fetal stage and in adulthood. Body weight, glycemia, glucose tolerance (GT), glucose-induced insulin secretion in vivo (GIIS) and whole-body insulin sensitivity were assessed in male and female F1 offspring. Insulin sensitivity, GT and GIIS were similar between F1 females from HPD (HPD/F1) and SD fathers (SD/F1). Conversely, male HPD/F1 exhibited increased insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05) and decreased GIIS (p < 0.05) compared to male SD/F1. The improvement of insulin sensitivity in HPD/F1 was sustained even after 2 months of high-fat feeding. In male HPD/F1, the β cell mass was preserved and the β cell plasticity, following metabolic challenge, was enhanced compared to SD/F1. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence of a sex-specific impact of paternal HPD on the insulin sensitivity and GIIS of their descendants, demonstrating that changes in paternal nutrition alter the metabolic status of their progeny in adulthood.
Epigenetic Insights and Potential Modifiers as Therapeutic Targets in β–Thalassemia
Authors: Zakaria Nur Atikah , Islam Md Asiful , Abdullah Wan Zaidah , Bahar Rosnah , Mohamed Yusoff Abdul Aziz , Abdul Wahab Ridhwan , Shamsuddin Shaharum , Johan Muhammad Farid
Published: May 2021

Thalassemia, an inherited quantitative globin disorder, consists of two types, α– and β–thalassemia. β–thalassemia is a heterogeneous disease that can be asymptomatic, mild, or even severe. Considerable research has focused on investigating its underlying etiology. These studies found that DNA hypomethylation in the β–globin gene cluster is significantly related to fetal hemoglobin (HbF) elevation. Histone modification reactivates γ-globin gene expression in adults and increases β–globin expression. Down-regulation of γ–globin suppressor genes, i.e., BCL11A, KLF1, HBG-XMN1, HBS1L-MYB, and SOX6, elevates the HbF level. β–thalassemia severity is predictable through FLT1, ARG2, NOS2A, and MAP3K5 gene expression. NOS2A and MAP3K5 may predict the β–thalassemia patient’s response to hydroxyurea, a HbF-inducing drug. The transcription factors NRF2 and BACH1 work with antioxidant enzymes, i.e., PRDX1, PRDX2, TRX1, and SOD1, to protect erythrocytes from oxidative damage, thus increasing their lifespan. A single β–thalassemia-causing mutation can result in different phenotypes, and these are predictable by IGSF4 and LARP2 methylation as well as long non-coding RNA expression levels. Finally, the coinheritance of β–thalassemia with α–thalassemia ameliorates the β–thalassemia clinical presentation. In conclusion, the management of β–thalassemia is currently limited to genetic and epigenetic approaches, and numerous factors should be further explored in the future.