bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respostas ecofisiológicas de plântulas de melão sob cultivo protegido e a céu aberto
Authors: Belfort Cristovam Colombo , Nery Eulina Barbosa , Campelo Pedro Emartino Bezerra , Queiroz Neto Antonio Pereira de , Gomes James Pinho , Mota Lucivan de Sousa , Oliveira Kássio Felipe Bezerra , Lima Thyago Ribeiro de
Published: September 2020

Objetivando estudar o comportamento do Melão Caipira cultivado em bandejas com substrato comercial a céu aberto e 50 % de sombreamento, um ensaio foi realizado no delineamento experimental blocos casualizados com 4 repetições e os tratamentos configurados num fatorial 2x4x2, (tipo de bandeja: 72 e 128 células; estádio de crescimento: uma a quatro folhas verdadeiras; ambiente: céu aberto e cultivo protegido). Os resultados apontaram que altura e comprimento da raiz variam, independentemente do tipo de bandeja e ambiente, onde plântulas de ambiente fechado e bandejas de 72 células são maiores. Tal comportamento se repete na aferição de estádio de crescimento e ambiente, onde as plântulas obtidas em bandejas de 72 células apresentaram maior massa fresca da parte aérea. Todavia, bandejas com 72 células e ambiente protegido favorecem o aumento da relação parte aérea/raiz. Conclui-se, pois, que bandejas com 72 células e o ambiente protegido evidenciam mais o crescimento da parte aérea, aumentando a relação entre estes segmentos. Assim, é possível realizar o transplante até o estádio de quarta folha com o uso de bandejas de 72 células; na quarta folha em bandejas de 128 células a céu aberto e, na terceira, em cultivo protegido.
Produção láctea de mães de recém-nascidos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva
Authors: Brito Ana Gabriela Lucena , Lima Raquel Faria da Silva , Christoffel Marialda Moreira , Castro Maísa Silva de , Azevedo Andressa Menescal Coelho
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: analisar a produção láctea e a qualidade do sono e ansiedade de mães de recém-nascidos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal em uma maternidade. Metodologia: trata-se de estudo quantitativo, do tipo transversal.  A amostra foi constituída por 107 mães de recém-nascidos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. Foi utilizado os questionários Índice da Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh e o Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado, respectivamente. Para a análise do volume lácteo das mães que pariram prematuros considerou-se o aceitável na literatura, mínimo de 500 ml. Resultados: a média de idade das mães foi de 26,69±6,70, a maioria (74,8%) possuía companheiro como estado marital, tinha o ensino médio completo (45,8%), renda familiar de até um salário mínimo (63,3%) e não trabalha fora de casa (67,3%). O volume das extrações lácteas realizadas pelas mães variou de 142,33 ml a 156,77 ml de leite materno durante 4 dias (p<0,0001). De acordo com índice de Pittsburg a maioria (62,7%) possuía a qualidade do sono ruim. Quanto as classificações do ansiedade-Traço e ansiedade-Estado, as mães obtiveram nível moderado de ansiedade sendo 57,9% e 67,3% respectivamente. Conclusão: o volume lácteo produzido e extraído pelas mães com filhos recém-nascidos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal mostrou-se baixo. As mulheres apresentaram níveis moderados de ansiedade e má qualidade do sono, interferindo no volume de leite extraído no Posto de Coleta de Leite Humano.
Nova chance: o olhar sobre a reinserção social de ex-detentos através da educação no Município de Cuiabá
Authors: Nascimento Fabiana Flavia de Magalhães , Monteiro Edenar de Souza
Published: September 2020

O estudo tem como objetivo compreender a formação e como são constituídos os saberes dos professores que lecionam na alfabetização de Pessoas Privadas de Liberdade no sistema penitenciário de Mato Grosso. Tem como proposta metodológica o estudo de caso cujos instrumentos de coleta dos dados são a observação do espaço pesquisado, questionário estruturado para identificação e seleção dos participantes e entrevista semiestruturada.  A proposta envolve os docentes que atuam no primeiro segmento da Educação de Jovens e Adultos e prioriza as experiências vividas e adquiridas no espaço mencionado, o qual é diferente das tidas escolas normais. Os autores que dão suporte, a este estudo são: Tardif; Freire, Arroyo. O lócus da pesquisa é uma escola estadual situada em Cuiabá que atende pessoas privadas de liberdade, cujos participantes são os professores do 1º segmento da Educação de Jovens e Adultos. Os resultados apontaram que não há oferta de formação inicial ou continuada para a área em que atuam e que os saberes que subsidiam todo o seu fazer docente no sistema penitenciário, advém da experiencia adquirida no percurso de 10 anos tendo como suporte os conhecimentos adquiridos em teorias.
Educação em saúde sobre doação de sangue: relato de uma experiência com crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Lima Hentielle Feksa , Costa Kamila Caneda da , Jerke Luiza Camila , Portela Jully Martins Gomes , Cogo Silvana Bastos , Silva Laís Mara Caetano da , Xavier Anne Louíze Menezes , Maciel Victória de Quadros Severo
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de acadêmicos de enfermagem em uma ação de educação em saúde com escolares e adolescentes acerca da doação de sangue no ambiente escolar. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, acerca de uma atividade de extensão destinada a escolares sobre a doação de sangue, desenvolvido em uma escola estadual de ensino fundamental localizada no interior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) em outubro de 2019. O tempo de duração das atividades foi de quatro horas, nos turnos matutino e vespertino. As estratégias de ensino foram pautadas nas metodologias ativas de aprendizagem sendo efetuadas por meio de atividades lúdicas. Participaram da atividade 38 crianças e 86 adolescentes. Resultados: Por meio das atividades propostas foi possível promover um espaço de aprendizagem e discussões entre os escolares sobre a doação de sangue, de modo que os alunos associaram seus aprendizados prévios com as novas informações adquiridas, auxiliando na construção do conhecimento. Além disso, possibilitou o desenvolvimento de habilidades, criatividade e a socialização entre os participantes. Conclusão: Os resultados do estudo demonstram a eficácia de metodologias ativas e lúdicas para um aprendizado a curto prazo, bem como a necessidade de promover ações de sensibilização acerca da doação de sangue e do estímulo a um conhecimento que torne o indivíduo consciente e disseminador de ideias. Além disso, evidencia-se a importância da atuação da enfermagem enquanto educadora e promotora da saúde em espaços como o ambiente escolar.
Balanço hídrico para diferentes capacidades de campo e a variabilidade erosiva pluvial no munícipio de Amparo de São Francisco – SE, Brasil
Authors: França Manoel Vieira de , Medeiros Raimundo Mainar de , Araújo Wagner Rodolfo de , Holanda Romildo Morant de
Published: September 2020

Objetiva-se em avaliar as condições hídricas por meio do panorama climático da variabilidade da capacidade de campo visando detectar as flutuações erosivas do solo, no município de Amparo de São Francisco – Sergipe pelo computo do balanço hídrico. Os dados de precipitações médias mensais e anuais foram adquiridos do banco de dados da Superintendência de Desenvolvimento do Nordeste e da Empresa de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural do estado do Sergipe, entre os anos de 1963 a 2019. Os dados de temperatura média foram estimadas pelo software Estima_T para o mesmo período de estudo. A metodologia aplicada para o computo do balanço hídrico foi de Thornthwaite. A capacidade de campo de 25 mm; 50 mm e 75 mm registraram índices erosivos altos. A capacidade de campo de 100 mm; 125 mm e 150 mm registraram-se erosividade moderada, e índices erosivos fracos para a capacidade de 175 mm. Os índices pluviais para as capacidades  de campos estudadas deverão ocasionar mais incidências erosivas visto que se esperam chuvas fortes com grandes magnitudes e em curto intervalo de tempo. Os resultados obtidos indicam situações críticas das condições do solo da área estudada o que poderá ocasionar grandes impactos para os recursos hídricos e a prática de culturas de sequeiro.
Qualidade e Hábitos de Sono de Taxistas
Authors: Soares Junior Renan da Cunha , Souza José Carlos Rosa Pires de , Grubits Heloisa Bruna , Colombo Rafael Augusto Mielo , Miyahira Lília Kazumi , Cespedes Mateus Silveira , Narciso Fernanda Veruska , Mello Marco Tulio de
Published: September 2020

Introdução: o sono é um mecanismo fisiológico controlado pelo ciclo circadiano que tem como relógio biológico o fotoperiodismo. No entanto, quando sofre interferências pela necessidade humana de estender longas jornadas de trabalho como as de taxistas, há o encurtamento e piora na qualidade do sono. Objetivo: O objetivo deste presente trabalho era estratificar o perfil sociodemográfico dos taxistas e correlacionar com a qualidade de sono. Método: foi realizada a aplicação de questionário com os dados sociodemográficos e PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Resultados: dos 78 entrevistados, em sua maioria masculina consumiam a substância estimulante café, o que reduz o sono, no entanto não apresentou significância na redução de sua qualidade. Discussão: não foi encontrada qualquer variável com resultado estatístico significativo comparando perfil sociodemográfico, hábitos e piora na qualidade do sono. Conclusão: não houve correlação entre variável perfil sociodemográfico e a má qualidade do sono de taxistas.
Sentimentos maternos diante do diagnóstico de leucemia infantil
Authors: Ponte Ana Íris Mota , Albuquerque Rosalice Araújo de Sousa , Custódio Lívia Lopes , Rodrigues Maria Eunice Nogueira Galeno , Belarmino Adriano da Costa , Muniz Maria Júlia Barbosa , Gomes Ilvana Lima Verde , Ferreira Júnior Antonio Rodrigues
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: conhecer os sentimentos de mães acerca do adoecimento do filho com leucemia. Método: pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa, realizada entre os meses de outubro e novembro de 2017, no ambulatório de quimioterapia de um hospital de referência em oncologia pediátrica, no Ceará, Brasil. O estudo ocorreu com 11 mães, a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas individuais, organizadas a partir da técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. A fundamentação teórica consistiu na Hermenêutica fenomenológica de Martin Heidegger. Resultados: os relatos das mães foram categorizados em dois tópicos: “A percepção na revelação da doença: a descoberta do diagnóstico pela mãe” e “A família após a descoberta”. Evidenciou-se a dificuldade vivenciada ao receberem a notícia sobre o diagnóstico de um filho com leucemia e a existência de uma doença crônica. Ao falar sobre esse assunto, observou-se que profundas alterações na estrutura emocional começaram a fluir causando certas expressões de tristeza. Conclusão: percebe-se que a dinâmica familiar sofre processos de mudanças nas suas dimensões estruturais, e que a partir dali as relações passam por organizações em torno de buscar melhor empenho na vida de quem a exige. Os sentimentos e medos das mães dão outro sentido na busca do cuidar, como instinto que é característico dos seres vivos.
Funcionalidade de idosos da comunidade praticantes de atividade física em ambientes públicos – estudo transversal
Authors: Oliveira Daniel Vicentini de , Franco Maura Fernandes , Nascimento Matheus Amarante do , Melo Rogério Soares de , Oliveira Rogéria Vicentini de , Santos Natália Quevedo dos , Nascimento Júnior José Roberto Andrade do , Fiorese Lenamar
Published: September 2020

Este estudo teve o objetivo de comparar a funcionalidade de idosos praticantes de atividade física em ambientes públicos em razão dos fatores sociodemográficos e do nível de atividade física. Estudo transversal, realizado com 70 idosos, de ambos os sexos, praticantes de atividade física nas Academias da Terceira Idade (ATI), na cidade de Maringá-PR. Foi utilizado um questionário sociodemográfico, o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física– (IPAQ) e o WHODAS 2.0. Idosos com companheiro apresentaram melhor funcionalidade em relação à mobilidade (p<0,05). Idosos com maior escolaridade apresentaram melhor funcionalidade em todos os domínios (p<0,05). Idosos da cor preta apresentaram pior funcionalidade (p<0,05). Idosos ativos fisicamente apresentaram melhor funcionalidade nas atividades de vida diária (p<0,05). Concluiu-se que os fatores sociodemográficos e o nível de atividade física parecem ser fatores intervenientes na funcionalidade dos idosos praticantes de atividades físicas em ambientes públicos.
Information System Strategic Planning In PT. Hostingan Awan Indonesia Using Ward & Peppard Methodology
Authors: Ramanda Sembiring Pelawi Deni Ekel , Wijaya Agustinus Fritz
Published: September 2020

Information Systems at this time is needed by the company to survive in business competition with competitors. The information system must also be aligned with the vision and mission and business processes that exist in the company now days so company can generate profits (profitable) at the same time. PT. Hostingan Awan Indonesia is a web development product & service provider company with online transaction feature and purchase processes that integrated with mobile payments. To make business process run optimally, an information system is needed to archive every output document that produced by each division in the company. The process of collecting data in this paper through observation and direct interviews with several stakeholders in the company. This research used Ward & Peppard metho with internal value chain analysis, SWOT, PEST, Five Forces Porter and Mc Farlan Strategic Grid. This research also provides application portfolio recommendations with internal business environment analysis, external business environment analysis, internal SI environmental analysis and external SI environmental analysis.
Usability Testing of Senjang Muba Application Using System Usability Scale
Authors: Mirza Ahmad Haidar , Irawan Dedi
Published: September 2020

Aspek penting pengukuran kualitas aplikasi adalah usability. Tingkat usability dapat menentukan sejauh mana sebuah produk atau layanan dapat digunakan pengguna untuk mencapai tujuannya dan seberapa mudah dalam menggunakan antarmuka aplikasi tersebut. Aplikasi dengan tingkat usability yang tinggi biasanya akan memiliki pengguna yang banyak dan setia. Begitu juga sebaliknya, jika tingkat usability suatu aplikasi rendah pada akhirnya akan ditinggalkan oleh pengguna dan beralih ke aplikasi lain. Pada penelitian ini, aplikasi yang akan di analisa adalah aplikasi layanan pengaduan masyarakat di Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin yang bernama Aplikasi Saluran Elektronik Layanan Jaring Aspirasi dan Aduan Warga Musi Banyuasin atau Senjang Muba. Aplikasi ini menyediakan form untuk diisi oleh masyarakat yang ingin membuat pengaduan. Pengukuran usability melibatkan pengujian langsung pada sampel pengguna. Penelitian ini juga menggunakan kuesioner yang mengacu pada Standard Usability Questionnaires, yaitu System Usability Scale (SUS)
Legume Cover Crops as One of the Elements of Strategic Weed Management and Soil Quality Improvement. A Review
Authors: Kocira Anna , Staniak Mariola , Tomaszewska Marzena , Kornas Rafał , Cymerman Jacek , Panasiewicz Katarzyna , Lipińska Halina
Published: September 2020

The benefits of conservation practices increased the interest of farmers in the cultivation of cover crops (CCs). This review aims to present and analyze the state of the art on the cultivation of legume CCs, including their importance in protecting crops against weeds, as well as their effects on organic matter and nitrogen content in the soil, physical and biological properties of the soil, and its erosion. The multi-purpose character of legume CCs is visible in their positive effect on reducing weed infestation, but also on the soil: reducing its compaction and erosion, improving its structural and hydraulic properties, increasing the content of organic matter and activity of soil microorganisms, or increasing its nitrogen content due to symbiotic N2 fixing. This review demonstrates that a wider use of legume CCs in organic farming is needed. The benefits of legume CCs for successive crops in these cultivation conditions, both in terms of inhibiting weed populations and improving fertility and soil properties, also need to be identified. Further research is also needed to determine the potential impact of legume CCs on the improvement of the quality of degraded soils, or those with less favorable physicochemical properties.
Changes in Capsiate Content in Four Chili Pepper Genotypes (Capsicum spp.) at Different Ripening Stages
Authors: Vázquez-Espinosa Mercedes , Fayos Oreto , V. González-de-Peredo Ana , Espada-Bellido Estrella , Ferreiro-González Marta , Palma Miguel , Garcés-Claver Ana , F. Barbero Gerardo
Published: September 2020

Interest in the consumption of the fruits of pepper (Capsicum spp.) is not only due to its organoleptic characteristics, but also due to its bioactive compounds content, which are reported to provide essential benefits to human health. However, the amount and diversity of these compounds in each fruit specimen depend on its genotype and on a number of environmental factors. This work describes the quantitative ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode-array (UHPLC-PDA) analysis of the capsinoids content in four varieties of pepper (‘Habanero’, ‘Habanero Roxo’, ‘Bode’, and ‘Malagueta’) grown until different development stages in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. In all the varieties analyzed, capsiate was the only capsinoid found. The accumulation of capsiate, in all the pepper varieties, started from the 10th to the 20th day post-anthesis (dpa), and increased during the first days (between the 20th and the 27th dpa). From that moment a drastic reduction took place until the end of the ripening stage, except for ‘Bode’ peppers, where the capsiate content increased from the first harvest point on the 20th dpa up to the 76th dpa. The capsiate accumulation patterns over the development of the fruit has been related to the capsaicionoids accumulation patterns in the same samples of the four varieties of pepper. According to our results, the content evolution of both families of compounds will vary depending on each fruit’s genotype, as well as on environmental conditions. No clear trends have been established and, therefore, an in-depth analysis under controlled conditions should be carried out.
Application of Endophytic Bacillus subtilis and Salicylic Acid to Improve Wheat Growth and Tolerance under Combined Drought and Fusarium Root Rot Stresses
Authors: Lastochkina Oksana , Garshina Darya , Allagulova Chulpan , Fedorova Kristina , Koryakov Igor , Vladimirova Anastasiya
Published: September 2020

In nature, plants are constantly exposed to a varied abiotic and biotic stresses or their combinations, limiting the productivity of major crops, including wheat. Combinations of drought and soil-borne Fusarium-instigated diseases are the most common combinations of stresses, significantly reducing wheat yield around the world. Here, were analyzed the potential of application of endophytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (strain 10–4) together with the natural signal molecule salicylic acid (SA) to improve growth and tolerance of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) plants under combined drought and Fusarium culmorum-instigated root rot (FRR) stresses. It was revealed that pre-sowing treatment with B. subtilis 10–4, SA, and B. subtilis 10–4 + SA, both under normal and combined drought conditions, notably reduced (by 50–80% or more) the incidence of FRR development in wheat plants, with the most notable effect for B. subtilis 10–4 + SA (wherein disease symptoms were almost absent). Moreover, B. subtilis 10–4, SA, and especially B. subtilis 10–4 + SA increased plant growth (root and shoot length, fresh and dry biomass) under normal (up to 20–50%), drought (up to 15–40%), FRR (up to 15–30%), and combined drought + FRR stresses (up to 20%), with the maximum effect for B. subtilis 10–4 + SA. Additionally, B. subtilis 10–4, SA, and B. subtilis 10–4 + SA decreased stress (drought, FRR, and combined drought + FRR)-instigated lipid peroxidation and osmotic damages of plant cells. The findings indicate that endophytic bacteria B. subtilis 10–4 alone and in a mixture with SA may be used as an effective eco-friendly agent to improve wheat growth and tolerance under the influence of drought, FRR, and combinations of these stresses.
Cardiovascular Performance Measurement in Water Fleas by Utilizing High-Speed Videography and ImageJ Software and Its Application for Pesticide Toxicity Assessment
Authors: Santoso Fiorency , Krylov Viacheslav V. , Castillo Agnes L. , Saputra Ferry , Chen Hong-Ming , Lai Hong-Thih , Hsiao Chung-Der
Published: September 2020

Water fleas are a good model for ecotoxicity studies, and were proposed for this purpose by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, due to their easy culture, body transparency, and high sensitivity to chemical pollution. Cardiovascular function parameters are usually used as an indicator of toxicity evaluation. However, due to the nature of the heart and blood flow, and the speed of the heartbeat, it is difficult to perform precise heartbeat and blood flow measurements with a low level of bias. In addition, the other cardiovascular parameters, including stroke volume, cardiac output, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction, have seldom been carefully addressed in previous studies. In this paper, high-speed videography and ImageJ-based methods were adopted to analyze cardiovascular function in water fleas. The heartbeat and blood flow for three water flea species, Daphnia magna, Daphnia silimis, and Moina sp., were captured by high-speed videography and analyzed using open-source ImageJ software. We found the heartbeat is species-dependent but not size-dependent in water fleas. Among the three water fleas tested, D. magna was identified as having the most robust heartbeat and blood flow rate, and is therefore suitable for the ecotoxicity test. Moreover, by calculating the diameter of the heart, we succeeded in measuring other cardiovascular parameters. D. magna were challenged with temperature changes and a pesticide (imidacloprid) to analyze variations in its cardiovascular function. We found that the heartbeat of D. magna was temperature-dependent, since the heartbeat was increasing with temperature. A similar result was shown in the cardiac output parameter. We also observed that the heartbeat, cardiac output, and heartbeat regularity are significantly reduced when exposed to imidacloprid at a low dose of 1 ppb (parts per billion). The blood flow rate, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening, on the contrary, did not display significant changes. In conclusion, in this study, we report a simple, highly accurate, and cost-effective method to perform physiological and toxicological assessments in water fleas.
Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus Modulates Cholesterol Levels, Immune Response, and Productive Performance of Laying Hens
Authors: Alaqil Abdulaziz A. , Abbas Ahmed O. , El-Beltagi Hossam S. , El-Atty Hanaa. K. Abd , Mehaisen Gamal M. K. , Moustafa Eman S.
Published: September 2020

This study examines the effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) on the cholesterol levels, immune response, and productive performance of laying hens. A total of 216, 40-week-old, commercial Hy-Line brown chicken layers were randomly assigned into four treatment groups (18 birds × three replicates per group) and fed diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1 × 109, 21 × 109, and 31 × 109 colony forming units (CFUs) of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) per kg of feed for six consecutive weeks. Results show that plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterols became lesser, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol became higher in LA-supplemented groups compared to the control. In addition, a significant reduction occurred in the liver and egg yolk cholesterol by LA supplementation. Moreover, the immunological parameters including antibody titer against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-wattle swelling test, and T- & B-lymphocyte proliferation were enhanced in laying hens supplemented with LA compared to the control hens. While the heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio decreased with LA supplementation, indicating low stress conditions in the treated hens. These positive effects for LA were further reflected on the productive performance of laying hens and improved egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed efficiency. Our findings indicate that LA probiotic could be recommended in laying hens’ diets for lowering egg yolk cholesterol with positive impacts on health and performance.
The Effect of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae on the Development of Whey Protein Levels and Oxidative Stress Markers in Cows with Diagnosed Mastitis
Authors: Puppel Kamila , Kalińska Aleksandra , Kot Magdalena , Slósarz Jan , Kunowska-Slósarz Małgorzata , Grodkowski Grzegorz , Kuczyńska Beata , Solarczyk Paweł , Przysucha Tomasz , Gołębiewski Marcin
Published: September 2020

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of high-yielding dairy cows, and over 90% of cases are caused by Streptococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, or Staphylococcus spp. Certain groups of proteins are very significant in terms of the cow’s antioxidant, bacteriostatic, and germicidal properties: lysozyme (Lz), lactoferrin (Lf), and β-lactoglobulin (BLG). This study aimed to determine the influence of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Enterobacteriaceae on the secretion of bioactive whey proteins and oxidative stress markers. From the herd, 60 multiparous cows with diagnosed mastitis were selected. Samples were taken individually from each quarter and pooled, which gave 60 samples. Enterobacteriaceae did not affect the BLG synthesis, whereas lysozyme and lactoferrin responded to a high concentration of these bacterial strains. In the case of Staphylococcus spp. infection, the BLG level increased. These strains did not affect the levels of di-malonic aldehyde (MDA), lactoferrin, and lysozyme. In contrast, they were significantly influenced by Streptococcus spp. In summary, the levels of whey proteins and oxidative stress markers changed depending on the bacterial strain inducing inflammation. Lysozyme and lactoferrin may be markers of udder inflammation caused by Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus spp., whereas β-lactoglobulin may prove useful in diagnosing Staphylococcus spp. induced mastitis.
Developing an Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Cows in Extensive Beef Cow-Calf Systems in New Zealand. Part 2: Categorisation and Scoring of Welfare Assessment Measures
Authors: Kaurivi Y. Baby , Hickson Rebecca , Laven Richard , Parkinson Tim , Stafford Kevin
Published: September 2020

The intention of this study was to develop standards for a welfare assessment protocol by validating potential categorisation thresholds for the assessment of beef farms in New Zealand. Thirty-two measures, based on the Welfare Quality and the University of California (UC) Davis Cow-Calf protocols, plus some indicators specific to New Zealand, that were assessed during routine yardings of 3366 cattle on 25 cow-calf beef farms in the Waikato region were categorised on a three-point welfare score, where 0 denotes good welfare, 1 marginal welfare, and 2 poor/unacceptable welfare. Initial categorisation of welfare thresholds was based upon the authors’ perception of acceptable welfare standards and the consensus of the literature, with subsequent derived thresholds being based upon the poorest 15% and best 50% of farms for each measure. Imposed thresholds for lameness, dystocia, and mortality rate were retained in view of the significance of these conditions for the welfare of affected cattle, while higher derived thresholds appeared more appropriate for dirtiness and faecal staining which were thought to have less significant welfare implications for cattle on pasture. Fearful/agitated and running behaviours were above expectations, probably due to the infrequent yarding of cows, and thus the derived thresholds were thought to be more appropriate. These thresholds provide indicators to farmers and farm advisors regarding the levels at which intervention and remediation is required for a range of welfare measures.
Residual Feed Intake in Dairy Ewes: An Evidence of Intraflock Variability
Authors: González-García Eliel , Dos Santos João Paulo , Hassoun Philippe
Published: September 2020

This study examined the intraflock variability of feed efficiency in dairy ewes, through monitoring residual feed intakes (RFI). Primiparous lactating ewes (n = 43; 57.7 ± 0.91 kg body weight [BW] at lambing), representative of a French Lacaune dairy flock, were allocated in an equilibrated 2 × 2 factorial design experiment, lasting for 63 days during mid-lactation and combining 2 litter sizes (singletons, SING or twins, TWIN) and 2 daily milking frequencies (once, ONE or twice, TWO). Weaning occurred, and milking started, at 35 days after lambing (DIM). Ewes were individually fed a diet based on ryegrass silage, local hay, and supplements. Individual dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded daily and further used to evaluate (and compare) differences in RFI between ewes at 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, and 98. Average individual RFI were calculated weekly since the first week (i.e., 35–42 DIM). Total (BW) and metabolic (BW0.75) body weight, body condition score BCS, milk yield, and plasma non-esterified fatty acids NEFA were monitored weekly. Differences in DMI were mainly due to the lactation stage and litter size and were 11% higher in ewes with TWIN compared to SING. This was positively correlated to milk yield and consistent with differences in RFI which varied due to litter size and to the milking frequency × lactation stage interaction. Ewes that lambed SING showed higher feed efficiency (−0.08 ± 0.018 vs. 0.13 ± 0.014 kg DM/ewe/day of RFI in SING vs. TWIN, respectively), whereas there were no differences in BW or BCS. Milking frequency did not affect DMI but milk yields were higher in TWO, which was related to a higher feed efficiency in this group (0.115 ± 0.016 vs. −0.07 ± 0.016 kg DM/ewe/day of RFI in ONE vs. TWO, respectively). Average RFI was affected (p < 0.0001) by the ewe, thus allowing a ranking among individuals to be established. High (n = 22) or low (n = 21) feed efficiency ewes averaged −0.17 ± 0.09 or 0.18 ± 0.09 kg DM/d RFI, respectively. Estimates of RFI were not correlated to the individual milk production potential. Even if no differences in BW, BW0.75, or BCS were detected, high-efficiency ewes mobilized 1.5 times their body reserves (0.30 vs. 0.20 mmol NEFA/L of plasma) when compared to the low-efficiency group. The observed intraflock variability in feed efficiency of this dairy ewes’ flock was affected by litter size and milking frequency but also by evident differences between individuals’ physiologies.
A Significant Question in Cancer Risk and Therapy: Are Antibiotics Positive or Negative Effectors? Current Answers and Possible Alternatives
Authors: Amadei Steffanie S. , Notario Vicente
Published: September 2020

Cancer is predominantly considered as an environmental disease caused by genetic or epigenetic alterations induced by exposure to extrinsic (e.g., carcinogens, pollutants, radiation) or intrinsic (e.g., metabolic, immune or genetic deficiencies). Over-exposure to antibiotics, which is favored by unregulated access as well as inappropriate prescriptions by physicians, is known to have led to serious health problems such as the rise of antibiotic resistance, in particular in poorly developed countries. In this review, the attention is focused on evaluating the effects of antibiotic exposure on cancer risk and on the outcome of cancer therapeutic protocols, either directly acting as extrinsic promoters, or indirectly, through interactions with the human gut microbiota. The preponderant evidence derived from information reported over the last 10 years confirms that antibiotic exposure tends to increase cancer risk and, unfortunately, that it reduces the efficacy of various forms of cancer therapy (e.g., chemo-, radio-, and immunotherapy alone or in combination). Alternatives to the current patterns of antibiotic use, such as introducing new antibiotics, bacteriophages or enzybiotics, and implementing dysbiosis-reducing microbiota modulatory strategies in oncology, are discussed. The information is in the end considered from the perspective of the most recent findings on the tumor-specific and intracellular location of the tumor microbiota, and of the most recent theories proposed to explain cancer etiology on the notion of regression of the eukaryotic cells and systems to stages characterized for a lack of coordination among their components of prokaryotic origin, which is promoted by injuries caused by environmental insults.
Antioxidative Effects of Ascorbic Acid and Astaxanthin on ARPE-19 Cells in an Oxidative Stress Model
Authors: Oh Sanghyeon , Kim Young Joo , Lee Eun Kyoung , Park Sung Wook , Yu Hyeong Gon
Published: September 2020

Oxidative stress has been implicated as critical pathogenic factors contributing to the etiology of diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. This study investigated antioxidative effect of ascorbic acid and astaxanthin on ARPE-19 cells within an oxidative stress model induced by common biological sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at concentrations of 0.1–0.8 mM and 20–100 mJ/cm2 of ultraviolet B (UVB) were treated to ARPE-19 cells. Cell viability and intracellular ROS level changes were measured. With the sublethal and lethal dose of each inducers, 0–750 μM of ascorbic acid and 0–40 μM of astaxanthin were treated to examine antioxidative effect on the model. Ascorbic acid at concentrations of 500 and 750 μM increased the cell viability not only in the UVB model but also in the H2O2 model, but 20 and 40 μM of astaxanthin only did so in the UVB model. The combination of ascorbic acid and astaxanthin showed better antioxidative effect compared to each drug alone, suggesting a synergistic effect.
Peptides from Different Carcass Elements of Organic and Conventional Pork—Potential Source of Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Kęska Paulina , Rohn Sascha , Halagarda Michał , M. Wójciak Karolina
Published: September 2020

The growing consumer interest in organic foods, as well as, in many cases, the inconclusiveness of the research comparing organic and conventional foods, indicates a need to study this issue further. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of meat origin (conventional vs. organic) and selected elements of the pork carcass (ham, loin, and shoulder) on the meat proteome and the antioxidant potential of its peptides. The peptidomic approach was used, while the ability of antioxidants to scavenge 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), to chelate Fe(II) ions, and to reduce Fe(III) was determined. Most peptides were derived from myofibrillary proteins. The meat origin and the element of the pork carcass did not have a significant effect on the proteome. On the other hand, the pork origin and the carcass element significantly affected the iron ion-chelating capacity (Fe(II)) and the reducing power of peptides. In particular, pork ham from conventional rearing systems had the best antioxidant properties in relation to potential antioxidant peptides. This could be a factor for human health, as well as for stabilized meat products (e.g., toward lipid oxidation).
ACDC: Automated Cell Detection and Counting for Time-Lapse Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Rundo Leonardo , Tangherloni Andrea , Tyson Darren R. , Betta Riccardo , Militello Carmelo , Spolaor Simone , Nobile Marco S. , Besozzi Daniela , Lubbock Alexander L. R. , Quaranta Vito , Mauri Giancarlo , Lopez Carlos F. , Cazzaniga Paolo
Published: September 2020

Advances in microscopy imaging technologies have enabled the visualization of live-cell dynamic processes using time-lapse microscopy imaging. However, modern methods exhibit several limitations related to the training phases and to time constraints, hindering their application in the laboratory practice. In this work, we present a novel method, named Automated Cell Detection and Counting (ACDC), designed for activity detection of fluorescent labeled cell nuclei in time-lapse microscopy. ACDC overcomes the limitations of the literature methods, by first applying bilateral filtering on the original image to smooth the input cell images while preserving edge sharpness, and then by exploiting the watershed transform and morphological filtering. Moreover, ACDC represents a feasible solution for the laboratory practice, as it can leverage multi-core architectures in computer clusters to efficiently handle large-scale imaging datasets. Indeed, our Parent-Workers implementation of ACDC allows to obtain up to a 3.7× speed-up compared to the sequential counterpart. ACDC was tested on two distinct cell imaging datasets to assess its accuracy and effectiveness on images with different characteristics. We achieved an accurate cell-count and nuclei segmentation without relying on large-scale annotated datasets, a result confirmed by the average Dice Similarity Coefficients of 76.84 and 88.64 and the Pearson coefficients of 0.99 and 0.96, calculated against the manual cell counting, on the two tested datasets.
Intraoperative Imaging of Cortical Blood Flow by Camera-Based Photoplethysmography at Green Light
Authors: Mamontov Oleg V. , Shcherbinin Anton V. , Romashko Roman V. , Kamshilin Alexei A.
Published: September 2020

Intraoperative evaluation of blood perfusion in the brain cortex is an important but hitherto unresolved problem. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of cerebral microcirculation assessment during open brain surgery by using camera-based photoplethysmography (cbPPG) synchronized with an electrocardiograph. Cortical blood flow was monitored in five patients with different diagnoses. Two cases (tumor resection and extra-intracranial bypass grafting) are presented in detail. Blood-flow parameters were visualized after processing cortex images recorded under green-light illumination before and after surgical intervention. In all cases, blood flow was successfully visualized in >95% of open brain. Distributions of blood pulsation amplitude, a parameter related to cortical blood perfusion; pulse arrival time; and blood-pressure-pulse shape were calculated with high spatial resolution (in every pixel). Changes in cerebral blood supply caused by surgical intervention were clearly revealed. We have shown that the temporal spread of pulse arrival time and the spatiotemporal variability of pulse shape are very sensitive markers of brain circulatory disturbances. The green-light cbPPG system offers a new approach to objective assessment of blood-flow changes in the brain during surgical intervention. The proposed system allows for contactless monitoring of cortex blood flow in real time with high resolution, thus providing useful information for surgery optimization and minimization of brain tissue damage.
Experimental Characterization of a High-Damping Viscoelastic Material Enclosed in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Components
Authors: Troncossi Marco , Taddia Sara , Rivola Alessandro , Martini Alberto
Published: September 2020

This work aims to identify the damping properties of a commercial viscoelastic material that can be embedded and cured between the layers of composite laminates. The material may be adopted for reducing the vibration response of composite panels, typically used in automotive and aerospace applications, e.g., as vehicle body shell components. In order to objectively estimate the actual potential to enhance the noise vibration and harshness aspects, the effects of the viscoelastic material on the modal parameters of carbon/epoxy thin panels are quantitatively assessed through experimental modal analysis. Two different experiments are conducted, namely impact hammer tests and shaker excitation measurements. Based on the results of the experimental campaign, the investigated material is confirmed as a promising solution for possibly reducing the severity of vibrations in composite panels, thanks to its high damping properties. Indeed, the presence of just one layer proves to triple the damping properties of a thin panel. An approximate damping model is derived from the measured data in order to effectively simulate the dynamic response of new design solutions, including thin composite panels featuring the viscoelastic material.
Effects of Inclination Angles on Stepped Chute Flows
Authors: Li Shicheng , Yang James
Published: September 2020

Owing to its effective energy dissipation and aeration, a stepped spillway is commonly used for flood release in hydraulic projects. Its conventional design features horizontal step surfaces. Designed for certain flow rates, it does not function satisfactorily at larger discharges. To improve this, layouts with inclined step surfaces, both downward and upward, are proposed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling in 3D is performed to examine and compare their flow properties in the skimming flow. The results suggest that a shift from a downward to an upward layout leads to a gradual decrease in the flow velocity at the chute end; the latter exhibit higher energy dissipation efficiency. Moreover, equations are developed to estimate the velocity and energy loss. The flow velocity in the developing zone, described by a power law, shows a decline with an increase in the angle of inclination. The downward layout is subjected to somewhat higher risk of cavitation if implemented in a prototype. The extreme pressure loads acting upon an upward layout are larger, and a correlation is proposed for its prediction. On an inclined surface, either upward or downward, the pressure demonstrates an S-shaped distribution. On a vertical surface, the flow pressure increases, after an initial decline over a short distance, towards the chute bottom.
Enriching Knowledge Base by Parse Tree Pattern and Semantic Filter
Authors: Yoon Hee-Geun , Park Seyoung , Park Seong-Bae
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes a simple knowledge base enrichment based on parse tree patterns with a semantic filter. Parse tree patterns are superior to lexical patterns used commonly in many previous studies in that they can manage long distance dependencies among words. In addition, the proposed semantic filter, which is a combination of WordNet-based similarity and word embedding similarity, removes parse tree patterns that are semantically irrelevant to the meaning of a target relation. According to our experiments using the DBpedia ontology and Wikipedia corpus, the average accuracy of the top 100 parse tree patterns for ten relations is 68%, which is 16% higher than that of lexical patterns, and the average accuracy of the newly extracted triples is 60.1%. These results prove that the proposed method produces more relevant patterns for the relations of seed knowledge, and thus more accurate triples are generated by the patterns.
Assessment of Earthquake Destructive Power to Structures Based on Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Zheng Ruihao , Xiong Chen , Deng Xiangbin , Li Qiangsheng , Li Yi
Published: September 2020

This study presents a machine learning-based method for the destructive power assessment of earthquake to structures. First, the analysis procedure of the method is presented, and the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and convolutional neural network (CNN) are used as the machine learning algorithms. Second, the optimized BPNN architecture is obtained by discussing the influence of a different number of hidden layers and nodes. Third, the CNN architecture is proposed based on several classical deep learning networks. To build the machine learning models, 50,570 time-history analysis results of a structural system subjected to different ground motions are used as training, validation, and test samples. The results of the BPNN indicate that the features extraction method based on the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) can well reflect the frequency-/time-domain characteristics of ground motions. The results of the CNN indicate that the CNN exhibits better accuracy (R2 = 0.8737) compared with that of the BPNN (R2 = 0.6784). Furthermore, the CNN model exhibits remarkable computational efficiency, the prediction of 1000 structures based on the CNN model takes 0.762 s, while 507.81 s are required for the conventional time-history analysis (THA)-based simulation. Feature visualization of different layers of the CNN reveals that the shallow to deep layers of the CNN can extract the high to low-frequency features of ground motions. The proposed method can assist in the fast prediction of engineering demand parameters of large-number structures, which facilitates the damage or loss assessments of regional structures for timely emergency response and disaster relief after earthquake.
Pollution Characteristics, Chemical Compositions, and Population Health Risks during the 2018 Winter Haze Episode in Jianghan Plain, Central China
Authors: Jiang Huimeng , Lei Xiaowei , Xiao Han , Chen Danhong , Zeng Pei , Yang Xingyun , Wang Zuwu , Cheng Hairong
Published: September 2020

To determine the pollution characteristics, chemical compositions, and population health risks of PM2.5 at different pollution levels, PM2.5 samples were intensively collected during the long-lasting winter haze episode from 13–23 January 2018 in Xiantao in Jianghan Plain (JHP), central China. The higher PM2.5 levels during the severe pollution period were dominated by the WNW-NNE air-masses, whereas the lower PM2.5 concentrations during other pollution periods were mainly affected by the NE, S, and NW air-masses. The NO3−/SO42− and OC/EC ratios indicated a mixed contribution of intensive vehicle exhaust and secondary formation. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index for assessing the PM2.5-bound metal(loid)s contamination levels were positively correlated. Ingestion is the dominant exposure pathway of PM2.5-bound metal(loid)s for children and adults, followed by inhalation and dermal contact. As, Cr, and Pb may pose carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, whereas Sb and V may only pose non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults. The population health risks may not depend on the pollution levels but depend on the PM2.5-bound metal(loid)s concentrations. PM2.5-bound metal(loid)s may pose much higher population health risks for adults compared to children. More attentions should be paid to the population health risks of PM2.5-bound metal(loid)s during a long-lasting winter haze episode in JHP.
Drought-Modulated Boreal Forest Fire Occurrence and Linkage with La Nina Events in Altai Mountains, Northwest China
Authors: Shi Chunming , Liang Ying , Gao Cong , Wang Qiuhua , Shu Lifu
Published: September 2020

Warming-induced drought stress and El Nino-associated summer precipitation failure are responsible for increased forest fire intensities of tropical and temperate forests in Asia and Australia. However, both effects are unclear for boreal forests, the largest biome and carbon stock over land. Here, we combined fire frequency, burned area, and climate data in the Altai boreal forests, the southmost extension of Siberia’s boreal forest into China, and explored their link with El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Surprisingly, both summer drought severity and fire occurrence showed significant (p < 0.05) correlation with La Nina events of the previous year and therefore provide an important reference for forest fire prediction and prevention in Altai. Despite a significant warming trend, the increased moisture over Altai has largely offset the effect of warming-induced drought stress and led to an insignificant fire frequency trend in the last decades, resulting in largely reduced burned area since the 1980s. The reduced burned area can also be attributed to fire suppression efforts and greatly increased investment in fire prevention since 1987.