bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of Spin Frustration in the Kagomé Layers of Cu2+ Ions in Volborthite Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O and Observation of the Suppression and Re-Entrance of Specific Heat Anomalies in Volborthite under an External Magnetic Field
Authors: Whangbo Myung-Hwan , Koo Hyun-Joo , Brücher Eva , Puphal Pascal , Kremer Reinhard K.
Published: March 2022

We determined the spin exchanges between the Cu2+ ions in the kagomé layers of volborthite, Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O, by performing the energy-mapping analysis based on DFT+U calculations, to find that the kagomé layers of Cu2+ ions are hardly spin-frustrated, and the magnetic properties of volborthite below ~75 K should be described by very weakly interacting antiferromagnetic uniform chains made up of effective S = 1/2 pseudospin units. This conclusion was verified by synthesizing single crystals of not only Cu3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O but also its deuterated analogue Cu3V2O7(OD)2·2D2O and then by investigating their magnetic susceptibilities and specific heats. Each kagomé layer consists of intertwined two-leg spin ladders with rungs of linear spin trimers. With the latter acting as S = 1/2 pseudospin units, each two-leg spin ladder behaves as a chain of S = 1/2 pseudospins. Adjacent two-leg spin ladders in each kagomé layer interact very weakly, so it is required that all nearest-neighbor spin exchange paths of every two-leg spin ladder remain antiferromagnetically coupled in all spin ladder arrangements of a kagomé layer. This constraint imposes three sets of entropy spectra with which each kagomé layer can exchange energy with the surrounding on lowering the temperature below ~1.5 K and on raising the external magnetic field B. We discovered that the specific heat anomalies of volborthite observed below ~1.5 K at B = 0 are suppressed by raising the magnetic field B to ~4.2 T, that a new specific heat anomaly occurs when B is increased above ~5.5 T, and that the imposed three sets of entropy spectra are responsible for the field-dependence of the specific heat anomalies.
Vibrational Spectroscopy, Quantum Computational and Molecular Docking Studies on 2-[(1H-Benzimidazol-1-yl)-methyl]benzoic Acid
Authors: Khanum Ghazala , Ali Arif , Shabbir Sadiya , Fatima Aysha , Alsaiari Norah , Fatima Yasmeen , Ahmad Musheer , Siddiqui Nazia , Javed Saleem , Gupta Mayank
Published: March 2022

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the optimized geometrical structure, electronic and vibrational features of 2-[(1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-methyl]benzoic acid are provided using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The Vibrational Energy Distribution Analysis (VEDA) program was used to perform the vibrational assignments and calculate the Potential Energy Distribution (PED). The acquired FT-IR and FT Raman data were used to complete the vibrational assignment and characterization of the compound fundamental modes. Theoretical and actual NMR chemical shifts were found to be quite similar. The UV-vis spectrum of 21HBMBA, as well as effects of solvents, have been investigated. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies reveal that charge transfer happens within the molecule and MEP surface to be a chemically reactive area appropriate for drug action. Furthermore, a thorough examination of Non-Bonding Orbitals, excitation energies, AIM charges, Fukui functions and the Electron Localization Function (ELF) is carried out. The research is also expanded to compute first-order hyperpolarizability and forecast NLO characteristics. The details of the docking studies aided in the prediction of protein binding.
Predator-Prey Dynamics Are Decoupled in the Raptor Community in a Large Urban Forest
Authors: Schenk Amber R. , Stevens Thomas K. , Hale Amanda M.
Published: March 2022

Predator-prey dynamics are fundamental in shaping and regulating wildlife communities; however, these relationships are often altered by urbanization. An urban predation paradox, where predation rates are lower in urban areas despite an increase in predator abundance, has been observed in some predator communities. We looked for evidence of an urban predation paradox in a raptor community in a large urban forest fragment in north Texas, USA. From May–August 2019, we conducted weekly raptor surveys and deployed prey mimics along an urban-to-rural gradient within the forest fragment. We examined relationships between predation rates on mimics, predator abundance, and urbanization intensity using a variety of statistical tests. We detected 161 raptors representing eight species and found that raptor activity was significantly higher in our low urbanization sites. Of the 732 prey mimics deployed, 61 were attacked, and we found no relationship between predation rates and urbanization. Furthermore, we found no relationship between raptor activity and depredation events. Although we failed to find evidence for an urban predation paradox, our results showed a decoupling of the relationship between the abundance of predators and prey in this urban setting. The use of prey mimics is a useful tool for assessing predator-prey dynamics, and more research is necessary to fully understand the impacts of urbanization on this important ecological process.
A Framework for CO2 Emission Reduction in Manufacturing Industries: A Steel Industry Case
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Panagiotopoulou Vasiliki Christina , Papacharalampopoulos Alexios , Aivaliotis Panagiotis , Georgopoulos Dimitris , Smyrniotakis Konstantinos
Published: March 2022

Rising carbon emissions are linked to the increase in global temperature, because of increasing human activities and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Since manufacturing is one of the most carbon intensive sectors, it is vital to suggest solutions that lead to carbon emission reduction in all sectors, among which is the steelmaking manufacturing sector. The present study focuses on presenting a framework for energy intensive industries introducing digitalization and energy efficient equipment in the production line. The current framework proposes different metrics, both from carbon emissions and cost viewpoints. A secondary steelmaking industry was used as a case study, showcasing the impact of digitalization and energy efficient equipment towards the reduction of carbon emissions. In addition, different metrics were calculated with energy efficient scenarios providing the lowest energy consumption metric, but their high purchasing costs make these scenarios less attractive. However, if carbon emission reduction per cost is the metric, a combination of digital tools and energy efficient equipment is the answer to the company’s needs. Applying the concepts of innovation absorption and digitalization, the number of alternatives is kept low, however, the impact on the line is quite large. The introduction of new technologies is also supported by training of the workforce, aligning the framework with current industrial trends.
Eruption Timing and Sequence of Primary Teeth in a Sample of Romanian Children
Authors: Ogodescu Emilia , Popa Malina , Isac Claudia , Pinosanu Raluca , Olaru Diana , Cismas Anca , Tudor Anca , Miron Mariana
Published: March 2022

Teething is considered a significant event in the growth and development of the child by parents and especially by paediatric dentists and forensic scientists. They constantly need an “up-to-date mirror” of its variability for different geographic regions. The aims of the current study were to determine the timing and sequence of primary tooth emergence, and to establish a correlation between tooth eruption and general growth and external parameters in a sample of Romanian children. This study included 70 healthy children (53% girls and 47% boys), and the analysed data resulted from the questionnaires completed by parents during the whole process. General and specific data on primary teeth eruption were obtained. The differences between sexes were insignificant, except for the maxillary and mandibular canines (p = 0.047 and p = 0.018) and lower temporary second molars (p < 0.001), which were significantly increased in boys. The differences found between the two hemiarches were insignificant (p = 0.197). The mean age of eruption of the first tooth erupted was 7.07 ± 1.990 months. The unpaired t-test was used for comparison of the timings of eruption of the first primary teeth, according to the number of previous births and type of diet, and it was insignificant (p = 0.665 and p = 0.983 respectively).
The Expression of the Senescence-Associated Biomarker Lamin B1 in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Saleh Tareq , Alhesa Ahmad , El-Sadoni Mohammed , Abu Shahin Nisreen , Alsharaiah Elham , Al Shboul Sofian , Awad Heyam , Bloukh Sarah , Al-Balas Mahmoud , Alsalem Mohammad , Azab Bilal , Aladily Tariq N.
Published: March 2022

Senescence is a major response to cancer chemotherapy and has been linked to unfavorable therapy outcomes. Lamin B1 is a component of the nuclear lamina that plays a pivotal role in chromatin stability. Downregulation of lamin B1 represents an established biomarker for cellular senescence. However, the protein expression level of lamin B1 in malignant tissue, particularly of the breast, has not been previously described. In this work, we investigated lamin B1 protein expression in normal breast epithelium, malignant breast tissue (including adjacent non-malignant tissue) and in malignant tissue exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in three patient groups (n = 15, n = 87, and n = 43, respectively). Our results indicate that lamin B1 mean positive expression was 93% in normal breast epithelium and 88% in malignant breast cells, but significantly decreased (mean: 55%, p < 0.001) in malignant breast tissue after exposure to NAC, suggestive of senescence induction. No significant association between lamin B1 expression and other clinicopathological characteristics or survival of breast cancer patients was recorded. To our knowledge, this is the first report that established the baseline protein expression level of lamin B1 in normal and malignant breast tissue, and its reduction following exposure to chemotherapy. In conclusion, lamin B1 downregulation can be used reliably as a component of multiple biomarker batteries to identify therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in clinical cancer.
Pilot Testing of the “Turbidimeter”, a Simple, Universal Reader Intended to Complement and Enhance Bacterial Growth Detection in Manual Blood Culture Systems in Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Barbé Barbara , Corsmit Ellen , Jans Jasper , Kaur Kamalpreet , Baets Roel , Jacobs Jan , Hardy Liselotte
Published: March 2022

Bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance are an increasing problem in low-income countries. There is a clear need for adapted diagnostic tools. To address this need, we developed a simple, universal reader prototype that detects bacterial growth in blood culture bottles. Our “turbidimeter” evaluates bacterial growth, based on the turbidity of the broth and the color change of the colorimetric CO2 indicator in commercially available blood culture bottles. A total of 60 measurements were performed using 10 relevant microbial species, spiked in horse blood, to compare the turbidimeter’s performance with that of an automatic reference system. The turbidimeter was able to detect growth in all but one of the spiked blood culture bottles. In the majority (7/10) of the species tested, time-to-detection of the turbidimeter was shown to be non-inferior to the reference automated time-to-detection. This was, however, only the case when both the turbidity and color change in the colorimetric CO2-indicator were used to evaluate growth. We could not demonstrate the non-inferiority of the turbidity measurement alone. Overall, the turbidimeter performed well, but we also identified some improvements that will be implemented in the next version of the prototype.
An Overview of Different Techniques for Improving the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary in Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Ruaro Barbara , Salton Francesco , Baratella Elisa , Confalonieri Paola , Geri Pietro , Pozzan Riccardo , Torregiani Chiara , Bulla Roberta , Confalonieri Marco , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Hughes Michael
Published: March 2022

In systemic sclerosis (SSc) mortality is mainly linked to lung involvement which is characterized by interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). In SSc, PH may be due to different etiologies, including ILD, chronic thromboembolic disease, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The main tool to screen PAH is transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), which has a sensitivity of 90%, even if definitive diagnosis should be confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC). The radiological evaluation (i.e., HRTC) plays an important role in defining the possible causes and in monitoring the evolution of lung damage. For PAH, identifying individuals who have borderline elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure needs to be appropriately managed and followed. In the past few years, the strategy for the management of PAH has significantly evolved and new trials are underway to test other therapies. This review provides an overview of the tools to evaluate PAH in SSc patients and on treatment options for these patients.
The Effects of Ultrasonic Scaling and Air-Abrasive Powders on the Decontamination of 9 Implant-Abutment Surfaces: Scanning Electron Analysis and In Vitro Study
Authors: Gianfreda Francesco , Bollero Patrizio , Muzzi Maurizio , Di Giulio Andrea , Nicolai Eleonora , Canullo Luigi
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: The aim of this study is to understand from a microscopic point of view whether bicarbonate air-abrasive powders associated with ultrasonic instruments can decontaminate nine different surfaces used for the abutment/implant junction. Fibroblast growth was carried out on decontaminated surface in order to understand if there are significative differences in terms of biocompatibility. (2) Methods: After taking samples of patient plaque, nine different surfaces were contaminated and analyzed by SEM, then their wettability was evaluated. Fibroblasts were cultured on the decontaminated surfaces to understand their ability to establish a connective tissue seal after decontamination. The results were analyzed from a statistical point of view to hypothesize a mathematical model capable of explaining the properties of the surfaces. (3) Results: A negative correlation between roughness and contamination has been demonstrated, whereas a weak correlation was observed between wettability and decontamination capacity. All surfaces were topographically damaged after the decontamination treatment. Grade 5 titanium surfaces appear tougher, whereas anodized surfaces tend to lose the anodizing layer. (4) Conclusions: further studies will be needed to fully understand how these decontaminated surfaces affect the adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts and osteoblasts.
Factors Affecting the Intention to Use Financial Technology among Vietnamese Youth: Research in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond
Authors: Khuong Nguyen Vinh , Phuong Nguyen Thi Thanh , Liem Nguyen Thanh , Thuy Cao Thi Mien , Son Tran Hung
Published: March 2022

This study focuses on understanding the factors that affect the intention of using financial technology among young Vietnamese in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fintech studies are abundant in developed countries and mainly focus on consumers’ conditions, awareness, habits, and capital. These are expected to differ significantly from the situation in developing countries. We have reviewed factors that can affect the user’s intention, including the Perceived Benefit (PB), Perceived Risk (PR), Belief (B), and Social Influence (SI), and rely on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model in this research. The survey sample comprises 161 Z-generation consumers with strong flexibility and knowledge about the use of Fintech. We use the PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling) analysis method with the SmartPLS software (SmartPLS GmbH, Oststeinbek, Germany) to evaluate the research model. We find that the Perceived Benefit (PB) has the most significant impact on the intention to use Fintech, followed by Belief (B). However, in general, the factors are not significant, perhaps due to many reasons that are intrinsic in Vietnam. Based on this result, service providers, policymakers, and researchers can calibrate the development and research for the following stages. We offer findings different from the previous research, thus especially extending the literature on young people.
Governing Spatial Disparities in School Infrastructure by Numbers: Investments in Form, Tensions, New Compromises?
Authors: Bartl Walter
Published: March 2022

Given that education infrastructure has been a crucial element of the infrastructural power of the welfare state, surprisingly little is known about how spatial disparities in school infrastructure have been governed. While emphasis has recently been placed on the role of numbers in governing the education system, there have been contradictory results on the use of numbers for measuring spatial disparities in schooling on the one hand and on allocating school infrastructure by numbers on the other. What role have indicators played in the governance of regional disparities in education and how can we explain changes to this role? Assuming that indicators typically fulfil two functions in decision making processes (information gathering and allocation of resources), this article develops an ideal–typical distinction between four ways of (not) using numbers for governance purposes. This typology is applied to a historical case study of indicators as a device for governing spatial disparities in education in Germany. Cognitive investments in indicators for observing spatial disparities in education and for administering schools have been made in Germany since the early 19th century. However, conceptual flaws and conservative education policies have kept them from being put to effective practice in school infrastructure policies. It was not until the 1970s that demographic and administrative indicators became institutionalized as part of decentralized but fairly standardized school planning practices. While the use of indicators in the spatial allocation of education resources seemed to work well during periods of educational expansion, this calculative practice produced tension with the civic idea of spatial justice when enrolments declined.
Unsupervised Deep Pairwise Hashing
Authors: Ma Ye , Li Qin , Shi Xiaoshuang , Guo Zhenhua
Published: March 2022

Although unsupervised deep hashing is potentially very useful for tackling many large-scale tasks, its performance is still far below satisfactory. Additionally, its performance might be significantly improved by effectively exploiting the pair similarity relationship among training data, but the attained similarity matrix usually contains noisy information, which often largely decreases the model performance. To alleviate this issue, in this paper, we propose a novel unsupervised deep pairwise hashing method to effectively and robustly exploit the similarity information between training samples and multiple anchors. We first create an ensemble anchor-based pairwise similarity matrix to enhance the robustness of similarity and dissimilarity relations between training samples and anchors. Afterwards, we propose a novel loss function to directly and robustly take advantage of the similarity and dissimilarity information via a weighted cross-entropy loss, and make use of a square loss to reduce the gap between latent binary vectors and binary codes, and another square loss to form consensus predictions of latent binary vectors. Extensive experiments on large-scale benchmark databases demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which outperforms recent state-of-the-art unsupervised hashing methods with significantly better ranking performance.
Current Legislative Framework for Green Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis Plants in Germany
Authors: Ringsgwandl Lena Maria , Schaffert Johannes , Brücken Nils , Albus Rolf , Görner Klaus
Published: March 2022

(1) The German energy system transformation towards an entirely renewable supply is expected to incorporate the extensive use of green hydrogen. This carbon-free fuel allows the decarbonization of end-use sectors such as industrial high-temperature processes or heavy-duty transport that remain challenging to be covered by green electricity only. However, it remains unclear whether the current legislative framework supports green hydrogen production or is an obstacle to its rollout. (2) This work analyzes the relevant laws and ordinances regarding their implications on potential hydrogen production plant operators. (3) Due to unbundling-related constraints, potential operators from the group of electricity transport system and distribution system operators face lacking permission to operate production plants. Moreover, ownership remains forbidden for them. The same applies to natural gas transport system operators. The case is less clear for natural gas distribution system operators, where explicit regulation is missing. (4) It is finally analyzed if the production of green hydrogen is currently supported in competition with fossil hydrogen production, not only by the legal framework but also by the National Hydrogen Strategy and the Amendment of the Renewable Energies Act. It can be concluded that in recent amendments of German energy legislation, regulatory support for green hydrogen in Germany was found. The latest legislation has clarified crucial points concerning the ownership and operation of electrolyzers and the treatment of green hydrogen as a renewable energy carrier.
Coupling Effects of Precipitation and Vegetation on Sediment Yield from the Perspective of Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity across the Qingshui River Basin of the Upper Yellow River, China
Authors: Yang Jun , Zhang Huilan , Yang Weiqing
Published: March 2022

Interactions between precipitation, vegetation, and erosion are crucial and not fully solved issues in the area of earth surface processes. The Qingshui River Basin (QRB), as the main sediment source tributary of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, is characterized by spatial heterogeneity of rainfall, vegetation, and soil erosion. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal variations of sediment yields within the QRB and further identified the coupling effects of precipitation and vegetation on soil erosion. We collected annual (1955 to 2016) and daily (2006 to 2016) hydrological and sediment series from six hydrological stations, which subdivided the whole basin into six different sub-basins with heterogeneity in climate and landscape. Variations in parameter a of the sediment rating curves among the six sub-basins continuously declined, showing the continuously increasing effect of vegetation coverage on reducing soil erosion. The unique combination of relationships between precipitation characteristics and vegetation patterns in six sub-basins and these coupling effects resulted in different precipitation–vegetation–erosion patterns in six sub-basins. Sediment yield followed bell-shaped relationships with vegetation and precipitation, with a clear critical threshold at normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) = 0.36/precipitation = 100 mm at a monthly scale. Based on these thresholds, the non-linear relationships between precipitation, vegetation, and erosion were also explained. We also found that reducing the time lags in which vegetation follows precipitation may be effective in suppressing sediment yield. These findings could provide a quantitative approach to estimating the potential changes in sediment yield associated with proposed ecological rehabilitation schemes in this region.
Assessing the Dependencies of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Structural Characteristics and Internal Wood Property Variation
Authors: Kankare Ville , Saarinen Ninni , Pyörälä Jiri , Yrttimaa Tuomas , Hynynen Jari , Huuskonen Saija , Hyyppä Juha , Vastaranta Mikko
Published: March 2022

Wood density is well known to vary between tree species as well as within and between trees of a certain species depending on the growing environment causing uncertainties in forest biomass and carbon storage estimation. This has created a need to develop novel methodologies to obtain wood density information over multiple tree communities, landscapes, and ecoregions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dependencies between structural characteristics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) tree communities and internal wood property (i.e., mean wood density and ring width) variations at breast height. Terrestrial laser scanning was used to derive the structural characteristics of even-aged Scots pine dominated forests with varying silvicultural treatments. Pearson’s correlations and linear mixed effect models were used to evaluate the interactions. The results show that varying silvicultural treatments did not have a statistically significant effect on the mean wood density. A notably stronger effect was observed between the structural characteristics and the mean ring width within varying treatments. It can be concluded that single time terrestrial laser scanning is capable of capturing the variability of structural characteristics and their interactions with mean ring width within different silvicultural treatments but not the variation of mean wood density.
Forest Soil Carbon and Climate Changes
Authors: Menyailo Oleg V.
Published: March 2022

Forest soil carbon is an important component of the global carbon cycle, and the changes of its accumulation and decomposition, stabilization and destabilization directly affect the atmospheric CO2 concentration and global warming [...]
Drought Effects on Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Traits in Persian Oak and Black Poplar Seedlings
Authors: Karimi Amir , Tabari Masoud , Javanmard Zeinab , Bader Martin Karl-Friedrich
Published: March 2022

In many arid and semi-arid regions, increasing water scarcity pushes woody species to their physiological limits, making strong drought resistance essential for adaptive forest management. Here, we examined morpho-physiological and biochemical drought responses of the forestry-relevant Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.). In a 120-day greenhouse pot experiment, seedlings were subjected to three watering regimes (FC100, FC60, and FC30, indicating percentages of field capacity). Under FC100 conditions, all biomass measures and the total and specific leaf area of oak were significantly greater compared to those of poplar. FC60-exposed poplar seedlings exhibited strong declines in relative water content (RWC; −33%) and carotenoids (−46%) and a surge in electrolyte leakage (EL; +51%), while these parameters did not change significantly in oak. Although both species showed 80% EL under FC30 conditions, poplar suffered more severe drought damage than oak as evidenced by a 65% lower survival, stronger reductions in RWC and total chlorophyll, as well as stronger increases in oxidative stress markers. Accordingly, poplar seedlings displayed a drought-related 56% decline in quality index while only statistically insignificant reductions occurred in oak seedlings. The superior drought resistance of oak seedlings implies economically more viable nursery production and better seedling establishment, suggesting a shift towards Persian oak-dominated forestry in its natural range under future climate projections.
Addressing Gender Inequities in Forest Science and Research
Authors: Macinnis-Ng Cate , Zhao Xiuhua
Published: March 2022

Forest research and professional workforces continue to be dominated by men, particularly at senior and management levels. In this review, we identify some of the historical and ongoing barriers to improved gender inclusion and suggest some solutions. We showcase a selection of women in forestry from different disciplines and parts of the globe to highlight a range of research being conducted by women in forests. Boosting gender equity in forest disciplines requires a variety of approaches across local, regional and global scales. It is also important to include intersectional analyses when identifying barriers for women in forestry, but enhanced equity, diversity and inclusion will improve outcomes for forest ecosystems and social values of forests, with potential additional economic benefits.
Integration of the Physiology, Transcriptome and Proteome Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Drought Tolerance in Cupressus gigantea
Authors: Lei Pei , Liu Zhi , Li Jianxin , Jin Guangze , Xu Liping , Ji Ximei , Zhao Xiyang , Tao Lei , Meng Fanjuan
Published: March 2022

Drought stress can dramatically impair woody plant growth and restrict the geographical distribution of many tree species. To better understand the dynamics between the response and mechanism of Cupressus gigantea to drought and post-drought recovery, a comparative analysis was performed, relying on physiological measurements, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) proteins. In this study, the analyses revealed that photosynthesis was seriously inhibited, while osmolyte contents, antioxidant enzyme activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents were all increased under drought stress in seedlings. Re-watering led to a recovery in most of the parameters analyzed, mainly the photosynthetic parameters and osmolyte contents. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling suggested that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were specifically altered, and a few were consistently altered. Drought induced a common reduction in the level of DEGs and DEPs associated with photosynthesis. Notably, DEGs and DEPs involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, such as ascorbate oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), showed an inverse pattern under desiccation. This study may improve our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in C. gigantea and paves the way for more detailed molecular analysis of the candidate genes.
Investigating a Stirred Bioreactor: Impact of Evolving Fermentation Broth Pseudoplastic Rheology on Mixing Mechanisms
Authors: Sadino-Riquelme M. Constanza , Rivas José , Jeison David , Donoso-Bravo Andrés , Hayes Robert E.
Published: March 2022

The culture medium in many fermentations is a non-Newtonian fluid. In bacterial alginate batch production, the broth becomes more pseudoplastic as the alginate concentration increases, which impairs the mixing process. This work characterizes the effect of the interaction between changing broth rheology and impeller mixing on a bioreactor fluid dynamics. Experimentally, a fermentation with evolving broth pseudoplastic rheology is reproduced. Three fermentation stages are mimicked using appropriate solutions of water and xanthan gum. Impeller torque measurements are reported. The weakening of the impellers’ interaction over the fermentation process is identified. To overcome the experimental limitations, CFD is applied to study the evolution of the fermentation fluid flow patterns, velocity field, dead zones, and vortical structures. Precessional vortex macro-instabilities are identified as being responsible for the unstable flow patterns identified at the earlier stages of the fermentation. A stable parallel flow pattern accounts for the weakest impellers’ interaction at the final stage. Overall, this work contributes with a complete workflow to adapt CFD models for characterization and aided design of stirred tanks with changing broth pseudoplastic rheology as well as an evolving flow regime.
High-Gossypol Whole Cottonseed Exhibited Mediocre Rumen Degradability and Less Microbial Fermentation Efficiency than Cottonseed Hull and Cottonseed Meal with an In Vitro Gas Production Technique
Authors: Wang Weikang , Wu Qichao , Li Wenjuan , Wang Yanlu , Zhang Fan , Lv Liangkang , Li Shengli , Yang Hongjian
Published: March 2022

To explore whether or not the gossypol varied in cottonseed by-products affect rumen degradability and fermentation efficiency, an in vitro cumulative gas production experiment was applied with mixed rumen microorganism to compare rumen fermentation characteristics of whole cottonseed (WCS, n = 3 samples), cottonseed meal (CSM, n = 3 samples), and cottonseed hull (CSH, n = 2 samples). The five-replicate fermentation per sample per incubation time continuously lasted for 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h with an automated gas production recording system. Regardless of distinct nutrient differences, the free gossypol level in these cottonseed by-products ranked: WCS > CSH > CSM. After 48 h of incubation, the in vitro dry matter degradability and ammonia N concentration ranked as: CSM > WCS > CSH. The cumulative gas production and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) levels in the culture fluids ranked: CSM > CSH > WCS, in which the average production rate ranked: CSM > WCS > CSH. Regarding the molar VFA pattern, WCS in comparison with CSH and CSM presented the lowest production of non-glucogenic acids (e.g., acetate) and exhibited the highest fermentation efficiency of energy from carbohydrates to VFAs. There was a significant negative correlation between the gossypol content and cumulative gas and total VFA production, suggesting that the greater gossypol in cottonseed by-products, the more detrimental effect occurred for rumen fermentation. In a brief, WCS exhibited mediocre rumen degradability and less microbial fermentation efficiency than CSH and CSM, depending on their gossypol levels.
Observation of Residues Content after Application of a Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Mixture at the End of Alcoholic Fermentation
Authors: Licek Josef , Baron Mojmir , Sochor Jiri , Kumsta Michal , Mlcek Jiri
Published: March 2022

This study focused on applying a patented medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) mixture at the end of alcoholic fermentation and monitoring its residues. MCFAs are a promising agent that has the potential to increase the efficiency of sulfur dioxide and ultimately minimize its doses, which is one of the important goals of wine research today. Detailed octanoic, decanoic, and dodecanoic acid contents were observed during the experiment. The MCFA mixture was applied at doses of 0, 10, 20, and 60 mg/L. GC–MS determined the content of individual fatty acids. The results showed that the use of the investigated mixture of fatty acids at doses of 10 and 20 mg/L did not cause an increase in the content of individual fatty acids residues. The octanoic acid content after application of the 20 mg/L MCFA mixture was 8.24 mg/L after 744 h, while the untreated control variant showed a value of 7.71 mg/L. The performed sensory analysis also did not show a negative effect of MCFA application on the sensory properties of wine. Therefore, applying an MCFA mixture at 10 and 20 mg/L can be recommended as a safe alternative following alcoholic fermentation. However, the results obtained can also serve as a valuable basis for permitting the use of MCFA in the proceeding OIV approval process. The research thus opens the possibility of expanding a new oenological agent capable of reducing SO2 doses.
Polysaccharide Extracts Derived from Defloration Waste of Fruit Pitaya Regulates Gut Microbiota in a Mice Model
Authors: Lee Bao-Hong , Hsu Kung-Ting , Chen You-Zuo , Tain You-Lin , Hou Chih-Yao , Lin Yong-Chong , Hsu Wei-Hsuan
Published: March 2022

Flower thinning is often used during the planting of fruit trees to improve fruit quality and promote large fruit. Flower buds become an agricultural by-product of the planting process. Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) is a popular fruit in many tropical regions, which is widely cultivated in Southeast Asian countries. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus plantarum have been shown to exhibit an anti-obesity effect by regulating gut microbiota. This study investigated the effect of polysaccharides from pitaya flower buds (PFW) extracted with water on the regulation of gut microbiota and body weight control in mice fed with a high-fat diet. The effects of PFW on the growth of L. plantarum were analyzed and the propagation of L. plantarum was promoted in an aqueous solution containing PFW. In an in vivo study, mice were fed with a high-fat diet supplemented with PFW for 12 weeks; PFW treatment effectively controlled body weight and reduced short bowel syndrome of mice induced by the high-fat diet. Gut microbiota sequencing revealed that Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae were the main bacteria targeted by PFW. Moreover, transcript analysis demonstrated that PFW alleviated obesity through amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and glycan metabolism. Overall, PFW is a valuable food supplement that can regulate gut microbiota and may have potential to ameliorate the physiological damage caused by a high-fat diet.
Utilizing Blockchain for IoT Privacy through Enhanced ECIES with Secure Hash Function
Authors: Khanal Yurika Pant , Alsadoon Abeer , Shahzad Khurram , Al-Khalil Ahmad B. , Prasad Penatiyana W. C. , Rehman Sabih Ur , Islam Rafiqul
Published: March 2022

Blockchain technology has been widely advocated for security and privacy in IoT systems. However, a major impediment to its successful implementation is the lack of privacy protection regarding user access policy while accessing personal data in the IoT system. This work aims to preserve the privacy of user access policy by protecting the confidentiality and authenticity of the transmitted message while obtaining the necessary consents for data access. We consider a Modified Elliptic Curve Integrated Encryption Scheme (ECIES) to improve the security strength of the transmitted message. A secure hash function is used in conjunction with a key derivation function to modify the encryption procedure, which enhances the efficiency of the encryption and decryption by generating multiple secure keys through one master key. The proposed solution eliminates user-dependent variables by including transaction generation and verification in the calculation of computation time, resulting in increased system reliability. In comparison to previously established work, the security of the transmitted message is improved through a reduction of more than 12% in the correlation coefficient between the constructed request transaction and encrypted transaction, coupled with a decrease of up to 7% in computation time.
Graphol: A Graphical Language for Ontology Modeling Equivalent to OWL 2
Authors: Lembo Domenico , Santarelli Valerio , Savo Domenico Fabio , De Giacomo Giuseppe
Published: March 2022

In this paper we study Graphol, a fully graphical language inspired by standard formalisms for conceptual modeling, similar to the UML class diagram and the ER model, but equipped with formal semantics. We formally prove that Graphol is equivalent to OWL 2, i.e., it can capture every OWL 2 ontology and vice versa. We also present some usability studies indicating that Graphol is suitable for quick adoption by conceptual modelers that are familiar with UML and ER. This is further testified by the adoption of Graphol for ontology representation in several industrial projects.
Algorithm for Solving a System of Coupled Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations by the Split-Step Method to Describe the Evolution of a High-Power Femtosecond Optical Pulse in an Optical Polarization Maintaining Fiber
Authors: Bourdine Anton , Burdin Vladimir , Morozov Oleg
Published: March 2022

This article proposes an advanced algorithm for the numerical solution of a coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations system describing the evolution of a high-power femtosecond optical pulse in a single-mode polarization-maintaining optical fiber. We use the algorithm based on a variant of the split-step method with the Madelung transform to calculate the complex amplitude when executing a nonlinear operator. In contrast to the known solution, the proposed algorithm eliminates the need to numerically solve differential equations directly, concerning the phase of complex amplitude when executing the nonlinear operator. This made it possible, other things being equal, to reduce the computation time by more than four times.
Bacteriocin-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains with Antimicrobial Activity Screened from Bamei Pig Feces
Authors: Chen Jun , Pang Huili , Wang Lei , Ma Cunming , Wu Guofang , Liu Yuan , Guan Yifei , Zhang Miao , Qin Guangyong , Tan Zhongfang
Published: March 2022

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are characterized by producing various functional metabolites, including antioxidants, organic acids, and antimicrobial compounds, are widely used in the food industry to improve gut health and prevent the growth of spoilage microorganisms. With the continual incidence of foodborne disease and advocacy of consumers for gut health, LAB have been designated as vital biopreservative agents in recent years. Therefore, LAB with excellent antimicrobial properties and environmental tolerance should be explored further. In this study, we focus on screening the LAB strains from a specialty pig (Bamei pig) feces of the Tibetan plateau region and determine their antimicrobial properties and environmental tolerance to evaluate their potential probiotic values. A total of 116 LAB strains were isolated, from which the LAB strain Qinghai (QP)28-1 was identified as Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum subsp. plantarum using 16S rDNA sequencing and recA amplification, showing the best growth capacity, acid production capacities, environmental tolerance, hydrophobicity, antibiotic susceptibility, and bacteriocin production capacity. Furthermore, this strain inhibited the growth of multiple pathogens by producing organic acids and bacteriocin. These bacteriocin-encoding genes were identified using PCR amplification, including plnS, plnN, and plnW. In conclusion, bacteriocin-producing L. plantarum subsp. plantarum QP28-1 stands out among these 116 LAB strains, and was considered to be a promising strain used for LAB-related food fermentation. Moreover, this study provides a convenient, comprehensive, and shareable profile for screening of superior functional and bacteriocin-producing LAB strains, which can be used in the food industry.
Seaweeds as Ingredients to Lower Glycemic Potency of Cereal Foods Synergistically—A Perspective
Authors: Lu Louise Weiwei , Chen Jie-Hua
Published: March 2022

Seaweeds are traditional food ingredients mainly in seaside regions. Modern food science and nutrition researchers have identified seaweed as a source of functional nutrients, such as dietary soluble and insoluble fibers, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotic polysaccharides, polyphenols, and carotenoids. Owing to the rich nutrients, seaweeds and seaweed extract can be used as functional ingredients by modifying the nutrients composition to reduce the proportion of available carbohydrates, delaying the gastric emptying time and the absorption rate of glucose by increasing the digesta viscosity, and attenuating the digesting rate by blocking the activity of digestive enzymes. This review presents the concept of using seaweed as unconventional ingredients that can function synergistically to reduce the glycemic potency of cereal products.
Characterization of Berry Pomace Powders as Dietary Fiber-Rich Food Ingredients with Functional Properties
Authors: Jurevičiūtė Ieva , Keršienė Milda , Bašinskienė Loreta , Leskauskaitė Daiva , Jasutienė Ina
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the dried pomace powder of cranberries, lingonberries, sea buckthorns, and black currants as potential food ingredients with functional properties. The composition and several physicochemical and adsorption properties associated with their functionality were investigated. Tested berry pomace powders were rich in dietary soluble fiber (4.92–12.74 g/100 g DM) and insoluble fiber (40.95–65.36 g/100 g DM). The highest level of total phenolics was observed in the black currant pomace (11.09 GAE/g DM), whereas the sea buckthorn pomace revealed the highest protein concentration (21.09 g/100 g DM). All the berry pomace powders that were tested exhibited good water-holding capacity (2.78–4.24 g/g) and swelling capacity (4.99–9.98 mL/g), and poor oil-binding capacity (1.09–1.57 g/g). The strongest hypoglycemic properties were observed for the lingonberry and black currant pomace powders. The berry pomace powders presented effective in vitro hypolipidemic properties. The cholesterol-binding capacities ranged from 21.11 to 23.13 mg/g. The black currant and cranberry pomace powders demonstrated higher sodium-cholate-binding capacity than those of the lingonberry and sea buckthorn pomace powders. This study shows promising results that the powders of tested berry pomace could be used for further application in foods.
Insight into Bacillus cereus Associated with Infant Foods in Beijing
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhao Xiaomei , Qu Tianming , Liang Lijiao , Ji Qinglong , Chen Ying
Published: March 2022

This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence gene profiles of Bacillus cereus in different brands of infant formula in Beijing supermarkets. Eighty-eight Bacillus cereus isolates were recovered in sixty-eight infant formulas of five domestic brands and fourteen imported brands. The prevalence rate in domestic and imported samples were 70.6% and 52.9%, respectively. Lower mean prevalence level was found in domestic samples (1.17 MPN/g) compared with the imported samples (3.52 MPN/g). Twenty-four virulence gene profiles were found, and most strains carried at least one virulence gene. The prevalence of nheA, nheB, nheC, cytK, bceT, and entFM in domestic and imported brand samples was similar. The occurrence of enterotoxin genes hblA, hblC, and hblD in domestic samples were 22.2%, 27.8%, and 22.2%, respectively, which was significantly higher than imported samples. Antimicrobial drugs-susceptibility analysis showed that all isolates were susceptible to gentamincin, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin; 38%, 7%, and 2.3% were resistant to rifampin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol, respectively; and only one isolate was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Moreover, the cell numbers of Bacillus cereus in prepared infant formula increased rapidly at room temperature. Thus, monitoring guidelines are needed for accepted levels of Bacillus cereus in infant formula.
Willingness to Pay for Food Labelling Schemes in Vietnam: A Choice Experiment on Water Spinach
Authors: Tran Duc , Broeckhoven Ieben , Hung Yung , Diem My Nguyen Hoang , De Steur Hans , Verbeke Wim
Published: March 2022

The growing concern for food safety and quality motivates governments and private sectors to improve consumers’ confidence in food systems, such as through adopting certifications and traceability systems. The recent emergence of diverse food labelling schemes and the turbulence in food systems in emerging countries have sparked questions about consumers’ valuation of such labels. Nonetheless, little is known on how the familiarity with, trust in and knowledge of these food labelling schemes affect consumers’ willingness to pay for labelling schemes in emerging market contexts. This study aims to address these literature gaps by investigating consumers’ valuation of existing certifications, branding and traceability labelling schemes in Vietnam. A face-to-face survey was conducted, including a discrete choice experiment on water spinach in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The findings indicated that Vietnamese consumers are generally willing to pay price premia for food labelling schemes, such as VietGAP certification, EU and USDA organic certifications, private branding and traceable Quick Response (QR) coding. While familiarity and understanding had no significant impact on Vietnamese consumers’ valuation, trust was found to be a critical factor shaping willingness to pay for products bearing VietGAP label. Policy implications and marketing strategies for organic certifications and traceability schemes in Vietnam are discussed.