bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Existence, Uniqueness, and Carathéodory’s Successive Approximation of Fractional Neutral Stochastic Differential Equation
Authors: Yuan Xiaolin , Yu Yongguang , Ren Guojian , Chen Wei , Xu Weiyi
Published: November 2022

The existence, uniqueness, and Carathe´odory’s successive approximation of the fractional neutral stochastic differential equation (FNSDE) in Hilbert space are considered in this paper. First, we give the Carathe´odory’s approximation solution for the FNSDE with variable time delays. We then establish the boundedness and continuity of the mild solution and Carathe´odory’s approximation solution, respectively. We prove that the mean-square error between the exact solution and the approximation solution depends on the supremum of time delay. Next, we give the Carathe´odory’s approximation solution for the general FNSDE without delay. Under uniform Lipschitz condition and linear growth condition, we show that the proof of the convergence of the Carathe´odory approximation represents an alternative to the procedure for establishing the existence and uniqueness of the solution. Furthermore, under the non-Lipschitz condition, which is weaker than Lipschitz one, we establish the existence and uniqueness theorem of the solution for the FNSDE based on the Carathe´odory’s successive approximation. Finally, a simulation is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Insights on Some Polysaccharide Gel Type Materials and Their Structural Peculiarities
Authors: Duceac Ioana Alexandra , Stanciu Magdalena-Cristina , Nechifor Marioara , Tanasă Fulga , Teacă Carmen-Alice
Published: November 2022

Global resources have to be used in responsible ways to ensure the world’s future need for advanced materials. Ecologically friendly functional materials based on biopolymers can be successfully obtained from renewable resources, and the most prominent example is cellulose, the well-known most abundant polysaccharide which is usually isolated from highly available biomass (wood and wooden waste, annual plants, cotton, etc.). Many other polysaccharides originating from various natural resources (plants, insects, algae, bacteria) proved to be valuable and versatile starting biopolymers for a wide array of materials with tunable properties, able to respond to different societal demands. Polysaccharides properties vary depending on various factors (origin, harvesting, storage and transportation, strategy of further modification), but they can be processed into materials with high added value, as in the case of gels. Modern approaches have been employed to prepare (e.g., the use of ionic liquids as “green solvents”) and characterize (NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, X ray diffraction spectrometry, DSC, electronic and atomic force microscopy, optical rotation, circular dichroism, rheological investigations, computer modelling and optimization) polysaccharide gels. In the present paper, some of the most widely used polysaccharide gels will be briefly reviewed with emphasis on their structural peculiarities under various conditions.
Short-Term Exposure to Ciprofloxacin Reduces Proteoglycan Loss in Tendon Explants
Authors: James Stuart , Daffy John , Cook Jill , Samiric Tom
Published: November 2022

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with increased risk of tendinopathy and tendon rupture, which can occur well after cessation of treatment. We have previously reported that the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CPX) reduced proteoglycan synthesis in equine tendon explants. This study aimed to determine the effects of CPX on proteoglycan catabolism and whether any observed effects are reversible. Equine superficial digital flexor tendon explant cultures were treated for 4 days with 1, 10, 100 or 300 µg/mL CPX followed by 8 days without CPX. The loss of [35S]-labelled proteoglycans and chemical pool of aggrecan and versican was studied as well as the gene expression levels of matrix-degrading enzymes responsible for proteoglycan catabolism. CPX suppressed [35S]-labelled proteoglycan and total aggrecan loss from the explants, although not in a dose-dependent manner, which coincided with downregulation of mRNA expression of MMP-9, -13, ADAMTS-4, -5. The suppressed loss of proteoglycans was reversed upon removal of the fluoroquinolone with concurrent recovery of MMP and ADAMTS mRNA expression, and downregulated TIMP-2 and upregulated TIMP-1 expression. No changes in MMP-3 expression by CPX was observed at any stage. These findings suggest that CPX suppresses proteoglycan catabolism in tendon, and this is partially attributable to downregulation of matrix-degrading enzymes.
Interplay of Ecological Opportunities and Functional Traits Drives the Evolution and Diversification of Millettiod Legumes (Fabaceae)
Authors: Jiang Dongzhu , Liao Linzheng , Xing Haitao , Chen Zhidan , Luo Xuemei , Li Hong-Lei
Published: November 2022

Understanding the striking diversity of the angiosperms is a paramount issue in biology and of interest to biologists. The Millettiod legumes is one of the most hyper-diverse groups of the legume family, containing many economically important medicine, furniture and craft species. In the present study, we explore how the interplay of past climate change, ecological opportunities and functional traits’ evolution may have triggered diversification of the Millettiod legumes. Using a comprehensive species-level phylogeny from three plastid markers, we estimate divergence times, infer habit shifts, test the phylogenetic and temporal diversification heterogeneity, and reconstruct ancestral biogeographical ranges. We found that three dramatic accumulations of the Millettiod legumes occurred during the Miocene. The rapid diversification of the Millettiod legumes in the Miocene was driven by ecological opportunities created by the emergence of new niches and range expansion. Additionally, habit shifts and the switch between biomes might have facilitated the rapid diversification of the Millettiod legumes. The Millettiod legumes provide an excellent case for supporting the idea that the interplay of functional traits, biomes, and climatic and geographic factors drives evolutionary success.
Salmonidae Genome: Features, Evolutionary and Phylogenetic Characteristics
Authors: Dysin Artem P. , Shcherbakov Yuri S. , Nikolaeva Olga A. , Terletskii Valerii P. , Tyshchenko Valentina I. , Dementieva Natalia V.
Published: November 2022

The salmon family is one of the most iconic and economically important fish families, primarily possessing meat of excellent taste as well as irreplaceable nutritional and biological value. One of the most common and, therefore, highly significant members of this family, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), was not without reason one of the first fish species for which a high-quality reference genome assembly was produced and published. Genomic advancements are becoming increasingly essential in both the genetic enhancement of farmed salmon and the conservation of wild salmon stocks. The salmon genome has also played a significant role in influencing our comprehension of the evolutionary and functional ramifications of the ancestral whole-genome duplication event shared by all Salmonidae species. Here we provide an overview of the current state of research on the genomics and phylogeny of the various most studied subfamilies, genera, and individual salmonid species, focusing on those studies that aim to advance our understanding of salmonid ecology, physiology, and evolution, particularly for the purpose of improving aquaculture production. This review should make potential researchers pay attention to the current state of research on the salmonid genome, which should potentially attract interest in this important problem, and hence the application of new technologies (such as genome editing) in uncovering the genetic and evolutionary features of salmoniforms that underlie functional variation in traits of commercial and scientific importance.
9p21 Locus Polymorphism Is A Strong Predictor of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiometabolic Risk Phenotypes Regardless of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Mobeen Zafar Muhammad , Saqlain Muhammad , Mehmood Raja Asad , Arzoo Shaiq Pakeeza , Javaid Asad Muhammad , Nawaz Shah Muhammad Kausar , Fatima Farah , Valadi Hadi , Nawaz Muhammad , Raja Ghazala Kaukab
Published: November 2022

The world population is genetically predisposed to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, also known as cardiometabolic risk phenotypes, which can cause severe health complications including coronary heart disease (CHD). Genetic variants in the 9p21 locus have been associated with CHD in a number of populations including Pakistan. However, the role of the 9p21 locus in MetS and cardiometabolic risk phenotypes (such as obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia) in populations with CHD or no established CHD has not been explored. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the association of the minor/risk allele (C) of 9p21 locus SNP rs1333049 with MetS or its risk phenotypes regardless of an established CHD, in Pakistani subjects. Genotyping of rs1333049 (G/C) was performed on subjects under a case-control study design; healthy controls and cases, MetS with CHD (MetS-CHD+) and MetS with no CHD (MetS-CHD−), respectively. Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated in all study groups. Anthropometric and clinical variables (Means ± SD) were compared among study groups (i.e., controls, MetS + CHD and MetS-CHD) and minor/risk C allele carriers (GC + CC) vs. non-carriers (Normal GG genotype). Associations of the risk allele of rs1333049 SNP with disease and individual metabolic risk components were explored using adjusted multivariate logistic regression models (OR at 95% CI) with a threshold p-value of ≤0.05. Our results have shown that the minor allele frequency (MAF) was significantly high in the MAF cases (combined = 0.63, MetS-CHD+ = 0.57 and MetS-CHD− = 0.57) compared with controls (MAF = 0.39). The rs1333049 SNP significantly increased the risk of MetS, irrespective of CHD (MetS-CHD+ OR = 2.36, p < 0.05 and MetS-CHD− OR = 4.04, p < 0.05), and cardiometabolic risk phenotypes; general obesity, central obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (OR = 1.56–3.25, p < 0.05) except hyperglycemia, which lacked any significant association (OR = 0.19, p = 0.29) in the present study group. The 9p21 genetic locus/rs1333049 SNP is strongly associated with, and can be a genetic predictor of, MetS and cardiometabolic risks, irrespective of cardiovascular diseases in the Pakistani population.
The Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Wedd. and Comparative Analysis with Its Congeneric Species
Authors: Zhang Huihui , Miao Yujing , Zhang Xinke , Zhang Guoshuai , Sun Xiao , Zhang Min , Feng Zhan , Huang Linfang
Published: November 2022

Laportea bulbifera (L. bulbifera) is an important medicinal plant of Chinese ethnic minorities, with high economic and medicinal value. However, the medicinal materials of the genus Laportea are prone to be misidentified due to the similar morphological characteristics of the original plants. Thus, it is crucial to discover their molecular marker points and to precisely identify these species for their exploitation and conservation. Here, this study reports detailed information on the complete chloroplast (cp) of L. bulbifera. The result indicates that the cp genome of L. bulbifera of 150,005 bp contains 126 genes, among them, 37 tRNA genes and 81 protein-coding genes. The analysis of repetition demonstrated that palindromic repeats are more frequent. In the meantime, 39 SSRs were also identified, the majority of which were mononucleotides Adenine-Thymine (A-T). Furthermore, we compared L. bulbifera with eight published Laportea plastomes, to explore highly polymorphic molecular markers. The analysis identified four hypervariable regions, including rps16, ycf1, trnC-GCA and trnG-GCC. According to the phylogenetic analysis, L. bulbifera was most closely related to Laportea canadensis (L. canadensis), and the molecular clock analysis speculated that the species originated from 1.8216 Mya. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive analysis of the evolution of L. bulbifera from the perspective of phylogenetic and intrageneric molecular variation in the genus Laportea, which is useful for providing a scientific basis for further identification, taxonomic, and evolutionary studies of the genus.
Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Factors Influence the Phenotype of Tooth Number, Size and Shape: Anterior Maxillary Supernumeraries and the Morphology of Mandibular Incisors
Authors: Khalaf Khaled , Brook Alan Henry , Smith Richard Nigel
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that give rise to supernumeraries in the maxillary incisor region and larger dimensions of the adjacent maxillary incisors are also associated with variations in the morphology of the mandibular incisors. If so, this would contribute to understanding the distribution and interactions of factors during dental development and how these can be modelled. The sample consisted of 34 patients with supernumerary teeth in the maxillary anterior region, matched for gender, age and White Caucasian ethnicity with 34 control subjects. The average ages of the supernumerary and control groups were 12.8 and 12.2 years, respectively. Study models of all subjects were constructed and imaged using a previously validated system. Using custom software, each of the mandibular incisor teeth were measured to obtain 17 parameters from the labial view and 17 from the occlusal view. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to summarize the measurements into a smaller set representing distinct features of the clinical crowns, followed by a comparison between the supernumerary and control groups using 2-way ANOVA. Seven factors of tooth size of the mandibular central incisors and six factors of the mandibular lateral incisors were identified as major features of the clinical crowns. All parameters of both mandibular incisors were greater in the supernumerary group than in the control, with three of these, located in the incisal and cervical regions of the mandibular lateral incisors, being statistically significantly larger. The findings of this study indicate that the aetiological factors associated with supernumerary teeth in the maxillary anterior region also affect tooth crown dimensions of mandibular incisors. This new evidence enhances several models of the interactions of genetic, epigenetic and environmental components of dental development and supports a multi-model approach to increase understanding of this process and its variations.
Comparison of Different Dielectric Models to Estimate Penetration Depth of L- and S-Band SAR Signals into the Ground Surface
Authors: Singh Abhilash , Niranjannaik M. , Kumar Shashi , Gaurav Kumar
Published: November 2022

We evaluate the penetration depth of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals into the ground surface at different frequencies. We applied dielectric models (Dobson empirical, Hallikainen, and Dobson semi-empirical) on the ground surface composed of different soil types (sandy, loamy, and clayey). These models result in different penetration depths for the same set of sensors and soil properties. The Dobson semi-empirical model is more sensitive to the soil properties, followed by the Hallikainen and Dobson empirical models. We used the Dobson semi-empirical model to study the penetration depth of the upcoming NASA-ISRO synthetic aperture radar (NISAR) mission operated at the L-band (1.25 GHz) and the S-band (3.22 GHz) into the ground. We observed that depending upon the soil types, the penetration depth of the SAR signals ranges between 0 to 10 cm for the S-band and 0 to 25 cm for the L-band.
GIS-Based Landslide Susceptibility Modelling in Urbanized Areas: A Case Study of the Tri-City Area of Poland
Authors: Malka Anna
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the results of landslide prediction modelling for young glacial areas performed using statistical methods. The area in question is urbanized and therefore mass wasting activity is a matter of interest to both the local community and the authorities. The analysis was based on the 2011 ‘Register of landslides and areas prone to mass movements with a scale of 1:10,000 for the city of Gdansk’ and the 2012 incomplete ‘Register of landslides and areas prone to mass movements with a scale of 1:10,000 for the city of Gdynia’. The research took into account geological, geomorphological, hydrological, hydrogeological, and anthropogenic conditions. The landslide susceptibility map was created using the statistical landslide index. The calculated indices were used to create a map of Gdansk’s landslide susceptibility. In Gdansk, 84.50% of the total diagnosed landslide area belongs to the high susceptibility class, 14.25% to the moderate susceptibility class, and only 1.25% to the low or very low susceptibility class. After extrapolation, the data was also used to create a susceptibility map for the remaining parts of the Tri-City area, Sopot and Gdynia. The difficulty of extrapolating landslide data for neighboring urban areas was indicated. In Gdansk, which had been covered by geological mapping, the best modelling results were obtained with a large number of causal factors. In Gdynia and Sopot, for which the statistical landslide index value was extrapolated from Gdansk, the best results were obtained when selected causal factors were considered. In Sopot and Gdynia, 81.6% of the landslide area belongs to the high susceptibility class, 15.1% to the moderate class, and 3.3% to the low susceptibility class. These results emphasize a different role of some causal factor classes in the occurrence of landslides in neighboring urban areas. The resultant maps show the areas in which mass wasting is the most probable in the future.
Psychological Empowerment of Nurses Working in Pediatric Units in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharbi Manal F. , Alrwaitey Reham Z.
Published: November 2022

Background: This study investigated the psychological empowerment (PE) of nurses in pediatric units and examined the significant difference between the level of PE and the personal work profiles of nurses working in pediatric units in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study design was employed between May and July 2020 using a self-administered electronic survey that collected personal work profile data and applied the Psychological Empowerment Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software for descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results: Most of the study participants (69.6%) were non-Saudi nurses, and 71.9% worked in specialized areas. The mean PE score of the four dimensions across the 12 items was high. The mean score for the dimension meaning was the highest, whereas the lowest mean score was for the dimension self-determination. Nurses from different nationalities had significantly different PE levels. Conclusions: Expatriate nurses were more psychologically empowered. The findings will be of interest to all who wish to attract and retain local nurses by fostering PE in the work environment and involving nurses in decision-making processes, thus enabling them to act as leaders for increased work motivation.
Model-Base Estimation of Non-Invasive Ventilation Weaning of Preterm Infants Exposed to Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Propensity-Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Tarantino Andrea Gianmaria , Vismara Luca , Buffone Francesca , Bianchi Giuliana , Bergna Andrea , Vanoni Monica , Tabbi Claudia , Bresesti Ilia , Agosti Massimo
Published: November 2022

Ventilation weaning is a key intensive care event influencing preterm infants’ discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been recently introduced in some Italian NICUs. This retrospective cohort study tested if OMT is associated with faster non-invasive ventilation (NIV) weaning. The time to NIV weaning was assessed in very preterm and very low birth weight infants who either received or did not receive OMT. The propensity score model included gender, antenatal steroids, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and Apgar score 5′. Out of 93 infants, 40 were included in the multilevel survival analysis, showing a reduction of time to NIV weaning for GA (HR: 2.58, 95%CI: 3.91 to 1.71, p < 0.001) and OMT (HR: 3.62, 95%CI: 8.13 to 1.61, p = 0.002). Time to independent ventilation (TIV) was modeled with GA and BW as dependent variables and OMT as the factor. A negative linear effect of GA and BW on TIV was shown. OMT exposure studied as the factor of GA had effects on TIV in infants born up to the 32nd gestational week. Preterm infants exposed to OMT were associated with earlier achievement of NIV weaning. This result, together with the demonstrated OMT safety, suggests the conduct of clinical trials in preterm infants younger than 32 weeks of GA.
An Interactive Live and Online Cooking Program for Children in Vulnerable Families—An Exploratory Study
Authors: Park Jiyoung , Hwang Sein , Baek Seolhyang , Ten Hoor Gill A.
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology for communication and social interactions. Especially for children in low-income families—a vulnerable population suffering from health and digital disparities—the situation worsened during the pandemic. Earlier studies in times of COVID-19 suggested that the children in Korea who usually do homework and dine at community childcare centers (CCCCs, free after-school care places) need to learn more about how to eat healthily and how to interact with others using digital technology. Therefore, to reduce these children’s health and digital inequalities, an interactive live and online cooking program was developed and provided to 313 children and 95 staff members at the 29 CCCCs located in the southern provinces in South Korea. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of children and staff with the program. After surveying their experiences, a high degree of satisfaction was found (children: 3.60 ± 0.10; staff: 3.63 ± 0.08 points out of 4.00). Aspects that needed improvement in the program were related to (in)experience in online technology, the frequency and timing of the cooking classes, and the communication between the centers and (online) chefs. In addition, in a word cloud analysis, terms such as ‘fun’, ‘delicious’, and ‘want’ were highlighted for children, and terms such as ‘participating’ and ‘preparation’ dominantly appeared for the staff. In the analysis of negative experiences, terms related to environmental factors such as ‘sound’, ‘hear’, and ‘voice’ were highlighted. This novel but preliminary approach for children from low-income families, by integrating cooking with digital technology, indicates that with enough digital support, the CCCCs are a promising platform to promote healthy eating and digital literacy. Optimizing and disseminating these strategies during this pandemic period, and future pandemics, could be beneficial to keep children in their communities healthy, and ultimately reduce socioeconomic health disparities.
The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Development and Secondary Metabolite Production of Echinacea purpurea and Relatives (Asteraceae): Current Research Status and Perspectives
Authors: Iakab Martin , Domokos Erzsébet , Benedek Klára , Molnár Katalin , Kentelky Endre , Buta Erzsebet , Dulf Francisc Vasile
Published: November 2022

The cultivation of Echinacea purpurea for commerce and obtaining high-quality plant material on a large scale remain a challenge for growers. Another challenge for the following decades is to create sustainable agriculture that meets society’s needs, has no environmental impact, and reduces the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The aims of this overview were: (1) to present the importance of the chemical compounds reported in E. purpurea; (1) to synthesize results about cultivation of the E. purpurea with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and associated microorganisms; (2) to exemplify similar research with plants from the Asteraceae family, due to the limited number of published Echinacea studies; (3) to collect recent findings about how the inoculation with AMF affects gene expressions in the host plants; (4) to propose perspective research directions in the cultivation of E. purpurea, in order to increase biomass and economic importance of secondary metabolite production in plants. The AMF inocula used in the Echinacea experiments was mainly Rhizophagus irregularis. The studies found in the selected period (2012–2022), reported the effects of 21 AMFs used as single inocula or as a mixture on growth and secondary metabolites of 17 plant taxa from the Asteraceae family. Secondary metabolite production and growth of the economic plants were affected by mutualistic, symbiotic or parasitic microorganisms via upregulation of the genes involved in hormonal synthesis, glandular hair formation, and in the mevalonate (MVA), methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) and phenylpropanoid pathways. However, these studies have mostly been carried out under controlled conditions, in greenhouses or in vitro in sterile environments. Since the effect of AMF depends on the variety of field conditions, more research on the application of different AMF (single and in various combinations with bacteria) to plants growing in the field would be necessary. For the identification of the most effective synergistic combinations of AMF and related bacterial populations, transcriptomic and metabolomic investigations might also be useful.
Production and Quality of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Recent Findings on Stress Effects, Elicitors, Harvesting and Market Development
Authors: Hazrati Saeid , Ertani Andrea , Nicola Silvana
Published: November 2022

There is an expanding interest worldwide in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) due to their use as raw materials in the production of medicinal, aromatic and cosmetic products [...]
Growth Performance of Guava Trees after the Exogenous Application of Amino Acids Glutamic Acid, Arginine, and Glycine
Authors: Almutairi Khalid F. , Saleh Abaidalah A. , Ali Muhammad Moaaz , Sas-Paszt Lidia , Abada Hesham S. , Mosa Walid F. A.
Published: November 2022

A 2020–2021 study was performed on five-year-old guava trees to examine the influence of the foliar application of three amino acids, glycine, arginine, and glutamic acid, at a concentration of 500 or 1000 ppm. Additionally, two combinations of the three mentioned amino acids were also applied: 500 glycine + 500 arginine + 500 glutamic acid (combination 1) and 1000 glycine + 1000 arginine + 1000 glutamic acid (combination 2), and compared with a control (untreated trees). The results indicated that the application of the three amino acids, solely or in combination, was effective at increasing the shoot length, shoot diameter, and leaf chlorophyll. Additionally, the applied treatments also improved markedly the fruit set percentage, fruit yield, fruit firmness, fruit content of total soluble solids (TSS %), vitamin C (VC), and total sugars as well as the leaf mineral content (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) compared with untreated trees in 2020 and 2021. Moreover, the results indicated that the combinations were more effective than individual applications and that glycine had a greater influence than arginine or glutamic acid, particularly when it was applied at 1000 ppm.
In Vitro Propagation of the Mount Parnitha Endangered Species Sideritis raeseri subsp. Attica
Authors: Bertsouklis Konstantinos , Theodorou Panagiota , Aretaki Paraskevi-Evangelia
Published: November 2022

Over the past few decades, both wildfires and human-sparked fires have ravaged Mount Parnitha, destroying the mountain’s unique natural ecosystem, applying pressure to its flora, and subjecting the vulnerable populations of Sideritis raeseri subsp. attica to excessive stress. The present study aims to establish an efficient micropropagation method starting from in vitro-grown seedlings. The in vitro germination study carried out during the production of seedlings revealed a higher germination rate (34.0% and 37.0%, respectively) at 20.0 °C and 25.0 °C. The in vitro-derived seedlings studied were used as the starting material for the establishment of various media. Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, hormone-free and containing 0.5 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA), led to the satisfactory (84.0–89.0%) establishment of plantlets. During the multiplication phase, the study used BA in conjunction with α-naphthaleneacetic acetic acid and four different cytocinins (BA; kinetin (KIN); 6-(γ-γ-dimethylallylamino) purine; zeatin) at low concentrations (0.5 mg L−1). During the second subculture, a high multiplication index (7.3 and 6.4, respectively) was found for the hormone-free MS medium and the MS medium containing KIN at 0.5 mg L−1. Hyperhydricity took place on the media supplemented with hormones. Rooting occurred on the half-strength MS medium (51.0%). After two months, the plants’ survival rate stood at 100.0%, as did their ex vitro acclimatisation rate, which also registered at 100.0%. The present results could encourage not only the introduction of S. raeseri subsp. attica into the industry of floriculture as a new ornamental plant but also its ex vitro conservation.
Chemical Priming with Brassinosteroids to Mitigate Responses of Avocado (Persea americana) Trees to Flooding Stress
Authors: Yin Melinda H. , Gutierrez-Rodriguez Edwin A. , Vargas Ana I. , Schaffer Bruce
Published: November 2022

Priming involves the exposure of plants to a mild stress to increase tolerance to a more intense stress in the future. Chemical priming with brassinosteroids reduces the negative effects of flooding on the physiology and survival of some plant species. Avocado trees are very susceptible to flooding, and flooding susceptibility is related to the rootstock, which is often derived from seeds. In this study, the effects of chemical priming with two brassinosteroids, 28-homobrassinolide or 24-epibrassinolide, to improve the tolerance of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees to short-term flooding was assessed in two separate experiments with seedling trees of avocado cultivars Monroe (Experiment 1) and Reed (Experiment 2). In each experiment, trees were treated with a soil drench of 28-homobrassinolide, 24-epibrassinolide, or deionized water as a control. Trees in each chemical treatment were divided into two flooding treatments: flooded by submerging potted trees in water to above the soil surface or nonflooded. After the flooding treatments had begun, we measured the leaf gas exchange (net CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (Tr) and water use efficiency (WUE)) and the maximal potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence; Fv/Fm) daily during the flooding period as indicators of plant stress. After the trees had been unflooded, leaf gas exchange and Fv/Fm were measured periodically during the recovery period. In both experiments, flooding reduced leaf gas exchange and Fv/Fm of trees in the chemical control and 28-homobrassinolide treatments beginning 2–3 days after flooding began until the end of the experiment. However, there was a negligible effect of flooding on leaf gas exchange or Fv/Fm of trees treated with 24-epibrassinolide. In both experiments, a greater percentage of the flooded plants treated with 24-epibrassinolide survived compared to plants in the two other chemical treatments. The results of this study indicate that pretreatment (priming) with 24-epibrassinolide as a soil drench prior to flooding reduces flooding stress of avocado trees.
Research on Real-Time Automatic Picking of Ground-Penetrating Radar Image Features by Using Machine Learning
Authors: Qiu Zhi , Zeng Junyuan , Tang Wenhui , Yang Houcheng , Lu Junjun , Zhao Zuoxi
Published: November 2022

Hard foreign objects such as bricks, wood, metal materials, and plastics in orchard soil can affect the operational safety of garden machinery. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) is widely used for the detection of hard foreign objects in soil due to its advantages of non-destructive detection (NDT), easy portability, and high efficiency. At present, the degree of automatic identification applied in soil-oriented foreign object detection based on GPR falls short of the industry’s expectations. To further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of soil-oriented foreign object detection, we combined GPR and intelligent technology to conduct research on three aspects: acquiring real-time GPR images, using the YOLOv5 algorithm for real-time target detection and the coordinate positioning of GPR images, and the construction of a detection system based on ground-penetrating radar and the YOLOv5 algorithm that automatically detects target characteristic curves in ground-penetrating radar images. In addition, taking five groups of test results of detecting different diameters of rebar inside the soil as an example, the obtained average error of detecting the depth of rebar using the detection system is within 0.02 m, and the error of detecting rebar along the measuring line direction from the location of the starting point of GPR detection is within 0.08 m. The experimental results show that the detection system is important for identifying and positioning foreign objects inside the soil.
Bacterioplankton Community Shifts during a Spring Bloom of Aphanizomenon gracile and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides at a Temperate Shallow Lake
Authors: de Figueiredo Daniela R. , Lopes Ana R. , Pereira Mário J. , Polónia Ana R. M. , Castro Bruno B. , Gonçalves Fernando , Gomes Newton C. M. , Cleary Daniel F. R.
Published: November 2022

Climate change is enhancing the frequency of cyanobacterial blooms not only during summer but also in spring and autumn, leading to increased ecological impacts. The bacterioplankton community composition (BCC), in particular, is deeply affected by these blooms, although at the same time BCC can also play important roles in blooms’ dynamics. However, more information is still needed regarding BCC during species-specific cyanobacterial blooms. The goal of this study was to assess BCC succession in a hypereutrophic shallow lake (Vela Lake, Portugal) during a warm spring using a metagenomic approach to provide a glimpse of the changes these communities experience during the dominance of Aphanizomenon-like bloom-forming species. BCC shifts were studied using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and multivariate analyses. A total of 875 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were retrieved from samples. In early spring, the dominant taxa belonged to Proteobacteria (mainly Alphaproteobacteria—Rickettsiales) and Bacteroidetes (Saprospirales, Flavobacteriales and Sphingobacteriales). However, at the end of May, a bloom co-dominated by cyanobacterial populations of Aphanizomenon gracile, Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides and Synechococcus sp. developed and persisted until the end of spring. This led to a major BCC shift favouring the prevalence of Alphaproteobacteria (Rickettsiales and also Rhizobiales, Caulobacteriales and Rhodospirillales) and Bacteroidetes (Saprospirales, followed by Flavobacteriales and Sphingobacteriales). These results contribute to the knowledge of BCC dynamics during species-specific cyanobacterial blooms, showing that BCC is strongly affected (directly or indirectly) by Aphanizomenon-Sphaerospermopsis blooms.
Numerical Modeling of Seawater Intrusion in Wadi Al-Jizi Coastal Aquifer in the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Akhtar Javed , Sana Ahmad , Tauseef Syed Mohammed , Tanaka Hitoshi
Published: November 2022

The Sultanate of Oman is an arid country in the Arabian Peninsula suffering from insufficient freshwater supplies and extremely hot weather conditions. The only source of recharge is rainfall, which is scarce and varies with space and time, for the aquifers being overexploited for the last few decades. This has led to depleting groundwater levels and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers. In the present study, Ground Modeling System (GMS) was employed in Wadi Al-Jizi, which is one of the important aquifers in the Al Batinah coastal plain that caters to the needs of the country’s 70% agriculture. MODFLOW and MT3DMS were used to simulate the groundwater levels and solute transport, respectively. These models were calibrated under steady and transient conditions using observed data from twenty monitoring wells for a period of seventeen years (year 2000–2016). After validation, the model was utilized to predict the salinity intrusion due to changes in groundwater abstraction rates and sea level rise owing to climatic change. These predictions show that, by the year 2040, salinity intrusion (TDS > 12,800 mg/L) will transgress by 0.80 km inland if the current abstraction rates are allowed to be maintained. Further deterioration of groundwater quality is anticipated in the following years due to the increased pumping rates. The models and the results from the present study may be utilized for the effective management of groundwater resources in the Wadi Al-Jizi aquifer.
Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Agriculture
Authors: Shrestha Ramesh , Rakhal Biplob , Adhikari Tirtha Raj , Ghimire Ganesh Raj , Talchabhadel Rocky , Tamang Dinee , KC Radhika , Sharma Sanjib
Published: November 2022

Climate change and climate variability drive rapid glacier melt and snowpack loss, extreme precipitation and temperature events, and alteration of water availability in the Himalayas. There is increasing observational evidence of climate change impacts on water resource availability and agricultural productivity in the central Himalayan region. Here, we assess the farmers’ perception of climate change and its impacts on agriculture in western Nepal. We interviewed 554 households and conducted eight focus group discussions to collect farmers’ perceptions of temperature and rainfall characteristics, water availability, onset and duration of different seasons, and the impacts of such changes on their lives and livelihoods. Our results indicate that the farmers’ perceptions of rising annual and summer temperatures are consistent with observations. Perception, however, contradicts observed trends in winter temperature, as well as annual, monsoon, and winter precipitation. In addition, farmers are increasingly facing incidences of extreme events, including rainfall, floods, landslides, and droughts. These hazards often impact agricultural production, reducing household income and exacerbating the economic impacts on subsistence farmers. Integrated assessment of farmers’ perceptions and hydrometeorological observations is crucial to improving climate change impact assessment and informing the design of mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The Effectiveness of Benzalkonium Chloride as an Active Compound on Selected Foodborne Pathogens Biofilm
Authors: Kovač Bruno , Piletić Kaća , Kovačević Ganić Nikolina , Gobin Ivana
Published: November 2022

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a chlorine-based chemical compound with proven antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, depending on the length of the alkyl chain. It can be used as a biocide, as a cationic surfactant, and as a phase transfer agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of commercial cleaning agents for sanitary areas Bis duo Active (BDA) with BAC as an active compound in working concentrations of 5% and 20% on the destruction of bacterial biofilm formed on ceramic tiles. A biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes were grown on ceramic tiles with dimensions of 2.5 × 2.5 cm over 24 h. These plates were then treated with working concentrations of BAC for 10 min. After washing, ATP bioluminescence was measured with a luminometer, CFU/cm2 was determined and the total biomass reduction was measured after crystal-violet staining. Both working concentrations of benzalkonium chloride proved to be very effective in destroying the created bacterial biofilm on ceramic tiles. Both treatments caused a reduction in total bacteria number of up to 3.12 log10CFU/cm2, followed by a reduction in total biomass up to circa (ca.) 64%. Inhibition rates varied from ca. 28% to ca. 99%, depending on the method and concentration used. Mechanical cleaning prior or after treatment with BAC is essential to improve biofilm destruction. All methods used in this study are effective for the determination of the anti-biofilm activity of BAC. Further analyses are needed.
Psychological Femininity and Masculinity and Motivation in Team Sports
Authors: Bojkowski Łukasz
Published: November 2022

It is hypothesized that levels of femininity and masculinity may be relevant to specific types of engagement in action. For this reason, the aim of this study was to search for relationships between psychological dimensions of femininity and masculinity and different forms of motivation, as well as their specific parts, among women and male athletes practicing team sports games. We researched 49 women aged 19 to 32 years representing sports such as football, handball, hockey, volleyball, and basketball and 56 men aged 18 to 31 years practicing football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and handball. The respondents completed the Inventory to Assess Psychological Gender (IPP) and the Polish adaptation of the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS). It was determined that the psychological dimension of femininity was (in the male group) positively related to the dimension of amotivation, i.e., the lack of perception of a relationship between one’s action and the outcome. In turn, the psychological dimension of masculinity was positively related to the motivation to know, motivation to accomplish, and motivation to experience stimulation, as well as the overall level of intrinsic motivation and the overall dimension of extrinsic motivation. Furthermore, the masculinity dimension is, in male athletes, related to the level of the introjection motive, i.e., the process of integrating accepted patterns.
Walking Speed Is Better Than Hand Grip Strength as an Indicator of Early Decline in Physical Function with Age in Japanese Women Over 65: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Tanno-Sobetsu Study Using Linear Mixed-Effects Models
Authors: Ogawa Shunichi , Himuro Nobuaki , Koyama Masayuki , Seko Toshiaki , Mori Mitsuru , Ohnishi Hirofumi
Published: November 2022

The decline in physical function with age is a major contributor to the need for long-term care. Age-related changes in hand grip strength, knee extension, and walking speed have been reported in cross-sectional studies, but longitudinal data are needed. This longitudinal study measured changes in these three measures among community-dwelling adults aged 65–89 years who participated in general health examinations between 2017 and 2019. Analyses were stratified by sex. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for confounding factors were used to examine the interaction of different patterns of change with age of the three measures. A total of 284 participants were included in the analysis. The interaction term of age × walking speed, with age × handgrip strength as the reference, was statistically significant in women and showed different patterns in walking speed and hand grip strength. In men, none of the age × physical function interaction terms were significant in any model. For early recognition of the onset of physical function decline in older adults, any of the three measures may be used in men, but walking speed may be more suitable than hand grip strength in women. These findings may be useful in devising sex-specific screening strategies.
Willingness and Predictors of Bystander CPR Intervention in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Freshmen Enrolled in a Japanese University
Authors: Mori Yukihiro , Iio Yoko , Aoyama Yuka , Kozai Hana , Tanaka Mamoru , Aoike Makoto , Kawamura Hatsumi , Seguchi Manato , Tsurudome Masato , Ito Morihiro
Published: November 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has decreased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) intervention rates. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the willingness of university freshmen to provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predictors thereof. A cross-sectional survey of 2789 newly enrolled university students was conducted after the end of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan; predictors of willingness to provide BCPR were assessed by regression analysis. Of the 2534 participants 1525 (60.2%) were willing to intervene and provide BCPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hesitancy due to the anxiety that CPR intervention might result in poor prognosis was a negative predictor of willingness. In contrast, anxiety about the possibility of infection during CPR intervention did not show a negative impact. On the other hand, interest in CPR and willingness to participate in a course, confidence in CPR skills, awareness of automated external defibrillation, and knowledge of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also positive predictors. This study suggests that the barrier to willingness to intervene with BCPR during a COVID-19 pandemic is not fear of infection, but rather hesitation due to the possibility of poor prognosis from the intervention. The significance of conducting this study during the COVID-19 epidemic is great, and there is an urgent need for measures to overcome hesitation regarding BCPR.
“So, if she wasn’t aware of it, then how would everybody else out there be aware of it?”—Key Stakeholder Perspectives on the Initial Implementation of Self-Collection in Australia’s Cervical Screening Program: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Zammit Claire M. , Creagh Nicola S. , McDermott Tracey , Smith Megan A. , Machalek Dorothy A. , Jennett Chloe J. , Prang Khic-Houy , Sultana Farhana , Nightingale Claire E. , Rankin Nicole M. , Kelaher Margaret , Brotherton Julia M. L.
Published: November 2022

Background: In December 2017, the Australian National Cervical Screening Program transitioned from 2-yearly cytology-based to 5-yearly human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical screening, including a vaginal self-collection option. Until July 2022, this option was restricted to under- or never-screened people aged 30 years and older who refused a speculum exam. We investigated the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders involved in, or affected by, the initial implementation of the restricted self-collection pathway. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 49 stakeholders as part of the STakeholder Opinions of Renewal Implementation and Experiences Study. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically analysed and coded to the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Outcomes. Results: Stakeholders viewed the introduction of self-collection as an exciting opportunity to provide under-screened people with an alternative to a speculum examination. Adoption in clinical practice, however, was impacted by a lack of clear communication and promotion to providers, and the limited number of laboratories accredited to process self-collected samples. Primary care providers tasked with communicating and offering self-collection described confusion about the availability, participant eligibility, pathology processes, and clinical management processes for self-collection. Regulatory delay in developing an agreed protocol to approve laboratory processing of self-collected swabs, and consequently initially having one laboratory nationally accredited to process samples, led to missed opportunities and misinformation regarding the pathway’s availability. Conclusions: Whilst the introduction of self-collection was welcomed, clear communication from Government regarding setbacks in implementation and how to overcome these in practice were needed. As Australia moves to a policy of providing everyone eligible for screening the choice of self-collection, wider promotion to providers and eligible people, clarity around pathology processes and the scaling up of test availability, as well as timely education and communication of clinical management practice guidelines, are needed to ensure smoother program delivery in the future. Other countries implementing self-collection policies can learn from the implementation challenges faced by Australia.