bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Wireless Bioimpedance Device for Segmental Lymphedema Analysis Post Dual-Site Free Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chang Chang-Cheng , Jan Wei-Ling , Juan Cheng-Huei , Meng Nai-Hsin , Lin Bor-Shyh , Chen Hung-Chi
Published: December 2021

An innovative wireless device for bioimpedance analysis was developed for post-dual-site free vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) evaluation. Seven patients received dual-site free VLNT for unilateral upper or lower limb lymphedema. A total of 10 healthy college students were enrolled in the healthy control group. The device was applied to the affected and unaffected limbs to assess segmental alterations in bioimpedance. The affected proximal limb showed a significant increase in bioimpedance at postoperative sixth month (3.3 [2.8, 3.6], p = 0.001) with 10 kHz currents for better penetration, although the difference was not significant (3.3 [3.3, 3.8]) at 1 kHz. The bioimpedance of the affected distal limb significantly increased after dual-site free VLNT surgery, whether passing with the 1 kHz (1.6 [0.7, 3.4], p = 0.030, postoperative first month; 2.8 [1.0, 4.2], p = 0.027, postoperative third month; and 1.3 [1.3, 3.4], p = 0.009, postoperative sixth month) or 10 kHz current ((1.4 [0.5, 2.7], p = 0.049, postoperative first month; 3.2 [0.9, 6.3], p = 0.003, postoperative third month; and 3.6 [2.5, 4.1], p < 0.001, postoperative sixth month). Bioimpedance alterations on the affected distal limb were significantly correlated with follow-up time (rho = 0.456, p = 0.029 detected at 10 kHz). This bioimpedance wireless device could quantitatively monitor the interstitial fluid alterations, which is suitable for postoperative real-time surveillance.
Performance Assessment of Reference Modelling Methods for Defect Evaluation in Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Putkiranta Pauli , Kurkela Matti , Ingman Matias , Keitaanniemi Aino , El Issaoui Aimad , Kaartinen Harri , Honkavaara Eija , Hyyppä Hannu , Hyyppä Juha , Vaaja Matti T.
Published: December 2021

The deterioration of road conditions and increasing repair deficits pose challenges for the maintenance of reliable road infrastructure, and thus threaten, for example, safety and the fluent flow of traffic. Improved and more efficient procedures for maintenance are required, and these require improved knowledge of road conditions, i.e., improved data. Three-dimensional mapping presents possibilities for large-scale collection of data on road surfaces and automatic evaluation of maintenance needs. However, the development and, specifically, evaluation of large-scale mobile methods requires reliable references. To evaluate possibilities for close-range, static, high-resolution, three-dimensional measurement of road surfaces for reference use, three measurement methods and five instrumentations are investigated: terrestrial laser scanning (TLS, Leica RTC360), photogrammetry using high-resolution professional-grade cameras (Nikon D800 and D810E), photogrammetry using an industrial camera (FLIR Grasshopper GS3-U3-120S6C-C), and structured-light handheld scanners Artec Leo and Faro Freestyle. High-resolution photogrammetry is established as reference based on laboratory measurements and point density. The instrumentations are compared against one another using cross-sections, point–point distances, and ability to obtain key metrics of defects, and a qualitative assessment of the processing procedures for each is carried out. It is found that photogrammetric models provide the highest resolutions (10–50 million points per m2) and photogrammetric and TLS approaches perform robustly in precision with consistent sub-millimeter offsets relative to one another, while handheld scanners perform relatively inconsistently. A discussion on the practical implications of using each of the examined instrumentations is presented.
Prediction of Wave Transmission Characteristics of Low-Crested Structures with Comprehensive Analysis of Machine Learning
Authors: Kim Taeyoon , Kwon Soonchul , Kwon Yongju
Published: December 2021

The adoption of low-crested and submerged structures (LCS) reduces the wave behind a structure, depending on the changes in the freeboard, and induces stable waves in the offshore. We aimed to estimate the wave transmission coefficient behind LCS structures to determine the feasible characteristics of wave mitigation. In addition, various empirical formulas based on regression analysis were proposed to quantitatively predict wave attenuation characteristics for field applications. However, inherent variability of wave attenuation causes the limitation of linear statistical approaches, such as linear regression analysis. Herein, to develop an optimization model for the hydrodynamic behavior of the LCS, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 10 types of machine learning models, which were compared and reviewed on the prediction accuracy with existing empirical formulas. We found that, among the 10 models, the gradient boosting model showed the highest prediction accuracy with MSE of 1.0 × 10−3, an index of agreement of 0.996, a scatter index of 0.065, and a correlation coefficient of 0.983, which indicates a performance improvement over the existing empirical formulas. In addition, based on a variable importance analysis using explainable artificial intelligence, we determined the significant importance of the input variable for the relative freeboard (RC/H0) and the relative freeboard to water depth ratio (RC/h), which confirms that the relative freeboard was the most dominant factor for influencing wave attenuation in the hydraulic behavior around the LCS. Thus, we concluded that the performance prediction method using a machine learning model can be applied to various predictive studies in the field of coastal engineering, deviating from existing empirical-based research.
Active Compensation of Radiation Effects on Optical Fibers for Sensing Applications
Authors: Rana Sohel , Fleming Austin , Kandadai Nirmala , Subbaraman Harish
Published: December 2021

Neutron and gamma irradiation is known to compact silica, resulting in macroscopic changes in refractive index (RI) and geometric structure. The change in RI and linear compaction in a radiation environment is caused by three well-known mechanisms: (i) radiation-induced attenuation (RIA), (ii) radiation-induced compaction (RIC), and (iii) radiation-induced emission (RIE). These macroscopic changes induce errors in monitoring physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and strain in optical fiber-based sensors, which limit their application in radiation environments. We present a cascaded Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) technique to measure macroscopic properties, such as radiation-induced change in RI and length compaction in real time to actively account for sensor drift. The proposed cascaded FPI consists of two cavities: the first cavity is an air cavity, and the second is a silica cavity. The length compaction from the air cavity is used to deduce the RI change within the silica cavity. We utilize fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm and two bandpass filters for the signal extraction of each cavity. Inclusion of such a simple cascaded FPI structure will enable accurate determination of physical parameters under the test.
Improved Intra-Pixel Sensitivity Characterization Based on Diffusion and Coupling Model for Infrared Focal Plane Array Photodetector
Authors: Zhong Li , Li Xiaoyan , Zhu Min , Hu Zhuoyue , Chen Fansheng
Published: December 2021

The high-precision characterization of the intra-pixel sensitivity (IPS) for infrared focal plane array (FPA) photodetector is of great significance to high-precision photometry and astrometry in astronomy, as well as target tracking in under-sampled remote sensing images. The discrete sub-pixel response (DSPR) model and fill factor model have been used for IPS characterization in some studies. However, these models are incomplete and lack the description of physical process of charge diffusion and capacitance coupling, leading to the inaccuracy of IPS characterization. In this paper, we propose an improved IPS characterization method based on the diffusion and coupling physical (DCP) model for infrared FPA photodetector, which considering the processes of generation and collection of the charge, can improve the accuracy of IPS characterization. The IPS model can be obtained by convolving the ideal rectangular response function with the charge diffusion function and the capacitive coupling function. Then, the IPS model is convolved with the beam spot profile to obtain the beam spot scanning response model. Finally, we calculate the parameters of IPS by fitting the beam spot scanning response map with the proposed DCP model based on the Trust-Region-Reflective algorithm. Simulated results show that when using a 3 μm beam spot to scan, the error of IPS characterization based on DCP model is 0.63%, which is better than that of DSPR model’s 3.70%. Experimental results show that the fitting error of the beam spot scan response model based on DCP model is 4.29%, which is better than that of DSPR model’s 8.31%.
Secrecy Performance Maximization for Underlay CR Networks with an Energy Harvesting Jammer
Authors: Sun Juan , Zhang Shubin , Chi Kaikai
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the secrecy communication in an underlay cognitive radio (CR) networks with one primary user (PU) as well as multiple PUs, where the radio frequency (RF) energy-harvesting secondary user (SU) transmits the confidential information to the destination in the presence of a potential eavesdropper. We introduce a RF energy-harvesting secondary jammer (SJ) to secure the SU transmissions. The system works in time slots, where each time slot is divided into the energy transfer (ET) phase and the information transfer (IT) phase. In ET phase, the SU and SJ capture energy from the PU transmissions; in the IT phase, the SU uses the harvested energy to transmit information to the destination without causing the harmful interference to the PU transmissions, while the SJ utilizes the captured energy to generate jamming signals to the eavesdropper to secure the SU transmissions. We aim to maximize the secrecy rate for SU transmissionsby jointly optimizing the time allocation between ET phase and IT phase and the transmit power allocation at the SU and SJ. We first formulate the secrecy rate maximization as non-convex optimization problems. Then, we propose efficient nested form algorithms for the non-convex problems. In the outer layer, we obtain the optimal time allocation by the one dimension search method. In the inner layer, we obtain the optimal transmit power allocation by the DC programming, where the Lagrange duality method is employed to solve the convex approximation problem. Simulation results verify that the proposed schemes essentially improve the secrecy rate of the secondary network as compared to the benchmark schemes.
Gesture-Based Human Machine Interaction Using RCNNs in Limited Computation Power Devices
Authors: Tellaeche Iglesias Alberto , Fidalgo Astorquia Ignacio , Vázquez Gómez Juan Ignacio , Saikia Surajit
Published: December 2021

The use of gestures is one of the main forms of human machine interaction (HMI) in many fields, from advanced robotics industrial setups, to multimedia devices at home. Almost every gesture detection system uses computer vision as the fundamental technology, with the already well-known problems of image processing: changes in lighting conditions, partial occlusions, variations in color, among others. To solve all these potential issues, deep learning techniques have been proven to be very effective. This research proposes a hand gesture recognition system based on convolutional neural networks and color images that is robust against environmental variations, has a real time performance in embedded systems, and solves the principal problems presented in the previous paragraph. A new CNN network has been specifically designed with a small architecture in terms of number of layers and total number of neurons to be used in computationally limited devices. The obtained results achieve a percentage of success of 96.92% on average, a better score than those obtained by previous algorithms discussed in the state of the art.
Micro-Behavioral Accidental Click Detection System for Preventing Slip-Based Human Error
Authors: Almehmadi Abdulaziz
Published: December 2021

Accidentally clicking on a link is a type of human error known as a slip in which a user unintentionally performs an unintended task. The risk magnitude is the probability of occurrences of such error with a possible substantial effect to which even experienced individuals are susceptible. Phishing attacks take advantage of slip-based human error by attacking psychological aspects of the users that lead to unintentionally clicking on phishing links. Such actions may lead to installing tracking software, downloading malware or viruses, or stealing private, sensitive information, to list a few. Therefore, a system is needed that detects whether a click on a link is intentional or unintentional and, if unintentional, can then prevent it. This paper proposes a micro-behavioral accidental click detection system (ACDS) to prevent slip-based human error. A within-subject-based experiment was conducted with 20 participants to test the potential of the proposed system. The results reveal the statistical significance between the two cases of intentional vs. unintentional clicks using a smartphone. Random tree, random forest, and support vector machine classifiers were used, exhibiting 82.6%, 87.2%, and 91.6% accuracy in detecting unintentional clicks, respectively.
Automated Condition-Based Suppression of the CPR Artifact in ECG Data to Make a Reliable Shock Decision for AEDs during CPR
Authors: Hajeb-Mohammadalipour Shirin , Cascella Alicia , Valentine Matt , Chon Ki H.
Published: December 2021

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) corrupts the morphology of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, resulting in an inaccurate automated external defibrillator (AED) rhythm analysis. Consequently, most current AEDs prohibit CPR during the rhythm analysis period, thereby decreasing the survival rate. To overcome this limitation, we designed a condition-based filtering algorithm that consists of three stop-band filters which are turned either ‘on’ or ‘off’ depending on the ECG’s spectral characteristics. Typically, removing the artifact’s higher frequency peaks in addition to the highest frequency peak eliminates most of the ECG’s morphological disturbance on the non-shockable rhythms. However, the shockable rhythms usually have dynamics in the frequency range of (3–6) Hz, which in certain cases coincide with CPR compression’s harmonic frequencies, hence, removing them may lead to destruction of the shockable signal’s dynamics. The proposed algorithm achieves CPR artifact removal without compromising the integrity of the shockable rhythm by considering three different spectral factors. The dataset from the PhysioNet archive was used to develop this condition-based approach. To quantify the performance of the approach on a separate dataset, three performance metrics were computed: the correlation coefficient, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and accuracy of Defibtech’s shock decision algorithm. This dataset, containing 14 s ECG segments of different types of rhythms from 458 subjects, belongs to Defibtech commercial AED’s validation set. The CPR artifact data from 52 different resuscitators were added to artifact-free ECG data to create 23,816 CPR-contaminated data segments. From this, 82% of the filtered shockable and 70% of the filtered non-shockable ECG data were highly correlated (>0.7) with the artifact-free ECG; this value was only 13 and 12% for CPR-contaminated shockable and non-shockable, respectively, without our filtering approach. The SNR improvement was 4.5 ± 2.5 dB, averaging over the entire dataset. Defibtech’s rhythm analysis algorithm was applied to the filtered data. We found a sensitivity improvement from 67.7 to 91.3% and 62.7 to 78% for VF and rapid VT, respectively, and specificity improved from 96.2 to 96.5% and 91.5 to 92.7% for normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and other non-shockables, respectively.
Effect of a Recliner Chair with Rocking Motions on Sleep Efficiency
Authors: Baek Suwhan , Yu Hyunsoo , Roh Jongryun , Lee Jungnyun , Sohn Illsoo , Kim Sayup , Park Cheolsoo
Published: December 2021

In this study, we analyze the effect of a recliner chair with rocking motions on sleep quality of naps using automated sleep scoring and spindle detection models. The quality of sleep corresponding to the two rocking motions was measured quantitatively and qualitatively. For the quantitative evaluation, we conducted a sleep parameter analysis based on the results of the estimated sleep stages obtained on the brainwave and spindle estimation, and a sleep survey assessment from the participants was analyzed for the qualitative evaluation. The analysis showed that sleep in the recliner chair with rocking motions positively increased the duration of the spindles and deep sleep stage, resulting in improved sleep quality.
Evidential Data Fusion for Characterization of Pavement Surface Conditions during Winter Using a Multi-Sensor Approach
Authors: Diaby Issiaka , Germain Mickaël , Goïta Kalifa
Published: December 2021

The role of a service that is dedicated to road weather analysis is to issue forecasts and warnings to users regarding roadway conditions, thereby making it possible to anticipate dangerous traffic conditions, especially during the winter period. It is important to define pavement conditions at all times. In this paper, a new data acquisition approach is proposed that is based upon the analysis and combination of two sensors in real time by nanocomputer. The first sensor is a camera that records images and videos of the road network. The second sensor is a microphone that records the tire–pavement interaction, to characterize each surface’s condition. The two low-cost sensors were fed to different deep learning architectures that are specialized in surface state analysis; the results were combined using an evidential theory-based data fusion approach. This study is a proof of concept, to test an evidential approach for improving classification with deep learning, applied to only two sensors; however, one could very well add more sensors and make the nanocomputers communicate together, to analyze a larger urban environment.
Contextual Variation in External and Internal Workloads across the Competitive Season of a Collegiate Women’s Soccer Team
Authors: Rentz Lauren E. , Hornsby William Guy , Gawel Wesley J. , Rawls Bobby G. , Ramadan Jad , Galster Scott M.
Published: December 2021

As sports technology has continued to develop, monitoring athlete workloads, performance, and recovery has demonstrated boundless benefits for athlete and team success. Specifically, technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) and heart rate (HR) monitors have granted the opportunity to delve deeper into performance contributors, and how variations may exist based upon context. A team of NCAA Division I women’s soccer athletes were monitored during games throughout one competitive season. Individual athlete, positional groups, and team external and internal workloads were explored for differences based upon game location, opponent ranking, game result, and the final score differential. Game location and opponent ranking were found to have no effect on team-wide absolute or relative external workloads, whereas game result and score differential did. Internal workloads across the team tended to only vary by game half, independent of game context; however, the HR of defenders was determined to be higher during losses as compared to wins (p = 0.0256). Notably, the games that resulted in losses also represented the games with the fewest number of substitutions. These findings suggest high value in monitoring performance and workloads that are characteristic of varying, often multifaceted, contexts. It is hoped that this information can lead to more informed approaches to vital game-time and coaching decisions.
What Skills Do Agricultural Professionals Need in the Transition towards a Sustainable Agriculture? A Qualitative Literature Review
Authors: Sørensen Laura Brandt , Germundsson Lisa Blix , Hansen Stine Rosenlund , Rojas Claudia , Kristensen Niels Heine
Published: December 2021

Agriculture is facing mounting challenges across the globe and must move towards more sustainable practices to combat climate change and meet changed production requirements. Education has been acknowledged as highly important in a sustainable transition, but there is no clear agreement about what skills are needed for professionals in the agricultural system. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse skills needed for professionals in the agricultural system to engage in the transition towards sustainable agriculture and elaborate on the implications of this for a transition towards sustainable agriculture. The review is based on a qualitative semi-systematic literature review of 20 peer-reviewed articles concerned with sustainability, skills, and agriculture. Five categories of skills were identified and analysed, including systems perspective, lifelong learning, knowledge integration, building and maintaining networks and learning communities, and technical and subject-specific knowledge and technology. As the identified categories of skills have emerged from different contextual settings and a diverse group of actors, these five categories encourage a broad and inclusive understanding of skills that can be translated into different contextual settings, scales, and professions within the agricultural system. The article concludes that professionals engaged in the transition towards sustainable agriculture need skills that encourage a perspective that moves beyond generic discipline-based skills and instead builds on heterogeneity, inclusion, and use of different actors’ knowledge, practices, and experiences, and the ability to respond and be proactive in a constantly changing world.
Peruvian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Times of Crisis—Or What Is Happening over Time?
Authors: Durst Susanne , Svensson Ann , Palacios Acuache Mariano Martin Genaro
Published: December 2021

Crises means a particular threat to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The pandemic is no exception; on the contrary, it reinforces this threat. This study provides insight into crisis management in SMEs over a period of time. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in Peruvian SMEs at two points in time. The findings provide insight into how the Peruvian firms studied adapted to the new situation, and initiated responses to cope with the crisis covering the period April–December 2020. By having studied the phenomenon of crisis management in SMEs at different stages, the study contributes to the further development of still underdeveloped fields of research, namely, crisis management in Latin America in general, and crisis management in SMEs in particular.
Leftover Consumption as a Means of Food Waste Reduction in Public Space? Qualitative Insights from Online Discussions
Authors: Diekmann Larissa , Germelmann Claas Christian
Published: December 2021

A considerable amount of food is discarded in canteens every day. This waste has created a countermovement, where groups of mainly students purposefully choose to eat other consumers’ plate leftovers instead of buying fresh meals. This phenomenon highlights two opposing narratives: leftovers as food waste versus leftovers as edible food resources. Using a thematic analysis, we investigated 1579 comments from German news sites and their corresponding Facebook sites related to this countermovement. Thereby, we aim to better understand what consumers associate with the consumption of other consumers’ plate leftovers. Our study demonstrates that the consumption of plate leftovers is shaped by the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive system. Furthermore, associations with the consumption of plate leftovers depend on whether this food decision is perceived as a collective or individual consumer decision. From a consumer movement perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with a sense of community and food waste reduction for idealistic or environmental and social reasons. From an individual consumer behavior perspective, food leftover consumption is associated with satisfying hunger but considered a threat to health and social order. Our findings can inspire food service organizations to develop targeted interventions for plate leftover reduction.
Economic Analysis and Improvement Opportunities of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Aquaculture in Northern Germany
Authors: Pasch Johannes , Palm Harry W.
Published: December 2021

A farmland based African Catfish recirculation aquaculture system with a production volume (PV) of 300 m3 was modelled under realistic market conditions in order to analyse the impact of price fluctuations on profitability. As a monoculture recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for whole fish and the wholesaler’s market, the model northern German catfish aquaculture is currently gainless, but the production is sufficient to cover all costs. The most decisive economic parameter is the low selling price (2.20 EUR/kg whole fish), which affects the returns by ±70,463 EUR/year for every ten percent (0.22 EUR) price change. Among the variable costs, feed has by far the largest impact with a share of 61.4% (42.1% of total costs). Based on the initial model every ten percent price variation of this variable input factor changes the returns by ±29,691 EUR/year, followed by energy (±5913 EUR/year), fingerlings (±4804 EUR/year), wages (±3972 EUR/year) and water (±2464 EUR/year). Larger system sizes (600 m3 PV) significantly save costs due to economies of scale and achieve returns of 175,240 EUR/year and an ROI of 11.45%. Increasing max. stocking density from 450 kg/m3 to 550 kg/m3 improves returns and ROI (40,379 EUR/year; 4.40%), but also involves higher production risks. An own fingerling production with a production of 300% above the own requirements improves returns and ROI (39,871 EUR/year; 3.57%) and leads, above all, to independence from foreign suppliers. Aquaponic integrations can generate profits, but are associated with high investment costs and the challenges of entering a new business sector. Product diversification into fillet (50% of the production) and smoked fillet (30%) generates lucrative returns and ROI (212,198 EUR/year; 20.10%). Profitability is further increased by direct marketing in the form of a farm store and the establishment of a regional “producer organisation”. Our results demonstrate that under current market conditions northern German catfish aquaculture covers all costs, mainly increasing profitability through altered sales prices and feed costs. Retaining a larger part of the fishery value chain within the farm through additional benefits, further processing and product diversification improves profitability, making African catfish RAS a sustainable and economically profitable aquaculture business in Germany.
Fostering University Students’ Engagement in Teamwork and Innovation Behaviors through Game-Based Learning (GBL)
Authors: Martín-Hernández Pilar , Gil-Lacruz Marta , Gil-Lacruz Ana I. , Azkue-Beteta Juan Luis , Lira Eva M. , Cantarero Luis
Published: December 2021

Higher Education Instituions (HEIs) should be the driving force behind the training of college students in terms of both hard and soft skills (for example, innovation and teamwork competencies), and they should also do so without neglecting their health and well-being, perhaps more than ever in these complex times of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Game-based learning (GBL) could be a powerful and useful tool in this regard. There is, however, some controversy surrounding the use of games for learning purposes in higher education institutions, and most of the research done about this issue corresponds to GBL through digital games. Under this background, the main objective of this study was to test the effect of GBL on the intrinsic motivation (IM), teamwork engagement (TWE), team building (TB), teamwork competence (TWC), and innovation behaviors (IWB) of 142 college students of Health Sciences and Social Work. After rehearsing in small groups, the game was tested (T2). Our results obtained through the differential analyses confirmed that undergraduates were more intrinsically motivated, experienced more TWE, TB, and TWC, and developed more IWB than before playing the game (T1). Therefore, the development of core personal skills might be promoted effectively by games in an efficient, engaging, and motivating way.
Spatial Assessment of Jerusalem Artichoke’s Potential as an Energy Crop in the Marginal Land of the Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Yin Fang , Jin Ziyue , Zhu Jiazheng , Liu Lei , Zhao Danyun
Published: December 2021

As a foodstuff crop, Jerusalem artichoke has a promising prospect for providing sustainable feed-stock sources for bioenergy development. Due to relatively limited cultivated land resources in China, it is crucial to evaluate Jerusalem artichoke’s potential production capacity in marginal land. Based on Jerusalem artichoke’s growth and photosynthetic characteristics, the agricultural production systems simulator model (APSIM) and multi-factor integrated assessment method were integrated to provide an operational method for comprehensively evaluating the marginal land resources suitable for developing the plantation of Jerusalem artichoke in the Shaanxi province, China. The results showed that 0.73 million ha of marginal land was suitable for Jerusalem artichoke cultivation in the Shaanxi province, and 5.4 million ha of marginal land was fairly suitable for Jerusalem artichoke cultivation, with the yield reaching 44,289 kg/ha and 38,861 kg/ha, respectively. The suitable land resources are mainly located in Yan’an (0.18 million ha), Hanzhong (0.13 million ha), and Baoji (0.08 million ha), most of which are moderate dense grassland (accounting for 50.6% of suitable land), dense grassland (accounting for 16.2% of suitable land), shrubland (accounting for 14.7% of suitable land), and sparse forest land (accounting for 9.18% of suitable land). The findings of this study can be used to establish targeted policies for Jerusalem artichoke development in China and other countries, particularly those along the Silk Road.
Estimating Energy Concentrations in Wooded Pastures of NW Spain Using Empirical Models That Relate Observed Metabolizable Energy to Measured Nutritional Attributes
Authors: González-Hernández María Pilar , Álvarez-González Juan Gabriel
Published: December 2021

Wooded pastures serve as a traditional source of forage in Europe, where forest grazing is valued as an efficient tool for maintaining the diversity of semi-natural habitats. In a forest grazing setting with diverse diet composition, assessing the energy content of animal diets can be a difficult task because of its dependency on digestibility measures. In the present study, prediction equations of metabolizable energy (ME) were obtained performing stepwise regression with data (n = 297; 44 plant species) on nutritional attributes (Acid Detergent Fiber, lignin, silica, dry matter, crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility) from 20 representative stands of Atlantic dry heathlands and pedunculate oak woodlands. The results showed that the prediction accuracy of ME is reduced when the general model (R2 = 0.64) is applied, as opposed to the use of the specific prediction equations for each vegetation type (R2 = 0.61, 0.66, 0.71 for oak woodlands; R2 = 0.70 heather-gorse dominated heathlands, R2 = 0.41 continental heathlands). The general model tends to overestimate the ME concentrations in heaths with respect to the observed ME values obtained from IVOMD as a sole predictor, and this divergence could be corrected by applying the specific prediction equations obtained for each vegetation type. Although the use of prediction equations by season would improve accuracy in the case of a Winter scenario, using the general model as opposed to the prediction equations for Spring, Summer or Fall would represent a much smaller loss of accuracy.
A Lyapunov-Based Optimal Integral Finite-Time Tracking Control Approach for Asymmetric Nonholonomic Robotic Systems
Authors: Alattas Khalid A. , Mobayen Saleh , Assawinchaichote Wudhichai , Asad Jihad H. , Awrejcewicz Jan , Aly Ayman A. , Alghtani Abdulaziz H.
Published: December 2021

This study suggests a control Lyapunov-based optimal integral terminal sliding mode control (ITSMC) technique for tracker design of asymmetric nonholonomic robotic systems in the existence of external disturbances. The design procedure is based on the control Lyapunov function (CLF) approach. Hence, the output tracking problem is solved by combining the ITSMC with optimal control. The CLF synthesizes a nonlinear optimal control input for the nominal system. Once the control system’s states lie far away from the operating point, it is activated to drive them toward the equilibrium point optimally. However, on the condition that the system perturbations are the main factor, the ITSMC would be designed to take over in the vicinity of the equilibrium point. Accordingly, the control goals, such as robustness and precise control, are warranted in the perturbed system. The usefulness of the suggested method is demonstrated with a wheeled mobile robot via a simulation study.
Zearalenone Exposure Disrupts Blood–Testis Barrier Integrity through Excessive Ca2+-Mediated Autophagy
Authors: She Jinjin , Feng Nannan , Zheng Wanglong , Zheng Hao , Cai Peirong , Zou Hui , Yuan Yan , Gu Jianhong , Liu Zongping , Bian Jianchun
Published: December 2021

Zearalenone (ZEA), a common mycotoxin in grains and animal feeds, has been associated with male reproductive disorders. However, the potential toxicity mechanism of ZEA is not fully understood. In this study, in vivo and in vitro models were used to explore the effects of ZEA on the blood–testis barrier (BTB) and related molecular mechanisms. First, male BALB/C mice were administered ZEA orally (40 mg/kg·bw) for 5–7 d. Sperm motility, testicular morphology, and expressions of BTB junction proteins and autophagy-related proteins were evaluated. In addition, TM4 cells (mouse Sertoli cells line) were used to delineate the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effects of ZEA on BTB. Our results demonstrated that ZEA exposure induced severe testicular damage in histomorphology and an ultrastructural, time-dependent decrease in the expression of blood–testis barrier junction-related proteins, accompanied by an increase in the expression of autophagy-related proteins. Additionally, similar to the in vitro results, the dose-dependent treatment of ZEA increased the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and the levels of the autophagy markers LC3-II and p62, in conjunction with a decrease in the BTB junction proteins occludin, claudin-11, and Cx43, with the dislocation of the gap junction protein Cx43. Meanwhile, inhibition of autophagy by CQ and 3-MA or inhibition of cytoplasmic Ca2+ by BAPTA-AM was sufficient to reduce the effects of ZEA on the TM4 cell BTB. To summarize, this study emphasizes the role of Ca2+-mediated autophagy in ZEA-induced BTB destruction, which deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanism of ZEA-induced male reproductive disorders.
The Risk Monitoring of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Critical Control Point of Soy Sauce Aroma-Type Baijiu Production
Authors: Zhang Siyu , Liu Song , Zeng Wenwen , Long Weiyun , Nie Ye , Xu Yan , Yang Fan , Wang Li
Published: December 2021

Soy sauce aroma-type baijiu-producing regions are mostly in southwest China (Guizhou and Sichuan province) with a hot and humid subtropical monsoon climate, which is conducive to the propagation of toxigenic fungi. This suggests that there is a risk of potential contamination by mycotoxins in the soy sauce aroma-type baijiu production process, which poses significant food safety risks. Few studies on the safety of mycotoxins in soy sauce aroma-type baijiu production exist. Aiming to evaluate the safety of mycotoxins in soy sauce aroma-type baijiu during its production, this study screened and analyzed mycotoxic risk at critical points throughout the production process, investigated from raw materials, daqu, alcoholic fermentative grains, crude baijiu and microbial communities in different stages of the production process. The aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) contents in wheat, daqu, alcoholic fermentative grains and crude baijiu samples were detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Mycotoxins were detected in wheat, daqu and alcoholic fermentative grains. The AFs and OTA detection rates, as well as their contents in the daqu samples, were relatively higher compared to those observed in the wheat and alcoholic fermentative grains. AFs were detected in 30% of the daqu samples, while OTA was detected in 20% of the daqu samples, though the contents of both AFs and OTA were under the maximum limit of the Chinese national standard. Furthermore, the fungi contained in daqu samples were isolated and identified, and the results showed that no fungi in the separated bacterial strains were producers of mycotoxins. According to the assessment results, the safety of soy sauce aroma-type baijiu production process in terms of AFs and OTA is confirmed.
Acalculous Cholecystitis in a Young Adult with Scrub Typhus: A Case Report and Epidemiology of Scrub Typhus in the Maldives
Authors: Imad Hisham Ahmed , Ali Aishath Azna , Nahuza Mariyam , Gurung Rajan , Ubaid Abdulla , Maeesha Aishath , Didi Sariu Ali , Dey Rajib Kumar , Hilmy Abdullah Isneen , Hareera Aishath , Afzal Ibrahim , Matsee Wasin , Nguitragool Wang , Nakayama Emi. E. , Shioda Tatsuo
Published: December 2021

Scrub typhus is a neglected tropical disease predominantly occurring in Asia. The causative agent is a bacterium transmitted by the larval stage of mites found in rural vegetation in endemic regions. Cases of scrub typhus frequently present as acute undifferentiated febrile illness, and without early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can develop fatal complications. We retrospectively reviewed de-identified data from a 23-year-old woman who presented to an emergency department with complaints of worsening abdominal pain. On presentation, she appeared jaundiced and toxic-looking. Other positive findings on abdominal examination were a positive Murphey’s sign, abdominal guarding and hepatosplenomegaly. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated acalculous cholecystitis. Additional findings included eschar on the medial aspect of the left thigh with inguinal regional lymphadenopathy. Further, positive results were obtained for immunoglobulins M and G, confirming scrub typhus. The workup for other infectious causes of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) detected antibodies against human herpesvirus 4 (Epstein–Barr virus), suggesting an alternative cause of AAC. Whether that represented re-activation of the Epstein–Barr virus could not be determined. As other reports have described acute acalculous cholecystitis in adult scrub typhus patients, we recommend doxycycline to treat acute acalculous cholecystitis in endemic regions while awaiting serological confirmation.
Occurrence of Cryptosporidium Infection and Associated Risk Factors among HIV-Infected Patients Attending ART Clinics in the Central Region of Ghana
Authors: Dankwa Kwabena , Nuvor Samuel Victor , Obiri-Yeboah Dorcas , Feglo Patrick Kwame , Mutocheluh Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Cryptosporidium species are intestinal protozoan parasites that infect and cause diarrhoea in animals and humans. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. In this cross-sectional study, four hundred eighteen documented HIV-infected participants from four health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) services across the Central region of Ghana were selected by systematic random sampling. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoproELISATM, Cryptosporidium Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Ashdod, Israel) was used to detect Cryptosporidium antigens in stool samples obtained from participants. Information regarding participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical symptoms as well as potential environmental and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine associations between Cryptosporidium infections and explanatory variables, while risk factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected participants in this study was 6.2% (95% CI: 3.90–8.54). Cryptosporidium was not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variables, patient clinical symptoms, and environmental factors. However, the prevalence of the parasite was significantly higher 25% (95% CI: 1.17–48.83; p = 0.013) among participants who did not always wash their hands before meals and those who did not always wash vegetables before eating them, 23.5% (95% CI: 1.05–46.01; p = 0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that participants who used public water closet facilities were approximately 9 times more likely to become infected with the parasite than those who practised open defecation (OR: 8.83; 95% CI: 1.22–64.13; p = 0.031). In conclusion, Cryptosporidium is prevalent among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. An important risk factor identified was the use of the public water closet toilet facility. More attention should be given to ensuring cleanliness at shared water closet facilities in addition to adequate disinfection of hands after using such facilities.
The Oncolytic Caprine Herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) Induces Apoptosis and Synergizes with Cisplatin in Mesothelioma Cell Lines: A New Potential Virotherapy Approach
Authors: Forte Iris Maria , Indovina Paola , Montagnaro Serena , Costa Aurora , Iannuzzi Carmelina Antonella , Capone Francesca , Camerlingo Rosa , Malfitano Anna Maria , Pentimalli Francesca , Ferrara Gianmarco , Quintiliani Massimiliamo , Portella Giuseppe , Giordano Antonio , Ciarcia Roberto
Published: December 2021

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive asbestos-related cancer, against which no curative modalities exist. Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach, for which MM is an ideal candidate; indeed, the pleural location provides direct access for the intra-tumoral injection of oncolytic viruses (OVs). Some non-human OVs offer advantages over human OVs, including the non-pathogenicity in humans and the absence of pre-existing immunity. We previously showed that caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1), a non-pathogenic virus for humans, can kill different human cancer cell lines. Here, we assessed CpHV-1 effects on MM (NCI-H28, MSTO, NCI-H2052) and non-tumor mesothelial (MET-5A) cells. We found that CpHV-1 reduced cell viability and clonogenic potential in all MM cell lines without affecting non-tumor cells, in which, indeed, we did not detect intracellular viral DNA after treatment. In particular, CpHV-1 induced MM cell apoptosis and accumulation in G0/G1 or S cell cycle phases. Moreover, CpHV-1 strongly synergized with cisplatin, the drug currently used in MM chemotherapy, and this agent combination did not affect normal mesothelial cells. Although further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the selective CpHV-1 action on MM cells, our data suggest that the CpHV-1-cisplatin combination could be a feasible strategy against MM.
Transient CRISPR-Cas Treatment Can Prevent Reactivation of HIV-1 Replication in a Latently Infected T-Cell Line
Authors: Liu Ye , Jeeninga Rienk E. , Klaver Bep , Berkhout Ben , Das Atze T.
Published: December 2021

Novel therapeutic strategies aiming at the permanent inactivation of the HIV-1 reservoir in infected individuals are currently being explored, including approaches based on CRISPR-Cas gene editing. Extinction of all infectious HIV provirus in infected T-cell cultures was previously achieved when cells were transduced with lentiviral vectors for the stable expression of CRISPR-Cas9 or Cas12a systems targeting HIV DNA. Because lentiviral transduction and long-term CRISPR-Cas activity are less suitable for in vivo application of this antiviral strategy, we investigated whether HIV can also be completely inactivated by transient CRISPR-Cas activity. Latently infected SupT1 T-cells were repeatedly transfected with different Cas9 and Cas12a mRNA/protein sources in combination with dual gRNAs/crRNAs targeting highly conserved viral sequences. Upon repeated Cas9 protein treatment, viral replication could no longer be reactivated. We demonstrate that this was due to complete mutational inactivation of the proviral DNA, mostly through mutations at the target sites, but also through excision or inversion of the viral DNA fragment between the two target sites. These results demonstrate that repeated transient CRISPR-Cas treatment of a latently infected T-cell culture can lead to the permanent inactivation of HIV replication, indicating that transient CRISPR-Cas delivery methods can be considered for in vivo application.
Unexpectedly High Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 Vaccine in Liver versus Kidney Transplant Recipients—Is It Related to Immunosuppression Only?
Authors: Nazaruk Paulina , Monticolo Marta , Jędrzejczak Anna Maria , Krata Natalia , Moszczuk Barbara , Sańko-Resmer Joanna , Pilecki Tomasz , Urbanowicz Arkadiusz , Florczak Michał , Pączek Leszek , Foroncewicz Bartosz , Mucha Krzysztof
Published: December 2021

The BNT162b2 vaccine is reportedly effective in preventing severe disease in more than 90% of the general population, but its efficacy in transplant recipients remains controversial. We aimed to determine the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in kidney (KTRs) and liver transplant recipients (LTRs). In this retrospective cohort study, we included randomly 65 KTRs and 65 LTRs, who received two 30 μg doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in 3-to6-week intervals. We analyzed the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody (anti-S1 Ab) titer, biochemical liver and renal tests, immunosuppressive drug trough level, and clinical follow up 4–6 weeks after the first dose and 4–8 weeks after the second dose. The level of protective antibodies was 57.1% in KTRs and 88.9% in LTRs after the second dose. The anti-S1 Ab response was significantly associated with sex, age, and history of COVID-19. A tacrolimus dose at vaccination but not its trough level was significantly correlated with the increase in anti-S1 Ab titer after the second vaccine dose in LTRs. Rejection episodes did not occur after vaccination. Our results showed a higher than previously reported humoral response to the BNT162b2 vaccine in KTRs and LTRs, which was dependent upon age, type of transplanted organ, and immunosuppression.