bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of Genetically Modified Porcine Embryos via Lipofection of Zona-Pellucida-Intact Oocytes Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
Authors: Piñeiro-Silva Celia , Navarro-Serna Sergio , Belda-Pérez Ramsés , Gadea Joaquín
Published: January 2023

The generation of genetically modified pigs has an important impact thanks its applications in basic research, biomedicine, and meat production. Cloning was the first technique used for this production, although easier and cheaper methods were developed, such as the microinjection, electroporation, or lipofection of oocytes and zygotes. In this study, we analyzed the production of genetically modified embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact oocytes using LipofectamineTM CRISPRMAXTM Cas9 in comparison with the electroporation method. Two factors were evaluated: (i) the increment in the concentration of the lipofectamine–ribonucleoprotein complexes (LRNPC) (5% vs. 10%) and (ii) the concentration of ribonucleoprotein within the complexes (1xRNP vs. 2xRNP). We found that the increment in the concentration of the LRNPC had a detrimental effect on embryo development and a subsequent effect on the number of mutant embryos. The 5% group had a similar mutant blastocyst rate to the electroporation method (5.52% and 6.38%, respectively, p > 0.05). The increment in the concentration of the ribonucleoprotein inside the complexes had no effect on the blastocyst rate and mutation rate, with the mutant blastocyst rate being similar in both the 1xRNP and 2xRNP lipofection groups and the electroporation group (1.75%, 3.60%, and 3.57%, respectively, p > 0.05). Here, we showed that it is possible to produce knock-out embryos via lipofection of zona-pellucida-intact porcine oocytes with similar efficiencies as with electroporation, although more optimization is needed, mainly in terms of the use of more efficient vesicles for encapsulation with different compositions.
Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping
Authors: Dixon Sylvia , Evans Di , Vindevoghel Thinza , Ward Michael P. , Quain Anne
Published: January 2023

There are significant welfare concerns with the use of calves in calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie) events in rodeos. However, little work has been carried out to scientifically assess calves’ behavioural responses to the stressors of these events. This study evaluated video footage of calves (n = 15) during roping events from two rodeos. An ethogram was created to assess behavioural parameters during five phases of a calf roping event: Chase, Lasso, Catch and Restraint, Leg Tie and Release. Six behavioural parameters were observed during each of the five phases: Ear position (Axial or Back Up/Down), Eye White, Leg Movement (Slow/Fast), Tail Position (Rigid/Swish/Relaxed), Vocalisation and Evasive Behaviour. The presence or absence of each behaviour during each phase of roping was documented. Chi-squared analysis found significant (p < 0.001) differences in the proportions of behaviours observed in all five phases of the event. Binary logistic regression was performed, and six behaviours were observed to be significant across all phases: Evasive Behaviour (p < 0.001), Vocalisation (p = 0.002) and Legs Fast (p = 0.016) were more likely to be observed in comparison to Ears Axial, which was used as a reference category. Eye White (p < 0.001), Legs Slow (p < 0.001) and Tail Relaxed (p < 0.001) were less likely to be observed than Ears Axial. This study found that calves exhibit signs of distress in all of the phases of calf roping, including the Release phase.
Comparison of the Microbiome-Metabolome Response to Copper Sulfate and Copper Glycinate in Growing Pigs
Authors: Lei Hulong , Du Qian , Lu Naisheng , Jiang Xueyuan , Li Mingzhou , Xia Dong , Long Keren
Published: January 2023

This study aims to compare the fecal microbiome-metabolome response to copper sulfate (CuSO4) and copper glycinate (Cu-Gly) in pigs. Twelve Meishan gilts were allocated into the CuSO4 group and the Cu-Gly group (fed on a basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg copper from CuSO4 or Cu-Gly) paired in litter and body weight. After a two-week feeding trial, the Cu-Gly group had a higher copper digestibility, blood hemoglobin, and platelet volume and higher levels of plasma iron and insulin-like growth factor-1 than the CuSO4 group. The Cu-Gly treatment increased the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family and the genera Lachnospiraceae XPB1014, Corprococcus_3, Anaerorhabdus_furcosa_group, Lachnospiraceae_FCS020_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4_group and decreased the abundance of the Synergistetes phylum and Peptostreptococcaceae family compared to the CuSO4 treatment. Moreover, the Cu-Gly group had a lower concentration of 20-Oxo-leukotriene E4 and higher concentrations of butyric acid, pentanoic acid, isopentanoic acid, coumarin, and Nb-p-Coumaroyl-tryptamine than the CuSO4 group. The abundance of Synergistetes was positively correlated with the fecal copper content and negatively correlated with the fecal butyric acid content. The abundance of the Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group genus was positively correlated with the plasma iron level and fecal contents of coumarin and butyric acid. In conclusion, Cu-Gly and CuSO4 could differentially affect fecal microbiota and metabolites, which partially contributes to the intestinal health of pigs in different manners.
Impact of Dystocia on Milk Production, Somatic Cell Count, Reproduction and Culling in Holstein Dairy Cows
Authors: Roche Steven M. , Ross Joseph A. , Schatz Crystal , Beaugrand Kendall , Zuidhof Sjoert , Ralston Brenda , Allan Nick , Olson Merle
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the effects of dystocia on milk production, somatic cell count, reproductivity, disease, and milk production. A total of 2159 cows across 21 dairy farms in Alberta, Canada were enrolled in this study. Multivariable models were created to explore associations between outcome variables and calving ease score. In total, 89.5% of calvings were unassisted, 6.1% were an easy pull, and 4.3% were a moderate–hard pull. Cows that had a moderate–hard pull produced 4.01 kg less milk, 0.12 kg less volume of milk fat, and 0.12 kg less milk protein per day than those that had an unassisted calving. No difference was found between calving ease groups with respect to SCC. Cows with a moderate or hard pull produced 510 kg less milk per lactation than unassisted cows. Cows with a moderate to high level of assistance at birth had a higher hazard of being culled over the duration of their lactation. Cows with an easy pull had increased odds of developing a retained placenta. It is evident that assistance at calving, particularly a moderate–hard pull, is associated with significant impacts on future milk production and risk of being culled; therefore, efforts should be made to minimize dystocia and prevent these impacts.
Dynamic Changes in the Gut Microbiota and Metabolites during the Growth of Hainan Wenchang Chickens
Authors: He Yingzhi , Li Jie , Wang Feifan , Na Wei , Tan Zhen
Published: January 2023

Gut microbiota and their metabolites play important roles in animal growth by influencing the host’s intake, storage, absorption, and utilization of nutrients. In addition to environmental factors, mainly diet, chicken breed and growth stage also affect changes in the gut microbiota. However, little research has been conducted on the development of gut microbiota and its metabolites in local chickens. In this study, the cecal microbiota and metabolites in different developmental stages of Hainan Wenchang chickens (a native breed of Bantam) were investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. With aging, the structure of gut microbiota tended to be more stable. The relative proportions of dominant bacteria phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria showed stage changes with the development. With aging, gut microbiota and their metabolites may have structural and functional changes in response to nutrient metabolism and immune requirements in different physiological states. Several microbial and metabolic biomarkers with statistical differences were detected in different development stages. The bacteria that form networks with their significant related metabolites were different in various growth stages, including uncultured_bacterium_f_Ruminococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Faecalibacterium, uncultured_bacterium_o_Bacteroidales, and uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae. Partially differential bacteria were significantly correlated with short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid. These findings may provide new insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of developmental changes of local chicken breeds, as well as resources for microbial and metabolic biomarker identification to improve growth efficiency.
Modelling Lactation Curves for Dairy Sheep in a New Zealand Flock
Authors: Marshall Ana Carolina , Lopez-Villalobos Nicolas , Loveday Simon M. , Ellis Ashling , McNabb Warren
Published: January 2023

Lactation curves were modelled for dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock, providing information on the lactation yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose, corrected for 130 days of milking. From 169 ewes, a total of 622 test-day records were obtained during the milk production season of 2021–2022 (from October to January). The flock produced an average of 86.1 kg of milk, 5.1 kg of fat, 4.5 kg of protein, and 4.1 kg of lactose, and moderate to large coefficients of variation were observed (27–31%) for these traits. The lactation persistency of milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields ranged from 52.3 to 72.7%. Analyses of variance for total yield and persistency were performed with an animal model that included the fixed effects of age (parity number), litter size, coat colour, and milking frequency (days in twice-a-day milking) and random residuals. Age and milking frequency were the only factors that significantly affected the yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose. Age significantly affected the lactation persistency of milk and lactose yields, whereas litter size affected the persistency of protein, and milking frequency affected the persistency of fat. This study on this single flock provides valuable experience for a larger-scale animal breeding programme in New Zealand.
Pain in Pets: Beyond Physiology
Authors: Downing Roberta , Della Rocca Giorgia
Published: January 2023

Animals do not speak a language humans understand, making it easy to believe that they do not experience pain the way humans do. Despite data affirming that companion animals can and do experience pain much as do humans, there remains a gap between companion animal acute pain management knowledge and its execution. Companion animal pain is not simply a physiological issue. Veterinary clinicians can and should embrace the foundational principles of clinical bioethics—respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice—translated from human medicine for the benefit of their patients. By reframing companion animal pain as a bioethical issue, as described in this paper, veterinarians affirm their commitment to closing the gap between what is known and what is done for painful companion animals. This takes pet pain beyond physiology.
Multiresidues Multiclass Analytical Methods for Determination of Antibiotics in Animal Origin Food: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Barros Sílvia Cruz , Silva Ana Sanches , Torres Duarte
Published: January 2023

Veterinary drugs are widely used to prevent and treat diseases. The European Union has forbidden the use of antibiotics as growth promoters since 2006. Its abusive use leads to the presence of antibiotic residues (AR) in foods of animal origin which is associated with antibiotic resistance. The monitoring of AR in food intended for human consumption is of utmost importance to assure Food Safety. A systematic bibliographic review was carried out on the analytical methodologies, published in 2013, for the determination of AR in foods of animal origin. The food processing effect in the AR detected in animal products is also addressed. However, there is a preference for multiresidues multiclass methods, i.e., methodologies that allow determining simultaneously different classes of antibiotics, which is still a challenge for researchers. The wide diversity of physico-chemical properties of these drugs is an obstacle to achieving excellent analytical performance for a vast number of molecules analyzed concurrently. New techniques in sample preparation continue to be developed in order to obtain a compromise between good recoveries and extracts without interferences (clean extracts). The most widely used analytical methodology for the determination of AR is liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. However, the current trend is focused on the use of powerful high-resolution MS detectors such as Time of Flight and Orbitrap with modern chromatographic systems. Cooking time and temperature control are the key processing conditions influencing the reduction of AR in foods.
Three Innovations of Next-Generation Antibiotics: Evolvability, Specificity, and Non-Immunogenicity
Authors: Shim Hyunjin
Published: January 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic exacerbated by the uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Since the discovery of penicillin, we have been largely dependent on microbe-derived small molecules to treat bacterial infections. However, the golden era of antibiotics is coming to an end, as the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance against these antibacterial compounds are outpacing the discovery and development of new antibiotics. The current antibiotic market suffers from various shortcomings, including the absence of profitability and investment. The most important underlying issue of traditional antibiotics arises from the inherent properties of these small molecules being mostly broad-spectrum and non-programmable. As the scientific knowledge of microbes progresses, the scientific community is starting to explore entirely novel approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance. One of the most prominent approaches is to develop next-generation antibiotics. In this review, we discuss three innovations of next-generation antibiotics compared to traditional antibiotics as specificity, evolvability, and non-immunogenicity. We present a number of potential antimicrobial agents, including bacteriophage-based therapy, CRISPR-Cas-based antimicrobials, and microbiome-derived antimicrobial agents. These alternative antimicrobial agents possess innovative properties that may overcome the inherent shortcomings of traditional antibiotics, and some of these next-generation antibiotics are not merely far-fetched ideas but are currently in clinical development. We further discuss some related issues and challenges such as infection diagnostics and regulatory frameworks that still need to be addressed to bring these next-generation antibiotics to the antibiotic market as viable products to combat antimicrobial resistance using a diversified set of strategies.
Molecular Basis of Methicillin and Vancomycin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus from Cattle, Sheep Carcasses and Slaughterhouse Workers
Authors: Zaher Hanan A. , El Baz Shimaa , Alothaim Abdulaziz S. , Alsalamah Sulaiman A. , Alghonaim Mohammed Ibrahim , Alawam Abdullah S. , Eraqi Mostafa M.
Published: January 2023

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a serious infection-causing pathogen in humans and animal. In particular, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is considered one of the major life-threatening pathogens due to its rapid resistance to several antibiotics in clinical practice. MRSA strains have recently been isolated in a number of animals utilized in food production processes, and these species are thought to be the important sources of the spread of infection and disease in both humans and animals. The main objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of drug-resistant S. aureus, particularly vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and MRSA, by molecular methods. To address this issue, a total of three hundred samples (200 meat samples from cattle and sheep carcasses (100 of each), 50 hand swabs, and 50 stool samples from abattoir workers) were obtained from slaughterhouses in Egypt provinces. In total, 19% S. aureus was isolated by standard culture techniques, and the antibiotic resistance was confirmed genotypically by amplification nucA gen. Characteristic resistance genes were identified by PCR with incidence of 31.5%, 19.3%, 8.7%, and 7% for the mecA, VanA, ermA, and tet L genes, respectively, while the aac6-aph gene was not found in any of the isolates. In this study, the virulence genes responsible for S. aureus’ resistance to antibiotics had the highest potential for infection or disease transmission to animal carcasses, slaughterhouse workers, and meat products.
Molecular Rapid Diagnostics Improve Time to Effective Therapy and Survival in Patients with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Bandy Sarah M. , Jackson Christopher B. , Black Cody A. , Godinez William , Gawrys Gerard W. , Lee Grace C.
Published: January 2023

Delays in appropriate antibiotic therapy are a key determinant for deleterious outcomes among patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bloodstream infections (BSIs). This was a multi-center pre/post-implementation study, assessing the impact of a molecular rapid diagnostic test (Verigene® GP-BC, Luminex Corporation, Northbrook, IL, USA) on outcomes of adult patients with VRE BSIs. The primary outcome was time to optimal therapy (TOT). Multivariable logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the independent associations of post-implementation, TOT, early vs. delayed therapy, and mortality. A total of 104 patients with VRE BSIs were included: 50 and 54 in the pre- and post-implementation periods, respectively. The post- vs. pre-implementation group was associated with a 1.8-fold faster rate to optimized therapy (adjusted risk ratio, 1.841 [95% CI 1.234–2.746]), 6-fold higher likelihood to receive early effective therapy (<24 h, adjusted odds ratio, 6.031 [2.526–14.401]), and a 67% lower hazards for 30-day in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.322 [0.124–1.831]), after adjusting for age, sex, and severity scores. Inversely, delayed therapy was associated with a 10-fold higher risk of in-hospital mortality (aOR 10.488, [2.497–44.050]). Reduced TOT and in-hospital mortality were also observed in subgroups of immunosuppressed patients in post-implementation. These findings demonstrate that the addition of molecular rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT) to clinical microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship practices are associated with a clinically significant reduction in TOT, which is associated with lower mortality for patients with VRE BSIs, underscoring the importance of mRDTs in the management of VRE infections.
The Potential of Surface-Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides for the Enhancement of Orthopaedic Medical Devices: A Review
Authors: Skerlavaj Barbara , Boix-Lemonche Gerard
Published: January 2023

Due to the well-known phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, there is a constant need for antibiotics with novel mechanisms and different targets respect to those currently in use. In this regard, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem very promising by virtue of their bactericidal action, based on membrane permeabilization of susceptible microbes. Thanks to this feature, AMPs have a broad activity spectrum, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and microbial biofilms. Additionally, several AMPs display properties that can help tissue regeneration. A possible interesting field of application for AMPs is the development of antimicrobial coatings for implantable medical devices (e.g., orthopaedic prostheses) to prevent device-related infection. In this review, we will take note of the state of the art of AMP-based coatings for orthopaedic prostheses. We will review the most recent studies by focusing on covalently linked AMPs to titanium, their antimicrobial efficacy and plausible mode of action, and cytocompatibility. We will try to extrapolate some general rules for structure–activity (orientation, density) relationships, in order to identify the most suitable physical and chemical features of peptide candidates, and to optimize the coupling strategies to obtain antimicrobial surfaces with improved biological performance.
Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance in Patients with Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
Authors: Álvaro-Afonso Francisco Javier , García-Álvarez Yolanda , Tardáguila-García Aroa , García-Madrid Marta , López-Moral Mateo , Lázaro-Martínez José Luis
Published: January 2023

This study analysed the bacterial diversity, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistance in patients with complications of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). A retrospective observational study was carried out between September 2019 and September 2022 and involved 215 outpatients with a diagnosis of DFO at a specialized diabetic foot unit. A total of 204 positive bone cultures were isolated, including 62.7% monomicrobial cultures, and 37.3% were formed with at least two microorganisms. We observed that Proteus spp., Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Corynebacterium were the most frequently isolated microorganisms and accounted for more than 10% of the DFO cases. With stratification by Gram-positive (GP) and Gram-negative (GN) bacteria, we observed that 91.6% of cultures presented at least one GP bacteria species, and 50.4% presented at least one GN bacteria species. The most common GP species were CoNS (29%), S. aureus (25.8%), and Corynebacterium spp. (14%). The most frequent GN species consisted of Proteus spp. (32%), P. aeruginosa (23.3%), and E. coli (17.5%). The main antibiotics with resistance to GP-dominated infections were penicillins without β-lactamase inhibitor, and those in GN-dominated infections were sulfonamides and penicillins without β-lactamase. Significant differences were not observed in mean healing time in DFU with acute osteomyelitis (12.76 weeks (4.50;18)) compared to chronic osteomyelitis (15.31 weeks (7;18.25); p = 0.101) and when comparing cases with soft tissue infection (15.95 (6;20)) and those without such an infection (16.59 (7.25;19.75), p = 0.618). This study shows that when treatment of DFO is based on early surgical treatment, the type of DFO and the presence of soft infection are not associated with different or worse prognoses.
Fast and Sensitive Analysis of Cefiderocol in Human Plasma Microsamples by Liquid Chromatography-Isotope Dilution Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Barone Rossella , Conti Matteo , Cojutti Pier Giorgio , Gatti Milo , Viale Pierluigi , Pea Federico
Published: January 2023

Cefiderocol (C) is a parenteral siderophore cephalosporin with relevant inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability among critically ill patients, which may potentially affect effective drug exposure. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may concur in improving the real-time management of C therapy in clinics. In this study, we developed and validated a fast and sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Isotope Dilution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-ITD-MS/MS) method for measuring C in human plasma microsamples, as small as 3 microliters. Analysis was preceded by a user-friendly pre-analytical single-step and was performed by means of a very fast chromatographic run of 4 min, followed by positive electrospray ionization and detection on a high sensitivity triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The straightforward analytical procedure was successfully validated, based on the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines, in terms of specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, extraction recovery, limit of quantification, and stability. The novel method was successfully applied to TDM of C in more than 50 cases of critically carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections and enabled us to optimize antibiotic therapy.
Mitochondrial and Redox Changes in Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes Human Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Ferreira Ildete L. , Costa Solange , Moraes Bruno J. , Costa Ana , Fokt Olga , Marinho Daniela , Alves Vera , Baptista Isabel P. , Rego A. Cristina
Published: January 2023

Periodontitis (PDT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have demonstrated a bidirectional relationship and imbalanced oxidative stress linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated mitochondrial and redox (de)regulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in comorbid T2D-PDT, compared to PDT, T2D patients, and control individuals. PBMCs were analyzed for mitochondrial respiration, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant proteins, and expression of Nrf2-target genes. PDT and T2D-PDT patients exhibited altered periodontal clinical markers, while T2D and T2D-PDT patients displayed increased blood HbA1c. Decreased oxygen consumption and ATP production were observed in the PDT patient’s PBMCs. PDT and T2D-PDT PBMCs also evidenced increased H2O2 levels and reduced catalase levels (also detected in T2D patients), whereas a compromised glutathione cycle was observed in T2D-PDT patients. PBMCs from both T2D or T2D-PDT patients showed increased Nrf2 protein levels, enhanced GCL activity and GCL-catalytic subunit protein levels, and maintained GCLc, GST, and HO-1 mRNA levels. In contrast, the expressions of Nrf2-target genes were significantly diminished in the PDT patient’s PBMCs. Decreased SOD1 and GST mRNA levels were also observed in CD3+CD8+-lymphocytes derived from PDT and T2D-PDT patients. In conclusion, PBMCs from T2D-PDT patients showed major redox changes, while mononuclear cells from PDT patients showed mitochondrial deregulation and reduced expression of Nrf2-target genes.
Fatigue Crack Propagation under Christmas Tree Load Pattern
Authors: Neto Diogo M. , Sérgio Edmundo R. , Jesus Francisco , Newman James C. , Antunes Fernando V.
Published: January 2023

Most mechanical components are subject to dynamic loads, which can cause failure in service. This study aims to evaluate the effect of variable amplitude loadings on fatigue crack growth (FCG) in CT specimens produced with the AA2024-T351 aluminum alloy. Specifically, it is intended to predict the FCG rate when the specimen is subjected to a complex loading pattern, named the “Christmas Tree Spectrum”. Crack growth is simulated by node release, which occurs when the cumulative plastic strain at the crack tip reaches a critical value (110%) that is supposed to be a material property. It is therefore assumed that cyclic plastic deformation is the main damage mechanism. The specimen was subjected to four different load patterns: the 6–60 N low-frequency constant amplitude load (CAL); the 6–21 N high-frequency CAL; the Christmas Tree (15–9) and the Christmas Tree (9–3) patterns. The Christmas Tree 15–9 load pattern is defined by nine increments of +15 N and −9 N followed by eight increments of +9 N and −15 N. The results indicate that the Christmas Tree (15–9) pattern increases crack tip damage relative to the constant amplitude loading. This is attributed to small variations in material hardening, particularly during the unloading phase of the load block. On the other hand, the Christmas Tree (9–3) pattern did not show a significant effect, indicating the importance of the range of small-amplitude cycles. The crack closure phenomenon is usually used explain the effect of loading parameters, but this is an exception.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) to Biostimulants Application and Substrate Additives under Salinity Stress
Authors: Koulympoudi Louloudia , Chatzissavvidis Christos , Giannakoula Anastasia Evripidis
Published: January 2023

The issue of high concentration of salt in soil is not restricted to coastal areas, but also expands to cultivated lands, complicating, or even intercepting, the growth of plants. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of zeolite, compost and effective microorganisms (EM), seaweed extract, and ceramic powder on MM106 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) plants in normal and saline conditions. More specifically, the weight of the dry matter of the plants, physiological parameters, proline, carbohydrate, carotenoid, phenolic, and flavonoid concentrations in leaf tissues and antioxidant capacity were determined. At the end of the experiment, it was ascertained that the plants of the treatments which included zeolite or EM exhibited the highest dry matter weight of the leaves in normal (5.07 g and 4.68 g, respectively) and saline conditions (4.14 g and 3.02 g, respectively), while the leaf dry weight in the control treatment was 4.37 g in the absence and 2.34 g in the presence of NaCl. Furthermore, these treatments resulted in significantly higher proline concentration in plant leaves under salinity with values of 5.63 in the EM treatment, 2.44 in the zeolite treatment, and 0.75 μmol/g of leaf fresh weight in the control. At the same time, the application of ceramic powder in combination with effective microorganisms led to the highest rate of photosynthesis in salinity conditions (12.8 μmol CO2/m2s), while the seaweed extract spraying was associated with low stomatal conductance in all treatments (0.09–0.13 mol H2O/m2s). Overall, the application of effective microorganisms appeared to associate more with plant vigor in both normal and salinity conditions. In this context, the implementation of EM could improve the growth of potted plants, but it could also be used in orchards before and after their establishment.
Integrating Virtual, Mixed, and Augmented Reality to Human–Robot Interaction Applications Using Game Engines: A Brief Review of Accessible Software Tools and Frameworks
Authors: Coronado Enrique , Itadera Shunki , Ramirez-Alpizar Ixchel G.
Published: January 2023

This article identifies and summarizes software tools and frameworks proposed in the Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) literature for developing extended reality (XR) experiences using game engines. This review includes primary studies proposing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) solutions where humans can control or interact with real robotic platforms using devices that extend the user’s reality. The objective of this article is not to present an extensive list of applications and tools. Instead, we present recent, relevant, common, and accessible frameworks and software tools implemented in research articles published in high-impact robotics conferences and journals. For this, we searched papers published during a seven-years period between 2015 and 2022 in relevant databases for robotics (Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, ACM digital library, Springer Link, and Web of Science). Additionally, we present and classify the application context of the reviewed articles in four groups: social robotics, programming of industrial robots, teleoperation of industrial robots, and Human–Robot collaboration (HRC).
The Damage and Impulse Transfer Characteristics of Flexible Steel V-Structures with Large Bend Radii
Authors: Shekhar Vinay R. , von Klemperer Christopher J. , Langdon Genevieve S.
Published: January 2023

This paper reports results from an experimental and computational study on the influence of bend radius and internal angle on the damage and impulse transfer characteristics of flexible steel V-structures subjected to localized explosion loading. This issue has bearing on the manufacturing of V-hulls used for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles used around the world. Global impulse transfer, damage and transient deformation were measured during small-scale explosive detonations on 1:8-scale V-structures. The work found that increasing the bend radius to values that can be used in practical manufacturing generated damage that was less localized than the damage observed in V-structures with tighter bend radii. High-speed imaging was able to measure transient deformation that was maximal in the centre, and lower elastic post-peak vibration magnitudes at high charge masses. The impulse transfer increased as the bend radius increased and the internal V-angle increased. Since V-structures with tighter bend radii exhibit less permanent deformation and higher deformation gradients, they will be more prone to localized ruptures when deployed for blast protection, whereas structures with larger tip radii will need a larger region of the V-structure repaired after a blast event but may be less prone to rupturing when the blast loading is localized.
Fabrication of a New Air-Gap FBAR on an Organic Sacrificial Layer through an Innovative Design Algorithm
Authors: Niro Giovanni , Marasco Ilaria , Rizzi Francesco , D’Orazio Antonella , Grande Marco , De Vittorio Massimo
Published: January 2023

Realizing thin-film acoustic wave resonators presents many design and fabrication challenges. Actual material specifications always differ from nominal material properties employed in simulations, as they depend on the deposition technique and parameters used and on equipment type and status. Moreover, each deposition process introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the thicknesses of the layers. All these factors have a substantial impact on the resonance frequency, which often differs from the designed value. This work details the design and fabrication of an aluminum nitride (AlN)-based thin-Film Bulk Acoustic wave Resonator (FBAR) showing one of the highest products of Q-factor and electromechanical coupling of 6895. The design process is based on an innovative, fast, and scalable design and fabrication approach that considers fabrication tolerances. The algorithm returns very fast results on the order of seconds, and successfully estimates the resonance of a designed stack at 2.55 GHz with a very low error of 0.005 GHz (about 0.2%). The FBAR layer stack is suspended on a polymeric membrane and an innovative rapid dissolving sacrificial layer made of Lift-Off Resist (LOR). This new fabrication protocol obtains resonators with an electromechanical coupling factor of 4.7% and a maximum quality factor of 1467, respectively.
Skin Condition and Behavioral Factors in High-Performance Athletes Based on the Example of Professional Dance—An Explorative Pilot Project
Authors: Wanke Eileen M. , Zimmermann Olga L. , Schmidt Mike , Wallner Alexandra , Fischer Tanja
Published: January 2023

The high work-related loads on the skin of dancers is the result of numerous factors. While initial studies have looked at the consequences of exposure, information on skin condition is still completely lacking. This study includes for the first time an analysis of the skin as well as the relevant skin care behaviour. Methods: A total of n = 35 professional dancers (PT) underwent skin analysis (transepidermal water loss, TEWL; moisture content and oil level) as part of a dermatological examination. This was done at different work load periods (phase of increased demands and resting phases, T1 and T0, respectively). Results: Acne (17.1%), herpes labialis (8.6%), and allergic rhinitis (14.3%) were among the most common pre-existing conditions. Low moisture contents and oil levels of the skin were found in selected localizations. TEWL index values were normal. There were no significant differences in measured values between T0 and T1. Subjects with skin lesions at rest showered significantly more often than their unaffected counterparts. Inflammation was particularly frequent after hair removal, especially in the intimate area (40.6%). Conclusions: Occupational exposures appear to be reflected in the results. However, studies with larger groups are needed to verify these results.
A Review of the Recent Advances in Piezoelectric Materials, Energy Harvester Structures, and Their Applications in Analytical Chemistry
Authors: Shaukat Hamna , Ali Ahsan , Bibi Saira , Altabey Wael A. , Noori Mohammad , Kouritem Sallam A.
Published: January 2023

Energy harvesting from piezoelectric materials is quite common and has been studied for the past few decades. But recently, there have been a lot of new advancements in harnessing energy via piezoelectric materials. In this regard, several studies were carried out in analytical chemistry. This paper provides a detailed review of different piezoelectric materials, their structures, their fabrication processes, and their applications in analytical chemistry. Detection of the various gases percentage in ambient air is a valuable analytical chemistry technique. Additionally, the benefits of using piezoelectric materials, i.e., crystal for gas and liquid chromatography, virus detection including COVID-19 virus detection, water determination, trace metal analysis and the ability to measure micro weights with quartz crystal with some other applications are also described in this review. Energy harvesting is incredibly important and must be implemented on a large scale. So, developing self-powering devices can resolve the problems, and piezoelectric materials are gaining interest day by day because these materials help in energy generation.
Effect of Diamond Burnishing on the Properties of FSW Joints of EN AW-2024 Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Kluz Rafał , Bucior Magdalena , Dzierwa Andrzej , Antosz Katarzyna , Bochnowski Wojciech , Ochał Kamil
Published: January 2023

The article presents the results of an analysis of the surface roughness parameters, microhardness, and the stresses of the surface layer ofFSW butt joints subjected to the burnishing process with a diamond tip. This can be useful in selecting the optimal parameters of the burnishing process, ensuring the best properties of the surface layer of the FSW joint. Burnishing force and feed rate influence were analyzed according to the two-factor three-level full factorial statistical completed plan PS/DC 32. The tested material was 2024-T3 aluminum alloy sheets with a thickness of 2 mm. The results show that burnishing significantly reduced the surface roughness from Sa = 6.46 μm to Sa in the range of 0.33 μm–1.7 μm. This treatment provides high compressive residual stresses σx from −86 to −130 MPa and σy from −158 to −242 MPa. Microhardness increased from 84.19% to 174.53% compared to butt joints. Based on the obtained results, multi-criteria optimization was carried out. This optimization allows us to obtain a compromise solution ensuring compressive stresses in the surface layer (σx=−123 MPa and σy=−202 MPa) and microhardness HV=362.56 mm/mm2 with the roughness of the weld surface Sa = 0.28 µm, Sku = 3.93 and Spc = 35.88 1/mm.
A Method for Turning a Single Low-Cost Cube into a Reference Target for Point Cloud Registration
Authors: Chan Ting On , Xia Linyuan , Lichti Derek D. , Wang Xuanqi , Peng Xiong , Cai Yuezhen , Li Ming Ho
Published: January 2023

Target-based point cloud registration methods are still widely used by many laser scanning professionals due to their direct and manipulable nature. However, placing and moving multiple targets such as spheres for registration is a time-consuming and tactical process. When the number of scans gets large, the time and labor costs will accumulate to a high level. In this paper, we propose a flexible registration method that requires the installation of only a low-cost cubical target: a die-like object. The method includes virtual coordinate system construction and two error compensation techniques, in which the non-orthogonality of the scanned facets, along with the unknown sizes of the dice are estimated based on projection geometry and cubical constraints so that three pairs of conjugate points can be accurately identified along the axes of the constructed coordinate systems for the registration. No scan overlap of the facet is needed. Two different low-cost dice (with a volume of 0.125 m3 and 0.027 m3) were used for verifying the proposed method, which shows that the proposed method delivers registration accuracy (with an RMSE discrepancy of less than 0.5 mm for check planes) comparable to the traditional sphere- based method using four to six spherical targets spanning the scene. Therefore, the proposed method is particularly useful for registering point clouds in harsh scanning environments with limited target-setting space and high chances of target interruption.
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Goggles as Distraction for Children in Dental Care—A Narrative Review
Authors: Constantini Leopardi Alessandra , Adanero Velasco Alberto , Espí Mayor Miguel , Miegimolle Herrero Monica
Published: January 2023

Introduction: One of the main challenges in pediatric dentistry is to provide a favorable experience to the patient, and the success of the treatment depends on this to a large extent. For this reason, multiple methods have arisen, among which are virtual reality glasses, that try to facilitate the management of behavior in the dental office by reducing the dental anxiety of patients. Objectives: The effectiveness of the use of virtual reality glasses as a distraction in pediatric dentistry was studied. In addition, a bibliographic review was performed to determine whether the use of virtual reality reduces anxiety and improves the behavior of children during their dental consultations and dental treatments. Methodology: To obtain the information, we performed a bibliographic review using electronic bibliographic sources from scientific databases, high-impact journals and specialized search engines. Results and Discussion: It is relatively easy to obtain information on the level of dental anxiety of the child patient by means of different scales and the use of a digital pulse oximeter, which helps us to know the effectiveness of the use of virtual reality glasses at the time of the dental procedure. The greatest controversy is found in cases in which it is not possible to adjust them because of the age and size of the child or because of the personal use of glasses. Conclusions: There are multiple studies that confirm the effectiveness of the use of virtual reality glasses as a distraction in pediatric dentistry, and these studies support the effectiveness of virtual reality glasses in reducing dental anxiety and improving the behavior of patients during their consultations and dental treatments.
Comparative Studies on the Extraction of Lineaments and Its Variability Based on an Improved Line Segment Tracking Method—Taking the Gaosong Ore Field in the Gejiu Gejiu Tin Ore Deposit as an Example
Authors: Fan Jianwei , Ni Chunzhong
Published: January 2023

Remote sensing technology is widely used in the application of the extraction of lineaments in geological research. However, most of the current traditional lineament extraction methods are based on edge detection technology using a digital filter to extract the mitochondrial features in the image. These previously used algorithms are generally unable to extract the mitochondrial features in the shadow area on the mountain and the area parallel to the direction of the solar incident angle. In this paper, we have improved the STA algorithm (Line Segment Tracking method). The line segmentation and connection methods were firstly proposed, and then 32 search directions were set with one pixel as the center to find the best continuity direction of the lineament. A threshold was then set in this direction to determine whether it was a line element. Finally, line elements were connected into lineaments for further lineament interpretation. The lineament data from three different directions were collected in the Gaosong ore field in the Gejiu mining area, namely at the first place the traditional Canny algorithm, then the improved line segment tracking method, and finally the field measurement. The coefficients of the three-type lineament variations were compared by calculating the lineaments’ strength and their density attributes. It shows that the lineament variability extracted based on the improved line segment tracking method is closer to the measured lineament variability. The results show that the lineaments extracted by the improved algorithm are closer to the measured data. The improved algorithm has higher precision than the traditional Canny algorithm. More realistic and comprehensive lineaments can be attained by using the improved method to extract lineaments in the mining area, which is helpful to the study of the geology of the mining area and helps to construct a more accurate structure model to serve the needs of the mine production.
Accounting for Resilience in the Selection of R Factors for a RC Unsymmetrical Building
Authors: Prasanth S. , Ghosh Goutam , Gupta Praveen Kumar , Casapulla Claudia , Giresini Linda
Published: January 2023

Several design codes consider the non-linear response of a building by using one of the most important seismic parameters, called the response reduction factor (R). The lack of a detailed description of the R factor selection creates the need for a deeper study. This paper emphasises a methodology for the selection of a proper R factor based on resilience aspects. Unsymmetrical/irregular buildings have become the most common in recent times due to aesthetic purposes. However, because of the complexity due to the torsional effect, the selection of the R factor is even more difficult for this type of building. Therefore, a high-rise G+10-storey L-shaped building is herein considered. The building has re-entrant corners based on the structural/plan arrangement. Different R factors were used in the building design, considering buildings subjected to both unidirectional and bidirectional seismic loading scenarios. The building response with respect to various R factors (R equal to 3, 4, 5 and 6) in terms of its performance level, functionality, damage ratio and resilience was assessed at two design levels, i.e., design basic earthquake (DBE) and maximum considered earthquake (MCE). The study concludes that, considering the above criteria along with the resilience aspect, a maximum R factor up to 4 can be recommended for unidirectional loading, whereas for bidirectional loading, the maximum recommended R factor is 3.
Micro-Computed Tomography Beamline of the Australian Synchrotron: Micron-Size Spatial Resolution X-ray Imaging
Authors: Arhatari Benedicta D. , Stevenson Andrew W. , Thompson Darren , Walsh Adam , Fiala Tom , Ruben Gary , Afshar Nader , Ozbilgen Sinem , Feng Tingting , Mudie Stephen , Tissa Prithi
Published: January 2023

The first new beamline of the BRIGHT project—involving the construction of eight new beamlines at the Australian Synchrotron—is the Micro-Computed Tomography (MCT) beamline. MCT will extend the facility’s capability for higher spatial resolution X-ray-computed tomographic imaging allowing for commensurately smaller samples in comparison with the existing Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL). The source is a bending-magnet and it is operating in the X-ray energy range from 8 to 40 keV. The beamline provides important new capability for a range of biological and material-science applications. Several imaging modes will be offered such as various X-ray phase-contrast modalities (propagation-based, grating-based, and speckle-based), in addition to conventional absorption contrast. The unique properties of synchrotron radiation sources (high coherence, energy tunability, and high brightness) are predominantly well-suited for producing phase contrast data. An update on the progress of the MCT project in delivering high-spatial-resolution imaging (in the order of micron size) of mm-scale objects will be presented in detail with some imaging results from the hot-commissioning stage.