bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological intervention of curcumin via the NLRP3 inflammasome in ischemic stroke
Authors: Du Xiaoxue , Amin Nashwa , Xu Linhao , Botchway Benson O. A. , Zhang Bo , Fang Marong
Published: October 2023

Ischemic-induced neuronal injury arises due to low oxygen/nutrient levels and an inflammatory response that exacerbates neuronal loss. NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) is an important regulator of inflammation after ischemic stroke, with its inhibition being involved in nerve regeneration. Curcumin, a main active ingredient in Chinese herbs, plays a positive role in neuronal repair and neuroprotection by regulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Nevertheless, the signaling mechanisms relating to how curcumin regulates NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammation and neural restoration following ischemic stroke are unknown. In this report, we summarize the main biological functions of the NLRP3 inflammasome along with the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of curcumin via impairment of the NLRP3 pathway in ischemic brain injury. We also discuss the role of medicinal interventions that target the NLRP3 and potential pathways, as well as possible directions for curcumin therapy to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and hinder inflammation in ischemic stroke. This report conclusively demonstrates that curcumin has neuroprotective properties that inhibit inflammation and prevent nerve cell loss, thereby delaying the progression of ischemic brain damage.
Assessing the cardiac autonomic response to bicycle exercise in Olympic athletes with different loads of endurance training: new insights from statistical indicators based on multilevel exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Solaro Nadia , Pagani Massimo , Spataro Antonio , Lucini Daniela
Published: October 2023

Aim:The mechanisms governing the organism’s response to exercise are complex and difficult to study. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) could represent a convenient methodology for studying humans’ autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, difficulties in interpreting the multitude of correlated HRV-derived indices, mainly when computed over different time segments, may represent a barrier to its usage. This preliminary investigation addressed to elite athletes proposes a novel method describing the cardiac autonomic response to exercise based on multilevel exploratory factor analysis (MEFA), which reduces the multitude of HRV-derived indices to fewer uncorrelated ANS indicators capable of accounting for their interrelationships and overcoming the above difficulties.

Methods:The study involved 30 Italian Olympic athletes, divided into 15 cyclists (prevalent high-intensity endurance training) and 15 shooters (prevalent technical training with low-intensity endurance component). All athletes underwent a complete test of a dynamic protocol, constituted by a rest-stand test followed by a stepwise bicycle stress test subdivided into a single bout of progressive endurance (from aerobic to anaerobic) exercise and recovery. Then, by spectral analysis, values of 12 ANS proxies were computed at each time segment (9 epochs in all) of the complete test.

Results:We obtained twoglobalANS indicators (amplitude and frequency), expressing the athletes’ overall autonomic response to the complete test, and threedynamicANS indicators (amplitude, signal self-similarity, and oscillatory), describing the principal dynamics over time of the variability of RR interval (RRV). Globally, cyclists have significantly higher amplitude levels (median ± MAD: cyclists 69.9 ± 20.5; shooters 37.2 ± 19.4) and lower frequency levels (median ± MAD: cyclists 37.4 ± 14.8; shooters 78.2 ± 10.2) than shooters, i.e., a parasympathetic predominance compared to shooters. Regarding the RRV dynamics, the signal self-similarity and oscillatory indicators have the strongest sensitivity in detecting the rest-stand change; the amplitude indicator is highly effective in detecting the athletes’ autonomic changes in the exercise fraction; the amplitude and oscillatory indicators present significant differences between cyclists and shooters in specific test epochs.

Conclusion:This MEFA application permits a more straightforward representation of the complexity characterizing ANS modulation during exercise, simplifying the interpretation of the HRV-derived indices and facilitating the possible real-life use of this non-invasive methodology.
Dynamic stratified porosity computation from canopy interaction simulation between airflow and leaves
Authors: Cui Huiyuan , Wang Chengde , Lu Fadian , Liu Xuemei , Yuan Jin
Published: October 2023

The main goal of wind-driven spraying is to use assisted airflow to disrupt the structure of branches and leaves and broaden the air delivery channel, so as to achieve uniform droplet deposition in the middle and lower parts of the canopy. Due to the complex branch and leaf structure inside the canopy, there is currently no effective method to express the dynamic changes of canopy porosity and the law of airflow attenuation under assisted airflow. In this study, based on the two-way fluid-structure interaction numerical simulation method, the relating between the assisted airflow and the structural parameters of the cotton canopy is analyzed, and a new method for predicting and simulating the dynamic porosity of the canopy is proposed. Firstly, a two-way fluid-structure interaction model based on Lattice Boltzmann (LB) solver and Finite Element (FE) solver is developed to simulate the deformation motion of cotton leaves and the spatial distribution of airflow field, and the correctness of the numerical simulation is verified based on indoor measurement data. Secondly, the post-processing method of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to obtain images of leaves at different canopy positions under assisted airflow, and the porosity changes are calculated and analyzed by image processing. The research results show that under different initial wind speeds (5 m·s-1, 10 m·s-1, 15 m·s-1), the maximum normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) between the simulated values and the measured values is 13.99%, 20.72% and 16.08%, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) for linear fitting between simulated values and measured values is 0.9221. These validation results indicate the effectiveness of the numerical simulation method. The validated CFD model is applied to predict leaf deformation and porosity changes within the canopy under various wind loads and times. The application results have well revealed the interaction between crop leaves and airflow, and will be beneficial to make a better understanding of the effect of assisted airflow on droplet deposition.
Effects of nitrogen stress and nitrogen form ratios on the bacterial community and diversity in the root surface and rhizosphere of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba
Authors: Wang Yanru , Li Xiaoyu , Quan Xiaoqiang , Liang Haiyan , Wang Lidong , Yan Xiaoli
Published: October 2023

Background

The bacterial communities of the root surface and rhizosphere play a crucial role in the decomposition and transformation of soil nitrogen (N) and are also affected by soil N levels and distribution, especially the composition and diversity, which are sensitive to changes in the environment with high spatial and temporal heterogeneity of ammonium N (NH4+-N) and nitrate N (NO3--N).

Methods

One-year-old seedlings of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Schima superba were subjected to N stress (0.5 mmol L-1) and normal N supply (2 mmol L-1), and five different N form ratios (NH4+-N to NO3--N ratio of 10:0, 0:10, 8:2, 2:8, and 5:5) were created. We analyze the changes in composition and diversity of bacteria in the root surface and rhizosphere of two tree species by high-throughput sequencing.

Results

Differences in the composition of the major bacteria in the root surface and rhizosphere of C.lanceolata and S. superba under N stress and N form ratios were not significant. The dominant bacterial phyla shared by two tree species included Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Compared to normal N supply, the patterns of diversity in the root surface and rhizosphere of two tree species under N stress were distinct for each at five N form ratios. Under N stress, the bacterial diversity in the root surface was highest at NH4+-N to NO3--N ratio of 10:0 of C. lanceolata, whereas in the root surface, it was highest at the NH4+-N to NO3--N ratio of 0:10 of S. superba. The NH4+-N to NO3--N ratio of 5:5 reduced the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of two tree species, and the stability of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere was decreased in C. lanceolata. In addition, the bacterial diversity in the root surface was higher than in the rhizosphere under the N stress of two tree species.

Conclusion

The bacterial compositions were relatively conserved, but abundance and diversity changed in the root surface and rhizosphere of C. lanceolata and S. superba under N stress and different N form ratios. The heterogeneity of ammonium and nitrate N addition should be considered for N-stressed environments to improve bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of two tree species.
Genomic characterization and gene bank curation of Aegilops: the wild relatives of wheat
Authors: Adhikari Laxman , Raupp John , Wu Shuangye , Koo Dal-Hoe , Friebe Bernd , Poland Jesse
Published: October 2023

Genetic diversity found in crop wild relatives is critical to preserve and utilize for crop improvement to achieve sustainable food production amid climate change and increased demand. We genetically characterized a large collection of 1,041 Aegilops accessions distributed among 23 different species using more than 45K single nucleotide polymorphisms identified by genotyping-by-sequencing. The Wheat Genetics Resource Center (WGRC) Aegilops germplasm collection was curated through the identification of misclassified and redundant accessions. There were 49 misclassified and 28 sets of redundant accessions within the four diploid species. The curated germplasm sets now have improved utility for genetic studies and wheat improvement. We constructed a phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis cluster for all Aegilops species together, giving one of the most comprehensive views of Aegilops. The Sitopsis section and the U genome Aegilops clade were further scrutinized with in-depth population analysis. The genetic relatedness among the pair of Aegilops species provided strong evidence for the species evolution, speciation, and diversification. We inferred genome symbols for two species Ae. neglecta and Ae. columnaris based on the sequence read mapping and the presence of segregating loci on the pertinent genomes as well as genetic clustering. The high genetic diversity observed among Aegilops species indicated that the genus could play an even greater role in providing the critical need for untapped genetic diversity for future wheat breeding and improvement. To fully characterize these Aegilops species, there is an urgent need to generate reference assemblies for these wild wheats, especially for the polyploid Aegilops.
Work out of office: how and when does employees’ self-control influence their remote work effectiveness?
Authors: Qi Lei , Xu Yuping , Liu Bing
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to understand the positive effects of employees’ self-control on their self-efficacy and work effectiveness in the context of remote work, as well as social support (organizational support, interaction with supervisors, and family support) moderating role on such positive effects.

Methods

Based on social cognitive theory, this study collects two-phase data with a sample of 240 remote workers.

Results

The results show that employees’ self-control positively influences their remote work self-efficacy, which in turn positively increases their remote work effectiveness. Moreover, perceived organizational support, interaction with supervisors, and family support strengthen the effect of self-control on remote work self-efficacy.

Discussion

First, this study explores the mechanism of self-control on remote work effectiveness, highlights the importance of self-control in remote work, and provides guidance for employees to improve remote work effectiveness. Second, this study discusses the mediating role of remote work self-efficacy between self-control and remote work effectiveness and reveals the psychological mechanism of employees’ self-control in remote work. Finally, this study comprehensively considers three types of support from work and family and analyzes the interaction between internal control and external support on remote work self-efficacy, which provides suggestions for enhancing employees’ confidence in remote work.
Approaches to learning mathematics: preliminary evidence of a concise, valid, and reliable instrument
Authors: Zakariya Yusuf F.
Published: October 2023

We assess students’ approaches to learning mathematics not only to predict students’ learning outcomes but also for its crucial utilities in the teaching and learning process. These utilities range from evaluating effective instructional interventions, determining students with learning difficulties, and comparing teaching and learning experience in higher education. However, measures of the constructs have raised validity concerns among researchers. A root cause of these validity concerns is traceable to the failure of these measures to account for the content-specificity of approaches to learning. Building on a previously developed general measure of the constructs, I designed this study to bridge this gap by developing and validating approaches to learning mathematics questionnaire (ALMQ). 352 first-year engineering students who gave voluntary consent participated in the study. The students were mainly males with ages ranging from 15 years to 29 years. The average age was 20.67 years, and its standard deviation was 2.164. I analysed the generated data using confirmatory factor analysis and judged the consistency of hypothesised models with the generated data using a combination of criteria. The findings revealed a two-factor ALMQ with seven items which demonstrated an excellent global and local fit of the generated data. The standardised factor loadings for all the items were above 0.68 with an average of 0.73 showing the high strengths of the items in measuring their respective constructs. I also found a reliability coefficient of 0.81 for deep approaches, 0.77 for surface approaches, and 0.72 for the two-factor ALMQ. These findings suggest preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of ALMQ. I discussed the practical implications of the findings for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in improving the mathematics learning experience.
Depression and risk of sarcopenia: a national cohort and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhong Qian , Jiang Lisha , An Kang , Zhang Lin , Li Shuangqing , An Zhenmei
Published: October 2023

Background

Depression and the increased risk of sarcopenia are prevalent among the elderly population. However, the causal associations between these factors remain unclear. To investigate the potential association between depression and the risk of sarcopenia in older adults, this study was performed.

Methods

In the baseline survey, a total of 14,258 individuals aged 40 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2015) participated. We initially described the baseline prevalence of the disease. Then, logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were conducted to assess the relationship between depression and sarcopenia. Subgroup analysis was performed to validate the robustness of the findings. Additionally, we conducted Mendelian randomization analysis using the inverse variance weighting estimator to assess the causal relationship between depression and sarcopenia. Furthermore, we adopted six methods, including MR-Egger, simple median, weighted median, maximum likelihood, robust adjusted profile score (RAPS), and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), for sensitivity analyses.

Results

Depression patients exhibited higher risks of sarcopenia in all five models adjusting for different covariates (P < 0.05). The RCS analysis demonstrated a linear relationship between depression and sarcopenia (P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, increased risk was observed among participants aged 60−70, married or cohabiting individuals, non-smokers, non-drinkers, those with less than 8 h of sleep, BMI below 24, and individuals with hypertension (all P < 0.05). Mendelian randomization results revealed that genetically proxied depression led to a reduction in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study provides observational and causal evidences that depression can lead to sarcopenia. This finding emphasizes the importance of timely identification and management of depression, as well as implementing targeted educational programs as part of comprehensive strategies to prevent sarcopenia.
Functional fantasies: the regulatory role of grandiose fantasizing in pathological narcissism
Authors: Finch Ellen F. , Hooley Jill M.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Pathological narcissism is characterized by maladaptive efforts to maintain a bolstered but fragile sense of self. Clinical theory suggests that grandiose fantasizing may be one form of this self-regulation. However, no empirical research has directly assessed the regulatory function of grandiose fantasizing in narcissism. Here, we examine (1) whether people scoring higher in narcissism choose to engage in grandiose fantasizing to regulate themselves when they are feeling down and (2) whether grandiose fantasizing is a more efficacious self-esteem and affect regulator for people scoring higher in narcissism than it is for those scoring lower in narcissism.

Methods

Adult participants (N = 189) completed a self-report measure of narcissism and were randomized to either a negative mood induction or filler task condition. Then, participants wrote about a future event to make themselves feel better, choosing between a positive affect word or a grandiose word to guide their writing. Throughout the study, participants reported their state positive and negative affect and self-esteem. A secondary sample (N = 128) of adult participants rated the future event writing of the original participants.

Results

Supporting the validity of the study design, grandiose future events significantly differed from positive future events (e.g., they were rated by independent raters as less plausible, more ambitious, more active, and occurring further in the future). Participants scoring higher in narcissism and participants who experienced larger increases in negative affect were more likely to choose to engage in grandiose fantasizing. Grandiose fantasizing was more effective at decreasing negative affect among participants scoring higher in narcissism than those scoring lower in narcissism, whereas positive future thinking was equally effective at decreasing negative affect across levels of narcissism.

Discussion

This study demonstrates that people scoring higher in narcissism are more likely to choose to engage in grandiose fantasizing to make themselves feel better. It further demonstrates that grandiose fantasizing is a more efficacious affect regulator for those scoring higher in narcissism.
Impact of the 7/14/2016 Nice terrorist attack on pediatric emergency department visits thanks to syndromic surveillance: a descriptive study
Authors: Fernandez Arnaud , Meurice Laure , Franke Florian , Vuillermoz Cecile , Gindt Morgane , Askenazy Florence , Vandentorren Stéphanie
Published: October 2023

Objective

Study the impact of 14th July 2016 Nice terrorist attack on Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) visits by youth under 18 years of age.

Methods

PED visits diagnoses (ICD10) were clustered and analyzed based on retrospective data from the syndromic surveillance system of the Children’s university hospital of Nice (Southern France). The studied period ranges from 2013 to 2019, i.e., 3 years before and after the terrorist attack of 14th July 2016.

Results

Among 416,191 PED visits, the number of visits for stress in 4–17 years old appeared to increase in the 3 years after the attack compared to the 3 years before, particularly in September 2016 (acute effect) with 11 visits compared to an average of 2.3 visits per month from September 2013 to 2016 (p = 0.001827). In September 2017, we noticed 21 visits compared to an average of 4.8 visits per month during the following period (2013–2019). In 2017, PED visits for stress among 4–17 year olds were higher in comparison to the other years of the study: 107 visits compared to an annual average of 57.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study of the use of the pediatric care system before and after a terrorist attack involving syndromic surveillance. This suggests acute and long-term effects of the terrorist attack on PED use by youth for mental health issues. Further studies of the pediatric care system involving syndromic surveillance are needed in the context of mass violent events, such as terrorist attacks.
A Good Night’s Sleep Strengthens Your Immunity!
Authors: Hadjimarkou Maria M. , Abdullayev Kamilla
Published: October 2023

Sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting good quality sleep regularly helps the immune system, the body’s infection-fighting force, work at its best so that we can tackle the bacteria and viruses that try to make us sick. In addition, getting good quality sleep around the time of vaccination is important to ensure that the vaccination is as effective as possible at protecting us, even for a long time afterwards. At night, all the germs that we encounter during the day are shown to the cells of the immune system so that those cells can be activated to stop an invader, if necessary. Sleeping well contributes to both the ability of the immune system to defend us when we get infected with viruses or bacteria and the ability of vaccines to protect us from getting sick in the first place.
Ophthalmic manifestations and management considerations for emerging chemical threats
Authors: Menke Bryant A. , Ryu Christine , Justin Grant A. , Chundury Rao V. , Hayek Brent R. , Debiec Matthew R. , Yeh Steven
Published: October 2023

Chemical agents have been utilized for centuries in warfare and pose a health threat to civilians and military personnel during armed conflict. Despite treaties and regulations against their use, chemical agent exposure remains a threat and measures to understand their effects and countermeasures for systemic and organ-specific health are needed. Many of these agents have ocular complications, both acute and chronic. This mini-review focuses on key chemical agents including vesicants (mustards, lewisite), nerve agents (sarin, VX), knockdown gasses (hydrogen cyanide), and caustics (hydrofluoric acid). Their ophthalmic manifestations and appropriate treatment are emphasized. Acute interventions include removal of the source and meticulous decontamination, as well as normalization of pH to 7.2–7.4 if alteration of the ocular pH is observed. Besides vigorous lavage, acute therapies may include topical corticosteroids and non-steroid anti-inflammatory therapies. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict donning and doffing protocols to avoid healthcare provider exposure are also paramount in the acute setting. For more severe disease, corneal transplantation, amniotic membrane graft, and limbal stem cell transplantation may be needed. Orbital surgery may be required in patients in whom cicatricial changes of the ocular surface have developed, leading to eyelid malposition. Multidisciplinary care teams are often required to handle the full spectrum of findings and consequences associated with emerging chemical threats.
Melatonin improves the vitrification of sheep morulae by modulating transcriptome
Authors: Ji Pengyun , Liu Yunjie , Yan Laiqing , Jia Yanquan , Zhao Mengmeng , Lv Dongying , Yao Yujun , Ma Wenkui , Yin Depeng , Liu Fenze , Gao Shuai , Wusiman Abulizi , Yang Kailun , Zhang Lu , Liu Guoshi
Published: October 2023

Embryo vitrification technology is widely used in livestock production, but freezing injury has been a key factor hindering the efficiency of embryo production. There is an urgent need to further analyze the molecular mechanism of embryo damage by the vitrification process. In the study, morulae were collected from Hu sheep uterine horns after superovulation and sperm transfusion. Morulae were Cryotop vitrified and warmed. Nine morulae were in the vitrified control group (frozen), and seven morulae were vitrified and warmed with 10−5 M melatonin (melatonin). Eleven non-frozen morulae were used as controls (fresh). After warming, each embryo was sequenced separately for library construction and gene expression analysis. p < 0.05 was used to differentiate differentially expressed genes (DEG). The results showed that differentiated differentially expressed genes (DEG) in vitrified morulae were mainly enriched in protein kinase activity, adhesion processes, calcium signaling pathways and Wnt, PI3K/AKT, Ras, ErbB, and MAPK signaling pathways compared to controls. Importantly, melatonin treatment upregulated the expression of key pathways that increase the resistance of morulae against vitrification induced damage. These pathways include kinase activity pathway, ErbB, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. It is worth mentioning that melatonin upregulates the expression of XPA, which is a key transcription factor for DNA repair. In conclusion, vitrification affected the transcriptome of in vivo-derived Hu sheep morulae, and melatonin had a protective effect on the vitrification process. For the first time, the transcriptome profiles caused by vitrification and melatonin in sheep morulae were analyzed in single embryo level. These data obtained from the single embryo level provide an important molecular mechanism for further optimizing the cryopreservation of embryos or other cells.
Scent detection dogs as a novel method for oestrus detection in an endangered species, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Authors: Roberts Hannah E. , Fanson Kerry V. , Hodgens Naomi , Parrott Marissa L. , Bennett Pauleen , Jamieson La Toya
Published: October 2023

Captive breeding is a critical tool for conservation of endangered species. Identifying the correct time to pair males and females can be a major challenge for captive breeding programmes, with current methods often being invasive or slow. Detection dogs may provide a non-invasive way to determine female receptivity, but this has not been explored in captive wildlife. This exploratory study investigated the use of detection dogs as a novel method of oestrus detection in the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Faecal samples were collected from 11 captive female devils during the breeding seasons of 2020 and 2021. Three dogs with prior detection experience were trained and subsequently assessed (n = 188 searches per dog), on their ability to discriminate between oestrus and non-oestrus devil faecal samples, in a one sample set-up. When assessed on training samples, dogs were able to correctly discriminate oestrus from non-oestrus with a mean sensitivity of 69.1% and mean specificity of 65.7%. When assessed on novel samples, their sensitivity to oestrus dropped (mean sensitivity of 48.6%). However, they were still able to correctly identify non-oestrus samples (mean specificity of 68.1%). This study is the first to explore detection dogs’ ability to identify oestrus in a captive breeding programme for endangered wildlife, providing a promising tool for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive status in wildlife.
Coadministration of ivermectin and abamectin affects milk pharmacokinetics of the antiparasitic clorsulon in Assaf sheep
Authors: Blanco-Paniagua Esther , Álvarez-Fernández Laura , Millán-García Alicia , Rivas Guillermo , Álvarez Ana I. , Merino Gracia
Published: October 2023

In veterinary field, drug exposure during milk production in dairy cattle is considered a major health problem which concerns dairy consumers. The induced expression of the ABC transporter G2 (ABCG2) in the mammary gland during lactation plays a significant role in the active secretion of many compounds into milk. The main objective of this study was to determine the involvement of ABCG2 in the secretion into milk of the antiparasitic clorsulon in sheep as well as the possible effect of the coadministration of model ABCG2 inhibitors such as macrocyclic lactones on this process. Cells transduced with the ovine variant of ABCG2 were used to carry out in vitro transepithelial transport assays in which we showed that clorsulon is a substrate of the ovine transporter. In addition, ivermectin and abamectin significantly inhibited clorsulon transport mediated by ovine ABCG2. In vivo interactions were studied in Assaf sheep after coadministration of clorsulon (in DMSO, 2 mg/kg, s.c.) with ivermectin (Ivomec®, 0.2 mg/kg, s.c.) or abamectin (in DMSO, 0.2 mg/kg, s.c.). After ivermectin and abamectin treatment, no relevant statistically significant differences in plasma levels of clorsulon were reported between the experimental groups since there were no differences in the area under the plasma concentration-curve (AUC) between clorsulon treatment alone and coadministration with macrocyclic lactones. With regard to milk, total amount of clorsulon, as percentage of dose excreted, did not show statistically significant differences when macrocyclic lactones were coadministered. However, the AUC for clorsulon significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after coadministration with ivermectin (15.15 ± 3.17 μg h/mL) and abamectin (15.30 ± 3.25 μg h/mL) compared to control group (20.73 ± 4.97 μg h/mL). Moreover, milk parameters such as half-life (T1/2) and mean residence time (MRT) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after coadministration of macrocyclic lactones. This research shows that the milk pharmacokinetics of clorsulon is affected by the coadministration of ABCG2 inhibitors, reducing drug persistence in milk.
Fast-Responding Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements of the IC3X at Mach 7.2
Authors: Delgado Elizondo Valeria , Dhanagopal Abinayaa , Combs Christopher S.
Published: October 2023

Global surface pressure measurements of a 5.7% scale AFRL Initial Concept 3.X vehicle (IC3X) were obtained using a fast-responding ruthenium-based pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) at the UTSA Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube Wind Tunnel at two different angles of attack, 0° and 2.5°. Static calibration of the paint was performed over a range of 0.386 kPa to 82.7 kPa to relate luminescent intensity to pressure. Details on the facility, paint preparation, application, calibration, and image processing techniques are provided in the manuscript. The results from statistical, spectral, and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analyses are presented to characterize the pressure field observed on the model. The experimental results qualitatively follow the expected trends and correspond to the occurrence of shock waves and expansion fans, which were visualized via Schlieren imaging. The theoretical pressure range obtained from conical shock analysis for 0° agrees with the experimentally derived pressure range for the model, and the outliers are attributed to errors in image registration. This study presents preliminary pressure measurements that pave the way for obtaining time-resolved global PSP measurements to train and validate aerothermodynamic machine learning models.
Journey of Trichoderma from Pilot Scale to Mass Production: A Review
Authors: Kumar Vipul , Koul Bhupendra , Taak Pooja , Yadav Dhananjay , Song Minseok
Published: October 2023

Trichoderma spp. has the ability to inhibit fungal plant pathogens through several mechanisms like the production of hydrolytic enzymes, mycoparasitism, coiling, and antibiosis and is therefore recommended as a potential and native biocontrol agent for effective control of soil-transmitted diseases. Various species of Trichoderma, like T. virens, T. asperellum, T. harzianum, etc., have been explored for their biocontrol activity against phytopathogens. There are different Trichoderma species and strains with respect to plant pathogens. Efforts have been made to develop effective and efficient methods, such as microencapsulation use of different polymers, adjuvants, or carriers, to increase the shelf-life and efficacy of Trichoderma formulations. The crucial aspects for the success of a biocontrol agent include developing and validating formulations, improvement in shelf-life, cost-effectiveness, easy accessibility, improved delivery systems, broad spectrum in action, robust performance (biocontrol), and integrative strategies for sustainable disease management. This review focuses on recent developments in the isolation, identification, preservation, substrates, consortium, quality control, mass production, delivery methods, field performance, registration, and commercialization of Trichoderma formulations for strategic development of next-generation multifunctional biological control formulations.
Application of Biostimulants and Herbicides as a Promising Co-Implementation: The Incorporation of a New Cultivation Practice
Authors: Katsenios Nikolaos , Sparangis Panagiotis , Vitsa Sofia , Leonidakis Dimitrios , Efthimiadou Aspasia
Published: October 2023

Over the last decades, biostimulants have been the center of discussion as a sustainable cultivation practice to promote plant growth and protect crops from abiotic stress. Agrochemical products are abundantly used for this purpose, which has resulted in raised international concern. Biostimulants, when used in combination with herbicides in some cases, could act as safeners, reducing the harmful and stressful effects of herbicides, and as a result, this combination can be considered a relatively new agricultural technique. However, they can also have adverse or non-significant effects, something that is strongly affected by the operating mechanisms of their components. In practice, there is a need to identify plant species-biostimulant-herbicide working systems from all the stakeholders of agricultural production. While research is still in its early stages, several studies have been conducted to evaluate various biostimulant and herbicide combinations to contribute to this goal. In this review, studies of their combination in sequential or mixed tank applications have been gathered to see how and if each specific combination can have a potential use in agricultural practice. The results indicated that there are various effects on crops, some of which were positive and others negative or non-significant. The fact that there is a countless number of possible plant species-biostimulant-herbicide combinations to be evaluated is a challenging task. Nevertheless, this review could serve as a foundation for the upcoming research. The aim of this review is to summarize the knowledge of some successful working examples of these three factors that could facilitate the incorporation of biostimulant and herbicide application, either sequentially or in a tank mixture, as a part of the agricultural practice for field crops.
Automatic Identification of the Working State of High-Rise Building Machine Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Pan Xi , Zhao Tingsheng , Li Xiaowei , Zuo Zibo , Zong Gang , Zhang Longlong
Published: October 2023

High-rise building machines (HBMs) play a crucial role in the construction of super-tall buildings, with their working states directly impacting safety, quality, and progress. Given their extensive floor coverage and complex internal structures, monitoring priorities should shift according to specific workflows. However, existing research has primarily focused on monitoring key HBM components during specific stages, neglecting the automated recognition of HBM workflows, which hinders adaptive monitoring strategies. This study investigates the critical states of HBM construction across various structural layers and proposes a method rooted in vibration signal analysis to determine the HBM’s working state. The method involves collecting vibration signals with a triaxial accelerometer, extracting five distinct vibration signal features, classifying these signals using a k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) classifier, and finally, outputting the results through a classification rule that aligns with the actual workflow of the HBM. The method was implemented in super-high-rise buildings exceeding 350 m, achieving a measured accuracy of 97.4% in HBM working state recognition. This demonstrates its proficiency in accurately determining the construction state and facilitating timely feedback. Utilizing vibration signal analysis can enhance the efficiency and safety, with potential applications in monitoring large-scale formwork equipment construction processes. This approach provides a versatile solution for a wide range of climbing equipment used in the construction of super-tall buildings and towering structures.
Direct Temperature Measurements of Cardiac Stent during MRI Examinations
Authors: Acri Giuseppe , Campanella Francesco , Vermiglio Giuseppe , Anfuso Carmelo , Testagrossa Barbara , Cavallaro Daniela , Urzì Domenica , Sanzo Antonio , D’Avanzo Maria Antonietta , Hartwig Valentina
Published: October 2023

Nowadays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for imaging the brain, spinal cord, musculoskeletal system, head and neck, and complex congenital heart malformations; consequentially, the number of MRI scans in patients with implantable electronic devices has simultaneously increased. During the entire length of the MRI exam, patients are exposed to electromagnetic fields with different characteristics (static, low frequency, radiofrequency fields), which are related to different risks. The scarce available literature about MRI-induced heating on cardiac stents suggests that excessive temperature rise occurs only in unfavorable cases. Ideally, RF safety assessment could be performed during the anamnestic process, but this simulation process’s results are too slow to be performed before patient MRI examination. In this context, we developed a dedicated measurement set-up by focusing our target on the measurement of the heating of a cardiac stent during an MRI examination. Results for the temperature rise trend along the entire stent length during a clinical MRI protocol are shown together with the local Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values and cumulative equivalent minutes at 43 °C (CEM43°C), in order to ensure the safety of patients with MR-conditional devices, also with a view to not inappropriately preclude their access to MRI scans. The obtained results show that the maximum temperature rise (4.12 °C) is within the limit of 5 °C stated in the stent manual for 15 min of continued scanning with the specific conditions. The maximum temperature rise was in correspondence with the stent tips and calculated SAR confirms the fact that two hotspots are present near the tips of the stent. Finally, the calculated CEM43°C remained well below the proposed threshold for muscle tissue.
Study on Vortex-Induced Vibration Response of Riser under the Action of Oscillating Flow Superposition
Authors: Liu Fugang , Sang Song , Zhang Wenlin , Zhang Jintao
Published: October 2023

Based on the slicing method and overlapping grid method, the bidirectional and sequential coupling of the fluid domain and riser structure is realized by UDF programming. A numerical model of vortex-solid coupling is constructed to study vortex-induced vibration characteristics of risers with different velocity ratios and different oscillation frequencies under the effect of superimposed oscillating flow. With the increase of the velocity ratio, a higher order formation appeared in the transverse vibration envelope of the riser. Meanwhile, with the increase of oscillation frequency, the vertical tube vibration envelope changed from “symmetrical up and down” to “wide up and narrow down”. There is an obvious process of “establishment”, “locking” and “decay” in the transverse-flow displacement of the riser to dimensionless, and the proportion of the “locking” phase increases gradually with the flow rate ratio, changing from 0.50 to 0.62. The effect of the oscillation frequency of the superimposed flow on the proportion of the “locked” stage is not evident. When the oscillation frequency is 0.25f1, the proportion of the “locked” stage of the riser reaches 50%.
Progress and Prospects in Assessing the Multidimensional Environmental Impacts of Global Vegetation Restoration
Authors: Zhao Wei
Published: October 2023

The restoration of degraded vegetation and ecosystems is a critical tool for mitigating biodiversity losses, stabilizing soils, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, and providing other ecosystem services [...]
Research on the Intelligent Modeling Design of a Truck Front Face Driven by User Imagery
Authors: Li Zhixian , Zheng Feng , Wang Shihao , Zhao Zitong
Published: October 2023

The design of the front face of a truck can directly affect the user’s sensory evaluation of the vehicle. Therefore, based on Kansei Engineering theory and deep learning technology, this paper proposes an intelligent design method for the rapid generation of truck front face modeling solutions driven by user images. First, through Kansei Engineering’s relevant experimental methods and scientific data analysis process, the emotional image of the truck’s front face is deeply excavated and positioned, and the corresponding relationship between the characteristics of the truck’s front face and the user’s emotional image cognition is explored. Then, we used the generative confrontation network to integrate the user’s emotional image of the front face of the truck into the intelligent and rapid generation process of the new design scheme of the front face of the truck. Finally, the physiological data of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment are used to evaluate the degree of objective matching between the generated modeling design scheme and the expected image. The purpose of this research is to improve the efficiency, reliability, and intelligence level of truck front face design, and to achieve a more personalized, precise, and high-quality design. This helps to improve the conformity of the modeling design scheme under specific image semantics.
Passive Damping of Longitudinal Vibrations of a Beam in the Vicinity of Natural Frequencies Using the Piezoelectric Effect
Authors: Rogacheva Nelly , Sidorov Vladimir , Zheglova Yulia
Published: October 2023

To significantly reduce the amplitude of longitudinal vibrations of the beam in the vicinity of its natural frequencies, a fundamentally new method of damping vibrations is used. For this purpose, the beam surfaces are covered with layers of polarized piezoceramics with a strong piezoelectric effect. We will use two types of electrical conditions on the electrodes of the piezoelectric layers: short-circuited electrodes and disconnected electrodes. On short-circuited electrodes, the electric potential is zero. As a result of the piezoelectric effect, an electric charge appears on the disconnected electrodes when the beam is deformed. The electroelastic state of a beam with different electrical conditions is described by different boundary value problems. A new approach to damping vibrations in the vicinity of natural frequencies is based on the following rule for controlling the dynamic characteristics of a structure: when the beam vibration frequency approaches its natural vibration frequency, we change the electrical conditions on the electrodes of the piezoelectric layers, thereby changing the spectrum of its natural frequencies. Let, for example, the vibration frequency of a beam with short-circuited electrodes approach its natural frequency. In this case, the amplitudes of the sought quantities grow without limit. The natural frequency spectrum of a beam with disconnected electrodes will differ from the spectrum of a beam with short-circuited electrodes. As a result, the amplitudes of the sought quantities will decrease. It is shown that the efficiency of vibration damping can be significantly increased by choosing the direction of the preliminary polarization of the piezoelectric material and the location of its electrodes. Numerical examples are given that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The advantage of the method lies in its simplicity and the low cost of the piezoelectric material, which serves as a non-inertial damper.
Development of a Three-Dimensional Carotid Ultrasound Image Segmentation Workflow for Improved Efficiency, Reproducibility and Accuracy in Measuring Vessel Wall and Plaque Volume and Thickness
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Jiang Mingjie , Chan Wai Sum , Chiu Bernard
Published: October 2023

Automated segmentation of carotid lumen-intima boundary (LIB) and media-adventitia boundary (MAB) by deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) from three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) images has made assessment and monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis more efficient than manual segmentation. However, training of CNN still requires manual segmentation of LIB and MAB. Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency of manual segmentation and develop strategies to improve segmentation accuracy by the CNN for serial monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis. One strategy to reduce segmentation time is to increase the interslice distance (ISD) between segmented axial slices of a 3DUS image while maintaining the segmentation reliability. We, for the first time, investigated the effect of ISD on the reproducibility of MAB and LIB segmentations. The intra-observer reproducibility of LIB and MAB segmentations at ISDs of 1 mm and 2 mm was not statistically significantly different, whereas the reproducibility at ISD = 3 mm was statistically lower. Therefore, we conclude that segmentation with an ISD of 2 mm provides sufficient reliability for CNN training. We further proposed training the CNN by the baseline images of the entire cohort of patients for automatic segmentation of the follow-up images acquired for the same cohort. We validated that segmentation with this time-based partitioning approach is more accurate than that produced by patient-based partitioning, especially at the carotid bifurcation. This study forms the basis for an efficient, reproducible, and accurate 3DUS workflow for serial monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis useful in risk stratification of cardiovascular events and in evaluating the efficacy of new treatments.