bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of an Hourly Bolus Postruminal Infusion of Flaxseed Oil or Palm Oil on Circulating Fatty Acid Concentrations and Hepatic Expression of Pyruvate Carboxylase and Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Beckett Linda M. , Malacco Victor M. R. , Hilger Susan , Casey Theresa M. , Donkin Shawn S.
Published: November 2023

Palmitic (C16:0), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3 cis), and propionate regulate bovine pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) expression in vitro. The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of C16:0, C18:3n-3 cis, propionate, and acetate postruminal infusions on hepatic PC and PCK1 expression. We hypothesized that circulating fatty acids alter hepatic PC and PCK1 in lactating dairy cows. Acetate, propionate, palm oil, and flaxseed oil were supplied postruminally to lactating cows (n = 4) using two 4 × 4 Latin square studies. For Experiment 1, cows were infused on an hourly basis with either a bolus of propionate, acetate, or the combination of propionate and palm oil, or acetate and palm oil, and Experiment 2 was similar, but flaxseed oil replaced palm oil. Flaxseed infusions increased plasma concentration and the molar percent of C18:3n-3 cis and decreased C16:0 but did not affect PC or PCK1 expression. Palm infusions did not affect blood metabolites or the hepatic expression of PC or PCK1. The lack of responses to short-chain fatty acid infusions and changes in circulating long-chain fatty acids in mature cattle are not suitable models to study the effects of α-linolenic acid and propionate on bovine PC and PCK1 expression previously observed in vitro.
The Effects of Antimicrobial Protocols and Other Perioperative Factors on Postoperative Complications in Horses Undergoing Celiotomy: A Retrospective Analysis, 2008–2021
Authors: Rockow Meagan , Griffenhagen Gregg , Landolt Gabriele , Hendrickson Dean , Pezzanite Lynn
Published: November 2023

Recognition of antimicrobial resistance in equine practice has increased over the past decade. The objective of this study was to provide an updated retrospective review of antimicrobial regimens in one tertiary referral hospital and to evaluate the association with postoperative complications. A secondary objective was to evaluate other perioperative factors including surgical procedure, anesthetic and recovery parameters, and the effect of perioperative medications on complications and outcomes. A computerized search of medical records was performed to identify horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2021. A total of 742 celiotomies were performed (608 completed, 134 terminated intraoperatively). Factors recorded were evaluated using logistic regression for the presence of either incisional infection, postoperative ileus, or other complications postoperatively. Antimicrobial type or timing (pre-, intra-, or postoperative) were not associated with decreased risk of incisional infection or postoperative ileus; however, the duration of NSAID use was positively associated with incisional infection (OR 1.14 per day). Lidocaine and alpha-2-agonist administration postoperatively were also associated with increased incidence of postoperative ileus (OR 21.5 and 1.56, respectively). Poor recovery quality (OR 4.69), the addition of other antimicrobials besides penicillin/gentamicin postoperatively (OR 3.63), and an increased number of different NSAID classes used (OR 1.46 per additional) were associated with other complications. Implementation of enterotomy was associated with decreased risk of other complications (OR 0.64). These findings provide an updated summary of factors associated with postoperative complications in horses undergoing celiotomy.
Effects of Artemisia ordosica Crude Polysaccharide on Antioxidant and Immunity Response, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Microbiota in Cashmere Goats
Authors: Li Shuyi , Guo Yongmei , Guo Xiaoyu , Shi Binlin , Ma Guoqiang , Yan Sumei , Zhao Yanli
Published: November 2023

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharide (AOCP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant and immunity capacity, rumen fermentation parameters, and the microbiota of cashmere goats. A total of 12 cashmere goats (2 years old) with similar weight (38.03 ± 2.42 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments with six replicates. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (CON, basal diet); and (2) AOCP treatment (AOCP, basal diet with 0.3% AOCP). Pre-feeding was conducted for 7 days, followed by an experimental period of 21 days. The results showed that the ADG; feed/gain (F/G); and the digestibility of DM, CP, and ADF of cashmere goats in the AOCP group were greater than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Still, there was no significant effect on the digestibility of EE, NDF, Ca, and P (p > 0.05). Compared to the CON group, AOCP increased BCP, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and TVFA concentrations (p < 0.05), but it reduced the protozoa numbers of acetate and A/P (p < 0.05). The serum CAT, GSH-Px, T-SOD, 1L-6, and NO levels were higher in AOCP than in the CON group (p < 0.05). The addition of AOCP increased the Sobs and Ace estimators (p < 0.05) and reduced the Simpson estimator in the ruminal fluid compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AOCP group increased the colonization of beneficial bacteria by positively influencing GSH-Px and IL-6 (norank_f__F082, unclassified_p__Firmicutes), as well as bacteria negatively associated with F/G (norank_f__norank_o__Bacteroidales, unclassified_p__Firmicutes, and norank_f__F082). It decreased the colonization of potential pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas and Escherichia-Shigella) (p < 0.05) compared to the CON group. In conclusion, 0.3% AOCP improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, immune function, rumen fermentation, and microflora of cashmere goats.
Mild Intermittent Cold Stimulation Affects Cardiac Substance Metabolism via the Neuroendocrine Pathway in Broilers
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Xing Lu , Zhang Yong , Liu Xiaotao , Li Tingting , Zhang Shijie , Wei Haidong , Li Jianhong
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of cold adaptation on the neuroendocrine and cardiac substance metabolism pathways in broilers. The broilers were divided into the control group (CC), cold adaptation group (C3), and cold-stressed group (C9), and experimental period was divided into the training period (d 1–35), recovery period (d 36–43), and cold stress period (d 43–44). During the training period, the CC group was reared at ambient temperature, while C3 and C9 groups were reared at 3 °C and 9 °C lower than the ambient temperature, respectively, for 5 h/d at 1 d intervals. During the recovery period, all the groups were maintained at 20 °C. Lastly, during the cold stress period, the groups were divided into two sub-groups, and each sub-group was placed at 10 °C for 12 h (Y12) or 24 h (Y24) for acute cold stimulation. The blood, hypothalamic, and cardiac tissues samples were obtained from all the groups during the training, recovery, and acute stress periods. The results revealed that the transcription of calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha 1 C (CACNAIC) was increased in the hypothalamic tissues of the C3 group (p < 0.05). Moreover, compared to the CC group, the serum norepinephrine (NE) was increased in the C9 group (p < 0.05), but insulin (INS) was decreased in the C9 group (p < 0.05). In addition, the transcription of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), SREBP1c, FASN, ACC1, and SCD genes was down-regulated in the C3 and C9 groups (p < 0.05); however, their expression increased in the C3 and C9 groups after acute cold stimulation (p < 0.05). Compared to the CC group, the transcription of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), PEPCK, G6Pase, GLUT1, HK1, PFK, and LDHB genes was up-regulated in the C3 and C9 groups (p < 0.05. Furthermore, compared to the CC and C9 groups, the protein and mRNA expressions of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP90 were significantly increased in the C3 group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that intermittent cold training can enhance cold stress tolerance in broilers by regulating their neuroendocrine and cardiac substance metabolism pathways.
The Use of Isoflurane and Adjunctive Magnesium Chloride Provides Fast, Effective Anaesthetization of Octopus vulgaris
Authors: Di Cosmo Anna , Maselli Valeria , Cirillo Emanuela , Norcia Mariangela , de Zoysa Heethaka K. S. , Polese Gianluca , Winlow William
Published: November 2023

A wide variety of substances have been used to anaesthetise invertebrates, but many are not anaesthetics and merely incapacitate animals rather than preventing pain. In essence, the role of an ideal general anaesthetic is to act as a muscle relaxant, an analgesic, an anaesthetic, and an amnesic. To achieve all these properties with a single substance is difficult, and various adjuvants usually need to be administered, resulting in a cocktail of drugs. In a clinical setting, the vast majority of patients are unaware of surgery being carried out and have no memory of it, so they can claim to have felt no pain, but this is much more difficult to demonstrate in invertebrates. Here, we show that 1% MgCl2, a muscle relaxant, is a useful adjuvant for the clinical anaesthetic isoflurane on Octopus vulgaris when applied alone in seawater for 10 min before the clinical anaesthetic. After this, full anaesthesia can be achieved in 5 min using 1% isoflurane insufflated into the saline still containing MgCl2. Full recovery takes place rapidly in about 10 to 15 min. The depth of anaesthesia was monitored using changes in respiratory rate, chromatophore pattern, and withdrawal movements of the arms and siphon. This methodology reduces stress on the animal and minimises the quantity of anaesthetic used.
An Analysis of a Transposable Element Expression Atlas during 27 Developmental Stages in Porcine Skeletal Muscle: Unveiling Molecular Insights into Pork Production Traits
Authors: Wang Chao , Lei Bowen , Liu Yuwen
Published: November 2023

The development and growth of porcine skeletal muscle determine pork quality and yield. While genetic regulation of porcine skeletal muscle development has been extensively studied using various omics data, the role of transposable elements (TEs) in this context has been less explored. To bridge this gap, we constructed a comprehensive atlas of TE expression throughout the developmental stages of porcine skeletal muscle. This was achieved by integrating porcine TE genomic coordinates with whole-transcriptome RNA-Seq data from 27 developmental stages. We discovered that in pig skeletal muscle, active Tes are closely associated with active epigenomic marks, including low levels of DNA methylation, high levels of chromatin accessibility, and active histone modifications. Moreover, these TEs include 6074 self-expressed TEs that are significantly enriched in terms of muscle cell development and myofibril assembly. Using the TE expression data, we conducted a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and identified a module that is significantly associated with muscle tissue development as well as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the signals of pig meat and carcass traits. Within this module, we constructed a TE-mediated gene regulatory network by adopting a unique multi-omics integration approach. This network highlighted several established candidate genes associated with muscle-relevant traits, including HES6, CHRNG, ACTC1, CHRND, MAMSTR, and PER2, as well as novel genes like ENSSSCG00000005518, ENSSSCG00000033601, and PIEZO2. These novel genes hold promise for regulating muscle-related traits in pigs. In summary, our research not only enhances the TE-centered dissection of the genetic basis underlying pork production traits, but also offers a general approach for constructing TE-mediated regulatory networks to study complex traits or diseases.
Comparison of the Ventral Approach to the Canine Hip Joint Using Gelpi Retractors and an Elastic O-Ring Wound Retractor
Authors: Trębacz Piotr , Frymus Jan , Pawlik Mateusz , Czopowicz Michał , Barteczko Anna , Kurkowska Aleksandra , Zdeb Krzysztof , Galanty Marek
Published: November 2023

This study included 10 fresh adult cadavers of large breed dogs (6 males and 4 females). Their weight ranged from 25 to 45 kg (mean ± SD: 33.9 ± 6.2 kg). The breeds represented were crossbreed dogs (n = 5), German shepherds (n = 2), Bernese mountain dogs (n = 1), American Staffordshire terriers (n = 1), and Gordon setters (n = 1). Access to the target area and identification of the femoral head and neck was achieved with two Gelpi retractors inserted orthogonally and with the O-WR in all procedures. In each dog, the approach to the hip joint was made on the left and right sides. There was no significant difference in the area of the surgical wound bed between the two sides using either the Gelpi retractors (−0.52 ± 1.87 cm2; CI 95%: −1.86, 0.81 cm2; p = 0.398) or the O-WR (−0.27 ± 2.34 cm2; CI 95%: −1.94, 1.41 cm2; p = 0.729). The area of the surgical wound bed was 6.28 ± 1.72 cm2 (2.72–9.70 cm2) for the Gelpi retractors and 6.34 ± 1.81 cm2 (4.13–10.77 cm2) for the O-WR, and the difference between the Gelpi retractors and the O-WR was not significant (−0.06 ± 1.72 cm2; CI 95%: −0.86, 0.74 cm2; p = 0.879)
Exploring Compassion towards Laboratory Animals in UK- and China-Based Undergraduate Biomedical Sciences Students
Authors: Fitzpatrick Richard , Romanò Nicola , Menzies John
Published: November 2023

Taking a compassionate approach to the non-human animals used in biomedical research is in line with emerging ideas around a “culture of care”. It is important to expose biomedical sciences students to the concept of a culture of care at an early stage and give them opportunities to explore related practices and ideas. However, there is no simple tool to explore biomedical sciences students’ attitudes towards laboratory animals. Accordingly, there is little understanding of students’ feelings towards these animals, or a means of quantifying potential changes to these feelings. We developed a 12-item questionnaire designed to explore compassion (the Laboratory Animal Compassion Scale; LACS) and used it with UK-based and China-based samples of undergraduate biomedical sciences students. In the same samples, we also explored a harm–benefit analysis task and students’ beliefs regarding some mental characteristics of laboratory animals, then drew correlations with the quantitative measure of compassion. Compassion levels were stable across years of study and were not related to students’ level of experience of working with laboratory animals. We observed a higher level of compassion in females versus males overall, and a higher level overall in the UK-based versus China-based sample. In a task pitting animal suffering against human wellbeing, students’ compassion levels correlated negatively with their acceptance of animal suffering. Compassion levels correlated positively with a belief in animals being conscious and possessing emotions. These data are in line with studies that show compassion is gender- and nationality/culture-dependent, and points to links between compassion, beliefs, and choices.
Improving Known–Unknown Cattle’s Face Recognition for Smart Livestock Farm Management
Authors: Meng Yao , Yoon Sook , Han Shujie , Fuentes Alvaro , Park Jongbin , Jeong Yongchae , Park Dong Sun
Published: November 2023

Accurate identification of individual cattle is of paramount importance in precision livestock farming, enabling the monitoring of cattle behavior, disease prevention, and enhanced animal welfare. Unlike human faces, the faces of most Hanwoo cattle, a native breed of Korea, exhibit significant similarities and have the same body color, posing a substantial challenge in accurately distinguishing between individual cattle. In this study, we sought to extend the closed-set scope (only including identifying known individuals) to a more-adaptable open-set recognition scenario (identifying both known and unknown individuals) termed Cattle’s Face Open-Set Recognition (CFOSR). By integrating open-set techniques to enhance the closed-set accuracy, the proposed method simultaneously addresses the open-set scenario. In CFOSR, the objective is to develop a trained model capable of accurately identifying known individuals, while effectively handling unknown or novel individuals, even in cases where the model has been trained solely on known individuals. To address this challenge, we propose a novel approach that integrates Adversarial Reciprocal Points Learning (ARPL), a state-of-the-art open-set recognition method, with the effectiveness of Additive Margin Softmax loss (AM-Softmax). ARPL was leveraged to mitigate the overlap between spaces of known and unknown or unregistered cattle. At the same time, AM-Softmax was chosen over the conventional Cross-Entropy loss (CE) to classify known individuals. The empirical results obtained from a real-world dataset demonstrated the effectiveness of the ARPL and AM-Softmax techniques in achieving both intra-class compactness and inter-class separability. Notably, the results of the open-set recognition and closed-set recognition validated the superior performance of our proposed method compared to existing algorithms. To be more precise, our method achieved an AUROC of 91.84 and an OSCR of 87.85 in the context of open-set recognition on a complex dataset. Simultaneously, it demonstrated an accuracy of 94.46 for closed-set recognition. We believe that our study provides a novel vision to improve the classification accuracy of the closed set. Simultaneously, it holds the potential to significantly contribute to herd monitoring and inventory management, especially in scenarios involving the presence of unknown or novel cattle.
Morphological Ontogeny and Ecology of a Common Peatland Mite, Nanhermannia coronata (Acari, Oribatida, Nanhermanniidae)
Authors: Seniczak Stanisław , Seniczak Anna
Published: November 2023

Nanhermannia coronata Berlese, 1913, is a common and abundant oribatid species in peatlands but can be easily mistaken for N. sellnicki Forsslund, 1958, as an adult. Therefore, the identity of adults of N. coronata from several sites in Norway and Ireland was supported by the COI sequence data, and based on this material, the morphological ontogeny of this species is described and illustrated to highlight the differences between N. coronata and N. sellnicki. In all juvenile stages of N. coronata, the bothridial seta is absent, but two pairs of exobothridial setae are present, including short exp and exa reduced to its alveolus. In the larva, seta f1 is setiform, but in the nymphs, it is reduced to its alveolus. Most prodorsal and gastronotal setae of larva are short, and of nymphs they are long. In all instars, the leg segments are oval in cross section and relatively thick, and many setae on tarsi are relatively short, thick and conical, except for longer apical setae. Seta d accompanies solenidion σ on all genua, φ1 on tibia I and φ on other tibiae. We found some morphological characters that clearly differentiate N. coronata from N. sellnicki, like the number of setae on femora of adults and tritonymphs, the shape of insertions of prodorsal seta in and all gastronotal and adanal setae of juveniles; in N. sellnicki, these setae are inserted in small individual depressions, whereas in N. coronata, these depressions are absent. Our ecological observations confirm a common occurrence of N. coronata in raised bogs, a high percentage of juvenile stages in its populations and a preference of this species for humid microhabitats, whereas N. sellnicki is less common than N. coronata and occurs in drier habitats.
Triaxial Test of Coarse-Grained Soils Reinforced with One Layer of Geogrid
Authors: Zakarka Mindaugas , Skuodis Šarūnas , Dirgėlienė Neringa
Published: November 2023

Geosynthetics play a pivotal role in modern infrastructure projects, with geogrids serving as a common choice for enhancing bearing capacity and reducing soil settlement in road construction. This study investigates the influence of density and uniformity coefficients on geogrid-reinforced sandy and gravelly soils through a series of consolidated drained triaxial tests. The research covers six distinct soil types from Lithuania, each characterized by particle size distribution analysis and classified using various standards. A polyester biaxial geogrid is employed, and test specimens are prepared with and without geogrid reinforcement. Triaxial compression tests are performed at different cell pressures, mirroring real-world conditions in road construction. The results highlight the critical role of cell pressure in the reinforcement effect, with higher pressures reducing the geogrid’s influence. The study also emphasizes the importance of soil type, as gravel soils consistently exhibit higher deviatoric stress than sandy soils. Notably, the geogrid enhances cohesion but reduces the angle of internal friction in most cases. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay between soil properties, geogrid reinforcement, and cell pressure, shedding light on the mechanical behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced soils in road construction applications.
Apple Surface Defect Detection Based on Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix and Retinex Image Enhancement
Authors: Yang Lei , Mu Dexu , Xu Zhen , Huang Kaiyu
Published: November 2023

Aiming at the problems of uneven light reflectivity on the spherical surface and high similarity between the stems/calyxes and scars that exist in the detection of surface defects in apples, this paper proposed a defect detection method based on image segmentation and stem/calyx recognition to realize the detection and recognition of surface defects in apples. Preliminary defect segmentation results were obtained by eliminating the interference of light reflection inhomogeneity through adaptive bilateral filtering-based single-scale Retinex (SSR) luminance correction and using adaptive gamma correction to enhance the Retinex reflective layer, and later segmenting the Retinex reflective layer by using a region-growing algorithm. The texture features of apple surface defects under different image processing methods were analyzed based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix, and a support vector machine was introduced for binary classification to differentiate between stems/calyxes and scars. Deploying the proposed defect detection method into the embedded device OpenMV4H7Plus, the accuracy of stem/calyx recognition reached 93.7%, and the accuracy of scar detection reached 94.2%. It has conclusively been shown that the proposed defect detection method can effectively detect apple surface defects in the presence of uneven light reflectivity and stem/calyx interference.
Process Modularity Impact on Manufacturing Lead Time and Throughput Rate in Terms of Mass Customization
Authors: Modrak Vladimir , Soltysova Zuzana , Nazarejova Julia
Published: November 2023

As mass customization becomes more pervasive in many sectors, researchers need to update traditional approaches to the optimization of critical performance and design parameters in order to help companies in their effort to implement this strategy. In general, implementation of mass customization from a manufacturing perspective is frequently focused on shortening cycle times, reducing production cost, and increasing throughput rate of parts. In this paper, process structure modularity impact on manufacturing lead times and throughput rates is explored. An important precondition to explore these relationships is the awareness that process modularity is conceptualized and quantified in an appropriate way. For this purpose, three independent modularity measures were employed to provide more reliable assessment of this system property. The relationships were investigated on the basis of simulation experiments using deterministic models of alternative process structures. For the purpose of the relationships exploration, two case studies were conducted, theoretical and practical ones. The results from the experiments showed that there are moderate correlations between process modularity and manufacturing lead time (ρ = −0.45), as well as between process modularity and throughput rate (ρ = 0.45).
Biomechanical Insights for Developing Evidence-Based Training Programs: Unveiling the Kinematic Secrets of the Overhead Forehand Smash in Badminton through Novice-Skilled Player Comparison
Authors: Li Fulin , Li Shiming , Zhang Xiang , Shan Gongbing
Published: November 2023

Badminton, a dynamic racquet sport demanding agility and power, features the overhead forehand smash as a pivotal offensive shot. Utilizing 3D motion analysis, this research delves into the intricate biomechanical facets underpinning this pivotal shot, with a dual focus on both novice and proficient players. Through a comparative analysis of these two player cohorts, the investigation aims to elucidate the fundamental factors influencing the quality of the forehand smash. Our findings reveal that skilled players exhibit significant improvements in smash quality, including a 60.2% increase in shuttlecock speed, reduced clearance height, and flight angle at release. These enhancements are associated with specific determinants, such as consistent positioning, racket angle at impact, and range of motion (ROM) in various joints. More crucially, full-body tension-arc formation and a four-segment whip-like smash contribute to these improvements. Unique to the whip-like smash is the rapid trunk and shoulder rotations in early whip-like control inducing passive elbow flexion and wrist over-extension, enhancing the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) effect of muscles for a more powerful smash. Emphasizing this uniqueness and the determinants simplify smash learning, potentially boosting training effectiveness. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of badminton’s biomechanics and offers practical implications for coaches and players to enhance their forehand smashes, especially among beginners.
Low Relative Handgrip Strength Is Associated with a High Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Italian Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Maurotti Samantha , Pujia Roberta , Mazza Elisa , Pileggi Maria Francesca , Arturi Franco , Tarsitano Maria Grazia , Montalcini Tiziana , Pujia Arturo , Ferro Yvelise
Published: November 2023

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the presence of low muscle mass (sarcopenia) represent noteworthy health issues. Handgrip strength, a muscle function indicator, is vital for sarcopenia diagnosis. We investigated the link between handgrip strength and hepatic steatosis in Italian adults. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 388 adults (≥50 years), measuring muscle function and hepatic steatosis using a dynamometer and transient elastography. We divided participants into handgrip strength tertiles. Results: 207 had NAFLD. The lowest handgrip strength tertile had a higher NAFLD prevalence (64% vs. 46%, p = 0.02). Tertiles I and II exhibited increased odds of NAFLD in comparison to tertile III, with an odds ratio of 5.30 (95% confidence interval: 2.24–12.57, p < 0.001) and 2.56 (95% confidence interval: 1.17–5.59, p = 0.01), respectively. rHGS predicted NAFLD with an AUC of 0.41 (SE = 0.029, p = 0.003). An rHGS of 1.22 achieved 18% sensitivity and 80% specificity for hepatic steatosis prediction. Conclusion: Low handgrip strength is linked to an increased susceptibility to NAFLD among the Italian population, implying its potential utility in the identification of risk for hepatic steatosis.
Permissible Scale Factors for Various Intensity Measures in Aftershock Ground Motion Scaling
Authors: Zhou Bochang , Hu Jie , Yuan Cheng , Wen Weiping , Kong Qingzhao
Published: November 2023

This manuscript investigates the bias introduced by scaling aftershock ground motions when evaluating the performance of structures subjected to earthquake sequences. The study focuses on different hysteretic behaviors exhibited by structures and selects eight intensity measures as scale indicators. A benchmark database comprising 274 recorded mainshock–aftershock ground motions is utilized for analysis. The findings reveal that scaling aftershock records using intensity measures such as SI (seismic intensity), PGV (peak ground velocity), IC (Arias intensity), and Sa (spectral acceleration) relative to mainshock records effectively controls the mean bias within 30% throughout the entire period range, given a maximum scale factor of 10.0. However, it is observed that the additional damage in systems exhibiting un-degrading hysteretic behavior is more significantly affected by aftershock ground motion scaling compared to systems with degrading hysteretic behavior. Furthermore, scaling aftershock ground motions upwards using relative Sa tends to overestimate the additional damage incurred by structures. These results emphasize the importance of considering the specific hysteretic behavior of structures when applying aftershock ground motion scaling, as well as selecting appropriate intensity measures for accurate evaluation of structural performance.
Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Wet Steam and Ideal Gas Models for Steam Ejector Driven by Ship Waste Heat
Authors: He Nan , Chi Xiaolong , Feng Chi , Lu Manfei , Zhang Li , Dong Jingming
Published: November 2023

Steam ejectors could improve the energy efficiency of ships by efficiently utilizing low-grade waste heat from ships for seawater desalination or cooling. The internal flow characteristics of steam ejectors can be deeply analyzed through numerical simulation, which is of great significance for improving their performance. Due to the influence of the nonequilibrium phase change, the results of the wet steam model and the ideal gas model are significantly different. In this paper, the flow field characteristics of the wet steam model and the ideal gas model under different primary flow pressures (Pm) are compared and analyzed. The results show that the structures of the shock wave train for the wet steam model and the ideal gas model are different under different Pm. When the first shock wave of the shock wave train changes from a compression shock wave to an expansion shock wave, the Pm for the ideal gas model is 75,000 Pa and that for the wet steam model is 55,000 Pa. The phase change reduces the energy loss of the shock wave. With the increase in the Pm, the variation in the length of the shock wave train for the wet steam model decreases by 61%, the variation of the primary temperature at the nozzle exit increases by 60% and the variation in the choke temperature decreases by 50% compared with the ideal gas model. The investigation in this paper provides guidance for the design theory of a ship waste heat steam ejector.
Geospatial Analysis for Tectonic Assessment and Soil Erosion Prioritization: A Case Study of Wadi Al-Lith, Red Sea Coast, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bashir Bashar , Alsalman Abdullah
Published: November 2023

An investigation into tectonics and erosion reveals that they play an important role in causing uplifting, valley incision, and soil erosion. The analysis of drainage basins at different scales is irreplaceable in the development of sustainable plans, particularly in arid regions. Morphotectonics and morphometric characterization analyses are very effective methods for defining the evolution of different landforms, current-day tectonic activity, and hydrological and morphological signatures of basins under investigation. The reorganization of critical drainage basins and sub-basin risk priority ranking are essential for effective and accurate sustainable plans for drainage basin management and water resources. In this study, the coupling of geospatial techniques and statistical strategies was used to examine the tectonic activity and priorities in terms of soil erosion for 15 sub-basins of Wadi Al-Lith along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Two effective models, namely, the relative tectonic activity model and the weighted sum analysis model, were applied for examining each geomorphological and hydrological characteristic based on an analysis of the morphotectonics and morphometric parameters. Regarding the relative tectonic activity model, the 15 sub-basins were classified into three classes of tectonic activity: low, moderate, and high. Sub-basins 5, 6, 13, and 15 were considered to be in class 1 (high relative tectonic activity). On the other hand, the weighted sum analysis model assigned the sub-basins into three different ranks: low-, moderate-, and high-soil-erosion priorities. The current study’s results suggest that sub-basins 5, 6, 10, 13, and 15 were recorded within the high-soil-erosion zone and highly relative tectonic activity, covering approximately 53.52% of the total sub-basin areas. The relative tectonic activity and weighted sum analysis models proved their validity in the risk studies, which will be very useful for decision makers in various fields, including natural resources and agriculture.
Research on a Random Mask Infection Countermeasure against Double Fault Attacks
Authors: Wu Weixiang , Wan Xusen , Zhang Jinbao , Cheng Shi
Published: November 2023

The infection countermeasure, in which the main idea is to prevent adversaries from exploiting faulty ciphertexts to break the key by spreading the induced fault, is a very effective countermeasure against fault attacks. However, most existing infection countermeasures struggle to defend against double-fault attacks effectively due to the single-fault assumption. By analyzing the principle of infection mechanism and adding different random Boolean masks in the two encryption paths, this paper proposes a measure called a random mask infection countermeasure to defend against double-fault attacks. In addition, the multiplication mask is used to randomize the fault diffusion to further resist single-byte fault attacks. The experimental results indicate that the random mask infection countermeasure proposed can perform fault diffusion effectively when the cryptographic circuit suffers double-fault attacks, and the fault diffusion shows randomness, and can effectively defend against these fault attacks.
Application of Advanced Design Methods of “Design for Additive Manufacturing” (DfAM) to the Process of Development of Components for Mobile Machines
Authors: Holub Peter , Gulan Ladislav , Korec Andrej , Chovančíková Viktória , Nagy Miroslav , Nagy Martin
Published: November 2023

The research problem is oriented to shortening the development time of products for the automotive and engineering industry and to improving their output properties, such as weight reduction by implementation of advanced design methods (DfAMs). The intention of the study is to achieve positive properties in components and to shorten the development phase when applying DfAM methods, specifically the use of topological optimization (TO). In development of the design methodology using TO, the procedure and results were addressed and consulted with a specific manufacturer in the industry who provided the necessary materials for the research. The methodology was formed based on the partial results and their analysis for selecting the right solutions, such as the analysis of traditional procedures, strength checks, meshes, boundary conditions, etc. The procedure and design were focused and limited to additive manufacturing, specifically SLM. The results agreed with the research aim, and a significant reduction in times was achieved over traditional design methods. There was also a reduction in masses. The research concludes with an evaluation of the results together with those of the manufacturer, and a statement of the benefits, particularly for the scientific discipline and practice. It was concluded that, by implementing the given design methods, it is possible to significantly reduce the financial costs with proper application, simplify the operation of design software and create the possibility of use in training workplaces. With further research and extension of the applicability of the given methodology, substantial positive factors for development can be assumed. However, it should not be forgotten that the use of DfAM methods is greatly influenced by advances in additive manufacturing.
Date Seed Polyphenol Pills as Renewable Raw Materials Showed Anti-Obesity Effects with High Digestible Antioxidants in 3T3-L1 Cells
Authors: Sobhy Remah , Zou Xiaobo , Morsy Osama M. , Zaky Ahmed A. , Khalifa Ibrahim
Published: November 2023

Natural polyphenol-rich plant resources, such as agricultural waste, were proven to diminish insulin resistance and weight gain in rats on a high-fat diet. To test whether date seed polyphenol pills (DSPPs) might lower adipose tissue accumulation by precisely affecting adipocytes, we explored the impacts of DSPPs on cell proliferation, differentiation, and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells. We utilized tablets made commercially from date seed polyphenols that were mostly composed of epicatechin (45.9 g/kg). The total polyphenol and antioxidant capacities of the digested and non-digested DSPPs were also evaluated. DSPPs at doses of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL hindered the proliferation of both pre-confluent preadipocytes and mature post-confluent adipocytes. DSPPs decreased the quantity of viable cells in completely developed adipocytes. Treatment with 100 µg/mL of DSPPs decreased the basal lipolysis of completely differentiated adipocytes but modestly boosted epinephrine-induced lipolysis. A significant transcription factor for the adipogenic gene, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), was repressed by DSPPs, which significantly decreased lipid buildup. The total polyphenol and antioxidant capacities were also increased after digestion with a good bubble Pearson correlation between both. DSPPs may have anti-obesity and anti-diabetic characteristics by inhibiting adipocyte development and basal lipolysis, which could be commercially industrialized.
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin Vaccine Attenuates Haloperidol-Induced TD-like Behavioral and Neurochemical Alteration in Experimental Rats
Authors: Yedke Narhari Gangaram , Upadhayay Shubham , Singh Randhir , Jamwal Sumit , Ahmad Sheikh F. , Kumar Puneet
Published: November 2023

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that displays unusual involuntary movement along with orofacial dysfunction. It is predominantly associated with the long-term use of antipsychotic medications, particularly typical or first-generation antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis are major pathophysiological mechanisms of TD. The BCG vaccine has been reported to suppress inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and exert neuroprotection via several mechanisms. Our study aimed to confirm the neuroprotective effect of the BCG vaccine against haloperidol-induced TD-like symptoms in rats. The rats were given haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days after 1 h single administration of the BCG vaccine (2 × 107 cfu). Various behavioral parameters for orofacial dyskinesia and locomotor activity were assessed on the 14th and 21st days after haloperidol injection. On the 22nd day, all rats were euthanized, and the striatum was isolated to estimate the biochemical, apoptotic, inflammatory, and neurotransmitter levels. The administration of the BCG vaccine reversed orofacial dyskinesia and improved motor function in regard to haloperidol-induced TD-like symptoms in rats. The BCG vaccine also enhanced the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH) and reduced prooxidants (MDA, nitrite) and pro-apoptotic markers (Cas-3, Cas-6, Cas-9) in rat brains. Besides this, BCG treatment also restored the neurotransmitter (DA, NE, 5-HT) levels and decreased the levels of HVA in the striatum. The study findings suggest that the BCG vaccine has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuromodulatory properties that could be relevant in the management of TD.
A Network Pharmacology and Molecular-Docking-Based Approach to Identify the Probable Targets of Short-Chain Fatty-Acid-Producing Microbial Metabolites against Kidney Cancer and Inflammation
Authors: Karim Md. Rezaul , Morshed Md. Niaj , Iqbal Safia , Mohammad Shahnawaz , Mathiyalagan Ramya , Yang Deok Chun , Kim Yeon Ju , Song Joon Hyun , Yang Dong Uk
Published: November 2023

(1) Background: A large and diverse microbial population exists in the human intestinal tract, which supports gut homeostasis and the health of the host. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-secreting microbes also generate several metabolites with favorable regulatory effects on various malignancies and immunological inflammations. The involvement of intestinal SCFAs in kidney diseases, such as various kidney malignancies and inflammations, has emerged as a fascinating area of study in recent years. However, the mechanisms of SCFAs and other metabolites produced by SCFA-producing bacteria against kidney cancer and inflammation have not yet been investigated. (2) Methods: We considered 177 different SCFA-producing microbial species and 114 metabolites from the gutMgene database. Further, we used different online-based database platforms to predict 1890 gene targets associated with metabolites. Moreover, DisGeNET, OMIM, and Genecard databases were used to consider 13,104 disease-related gene targets. We used a Venn diagram and various protein−protein interactions (PPIs), KEGG pathways, and GO analyses for the functional analysis of gene targets. Moreover, the subnetwork of protein−protein interactions (through string and cytoscape platforms) was used to select the top 20% of gene targets through degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality. To screen the possible candidate compounds, we performed an analysis of the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties of metabolites and then found the best binding affinity using molecular docking simulation. (3) Results: Finally, we found the key gene targets that interact with suitable compounds and function against kidney cancer and inflammation, such as MTOR (with glycocholic acid), PIK3CA (with 11-methoxycurvularin, glycocholic acid, and isoquercitrin), IL6 (with isoquercitrin), PTGS2 (with isoquercitrin), and IGF1R (with 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine, isoquercitrin), showed a lower binding affinity. (4) Conclusions: This study provides evidence to support the positive effects of SCFA-producing microbial metabolites that function against kidney cancer and inflammation and makes integrative research proposals that may be used to guide future studies.
Parasocial Interactions in Digital Tourism: Attributes of Live Streamers and Viewer Engagement Dynamics in South Korea
Authors: Kim Minseong
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the use of live streaming as a strategic tool in the tourism industry, with a focus on the attributes of live streamers that influence viewer engagement, particularly in the context of South Korea’s digital landscape. The purpose of this research is to understand how the attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise of live streamers can affect the parasocial relationships—characterized by perceived friendship and trust—between viewers and streamers and how these relationships subsequently influence viewer loyalty and cooperation intentions. A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing a structured online survey distributed by a leading market research agency in South Korea. The survey targeted a diverse demographic to ensure a comprehensive analysis of digital consumer behavior in the tourism sector. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0 and IBM SPSS Amos 28.0, employing structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. The results revealed that while attractiveness and trustworthiness impact perceived friendship, only expertise significantly affects trust for a travel live streamer. Furthermore, perceived friendship plays a crucial role in fostering loyalty to and cooperation with the streamer, having practical implications for the tourism industry in terms of crafting marketing strategies and training digital ambassadors. Th study extends parasocial interaction theory to the digital travel domain, providing original insights into virtual tourist behavior and highlighting live streaming’s significant contribution to viewer engagement. This research has limitations in its geographical focus on South Korea, suggesting the need for cross-cultural studies to validate the findings. Overall, this study offers valuable contributions to the academic literature and practical guidance for the tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of digital personalities in post-pandemic tourism recovery strategies.
Catalysing Construction Safety: A Comparative Analysis of Technological Advancements across High-Risk Industries
Authors: Sidani Adeeb , Poças Martins João , Soeiro Alfredo
Published: November 2023

This article presents a comprehensive review of the safety status and technological development in high-risk industries, with a focus on construction, mining, agriculture, transportation, healthcare, and energy sectors. The objective is to analyse and compare the current safety practices, challenges, and advancements in these industries to identify common trends, knowledge gaps, and potential areas for improvement. The review explores the incidence of accidents, associated costs, traditional safety methods, limitations, and emerging technologies employed to enhance safety across multiple industries. This review aims to provide insights and lessons that can be applied to enhance safety practices in the construction industry. The findings highlight the critical role of technological advancements in mitigating risks and fostering a culture of safety across diverse sectors.
Anomaly Detection Based on LSTM Learning in IoT-Based Dormitory for Indoor Environment Control
Authors: Noh Seol-Hyun , Moon Hyeun Jun
Published: November 2023

This study focuses on gathering environmental data concerning the indoor climate within a dormitory, encompassing variables such as air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, fine dust concentration, illuminance, and total volatile organic compounds. Subsequently, an anomaly detection long short-term memory model (LSTM) model, utilizing a two-stacked LSTM model, was developed and trained to enhance indoor environment control. The study demonstrated that the trained model effectively identified anomalies within eight environmental variables. Graphical representations illustrate the model’s accuracy in anomaly detection. The trained model has the capacity to monitor indoor environmental data collected and transmitted using an Internet-of-Things sensor. In the event of an anomaly domain prediction, it proactively alerts the building manager, facilitating timely indoor environment control. Furthermore, the model can be seamlessly integrated into indoor environment control systems to actively detect anomalies, thereby contributing to the automation of control processes.