bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method of Apple Image Segmentation Based on Color-Texture Fusion Feature and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhang Chunlong , Zou Kunlin , Pan Yue
Published: July 2020

Apples are one of the most kind of important fruit in the world. China has been the largest apple producing country. Yield estimating, robot harvesting, precise spraying are important processes for precise planting apples. Image segmentation is an important step in machine vision systems for precision apple planting. In this paper, an apple fruit segmentation algorithm applied in the orchard was studied. The effect of many color features in classifying apple fruit pixels from other pixels was evaluated. Three color features were selected. This color features could effectively distinguish the apple fruit pixels from other pixels. The GLCM (Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix) was used to extract texture features. The best distance and orientation parameters for GLCM were found. Nine machine learning algorithms had been used to develop pixel classifiers. The classifier was trained with 100 pixels and tested with 100 pixels. The accuracy of the classifier based on Random Forest reached 0.94. One hundred images of an apple orchard were artificially labeled with apple fruit pixels and other pixels. At the same time, a classifier was used to segment these images. Regression analysis was performed on the results of artificial labeling and classifier classification. The average values of Af (segmentation error), FPR (false positive rate) and FNR (false negative rate) were 0.07, 0.13 and 0.15, respectively. This result showed that this algorithm could segment apple fruit in orchard images effectively. It could provide a reference for precise apple planting management.
Defining Targets for Reversing Declines of Soil Carbon in High-Intensity Arable Cropping
Authors: Squire Geoffrey R. , Young Mark , Ford Linda , Banks Gillian , Hawes Cathy
Published: July 2020

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is declining globally due to intensification of agriculture. Reversing declines should reduce soil erosion, maintain yields, raise the soil’s atmospheric carbon sink, and improve habitat for biodiversity. Commercial fields were sampled in a diverse European Atlantic zone cropland to relate SOC status to cropping intensity and to define a realistic target for restoration. SOC (%C by mass) decreased from 4% to 2% as the proportion of high-intensity crops increased from zero to 55% (linear regression, F pr. < 0.001). In further sampling in and around high-intensity fields, mean SOC increased from 2.4% in cultivated soil to 3.3% in field margins and 4.8% in nearby uncultivated land (F pr. < 0.001). Three broad zones of SOC in close spatial proximity were then defined: 1) high-intensity arable from 1% to 3%, 2) mid-intensity arable and arable-grass from 3% to 5% and 3) uncultivated and semi-natural land from 5% upwards. C:N ratio was constrained around 12, unaffected by cropping intensity, but slightly lower in fields than in margins and uncultivated land (F pr. < 0.001). A feasible target SOC of just above 3% was defined for high-intensity sites. There should be no biophysical obstacle to raising SOC above 3% in the high-input sector. Results argue against treating cropland of this type as uniform: assessment and restoration should be implemented field by field.
Differential Dynamics of the Ruminal Microbiome of Jersey Cows in a Heat Stress Environment
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyeon , Kim Myung-Hoo , Kim Sang-Bum , Son Jun-Kyu , Lee Ji-Hwan , Joo Sang-Seok , Gu Bon-Hee , Park Tansol , Park Beom-Young , Kim Eun-Tae
Published: July 2020

The microbial community within the rumen can be changed and shaped by heat stress. Accumulating data have suggested that different breeds of dairy cows have differential heat stress resistance; however, the underlying mechanism by which nonanimal factors contribute to heat stress are yet to be understood. This study is designed to determine changes in the rumen microbiome of Holstein and Jersey cows to normal and heat stress conditions. Under heat stress conditions, Holstein cows had a significantly higher respiration rate than Jersey cows. Heat stress increased the rectal temperature of Holstein but not Jersey cows. In the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, Jersey cows had a significantly higher proportion of genes associated with energy metabolism in the normal condition than that with other treatments. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) results identified six taxa as distinguishing taxa between normal and heat stress conditions in Holstein cows; in Jersey cows, 29 such taxa were identified. Changes in the rumen bacterial taxa were more sensitive to heat stress in Jersey cows than in Holstein cows, suggesting that the rumen mechanism is different in both breeds in adapting to heat stress. Collectively, distinct changes in rumen bacterial taxa and functional gene abundance in Jersey cows may be associated with better adaptation ability to heat stress.
Prevalence of Blood Types and Alloantibodies of the AB Blood Group System in Non-Pedigree Cats from Northern (Lombardy) and Southern (Sicily) Italy
Authors: Spada Eva , Perego Roberta , Baggiani Luciana , Salatino Elisabetta , Priolo Vito , Mangano Cyndi , Pennisi Maria Grazia , Proverbio Daniela
Published: July 2020

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of A, B and AB blood types and alloantibodies in non-pedigree cats from two regions, one in Northern and one in Southern Italy (Lombardy and Sicily, respectively). A total of 448 samples (52.0% from Northern and 48.0% from Southern Italy) were blood typed. The prevalence of A, B and AB blood types in northern and southern cats were 91.0%, 5.2%, 3.8%, and 77.2%, 12.1% and 10.7%, respectively. The prevalence of type-A blood in southern cats was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) than in northern cats, while type-B and AB blood were significantly higher (p = 0.0085 and p = 0.0051, respectively) in Southern compared to Northern Italian cats. Alloantibodies against type-A blood were found in 94.1% of type-B cats, 11.2% of type-A cats had alloantibodies against type-B blood, while no type-AB cats had alloantibodies with no significant difference between the two Italian populations. Type-AB prevalence in non-pedigree cats in Southern Italy was the highest reported in Europe. Italian type-A cats had the lowest worldwide prevalence of alloantibodies against type-B blood. These results highlight the usefulness of regional studies to report different prevalences in feline blood types and reinforce the importance of blood typing cats before transfusions and mating.
Estimating Abundance of Siberian Roe Deer Using Fecal-DNA Capture-Mark-Recapture in Northeast China
Authors: Li Yuehui , Li Nana , Chen Long , Li Yueyuan , Xiong Zaiping , Hu Yuanman
Published: July 2020

It is necessary to estimate the population abundance of deer for managing their populations. However, most estimates are from high-density populations inhabiting the forests of North America or Europe; there is currently a lack of necessary knowledge regarding low-density deer populations in different forest habitats. In this article, we used fecal DNA based on the capture-mark-recapture method to estimate the population abundance of Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) in Liangshui National Nature Reserve in the Lesser Xing’an Mountains, northeast China, where the deer population was found to be of a low density by limited studies. We used a robust survey design to collect 422 fecal pellet groups in 2016 and extracted DNA from those samples, generating 265 different genotypes; we thus identified 77 deer individuals based on six microsatellite markers (Roe1, Roe8, Roe9, BM757, MB25 and OarFCB304). With capture and recapture records of these 77 individuals, the abundance of roe deer was estimated to be 87 deer (80–112, 95% CI) using the Program CAPTURE. Using an effective sampling area which resulted from the mean maximum recapture distance (MMRD), we converted the population abundance to a density of 2.9 deer/km2 (2.7–3.7, 95% CI). Our study estimated the roe deer population abundance by a feces-based capture-mark-recapture approach in northeast China, successfully demonstrating the applicability of non-invasive genetic sampling in monitoring populations of deer in this area, which contributes to the development of low-density deer population ecology and management.
Impact of Housing Environment on the Immune System in Chickens: A Review
Authors: Hofmann Tanja , Schmucker Sonja S. , Bessei Werner , Grashorn Michael , Stefanski Volker
Published: July 2020

During their lifespan, chickens are confronted with a wide range of acute and chronic stressors in their housing environment that may threaten their welfare and health by modulating the immune system. Especially chronic stressful conditions can exceed the individual’s allostatic load, with negative consequences for immunity. A fully functional immune system is mandatory for health and welfare and, consequently, also for high productivity and safe animal products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of housing form, light regime as well as aerial ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations on the immune system in chickens. Certain housing conditions are clearly associated with immunological alterations which potentially impair the success of vaccinations or affect disease susceptibility. Such poor conditions counteract sustainable poultry production. This review also outlines current knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for future research.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Ruminant Meats from Wet Markets in Klang Valley and Abattoirs in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Hamid Norhamizah , Sadiq Mohammed Babatunde , Ramanoon Siti Zubaidah , Mansor Rozaihan , Watanabe Malaika , Md Isa Nur Mahiza , Kamaludeen Juriah , Syed-Hussain Sharifah Salmah
Published: July 2020

(1) Background: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in meats of cattle, goat and sheep from wet markets in Klang Valley, and abattoirs in Selangor, Malaysia; (2) Methods: A total of 192 meat samples were purchased from 51 wet markets in six districts in Klang Valley (Gombak, Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Langat, Petaling and Putrajaya). Meanwhile, a total of 200 diaphragm samples were collected from two government abattoirs located in Shah Alam and Banting, Selangor. All meat juices from samples were subjected to an indirect-ELISA kit for the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies. Furthermore, all 184 meat samples of goat and sheep were subjected to conventional nested PCR (B1 genes) for the detection of T. gondii DNA; (3) Results: T. gondii antibodies were detected in 25% (n = 98/392) of the samples with seroprevalence of 9.1% (19/208, CI: 5.9%–13.8%) in cattle meat; 54.7% (41/75, 95% CI: 43.5%–65.4%) in goat meat and 34.9% (38/109, CI: 26.6%–44.2%) in sheep meat. No T. gondii DNA was detected in any of the meat samples of goat and sheep. T. gondii seropositivity in wet market samples was higher in goat (OR = 37.1 CI 12.4–110.3) and sheep meat (OR 9.03 CI: 3.28–24.8) compared to cattle meat (OR = 1.0) At univariate level, meat from non-licensed abattoirs (OR = 6.0 CI: 2.9–12.3) and female animals (OR = 6.7; CI 1.9–22.6) had higher risks of being seropositive for T. gondii antibodies than licensed abattoirs and male animals, respectively. (4) Conclusions: This is the first report of seroprevalence of T. gondii in ruminant meats for human consumption in Malaysia. The findings signified high exposure of meat samples from wet markets to T. gondii and the need for control measures to reduce the likelihood of infection when such raw or undercooked meats are consumed.
Validation of Real-time PCR Reference Genes of Muscle Metabolism in Harvested Spiny-Cheek Crayfish (Faxonius limosus) Exposed to Seasonal Variation
Authors: Śmietana Natalia , Panicz Remigiusz , Sobczak Małgorzata , Eljasik Piotr , Śmietana Przemysław
Published: July 2020

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is a sensitive and broadly used technique of assessing gene activity. To obtain a reliable result, stably expressed reference genes are essential for normalization of transcripts in various samples. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic analysis of reference genes for normalization of RT-qPCR data in spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus). In this study, expression of five candidate reference genes (actb, β-actin; gapdh, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; eif, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5a; ef-1α, elongation factor-1α; and tub, α-tubulin) in muscle samples from male and female F. limosus in spring and autumn was analyzed. Additionally, the most stable reference genes were used for accurate normalization of five target genes, i.e., tnnc, troponin c; ak, arginine kinase; fr, ferritin; ccbp-23, crustacean calcium-binding protein 23; and actinsk8, skeletal muscle actin 8. Results obtained using the geNorm and NormFinder algorithms showed high consistency, and differences in the activity of the selected actb with eif genes were successfully identified. The spring and autumn activities of the target genes (except ak) in the muscle tissue of males and females differed significantly, showing that both sexes are immensely involved in an array of breeding behaviors in spring, and females intensively recover in the autumn season. Characterization of first reference genes in spiny-cheek crayfish will facilitate more accurate and reliable expression studies in this key species.
Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Santaniello Antonio , Garzillo Susanne , Amato Alessia , Sansone Mario , Di Palma Annalisa , Di Maggio Annamaria , Fioretti Alessandro , Menna Lucia Francesca
Published: July 2020

Recently, many efforts have been made to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies as an alternative or supportive option to conventional approaches. Specifically, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has recently raised a great interest and large research efforts. This work represents a retrospective study carried out over seven years (from 2012 to 2019) in 127 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The patients were divided into three groups: an experimental group that received AAT interventions adapted to the formal reality orientation therapy (ROT), a group receiving a formal ROT, and a control group that did not perform any of the previous therapies. All sessions, for all patient groups, were held weekly for a total period of six months. The evaluation of cognitive function was performed through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), while the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) assessed the depressive state. Test administration to all patients was performed before the start of the first session (T0) and after the last session (T1). The results obtained showed an improvement in the values in the GDS and MMSE tests. The variations between the average MMSE values between T1 and T0 were 0.94 ± 0.9 (SD), 0.15 ± 0.62, and −0.42 ± 0.45 in the AAT group, ROT group, and control (CTRL) group, respectively. The variations between the average GDS values between T1 and T0 were −1.12 ± 1.17 (SD), −0.42 ± 1.21, and 0.12 ± 0.66 in the AAT group, ROT group, and CTRL group, respectively. Based on our findings, we can therefore affirm how the study carried out confirms the potential of AAT performed by Federico II Model of Healthcare Zooanthropology, and particularly its efficacy in the treatment of cognitive deficits deriving from Alzheimer’s disease.
Productive Performance, Milk Composition and Milk Fatty Acids of Goats Supplemented with Sunflower and Linseed Whole Seeds in Grass Silage-Based Diets
Authors: Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , García Montes de Oca Carlos Alberto , Pescador Salas Nazario , Estrada Flores Julieta G. , Romero Bernal José , Robles-Jimenez Lizbeth Esmeralda , Gonzalez-Ronquillo Manuel
Published: July 2020

The objective of this study was to determine productive performance, milk composition and milk fatty acids (FA) of goats supplemented with sunflower and linseed whole seeds in grass silage-based diets. Nine Alpine goats were grouped in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (n = 3), that included three 21-d periods. Treatments were based on grass silage offered ad libitum and a concentrate mixture supplemented with either 40 g/d of Megalac-R® (control), 80 g/d of sunflower seed (SF), or 80 g/d of linseed (LS). Dry matter intake (1292 ± 14.0 g/d) and digestibility (g/kg) of dry matter (640 ± 32.1), organic matter (668 ± 32.4), neutral detergent fiber (628 ± 41.4) and acid detergent fiber (567 ± 60.9) was not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment did not affect milk fat yield (39.9 ± 1.24 g/d), protein content (4.5 ± 0.03 %) and protein yield (34.7 ± 1.22 g/d). Compared to control, SF and LS, decreased C16:0 (28.2 vs. 23.1 and 22.4 g/100 g), and increased total C18:1 (24.1 vs. 27.6 and 28.4 g/100 g) respectively. Overall, SF and LS resulted an effective strategy for altering the FA composition of goat´s milk towards a healthier profile for humans without deleterious effects on animal performance.
Identification of Specific IgE Antibodies and Asthma Control Interaction and Association Using Cluster Analysis in a Bulgarian Asthmatic Children Cohort
Authors: Lazova Snezhina , Velikova Tsvetelina , Priftis Stamatios , Petrova Guergana
Published: July 2020

(1) Background: Asthma is a complex heterogeneous disease that likely comprises several distinct disease phenotypes, where the clustering approach has been used to classify the heterogeneous asthma population into distinct phenotypes; (2) Methods: For a period of 1 year, we evaluated medical history data of 71 children with asthma aged 3 to 17 years, performing pulmonary function tests, drew blood for IgE antibodies against inhalation and food allergies detection, and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ); (3) Results: Five distinct phenotypes were determined. Cluster 1 (n = 10): (non-atopic) the lowest IgE level, very low ACQ, and median age of diagnosis. Cluster 2 (n = 28): (mixed) the highest Body mass index (BMI) with the latest age of diagnosis and high ACQ and bronchodilator response (BDR) levels and median and IgE levels. Cluster 3 (n = 19) (atopic) early diagnosis, highest BDR, highest ACQ score, highest total, and high specific IgE levels among the clusters. Cluster 4 (n = 9): (atopic) the highest specific IgE result, relatively high BMI, and IgE with median ACQ score among clusters. Cluster 5 (n = 5): (non-atopic) the earliest age for diagnosis, with the lowest BMI, the lowest ACQ score, and specific IgE levels, with high BDR and the median level of IgE among clusters; (4) Conclusions: We identified asthma phenotypes in Bulgarian children according to IgE levels, ACQ score, BDR, and age of diagnosis.
Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Restore the Ovary Function in an Ovariectomized Rat Model via an Antioxidant Effect
Authors: Seok Jin , Park Hyeri , Choi Jong Ho , Lim Ja-Yun , Kim Kyung Gon , Kim Gi Jin
Published: July 2020

Oxidative stress is one of the major etiologies of ovarian dysfunction, including premature ovarian failure (POF). Previous reports have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) in an ovariectomized rat model (OVX). However, their therapeutic mechanism in oxidative stress has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated to profile the exosome of serum and demonstrate the therapeutic effect of PD-MSCs transplantation for the ovary function. We established an OVX model by ovariectomy and PD-MSCs transplantation was conducted by intravenous injection. Additionally, various factors in the exosome were profiled by LC-MS analysis. As a result, the transplanted PD-MSCs were engrafted into the ovary and the existence of antioxidant factors in the exosome. A decreased expression of oxidative stress markers and increased expression of antioxidant markers were shown in the transplantation (Tx) in comparison to the non-transplantation group (NTx) (* p < 0.05). The apoptosis factors were decreased, and ovary function was improved in Tx in comparison to NTx (* p < 0.05). These results suggest that transplanted PD-MSCs restore the ovarian function in an OVX model via upregulated antioxidant factors. These findings offer new insights for further understanding of stem cell therapy for reproductive systems.
Adeno-Associated Viral Transfer of Glyoxalase-1 Blunts Carbonyl and Oxidative Stresses in Hearts of Type 1 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Alomar Fadhel A. , Al-Rubaish Abdullah , Al-Muhanna Fahad , Al-Ali Amein K. , McMillan JoEllyn , Singh Jaipaul , Bidasee Keshore R.
Published: July 2020

Accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG) arising from downregulation of its primary degrading enzyme glyoxalase-1 (Glo1) is an underlying cause of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). This study investigated if expressing Glo1 in rat hearts shortly after the onset of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) would blunt the development of DC employing the streptozotocin-induced T1DM rat model, an adeno-associated virus containing Glo1 driven by the endothelin-1 promoter (AAV2/9-Endo-Glo1), echocardiography, video edge, confocal imaging, and biochemical/histopathological assays. After eight weeks of T1DM, rats developed DC characterized by a decreased E:A ratio, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction, and increased isovolumetric relaxation time, E: e’ ratio, and circumferential and longitudinal strains. Evoked Ca2+ transients and contractile kinetics were also impaired in ventricular myocytes. Hearts from eight weeks T1DM rats had lower Glo1 and GSH levels, elevated carbonyl/oxidative stress, microvascular leakage, inflammation, and fibrosis. A single injection of AAV2/9 Endo-Glo1 (1.7 × 1012 viron particles/kg) one week after onset of T1DM, potentiated GSH, and blunted MG accumulation, carbonyl/oxidative stress, microvascular leakage, inflammation, fibrosis, and impairments in cardiac and myocyte functions that develop after eight weeks of T1DM. These new data indicate that preventing Glo1 downregulation by administering AAV2/9-Endo-Glo1 to rats one week after the onset of T1DM, blunted the DC that develops after eight weeks of diabetes by attenuating carbonyl/oxidative stresses, microvascular leakage, inflammation, and fibrosis.
Effect of Three Polysaccharides (Inulin, and Mucilage from Chia and Flax Seeds) on the Survival of Probiotic Bacteria Encapsulated by Spray Drying
Authors: Bustamante Mariela , Laurie-Martínez Loreto , Vergara Daniela , Campos-Vega Rocio , Rubilar Mónica , Shene Carolina
Published: July 2020

Chia seed mucilage (CM), flaxseed mucilage (FM), and inulin (INL) were used as encapsulating agents to evaluate the possibility of increasing the survival of Lactobacillus casei var. rhamnosus, renamed recently to Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, after spray drying. Moreover, the viability of encapsulated L. rhamnosus was determined during the 250 day storage period at 4 °C. In a second stage, the conditions that maximized the survival of L. rhamnosus were evaluated on other probiotic bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Bifidobacterium longum). Additionally, the viability of encapsulated probiotics during the 60 day storage period at 4 and 25 °C was evaluated. The conditions that maximize the survival of L. rhamnosus (90%) predicted by a face-centered central composite design were 14.4% w/v of maltodextrin, 0.6% w/v of CM, and 90 °C of inlet air temperature. Additionally, under these encapsulating conditions, the survival of L. plantarum, B. infantis, and B. longum was 95%, 97%, and 96%, respectively. The probiotic viability improved during storage at 4 °C but decreased at 25 °C. The highest viability values obtained for probiotics during spray drying and during storage suggest a thermoprotector effect of CM, which would ensure an optimal probiotic efficacy in the product, thus promoting its utilization in the food industry.
Impact of Historical Software Metric Changes in Predicting Future Maintainability Trends in Open-Source Software Development
Authors: Gradišnik Mitja , Beranič Tina , Karakatič Sašo
Published: July 2020

Software maintenance is one of the key stages in the software lifecycle and it includes a variety of activities that consume the significant portion of the costs of a software project. Previous research suggest that future software maintainability can be predicted, based on various source code aspects, but most of the research focuses on the prediction based on the present state of the code and ignores its history. While taking the history into account in software maintainability prediction seems intuitive, the research empirically testing this has not been done, and is the main goal of this paper. This paper empirically evaluates the contribution of historical measurements of the Chidamber & Kemerer (C&K) software metrics to software maintainability prediction models. The main contribution of the paper is the building of the prediction models with classification and regression trees and random forest learners in iterations by adding historical measurement data extracted from previous releases gradually. The maintainability prediction models were built based on software metric measurements obtained from real-world open-source software projects. The analysis of the results show that an additional amount of historical metric measurements contributes to the maintainability prediction. Additionally, the study evaluates the contribution of individual C&K software metrics on the performance of maintainability prediction models.
Multi-Omics Technologies Applied to Tuberculosis Drug Discovery
Authors: Goff Aaron , Cantillon Daire , Muraro Wildner Leticia , Waddell Simon J
Published: July 2020

Multi-omics strategies are indispensable tools in the search for new anti-tuberculosis drugs. Omics methodologies, where the ensemble of a class of biological molecules are measured and evaluated together, enable drug discovery programs to answer two fundamental questions. Firstly, in a discovery biology approach, to find new targets in druggable pathways for target-based investigation, advancing from target to lead compound. Secondly, in a discovery chemistry approach, to identify the mode of action of lead compounds derived from high-throughput screens, progressing from compound to target. The advantage of multi-omics methodologies in both of these settings is that omics approaches are unsupervised and unbiased to a priori hypotheses, making omics useful tools to confirm drug action, reveal new insights into compound activity, and discover new avenues for inquiry. This review summarizes the application of Mycobacterium tuberculosis omics technologies to the early stages of tuberculosis antimicrobial drug discovery.
Impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
from an Asphalt Mix Plant in a Suburban
Residential Area
Authors: Song Myoungki , Lee Kwonho , Oh Sea-Ho , Bae Min-Suk
Published: July 2020

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), an important class of hazardous airborne pollutants, are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances known to be released during the paving of asphalt. In this study, PAHs emitted from an asphalt mix plant were analyzed to investigate the effects on a suburban residential area. Black carbon, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and PAHs in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were analyzed in a village near the asphalt mix plant. The results of wind direction analysis revealed that the village was meteorologically affected by emissions from the asphalt mix plant. PAHs in PM2.5 ranged from 0.51 to 60.73 ng/m3, with an average of 11.54 ng/m3. Seasonal PAHs were highest in winter, followed in order by spring, autumn, and summer. The diagnostic ratios between PAHs indicate that the source of PAHs could be incomplete combustion of petrogenic origin. The maximum black carbon concentration in the intensive periods reaches up to 14.17 μg/m3 during mix plant operation periods. Seasonal ∑BaPTEF values based on Toxic Equivalence Factor were: winter (2.284 ng/m3), spring (0.575 ng/m3), autumn (0.550 ng/m3), and summer (0.176 ng/m3). The values are about 6.5 times higher than the concentration in another background area and more than three times higher than those in the capital city, Seoul, in the Republic of Korea. In conclusion, primary emissions from the point source can be considered the major contributor to pollution in the residential area.
Surveying and High-Resolution Topography of the Ochtiná Aragonite Cave Based on TLS and Digital Photogrammetry
Authors: Pukanská Katarína , Bartoš Karol , Bella Pavel , Gašinec Juraj , Blistan Peter , Kovanič Ľudovít
Published: July 2020

The Ochtiná Aragonite Cave (Slovakia, Central Europe) is a world-famous karst phenomenon of significant geological, geomorphological, and mineralogical values. Its specific origin is determined by particular lithological and hydrogeological conditions of the Ochtiná karst formed in lenses of Paleozoic crystalline limestones, partly metasomatically altered to ankerite and siderite. Although the cave is only 300 m long, it represents a combined labyrinth consisting in parallel tectonically controlled halls and passages, that are largely interconnected through transverse conduits of phreatic and epiphreatic morphology with many medium- and small-scale forms originated in slowly moving or standing water (flat solution ceilings, wall inward-inclined facets, water table notches, convectional cupolas, and spongework-like hollows). The highly dissected and irregular morphologies of the cave were surveyed with terrestrial laser scanning and digital photogrammetry. Both used surveying technologies proved to be suitable for quick and accurate mapping of the complicated cave pattern. While terrestrial laser scanning can provide a rapid survey of larger and more complex areas with results delivered directly in the field, digital photogrammetry is able to generate very high-resolution models with quality photo-texture for mapping of small-scale morphologies. Several data on cave morphometry were generated from terrestrial laser scanning (e.g., the area of cave ground plan, the peripheral surface of underground spaces, and their volume). The new detailed map, sections, and 3D model create an innovation platform for a more detailed study on the morphology and genesis of this unusual cave also for its environmental protection and use in tourism.
Preparation, Sinterability, Electrical Transport and Thermal Expansion of Perovskite-Type La0.8Ca0.2CrO3 Composites
Authors: Liu Linlin , Jiang Mingmei , Yin Juanjuan , Guo Wenfeng , Jiao Tifeng
Published: July 2020

Perovskite-type was synthesized by two methods, the combustion method and conventional solid state reaction (SSR) method. The effect of synthesis methods on sinterability and physical properties of the ceramic were investigated. The results show that there are advantages of the combustion method in producing doped lanthanum chromites. Compared with the SSR method, the combustion method reduces the sintering temperature of La0.8Ca0.2CrO3, elevates the electronic conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the ceramic, due to optimizing the microstructure. At the same densities level (–93%), the specimen synthesized by the combustion method reaches a superior electrical conductivity of 31.6 S·cm-1 and a compatible TEC of 10.7 × 10−6 K−1 at 800 °C.
Effect of Diagonal Pattern Training on Trunk Function, Balance, and Gait in Stroke Patients
Authors: Park Shin Jun , Oh Seunghue
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Trunk control disability commonly occurs after stroke. This study investigated the effect of diagonal pattern training in the sitting position to improve trunk control ability and gait performance. Method: 46 stroke patients were enrolled in this study. We used single plane training and diagonal pattern training. Additionally, the subjects were randomly assigned to the experiment group (diagonal pattern training) and the control group (single plane training). Diagonal pattern training was modified with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique’s chopping and lifting pattern to create 10 movements. Results: the trunk impairment scale score, Berg balance scale score, 10 m walking test result, and gait significantly increased in the experiment group compared to the control group. Conclusions: diagonal pattern training can be regarded as a promising method to improve postural control and increase balance and gait in stroke patients
Microbiota in Waterlogged Archaeological Wood: Use of Next-Generation Sequencing to Evaluate the Risk of Biodegradation
Authors: Antonelli Federica , Esposito Alfonso , Galotta Giulia , Davidde Petriaggi Barbara , Piazza Silvano , Romagnoli Manuela , Guerrieri Francesca
Published: July 2020

Waterlogged archaeological wood (WAW) is considered a precious material, first-hand account of past civilizations. Like any organic material, it is subjected to biodegradative action of microorganisms whose activity could be particularly fast and dangerous during the phases of excavation, storage and restoration. The present work aimed to characterize the microorganisms present in WAW during these tricky periods to evaluate the biological risk it is exposed to. The bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting woods coming from two archaeological sites (Pisa and Naples) were investigated through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). High-throughput sequencing of extracted DNA fragments was performed using the reversible terminator-based sequencing chemistry with the Illumina MiSeq platform. The analyses revealed that the two archaeological sites showed distinct richness and biodiversity, as expected. In all the WAWs, the bacterial community harbored mainly Proteobacteria, whereas Bacteroidetes was well represented only in Naples communities and taxa belonging to the phyla Chloroflexi only in the Pisa site. Concerning the fungal community, the two sites were dominated by different phyla: Ascomycota for Naples samples and Basidiomycota for Pisa. Interestingly, most of the identified bacterial and fungal taxa have cellulolytic or ligninolytic ability. These results provide new and useful background information concerning the composition of WAW microbiota and the threat it represents for this precious material.
Effect of Soil Box Boundary Conditions on Dynamic Behavior of Model Soil in 1 g Shaking Table Test
Authors: Kim Hoyeon , Kim Daehyeon , Lee Yonghee , Kim Haksung
Published: July 2020

In order to evaluate the effects of soil box boundary conditions on the dynamic soil behavior, the Rigid Box (RB) and the Laminar Shear box (LSB) were constructed and 1 g shaking table tests were carried out for various boundary conditions. The boundary effects of the RB and the LSB were compared. To reduce the boundary effects of the RB, sponges, 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm in thickness, were attached to the two end sides of the RB. A model soil was constructed on flat ground, and the acceleration and amplification occurring in the center of the soil were analyzed by spectrum and peak ground acceleration. Compared with the RB, the center and wall accelerations of LSB were very close to each other. This implies that the LSB can better simulate the behavior of the infinite half space than the RB.
Automatic Design of Collective Behaviors for Robots that Can Display and Perceive Colors
Authors: Garzón Ramos David , Birattari Mauro
Published: July 2020

Research in swarm robotics has shown that automatic design is an effective approach to realize robot swarms. In automatic design methods, the collective behavior of a swarm is obtained by automatically configuring and fine-tuning the control software of individual robots. In this paper, we present TuttiFrutti: an automatic design method for robot swarms that belongs to AutoMoDe—a family of methods that produce control software by assembling preexisting software modules via optimization. The peculiarity of TuttiFrutti is that it designs control software for e-puck robots that can display and perceive colors using their RGB LEDs and omnidirectional camera. Studies with AutoMoDe have been so far restricted by the limited capabilities of the e-pucks. By enabling the use of colors, we significantly enlarge the variety of collective behaviors they can produce. We assess TuttiFrutti with swarms of e-pucks that perform missions in which they should react to colored light. Results show that TuttiFrutti designs collective behaviors in which the robots identify the colored light displayed in the environment and act accordingly. The control software designed by TuttiFrutti endowed the swarms of e-pucks with the ability to use color-based information for handling events, communicating, and navigating.
Water on Actinide Dioxide Surfaces: A Review of Recent Progress
Authors: Wang Gaoxue , Batista Enrique R. , Yang Ping
Published: July 2020

The fluorite structured actinide dioxides (AnO2), especially UO2, are the most common nuclear fuel materials. A comprehensive understanding of their surface chemistry is critical because of its relevance to the safe handling, usage, and storage of nuclear fuels. Because of the ubiquitous nature of water (H2O), its interaction with AnO2 has attracted significant attention for its significance in studies of nuclear fuels corrosion and the long-term storage of nuclear wastes. The last few years have seen extensive experimental and theoretical studies on the H2O–AnO2 interaction. Herein, we present a brief review of recent advances in this area. We focus on the atomic structures of AnO2 surfaces, the surface energies, surface oxygen vacancies, their influence on the oxidation states of actinide atoms, and the adsorption and reactions of H2O on stoichiometric and reduced AnO2 surfaces. Finally, a summary and outlook of future studies on surface chemistry of AnO2 are given. We intend for this review to encourage broader interests and further studies on AnO2 surfaces.
Oral Health and Related Factors Associated with General Health and Quality of Life
Authors: Isola Gaetano
Published: July 2020

Oral well-being is an integral part of individual general health. The mouth and teeth are, in fact, part of our body, increasingly characterizing personal identity. Oral diseases are a public health problem that has a growing prevalence. Oral pathologies can occur in childhood, and as they have a chronic and progressive course, if not properly treated, they can affect the relational, psychological, and social skills of an individual. The population most affected are those with a low socio-economic level, so much so that the presence of diseases of the oral cavity is considered a marker of social disadvantage. In this regard, much effort is needed from scientists, and their applied sciences, in order to give the knowledge required for public health personal to take note of the seriousness of the situation and to start changing the way we deal with the problem.
Application of Hyperspectral Imaging for Assessment of Tomato Leaf Water Status in Plant Factories
Authors: Zhao Tiejun , Nakano Akimasa , Iwaski Yasunaga , Umeda Hiroki
Published: July 2020

Irrigation management continues to be an important issue for tomato cultivation, especially in plant factories. Accurate and timely assessment of tomato leaf water status is a key factor in enabling appropriate irrigation, which can save nutrition solution and labor. In recent decades, hyperspectral imaging has been widely used as a nondestructive measurement method in agriculture to obtain plant biological information. The objective of this research was to establish an approach to obtain the tomato leaf water status—specifically, the relative water content (WC) and equivalent water thickness (MC)—for five different tomato cultivars in real time by using hyperspectral imaging. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and two-band vegetation index (TBI) analyses were performed on the tomato leaf raw relative reflection (RAW), the inversion-logarithm relative reflection (LOG), and the first derivative of relative reflection (DIFF) from wavelengths of 900 nm to 1700 nm. The best regression model for WC assessment was obtained by TBI regression using DIFF at wavelengths of 1410 nm and 1520 nm, and the best regression model for MC assessment was obtained by NDVI regression using RAW at wavelengths of 1300 nm and 1310 nm. Higher model performance was obtained with MC assessment than with WC assessment. The results will help improve our understanding of the relationship between hyperspectral reflectance and leaf water status.
Low-Speed Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Permutation and Spectral Entropy Measures
Authors: Sandoval Diego , Leturiondo Urko , Pozo Francesc , Vidal Yolanda
Published: July 2020

Despite its influence on wind energy service life, condition-based maintenance is still challenging to perform. For offshore wind farms, which are placed in harsh and remote environments, damage detection is critically important to schedule maintenance tasks and reduce operation and maintenance costs. One critical component to be monitored on a wind turbine is the pitch bearing, which can operate at low speed and high loads. Classical methods and features for general purpose bearings cannot be applied effectively to wind turbine pitch bearings owing to their specific operating conditions (high loads and non-constant very low speed with changing direction). Thus, damage detection of wind turbine pitch bearings is currently a challenge. In this study, entropy indicators are proposed as an alternative to classical bearing analysis. For this purpose, spectral and permutation entropy are combined to analyze a raw vibration signal from a low-speed bearing in several scenarios. The results indicate that entropy values change according to different types of damage on bearings, and the sensitivity of the entropy types differs among them. The study offers some important insights into the use of entropy indicators for feature extraction and it lays the foundation for future bearing prognosis methods.
Performance Evaluation of Autonomous Driving Control Algorithm for a Crawler-Type Agricultural Vehicle Based on Low-Cost Multi-Sensor Fusion Positioning
Authors: Han Joong-hee , Park Chi-ho , Kwon Jay Hyoun , Lee Jisun , Kim Tae Soo , Jang Young Yoon
Published: July 2020

The agriculture sector is currently facing the problems of aging and decreasing skilled labor, meaning that the future direction of agriculture will be a transition to automation and mechanization that can maximize efficiency and decrease costs. Moreover, interest in the development of autonomous agricultural vehicles is increasing due to advances in sensor technology and information and communication technology (ICT). Therefore, an autonomous driving control algorithm using a low-cost global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-real-time kinematic (RTK) module and a low-cost motion sensor module was developed to commercialize an autonomous driving system for a crawler-type agricultural vehicle. Moreover, an autonomous driving control algorithm, including the GNSS-RTK/motion sensor integration algorithm and the path-tracking control algorithm, was proposed. Then, the performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated based on three trajectories. The Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) of the path-following of each trajectory are calculated to be 9, 7, and 7 cm, respectively, and the maximum error is smaller than 30 cm. Thus, it is expected that the proposed algorithm could be used to conduct autonomous driving with about a 10 cm-level of accuracy.
Exposure to Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Hypertension among Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display Workers
Authors: Chang Ta-Yuan , Huang Kuei-Hung , Liu Chiu-Shong , Bao Bo-Ying
Published: July 2020

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the concentration of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to investigate the association between indoor VOCs exposure and the prevalence of hypertension among thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) workers. A total of 20 canisters were used to collect VOCs samples in the array, cell and module areas over 12 hours and VOCs concentrations were analyzed by the gas chromatography with mass spectrum. Individual information of health examination and lifestyles by self-administrated questionnaire were provided by 155 volunteers. The multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the associations between VOCs exposure, blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension. The four dominant VOCs were ethanol (1870.8 ± 1754.0 ppb), acetone (689.9 ± 587.4 ppb), isopropyl alcohol (177.1 ± 202.3 ppb) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (98.2 ± 100.8 ppb), which were identified with the highest level in the module area for ethanol and acetone and in the array area for the others. Subjects exposed to a total level of ethanol, cyclohexanone and toluene ≥ 2500 ppb had an increased systolic blood pressure of 5.95 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.20–11.71; p = 0.043) compared with those exposed to <2500 ppb. Exposure to mixed VOCs in the indoor environment might be associated with elevated blood pressure among TFT-LCD workers.
Regulation of the Mammalian SWI/SNF Family of Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes by Phosphorylation during Myogenesis
Authors: Padilla-Benavides Teresita , Reyes-Gutierrez Pablo , Imbalzano Anthony N.
Published: July 2020

Myogenesis is the biological process by which skeletal muscle tissue forms. Regulation of myogenesis involves a variety of conventional, epigenetic, and epigenomic mechanisms that control chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, histone modification, and activation of transcription factors. Chromatin remodeling enzymes utilize ATP hydrolysis to alter nucleosome structure and/or positioning. The mammalian SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (mSWI/SNF) family of chromatin remodeling enzymes is essential for myogenesis. Here we review diverse and novel mechanisms of regulation of mSWI/SNF enzymes by kinases and phosphatases. The integration of classic signaling pathways with chromatin remodeling enzyme function impacts myoblast viability and proliferation as well as differentiation. Regulated processes include the assembly of the mSWI/SNF enzyme complex, choice of subunits to be incorporated into the complex, and sub-nuclear localization of enzyme subunits. Together these processes influence the chromatin remodeling and gene expression events that control myoblast function and the induction of tissue-specific genes during differentiation.
Protective Effects of Bee Venom against Endotoxemia-Related Acute Kidney Injury in Mice
Authors: Kim Jung-Yeon , Lee Sun-Jae , Maeng Young-In , Leem Jaechan , Park Kwan-Kyu
Published: July 2020

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a leading cause of death in hospitalized patients worldwide. Despite decades of effort, there is no effective treatment for preventing the serious medical condition. Bee venom has long been used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases. However, whether bee venom has protective effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI has not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bee venom on LPS-induced AKI. The administration of bee venom alleviated renal dysfunction and structural injury in LPS-treated mice. Increased renal levels of tubular injury markers after LPS treatment were also suppressed by bee venom. Mechanistically, bee venom significantly reduced plasma and tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cell infiltration into damaged kidneys. In addition, mice treated with bee venom exhibited reduced renal expression of lipid peroxidation markers after LPS injection. Moreover, bee venom attenuated tubular cell apoptosis in the kidneys of LPS-treated mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that bee venom attenuates LPS-induced renal dysfunction and structural injury via the suppression of inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubular cell apoptosis, and might be a useful therapeutic option for preventing endotoxemia-related AKI.