bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Permanent Grassland Grazing Management Practices and the Impacts on Principal Soil Quality Indicators
Authors: Milazzo Filippo , Francksen Richard M. , Abdalla Mohamed , Ravetto Enri Simone , Zavattaro Laura , Pittarello Marco , Hejduk Stanislav , Newell-Price Paul , Schils René L. M. , Smith Pete , Vanwalleghem Tom
Published: May 2023

Grasslands are at risk of degradation due to unsustainable management practices and climate change. Here, we review the principal soil quality indicators (SQIs) to evaluate the sustainability of different grassland management practices globally. We discuss the importance of SQI assessment and the Soil Quality Minimum Dataset (MDS) specifically in the context of grasslands. We then review two potential solutions, the first of which is adopting grazing management, whereby sustainable grazing management plans (GMPs) offer great potential. The other solution is the development and adoption of novel grassland species, which may improve either drought resistance or infiltration rates, erosion and flooding. Sustainable grassland soil management can promote ecosystem service delivery and improve the resilience of the entire grassland ecosystem to anthropogenic change.
Effects of Utilization Methods on C, N, P Rate and Enzyme Activity of Artificial Grassland in Karst Desertification Area
Authors: Song Shuzhen , Wang Xueling , He Cheng , Chi Yongkuan
Published: May 2023

To investigate the effects of different utilization methods on the ratio characteristics of soil C, N, P and enzyme activities of grassland soil is of great significance for the sustainable utilization of grassland. In this study, the effects of different utilization methods on soil C, N, P rate and enzyme activities were investigated in artificial grasslands treated with grazing grassland (GG), mowing grassland (MG) and enclosed grassland (EG). The results showed that: (1) the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorus (TP) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) were EG > GG > MG; the contents of total nitrogen (TN), alkaline nitrogen (AN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) were GG > EG > MG; the contents of available phosphorus (AP) and C:N were EG > MG > GG; the contents of C:P and N:P were MG > GG > EG; (2) β-1,4-Glucosidase (βG) and β-1,4-N-Acetylglucos-Aminidase (NAG) activities were GG > EG > MG, acid phosphatase (ACP) was EG > MG > GG, Leucine Aminopeptidase (LAP) was MG > EG > GG, C:NEEA and C:PEEA were GG > EG > MG, N:PEEA was GG > MG > EG; (3) redundancy analysis showed that AN (F = 4.90, p = 0.01) was an important driver of soil enzymes. We concluded that there were significant differences in soil C, N, P, enzyme activity and their ratio characteristics under different grassland uses. EG is closer to the standard ratio of global soil ecosystems. Therefore, reducing soil disturbance and optimizing fertilization are effective ways to improve soil enzyme activity and maintain good soil nutrient circulation.
Properties of Yoghurt Fortified in Lactoferrin with Effect of Storage Time
Authors: Jańczuk Anna , Brodziak Aneta , Król Jolanta , Czernecki Tomasz
Published: May 2023

The stability of fortified yoghurts during refrigerated storage is important for industry and the consumer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional value, microbiological quality, organoleptic properties, and structure of natural yoghurts made with the addition of lactoferrin during refrigerated storage. In this study, we produced natural yoghurts fortified in lactoferrin, using YC-X11 yoghurt starter culture based on Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Physicochemical (acidity, nutritional value and structure) as well as microbiological and organoleptic changes occurring during 28-days refrigerated storage were determined. Storage research made it possible to determine the direction of changes taking place in the products. The analysed parameters did not differ statistically significantly between the control yoghurts and those with the addition of lactoferrin. Textural and rheological studies also shown that the addition of lactoferrin did not significantly change the structure of the yoghurt. The yoghurts were characterized by high sanitary and hygienic quality during the whole refrigerated storage. Lactoferrin has a positive effect on the durability of the product.
Seasonal Pattern of Advertisement Calling and Physiology in Prolonged Breeding Anurans, Japanese Tree Frog (Dryophytes japonicus)
Authors: Park Jun-Kyu , Do Yuno
Published: May 2023

The calling behavior of anurans should be studied in detail as it greatly influences their physiology and immunity, particularly in prolonged breeding species. The effect can be further complicated by the emergence timing in the breeding season. We conducted a study comparing the physiology and calling behavior of the Japanese tree frog (Dryophytes japonicus), a prolonged breeder species, according to the breeding timing. During the middle of the breeding season, a high chorus size appeared, indicating a breeding peak. However, chorus size did not dominate physiology and calling behavior. In the early breeding season, frogs had a high energy storage state and immunity. In the middle of the breeding season, individuals from the early breeding season were considered to have exhausted their energy stores and had low immunity. Towards the end of the breeding season, frogs appeared to have newly introduced, at which time energy stores and immunity were as high as in the beginning. However, unlike the physiology, the pattern of calling constantly varied as the breeding season progressed. Frogs from the early season conserved energy used for calling, and frogs from the late season showed a breeding spurt for mating. Our results can help in understanding the energy metabolism of calling behavior, physiology, and disease epidemiology in prolonged breeder species. They also suggest that individuals coordinate their participation in the breeding season and that the timing of their appearance at breeding sites may not be random.
Radiation Dose Reduction in Different Digital Radiography Systems: Impact on Assessment of Defined Bony Structures in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Steiner Natalie , Ludewig Eberhard , Tebrün Wiebke , Pees Michael
Published: May 2023

Three different digital detector systems were used to study the effect of a defined radiation dose reduction on the image quality of digital radiographs in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). A series of radiographs of seven bearded-dragon cadavers with a body mass ranging from 132 g to 499 g were taken in dorsoventral projection. The digital systems employed included two computed radiography systems (CR) (one system with a needle-based and one with a powdered-based scintillator) and one direct radiography system (DR). Three levels of the detector dose were selected: A standard dose (defined based on the recommended exposure value of the CRP, D/100%), a half dose (D/50%), and a quarter dose (D/25%). Four image criteria and one overall assessment were defined for each of four anatomic skeletal regions (femur, rib, vertebra, and phalanx) and evaluated blinded by four veterinarians using a predefined scoring system. The results were assessed for differences between reviewers (interobserver variability), radiography systems, and dosage settings (intersystem variability). The comparison of the ratings was based on visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis. Dose reduction led to significantly lower scores in all criteria by every reviewer, indicating a linear impairment of image quality in different skeletal structures in bearded dragons. Scores did not differ significantly between the different systems used, indicating no advantage in using a computed or direct radiography system to evaluate skeletal structures in bearded dragons. The correlation was significant (p ≤ 0.05) for interobserver variability in 100% of the cases, with correlation coefficients between 0.50 and 0.59. While demonstrating the efficacy of the use of digital radiography in bearded dragons and the similar quality in using different computed or direct radiography systems, this study also highlights the importance of the appropriate level of detector dose and demonstrates the limits of post-processing algorithm to compensate for insufficient radiation doses in bearded dragons.
The Scent Enriched Primate
Authors: Elwell Emily J. , Vaglio Stefano
Published: May 2023

Zoos worldwide play an important role in both in situ and ex situ conservation via efforts such as providing breeding programmes and reintroductions into the wild. Zoo populations are crucial as a buffer against extinction. However, a mismatch between the wild and zoo environments can lead to psychological as well as physiological health issues, such as stress, boredom, diabetes, and obesity. These problems, in turn, can impact the reproductive success of individuals. Consequently, some primate species have reduced breeding success when housed in zoos compared to their wild counterparts. To prevent the onset of behavioural, physiological, and cognitive negative effects and to continually improve the welfare of their animals, zoos widely implement different types of environmental enrichment. There are many forms enrichment can take, such as feeding, puzzles and training, but sensory enrichments, including implementing the use of scents, are currently understudied. Scent enrichments are less utilized despite multiple research studies showing that they may have positive effects on welfare for zoo-housed animal species, including non-human primates. Despite being traditionally considered to be microsmatic, various lines of evidence suggest that olfaction plays a larger role in primates than previously thought. This review therefore focuses on scent-based enrichment and the specifics of captive primates.
Changes in Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis, and Substance P, B-Endorphin and α-Tocopherol Concentrations in the Spinal Cord of Chronically Lame Dairy Cows
Authors: Müller Heine , Herzberg Daniel , Chihuailaf Ricardo , Strobel Pablo , Werner Marianne , Bustamante Hedie
Published: May 2023

Initial lameness inflammation leads to chronic lameness and development of chronic pain due to the release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are implicated in the transition from acute to chronic pain, and free radical scavengers countering thiol, substance P (SP), and β-endorphin (BE). The present study aimed to evaluate the dynamic thiol–disulfide homeostasis, α-tocopherol concentrations and SP and BE concentrations in the spinal cord of chronically lame dairy cows. Ten lame and 10 non-lame cows with a parity range of 2–6 were selected for the study. Lame cows had a history of up to 3 months of lameness. Spinal cord samples were obtained from the L2 to L4 lumbar vertebrae aspect of each animal. A thiol–disulfide homeostasis assay was performed using absorbance, and the α-tocopherol concentration was determined by HPLC. SP and BE concentrations were measured using ELISA kits. The results indicated that SP and BE were significantly higher in the spinal cord of lame cows. In contrast, disulfide levels and α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly lower in the spinal cord of lame cows. In conclusion, disulfide levels and α-tocopherol concentrations indicated a defective antioxidant response in cows with chronic lameness. The results of SP and BE concentrations suggested chronic pain and a defective endogenous analgesic response.
Presumptive First Record of Myotis aurascens (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from China with a Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors: Yang Xiufeng , Chen Xingyao , Gao Xiaodong , Sun Guolei , Song Xue , Dou Huashan , Zhang Honghai
Published: May 2023

Bat groups have a high degree of species diversity, and the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships among bat species have always been research hotspots. Due to the fact that morphological characteristics do not always reflect the evolutionary relationships among species, mitochondrial DNA has been widely used in the study of species relationships due to its maternal inheritance pattern. Myotis aurascens has been suggested as a possible synonym for M. davidii. However, the status of this classification has been controversial. In this study, the morphological and molecular characteristics of a M. aurascens captured from Inner Mongolia, China, were analyzed to determine its taxonomic status. In terms of morphological features, the body weight was 6.33 g, the head and body length were 45.10 mm, the forearm length was 35.87 mm, and the tragus length was 7.51 mm. These values all fell within the species signature data range. Nucleotide skew analysis of the protein-coding genes (PCGs) suggested that only five PCGs (ND1, ND2, COX2, ATP8, and ND4) showed AT-skew value within the mitogenome of M. aurascens. Except for ND6, the GC-skew values of the other PCGs were negative, reflecting the preference for C and T bases compared to G and A bases. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial PCGs indicated that M. aurascens was a distinct species from M. davidii and phylogenetically closer to M. ikonnikovi, M. alcathoe, and M. mystacinus. Genetic distance analysis also showed that M. aurascens and M. davidii were distantly related. Therefore, the integrated analysis demonstrated that M. aurascens should be considered a distinct species rather than a synonym of M. davidii. Our study could provide a reference for enriching species diversity and research on conservation in China.
Adaptive Fusion Sampling Strategy Combining Geotechnical and Geophysical Data for Evaluating Two-Dimensional Soil Liquefaction Potential and Reconsolidation Settlement
Authors: Yang Huajian , Liu Zhikui , Yan Yan , Li Yuantao , Tao Guozheng
Published: May 2023

In engineering practice, properly characterizing the spatial distribution of soil liquefaction potential and induced surface settlement is essential for seismic hazard assessment and mitigation. However, geotechnical site investigations (e.g., cone penetration test (CPT)) usually provide limited and sparse data with high accuracy. Geophysical surveys provide abundant two-dimensional (2D) data, yet their accuracy is lower than that of geotechnical investigations. Moreover, correlating geotechnical and geophysical data can effectively reduce site investigation costs. This study proposes a data-driven adaptive fusion sampling strategy that automatically develops an assessment model of the spatial distribution of soil liquefaction potential from spatially sparse geotechnical data, performs monitoring of liquefaction-induced settlement, and integrates spatiotemporally unconstrained geophysical data to update the model systematically and quantitatively. The proposed strategy is illustrated using real data, and the results indicate that the proposed strategy overcomes the difficulty of generating high-resolution spatial distributions of liquefaction potential from sparse geotechnical data, enables more accurate judgment of settlement variations in local areas, and is an effective tool for site liquefaction hazard analysis.
A Methodology to Automatically Segment 3D Ultrasonic Data Using X-ray Computed Tomography and a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Caballero Juan-Ignacio , Cosarinsky Guillermo , Camacho Jorge , Menasalvas Ernestina , Gonzalo-Martin Consuelo , Sket Federico
Published: May 2023

Ultrasonic non-destructive testing (UT) is a proficient method for detecting damage in composite materials; however, conventional manual testing procedures are time-consuming and labor-intensive. We propose a semi-automated defect segmentation methodology employing a convolutional neural network (CNN) on 3D ultrasonic data, facilitated by the fusion of X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) data. This approach offers the ability to develop supervised datasets for cases where UT techniques inadequately assess defects and enables the creation of models with genuine defects rather than artificially introduced ones. During the training process, we recommend processing the 3D volumes as a sequence of 2D slices derived from each technique. Our methodology was applied to segment porosity, a common defect in composite materials, for which characteristics such as void size and shape remain immeasurable via UT. Precision, recall, F1 score, and Intersection over Union (IoU) metrics were used in the evaluation. The results of the evaluation show that the following challenges have to be faced for improvement: (i) achieving accurate 3D registration, (ii) discovering suitable similar keypoints for XCT and UT data registration, (iii) differentiating ultrasonic echoes originating from porosity versus those related to noise or microstructural features (interfaces, resin pockets, fibers, etc.), and, (iv) single out defect echoes located near the edges of the component. In fact, an average F1 score of 0.66 and IoU of 0.5 were obtained.
An Experimental Study on the Injection Characteristics and the Macroscopic Spray Characteristics of Rapeseed Oil-Diesel Fuel Blends
Authors: Slavinskas Stasys
Published: May 2023

In this study, the injection processes and spray behavior of diesel fuel (DF), rapeseed oil (RO) and their fuel blends (RO25, RO50, RO75) have been qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed to identify the differences in the injection rate and the spray parameters. The volumetric and mass injection rates, the spray penetration, the spray cone angle and the spray area under non-evaporation conditions in a nitrogen-filled camber were analyzed. The results showed that rapeseed oil leads to a decrease in the peak injection rate due to its higher density and viscosity. Moreover, rapeseed oil and its blends with mineral diesel oil exhibited smoother rising slopes at the start of injection. The spray tip penetration was the longest for the rapeseed oil and the spray tip penetrations of the fuel blends RO25, RO50 and RO75 were arranged between the values of DF and RO. As the injection pressure increased, the differences in the spray tip penetrations diminished. Increasing the amount of rapeseed oil in fuel blends resulted in a smaller spray cone angle compared to diesel fuel. The spray area of all tested fuels increased significantly with increasing spray tip penetration, the spray area of RO was consistently lower than that of diesel fuel.
A Personalized Learning Path Recommendation Method Incorporating Multi-Algorithm
Authors: Ma Yongjuan , Wang Lei , Zhang Jiating , Liu Fengjuan , Jiang Qiaoyong
Published: May 2023

In this era of intelligence, the learning methods of learners have substantially changed. Many learners choose to learn through online education platforms. Although learners may enjoy more high-quality educational resources, when they are faced with an abundance of resource information, they are prone to become lost in knowledge, among other problems. To solve this problem, a multi-algorithm collaborative, personalized, learning path recommendation model is proposed to provide learning guidance for learners of online learning platforms. First, the learner model is constructed from four perspectives: cognitive level, learning ability, learning style, and learning intensity. Second, the association rule algorithm is employed to generate a sequence of knowledge points and to plan the learning sequence of knowledge points for learners. Last, the swarm intelligence algorithm is utilized to ensure that each knowledge point is matched with personalized learning resources with a higher degree of adaptability so that learners can learn using a more targeted approach. The experimental results show that the research results of this paper can, to a certain extent, recommend ideal learning paths to target users, effectively improve the accuracy of recommended resources, and thus improve the learning quality and learning effect of users.
An Overview of Modelling and Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Cao Yunfei , Yao Ming , Sun Xiaodong
Published: May 2023

With the world’s energy reserves under strain and the requirements of national carbon emission regulations, the fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness of automobiles are becoming increasingly important. Due to the combination of long cruising range and energy efficiency, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been adopted as a reliable option for improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. In order to fully exploit the advantages of hybrid electric vehicles, energy management and torque distribution have become the focus of control strategies for HEVs, while also ensuring battery life and meeting requirements for fuel consumption, emissions and driving performance. Therefore, a great deal of research has been carried out on energy management strategies and many approaches have been offered in the literature. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the literature, highlighting its contributions and making a complete reference for scholars interested in hybrid vehicle development, control, and optimization.
Analysis of Numerical Micromodulus Coupled with Influence Function for Brittle Materials via Bond-Based Peridynamics
Authors: You Yachen , Jia Siyi
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the numerical micromodulus is derived for the plane stress problem to develop a new insight into the application of bond-based peridynamics. Considering the nonlocal property of peridynamics, the numerical micromodulus coupled with influence function provides a reasonable description of the long-range force effect. Through several numerical applications, the effectiveness of the numerical modulus coupled with various influence functions to simulate deformation and failure is analyzed. In addition, a load increment algorithm based on fictitious density is developed specifically for quasi-static problems. It is indicated that the introduction of the influence function can enhance the accuracy in deformation and failure simulation, which is valuable for the advancement and application of numerical micromoduli. Through a comprehensive trade-off between simulation accuracy and stability, the numerical micromodulus coupled with the exponential influence function proves to be the more effective option for brittle material.
Techno-Economic Assessment of an Off-Grid Biomass Gasification CHP Plant for an Olive Oil Mill in the Region of Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Authors: Sánchez-Lozano Daniel , Escámez Antonio , Aguado Roque , Oulbi Sara , Hadria Rachid , Vera David
Published: May 2023

A substantial number of off-grid olive oil mills in Morocco are powered by diesel-fired generators, which hugely contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In this research work, a biomass gasification combined heat and power (CHP) plant fueled with local by-products was explored as a renewable alternative to electrify off-grid olive oil mills in this country. The case study considered a gasification CHP plant with a rated power of 80 kWe, in order to enable adaptation of the producer gas flow rate to abrupt changes in the power generation unit under dynamic operation. A downdraft gasifier and a producer gas conditioning unit were modeled under steady state operation using Cycle-Tempo, while the power generation unit was modeled in the Thermoflex simulation environment under partial and full load operation. Olive cake pellets and olive pruning chips were evaluated as biomass feedstock, with moisture contents ranging from 5% to 20% (wet basis). The results from the simulation of the gasification CHP plant showed net electrical efficiencies and CHP efficiencies around 18% and 35%, respectively. Finally, a profitability assessment of the gasification CHP plant was developed for 2 months of continuous operation, together with a sensitivity analysis. The results for the baseline scenario reveal a payback period of 7–8 years and a 68.5% accumulated profit based on the capital investment, which suggest that biomass gasification CHP plants can represent an economically feasible and sustainable solution for the electrification of off-grid areas in Morocco.
An Active File Mode Transition Mechanism Based on Directory Activation Ratio in File Synchronization Service
Authors: Lim Mingyu
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose an active file mode change mechanism in which the file synchronization system of cloud storage automatically changes files in a directory of a client to the online or local mode by considering tradeoff between local storage usage and file access time according to directory activation ratio. When the directory activation ratio rises above a certain threshold, the proposed active file mode change mechanism selects online mode files in this directory based on file access delay time and local storage usage and changes them to the local mode to reduce file access delay of active IoT clients. When the directory activation ratio falls below the threshold, the active file mode change mechanism selects the local mode files based on the last access time and local storage usage and changes them to the online mode to increase available local storage. Experimental results show that the proposed active file mode change mechanism can control when and how much the client can reduce and increase the local storage usage and the file access delay by changing file mode parameters according to the requirements of various IoT devices.
Ball Milling and Consolidation Process of Al-Cr Powder Mixture—Microstructural Characterization
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Roberto Ademar , Porcayo-Calderón Jesús , Barragán José Luis Reyes , Arrieta-González Cinthya Dinorah , Gomez-Guzman Néstor Belisario , Plasencia González Iván Daniel
Published: May 2023

The interest in studying the synthesis of an Al–Cr alloy system by non-equilibria processes is due to the formation of metastable or quasicrystalline phases when rapid solidification has been utilized. Similarly, the formation of quasicrystals has been reported to a much lesser extent when the mechanical alloying technique was applied. In the present research, a mixture of powders of Cr and Al (both elements with a purity of 99.99%) with compositions of Al-5 and 7.5 at. % Cr was subjected to a ball milling process. Afterwards, the powder mixture was subjected to a consolidation process, conducted by pressing and sintering processes. The X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that during 20 h of milling there was no formation of metastable or quasicrystalline second phases detected. In addition, the X-ray diffraction peaks revealed that as milling time increased, the nanometric grain size decreased, and once the sintering treatment was applied, the crystallite size decreased following the same tendency. The dislocation density was estimated using the size of nanometric grains; this computation revealed that the dislocation density grew throughout the ball milling process; even after sintering, the multiplication of dislocations prevailed following the same tendency.
Chemical Characteristics and Source Apportionment of PM2.5 in Western Industrial Region of Jinan
Authors: Guo Jian , Wang Haiyong , Liu Shanjun , Wang Zhanshan
Published: May 2023

In order to obtain the chemical composition characteristics and source apportionment of PM2.5 in a western industrial region of Jinan, manual sampling and analysis of PM2.5 in Pingyin County was conducted during 2019. The results showed that the total concentration of 29 species of PM2.5 was 53.8 μg·m−3. The NO3− concentration (14.6 ± 14.2 μg·m−3) was the highest, followed by OC (9.3 ± 5.5 μg·m−3), SO42− (9.1 ± 6.4 μg·m−3) and NH4+ (8.1 ± 6.8 μg·m−3). Concentrations of OC, NO3− and SO42− were highest in winter and lowest in summer. The concentration of NH4+ was highest in winter and lowest in spring. The annual SOR and NOR were 0.30 ± 0.14 and 0.21 ± 0.12, respectively. SO2 emission and conversion ratio was highest in winter, leading to the highest SO42− concentration. SO2 emission in summer was low, but the conversion ratio was high. NOR in winter and autumn were close and higher than spring and summer. The high NOR in autumn caused a higher NO3− concentration compared with that in spring and summer. The average concentration of SOC during 2019 was 2.8 ± 1.9 μg·m−3, accounting for 30% of OC. The PMF results showed that coal emission accounted for 36.5% of PM2.5 concentration, followed by mobile sources (32.6%), industry emission (17.4%), dust emission (7.1%) and other emissions (6.4%).
Aptamers as Insights for Targeting SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Karadeniz Saygılı Suna , Szymanowska Anna , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Rodriguez-Aguayo Cristian , Amero Paola
Published: May 2023

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to be a major cause of high mortality in the world. Despite many therapeutic approaches having been successfully developed, there is still the need to find novel and more effective therapeutic strategies to face the upcoming variants. Here, we will describe the potential use of aptamers, synthetic single-stranded oligonucleotides, as promising tools to target SARS-CoV-2. Since aptamers have been successfully developed against viruses, this review will focus on the latest selection approach method using artificial intelligence, the state-of-the-art in bioinformatics, and we will also summarize the latest discoveries in terms of aptamers against spike protein and other novel receptor proteins involved in SARS-CoV-2 entry and the use of single-cell transcriptomics to define novel promising targets for SARS-CoV-2.
Sensing High 17β-Estradiol Concentrations Using a Planar Microwave Sensor Integrated with a Microfluidic Channel
Authors: Harnsoongnoen Supakorn , Loutchanwoot Panida , Srivilai Prayook
Published: May 2023

The global issue of pollution caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been gaining increasing attention. Among the EDCs of environmental concern, 17β-estradiol (E2) can produce the strongest estrogenic effects when it enters the organism exogenously through various routes and has the potential to cause harm, including malfunctions of the endocrine system and development of growth and reproductive disorders in humans and animals. Additionally, in humans, supraphysiological levels of E2 have been associated with a range of E2-dependent disorders and cancers. To ensure environmental safety and prevent potential risks of E2 to human and animal health, it is crucial to develop rapid, sensitive, low cost and simple approaches for detecting E2 contamination in the environment. A planar microwave sensor for E2 sensing is presented based on the integration of a microstrip transmission line (TL) loaded with a Peano fractal geometry with a narrow slot complementary split-ring resonator (PF-NSCSRR) and a microfluidic channel. The proposed technique offers a wide linear range for detecting E2, ranging from 0.001 to 10 mM, and can achieve high sensitivity with small sample volumes and simple operation methods. The proposed microwave sensor was validated through simulations and empirical measurements within a frequency range of 0.5–3.5 GHz. The E2 solution was delivered to the sensitive area of the sensor device via a microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel with an area of 2.7 mm2 and sample value of 1.37 µL and measured by a proposed sensor. The injection of E2 into the channel resulted in changes in the transmission coefficient (S21) and resonance frequency (Fr), which can be used as an indicator of E2 levels in solution. The maximum quality factor of 114.89 and the maximum sensitivity based on S21 and Fr at a concentration of 0.01 mM were 1746.98 dB/mM and 40 GHz/mM, respectively. Upon comparing the proposed sensor with the original Peano fractal geometry with complementary split-ring (PF-CSRR) sensors without a narrow slot, several parameters were evaluated, including sensitivity, quality factor, operating frequency, active area, and sample volume. The results showed that the proposed sensor exhibited an increased sensitivity of 6.08% and had a 40.72% higher quality factor, while the operating frequency, active area, and sample volume showed decreases of 1.71%, 25%, and 28.27%, respectively. The materials under tests (MUTs) were analyzed and categorized into groups using principal component analysis (PCA) with a K-mean clustering algorithm. The proposed E2 sensor has a compact size and simple structure that can be easily fabricated with low-cost materials. With the small sample volume requirement, fast measurement with a wide dynamic range, and a simple protocol, this proposed sensor can also be applied to measure high E2 levels in environmental, human, and animal samples.
Recent Genome-Editing Approaches toward Post-Implanted Fetuses in Mice
Authors: Nakamura Shingo , Inada Emi , Saitoh Issei , Sato Masahiro
Published: May 2023

Genome editing, as exemplified by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, has recently been employed to effectively generate genetically modified animals and cells for the purpose of gene function analysis and disease model creation. There are at least four ways to induce genome editing in individuals: the first is to perform genome editing at the early preimplantation stage, such as fertilized eggs (zygotes), for the creation of whole genetically modified animals; the second is at post-implanted stages, as exemplified by the mid-gestational stages (E9 to E15), for targeting specific cell populations through in utero injection of viral vectors carrying genome-editing components or that of nonviral vectors carrying genome-editing components and subsequent in utero electroporation; the third is at the mid-gestational stages, as exemplified by tail-vein injection of genome-editing components into the pregnant females through which the genome-editing components can be transmitted to fetal cells via a placenta-blood barrier; and the last is at the newborn or adult stage, as exemplified by facial or tail-vein injection of genome-editing components. Here, we focus on the second and third approaches and will review the latest techniques for various methods concerning gene editing in developing fetuses.
Primacy Effect of Dynamic Multi-Sensory Covid ADV Influences Cognitive and Emotional EEG Responses
Authors: Acconito Carlotta , Angioletti Laura , Balconi Michela
Published: May 2023

Advertising uses sounds and dynamic images to provide visual, auditory, and tactile experiences, and to make the audience feel like the protagonist. During COVID-19, companies modified their communication by including pandemic references, but without penalizing multisensorial advertising. This study investigated how dynamic and emotional COVID-19-related advertising affects consumer cognitive and emotional responses. Nineteen participants, divided into two groups, watched three COVID-19-related and three non-COVID-19-related advertisements in two different orders (Order 1: COVID-19 and non-COVID-19; Order 2: non-COVID-19 and COVID-19), while electrophysiological data were collected. EEG showed theta activation in frontal and temporo-central areas when comparing Order 2 to Order 1, interpreted as cognitive control over salient emotional stimuli. An increase in alpha activity in parieto-occipital area was found in Order 2 compared to Order 1, suggesting an index of cognitive engagement. Higher beta activity in frontal area was observed for COVID-19 stimuli in Order 1 compared to Order 2, which can be defined as an indicator of high cognitive impact. Order 1 showed a greater beta activation in parieto-occipital area for non-COVID-19 stimuli compared to Order 2, as an index of reaction for painful images. This work suggests that order of exposure, more than advertising content, affects electrophysiological consumer responses, leading to a primacy effect.
Effects of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Enhanced with Neuropsychological Treatment on Post-Acute SARS-CoV-2 Cognitive Impairment (Brain Fog): An Observational Study
Authors: Rabaiotti Paolo , Ciracì Chiara , Donelli Davide , Oggioni Carlotta , Rizzi Beatrice , Savi Federica , Antonelli Michele , Rizzato Matteo , Moderato Luca , Brambilla Valerio , Ziveri Valentina , Brambilla Lorenzo , Bini Matteo , Nouvenne Antonio , Lazzeroni Davide
Published: May 2023

Concentration and memory impairment (named “brain fog”) represents a frequent and disabling neuropsychological sequela in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether neurocognitive function could improve after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program enhanced with individualized neuropsychological treatment. A prospective monocentric registry of PACS patients consecutively admitted to our Rehabilitation Unit was created. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess cognitive impairment at admission and discharge. A total of sixty-four (64) PACS patients, fifty-six (56) of them with brain fog, were treated with a day-by-day individualized psychological intervention of cognitive stimulation (45 min) on top of a standard in-hospital rehabilitation program. The mean duration of the acute-phase hospitalization was 55.8 ± 25.8 days and the mean in-hospital rehabilitation duration was 30 ± 10 days. The mean age of the patients was 67.3 ± 10.4 years, 66% of them were male, none had a previous diagnosis of dementia, and 66% of the entire sample had experienced severe COVID-19. At admission, only 12% of the patients had normal cognitive function, while 57% showed mild, 28% moderate, and 3% severe cognitive impairment. After psychological treatment, a significant improvement in the MoCA score was found (20.4 ± 5 vs. 24.7 ± 3.7; p < 0.0001) as a result of significant amelioration in the following domains: attention task (p = 0.014), abstract reasoning (p = 0.003), language repetition (p = 0.002), memory recall (p < 0.0001), orientation (p < 0.0001), and visuospatial abilities (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the improvement remained significant after multivariate analysis adjusted for several confounding factors. Finally, at discharge, 43% of the patients with cognitive impairment normalized their cognitive function, while 4.7% were discharged with residual moderate cognitive impairment. In conclusion, our study provides evidence of the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation enhanced with neuropsychological treatment on improvement in the cognitive function of post-acute COVID-19 patients.
Individual/Peak Gamma Frequency: What Do We Know?
Authors: Mockevičius Aurimas , Šveistytė Kristina , Griškova-Bulanova Inga
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the concept of individualized measures of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity has emerged. Gamma-band activity plays an important role in many sensory and cognitive processes. Thus, peak frequency in the gamma range has received considerable attention. However, peak or individual gamma frequency (IGF) is rarely used as a primary measure of interest; consequently, little is known about its nature and functional significance. With this review, we attempt to comprehensively overview available information on the functional properties of peak gamma frequency, addressing its relationship with certain processes and/or modulation by various factors. Here, we show that IGFs seem to be related to various endogenous and exogenous factors. Broad functional aspects that are related to IGF might point to the differences in underlying mechanisms. Therefore, research utilizing different types of stimulation for IGF estimation and covering several functional aspects in the same population is required. Moreover, IGFs span a wide range of frequencies (30–100 Hz). This could be partly due to the variability of methods used to extract the measures of IGF. In order to overcome this issue, further studies aiming at the optimization of IGF extraction would be greatly beneficial.
Structure and Surface Behavior of Rh Complexes in Ionic Liquids Studied Using Angle-Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Hemmeter Daniel , Paap Ulrike , Maier Florian , Steinrück Hans-Peter
Published: May 2023

We present an ARXPS study on the surface composition and interfacial behavior of commercial [Rh(COD)2][TfO] in [C2C1Im][TfO], [C4C1Im][TfO], [C8C1Im][TfO], and [C2C1Im][EtOSO3]. The complex was found to be non-intact in a solution of these ILs through the loss of COD ligands, accompanied by the depletion of the metal center from the IL/vacuum interface. Increasing the chain length of the aliphatic substituent on the imidazolium cation of the [TfO]−-based ILs led to a more pronounced depletion from the interface, due to the higher surface affinity of the solvent cations with the longer alkyl chains. The loss of COD ligands offered facile in situ ligand substitution with surface-active TPPTS to afford a moderate increase in the surface concentration of Rh. We propose the formation of a Schrock−Osborn-type catalyst [Rh(COD)(TPPTS)2][TfO]. Information on the surface composition and targeted design of the gas/IL interface is highly relevant for applications in IL-based catalytic systems, such as in supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysis.
Spatiotemporal Localisation of Heparan Sulphate Proteoglycans throughout Mouse Lens Morphogenesis
Authors: Wishart Tayler F. L. , Lovicu Frank J.
Published: May 2023

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) consist of a core protein decorated with sulphated HS-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. These negatively charged HS-GAG chains rely on the activity of PAPSS synthesising enzymes for their sulfation, which allows them to bind to and regulate the activity of many positively charged HS-binding proteins. HSPGs are found on the surfaces of cells and in the pericellular matrix, where they interact with various components of the cell microenvironment, including growth factors. By binding to and regulating ocular morphogens and growth factors, HSPGs are positioned to orchestrate growth factor-mediated signalling events that are essential for lens epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and lens fibre differentiation. Previous studies have shown that HS sulfation is essential for lens development. Moreover, each of the full-time HSPGs, differentiated by thirteen different core proteins, are differentially localised in a cell-type specific manner with regional differences in the postnatal rat lens. Here, the same thirteen HSPG-associated GAGs and core proteins as well as PAPSS2, are shown to be differentially regulated throughout murine lens development in a spatiotemporal manner. These findings suggest that HS-GAG sulfation is essential for growth factor-induced cellular processes during embryogenesis, and the unique and divergent localisation of different lens HSPG core proteins indicates that different HSPGs likely play specialized roles during lens induction and morphogenesis.
A Concise Review on Oxidative Stress-Mediated Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Huang Xudong
Published: May 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which was first identified more than a century ago, has become a pandemic that exacts enormous social burden and economic tolls as no measure of combating devastated AD is currently available. Growing etiopathological, genetic, and biochemical data indicate that AD is a heterogeneous, polygenic, multifactorial, and complex disease. However, its exact etiopathology remains to be determined. Numerous experimental data show that cerebral iron and copper dyshomeostasis contribute to Aβ amyloidosis and tauopathy, two neuropathological hallmarks of AD. Moreover, increasing experimental evidence suggests ferroptosis, an iron-dependent and nonapoptotic form of cell death, may be involved in the neurodegenerative process in the AD brain. Thus, the anti-ferroptosis approach may be an efficacious therapeutic strategy for AD patients. Furthermore, it remains to be further determined whether cuproptosis, a copper-dependent and distinct form of regulated cell death, also plays a contributing role in AD neurodegeneration. We hope this concise review of recent experimental studies of oxidative stress-mediated ferroptosis and cuproptosis in AD may spur further investigations on this timely and essential line of research.
Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Profile in the Brain of Young and Aged Mice
Authors: Cyr Brianna , de Rivero Vaccari Juan Pablo
Published: May 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide with no cures identified. Thus, there is a critical need for preventative measures and treatments as the number of patients is expected to increase. Many neurodegenerative diseases have sex-biased prevalence, indicating a need to examine sex differences when investigating prevention and treatment strategies. Inflammation is a key contributor to many neurodegenerative diseases and is a promising target for prevention since inflammation increases with age, which is known as inflammaging. Here, we analyzed the protein expression levels of cytokines, chemokines, and inflammasome signaling proteins in the cortex of young and aged male and female mice. Our results show an increase in caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and ASC specks in females compared to males. Additionally, there was an increase in IL-1α, VEGF-A, CCL3, CXCL1, CCL4, CCL17, and CCL22 in aging females and an increase in IL-8, IL-17a, IL-7, LT-α, and CCL22 in aging males. IL-12/IL-23p40, CCL13, and IL-10 were increased in females compared to males but not with age. These results indicate that there are sex differences in cortical inflammaging and provide potential targets to attenuate inflammation to prevent the development of neurodegenerative disease.
Cardiovascular Protective Effects of NP-6A4, a Drug with the FDA Designation for Pediatric Cardiomyopathy, in Female Rats with Obesity and Pre-Diabetes
Authors: Belenchia Anthony M. , Boukhalfa Asma , DeMarco Vincent G. , Mehm Alexander , Mahmood Abuzar , Liu Pei , Tang Yinian , Gavini Madhavi P. , Mooney Brian , Chen Howard H. , Pulakat Lakshmi
Published: May 2023

Background: Obese and pre-diabetic women have a higher risk for cardiovascular death than age-matched men with the same symptoms, and there are no effective treatments. We reported that obese and pre-diabetic female Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF-F) rats recapitulate metabolic and cardiac pathology of young obese and pre-diabetic women and exhibit suppression of cardio-reparative AT2R. Here, we investigated whether NP-6A4, a new AT2R agonist with the FDA designation for pediatric cardiomyopathy, mitigate heart disease in ZDF-F rats by restoring AT2R expression. Methods: ZDF-F rats on a high-fat diet (to induce hyperglycemia) were treated with saline, NP-6A4 (10 mg/kg/day), or NP-6A4 + PD123319 (AT2R-specific antagonist, 5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks (n = 21). Cardiac functions, structure, and signaling were assessed by echocardiography, histology, immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and cardiac proteome analysis. Results: NP-6A4 treatment attenuated cardiac dysfunction, microvascular damage (−625%) and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (−263%), and increased capillary density (200%) and AT2R expression (240%) (p < 0.05). NP-6A4 activated a new 8-protein autophagy network and increased autophagy marker LC3-II but suppressed autophagy receptor p62 and autophagy inhibitor Rubicon. Co-treatment with AT2R antagonist PD123319 suppressed NP-6A4’s protective effects, confirming that NP-6A4 acts through AT2R. NP-6A4-AT2R-induced cardioprotection was independent of changes in body weight, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, or blood pressure. Conclusions: Cardiac autophagy impairment underlies heart disease induced by obesity and pre-diabetes, and there are no drugs to re-activate autophagy. We propose that NP-6A4 can be an effective drug to reactivate cardiac autophagy and treat obesity- and pre-diabetes-induced heart disease, particularly for young and obese women.