bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allelopathic Effects of Cannabis sativa L. Aqueous Leaf Extracts on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Durum Wheat and Barley
Authors: Patanè Cristina , Pellegrino Alessandra , Cosentino Salvatore L. , Testa Giorgio
Published: February 2023

In this study, the allelochemical-induced effects of the leaf water extract of hemp (Cannabis sativa) on seed germination and seedling growth were investigated in durum wheat (Triticum durum) cv. Mongibello and barley (Hordeum vulgare) cv. Alamo. The seeds were imbibed in 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% solution concentrations, obtained from a 2% hemp leaf extract, and they were germinated at 20 and 10 °C. The 2% extract stock solution (i.e., 100% solution concentration) was obtained by extracting 20 g of leaf powder in 1 L distilled water (2%, w/v). A control of seeds imbibed in distilled water was considered. Germination was scored daily and at the end of the germination test, the final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI), and vigor index (VI) were calculated. The radicles and shoots of the germinated seeds of both species were also measured for their length and weight. The analyses revealed the presence of phenols in the hemp leaf extract, which were the highest in the 100% concentration (13.14 ± 0.20 mg gallic acid equivalent-GAE g−1 extract). At 20 °C, increasing the concentration had either minor (in wheat) or no effects (in barley) on the seed germination. At 10 °C, the germination was reduced by the increasing concentration, suggesting a potential allelopathic effect of the extract. However, at 100% concentration, the seeds germinated significantly better that those at 75% concentration. At 20 °C, increasing concentration progressively depressed both the radicle and shoot elongation in both species. At 10 °C, the radicle elongation was depressed by the extract, irrespective of the concentration, whilst the shoots were as long as those of the control in wheat, and smaller at the 50 and 75% concentrations in barley. We can conclude that the water extract of hemp leaves can have a negative impact on wheat and barley seed germination and seedling growth, particularly at temperatures below optimal. However, the high concentration of phenols in the extract may stimulate seed germination and seedling growth. Thus, in semi-arid areas, such as those of the Mediterranean regions, sowings of wheat and barley after hemp at an optimal (i.e., 20 °C) or nearly optimal temperature are recommended in order to minimize the combined stressing effects of the temperature and allelopathic leaf extract upon plant establishment, which may limit a successful crop establishment.
Magnesium Effects on Carbohydrate Characters in Leaves, Phloem Sap and Mesocarp in Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.)
Authors: Jiao Jiabin , Li Jinlong , Chang Jingjing , Li Jing , Chen Xiao , Li Zhen , Song Zhao , Xie Dasen , Zhang Baige
Published: February 2023

Magnesium (Mg) is critical for agricultural production and human health. The wax gourd yield was greatly affected by Mg fertilizer and it serves as an excellent crop to study Mg functioning in sink growth; however, as a Cucurbitaceae plant which is called a raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs)-transporting plant, its adaptive mechanism of photoassimilates transportation and distribution to Mg nutrients remains unknown. Herein, we used two Mg treatments (+Mg 90 kg ha−1; CK as control 0 kg ha−1) to observe the effects of Mg on the photoassimilates status in the leaves, phloem sap and fruit of wax gourd grown across the entire growth stage under a field condition. For the first time, we confirmed that stachyose and raffinose, which accounted for 54.9–78.0% of the total carbohydrates across the whole growth phase in the phloem sap, were the most predominant sugars used for the long-distance transport of wax gourds. They were strongly increased by Mg application which started from the seedling stage to the end of growing season. This response was earlier and more dramatic than the over-accumulation of sucrose in leaves regardless of positions. Hexoses (glucose plus fructose) were the main soluble sugars in the source leaves as well as in the mesocarp tissues, and their responses to Mg varied with temporal and spatial differences. The difference in the sugar status in the leaves between the upper, middle and lower positions is closely related to the concentration of Mg ions. Compared with Mg deficiency (CK), Mg application stimulated sugar accumulation in the leaves at the seedling and flowering stages by 10.6–24.5%. On the contrary, after fruit set, Mg supplementation significantly reduced the soluble sugar concentration in leaves by 33.5–67.9%. Mg treatment also spiked the fructose and glucose in fruit at the fruit expansion stage by 26.7% and 16.4%, respectively. Taken together, our results showed that Mg tailors the carbohydrate status in the source (leaves), flow (phloem sap) and sink (mesocarp tissues) in wax gourds, especially during the fruit growth period. The lower stachyose in the phloem at the beginning of fruit setting may be an early indication of a curtailed sink process in wax gourds grown in Mg deficient soil.
Simulation Effect of Water and Nitrogen Transport under Wide Ridge and Furrow Irrigation in Winter Wheat Using HYDRUS-2D
Authors: Wang Shunsheng , Liu Tengfei , Yang Jinyue , Wu Chuang , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2023

An experiment was conducted to create a science-based program of irrigation and fertilizer application for two-year winter wheat under wide ridge and furrow irrigation in the Yellow River irrigation area. The study was performed in a test field located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. A numerical model of soil water and nitrogen transport for winter wheat under wide ridge and furrow irrigation was created using HYDRUS-2D. The behavior of soil water and nitrogen was predicted for different irrigation water and nitrogen treatments and analyzed to identify pathways of nitrogen transport and transformation. The nitrogen balance was calculated for the different water and nitrogen treatments. The coefficients of determination for measured and predicted values of soil water content, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen in both horizontal and vertical directions were all >0.68; the mean absolute error was <0.06; and the root mean square error was <0.1. These values indicate the feasibility of using a numerical model of nitrogen transport for wide ridge and furrow irrigation. The correlation coefficient R2 between simulated values of nitrogen uptake and measured values of total crop nitrogen content was 0.88, the RMSE value was 10.58 kg/ha, and the MAE value was 5.9 kg/ha. Nitrogen loss was primarily caused by denitrification, and the quantity of gaseous nitrogen loss was 7.05–38.2% of the nitrogen form. The total quantity of ammonium nitrogen absorbed by winter wheat plant roots in each treatment was 7.6–15.1% of the total amount of nitrate nitrogen absorbed. The maximum nitrogen uptake was 155.53 kg/ha with a yield of 6888.67 kg/ha at a nitrogen application rate of 220 kg/ha and irrigating to 70% field capacity. The UE of the 220 kg/ha and irrigating to 70% field capacity treatment was relatively high, the PFP of the 120 kg/ha and irrigating to 80% field capacity treatment was relatively high, and the nitrogen use efficiency of the 320 kg/ha and irrigating to 60% field capacity treatment was the lowest overall. This study provides a basis for investigating soil water and nitrogen transport mechanisms of winter wheat under wide ridge and furrow irrigation in the Yellow River irrigation area.
Vibration Response of Walnuts under Vibration Harvesting
Authors: Liu Changyi , Xu Daochun , Cao Jiale
Published: February 2023

Vibration harvesting is a promising method for walnut production owing to its low cost and high efficiency. However, current research focuses on simulation analysis and lacks a theoretical model explaining the walnuts’ specific vibration response. This affects the design of the input vibration parameters during harvesting and thus reduces the harvesting efficiency. In this paper, a novel theoretical model of walnuts during vibration harvesting was established to analyze the vibration response, including the motion morphology (motion trajectory and dropping position) and detachment force. A field test was then carried out to verify the theoretical model. The theoretical and experimental results showed that the motion trajectory of the walnuts during vibration harvesting is similar to an ellipse, and the dropping position is at either of the two end points of the trajectory. The detachment force was found to be proportional to the vibration amplitude and the square of the vibration frequency theoretically. This paper provides a theoretical reference for designing the optimal input vibration parameters of a harvesting device to improve the harvesting rate of walnuts.
Computer Vision and Deep Learning as Tools for Leveraging Dynamic Phenological Classification in Vegetable Crops
Authors: Rodrigues Leandro , Magalhães Sandro Augusto , da Silva Daniel Queirós , dos Santos Filipe Neves , Cunha Mário
Published: February 2023

The efficiency of agricultural practices depends on the timing of their execution. Environmental conditions, such as rainfall, and crop-related traits, such as plant phenology, determine the success of practices such as irrigation. Moreover, plant phenology, the seasonal timing of biological events (e.g., cotyledon emergence), is strongly influenced by genetic, environmental, and management conditions. Therefore, assessing the timing the of crops’ phenological events and their spatiotemporal variability can improve decision making, allowing the thorough planning and timely execution of agricultural operations. Conventional techniques for crop phenology monitoring, such as field observations, can be prone to error, labour-intensive, and inefficient, particularly for crops with rapid growth and not very defined phenophases, such as vegetable crops. Thus, developing an accurate phenology monitoring system for vegetable crops is an important step towards sustainable practices. This paper evaluates the ability of computer vision (CV) techniques coupled with deep learning (DL) (CV_DL) as tools for the dynamic phenological classification of multiple vegetable crops at the subfield level, i.e., within the plot. Three DL models from the Single Shot Multibox Detector (SSD) architecture (SSD Inception v2, SSD MobileNet v2, and SSD ResNet 50) and one from You Only Look Once (YOLO) architecture (YOLO v4) were benchmarked through a custom dataset containing images of eight vegetable crops between emergence and harvest. The proposed benchmark includes the individual pairing of each model with the images of each crop. On average, YOLO v4 performed better than the SSD models, reaching an F1-Score of 85.5%, a mean average precision of 79.9%, and a balanced accuracy of 87.0%. In addition, YOLO v4 was tested with all available data approaching a real mixed cropping system. Hence, the same model can classify multiple vegetable crops across the growing season, allowing the accurate mapping of phenological dynamics. This study is the first to evaluate the potential of CV_DL for vegetable crops’ phenological research, a pivotal step towards automating decision support systems for precision horticulture.
Foliar Applications of ZnO and SiO2 Nanoparticles Mitigate Water Deficit and Enhance Potato Yield and Quality Traits
Authors: Seleiman Mahmoud F. , Al-Selwey Wadei A. , Ibrahim Abdullah A. , Shady Mohamed , Alsadon Abdullah A.
Published: February 2023

The yield and quality of field crops are affected by abiotic stresses such as water deficit, which can negatively impact crop growth, productivity, and quality. However, nanotechnology holds great promise for increasing crop yield, maintaining quality, and thus mitigating abiotic stresses. Therefore, the current study was conducted to examine the influences of 0, 50, and 100 mg L−1 zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and 0, 25, and 50 mg L−1 silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles on the yield and quality traits of potato plants grown under water deficit conditions (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc). Water deficit significantly reduced yield traits (average tuber weight, number of plant tubers, and tuber yield) and quality traits (tuber diameter, crude protein, and mineral content). However, it enhanced tuber dry weight, specific gravity, ascorbic acid, starch, and total soluble solids. Foliar applications of ZnO and SiO2 nanoparticles under water deficit treatments significantly enhanced yield and improved quality traits of potato plants. Moreover, significant and positive correlations were found among yield traits. Thus, it can be concluded that using ZnO NPs at 100 mg L−1 significantly improves potato productivity and quality traits by mitigating the negative effects of water deficit in arid regions.
Effects of Different Altitudes on Coffea arabica Rhizospheric Soil Chemical Properties and Soil Microbiota
Authors: Ge Yu , Zhang Fengying , Xie Chun , Qu Peng , Jiang Kuaile , Du Huabo , Zhao Meng , Lu Yunfeng , Wang Butian , Shi Xuedong , Li Xuejun , Zhang Chuanli
Published: February 2023

Coffee is one of the most valuable agricultural commodities worldwide, second only to oil in terms of international trade. Coffea arabica L. is a widely cultivated and economically important crop that is responsible for about 90% of the global production of coffee. In this study, we selected five C. arabica cultivation sites at different altitudes to clarify the effects of altitude on rhizospheric soil physical–chemical characteristics and microbial communities. The samples collected at low altitudes were more nutrient-deficient and acidic than the soil samples collected at medium–high altitudes. The Proteobacteria-to-Acidobacteria ratio increased from lower altitudes to medium–high altitudes. Additionally, although Ascomycota was the dominant fungal phylum, it was unaffected by the altitude. Furthermore, the alpha richness and diversity of the bacterial and fungal communities were higher at medium–high altitudes than at low altitudes. Moreover, the redundancy analysis indicated that microbial phyla were closely associated with pH. These findings suggest that C. arabica should be cultivated at medium–high altitudes, which is conducive to sustainable management and the production of high-quality C. arabica beans.
Executive Functions as Measured by the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS) over the Lifespan of Dogs
Authors: Foraita Maike , Howell Tiffani , Bennett Pauleen
Published: February 2023

Executive Functions (EFs) are needed for effortful self-regulation of behaviour and are known to change over the lifespan in humans. In domestic dogs, EFs can be assessed through behavioural rating scales, such as the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS). The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether the DEFS, developed initially using a sample of adult dogs, can be used in juvenile (<1 year) and senior (>8 years) dogs. Confirmatory factor analysis of a juvenile and senior dog sample led to good model fit indices, indicating that juvenile and senior dogs’ EF structure follows the same functional organisation as found in the DEFS. The secondary aim was to analyse the lifespan development of EFs. Analysis of subscale scores revealed multifaceted relationships with age for four subscales. Working Memory and Attention Towards Owner showed the u-shaped curve traditionally associated with the lifespan development of EFs. Forms of inhibition showed complex associations with age, i.e., Delay Inhibition declined in aging and Motor Regulation increased during aging. Training history and Working Status influenced performance independent of age. More highly trained dogs and working dogs exhibited higher EF skills. Training history appeared more important for EF in non-working dogs than working dogs, perhaps because all working dogs receive a high level of training.
Prevalence of Sex-Related Chromosomal Abnormalities in a Large Cohort of Spanish Purebred Horses
Authors: Demyda-Peyrás Sebastián , Laseca Nora , Anaya Gabriel , Kij-Mitka Barbara , Molina Antonio , Karlau Ayelén , Valera Mercedes
Published: February 2023

Chromosomal abnormalities are largely associated with fertility impairments in the domestic horse. To date, over 600 cases of individuals carrying abnormal chromosome complements have been reported, making the domestic horse the species with the highest prevalence. However, studies analyzing the prevalence of chromosomal diseases in whole populations are scarce. We, therefore, employed a two-step molecular tool to screen and diagnose chromosomal abnormalities in a large population of 25,237 Pura Raza Español horses. Individuals were first screened using short tandem repeats parentage testing results and phenotypic evaluations. Those animals showing results suggesting chromosomal abnormalities were re-tested using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based diagnostic methodology to accurately determine the chromosomal complements. Thirteen individuals showed a positive screening, all of which were diagnosed as chromosomally abnormal, including five 64,XY mares with sex development disorders (DSD) and four cases of blood chimerism (two male/female and two female/female cases). In addition, we detected one Turner and one Klinefelter syndrome and two individuals carrying complex karyotypes. The overall prevalence in the entire population was ~0.05%, with the prevalence of 64,XY DSD and blood chimerism ~0.02% and ~0.016%, respectively. However, the overall results should be taken with caution since the individuals carrying Turner syndrome (in full (63,X) or mosaic (mos 63,X/64,XX) forms) cannot be detected due to limitations in the methodology employed. Finally, the lack of agreement between populational studies performed using karyotyping or molecular methods is discussed. To our knowledge, this is the largest populational study performed evaluating the prevalence of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in the domestic horse.
In Vitro Evaluations and Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Commercial Products Containing Condensed Tannins and of Saifoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) Hay against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Goats
Authors: Gazzonis Alessia L. , Panseri Sara , Pavlovic Radmila , Zanzani Sergio A. , Chiesa Luca , Rapetti Luca , Battelli Marco , Villa Luca , Manfredi Maria Teresa
Published: February 2023

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) is a limiting health factor for dairy goats, and the integration of the diet with fodder containing condensed tannins (CT) is becoming increasingly important to control GINs. To preliminary evaluate their potential role as part of GIN control in goat breeding, the in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of the CTs of Silvafeed BYPRO (SBP), Silvafeed Q powder (SQ), and sainfoin hay (SH) was evaluated, and the untargeted metabolomics profiling of the selected formulations was performed. CTs were extracted in water and in ethanol, their concentration was determined, and their chemical characterization was conducted using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) platform. The in vitro anthelmintic activity of the extracts was evaluated using the Eggs Hatch Test (EHT) and the Larval Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT) using different extract concentrations (150, 300, 600, and 1200 μg/mL). The metabolomic profile of the ethanol extract showed a high number of flavonoids, while the water extract showed higher levels of hydrolysable tannins. The ethanol extracts were effective on both eggs hatching and larvae migration at low concentrations (150 μg/mL) for the three analyzed samples, while the water extracts showed more varied results: SH showed the greatest ovicidal efficacy (concentration 150 μg/mL, %IH = 40.9), while SBP and SQ were more effective against the larvae migration (concentration 600 μg/mL, %LMI = 69.7% and 88%), respectively. The integration of CT-rich fodder into the diet may be considered for the control of GIN infection in goats.
Ovulation Induced by Intrauterine Seminal Plasma Increases Total Protein, PGE2, IL-8, and IL-1β in Uterine Fluid of Llamas (Lama glama)
Authors: Hidalgo Alejandra Isabel , Ulloa-Leal Cesar , Gajardo Gonzalo , López Gerardo , Carretta Daniella , Burgos Rafael Agustín , Ratto Marcelo
Published: February 2023

The establishment of a state of immunotolerance in the female reproductive tract is important for embryo development, implantation and placentation. Llamas are induced ovulators and more than 98% of pregnancies occur in the left uterine horn. The objective of this study was to determine the uterine immune response of llamas in different stages of the reproductive cycle. Adult llamas (n = 20) were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography to determine follicular growth and then randomly assigned to four groups: Follicular phase (n = 5); Luteal phase induced by an intramuscular administration of 50 ug of GnRH analogue (n = 5); Luteal phase induced by intrauterine infusion of seminal plasma (n = 5); and Luteal phase induced by mating (n = 5). Uterine fluid was collected separately from both uterine horns by non-surgical flushing to determine the presence of cells, total proteins and concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN γ, TNF-α and PGE2. Inflammatory cells were not observed in the uterine fluid and total protein pattern and inflammatory mediators did not differ between the left and the right horn amongst groups. Llamas treated with an intrauterine infusion of seminal plasma showed the highest concentration of total proteins, inflammatory cytokines PGE2, IL-8 and IL-1β in the uterine fluid. In conclusion, seminal plasma is made up of significant numbers of signaling molecules that are able to modify the uterine immune response in llamas.
Domestic Cattle in a National Park Restricting the Sika Deer Due to Diet Overlap
Authors: Wu Feng , Zhu Di , Wen Peiying , Tang Zhizhen , Bao Lei , Guan Yu , Ge Jianping , Wang Hongfang
Published: February 2023

Managers need to know the extent of the conflict between livestock and wild animals. Although many studies have reported the conflict between livestock and wild animals, few have checked the extent of the conflict. Cattle raising in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park is considered one of the main driving forces behind the restricted distribution of sika deer. To understand whether foraging competition is contributing to avoidance patterns between sika deer and cattle, we investigated their feeding habits using DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing. Our study shows that although cattle are grazers in the traditional division of herbivores, their diet shifted to a predominance of dicotyledonous woody plants, and this diet shift resulted in a high degree of dietary overlap between sika deer and cattle. Moreover, compared to sika deer, cattle diets are more diverse at the species level with a wider ecological niche. Our results confirm that overlapping dietary niches and the superior competitive abilities of cattle contribute to the restricted distribution of the sika deer, which has critical implications for the conservation of their predators. Our study suggests that cattle grazing should be prohibited in the Park and effective measures should be taken for the benefit of sika deer.
Effects of Macleaya Cordata Extract on Performance, Nutrient Apparent Digestibilities, Milk Composition, and Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Goats
Authors: Ling Hao , Xiao Hongyan , Zhang Ziyang , He Youkuan , Zhang Peihua
Published: February 2023

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) supplementation on performance, nutrient apparent digestibilities, plasma metabolites, and milk quality in dairy goats. Twenty-four lactating Guanzhong dairy goats (n = 24) were randomly divided into two groups (each containing 12 goats) in a 52-day trial: the CON group was fed a basal diet; the MCE group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg MCE. The results indicated that the 4% fat corrected milk yield (4% FCM); uncorrected milk yield; milk-fat concentration; content of C4:0, C18:0, and C18:1n9c fatty acids in milk; and apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the MCE group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the lactoferrin (LTF), alpha-lactalbumin (α-La), and beta-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) of the milk and feed conversion rate (FCR) of the goats were significantly greater (p < 0.01) in the MCE group than in the CON group. In contrast, the somatic cell count (SCC) (p < 0.01), content of C14:0 fatty acids (p < 0.01) of milk, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the in the MCE goats. These results show that the feeding of MCE can increase the performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of fiber in dairy goats, improving the quality of goat milk.
Antibiotic Utilization during COVID-19: Are We Over-Prescribing?
Authors: Bednarčuk Nataša , Golić Jelić Ana , Stoisavljević Šatara Svjetlana , Stojaković Nataša , Marković Peković Vanda , Stojiljković Miloš P. , Popović Nina , Škrbić Ranko
Published: February 2023

The aims of this study were to analyze the utilization of antibiotics before (2018, 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and the practice of prescribing antibiotics in outpatient settings for COVID-19 patients during the 2020–2022 period. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification/Defined Daily Dose methodology was used for the analysis of outpatient antibiotic utilization in the Republic of Srpska. The data was expressed in DDD/1000 inhabitants/day. The rate of antibiotics prescribed to COVID-19 outpatients was analyzed using medical record data from 16,565 patients registered with B34.2, U07.1, and U07.2 World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes. During 2020, outpatient antibiotic utilization increased by 53.80% compared to 2019. At least one antibiotic was prescribed for 91.04%, 83.05%, and 73.52% of COVID-19 outpatients during 2020, 2021, and the first half of 2022, respectively. On a monthly basis, at least one antibiotic was prescribed for more than 55% of COVID-19 outpatients. The three most commonly prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and doxycycline. The trend of repurposing antibiotics for COVID-19 and other diseases treatment might be a double-edged sword. The long-term effect of this practice might be an increase in antimicrobial resistance and a loss of antibiotic effectiveness.
Fragment-Based Lead Discovery Strategies in Antimicrobial Drug Discovery
Authors: Konaklieva Monika I. , Plotkin Balbina J.
Published: February 2023

Fragment-based lead discovery (FBLD) is a powerful application for developing ligands as modulators of disease targets. This approach strategy involves identification of interactions between low-molecular weight compounds (100–300 Da) and their putative targets, often with low affinity (KD ~0.1–1 mM) interactions. The focus of this screening methodology is to optimize and streamline identification of fragments with higher ligand efficiency (LE) than typical high-throughput screening. The focus of this review is on the last half decade of fragment-based drug discovery strategies that have been used for antimicrobial drug discovery.
Influence of Skin Commensals on Therapeutic Outcomes of Surgically Debrided Diabetic Foot Infections—A Large Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Uçkay Ilker , Lebowitz Dan , Kressmann Benjamin , Lipsky Benjamin A. , Gariani Karim
Published: February 2023

In diabetic foot infections (DFI), the clinical virulence of skin commensals are generally presumed to be low. In this single-center study, we divided the wound isolates into two groups: skin commensals (coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, corynebacteria, cutibacteria) and pathogenic pathogens, and followed the patients for ≥ 6 months. In this retrospective study among 1018 DFI episodes (392 [39%] with osteomyelitis), we identified skin commensals as the sole culture isolates (without accompanying pathogenic pathogens) in 54 cases (5%). After treatment (antibiotic therapy [median of 20 days], hyperbaric oxygen in 98 cases [10%]), 251 episodes (25%) were clinical failures. Group comparisons between those growing only skin commensals and controls found no difference in clinical failure (17% vs. 24 %, p = 0.23) or microbiological recurrence (11% vs. 17 %, p = 0.23). The skin commensals were mostly treated with non-beta-lactam oral antibiotics. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the isolation of only skin commensals was not associated with failure (odds ratio 0.4, 95% confidence interval 0.1–3.8). Clinicians might wish to consider these isolates as potential pathogens when selecting a targeted antibiotic regimen, which may also be based on oral non-beta-lactam antibiotic agents effective against the corresponding skin pathogens.
Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Moringa olifera Ethanolic Extract Lessens Acrylamide-Induced Testicular Damage, Apoptosis, and Steroidogenesis-Related Gene Dysregulation in Adult Rats
Authors: Mostafa-Hedeab Gomaa , Behairy Amany , Abd-Elhakim Yasmina M. , Mohamed Amany Abdel-Rahman , Noreldin Ahmed E. , Dahran Naief , Gaber Rasha A. , Alqahtani Leena S. , Essawi Walaa M. , Eskandrani Areej A. , El-Shetry Eman S.
Published: February 2023

This study assessed the possible protective role of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Moringa olifera leaf extract (MO-ZNPs) in acrylamide (ACR)-induced reproductive dysfunctions in male rats. ACR (20 mg/kg b.wt/day) and/or MO-ZNPs (10 mg/kg b.wt/day) were given orally by gastric gavage for 60 days. Then, sperm parameters; testicular enzymes; oxidative stress markers; reproductive hormones including testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH)-estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration; testis histology; steroidogenesis-related gene expression; and apoptotic markers were examined. The findings revealed that MO-ZNPs significantly ameliorated the ACR-induced decline in the gonadosomatic index and altered the pituitary–gonadal axis, reflected by decreased serum testosterone and FSH with increased estradiol and LH, and sperm analysis disruption. Furthermore, a notable restoration of the tissue content of antioxidants (catalase and reduced glutathione) but depletion of malondialdehyde was evident in MO-ZNPs+ACR-treated rats compared to ACR-exposed ones. In addition, MO-ZNPs oral dosing markedly rescued the histopathological changes and apoptotic caspase-3 reactions in the testis resulting from ACR exposure. Furthermore, in MO-ZNPs+ACR-treated rats, ACR-induced downregulation of testicular steroidogenesis genes and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immune-expression were reversed. Conclusively, MO-ZNPs protected male rats from ACR-induced reproductive toxicity by suppressing oxidative injury and apoptosis while boosting steroidogenesis and sex hormones.
The Complex Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of the Nrf2 Pathways: A Review
Authors: McCord Joe M. , Gao Bifeng , Hybertson Brooks M.
Published: February 2023

Nrf2 is a major transcription factor that significantly regulates—directly or indirectly—more than 2000 genes. While many of these genes are involved in maintaining redox balance, others are involved in maintaining balance among metabolic pathways that are seemingly unrelated to oxidative stress. In the past 25 years, the number of factors involved in the activation, nuclear translocation, and deactivation of Nrf2 has continued to expand. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the remarkable complexity of the tortuous sequence of stop-and-go signals that not only regulate expression or repression, but may also modify transcriptional intensity as well as the specificity of promoter recognition, allowing fluidity of its gene expression profile depending on the various structural modifications the transcription factor encounters on its journey to the DNA. At present, more than 45 control points have been identified, many of which represent sites of action of the so-called Nrf2 activators. The complexity of the pathway and the synergistic interplay among combinations of control points help to explain the potential advantages seen with phytochemical compositions that simultaneously target multiple control points, compared to the traditional pharmaceutical paradigm of “one-drug, one-target”.
Engineering Properties and Microscopic Mechanisms of Composite-Cemented Soil as Backfill of Ultra-Deep and Ultra-Narrow Foundation Trenches
Authors: Dong Xu , Wang Mingdong , Song Minyuan , Hou Ning
Published: February 2023

The backfilling of lime soil in ultra-deep and ultra-narrow foundation trenches is a difficult construction link, and ordinary-cemented soil has drawbacks, including poor strength, impermeability, and frost resistance. To solve these problems, fly ash (FA)–water glass (WG)-composite-cemented soil is developed based on a background project. The three-factor orthogonal tests are conducted on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the composite-cemented soil, and the optimal engineering mix proportion is proposed for the FA-WG-composite-cemented soil. Its UCS is compared with that of cemented soil only doped with FA or WG (FA- and WG-cemented soil). In addition, the cyclic wetting–drying tests, cyclic freeze–thaw tests, and impermeability tests are carried out to study the endurance of the composite-cemented soil in cold regions rich in water. The hydration products of the composite-cemented soil are investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and the curing mechanism of the composite-cemented soil is discussed from the microscopic perspective. The research results indicate that the mixing ratio of cement is crucial to the strength development of the cemented soil; the mixing ratio of FA greatly influences the strength development of the cemented soil in the middle and late stages; the mixing ratio of WG only slightly affects the strength. The ratio of cement, FA, and WG of 9%:12%:3% is the optimal engineering mix proportion of the composite-cemented soil. Compared with ordinary-cemented oil and FA- and WG-cemented soil, the composite-cemented soil shows significantly improved compressive load-bearing capacity. The permeability coefficient of the composite-cemented soil is always obviously lower than that of the ordinary-cemented soil after any curing period. Despite the mass loss, the composite-cemented soil is superior to the ordinary one in overall endurance after wetting–drying and freeze–thaw cycles. Through SEM and XRD analysis, the content of hydration products of the composite-cemented soil is found to be obviously higher than that of ordinary-cemented soil after any curing period, and the hydrates exert stronger cementing action on soil particles in the composite-cemented soil. The contents of C-S-H gel and Aft crystals in the composite-cemented soil are apparently larger than those in the ordinary-cemented soil. Under the alkali activation of WG, the FA produces free SiO32− and AlO2−, which undergo the polymerization reaction with Ca2+ to generate C-S-H gel and C-A-H gel, further promoting the hydration of cement.
An AMR-Based Liquid Film Simulation with Surfactant Transport Using PLIC-HF Method
Authors: Lian Tongda , Matsushita Shintaro , Aoki Takayuki
Published: February 2023

In this study, an AMR-PLIC-HF method is proposed and implemented by GPU parallel computing based on CUDA programming language and NVIDIA GPU. The present method improves the computation efficiency without compromising the accuracy and conservation of the volume. To satisfy the requirements of stencil points of the PLIC-HF method, an extended stencil computation method based on the tree-based AMR method is proposed and implemented. The Weakly Compressible Scheme (WCS) is used in the present work as a fluid solver. An evolving pressure projection method is adopted to suppress the oscillation induced by the reflection of acoustic waves. The Langmuir model is introduced into the solver to calculate surfactant transport and the Marangoni effect caused by the gradient of the interface concentration of the surfactant. The single vortex flow results verify the accuracy of the AMR-PLIC method. A single bubble rising problem with two different physical property settings is simulated. The results show good agreement with the results given by incompressible solvers. This verifies the accuracy of the two-phase flow solver including the AMR-PLIC-HF method and the WCS. The generation and rupture of liquid film by a single bubble freely rising to an interface is simulated by the present solver with a 1024×2048 AMR grid as the finest resolution. This simulation successfully calculates surfactant transport and the Marangoni effect.
Advanced Assessment of Biomass Materials Degradation in Pneumatic Conveying Systems: Challenges and Applications
Authors: Singh Gulab , Deng Tong , Bradley Michael S. A. , Ellis Richard
Published: February 2023

In this study, the degradation of wood pellets and dry roasted coffee beans in a pneumatic conveyor was evaluated for high-speed impacts. The change in particle size and generation of fine particles were used as an indicating parameter for the degradation. A four-bends industrial scale conveying system was used for the degradation study in lean phase pneumatic conveying. The effects of operating parameters on the degradation were investigated, including the conveying velocity of particles and particle concentration. The experimental results showed that the degradation and the fines generation increased with an increase in particle velocity. An opposite trend was observed with an increased solid concentration in the pipeline. It was found that the two types of wood pellets traveled at different particle velocities with the same operating conditions, which resulted in significant differences in the degradation. Compared to the wood pellets, roasted coffee beans were found to travel at air velocity. In conclusion, the degradation in a pneumatic conveying system is complex and challenging to evaluate because there are many influential factors, such as the type of materials, equipment, and operation conditions. Early assessments in a laboratory will be beneficial to evaluate the degradation at all controlled operative conditions.
Classification of Faults Operation of a Robotic Manipulator Using Symbolic Classifier
Authors: Anđelić Nikola , Baressi Šegota Sandi , Glučina Matko , Lorencin Ivan
Published: February 2023

In autonomous manufacturing lines, it is very important to detect the faulty operation of robot manipulators to prevent potential damage. In this paper, the application of a genetic programming algorithm (symbolic classifier) with a random selection of hyperparameter values and trained using a 5-fold cross-validation process is proposed to determine expressions for fault detection during robotic manipulator operation, using a dataset that was made publicly available by the original researchers. The original dataset was reduced to a binary dataset (fault vs. normal operation); however, due to the class imbalance random oversampling, and SMOTE methods were applied. The quality of best symbolic expressions (SEs) was based on the highest mean values of accuracy (ACC¯), area under receiving operating characteristics curve (AUC¯), Precision¯, Recall¯, and F1−Score¯. The best results were obtained on the SMOTE dataset with ACC¯, AUC¯, Precision¯, Recall¯, and F1−Score¯ equal to 0.99, 0.99, 0.992, 0.9893, and 0.99, respectively. Finally, the best set of mathematical equations obtained using the GPSC algorithm was evaluated on the initial dataset where the mean values of ACC¯, AUC¯, Precision¯, Recall¯, and F1−Score¯ are equal to 0.9978, 0.998, 1.0, 0.997, and 0.998, respectively. The investigation showed that using the described procedure, symbolically expressed models of a high classification performance are obtained for the purpose of detecting faults in the operation of robotic manipulators.
Using the FEM Method in the Prediction of Stress and Deformation in the Processing Zone of an Elastic/Visco-Plastic Material during Diamond Sliding Burnishing
Authors: Chodór Jarosław , Kukiełka Leon , Chomka Grzegorz , Bohdal Łukasz , Patyk Radosław , Kowalik Marek , Trzepieciński Tomasz , Radchenko Andrii M.
Published: February 2023

This article concerns the application of the FEM method for the prediction of stress and deformation states in the workpiece during diamond sliding burnishing (DSB). An updated Lagrange (UL) description was used to describe the phenomena at a typical incremental step. The states of strain and strain rate are described by non-linear relationships without linearization. The material parameters were estimated during tensile tests to determine the characteristics of the 41Cr4 steel. Its hardness was also tested. Its aim was to prepare a table with the material properties of the above-mentioned steel and its implementation for numerical analyses. A Cowper–Symonds material model was used to model the displacement process of the wedge on an elastic/visco-plastic body reflecting the DSB process. The computer model was validated, and a good convergence of the results was obtained. Applications in the ANSYS/LS-Dyna program were developed to simulate the process of DSB. The results of numerical analyses were presented, among others, to explain the influence of the rake angle on the condition of the surface after machining, as well as the phenomenon of chip formation. The results of numerical simulations were verified experimentally on a test stand.
Characterisation of Physiological Responses to Odours in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Pereira Lara , Grave Joana , Noll Janina , Derntl Birgit , Soares Sandra C. , Brás Susana , Sebastião Raquel
Published: February 2023

Abnormal sensory perception is among the earliest symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite mixed findings, olfactory perception seems to be altered in ASD. There is also evidence that automatic responses to odours can serve as biomarkers of ASD. However, this potential use of odour-based biomarkers for ASD is still underexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether physiological responses to social and non-social odours, measured with electrocardiography (ECG) and facial electromyography (EMG), can be used to characterise and predict ASD in adults. For that, we extracted 32 signal features from a previously collected database of 11 adults with ASD and 48 adults with typical development (TD). Firstly, non-parametric tests were performed, showing significant differences between the ASD and the TD groups in 10 features. Secondly, a k-nearest-neighbour classifier with a leave-one-out strategy was employed, obtaining an F1-score of 67%. Although caution is needed due to the small sample size, this study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of physiological responses to social and non-social odours as a potential diagnostic tool for ASD in adults.
A Comprehensive Review of Tunnel Detection on Multilayer Protocols: From Traditional to Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Sui Zhonghang , Shu Hui , Kang Fei , Huang Yuyao , Huo Guoyu
Published: February 2023

Tunnels, a key technology of traffic obfuscation, are increasingly being used to evade censorship. While providing convenience to users, tunnel technology poses a hidden danger to cybersecurity due to its concealment and camouflage capabilities. In contrast to previous studies of encrypted traffic detection, we perform the first measurement study of tunnel traffic and its unique characteristics and focus on the challenges and solutions in detecting tunnel traffic among traditional and machine learning techniques. This study covers an almost twenty-year research period from 2003 to 2022. First, we present the concepts of two types of tunnels, broad and narrow tunnels, respectively, as well as a framework for major tunnel applications, such as Tor (the second-generation onion router), proxy, VPN, and their relationships. Second, we analyze state-of-the-art methods from traditional to machine learning applications to systematize tunnel traffic detection, including HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SSH, TCP, ICMP and IPSec. A quantitative evaluation is presented with five crucial indicators applied to the detection methods and reviews. We further discuss the research work based on datasets, feature engineering, and challenges that have are solved, partly solved and unsolved. Finally, by providing open questions and the potential directions, we hope to inspire future work in this area.
A 3D Model Applied to Analyze the Mechanical Characteristic of Living Stump Slope with Different Tap Root Lengths
Authors: Jiang Xueliang , Liu Wenjie , Yang Hui , Li Zhenyu , Fan Wenchen , Wang Feifei
Published: February 2023

Although the current ecological engineering technology can reinforce shallow landslides, it cannot reinforce deep landslides. A new type of ecological engineering technology-living tree stump slope protection was developed, aiming at the deficiency of current ecological engineering technology. For living stumps with different tap root lengths, the mechanical properties of the living stump slope and root system were analyzed. The model was based on the finite element method, using the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion to consider the mechanical plasticity of the soil. The three-dimensional (3D) models of living stumps with different tap root lengths were simulated by embedded beam elements. Changes in stress and strain of soil and root system were simulated. The strength reduction method was used here to calculate the safety factor of the slope. The results showed that long taproots moved the soil shear stress area to deeper soil layers, increasing the stability of the slope. The root system in the middle and lower part of the slope mainly exerted its tensile strength and played a positive role in the stability of the slope. The longer the taproots, the more stable the slope. Slope stability may be affected by root length, spatial root morphology, and the spatial layout of the root system on the slope. Planting living stumps in the middle and lower part of the slope densely was recommended in ecological engineering.
A New Control Scheme for the Buck Converter
Authors: Chou Hsiao-Hsing , Chen Jian-Yu , Tseng Tsung-Hu , Yang Jun-Yi , Yang Xuan , Wang San-Fu
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a new control scheme for buck converters was proposed. The buck converter utilizes the dual control loop to improve transient response and has the constant switching frequency. The control scheme is mainly as follows: (a) The switch-ON time is regulated by the constant frequency mechanism. (b) The switch-OFF time is regulated by the output voltage. The spec/features of the proposed converter are listed as: (1) The buck converter has an output of 1.0–2.5 V for the input of 3.0–3.6 V. The load current ranges from 100 mA to 500 mA. (2) The actual current sensor is not required. (3) The simulation results show that the recovery time is less than 1.6 μs during load changes. (4) The variation in switching frequency is smaller than 1.05% over the output range of 1.0–2.5 V. (5) This circuit can be fabricated in future by UMC 0.18 μm 1P6M CMOS processes. This paper depicts the control scheme, theoretical analysis, and implementation.