bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Which strain of the avian coronavirus vaccine will become the prevalent one in China next?
Authors: Li Haizhu , Liu Gengsong , Zhou Qiaoyan , Yang Hongchun , Zhou Congcong , Kong Weili , Su Jieyu , Li Gonghe , Si Hongbin , Ou Changbo
Published: May 2023

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a vital pathogen in poultry farms, which can induce respiratory, nephropathogenic, oviduct, proventriculus, and intestinal diseases. Based on the phylogenetic classification of the full-length S1 gene, IBV isolates have been categorized into nine genotypes comprising 38 lineages. GI (GI-1, GI-2, GI-3, GI-4, GI-5, GI-6, GI-7, GI-13, GI-16, GI-18, GI-19, GI-22, GI-28, and GI-29), GVI-1 and GVII-1 have been reported in China in the past 60 years. In this review, a brief history of IBV in China is described, and the current epidemic strains and licensed IBV vaccine strains, as well as IBV prevention and control strategies, are highlighted. In addition, this article presents unique viewpoints and recommendations for a more effective management of IBV. The recombinant Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) vector vaccine expressed S gene of IBV QX-like and 4/91 strains may be the dominant vaccine strains against NDV and IBV.
MicroRNA profiling of cerebrospinal fluid from dogs with steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis and meningoencephalitis of unknown origin
Authors: Mármol-Sánchez Emilio , Heidemann Pernille Lindholm , Gredal Hanne , Cirera Susanna
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system in dogs, such as steroid responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) and meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), represent a common clinical challenge that needs extensive and multimodal work-up to reach a presumptive diagnosis. Both diseases are presumably caused by dysregulations of the immune system, but further research is needed in order to understand the molecular mechanisms behind each disease and to optimize treatment.

Methods

By next-generation sequencing and subsequent quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) verification, we designed a prospective case–control pilot study to analyze the small RNA profiles of cerebrospinal fluid from dogs suffering from MUO (N = 5), dogs suffering from SRMA (N = 8), and healthy dogs (N = 5) presented for elective euthanasia used as the Control group.

Results

Our results showed an overall enrichment in Y-RNA fragments across all samples, followed by microRNAs (miRNAs) and ribosomal RNAs as the major findings. Additional traces of short RNA reads mapped to long non-coding RNAs and protein-coding genes were also found. From the detected canine miRNAs, miR-21, miR-486, miR-148a, miR-99a, miR-191 and miR-92a were among the most abundant. Dogs with SRMA showed higher differences in miRNA abundance than dogs with MUO when compared to healthy dogs, and miR-142-3p was consistently detected as differentially upregulated in both diseases, although at a low concentration. Moreover, miR-405-5p and miR-503-5p showed different profiles between SRMA and MUO dogs. Subsequent qPCR analyses confirmed miR-142-5p, miR-191-5p and miR-92a-3p as significantly upregulated miRNAs in dogs with SRMA and/or MUO.

Discussion

Cerebrospinal fluid is a challenging biological material to use for profiling miRNAs due to the low content of circulating RNAs. Despite this, we could confirm several miRNAs being differentially abundant when comparing healthy dogs and dogs with MUO and SRMA, respectively. The results of this study indicate a potential role of miRNAs in the underlying molecular mechanisms of these diseases and establish the basis for further studies.
Frailty in Older Adults and Internal and Forced Migration in Urban Neighborhood Contexts in Colombia
Authors: Rengifo-Reina Herney , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , López-Olmedo Nancy , Sánchez Brisa N. , Diez Roux Ana V.
Published: May 2023

Objective: We investigated the association between the density of internal human migration, in the urban neighborhood, on frailty in the older adult population in Colombia.

Methods: The data used in this study are from four Colombian population surveys. We analyzed 633 census tracts with a sample of 2,194 adults 60 years and over for frailty (measured using the Fried criteria). We considered the proportion of inhabitants in a census tract with a history of internal migration as the exposure variable considering three temporalities. For contextual forced migration, we identified two types: 5-year, and 1-year. Poisson multivariable regression models with two hierarchical levels (individual and census tracts) were estimated.

Results: The prevalence of pre-fragile/frailty was 80.63% [CI 95%: 77.67, 83.28]. The prevalence ratio were significantly higher for the older adults who live in neighborhoods where a higher proportion of internal migrants reside.

Conclusion: We conclude that older adults who lived in neighborhoods with a high proportion of internal migrants experience more frailty. Potential explanations are that neighborhoods with high internal migration could experience social (l increase in cultural heterogeneity, in the perception of insecurity, violence and physical conditions (pressure on local economies and services, leading elderly residents to compete for neighborhood resources), translated into social stress.
Performance of Vegetation Indices to Estimate Green Biomass Accumulation in Common Bean
Authors: Barboza Thiago Orlando Costa , Ardigueri Matheus , Souza Guillerme Fernandes Castro , Ferraz Marcelo Araújo Junqueira , Gaudencio Josias Reis Flausino , Santos Adão Felipe dos
Published: May 2023

Remote sensing technology applied to agricultural crops has emerged as an efficient tool to speed up the data acquisition process in decision-making. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) in estimating biomass accumulation in common bean crops. The research was conducted at the Federal University of Lavras, where the ANFC 9 cultivar was used in an area of approximately seven hectares, in a second crop, in 2022. A total of 31 georeferenced points spaced at 50 m were chosen to evaluate height, width and green biomass, with collections on days 15, 27, 36, 58, 62 and 76 of the crop cycle. The images used in the study were obtained from the PlanetScope CubeSat satellite, with a spatial resolution of 3 m. The data obtained were subjected to a Pearson correlation (R) test and multiple linear regression analysis. The green biomass variable was significantly correlated with plant height and width. The NDVI performed better than the NDRE, with higher values observed at 62 Days After Sowing (DAS). The model that integrates the parameters of height, width and NDVI was the one that presented the best estimate for green biomass in the common bean crop. The M1 model showed the best performance to estimate green biomass during the initial stage of the crop, at 15, 27 and 36 DAS (R2 = 0.93). These results suggest that remote sensing technology can be effectively applied to assess biomass accumulation in common bean crops and provide accurate data for decision-makers.
Special Issue “Advances in Algal Biomass Applications”
Authors: Nielsen Birthe Vejby
Published: May 2023

This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Algal Biomass Applications,” brings together a collection of papers covering various topics, such as the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and utilization of algal biomass, submitted by experts in these fields [...]
3D-Printed Tumor-on-Chip for the Culture of Colorectal Cancer Microspheres: Mass Transport Characterization and Anti-Cancer Drug Assays
Authors: Sánchez-Salazar Mónica Gabriela , Crespo-López Oliver Regina , Ramos-Meizoso Sofía , Jerezano-Flores Valeri Sofía , Gallegos-Martínez Salvador , Bolívar-Monsalve Edna Johana , Ceballos-González Carlos Fernando , Trujillo-de Santiago Grissel , Álvarez Mario Moisés
Published: May 2023

Tumor-on-chips have become an effective resource in cancer research. However, their widespread use remains limited due to issues related to their practicality in fabrication and use. To address some of these limitations, we introduce a 3D-printed chip, which is large enough to host ~1 cm3 of tissue and fosters well-mixed conditions in the liquid niche, while still enabling the formation of the concentration profiles that occur in real tissues due to diffusive transport. We compared the mass transport performance in its rhomboidal culture chamber when empty, when filled with GelMA/alginate hydrogel microbeads, or when occupied with a monolithic piece of hydrogel with a central channel, allowing communication between the inlet and outlet. We show that our chip filled with hydrogel microspheres in the culture chamber promotes adequate mixing and enhanced distribution of culture media. In proof-of-concept pharmacological assays, we biofabricated hydrogel microspheres containing embedded Caco2 cells, which developed into microtumors. Microtumors cultured in the device developed throughout the 10-day culture showing >75% of viability. Microtumors subjected to 5-fluorouracil treatment displayed <20% cell survival and lower VEGF-A and E-cadherin expression than untreated controls. Overall, our tumor-on-chip device proved suitable for studying cancer biology and performing drug response assays.
Osteopontin as a Biomarker in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Sinha Satyesh K. , Mellody Michael , Carpio Maria Beatriz , Damoiseaux Robert , Nicholas Susanne B.
Published: May 2023

Osteopontin (OPN) is a ubiquitously expressed protein with a wide range of physiological functions, including roles in bone mineralization, immune regulation, and wound healing. OPN has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) where it promotes inflammation and fibrosis and regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism. OPN expression is increased in the kidneys, blood, and urine of patients with CKD, particularly in those with diabetic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis. The full-length OPN protein is cleaved by various proteases, including thrombin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-7, cathepsin-D, and plasmin, producing N-terminal OPN (ntOPN), which may have more detrimental effects in CKD. Studies suggest that OPN may serve as a biomarker in CKD, and while more research is needed to fully evaluate and validate OPN and ntOPN as CKD biomarkers, the available evidence suggests that they are promising candidates for further investigation. Targeting OPN may be a potential treatment strategy. Several studies show that inhibition of OPN expression or activity can attenuate kidney injury and improve kidney function. In addition to its effects on kidney function, OPN has been linked to cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD.
SmartLact8: A Bio-Inspired Robotic Breast Pump for Customized and Comfort Milk Expression
Authors: Li Yuying , Lozano Marlenne Valadez , Peña David , Gulati Ish Kumar , Jiang Lin
Published: May 2023

According to the 2018 National Immunization Survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 83.9% of the breastfeeding mothers in the United States have used a breast pump at least once. However, the majority of existing products use a vacuum-only mechanism to extract milk. This causes common breast injuries such as nipple soreness, breast-tissue damage, and lactation complications after pumping. The objective of this work was to develop a bio-inspired breast pump prototype, named as SmartLac8, that can mimic infant suckling patterns. The input vacuum pressure pattern and compression forces are inspired from term infants’ natural oral suckling dynamics captured in prior clinical experiments. Open-loop input–output data are used to perform system identification for two different pumping stages that facilitates controller design for closed-loop stability and control. A physical breast pump prototype with soft pneumatic actuators and custom piezoelectric sensors was successfully developed, calibrated, and tested in dry lab experiments. Compression and vacuum pressure dynamics were successfully coordinated to mimic the infant’s feeding mechanism. Experimental data on sucking frequency and pressure on the breast phantom were consistent with clinical findings.
An Adaptive Sand Cat Swarm Algorithm Based on Cauchy Mutation and Optimal Neighborhood Disturbance Strategy
Authors: Wang Xing , Liu Qian , Zhang Li
Published: May 2023

Sand cat swarm optimization algorithm (SCSO) keeps a potent and straightforward meta-heuristic algorithm derived from the distant sense of hearing of sand cats, which shows excellent performance in some large-scale optimization problems. However, the SCSO still has several disadvantages, including sluggish convergence, lower convergence precision, and the tendency to be trapped in the topical optimum. To escape these demerits, an adaptive sand cat swarm optimization algorithm based on Cauchy mutation and optimal neighborhood disturbance strategy (COSCSO) are provided in this study. First and foremost, the introduction of a nonlinear adaptive parameter in favor of scaling up the global search helps to retrieve the global optimum from a colossal search space, preventing it from being caught in a topical optimum. Secondly, the Cauchy mutation operator perturbs the search step, accelerating the convergence speed and improving the search efficiency. Finally, the optimal neighborhood disturbance strategy diversifies the population, broadens the search space, and enhances exploitation. To reveal the performance of COSCSO, it was compared with alternative algorithms in the CEC2017 and CEC2020 competition suites. Furthermore, COSCSO is further deployed to solve six engineering optimization problems. The experimental results reveal that the COSCSO is strongly competitive and capable of being deployed to solve some practical problems.
Post-Harvest Prevention of Fusariotoxin Contamination of Agricultural Products by Irreversible Microbial Biotransformation: Current Status and Prospects
Authors: Statsyuk Natalia V. , Popletaeva Sophya B. , Shcherbakova Larisa A.
Published: May 2023

Biological degradation of mycotoxins is a promising environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical and physical detoxification methods. To date, a lot of microorganisms able to degrade them have been described; however, the number of studies determining degradation mechanisms and irreversibility of transformation, identifying resulting metabolites, and evaluating in vivo efficiency and safety of such biodegradation is significantly lower. At the same time, these data are crucial for the evaluation of the potential of the practical application of such microorganisms as mycotoxin-decontaminating agents or sources of mycotoxin-degrading enzymes. To date, there are no published reviews, which would be focused only on mycotoxin-degrading microorganisms with the proved irreversible transformation of these compounds into less toxic compounds. In this review, the existing information about microorganisms able to efficiently transform the three most common fusariotoxins (zearalenone, deoxinyvalenol, and fumonisin B1) is presented with allowance for the data on the corresponding irreversible transformation pathways, produced metabolites, and/or toxicity reduction. The recent data on the enzymes responsible for the irreversible transformation of these fusariotoxins are also presented, and the promising future trends in the studies in this area are discussed.
A Bacterial Myeloperoxidase with Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Céré Claire , Delord Brigitte , Kenfack Ymbe Parfait , Vimbert Léa , Chapel Jean-Paul , Stines-Chaumeil Claire
Published: May 2023

The four mammalian peroxidases (myeloperoxidase, eosinophilperoxidase, lactoperoxidase, and thyroid peroxidase) are widely studied in the literature. They catalyze the formation of antimicrobial compounds and participate in innate immunity. Owing to their properties, they are used in many biomedical, biotechnological, and agro-food applications. We decided to look for an enzyme that is easiest to produce and much more stable at 37 °C than mammalian peroxidases. To address this question, a peroxidase from Rhodopirellula baltica, identified by bioinformatics tools, was fully characterized in this study. In particular, a production and purification protocol including the study of heme reconstitution was developed. Several activity tests were also performed to validate the hypothesis that this peroxidase is a new homolog of mammalian myeloperoxidase. It has the same substrate specificities as the human one and accepts I−, SCN−, Br−, and Cl− as (pseudo-) halides. It also exhibits other auxiliary activities such as catalase and classical peroxidase activities, and it is very stable at 37 °C. Finally, this bacterial myeloperoxidase can kill the Escherichia coli strain ATCC25922, which is usually used to perform antibiograms.
Nanotherapeutic Approaches to Treat COVID-19-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Kanvinde Shrey , Deodhar Suyash , Kulkarni Tanmay A. , Jogdeo Chinmay M.
Published: May 2023

There have been significant collaborative efforts over the past three years to develop therapies against COVID-19. During this journey, there has also been a lot of focus on understanding at-risk groups of patients who either have pre-existing conditions or have developed concomitant health conditions due to the impact of COVID-19 on the immune system. There was a high incidence of COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) observed in patients. PF can cause significant morbidity and long-term disability and lead to death in the long run. Additionally, being a progressive disease, PF can also impact the patient for a long time after COVID infection and affect the overall quality of life. Although current therapies are being used as the mainstay for treating PF, there is no therapy specifically for COVID-induced PF. As observed in the treatment of other diseases, nanomedicine can show significant promise in overcoming the limitations of current anti-PF therapies. In this review, we summarize the efforts reported by various groups to develop nanomedicine therapeutics to treat COVID-induced PF. These therapies can potentially offer benefits in terms of targeted drug delivery to lungs, reduced toxicity, and ease of administration. Some of the nanotherapeutic approaches may provide benefits in terms of reduced immunogenicity owing to the tailored biological composition of the carrier as per the patient needs. In this review, we discuss cellular membrane-based nanodecoys, extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, and other nanoparticle-based approaches for potential treatment of COVID-induced PF.
High BMI and Surgical Time Are Significant Predictors of Lymphocele after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Gloger Simon , Wagner Christian , Leyh-Bannurah Sami-Ramzi , Siemer Stefan , Arndt Madeleine , Stolzenburg Jens-Uwe , Franz Toni , Ubrig Burkhard
Published: May 2023

Lymphoceles (LC) occur in up to 60% after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND). In 2–10%, they are symptomatic and may cause complications and require treatment. Data on risk factors for the formation of lymphoceles after RARP and PNLD remain sparse in the urologic literature and are inconclusive to date. The underlying data of this secondary analysis were obtained from the prospective multi-center RCT ProLy. We performed a multivariate analysis to focus on the potential risk factors that may influence lymphocele formation. Patients with LC had a statistically significant higher BMI (27.8 vs. 26.3 kg/m2, p < 0.001; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2: 31 vs. 17%, p = 0.002) and their surgical time was longer (180 vs. 160 min, p = 0.001) In multivariate analysis, the study group (control vs. peritoneal flap, p = 0.003), BMI (metric, p = 0.028), and surgical time (continuous, p = 0.007) were independent predictors. Patients with symptomatic lymphocele presented with higher BMI (29 vs. 26.6 kg/m2, p = 0.007; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2: 39 vs. 20%, p = 0.023) and experienced higher intraoperative blood loss (200 vs. 150 mL, p = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 vs. < 30 kg/m2 was an independent predictor for the formation of a symptomatic lymphocele (p = 0.02). High BMI and prolonged surgical time are general risk factors for the development of LC. Patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 had a higher risk for symptomatic lymphoceles.
The Effects of Viscosity and Capillarity on Nonequilibrium Distribution of Gas Bubbles in Swelling Liquid–Gas Solution
Authors: Shchekin Alexander K. , Kuchma Anatoly E. , Aksenova Elena V.
Published: May 2023

A detailed statistical description of the evolution of supersaturated-by-gas solution at degassing has been presented on the basis of finding the time-dependent distribution in radii of overcritical gas bubbles. The influence of solution viscosity and capillarity via internal pressure in the bubbles on this distribution has been considered until the moment when the gas supersaturation drops due to depletion and stops nucleation of new overcritical gas bubbles. This study is based on our previous results for the nonstationary growth rates of overcritical bubbles depending on gas supersaturation, diffusivity and solubility in solution, solution viscosity, and surface tension on bubble surface. Other important factors are linked with the initial rate of homogeneous gas bubble nucleation and coupling between diffusivity and viscosity in the solution. Here, we numerically studied how all these factors affect the time-dependent distribution function of overcritical bubbles in their radii, maximal and mean bubble radii, and the time-dependent swelling ratio of a supersaturated-by-gas solution in a wide range of solution viscosities.
Evaluation of Human Behaviour Detection and Interaction with Information Projection for Drone-Based Night-Time Security
Authors: Kakiuchi Ryosuke , Tran Dinh Tuan , Lee Joo-Ho
Published: May 2023

Night security is known for its long hours and heavy tasks. In Japan, a labor shortage of security guards has become an issue in recent years. To solve these problems, an increasing number of robotic security methods are being used. However, several problems exist with existing security robots. For example, wheeled robots traveling on the ground have difficulty in dealing with obstacles such as steps, while most drones are only for monitoring and do not have a function to help people. In this study, an aerial ubiquitous display (AUD) night security drone has been developed to solve the problems of existing security robots. The AUD is equipped with an infrared camera and a projector to detect human behavior at night and present information to people in need. In this paper, an experiment was conducted with the AUD to evaluate whether it can provide adequate nighttime security. In the experiment, real-time monitoring and information projection from the air were achieved. In addition, new security methods using the AUD were shown to be effective. Replacing security guards with the AUD to provide security at night will improve labor shortages in the future, and better security methods will be developed.
Identifying Influential Nodes in Complex Networks Based on Information Entropy and Relationship Strength
Authors: Xi Ying , Cui Xiaohui
Published: May 2023

Identifying influential nodes is a key research topic in complex networks, and there have been many studies based on complex networks to explore the influence of nodes. Graph neural networks (GNNs) have emerged as a prominent deep learning architecture, capable of efficiently aggregating node information and discerning node influence. However, existing graph neural networks often ignore the strength of the relationships between nodes when aggregating information about neighboring nodes. In complex networks, neighboring nodes often do not have the same influence on the target node, so the existing graph neural network methods are not effective. In addition, the diversity of complex networks also makes it difficult to adapt node features with a single attribute to different types of networks. To address the above problems, the paper constructs node input features using information entropy combined with the node degree value and the average degree of the neighbor, and proposes a simple and effective graph neural network model. The model obtains the strength of the relationships between nodes by considering the degree of neighborhood overlap, and uses this as the basis for message passing, thereby effectively aggregating information about nodes and their neighborhoods. Experiments are conducted on 12 real networks, using the SIR model to verify the effectiveness of the model with the benchmark method. The experimental results show that the model can identify the influence of nodes in complex networks more effectively.
Design of a Wide-Area Power System Stabilizer to Tolerate Multiple Permanent Communication Failures
Authors: Bento Murilo Eduardo Casteroba
Published: May 2023

Wide-Area Power System Stabilizers (WAPSSs) are damping controllers used in power systems that employ data from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). WAPSSs are capable of providing high damping rates for the low-frequency oscillation modes, especially the inter-area modes. Oscillation modes can destabilize power systems if they are not correctly identified and adequately damped. However, WAPSS communication channels may be subject to failures or cyber-attacks that affect their proper operation and may even cause system instability. This research proposes a method based on an optimization model for the design of a WAPSS robust to multiple permanent communication failures. The results of applications of the proposed method in the IEEE 68-bus system show the ability of the WAPSS design to be robust to a possible number of permanent communication failures. Above this value, the combinations of failures and processing time are high and they make it difficult to obtain high damping rates for the closed-loop control system. The application and comparison of different optimization techniques are valid and showed a superior performance of the Grey Wolf Optimizer in solving the optimization problem.
Household Carbon Footprint Characteristics and Driving Factors: A Global Comparison Based on a Dynamic Input–Output Model
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhen Yingying , Chen Zhanming
Published: May 2023

Carbon emissions are rapidly increasing with continuing global economic development, necessitating an urgent energy revolution. Often, when calculating carbon footprint, analysts have failed to account for changes in capital stock and the impact of indirect emissions caused by the consumption of imported products. Furthermore, the homogenization of industrial and resident sectors has reduced our understanding of the specific driving forces behind carbon emissions. To avoid such locational and temporal biases, this study employs a dynamic input–output model to re-estimate the carbon footprint of only residents. We deconstruct residential emissions into different consumption categories and conduct a comparative analysis between developed and developing countries from across the world. To this end, data from 44 global economies were obtained from the World Input–Output Database for the period from 2000 to 2014. For developing countries, food consumption had the highest share of embodied carbon emissions, maintaining a share of over 20%, whereas in developed countries, housing consumption had the highest share, remaining at over 30%. In most countries, the consumption level and emission intensity effects were the most important drivers of carbon emission increases and carbon emission decreases, respectively. However, the contributions of the two varied considerably in different countries, with the maximum impact of the emission intensity effect on the carbon footprint of a single category reaching 854.31% in the US and 99.34% in China. These findings will help countries tailor their emission reduction policies to local conditions and emphasize that emission reductions should start by reducing the emission intensity and consumption structure of the corresponding sectors.
Advanced Active and Passive Methods in Residential Energy Efficiency
Authors: Taherian Hessam , Peters Robert W.
Published: May 2023

Energy efficiency in buildings is very important since it contributes significantly to fossil fuel consumption and consequently climate change. Several approaches have been taken by researchers and the industry to address the issue. These approaches are classified as either passive or active approaches. The purpose of this review article is to summarize a number of the technologies that have been investigated and/or developed. In this technical review paper, the more commonly used active and passive building energy conservation techniques are described and discussed. The pros and cons of both the active and passive energy techniques are described with appropriate reference citations provided. This review article provides a description to give an understanding of building conservation approaches. In the active classification, several methods have been reviewed that include earth-to-air heat exchangers, ground-source and hybrid heat pumps, and the use of new refrigerants, among other methods. In the passive classification, methods such as vegetated roofs, solar chimneys, natural ventilation, and more are discussed. Often, in a building, multiple passive and active methods can be employed simultaneously.
Study of Supercapacitors Built in the Start-Up System of the Main Diesel Locomotive
Authors: Malozyomov Boris V. , Martyushev Nikita V. , Kukartsev Viktor Alekseevich , Kukartsev Vladislav Viktorovich , Tynchenko Sergei Vasilievich , Klyuev Roman V. , Zagorodnii Nikolay A. , Tynchenko Yadviga Aleksandrovna
Published: May 2023

A successful guaranteed launch of a mainline diesel locomotive is one of the most important and urgent problems of the rolling stock operation. Improvement of the start-up system of the main diesel locomotive when using a supercapacitor allows multiple restarts of diesel locomotives, meaning that the operation of the diesel locomotive can be stopped several times without wasting fuel in idle operations. In this study, we simulated the electric starting circuit of a diesel locomotive with a block of supercapacitors using the Matlab Simulink program. The simulation results show that using only a supercapacitor in the start-up system is impossible. Even though the supercapacitor produces the required current and voltage, its operating time is extremely insufficient. Using a storage battery along with a supercapacitor in the diesel locomotive start-up system is most effective. This reduces the peak current load on the standard battery. The article suggests an effective principle for starting a mainline diesel locomotive and provides an effective circuit solution involving a supercapacitor. Based on the booster stabilizer scheme, a new scheme was modeled to study the successful launch of a diesel locomotive that has various start-up systems. Applying a supercapacitor in the start-up system of a main diesel locomotive is proposed and the results of its use are presented. In addition, this study defines the basic requirements for using a system based on a battery in conjunction with a supercapacitor. Characteristics such as the temperature range of the system are shown.
Comparative Analysis of Machine and Deep Learning Models for Soil Properties Prediction from Hyperspectral Visual Band
Authors: Datta Dristi , Paul Manoranjan , Murshed Manzur , Teng Shyh Wei , Schmidtke Leigh
Published: May 2023

Estimating various properties of soil, including moisture, carbon, and nitrogen, is crucial for studying their correlation with plant health and food production. However, conventional methods such as oven-drying and chemical analysis are laborious, expensive, and only feasible for a limited land area. With the advent of remote sensing technologies like multi/hyperspectral imaging, it is now possible to predict soil properties non-invasive and cost-effectively for a large expanse of bare land. Recent research shows the possibility of predicting those soil contents from a wide range of hyperspectral data using good prediction algorithms. However, these kinds of hyperspectral sensors are expensive and not widely available. Therefore, this paper investigates different machine and deep learning techniques to predict soil nutrient properties using only the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) bands data to propose a suitable machine/deep learning model that can be used as a rapid soil test. Another objective of this research is to observe and compare the prediction accuracy in three cases i. hyperspectral band ii. full spectrum of the visual band, and iii. three-channel of RGB band and provide a guideline to the user on which spectrum information they should use to predict those soil properties. The outcome of this research helps to develop a mobile application that is easy to use for a quick soil test. This research also explores learning-based algorithms with significant feature combinations and their performance comparisons in predicting soil properties from visual band data. For this, we also explore the impact of dimensional reduction (i.e., principal component analysis) and transformations (i.e., empirical mode decomposition) of features. The results show that the proposed model can comparably predict the soil contents from the three-channel RGB data.
Identification of a New Insulin-like Growth Factor 3 (igf3) in Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Comparison and Expression Analysis of IGF System Genes during Gonadal Development
Authors: Zhao Chunyan , Zheng Sujie , Dang Yongji , Wang Mengshu , Ren Yichao
Published: May 2023

Fish reproduction is closely related to the regulation of the brain and liver, making it essential to identify the factors that control this process. The turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is an economically significant species that has been successfully breeding through industrial aquaculture. Investigation of factors into the involvement of gonadal development is crucial for artificial breeding. In this study, a new insulin-like growth factor 3 igf3 gene was cloned and characterized. Additionally, all three types of turbot IGFs contain a distinct IGF domain, with IGF3 and IGF2 being grouped with other teleosts, demonstrating a closely related genetic relationship. The expression analysis showed that igf3 mRNA is predominantly expressed in the gonad and brain (specifically in the pituitary and hypothalamus), suggesting its effects at multiple levels in the brain–pituitary–gonadal axis. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of igfs during gonadal development were examined. In the gonad and liver of female turbots, the expression levels of igfs mRNA significantly increased from stage II to VI during the process of oogenesis, including maturation and degeneration. In the testis and liver of male turbots, igf3 mRNA maintained high expression levels during the proliferation of spermatogonia at stages II and III. In addition, the highest levels of igf1 and igf2 were observed at the beginning of spermatogenesis and during sperm production at stages V and VI. All the results suggest that the IGFs were closely related to the gonadal development in turbot and improve a better understanding of the IGF system in the regulation of gonadal development in teleost.
Growth Optimization and Rearing of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as a Sustainable Food Source
Authors: Riaz Kanwal , Iqbal Toheed , Khan Sarzamin , Usman Amjad , Al-Ghamdi Mariam S. , Shami Ashwag , El Hadi Mohamed Rania Ali , Almadiy Abdulrahman A. , Al Galil Fahd Mohammed Abd , Alfuhaid Nawal Abdulaziz , Ahmed Nazeer , Alam Pravej
Published: May 2023

As a sustainable food source for humans, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) have a great deal of potential, due to the fact that they have a very favorable nutritional profile and a low environmental impact. For meal production, feed formulation and optimization are important. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most consumed insect in the world. Mealworms were given a variety of diets, including wheat bran as constant diet supplemented with different levels of Ospor (Bacillus clausii) at 0.002 g, 0.004 g, 0.006 g, and 0.008 g; imutec (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) at 0.2 g. 0.4 g, 0.6 g, and 0.8 g; fungi (Calocybe indica) at 250 g, 500 g, and 750 g; yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g; and wheat bran (standard diet) were examined in complete randomized design (CRD). Different parameters, i.e., the larval, pupal, and adult weight, size, life span, and nutritional profile of mealworm were studied. When compared with other insect growth promoters, only wheat bran was discovered to be the most efficient. It generated the heaviest and longest larvae at 65.03 mg and 18.32 mm, respectively, as well as pupae weighing 107.55 mg and 19.94 mm, respectively, and adults weighing 87.52 mg and 20.26 mm, respectively. It was also determined that fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) promoted faster larval development than yeast (S. cerevisiae) and imutec (L. rhamnosus). Larval mortality was also greater in the imutec (L. rhamnosus) and yeast (S. cerevisiae) diets than the others. No pupal mortality was recorded in all diets. Furthermore, the protein content of Tenebrio. molitor raised on a diet including fungi (C. indica) was the highest at (375 g), with a content of 68.31%, followed by a concentration of (250 g) with a content of 67.84%, and wheat bran (1 kg) (normal diet) with the lowest content at 58.91%. T. molitor larvae fed a diet supplemented with bacterial and fungal had lower fat and ash content than bran-fed T. molitor larvae (standard diet). Wheat bran (normal diet) had the highest fat at 16.11%, and ash at 7.71%. Hence, it is concluded that wheat bran alone or diet containing fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) performed better in terms of growth, and these diets and protein content are recommended for the mass rearing of mealworms.
Soil–Water–Structure Interactions
Authors: Yerro Alba , Ceccato Francesca
Published: May 2023

Interactions between soil, fluids (e.g., water), and structures are intrinsic to most geotechnical problems. However, these can be extremely complex and further understanding is needed in this field. Soil–water–structure interactions can be studied on many different scales (micro to macro) and perspectives (experimental, numerical, and theoretical). In any case, the consequences of these interactions control soil behaviour, the stability of civil infrastructure, and, ultimately, the safety of our communities. This Special Issue consists of five papers (three research papers and two literature reviews) that highlight the importance of soil–water–structure interactions in a broad range of different applications. The topics addressed in the research contributions include (a) the performance of shallow footings under oblique loads, (b) the assessment of nonlinear base-isolated building systems under dynamic loading, and (c) the applicability of lightweight materials as fill for retaining wall systems. The other innovative papers, on the other hand, provide comprehensive reviews on (d) the role of the clay content in the interface characteristics between sand–clay mixtures and structures and (e) the latest developments in the understanding and measurements of the Atterberg limits.
Effects of Resilience Training on Resilient Functioning in Chronic Stress Situations among Cadets of the Swiss Armed Forces
Authors: Niederhauser Madlaina , Zueger Regula , Annen Hubert , Gültekin Nejla , Stanga Zeno , Brand Serge , Sadeghi-Bahmani Dena
Published: May 2023

Research on resilient functioning has gained increasing interest, and some recent studies interpreted resilience in the sense of resilient functioning to stress. In the present study, we investigated the associations between resilient functioning and coping strategies, stress reactivity, self-efficacy, and well-being, and we examined whether resilient functioning could be improved through a training intervention. The participants were 110 male cadets from two infantry officers’ schools of the Swiss Armed Forces. The schools were divided into an intervention and control group. The participants in the intervention group took part in the resilience training intervention, whereas the participants in the control group performed military training as usual. Data were assessed before and after the intervention period. Results showed that resilient functioning was positively associated with task-oriented coping and well-being and negatively associated with emotion-oriented coping and stress reactivity. Furthermore, resilient functioning significantly improved in the intervention group from pre- to post-intervention. The results suggested that specific interventions have the power to increase resilient functioning.
UV-A for Tailoring the Nutritional Value and Sensory Properties of Leafy Vegetables
Authors: Laužikė Kristina , Viršilė Akvilė , Samuolienė Giedrė , Sutulienė Rūta , Brazaitytė Aušra
Published: May 2023

This study aims to expand the artificial lighting potential of controlled environment cultivations systems by introducing UV-A (~315–400 nm) wavelengths into the traditional, visible spectrum lighting, seeking to improve the nutritional and sensory value of cultivated leafy vegetables. The experiment was conducted in a closed climate-controlled chamber, maintaining 21/17 °C day/night temperature, ~55% relative humidity, and a 16 h photo/thermo period. Several genotypes of leafy vegetables, red and green leaf lettuce cultivars, mustard, and kale were cultivated under 250 µmol m−2s−1 basal LED lighting, supplemented by 385 nm UV-A or 405 UV-A/violet wavelengths for 1.1 mW cm−2 for 12 h photoperiod for the whole cultivation cycle. The results show that UV-A/violet light impacts on leafy vegetable growth, free radical scavenging activity, sugar, and phytochemical (α tocopherol, α + β carotenes, epicatechin, rosmarinic and chicoric acid contents) are species-specific, and do not correlate with untrained consumer’s sensory evaluation scores. The 405 nm light is preferable for higher antioxidant and/or sensory properties of kale, mustard, and green leaf lettuces, but both UV-A wavelengths reduce growth parameters in red leaf lettuce.
Effects of Different Growth Hormones on Rooting and Endogenous Hormone Content of Two Morus alba L. Cuttings
Authors: Chen Hanlei , Lei Youzhen , Sun Jiajia , Ma Mingyue , Deng Peng , Quan Jin’e , Bi Huitao
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explore the effects of different concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and indene-naphthaleneacetic acid (ABT-1) on the rooting and dynamic changes of the endogenous hormone content of Australian Mulberry (vegetable Mulberry) and Kirin mulberry (Fruit Mulberry) hardwood cuttings. As exhibited by the results, the rooting process of both vegetable mulberry and fruit mulberry could be divided into three stages, namely the initiation stage (1–18 days), the callus formation stage (18–28 days), and the adventitious root formation and elongation stage (28–48 days). The two treatments with 1000 mg·L−1 ABT-1 and 500 mg·L−1 ABT-1 achieved the highest rooting efficiencies of vegetable mulberry and fruit mulberry, significantly higher than those of other treatments (p < 0.01), with average rooting rates of 63.3% and 68.7%, and rooting efficiency indices of 25.3 and 34.3, respectively. During the rooting process, the contents of endogenous IAA and zeatin riboside (ZR) and the ratios of IAA/ABA and IAA/ZR presented a trend of decreasing before increasing, while the abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) contents exhibited a trend of increasing before decreasing, and the gibberellin (GA3), strigolactone (SL), and IBA contents showed a continuous decreasing trend. Hence, ABT-1 was effective in inducing the synthesis of IAA, IBA, JA, and SL, reducing the contents of ABA, ZR, and GA3, and promoting the rooting of vegetable mulberry and fruit mulberry cuttings. For fruit mulberry and vegetable mulberry cuttings, the optimal concentrations of ABT-1 were 500 mg·L−1 and 1000 mg·L−1, respectively, demonstrating applicability for the efficient propagation of Morus alba L. cuttings.
In Vitro Effect of Purple Amomum (Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu) Extracts on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Different Crop Species
Authors: Khuat Quyet V. , Kalashnikova Elena A. , Nguyen Hai T. , Trukhachev Vladimir I. , Kirakosyan Rima N.
Published: May 2023

The ginger family member purple amomum (Amomum longiligulare T.L. Wu) is an important medicinal plant in Vietnam. Although there have been studies on the chemical composition of essential oils and extracts of purple amomum, as well as their antibacterial, antifungal, activating macrophages, and immune enhancement effects, there is still a lack of evaluation of the phytotoxicity of this plant. In this study, the total content of phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) in extracts of leaf, seed, pseudo-stem, rhizome, and root from purple amomum and the phytotoxic effect of these extracts against five test plant species, including four dicotyledonous: camelina (Camelina sativa Crantz), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Dubrava), and one monocotyledonous: onion (Allium cepa L. cv. Stuttgarter risen), were investigated. Results showed that the seed and leaf extracts had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than the other two extracts (highest TPC value: 4.30 ± 0.03 mg GAE/mg dry weight of seed powder; highest TFC value: 1.32 ± 0.07 mg QE/mg dry weight of leaf powder). Furthermore, it was observed that the extracts of purple amomum inhibited seed germination and the growth of seedlings of all test plant species with different inhibition values. The general trend in all treatments showed that, when increasing the concentration of extracts from 0.10–0.20 mg/mL, the ability to inhibit seed germination, hypocotyl length, radicle length, fresh weight, and dry weight increased. Seed extract at a concentration of 0.20 mg/mL in most treatments showed the highest percentage inhibition of seed germination and growth of seedlings of the tested species. Onion was the most sensitive to purple amomum extracts among the five species tested. Based on these results, we conclude that extracts of different parts of the purple amomum exhibited phytotoxicity for the tested species. Further evaluation of the phytotoxic potential of the extracts on weed species and under field conditions is also recommended for the purpose of developing bio-herbicides for future weed management that are less toxic to the environment and human health.