bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Korean Fashion and Beauty Livestreaming Commerce before and after COVID-19
Authors: Hwang RakGun , Lee MinKyung
Published: August 2022

From the perspective of live commerce consumers in South Korea, this study aimed to investigate the changes in consumer interest since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To this end, a consumer perception survey on live commerce was conducted. Further, this study utilized social big data analytics, which involved collecting posts and articles from Korean portal sites for the 2019–2020 period and then analyzing them through text mining. The results revealed that, before the outbreak of COVID-19, the keyword “mobile” showed high appearance frequency and high connection centrality. “Fashion” and “beauty,” which are classified as subcategories of live commerce in Korea, also appeared as top keywords, both before and after the onset of COVID-19. Considering the social environment and characteristics of live commerce, providing services that enable consumers to participate in the streaming platform more actively is necessary. Additionally, providing services that encourage customers to respond would also be desirable. This study’s findings can serve as baseline data for the development of an extension plan for the Korean fashion and beauty industry through live commerce and can provide insight into the consumption patterns of consumers of live commerce.
Silver Ions Incorporation into Nanofibers for Enhanced hMSC Viability
Authors: Sitnikova Natalya A. , Solovieva Anastasiya O. , Permyakova Elizaveta S. , Sheveyko Alexander N. , Shtansky Dmitry V. , Manakhov Anton M.
Published: August 2022

Antimicrobial properties of silver have been known for a long time, but there is also cytotoxicity of high concentrations of silver. Therefore, it is important to select the concentration and shape of silver depending on the goals. The ideal wound dressing should ensure that the wound remains optimally moist, protected from infections, has no toxic compounds, and stimulates regeneration. In the present work, we obtained a series of polycaprolactone-based nanomaterials fabricated by electrospinning and incorporated with silver ions (up to 0.6 at.%). By adjusting the magnetron current (0.3 A) and implanter voltage (5 kV), the deposition of TiO2 and Ag+ implantation into PCL/PEO nanofibers was optimized to achieve implantation of Ag+ without damaging the nanofibrous structure of the biodegradable nanofibers. The obtained results allow us to predict significant protection properties of the developed material not only from mechanical influence but also thanks to the antimicrobial effect due to silver ions, which is important for chronic wounds and injuries with a large area of damage and can activate host cells proliferation.
Design and Reliability of an Observational Framework to Evaluate the Individual Offensive Behavior in Youth Soccer—The INDISOC Tool
Authors: González-Rodenas Joaquín , Villa Iván , Tudela-Desantes Andrés , Aranda-Malavés Rodrigo , Aranda Rafael
Published: August 2022

Despite the great development of match analysis in professional soccer during the last decade, very few studies have assessed the individual technical and tactical behaviors of youth soccer players. The purpose of this paper was to design and assess the reliability of an observational instrument to evaluate the INDIvidual offensive behavior in competitive 7 and 11-a-side SOCcer (INDISOC). A total of eight experts in soccer training and analysis were included in the design of the tool by means of meetings and exploratory observations. This process involved design and re-design steps of the INDISOC tool to its final format which includes twelve dimensions related to the spatial, technical, and tactical constraints of individual behavior in soccer. The unit of analysis was the individual ball possession (IBP), described as the time that starts when a player can perform an action with the ball, and which ends when the IBP for another player begins. In the INDISOC tool, the IBP is analyzed taking into account three temporal moments: (1) receiving the ball, (2) processing the ball, and (3) culminating the individual action. Inter-observer and intra-observer analyses were performed and the kappa (K) coefficients were calculated to test the instrument reliability. The K values showed optimal inter (7-a-side: 0.73–0.95; 11-a-side: 0.76–0.98) and intra-observer (7-a-side: 0.84–1;11-a-side: 0.79–1) reliability levels. These results support the notion that the INDISOC observational tool could be a suitable instrument for analyzing the individual offensive behavior in competitive youth (7-a-side), junior and senior (11-a-side) soccer.
Respiratory Function in Friedreich’s Ataxia
Authors: Vinante Elena , Colombo Elena , Paparella Gabriella , Martinuzzi Michela , Martinuzzi Andrea
Published: August 2022

Background: Friedreich’s ataxia is an inherited, rare, progressive disorder of children and young adults. It is characterized by ataxia, loss of gait, scoliosis, cardiomyopathy, dysarthria and dysphagia, with reduced life expectancy. Alterations of respiratory dynamics and parameters are frequently observed. However, in the literature there are few, dated studies with small cohorts. Our study aims to make an objective analysis of the respiratory condition of both early and late stage FRDA patients, looking for correlations with the motor, skeletal, speech and genetic aspects of this condition. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study is based on the collection of clinical and instrumental respiratory data of 44 subjects between 13 and 51 years attending a tertiary rehabilitation centre in northern Italy. The analysis was carried out using Pearson’s correlation test, ANOVA test and post hoc tests. Results: Data show the presence of a recurrent pattern of respiratory dysfunction of a restrictive type, with reduction in forced vital capacity and of flow and pressure parameters. The severity of the respiratory condition correlates with the disease severity (measured with disease-specific scales), with pneumophonic alterations and with the severity of the thoracic scoliotic curve. Conclusions: Respiratory function is impaired at various degrees in FRDA. The complex condition of inco-ordination and hyposthenia in FRDA affects daytime and night-time respiratory efficiency. We believe that the respiratory deficit and the inefficiency of cough are indeed a clinical problem deserving consideration, especially in the context of the concomitant postural difficulty and the possible presence of dysphagia. Therefore, the rehabilitation project for the subject with FRDA should also consider the respiratory function.
Fetal Lung Cells Transfer Improves Emphysematous Change in a Mouse Model of Neutrophil Elastase-Induced Lung Emphysema
Authors: Ohta Shin , Tanaka Akihiko , Okazaki Tomoko , Mikuni Hatsuko , Uno Tomoki , Uchida Yoshitaka , Kimura Tomoyuki , Fukuda Yosuke , Jinno Megumi , Hirai Kuniaki , Miyata Yoshito , Inoue Hideki , Homma Tetsuya , Yamamoto Mayumi , Suzuki Shintaro , Sagara Hironori
Published: August 2022

Recently, several studies for lung regeneration have been reported. However, regenerating the lung tissue by the transfer of any cells directly to the lung has been hardly successful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fetal lung cells (FLCs) in a mouse model of lung emphysema. C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with neutrophil elastase (NE) intra-tracheally (i.t.) to generate lung emphysema. To collect fetal lung cells, C57BL/6-Tg (CAG-EGFP) mice were bred for 14 days. Before delivery, the bred mice were euthanized, and fetal lungs were harvested from the fetal mice and the cells were collected. The FLCs were transferred i.t. 24 h after the NE instillation. Four weeks after the NE instillation, mice were euthanized, and the samples were collected. The mean linear intercept (MLI) was significantly prolonged in the NE instillation group compared to the control group. However, in the FLCs transfer group stimulated with NE, the MLI became shorter than the NE-stimulated group without an FLCs transfer. This result shows that an FLCs transfer inhibited the progression of lung emphysema. Additionally, motility of the mice was also improved by the FLCs transfer. These results indicate that transfer of the FLCs, which were presumed to be progenitor cells for lung tissue, may improve the emphysematous change.
Combining Markov and Semi-Markov Modelling for Assessing Availability and Cybersecurity of Cloud and IoT Systems
Authors: Kharchenko Vyacheslav , Ponochovnyi Yuriy , Ivanchenko Oleg , Fesenko Herman , Illiashenko Oleg
Published: August 2022

This paper suggests a strategy (C5) for assessing cloud and IoT system (CIS) dependability, availability, and cybersecurity based on the continuous collection, comparison, choice, and combination of Markov and semi-Markov models (MMs and SMMs). It proposes the systematic building of an adequate and accurate model to evaluate CISs considering (1) continuous evolution of the model(s) together with systems induced by changes in the CIS or physical and cyber environment parameters; (2) the necessity of collecting data on faults, failures, vulnerabilities, cyber-attacks, privacy violations, and patches to obtain actual data for assessment; (3) renewing the model set based on analysis of CIS operation; (4) the possibility of choice and utilizing “off-the-shelf” models with understandable techniques for their development to assure improved accuracy of assessment; (5) renewing the models during application of CIS by time, component or mixed combining, taking into consideration different operation and maintenance events. The results obtained were algorithms for data collection and analysis, choice, and combining appropriate MM and SMMs and their different types, such as multi-fragmental and multiphase models, considering changing failure rates, cyber-attack parameters, periodical maintenance, etc. To provide and verify the approach, several private and public clouds and IoT systems were researched and discussed in the context of C5 and proposed algorithms.
Using Structure Location Data to Map the Wildland–Urban Interface in Montana, USA
Authors: Ketchpaw Alexander R. , Li Dapeng , Khan Shahid Nawaz , Jiang Yuhan , Li Yingru , Zhang Ling
Published: August 2022

The increasing wildfire activity and rapid population growth in the wildland–urban interface (WUI) have made more Americans exposed to wildfire risk. WUI mapping plays a significant role in wildfire management. This study used the Microsoft building footprint (MBF) and the Montana address/structure framework datasets to map the WUI in Montana. A systematic comparison of the following three types of WUI was performed: the WUI maps derived from the Montana address/structure framework dataset (WUI-P), the WUI maps derived from the MBF dataset (WUI-S), and the Radeloff WUI map derived from census data (WUI-Z). The results show that WUI-S and WUI-P are greater than WUI-Z in the WUI area. Moreover, WUI-S has more WUI area than WUI-P due to the inclusion of all structures rather than just address points. Spatial analysis revealed clusters of high percentage WUI area in western Montana and low percentage WUI area in eastern Montana, which is likely related to a combination of factors including topography and population density. A web GIS application was also developed to facilitate the dissemination of the resulting WUI maps and allow visual comparison between the three WUI types. This study demonstrated that the MBF can be a useful resource for mapping the WUI and could be used in place of a national address point dataset.
Multi-Omics Data Reveal Amino Acids Related Genes in the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Zhang Hanyuan , Zhu Youxiu , Xu Peng , Zhao Zixia , Feng Jianxin , Wu Biyin , Jiang Yanliang , Dong Chuanju , Xu Jian
Published: August 2022

Amino acids have important physiological effects on fish growth and development and are essential nutrition for humans. Flavor-related amino acids, such as glutamic acid and glycine, could have a significant effect on the taste of fish flesh. However, studies on the genetic mechanisms of amino acid metabolism in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are still limited. This study identified divergent patterns on the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic levels in two groups of common carp with different amino acid contents. After genome-wide association analysis, a total of 62 genes was found to be associated with glycine, proline and tyrosine content. Transcriptome analysis of essential amino acids, branched-chain amino acids and flavor-related amino acids were performed using brain, liver and muscle tissues, resulting in 1643 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing identified 3108 genes with differentially methylated promoters (DMPs). After the enrichment analysis, a series of pathways associated with amino acid metabolism, including growth regulation, lipid metabolism and the citrate cycle, was revealed. Integrated studies showed a strong correlation between DEGs and DMPs for amino acid contents in brain and muscle tissues. These multi-omics data revealed candidate genes and pathways related to amino acid metabolism in C. carpio.
FOPI/FOPID Tuning Rule Based on a Fractional Order Model for the Process
Authors: Meneses Helber , Arrieta Orlando , Padula Fabrizio , Visioli Antonio , Vilanova Ramon
Published: August 2022

This paper deals with the design of a control system based on fractional order models and fractional order proportional-integral-derivative (FOPID) controllers and fractional-order proportional-integral (FOPI) controllers. The controller design takes into account the trade-off between robustness and performance as well as the trade-off between the load disturbance rejection and set-point tracking tasks. The fractional order process model is able to represent an extensive range of dynamics, including over-damped and oscillatory behaviors and this simplifies the process modelling. The tuning of the FOPID and FOPI controllers is achieved by using an optimization, as a first step, and in a second step, several fitting functions were used to capture the behavior of the optimal parameters of the controllers. In this way, a new set of tuning rules called FOMCoRoT (Fractional Order Model and Controllers Robust Tuning) is obtained for both FOPID and FOPI controllers. Simulation examples show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy based on fractional calculus.
Multiplicity of Solutions for Fractional-Order Differential Equations via the κ(x)-Laplacian Operator and the Genus Theory
Authors: Srivastava Hari M. , da Costa Sousa Jose Vanterler
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we investigate the existence and multiplicity of solutions for a class of quasi-linear problems involving fractional differential equations in the χ-fractional space Hκ(x)γ,β;χ(Δ). Using the Genus Theory, the Concentration-Compactness Principle, and the Mountain Pass Theorem, we show that under certain suitable assumptions the considered problem has at least k pairs of non-trivial solutions.
Structure and Adsorption Performance of Cationic Entermorpha prolifera Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel for Typical Pollutants: Methylene Blue, Cefuroxime, and Cr (VI)
Authors: Ma Xiaolei , Duan Duomo , Chen Jinbin , Xie Baolong
Published: August 2022

Hydrogels with polysaccharides as high polymer substrates have surprising advantages in wastewater treatment with complex components. Therefore, in this study, polysaccharides named EPS were extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera, a coastal pollutant with a wide range of sources, and cationic modification was performed to obtain CAEPS, the hydrogel with a double network structure was prepared based on EPS and CAEPS. Meanwhile, the structural characteristic of EPS and CAEPS-based hydrogel were identified by HPLC, AFM, FT-IR, TGA, SEM-EDS, Pore size distribution, and WCA, which showed that the porosity, apparent (skeletal) density, and hydrophilicity of CAEPS-hydrogels. We used nonlinear isotherms to uncover the adsorption mechanism of hydrogel applied to the water environment containing three typical pollutants (Methylene blue, Cefuroxime, and Cr (VI)). The results showed that the adsorption isotherm of the two hydrogels fit the Langmuir isotherm model, which indicated the monolayer adsorption of the pollution factor onto EPS- and CAEPS-hydrogels. The maximum adsorption capacities of CAEPS-hydrogels were higher than EPS-hydrogels, which indicated the microstructure and adsorption performance of the CAEPS-hydrogel are strengthened.
A Spatial Analysis Approach for Urban Flood Occurrence and Flood Impact Based on Geomorphological, Meteorological, and Hydrological Factors
Authors: Feloni Elissavet , Anayiotos Andreas , Baltas Evangelos
Published: August 2022

Urban flooding can cause significant infrastructure and property damage to cities, loss of human life, disruption of human activities, and other problems and negative consequences on people and the local government administration. The objective of this research work is to investigate the relation between urban flood occurrence and potentially flood-triggering factors. The analysis is performed in the western part of Athens Basin (Attica, Greece), where over the past decades several flood events caused human losses and damages to properties and infrastructure. Flood impact is measured by the number of citizen calls for help to the emergency line of the fire service, while potentially influencing factors are several geomorphological characteristics of the area and hydrometeorological indices regarding storms, which were determined with the aid of GIS techniques. The analysis is based on the investigation on binary logistic regression and generalized linear regression models that are used to build relationships between the potentially flood-influencing factors and the flood occurrence/impact for three events that were selected for reasons of comparison. The entire analysis highlights the variations attributed to the consideration of different factors, events, as well as to the different cell size of the grid used in the analysis. Results indicate that, the binary logistic regression model performed for flood occurrence achieves higher predictability, compared to the ability of the model used to describe flood impact.
Scandinavian Studies in Germany with a Special Focus on the Position of Old and Modern Icelandic
Authors: Kupferschmied Irene , Hauksson Magnús
Published: August 2022

Scandinavian Studies today are divided into (at least) three areas, which should ideally also be represented by their own chairs at the universities, if one wants to cover the subject as broadly as possible. Likewise, the four languages, Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish, should be offered to a certain extent. Scandinavian Studies, however, belong to the so-called “small subjects”, and financial and personnel resources are often limited. In addition, the federal states (Bundesländer) have an influence on the equipment of the universities. The subject of Scandinavian Studies can therefore be structured very differently at the individual universities. It is largely undisputed that foreign language skills are an important factor in promoting international understanding. As well, language skills are an absolute foundation in all aspects of a philological subject. Nevertheless, language teaching at universities is generally under pressure, and questions arise about its justification. This is true for both modern and ancient languages. In our article, we mainly describe the positions of Old and modern Icelandic within Scandinavian Studies, which differ greatly. This is mainly due to traditions within Scandinavian Studies and the institutions at which they are taught. Considerations are made regarding the legitimacy of these areas and their connections with other parts of the subject.
The Role of Built Heritage for Sustainable Development Goals: From Statement to Action
Authors: Lerario Antonella
Published: August 2022

The importance of culture and cultural heritage for the achievement of sustainable development is widely stressed in official documents. Nevertheless, the role of cultural heritage for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Agenda 2030 is limited in practical terms, as explicit references to it only appear in Target 11.4. Focusing on the built cultural heritage, the article tries to throw light on its potential with regard to all 17 SDGs by reflecting on the environmental, social and economic connection to communities’ development. Then, based on its cross-cutting importance and on its peculiarities, the work proposes and discusses priorities, observation perspective, actions and tools for concrete actions on the built heritage, identifying also specific criticalities.
Excellence in Turbomachinery Research: The Best of the 14th European Turbomachinery Conference
Authors: Manna Marcello
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has not prevented the regular development of the dissemination activities promoted by Euroturbo (www [...]
Effect of Lower- versus Higher-Intensity Isometric Handgrip Training in Adults with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Javidi Mohsen , Ahmadizad Sajad , Argani Hassan , Najafi Abdolrahman , Ebrahim Khosrow , Salehi Narges , Javidi Yasaman , Pescatello Linda S. , Jowhari Alireza , Hackett Daniel A.
Published: August 2022

This study compared the effects of lower- versus higher-intensity isometric handgrip exercise on resting blood pressure (BP) and associated clinical markers in adults with hypertension. Thirty-nine males were randomly assigned to one of three groups, including isometric handgrip at 60% maximal voluntary contraction (IHG-60), isometric handgrip at 30% IHG-30, or a control group (CON) that had been instructed to continue with their current activities of daily living. The volume was equated between the exercise groups, with IHG-60 performing 8 × 30-s contractions and IHG-30 performing 4 × 2-min contractions. Training was performed three times per week for 8 weeks. Resting BP (median [IQR]), flow-mediated dilation, heart rate variability, and serum markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured pre- and post-intervention. Systolic BP was significantly reduced for IHG-60 (−15.5 mmHg [−18.75, −7.25]) and IHG-30 (−5.0 mmHg [−7.5, −3.5]) compared to CON (p < 0.01), but no differences were observed between both the exercise groups. A greater reduction in diastolic BP was observed for IHG-60 (−5.0 mmHg [−6.0, −4.25] compared to IHG-30 (−2.0 mmHg [−2.5, −2.0], p = 0.042), and for both exercise groups compared to CON (p < 0.05). Flow-mediated dilation increased for both exercise groups versus CON (p < 0.001). IHG-30 had greater reductions in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α compared to the other groups (p < 0.05) and CON (p = 0.018), respectively. There was a reduction in Endothelin-1 for IHG-60 compared to CON (p = 0.018). Both the lower- and higher-intensity IHG training appear to be associated with reductions in resting BP and improvements in clinical markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Correction: Cima, F. Searching for the Origin and the Differentiation of Haemocytes before and after Larval Settlement of the Colonial Ascidian Botryllus schlosseri: An Ultrastructural Viewpoint. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 987
Authors: Cima Francesca
Published: August 2022

In the original publication [...]
Study of Two Ships Approaching Process and Towing Motion under Wave Action
Authors: Chen Shengtao , Zou Han , Qi Guocai , Li Dongju , Xu Zhouyuan
Published: August 2022

The rescue of ships in distress at sea relies mainly on rescue vessels, which includes the approaching process and the towing motion of the two ships. Ship rescue can be reduced to a two-ship problem, primarily involving the relative motion between ships during rescue. We established a mathematical model of ship motion based on the viscous fluid N-S equation, and the approaching process of two Wigley ships under waves was simulated in a two-dimensional plane. Then, according to three-dimensional potential flow theory, the coupled motion response model of the ships under six degrees of freedom was constructed, and calculation models of wind, waves, currents and other environmental disturbance factors were established to numerically calculate the towing motion. The results show that the upstream vessel has a lower heave motion amplitude and higher roll motion amplitude during the approaching process; A ratio of 1.5 times the width of the ship is the critical area where the motion of the two ships interacts with each other; For the berthing process, the faster the motion of the active vessel is, the lower the motion amplitude will be for both upstream and downstream vessels. When towing under rough sea conditions, changes in wave height and towing velocity have a large influence on the coupling effect of the towing system. When towing, head-on waves and low sea conditions are preferred, and the velocity should be sufficiently high to reduce the influence of cable self-weight on the towed ship. According to the simulations, the recommended velocity range is 3–5 m/s. Finally, a ship model scaling model was developed based on the similar quasi-Froude number of the ship model test, and the simulation results were verified by conducting parallel and towing tests of the model in a basin with a spherical wave-maker device.
A Novel Trajectory Planning Method for Parafoil Airdrop System Based on Geometric Segmentation Strategy
Authors: Gao Haitao , Tao Jin
Published: August 2022

Reasonable trajectory planning is the precondition for the parafoil airdrop system to achieve autonomous accurate homing, and safe landing. To successfully realize the self-homing of the parafoil airdrop system, a new trajectory optimization design scheme is proposed in this paper. The scheme is based on the parafoil’s unique flight and control characteristics and adopts a segmented homing design. The current common trajectory design method faces a problem, whereby straight-line flight distance before landing is limited by the radius of the height-reducing area. The core feature of the proposed design scheme is its avoidance of this problem, thereby ensuring landing accuracy and safety. Firstly, the different starting states of the parafoil airdrop system and the landing requirements were comprehensively considered, and the homing trajectory reasonably segmented. Based on the requirements of energy control, stable flight, and landing accuracy, the optimal objective function of the trajectory was established, and the trajectory parameters, calculation methods, and constraints were given. Secondly, the cuckoo search algorithm was applied to optimize the objective function to obtain the final home trajectory. Finally, the trajectory planning under different airdrop conditions was simulated and verified. The results showed that the planned trajectories could reach the target point accurately and meet the flight direction requirements, proving the proposed scheme’s correctness and feasibility.
Thromboembolic Events in Users of Warfarin Treated with Different Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Authors: Leonard Charles E. , Brensinger Colleen M. , Bilker Warren B. , Soprano Samantha E. , Dhopeshwarkar Neil , Hecht Todd E. H. , Kasner Scott E. , Nutescu Edith A. , Holbrook Anne , Carr Matthew , Ashcroft Darren M. , Chen Cheng , Hennessy Sean
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Warfarin and a skeletal muscle relaxant are co-treatments in nearly a quarter-million annual United States (US) office visits. Despite international calls to minimize patient harm arising from anticoagulant drug interactions, scant data exist on clinical outcomes in real-world populations. We examined effects of concomitant use of warfarin and individual muscle relaxants on rates of hospitalization for thromboembolism among economically disadvantaged persons. Materials and Methods: Using 1999–2012 administrative data of four US state Medicaid programs, we conducted 16 retrospective self-controlled case series studies: half included concomitant users of warfarin + one of eight muscle relaxants; half included concomitant users of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) + one of eight muscle relaxants. The ICS analyses served as negative control comparisons. In each study, we calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing thromboembolism rates in the co-exposed versus warfarin/ICS-only exposed person-time, adjusting for time-varying confounders. Results: Among ~70 million persons, we identified 8693 warfarin-treated subjects who concomitantly used a muscle relaxant, were hospitalized for thromboembolism, and met all other inclusion criteria. Time-varying confounder-adjusted IRRs ranged from 0.31 (95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.77) for metaxalone to 3.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.53–7.78) for tizanidine. The tizanidine finding was robust after quantitatively adjusting for negative control ICS findings, and in numerous prespecified secondary analyses. Conclusions: We identified a potential >3-fold increase in the rate of hospitalized thromboembolism in concomitant users of warfarin + tizanidine vs. warfarin alone. Alternative explanations for this finding include confounding by indication, a native effect of tizanidine, or chance.
Investigation of Lonicera japonica Flos against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using Network Integration and Experimental Validation
Authors: Sun Chun-Yong , Zhao Pan , Yan Pei-Zheng , Li Jia , Zhao Dong-Sheng
Published: August 2022

Background and objective: Lonicera japonica Flos (LJF) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antipyretic agent. The potent anti-inflammatory and other ethnopharmacological uses of LJF make it a potential medicine for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This research is to explore the mechanisms involved in the activity of LJF against NAFLD using network integration and experimental pharmacology. Materials and methods: The possible targets of LJF involved in its activity against NAFLD were predicted by matching the targets of the active components in LJF with those targets involved in NAFLD. The analysis of the enrichment of GO functional annotations and KEGG pathways using Metascape, followed by constructing the network of active components–targets–pathways using Cytoscape, were carried out to predict the targets. Molecular docking studies were performed to further support the involvement of these targets in the activity of LJF against NAFLD. The shortlisted targets were confirmed via in vitro studies in an NAFLD cell model. Results: A total of 17 active components in LJF and 29 targets related to NAFLD were predicted by network pharmacology. Molecular docking studies of the main components and the key targets showed that isochlorogenic acid B can stably bind to TNF-α and CASP3. In vitro studies have shown that LJF down-regulated the TNF-α and CASP3 expression in an NAFLD cell model. Conclusions: These results provide scientific evidence for further investigations into the role of LJF in the treatment of NAFLD.
Actinobacteria as Effective Biocontrol Agents against Plant Pathogens, an Overview on Their Role in Eliciting Plant Defense
Authors: Ebrahimi-Zarandi Marzieh , Saberi Riseh Roohallah , Tarkka Mika T.
Published: August 2022

Pathogen suppression and induced systemic resistance are suitable alternative biocontrol strategies for integrated plant disease management and potentially comprise a sustainable alternative to agrochemicals. The use of Actinobacteria as biocontrol agents is accepted in practical sustainable agriculture, and a short overview on the plant-beneficial members of this phylum and recent updates on their biocontrol efficacies are the two topics of this review. Actinobacteria include a large portion of microbial rhizosphere communities and colonizers of plant tissues that not only produce pest-antagonistic secondary metabolites and enzymes but also stimulate plant growth. Non-pathogenic Actinobacteria can also induce systemic resistance against pathogens, but the mechanisms are still poorly described. In the absence of a pathogen, a mild defense response is elicited under jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signaling that involves pathogenesis-related proteins and secondary plant metabolites. Priming response partly includes the same compounds as the response to a sole actinobacterium, and the additional involvement of ethylene signaling has been suggested. Recent amplicon sequencing studies on bacterial communities suggest that future work may reveal how biocontrol active strains of Actinobacteria can be enriched in plant rhizosphere.
Characterization of the Cultivable Endophytic Bacterial Community of Seeds and Sprouts of Cannabis sativa L. and Perspectives for the Application as Biostimulants
Authors: Gabriele Morena , Vitali Francesco , Chelucci Elisa , Chiellini Carolina
Published: August 2022

Endophytes are beneficial microorganisms exerting growth-promoting activities in plants; they are most often located within the plant intercellular spaces and can be found in all plant tissues, including roots, leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds. In this work, we investigated the cultivable bacterial community of the seeds and the two-week sprouts of the Cannabis sativa L. cultivar “Futura 75”. Endophytes were genotypically and phenotypically characterized and were exposed to different concentrations of seed extracts to verify their susceptibility. A bacterial strain among all the isolates was selected for germination tests of C. sativa in different experimental conditions. The results revealed the dominance of Firmicutes (Staphylococcus sp.) among the isolated strains. Two strains were different from the others for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and for their resistance patterns towards abiotic and biotic stresses. The Sphingomonas sp. strain Can_S11 (Alphaproteobacteria) showed a potential ability to increase the nutraceutical features of its sprouts, particularly an increase in the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. None of the isolated strains were susceptible to the seed extracts, which were previously tested as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents against human pathogenic bacteria. The results open new perspectives for the study of the endophytes of C. sativa as possible biostimulants.
Synthesis of N-Substituted Iminosugar C-Glycosides and Evaluation as Promising α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Authors: Wang Haibo , Tang Senling , Zhang Guoqing , Pan Yang , Jiao Wei , Shao Huawu
Published: August 2022

A series of N-substituted iminosugar C-glycosides were synthesized and tested for α-glucosidase inhibition. The results suggested that 6e is a promising and potent α-glucosidase inhibitor. Enzymatic kinetic assays indicated that compound 6e may be classified as an uncompetitive inhibitor. The study of structure-activity relationships of those iminosugars provided a starting point for the discovery of new α-glucosidase inhibitors.
Photonuclear Alchemy: Obtaining Medical Isotopes of Gold from Mercury Irradiated on Electron Accelerators
Authors: Kazakov Andrey G. , Babenya Julia S. , Ekatova Taisya Y. , Belyshev Sergey S. , Khankin Vadim V. , Albaghdadi Omar , Kuznetsov Alexander A. , Dovhyi Illarion I. , Bezhin Nikolay A. , Tananaev Ivan G.
Published: August 2022

In our work, the photonuclear production of 198,199Au isotopes for nuclear medicine purposes was studied, and a method for their recovery from irradiated mercury was developed. The yields of the corresponding nuclear reactions were determined, and a comparison of various methods of obtaining gold radioisotopes was provided. New sorbents based on benzo-15-crown-5, which selectively binds gold, were studied, and the optimal conditions for Au recovery with a high degree of purification from mercury were found. It was established that, for the fast and quantitative recovery of Au isotopes, it was necessary to add at least 0.1 mg of the carrier. As a result, the developed method can be regularly used to obtain 198,199Au for the research of radiopharmaceuticals based on them.
Lewis Acid-Induced Dinitrogen Cleavage in an Anionic Side-on End-on Bound Dinitrogen Diniobium Hydride Complex
Authors: Suzuki Naofumi , Ishida Yutaka , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: August 2022

The side-on end-on dinitrogen hydride complex [{Na(dme)}2{(O3)Nb}2(μ-η1:η2-N2)(μ-H)2] (3-Na, [O3]3− = [(3,5-tBu2-2-O-C6H2)3CH]3−) was observed to undergo facile elimination of H2 and cleavage of the N–N bond in the presence of 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN), AlMe3, and ZnMe2. Treatment of 3-Na with 9-BBN and ZnMe2 afforded the nitride complex [{K(dme)2}2{(O3)Nb}2(μ-N)2] (2-Na). The reaction of 3-Na with AlMe3 afforded [{Na(dme)}2{(O3)AlMe}2(NbMe2)2(μ-N)2] (5). The nitride complex 2-Na was treated with 9-BBN and AlMe3 to form [{Na(dme)}2{(O3)Nb}(μ-NH)(μ-NBC8H14){Nb(O3C)}] (4) and 5, respectively. Complex 2-Na, 4, and 5 were structurally characterized.
2-(Nitroaryl)-5-Substituted-1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives with Antiprotozoal Activities: In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Mousavi Alireza , Foroumadi Parham , Emamgholipour Zahra , Mäser Pascal , Kaiser Marcel , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: August 2022

Nitro-containing compounds are a well-known class of anti-infective agents, especially in the field of anti-parasitic drug discovery. HAT or sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei. Following the approval of fexinidazole as the first oral treatment for both stages of T. b. gambiense HAT, there is an increased interest in developing new nitro-containing compounds against parasitic diseases. In our previous projects, we synthesized several megazole derivatives that presented high activity against Leishmania major promastigotes. Here, we screened and evaluated their trypanocidal activity. Most of the compounds showed submicromolar IC50 against the BSF form of T. b. rhodesiense (STIB 900). To the best of our knowledge, compound 18c is one of the most potent nitro-containing agents reported against HAT in vitro. Compound 18g revealed an acceptable cure rate in the acute mouse model of HAT, accompanied with noteworthy in vitro activity against T. brucei, T. cruzi, and L. donovani. Taken together, these results suggest that these compounds are promising candidates to evaluate their pharmacokinetic and biological profiles in the future.
In Vitro Antioxidant Properties and Phenolic Profile of Acid Aqueous Ethanol Extracts from Torreya grandis Seed Coat
Authors: Quan Wei , Xu Yang , Xie Yiting , Peng Fei , Lin Yong
Published: August 2022

Torreya grandis is an important economic forestry product in China, whose seeds are often consumed as edible nuts, or used as raw materials for oil processing. To date, as an important by-product of Torreya grandis, comprehensive studies regarding the Torreya grandis seed coat phenolic composition are lacking, which greatly limits its in-depth use. Therefore, in the present study, the Torreya grandis seed coat was extracted by acid aqueous ethanol (TE), and NMR and UHPLC-MS were used to identify the major phenolics. Together with the already known phenolics including protocatechuic acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate, the unreported new compound 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid was discovered. The results of the antioxidant properties showed that both TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid exhibited strong ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, and significantly improved the O/W emulsion’s oxidation stability. These results indicate that the TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid could possibly be used in the future to manufacture functional foods or bioactive ingredients. Moreover, further studies are also needed to evaluate the biological activity of TE and 2-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenylethyl) malonic acid to increase the added value of Torreya grandis by-products.
Coordinative Changes in Metabolites in Grape Cells Exposed to Endophytic Fungi and Their Extracts
Authors: Qu Jin-Zhuo , Liu Fang , Pan Xiao-Xia , Liao Chang-Mei , Li Tong , Zhang Han-Bo , Yang Ming-Zhi
Published: August 2022

Endophytes and their elicitors can all be utilized in regulating crop biochemical qualities. However, living endophytes and their derived elicitors are always applied separately; little is known about the similarities and differences of their effects. To increase the efficiency of this system when applied in practice, the present work profiled simultaneously the metabolomes in grape cells exposed to endophytic fungi (EF) and their corresponding fungal extracts (CFE). As expected, grape cells exposed separately to different fungi, or to different fungi derived extracts, each exhibited different modifications of metabolite patterns. The metabolic profiles of certain EF- and CFE-exposed grape cells were also differently influenced to certain degrees, owing to the presence of differentially responding metabolites (DRMs). However, the detected majority proportions of coordinately responding metabolites (CRMs) in both the EF- and the CFE-exposed grape cells, as well as the significantly influenced metabolites (SIMs) which are specific to certain fungal strains, clearly indicate coordinative changes in metabolites in grape cells exposed to EF and CFEs. The coordinative changes in metabolites in EF- and CFE-treated grape cells appeared to be fungal strain-dependent. Notably, several of those fungal strain-specific CRMs and DRMs are metabolites and belong to amino acids, lipids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and others, which are major contributors to the biochemistry and sensory qualities of grapes and wines. This research clarifies the detailed responses of metabolites in grape cells exposed to EF and CFEs. It also demonstrates how endophytes can be selectively used in the form of extracts to produce functions as CRMs of the living fungus with increased eco-safety, or separately applied to the living microbes or elicitors to emphasize those effects related to their specifically initiated SIMs and DRMs.
Antiviral Effect of Bovine Lactoferrin against Enterovirus E
Authors: Wróbel Małgorzata , Małaczewska Joanna , Kaczorek-Łukowska Edyta
Published: August 2022

Enterovirus E (EV-E), a representative of the Picornaviridae family, endemically affects cattle across the world, typically causing subclinical infections. However, under favorable conditions, severe or fatal disorders of the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems may develop. There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infections in humans or animals, and only symptomatic treatment is available. The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro antiviral effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) against enterovirus E using virucidal, cytopathic effect inhibition, and viral yield reduction assays in MDBK cells. The influence of lactoferrin on the intracellular viral RNA level was also determined. Surprisingly, lactoferrin did not have a protective effect on cells, although it inhibited the replication of the virus during the adsorption and post-adsorption stages (viral titres reduced by 1–1.1 log). Additionally, a decrease in the viral RNA level in cells (by up to 75%) was observed. More detailed studies are needed to determine the mechanism of bovine lactoferrin effect on enterovirus E. However, this highly biocompatible protein ensures some degree of protection against infection by bovine enterovirus, which is particularly important for young animals that receive this protein in their mother’s milk.
Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Chimonanthus praecox Derivatives
Authors: Chen Jinfeng , Yang Yimou , Zhou Yujie , Wei Yang , Zhu Rui , Zheng Shaojun
Published: August 2022

To search for efficient agricultural antifungal lead compounds, 39 Chimonanthus praecox derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antifungal activities. The structures of target compounds were fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS spectra. The preliminary bioassays revealed that some compounds exhibited excellent antifungal activities in vitro. For example, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compound b15 against Phytophthora infestans was 1.95 µg mL−1, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compound b17 against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was 1.95 µg mL−1. Therefore, compounds b15 and b17 were identified as the most promising candidates for further study.
Ambient Light Conveying Reliability Improves Drivers’ Takeover Performance without Increasing Mental Workload
Authors: Figalová Nikol , Chuang Lewis L. , Pichen Jürgen , Baumann Martin , Pollatos Olga
Published: August 2022

Drivers of L3 automated vehicles (AVs) are not required to continuously monitor the AV system. However, they must be prepared to take over when requested. Therefore, it is necessary to design an in-vehicle environment that allows drivers to adapt their levels of preparedness to the likelihood of control transition. This study evaluates ambient in-vehicle lighting that continuously communicates the current level of AV reliability, specifically on how it could influence drivers’ take-over performance and mental workload (MW). We conducted an experiment in a driving simulator with 42 participants who experienced 10 take-over requests (TORs). The experimental group experienced a four-stage ambient light display that communicated the current level of AV reliability, which was not provided to the control group. The experimental group demonstrated better take-over performance, based on lower vehicle jerks. Notably, perceived MW did not differ between the groups, and the EEG indices of MW (frontal theta power, parietal alpha power, Task–Load Index) did not differ between the groups. These findings suggest that communicating the current level of reliability using ambient light might help drivers be better prepared for TORs and perform better without increasing their MW.
Optical Absorption on Electron Quantum-Confined States of Perovskite Quantum Dots
Authors: Pokutnii Serhii I. , Radosz Andrzej
Published: August 2022

In the framework of the dipole approximation, it is shown that in the perovskites quantum dots (QDs) FAPbBr3  and {en} FAPbBr3  interacting with low-intensity light, the oscillator strengths of transitions, as well as the dipole moments allowing transitions between one-particle electron quantum-confined states, attain values considerably (by two orders of magnitude) exceeding the typical values of the corresponding quantities in semiconductors. It has been established that the maximum values of the cross-section optical absorption of perovskite QDs are reached at the resonant frequencies of electron transitions. This makes it possible to use such nanosystems as of strong absorption nanomaterials in a wide range of infrared waves.
Strain Variation Based on Spike Glycoprotein Gene of SARS-CoV-2 in Kuwait from 2020 to 2021
Authors: Madi Nada , Sadeq Mohammad , Essa Sahar , Safar Hussain A. , Al-Adwani Anfal , Al-Khabbaz Marwa
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. With the global transmission of the virus, many SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged due to the alterations of the spike glycoprotein. Therefore, the S glycoprotein encoding gene has widely been used for the molecular analysis of SARS-Co-2 due to its features affecting antigenicity and immunogenicity. We analyzed the S gene sequences of 35 SARS-CoV-2 isolates in Kuwait from March 2020 to February 2021 using the Sanger method and MinION nanopore technology to confirm novel nucleotide alterations. Our results show that the Kuwaiti strains from clade 19A and B were the dominant variants early in the pandemic, while clade 20I (Alpha, V1) was the dominant variant from February 2021 onward. Besides the known mutations, 21 nucleotide deletions in the S glycoprotein in one Kuwaiti strain were detected, which might reveal a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 with the defective viral genome (DVG). This study emphasizes the importance of closely perceiving the emerging clades with these mutations during this continuous pandemic as some may influence the specificity of diagnostic tests, such as RT-PCR and even vaccine design directing these positions.