bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The metropolitan production of “urban” sustainability: Exploring industrial regionalism across the Puget Sound
Authors: Pendras Mark , Dierwechter Yonn
Published: October 2022

This article engages governance visions for green urbanism and sustainability through the concept of “industrial regionalism”. Bringing together emerging research on the importance of manufacturing to inclusive economies and critiques of “methodological cityism”, we explore the relational production of the iconic “green city” of Seattle. Here we consider how secondary cities, suburbs, and other peripheral spaces get subsumed within the metropolitan production of “urban” sustainability in ways that go unacknowledged and underappreciated. By absorbing tasks of production and social reproduction, such peripheral spaces may enable primate cities like Seattle to claim the mantle of sustainability, highlighting the rain gardens, bike lanes, urban green spaces, and other infrastructures that score high on walkability indices. In contrast, the working-class livelihoods on the periphery are often marginalized from sustainability discourses, if not actively disparaged for their inability to measure up to the green city ideal. This paper aims to offer a corrective by exploring how peripheral spaces are involved in the production of primate city sustainability. Employing the concept of intra-regional relationality, and drawing from census and geospatial data as well as regional planning analyses and reports, we illustrate that “urban” sustainability is produced regionally and relationally. The aim here is to consider how the “industrial region” might gain purchase as an important component of the governance of urban sustainability.
Kick proficiency and skill adaptability increase from an Australian football small-sided game intervention
Authors: Bonney Nathan , Larkin Paul , Ball Kevin
Published: October 2022

This investigation is the first to explore the effect of a 4 week small-sided game (SSG) and traditional training intervention on player kick proficiency and player adaptability in Australian football. Twenty-two amateur Australian football players (mean ± SD; age 22.3 ± 2.46; height 182.4 ± 5.25; weight 82.1 ± 6.10; years playing senior amateur football 3.86 ± 3.09) were randomly selected into either a traditional training group (n= 11) or a SSG group (n= 11). Traditional training involved activities where skills were generally executed in isolation and with minimal contact (e.g., kicking lane drill or possession football). The SSG training group participated in 5v6 competitive games on varied shaped areas (approximately 272 m2per player) and changing constraints (e.g., game tempo, game rules). All players participated in the team training sessions; however, the SSG group participated in a 4 × 3min training protocol, with 60 seconds recovery, in the last 20-min of the session. The SSG group participated in these alternative sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. Results indicated only the SSG enhanced their kick proficiency (17%) and were found to be more adaptable. The intervention group executed more kicks over longer distances (i.e., 20–40 m), made quicker decisions (e.g., executing more kicks in < 1s), applied more pressure to the opposition when they were executing a skill and were more likely to “take the game on” by decreasing the amount of times a skill was executed from a stationary position. The results of this study can be used by coaches when designing and implementing training programs as different training strategies will elicit different player behavioral adaptations.
Active aroma compounds assessment of processed and non-processed micro- and macroalgae by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry targeting seafood analogs
Authors: Moreira Catarina , Ferreira-Santos Pedro , Teixeira José António , Rocha Cristina M. R.
Published: October 2022

The odor of four algae was investigated and compared to evaluate the potential of these algae to mimic shrimp aroma. Solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography analysis coupled with sensory analysis was used for performance assessment. The volatile organic compounds were determined in non-processed, raw samples (r), and processed cooked (c) and cooking water (w) samples for two microalgae [Nannochoropsis oceanica (NO) and Tetraselmis chuii (TC)], two macroalgae [Ulva rígida (UR) and Saccharina latíssima (SL)], and shrimp Vannamei cong (SH). The results showed significant differences in the composition of volatile compounds between macroalgae and microalgae. The key odorants in macroalgae were octanal, 2-octenal, nonanal, and β-ionone, and in microalgae were 1,5-octadien-3-ol, hexanal, 2,4-decadienal, 2-octenal, octanal, nonanal, 3,5-octadien-2-one, and terpenes. The PCA analysis of GC-MS data showed odor similarities between the studied samples, which were divided into five main groups: (1) TC(c) and TC(w); (2) TC(r) and NO(c); (3) NO(r), NO(w), and SL(w); (4) SL(c), UR(r), UR(c), and UR(w); and (5) SL(r). The data from the sensory analysis show bigger similarities between the macroalgae and the shrimp odor. Overall, the data provided indicate that the cooking water and cooked samples are very similar in key components of odorants. These features allow the possibility to use algae and their processed resulting products as a shrimp flavor replacement in non-animal-based food formulations, thus decreasing the pressure on seafood crops and aquaculture-associated issues leading to more sustainable livestock. Furthermore, circularity and waste reduction may be further enabled by the use of otherwise wasted cooking water as an odorant agent.
Household decision-making, women's empowerment, and increasing egg consumption in children under five in rural Burkina Faso: Observations from a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Moore Emily V. , Singh Nitya , Serra Renata , McKune Sarah L.
Published: October 2022

Malnutrition is one of the most long-suffering problems facing women and children across the world—it is endemic to many low- and low-middle income countries and is a leading comorbidity in CU5 mortality. Malnutrition and food security are gendered issues; not only are boys and girls differently affected by these issues, but societal norms and differing roles of women and men are often drivers of these different outcomes. The United Nations seeks to address both malnutrition and gender inequality by reaching its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Researchers have shown that women's empowerment is inextricably linked to the nutritional outcomes of children. As one dimension of women's empowerment, intra-household decision-making is an important determinant of child health and nutrition outcomes, as it can determine how resources are allocated within the household. To better understand how gender inequalities within household decision-making may contribute to child nutrition, this study examines the association between household decision-making and the adoption of behavior change to increase chicken egg consumption among infants and young children in Burkina Faso, and explores the relationship(s) between the Un Oeuf project and women's empowerment. This study analyzes data collected during the Un Oeuf cRCT (July 2018–April 2019) and additional data that were collected in conjunction with the Un Oeuf endline household survey in April 2019. Significant relationships were found between women's household decision-making about eggs and child egg consumption at the end of the project. This was true for women who did not have decision-making power at baseline (p = 0.006, OR 3.822) as well as for women who indicted having had that power and sustaining it through endline (p = 0.013, OR 6.662). Results indicate that the Un Oeuf project significantly increased women's household decision-making (p > 0.005, OR 4.045). Finally, significant relationships were found between a woman's overall level of empowerment and household decision-making power surrounding (1) what is done with household eggs (p < 0.005, OR 2.87) and (2) how foods are portioned (p = 0.012, OR 6.712). These findings illustrate the importance and potential of women's decision-making as a point of entry to improving nutritional outcomes through changes in empowerment.
Prediction of chemical indicators for quality of Zanthoxylum spices from multi-regions using hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics
Authors: Wang Youyou , Yang Jian , Yu Shuan , Fu Haiyan , He Song , Yang Bin , Nan Tiegui , Yuan Yuwei , Huang Luqi
Published: October 2022

Fruits of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (Red “Huajiao,” RHJ) and Z. schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc. (Green “Huajiao,” GHJ) are famous spices around the world. Antioxidant capability (AOC), total alkylamides content (TALC) and volatile oil content (VOC) in HJ are three important quality indicators and lack rapid and effective methods for detection. Non-destructive, time-saving, and effective technology of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with chemometrics was adopted to improve the indicators prediction in this study. Results showed that the three chemical indexes exhibited significant differences between different regions and varieties (P < 0.05). Specifically, the mass percentages of TALC were 11–22% in RHJ group and 21–36% in GHJ group. The mass percentages of VOC content were 23–31% and 16–24% in RHJ and GHJ groups, respectively. More importantly, these indicators could be well predicted based on the full or effective HSI wavelengths via model adaptive space shrinkage (MASS) and iteratively variable subset optimization (IVSO) selections combined with wavelet transform (WT) method for noise reduction. The best prediction results of AOC, TALC, and VOC indicators were achieved with the highest residual predictive deviation (RPD) values of 7.43, 7.82, and 3.73 for RHJ, respectively, and 6.82, 2.66, and 4.64 for GHJ, respectively. The above results highlight the great potential of HSI assisted with chemometrics in the rapid and effective prediction of chemical indicators of Zanthoxylum spices.
The 6 degrees-of-freedom range of motion of the L1–S1 vertebrae in young and middle-aged asymptomatic people
Authors: Xu Fei , Zhou Siyu , Li Zhuofu , Jiang Shuai , Chen Ze , Sun Zhuoran , Li Weishi
Published: October 2022

Study design

Controlled laboratory study.

Objective

To determine the 6 degrees of freedom of lumbar vertebra in vivo during different functional activities in young and middle-aged asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

A total of 26 asymptomatic subjects (M/F, 15/11; age, 20–55 years) were recruited in this study. They were divided into two groups: young group (number: 14; age: 20–30 years old) and middle-aged group (number: 12; age: 45–55 years old). The lumbar segment of each subject was scanned by computed tomography for the construction of three-dimensional (3D) models of the vertebra from L1 to S1. The lumbar spine was imaged by using a dual fluoroscopic system when the subjects performed different trunk postures. The 3D models of vertebrae were matched to two fluoroscopic images simultaneously in software. The range of motion (ROM) of vertebrae in the young and middle-aged groups was compared by using multiway analysis of variance, respectively.

Results

During the supine to the upright posture, vertebral rotation of the L1–S1 occurred mainly around the mediolateral axis (mean: 3.9 ± 2.9°). Along the mediolateral axis, vertebral translation was significantly lower at L1–2 (7.7 ± 2.4 mm) and L2–3 (8.0 ± 3.5 mm) than at L3–4 (1.6 ± 1.2 mm), L4–5 (3.3 ± 2.6 mm), and L5–S1 (2.6 ± 1.9 mm). At the L4–5 level, the young group had a higher rotational ROM than the middle-aged group around all three axes during left–right bending. Along the anteroposterior axis, the young group had a lower translational ROM at L4–5 than the middle-aged group during left–right bending (4.6 ± 3.3 vs. 7.6 ± 4.8 mm; P < 0.05). At L5–S1, the young group had a lower translational ROM than the middle-aged group during flexion–extension, left–right bending, and left–right torsion.

Conclusion

This study explored the lumbar vertebral ROM at L1–S1 during different functional postures in both young and middle-aged volunteers. There were higher coupled translations at L3–4 and L4–5 than at the upper lumbar segments during supine to upright. The vertebral rotation decreased with age. In addition, the older subjects had a higher anteroposterior translation at the L4–5 segment and higher mediolateral translation at the L5–S1 segment than the young group. These data might provide basic data to be compared with spinal pathology.
Dynamic risk prediction models for different subtypes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Xu Qi , Yang Lin , Sun Ge , Liu Guoli , Lian Cuiting , Li Ziwei , Hao Dongmei , Yang Yimin , Li Xuwen
Published: October 2022

Background

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are diseases that coexist with pregnancy and hypertension. The pathogenesis of this disease is complex, and different physiological and pathological states can develop different subtypes of HDP.

Objective

To investigate the predictive effects of different variable selection and modeling methods on four HDP subtypes: gestational hypertension, early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension complicated with preeclampsia.

Methods

This research was a retrospective study of pregnant women who attended antenatal care and labored at Beijing Maternity Hospital, Beijing Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and Peking University People's Hospital. We extracted maternal demographic data and clinical characteristics for risk factor analysis and included gestational week as a parameter in this study. Finally, we developed a dynamic prediction model for HDP subtypes by nonlinear regression, support vector machine, stepwise regression, and Lasso regression methods.

Results

The AUCs of the Lasso regression dynamic prediction model for each subtype were 0.910, 0.962, 0.859, and 0.955, respectively. The AUC of the Lasso regression dynamic prediction model was higher than those of the other three prediction models. The accuracy of the Lasso regression dynamic prediction model was above 85%, and the highest was close to 92%. For the four subgroups, the Lasso regression dynamic prediction model had the best comprehensive performance in clinical application. The placental growth factor was tested significant (P < 0.05) only in the stepwise regression dynamic prediction model for early-onset preeclampsia.

Conclusion

The Lasso regression dynamic prediction model could accurately predict the risk of four HDP subtypes, which provided the appropriate guidance and basis for targeted prevention of adverse outcomes and improved clinical care.
Prognostic value of final pathological stage in colon adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A propensity score-matched study
Authors: Xiang Meijuan , Liang Zongyu , Gao Yuan , Feng Xingyu , Yao Xueqing
Published: October 2022

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) could improve local tumor control of locally advanced colon cancer (LACC), but the prognostic value of yp stage in colon cancer remains unknown. Here, we aimed to ascertain yp stage as an indicator for LACC prognosis after NAC.

Methods

The data of patients diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. After 1:2 propensity score matching, cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the NAC and Non-NAC groups of different stage classifications. The correlation between clinical and pathological factors and CSS was identified.

Results

A total of 49, 149, and 81 matched pairs of stage 0–I, II, and III patients, respectively, were generated for analysis. For stage 0–I (p = 0.011) and III (p = 0.015), only CSS in the NAC groups were inferior. Receiving NAC was an independent prognostic risk factor for patients with stage 0–I (hazard ratio, 7.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.820–32.5; p = 0.006) and stage III (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.68; p = 0.015).

Conclusions

The CSS was poorer among LACC patients who underwent NAC than among those who did not. The yp stage of colon cancer after NAC has distinctive significance, which may contribute to predicting the prognosis and guiding the treatment of LACC patients after NAC.
Progress in screening strategies for neonatal developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Han Jiuhui , Li Yu
Published: October 2022

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common congenital disease of the musculoskeletal system in newborns and encompasses a disease spectrum ranging from a stable hip with a mildly dysplastic acetabulum to complete hip dislocation. Systematic screening for infant DDH has been performed for several decades all over the world and has contributed greatly to the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of DDH. However, some cases of delayed diagnosis still occur among the screened population, or conversely, overdiagnosis or overtreatment occasionally occurs. Furthermore, screening strategies for DDH are still controversial. The aim of our study was to analyze the current literature on DDH screening, paying particular attention to DDH screening strategies and their effectiveness. We searched the DDH screening literature from 1958 to 2021 in MEDLINE and other databases using PubMed. In this study, we reviewed the history of DDH screening and the progress of screening strategies and discussed the controversies regarding clinical and ultrasound screening methods with particular emphasis on the current opinions. Given the existing scientific evidence and changes in newborn DDH screening practices, universal ultrasound screening seems to be the best option for preventing late-detected cases and can be recommended as a favorable prevention strategy.
Treatment of multiple synchronous canine mast cell tumours using intratumoural tigilanol tiglate
Authors: Brown Graham K. , Finlay Jessica R. , Straw Rodney C. , Ziea Joy Y. , Leung Becky , O'Connell Kathleen , Thomson Maurine J. , Campbell Justine E. , Jones Pamela D. , Reddell Paul
Published: October 2022

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are common canine skin neoplasia. While they generally occur as single tumours, multiple synchronous MCTs (msMCTs) of de novo/non-metastatic origin are reported in a proportion of the patient population. Where there is no evidence of metastasis or lymphatic spread, MCTs are effectively controlled by surgery and other local therapies. However, treatment of de novo msMCTs can be more challenging, especially when they occur in surgically difficult locations. Here, we report the use of tigilanol tiglate, a novel small molecule registered as a veterinary pharmaceutical for the local treatment of non-metastatic MCTs, in the treatment of patients with msMCTs presenting at three Australian specialist referral centres. We also present a meta-analysis of the literature to provide a better understanding of the prevalence of canine msMCTs. Notably, nine patients with a total of 32 MCTs were treated during the study. A complete response was recorded in 26 (81%) of the individual MCTs on Day 28 after a single tigilanol tiglate injection. Of the 6 initially non-responsive MCTs, one achieved a complete response after a further tigilanol tiglate treatment. A complete response was reported at 6 months in all 22 of the tumours that were evaluable and that had recorded a complete response at Day 84. For the literature meta-analysis, 22 studies were found with prevalence estimates of msMCTs ranging from 3 to 40%; when combined, these studies yielded 3,745 patients with a prevalence of 13% (95% CI 10; 16). Overall, the results demonstrate the utility of intratumoural tigilanol tiglate as an option for the treatment of multiple MCTs where multiple surgical resections would have been required.
Development of reference intervals for pupillometry in healthy dogs
Authors: Mills Erinn P. , Combs-Ramey Kelli , Kwong Grace P. S. , Pang Daniel S. J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Pupillometry, the measurement of pupil size and reactivity to a stimulus, has various uses in both human and veterinary medicine. These reflect autonomic tone, with the potential to assess nociception and emotion. Infrared pupillometry reduces inaccuracies that may occur when the pupillary light reflex is determined subjectively by the examiner. To our knowledge, there are no published studies outlining normal reference intervals for automated pupillometry in dogs.

Objective

The objective of this study was to developde novoautomated pupillometry reference intervals from 126 healthy canine eyes.

Methods

The pupillary light reflex (PLR) was measured with a handheld pupillometer (NeurOptics™ PLR-200™ Pupillometer). Parameters recorded included maximum pupil diameter (MAX), minimum pupil diameter (MIN), percent constriction (CON), latency (LAT), average constriction velocity (ACV), maximum constriction velocity (MCV), average dilation velocity (ADV) and time to 75% pupil diameter recovery (T75). One measurement was obtained for each eye.

Results

The following reference intervals were developed: MAX (6.05–11.30 mm), MIN (3.76–9.44 mm), CON (−37.89 to −9.64 %), LAT (0.11–0.30 s), ACV (−6.39 to −2.63 mm/ s), MCV (−8.45 to −3.75 mm/s), ADV (−0.21–1.77 mm/s), and T75 (0.49–3.20 s).

Clinical significance

The reference intervals developed in this study are an essential first step to facilitate future research exploring pupillometry as a pain assessment method in dogs.
Periodic and Non-Periodic Brainwaves Emerging via Stochastic Syncronization of Closed Loops of Firing Neurons
Authors: Mazzetti Piero , Carbone Anna
Published: October 2022

Periodic and non-periodic components of electrophysiological signals are modelled in terms of syncronized sequences of closed loops of firing neurons correlated according to a Markov chain. Single closed loops of firing neurons reproduce fundamental and harmonic components, appearing as lines in the power spectra at frequencies ranging from 0.5 Hz to 100 Hz. Further interesting features of the brainwave signals emerge by considering multiple syncronized sequences of closed loops. In particular, we show that fluctuations in the number of syncronized loops lead to the onset of a broadband power spectral component. By the effects of these fluctuations and the emergence of a broadband component, a highly distorted waveform and nonstationarity of the signal are observed, consistent with empirical EEG and MEG signals. The amplitudes of the periodic and aperiodic components are evaluated by using typical firing neuron pulse amplitudes and durations.
The Effect of Digitalization on Innovation Capabilities through the Lenses of the Knowledge Management Strategy
Authors: Sánchez Ramírez Sergio , Guadamillas Gómez Fátima , González Ramos Mª Isabel , Grieva Olga
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the knowledge management approach of the firm has emerged as the central theoretical perspective intended to address the question of adaptation to technological change. As for theoretical and practical implications, we proposed a comprehensive model that provides an integrative outlook on how the relationships between digitalization and knowledge management strategy predetermine the business results of the firm. To this purpose, we empirically analyzed the effect of digitalization on knowledge management, and how this contributes to the improvement of the company’s results in the IT, technology, consulting, and programming sectors by testing the hypotheses through the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach to Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A group of 620 companies was targeted for collecting the data by quantitative means of analysis—a questionnaire. The final sample was composed of 78 companies, which corresponds to 12.58% (response rate). The research findings offer an explicit foundation, on which to base future research efforts in evaluating the ways companies should approach digital transformation, strengthen the knowledge management role in this process, develop the digital and innovation capabilities, and finally, ameliorate the effects on business performance, what also represents a certain value for the executives or individuals in the workplace.
Effects of Key Parameters on Airfoil Aerodynamics Using Co-Flow Jet Active Flow Control
Authors: Wang Ruochen , Zhang Guoxin , Ying Pei , Ma Xiaoping
Published: October 2022

The Co-Flow Jet (CFJ) technique is an effective way to enhance the aerodynamics of airfoils. The present study is to comprehensively investigate the effects of CFJ key parameters, viz., the jet momentum coefficient, the injection slot location, the injection slot size, the suction slot location, the suction slot size, and the suction slot angle, on the airfoil aerodynamic characteristics based on the numerical method of Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations coupled with the Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) turbulence model. The numerical method is validated by a CFJ6415 airfoil case, and a relatively good agreement with the experiment is achieved. The results show that a larger jet momentum coefficient is more conducive to lift enhancement, drag reduction, and stall margin enlargement. However, a relatively smaller jet momentum coefficient could increase the corrected aerodynamic efficiency at small angles of attack. The variation of the injection slot location is barely influential to the lift coefficient. With the increase of the injection slot size, the power coefficient first decreases and then increases, and the corrected aerodynamic efficiency first increases and then decreases. The drag coefficient increases monotonously as the suction slot location moves downstream. Furthermore, a relatively smaller suction slot size or a larger suction slot angle could better reduce the drag and enhance the CFJ airfoil aerodynamics.
Numerical Study on the Rebound of Low-Velocity Impact-Induced Indentation in Composite Laminate
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Zhou Chuwei
Published: October 2022

Indentation is an effective indication of LVI damage in PMCs. However, indentation can rebound partly with time. Thus, a good understanding of the rebound behavior of the impacted pit is helpful in damage assessment for composites. In this paper, a transverse isotropic viscoelastic model and a viscoelastic cohesive interface model are proposed to represent the viscoelastic properties of ply and the interface between adjacent plies, respectively. In these models, we implement the in-plane 3D Hashin failure criterion to simulate ply level failures and the stress-based quadratic failure criterion and linear softening mixed-mode BK law to simulate cohesive interface failure initiation and propagation, respectively. LVI testing was performed on specimens at different impact energies (30 J, 40 J, and 50 J). Dents induced by impact will eventually rebound due to the viscoelastic behavior of plies and cohesive interfaces. This results in a decrease in depth with time. This indentation and its rebound phenomenon were simulated in ABAQUS by considering viscoelasticity with user-defined material subroutines. The simulation results show good agreement with the experimental observations and are validated accurately in terms of the indentation’s initial depth upon impact and its final rebound with time. From experiments, it was observed that the decrease in the original depth of indentation initially becomes faster with time after impact; then, it slows down with time and eventually stops due to viscoelasticity. While this decrease in the original depth of indentation remains invariable with time in simulation, it has a different rebound path.
Analytical Study on Lift Performance of a Bat-Inspired Foldable Flapping Wing: Effect of Wing Arrangement
Authors: Bie Dawei , Li Daochun , Li Huadong , Kan Zi , Tu Zhan
Published: October 2022

In this work, we use a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to comprehend how the two wing arrangement variables, i.e., inner/outer wing proportion and mid-stroke dihedral, affect the lift characteristic of a bat-inspired span foldable flapping wing. The employed flapping mechanism is based on previous work. In this study, the structure parameters of the flapping mechanism remain unchanged across all simulations. Based on the CFD results, the tendency and work point regarding maximum lift generation can be found by changing both of the variables. As a result, when modifying the inner/outer wing proportion without changing the total wing shape and area, the maximum time-averaged lift appears in the case of the inner wing occupying half of the semi-span. In addition, when changing the dihedral, the maximum time-averaged lift was obtained when the inner wing dihedral was equal to zero. To discuss the lift variation of the foldable flapping wing, pressure distribution and vorticity of the flow field at certain time points were provided corresponding to the instantaneous lift curves. The conclusions of this research are able to help understand the wing arrangement of birds and bats issued from natural selection, and also support the future design of flapping wing micro-aerial-vehicles.
An Inversion Method Based on Inherent Similarity between Signals for Retrieving Source Mechanisms of Cracks
Authors: Kong Yue , Chen Weimin , Liu Ning , Kang Boqi , Li Min
Published: October 2022

The knowledge of cracking mechanisms is significant for evaluating the healthy condition of aircraft structures and can be retrieved by moment tensor inversion based on the acoustic emission (AE) phenomenon. For engineering applications, the inversion method cannot compute accurate results because the waveforms recorded by sensors are commonly contaminated by noise. Consequently, the correlation calculation of de-noising is introduced into the inversion and sufficient correlation functions are needed. In this paper, the correlation function of raw waveforms is proposed and based on the inherent similarity between the signals induced by one source and recorded by different sensors. According to the synthetic tests, the error of the inversion method based on the new correlation function is approximately 1/10 of that of the commonly used amplitude method. Although the inversion accuracy is influenced by the phase differences and the ratio of noise frequency to signal frequency, the influence is limited and the new correlation function is suitable for most practical cases. The inversion method based on the new correlation function does not require the knowledge of noise spectra or any complex calculation processes and provides a new way to improve the inversion accuracy of cracking mechanisms with little additional computation consumption.
Influencing the Success of Precision Farming Technology Adoption—A Model-Based Investigation of Economic Success Factors in Small-Scale Agriculture
Authors: Munz Johannes , Schuele Heinrich
Published: October 2022

Even more than 30 years after the introduction of precision farming technologies and studies of their benefits in terms of productivity gains and environmental improvements, adoption rates, especially for variable-rate technologies, are very low. In particular, in smallholder areas, farm managers are reluctant to adopt these technologies. Therefore, this study identifies factors that hinder or facilitate adoption from an economic perspective. Using a model-based sensitivity analysis with three farms of different sizes (11 ha, 57 ha and 303 ha), it is shown that larger farms have higher resilience to external factors due to economies of scale. In addition, it is clarified that the certainty of obtaining additional benefits with GPS guidance systems can explain the higher adoption rates in farming practice, although the additional benefits (per hectare and year) are much lower for this technology than for variable-rate technologies. Small farms (>30 ha) are by no means excluded from the use of digital technologies, as it is shown that the influence of learning costs on profitability is very low, low subsidies can lead to a drastic reduction in the minimum farm size and the presence of low-cost technologies is an efficient solution which allows small farms to participate in the digital transformation of agriculture.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Key Genes Involved in Lipid Deposition in Pekin Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
Authors: Jiang Yong , Zhuang Zhong , Jia Wenqian , Xie Ming , Zhou Zhengkui , Tang Jing , Bai Hao , Chang Guobin , Chen Guohong , Hou Shuisheng
Published: October 2022

There are differences in lipid deposition in fatty-type (FT) and lean-type (LT) ducks. Fatty ducks have a higher rate of sebum and abdominal fat, lower meat yield and hepatic lipid contents than LT ducks. However, the underlying changes in gene expression profiles regarding the lipid deposition between FT and LT ducks have not yet been clarified. To identify the differentially expressed genes in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat between both ducks, we identified the gene expression profiles in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat derived from FT and LT ducks by comparing the multistage transcriptomes. Our results showed that there were 622, 1536, and 224 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat between the FT and LT ducks, respectively. KEGG enrichment showed that the DEGs related to lipid metabolism were enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, glycerolipid and fatty acid metabolism in the liver; and were enriched in the fatty acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and the PPAR signaling pathway in the sebum. There was no pathway related to a lipid metabolism enriched in abdominal fat. A gene functional analysis showed that the DEGs involved in adipogenesis were found to be upregulated. In contrast, those involved in lipolysis were downregulated in the liver and serum of FT ducks. The DEGs showed that ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 8 (ABCG8), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) were highly expressed in the liver of FT ducks, and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member3 (ACSL3), ACSL5, ACSL6, 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase alpha (AGPAT1), AGPAT9, ELOVL fatty acid elongase 6 (ELVOL6), fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), FADS2, monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (MOGAT1), serine/threonine kinase 17a (STK17A), and serine/threonine kinase 39 (STK39) were highly expressed in the sebum of FT ducks. A weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) of the DEGs showed ABCG8, FADS2, ACSL5, and ELOVL6 positively correlated with hepatic fatty acid synthesis, and AGPAT1, STK17A, STK32A, FADS1, and ACSL3 positively correlated with lipid deposition in the sebum. In summary, ABCG8 might be the key gene for the reduced hepatic lipid deposition in FT Pekin ducks, and FADS2, ACSL5, ELOVL6, AGPAT1, STK17A, STK32A, FADS1, and ACSL3 were the key genes for lipid deposition in the sebum of FT Pekin ducks. Our results provide new insights into the transcriptome regulation in lipid deposition of Pekin ducks and will be helpful for duck breeding.
The Potential of Novel Gene Editing-Based Approaches in Forages and Rumen Archaea for Reducing Livestock Methane Emissions
Authors: Subedi Udaya , Kader Kazi , Jayawardhane Kethmi N. , Poudel Hari , Chen Guanqun , Acharya Surya , Camargo Luiz S. A. , Bittencourt Daniela Matias de C. , Singer Stacy D.
Published: October 2022

Rising emissions of anthropogenic greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) are a key driver of climate change, which is predicted to have myriad detrimental consequences in coming years if not kept in check. Given the potency of CH4 in terms of trapping heat in the atmosphere in the short term, as well as the fact that ruminant production currently contributes approximately 30% of anthropogenic emissions, there is an impetus to substantially decrease the generation of ruminant-derived CH4. While various strategies are being assessed in this context, a multi-faceted approach is likely required to achieve significant reductions. Feed supplementation is one strategy that has shown promise in this field by attenuating methanogenesis in rumen archaea; however, this can be costly and sometimes impractical. In this review, we examine and discuss the prospect of directly modulating forages and/or rumen archaea themselves in a manner that would reduce methanogenesis using CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing platforms. Such an approach could provide a valuable alternative to supplementation and has the potential to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture, as well as the mitigation of climate change, in the future.
Evaluation on the Performance of Airflow Distribution Device of Pneumatic Seeder for Rapeseed through CFD Simulations
Authors: Li Zhaodong , Zhang Heng , Xie Rui , Gu Xin , Du Juanhui , Chen Yongxin
Published: October 2022

The seeding performance of a pneumatic seed-metering equipment for rapeseed has a significant bearing on the sowing effect. When the negative pressure falls abruptly, the pneumatic system experiences a significant loss of negative pressure. This will prevent rapeseed from being entirely absorbed by the seed plate, resulting in inconsistent seeding quantities along each row. In this study, CFD simulations were used to analyze the airflow field affecting the airflow transmission of an airflow distribution device. The essential structural characteristics of a conical cylinder conical-arranged kind of airflow distribution device were found, and the causes of negative pressure loss were analyzed from the standpoint of fluid kinematics. The optimal structural type of airflow distribution device was determined using fluid simulation. In addition, an orthogonal examination of the ideal type’s essential structural characteristics was conducted to minimize negative pressure loss during airflow transmission. Then, the influence of the negative pressure loss rate of the airflow distribution device on the variation coefficient of seeding quantity in each row of the seed-metering device was investigated using a bench test involving three factors: seed plate rotational speed, working negative pressure, and structure type. It was discovered that three parameters have highly substantial impacts on the negative pressure loss rate and the variation coefficient of seeding quantity in each row, and that the negative pressure loss rate correlates positively with the variation coefficient of the seeding quantity in each row. When negative pressure fell to 500 Pa, the negative pressure loss rate of the optimal structure type and the variation coefficient of seeding amount in each row of the seed-metering device fell by 6.25% and 3.45%, respectively. Field experiments reveal that the negative pressure loss rate of an airflow distribution device was below 20% and that the variation coefficient of seeding amount in each row of seed-metering devices was below 3.5%. The results can be used to analyze the construction of the pneumatic system and enhance the performance of the seed-metering equipment.
Yield Predictions of Four Hybrids of Maize (Zea mays) Using Multispectral Images Obtained from UAV in the Coast of Peru
Authors: Saravia David , Salazar Wilian , Valqui-Valqui Lamberto , Quille-Mamani Javier , Porras-Jorge Rossana , Corredor Flor-Anita , Barboza Elgar , Vásquez Héctor , Casas Diaz Andrés , Arbizu Carlos
Published: October 2022

Early assessment of crop development is a key aspect of precision agriculture. Shortening the time of response before a deficit of irrigation, nutrients and damage by diseases is one of the usual concerns in agriculture. Early prediction of crop yields can increase profitability for the farmer’s economy. In this study, we aimed to predict the yield of four maize commercial hybrids (Dekalb7508, Advanta9313, MH_INIA619 and Exp_05PMLM) using vegetation indices (VIs). A total of 10 VIs (NDVI, GNDVI, GCI, RVI, NDRE, CIRE, CVI, MCARI, SAVI, and CCCI) were considered for evaluating crop yield and plant cover at 31, 39, 42, 46 and 51 days after sowing (DAS). A multivariate analysis was applied using principal component analysis (PCA), linear regression, and r-Pearson correlation. Highly significant correlations were found between plant cover with VIs at 46 (GNDVI, GCI, RVI, NDRE, CIRE and CCCI) and 51 DAS (GNDVI, GCI, NDRE, CIRE, CVI, MCARI and CCCI). The PCA showed clear discrimination of the dates evaluated with VIs at 31, 39 and 51 DAS. The inclusion of the CIRE and NDRE in the prediction model contributed to estimating the performance, showing greater precision at 51 DAS. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor crops allows us to optimize resources and helps in making timely decisions in agriculture in Peru.
Volatiles and Transcriptome Profiling Revealed the Formation of ‘Taro-like’ Aroma in the Leaf of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)
Authors: Zhao Siying , Qiu Yuehan , Luo Jianning , Wang Wenwen , Wu Haibin , Liu Xiaoxi , Zhao Gangjun , Gong Hao , Zheng Xiaoming , Zhong Yujuan , Yang Xian , Li Junxing
Published: October 2022

‘Taro-like’ odor is an important economic trait of pumpkin species. The metabolic and molecular bases of this aromatic trait remain largely unexplored. Therefore, in this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, GC-Olfactometry, and RNA-seq technology were used to illuminate the differential volatile compounds, the key volatile compounds, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves from two pumpkin samples. Eight volatile compounds, including (E)-2-nonenal, 3-octanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 1-nonanol, α-terpineol, 2,3-pentanedione, caryophyllene, and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, were only detected in the sample with ‘taro-like’ aroma. Moreover, the variable importance in projection scores of all the above eight volatile compounds were >1.0 using PLS-DA analysis. The compounds 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 3-octanol, 1-nonanol, and (E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal were identified as the key contributors using GC-Olfactometry analysis. It was determined that 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline might play a significant role in ‘taro-like’ aroma. Furthermore, most of the differential volatile compounds were derived from fatty acids, and the DEGs were also involved in the pathways related to degradation, metabolism, and biosynthesis of fatty acids. Moreover, five genes involved in the accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline showed differential expression, and their expression trends were consistent with 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. This study offers the basis for further studies on the mechanism of ‘taro-like’ aroma in pumpkins.
Changes in Biochemical and Microbiological Quality of Silage Produced with the Use of Innovative Films
Authors: Supel Paulina , Kaszycki Paweł , Kasperczyk Mirosław , Kacorzyk Piotr
Published: October 2022

A common method of silage production in Europe is based on the use of cylindrical bales wrapped with polyethylene films. In this study, several modifications of composition of these films were tested for their impact on the microorganisms involved in the ensiling process. Different additives, including nanosilver particles and microcellulose, were analyzed upon the first stage of the experiment. In the second stage, the usability of recycled polyethylene as a film component was assessed. The forage value after ensiling was determined during storage, based on analyses of the content of crude fiber, nitrate nitrogen, total protein, sugars, acids (lactic, acetic, butyric and propionic), pH and dry matter. Microbial forage quality was evaluated by analyses of growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) compared to the number of undesirable aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds. Film properties were also characterized. No statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were shown for the tested film formulae as compared to standard commercial films. In the second experimental stage, an elevated pH and a slightly higher content of acids were observed for the tested films than for the control sample. In addition, for standard PE film supplemented with nanosilver, a higher number of LAB was detected on the inner surface of the film and in the ensiled material.
XX/XY Chimerism in Internal Genitalia of a Virilized Heifer
Authors: Szczerbal Izabela , Nowacka-Woszuk Joanna , Stachowiak Monika , Lukomska Anna , Konieczny Kacper , Tarnogrodzka Natalia , Wozniak Jakub , Switonski Marek
Published: October 2022

Five DSD heifers underwent genetic analysis in the present study. We cytogenetically analyzed in vitro cultured leukocytes and searched for SRY, AMELX/AMELY and ZFX/ZFY genes in leukocytes and hair follicles, finding that four of the studied heifers were freemartins (XX/XY leukocyte chimerism). The fifth case had an underdeveloped vulva localized ventrally and cranially to the mammary gland, a normal female sex chromosome complement (60,XX) in the leukocytes, and a lack of Y-chromosome-derived genes in the leukocytes and hair follicles. Postmortem anatomical examination of this heifer revealed the presence of normal ovaries with follicles, uterus, and oviducts, but molecular detection of the SRY, ZFX, ZFY,AMELX, and AMELY genes in these organs indicated the presence of a cell line carrying the Y chromosome. Further analysis of twelve microsatellite markers revealed the presence of additional variants at six loci in DNA samples derived from the reproductive organs; XX/XY chimerism was thus suspected in these samples. On the basis of the detection of AMELY (Y-linked) versus AMELX (X-linked) and SOX9 (autosomal) versus AMELY genes by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), the Y/X and Y/autosome ratios were evaluated; they indicated the presence of XX and XY cell lines in the reproductive tissues. Our study showed that XX/XY chimerism can be present in the internal reproductive organs of the virilized heifers with a normal female set of sex chromosomes (60,XX) and a lack of Y-chromosome-derived genes in the leukocytes. The etiology of this phenomenon remains unknown.
Genomic Characterization of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Extra-Intestinal Pathogenic (ExPEC) Escherichia coli Clinical Isolate Co-Producing Two Carbapenemases and a 16S rRNA Methylase
Authors: Sadek Mustafa , Saad Alaaeldin Mohamed , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent
Published: October 2022

An extensively drug-resistant Escherichia coli clinical isolate (N1606) belonging to Sequence Type 361 was recovered from the urine of a patient hospitalized in Switzerland. The strain showed resistance to virtually all β-lactams including the latest generation antibiotics cefiderocol and aztreonam–avibactam. Whole genome sequencing revealed that it possessed two carbapenemase-encoding genes, namely blaNDM-5 and blaKPC-3, and a series of additional β-lactamase genes, including blaCTX-M-15 and blaSHV-11 encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), blaCMY-145 encoding an AmpC-type cephalosporinase, and blaOXA-1 encoding a narrow-spectrum class D ß-lactamase. Most of these resistance genes were located on plasmids (IncFII-FIA, IncX3, IncIγ, IncFII). That strain exhibited also a four amino-acid insertion in its penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3) sequence, namely corresponding to YRIN. Complete genome analysis revealed that this E. coli isolate carried virulence factors (sitA, gad, hra, terC, traT, and cia) and many other non-β-lactam resistance determinants including rmtB, tet(A), dfrA17 (two copies), aadA1, aadA5 (two copies), sul1 (two copies), qacE (two copies), qepA, mdf(A), catA1, erm(B), mph(A), and qnrS1, being susceptible only to tigecycline, colistin and fosfomycin. In conclusion, we described here the phenotypic and genome characteristics of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) E. coli ST361 being recognized as an emerging clone worldwide.