bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The core microbiome of Carya illinoinensis (pecan) seedlings of different maternal pecan cultivars from the same orchard
Authors: Cervantes Kimberly , Heerema Richard J. , Randall Jennifer J.
Published: November 2022

Carya illinoinensis (pecan) produce a high valued and desired nut crop; with production expanding worldwide. Important attributes of pecans and their ability to adapt to different environments aside from their native regions are currently being investigated. Microbial communities are known to play an important role in crop productivity and overall plant health. Studies in other plant species have shown that the plant microbiome may be influenced by both the environmental conditions and genetics of the plant. Microbiota research in pecan is in its early stages and here we report insights into the core microbiome of seedlings derived from five pecan cultivars located in an orchard from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Seeds from open-pollinated pecan cultivars (‘Burkett’, ‘Mandan’, ‘Pawnee’, ‘Western’, and ‘Wichita’) were collected and grown in a quarantine greenhouse under highly regulated conditions. DNA from the resulting seedlings were used for next generation sequencing (MiSeq) for 16S and ITS and microbiome analyses revealed significant differences in microbial composition and relative abundance (bacterial and fungal) between seedling organs, with roots having the highest alpha diversity followed by stems and leaves. Bacterial family Chitinophagaceae was identified to be most relatively abundant in the roots of seedlings compared to the bacterial families Rhizobiaceae and Moraxellaceae, which were found to be most relatively abundant in the stems and leaves, respectively. Analyses also indicated that there were several families (bacterial families: Rhizobiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae, Microscillaceae, Rubritaleaceae, Caulobacteraceae; fungal families: Serendipitaceae, Nectriaceae, Ophiostomataceae, Hypocreaceae, Aspergillaceae, and Cephalothecaceae) that were found in all seedlings and these constitute a core microbiome for pecan. There were also differences in microbial composition (bacterial and fungal) between seedlings from different maternal pecan cultivars and these differences are proposed to constitute a signature microbiome for the maternal cultivar. As pecan trees continues to extend to other growing regions it is important to understand the role that these microbes play in pecan. By establishing the core microbiome of pecans, the selection of microbes for breeding and improving pecan production will become a possibility.
Machine learning to forecast electricity hourly LCA impacts due to a dynamic electricity technology mix
Authors: Portolani Pietro , Vitali Andrea , Cornago Simone , Rovelli Davide , Brondi Carlo , Low Jonathan Sze Choong , Ramakrishna Seeram , Ballarino Andrea
Published: November 2022

Conventional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that relies on static coefficients is usually based on yearly averages. However, the impacts of electricity supply vary remarkably on an hourly basis. Thus, a company production plan is reassessed to reduce selected LCA impacts due to electricity consumption. To achieve this, the company will need a forecast of hourly LCA impacts due to electricity consumption, which can be directly forecast with the Direct Forecasting (DF) approach. Alternatively, the Electricity Technological Mix Forecasting (ETMF) forecasts the electricity production of the technologies in the mix and subsequently linearly combines it with unitary LCA impact indicators. Here, we assessed different machine learning models to forecast two LCA impact indicators for the consumption of electricity in the Italy-North control zone. The feed-forward neural network (NN) with the ETMF approach was the best perfomer among the assessed forecasting models. In our dataset, recurrent neural networks (RNNs) performed worse than feed-forward neural networks. Due to its better forecasting performance, the ETMF approach was preferred over the DF approach. This was due to its flexibility and scalability with easy updates or expansion of the selected forecast indicators, and due to its ability to assess technology-specific errors in the forecasting. Finally, we propose to adopt the correlation of LCA impact indicators within the dataset to select indicators while avoiding unconscious burden-shifting.
Acceptability of an internet-delivered intervention for adjustment disorder and its role as predictor of efficacy
Authors: Rachyla Iryna , Mor Sonia , Botella Cristina , Castilla Diana , Quero Soledad
Published: November 2022

Background: Internet-delivered interventions offer a feasible way to facilitate access to mental healthcare and considerable evidence supports their effectiveness for the treatment of different mental disorders. However, potential users’ attitudes toward these interventions are crucial for their successful implementation. A better understanding of factors related to treatment acceptance and adherence is required to exploit the full potential of internet interventions. Hence, the aim of the present work was to analyze the acceptability of a therapist-guided internet-delivered CBT intervention for adjustment disorder and its impact on treatment outcomes.

Methods: The acceptability was estimated from the acceptance to participate in the randomized controlled trial addressed to explore the effectiveness of the internet intervention in question. Other indicators of acceptability were treatment adherence, expectations, satisfaction, and opinion reported by 34 participants from the trial.

Results: Willingness to try an internet intervention was observed and 76.5% of participants completed all seven treatment modules. Less positive initial expectations did not reduce treatment effectiveness, yet they might have led to treatment abandonment. Overall, participants were satisfied with the internet intervention and perceived it as a useful, comfortable and attractive way of receiving psychological assistance. Treatment modules aimed at promoting identification with the treatment goals, relapse prevention, and change in the meaning of the stressor were found to be related to posttraumatic growth and increase in positive affect and quality of life. Participants also expressed that the intervention required considerable motivation. In this regard, therapeutic support was perceived as an important adherence facilitator.

Conclusion: The findings from this work support the suitability of internet interventions for the treatment of adjustment disorder. However, further research is required in order to develop guidelines for the design of more attractive and engaging internet interventions.
Environmental effects of harvesting some Mexican wild edible insects: An overview
Authors: Piña-Domínguez I. A. , Ruiz-May E. , Hernández-Rodríguez D. , Zepeda R. C. , Melgar-Lalanne G.
Published: November 2022

Most traditional edible insects are collected from the forest and agricultural fields, where they are considered pests. However, their importance goes beyond this. They also have an ecological role and potential to be an emerging alternative source of high-quality nutrients that can help satisfy the growing food demand for the human population. Agricultural insect pests are a healthy food source during the harvesting season in many tropical countries. In Mexico, wild insects such as chicatana (queen of flying leaf-cutter ant, Atta mexicana Smith, 1,858; Hymenoptera: Formicidae), chapulín (grasshopper, Pyrgomorphidae), chinicuil (agave red worm, Comadia redtenbacheri Hammerschmidt, 1,848: Lepidoptera, Cossidae), and meocuil (agave white worm, Aegiale hesperiaris Walker 1,856, Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) are seasonally collected from the agricultural land and forest for food and medicine. Thus, their consumption might be regarded as support for biological plague control. However, in most countries (Mexico included), there is a lack of legislation about edible insects from harvesting to sacrifice and even their main safety aspects. So then, this research aims to provide an updated assessment of the potential use of agricultural pest insects as a sustainable alternative for food, considering current international legislative and ethical concerns about harvesting and consuming wild edible insects, focusing on some of the wild edible pest insects in Mexico.
Posterior hemivertebra resection and reconstruction for the correction of old AO type B2.3 thoracic fracture kyphosis: A case report
Authors: Meng Fanchao , Zhang Xun , Chen Tiantian , Li Zhao , Fang Yushi , Zhao Wei , Xu Jiaxing
Published: November 2022

Background

Post-traumatic malunion is one of the main causes of kyphosis and usually has serious consequences. We report a case of kyphosis caused by an old AO type B2.3 thoracic fracture, which was corrected with posterior hemivertebra resection and reconstruction.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old male was diagnosed with kyphosis caused by an old AO type B2.3 thoracic fracture. Preoperative examination and preparation were performed. His exam images showed a comminuted fracture in the left half of the T12 vertebral body, while chance-type fractures were seen in the right half of T12 vertebral body and its accessories. During the operation, posterior hemivertebra resection and reconstruction techniques were used to remove nearly half of the left vertebral body of the affected vertebra, preserve the right vertebral body and the facet joints of the affected vertebra, correct the kyphosis, and rebuild spinal stability. The patient's low back pain was completely relieved, and his thoracic kyphosis was corrected at the seventh post-operative day. CT reconstruction of the spine showed that the residual vertebrae healed well during his nine- and 18-month follow-ups. Continuous callus formation was observed inside and outside of the titanium cage at the reconstructed site, and there was no sign of subsidence of the titanium cage. The heights between the vertebrae were restored to within normal ranges and the physiological curvature of the thoracolumbar spine was achieved. The patient recovered well.

Conclusion

This operation preserved the hemivertebral body and facet joints, and maintains intervertebral height and local stability, thus avoiding titanium cage collapse, titanium cage movement, and other complications. This surgical approach is ideal for treating complex thoracic vertebral kyphosis caused by old fractures, and is worth utilizing in the clinic.
Development and standardization of a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test for the detection of Babesia bigemina
Authors: Lizarazo-Zuluaga Andrea P. , Carvajal-Gamez Bertha I. , Wilkowsky Silvina , Cravero Silvio , Trangoni Marcos , Mosqueda Juan
Published: November 2022

Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesia bigemina is one of the most prevalent and economically important parasite species that infects cattle because of its impact on the meat and milk production industry. Effective disease control strategies should include detection of reservoir animals and early and specific pathogen detection using rapid, economical, sensitive, and specific detection techniques. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique (LAMP) is a one-step molecular reaction that amplifies DNA sequences with high sensitivity and specificity under isothermal conditions and requires no special equipment. The results can be observed by the naked eye as color changes. The aim of this work was to develop and standardize the LAMP technique for B. bigemina detection and its visualization using hydroxynaphtol blue. For this situation, primers were designed from the conserved sequences of the B. bigemina ama-1 gene. The results showed that at 63 °C in 1 h and under standardized conditions, this technique could amplify B. bigemina DNA as indicated by the characteristic colorimetric change. Sensitivity evaluation indicated that DNA was amplified at a 0.00000001% parasitemia, and it was demonstrated that this technique specifically amplified the DNA of B. bigemina. Additionally, this technique could amplify DNA from 10 strains of B. bigemina from three different countries. It is concluded that the LAMP technique as modified in our case could specifically amplify B. bigemina DNA and shows high sensitivity, does not cross-react with related organisms, and the product is observed by 60 min of reaction time based on color changes. This report is the first LAMP report that uses sequences that are conserved between strains of the ama-1 gene, demonstrates the results by color changes using hydroxynaphtol blue. We propose LAMP as a rapid and economical alternative method for the molecular detection of B. bigemina.
Brake Pressure Estimation of the Integrated Braking System Considering Vehicle Dynamics
Authors: Liu Haichao , Wei Lingtao , Liu Hongqi , Wu Jinjun , Li Liang
Published: November 2022

The integrated braking control system (IBC) has become one of the most popular brake-by-wire (BBW) solutions due to its compactness and versatility. Accurate monitoring of wheel cylinder pressure in real time is the basis for brake pressure control, and pressure estimation is a low-cost and reliable method. However, the IBC is an electromechanical hydraulic coupling system that has significant nonlinear behaviors; moreover, vehicle dynamics also have a critical impact on the accuracy of pressure estimation. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a novel adaptive extended Kalman filter (EKF) approach that combines a hydraulic model and a single-wheel model. This novel strategy has better estimation than the hydraulic model when the pressure is accurately estimated by the single-wheel model, while when the single-wheel model is not accurate, the EKF degrades to the hydraulic model. Finally, vehicle experimental data under high- and low-mu braking are collected. The pressure estimation error of the EKF is within 0.4 MPa in the low-mu road and 2 MPa in the high-mu road. It is proven that the proposed pressure estimation strategy is highly effective.
The Impact of Distributed Propulsion on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft
Authors: Zhao Wenyuan , Zhang Yanlai , Tang Peng , Wu Jianghao
Published: November 2022

Motivated by outstanding aerodynamic performance and limited emissions, the blend-wing-body (BWB) aircraft equipped with a distributed propulsion (DP) system has become a possible layout for civil aircraft in the next generation. Due to the strong aero-propulsive interference (API) between the DP system and the airframe, the conventional integration of pressure and friction stress over the surface may fail to evaluate the aerodynamic power consumption of this layout. Here, the aero-propulsive integrated power balance approach is used alternatively to obtain the aerodynamic power consumption through flow data. We demonstrate that the API effects can enlarge both the lift and aerodynamic power consumption of this layout. The increase in power consumption is attributed to the enhanced viscous dissipation rate within the boundary layer. Wind tunnel experiments further demonstrate that the operation of the DP system can improve the stall characteristics. Our findings encourage limiting the inflow speed of the DP system to alleviate the enhancement in viscous dissipation rate and thus reduce the power consumption.
Research on Grape-Planting Structure Perception Method Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Multispectral Images in the Field
Authors: Qu Aili , Yan Zhipeng , Wei Haiyan , Ma Liefei , Gu Ruipeng , Li Qianfeng , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Yutan
Published: November 2022

In order to accurately obtain the distribution of large-field grape-planting sites and their planting information in complex environments, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral image semantic segmentation model based on improved DeepLabV3+ is used to solve the problem that large-field grapes in complex environments are affected by factors such as scattered planting sites and complex background environment of planting sites, which makes the identification of planting areas less accurate and more difficult to manage. In this paper, firstly, the standard deviation (SD) and interband correlation of UAV multispectral images were calculated to obtain the best band combinations for large-field grape images, and five preferred texture features and two preferred vegetation indices were screened using color space transformation and grayscale coevolution matrix. Then, supervised classification methods, such as maximum likelihood (ML), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM), unsupervised classification methods, such as the Iterative Self-organizing Data Analysis Techniques Algorithm (ISO DATA) model and an improved DeepLabV3+ model, are used to evaluate the accuracy of each model in combination with the field visual translation results to obtain the best classification model. Finally, the effectiveness of the classification features on the best model is verified. The results showed that among the four machine learning methods, SVM obtained the best overall classification accuracy of the model; the DeepLabV3+ deep learning scheme based on spectral information + texture + vegetation index + digital surface model (DSM) obtained the best accuracy of overall accuracy (OA) and frequency weight intersection over union (FW-IOU) of 87.48% and 83.23%, respectively, and the grape plantation area relative error of extraction was 1.9%. This collection scheme provides a research basis for accurate interpretation of the planting structure of large-field grapes.
CRISPR/Cas9 for Insect Pests Management: A Comprehensive Review of Advances and Applications
Authors: Singh Sanchita , Rahangdale Somnath , Pandita Shivali , Saxena Gauri , Upadhyay Santosh Kumar , Mishra Geetanjali , Verma Praveen C.
Published: November 2022

Insect pests impose a serious threat to agricultural productivity. Initially, for pest management, several breeding approaches were applied which have now been gradually replaced by genome editing (GE) strategies as they are more efficient and less laborious. CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/CRISPR-associated system) was discovered as an adaptive immune system of bacteria and with the scientific advancements, it has been improvised into a revolutionary genome editing technique. Due to its specificity and easy handling, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing has been applied to a wide range of organisms for various research purposes. For pest control, diverse approaches have been applied utilizing CRISPR/Cas9-like systems, thereby making the pests susceptible to various insecticides, compromising the reproductive fitness of the pest, hindering the metamorphosis of the pest, and there have been many other benefits. This article reviews the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 and proposes potential research ideas for CRISPR/Cas9-based integrated pest management. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been successfully applied to several insect pest species. However, there is no review available which thoroughly summarizes the application of the technique in insect genome editing for pest control. Further, authors have highlighted the advancements in CRISPR/Cas9 research and have discussed its future possibilities in pest management.
Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction from Young Coconut Mesocarp in the Rapid Extraction of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Leliana Lulum , Setyaningsih Widiastuti , Palma Miguel , Supriyadi Supriyadi , Santoso Umar
Published: November 2022

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) fruit has attracted consumer interest due to its health benefits, especially the consumption of coconut water produced from 6–7-month-old coconut fruit. Consequently, by-products from young coconut fruit are also being expanded, including coconut mesocarp containing phenolic compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to provide new applications for young coconut mesocarp wastes. Specifically, optimizing the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds from coconut mesocarp using a Box–Behnken design in conjunction with response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of three extraction variables, such as temperature (10–70 °C), solvent-to-sample ratio (20:1–10:1 mL g−1), and pulse duty cycle (0.4–1.0 s−1) were examined on the level of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the extract. Subsequently, the optimum UAE condition was predicted using RSM models with coefficients of determination (R2) higher than 0.94, low prediction errors (less than 2.34), and non-significant lack-of-fit values (p < 0.05) for the two responses. Extraction time was evaluated through kinetic (5 to 25 min) studies applying the optimum extraction temperature (70 °C), solvent-to-sample ratio (20:1 mL g−1), and pulse duty cycle (0.55 s−1). An efficient extraction was achieved within 5 min, resulting in an extract with 47.78 ± 1.24 mg GAE 100 g−1 DW for the total phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity (87.28 ± 1.01% DPPH). Extraction by ultrasound was then concluded to facilitate a fast extraction rate with high reproducibility (coefficients of variation were less than 3% in the levels of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds).
Acid Scarification Completes the Germination of Hovenia dulcis Seeds
Authors: Yang Seung-Hyuk , Kwon Young-Hyun , Kang Kil-Nam , Son Seog-Gu , Rhie Yong-Ha
Published: November 2022

Seeds have been reported to have a combination of physical and physiological dormancy. However, this study revealed that H. dulcis seeds only have physical dormancy. The water absorption of the seeds after different periods of sulfuric acid scarification was measured, and the water gap through which water was absorbed after scarification treatment was specified. Cold stratification treatment and gibberellic acid treatment were performed after sulfuric acid scarification to determine whether H. dulcis seeds had physiological dormancy. H. dulcis seeds could absorb water completely when scarified for more than 60 min, and water was absorbed only through the hilar fissure near the micropyle, indicating that H. dulcis seeds have physical dormancy. However, there was no synergistic effect on the final seed germination percentage after the cold stratification or gibberellic acid treatments, and germination was delayed under cold temperature conditions. Thus, it was concluded that H. dulcis seeds have no physiological dormancy but only physical dormancy. This study not only clarifies the kind of dormancy in H. dulcis seeds but also provides a method to expedite seed germination without a long cold stratification treatment period of 2 or 3 months.
Effect of Phosphorus Supply Levels on Nodule Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrogen Accumulation in Soybean (Glycine max L.)
Authors: Li Hongyu , Wang Lihong , Zhang Zuowei , Yang Aizheng , Liu Deping
Published: November 2022

The specific mechanism by which phosphorus affects nodule nitrogen fixation and nitrogen absorption in soybeans remains inconclusive. To further quantitatively analyze the effect of phosphorus on nodule nitrogen fixation and nitrogen accumulation in soybeans, this experiment was carried out under sand culture conditions. The experiment consisted of six phosphorus supply levels (1 mg/L, 11 mg/L, 21 mg/L, 31 mg/L, 41 mg/L, 51 mg/L). The acetylene reduction method and 15N tracer method (50 mg/L (NH4)2SO4) were used to determine and analyze the nodule growth status, nodule nitrogenase activity, nitrogen content, and nodule nitrogen fixation rate at initial flowering (R1 stage), initial pod (R3 stage), seed filling (R5 stage) and maturity stages (R8 stage). The results are described as follows: 1. The nitrogen fixation of soybean nodules at different growth stages has different requirements for phosphorus supply levels. The initial flowering stage and seed-filling stage were 31 mg/L–41 mg/L, and the initial pod stage was 51 mg/L. 2. The nitrogen source in different parts of soybean showed different trends with different growth periods and phosphorus supply concentrations. Among them, from the initial flowering stage to the seed filling stage, the main body of the nitrogen supply of soybean shoots in the low phosphorus treatment (1 mg/L–31 mg/L) gradually changed from fertilizer nitrogen to nodule nitrogen fixation, while the main body of the nitrogen supply of soybean shoots in the high phosphorus treatment (41 mg/L–51 mg/L) always showed nodule nitrogen fixation and was transformed into fertilizer nitrogen at the mature stage. The main nitrogen supply to the roots of soybean at different levels of phosphorus supply from the initial flowering to the initial pods and maturity stage was fertilizer nitrogen, and the main nitrogen supply at the seed filling stage was nodule nitrogen fixation. The nitrogen supply to the main body of soybean nodules was constantly nodule nitrogen fixation. 3. Different phosphorus supply levels significantly affected the nitrogen fixation of soybean nodules (R2 ≥ 0.803), and both the acetylene reduction method and the 15N tracer method could be used to determine the nitrogen fixation capacity of soybean nodules. This study indicated the optimal phosphorus supply level of nodules in different growth stages of soybean and clarified the main body of phosphorus supply in different parts of soybean at different growth stages, which pointed out the direction for further improving the utilization efficiency of soybean nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer.
Characterization of Humic Substances from Taiga and Tundra Soils by EPR Spectroscopy
Authors: Lodygin Evgeny , Vasilevich Roman , Abakumov Evgeny
Published: November 2022

Paramagnetic activity is a fundamental property of humic substances (HSs). The agricultural use of soils does not only affect the qualitative and quantitative compositions of HSs, but also the content of free radicals (FRs) in their structure. Changes in the composition of incoming plant residues and hydrothermal conditions have an effect on soil humification rates and the paramagnetic properties of humic (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs). Data on the influence of various factors on the content of FRs in HAs and FAs are not enough. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the degree of hydromorphism and agricultural use on the paramagnetic properties of HA and FA samples obtained from taiga and tundra soils. Studies have shown that the increased hydromorphism in taiga soils leads to the growing concentration of FRs in the HA molecular structure. HAs in virgin tundra soils exhibit a lower content of unpaired electrons when shifting from automorphic soils to hydromorphic ones. Going from the south to the north, the paramagnetic activity of both HAs and FAs tends to decrease due to the overall reduction of the number of polyconjugated systems in the tundra soil HSs. The comparative analysis of the paramagnetic properties in HAs and FAs of virgin and arable soils revealed that their agricultural use reduces the FR concentration in the structure of HSs, in other words it leads to the accumulation of biothermodynamically stable and more humified compounds in the arable horizons. This contributes to the stabilization of SOM in arable soils.
Evaluation of Physicochemical On-Farm Quick Tests for Estimating Nutrient Concentrations in Pig Slurry and Development of an Application for Mobile Devices
Authors: Piepel Max-Frederik , Dittert Klaus , Olfs Hans-Werner
Published: November 2022

Farmers need to know the actual nutrient concentrations in organic manures in order to enable optimal crop nutrition and to avoid nutrient losses into the environment. Physicochemical quick tests offer a way to estimate nutrient concentrations on a farm but require statistical calculation models to be applied by the farmer. A total of 391 pig slurries, were sampled from practical farms in northwest Germany and ammonium nitrogen (AN), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK) concentrations, and dry matter were analysed in a laboratory. Furthermore, on-farm quick tests were used to determine electrical conductivity and specific density (SG) and the ammonium concentration with a Quantofix-N-Volumeter. Simple and multiple linear regression models for all lab analysed nutrients and on-farm determined parameters were calculated. The best regression models for all slurries were found for AN based on Quantofix-N-Volumeter (R2 = 0.92), TN based on Quantofix-N-Volumeter, and dry matter (R2 = 0.95), TP based on dry matter (R2 = 0.88), and TK based on Quantofix-N-Volumeter (R2 = 0.70). An application for mobile devices is being developed that will allow farmers to use these statistical models in a user-friendly way. Future regression models from other studies might be integrated into the app database so that farmers can calculate nutrient concentrations in pig slurries based on regionalised data.
Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes with Different Land Uses in the Temperate Meadow Steppe of Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Fan Kaikai , Yan Yuchun , Xu Dawei , Li Shuzhen , Zhao Yue , Wang Xu , Xin Xiaoping
Published: November 2022

Background and aims: Grazing and mowing are widely adopted management practices for the semiarid steppe in China that profoundly affect the greenhouse gas (GHG) flux in grassland ecosystems. However, the general mechanisms for CH4 and N2O fluxes in response to grazing and mowing remain poorly understood. Thus, we conducted year-round flux measurements of CH4 and N2O fluxes to investigate the effect of grazing and mowing on CH4 and N2O fluxes. Methods: Using manual static chamber and gas chromatography, we measured the fluxes of CH4 and N2O from grazing-exclusion, grazing and mowing sites from June 2019 to June 2020 in the Hulunbuir Grassland, Inner Mongolia. Results: Grazing and mowing increased soil temperature and reduced soil water content and soil inorganic N content. Compared with grazing and mowing, lower mean CH4 uptake (−67.58 ± 8.9 μg m−2 h−1) and higher mean N2O emissions (29.17 ± 6.8 μg m−2 h−1) were found at the grazing-exclusion site. No pulse emissions of N2O were found for all sites during the spring thaw period (STP), and only two small N2O emission peaks due to soil thawing were captured on April 2nd and 5th. The contribution of the spring thaw to the total annual N2O budget was small and accounted for only 10%, 13% and 12% of the annual fluxes at the grazing-exclusion, grazing and mowing sites, respectively. Conclusion: Our results indicate that grazing and mowing enhance CH4 uptake and inhibit N2O emissions, primarily due to the increased soil temperature and reduced soil water content and soil inorganic N content. No apparent pulse N2O emissions were observed at any of the three sites during the STP in the Hulunbuir grassland.
Effects of Organic Base Fertilizer and Inorganic Topdressing on Alfalfa Productivity and the Soil Bacterial Community in Saline Soil of the Huanghe River Delta in China
Authors: He Feng , Wang Guoliang , Wang Lixue , Li Zhensong , Tong Zongyong , Wang Yu , Li Xianglin
Published: November 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important perennial legume forage that is cultivated in saline soil worldwide. This study aimed to clarify the effects of organic base fertilizer and inorganic topdressing on the productivity of alfalfa growing in saline soil. A three-year field study was conducted in which alfalfa was grown in the saline soil of the Huanghe River Delta with a control (no fertilizer) and three treatments: organic base fertilizer (Base), topdressing with urea fertilizer (Top), and combined base and topdressing fertilizers (BT). The productivity in the BT and Base treatments was 13.21 and 13.82 t·hm−2 in 3 years, significantly higher than that in the Top treatment and the control. The increased productivity in the BT and Base treatments were because organic matter promoted root growth of alfalfa seedlings in saline soil. The diversity of the soil bacterial community was not affected by the BT treatment, but the Base treatment increased the abundance of Acidobacteria, and the Top treatment increased the abundance of Gemmatimonadetes. Soil bacteria play an important role in improving the productivity of alfalfa growing in saline soil, and the mechanism by which soil microbes increase yield needs to be further studied.
10-mer and 9-mer WALK Peptides with Both Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities
Authors: Kim Su-Jin , Kang Tae-Bong , Kim Dong-Hyuk , Keum Minho , Lee Sung-Hee , Kim Ji-Hun , Lee Sang-Hyuck , Kim Jihoon , Kweon Hyuk-Jung , Park Jae-Won , Kim Beom-Jun , Won Hyung-Sik
Published: November 2022

Natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are multifunctional host defense peptides (HDPs) that are valuable for various therapeutic applications. In particular, natural and artificial AMPs with dual antibacterial immunomodulatory functions emerged as promising candidates for the development of therapeutic agents to treat infectious inflammation. In an effort to develop useful AMP variants with short lengths and simple amino acid composition, we devised a de novo design strategy to generate a series of model peptide isomer sequences, named WALK peptides, i.e., tryptophan (W)-containing amphipathic-helical (A) leucine (L)/lysine (K) peptides. Here, we generated two groups of WALK peptide isomers: W2L4K4 (WALK244.01~WALK244.10) and W2L4K3 (WALK243.01~WALK243.09). Most showed apparent antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at a concentration of approximately 4 μg/mL along with varied hemolytic activities against human red blood cells. In addition, some exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities without any significant cytotoxicity in macrophages. Collectively, these results suggest that the two selected peptides, WALK244.04 and WALK243.04, showed promise for the development of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
Ag-Modified ZnO for Degradation of Oxytetracycline Antibiotic and Reactive Red Azo Dye
Authors: Wannakan Khemika , Khansamrit Kamonpan , Senasu Teeradech , Chankhanittha Tammanoon , Nanan Suwat
Published: November 2022

It is known that low electron-hole separation efficiency is the major disadvantage influencing low photoactivity of the UV-active ZnO photocatalyst. To solve this drawback, the excellent fabrication technique has been used to disperse silver metal on ZnO surface. In this study, an addition of silver content up to 15 wt% was carried out. The 5Ag-ZnO sample, comprising 5 wt% of silver metal, displayed a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and a band gap of 3.00 eV, with high sunlight-active photocatalytic performance of 99–100% and low photo-corrosion problem. The complete degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotic and reactive red dye 141 (RR141) dye under natural sunlight was achieved. The highest rate constant of 0.061 min−1 was detected. The enhancement of the performance is mainly due to lowering of the electron-hole recombination rate. Dispersion of silver on ZnO causes the generation of the Schottky barrier at the interface between Ag and ZnO, so that improvement of quantum efficiency and enhancement of the resultant photoactivity could be expected. Furthermore, good distribution of metallic silver also causes a red shift in absorption of light toward the visible spectrum. This is strongly attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect, which occurred after successful decoration of the noble metal on ZnO. The photocatalyst, with great structural stability, still maintains high photocatalytic efficiency even after five times of use, implying its excellent cycling ability. The present finding offers a new road to generate a silver decorated ZnO photocatalyst for the complete removal of dye and antibiotics contaminated in the environment.
pH Alteration in Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis and Its Resultant Impact on Antimicrobial Properties of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)
Authors: Miranda Amalia , Akpobolokemi Tamara , Chung Etelka , Ren Guogang , Raimi-Abraham Bahijja Tolulope
Published: November 2022

Plant-mediated green synthesis is a cost-effective and eco-friendly process used to synthesize metallic nanoparticles. Experimental pH is of interest due to its ability to influence nanoparticle size and shape; however, little has been explored in comparison to the influence of this parameter on the therapeutic potential of resultant metallic nanoparticles. Our work investigated the influence of pH alternation on antimicrobial properties of plant-mediated green synthesized (using Spinacia oleracea leaf extract) silver nanoparticles. We further investigated if the antimicrobial activity was sustained at 8 weeks (after initial green synthesis). Antimicrobial properties were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Our work confirmed that experimental pH in plant-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles influenced their resultant antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles generated at experimental pH 4.5, and nine showed activity against E. coli which was sustained at various levels over 8 weeks. No antimicrobial activity was observed against S. aureus, and weak antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. These interesting findings highlight the importance of experimental pH. Further understanding of the role experimental pH plays on resultant metallic nanoparticle properties as it relates to biological and therapeutic impact is required, which will have an impact on wider applications beyond antimicrobial activity.
Investigation of the Possible Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) against Irinotecan (CPT-11)-Induced Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Gençosman Sevgi , Ceylanlı Deniz , Şehirli Ahmet Özer , Teralı Kerem , Bölükbaşı Furkan , Çetinel Şule , Sayıner Serkan
Published: November 2022

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a chemotherapeutic agent involved in the treatment regimens for several malignancies such as colorectal cancer. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent used in the treatment of several diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed at investigating whether NAC provides protection against hepatorenal and gastrointestinal tissue damage induced by CPT-11. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups as control, NAC, CPT-11, and CPT-11+NAC. Following the experimental period, blood, and tissue samples (liver, kidney, stomach, and small intestine) were collected, and biochemical indicators, together with pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were evaluated. Both the biochemical indicators and the pro-inflammatory cytokines, MMP, and MDA levels increased in animals treated with CPT-11, while SOD and GPx activities decreased. Histopathological evaluation revealed structural damage in all examined tissues. With NAC administration, significant improvements were observed, both biochemically and histologically. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that NAC treatment together with CPT-11 may have a beneficial effect on reducing CPT-11 toxicity in rats, by modulating inflammation and the oxidant–antioxidant balance. These results strongly promote further investigative studies.
Effects of Supplementing Sea Buckthorn Leaves (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) and Chromium (III) in Broiler Diet on the Nutritional Quality and Lipid Oxidative Stability of Meat
Authors: Saracila Mihaela , Untea Arabela Elena , Panaite Tatiana Dumitra , Varzaru Iulia , Oancea Alexandra-Gabriela , Turcu Raluca Paula , Vlaicu Petru Alexandru
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, the consumer trend towards healthier food choices is unquestionable. Meat products enriched with nutrients, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, are gaining much more interest among consumers. However, products are susceptible to quality deterioration and a short shelf-life of meat through lipid oxidation due to the lack of antioxidants in the meat. In this regard, the efficacy of dietary sea buckthorn leaves (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) together with Chromium on the nutritional quality of meat and lipid oxidative stability was investigated. An experiment (28 days long) was carried out on 90 Cobb 500 chickens assigned into three treatments: a control treatment based on corn and soybean meal, without Chromium (T0) and two treatments supplemented either with 0.00002% Chromium (T1) or with 0.00002% Chromium and 2% sea buckthorn leaves (T2). Dietary supplementation of SBL and Cr improved the PUFA/MUFA ratio, DHA concentration and decreased the n-6/n-3 ratio compared to the other treatments. Moreover, the breast and thigh meat belonging to T1 and T2 treatments showed a higher concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin, Fe and Zn and expressed a higher antioxidant capacity compared to those from T0. Furthermore, n-6 and n-3 PUFA deposited preferentially in the thigh meat rather than in the breast meat. The results from the study showed that dietary SBL and Cr significantly improved the fatty acid pattern and the oxidative stability of chicken breast meat, lowering the TBARS level after storage. In conclusion, SBL and Cr are promising dietary bioactive compounds with beneficial effects to obtain nutrient-enriched meat products.
Enhancing Detection of Arabic Social Spam Using Data Augmentation and Machine Learning
Authors: Alkadri Abdullah M. , Elkorany Abeer , Ahmed Cherry
Published: November 2022

In recent years, people have tended to use online social platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, to communicate with families and friends, read the latest news, and discuss social issues. As a result, spam content can easily spread across them. Spam detection is considered one of the important tasks in text analysis. Previous spam detection research focused on English content, with less attention to other languages, such as Arabic, where labeled data are often hard to obtain. In this paper, an integrated framework for Twitter spam detection is proposed to overcome this problem. This framework integrates data augmentation, natural language processing, and supervised machine learning algorithms to overcome the problems of detection of Arabic spam on the Twitter platform. The word embedding technique is employed to augment the data using pre-trained word embedding vectors. Different machine learning techniques were applied, such as SVM, Naive Bayes, and Logistic Regression for spam detection. To prove the effectiveness of this model, a real-life data set for Arabic tweets have been collected and labeled. The results show that an overall improvement in the use of data augmentation increased the macro F1 score from 58% to 89%, with an overall accuracy of 92%, which outperform the current state of the art.
Mie-Metamaterials-Based Electromagnetic Absorbing Concrete
Authors: Wu Hongya , Dong Han , Zhang Yafan , Zhou Danni , Fang Hao , Qin Shengjian , Qin Guoqiang , Zhang Guanglei
Published: November 2022

A metamaterial structure using steel reinforcement and dielectric cubes was designed, which was introduced into concrete to improve the electromagnetic wave absorption performance of concrete. A near-unit absorption peak at 9.82 GHz was generated in simulation and experimental results. It is also demonstrated that this metamaterial absorbing concrete is insensitive to polarization and can operate at wide angle of incidence.
Experimental Investigation and Optimization of a Glazed Transpired Solar Collector
Authors: Teodosiu Catalin Ioan , Sima Catalin , Croitoru Cristiana , Bode Florin
Published: November 2022

Solar air collectors are increasingly used nowadays due to their important potential in reducing the energy consumption of buildings. In this context, glazed transpired solar collectors (GTCs) represent an interesting solution, but this type of solar air collector is less studied. Consequently, the objective of this work is to thoroughly assess the performance of a GTC prototype under real long-term climatic conditions. First, the design of the GTC is optimized based on methodically experimental tests. The results show that the GTC configuration with a 30 mm air gap among the absorber and the glazing leads to improved heat transfer efficiency and superior global effectiveness, regardless of airflow rates through the solar air collector. This optimized GTC configuration is further studied by integration within the façade of a full-scale experimental building (container-type, light structure). Comparative experimental studies are then carried out concerning the heating energy consumption and ventilation load of the experimental building without/with GTC implemented in the ventilation system, under Bucharest real weather conditions. The data achieved indicate that the GTC prototype is capable of substantially reducing the ventilation load: up to 25% for low solar radiation (below 200 W/m2) and over 50% (achieving even 90%) for moderate solar radiation (between 250 and 380 W/m2). Finally, for high solar radiation (over 400 W/m2), the GTC outlet air temperature exceeds the interior temperature set-point (22 °C) of the experimental building.
Research on A Collaborative Control Strategy of An Urban Expressway Merging Bottleneck Area
Authors: Ma Chicheng , Wang Jianjun , Wang Sai , Lu Xiaojuan , Guo Bingqian
Published: November 2022

The conflict between the mainline and incoming traffic flow in the merging area of an urban expressway makes it easier to form a traffic bottleneck than the basic road section. When the merging bottleneck occurs, the overall efficiency is affected. This paper establishes an improved Cell Transmission Model (CTM) using Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) for parameter calibration and validation. Based on the joint optimization goal of efficiency and safety, a collaborative control strategy is established. The strategy is verified by VISSIM. The results show that the total travel time is reduced by 7.34%, and the total turnover is increased by 6.06% by applying the collaborative control strategy during the peak period. Therefore, the cooperative control strategy of the merging bottleneck proposed can improve the traffic state at the merging bottleneck and improve the efficiency and safety level of the expressway.
Analysis of Chemical Components of Fine Particulate Matter Observed at Fukuoka, Japan, in Spring 2020 and Their Transport Paths
Authors: Yoshino Ayako , Takami Akinori , Shimizu Atsushi , Sato Kei , Hayakawa Kazuichi , Tang Ning , Pham Kim-Oanh , Hara Akinori , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Odajima Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Focusing on the components of fine particulate matter, i.e., PM2.5, we have analyzed the factors that led to the high concentrations of each chemical component in PM2.5 during our observations in Fukuoka, Japan in spring 2020. The backward trajectory showed that air masses reached Fukuoka via the Yellow Sea and the southern part of South Korea when PM2.5 and each chemical component were high in concentrations. On the other hand, diurnal variations in ozone were also observed, suggesting that both transboundary and local air pollution are involved. Air masses reached the southern part of the Kyushu region when only sulfate concentrations were high. A volcano eruption led the high sulfate concentration. When only polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations were high, air masses often reached the northern part of Kyushu, indicating that there may be a specific local source for PAHs.