bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of trunk posture on cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Hao , Gao Xiaolin , Shi Yongjin , Wu Dongzhe , Li Chuangtao , Wang Wendi
Published: October 2022

Objective: Although regular and moderate physical activity has been shown to improve the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems, little has been done to study the effects of postural changes in the movement on the heart and autonomic nervous system. To uncover changes in cardiac function and autonomic nerves induced by different underlying posture transitions and explore which trunk postures lead to chronic sympathetic activation. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of trunk posture on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems.

Methods: Twelve male subjects (age 24.7 ± 1.3) underwent this study. The non-invasive cardiac output NICOM monitoring equipment and the FIRSTBEAT system are used to dynamically monitor seven trunk postures in the sitting position simultaneously (neutral position, posterior extension, forward flexion, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left rotation, right rotation). Each posture was maintained for 3 min, and the interval between each movement was 3 min to ensure that each index returned to the baseline level. Repeated analysis of variance test was used to compare and analyze the differences in human cardiac function, heart rate variability index, and respiratory rate under different postures.

Results: Compared with the related indicators of cardiac output in a neutral trunk position: the cardiac index (CI) was significantly reduced in forwarding flexion and left rotation (3.48 ± 0.34 vs. 3.21 ± 0.50; 3.48 ± 0.34 vs. 3.21 ± 0.46, Δ L/(min/m2)) (p = 0.016, p = 0.013), cardiac output decreased significantly (6.49 ± 0.78 vs. 5.93 ± 0.90; 6.49 ± 0.78 vs. 6.00 ± 0.96, Δ L/min) (p = 0.006, p = 0.014), the stroke volume (stroke volume)decreased significantly (87.90 ± 15.10 vs. 81.04 ± 16.35; 87.90 ± 15.10 vs. 79.24 ± 16.83, Δ ml/beat) (p = 0.017, p = 0.0003); heart rate increased significantly in posterior extension (75.08 ± 10.43 vs. 78.42 ± 10.18, Δ beat/min) (p = 0.001); left rotation stroke volume index (SVI) decreased significantly (47.28 ± 7.97 vs. 46.14 ± 8.06, Δ ml/m2) (p = 0.0003); in the analysis of HRV-related indicators, compared with the neutral trunk position, the LF/HF of the posterior extension was significantly increased (1.90 ± 1.38 vs. 3.00 ± 1.17, p = 0.037), and the LF/HF of the forward flexion was significantly increased (1.90 ± 1.38 vs. 2.85 ± 1.41, p = 0.041), and the frequency-domain index LF/HF of right rotation was significantly increased (1.90 ± 1.38 vs. 4.06 ± 2.19, p = 0.008). There was no significant difference in respiratory rate (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: A neutral trunk is the best resting position, and deviations from a neutral trunk position can affect the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems, resulting in decreased stroke volume, increased heart rate, and relative activation of sympathetic tone.
Molecular and physiologic mechanisms of advanced ripening by trunk girdling at early veraison of ‘Summer Black’ grape
Authors: Peng Yanjie , Gu Xingjia , Zhou Qi , Huang Jiao , Liu Zhong , Zhou Yong , Zheng Ying
Published: October 2022

Although the effects of girdling on grape berry development have been widely studied, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, especially at the molecular level. This study investigated the effect of trunk girdling on grape (Vitis L.) berry maturation. Girdling was performed on 5-year-old ‘Summer Black’ grapevines at early veraison, and transcriptional and physiologic analyses were performed. Trunk girdling promoted sugar accumulation and color development in berries and accelerated berry ripening by 25 days. Genes related to sucrose cleavage and polysaccharide degradation were upregulated at the transcriptional level, which was associated with increased monosaccharide accumulation and berry softening. Anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation were also enhanced by trunk girdling through the upregulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT). The increased expression of two VvUFGT genes was accompanied by the upregulation of VvMYBA2 under girdling. The upregulation of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and hormone (abscisic acid and brassinosteroid) responses and downregulation of genes involved in indoleacetic acid biosynthesis and response may have also promoted berry ripening in the girdling group. A total of 120 differentially expressed transcription factor genes from 29 gene families including MYB, ERF, and MYB-related were identified in the girdling group, which may participate in the regulation of berry development and ripening. These results provide molecular-level insight into the positive effects of trunk girdling on berry development in grapes.
Calcium/calmodulin-mediated microbial symbiotic interactions in plants
Authors: Yuan Peiguo , Luo Feixiong , Gleason Cynthia , Poovaiah B. W.
Published: October 2022

Cytoplasmic calcium (Ca2+) transients and nuclear Ca2+ oscillations act as hubs during root nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses. Plants perceive bacterial Nod factors or fungal signals to induce the Ca2+ oscillation in the nucleus of root hair cells, and subsequently activate calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK). Ca2+ and CaM-bound CCaMK phosphorylate transcription factors then initiate down-stream signaling events. In addition, distinct Ca2+ signatures are activated at different symbiotic stages: microbial colonization and infection; nodule formation; and mycorrhizal development. Ca2+ acts as a key signal that regulates a complex interplay of downstream responses in many biological processes. This short review focuses on advances in Ca2+ signaling-regulated symbiotic events. It is meant to be an introduction to readers in and outside the field of bacterial and fungal symbioses. We summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying Ca2+/CaM-mediated signaling in fine-tuning both local and systemic symbiotic events.
“Somewhere I belong?” A study on transnational identity shifts caused by “double stigmatization” among Chinese international student returnees during COVID-19 through the lens of mindsponge mechanism
Authors: Jin Ruining , Wang Xiao
Published: October 2022

Chinese international students who studied in the United States received “double stigmatization” from American and Chinese authorities because of the “political othering” tactic during COVID-19. The research used a phenomenological approach to examine why and how specifically the transnational identity of Chinese international students in the United States shifted during the double stigmatization. The researcher conducted a total of three rounds of interviews with 15 Chinese international students who studied in the United States and returned to China between 2018 and 2020, which culminated in 45 interviews through a longitudinal study to probe the transnational identities of this population before and during the double stigmatization; the study also examined how the mindsponge mechanism worked during the identity shifts and the interplay among stigmatization, transnational identity shifts, and the mindsponge mechanism. The study concluded that before COVID-19, Chinese international students had been stigmatized in both China and the United States. And there were three identity clusters for international students’ transnational identity: homestayers, wayfarers, and navigators based on four dimensions: intercultural competence, relocation of locality, diaspora consciousness, and attachment between China and the US. The study concluded that during the double stigmatization, Chinese international students in all three identity clusters took individualism into their core values, whereas Chinese traditional values, such as nationalism, collectivism, and obedience to authority waned. In addition, the study corroborated the trust evaluator’s gatekeeper role and substantiated the validity and effectiveness of cost-benefit analysis on an individual’s decision to accept or reject new information and values.
Interaction microanalysis of foster care research using THEME
Authors: Simon Pauline , Blanchet Alain
Published: October 2022

Environmental stress is a key element to the understanding of the psychopathology of children in foster care. Such children often present a wide range of symptoms from anxiety to depression, including abnormal behaviors in their interactions with adults that can be related to experience suffered in their family of origin (e.g., abandonment, abuse, etc.). Foster care should provide a safe environment, both to protect children from abuse and to help them build a well-adjusted developmental trajectory. The relationships with the family of origin may also be maintained. How do children in foster care behave in relation to caregivers given the differences between the families they grow up in? This study focuses on three adult-child relationships: those with a foster carer, a mother and a father. Each adult-child interaction was recorded several times in a day-to-day environment. On each occasion the instruction was given to behave naturally while interacting with a child. No additional material was supplied. Our observations concern the verbal and non-verbal comportment of a 4-year-old foster child named Julia when entering the study, with her caregivers. Once the principal elements had been coded (behaviors, verbalizations), a sequential behavioral patterns analysis was performed using the THEME© program. For this purpose, a 2-min interaction was chosen from the third video of an event which appeared particularly representative of the relationship between Julia and her different caregivers. According to whom Julia was with, the results reveal very different interactive processes. We observe, for example, that with the foster carer the interaction patterns were primarily focused on play objects, whereas they involved more collaborative activity with the father and distraction/avoidance behaviors with the mother. The study identifies the use of disengaging and self-exciting behaviors in all types of interaction. Those emotion regulation strategies are particularly developed during parent–child sessions, showing pathological processes of relationship.
Role of agile leadership in managing inter-role conflicts for a satisfying job and life during COVID-19 in a VUCA world
Authors: Aftab Saima , Khalid Komal , Waheed Ajmal , Aftab Asma , Adnan Aisha
Published: October 2022

This study investigated how agile leadership played its role in managing inter-role conflicts during the chaotic period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic was much more than the survival of the fittest and coming out of it alive. Organizations were under immense pressure to resume their normal operations in not-so-normal situations. This period of turmoil and agony brought a broad array of inter-role conflicts, which posed challenges for leaders to manage them effectively. The satisfaction at job and the satisfaction in life were the two most important endeavors for the employees to fight. This study explores how leadership agility helped employees manage their work–family and family–work conflicts, consequently impacting life satisfaction and job satisfaction simultaneously. Moreover, role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload are important intervening role stress factors that impact inter-role conflict management. So, role stress is a moderating factor in the direct relationship between agile leadership and inter-role conflict. This is a two-phased time lag study with a quantitative design for data collection. The first phase of data collection comprises of analyzing the impact of agile leadership on inter-role conflict management, keeping in view the intervening impact of role stress. The second data collection phase examines how inter-role conflicts impacted life satisfaction and job satisfaction during COVID-19. The data were collected from faculty working in higher education institutions in Pakistan, as the education industry was the second major sector that was affected because of COVID-19 after the health care industry. This research found that agile leadership plays a significant role in determining job satisfaction and life satisfaction. Agile leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic helped to manage work–family (AgileL -> WFC -> JS β = 0.1020,p= 0.0112 and AgileL -> WFC -> LS β = 0.1361,p= 0.0014) and family–work conflicts (AgileL -> FWC -> JS β = 0.1598,p= 0.0017 and AgileL -> FWC -> LS β = 0.1160,p= 0.0093) and reduce role stress. Future researchers might include marital satisfaction, as the inter-role conflicts highly impacted marital satisfaction and resultant imbalances among dual-earning couples. Comparative studies in this regard, explaining how dual-earning couples managed to sustain marital health and the role of leadership in developed and developing countries would be enlightening.
Rare disease emerging as a global public health priority
Authors: Chung Claudia Ching Yan ,   Hong Kong Genome Project, Chu Annie Tsz Wai , Chung Brian Hon Yin
Published: October 2022

The genomics revolution over the past three decades has led to great strides in rare disease (RD) research, which presents a major shift in global policy landscape. While RDs are individually rare, there are common challenges and unmet medical and social needs experienced by the RD population globally. The various disabilities arising from RDs as well as diagnostic and treatment uncertainty were demonstrated to have detrimental influence on the health, psychosocial, and economic aspects of RD families. Despite the collective large number of patients and families affected by RDs internationally, the general lack of public awareness and expertise constraints have neglected and marginalized the RD population in health systems and in health- and social-care policies. The current Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed the long-standing and fundamental challenges of the RD population, and has reminded us of the critical need of addressing the systemic inequalities and widespread disparities across populations and jurisdictions. Owing to the commonality in goals between RD movements and universal health coverage targets, the United Nations (UN) has highlighted the importance of recognizing RDs in policies, and has recently adopted the UN Resolution to promote greater integration of RDs in the UN agenda, advancing UN's commitment in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of “leav[ing] no one behind.” Governments have also started to launch Genome Projects in their respective jurisdictions, aiming to integrate genomic medicine into mainstream healthcare. In this paper, we review the challenges experienced by the RD population, the establishment and adoption of RD policies, and the state of evidence in addressing these challenges from a global perspective. The Hong Kong Genome Project was illustrated as a case study to highlight the role of Genome Projects in enhancing clinical application of genomic medicine for personalized medicine and in improving equity of access and return in global genomics. Through reviewing what has been achieved to date, this paper will provide future directions as RD emerges as a global public health priority, in hopes of moving a step toward a more equitable and inclusive community for the RD population in times of pandemics and beyond.
Where does residents' choice of primary medical treatment come from?—A logical analysis based on the perspective of service accessibility and residents' cognition
Authors: Wu Fang , Wang Ning , Qu Yingna
Published: October 2022

The uneven distribution of medical and health resources leads to changes in the choice of patients for medical treatment, which is the key to restrict the reform of medical services in China currently. Taking service accessibility and residents' cognition as the starting point, this study utilized the data from the questionnaire and applied logistic regression and mediation test. By taking service accessibility as an explanatory variable and residents' cognition as an intermediary variable, the study examined the differences between residents' choice of medical treatment at the primary and non-primary levels. Thus, the influencing factors of residents' choice of medical treatment at the primary level were explored. The research statistics came from questionnaires of 1,589 residents in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. The results showed that service accessibility and residents' cognition were significantly correlated with the residents' choice of primary medical treatment. Household registration, age, the signing situation with family doctors, hospital service fees, and distance to the hospital were positively related to residents' choice of primary medical treatment; while the reputation, scale, residents' income, and the reimbursement ratio of residents' medical insurance were negatively correlated with the choice. In addition, residents' cognition played an intermediary effect between service accessibility and the residents' choice of primary medical treatment. The signing situation with family doctors indirectly affected the choice of primary medical treatment through residents' cognition, and residents' cognition masked some negative influence of the reimbursement ratio of residents' medical insurance on the choice of primary medical treatment.
Forecasting crew fatigue risk on international flights under different policies in China during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Junya SUN , Ruishan SUN
Published: October 2022

To predict the risk of fatigue for flight crews on international flights under the new operating model policy of the civil aviation exemption approach policy during the COVID-19 outbreak, and to provide scientific validation methods and ideas for the exemption approach policy. This paper uses the change in flight crew alertness as a validation indicator, and then constructs an alertness assessment model to predict flight crew fatigue risk based on the SAFTE model theory. Then, the corresponding in-flight rotation plans for the flight is designed according to the exemption approach policy issued by the CAAC, the CCAR-121 part policy and the real operational requirements of the airline, respectively, and finally the simulation results is compared by comparing the pilot alertness and cockpit crew alertness under the exemption approach policy and the CCAR-121 part policy with the flight duration. The results show that the flight crew alertness level for the flight in-flight rotation plan simulation designed under the exemption approach policy is higher or closer to the pilot alertness level for operational flights under the CCAR-121 Part policy. This validates the reasonableness and safety of the exemption approach policy issued by the CAAC to meet the requirements of epidemic prevention and control, and provides scientific support and solutions for fatigue monitoring and management.
Athletes' use of analgesics is related to doping attitudes, competitive anxiety, and situational opportunity
Authors: Melzer Marcus , Elbe Anne-Marie , Strahler Katharina
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to investigate athletes' hypothetical use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a behavior similar to doping, and its association with doping attitudes, competitive anxiety and situational opportunity. One hundred twenty-two sport science students completed an online survey assessing biographical information, doping attitudes, and competitive anxiety. Students' intention to use analgesics was measured via two different hypothetical situations using the vignette technique. The favorable situation included an absence of potential witnesses and presence of an attractive good whereas witnesses were present in the unfavorable situation and an attractive goal was absent. The results of two hierarchical multiple regression models showed that doping attitudes and competitive anxiety, especially worry, predicted the use of analgesics. In the situation featuring a favorable opportunity, worry was the strongest predictor, whereas in the situation of an unfavorable opportunity, doping attitudes was the strongest predictor for using NSAIDs. Results indicate that NSAID use is associated with positive attitudes toward doping and competitive anxiety, and that it is situationally dependent. Future research perspectives and practical implications are discussed.
Combining organic and conservation agriculture to restore biodiversity? Insights from innovative farms in Belgium and their impacts on carabids and spiders
Authors: Boeraeve Fanny , Vialatte Aude , Sirami Clélia , Caro Gaël , Thenard Jodie , Francis Frédéric , Dufrêne Marc
Published: October 2022

Conservation and organic agriculture are two alternative crop management strategies associated with environmental impact reduction, leading theoretically to more biodiversity and higher ecological functioning, underpinning better ecosystem service delivery. The combination of these two farming strategies is increasingly seen as an opportunity to mitigate shortcomings of each of them taken individually. However, combining organic and conservation agriculture is undeniably challenging, since it leaves nocurativeoption (neither synthetic pesticides nor soil plowing) for pest control (phytophagous, pathogens, and weeds). Hence, the latter must be ensured by effective restoration of predatory communities. The present research investigated the potential of combining organic and conservation agriculture to support two major ground-dwelling natural enemy communities: carabids and spiders. We used pitfall traps to sample these two communities in paired adjacent cereal fields conducted under organic-conservation (OC) and conventional (CV) agriculture in Belgium. Community assemblages were significantly different across system types, both in terms of species diversity and functional trait diversity. OC parcels showed higher alpha and beta species diversities for both carabids and spiders and species composition differed between OC and CV parcels. OC systems were associated with higher variation of species assemblages among parcels than CV systems Functional traits also differed across system types for both groups. We found more herbivorous and granivore carabids in OC parcels, and more predator species in CV parcels. We found larger spiders, more hunting spiders and more wetland spiders in OC parcels, whereas we found more web weavers and more forest spiders in CV ones. Functional diversity was higher in OC parcels for carabids, but not for spiders. In brief, OC parcels supported more diverse communities, both taxonomically and functionally. These outcomes show that OC systems are promising systems to support these natural enemy communities. Further studies should assess whether combining organic and conservation agricultural enables sufficient pest control levels to achieve high levels of food production and farmers income.
Sensorially accepted Mangifera indica and Myrciaria dubia yogurts with high ascorbic acid content
Authors: Barrios Renteria Juan Carlos , Espinoza-Espinoza Luis Alfredo , Valdiviezo-Marcelo Jaime , Moreno-Quispe Luz Arelis
Published: October 2022

Ascorbic acid deficiency has been associated with several health conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of ascorbic acid and the sensorial qualities of Mangifera indica and Myrciaria dubia yogurts. Four yogurt treatments were elaborated with different concentrations of these fruits (T1: 15% and 5%; T2: 15% and 10%; T3: 20% and 5% and T4: 20% and 10%) respectively, compared with a control treatment (CT: yogurt with 15% of Fragaria vesca). The ascorbic acid contents of the different treatments were determined by spectrophotometry, with values in the following order (T1: 63.2 mg/100 g; T2:114.3 mg/100 g; T3: 57.3 mg/100 g; T4: 115.1 and the control treatment CT:11.5 mg/100 g). The sensorial evaluation consisted of the application of a hedonic scale of 5 points (1: I dislike it very much; 2: I dislike it; 3: I neither like it nor dislike it; 4: I like it; 5: I like it a lot), results show evidence that the acidity level had a significant influence during the sensory evaluation. Treatment (T3) showed the greatest preference. The use of Mangifera indica and Myrciaria dubia in the treatments studied ensured ascorbic acid concentrations compared to the control treatment. This was significantly appreciated by consumers when the percentage of Myrciaria dubia was less than 10% of the total mass of the yogurt.
Hematological and biochemical indices, growth performance, and puberty of goats fed with Mombasa and blue panic as salt-tolerant alternatives to alfalfa under arid conditions
Authors: Zaher Hany Ahmed , Mesalam Ayman , Al Bloushi Adel Ibrahim , Tolba Ameer , Swelum Ayman A. , Abu-Alrub Ihsan
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Mombasa or blue panic as a salt-tolerant alternative to alfalfa on growth performance, puberty, blood hematology, serum metabolites, and serum mineral profile in growing goats. Twenty-four growing goats of 4 months old age with 14.45 ± 0.6 kg average body weight were assigned to three treatment diets with 8 animals per treatment. Weights of each animal were measured at the onset of the trial and subsequently on a weekly basis until the end of the trial duration. A pair of blood samples were collected from each goat via a jugular vein puncture and were subjected to either hematological or biochemical analysis. The results showed that treatment diets had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on the final body weight and total body weight gain. However, blue panic had significantly increased (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fiber and crude protein digestibility. The diet-influenced MCV was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Alfalfa group. The serum concentration of glucose was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the blue panic-fed group, while the urea was increased in the Mombasa-fed group. Additionally, the serum concentrations of P, Na, and Cl were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the blue panic-fed group, but Mombasa significantly increased (P < 0.05) the K concentration. In conclusion, the study indicated that blue panic ranked the best among salt-tolerant alternatives to replace alfalfa, resulting in better feed utilization, serum metabolites, and serum minerals with no adverse effects on growth performance and puberty. This study provides new insight into the shift to the cultivation of salt-tolerant plants with a high level of crude protein in arid areas as a potential approach for the sustainability of the livestock industry.
Quantification of Gypsum in Soils: Methodological Proposal
Authors: Álvarez Daniela , Antúnez Montserrat , Porras Silvia , Rodríguez-Ochoa Rafael , Olarieta José Ramón , Poch Rosa M.
Published: October 2022

Gypsum is widely found in soils under arid and semi-arid climates due to its semi-soluble nature. In spite of that, they are less known than other soils, and this has generated some misunderstandings in some initial pedological concepts and in soil classification systems. In addition, the quantification of gypsum, and in particular of its secondary accumulations is affected by the sampling procedures and sample handling in the lab; besides by the methods used for the determination of gypsum themselves, since they differ on the accuracy, cost, and expertise needed. The objective of our research is to improve some laboratory procedures in order to determine and quantify gypsum in the soil, especially secondary accumulations. We applied several methods of sample handling and gypsum analysis to a loess profile in the Ebro Valley (NE Iberia), consisting of 10 horizons containing gypsum in varying amounts (0 to about 50%); of different sizes and morphologies. We propose a protocol considering procedures (sieving or not), qualitative determinations and two methods (turbidimetry and dehydration of crystallization water) for an optimal determination of gypsum depending on the characteristics of the sample and compared them with the acetone method (US Salinity Laboratory Staff, Agric. Handb., 1954, 60, 175; Nelson, 1978, 181), as it is the reference method in the main Classification Systems. The results obtained after applying the different methods for the analysis of gypsum in bulk samples have allowed us to propose a decision tree procedure for the determination of gypsum in soil materials. This procedure includes, determination of gypsum in all fractions, coarse and fine, the estimated amount of gypsum in the field (as a major or minor component) and the presence of other components that may interfere with the results. The most accurate results are obtained with those methods based on the loss of gypsum water upon heating when gypsum content is >4%, and with the turbidimetric method in case of lower amounts of gypsum. Finally, we discuss the implications of these analyses when a soil is classified according to the main soil classification systems (WRB 2014; Soil Survey Staff, SSS- NRCS, 2014).
Agricultural Machinery Telemetry: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Marques Leomar Santos , Ferraz Gabriel Araújo e Silva , Moreira Neto João , Magalhães Ricardo Rodrigues , de Lima Danilo Alves , Tsuchida Jefferson Esquina , Fuzatto Diego Cardoso
Published: October 2022

Agricultural machinery telemetry collects and shares data, which are sent remotely and become precious information. Thus, accurate and instantaneous monitoring can provide an important base of information for adjusting the parameters of the most diverse mechanized agricultural operations, reducing input costs and maintenance expenses. In recent years, this theme has gained more strength and importance for managing rural properties. Therefore, the present study developed a bipartite bibliometric analysis in two lines of research and described the state of the art of this data collection methodology (via telemetry), presenting its technological evolution. The study presents the evolution and connection of telemetry and the processes of robotization of agricultural operations and automation provided by data collection via telemetry in real time. The main countries, keywords, researchers, institutions, and the Dickson quality index indicate a high growth in the last decade. Thus, the present study contributes to decision making regarding research topics, guidance on the state of the art, and contextualization of telemetry’s importance in current research.
Investigation of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Guangxi and Its Biological Control of Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Wang Ailing , Fang Ming , Sun Jie , Wei Xianqin , Ruan Weibin
Published: October 2022

Spodoptera frugiperda has caused serious economic damage to various crops. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can be used as biological control agents for many pests, including lepidopteran insects. In this study, 218 soil samples were collected from 46 sites in Guangxi, and EPNs were detected in 15 samples. The ITS region of the rDNA gene was used for the molecular identification of isolated nematodes. In total, four and eleven identified populations belonged to Heterorhabditis and Oscheius, respectively. A series of bioassays were conducted to examine the virulence of EPN isolates from Guangxi to control the larvae and pupae of S. frugiperda. The mortality of the third-instar larvae caused by EPNs was concentration dependent. The same dose of EPNs was used to control the third and sixth-instar larvae of S. frugiperda, and the virulence was lower in the sixth-instar larvae. S. frugiperda pupae were treated with different EPNs strains, and the adult eclosion rate of the treated group was significantly lower than that of the sterile water control group (93.3%). Therefore, EPNs could significantly inhibit the eclosion of S. frugiperda pupae. This study provides important information for the biological control of S. frugiperda with EPNs.
Modeling and I-NSGA-III-VLC Solution of Aircraft Equipment Rotation and Echelon Usage under Uncertainty
Authors: Miao Qinglin , Zhang Xiaofeng , Qin Pisheng , Liu Xianguang
Published: October 2022

Optimizing the aircraft equipment usage scheme of different units according to their task intensity has great significance in improving aircraft reliability and health management. This paper studied the modeling and solving methods of the rotation and echelon usage problems of aircraft equipment measured by dual-life indexes, one of which cannot be controlled. In order to maximize the waste rate of the rotation quantity, echelon uniformity index, life matching index and life utilization index, a decision-making model of the equipment rotation and echelon usage problem under uncertainty was constructed, and an improved NSGA-III with a variable length chromosome was proposed. An improved segmented coding method and operators were proposed, and the repeated individual control mechanism was used to improve the population diversity. When the scale of the problem was large, this method could search a wider range in a short time and obtain more feasible solutions, which verified the feasibility of this method.
Polyaniline—Graphene Electrodes Prepared by Electropolymerization for High-Performance Capacitive Electrodes: A Brief Review
Authors: Okhay Olena , Tkach Alexander
Published: October 2022

Both polyaniline (PANI) and graphene are widely studied for their application as capacitive electrodes in energy storage devices. However, although PANI can be easy synthesized, is of low cost and has a higher specific capacitance than graphene, pristine PANI electrodes do not present long-term stability due to their large volume changes during release/doping of the electrolyte ions and surface area reduction with charge-discharge cycling. That is why a combination of PANI with carbonaceous materials, especially conductive and high-surface-area graphene as well as more widely used reduced graphene oxide (rGO), provides an effective approach to solve these problems. At the same time, the electropolymerization process is one of the possible methods for synthesis of PANI composites with G or rGO as freestanding electrodes. Therefore, no binders or additives such as carbon black or active carbon need to be used to obtain PANI/rGO electrodes by electrochemical polymerization (EP), in contrast to similar electrodes prepared by the chemical oxidative polymerization method. Thus, in this paper, we review recent advances in EP synthesis of PANI/rGO nanocomposites as high-performance capacitive electrode materials, combining the advantages of both electrical double-layer capacitance of rGO and pseudocapacitance of PANI, which hence exhibit long cycle life and high specific energy.
Biomechanical Analysis of the FlatFoot with Different 3D-Printed Insoles on the Lower Extremities
Authors: Hsu Chia-Yi , Wang Chien-Shun , Lin Kuang-Wei , Chien Mu-Jung , Wei Shun-Hwa , Chen Chen-Sheng
Published: October 2022

Insoles play an important role in the conservative treatment of functional flat foot. The features of 3D-printed insoles are high customizability, low cost, and rapid prototyping. However, different designed insoles tend to have different effects. The study aimed to use 3D printing technology to fabricate three different kinds of designed insoles in order to compare the biomechanical effects on the lower extremities in flat foot participants. Ten participants with functional flat foot were recruited for this study. Data were recorded via a Vicon motion capture system and force plates during walking under four conditions: without insoles (shoe condition), with auto-scan insoles (scan condition), with total contact insoles (total condition), and with 5-mm wedge added total contact insoles (wedge condition). The navicular height, eversion and dorsiflexion angles of the ankle joint, eversion moment of the ankle joint, and adduction moment of the knee joint were analyzed, and comfort scales were recorded after finishing the analysis. Compared to the shoe condition, all three 3D printed insoles could increase the navicular height and ankle dorsiflexion angle and improve comfort. Among the three insoles, the wedge condition was the most efficient in navicular height support and increasing the ankle dorsiflexion angle.
Investigating the Protective Effects of a Rhenium (V) Compound with Uracil-Derived Ligands on Liver Damage Associated with Prediabetes in Diet-Induced Prediabetic Rats
Authors: Siboto Angezwa , Akinnuga Akinjide Moses , Ismail Muhammed Bilaal , Booysen Irvin Noel , Sibiya Ntethelelo Hopewell , Ngubane Phikelelani , Khathi Andile
Published: October 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with prediabetes and can be treated by using a combination of metformin and dietary modification. However, people often fail to adhere to dietary modifications and become more dependent on pharmaceutical intervention, and this affects the effectiveness of the drug. In this study, we investigated the effects of rhenium (V) compound with uracil-derived ligands on liver health in diet-induced prediabetic rats in both the presence and absence of dietary modification. Prediabetic male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with the rhenium (V) compound for 12 weeks in both the presence and absence of dietary modification while monitoring fasting blood glucose levels. Antioxidant enzyme activity, inflammation markers and liver enzymes were measured together with liver glycogen and plasma triglycerides after sacrificing. The administration of rhenium (V) compound to prediabetic rats in both the presence and absence of dietary modification resulted in reduced concentrations of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. There was also reduced liver glycogen, oxidative stress and liver enzymes while increasing antioxidant enzymes. Altogether, the rhenium (V) compound ameliorated liver injury and prevented hepatotoxicity.
Modelling Worldviews as Stable Metabolisms
Authors: Veloz Tomas , Maldonado Pedro
Published: October 2022

The emergence and evolution of worldviews is a complex phenomenon that requires strong and rigorous scientific attention in our hyperconnected world. On the one hand, cognitive theories have proposed reasonable frameworks but have not reached general modeling frameworks where predictions can be tested. On the other hand, machine-learning-based applications perform extremely well at predicting outcomes of worldviews, but they rely on a set of optimized weights in a neural network that does not comply to a well-founded cognitive framework. In this article, we propose a formal approach used to investigate the establishment of and change in worldviews by recalling that the realm of ideas, where opinions, perspectives and worldviews are shaped, resemble, in many ways, a metabolic system. We propose a general modelization of worldviews based on reaction networks, and a specific starting model based on species representing belief attitudes and species representing belief change triggers. These two kinds of species combine and modify their structures through the reactions. We show that chemical organization theory combined with dynamical simulations can illustrate various interesting features of how worldviews emerge, are maintained and change. In particular, worldviews correspond to chemical organizations, meaning closed and self-producing structures, which are generally maintained by feedback loops occurring within the beliefs and triggers in the organization. We also show how, by inducing the external input of belief change triggers, it is possible to change from one worldview to another, in an irreversible way. We illustrate our approach with a simple example reflecting the formation of an opinion and a belief attitude about a theme, and, next, show a more complex scenario containing opinions and belief attitudes about two possible themes.
Theoretical Analysis of Mass Transfer Behavior in Fixed-Bed Electrochemical Reactors: Akbari-Ganji’s Method
Authors: Jeyabarathi Ponraj , Rajendran Lakshmanan , Lyons Michael E. G. , Abukhaled Marwan
Published: October 2022

The theoretical model for a packed porous catalytic particle of the slab, cylindrical, and spherical geometries shape in fixed-bed electrochemical reactors is discussed. These particles have internal mass concentration and temperature gradients in endothermic or exothermic reactions. The model is based on a nonlinear reaction–diffusion equation containing a nonlinear term with an exponential relationship between intrinsic reaction rate and temperature. The porous catalyst particle’s concentration is obtained by solving the nonlinear equation using Akbari-Ganji’s method. A simple and closed-form analytical expression of the effectiveness factor for slab, cylindrical, and spherical geometries was also reported for all values of Thiele modulus, activation energy, and heat reaction. The accordance with results of a reliable numerical method shows the good accuracy that their approximate solution yields.
Measurement-Based Stiff Equation Methodology for Single Phase Transformer Inrush Current Computations
Authors: Majka Łukasz , Baron Bernard , Zydroń Paweł
Published: October 2022

The present paper describes the research on the mechanism of inrush current formation in a modern single-phase transformer, in which the insulation system must withstand the stresses arising during these transient states. A complete and measurement-verified method for determining the transformer inrush current waveforms and other signals (e.g., fluxes and voltages) is developed. This method makes it possible to determine a steady state solution. However, on account of the electromagnetic phenomena, the solving process is long. To analyze the transient dynamic response of the tested transformer, a nonlinear model was assumed, from which the stiff differential equations were derived. The simulation analyses were performed using dedicated software written in C# with the original implementation of the five-stage Radau IIA algorithm selected from the known variants of the Runge–Kutta implicit methods. The calculations were based on the measurement waveforms recorded during transient (switch-on) and steady-state states when the transformer was not loaded. The full magnetization curve of the core sheets of the tested transformer with an original implementation of the polynomial fitting mechanism was applied. As a representative example and for the purposes of experimental verification of numerical tests, the worst case scenario for switch-on of an unloaded transformer was applied (switch-on is performed when the supplied voltage is zero). Phenomena related to the obtained experimental results, such as saturation and hysteresis, are discussed as well.
The Load Shifting Potential of Domestic Refrigerators in Smart Grids: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Rodrigues Luís Sousa , Marques Daniel Lemos , Ferreira Jorge Augusto , Costa Vítor António Ferreira , Martins Nelson Dias , Neto Da Silva Fernando José
Published: October 2022

Domestic refrigeration and freezing appliances can be used for electrical load shifting from peak to off-peak demand periods, thus allowing greater penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) and significantly contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The full realization of this potential can be achieved with the synergistic combination of smart grid (SG) technologies and the application of phase-change materials (PCMs). Being permanently online, these ubiquitous appliances are available for the most advanced strategies of demand-side load management (DSLM), including real-time demand response (DR) and direct load control (DLC). PCMs are a very cost-effective means of significantly augmenting their cold storage capacity and, hence, their load-shifting capabilities. Yet, currently, refrigerators and freezers equipped with PCMs for DSLM are still absent in the market and research works focusing on the synergy of these technologies are still scarce. Intended for a multidisciplinary audience, this broad-scoped review surveys the literature to evaluate the technological feasibility, economic viability and global impact of this combination. The state-of-the-art of SG-enabling technologies is investigated—e.g., smart meters, Internet-of-Things (IoT)—as well as current and future standards and norms. The literature on the use of PCMs for latent heat/cold storage (LHCS) is also reviewed.
Self-Consistent Hydrodynamic Model of Electron Vortex Fluid in Solids
Authors: Mironov Victor L.
Published: October 2022

We propose a system of self-consistent equations for electron fluid in solids which describes both longitudinal vortex flows and frozen-in internal electromagnetic fields. It is shown that in the case of an ideal electron fluid, the proposed model describes the electrodynamics of the superconductor, and in the vortex-less case, it leads to modified London equations. In addition, the two-fluid model based on the proposed equations is applied to the description of an ideal electron-hole fluid in a semiconductor. The damping processes in a non-ideal electron fluid are described by modified equations, which take into account collisions with a crystal lattice and internal diffuse friction. The main peculiarities of the proposed equations are illustrated with the analysis of electron sound waves.
Characterization of Acid- and Pepsin-Soluble Collagen Extracted from the Skin of Purple-Spotted Bigeye Snapper
Authors: Oslan Siti Nur Hazwani , Shapawi Rossita , Mokhtar Ruzaidi Azli Mohd , Noordin Wan Norhana Md. , Huda Nurul
Published: October 2022

Fish processing waste is a prospective source of collagen and a cost-effective environmental pollutant. The skin of the purple-spotted bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus) was extracted utilising various acid soluble collagens (ASC) including acetic acid (AAC), lactic acid (LAC), citric acid (CAC) and pepsin soluble collagens (PSC). In this study, PSC (6.65%) had the highest collagen yield, followed by AAC (5.79%), CAC (4.15%), and LAC (3.19%). The maximum temperatures (Tmax) denaturation of AAC, LAC, CAC, and PSC were 31.4, 31.7, 31.5, and 33.2 °C, respectively. UV-VIS absorption spectra showed all extracted collagens had a range of absorbance at 230 nm, due to the presence of glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and triple-helical collagen. Additionally, they exhibited amide A, B, amide I, II, and III peaks. SDS–PAGE identified all extracted collagens as type I. The PSC had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) hydroxyproline content than acidic extraction 66.3 ± 1.03 (mg/g sample). Furthermore, all samples were extremely soluble in acetic conditions at pH 5, and all collagen was soluble in NaCl up to 3% (w/v). Therefore, PSC was the best treatment since it did not impact collagen triple helical and acetic acid yielded the most collagen in ASC extraction. Overall, the analysis revealed that fish skin waste might be used as an alternate source of collagen in diverse applications, particularly in food applications.