bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Evolution of Risk Communication Strategy for Health Authorities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Comparison Between China and the United States
Authors: Yuan Yue , Pang Na
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Investigate how the speech context of news conferences reveals the risk communication strategies for health authorities during COVID-19 and measure the evolution of those risk communication strategies.

Methods: We collected news conference transcripts concerning COVID-19 for the first quarter from the official websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) in 2020. Quantitative analyses were conducted on the topics and emotions of transcripts to measure the evolution of risk communication strategy. A total of three types of analysis were carried out in our study: topic, sentiment, and risk communication evolution analyses.

Results: The trending topics and the number of these in the two institutions evolved with the infection status. The CDC and NHC maintained primarily neutral sentiment, while the non-neutral sentiment of the CDC swung more dramatically. Furthermore, the changing pattern of risk communication evolution for the CDC and NHC varied, where the latter had a more stable change routine.

Conclusion: Our study finds that the strategies could be measured by topic variation, emotional expressions, and confirmed cases. The CDC and NHC tend to adopt different risk communication strategies and have specific change routines facing the pandemic. In addition, our findings contribute to addressing the WHO research agenda for managing risk communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helps health authorities formulate and measure risk communication strategies.
Quantifying Uncertainties in Nonlinear Dynamics of a Modular Assembly Using the Resonance Decay Method
Authors: Lin Chengrong , Zhao Ziheng , Wang Zhenyu , Jiang Jianping , Wu Zhigang , Wang Xing
Published: November 2022

Modular assembling is a promising approach to constructing large spacecraft beyond the size limitations posed by launch vehicles. However, the uncertainties and nonlinearities of the dynamics associated with the assembled structure are deeply concerned with the design stage of such a spacecraft. Conventionally, this concern can be relieved by performing Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) of the structure. Nevertheless, it is challenging for a modular assembly, in which a very low-frequency behaviour and a lack of dynamic testing procedure that can incorporate nonlinearities are two major obstacles. In this regard, the present paper first introduces a demonstrator of Large Structure Assembly (LSA demonstrator), which includes a soft-bungee suspension system, a 6 m long modular assembly, a vibration control system, and a noncontact measurement system. Secondly, a new quantification procedure for the modular assembly, which utilises the resonance decay method, was proposed in this paper. Detailed test steps were illustrated through the demonstrator, in which the backbone curves were treated as key measurement targets in quantifying its nonlinear dynamics. The uncertainties in nonlinear dynamics were also evaluated by assembling and disassembling the structure multiple times. Results have shown that the proposed procedure can efficiently and accurately quantify the dynamics of a highly flexible, large-scale modular assembly.
The Effect of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Self-Identity on Entrepreneurial Goal Intentions of Female and Male College Students in Zimbabwe
Authors: Ndofirepi Takawira Munyaradzi
Published: November 2022

This article investigated how entrepreneurial self-identity and self-efficacy interact to affect the entrepreneurial goal intentions of a sample of female and male college students in Zimbabwe. Researchers are urged to examine these factors’ combined influence, given that earlier studies looked at their effects separately. To achieve the research goal, a cross-sectional survey using a self-completion questionnaire on a convenience sample of 262 respondents was conducted in Zimbabwe among college students. The results confirmed that entrepreneurial self-identity and self-efficacy had statistically significant direct effects on the intention to pursue an entrepreneurial goal. They also confirmed that the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial goal intention was mediated by entrepreneurial self-identity. The study, however, found no statistically significant differences in the pattern of results between males and females. The study adds to the body of knowledge by proposing and testing a conceptual model that has never been considered before. The findings of the study have implications for the formulation of interventions and policies aimed at promoting entrepreneurship.
Weather Conditions, Orchard Age and Nitrogen Fertilization Influences Yield and Quality of ‘Łutówka’ Sour Cherry Fruit
Authors: Rutkowski Krzysztof , Łysiak Grzegorz P.
Published: November 2022

Nitrogen fertilization is a basic agrotechnical orchard treatment, and affects quality and size of the crops. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of sour cherry fruit of the ‘Łutówka’ cultivar. The course of climatic conditions in relation to the timing of flowering and fruiting was analyzed. The trials were carried out in three different experimental sour cherry orchards (quarters) with different planting dates (1999, 2001 and 2002) located at the experimental orchard of the Poznań University of Life Sciences in Poland. In each orchard, three levels of fertilization were used: control without fertilization, fertilization at a dose of 60 kg N ha−1 and fertilization at 120 kg N ha−1. Increasing the dose of N did not have a significant effect on sour cherry yield. However, it resulted in a reduction of fruit weight, extract content, acidity and TSS/TA ratio, whereas the brightness (L*) and redness (a*) of the fruit surface color increased. Temperature and precipitation had the greatest influence on the course of flowering, fruiting and fruit ripening. Particularly important was the course of climatic conditions at the beginning of the growing season, especially during flowering, when there is a high risk of spring frosts. The timing of flowering and fruiting was correlated with the sum of active temperatures. The greatest relationship for the flowering date was found for SAT (sum of active temperatures) when the base temperature equals 11 °C and the temperature for the harvest date equals 9 °C.
Numerical Simulation and Analysis of Vibrating Rice Filling Based on EDEM Software
Authors: Yuan Hao , Liang Shifei , Wang Jing , Lu Yikang
Published: November 2022

An automatic rice-filling device for lotus root with glutinous rice was developed based on the process of artificial filling. In order to find the best parameters for the vibrating rice-filling device—feeding speed, filling height, funnel diameter, amplitude, and frequency—so as to reduce the time and improve the mass of rice filling, EDEM software (EDEM 2022) was used to conduct numerical simulation of the process and analyze the influence of various factors on the rice-filling time. The optimal combination of parameters for the highest quality of rice filling was determined as follows: rice feeding speed, 1.4 kg/s; height of rice filling, 30 mm; funnel diameter, 55 mm; amplitude, 0.6 mm; frequency, 50 Hz; and filling time, 3.4 s. The simulation experiment results are in good agreement with the prototype experiment, achieving the purpose of improving the efficiency of rice filling. This study provides theoretical guidance for research on an automatic rice-filling device for lotus root with glutinous rice.
Influence of Attachment Theory on Pro-Environmental Behavior and Well-Being: A Case of Organic Agricultural Tourism in Taiwan Hualien and Taitung
Authors: Shen Ching-Cheng , Wang Dan , Loverio Jennifer Pasion , Liu Hsi-Lin , Wang Hsing-Yi
Published: November 2022

Organic agricultural tourism is an environment-friendly tourism that has emerged in recent years. However, no comprehensive dependency theory discusses the tourists’ pro-environmental behavior and well-being from the perspective of the public sphere. This research aims to verify the effect of the four dimensions of attachment and its impact on pro-environmental behavior. This research substantiated that the four aspects of attachment theory had a positive and significant influence on pro-environmental behavior and well-being. Furthermore, place and activity attachment had the highest impact. The results serve as a basis for understanding and motivating tourists’ pro-environmental behaviors and assist them in achieving well-being through organic agriculture tourism. This research also suggests sustainable development practices for destination operators or managers.
Re-Measurement of Agriculture Green Total Factor Productivity in China from a Carbon Sink Perspective
Authors: Yu Zhuohui , Lin Qingning , Huang Changli
Published: November 2022

Accurate measurement of agricultural total factor productivity (AGTFP) is crucial to measure the level of sustainable agricultural development, and agricultural carbon sink is an important element to leverage the development of green transformation. Few studies have incorporated agricultural carbon sink into the measurement framework of AGTFP, and the evolutionary dynamics and related spatial effects of Chinese AGTFP from the perspective of carbon sinks are unclear. On this basis, the paper used a provincial-level agricultural panel data set of China from 2000 to 2019 to measure the provincial indicators of agricultural carbon sinks, CO2 emissions and agricultural non-point source pollution. Then, we incorporated these environmental factors into the measurement framework of AGTFP and used the SBM-DEA model to calculate the Chinese AGTFP from the perspective of carbon sinks. We further analyzed the spatial and temporal divergence and convergence of AGTFP in China using Moran’I and spatial econometric models. We found that after measuring AGTFP, including agricultural carbon sinks, 28 out of 30 Chinese provinces showed an increased trend, but the development gap between regions was obvious. The spatial econometric model showed a significantly positive spatial correlation between the AGTFP of each province and did not have absolute α-convergence and absolute β-convergence characteristics. After adding the control variables of resource endowment of each province, it showed conditional β-convergence characteristics, and the spatial spillover effect of China’s AGTFP was increasing. Finally, the paper proposed policy recommendations for the sustainable and coordinated development of China’s agricultural regions in response to the research findings.
Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema feltiae as an Indicator of Soil Pollution with Oil Derivatives in Bioremediation Process
Authors: Ropek Dariusz Roman , Gospodarek Janina
Published: November 2022

Petroleum-derived substances (PDSs) pollutants negatively affect agricultural soil biocenosis, disturbing the biological properties of soils. This paper aimed to test the effect of oil derivatives during soil bioremediation processes on Steinernema feltiae nematode and determine their potential use as an indicator of the degree of soil pollution. Two test series were applied (with bioremediation and without bioremediation) in which the soil was contaminated with diesel fuel, petrol and engine oil. A preparation was designed for the bioremediation of soils polluted with oil derivatives and used in the experiments. Soil pollution with oil derivatives has a negative effect on S. feltiae nematode ability to penetrate Tenebrio mollitor larvae. The most negative and long-lasting effect of soil pollution with oil derivatives was registered when engine oil and diesel fuel were used. The application of biopreparation accelerated the bioremediation process and diminished a negative effect of soil pollution with engine oil on virulence of S. feltiae nematode. The mortality of test insects caused by the nematode S. feltiae was a sufficient indicator of the progress of bioremediation of petroleum pollutants, such as diesel oil and engine oil.
Pomegranate Quality Evaluation Using Non-Destructive Approaches: A Review
Authors: Okere Emmanuel Ekene , Arendse Ebrahiema , Ambaw Tsige Alemayehu , Perold Willem Jacobus , Opara Umezuruike Linus
Published: November 2022

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the most healthful and popular fruits in the world. The increasing demand for pomegranate has resulted in it being processed into different food products and food supplements. Researchers over the years have shown interest in exploring non-destructive techniques as alternative approaches for quality assessment of the harvest at the on-farm point to the retail level. The approaches of non-destructive techniques are more efficient, inexpensive, faster and yield more accurate results. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent applications of non-destructive technology for the quality evaluation of pomegranate fruit. Future trends and challenges of using non-destructive techniques for quality evaluation are highlighted in this review paper. Some of the highlighted techniques include computer vision, imaging-based approaches, spectroscopy-based approaches, the electronic nose and the hyperspectral imaging technique. Our findings show that most of the applications are focused on the grading of pomegranate fruit using machine vision systems and the electronic nose. Measurements of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and pH as well as other phytochemical quality attributes have also been reported. Value-added products of pomegranate fruit such as fresh-cut and dried arils, pomegranate juice and pomegranate seed oil have been non-destructively investigated for their numerous quality attributes. This information is expected to be useful not only for those in the grower/processing industries but also for other agro-food commodities.
A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations
Authors: Murphy Blain , McKernan Claire , Lawler Catherine , Reilly Patrica , Messam Locksley L. McV. , Collins Daniel , Murray Sean M. , Doyle Rob , Meunier Natascha , Maguire Aiden , More Simon J.
Published: November 2022

This novel qualitative study identifies challenges and opportunities to improve dog welfare in Ireland, as perceived by dog welfare organisations (DWOs), a previously underutilised stakeholder. This study sought the views of this predominantly voluntary sector of the next steps for policy and action in dog welfare, in light of the effects of the “puppy pandemic”, increased costs and COVID-19 restrictions. An integrated online focus group and interview design involving DWOs was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified 2 key themes: (1) Key challenges and solutions in general dog welfare and (2) Challenges and opportunities in the welfare organisation sector. DWOs perceived poor public awareness of appropriate dog-husbandry, inadequate legislation enforcement, negative impact of puppy farms, and increased financial and volunteer burden. DWOs helped construct a best practice rehoming pathway, identified how overall standards could be improved and recommendations to enhance dog welfare. The DWOs perceived an increased numbers of households acquiring dogs, difficulties in rehoming, and financial challenges as threatening their viability as organisations and Irish dog welfare. Greater enforcement of legislation, greater communication between organisations and the government, and more media awareness were seen as helpful by the DWOs to improve dog welfare standards and their organisations.
Direct–Maternal Genetic Parameters for Litter Size and Body Weight of Piglets of a New Black Breed for the Taiwan Black Hog Market
Authors: Lee Hsiu-Lan , Lin Mu-Yao , Wang Han-Sheng , Hsu Chin-Bin , Lin Cheng-Yung , Chang Shen-Chang , Shen Perng-Chih , Chang Hsiu-Luan
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of litter size and piglet weight from farrowing to weaning in KHAPS Black sows. The genetic parameters investigated were the direct (h2d), maternal (h2m), realized (h2r), and total (h2T) heritability, as well as correlations (rd, rm, and rdm) within and between traits. The analyses were performed using single- and three-trait animal models with and without maternal genetic effects. In the three-trait model with maternal genetic effect, all estimates of h2d and h2m were significantly different from zero except the h2d of mean birth weight. Positive values of rd and rm between traits were observed as expected in the range of 0.322–1.000. Negative values of rdm were found within and between traits and were less associated with mean piglet weight traits than litter size traits. Estimates of h2T were consistently larger than those of h2r in both the single- and three-trait model analyses. In addition, the three-trait model can take into account the association between the traits, so the estimates are more accurate with smaller SEs. In conclusion, maternal genetic effects were not negligible in this study, and thus, a multiple-trait animal model with maternal genetic effects and full pedigree is recommended to assist future pig breeding decisions in this new breed.
Molecular Characterization of the Nsp2 and ORF5s of PRRSV Strains in Sichuan China during 2012–2020
Authors: Zhao Jun , Xu Zhiwen , Xu Tong , Zhou Yuancheng , Li Jiangling , Deng Huidan , Li Fengqing , Xu Lei , Sun Xiangang , Zhu Ling
Published: November 2022

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an important pathogen that poses a serious threat to the global pig industry. Sichuan Province is one of the largest pig breeding provinces in China. There is a lack of reports on the continuous surveillance and systematic analysis of prevalent strains of PRRSV in Sichuan Province in recent years. To fill this gap, a total of 539 samples were collected from 13 breeding regions in Sichuan during 2012–2020. The detection result showed that the positive rate of PRRSV was 52.32% (282/539). The ORF5s and Nsp2 were obtained and further analyzed, with Chinese reference strains downloaded from the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the PRRSV strains sequenced in this study belonged to PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 (lineage 1, 3, 5 and 8). In total, 168 PRRSV-2 strains were selected for ORF5 analyses, and these strains were classified into sub-lineage 8.7 (HP-PRRSV), sub-lineage 5.1 (classical PRRSV), sub-lineage 1.8 (NADC30-like), sub-lineage 1.5 (NADC34-like) and sub-lineage 3.5 (QYYZ-like), accounting for 60.71% (102/168), 11.31% (19/168), 18.45% (31/168), 2.97% (5/168) and 6.55% (11/168) of the total analyzed strains, respectively. The Nsp2 of identified PRRSV strains exhibited a nucleotide identity of 44.5–100%, and an amino acid identity of 46.82–100%. The ORF5 of the identified PRRSV strains exhibited a nucleotide identity of 81.3–100%, and an amino acid identity of 78.5–100%. A sequence analysis of ORF5 revealed that the mutation sites of GP5 were mainly concentrated in HVR1 and HVR2 and the virulence sites. In summary, the HP-PRRSV, NADC30-like PRRSV, Classic-PRRSV, QYYZ-like PRRSV, NADC34-like PRRSV and PRRSV-1 strains exist simultaneously in pigs in Sichuan. NADC30-like PRRSV was gradually becoming the most prevalent genotype currently in Sichuan province. This study suggested that PRRSV strains in Sichuan were undergoing genomic divergence.
Modeling the Directed Evolution of Broad Host Range Phages
Authors: Bull James J. , Wichman Holly A. , Krone Stephen M.
Published: November 2022

Background: The host ranges of individual phages tend to be narrow, yet many applications of phages would benefit from expanded host ranges. Empirical methods have been developed to direct the evolution of phages to attack new strains, but the methods have not been evaluated or compared for their consequences. In particular, how do different methods favor generalist (broad host range) phages over specialist phages? All methods involve exposing phages to two or more novel bacterial strains, but the methods differ in the order in which those hosts are presented through time: Parallel presentation, Sequential presentation, and Mixed presentation. Methods: We use a combination of simple analytical methods and numerical analyses to study the effect of these different protocols on the selection of generalist versus specialist phages. Results: The three presentation protocols have profoundly different consequences for the evolution of generalist versus specialist phages. Sequential presentation favors generalists almost to the exclusion of specialists, whereas Parallel presentation does the least so. However, other protocol attributes (the nature of dilution between transfers of phages to new cultures) also have effects on selection and phage maintenance. It is also noted that protocols can be designed to enhance recombination to augment evolution and to reduce stochastic loss of newly arisen mutants.
Purification and Identification of Antioxidant Peptides from Rice Fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Their Protective Effects on UVA−Induced Oxidative Stress in Skin
Authors: Mo Qiuting , You Shiquan , Fu Hao , Wang Dongdong , Zhang Jiachan , Wang Changtao , Li Meng
Published: November 2022

Oxidative stress is an important factor on both aging and disease. Among foods endowed with beneficial healthy properties, rice is a very useful material, not only because it has a good amino acid ratio and produces antioxidant peptides through microbial fermentation, but also for its inexpensive availability. In this study, rice was treated with Lactobacillus plantarum, and the resulting mixture of small peptides with less than 11 amino acids (RFP) was extracted and purified from the fermentation broth. Subsequently, the antioxidant activity of RFP was assessed using the chemical model, cell biology, and animal model methods. RFP enhanced the expression of the antioxidant enzyme genes downstream of the KEAP1−NRF2/ARE pathway by promoting nuclear factor−erythroid 2−related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation while simultaneously removing lipid oxidation products and excess free radicals. These results suggest that RFP is a potential substance for resisting aging and disease caused by oxidative stress.
Protein Glutathionylation and Glutaredoxin: Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: A. Haseena P. , Diwakar Latha , Ravindranath Vijayalakshmi
Published: November 2022

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major enzyme systems involved in the defense against reactive oxygen species are the tripeptide glutathione and oxidoreductase glutaredoxin. Glutathione and glutaredoxin system are very important in the brain because of the oxidative modification of protein thiols to protein glutathione mixed disulfides with the concomitant formation of oxidized glutathione during oxidative stress. Formation of Pr-SSG acts as a sink in the brain and is reduced back to protein thiols during recovery, thus restoring protein functions. This is unlike in the liver, which has a high turnover of glutathione, and formation of Pr-SSG is very minimal as liver is able to quickly quench the prooxidant species. Given the important role glutathione and glutaredoxin play in the brain, both in normal and pathologic states, it is necessary to study ways to augment the system to help maintain the protein thiol status. This review details the importance of glutathione and glutaredoxin systems in several neurodegenerative disorders and emphasizes the potential augmentation of this system as a target to effectively protect the brain during aging.
Discovering Diverse Roles of Peroxidases and Catalases in Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Eukaryotes
Authors: Zámocký Marcel
Published: November 2022

This Special Issue of Antioxidants, dedicated to “The Role of Peroxidases and Catalases in Photosynthetic and Non-photosynthetic Eukaryotes“, was accomplished with the contribution of five original research articles and two detailed reviews [...]
Protective Effect of Beta-Carotene against Myeloperoxidase- Mediated Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Rat Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Althurwi Hassan N. , Abdel-Rahman Rehab F. , Soliman Gamal A. , Ogaly Hanan A. , Alkholifi Faisal K. , Abd-Elsalam Reham M. , Alqasoumi Saleh I. , Abdel-Kader Maged S.
Published: November 2022

Oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction play critical roles in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the brain. β-carotene (βCAR) is a naturally occurring pigment present in fruits and vegetables that expresses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was conducted to investigate the involvement of Bcl2/Bax and NF-κB signaling pathways in the potential protective role of βCAR against brain injury in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. A focal brain ischemia model was created for 2 h, followed by reperfusion. Rats were given 10 and 20 mg/kg of βCAR for 7 days orally before induction of ischemia, at the start of reperfusion, and 3 days after ischemia. Scores of neurological deficit were rated 24 h after induction of ischemia. Motor coordination and spontaneous coordinate activities were assessed using rotarod and activity cage, respectively. After 2 h of the last dose, the animals were killed and their brains were extracted for further examinations. The results of the study show that βCAR diminished the score of neurological deficits and ameliorated motor coordination, balance, and locomotor activity in the I/R control group. Further, βCAR resulted in diminution of malondialdehyde (MDA) and augmentation of reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, as well as the elevation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in the brain homogenates of I/R rats. βCAR treatment significantly reduced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) brain content and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and ameliorated the histological alterations in the brain tissues. βCAR significantly suppressed Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3 expression, as well as upregulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting a neuroprotective potential via downregulating NF-kB and protecting the rat brain against the I/R-associated apoptotic injury.
Acylated Ghrelin Receptor Agonist HM01 Decreases Lean Body and Muscle Mass, but Unacylated Ghrelin Protects against Redox-Dependent Sarcopenia
Authors: Ranjit Rojina , Van Remmen Holly , Ahn Bumsoo
Published: November 2022

Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and dysfunction, universally affects the elderly and is closely associated with frailty and reduced quality of life. Despite the inevitable consequences of sarcopenia and its relevance to healthspan, no pharmacological therapies are currently available. Ghrelin is a gut-released hormone that increases appetite and body weight upon acylation, which activates its receptor GHSR1a. Recent studies have demonstrated that acyl and unacylated ghrelin are protective against acute pathological conditions of skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that both acyl ghrelin receptor agonist (HM01) and unacylated ghrelin ameliorate muscle atrophy and contractile dysfunction in oxidative stress-induced sarcopenia. HM01, unacylated ghrelin, or saline was delivered via osmotic pump. HM01 increased food consumption transiently, while the body weight remained elevated. It also decreased lean body mass and muscle mass of wildtype and Sod1KO. In contrast, unacylated ghrelin ameliorated loss of muscle mass by 15–30% in Sod1KO mice without changes in food consumption or body weights. Contractile force was decreased by ~30% in Sod1KO mice, but unacylated ghrelin prevented the force deficit by ~80%. We identified downregulation of transcription factor FoxO3a and its downstream E3 ligase MuRF1 by unacylated ghrelin. Our data show a direct role of unacylated ghrelin in redox-dependent sarcopenia independent of changes of food consumption or body weight.
The Role of Epitranscriptomic Modifications in the Regulation of RNA–Protein Interactions
Authors: Wanowska Elzbieta , McFeely Alexis , Sztuba-Solinska Joanna
Published: November 2022

Epitranscriptome refers to post-transcriptional modifications to RNA and their associated regulatory factors that can govern changes in an organism’s cells in response to various environmental stimuli. Recent studies have recognized over 170 distinct chemical signatures in RNA, and the list keeps expanding. These modifications are hypothesized to have roles beyond simply fine-tuning the structure and function of RNA, as studies have linked them to various infectious and noninfectious diseases in humans. Dedicated cellular machinery comprising of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that can write, erase, and read these modifications drives the regulation of the epitranscriptomic code, and as such influences RNA metabolism and homeostasis. Equally, perturbations in the function of RBPs may disrupt RNA processing, further implicating them in pathogenesis. As such, the mechanisms underlying RNA modifications and their association with RBPs are emerging areas of interest within the field of biomedicine. This review focuses on understanding epitranscriptomic modifications, their effects on RNA–RBPs interactions, and their influence on cellular processes.
Interest Groups as an Alternative for Medical Education in Sleep Medicine: Experience Report at a Brazilian Medical School
Authors: Pinto Vitor Luiz Selva , El-Kadre Guilherme , Ramos Henrique Lobo , Pinto Lucas Boaventura , Malfatti Victor Davis Apostolakis , Araujo Paula , Xavier Sandra Doria , Pires Gabriel Natan
Published: November 2022

Sleep medicine classes and teachings are usually deficient and insufficient during undergraduate medical education. In order to circumvent the educational deficits in sleep medicine, students at a Brazilian Medical School created a sleep medicine interest group—an academic organization for teaching purposes whose administration is carried out by the undergraduate students themselves. This study aims to describe the establishment of a sleep medicine interest group, as well as to evaluate the results of its first edition on the knowledge about sleep medicine among undergraduate medical students. Classes were taken biweekly and consisted of lectures by invited professors, presentation of clinical cases, and discussion with the students. By the end of the course, both attendees and non-attendees were invited to fill out a questionnaire including an objective assessment of knowledge (15 multiple choice questions). The questionnaire was filled out by 32 participants, of which 18 were attendees and 14 were non-attendees. The average result on the final exam was significantly higher among the attendees (6.1 ± 1.2) in comparison with non-attendees (4.9 ± 1.3—p = 0.015). The results demonstrate that an interest group proved to be feasible as a source of complementary information to undergraduate medical students and a valid alternative to circumvent the educational deficits.
Molecular Dynamical Investigation of Lithium-Ion Adsorption on Multilayer Fullerene
Authors: Lu Jinbin , Guan Jie , Chen Hao , Li Minghua , Hua Zhongwei , Niu Fuzhou , Zhang Yang
Published: November 2022

As the cathode of lithium-ion batteries, carbon material has been the focus of research. At present, diverse investigations have been carried out on the lithium convergence behavior in the carbon material family. As a new carbon material, multilayer fullerenes have been shown in various experimental studies to have a high discharge rate as an electrode, indicating that onion-like carbon has the potential to release energy quickly. Materials and mechanical scientists are increasingly interested in lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, the molecular dynamics (MD) method was used to simulate the absorption of lithium ions by multilayer fullerenes. A model of five layers of fullerenes was established to compare the lithium-ion absorption rates of multiple layers of fullerenes at different lithium-ion concentrations. The effects of the lithium-ion diffusion rate on the results were considered. In addition, the effects of the number of lithium ions, the velocity, and the layer number of multilayer fullerenes on the structural behavior and stress were investigated thoroughly when the multilayer fullerenes adsorbed lithium ions.
Quantitative Characterization of Interfacial Defects in Thermal Barrier Coatings by Long Pulse Thermography
Authors: Wei Jinfeng , Xu Guangnan , Liu Guolin , Guo Jinwei , Zhu Wang , Ma Zengsheng
Published: November 2022

The non-contact long pulse thermography method is commonly used to detect the defects in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The profile of interfacial defect in TBCs can be monitored by infrared camera under the irradiation of the excitation source. Unfortunately, the defect profile is always blurry due to heat diffusion between the defect area and the intact area. It is difficult to quantify the size of defect size in TBCs. In this work, combined with derived one-dimensional heat conduction analytical model, a non-contact long pulse thermography (LPT) method is applied to quantitatively investigate the interface defects in TBCs. Principal component analysis (PCA) and background subtraction method are used to improve the contrast of the defect profile in collected thermal images. By fitting the results between the profile of the interface defect in thermal images and the predicted shape of the model, the interface defect size can be determined. Furthermore, a simple extension of proposed method for interfacial defects with irregular shape is presented. The predicted errors for round defect with diameters of 3 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm are roughly distributed in the range of 3%~6%, which are not affected by the defect diameter.
Remarkable Separation of Carbofuran Pesticide from Aqueous Solution Using Free Metal Ion Variation on Aluminum-Based Metal-Organic Framework
Authors: Nabil Marwa , Elantabli Fatma M. , El-Medani Samir M. , Abdelhameed Reda M.
Published: November 2022

The alarming increase in pesticide residues poses a major threat to aquatic and natural habitats. Therefore, it has become essential to design extremely operationally and economically advantageous systems for the removal of carbofuran pesticides from wastewater. Here, an aluminum-based metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-53-NH2, and its modified forms, MIL-53-NH-ph, MIL-53-NH-ph-Fe, MIL-53-NH-ph-Zn, and MIL-53-NH-ph-Cu, have been successfully synthesized. Full characterization using IR, 1HNMR, XRD, and SEM was carried out. The prepared MOFs have been utilized as effective adsorbents for carbofuran in aqueous solutions. The various factors affecting the adsorption process (pH, time, and adsorbate concentration) were also investigated. Spectroscopic approaches were used to investigate the adsorption mechanisms. A mixture of π-π stacking contact, coordination bonding, and hydrogen bond formation can be connected to the current process. The adsorption of carbofuran from aqueous solutions was best described by pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir equilibrium isotherm models. MIL-53-NH2, MIL-53-NH-Ph, MIL-53-NH-Ph-Fe, MIL-53-NH-Ph-Zn, and MIL-53-NH-Ph-Cu demonstrated adsorption capacities of 367.8, 462.1, 662.94, 717.6, and 978.6 mg g−1, respectively.
Fruit Vending Machines as a Means of Contactless Purchase: Exploring Factors Determining US Consumers’ Willingness to Try, Buy and Pay a Price Premium for Fruit from a Vending Machine during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Rombach Meike , Dean David L. , Baird Tim , Rice Jill
Published: November 2022

During the coronavirus pandemic, buying and consumption patterns of US consumers shifted towards contactless buying. While the topic of online buying is well explored within the existing literature on this topic, purchasing fruit from a vending machine is still yet to be investigated. This exploratory study used quantitative data to examine the factors driving US consumers’ willingness to try, buy and pay a premium for fruit from vending machines. An online survey of 391 US consumers was conducted to fill this research gap between 7 July and 10 July 2022. This survey was distributed via Amazon Mechanical Turk, a crowdsourcing platform which is widely used for consumer research. Smart PLS 4 facilitated the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis, as this method well suited for testing exploratory models with complex relations between the latent variables. Results indicated that COVID-19 pandemic-related benefits, quality benefits, value-related benefits and experiential benefits were the most important predictors that determined willingness to try, buy and pay a price premium when purchasing fruit from a vending machine.
Endemicity Is Not a Victory: The Unmitigated Downside Risks of Widespread SARS-CoV-2 Transmission
Authors: Stoddard Madison , Novokhodko Alexander , Sarkar Sharanya , Van Egeren Debra , White Laura F. , Hochberg Natasha S. , Rogers Michael S. , Zetter Bruce , Joseph-McCarthy Diane , Chakravarty Arijit
Published: November 2022

The strategy of relying solely on current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to halt SARS-CoV-2 transmission has proven infeasible. In response, many public-health authorities have advocated for using vaccines to limit mortality while permitting unchecked SARS-CoV-2 spread (“learning to live with the disease”). The feasibility of this strategy critically depends on the infection fatality rate (IFR) of SARS-CoV-2. An expectation exists that the IFR will decrease due to selection against virulence. In this work, we perform a viral fitness estimation to examine the basis for this expectation. Our findings suggest large increases in virulence for SARS-CoV-2 would result in minimal loss of transmissibility, implying that the IFR may vary freely under neutral evolutionary drift. We use an SEIRS model framework to examine the effect of hypothetical changes in the IFR on steady-state death tolls under COVID-19 endemicity. Our modeling suggests that endemic SARS-CoV-2 implies vast transmission resulting in yearly US COVID-19 death tolls numbering in the hundreds of thousands under many plausible scenarios, with even modest increases in the IFR leading to unsustainable mortality burdens. Our findings highlight the importance of enacting a concerted strategy and continued development of biomedical interventions to suppress SARS-CoV-2 transmission and slow its evolution.
19th European Burns Association Congress
Authors: Depetris Nadia , Stella Maurizio
Published: November 2022

Abstracts of the workshops, plenary sessions, oral and poster presentations of the 19th EBA Congress in Turin, Italy, 7–10 September 2022.
Quantitatively Computing the Influence of Vegetation Changes on Surface Discharge in the Middle-Upper Reaches of the Huaihe River, China
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Liu Zhipei , Qian Baowei , He Zongyu , Ji Guangxing
Published: November 2022

Changes in meteorology, hydrology, and vegetation will have significant impacts on the ecological environment of a basin, and the middle-upper reach of Huaihe River (MUHR) is one of the key regions for vegetation restoration in China. However, less studies have quantitatively accounted for the contribution of vegetation changes to land surface discharge in the MUHR. To quantitatively evaluate the influence of vegetation changes on land surface discharge in the MUHR, the Bernaola–Galavan (B–G) segmentation algorithm was utilized to recognize the mutation year of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time sequence data. Next, the functional relationship between the underlying surface parameter and the NDVI was quantitatively analyzed, and an adjusted Budyko formula was constructed. Finally, the effects of vegetation changes, climate factors, and mankind activities on the surface discharge in the MUHR were computed using the adjusted Budyko formula and elastic coefficient method. The results showed the following: (1) the surface runoff and precipitation from 1982 to 2015 in the MUHR presented a falling trend, yet the NDVI and potential evaporation presented an upward trend; (2) 2004 was the mutation year of the NDVI time series data, and the underlying surface parameter showed a significant linear regression relationship with the NDVI (p < 0.05); (3) the vegetation variation played a major role in the runoff variation during the changing period (2005–2015) in the MUHR. Precipitation, potential evaporation, and human activities accounted for −0.32%, −15.11%, and 18.24% of the surface runoff variation, respectively.
Thermal Performance and Geometric Optimization of Fractal T-Shaped Highly-Conductive Material for Cooling of a Rectangular Chip
Authors: Zhu Rongsheng , Jing Dalei
Published: November 2022

To improve the thermal performance of inserted highly-conductive material (HCM) for the cooling of a chip, the present work numerically investigates the effects of various geometric and structural parameters of a fractal T-shaped branched HCM on the maximum temperature of the chip. These parameters include the length ratios of branches at two consecutive branching levels α, the width ratio of branches at two consecutive branching levels β, the maximum branching level m, the length of the branch at the initial level L0, the thickness of the HCM H, and the total volume of the HCM V. The results indicate that the maximum temperature of the chip first drops and then rises with the increase of β, which means the existence of the optimal geometric structure of the branched HCM for the cooling of the chip. In addition, the maximum temperature of the chip decreases with the increase of m and V, decreases with the decrease of H, while first drops and then rises with the increase of α and L0. Further, the present work investigates the effects of the thermal conductivity ratio of HCM and chip γ on the optimal width ratio βm of the branched HCM with a different length ratio α, maximum branching level m, length of the branch at the initial level L0, thickness H, total volume V, and thermal conductivity of the rectangular chip Kc. It was found that βm increases with the increase of γ and V, and decreases with the increase of α, L0, and H. The present finding is beneficial to the improvement of the thermal performance of the inserted HCM via geometric optimization.
Cuproptosis-Related lncRNA Gene Signature Establishes a Prognostic Model of Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Evaluate the Effect of Antineoplastic Drugs
Authors: Tu Hengjia , Zhang Qingling , Xue Lingna , Bao Junrong
Published: November 2022

Background: One of the most frequent malignancies of the digestive system is stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Recent research has demonstrated how cuproptosis (copper-dependent cell death) differs from other cell death mechanisms that were previously understood. Cuproptosis regulation in tumor cells could be a brand-new treatment strategy. Our goal was to create a cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature. Additionally, in order to evaluate the possible immunotherapeutic advantages and drug sensitivity, we attempted to study the association between these lncRNAs and the tumor immune microenvironment of STAD tumors. Methods: The TCGA database was accessed to download the RNA sequencing data, genetic mutations, and clinical profiles for TCGA STAD. To locate lncRNAs related to cuproptosis and build risk-prognosis models, three techniques were used: co-expression network analysis, Cox-regression techniques, and LASSO techniques. Additionally, an integrated methodology was used to validate the models’ predictive capabilities. Then, using GO and KEGG analysis, we discovered the variations in biological functions between each group. The link between the risk score and various medications for STAD treatment was estimated using the tumor mutational load (TMB) and tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) scores. Result: We gathered 22 genes linked to cuproptosis based on the prior literature. Six lncRNAs related to cuproptosis were used to create a prognostic marker (AC016394.2, AC023511.1, AC147067.2, AL590705.3, HAGLR, and LINC01094). After that, the patients were split into high-risk and low-risk groups. A statistically significant difference in overall survival between the two groups was visible in the survival curves. The risk score was demonstrated to be an independent factor affecting the prognosis by both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Different risk scores were substantially related to the various immunological states of STAD patients, as further evidenced by immune cell infiltration and ssGSEA analysis. The two groups had differing burdens of tumor mutations. In addition, immunotherapy was more effective for STAD patients in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, and risk scores for STAD were substantially connected with medication sensitivity. Conclusions: We discovered a marker for six cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs linked to STAD as prognostic predictors, which may be useful biomarkers for risk stratification, evaluation of possible immunotherapy, and assessment of treatment sensitivity for STAD.
Visual Quality Assessment of Historical Street Scenes: A Case Study of the First “Real” Street Established in Baghdad
Authors: Mundher Riyadh , Al-Sharaa Ammar , Al-Helli Marwah , Gao Hangyu , Abu Bakar Shamsul
Published: November 2022

Historical street scenes materialize essential cultural and artistic values for the cities in which they are located and their citizens. However, the visual quality of historical scenes is susceptible to a number of causes that could result in their deterioration. These causes can be environmental or man-made, with either generating elements that may influence the perceived visual quality of historical scenes. Therefore, this research is to assess the visual quality of historical street scenes and identify the elements that can potentially impact them. The study adopted a photo survey approach employing a Likert Scale as the main method to assess visual quality. In addition, a heatmap analysis technique was utilized to identify the elements that impact the visual quality of historical street scenes. The results indicate respondents’ high levels of dissatisfaction with the visual quality of Baghdad’s historical street scenes. The results also showed that modern facade materials, security concrete walls, and degraded buildings’ facades are elements that had a negative impact to the overall scenic quality. On the other hand, historical religious buildings, urban greenery, and unique historical buildings are elements that have a positive impact on the visual quality of historical street scenes. This research represents an approach for evaluating the visual impact and visual quality of historical street scenes, providing a quantitative tool for future initiatives focusing on the visual quality of historical legacy scenes. This research is a starting point for both researchers in urban conservation and architectural history, and municipal offices of improving the visual quality of historic streets scenes.