A power-based vehicle fuel consumption model,entitled the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-based Fuel Consumption Model(VT-CPFM)that was developed in an earlier publication is validated against in-field fuel consumpt...A power-based vehicle fuel consumption model,entitled the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-based Fuel Consumption Model(VT-CPFM)that was developed in an earlier publication is validated against in-field fuel consumption measurements.The study demonstrates that the VT-CPFMs calibrated using the EPA city and highway fuel economy ratings generally provide reliable fuel consumption estimates with a coefficient of determination in the range of 0.96.More importantly,both estimates and measurements produce very similar behavioral changes depending on engine load conditions.The VT-CPFMs are demonstrated to be easily calibrated using publically available data without the need to gather in-field instantaneous data.展开更多
Background Exercise is an effective intervention for obesity and type 2 diabetes,with significant physiological benefits over pharmacological interventions.However,there is limited preclinical data available comparing...Background Exercise is an effective intervention for obesity and type 2 diabetes,with significant physiological benefits over pharmacological interventions.However,there is limited preclinical data available comparing endurance and resistance exercise for the impacts on obesogenic pathology and glycemic control.Methods Male mice were subjected to 8 weeks of diet-induced obesity(DIO)by high-fat diet(HFD)feeding concurrent with voluntary wheel running(endurance exercise(E_(EX)))or weightlifting(resistance exercise(R_(EX))).Sedentary(SED)mice fed on normal chow(NC)or HFD were used as controls.Results E_(EX) and R_(EX) interventions significantly attenuated weight gain vs.HFD-SED due to reduction of fat mass,not changes in lean mass,as assessed by EchoMRI.While REX suppressed visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation significantly,only E_(EX) enlarged brown fat mass.Exercise tolerance testing(i.e.,run-to-fatigue)revealed significantly improved exercise capacity in E_(EX) group vs.NC-SED.Interestingly,although HFD led to trends of increased skeletal muscle mass,only E_(EX) with HFD led to significant muscle weight gain.Neither exercise modality resulted in significant changes of hindlimb skeletal muscle contractile properties and cardiac function compared to SED mice on HFD.Importantly,REX showed significantly enhanced benefits over EEX in improving homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),glucose tolerance,and insulin tolerance.Conclusion These results provide a direct and translatable comparison of endurance and resistance exercise training in a preclinical context of obesity and hyperglycemia.The current data set demonstrates an advantage of resistance exercise over endurance exercise in improving glucose and insulin tolerance under the condition of obesity,and that these improvements are independent of significant alterations of muscle weight gain and exercise performance.展开更多
Skeletal muscle accounts for approximately 40%of body mass and 50%–75%of whole-body protein,playing a central role in meat production and quality.Efficient protein synthesis in skeletal muscle relies on an adequate s...Skeletal muscle accounts for approximately 40%of body mass and 50%–75%of whole-body protein,playing a central role in meat production and quality.Efficient protein synthesis in skeletal muscle relies on an adequate supply of nutrient substrates and a balanced amino acid profile.Branched-chain amino acids(BCAA),including leucine(Leu),isoleucine(Ile),and valine(Val),are the most abundant essential amino acids in skeletal muscle and contribute to both protein synthesis and oxidative energy production.Additionally,BCAA function as signaling molecules that regulate gene expression and protein phosphorylation cascades,which significantly influence physiological processes,such as protein synthesis and degradation,glucose and lipid metabolism,and cell apoptosis and autophagy.These processes are primarily mediated through the PI3K/AKT/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways.This review summarizes BCAA transporters and catabolic metabolism,their role as signaling molecules in regulating protein metabolism and glucose and lipid equilibrium,and applications in animal production.These findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidelines for the precise regulation of feed efficiency and production performance through tailored dietary BCAA supplementations.展开更多
Pigs are an important resource in agriculture and serve as a model for human diseases. Due to their physiological and anatomical similarities with humans, pigs can recapitulate symptoms of human diseases, making them ...Pigs are an important resource in agriculture and serve as a model for human diseases. Due to their physiological and anatomical similarities with humans, pigs can recapitulate symptoms of human diseases, making them a useful model in biomedicine. However, in the past pig models have not been widely used partially because of the difficulty in genetic modification. The lack of true embryonic stem cells in pigs forced researchers to utilize genetic modification in somatic cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) to generate genetically engineered(GE) pigs carrying site-specific modifications. Although possible, this approach is extremely inefficient and GE pigs born through this method often presented developmental defects associated with the cloning process. Advancement in the gene-editing systems such as Zinc-Finger Nucleases(ZFNs), Transcription activator-like effector nucleases(TALENs), and the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9(Cas9) system have dramatically increased the efficiency of producing GE pigs. These gene-editing systems, specifically engineered endonucleases, are based on inducing double-stranded breaks(DSBs) at a specific location, and then site-specific modifications can be introduced through one of the two DNA repair pathways: non-homologous end joining(NHEJ) or homology direct repair(HDR).Random insertions or deletions(indels) can be introduced through NHEJ and specific nucleotide sequences can be introduced through HDR, if donor DNA is provided. Use of these engineered endonucleases provides a higher success in genetic modifications, multiallelic modification of the genome, and an opportunity to introduce site-specific modifications during embryogenesis, thus bypassing the need of SCNT in GE pig production. This review will provide a historical prospective of GE pig production and examples of how the gene-editing system, led by engineered endonucleases, have improved GE pig production. We wil also present some of our current progress related to the optimal use of CRISPR/Cas9 system during embryogenesis.展开更多
In modern transportation,pavement is one of the most important civil infrastructures for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.Pavement service quality and service life are of great importance for civil engineers a...In modern transportation,pavement is one of the most important civil infrastructures for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.Pavement service quality and service life are of great importance for civil engineers as they directly affect the regular service for the users.Therefore,monitoring the health status of pavement before irreversible damage occurs is essential for timely maintenance,which in turn ensures public transportation safety.Many pavement damages can be detected and analyzed by monitoring the structure dynamic responses and evaluating road surface conditions.Advanced technologies can be employed for the collection and analysis of such data,including various intrusive sensing techniques,image processing techniques,and machine learning methods.This review summarizes the state-ofthe-art of these three technologies in pavement engineering in recent years and suggests possible developments for future pavement monitoring and analysis based on these approaches.展开更多
Background:Mercury(Hg) and methylmercury are widely considered significant issues for wildlife,and in particular,piscivorous birds due to their widespread availability and neurotoxic properties.Whereas a substantial n...Background:Mercury(Hg) and methylmercury are widely considered significant issues for wildlife,and in particular,piscivorous birds due to their widespread availability and neurotoxic properties.Whereas a substantial number of studies of Hg contamination of Bald Eagles(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been conducted throughout the east coast of the United States,little has been done that directly addresses Hg contamination in Bald Eagles in Virginia,particularly the inland population.Methods:We collected blood and feather samples from nestling Bald Eagles in the coastal plain,piedmont,and western regions of Virginia in an effort to determine which areas of the state were more likely to contain populations showing evidence of Hg toxicity.We analyzed the samples for total Hg using a Milestone DMA-80.Results:Samples collected from individuals located in the coastal region exhibited low concentrations of Hg compared to those further inland located on freshwater rivers and reservoirs.Samples collected from the inland population exhibited levels in some areas that are approaching what may be considered to be sub-lethal to avian health(blood:mean 0.324 mg/kg,SE = 0.13,range = 0.06-0.97 mg/kg;feather:mean = 8.433 mg/kg,SE = 0.3,range = 3.811-21.14 mg/kg).Conclusions:Even after accounting for known point-sources of Hg,the inland eagle population in Virginia is susceptible to concentrations of Hg that are significantly higher than their coastal counterparts.Moreover,several locations besides those currently known to be impacted by point-sources are exhibiting concentrations that are approaching a sub-lethal level.展开更多
China is the leading importer of soybeans in the world. If China adopts high yield biotech soybean varieties, China＇s soybean production would increase significantly and this would impact global soybean markets. This...China is the leading importer of soybeans in the world. If China adopts high yield biotech soybean varieties, China＇s soybean production would increase significantly and this would impact global soybean markets. This paper assesses the possible effects of adoption of herbicide-tolerant, biotech soybeans in China and its impact on the world soybean trade. Results indicate that under a low technology fee and high adoption rate, China would be able to satisfy its soybean food demand. Urban consumers＇ strong preference for non-biotech soybean oil may lead to increase in imports of non-biotech soybeans.展开更多
Given the likelihood of regional extirpation of several once-common bat species in eastern North America from white-nose syndrome,it is critical that the impacts of forest management activities,such as prescribed fire...Given the likelihood of regional extirpation of several once-common bat species in eastern North America from white-nose syndrome,it is critical that the impacts of forest management activities,such as prescribed fire,are known in order to minimize potentially additive negative effects on bat populations.Historic wildfires may offer a suitable surrogate to assess long-term burn impacts on bats for planning,implementing and assessing burn programs.To examine the effects of historic fire on bats,we sampled bat activities at 24 transect locations in burned and unburned forest stands in the central Appalachian Mountains of Shenandoah National Park(SNP),Virginia,USA.There was limited evidence of positive fire effects over time on hoary bats(Lasiurus cinereus Beauvois)and big brown bats(Eptesicus fuscus Beauvois)occupancy.Overall,there were few or mostly equivocal relationships of bat occupancy relative to burn conditions or time since fire in SNP across species using a false-positive occupancy approach.Our results suggest that fire does not strongly affect bat site occupancy short-or long-term in the central Appalachians.展开更多
BACKGROUND Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded protein aggregated into insoluble fibrils.Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic amyloidosis is common,but is often sub...BACKGROUND Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded protein aggregated into insoluble fibrils.Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic amyloidosis is common,but is often subclinical or presents as vague and nonspecific symptoms.It is rare for gastrointestinal symptoms to be the main presenting symptom in patients with systemic amyloidosis,causing it to be undiagnosed until late-stage disease.CASE SUMMARY A 53 year-old man with diarrhea,hematochezia,and weight loss presented to a community hospital.Colonoscopy with biopsy at that time was suspicious for Crohn disease.Due to worsening symptoms including nausea,vomiting,and a new petechial rash,an abdominal fat pad biopsy was done.The biopsy showed papillary and adnexal dermal amyloid deposition,in a pattern usually seen with cutaneous amyloidosis.However,Cytokeratin 5/6 was negative,excluding cutaneous amyloidosis.The patterns of nodular amyloidosis,subcutaneous amyloid deposits and perivascular amyloid were not seen.Periodic Acid-Schiff stain was negative for lipoid proteinosis,Congo red was positive for apple green birefringence on polarization and amyloid typing confirmed amyloid light chain amyloidosis.Repeat endoscopic biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract showed amyloid deposition from the esophagus to the rectum,in a pattern usually seen in serum amyloid A in the setting of chronic inflammatory diseases,including severe inflammatory bowel disease.Bone marrow biopsy showed kappa-restricted plasma cell neoplasm.CONCLUSION Described is an unusual presentation of primary systemic amyloidosis,highlighting the risk of misdiagnosis with subsequent significant organ dysfunction and high mortality.展开更多
This article couples an examination of grain production with Virginia’s livestock and poultry sector to analyze the overall magnitude and distribution of grain consumption in Virginia. Specifically, this paper descri...This article couples an examination of grain production with Virginia’s livestock and poultry sector to analyze the overall magnitude and distribution of grain consumption in Virginia. Specifically, this paper describes the sources and trends over time of grain production and consumption;identifies grain surplus (and deficit) areas across Virginia’s counties;describes and applies a methodology to quantify livestock and poultry consumption requirements at the state- and county-levels;provides an updated assessment of Virginia’s ability to meet its feed grain needs;and discusses implications on the overall distribution system. Important results of the analysis reveal that grain consumption in Virginia is due mainly to demand in the poultry sector (primarily broilers and chickens). Furthermore, grain consumption in this state has generally declined over the last twenty years, due to decreasing livestock population numbers. Coupled with a slight upward trend in grain production, Virginia appears to be increasingly capable of meeting its grain needs. There is, however, an important east-west divide in the state, with western counties requiring more grain than they produce. Since grain does not appear to move from the relatively “production-rich” eastern counties, transportation infrastructure is important to bring in grain from outside the state.展开更多
Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (Leeke) R. Br, is the main cereal crop in Niger. This crop is seriously attacked by the millet Head miner (MHM), Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) causin...Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (Leeke) R. Br, is the main cereal crop in Niger. This crop is seriously attacked by the millet Head miner (MHM), Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) causing significant yield losses. This study to optimize biological control of this pest was carried out in Niger in the laboratory and in a farming environment. In the laboratory, the larval paralysis and emergence of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were compared between release jute bags, plastic boxes and cardboard boxes. In a farming environment, direct releases were carried out with plastic boxes and releases with jute bags in 12 villages of the Maradi region during the cropping seasons of 2021 and 2022. The results indicated that 25 larvae of Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the boxes were all paralyzed by 2 females of H. hebetor within 7 hours 30 minutes. The emergence of adults began on the 7th day after the beginning of the experiment for a period of two weeks and three weeks respectively in the boxes and jute bags. The production varied from 107.08 to 110.17 parasitoids and was comparable between the Jute bags, plastic boxes and cardboard boxes. In Farmers’ fields, the parasitoid release with the two methods caused the parasitism rates that varied from 64.32 to 66.52% depending on the year but in 2022 the rate of parasitism was higher in the fields with direct releases using plastic boxes (72.66%) compared to those released with jute bags (56.35%). Plastic boxes and cardboard boxes can be used for the production of the H. hebetor parasitoids. These results can be recommended to the cottage industries in the Sahel in order to improve the production and release methods of H. hebetor and make them more adapted to farmers’ fields.展开更多
While developing nuclear materials,predicting their behavior under long-term irradiation regimes span-ning decades poses a significant challenge.We developed a novel Kinetic Monte Carlo(KMC)model to explore the precip...While developing nuclear materials,predicting their behavior under long-term irradiation regimes span-ning decades poses a significant challenge.We developed a novel Kinetic Monte Carlo(KMC)model to explore the precipitation behavior of Y-Ti-O oxides along grain boundaries within nanostructured ferritic alloys(NFA).This model also assessed the response of the oxides to neutron irradiation,even up sim-ulated radiation damage levels in the desired long dpa range for reactor components.Our simulations investigated how temperature and grain boundary sinks influenced the oxide characteristics of a 12YWT-like alloy during heat treatments at 1023,1123,and 1223 K.The oxide characteristics observed in our simulations were in good agreement with existing literature.Furthermore,the impact of grain bound-aries on precipitation was found to be minimal.The resulting oxide configurations and positions were used in subsequent simulations that exposed them to simulated neutron irradiation to a total accumu-lated dose of 8 dpa at three temperatures:673,773,and 873 K,and at dose rates of 10-3,10-4,and 10-5 dpa/s.This demonstrated the expected inverse relationship between oxide size and dose rate.In a long-term irradiation simulation at 873 K and 10-3 dpa/s was taken out to 66 dpa and found the oxides in the vicinity of the grain boundary were more susceptible to dissolution.Additionally,we conducted irradia-tion simulations of a 14YWT-like alloy to reproduce findings from neutron irradiation experiments.The larger oxides in the 14YWT-like alloy did not dissolve and displayed stability similar to the experimental results.展开更多
Magnesium(Mg)alloys are usually subjected to torsion deformation during processing or manufacturing.However,the torsional behavior remains underexplored at the atomic level compared to uniaxial deformation.In this wor...Magnesium(Mg)alloys are usually subjected to torsion deformation during processing or manufacturing.However,the torsional behavior remains underexplored at the atomic level compared to uniaxial deformation.In this work,atomistic simulations are employed to understand the deformation mechanism during torsion around <1010>and<1120>axes of Mg.We reveal that the onset of plasticity occurs near the surface due to stress-gradient effect and the deformation mechanisms are highly dependent on torsion axis.Specifically,the prismatic and basal slip dominate torsion around[1120]axis.During torsion around[1010]axis,{1121}twinning can be activated,whereas{1011}twinning is formed due to local stress but detwinned eventually.Moreover,extensive cross slip and interactions between basal and prismatic dislocations are observed and the associated mechanisms are discussed.These novel atomic-scale insights provide deeper understanding of the plastic deformation mechanisms of Mg under torsional loading.展开更多
Understanding the phenology and productivity of Populus species is crucial for effective management and conservation strategies amid climate change.We investigated leaf budbreak timing,susceptibility to cold damage,le...Understanding the phenology and productivity of Populus species is crucial for effective management and conservation strategies amid climate change.We investigated leaf budbreak timing,susceptibility to cold damage,leaf dynamics,and biomass production of 168 Populus genotypes with diverse provenances in the southeastern United States.Our study revealed significant variation in budbreak timing across different taxa and years,with genotypes inheriting traits adapted to their parents’local climates.Temperature emerged as a key factor triggering budbreak,while leaf development depended on other environmental cues such as photoperiod.Notably,budbreak occurred approximately 20 days earlier in 2023 compared to 2022 due to higher accumulated degree days(ADDs).Short-rotation-coppice(SRC)management delayed budbreak by five to ten days.Cold damage was significant in 2023,particularly for genotypes from northern provenances and those with P.maximowiczii parentage.Severe damage was also observed in eastern cottonwood(Populus deltoides×Populus deltoides(D×D))genotypes,despite most having southeastern US parentages.Leaf dynamics,including leaf duration and leaf area index(LAI),varied across taxa and sites,with earlier budbreak correlating with extended growing seasons and increased LAI.Biomass production was intricately linked to phenological events,with earlier budbreak leading to increased biomass production and greater susceptibility to cold damage.Our findings highlight the importance of genetics,environment,and coppicing management in understanding and managing Populus phenology and biomass production.These insights provide valuable guidance for developing effective breeding,conservation,and management strategies for Populus species in the context of climate change.展开更多
Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots(N-CQDs),synthesized via the rapid pyrolysis of ammonium citrate dibasic and ethylenediamine dihydrochloride,demonstrate remarkable chemiluminescence capabilities,emitting a vibrant b...Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots(N-CQDs),synthesized via the rapid pyrolysis of ammonium citrate dibasic and ethylenediamine dihydrochloride,demonstrate remarkable chemiluminescence capabilities,emitting a vibrant blue-green light in peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence(PO-CL)reactions.Among these,a distinct variant of N-CQDs is an exceptionally sensitive biosensor,facilitating the swift detection of copper ions(Cu^(2+))within human plasma and urine samples.Upon rapid binding of N-CQDs and Cu^(2+),non-emissive complex forms due to intra-chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer(intra-CRET)initiated by the PO-CL reaction.Consequently,the brightness of the biosensor diminishes proportionally with increasing Cu^(2+)concentrations in human samples.Featuring a low sensing limit of 19.5 nM and an expansive dynamic range spanning from 0.05 to 3.8μM,this biosensor empowers the rapid and precise quantification of trace Cu^(2+)levels with exceptional accuracy and recovery rates.In alignment with copper quantification guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)and the National Institutes of Health(NIH),this selective biosensor stands as a cutting-edge monitoring tool,poised to advance analytical capabilities in various fields.展开更多
This paper presents and describes an approach to generate innovative labeled datasets that enable automated text classifiers to automatically detect online employee reviews referring to accounting control deficiencies...This paper presents and describes an approach to generate innovative labeled datasets that enable automated text classifiers to automatically detect online employee reviews referring to accounting control deficiencies,facili-tating supplementary monitoring for auditors and management.Employees,who are on the front lines executing policies and procedures,play a critical role in a firm's control environment.Their feedback provides insights into how controls are functioning.Textual data were collected and manually coded using a structured coding scheme mapped to COSO internal control framework(2013)principles.The dataset is unique in that it provides a new source of data that has not been previously used in internal control research,offering new opportunities for exploring the relationship between employee feedback and control weaknesses,and shedding light on potential improvements in internal control practices.Downstream stakeholders(such as researchers,management,in-vestors,and auditors)can benefit by having rapid,automated means for filtering and prioritizing employee reviews for further investigation,with respect to accounting control issue mentions.展开更多
We present a novel method for scale-invariant 3D face recognition by integrating computer-generated holography with the Mellin transform.This approach leverages the scale-invariance property of the Mellin transform to...We present a novel method for scale-invariant 3D face recognition by integrating computer-generated holography with the Mellin transform.This approach leverages the scale-invariance property of the Mellin transform to address challenges related to variations in 3D facial sizes during recognition.By applying the Mellin transform to computer-generated holograms and performing correlation between them,which,to the best of our knowledge,is being done for the first time,we have developed a robust recognition framework capable of managing significant scale variations without compromising recognition accuracy.Digital holograms of 3D faces are generated from a face database,and the Mellin transform is employed to enable robust recognition across scale factors ranging from 0.4 to 2.0.Within this range,the method achieves 100%recognition accuracy,as confirmed by both simulation-based and hybrid optical/digital experimental validations.Numerical calculations demonstrate that our method significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of 3D face recognition,as evidenced by the sharp correlation peaks and higher peak-to-noise ratio(PNR)values than that of using conventional holograms without the Mellin transform.Additionally,the hybrid optical/digital joint transform correlation hardware further validates the method's effectiveness,demonstrating its capability to accurately identify and distinguish 3D faces at various scales.This work provides a promising solution for advanced biometric systems,especially for those which require 3D scale-invariant recognition.展开更多
Peripheral nerve injuries(PNI)that result in nerve gaps represent a major clinical challenge,frequently leading to long-term disability and a diminished quality of life for affected individuals.Despite advances in sur...Peripheral nerve injuries(PNI)that result in nerve gaps represent a major clinical challenge,frequently leading to long-term disability and a diminished quality of life for affected individuals.Despite advances in surgical techniques,functional recovery remains limited,highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have emerged as a promising avenue for nerve repair due to their regenerative,immunomodulatory,and neuropro-tective properties.Thus,this review explored current approaches utilizing MSCs in the treatment of PNI,emphasizing their potential to enhance nerve rege-neration and functional recovery.Furthermore,tissue engineering and transdiffer-entiation of MSCs into Schwann-like cells offer a versatile strategy to optimize therapeutic effects,paving the way for personalized medicine.Nevertheless,challenges persist regarding the clinical application of MSCs in PNI,including transplant safety,delivery methods,optimal dosing,and ethical considerations.A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying MSC action in PNI may contribute to more effective treatment protocols in the management of peripheral nerve defects.展开更多
Trees,mammals,and microbes relate to soil carbon(C)cycle.Trees capture C,and mammals consume plants and other animals,both contributing to organic remains that are then degraded by soil microbes.This organic C can be ...Trees,mammals,and microbes relate to soil carbon(C)cycle.Trees capture C,and mammals consume plants and other animals,both contributing to organic remains that are then degraded by soil microbes.This organic C can be stored in soils or released into the atmosphere through microbial mineralization.Yet,the simultaneous effects of mammals and trees on C consumption by soil microbes have not been investigated.For 30 sampling sites in a mixed forest-savanna environment in southern Guyana,we jointly analyzed observational data of mammal and tree communities along with soil organic matter(SOM)composition(using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with attenuated total reflectance,energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry,and CNH elemental analyzer)and soil microbial C consumption(using Biolog EcoPlates).It was found that higher mammal functional richness(FRic)and functional evenness(FEve)were related to reduced overall C consumption by soil microbes(for FRic:regression coefficient(β)=-0.010,standard error(SE)=0.005,P=0.034;for FEve:β=-0.012,SE=0.005,P=0.010)with the coefficient of determination(R^(2))value of 0.359,explaining 36%of the variance in average well color development values,whereas a higher tree richness was associated with a reduced diversity of C sources consumed by soil microbial communities(β=-0.353,SE=0.172,P=0.041)with the R2 value of 0.290,explaining 29%of the variance in Shannon diversity index values.Our results indicate that mammal and tree communities have complementary effects on soil microbial C consumption,improving our understanding of the functioning of C cycle in the high-diversity Amazon biome.These findings are crucial in elucidating the intricate connections between above-and belowground biodiversity that influence the accumulation and stabilization of soil organic C.展开更多
文摘A power-based vehicle fuel consumption model,entitled the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-based Fuel Consumption Model(VT-CPFM)that was developed in an earlier publication is validated against in-field fuel consumption measurements.The study demonstrates that the VT-CPFMs calibrated using the EPA city and highway fuel economy ratings generally provide reliable fuel consumption estimates with a coefficient of determination in the range of 0.96.More importantly,both estimates and measurements produce very similar behavioral changes depending on engine load conditions.The VT-CPFMs are demonstrated to be easily calibrated using publically available data without the need to gather in-field instantaneous data.
基金supported by National Institutes of Health(No.NIH-R01AR050429 and No.NIH-R01AR077440)a grant by Red Gates Foundation to ZY.
文摘Background Exercise is an effective intervention for obesity and type 2 diabetes,with significant physiological benefits over pharmacological interventions.However,there is limited preclinical data available comparing endurance and resistance exercise for the impacts on obesogenic pathology and glycemic control.Methods Male mice were subjected to 8 weeks of diet-induced obesity(DIO)by high-fat diet(HFD)feeding concurrent with voluntary wheel running(endurance exercise(E_(EX)))or weightlifting(resistance exercise(R_(EX))).Sedentary(SED)mice fed on normal chow(NC)or HFD were used as controls.Results E_(EX) and R_(EX) interventions significantly attenuated weight gain vs.HFD-SED due to reduction of fat mass,not changes in lean mass,as assessed by EchoMRI.While REX suppressed visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation significantly,only E_(EX) enlarged brown fat mass.Exercise tolerance testing(i.e.,run-to-fatigue)revealed significantly improved exercise capacity in E_(EX) group vs.NC-SED.Interestingly,although HFD led to trends of increased skeletal muscle mass,only E_(EX) with HFD led to significant muscle weight gain.Neither exercise modality resulted in significant changes of hindlimb skeletal muscle contractile properties and cardiac function compared to SED mice on HFD.Importantly,REX showed significantly enhanced benefits over EEX in improving homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),glucose tolerance,and insulin tolerance.Conclusion These results provide a direct and translatable comparison of endurance and resistance exercise training in a preclinical context of obesity and hyperglycemia.The current data set demonstrates an advantage of resistance exercise over endurance exercise in improving glucose and insulin tolerance under the condition of obesity,and that these improvements are independent of significant alterations of muscle weight gain and exercise performance.
基金partly funded by National Key R&D Program of China(2023YFD1301405)the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University。
文摘Skeletal muscle accounts for approximately 40%of body mass and 50%–75%of whole-body protein,playing a central role in meat production and quality.Efficient protein synthesis in skeletal muscle relies on an adequate supply of nutrient substrates and a balanced amino acid profile.Branched-chain amino acids(BCAA),including leucine(Leu),isoleucine(Ile),and valine(Val),are the most abundant essential amino acids in skeletal muscle and contribute to both protein synthesis and oxidative energy production.Additionally,BCAA function as signaling molecules that regulate gene expression and protein phosphorylation cascades,which significantly influence physiological processes,such as protein synthesis and degradation,glucose and lipid metabolism,and cell apoptosis and autophagy.These processes are primarily mediated through the PI3K/AKT/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathways.This review summarizes BCAA transporters and catabolic metabolism,their role as signaling molecules in regulating protein metabolism and glucose and lipid equilibrium,and applications in animal production.These findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidelines for the precise regulation of feed efficiency and production performance through tailored dietary BCAA supplementations.
基金the National Institutes of Health R21OD019934(KL)and U42OD011140(RSP)
文摘Pigs are an important resource in agriculture and serve as a model for human diseases. Due to their physiological and anatomical similarities with humans, pigs can recapitulate symptoms of human diseases, making them a useful model in biomedicine. However, in the past pig models have not been widely used partially because of the difficulty in genetic modification. The lack of true embryonic stem cells in pigs forced researchers to utilize genetic modification in somatic cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) to generate genetically engineered(GE) pigs carrying site-specific modifications. Although possible, this approach is extremely inefficient and GE pigs born through this method often presented developmental defects associated with the cloning process. Advancement in the gene-editing systems such as Zinc-Finger Nucleases(ZFNs), Transcription activator-like effector nucleases(TALENs), and the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9(Cas9) system have dramatically increased the efficiency of producing GE pigs. These gene-editing systems, specifically engineered endonucleases, are based on inducing double-stranded breaks(DSBs) at a specific location, and then site-specific modifications can be introduced through one of the two DNA repair pathways: non-homologous end joining(NHEJ) or homology direct repair(HDR).Random insertions or deletions(indels) can be introduced through NHEJ and specific nucleotide sequences can be introduced through HDR, if donor DNA is provided. Use of these engineered endonucleases provides a higher success in genetic modifications, multiallelic modification of the genome, and an opportunity to introduce site-specific modifications during embryogenesis, thus bypassing the need of SCNT in GE pig production. This review will provide a historical prospective of GE pig production and examples of how the gene-editing system, led by engineered endonucleases, have improved GE pig production. We wil also present some of our current progress related to the optimal use of CRISPR/Cas9 system during embryogenesis.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFF0205600)the International Research Cooperation Seed Fund of Beijing University of Technology(2018A08)+1 种基金Science and Technology Project of Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport(2018-kjc-01-213)the Construction of Service Capability of Scientific and Technological Innovation-Municipal Level of Fundamental Research Funds(Scientific Research Categories)of Beijing City(PXM2019_014204_500032).
文摘In modern transportation,pavement is one of the most important civil infrastructures for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.Pavement service quality and service life are of great importance for civil engineers as they directly affect the regular service for the users.Therefore,monitoring the health status of pavement before irreversible damage occurs is essential for timely maintenance,which in turn ensures public transportation safety.Many pavement damages can be detected and analyzed by monitoring the structure dynamic responses and evaluating road surface conditions.Advanced technologies can be employed for the collection and analysis of such data,including various intrusive sensing techniques,image processing techniques,and machine learning methods.This review summarizes the state-ofthe-art of these three technologies in pavement engineering in recent years and suggests possible developments for future pavement monitoring and analysis based on these approaches.
基金supported under the US Environmental Protection Agency-Science to Acheive Results(STAR) Fellowship Program#F6C20816the Virginia Dept.of Game and Inland Fisheries
文摘Background:Mercury(Hg) and methylmercury are widely considered significant issues for wildlife,and in particular,piscivorous birds due to their widespread availability and neurotoxic properties.Whereas a substantial number of studies of Hg contamination of Bald Eagles(Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been conducted throughout the east coast of the United States,little has been done that directly addresses Hg contamination in Bald Eagles in Virginia,particularly the inland population.Methods:We collected blood and feather samples from nestling Bald Eagles in the coastal plain,piedmont,and western regions of Virginia in an effort to determine which areas of the state were more likely to contain populations showing evidence of Hg toxicity.We analyzed the samples for total Hg using a Milestone DMA-80.Results:Samples collected from individuals located in the coastal region exhibited low concentrations of Hg compared to those further inland located on freshwater rivers and reservoirs.Samples collected from the inland population exhibited levels in some areas that are approaching what may be considered to be sub-lethal to avian health(blood:mean 0.324 mg/kg,SE = 0.13,range = 0.06-0.97 mg/kg;feather:mean = 8.433 mg/kg,SE = 0.3,range = 3.811-21.14 mg/kg).Conclusions:Even after accounting for known point-sources of Hg,the inland eagle population in Virginia is susceptible to concentrations of Hg that are significantly higher than their coastal counterparts.Moreover,several locations besides those currently known to be impacted by point-sources are exhibiting concentrations that are approaching a sub-lethal level.
文摘China is the leading importer of soybeans in the world. If China adopts high yield biotech soybean varieties, China＇s soybean production would increase significantly and this would impact global soybean markets. This paper assesses the possible effects of adoption of herbicide-tolerant, biotech soybeans in China and its impact on the world soybean trade. Results indicate that under a low technology fee and high adoption rate, China would be able to satisfy its soybean food demand. Urban consumers＇ strong preference for non-biotech soybean oil may lead to increase in imports of non-biotech soybeans.
基金This work was supported by the Joint Fire Science Program(Grant#G14AC00316)National Park Service Whitenose Syndrome Program(Grant#P14AC01042)through the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit at Virginia Tech.
文摘Given the likelihood of regional extirpation of several once-common bat species in eastern North America from white-nose syndrome,it is critical that the impacts of forest management activities,such as prescribed fire,are known in order to minimize potentially additive negative effects on bat populations.Historic wildfires may offer a suitable surrogate to assess long-term burn impacts on bats for planning,implementing and assessing burn programs.To examine the effects of historic fire on bats,we sampled bat activities at 24 transect locations in burned and unburned forest stands in the central Appalachian Mountains of Shenandoah National Park(SNP),Virginia,USA.There was limited evidence of positive fire effects over time on hoary bats(Lasiurus cinereus Beauvois)and big brown bats(Eptesicus fuscus Beauvois)occupancy.Overall,there were few or mostly equivocal relationships of bat occupancy relative to burn conditions or time since fire in SNP across species using a false-positive occupancy approach.Our results suggest that fire does not strongly affect bat site occupancy short-or long-term in the central Appalachians.
文摘BACKGROUND Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded protein aggregated into insoluble fibrils.Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic amyloidosis is common,but is often subclinical or presents as vague and nonspecific symptoms.It is rare for gastrointestinal symptoms to be the main presenting symptom in patients with systemic amyloidosis,causing it to be undiagnosed until late-stage disease.CASE SUMMARY A 53 year-old man with diarrhea,hematochezia,and weight loss presented to a community hospital.Colonoscopy with biopsy at that time was suspicious for Crohn disease.Due to worsening symptoms including nausea,vomiting,and a new petechial rash,an abdominal fat pad biopsy was done.The biopsy showed papillary and adnexal dermal amyloid deposition,in a pattern usually seen with cutaneous amyloidosis.However,Cytokeratin 5/6 was negative,excluding cutaneous amyloidosis.The patterns of nodular amyloidosis,subcutaneous amyloid deposits and perivascular amyloid were not seen.Periodic Acid-Schiff stain was negative for lipoid proteinosis,Congo red was positive for apple green birefringence on polarization and amyloid typing confirmed amyloid light chain amyloidosis.Repeat endoscopic biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract showed amyloid deposition from the esophagus to the rectum,in a pattern usually seen in serum amyloid A in the setting of chronic inflammatory diseases,including severe inflammatory bowel disease.Bone marrow biopsy showed kappa-restricted plasma cell neoplasm.CONCLUSION Described is an unusual presentation of primary systemic amyloidosis,highlighting the risk of misdiagnosis with subsequent significant organ dysfunction and high mortality.
文摘This article couples an examination of grain production with Virginia’s livestock and poultry sector to analyze the overall magnitude and distribution of grain consumption in Virginia. Specifically, this paper describes the sources and trends over time of grain production and consumption;identifies grain surplus (and deficit) areas across Virginia’s counties;describes and applies a methodology to quantify livestock and poultry consumption requirements at the state- and county-levels;provides an updated assessment of Virginia’s ability to meet its feed grain needs;and discusses implications on the overall distribution system. Important results of the analysis reveal that grain consumption in Virginia is due mainly to demand in the poultry sector (primarily broilers and chickens). Furthermore, grain consumption in this state has generally declined over the last twenty years, due to decreasing livestock population numbers. Coupled with a slight upward trend in grain production, Virginia appears to be increasingly capable of meeting its grain needs. There is, however, an important east-west divide in the state, with western counties requiring more grain than they produce. Since grain does not appear to move from the relatively “production-rich” eastern counties, transportation infrastructure is important to bring in grain from outside the state.
文摘Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (Leeke) R. Br, is the main cereal crop in Niger. This crop is seriously attacked by the millet Head miner (MHM), Heliocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) causing significant yield losses. This study to optimize biological control of this pest was carried out in Niger in the laboratory and in a farming environment. In the laboratory, the larval paralysis and emergence of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were compared between release jute bags, plastic boxes and cardboard boxes. In a farming environment, direct releases were carried out with plastic boxes and releases with jute bags in 12 villages of the Maradi region during the cropping seasons of 2021 and 2022. The results indicated that 25 larvae of Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the boxes were all paralyzed by 2 females of H. hebetor within 7 hours 30 minutes. The emergence of adults began on the 7th day after the beginning of the experiment for a period of two weeks and three weeks respectively in the boxes and jute bags. The production varied from 107.08 to 110.17 parasitoids and was comparable between the Jute bags, plastic boxes and cardboard boxes. In Farmers’ fields, the parasitoid release with the two methods caused the parasitism rates that varied from 64.32 to 66.52% depending on the year but in 2022 the rate of parasitism was higher in the fields with direct releases using plastic boxes (72.66%) compared to those released with jute bags (56.35%). Plastic boxes and cardboard boxes can be used for the production of the H. hebetor parasitoids. These results can be recommended to the cottage industries in the Sahel in order to improve the production and release methods of H. hebetor and make them more adapted to farmers’ fields.
基金supported by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellowship Grant No.NRC-HQ-84-14-G-0035.
文摘While developing nuclear materials,predicting their behavior under long-term irradiation regimes span-ning decades poses a significant challenge.We developed a novel Kinetic Monte Carlo(KMC)model to explore the precipitation behavior of Y-Ti-O oxides along grain boundaries within nanostructured ferritic alloys(NFA).This model also assessed the response of the oxides to neutron irradiation,even up sim-ulated radiation damage levels in the desired long dpa range for reactor components.Our simulations investigated how temperature and grain boundary sinks influenced the oxide characteristics of a 12YWT-like alloy during heat treatments at 1023,1123,and 1223 K.The oxide characteristics observed in our simulations were in good agreement with existing literature.Furthermore,the impact of grain bound-aries on precipitation was found to be minimal.The resulting oxide configurations and positions were used in subsequent simulations that exposed them to simulated neutron irradiation to a total accumu-lated dose of 8 dpa at three temperatures:673,773,and 873 K,and at dose rates of 10-3,10-4,and 10-5 dpa/s.This demonstrated the expected inverse relationship between oxide size and dose rate.In a long-term irradiation simulation at 873 K and 10-3 dpa/s was taken out to 66 dpa and found the oxides in the vicinity of the grain boundary were more susceptible to dissolution.Additionally,we conducted irradia-tion simulations of a 14YWT-like alloy to reproduce findings from neutron irradiation experiments.The larger oxides in the 14YWT-like alloy did not dissolve and displayed stability similar to the experimental results.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China—Excellent Young Scientists Fund(Overseas)Partial support came from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Jilin University.
文摘Magnesium(Mg)alloys are usually subjected to torsion deformation during processing or manufacturing.However,the torsional behavior remains underexplored at the atomic level compared to uniaxial deformation.In this work,atomistic simulations are employed to understand the deformation mechanism during torsion around <1010>and<1120>axes of Mg.We reveal that the onset of plasticity occurs near the surface due to stress-gradient effect and the deformation mechanisms are highly dependent on torsion axis.Specifically,the prismatic and basal slip dominate torsion around[1120]axis.During torsion around[1010]axis,{1121}twinning can be activated,whereas{1011}twinning is formed due to local stress but detwinned eventually.Moreover,extensive cross slip and interactions between basal and prismatic dislocations are observed and the associated mechanisms are discussed.These novel atomic-scale insights provide deeper understanding of the plastic deformation mechanisms of Mg under torsional loading.
基金funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture(USDA-NIFA)through the APPS grant(Advancing Populus Pathways in the Southeast,2018-68005-27636)United States Department of Energy(DOE)through the PoSIES(Populus in the Southeast for Integrated Ecosystem Services,DE-EE0009280)USDA-NIFA McIntire Stennis grant(MISZ-067050).
文摘Understanding the phenology and productivity of Populus species is crucial for effective management and conservation strategies amid climate change.We investigated leaf budbreak timing,susceptibility to cold damage,leaf dynamics,and biomass production of 168 Populus genotypes with diverse provenances in the southeastern United States.Our study revealed significant variation in budbreak timing across different taxa and years,with genotypes inheriting traits adapted to their parents’local climates.Temperature emerged as a key factor triggering budbreak,while leaf development depended on other environmental cues such as photoperiod.Notably,budbreak occurred approximately 20 days earlier in 2023 compared to 2022 due to higher accumulated degree days(ADDs).Short-rotation-coppice(SRC)management delayed budbreak by five to ten days.Cold damage was significant in 2023,particularly for genotypes from northern provenances and those with P.maximowiczii parentage.Severe damage was also observed in eastern cottonwood(Populus deltoides×Populus deltoides(D×D))genotypes,despite most having southeastern US parentages.Leaf dynamics,including leaf duration and leaf area index(LAI),varied across taxa and sites,with earlier budbreak correlating with extended growing seasons and increased LAI.Biomass production was intricately linked to phenological events,with earlier budbreak leading to increased biomass production and greater susceptibility to cold damage.Our findings highlight the importance of genetics,environment,and coppicing management in understanding and managing Populus phenology and biomass production.These insights provide valuable guidance for developing effective breeding,conservation,and management strategies for Populus species in the context of climate change.
基金performed as part of Luminescent MD,LLC’s Research Program(LMD-201)supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.2023R1A2C1004109 and 2022R1I1A1A01070007)supported by Korea Energy(No.2024-Research and Development in Field Technology,Yeongheung-01).
文摘Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots(N-CQDs),synthesized via the rapid pyrolysis of ammonium citrate dibasic and ethylenediamine dihydrochloride,demonstrate remarkable chemiluminescence capabilities,emitting a vibrant blue-green light in peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence(PO-CL)reactions.Among these,a distinct variant of N-CQDs is an exceptionally sensitive biosensor,facilitating the swift detection of copper ions(Cu^(2+))within human plasma and urine samples.Upon rapid binding of N-CQDs and Cu^(2+),non-emissive complex forms due to intra-chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer(intra-CRET)initiated by the PO-CL reaction.Consequently,the brightness of the biosensor diminishes proportionally with increasing Cu^(2+)concentrations in human samples.Featuring a low sensing limit of 19.5 nM and an expansive dynamic range spanning from 0.05 to 3.8μM,this biosensor empowers the rapid and precise quantification of trace Cu^(2+)levels with exceptional accuracy and recovery rates.In alignment with copper quantification guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)and the National Institutes of Health(NIH),this selective biosensor stands as a cutting-edge monitoring tool,poised to advance analytical capabilities in various fields.
文摘This paper presents and describes an approach to generate innovative labeled datasets that enable automated text classifiers to automatically detect online employee reviews referring to accounting control deficiencies,facili-tating supplementary monitoring for auditors and management.Employees,who are on the front lines executing policies and procedures,play a critical role in a firm's control environment.Their feedback provides insights into how controls are functioning.Textual data were collected and manually coded using a structured coding scheme mapped to COSO internal control framework(2013)principles.The dataset is unique in that it provides a new source of data that has not been previously used in internal control research,offering new opportunities for exploring the relationship between employee feedback and control weaknesses,and shedding light on potential improvements in internal control practices.Downstream stakeholders(such as researchers,management,in-vestors,and auditors)can benefit by having rapid,automated means for filtering and prioritizing employee reviews for further investigation,with respect to accounting control issue mentions.
基金financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.6227511362405124).
文摘We present a novel method for scale-invariant 3D face recognition by integrating computer-generated holography with the Mellin transform.This approach leverages the scale-invariance property of the Mellin transform to address challenges related to variations in 3D facial sizes during recognition.By applying the Mellin transform to computer-generated holograms and performing correlation between them,which,to the best of our knowledge,is being done for the first time,we have developed a robust recognition framework capable of managing significant scale variations without compromising recognition accuracy.Digital holograms of 3D faces are generated from a face database,and the Mellin transform is employed to enable robust recognition across scale factors ranging from 0.4 to 2.0.Within this range,the method achieves 100%recognition accuracy,as confirmed by both simulation-based and hybrid optical/digital experimental validations.Numerical calculations demonstrate that our method significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of 3D face recognition,as evidenced by the sharp correlation peaks and higher peak-to-noise ratio(PNR)values than that of using conventional holograms without the Mellin transform.Additionally,the hybrid optical/digital joint transform correlation hardware further validates the method's effectiveness,demonstrating its capability to accurately identify and distinguish 3D faces at various scales.This work provides a promising solution for advanced biometric systems,especially for those which require 3D scale-invariant recognition.
基金Supported by the Doctoral Scholarship granted by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation(FAPESP),2024/19980-0.
文摘Peripheral nerve injuries(PNI)that result in nerve gaps represent a major clinical challenge,frequently leading to long-term disability and a diminished quality of life for affected individuals.Despite advances in surgical techniques,functional recovery remains limited,highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have emerged as a promising avenue for nerve repair due to their regenerative,immunomodulatory,and neuropro-tective properties.Thus,this review explored current approaches utilizing MSCs in the treatment of PNI,emphasizing their potential to enhance nerve rege-neration and functional recovery.Furthermore,tissue engineering and transdiffer-entiation of MSCs into Schwann-like cells offer a versatile strategy to optimize therapeutic effects,paving the way for personalized medicine.Nevertheless,challenges persist regarding the clinical application of MSCs in PNI,including transplant safety,delivery methods,optimal dosing,and ethical considerations.A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying MSC action in PNI may contribute to more effective treatment protocols in the management of peripheral nerve defects.
文摘Trees,mammals,and microbes relate to soil carbon(C)cycle.Trees capture C,and mammals consume plants and other animals,both contributing to organic remains that are then degraded by soil microbes.This organic C can be stored in soils or released into the atmosphere through microbial mineralization.Yet,the simultaneous effects of mammals and trees on C consumption by soil microbes have not been investigated.For 30 sampling sites in a mixed forest-savanna environment in southern Guyana,we jointly analyzed observational data of mammal and tree communities along with soil organic matter(SOM)composition(using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with attenuated total reflectance,energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry,and CNH elemental analyzer)and soil microbial C consumption(using Biolog EcoPlates).It was found that higher mammal functional richness(FRic)and functional evenness(FEve)were related to reduced overall C consumption by soil microbes(for FRic:regression coefficient(β)=-0.010,standard error(SE)=0.005,P=0.034;for FEve:β=-0.012,SE=0.005,P=0.010)with the coefficient of determination(R^(2))value of 0.359,explaining 36%of the variance in average well color development values,whereas a higher tree richness was associated with a reduced diversity of C sources consumed by soil microbial communities(β=-0.353,SE=0.172,P=0.041)with the R2 value of 0.290,explaining 29%of the variance in Shannon diversity index values.Our results indicate that mammal and tree communities have complementary effects on soil microbial C consumption,improving our understanding of the functioning of C cycle in the high-diversity Amazon biome.These findings are crucial in elucidating the intricate connections between above-and belowground biodiversity that influence the accumulation and stabilization of soil organic C.
