bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the influence mechanism of creative time pressure on employee knowledge hiding: Evidence from creative service enterprises in China
Authors: Chen Xiaoxia , Lin Wenhe , Xu Anxin
Published: July 2022

Employee knowledge sharing is critical to the success of creative service enterprises. However, knowledge hiding is prevalent in creative service enterprises. Using 381 advertising agency employees as respondents, we explored the mechanism of action of creative time pressure affecting knowledge hiding. We constructed a regulated dual-path model by drawing on affective event theory, with work passion as a mediating variable and team psychological safety climate as a moderating variable. The results show that creative time pressure increases employees’ knowledge hiding; creative time pressure mitigates knowledge hiding through the effect of harmonious passion, while obsessive passion enhances employees’ knowledge hiding; team psychological safety climate can regulate the relationship between creative time pressure and two types of work passion and the strength of the two paths. Therefore, the mediating effect of harmonious passion is stronger in a high team psychological safety climate, while the mediating effect of obsessive passion is stronger in a low team psychological safety climate.
Ride-hailing services: Competition or complement to public transport to reduce accident rates. The case of Madrid
Authors: Flor María , Ortuño Armando , Guirao Begoña
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The transport and mobility sector is experiencing profound transformations. These changes are mainly due to: environmental awareness, the increase in the population of large urban areas and the size of cities, the aging of the population and the emergence of relevant technological innovations that have changed consumption habits, such as electronic commerce or the sharing economy. The introduction of new services such as Uber or Cabify is transforming urban and metropolitan mobility, which has to adapt to this new scenario and the very concept of mobility.

Objective

Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ride-hailing platforms substitute or complement public transport to reduce accident rates, considering the two basic transport zones of Madrid: “The Central Almond” and the periphery.

Methods

The data were collected from the 21 districts of Madrid for the period 2013–2019, and they were analyzed by a Random Effects Negative Binominal model.

Results

The results obtained in this study suggest that since the arrival of Uber and Cabify to the municipality of Madrid the number of fatalities and serious injuries in traffic accidents has been reduced. Traffic accidents on weekends and holidays, with at least one serious injury or death, have also been reduced. However, the number of minor injuries has increased in the central districts of Madrid.

Conclusion

Overall, what was found in this study supports the hypothesis that these services replace the urban buses. However, these services improve the supply to users with greater difficulties to access taxis or public transport, constituting an alternative mode of transport for high-risk drivers. Therefore, such findings may be quite useful for policy makers to better define regulatory policies for these services.
Research on correlation between English writing self-efficacy and psychological anxiety of college students
Authors: Li Bai
Published: July 2022

English writing is not only a cognitive process for college students, it is also influenced by factors related to the emotional or psychological level. With the continuous improvement of the quality of university education cultivation, the pressure faced by college students has increased significantly, which has also given rise to general anxiety among college student groups. In order to investigate the correlation between college students’ English writing self-efficacy and English writing psychological anxiety, we conducted a questionnaire survey on 595 current college students who were not majoring in English at a university in China, and used SPSS 25.0 software to make an empirical analysis of the collected data. The results showed that college students’ English writing self-efficacy was at a moderate level, and they lacked self-confidence in their English writing skills and tended to complete writing tasks; college students generally had a moderate level of psychological anxiety in English writing, among which avoidance behavior was the most significant; college students’ English writing self-efficacy was significantly negatively related to English writing psychological anxiety. English writing self-efficacy can reduce psychological anxiety level by enhancing college students’ English writing motivation. Therefore, we suggest that we should set up English writing courses based on the process teaching method, change college students’ English writing psychology in teaching, set reasonable writing goals, mobilize their enthusiasm and motivation in English writing, reduce college students’ writing anxiety, and enhance their self-confidence in English writing.
Influence of discrimination perception on career exploration of higher vocational students: Chain mediating effect test
Authors: Liu Xuejun , Sun Xianjun , Hao Qin
Published: July 2022

Explore the influence mechanism of discrimination perception on higher vocational Students’ career exploration, it provides empirical evidence for promoting vocational college Students’ career exploration and career development. Using the questionnaire survey method, 893 higher vocational students from four higher vocational colleges in Jiangsu Province were investigated by using the Discrimination Perception Scale, the Core Self-Evaluation Scale (CSES), the Chinese version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) and the Career Exploration Scale (CES). The data were analyzed using SPSS26.0 and Amos23.0, and the results showed that discrimination perception was significantly negatively correlated with core self-evaluation, psychological flexibility and career exploration (r = −0.487, −0.497, −0.326, p < 0.01), core self-evaluation was significantly positively correlated with psychological flexibility and career exploration (r = 0.518, 0.352, p < 0.01), and psychological flexibility was significantly positively correlated with career exploration (r = 0.386, p < 0.01); Core self-evaluation and psychological flexibility mediated the effect between discrimination perception and career exploration with effect sizes of −0.054 and −0.061, respectively; Core self-evaluation and psychological flexibility mediated the chain effect between discrimination perception and career exploration of higher vocational students with effect sizes of −0.030. Therefore, discrimination perception not only directly influences career exploration of higher vocational students, but also indirectly influences career exploration of higher vocational students through the separate mediating effects of core self-evaluation and psychological flexibility and the chain mediating effects of core self-evaluation and psychological flexibility. Accordingly, the following suggestions are put forward, which should pay attention to the cultivation of core self-evaluation and psychological flexibility of higher vocational students, strengthen the teaching quality and improve the image of vocational colleges.
Predictive value of the systemic immune-inflammation index for cancer-specific survival of osteosarcoma in children
Authors: Ouyang Haiping , Wang Zhongliang
Published: July 2022

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the primary malignant bone tumor that most commonly affects children and adolescents. Recent years effective chemotherapy have improved the 5-year survival in osteosarcoma patients to up to 60%-70%. Still, there is a lack of novel therapeutic strategies to enhance further survival. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of pretreatment inflammatory-based parameters, including PLT, NLR, and SII, as prognostic indicators of survival in pediatric osteosarcoma patients.

Methods

A total of 86 pediatric osteosarcoma patients between 2012 and 2021 in the Department of Orthopedics or tumor Surgery of Children's Hospital affiliated to Chongqing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological variables and systematic inflammatory biomarkers, including NLR, PLR and SII, was performed by the A Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Cox proportional risk regression model. According to the results of multivariate analysis, a prognostic nomogram was generated, and the concordance index (C-index) was calculated to predict the performance of the established nomogram. The survival curve was plotted by the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that TNM stage, tumor size, NLR value, PLR value, SII value, neutrophil count and platelet count were related to CSS (p < 0.05). According to multivariate analysis, only TNM stage (p = 0.006) and SII values (p = 0.015) were associated with poor prognosis.To further predict survival in pediatric osteosarcoma patients, multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to predict cancer-specific survival at 1, 3 and 5 years. And constructed a nomogram model to predict children's CSS. The C-index of the nomogram is 0.776 (95%CI, 0.776–0.910), indicating that the model has good accuracy.

Conclusion

Preoperative SII and TNM staging are independent prognostic markers for pediatric osteosarcoma patients. SII may be used in conjunction with TNM staging for individualized treatment of pediatric osteosarcoma patients in future clinical work.
Integration of machine learning with complex industrial mining systems for reduced energy consumption
Authors: Harmse Michael David , van Laar Jean Herman , Pelser Wiehan Adriaan , Schutte Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk
Published: July 2022

The deep-level mining industry is experiencing narrowing profit margins due to increasing operating costs and decreasing production. The industry is known for its lack of dynamic control across complex integrated systems running deep underground, making IoT technologies difficult to implement. An important integrated system in a typical underground mine is the refrigeration-ventilation system. In practice, the two systems are still controlled independently, often due to a lack of continuous measurements. However, their integrated effects ultimately affect energy usage and production. This study develops and compares various machine learning prediction techniques to predict the integrated behavior of a key component operating on the boundary of the refrigeration-ventilation system, while also addressing the lack of continuous measurements. The component lacks sensors and the developed industrial machine learning models negate the effect thereof using integrated control. The predictive models are compared based on accuracy, prediction time, as well as the amount of data required to obtain the required level of accuracy. The “Support Vector Machines” method achieved the lowest average error (1.97%), but the “Artificial Neural Network” method is more robust (with a maximum percentage error of 12.90%). A potential energy saving of 215 kW or 2.9% of the ventilation and refrigeration system, equivalent to R1.33-million per annum ($82 9001) is achievable using the “Support Vector Machines” method.
Efficacy of pectin-based caproic acid, caprylic acid, linalool, and cuminaldehyde coatings in reducing Salmonella Heidelberg on chicken eggs
Authors: Pellissery Abraham Joseph , Vinayamohan Poonam Gopika , Xue Jingyi , Wang Xinhao , Viju Leya Susan , Joseph Divya , Luo Yangchao , Donoghue Ann M. , Venkitanarayanan Kumar
Published: July 2022

Among the animal derived food products, contamination of poultry eggs, and egg shell surface is one of the major causes for foodborne salmonellosis in the United States. As a means of reducing the pathogen transfer to the internal egg contents, polysaccharide-based coatings containing antimicrobial phytochemicals could potentially serve as a biocontrol strategy for shelled egg products. The current study investigated the efficacy of four GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)-status plant-derived compounds, namely, caproic acid (CAO), caprylic acid (CAY), linalool (LIN) and cuminaldehyde (CUM), as pectin-based coating treatments, individually or in combination, for reducing Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) on shell eggs. A three-strain mixture of SH (~8.0 log CFU in 50 μL inoculum) was spot-inoculated on surface sterilized white-shelled eggs. Eggs were evenly coated with either pectin-based treatments of CAO (1%), CAY (1%), LIN (1%) and CUM (1%), individually, or a combination of 4 phytochemicals (COMB- each phytochemical at 0.5% v/v level of inclusion). The treated eggs were stored at 4°C and SH counts were enumerated on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 of storage. The study was replicated thrice, 3 eggs/treatment/day time point, and the data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with significance tested at p < 0.05. On day 0, pectin-coated control eggs had ~7.6 log CFU of SH/egg. At the end of refrigerated storage (day 21), pectin-based coating of CAO and CAY at 1% level reduced SH by 2.0–2.5 log CFU/egg (P < 0.05) when compared to controls. In addition, the CUM and LIN based coatings produced 3.0 log and 3.9 log reduction, respectively, in SH counts on eggs by day 21 of storage. Among the treatments with phytochemical combinations, COMB1 [pectin (2%) + Caprylic acid, caproic acid and cuminaldehyde (each at 0.5% level)] was found to be most effective, reducing SH counts to 2.5–3.3 log CFU/egg from day 0 through day 14, and by the end of storage period (day 21), a 3.5 log CFU reduction/egg (p < 0.05) compared to untreated controls. Morphological studies of treated eggs using atomic force microscopy (AFM) have shown that the roughness of eggs can be influenced by a combination of various compounds. Results indicate the potential efficacy of the aforesaid phytochemicals in reducing SH on shell eggs; however, further studies investigating their industrial feasibility and effects on sensory attributes of eggs are warranted.
Effect of Humus, Compost, and Vermicompost Extracts on the Net Energy Concentration, Net Energy of Lactation, and Energy Yield of Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne
Authors: Sosnowski Jacek , Truba Milena , Jarecka Katarzyna
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the research was to examine whether selected organic materials could increase the net energy concentration, net energy of lactation, and energy yield of two grass species. The main factors in the experiment were soil conditioners with the content based on compost, vermicompost and humus extract, applied separately and supplemented with NPK fertilizers. The second factor is grass species, Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne. Mineral fertilizer and compost extract resulted in a reduction in net energy concentration by about 5%. The largest value of net energy of lactation (NEL) was obtained after the application of humus extract with NPK. The average value of the energy yield was the biggest on units where biological extracts were applied together with NPK. That increase was from 63% for NPK applied together with humus extract to 76.5% for the NPK applied with compost extract. Of the applied humic substances, those applied together with mineral fertilizer had the greatest impact on net energy value and NEL. The use of compost extract contributed to a substantial increase in the yield of feed energy. Other biological substances applied together with mineral fertilizer also had a positive impact. Weather conditions in various years of the research differentiated feed energy values. Due to the complexity of the environment (soil, climate, plant), it is impossible to provide a universal combination of fertilizers that increases the energy value of forage. Therefore, it is important to carry out practical field experiments that will indicate the optimal fertilizer combinations suitable for the selected region.
Characterizing Droplet Retention in Fruit Tree Canopies for Air-Assisted Spraying
Authors: Li Jun , He Mingxin , Cui Huajun , Lin Peiyi , Chen Yingyi , Ling Guangxin , Huang Guangwen , Fu Han
Published: July 2022

As a mainstream spraying technology, air-assisted spraying can increase the penetration and droplet deposition in the tree canopy; however, there seems to be less research on the maximum deposition volume of leaves. In this paper, the maximum deposition volume of a single leaf and the attenuation characteristics of droplets in the canopy were studied. By coupling them, the prediction equation of the total canopy droplet retention volume was obtained. The single-leaf test results showed that too small a surface tension reduced the total volume of droplet deposition on the leaf. In this paper, when the Weber number was equal to 144.3, the deposition form changed from particles to a water film, yielding the best deposition effect. The canopy droplet penetration test results show that the air velocity at the outlet increased first and then decreased, and the best effect was achieved when the air velocity at the outlet was 10 m/s. At the same time, when the surface tension of pesticides was 50 mN/m, the effect of canopy droplet deposition was better, which was consistent with the results of the single-leaf test. An average relative error of prediction equation of the total canopy droplet retention volume with 15.6% was established.
Analysis and Experiment on the Seed Metering Mechanism of Multi-Grain Cluster Air Suction Type Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Hill Direct Seed Metering Device
Authors: Tang Han , Xu Changsu , Guo Fangyu , Yao Zhigang , Jiang Yeming , Guan Rui , Sun Xiaobo , Wang Jinwu
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to solve the problem of high reseeding rates and mis-seeding rates in the rice multi-grain hole direct seeding process. A multi grain cluster air suction type rice hill direct seed metering device was developed, and its seeding mechanism was analyzed. Based on CFD-DEM coupling simulation and bench tests, this study explored and optimized the performance of the seed metering device, and carried out the seeding adaptability test. The simulation results were as follows: when the negative pressure was −5 kPa, the static pressure, dynamic pressure and velocity of the flow field reached the maximum. When the negative pressure was −4 kPa, the qualification index was 89.62%, the reseeding index was 4.36%, and the mis-seeding index was 6.02%. The results of the orthogonal rotation combination test of three factors and five levels showed that when the rotation speed, negative pressure and the length of stirring brush were 20.70 rpm, −4.0 kPa and 10.50 mm respectively, the seed metering performance was the best, the qualification index was 90.85%, the reseeding index was 4.41% and the mis-seeding index was 4.74%. The seed metering device had strong adaptability to the sowing of different rice varieties, and met the agronomic requirements of direct seeding and seeding in rice holes.
Parents’ Selection Affects Embryo Rescue, Seed Regeneration and the Heredity of Seedless Trait in Table Grape Breeding Programs
Authors: Puglisi Damiano , Las Casas Giuseppina , Ferlito Filippo , Nicolosi Elisabetta , Di Guardo Mario , Scollo Francesco , Saitta Giuseppe , La Malfa Stefano , Gentile Alessandra , Distefano Gaetano
Published: July 2022

The development of new seedless cultivar represents one of the most important goals in table grape breeding programmes worldwide. The most common technique to obtain new seedless cultivars is embryo rescue, an approach that allows the isolation of immature embryos and their cultivation in vitro. In this study, a total of 23 crosses (developed employing one seeded and one seedless parent) were performed during two seasons (2017 and 2018) for a total of 1140 seedlings. For each cross, the principal parameters related to the efficiency of the pollination were measured (harvested bunches, collected berries, recovered embryos/seeds and plants obtained). Based on these traits, statistical analyses were performed to calculate the female and male parental efficiency and to compare the two techniques of propagation employed: embryo rescue (7.8% of plants obtained) and gamic propagation (8.4%). Finally, the segregation of the SSR marker p3_VvAGL11 was evaluated on the progeny of four crosses in which the same cultivar was used alternately as female or male parent (SugxIta/ItaxSug and CrixIta/ItaxCri). The parameters measured showed a positive correlation between berries, seeds and plants obtained, exclusively in combination with a seeded female parent. The crossing combinations investigated indicate that some genotypes outperformed others when used as female parent in terms of embryos/seeds produced. Therefore, the efficiency in terms of seedlings obtained for the seedless female parents is actually balanced with those obtained for the seeded ones. The proposed research aims to provide useful information to guide the choice of genotypes used in the genetic improvement programs of seedless grapes, to increase their efficiency.
A Gas Diffusion Analysis Method for Simulating Surface Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Soil Gas Concentrations Measurement
Authors: Bandara K. M. T. S. , Sakai Kazuhito , Nakandakari Tamotsu , Yuge Kozue
Published: July 2022

The detection of low gas concentrations from the soil surface demands expensive high-precision devices to estimate nitrous oxide (N2O) flux. As the prevalence of N2O concentration in the soil atmosphere is higher than its surface, the present study aimed to simulate N2O surface flux (CF) from soil gas measured in a soil-interred silicone diffusion cell using a low-cost device. The methodological steps included the determination of the diffusion coefficient of silicone membrane (Dslcn), the measurement of the temporal variations in the N2O gas in the soil (Csi) and on the surface (MF), and the development of a simulation process for predicting CF. Two experiments varying the procedure and periods of soil moisture saturation in each fertilized soil sample were conducted to detect Csi and MF. Using Dslcn and Csi, the variations in the soil gas (Csoil) were predicted by solving the diffusion equation using the implicit finite difference analysis method. Similarly, using six soil gas diffusivity models, the CF values were simulated from Csoil. For both experiments, statistical tests confirmed the good agreement of CF with MF for soil gas diffusivity models 4 and 5. We suggest that the tested simulation method is appropriate for predicting N2O surface emissions.
Combined Effects of Biosolarization and Brassica Amendments on Survival of Biocontrol Agents and Inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Mawar Ritu , Lodha Satish , Ranawat Madhavi , El Enshasy Hesham Ali , Rahman Roshanida A. , Gafur Abdul , Reddy M. S. , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Obaid Sami Al , Sayyed R. Z.
Published: July 2022

Biocontrol agents (BCAs) added in the soil or applied to the seeds face many abiotic and biotic stress challenges. Only those BCAs that survive under harsh conditions perform well. Improving the survival of BCAs along with inhibiting the biotic stresses imposed by bacterial, fungal, and viral infections has been a major challenge in agriculture, especially in hot-arid climates. The present study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of soil solarization and Brassica amendments on the survival of two biocontrol agents (BCAs), namely Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus versicolor, and on the reduction in a cumin wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini (Foc) in a field experiment conducted for two years under hot-arid climates. BCAs performed well in the solarized pots; it caused the maximum reduction in viable F. oxysporum propagules, significantly higher at 5 cm than at 15 cm of depth. Brassica amendment with BCAs caused a greater decrease in F. oxysporum propagules (95.7 to 96.7%) compared to a combination of BCAs and solarization (91.0 to 95.7%). Combining T. harzianum with A. versicolor increased the survival of T. harzianum, whereas integration with Brassica amendment could only improve the survival of T. harzianum at a depth of 5 cm and not at lower depths. The slightest decrease in A. versicolor population at high soil temperature was estimated when combined with T. harzianum. However, combining A. versicolor with Brassica amendment improved the survival of A. versicolor at high compared to low soil temperatures. Still, elevated soil temperature reduced the viable propagules. These studies demonstrate that both the native BCAs are compatible, and their integration with the Brassica amendment improves their survival and ability to reduce the population of cumin wilt pathogen. Thus, these BCAs with Brassica amendments can survive and perform well under hot-arid climates.
Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Domestication and Dispersal Out of Central Asia
Authors: Mir-Makhamad Basira , Bjørn Rasmus , Stark Sören , Spengler Robert
Published: July 2022

The pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is commercially cultivated in semi-arid regions around the globe. Archaeobotanical, genetic, and linguistic data suggest that the pistachio was brought under cultivation somewhere within its wild range, spanning southern Central Asia, northern Iran, and northern Afghanistan. Historically, pistachio cultivation has primarily relied on grafting, suggesting that, as with many Eurasian tree crops, domestication resulted from genetically locking hybrids or favored individuals in place. Plant domestication and dispersal research has largely focused on weedy, highly adaptable, self-compatible annuals; in this discussion, we present a case study that involves a dioecious long-lived perennial—a domestication process that would have required a completely different traditional ecological knowledge system than that utilized for grain cultivation. We argue that the pistachio was brought under cultivation in southern Central Asia, spreading westward by at least 2000 years ago (maybe a few centuries earlier to the mountains of modern Syria) and moved eastward only at the end of the first millennium AD. The seeds remain rare in archaeological sites outside its native range, even into the mid-second millennium AD, and may not have been widely cultivated until the past few hundred years.
Fertilizer Reduction Combined with Organic Liquid Fertilizer Improved Canopy Structure and Function and Increased Cotton Yield
Authors: Liang Qi , Shi Xiaojuan , Li Nannan , Shi Feng , Tian Yu , Zhang Hongxia , Hao Xianzhe , Luo Honghai
Published: July 2022

The application of organic liquid fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer is one of the key technologies used to simultaneously improve cotton yield and efficiently utilize resources. However, organic fertilizer is usually applied once as a base fertilizer during production, and few studies have been conducted on topdressing with water during the growth period. Therefore, in this study, Xinluzao 74 was used as the experimental material, and a single fertilizer application (CF) was used as a control in 2019–2020 under the conditions of integrated control of water and fertilizer with mulch drip irrigation. Five combinations of reduction in chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer (OF1, OF2, OF3, OF4, and OF5) were used to investigate the influences of chemical fertilizer combined with organic liquid fertilizer on the leaf area index (LAI), canopy openness (DIFN), mean foliage tilt angle (MTA), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy apparent photosynthesis (CAP), and yield and quality of cotton. The results show that among the different fertilization treatments, the OF2 treatment had the best results, not only ensuring a suitable LAI (4.8) and maintaining a large DIFN (0.1) but also increasing the light transmittance of the middle and lower canopies (0.02–0.03). At the same time, CAP increased significantly compared with that in the CF treatment, with an average increase of 12.8%. The high value lasted for a long time, and the late decay stage remained at 8.9 μmol m−2 s−1. The ratio of the population respiration rate to total photosynthesis (CR/TCAP) decreased significantly, with an average decrease of 13.5%. Compared with that in CF, the lint yield increased by 27.0% in the other treatments. The correlation analysis showed that lint yield was positively correlated with the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value), PAR transmittance (PARU) and CAP in the upper canopy (p < 0.05) and significantly negatively correlated with PAR transmittance (PARM) in the middle canopy and PAR transmittance (PARD) and CR/TCAP in the lower canopy (p < 0.05). Therefore, under mulch drip irrigation, the OF2 treatment (OF + 80% CF) improved the canopy structure of cotton at the late growth stage, increased the population photosynthetic rate, and increased lint yield significantly; thus, this approach can be used as an effective fertilization method to achieve the goal of decreasing costs and increasing efficiency in cotton production.
Variability among Animals and Incubation Protocols for Ruminant In Situ Degradation Studies with Tropical Feeds
Authors: Assunção Amanda de Souza , Silva Tadeu Eder da , Quirino Daiana , Franco Marcia de Oliveira , Detmann Edenio
Published: July 2022

Our objectives were to evaluate the variability among animals regarding to the degradation rate of the potentially degradable fraction of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, as well as to establish the minimum number of animals and provide a standardized design of sampling times for in situ ruminal degradation assays of tropical feeds with cattle. Seven feeds were evaluated, four concentrates and three forages. The incubations were performed using five rumen-cannulated Nellore heifers (328 ± 9.8 kg of body weight). The complete sets of incubation sampling times encompassed 16 time points for forage samples (0–240 h) and 13 time points for concentrate samples (0–144 h). The profiles were adjusted using both fixed and mixed model approaches. When the variation among animals on the degradation rate was considered using the mixed model approach, the precision of the adjusted degradation profiles was increased. Moreover, the utilization of a low number of animals increases the probability to obtain biased estimates of degradation rate and increased random variances. A minimum of three animals is recommended for in situ trials with cattle. Minimum designs of sampling times regarding number and position of incubation times were proposed, discussed, and recommended to assess the dynamics of tropical feed degradation.
Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Milk Yield and Quality in Italian Mediterranean Lactating Buffaloes
Authors: Evangelista Chiara , Bernabucci Umberto , Basiricò Loredana
Published: July 2022

Buffaloes are raised mainly to obtain milk that is nutritionally very rich. The technological characteristics of buffalo milk are optimal for processing into cheese, and it is mainly used to produce mozzarella cheese. Under stressful conditions, buffaloes, like other animals, produce milk qualitatively poorly. The stressors that can affect the quality of production are, in addition to other factors, deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the quality of buffalo milk. Sixty-six buffaloes were enrolled and subdivided into two balanced groups of 33 each. The ZnSe group received 0.2 kg/head/day of Bufalo Plus® containing antioxidants and barley meal, CaCO3 and MgCO3 mix; the control group was supplemented with 0.2 kg/head/day of barley meal, CaCO3 and MgCO3 mix. The two groups were fed ad libitum with a total mixed ration (TMR). The amount of diet distributed was recorded daily, and the residue in the trough manger was recorded three times per week. TMR samples were taken every two weeks for each group. Daily milk yield was recorded twice a week. Milk samples were collected every four weeks and analysed for chemical and technological properties. Furthermore, milk total antioxidant capacity was determined. The results obtained showed that the antioxidant supplement had no effect on feed intake, feeding behaviour, and feed efficiency. The treatment positively influenced milk production while it did not affect the chemical characteristics of the milk. In addition, the supplement of antioxidants improved the milk clotting properties (MCP). The supplement did not affect the antioxidant activity of the milk.
Fc-Dependent Immunomodulation Induced by Antiviral Therapeutic Antibodies: New Perspectives for Eliciting Protective Immune Responses
Authors: Pelegrin Mireia , Marsile-Medun Soledad , Abba-Moussa Daouda , Souchard Manon , Naranjo-Gomez Mar
Published: July 2022

The multiple mechanisms of action of antiviral monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have made these molecules a potential therapeutic alternative for treating severe viral infections. In addition to their direct effect on viral propagation, several studies have shown that mAbs are able to enhance the host’s adaptive immune response and generate long-lasting protective immunity. Such immunomodulatory effects occur in an Fc-dependent manner and rely on Fc-FcγR interactions. It is noteworthy that several FcγR-expressing cells have been shown to play a key role in enhancing humoral and cellular immune responses (so-called “vaccinal effects”) in different experimental settings. This review recalls recent findings concerning the vaccinal effects induced by antiviral mAbs, both in several preclinical animal models and in patients treated with mAbs. It summarizes the main cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these immunomodulatory properties of antiviral mAbs identified in different pathological contexts. It also describes potential therapeutic interventions to enhance host immune responses that could guide the design of improved mAb-based immunotherapies.
A Time Series Analysis Evaluating Antibiotic Prescription Rates in Long-Term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Alberta and Ontario, Canada
Authors: Haverkate Manon R. , Macfadden Derek R. , Daneman Nick , Leal Jenine , Otterstatter Michael , Mahdavi Roshanak , D’Souza Adam G. , Rennert-May Elissa , Silverman Michael , Schwartz Kevin L. , Morris Andrew M. , Saatchi Ariana , Patrick David M. , Marra Fawziah
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic affected access to care, and the associated public health measures influenced the transmission of other infectious diseases. The pandemic has dramatically changed antibiotic prescribing in the community. We aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting control measures on oral antibiotic prescribing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Alberta and Ontario, Canada using linked administrative data. Antibiotic prescription data were collected for LTCF residents 65 years and older in Alberta and Ontario from 1 January 2017 until 31 December 2020. Weekly prescription rates per 1000 residents, stratified by age, sex, antibiotic class, and selected individual agents, were calculated. Interrupted time series analyses using SARIMA models were performed to test for changes in antibiotic prescription rates after the start of the pandemic (1 March 2020). The average annual cohort size was 18,489 for Alberta and 96,614 for Ontario. A significant decrease in overall weekly prescription rates after the start of the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic was found in Alberta, but not in Ontario. Furthermore, a significant decrease in prescription rates was observed for antibiotics mainly used to treat respiratory tract infections: amoxicillin in both provinces (Alberta: −0.6 per 1000 LTCF residents decrease in weekly prescription rate, p = 0.006; Ontario: −0.8, p < 0.001); and doxycycline (−0.2, p = 0.005) and penicillin (−0.04, p = 0.014) in Ontario. In Ontario, azithromycin was prescribed at a significantly higher rate after the start of the pandemic (0.7 per 1000 LTCF residents increase in weekly prescription rate, p = 0.011). A decrease in prescription rates for antibiotics that are largely used to treat respiratory tract infections is in keeping with the lower observed rates for respiratory infections resulting from pandemic control measures. The results should be considered in the contexts of different LTCF systems and provincial public health responses to the pandemic.
Synergistic Action of AMX Associated with 1,8-Cineole and Its Effect on the ESBL Enzymatic Resistance Mechanism
Authors: Akhmouch Ahmed Amin , Hriouech Soukayna , Mzabi Aouatef , Tanghort Mariam , Chefchaou Hanane , Remmal Adnane , Chami Najat
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the present study is twofold. First, it aims to evaluate the synergistic action of the ß-lactam antibiotic; AMX is associated with 1,8-cineole on six clinical isolates of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Second, it aims to determine the effect this association has on the ESBL enzymatic resistance mechanism. The synergistic action of AMX/1,8-cineole was evaluated using partial inhibitory concentrations (PIC), determined by a microplate, a checkerboard and time–kill assays. The effect of AMX/1,8-cineole associations on the ESBL enzymatic resistance mechanism was evaluated using a new optimized enzymatic assay. This assay was based on the determination of the AMX antibacterial activity when combined with 1,8-cineole (at subinhibitory concentrations) in the presence or absence of the ß-lactamase enzyme toward a sensitive E. coli strain. The results of both checkerboard and time–kill assays showed a strong synergistic action between AMX and 1,8-cineole. The results of the enzymatic assay showed that the combination of AMX with 1,8-cineole notably influences the enzymatic resistance of the reaction by decreasing the affinity of the β-lactam antibiotic, AMX, to the β-lactamase enzyme. All obtained results suggested that the AMX/1,8-cineole association could be employed in therapy to overcome bacterial resistance to AMX while reducing the prevalence of resistance.
Highly Virulent and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Sequence Type 58 from a Sausage in Germany
Authors: Eger Elias , Domke Marielle , Heiden Stefan E. , Paditz Madeleine , Balau Veronika , Huxdorff Christiane , Zimmermann Dirk , Homeier-Bachmann Timo , Schaufler Katharina
Published: July 2022

Studies have previously described the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in human and veterinary medical settings, livestock, and, to a lesser extent, in the environment and food. While they mostly analyzed foodborne E. coli regarding phenotypic and sometimes genotypic antibiotic resistance and basic phylogenetic classification, we have limited understanding of the in vitro and in vivo virulence characteristics and global phylogenetic contexts of these bacteria. Here, we investigated in-depth an E. coli strain (PBIO3502) isolated from a pork sausage in Germany in 2021. Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed sequence type (ST)58, which has an internationally emerging high-risk clonal lineage. In addition to its MDR phenotype that mostly matched the genotype, PBIO3502 demonstrated pronounced virulence features, including in vitro biofilm formation, siderophore secretion, serum resilience, and in vivo mortality in Galleria mellonella larvae. Along with the genomic analysis indicating close phylogenetic relatedness of our strain with publicly available, clinically relevant representatives of the same ST, these results suggest the zoonotic and pathogenic character of PBIO3502 with the potential to cause infection in humans and animals. Additionally, our study highlights the necessity of the One Health approach while integrating human, animal, and environmental health, as well as the role of meat products and food chains in the putative transmission of MDR pathogens.
Ceftazidime/Avibactam in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Due to Difficult-to-Treat Non-Fermenter Gram-Negative Bacteria in COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Burastero Giulia Jole , Orlando Gabriella , Santoro Antonella , Menozzi Marianna , Franceschini Erica , Bedini Andrea , Cervo Adriana , Faltoni Matteo , Bacca Erica , Biagioni Emanuela , Coloretti Irene , Melegari Gabriele , Maccieri Jessica , Busani Stefano , Bertellini Elisabetta , Girardis Massimo , Ferrarini Giulia , Rofrano Laura , Sarti Mario , Mussini Cristina , Meschiari Marianna
Published: July 2022

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients with COVID-19 represents a very huge global threat due to a higher incidence rate compared to non-COVID-19 patients and almost 50% of the 30-day mortality rate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the first pathogen involved but uncommon non-fermenter gram-negative organisms such as Burkholderia cepacea and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia have emerged as other potential etiological causes. Against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative microorganisms, Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) is considered a first-line option, even more so in case of a ceftolozane/tazobactam resistance or shortage. The aim of this report was to describe our experience with CZA in a case series of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU with VAP due to difficult-to-treat (DTT) P. aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacea, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and to compare it with data published in the literature. A total of 23 patients were treated from February 2020 to March 2022: 19/23 (82%) VAPs were caused by Pseudomonas spp. (16/19 DTT), 2 by Burkholderia cepacea, and 6 by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; 12/23 (52.1%) were polymicrobial. Septic shock was diagnosed in 65.2% of the patients and VAP occurred after a median of 29 days from ICU admission. CZA was prescribed as a combination regimen in 86% of the cases, with either fosfomycin or inhaled amikacin or cotrimoxazole. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 52.3% of the cases and the 30-day overall mortality rate was 14/23 (60.8%). Despite the high mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients, CZA, especially in combination therapy, could represent a valid treatment option for VAP due to DTT non-fermenter gram-negative bacteria, including uncommon pathogens such as Burkholderia cepacea and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
The Impact of Point-of-Care Blood C-Reactive Protein Testing on Prescribing Antibiotics in Out-of-Hours Primary Care: A Mixed Methods Evaluation
Authors: Dixon Sharon , Fanshawe Thomas R. , Mwandigha Lazaro , Edwards George , Turner Philip J. , Glogowska Margaret , Gillespie Marjorie M. , Blair Duncan , Hayward Gail N.
Published: July 2022

Improving prescribing antibiotics appropriately for respiratory infections in primary care is an antimicrobial stewardship priority. There is limited evidence to support interventions to reduce prescribing antibiotics in out-of-hours (OOH) primary care. Herein, we report a service innovation where point-of-care C-Reactive Protein (CRP) machines were introduced to three out-of-hours primary care clinical bases in England from August 2018–December 2019, which were compared with four control bases that did not have point-of-care CRP testing. We undertook a mixed-method evaluation, including a comparative interrupted time series analysis to compare monthly antibiotic prescription rates between bases with CRP machines and those without, an analysis of the number of and reasons for the tests performed, and qualitative interviews with clinicians. Antibiotic prescription rates declined during follow-up, but with no clear difference between the two groups of out-of-hours practices. A single base contributed 217 of the 248 CRP tests performed. Clinicians reported that the tests supported decision making and communication about not prescribing antibiotics, where having ‘objective’ numbers were helpful in navigating non-prescribing decisions and highlighted the challenges of training a fluctuant staff group and practical concerns about using the CRP machine. Service improvements to reduce prescribing antibiotics in out-of-hours primary care need to be developed with an understanding of the needs and context of this service.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) Aqueous Leaf Extract and Their Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Activities
Authors: Abdelbaky Ahmed S. , Abd El-Mageed Taia A. , Babalghith Ahmad O. , Selim Samy , Mohamed Abir M. H. A.
Published: July 2022

Nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit distinct features compared to traditional physico-chemical synthesis and they have many applications in a wide range of fields of life sciences such as surface coating agents, catalysts, food packaging, corrosion protection, environmental remediation, electronics, biomedical and antimicrobial. Green-synthesized metal NPs, mainly from plant sources, have gained a lot of attention due to their intrinsic characteristics like eco-friendliness, rapidity and cost-effectiveness. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs have been synthesized employing an aqueous leaf extract of Pelargonium odoratissimum (L.) as a reducing agent; subsequently, the biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Moreover, aqueous plant leaf extract was subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs was assessed by DPPH assay, with varying concentrations of ZnO NPs, which revealed scavenging activity with IC50 = 28.11 μg mL−1. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial efficacy of the green synthesized ZnO NPs against four foodborne pathogenic bacterial strains was examined using the disk diffusion assay, and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 8095), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC10662) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) were found to be the most sensitive against biosynthesized ZnO NPs, whereas the least sensitivity was shown by Bacillus cereus (ATCC 13753). The anti-inflammatory effect was also evaluated for both ZnO NPs and the aqueous leaf extract of P. odoratissimum through the human red blood cells (HRBC) membrane stabilization method (MSM) in vitro models which includes hypotonicity-induced hemolysis. A maximum membrane stabilization of ZnO NPs was found to be 95.6% at a dose of 1000 μg mL−1 compared with the standard indomethacin. The results demonstrated that leaf extract of P. odoratissimum is suitable for synthesizing ZnO NPs, with antioxidant, antibacterial as well as superior anti-inflammatory activity by improving the membrane stability of lysosome cells, which have physiological properties similar to erythrocyte membrane cells and have no hemolytic activity. Overall, this study provides biosynthesized ZnO NPs that can be used as a safe alternative to synthetic substances as well as a potential candidate for antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory uses in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.