bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salidroside ameliorates cerebral ischemic injury and regulates the glutamate metabolism pathway in astrocytes
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyu , Zhang Hongwei , Zhang Yehao , Ding Zhao , Huang Zishan , Li Haoran , Yao Mingjiang , Song Wenting , Liu Jianxun
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim

Salidroside (SA) is the main active component of Rhodiola rosea L., with potential in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral ischemia. However, its efficacy and mechanism in cerebral ischemia remain unclear, particularly regarding its effect on glutamate (Glu) metabolism. In this paper, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of SA in treating cerebral ischemia and its pharmacological mechanism.

Experimental procedure

We studied the effects of SA on SD rats with cerebral ischemia, evaluating neurobehavior, cerebral water content, infarct size, and brain microstructure. We also assessed its impact on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) proteins using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Additionally, we used SVGp12 cells to simulate cerebral ischemia and measured Glu levels and used Western blot to observe the level of GS and GLT-1.

Results

SA improved neural function, reduced infarct size, and regulated GSH and Glu levels in rats. In cell experiments, SA increased cell viability and decreased Glu concentration after ischemia induction. It also regulated the expression of GFAP, GS, and GLT-1.

Conclusion

SA alleviates cerebral ischemia-induced injury by acting on astrocytes, possibly through regulating the glutamate metabolic pathway.
Limitations of soil-applied non-microbial and microbial biostimulants in enhancing soil P turnover and recycled P fertilizer utilization - a study with and without plants
Authors: Herrmann Michelle Natalie , Griffin Lydia Grace , John Rebecca , Mosquera-Rodríguez Sergio F. , Nkebiwe Peteh Mehdi , Chen Xinping , Yang Huaiyu , Müller Torsten
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Phosphorus recovery from waste streams is a global concern due to open nutrient cycles. However, the reliability and efficiency of recycled P fertilizers are often low. Biostimulants (BS), as a potential enhancer of P availability in soil, could help to overcome current barriers using recycled P fertilizers. For this, a deeper understanding of the influence of BSs on soil P turnover and the interaction of BSs with plants is needed.

Methods

We conducted an incubation and a pot trial with maize in which we testednon-microbial (humic acids and plant extracts) and microbial BSs (microbial consortia) in combination with two recycled fertilizers for their impact on soil P turnover, plant available P, and plant growth.

Results and discussion

BSs could not stimulate P turnover processes (phosphatase activity, microbial biomass P) and had a minor impact on calcium acetate-lactate extractable P (CAL-P) in the incubation trial. Even though stimulation of microbial P turnover by the microbial consortium and humic acids in combination with the sewage sludge ash could be identified in the plant trial with maize, this was not reflected in the plant performance and soil P turnover processes. Concerning the recycled P fertilizers, the CAL-P content in soil was not a reliable predictor of plant performance with both products resulting in competitive plant growth and P uptake. While this study questions the reliability of BSs, it also highlights the necessity toimprove our understanding and distinguish the mechanisms of P mobilization in soil and the stimulation of plant P acquisition to optimize future usage.
Augmenting self-guided virtual-reality exposure therapy for social anxiety with biofeedback: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Premkumar Preethi , Heym Nadja , Myers James A. C. , Formby Phoebe , Battersby Steven , Sumich Alexander Luke , Brown David Joseph
Published: November 2024

Introduction

We previously found that self-guided Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) improved Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) and reduced heartrate. Elevated heartrate characterises social anxiety and the self-guided VRET seemed to reduce heartrate. Thus, receiving continuous biofeedback about physiological arousal during the VRET could help socially anxious individuals to manage their anxiety. The present study aimed to determine whether biofeedback enhances the responsiveness of VRET.

Methods

Seventy-two individuals with high self-reported social anxiety were randomly allocated to VRET-plus-biofeedback (n=38; 25 completers) or VRET alone (n=35; 25 completers). Three hour-long VRET sessions were delivered over three consecutive weeks. During each session, participants delivered a 20-minute public speech in front of a virtual audience. Participants in the VRET-plus-biofeedback group received biofeedback on heartrate and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) within the virtual environment and were asked to lower their arousal accordingly. Participants in both groups completed psychometric assessments of social anxiety after each session and at one-month follow-up.

Results

PSA improved by the end of treatment and overall social anxiety improved one month after the VRET across both groups. The VRET-plus-biofeedback group showed a steadier reduction in FAA in the first VRET session and a greater reduction in self-reported arousal across the three sessions than the VRET-alone group.

Conclusion

Biofeedback can steady physiological arousal and lower perceived arousal during exposure. The benefits of self-guided VRET for social anxiety are sustained one month after therapy.
Psychosocial, emotional and behavioral problems, quality of life, and mental health care seeking behaviors among children and adolescents in Jordan: a national school-based survey
Authors: Khader Yousef , Abu Khudair Sara , Tanaka Eizaburo , Kufoof Lara , Al Nsour Mohannad , Aqel Ashraf , Maayeh Mohammad , Kharabsha Ahmad
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral problems and their symptoms among children and adolescents in Jordan, assess their quality of life, and examine mental health help-seeking behavior.

Methods

A large-scale school-based national survey was conducted in Jordan among children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years (grades 3 to 12) from the host and refugee populations, utilizing a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique to select a nationally representative sample. Two versions of structured questionnaires were used: proxy parent version for students in grades 3 to 6 (8–11 years) and self-report version for students in grades 7 to 12 (12–18 years). The study questionnaires employed internationally recognized and validated tools in English, which were translated into Arabic.

Results

A total of 8,000 (3,433 (42.9%) boys, 4,567 (57.1%) girls) and (3,593 (44.9%) children, 4,407 (55.1%) adolescents) were included. About 24.5% of children had anxiety symptoms (18.0% of Jordanians, 34.5% of Syrian camp refugees, 33.7% of Syrian urban refugees, and 24.7% of Palestinian camp refugees) and 16.6% of children had major depressive disorder symptoms (11.0% of Jordanians, 25.4% of Syrian camp refugees, 25.0% of Syrian urban refugees, and 14.0% of Palestinian camp refugees). Almost 13.9% of children and 19.7% of adolescents had abnormal levels of total emotional and behavioral difficulties. Nearly 16.5% of children and 35.0% of adolescents had poor overall health-related quality of life. When experiencing a personal or emotional problem, only 28.1% of children’s parents would seek help for their children and 19.7% of adolescents would seek help for themselves.

Conclusion

The study revealed a high prevalence of various mental health issues’ symptoms, particularly among refugees and female adolescents. Intention to seek help is relatively low, suggesting that children and adolescents’ mental health needs are not being widely met. It is crucial to implement integrated and coordinated plans and programs that effectively target multiple factors that impact children and adolescents’ mental health, while also respecting the prevailing cultural context. A key aspect of promoting the mental well-being of children and adolescents in Jordan is the inclusive involvement of refugees and individuals from other nationalities.
Mental and physical health characteristics of older and younger adults receiving medication for opioid use disorder
Authors: Walker Teresa J. , Mohankumar Rakshitha , Kraus Shane W. , Cotton Brandi P. , Renn Brenna N.
Published: November 2024

Background

Methadone is an effective and widely used medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Within in the United States (US), older adults represent an increasing proportion of those receiving MOUD, yet little is known about characteristics of older individuals in these programs.

Objectives

To evaluate mental and physical health characteristics of younger and older adults receiving MOUD and test whether age moderates the relation between physical and mental health variables.

Methods

Data for this secondary analysis are drawn from a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of individuals seeking methadone dosing as part of MOUD at four opioid treatment programs in two regions of the US. Descriptive statistics and correlational and moderation analyses examined outcomes of pain severity, pain interference, self-rated health, physical activity, depression, and anxiety across younger (18-49) and older (50+ years) participants.

Results

Analyses included 469 participants (mean [range] age, 41.01 [20–70] years). Older participants reported higher pain severity and interference, less physical activity, and worse self-rated health than those in the younger age group (ps < 0.05). Associations between mental and physical health variables were generally weak-to-moderate in the older age group (r = 0.26 to r = 0.44, p < 0.01), and weak in the younger age group, although age did not moderate associations.

Conclusion

Clinically significant mental and physical health variables are associated among individuals receiving methadone for MOUD, with older adults facing unique challenges.

Clinical implications

Opioid use treatment should include not only pain management but also assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety and optimization of other health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) across age groups. Pain management and health promotion are particularly relevant targets for aging individuals receiving MOUD.
Perceived Effectiveness of Public Health Unit Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Community-Based Organizations to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination Among Ethnoracial Communities
Authors: Song Melodie Yunju , Blake-Hepburn Denessia , Varia Monali , Estey Noad Elizabeth , Peer Nazia , Pakes Barry , Fadel Shaza A. , Allin Sara , Ataullahjan Anushka , Di Ruggiero Erica
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore how Ontario Public Health Units (PHUs) partnered with faith-based organizations (FBOs) and other community-based organizations (CBOs) to promote COVID-19 vaccination among ethnoracial groups made structurally vulnerable during the pandemic, and to understand how PHUs perceive the effectiveness of these partnerships with these organizations.

Methods

Between June to December 2022, we distributed a cross-sectional survey to 34 PHUs in Ontario to explore how PHUs were engaging and partnering with FBOs and CBOs.

Results

Responses were received from 28 of 34 (82.5%) public health units. Across Ontario, 23 (82.1%) respondent PHUs worked with FBOs during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with activities ranging from informing FBOs of vaccine availability, to using places of worship as sites for vaccine administration and co-creating educational materials on immunization that were faith- and culturally sensitive.

Conclusion

FBOs can be a valuable community partner as PHUs work to increase the reach and uptake of public health interventions. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the impact of FBO engagement on vaccine confidence and uptake among ethnoracial communities is needed to inform future community engaged vaccine programming in Ontario.
Minimum-Energy Scheduling of Flexible Job-Shop Through Optimization and Comprehensive Heuristic
Authors: Olanrewaju Oludolapo Akanni , Krykhtine Fabio Luiz Peres , Mora-Camino Felix
Published: November 2024

This study considers a flexible job-shop scheduling problem where energy cost savings are the primary objective and where the classical objective of the minimization of the make-span is replaced by the satisfaction of due times for each job. An original two-level mixed-integer formulation of this optimization problem is proposed, where the processed flows of material and their timing are explicitly considered. Its exact solution is discussed, and, considering its computational complexity, a comprehensive heuristic, balancing energy performance and due time constraint satisfaction, is developed to provide acceptable solutions in polynomial time to the minimum-energy flexible job-shop scheduling problem, even when considering its dynamic environment. The proposed approach is illustrated through a small-scale example.
Modeling and Transition Flight Control of Distributed Propulsion–Wing VTOL UAV with Induced Wing Configuration
Authors: Zhao Qingfeng , Zhou Zhou , Wang Rui
Published: November 2024

The integration of propulsion and wing in distributed propulsion–wing UAVs (DPW UAVs) introduces significant propulsion-aerodynamic coupling, complicating dynamic modeling and flight control. This complexity is heightened by using induced wing surfaces for vertical takeoff and landing, requiring controllers to adapt to configuration changes and disturbances during transition flight. This paper develops a propulsion-aerodynamic coupling model for a medium-sized DPW UAV with induced wings (DPW-IW), enabling real-time aerodynamic performance calculations. Furthermore, a unified flight-control framework is proposed to avoid controller scheduling and switching during flight mode transitions. The proposed control framework employs the time-scale separation principle, divided into an outer loop and an inner loop. The outer loop uses a fuzzy controller to adjust allocation parameters, while the inner loop applies incremental nonlinear dynamic inversion (INDI) and control allocation (INCA) methods, providing robustness to nonlinear changes during flight transitions. Finally, simulations under various conditions demonstrate the controller’s effectiveness in ensuring smooth and robust transitions.
Prediction of Temperature Distribution on an Aircraft Hot-Air Anti-Icing Surface by ROM and Neural Networks
Authors: Chu Ziying , Geng Ji , Yang Qian , Yi Xian , Dong Wei
Published: November 2024

To address the inefficiencies and time-consuming nature of traditional hot-air anti-icing system designs, reduced-order models (ROMs) and machine learning techniques are introduced to predict anti-icing surface temperature distributions. Two models, AlexNet combined with Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD-AlexNet) and multi-CNNs with GRU (MCG), are proposed by comparing several classic neural networks. Design variables of the hot-air anti-icing cavity are used as inputs of the two models, and the corresponding surface temperature distribution data serve as outputs, and then the performance of these models is evaluated on the test set. The POD-AlexNet model achieves a mean prediction accuracy of over 95%, while the MCG model reaches 96.97%. Furthermore, the proposed model demonstrates a prediction time of no more than 5.5 ms for individual temperature samples. The proposed models not only provide faster predictions of anti-icing surface temperature distributions than traditional numerical simulation methods but also ensure acceptable accuracy, which supports the design of aircraft hot-air anti-icing systems based on optimization methods such as genetic algorithms.
Effect of Nozzle Type on Combustion Characteristics of Ammonium Dinitramide-Based Energetic Propellant
Authors: Han Jianhui , Jiang Luyun , Ye Jifei , Song Junling , Cui Haichao , Du Baosheng , Feng Gaoping
Published: November 2024

The present study explores the influence of diverse nozzle geometries on the combustion characteristics of ADN-based energetic propellants. The pressure contour maps reveal a rapid initial increase in the average pressure of ADN-based propellants across the three different nozzles. Subsequently, the pressure tapers off gradually as time elapses. Notably, during the crucial initial period of 0–5 μs, the straight nozzle exhibited the most significant pressure surge at 30.2%, substantially outperforming the divergent (6.67%) and combined nozzles (15.5%). The combustion product variation curves indicate that the contents of reactants ADN and CH3OH underwent a steep decline, whereas the product N2O displayed a biphasic behavior, initially rising and subsequently declining. In contrast, the CO2 concentration remained on a steady ascent throughout the entire combustion process, which concluded within 10 μs. Our findings suggest that the straight nozzle facilitated the more expeditious generation of high-temperature and high-pressure combustion gases for ADN-based propellants, expediting reaction kinetics and enhancing combustion efficiency. This is attributed to the reduced intermittent interactions between the nozzle wall and shock waves, which are encountered in the divergent and combined nozzles. In conclusion, the superior combustion characteristics of ADN-based propellants in the straight nozzle, compared to the divergent and combined nozzles, underscore its potential in informing the design of advanced propulsion systems and guiding the development of innovative energetic propellants.
Inverse Identification of Constituent Elastic Parameters of Ceramic Matrix Composites Based on Macro–Micro Combined Finite Element Model
Authors: Huang Sheng , Rong Le , Jiang Zhuoqun , Tokovyy Yuriy V.
Published: November 2024

Accurate material performance parameters are the prerequisite for conducting composite material structural analysis and design. However, the complex multiscale structure of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) makes it extremely difficult to accurately obtain their mechanical performance parameters. To address this issue, a CMC micro-scale constituents (fiber bundles and matrix) elastic parameter inversion method was proposed based on the integration of macro–micro finite element models. This model was established based on the μCT scan data of a plain-woven CMC tensile specimen using the chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process, which could reflect the real microstructure and surface morphology characteristics of the material. A BP neural network was used to predict the multiscale stiffness, considering the influence of the porous structure on the macroscopic stiffness of the material. The inversion process of the constituent elastic parameters was established using the trust-region algorithm combined with an improved error function. The inversion results showed that this method could accurately invert the CMC constituent elastic parameters with excellent robustness and anti-noise performance. Under four different degrees of deviation in the initial iteration conditions, the inversion error of all parameters was within 1%, and the maximum inversion error was only 2.16% under a 10% high noise level.
A Conceptual Design of Deployable Antenna Mechanisms
Authors: Kang Hyeongseok , Hwang Bohyun , Kim Sooyoung , Lee Hyeonseok , Koo Kyungrae , Joe Seonggun , Kim Byungkyu
Published: November 2024

Over the last decade, large-scale antennas have been developed to enhance precise blue force tracking and improve situational awareness. In general, such large-scale antennas, ranging from 1 to up to 10 m, need a specific mechanism that can reconfigure their shapes and morphologies, resulting in stowing and deploying upon the given environment. In parallel, it must be noted that such deployable mechanisms should accommodate a large aperture diameter while ensuring they are lightweight, robust, and structurally rigid to avoid undesired deformations due to the deployment. With these in mind, this work presents a large frustum-shaped deployable antenna mechanism with a large aperture diameter of 7.5 m. The deployable mechanism is composed of hierarchical bayes the radial direction at 30° intervals. Twelve bayes in total identify the overall morphology of the deployable antenna, which features a dodecagon. Specifically, the bay is composed of three linkage structures: a six-bar linkage mechanism, a V-folding mechanism, and a single pantograph mechanism. As a result of static and dynamic simulations, it is identified that the mechanism achieves an area-to-mass ratio of 5.003 m2/kg and a safety factor of 323.8 upon deployment. Conclusively, this work demonstrates a strong potential of the deployable antenna mechanism, providing high rigidity and large aperture diameter while ensuring high stability in space environments.
Adaptive Two-Degree-of-Freedom Robust Gain-Scheduling Control Strategy
Authors: Yin Kai , Liu Zhidan , Gou Linfeng
Published: November 2024

This study introduces a novel tracking control strategy tailored to aeroengines, which are highly nonlinear and characterized by significant uncertainty. The proposed method entails a robust extended Kalman filter (REKF) enhanced by a forgetting factor for improved performance. An accompanying augmented, mixed onboard adaptive model based on the REKF precisely estimates and manages engine performance degradation. This advanced model effectively counters the degradation term in the perturbation block of the engine’s uncertain model. Using this strategic approach, a robust gain-scheduling controller was constructed and was found to outperform its predecessors, marking a notable advancement in control system design. Controlling twin rotor multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) systems is a highly complex process due to model uncertainties and unpredictable external disturbances. To address these challenges, we constructed an adaptive two-degree-of-freedom robust gain-scheduling controller (ATDF-RGSC) using a mixed sensitivity approach. Rigorous performance analysis confirms that this controller offers enhanced robustness, faster tracking, and more precise disturbance attenuation compared to other methods. These advanced control strategies successfully manage uncertainties and disturbances, improving performance metrics in both simulated and experimental scenarios. The proposed method may significantly enhance the safety and reliability of aeroengines and MIMO systems in practical applications.
Study on Regional Differences, Dynamic Evolution and Convergence of Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development in China
Authors: Gu Yumeng , Qi Chunjie , Liu Fuxing , Dong Yani , Zhang Haixia
Published: November 2024

This article constructs an evaluation index system for the development of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in China and measures the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture using the entropy method, based on the panel data of 31 provinces from 2000 to 2022. The Dagum Gini coefficient is employed to analyze the magnitude and sources of regional differences in the development level between the whole country and the four major regions. The Kernel density estimation method is applied to describe the dynamic evolutionary characteristics of the development level in different regions. Furthermore, this study delves into the σ convergence and β convergence characteristics of the development level. The results show the following: (a) The level of nutrition-sensitive agricultural development at the national level and in the four major regions has been rising year by year, with a clear spatial pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. (b) There are significant regional differences at the national level and in the four major regions, which tend to widen. (c) The dynamic evolution characteristics of the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in various regions differ greatly, with polarization in the national, eastern, western and northeastern regions. (d) There is no σ convergence in the development level of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in the country or in the four major regions, but there is absolute β convergence and conditional β convergence in all of them, with the northeastern and central regions having faster convergence speeds; the “catching-up effect” is obvious. The report concludes by outlining the policy ramifications for implementing a methodical and comprehensive strategy approach to support regionally coordinated development plans for leapfrogging and upgrading.
Evaluating Enteric Fermentation-Driven Environmental Kuznets Curve Dynamics: A Bayesian Vector Autoregression Comparative Study of the EU and Least Developed Countries
Authors: Zafeiriou Eleni , Galatsidas Spyros , Moulogianni Christina , Sofios Spyridon , Arabatzis Garyfallos
Published: November 2024

Global warming and climate change, primarily driven by human activities, with agriculture playing a significant role, have become central topics of scientific research. Livestock production, especially enteric fermentation, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, making it a focal point for both climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Both the European Union (EU) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are highly dependent on agriculture, particularly livestock, which plays a key role in their economic growth. In developing countries, livestock systems are evolving rapidly due to various factors, while in the EU, the livestock sector remains economically and socially significant, representing 36% of total agricultural activity. This study explores the environmental impact of enteric fermentation in livestock production, alongside the economic value it generates in both the EU and LDCs. The analysis utilizes a Bayesian Vector Autoregression (BVAR) methodology, which provides a more robust performance compared to traditional models like Vector Autoregression (VAR) and the Vector-error Correction Model (VECM). This research identifies significant relationships between the variables studied, with structural breaks quantified to reflect the impact of initiatives undertaken in both regions. Interestingly, the results challenge the environmental Kuznets curve, which hypothesizes an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation, as proposed by Stern. This suggests that stronger economic incentives may be necessary to enhance policy effectiveness and promote eco-efficiency. The distinctive characteristics of livestock production in the EU and LDCs should be carefully considered when shaping agricultural policies, with a strong emphasis on farmer education as a critical factor for success. Additionally, corporate management practices must be tailored to address the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of livestock businesses in these two diverse regions.
Detection of Rice Leaf Folder in Paddy Fields Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Feng Shanshan , Jiang Shun , Huang Xuying , Zhang Lei , Gan Yangying , Wang Laigang , Zhou Canfang
Published: November 2024

Pest infestations significantly impact rice production and threaten food security. Remote sensing offers a vital tool for the non-destructive, rapid detection of rice pests. Existing studies often focus on laboratory conditions at the leaf level, limiting their applicability for precise pesticide application. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a method for detecting rice pests (rice leaf folders) in paddy fields based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hyperspectral data. Firstly, a UAV imaging system collected hyperspectral images of rice plants in both the jointing and heading stages. A total of 222 field plots for investigating rice leaf folders was established during these two periods. Secondly, 23 vegetation indices were calculated as candidates for identifying rice pests. Then, hyperspectral data and field investigation data from the jointing stage were used to construct a machine learning (extreme gradient boosting, XGBoost) algorithm for detecting rice pests. The results showed that the XGBoost model exhibited the best performance when eight vegetation indices were considered as the selected input features for model construction: the Red-edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (red-edge NDVI), Structure Insensitive Pigment Index (SIPI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Red-edge Chlorophyll Index (CIred-edge), Pigment-Specific Simple Ratio680 (PSSR680), and Carotenoid Reflectance Index700 (CPI700). The training and testing accuracies reached 87.46% and 86%, respectively. Furthermore, the heading stage application confirmed the model’s feasibility. Thus, the XGBoost model with input features of eight vegetation indices provides an effective and reliable method for detecting rice leaf folders, supporting real-time, precise pesticide use in rice cultivation.
Cucumber Leaf Segmentation Based on Bilayer Convolutional Network
Authors: Qian Tingting , Liu Yangxin , Lu Shenglian , Li Linyi , Zheng Xiuguo , Ju Qingqing , Li Yiyang , Xie Chun , Li Guo
Published: November 2024

When monitoring crop growth using top-down images of the plant canopies, leaves in agricultural fields appear very dense and significantly overlap each other. Moreover, the image can be affected by external conditions such as background environment and light intensity, impacting the effectiveness of image segmentation. To address the challenge of segmenting dense and overlapping plant leaves under natural lighting conditions, this study employed a Bilayer Convolutional Network (BCNet) method for accurate leaf segmentation across various lighting environments. The major contributions of this study are as follows: (1) Utilized Fully Convolutional Object Detection (FCOS) for plant leaf detection, incorporating ResNet-50 with the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) and Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) to enhance Region of Interest (RoI) feature extraction from canopy top-view images. (2) Extracted the sub-region of the RoI based on the position of the detection box, using this region as input for the BCNet, ensuring precise segmentation. (3) Utilized instance segmentation of canopy top-view images using BCNet, improving segmentation accuracy. (4) Applied the Varifocal Loss Function to improve the classification loss function in FCOS, leading to better performance metrics. The experimental results on cucumber canopy top-view images captured in glass greenhouse and plastic greenhouse environments show that our method is highly effective. For cucumber leaves at different growth stages and under various lighting conditions, the Precision, Recall and Average Precision (AP) metrics for object recognition are 97%, 94% and 96.57%, respectively. For instance segmentation, the Precision, Recall and Average Precision (AP) metrics are 87%, 83% and 84.71%, respectively. Our algorithm outperforms commonly used deep learning algorithms such as Faster R-CNN, Mask R-CNN, YOLOv4 and PANet, showcasing its superior capability in complex agricultural settings. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of our method for accurate recognition and segmentation of highly overlapping leaves in diverse agricultural environments, significantly contributing to the application of deep learning algorithms in smart agriculture.
Dietary Malondialdehyde Impair Intestinal Health and Fillet Quality of Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂)
Authors: Wang Xuehan , Fan Jiongting , Dong Xiaohui , Zhang Shuang , Yang Qihui , Chi Shuyan , Zhang Haitao , Deng Junming , Tan Beiping
Published: November 2024

Aquafeed kept at elevated temperatures and humidity can result in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, adversely affecting aquafeed quality and triggering negative reactions in fish. To investigate the detrimental effects of dietary MDA on fish, six experimental diets with varying MDA levels (ranging from 0.03 to 17.72 mg/kg, on dietary crude lipid basis) were administered to three replicates of hybrid grouper for 8 weeks. Dietary inclusion of 4.43 mg/kg MDA significantly decreased serum complement 4 content and lysozyme activity, along with intestinal complement 3, complement 4, and immunoglobulin M contents. Furthermore, dietary inclusion of 8.86 mg/kg MDA significantly increased the activities of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase, ubiquitin-protein ligase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and tumor necrosis factor-α, downregulated the relative expression of Occludin but upregulated the relative expression of HSP70 in the hindgut. Additionally, the highest inclusion of MDA (17.72 mg/kg) significantly upregulated the relative levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), caused intestinal inflammation, and damaged the intestinal microbial structure and fish fillet texture. This study demonstrated a dose-dependent response of MDA on hybrid grouper. A low dietary dose of MDA (<2.21 mg/kg) exhibited minimal impact on immune response and fillet quality. However, higher inclusion levels (≥4.43 mg/kg) impaired the intestinal health and fillet quality. Consequently, the safety limit for MDA content in the diet for hybrid grouper has been established at 4.43 mg/kg based on dietary crude lipid basis.
Utilization of Purple Napier Grass Silage on Milk Quality and Blood Antioxidant Activity in Lactating Dairy Goats
Authors: Meethip Weerada , Paengkoum Siwaporn , Onjai-uea Narawich , Thongpea Sorasak , Taethaisong Nittaya , Surakhunthod Jariya , Paengkoum Pramote
Published: November 2024

In this study, our subjects were 18 female crossbred Saanen lactating goats; the goats weighed approximately 43.25 ± 2.35 kg and had been producing milk for 14 ± 2 days. They were assigned to three equally sized experimental groups based on the cycle of the lactation period. In accordance with the randomized complete block design (RCBD), six animals were randomly assigned to the treatments in each block. There were three treatments: (1) control = Napier Pakchong-1 grass silage (NPS); (2) = sweet grass silage (SGS); and (3) = purple Napier silage (PNS). Our findings show that the goats fed with purple Napier grass silage had a higher DM intake (1805.97 g/day) than those that underwent a different treatment (1312.76 and 1443.43 g/day). The goats fed with purple Napier grass silage had higher protein digestibility (79.85) than those fed with Napier Pakchong-1 and sweet grass silage. There were significant differences in the ruminal ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen. Nevertheless, purple Napier grass silage significantly increased butyric acid 2 and 4 h after feeding and increased the number of microorganisms. In the dairy goats fed purple Napier grass silage, we observed a reduction in protozoa and methanogen populations. The levels of antioxidants shown by the plasma indices differed in the goats fed with purple Napier grass silage and showed enhanced milk composition, higher levels of total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the plasma, reduced protozoa methanogen, and a decreased level of malondialdehyde in the plasma. This study highlights that purple Napier grass silage has the potential to be a beneficial source of roughage for lactating dairy goats.
Dietary Oregano Oil Supplementation Improved Egg Quality by Altering Cecal Microbiota Function in Laying Hens
Authors: Xian Lili , Wang Yan , Peng Da , Zang Lei , Xu Yidan , Wu Yuanyuan , Li Jingjing , Feng Jing
Published: November 2024

Improving egg quality is one of the main objectives of the poultry industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary oregano oil supplementation with different concentrations on the egg quality, intestinal morphology and cecal microbiome of late-phase laying hens. A total of 300 55-week-old Snowy white laying hens were randomly divided into five groups and fed a basal diet (control) or basal diets supplemented with oregano oil at 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg (O25, O50, O75 and O100) over a 100-day period. Compared with the control group, eggshell thickness and eggshell weight were increased significantly in eggs when oregano oil was added (p < 0.05). The highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and C18:2n6c was observed in yolks with 25 mg/kg supplement among 5 groups (p < 0.05). The highest average content of riboflavin in egg yolk and thiamine in egg white was observed in the O25 group (p < 0.05). When the supplemental levels of oregano oil were 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, the selenium and phosphorus content in the egg was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) and villus height of the small intestine was significantly increased compared with the chickens fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the abundance of Megamonas was increased in the O50 group (p < 0.05). The unclassified_o__Bacteroidales in the O25 group were significantly higher than those in the other four groups (p < 0.05). These differential microorganisms were significantly correlated with egg quality characteristics. Dietary supplementation of oregano oil can significantly improve egg quality via gut microbiota alteration in laying hens.
Growth Performance and Flesh Quality of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Fed with Diets Containing Olive Oil in Partial Replacement of Fish Oil—With or Without Supplementation with Rosmarinus officinalis L. Essential Oil
Authors: Tarricone Simona , Ragni Marco , Carbonara Claudia , Giannico Francesco , Bozzo Francesco , Petrontino Alessandro , Caputi Jambrenghi Anna , Colonna Maria Antonietta
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of using olive oil (OO) in a partial replacement of fish oil (FO), with or without supplementation with rosemary essential oil (RO), on the growth performances and flesh quality traits of farmed Dicentrarchus labrax. Sea bass were fed with the experimental diets for 200 days; afterwards, they were caught and stored in ice (0–2 °C) for up to 17 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. Fillets were analyzed for physical features, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on days 0, 5, 10, and 17 of storage. The fillets were assessed for sensory properties according to the QIM and Torry Scheme methods. No statistical differences between groups were found for the final average body weight, SGR, FCR and the flesh chemical composition. Supplementation with RO reduced (p < 0.05) MDA concentration, thus improving the shelf life of fish by up to 10 days. The sensory score (QIM) increased linearly (p < 0.05) with storage time; for cooked fillet, the Torry Scheme score decreased (p < 0.05) with storage time. The economic analysis of feed cost has proven the feasibility of using olive oil as local feed ingredient in the partial replacement of fish oil.
Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context
Authors: Pérez Beatriz , Boso Àlex , Herrera Mauricio , Álvarez Boris , Castilla M. Cecilia
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to develop and validate the Scale of Attitudes towards Rodents (SARod) to measure public attitudes towards rodents in a Chilean community context. Utilizing an instrumental design, we gathered data from 497 participants using convenience sampling. The SARod, comprising 22 Likert-scale items, evaluates attitudes across four dimensions: Scientistic, Positivistic, Emotional Negativistic, and Cognitive and Behavioral Negativistic. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to examine the scale’s structure and reliability, revealing strong internal consistency (Ω > 0.8) across all factors. Results indicated that higher educational levels and increased interaction with rodents were associated with more positive attitudes, while a greater disposition towards rodent extermination correlated with more negative attitudes. No significant gender differences were observed. The SARod shows robust psychometric properties, offering a reliable tool for cross-cultural comparisons of rodent-related attitudes. This scale can inform targeted interventions and public education campaigns, promoting coexistence and effective rodent management strategies. Further research should explore the application of the SARod in diverse cultural contexts.
Pet Ownership and Its Influence on Animal Welfare Attitudes and Consumption Intentions Among Chinese University Students
Authors: Liang Yaoming , Meng Chengmin , Chen Ruiqi , Yang Yongkun , Zeng Yonghui
Published: November 2024

As global awareness of animal welfare continues to rise, it has become essential to understand the factors that shape individual attitudes and consumption behaviors related to animal welfare. This study empirically investigates how pet ownership influences attitudes towards animal welfare and related consumption intentions among Chinese university students. Findings demonstrate that students from pet-owning households exhibit significantly more favorable attitudes and behaviors concerning animal empathy, awareness of animal welfare, willingness to purchase animal welfare certified products, and the willingness to pay a premium for animal welfare labels. Pet ownership fosters emotional resonance, enhancing empathy and perceptions regarding animal welfare, and influences preferences for animal welfare certified products through simulated consumer choices. By applying propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate endogeneity concerns, this research advances theoretical discussions surrounding animal welfare attitudes and consumption behaviors. Looking ahead, the promotion of animal welfare should involve coordinated efforts across educational institutions, policy frameworks, and market mechanisms to cultivate a broader understanding and adoption of animal welfare principles.
Comparison Between Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology for the Assessment of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in Racehorses
Authors: Bozzola Chiara , Sala Giulia , Schinardi Lorenzo , Stancari Giovanni , Stucchi Luca , Ferrucci Francesco , Zucca Enrica
Published: November 2024

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) is a common pulmonary disease among racehorses, diagnosed by the detection of blood in the trachea after strenuous exercise or the presence of hemosiderophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Although the latter is considered the most sensitive method to diagnose EIPH, it is perceived as a less practical and more invasive procedure compared to tracheal wash (TW) collection among racehorse trainers. The present retrospective study aimed to verify the agreement between Tracheal wash and BALF cytology in assessing EIPH in racehorses. For this purpose, cytological data from 172 patients regarding hemosiderophage percentage, hemosiderin score, and percentage of recent, intermediate, and old EIPH were reviewed, and the simplified Total Hemosiderin Score (sTHS) was calculated. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to assess the difference and the correlation between TW and BALF. The two cytological methods strongly agreed in evaluating EIPH in racehorses for hemosiderophage percentage (ρ = 0.89, p < 0.001), hemosiderin score (k = 0.63, p < 0.001), sTHS (ρ = 0.87, p < 0.001), percentage of recent EIPH (ρ = 0.95, p < 0.001), intermediate EIPH (ρ = 0.92, p < 0.001), and old EIPH (ρ = 0.85, p < 0.001). In conclusion, TW showed to be a reliable method, which might substitute BALF in assessing EIPH in racehorses.
Polish Speech and Text Emotion Recognition in a Multimodal Emotion Analysis System
Authors: Skowroński Kamil , Gałuszka Adam , Probierz Eryka
Published: November 2024

Emotion recognition by social robots is a serious challenge because sometimes people also do not cope with it. It is important to use information about emotions from all possible sources: facial expression, speech, or reactions occurring in the body. Therefore, a multimodal emotion recognition system was introduced, which includes the indicated sources of information and deep learning algorithms for emotion recognition. An important part of this system includes the speech analysis module, which was decided to be divided into two tracks: speech and text. An additional condition is the target language of communication, Polish, for which the number of datasets and methods is very limited. The work shows that emotion recognition using a single source—text or speech—can lead to low accuracy of the recognized emotion. It was therefore decided to compare English and Polish datasets and the latest deep learning methods in speech emotion recognition using Mel spectrograms. The most accurate LSTM models were evaluated on the English set and the Polish nEMO set, demonstrating high efficiency of emotion recognition in the case of Polish data. The conducted research is a key element in the development of a decision-making algorithm for several emotion recognition modules in a multimodal system.
User Perception-Based Optimal Route Selection for Vehicles of Disabled Persons in Urban Centers of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharbi Fawaz , Alshammari Abdulmajeed , Almoshaogeh Meshal , Jamal Arshad , Haider Husnain
Published: November 2024

People with disabilities (PWD), in their routine commutes, confront hindrances associated with road infrastructure in busy urban centers. The present study developed a user perception-based methodology to evaluate optimal routes for PWD in urban settlements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A survey captured the preferences for 105 PWD, consisting of 37 powered wheelchair users, 62 manual wheelchair users, and 6 artificial limb users. The multi-criteria decision analysis evaluated the accessibility index for PWD based on four criteria: length, number of junctions, absence of footpath, and slope. This study revealed that manual wheelchair users prefer the length criterion, powered wheelchair users emphasized the absence of footpaths, and artificial limb users were concerned about slope. The result showed that only two routes out of ten showed medium, while those remaining exhibited low accessibility. Most routes were relatively long for people with disabilities, focusing on the need for public transportation with special arrangements in most small and medium-sized cities, like the study area of Hail and Qassim province of the KSA, to reduce the distance and travel time. The proposed framework provides valuable insights to route evaluation for persons with special needs in the KSA and elsewhere.
A Software-Defined Radio Platform for Teaching Beamforming Principles
Authors: Sârbu Annamaria , Papa Robert , Digulescu Angela , Ioana Cornel
Published: November 2024

This paper presents the development and validation of a hybrid beamforming system based on software-defined radio (SDR), designed for telecommunications engineering education. The system provides an agile and user-friendly platform that allows students to observe, test, and evaluate beamforming techniques in real time. The platform integrates a multichannel SDR device (USRP N310) with traditional radiofrequency equipment and open-source software, facilitating hands-on learning experiences. The paper details the proposed hardware and software architecture and documents the calibration and validation phases. The testing and validation processes were conducted using a 3.5 GHz antenna array in both indoor and outdoor environments. The results demonstrated the system’s effectiveness in achieving the desired beam orientations, with experimental results aligning closely with simulation and theoretical predictions. Significant differences in the radiation patterns observed between the indoor and outdoor measurements were documented, highlighting the impact of environmental factors on beamforming performance. The insights gained from this research provide valuable contributions to the education of future telecommunications engineers, enhancing their understanding of practical beamforming applications and the integration of modern SDR technology.