bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness: An empirical model
Authors: Bizzarri Federico , Giuliani Alessandro , Mocenni Chiara
Published: December 2022

In this work, we face the time-honored problem of the contraposition/integration of analytical and intuitive knowledge, and the impact of such interconnection on the onset of awareness resulting from human decision-making processes. Borrowing the definitions of concepts like intuition, tacit knowledge, uncertainty, metacognition, and emotions from the philosophical, psychological, decision theory, and economic points of view, we propose a skeletonized mathematical model grounded on Markov Decision Processes of these multifaceted concepts. Behavioral patterns that emerged from the solutions of the model enabled us to understand some relevant properties of the interaction between explicit (mainly analytical) and implicit (mainly holistic) knowledge. The impact of the roles played by the same factors for both styles of reasoning and different stages of the decision process has been evaluated. We have found that awareness emerges as a dynamic process allowing the decision-maker to switch from habitual to optimal behavior, resulting from a feedback mechanism of self-observation. Furthermore, emotions are embedded in the model as inner factors, possibly fostering the onset of awareness.
The influence of stigma and disability acceptance on psychosocial adaptation in patients with stoma: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Xi Zhang , Rong Chen M. , Ling Lin J. , Hua Zeng P. , Rui Gao , Fang Huang G. , Long Wang , Zhen Zhuo H. , Hong Li
Published: December 2022

Background

The stoma can cause serious physical and psychological distress to the patient, leading to an inability to live a normal life; although it effectively improves the 5-year survival rate of patients.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to explore the status of stigma and disability acceptance of patients with stoma and their influences on psychosocial adaptation.

Design

A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Methods

A total of 259 patients with stoma in 6 hospitals from southeast China were enrolled. And this research adhered to the STROBE guideline and approved by the Ethics Committee of Fu Jian Provincial Hospital. The ostomy adjustment inventory-20、acceptance of disability scale and social impact scale were used to collect data. The hypothetical path model was tested using the SPSS version 22.0 software and AMOS version 26.0 software.

Results

Stigma, disability acceptance and psychosocial adaptation was associated. The sense of stigma was severe (72.76 ± 12.73), the acceptance of disability was medium (179.24 ± 32.29) and the psychosocial adaptation was poor (38.06 ± 8.76). Also, the hypothesis model of this study fitted the data well (AGFI = 0.967>0.08; χ2/df = 1.723, p = 0.08 > 0.05), and the results showed that disability acceptance positively affected psychosocial adaptation; while stigma negatively affected psychosocial adaptation, and disability acceptance mediated between stigma and psychosocial adaptation (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The stigma and disability acceptance of patients with stoma are serious problems that are closely related to their psychosocial adaptation. Medical staff should take some interventions based on different paths to reduce stoma patients’ stigma and guide them to improve disability acceptance, thus to improve the level of psychosocial adaptation of patients with stoma.
Rhythmic training, literacy, and graphomotor skills in kindergarteners
Authors: Frey Aline , Lessard Andrée , Carchon Isabelle , Provasi Joëlle , Pulido Loïc
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The aim of this manuscript is twofold: first, to investigate the relationship between rhythmic, phonological and graphomotor skills in kindergarten children; and second, to evaluate the possible impact of rhythmic training on the two other skills.

Methods

To that end, we selected a sample of 78 children in Québec. Forty-two children received rhythmic training (experimental group) and 34 arts training (active control group) during the same period (10 weeks). Before and after training, children in both groups were assessed for general skills (forward and backward memory span, vocabulary, non-verbal ability), rhythmic skills (synchronization and discrimination tasks), literacy skills (phonological skills - syllable counting, syllable deletion, rhyme discrimination – and invented spelling skills) and graphomotor skills (legibility of letter writing, quality of copying of geometric shapes).

Results

Results showed correlations between the child’s rhythmic and literacy skills, as well as between rhythm synchronization and pen pressure. In addition, rhythmic training showed improvement in rhythmic abilities, but this did not transfer to literacy or graphomotor development (apart from a significant increase in the duration of pauses in both groups at post-test, with a larger improvement for the rhythm group).

Discussion

These results are discussed in terms of duration and intensity of learning, and they highlight the possible benefits of informal rhythm practices in the classroom.
Baseline brain and behavioral factors distinguish adolescent substance initiators and non-initiators at follow-up
Authors: McQuaid Goldie A. , Darcey Valerie L. , Patterson Amanda E. , Rose Emma Jane , VanMeter Ashley S. , Fishbein Diana H.
Published: December 2022

Background

Earlier substance use (SU) initiation is associated with greater risk for the development of SU disorders (SUDs), while delays in SU initiation are associated with a diminished risk for SUDs. Thus, identifying brain and behavioral factors that are markers of enhanced risk for earlier SU has major public health import. Heightened reward-sensitivity and risk-taking are two factors that confer risk for earlier SU.

Materials and methods

We characterized neural and behavioral factors associated with reward-sensitivity and risk-taking in substance-naïve adolescents (N= 70; 11.1–14.0 years), examining whether these factors differed as a function of subsequent SU initiation at 18- and 36-months follow-up. Adolescents completed a reward-related decision-making task while undergoing functional MRI. Measures of reward sensitivity (Behavioral Inhibition System-Behavioral Approach System; BIS-BAS), impulsive decision-making (delay discounting task), and SUD risk [Drug Use Screening Inventory, Revised (DUSI-R)] were collected. These metrics were compared for youth who did [Substance Initiators (SI);n= 27] and did not [Substance Non-initiators (SN);n= 43] initiate SU at follow-up.

Results

While SI and SN youth showed similar task-based risk-taking behavior, SI youth showed more variable patterns of activation in left insular cortex during high-risk selections, and left anterior cingulate cortex in response to rewarded outcomes. Groups displayed similar discounting behavior. SI participants scored higher on the DUSI-R and the BAS sub-scale.

Conclusion

Activation patterns in the insula and anterior cingulate cortex may serve as a biomarker for earlier SU initiation. Importantly, these brain regions are implicated in the development and experience of SUDs, suggesting differences in these regions prior to substance exposure.
Suicide among those who use mental health services: Suicide risk factors as evidenced from contact-based characteristics in Victoria
Authors: Fernando Tharanga , Clapperton Angela , Spittal Matthew , Berecki-Gisolf Janneke
Published: December 2022

Objective

The majority of suicide decedents have had contact with health services in the months before their death. Contacts for mental health services present potential suicide prevention opportunities. This study aims to compare contact-based characteristics among suicide decedents and living controls in the year subsequent to clinical mental health contact with the public health system in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

A population-based nested case-control study of those who had mental health-related hospital and community contacts with the public health system was conducted. Cases (suicide decedents) were age and gender-matched to living controls (suicide non-decedents). These records were linked to records of suicides that occurred in the 12 months following the health service contact, between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. Victorian residents aged 10 years and above were selected at the time of contact (483,933 clients). In the study population, conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between contact-based characteristics and suicide. Socio-demographics and mental health-related hospital and community contact data was retrieved from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset, the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and the Public Clinical Mental Health database and suicide data from the Victorian Suicide Register.

Results

During a six-year period, 1,091 suicide decedents had at least one mental health contact with the public health system in the 12 months preceding the suicide. Overall, controls used more mental health services than cases; however, cases used more mental health services near the event. The relationship between the type of service and suicide differed by service type: hospital admissions and emergency department presentations had a significant positive association with suicide with an OR of 2.09 (95% CI 1.82–2.40) and OR of 1.13 (95% CI 1.05–1.22), and the effect size increased as the event approached, whereas community contacts had a significant negative association with an OR of 0.93 (95% CI 0.92–0.94), this negative association diminished in magnitude as the event approached (OR∼1).

Conclusion

Suicide decedents had less contact with mental health services than non-decedents; however, evidence suggests suicide decedents reach out to mental health services proximal to suicide. An increase in mental health service contact by an individual could be an indication of suicide risk and therefore an opportunity for intervention. Further, community level contact should be further explored as a possible prevention mechanism considering the majority of suicide decedents do not access the public clinical mental health services.
Factors influencing post-traumatic stress disorder among police officers in South Korea
Authors: Oh Hye-Kyung , Jang Cheol Yeung , Ko Mi Suk
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aims to identify critical incident trauma (CIT), social support, resilience, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean police officers and to determine factors related to PTSD to obtain basic data for developing a PTSD intervention.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was adopted by administering structured questionnaires to Korean police officers and conducting semi-structured interviews with seven Korean police stakeholders. The structured questionnaires elicited information on CIT, social support, resilience, and PTSD. Data from 189 participants were analyzed using independent t-tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis. The interview data, which elicited information on difficulties and coping strategies after CIT, police organizational culture, current status of counseling programs, and suggestions for PTSD interventions, were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Factors that are significantly related to PTSD (28.7% of variance) are very healthy subjective health status (B = −0.44, p = 0.013), CIT (B = 0.18, p ≤ 0.001), social support (B = −0.38, p ≤ 0.001), and resilience (B = −0.18, p = 0.044). The stakeholders revealed the following PTSD-related factors: the difficulties and limitations of overcoming traumatic experiences, coping strategies, police counseling program status, and opinions on PTSD-related programs.

Conclusion

Perceived health status, CIT, social support, and resilience had a strong relationship with PTSD. Therefore, the success of PTSD interventions for Korean police officers should be considered.
Interventions to improve antiretroviral adherence in HIV-infected pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Jie , Yun Jingyi , Ye Xinxin , Liu Wen , Xiao Wenhan , Song Peige , Wang Hongmei
Published: December 2022

Background

Medication adherence in HIV-infected pregnant women remains suboptimal. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on improving antiretroviral adherence targeting among HIV-infected pregnant women.

Methods

Five databases were screened to identify quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials. The risk ratios (RR) and confidential intervals (CI) were extracted to estimate the improvement in antiretroviral adherence after interventions compared with control conditions. This study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021256317.

Results

Nine studies were included in the review, totaling 2,900 participants. Three interventions had significance: enhanced standard of care (eSOC, RR 1.14, 95%CI 1.07–1.22, Z = 3.79, P < 0.01), eSOC with supporter (RR 1.12, 95%CI 1.04–1.20, Z = 2.97, P < 0.01) and device reminder (RR 1.33, 95%CI 1.04–1.72, Z = 2.23, P = 0.03).

Discussion

The study supported the eSOC and the device reminder as effective intervention strategies for improving HIV medication adherence. Based on the current findings, the study called for more efforts to improve antiretroviral care for pregnant women through involving multicenter, large-sample, and high-quality research and combining the device reminder with other intervention methods.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021256317, identifier CRD42021256317.
International curriculum for undergraduate sonographer education in China during the COVID-19 era: International remote teaching mode vs. domestic on-site teaching mode
Authors: Qiu Tingting , Lu Qiang , Luo Yan , Ling Wenwu
Published: December 2022

Background

Sichuan University West China Medical School was the first institution in China to develop an undergraduate sonographer education program in 2016. This program was certificated by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and students are qualified for the ARDMS credential verification test. In this 4-year program, the international curriculum of ultrasound physics and hemodynamics was set for students in the third year since 2018. This study is aimed to compare the teaching effect of international remote teaching mode and domestic on-site teaching mode of this international curriculum before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

All undergraduate sonographer students after completing ultrasound physics and hemodynamics in the academic years 2018–2019 (30 students; before the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2020–2021 (47 students; during the COVID-19 pandemic) were included in the study. The scores of 77 students were analyzed for their curriculum. Independent samples t-test or Mann–Whitney test was employed to compare students' scores before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chi-square test was used to compare students' feedback about this curriculum through an online self-administered questionnaire. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Total scores were comprised of four parts: in-class tests, homework, mid-term, and final exam scores. The mean in-class test score for domestic on-site teaching mode during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher than that for international remote teaching mode before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was no observed a statistically significant difference in homework, mid-term, final exam, and total scores between the two types of teaching modes. For questionnaire feedback, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the satisfaction toward teachers, class atmosphere, teaching mode, curriculum content, exam difficulty, scores, and knowledge students gained. For the overall evaluation of the curriculum, 73.3% (22/30) of students were very satisfied before the COVID-19 pandemic, while 44.7% (21/47) of students felt very satisfied during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The general teaching effect of domestic on-site teaching mode during the COVID-19 pandemic was comparable to that of international remote teaching mode before the COVID-19 pandemic, and domestic on-site teaching mode may provide a better in-class teaching effect.
Prevalence and associated factors of self-reported medical errors and adverse events among operating room nurses in China
Authors: Song Qi , Tang Juan , Wei Zhen , Sun Long
Published: December 2022

Background

In recent decades, the prominence of medical errors (MEs) and adverse events (AEs) is fueled by several studies performed across the world. Correspondingly, a high prevalence of medical errors and adverse events have been reported. Operating room nurses (ORNs) were indispensable members of the operating process, and any kind of MEs or AEs from ORNs may cause serious results and even death to the patients. However, to the best of our knowledge, the prevalence and associated factors of MEs and AEs were never reported among ORNs in China, which is the largest country in population and health services quantity in the world.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted among ORNs in China, and 787 valid questionnaires were analyzed in this study. MEs, AEs, gender, age, married status, religious belief, academic degree, manager or not, working years, working hours/week, physical disease, and mental health were evaluated in this study. MEs were evaluated by eight questions about the occurrence of eight kinds of MEs for the ORNs. For ORNs with MEs, further questions about clinical harm to the patients were interviewed, which analyzed AEs. Kessler 10 was used to evaluate the ORNs' mental health. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with MEs and AEs.

Results

The prevalence of MEs and AEs was 27.7 and 13.9% among ORNs, respectively. The most frequent MEs that occurred among ORNs were from surgical instruments (9.1%), disinfection (9.0%), equipment and consumables (8.9%), and specimen management (7.8%). MEs were positively associated with lower working years, poor mental health, and physical disease. The physical disease was positively associated with AEs.

Conclusion

The prevalence of perceived MEs and AEs was at a higher level than other kinds of nurses. Fresh ORNs with physical and mental health problems were the risk population for MEs, and ORNs with physical disease were at a higher risk for AEs. All the findings implied that MEs and AEs were an important issue for ORNs, and ORNs with physical and mental health problems should be paid attention to control MEs and AEs.
Coronal seismology by slow waves in non-adiabatic conditions
Authors: Kolotkov Dmitrii Y.
Published: December 2022

Slow magnetoacoustic waves represent an important tool for probing the solar coronal plasma. The majority of seismological methods with slow waves are based on a weakly non-adiabatic approach, which assumes the coronal energy transport has only weak effects on the wave dynamics. Despite it significantly simplifies the application of coronal seismology by slow waves, this assumption omits a number of important and confidently observed effects and thus puts strong limitations on the reliability of seismological estimations. We quantitatively assess the applicability of the weak thermal conduction theory to coronal seismology by slow waves. We numerically model the linear standing slow wave in a 1D coronal loop, with field-aligned thermal conduction κ‖ as a free parameter and no restrictions on its efficiency. The time variations of the perturbed plasma parameters, obtained numerically with full conductivity, are treated as potential observables and analysed with the standard data processing techniques. The slow wave oscillation period is found to increase with κ‖ by about 30%, indicating the corresponding modification in the effective wave speed, which is missing from the weak conduction theory. Phase shifts between plasma temperature and density perturbations are found to be well consistent with the approximate weakly conductive solution for all considered values of κ‖. In contrast, the comparison of the numerically obtained ratio of temperature and density perturbation amplitudes with the weak theory revealed relative errors up to 30–40%. We use these parameters to measure the effective adiabatic index of the coronal plasma directly as the ratio of the effective slow wave speed to the standard sound speed and in the polytropic assumption, which is found to be justified in a weakly conductive regime only, with relative errors up to 14% otherwise. The damping of the initial perturbation is found to be of a non-exponential form during the first cycle of oscillation, which could be considered as an indirect signature of entropy waves in the corona, also not described by weak conduction theory. The performed analysis and obtained results offer a more robust scheme of coronal seismology by slow waves, with reasonable simplifications and without the loss of accuracy.
Structure and evolution of interstellar carbonaceous dust. Insights from the laboratory
Authors: Herrero Víctor J. , Jiménez-Redondo Miguel , Peláez Ramón J. , Maté Belén , Tanarro Isabel
Published: December 2022

A large fraction of interstellar carbon is locked up in solid grains. The nature, origin and evolution of these grains have been investigated for decades. A combination of observations, models and experiments indicates that carbonaceous dust is mostly made of a mixture of grains composed almost exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. They have different proportions of aliphatic and aromatic structures, and a variable H/C ratio. Their sizes can vary typically between the nm and the hundreds of nm. Carbonaceous grains are largely formed in the envelopes of carbon rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and evolve in the interstellar medium, where they can be transformed or destroyed by the effects of hydrogen atoms, UV radiation, cosmic rays or shock waves from supernovae. Surviving grains eventually enter dense clouds and participate in the cloud collapse leading to star formation, closing thus their lifecycle. Within this general picture, there are doubts and issues that cannot be solved just by observation and modeling and require laboratory work. In this article we provide an overview of the development and present state of the field indicating open problems and debated questions. We stress recent experimental progress in the understanding of dust formation, both in circumstellar envelopes and the cold interstellar medium, and also in the energetic processing of dust analogs, that points to a possible top down chemistry in the diffuse medium, and especially in photon irradiated regions.
Ackonc-AWA: A multi-species animal welfare assessment protocol for wild animals under human care to overcome the use of generic welfare checklists
Authors: Racciatti Débora Silvia , Feld Alejandra , Rial Laura Analía , Blanco Carlos , Tallo-Parra Oriol
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Maintaining a high level of animal welfare is essential in zoos, sanctuaries and aquaria for ethical, legislative and functional reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to have welfare assessment protocols that can be incorporated into daily management programs. Currently, there are different approaches to assessing animal welfare in zoos. Those that can be applied to multiple species consist of checklists or qualitative assessments, with limitations, especially regarding the lack of guidance in the selection and interpretation of indicators. Validated protocols also exist, but they are for very few wild species. This study aimed to develop, test in the field, and describe an animal welfare assessment protocol for wild animals under human care, that can be applied to multiple species, intended to overcome the use of generic welfare checklists and offer an alternative to challenging and time consuming species-specific tools.

Methods

The development process consisted of the elaboration of a protocol, substantiated by published literature on zoo animal welfare and multidisciplinary focus group work, and its on-field feasibility test. This was performed on 14 species of different taxa housed in an Argentinian zoo. The protocol was structured in two forms: an initial form to serve as scan using various animal-based (ABM), resource-based (RBM), and management-based measurements (MBM), and a follow-up form using exclusively ABM. The protocol also included a user's manual with information about preliminary preparation, equipment required, steps from arrival until completion, and details on how to assess each indicator. The scoring method consisted in rating each indicator on a 3-point scale.

Results

23 ABM, 19 RBM, and three MBM were tested and selected to integrate Ackonc-AWA, a multidimensional protocol covering the five animal welfare domains and applicable to multiple species.

Discussion

This protocol was entirely developed in Spanish and can be applied noninvasively and at a low cost, which constitute features of high relevance for Latin America. Further applications of the described welfare assessment tool in other species and different institutional contexts will reinforce the validation of the proposed measurements and allow the systematic and routine evaluation of animal welfare in zoos.
Interleukin-7 enhances in vitro development and blastocyst quality in porcine parthenogenetic embryos
Authors: Oh Dongjin , Choi Hyerin , Kim Mirae , Cai Lian , Lee Joohyeong , Jawad Ali , Kim Sohee , Zheng Haomiao , Lee Gabsang , Jeon Yubyeol , Hyun Sang-Hwan
Published: December 2022

Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a vital factor that affects cell development, proliferation, and survival, plays an important role in oocyte maturation. However, its role in embryonic development remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of IL-7 supplementation on in vitro culture (IVC) of porcine embryos after parthenogenetic activation (PA) based on characteristics such as cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cleaved embryos, total cell number, apoptosis rate, and cell lineage specification in blastocysts. Immunofluorescence revealed that IL-7 and its receptor, IL-7Rα (IL-7R) localized in the cytoplasm of porcine parthenote embryos. By supplementing the IVC medium (PZM5) with various concentrations of IL-7, an optimal concentration that enhanced embryonic development, promoted intracellular GSH, and decreased ROS levels in the cleavage stage during porcine embryo IVC was determined. Investigation of mRNA expression patterns via qRT-PCR suggested that IL-7 possibly regulated maternal mRNA clearance and zygotic genome activation. Furthermore, IL-7 supplementation reduced blastocyst apoptosis, enhanced the expression of the inner cell mass marker SOX2, and phosphorylated STAT5 levels in the blastocysts. Moreover, it altered the transcription patterns of genes that regulate apoptosis, IL-7 signaling, and development. Thus, we demonstrated the localization of IL-7 and IL-7R in porcine preimplantation embryos in vitro for the first time. Furthermore, we suggest that IL-7 supplementation can be employed to enhance embryonic development and blastocyst quality based on the activation of the transcripts of genes that are involved in developmental competence and IL-7 signaling during in vitro porcine embryo development following PA.
Use of Machine Learning Consensus Clustering to Identify Distinct Subtypes of Kidney Transplant Recipients With DGF and Associated Outcomes
Authors: Jadlowiec Caroline C. , Thongprayoon Charat , Leeaphorn Napat , Kaewput Wisit , Pattharanitima Pattharawin , Cooper Matthew , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: December 2022

Data and transplant community opinion on delayed graft function (DGF), and its impact on outcomes, remains varied. An unsupervised machine learning consensus clustering approach was applied to categorize the clinical phenotypes of kidney transplant (KT) recipients with DGF using OPTN/UNOS data. DGF was observed in 20.9% (n = 17,073) of KT and most kidneys had a KDPI score <85%. Four distinct clusters were identified. Cluster 1 recipients were young, high PRA re-transplants. Cluster 2 recipients were older diabetics and more likely to receive higher KDPI kidneys. Cluster 3 recipients were young, black, and non-diabetic; they received lower KDPI kidneys. Cluster 4 recipients were middle-aged, had diabetes or hypertension and received well-matched standard KDPI kidneys. By cluster, one-year patient survival was 95.7%, 92.5%, 97.2% and 94.3% (p < 0.001); one-year graft survival was 89.7%, 87.1%, 91.6%, and 88.7% (p < 0.001). There were no differences between clusters after accounting for death-censored graft loss (p = 0.08). Clinically meaningful differences in recipient characteristics were noted between clusters, however, after accounting for death and return to dialysis, there were no differences in death-censored graft loss. Greater emphasis on recipient comorbidities as contributors to DGF and outcomes may help improve utilization of DGF at-risk kidneys.
Study of Brake Disc Friction Characteristics Effect on Low Frequency Brake Induced Vibration of Aircraft Landing Gear
Authors: Zhang Songyang , Yin Qiaozhi , Wei Xiaohui , Song Jiayi , Nie Hong
Published: December 2022

During aircraft braking, the change of ground adhesion forces can cause forward and backward vibration of the landing gear, and the performance of the brake disc may exacerbate this vibration. In order to solve this problem, a rigid–flexible coupling dynamic model of a two-wheel strut landing gear considering the friction characters of brake discs with different materials and a hydraulic brake system model is established in this paper. The brake disc friction characteristics effect on the low-frequency brake-induced vibration of the landing gear given different brake disc materials and ambient temperatures is studied. It is shown that the C/SiC brake disc has a “negative slope” phenomenon between the friction coefficient of the brake disc and the wheel speed, and this variable friction characteristic has a great effect on the low-frequency braking-induced vibration of the landing gear. In addition, the variable friction characteristics of the C/SiC brake disc are easily affected by ambient temperature, while the friction coefficient of the C/C brake disc changes stably.
Development of Autofeeding Device Applicable to a Biodegradable Pot Tray
Authors: Hwang Seok-Joon , Jang Moon-Kyeong , Nam Ju-Seok
Published: December 2022

In this study, a pot autofeeding device for a biodegradable pot tray was developed. The tensile strength and bending strength were measured to identify the physical properties of the biodegradable pot tray. As a result of the measurement, the tensile strength and bending strength of the biodegradable pot tray were 0.06 and 0.17 times smaller than those of the plastic pot tray. Therefore, a new type of pot tray extraction mechanism was designed, considering the physical properties, dimensions, and geometry of the biodegradable pot tray, and it was applied to the pot autofeeding device. The developed pot autofeeding device consists of a pot slot, pot-separating blades, pot holders, air cylinders, and a conveyor device. It can supply 240 pot trays per hour to the seeding process without deformation or damage to the biodegradable pot tray.
Process Analysis and Parameters Optimization of Black Soldier Fly Sand Mixture with Two-Stage Sieve Surface Vibration Separating Machine
Authors: Song Shisheng , Wang Yushi , Zhou Ting , Sun Songlin , Yin Yulong , Peng Caiwang
Published: December 2022

The application of the conventional vibrating screen to the separation of the black soldier fly (BSF) sand mixture has several problems (e.g., high rate of impurity and low efficiency). A two-stage sieve surface vibratory sorting device with combined planar and curved surfaces was investigated, and its critical operating parameters were determined. Moreover, a coupling simulation model of the sieve surface and the larvae–sand mixture was built based on the characteristics of the BSF breeding process, and its critical operating parameters were optimized. Next, the Plackett–Burman test was set to determine the significant factors for the separation of two-stage sieve surface vibrations as amplitude and curved height. The process of crushing separation of frass aggregates and the process of collision transport of BSF larvae were studied through simulation, and the actual test stand was built for parameter verification tests. The preferred parameter combinations comprised 0.012 m amplitude and 0.007 m curved surface height at the impurity rate of 2.34% and the insect injury rate of 5.65%, as well as 0.013 m amplitude and 0.005 m curved surface height at the impurity rate of 3.15% and the insect injury rate of 4.3%, respectively, thus conforming to the requirement of separating BSF larvae–sand mixture to reduce the impurity and prevent larvae injury. The results of this study can lay a basis for the structural improvement and operational parameter adjustment of the BSF larvae–sand mixture separation device.
Allelic Complementation in Hybrid Superiority of Popcorn to Multiple Foliar Diseases
Authors: dos Santos Junior Divino Rosa , Ribeiro Rodrigo Moreira , do Amaral Junior Antônio Teixeira , Vivas Marcelo , Saluce Julio Cesar Gadice , Leite Jhean Torres , Bispo Rosimeire Barboza , de Lima Valter Jário , Lamego Danielle Leal , Xavier Kevelin Barbosa , Schmitt Kátia Fabiane Medeiros , Kamphorst Samuel Henrique , Viana Flávia Nicácio , Viana Alexandre Pio , Pereira Messias Gongaza
Published: December 2022

Popcorn cultivation has been growing in and has positively affected the Brazilian economy. However, these crops are grown with genotypes susceptible to diseases, generating high losses. Thus, studies aimed at obtaining resistant genotypes are particularly interesting, as popcorn is susceptible to several pathogens. The most efficient, environmentally correct, and economical method of disease control is using resistant cultivars. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of inbred lines of popcorn and their respective testcross hybrids in terms of diseases caused by fungi. For this purpose, 15 S7 inbred lines were crossed with five testers, four with a narrow genetic basis (inbred lines L270, L651, P1, and L70) and one with a broad genetic basis (open pollination variety PARA 172). The arrangement of treatments in incomplete blocks (lattice 10 × 10) with three replications was used. The testcross was efficient in the discrimination per se of the progenies and the testers. The inbred lines L685, L691, L696, and L684 and the PARA 172 tester showed potential resistance to P. polysora, B. maydis, and E. turcicum. The GT biplot method proved reliable in identifying efficient, responsive, and resistant inbred lines and revealing the hybrid 56 as the ideal genotype.
Energy Assessment of Second-Generation (2G) Bioethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Bagasse
Authors: López-Sandin Iosvany , Rodríguez-Jasso Rosa M. , Gutiérrez-Soto Guadalupe , Rosero-Chasoy Gilver , Shiva  , González-Gloria K. D. , Ruiz Héctor A.
Published: December 2022

Sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) provides a raw material rich in polysaccharides that can be converted into biofuel and other high-value-added bioproducts under the biorefinery concept. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on the availability of SSB fermentable sugars for bioethanol production, considering the energy balance of the process. For this, the biomass was subjected to one process, pre-saccharification simultaneous and fermentation (PSSF). Previously, the temperature, time, and particle size effect were determined, as well as the enzymatic load for the more significant release of monomeric sugars. It was observed that the increase in the pretreatment severity, defined by the severity factor [log(Ro)], resulted in a more significant release of sugar and energy consumption. In the PSSF, bioethanol production was 22.17 g/L, with a total energy consumption of 2.46 MJ/g of processed biomass, of which 79.14% was by concept of electricity.
Processing of Aluminum Alloy 6182 with High Scanning Speed in LPBF by In-Situ Alloying with Zr and Ti Powder
Authors: Riener Kirstin , Nagler Alexander , Letofsky-Papst Ilse , Leichtfried Gerhard
Published: December 2022

The demand for high-strength aluminum alloys for the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process is still growing. However, to date, the crack susceptibility of conventional alloys as well as the high prices for specially developed alloys are the main obstacles for the use of high-strength aluminum alloys for LPBF. In this paper, crack-free LPBF samples with a relative density >99.9% were processed from AlMgSi1Zr (6182 series alloy) powder, to which 0.5 wt.-% Zr and 0.5 wt.-% Ti were added via mechanical mixing. No hot cracks were found in the µCT scans. Moreover, a fully equiaxed microstructure with a mean size of the α-Al grains of 1.2 µm was observed in the as-built parts. Al3(Zr,Ti) particles were observed, acting as efficient heterogeneous grain refiners for α-Al by building a semi-coherent interface. Unmolten Ti and Zr particles with sizes up to 80 µm were found in the α-Al phase. The resulting fine-grained microstructure led to a tensile strength of 329 ± 4 MPa and a total elongation at a break of 11.4 ± 0.9% after solution heat treatment, quenching in water, and subsequent artificial ageing.
Case Report of Puffinosis in a Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) Suggesting Environmental Aetiology
Authors: Esmonde Niamh P. G. , Hanna Robert E. B. , Patel Jignasha G. , Smyth Victoria J. , Caplat Paul , Smyth Wesley , Jaggers Paris , Padget Oliver , Guilford Tim , Perrins Chris , Reid Neil
Published: December 2022

Puffinosis is a disease of a range of seabirds characterised by dorsal and ventral blistering of their webbed feet, conjunctivitis, dry necrosis, leg spasticity, head shaking, loss of balance, tremors, and death. It is associated with Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), frequently affecting chicks within their underground nesting burrows. The aetiology of the disease is unclear but has been attributed to a type-2 coronavirus associated with Neotombicula mites as a potential vector. However, there is some uncertainty given potential laboratory contamination with mouse hepatitis virus and failure to fulfil Koch’s postulates, with birds injected with isolates remaining healthy. We describe a detailed case report of puffinosis in a Manx Shearwater covering necropsy, histology, bacteriology, and metagenomics including viral sequencing. We found no evidence of viral infection or parasites. Our results are consistent with an entirely environmental aetiology, with caustic faecal ammonia in damp nesting burrows causing conjunctivitis and foot dermatitis breaking the skin, allowing common soil bacteria (i.e., Flavobacterium, Staphylococcus and Serratia spp., Clostridia perfringens and Enterococcus faecalis) to cause opportunistic infection, debilitating the bird and leading to death. A similar condition (foot pad dermatitis or FPD) has been reported in broiler chickens, attributed to caustic faeces, high humidity, and poor environmental conditions during indoor rearing, preventable by adequate ventilation and husbandry. This is consistent with puffinosis being observed in Shearwater nesting burrows situated in tall, dense, vegetation (e.g., bracken Pteridium aquilinum) but rarely reported in burrows situated in well-ventilated, short coastal grasslands. This proposed environmental aetiology accounts for the disease’s non-epizootic prevalence, spatial variation within colonies, and higher frequency in chicks that are restricted to nesting burrows.
Conservation Genetics of the Asian Giant Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) with Novel Microsatellite Multiplexes
Authors: Xie Minmin , Chen Chen , Wang Yakun , Li Wei , Yu Lingyun , Hong Xiaoyou , Zhu Xinping
Published: December 2022

To understand the genetic structure of the protected turtle species Pelochelys cantorii we used transcriptome data to design more than 30,000 tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite primer pairs, of which 230 pairs were used for laboratory experiments. After two screenings, only 10 microsatellite markers with good specificity, high amplification efficiency, and polymorphisms were obtained. Using the selected primers, two multiplex PCR systems were established to compare and analyze the genetic diversity of artificially assisted breeding generations from four parents (two females and two males) continuously bred over two years. A total of 25 alleles were detected among the 10 microsatellite loci of the offspring. The polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.313–0.674, with an average of 0.401, among which two loci were highly polymorphic (PIC ≥ 0.5). The number of alleles was 2–5 and the number of effective alleles was 1.635–3.614. The observed heterozygosity was 0.341–0.813, with an average of 0.582, whereas the average expected heterozygosity was 0.389–0.725, with an average of 0.493. Moreover, on the basis of Nei’s genetic distance and the Bayesian clustering algorithm, the 182 offspring were divided into two subgroups, and the results corresponded to the two maternal lines. This is the first study to investigate the molecular markers of P. cantorii, and the results obtained can be used to protect genetic resources and provide a genetic basis for the design of population recovery plans.
Effect of Feed Additives Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Tract Characteristics, and Carcass Composition in Turkey Hens
Authors: Janocha Alina , Milczarek Anna , Kosmalski Maciej , Gajownik-Mućka Paulina , Radzikowski Daniel
Published: December 2022

In order to increase growth performance and carcass composition, including meat quality, as demanded by modern customers, alternative feed additives are sought after as a result of the withdrawal of antibiotics employed as growth promoters in poultry feeding. Therefore, we conducted a study to see how effective three feed additives added to the diets and water of turkey hens were. The experiment consisted of 200 Big 6 turkey hens divided into two equinumerous groups (C and E), with five subgroups in each. The 14-week-long growth performance study comprised five feeding periods. Both groups of birds were fed complete feed rations with mineral and vitamin supplements. The factor differentiating the groups were effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit added to the birds’ diets and garlic extract added to the drinking water in the experimental group (E) only. It was demonstrated that the included feed additives in the diets and water of turkey hens significantly increased (by 10%) the FBW and decreased (by 14%) the FCR throughout the rearing period. Birds from the E group scored significantly higher (by 3.6%) on the dressing percentage, and their muscularity and fattening grade were improved. Turkey fed rations containing the evaluated feed additives had a smaller share of the gastrointestinal tract in the body weight and a shorter duodenum and caecum (p ≤ 0.05). The muscles of turkey hens from group E featured a lower pH24 and were of lighter colour (p ≤ 0.05). To sum up, the use of effective microorganisms and Humokarbowit in the diets and garlic extract in the drinking water of turkey hens should be recommended in view of improved growth performance and carcass composition.
Clinical Efficacy of Two Novel, Differentially Administered (IM, ID) Vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and PCV2 in Swine under Field Conditions
Authors: Sipos Wolfgang , Sipos Sabine
Published: December 2022

Enzootic pneumonia (EP) of pigs is caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M.hp.), which is, together with the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), among the most prominent inducers of the porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Therefore, vaccination of piglets against M.hp. and PCV2 is crucial in the fight against pulmonary infections. In this field study, we tested the clinical efficacy of two novel vaccines, one delivered IM (Hyogen® + Circovac®) and the other ID (MHyo-Sphere®PCV ID), on a fattening farm in Lower Austria with a history of still ongoing EP. Average daily weight gain, coughing/sneezing index, losses due to morbidity/mortality, and lung scoring data at slaughter by means of CLP (Ceva Lung Program) were recorded for three consecutive fattening cohorts to achieve a powerful number of animals, one half each vaccinated with the IM vaccine and the other half with the ID vaccine (n = 659 in total). No statistically significant differences could be observed between the two vaccination groups for the parameters investigated, but the total median EP score, which categorizes pulmonary lesions due to infection by M.hp. with a theoretical range of 0–28, was lowered from initially 1.9 to 1.0, indicating that both vaccines proved very suitable measures in the fight against EP.
Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer
Authors: Pacini Maria Irene , Bonelli Francesca , Lubas George , Sgorbini Micaela
Published: December 2022

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes. Few papers have reported reference ranges for the haematological and biochemical parameters of roe deer. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical parameters in traumatised roe deer in relation to animal hospitalisation outcomes. The study was carried out on a cohort of 98 roe deer divided into groups according to their age and hospitalisation outcome. For each animal, a panel of haematological and biochemical parameters was performed. Significant differences were found between unweaned (<4 months old) groups in terms of MCV, MCH, CK, creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin, and between weaned (>4 months old) groups for total bilirubin. Creatine kinase, creatinine, and bilirubin may be useful indicators to correlate with the severity of trauma and help predict prognosis.
The Distinctive Forehead Cleft of the Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) Hardly Affects Biosonar Beam Formation
Authors: Wei Chong , Gill Lachlan G. , Erbe Christine , Smith Adam B. , Yang Wei-Cheng
Published: December 2022

The Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) has a distinctive vertical crease (or cleft) along the anterior surface of the forehead. Previous studies have speculated that the cleft may contribute to biosonar beam formation. To explore this, we constructed 2D finite element models based on computer tomography data of the head of a naturally deceased Risso’s dolphin. The simulated acoustic near-field signals, far-field signals, and transmission beam patterns were compared to corresponding measurements from a live, echolocating Risso’s dolphin. To investigate the effect of the cleft, we filled the cleft with neighboring soft tissues in our model, creating a hypothetical “cleftless” forehead, as found in other odontocetes. We compared the acoustic pressure field and the beam pattern between the clefted and cleftless cases. Our results suggest that the cleft plays an insignificant role in forehead biosonar sound propagation and far-field beam formation. Furthermore, the cleft was not responsible for the bimodal click spectrum recorded and reported from this species.