bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between comorbidities and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter, cross-sectional cohort study in Japan with the highest proportion of elderly individuals
Authors: Miura Takanori , Miyakoshi Naohisa , Kashiwagura Takeshi , Tsuchie Hiroyuki , Sugimura Yusuke , Shimada Yoichi
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to assess the association of disease activity with the presence of comorbidities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, using the Akita Orthopedic Group on Rheumatoid Arthritis (AORA) registry, a multicenter, cross-sectional registry in Japan with the highest proportion of elderly people. We included 1838 patients (mean age: 66.4 years old) who visited our affiliated institutions between April 2018 and March 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the disease activity in 28 joints based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) into the remission or low disease activity group (L group) and the moderate or high disease activity group (H group). Patient demographics and comorbidities in the two groups were compared.

Results

The most common comorbidity was hypertension (33.7%), followed by renal disease (25.2%), respiratory disease (12.2%), diabetes mellitus (8.1%), cardiovascular disease (8.0%), malignancies (5.7%), and cerebrovascular disease (4.7%). The H group was older (p<0.0001); had a higher prevalence of hypertension (p<0.0001), diabetes (p=0.0011), respiratory disease (p<0.0001), cerebrovascular disease (p<0.0001), and cardiovascular disease (p=0.0030); and was less likely to use anti-rheumatic drugs. The prevalence of comorbidities other than renal disease and malignant tumor was higher in the H group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (p=0.0054), advanced Steinbrocker class (p<0.0001), high anti-citrullinated protein antibody levels (p=0.0211), high prednisolone dose (p<0.0001), and absence of biologics’ or JAK inhibitors’ use (p<0.0001) were risk factors for high disease activity, and shorter treatment period was a low-risk factor for high disease activity (p=0.0041). Among comorbidities, the presence of cerebrovascular disease (p=0.0334) was the only independent risk factor for high disease activity.

Conclusions

In our registry study with a high proportion of elderly RA patients, cerebrovascular disease was associated with high disease activity in patients with RA. Therefore, when treating elderly patients with RA, we need to pay careful attention to cerebrovascular disease, and treatment should be aimed at achieving adequate control of RA.
Microplastics: a multidimensional contaminant requires a multidimensional framework for assessing risk
Authors: Bucci Kennedy , Rochman Chelsea M.
Published: February 2022

The global ubiquity and demonstrated toxicity of microplastics has led governments around the world to express the need for a risk assessment on microplastics. To conduct a risk assessment, scientists often draw upon frameworks from other contaminants, however we argue that microplastics are a unique pollutant and thus require a unique framework. Microplastics are a multidimensional contaminant, differing in size, shape, polymer type, and chemical cocktail. Each of these dimensions may influence the toxicity of the particle. Furthermore, microplastic pollution exists as a complex and dynamic mixture of particles, that varies over temporal and spatial scales. Thus, we propose a multidimensional risk framework for microplastics that incorporates, rather than simplifies, the multidimensionality of the contaminant as well as the contaminant mixture. With this framework, we can calculate a particle-specific hazard value that describes the potential for a single particle to cause harm based on its chemical and physical properties. The particle-specific hazard values can then be combined based on the number and type of particles in an environmental sample to inform the overall hazard value of the sample. The risk of the sample can then be calculated, which is dependent on the overall hazard value and the concentration of particles in the sample. Risk values among samples in the environment can be compared to illustrate differences among locations or seasons, or can be placed in a management framework with thresholds to guide regulatory decisions. To demonstrate the utility of our proposed framework, we perform a case study using data from San Francisco Bay. Our proposed framework is just that, and requires new research for application. To strengthen the ability of this framework to accurately predict risk, we propose a testing scheme that prioritizes strategic experimental designs that will increase our understanding of how each dimension of microplastics affect the toxicity (or hazard value) of a particle.
Predictor factors for non-invasive mechanical ventilation failure in severe COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Romanelli Antonio , Toigo Pietro , Scarpati Giuliana , Caccavale Angela , Lauro Gianluigi , Baldassarre Daniela , Oliva Filomena , Lacava Graziella , Pascale Gabriele , Piazza Ornella
Published: February 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemia, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has been largely applied. Few data are available about predictors of NIV failure in critical COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical and laboratory features able to predict non-invasive ventilation success in avoiding endotracheal intubation.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was performed in our COVID-19 ICU during a 6-month period. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and outcome data were extracted from electronic and paper medical records and anonymously collected.

Results

Eighty-two severe COVID-19 patients were supported by NIV at ICU admission. The median PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 125 [98.5–177.7]. NIV failed in 44 cases (53%). Patients who experienced NIV failure had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (median value 4) compared to those who were dismissed without endotracheal intubation (median 2, p < 0.0001). At Cox regression analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index represented a predictive factor related to NIV failure. PaO2/FiO2, CPK, INR, and AT III at ICU admission showed a significant relationship with the outcome, when single variables were adjusted for the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

Conclusion

The Charlson Comorbidity Index may be helpful to stratify patients’ risk of NIV failure in a severe COVID-19 population; even if this study, retrospective design does not allow definitive conclusions.
Financial Hardship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Mott Nicole M. , Mierzwa Michelle L. , Casper Keith A. , Shah Jennifer L. , Mallen-St Clair Jon , Ho Allen S. , Zumsteg Zachary S. , Prince Mark E.P. , Dossett Lesly A. , Chen Michelle M.
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE:

Financial hardship is a growing concern for patients with cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are particularly vulnerable, given that a third leave the workforce following treatment. The goal of our study was to characterize financial hardship in the psychologic response (response to increased expenses) and coping behaviors (behaviors patients adopt to manage their care in the setting of increased expenses) domains in patients with HNC compared with patients with other cancers.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of nationally representative public survey data from 2013 to 2018 in the National Health Interviews Survey, an annual cross-sectional household survey. We included respondents age ≥ 18 years who reported a diagnosis of cancer and identified a subset of patients with HNC. Our main outcomes were financial hardship in the psychologic response and coping behaviors domains.

RESULTS:

Our sample included a weighted population of 357,052 patients with HNC and 21.4 million patients with other cancers. Compared with patients with other cancers, patients with HNC reported greater levels of coping behaviors hardship (31% v 23%, P = .015), but similar levels of psychologic financial hardship (73% v 72%, P = .787). Medicaid or uninsured patients more often reported coping behaviors hardship. On multivariable analysis, HNC (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.24) was independently associated with coping behaviors hardship.

CONCLUSION:

To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate financial hardship in patients with HNC compared with patients with other cancers that includes Medicaid and uninsured patients, who are more often to have financial hardship. Patients with HNC have greater levels of hardship in the coping behaviors domain compared with patients with other cancers, but similar levels in the psychologic response domain.
Ηγεσία, σχολική κουλτούρα και κοινότητες μάθησης στα σχολεία δεύτερης ευκαιρίας
Authors: Βεργίδου Αφροδίτη
Published: February 2022

Σκοπός της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η διερεύνηση του ρόλου των διδασκόντων σε Σχολεία Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας αφενός στο επίπεδο των κανονιστικών και ρυθμιστικών απαιτήσεων του ρόλου τους, στο πλαίσιο της σχολικής κουλτούρας και ηγεσίας, αφετέρου στο επίπεδο της επιτέλεσης του ρόλου. Η θεωρητική προσέγγιση βασίστηκε στο δομολειτουργισμό και στη θεωρία της κοινωνικής αλληλεπίδρασης. Το εννοιολογικό πλαίσιο της έρευνας συγκροτήθηκε με την εξέταση της έννοιας του κοινωνικού ρόλου, της κουλτούρας και της σχολικής κουλτούρας, της επαγγελματικής κοινότητας μάθησης και της σχολικής ηγεσίας. Επίσης, μελετήθηκαν βιβλιογραφικά τα καθήκοντα και οι πρακτικές του διδάσκοντα που απευθύνεται σε ενηλίκους. Στην έρευνα χρησιμοποιήθηκε μεικτή μέθοδος, με το συνδυασμό ποσοτικής και ποιοτικής προσέγγισης. Για την ποσοτική έρευνα επιλέχθηκε η κοινωνική επισκόπηση με τη χρήση δύο ερωτηματολογίων. Το ένα ερωτηματολόγιο απευθυνόταν προς τους διευθυντές των Σχολείων Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας και το άλλο προς τους διδάσκοντες κατά το σχολικό έτος 2019-20. Το δείγμα ήταν 49 διευθυντές και 239 διδάσκοντες αντιστοίχως. Για την ποιοτική έρευνα χρησιμοποιήθηκε η ανάλυση τεκμηρίων και η ποιοτική ανάλυση περιεχομένου. Από την ανάλυση των τεκμηρίων διαπιστώθηκε ότι η κουλτούρα των Σχολείων Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας οικοδομήθηκε κατά τα πρώτα χρόνια λειτουργίας του θεσμού, σε αντιδιαστολή με το συμβατικό σχολείο. Παρά τη μεγάλη αύξηση του αριθμού των Σχολείων Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας και παρά τη φαλκίδευση των καινοτομικών τους στοιχείων με αλλαγές στο θεσμικό πλαίσιο, διαπιστώθηκε ότι η κουλτούρα του θεσμού αναπαράγεται σε σημαντικό βαθμό από τους διευθυντές, οι οποίοι αποτελούν πρότυπο ρόλου για τους διδάσκοντες του σχολείου τους. Οι διευθυντές του δείγματος διαπιστώθηκε ότι επηρεάζουν σε μεγάλο βαθμό το έργο των διδασκόντων, που κατά ένα μεγάλο μέρος τους ενστερνίζονται την κουλτούρα των Σχολείων Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας. Ωστόσο, από τα δεδομένα αναδεικνύεται ότι ένα μέρος των διδασκόντων του δείγματος είναι φορείς της κουλτούρας του συμβατικού σχολείου. Ταυτόχρονα, η υλικοτεχνική υποδομή των Σχολείων Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας έχει υποβαθμιστεί, λόγω των γραφειοκρατικών διαδικασιών και την έλλειψη εξοπλισμού και υλικών για το εκπαιδευτικό έργο. Έτσι, ενώ η οργανωσιακή κουλτούρα και οι θεσμικές δομές ευνοούν σε σημαντικό βαθμό τη δημιουργία επαγγελματικών κοινοτήτων μάθησης στα Σχολεία Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας, οι συνθήκες λειτουργίας τους φαίνεται να αποτελούν ισχυρούς ανασταλτικούς παράγοντες.
Acceleration of wound healing by topical application of gel formulation of Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng kernel extract
Authors: Sitohang Nur A. , Putra Effendy D. L. , Kamil Hajjul , Musman Musri
Published: February 2022

Background: Phytomedicines are gaining a spotlight in wound management, where much research has suggested the wound healing potential of Barringtonia racemosa. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of B. racemosa kernel extract in accelerating wound healing process in animal models.

Methods: B. racemosa kernel was extracted using ethanol:water (7:3) solvent and was then used as a bioactive ingredient in a Carbopol 940-based gel formulation in four different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 7 ppm). A 3 cm diameter wound was made in the dorsal area of Rattus norvegicus rat and wound healing process was assessed up to 12 days using DESIGN (Depth, Exudate, Size of Inflammation/Infection, Granulation tissue, and Necrotic tissue) scoring system.

Results: Our data suggested that the DESIGN scores were significantly different among concentration groups after the 3rd day onward suggesting B. racemosa extract accelerated the wound healing process. Rats treated with gel formulation containing 7 ppm of B. racemosa kernel extract had faster wound healing than that treated with topical Metcovazin.

Conclusion: B. racemosa kernel extract was effective in accelerating wound healing on rats. Further study is warranted to purify the bioactive component and the action mechanism in wound healing process.
A close-up of the use of weblogs and blogging buddies: A case study in Malaysia
Authors: Chua Yong Eng , Kaur Bhar Sareen
Published: February 2022

Background – Peer review or evaluation has been seen as a promising approach in helping students to learn from one another instead of relying solely on their overwhelmed teachers for feedback on their written work. However, there have been mixed reviews on the effectiveness of this method. This study aims to examine the effects of peer review on blogging buddies’ writing performance as well as to suggest the groundwork needed for an effective way to pair the blogging buddies to ensure that the peers can bilaterally benefit each other.  

Methods – A qualitative case study was conducted on eight students from a private university in Malaysia. The writing scores for three different essays (pre and post peer review) were tracked to observe its effects on the respective blogging buddies’ writing performance.   

Results – The findings have shown that the students’ proficiency levels played an important part in pairing the students as it impacted their writing performance and the effectiveness of the peer review activity. Poor proficiency students who were paired with average proficiency students seemed to make the greatest progress and were the most prominent beneficiaries. Even though these average students benefited from being a reviewer; this pairing was a disadvantage when they reposted their essays after peer review. For high proficiency students who were paired together, they recorded either an increased score or a same score in their post-peer writing.  

Conclusions – This study has shown that for peer review via weblogs to be effectively implemented in writing classes, proper groundwork needs to be laid for instructors to ensure that adequate training is provided, the peers are properly paired, and sufficient support is provided to these blogging buddies.
Lessons learned and lessons missed: impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on all-cause mortality in 40 industrialised countries and US states prior to mass vaccination
Authors: Kontis Vasilis , Bennett James E. , Parks Robbie M. , Rashid Theo , Pearson-Stuttard Jonathan , Asaria Perviz , Zhou Bin , Guillot Michel , Mathers Colin D. , Khang Young-Ho , McKee Martin , Ezzati Majid
Published: February 2022

Background: Industrialised countries had varied responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may lead to different death tolls from COVID-19 and other diseases.

Methods: We applied an ensemble of 16 Bayesian probabilistic models to vital statistics data to estimate the number of weekly deaths if the pandemic had not occurred for 40 industrialised countries and US states from mid-February 2020 through mid-February 2021. We subtracted these estimates from the actual number of deaths to calculate the impacts of the pandemic on all-cause mortality.

Results: Over this year, there were 1,410,300 (95% credible interval 1,267,600-1,579,200) excess deaths in these countries, equivalent to a 15% (14-17) increase, and 141 (127-158) additional deaths per 100,000 people. In Iceland, Australia and New Zealand, mortality was lower than would be expected in the absence of the pandemic, while South Korea and Norway experienced no detectable change. The USA, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland experienced >20% higher mortality. Within the USA, Hawaii experienced no detectable change in mortality and Maine a 5% increase, contrasting with New Jersey, Arizona, Mississippi, Texas, California, Louisiana and New York which experienced >25% higher mortality. Mid-February to the end of May 2020 accounted for over half of excess deaths in Scotland, Spain, England and Wales, Canada, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Cyprus, whereas mid-September 2020 to mid-February 2021 accounted for >90% of excess deaths in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. In USA, excess deaths in the northeast were driven mainly by the first wave, in southern and southwestern states by the summer wave, and in the northern plains by the post-September period.

Conclusions: Prior to widespread vaccine-acquired immunity, minimising the overall death toll of the pandemic requires policies and non-pharmaceutical interventions that delay and reduce infections, effective treatments for infected patients, and mechanisms to continue routine health care.
The genome sequence of the plain-faced dronefly, Eristalis arbustorum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Hawkes William , Wotton Karl ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Eristalis arbustorum (the plain-faced dronefly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syriphidae). The genome sequence is 451 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (94.71%) is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 16.0 kilobases in length.
Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM): a protocol for the evaluation of One-Health drivers of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) resistance in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs)
Authors: Cocker Derek , Sammarro Melodie , Chidziwisano Kondwani , Elviss Nicola , Jacob Shevin T. , Kajumbula Henry , Mugisha Lawrence , Musoke David , Musicha Patrick , Roberts Adam P. , Rowlingson Barry , Singer Andrew C. , Byrne Rachel L. , Edwards Thomas , Lester Rebecca , Wilson Catherine N. , Hollihead Beth , Thomson Nicholas , Jewell Christopher P. , Morse Tracy , Feasey Nicholas A.
Published: February 2022

In sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), there is high morbidity and mortality from severe bacterial infection and this is compounded by antimicrobial resistance, in particular, resistance to 3rd-generation cephalosporins. This resistance is typically mediated by extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs). To interrupt ESBL transmission it will be important to investigate how human behaviour, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, environmental contamination, and antibiotic usage in both urban and rural settings interact to contribute to transmission of ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae between humans, animals, and the environment.

Here we present the protocol for the Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM) Consortium, in which we will collect demographic, geospatial, clinical, animal husbandry and WASH data from a total of 400 households in Uganda and Malawi. Longitudinal human, animal and environmental sampling at each household will be used to isolate ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae. This will be complimented by a Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities and Self-Regulation (RANAS) survey and structured observations to understand the contextual and psychosocial drivers of regional WASH practices.

Bacterial isolates and plate sweeps will be further characterised using a mixture of short-,long-read and metagenomic whole-genome sequencing. These datasets will be integrated into agent-based models to describe the transmission of EBSL resistance in Uganda and Malawi and allow us to inform the design of interventions for interrupting transmission of ESBL-bacteria.
Improving Patient Transfer Protocols for Regional Stroke Networks
Authors: Ardestani-Jaafari Amir , Kucukyazici Beste
Published: February 2022

Currently, stroke patients are transported to the nearest stroke center, following specific protocols. Yet, these protocols do not consider many factors, including the spatial variation in population density, the stroke’s severity, the time since stroke onset, and the congestion level at the receiving stroke center. We develop an analytical framework that enriches the stroke transport decision-making process by incorporating these factors. Our research contributes to the literature of stroke care systems by (i) developing the first analytical framework to determine the optimal primary hospital destination in a regional stroke network and (ii) comparing the impact of incorporating prehospital triaging on health outcomes. To this end, we develop an efficient reformulation for allocation problems with stochastic demand and multiserver system under congestion. We derive data-driven outcome prediction models embedded in mixed integer second-order cone programming formulation. Our framework is applied to two real-life cases: Montreal and Quebec City Stroke Networks. We show that adopting a triage strategy could lead to significantly improved health outcomes, where the magnitude of these improvements varies with the networks’ sizes and congestion levels. In the Montreal case, our proposed policy may increase the ratio of patients for therapeutic intervention eligibility by 12.5% while improving by 69% the number of patients with more than two days of emergency department boarding delays. Our results reveal that it is important to consider the network’s characteristics in making a decision for or against implementing a prehospital triage strategy. Finally, we propose a heuristic policy that provides a promising performance while also being easy to implement.

This paper was accepted by Stefan Scholtes, healthcare management.
Beyond the written word: Newspapers as critical literacy teaching tools in the South African classroom
Authors: Sibanda Rockie
Published: February 2022

This paper provides the rationale and purpose for a critical literacy awareness strategy, implemented to 20 English second language students at a township secondary school in South Africa. This empirical study provides insight into using newspapers as a pedagogical tool to develop students’ language and critical literacy skills. Using different classroom activities and class discussions, the teacher helped the students to read beyond different texts and raised their awareness of different ideologies that inform texts. Working in pairs and groups, the learners engaged with different genres of texts. In this study, special emphasis is promoting critical thinking for social justice where critical literacy is used as a tool to better understand and improve the world. Findings of the study show students engaging in critical conversations without being directed into one way of thinking, which leads to significant improvement in their critical thinking. This further shows that texts that raise questions about different discourses can create an inclusive critical curriculum. It can be concluded that students can learn best when presented with a context they can identify with and are able to tap to their everyday experiences.
Identifying English language needs among administrative support staff in a Malaysian Public University: A preliminary study
Authors: Mat Husin Mohd Zulfadli , Mohd Radzuan Noor Raha
Published: February 2022

English skills particularly in conversation are essential in workplace situations especially in the context of higher learning institutions. Little attention is being given to examining the needs of English communication skills and issues related to administrative support staff at their workplace particularly at public universities. A questionnaire was adopted to gauge the English language needs of support staff, their English skills perception as well as usage at the workplace. Data were collected from a group of 40 support administrative staff from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) involving three administrative departments. The findings were gathered using survey and analyzed using content descriptive analysis. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents strongly agreed that having a good English ability will increase their chance of being promoted to a higher position. Data also revealed that staff use English mostly during interaction with foreign staff and students. In addition, staff perceived that they need to improve their English writing skills the most. This study hopes to give better insight towards English proficiency among administrative support staff and explicit policy on English language at workplace. Therefore, English continuous professional development programmes should be developed and introduced to assist in improving their English language abilities.
A Practical Approach for Estimating Influent-Effluent Mass Flow Differences in Dairy Manure-Based Anaerobic Co-Digestion Systems
Authors: Labatut Rodrigo A. , Morris James W. , Gooch Curt A.
Published: February 2022

Highlights

Three rigorous, methods for estimating influent-effluent mass flow differences due to biogas generation in manure-based anaerobic co-digestion systems are presented.

The methods developed reveal that influent-effluent mass flow differences are driven by waste biochemical conversion - biogas water vapor content is insignificant.

A simple, input-based method produced comparable results to two, more complex, output-based methods, when tested using 12 months of data collected from three dairy-based anaerobic co-digestion systems.

Abstract.During co-digestion of dairy manure and off-farm organic waste in farm anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) systems, the process’s conversion of biodegradable organics to biogas reduces the volumetric mass (or mass-volume) of the effluent discharged compared to the mass-volume fed. In this study, we present three methods for estimating the mass-flow difference between influent and effluent due to conversion to biogas based on widely accepted, rigorously applied, biological and engineering principles. Monthly operating data from three full-scale AcoD systems, operated under different conditions for a full year were used to compare results using the three calculation methods. Results revealed that the predictions of influent mass flow loss obtained using a simplified input-based method primarily based on influent volumetric flow rates and biodegradability data were in good agreement with those obtained using more accurate, real-time data, namely methane concentration and biogas production. For AcoD systems adding off-site wastes at around 30% or less of the total influent volatile solids (VS), the estimated reduction in effluent flow was in the range of 3% or less. In one case, for VS additions up to approximately 60% of the AcoD system’s influent load, the reduction was 12%. Accepted fundamental water vapor relationships were also applied to biogas generation. Biogas water vapor loses were estimated to comprise approximately 0.2% of the total biogas mass-volume typically produced. Since in most anaerobic digestion systems, biogas condensate water is returned to the influent, this insignificant amount may be ignored. Keywords: Anaerobic, Biogas, Co-digestion, Dairy manure, Digestion, Food waste, Volume-mass flow conversion.
Influence of Hot-water Treatment on the Trypsin Inhibitor Activity Reduction of Sweet Potatoes
Authors: Huang Che-Lun , Lai Yung-Chang , Lien Ching-Yi , Liao Wayne C.
Published: February 2022

Highlights

Sweet potatoes designated for animals contains higher trypsin inhibitor activity.

The trypsin inhibitor activity of sweet potatoes was reduced by hot-water treatment.

The optimal conditions of hot-water treatment were determined to be 95°C and 14 min.

Sweet potato extracts are reversible competitive trypsin inhibitors.

ABSTRACT.Sweet potatoes are a good food source, but they contain trypsin inhibitors, which reduce the protein utilization rate in animals. This study analyzed the trypsin inhibitor activity of ten sweet potato varieties. Most of the sweet potatoes designated for animals exhibited high trypsin inhibitor activity. The trypsin activities of TNG57 and TNG10, the most popular sweet potato varieties in Taiwan, were 51.5% and 77.1%, respectively. However, the trypsin inhibitor activity of these fresh sweet potatoes was successfully reduced by hot-water treatment. The influence of hot-water temperature and treatment time was analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). From the RSM regression models, the optimal conditions of hot-water treatment were determined to be 95°C and 14 min. The kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) of sweet potato extracts were determined from a Lineweaver-Burke plot. The inhibitor in sweet potato extracts was classified as reversible competitive. Keywords: Hot-water treatment, Sweet potato, Trypsin inhibitor, Response surface methodology.
Comparisons of Spray Characteristics between Non-circular and Circular Nozzles with Rotating Sprinklers
Authors: Chen Rui , Li Hong , Wang Jian , Guo Xin , Song Zhuoyang
Published: February 2022

Highlights

Experiments were conducted to investigate the hydraulic performance of the solid-set rotating sprinkler.

The effects of nozzle shape and working pressure on the droplet characteristics and kinetic energy of the rotating sprinkler were analyzed.

The circular nozzle has a large wetting radius and large droplet size.

Use of a non-circular nozzle could result in higher irrigation uniformity and lower kinetic energy imparted to the soil surface by water droplets under low working pressures.

Abstract. Reducing the working pressure of sprinklers can effectively reduce sprinkler irrigation energy requirements. However, the reduction in working pressure and variation of nozzle shape inevitably lead to changes in the hydraulic performance of the sprinkler. To evaluate the spray characteristics of selected non-circular (the shape of the nozzle opening was asymmetric) and circular nozzles at low pressure, experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of working pressure, nozzle shape, and nozzle diameter on flow rate, radius of throw, water application rate, droplet size, droplet velocity of the rotating sprinkler, and kinetic energy of the water droplets impacting on the soil surface. The coefficients of irrigation uniformity were calculated for the non-circular and circular nozzles under different rectangular sprinkler spacing and working pressures. The results show that the flow rates of the non-circular and circular nozzles were equal under the same working pressure and with the same nozzle size, while the throw radius of the circular nozzle was longer than that of the non-circular nozzle. The circular nozzle produced a larger droplet size than the non-circular nozzle did. Since the droplet size and kinetic energy per unit droplet volume increased along the radius of throw, and the peak water application rate of the circular nozzle was located near the perimeter of the radius of throw, the peak specific power impact on the soil surface by the water droplets of the circular nozzle was greaterspecifically, 1.26 to 1.97 times that of the non-circular nozzle. With the increase in working pressure, the peak values of specific power and water application rate decreased. The irrigation uniformity coefficients of the non-circular and circular nozzles were more than 85% within the recommended pressure range of the manufacturer when the sprinkler spacing was less than 11 m. It was easier to obtain higher irrigation uniformity and lower impact kinetic energy under low working pressure when using a non-circular nozzle. Keywords: Application rate, Irrigation uniformity, Kinetic energy, Sprinkler irrigation, Working condition.
Initial Evaluation of Sow Cooling Pad Coolant Protocols on Performance and Physiological Conditions Measured by Precision Animal Data System
Authors: Cabezon Francisco A. , Field Tyler C. , Johnson Jay S. , Schinckel Allan P. , Stwalley Robert Merton
Published: February 2022

Highlights

The sow physiological heat stress indicators showed significant improvement with cooling pad use.

Time-triggered coolant flows demonstrate significant potential to cool overheated animals.

Temperature-triggered coolant flows have the potential to operate effectively and maintain animals.

A sensor and data collection system for a sow cooling pad was evaluated within a farrowing barn environment.

Abstract.Thermal stress in swine has numerous negative effects on animal productivity and well-being. Researchers have developed a hog cooling pad that previous continuous coolant flow testing has determined to be efficient in removing heat from a simulated animal, effective in its use of coolant, and simple to build and maintain. Preliminary live animal experimentation with a single, second-prototype design under intermittent coolant flow was conducted at the conclusion of bench testing within a farrowing barn environment. The cooling pad was installed in a farrowing crate and preliminary live animal heat transfer data were collected. Two series of tests were conducted, triggering the coolant flow by set time cycles and by temperature limits. Three different sets of ambient barn conditions were examined (23°C, 28°C, and 33°C). In addition to the thermal reaction of the cooling device, animal temperatures and respiration rates for the treatment animal and a control animal were also collected during the experimentation. During time-controlled testing, the rectal temperature of the cooled sow was lower than the control sow (P = 0.02). The skin temperature of the cooled sow was also lower than the control sow (P = 0.04), and the respiration rate of the cooled sow was lower than the control sow (P = 0.02). These results indicated that temperature-controlled cooling might work well for ‘maintenance’ operations, while a time-controlled flow could potentially be used to extract greater levels of energy from an overheated animal. Results were encouraging enough that further testing with larger sample sizes to confirm these results for both control protocols is planned. Keywords: Cooling systems, Heat transfer, Physiological stress indicators, Swine, Thermal stress.
Low-Cost Microcontroller-Based Device to Measure Kaolin Clay Concentrations for ISO Sprayer Cleanout Tests
Authors: Jeon Hongyoung , Zhu Heping
Published: February 2022

Highlights

Simple low-cost microcontroller-based device was developed to measure ASP® 602 concentrations of residue samples from ISO 22368 tests.

Sensitivity analysis showed the device was able to detect ASP® 602 concentrations as low as 22.5 ppm depending on sample variations.

Various prediction models were built from the output of the device and validated to understand their accuracy and measurement variations.

Logarithmic prediction model showed approximation errors from 3.9% to 19.7% with CV of 7.7% to 19.8% for the ASP® 602 concentration range from 0 to 250 ppm.

Abstract.A simple microcontroller-based device with operating software was developed for analyzing samples from ISO 22368 sprayer cleanout tests. The device could measure ASP® 602 concentrations of residue samples from the sprayer cleanout tests with measurement variations, a coefficient of variations (CV), less than 4%. Sensitivity analysis of the device carried out to understand the measurement limits, and the results showed that the limit of quantification of the device was 22.5 ppm with sample variations which was sufficient for assaying residue samples from ISO 22368 tests. The measurement variations of the device were also affected by homogeneity of the samples. Several prediction models were developed with the device outputs, and prediction accuracy (approximation error) and measurement variations (CV) of the models were validated with additional ASP® 602 samples. The prediction results from the models had a wide range of approximation errors and the results showed approximation errors from 2.6% to 26.2% with CV from 3.0% to 33.4% with the models for a prediction ranges from 0 to above 500 ppm, while considering the results above limit of quantification. The models for a prediction range from 0 to 250 ppm showed the error from 3.9% to 19.7% with CV from 7.5% to 27.5%, under the same consideration. The logarithmic prediction model with the prediction range from 0 to 250 ppm showed most acceptable performance in terms of approximation error and CV that were less than 20%, when considering the results within limit of quantification. Keywords: Kaolin Clay , ISO Standard, Photodiode, Spectrophotometer, Spraying equipment.
Effect of Laser Biostimulation on Germination of Wheat
Authors: Nadimi Mohammad , Sun Da-Wen , Paliwal Jitendra
Published: February 2022

Highlights

The effect of laser biostimulation on wheat germination was explored using a single- and dual-wavelength (DW) laser.

An 80 mW green-infrared DW laser treatment significantly enhanced several germination traits of wheat.

The effect of a 100 mW single-wavelength red laser on wheat germination was non-significant.

Abstract. Laser biostimulation of seeds has established itself as a safe and sustainable alternative to genetic modification or chemical use to enhance plant germination and growth. A knowledge gap, however, exists to define optimal laser parameters for different seeds as inappropriate irradiation may seriously damage or destroy germinability. To this end, the effect of laser biostimulation on germination of Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat seeds was evaluated using two low power portable lasers: 1) a single-wavelength red laser (659 nm) and 2) a dual-wavelength (DW) green/infrared laser [531 and 810 nm (ratio ~10:1)]. The seeds were pretreated with laser light before germination tests for 5, 10, and 15 minutes using total power densities of ~14.2 and 11.3 mW/cm2, respectively. Laser treatment with a DW laser for a duration of 10 min was found to be the most efficient as it significantly enhanced mean germination time, germination rate index, germination speed, number of roots, and hypocotyl length by 14.3%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 31.8%, and 60.9%, respectively, with respect to control samples. The effect of single-wavelength red laser on CWRW wheat seed germination traits was not statistically significant. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first on evaluating the effect of DW laser treatments in plant biostimulation and introduces a new pathway for manipulating the germination, growth, and development of seeds/plants. Keywords: Agriculture, Biostimulation, Dual-wavelength laser, Laser, Wheat.
6G Networks Orientation by Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Henrique Paulo Sergio Rufino , Prasad Ramjee
Published: February 2022

Quantum mechanics is a part of physics that studies the interactions of matter, light, and particles at the atomic and subatomic levels. Since its initial concepts in the early 1900s built upon extensive research of Nobel laureates such as Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, and Richard Feynman, amongst others to the first proposed quantum computers by Paul Benioff in 1980, the concept of quantum technologies has evolved. Two central studies derived from quantum mechanics that can support and revolutionize future wireless technologies are quantum computers and quantum communications. The investigation for building the next generation of wireless networks has begun. Therefore, many technological opportunities for applying innovative solutions and advanced concepts are on the table as an option to unlock the full potential of 6G for providing an intelligent, superfast, and secure network. Having said that, quantum mechanics come into play to offer a breakthrough opportunity that will change the world since the popularization of the Internet, and it will propel 6G use cases to be remarkably successful, but only if quantum physics can be engineered and converged into the forementioned quantum technologies to support the achievement of Society 5.0. Therefore, overcoming the quantum challenges, 6G can benefit in many ways. One of them is Quantum computing (QC) that will surpass the computational capabilities of classic computers limited by binary transactions known as bits to resolve future challenges using quantum states to process information in quantum bits (Qubits). Correspondingly, quantum computing will merge with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a new model known as Quantum Machine Learning (QML) to deal with the exponential growth of Big Data faster than any existing computational model. In Addition, quantum communications will deliver a safer network, utilizing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and inaugurate the next generation of the Internet, much safer for all. Thus, this paper presents a holistic overview of Quantum as a service (QaaS) as a future deployment in the 6G architecture, but only if quantum technologies can be mastered in the next upcoming years. Most likely that QaaS will become available for commercial purposes by the hyperscalers, the ones able to cope with the total cost of ownership (TCO) of these state of art technologies.
This paper is divided by an introduction that summarizes the foundation of quantum mechanics, its laws, and the researchers’ pioneers responsible for setting the principles used to create the next generation of quantum technologies. In Section 2, there is a presentation of the core parts of quantum physics used to create quantum computers and quantum communications services, which includes the technological challenges to mature these technologies. Finally, in Section 3, the conclusions are presented.
Privacy Preservation for Enterprises Data in Edge Devices
Authors: Anant Aaloka , Prasad Ramjee
Published: February 2022

Privacy becomes the most important topic as user’s data gets more and more widely used and exchanged across internet. Edge devices are replacing traditional monitoring and maintenance strategy for daily used items in households as well as industrial establishments. The usage of technology is getting more and more pervasive. 6G further increases the importance of edge devices in a network as network speeds increase, making the edge device much more powerful element in the network. Edge devices would have massive store and exchange of personal data of the individual. Data privacy forms the primary requirement for accessing data of individuals. Paper presents a novel concept on combination of techniques including cryptography, randomization, pseudonymization and others to achieve anonymization. It investigates in detail how the privacy relevant data of individuals can be protected as well as made relevant for research. It arrives at an interesting and unique approach for privacy preservation on edge devices opening up new business opportunities and make the data subject in charge of their data.
Video Streaming Based on Blockchain State Channel with IoT Camera
Authors: Jeong Min-Hyuk , Kim Sang-Kyun
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a system that provides video streaming services from the Internet of Media Things using blockchain and cryptocurrency (token). The user pays the token by the contract terms of the smart contract written on the blockchain through the distributed application (DApp). The IP camera, which is paid the token, streams the taken video to the user in real-time. To investigate the possibility of a blockchain camera streaming service, we upload a smart contract for streaming service on Etherium-based blockchain, and ERC20 tokens necessary for the transaction are created and implemented. To overcome the slow trading speed and the disability of proper refunding, the off-chain transaction, one of the blockchain scaling techniques, was applied and implemented in the system.
Photovoltaic generators: use by rural customers in Mato Grosso state
Authors: Holzbach Matheus , Resende Adriana Souza
Published: February 2022

In the current Brazilian energy scenario, the use of photovoltaic systems for generating energy is an excellent choice, as it combines electricity savings and energy production with less harmful impact on the environment. Mato Grosso is a state of great importance for agricultural production, in a country where agribusiness has a large share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The aims of this study are to investigate the growing use of distributed photovoltaic system by rural customers in the state of Mato Grosso and compare it with the number of installations implemented in other consumer classes to eventually evaluate the participation in the state energy matrix and its applications. The analysis was carried out with data up to 2020 available from the registration system of the distributed generation of the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and the local electricity company Energisa Mato Grosso (EMT). The number of consumer units having photovoltaic generation systems in the state has grown on average 342% since 2015, when the first units were installed. When analyzing only rural facilities, this percentage rises to 347%. Although the participation of rural customers in the total number of installations is 7.04%, which are less significant than the other consumer classes, these systems are 6.44 times larger than residential systems, with a participation in the total state installed power of 21.74%.
Design of a pair of aplanatic mirrors
Authors: González-Acuña Rafael G.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a new, to the best of our knowledge, differential equation for designing a pair of aplanatic mirrors is introduced. The differential equation is a direct consequence of the Fermat principle and Abbe sine condition. If it is solved, the solution expresses the shape of a pair of mirrors such that they form an aplanatic system. The differential equation has been solved numerically. We have also tested the performance of the pair of mirrors, which is as predicted by the theory.
Hybrid confocal Raman endomicroscopy for morpho-chemical tissue characterization
Authors: Horgan Conor C. , Jensen Magnus , Chiappini Ciro , Vercauteren Tom , Cook Richard , Bergholt Mads S.
Published: February 2022

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) offers imaging of tissue microarchitecture and has emerged as a promising tool for in vivo clinical diagnosis of cancer across many organs. CLE, however, can show high inter-observer dependency and does not provide information about tissue molecular composition. In contrast, Raman spectroscopy is a label-free optical technique that provides detailed biomolecular compositional information but offers limited or no morphological information. Here we present a novel hybrid fiber-optic confocal Raman endomicroscopy system for morpho-chemical tissue imaging and analysis. The developed confocal endomicroscopy system is based on a novel detection scheme for rejecting Raman silica fiber interference permitting simultaneous CLE imaging and Raman spectral acquisition of tissues through a coherent fiber bundle. We show that this technique enables real-time microscopic visualization of tissue architecture as well as simultaneous pointwise label-free biomolecular characterization and fingerprinting of tissue paving the way for multimodal diagnostics at endoscopy.