bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological interventions countering misinformation in social media: A scoping review
Authors: Gwiaździński Paweł , Gundersen Aleksander B. , Piksa Michal , Krysińska Izabela , Kunst Jonas R. , Noworyta Karolina , Olejniuk Agata , Morzy Mikołaj , Rygula Rafal , Wójtowicz Tomi , Piasecki Jan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The rise of social media users and the explosive growth in misinformation shared across social media platforms have become a serious threat to democratic discourse and public health. The mentioned implications have increased the demand for misinformation detection and intervention. To contribute to this challenge, we are presenting a systematic scoping review of psychological interventions countering misinformation in social media. The review was conducted to (i) identify and map evidence on psychological interventions countering misinformation, (ii) compare the viability of the interventions on social media, and (iii) provide guidelines for the development of effective interventions.

Methods

A systematic search in three bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) and additional searches in Google Scholar and reference lists were conducted.

Results

3,561 records were identified, 75 of which met the eligibility criteria for the inclusion in the final review. The psychological interventions identified during the review can be classified into three categories distinguished by Kozyreva et al.: Boosting, Technocognition, and Nudging, and then into 15 types within these. Most of the studied interventions were not implemented and tested in a real social media environment but under strictly controlled settings or online crowdsourcing platforms. The presented feasibility assessment of implementation insights expressed qualitatively and with numerical scoring could guide the development of future interventions that can be successfully implemented on social media platforms.

Discussion

The review provides the basis for further research on psychological interventions counteracting misinformation. Future research on interventions should aim to combine effective Technocognition and Nudging in the user experience of online services.

Systematic review registration

[https://figshare.com/], identifier [https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14649432.v2].
Technology challenges among deaf and hard of hearing elders in China during COVID-19 pandemic emergency isolation: A qualitative study
Authors: Xu Di , Ma Shiwen , Yan Chu , Zhao Ziqing
Published: January 2023

Digital technology can be an effective tool to facilitate emergency assistance in a pandemic, but many deaf and hard-of-hearing elders may experience challenges in using and adopting these technologies. In the context of the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, this study employs a qualitative research method based on in-depth interviews to explore technology challenges among deaf and hard-of-hearing elders in China. The results showed that this group's technology challenges arose mainly from barriers to the mastery of digital technology tools, among which barriers to the use of smartphones, to the accessibility of online medical consultations, and to the presentation of health codes, were most noteworthy. For the informants, these barriers led to social isolation and technology avoidance. What's more, the expectation of individuals to adopt certain types of digital intelligence technologies can inadvertently create inequities for disadvantaged groups and exacerbate the “digital divide.” This study highlights the need for emergency management systems to be inclusive of elders with hearing loss in times of public health crises, by providing effective technology support and training to facilitate individuals' access to services and to safeguard their health, interests, and livelihood.
From disgusting and complicated to simple and brilliant: Implementation perspectives and lessons learned from users and rejectors of mail-in SARS-CoV-2 gargle tests
Authors: Röhr Freda , Uellner Ferdinand , Deckert Andreas , Anders Simon , Burk Robin , Knop Michael , Brugnara Lucia , Bärnighausen Till , Jahn Albrecht , McMahon Shannon , Souares Aurélia
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite the important role of testing as a measure against the COVID-19 pandemic, user perspectives on SARS-CoV-2 tests remain scarce, inhibiting an improvement of testing approaches. As the world enters the third year of the pandemic, more nuanced perspectives of testing, and opportunities to expand testing in a feasible and affordable manner merit consideration.

Methods

Conducted amid the second pandemic wave (late 2020–early 2021) during and after a multi-arm trial evaluating SARS-CoV-2 surveillance strategies in the federal state Baden-Württemberg, Germany, this qualitative sub-study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how test users and test rejectors perceived mail-in SARS-CoV-2 gargle tests. We conducted 67 semi-structured in-depth interviews (mean duration: 60 min) via telephone or video call. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the findings' presentation.

Results

Respondents generally described gargle sampling as simple and comfortable. However, individual perceptions of the testing method and its feasibility varied widely from disgusting and complicated to simple and brilliant. Self-sampling was appreciated for lowering infection risks during testing, but also considered more complex. Gargle-sampling increased participants' self-efficacy to sample correctly. Communication (first contact, quantity and content of information, reminders, support system) and trust (in the study, its institutional affiliation and test method) decisively influenced the intervention's acceptability.

Conclusion

User-driven insights on how to streamline testing include: consider communication, first impressions of tests and information as key for successful mail-in testing; pay attention to the role of mutual trust between those taking and administering tests; implement gargle self-sampling as a pleasant alternative to swab testing; offer multiple test methods to increase test up-take.
Human monkeypox — After 40 years, an unintended consequence of smallpox eradication
Authors: Shah Hussain Haider , Molani Muhammad Khizer , Shabbir Naqiha
Published: January 2023

Monkeypox is one of the many zoonotic viruses that belong to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family with a similar clinical appearance to smallpox. The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and lymphadenopathy. The transmission of monkeypox occurs from infected animals to humans or through direct contact (sexual or skin-to-skin), respiratory droplets, and clothing such as towels. The incidence of monkeypox is rising drastically over the world. This short communication discusses the causes of the rising monkeypox cases and emphasizes strategies to prevent the spread of the virus.
Comparison of vaccine hesitancy during the low and high points of COVID-19 in a population under international sanctions: A longitudinal mixed-methods study in Iran
Authors: Khankeh Hamidreza , Pourebrahimi Mohammad , Hosseinabadi-Farahani Mohammadjavad , Farrokhi Mehrdad , Khanjani Mohammad Saeed , Shojafard Javad , Hamedanchi Arya , Ranjbar Maryam , Jenabi Ghods Mariye , Ahmadi Shokoufeh , Ghanaatpisheh Elham , Saatchi Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Along with the challenges of COVID-19 vaccine supply in low-income countries, vaccine hesitancy was another problem for the health system. The aim of this study was to deeply understand the challenges of vaccine acceptance, the vaccination process, and to compare the affecting vaccine acceptance in the high and low points of the epidemic in Iran.

Methods

In the qualitative part of this mixed-methods study, content analysis was used to investigate experiences and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccination in four groups. In the quantitative study, in March 2021 (low point), and on August 1, 2021 (high point), two population-based cross-sectional studies were performed in Tehran and its rural, with sample sizes of 1,200 and 1,872 people aged over 18 years, respectively. Multinomial (polytomous) logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting hesitation and unwillingness to receive the vaccine.

Results

Disbelief in vaccine safety, vaccine distrust, ignorance and confusion, and inadequate facilities were the common reasons extracted in the two qualitative studies. At the low and high points of the epidemic, vaccine acceptance was 83.6% (95% CI: 81.3–85.9) and 65.8% (95% CI: 65.8–71.0), respectively. Residence in rural areas, (Odds Ratio: 0.44, p = 0.001), being a student (Odds Ratio: 0.41, p = 0.011), housewives (Odds Ratio: 0.63, p = 0.033), illiteracy (Odds Ratio: 4.44, p = 0.001), and having an underlying disease (Odds Ratio: 4.44, p = 0.001) were factors affecting on vaccine acceptance.

Discussion

Counter-intuitively, acceptance did not increase at the peak of epidemic. The presence of obstacles, such as increased distrust in the effectiveness of vaccines due to the occurrence of multiple peaks in different vaccinated countries, as well as the influence of the media, anti-vaccine campaigns, and lack of proper communication about risks caused more hesitation. More investigation to understand how people accept or reject vaccine and its long term consequences is recommended.
Organ curvature sensing using pneumatically attachable flexible rails in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery
Authors: McDonald-Bowyer A. , Dietsch S. , Dimitrakakis E. , Coote J. M. , Lindenroth L. , Stoyanov D. , Stilli A.
Published: January 2023

In robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy, surgeons remove a part of a kidney often due to the presence of a mass. A drop-in ultrasound probe paired to a surgical robot is deployed to execute multiple swipes over the kidney surface to localise the mass and define the margins of resection. This sub-task is challenging and must be performed by a highly-skilled surgeon. Automating this sub-task may reduce cognitive load for the surgeon and improve patient outcomes. The eventual goal of this work is to autonomously move the ultrasound probe on the surface of the kidney taking advantage of the use of the Pneumatically Attachable Flexible (PAF) rail system, a soft robotic device used for organ scanning and repositioning. First, we integrate a shape-sensing optical fibre into the PAF rail system to evaluate the curvature of target organs in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Then, we investigate the impact of the PAF rail’s material stiffness on the curvature sensing accuracy, considering that soft targets are present in the surgical field. We found overall curvature sensing accuracy to be between 1.44% and 7.27% over the range of curvatures present in adult kidneys. Finally, we use shape sensing to plan the trajectory of the da Vinci surgical robot paired with a drop-in ultrasound probe and autonomously generate an Ultrasound scan of a kidney phantom.
The use of autologous skeletal muscle-derived cells as a sling in the treatment of stress-induced urinary incontinence: An experimental study in dogs
Authors: Wadie Bassem S. , Aamer Haytham G. , Khater Sherry M. , Gabr Mahmoud M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This is an experimental preclinical study testing the applicability of autologous skeletal muscle-derived cells as a treatment of SUI in a canine model.

Methods

Ten mongrel dogs were included in this study. Skeletal muscle was harvested for biopsy in 4 dogs. One month later, incontinence was induced in 8 dogs through urethrolysis. Biopsied muscle cells were incubated and expanded for 8 weeks. Muscle-derived cells were collected and covered with a polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffold immersed in culture medium and coated with Matrigel to be used as a sling, which was placed suburethrally in 8 dogs; 4 had cell seeding, and 4 had scaffolds only. Urethral pressure (UP) measurements were performed at baseline and 2 & 6 weeks after sling insertion. The urethra was harvested 4 weeks after sling insertion for histopathology.

Results

One month, a statistically significant increase of mean urethral pressure values compared to baseline was observed in all dogs with a scaffold inserted. The increase ranged from 5 to 40 cmH2O. Histopathology showed significant periurethral proliferation of skeletal muscles in 4 dogs with cell-seeded scaffolds. These levels were the maximum levels in dogs # 1 & 2. This was not the case in the 4 dogs that had slings only.

Conclusion

Based on the outcome of this preliminary experience, the use of skeletal muscle-seeded PGA scaffolds seems to be an easy and reproducible procedure which preserves histological differentiation and integrity in a canine model
Further investigation of the effect of upstream solar-wind fluctuations on solar-wind/magnetosphere coupling: Is the effect real?
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E.
Published: January 2023

There is a general consensus that fluctuations in the solar wind magnetic field and/or the Alfvenicity of the solar wind drive a solar wind-magnetosphere interaction. 11 years of hourly-averaged solar wind and magnetospheric geomagnetic indices are used to further examine this hypothesis in detail, confirming that geomagnetic activity statistically increases with the amplitude of upstream fluctuations and with the Alfvénicity, even when solar-wind reconnection driver functions are weak and reconnection on the dayside magnetopause should vanish. A comparison finds that the fluctuation-amplitude effect appears to be stronger than the Alfvénicity effect. In contradiction to the generally accepted hypothesis of driving an interaction, it is also demonstrated that many solar wind parameters are correlated with the fluctuation amplitude and the Alfvénicity. As a result, we caution against immediately concluding that the latter two parameters physically drive the overall solar-wind/magnetosphere interaction: the fluctuation amplitude and Alfvénicity could be acting as proxies for other more-relevant variables. More decisive studies are needed, perhaps focusing on the roles of ubiquitous solar-wind strong current sheets and velocity shears, which drive the measured amplitudes and Alfvénicities of the upstream solar-wind fluctuations.
Are adrenergic α1- antagonists beneficial for the access of retrograde ureteral access sheath or semi-rigid ureteroscope access? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Qibo , Yuan Chi , Shen Sikui , Jian Zhongyu , Jin Xi , Ma Yucheng , Li Hong , Wang Kunjie
Published: January 2023

Introduction

To evaluate the clinical benefit of preoperative adrenergic α1-antagonist therapy in the management of upper urinary calculi.

Materials and methods

Publications were searched for The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and MEDLINE until 1 March 2022 that related to the adrenergic α1- antagonist intake as adjunctive therapy before retrograde surgery. Dichotomous data were reported with risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the continuous data were reported with mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs

Results

There were nine studies with 867 patients included in this meta-analysis. Preoperative adrenergic α1- antagonists could significantly elevate the compared with the placebo. Higher successful access rate to the stone was found in patients who received preoperative adrenergic α1- antagonists than those who received the placebo (RR 1.24; 95% CI 1.17–1.33). Besides, the application of preoperative adrenergic α1- antagonists can also elevate 4th-week stone-free rate (RR 1.20; 95% CI 1.12–1.28), decrease postoperative analgesia (RR 0.30;95% CI 0.20–0.46) and result in a lower risk of overall complications (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.24–0.61).

Conclusion

Preoperative adjunctive adrenergic α1- antagonist therapy is effective and safe in the management of retrograde surgery with a higher successful access rate and lower risk of severe complications.
Clinical manifestations and imaging and pathological features of giant cell angioblastoma: Report of four cases and literature review
Authors: Li Qingbin , Zhang Zhaohua , Chen Guocai , Hu Yongbo , Mao Rongjun , Xie Le , Chen Shaoluan , Lao Yongqiang , Gao Junqing
Published: January 2023

Giant cell angioblastoma is a relatively rare vasogenic tumour. To date, studies on its clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, pathological features, and prognosis are extremely limited and unknown, with only a few cases recorded. In this study, four cases of giant cell angioblastoma confirmed by pathological examination were reported to improve our understanding and deep exploration of the tumour spectrum. All cases in our study were male, including two adults and two boys. The lesions were located in the lower segment of the femur, medial condyle of the femur, knee joint, and popliteal fossa. Regarding the imaging characteristics, two patients with lesions in bone showed bone destruction, while the other two had lesions that invaded soft tissues, showing irregular, abnormal signal shadows and obvious enhancement. Histopathological analysis revealed that the nodular tumour tissue was mainly composed of oval and spindle cells, with varying numbers of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, and the interstitial tissues were often filled with blood vessels of different sizes. The immunophenotype demonstrates that endothelial cells of small vessels in nodules expressed CD31, SMA, and ERG, while osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells and histiocytes expressed CD68 and CD163, and the surrounding cells expressed SMA. All four patients were treated with surgical resection. One of them relapsed 1 month after surgery and received a second surgical resection. No distant metastasis or death occurred during the follow-up period. This study indicates that giant cell angioblastoma is a local invasive vascular tumour that can develop both in children and adults with skin, mucous membrane, soft tissue, and bone involvement. Imaging characteristics show bone destruction and irregular, abnormal signal shadows; in addition, obvious pathological morphological features can be observed. Currently, the treatment is mainly surgical resection, and interferons may be used as adjuvant chemotherapy.
The influence of timing of oocytes retrieval and embryo transfer on the IVF-ET outcomes in patients having bilateral salpingectomy due to bilateral hydrosalpinx
Authors: Yilei He , Shuo Yang , Caihong Ma , Yan Yang , Xueling Song , Jiajia Zhang , Ping Liu , Rong Li , Jie Qiao
Published: January 2023

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate whether the sequence of oocyte retrieval and salpingectomy for hydrosalpinx affects pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients.

Study Design

There were 1,610 bilateral hydrosalpinx patients who underwent laparoscopy salpingectomy and IVF-ET/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from January 2009 to December 2018. They were divided into two groups: oocyte retrieval first group: 235 accepted oocyte retrieval before salpingectomy; operation first group: 1,375 accepted oocyte retrieval after salpingectomy. The basic information and pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were compared. The pregnancy outcomes and influencing factors were analyzed among patients at different starting times of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) or oocyte retrieval after the salpingectomy.

Results

Patients in the oocyte retrieval first group had higher levels of basal follicle stimulating hormone and lower anti-Mullerian hormone levels (P < 0.05). There were no cases of pelvic infection or oocyte and embryo contamination after oocyte retrieval in the oocyte retrieval first group. In the frozen cycle, the clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates of the oocyte retrieval first group were lower than those in the operation first group (P < 0.05), while the live birth rate was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The live birth rates of patients ≥35 years old in the operation first group and the oocyte retrieval first group were not significantly different (29.3% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.240). After adjusting for age and antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte retrieval 4–6 and 7–12 months after the operation had higher accumulated pregnancy rates [OR 1.439 (1.045–1.982), P = 0.026; OR 1.509 (1.055–2.158), P = 0.024] and higher accumulated live birth rates [OR 1.419 (1.018–1.977), P = 0.039; OR 1.544 (1.068–2.230), P = 0.021]. No significant difference was observed in the pregnancy outcomes of frozen embryo transfer at different times after salpingectomy (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

No contamination of the embryo or infection was observed in patients who underwent oocyte retrieval before the operation. The interval between the operation and frozen embryo transfer did not affect the pregnancy outcomes. After adjusting for age and AFC, patients who underwent oocyte retrieval 4–6 and 7–12 months after the operation had higher accumulated pregnancy rates and live birth rates.
Formation of picosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures on steel for knee arthroplasty prosthetics
Authors: Khuzhakulov Zikrulloh , Kylychbekov Salizhan , Allamyradov Yaran , Majidov Inomjon , Ben Yosef Justice , Er Alper Yusuf , Kitchens Chazz , Banga Simran , Badarudeen Sameer , Er Ali Oguz
Published: January 2023

The formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on mirror-polished 304-grade stainless steel sheets with dimensions 25 mm × 25 mm × 0.8 mm upon irradiation with picosecond laser pulses in air and water environments at different wavelengths, number of pulses, and laser energy densities was investigated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the LIPSS. Tunable periodicity of the LIPSS was observed in both media at different wavelengths and fluence. Fluence was shown to be the main formation parameter of LIPSS; however, the medium was also demonstrated to play an important role. Our results show that LIPSS can be successfully generated on stainless steel in a single-step process and that they can be easily modified by adjusting laser parameters.
Impact of Ten Years Conservation Tillage in Organic Farming on Soil Physical Properties in a Loess Soil—Northern Hesse, Germany
Authors: Bilibio Carolina , Uteau Daniel , Horvat Malte , Rosskopf Ulla , Junge Stephan Martin , Finckh Maria Renate , Peth Stephan
Published: January 2023

In conservation agriculture, conservation tillage potentially influences the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the soil. Although the effects of conservation agriculture on the soil’s physical properties have been studied in conventional management systems, studies on organic farming systems, especially concerning long-term changes, are scarce. This study summarizes the results of physical and mechanical soil parameters obtained over the initial 10 years of different conservation management treatments (plowing versus reduced tillage with and without compost application) in an organic field trial conducted in central Germany. Moreover, as a research objective, the effects of soil conservation measures on soil’s physical quality were evaluated. Differences in the soil’s physical quality during treatments were mainly detected in the topsoil. At a depth of 0.10–0.24 m, the total porosity and air capacity were lower, and the bulk density was higher in the reduced-tillage systems, compared to those of the plowed treatments. Additionally, the soil’s mechanical stability (precompression stress) was higher at a depth of 0.10 m for reduced-tillage systems combined with compost application. In addition, the soil’s aggregate stability was enhanced in the reduced-tillage systems (higher mean weight diameter, as determined via wet sieving). Overall, the reduced-tillage treatments did not exceed the critical physical values of the soil, nor affect the functionality of the soil (saturated hydraulic conductivity), thereby demonstrating its feasibility as a sustainable technique for organic farming. Future studies should include measures to ameliorate compaction zones in reduced-tillage treatments, e.g., by applying subsoiling techniques in combination with deep-rooting crops to prevent limited rooting space resulting from the high mechanical impedance, especially under dry soil conditions.
Maintenance Skill Training Gives Agricultural Socialized Service Providers More Advantages
Authors: Chen Lewei , Zhang Zongyi , Li Hongbo , Zhang Xinpu
Published: January 2023

Agricultural machinery maintenance skill training is conducive to improving the fault diagnosis and maintenance levels of agricultural machinery for agricultural socialized service providers and plays an important role in providing stable and reliable agricultural machinery operation services. This paper aims to study whether maintenance skill training gives agricultural socialized service providers more advantages than untrained providers, exploring the relationship between maintenance skill training and agricultural machinery service area. Based on a survey of 4905 farmers from 10 provinces in China, an empirical analysis was carried out using a fixed effect model and a propensity score matching method. The results showed the following: First, maintenance skill training had a significant positive impact on agricultural machinery operation service area, including 10.426 ha of machinery tilling service area and 8.524 ha of machinery harvesting service area. Second, since maintenance skill training gave agricultural socialized service providers more advantages in agricultural machinery operation services and enabled them to obtain more orders, it had an indirect positive impact on the quantity of demand for large- and middle-sized agricultural machinery.
Smart Detection of Tomato Leaf Diseases Using Transfer Learning-Based Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Saeed Alaa , Abdel-Aziz A. A. , Mossad Amr , Abdelhamid Mahmoud A. , Alkhaled Alfadhl Y. , Mayhoub Muhammad
Published: January 2023

Plant diseases affect the availability and safety of plants for human and animal consumption and threaten food safety, thus reducing food availability and access, as well as reducing crop yield and quality. There is a need for novel disease detection methods that can be used to reduce plant losses due to disease. Thus, this study aims to diagnose tomato leaf diseases by classifying healthy and unhealthy tomato leaf images using two pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs): Inception V3 and Inception ResNet V2. The two models were trained using an open-source database (PlantVillage) and field-recorded images with a total of 5225 images. The models were investigated with dropout rates of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. The most important results showed that the Inception V3 model with a 50% dropout rate and the Inception ResNet V2 model with a 15% dropout rate, as they gave the best performance with an accuracy of 99.22% and a loss of 0.03. The high-performance rate shows the possibility of utilizing CNNs models for diagnosing tomato diseases under field and laboratory conditions. It is also an approach that can be expanded to support an integrated system for diagnosing various plant diseases.
Impact Evaluation of Score Classes and Annotation Regions in Deep Learning-Based Dairy Cow Body Condition Prediction
Authors: Nagy Sára Ágnes , Kilim Oz , Csabai István , Gábor György , Solymosi Norbert
Published: January 2023

Body condition scoring is a simple method to estimate the energy supply of dairy cattle. Our study aims to investigate the accuracy with which supervised machine learning, specifically a deep convolutional neural network (CNN), can be used to retrieve body condition score (BCS) classes estimated by an expert. We recorded images of animals’ rumps in three large-scale farms using a simple action camera. The images were annotated with classes and three different-sized bounding boxes by an expert. A CNN pretrained model was fine-tuned on 12 and 3 BCS classes. Training in 12 classes with a 0 error range, the Cohen’s kappa value yielded minimal agreement between the model predictions and ground truth. Allowing an error range of 0.25, we obtained minimum or weak agreement. With an error range of 0.5, we had strong or almost perfect agreement. The kappa values for the approach trained on three classes show that we can classify all animals into BCS categories with at least moderate agreement. Furthermore, CNNs trained on 3 BCS classes showed a remarkably higher proportion of strong agreement than those trained in 12 classes. The prediction precision when training with various annotation region sizes showed no meaningful differences. The weights of our trained CNNs are freely available, supporting similar works.
Age Structure, Development and Population Viability of Banteng (Bos javanicus) in Captive Breeding for Ex-Situ Conservation and Reintroduction
Authors: Chaiyarat Rattanawat , Sriphonkrang Neeracha , Khamsirinan Phattaranan , Nakbun Saree , Youngpoy Namphung
Published: January 2023

Captive breeding is important for ex-situ conservation and the future reintroduction of bovids that become extinct in the wild. The age structure, development, and viability of captive-bred bantengs (Bos javanicus) are important to sustain the long-term reintroduction program in Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary (SWF) and other areas. This research conducted a long-term population viability analysis (PVA) using height, weight, body condition scores (BSC), age structure, and development in captivity for a sustainable reintroduction program of bantengs in Thailand. Monthly development photographs of 23 founder individuals (12 males and 11 females) were assessed by three banteng experts, two researchers, and three members of the general public. The assessments of weight and BCS were not significantly different among the three groups, while height was underestimated by the general public. The PVA showed that the time to reach the maximum population in a captive banteng program is dependent on the carrying capacity of the habitat. The reduction of a small banteng founder group by the reintroduction of animals into the wild can negatively affect the population growth of the captive group. This information can be used to maintain the population viability of bantengs and sustain ex-situ conservation and the reintroduction program in Thailand and elsewhere.
Effects of Various Feed Additives on Finishing Pig Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics: A Review
Authors: Rao Zhong-Xing , Tokach Mike D. , Woodworth Jason C. , DeRouchey Joel M. , Goodband Robert D. , Gebhardt Jordan T.
Published: January 2023

Feed additives have shown benefits throughout the literature in improving grow–finish pigs’ growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, the results have not been well summarized. Therefore, this review summarizes the available research (402 articles) on 14 feed additive categories fed to grow–finish pigs. The categories were acidifiers, betaine, Cr, conjugated linoleic acids, Cu, direct-fed microbials, carbohydrases, proteases, phytases, multi-enzymes, essential oils, L-carnitine, yeasts, and Zn. Qualified articles were collected and selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria from online databases. The percentage difference for each response variable between the treatment and control group was calculated and summarized. Most results were positive for each feed additive; however, the magnitude of improvement varied, and most were not statistically significant. For ADG, DFM, Cu, L-carnitine, and multi-enzymes showed relatively large positive effects (>2.1% improvement) across a reasonable number of articles. Acidifiers, betaine, CLA, multi-enzymes, DFM, L-carnitine, and yeasts showed relatively large positive effects (>2.5% improvement) on improving G:F. Moreover, except for betaine, Cr, CLA, and L-carnitine, most feed additives showed little and non-significant effects on BF thickness (<1.7% improvement). This review provides a descriptive analysis for commonly used feed additives in the hope of better understanding feed additives’ effects on grow–finish pigs.
Efficacy of Management Efforts to Reduce Food-Related Dingo–Human Interactions and Conflict on K’gari (Fraser Island), Australia
Authors: Behrendorff Linda , King Rachel , Allen Benjamin L.
Published: January 2023

Humans and dingoes (Canis familiaris (dingo)) share the environment of K’gari, and conflict inevitably occurs between the two species, particularly over food. Dingo attacks on humans have occurred, and some have been serious and even fatal in outcome. Wildlife feeding may cause animals to develop unnatural and potentially dangerous behaviours towards conspecifics and humans on a relatively frequent basis. Food-based attraction has been implicated in the development of human-directed aggression in the dingo population of K’gari. Supplemental feeding, whether intentional or accidental, alters wildlife foraging behaviours and may have consequences at the population and ecosystem levels. Management strategies such as education programs, prohibition of inappropriate human behaviours (compliance) and fencing of garbage dumps have each been implemented to stop the intentional or inadvertent feeding of dingoes by people. However, there has been no formal assessment of the effectiveness of these interventions at reducing food-related dingo–human incidents over time. We collated and analysed 7791 unique reports of dingo–human interactions on K’gari between 1990 and 2020, inclusive of 1307 food-related reports, including the severity of these interactions. These data showed clear seasonal peaks in the percentage of food-related dingo–human interactions, corresponding with biologically significant breeding periods in autumn and weaning and dispersing in spring. Trends in serious food-related incidents remained stable overtime. Less serious food-related incidents declined, suggesting that management efforts were successful. However, these efforts appear to have reached the limits of their effectiveness. Further innovations are required to reduce serious incidents involving the relatively few dingoes and people still experiencing conflict, and thereby provide protection to both species on K’gari.
Clostridioides difficile in South American Camelids in Germany: First Insights into Molecular and Genetic Characteristics and Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Dost Ines , Abdel-Glil Mostafa , Schmoock Gernot , Menge Christian , Berens Christian , González-Santamarina Belén , Wiegand Elisabeth , Neubauer Heinrich , Schwarz Stefan , Seyboldt Christian
Published: January 2023

Little is known about zoonotic pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance in South American camelids (SAC) in Germany including Clostridioides (C.) difficile. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence, molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of C. difficile in SAC. Composite SAC faecal samples were collected in 43 husbandries in Central Germany and cultured for C. difficile. Toxinotyping and ribotyping was done by PCR. Whole genome sequencing was performed with Illumina® Miseq™. The genomes were screened for antimicrobial resistance determinants. Genetic relatedness of the isolates was investigated using core genome multi locus sequence typing (cgMLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Etest® method. Eight C. difficile isolates were recovered from seven farms. The isolates belonged to different PCR ribotypes. All isolates were toxinogenic. cgMLST revealed a cluster containing isolates recovered from different farms. Seven isolates showed similar resistance gene patterns. Different phenotypic resistance patterns were found. Agreement between phenotypic and genotypic resistance was identified only in some cases. Consequently, SAC may act as a reservoir for C. difficile. Thus, SAC may pose a risk regarding zoonotic transmission of toxinogenic, potentially human-pathogenic and resistant C. difficile isolates.
A Novel Single-Tube Eicosaplex/Octaplex PCR System for the Detection of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases, Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamases, and Integrons in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Soliman Ahmed M. , Nariya Hirofumi , Tanaka Daiki , Shimamoto Toshi , Shimamoto Tadashi
Published: January 2023

We developed two multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) for the detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases, aac(6′)-Ib gene, and integrase genes (intI1, intI2, and intI3) in class 1, 2, and 3 integrons in Gram-negative bacteria. We evaluated the PCRs using 109 Gram-negative isolates from non-organic (ANO) and organic (AO) vegetables and fruits. Screening of ANO substances identified five SHV, one TEM-1, one CTX-M, 20 AmpC-CS, and two intI1 positives. DNA sequencing revealed CTX-M in Pantoea spp. was blaRANH-2, a plasmid-mediated CTX-M related ESBL gene only found in Rahnella spp. Of the 20 AmpC-CS positives, 10 were CMY/MIR/ACT/EC (3 new variants), eight were ACT, one was AZECL, and one was new Pseudomonas-related AmpC family. Screening of AO substances identified 11 SHV, two TEM-1, three CTX-M (one OXY-2, two CTX-M-14/-15), two OXA-9, 13 AmpC-CS and one intI1 positives. The 13 AmpC-CS positives were five CMY/MIR/ACT/EC, three ACT, one MOX-12 variant, and four ADC (one ADC-25 and three new variants). We developed a rapid, easy-to-perform, low-cost, and reliable multiplex PCR system for screening clinically relevant β-lactamases and integrons in Gram-negative bacteria. We showed the prevalence of ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamases among our panel of ampicillin-resistant Gram-negative strains and detection of NDM and OXA carbapenemases.
The Adipocyte–Macrophage Relationship in Cancer: A Potential Target for Antioxidant Therapy
Authors: Sanhueza Sofía , Simón Layla , Cifuentes Mariana , Quest Andrew F. G.
Published: January 2023

Obesity has emerged as a major public health concern with a staggering 39% worldwide prevalence as of 2021. Given the magnitude of the problem and considering its association with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, it does not come as a surprise that obesity is now considered one of the major risk factors for the development of several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and cancer. Adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity has taken center stage in understanding how changes in its components, particularly adipocytes and macrophages, participate in such processes. In this review, we will initially focus on how changes in adipose tissue upon excess fat accumulation generate endocrine signals that promote cancer development. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment or stroma, which is also critical in cancer development, contains macrophages and adipocytes, which, in reciprocal paracrine communication with cancer cells, generate relevant signals. We will discuss how paracrine signaling in the tumor microenvironment between cancer cells, macrophages, and adipocytes favors cancer development and progression. Finally, as reactive oxygen species participate in many of these signaling pathways, we will summarize the information available on how antioxidants can limit the effects of endocrine and paracrine signaling due to dysfunctional adipose tissue components in obesity.
Anticancer Effect of Pomegranate Peel Polyphenols against Cervical Cancer
Authors: Teniente Sandra Lucía , Flores-Gallegos Adriana Carolina , Esparza-González Sandra Cecilia , Campos-Múzquiz Lizeth Guadalupe , Nery-Flores Sendar Daniel , Rodríguez-Herrera Raul
Published: January 2023

Polyphenols are a broad group of bioactive phytochemicals with powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiviral activities. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polyphenol extracts obtained from natural sources can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Pomegranate peel extract is an excellent source of polyphenols, such as punicalagin, punicalin, ellagic acid, and caffeic acid, among others. These phenolic compounds have antineoplastic activity in in vitro models of cervical cancer through the regulation of cellular redox balance, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and modulation of different signaling pathways. The current review summarizes recent data from scientific reports that address the anticancer activity of the predominant polyphenol compounds present in PPE and their different mechanisms of action in cervical cancer models.
Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Cement Blended with TEOS/PVP Nanofibers Containing CNTs
Authors: Nguyen Tri N. M. , Han Taek Hee , Park Jun Kil , Kim Jung J.
Published: January 2023

In this investigation, we mixed cement with electrospun nanofibers made of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and polyvidone (PVP), as well as a modified version with carbon nanotubes (CNT). When we incorporated TEOS/PVP and CNT-TEOS/PVP nanofibers into the cementitious materials, the results of mechanical strength tests showed improvements in compressive strength of 28% and 38% and in toughness of 54% and 66%, respectively. We observed the morphology and texture of the fibers using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. In addition, based on our SEM, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), we observed that the matrix structure was compacted due to the nanofiber’s matrix-bridging effect and the increase in hydration products. Therefore, the results of our microstructure studies agree with those of the mechanical strength tests. Our findings can be used to increase cement quality while lowering overall usage, thereby minimizing its environmental impacts.
Feature Mining and Sensitivity Analysis with Adaptive Sparse Attention for Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Jiang Qinglei , Bao Binbin , Hou Xiuqun , Huang Anzheng , Jiang Jiajie , Mao Zhiwei
Published: January 2023

Bearing fault diagnosis for equipment-safe operation has a crucial role. In recent years, more achievements have been made in bearing fault diagnosis. However, for the fault diagnosis model, the representation and sensitivity of bearing fault features have a great influence on the diagnosis output results; thus, the attention mechanism is particularly important for the selection of features. However, global attention focuses on all sequences, which is computationally expensive and not ideal for fault diagnosis tasks. The local attention mechanism ignores the relationship between non-adjacent sequences. To address the respective shortcomings of global attention and local attention, an adaptive sparse attention network is proposed in this paper to filter fault-sensitive information by soft threshold filtering. In addition, the effects of different signal representation domains on fault diagnosis results are investigated to filter out signal representation forms with better performance. Finally, the proposed adaptive sparse attention network is applied to cross-working conditions diagnosis of bearings. The adaptive sparse attention mechanism focuses on the signal characteristics of different frequency bands for different fault types. The proposed network model achieves better overall performance when comparing the cross-conditions diagnosis accuracy and model convergence speed.
Development of Fingerprint Identification Based on Device Flow in Industrial Control System
Authors: Tao Jun , Yuan Xin , Zhang Shengze , Xu Yifan
Published: January 2023

With the rapid development of industrial automation technology, a large number of industrial control devices have emerged in cyberspace, but the security of open cyberspace is difficult to guarantee. Attacks on industrial control devices can directly endanger the environment and even life safety. Therefore, how to monitor the industrial control system in real time has become the primary problem, and device identification is the basic guarantee of safety monitoring. There are limitations in building device identification model based on IP address or machine learning. The paper aim at the development of a device traffic fingerprint model and identify the device based on the periodicity of device traffic. The model generates device fingerprints based on pattern sequences abstracted from the traffic and suffix array algorithm. In the process of recognition, the exact pattern matching algorithm is used for preliminary judgment. If the exact pattern matching fails to hit, the final judgment is made by combination fuzzy pattern matching. This paper also proposes a diagonal jump algorithm to optimize the updating of the distance matrix, which saves on the computational cost of fuzzy pattern matching. Simulation results show that compared with SVM, random forest, and LSTM model, the device traffic fingerprint model has good performance advantages in accuracy, recall and precision.
Study on the Interaction between the Reduction and Remediation of Dredged Sediments from Tai Lake Based on Vacuum Electro-Osmosis
Authors: Qi Wencheng , Shen Yang , Li Shaoyu , Chen Kaijia
Published: January 2023

The treatment of metal-contaminated sediment generated in environmental dredging projects often requires both reduction and remediation, and the electric field has good application prospects in the integration of reduction and remediation. In this study, based on the electro-osmosis, vacuum, and vacuum electro-osmosis methods, a detachable test system was made. Experiments of the three methods were carried out independently on the reduction and remediation of dredged sediment from Tai Lake under pollution-free and Cu-contaminated conditions. The results show that copper contamination weakens the effect of reduction, and the production of copper precipitates makes the soil more prone to cracking and blocking drainage channels, which has the greatest impact on the electro-osmosis method. In terms of copper concentration, vacuum electro-osmosis achieves the transport and discharge of contaminants, and has the best remediation effect. The removal rates at the anode and cathode are 45.1% and 50.0%, respectively. A correlation model based on electrical conductivity, moisture content, and contaminant concentration was established to facilitate the determination of contaminant concentrations in actual projects. Electro-migration plays a dominant role in the remediation process, and the reduction affects the electric field distribution and, thus, the migration efficiency.
Vision System in Product Quality Control Systems
Authors: Sioma Andrzej
Published: January 2023

The development of technology for manufacturing products and machines carrying out technological operations is closely linked to developing systems for tracking and controlling product and production process parameters. This paper shows how the development of quality control and production management systems such as TQM and MES is related to the development of imaging and image analysis methods used in industry. The development of imaging methods is discussed in the context of developing product quality control capabilities. It is also shown as to what extent image analysis can be used to observe manufacturing parameters and process management capabilities. It was noted that the use of vision systems as an industrial measurement-quality control system would still increase. Due to the increase in imaging resolution, there was an increase in the imaging frequency, growth in the spectral range of imaging, and the dynamic development of three-dimensional and hybrid imaging methods. Based on experience from industrial applications and tasks described in scientific publications, areas where vision systems will play a key role in inspection tasks have been identified. This is the introductory article for the Special Issue “Image Analysis for Product Quality Control” on using vision systems in various industries to execute production quality control tasks.