bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and evaluation of a model-based risk management process and service enhancement for home-based community care services amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: A mixed-method approach
Authors: Yang Caroline W. L. , Wan Alice N. T. , Kwok Mable C. W. , Lam Tai-Hing , Lai Agnes Y. K.
Published: February 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly challenged all public social services, particularly home-based community care services (HBCCS). Aberdeen Kai-fong Association (AKA) is a non-government organization (NGO) in Hong Kong that systematically manages the challenges to HBCCS. This paper presents a practical example of the implementation and evaluation of the risk management process for HBCCS.

Methods

Mixed-method design was used to evaluate the implementation of the risk management process in encountering the challenges from existing and potential problems to maintain and enhance HBCCS in four major areas amidst the pandemic. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey and three qualitative focus group interviews were conducted by AKA from 30 December 2021 to 12 March 2022 to collect staff feedback on the institutional risk management process in four areas.

Results

109 HBCCS staff members (69% aged 40 years or above; 80% female) completed the questionnaire survey. For resource arrangement and staff training, over 90% of the participants agreed (including strongly agreed) that they had sufficient and reliable personal protective equipment and clear infection control guideline and effective training. Over 80% agreed they had safe working space and effective manpower allocation. However, only 75% agreed they had received emotional support from the organization. Over 90% agreed that the basic services were maintained for service continuation and enhancement, the service users and their families trusted the organization, and the provided services were adjusted according to users' needs. 88% agreed that the organization had obtained support from the neighborhood. For communication among stakeholders, over 80% agreed they had open discussions with the senior management team, and the senior management team was willing to listen. Twenty-six staff members joined the three focus group interviews. The qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results. Staff appreciated the organisation's work to enhance staff safety and continue advancing services during this difficult period. Regular in-service training, updated information and guidelines to staff, and proactive phone calls to service users, especially the elderly, were suggested to enhance the quality of services.

Conclusions

The paper could help NGOs and others encountering management challenges in community social services in diverse settings amidst the pandemic and beyond.
Components, prospects and challenges of personalized prevention
Authors: Jaskulski Stefanie , Nuszbaum Cosima , Michels Karin B.
Published: February 2023

Effective preventive strategies are urgently needed to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. To date, most prevention efforts to reduce disease incidence have primarily targeted populations using “one size fits all” public health recommendations and strategies. However, the risk for complex heterogeneous diseases is based on a multitude of clinical, genetic, and environmental factors, which translate into individual sets of component causes for every person. Recent advances in genetics and multi-omics enable the use of new technologies to stratify disease risks at an individual level fostering personalized prevention. In this article, we review the main components of personalized prevention, provide examples, and discuss both emerging opportunities and remaining challenges for its implementation. We encourage physicians, health policy makers, and public health professionals to consider and apply the key elements and examples of personalized prevention laid out in this article while overcoming challenges and potential barriers to their implementation.
Settings for the development of health literacy: A conceptual review
Authors: Jenkins Catherine L. , Wills Jane , Sykes Susie
Published: February 2023

Advances in conceptualizing settings in health promotion include understanding settings as complex and interlinked systems with a core commitment to health and related outcomes such as health literacy. Traditional settings for the development of health literacy include health care environments and schools. There is a need to identify and conceptualize non-traditional and emerging settings of twenty-first-century everyday life. The aim of this conceptual review is to inform a conceptual model of a “non-traditional” setting for the development of health literacy. The model uses the example of the public library to propose four equity-focused antecedents required in a setting for the development of health literacy: the setting acknowledges the wider determinants of health, is open access, involves local communities in how it is run, and facilitates informed action for health. The review concludes that a settings approach to the development of health literacy can be conceptualized as part of a coordinated “supersetting approach,” where multiple settings work in synergy with each other.
Post-acute COVID-19 symptom risk in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Niu , Lv Zhang-Hong , Sun Chun-Rong , Wen Yuan-Yuan , Tao Ting-Yu , Qian Dan , Tao Fang-Ping , Yu Jia-Hui
Published: February 2023

Background

Post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms occurred in most of the COVID-19 survivors. However, few studies have examined the issue of whether hospitalization results in different post-acute COVID-19 symptom risks. This study aimed to compare potential COVID-19 long-term effects in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors.

Methods

This study is designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. A systematic search of six databases was performed for identifying articles published from inception until April 20th, 2022, which compared post-acute COVID-19 symptom risk in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors using a predesigned search strategy included terms for SARS-CoV-2 (eg, COVID, coronavirus, and 2019-nCoV), post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (eg, post-COVID, post COVID conditions, chronic COVID symptom, long COVID, long COVID symptom, long-haul COVID, COVID sequelae, convalescence, and persistent COVID symptom), and hospitalization (hospitalized, in hospital, and home-isolated). The present meta-analysis was conducted according to The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement using R software 4.1.3 to create forest plots. Q statistics and the I2 index were used to evaluate heterogeneity in this meta-analysis.

Results

Six observational studies conducted in Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA involving 419 hospitalized and 742 non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors were included. The number of COVID-19 survivors in included studies ranged from 63 to 431, and follow-up data were collected through visits in four studies and another two used an electronic questionnaire, visit and telephone, respectively. Significant increase in the risks of long dyspnea (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.90–5.32), anxiety (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.47–6.47), myalgia (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.02–5.33), and hair loss (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.07–7.12) risk were found in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors compared with outpatients. Conversely, persisting ageusia risk was significantly reduced in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors than in non-hospitalized patients.

Conclusion

The findings suggested that special attention and patient-centered rehabilitation service based on a needs survey should be provided for hospitalized COVID-19 survivors who experienced high post-acute COVID-19 symptoms risk.
Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among patients with cancer seeking treatment at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda
Authors: Habimana Samuel , Biracyaza Emmanuel , Mpunga Tharcisse , Nsabimana Epaphrodite , Kayitesi Florence , Nzamwita Pascal , Jansen Stefan
Published: February 2023

Background

Depression and anxiety are psychological and physiological disturbances persisting in cancer patients with high prevalence worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to complexities of determinants of health including biological, individual, socio-cultural, and treatment-related characteristics. Although depression and anxiety have an enormous impact on adherence, length of stay at the hospital, quality of life, and treatment outcomes, studies on psychiatric disorders remain limited. Thus, this study determined the prevalence and factors of depression and anxiety among patients with cancer in Rwanda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 patients with cancer from the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence. We administered socio-demographic questionnaires and psychometric instruments. Bivariate logistic regressions were computed to identify significant factors to be exported into the multivariate logistic models. Then, odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were applied, and statistical significance at p < 0.05 were considered to confirm significant associations.

Results

The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 42.6 and 40.9%, respectively. Patients with cancer initiated to chemotherapy had a greater likelihood of being depressed [AOR = 2.06; 95% CI (1.11–3.79)] than those initiated to chemotherapy and counseling. Breast cancer was significantly associated with a greater risk of depression [AOR = 2.07, 95% CI (1.01–4.22)] than Hodgikins's Lymphoma cancer. Furthermore, patients with depression had greater odds of developing anxiety [AOR = 1.76, 95% CI (1.01–3.05)] than those with no depression. Those suffering from depression were almost two times more likely to experience anxiety [AOR = 1.76; 95% CI (1.01–3.05)] than their counterparts.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that depressive and anxious symptomatology is a health threat in clinical settings that requires enhancement of clinical monitoring and prioritization of mental health in cancer health facilities. Designing biopsychosocial interventions to address associated factors needs special attention to promote the health and wellbeing of patients with cancer.
What Can Fruit Flies Tell Us About an Environment?
Authors: Jones Harrison F. , Gleason Jennifer M.
Published: February 2023

Fruit flies are very small flies. When people find them in their kitchens, they are often annoyed. However, fruit flies can tell us about what is happening in nature. Some fruit flies are native to an area, whereas others have been introduced by people. When a place is in its natural state, native species of fruit flies are abundant. When a place has been changed, for example, by the construction of lots of buildings, invasive species of fruit flies are found. Fruit flies are an indicator species that can tell us about how land use has changed.
Case report: Emergency presentation of Meckel's diverticulum in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Authors: He Yantao , Wang Lilan , Cao Wulan
Published: February 2023

Background

Symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is easily neglected in the acute abdomen during pregnancy. MD is the most common congenitally anomalous development of the intestines, with an incidence of 2% in the general population, although it is not easily diagnosed because of variable clinical features. Especially when complicated with pregnancy, doctors can easily overlook this disease, which directly threatens maternal and foetal life.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 25-year-old at 32 + 2 weeks of gestation complicated with MD volvulus who presented with progressive abdominal pain and finally peritonitis. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and small-bowel resection. The mother and the baby successfully recovered.

Conclusions

MD-complicated pregnancy is not easily diagnosed. Once highly suspiciously diagnosed, especially with peritonitis, surgery should be arranged, which helps preserve maternal and foetal life.
Indications and technical aspects of proximal gastrectomy
Authors: Kolozsi Peter , Varga Zsolt , Toth Dezso
Published: February 2023

According to the World Health Organization, gastric cancer is the fifth most common type of tumor, and is the third most common cause of tumor-associated death. Although gastric cancer incidence rates have decreased in the past few decades, the prevalence of proximal gastric cancer has been steadily rising in developed countries. Techniques regarding the improvement of treatment options must thus be developed. This can be achieved through incorporating both a wider use of endoscopic surgery (endoscopic mucosal resection—EMR, endoscopic submucosal dissection—ESD) and a review of applied surgical interventions. Even though there is no single international consensus available, the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) recommends proximal gastrectomy with D1+ lymphadenectomy in early gastric tumors. Despite recommendations from Asian guidelines and the short term outcomes of the KLASS 05 trial, surgical treatments in Western countries still rely on total gastrectomy. This is mostly due to technical and oncological challenges regarding surgical interventions in a proximal gastrectomy. However, the residual stomach after a proximal gastrectomy has been shown to diminish the incidence of dumping syndrome and anemia, and even improve postoperative quality of life (QoL). Therefore, it is necessary to define the place of proximal gastrectomy in the treatment of gastric cancers.
Periodicity Intensity Reveals Insights into Time Series Data: Three Use Cases
Authors: Smeaton Alan F. , Hu Feiyan
Published: February 2023

Periodic phenomena are oscillating signals found in many naturally occurring time series. A periodogram can be used to measure the intensities of oscillations at different frequencies over an entire time series, but sometimes, we are interested in measuring how periodicity intensity at a specific frequency varies throughout the time series. This can be performed by calculating periodicity intensity within a window, then sliding and recalculating the intensity for the window, giving an indication of how periodicity intensity at a specific frequency changes throughout the series. We illustrate three applications of this, the first of which are the movements of a herd of new-born calves, where we show how intensity in the 24 h periodicity increases and decreases synchronously across the herd. We also show how changes in 24 h periodicity intensity of activities detected from in-home sensors can be indicative of overall wellness. We illustrate this on several weeks of sensor data gathered from each of the homes of 23 older adults. Our third application is the intensity of the 7-day periodicity of hundreds of University students accessing online resources from a virtual learning environment (VLE) and how the regularity of their weekly learning behaviours changes throughout a teaching semester. The paper demonstrates how periodicity intensity reveals insights into time series data not visible using other forms of analysis.
Optimal Voltage Distribution on PZT Actuator Pairs for Vibration Damping in Beams with Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Rossi Andrea , Botta Fabio
Published: February 2023

In recent decades, many studies have been conducted on the use of smart materials in order to dampen and control vibrations. Lead zirconate titanate piezoceramics (PZT) are very attractive for such applications due to their ability of delivering high energy strain in the structure. A pair of piezoelectric actuators can actively dampen the resonances of the structure, but the damping effectiveness strongly relies on its location. Damping effectiveness can be substantially increased if the structure is fully covered with PZT actuator pairs and the voltage distribution on each pair is optimized. In this way, each actuator pair contributes to the vibration attenuation and only the driving voltage’s sign, distributed on each actuator pair, needs to be identified for each resonance. This approach is here applied to the case of Euler–Bernoulli beams with constant cross-section and the optimal voltage distribution is investigated for several boundary conditions. The theoretical model results were corroborated with finite element simulations, which were carried out considering beams covered by ten PZT actuator pairs. The numerical results agree remarkably well with the theoretical predictions for each examined case (i.e., free-free, pinned-pinned, and fixed-fixed).
Associations between Mental Health and COVID-19 Status among 18- and 19-Year-Old Adolescents: A Multi-Country Study
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Zuñiga Roberto Ariel Abeldaño , Quadri Mir Faeq Ali , Lusher Joanne , Gaffar Balgis , Ellakany Passent , Nguyen Annie L. , El Tantawi Maha
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to describe the mental health status of 18- and 19-year-old adolescents who were infected or affected by COVID-19 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a secondary analysis of a dataset collected from 152 countries between July and December 2020. Dependent variables were anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The independent variable was COVID-19 status (tested positive for COVID-19, had COVID-19 symptoms but did not test, had a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19, knew someone who died from COVID-19). Three multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables while adjusting for confounding variables (sex—male, female, and country income level). Data of 547 participants were extracted, and 98 (17.9%) had experienced depression, 130 (23.8%) had experienced anxiety, and 219 (40.0%) had experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms. Knowing someone who died from COVID-19 was associated with significantly lower odds of having post-traumatic stress symptoms (AOR: 0.608). Having COVID-19 symptoms but not getting tested was associated with significantly higher odds of having anxiety symptoms (AOR: 2.473). Results indicate diverse mental health responses among adolescents aged 18–19-years old as a sequela of COVID-19. This needs to be studied further.
Solid Removal across the Bed Depth in Media Filters for Drip Irrigation Systems
Authors: Duran-Ros Miquel , Pujol Joan , Pujol Toni , Cufí Sílvia , Arbat Gerard , Ramírez de Cartagena Francisco , Puig-Bargués Jaume
Published: February 2023

Pressurized sand media filters are commonly used in drip irrigation systems to prevent emitter clogging. However, the performance of these filters may be improved with more information about the retention of solids at different bed depths under different filter operation conditions and irrigation water sources. In this study, experiments in a scaled sand media filter were conducted to clog the filter with two different filtration velocities (30 and 60 m h−1) and two-particle types (inorganic from A4 coarse sand dust and organic from a reclaimed effluent). The suspended solids retained in slices of 5 mm (in the first 20 mm of the bed) and 20 mm (from 20 to 200 mm depth) thick were determined following the van Staden and Haarhoff (2011) procedure. The solids retained in each slice per mass of media were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the interaction between the filtration velocity, the bed depth, and the particle type. The solids retained in the first 5 mm of the bed were significantly higher than at other depths. Moreover, inorganic solids were retained more in upper slices than organic ones. Therefore, media depths may be adjusted depending on the irrigation water source to optimize media use.
Phosphorus-Solubilizing Microorganisms: A Key to Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Silva Leandro Israel da , Pereira Marlon Correa , Carvalho André Mundstock Xavier de , Buttrós Victor Hugo , Pasqual Moacir , Dória Joyce
Published: February 2023

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for plant growth, being a highly required resource to improve the productive performance of several crops, especially in highly weathered soils. However, a large part of the nutrients applied in the form of fertilizers becomes “inert” in the medium term and cannot be assimilated by plants. Rationalizing the use of phosphorus is a matter of extreme importance for environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development. Therefore, alternatives to the management of this nutrient are needed, and the use of P-solubilizing microorganisms is an option to optimize its use by crops, allowing the exploration of less available fractions of the nutrient in soils and reducing the demand for phosphate fertilizers. The objective of this study is to discuss the importance of phosphorus and how microorganisms can intermediate its sustainable use in agriculture. In this review study, we present several studies about the role of microorganisms as phosphorus mobilizers in the soil. We describe the importance of the nutrient for the plants and the main problems related to the unsustainable exploitation of its natural reserves and the use of chemical fertilizers. Mainly we highlight how microorganisms constitute a fundamental resource for the release of the inert portion of the nutrient, where we describe several mechanisms of solubilization and mineralization. We also discussed the benefits that the inoculation of P-solubilizing microorganisms provides to crops as well as practices of using them as bioinoculants. The use of microorganisms as inoculants is a viable resource for the future of sustainable agriculture, mainly because its application can significantly reduce the application of P and, consequently, reduce the exploitation of phosphorus and its reserves. In addition, new research must be conducted for the development of new technologies, prospecting new biological products, and improvement of management practices that allow for higher efficiency in the use of phosphorus in agriculture.
Seasonal Plant Nitrogen Use and Soil N pools in Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium)
Authors: Dobbratz Michelle , Jungers Jacob M. , Gutknecht Jessica L. M.
Published: February 2023

Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium; IWG) is a perennial grass under development as a grain and forage crop. Although IWG is known for its ability to take up nitrate and improve water quality, seasonal nitrogen (N) demand and uptake by IWG is not well known. We measured IWG shoot, root, and grain production, tissue N concentration, and soil mineral N at multiple plant growth stages in 1- and 2-year-old IWG stands fertilized with various rates of N: (1) 80 kg N ha−1 applied at spring regrowth (spring), (2) 40–40 kg N ha−1 applied at spring regrowth and anthesis (split), and (3) an unfertilized control. We also calculated nitrogen use efficiency and biomass N yield. Soil mineral N, N-mineralization rates, and plant N concentration increased with fertilization, and lodging increased with spring fertilization, while root physiological N use efficiency (PNUE) declined with fertilization. Seasonally, shoot and root N concentration declined at physiological maturity, while shoot PNUE was highest at maturity, suggesting either that surplus N was allocated to grain or that more biomass was being produced per unit N taken up. In the 1-year-old stand, during fall regrowth, soil mineral N levels were among the lowest; however, the total soil N was highest compared with other sampling times, suggesting a large influx of organic N between physiological maturity and fall regrowth. Based on our results, IWG is well suited to use nitrogen inputs and avoid excess N leaching into groundwater, but it is also clear that IWG has strong seasonal N allocation patterns that should be taken into consideration with N recommendations and best practices.
Climate Change Impacts on Surface Runoff and Nutrient and Sediment Losses in Buchanan County, Iowa
Authors: Osei Edward , Jafri Syed H. , Gassman Philip W. , Saleh Ali , Gallego Oscar
Published: February 2023

Nonpoint source pollution from cultivated croplands has often been associated with downstream water quality impairment in various watersheds. Given projected changes in global climate patterns, this study contributes to the existing literature by elucidating the impacts of climate projections on edge-of-field surface runoff and sediment and nutrient losses. We apply a well-tested ecohydrological model, Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX), to continuous corn and corn–soybean fields in Buchanan County, Iowa, using climate scenarios developed from three well-known representative concentration pathway (RCP) climate projections: RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5. Our results indicate that there will be a moderate to substantial increase in surface runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses depending upon the reference point of comparison (baseline scenario) and upon which climate scenario actually materializes. However, regardless of which climate scenario materializes and regardless of the baseline for comparison, soluble nitrogen losses are bound to increase, the magnitude depending upon the climate scenario. We find also that nutrient losses will be higher from continuous corn fields than from corn–soybean fields, given the tillage practices implemented on corn versus soybeans in the study area. Similarly, we find that nutrient losses may be higher from fields that receive manure than fields that receive only inorganic fertilizer, though this latter finding may be predicated upon the specific nutrient application rates utilized.
Response to Drought Stress of In Vitro and In Vivo Propagated Physalis peruviana L. Plants Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
Authors: Geneva Maria , Hristozkova Marieta , Kirova Elisaveta , Sichanova Mariana , Stancheva Ira
Published: February 2023

Physalis peruviana L. is one of the most favorable tropical fruit due to its fast growth and nutritional properties. The current research outlined the response to drought stress of golden berry plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Claroideoglomus claroideum and propagated in vitro as well as from seeds. The implementation of mycorrhizal symbiosis was determined by root colonization, glomalin content, and alkaline and acid phosphatases in roots and soil. The plant protection was assured by enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidants. The adapted in vitro propagated plants demonstrated higher resistance to drought than plants developed from seeds indicated by increased growth parameters (shoot, root biomass, fruit number), plastid pigment content, antioxidant activity, and less enhance mentofoxidative markers levels in water-deficient conditions. The findings in the present research are relevant to obtain the optimal mycorrhizal association and type of propagation in an adverse environment for golden berry development and will lead to the establishment of a database and model of varied plant responses to stressful conditions such as drought.
Effect of Water Stress and Rehydration on the Cluster and Fruit Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes
Authors: Alomari-Mheidat Munia , Corell Mireia , Castro-Valdecantos Pedro , Andreu Luis , Moriana Alfonso , Martín-Palomo María José
Published: February 2023

The water needs for tomato crops are very high and could limit the viability of cultivation in semiarid environments. There is no agreement among works on irrigation regarding the sensibility of the flowering period. In addition, there is a lack of studies about the effects of water stress on fruit and cluster development under severe water stress. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of water stress and rehydration during cluster development. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse (Seville, Spain) in two different growth cycles (autumn 2021 and spring 2022) using three different cultivars. Two irrigation treatments were applied: a control, with full irrigated conditions, and severe stress, without irrigation during the development of the fifth cluster (43 days (autumn) and 21 days (spring) after transplantation) followed by rehydration. Plant height was significantly decreased, by approximately 10%, in the irrigation treatment during the autumn cycle, however, not in spring. A delayed cluster emergence occurred, however, the final number per plant at the end of the experiment was the same when rehydration was applied (73 and 56 days after transplanting). In the autumn cycle, only the fruit size was considerably affected, with more than a 50% reduction on some dates, though not in the first cluster. However, the extremely severe water stress during the spring cycle, with strong defoliation, reduced the number (around 50%) and size (around 40%) of the fruit. Total soluble solids increased only on isolated dates of the harvest in the stress plants. The response of cherry cultivars to water stress was similar in terms of quality parameters. Fruit size was the most sensitive yield component, and no recovery was detected at harvest after rehydration. The effect of severe water stress was different depending on the evaporative demand and, more importantly, on fruit size.
The Current Distribution of Carex alatauensis in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Estimated by MaxEnt
Authors: Xing Yunfei , Shi Jianjun , De Kejia , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Wei , Ma Yuan , Zhang Hairong , He Miaohua , Liu Qingqing
Published: February 2023

Modeling the current distribution of and predicting suitable habitats for threatened species support the species conservation and restoration planning process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to model the actual distribution and predict environmentally suitable habitats for Carex alatauensis S.R.Zhang 2015, a locally threatened native grass species on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. To realize this objective, based on the geographical samples within the natural distribution of C. alatauensis, the dominant climatic factors in its potential distribution range were analyzed using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. The results showed that the average values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the training data were 0.833 ± 0.044, which indicated that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was pretty high for modeling potential distribution regions of C. alatauensis. The combined results from the Jackknife test and the presented contribution of environmental variables revealed that the annual precipitation, the growth season precipitation, and the precipitation of the driest month were the key climatic factors that restricted the distribution of C. alatauensis on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. It is predicted that the potential distribution area of C. alatauensis on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is 1.96 × 106 km2, and the most suitable area is 3.7 × 105 km2, mainly located in the Qilian Mountains, the Himalayas, and the Qingtanggula Mountains.
Sustainable Phosphorus Fertilizer Supply Chain Management to Improve Crop Yield and P Use Efficiency Using an Ensemble Heuristic–Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Shokouhifar Mohammad , Sohrabi Mahnaz , Rabbani Motahareh , Molana Seyyed Mohammad Hadji , Werner Frank
Published: February 2023

Phosphorus (P) is the most important substance in inorganic fertilizers used in the agriculture industry. In this study, a multi-product and multi-objective model is presented considering economic and environmental concerns to design a renewable and sustainable P-fertilizer supply chain management (PFSCM) strategy. To handle the complexities of the model, an ensemble heuristic–metaheuristic algorithm utilizing the heuristic information available in the model, the whale optimization algorithm, and a variable neighborhood search (named H-WOA-VNS) is proposed. First, a problem-dependent heuristic is designed to generate a set of near-optimal feasible solutions. These solutions are fed into a population-based whale optimization algorithm which benefits from exploration and exploitation strategies. Finally, the single-solution variable neighborhood search is applied to further improve the quality of the solution using local search operators. The objective function of the algorithm is formulated as a weighted average function to minimize total economic cost while increasing crop yield and P use efficiency. The experimental results for a real case study of the P-fertilizer supply chain confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the crop yield and P use efficiency by 33% and 27.8%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed H-WOA-VNS algorithm outperforms the Heuristic, WOA, and VNS models in reducing the total objective function value of the PFSCM model by 9.8%, 2.9%, and 4%, respectively.
Seed Protein and Oil QTL in a Prominent Glycine max Genetic Pedigree: Enhancing Stability for Marker Assisted Selection
Authors: Fields Jeneen , Saxton Arnold M. , Beyl Caula A. , Kopsell Dean A. , Cregan Perry B. , Hyten David L. , Cuvaca Ivan , Pantalone Vincent R.
Published: February 2023

Soybean is an excellent source of plant protein. To provide a higher quality meal product, soybean producers desire to improve soybean nutritional profiles. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping can identify markers associated with variation in seed protein and seed oil concentration, and confirmation of QTL is crucial to improving the efficacy of marker-assisted selection (MAS). The objectives of this study were to identify QTL for seed protein and seed oil concentration in a relevant genetic pedigree of the cross ‘Essex × Williams 82’ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. A total of 302 RIL and 12,730 SNP markers were used to identify QTL-controlling seed quality traits. Novel QTL were identified, and validation tests for loci detected in the earlier generation RIL were performed. Seed protein and seed oil concentration had high heritability across multiple environments but were negatively correlated (r = −0.69, p < 0.05). Genotype and genotype × environment interaction was significant (p < 0.05) for seed protein and seed oil concentration. The study references data from a previous year in one location and focuses on a one-year study of the population in three locations. A total of 27 QTL for protein and oil were detected. The QTL explained 3.1–9.8% of the variation in seed protein concentration and 3.2–14.1% of the variation in seed oil concentration. Several QTL were confirmed, and a protein QTL for consideration as a technically confirmed QTL was located on Gm 7 in the genome.
Synthesis of Aminophenoxazinones and Evaluation of Their Phytotoxicity in the Search for New Natural Herbicides
Authors: Díaz-Franco Cristina , Rial Carlos , Molinillo José M. G. , Varela Rosa M. , Macías Francisco A.
Published: February 2023

Natural products have been postulated as an alternative to the use of synthetic herbicides in pest control. The latter compounds have caused numerous problems and these include the appearance of resistance to such herbicides. Aminophenoxazinones are natural products that have shown multiple biological activities, such as pharmacological or phytotoxic effects. In the case of phytotoxicity, the mode of action of aminophenoxazinones has not been widely exploited in agriculture and resistant weeds have not been reported to date. This fact makes aminophenoxazinones promising candidates in the development of herbicides. In the study reported here, seven aminophenoxazinone derivatives have been synthesized and their phytotoxicity has been evaluated on wheat coleoptiles and two important agricultural weeds (Lolium rigidum and Portulaca oleracea). Several derivatives have shown phytotoxic activity, which is similar to the positive control pendimethalin, and even higher in some cases at the highest concentrations tested. The most affected parameter in weeds was root length and the most susceptible weed was P. oleracea. Compound 2, in which nitrogen atoms are present in the heterocycles, was the most active and this was followed by compound 1. Modifications at C-8 led to a reduced activity, with the exception of the nitro compound on the root length of P. oleracea. However, the phytotoxicity also increased on introducing an iodo-substituent at C-4. The results highlight aminophenoxazinones as promising candidates in the development of natural herbicides.
Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced UUV Actuator Control
Authors: Wang Zhiyu , Sands Timothy
Published: February 2023

This manuscript compares deterministic artificial intelligence to a model-following control applied to DC motor control, including an evaluation of the threshold computation rate to let unmanned underwater vehicles correctly follow the challenging discontinuous square wave command signal. The approaches presented in the main text are validated by simulations in MATLAB®, where the motor process is discretized at multiple step sizes, which is inversely proportional to the computation rate. Performance is compared to canonical benchmarks that are evaluated by the error mean and standard deviation. With a large step size, discrete deterministic artificial intelligence shows a larger error mean than the model-following self-turning regulator approach (the selected benchmark). However, the performance improves with a decreasing step size. The error mean is close to the continuous deterministic artificial intelligence when the step size is reduced to 0.2 s, which means that the computation rate and the sampling period restrict discrete deterministic artificial intelligence. In that case, continuous deterministic artificial intelligence is the most feasible and reliable selection for future applications on unmanned underwater vehicles, since it is superior to all the approaches investigated at multiple computation rates.
Rumen Fermentation Parameters Prediction Model for Dairy Cows Using a Stacking Ensemble Learning Method
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Zhou Jianzhao , Wang Xinjie , Yu Qingyuan , Sun Yukun , Li Yang , Zhang Yonggen , Shen Weizheng , Wei Xiaoli
Published: February 2023

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and methane are the main products of rumen fermentation. Quantitative studies of rumen fermentation parameters can be performed using in vitro techniques and machine learning methods. The currently proposed models suffer from poor generalization ability due to the small number of samples. In this study, a prediction model for rumen fermentation parameters (methane, acetic acid (AA), and propionic acid (PA)) of dairy cows is established using the stacking ensemble learning method and in vitro techniques. Four factors related to the nutrient level of total mixed rations (TMRs) are selected as inputs to the model: neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), and dry matter (DM). The comparison of the prediction results of the stacking model and base learners shows that the stacking ensemble learning method has better prediction results for rumen methane (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.928, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.968 mL/g), AA (R2 = 0.888, RMSE = 1.975 mmol/L) and PA (R2 = 0.924, RMSE = 0.74 mmol/L). And the stacking model simulates the variation of methane and VFAs in relation to the dietary fiber content. To demonstrate the robustness of the model in the case of small samples, an independent validation experiment was conducted. The stacking model successfully simulated the transition of rumen fermentation type and the change of methane content under different concentrate-to-forage (C:F) ratios of TMR. These results suggest that the rumen fermentation parameter prediction model can be used as a decision-making basis for the optimization of dairy cow diet compositions, rapid screening of methane emission reduction, feed beneficial to dairy cow health, and improvement of feed utilization.
Long-Term Olfactory Memory in African Elephants
Authors: Hoerner Franziska , Lawrenz Arne , Oerke Ann-Kathrin , Müller Dennis W. H. , Azogu-Sepe Idu , Roller Marco , Damerau Karsten , Preisfeld Angelika
Published: February 2023

African elephants are capable of discriminating scents up to a single changed molecule and show the largest reported repertoire of olfactory receptor genes. Olfaction plays an important role in family bonding. However, to the best of our knowledge, no empirical data exist on their ability to remember familiar scents long-term. In an ethological experiment, two mother-daughter pairs were presented with feces of absent kin, absent non-kin, and present non-kin. Video recordings showed reactions of elephants recognizing kin after long-term separation but only minor reactions to non-kin. Results give the empirical implication that elephants have an olfactory memory longer than 1 year and up to 12 years and can distinguish between kin and non-kin just by scent. These findings confirm the significance of scent for family bonds in African elephants.
The Duck RXRA Gene Promotes Adipogenesis and Correlates with Feed Efficiency
Authors: Pan Ziyi , Li Xuewen , Wu Dongsheng , Chen Xingyong , Zhang Cheng , Jin Sihua , Geng Zhaoyu
Published: February 2023

Background: The accumulation of fat in ducks is the main cause of low feed efficiency and metabolic diseases in ducks. Retinoic acid X receptor alpha (RXRA) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily involved in lipid, glucose, energy, and hormone metabolism. The effect of the RXRA gene on lipid metabolism in duck preadipocytes (DPACs) and the relationship between SNPs and the feed efficiency traits of ducks are unclear. Methods: qRT-PCR and Western blotting analyses were used to detect changes in mRNA and protein in cells. Intracellular triglycerides (TGs) were detected using an ELISA kit. A general linear model analysis was used to determine the association between RXRA SNPs and feed efficiency. Results: The duck RXRA gene was highly expressed on the fourth day of DPAC differentiation. The RXRA gene increased the content of fat and TG in DPACs and promoted the expression of cell differentiation genes; g.5,952,667 correlated with average daily feed intake (ADFI), residual feed intake (RFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Conclusions: Duck RXRA can accelerate fat accumulation, and the polymorphism of the RXRA gene is closely related to feed efficiency, which provides basic data for breeding high feed efficiency ducks.
Assessing Livestock Production Practices on Small-Scale Multi-Species Farms Located on Floreana Island, Galápagos Islands
Authors: Rhea Sarah , Camacho Blanca E. , Amoriello Carrisa W. , Correa Maria , Lewbart Gregory A. , Cruz Marilyn , Vélez Alberto , Castillo Paulina , Pairis-Garcia Monique
Published: February 2023

Globally to date, established international standards for animal welfare, a priority of sustainable agriculture, have primarily focused on large-scale producers. However, across Latin America, including in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, smallholder farms play a critical role in food safety and security. We assessed five basic animal welfare measures (feed and water access, shelter availability and housing systems, animal health management, animal behavior, and timely euthanasia) for poultry, pigs, and cattle on Floreana Island, Galápagos. Utilizing assessment standards from multiple US sources and international standards, we developed a questionnaire and used it to conduct in-depth interviews during 4–5 July 2022 with eight participating producers, representing 75% of animal agriculture on Floreana. While we identified opportunities to enhance competencies in animal health management and timely euthanasia, farms performed well in the other assessed measures. Future work should promote knowledge transfer and in-country capacity building in farm biosecurity, access to veterinary care, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and euthanasia methods. Efforts to positively impact smallholder farm livelihoods in Galápagos—one of the most biodiverse and protected ecosystems on the planet—will sustainably support human health through the interconnected realms of animal health and welfare, wildlife and environmental health, and food safety and security.
Economic Valuation of Balkan Chamois Conservation
Authors: Liordos Vasilios , Antoniadou Maria , Kontsiotis Vasileios J.
Published: February 2023

The Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) is a caprine of the rocky mountain slopes, threatened in Greece by illegal hunting and population isolation. We used a contingent valuation method to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) for chamois conservation of 500 residents of the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Most of the participants (61.6%) were WTP a mean of EUR 41.6 for chamois conservation, totaling EUR 6.03 million for the target population. Attitudes toward and knowledge about chamois, moralistic worldviews (spiritual reverence and ethical concern for nature and wildlife), participation in wildlife-related consumptive outdoor activities (i.e., hunting and fishing), intention to participate in conservation actions for the species, and encounters with the species in the wild were positively associated with WTP for its conservation. Dominionistic worldviews (humans have mastery, physical control, and dominance of wildlife) were negatively associated with WTP, while highly educated females with high income were more WTP for implementing relevant conservation actions. Factors involving previous knowledge of the chamois positively influenced the WTP, thus, confirming the construct’s bias toward charismatic species. The findings show that Greek residents highly value the chamois and its conservation and would be useful for advising this process and achieving its conservation management.
Case Study: Using a Shared International Database to Document Veterinary Consumption of Antibiotics in Pakistan
Authors: Mohsin Mashkoor , Farooq Umar , Hartmann Maria , Brogden Sandra , Kreienbrock Lothar , Stoffregen Julia
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we present a case study of Pakistan documenting the use of antimicrobial drugs in poultry flocks in the VetCAb-ID database. Unlike other databases, this system allows international users to upload their data directly. Based on expert interviews and a review of the latest publications on the topic, we provide an alternative approach to harmonizing data collection among countries. This paper will provide impetus to formulate joint requirement documentation for an AMU database on a global level that international users can adapt for their own purposes and projects.
Photo-Antibacterial Activity of Two-Dimensional (2D)-Based Hybrid Materials: Effective Treatment Strategy for Controlling Bacterial Infection
Authors: Talreja Neetu , Chauhan Divya , Ashfaq Mohammad
Published: February 2023

Bacterial contamination in water bodies is a severe scourge that affects human health and causes mortality and morbidity. Researchers continue to develop next-generation materials for controlling bacterial infections from water. Photo-antibacterial activity continues to gain the interest of researchers due to its adequate, rapid, and antibiotic-free process. Photo-antibacterial materials do not have any side effects and have a minimal chance of developing bacterial resistance due to their rapid efficacy. Photocatalytic two-dimensional nanomaterials (2D-NMs) have great potential for the control of bacterial infection due to their exceptional properties, such as high surface area, tunable band gap, specific structure, and tunable surface functional groups. Moreover, the optical and electric properties of 2D-NMs might be tuned by creating heterojunctions or by the doping of metals/carbon/polymers, subsequently enhancing their photo-antibacterial ability. This review article focuses on the synthesis of 2D-NM-based hybrid materials, the effect of dopants in 2D-NMs, and their photo-antibacterial application. We also discuss how we could improve photo-antibacterials by using different strategies and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the photocatalyst and in the degradation of pollutants. Finally, we discuss was of improving the photo-antibacterial activity of 2D-NMs, the toxicity mechanism, and their challenges.