bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic policy uncertainty on stock market risk contagion: a network-based approach
Authors: Shao Hualu , Wang Di , Zhou Baicheng
Published: January 2024

It is necessary to study the relationship between the dynamical uncertainty and risk contagion in the financial market. In this paper, we use the Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) Index, calculate the stock index volatility of the top seven global economies in 2021, then construct a risk spillover network. For the sub-sample analysis, we select three different types of global crises to study the transmission direction and intensity within the risk network across each time period. The results show that firstly, EPU has both direct and indirect effects on risk contagion in cross-country stock markets. It mainly plays an intermediary role. Secondly, in the risk network, the intensity and structure are time-varying, no single country serves as the exclusive issuer or recipient of risk spillovers. Thirdly, the speed and impact of shocks from public health security crises are much greater. In light of the findings above, investors and policymakers in different countries are expected to strengthen cooperation in financial risk prevention and enhance risk early warning. And we provide new evidence to emphasize attention to shocks caused by public health events, aiming to prevent the recurrence of large cross-border financial risks.
TRiP: a transfer learning based rice disease phenotype recognition platform using SENet and microservices
Authors: Yuan Peisen , Xia Ye , Tian Yongchao , Xu Huanliang
Published: January 2024

Classification of rice disease is one significant research topics in rice phenotyping. Recognition of rice diseases such as Bacterialblight, Blast, Brownspot, Leaf smut, and Tungro are a critical research field in rice phenotyping. However, accurately identifying these diseases is a challenging issue due to their high phenotypic similarity. To address this challenge, we propose a rice disease phenotype identification framework which utilizing the transfer learning and SENet with attention mechanism on the cloud platform. The pre-trained parameters are transferred to the SENet network for parameters optimization. To capture distinctive features of rice diseases, the attention mechanism is applied for feature extracting. Experiment test and comparative analysis are conducted on the real rice disease datasets. The experimental results show that the accuracy of our method reaches 0.9573. Furthermore, we implemented a rice disease phenotype recognition platform based microservices architecture and deployed it on the cloud, which can provide rice disease phenotype recognition task as a service for easy usage.
Estimation of time course in phytochrome photostationary state under artificial light for controlling plant growth
Authors: Jishi Tomohiro
Published: January 2024

A model to estimate the time course of a phytochrome photostationary state (PSS) under an arbitrary light environment was developed. It is the solution of differential equations that use conversion rates between active and inactive forms of previously reported phytochromes. The model estimated that 90% of the PSS changes were completed using approximately 3.4 mmol m-2 of integrated end-of-day far-red light irradiation, and 99% of the changes were completed with approximately 6.9 mmol m-2 irradiation. Although these values were affected by the spectral photon flux density of the far-red light. They were consistent with previous results that examined dose requirements of far-red irradiation. The rate at which the PSS changes approached equilibrium was maximized under a red light, followed by far-red, green, and blue light. This estimation method could be used to control phytochrome responses for horticulture via artificial lighting.
A plant’s perception of growth-promoting bacteria and their metabolites
Authors: Abou Jaoudé Renée , Luziatelli Francesca , Ficca Anna Grazia , Ruzzi Maurizio
Published: January 2024

Many recent studies have highlighted the importance of plant growth-promoting (rhizo)bacteria (PGPR) in supporting plant’s development, particularly under biotic and abiotic stress. Most focus on the plant growth-promoting traits of selected strains and the latter’s effect on plant biomass, root architecture, leaf area, and specific metabolite accumulation. Regarding energy balance, plant growth is the outcome of an input (photosynthesis) and several outputs (i.e., respiration, exudation, shedding, and herbivory), frequently neglected in classical studies on PGPR-plant interaction. Here, we discuss the primary evidence underlying the modifications triggered by PGPR and their metabolites on the plant ecophysiology. We propose to detect PGPR-induced variations in the photosynthetic activity using leaf gas exchange and recommend setting up the correct timing for monitoring plant responses according to the specific objectives of the experiment. This research identifies the challenges and tries to provide future directions to scientists working on PGPR-plant interactions to exploit the potential of microorganisms’ application in improving plant value.
Optimizing nitrogen application position to change root distribution in soil and regulate maize growth and yield formation in a wide–narrow row cropping system: pot and field experiments
Authors: Zhou Shiyong , Xia Pan , Chen Junping , Xiong Qijiao , Li Guanhan , Tian Jingyi , Wu Bozhi , Zhou Feng
Published: January 2024

The wide-and narrow-row cropping technology used for maize has the advantages of protecting cultivated soil and improving the population structure in maize fields. However, the relationship between nitrogen application position and root interactions has not been determined. Through pot and field experiments, we evaluated the effects of two nitrogen application positions ((narrow row nitrogen application (RC) and wide row nitrogen application (RN)) and two nitrogen application regimens ((high nitrogen(HN) and low nitrogen(LN)) on root growth and yield composition of wide-narrow row maize during the flowering and harvest stages. In field experiments, RC increased the biomass, length and surface area of competing roots (narrow-row roots, CR) at the flowering stage. The yield and agronomic efficiency of N(AEN) and partial factor productivity of N(PFPN) were increased by RN compared to RC under HN, However, the AEN under LN was significantly lower; There was no significant effect on maize growth and biomass allocation at the same level of application of N. At the flowering stage, the results of CR and non-competing roots (wide-row roots, NCR) was consistent under pot experiments and the field experiments, and the yield under RN was also higher than that under RC, although the difference was not significant. Furthermore, according to the principal component analysis and correlation analysis, the competing roots were the main factor influencing yield and AEN. In conclusion, our study showed that RN is a useful fertilization method to improve overall productivity. All in all, how roots coordinate neighbors and nitrogen spatial heterogeneity is a complex ecological process, and its trophic behavior deserves further study.
A systematic review of gerontechnologies to support aging in place among community-dwelling older adults and their family caregivers
Authors: Moreno Alexander , Scola Maria-Cristina , Sun Hua , Durce Henrick , Couve Célia , Acevedo Kelly , Gutman Gloria M.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Paucity of information concerning the efficacy of gerontechnologies to support aging in place among community-dwelling older adults prevents potential users, healthcare professionals, and policymakers from making informed decisions on their use. The goal of this study was to identify gerontechnologies tested for home support in dyads of community-dwelling older adults with unimpaired cognition and their family caregivers, including their benefits and challenges. We also provide the level of evidence of the studies and recommendations to address the specific challenges preventing their use, dissemination, and implementation.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature published between 2016 and 2021 on gerontechnologies tested for home support in dyads. Two independent reviewers screened the abstracts according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. A third reviewer resolved eligibility discrepancies. Data extraction was conducted by two independent reviewers.

Results

Of 1,441 articles screened, only 13 studies met the inclusion criteria with studies of moderate quality. Mostly, these gerontechnologies were used to monitor the older adult or the environment, to increase communication with family caregivers, to assist in daily living activities, and to provide health information. Benefits included facilitating communication, increasing safety, and reducing stress. Common challenges included difficulties using the technologies, technical problems, privacy issues, increased stress and dissatisfaction, and a mismatch between values and needs.

Conclusion

Only a few gerontechnologies have proven efficacy in supporting community-dwelling older adults and their family caregivers. The inclusion of values and preferences, co-creation with end users, designing easy-to-use technologies, and assuring training are strongly recommended to increase acceptability and dissemination.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=310803, identifier CRD42022310803.
Mediation effect of hope on the relationship between inner strength and self-management in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Shang Shuhua , Zheng Xuemei , Xu Zhongmei , Sun Si , Huang Tianyi
Published: January 2024

Background

Effective self-management can enhance a patient’s quality of life and delay disease progression. However, motivating patients to adhere to self-management behavior following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a challenge. With the robust development of positive psychology and interdisciplinary research, the role of psychology factors in patients’ health behavior has increasingly garnered attention. This study, focusing on positive psychological qualities, aims to investigate the relationship between inner strength, hope, and self-management in patients post-PCI, and to analyze the mediating role of hope between inner strength and self-management.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 216 PCI patients from a tertiary hospital in Nanjing. Research instruments included a self-designed general information questionnaire, the Inner Strength Scale (ISS), the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Coronary Self-Management Scale (CSMS). T-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and mediating effect test were utilized for statistical analysis.

Results

The average scores of the ISS, HHI, and CSMS were 81.46 ± 12.00, 35.94 ± 5.38, and 86.79 ± 14.84, respectively. Inner strength was positively correlated with hope and self-management (r = 0.867, r = 0.630, respectively; all P < 0.05), and hope was positively correlated with self-management (r = 0.671, P < 0.05). Moreover, hope had a complete mediating effect between inner strength and self-management (β = 0.630, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The inner strength, hope, and self-management of patients with PCI are at a moderate level. Inner strength primarily influences patients’ self-management behavior through hope, suggesting that medical staff can target hope to help patients build confidence in life after illness, form and accumulate inner strength, thereby promoting their self-management and improving prognosis.
Clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with mental disorders in a specialized outpatient clinic and its role in the psychosocial care network
Authors: Camargos Gláucio Silva , Garcia Mateus Afrânio Von Ancken , de Almeida Carolina Andreazza , Lopes Angélica Marta , Borghi Fábio Aparecido , de Araújo Filho Gerardo Maria , de Mattos Luíz Carlos , Brandão Cinara Cássia
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Mental health disorders (MHDs) are responsible for much impairment of quality of life in Brazil and worldwide. Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are required due to the heterogeneous symptoms and multifactorial etiology.

Methods

A descriptive retrospective observational study was performed aiming to characterize the clinical and psychiatric profiles of patients with MHD attending a Brazilian public tertiary psychiatric outpatient clinic, which is a reference health service for more than 2 million inhabitants. Predominant clinical and sociodemographic aspects of patients were evaluated between March 2019 and March 2021.

Results

A total of 8,384 appointments were analyzed. The majority of patients were female, and the mean age was 45 years old. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was the most common MHD. The prevailing symptoms were sadness, anxiety, and irritability, with the most prescribed medications being selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Conclusion

The epidemiological characterization of mental disorders in specialized mental health outpatient clinics provides evidence for the establishment of more specific protocols and advocates a dimensional transdiagnostic approach as an aid to public mental health services.
Perceived parental warmth attenuates the link between perceived parental rejection and rumination in Chinese early adolescents: two conditional moderation models
Authors: Meng Fanfei , Cheng Cuiping , Xie Yuntian , Ying Haihua , Cui Xinling
Published: January 2024

Background

Prior studies have explored the association between perceived parental rejection-warmth and adolescents’ rumination, but it is unclear whether the interaction between perceived parental rejection and warmth can predict adolescents’ rumination in a Chinese context and whether this interaction varies by children’s gender during the post-COVID-19 era.

Objective

This study aimed to address these issues in Chinese early adolescents from a family system perspective.

Methods

A total of 910 adolescents (Mage = 13.63, 48.50% female) from two middle schools in Chongqing and Changsha, China participated in the survey, answering measures for demographics, perceived parental rejection-warmth, and rumination.

Results

The results show that adolescents’ rumination was positively related to perceived paternal rejection (r = 0.326, p <.001) and maternal rejection (r = 0.343, p <.001), and negatively related to perceived paternal warmth (r = -.184, p <.001) and maternal warmth (r = -0.125, p <.001). Moreover, perceived maternal warmth significantly moderated the link between perceived paternal rejection and adolescents’ rumination (boot effect = -0.066, 95CI% = [-0.124, -0.010]), but this moderating effect is only presented in boys not in girls (boot effect = -0.063, 95CI% = [-0.015, 0.140]). However, perceived paternal warmth moderated the link between perceived maternal rejection and rumination in adolescents (boot effect = -0.052, 95CI% = [-0.103, -0.001]), and this interaction varied by adolescents’ gender (boot effect = 0.103, 95CI% = [0.029, 0.177]).

Conclusions

Perceived Parental rejection and parental warmth co-exist in the Chinese family system, and they exert an interactive effect on adolescents’ rumination depending on their gender. It implies that both parents should be more accepting, caring, considerate, and warm toward their daughters, and it is also in line with the tradition and status quo of parenting in Chinese families. These findings have implications for Chinese parental co-parenting practices in families with adolescents and adolescence mental health counseling work.
Interventions of Brazil's more doctors program through continuing education for Primary Health Care
Authors: Pereira Laianny Krizia Maia , Silva José Adailton da , Valentim Ricardo A. de M. , Lima Thaísa G. F. M. S. , Gusmão Cristine M. G. , Rocha Marcela A. da , Santos Marquiony M. dos , Caitano Alexandre R. , Barros Rosires M. B. de , Rosendo Tatyana Souza
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Brazil's More Doctors Program, in its training axis, aims to improve medical training for Primary Health Care through interventions related to the reality of the territory. The research presented here analyzed the interventions implemented by Brazil's More Doctors Program physicians, members of the Family Health Continuing Education Program, and the relationship with Primary Health Care programmatic actions.

Methodology

The research conducted made use of Text and Data Mining and content analysis. In total, 2,159 reports of interventions from 942 final papers were analyzed. The analysis process was composed of the formation of the corpus; exploration of the materials through text mining; and analysis of the results by inference and interpretation.

Results

It was observed that 57% of the physicians worked in the Northeast Region, which was also the region with the most interventions (66.8%). From the analysis of the bigrams, trigrams, and quadrigrams, four constructs were formed: “women's health,” “child health,” “chronic non-communicable diseases,” and “mental health.” Terms related to improving access, quality of care, teamwork, and reception were also present among the N-grams.

Discussion

The interventions carried out are under the programmatic actions recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health for Primary Health Care, also addressing cross-cutting aspects such as Reception, Teamwork, Access Improvement, and Quality of Care, which suggests that the training experience in the Family Health Continuing Education Program reflects on the way these professionals act.
Validity and reliability of the English version of the Diabetic Foot Self-Care Questionnaire: a cross-cultural adaptation
Authors: Ruiz-Muñoz María , Fernández-Torres Raúl , Formosa Cynthia , Gatt Alfred , Gijón-Noguerón Gabriel , Navarro-Flores Emmanuel , González-Sánchez Manuel
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The objective of this study was to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Diabetic Foot Self-Care Questionnaire into the English language, broadening the applicability of this patient-reported outcome measure and improving the monitoring of patients with diabetic foot disease.

Methods

The validation study into English was conducted in two phases: cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation study. Short Form-12 Version 2, EuroQoL-5D and Foot Function Index were used to analyze the criterion validity. Item response, internal consistency, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change and construct validity were calculated in the validation phase.

Results

An English version of the questionnaire (DFSQ-UMA-En) was successfully obtained. A total of n = 193 participants were tested to confirm the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Internal consistency values ranged from very good to excellent (Cronbach’s α =0.889–0.981), and reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.854–0.959). Standard error measurement value was =2.543. Criterion validity ranged from r = 0.429 to r = 0.844. For construct validity, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test was =0.752.

Conclusion

DFSQ-UMA-En is a valid and reliable tool with good readability and comprehension features. This questionnaire addresses foot self-care behaviors in patients with diabetic foot disease, standing out as essential for early diagnosis and prevention strategies in clinical and research settings.
Autonomous motivation, social support, and physical activity in school children: moderating effects of school-based rope skipping sports participation
Authors: Qi Yufei , Yin Yao , Wang Xuyang , Zou Yong , Liu Bo
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Recent studies have shown that physical activity (PA) levels are low among children and adolescents globally. In order to reverse this trend, PA interventions are increasingly favoured. The school setting is the ideal place to address the issues that many children face. The purpose of this study was to (a) The primary focus of this study is to delve into the mediating role played by school-based rope skipping sports participation (SRSP) in the connection between social support and moderate to high-intensity physical activity (MVPA) among school children. (b) Additionally, this research aims to examine the moderating effect of within this pathway.

Methods

We conducted a survey involving 721 adolescents residing in Changsha City. The participants’ ages ranged from 8 to 12 years, with an average age of 9.84 ± 1.535 years. Out of these participants, 406 were boys, and 315 were girls. To assess variables such as social support and autonomous motivation, we employed standardized measurement scales. Subsequently, we analyzed the collected data using various statistical methods, including independent s-amples t-tests, bivariate correlation analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and the Johnson-Neyman method.

Results

An independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in MVPA between genders (p = 0.003 < 0.05), with boys exhibiting a higher level of engagement in MVPA compared to girls, Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations among several key variables. Specifically, social support demonstrated a noteworthy positive correlation with autonomous motivation (r = 0.331, p < 0.01) as well as school children’s engagement in MVPA (r = 0.308, p < 0.01). Moreover, autonomous motivation displayed a significant positive correlation with school children’s involvement in MVPA (r = 0.459, p < 0.01). The moderating analysis revealed a significant influence of the interaction between increased participation in and social support on school children’s engagement in MVPA.

Conclusion

Social support and autonomy support have been proven effective in enhancing school children’s engagement in MVPA. They exert their influence indirectly by fostering autonomous motivation. Notably, robust social support can significantly benefit MVPA school children with high activity requirements, particularly those regularly engaged in MVPA during the school day.
Evaluation of inpatient services of tertiary comprehensive hospitals based on DRG payment
Authors: Yu Qun-jun , Li Ya-lin , Yin Qin , Lu Ye , Li Lu-yan , Xu Dan-ni , He Mei , Ma Sha , Yan Wu
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aims to evaluate inpatient services in 49 tertiary comprehensive hospitals using indicators from the diagnosis related groups (DRG) payment system.

Method

DRG data from 49 tertiary comprehensive hospitals were obtained from the quality monitoring platform for provincial hospitals, and relevant indicators were identified. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to compute the weight of each indicator. The rank sum ratio method was used to calculate the weight rank sum ratio (WRSR) value and the corresponding probit value of each hospital. The hospitals were divided into four grades based on the threshold value: excellent, good, fair, and poor.

Results

Eight indicators of the 49 hospitals were scored, and the hospital rankings of indicators varied. The No. 1 hospital ranked first in the indicators of “total number of DRG”, “number of groups”, and “proportion of relative weights (RW) ≥ 2”. The WRSR value of the No.1 hospital was the largest (0.574), and the WRSR value of the No. 44 hospital was the smallest (0.139). The linear regression equation was established: WRSRpredicted =-0.141+0.088*Probit, and the regression model was well-fitted (F = 2066.672, p < 0.001). The cut-off values of the three WRSRspredicted by the four levels were 0.167, 0.299, and 0.431, respectively. The 49 hospitals were divided into four groups: excellent (4), good (21), average (21), and poor (3). There were significant differences in the average WRSR values of four categories of hospitals (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

There were notable variances in the levels of inpatient services among 49 tertiary comprehensive hospitals, and hospitals of the same category also showed different service levels. The evaluation results contribute to the health administrative department and the hospital to optimize the allocation of resources, improve the DRG payment system, and enhance the quality and efficiency of inpatient services.
Progress in the study of aging marker criteria in human populations
Authors: He Yan , Li Zhe , Niu Yue , Duan Yuting , Wang Qian , Liu Xiaomin , Dong Zheyi , Zheng Ying , Chen Yizhi , Wang Yong , Zhao Delong , Sun Xuefeng , Cai Guangyan , Feng Zhe , Zhang Weiguang , Chen Xiangmei
Published: January 2024

The use of human aging markers, which are physiological, biochemical and molecular indicators of structural or functional degeneration associated with aging, is the fundamental basis of individualized aging assessments. Identifying methods for selecting markers has become a primary and vital aspect of aging research. However, there is no clear consensus or uniform principle on the criteria for screening aging markers. Therefore, we combine previous research from our center and summarize the criteria for screening aging markers in previous population studies, which are discussed in three aspects: functional perspective, operational implementation perspective and methodological perspective. Finally, an evaluation framework has been established, and the criteria are categorized into three levels based on their importance, which can help assess the extent to which a candidate biomarker may be feasible, valid, and useful for a specific use context.
Psychobehavioral factors and family functioning in mucopolysaccharidosis: preliminary studies
Authors: Valle Daniel Almeida do , Bara Tiago dos Santos , Furlin Vanessa , Santos Mara Lúcia Schmitz Ferreira , Cordeiro Mara L.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) constitute a group of progressive and multisystemic inherited metabolic diseases that profoundly affect both the mental health of patients and the wellbeing of their families. This study aims to evaluate the impact of MPS on family functioning and related factors.

Methods and results

Twenty-five patients with MPS, including types I (n = 4), II (n = 11), IIIB (n = 2), IVA (n = 3), and VI (n = 5), and their families participated in this study. The mean patient age was 13 years [standard deviation (SD): 7.7 years]. Behavioral and emotional problems were noted in 9.1% of all patients. While the type of MPS did not directly influence mental problems, the presence of neuronal involvement did (p = 0.006). Patients with MPS III exhibited difficulties primarily in emotional areas, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Importantly, both patients with MPS II and those with MPS III experienced a significant impact on communication [mean scores for communication domain: MPS II, 35.6 (SD: 24.3); MPS III, 35.0 (SD: 22.6)]; poorer communication was directly linked to worse adaptive behavior (p = 0.012), and worse adaptive behavior was associated with lower quality of life (p = 0.001). Quality of life and caregiver burden among family members did not significantly differ across MPS types; however, higher caregiver burden was negatively associated with quality of life (p = 0.002). Concerning family functioning, the most impacted domains included independence, intellectual/cultural orientation, activity/recreation, and expressiveness. Domain scores did not vary based on MPS type, treatment, or neurological involvement. Quality-of-life scores were positively associated with the cultural/intellectual domain score.

Conclusion

The impacts of quality of life and family extend beyond clinical characteristics and MPS type, strongly influenced by patient cognition and communication, as well as type of family functioning, especially those with greater cultural/intellectual skills of their family members. A multidisciplinary approach addressing the broader needs of individuals with MPS becomes essential. Techniques aimed at improving communication, including prompt interventions such as speech therapy and augmentative and alternative communication strategies, can contribute to overall family functioning improvement.
Expectations of i-Tree Eco as a tool for urban tree management in Nordic cities
Authors: Sjöman Johanna Deak , Tuhkanen Eeva-Maria , Mänttäri Miia , Cimburová Žofie , Stålhammar Sanna , Barton David N. , Randrup Thomas B.
Published: January 2024

While urban forests are recognized as imperative toward climate adaptation in cities and provide health and recreational benefits to citizens, municipal tree officers often struggle to find successful governance arrangements and budget support toward long-lasting investment and implementation in new planting schemes and protection of existing trees. Since its release in 2006, i-Tree Eco has helped urban tree officers worldwide to find tangible leverage in the means of quantitative mapping, numeric measures, and economic values of ecosystem services. This may in turn help ease gridlocks and potentially support constructive dialogues across sectors, with decision-makers and public engagement. With the release of i-Tree Eco v. 6 in Europe 2018, 13 Nordic cities were engaged in a larger research project with ambitions to use i-Tree Eco for the purpose of retrieving numeric and monetary data of the biophysical structures and ecosystem services of the urban forest. Based on questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, we present the results from the Nordic i-Tree project with a focus on expectations, opportunities, and potential barriers experienced in using i-Tree Eco in urban forest management. The most prominent expectation and foreseeing opportunities were recognized toward using numeric information on trees to change policies and support cross-sectoral collaboration while reaching politicians and the public. Identified barriers involved how limited resources are spent on public outreach and how information about the project to relevant stakeholders were not distributed from the beginning which may have implications on the dissemination of results. As some important ecosystem services, e.g., cultural services, are not captured by i-Tree Eco, presenting the partial value of urban trees may pose also potential risks to cross-sectoral collaboration. Other findings conclude that although numeric information on ecosystem services is seen as beneficial in terms of communicating with different stakeholders, a deeper understanding toward the criteria used in the valuation process and the potential risks of numeric approaches may provide more context-specific applications.
Superyachts could support satellite ocean colour validation
Authors: Brewin Robert J. W. , Sun Xuerong , Aurin Dirk A. , Viljoen Johannes J. , Walsh Christopher , Sathyendranath Shubha
Published: January 2024

Visible spectral radiometry of seawater, often referred to as ocean colour, from space, provides a synoptic view of surface phytoplankton, and other optically-active constituents, at high temporal resolution, that is unsurpassed by any other technology. Yet, in-situ observations of ocean colour are critical to the success of the satellite, tracking the calibration of the radiometers and validating atmospheric correction algorithms. Owing to the high cost of commercial field radiometers, as well as the high costs associated with ocean-based field work, ocean colour scientists are plagued by a sparsity of high quality in-situ radiometric observations, particularly in remote regions. In this perspective article, we highlight potential to increase the number of in-situ observations of ocean colour by harnessing superyachts. Using openly-available data processing software, we show that automated ocean colour data collected using a superyacht can be used for the validation of an ocean colour satellite, with comparable results to traditional validation studies. Reaching out to wealthy citizen scientists may help fill gaps in our ability to monitor the colour of the ocean.
Acceleration of an interplanetary shock through the magnetosheath: a global hybrid simulation
Authors: Moissard C. , Savoini P. , Fontaine D. , Modolo R.
Published: January 2024

According to most observations and simulations, interplanetary shocks slow down when they propagate through the magnetosheath. In this article, we present results from a self-consistent global hybrid PIC simulation of an interplanetary shock which, by contrast, accelerates as it propagates through the magnetosheath. In this simulation, the solar wind upstream of the interplanetary shock is set up with an Alfvén Mach number MA = 4.5 and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is set up to be almost parallel to the y direction in GSE coordinate system. The ‘planet’ is modelled as a magnetic dipole with no tilt: the dipole is in the GSE’s z direction. In the ecliptic plane (Oxy), which contains the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the magnetic field lines are piling up against the magnetopause, and the velocity of the interplanetary shock decreases from 779 ± 48 km/s in the solar wind down to 607 ± 48 km/s in the magnetosheath. By contrast, in the noon-meridian plane (Oxz), which is perpendicular to the IMF, the velocity of the interplanetary shock in the magnetosheath can reach values up to 904 ± 48 km/s. This study suggests that interplanetary shocks can accelerate as they propagate through the magnetosheath. This finding, reported here for the first time, could have important implications for space weather, as it corresponds to the case where an interplanetary shock catches up with a low Alfvén Mach number solar transient such as an interplanetary coronal mass ejection.
Effect of high-pressure pretreatment on enzymatic hydrolysis of a mixture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rest raw material
Authors: Kotsoni Elissavet , Daukšas Egidijus , Aas Grete Hansen , Rustad Turid , Tiwari Brijesh , Cropotova Janna
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Fish rest raw material generated from the fish processing industry may be a useful resource for recovery of added value compounds. The application of non-thermal novel technologies can improve the extraction. High-pressure processing (HPP) has long been used for the preservation and extension of the shelf life of seafood. It also constitutes a promising technology for the increased recovery of valuable compounds, such as lipids and proteins. The objective of this study was to assess the yield and the chemical composition of the fractions obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis on a mixture of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rest raw material pretreated by high-pressure (HP).

Methods

Six different pretreatments were applied prior to enzymatic hydrolysis; 600 MPa x 8  min, 600 MPa x 4  min, 400 MPa x 8  min, 400 MPa x 4  min, 200 MPa x 8  min, 200 MPa x 4  min.

Results and discusssion

These applied pretreatments did not yield higher oil extraction compared to the control. However, the fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) contained higher amount of protein when compared to the FPH obtained from the control.
Healthy cats tolerate long-term daily feeding of Cannabidiol
Authors: Coltherd Jennifer C. , Bednall Robyn , Bakke Anne Marie , Ellerby Zack , Newman Christopher , Watson Phillip , Logan Darren W. , Holcombe Lucy J.
Published: January 2024

Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are widely commercially available for companion animals, mirroring popularity in human use. Although data on the safety and efficacy of long-term oral supplementation are increasing in dogs, evidence remains lacking in cats. The purpose of these studies was to address gaps in the knowledge around the long-term suitability and tolerance of a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free CBD distillate in clinically healthy cats. The studies were randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled. The first study supplemented cats with either a placebo oil (n = 10) or with 4 mg/kg body weight (BW) CBD in placebo oil (n = 9) daily, with a meal, for 4 weeks. The concentration of CBD in plasma was measured over 4 h at d0 (first dose) and again at d14 (after 2 weeks of daily dosing). The second study supplemented cats daily with either placebo oil (n = 10) or 4 mg/kg BW CBD in placebo oil (n = 10) for a period of 26 weeks. A comprehensive suite of physiological health measures was performed throughout the study at baseline (week 0) and after 4, 10, 18, and 26 weeks of feeding, followed by a 4-week washout sample (week 30). Postprandial plasma CBD time course data, at both d0 and d14, showed a peak plasma CBD concentration at 2 h after the dose. This peak was 251 (95% CI: 108.7, 393.4) and 431 (95% CI, 288.7, 573.4) ng/mL CBD at d0 and d14, respectively, and the area under the curve concentration was higher by 91.5 (95% CI, 33.1, 149.9) ng-h/mL after 2 weeks of supplementation (p = 0.002). While in the first study the CBD group displayed increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 68.7 (95% CI, 43.23, 109.2) U/L) at week 4 compared to the placebo control group [1.44-fold increase (95% CI, 0.813, 2.54)], statistical equivalence (at 2-fold limits) was found for ALT across the duration of the second, long-term study. All other biochemistry and hematology data showed no clinically significant differences between supplement groups. Data presented here suggest that a THC-free, CBD distillate fed at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW was absorbed into plasma and well tolerated by healthy cats when supplemented over a period of 26 weeks.
Historia w punktach i w sztuce. Glottodydaktyczne spojrzenie na nauczanie cudzoziemców historii Polski
Authors: Garncarek Piotr , Łukaszewicz Barbara , Tambor Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

This article addresses the issue of teaching history to foreigners learning Polish as a foreign language. The small number of publications in the field of Polish language glottodidactics discussing ways of teaching history to foreigners results in a lack of practical proposals for taking up this issue in foreign language classes. The authors present the possible methods of teaching Poland’s history in classes of Polish as a foreign language and of using cultural texts to deepen foreigners’ historical knowledge. The didactic proposals involve abandoning the discussion of selected historical events in chronological order in favour of showing the links between the past and the present. The manner of presenting events in the form of recurring collective behaviours in historically comparable situations is demonstrated. The possibilities of using cultural texts to enhance the knowledge of foreigners’ history are also described. In addition to the traditional analysis of texts telling about historical events explicitly, one can, among other things, talk about the genesis of the texts based on the historical processes that influenced their form. It is emphasised that addressing controversial topics provides an opportunity for learners to deepen their historical knowledge on their own and to strengthen a semi-autonomous attitude towards studying the Polish culture. The discussion falls into the area of research on teaching Polish as a foreign language and Polish culture as a foreign culture to adult foreigners learning Polish primarily in the academic system
Round-Robin Study for Ice Adhesion Tests
Authors: Rehfeld Nadine , Brassard Jean-Denis , Yamazaki Masafumi , Sakaue Hirotaka , Balordi Marcella , Koivuluoto Heli , Mora Julio , He Jianying , Pervier Marie-Laure , Dolatabadi Ali , Asenath-Smith Emily , Järn Mikael , Hou Xianghui , Stenzel Volkmar
Published: January 2024

Ice adhesion tests are widely used to assess the performance of potential icephobic surfaces and coatings. A great variety of test designs have been developed and used over the past decades due to the lack of formal standards for these types of tests. In many cases, the aim of the research was not only to determine ice adhesion values, but also to understand the key surface properties correlated to low ice adhesion surfaces. Data from different measurement techniques had low correspondence between the results: Values varied by orders of magnitude and showed different relative relationships to one another. This study sought to provide a broad comparison of ice adhesion testing approaches by conducting different ice adhesion tests with identical test surfaces. A total of 15 test facilities participated in this round-robin study, and the results of 13 partners are summarized in this paper. For the test series, ice types (impact and static) as well as test parameters were harmonized to minimize the deviations between the test setups. Our findings are presented in this paper, and the ice- and test-specific results are discussed. This study can improve our understanding of test results and support the standardization process for ice adhesion strength measurements.
Object Detection in Tomato Greenhouses: A Study on Model Generalization
Authors: Haggag Sammar , Veres Matthew , Tarry Cole , Moussa Medhat
Published: January 2024

Harvesting operations in agriculture are labour-intensive tasks. Automated solutions can help alleviate some of the pressure faced by rising costs and labour shortage. Yet, these solutions are often difficult and expensive to develop. To enable the use of harvesting robots, machine vision must be able to detect and localize target objects in a cluttered scene. In this work, we focus on a subset of harvesting operations, namely, tomato harvesting in greenhouses, and investigate the impact that variations in dataset size, data collection process and other environmental conditions may have on the generalization ability of a Mask-RCNN model in detecting two objects critical to the harvesting task: tomatoes and stems. Our results show that when detecting stems from a perpendicular perspective, models trained using data from the same perspective are similar to one that combines both perpendicular and angled data. We also show larger changes in detection performance across different dataset sizes when evaluating images collected from an angled camera perspective, and overall larger differences in performance when illumination is the primary source of variation in the data. These findings can be used to help practitioners prioritize data collection and evaluation efforts, and lead to larger-scale harvesting dataset construction efforts.
Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic Content and Morphological Traits in 1 to 4-Year-Old Muscari comosum Bulbs Cultivated in Three Growing Environments
Authors: Cicco Nunzia , Castronuovo Donato , Candido Vincenzo
Published: January 2024

Muscari comosum, commonly called “Lampascione”, is an edible wild plant that grows predominantly in the Mediterranean area. In this study, qualitative characteristics (size and antioxidant properties) were investigated in “Lampascione” bulbs of different ages cultivated in three different growing environments (greenhouse, shaded greenhouse and open field). The 4-year-old bulbs grown in a greenhouse showed the best shape index. The highest total phenolic content was observed in seed bulbs for all the growing environments. The antioxidant activity expressed in terms of EC50 average value had a fluctuating trend. However, the best antioxidant activity was found in bulbs cultivated in open fields and in the 4-year-olds grown in the greenhouse. Therefore, all these bulbs have a high antioxidant activity and can be considered as a very good nutraceutical source useful to consumers, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector, who are more and more interested in having products for a healthy and natural diet.
Effect of Alternate Wetting and Drying on the Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Rice Fields on the Northern Coast of Peru
Authors: Echegaray-Cabrera Ida , Cruz-Villacorta Lena , Ramos-Fernández Lia , Bonilla-Cordova Mirko , Heros-Aguilar Elizabeth , Flores del Pino Lisveth
Published: January 2024

The cultivation of rice is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to continuously flooded irrigation (CF), which demands large volumes of water. As an alternative solution, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation has been developed as a water-saving strategy. This study was conducted at the Experimental Agricultural Station (EEA) in Vista, Florida, in the Lambayeque region located on the northern coast of Peru. Thus, it was analyzed the effect of AWD irrigation at different depths (5, 10, and less than 20 cm below the surface) compared to CF control on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and rice grain yield. AWD treatments reduced CH4 emissions by 84% to 99% but increased N2O emissions by 66% to 273%. In terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP), the AWD10 treatment demonstrated a 77% reduction and a Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of 0.96, affecting only a 2% decrease in rice grain yield, which ranged between 11.85 and 14.01 t ha−1. Likewise, this study provides sufficient evidence for the adoption of AWD irrigation as a strategy for the efficient use of water resources and the mitigation of GHG emissions in rice cultivation in the study area, compared to continuous flooded irrigation.
Advances in Research on Pig Salivary Analytes: A Window to Reveal Pig Health and Physiological Status
Authors: Zheng Lixiang , Shi Lidan , Wu Xiangzhe , Hu Panyang , Zhang Ben , Han Xuelei , Wang Kejun , Li Xiuling , Yang Feng , Wang Yining , Li Xinjian , Qiao Ruimin
Published: January 2024

Saliva is an important exocrine fluid that is easy to collect and is a complex mixture of proteins and other molecules from multiple sources from which considerable biological information can be mined. Pig saliva, as an easily available biological liquid rich in bioactive ingredients, is rich in nucleic acid analytes, such as eggs, enzymes, amino acids, sugars, etc. The expression levels of these components in different diseases have received extensive attention, and the analysis of specific proteins, metabolites, and biological compositions in pig saliva has become a new direction for disease diagnosis and treatment. The study of the changes in analytes in pig saliva can provide a new strategy for early diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and treatment of diseases. In this paper, the detection methods and research progress of porcine salivary analytes are reviewed, the application and research progress of porcine salivary analytes in diseases are discussed, and the future application prospect is presented.
Acidic Urine pH and Clinical Outcome of Lower Urinary Tract Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated with Ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin
Authors: Herrera-Espejo Soraya , Fontserè Sara , Infante Carmen , Suárez-Benjumea Alejandro , Carretero-Ledesma Marta , Suñer-Poblet Marta , González-Corvillo Carmen , Bernal Gabriel , Martín-Gutiérrez Guillermo , Pérez-Cáceres Juan Antonio , Pachón Jerónimo , Pachón-Ibáñez María Eugenia , Cordero Elisa
Published: January 2024

Different factors, including antimicrobial resistance, may diminish the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy, challenging the management of post-transplant urinary tract infection (UTI). The association of acidic urine pH with microbiological and clinical outcomes was evaluated after fosfomycin or ciprofloxacin therapy in 184 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with UTI episodes by Escherichia coli (N = 115) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (N = 69). Initial urine pH, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical and microbiological outcomes, and one- and six-month follow-up were assessed. Fosfomycin was prescribed in 88 (76.5%) E. coli and 46 (66.7%) K. pneumoniae UTI episodes in the total cohort. When the urine pH ≤ 6, fosfomycin was prescribed in 60 (52.2%) E. coli and 29 (42.0%) K. pneumoniae. Initial urine pH ≤ 6 in E. coli UTI was associated with symptomatic episodes (8/60 vs. 0/55, p = 0.04) at one-month follow-up, with a similar trend in those patients receiving fosfomycin (7/47 vs. 0/41, p = 0.09). Acidic urine pH was not associated with microbiological or clinical cure in K. pneumoniae UTI. At pH 5, the ciprofloxacin MIC90 increased from 8 to >8 mg/L in E. coli and from 4 to >8 mg/L in K. pneumoniae. At pH 5, the fosfomycin MIC90 decreased from 8 to 4 mg/L in E. coli and from 512 to 128 mg/L in K. pneumoniae. Acidic urine is not associated with the microbiological efficacy of fosfomycin and ciprofloxacin in KTRs with UTI, but it is associated with symptomatic UTI episodes at one-month follow-up in E. coli episodes.