bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the dynamics of user experience and interaction in XR-enhanced robotic surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Li Yaning , Li Meng , Zheng Shucheng , Yang Luxi , Peng Lanqing , Fu Chiyang , Chen Yuexi , Wang Chenxi , Chen Chenyi , Li Bingyan , Xiong Boyuan , Breschi Sofia , Liu Yawei , Shidujaman Mohammad , Piazzolla Pietro , Zhang Yu , De Momi Elena , van Eijk Daan
Published: November 2024

Robotic surgery, also known as robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), has rapidly evolved during the last decade. RAS systems are developed to assist surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive surgeries, and necessitate augmented interfaces for precise execution of these image-guided procedures. Extended Reality (XR) technologies, augmenting the real-world perception via integrating digital contents, show promise in enhancing RAS efficacy in various studies. Despite multiple reviews on technological and medical aspects, the crucial elements of human-robot interaction (HRI) and user experience (UX) remain underexplored. This review fills this gap by elucidating HRI dynamics within XR-aided RAS systems, emphasizing their impact on UX and overall surgical outcomes. By synthesizing existing literature, this systematic review study identifies challenges and opportunities, paving the way for improved XR-enhanced robotic surgery, ultimately enhancing patient care and surgical performance.
Feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component mental wellbeing program for young high-performance athletes in Australian Rules Football
Authors: Hoare Erin , Couston Nicky , Burdon Lilli , Vella Claudia , Hall Kate
Published: November 2024

There is a strong rationale for the promotion of mental wellbeing in elite sport development pathways although evidence-based programs are scant. Scholarly work more broadly indicates the importance of co-design and lived experience in the development of programs targeting mental health and wellbeing for young people. Further, the evidence to date suggests that programs should be multi-component to target the various systems within which young people engage. This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component wellbeing program, informed by positive psychology and wellbeing science. The AFL Talent Pathways Wellbeing Program aims to foster positive mental health and wellbeing among young (16–18 year-old) athletes in Australian Rules Football participating in the AFL Talent Pathways. The program was comprised of multiple components including (i) a wellbeing curriculum informed by positive psychology, (ii) strengthened localized dedicated capacities in personnel within football communities, and (iii) an individualized wellbeing development plan. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through qualitative interviews with young athletes, coaches, and wellbeing coordinators which focused on experiences related to program engagement, satisfaction, participation, and retention. A pre-specified thematic analytical approach was adopted, whereby qualitative interview data were transcribed, and then underwent a six-phase analysis process to assess themes. Results suggested gradual acceptance of the program, with increasing levels of connection and support reported throughout the program delivery. Barriers to engagement included the scheduling of the program content within the context of a comprehensive training schedule and the travel time required to be able to participate in the program particularly for non-metropolitan and regional-based athletes. Strengthening football community capacity for specific wellbeing-related needs was seen as a major facilitator to the acceptability and feasibility of the wellbeing program. These findings, although limited by a small sample size, contribute to the growing evidence body of supporting young athletes transitioning into elite sport and is strengthened through the qualitative insights achieved through the lived experience of program participants.
Evaluation of the patency rate and endothelialization of a poly-ε-caprolactone, nanofiber sheet-based vascular graft using a rat abdominal aortic implantation model
Authors: Kikuchi Yuta , Wakabayashi Naohiro , Braghirolli Daikelly I. , Pranke Patricia , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Oyama Kyohei
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The global increase in cardiovascular diseases has resulted in an augmented development of artificial small-caliber vascular grafts used in bypass graft surgeries, such as coronary and distal artery bypass graft surgeries. However, no consensus exists regarding the best method for creating vascular grafts. Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a biocompatible and biodegradable material that has been widely studied as a scaffold for tissue regeneration, inclusive of vascular grafts. In this study, a vascular graft was created from a PCL nanofiber sheet (PCL graft), and the performance thereof was examined using a rat abdominal aortic implantation model.

Methods

The PCL nanofiber sheets were created using an electrospinning machine. These nanofiber sheets were rolled up. Glue was applied between layers using a PCL solution to create a PCL nanofiber vascular graft, with an inner diameter of 1 mm. PCL grafts with 7 mm length were implanted into the abdominal aorta of rats. Thereafter, the patency was determined by pulsating blood flow from the hemiresection site of the distal aorta of the graft anastomosis, and endothelialization was examined using hematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescent staining methods.

Results

The patency rate of the PCL graft at 2 weeks was 57.1% (12 of 21 cases), which is not satisfactory as a small-caliber vascular graft. Patent cases, however, revealed a CD31-positive endothelial cell layer in the inner lumen and autologous cell infiltration into the scaffold, indicating autologous vessel-like regeneration. By contrast, the occluded cases showed disassembly of the nanofiber layers; and the inner layers folded into the middle of the lumen. This observation suggested that the disassembled inner layer of the PCL graft disturbed the blood flow and triggered occlusion.

Conclusions

PCL grafts can exhibit autologous vessel-like regeneration; nonetheless, regarding patency, grafts made from rolled-up PCL nanofiber sheets have structural weaknesses. Further improvements are required to achieve a long-term and high patency rate for PCL grafts.
Appendiceal low-grade pseudomyxoma peritonei recurrence with splenic invasion and parastomal hernia
Authors: Liu Qi , Jiao Jie , Yu Guanying , Guo Peiming , Li Chengzhen
Published: November 2024

Recurrence of low-grade appendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) with splenic invasion and parastomal hernia is exceptionally rare. We present a 47-year-old female with recurrent PMP, four years post-cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). She presented with abdominal distension, splenic invasion, and parastomal hernia. Imaging revealed extensive peritoneal and pelvic metastases, splenic lesions, and parastomal hernia. Intraoperative findings confirmed widespread pseudomyxoma, involving the spleen and diaphragm. She underwent CRS, splenectomy, tumor resection, adhesiolysis, partial colectomy, hernia repair, and diaphragmatic reconstruction, followed by intraoperative HIPEC. Despite postoperative complications, the patient recovered well with no recurrence over 20 months. This case underscores the challenges of managing recurrent PMP with splenic metastases and parastomal hernias, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and personalized therapeutic strategies.
Mental Health of Prison Inmates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review
Authors: González-Riera Francisco Javier , García-Iglesias Juan Jesús , Allande-Cussó Regina , Ruiz-Frutos Carlos , Rodríguez-Diaz Luciano , Vázquez-Lara Juana María , Fernández-Carrasco Francisco Javier , Fagundo-Rivera Javier , Gómez-Salgado Juan
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess how COVID-19 affected the levels of different mental health variables in prison inmates.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA format in the Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect electronic databases between August and September 2023. Methodological quality was assessed using the critical appraisal tools for studies of the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results

Thirteen studies were included. The studies found increased levels of stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and negative emotions associated with lack of information about the pandemic and isolation leading to reduced social interaction. In addition, lack of access to common recreational spaces, limited access to support resources, especially mental health resources, fear of contracting the virus, and lack of trust in prison staff and in themselves to be protected were identified.

Conclusion

Further research may be necessary in prison populations with added vulnerability, such as the elderly, women, transgender and non-binary persons, to determine specific interventions, after assessing the prevalent psychological sequelae. Prevention strategies and mental health promotion are also encouraged.
Exploring the Mediating Role of Innovation in the Nexus Between National Culture and Sustainable Competitiveness
Authors: Cahyadi Afriyadi , Marwa Taufiq , Wahyudi Tertiarto , Muizzuddin  , Sulastri  , Maulana Ahmad , Szabó Katalin
Published: November 2024

This study examines the relationship between national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, addressing a critical gap in empirical research. This study engages in a rigorous investigation of the interconnections among national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, effectively addressing a significant void in the existing empirical literature. It offers a detailed and systematic analysis of the interrelationships among the three variables within the purview of an international economic framework. After conducting a comprehensive evaluation of data completeness and availability, it was determined that only 88 data points fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the final sample. The analysis operationalizes national culture through Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, measures innovation using the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index, and assesses sustainable competitiveness via Solability’s Sustainable Competitiveness Index, employing a quantitative path model across the selected countries. The findings reveal that national culture exerts a statistically significant, moderate influence on both innovation and sustainable competitiveness. Furthermore, innovation demonstrates a robust positive effect on sustainable competitiveness, indicating its crucial role in driving long-term national competitive advantage. Mediation analysis suggests that innovation partially mediates the relationship between national culture and sustainable competitiveness, though national culture retains a direct effect on competitiveness independent of innovation. These results underscore the multifaceted interplay between cultural and innovation-related factors in shaping national competitiveness. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical validation of the complex interdependencies between these constructs and offers critical insights for policymakers focused on fostering innovation in alignment with cultural contexts to achieve sustainable competitiveness. Future research may explore additional mediating variables and employ longitudinal designs to further substantiate these findings.
Recycling Space Beverage Packaging into LDPE-Based Composite Materials
Authors: De Rosa Federica , Palmeri Flavia , Laurenzi Susanna
Published: November 2024

Long-term space missions require careful resource management and recycling strategies to overcome the limitations of resupply missions. In this study, we investigated the potential to recycle space beverage packaging, which is typically made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and PET-aluminum-LDPE (PAL) trilaminate, by developing a LDPE-based composite material with PAL inclusions. Due to the limited availability of space beverage packaging, we replaced it with LDPE powder and commercial coffee packaging for the experiments. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to thoroughly analyze the composition of the commercial coffee packaging. The simulant packaging was reduced to a filler, and its thermal properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the particle size was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the bootstrap resampling technique. Composite specimens were then fabricated by incorporating the filler into the LDPE matrix at loadings of 5 wt% and 10 wt%, and their mechanical and thermal properties were assessed through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermal conductivity measurements. The 10 wt% corresponds approximately to the radio between PAL and PE in space beverage packaging and is, therefore, the maximum usable percentage when considering a single package. The results indicate that, as the filler loading increased, the mechanical performance of the composite material decreased, while the thermal conductivity was significantly improved. Finally, 10 wt% LDPE/PAL filaments, with a diameter of 1.7 mm and suitable for the fused filament technique, were produced.
Longitudinal Motion System Identification of a Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Using Limited Unplanned Flight Data
Authors: Matos Nuno M. B. , Marta André C.
Published: November 2024

Acquiring knowledge of aircraft flight dynamics is crucial for simulation, control, mission performance and safety assurance analysis. In the fast-paced UAV market, long flight testing campaigns are hard to achieve, leaving limited controlled flight data and a significant amount of unplanned flight data. This work delves into the application of system identification techniques on unplanned flight data when faced with a shortage of dedicated flight test data. Based on a medium-sized, fixed-wing UAV, it focuses on the system identification of longitudinal dynamics using structural routine flight test data of pitch down and pitch up manoeuvres with no specific guidelines for the control inputs given. The proposed solution uses first- and second-order parameter-based models to build a non-linear dynamic model which, using a least square error optimisation algorithm in a time domain formulation, has its parameters tuned to converge the model behaviour with the real aircraft dynamics. The optimisation uses a combination of pitch, altitude, airspeed and pitch rate responses as a measure of model accuracy. Very significant improvements regarding the UAV model response are found when trimmed flight manoeuvres are used, resulting in proper estimation of important aerodynamic and control derivatives. Pitching moment and control derivatives are shown to be the crucial parameters. However, difficulties in estimation are shown for untrimmed flight manoeuvres. Better results were obtained when using multiple manoeuvres simultaneously in the optimisation error metric, as opposed to single manoeuvres that led to system bias. The proposed system identification procedure can be applied to any fixed-wing UAV without the need for specific flight testing campaigns.
Physiological Responses of Cabernet Sauvignon to Dividing Canopies in the Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: Hernández-Ordoñez Elizabeth , Cruz-Alvarez Oscar , Orozco-Avitia Jesús Antonio , Hernández-Rodríguez Ofelia Adriana , Alonso-Villegas Rodrigo , Jacobo-Cuellar Juan Luis , Gardea-Bejar Alfonso Antero , Ojeda-Barrios Damaris Leopoldina
Published: November 2024

Canopy architecture is fundamental to productivity in grapevines. This research focused on evaluating the impact of opening canopies on the capture of photosynthetically active radiation, photosynthetic activity, and berries’ physicochemical properties in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. A completely randomised design was used to compare open and closed canopies, with ten replicates per treatment (20 vines in total), during the vegetative growth period and after harvest. The key measurements included photon flux density (PFD), daily light integral (DLI), photosynthetic rate (PR), stomatal conductance (SC), intercellular CO2 concentration (IC), leaf area (LA), transpiration, ambient CO2 concentration, and temperature. Additionally, we assessed berry quality variables, such as total soluble solids (TSS), glucose/fructose ratio, total titratable acidity (TTA), pH, TSS/TTA, and total phenols (TP). During vegetative growth, PFD, DLI, PR, IC, and LA increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05), whereas after harvest, only PR and IC showed variation Closed canopies increased water use efficiency (CO2/H2O) by 62.5%, while the temperature was higher in open canopies. Opening canopy increased contacts, gaps and visible sky and reduced leaf area index. Berries from open canopies showed higher TSS, glucose-fructose, pH, TSS/TTA and TP contents. Opening canopy is essential for improving light interception, photosynthetic efficiency, and fruit quality in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevine cultivated in northern Mexico.
Competitive Position of Polish and Ukrainian Food Producers in the EU Market
Authors: Ambroziak Łukasz , Szczepaniak Iwona , Bułkowska Małgorzata
Published: November 2024

The war in Ukraine and the related disruptions in its supply chains shook global markets for agricultural and energy commodities, causing their prices to increase to unprecedented levels. At the same time, this situation highlighted the fact that Ukraine is an important global producer and exporter of certain agricultural products. The complete opening of the EU market to duty-free imports from Ukraine showed that Ukrainian products constitute competition for both EU and Polish food producers. This, in turn, caused further disruptions in the food supply chains within the EU. The aim of this article is to assess the competitive position of Polish and Ukrainian food producers in the EU market and the prospects for the evolution of their competitive advantages. The analysis was carried out using selected quantitative indicators of competitive position, namely Balassa’s Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (RCA) and the Trade Coverage Index (TC). The calculations were made using statistical data from the World Bank WITS-Comtrade database. The research covered the period from 2018 to 2023, inclusive. The research shows that between 2018 and 2023, the share of products in Polish exports to the EU, in which both countries compete, increased to 37.5%; that is, both countries had comparative advantages in these products on this market. The current competition includes, among others, poultry meat, bakery products, wafers and cookies, chocolate, corn, fruit juices, frozen fruit, water and other non-alcoholic drinks, and wheat. At the same time, more than half of Polish exports consisted of products that may become the subject of such competition in the future (currently, only Poland has comparative advantages in the export of these products). These may include, among others, cigarettes, animal feed, fresh or chilled beef, other food products, smoked fish, canned meat, fish fillets, pork, canned fish, and liquid milk and cream. Therefore, Polish food producers face big challenges; the process of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its potential integration with the single European market will strengthen the competitive position of Ukrainian food producers in the EU market. The current competitive strategy of Polish producers, based on cost and price advantages, may turn out to be ineffective under these conditions. Therefore, they must look for new sources of competitive advantage that will distinguish Polish products from the cheaper Ukrainian ones. Therefore, a strategy of competing on quality may prove effective.
Production and Harvest Quality of Tomato Fruit Cultivated Under Different Water Replacement Levels and Photoprotector Strategies
Authors: Stein Bruno Baptista , Duarte Sergio Nascimento , Freire Martiliana Mayani , Nascimento Luiz Fernando da Silva , Jacomino Angelo Pedro , Costa Jéfferson de Oliveira , Coelho Rubens Duarte
Published: November 2024

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the second most produced vegetable globally, playing a significant role in national and international economies. This crop is highly sensitive to water deficit and thermal stress, which directly affect yield and fruit quality. Foliar application of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) may be a possible strategy to minimize the effects of these abiotic stresses. This research aimed to determine: (a) the effects of different water replacement levels (WRLs) and photoprotector strategies (Ps) applied to the canopy on production and harvest quality of tomato fruit, (b) thermal responses—Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and soil temperature and (c) crop water productivity (WPc). The research was conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP/ESALQ), Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks, with four blocks and nine treatments, totaling 36 plots. The treatments were arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme, with three WRLs (70, 100 and 130% of the required irrigation depth) and three photoprotector strategies (without photoprotector, with photoprotector and with photoprotector + adjuvant). Biometric and thermal responses, productivity, harvest quality and WPc were determined. The highest plant height and stalk diameter values were found in the treatment with photoprotector and adjuvant, with an average of 0.98 m and 0.0130 m, respectively. For the variables soil temperature, CWSI and tomato productivity, no significant differences were observed. The general average productivity obtained was 77.9 Mg ha−1. The highest WPc values were found in the WRL 70 treatments, with an average of 23.6 kg m−3. No significant differences were observed for pulp firmness. The highest average value of soluble solids was observed in the treatments with photoprotector (4.8 °Brix) and the highest average value of titratable acidity was observed in the WRL 130 treatments (0.36%). Therefore, deficit irrigation resulted in water savings without compromising tomato productivity and the application of photoprotector and adjuvant increased tomato quality.
Correlation Analysis of Soil Nutrients and Quality Index in Pepper Planting Areas
Authors: Liang Chuanjing , Xing Dan , He Jianwen , Tu Dehui , Wang Yongping
Published: November 2024

This study explores the correlation between soil nutrient elements and pepper fruit quality in Guizhou Province, highlighting regional variations in nutrient influence. Guizhou, with its unique mountainous and karst terrain, provides a distinct ecological environment for pepper cultivation. Our analysis of three major pepper-growing regions—Dafang, Guiyang, and Zunyi—demonstrates that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels in the soil significantly impact pepper quality. Potassium plays a particularly vital role in fruit development, as deficiencies in potassium often result in flower and fruit drop and reduced yield. In Dafang, AP (available phosphorus) and TK (total potassium) were most closely linked to amino acids, reducing sugars, and capsaicinoid content, while in Bozhou, SAN (available nitrogen) was most influential, and in Qingzhen, TP (total phosphorus) and AK (available potassium) were predominant. The findings suggest that key soil elements, such as available phosphorus, available potassium, available nitrogen, and organic matter, influence the quality indicators—amino acids, reducing sugars, capsaicin, and dihydrocapsaicin—in pepper fruits. Further analysis indicates that Guizhou’s distinct soil composition significantly contributes to its peppers’ unique flavor profile. The combined effects of soil nutrients, pepper varieties, and cultivation practices underline the superior quality of Guizhou peppers. This study provides a foundation for understanding the soil–quality interaction and enhances the market recognition of Guizhou’s pepper varieties. Future research should investigate the integrated effects of environmental and soil factors to better assess Guizhou’s favorable growth conditions for peppers.
DeepAT: A Deep Learning Wheat Phenotype Prediction Model Based on Genotype Data
Authors: Li Jiale , He Zikang , Zhou Guomin , Yan Shen , Zhang Jianhua
Published: November 2024

Genomic selection serves as an effective way for crop genetic breeding, capable of significantly shortening the breeding cycle and improving the accuracy of breeding. Phenotype prediction can help identify genetic variants associated with specific phenotypes. This provides a data-driven selection criterion for genomic selection, making the selection process more efficient and targeted. Deep learning has become an important tool for phenotype prediction due to its abilities in automatic feature learning, nonlinear modeling, and high-dimensional data processing. Current deep learning models have improvements in various aspects, such as predictive performance and computation time, but they still have limitations in capturing the complex relationships between genotype and phenotype, indicating that there is still room for improvement in the accuracy of phenotype prediction. This study innovatively proposes a new method called DeepAT, which mainly includes an input layer, a data feature extraction layer, a feature relationship capture layer, and an output layer. This method can predict wheat yield based on genotype data and has innovations in the following four aspects: (1) The data feature extraction layer of DeepAT can extract representative feature vectors from high-dimensional SNP data. By introducing the ReLU activation function, it enhances the model’s ability to express nonlinear features and accelerates the model’s convergence speed; (2) DeepAT can handle high-dimensional and complex genotype data while retaining as much useful information as possible; (3) The feature relationship capture layer of DeepAT effectively captures the complex relationships between features from low-dimensional features through a self-attention mechanism; (4) Compared to traditional RNN structures, the model training process is more efficient and stable. Using a public wheat dataset from AGT, comparative experiments with three machine learning and six deep learning methods found that DeepAT exhibited better predictive performance than other methods, achieving a prediction accuracy of 99.98%, a mean squared error (MSE) of only 28.93 tones, and a Pearson correlation coefficient close to 1, with yield predicted values closely matching observed values. This method provides a new perspective for deep learning-assisted phenotype prediction and has great potential in smart breeding.
Cysteine Thiol-Based Oxidative Post-Translational Modifications Fine-Tune Protein Functions in Plants
Authors: Li Hongxin , Wang Xiaoyun , Liu Ying , Zhang Peiyang , Chen Fuyuan , Zhang Na , Zhao Bing , Guo Yang-Dong
Published: November 2024

Post-translational modification is a prerequisite for the functions of intracellular proteins. Thiol-based oxidative post-translational modifications (OxiPTMs) mainly include S-sulfenylation, S-nitrosation, persulfidation, and S-glutathionylation. Reactive electrophilic species can reversibly or irreversibly oxidize redox-sensitive proteins, thereby exerting dual effects on plant growth, development, and environmental stress. Recent studies have shown that transcription factors (TFs) are main targets of OxiPTMs. The majority of TFs transmit redox signals by altering their transcriptional activity, while some non-transcription factors can also accept post-translational redox modifications. Here, we provide an overview of the known types of OxiPTMs, the reactive electrophilic species that induce OxiPTMs, and the significance of OxiPTMs in fine-tuning TF and non-TF proteins. This review will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic regulation of protein functions in response to stress.
Estimating Rice Leaf Nitrogen Content and Field Distribution Using Machine Learning with Diverse Hyperspectral Features
Authors: Tian Ting , Wang Jianliang , Tao Yueyue , Ji Fangfang , He Qiquan , Sun Chengming , Zhang Qing
Published: November 2024

Leaf nitrogen content (LNC) is a vital agronomic parameter in rice, commonly used to evaluate photosynthetic capacity and diagnose crop nutrient levels. Nitrogen deficiency can significantly reduce yield, underscoring the importance of accurate LNC estimation for practical applications. This study utilizes hyperspectral UAV imagery to acquire rice canopy data, applying various machine learning regression algorithms (MLR) to develop an LNC estimation model and create a nitrogen concentration distribution map, offering valuable guidance for subsequent field nitrogen management. The analysis incorporates four types of spectral data extracted throughout the rice growth cycle: original reflectance bands (OR bands), vegetation indices (VIs), first-derivative spectral bands (FD bands), and hyperspectral variable parameters (HSPs) as model inputs, while measured nitrogen concentration serves as the output. Results demonstrate that the random forest regression (RFR) and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) algorithms performed effectively, with the GBDT achieving the highest average R2 of 0.76 across different nitrogen treatments. Among the nitrogen estimation models for various rice varieties, RFR exhibited superior accuracy, achieving an R2 of 0.95 for the SuXiangJing100 variety, while the GBDT reached 0.93. Meanwhile, the support vector machine regression (SVMR) showed slightly lower accuracy, and partial least-squares regression (PLSR) was the least effective. This study developed an LNC estimation method applicable to the whole growth stage of common rice varieties. The method is suitable for estimating rice LNC across different growth stages, varieties, and nitrogen treatments, and it also provides a reference for nitrogen estimation and fertilization planning at flight altitudes other than the 120 m used in this study.
A Survey on Companion Animal Owners’ Perception of Veterinarians’ Communication About Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance in Germany
Authors: Arnecke Amelie Lisa , Schwarz Stefan , Lübke-Becker Antina , Jensen Katharina Charlotte , Bahramsoltani Mahtab
Published: November 2024

The intimate bonds between humans and their pets create favourable conditions that support the mutual transmission of pathogens in either direction. In this context, veterinarians are essential in informing and educating pet owners about health risks linked to zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To effectively convey this information, veterinarians should have strong communication skills. To gather insights on pet ownership, veterinary consultations, and risk communication, an online questionnaire was used to survey dog and cat owners in Germany. The survey evaluated the frequency and perception of communication concerning zoonotic pathogens and AMR, deriving a communication score. The findings showed that pet owners rated veterinarian communication with a high average score, reflecting a high satisfaction level. The longer pet owners had been clients, the more frequently they received information on zoonoses and AMR, and the better they rated the communication. However, the results also indicated that the amount of information on zoonoses and/or AMR provided by veterinarians was still lower than desired by pet owners. Risk factors, including pathogen detection, vulnerable individuals, owning imported animals, and feeding them raw meat, fish, offal, or uncooked bones, were regularly present. These findings underscore the critical role of risk communication in preventing zoonoses and AMR.
Renal Disease in Cats and Dogs—Lessons Learned from Text-Mined Trends in Humans
Authors: Dadousis Christos , Whetton Anthony D. , Mwacalimba Kennedy , Merlo Alexandre , Wright Andrea , Geifman Nophar
Published: November 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterised by progressive kidney damage and encompasses a broad range of renal pathologies and aetiologies. In humans, CKD is an increasing global health problem, in particular in the western world, while in cats and dogs, CKD is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Here, we aimed to develop an enhanced understanding of the knowledge base related to the pathophysiology of renal disease and CKD in cats and dogs. To achieve this, we leveraged a text-mining approach for reviewing trends in the literature and compared the findings to evidence collected from publications related to CKD in humans. Applying a quantitative text-mining technique, we examined data on clinical signs, diseases, clinical and lab methods, cell types, cytokine, and tissue associations (co-occurrences) captured in PubMed biomedical literature. Further, we examined different types of pain within human CKD-related publications, as publications on this topic are sparser in companion animals, but with the growing importance of animal welfare and quality of life, it is an area of interest. Our findings could serve as substance for future research studies. The systematic automated review of relevant literature, along with comparative analysis, has the potential to summarise scientific evidence and trends in a quick, easy, and cost-effective way. Using this approach, we identified targeted and novel areas of investigation for renal disease in cats and dogs.
A Qualitative Model Demonstrating the Adaptation of Amphibians to Semi-Arid and Arid Habitats: Comparing the Green Toad Bufotes sitibundus (Pallas, 1771) and Pelophylax bedriagae (Camerano, 1882)
Authors: Degani Gad
Published: November 2024

In this brief article, the green toad (Bufotes sitibundus) and the Levant water frog (Pelophylax bedriagae) were compared to better understand the adaptations needed by amphibians, specifically the green toad, to survive in arid regions and to inhabit a wide range of habitats. The information mainly comes from data gathered in Israel, a nation experiencing a shift from Mediterranean to desert ecosystems where both amphibian species can be found. Using these data, a qualitative model is put forward that showcases the differences between these two amphibians and illustrates how the green toad has adapted to arid environments. For instance, green toads travel to breeding and spawning sites during the rainy season. During this journey, they often have to cross roads, which puts them at risk of being hit by vehicles. The main distinction between the green toad and the water frog is that the green toad moves from land environments to water, while the water frog stays in its aquatic habitat for its entire life cycle.
An Improved Bird Detection Method Using Surveillance Videos from Poyang Lake Based on YOLOv8
Authors: Ma Jianchao , Guo Jiayuan , Zheng Xiaolong , Fang Chaoyang
Published: November 2024

Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and plays a significant ecological role. Deep-learning-based video surveillance can effectively monitor bird species on the lake, contributing to the local biodiversity preservation. To address the challenges of multi-scale object detection against complex backgrounds, such as a high density and severe occlusion, we propose a new model known as the YOLOv8-bird model. First, we use Receptive-Field Attention convolution, which improves the model’s ability to capture and utilize image information. Second, we redesign a feature fusion network, termed the DyASF-P2, which enhances the network’s ability to capture small object features and reduces the target information loss. Third, a lightweight detection head is designed to effectively reduce the model’s size without sacrificing the precision. Last, the Inner-ShapeIoU loss function is proposed to address the multi-scale bird localization challenge. Experimental results on the PYL-5-2023 dataset demonstrate that the YOLOv8-bird model achieves precision, recall, mAP@0.5, and mAP@0.5:0.95 scores of 94.6%, 89.4%, 94.8%, and 70.4%, respectively. Additionally, the model outperforms other mainstream object detection models in terms of accuracy. These results indicate that the proposed YOLOv8-bird model is well-suited for bird detection and counting tasks, which enable it to support biodiversity monitoring in the complex environment of Poyang Lake.
Unveiling the Colors of Mustelids: A Historical Review on the Emergence of Chromatic Disorders and Their Ecological Effects in Mustelids Worldwide with Report of the First Case of Erythrism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae)
Authors: Cotts Leonardo , Costa Giovanna , Gabriel Sofia Isabel , Rocha Barbosa Oscar , Braga Caryne
Published: November 2024

Mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family within the order Carnivora, encompasses 65 species and 22 genera, and is widely distributed around the world. Mustelids exhibit a multiplicity of coloration patterns, ranging from darker tones, such as black and brown, to lighter tones, such as pale yellow and white. Anomalous colorations in wild mustelids are occasionally reported, but these records are still poorly discussed in the scientific literature and are often subject to misidentification and/or incorrect terminology. Among mustelids, the Tayra, Eira barbara, is suggested to have the highest frequency of chromatic disorders reported in the formal scientific literature, although most cases involve hypopigmentation. Here, we report and describe the first case of a reddish-colored tayra, a rare chromatic disorder known as erythrism, and compare their coloration to that observed in the subspecies currently suggested for E. barbara. We also conducted a survey and a review of chromatic variants in mustelids based on the formal scientific literature, reporting 119 anomalously colored individuals from 1890 to 2024, and proposed accurate terminology for misidentified cases. Additionally, we discuss the occurrence of these chromatic disorders on a global scale and their potential ecological effect on wild mustelids.
Sustainable Poultry Nutrition Using Citric Acid By-Products from Rice to Boost Growth and Carcass Yield in Thai KKU 1 Broiler Chickens
Authors: Oryza.S Mutyarsih , Pootthachaya Padsakorn , Pintaphrom Nisakon , Tanpong Sirisak , Unnawong Narirat , Cherdthong Anusorn , Tengjaroenkul Bundit , Wongtangtintharn Sawitree
Published: November 2024

This research aimed to enhance the diet of Thai broiler chickens (KKU 1) by assessing the impact of CABR on growth performance, carcass yield, and meat composition. A total of 320 one-day-old mixed-sex (1:1) Thai KKU 1 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments incorporating CABR at levels of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%. The chicks were fed for a period of 56 days, divided into three phases: 1–21, 22–49, and 50–56 days. In the grower phase, birds receiving 3% and 6% CABR displayed the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other groups, while their body weight (BW) and BW gain (BWG) were significantly higher than those of other treatments (p < 0.05). In the finisher phase, performance differences were minimal, except for birds on the 3% CABR diet, which had greater BW than those on 9% or 12% CABR diets. Overall, throughout all phases, the inclusion of 3% CABR resulted in improved BWG and FCR compared to other groups across the study period (p < 0.05). Additionally, the 12% CABR treatment reduced dressing percentage compared to other groups, but it did not negatively impact the relative organ weights of the carcass or the quality of breast meat. Incorporating 3% and 12% CABR resulted in the highest values recorded for gross energy and ether extract in breast meat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the gross energy of thigh meat increased with 3% to 12% CABR inclusion, peaking at the 6% CABR treatment (p < 0.05). This study found that adding 3% or 6% CABR to the diet of Thai broiler chickens improves their growth without negatively impacting meat or carcass quality.
Efficacy of Prophylactic Antibiotics in COPD: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tran Anh Tuan , Ghanem Amr Sayed , Móré Marianna , Nagy Attila Csaba , Tóth Ágnes
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global health problem and the third leading contributor to mortality worldwide. This systematic review aims to summarize the results of previous studies tackling the question of the efficacy of long-term prophylaxis of antibiotics in COPD patients, with particular regard to exacerbation rate, time to first exacerbation, health status, airway bacterial load, inflammatory markers, cell counts in sputum samples, and potential adverse events. Results: Four studies found significant improvement in the exacerbation rate in patients receiving antibiotic intervention. One study found doxycycline to have negative effects on patients’ exacerbation outcomes. Two studies recorded a reduction in total airway bacterial load using quantitative culture of sputum samples, but the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria increased in all studies that measured it. No change in inflammatory markers was observed; however, there was a decline in neutrophil cell counts and, subsequently, reductions in neutrophil elastase concentrations. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for English-language studies presenting data on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in COPD management. All included studies are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meet the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Based on current evidence from RCTs, the prophylactic antibiotic approach utilizing macrolides is the most effective in reducing the incidence of COPD exacerbation. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is notable. Whether the beneficial effects of macrolides on exacerbation are due to their antibacterial or immunomodulant properties is still inconclusive. Future studies are needed to better understand the interactions between antibiotics and the airway microbiome during COPD exacerbation.
PA-Win2: In Silico-Based Discovery of a Novel Peptide with Dual Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activity
Authors: Oh Jin Wook , Shin Min Kyoung , Park Hye-Ran , Kim Sejun , Lee Byungjo , Yoo Jung Sun , Chi Won-Jae , Sung Jung-Suk
Published: November 2024

Background: The emergence and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) have become a serious global threat, as the morbidity and mortality associated with ARB infections are continuously rising. The activation of quorum sensing (QS) genes can promote biofilm formation, which contributes to the acquisition of drug resistance and increases virulence. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents to control ARB and prevent further development. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring defense molecules in organisms known to suppress pathogens through a broad range of antimicrobial mechanisms. Methods: In this study, we utilized a previously developed deep-learning model to identify AMP candidates from the venom gland transcriptome of the spider Pardosa astrigera, followed by experimental validation. Results: PA-Win2 was among the top-scoring predicted peptides and was selected based on physiochemical features. Subsequent experimental validation demonstrated that PA-Win2 inhibits the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MRPA) strain CCARM 2095. The peptide exhibited strong bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa, and MRPA CCARM 2095 through the depolarization of bacterial cytoplasmic membranes and alteration of gene expression associated with bacterial survival. In addition, PA-Win2 effectively inhibited biofilm formation and degraded pre-formed biofilms of P. aeruginosa. The gene expression study showed that the peptide treatment led to the downregulation of QS genes in the Las, Pqs, and Rhl systems. Conclusions: These findings suggest PA-Win2 as a promising drug candidate against ARB and demonstrate the potential of in silico methods in discovering functional peptides from biological data.
Expressions of Immune Prophenoloxidase (proPO) System-Related Genes Under Oxidative Stress in the Gonads and Stomach of the Mud Crab (Macrophthalmus japonicus) Exposed to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals
Authors: Kim Ji-Hoon , Park Kiyun , Kim Won-Seok , Kwak Ihn-Sil
Published: November 2024

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) significantly damage biological systems related to reproductive, neurological, and metabolic functions. Approximately 1000 chemicals are known to possess endocrine-acting properties, including bisphenol A (BPA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). This study primarily focuses on the potential effects of EDCs on the transcriptional levels of innate immune prophenoloxidase (proPO) system-related genes under oxidative stress in the gonads and stomach of the mud crab Macrophthalmus japonicus, an indicator species for assessing coastal benthic environments, when exposed to 1 µg L−1, 10 µg L−1, and 30 µg L−1 BPA or DEHP. After EDC exposure, the expression of lipopolysaccharide and β-1,3-glucan-binding protein (LGBP), a pattern recognition protein that activates the proPO system, was upregulated in the stomach of M. japonicus, whereas LGBP gene expression was downregulated in the gonads. In the gonads, which is a reproductive organ, EDC exposure mainly induced the transcriptional upregulation of trypsin-like serine protease (Tryp) at relatively low concentrations. In the stomach, which is a digestive organ, LGBP expression was upregulated at relatively low concentrations of EDCs over 7 days, whereas all proPO system-related genes (LGBP, Tryp, serine protease inhibitor (Serpin), and peroxinectin (PE)) responded to all concentrations of EDCs. These results suggest that the antioxidant and immune defense responses of the proPO system to EDC toxicity may vary, causing different degrees of damage depending on the tissue type in the mud crab.
Human Activity Recognition Based on Point Clouds from Millimeter-Wave Radar
Authors: Lim Seungchan , Park Chaewoon , Lee Seongjoo , Jung Yunho
Published: November 2024

Human activity recognition (HAR) technology is related to human safety and convenience, making it crucial for it to infer human activity accurately. Furthermore, it must consume low power at all times when detecting human activity and be inexpensive to operate. For this purpose, a low-power and lightweight design of the HAR system is essential. In this paper, we propose a low-power and lightweight HAR system using point-cloud data collected by radar. The proposed HAR system uses a pillar feature encoder that converts 3D point-cloud data into a 2D image and a classification network based on depth-wise separable convolution for lightweighting. The proposed classification network achieved an accuracy of 95.54%, with 25.77 M multiply–accumulate operations and 22.28 K network parameters implemented in a 32 bit floating-point format. This network achieved 94.79% accuracy with 4 bit quantization, which reduced memory usage to 12.5% compared to existing 32 bit format networks. In addition, we implemented a lightweight HAR system optimized for low-power design on a heterogeneous computing platform, a Zynq UltraScale+ ZCU104 device, through hardware–software implementation. It took 2.43 ms of execution time to perform one frame of HAR on the device and the system consumed 3.479 W of power when running.