bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Searching for Health-Related Information and Cyberchondria on the General Population in Italy
Authors: Vismara Matteo , Vitella Daniele , Biolcati Roberta , Ambrosini Federica , Pirola Veronica , Dell'Osso Bernardo , Truzoli Roberto
Published: October 2021

Objectives: The Internet has become one of the most common sources people use to search for health-related information, a behavior rapidly increased during the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study aimed to investigate behavioral patterns in the online health-related searches and Cyberchondria (CYB) during the COVID-19 pandemic time, in order to explore socio-demographic and psychopathological factors related to CYB.

Methods: During the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, a cross-sectional online survey collected the main socio-demographic variables and habits related to Internet use of 572 participants. CYB was measured by the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Version and different psychopathological factors were measured by specific questionnaires: the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, the Meta-Cognitions about Health Questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Test, the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Questionnaire-Short Version, the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF. Descriptives, non-parametric ANOVAs, and Spearman correlations were performed.

Results: In the present sample, the Internet was the main source participants used to search for health-related information and nearly one-third increased this habit during the pandemic. Higher expression of CYB emerged in females, in younger participants, in students, and in those suffering from a physical/psychiatric illness. CYB showed a positive correlation with different phenomenology of anxiety (i.e., anxiety about COVID-19, health anxiety, general anxiety, metacognitive believes about anxiety) and with depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and problematic usage of the Internet. Conversely, quality of life and self-esteem showed a negative correlation with CYB.

Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the Internet for health-related information and CYB contribute to the psychological stress affecting individuals and society. Delineating subjects more vulnerable to CYB and associated psychopathological factors will help to elaborate operational indications for prevention and psychological support.
Adding Pay-for-Performance Program to Routine Care Was Related to a Lower Risk of Depression Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Taiwan
Authors: Lian Wei-Cheng , Livneh Hanoch , Huang Hui-Ju , Lu Ming-Chi , Guo How-Ran , Tsai Tzung-Yi
Published: October 2021

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) often experience depression during treatment, negatively influencing their treatment compliance and clinical outcomes. Recently, the pay-for-performance (P4P) program for chronic diseases, with high-cost and high-risk feature, such as T2DM, has been implemented and has been operational for several years. Nevertheless, its effect on the risk of developing depression among T2DM cases is unknown. This study aims to explore the association of P4P use with the subsequent risk of developing depression among these patients.

Methods: This cohort study used a nationwide health insurance database to identify patients 20–70 years of age newly diagnosed with T2DM who enrolled in the P4P program between 2001 and 2010. From this group, we enrolled 17,022 P4P users and then 17,022 non-P4P users who were randomly selected using propensity-score–matching. Enrolled patients were followed until the end of 2012 to record the occurrence of depression. The Cox proportional hazards regression was utilized to obtain the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for P4P use.

Results: During the study period, a total of 588 P4P users and 1,075 non-P4P users developed depression at incidence rates of 5.89 and 8.41 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. P4P users had a lower depression risk than did non-P4P users (aHR, 0.73; 95% Confidence Interval, 0.65–0.80). This positive effect was particularly prominent in those receiving high-intensity use of the P4P program.

Conclusion: Integrating P4P into routine care for patients with T2DM may have beneficial effects on curtailing the subsequent risk of depression.
Tuberculosis Outbreak in an Educational Institution in Henan Province, China
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Chunfa , Liang Minghui , Liu Dongxin , Zhao Bing , Shi Jie , Zhao Yanlin , Ou Xichao , Zhang Guolong
Published: October 2021

On June 17, 2018, a case of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was reported among students at a senior high school in Luoning, China. The outbreak encompassed a total of 23 cases along with TB screening in the whole school by means of PPD and chest X-ray. By the end of September 2018, the entire 9 cases cultured positive had epidemiological association. All of the 9 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates available were sensitive to all drugs tested and had similar spoligotyping and 15 loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) profile. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the Mtb isolates revealed 20 variable nucleotide positions within 8 cases, indicating a clonal outbreak. The index case, which was first identified and diagnosed, is separated from the cluster by a minimum number of 95 distinct SNPs. Minimum distance spanning tree (MST) indicted that the 8 cases were indeed part of a single transmission chain. It was concluded that this is an epidemic situation of TB outbreak exposed by the aggrieved index case at school, which was caused by the veiled infectious case wherein a student was suffering from TB and attending school simultaneously.
Isotropic and Non-Isotropic Signaling in Multivariate α-Stable Noise
Authors: Egan Malcolm
Published: October 2021

A wide range of communication systems are corrupted by non-Gaussian noise, ranging from wireless to power line. In some cases, including interference in uncoordinated OFDM-based wireless networks, the noise is both impulsive and multivariate. At present, little is known about the information capacity and corresponding optimal input distributions. In this paper, we derive upper and lower bounds of the information capacity by exploiting non-isotropic inputs. For the special case of sub-Gaussianα-stable noise models, a numerical study reveals that isotropic Gaussian inputs can remain a viable choice, although the performance depends heavily on the dependence structure of the noise.
Reducing the Soleus Stretch Reflex With Conditioning: Exploring Game- and Impedance-Based Biofeedback
Authors: van 't Veld Ronald C. , Flux Eline , Schouten Alfred C. , van der Krogt Marjolein M. , van der Kooij Herman , van Asseldonk Edwin H. F.
Published: October 2021

People with spasticity, i.e., stretch hyperreflexia, have a limited functional independence and mobility. While a broad range of spasticity treatments is available, many treatments are invasive, non-specific, or temporary and might have negative side effects. Operant conditioning of the stretch reflex is a promising non-invasive paradigm with potential long-term sustained effects. Within this conditioning paradigm, seated participants have to reduce the mechanically elicited reflex response using biofeedback of reflex magnitude quantified using electromyography (EMG). Before clinical application of the conditioning paradigm, improvements are needed regarding the time-intensiveness and slow learning curve. Previous studies have shown that gamification of biofeedback can improve participant motivation and long-term engagement. Moreover, quantification of reflex magnitude for biofeedback using reflexive joint impedance may obtain similar effectiveness within fewer sessions. Nine healthy volunteers participated in the study, split in three groups. First, as a reference the “Conventional”group received EMG- and bar-based biofeedback similar to previous research. Second, we explored feasibility of game-based biofeedback with the “Gaming”group receiving EMG- and game-based biofeedback. Third, we explored feasibility of game- and impedance-based biofeedback with the “Impedance”group receiving impedance and game-based biofeedback. Participants completed five baseline sessions (without reflex biofeedback) and six conditioning sessions (with reflex biofeedback). Participants were instructed to reduce reflex magnitude without modulating background activity. The Conventional and Gaming groups showed feasibility of the protocol in 2 and 3 out of 3 participants, respectively. These participants achieved a significant Soleus short-latency (M1) within-session reduction in at least –15% in the 4th–6th conditioning session. None of the Impedance group participants showed any within-session decrease in Soleus reflex magnitude. The feasibility in the EMG- and game-based biofeedback calls for further research on gamification of the conditioning paradigm to obtain improved participant motivation and engagement, while achieving long-term conditioning effects. Before clinical application, the time-intensiveness and slow learning curve of the conditioning paradigm remain an open challenge.
Emergence of Cooperative Impression With Self-Estimation, Thinking Time, and Concordance of Risk Sensitivity in Playing Hanabi
Authors: Osawa Hirotaka , Kawagoe Atsushi , Sato Eisuke , Kato Takuya
Published: October 2021

The authors evaluate the extent to which a user’s impression of an AI agent can be improved by giving the agent the ability of self-estimation, thinking time, and coordination of risk tendency. The authors modified the algorithm of an AI agent in the cooperative game Hanabi to have all of these traits, and investigated the change in the user’s impression by playing with the user. The authors used a self-estimation task to evaluate the effect that the ability to read the intention of a user had on an impression. The authors also show thinking time of an agent influences impression for an agent. The authors also investigated the relationship between the concordance of the risk-taking tendencies of players and agents, the player’s impression of agents, and the game experience. The results of the self-estimation task experiment showed that the more accurate the estimation of the agent’s self, the more likely it is that the partner will perceive humanity, affinity, intelligence, and communication skills in the agent. The authors also found that an agent that changes the length of thinking time according to the priority of action gives the impression that it is smarter than an agent with a normal thinking time when the player notices the difference in thinking time or an agent that randomly changes the thinking time. The result of the experiment regarding concordance of the risk-taking tendency shows that influence player’s impression toward agents. These results suggest that game agent designers can improve the player’s disposition toward an agent and the game experience by adjusting the agent’s self-estimation level, thinking time, and risk-taking tendency according to the player’s personality and inner state during the game.
Oral Dysbiosis in Severe Forms of Periodontitis Is Associated With Gut Dysbiosis and Correlated With Salivary Inflammatory Mediators: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Kawamoto Dione , Borges Rodrigo , Ribeiro Rodolfo Alvarenga , de Souza Robson Franciso , Amado Pâmela Pontes Penas , Saraiva Luciana , Horliana Ana Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Faveri Marcelo , Mayer Marcia Pinto Alves
Published: October 2021

Inflammation is a driven force in modulating microbial communities, but little is known about the interplay between colonizing microorganisms and the immune response in periodontitis. Since local and systemic inflammation may play a whole role in disease, we aimed to evaluate the oral and fecal microbiome of patients with periodontitis and to correlate the oral microbiome data with levels of inflammatory mediator in saliva.

Methods: Nine patients with periodontitis (P) in Stage 3/Grade B and nine age-matched non-affected controls (H) were evaluated. Microbial communities of oral biofilms (the supra and subgingival from affected and non-affected sites) and feces were determined by sequencing analysis of the 16SrRNA V3–V4 region. Salivary levels of 40 chemokines and cytokines were correlated with oral microbiome data.

Results: Supragingival microbial communities of P differed from H (Pielou's evenness index, and Beta diversity, and weighted UniFrac), since relative abundance (RA) of Defluviitaleaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Peptostreococcales-Tissierellales, and Campylobacteraceae was higher in P, whereas Muribaculaceae and Streptococcaceae were more abundant in H. Subgingival non-affected sites of P did not differ from H, except for a lower abundance of Gemellaceae. The microbiome of affected periodontitis sites (PD ≥ 4 mm) clustered apart from the subgingival sites of H. Oral pathobionts was more abundant in sub and supragingival biofilms of P than H. Fecal samples of P were enriched with Acidaminococcus, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, and Romboutsia when compared to H. The salivary levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and inflammatory chemokines were positively correlated with the RA of several recognized and putative pathobionts, whereas the RA of beneficial species, such as Rothia aeria and Haemophilus parainfluenzae was negatively correlated with the levels of Chemokine C-C motif Ligand 2 (CCL2), which is considered protective. Dysbiosis in patients with periodontitis was not restricted to periodontal pockets but was also seen in the supragingival and subgingival non-affected sites and feces. Subgingival dysbiosis revealed microbial signatures characteristic of different immune profiles, suggesting a role for candidate pathogens and beneficial organisms in the inflammatory process of periodontitis.
Multi-Satellite Cooperative Beamforming ALOHA for LEO Satellite IoT Networks
Authors: Liu Rui , Hong Tao , Ding Xiaojin , Wang Yunfeng , Zhang Gengxin
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we proposed a cooperative beamforming ALOHA (CBA) scheme based on linearly constrained minimum variance criterion for low Earth orbit satellite (LEO) IoT networks to solve the problem of ‘deadlock’ in multi-satellite scenario. In multi-satellite overlapping coverage areas, packets can be received by multiple satellite receivers by sending them only once, which forms the concept of spatial diversity. The cooperative beamforming collision resolution technique combined with successive interference cancellation scheme is design to efficiently resolve packet collision by iteration way at the gateway station. The performance of cooperative beamforming ALOHA scheme is evaluated via mathematical analysis and simulations. Simulation results show that the proposed CBA scheme can effectively solve the problem of ‘deadlock’ and improve the performances of random access compared with benchmark problems.
Methodology for Nexus Approach Toward Sustainable Use of Geothermal Hot Spring Resources
Authors: Endo Aiko , Yamada Makoto , Baba Kenshi , Miyashita Yuji , Sugimoto Ryo , Ishii Akira , Nishijima Jun , Fujii Masahiko , Kato Takaaki , Hamamoto Hideki , Kimura Michinori , Kumazawa Terukazu , Masuhara Naoki , Honda Hisami
Published: October 2021

This study has developed a methodology for the nexus approach by integrating interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary concepts and qualitative and quantitative mixed methods into the process of the systems thinking approach. The nexus approach was institutionalized in two projects using the location specific case study of Beppu, Japan where a set of interconnected issues in using geothermal hot spring resources have emerged due to the promotion of geothermal energy development under low-carbon policies at global and national levels. The interlinkages among geothermal hot spring resources, including heat, steam, nutrients, and drainage between land and coastal systems were analyzed to improve decision- and policy-making. This study discusses (1) how different discipline-oriented methods and data are integrated, (2) how much of the targeted water-energy-food nexus systems are understood using the nexus approach, and (3) how far does the nexus approach influence changes in the policy agenda and human behavior regarding sustainable geothermal hot spring resources use. The nexus approach facilitated the sequential integration of individual methods and data to better explain the causal linkages focusing on water-energy-food resources in the human-nature systems in Beppu. The proposed policy recommendations are based on the local government initiative for continuing to conduct citizen participatory surveys on geothermal hot spring resources. Transferring the developed methodology will help to effectively develop geothermal hot spring resources and compliment the current national renewable energy and natural resource policies and management.
“Why Do I Need to Come Out if Straight People Don’t Have To?” Divergent Perspectives on the Necessity of Self-Disclosure Among Bisexual Women
Authors: Khuzwayo Zuziwe
Published: October 2021

Coming outhas historically been an important yet often very challenging process for LGBTQI + individuals to no longer conceal their sexual and/or gender identity. For those who identify as bisexual, the process of coming out has proven especially complicated. In the general knowledge field of sexual identity, bisexuality continues to be a misunderstood, under-researched sexual identity, and from that negative stigmas and discrimination (even within LGBTQI + spaces) have contributed to bisexuals notcoming outeven within the LGBTQI + community. However, the significance and necessity ofcoming outitself has come to be questioned, particularly by younger LGBTQI + people. From a PhD study conducted in Johannesburg with 23 self-identifying bisexual women, this paper critically considers the different perspectives oncoming outof bisexual women. Using a narrative life-history approach through interviews with a sample of eight participants from the study, this paper looks at how bisexual women understand the significance ofcoming outand how this process has different meanings for different age groups. Findings show that there are vastly divergent perspectives, with some participants believing it remains essential, while others argue that the fluidity of their identities no longer requires the same sort of disclosure.
Improved Wetland Soil Organic Carbon Stocks of the Conterminous U.S. Through Data Harmonization
Authors: Uhran Bergit , Windham-Myers Lisamarie , Bliss Norman , Nahlik Amanda M. , Sundquist Eric T. , Stagg Camille L.
Published: October 2021

Wetland soil stocks are important global repositories of carbon (C) but are difficult to quantify and model due to varying sampling protocols, and geomorphic/spatio-temporal discontinuity. Merging scales of soil-survey spatial extents with wetland-specific point-based data offers an explicit, empirical and updatable improvement for regional and continental scale soil C stock assessments. Agency-collected and community-contributed soil datasets were compared for representativeness and bias, with the goal of producing a harmonized national map of wetland soil C stocks with error quantification for wetland areas of the conterminous United States (CONUS) identified by the USGS National Landcover Change Dataset. This allowed an empirical predictive model of SOC density to be applied across the entire CONUS using relational %OC distribution alone. A broken-stick quantile-regression model identified %OC with its relatively high analytical confidence as a key predictor of SOC density in soil segments; soils <6% OC (hereafter, mineral wetland soils, 85% of the dataset) had a strong linear relationship of %OC to SOC density (RMSE = 0.0059, ~4% mean RMSE) and soils >6% OC (organic wetland soils, 15% of the dataset) had virtually no predictive relationship of %OC to SOC density (RMSE = 0.0348 g C cm−3, ~56% mean RMSE). Disaggregation by vegetation type or region did not alter the breakpoint significantly (6% OC) and did not improve model accuracies for inland and tidal wetlands. Similarly, SOC stocks in tidal wetlands were related to %OC, but without a mappable product for disaggregation to improve accuracy by soil class, region or depth. Our layered harmonized CONUS wetland soil maps revised wetland SOC stock estimates downward by 24% (9.5 vs. 12.5Pg C) with the overestimation being entirely an issue of inland organic wetland soils (35% lower than SSURGO-derived SOC stocks). Further, SSURGO underestimated soil carbon stocks at depth, as modeled wetland SOC stocks for organic-rich soils showed significant preservation downcore in the NWCA dataset (<3% loss between 0 and 30 cm and 30 and 100 cm depths) in contrast to mineral-rich soils (37% downcore stock loss). Future CONUS wetland soil C assessments will benefit from focused attention on improved organic wetland soil measurements, land history, and spatial representativeness.
A Public-Private Partnership to Locate Fields for Implementation and Monitoring of Best Management Practices to Treat Legacy Phosphorus
Authors: Brooker Michael R. , D'Ambrosio Jessica , Jones Mackenzie M. L. , Kalcic Margaret , King Kevin W. , LaBarge Greg , Panchalingam Thadchaigeni , Roe Brian E. , Schwab Elizabeth R. , Soldo Cole , Stoltzfus Nathan D. , Wilson Robyn S. , Winston Ryan J. , Martin Jay F.
Published: October 2021

Legacy nutrients stored in agricultural soils are a substantial component of riverine nutrient discharge contributing to the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. These nutrient loads can persist and delay water quality initiatives, for example, those of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement which seek to reduce phosphorus (P) loads entering the Western Lake Erie Basin. In this watershed, approximately 5% of fields have P concentrations 2.5-fold greater than the maximum agronomic recommendations for corn and soybeans. Fields with these elevated-P concentrations (>100 mg P kg−1 soil) act as a source of legacy-P and discharge greater P loads. Implementing best management practices to treat runoff from these fields is desirable but finding them has been a challenge as soil test data are proprietary information creating an asymmetric information barrier. To overcome this barrier, we formed a public-private partnership that included agricultural retailers who conduct soil testing for farmers. Agricultural retailers who partnered with this project provided their soil P data and contacted farmers to gauge their interest, maintaining privacy for farmers until they expressed interest. Only 3.8% of soil samples in the provided data had elevated-P concentrations. In many cases, these elevated-P soils were confined to zones within fields, and 13% of fields had at least one elevated-P zone. We pursued these elevated-P fields as research sites for the implementation and monitoring of management practices. The agricultural retailers contacted 77 farmers with surveys, and 25 responded with interest in meeting the research team to discuss the project. Following a preliminary evaluation with the spatial data of fields operated by interested farmers, visits were arranged so that 12 research sites could be located. As indicated through the surveys, discussions with farmers, and soil data, many of the fields had accumulated elevated-P due to historic land-use (livestock, manure, or biosolid application) creating legacy sources. We conclude that public-private partnerships featuring agricultural retailers are a promising tool that may help overcome asymmetric information barriers to finding and managing agricultural fields with legacy-P that that disproportionately contribute to nutrient runoff.
A World-First Surgical Instrument for Minimally Invasive Robotically-Enabled Transplantation of Heart Patches for Myocardial Regeneration: A Brief Research Report
Authors: Roche Christopher David , Zhou Yiran , Zhao Liang , Gentile Carmine
Published: October 2021

Graphical Abstract
A Screening for Virus Infections in Eight Herds of Semi-domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway, 2013–2018
Authors: Tryland Morten , Sánchez Romano Javier , Nymo Ingebjørg Helena , Breines Eva Marie , Ancin Murguzur Francisco Javier , Kjenstad Ole Christian , Li Hong , Cunha Cristina W.
Published: October 2021

Background: Previous serological screenings have indicated that Eurasian semi-domesticated tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Finnmark, Northern Norway, are exposed to alphaherpesvirus, gammaherpesvirus and pestivirus. Alphaherpesvirus (i.e., Cervid herpesvirus 2; CvHV2) has been identified as the transmissible component of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC). Limited knowledge exists on the presence and prevalence of virus infections in other herding regions in Norway, which are hosting ~67,000 semi-domesticated reindeer and have contact with other species and populations of wildlife and livestock than those present in Finnmark.

Methods: Blood samples (n = 618) were obtained over five winter seasons (2013–2018), from eight different herds representing summer pasture districts in Tana, Lakselv, Tromsø, Lødingen, Hattfjelldal, Fosen, Røros, and Filefjell, distributed from North to South of the reindeer herding regions in Norway. Blood samples were investigated for specific antibodies against five viral pathogen groups, alphaherpesvirus, gammaherpesvirus (viruses in the malignant catarrhal fever group; MCFV), pestivirus, bluetongue virus (BTV), and Schmallenberg virus (SBV), by using commercial multispecies serological tests (ELISA). In addition, swab samples obtained from the nasal mucosal membrane from 486 reindeer were investigated by PCR for parapoxvirus-specific DNA.

Results: Antibodies against aphaherpesvirus and MCFV were found in all eight herds, with a total prevalence of 42% (range 21–62%) and 11% (range 2–15%), respectively. Anti-Pestivirus antibodies were detected in five of eight herds, with a total prevalence of 19% (range 0–52%), with two of the herds having a particularly high seroprevalence. Antibodies against BTV or SBV were not detected in any of the animals. Parapoxvirus-specific DNA was detected in two animals representing two different herds in Finnmark.

Conclusions: This study confirmed that alphaherpesvirus and MCFV are enzootic throughout the geographical reindeer herding regions in Norway, and that pestivirus is present in most of the herds, with varying seroprevalence. No exposure to BTV and SBV was evident. This study also indicated that semi-domesticated reindeer in Finnmark are exposed to parapoxvirus without disease outbreaks being reported from this region.
The Joint Log-Lift Task: A Social Foraging Paradigm
Authors: Rault Jean-Loup , Camerlink Irene , Goumon Sébastien , Mundry Roger , Špinka Marek
Published: October 2021

Behavioural cooperation is under intense research. Yet, popular experimental paradigms often employ artificial tasks, require training, or do not permit partner choice, possibly limiting their biological relevance. We developed the joint log-lift task, a social foraging paradigm in which animals have to jointly lift a log to each obtain a food reward. The task relies on an obligate strategy, meaning that the only way to benefit is to work jointly. We hypothesised that (1) animals learn to spontaneously solve the task, and that (2) kin and (3) more sociable individuals would engage more often together in the task and achieve greater success than non-kin and less sociable individuals, respectively. We presented the task to 8 groups of juvenile domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in their home pen for 30 min daily. Over the course of 9 days, the pigs showed evidence of learning by progressively switching from individual to joint behaviours, leading to 68% (62 out of 91 pigs) spontaneously solving the task. Success was influenced by sociability, but not kinship. There were large differences in success among dyads, hinting at the possible role of social dynamics and inter-individual differences in the ability and/or motivation to solve the task. The joint log-lift task allows researchers to investigate spontaneous cooperative tendencies of individuals, dyads and groups in the home environment throughad libitumengagement with the apparatus. This ecologically relevant paradigm opens the way to investigate social foraging experimentally at large scale, by giving animals free choice about when and with whom to work jointly.
Application of the Actiphage® Assay to Detect Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Cells in Fresh Sheep and Goat Milk and Previously Frozen Milk and In-Line Milk Filters
Authors: Beinhauerova Monika , Slana Iva
Published: October 2021

Mycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(MAP) is a well-known causative agent of paratuberculosis, a chronic infectious granulomatous enteritis of ruminants contributing to significant economic losses worldwide. Current conventional diagnostic tools are far from being sufficient to manage and control this disease. Therefore, increased attention has been paid to alternative approaches including phage-based assays employing lytic bacteriophage D29 to detect MAP cells. The aim of the present study was to assess the applicability and efficiency of the recently developed phage-based kit termed Actiphage® combined with IS900real-time PCR (qPCR) for rapid detection and quantification of viable MAP in milk samples. We demonstrated that Actiphage® in combination with IS900qPCR allows for rapid and sensitive detection and identification of viable MAP in milk samples with a limit of detection of 1 MAP per 50 ml milk. Using this method, the presence of viable MAP cells was successfully determined in 30.77% of fresh goat, sheep and cow milk samples originating from paratuberculosis-affected herds. We further used Actiphage assay to define the time-lapse aspect of testing naturally contaminated milk and milk filters frozen for various lengths of time by phage-based techniques. Viable MAP was detected in 13.04% of frozen milk samples and 28.57% of frozen milk filters using Actiphage-qPCR. The results suggest the ability to detect viable MAP in these samples following freezing for more than 1 year. The obtained results support the views of the beneficial role of this technology in the control or monitoring of paratuberculosis.
Los dilemas éticos de la practica psicológica y psiquiátrica
Authors: França Tarragó Omar
Published: October 2021

En este artículo el autor considera distintos dilemas morales que se plantean en la práctica habitual de la psiquiatría y de la psicoterapia. La manera de hacer frente a estas situaciones exige el desarrollo de una conciencia deontológica en el ámbito de la profesión.
Algunas observaciones a propósito de ética psicoterapéutica en los servicios psiquiátricos públicos.
Authors: Boccara Paolo
Published: October 2021

El autor analiza las principales características de los servicios psiquiátricos públicos y del tratamiento de las patología graves. La formación psicoterapéutica de los profesionales permite poner en práctica no sólo psicoterapias sino también otros tratamientos extremadamente importantes en ese contexto de trabajo. Los principios éticos de tales actividades se articulan mediante tareas operativas que tienden a la consecución del bienestar del paciente a la vez que el bienestar mental del terapeuta.
De Juan con miedo a Juan sin miedo.
Authors: Mariscal Elena
Published: October 2021

En numerosas publicaciones aparece el término relación terapéutica referido y utilizado indistintamente como sinónimo de interacción. Sin embargo son dos fenómenos distintos, que hemos de tener en cuenta en nuestro trabajo como psicoterapeutas.
Tipicamente Erickson
Authors: Haley Jay
Published: October 2021

El autor investiga los orígenes que dieron lugar a las innovaciones psicoterapéuticas realizadas por Milton H. Erickson, realizando un paralelismo entre las líneas de psicoterapia clásicas y el particular enfoque ericksoniano.
Intrasexual Competition and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Late Adolescent Females
Authors: Boyer Nicole A. , Forthun Larry F. , Johns Tracy L.
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study was to test a mediating model whereby competitiveness among females for mates affects body dissatisfaction and dysfunctional diet and exercise through its influence on social comparison and fear of being negatively evaluated by others. The hypothesized model draws from several empirical models, including the sexual competition hypothesis and the tripartite influence model. Approximately 218 female college students completed an online survey. Most participants were heterosexual, White, and between the ages of 19 and 20. The proposed model was tested with MPlus 8.0 using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). The hypothesized model was a good fit to the data, revealing both direct and indirect paths that were positive and statistically significant. The results suggest that body dissatisfaction may be intensified in environments such as schools wherein peer competition for mates is high and where adolescent females may feel that they cannot successfully compete. They may experience feelings of inadequacy about their bodies, which may result in the adoption of dysfunctional diets, exercise, or other practices that may be unhealthy and potentially life threatening in an effort to change their physical appearance.
Interactions between Biochar and Compost Treatment and Mycorrhizal Fungi to Improve the Qualitative Properties of a Calcareous Soil under Rhizobox Conditions
Authors: Vahedi Roghayeh , Rasouli-Sadaghiani MirHassan , Barin Mohsen , Vetukuri Ramesh Raju
Published: October 2021

Most calcareous soils have relatively low levels of organic matter. To evaluate the effect of pruning waste biochar (PWB) and pruning waste compost (PWC) combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the biological indices, a rhizobox study on wheat using a completely randomized design was conducted under greenhouse conditions. The studied factors included the source of organic material (PWB, PWC, and control), the microbial inoculation (+AMF or −AMF), and the zone (rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil). At the end of the plant growth period, organic carbon (OC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass phosphorous (MBP), microbial respiration (BR), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), and alkaline (ALP) and acid (ACP) phosphatase enzyme activities in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils were determined. Simultaneous application of a source of organic matter and AMF inoculation significantly increased the OC and biological indices of soil relative to those observed when applying organic matter without AMF inoculation. Additionally, MBC, MBP, ACP, and ALP enzymes activities in the rhizosphere zone were significantly higher than in the non-rhizosphere. AMF increased BR and SIR levels in the rhizosphere by 13.06% and 7.95% compared to those in the non-rhizosphere, respectively. It can be concluded that PWC and PWB can improve soil biological properties by increasing microbial activity.
Physiological Screening for Drought Tolerance Traits in Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) Germplasm
Authors: Jamalluddin Norain , Massawe Festo J. , Mayes Sean , Ho Wai Kuan , Singh Ajit , Symonds Rachael C.
Published: October 2021

Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), an underutilized climate smart crop, is highly nutritious and possesses diverse drought tolerance traits, making it an ideal crop to thrive in a rapidly changing climate. Despite considerable studies on the growth and physiology of plants subjected to drought stress, a precise trait phenotyping strategy for drought tolerance in vegetable amaranth is still not well documented. In this study, two drought screening trials were carried out on 44 A. tricolor accessions in order to identify potential drought-tolerant A. tricolor germplasm and to discern their physiological responses to drought stress. The findings revealed that a change in stem biomass was most likely the main mechanism of drought adaptation for stress recovery, and dark-adapted quantum yield (Fv/Fm) could be a useful parameter for identifying drought tolerance in amaranth. Three drought tolerance indices: geometric mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity (MP) and stress tolerance index (STI) identified eight drought-tolerant accessions with stable performance across the two screening trials. The highly significant genotypic differences observed in several physiological traits among the amaranth accessions indicate that the amaranth panel used in this study could be a rich source of genetic diversity for breeding purposes for drought tolerance traits.
Shelterbelt Structure and Crop Protection from Increased Typhoon Activity in Northeast China
Authors: Cai Xuelu , Henderson Mark , Wang Ligang , Su Yuanhang , Liu Binhui
Published: October 2021

Global warming has led to increases in the frequency and intensity of typhoons. In recent years, super typhoons have had a greater impact on agriculture in the black soil farmland of Northeast China, posing serious threats to crop growth. Planting trees as windbreaks and to reduce erosion is common in this region, but their protective effects against crop damage from typhoons is still unknown. This paper studied the protective effect of different shelterbelt structures on crops that encountered a super typhoon. The results show that the distance between shelterbelt rows and shelterbelt porosity have significant influences on the starting lodging distance of crops behind the shelterbelt. Increasing the shelterbelt distance between shelterbelt rows or reducing shelterbelt porosity can enhance their protective effects on crops. Among the main crops, rice has the strongest lodging resistance, followed by soybeans, with maize being the least resistant. The protective effect of mixed tree and shrub shelterbelts is better than that of single tree species shelterbelts. Dead or missing trees reduce the shelterbelt protective effect. These results provide strategies for reducing the impact of more intense and frequent super typhoons.
Drivers of Productivity Change in the Italian Tomato Food Value Chain
Authors: Čechura Lukáš , Žáková Kroupová Zdeňka Žáková , Samoggia Antonella
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated productivity dynamics and identified sources of productivity growth in Italian tomato production and processing. We used a stochastic frontier input distance function with four error components—heterogeneity, statistical noise, persistent and transient inefficiency—and a four-step estimation procedure with a system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator in the first step to address the endogeneity problem. The results reveal significant differences in the productivity and efficiency of tomato production and processing. Moreover, there are considerable differences among the different sizes of tomato producers, with the main variations observed for scale efficiency. While tomato processors operate at an optimal production size, tomato producers are characterized by considerable economies of scale, especially small producers. These results thus suggest that there is significant opportunity for technical efficiency improvements at both stages of the value chain. Finally, due to improvements made to scale efficiency, extensive productivity growth was observed for the group of small tomato producers.
Review on Multitemporal Classification Methods of Satellite Images for Crop and Arable Land Recognition
Authors: Pluto-Kossakowska Joanna
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a review of the conducted research in the field of multitemporal classification methods used for the automatic identification of crops and arable land using optical satellite images. The review and systematization of these methods in terms of the effectiveness of the obtained results and their accuracy allows for the planning towards further development in this area. The state of the art analysis concerns various methodological approaches, including selection of data in terms of spatial resolution, selection of algorithms, as well as external conditions related to arable land use, especially the structure of crops. The results achieved with use of various approaches and classifiers and subsequently reported in the literature vary depending on the crops and area of analysis and the sources of satellite data. Hence, their review and systematic conclusions are needed, especially in the context of the growing interest in automatic processes of identifying crops for statistical purposes or monitoring changes in arable land. The results of this study show no significant difference between the accuracy achieved from different machine learning algorithms, yet on average artificial neural network classifiers have results that are better by a few percent than others. For very fragmented regions, better results were achieved using Sentinel-2, SPOT-5 rather than Landsat images, but the level of accuracy can still be improved. For areas with large plots there is no difference in the level of accuracy achieved from any HR images.
Study on Performance of Concentric Threshing Device with Multi-Threshing Gaps for Rice Combines
Authors: Liu Yanbin , Li Yaoming , Chen Lipeng , Zhang Tao , Liang Zhenwei , Huang Mingsen , Su Zhan
Published: October 2021

S concentric threshing device can improve rice crop separation and transportation capabilities. As one of the main factors affecting the threshing performance of rice combine harvesters, the threshing gap can influence the grain unthreshed rate and the grain damage rate directly. However, the clearance between any threshing cylinder tooth and the concave grid is constant for the traditional threshing device, named the single threshing gap in this paper, resulting in a consistently high total loss rate (the sum of unthreshed and damaged grains). Therefore, multi-threshing gaps are proposed in this paper for the concentric threshing device to solve the above problem. To compare the threshing performance between the single threshing gap and the multi-threshing gaps, the movement process of rice mixture (grain, short straw, and long straw) was simulated using the discrete element method (DEM). The simulation results showed that the separation and transportation abilities of the multi-threshing gaps were not decreased, but the distribution of threshed output mixture was more even for the multi-threshing gaps. Furthermore, a field experiment was also carried out on a combine harvester to compare the total loss rate. The experiment results showed that the total loss rate of the concentric threshing device with multi-threshing gaps was reduced by 0.0593%, which was 5.77% less than the total loss rate of the concentric threshing device with a single threshing gap.
The Promotion of Festuca sinensis under Heavy Metal Treatment Mediated by Epichloë Endophyte
Authors: Wang Meining , Tian Pei , Gao Min , Li Miaomiao
Published: October 2021

To more clearly clarify the relationship between the Epichloë endophyte and its host, F. sinensis, the effects of Epichloë endophyte on F. sinensis performance under heavy metal treatment was investigated. The growth performance and physiology variations of F. sinensis with (E+) and without the endophyte (E−) were evaluated after they were subjected to Zn2+ and Cd2+ treatments. The results showed that heavy metal treatments had significant effects on plants, as the performance of plants under Zn2+ and Cd2+ treatments was significantly different with plants under control treatment (p < 0.05). Cd2+ treatments showed a hormesis effect, whereas Zn2+ did not. The endophyte increased host heavy metal stress tolerance by promoting host growth as the E+ plants had significantly higher plant height, tiller number, root length (p < 0.05). The endophyte also promoted ion uptake by the host and induced endogenous hormone production (p < 0.05). These results suggested that the Epichloë endophyte regulated host growth and physiology to improve association tolerance to environmental conditions. This study provides another example that the Epichloë endophyte can increase plant tolerance to metal stress.
Effect of Substrate Flow Rate on Nutrient Uptake and Use Efficiency in Hydroponically Grown Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. cicla ‘Seiyou Shirokuki’)
Authors: Baiyin Bateer , Tagawa Kotaro , Yamada Mina , Wang Xinyan , Yamada Satoshi , Yamamoto Sadahiro , Ibaraki Yasuomi
Published: October 2021

Unlike in soil culture, a substrate (nutrient solution) in a hydroponics system can flow, and this can affect both nutrient uptake and plant growth. In this study, we hydroponically cultivated Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. cicla) under different flow rates to analyze changes in the growth, nutrient uptake, and nutrient use efficiency. When the flow rate was intensified from 2 to 4 L/min, leaf area, the fresh weight, dry weight, and root length increased. However, when the flow rate was increased from 4 to 8 L/min, values of these growth parameters decreased. The nutrient uptake had a similar trend relative to the growth parameters and nutrient use efficiency of macronutrient elements, increased as the flow rate increased. This indicates that the flow rate affects plant growth by influencing the nutrient uptake, and an increase in the flow rate can aid in improving nutrient use efficiency. In hydroponics, regulating the flow rate at a reasonable volume is recommended to increase yield by enhancing nutrient use efficiency, but too intensive a flow rate may cause excessive physical stimulation to plants and inhibit their growth. Therefore, it is important to choose an appropriate substrate flow rate for optimal hydroponics production.
Physicochemical Changes in Loam Soils Amended with Bamboo Biochar and Their Influence in Tomato Production Yield
Authors: Villagra-Mendoza Karolina , Masís-Meléndez Federico , Quesada-Kimsey Jaime , García-González Carlos A. , Horn Rainer
Published: October 2021

Soil degradation and water stress in Costa Rica challenge the production of highly sensitive crops. This work is aimed at evaluating the physical and chemical changes in sandy loam (SL) and a silt loam (SiL) soil when amended with bamboo biochar while estimating the enhancement of tomato productivity. Biochar, obtained from Guadua Angustifolia bamboo feedstock, was mixed into sieved bulk soil substrate from the topsoil, from Andosol and Umbrisol groups, at application rates of 1, 2.5, and 5% (dry mass). Physicochemical and morphological properties of biochar such as pH, hydrophobicity, scanning electron microscopy images, helium picnometry, specific surface area by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, CHNS, and ash content were determined. Soil hydrophobicity, acidity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity and water retention, available water content, and air capacity were analyzed for the amended soils. Tomato yield was quantified after a harvest period of two months. The admixture of biochar did not significantly increase soil cation exchange capacity but increased water retention in the range of available water content. Class A (>200 g) tomato yield increased 350% in the SL and 151% in the SiL. Class B (100–200 g) tomato yields increased 27% in the SL but decreased about 30% in the SiL. Tomato yield response seems attributable to variation of water retention capacity, available water content, and air capacity. These results support the use of adapted water management strategies for tomato production based on soil physical changes of biochar.