bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Health Study: Pulmonary Infection Screening Using Wearable Sensor Data
Authors: Xie Lixin , Chen Yibing , She Danyang , Guo Yutao , Chen Wenjuan , Li Jing , Li Dan
Published: July 2022

BackgroundThe proliferation of smart devices provides the possibility of the early detection of the signs of pulmonary infection. This study validates a smart device-based algorithm to monitor the risk of pulmonary infection.MethodsAn algorithm that runs on Huawei smart devices (Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China) was developed and tested in 87 patients with pulmonary infection and 409 healthy subjects. The algorithm examines heart rate variability, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and cough sound. It was embedded into the Respiratory Health Study app for a smartwatch to detect the risk of pulmonary infection and was further validated in the hospital. Pulmonary infection was diagnosed by doctors using a clinical evaluation, lab tests, and imaging examination, the gold standard for diagnosis. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the algorithm predicting pulmonary infection were evaluated.ResultsIn all, 80 patients with pulmonary infections and 85 healthy volunteers were recruited to validate the accuracy of the algorithm. The area under the curve of the algorithm for predicting pulmonary infection was 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.91) (P < 0.001). Compared to the gold standard, the overall accuracy of the algorithm was 85.9%, the sensitivity was 81.4%, and the specificity was 90.4%. The algorithm for heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature had an accuracy of 68.2%, and the accuracy of the algorithm including cough sound was 82.6%.ConclusionOur wearable system facilitated the detection of risk of pulmonary infection. Multi-source features were useful for enhancing the performance of the lung infection screening algorithm.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry of the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform of the World Health Organization ChiCTR2100050843; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=126556
Modification of Subgrade material in Sohar university’s campus in Oman based on Subbase and base materials’ specifications
Authors: Ibrahim Osama Ragab , Gamil Yara , Maghawry Salma Al , Sheikh Ruqaya Al
Published: July 2022

Flexible pavements consist of four main layers: subgrade, subbase, base, and surface layer. The surface layer is the impermeable layer of the pavement since it contains bitumen. The area the load is distributed over gradually increases in the Base, subbase, and subgrade layers. Subgrade layer is what represents the main foundation that supports the entire basement structure. Flexible pavements must have sufficient strength and stiffness to be able to withstand the subjected high stresses resulting from the applied wheel loads. the pavement layers materials are evaluated based on the soil classification and graduation, and the California bearing ratio. Generally, the main difference between subgrade soil and some beys and based soil is that the upper layers have more strict specifications since they are subjected to lower stress. As a result, if the existing subgrade soil is of sufficient strength, it could be modified in a way that increases its strength and makes it suitable to be used as subbase and base layers. This study aims to evaluate the subgrade soil existing in Sohar university campus and apply suitable modifications to create enhanced soil that is suitable to be used in the upper layers of the pavement. Such modifications are economically beneficial since it gives the opportunity of only having to transport the extra material instead of transporting the entire amount used for constructing the pavement leading to a significant reduction in the construction cost which is the main cost of the construction of the flexible pavement.
Influence of obesity and fluid restriction on operative outcomes in hepatic resection
Authors: Suh Suk-Won
Published: July 2022

Background
The number of obese patients requiring hepatic resection is increasing. However, little is known about operative outcomes in such patients.
Methods
A total of 175 patients who underwent hepatic resection between March 2015 and July 2021 were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI) using the World Health Organization definition of obesity for Asians: obese patients (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, n = 84) and non-obese patients (BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 91).
Results
Diabetes mellitus (P = 0.004) and hypertension (P = 0.001) were more common in the obese patients than in the non-obese patients. The operative duration (195.7 ± 62.9 min vs. 176.0 ± 53.6 min, P = 0.027) was longer and related to a higher estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥ 500 mL (61.9% vs. 40.7%, P = 0.005) in the obese patients than in the non-obese patients. Obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.204; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.177–4.129; P = 0.014) and central venous pressure (CVP) ≥ 5 (OR, 2.733; 95% CI, 1.445–5.170; P = 0.002) at the start of the surgery were significant risk factors for EBL ≥ 500 mL. Obese patients with low CVP showed significantly lower EBL than those with high CVP but a similar EBL to non-obese patients (P = 0.003).
Conclusion
Fluid restriction for lowering CVP should be considered for minimizing blood loss during hepatic resection in obese patients.
Analysis of clinical characteristics of neonatal subcutaneous gangrene
Authors: Wu Fang , Wang Yi , Liu Wei , Guo Zhenhua
Published: July 2022

Purpose: To analyze the clinical characteristics of neonatal subcutaneous gangrene (NSG) and explore the management.Methods: From January 2000 to December 2021, 88 neonates treated for NSG at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were included in our study. Results: 83 underwent multi-incision and drainage, 85 were cured, and 3 died. Newborns with full-term and full-weight were more likely to suffer from NSG. The common age of morbidity of NSG was 5-10 days after birth, and the lesion sites were often located in the back (31.82%), sacral buttocks (30.68%), head and neck (31.82%). The median area of lesion was 56cm2. The rate of pus culture in our study was 88.64% and the positive rate was 88.46%, of which 65 cases were detected with Staphylococcus aureus. The rate of blood culture was 69.32%, and the positive rate was 8.20%, and the culture results were all Gram-positive coccus. NSG was prone to complicate with hypoproteinemia, neonatal pneumonia, and neonatal sepsis. Prolonged preoperative anti-infective therapy was not effective in reducing the complications of NSG and the length of stay.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and timely multi-incision and drainage combined with intravenous antibiotics were the key to improve the cure rate of NSG.
Reliability of the Heartbeat Tracking Task to Assess Interoception
Authors: Santos Lucas Eduardo Rodrigues , Elsangedy Hassan Mohamed , de Souza Catarina Fernanda Costa Xavier Monteiro , Mesquita Bruna Milene da Silva , Brietzke Cayque , Vinícius Ítalo , Pereira Daniel Carvalho , Pires Flávio Oliveira , Santos Tony Meireles
Published: July 2022

Interoception refers to the competence in perceiving and interpreting internal sensations emerging from the body. The most common approach to assess interoception is through cardiac interoceptive tests like the heartbeat tracking task (HTT), which measures the accuracy on perceive and counting heartbeats during a period. However, the literature is scarce in providing adequate reliability evidence for this measure so that the interoception assessment may be threaten. In addition to HTT accuracy, it is possible to determine sensibility (self-reported confidence) and interoceptive awareness (correspondence between accuracy and sensibility). Thus, we measured the test-retest reliability of HTT and also investigated the behavior of HTT outcomes along the task. Therefore, 31 healthy adults (16 males) with 27.8 (9.4) years old performed two consecutive HTT interspersed by one day. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable difference (MD) analyzes showed 'Good' relative reliability for interoceptive accuracy (ICC = 0.880; SEM = 0.263; MD = 0.728; p < 0.001) and 'Moderate' for sensibility (ICC = 0.617; SEM = 0.648; MD = 1.797; p < 0.001) and awareness (ICC = 0.593; SEM = 0.227; MD = 0.628; p < 0.001). The absolute reliability shows low threshold values for observing true effects in HTT outcomes. The results also showed that reducing the number of HTT blocks did not impact the outcomes. The HTT showed to be reliable in determine the interoceptive competences in healthy adults.
Discriminating seismic events using 1D and 2D CNNs: applications to volcanic and tectonic datasets
Authors: Nakano Masaru , Sugiyama Daisuke
Published: July 2022

Detecting seismic events, discriminating between different event types, and picking P- and S-wave arrival times are fundamental but laborious tasks in seismology. In response to the ever-increasing volume of seismic observational data, machine learning (ML) methods have been applied to try to resolve these issues. Although it is straightforward to input standard (time-domain) seismic waveforms into ML models, many studies have used time–frequency-domain representations because the frequency components may be effective for discriminating events. However, detailed comparisons of the performances of these two methods are lacking. In this study, we compared the performances of 1D and 2D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in discriminating events in datasets from two different tectonic settings: tectonic tremor and ordinary earthquakes observed at the Nankai trough, and eruption signals and other volcanic earthquakes at Sakurajima volcano. We found that the 1D and 2D CNNs performed similarly in these applications. Half of the misclassified events were misassigned the same labels in both CNNs, implying that the CNNs learned similar features inherent to the input signals and thus misclassified them similarly. Because the first convolutional layer of a 1D CNN applies a set of finite impulse response (FIR) filters to the input seismograms, these filters are thought to extract signals effective for discriminating events in the first step. Therefore, because our application was the discrimination of signals dominated by low- and high-frequency components, we tested which frequency components were effective for signal discriminations based on the filter responses alone. We found that the FIR filters comprised high-pass and low-pass filters with cutoff frequencies around 7–9 Hz, frequencies at which the magnitude relations of the input signal classes change. This difference in the power of high- and low-frequency components proved essential for correct signal classifications in our dataset.
Improved Antibiotic Activity from Streptomyces monomycini strain RVE129 Using Classical and Statistical Design of Experiments
Authors: Elias Firew , Muddada Sudhamani , Muleta Diriba , Tefera Belachew
Published: July 2022

Streptomyces sp. has provided a wealth of bioactive secondary metabolites with interesting antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer activities. This study aimed to optimize antibiotic production medium and growth conditions of Streptomyces monomycini RVE129 isolated from rhizospher soil of Hawassa, Ethiopia, under shaking conditions by traditional and statistical methods. The classical one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach and the statistical Plackett Burman (PB) design was used for the selection of the important media components; which were further optimized and identify their concentrations using Box-Behnken design for improved antibiotic production by Streptomyces monomycini RVE129. The antibacterial activity of obtained antibiotics by the strain in flask cultures was tested using the disc diffusion method with S. aureus as the test organism, and cell growth was measured as the weight of dry cells in a constant volume of culture broth. Streptomyces monomycini strain RVE129 was able to produce maximum antibiotics on a modified ISP4 medium consisting of 10 gL− 1 starch 4 gL− 1 yeast extract 1 gL− 1 NaCl, 1 gL− 1 MgSO4.7H2O, 2 gL− 1 (NH4)2SO4, and 1 gL− 1 K2HPO4 in comparison to other tested media. The most efficient sources of carbon and nitrogen for the S. monomycini RVE129 strain were determined to be starch and soya bean meal. The optimum conditions for antibiotic production were observed at a temperature of 30°C and a pH of 7.5 on the 8th day of incubation under shaking conditions. Subsequently, media components such as soy bean meal, starch, and K2HPO4 were recognised as the most significantly affecting antibiotic production with a confidence level of above 95% by Plackett-Burman design. Further optimization of the concentration of three media factors by Box-Behnken (BB) design–RSM revealed optimal values of starch- 20 gL− 1, soybean meal- 7.5 gL− 1, and K2HPO4 1.25 gL− 1 and there was nearly 21% increase in the yield of antibiotic production (35.67 mm) when compared to unoptimized medium (27 mm). Antibiotic yield was improved by optimizing the medium and culture conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first study on medium optimization for antibiotic production by Streptomyces monomycini RVE129.
Development and characterization of neutralizing antibodies against SRAS-CoV-2
Authors: Zhang Yao , Li Ling , Li Yakun , Yang Zengmin , Zhang Aijing , Shen Ercui , Liu Yun , Wang Yang , Zheng Minghui , Chen Xiao , Wu Shuming , Zhang Haijiang , Liu Yongjiang
Published: July 2022

Background
The novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 that belongs to betacoronaviruseis, and is an enveloped, single and positive-stranded RNA virus. In this study, we describe the production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with neutralization activities.
Methods
Thirteen mAbs that identified positive were characterized by neutralization assays, binding affinities identification, and ELISA to evaluate the immunocompetence. The genes of neutralizing antibodies were sequenced and analyzed.
Results
All mAbs recognized two different epitopes respectively, including RBD and hFc, and the binding affinities are also different. Four of nine mAbs that can recognize the epitopes of RBD are conformation neutralizing antibodies that have high binding affinity and neutralization ability. Based on the sequencing, the mAbs are unique antibodies with specificity.
Conclusions
We characterized thirteen monoclonal antibodies, four of which are neutralizing antibodies and identified unique antibodies with specificity. The results highlight the promise of antibody-based therapeutics and provide the structural basis of rational vaccine design.
Localization of SNARE proteins in the brain and corpus allatum of Bombyx mori
Authors: Sasao Mako , Uno Tomohide , Kitagawa Risa , Matsui Asuka , Toryu Fumika , Mizoguchi Akira , Kanamaru Kengo , Sakamoto Katsuhiko , Uno Yuichi
Published: July 2022

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) comprise the core machinery that mediates membrane fusion. SNAREs, syntaxin, synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP), and synaptobrevin form a tight SNARE complex that brings the vesicle and plasma membranes together and is essential for membrane fusion. The cDNAs of SNAP-25, VAMP2, and Syntaxin 1A from Bombyx mori were inserted into a plasmid, transformed into Escherichia coli, and purified. We then produced antibodies against the SNAP-25, VAMP2, and Syntaxin 1A of Bombyx mori of rabbits and rats, which were used for immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that the expression of VAMP2 was restricted to neurons in the pars intercerebralis, dorsolateral protocerebrum, and central complex of the brain. SNAP-25 was restricted to neurons in the pars intercerebralis and the central complex of the brain. Syntaxin 1A was restricted to neurons in the pars intercerebralis and dorsolateral protocerebrum of the brain. SNAP-25 colocalizes with VAMP2 in the central complex and Syntaxin 1A colocalizes with bombyxin, which is an insect neuropeptide. These findings suggest that SNARE proteins play important roles in membrane trafficking in the insect brain.
Religiosity Was Associated With Lower Scores on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Medical Students During the COVID 19 Pandemic
Authors: MOTA RODRIGO ANTONIO ROSAL , LEÃO MARIA EDUARDA ARÊA , AYRIMORAES-SOARES ANA LUZIA COELHO LAPA , DE ARAÚJO IRES FERNANDA MARTINS , MACHADO LAÍS DE MORAES , NETO ANTONIO VITOR DA ROCHA , FALCÃO BRUNA TAVARES , NETO EDUARDO B. SOARES , ALMEIDA KELSON JAMES
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in medical students is 63% and depression symptoms exceed 30.6%. The medical degree and the way academics work their training are known to generate stress and affect the health and performance of students. The religious apparatus can be a helpful tool to reduce these symptoms. To associate anxiety, depression and religiosity among medical students during home isolation period in the pandemic by COVID-19. METHODS: Students were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire with sociodemographic data, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Duke religiosity scale. The Kruskal-Wallys test was used to analyze the groups in independent samples and the Spearmam test was used to correlate the variables. RESULTS: 255 subjects were selected, 67.1% (171) female and 32.9% (84) male. Regarding the HADS scale, 57.3% (146) exceeded cut-off points for anxiety and 32% (82) and for depression. A higher prevalence of depression was found, with high statistical significance, in students of the clinical cycle (I suggest starting the sentence by the significant findings) and a p>0.05 value demonstrated the absence of difference in anxiety indices between course cycles. When correlating anxiety, depression and religiosity, there was a significant and inversely proportional relationship between anxiety and intrinsic religiosity. We also observed, with statistical significance, an inversely proportional correlation between organizational religiosity and depression among participants. CONCLUSIONS: There was an inversely proportional association between anxiety and intrinsic religiosity, as well as, between depression and organizational religiosity among medical students during the period of home isolation in the pandemic by COVID-19. The stressful event triggered by the pandemic favored the analysis of the aforementioned association with religiosity, whose protocol for defining risk or protection in longitudinal studies becomes a challenge due to the unlikely repetition of the severity of the time when the present study was conducted.
Evaluating a Signalized Intersection Performance Using Unmanned Aerial Data
Authors: Ashqer Mujahid I. , Ashqar Huthaifa I. , Elhenawy Mohammed , Almannaa Mohammed , Aljamal Mohammad A. , Rakha Hesham , Bikdash Marwan
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a novel method to compute various measures of effectiveness (MOEs) at a signalized intersection using vehicle trajectory data collected by flying drones. MOEs are key parameters in determining the quality of service at signalized intersections. Specifically, this study investigates the use of drone raw data at a busy three-way signalized intersection in Athens, Greece, and builds on the open data initiative of the pNEUMA experiment. Using a microscopic approach and shockwave analysis on data extracted from real-time videos, we estimated the maximum queue length, whether, when, and where a spillback occurred, vehicle stops, vehicle travel time and delay, crash rates, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and fundamental diagrams. Results of the various MOEs were found to be promising, which confirms that the use of traffic data collected by drones has many applications. We also demonstrate that estimating MOEs in real-time is achievable using drone data. Such models have the ability to track individual vehicle movements within street networks and thus allow the modeler to consider any traffic conditions, ranging from highly under-saturated to highly over-saturated conditions. These microscopic models have the advantage of capturing the impact of transient vehicle behavior on various MOEs.
Association Between Neighborhood Physical Characteristics and Mental Health Among Older Adults in Spain
Authors: Arias-Fernández Lucía , Carcedo-Argüelles Lucía , Martín-Payo Rubén , López-García Esther , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Lana Alberto
Published: July 2022

PurposeTo assess the impact of neighborhood physical environment on mental health among a representative sample of Spanish non-institutionalized older adults. MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study using data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017, with 5,071 people ≥65 years. An indicator of the physical characteristics of the neighborhood was developed using nine items addressing the degree of disruption due to physical problems in the housing environment. Mental health status was assessed with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between physical characteristics of the neighborhood and mental-health status were calculated using logistic regressions, with adjustment for main confounders, including sociodemographic, lifestyle and morbidity variables.ResultsIn total, 22.6% of people aged ≥65 years in Spain reported poor mental health. Poor mental health was associated with living in a neighborhood with some (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.14-1.75) or many problems (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.55-2.42). The most relevant individual components of neighborhood characteristics were industrial pollution (OR: 2.67; 95%CI: 1.55-4.59), presence of troublesome animals (OR: 1.80; 95%CI: 1.37-2.36) and scarcity of green areas (OR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.10-2.03). The association between neighborhood physical characteristics and poor mental health was of a greater magnitude in larger localities and in people who engaged in moderate/high physical activity (p for interaction<0.05).ConclusionIn Spain, older people living in neighborhoods with problems affecting their physical environment presented worse mental health. Policies aiming to improve residential environments can have broad implications for achieving healthy aging.
WITHDRAWN: Design and operation of portable hydrogen production systems
Authors: Chen Junjie
Published: July 2022

Many attempts have been made to understand the underlying principles of design and operation for portable hydrogen production systems. However, the mechanisms for the effects of design factors on heat transfer characteristics are still not fully understood. This study relates to a thermochemical process for producing hydrogen by the catalytic endothermic reaction of methanol with steam in a thermally integrated microchannel reforming reactor. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are conducted to better understand the consumption, generation, and exchange of thermal energy between endothermic and exothermic processes in the reactor. The effects of wall heat conduction properties and channel dimensions on heat transfer characteristics and reactor performance are investigated. Coupling of steam reforming of methanol with methanol catalytic combustion in a thermally integrated microchannel reforming reactor is simulated for both co-current and counter-current operation, using identical parameters of the mathematical model. A direct comparison between the reactor behavior and performance under different flow arrangements is made. The results indicate that reactor performance and thermal behavior is strongly affected by overall and local balance between heat generated on the exothermic side and heat consumed on the endothermic one, which in turn is influenced by flow arrangement. The thermal conductivity of the channel walls is fundamentally important. Reaction heat flux profiles are considerably affected by channel dimensions. The peak reaction heat flux increases with the channel dimensions while maintaining the flow rates. Design recommendations are made to improve thermal performance for the reactor. The reactor is better balanced thermally for co-current operation. For counter-current arrangement, higher conversions and better utilization of the overall heat generated in the exothermic process are achieved at the expense of pronounced temperature extremes. This increases the chances of the reactor running away and of homogeneous combustion being initiated. Utilization of a non-uniform catalyst distribution can overcome the heat imbalance by inducing favorable reactant depletion along the reactor during counter-current flow.
An Exploratory Study on the COVID-19 E-learning on Students Academic Performance: The Case of the University of Ghana Business School
Authors: Acheampong Joseph Ofori
Published: July 2022

The unruly consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak have hamstrung higher education institutions. It also highlighted the importance of digital learning and its influence on students’ academic performance. This study aims to investigate the influence of students’ socio-demographics and their parents’ socioeconomic characteristics on their academic performance during the implementation of the COVID-19 lockdowns using a qualitative approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 purposively chosen informants were used. The results indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced students’ learning process and academic performance. It revealed that their sociodemographic characteristics and their parents’ socioeconomic status affected their academic achievements during the COVID-19 outbreak. Students have faced numerous challenges during the implementation of the COVID-19 lockdowns, which influenced their academic performance. Higher education institutions must purchase licenced e-learning tools and provide students and professors with digital skills training in order to enhance their teaching, learning, and academic performance.
MSW students' perspectives on learning and delivering a protocolized, low-intensity depression intervention: Implications for experiential learning
Authors: Galea Jerome T , Sanabria Gabriella , Greene Karah Y. , Thompson Melissa , Doering Tracy , Fuchs Doriangel , Grey Amanda , Saucedo Adilene , Rosler Melanie , Simmons Christopher
Published: July 2022

Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a protocolized, low-intensity depression intervention designed to be delivered by lay individuals. Faculty at the University of South Florida School of Social Work recognized PM + as a potential depression intervention for master’s students to learn to complement their clinical coursework and simultaneously provide an experiential learning experience to support their clinical skills. Before this pilot, the feasibility and acceptability of integrating PM + into a Master of Social Work (MSW) setting were unknown. Upon analyzing the students’ feedback using inductive content analysis, it is evident that experiential learning using interventions is crucial to building the self-efficacy of MSW students. Students reported that PM + helped their personal mental health and client interactions, using the tools they learned even a year after the pilot. Future research should focus on integrating PM + into experiential learning experiences within social work and allied academic settings and professions.
RESEARCH OF THE ROLE OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES, PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Authors: Kashpur S. , Myroshnychenko Iu.
Published: July 2022

The article examines the role of public organizations and, in particular, young people in planning and implementing environmental initiatives in cooperation with local governments to achieve sustainable development goals. The study of the role of local governments, NGOs, and youth in implementing the regional environmental policy was carried out on the example of the Sumy region. The choice of the local level for analysis is determined by a combination of ecological, cultural, and spiritual interests and traditions of the population, which is why it is a priority management mechanism for the interaction of society and the environment. The analysis allowed us to obtain the following results and draw conclusions. Regional environmental initiatives are essential structural elements for planning and implementing effective programs and projects. Regional environmental agreements are increasingly pointing to a certain eco-territoriality, non-state or sub-state stakeholders are increasingly complementing public actors, and research is expanding beyond purely environmental issues to cover broader concepts of sustainable development. The success of environmental programs and the achievement of sustainable development goals largely depends on the public and business's active participation. It is difficult to develop and implement effective initiatives and programs without effective approaches to motivate individuals in environmental programs, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Comparing the situation in Ukraine with the experience of European countries, it is impossible not to note the contradictions in the process of development and implementation of environmental initiatives by youth organizations in the field of environmental issues. The activity of public organizations of ecological orientation in the Sumy region is systematized in the manuscript. It is determined that representatives of public organizations are constantly involved in the discussion of critical environmental issues of the region. An effective tool in involving young people in the planning and implementation of environmental initiatives is the creation of a youth environmental council and organising joint activities at local state administrations or local governments. In this way, there will be cooperation between government officials and enterprising youth.
ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING THE IMPACT OF THE COUNTRY'S DIGITALIZATION LEVEL ON ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Yarovenko H. , Litsman M.
Published: July 2022

The article is devoted to the topical issue of analysis and forecasting of the impact of the country's digitalization level on their economic development. This issue is due to the rapid pace of implementation of information and communication technologies to solve various problems of economic entities, which contributes to its development. The study used statistics for 138 countries in 2019. The index of digital development level was used as an indicator that characterizes the degree of development of information and communication technologies and network readiness for countries implementation and application. Analyzing the level of economic development of countries, the eleven most common indicators were selected: gross domestic product, total life expectancy at birth, ease of doing business, inflation, etc. In the first stage, a correlation analysis was conducted, which found that the most correlated indicators are: gross domestic product, vulnerable employment, employees, ease of doing business and overall life expectancy at birth, which also have a high correlation with the digital development index. In the second stage, the application of the principal components method eliminated the multicollinearity between the factors, which reduced the dimensionality of the data. At the next step, the "Elbow method" determined the optimal number of clusters and clustering with the k-means method. The result is clusters of countries, distributed according to the proximity of trends in the level of their digitalization on economic development. At the last stage, models for forecasting the most correlated factors that characterize economic growth in countries, depending on the level of their digitalization, were built. To predict gross domestic product and ease of doing business, the most accurate cubic log, vulnerable employment, number of employees - square, total life expectancy - linear, quadratic and cubic models have the exact estimates. The built models are universal tools for forecasting possible development trends for different world countries.
Carbohydrate Status of Mycorrhizal and Nonmycorrhizal Citrus Rootstocks1
Authors: Nemec S. , Guy G.
Published: July 2022

Carbohydrates were analyzed in mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal citrus rootstock seedlings in greenhouse studies. Inoculated seedlings grew taller or weighed more and their leaves contained greater amounts of total soluble sugar, sucrose, reducing sugars, starch, and total nonstructural carbohydrate per gram of tissue than noninoculated controls, in a low P soil (9–12 ppm). Only the reducing sugars, fructose and glucose, increased slightly in roots of inoculated seedlings over those levels found in uninoculated control seedlings. Levels of reducing sugars were higher in leaves than in roots. Uninoculated seedlings grown in high P soil (210 ppm) were about the same height and their leaves contained levels of total soluble and reducing sugars similar to those in inoculated rootstocks grown in low P soil. It does not appear that these mycorrhizal fungi mobilize sugars as a sink for photosynthate in roots.
Seasonal Variation of Leaf Nutrient Composition in ‘Tifblue’ Rabbiteye Blueberry1
Authors: Spiers James M.
Published: July 2022

‘Tifblue’ rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) leaves were sampled at 2-week intervals during the growing seasons of 1979 and 1980. Each sample was analyzed for 5 macronutrients and 5 micronutrients. Prediction equations for the estimation of nutrient element content on a growing season basis were calculated. Leaf elemental content patterns correlated closely between years with the exception of Fe. Leaf elemental N, P, and Zn were highest in the early season, tended to decrease until harvest, and leveled off as the growing season progressed. The levels of leaf Ca and Mg remained relatively constant through the season with lowest percentages present during harvest. Leaf contents of K, Mn, and to a lesser extent B and Na, were high during April and early May, low during harvest, and high again in October. Regression analyses for most elements were more linear from late June to early August. Therefore, optimum time for the collection of leaf samples of rabbiteye blueberries for mineral analyses appears to be a 4-week interval coinciding with the last 2 weeks of the harvest season through a 2-week period immediately following harvest.
The Action of Lecithin and Calcium Dips in the Control of Bitter Pit in Apple Fruit1
Authors: Watkins Christopher B. , Harman Jane E. , Ferguson Ian B. , Reid Michael S.
Published: July 2022

Addition of 1% lecithin (phosphatidyl choline) to 4% Ca dips increased internal CO2 levels and decreased O2 levels in fruit of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) stored at 3°C. This effect was greater than that found with lecithin alone. At 18°, respiration and ethylene production by the fruit were reduced slightly by Ca, but to a much greater extent by lecithin. A further reduction of the production of both gases was found with Ca and lecithin. The climacteric rise was also delayed by lecithin treatments. At 3°, ethylene production was both delayed and reduced by lecithin treatments, but no influence on CO2 production was detected. Although differences in Ca concentration of the fruit caused by the addition of lecithin to Ca could not be detected when bulked samples of fruit were analysed, use of 45Ca showed that both the initial rate of Ca uptake and the final Ca content of the fruit flesh after 6 weeks at 3° were increased by lecithin. The beneficial effects of lecithin plus Ca in bitter pit control probably result from rapid modification of gas exchange together with increased Ca uptake.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Seed Rates on Pepper Seed Germination in Aerated Water Columns1
Authors: Sosa-Coronel Jorge , Motes J. E.
Published: July 2022

Seed germination of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in aerated water columns was accelerated and germination uniformity improved by using gibberellic acid (GA3) at 6 μg/mg seed with 50 to 75 mg seed/ml of solution. Higher GA3 rates in the aerated columns reduced germination percentage in some cultivars. Detrimental effects for GA3 up to 6 μg/mg seed were not observed and in some cultivars speed of emergence and seedling growth was stimulated. GA3 is economically feasible for use in germinating pepper seeds for sowing using the fluid drilling technique.
Effects of Container Size, Transplant Age, and Plant Spacing on Chinese Cabbage1
Authors: Kratky B. A. , Wang J. K. , Kubojiri K.
Published: July 2022

Head weights of ‘Nagaoka 55’ Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinenis (Lour.) Olsson) were 76–79% greater at a plant spacing of 43 cm than at 28 cm. Percentage salable and grade 1 heads both increased with increasing distance between plants. Seedlings were raised in cylindrical containers of 2.5, 3.75, 5 and 7.5 cm diameter × 6.4 cm depth for 3,4,5 and 6 weeks in a seedling house. Transplant age affected maturity time minimally and did not affect yield. Seedling fresh weight was greater in 7.5 cm containers than in the smaller containers at all transplant ages. Plants started in 7.5 cm containers matured 7.5 days earlier, produced 10% heavier heads and yielded 25–31% more than plants started in 2.5 cm containers. Plants from the larger containers probably performed better as a result of the more favorable physical properties or fertilization regime of the container media. The highest yields in these trials exceeded 3 MT/ha · day.
INTRODUCTION TO THEMED ISSUE: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN ASIA PACIFIC
Authors:   Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410 Brunei Darussalam, Ullah AKM Ahsan
Published: July 2022

This introductory article contextualises the ongoing pandemic and the significance of this themed issue by highlighting the relevance of the seven articles in this issue. All the articles have identified different intersections between Asia Pacific’s migrant population and the global pandemic and demonstrated from various perspectives how the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the migrant population in Asia Pacific. The common thread that binds the articles throughout the entire issue is that the pandemic has disproportionately affected the migrant population.
Soil Physical Factors Affecting Peanut Pod Development1
Authors: Underwood C. V. , Taylor H. M. , Hoveland C. S.
Published: July 2022

Effects of crust strength and soil water potential on peg penetration and pod development in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) were evaluated. When fully constrained, pegs developed as much as 13 bars pressure, but under simulated field conditions the pegs exerted only 3 or 4% of that pressure. In a field experiment the percentage of pegs that penetrated the upper 1.5 em of pegging zone soil and the weight of pods that developed in the pegging zone decreased as penetrometer resistance increased. The rate at which individual pods increased in size was not reduced until soil water potential was reduced to below —15 bars
Differences Among Genotypes of Corn in the Kinetics of P Uptake1
Authors: Nielsen N. E. , Barber S. A.
Published: July 2022

Many plant species utilize fertilizer or soil P inefficiently. Hence, development of corn genotypes (Zea mays L) that are more efficient in absorbing P from soil would be valuable. A survey of 12 inbreds grown in water culture indicated a 1.8 to 3.3‐fold variation in root weight, root length per unit of plant weight, root length per unit of root weight, and maximal net P influx. Some aspects of the role of genetics were elucidated by comparing the P absorption parameters of five inbreds with those of four single‐cross hybrids made from these inbreds. Five single crosses were grown at low and high P levels in the field on a Raub silt loam (Aquic Argiudoll) to test the significance of the measured root parameters on P uptake. Plants were harvested 22, 38 and 51 days after planting. Phosphorus uptake was also simulated by a model using soil and plant root parameters related to P uptake. The correlation between predicted and observed P uptake was r2 = 0.90 for the 22 to 38‐day time interval and r2 = 0.98 for the 22 to 51‐day time interval. Hence, observed differences among corn single crosses in their plant root parameters were reflected in their P uptake when grown in the field.
Selective Control of Sunflower in Soybeans1
Authors: Irons Steve M. , Burnside Orvin C.
Published: July 2022

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a difficult weed to control in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. A variety of herbicide treatments and application techniques were investigated. Greenhouse and field research was conducted during 1978 through 1980 to investigate the efficacy of using bentazon [3‐isopropyl‐1H‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazin‐4(3H)‐one 2,2‐dioxide] and bromoxynil(3,5‐dibromo‐4‐hydroxybenzonitrile) postemergence to selectively control sunflower in soybeans. Using these herbicides in combination at lower than recommended rates reduced sunflower control costs from bentazon alone and soybean injury caused by bromoxynil. Field experiments conducted on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (Typic Argiudoll) over a 3‐year period with metribuzin [4‐amino‐6‐tert‐butyl‐3‐(methylthio)‐as‐triazin‐5(4H‐one] applied preplant incorporated or preemergence revealed more effective sunflower control from preplant incorporated treatments. The roller applicator, a selective herbicide applicator designed to eliminate tall‐growing weed escapes, was used in field experiments for 3 years with glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine], dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐o‐anisic acid), and 2,4‐D [(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid]. Use of the roller applicator was found to be inadequate as a primary method of sunflower control in soybeans, although it was effective against weed escapes since treatments containing glyphosate did control sunflower.
Dynamic Cropping Systems
Authors: Tanaka D.L. , Krupinsky J.M. , Liebig M.A. , Merrill S.D. , Ries R.E. , Hendrickson J.R. , Johnson H.A. , Hanson J.D.
Published: July 2022

Research to integrate the vast array of information needed by producers to make decisions allowing them to remain sustainable in our ever‐changing agricultural environment is in its infancy. Present research has not provided crop production and soils information that is adequately comprehensive and holistic for producers to make critical decisions. We propose a dynamic cropping systems approach to help producers make those critical decisions they need to remain sustainable. Our definition of a dynamic cropping system is a long‐term strategy of annual crop sequencing that optimizes crop and soil use options and the attainment of production, economic, and resource conservation goals by using sound ecological management principles. Implicit to this strategy is the need for producers to possess information necessary to respond to continual change. Key factors associated with dynamic cropping systems are diversity, adaptability, reduced input cost, multiple enterprise systems, and awareness of environment and information. Development of a dynamic cropping systems research program involves creating a crop portfolio, crop sequence evaluation, and multidirectional flow of information among research, extension, and producers. Dynamic cropping systems approach relies on responsiveness and provides producers with management flexibility for developing their own long‐term sustainable crop, soil, and land use systems.

The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to a pitcher.

Chinese Proverb
A Mechanistic Model for Describing Corn Plant Leaf Area Distribution
Authors: Yang Jinzhong , Alley Mark
Published: July 2022

Mathematical models to describe corn (Zea mays L.) leaf area are important components of computer simulation of corn growth and development. The objective of this research was to develop a mechanistic model to describe corn leaf growth. The hypothesis was that single leaf growth rate is the difference between potential positive leaf growth and reduced leaf growth rate because assimilates are also being utilized for stem, roots, other leaves, and reproductive organ growth. The model is S = S0exp[(L − L0)2/(−2k2)], where S is the area of individual leaf with rank L, S0 is the area of the largest individual leaf with rank L0, and k is a constant. The model was evaluated with 77 independent data sets from 64 genotype‐by‐environment combinations during 1989 to 2001. The fitting precision of the model to the data was high (multiple correlation coefficients ≥ 0.97), the model was applicable to widely different combinations of genotypes and environments, and the model was suitable for all leaves and green leaves only. Validation of the model for predicting leaf area was conducted using 174 data sets from 30 diverse cultivars and showed that the predicted leaf area was within 10% of the measured leaf area for 27 of the 30 cultivars with maximum deviation being 14%. The correlation of predicted leaf area with measured leaf area equaled 0.94 for all data. The reduced model for individual leaf area estimation is F = F0exp{−[F0(L − L0)]2/0.3542}, where F = S/ST and ST is sum of all leaf areas.
Sulfur Requirement of Eight Crops at Early Stages of Growth
Authors: Hitsuda Kiyoko , Yamada Mitate , Klepker Dirceu
Published: July 2022

Sulfur deficiency symptoms are more often observed in crops at early stages of growth since S can be easily leached from the surface soil. The objectives of this study were to evaluate some of the popular rotation crops grown in Brazil for tolerance to low external S levels and to determine the critical tissue concentration for S deficiency during early stages of growth. Germinated seedlings of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cotton (Gossypium spp.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were transferred to water culture with 0.0 to 32.0 mg S L–1 and were grown for 29 d. The minimum S concentration required in nutrient solutions was 2.0 mg L−1 for sunflower; 1.0 mg L−1 for cotton, sorghum, wheat, and soybean; and 0.5 mg L−1 or less for field bean, rice, and maize. All crops achieved optimum growth at 2.0 mg S L−1. Critical shoot S concentration at early stages of growth was 0.8 g kg−1 in maize and soybean; 1.1 to 1.3 g kg−1 in cotton, sorghum, and rice; and 1.4 to 1.6 g kg−1 in wheat, sunflower, and field bean. Our results demonstrate that the tolerance to low external S (<2.0 mg L−1) and the critical tissue S levels for deficiency varied significantly among crop species tested.