bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gamblers' use of measures to prevent gambling problems and reduce harm
Authors: Engebø Jonny , Torsheim Torbjørn , Pallesen Ståle
Published: July 2022

In this study, the use of measures to control gambling were investigated. Data from gamblers (N = 5,878) participating in a cross-sectional survey in 2019 based on random sampling from the Norwegian Population Registry, were analysed. The survey included questions about use of eight measures, which comprised the dependent variables. Questions about sociodemographics, gambling behaviour, gambling problems, self-reported impact from gambling advertisement and beliefs in measures to control gambling comprised the predictor variables. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify significant predictors. Use of measures varied, ranging from 0.8% (contacting help services) to 23.2% (pre-commitment to affordable loss limits). All predictors had at least one significant association with the actual use of measures. Being a moderate risk or problem gambler was the most consistent predictor and was associated with the use of all eight measures. Being born outside Norway in a western or non-western country was associated with use of seven of the eight measures, whereas gambled online and participated in low-risk game only (inversely) were associated with use of six measures. Gender, age, game spending and beliefs in the usefulness of measures were associated with use of four measures. Participation in random games only was inversely associated with use of three measures. Self-reported impact from gambling advertisement was only (inversely) associated with self-testing for gambling problems. Several mechanisms responsible for the associations between predictors and the dependent variables are suggested, e.g., younger gamblers and moderate risk or problem gamblers may use these measures as they may acknowledge personal susceptibilities for developing gambling problems, such as impaired impulse control. Online gambling on the other hand was associated with use of various measures as the latter more often are integrated in online than offline gambling. Notably, the beliefs in measures as helpful was a significant predictor of use of four of the measures, which illustrates that positive views on the use of measures are not consistently associated with actual use of all the measures. Characteristics of the gamblers (e.g., place of birth, moderate risk or problem gambler), the game itself and the online distribution seem to be the most consistent predictors.
The influence of natural environments on creativity
Authors: Yeh Chin-Wen , Hung Shih-Han , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the effects of different natural environments on attention restoration and creativity. To compare the restorative benefits based on the degrees of perceived naturalness in urban areas, this study categorized environments into three types of perceived naturalness and tested the effect on one's creativity. The urban campus was selected as the study site, representing high-, medium-, and low-perceived naturalness photosets downloaded from Google Street Map images as experimental stimuli. The study invited 100 subjects to take the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults (ATTA), which measures creative thinking by viewing the onscreen photosets of the experimental stimuli. In addition, this study asked participants to complete the Perceived Restoration Scale (PRS) questionnaires. The results showed that high- and medium-perceived naturalness in the urban-campus site was superior to low-perceived naturalness in creative performance. In addition, there were significant differences in elaboration and flexibility for different degrees of perceived naturalness. Various degrees of perceived naturalness showed a substantial correlation between PRS scores and ATTA scores. The attention restoration benefits of high- and medium-naturalness environments improve creativity. Our study indicates that viewing natural environments stimulates curiosity and fosters flexibility and imagination, highly natural environments distract our minds from work, and the benefits of attention restoration can improve the uniqueness and diversity of creative ideas. This study provides a reference for creative environmental design and supports further understanding of nature's health and creativity benefits in urban areas.
Social support and quality of life among chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Jinliang , Song Hongli , Li Shuchun , Teng Ziwei , Su Yuhan , Chen Jindong , Huang Jing
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, social support received, and quality of life of chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia in China. A self-prepared sociodemographic questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), European Five-dimensional Health Scale (EQ-5D), and Eysenck Personality were administrated to 3,967 chronically homeless and 3,724 non-homeless patients from the Department of Xiangtan Fifth People's Hospital, Hunan, China, between April 2011 and October 2016. Results indicated that the homeless patients were more likely to live outside the city and be ethnic minorities compared with non-homeless patients. Although the married proportion was higher among homeless patients, they had a higher rate of being divorced or widowed. Notably, the homeless patients had higher employment rates before illness, despite significantly lower education (P < 0.001). Chronically homeless patients with schizophrenia showed a lower score in the SSRS (30.29 ± 7.34 vs. 26.16 ± 10.04, p < 0.001); they had significantly lower objective support, subject support, social support, and EQ-Visual Analog Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Psychoticism, and Eysenck Personality-Neuroticism scores (p < 0.001). Homeless patients may be worse off, and could be assisted by providing accommodation, family intervention, medical services (such as pain medication), and other comprehensive measures.
Tourettic OCD: Current understanding and treatment challenges of a unique endophenotype
Authors: Katz Tamar C. , Bui Thanh Hoa , Worhach Jennifer , Bogut Gabrielle , Tomczak Kinga K.
Published: July 2022

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders (CTD) including Tourette Syndrome (TS) are often comorbid conditions. While some patients present with distinct symptoms of CTD and/or OCD, a subset of patients demonstrate a unique overlap of symptoms, known as Tourettic OCD (TOCD), in which tics, compulsions, and their preceding premonitory urges are overlapping and tightly intertwined. The specific behaviors seen in TOCD are typically complex tic-like behaviors although with a compulsive and partially anxious nature reminiscent of OCD. TOCD is not classified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) as an independent diagnostic entity, but mounting evidence suggests that TOCD is an intermediate neuropsychiatric disorder distinct from either TS or OCD alone and as such represents a unique phenomenology. In this review of TOCD we discuss clinical, genetic, environmental, neurodevelopmental, and neurocircuit-based research to better characterize our current understanding of this disorder. TOCD is characterized by earlier age of onset, male predominance, and specific symptom clusters such as lower tendency toward compulsions related to checking, cleaning, and reassurance seeking and higher tendency toward compulsions such as rubbing, tapping, or touching associated with symmetry concerns or thoughts of exactness. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) imaging suggests that TOCD symptoms may arise from involvement of an intermediate neurocircuitry distinct from classic OCD or classic CTD. Small cumulative contributions from multiple genetic loci have been implicated, as have environmental factors such as infection and perinatal trauma. In addition, this review addresses the treatment of TOCD which is especially complex and often treatment resistant and requires pharmacology and behavioral therapy in multiple modalities. Given the distressing impact of TOCD on patients’ functioning, the goal of this review is to raise awareness of this distinct entity toward the goal of improving standards of care.
Abnormal hubs in global network as neuroimaging biomarker in right temporal lobe epilepsy at rest
Authors: Guo Ruimin , Zhao Yunfei , Jin Honghua , Jian Jihua , Wang Haibo , Jin Shengxi , Ren Hongwei
Published: July 2022

While abnormal neuroimaging features have been reported in patients suffering from right temporal lobe epilepsy (rTLE), the value of altered degree centrality (DC) as a diagnostic biomarker for rTLE has yet to be established. As such, the present study was designed to examine DC abnormalities in rTLE patients in order to gauge the diagnostic utility of these neuroimaging features. In total, 68 patients with rTLE and 73 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. Imaging data were analyzed using DC and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methods. Ultimately, rTLE patients were found to exhibit reduced right caudate DC and increased left middle temporal gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, right precuneus, frontal gyrus Inferior gyrus, middle-superior frontal gyrus, and inferior parietal gyrus DC relative to HC. ROC analyses indicated that DC values in the right caudate nucleus could be used to differentiate between rTLE patients and HCs with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Together, these results thus suggest that rTLE is associated with abnormal DC values in the right caudate nucleus, underscoring the relevance of further studies of the underlying pathophysiology of this debilitating condition.
Mental health status of children with disorders of sexual development and their correlates
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Zhu Guochun , Tian Hongjuan , Yuan Jinna , Gao Huihui , Sun Liying , Dong Guanping , Ru Wei , Wu Dehua , Tang Daxing , Gao Weijia , Fu Junfen , Yang Rongwang
Published: July 2022

Disorders of sexual development (DSD) refer to the congenital abnormalities of chromosomes, gonads, or gender anatomy. Children with DSD usually experience more stress. The present study aims to evaluate the mental health status of children with DSD, and to explore the potential relevant factors. We included 30 children with DSD and 30 age- and gender-matched children without DSD as the control group. All the children and their parents completed the scales of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Children over 8 years old (n = 22) completed the Screen Scale for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), the Depression Self-rating Scale for Children (DSRSC), and the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran-own memories of parental rearing practices in childhood. DSD children had significantly higher somatic anxiety, mental anxiety, and total anxiety scores than the control group (p < 0.001). The scores of the SCARED, anxiety, and depression subscales of DSD children were higher than those of control children (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The correlation analysis showed that the score of generalized anxiety was positively related to age and entertainment. The regression analysis showed that age was a major factor that affected generalized anxiety in DSD children, and neuroticism was a major factor of anxiety disorder and separation anxiety in DSD children. Children with DSD have obvious anxiety problems, which are associated with family environmental factors (entertainment, success, and conflicts) and age. It is important to focus emphasis on emotional stability in children with DSD for detecting anxiety-related emotional disorders early.
“For me, it's just a piece of freedom”—Increased empowerment through physical activity promotion among socially disadvantaged women
Authors: Sauter Alexandra , Herbert-Maul Annika , Abu-Omar Karim , Thiel Ansgar , Ziemainz Heiko , Frahsa Annika , Linder Stephanie , Herrmann-Johns Anne
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective health promotion approach for reaching socially disadvantaged groups. However, there is limited evidence on how such interventions and their effects can be reproduced across time and place. The present study examines the effects of BIG (i.e., movement as an investment in health), a long-standing German CBPR project. Since 2005, BIG has aimed to empower women in difficult life situations to increase control over their health determinants and reduce social inequalities by promoting physical activity. One of BIG's key features is its implementation in several German municipalities since 2005. This study explores (a) whether participation could change women's empowerment, and (b) how increased empowerment affects other areas of women's lives.

Methods

With a total of 63 interviewees (i.e., 40 participating women, 7 trainers, 3 project coordinators, and 13 stakeholders), we conducted 53 semi-structured qualitative interviews in five BIG communities between 2007 and 2011. Some interviews were conducted with two people simultaneously. The interview guide contained questions on various dimensions of empowerment (e.g., project engagement, increased self-efficacy, and developed competencies). Framework analysis was used for the analytical process.

Results

BIG contributed to women's empowerment in various ways, including increased self-efficacy, social network promotion, competency development, and increased motivation to change physical activity behavior. Women who took on added tasks and became more involved in project planning also strengthened their organizational empowerment. Furthermore, increased empowerment had a positive influence on the women's quality of life, family, and professional lives.

Conclusion

The novel findings helped in understanding the effects of a complex empowerment-based approach that promoted physical activity among women in difficult life situations. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of these programs and their transferability to other sites. Further effort is necessary in the area of public health policy.
Disease burden and long-term trends of urinary tract infections: A worldwide report
Authors: Yang Xiaorong , Chen Hui , Zheng Yue , Qu Sifeng , Wang Hao , Yi Fan
Published: July 2022

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections worldwide, but little is known about their global scale and long-term trends. We aimed to estimate the spatiotemporal patterns of UTIs' burden along with its attributable risk factors at a global level, as well as the variations of the burdens according to socio-demographic status, regions, nations, sexes, and ages, which may be helpful in guiding targeted prevention and treatment programs.

Methods

Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 were analyzed to depict the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of UTIs in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 by socio-demographic status, nations, region, sex, and age.

Results

Globally, 404.61 million cases, 236,790 deaths, and 520,200 DALYs were estimated in 2019. In particular, 2.4 times growth in deaths from 1990 to 2019 was observed, along with an increasing age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) from 2.77/100,000 to 3.13/100,000. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was consistently pronounced in regions with higher socio-demographic index (SDI), which presented remarkable upward trends in ASMR and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR). In contrast, countries with a low SDI or high baseline burden achieved a notable decline in burden rates over the past three decades. Although the ASIR was 3.6-fold higher in females than males, there was no sex-based difference in ASMR and ASDR. The burden rate typically increased with age, and the annual increasing trend was more obvious for people over 60 years, especially in higher SDI regions.

Conclusions

The burden of UTIs showed variations according to socio-demographic status, nation, region, sex, and age in the last three decades. The overall increasing burden intimates that proper prevention and treatment efforts should be strengthened, especially in high-income regions and aging societies.
Exercise intensity and energy expenditure of a multicomponent home-based training program: Xiangya hospital circuit training (X-CircuiT)
Authors: Hu Peng , Zhang Wenliang , Ripley-Gonzalez Jeffrey W. , Xie Kangling , Gong Xun , Cao Zeng , Shen Yanan , You Baiyang , Dun Yaoshan , Liu Suixin
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Our previous studies showed that Xiangya Hospital Circuit Training (X-CircuiT) effectively improved physical fitness and reversed pre-frailty in community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to explore the generalizability and applicability of X-CircuiT in different aged populations in the context of exercise intensity and energy expenditure.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 72 community-dwelling sedentary adults, twelve adults divided into 6 age groups ranging from 20 to 80 years old and separated by decades. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to determine peak heart rate (HRpeak). An individual HR-oxygen consumption regression equation was fit for each participant, and then a session of remote heart rate monitored X-CircuiT was performed. Exercise intensity (%HRpeak) and energy expenditure of X-CircuiT among the six age groups were assessed. Further sub-analysis was conducted by dividing the participants by peak metabolic equivalent (MET) values, <5 METs, 5–7 METs, and more than 7METs to explore the relationship between maximum exercise capacity and exercise intensity of X-CircuiT.

Results

The average %HRpeak of X-CircuiT for subjects in the 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70–80 age groups were 54 ± 6, 59 ± 8, 60 ± 8, 62 ± 5, 66 ± 10, and 67 ± 13, respectively (p = 0.008); and the average energy expenditure was 121.9 ± 26.5, 123.3 ± 33.8, 129.2 ± 40.9, 130.9 ± 31.8, 146.8 ± 29.0, and 125.0 ± 28.4 kcal, respectively. The average %HRpeak for the warm-up, aerobic, acupoint patting, resistance, and stretching stages in overall subjects was 61 ± 9, 70 ± 10, 70 ± 10, 63 ± 9, and 57 ± 9, respectively. Furthermore, when subjects were divided by peak METs, it was found that the lower the peak METs, the greater the value of the relative exercise intensity indicators. The aerobic and acupoint stages of X-CircuiT could illicit a response of high intensity for those with peak METs <5, moderate intensity in those with peak METs of 5–7, and low-intensity for those with peak METs of more than 7.

Conclusion

Xiangya Hospital Circuit Training followed the principle of low-intensity warm-up and medium-intensity training with multicomponent exercise training. It is classified as a moderate-intensity exercise for sedentary middle-aged and older adults, or those with a maximum exercise capacity of 5–7 METs, and is classified as a low-intensity exercise for young people.
Approaches related to the effects of Covid-19 pandemics on financing of the healthcare system in Romania
Authors: Antohi Valentin Marian , Ionescu Romeo Victor , Zlati Monica Laura , Mirica Cristian
Published: July 2022

Background

The healthcare financial system faced a significant disturbance of the budget balance after the outbreak of the pandemic, amid government measures to combat the disease. These measures have led to shifts in funding weights within the income and expenditure budget structure, with a focus on prevention and treatment of patients infected with SARS-COV 2. The purpose of this research is to analyse the financial balance of the healthcare system and the related modelling to support decision-makers in adopting and implementing appropriate financing measures for the pandemic.

Methods

The working hypotheses of this study were tested using an econometric linear regression model based on the financing budgetary function, which matches funding to the specific need for each expenditure heading. SPSS 25 statistical software was used to define the model and to test the homogeneity of the data and their statistical relevance to the phenomenon under analysis.

Results

The proposed model showed that there is a significant correlation of the dependent variable, Dynamics of budget revenues in the healthcare sector (TIM), with the regressors. We believe that a problem-solving rebalancing of allocations could help to eliminate the synergy in health. This redistribution should take into account the impact that economic and budgetary factors have on healthcare factors and vice versa, so that at some point after successive adjustments the minimum distance between forecast and realisation or between need and financing of need can be reached. The used data were analysed dynamically to assess changes in trend as absolute data do not allow the construction of an overall picture. Relative data captures changes in financing from year to year and can be linked to events such as pandemics, financial crises or inflation.

Conclusions

In relation to the objectives of the research, it emerges that, under the impact of pandemic stress, measures to improve healthcare management, increase performance and streamline financial allocation are vulnerable and cannot counteract the effects that the pandemic has on the healthcare of the population as reflected in the morbidity and mortality indicators collected during the pandemic. In this regard, it is necessary a rethinking of the strategic healthcare management, a better planning of the procurement of medicines and healthcare supplies, a rethinking of the partnerships with the European Commission and other global entities. This approach can effectively improve the impact of the pandemic on the healthcare status of the population, a rebalancing of the demand-supply balance in healthcare and a maintenance of the strategic programmes, according to the objectives assumed in the planning, given that these programmes protect categories of people already medically affected.
Intelligent automatic sleep staging model based on CNN and LSTM
Authors: Zhuang Lan , Dai Minhui , Zhou Yi , Sun Lingyu
Published: July 2022

Since electroencephalogram (EEG) is a significant basis to treat and diagnose somnipathy, sleep electroencephalogram automatic staging methods play important role in the treatment and diagnosis of sleep disorders. Due to the characteristics of weak signals, EEG needs accurate and efficient algorithms to extract feature information before applying it in the sleep stages. Conventional feature extraction methods have low efficiency and are difficult to meet the time validity of fast staging. In addition, it can easily lead to the omission of key features owing to insufficient a priori knowledge. Deep learning networks, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have powerful processing capabilities in data analysis and data mining. In this study, a deep learning network is introduced into the study of the sleep stage. In this study, the feature fusion method is presented, and long-term and short-term memory (LSTM) is selected as the classification network to improve the accuracy of sleep stage recognition. First, based on EEG and deep learning network, an automatic sleep phase method based on a multi-channel EGG is proposed. Second, CNN-LSTM is used to monitor EEG and EOG samples during sleep. In addition, without any signal preprocessing or feature extraction, data expansion (DA) can be realized for unbalanced data, and special data and non-general data can be deleted. Finally, the MIT-BIH dataset is used to train and evaluate the proposed model. The experimental results show that the EEG-based sleep phase method proposed in this paper provides an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, and hence has a practical application value.
Hypertrophy of paravertebral muscles after epidural electrical stimulation shifted: A case report
Authors: Li Sipeng , Rong Hongtao , Hao Zhenghao , Tan Rui , Li Haijun , Zhu Tao
Published: July 2022

Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has been used to improve motor function in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The effect of EES on paravertebral muscles in patients with SCI has been unnoticed. We reported a case of paravertebral muscles hypertrophy after the electrode shifted in a patient with spinal cord injury. We also discussed possible mechanistic accounts for this occurs.
Veterinary Guidelines for Electrochemotherapy of Superficial Tumors
Authors: Tellado Matías , Mir Lluis M. , Maglietti Felipe
Published: July 2022

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) consists in the application of electric pulses to increase chemotherapeutic drug intake (bleomycin, cisplatin, or calcium) into the tumor cells. It has become a very valuable treatment option in veterinary oncology. It is an effective and safe treatment modality, which is not only beneficial as a palliative treatment, but also for a curative approach. Performing the treatment adequately will ensure the best results possible, in the minimum number of sessions, and reduce complications. Usually, only one session is enough to achieve excellent results, but the treatment can be repeated. Several sessions can be necessary in the case of incompletely treated or very extended lesions, as well as in the occurrence of new lesions. ECT is effective for superficial or oral tumors of any histology that are accessible to the electrodes. Intravenous bleomycin is the preferred drug and route of administration, leaving other ways of administration and drugs for selected cases. The guidelines presented here are destined to veterinarians who want to develop their understanding of the basis of ECT and wish to perform it adequately and effectively. In this paper, we also discuss common problems and how to solve them, and we include practical tips to improve the treatment results based on common questions and mistakes of beginner users.
BigBovid- Evaluation of a Newly Developed 9 mm Bullet-Shooting Stunner for Adequate Stunning of Heavy Cattle
Authors: Gascho Dominic , Stephan Roger , Bauer Clemens , Oesch Michelle Aimée , Richter Henning
Published: July 2022

The stunning of heavy cattle and water buffalo is an animal welfare problem, as conventional cartridge fired captive-bolt stunners are not suitable due to the thicker skull bones and the greater depth of penetration required to reach and damage the relevant brain regions for deep unconsciousness. This current animal welfare problem requires a suitable and feasible as well as commercially available and legally approved stunning device to ensure deep unconsciousness of these animals. In this study, the use of a newly developed bullet-shooting stunner, the BigBovid, with two different types of hunting ammunition, namely .38 SPL FMJ-TC and .357 MAG FTX® bullets, was evaluated on 22 heavy cattle (mean weight: 1062.27 kg, standard deviation: 124.09 kg). In ballistic experiments, the BigBovid reached a mean energy density of 8.18 J/mm2 (mean error: 0.45 J/mm2) for the .38 SPL FMJ-TC and 17.56 J/mm2 (mean error: 2.67 J/mm2) for the .357 MAG FTX®. In in vivo experiments, the use of the .38 SPL FMJ-TC resulted in overpenetration three times. The .357 MAG FTX® bullets showed to be more advantageous, because on the one hand no overpenetration occurred and on the other hand the bullets fragmented into small parts after penetration into the skull. The fragments were scattered in the brain tissue, such as the thalamus and the brain stem, and thus there is a high probability to damage the brain regions relevant for deep unconsciousness. Based on the results of this study, the use of the BigBovid in combination with the .357 MAG FTX® bullet is found to be suitable for stunning heavy cattle.
Reducing the False Negative Rate in Deep Learning Based Network Intrusion Detection Systems
Authors: Mijalkovic Jovana , Spognardi Angelo
Published: July 2022

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) represent a crucial component in the security of a system, and their role is to continuously monitor the network and alert the user of any suspicious activity or event. In recent years, the complexity of networks has been rapidly increasing and network intrusions have become more frequent and less detectable. The increase in complexity pushed researchers to boost NIDS effectiveness by introducing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques. However, even with the addition of ML and DL, some issues still need to be addressed: high false negative rates and low attack predictability for minority classes. Aim of the study was to address these problems that have not been adequately addressed in the literature. Firstly, we have built a deep learning model for network intrusion detection that would be able to perform both binary and multiclass classification of network traffic. The goal of this base model was to achieve at least the same, if not better, performance than the models observed in the state-of-the-art research. Then, we proposed an effective refinement strategy and generated several models for lowering the FNR and increasing the predictability for the minority classes. The obtained results proved that using the proper parameters is possible to achieve a satisfying trade-off between FNR, accuracy, and detection of the minority classes.
Multifractal Characterization and Modeling of Blood Pressure Signals
Authors: De Santis Enrico , Naraei Parisa , Martino Alessio , Sadeghian Alireza , Rizzi Antonello
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a multi-fractal analysis on a diastolic blood pressure signal is conducted. The signal is measured in a time span of circa one day through the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis framework. The analysis is performed on asymptotic timescales where complex regulating mechanisms play a fundamental role in the blood pressure stability. Given a suitable frequency range and after removing non-stationarities, the blood pressure signal shows interesting scaling properties and a pronounced multifractality imputed to long-range correlations. Finally, a binomial multiplicative model is investigated showing how the analyzed signal can be described by a concise multifractal model with only two parameters.
Hypothesis Testing Fusion for Nonlinearity Detection in Hedge Fund Price Returns
Authors: Le Caillec Jean-Marc
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we present the results of nonlinearity detection in Hedge Fund price returns. The main challenge is induced by the small length of the time series, since the return of this kind of asset is updated once a month. As usual, the nonlinearity of the return time series is a key point to accurately assess the risk of an asset, since the normality assumption is barely encountered in financial data. The basic idea to overcome the hypothesis testing lack of robustness on small time series is to merge several hypothesis tests to improve the final decision (i.e., the return time series is linear or not). Several aspects on the index/decision fusion, such as the fusion topology, as well as the shared information by several hypothesis tests, have to be carefully investigated to design a robust decision process. This designed decision rule is applied to two databases of Hedge Fund price return (TASS and SP). In particular, the linearity assumption is generally accepted for the factorial model. However, funds having detected nonlinearity in their returns are generally correlated with exchange rates. Since exchange rates nonlinearly evolve, the nonlinearity is explained by this risk factor and not by a nonlinear dependence on the risk factors.
Efficiency and Effectivity of a Biological–Epidemiological Fungal Disease Management System in Wheat—A Study of 26 Years
Authors: Klink Holger , Prahl Ketel Christian , Hasler Mario , Verreet Joseph-Alexander , Birr Tim
Published: July 2022

Foliar diseases are a major threat to worldwide wheat production, especially during the vegetative period in maritime climates. Despite advancements in agronomic practices, infestations by foliar diseases are possible under favourable weather conditions, thus, fungicides are essential for maintaining control. Stage-oriented applications are therefore common in farm practices. The optimization of fungicide use according to biological–epidemiological thresholds reduces the total amount of fungicides used, which is of political interest, especially in the European Union. Therefore, the efficiency and effectivity of the fungicides used to control the six major foliar diseases (Septoria tritici blotch, glume blotch, tans spot, powdery mildew, stripe rust, and leaf rust) were analysed in a long-term study of 26 years in northern Germany under favourable maritime conditions. Of those diseases, Septoria tritici blotch was the most dominant recurring disease, with high severity noted in every year of the study. The threshold-based disease management system was compared to a fungicide untreated control and a healthy-standard fungicide treatment (according to growth stages). The usage of the threshold-based system reduced the disease severities significantly compared to the fungicide untreated control, without any loss of yield compared to the healthy-standard fungicide treatment. Thereby, the use of fungicides was reduced by two thirds compared to the stage-oriented healthy-standard treatment. Thus, the advantages of the threshold-based system were obvious, and this approach will be an important tool for future evaluations of current farm practices.
Going Green Together: Effects of Green Transformational Leadership on Employee Green Behaviour and Environmental Performance in the Saudi Food Industry
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Hasanein Ahmed , Gharbi Hassane , Abu Elnasr Ahmed E.
Published: July 2022

Over the last few decades, environmental impacts have been a major concern not only for policymakers but also for scholars and leaders of organisations. The leadership of organisations can drive the green behaviour of their employees, thus driving the overall green performance of enterprises. In this research, we examined the direct influence of green transformational leadership (GTFL) on the environmental performance of food organisations and the indirect influence via green behaviour of employees. More specifically, we have examined the mediating effect of employee green behaviour, whether task-related or pro-environmental behaviour, on the association between GTFL and environmental performance. For this purpose, we adopted a pre-tested research instrument for data collection from 1050 employees in different food enterprises across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We have used Amos structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the direct and indirect effects of GTFL. The results confirmed a positive significant influence of GTFL on both dimensions of green behaviour, i.e., task-related and pro-environmental behaviour, and on environmental performance. The results showed a partial mediating effect of task-related behaviour in the link between GTFL and environmental performance, whereas pro-environmental behaviour has a perfect mediation effect. The results highlight the dynamic role of pro-environmental behaviour in affecting the above link and send a crucial message to leaders in the food industry about prioritizing pro-environmental behaviour when selecting and recruiting new employees. Additionally, development programs should be conducted to enhance the pro-environmental behaviours among employees.
Pelargonic Acid and Caraway Essential Oil Efficacy on Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv.) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.)
Authors: Kanatas Panagiotis , Zavra Spyridoula-Marina , Tataridas Alexandros , Gazoulis Ioannis , Antonopoulos Nikolaos , Synowiec Agnieszka , Travlos Ilias
Published: July 2022

Bioherbicides are naturally originated products posing alternatives to synthetic herbicides for weed control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pelargonic acid and microencapsulated caraway essential oil on barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv.) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.). Two separate pot experiments were conducted at the Agricultural University of Athens (spring 2021), arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with six weed control treatments replicated four times. Treatments included the applications of: microencapsulated caraway essential oil at 50 g L−1 (CAR), CAR plus a commercial adjuvant (CAR + adj), i.e., alcohol ethoxylate at 1.8 g L−1, pelargonic acid at 36.3 g L−1 (PA), PA plus a commercial adjuvant (PA + adj), i.e., alcohol ethoxylate at 1.8 g L−1, and a tank mixture of pelargonic acid at 64 g L−1 plus microencapsulated caraway essential oil at 50 g L−1 (PA + CAR). An untreated control (CON) was also included. The results of the current research confirmed the knock-down effect of pelargonic acid against both barnyardgrass and johnsongrass and demonstrated the low efficacy of caraway microcapsules. The addition of a commercial adjuvant improved the efficacy of caraway essential oil but did not appear to affect the performance of pelargonic acid. No synergistic effects were observed between pelargonic acid and microencapsulated caraway essential oil. Further research is needed to optimize the use of these and other natural herbicides for weed control in agriculture and as components of sustainable integrated weed management (IWM) systems.
Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation on Milk and Plasma Fatty Acid Composition and Plasma Parameters of Holstein Dairy Cows
Authors: Huang Guoxin , Wang Jie , Liu Kaizhen , Wang Fengen , Zheng Nan , Zhao Shengguo , Qu Xueyin , Yu Jing , Zhang Yangdong , Wang Jiaqi
Published: July 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of whole flaxseed and ground flaxseed supplementation on the composition of fatty acids in plasma and milk, particularly the content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). Thirty Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Cows were fed a total mixed ration without flaxseed (CK), 1500 g of whole flaxseed (WF), and 1500 g of ground flaxseed (GF) supplementation. There were no differences observed in dry matter intake, milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk (p > 0.05). Compared with the CK group, the contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosatrienoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid increased in the plasma and milk WF and GF groups, and the content of docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 PUFA was higher in GF than the other groups (p < 0.001). The ALA yield increased to 232% and 360% in WF and GF, respectively, compared to the CK group. Compared with the WF group, GF supplementation resulted in an increased milk ALA/ALA intake ratio (p < 0.001). Flaxseed supplementation increased the activity of GSH-Px and decreased the concentration of MDA in milk (p < 0.001). Plasma parameters did not differ among the treatments (p > 0.05). This result indicated that compared with the WF group, GF supplementation in the diet showed higher efficiency in increasing the total n-3 PUFA levels and the milk ALA/ALA intake ratio, and decreased the ratio of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs in milk.
Betaine Alleviates LPS-Induced Chicken Skeletal Muscle Inflammation with the Epigenetic Modulation of the TLR4 Gene
Authors: Guo Feng , Jing Mengna , Zhang Aoyu , Yu Yan , Gao Pei , Wang Qiuxia , Wang Li , Xu Zhiyong , Ma Jinyou , Zhang Yanhong
Published: July 2022

Betaine was found to alleviate inflammation in different studies. Here, newly hatched broilers were randomly divided into control and betaine consumptive groups, who had access to normal drinking water and water with betaine at a dose of 1000 mg/L, respectively. At the age of two weeks, the boilers were intraperitoneally treated with LPS. The protective effects of betaine against LPS-induced skeletal muscle inflammation were studied. Betaine attenuated the LPS-induced overexpression of IL-6 significantly in the leg muscle. Furthermore, LPS lowered the expression of TLR4 and TLR2 but increased the expression of MyD88. Betaine eliminated the effect of LPS on the expression of TLR4 but not TLR2 and MyD88. LPS also increased the expression of Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (Tet2), and this effect was also eliminated by betaine consumption. MeDIP-qPCR analysis showed that the methylation level in the promoter region of IL-6 was decreased by LPS treatment, whilst betaine cannot prevent this effect. On the contrary, LPS significantly increase the methylation level in the promoter region of TLR4, which was decreased by the consumption of betaine. Our findings suggest that betaine can alleviate LPS-induced muscle inflammation in chicken, and the regulation of aberrant DNA methylation might be a possible mechanism.
Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure from Leather Processing Plants on Serum Oxidative Stress and the Milk Fatty Acid Composition of Dairy Cows: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Su Chuanyou , Qu Xueyin , Gao Yanan , Zhou Xuewei , Yang Xue , Zheng Nan
Published: July 2022

This study investigated whether unsaturated fatty acids in milk and the oxidative status of cows are affected by heavy metal exposure due to leather processing. The blood lead (Pb) concentrations in cows from two farms in the polluted area were 16.27 ± 8.63 μg/L, respectively, which were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the blood Pb concentrations in cows from an unpolluted farm (6.25 ± 3.04 μg/L). There were significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of cows from the polluted area compared to the levels in cows from an unpolluted area. The linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) content in milk from the polluted area was 15% lower than in the control area. There was a significant correlation between linoleic acid in milk with the blood Pb and serum GSH levels. Heavy metals can alter fatty acid synthesis through oxidative stress, which may be the mechanism by which heavy metals affect fatty acid synthesis in milk.
Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Ramsons (Allium ursinum L.) on Lipid Oxidation and the Microbiological Quality, Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Rabbit Meat Burgers
Authors: Śmiecińska Katarzyna , Gugołek Andrzej , Kowalska Dorota
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of rabbit meat burgers with the addition of garlic (Allium Sativum L.) powder (G), ramsons (Allium ursinum L.) powder (R) or their combination (GR). The effects of additives on lipid oxidation, color parameters, microbiological quality and organoleptic properties of raw and oven-baked burgers were analyzed before and after refrigerated storage. Four meat formulations were prepared: control (C)—without additives, with the addition of G (0.35 g/100 g of meat), R (0.35 g/100 g of meat) and GR (0.35 g/100 g of meat each). The addition of GR induced an increase in pH and TBARS values in raw and oven-baked burgers. The pH of raw and oven-baked burgers was also affected by storage time (ST), and it was lower after 7 days of storage (ST7) than before storage (ST0). TBARS values were higher at ST7 only in raw burgers. The addition of R and GR decreased the values of color parameter L* (lightness) relative to G and C in raw and oven-baked burgers. The greatest changes in parameter a* (redness) were observed after the addition of R and GR, both before and after heat treatment. The values of parameter b* (yellowness) increased after the addition of R, GR (raw and oven-baked burgers) and G (raw burgers). In raw burgers, color saturation (C*) was higher in groups R and GR than in groups C and G, and the value of hue angle (h°) was lower in burgers with GR than in those with G and R. In oven-baked burgers, the values of C* and h° were lower in group GR than in the remaining treatments (C, G and R). In raw burgers, ST had no effect on the values of L*, whereas the values of parameters a*, b*, C* and h° were lower at ST7 than at ST0. In oven-baked burgers, the values of L* were higher at ST0 than at ST7, and the values of a*, b*, C* and h° were higher at ST7 than at ST0. The tested additives had no influence on the presence of off-odors in raw burgers. This parameter was affected by ST, and its value was lower at ST0 than at ST7. The appearance and overall acceptability of burgers were affected only by additives, and raw burgers containing GR received the lowest scores. After heat treatment, control burgers scored lowest for all attributes, whereas burgers with the addition of R and GR received the highest scores. The analyzed additives had no effect on the growth of Enterobacteriacea,Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria or total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria. However, the counts of all identified bacteria increased at ST7. In conclusion, garlic powder and ramsons powder can be added to rabbit meat burgers to extend their shelf life and improve their eating quality.
Assessment of Conventional and Low Gossypol Cottonseed Meal as Alternative Protein Sources in Low-Fishmeal Diets of Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀× Epinephelus lanceolatus♂): Growth, Feed Utilization, Gut Histology, and Immunity
Authors: Irm Misbah , Ye Bo , Wu Xiaoyi , Geng Lina , Cai Qinxiao , Zhang Lu , Zhai Haoyun , Zhou Zhiyu
Published: July 2022

A 9-week growth trial was carried out to assess the influence of replacing poultry by-product meal protein with conventional cottonseed meal protein (CCMP) or low gossypol cottonseed meal protein (LGCMP) on growth, feed utilization, gut micromorphology, and immunity of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀× Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) juveniles fed low-fish meal (18.53%, dry matter) diets. Eleven experimental diets were prepared. The control diet (PBMP) contained 46.15% poultry by-product meal protein. Both conventional cottonseed meal protein (CCMP) and low-gossypol cottonseed meal protein (LGCMP) were used in replacement ratios of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of poultry by-product meal protein (PBMP) from the control diet, forming ten experimental diets (CCMP20, CCMP40, CCMP60, CCMP80, CCMP100, LGCMP20, LGCMP40, LGCMP60, LGCMP80, and LGCMP100). Results demonstrated that weight-gain percentage (WG%) was not different between different sources of cottonseed meal (CCMP and LGCMP). However, values of WG% significantly differed among different replacement levels, with CCMP80 and LGCMP40 having significantly higher values compared to other treatments. Fish fed CCMP80 and LGCMP40 exhibited higher protein efficiency ratios (PERs) than fish fed other experimental diets. The regression analysis from a second-order or third-order polynomial model based on WG% showed that the optimal PBMP replacement levels by CCMP and LGCMP are 74% and 33%, respectively. The whole-body lipid contents remarkably decreased as dietary CCMP or LGCMP inclusion levels increased. The relative mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) in liver was higher in fish fed CCMP80 and LGCMP40 diets compared to fish fed other diets. Generally, in low-FM diets of hybrid grouper, CCMP and LGCMP could replace 74% and 33% of PBMP, respectively.
Tracheal Hemangioma Causing Lung Emphysema and Pneumopericardium in a Rabbit—A Case Report
Authors: Kandefer-Gola Małgorzata , Żebrowski Kacper , Ciaputa Rafał , Borawski Wojciech , Brambilla Eleonora , Grieco Valeria
Published: July 2022

A pet rabbit (female, 8 years old, and mixed breed) with symptoms of dyspnea, apathy, and weight loss was treated for an acute respiratory infection. Due to the lack of improvement, it was referred to the Imaging Diagnostics Laboratory of the Department and Clinic of Surgery for a computer tomography scan of the thoracic cavity. The examination revealed the presence of air in the pericardial sac, a pneumopericardium, along with pulmonary emphysema. A few minutes after the examination, the rabbit developed circulatory and respiratory failure and died. Necropsy confirmed the presence of a pneumopericardium and pulmonary emphysema, and revealed, in the tracheal lumen, the presence of a tumor histologically consistent with hemangioma. A spontaneous pneumopericardium occurs when air from the respiratory system moves into the pericardial sac. This is the first case of the simultaneous occurrence of tracheal hemangioma and a pneumopericardium in a rabbit.