bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE3 Is a Receptor for Selective Autophagy of the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sun Jiaqi , Wang Weina , Zheng Huanquan
Published: February 2022

ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE3 (RHD3) is a plant member of atlastin GTPases, which belong to an evolutionally conserved family of proteins that mediate the homotypic fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An atlastin in mammalian cells has recently been shown to act as an ER-phagy receptor for selective autophagy of the ER (ER-phagy) during nutrient starvation. Although RHD3 has been indicated to play a role in ER stress response, it is not very clear how RHD3 is involved in the process. In this study, we showed that the rhd3 mutant is hyposensitive to ER as well as salt stress. We employed an YFP-tagged ER membrane marker YFP-TMC to monitor the efficiency of ER-phagy microscopically and biochemically. We found that rhd3 is defective in ER-phagy under ER stress. Furthermore, there is an increased association of YFP-RHD3 with ATG8e-marked autophagosomes. YFP-RHD3 is also visible with ATG8e in the vacuole, and there is a breakdown of YFP-RHD3 under ER stress. RHD3 has two putative ATG8 interaction motifs (AIM1-2). We revealed that RHD3 but not RHD3(ΔAIM1) physically interacts with ATG8, a core autophagosomal component that interacts with various receptor proteins to recruit cargos for degradation by selective autophagy. Furthermore, their interaction is enhanced under ER stress. We thus propose that RHD3 acts as an ER-phagy receptor under ER stress to promote ER-phagy in Arabidopsis.
Biogeographic Population Structure of Chimeric Blades of Porphyra in the Northeast Atlantic Reveals Southern Rich Gene Pools, Introgression and Cryptic Plasticity
Authors: Varela-Álvarez Elena , Meirmans Patrick G. , Guiry Michael D. , Serrão Ester A.
Published: February 2022

The genusPorphyra sensu lato(Bangiaceae, Rhodophyta), an important seaweed grown in aquaculture, is the most genetically diverse group of the Class Bangiophyceae, but has poorly understood genetic variability linked to complex evolutionary processes. Genetic studies in the last decades have largely focused on resolving gene phylogenies; however, there is little information on historical population biogeography, structure and gene flow in the Bangiaceae, probably due to their cryptic nature, chimerism and polyploidy, which render analyses challenging. This study aims to understand biogeographic population structure in the two abundantPorphyraspecies in the Northeast Atlantic:Porphyra dioica(a dioecious annual) andPorphyra linearis(protandrous hermaphroditic winter annual), occupying distinct niches (seasonality and position on the shore). Here, we present a large-scale biogeographic genetic analysis across their distribution in the Northeast Atlantic, using 10 microsatellites and cpDNA as genetic markers and integrating chimerism and polyploidy, including simulations considering alleles derived from different ploidy levels and/or from different genotypes within the chimeric blade. ForP. linearis, both markers revealed strong genetic differentiation of north-central eastern Atlantic populations (from Iceland to the Basque region of Northeast Iberia) vs. southern populations (Galicia in Northwest Iberia, and Portugal), with higher genetic diversity in the south vs. a northern homogenous low diversity. For.P. dioica, microsatellite analyses also revealed two genetic regions, but with weaker differentiation, and cpDNA revealed little structure with all the haplotypes mixed across its distribution. The southern cluster inP. linearisalso included introgressed individuals with cpDNA fromP. dioicaand a winter form ofP. dioicaoccurred spatially intermixed withP. linearis. This third entity had a similar morphology and seasonality asP. linearisbut genomes (either nuclear or chloroplast) fromP. dioica. We hypothesize a northward colonization from southern Europe (where the ancestral populations reside and host most of the gene pool of these species). InP. linearisrecently established populations colonized the north resulting in homogeneous low diversity, whereas forP. dioicathe signature of this colonization is not as obvious due to hypothetical higher gene flow among populations, possibly linked to its reproductive biology and annual life history.
The Impact of Job Burnout on Employees’ Safety Behavior Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Psychological Contract
Authors: Liu Hui , Du Yuexin , Zhou Huiwen
Published: February 2022

Employee safety behavior is critical for occupational health in work environments threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the widespread and increasingly serious job burnout of employees is a complex and difficult problem for enterprises to handle during any epidemic. Therefore, it is helpful to identify and discuss job burnout and other main psychological factors that affect safety behavior to find appropriate solutions. Using the PLS-SEM method, the study explored the relationship between job burnout and safety behavior against the epidemic, as well as the mediating role of psychological contract. According to the local guidelines for controlling COVID-19, this study revised the safety behavior scale. Data were collected by structured questionnaires in May to July 2020 from Chinese employees (N = 353) who resumed their work after the outbreak of the pandemic. The findings confirmed that job burnout has a negative impact on safety behavior, and psychological contract play a partial mediating role in mitigating the negative impact. Specifically, the transaction dimension and relationship dimension of psychological contract negatively affected safety behavior while the development dimension of the psychological contract was not directly related to safety behavior. It is suggested that enterprises should take effective measures to reduce employees’ job burnout and implement flexible psychological contract management and intervention, so as to effectively improve the performance of work safety behavior. Based on the multidimensional model, the findings of this study shed light on promoting safety behavior to prevent the spread of epidemics.
German University Students’ Perspective on Remote Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quantitative Survey Study With Implications for Future Educational Interventions
Authors: Hoss Thomas , Ancina Amancay , Kaspar Kai
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic forced German universities to adjust their established operations quickly during the first nationwide lockdown in spring 2020. Lecturers and students were confronted with a sudden transition to remote teaching and learning. The present study examined students’ preparedness for and perspective on this new situation. In March and April 2020, we surveyed n = 584 students about the status quo of their perceived digital literacy and corresponding formal learning opportunities they had experienced in the past. Additionally, the students reported the direction of changes in key study characteristics they expected from this new situation. Moreover, they reported the extent to which they believe they will be able to master this new study situation successfully. Two categories of independent variables were considered: context-related variables and person-related variables. Our results show that students did not have many learning opportunities to promote their digital literacy, suggesting that they were not appropriately prepared for this new situation. Results for digital literacy vary by competence area. However, there is a positive correlation between past formal learning opportunities and corresponding digital competences. Master students reported more learning opportunities and higher digital literacy only in one competence area compared to bachelor students. Regarding the expected change of key study characteristics, some characteristics were expected to worsen and fewer to improve. A multiple regression analysis explained 54% of the estimated probability of successful remote learning. Students’ age, state anxiety, positive state affect, general self-efficacy, the availability of an own workplace, past learning opportunities in digital content creation, and the estimated preparedness of lecturers for remote teaching were significant explaining factors. Our results provide valuable insights into the perspective of students on studying during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We discuss important factors that should be addressed by educational measures in the future.
Driving Consumer Value Co-creation and Purchase Intention by Social Media Advertising Value
Authors: Hussain Ali , Ting Ding Hooi , Mazhar Muhammad
Published: February 2022

Social media advertisement (ad) is a growing phenomenon designed to reach and engage customers. However, despite their continued adoption, less remains known regarding the effectiveness of social media ads to co-create brand value. In response to this gap, this study aims to deepen the theoretical understanding of consumer value co-creation through social media advertising value. The data were collected using purposive sampling from 286 experienced social-media users, and the model was tested using partial least square (PLS)-based structural equation modeling. The results indicate that entertainment, aesthetic appeal, interactivity, and trendiness significantly affect the adverting value of social media ads. In turn, ad value affects consumers’ intention for value co-creation. Consequently, our findings suggest the importance of social media advertising value where marketers may enhance consumer-brand engagement (CBE) by incorporating interesting content, which may encourage the customer’s interaction with the social media ads and strengthen value co-creation behavior. The results further contribute to nascent marketing literature by demonstrating that value co-creation acts as an antecedent to generating positive electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) on social media platforms to drive consumers’ online brand purchase intention.
Lexical Profile of Newspapers Revisited: A Corpus-Based Analysis
Authors: Ha Hung Tan
Published: February 2022

The present study analyzed the vocabulary profile of the News on the Web (NOW) corpus, which contained 12 billion words from online newspapers and magazines in 20 countries to determine the vocabulary knowledge needed to reasonably understand online newspaper and magazine articles. The results showed that, in general, knowledge of the most frequent 4,000 word families in the British National Corpus/Corpus of Contemporary American English (BNC/COCA) wordlist plus proper nouns, marginal words, transparent compounds and acronyms was necessary to gain 95% coverage for the NOW corpus. However, when it came to the 98% coverage, online newspaper and magazine articles from different countries had relatively distinct lexical demands. In-depth analyses were carried out and the findings offered comprehensive insights into the issue. Implications for teaching and learning were also provided.
The Fear of Contagion and the Attitude Toward the Restrictive Measures Imposed to Face COVID-19 in Italy: The Psychological Consequences Caused by the Pandemic One Year After It Began
Authors: Rania Nadia , Coppola Ilaria
Published: February 2022

The pandemic nature of COVID-19 has caused major changes in health, economy, and society globally. Albeit to a lesser extent, contingent access to shops and places to socialize the imposition of social distancing and the use of indoor masks is measures still in force today (more than a year after the start of the pandemic), with repercussions on economic, social, and psychological levels. The fear of contagion, in fact, has led us to be increasingly suspicious and to isolate ourselves from the remainder of the community. This has had repercussions on the perception of loneliness, with significant psychological consequences, such as the development of stress, anxiety, and, in extreme cases, depressive symptoms. Starting from these assumptions, this research was developed with the aim of deepening the perceptions that the participants have of their own mental health, loneliness, fear linked to contagion, and attitudes toward imposed social distancing. In particular, we wanted to analyze whether there is a relationship between perceived fear and the perceived level of mental health, loneliness, and attitude toward social distancing. Finally, we wanted to analyze whether there are differences related to gender, age, marital status, current working mode, and educational qualifications. The research, performed after the diffusion of the vaccination in Italy, lasted 14 days. The participants were 500 Italians who voluntarily joined the study and were recruited with random cascade sampling. The research followed a quantitative approach. The analyzed data, from participants residing throughout the national territory, allow us to return the picture of the perceptions that Italians have of the fear of contagion, of their level of mental health, of loneliness and of their attitude toward social distancing. In particular, the data show that fear of COVID-19 is an emotional state experienced by the entire population and that young people have suffered more from loneliness and have been less inclined to accept the imposed social distancing. The data that emerged should make policymakers reflect on the need to find functional strategies to combat COVID-19 or other health emergency crises whose effects do not affect the psychological wellbeing of the population.
Exploring Airbnb Host Wellbeing and Host-Guest Conflicts in Network Hospitality
Authors: Ozanne Lucie K. , Prayag Girish
Published: February 2022

Despite a plethora of studies examining hosting experiences of Airbnb guests, the wellbeing of hosts has received limited attention. Drawing on both top-down and bottom-up theories of wellbeing, we explore the different ways in which Airbnb enhances or diminishes host wellbeing using a multidimensional lens (material, relational and subjective wellbeing). Data is collected from in-depth interviews with twenty-two Airbnb hosts. We also identify tensions and conflicts in the host-guest relationship using the three interactional hospitality domains of commercial, social and private. Through a deductive process, we find that participating in Airbnb both enhances and diminishes the material, relational and subjective aspects of wellbeing for hosts. Inductively, we find that a lack of territorial boundaries in shared accommodation contribute to conflicts that reduce wellbeing. This exemplifies a tension that exists in the private-commercial domain of network hospitality provision. We provide implications for peer-to-peer accommodation providers on developing the managerial skills of hosts, and helping hosts set realistic expectations around hosting to reduce the conflicts and tensions that arise from the intersectionality of the various Airbnb hospitality domains in such a way that the wellbeing of hosts is enhanced.
Fostering Teachers’ Multicultural Competence for Chinese Ethnic Minority Education: An Analysis of Teacher Education Programmes, Syllabuses and Teacher Educator Perceptions
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: February 2022

The multicultural characteristics of students belonging to ethnic minorities in China pose challenges for teachers. Teacher competence in dealing with culturally diverse students has been extensively discussed in international scholarship and referenced by Chinese researchers, but there is limited empirical research on how teacher education programmes in China respond to this challenge and theoretical discussions. Based on content analysis on teacher education programmes and syllabuses, as well as expert interviews with four teacher educators at two teacher education institutions, this study investigates how the cultivation of multicultural competence is incorporated into teacher education programmes, and the external forces that shape it. Drawing on international scholarship on teachers’ multicultural competence and Cochran-Smith’s framework on external forces influencing multicultural teacher education practices, I argue that the cultivation of teachers’ multicultural competence for their future work in ethnic minority education is, to a great extent, missing from teacher education programmes. Furthermore, what pre-service teachers’ competence covers, and the external forces that influence how teacher education plays out in practice, are influenced and somewhat determined by the large social, economic and political context as well as the agenda for educational reform in China.
Psychological Resilience, Cardiovascular Disease, and Metabolic Disturbances: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ghulam Anwal , Bonaccio Marialaura , Costanzo Simona , Bracone Francesca , Gianfagna Francesco , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia
Published: February 2022

Background

Positive psychosocial factors can play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among them, psychological resilience (PR) is defined as the capacity of responding positively to stressful events. Our aim was to assess whether PR is associated with CVD or metabolic disturbances through a systematic review.

Methods

We gathered articles from PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar up to October 28, 2021. We included articles that were in English, were observational, and had PR examined as exposure. The CVD outcomes were either clinical or metabolic outcomes (i.e., dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and diabetes).

Results

Our literature search identified 3,800 studies, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria. Of them, seven were longitudinal and 10 cross-sectional, and 13 were on adults and four on children. The exposure assessment was heterogeneous, i.e., 12 studies used different kinds of self-administered questionnaires and five used interviews with a psychologist. Regarding outcomes, five studies investigated CVD, seven obesity, one metabolic syndrome, two hypertension, four dyslipidemia, and four diabetes. In longitudinal studies, PR was found to have an inverse association with included outcomes in five studies from the Swedish military conscription cohort but had no association with CVD in a study on African-American women and was associated with slower progression of diabetes in a general population. The cross-sectional studies showed that the prevalence of disease was not associated with PR in many cases but the progression of disease was associated with PR.

Conclusion

PR seems to have a possibly favorable association with CVD and metabolic disturbances that differs according to the type of outcome and population. Our study limitations are given by the small number of studies available and the heterogeneity in PR measurement.

Systematic Review Registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=237109], identifier [CRD42021237109].
Expectation and Reality: International Students' Motivations and Motivational Adjustments to Sustain Academic Journey in Chinese Universities
Authors: Mao Yuezu , Ji Hao , Wang Rujia
Published: February 2022

Considering the increasing influx of international students to Chinese universities in recent decades, it is surprising to find that few empirical research, especially longitudinal ones, have been conducted in exploring the motivation of international students in China. To fill up the existing gap, this study explored and tracked international students' motivations dynamically. Mixed research design, such as surveys, reflective journals, and interviews, was employed in this study. Data were collected from 671 international students and three teachers in three Chinese universities in Zhejiang province, mainland China on a longitudinal basis. The present study found that international students' motivation could be discussed with considerations to the following two different phases: preliminary phase before they come to China and follow-up phase when they are in China. This study found that the integrative understanding of the external pulling force and the self-motivated pushing force plays a vital role in answering international students' motivations to China. International students were driven more by the self-motivated pushing force than the external pulling force in selecting China as their study destinations. Moreover, international students experienced motivational changes when their expectations conflict with reality and their positive motivational adjustments and social interaction were important to the sustainability of their academic journey. Moreover, this study provides implications for the government, universities and international students in the aspects of policymaking, education and application.
Does Multiple Capitals Disclosure Affect the Capital Market? An Empirical Analysis in an Integrated Reporting Perspective
Authors: Sun Yanqi , Qiao Xin , An Yi , Fang Qiaoling , Wu Na
Published: February 2022

Integrated reporting (IR), as a novel corporate reporting approach, focuses on how six forms of capital promote corporate value. This paper explores whether this kind of multiple capitals disclosure (MCD) framework has an impact on the capital market. Using a sample of Chinese A-share firms from 2012 to 2016, we examine the relationship between MCD quality and firm value. The results indicate that a higher MCD quality leads to a greater firm value. Our results are robust to a variety of sensitivity tests. Further evidence suggests that MCD quality could increase profitability by affecting the decision-making of non-financial stakeholders and enhance the value relevance of financial information by affecting the decision-making of investors. The paper helps understand how the IR approach affects the perception of investors on the value of a firm. The findings of the paper are of interest to academics, corporate management, investors, and governmental officials.
The Behavioral and Emotional Profile of Pediatric Tourette Syndrome Based on CBCL in a Chinese Sample
Authors: Cui Yonghua , Chu Jiahui , Li Yanlin , Li Ying
Published: February 2022

Background

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder that has a unique status of a quintessentially neuropsychiatric condition at the interface of neurology (movement disorder) and psychiatry (behavioral/emotional condition). However, the behavioral and emotional profile has seemed to be neglected in the literature thus far. This study aimed to investigate the behavioral and emotional profile of TS.

Methods

A total of 124 patients aged 6–16 years with TS were included in this study, including age- and sex-matched health control, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) groups. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to screen the behavioral and emotional profile of the TS and other compared groups. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was used to assess TS tic severity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the difference between the TS and other compared groups.

Results

The results showed that the eight factors of the CBCL had no association with motor tics, vocal tics, or tic severity (p > 0.05). However, positive correlations were identified between functional impairments (subscales of YGTSS) and thought problems (TP) and rule-breaking behavior (RBB). Based on the eight-factor profile of the CBCL, TS showed a similar profile to MDD but different from ADHD and OCD, which showed similar profiles.

Conclusions

Based on the assessment of the CBCL of TS, it was found that “pure” TS might show fewer behavioral and emotional problems than OCD, ADHD, and MDD. Similar behavioral and emotional profiles were identified between TS and MDD, but not OCD and ADHD. More attention needs to be paid to the thought problems and rule break problems in the CBCL in the screening stage, which might have a potential influence on the functional impairments of TS.
Is the Therapeutic Mechanism of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cognitive Dysfunctions of Depression Related to the Neuroinflammatory Processes in Depression?
Authors: Tateishi Hiroshi , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Monji Akira
Published: February 2022

The lifetime prevalence of depression is reported to be >10%, and it is an important illness that causes various disabilities over a long period of life. Neuroinflammation process is often reported to be closely linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Approximately one-third of depression is known to be treatment-resistant depression (TRD), in which the symptoms are refractory to adequate treatment. Cognitive dysfunction is one of the most important symptoms of depression that impedes the rehabilitation of patients with depression. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for TRD and is also known to be effective in cognitive dysfunction in depression. Since the details of the therapeutic mechanism of rTMS are still unknown, we have been conducting studies to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of rTMS, especially focusing on cognitive dysfunction in depression. In the present review, we present our latest results and discuss them from the standpoint of the neuroinflammation hypothesis of depression, while citing relevant literature.
Community Health Workers. Reinforcement of an Outreach Strategy in Rural Areas Aimed at Improving the Integration of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Prevention, Screening and Care Into the Health Systems. “Proxy-Santé” Study
Authors: Moh Desmorys Raoul , Bangali Maika , Coffie Patrick , Badjé Anani , Paul Adahourman Aman , Msellati Philippe
Published: February 2022

Background

In Côte d'Ivoire, the health system remains poorly accessible and inefficient, particularly in rural areas. Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV remain a major concern. Tasks shifting to Community Health Workers (CHWs) in rural areas has been proposed in terms of responses and has shown encouraging results with some limitations. Objective is therefore to develop and implement, in a health district, at the level of a neighborhood, a sub-prefecture, two villages and two camps, innovative strategies aimed at improving the integration of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis prevention and care into the health system at the community level through CHWs.

Methods

Introduce innovations to be integrated into the national system: (i) Selection and strengthening of the capacities of CHWs to provide care for the three diseases through home visits [Information Education and Counseling/Communication for Behavior Change (IEC/CBC)], simple malaria screening and management, referral of suspected tuberculosis cases and Directly Observed Treatment, short-course (DOTS), screening, prophylaxis and distribution of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to HIV-infected patients; (ii) monthly animation of village health committees by target groups (women of childbearing age, children under 5 years old, young adolescents); (iii) use of an application and tablets for data collection.

Discussion

This innovative project integrates new activities such as ARV distribution by CHWs, management of pre-exposure prophylaxis in rural areas and electronic data capture by communities. Several lessons can be learned on the relevance of the role and activities to be carried out by these CHWs in the fight against these three diseases.
Simulating Transmission Scenarios of the Delta Variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Australia
Authors: Chang Sheryl L. , Cliff Oliver M. , Zachreson Cameron , Prokopenko Mikhail
Published: February 2022

An outbreak of the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of SARS-CoV-2 that began around mid-June 2021 in Sydney, Australia, quickly developed into a nation-wide epidemic. The ongoing epidemic is of major concern as the Delta variant is more infectious than previous variants that circulated in Australia in 2020. Using a re-calibrated agent-based model, we explored a feasible range of non-pharmaceutical interventions, including case isolation, home quarantine, school closures, and stay-at-home restrictions (i.e., “social distancing.”) Our modelling indicated that the levels of reduced interactions in workplaces and across communities attained in Sydney and other parts of the nation were inadequate for controlling the outbreak. A counter-factual analysis suggested that if 70% of the population followed tight stay-at-home restrictions, then at least 45 days would have been needed for new daily cases to fall from their peak to below ten per day. Our model predicted that, under a progressive vaccination rollout, if 40–50% of the Australian population follow stay-at-home restrictions, the incidence will peak by mid-October 2021: the peak in incidence across the nation was indeed observed in mid-October. We also quantified an expected burden on the healthcare system and potential fatalities across Australia.
Participation in One Health Networks and Involvement in the COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Global Study
Authors: Streichert Laura C. , Sepe Ludovico P. , Jokelainen Pikka , Stroud Cheryl M. , Berezowski John , Del Rio Vilas Víctor J.
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic exemplifies a One Health issue at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health that requires collaboration across sectors to manage it successfully. The global One Health community includes professionals working in many different fields including human medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, ecosystem health, and, increasingly, social sciences. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to describe the involvement of the global One Health community in COVID-19 pandemic response activities. One Health networks (OHNs) have formed globally to serve professionals with common interests in collaborative approaches. We assessed the potential association between being part of an OHN and involvement in COVID-19 response activities. Data were collected in July-August 2020 using an online questionnaire that addressed work characteristics, perceived connection to OHNs, involvement in COVID-19 pandemic response activities, and barriers and facilitators to the involvement. The sample included 1,050 respondents from 94 countries across a range of organizations and work sectors including, but not restricted to, those typically associated with a One Health approach. Sixty-four percent of survey respondents indicated involvement in pandemic response activities. Being part of an OHN was positively associated with being involved in the COVID-19 response (odds ratio: 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–2.4). Lack of opportunities was a commonly reported barrier to involvement globally, with lack of funding the largest barrier in the WHO African region. This insight into diverse workforce involvement in the pandemic helps fill a gap in the global health workforce and public health education literature. An expanded understanding of the perceived roles and value of OHNs can inform targeted interventions to improve public health education and workforce capacity to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
Precise Motion Control of a Power Line Inspection Robot Using Hybrid Time Delay and State Feedback Control
Authors: Alhassan Ahmad Bala , Zhang Xiaodong , Shen Haiming , Xu Haibo , Hamza Khaled , Masengo Gilbert
Published: February 2022

Intelligent robotic inspection of power transmission lines has proved to be an excellent alternative to the traditional manual inspection methods, which are often tedious, expensive, and dangerous. However, to achieve effective automation of the robots under different working environments, the dynamic analysis and control of the robots need to be investigated for an efficient inspection process. Nonetheless, the application of control techniques for the position, speed and vibration control of these robots has not been explored in detail by the existing literature. Thus, an approach for precise motion control of the sliding inspection robot is presented in this paper. The main contribution of the study is that the chattering problem associated with the traditional command shaping time delay control (TDC) was minimized by smoothing the chattered input signal. Then, the improved control (iTDC) which is effective for oscillation control is hybridized with a pole placement based feedback control (PPC) to achieve both position and the sway angle control of the robot. The nonlinear and the linearized models of the sliding robot were established for the control design and analysis. Three parameters of the robot, namely, the length of the suspended arm, the mass of the payload, and the friction coefficient of different surfaces, were used to assess the robustness of the controller to model uncertainties. The iTDC + PPC has improved the velocity of TDC by 201% and minimizes the angular oscillation of PPC by 209%. Thus, the results demonstrate that the hybridized iTDC + PPC approach could be effectively applied for precise motion control of the sliding inspection robot.
Land Use, Weather, and Water Quality Factors Associated With Fecal Contamination of Northeastern Streams That Span an Urban-Rural Gradient
Authors: Weller Daniel L. , Murphy Claire M. , Johnson Stephanie , Green Hyatt , Michalenko Edward M. , Love Tanzy M. T. , Strawn Laura K.
Published: February 2022

Fecal contamination of surface water has been associated with multiple enteric disease outbreaks and food recalls. Thus, it is important to understand factors associated with fecal contamination of agricultural water sources. Since fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) were used to monitor surface water for potential fecal contamination, the purpose of the present study was to characterize associations between environmental factors, and (i) FIB (E. coli, Enterococcus, and coliform) levels, and (ii) host-specific fecal marker detection. This study used data collected from 224 sites along 3 waterways, which spanned an urban-rural gradient around Syracuse, New York. Between 2008 and 2017, 2,816 water samples were collected, and E. coli, Enterococcus, and/or coliform concentrations were enumerated. Thirty-one samples were also tested for human and ruminant microbial source-tracking markers. Water quality (e.g., turbidity, nitrate) and weather data were also collected for each site. Univariable Bayesian regression was used to characterize the relationship between each microbial target and land use, water quality, and weather factor. For each model, probability of direction and region of practical equivalence overlap (ROPE) were calculated to characterize the association's direction and strength, respectively. While levels of different FIB were not correlated with each other, FIB levels were associated with environmental conditions. Specifically, FIB levels were also positively associated with temperature, nutrient and sediment levels. Log10 E. coli levels increased by 0.20 (CI = 0.11, 0.31) and log10 Enterococcus levels increased by 0.68 (CI = 0.08, 1.24) for each log10 increase in salinity and nitrate, respectively. These findings may indicate that similar processes drove microbial, sediment, and nutrient contamination of the sampled watersheds. While fecal contamination was strongly associated with land use, the direction of association varied between FIBs and the buffer distance used to calculate land use metrics. E. coli levels and human marker detection were positively associated with percent pasture cover within 122, 366, and 1,098 m of the sampling site, while Enterococcus and coliform levels were only associated with pasture cover within 1,098 m (not 122 or 366 m). Ruminant markers were positively associated with pasture cover within 122 m, but not 366 or 1,098 m. These findings highlight the importance of considering (i) adjacent land use (and associated non-point sources of contamination) when developing strategies for managing fecal hazards associated in agricultural and recreational water, and (ii) spatial scale (e.g., 122 vs. 1,098 m) when developing these strategies.
Optimization of the Regulated Deficit Irrigation Strategy for Greenhouse Tomato Based on the Fuzzy Borda Model
Authors: Li Xufeng , Ma Juanjuan , Zheng Lijian , Chen Jinping , Sun Xihuan , Guo Xianghong
Published: February 2022

It is of great significance to explore the strategy of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) under mulched drip irrigation to stabilize tomato yield and improve quality and efficiency. This experimental study was conducted on a drip-irrigated greenhouse in two consecutive years (2020 and 2021). Three deficit levels were set for the flowering and fruit development stage (Stage I), and three were set for the fruit-ripening stage (Stage II). As a combination evaluation method, the fuzzy Borda model was used to optimize the RDI strategy of greenhouse tomato. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and total shoot biomass of tomato decreased with an increase in the water deficit, while the intercellular CO2 concentration had an opposite trend. The mild and moderate water deficit at Stage I reduced tomato yield by 16–24% and 30–40% compared to full irrigation. The water deficit at Stage II was able to improve various quality parameters and the water-use efficiency of tomato; the irrigation water-use efficiency (32.8–33.9 kg/m3) and leaf water-use efficiency (3.2–3.6 μmol/mmol) were the highest when the soil water content was 70–90% θf (field capacity) at Stage I and 40–60% θf at Stage II (T3). Based on the fuzzy Borda combination evaluation model, T3 was determined as the treatment with stable yield, high quality, and efficient irrigation under the experimental conditions. The irrigation regime was as follows: irrigating 20–25 mm in the transplanting stage, no irrigation in the seedling stage, irrigating 193.2–220.8 mm at Stage I, and then irrigating 27.6 mm at Stage II.
A Formalized Method to Acclimate Dogs to Voluntary Treadmill Locomotion at Various Speeds and Inclines
Authors: Stigall Alexander R. , Farr Brian D. , Ramos Meghan T. , Otto Cynthia M.
Published: February 2022

The land treadmill is a multipurpose tool with a unique set of behavioral and physical benefits for training and assessing active dogs. Habituation to voluntary treadmill locomotion is crucial for training a dog or accurately assessing a dog’s fitness on a treadmill. Therefore, a treadmill acclimation program was developed and evaluated with working dogs in training or working dogs performing detection research. Seven of eight naive dogs became acclimated to the treadmill using the protocol developed. Two previously experienced dogs successfully conducted an acclimation assessment to test for habituation to the treadmill. A muscle soreness protocol was created to evaluate the soreness developed during the acclimation program. This detailed protocol was successful in acclimating dogs to the treadmill at various safe speeds and inclines.
Machine Learning and Antibiotic Management
Authors: Maviglia Riccardo , Michi Teresa , Passaro Davide , Raggi Valeria , Bocci Maria Grazia , Piervincenzi Edoardo , Mercurio Giovanna , Lucente Monica , Murri Rita
Published: February 2022

Machine learning and cluster analysis applied to the clinical setting of an intensive care unit can be a valuable aid for clinical management, especially with the increasing complexity of clinical monitoring. Providing a method to measure clinical experience, a proxy for that automatic gestalt evaluation that an experienced clinician sometimes effortlessly, but often only after long, hard consideration and consultation with colleagues, relies upon for decision making, is what we wanted to achieve with the application of machine learning to antibiotic therapy and clinical monitoring in the present work. This is a single-center retrospective analysis proposing methods for evaluation of vitals and antimicrobial therapy in intensive care patients. For each patient included in the present study, duration of antibiotic therapy, consecutive days of treatment and type and combination of antimicrobial agents have been assessed and considered as single unique daily record for analysis. Each parameter, composing a record was normalized using a fuzzy logic approach and assigned to five descriptive categories (fuzzy domain sub-sets ranging from “very low” to “very high”). Clustering of these normalized therapy records was performed, and each patient/day was considered to be a pertaining cluster. The same methodology was used for hourly bed-side monitoring. Changes in patient conditions (monitoring) can lead to a shift of clusters. This can provide an additional tool for assessing progress of complex patients. We used Fuzzy logic normalization to descriptive categories of parameters as a form nearer to human language than raw numbers.
Molecular Characterization of MCR-1 Producing Enterobacterales Isolated in Poultry Farms in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Sonnevend Ágnes , Alali Walid Q. , Mahmoud Sara A. , Ghazawi Akela , Bharathan Greeshma , Melegh Szilvia , Rizvi Tahir A. , Pál Tibor
Published: February 2022

Data on the prevalence of MCR-producing Enterobacterales of animal origin are scarce from the Arabian Peninsula. We investigated the presence and variety of such strains from fecal specimens of poultry collected in four farms in the United Arab Emirates. Colonies from ten composite samples per farm grown on colistin-supplemented plates were PCR-screened for alleles of the mcr gene. Thirty-nine isolates selected based on species, colony morphology, and plasmid profile were subjected to whole genome sequencing. The panel of their resistance and virulence genes, MLST and cgMLST were established. Transferability and incompatibility types of the MCR-plasmids were determined. mcr-1.1 positive strains were identified in 36 of the 40 samples. Thirty-four multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli of 16 different sequence types, two Escherichia albertii, two Klebsiella pneumoniae and one Salmonella minnesota were identified. Beyond various aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and co-trimoxazole resistance genes, seven of them also carried ESBL genes and one blaCMY-2. Six IncHI2, 26 IncI2 and 4 IncX4 MCR-plasmids were mobilized, in case of the IncHI2 plasmids co-transferring ampicillin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline resistance. The diversity of mcr-1 positive strains suggest a complex local epidemiology calling for a coordinated surveillance including animals, retail meat and clinical cases.
Hydrothermal Treatment Effect on Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols Concentration and Profile of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) in an In Vitro Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion Model
Authors: Doniec Joanna , Florkiewicz Adam , Dziadek Kinga , Filipiak-Florkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: February 2022

Brussels sprouts are a source of polyphenolic compounds. However, their concentration is affected by many factors depending on the plant material, hydrothermal treatment methods and digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hydrothermal treatment on the antioxidant activity, concentration and profile of polyphenols of Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera in an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. The study showed a significant effect of the type of hydrothermal treatment on total polyphenol concentration, polyphenolic acid profile, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Traditional boiling in water was the least effective type of hydrothermal treatment with respect to bioactive components of Brussels sprouts. Sous-vide was the most effective hydrothermal treatment in terms of retention of polyphenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity, thus providing a better alternative to steam cooking. Using an in vitro model, a significant difference was demonstrated between the concentration of bioavailable polyphenolic compounds and the polyphenol content of the plant material before digestion. The influence of the type of hydrothermal treatment used on the concentration of bioavailable polyphenolic compounds was maintained in relation to material not subjected to in vitro digestion (except for antioxidant activity).
Effect of Antioxidant Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vivo 2021
Authors: Fratta Pasini Anna Maria Fratta , Cominacini Luciano
Published: February 2022

Oxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and antioxidant defenses [...]
Correction: de Salazar et al. Oxidative Stress in Endurance Cycling Is Reduced Dose-Dependently after One Month of Re-Esterified DHA Supplementation. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 1145
Authors: de Salazar Lydia , Contreras Carlos , Torregrosa-García Antonio , Luque-Rubia Antonio J. , Ávila-Gandía Vicente , Domingo Joan Carles , López-Román Francisco Javier
Published: February 2022

Carlos Contreras was not included as an author in the published article [...]
Performance Prediction and Optimization of Multi-Mirror Combined Solar Dish Collector
Authors: Huang Weidong , Shen Fei , Sun Lulening , Zong Chenggang
Published: February 2022

An analytical method to calculate and optimize the performance of a multi-mirror combined solar dish collector is proposed in this work. It is based on the method of directly calculating the optical efficiency of a reflecting point, which can consider the influence of many factors. The distribution of the reflected solar intensity is obtained by the convolution of the actual solar intensity distribution and Gaussian distribution of the optical error. Then, the optical efficiency for a single mirror is calculated through integration over the total area of the mirror, and the method is validated by the SolTrace code. It is a rather quick method that reduces the amount of calculation and keeps high accuracy. The heat loss per unit area for the cavity receiver is assumed to be constant at a definite operation temperature for performance analysis and optimization. Taking a 62.25 m2 combined dish system with 249 square spherical mirrors as an example, the effects of system focal length, open radius of receiver, optical error, and focal length of the mirror on the system intercept factor and efficiency are studied. An optimization model is developed for maximizing the annual average net thermal efficiency. If the mirrors used have the same focal length for reducing the manufacture cost, when the optical error is 2 mrad, the net thermal efficiency and the intercept factor of the optimized system are 85.87% and 98.60%, respectively, while the concentration ratio is about 2000.
Special Issue on Light Communications: Latest Advances and Prospects
Authors: Boucouvalas Anthony C. , Yiannopoulos Kostas , Gholami Asghar , Jungnickel Volker , Ghassemlooy Zabih
Published: February 2022

The wireless information carrier shift from the radio frequencies to optical frequencies has been studied in increasing detail since the invention of the laser in the 1960s [...]