bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness Practice and Burnout: Evidence From Chinese Social Workers
Authors: Tu Bin , Huang Chienchung , Sitar Sophie , Yang Meifen
Published: February 2022

Over the span of nearly 10 years, the social work labor force grew from 0.2 million to approximately 1.2 million in China. Despite these increases, studies have shown social workers in China are also experiencing equally high burnout rates. For this analysis, we collected data from 537 social workers based in Guangzhou, China. We used the job demands and resources (JD-R) theory, to examine the relations between JD-R and burnout and whether mindfulness practice (MP) could reduce any such burnout. Our results suggest JD-R affects social workers’ burnout through both health and motivation impairment. High job demands (JD) were linked to high burnout while high job resources (JR) were linked to a reduction in burnout. Formal (Beta = −0.08) and informal (Beta = −0.19) MP were associated with low burnout amongst social workers. The significant interaction between JD and MP also suggests that MP can reduce burnout for social workers with high JD. The findings call for using MP to be used to shield social workers from the effects of increasing JD and to prevent an increase of burnout amongst Chinese social workers.
Thwarted Belongingness Hindered Successful Aging in Chinese Older Adults: Roles of Positive Mental Health and Meaning in Life
Authors: Yu Yongju
Published: February 2022

Aging of population has brought great challenges to many regions throughout the world. It has been demonstrated that interpersonal relationship is closely related to the experiences of aging for older adults. However, it still remains unknown how and under what conditions thwarted belongingness links to successful aging. This study examined the relationship between thwarted belongingness and successful aging and tested the mediating role of positive mental health and the moderating role of meaning in life. Community-dwelling older adults (n = 339) aged 60–75 years recruited in Chongqing, China completed self-measures of thwarted belongingness, successful aging, meaning in life, and positive mental health. Correlation analyses showed that successful aging was associated with less thwarted belongingness, better positive mental health, and higher levels of meaning in life. Positive mental health was found to totally mediate the negative effect of thwarted belongingness on successful aging. Moderated mediation analyses further revealed that two components of meaning in life (present of meaning and search for meaning) attenuated the indirect effect of thwarted belongingness on successful aging via positive mental health. This study highlights the protective roles of positive mental health and meaning in life and addressed cultural aspects in the process of successful aging among Chinese older adults.
How Do Blended Biochemistry Classes Influence Students’ Academic Performance and Perceptions of Self-Cognition?
Authors: Ren Guijie , Zhuang Peiyue , Guan Xianren , Tian Keli , Zeng Jiping
Published: February 2022

The flipped classroom is becoming a popular new instructional model in higher education capable of increasing student performance in higher-order learning outcomes. However, the success of a flipped classroom model depends on various supporting elements, and it may not be appropriate for all students and courses. In this study, a new blended Biochemistry classroom model based on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and a “semi-flipped” environment was applied to Biochemistry instruction of Nursing and Clinical Medicine majors. The students’ academic performance and perceptions of self-cognition were used to assess the blended Biochemistry classroom. Students who participated in the blended classroom model achieved higher academic performance (p < 0.01) and reported a significant improvement in their perceptions of self-cognition (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, the effectiveness of the blended Biochemistry classroom on the small size class (Nursing major) was stronger than on the large size class (Clinical Medicine major).
A Longitudinal Nationwide Study of Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Chile
Authors: Duarte Fabián , Jiménez-Molina Álvaro
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite numerous efforts to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, there are few longitudinal studies that examine the change in the burden of psychological distress over time and its associated factors, especially in developing countries.

Objective

The primary aim of this study was to assess the levels of psychological distress at two time points during the COVID-19 outbreak based on a representative community sample in Chile. The secondary aim was to identify groups that are more vulnerable to psychological distress during the pandemic.

Methods

A nationally representative, longitudinal telephone survey of Chilean adults was conducted. This study analyses panel data from two waves in 2020: May 30 to June 10 and September 15 to October 9. A total of 823 people participated in both surveys. Changes in mental health outcomes (anxiety and depressive symptoms) were assessed, estimating the effect of demographic characteristics, psychosocial and economic factors, household conditions, and health status.

Results

There was a significant increase in psychological distress (PHQ-4 ≥ 6) between Waves 1 (22.6%) and 2 (27.0%), especially among younger participants. Overall, the results of this study show that being female, living in or near the capital, living in overcrowded households and having a perceived lack of space in the home, loneliness or perceived social isolation, and having received mental health treatment within the last year are significantly associated with psychological distress over time (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study highlights the need to implement psychosocial programs to protect people's psychological well-being, as well as social policies to improve household living conditions and levels of social connectedness during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Co-occurring Mental Disorders in Transitional Aged Youth With Substance Use Disorders – A Narrative Review
Authors: Köck Patrick , Meyer Maximilian , Elsner Julie , Dürsteler Kenneth M. , Vogel Marc , Walter Marc
Published: February 2022

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are often referred to as youth. Transitional psychiatry addresses this target group, which considers patients between 15 and 25 years of age. Substance use usually begins and peaks at this stage of life. Psychiatric disorders, foremost attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and affective disorders, conduct disorders, and first-episodes psychosis frequently appear in early life stages. This review aims to provide a broad overview of transitional-aged youth's most common psychiatric comorbidities with substance use disorders. A literature search was conducted in Embase and Pubmed, and the main findings are described narratively. We present main findings for the following comorbidities: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, personality disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and the phenomena of overdose and suicidality. In conclusion, co-occurring mental health disorders are common and appear to facilitate the development of substance use disorders and exacerbate their overall course. Substance use also affects the severity and course of comorbid psychiatric disorders. Overall, data on transition-age youth with substance use disorders are highly inconsistent. Universal screening and treatment guidelines do not yet exist but should be aimed for in the future.
The Association Between Smoking and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Chinese Individuals Aged 40 Years and Older: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cheng Xi , Jin Chenggang
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between smoking and health-related quality of life among Chinese individuals aged 40 years and older.

Method

Using a stratified multistage sampling method, data from 1,543 adults aged 40 years and older were obtained from a household survey conducted in eight provinces in China. The health-related quality of life was quantified based on the utility index obtained using a standardized instrument entitled “The European Five-Dimensional Health Scale (EQ-5D-5L).” Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics and social factors of the sample according to smoking status. An instrumental variable (IV) probit model was used to estimate the association between smoking status and health-related quality of life.

Results

Of the 1,543 participants, 485 (31.43%) were smokers and 1,058 (68.57%) were non-smokers. Smoking was negatively associated with the probability of having a higher quality of life (p < 0.01). For smokers, the average probability of having a higher quality of life was 11.65% lower than when they did not smoke.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that smoking reduces health-related quality of life among Chinese individuals aged 40 years and older. Anti-smoking programs should consider this factor.
Air Disinfection—From Medical Areas to Vehicle
Authors: Bukłaha Anna , Wieczorek Anna , Kruszewska Ewelina , Majewski Piotr , Iwaniuk Dominika , Sacha Paweł , Tryniszewska Elzbieta , Wieczorek Piotr
Published: February 2022

Cars with air conditioning systems have become the norm, but these systems can be dangerous for human health as a result of the accumulation of different microorganisms, including pathogenic ones, causing severe allergy or inflammation problems. The novel purpose of this study is 2-fold: on the one hand, to test different disinfection agents on a new area, that is, automobile cabins, and on the other, to compare activity in the gas phase of these agents for disinfection of car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. This study shown that tested disinfectant agents dedicated for decontamination medical areas (agent based on peracetic acid and an agent containing didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol with cinnamaldehyde) can be successfully used for disinfection car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. Both disinfectants were examined in comparison to a commercial “ready-to-use” spray from a local supermarket dedicated to car air conditioning disinfection. Our research found that very effective agents in this regard were acid stabilized by hydrogen peroxide applied by fumigator, and a combination of didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol, and cinnamaldehyde applied by atomizer. Tested disinfection procedures of car air conditioning significantly influence the quality of cabin air and surfaces by reducing the amount of microorganisms. The comparison of disinfection properties studied agents in the gas phase reveal statistically significant differences between it effect for disinfection car air conditioning and cabin surfaces. Our research found that very effective agents in this regard were acid stabilized by hydrogen peroxide applied by fumigator, and a combination of didecyldimethylammonium chloride, 2-phenoxyethanol, and cinnamaldehyde applied by atomizer. Tested disinfection procedures of car air conditioning significantly influence the quality of cabin air and surfaces by reducing the amount of microorganisms.
A Synaptic Pruning-Based Spiking Neural Network for Hand-Written Digits Classification
Authors: Faghihi Faramarz , Alashwal Hany , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: February 2022

A spiking neural network model inspired by synaptic pruning is developed and trained to extract features of hand-written digits. The network is composed of three spiking neural layers and one output neuron whose firing rate is used for classification. The model detects and collects the geometric features of the images from the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology database (MNIST). In this work, a novel learning rule is developed to train the network to detect features of different digit classes. For this purpose, randomly initialized synaptic weights between the first and second layers are updated using average firing rates of pre- and postsynaptic neurons. Then, using a neuroscience-inspired mechanism named, “synaptic pruning” and its predefined threshold values, some of the synapses are deleted. Hence, these sparse matrices named, “information channels” are constructed so that they show highly specific patterns for each digit class as connection matrices between the first and second layers. The “information channels” are used in the test phase to assign a digit class to each test image. In addition, the role of feed-back inhibition as well as the connectivity rates of the second and third neural layers are studied. Similar to the abilities of the humans to learn from small training trials, the developed spiking neural network needs a very small dataset for training, compared to the conventional deep learning methods that have shown a very good performance on the MNIST dataset. This work introduces a new class of brain-inspired spiking neural networks to extract the features of complex data images.
Reliability of Isokinetic Strength Assessments of Knee and Hip Using the Biodex System 4 Dynamometer and Associations With Functional Strength in Healthy Children
Authors: van Tittelboom Vanessa , Alemdaroglu-Gürbüz Ipek , Hanssen Britta , Heyrman Lieve , Feys Hilde , Desloovere Kaat , Calders Patrick , Van den Broeck Christine
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to analyze the reliability of concentric isokinetic strength assessments (knee and hip) using the Biodex System 4 in healthy children and assess the association with functional strength tests (sit-to-stand [STS], lateral-step-up [LSU]).

Methods

19 children (6–12 years) were included. Knee and hip flexion and extension, and hip abduction and adduction were tested at 60 and 90°/s.

Results

Relative and absolute reliability at 60°/s tended to show better results compared to those at 90°/s. Intra class correlations (ICCs) of knee flexion and extension at 60°/s were good (0.79–0.89). For hip flexion, extension, abduction and adduction at 60°/s ICCs were moderate to good (0.53–0.83). The smallest detectable change (SDC) values (expressed in %) were highly variable. The SDC% for knee flexion and extension and hip abduction at 60°/s were around 50%. Positive associations were found between hip extension and abduction isokinetic strength and the STS test.

Conclusion

Concentric isokinetic strength assessments in healthy children using the Biodex System 4 were found reliable for knee flexion and extension and hip abduction. Limited associations were found between concentric isokinetic strength tests and functional strength tests.
Study Protocol: Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Strategies Involving Self-Sampling in Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Lefeuvre Caroline , De Pauw Hélène , Le Duc Banaszuk Anne-Sophie , Pivert Adeline , Ducancelle Alexandra , Rexand-Galais Franck , Arbyn Marc
Published: February 2022

Objectives: The cervical cancer screening coverage remains moderate (60%) in France. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of two experimental invitation strategies (offer of urine or vaginal self-sampling kits) to reach under-screened populations and compare them with the current invitation strategy in rural departments (low medical density and low participation rate) in France.

Methods: The study is a randomised controlled trial with three arms: a control arm (conventional invitation letter) and two experimental arms (mailing of a urine or vaginal self-sampling kit). The target population includes women aged 30–65 years, who had no screening test recorded since more than 4 years and who did not respond to an invitation letter within 12 months before. The primary outcome measure is the participation rate in each arm. A team of psychologists will also investigate attitudes and experiences by semi-structured/focus-group interviews with voluntary CapU4 participants and with health professionals.

Result and conclusion: CapU4 will identify effective strategies to reach women not responding to current screening invitations and will generate information about acceptance of self-sampling among women and health professionals.
Frequency and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Patients With KRAS/BRAF Double-Mutant Colorectal Cancer: An In Silico Study
Authors: Uchida Shiro , Kojima Takaaki , Sugino Takashi
Published: February 2022

KRAS and BRAF mutations are currently thought to be mutually exclusive as their co-occurrence is extremely rare. Therefore, clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of colorectal carcinoma with KRAS/BRAF double mutations are unclear. We aimed to investigate the frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of double-mutant colorectal carcinoma and its differences from KRAS/BRAF single-mutant colorectal carcinoma using bioinformatics tools. We estimated the KRAS/BRAF double mutation frequency in the whole exon and coding sequences via bioinformatic analyses of three datasets from cBioPortal. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics, microsatellite instability status, BRAF classification, and tumor mutation burden of patients harboring the double mutants with those of patients harboring KRAS or BRAF single mutations. We integrated three large datasets and found that the frequency of the KRAS/BRAF double mutation in the dataset was 1.2% (29/2347). The double mutation occurred more frequently in males, with a slightly higher occurrence in the right side of the colon. Sex, histological type, histological grade, microsatellite instability, and tumor mutation burden of the patients harboring KRAS-mutant, BRAF-mutant, and double-mutant colorectal carcinoma varied significantly. The frequency of double-mutant colorectal carcinoma was 60 times higher than that previously reported. Significantly fewer double-mutant colorectal carcinoma cases were classified as BRAF class 1 and more were classified as unknown. Our findings indicate that the biological characteristics of double-mutant tumors are different from those of single-mutant tumors.
Machine Learning in Cereal Crops Disease Detection: A Review
Authors: Waldamichael Fraol Gelana , Debelee Taye Girma , Schwenker Friedhelm , Ayano Yehualashet Megersa , Kebede Samuel Rahimeto
Published: February 2022

Cereals are an important and major source of the human diet. They constitute more than two-thirds of the world’s food source and cover more than 56% of the world’s cultivatable land. These important sources of food are affected by a variety of damaging diseases, causing significant loss in annual production. In this regard, detection of diseases at an early stage and quantification of the severity has acquired the urgent attention of researchers worldwide. One emerging and popular approach for this task is the utilization of machine learning techniques. In this work, we have identified the most common and damaging diseases affecting cereal crop production, and we also reviewed 45 works performed on the detection and classification of various diseases that occur on six cereal crops within the past five years. In addition, we identified and summarised numerous publicly available datasets for each cereal crop, which the lack thereof we identified as the main challenges faced for researching the application of machine learning in cereal crop detection. In this survey, we identified deep convolutional neural networks trained on hyperspectral data as the most effective approach for early detection of diseases and transfer learning as the most commonly used and yielding the best result training method.
Effectiveness of Low Copper-Containing Chemicals against Olive Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Venturia oleaginea
Authors: Adawi Amer , Jarrar Samer , Almadi Leen , Alkowni Raed , Gallo Marilita , D’Onghia Anna Maria , Buonaurio Roberto , Famiani Franco
Published: February 2022

The high level of copper (Cu) accumulation in the soil, the risk of surface water contamination, and the potential public health problems due to Cu entering the food chain have raised concerns on the use of Cu compounds in agriculture, including olive growing. As a consequence, there is worldwide regulatory pressure on agricultural systems to limit the use of Cu compounds. Hence, a field trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of low copper containing chemicals to control olive leaf spot (OLS) disease caused by Venturia oleaginea. The trial was conducted in 2021 in an olive (cv. Nabali Baladi) grove in Palestine. Copper complexed with lignosulphonate and gluconate (Disper Cu Max®) and the self-defense inducer Disper Broton GS® were evaluated and compared to dodine and the traditionally and frequently used copper hydroxide. In addition, untreated trees were used as the control. Treatments were made in March, July, and August. In March 2021, leaves grown in 2020 were present and 100% infected. V. oleaginea infections caused defoliation in untreated and treated olive trees with varying degrees of intensity: the Control had the most defoliation, followed by copper hydroxide and Disper Cu Max®, whereas dodine and, in particular, Disper Broton GS® had the least. All treatments reduced symptomatic leaves but their efficacy varied significantly: copper hydroxide was the least effective, Disper Cu Max® was intermediate, dodine and, mainly, Disper Broton GS® were the most effective. Overall, the results are promising since Disper Cu Max® and Disper Broton GS® were able to significantly reduce OLS damage and the amount of copper used for treatments.
The Agricultural Cooperative as an Instrument for Economic Development: An Approach from Spanish Investors’ Preferences through a Choice Experiment
Authors: Mirón-Sanguino Ángel Sabino , Díaz-Caro Carlos
Published: February 2022

The cooperative is one of the most important forms of business in the agricultural sector, due to its special characteristics for small farmers and livestock producers in order to gain access to greater comparative advantages. In addition, cooperatives are a driving force in the social economy, which means that investment in agricultural cooperatives can be seen as a sustainable investment. The aim of this paper is to analyse the preferences of investors in agricultural company cooperatives, looking in depth at the role of the cooperative as a business form. In order to achieve this objective, the choice experiment methodology was applied by carrying out a questionnaire to a total of 282 investors. Latent class models were also used to identify possible groups of investors. Two classes of investors have been identified based on their preferences: owners (return seeking) and workers (risk averse).
Short-Term Effect of In Situ Biochar Briquettes on Nitrogen Loss in Hybrid Rice Grown in an Agroforestry System for Three Years
Authors: Suryanto Priyono , Faridah Eny , Nurjanto Handojo Hadi , Putra Eka Tarwaca Susila , Kastono Dody , Handayani Suci , Boy Ruslan , Widyawan Muhammad Habib , Alam Taufan
Published: February 2022

Kayu putih (Melaleuca cajuputi) waste has the potential via in situ biochar briquettes to overcome the low availability of nitrogen in soil. This study evaluated the short-term effects of in situ biochar briquettes on nitrogen loss reduction and determined an optimum scenario for hybrid rice grown in an agroforestry system among kayu putih stands. This three-year experiment (2019–2021) was conducted using a randomised complete block design factorial with three blocks as replications. The treatments included biochar briquettes made from kayu putih waste (0-, 2-, 4-, and 6-grain plant−1 or 0, 5, 10, and 15 tonnes ha−1) and urea fertiliser (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha−1). The results demonstrated that the eco–environmental scenario was the most efficient strategy that improved the soil quality, the physiological characteristics, and the yield of the hybrid rice with the optimum application of the biochar briquettes at 5.54-grain plant−1 and the urea fertiliser at 230.08 kg ha−1. This alternative approach illustrated a reduction in both the usage of urea fertiliser and the loss of nitrogen by 23.31% and 26.28%, respectively, while increasing the yield of the hybrid rice by 24.73%, as compared to a single application of 300 kg urea ha−1 without biochar briquettes.
The Effects of Protease Supplementation and Faba Bean Extrusion on Growth, Gastrointestinal Tract Physiology and Selected Blood Indices of Weaned Pigs
Authors: Zaworska-Zakrzewska Anita , Kasprowicz-Potocka Małgorzata , Ciołek Klaudia , Pruszyńska-Oszmałek Ewa , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga , Rutkowski Andrzej
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study was to investigate how the extrusion of faba bean seeds (var. Albus) and/or the addition of protease to pigs’ diets affected the animals’ growth parameters, digestibility of nutrients, selected physiological parameters of the digestive tract, and biochemical blood parameters. A 28-day experiment was conducted on 32 pigs weighing 9 ± 0.2 kg. The animals were allocated to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the main effects of extrusion (raw or extruded) and effects of protease supplementation (0 and 0.05%). Extrusion reduced the levels of neutral detergent fibre, trypsin inhibitor, phytate-P, and resistant starch but did not improve the digestibility of protein and dry matter in faba bean seeds. The pigs’ growth performance, ileal digestibility, enzyme activity, and morphometric parameters of the ileum were not significantly affected by extrusion, except for a higher feed intake between the 15th and 28th day of the experiment. The protease supplementation gave comparable results as the diet without protease, except the feed conversion ratio (in the periods of 15–28th day and 0–28th day), which was higher than in the groups without protease. The extrusion and protease increased acetate and acetoacetate contents in the cecal digesta, but propionate, butyrate, and isovalerate concentrations in the digesta of the pigs in this group were lower. Thanks to protease supplementation, protein and oil levels in the diet were reduced, which cut the cost of feed mixtures. The extrusion and protease additive combined together did not improve the pigs’ growth performance in this experiment.
In Vitro Production of Neutrophils Extracellular Traps Is Affected by the Lactational Stage of Dairy Cows
Authors: Xie Lei , Pascottini Osvaldo Bogado , Zhi Jianbo , Yang Hongzhen , Opsomer Geert , Dong Qiang
Published: February 2022

We aimed to research the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation capacity of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) during different lactational stages of Holstein cows. We also aimed to validate a model which could mimic infection and inflammation in vitro by adding increasing concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to PMN suspensions isolated from nulliparous heifers and evaluate their capacity to produce NETs and ROS. In 3 replicates, we collected blood from nulliparous heifers (n = 3), cows at the end of gestation (n = 3), early postpartum (n = 3) and in mid-lactation (n = 3) in which PMN were isolated. The production of ROS in PMN were assessed using the 2’,7’-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate method, while the SYTOX Orange and Quant-iT™ PicoGreen dsDNA ultra-sensitive nucleic fluorescent acid staining methods were applied in order to quantitatively analyze the formation of NETs. Statistical analyses were performed via linear regression models using the replicate as a random. ROS values of PMN harvested from peripartum cows were 1.3 times increased compared with those in nulliparous heifers (p < 0.01). Compared with nulliparous heifers, the production of NETs by PMN isolated from mid-lactation and postpartum cows was 2.1 and 2.5 times higher (p < 0.01), respectively. In 3 replicates, in vitro stimulation of PMN isolated from nulliparous heifers (n = 3) with LPS linearly increased the production of ROS and NETs (R2 = 0.96 and 0.86, respectively). Similarly, when PMN isolated from nulliparous heifers were stimulated with PMA, a linear increase in the production of ROS (R2 = 0.99) and NETs (R2 = 0.78) was observed. The basal NETs and ROS production is lower in nulliparous heifers. Thus, they are an excellent model to mimic inflammation and study fundamental aspects of the production of NETs and ROS in vitro.
Advancing a “Good Life” for Farm Animals: Development of Resource Tier Frameworks for On-Farm Assessment of Positive Welfare for Beef Cattle, Broiler Chicken and Pigs
Authors: Rowe Elizabeth , Mullan Siobhan
Published: February 2022

There is increasing recognition that farm animal welfare standards should ensure positive welfare, as well as prevent negative welfare. Resources that are valued by an animal and that provide opportunities to engage in motivated behaviours can elicit positive physical and emotional states and therefore positive welfare and a “good life” for farmed animals. Evaluation of resource provision is considered the best way of assessing positive welfare at present, in the absence of validated and practical animal-based measures. Previous research has outlined a framework of three tiers of increasingly positive welfare (Welfare +, Welfare ++, Welfare +++) containing resources that incrementally increase the opportunities for a good life over and above the requirements of UK law and code of practice. Based on this blueprint, “Good Life Frameworks” were developed for beef cattle, broiler chickens and pigs, containing resources that increase good life opportunities according to the scientific literature and expert consultation. We describe the initial development of these frameworks, including a piloting exercise with the UK farm assurance industry, to further refine the frameworks according to auditor and farmer feedback, and test the frameworks as a method of on-farm assessment and assurance of a “good life” for farm animals.
Correction: Ishaque et al. Iriflophenone-3-C-β-d Glucopyranoside from Dryopteris ramosa (Hope) C. Chr. with Promising Future as Natural Antibiotic for Gastrointestinal Tract Infections. Antibiotics 2021, 10, 1128
Authors: Ishaque Muhammad , Bibi Yamin , Ayoubi Samha Al , Masood Saadia , Nisa Sobia , Qayyum Abdul
Published: February 2022

At the request of Dr. Markus Bacher, Dr. Johann Schinnerl, and Dr. Karin Valant-Vetschera, they have been removed as authors of the paper [...]
Resistome Diversity and Dissemination of WHO Priority Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens in Lebanese Estuaries
Authors: Hobeika Wadad , Gaschet Margaux , Ploy Marie-Cécile , Buelow Elena , Sarkis Dolla Karam , Dagot Christophe
Published: February 2022

Anthropogenic pressure is known to be a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination in the environment. Especially in lower income countries, with poor infrastructure, the level of AMR dissemination is high. Therefore, we assessed the levels and diversity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Lebanese rivers at estuaries’ sites (n = 72) of the Mediterranean Sea in spring 2017 and winter 2018. Methods: A combined approach using culture techniques and high throughput qPCR were applied to identify ARB and ARGs in rivers along the Lebanese coast. Results: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative (Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas spp.) and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens were isolated. Levels of ARGs were highest in the winter campaign and areas with high anthropogenic activities and population growth with an influx of refugees. Conclusion: Qualitative analysis of ARB and the analysis of the Lebanese estuaries’ resistome revealed critical levels of contamination with pathogenic bacteria and provided significant information about the spread of ARGs in anthropogenically impacted estuaries.
γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion of Phloroglucinol: Solid State Studies and Antioxidant Activity throughout the Digestive Tract
Authors: Catarino Marcelo D. , Costa Beatriz S. Baía , Circuncisão Ana Rita , Silva Artur M. S. , Cardoso Susana M. , Braga Susana Santos
Published: February 2022

Phloroglucinol is a powerful antioxidant compound and an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the management of intestinal spasms. In this report, we describe the interaction of γ-cyclodextrin with phloroglucinol to readily form a solid inclusion compound with 1:1 by co-dissolution and freeze-drying. Solid-state characterisation using FT-IR, thermal analyses (TGA and DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the formation of a true inclusion compound (γ-CD·PG) in which the molecules of γ-CD are stacked into channels. This spatial arrangement is typical of γ-CD inclusion compounds, and it allows for the guest molecules to be located inside these channels. The evaluation of the antiradical potential of γ-CD·PG (against O2•− and NO•) on different steps of the digestive process (mouth, gastric and intestinal phases) led us to conclude that the inclusion of phloroglucinol promoted better antioxidant activity at the end of the digestion when compared to the free phloroglucinol.
Estimating Significant Wave Height from SAR with Long Integration Times
Authors: Zhao Yawei , Chong Jinsong , Li Zongze , Wei Xianen , Diao Lijie
Published: February 2022

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is an important means of estimating significant wave height with obvious advantages of all-day, all-weather, high resolution and wide swath coverage. At present, the estimation methods of significant wave height are based on visible ocean waves in SAR images. However, due to the characteristic of long integration time for low-frequency SAR (such as P-band, L-band), the ocean waves are usually invisible in SAR images. In addition, in the case that there are multiple wave systems, significant wave height of only one wave system can be estimated for the reason that only a blurred wave system can be observed in SAR images. In order to solve the above two problems, a method of estimating significant wave height from SAR with long integration times is proposed in this paper. Firstly, each ocean wave system is refocused from single-look complex (SLC) data, respectively. Then, without any additional processing, the 180° ambiguity of wave propagation direction is removed based on the optimum focus setting. Finally, significant wave height is estimated in combination with azimuth cutoff, wavelength and propagation direction of ocean waves. This method is applied to two airborne SAR field data with long integration times. One case is that ocean waves are invisible in SAR images, the other is that there are two wave systems on the real ocean surface, but only one is visible in the SAR images. The results show that the proposed method can estimate significant wave height in the cases of invisible ocean waves and multiple ocean waves. The estimation results of significant wave height are compared with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) data, and the error is basically stable within 0.2 m, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Novel Strategy for Signal Denoising Using Two-Layer SVD and Its Application to Rub-Impact Fault Diagnosis of Aeroengine
Authors: Zhang Peng , Li Shunming , Xu Kun , Gong Siqi , Zhan Keyi , Shen Maoxian , Tian Jun , Yuan Xin
Published: February 2022

The rub-impact fault, which occurs in the aeroengine, can cause frequency modulation (FM) in its vibration signal. Oscillated instantaneous frequency (IF) is a phenomenon of such a modulation mode, which carries critical fault information from the aeroengine. In this paper, by using Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), the vibration signal can be decomposed into several signal components. Two-layer Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is utilized to reduce the signal noise of each signal component and instantaneous frequency of each signal component. The intra–wave FM feature of the signal are presented through the Hilbert transform (HT) analysis. The proposed method is validated with numerical simulation and then demonstrated on aeroengine data with the rub-impact fault. The proposed method is suitable for the analysis of modulated signals and is a valid tool for detecting the rub-impact faults in aeroengines.
An Improved Method for Online Teacher Training Courses for Bilingual Education Based on Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Chien Ting-Hsuan , Chen Yi-Lin , Wu Jain-Shing , Siao Cheng-Yan , Chien Li-Ren , Chang Rong-Guey
Published: February 2022

In recent years, bilingual education has become a critical index, and with its growth, internationalization has been significantly improved in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Therefore, countries worldwide are promoting all-English teaching, taking English as a medium of instruction and indicator of university education while moving toward an internationalized curriculum and teaching excellence. Finding the required number of bilingual teachers is also one of the keys to increasing the index. If information technology can be adopted to reduce the time and cost of bilingual teacher training, it will significantly improve the effectiveness of bilingual education promotion. However, the current traditional online training system only focuses on the delivery of one-way training content, and it cannot assist in judging the training effectiveness of the trainees. In this paper, we integrate the pose estimation technology into the online teacher training system to analyze the interactive content of the trainees during the training. We can assist in recording and interpreting the teaching demonstration process in classroom observation. We also verify the result by comparing our method’s efficiency and judgment accuracy with the traditional way. The results show that our approach is more convenient and cost-efficient.
Design and Experimental Evaluation of a New RNA-FISH Probe to Detect and Identify Paenibacillus sp.
Authors: Arantes Sílvia , Branco Patrícia , Caldeira Ana Teresa
Published: February 2022

Paenibacillus, rod-saped gram-positive endospores forming aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria, colonize diverse ecosystems and are involved in the biodegradation of cultural heritage assets. Biodeteriogenic microorganisms can be easily detected/identified by ribonucleic acid- fluorescent in situ hybridization RNA-FISH with specific probes. In this work, probes designed in silico were analyzed to calculate hybridization efficiency and specificity by varying the formamide concentration in the hybridization. The Pab489 probe showed excellent in silico performance with high theoretical maximum efficiency hybridization (99.99%) and specificity and was selected for experimental assays with target Paenibacillus sp. and non-target biodeteriogenic microorganisms. Results assessed by epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that, regardless of the formamide concentration, it was possible to observe that the Pab489-Cy3 probe had a similar signal intensity to the EUB338-Cy3 probe (positive control), so the presence of formamide, a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound used to aid the hybridization process, is not necessary. The designed probe used in FISH assays allows specific in situ identification of Paenibacillus spp. in microbial communities in a culture-independent way. This approach can be employed for screening Paenibacillus spp., showing great potential for future application in biodeterioration of heritage assets, in the search for Paenibacillus strains that produce compounds with biotechnological or medical potential.
Performance Evaluation of a Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge Using Non-Destructive Field Loading Tests
Authors: Wang Xirui , Wang Longlin , Wang Hua , Ning Yihao , Huang Kainan , Wang Wensheng
Published: February 2022

As an important part of the transportation network, the reliability of bridge structures is of great significance to people’s personal safety, as well as to the national economy. In order to evaluate the performance of complex bridge structures, their mechanical behavior and fundamental characteristics need to be studied. Structural health monitoring (SHM) has been introduced into bridge engineering, and the structural response assessment, load effects monitoring, and reliability evaluation have been developed based on the collected SHM information. In this study, a performance evaluation method for complex bridge structures based on non-destructive field loading tests is proposed. The cable-stayed bridge in Guangxi with the largest span (Pingnan Xiangsizhou Bridge) was selected as the research object, and loading on the main girder was transferred to the piers and tower through the stay cables, whose structural responses are critical in the process of bridge operation. Therefore, the field loading tests—including deflection and strain testing of the main girder, as well as cable force tests—were also conducted for Pingnan Xiangsizhou Bridge by using non-destructive measurement techniques (multifunctional static strain test system, radar interferometric deformation measurement technology, etc.). Based on the numerically simulated results of a finite element model for Pingnan Xiangsizhou Bridge, reasonable field loading test conditions and loading arrangement were determined. Non-destructive field loading test results showed that the quality of the bridge’s construction is up to standard, due to a good agreement between the calculated and measured frequencies of the bridge. In addition, the calibration coefficients of displacement and strain were less than 1, indicating that Pingnan Xiangsizhou Bridge has satisfactory stiffness and strength.
Local Optimality of Mixed Reliability for Several Classes of Networks with Fixed Sizes
Authors: Dong Lixin , Zhao Haixing , Lai Hong-Jian
Published: February 2022

In this work, the local optimality of mixed reliability of networks is surveyed. A reliability comparison criterion related with subgraphs to measure the local optimality of the mixed reliability of networks is established. Using the comparison criterion, we characterize all locally optimally mixed reliable networks among all n-vertex networks with fixed sizes m=n, m=n+1 and m=n+2, respectively.
Subclasses of Yamakawa-Type Bi-Starlike Functions Associated with Gegenbauer Polynomials
Authors: Murugusundaramoorthy Gangadharan , Bulboacă Teodor
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we introduce and investigate new subclasses (Yamakawa-type bi-starlike functions and another class of Lashin, both mentioned in the reference list) of bi-univalent functions defined in the open unit disk, which are associated with the Gegenbauer polynomials and satisfy subordination conditions. Furthermore, we find estimates for the Taylor–Maclaurin coefficients |a2| and |a3| for functions in these new subclasses. Several known or new consequences of the results are also pointed out.
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Bulgarian Stock Market Returns
Authors: Dospatliev Lilko , Ivanova Miroslava , Varbanov Milen
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this paper is to provide the first empirical research analysing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bulgarian stock market before its onset and in the four pandemic waves. For this purpose, we used a fixed effect panel data regression model for the stock returns of 23 companies listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange from 2 January 2020 to 16 November 2021. The study showed that the growth rate of COVID-19 deaths per day in Bulgaria had a negative effect on the stock returns and had the strongest influence on them in the fourth pandemic wave. In addition, our results showed that stock returns in healthcare, IT, utilities, and real estate sectors were negatively affected before the COVID-19 pandemic while the first COVID-19 pandemic wave had a positive effect on healthcare and consumer staples sectors. During the second COVID-19 wave, the stock returns of the IT sector had a positive effect, while Utilities sector had a negative effect. The third COVID-19 wave had a positive effect on industrials and consumer staples sectors, while healthcare, real estate, and IT sectors showed a negative effect. During the fourth COVID-19 wave, the stock returns of the IT sector had a positive effect and consumer staples sector had a negative effect.
Integration of Multimodal Data from Disparate Sources for Identifying Disease Subtypes
Authors: Zhou Kaiyue , Kottoori Bhagya Shree , Munj Seeya Awadhut , Zhang Zhewei , Draghici Sorin , Arslanturk Suzan
Published: February 2022

Studies over the past decade have generated a wealth of molecular data that can be leveraged to better understand cancer risk, progression, and outcomes. However, understanding the progression risk and differentiating long- and short-term survivors cannot be achieved by analyzing data from a single modality due to the heterogeneity of disease. Using a scientifically developed and tested deep-learning approach that leverages aggregate information collected from multiple repositories with multiple modalities (e.g., mRNA, DNA Methylation, miRNA) could lead to a more accurate and robust prediction of disease progression. Here, we propose an autoencoder based multimodal data fusion system, in which a fusion encoder flexibly integrates collective information available through multiple studies with partially coupled data. Our results on a fully controlled simulation-based study have shown that inferring the missing data through the proposed data fusion pipeline allows a predictor that is superior to other baseline predictors with missing modalities. Results have further shown that short- and long-term survivors of glioblastoma multiforme, acute myeloid leukemia, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma can be successfully differentiated with an AUC of 0.94, 0.75, and 0.96, respectively.
Autoimmune Vestibulopathy—A Case Series
Authors: Mendis Surangi , Longley Nicola , Morley Simon , Korres George , Kaski Diego
Published: February 2022

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a rare clinical entity. Its pathogenicity, heterogenous clinical presentation in the context of secondary systemic autoimmune disease and optimal treatment avenues remain poorly understood. Vestibular impairment occurring in the context of AIED is rarely subject to detailed investigation given that the auditory symptoms and their responsiveness to immunosuppression are the focus of the few proposed diagnostic criteria for AIED. We present three cases of vestibulopathy occurring in the context of autoimmune inner ear conditions, including the first known report of autoimmune inner ear pathology arising with a temporal association to administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV2 vaccination. We review the available literature pertinent to each case and summarise the key learning points, highlighting the variable presentation of vestibular impairment in AIED.