bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of diastolic and systolic blood pressure with depression: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2005-2018
Authors: Zhang Huifeng , Xu Ying , Xu Yaying
Published: September 2024

Background

Many studies worldwide have reported the association between mental health and blood pressure, but the results are mixed, and even contradictory. We aim to investigate the relationship between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and depression in the entire US population.

Methods

This study analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. All adults completed 3-4 blood pressure measurements after sitting quietly for 5 minutes. Depression was diagnosed based on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with a score ≥10 defined as depression. Weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between blood pressure and depression. Two-piecewise linear regression was used to determine the inflection point. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to identify potential subgroups. Finally, two sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results

A total of 26,581 American adults were included, with a mean age of 47.2 years, of whom 13,354 (49.54%) were male; 2,261 individuals were defined as depressed, with a weighted prevalence of 7.41%. All participants’ mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 121.7 mmHg, and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 70.9 mmHg. RCS showed a nonlinear association between SBP and depression, while DBP showed a positive linear association with depression. Two-piecewise linear regression showed that the inflection point of the association between SBP and depression was 129.7 mmHg. Weighted logistic regression showed that after fully adjusting for depression-related risk factors, there was a significant positive correlation between per 10 mmHg increase in DBP and depression (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00-1.12, P=0.04); however, only on the left side of the inflection point, SBP tended to decrease the odds of depression (P =0.09). Furthermore, interaction analysis showed that the association between DBP and depression was significantly stronger in cancer patients (P for interaction=0.02); on the left side of the inflection point (<129.7 mmHg), current smokers also significantly interacted with SBP (P for interaction=0.018). Finally, two sensitivity analyses also supported our findings.

Conclusion

In the adult population of the United States, there is a positive linear association between DBP and depression, while the association between SBP and depression exhibits a significant threshold effect, maintaining SBP at 129.7 mmHg is associated with the lowest prevalence of depression.
Cardiometabolic index is associated with increased bone mineral density: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Wu Xujin , Jin Xixin , Xu Wei , She Chang , Li Liubing , Mao Yongtao
Published: September 2024

Background

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial bone disease in which lipid metabolism plays an important role. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is a critical indicator for diagnosing osteoporosis. The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a novel metric that combines two quantitative indicators of blood lipids—triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This study explores the association between CMI and BMD and seeks to elucidate the role of lipid metabolism in the context of bone health.

Methods

Based on the data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–March 2020-pre-pandemic, weighted multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting were used to study the relationship between CMI and femoral BMD. Stratified analyses were also conducted for age, gender, BMI, ethnicity, diabetes and hypertension status. And, the saturation threshold effect of CMI was further analyzed using a two-stage linear regression model.

Result

This study enrolled a total of 1,650 participants (48.7% males), with an average age of 63.0 ± 8.6 years. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, CMI was positively correlated with total femur BMD, trochanter BMD, and intertrochanter BMD, while the correlation with femur neck BMD was not statistically significant. In the fully adjusted model, each unit increase in CMI was associated with a 0.026 (g/cm2) increase in total femur BMD, a 0.022 (g/cm2) increase in trochanter BMD, and a 0.034 (g/cm2) increase in intertrochanter BMD. Subjects in the highest quartile of CMI had a 0.034 (g/cm2) increase in total femur BMD, a 0.035 (g/cm2) increase in trochanter BMD, and a 0.039 (g/cm2) increase in intertrochanter BMD in the fully-adjusted model compared to those in the lowest quartile. In addition, saturation was observed between CMI and total femur BMD, trochanter BMD and intertrochanter BMD, with saturation thresholds of 1.073, 1.431 and 1.073, respectively.

Conclusion

CMI is strongly associated with BMD, indicating its potential relevance in bone metabolism. However, the role of CMI in the context of bone health, especially regarding osteoporosis risk, requires further investigation in large-scale prospective studies.
Influence of eating while watching TV on food preference and overweight/obesity among adolescents in China: a longitudinal study
Authors: Xian Jinli , Ren Tingwei , Kuang Ming
Published: September 2024

Background

Eating while watching TV was found associated with unhealthy food preferences and obesity in adolescents in foreign studies, which is not clear in China. The study aims to explore the influence of eating while watching TV on food preferences and overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents.

Methods

Data from 1768 adolescents (aged 12–17 years) in the 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was analyzed. The height and weight were measured. Mixed effect models were used to identify the associations between eating while watching TV and adolescents’ food preferences and overweight/obesity.

Results

Adolescents eating while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to prefer fast food, salty snacks and soft drinks than those eating while watching TV <1 time/week. Adolescents eating meals while watching TV ≥1 time/week were less likely to prefer vegetables than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week. In addition, adolescents eating snacks while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to be overweight/obesity than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week (odds ratio [OR] = 7.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39–36.93).

Conclusion

Eating snacks while watching TV was positively associated with adolescents’ unhealthy food preferences and overweight/obesity. Eating meals while watching TV was associated with adolescents’ unhealthy food preferences. Implementing web-based Community-based participatory research (CBPR) about reducing eating while watching TV may be a practical strategy to develop healthy food preferences and prevent overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents.
Academic and non-academic predictors of common mental health difficulties among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Worsley Joanne , Dryburgh Amy , McIntyre Jason C. , Corcoran Rhiannon
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Public concern for the mental health of university students has been rising over recent years. Newly arising stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to further mental health burden for students. This study aimed to understand the mental health status of university students at an early stage in the pandemic and to identify academic, non-academic, and COVID-19-related predictors of common mental health difficulties at this time.

Methods

This study examined how academic and non-academic predictors relate to common mental health difficulties using a cross-sectional sample of university students (n = 3817).

Results

There were high levels of depression and anxiety during the pandemic, with more than 50% experiencing levels above the clinical cut offs. Academic stress, social isolation, intolerance of uncertainty, and more negative attitudes towards remote teaching and learning predicted higher levels of depression and anxiety. University identification predicted lower levels of depression whereas receiving a diagnosis of COVID-19 was associated with higher levels of depression.

Discussion

This study identified COVID-19-related factors that uniquely contributed to students’ distress during the pandemic, over and above social connectivity variables. As COVID-19 factors, such as the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, may have driven an increase in distress levels among students, these findings provide insights that could help universities and policymakers develop targeted interventions to support the mental health and well-being of university students during future crises.
Translation, extension, and evaluation of usability, usefulness, and safety of a fall prevention and management program for people living with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis who use wheelchairs or scooters full time
Authors: Rice Laura A. , Yehya Malaak , Yi Jennifer , Koziel Stephen , Peterson Elizabeth W.
Published: September 2024

Background

Falls are prevalent among people living with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and Spinal Cord Injury (PwSCI) who use wheelchairs or scooters (WC/S) full time, however, there is a scarcity of evidence-based fall prevention and management programs.

Objective

To describe the systematic translation of an in-person fall prevention and management program (Individualized Reduction Of FaLLs – iROLL) for PwMS to an online platform, extending its scope to include PwSCI, and to evaluate the preliminary useability, usefulness, and safety of the intervention.

Methods

iROLL was systematically translated to an online platform (iROLL-O). PwMS and PwSCI who use a WC/S full time, experienced at least one fall within the past 36 months, and could transfer independently or with minimal to moderate assistance, enrolled in iROLL-O. Usability, usefulness, and safety were evaluated through 1:1 semi-structured interviews, gathering feedback on: perceived impact of the intervention on falls and functional mobility, program experiences, adverse events, and recommendations for improvement.

Results

Five participants successfully completed the iROLL-O program. No safety concerns were raised by participants. Themes emerging from the semi-structured interviews included: (1) barriers and facilitators to program access, (2) motivation for participation, (3) program outcomes, and (4) program content and structure. Participants reported reduced concerns about falling, enhanced functional mobility skills, and highlighted the supportive nature of synchronous group meetings for learning.

Conclusion

No adverse events occurred during the implementation of iROLL-O and participants found the program to be useable and useful. Further testing is needed to examine efficacy among a large and diverse population.
Molecular hydrogen: a sustainable strategy for agricultural and food production challenges
Authors: Alwazeer Duried , Hancock John T. , Russell Grace , Stratakos Alexandros Ch. , Li Longna , Çiğdem Ayhan , Engin Tunahan , LeBaron Tyler W.
Published: September 2024

The world is confronting numerous challenges, including global warming, health epidemics, and population growth, each presenting significant threats to the stability and sustainability of our planet’s ecosystems. Such issues have collectively contributed to a reduction in agricultural productivity, corresponding with an increase in demand and costs of essential commodities. This critical situation requires more sustainable environmental, social, and technological solutions. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been suggested as a “green” solution for our energy needs and many health, agricultural, and food applications. H2 supplementation in agriculture may represent a novel and low-carbon biotechnological strategy applicable to the abundant production of crops, vegetables, and fruits in agri-food chains. H2 is a potential green alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers. The use of a hydrogen-rich water irrigation system may also provide other health-related advantages, i.e., decreasing the heavy metal accumulation in crops. By adopting a H2 strategy, crop producers, food processors, and decision-makers can contribute to sustainable solutions in the face of global challenges such as climate change, communicable disease epidemics, and a growing population. The versatile applications of H₂ in agriculture and the wider food industry position it as a uniquely suitable approach to address today’s significant challenges, potentially fostering better crop production and positively impacting the agri-food chain. The present review is timely in combining the latest knowledge about the potential applications of H2 in the agriculture and food industry, from farm to fork.
Surgical abortion service reorganization in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a unique experience of attending second trimester D&E procedures under spinal anesthesia as emergency procedures
Authors: Sium Abraham Fessehaye , Grentzer Jaclyn M. , Lucero-Prisno III Don Eliseo , Prager Sarah
Published: September 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic created a massive shift in how health care systems interact with COVID testing for patients. To avoid delay in accessing second trimester surgical abortion at our hospital (St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College) during this pandemic, dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedures were attended as emergency cases, instead of as elective surgical procedures, which then required adherence to the universal preoperative COVID-19 testing protocol. This study aimed at documenting the experience of this unique abortion service adjustment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021. We reviewed second trimester surgical abortion cases managed with D& E procedures, performed under spinal anesthesia using the emergency COVID-19 pre-operative testing protocol. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and simple descriptive statistics were applied. Percentages and proportions were used to present the results.

Results

Nineteen cases of second trimester D&E cases were reviewed. The median gestational age of the abortion clients was 21.57 weeks. Eight of 19 cases had cervical preparation with overnight intra-cervical Foley catheter placement while the rest 11 (57.9%) cases had their cervical preparation with Laminaria. The median time interval from initial evaluation of the abortion client to time of doing D& E procedure was 21.83 h.

Conclusion

Surgical abortion service reorganization enabled abortion clients to access dilation and evacuation procedures within 24 h of their initial presentation. This prevented significant delays in accessing abortion care that could otherwise have occurred as a result of adhering to the preoperative COVID-19 testing protocols applied to elective surgeries.
You can take a person out of the military, but you can’t take the military out of the person: findings from a ten-year identity study on transition from military to civilian life
Authors: Grimell Jan
Published: September 2024

This article takes its starting point in a longitudinal interview study that began in 2013 with the aim of investigating identity reconstruction during the transition from military to civilian life. Annual follow-up interviews were conducted for 3 years, after which there was a break for 7 years until 2023 when a new interview cycle was conducted. The article presents the findings from this interview round. The purpose of the study was to describe the ways in which military identity had impacted the selves and lives of the participants. An inductive approach was employed in the analysis and an abductive approach used in the interpretative phase. The results showed, among other things, that a military identity, containing a particularly strong work ethic, had grown salient over the years. This military identity salience amplified the perception of a contrasting civilian work ethic, which generated moral frustration and even conflict. It was seen as imperative to maintain consistency between a military work ethic and the identity standard as a civilian employee rather than to modify the behavior to another standard, i.e., a civilian standard. These results were counterintuitive given the earlier interview cycles. A military work ethic was generally a powerful asset but could have negative health outcomes, manifesting as burnout. The results reflect the challenges in operating multiple identities tailored to contrasting moral regimes. Future longitudinal qualitative and quantitative research approaches to self-identity work among former service members are warranted.
Dietary intake, energy availability, and power in men collegiate gymnasts
Authors: Kuhlman Nicholas M. , Jones Margaret T. , Jagim Andrew R. , Magee Meghan K. , Wilcox Luke , Fields Jennifer B.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The purpose was to examine the prevalence of low energy availability (LEA), explore dietary behaviors in men collegiate gymnasts (n = 14), and investigate the relationships between energy availability (EA), body composition, and plyometric performance.

Methods

Body composition was measured using air displacement plethysmography. Lower- and upper-body peak power (PWRpeak) and modified reactive strength index (RSImod) were calculated from countermovement jump (CMJ) and plyometric push-up (PP) assessments. Energy expenditure was tracked over 3 days, while daily energy and macronutrient intake were recorded. EA was calculated and used to categorize athletes into LEA and non-LEA groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between EA, body composition, and performance metrics.

Results

85.7% of athletes (n = 12) exhibited LEA (20.98 ± 5.2 kcals/kg FFM), with non-LEA athletes (n = 2) marginally surpassing the <30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass (FFM) threshold (30.58 ± 0.2 kcals/kg FFM). The cohort (n = 14) consumed insufficient energy (30.5 ± 4.5 kcal/kg/day) and carbohydrates (3.7 ± 1.1 g/kg/day), resulting in LEA (22.36 ± 5.9 kcal/kg/FFM). EA was not correlated with body composition or performance metrics.

Discussion

A high prevalence of LEA may exist in men gymnasts, largely due to a low relative energy and carbohydrate intake.
A knowledge creation framework for academia toward agroecological transformations of food systems
Authors: Munoz-Araya Mariana , Williams Sequoia R. , Geoghan Peter , Ortiz-Gonzalo Daniel , Marshall Krista N. , Brewer Kelsey M. , Alston-Stepnitz Eli , Rebolloso McCullough Sarah , Wauters Vivian M.
Published: September 2024

Industrialized agriculture, characterized by high inputs, large-scale monocultures, and confined livestock production, with a narrow focus on profit, is a major transgressor of societal and planetary boundaries. It fuels climate change, biodiversity loss, water and soil degradation, nutritional deficiencies, public health issues, cultural erosion, and socioeconomic inequalities. As early-career researchers in agricultural sciences, we are concerned about these systemic crises and recognize that participating in normative academic practices without reflection may reinforce the prevailing industrialized food system. Motivated by the dissonance between the potential impact of our work and our vision of a better future, in this paper we describe and challenge academic praxis in agricultural sciences to tackle the interconnected crises. We do this by developing a framework of two drivers of academic knowledge production, power and values, and two mechanisms, motives and relationality. We argue that in the current dominant food system, power is consolidated and hierarchical, driven by the values of growthism and reductionism, motivated by efficiency and productivism, and characterized by extractive and anthropocentric relationality. Furthermore, we highlight evidence of the negative outcomes associated with this system, including the challenges we face and may potentially contribute to as participants. We then envision transformed food systems through examples of counter-hegemonic knowledge production systems, grounded in agroecological principles, in which power is distributed and horizontal, the primary values are solidarity and holism, motives enhance sufficiency and sovereignty, and relationality is reciprocal and based on care. By examining the current system and offering examples of alternatives, we aim to help distinguish between research that upholds the statu-quo and research that fosters change. We aim to inspire ourselves and others to reconnect with our agency and contribute towards transformed knowledge systems where food systems, underpinned by the values of agroecology, are more capable of sustaining life on this planet in an equitable and just manner.
How does digital technology application empower specialty agricultural farmers? Evidence from Chinese litchi farmers
Authors: Xu Jing , Wan Junyi , Dai Zhiqiang
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Specialty agricultural farmers have widely adopted digital technologies in all aspects of their specialty agricultural operations. However, the effect of digital technology application (DTA) on specialty agricultural farmers’ income has not been fully evaluated. Moreover, it remains unclear whether DTA enhances farmers’ income (FI) by improving their varied capabilities. To fill this gap, we analyzed the intrinsic relationship and mechanism between DTA, farmers’ capability (FC), and specialty agricultural farmers’ income.

Methods

Using field survey data from 635 litchi farmers in China, we employed OLS regression models and mediation effect models to empirically investigate DTA’s direct and indirect impacts on litchi farmers’ income. Additionally, we examined the group heterogeneity and regional heterogeneity.

Results and discussion

The empirical results show that DTA can promote specialty agricultural farmers’ income by enhancing their production capacity (PC) and transaction capacity (TC). Heterogeneity analysis showed that the empowering effect of DTA is especially significant for disadvantaged farmers, and farmers who are in specialty agricultural resources-rich regions.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the body of research on the empowerment of specialty agricultural farmers by examining the effect of DTA from a capability perspective. Consequently, to better play the empowering effect of DTA for specialty agricultural farmers, policymakers should account for regional disparities in promoting digital agriculture, and enhance heterogeneous farmers’ DTA capability.
Knowledge and perception of medical students regarding remote-access thyroidectomy in Tabuk: the effects of extensive counseling—an interventional study
Authors: Mirghani Hyder , Alhowiti Amirah
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Remote-access scarless thyroidectomies are relatively new surgical procedures, and their uptake for cosmetic concerns is rapidly evolving. However, demographic factors, previous thyroid surgery, and culture substantially influence the patient's choice. This is the first study to assess the extensive counseling effect on the patient's preference for remote-access thyroidectomies compared to conventional transcervical approaches. We aimed to assess the same among medical students at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This interventional study was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information about demographic factors, knowledge, and perception of the medical students regarding remote-access thyroidectomies before and after a slide presentation.

Results

Of 394 medical students (age 22.65 ± 1.62 years), 53.8% were women. Initially, the majority of the students preferred remote-access thyroidectomy over the conventional approach (85.3% vs. 14.7%, respectively); however, a substantial change toward the cervical approach was evident after extensive counseling [odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58–4.27; and P-value <0.00]. Knowledge regarding remote-access thyroidectomy was poor (26.9%). The students were anxious regarding postoperative complications (3.22 ± 1.59/5), thyroid scar appearance (3.28 ± 1.36/5), and postoperative pain (3.17 ± 1.38/5). Concerns regarding body satisfaction and cost were lower.

Conclusion

Medical students at the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, demonstrated low knowledge. The strong preference for remote-access thyroidectomy over transcervical thyroidectomy shifted substantially toward the conventional approach after counseling. The main factors were thyroid scar appearance, pain, and complications. Further larger-scale studies involving the general public and assessing the effect of extensive counseling on surgical choice are needed.
Twenty years of in vitro nanotoxicology: how AI could make the difference
Authors: Campagnolo Luisa , Lacconi Valentina , Filippi Joanna , Martinelli Eugenio
Published: September 2024

More than two decades ago, the advent of Nanotechnology has marked the onset of a new and critical field in science and technology, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to assess and model the potential human hazard of newly developed advanced materials in the nanoscale, the nanomaterials (NMs). Nanotechnology is, by definition, a multidisciplinary field, that integrates knowledge and techniques from physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and engineering to manipulate matter at the nanoscale, defined as anything comprised between 1 and 100 nm. The emergence of nanotechnology has undoubtedly led to significant innovations in many fields, from medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery systems to advanced materials and energy solutions. However, the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as the increased surface to volume ratio, which provides increased reactivity and hence the ability to penetrate biological barriers, have been also considered as potential risk factors for unforeseen toxicological effects, stimulating the scientific community to investigate to which extent this new field of applications could pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Test and treat approach for tuberculosis infection amongst household contacts of drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis, Mumbai, India
Authors: Shah Daksha , Bhide Sampada , Deshmukh Rajesh , Smith Jonathan P. , Kaiplyawar Satish , Puri Varsha , Yeldandi Vijay , Date Anand , Nyendak Melissa , Ho Christine S. , Moonan Patrick K.
Published: September 2024

Background

Mumbai is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and is a major contributor to the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in India. A test and treat approach for TB infection (TBI) amongst household contacts (HHC) is part of the national policy for TB preventive treatment (TPT). However, in practice, the use of interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) tests for infection are limited, and prevalence of TBI in Mumbai is not known.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among HHCs exposed to persons with microbiologically-confirmed, drug-susceptible pulmonary TB that were notified for antituberculosis treatment in Mumbai, India during September–December, 2021. Community-based field workers made home visits and offered IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB® Gold In-Tube Plus) tests to HHC aged 5 years and older. After ruling out active TB disease, HHC with IGRA-positive test results were referred for TPT. All HHC were monitored for at least 24 months for progression to active TB disease.

Results

Among 502 HHCs tested, 273 (54%) had IGRA-positive results. A total of 254 (93%) were classified as TBI and were eligible for TPT, of which 215 (85%) initiated TPT, and 194 (90%) completed TPT successfully. There was substantial variation in rates of TBI per household. In 32% of households, all HHC (100%) were IGRA positive and in 64% of households >50% of HHC were infected. In all, 22 HHCs (4%; 22/558) were diagnosed with TB disease; of these, five HHC were diagnosed during follow up, of which three were IGRA positive and had no evidence of disease at initial screening but chose not to initiate TPT.

Conclusion

A test and treat strategy for HHC resulted in the detection of a substantial proportion of TBI and secondary TB cases. Home-based IGRA testing led to high participation rates, clinical evaluations, TPT initiation, and early diagnoses of additional secondary cases. A community-focused, test and treat approach was feasible in this population and could be considered for broader implementation.
Non-typhoidal Salmonella among slaughterhouse workers and in the pork value chain in selected districts of Uganda
Authors: Kivali Velma , Roesel Kristina , Dohoo Ian , Alinaitwe Lordrick , Bugeza James Katamba , Hoona Jolly Justine , Mugizi Denis Rwabiita , Kankya Clovice , Dang-Xuan Sinh , Szabo Istvan , Rösler Uwe , Friese Anika , Cook Elizabeth A. J.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, often associated with meat consumption and meat processing. Research on NTS infection and circulating serovars in meat value chains in Uganda is limited. We aimed to establish NTS prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and risk factors among slaughterhouse workers, and to identify potentially zoonotic serovars in the pork value chain.

Material and methods

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey, collecting 364 stool samples from livestock slaughterhouse workers and 1,535 samples from the pork value chain: mesenteric lymph nodes, fecal samples, swabs of carcass splitting floor, cleaning water, meat handlers hand swabs, carcass swabs, raw pork, cooked pork, and mixed raw vegetables. Samples were cultured for isolation of NTS, and subsequently serotyped according to White–Kauffmann–Le Minor scheme. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined using tube microdilution and Sensititre® EUVSEC3® plates. Semi- structured questionnaires with 35 questions were used to collect data on demographics, work related risk factors and activities outside the slaughterhouse.

Results and discussion

Overall NTS prevalence was 19.2% (365/1899). Proportions at slaughter were; 46.7% in floor swabs, 30.5% in carcass swabs, 20.5% in pig faeces,19.2% in mesenteric lymph nodes,18.4% in hand swabs, 9.5% in water and 5.2% in slaughterhouse workers. At retail, proportions were 33.8% in pork chopping surface, 33.1% in raw pork, 18.9% in hand swabs, 4.0% in cooked pork and 0.7% in vegetables. Sixty-one serovars were identified, with significant overlap between humans and the pork value chain. Overall, zoonotic S. Zanzibar, monophasic serovars of S. subspecies salamae (II) and subspecies enterica (I), S. Typhimurium and S. Newport, were the most prevalent. S. Typhimurium was predominant in humans and exhibited multi-drug resistance. NTS infection was significantly associated with eating, drinking, or smoking while working (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 0.67-2.90%, p = 0.004). The detected NTS serovars in slaughterhouse workers could be a potential indicator of circulating serovars in the general population. The persistent presence of NTS along the pork value chain highlights occurrence of cross-contamination and the potential for transmission to consumers and slaughterhouse workers. This emphasizes the need to reduce Salmonella prevalence on pig farms and improve hygiene and pork handling practices at slaughter and retail points.
Compatibility Model between Encapsulant Compounds and Antioxidants by the Implementation of Machine Learning
Authors: Quintana-Rojas Juliana , Amaya-Gómez Rafael , Ratkovich Nicolas
Published: September 2024

The compatibility between antioxidant compounds (ACs) and wall materials (WMs) is one of the most crucial aspects of the encapsulation process, as the encapsulated compounds’ stability depends on the affinity between the compounds, which is influenced by their chemical properties. A compatibility model between the encapsulant and antioxidant chemicals was built using machine learning (ML) to discover optimal matches without costly and time-consuming trial-and-error experiments. The attributes of the required antioxidant and wall material components were recollected, and two datasets were constructed. As a result, a tying process was performed to connect both datasets and identify significant relationships between parameters of ACs and WMs to define the compatibility or incompatibility of the compounds, as this was necessary to enrich the dataset by incorporating decoys. As a result, a simple statistical analysis was conducted to examine the indicated correlations between variables, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset without sacrificing essential information. The K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm was used and designed to handle the classification problems of the compatibility of the combinations to integrate ML in the model. In this way, the model accuracy was 0.92, with a sensitivity of 0.84 and a specificity of 1. These results indicate that the KNN model performs well, exhibiting high accuracy and correctly classifying positive and negative combinations as evidenced by the sensitivity and specificity scores.
Research on Applying Deep Learning to Visual–Motor Integration Assessment Systems in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Authors: Tsai Yu-Ting , Lee Jin-Shyan , Huang Chien-Yu
Published: September 2024

In pediatric rehabilitation medicine, manual assessment methods for visual–motor integration result in inconsistent scoring standards. To address these issues, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a feasible approach that can reduce time and improve accuracy. Existing research on visual–motor integration scoring has proposed a framework based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for the Beery–Buktenica developmental test of visual–motor integration. However, as the number of training questions increases, the accuracy of this framework significantly decreases. This paper proposes a new architecture to reduce the number of features, channels, and overall model complexity. The architectureoptimizes input features by concatenating question numbers with answer features and selecting appropriate channel ratios and optimizes the output vector by designing the task as a multi-class classification. This paper also proposes a model named improved DenseNet. After experimentation, DenseNet201 was identified as the most suitable pre-trained model for this task and was used as the backbone architecture for improved DenseNet. Additionally, new fully connected layers were added for feature extraction and classification, allowing for specialized feature learning. The architecture can provide reasons for unscored results based on prediction results and decoding rules, offering directions for children’s training. The final experimental results show that the proposed new architecture improves the accuracy of scoring 6 question graphics by 12.8% and 12 question graphics by 20.14% compared to the most relevant literature. The accuracy of the proposed new architecture surpasses the model frameworks of the most relevant literature, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in improving scoring accuracy and stability.
Pneumatically Actuated Torsion Motor for the Transverse Rehabilitation of the Neck Joint
Authors: Mareş Sarah , Deaconescu Andrea , Deaconescu Tudor
Published: September 2024

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect a large number of people, diminishing inter alia, their workplace efficiency. For this reason, rehabilitation procedures and equipment are called for, designed to expedite the swift reintegration of patients into daily activity. Within this context, this paper proposes a novel constructive solution of a device that ensures rehabilitation through the transverse passive mobilization of the neck joint. This paper introduces a torsion motor actuated by two pneumatic muscles that ensure sufficient adaptability of the device to, for example, conduct patient exercise within the boundaries of pain supportability. Based on the research results, recommendations are offered for the optimum operation of the rehabilitation equipment.
Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care: Management Implications, Ethical Challenges, and Policy Considerations
Authors: Hoose Stephan , Králiková Kristína
Published: September 2024

Adopting AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the provision of psychiatric services has been groundbreaking and has presented other means of handling some of the issues related to traditional methods. This paper aims at analyzing the applicability and efficiency of AI in mental health practices based on business administration paradigms with a focus on managing services and policies. This paper engages a systematic and synoptic process, where current AI technologies in mental health are investigated with reference to the current literature as to their usefulness in delivering services and the moral considerations that surround their application. The study indicates that AI is capable of improving the availability, relevance, and effectiveness of mental health services, information that can be useful for policymakers in the management of health care. Consequently, specific concerns arise, such as how the algorithm imposes its own bias, the question of data privacy, or how a mechanism could reduce the human factor in care. The review brought to light an area of understanding of AI-driven interventions that has not been explored: the effect of such interventions in the long run. The field study suggests that further research should be conducted regarding ethical factors, increasing the ethical standards of AI usage in administration, and exploring the cooperation of mental health practitioners and AI engineers with respect to the application of AI in psychiatric practice. Proposed solutions, therefore, include enhancing the AI functions and ethical standards and guaranteeing that policy instruments are favorable for the use of AI in mental health.
CNN-MLP-Based Configurable Robotic Arm for Smart Agriculture
Authors: Li Mingxuan , Wu Faying , Wang Fengbo , Zou Tianrui , Li Mingzhen , Xiao Xinqing
Published: September 2024

Amidst escalating global populations and dwindling arable lands, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability is imperative. Addressing the inefficiencies of traditional agriculture, which struggles to meet the demands of large-scale production, this paper introduces a highly configurable smart agricultural robotic arm system (CARA), engineered using convolutional neural networks and multilayer perceptron. CARA integrates a highly configurable robotic arm, an image acquisition module, and a deep processing center, embodying the convergence of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to facilitate precise and efficient agricultural tasks including harvesting, pesticide application, and crop inspection. Rigorous experimental validations confirm that the system significantly enhances operational efficiency, adapts seamlessly to diverse agricultural contexts, and bolsters the precision and sustainability of farming practices. This study not only underscores the vital role of intelligent automation in modern agriculture but also sets a precedent for future agricultural innovations.
Exploring Digital Innovations in Agriculture: A Pathway to Sustainable Food Production and Resource Management
Authors: Niedbała Gniewko , Kujawa Sebastian , Piekutowska Magdalena , Wojciechowski Tomasz
Published: September 2024

Today’s agriculture faces numerous challenges due to climate change, a growing population and the need to increase food productivity [...]
Identification of Hotspot Regions for Candidate Genes Associated with Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Pod and Seed Size on Chromosome A05
Authors: Zhang Xiaoji , Wang Luhuan , Liu Qimei , Zhang Xiaoyu , Tian Yuexia , Xue Yunyun , Zhang Huiqi , Li Na , Zhang Xin , Bai Dongmei
Published: September 2024

The size of peanut pods and seeds, which directly affects yield and quality, also has significant implications for mechanized production and market efficiency. Identifying relevant loci and mining candidate genes is crucial for cultivating high-yield peanut varieties. In this study, we employed advanced generation recombinant inbred lines developed by crossbreeding Huayu 44 and DF12 as the experimental material. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for traits related to pod and seed size was conducted across six environments. A total of 44 QTLs were detected, distributed on chromosomes A02, A05, B04, B08, and B10. An enrichment region for multiple QTLs was also identified on chromosome A05 (19.28~52.32 cm). In this region, 10 KASP markers were developed, narrowing the enrichment area to two candidate gene hotspot regions of 600.9 kb and 721.2 kb. By combining gene prediction and functional annotation within the intervals, 10 candidate genes, including those encoding cytochrome P450 protein, polyamine synthase, mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase, pentatricopeptide repeat protein, and E2F transcription factor, were identified as regulators of pod and seed size. This study provides technical support for the genetic improvement and key gene identification of peanut pod and seed size.
Coupling Coordination and Spatial–Temporal Evolution of the Water–Land–Ecology System in the North China Plain
Authors: Chen Liang , Wang Xiaogang , Lv Mouchao , Su Jing , Yang Bo
Published: September 2024

Exploring the coordination of agricultural water resources (W), cultivated land (L), and the ecoenvironment (E) system is crucial for sustainable agriculture in the North China Plain (NCP). However, the synergistic effects of this composite system remain unclear. Coupling coordination degrees (CCDs) of 53 cities in the NCP for the years 2011, 2015, and 2020 were evaluated using the TOPSIS model, and the coupling coordination model, combined with the analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method. The evaluation results were further analyzed to identify obstacle factors. The findings reveal the following: (1) The comprehensive development level showed a fluctuating upward trend, with closeness values ranging from 0.418 to 0.574 in 2020, indicating an improvement of 14.6–52.3% compared to 2011. The coefficient of variation (CV) for each province rose from 12.65% in 2011 to 13.64% and subsequently declined to 9.12% by 2020. (2) Between 2011 and 2020, CCDs of the W–L–E composite system exhibited a consistent upward trend. In 2020, regions with intermediate or better coordination accounted for 34.0%, and were primarily located in Jiangsu Province, the southern part of Anhui Province, the northwestern part of Shandong Province, and the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin. (3) In 2011 and 2015, significant obstacle factors included the water quality compliance rate and the per capita disposable income of rural residents, although these were not primary obstacles in 2020. The water supply modulus and multiple cropping index were major obstacle factors in 2011, 2015, and 2020. Developing water-appropriate cropping patterns based on regional water resource endowment is the essential path for the sustainable and coordinated development of water, land, and ecology in the NCP.
Responses of Water and Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency and Yield of Cotton to Foliar Biostimulant under Irrigation with Magnetic–Electric-Activated Water
Authors: Sun Yan , Zhou Chen , Wang Chunhong , Wang Quanjiu , Liu Yun , Wang Jian
Published: September 2024

The foliar application of biostimulants at specific concentrations under magnetic–electric water irrigation has a positive effect on water and fertilizer use efficiency and yield of cotton, which is crucial for green and sustainable agricultural development. As a new type of fertilizer, biostimulants have demonstrated remarkable effects in improving crop yield and quality by enhancing nutrient uptake, promoting plant growth, and increasing resilience to environmental stress. In this study, the effects of magnetic–electric-activated water irrigation and foliar biostimulant application on cotton growth and yield were investigated, with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms. The field experiment included various irrigation treatments (brackish water, fresh water, magnetic–electric brackish water, and magnetic–electric fresh water) and biostimulant concentrations (1600, 1200, 800, 400 times dilution, and no spraying). SEM analysis indicated that under magnetoelectric water irrigation, the foliar application of biostimulants enhances physiological growth of cotton, improving the water and nutrient uptake efficiency, and thereby increasing yield. Specifically, the effective boll number and single boll weight under magnetic–electric fresh water irrigation with an 800 times biostimulant concentration increased by 21.84–48.78% and 5.50–18.91%, respectively, compared to the no-spraying treatment. The seed cotton yield rose by 16.61–38.63%, water-use efficiency improved by 24.35%, the harvest index reached 0.33, and nitrogen absorption increased by 76.21%. Thus, integrating magnetic–electric water irrigation with foliar biostimulants offers a theoretical and technical foundation for advancing green, high-quality agriculture and sustainable production.
Algorithm for Locating Apical Meristematic Tissue of Weeds Based on YOLO Instance Segmentation
Authors: Zhang Daode , Lu Rui , Guo Zhe , Yang Zhiyong , Wang Siqi , Hu Xinyu
Published: September 2024

Laser technology can be used to control weeds by irradiating the apical meristematic tissue (AMT) of weeds when they are still seedlings. Two factors are necessary for the successful large-scale implementation of this technique: the ability to accurately identify the apical meristematic tissue and the effectiveness of the localization algorithm used in the process. Based on this, this study proposes a lightweight weed AMT localization algorithm based on YOLO (look only once) instance segmentation. The YOLOv8n-seg network undergoes a lightweight design enhancement by integrating the FasterNet lightweight network as its backbone, resulting in the F-YOLOv8n-seg model. This modification effectively reduces the number of parameters and computational demands during the convolution process, thereby achieving a more efficient model. Subsequently, F-YOLOv8n-seg is combined with the connected domain analysis algorithm (CDA), yielding the F-YOLOv8n-seg-CDA model. This integration enables the precise localization of the AMT of weeds by calculating the center-of-mass coordinates of the connected domains. The experimental results indicate that the optimized model significantly outperforms the original model; the optimized model reduces floating-point computations by 26.7% and the model size by 38.2%. In particular, the floating-point calculation is decreased to 8.9 GFLOPs, and the model size is lowered to 4.2 MB. Comparing this improved model against YOLOv5s-seg and YOLOv10n-seg, it is lighter. Furthermore, it exhibits exceptional segmentation accuracy, with a 97.2% accuracy rate. Experimental tests conducted on five different weed species demonstrated that F-YOLOv8n-seg-CDA exhibits strong generalization capabilities. The combined accuracy of the algorithm for detecting these weeds was 81%. Notably, dicotyledonous weeds were detected with up to 94%. Additionally, the algorithm achieved an average inference speed of 82.9 frames per second. These results indicate that the algorithm is suitable for the real-time detection of apical meristematic tissues across multiple weed species. Furthermore, the experimental results demonstrated the impact of distinctive variations in weed morphology on identifying the location of the AMT of weeds. It was discovered that dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous weeds differed significantly in terms of the detection effect, with dicotyledonous weeds having significantly higher detection accuracy than monocotyledonous weeds. This discovery can offer novel insights and avenues for future investigation into the identification and location of the AMT of weeds.