bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition, Safety, Health Functional Effects, and Availability of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Drone Pupae
Authors: Choi Jae-Suk
Published: August 2021

Since ancient times, honeybee drone pupae have been used as food and for medicinal purposes in Asia, the United States, and Europe. Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) drone pupae have been registered as food ingredients in Korea. This material is promising as an alternative food source. It has carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and contains various amino acids and fatty acids as well as minerals and vitamins. Prior studies have empirically demonstrated the microbiological and chemical safety of honeybee drone pupae. The health functional effects of this material have been documented as well. However, to the best of my knowledge, no review has been conducted on the published studies to date. This review aimed to summarize the research findings on honeybee drone pupae thus far. Online databases were searched according to the selection criteria, duplicate reports were excluded, and 22 eligible articles were reviewed. Conclusionally, it was confirmed that honeybee drone pupae have various nutritional components, safety as a food and cosmetic material, and various available possibilities, but more systematic studies are needed to increase their consumption. Therefore, it is believed that this synopsis will help guide future research on honeybee drone pupae.
Conservation of Non-Pest Whiteflies and Natural Enemies of the Cabbage Whitefly Aleyrodes proletella on Perennial Plants for Use in Non-Crop Habitats
Authors: Laurenz Sebastian , Meyhöfer Rainer
Published: August 2021

Aleyrodes proletella causes severe economic damage to several Brassica crops. Its naturally occurring enemies often immigrate late in the season or appear in low numbers on cabbage. This field study aims to permanently increase the local abundance of A. proletella’s natural enemies by providing the non-pest whitefly Aleyrodes lonicerae as an alternative and overwintering host/prey. Therefore, the population dynamics of natural enemies on different perennial herbaceous plants pre-infested with A. lonicerae were determined at two field locations over two winter periods. Most A. lonicerae colonized (on average 166.22 puparia per m²) and overwintered (342.19 adults per m²) on wood avens Geum urbanum. Furthermore, the abundance of A. proletella main parasitoid Encarsia tricolor (28.50 parasitized puparia per m²) and spiders (12.13 per m²) was 3–74 times and 3–14 times higher, respectively, on G. urbanum compared to the other experimental plants. Conclusively, G. urbanum pre-infested with A. lonicerae permanently promoted natural enemies of A. proletella by serving as shelter, reproduction, and overwintering habitat. A potential implementation of G. urbanum in conservation biological control strategies (e.g., tailored flower strips, hedgerows) against A. proletella are discussed and suggestions for future research are given.
EcoDragons: A Game for Environmental Education and Public Outreach
Authors: Khelifa Rassim , Mahdjoub Hayat
Published: August 2021

Environmental education is crucial to tackling the pressing ecological and societal issues on our planet. Although there are various ways to approach environmental education and raise public awareness, games are potentially an effective vehicle of knowledge and engagement because they vulgarize the scientific information in a universal ‘language’ and bring people together. Here, we designed a game, EcoDragons, that integrates principles of ecology, biological conservation, life history, and taxonomy. The protagonists of the game are dragonflies and damselflies. The aim of the game is to colonize habitats with different species and use ecological processes (e.g., predation, competition, and mutualism) and conservation measures (e.g., restoration and reintroduction) to face random environmental disturbances (e.g., climate warming, drought, pollution, and biological invasion). The version of the game presented in this paper was based on European species. The game includes 50 species (25 dragonflies and 25 damselflies). The winner of the game is the one who occupies more habitats, establishes and maintains the largest number of species, and solves more anthropogenic disturbances. EcoDragons has a global outreach potential to educate the public about ecology, conservation, and organismic life history, and will probably engage people in environmental advocacy.
Effects of Patch Size, Fragmentation, and Invasive Species on Plant and Lepidoptera Communities in Southern Texas
Authors: Stilley James A. , Gabler Christopher A.
Published: August 2021

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and invasive species are major threats to biodiversity. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of southern Texas, a conservation hotspot, few studies have examined how land use change and biotic disturbance influence biodiversity, particularly among Lepidoptera. We surveyed 24 habitat fragments on private lands in the LRGV and examined how patch size, edge to interior ratio (EIR), prevalence of invasive, exotic, and pest (IEP) plant species, and other environmental factors influenced plant and Lepidoptera communities within four habitat classes. Biotic disturbance was widespread and intense. IEP plants represented three of the four most common species in all but one habitat class; yet, classes largely had distinctive plant and Lepidoptera communities. Larger habitat patches had lower IEP prevalence but also lower plant richness and lower Lepidoptera richness and abundance. Conversely, patches with higher EIRs had greater IEP prevalence, plant richness, and Lepidoptera richness and abundance. IEP prevalence was negatively related to plant diversity and positively related to woody dominance, blooming plant abundance, and, surprisingly, both plant cover and richness. However, plant richness, abundance, and diversity were higher where a greater proportion of the plants were native. Lepidoptera diversity increased with plant cover, and Lepidoptera richness and abundance increased with plant richness. More individual Lepidoptera species were influenced by habitat attributes than by availability of resources such as host plants or nectar sources. Our results illustrate extensive landscape alteration and biotic disturbance and suggest that most regional habitats are at early successional stages and populated by a novel species pool heavy in IEP species; these factors must be considered together to develop effective and realistic management plans for the LRGV.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome-Induced Leriche Syndrome in a Man with Lower Limbs Sensory and Motor Defect
Authors: Hong Jeng-Luen , Hou Yueh-Tseng , Lin Po-Chen , Chen Yu-Long , Chien Da-Sen , Yiang Giou-Teng , Wu Meng-Yu
Published: August 2021

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder with characteristics of arterial and/or venous thrombosis due to hypercoagulation status. Although deep vein thrombosis is common, the involvement of arterial thrombosis is more dangerous and poses a high risk of complications. Acute aorto-iliac occlusive disease (AIOD, known as Leriche syndrome) is severe arterial thrombosis that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Severe acute occlusion may cause spinal cord ischemia, leading to neurological defects, such as acute onset of paraplegia. Co-occurrence of acute aorto-iliac occlusive disease and antiphospholipid syndrome is rare and may present with atypical symptoms mimicking other diseases, including chronic ulcers, musculoskeletal events, and pulmonary diseases. In patients with weak femoral pulses and recurrent thrombotic events, co-occurrence of APS and AIOD should be taken into consideration. Here, we describe a rare case of co-occurrence of APS and AIOD presenting with acute lower leg weakness and numbness. Timely thrombectomies and bilateral common iliac artery stentings rescued distal blood flow. We highlight the clinical features and early diagnosis of co-occurrence of APS and AIOD in order to prevent catastrophic complications. The detailed mechanism and pathogenesis of antiphospholipid syndrome-induced acute aorto-iliac occlusive disease are also discussed.
Differences in the Clinical Profile and Management of Atrial Fibrillation According to Gender. Results of the REgistro GallEgo Intercéntrico de Fibrilación Auricular (REGUEIFA) Trial
Authors: Durán-Bobín Olga , Elices-Teja Juliana , González-Melchor Laila , Vázquez-Caamaño María , Fernández-Obanza Emiliano , González-Babarro Eva , Cabanas-Grandío Pilar , Piñeiro-Portela Miriam , Prada-Delgado Oscar , Gutiérrez-Feijoo Mario , Freire Evaristo , Díaz-Castro Oscar , Muñiz Javier , García-Seara Javier , Gonzalez-Juanatey Carlos
Published: August 2021

To analyze the clinical profile and therapeutic strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) according to gender in a contemporaneous patient cohort a prospective, multicenter observational study was performed on consecutive patients diagnosed with AF and assessed by cardiology units in the region of Galicia (Spain). A total of 1007 patients were included, of which 32.3% were women. The mean age of the women was significantly greater than that of the men (71.6 versus 65.7 years; p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and valve disease. Women more often reported symptoms related to arrhythmia (28.2% in EHRA class I versus 36.4% in men), with a poorer level of symptoms (EHRA classes IIb and III). Thromboembolic risk was significantly higher among women (CHA2DS2-VASc 3 ± 1.3 versus 2 ± 1.5), in the same way as bleeding risk (HAS-BLED 0.83 ± 0.78 versus 0.64 ± 0.78) (p < 0.001), and women more often received anticoagulation therapy (94.1% versus 87.6%; p = 0.001). Rhythm control strategies proved significantly less frequent in women (55.8% versus 66.6%; p = 0.001), with a lesser electrical cardioversion (ECV) rate (18.4% versus 27.3%; p = 0.002). Perceived health status was poorer in women. Women were older and presented greater comorbidity than men, with a greater thromboembolic and bleeding risk. Likewise, rhythm control strategies were less frequent than in men, despite the fact that women had poorer perceived quality of life and were more symptomatic.
The Prevalence of Concomitant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Cancer
Authors: Kim Hyangkyoung , Cho Sung-il , Won Sungho , Han Youngjin , Kwon Tae-Won , Cho Yong-Pil , Kim Ho
Published: August 2021

Cancers and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) cause substantial morbidity and mortality and commonly develop in old age. It has been previously reported that AAA patients have a high prevalence of cancers, which has raised the question of whether this is a simple collision, association or causation. Clinical trials or observational studies with sufficient power to prove this association between them were limited because of the relatively low frequency and slow disease process of both diseases. We aimed to determine whether there is a significant association between AAA and cancers using nationwide data. The patients aged > 50 years and diagnosed with AAA between 2002 and 2015, patients with heart failure (HF) and controls without an AAA or HF matched by age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled from the national sample cohort from the National Health Insurance claims database of South Korea. The primary outcome was the prevalence rate of cancers in the participants with and without an AAA. The secondary outcome was cancer-related survival and cancer risk. Overall, 823 AAA patients (mean (standard deviation) age, 71.8 (9.4) years; 552 (67.1%) men) and matching 823 HF patients and 823 controls were identified. The prevalence of cancers was 45.2% (372/823), 41.7% (343/823) and 35.7% (294/823) in the AAA, HF and control groups, respectively; it was significantly higher in the AAA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The risk of developing cancer was higher in the AAA patients than in the controls (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–1.86), p < 0.001) and in the HF patients (adjusted OR, 1.37 (1.24–1.86), p = 0.006). The cancer-related death rate was 2.64 times higher (95% CI, 2.22–3.13; p < 0.001) for the AAA patients and 1.63 times higher (95% CI, 1.37–1.92; p < 0.001) for the HF patients than for the controls. The most common causes of death in the AAA patients were cancer and cardiovascular disease. There was a significantly increased risk of cancer in the AAA than in the HF and control groups. Therefore, appropriate screening algorithms might be necessary for earlier detection of both diseases to improve long-term survival.
Diagnostic Performance of EUS-Guided Sampling in Indeterminate Radiological Diagnosis of Pancreatic Disease and Intra-Abdominal Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Jeon Tae Yeon , Moon Sung-Hoon , Kim Jong Hyeok , Lim Hyun , Kang Ho Suk , Park Ji-Won , Kim Sung-Eun , Min Soo Kee
Published: August 2021

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling has been widely used for pathologic diagnosis of pancreatic lesions and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. However, its effectiveness for diagnostic decision making in indeterminate radiological diagnosis has not been well determined. Materials and Methods: From March 2012 to October 2015, 98 consecutive patients who underwent EUS-guided FNA for solid intra-abdominal lesions were retrospectively analyzed (100 procedures). The purpose of EUS-guided sampling was classified as (1) confirmation of a high-confidence radiological diagnosis (High-confidence group) or (2) decision making in the differential diagnostic dilemma for indeterminate radiological diagnosis (Indeterminate group). The accuracies of EUS-guided sampling according to the purpose were analyzed and then compared. Results: Of the 100 procedures, 22 procedures (22%) came under the Indeterminate group, whereas 78 came under the High-confidence group. The accuracies did not differ between the Indeterminate and the High-confidence groups (86.4% vs. 88.5%, p = 1.000). Clinical conditions that required EUS-guided sampling for indeterminate radiological diagnosis were (1) pancreatic cancer vs. benign disease (n = 8; e.g., pancreatic cancer vs. mass-forming pancreatitis), (2) recurrence of previous/pre-existing cancer vs. benign disease (n = 5; e.g., recurrent gastric cancer vs. reactive lymph node), (3) pathologic differentiation of presumed malignancy (n = 6; e.g., lymphadenopathies in the previous history of esophageal cancer and colon cancer), or (4) miscellaneous (n = 3; e.g., tuberculous lymphadenopathy vs. other condition). Conclusions: EUS-guided sampling demonstrated an accuracy of 86.4% in the clinical setting of indeterminate radiological diagnosis, which was not different from that of the confirmation of high-confidence diagnosis.
The Assessment of the Severity of COVID-19-Related Anxiety Symptoms in Participants of the University of the Third Age in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Study among Internet Survey Respondents
Authors: Cybulski Mateusz , Cwalina Urszula , Sadowska Dorota , Krajewska-Kułak Elżbieta
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Fear of infection with SARS-CoV-2 has become widespread. All over the world, since the very beginning of the pandemic, older adults have been considered one of the groups at highest risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and death due to COVID-19. The aim of the study was to evaluate the severity of anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19 in the older adults who are participants of the Universities of the Third Age in Poland. Material and methods: The study included participants of the University of the Third Age in Poland. A total of 296 persons were enrolled, including 258 women and 38 men. The study was a diagnostic survey, conducted with the use of the following validated psychometric scales: General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: In two scales (STAI and SHAI), the mean scores demonstrated mild symptoms indicative of anxiety disorders in the older respondents. Women and men did differ significantly in terms of the scores obtained in STAI X-1 and STAI X-2. Single respondents differed significantly from divorced ones in terms of STAI X-1 scores. Moreover, widows/widowers differed significantly from divorced ones in terms of STAI X-2, and GAD-7 scores. Respondents declaring their financial status as average differed significantly from those declaring their financial status as good in terms of: STAI X-1, STAI X-2, SHAI, and GAD-7 scores. Conclusions: The subjective experience of anxiety symptoms associated with fear of contracting COVID-19 was increased due to the ongoing pandemic, but was not significantly high in the analysed population of older people. COVID-19-related anxiety was significantly more common in lonely individuals and in those of worse financial status. Women and men differed significantly in terms of perceived state anxiety and trait anxiety measured by STAI. More studies addressing COVID-19-related anxiety in older people participating in the Polish Universities of the Third Age are needed to determine a more accurate distribution of this phenomenon in Poland.
Properties of Uncommon Indirect Immunofluorescence Staining Patterns Determined during Antinuclear Antibody Detection on HEp-2 Cells
Authors: Tomić Sremec Nada , Kozmar Ana , Sremec Josip , Anić Branimir , Batinić Drago
Published: August 2021

In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of uncommon staining patterns found during testing for the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and to determine their association with certain antibodies and clinical diagnoses. Presence of ANA and the staining pattern was determined in 10955 samples using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells. ANA-positive samples were assessed for presence of 14 specific antibody types using a microbead based system. Demographic data (age, sex) and clinical diagnoses were collected from the referral documentation. Particular staining patterns were then compared with a representative comparison group comprised of samples with common staining patterns using these criteria. There were 22 patterns present in less than 3% of samples each and these were jointly present in 42.43% of ANA-positive samples. Specific antibodies were found in proportions similar to the comparison group (46.06%) and varied significantly between patterns. Likewise, there were significant differences in antibody distribution in particular patterns. Some patterns were associated with presence of rheumatic diseases or inflammatory arthropathies, while in others there was a concurrent diagnosis of liver disease, or a neoplastic process. Many of the uncommon IIF patterns have distinctive characteristics that warrant further investigation in order to determine their role in diagnosing various diseases, not limited only to the illnesses of the rheumatic spectrum. IIF on HEp-2 cells remains an irreplaceable method because of the diversity of ANA, only a number of which can be detected using other standardised methods.
New Indications for Liver Transplantation
Authors: Zanetto Alberto , Shalaby Sarah , Gambato Martina , Germani Giacomo , Senzolo Marco , Bizzaro Debora , Russo Francesco Paolo , Burra Patrizia
Published: August 2021

Liver transplantation (LT) is an important therapeutic option for the treatment of several liver diseases. Modern LT is characterized by remarkable improvements in post-transplant patient survival, graft survival, and quality of life. Thanks to these great improvements, indications for LT are expanding. Nowadays, clinical conditions historically considered exclusion criteria for LT, have been considered new indications for LT, showing survival advantages for patients. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the principal newer indications for LT, with particular attention to alcoholic hepatitis, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer metastases.
The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stress Levels and Occurrence of Stomatoghnatic System Disorders (SSDs) among Physiotherapy Students in Poland
Authors: Gębska Magdalena , Kołodziej Łukasz , Dalewski Bartosz , Pałka Łukasz , Sobolewska Ewa
Published: August 2021

Background: This study is a quantitative analysis examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of stress and stomatognathic system disorders (SSDs) among students of physiotherapy. Objective: To assess stress severity, strategies of coping with stress and the presence of type D personality among physiotherapy students including those with symptoms of stomatognathic system disorders. Material and Methods: The research was conducted from October to December 2020 on a sample of 188 students of physiotherapy. The data were collected using a survey form related to the occurrence of SS disorders symptoms and standardized psychological questionnaires, such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10, Mini-Cope, and the type-D Scale (DS14), developed for the purpose of this study. Results: Women experiencing at least one of the SS disorder-related symptoms were characterized by a significantly higher level of stress and a type D personality (p < 0.05). Among men, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). On the basis of the strategies of coping with stress, i.e., positive self-reevaluation, discharging and blaming oneself, and taking psychoactive substances, it is possible to predict the intensity of stress during the pandemic in the group of the examined students. Among the reported symptoms of SS, headache was a significant predictor of stress, which was accompanied by an increase in the intensity of stress by nearly 0.2 measurement points. Students with higher levels of stress showed more symptoms of type D personality, and those with more severe symptoms of SS showed higher levels of stress. Conclusions: People prone to stress and having type D personality traits should be assessed for the presence of SS disorders.
Detection of Periodontal Pathogens in Oral Samples and Cardiac Specimens in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pardo Alessia , Signoriello Annarita , Signoretto Caterina , Messina Elena , Carelli Maria , Tessari Maddalena , De Manna Nunzio Davide , Rossetti Cecilia , Albanese Massimo , Lombardo Giorgio , Luciani Giovanni Battista
Published: August 2021

This observational study aimed to: (i) assess the presence of periodontal disease among patients requiring aortic valve replacement; (ii) investigate the presence of oral pathogens in aortic valve specimens and compare them with the microorganisms detected in the oral cavity. Twenty-six patients (15 men and 11 women) were scheduled to be visited the day before the cardiac surgery: periodontal conditions were accurately registered through clinical and radiographic examinations; dental plaque or salivary samples were collected. Valve specimens were collected during surgical aortic valve replacement and analyzed for pathogens detection through microbiological 16SrRna gene sequencing. Bacteria found in plaque samples and valve specimens were assessed according to oral and periodontal conditions. A qualitative comparison between oral and cardiac profiles of the microorganisms detected was performed. The overall number of patients examined for soft tissues conditions was 19, as 7 patients were edentulous. Twelve and three individuals, respectively, presented moderate and severe periodontitis. Nine valves were found to be positive for the presence of oral and periodontopathic bacterial DNA. The microbial species found in valve samples of patients with periodontitis suggest that the presence of these microorganisms in valvular tissue seems to be not coincidental.
Is Single Gloving Still Acceptable? Investigation and Evaluation of Damages on Sterile Latex Gloves in General Surgery
Authors: Enz Andreas , Kamaleddine Imad , Groß Justus , Schafmayer Clemens , Alwafai Emad , Sievers Larissa , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Klinder Annett
Published: August 2021

(1) Background: The sterile latex surgical glove is an important part of protecting both the patient and the surgical team from infections. However, mechanical stress can damage the integrity of the glove material and thus may lead to infections. (2) Method: A total of 896 gloves from 448 surgeries were tested and evaluated by the water tightening test according to EN455 and ASTM D5151-19. (3) Results: From 448 surgeries, 18.8% of the interventions showed glove damage. In vascular surgery, gloves were damaged in 20.8%, in thoracic surgery 9.1%, in laparoscopic interventions 21.7%, in the subgroup hernia surgeries (TAPP) 17.6% and in open interventions 17.6%. A total of 101 damages were found on 896 gloves; one glove could have several damages. During vascular surgery, 60% of the damages were on the subordinated hand of the surgeon, and 73.3% of the damages had a size of 1 mm. In laparoscopic procedures, the subordinated hand was also more frequently affected (61.3%) than the dominant hand; 64.5% of the damages were 1 mm in size. In the hernia surgery subgroup (TAPP), no damage was larger than 1 mm; 66.7% were in the subordinated hand area. The duration of surgery had no influence on the lesion rate. (4) Conclusion: The damage rate in low impact procedures is high and represents an underestimated problem in soft tissue surgery. The use of single gloving can therefore lead to the risk of infection. EN455 and ASTM D5151-19 does not take into consideration the risk of intraoperative lesions. Double gloving and glove change algorithms should be established.
Cumulative Shear Damage Mechanism to Short Fiber Type C/SiC
Authors: Tobata Yuta , Takeuchi Shinsuke , Goto Ken
Published: August 2021

A cumulative damage mechanism for short fiber type C/SiC during shear loading–unloading testing was examined and quantified using Iosipescu specimens parallel in the in-plane and through-thickness plane, and by using modified fracture and damage mechanics theory referring to measured damage characteristics (crack length, number and angle). A nonlinear stress–strain relation was found for both specimens. Decrease in the apparent modulus was confirmed with increased peak stress, although permanent strain increased. Inelastic strain of the decomposed tensile direction derived from shear stress was greater than that of the compressive one. Cracks propagated perpendicularly to the tensile direction, intruding on the boundary of the transverse fibers and connecting to other cracks. The theoretical damage mechanics model succeeded to predict the stress–strain relation, proposing that the shear mechanical properties are predictable by measuring the damage characteristics.
Mobile-Based 3D Modeling: An In-Depth Evaluation for the Application in Indoor Scenarios
Authors: De Pellegrini Martin , Orlandi Lorenzo , Sevegnani Daniele , Conci Nicola
Published: August 2021

Indoor environment modeling has become a relevant topic in several application fields, including augmented, virtual, and extended reality. With the digital transformation, many industries have investigated two possibilities: generating detailed models of indoor environments, allowing viewers to navigate through them; and mapping surfaces so as to insert virtual elements into real scenes. The scope of the paper is twofold. We first review the existing state-of-the-art (SoA) of learning-based methods for 3D scene reconstruction based on structure from motion (SFM) that predict depth maps and camera poses from video streams. We then present an extensive evaluation using a recent SoA network, with particular attention on the capability of generalizing on new unseen data of indoor environments. The evaluation was conducted by using the absolute relative (AbsRel) measure of the depth map prediction as the baseline metric.
SEDIQA: Sound Emitting Document Image Quality Assessment in a Reading Aid for the Visually Impaired
Authors: Courtney Jane
Published: August 2021

For visually impaired people (VIPs), the ability to convert text to sound can mean a new level of independence or the simple joy of a good book. With significant advances in optical character recognition (OCR) in recent years, a number of reading aids are appearing on the market. These reading aids convert images captured by a camera to text which can then be read aloud. However, all of these reading aids suffer from a key issue—the user must be able to visually target the text and capture an image of sufficient quality for the OCR algorithm to function—no small task for VIPs. In this work, a sound-emitting document image quality assessment metric (SEDIQA) is proposed which allows the user to hear the quality of the text image and automatically captures the best image for OCR accuracy. This work also includes testing of OCR performance against image degradations, to identify the most significant contributors to accuracy reduction. The proposed no-reference image quality assessor (NR-IQA) is validated alongside established NR-IQAs and this work includes insights into the performance of these NR-IQAs on document images. SEDIQA is found to consistently select the best image for OCR accuracy. The full system includes a document image enhancement technique which introduces improvements in OCR accuracy with an average increase of 22% and a maximum increase of 68%.
Robust 3D Face Reconstruction Using One/Two Facial Images
Authors: Lium Ola , Kwon Yong Bin , Danelakis Antonios , Theoharis Theoharis
Published: August 2021

Being able to robustly reconstruct 3D faces from 2D images is a topic of pivotal importance for a variety of computer vision branches, such as face analysis and face recognition, whose applications are steadily growing. Unlike 2D facial images, 3D facial data are less affected by lighting conditions and pose. Recent advances in the computer vision field have enabled the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for the production of 3D facial reconstructions from 2D facial images. This paper proposes a novel CNN-based method which targets 3D facial reconstruction from two facial images, one in front and one from the side, as are often available to law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The proposed CNN was trained on both synthetic and real facial data. We show that the proposed network was able to predict 3D faces in the MICC Florence dataset with greater accuracy than the current state-of-the-art. Moreover, a scheme for using the proposed network in cases where only one facial image is available is also presented. This is achieved by introducing an additional network whose task is to generate a rotated version of the original image, which in conjunction with the original facial image, make up the image pair used for reconstruction via the previous method.
Production of seedlings of essential oil rose variety ‘Lada’ depending on the scheme and age of the nursery plot
Authors:   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Zolotilov V.A. , Mishnev A.V. ,   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Zolotilova O.M. ,   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Skipor O.B. ,   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea
Published: August 2021

Interest in essential oil production is reviving in Russia. Attention to essential oil rose as one of the main crops in essential oil production, therefore, grows too. Expensive planting material is one of the constraining factors in increasing the acreage of Rosa L. plantations. Green cutting is the most cost-effective method. However, it requires particular conditions for growing mother plants. The purpose of the research was to choose the optimal scheme of growing mother plants and determine the lifetime of the shrubs of essential oil rose variety ‘Lada’ to increase the yield of seedlings by rooting green cuttings. The studies were conducted between 2007 and 2015 at the trial fields of FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea” located in the village of Krymskaya Rosa Belogorskiy district. Research material – essential oil rose variety ‘Lada.’ Climate of the study area – arid. The studies were carried out according to the methodology of field experiments on the technology of essential oil crops cultivation and guidelines for obtaining certified planting material. The nursery plot was laid in 2006. We studied two mother plant placement schemes (according to the feeding area) 0.50 × 0.15 m and 0.50 × 0.25 m. Field experiments were replicated four times. Accounting area – 17.5 m2. The maximum number of seedlings from 1m2 was obtained when mother plants were placed according to the scheme of 0.50 × 0.15 m. This scheme allowed obtaining 742 conditioned seedlings per one square meter for nine years of nursery plot exploitation or 7 to 136 young plants annually, depending on the age of the mother plants. The maximum number of green cuttings (283–296) per unit area was harvested for the eighth or ninth year of the nursery plot exploitation. The maximum number of seedlings (136) was obtained for the 8th year of nursery plot operation. The rooting rate of green cuttings harvested in the first year is not high – only 23 %. In the next five years, 50 to 65 % of green cuttings can root. From the 7th year of nursery plot operation, there is a decrease in the possibility to root (to 35–48 %).
Helianthus annuus L. hybrid ideotype
Authors:   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Kostenkova E.V. , Bushnev A.S. ,   Federal scientific center “All-Russian Research Institute of Oil crops by V. S. Pustovoit” (VNIIMK)
Published: August 2021

The issue of determining the ideotype of sunflower varieties and hybrids is relevant not only for breeding but also for cultivation in new environmental conditions. The aim of our research was to evaluate the genotypes according to ecological adaptability and establish the parameters of the sunflower ideotype for the arid conditions of the Crimean steppe zone. The studies were conducted in 2017-2020 at the Field Crop Department, FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea” (village of Klepinino). Soil – chernozem southern low humus. Materials for the research – sunflower hybrids: ‘Garant’, ‘Komandor’, ‘Signal’, ‘Paritet’, ‘Prestizh’ (standard), ‘Sprint’, ‘Sprint 2’, ‘Gorstar’, ‘Kometa’ (bred in the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Oil Crops by the name of Pustovoit V.S.” (VNIIMK)). The experiment was replicated four times. The total area of the trial plot is 56 m2, the accounting area – 28 m2. Plant density – 40 thousand plants per ha. The harvest was brought to 100% purity; the seeds – to 10% moisture content. The linear regression coefficient (plasticity) of the yield of hybrids (bi) and the standard deviation (stability) (Ϭd2) were calculated according to S. A. Eberhart and W. A. Russell. Favourable weather conditions were in 2017 (Ij = +0.21) and 2019 (Ij = +1.04). Hybrids ‘Komandor’, ‘Garant’, ‘Sprint 2’ and ‘Gorstar’ are more responsive to the improvement of growing conditions (bi>1); variety ‘Kometa’ – weakly responsive (bi<1). When cultivation conditions changed, the yield of the hybrids ‘Signal’, ‘Paritet’, ‘Prestizh’ and ‘Sprint’ varied (bi = 1). In terms of yield, the most stable is ‘Kometa’ (Ϭd2 = 0.48); the most unstable – ‘Komandor’ (Ϭd2 = 2.19). According to the long-term field research, we have identified the parameters of the optimal model of a sunflower hybrid for cultivation in the Crimea: growing season length – 92–98 days, plant height – 161–166 cm, 1000-seeds weight – 69.5–83.0 g, productive area of the capitula (flower head) – 313–379 cm2, yield – 2.26–2.49 t/ha, oil content – 45–47%, as well as god responsiveness to the growing conditions improvement.
СРАВНЕНИЕ СЕЛЕКЦИОННЫХ ЛИНИЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ С ГИБРИДОМ F1 ПО ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННО ЦЕННЫМ ПРИЗНАКАМ
Authors:   Federal Altai Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnology, Lepekhov S.B.
Published: August 2021

Creation of doubled haploid lines in wheat is a promising direction of research in Russia. However, the criteria for identifying good cross combinations, for which it is advisable to carry out androgenesis in vitro, have not been defined. One of these criteria could be the rate of heterosis in F1 or F2. The aim of this work was to establish the possibility of achieving the yield level of the F1 hybrid by the lines of later generations. The studies were carried out at the experimental fields of the FSBSI “Federal Altai Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnology” in 2017-2019. Varieties ‘Golubkovskaya’, ‘Omskaya 28’, ‘Saratovskaya 70’, F1 ‘Omskaya 28’ × ‘Saratovskaya 70’, F1 ‘Golubkovskaya’ × ‘Saratovskaya 70’, four breeding lines from cross ‘Golubkovskaya’ × ‘Saratovskaya 70’ and seven breeding lines from cross ‘Omskaya 28’ × ‘Saratovskaya 70’ were material for this research. Germination, survival rate, plant height, number of spikes per m2, plant biomass, number of spikelets per spike and grain per spike, 1000-seed weight, grain weight per spike and plant, harvest index, yield, duration of the “germination – ear formation” period, lodging resistance and leaf and stem rust resistance were examined. In three cases out of six, high-parent heterosis in the studied F1 hybrids was observed (yield increase – 3–19 %). Five cases of significant yield improvement in breeding lines compared to F1 hybrids were detected in 2017–2019 (additional yield 2–44 %). Lines exceeding hybrid F1 in the context of yield were taller (+5–30 cm), with more extended period “germination – ear formation” (+7–8 days), higher plant biomass (+1.24–5.16 g), a larger number of spikelets per spike (0.5–2.8 units) and larger number of kernels (+3.5–8.0 units). Pure lines of soft spring wheat can be compared in yield to F1 hybrid, from which they were obtained. This fact was possible due to the selection of lines for desired traits determined by recessive genes.
Improving efficiency of operational control in the expert evaluation of grain quality
Authors:   Agrophysical Research Institute, Arkhipov M.V. ,   North-West Centre of Interdisciplinary Researches of Problems of Food Maintenance – separate division of the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: August 2021

Traditional methods for evaluating sowing and technological characteristics of grain do not sufficiently reveal the caryopsis internal structure damages. They can only be recorded using the microfocus soft X-ray radiography method. The aim of this work was, with the help of X-ray, to evaluate the hidden integrity of the caryopsis structure (including the period of the post-harvest maturation) to increase the efficiency of expert assessment of the degree of economic suitability of grain batches. Seeds of Hordеum vulgare L. variety ‘Suzdalets’ harvested in 2015 in the Gatchina and Vsevolozhsk districts of the Leningrad region, malting barley from the Morskoy Port St. Petersburg (2015–2016), as well as corn grain (Zea mais L.) harvested in 2010 and 2011 were the objects of the research. Grain, which is for feed use only, was provided by the poultry farm “Severnaya”. The poultry farm “Roskar” provided samples harvested in 2017. We used the microfocus radiography method combined with a visual analysis of digital X-ray images to detect hidden grain defects. Experimental data on the evaluation of quality and biosafety of barley and maize grain for various purposes determined by radiographic signs of hidden damage are presented. The survey highlighted several key points: the seed lots obtained in the Vsevolozhsk district had a low total level of hidden defects (39 %); in the seed lots obtained in the Gatchina district, this figure was significantly higher (> 140 %). The germination rate for these options, determined six months after harvesting, turned out to be 89 and 74 %, respectively; it was higher for batches of seeds with a small value of the total indicator of hidden defects. Samples, the total level of hidden defects of which was lower (29 %), had a higher germination index (97 %) compared to the same in seed samples with a total level of hidden defects 70 % or more (85–90 %). X-ray analysis of corn grain samples obtained at the poultry farm “Roskar” revealed that the amount of grain with defects in the embryo (hidden germination) compared with the same in grain lots from the poultry farm “Severnaya” was low and varied from 17 to 29 %. The index of the hidden fissuring rate in these samples was not reliably recorded. However, we detected such internal grain damage as enzyme mycosis depletion (64 to 98 %). Research results are the basis for the development of new engineering and technical solutions for the “gentle” agricultural technologies to obtain batches of high-quality non-injured grain that ensure high competitiveness in the global grain market.
Creation of clary sage cultivar using cell engineering methods. 2. Study of plant-regenerants at the stages of breeding process
Authors:   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, Stavtzeva I.V. , Yegorova N.A. ,   Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea
Published: August 2021

Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) is a widely demanded essential oil plant. The products of its processing are used in medicine, perfumery and cosmetics, food industry, paint and varnish production. The main breeding tasks are to develop cultivars that combine high yield and quality of essential oil, resistant to abiotic and biotic stresses. All clary sage cultivars registered in the ‘State register of breeding achievements allowed for use’ Russian Federation were obtained on the basis of traditional methods. The initial breeding material of S. sclarea was obtained at the FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea” using methods of cell engineering (induction of somaclones from callus cultures, obtaining hybrids in embryoculture and cell selection for resistance to osmotic stress). The aim of this work was to study the main economic and morphometric parameters of clary sage samples created using various biotechnological methods at the main stages of the breeding process. As a material for research, we used samples obtained in vitro using three biotechnological methods – regenerants (R2-R3) from calli of ‘C-785’ and ‘Taigan’ cultivars, obtained in isolated embryo culture hybrids (Salvia sclarea L. x S. grandiflora Etling.) and forms selected in embryoculture on a selective medium with an osmotic (mannitol or NaCl). When studying 10 sage samples (seed progeny of regenerants) in the breeding nursery (2012–2014), three that exceeded the control cultivar ‘Taigan’ in terms of basic economic characteristics were identified. The collection of essential oil from them was 1.2-1.4 times higher than in the control. In the nursery of competitive variety trials (2016–2019), when studying three samples (No. R3-1-6, 226-08 and 1-01), No. R3-1-6 was selected for a number of indicators. This sample is seed progeny of regenerant obtained by the induction of morphogenesis from callus. A characteristic feature of this sample was an increase in the number of lateral shoots per inflorescence by 41.1 %, which contributed to an increase in the mass of inflorescences. By the yield of inflorescences (162.0 c/ha) and the collection of essential oil (51.5 kg/ha), No. R3-1-6 exceeded control by 24.9 % and 43.9 %, respectively. The patent on the new clary sage cultivar ‘Selinzh’ (No. R3-1-6), in the creation of which the method of cell engineering was used for the first time, was received.
Assessment of the dynamics of the main agrochemical indicators of irrigated chestnut soils under risk farming conditions in Stavropol
Authors:   Pryanishnikov Institute of Agrochemistry, Sychev V.G. , Grechishkina Yu.I. ,   Stavropol State Agrarian University, Egorov V.P. ,   State Center for Agrochemical Service “Stavropolsky”, Matvienko A.V. ,   State Center for Agrochemical Service “Stavropolsky”
Published: August 2021

Irrigation is an important element of agricultural production in the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory. The combination of irrigation, chemicalization and complex mechanization provides highly productive use of land that requires specific scientific support. The purpose of the research is to identify differences in the dynamics of the main agrochemical indicators (organic matter, pH, mobile phosphorus, mobile potassium) on irrigated and non-irrigated chestnut soils. The object of research is chestnut soils located in an extremely arid climatic zone of the Stavropol Territory. The data of complex monitoring of soil fertility in the Apanasenkovsky district were used as the source material. The data for the period from 1991 to 2020 were prepared by the staff of the State Center for Agrochemical Service “Stavropolsky”. The content of soil organic matter was determined by the Tyurin method in the modification of CINAO. Mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium were determined by the Machigin method in the modification of CINAO. The value of the hydrogen pH index of the aqueous suspension was determined by the potentiometric method. The content of organic matter in chestnut soils increased from 1.8 to 2.0–2.1% both on irrigated and non-irrigated lands. A tendency to leaching of irrigated lands by 0.2 units has been revealed; therefore, in this case, it is recommended to use chemical ameliorants. Moreover, on irrigation, an increase in the content of mobile phosphorus (from 0.8 to 4.0 mg/kg) compared to non-irrigated areas was revealed. The reason for this is the increased doses of phosphorus-containing fertilizers applied during irrigation. During the study period, the content of mobile potassium increased from 77 to 93 mg/kg irrigated chestnut soils compared to non-irrigated ones. The negative dynamics in the content of mobile potassium on irrigation was revealed. It amounted to 364 mg/kg (as of 2020), which is lower than the data of the previous survey period by 81 mk/kg. Particular attention should be paid to the use of potash fertilizers since there is increased removal of this element, despite the high potash potential of chestnut soils in the arid zone of the Stavropol Territory.
Potassium status of sod-podzolic loamy soils
Authors:   Pryanishnikov Institute of Agrochemistry, Sychev V.G. , Nikitina L.V. ,   Pryanishnikov Institute of Agrochemistry
Published: August 2021

Potassium is one of the essential plant nutrients. Despite numerous surveys, some issues related to the transformation of potassium in soils require additional study. The purpose of the research was to study the potassium transformation in sod-podzolic loamy soils and its entry into plants influenced by various farming methods in long-term field experiments of different duration. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental station of the FSBSI “Pryanishnikov Institute of Agrochemistry” located in the Moscow region, Domodedovo district, village of Barybino. To study the potassium status, an archive of soil samples created in the Geographical Network of Experiments with Fertilizers was used. Soil samples were collected in long-term field experiments after their closure (experiment SH-8, year of laying – 1971–1973, duration – 14 years) or modification (experiment SH-5, year of laying – 1964-1966, duration – 28 years). The experimental schemes included the systematic introduction of various fertilizing systems (organic, mineral, organo-mineral) and the determination of their impact on crop rotation productivity and soil fertility. Previous studies have shown that the formation of the crop yield in the context of long-term potassium deficiency burdened by the absence of fertilization was chiefly due to the consumption of non-exchangeable potassium by plants. For the 14–year period, the annual use of non-exchangeable potassium in the control and NP variants was 62.0-63.0 kg K2O/ha. As potassium reserves in the soil of the control variant become depleted (longer experiment), its assimilation from the non-exchangeable form decreased by 1.6 times and amounted to 39.5 kg K2O/ha. The use of a mineral fertilizing system (potassium dose < 90 kg/ha for 14 years) increased the annual mobilization of the non-exchangeable form of the element (over 100 kg/ha of K2O). The transformation of soil potassium forms that differed in the degree of their availability for plants was determined by the fertilizing systems, the doses of potassium fertilizers in the systems, as well as the duration of the experiments.