bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Childhood Obesity and Psychological Factors on Sleep
Authors: Mazurak Nazar , Cook Jessica , Weiland Alisa , Ritze Yvonne , Urschitz Michael , Junne Florian , Zipfel Stephan , Enck Paul , Mack Isabelle
Published: July 2021

The aim of the study was to analyze sleep duration and behaviors in relation to psychological parameters in children and adolescents with obesity seeking inpatient weight-loss treatment in comparison to normal-weight children, and whether or not these variables would improve during the time course of treatment. Sixty children or adolescents with overweight and obesity (OBE) and 27 normal-weight (NW) peers (age: 9–17) were assessed for subjective sleep measures through self-reported and parent-reported questionnaires, as well as body weight, body composition, and psychological questionnaires. The OBE participants were assessed upon admission and before discharge of an inpatient multidisciplinary weight-loss program. NW participants' data were collected for cross-sectional comparison. In comparison to NW, children and adolescents with OBE had a shorter self-reported sleep duration and had poorer sleep behaviors and more sleep-disordered breathing as reported by their parents. No change in sleep measures occurred during the inpatient treatment. Psychological factors including higher anxiety, depression, and destructive-anger-related emotion regulation were moderate predictors for unfavorable sleep outcomes, independent of weight status. Children with obesity had less favorable sleep patterns, and psychological factors influenced sleep in children, independent of weight. More research is needed on the relationship and direction of influence between sleep, psychological factors, and obesity, and whether they can be integrated in the prevention and management of childhood obesity and possibly also other pediatric diseases.
Prevalence of Fatigue and Its Association With Quality of Life Among Frontline Clinicians in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Departments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jin Yu , Li Yue , Li Xiu-Ya , Zhao Yan-Jie , Cheung Teris , Ungvari Gabor S. , Li Michael , An Feng-Rong , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: July 2021

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused psychological distress and heavy burden in medical professionals. This study examined the prevalence of fatigue and its association with quality of life (QOL) in clinicians working in ophthalmology and otolaryngology departments during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Methods:This was a cross-sectional national online survey conducted between March 15 and March 20, 2020 in China. The severity of fatigue, depression and QOL were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively.

Results:In total, 3,912 clinicians completed the survey (2,155 in ophthalmology department, and 1,757 in otolaryngology department); 2,049 [52.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 50.8–53.9%] reported fatigue (NRS score ≥ 4). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that junior clinicians [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68–1.00,P= 0.045] had lower risk of fatigue; while clinicians working in tertiary hospitals (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02–1.49,P= 0.029), and the presence of more severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 total score ≥ 5; OR = 7.40, 95% CI = 6.29–8.70,P< 0.001) were independently associated with higher risk of fatigue. After controlling for covariates, clinicians with fatigue had significantly lower QOL compared with those without [F(1, 3, 911)= 283.75,P< 0.001].

Conclusion:Fatigue was common in clinicians working in ophthalmology and otolaryngology departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the negative impact of fatigue on clinicians' QOL, health authorities and policymakers should conduct regular screening for fatigue and develop preventive strategies for frontline clinicians working under excessive stress.
Mood and Activity Measured Using Smartphones in Unipolar Depressive Disorder
Authors: Tønning Morten Lindbjerg , Faurholt-Jepsen Maria , Frost Mads , Bardram Jakob Eyvind , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: July 2021

Background: Smartphones comprise a promising tool for symptom monitoring in patients with unipolar depressive disorder (UD) collected as either patient-reportings or possibly as automatically generated smartphone data. However, only limited research has been conducted in clinical populations. We investigated the association between smartphone-collected monitoring data and validated psychiatric ratings and questionnaires in a well-characterized clinical sample of patients diagnosed with UD.

Methods: Smartphone data, clinical ratings, and questionnaires from patients with UD were collected 6 months following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization as part of a randomized controlled study. Smartphone data were collected daily, and clinical ratings (i.e., Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item) were conducted three times during the study. We investigated associations between (1) smartphone-based patient-reported mood and activity and clinical ratings and questionnaires; (2) automatically generated smartphone data resembling physical activity, social activity, and phone usage and clinical ratings; and (3) automatically generated smartphone data and same-day smartphone-based patient-reported mood and activity.

Results: A total of 74 patients provided 11,368 days of smartphone data, 196 ratings, and 147 questionnaires. We found that: (1) patient-reported mood and activity were associated with clinical ratings and questionnaires (p < 0.001), so that higher symptom scores were associated with lower patient-reported mood and activity, (2) Out of 30 investigated associations on automatically generated data and clinical ratings of depression, only four showed statistical significance. Further, lower psychosocial functioning was associated with fewer daily steps (p = 0.036) and increased number of incoming (p = 0.032), outgoing (p = 0.015) and missed calls (p = 0.007), and longer phone calls (p = 0.012); (3) Out of 20 investigated associations between automatically generated data and daily patient-reported mood and activity, 12 showed statistical significance. For example, lower patient-reported activity was associated with fewer daily steps, shorter distance traveled, increased incoming and missed calls, and increased screen-time.

Conclusion: Smartphone-based self-monitoring is feasible and associated with clinical ratings in UD. Some automatically generated data on behavior may reflect clinical features and psychosocial functioning, but these should be more clearly identified in future studies, potentially combining patient-reported and smartphone-generated data.
The Effect of Chinese Square Dance Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Women With Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Mediating Effect of Mood Status and Quality of Life
Authors: Chang Jindong , Zhu Wenbing , Zhang Jia , Yong Liming , Yang Ming , Wang Jibing , Yan Jiagao
Published: July 2021

The present study aimed to assess the effects of square dance exercise on the cognitive function and quality of life in older women with mild cognitive impairment and to investigate the mediating role of a depressed mood and reduced quality of life in the relationship between square dance exercise and cognition. The study design was a single-blind whole-group controlled trial. A total of 136 eligible participants were divided according to their nursing home into either an experimental or control group. The nursing home grouping was determined by the drawing of lots. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Quality of Life (SF-12) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used to assess participants at baseline, week 9, and week 18, respectively. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare the results at baseline with mid-test and post-test changes in cognitive function and quality of life. Maximum likelihood estimation (ML) and robust standard errors were used to perform the mediation model. The study results indicated that the experimental group (compared to the control group) had a significant improvement in cognitive function, quality of life, and mood state at baseline in the mid-test and post-test results. The results of this 18-week experiment showed that the exercise–cognition relationship was significantly mediated by a reduction in depressive symptoms (indirect effect: β = −0.375; 95% CI = −0.864 to −0.069) and an improvement in quality of life (indirect effect: β = −0.678; 95% CI = −1.222 to −0.290). This study revealed the effects of moderate-intensity square dance exercise on cognitive function and quality of life in older Chinese women with mild cognitive impairment and explored the potential mediating mechanisms. These findings can be used to inform the development of public health policies to promote brain health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Ps and Qs: Quantization-Aware Pruning for Efficient Low Latency Neural Network Inference
Authors: Hawks Benjamin , Duarte Javier , Fraser Nicholas J. , Pappalardo Alessandro , Tran Nhan , Umuroglu Yaman
Published: July 2021

Efficient machine learning implementations optimized for inference in hardware have wide-ranging benefits, depending on the application, from lower inference latency to higher data throughput and reduced energy consumption. Two popular techniques for reducing computation in neural networks are pruning, removing insignificant synapses, and quantization, reducing the precision of the calculations. In this work, we explore the interplay between pruning and quantization during the training of neural networks for ultra low latency applications targeting high energy physics use cases. Techniques developed for this study have potential applications across many other domains. We study various configurations of pruning during quantization-aware training, which we termquantization-aware pruning, and the effect of techniques like regularization, batch normalization, and different pruning schemes on performance, computational complexity, and information content metrics. We find that quantization-aware pruning yields more computationally efficient models than either pruning or quantization alone for our task. Further, quantization-aware pruning typically performs similar to or better in terms of computational efficiency compared to other neural architecture search techniques like Bayesian optimization. Surprisingly, while networks with different training configurations can have similar performance for the benchmark application, the information content in the network can vary significantly, affecting its generalizability.
Challenges in Solid Waste Management: Insights Into the Disposal Behavior of Suburban Consumers in Guatemala City
Authors: Raab Katharina , Tolotti Giulia , Wagner Ralf
Published: July 2021

Help, I need to get rid of it! In suburban areas of Guatemala City, inhabitants dispose of their household waste by burning it on their private property. Garbage collection coverage in the capital is inadequate, with only 85% of the generated waste being collected and collection rates in suburban areas lag far behind. This study examines the critical events, decisions and emotions linked with the disposition of household items of impoverished consumers living in the suburban area of Cumbre de San Nicolás near Guatemala City. We emphasize the determinants of their behavior, attitudes, and perceptions regarding their daily disposal routines of household possessions. The selected method to describe the poor consumers' experience in the disposition process of their household possessions is that of existential phenomenology. This analysis of 10 in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews provides new insights into residents' daily disposal routines, social life, and traditions. Results show that religion, social norms, and peoples' relationships are essential for the well-being of those in suburban areas. Moreover, they significantly affect peoples' rationales and reflections on their disposal behavior and are promising factors for controlling suburban resource management of waste. This study's respondents showed a high level of awareness that on-site burning of household waste negatively affects human health and the environment. On the individual level, emotions influence the way of how people dispose of their personal belongings. Based on this study's results, we propose an intervention framework tailored to suburban impoverished citizens.
Culture Media Based on Leaf Strips/Root Segments Create Compatible Host/Organ Setup for in vitro Cultivation of Plant Microbiota
Authors: Nemr Rahma A. , Patz Sascha , Abdelwakeel Saad M. , Khalil Mohab , Ben Djadid Ali , Abdelfadeel Mohamed R. , Morsi Ahmed T. , Goda Hanan A. , Youssef Hanan H. , Hamza Mervat , Abbas Mohamed , Fayez Mohamed , El-Sahhar Kassem F. , Becker Matthias , Ruppel Silke , Hegazi Nabil A.
Published: July 2021

Plant microbiota have co-evolved with their associated plants in the entire holobiont, and their assemblages support diversity and productivity on our planet. Of importance is in vitro cultivation and identification of their hub taxa for possible core microbiome modification. Recently, we introduced the in situ-similis culturing strategy, based on the use of plant leaves as a platform for in vitro growth of plant microbiota. Here, the strategy is further extended by exploring plant organ compatible cultivation of plant microbiota when grown on corresponding leaf/root-based culture media. Pooling the advantages of MPN enrichment methodology together with natural plant-only-based culture media, the introduced method efficiently constructed a nutritional milieu governed by vegan nutrients of plant origin, i.e., leaf strips/root segments, immersed in plain semi-solid water agar. MPN estimates exceeded log 7.0 and 4.0 g−1 of endo-rhizosphere and endo-phyllosphere, respectively, of maize and sunflower; being proportionate to those obtained for standard culture media. With sunflower, PCR-DGGE analyses indicated divergence in community composition of cultivable endophytes primarily attributed to culture media, signaling a certain degree of plant organ affinity/compatibility. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing of bacterial isolates, 20 genera comprising 32 potential species were enriched; belonged to Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Alpha-/Gammaproteobacteria. The described cultivation strategy furnished diversified nutritive platform in terms of homologous/heterologous plant organ-based medium and ambient/limited oxygenic cultivation procedure. Duly, cultivability extended to > 8 genera: Bosea, Brevundimonas, Chitinophaga, Pseudoxanthomonas, Sphingobacterium Caulobacter, Scandinavium, and Starkeya; the latter three genera were not yet reported for Sunflower, and possible unknown species or even one new putative genus. Thus, both potential members of the major microbiome and rare isolates of satellite microbiomes can be isolated using the presented method. It is a feasible addition to traditional cultivation methods to explore new potential resources of PGPB for future biotechnological applications.
Traumatic Brain Injury—A Review of Intravenous Fluid Therapy
Authors: Pigott Armi , Rudloff Elke
Published: July 2021

This manuscript will review intravenous fluid therapy in traumatic brain injury. Both human and animal literature will be included. Basic treatment recommendations will also be discussed.
Effects of Dietary Guanidinoacetic Acid on the Feed Efficiency, Blood Measures, and Meat Quality of Jinjiang Bulls
Authors: Li Zengmin , Liang Huan , Xin Junping , Xu Lanjiao , Li Meifa , Yu Hanjing , Zhang Wenjing , Ge Yu , Li Yanjiao , Qu Mingren
Published: July 2021

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing the diet of Jinjiang bulls with guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) on their feed efficiency [feed efficiency were evaluated with feedlot average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed-to-gain ratio (F:G)], blood measures, and meat quality. Forty-five Jinjiang bulls (24 ± 3 months old and 350.15 ± 30.39 kg by weight) were randomly distributed among five experimental groups (each n = 9) and each group was randomly fed with one of five diets (concentrate: roughage ratio of 60:40): (1) control; (2) 0.05% GAA; (3) 0.1% GAA; (4) 0.2% GAA; and (5) 0.4% GAA, respectively. After a 52-days feeding trial, five bulls from the control group and five bulls from the optimal GAA supplementing group were randomly selected and slaughtered for collection of the longissimus thoracis (LT) and semitendinosus (SM) muscles to determine meat quality. The results showed that dietary GAA improved the ADG, decreased the value of F:G, and affected blood measures and antioxidant variables. Supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet was optimal for feeding efficiency and most of the measured blood measures. Supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet increased the a* (redness) values, and b* (yellowness) values, and the amount of creatine kinase (CK), muscle glycogen, creatinine (CRE), and laminin (LN) in LT muscles. However, it decreased the drip loss, L* (lightness) value, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content of LT muscles. Drip loss and shear force decreased in SM muscles, as did the amount of type IV collagen (CV–IV). In conclusion, supplementing 0.2% GAA into the diet could enhance feed efficiency to improve beef growth and meat quality.
Construction and Analysis of Coexpression Network to Understand Biological Responses in Chickens Infected by Eimeria tenella
Authors: Liu Baohong , Ma Xueting , Cai Jianping
Published: July 2021

Coccidiosis, caused by various Eimeria species, is a major parasitic disease in chickens. Our understanding of how chickens respond to coccidian infections is highly limited at both the molecular and cellular levels. In this study, coexpression modules were identified by weighted gene coexpression network analysis in chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. A total of 15 correlation modules were identified using 5,175 genes with 24 chicken samples, 12 with primary and 12 with secondary E. tenella infection. The analysis of the interactions between these modules showed a high degree of scale independence. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes enrichment analyses revealed that genes in these functional modules were involved in a broad categories of functions, such as immune response, amino acid metabolism, cellular responses to lipids, sterol biosynthetic processes, and RNA transport. Two modules viz yellow and magenta were identified significantly associating with infection status. Preservation analysis showed that most of the modules identified in E. tenella infections were highly or moderately preserved in chickens infected with either Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria maxima. These analyses outline a biological responses landscape for chickens infected by E. tenella, and also indicates that infections with these three Eimeria species elicit similar biological responses in chickens at the system level. These findings provide new clues and ideas for investigating the relationship between parasites and host, and the control of parasitic diseases.
COVID-19 and People Management: The View of Human Resource Managers
Authors: Gonçalves Sónia P. , Santos Joana Vieira dos , Silva Isabel S. , Veloso Ana , Brandão Catarina , Moura Rita
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 has brought an unexpected need for change within organizations, particularly regarding human resource management. The nature of this global crisis has meant that these processes remain under-systematized. The aim of this study, which uses an exploratory design and mixed-methods analysis, is to contribute to describing the changes in human resource management practices and processes that resulted from this pandemic and to present the outlook of human resource managers for the future. One hundred and thirty-six Portuguese companies participated in the study, with the answers provided by their human resource managers. Results show that the main changes have occurred in the processes of work and safety, training, work organization, recruitment and selection, induction and onboarding, and communication. The profiles that emerged showed an association between the level of change and size of the organization. There was an increase in the use of teleworking and layoffs, and a positive assessment of the organizations’ level of preparation and adaptation to this crisis. Human resource managers reported that the most evident changes in the future will be associated with the use of technology, teleworking, and work organization. These findings are of the upmost importance, as human resource managers are essential pillars in the adjustment of the organizations to this pandemic situation.
Rumen Degradability of Barley, Oats, Sorghum, Triticale, and Wheat In Situ and the Effect of Pelleting
Authors: Pan Liyi , Huang Kim H. , Middlebrook Todd , Zhang Dagong , Bryden Wayne L. , Li Xiuhua
Published: July 2021

Feeding cereal grain to cattle is common practice for optimal beef and milk production. High concentrations of starch and other soluble carbohydrates may cause acidosis. Information on the effect of processing on starch and protein degradability in the rumen are scarce. This study was to determine the ruminal degradation patterns of common grains and the effect of steam pelleting on starch and crude protein (CP) degradability in the rumen. The ruminal degradation pattern of dry matter (DM), starch, and CP of ground and pelleted sorghum, barley, wheat, and samples along with ground oats and triticale were determined using the in situ nylon bags method. Cereals were incubated for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, and 60 h, and the fast and slowly degradable fraction, the effective degradation rate, and effective degradability (ED) of DM, starch, and CP were calculated. The starch ED of ground and pelleted sorghum, barley, and two wheat samples were 57.3, 93.6, 95.2, and 97.2%; and 61.5, 93.8, 93.8, and 95.6%, and their crude protein ED was 54.8, 82.3, 83.3, 82.6% and 51.9, 79.2, 81.8, and 78.1% respectively. The starch ED of ground oat and triticale were 98.3 and 94.7%, and that of CP were 93.7 and 75.2%, respectively. The degradability of sorghum was significantly lower than that of the other grains. Pelleting increased the fast-degradable DM and starch faction of sorghum and tended to improve its DM degradability (p = 0.081). Pelleting significantly reduced the fast-degradable fraction of DM and starch of wheat samples and numerically reduced its degradability.
Does the Self-Identity of Chinese Farmers in Rural Tourism Destinations Affect Their Land-Responsibility Behaviour Intention? The Mediating Effect of Multifunction Agriculture Perception
Authors: Cao Xingping , Luo Zeyuan , He Manli , Liu Yan , Qiu Junlin
Published: July 2021

Farmers are the heart of rural tourism destinations, and their land-responsibility behaviours affect sustainable development. In this study, four rural tourist sites in the suburbs of Chengdu were selected, and the structural equation model was used to analyse the influence of farmers’ self-identity on their land-responsibility behaviours intention under the condition of agricultural multifunction perception as a mediation variable. The results show that, in rural tourism destinations of suburban districts of China, farmers’ self-identity is an important variable that affects their land-responsibility behaviour intention. Agricultural economic function perception mediates the relationship between farmers’ self-identity and land-responsibility behaviour intention. Agricultural non-economic function perception positively affects their agricultural economic function perception.
Nitrogen Immobilisation and Microbial Biomass Build-Up Induced by Miscanthus x giganteus L. Based Fertilisers
Authors: Stotter Michael , Wichern Florian , Pude Ralf , Hamer Martin
Published: July 2021

Cultivation of Miscanthus x giganteus L. (Mis) with annual harvest of biomass could provide an additional C source for farmers. To test the potential of Mis-C for immobilizing inorganic N from slurry or manure and as a C source for soil organic matter build-up in comparison to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw (WS), a greenhouse experiment was performed. Pot experiments with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were set up to investigate the N dynamics of two organic fertilisers based on Mis at Campus Klein-Altendorf, Germany. The two fertilisers, a mixture of cattle slurry and Mis as well as cattle manure from Mis-bedding material resulted in a slightly higher N immobilisation. Especially at the 1st and 2nd harvest, they were partly significantly different compared with the WS treatments. The fertilisers based on Mis resulted in a slightly higher microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N and thus can be identified as an additional C source to prevent nitrogen losses and for the build-up of soil organic matter (SOM) in the long-term.
Simulation Model for Time to Flowering with Climatic and Genetic Inputs for Wild Chickpea
Authors: Ageev Andrey , Aydogan Abdulkadir , Bishop-von Wettberg Eric , Nuzhdin Sergey V. , Samsonova Maria , Kozlov Konstantin
Published: July 2021

Accurate prediction of flowering time helps breeders to develop new varieties that can achieve maximal efficiency in a changing climate. A methodology was developed for the construction of a simulation model for flowering time in which a function for daily progression of the plant from one to the next phenological phase is obtained in analytic form by stochastic minimization. The resulting model demonstrated high accuracy on the recently assembled data set of wild chickpeas. The inclusion of genotype-by-climatic factors interactions accounted to 77% of accuracy in terms of root mean square error. It was found that the impact of minimal temperature is positively correlated with the longitude at primary collection sites, while the impact of day length is negatively correlated. It was interpreted as adaptation of accessions from highlands to lower temperatures and those from lower elevation river valleys to shorter days. We used bootstrap resampling to construct an ensemble of models, taking into account the influence of genotype-by-climatic factors interactions and applied it to forecast the time to flowering for the years 2021–2099, using generated daily weather in Turkey, and for different climate change scenarios. Although there are common trends in the forecasts, some genotypes and SNP groups have distinct trajectories.
Spraying Hatching Eggs with Clove Essential Oil Does Not Compromise the Quality of Embryos and One-Day-Old Chicks or Broiler Performance
Authors: Oliveira Gabriel da Silva , Nascimento Sheila Tavares , dos Santos Vinícius Machado , Lima Dallago Bruno Stéfano
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether sanitizing hatching eggs with clove essential oil in the preincubation phase affects broiler performance and influences the hatch window and quality of embryos and one-day-old chicks. Hatching eggs (n = 1280; mean weight = 58.64 ± 0.49 g) from a batch of 37-week-old broiler breeder hens of the CPK (Pesadão Vermelho) lineage were randomly distributed into four treatments in the preincubation phase. The treatments consisted of three different sanitization procedures (spraying with grain alcohol, spraying with clove essential oil, and fumigation with paraformaldehyde) and a control treatment (nonsanitized). The lengths of the embryos and one-day-old chicks (one of the parameters used to assess bird quality) were not significantly different among the treatments, with means of 15.30 ± 1.41 and 18.37 ± 0.76 mm, respectively. Body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion rate in different rearing periods did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, there was a significant difference in the percentage of survivability during the initial period (1 to 28 days) among the treatments. In conclusion, clove essential oil treatment did not negatively affect the quality of embryos and one-day-old chicks or the performance of broilers.
Genome of the Southern Giant Petrel Assembled Using Third-Generation DNA Sequencing and Linked Reads Reveals Evolutionary Traits of Southern Avian
Authors: Kim Sun-Hee , Lee Seung-Jae , Jo Euna , Kim Jangyeon , Kim Jong-U , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Park Hyun , Chi Young-Min
Published: July 2021

The southern giant petrel Macronectes giganteus, a large seabird of the southern oceans, is one of only two members of the genus Macronectes and is the largest species in the order Procellariiformes. Although these two families account for the vast majority of the avian fauna inhabiting the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, studies on the status of some populations and the associated genetic data are currently extremely limited. In this study, we assembled the genome of M. giganteus by integrating Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time sequencing and the Chromium system developed by 10x Genomics. The final M. giganteus genome assembly was 1.248 Gb in size with a scaffold N50 length of 27.4 Mb and a longest scaffold length of 120.4 Mb. The M. giganteus genome contains 14,993 predicted protein-coding genes and has 11.06% repeat sequences. Estimated historical effective population size analysis indicated that the southern giant petrel underwent a severe reduction in effective population size during a period coinciding with the early Pleistocene. The availability of this newly sequenced genome will facilitate more effective genetic monitoring of threatened species. Furthermore, the genome will provide a valuable resource for gene functional studies and further comparative genomic studies on the life history and ecological traits of specific avian species.
GPS Coordinates for Modelling Correlated Herd Effects in Genomic Prediction Models Applied to Hanwoo Beef Cattle
Authors: Cuyabano Beatriz Castro Dias , Rovere Gabriel , Lim Dajeong , Kim Tae Hun , Lee Hak Kyo , Lee Seung Hwan , Gondro Cedric
Published: July 2021

It is widely known that the environment influences phenotypic expression and that its effects must be accounted for in genetic evaluation programs. The most used method to account for environmental effects is to add herd and contemporary group to the model. Although generally informative, the herd effect treats different farms as independent units. However, if two farms are located physically close to each other, they potentially share correlated environmental factors. We introduce a method to model herd effects that uses the physical distances between farms based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates as a proxy for the correlation matrix of these effects that aims to account for similarities and differences between farms due to environmental factors. A population of Hanwoo Korean cattle was used to evaluate the impact of modelling herd effects as correlated, in comparison to assuming the farms as completely independent units, on the variance components and genomic prediction. The main result was an increase in the reliabilities of the predicted genomic breeding values compared to reliabilities obtained with traditional models (across four traits evaluated, reliabilities of prediction presented increases that ranged from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.03), suggesting that these models may overestimate heritabilities. Although little to no significant gain was obtained in phenotypic prediction, the increased reliability of the predicted genomic breeding values is of practical relevance for genetic evaluation programs.
Physiological Correlation between Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis, Leptin, UCP1 and Lipid Panel in Mares during Late Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period
Authors: Arfuso Francesca , Giannetto Claudia , Bazzano Marilena , Assenza Anna , Piccione Giuseppe
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to investigate the dynamic change of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, leptin, mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), lipids and lipoproteins in mares during late pregnancy and the postpartum period. A total of 20 mares (10 pregnant mares, monitored from 14 ± 2 days before expected foaling until 14 days after foaling, Group A; 10 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares, Group B) were enrolled in the study. Body Condition Score (BCS) and body weight (BW) values were recorded from each animal. In Group A, blood samples were collected on days 14 ± 2 and 7 ± 2 before foaling (T−14; T−7), and on days 7 and 14 after foaling (T+7; T+14). From mares of Group B, blood samples were collected at the beginning of the study. The levels of ACTH, cortisol, leptin, UCP1, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) were investigated. While BCS showed no statistical change throughout the monitoring period (p > 0.05), all the other studied parameters displayed statistically significant variations in Group A over the peripartum period (p < 0.0001). A significant effect of pregnancy was found on all studied parameters (p < 0.001). The ACTH and cortisol levels measured in mares belonged to Group A showed a significant positive correlation with the values of leptin, LDLs, triglycerides and VLDLs, whereas they were negatively correlated with the serum UCP1 and NEFAs values. Together, the findings gathered in this study highlight a dynamic change of serum leptin, UCP1 and lipid parameters in peripartum mares and suggest an interaction of the HPA axis with lipid metabolism and mobilization in mares during the peripartum period in order to deal with metabolic and energy demand and maintain energy homeostasis.
Effect of Fishmeal Content in the Diet on the Growth and Sexual Maturation of Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) at a Typical Fish Farm
Authors: Park Su-Jin , Seo Bong Seung , Park Hung Sik , Lee Bong-Joo , Hur Sang-Woo , Nam Taek-Jeong , Lee Kyeong-Jun , Lee Seunghyung , Choi Youn Hee
Published: July 2021

Olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a commercially important and valuable species for aquaculture in Korea. Due to the unstable supply of fishmeal for farmed fish, an optimum fish-feed formulation should be researched to ensure the sustainability of P. olivaceus aquaculture. This study investigated the effect of three experimental diets: Con (basal diet); FM20 (20% fishmeal replacement of CON); and FM30 (30% fishmeal replacement of CON) on P. olivaceus over 20 weeks at a typical farm by monitoring the growth and factors relating to sexual maturation. The results showed that no differences in growth were observed between the CON and diet-replacement groups. Gonadal oocyte development was similar between the CON and diet-replacement groups. Moreover, sbGnRH and GH expression did not differ between the CON and diet-replacement groups. The levels of Erβ and Vtg expression were significantly higher in the FM20 group than in the CON and FM30 groups after the experimental period. The expression of PSS-I was significantly higher in the FM30 group than in the CON and FM20 groups. Therefore, although growth occurred when 30% of the fishmeal was replaced, such high dietary protein replacement may be ill-advised during the maturation of olive flounder at the commercial fish farm.
Co-Existence of Certain ESBLs, MBLs and Plasmid Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes among MDR E. coli Isolated from Different Clinical Specimens in Egypt
Authors: Masoud Salwa Mahmoud , Abd El-Baky Rehab Mahmoud , Aly Sherine A. , Ibrahem Reham Ali
Published: July 2021

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains and even pan drug resistant (PDR) strains is alarming. In this study, we studied the resistance pattern of E. coli pathogens recovered from patients with different infections in different hospitals in Minia, Egypt and the co-existence of different resistance determinants. E. coli was the most prevalent among patients suffering from urinary tract infections (62%), while they were the least isolated from eye infections (10%). High prevalence of MDR isolates was found (73%) associated with high ESBLs and MBLs production (89.4% and 64.8%, respectively). blaTEM (80%) and blaNDM (43%) were the most frequent ESBL and MBL, respectively. None of the isolates harbored blaKPC and blaOXA-48 carbapenemase like genes. Also, the fluoroquinolone modifying enzyme gene aac-(6′)-Ib-cr was detected in 25.2% of the isolates. More than one gene was found in 81% of the isolates. Azithromycin was one of the most effective antibiotics against MDR E. coli pathogens. The high MAR index of the isolates and the high prevalence of resistance genes, indicates an important public health concern and high-risk communities where antibiotics are abused.
The Response of Halophyte (Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pallas) Kuntz.) and Glycophyte (Lactuca sativa L.) Crops to Diluted Seawater and NaCl Solutions: A Comparison between Two Salinity Stress Types
Authors: Guidi Nissim Werther , Masi Elisa , Pandolfi Camilla , Mancuso Stefano , Atzori Giulia
Published: July 2021

The use of seawater in horticulture is underestimated. Although pure seawater is harmful to most living plants, diluted seawater could represent a promising integration to meet the crop’s nutrient and water requirements. In the current trial, we compared the effects of moderate and high concentrations of seawater and a comparable NaCl solution on a salt-tolerant (Tetragonia tetragonioides) and a salt-sensitive (Lactuca sativa) crop grown in hydroponics. We tested the hypothesis that, due to its mineral composition, diluted seawater would result in a less stressful growing medium than NaCl. We observed that diluted seawater resulted in a less detrimental growing medium compared to an EC-comparable NaCl solution, with remarkable differences between the salt-tolerant and the salt-sensitive species. While the growth rates in Tetragonia did not vary between the two types of stress, diluted seawater led to a higher FW and DW biomass yield in the salt-sensitive lettuce compared to the NaCl treatment. Moreover, NaCl reduced the water consumption and water productivity in Tetragonia. In lettuce, NaCl-treated plants demonstrated lower water use efficiency and water productivity compared to the EC-comparable seawater treatment. Physiological parameters and the concentration of mineral elements, phenolics and proline also demonstrated that, due to different mineral composition, seawater is a less stressful growing medium compared to a NaCl solution at comparable EC.
Real-Time Egress Model for Multiplex Buildings under Fire Based on Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Darkhanbat Khaliunaa , Heo Inwook , Han Sun-Jin , Cho Hae-Chang , Kim Kang Su
Published: July 2021

When fire occurs in a large multiplex building, the direction of smoke and flames is often similar to that of the evacuation of building occupants. This causes evacuation bottlenecks in a specific compartment, especially when the occupant density is very high, which unfortunately often leads to many fatalities and injuries. Thus, the development of an egress model that can ensure the safe evacuation of occupants is required to minimize the number of casualties. In this study, the correlations between fire temperature with visibility and toxic gas concentration were investigated through a fire simulation on a multiplex building, from which databases for training of artificial neural networks (ANN) were created. Based on this, an ANN model that can predict the available safe egress time was developed, and it estimated the available safe egress time (ASET) very accurately. In addition, an egress model that can guide rapid and safe evacuation routes for occupants was proposed, and the rationality of the proposed model was verified in detail through an application example. The proposed model provided the optimal evacuation route with the longest margin of safety in consideration of both ASET and the movement time of occupants under fire.
Fuzzy Risk Evaluation and Collision Avoidance Control of Unmanned Surface Vessels
Authors: Chen Yung-Yue , Ellis-Tiew Ming-Zhen , Chen Wei-Chun , Wang Chong-Ze
Published: July 2021

In this investigation, a smart collision avoidance control design, which integrates a collision avoidance navigation and a nonlinear optimal control method, is developed for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) under randomly incoming ships and fixed obstacle encounter situations. For achieving collision avoidance navigation, a fuzzy collision risk indicator and a fuzzy collision avoidance acting timing indicator are developed. These two risk indicators can offer effective pre-alarms for making the controlled USVs to perform dodge actions in time when obstacles appear. As to nonlinear optimal control law, it provides a precise trajectory tracking ability for the controlled USVs to follow a collision avoidance trajectory, which is generated via a smart collision avoidance trajectory generator. Finally, a power allocation method is used to transform the desired control law into available actuator outputs to guide the USVs to follow a desired collision avoidance trajectory. From simulation results, the proposed collision avoidance strategy reveals a promising collision avoidance performance and an accurate trajectory tracking ability with respect to fixed objects and randomly moving ships under the effect of environmental ocean disturbances.
Impact-Rubbings Dynamics Behavior of Magnetic-Liquid Double Suspension Bearing in Electromagnetic Failure Model
Authors: Zhao Jianhua , Xing Lanchun , Ma Xuchao , Wang Yongqiang , Gao Dianrong , Du Guojun
Published: July 2021

Magnetic-liquid double suspension bearing (MLDSB) is a new type of suspension bearing with electromagnetic suspension as the main part and hydrostatic supporting as the auxiliary part. It can greatly improve the bearing capacity and stiffness of rotor bearing system and is suitable for medium speed, heavy load, and frequent starting occasions. The electromagnetic system adopts PD control, and hydrostatic system adopts constant pressure supply model to adjust and control the rotor’s displacement in real time. Once bearing electromagnetic system fails, the “dropping-collision” phenomenon of the rotor will be triggered in operation process, leading to cracking and shedding of magnetic sleeve plating and magnetic pole plating. Then the operational reliability and stability of MLDSB will be greatly reduced. So in this paper, Firstly, the drop impact-rubbing equation of the single DOF bearing system under four failure models (upper unit failure, lower unit failure, bilateral failure, and power amplifier failure) is established. Secondly, the paper simulates influence laws of different structure and operation parameters (plating/liquid film thickness and oil pocket pressure, bias current) on falling rotor impact-rubbings behavior. The results show that: (1) the degree of “dropping-collision” of the rotor under the four failure models is successively as follows: power amplifier failure > upper unit failure > bilateral failure > lower unit failure. (2) Due to the impact-rubbing damping effect of hydraulic oil, it plays a certain inhibitory and buffering role on the phenomenon of “drop-collision”. The degree and probability of “dropping-collision” of rotor can be effectively reduced by increasing the pressure of oil chamber appropriately. (3) The rotor drop impact-rubbing behavior obtained from the test is basically consistent with the theoretical simulation, and the correctness of the theoretical simulation can be effectively verified. The research provides a theoretical basis for fault prevention and diagnosis of MLDSB.
Cr (III) Removal Capacity in Aqueous Solution in Relation to the Functional Groups Present in the Orange Peel (Citrus sinensis)
Authors: Patiño-Saldivar Laura , Hernández José A. , Ardila Alba , Salazar-Hernández Mercedes , Talavera Alfonso , Hernández-Soto Rosa
Published: July 2021

Bioremediation is a pollutant removal method that has had a great boom due to the diversity of agroindustrial waste that can be used for this purpose, and that has shown having great efficiency and profitability in the adsorption of heavy metals, such as Pb, Cu, and Co. Based on the above, the present work carried out kinetic and equilibrium studies of bioadsorption of Cr (III) using orange peel (OP) as adsorbent, previously treated with methanol, water, and a water–methanol mixture at different pH (0.91, 1.78 and 2.72), and at 30 °C, finding that the adsorption capacity at equilibrium increases with increasing pH, having a maximum of 55 mg g−1 at pH 2.72—under these conditions, lower adsorption energy was used to remove Cr (III). In addition, it was determined that there are no external mass transfer limitations. An isoelectric point analysis indicated that the adsorption is not carried out by electrostatic forces and a FTIR study of the functional groups of OP showed a decrease in the main functional groups (pectin, cellulose, and lignin, among others), which is directly related to the adsorption capacity of the bioadsorbent.
The Efficacy and Superiority of the Expert Systems in Reservoir Engineering Decision Making Processes
Authors: Ertekin Turgay
Published: July 2021

In the process of making a critical decision in reservoir engineering, most of the time we find ourselves in a quandary. Like in any other scientific or technical field, when we find ourselves having to make a critical decision at a juncture, we cannot go ahead with our gut feelings, but rather must figure out what knowledge and information is lacking. In generating the missing knowledge and understanding, the depth and the rapid nature of the search will surface as two critical parameters. In other words, most of the time, a shallow search that can be conducted in a short period of time will not produce the missing information and the knowledge and more often, possibly, it will provide misguidance. When a large volume of sources of information is reviewed and the missing knowledge is generated using unbiased deductive methodologies, then, one can make an informed decision based on facts rather than intuition. In achieving such a desired result, it will be necessary to use fast algorithmic protocols to not sacrifice the wide nature of the search domain, to ensure that it is possible to generate the desired solution. In this paper, it is shown how in reservoir engineering desirable decisions can be reached in a timely manner choosing the most appealing course of action. It is true that in reservoir engineering applications, the decision-making process may involve a blend of intuition and scientific and rational thinking, critical factors such as blind spots, and the use of conventional methodologies that make decision-making hard to fully operationalize or to get a handle on. Luckily, there are mathematical and computational tools to ensure that scientists/engineers consistently make correct decisions, which include gathering as much information as possible and considering all possible alternatives (like combinatorial analysis protocols). The tool (model) proposed in this paper for making critical reservoir engineering decisions is a new computational platform/protocol that exploits the advantages of mathematically developed formulations and of the models that are based on the data/information collected. It is furthermore shown that the analyses conducted, and critical decisions reached, represent more thorough and far-reaching solutions that are structured using less computational overhead, thereby increasing the quality of the decision even further.