bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of social isolation on the cognitive ability of the oldest old in Chinese nursing homes in post-COVID-19: a moderated chain mediation model
Authors: Fang Yi , Ma Linlin , Chen Huixian , Cai Shuya , Jiang Wen , Luo Fen , Wang Jialu , Zheng Enjie , Zhou Chuncong , Zhu Lijuan , Guo Qiaoqiao , Yin Zhiqin
Published: September 2024

Background

Both pre-or post-COVID-19, older adults residing in nursing homes are at significant risk for social isolation, which is negatively associated with cognitive ability. Currently, the elderly aged 80 years and older are the fastest-growing age group globally. The extent of social isolation within this group post-COVID-19 and its impact on cognitive abilities remain inadequately explored.

Objective

This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of social isolation among the oldest old in Chinese nursing homes post-COVID-19 and to investigate the mediating and moderating roles of basic activities of daily living (BADL), depression, and subjective socioeconomic status in the relationship between social isolation and cognitive ability.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 453 participants aged 80 years and older from 11 nursing homes in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Social isolation was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), cognitive ability using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), BADL using the Barthel Index (BI), and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9). Mediation and moderation effects were statistically analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS 3.5.

Results

The mean age of the study sample was 87.1 ± 3.8 years, among whom 60.3% (n = 273) were female, and 56.1% experienced social isolation, with 41.1% and 63.1% being isolated from family and friends, respectively. Social isolation indirectly affected cognitive ability through BADL and depression, respectively, and through the chain mediation effect of BADL and depression. Subjective socioeconomic status moderated the relationships between social isolation and BADL and between social isolation and depression. However, no moderating effect of subjective socioeconomic status was found between social isolation and cognitive ability.

Conclusion

This study deepens our understanding of the current state of social isolation and its mechanisms of action in the oldest old post-COVID-19 and provides a new basis for future public health policy development and related research.
Measuring the intensity of emotions
Authors: Reisenzein Rainer , Junge Martin
Published: September 2024

We describe a theoretical framework for the measurement of the intensity of emotional experiences and summarize findings of a series of studies that implemented this framework. Our approach is based on a realist view of quantities and combines the modern psychometric (i.e., latent-variable) view of measurement with a deductive order of inquiry for testing measurement axioms. At the core of the method are nonmetric probabilistic difference scaling methods, a class of indirect scaling methods based on ordinal judgments of intensity differences. Originally developed to scale sensations and preferences, these scaling methods are also well-suited for measuring emotion intensity, particularly in basic research. They are easy to perform and provide scale values of emotion intensity that are much more precise than the typically used, quality-intensity emotion rating scales. Furthermore, the scale values appear to fulfill central measurement-theoretical axioms necessary for interval-level measurement. Because of these properties, difference scaling methods allow precise tests of emotion theories on the individual subject level.
Psychological needs, self-efficacy, motivation, and resistance training outcomes in a 16-week barbell training program for adults
Authors: Martinez Kercher Vanessa M. , Watkins Janette M. , Goss Janelle M. , Phillips Liam A. , Roy Brad A. , Blades Kyler , Dobson Dana , Kercher Kyle A.
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite extensive research on the relationship between psychological factors and aerobic training, there remains a gap in understanding these relationships within resistance training (RT), particularly barbell-based RT. This study aimed to examine the associations between basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, self-efficacy, and a longitudinal barbell-based RT program for adults.

Methods

Forty-three adults (Mage = 45.09 ± 10.72) were recruited from the Competitive Edge resistance training program at a medical fitness center in Northwest Montana. The study followed an 18-week schedule: 8 weeks of training, 1 week of active recovery, and 8 additional weeks of training.

Results

The results reveal several significant findings. First, the basic psychological need for competence significantly increased from baseline (M = 5.06) to post-program (M = 5.30), (p= 0.017). Second, the composite score of the BREQ-3 significantly predicting muscular strength improvements in the deadlift (β = 3.64,p = 0.039). Third, both mastery (p = 0.021) and resilience (p = 0.007) self-efficacy subscales increased from baseline to post-program. Fourth, exploratory analyses indicated that the reasons to exercise scale predicted increases in muscular endurance with the weight management (β = 10.016,p = 0.046) and solitude (β = 6.792,p = 0.037) subscales.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of psychological factors in predicting strength outcomes and muscular endurance, suggesting that psychological interventions may complement physical training to maximize benefits. This research contributes valuable insights into how psychological factors influence training outcomes, potentially guiding future interventions and program designs to better support strength development and endurance in resistance training contexts.
To eliminate police or redirect police funds? The impact of framing on public support for defunding the police
Authors: Smith Olivia K. H. , Flick Cassandra , Michalski Nicholas D.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Previous research and public polls demonstrate the public has varying levels of support for Defund the Police (DTP). However, much of these results assess how individuals feel about DTP rather than how they define it. Additionally, the literature fails to consider the role of these definitions and framing in individuals’ assessments of DTP. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodology, the current studies assess the following research questions: (1) How do individuals define DTP and to what extent do individuals support it? and (2) Does framing DTP as either redirecting police funds or eliminating police impact level of support?

Method

Participants in both Study 1 (N = 93) and Study 2 (N = 494) were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Study 1 used a nonexperimental design, in which participants provided their definition of DTP and reported their level of support for DTP. Study 2 used a two-group experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned to one of two frames for DTP garnered from Study 1: redirect funds or eliminate police. Subsequently, participants reported their DTP support, DTP definition, familiarity with DTP, political orientation, and alignment with the frame presented.

Results

In the absence of a frame (Study 1), more participants opposed DTP than supported DTP. Participants also reported several different definitions of DTP, including decreasing police funds, redirecting police funds to social services, and eliminating police altogether. Notably, how an individual defined DTP was associated with level of support (e.g., defining DTP as redirecting funds was associated with greater support for DTP, compared to this theme being absent in participant definitions). When using the redirect theme and eliminate theme as experimental frames (Study 2), a causal relationship was found between the framing manipulation and support of DTP (i.e., the redirect frame led to greater support than the eliminate theme).

Conclusion

The findings from the current studies shed light on how individuals conceptualize DTP, and most importantly, they provide evidence that differential framing can impact support for DTP in the general population. These results have implications for police reform advocates in that the words used to describe DTP can have an impact on public buy-in of policies.
Lagged and simultaneous effects of exposure to violence at home on child-to-parent violence: gender differences
Authors: Cano-Lozano M. Carmen , Navas-Martínez María J. , Contreras Lourdes
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Numerous studies have found that exposure to violence at home is a risk factor for child-to-parent violence. However, most of the available studies do not delimit a time frame for exposure to violence. This aspect is fundamental to differentiating lagged effects (compensation) from simultaneous effects (reciprocal). The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between lagged (before the age of 10) and simultaneous (last year) exposure to violence at home (direct victimization: parent-to-child violence and vicarious victimization: exposure to violence between parents) and child-to-parent violence, the possible differential reactive or instrumental motivation of these relationships and whether they differ based on the gender of children and parents.

Method

The sample comprised 1,734 Spanish adolescents who lived with both parents (57.3% girls), aged between 13 and 17 years. The instruments used were the Child-to-Parent Violence Questionnaire and the Violence Exposure Scale.

Results

Positive and significant relationships were found between child-to-parent violence and exposure to violence at home both during childhood and during the last year; however, the relationships were stronger in the latter. The most important predictors were direct parental victimization during the last year. Boys exerted more reactive violence toward the father concerning exposure to violence by the father toward the mother during the last year. In the case of girls, violence toward both father and mother is more reactive to most victimization experiences.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need to intervene in family contexts of violence to prevent child-to-parent violence.
The effectiveness of an exergame intervention for college students with subthreshold depression: protocol for a mixed methods study
Authors: Huang Kexin , Li Min , You Simiao , Jiao Yongliang , He Rendong , Han Bingyue , Pu Yuhang , Jia Yong , Chen Li
Published: September 2024

Background

Subthreshold depression (StD) is a condition that significantly influences the mental health and quality of life of college students and increases the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD). Exercise therapy has been found to be effective, but may not be enjoyable for everyone. exergames, as a form of exercise therapy, address the limitations of traditional exercise by incorporating gaming elements to make physical activity more entertaining and interactive. Currently, the Nintendo Switch is one of the most widely used exergame devices.

Aims

To explore the effectiveness of a Nintendo Switch-based exergame intervention on college students with StD compared to a control group, and to analyze their perceptions of the program.

Methods

This study will employ an explanatory sequential design, starting with a quantitative evaluation using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), followed by a supplementary qualitative study. College students identified as having StD will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into the exergame intervention group (EIG) or the control group (CG). College students in the EIG will participate in a Nintendo Switch-based exergame program for 8 weeks, with 2–3 sessions per week, lasting 50–60 min each. Participant outcomes in both conditions will be assessed at pre-intervention (T0, week 0), post-intervention (T1, week 8), 1 month after the intervention (T2, week 12), and 2 months after the intervention (T3, week 16), and a generalized linear mixed model will be used for analysis. In the qualitative part of this study, interviews will be conducted with college students with StD from the EIG at T1 to explore their experiences of receiving the intervention, and content analysis will be applied to the data collected.

Discussion

Nintendo provides a user-friendly platform for college students with StD to engage in electronic gaming. Limited research has explored the mental health outcomes of interventions using this type of technology in young people with StD. If the exergame program proves to be effective, it could offer a convenient and feasible intervention for further enhancing the psychological well-being of college students.

Clinical trial registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number: ChiCTR2300068970) on 2nd March 2023.
Prediction of delayed breastfeeding initiation among mothers having children less than 2 months of age in East Africa: application of machine learning algorithms
Authors: Walle Agmasie Damtew , Abebe Gebreegziabher Zenebe , Ngusie Habtamu Setegn , Kassie Sisay Yitayih , Lambebo Abera , Zekarias Fitsum , Dejene Tadesse Mamo , Kebede Shimels Derso
Published: September 2024

Background

Delayed breastfeeding initiation is a significant public health concern, and reducing the proportion of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa is a key strategy for lowering the Child Mortality rate. However, there is limited evidence on this public health issue assessed using advanced models. Therefore, this study aimed to assess prediction of delayed initiation of breastfeeding initiation and associated factors among women with less than 2 months of a child in East Africa using the machine learning approach.

Methods

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) dataset covering the years 2011 to 2021. Using statistical software (Python version 3.11), nine supervised machine learning algorithms were applied to a weighted sample of 31,640 women and assessed using performance measures. To pinpoint significant factors and predict delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa, this study also employed the most widely used outlines of Yufeng Guo’s steps of supervised machine learning.

Results

The pooled prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa was 31.33% with 95% CI (24.16–38.49). Delayed breastfeeding initiation was highest in Comoros and low in Burundi. Among the nine machine learning algorithms, the random forest model was fitted for this study. The association rule mining result revealed that home delivery, delivered by cesarean section, poor wealth status, poor access to media outlets, women aged between 35 and 49 years, and women who had distance problems accessing health facilities were associated with delayed breastfeeding initiation in East Africa.

Conclusion

The prevalence of delayed breastfeeding initiation was high. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of breastfeeding practices and the need to consider socioeconomic, healthcare, and demographic variables when addressing breastfeeding initiation timelines in the region. Policymakers and stakeholders pay attention to the significant factors and we recommend targeted interventions to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance media outreach, and support women of lower socioeconomic status. These measures can encourage timely breastfeeding initiation and address the identified factors contributing to delays across the region.
Case report: Reactive granulomatous dermatitis presenting with inguinal erythematous plaques in a patient administered with pravastatin
Authors: Kondo Shumpei , Yunoki Marina , Otsuka Masaki , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: September 2024

An identical group of disorders has been called “interstitial granulomatous dermatitis” and “palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis.” In addition, a drug-induced subset of this condition has been named “interstitial granulomatous drug reaction (IGDR).” More recently, “reactive granulomatous dermatitis (RGD)” has been proposed as an umbrella term encompassing these three disorders. A considerable number of RGD cases are associated with systemic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and malignancies. IGDR has also been shown to be caused by certain medications. We present a case of a 74-year-old Japanese man showing an asymptomatic, well-demarcated erythema eruption on the bilateral inguinal region extending to the lower abdomen and proximal thigh area. He had hyperlipidemia and had been taking pravastatin for 4 years. A biopsy specimen taken from the erythematous lesion revealed infiltration of lymphocytes and histiocytes in the upper and lower dermis. Interstitial infiltrates of histiocytes and lymphocytes were found as they were dispersed between collagen bundles. Immunostaining showed CD68+ macrophages intermingled with CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Based on the clinical and histologic findings, the eruption was diagnosed as RGD. Because of the possibility of IGDR, pravastatin was stopped. His eruption completely disappeared within 6 months after the discontinuation. The list of drugs that cause RGD includes angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antihistamines, β-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, tocilizumab and ustekinumab. In addition, various statins have been reported to induce drug eruptions. The eruption types are mainly eczematous or lichenoid reactions, with psoriasiform or ichthyosiform reactions occurring rarely. There was only one report documenting that RGD occurred in patients administered rosuvastatin, with annular, violaceous plaques distributed on the extremities, proximal trunk and intertriginous areas. Pravastatin induces lichenoid eruption, but RGD has not been documented. Our case suggests that RGD is underestimated as an adverse effect of statins possibly because of its unusual cutaneous manifestations.
Correlations between Social Isolation and Functional Decline in Older Adults after Lower Limb Fractures Using Multimodal Sensors: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dayyani Faranak , Chu Charlene H. , Abedi Ali , Khan Shehroz S.
Published: September 2024

Older adults (OAs) recovering from lower limb fractures experience social isolation (SI) and functional decline (FD) after they are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation due to reduced physical mobility. Our research used MAISON (Multimodal AI-based Sensor platform for Older iNdividuals), a multimodal sensor system comprising various smart devices collecting acceleration, heart rate, step count, frequency of indoor motion, GPS, and sleep metrics. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between SI and FD with multimodal sensor data from OAs following lower limb fractures. Multimodal sensor data from eight OAs (8 weeks per person) living at home were collected. Five clinical metrics were obtained via biweekly video calls, including three clinical questionnaires (Social Isolation Scale (SIS), Oxford Hip Score, Oxford Knee score) and two physical mobility assessments (Timed Up and Go, 30 s chair stand). From the sensor data collected, 53 statistical and domain features were extracted. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between the extracted features and clinical data. The results indicated strong correlations between various items of SIS and sleep metrics in OAs and various items of Oxford Knee Score with GPS and acceleration data. Strong correlations between the questions of the Oxford scores and sensor data highlight the direct impact of physical health status on measurable daily physical activities.
Multi-Source Data-Driven Local-Global Dynamic Multi-Graph Convolutional Network for Bike-Sharing Demands Prediction
Authors: Chen Juan , Huang Rui
Published: September 2024

The prediction of bike-sharing demand plays a pivotal role in the optimization of intelligent transportation systems, particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly altered travel behaviors and demand dynamics. In this study, we examine various spatiotemporal influencing factors associated with bike-sharing and propose the Local-Global Dynamic Multi-Graph Convolutional Network (LGDMGCN) model, driven by multi-source data, for multi-step prediction of station-level bike-sharing demand. In the temporal dimension, we dynamically model temporal dependencies by incorporating multiple sources of time semantic features such as confirmed COVID-19 cases, weather conditions, and holidays. Additionally, we integrate a time attention mechanism to better capture variations over time. In the spatial dimension, we consider factors related to the addition or removal of stations and utilize spatial semantic features, such as urban points of interest and station locations, to construct dynamic multi-graphs. The model utilizes a local-global structure to capture spatial dependencies among individual bike-sharing stations and all stations collectively. Experimental results, obtained through comparisons with baseline models on the same dataset and conducting ablation studies, demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model in predicting bike-sharing demand.
Algorithms of Cross-Domain Redundancy Management for Resilient of Dual-Priority Critical Communication Systems
Authors: Kabashkin Igor
Published: September 2024

The paper presents models for managing cross-domain redundancy to enhance the reliability of two priority communication channels within critical infrastructure systems. Employing Markov chain models, the paper analyzes the impact of two distinct redundancy management strategies: a unified reserve pool and a separate pool approach with cross-domain resource sharing. The study introduces reliability improvement factors to quantify system performance, exploring their dependency on the number of additional redundant elements, their inherent reliability, and the chosen strategy for managing cross-domain redundancy. An air traffic control system serves as a case study of the application of the proposed management algorithms. Results indicate that the integration of resources from different priority domains significantly improves communication reliability. The findings may be useful for the design and operation of secure communication networks.
An Improved Multi-Chaotic Public Key Algorithm Based on Chebyshev Polynomials
Authors: Zhang Chunfu , Bai Jing , Liang Yanchun , Tavares Adriano , Wang Lidong , Gomes Tiago , Pinto Sandro
Published: September 2024

Due to the similar characteristics of chaotic systems and cryptography, public key encryption algorithms based on chaotic systems are worth in-depth research and have high value for the future. Chebyshev polynomials have good properties and are often used in the design of public key algorithms. This paper improves the Bose Multi-Chaotic Public Key Cryptographic Algorithm (BMPKC) by applying Chebyshev polynomials. The proposed algorithm (CMPKC-ki) introduces the selective coefficient ki based on the properties of Chebyshev polynomials, allowing the special functions that need to be negotiated in the original system to be freely and randomly chosen as Chebyshev polynomials, and can also be expanded to m levels. The improved cryptographic algorithm also utilizes chaotic hash functions and logistic mapping to generate pseudo-random sequences and overcomes shortcomings of the Bose algorithm by iteratively iterating the selected Chebyshev polynomials based on the number of 0s or 1s in the pseudo-random sequence, thus providing better security. Analysis and software testing results indicate that this algorithm has strong robustness against brute force attacks, achieving a higher attack time for breaking the private key compared to the CEPKC, BMPKC, and CMPKC algorithms. Compared to the CMPKC algorithm, our proposal algorithm achieves better performance in the encryption and decryption phases. Furthermore, we combine this Multi-Chaotic System Key Exchange Protocol with the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm, while providing a demonstration, offering more possibilities for practical applications of this system.
Fixed-Time Distributed Event-Triggered Cooperative Guidance Methods for Multiple Vehicles with Limited Communications to Achieve Simultaneous Arrival
Authors: Gu Zhenzhen , Wang Xugang , Wang Zhongyuan
Published: September 2024

Aiming at the salvo-attack problem of multiple missiles, a distributed cooperative guidance law based on the event-triggered mechanism is proposed, which enables missiles with large differences in spatial location and velocity to achieve simultaneous attacks with only a few dozen information exchanges. It effectively reduces the generation of control commands and communication frequency, thereby reducing channel load and improving communication efficiency and reliability. Compared to traditional periodic sampling communication, the number of communications has been reduced by over 90%. The guidance process is divided into two stages. The first stage is the cooperative guidance stage, where missiles achieve consensus of the time-to-go estimates through information exchange. In this stage, each missile is designed with an event-triggered function based on its own state error, and the missile only updates and transmits its information in the communication network when the error meets the set threshold, effectively reducing the occupancy rate of missile-borne resources during the cooperation process. The second stage is the independent guidance stage, where missiles can hit the target simultaneously while keeping the communication network silent. This is achieved by ensuring that the time-to-go estimates of missiles can represent the real time-to-go after achieving consensus. By the design of the two-stage guidance law and the replacement of the event-triggered function, the cooperative guidance system can be ensured to remain stable in scenarios where the leader missile is present and destroyed, and this excludes Zeno behavior. The stability of the cooperative guidance law is rigorously proved by algebraic graph theory, matrix theory, and the Lyapunov method. Finally, the numerical simulation results demonstrate the validity of the algorithm and the correctness of the stability analysis.
The Determination of Criticality for Ice Shapes Based on CCAR-25
Authors: Huang Xiong , Qu Shiru , Zhang Heng , Zhou Feng , Chen Yong
Published: September 2024

Determining the criticality of ice shapes is a necessary condition for verifying compliance with icing airworthiness regulations. However, the clear, concise, and applicable criterion based on the geometric characteristics of ice shapes has not been clearly given out by current advisory circulars. To address this problem, this paper summarizes aerodynamic performance items and recommended ice shapes the latest version of CCAR-25 and corresponding advisory circulars for a variety of flight phases, including takeoff, holding, en route, DTO, etc., instead of the single phase of holding in the previous research. Based on the geometric classification of the ice shapes, the dominant parameters of various ice shapes are clarified by the correlation between the geometric parameters and aerodynamic effects. The geometric parameters to determine the criticality of specific ice shapes are defined as the roughness height and range for the roughness ice and the total projection height in the direction of lift for the horn ice. On this basis, the detailed determination criterion of critical ice shape geometries corresponding to different flight phases and aircraft components is formulated, which will provide an operational selection methodology for determining the geometries of critical ice shapes at the airworthiness certification stage.
Competitiveness and Cereal Self-Sufficiency in Western Balkan Countries
Authors: Kovljenić Mina , Matkovski Bojan , Đokić Danilo
Published: September 2024

Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and challenges associated with sustainable development have emphasized the need for local food to increase the food system’s resilience. Therefore, this research analyzes the food self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) and revealed comparative advantage (RCA) of cereals in Western Balkan countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia) and compares them with the same indicators for all European countries. The methodological framework of this research examined the food self-sufficiency and macro-level competitiveness for cereals in Western Balkan countries, as well as in Europe. The results of the research showed that all European countries have higher self-sufficiency in cereals (109.12%) and higher revealed comparative advantage (2.21) compared to the group of Western Balkans countries (71.89%; 1.53), which have lower values of the mentioned indicators. The results of econometric modeling for the Western Balkan countries showed that GDP per capita negatively influences the SSR of cereals, and agriculture value added per worker and area harvested under cereals positively influence the SSR of cereals. When it comes to the influence on the RCA of cereals in the Western Balkan region, the critical influence is GDP per capita, political stability, and agriculture value added per worker, all of which positively influence the RCA.
Mechanical Inter- and Intra-Row Weed Control for Small-Scale Vegetable Producers
Authors: Trajkovski Ana , Bartolj Jan , Levstek Tomaž , Godeša Tone , Sečnik Matej , Hočevar Marko , Majdič Franc
Published: September 2024

Small-scale vegetable producers often do not have modern mechanical equipment; as a result, a significant amount of inter-row and all intra-row weeding is performed manually. The development of small, affordable machines increases the competitiveness of organic vegetable production, improves sustainable land use, and reduces dependence on unwanted herbicides. In this study, a simple modular lightweight e-hoe with the capability for both inter-row (1st degree of freedom) and intra-row (2nd degree of freedom) weeding was proposed. The e-hoe uses battery-powered in-wheel drives to move the platform (3rd degree of freedom) and additional drives to operate the tools. The e-hoe was evaluated in a small greenhouse using three different tools: a traditional hoe, an adjusted rounded hoe, and an adjusted spring tine narrow hoe. The experiments were conducted at four different tool rotation speeds, using specially designed 3D-printed models for crops and weeds for evaluation. The results indicate that the efficiency of the e-hoe rates up to 95% when the right tool design and rotation speed are combined. Based on the battery capacity, the machine can be operated for approximately 3.7 h, enabling the weeding of about 3050 plants.
Soil Mineral Nitrogen and Mobile Organic Carbon as Affected by Winter Wheat Strip Tillage and Forage Legume Intercropping
Authors: Gecaite Viktorija , Ceseviciene Jurgita , Arlauskiene Ausra
Published: September 2024

Diversifying crop rotations by incorporating legumes is recommended to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems against environmental stresses and optimize nitrogen utilization. Nonetheless, ploughing forage legumes or grass-legumes poses a significant risk of nitrate leaching. The study aimed to assess the impact of strip tillage intercropping management on soil mineral nitrogen, water-extractable organic carbon, mobile humic substances content, and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield compared to forage legume and winter wheat monocropping with conventional tillage. In the intercropping systems, the following bicrops were used: black medick (Medicago lupulina L.) with winter wheat, white clover (Trifolium repens L.) with winter wheat, and Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) with winter wheat. Research was conducted in two experiments. The results indicated that after implementing strip tillage and winter wheat intercropping, the soil mineral nitrogen content was similar to or lower than that observed in conventional tillage and winter wheat sowing after forage legumes. Winter wheat grain yield in intercrops decreased compared to the legumes monocultures that were ploughed before winter wheat sowing. The highest amount of water- extractable organic carbon was in intercropping growing white clover and winter wheat bicrops or in all fields (except Egyptian clover and winter wheat bicrops) after applying strip tillage. During the research period, the quantities of mobile humic substances and mobile humic acids exhibited similar changes. Their content increased substantially in fields with white clover and Egyptian clover, regardless of whether the legumes were ploughed or grown with winter wheat.
Field Obstacle Detection and Location Method Based on Binocular Vision
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Tian Kunpeng , Huang Jicheng , Wang Zhenlong , Zhang Bin , Xie Qing
Published: September 2024

When uncrewed agricultural machinery performs autonomous operations in the field, it inevitably encounters obstacles such as persons, livestock, poles, and stones. Therefore, accurate recognition of obstacles in the field environment is an essential function. To ensure the safety and enhance the operational efficiency of autonomous farming equipment, this study proposes an improved YOLOv8-based field obstacle detection model, leveraging depth information obtained from binocular cameras for precise obstacle localization. The improved model incorporates the Large Separable Kernel Attention (LSKA) module to enhance the extraction of field obstacle features. Additionally, the use of a Poly Kernel Inception (PKI) Block reduces model size while improving obstacle detection across various scales. An auxiliary detection head is also added to improve accuracy. Combining the improved model with binocular cameras allows for the detection of obstacles and their three-dimensional coordinates. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 91.8%, representing a 3.4% improvement over the original model, while reducing floating-point operations to 7.9 G (Giga). The improved model exhibits significant advantages compared to other algorithms. In localization accuracy tests, the maximum average error and relative error in the 2–10 m range for the distance between the camera and five types of obstacles were 0.16 m and 2.26%. These findings confirm that the designed model meets the requirements for obstacle detection and localization in field environments.
Effect of Radio Frequency Vacuum Drying on Drying Characteristics and Physicochemical Quality of Codonopsis pilosula Slices
Authors: Ma Wenli , Zang Zepeng , Wu Bowen , Ma Guojun , Wan Fangxin , Xu Yanrui , Huang Xiaopeng
Published: September 2024

In this study, the radio frequency vacuum drying (RFVD) technique was used to dry Codonopsis pilosula slices. The effects of the drying temperature, slice thickness, plate spacing, and vacuum degree on the drying characteristics and physicochemical properties of the slices were investigated. The results showed that as the drying temperature and vacuum degree increased and the slice thickness and plate distance decreased, the drying rate and effective moisture diffusion coefficient of the Codonopsis pilosula slices improved, and the required drying time was shortened by 11.11% to 29.41% compared to that after hot air drying (HAD). Through comparison, it was found that the Midilli and Weibull models could better describe the moisture variation trend during the RFVD of Codonopsis pilosula. After RFVD, the retention of lobetyolin and syringin in Codonopsis pilosula significantly increased, with maximum contents of 135.74 mg/100 g and 19.16 mg/100 g respectively, which were 75.2% and 124.28% higher than those obtained by HAD. The contents of polysaccharides, total phenolics, and total flavonoids and antioxidant performance were also enhanced. The color, shrinkage rate, and internal tissue structure were significantly improved. In conclusion, RFVD not only increases the drying speed of Codonopsis pilosula slices but also ensures the good quality of the dried products.
Impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on the Development of Rural Territories: Principal Component Analysis in SW Spain, Extremadura (2007–2020)
Authors: Martínez García Francisco Manuel , Cárdenas Alonso Gema , Nieto Masot Ana
Published: September 2024

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a European Union (EU) policy aimed at supporting farmers, guaranteeing food security, and promoting sustainable rural development, which has undergone numerous reforms to adapt to the needs of the agricultural sector and society in general. The main objective of this work is to statistically analyse CAP aid in southwest Spain, specifically in Extremadura, a region characterised by areas at risk of depopulation and deep rural areas, during the last two periods of European aid (2007–2013 and 2014–2020). In this study, by means of principal component analysis (PCA), agricultural, economic, and demographic variables were interrelated, together with geographic information systems (GIS), to evaluate their impact on the development of the regional agricultural sector. This methodology will help to identify areas with improvements in their territorial structures and can therefore serve as a basis for their application in other European territories. Through the analysis, we identified areas where the interrelation of the variables showed improvements in their demographic, social, and economic structures, with the municipalities of populations over 10,000 inhabitants in Extremadura being the ones that compose the territorial substructure A. Therefore, this work shows how European agricultural aid can disproportionately favour the most dynamic territories and leave the less developed regions at a disadvantage.
Obtaining Goats’ Dairy Products Enriched in Healthy Fatty Acids by Valuing Linseed or Hempseed as Dietary Ingredients
Authors: Cismileanu Ana Elena , Toma Smaranda Mariana , Ropota Mariana , Dragomir Costin Petru , Cornescu Gabriela Maria , Dragomir Catalin
Published: September 2024

The study aimed to assess the effects of including linseeds or hempseeds in the diets of late lactation Murciano-Granadina dairy goats on the nutritional quality of the milk and cheese fat, expressed by the fatty acids profile and the healthy lipid indices. Thirty-six goats were randomly distributed in 3 groups of 12 animals each, according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design, and fed three different diets: group CON (control, with sunflower meal, 11.5% DM basis); group LIN, where sunflower meal was replaced by linseed; and group HMP, where sunflower meal was replaced by hempseeds. The replacement had no effects on the milk yields and the milk protein content as no significant differences were detected among groups. The significant increase of the fat content in the case of the LIN and HMP groups was accompanied by significant decreases in saturated fatty acids concentration and very significant increases in monounsaturated fatty acids. The content of n3 and n6-PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) increased, mainly due to a 4.1 times higher proportion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; C 18:3n-3) in LIN diet milk and a 1.3 times higher proportion of linoleic acid (LA; C 18:2n6c) in HMP diet milk. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; isomer c9, t11) was 1.9 times higher for the LIN diet and 5.05 times higher for the HMP diet. Feeding either linseed or hempseeds contributed to the reduction of the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, increased the hypocholesterolemic: hypercholesterolemic ratio as well as the proportion of other desired fatty acids in the milk fat. The improved nutritional quality of milk, which has potentially far-reaching human health benefits, is maintained in cheese through the increase of the n3 and n6-PUFAs, especially for the LIN diet where the n6/n3 ratio decreased significantly, compared with the CON diet (3.62 vs. 6.88). The CLA concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) for the HMP cheese compared with the CON diet (1.89% vs. 0.78%). These effects highlight the opportunity of obtaining dairy products with improved nutritional quality using local feed resources.
Sulfate Nutrition Modulates the Oxidative Response against Short-Term Al3+-Toxicity Stress in Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo Shoot Tissues
Authors: Vera-Villalobos Hernan , Lunario-Delgado Lizzeth , Gálvez Anita S. , Román-Silva Domingo , Mercado-Seguel Ana , Wulff-Zottele Cristián
Published: September 2024

Al3+-toxicity in acidic soils is among the main abiotic stress factors that generate adverse effects in plant growth; in leaves, it affects several physiological parameters such as photosynthesis and ROS balance, leading to limited crop production. On the other hand, sulfur is a macronutrient that has a key role against oxidative stress and improves plant growth in acidic soils; however, the implication of sulfate nutritional status in the modulation of short-term Al3+-toxicity tolerance mechanisms in plant leaves are barely reported. This study is focused on the role of sulfate on the leaf response of an Al3-sensitive perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo) after 48 h of exposure. Lolium perenne cv. Jumbo seeds were cultivated in hydroponic conditions with modified Taylor Foy solutions supplemented with 120, 240, and 360 μM sulfate in the presence or absence of Al3+-toxicity. The L. perenne cv. Jumbo leaves were collected after 48 h of Al3+-toxicity exposure and processed to evaluate the effects of sulfate on Al3+ toxicity, measuring total proteins, mineral uptake, photosynthesis modulation, and ROS defense mechanism activation. The plants exposed to Al3+-toxicity and cultivated with a 240 µM sulfate amendment showed a recovery of total proteins and Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration levels and a reduction in TBARS, along with no changes in the chlorophyll A/B ratio, gene expression of proteins related to photosynthesis (Rubisco, ChlAbp, and Fered), or ROS defense mechanism (SOD, APX, GR, and CAT) as compared with their respective controls and the other sulfate conditions (120 and 360 µM). The present study demonstrates that adequate sulfate amendments have a key role in regulating the physiological response against the stress caused by Al3+ toxicity.
How Do Off-Season Cover Crops Affect Soybean Weed Communities?
Authors: Grün Eduarda , Alves Alexandre Ferigolo , Silva Anelise Lencina da , Zanon Alencar Junior , Corrêa Arícia Ritter , Leichtweis Eduard Mroginski , Avila Neto Roberto Costa , Ulguim André da Rosa
Published: September 2024

Weeds compete for environmental resources, leading to reduced soybean yield. In this context, integrated weed management strategies related to cultural control with the use of cover crops are necessary. Our aim was to evaluate weed occurrence in soybean systems with different cover crops. Field studies were conducted at Júlio de Castilhos, Santa Maria, Capão do Leão, Barra do Ribeiro, and Santo Ângelo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Treatments consisted of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.), white oats (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia sativa L.), forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in pure stands or in mixtures. The analyzed variables were relative frequency, density, abundance, and importance value index, similarity index of weeds, dry shoot mass of cover crop, and soybean yield. Cover crops containing white or black oats reduced the relative importance value index of weeds, such as Lollium multiforum, Conyza spp., and Bidens pilosa. Forage turnip, hairy vetch, and white clover showed distinct responses. Black oats and forage turnip did not differ from cover crop mixtures in terms of dry shoot mass and grain yield, being superior to fallow, white clover, and hairy vetch.
Productive Performance of Biomass Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Cultivars in Different Cropping Systems and Planting Times
Authors: Nascimento Layana Alves do , Simões Welson Lima , Oliveira Anderson Ramos de , Salviano Alessandra Monteiro , Barros Juliane Rafaele Alves , Silva Weslley Oliveira da , Barbosa Kaio Vinicius Fernandes , Barbosa Italla Mikaelly , Angelotti Francislene
Published: September 2024

Global projections indicate that the demand for fresh water, energy, and food will increase significantly in the coming decades under the pressure of population growth, economic development, climate change, and other factors. Faced with this, technologies that promote sustainable development through the use of clean energy will be imperative. That way, this study aimed at evaluating the productive performance of biomass sorghum and cowpea cultivars in different cropping systems and planting seasons. The experiment was conducted at the Caatinga Experimental Field at Embrapa Semiarid, Petrolina—PE. Four cowpea (BRS Itaim, BRS Gurguéia, BRS Guariba, and BRS Carijó) and two biomass sorghum cultivars (BRS 716 and AGRI-002E) were used in intercropping and monoculture systems. The cultivars were sown during two different seasons: June (season 1—winter) and December (season 2—summer) of 2021. The biometric and productive parameters and land equivalent ratios (LERs) of sorghum and cowpea were evaluated. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis. The productive performance of biomass sorghum cultivars Agri-002E and BRS 716 was higher when planted in December, with an increase of 37% due to the planting season. Cowpea productivity was not influenced by sowing seasons or the cultivation system. Based on the calculation of efficient land use, the intercropping between biomass sorghum cultivar BRS 716 and cowpea cultivars BRS Gurguéia, BRS Guariba, and BRS Carijó was advantageous when compared to monocultures planted in the hottest season. This study showed the importance of cultivar selection, the planting time, and land use efficiency in intercropping systems.
Integration of Remote Sensing and Machine Learning for Precision Agriculture: A Comprehensive Perspective on Applications
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Yanlong , Li Guang , Qi Zhengyuan
Published: September 2024

Due to current global population growth, resource shortages, and climate change, traditional agricultural models face major challenges. Precision agriculture (PA), as a way to realize the accurate management and decision support of agricultural production processes using modern information technology, is becoming an effective method of solving these challenges. In particular, the combination of remote sensing technology and machine learning algorithms brings new possibilities for PA. However, there are relatively few comprehensive and systematic reviews on the integrated application of these two technologies. For this reason, this study conducts a systematic literature search using the Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases and analyzes the integrated application of remote sensing technology and machine learning algorithms in PA over the last 10 years. The study found that: (1) because of their varied characteristics, different types of remote sensing data exhibit significant differences in meeting the needs of PA, in which hyperspectral remote sensing is the most widely used method, accounting for more than 30% of the results. The application of UAV remote sensing offers the greatest potential, accounting for about 24% of data, and showing an upward trend. (2) Machine learning algorithms displays obvious advantages in promoting the development of PA, in which the support vector machine algorithm is the most widely used method, accounting for more than 20%, followed by random forest algorithm, accounting for about 18% of the methods used. In addition, this study also discusses the main challenges faced currently, such as the difficult problems regarding the acquisition and processing of high-quality remote sensing data, model interpretation, and generalization ability, and considers future development trends, such as promoting agricultural intelligence and automation, strengthening international cooperation and sharing, and the sustainable transformation of achievements. In summary, this study can provide new ideas and references for remote sensing combined with machine learning to promote the development of PA.