bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Increased Mortality Rate with Lower Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Study
Authors: Miękisiak Grzegorz , Szarek Dariusz , Pettersson Samuel D. , Pezowicz Celina , Morasiewicz Piotr , Kubaszewski Łukasz , Szmuda Tomasz
Published: October 2022

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic with the following lockdown strategies have affected virtually all aspects of everyday life. Health services all over the world faced the crisis on an unprecedented scale, hampering timely care delivery. The present study was designed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence and treatment of traumatic brain injuries in Poland. Methods: the data on hospital admissions with traumatic brain injuries as the primary diagnosis were extracted from the National Health Fund of Poland. For the purpose of this study, the search was limited to four relevant diagnosis-related groups. The overall in-house mortality was calculated. Results: there were 115,200 hospitalizations due to traumatic brain injury identified in the database. Overall, in comparison with the average of six prior years, in 2020 the volume of patients with traumatic brain injury dropped by 24.68% while the in-house mortality rate was increased by 26.75%. Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic with the resulting lockdown caused a radical reduction in human mobility. It had a profound impact on the incidence of traumatic brain injury, which dropped significantly. At the same time, the mortality rate increased drastically.
The Relationships between Physical Activity, Screen Time and Sleep Time According to the Adolescents’ Sex and the Day of the Week
Authors: Sanz-Martín Daniel , Ubago-Jiménez José Luis , Ruiz-Tendero Germán , Zurita-Ortega Félix , Melguizo-Ibáñez Eduardo , Puertas-Molero Pilar
Published: October 2022

This study had two aims: (1) to identify the levels of physical activity, screen time and sleep time of adolescents according to the sex of the participant and the day of the week; (2) to find out the relationships between physical activity, screen time and sleep time according to the sex of the participant and the day of the week. The study design was non-experimental, descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 694 adolescents in Compulsory Secondary Education from Soria (Spain). Four by One-Day Physical Activity Questionnaires were used to measure levels of physical activity, screen time and sleep time. Levene’s test and Student’s t-test were used to calculate the difference between the means of the variables. Pearson’s test was used to calculate bivariate correlations between variables. Results showed higher levels of screen time in males (136.93 min/day ± 81.548). Screen time, sleep time and moderate–vigorous physical activity are higher during the weekend. Positive relationships were found between screen time and light physical activity (rmales = 0.274; p ≤ 0.01; rfemales = 0.065; p > 0.05). The correlations between moderate–vigorous physical activity and screen time were negative (rmales = −0.282; p ≤ 0.01; rfemales = −0.187; p ≤ 0.05). The relationship between screen time and sleep time was negative in males (r = −0.135; p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the levels of physical activity, screen time and sleep time vary according to the sex of the participants and the day of the week.
High Expressed Emotion and Warmth among Families of Patients with Schizophrenia in Greece
Authors: Avraam Georgios , Samakouri Maria , Tzikos Anthimos , Arvaniti Aikaterini
Published: October 2022

Expressed emotion (EE) is an established prognostic factor for relapse in schizophrenia. Through critical comments (CC), hostility (H) and emotional overinvolvement (EOI), a relative can be rated as high or low EE, but the role of warmth should also be evaluated in order to consider the influence of a positive affect within the family context. In this study, EE was assessed in a sample of 48 relatives of patients with schizophrenia using the Camberwell Family Interview (CFI). Questionnaires assessing coping (brief-COPE), their wellbeing (World Health Organization Well-Being Index WHO-5) and the socio-demographic variables were also administered. Relatives who expressed a higher level of warmth were found to make fewer CC (5.2 ± 4.6 vs. 8.4 ± 4.6, p = 0.009) and have, on average, higher EOI scores (3.2 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.002) than those who expressed no or very little warmth. High EE was found to be associated with having fewer family members (p = 0.035), while relatives with a higher level of education expressed less warmth (p = 0.007). Relatives with a low level of warmth had higher maladaptive coping scores and tended to score worse for their overall wellbeing in comparison to relatives who showed a higher level of warmth (28.4 ± 5.0 vs. 24.1 ± 5.2, p = 0.006 and 39.1 ± 20.4 vs. 51.3 ± 22.0, p = 0.073, respectively). Since the role of warmth is important, it should be taken into account when designing family interventions, independently from lowering EE. Customized interventions to promote warmth and the routine screening of relatives are recommended.
Prehospital Stroke Care, Paramedic Training Needs, and Hospital-Directed Feedback in Lithuania
Authors: Melaika Kazimieras , Sveikata Lukas , Vilionskis Aleksandras , Wiśniewski Adam , Jurjans Kristaps , Klimašauskas Andrius , Jatužis Dalius , Masiliūnas Rytis
Published: October 2022

Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) are the first health care contact for the majority of stroke patients. However, there is a lack of data on the current paramedics’ hospital-directed feedback and training needs across different health care settings. We aimed to evaluate paramedics’ prehospital stroke care knowledge, training needs, and current status of feedback on suspected stroke patients. Methods: We surveyed paramedics from the Vilnius region from September to November 2019 and compared the answers between the city and the district agencies. The questionnaire content included questions on paramedics’ demographic characteristics, prehospital stroke care self-assessment, knowledge on stroke mimics, stroke training needs, and the importance of hospital-directed feedback on suspected stroke patients. Results: A total number of 161 paramedics (or 49.4% of all paramedics from our stroke care network) were surveyed, with more district paramedics rating their prehospital stroke care knowledge as inadequate (44.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32.8–57.6) vs. 28.1% (95% CI 20.1–27.8), p = 0.028). In addition, more district paramedics indicated a need for additional stroke training (83.1% (95% CI 71.5–90.5) vs. 69.8% (60.0–78.1), p = 0.043). However, respondents reported being the most confident while dealing with stroke (71.3%, 95% CI 63.8–77.7) compared to other time-critical conditions (p < 0.001). Vertigo (60.8%, 95% CI 53.0–68.0), brain tumors (56.3%, 95% CI 48.5–63.8), and seizures (54.4%, 95% CI 46.7–62.0) were indicated as the most common stroke mimics. Only 6.2% (95% CI 3.4–11.1) of respondents received formal feedback on the outcome of suspected stroke patients brought to the emergency department. Conclusions: A high proportion of paramedics self-perceive having inadequate stroke knowledge and an urgent need for further stroke training. The EMS staff indicate receiving insufficient feedback on suspected stroke patients, even though its usefulness is perceived as paramount.
Association between Periodontitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis Involving Maxillary Sinus Measured by Lund Mackay Staging System
Authors: Gufran Khalid , Alsakr Abdulaziz Mohammad , Alqahtani Abdullah Saad , Alqhtani Nasser Raqe , Alasmari Dhafer , Alzamil Faisal Fahad , Alotaibi Nawaf Munawir , Alhamid Hamid Mohammed , Aldafiri Ashwag Saleem
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the association between periodontitis and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) via cone-beam-computed tomography (CBCT) using the Lund–Mackay staging system. CBCT images from different departments of the school of dentistry, at Prince Sattam University were evaluated for the presence of rhinosinusitis. All the CBCT scans were exposed for multiple indications, and no patients had a scan exposed solely for this study. The Lund–Mackay staging system was used to measure the CRS in the CBCT. Descriptive statistics for the frequencies and percentages were used to summarize the data. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between periodontitis and CRS. Each variable was assessed individually by using multivariable analysis. Collinearity issues among the variables were solved to select a limited set of factors using a stepwise variable selection procedure. A total of 399 CBCT images were included in the current research. Logistic regression showed that only gender was significantly associated (p = 0.0001) with the presence of CRS. However, a stepwise variable selection procedure included gender and bone loss as significantly associated with CRS. No significant difference was observed between unilateral vs. bilateral CRS in gender, bone loss, medical status, and periodontitis. However, only gender showed a significant difference in both bilateral vs. no CRS and unilateral vs. no CRS. Periodontitis is not associated with CRS. However, gender has a significant influence on CRS.
The Effects of 24 Weeks of Non-Face-to-Face Home Exercise on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, Cardiovascular Function, and Blood Profiles in Pre-Metabolic Syndrome Korean Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ryu Hee-Soo , So Wi-Young
Published: October 2022

Background: This study assessed Korean residents’ health improvements by reducing chronic disease morbidity through customized health management. After identifying each participant’s strength and health through physical examinations and blood pressure tests, the effects of 24 weeks of online, non-face-to-face home workouts on body composition, physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and blood profiles in Korean adults with pre-metabolic syndrome were determined. Methods: Adults living in Chungcheongbuk-do, aged 19–65, and at the pre-metabolic syndrome stage were recruited at the Jeungpyeong-gun Public Health Center, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. For 24 weeks, from February 2022 to July 2022, they exercised for 60–70 min, three times a week, on average, at a maximum heart rate of 60–70%. The “Mobile Healthcare” application was used to record exercise time, number of exercises, number of sets, and Rating of Perceived Exertion at the end of each exercise. Body composition, physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and blood profiles were measured before and after participation. Results: There were no significant differences in weight, body mass index, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate levels, or glucose levels after participation in the workout (p > 0.05). However, muscle strength/handgrip strength, sitting-rising test results, single-leg balance, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although the 24 weeks of non-face-to-face home workouts did not positively affect body composition or cardiovascular function, it improved physical fitness and dyslipidemia.
Perception Disparity of Telemedicine Use between Outpatients and Medical Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wu Jia-Jyun , Wu Chieh-Liang , Lee Meng-Hsun , Huang Chieh-Chung , Huang Yi-Jhen , Hsu Pi-Shan
Published: October 2022

We assessed the characteristics and perception of telephone appointments among outpatients and medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Our survey was performed by giving self-administered questionnaires to the enrollees. Basic socioeconomic status data were collected. We used a valid and reliable telehealth usability questionnaire (TUQ) to assess the telemedicine experience among outpatients and medical staff. Only outpatients with chronic illness and who had regular visits before the pandemic were enrolled. We delivered the questionnaire survey to participants who used telephone appointments from 20 May 2021 to 31 July 2021 in Taichung Veterans General Hospital. A total of 471 outpatients and 203 medical staff completed the survey. Most of the respondents were aged 30–69, college-educated, women, and married. Outpatients have higher scores in all dimensions of TUQ than medical staff, especially in the dimensions of ease of use and effectiveness. Age, gender, education, and marriage have no significant associations in the medical staff group. In the outpatient group, gender is the only significant factor in the six dimensions of TUQ. We found a significant disparity in the perception gap of telemedicine among outpatient and medical staff. Outpatients are satisfied with telephone appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, but medical staff are concerned about the ease of use and effectiveness.
Genetics of Transformed Follicular Lymphoma
Authors: Alcoceba Miguel , García-Álvarez María , Okosun Jessica , Ferrero Simone , Ladetto Marco , Fitzgibbon Jude , García-Sanz Ramón
Published: October 2022

Histological transformation (HT) to a more aggressive disease–mostly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma–is considered one of the most dismal events in the clinical course of follicular lymphoma (FL). Current knowledge has not found a single biological event specific for HT, although different studies have highlighted common genetic alterations, such as TP53 and CDKN2A/B loss, and MYC translocations, among others. Together, they increase genomic complexity and mutational burden at HT. A better knowledge of HT pathogenesis would presumably help to find diagnostic biomarkers allowing the identification of patients at high-risk of transformation, as well as the discrimination from patients with FL recurrence, and those who remain in remission. This would also help to identify new drug targets and the design of clinical trials for the treatment of transformation. In the present review we provide a comprehensive overview of the genetic events frequently identified in transformed FL contributing to the switch towards aggressive behaviour, and we will discuss current open questions in the field of HT.
InCulture: A Collaborative Platform for Intangible Cultural Heritage Narratives
Authors: Mathioudakis Georgios , Klironomos Iosif , Partarakis Nikolaos , Papadaki Eleni , Volakakis Konstantinos , Anifantis Nikolaos , Papageorgiou Ioannis , Pavlidis Savvas Alexandros , Antona Margherita , Stephanidis Constantine
Published: October 2022

Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH) is defined as the collection of oral traditions and expressions such as epics, fairy tales, stories, arts, social practices, rituals and celebrations, events, knowledge, and practices related to nature and the universe, traditional medicine, folk medicine, traditional handcrafts, as well as personal experiences related to important historical events or cultural activities that shaped the historical and local identity. Under the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH, nations are committed to developing inventories of ICH and working with local communities, groups, and individuals to preserve these traditions. In this paper, a platform is introduced that facilitates the collection of intangible ICH data, the formation of story-based narratives, and their presentation to the public via a web and mobile application, which offers Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. The platform aims to support the formation of user communities sharing common interests and to provide them with the appropriate tools for collecting pieces of ICH. Collected ICH resources and created narratives are modeled using semantic web technologies so that information can be perceived by third-party systems too. Furthermore, towards the dissemination of the platform, a real-world use case took place on the island of Rhodes focusing on the recent history of the island between 1912 and 1948 (WWII). The platform was implemented to support the goals of the project InCulture, funded by the EPAnEK Greek national co-funded operational program “Competitiveness Entrepreneurship and Innovation”.
A Multi-Instrument Analysis of the Late 16th Canvas Painting, “Coronation of the Virgin with the Saints Ambrose and Jerome”, Attributed to the Tuscany-Umbria Area to Support the Possibility of Bio-Cleaning Using a Bacteria-Based System
Authors: Annarilli Sofia , Casoli Antonella , Colantonio Claudia , Lanteri Luca , Marseglia Angela , Pelosi Claudia , Sottile Sabrina
Published: October 2022

(1) Background. The aim of this work is to combine non-invasive imaging with chemical characterization analyses to study original and restoration materials of a late 16th-century painting on a canvas representing the “Coronation of the Virgin with the Saints Ambrose and Jerome”, preserved in the Diocesan archive of Orte, a town in the district of Viterbo (Italy). The diagnostic campaign was addressed to support the restoration activities and the choice of the most suitable cleaning operations. (2) Methods. Both traditional analytical techniques and innovative multispectral imaging were applied to solve the diagnostic issues and best address the restoration of the painting. Specifically, hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging (HMI), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), optical microscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were combined to obtain information on the general conservation state of the artwork and the characterization of pigments, organic binders, and superimposed materials, these last being particularly important to identify ancient and not-documented restoration intervention, enabling the correct choice of the most suitable and effective cleaning intervention. (3) Results. Multispectral data allowed us to differentiate and map original materials through infrared and ultraviolet false color images and spectral reflectance-based similarity maps, suggesting pigment attribution and focusing point analysis for characterization. This approach was particularly successful to identify and locate the presence of unaltered smalt blue in the first painting coat, which had been covered with other pigments, and to suggest the use of organic dye in mixtures with cinnabar and ochres. Spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques enabled us to identify the painting palette and confirm the use of oil-based binder for the pigments and characterize the altered top layers, made with a natural resin and an animal glue. (4) Conclusions. The characterization of the artwork’s materials was essential to select the most suitable methods and materials for the bio-cleaning, based on bacteria, experimented with during the restoration activities.
Semiautomatic Toolmark Classification in Chased Metals Using Surface Microtopography
Authors: Arteaga Yoko , Mélard Nicolas , Boust Clotilde , Hardeberg Jon Yngve , Robcis Dominique
Published: October 2022

Chasing is one of the main decorative techniques found in metal work. The imprints left by different chasing tools are unique not only to the tool, but also to the chaser. The analysis and characterisation of toolmarks provide vast information that is valuable for the understanding of an object. Microtopography is a non-contact imaging technique that allows a metrical analysis of a surface on a microscopic scale. In this paper, metal mock-ups made using different chasing tools were scanned using microtopography, and their morphological features were used to classify the tools used for their fabrication. The mock-ups were artificially aged to replicate conditions of real archaeological metal objects. The overall classification accuracy obtained for the non-aged mock-ups was 91% for brass and 84% for copper mock-ups. After ageing, the classification accuracy was 65% for brass and 68% for copper. The change in classification accuracy before and after ageing was caused by the corrosion on the aged mock-ups. These results show that this is a promising methodology that could be applied on real chased metal objects.
Modern Use of Traditional Rainwater Harvesting Practices: An Assessment of Cisterns’ Water Supply Potential in West Mani, Greece
Authors: Iliopoulou Theano , Dimitriadis Panayiotis , Siganou Aimilia , Markantonis David , Moraiti Konstantina , Nikolinakou Maria , Meletopoulos Ilias Taygetos , Mamassis Nikos , Koutsoyiannis Demetris , Sargentis G.-Fivos
Published: October 2022

Water has always been a driver of human civilization. The first human civilizations thrived in places with an abundance of water, typically nearby large rivers as the Tigris–Euphrates, Yang Che and Nile. The invention and construction of hydraulic infrastructure came only later, in prehistoric times, triggered by the expansion of humanity in water-scarce areas. The ancient Greeks invented impressive hydraulic works and small-scale structures, some of which, such as cisterns, were still fully operational until the 20th century. We present a model that explains the use of cisterns in the water-scarce area of West Mani, which allows us to assess the potential of this traditional rainfall harvesting practice to support the modern water supply needs. To assess the system’s reliability, we employ a long-term simulation of a typical cistern system, using synthetic rainfall series from a stochastic model, and assuming variable water demand on a monthly scale. We show that a proper restoration of the cisterns could be sustainable as a complementary water supply source, decreasing the area’s drinking water cost and increasing the locals’ resilience against water shortages. In addition, we highlight the links between the area’s hydroclimate and its history and discuss the cultural merits of reviving and preserving this centuries-long practice.
Moisture as a Driver of Long-Term Threats to Timber Heritage—Part II: Risks Imposed on Structures at Local Sites
Authors: Brimblecombe Peter , Richards Jenny
Published: October 2022

Timber heritage sites are vulnerable to damage from moisture. Simple meteorological descriptions of climate need to be tuned to capture drivers that threaten heritage, including dimensional change, insect attack and mould growth. Global climate models often provide projections through to the end of the 21st century but need to be translated to a local level to reveal processes of deterioration at specific sites. Translation to a local level can be challenging and requires the use of local information from a range of sources. This translation is explored over a range of sites facing different climate pressures, including fungal and insect risk at Harmondsworth Great Barn, England; changes in humidity range, salt risk and algal growth in rural timber buildings in the Midwestern states, USA; wind-driven rain impacts on board houses in Freetown, Sierra Leone; and rainfall and humidity range on timber buildings among the tropical rainforests of the Amazon, Congo Basin and Southeast Asia. Evidence-based narratives provide a tool to incorporate a multiplicity of local information to enrich projections and the interpretation of the model output. These could build trust and aid decision-making based on future projections, which are inherently uncertain.
Peach Flower Density Detection Based on an Improved CNN Incorporating Attention Mechanism and Multi-Scale Feature Fusion
Authors: Tao Kun , Wang Aichen , Shen Yidie , Lu Zemin , Peng Futian , Wei Xinhua
Published: October 2022

Flower thinning for fruit trees in time is an important operation to keep a suitable quantity of fruits and guarantee the quality of fruits. Accurate detection of flower density is the premise of precise flower thinning, and machine vision provides an effective approach to achieving the accurate identification of flower density. To detect the flower density on the proximal side of Y-shaped densely planted peach trees accurately, this study proposed a method based on an RGBD camera and a convolutional neural network that incorporated an attention mechanism and multi-scale feature fusion. Firstly, image acquisition and preprocessing were performed with the RGBD camera, and the complex background and distal flowers were filtered out through depth information. Then, a convolutional neural network for flower density detection based on an attention mechanism and multi-scale feature fusion, named the flower counting network (FC-Net), was constructed and tested. Results showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) between the estimated number of flowers by the FC-Net and the real values reached 0.95, the mean absolute error (MAE) was 4.3, the root mean square error (RMSE) was 5.65, the counting error rate (Er) was 0.02%, and the processing time of one image was 0.12 s. The proposed FC-Net can provide visual support for intelligent mechanical flower thinning operations.
Phytochemical Screening, and Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Mangifera indica L. Leaves
Authors: Maharaj Arvish , Naidoo Yougasphree , Dewir Yaser Hassan , Rihan Hail
Published: October 2022

The bio-constituents of medicinal plants are greatly influenced by the environmental conditions and growing seasons. This study aimed to uncover the presence of different metabolites and to investigate the biological properties of the leaves of Mangifera indica during summer and winter seasons. The extract of M. indica leaves for summer and winter using different solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform, and methanol) showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, phytosterol, saponins, steroids, and carbohydrates. Antibacterial activity of the methanolic leaf extracts for summer and winter were evaluated against the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). For S. aureus (ATTC 43300), the summer crude extract displayed lower antibacterial activity than the control streptomycin, with zones of inhibition of 14.17 and 16.67 mm, respectively. Winter extracts had a zone of inhibition of 12 mm, while streptomycin had a 13.67 mm zone of inhibition. For E. coli (ATCC 25922), the summer crude extract displayed higher antibacterial activity than the control gentamycin, with zones of inhibition of 18.05 and 17.5 mm, respectively. The winter extracts had a zone of inhibition of 8.5 mm, while gentamycin had a 14.5 mm zone of inhibition. Antibacterial screening showed positive results for both seasons; however, summer extracts showed a more potent effect. The antioxidant screening was conducted using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay. Potent radical scavenging activity was exhibited for both summer and winter seasons with hexane and methanolic extracts for summer (IC50 of 19.53 μg/mL and 12.71 μg/mL, respectively) and winter (22.32 μg/mL and 14.35 μg/mL, respectively) in comparison to the control ascorbic acid, which produced an IC50 of 3.20 μg/mL. The summer leaf extracts had better radical scavenging IC50 capacity than winter extracts. In conclusion, hexane and methanolic extracts had significant antioxidant activity, while methanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. Further studies are required against more strains of bacteria and cancer cell lines to test for potency.
Effect of Combined Sulfur and Nitrogen Foliar Supply on Olive Oil Volatile Compounds and Sensory Attributes
Authors: Vidović Nikolina , Pasković Igor , Marcelić Šime , Lukić Igor , Brkić Bubola Karolina , Klisović Dora , Novoselić Anja , Palčić Igor , Polić Pasković Marija , Herak Ćustić Mirjana , Petek Marko , Jukić Špika Maja , Pecina Marija , Pongrac Paula , Goreta Ban Smiljana
Published: October 2022

Up to date, there are no reports on the effects of combined sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) foliar application in olive orchards on volatile compounds and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil (VOO). In this work, the effects of increasing the fertilizer S and N concentration on volatile compound composition and odor and taste attributes of monovarietal VOOs of Istarska bjelica and Leccino cultivars were investigated. The volatile compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection after isolation by solid-phase microextraction, while sensory attributes were assessed by a professional panel. In all the investigated VOO samples, aldehydes were the most represented group of compounds, with (E)-2-hexenal as the most abundant, followed by (Z)-3-hexenal and 1-penten-3-one. Significant differences in the volatile profiles and sensory attributes were observed between VOOs from different treatments, mainly attributable to the interactions between all the factors that were investigated: treatment, cultivar, and year. Although significant interactions were noted for sensory attributes as well, the score for overall quality was generally lower for Leccino VOOs and for VOOs from both cultivars that were obtained after the highest SN dose treatment. All the samples were graded by overall sensory scores that were higher than eight and were characterized by well-pronounced fruitiness and the absence of sensory defects. The results of this study showed that foliar application of S and N significantly affects the quality of VOO, confirming that such a practice can modulate the characteristic olive oil odor and taste attributes and thus possibly influence its acceptability and preference among consumers.
Characterisation of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Lakoocha (A. lakoocha) Rootstocks
Authors: Zhou Yuchan , Underhill Steven J. R.
Published: October 2022

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional fruit tree of 15–30 m tall in Oceania. The species is a staple crop for food security in the tropics. Tree loss from tropical windstorms, together with transition toward high-density planting has driven an interest in the dwarf phenotype of the species. Information on dwarfing rootstocks for breadfruit is currently limited. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of breadfruit growth with lakoocha (Artocarpus lakoocha) as rootstocks. We compared the phenotype of breadfruit trees on lakoocha rootstocks with those on self-graft and non-graft within 21 months after grafting. These led to the discovery of a rootstock-induced dwarf trait in breadfruit species. Breadfruit scions on lakoocha rootstocks displayed a reduction in tree height, stem thickness, and internode length, with fewer branches and leaves, resulting in about 32% of the standard height at the end of 21 months after grafting. These suggest lakoocha rootstocks have the potential to control breadfruit tree vigor. Non-structural carbohydrate analysis showed the composite trees exhibited lower hexose concentration in both scion stems and roots, but higher sucrose level in scion stems, and higher starch level in roots. The significance of these parameters in rootstock dwarfing is discussed.
Touch-Induced Transcriptional Changes in Flower Buds of a Non-Model Horticultural Plant Dianthus hybrida
Authors: Nishijima Ryo , Sanjaya Alvin , Shinoyama Harue , Kazama Yusuke
Published: October 2022

Touch stimulus responses are common in plants. Some flowering plants sense the arrival of their pollinators and secrete nectar or release pollen sacs, facilitating successful pollination. Molecular mechanisms for mechanical stimulus responses in plants are well characterized in Arabidopsis leaves, but not in non-model plants or other organs such as flowers. Here, we performed RNA-seq analysis of touched flower buds of Dianthus hybrida, a major ornamental plant. Upon touch treatment, 931 and 132 genes were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. GO enrichment analysis revealed that genes encoding serine/threonine protein kinases were significantly abundant among the upregulated genes, which is consistent with previous studies that demonstrated the pivotal role of protein phosphorylation in the touch stimulus response of Arabidopsis leaves. In comparison with the gene expression profile of touched Arabidopsis leaves, the same families but different homologs of the representative touch-induced genes encoding protein kinases were upregulated, showing that phosphorelay signaling was the common mechanism for touch stimulus response in flowers and leaves, but the players of the phosphorelay signaling were different. These results will contribute to further studies on the mechanical stimulus responses of ornamental flowers and the utilization of this mechanism for breeding programs.
Thyme Essential Oil Reduces Disease Severity and Induces Resistance against Alternaria linariae in Tomato Plants
Authors: Saltos-Rezabala Luis Alberto , Silveira Patrícia Ricardino Da , Tavares Dérica Gonçalves , Moreira Silvino Intra , Magalhães Thiago Alves , Botelho Deila Magna Dos Santos , Alves Eduardo
Published: October 2022

Currently, the use of alternative tools for chemical control has become one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly options for crop protection against phytopathogens. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the effect of essential oils (EOs) on the control of tomato early blight (EB), a highly destructive disease of this crop. The antifungal activity and ability to induce resistance induction of the EOs of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) were tested for control of A. linariae in tomato plants. In vitro, mycelial growth and conidial germination were strongly inhibited when thyme EO (TEO; 2000 ppm) and lemongrass (LGEO; 2000 ppm) were applied. The infected leaf area and final disease index were decreased by 47.78% and 39.00%, respectively, compared to the water treatment. Foliar spraying with TEO increased the activity of the defense-related enzymes peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and β-1,3-glucanase. Furthermore, callose deposition and phenolic compound accumulation in tissues infected by A. linariae improved after TEO application. In conclusion, TEO stimulated the defense system of tomato plants infected by A. linariae, which was associated with a reduced severity of EB. These results indicate that TEO is a potential tool in tomato EB disease management.
Characterization of Petal Senescent Types in Cut Dahlia and Extension of Their Vase Life by Treatment with Silver Thiosulfate Complex Followed by Glucose Plus Germicides
Authors: Ichimura Kazuo , Azuma Mirai
Published: October 2022

The vase life of cut dahlia (Dahlia × hortensis Guillaumin) flowers is generally short. Petal senescence is known to be divided into petal wilting, withering, and abscission. Petals with ongoing wilting were isolated from the inflorescence and supplied with water using 10 cultivars to clarify the type of petal senescence of dahlia. Based on the recovery of fresh weight and appearance of petals, senescent types could be categorized into three types: petal senescence in two, six, and two cultivars were categorized into abscission, abscission with withering, and wilting types, respectively. The pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate complex (STS) significantly extended the vase life of 7 out of 10 cultivars. Moreover, pulse treatment with STS followed by continuous treatment with GLA, which was comprised of glucose, isothiazolinone germicide, and aluminum sulfate, increased the relative fresh weight of the five dahlia cultivars more than pulse treatment with STS. Therefore, this combined treatment is available to extend the vase life of cut dahlia, irrespective of the senescent types.
Crop Load Management in Nashi Pear—A Review
Authors: Bound Sally A.
Published: October 2022

Most nashi cultivars require heavy thinning, and this has traditionally been performed by the time and labour-intensive practice of hand thinning. Crop load management is a key cost driver for nashi production, but there are limited cost-effective options available for nashi growers compared to other pome fruit, especially apples and, to a lesser extent, European pears. There is, however, potential to adapt some of the thinning tools and techniques used in apples and European pears to reduce the labour requirements and high cost of thinning in nashi, thus improving industry profitability. Several chemical thinning agents have potential for nashi, and an understanding of the optimal application rates, times and weather conditions for each chemical, as well as the conditions/factors that impact the tree carbon balance, will improve the predictability of chemical thinning. However, it is difficult to target specific flowers/fruitlets within a cluster with chemicals, and the flowers that produce the preferred fruit shape and size are in the middle of the flower cluster. Mechanical thinning during the flowering period with either Darwin or BAUM-style string thinners has potential, particularly as these devices can be used as early as flower emergence. As for chemical thinning, the issue of non-selectivity needs to be addressed; however, the development of mechatronic systems should overcome most problems that occur with the currently available mechanical thinners. Shading at critical times is an avenue that could be explored further to ascertain the critical stage when developing fruit are susceptible to enable the determination of the optimal timing and duration of shading. Targeted pruning and bud thinning during the dormant winter period to reduce the floral bud numbers is a valuable option for the precise placement of fruit in optimal positions and to set up the required number of clusters. This review highlighted several tools/techniques that, with further work, can be incorporated into a systematic approach to crop load management in nashi while reducing the risk and cost.
Applicability of ANN Model and CPSOCGSA Algorithm for Multi-Time Step Ahead River Streamflow Forecasting
Authors: Abdul Kareem Baydaa , Zubaidi Salah L. , Ridha Hussein Mohammed , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Al-Bdairi Nabeel Saleem Saad
Published: October 2022

Accurate streamflow prediction is significant when developing water resource management and planning, forecasting floods, and mitigating flood damage. This research developed a novel methodology that involves data pre-processing and an artificial neural network (ANN) optimised with the coefficient-based particle swarm optimisation and chaotic gravitational search algorithm (CPSOCGSA-ANN) to forecast the monthly water streamflow. The monthly streamflow data of the Tigris River at Amarah City, Iraq, from 2010 to 2020, were used to build and evaluate the suggested methodology. The performance of CPSOCGSA was compared with the slim mold algorithm (SMA) and marine predator algorithm (MPA). The principal findings of this research are that data pre-processing effectively improves the data quality and determines the optimum predictor scenario. The hybrid CPSOCGSA-ANN outperformed both the SMA-ANN and MPA-ANN algorithms. The suggested methodology offered accurate results with a coefficient of determination of 0.91, and 100% of the data were scattered between the agreement limits of the Bland–Altman diagram. The research results represent a further step toward developing hybrid models in hydrology applications.
Suitability Assessment of Fish Habitat in a Data-Scarce River
Authors: Akter Aysha , Toukir Md. Redwoan , Dayem Ahammed
Published: October 2022

Assessing fish habitat suitability in a data-scarce tidal river is often challenging due to the absence of continuous water quantity and quality records. This study is comprised of an intensive field study on a 42 km reach which recorded bathymetry and physical water quality parameters (pH, electroconductivity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids) testing and corresponding water levels and velocity. Frequent water sampling was carried out on 17 out of 90 locations for laboratory water quality tests. Based on this, an interpolation technique, i.e., Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), generates a map in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment using ArcGIS software to determine the river water quality parameters. Additionally, a hydrodynamic model study was conducted to simulate hydraulic parameters using Delft3D software followed by a water quality distribution. During validation, the Delft3D-simulated water quality could reasonably mimic most field data, and GIS featured dissolved oxygen. The overall water quality distribution showed a lower dissolved oxygen level (~3 mg/L) in the industrial zone compared to the other two zones during the study period. On the other hand, these validated hydraulic properties were applied in the Physical Habitat Simulation Model (PHABSIM) set up to conduct the hydraulic habitat suitability for Labeo rohita (Rohu fish). Thus, the validated model could represent the details of habitat suitability in the studied river for future decision support systems, and this study envisaged applying it to other similar rivers.
Urban Flood Prediction through GIS-Based Dual-Coupled Hydraulic Models
Authors: Sinagra Marco , Nasello Carmelo , Tucciarelli Tullio
Published: October 2022

Propagation of pluvial floods in urban areas, occurring with return time periods of few years, can be well solved using dual models accounting for the mutual relationship between the water level in the streets and the discharges inside the sewer pipes. The extended WEC-flood model (EWEC), based on the use of unstructured triangular meshes and a diffusive formulation of the momentum equations in both the 2D and the 1D lower domains, is presented along with its novelty, limits, and advantages. The model is then applied to a small computational domain in the Palermo area, where only some ‘hard’ data given by one rain gauge has been used for calibration and validation, along with other ‘soft’ data like yes/no surcharge observations and water depths available from photos and interviews. Model input data are mainly geometrical parameters, and calibration parameters are restricted only to average Manning coefficients. In the test case a very good validation has been obtained of three historical events using the EWEC model, with only one average Manning coefficient calibrated using other two historical events.
Mental Balance in 116 Nations: Where It Is Experienced and Valued
Authors: Joshanloo Mohsen
Published: October 2022

Mental balance, defined as a sense of tranquility resulting from inner peace and harmonious interactions with the external environment, is an important but largely overlooked aspect of well-being. Using data from the Gallup World Poll (N = 121,207), this study developed a global index of mental balance and a measure of preference for mental balance (as opposed to excitement) across 116 countries. The study examined the global and regional distribution of these two variables and their intercorrelations with a variety of social, economic, cultural, and well-being variables. The results showed that, whereas national wealth and sociopolitical context were the strongest predictors of experiencing mental balance, these variables were not associated with preference for mental balance.
Scientific Value of the Sub-Cohort of Children in the World Trade Center Health Registry
Authors: Brackbill Robert M. , Butturini Emma , Cone James E. , Ahmadi Ayda , Daniels Robert D. , Farfel Mark R. , Kubale Travis
Published: October 2022

The World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) was established in 2002 as a public health resource to monitor the health effects from the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. We evaluated the representativeness of the WTC youth population (<18 years on 11 September 2001) by comparing the distributions of age, gender, race/ethnic groups, and income to 2000 census data for the matched geographic area, including distance from disaster. There were 2379 WTCHR enrolled children living in Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street on 11 September 2001, along with 752 enrolled students who attended school in Lower Manhattan but were not area residents. The WTCHR sub-group of children who were residents was similar to the geographically corresponding census population on age and sex. Black and Hispanic children are moderately overrepresented at 0.9% and 2.4% in the WTCHR compared to 0.8% and 1.7% in census population, respectively, while lower-income households are slightly under-represented, 28.8% in the WTCHR and 30.8% for the corresponding census information. Asian children appear underrepresented at 3.0% participation compared to 6.3% in the census. While the demographics of WTCHR youth are somewhat skewed, the gaps are within expected patterns of under-representation observed in other longitudinal cohorts and can be effectively addressed analytically or through targeted study design.
Exploring the Nexus of Healthcare Employees’ Professional Quality, Health Psychology and Service Value: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ge Bailin , Ma Zhiqiang , Li Mingxing , Chi Xiaomeng , Khan Hira Salah ud din , Yang Ling
Published: October 2022

While the implementation of the “graded diagnosis and treatment” system highlights the important role of general practitioners as “residents’ health gatekeepers”, it brings the problem of insufficient service capacity and difficulty in realizing the service value. At present, the service value of general practitioners is a relatively new topic in the field of general medicine. Therefore, few studies discuss the specific path that affects the realization of their service value. According to literature analysis, the professional quality of general practitioners plays a positive role in improving their service quality. So it can be inferred that the main reason for this phenomenon is that the professional quality level of general practitioners as the service subject is low and they have not been trusted and recognized by the residents of the service object. So far, it is difficult for most residents to change their willingness to go to large hospitals. Training is the most critical link to improving the professional quality of general practitioners. Therefore, how to enhance the professional quality of general practitioners through effective training so as to realize the service value is a problem worth discussing. Our study took 37 general practitioners from 12 Community Health Service hospitals as the interviewees and used grounded theory to mine the internal correlation between variables. The results show that: (1) the professional quality of general practitioners mainly includes three dimensions: professional ethics, theoretical knowledge, and professional skills; (2) through training, the professional quality of general practitioners has been effectively improved; (3) the improvement of general practitioners’ professional quality directly affects the realization of their technical value, environmental value and information value; (4) the professional quality of general practitioners can be improved through training, which will affect the realization of their service value. Our research contribution is to break through the previous research paradigm of analyzing the relationship between variables based on the existing literature. This paper uses the procedural grounded theory method to analyze the concept of general practitioners’ professional quality from scratch through continuous refinement and summary and constructs a theoretical model of the training path from general practitioners’ professional quality to service value. On the one hand, the research results can realize their service value by improving the professional quality of general practitioners. On the other hand, the realization of the service value of general practitioners can provide effective support for patients to create a good medical environment.