bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Associations Between Child Abuse and Neglect Experiences With Emotion Regulation Difficulties Indicative of Adolescent Suicidal Ideation Risk
Authors: Hatkevich Claire , Sumlin Eric , Sharp Carla
Published: April 2021

Objective: Preliminary work indicates one specific aspect of emotion dysregulation (i.e., limited access to emotion regulation strategies) uniquely associates with adolescent suicide ideation. An optimal score cut point on a measure of this emotion dysregulation impairment has been identified to indicate risk for past-year suicidal ideation. Examining types of child abuse and neglect associated with being above cut-off on this measure may point to interactive environmental effects associated with subsequent risk for suicidal ideation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relations between multiple types of child abuse and neglect with being above cutoff on a measure of limited access to emotion regulation strategies in a psychiatrically severe adolescent sample.

Method: The full sample included 203 psychiatric adolescents (Mean age = 15.31 years; 66.5% female; 74.4% White), assigned to two groups: (1) those at or above cutoff on the access to emotion regulation strategies subscale (n = 139); and (2) those below cutoff (n = 64).

Results: Significant differences were only evidenced between the emotion regulation cutoff groups on emotional abuse, after covarying for other types of abuse and neglect; significant group differences were not evidenced on any other type of abuse or neglect (sexual or physical abuse, emotional or physical neglect).

Conclusion: Relative to other types of abuse and neglect, emotional abuse may be differentially related to experiencing limited access to emotion regulation strategies, at the level indicative of suicide ideation risk. Clinical implications are discussed.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Alcohol Consumption: A Perspective From Hair Analysis
Authors: Alladio Eugenio , Visintin Lia , Lombardo Tonia , Testi Roberto , Salomone Alberto , Vincenti Marco
Published: April 2021

Introduction and Aims:The increase in stress levels, social confinement, and addiction's physical consequences play an essential role in the proliferation of drug abuse. In this context, the Covid-19 pandemic produced remarkable effects on those individuals prone to addictions, especially to alcohol. Alcohol is linked to multiple dangerous conditions such as social issues, severe medical conditions, and road accidents. The determination of ethylglucuronide (EtG) in hair is frequently performed to test and monitor chronic excessive alcohol intake conditions, as it allows differentiation among low-risk/moderate drinkers, and excessive/chronic drinkers. Our study aimed to explore hair EtG levels in a controlled population to assess the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on alcohol intake along March-May 2020.

Materials and Methods:EtG levels were measured in all hair samples collected in the months following April 2020 to evaluate the behaviors related to alcohol intake along with the time frame from March to May 2020. The measured concentration distributions for each month were compared with those reported in the same month during the previous 4 years (2016–2019). The dataset was built to highlight possible differences between genders, and the different categories of alcohol consumption, separately.

Results:The samples collected from April to August 2020 (500 <N<1,100 per month) showed an increase in the percentage of subjects classified as abstinent/low-risk drinkers (from 60 up to 79%) and a decrease of subjects classified as moderate and chronic drinkers (−12 and −7%, respectively) when compared to the previous 4 years. A decrease in the overall mean value of EtG in the period April–June 2020 was observed, while the EtG levels of both June and July 2020 provided an increasing trend for chronic/excessive consumers (+27 and +19% for June and July 2020, respectively). A peculiar rise in the EtG levels of moderate and chronic/excessive female consumers was observed along April–June 2020, too.

Discussion and Conclusions:Behavioral and social studies generally report a decrease in alcohol consumption during the Covid-19 lockdown. However, people already suffering from drug or alcohol addictions before Covid-19 pandemic seemingly enhance their harmful behavior. Our data from April to August 2020 are consistent with both suppositions. Our observations confirm once again the utility of EtG to investigate the patterns of alcohol consumption in the population.
Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: Potential for use as a Novel Ablative Surgical Technique
Authors: Chang Kyung Won , Jung Hyun Ho , Chang Jin Woo
Published: April 2021

Surgical treatment for psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, using ablative techniques, such as cingulotomy and capsulotomy, have historically been controversial for a number of scientific, social, and ethical reasons. Recently, with the elucidation of anatomical and neurochemical substrates of brain function in healthy controls and patients with such disorders using various functional neuroimaging techniques, these criticisms are becoming less valid. Furthermore, by using new techniques, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), and identifying more precise targets, beneficial effects and the lack of serious complications have been demonstrated in patients with psychiatric disorders. However, DBS also has many disadvantages. Currently, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is used as a minimal-invasive surgical method for generating precisely placed focal thermal lesions in the brain. Here, we review surgical techniques and their potential complications, along with anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) capsulotomy by radiofrequency lesioning and gamma knife radiosurgery, for the treatment of OCD and depression. We also discuss the limitations and technical issues related to ALIC capsulotomy with MRgFUS for medically refractory OCD and depression. Through this review we hope MRgFUS could be considered as a new treatment choice for refractory OCD.
Insight Into Microbial Community Aerosols Associated With Electronic Waste Handling Facilities by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods
Authors: Pan Yimin , Ren Qiaoqiao , Chen Pei , Wu Jiguo , Wu Zhendong , Zhang Guoxia
Published: April 2021

Airborne microorganisms in the waste associated environments are more active and complex compared to other places. However, the diversity and structure of airborne bacteria in waste-associated environments are still not clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess airborne bacterial community in electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station based on culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. A total of 229 isolates were obtained from four airborne sites collected from residential area, electronic industrial park, and office area in or near an electronic waste dismantling site and a waste transfer station in Southern China in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Most of the isolates were isolated from air for the first time and 14 potentially novel species were identified by Sanger sequencing. Bacterial communities in waste-associated bioaerosols were predominated by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Abundant genera (>1%) included Paracaedibacteraceae (uncultured EF667926), Ralstonia, Chroococcidiopsis, Chitinophagaceae (uncultured FN428761), Sphingobium, and Heliimonas. One-third of the species in these genera were uncultured approximately. Differences community structure existed in airborne bacterial diversity among different sampling sites. These results showed that waste-associated environments have unique bacterial diversity. Further studies on such environments could provide new insights into bacterial community.
Prevalence of Common Gynecological Conditions in the Middle East: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mousa Mira , Al-Jefout Moamar , Alsafar Habiba , Kirtley Shona , Lindgren Cecilia M. , Missmer Stacey A. , Becker Christian M. , Zondervan Krina T. , Rahmioglu Nilufer
Published: April 2021

Introduction:High prevalence of gynecological conditions in women of Middle Eastern origin is reported, likely due to regional risk factors and mediators. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis in women of Middle Eastern origin.

Methods:MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, and Google Scholar databases were searched from database inception until 14 February 2021 to identify relevant studies. Peer-reviewed research articles that reported the prevalence of PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis in the Middle Eastern population were written in English or Arabic. The primary outcome was the estimated pooled prevalence of PCOS, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis in the Middle Eastern populations. The secondary outcome was to assess the evidence in the data for the presence of heterogeneity, by conducting subtype-pooled analysis of prevalence estimates of the conditions. Total weighted prevalence was calculated via Freeman–Tukey arcsine transformation and heterogeneity through theI2statistic. Quality control was performed using GRADE criteria.

Results:A total of 47 studies, 26 on PCOS, 12 on endometriosis, eight on uterine fibroids, and seven on adenomyosis, were included. The pooled prevalence of PCOS diagnosed according to the NIH criteria was 8.9% (95% CI: 6.5–11.7; prevalence range: 4.0–27.6%), with a higher prevalence from the Gulf Arab states (18.8%, 95% CI: 9.5–30.3; range: 12.1–27.6%). According to the Rotterdam criteria, the pooled prevalence of PCOS was 11.9% (95% CI: 7.1–17.7; range: 3.4–19.9%) with studies limited to the Persian and Levant regions. Endometriosis was diagnosed in 12.9% (95% CI: 4.2–25.4; range: 4.2–21.0%) of women undergoing laparoscopy, for any indication. Uterine fibroid and adenomyosis prevalence of women was 30.6% (95% CI: 24.9–36.7; range: 18.5–42.6%) and 30.8% (95% CI: 27.1–34.6, range: 25.6–37.7%), respectively. Heterogeneity was present between studies due to statistical and methodological inconsistencies between studies, and quality of evidence was low due to sample size and unrepresentative participant selection.

Conclusion:This is the first review that has reported the prevalence of gynecological diseases in the Middle Eastern population, suggesting that gynecological morbidity is a public health concern. Due to the health disparities in women, further research is required to understand the relative roles of environmental and genetic factors in the region to serve as a benchmark for evaluation and comparative purposes with other populations.
Institutional, Technology, and Policies of End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Industry and Its Indication on the Circular Economy- Comparative Analysis Between China and Japan
Authors: Wang Jia , Sun Lu , Fujii Minoru , Li Yuke , Huang Yonghe , Murakami Shinsuke , Daigo Ichiro , Pan Wei , Li Zhenbiao
Published: April 2021

With economic development and accelerated industrialization, resource consumption has seen rapid increase. Against such a consumer boom, vehicle ownership has rocketed up, which also brings surging numbers of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Thus, recycling and disposing those ELVs turn out to be a head-scratching issue. As a result, how to effectively collect, dismantle, and recycling ELVs grows into a global topic. In China, over the past two decades, the Chinese vehicle ownership had grown rapidly to 261.5 million in 2019. Likewise, the ELV recycling industry in China also faces mounting challenges, especially in policy-making, recycling system, and the remanufacturing industry. The key challenges in the sector are the loss of ELVs and illegal dismantling. In recent years, despite the emergency of a group of large-scale quality dismantling enterprises, the overall technological level in the industry and the recycling rate require further advancement. In contrast, countries with highly mature automobile industry have seen a different image. Japan, for instance, has been the pioneer in the field of ELV recycling, created well-rounded laws and regulations on the industry, and developed advanced know-hows to cope with technical challenges. Therefore, this study, firstly, tries to summarize the laws and regulations and the latest industrial status of ELVs recycling in China and Japan. The deviation, if any, shall be analyzed between Japan‘s existing system and policy design, and the possible causes. Secondly, the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) method is adopted to analyse the changes of Resource Input Intensity (RII) of steel and oil for vehicles over the past 10 years, which shall provide the basis for future research on material recycling and waste treatment. Thirdly, the overall recycling rate of China's automobile products is analyzed, with the prediction that as technologies advance and related policies evolve, the recycling rate shall increase from 90 to 98% within 5 years. Fourthly, against the backdrop of circular economy development, this paper tries to provide an enlightenment to ELVs recycling management in China and Asian countries, with the stage of social development, policy system, social awareness of resource recycling, market guidance and other factors combined in the research. As a whole, this study tries to facilitate the sustainable development of the ELV recycling industry, provides support for the policy-making, and contributes to the building of a resource-saving and recycling-oriented society.
The Acute Host-Response of Turkeys Colonized With Campylobacter coli
Authors: Sylte Matthew J. , Sivasankaran Sathesh K. , Trachsel Julian , Sato Yuko , Wu Zuowei , Johnson Timothy A. , Chandra Lawrance C. , Zhang Qijing , Looft Torey
Published: April 2021

Consumption of contaminated poultry products is one of the main sources of human campylobacteriosis, of which Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni (C. jejuni) and C. coli are responsible for ~98% of the cases. In turkeys, the ceca are an important anatomical site where Campylobacter asymptomatically colonizes. We previously demonstrated that commercial turkey poults colonized by C. jejuni showed acute changes in cytokine gene expression profiles, and histological intestinal lesions at 2 days post-inoculation (dpi). Cecal tonsils (CT) are an important part of the gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue that surveil material passing in and out of the ceca, and generate immune responses against intestinal pathogens. The CT immune response toward Campylobacter remains unknown. In this study, we generated a kanamycin-resistant C. coli construct (CcK) to facilitate its enumeration from cecal contents after experimental challenge. In vitro analysis of CcK demonstrated no changes in motility when compared to the parent isolate. Poults were inoculated by oral gavage with CcK (5 × 107 colony forming units) or sterile-media (mock-colonized), and euthanized at 1 and 3 dpi. At both time points, CcK was recovered from cecal contents, but not from the mock-colonized group. As a marker of acute inflammation, serum alpha-1 acid glycoprotein was significantly elevated at 3 dpi in CcK inoculated poults compared to mock-infected samples. Significant histological lesions were detected in cecal and CT tissues of CcK colonized poults at 1 and 3 dpi, respectively. RNAseq analysis identified 250 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in CT from CcK colonized poults at 3 dpi, of which 194 were upregulated and 56 were downregulated. From the DEG, 9 significantly enriched biological pathways were identified, including platelet aggregation, response to oxidative stress and negative regulation of oxidative stress-induced intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. These data suggest that C. coli induced an acute inflammatory response in the intestinal tract of poults, and that platelet aggregation and oxidative stress in the CT may affect the turkey's ability to resist Campylobacter colonization. These findings will help to develop and test Campylobacter mitigation strategies to promote food safety in commercial turkeys.
Advances in the Starling Principle and Microvascular Fluid Exchange; Consequences and Implications for Fluid Therapy
Authors: Woodcock Thomas E. , Michel C. Charles
Published: April 2021

Ernest Starling first presented a hypothesis about the absorption of tissue fluid to the plasma within tissue capillaries in 1896. In this Chapter we trace the evolution of Starling's hypothesis to a principle and an equation, and then look in more detail at the extension of the Starling principle in recent years. In 2012 Thomas Woodcock and his son proposed that experience and experimental observations surrounding clinical practices involving the administration of intravenous fluids were better explained by the revised Starling principle. In particular, the revised or extended Starling principle can explain why crystalloid resuscitation from the abrupt physiologic insult of hypovolaemia is much more effective than the pre-revision Starling principle had led clinicians to expect. The authors of this chapter have since combined their science and clinical expertise to offer clinicians a better basis for their practice of rational fluid therapy.
Survey on Colostrum Management by Dairy Farmers in the Netherlands
Authors: Robbers Lisa , Bijkerk Hannes J. C. , Koets Ad P. , Benedictus Lindert , Nielen Mirjam , Jorritsma Ruurd
Published: April 2021

Colostrum feeding is essential for the transfer of passive immunity and health of newborn calves. Information on current colostrum management practices to reduce calf morbidity and mortality is important but lacking for Dutch dairy herds. We therefore conducted a survey to investigate colostrum management strategies on Dutch dairy farms. The survey was specifically focused on the most recently born calf and was returned by 107 respondents (response rate of 13.4%). The mean amount of colostrum fed at first feeding was 2.9 liters. Overall, 79% of farmers provided the calf with at least 6 liters of colostrum in up to three feedings. The majority of respondents (84%) claimed to provide the calf with colostrum for the first time within 2 h post-partum. Using ordinal logistic regression and Wilcoxon rank sum test, we found no differences in time to first colostrum feeding or total amount of colostrum fed between bull calves and heifer calves, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression showed no significant differences in time to first colostrum feeding or time between calving and removing the calf from the dam between AMS and conventional milking herds. Two sample T-test comparing the total volume of colostrum showed no significant difference between AMS and conventional milking herds. Time of day at which a calf was born affected both volume fed at first colostrum feeding and time until first colostrum feeding. Calves born between 00.00 and 06.00 were significantly at risk of receiving the first colostrum later as compared to calves born at other times. Calves born in the evening received on average a lower amount of colostrum at first feeding. Survey results on colostrum management on most Dutch dairy farms are in agreement with the advice to feed as soon as possible after parturition and to provide at least 6 liters within 24 h of age. The current study points at time of calving as a potential risk factor for sub-optimal colostrum feeding. Further research is necessary to determine the consequences of this observation.
A Spoonful of Sugar: Gamification as Means for Enhancing Employee Self-Leadership and Self-Concordance at Work
Authors: Oxarart Richard A. , Houghton Jeffery D.
Published: April 2021

Organizations today continue to seek new and effective ways to engage and motivate their workers. Gamification is an emerging means for enhancing employee engagement and motivation at work. Self-leadership is a comprehensive self-influence process that has the potential to help employees find meaning and purpose from their jobs. This paper develops and presents a conceptual model of the relationships between gamification, self-leadership, and valued workplace outcomes. The model suggests that gamification elements trigger multiple self-leadership processes and states that interact in a multiplicative fashion leading to a state of self-concordance in which individuals perceive a close alignment between their work tasks and their personal interests and core values. This serial mediation model helps to explain how and why gamification operates through the mediating mechanisms of self-leadership and self-concordance to effect important individual and organizational outcomes. Future research directions and implications for the proposed conceptual model are also discussed.
Eco-Efficiency and Stock Market Volatility: Emerging Markets Analysis
Authors: Galindo-Manrique Alicia Fernanda , Pérez-Calderón Esteban , Rodríguez-García Martha del Pilar
Published: April 2021

Climate change, the accelerated industrialization of emerging countries, as well as the growing demand for transparency from stakeholders, are all factors that influence the environmental performance of companies. Thus, eco-efficient behavior can improve financial performance by increasing wealth generation and decreasing the volatility of listed financial assets. There is a lot of previous literature showing diverse results of the effect of eco-efficiency on corporate profitability, but this is not the case when we refer to risk. This study analyzes the relationship between eco-efficient behavior and the share price volatility of companies traded in emerging markets. For this purpose, a sample of 346 companies listed in 24 countries was studied for the period between 2010 and 2017. The results show a positive effect. Thus, the recommendation is that a clear commitment to eco-efficient investment can improve the environmental impact of companies, from the private, public, and institutional spheres.
Impact of Seaweed Liquid Extract Biostimulant on Growth, Yield, and Chemical Composition of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Authors: Hassan Shimaa M. , Ashour Mohamed , Sakai Nobumitsu , Zhang Lixin , Hassanien Hesham A. , Gaber Ahmed , Ammar Gamal
Published: April 2021

Seaweed extract biostimulants are among the best modern sustainable biological plant growth promoters. They have been proven to eliminate plant diseases and abiotic stresses, leading to maximizing yields. Additionally, they have been listed as environmentally friendly biofertilizers. The focus of the present research is the use of a commercial seaweed biostimulant as an eco-friendly product (formally named True Algae Max (TAM). During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, five treatments of various NPK:TAM ratios were applied via regular fertigation, namely a conventional treatment of 100% NPK (C0) alongside combinations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (C25, C50, C75, and C100) of TAM, to evaluate the effectiveness of its bioactive compounds on enhancing growth, yield, and NPK content of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under greenhouse conditions. TAM is rich in phytochemical compounds, such as milbemycin oxime, rhodopin, nonadecane, and 5-silaspiro [4.4]nona-1,3,6,8-tetraene,3,8-bis(diethylboryl)-2,7-diethyl-1,4,6,9-tetraphenyl-. Promising measured parameter outcomes showed the potentiality of applying TAM with and without mixes of ordinary NPK application. TAM could increase cucumber yield due to improving chemical and physical features related to immunity, productivity, and stress defense. In conclusion, it is better to avoid applying mineral fertilizers, considering also that the organic agricultural and welfare sectors could shortly depend on such biotechnological tools and use them to fulfill global food demands for improved sustainability.
A Spectroscopic Approach to Evaluate the Effects of Different Soil Tillage Methods and Nitrogen Fertilization Levels on the Biochemical Composition of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) Leaves and Caryopses
Authors: Pro Chiara , Basili Danilo , Notarstefano Valentina , Belloni Alessia , Fiorentini Marco , Zenobi Stefano , Alia Sonila , Vignini Arianna , Orsini Roberto , Giorgini Elisabetta
Published: April 2021

The agricultural sector is required to produce food at the same pace as population growth, while accounting for pollution and costs. For this reason, conservative agricultural practices have been employed worldwide. Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy has the ability to provide a snapshot of the macromolecular composition of a sample in a timely and cost-effective way and it has been widely applied in the field of agriculture to assess food quality. The aim of this study was to exploit ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to assess the impact of different soil tillage methods (conventional tillage, CT; minimum tillage, MT, and no tillage, NT) and nitrogen fertilization levels (0, 90 and 180 kg N ha−1) on the macromolecular composition of leaves and caryopses of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum). The analysis of the spectral data revealed that the quality of durum wheat, in terms of protein content, grown on soil with no tillage was not reduced. Indeed, with regards to caryopses, the different tillage methods influenced only the lipid and hemicellulose content, whereas the macromolecular composition of leaves was sensitive to tillage methods mostly during the early stage of growth. Moreover, no relevant effects were found in leaves and caryopses when different fertilizer concentrations were used. These results provide important knowledge supporting the adoption of both no-tillage soil treatments and reduced fertilization dosage for the development of durum wheat management strategies and support the use of spectroscopy for conservative agriculture practices.
Vegetation Response to Removal of Plant Groups and Grass Seeding in a Microphyllous Desert Shrubland: A 4-Year Field Experiment
Authors: Mellado Miguel , Encina-Domínguez Juan A. , García José E. , Estrada-Castillón Eduardo , Arévalo José R.
Published: April 2021

Grazing is one of the most important land management activities worldwide, and cases of overgrazing increase erosion, land degradation, and plant invasion. The objective of this study was to assess the effect on individual species and species composition in response to groups of plants removals or grass seeding after four years of vegetation transformation in a microphyllous desert shrubland excluded from cattle grazing. Nine treatments involved (1) clearing of vegetation and seeding of Bouteloua curtipendula (BOCU), a native grass, (2) clearing and seeding of Chloris gayana (CHGA), an introduce grass from Africa, (3) clearing except for grasses (GRA), (4) clearing except for grasses and fodder shrubs (GRA-SHR), (5) free grazing by cattle (GRAZ), (6) clearing except fodder shrubs (SHR), (7) no modification (CON), (8) clearing of all plants (BARE), and (9) clearing except plants not eaten by cattle (UND). Treatments were replicated five times each in 10 m × 10 m experimental plots. Plots were surveyed for density, cover of all plants, and standing forage. Total plant cover was higher in CON and UND than the other treatments. Except for BOCU, where forage production was the highest, forage production ha−1 was low among all other treatments. Plant density was highest in SHR and lowest in CON. Results after four years of transformation indicate that seeded Chloris gayana failed to become established, but seeding of Bouteloua curtipendula was able to persist, and had the greatest influence on the vegetation restoration, which is what we consider the most appropriate restoration treatment.
Development of Organic Milk Production in Poland on the Background of the EU
Authors: Bórawski Piotr , Bórawski Marek Bartłomiej , Parzonko Andrzej , Wicki Ludwik , Rokicki Tomasz , Perkowska Aleksandra , Dunn James William
Published: April 2021

Organic milk production is an environmentally friendly production system based on local forage and a ban on using chemical fertilizers and certain other rules. Organic milk is considered to be healthier and is gaining attention worldwide. The market for organic products is increasing. The aim of the paper was to analyze changes in the development of organic dairy production in Poland in the context of the EU. We analyzed the changes on the European Union (EU) level and the Poland level. To analyze the changes in organic milk production on European Union level, we used the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA). Our results show that both organic milk production and the farm area used for organic production will increase. Moreover, we analyzed the organic dairy farms running rural accountancy within the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) in Poland in the years 2007–2018. We used tabular and graphic methods to present the data. In the analysis the methods of correlation and regression were used. Germany, France, Austria, and Great Britain are the countries with the largest numbers of organic dairy cows. Our prognosis examined the development of organic milk production in the European Union (EU). The number of cows on dairy organic farms will increase in most countries in the EU. Then, we analyzed the impact of the chosen factors on three dependent variables: organic milk production, total production of organic dairy farms, and income from family farms. The most important independent variables were cow numbers, the value of fixed assets, the value of current assets, long-term debt, and short-term debt.
Panthera tigris jacksoni Population Crash and Impending Extinction due to Environmental Perturbation and Human-Wildlife Conflict
Authors: Ten Dennis Choon Yung , Jani Rohana , Hashim Noor Hashida , Saaban Salman , Abu Hashim Abdul Kadir , Abdullah Mohd Tajuddin
Published: April 2021

The critically endangered Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), with an estimated population of less than 200 individuals left in isolated rainforest habitats in Malaysia, is in an intermediate population crash leading to extinction in the next decade. The population has decreased significantly by illegal poaching, environmental perturbation, roadkill, and being captured during human–wildlife conflicts. Forty-five or more individuals were extracted from the wild (four animals captured due to conflict, one death due to canine distemper, one roadkilled, and 39 poached) in the 12 years between 2008–2019. The Malayan tigers are the first wildlife species to test positive for COVID-19 and are subject to the Canine Distemper Virus. These anthropogenic disturbances (poaching and human–tiger conflict) and environmental perturbation (decreasing habitat coverage and quality) have long been identified as impending extinction factors. Roadkill and infectious diseases have emerged recently as new confounding factors threatening Malayan tiger extinction in the near future. Peninsular Malaysia has an existing Malayan tiger conservation management plan; however, to enhance the protection and conservation of Malayan tigers from potential extinction, the authority should reassess the existing legislation, regulation, and management plan and realign them to prevent further population decline, and to better enable preparedness and readiness for the ongoing pandemic and future threats.
Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches
Authors: Mee John F. , Jawor Paulina , Stefaniak Tadeusz
Published: April 2021

While non-infectious causes are more commonly diagnosed in cases of bovine perinatal mortality (PM), the proportion caused by infections is highly variable between studies (~5–35%); the reasons for this variation, and possible underestimation, are discussed. The most important pathogen-specific infectious causes of PM are bacteria (in particular, Bacillus licheniformis and Leptospira spp.), viruses (in particular BVDv) and a parasite (Neospora caninum). However, co-infection may occur in a small proportion of cases and in many cases no single pathogen is detected but gross or microscopic lesions of an inflammatory response are identified. Diagnosis is complicated by the criteria required to establish exposure, infection and causation. Additionally, pathogens can be classified as primary or secondary though such differentiation can be arbitrary. The majority of infectious cases of PM are due to in utero infections but postnatal infections (0–2 days) can also cause PM. Diagnosis of infectious PM is based on a systematic investigation of the herd health history and dam and cohort sampling and examination of the perinate and its placenta. Gross and histopathologic examinations and maternal/herd and perinate serology form the basis of current infectious PM investigations.
Soybean Oil Replacement by Palm Fatty Acid Distillate in Broiler Chicken Diets: Fat Digestibility and Lipid-Class Content along the Intestinal Tract
Authors: Jimenez-Moya Beatriz , Barroeta Ana C. , Tres Alba , Soler María Dolores , Sala Roser
Published: April 2021

Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a by-product of palm oil (P) refining. Its use in chicken diets is a way to reduce the cost of feed and the environmental impact. Its low unsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio (UFA:SFA) and its high free fatty acid (FFA) level could be partially counteracted by its blending with soybean oil (S). The objective was to assess the effect of replacing S with different levels of PFAD on lipid-class content and fatty acid (FA) digestibility along the intestinal tract and in the excreta of 11 and 35-day-old broiler chickens. Five experimental diets were prepared by supplementing a basal diet with S (S6), PFAD (PA6), two blends of them (S4-PA2 and S2-PA4), or P (P6) at 6%. Replacing S with PFAD did not affect performance parameters (p > 0.05) but negatively affected feed AME, FA digestibility, and FFA intestinal content (p < 0.05), especially in starter chicks. Including PFAD delayed total FA (TFA) absorption (p < 0.05) at 11 days, but at 35 days it did not affect the TFA absorption rate. The use of PFAD blended with S, when FFA ≤ 30% and UFA:SFA ≥ 2.6, led to adequate energy utilization in broiler grower-finisher diets.
The Vibriolysin-Like Protease VnpA and the Collagenase ColA Are Required for Full Virulence of the Bivalve Mollusks Pathogen Vibrio neptunius
Authors: Galvis Fabián , Barja Juan L. , Lemos Manuel L. , Balado Miguel
Published: April 2021

Vibrio neptunius is an important pathogen of bivalve mollusks worldwide. Several metalloproteases have been described as virulence factors in species of Vibrio that are pathogenic to bivalves, but little is known about the contribution of these potential virulence factors to Vibrio neptunius pathogenesis. In silico analysis of the genome of V. neptunius strain PP-145.98 led to the identification of two hitherto uncharacterized chromosomal loci encoding a probable vibriolysin-like metalloprotease and a putative collagenase, which were designated VnpA and ColA, respectively. Single defective mutants of each gene were obtained in V. neptunius PP-145.98, and the phospholipase, esterase and collagenase activities were studied and compared with those of the wild-type strain. The results showed that the single inactivation of vnpA resulted in a 3-fold reduction in phospholipase/esterase activity. Inactivation of colA reduced the collagenase activity by 50%. Finally, infection challenges performed in oyster larvae showed that ΔvnpA and ΔcolA—single mutant strains of V. neptunius—are between 2–3-fold less virulent than the wild-type strain. Thus, the present work demonstrates that the production of both VnpA and ColA is required for the full virulence of the bivalve pathogen V. neptunius.
Antibiotic Resistance, spa Typing and Clonal Analysis of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolates from Blood of Patients Hospitalized in the Czech Republic
Authors: Pomorska Katarina , Jakubu Vladislav , Malisova Lucia , Fridrichova Marta , Musilek Martin , Zemlickova Helena
Published: April 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of bloodstream infections. The aim of our study was to characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from blood of patients hospitalized in the Czech Republic between 2016 and 2018. All MRSA strains were tested for antibiotic susceptibility, analyzed by spa typing and clustered using a Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) algorithm. The representative isolates of the four most common spa types and representative isolates of all spa clonal complexes were further typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing. The majority of MRSA strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin (94%), erythromycin (95.5%) and clindamycin (95.6%). Among the 618 strains analyzed, 52 different spa types were detected. BURP analysis divided them into six different clusters. The most common spa types were t003, t586, t014 and t002, all belonging to the CC5 (clonal complex). CC5 was the most abundant MLST CC of our study, comprising of 91.7% (n = 565) of spa-typeable isolates. Other CCs present in our study were CC398, CC22, CC8, CC45 and CC97. To our knowledge, this is the biggest nationwide study aimed at typing MRSA blood isolates from the Czech Republic.
Lingonberry Improves Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Reducing Hepatic Lipid Accumulation, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response
Authors: Madduma Hewage Susara , Prashar Suvira , O Karmin , Siow Yaw L.
Published: April 2021

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally and there is a pressing need for effective treatment. Lipotoxicity and oxidative stress are the important mediators in NAFLD pathogenesis. Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is rich in anthocyanins that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study investigated the effect of lingonberry supplementation on liver injury in C57BL/6J male mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Mice fed HFD displayed liver injury with steatosis, increased lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokine expression in the liver as compared to mice fed a control diet. Lingonberry supplementation for 12 weeks alleviated HFD-induced liver injury, attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, and inflammatory cytokine expression. Lingonberry supplementation inhibited the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (AAC-1) as well as activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver. It also decreased HFD-induced hepatic oxidative stress and aggregation of inflammatory foci. This was associated with a restoration of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione level in the liver. These results suggest that lingonberry supplementation can protect against HFD-induced liver injury partly through attenuation of hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.
The Role of Vitamin K in Humans: Implication in Aging and Age-Associated Diseases
Authors: Popa Daniela-Saveta , Bigman Galya , Rusu Marius Emil
Published: April 2021

As human life expectancy is rising, the incidence of age-associated diseases will also increase. Scientific evidence has revealed that healthy diets, including good fats, vitamins, minerals, or polyphenolics, could have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with antiaging effects. Recent studies demonstrated that vitamin K is a vital cofactor in activating several proteins, which act against age-related syndromes. Thus, vitamin K can carboxylate osteocalcin (a protein capable of transporting and fixing calcium in bone), activate matrix Gla protein (an inhibitor of vascular calcification and cardiovascular events) and carboxylate Gas6 protein (involved in brain physiology and a cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease inhibitor). By improving insulin sensitivity, vitamin K lowers diabetes risk. It also exerts antiproliferative, proapoptotic, autophagic effects and has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Recent research shows that protein S, another vitamin K-dependent protein, can prevent the cytokine storm observed in COVID-19 cases. The reduced activation of protein S due to the pneumonia-induced vitamin K depletion was correlated with higher thrombogenicity and possibly fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Our review aimed to present the latest scientific evidence about vitamin K and its role in preventing age-associated diseases and/or improving the effectiveness of medical treatments in mature adults ˃50 years old.
Numerical Control Machine Optimization Technologies through Analysis of Machining History Data Using Digital Twin
Authors: Heo Eunyoung , Yoo Namhyun
Published: April 2021

In numerical control (NC)-based machining, NC data-based tool paths affect both quality and productivity. NC data are generated according to cutting conditions. However, NC data causing excessive cutting load can accelerate tool wear and even result in tool damage. In the opposite case, increasing machining time can affect productivity. NC data can influence surface quality from the perspective of cutting dynamics according to machine tool–material–tool combination. There have been a lot of studies on tool-path optimization. However, it is impossible to perfectly predict cutting dynamics such as tool wear, material non-uniformity, chatter, and spindle deformation. In fact, such prediction-based tool-path optimization can cause errors. Therefore, this study attempts to synchronize spindle load and NC data and uniformize the machining load through the analysis of stored data using digital-twin technology, which stores and manages machining history. Uniformizing machining load can reduce rapid traverse in the event of no load, feed rate in an overload area, and shock on a tool when the tool and material are met by adding approach feed. Analyzing results of the attempts proposed in this paper, the chatter was completely removed in the machining with D100 and D16, although some chatter remained in the machining with D25 and D16R3 tools. In addition, the processing time could be reduced from a minimum of 7% to a maximum of 50% after optimization.
Assessment and Feasibility Study of Lemon Ripening Using X-ray Image of Information Visualization
Authors: Hsiao Wen-Tien , Kuo Wen-Chi , Lin Hsin-Hon , Lai Lu-Han
Published: April 2021

Digital radiography (DR) is a mature technology and has been broadly used in medical diagnosis. Currently, it’s also used for fruit quality inspection in the market. This purpose of the study is to conduct non-destructive experiments for visual comparisons of digital radiography images, further construct visualized grayscale image analysis technology, and analyze the changes in lemon quality and ripening using quantitative statistical methods. The materials used for the experiments were three lemons of different ripening. A general medical X-ray DR system for was used in this study for 2D digital radiography. The medical X-ray DR images were created based on the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. Photometric interpretation of monochrome was applied to create multi-layered grayscale images. Then quantitative analyses and comparisons were performed with image matrix structures and grayscale pixel values in the tissues using visualization techniques and statistical methods. After layer segmentation on the radiological images, the correlations between the lemon structures and tissue changes were assessed by using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The results showed that the p values for lemon, fiber, and pulp were all under 0.05, while the peel layer did not exhibit significant change. The pulp layer is the best region for statistical analyses to determine the lemon ripening. In conclusion, this study can provide a solid reference for future quality classification in the agricultural market. The research findings can be referenced for developing computing techniques applied to agricultural inspection, expanding the scope of application of the medical DR technology.
A Shader-Based Ray Tracing Engine
Authors: Park Sukjun , Baek Nakhoon
Published: April 2021

Recently, ray tracing techniques have been highly adopted to produce high quality images and animations. In this paper, we present our design and implementation of a real-time ray-traced rendering engine. We achieved real-time capability for triangle primitives, based on the ray tracing techniques on GPGPU (general-purpose graphics processing unit) compute shaders. To accelerate the ray tracing engine, we used a set of acceleration techniques, including bounding volume hierarchy, its roped representation, joint up-sampling, and bilateral filtering. Our current implementation shows remarkable speed-ups, with acceptable error values. Experimental results shows 2.5–13.6 times acceleration, and less than 3% error values for the 95% confidence range. Our next step will be enhancing bilateral filter behaviors.
Development of Optimal Design Method for Steel Double-Beam Floor System Considering Rotational Constraints
Authors: Choi Insub , Kim Dongwon , Kim Junhee
Published: April 2021

Under high gravity loads, steel double-beam floor systems need to be reinforced by beam-end concrete panels to reduce the material quantity since rotational constraints from the concrete panel can decrease the moment demand by inducing a negative moment at the ends of the beams. However, the optimal design process for the material quantity of steel beams requires a time-consuming iterative analysis for the entire floor system while especially keeping in consideration the rotational constraints in composite connections between the concrete panel and steel beams. This study aimed to develop an optimal design method with the LM (Length-Moment) index for the steel double-beam floor system to minimize material quantity without the iterative design process. The LM index is an indicator that can select a minimum cross-section of the steel beams in consideration of the flexural strength by lateral-torsional buckling. To verify the proposed design method, the material quantities between the proposed and code-based design methods were compared at various gravity loads. The proposed design method successfully optimized the material quantity of the steel double-beam floor systems without the iterative analysis by simply choosing the LM index of the steel beams that can minimize objective function while satisfying the safety-related constraint conditions. In particular, under the high gravity loads, the proposed design method was superb at providing a quantity-optimized design option. Thus, the proposed optimal design method can be an alternative for designing the steel double-beam floor system.
Passive Multi-Layer Composite Damper of Flat Belt Tensioner Idler
Authors: Murčinková Zuzana , Živčák Jozef , Zajac Jozef , Adamčík Pavel
Published: April 2021

In this study, the effect of multi-layer composite passive dampers on the dynamic properties of a mechanical system (a testing machine tool bench) was tested. Passive dampers are characterized by a layered structure, with each layer consisting of a specific structure of different materials, preferably foam polymers. The dynamic excitation is caused by a flat belt driving the rotor roller bearing by direct contact of the flat belt and bearing pin at a frequency of 1170–2170 Hz. The dynamic effects of the flat belt directly affect the complex dynamic effects inside rotor bearing, mainly torsional vibrations. A significant modification in the amplitude and frequency modulation and other evaluated dynamic parameters was obtained. By implementing passive dampers and modifying the mass and material damping, a decrease in amplitude at resonance of almost 30% was achieved.