bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring gender dynamics in climate-smart agriculture adoption: a study in semi-arid Dodoma, Tanzania
Authors: Awoke Mahlet Degefu , Löhr Katharina , Kimaro Anthony A. , Lana Marcos , Soh Wenda Boris D. , Buabeng Kwabena , Hafner Johannes Michael , Sieber Stefan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Climate change threatens agricultural production, particularly in developing countries, where agriculture supports over 2.5 billion people. Women, who comprise 43% of the agricultural labor force, are particularly vulnerable due to gender inequalities, especially in African societies. While Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) offers potential benefits to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, its benefits are not evenly distributed, with a notable gender gap in adoption.

Methods

This study investigates how gender dynamics influence CSA adoption patterns in Tanzania’s semi-arid Dodoma regions, using a mixed-methods approach. The study included a survey of 380 households and focus group discussions with 75 participants.

Results

The results reveal lower CSA adoption among female-headed households (51% non-adopters) compared to male-headed households (38% non-adopters). Probit and Poisson regression analyses identify several key determinants of adoption and adoption intensity, including marital status, livestock ownership, land access, and the availability of extension services. Female-headed households face unique barriers, such as smaller landholdings, labor constraints, and limited access to credit, training, and group membership. The study also highlights the absence of female extension workers in villages.

Discussion

The findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions to address these challenges and promote more equitable CSA adoption. These include implementing land reforms to ensure equitable land access for women, designing inclusive training programs that accommodate women’s time constraints, and increasing the representation of female extension workers to enhance CSA knowledge dissemination among female farmers. Additionally, improving access to credit facilities for female farmers, strengthening social networks through farmer groups, and improving transport infrastructure to reduce logistical barriers are crucial to further supporting CSA adoption. These targeted interventions are essential for overcoming gender-specific barriers, ensuring that CSA benefits are more equitably distributed, and ultimately supporting sustainable agricultural development.
Perception of land rights, village industrial development, and household entrepreneurial behavior—evidence from non-farm entrepreneurship in rural China
Authors: Weng Yiqing , Wang Shuifu
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Household entrepreneurship has a positive significance in increasing farmers’ income, but currently farmers’ entrepreneurial willingness is insufficient and entrepreneurial behavior needs to be further activated. Existing studies have examined the mechanism of entrepreneurial behavior more in terms of individual factors. However, behavioral decisions are the result of internal and external factors. Therefore, we analysed the mechanisms influencing farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior from two aspects: farmers’ internal psychological perception of the stability of land rights and the driving role of village-level industrial development.

Methods

Our analysis is based on data from a sample of 2356 farmers in Jiangsu Province, China, and uses mathematical modeling and binary logic modeling methods.

Results

The results show that the regression coefficient for the perception of land rights on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 0.573; the regression coefficient for village industrial development on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 1.480; and the regression coefficient for the interaction term between perception of land rights and village industrial development on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior is 0.361. This indicates that both the perception of land rights and village industrial development have a promoting effect on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior, and village industrial development moderates the impact of perception of land rights on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior.

Discussion

Based on the results of the study, the following implications have been drawn: first, it is necessary to strengthen land rights, regulate and guide the transfer of land, and strengthen the concept of stability of land rights; second, it is necessary to develop local speciality industries, and to help farmers’ employment and entrepreneurship in a variety of forms and through a variety of channels.
Achieving agricultural sustainability: analyzing the impact of digital financial inclusion on agricultural green total factor productivity
Authors: Xu Ming , Shi Lidong , Zhao Jiahui , Zhang Yili , Lei Ting , Shen Yang
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In order to achieve the sustainable development goal set by the United Nations,it is necessary to promote the green transformation and sustainable development of agriculture. In the context of the global economic digital revolution, examining the impact of digital financial inclusion (DFl) on agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) provided a new perspective for DFl to promote agricultural transformation and upgrading.

Methods

Based on balanced panel data for 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2022, the study used the slack-based measure (SBM) and global malmquist-luenberger (GML) index to measure AGTFP. Then the entropy method was used to measure the basic condition of digital logistics. Finally, causal relationship and potential mechanism of DFI on AGTFP were verified by means of bidirectional fixed effect and two-stage least square method.

Results

Our findings are as follows: firstly, DFl significantly increases AGTFP. This conclusion is still valid after a series of robustness tests and endogeneity control. Secondly, land transfer and digital logistics play positive mediating roles in the relationship between DFl and AGTFP. Thirdly, DFl has a higher impact on AGTFP in main grain-producing areas and the production-marketing balanced areas.

Discussion

This research provides not only theoretical and empirical support for optimizing China’s digital inclusive financial service system and promoting the green development of agriculture but also an important reference for the agricultural development of developing countries.
Analyses of blood-derived host biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus co-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rapulana Antony M. , Mpotje Thabo , Mthiyane Nondumiso , Smit Theresa K. , McHugh Timothy D. , Marakalala Mohlopheni J.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Our objective was to conduct a review of host blood-derived biomarkers as potential diagnostic targets for pulmonary TB and as alternative tests to identify active tuberculosis in HIV co-infected individuals.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of host blood-derived biomarkers with potential for diagnosis of active tuberculosis in HIV co-infected individuals was conducted. Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched up to 7 November 2023. A hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was used to evaluate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of the following potential biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), Interferon gamma induced protein-10 (IP-10), Neopterin, IGRA, Kynurenine to tryptophan (K/T) ratio and use of different panels of combined biomarkers; including 5 biomarker panel (IL-6, INF-y, MIG, CRP, and IL-18), 4 biomarker panel (IL-6, IL-21, INF-y, IL-1a), 6 biomarker panel (APO-ACIII, CXCL1, CXCL9, CCL8, CCL-1, and CD56), and 9 biomarker panel (Alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, CRP, MMP-a, transthyretin, complement factor H, INF-y, IP-10, and TNF-α).

Results

Twenty-three studies were included. The pooled sensitivity of CRP, IP-10, Neopterin, combined biomarker signatures, IGRA and K/T ratio were 77% (60–88), 79% (72 - 84), 82% (43–96), 78% (64–88), 71% (65–76), 95% (90–98), respectively and the pooled specificity were 90% (80–96), 82% (59–93), 42% (22–66), 85% (73–92), 33% (18–54), and 95% (82–99), respectively.

Conclusion

CRP, IP-10, K/T ratio and the panels of multiple combined biomarkers that include the following cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins IL-6, INF-y, MIG, CRP, IL-18, IL-21, IL-1a, APO-ACIII, CXCL1, CXCL9, CCL8, CCL-1, CD56, Alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, MMP-a, transthyretin, complement factor H, IP-10, and TNF-α are potential blood biomarkers that can aid TB diagnosis in HIV co-infected individuals.
Effect of zinc level and the thermal environment on the zootechnical performance and tibia-breaking strength of Japanese quails
Authors: Lima Luiz Arthur dos Anjos , Moraes Thiago de Assis , Morais Larissa Kellen da Cunha , de Amorim Mikael Leal Cabral Menezes , Veríssimo Tarsys Noan Silva , dos Santos José Danrley Cavalcante , Maia Maria Isabelly Leite , dos Santos Severino Guilherme Caetano Gonçalves , da Costa Fernando Guilherme Perazzo , Guerra Ricardo Romão , Carvalho Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino , Saraiva Edilson Paes
Published: January 2025

Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) are sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency, a mineral essential for growth, development, and bone health. This study evaluated the effects of different levels of Zn in the diet on zootechnical performance, organ and carcass weight, and tibial breakage resistance in quails from 1 to 42 days of age. A 5 × 2 factorial design was used, consisting of five Zn levels (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mg/kg) and two thermal environments (thermal comfort and heat stress), with five replicates of 10 birds per treatment. The results indicate an antagonistic relationship between high levels of Zn in the diet (150 mg/kg) and quail performance, where the addition of the highest Zn level impaired performance. On the other hand, supplementation with the available Zn from the basal diet (30 mg/kg) was sufficient to ensure satisfactory weight gain, better feed conversion, and appropriate carcass and liver weights of quails during the initial rearing phase. At 42 days, supplementation with 150 mg/kg of Zn provided greater resistance to tibial breakage, regardless of thermal conditions. These findings highlight the importance of adjusting Zn supplementation according to the needs of quails at different rearing stages. The study emphasizes the need for a balanced nutritional approach, considering both adequate Zn levels and the management of thermal stress. The combination of appropriate Zn levels in the diet and environmental management, especially concerning thermal stress, is crucial to optimizing productive performance, bone health, and the well-being of the birds. Furthermore, the nutritional Zn requirements for quails in the initial rearing phase may be lower than previously established, without compromising performance. Gradual Zn supplementation, according to the needs of the production stage and environmental conditions, is essential to ensure the health and productivity of the birds.
Hematologic and clinical chemistry reference intervals for six species of wild birds frequently rescued in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Myeongsu , Wut Hmohn Zun Zun , Jang Woochan , Baek Geonwoo , Han Jae-Ik
Published: January 2025

Objective

Reference intervals for hematologic and clinical chemistry values are useful when diagnosing a pathologic condition in animals. This study establishes relevant reference intervals for six species of wild birds that are frequently rescued at wildlife rescue centers in the Republic of Korea.

Methods

Forty-two Eurasian eagle owls (Bubo bubo), 34 Oriental turtle doves (Streptopelia orientalis), 73 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), 27 brown hawk-owls (Ninox scutulata), 76 common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), and 25 Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) were included in this study. Only released birds were included because they were judged to be clinically healthy through physical examinations, blood examinations, radiographic examinations, and flight evaluations. The reference intervals were set according to the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guideline, and if there were fewer than 20 birds, the reference intervals were set between the 2.5th percentile and the 97.5th percentile. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare hematologic and clinical chemistry parameters among species.

Results

The total protein levels in carnivorous birds (Eurasian eagle owl, brown hawk-owl, and common kestrel) were significantly higher than those in omnivorous birds (Oriental turtle dove and domestic pigeon). The common kestrel exhibited significantly lower white blood cell counts and heterophil counts than other species. The Eurasian magpie had significantly higher eosinophils than other species.

Conclusion

This study provides reference intervals for wild birds often rescued at wildlife rescue centers in Korea. It is expected that these reference intervals will be used as important data in diagnosing diseases in rescued wild birds.
Long-term ultrasonographic changes of the canine prostate gland after castration
Authors: Spada Stefano , De Felice Daniela , Arlt Sebastian , Aires Luiz Paulo Nogueira , England Gary C. W. , Russo Marco
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Ultrasound imaging (US) is the method of choice to assess the canine prostate gland. Whilst recent studies have documented the role of castration in the development of prostatic neoplasia, little is known about parenchymal and perfusion features of the normal and abnormal prostate in neutered dogs. No data are available concerning prostatic changes after the first 90 days following castration. The present study aimed to acquire data on the long-term ultrasonographic changes occurring to the canine prostate after castration.

Materials and methods

Ten adult neutered dogs underwent B-mode US and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the prostate on two occasions: day of the first examination (T0) and six years later (T1). The prostate was evaluated via B-mode US and the volume was calculated using Atalan’s formula. For CEUS examination, an intravenous contrast agent (SonoVue) was administered to assess prostatic perfusion. Videoclips were recorded, and time-intensity curves were obtained to determine contrast parameters: peak enhancement (PPI) and time to peak (TTP). Volumetric and perfusion results were then compared between timepoints.

Results

At both examinations, the prostate appeared similar on B-mode US in terms of morphology and echotexture, minimally decreasing in volume over time. Prostate perfusion was significantly reduced in all dogs between T0 and T1, with a PPI decrease from 54.9 to 29.6% and an increase in TTP from 26.3 to 47 s.

Discussion

These preliminary data provide baseline information on the B-mode appearance and CEUS measurements of the prostate gland of neutered dogs and suggest that prostatic involution after castration is not a short-term process but continues over several months.
Distributed Passivity-Based Control for Multiple Space Manipulators Holding Flexible Beams
Authors: Chen Ti , Cao Yue , Xie Mingyan , Ni Shihao , Zhai Enchang , Wei Zhengtao
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a distributed passivity-based control scheme for the consensus and vibration suppression of multiple space manipulators holding flexible beams. A space manipulator holding a flexible beam is essentially a rigid–flexible underactuated system. The bending deformation of the flexible beam is discretized by employing the assumed modes method. Based on Lagrange’s equations of the second kind, the dynamics model of each manipulator holding a flexible beam is established. By connecting such underactuated systems with the auxiliary Euler–Lagrange systems, a distributed passivity-based controller is designed under undirected communication graphs. To suppress flexible vibration effectively, a distributed controller with the feedback of the velocity of deflection at the free end of the flexible beam is proposed to achieve the manipulator synchronization and vibration suppression simultaneously. The stability of the proposed controller is analyzed with LaSalle’s invariance principle. Numerical simulations and experiments are conducted to show the effectiveness of the designed controllers.
A New Path to Aggregate Area Expansion by Agricultural Mechanization: The Seedling Field Saving Effect of Machinery Rice Transplanting and the Case of China
Authors: Ruan Dongyan , Tang Jinqi , Wang Juan , Zhou Jing , Zeng Xiaoyong , Liu Hanjie
Published: January 2025

Aggregate area expansion is one of the important productivity impacts of agricultural mechanization. This study aims to explore potential new paths to aggregate area expansion through new forms of agricultural mechanization and estimate the relevant effects. Targeting the rapidly developing machinery rice transplanting (MRT) and the attendant centralized rice seedling cultivation (CRSC) in rural China, this article identifies a fresh path for the adoption of machinery technology to increase aggregate crop cultivation area. By analyzing two typical cases from Jiangxi Province, we unmask the mechanism through which MRT and CRSC promote aggregate area. The results indicate that, compared with the traditional method, CRSC makes technological progress in various aspects and significantly improves the supply efficiency of seedlings and the space utilization efficiency of seedling fields. This, in turn, reduces the required seedling area per unit of paddy field and thus substitutes a lot of traditional seedling fields with few modern ones. Under the rotation cropping system, CRSC releases the farming time of the potential previous crops in the saved traditional seedling fields and then increases cropping intensity and aggregate area. In the micro case, the substitution of the traditional method with CRSC can save 0.04 hectares of seedling field by serving 1 hectare of paddy field. The macro simulation results show that CRSC can, at most, increase aggregate crop cultivation area by 1.95 million hectares nationwide, and this is equivalent to an increase of 6.21 million tons of grain and 1.86 million tons of rapeseed.
Development of a Lightweight Model for Rice Plant Counting and Localization Using UAV-Captured RGB Imagery
Authors: Sun Haoran , Tan Siqiao , Luo Zhengliang , Yin Yige , Cao Congyin , Zhou Kun , Zhu Lei
Published: January 2025

Accurately obtaining both the number and the location of rice plants plays a critical role in agricultural applications, such as precision fertilization and yield prediction. With the rapid development of deep learning, numerous models for plant counting have been proposed. However, many of these models contain a large number of parameters, making them unsuitable for deployment in agricultural settings with limited computational resources. To address this challenge, we propose a novel pruning method, Cosine Norm Fusion (CNF), and a lightweight feature fusion technique, the Depth Attention Fusion Module (DAFM). Based on these innovations, we modify the existing P2PNet network to create P2P-CNF, a lightweight model for rice plant counting. The process begins with pruning the trained network using CNF, followed by the integration of our lightweight feature fusion module, DAFM. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we conducted experiments using rice datasets, including the RSC-UAV dataset, captured by UAV. The results demonstrate that our method achieves a MAE of 3.12 and an RMSE of 4.12 while utilizing only 33% of the original network parameters. We also evaluated our method on other plant counting datasets, and the results show that our method achieves a high counting accuracy while maintaining a lightweight architecture.
Structural Design and Testing of a Corn Header for Soybean–Corn Intercropping
Authors: Cao Zhipeng , Li Qiqiang , Chen Linfeng , Zhou Yang , Nie Junshan , Chen Qi , Xiao Yuanfeng , Zhou Shaohao , Zhang Lihua
Published: January 2025

In response to the issues that existing corn headers are not only unsuitable for harvesting under the strip intercropping mode of soybeans and corn but also have the problems of being heavy and causing high harvest losses, a new type of header has been designed. This new header is lighter, reduces harvest losses, and is specifically adapted for use in the strip intercropping mode of soybeans and corn. By analyzing the corn stalks and the growth conditions of the corn, efforts were made to reduce the loss rate of kernels during harvesting, leading to a structural design of the header frame tailored for the strip intercropping mode. Following this, finite element analysis was employed to achieve a lightweight design of the header. The results show that the optimized header is 28.4 kg lighter than the original. The optimal working parameter combination for the combine harvester includes a forward speed of 0.94 m/s, a stalk roll rotational speed of 566.5 r/min, and a kernel moisture content of 25%, under which conditions the grain loss rate of the corn header is 0.32% and the ear loss rate is 1.1%. The development of this specialized corn header is conducive to enhancing both the quality and efficiency of mechanized harvesting in the strip intercropping mode of soybeans and corn.
Adaptation Strategies for Hemp in Alkaline Salt Environments: Fertilizer Management for Nutrient Uptake and Optimizing Growth
Authors: Ye Yunshu , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Panpan , Zhang Yuhong
Published: January 2025

Global soil salinization has become an increasingly severe challenge for agricultural production, particularly affecting the cultivation of economic crops in marginal lands. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), despite its economic potential, exhibits a notable sensitivity to salt-alkaline stress, limiting its expansion in saline-alkali regions. This study investigated the regulatory effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on hemp growth and nutrient homeostasis under alkaline salt stress. Using a “3414” orthogonal experimental design, we evaluated fourteen NPK combinations under 200 mM NaHCO3 stress, a concentration determined through preliminary experiments to simulate moderate alkaline stress. Plant growth parameters, biomass partitioning, and mineral nutrient profiles were analyzed after treatment with three biological replicates. The N1P2K2 treatment (N 120 mg·L−1, P 238 mg·L−1, K 348 mg·L−1) significantly enhanced plant performance, increasing shoot biomass by 45.3% and root biomass by 38.7% compared to the control. This optimal combination maintains the K+/Na+ ratio in leaves above 1.2 and regulated Ca2+/Mg2+ homeostasis, maintaining a ratio of 2.8–3.2, indicating improved salt tolerance. Notably, excessive fertilizer applications (>400 mg·L−1 total nutrients) exacerbated salt injury, reducing biomass accumulation by 25–30% and disrupting ion homeostasis. Our findings reveal the critical thresholds for NPK application in hemp under alkaline stress and provide practical fertilization strategies for sustainable hemp cultivation in saline-alkali regions.
Multi-Feature Driver Variable Fusion Downscaling TROPOMI Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence Approach
Authors: Fan Jinrui , Lu Xiaoping , Cai Guosheng , Lou Zhengfang , Wen Jing
Published: January 2025

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), as a direct indicator of vegetation photosynthesis, offers a more accurate measure of plant photosynthetic dynamics than traditional vegetation indices. However, the current SIF satellite products have low spatial resolution, limiting their application in fine-scale agricultural research. To address this, we leveraged MODIS data at a 1 km resolution, including bands b1, b2, b3, and b4, alongside indices such as the NDVI, EVI, NIRv, OSAVI, SAVI, LAI, FPAR, and LST, covering October 2018 to May 2020 for Shandong Province, China. Using the Random Forest (RF) model, we downscaled SIF data from 0.05° to 1 km based on invariant spatial scaling theory, focusing on the winter wheat growth cycle. Various machine learning models, including CNN, Stacking, Extreme Random Trees, AdaBoost, and GBDT, were compared, with Random Forest yielding the best performance, achieving R2 = 0.931, RMSE = 0.052 mW/m2/nm/sr, and MAE = 0.031 mW/m2/nm/sr for 2018–2019 and R2 = 0.926, RMSE = 0.058 mW/m2/nm/sr, and MAE = 0.034 mW/m2/nm/sr for 2019–2020. The downscaled SIF products showed a strong correlation with TanSIF and GOSIF products (R2 > 0.8), and consistent trends with GPP further confirmed the reliability of the 1 km SIF product. Additionally, a time series analysis of Shandong Province’s wheat-growing areas revealed a strong correlation (R2 > 0.8) between SIF and multiple vegetation indices, underscoring its utility for regional crop monitoring.
Biochar Amendment as a Mitigation Against Freezing–Thawing Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties
Authors: Chen Zhongkui , Intraravimonmata Chitipat , Kamchoom Viroon , Chen Rui , Sinsamutpadung Natdanai
Published: January 2025

Seasonal freeze–thaw cycles compromise soil structure, thereby increasing hydraulic conductivity but diminishing water retention capacity—both of which are essential for sustaining crop health and nutrient retention in agricultural soils. Prior research has suggested that biochar may alleviate these detrimental effects; however; further investigation into its influence on soil hydraulic properties through freeze–thaw cycles is essential. This study explores the impact of freeze–thaw cycles on the soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity and evaluates the potential of peanut shell biochar to mitigate these effects. Peanut shell biochar was used, and its effects on soil water retention and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were evaluated through evaporation tests. The findings indicate that freeze–thaw cycles predominantly affect clay’s ability to retain water and control hydraulic conductivity by generating macropores and fissures; with a notable increase in conductivity at high matric potentials. The impact lessens as matric potential decreases below −30 kPa, resulting in smaller differences in conductivity. Introducing biochar helps mitigate these effects by converting large pores into smaller micro- or meso-pores, effectively increasing water retention, especially at higher content of biochar. While biochar’s impact is more pronounced at higher matric potentials, it also significantly reduces conductivity at lower potentials. The total porosity of the soil increased under low biochar application rates (0% and 1%) but declined at higher application rates (2% and 3%) as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased. Furthermore, the characteristics of soil deformation during freeze–thaw cycles shifted from frost heaving to thaw settlement with increasing biochar application rates. Notably, an optimal biochar application rate was observed to mitigate soil deformation induced by freeze–thaw processes. These findings contribute to the scientific understanding necessary for the development and management of sustainable agricultural soil systems.
Abdominal Ultrasonography in Healthy Female Standard Donkeys
Authors: Accorroni Lucrezia , Bazzano Marilena , Marchegiani Andrea , Spaterna Andrea , Laus Fulvio
Published: January 2025

Knowledge of the normal ultrasound anatomy in the donkey is essential to understand pathological changes and to reach an early diagnosis, considering the “dullness” and stoicism of these animals in pain manifestations. The aims of this study were to document which abdominal viscera could be identified using a transcutaneous ultrasonography technique under field conditions in unsedated, standing donkeys to determine where the different abdominal structures could be easily displayed and to describe any variation that occurred between different donkeys and horses. In this work, the manual technique for performing an ultrasound of the abdominal organs in a donkey is described, including acoustic windows. In addition, several measurements were performed and correlated with the age and weight of the animal to find possible variations. For several of the abdominal viscera, donkeys were found to have similarities with horses, but some differences were found, mostly related to kidney size and the technique for liver visualization. The wall thickness of the colon was confirmed as higher compared to horses, while other intestinal tracts were found to be comparable. A correlation between body weight and organ measurements was only found for the length of both kidneys.
Identification of the Bovine CSN3 Core Promoter Region and the Relationships Between CSN3 Promoter Polymorphisms and the CSN3 A and B Alleles
Authors: Li Wenqing , Wang Xiaoyang , Xu Xiuyang , Wu Pinhui , Fu Tong , Zhang Liyang , Gao Tengyun
Published: January 2025

Reportedly, the number of κ-casein (κ-CN) B alleles increases the proportion of κ-CN to total protein and the κ-CN content. This phenomenon is caused by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of CSN3, which encodes the B variant. Therefore, a series of 5′-deleted promoter plasmids were constructed to define the core promoter of CSN3. The promoter activity was analyzed by comparing the luciferase activity among the recombinant vectors with truncated promoters. No mutation occurred in the core promoter region (5′-ctatcgtcagatctttcctttctgtcatcttcctattggtg-3′) of CSN3 in 40 cows. A 2092 bp promoter region of CSN3 was re-sequenced for detection, and nine variants were found, of which only three variants had mutation frequencies > 40%, which were −1002T>−, −1654T>A, and −2039T>G. The CSN3 promoter polymorphisms did not correlate with the CSN3 A and B alleles according to the Pearson’s chi-square test (p > 0.05). Moreover, the luciferase activity analysis of the CSN3 promoter showed no difference among pGL3 recombinants with different polymorphic CSN3 promoters (p > 0.05). In the genetic selection of dairy cows, mutations in the CSN3 core promoter should be focused upon. These findings provide a reference for the regulatory mechanism of bovine milk proteins and offer guidance for the genetic selection and breeding of cows.
Silver-Treated Sutures for the Prevention of Biofilm-Associated Surgical Site Infections
Authors: Paladini Federica , Panico Angelica , Masi Annalia , Russo Francesca , Sannino Alessandro , Pollini Mauro
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The huge concerns associated with biofilm-related infections in surgical procedures, along with the antibiotic resistance demonstrated by an increasing number of bacteria, have highlighted the need for alternative and effective prevention approaches. The aim of this research was to develop novel antimicrobial coatings on surgical sutures for the prevention of surgical site infections through nanotechnology-based methods. Results: The results demonstrated that although very low amounts of silver precursor were adopted for the treatments, the silver coating was effective against Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in reducing the potential risk of infection. Methods: Nanostructured silver coatings were deposited onto the surface of polyglactin 910 absorbable braided sutures through a technology based on a photo-assisted chemical reaction. The materials were characterized in order to verify the efficacy of the coating in preventing biofilm formation and in reducing the bacterial colonization of the device. Conclusions: As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, silver represents an important option for the prevention and management of surgical site infections. The silver deposition technology adopted in this work provides an interesting strategy for preventing biofilm formation on medical devices such as surgical sutures.
Comparison of Simulation- and Regression-Based Approaches to Estimating Electric Car Power Consumption
Authors: Nagy Emil , Török Árpád
Published: January 2025

The main objective of this paper is to present a methodology for the reliable estimation of the energy consumption of electric vehicles, focusing on the main electrical subsystems of passenger cars. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the available regression models and the results of our simulation experiments. While numerous regression models have been documented in the literature, their accuracy is not always satisfactory. Consequently, there is a need to develop a sufficiently accurate and comprehensive generalized simulation framework, which is presented in the paper. Currently, most of the major vehicle manufacturers have developed pure electric vehicle platforms and are using them in the production of many models available on the market. The estimation of consumption data for these vehicles is still based on traditional techniques, namely, prediction from historical operation data. To overcome this problem, in this article, we have constructed a multi-element, model-based simulation for the purpose of implementing an energy consumption monitoring system. In order to create a simulation that reflects real-life vehicle behavior, the input data are based on empirical measurements, while the simulation model is based on actual electric vehicle parameters. In the main simulation model, it is possible to simulate the energy consumption of the vehicle’s drive system and to extract the requisite input data for the simulation of the other vehicle subsystems. In regard to the simulation, the subsystems that have been incorporated are the electric vehicle steering system, the vehicle lighting system and the HVAC system. After running the simulation, the total system consumption for a given trip segment is obtained by running each vehicle subsystem simulation. The findings were validated with real data and compared with two relevant regression models. Our preliminary expectation is that, given the level of detail of our simulation, the developed model can be considered validated if the error of the estimate remains below 4% and if the simulation model in question yields superior results in comparison to other regression models.
Time Course of Brain Activity Changes Related to Number (Quantity) Processing Triggered by Digits Versus Number Words: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) Study
Authors: Walla Peter , Klimovic Philipp
Published: January 2025

The neuroscience of language processing in the human brain has a long history. Strings of letters that form meaningful words trigger lexical and semantic processing, which in turn lead to conscious awareness of what the words mean. However, it is still unclear how the brain processes normal words differently from number words and, more interestingly, how the brain processes number words differently from digits, both of which are meant to trigger quantity processing. While much of the literature deals with this topic, the time course of the respective differences in brain activity has been largely ignored. This may be because most studies have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is known to have limited temporal resolution. This study used electroencephalography (EEG), more specifically event-related potentials (ERPs), to investigate brain potential differences between visual presentations of words, non-words, number words and digits. This approach made it possible to describe the time course of brain activity evoked by these four stimulus categories. Starting at about 200 ms post-stimulus, digits elicited the strongest negative ERP in the right occipito-parietal cortical region. Peaking at around 300 ms after stimulus onset, number words elicited the most negative going ERP in the left occipito-parietal area. Finally, starting at about 400 ms after stimulus onset, digits elicited by far the most negative ERP in the left inferior fronto-temporal area. All of these findings are supported by analytical statistics across all study participants. It is noteworthy that the last effect in the left inferior fronto-temporal area can also be seen for number words, but it is much smaller and not statistically significant. In summary, we found clear differences between brain activity related to the processing of words, non-words, number words, and digits, providing evidence that the left inferior fronto-temporal cortical area is specialised for the processing of quantities. Furthermore, it can be concluded that digits are better symbols for mediating quantity processing in the human brain than number words.
Aggregatable Subvector Commitment with Efficient Updates
Authors: Xu Qing , Gao Chenyang , Wang Yunling
Published: January 2025

An aggregatable subvector commitment scheme extends a vector commitment scheme by enabling the aggregation of multiple proofs into a single compact subvector proof. However, the existing schemes have to recompute proofs for each position when inserting an element into the vector, incurring significant computational overhead. In this paper, we propose a novel aggregatable subvector commitment scheme based on Newton interpolation, which efficiently supports the addition of new elements. Specifically, the proposed scheme allows incremental updates to the commitment and proofs for each position, avoiding the requirement for full recomputation and thereby significantly reducing computational overhead. Additionally, we employ the Karatsuba algorithm to efficiently perform large-integer multiplication, which improves the aggregation and verification of proofs. Finally, we implement the proposed scheme and conduct a detailed comparison with aSVC. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves a 48× speedup when adding an element to a 16-length vector, as well as 2.13× and 1.73× speedups for aggregating eight proofs and performing verification, respectively.
Fractional-Order Sliding Mode with Active Disturbance Rejection Control for UAVs
Authors: Zhang Zhikun , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the attitude control problem of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially in the presence of uncertainties and external disturbances. To address this challenge, a fractional-order reaching law sliding mode with active disturbance rejection controller (FOSM-ADRC) is proposed. The controller combines a fractional-order calculus operator and active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) techniques to enhance the dynamic performance and robustness of the system. Through the inner and outer loop design, the jitter of the sliding mode controller (SMC) is effectively suppressed, and fast response and strong anti-jamming ability are achieved, which, in turn, improves the control accuracy. Firstly, the dynamic model of the UAV is established, and its nonlinear dynamic characteristics are analyzed in detail. On this basis, a fractional-order reaching law sliding mode controller (FO-SMC) is designed as the outer loop to achieve fast response. ADRC is employed in the inner loop to compensate for the internal and external disturbances of the system. The results show that the FOSM-ADRC can effectively suppress the jitter phenomenon and maintain good control performance.
Authenticity at Risk: Key Factors in the Generation and Detection of Audio Deepfakes
Authors: Martínez-Serrano Alba , Montero-Ramírez Claudia , Peláez-Moreno Carmen
Published: January 2025

Detecting audio deepfakes is crucial to ensure authenticity and security, especially in contexts where audio veracity can have critical implications, such as in the legal, security or human rights domains. Various elements, such as complex acoustic backgrounds, enhance the realism of deepfakes; however, their effect on the processes of creation and detection of deepfakes remains under-explored. This study systematically analyses how factors such as the acoustic environment, user type and signal-to-noise ratio influence the quality and detectability of deepfakes. For this study, we use the WELIVE dataset, which contains audio recordings of 14 female victims of gender-based violence in real and uncontrolled environments. The results indicate that the complexity of the acoustic scene affects both the generation and detection of deepfakes: classifiers, particularly the linear SVM, are more effective in complex acoustic environments, suggesting that simpler acoustic environments may facilitate the generation of more realistic deepfakes and, in turn, make it more difficult for classifiers to detect them. These findings underscore the need to develop adaptive models capable of handling diverse acoustic environments, thus improving detection reliability in dynamic and real-world contexts.
Comparison of Physicochemical Properties, Volatile Profiles, and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Acrylamide Content in Whole and Explosion-Puffed Wheat Grain
Authors: Konkubaeva Nurzat , Radenkovs Vitalijs , Tomsone Lolita , Keke Anete , Kulmyrzaev Asylbek , Galoburda Ruta
Published: January 2025

The study aimed to investigate the effects of pre-treatment (husking, sifting, and moisture adjustment) and explosion puffing on the chemical composition, volatile profile, phenolic content (free and bound), radical-scavenging activity, and formation of potentially hazardous compounds in wheat grain. Processing decreased protein, fat, ash, and dietary fiber content primarily due to removing the aleurone layer and thermal degradation leading to a diminished overall nutritional value. However, the starch content increased, along with significant changes in mono- and disaccharides, including higher maltose and glucose content attributed to starch gelatinization and hydrolysis. Thermal processing significantly altered the volatile profile, introducing new aroma-active compounds, such as pyrazines and furans, formed through Maillard and caramelization reactions. Additionally, the content of spectrophotometrically determined free phenolics and flavonoids increased, enhancing the grains’ radical-scavenging potential. Safety analyses confirmed that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and acrylamide levels remained within permissible limits, ensuring compliance with food safety standards. These findings highlight the nutritional and safety implications of explosion puffing, emphasizing its potential as a wheat-processing method.
From Motion to Prevention: Evaluating Ergonomic Risks of Asymmetrical Movements and Worker Well-Being in an Assembly Line Work
Authors: Winiarski Sławomir , Molek-Winiarska Dorota , Chomątowska Barbara
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: This study examines the association between asymmetrical movements of an assembly line and machining workers and their overall well-being. The primary aim is to quantify the extent to which asymmetrical movements serve as predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among these workers and their overall well-being. The study emphasises the predictive relationships between asymmetry metrics and health outcomes. (2) Methods: The study included 86 employees from an automotive manufacturing plant, categorised into machining workers (MWEs) and assembly workers (AWEs). The employment duration spanned from 6 months to 40 years. Inertial motion capture technology was employed alongside the Goldberg 28-item General Health Questionnaire for a retrospective observational analysis and assessment of worker well-being. Movement dynamics were evaluated using a Motion Activity Index (MAI) to measure movement intensity, asymmetry, and quality. (3) Results: The machining group demonstrated nearly double the range of motion (median ROM: 36.6° vs. 25.5°, p = 0.019) and peak angular velocities up to eight times higher (median: 40°/s vs. 5°/s) in lumbar and thoracic rotations compared to the assembly group. Significant differences in ROM and movement speeds were observed (p < 0.001). The MAI showed higher dynamic and symmetrical movements in the machining group (36.6% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.019). No significant mental health issues were identified, aside from complaints related to somatic symptoms. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights significant occupational risks due to movement asymmetry in industrial settings, revealing substantial differences in joint angular displacements, velocities, and accelerations between machining and assembly workers. The findings emphasise the importance of targeted ergonomic interventions to enhance worker well-being and advocate for preventive health measures in occupational environments.
Influence of Humidity on FFP Masks with Electret Filter Media Under Real-Life Wearing Conditions
Authors: Stoll Daniel , Antonyuk Sergiy
Published: January 2025

Most FFP (Filtering Face Piece) masks are made from nonwoven filter media that are electrostatically charged, resulting in the additional electrostatic capture mechanism of particles. The protective effect of these masks is therefore mainly dependent on the electric field surrounding the charged fibers. Upon prolonged wear, the mask becomes saturated with exhaled air, resulting in humidification on the wearer’s side. However, speaking, coughing, or sneezing also generate droplets, which can deposit on the mask from the person wearing it, as well as from other people. In order to investigate this influence on the filtration efficiency and the existing electric field, an experimental study was carried out. To imitate human breathing, a test setup was constructed using a Sheffield Head with different types of masks. This was followed by the cyclical humidification and drying of the masks through simulated breathing. By observing these phases in detail using sample sections, it was possible to continuously record the water content in the samples, the relative humidity, and the pressure drop (breathing resistance). The results demonstrate that moisture has an impact on the filtration efficiency of the electret FFP masks when worn under real-life conditions and that the initial condition can be restored with sufficient drying time.
Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis Using High-Resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry for the Comparison of Volatile and Non-Volatile Compounds in Hot and Cold Brew Coffee
Authors: Lee Seongeung , Han Eunmee , Kang Jisun , Kwon Seohee , Sung Minkyung , Kim Minkyoung , Cho Hyeokjun , Lee Gyeonghweon
Published: January 2025

Coffee contains several bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its flavor and are influenced by the brewing method. The differences in coffee compounds based on brewing conditions have been studied in previous research, but no studies have yet utilized orbitrap mass spectrometry for this purpose. This study compared non-volatile and aromatic compounds in hot and cold brew coffee using high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry, followed by multivariate statistical analysis including principal component analysis and volcano plotting. A total of 163 non-volatile compounds and 93 volatile compounds were identified and annotated, with 18 non-volatile and 13 aroma-active compounds indicating differences between the brewing methods. Notably, certain quinic acids, such as 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and coumarin derivatives were more abundant in hot brew coffee, indicating that non-volatile compounds are significantly affected by extraction temperature. However, the major non-volatile compounds, including chlorogenic acid and trigonelline, are not affected by brewing conditions. For volatile compounds, phenolic compounds and indole were sensitive to temperature, while pyrazine and furan compounds were more influenced by extraction time. Additionally, in our results, several previously unreported bioactive compounds were detected in coffee, suggesting a need for further research to understand their potential functions and benefits.