bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Joint Model for Extracting Latent Aspects and Their Ratings From Online Employee Reviews
Authors: Ren Zhuo-Ming , Zheng Yue , Du Wen-Li , Pan Xiao
Published: April 2022

The personal description of a company associated with job satisfaction, company culture, and opinions of senior leadership is available on workplace community websites. However, it is almost impossible to read all of the different and possibly even contradictory reviews and make an accurate overall rating. Therefore, extracting aspects or sentiments from online reviews and the corresponding ratings is an important challenge. We collect online anonymous employees’ reviews from Glassdoor.com which allows people to evaluate and review the companies they have worked for or are working for. Here, we propose a joint rules-based model which combines the numerical evaluation reflected in the form of 1–5 stars, and the reviewed context to extract aspects. The model first inputs the five aspects with the initial word sets that are manually screened, and expands the aspect keyword sets through bootstrapping semi-supervised learning, and then uses latent rating regression to obtain the aspect score and aspect weight to update the corresponding score. Our experimental evaluation has shown better results as compared with an unsupervised learning of the latent Dirichlet allocation. The results could not only help companies understand their strengths and weaknesses, but also help job seekers apply for companies.
Study on Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Shear Band in Jinpingzi Landslide Region II
Authors: Wu Yongjin , Huang Shuling , Liu Ke , Zhang Qing , Pan Hongyue
Published: April 2022

The shear band is an important portion of a landslide. Investigating the shear band’s physical characteristics is one of the most significant challenges for landslide stability analysis and control. A systematic study of shear band in Jinpingzi landslide region II was conducted in this paper. The microscopic composition, deformation, strength, and creep characteristics are investigated by various experiments. In addition, CT visualization technology is utilized to monitor and scan the failure process of the shear band in real-time, as well as carry out studies on failure mechanisms. Furthermore, a constitutive model of the shear band is established as an alternative to the conventional Duncan and Chang model, which does not have this model’s limitations. The associated research will broaden understanding of such a medium’s properties, but it will also be highly useful for stability analysis, deformation prediction, and prevention of such soil-rock mixture landslides.
Reliability and Validity of a New Taekwondo-Specific Change-of-Direction Speed Test With Striking Techniques in Elite Taekwondo Athletes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Aloui Ali , Tayech Amel , Mejri Mohamed Arbi , Makhlouf Issam , Clark Cain C. T. , Granacher Urs , Zouhal Hassane , Ben Abderrahman Abderraouf
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminative validity of a new taekwondo-specific change-of-direction (COD) speed test with striking techniques (TST) in elite taekwondo athletes. Twenty (10 males and 10 females) elite (athletes who compete at national level) and top-elite (athletes who compete at national and international level) taekwondo athletes with an average training background of 8.9 ± 1.3 years of systematic taekwondo training participated in this study. During the two-week test-retest period, various generic performance tests measuring COD speed, balance, speed, and jump performance were carried out during the first week and as a retest during the second week. Three TST trials were conducted with each athlete and the best trial was used for further analyses. The relevant performance measure derived from the TST was the time with striking penalty (TST-TSP). TST-TSP performances amounted to 10.57 ± 1.08 s for males and 11.74 ± 1.34 s for females. The reliability analysis of the TST performance was conducted after logarithmic transformation, in order to address the problem of heteroscedasticity. In both groups, the TST demonstrated a high relative test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients and 90% compatibility limits were 0.80 and 0.47 to 0.93, respectively). For absolute reliability, the TST’s typical error of measurement (TEM), 90% compatibility limits, and magnitudes were 4.6%, 3.4 to 7.7, for males, and 5.4%, 3.9 to 9.0, for females. The homogeneous sample of taekwondo athletes meant that the TST’s TEM exceeded the usual smallest important change (SIC) with 0.2 effect size in the two groups. The new test showed mostly very large correlations with linear sprint speed (r= 0.71 to 0.85) and dynamic balance (r= −0.71 and −0.74), large correlations with COD speed (r= 0.57 to 0.60) and vertical jump performance (r= −0.50 to −0.65), and moderate correlations with horizontal jump performance (r= −0.34 to −0.45) and static balance (r= −0.39 to −0.44). Top-elite athletes showed better TST performances than elite counterparts. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the TST effectively discriminated between top-elite and elite taekwondo athletes. In conclusion, the TST is a valid, and sensitive test to evaluate the COD speed with taekwondo specific skills, and reliable when considering ICC and TEM. Although the usefulness of the TST is questioned to detect small performance changes in the present population, the TST can detect moderate changes in taekwondo-specific COD speed.
From Coherence to Multivariate Causal Estimators of EEG Connectivity
Authors: Kaminski Maciej , Blinowska Katarzyna J.
Published: April 2022

The paper concerns the development of methods of EEG functional connectivity estimation including short overview of the currently applied measures describing their advantages and flaws. Linear and non-linear, bivariate and multivariate methods are confronted. The performance of different connectivity measures in respect of robustness to noise, common drive effect and volume conduction is considered providing a guidance towards future developments in the field, which involve evaluation not only functional, but also effective (causal) connectivity. The time-varying connectivity measure making possible estimation of dynamical information processing in brain is presented. The methods of post-processing of connectivity results are considered involving application of advanced graph analysis taking into account community structure of networks and providing hierarchy of networks rather than the single, binary networks currently used.
Characterization of WRKY Gene Family in Whole-Genome and Exploration of Flowering Improvement Genes in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium
Authors: Ayoub Khan Muhammad , Dongru Kang , Yifei Wu , Ying Wang , Penghui Ai , Zicheng Wang
Published: April 2022

Chrysanthemum is a well-known ornamental plant with numerous uses. WRKY is a large family of transcription factors known for a variety of functions ranging from stress resistance to plant growth and development. Due to the limited research on the WRKY family in chrysanthemums, we examined them for the first time in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium. A total of 138 ClWRKY genes were identified, which were classified into three groups. Group III in C. lavandulifolium contains 53 members, which is larger than group III of Arabidopsis. The number of introns varied from one to nine in the ClWRKY gene family. The “WRKYGQK” motif is conserved in 118 members, while other members showed slight variations. AuR and GRE responsive cis-acting elements were located in the promoter region of WRKY members, which are important for plant development and flowering induction. In addition, the W box was present in most genes; the recognition site for the WRKY gene may play a role in autoregulation and cross-regulation. The expression of the most variable 19 genes in terms of different parameters was observed at different stages. Among them, 10 genes were selected due to the presence of CpG islands, while nine genes were selected based on their close association with important Arabidopsis genes related to floral traits. ClWRKY36 and ClWRKY45 exhibit differential expression at flowering stages in the capitulum, while methylation is detected in three genes, including ClWRKY31, ClWRKY100, and ClWRKY129. Our results provide a basis for further exploration of WRKY members to find their functions in plant growth and development, especially in flowering traits.
Cotton Yield Estimation From Aerial Imagery Using Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Rodriguez-Sanchez Javier , Li Changying , Paterson Andrew H.
Published: April 2022

Estimation of cotton yield before harvest offers many benefits to breeding programs, researchers and producers. Remote sensing enables efficient and consistent estimation of cotton yields, as opposed to traditional field measurements and surveys. The overall goal of this study was to develop a data processing pipeline to perform fast and accurate pre-harvest yield predictions of cotton breeding fields from aerial imagery using machine learning techniques. By using only a single plot image extracted from an orthomosaic map, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier with four selected features was trained to identify the cotton pixels present in each plot image. The SVM classifier achieved an accuracy of 89%, a precision of 86%, a recall of 75%, and an F1-score of 80% at recognizing cotton pixels. After performing morphological image processing operations and applying a connected components algorithm, the classified cotton pixels were clustered to predict the number of cotton bolls at the plot level. Our model fitted the ground truth counts with an R2 value of 0.93, a normalized root mean squared error of 0.07, and a mean absolute percentage error of 13.7%. This study demonstrates that aerial imagery with machine learning techniques can be a reliable, efficient, and effective tool for pre-harvest cotton yield prediction.
Intersubjectivity and the Emergence of Words
Authors: Terrace Herbert S. , Bigelow Ann E. , Beebe Beatrice
Published: April 2022

Intersubjectivity refers to two non-verbal intersubjective relations infants experience during their first year that are precursors to the emergence of words. Trevarthen, a pioneer in the study of intersubjectivity, referred to those relations as primary and secondary intersubjectivity. The former, a dyadic coordination between the infant and her caregiver, begins at birth. The latter, a triadic coordination that develops around 9 months, allows the infant and a caregiver to share attention to particular features of the environment. Secondary intersubjectivity is crucial for an infant’s ability to begin to produce words, at around 12 months. Much research on the social and cognitive origins of language has focused on secondary intersubjectivity. That is unfortunate because it neglects the fact that secondary intersubjectivity and the emergence of words are built on a foundation of primary intersubjectivity. It also ignores the evolutionary origins of intersubjectivity and its uniquely human status. That unique status explains why only humans learn words. This article seeks to address these issues by relating the literature on primary intersubjectivity, particularly research on bi-directional and contingent communication between infants and mothers, to joint attention and ultimately to words. In that context, we also discuss Hrdy’s hypothesis about the influence of alloparents on the evolution of intersubjectivity.
What About Affected Family Members of Disordered Gamblers During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Study in Italy During the Lockdown Restrictions
Authors: Donati Maria Anna , Capitanucci Daniela , Beccari Carola , Smaniotto Roberta , Quadrelli Eleonora , Casini Alfredo , Primi Caterina
Published: April 2022

Although some studies have been conducted on gambling behaviour in the general population or in clinical samples during the COVID-19 pandemic, less attention has been focused on Affected Family Members (AFMs) of disordered gamblers. To fill this gap, this study investigated the psychological state of disordered gamblers' AFMs during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, the European country first affected by the virus and with the largest gambling market. We were interested in understanding if the unavailability of most land-based gambling offerings during the lockdown created a sense of relief in AFMs. We also compared the quality of family relationships and emotional state during the lockdown of AFMs with those of their relative with Gambling Disorder (GD). Participants were 53 disordered gamblers' AFMs (77% female; mean age = 50.28). For 42 out of the 53 AFMs, we also recruited their relative with GD (86% male; mean age = 48.98). A semi-structured telephone interview was developed. Although AFMs reported a general interruption of the relative's gambling behaviour and a general sense of relief for the closure of gambling activities, accompanied by the perception of good family relationships, AFMs still felt tired, worried, and apprehensive and perceived more fear, stress, and anxiety than before the lockdown. A large proportion of AFMs engaged in potentially addictive behaviours, especially TV and mobile phone and Internet use, which increased in frequency compared to before the pandemic. They still perceived some gambling-related problematic behaviours from their relative and put in place coping strategies to manage the gambling problem. Even if they had a general positive orientation towards the future, they experienced fear when thinking about the reopening of gambling opportunities at the end of the lockdown. Compared to their relatives with GD, AFMs appeared more prone to perceiving a general negative state and a worsening of it from before the lockdown. Overall, this study shows that disordered gambling's AFMs can be considered as a particularly at-risk group who deserves focused clinical attention even during gambling closures related to pandemic lockdown.
Political Disengagement Among Youth: A Comparison Between 2011 and 2020
Authors: Zhang Weiyu
Published: April 2022

This study answers one general question using a country case: what shapes the young generations’ political disengagement in Singapore? Taking the generational differences and institutional influence perspectives, this study highlights the time dimension to show the ebb and flow of political and (new) media landscape changes in a non-Western context, Singapore. By comparing focus group discussions conducted among 19–30 years old in 2011 vs. 2020, this paper finds that despite similarly claiming disinterest in politics, the 2011 youth were more attentive to political news than the 2020 youth. The changes in political institutions gave rise to this increased situational engagement. However, the gap between paying attention and taking action was still large in 2020, or even larger than in 2011, due to the increased complexity and competitiveness of politics that the 2011 youth observed via social media. The persistence of political disinterest suggests its dispositional connections to psychological barriers that are socially constructed over generations.
The Combined Influences of Exercise, Diet and Sleep on Neuroplasticity
Authors: Pickersgill Jacob W. , Turco Claudia V. , Ramdeo Karishma , Rehsi Ravjot S. , Foglia Stevie D. , Nelson Aimee J.
Published: April 2022

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to undergo structural and functional adaptations in response to experience, and this process is associated with learning, memory and improvements in cognitive function. The brain’s propensity for neuroplasticity is influenced by lifestyle factors including exercise, diet and sleep. This review gathers evidence from molecular, systems and behavioral neuroscience to explain how these three key lifestyle factors influence neuroplasticity alone and in combination with one another. This review collected results from human studies as well as animal models. This information will have implications for research, educational, fitness and neurorehabilitation settings.
Applying a Positive (Organizational) Psychology Lens to the Study of Employee Green Behavior: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Meyers Maria Christina , Rutjens Demi
Published: April 2022

Employees can play a decisive role in combatting climate change by engaging in green behavior at work. Research on employee green behavior has recently gained traction, with research results pointing to the considerable influence of positive variables (e.g., personal values, positive affect) on employee green behavior. While such positive variables lie at the heart of the scholarly discipline positive organizational psychology, there is scant research at the intersection of positive organizational psychology and employee green behavior. The current manuscript aims to give impetus to such research. To this end, the manuscript presents a systematic review of the literature on positive predictors of employee green behavior and identified 94 articles that investigate such predictors. We explicitly map these investigated predictors onto a positive (organizational) psychology frame of reference. Subsequently, we use the findings of the review to identify gaps and outline concrete suggestions for future research at the intersection of positive organizational psychology and employee green behavior, addressing both theoretical and methodological suggestions.
Intensity and Prevalence of Psychological Distress in Cancer Inpatients: Cross-Sectional Study Using New Case-Finding Criteria for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Authors: Muzzatti Barbara , Agostinelli Giulia , Bomben Francesca , Busato Sara , Flaiban Cristiana , Gipponi Katiuscia Maria , Mariutti Giulia , Mella Sara , Piccinin Marika , Annunziata Maria Antonietta
Published: April 2022

Psychological distress includes all negative subjective experiences elicited by a disease and its treatments. Since psychological distress in oncology is associated with negative outcomes, its detection and description are helpful for designing tailored supportive interventions. This study used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the intensity and prevalence of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) in cancer inpatients and examined the relationships between these variables and sociodemographic and clinical factors. An existing dataset of HADS results, from 2021 consecutive adult cancer inpatients at a single hospital, was analyzed. Only those questionnaires with complete responses were used. The intensity of anxiety and depression was determined from HADS sub-scores. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was calculated using, as case-finding criteria, cut-offs of ≥ 10 and ≥ 8, respectively. The mean HADS scores describing intensity were 7.3 for anxiety (n = 1,990) and 5.8 (n = 1,970) for depression. The prevalence rates for anxiety and depression were 26.6 and 28.6%, respectively. Among the 1,916 patients who completed both subscales, 17.2% had both anxiety and depression, 21.0% had either anxiety or depression, and 61.7% had neither. Gender, age, occupational status, and cancer diagnosis were associated with anxiety intensity or prevalence, while age, occupational status, and cancer diagnosis were associated with depression intensity or prevalence. Anxiety intensity was affected by the interaction effect between gender and diagnosis. Our study showed anxiety and depression being distinct entities, with more intense anxiety overall. From a research perspective, it reaffirms the usefulness for assessing both intensity and prevalence concurrently to gain a more detailed description of anxiety and depression.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Chinese Graduate Students’ Learning Activities: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Wang Jinqing , Liang Zhengyan , Zhang Minqiang , Kang Derong , Zeng Qing
Published: April 2022

To investigate the impact of the pandemic on graduate students’ learning activities, a series of questionnaires were distributed to graduate students in universities across China, and 2,818 responses were collected. A latent class analysis was performed to classify the effects of the pandemic on graduate students’ learning activities. Then, a multinomial logistic regression analysis and an analysis of variance analysis were carried out to explore the impact of demographic variables on the classification and their mental health status. The analysis identified four latent classes: “the overall less affected” (34.83%), “the overall more affected” (31.97%), “course activities were more affected” (19.40%), and “social activities were more affected” (13.79%). The multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that during the pandemic, the learning activities of graduate students in all grades were affected to varying degrees, and the impacts on second-year and third-year graduate students were greater than those of first-year graduate students. The analysis of variance revealed that the scores for anxiety, depression, and social anxiety of “the overall more affected” were significantly greater than those of the other three groups, and nearly one-third of students belonged to this class, suggesting that more attention and care should be given to these students. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of graduate students have suffered mental problems (anxiety and depression). Under the current backdrop of a new normal, schools and teachers should pay attention to graduate students’ mental health, providing targeted assistance to different types of students.
Workplace Protections and Burnout Among Brazilian Frontline Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pereira-Lima Karina , Loureiro Sonia Regina , Silveira Isabella Lara Machado , Crippa José Alexandre , Hallak Jaime Eduardo Cecílio , Zuardi Antonio Waldo , Osório Flávia de Lima
Published: April 2022

Health care workers from low- and middle-income countries have been playing a critical role in overcoming the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic; yet little is known about the relationship between workplace protections and wellbeing of Brazilian health care workers during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate whether Brazilian health care workers were satisfied with their workplace measures to protect their physical and mental health during the pandemic, and to assess the associations of such levels of satisfaction with indicators of burnout. Licensed Brazilian health care professionals were recruited via popular media between 5/19/2020 and 8/23/2020 to complete an online survey including questions about their demographic/professional characteristics, satisfaction with their workplace protective measures during the pandemic, and validated questionnaires assessing neuroticism, resilient coping, and symptoms of burnout. Most participants reported being dissatisfied with their workplace measures to protect their physical (516, 56.3%) and mental health (756, 82.5%). In multivariable analysis adjusted for personal and environmental factors, dissatisfaction with workplace physical health protections was significantly associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion (B = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.47–1.69) and depersonalization (B = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.10–1.12), and dissatisfaction with workplace mental health protections significantly associated with higher levels emotional exhaustion (B = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.40–1.95). Efforts to improve both physical and mental health protective measures are critical to guarantee that health care workers continue to provide care at their maximum capacity.
Influence of Work-Family Conflict on Turnover Intention of Primary and Secondary School Teachers: Serial Mediating Role of Psychological Contract and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Chen Xinrui , Gao Dongdong
Published: April 2022

Objective

Based on conservation of resource theory and social exchange theory, to explore how work-family conflict can directly and indirectly influence turnover intention, with psychological contract and job satisfaction as a mediator.

Methods

A total of 505 valid data were collected on primary and secondary school teachers by using work-family conflict questionnaire, turnover intention questionnaire, psychological contract questionnaire and job satisfaction questionnaire from 3 provinces in China. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the discriminant validity and common method bias between the four variables through AOMS, the PROCESS macro for SPSS (Model 4 and Model 6) were applied to examine the mediating effect of psychological contract and job satisfaction.

Results

Work-family conflict showed a direct and positive influence on turnover intention; psychological contract was shown to play a mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention; job satisfaction was shown to play a mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention; and psychological contract and job satisfaction was shown to play a serial mediating role between work-family conflict and turnover intention.

Conclusion

Work-family conflict of primary and secondary school teachers will directly lead to turnover intention. Psychological contract and job satisfaction can reduce the positive influence of work-family conflict on turnover intention. School administrators should help teachers reduce work-family conflict and take effective measures to improve psychological contract and job satisfaction, so as to reduce turnover intention.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Social Participation of High Risk-Adults in Germany During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schröder Dominik , Heesen Gloria , Heinemann Stephanie , Hummers Eva , Jablonka Alexandra , Steffens Sandra , Mikuteit Marie , Niewolik Jacqueline , Overbeck Tobias R. , Kallusky Jonathan , Müller Frank
Published: April 2022

Background:

Restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic affect the social participation of people worldwide. Especially those at high risk for a severe disease tend to abstain from social gatherings. While there are a few questionnaires to measure social participation in elderly or chronic patients, a valid survey instrument that includes pandemic-related social participation is needed.

Methods

We developed a social participation questionnaire that aims to assess pandemic-related restrictions in social participation. Items were developed using a theory and literature-based approach and then compiled in a discursive process involving experts and lay people. This was followed by the validation of the questionnaire through a cross-sectional survey on 431 individuals. Items with low item-total correlations and low factor loadings using exploratory factor analysis [EFA] were excluded. Using EFA on the remaining items, the factor structure was retrieved and tested with a confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]. Internal consistency was assessed with Chronbachs α.

Results

Initially, 27 items were developed which were used for validation. 13 items were excluded due to low item-total correlations and factors loadings. EFA of the remaining 14 items revealed three factors which were identified as domains “active social participation,” “wellbeing,” and “restrictions”. CFA showed an acceptable model fit using the three-dimensional structure. Chronbachs α of 0.81 and McDonalds Ω of 0.87 indicate good internal consistency. Correlation analysis showed an association between the developed questionnaire and previously-established participation and mental health scales.

Conclusion

This study suggests that our 14 item questionnaire is of high reliability and validity and can be used to measure social participation during a pandemic.
Intention Recognition With ProbLog
Authors: Smith Gary B. , Belle Vaishak , Petrick Ronald P. A.
Published: April 2022

In many scenarios where robots or autonomous systems may be deployed, the capacity to infer and reason about the intentions of other agents can improve the performance or utility of the system. For example, a smart home or assisted living facility is better able to select assistive services to deploy if it understands the goals of the occupants in advance. In this article, we present a framework for reasoning about intentions using probabilistic logic programming. We employ ProbLog, a probabilistic extension to Prolog, to infer the most probable intention given observations of the actions of the agent and sensor readings of important aspects of the environment. We evaluated our model on a domain modeling a smart home. The model achieved 0.75 accuracy at full observability. The model was robust to reduced observability.
Mitigating Issues With/of/for True Personalization
Authors: Oinas-Kukkonen Harri , Pohjolainen Sami , Agyei Eunice
Published: April 2022

A common but false perception persists about the level and type of personalization in the offerings of contemporary software, information systems, and services, known as Personalization Myopia: this involves a tendency for researchers to think that there are many more personalized services than there genuinely are, for the general audience to think that they are offered personalized services when they really are not, and for practitioners to have a mistaken idea of what makes a service personalized. And yet in an era, which mashes up large amounts of data, business analytics, deep learning, and persuasive systems, true personalization is a most promising approach for innovating and developing new types of systems and services—including support for behavior change. The potential of true personalization is elaborated in this article, especially with regards to persuasive software features and the oft-neglected fact that users change over time.
Combining Climate Smart Agriculture Practises Pays Off: Evidence on Food Security From Southern Highland Zone of Tanzania
Authors: Bongole Abiud J. , Hella Joseph P. , Bengesi Kenneth M. K.
Published: April 2022

Concerns of food insecurity and climate change are serious global challenges, Tanzania included. In response, farm households are using various climate-smart agricultural practises (CSA-practises) which are believed to play a vital role to increase agricultural productivity, increasing resilience to climate change, and reducing mitigation costs for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving households' food security. Despite these benefits of CSA-practises but the usage of these practises is still voluntary and its impact on household welfare specifically food security is not well-documented in Tanzania, particularly in Mbeya and Songwe Region. Therefore, the determinants of using CSA-practises (in particular organic manure, drought-tolerant maize seeds, and irrigation) and the impact of the usage of household food security was examined. The cross-sectional study design was used to collect information from farming households in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania (Mbeya and Songwe regions). To evaluate the impact of the combination of CSA-practises on household food security the study used a multinomial endogenous treatment effect model. A counterfactual analysis was conducted to compare the impacts from different combinations of CSA-practises considered. The findings show that household, plot, and institutional characteristics have significant effects on the usage of a different combination of CSA-practises. The study also found that the highest payoff of food security is achieved when CSA-practises are used in combination rather than in isolation. The package that contains a combination of drought-tolerant maize seeds and Irrigation (Or0Dt1Ir1) gave a higher payoff than the combination of all three CSA-practises. The study suggests that based on the practises considered in this study, the usage of a combination of various practises results in better food security compared to the usage of these practises individually. This indicates that promoting a combination of CSA-practises could enhance household food security.
Multi-Objective Optimization Design and Dynamic Performance Analysis of an Enhanced Radial Magnetorheological Valve with Both Annular and Radial Flow Paths
Authors: Ren Jiwen , Zhou Feng , Wang Naibin , Hu Guoliang
Published: April 2022

This article proposes an analytical methodology for the optimal design of a magnetorheological (MR) valve constrained in a specific volume. The analytical optimization method is to identify geometric dimensions of the MR valve, and to determine whether the performance of the valve has undergone major improvement. Initially, an enhanced radial MR valve structure with effective annular and radial composite flow paths was designed. After describing the schematic configuration and operating principle of the proposed MR valve, a mathematical model of the pressure drop was derived on the basis of the Bingham model of a MR fluid. Sequentially, the multi-objective optimization problem had been formulated for the constructed approximate model exploiting the NSGA-II algorithm to find the global optimum geometrical dimensions of the enhanced radial MR valve. Meanwhile, influences of the geometrical design variables of the MR valve were analytically investigated by mapping finite element analysis numerical responses with response surface techniques. Lastly, the experimental test rig was setup to explore the pressure drop and dynamic response time of the initial and optimal MR valve, as well as the dynamic performance of the enhanced radial MR valve controlled cylinder system under different excitation conditions. The experimental results revealed that under the applied current of 1.6 A, the pressure drop and power consumption of the optimal MR valve improved significantly with values of 4.46 MPa and 16.84 W, respectively, when compared to 4.03 MPa and 27.65 W of their respective initial values. Additionally, the average response time efficiency improved by 14.29%, with its optimal value being 81 ms and initial value as 94.5 ms. Moreover, the damping force of the optimal MR valve-controlled cylinder system was 4.34 kN, which was 12.44% larger than the initial one of 3.86 kN at the applied current of 1.6 A.
Effects of Chlorothalonil Application on the Physio-Biochemical Properties and Microbial Community of a Yellow–Brown Loam Soil
Authors: Jiang Jinlin , Yang Yuwen , Wang Lei , Cao Shaohua , Long Tao , Liu Renbin
Published: April 2022

To gain better knowledge of the effects of residual chlorothalonil on soil characteristics and soil microbial communities, we evaluated the dissipation of chlorothalonil and the effects of different chlorothalonil concentrations on soil respiration, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure in yellow–brown loam soils. Bacterial and fungal soil communities were examined using traditional plate counting and polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) methods. Soil properties and the results of DGGE band analysis were both used to estimate the status of the soil microbial ecosystem. The results show that residual chlorothalonil has considerable effects on soil respiration, enzymatic activities, and microbial community structure. In particular, soil respiration and phosphatase activities were increased, while saccharase activity, microbial biomass, and microbial community diversity were decreased by increasing levels of chlorothalonil treatment. Correlation analyses revealed that the application of chlorothalonil was significantly correlated with the change of the soil respiration, urease activity, sucrase activity, soil culturable bacteria, and culturable fungi biomass. We conclude that residual chlorothalonil is directly related to soil respiration, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure.
How Communication Affects the Adoption of Digital Technologies in Soybean Production: A Survey in Brazil
Authors: Colussi Joana , Morgan Eric L. , Schnitkey Gary D. , Padula Antônio D.
Published: April 2022

Technology adoption has contributed to developing efficient food production throughout the history of modern agriculture. In the last decades, several technologies have positively affected yields globally, and, more recently, digital solutions are leading the way. This article presents the results of a survey carried out with 461 Brazilian soybean farmers about the use of technologies and the level of influence of mass media, social media, and interpersonal meetings on the decision to adopt new technologies. We surveyed farmers in Brazil’s top five soybean-producing states, which represent 75% of production in the world’s largest soybean producer. Spearman’s rank correlations showed an association between communication and the use of precision and digital technologies. LinkedIn had the highest positive correlation between precision and digital tools. Conferences, forums, and seminars had the highest positive correlation with the perceived benefits of using technologies on-farm. The results suggest that in-person activities still have relevance, but social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, have grown increasingly important to farmers. In addition, the correlations indicate that adopters of established technologies tend to prioritize in-person connections as a reference for their decision making. The results reinforce that superior knowledge and information are decisive in the process of adopting technologies in agriculture.
Distribution and Potential Uses of Halophytes within the Gulf Cooperation Council States
Authors: Al-Azzawi Mohammed J. , Flowers Timothy J.
Published: April 2022

The continued growth in the human population of the world will generate an increased demand for food that will be hard to meet with existing agricultural systems, as an equivalent increase in agricultural land is not available. Predicted changes in the climate will likely exacerbate the situation by increasing sea levels and the salinisation of coastal areas. Although most of our crop plants are sensitive to salinity, salt-tolerant plants, halophytes, have evolved and offer a potential as crops that can yield in saline areas or areas irrigated with saline water. We searched the literature for halophytes, identified using the database eHALOPH, native to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council that could be developed as crops, with the aim of attracting the attention of plant breeders, agriculturists, farmers, and others in the region to the possible uses of halophytes. Halophytic species can be grown and irrigated with brackish water where good drainage is available and used for forage or fodder, to stabilise land, and to produce biomass for fuel. In the longer-term, the cultivation of horticultural crops and those grown for nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals is feasible.
Mass Sperm Motility Is Correlated to Sperm Motility as Measured by Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) Technology in Farmed Ostriches
Authors: Muvhali Pfunzo T. , Bonato Maud , Malecki Irek A. , Cloete Schalk W. P.
Published: April 2022

Semen analyses have gained momentum in various livestock industries. However, in farmed ostriches, semen analysis is still in its experimental stage, and males are not screened for sperm quality before breeding. This study investigated the correlations between computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) technology and the traditional, yet affordable, mass sperm motility score. Semen was collected from nine South African Black ostrich males (mean age ± SD: 5.25 ± 1.21 years), using the dummy female method for 5 consecutive days monthly, for 8 months. Mass sperm motility scores were recorded on a scale of 1–5 (1: little to no sperm movement; 5: rapid sperm movement). The CASA traits recorded were: total motility (MOT), progressive motility (PMOT), curve–linear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), and beat-cross frequency (BCF). The results revealed positive correlations between mass sperm motility and PMOT, MOT, VCL, and VAP ranging from 0.34 to 0.59 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, negative correlations were recorded between mass sperm motility and LIN, STR, and BCF, with correlations ranging from −0.20 to −0.39 (p < 0.0001). VSL, ALH, and WOB were not correlated to mass sperm motility (p > 0.05). Ostrich farmers may thus be able to evaluate sperm motility reliably and potentially select breeding males by using the affordable mass sperm motility scoring method. Determining the correlation between these methods and fertility after artificial insemination or natural mating is however needed.
The Effects of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Anemone chinensis Bunge, and Smilax glabra Roxb on Broiler Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Gastrointestinal Tract Microorganisms
Authors: McMurray Rebekah L. , Ball M. Elizabeth E. , Linton Mark , Pinkerton Laurette , Kelly Carmel , Lester Jonathan , Donaldson Caroline , Balta Igori , Tunney Michael M. , Corcionivoschi Nicolae , Situ Chen
Published: April 2022

Poultry farming is growing globally, particularly in developing countries, to meet the demands of growing populations for poultry meat and eggs. This is likely to lead to an increase in the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, thus contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance which, poses a serious threat to human and animal health worldwide. One way of reducing this threat is to reduce the use of antibiotics in poultry production by finding effective and sustainable antibiotic alternatives that can be used to support poultry health and productivity. Therefore, this study evaluates the incorporation of three medicinal plants, Anemone chinensis Bunge, Smilax glabra Roxb, and Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, in poultry feed on production performance, nutrient digestibility, and bacteria in the chicken caecum in a 35-day performance trial with 420-day-old male Ross 308 broilers. Groups of randomly selected chicks received one of six dietary treatments. These included five experimental diets of reduced nutrient specifications as a negative control (NC); with amoxicillin as a positive antibiotic control (PC1); with A. pilosa Ledeb (NC1); with A. chinensis Bunge (NC2); and with S. glabra Roxb (NC3). One other positive control diet contained the recommended nutrient specification (PC2). Weight gain and feed intake were measured weekly and used to calculate the feed conversion ratio as performance parameters. Bacteria were enumerated from chicken caecum using a traditional plating method and selective agar. S. glabra Roxb and A. chinensis Bunge showed comparable effects to amoxicillin with significantly increased weight gain in birds offered these diets, compared to those offered the negative control from days 0 to 35 (p < 0.001). S. glabra Roxb exhibited effects similar to the amoxicillin control group with an improved feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001). In addition, S. glabra Roxb decreased numbers of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. on days 21 (p < 0.05) and 35 (p < 0.01) and increased numbers of lactic acid bacteria comparable to the antibiotic group on days 14 (p < 0.001) and 35 (p < 0.01). The findings of this in vivo trial highlight the potential of S. glabra Roxb and A. chinensis Bunge as beneficial feed material to promote poultry health and productivity in the absence of antibiotics.
Using the Ratio of Urine Testosterone to Estrone-3-Glucuronide to Identify the Sex of Chinese Giant Salamanders (Andrias davidianus)
Authors: Zhang Jianlu , Huang Jiqin , Zhao Hu , Deng Jie , Kong Fei , Zhang Hongxing , Wang Qijun
Published: April 2022

Minimally invasive sampling was used to determine the sex of Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus). Urine samples (n = 25) were collected from 6 adults in the breeding season and from 19 individuals (7 adults and 12 juveniles) in the non-breeding season. The hormone testosterone (T) and estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) in urine were collected from Chinese giant salamanders (CGSs), and the hormone extracts were analyzed by enzyme immunoassays (EIA). The data demonstrated that the urine T concentration of the male CGSs was significantly higher than that of the females during the breeding season (p < 0.05) and even more pronounced during the non-breeding season (p < 0.01). The urine E1G concentration of the males was less pronounced than that of the females during the breeding season (p < 0.01) and significantly lower during the non-breeding season (p < 0.05). The urine T/E1G values of all the male salamanders were significantly higher than those of the females (p < 0.01) during both the breeding season and the non-breeding season. An interesting pattern was found in this study: the value of urine log10(T/E1G) of the male CGSs was higher than 1, whereas the value for the females was lower than 1, during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons, and in the adult and sub-adult age groups of CGSs. There were 25 salamanders in this study and the accuracy rate reached 100% by using a log10(T/E1G) value of 1. The results of the log10(T/E1G) value provide new insight into the future development of the sex identification of CGSs and also lay the foundation for accurate sex identification in the preparation for artificial release. This is the first study to show that the T/E1G ratio in urinary hormones is reliable for the sex identification of CGSs. Additionally, urinary hormone T/E1G measures are promising sex identification tools for amphibian or monomorphic species and for those whose secondary sex characteristics are visible only during the breeding season.
Effect of Feeding 0.8% Dried Powdered Chlorella vulgaris Biomass on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Intestinal Morphology during Grower Phase in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Roques Simon , Koopmans Sietse-Jan , Mens Annemarie , van Harn Jan , van Krimpen Marinus , Kar Soumya
Published: April 2022

An experiment was performed to study the effects of a low inclusion level of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) biomass in broiler diets on performance, immune response related to inflammatory status, and the intestinal histomorphology. The study was performed with 120 Ross 308 male broiler chickens from 0–35 days of age. The broilers were housed in 12 floor pens (1.5 m2) bedded with wood shavings. The broilers received a three phase diet program, either with 0.8% CV biomass (CV) or without CV (CON). Each diet program was replicated in six pens. The final body weight increased (p = 0.053), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR), corrected for body weight, was reduced (p = 0.02) in birds fed CV compared to birds fed CON. In addition, decreased haptoglobins (p = 0.02) and interleukin-13 (p < 0.01) responses were observed during the grower phase of birds fed CV compared to the birds fed CON. A strong correlation (r = 0.82, p < 0.01) was observed between haptoglobin response and FCR. Histomorphology parameters of the jejunum were not different between the groups. It was concluded that the inclusion of 0.8% CV biomass in broiler diets is effective in influencing immune responses related to inflammatory status and promoting broiler growth.