bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 hospitalizations and patients' age at admission: The neglected importance of data variability for containment policies
Authors: Azzolina Danila , Comoretto Rosanna , Lanera Corrado , Berchialla Paola , Baldi Ileana , Gregori Dario
Published: November 2022

Introduction

An excess in the daily fluctuation of COVID-19 in hospital admissions could cause uncertainty and delays in the implementation of care interventions. This study aims to characterize a possible source of extravariability in the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 by considering age at admission as a potential explanatory factor. Age at hospitalization provides a clear idea of the epidemiological impact of the disease, as the elderly population is more at risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Administrative data for the Veneto region, Northern Italy from February 1, 2020, to November 20, 2021, were considered.

Methods

An inferential approach based on quasi-likelihood estimates through the generalized estimation equation (GEE) Poisson link function was used to quantify the overdispersion. The daily variation in the number of hospitalizations in the Veneto region that lagged at 3, 7, 10, and 15 days was associated with the number of news items retrieved from Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT) regarding containment interventions to determine whether the magnitude of the past variation in daily hospitalizations could impact the number of preventive policies.

Results

This study demonstrated a significant increase in the pattern of hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Veneto beginning in December 2020. Age at admission affected the excess variability in the number of admissions. This effect increased as age increased. Specifically, the dispersion was significantly lower in people under 30 years of age. From an epidemiological point of view, controlling the overdispersion of hospitalizations and the variables characterizing this phenomenon is crucial. In this context, the policies should prevent the spread of the virus in particular in the elderly, as the uncontrolled diffusion in this age group would result in an extra variability in daily hospitalizations.

Discussion

This study demonstrated that the overdispersion, together with the increase in hospitalizations, results in a lagged inflation of the containment policies. However, all these interventions represent strategies designed to contain a mechanism that has already been triggered. Further efforts should be directed toward preventive policies aimed at protecting the most fragile subjects, such as the elderly. Therefore, it is essential to implement containment strategies before the occurrence of potentially out-of-control situations, resulting in congestion in hospitals and health services.
Optimizing national border reopening policies in the COVID-19 pandemic: A modeling study
Authors: Huang Jiaoling , Qian Ying , Shen Wuzhi , Chen Yong , Zhao Laijun , Cao Siqi , Rich Eliot , Pastor Ansah John , Wu Fan
Published: November 2022

Objective

After emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, countries worldwide have sought to reopen as quickly as possible. However, reopening involves the risk of epidemic rebound. In this study, we investigated the effective policy combination to ensure safe reopen.

Methods

On the basis of the classical SEIR epidemic model, we constructed a COVID-19 system dynamics model, incorporating vaccination, border screening, and fever clinic unit monitoring policies. The case of China was used to validate the model and then to test policy combinations for safe reopening.

Findings

Vaccination was found to be crucial for safe reopening. When the vaccination rate reached 60%, the daily number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases began to drop significantly and stabilized around 1,400 [1/1,000,000]. The border screening policy alone only delayed epidemic spread for 8 days but did not reduce the number of infections. Fever clinic unit monitoring alone could reduce the peak of new confirmed cases by 44% when the case identification rate rose from 20 to 80%. When combining polices, once the vaccination rate reached 70%, daily new confirmed cases stabilized at 90 [0.64/1,000,000] with an 80% case identification rate at fever clinic units and border screening. For new variants, newly confirmed cases did not stabilize until the vaccination rate reached 90%.

Conclusion

High vaccination rate is the base for reopening. Vaccination passport is less effective compared with a strong primary care monitoring system for early detection and isolation of the infected cases.
Khaled Hosseini's women as modern archetypes: A study of obedient, resistant and empowered Afghan women
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Ismail Sayed M.
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on Khaled Hosseini's use of the analogy of women as obedient, resistant, and empowered as modern archetypes who learn of the gendered oppression that works through their bodies. Khaled Hosseini, through his writings, lends voice and offers moral encouragement to women by crafting resistant, rebellious, empowered, and strong female characters. With theoretical support from Johnson'sPatriarchal Terrorismand Spivak'sCan the subaltern speak, this article traces how Hosseini interrogates the patriarchal hierarchies that encompass women's identity in Afghanistan. Women's sufferings correlate with the country's overall circumstances, particularly during and after the war, on the terror regime. Therefore, women's endurance and Afghanistan's endurance amid hostile and oppressive circumstances become equally imperative for Hosseini's works. This article finds that Hosseini correlates Afghan women's issues like tradition and modernity, women and Islam, mother and daughter relationship, resistance and rebellion, and their quest for change and empowerment with the war on terror, foreign invasions, and the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Adaptive Fault Tolerant Non-Singular Sliding Mode Control for Robotic Manipulators Based on Fixed-Time Control Law
Authors: Ahmed Saim , Azar Ahmad Taher , Tounsi Mohamed
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a fault tolerant scheme employing adaptive non-singular fixed-time terminal sliding mode control (AFxNTSM) for the application of robotic manipulators under uncertainties, external disturbances, and actuator faults. To begin, non-singular fixed-time terminal sliding mode control (FxNTSM) is put forth. This control method uses non-singular terminal sliding mode control to quickly reach fixed-time convergence, accomplish satisfactory performance in tracking, and produce non-singular and non-chatter control inputs. Then, without knowing the upper bounds beforehand, AFxNTSM is used as a reliable fault tolerant control (FTC) to estimate actuator faults and unknown dynamics. The fixed-time stability of the closed-loop system is established by the theory of Lyapunov analysis. The computer simulation results of the position tracking, control inputs, and adaptive parameters are presented to verify and illustrate the performance of the proposed strategy.
Reported Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescent Girls: Motivations and IPV Victimization
Authors: Kahn Emily R. , Finlayson Tracy L. , Rasmussen Lucinda , Raj Anita , Silverman Jay G. , Rusch Melanie , Reed Elizabeth
Published: November 2022

Background: Studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration by girls and women have found self-defense is a common motivation. Current items—namely the abbreviated items from the Conflicts Tactics Scale (CTS)—used to measure IPV perpetration may be counting these girls/women as perpetrators when they are victims of IPV. The purpose of this study was to assess adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration, including (a) motivations and (b) factors associated with reports of adolescent girls’ perpetration of IPV using standard abbreviated CTS measures. Methods: This study utilized cross-sectional survey data collected from 159 participants in an urban Southern California clinic in 2016–2018. Demographic variables—age, ethnicity, current school enrollment, living situation and born in the U.S.—were analyzed with chi-square or independent t-tests. Frequency analyses were used to quantify motivations for IPV perpetration. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models assessed key variables associated with female adolescents’ IPV perpetration: victimization, drug use, alcohol day, binge drinking, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. A final multivariate model further adjusted for IPV victimization. Results: The average age of participants was 17 years old, and the majority of participants were Hispanic. Primary motivations for adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration included self-defense. Adolescent girls who reported IPV perpetration had significantly greater odds of victimization [95% CI = 4.31–32.07], drug use [95% CI = 1.14–6.99], binge drinking [95% CI = 1.08–6.87], and suicide ideation [95% CI = 1.13–10.62]. These findings remained significant in models adjusted for significant demographics. In the final multivariate regression model adjusted for IPV victimization, none of these factors remained significantly related to adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration. Conclusions: Findings establish a connection between victimization, self-defense, and adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration. These findings add to existing literature suggesting that the CTS measures of perpetration may encompass both IPV victimization and perpetration when used with populations of girls and women.
In Transition towards Organic Farming: Effects of Rock Phosphate, Coral Lime, and Green Manure on Soil Fertility of an Acid Oxisol and the Growth of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) Seedlings
Authors: Huang Robert , Hue Nguyen
Published: November 2022

Maintaining soil fertility and obtaining good crop yields in highly weathered tropical soils through organic practices–without chemical/synthetic inputs—requires a scientific approach and skillful managements, especially for phosphorus (P) nutrient. Our objective was to find a combination of lime and rock phosphate additions that made soil pH low enough so that rock phosphate would be adequately soluble, yet high enough so soil acidity is not harmful to most crops. Thus, a controlled (greenhouse) experiment was conducted to quantify soil properties, and soybean (Glycine max cv. Kahala) growth when rock phosphate, coral lime, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) green manure were applied as organic amendments to an acid, nutrient poor Oxisol of Hawaii. The treatments were a factorial combination of 3 application rates (0, 1, 2 g/kg) of coral lime (86% CaCO3 equivalent) from Western Samoa, 3 rates (0, 75, 150 mg/kg total P) of rock phosphate (10.6% total P, and 3.7% citrate extractable P) from central Florida, and 3 rates (0, 5, 10 g/kg) of a local cowpea green manure (2.7% N, 2.8% K). Each treatment was replicated 3 times, yielding a total of 81 pots of 2 kg soil each. Soybean seedlings were grown as a test crop. Our results showed that a combination of 1 g/kg (2 tons/ha) of lime and 75 mg/kg (150 kg P/ha) of rock phosphate provided enough P for soybean growth and simultaneously alleviated soil acidity problems (the green manure was to supply adequate N and K to the crop). Corresponding soil parameters were: soil pH = 5.2, exchangeable (KCl-extractable) Al = 3.6 mg/kg, Olsen (NaHCO3- extractable) P = 11 mg/kg, and soil-solution P of 0.05 mg/L. Our results lent support to the sustainable potential of organic farming.
Two-Dimensional Path Planning Platform for Autonomous Walk behind Hand Tractor
Authors: Crisnapati Padma Nyoman , Maneetham Dechrit
Published: November 2022

The use of autonomous vehicles in agriculture has increased in recent years. To fully automate agricultural missions, particularly the tillage process using the walk-behind hand tractor, the path planning problem for the robot must be solved so that all points in the intended region of interest may be traced. The current planning algorithm has been successful in determining the best tillage path. On the other hand, the algorithm ignores the path built using the dynamic starting point, finish point and path distance. We propose a path planning concept for back-and-forth path patterns. Our algorithm employs a novel approach based on Laravel and Google Maps, which considers the user’s desired distance interval, start point, and finish point. We demonstrated auto-generating vertex-edge pathways in this research. Field trials using a walk-behind hand tractor in a plowing mission have been successfully conducted to validate the accuracy of the resulting waypoint coordinates.
Assessing the Effect of a Major Quantitative Locus for Phosphorus Uptake (Pup1) in Rice (O. sativa L.) Grown under a Temperate Region
Authors: Navea Ian Paul , Han Jae-Hyuk , Shin Na-Hyun , Lee O New , Kwon Soon-Wook , Choi Il-Ryong , Chin Joong Hyoun
Published: November 2022

Water and phosphorus (P) fertilizer are two of the most critical inputs in rice cultivation. Irrigation and chemical fertilizers are becoming limiting factors under climate change and urbanization, which is leading to significant losses in yield. The Pup1 quantitative trait locus (QTL) confers tolerance to P starvation through enhanced early-stage root vigor and P uptake in indica rice grown in the tropics. Whether the QTL works in temperate rice genetic backgrounds grown in temperate regions remains to be elucidated. To address this question, we introgressed the Pup1 QTL into three temperate rice varieties—MS11, TR22183, and Dasanbyeo—using marker-assisted backcrossing and high-density genotyping. The selected lines all harbored the full Pup1 QTL with recurrent parent genome recovery rates ranging from 66.5% to 99.8%. Under the rainfed and P non-supplied conditions, Pup1 introgression lines did not show clear advantages over the recurrent parents in terms of vegetative growth and grain yield per plant, but exhibited enhanced yield responses to P application, except in Dasanbyeo, which a temperate rice that is genetically similar to indica. Our results suggest that Pup1 confers enhanced P uptake in temperate rice and that the efficacy of Pup1 might depend on the subspecific genomic background of the rice, whether it is japonica or indica.
Soil Microbial Response to Cover Crop Termination Methods under Two Water Levels
Authors: Centurión Nelly , Ulcuango Kelly , Navas Mariela , Mariscal-Sancho Ignacio , Ibáñez Miguel A. , Moliner Ana , Hontoria Chiquinquirá
Published: November 2022

Cover crops (CC) promote soil health, but the termination method can condition the benefits for soil microorganisms. In a greenhouse experiment, we evaluated the legacy effects of four common CC termination methods on mycorrhization, soil microbial abundance, structure, and activity, as well as other soil properties, and its interaction with water levels (well-watered and water deficit). Mowing and residue incorporation (INC), glyphosate (GLY), roller crimper (ROL) and glyphosate + roller crimper (RGL) were evaluated, together with no CC, at two sampling dates of a subsequent maize. The water level modulated the soil microbial response to CC termination methods, especially in the glyphosate methods. Legacy effects on soil microbial attributes were notable and evolved differently from maize, from pre-emergence to ~3 months later. At final sampling, INC showed the best microbial response at both water levels, enhancing most microbial attributes. ROL was the second most beneficial method, especially in well-watered soil, promoting fungi but nullifying the CC positive effect on bacteria. Regardless of water level, GLY and RGL showed a similar microbial response. In well-watered soil, GLY and RGL had a negative effect on the total fungi, which separated the RGL response from the ROL. Overall, the time since CC termination and water level modulated the soil microbial response to the termination methods. Further research is needed to investigate CC termination impacts under different environmental conditions, in order to better understand the processes involved and provide farm-level recommendations.
Preharvest Reduction in Nutrient Solution Supply of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Contributes to Improve Fruit Quality and Fertilizer Efficiency While Stabilising Yields
Authors: Wang Junzheng , Gao Zixing , Sun Tao , Huang Wenxian , Jia Yuanjie , Li Xiaojing , Zhang Zhi , Hu Xiaohui
Published: November 2022

Optimising fertilisation is an important part of maximising vegetable yield and quality whilst minimising environmental hazards. An accurate and efficient scheme of irrigation and fertiliser based on plants’ nutrient requirements at different growth stages is essential for the effective intensive production of greenhouse pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In this study, the effects of reducing fertilisation rate by 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% from the day 6 to day 0 before harvest for each layer of peppers on growth, yield, quality and nutrient utilisation were evaluated. The results showed that the morphological indicators (plant height and stem diameter) and biomass of plants decreased gradually with the increase in fertiliser reduction rate. Compared with control (CK) plants, the 20–40% reduction in fertiliser application rate did not cause a significant decrease in biomass and stem diameter but significantly increased the accumulation of N (13.52–15.73%), P (23.09% in 20% reducted-treatment) and K (13.22–14.21%) elements in plants. The 20–80% reduction in fertiliser application before harvest had no significant effects on the nutrient agronomic efficiency of N, P and K elements. However, it decreased the physiological nutrient efficiency and significantly improved the nutrient harvest index of N, P and K. Appropriate reduction in fertiliser application significantly increased the nutrient recovery efficiency (20–40% reduction) and nutrient partial-factor productivity (40% reduction) of N (3.35–6.00% and 12.87%), P (2.47–2.92% and 14.01%) and K (7.49–15.68% and 14.01%), respectively. Furthermore, reducing the fertilisation rate by 20–40% before each harvest had a certain positive effect on the C and N metabolism of pepper leaves and fruits. In particular, the activities of N metabolism-related enzymes (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthase, glutamate synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase) and C metabolism-related enzymes (sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthetase, acid invertase and neutral invertase) in leaves and fruits did not significantly different or significantly increased compared with those in CK plants. The results of the representative aromatic substance contents in the fruit screened by the random forest model showed that compared with the CK plants, reducing the fertiliser application by 20–40% before harvest significantly increased the content of capsaicin and main flavour substances in the fruit on the basis of stable yield. In summary, in the process of pepper substrate cultivation, reducing the application of nutrients by 40% from the day 6 to day 0 before each harvest could result in stable yield and quality improvement of the pepper. These results have important implications for institutional precision fertilisation programs and the improvement of the agroecological environment.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Crops: A Comprehensive Investigation for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Kumari Aradhna , Lakshmi Geetha Ajay , Krishna Gopinathan Kumar , Patni Babita , Prakash Soban , Bhattacharyya Malini , Singh Santosh Kumar , Verma Krishan Kumar
Published: November 2022

Plants are a highly advanced kingdom of living organisms on the earth. They survive under all climatic and weather variabilities, including low and high temperature, rainfall, radiation, less nutrients, and high salinity. Even though they are adapted to various environmental factors, which are variable, the performance of a crop will be compensated under sub/supra optimal conditions. Hence, current and future climate change factors pose a challenge to sustainable agriculture. Photosynthesis is the primary biochemical trait of crops that are affected by abiotic stress and elevated CO2 (eCO2). Under eCO2, the C3 legumes could perform better photosynthesis over C4 grasses. The associated elevated temperature promotes the survival of the C4 crop (maize) over C3 plants. In the American Ginseng, the elevated temperature promotes the accumulation of phytocompounds. Under less water availability, poor transpirational cooling, higher canopy temperatures, and oxidative stress will attenuate the stability of the membrane. Altering the membrane composition to safeguard fluidity is a major tolerance mechanism. For protection and survival under individual or multiple stresses, plants try to undergo high photorespiration and dark respiration, for instance, in wheat and peas. The redox status of plants should be maintained for ROS homeostasis and, thereby, plant survival. The production of antioxidants and secondary metabolites may keep a check on the content of oxidating molecules. Several adaptations, such as deeper rooting, epicuticular wax formation such as peas, and utilization of non-structural carbohydrates, i.e., wheat, help in survival. In addition to yield, quality is a major attribute abridged or augmented by climate change. The nutrient content of cereals, pulses, and vegetables is reduced by eCO2; in aniseed and Valeriana sp., the essential oil content is increased. Thus, climate change has perplexing effects in a species-dependent manner, posing hurdles in sustainable crop production. The review covers various scientific issues interlinked with challenges of food/nutritional security and the resilience of plants to climate variability. This article also glimpses through the research gaps present in the studies about the physiological effects of climate change on various crops.
Advances in the Agro-Environment Migration of Organic Chemical Pollutants and Their Biotransformation in Crops
Authors: Hua Yifei , Yuan Yi , Qin Yi , Zhang Chenyi , Wang Xiaodong , Feng Shengjun , Lu Yichen
Published: November 2022

Global production, consumption and emission of various chemicals continue to rise, despite growing evidence of their harmful effects on environmental quality, food safety and human health. Agronomy, a nature-dependent industry, is considered to be extremely sensitive to chemical pollution. Hence, it is of great importance for food safety and human health to study the migration and biotransformation of chemical pollutants among agricultural elements, such as soil, water and crops. Thus, this review focused on typical organic pollutants (TOPs) in the agro-environment, such as pesticides, antibiotics and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), firstly describing their sources and the current state. Then, we further elucidated the mechanism and influence factors of the TOP-based uptake, translocation and biotransformation of TOPs in crops, including the apoplastic and symplastic pathway, enzyme-assisted nontarget resistance and the physicochemical properties of different TOPs. In addition, future insight into the identification of detoxified genes and lower-toxic metabolism of TOPs was presented in this review, which provides valuable information for breeding agro-products with lower chemical contaminants. In a nutshell, our review discussed comprehensive research progress on TOPs’ fates and offered theoretical guidance for pollution control and ecological risk assessment in agroecosystems.
A Novel Operational Rice Mapping Method Based on Multi-Source Satellite Images and Object-Oriented Classification
Authors: Shen Yanyan , Zhang Jingcheng , Yang Lingbo , Zhou Xiaoxuan , Li Huizi , Zhou Xingjian
Published: November 2022

Combining optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data for crop mapping has become a crucial way to improve classification accuracy, especially in cloudy and rainy areas. However, the acquisition of optical images is significantly unstable due to the influence of cloudy and rainy weather, which seriously restricts the application of this method in practice. To solve this problem, this study proposed an optical-SAR imagery-based rice mapping method which has the advantages of less dependence on optical images, easy operation and high classification accuracy. To account for the trait of sparse availability of optical images, this method only needs one clear sky optical image in the rice growth period and combined it with multi-temporal SAR images to achieve a high accuracy rice mapping result. Meanwhile, this paper also proposed a comprehensively multi-scale segmentation parameter optimization algorithm, which considers the area consistency, shape error and location difference between the segmented object and reference object, and adopts an orthogonal experiment approach. Based on the optical image, the boundaries of the parcel objects can be segmented, which were subsequently used to perform the object-oriented classification. The results show that the overall accuracy of the proposed method in Yangzhou City is 94.64%. Moreover, according to a random pick test, it is encouraging that the proposed method has strong robustness in response to the instability of the acquisition time of SAR images. A relatively high overall accuracy of 90.09% suggested that the proposed method can provide a reliable rice mapping result in cloudy and rainy areas.
Effects of Planting Density on Root Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Yield of Winter Wheat
Authors: Zhou Jianguo , Zhang Zhiwen , Xin Yue , Chen Guodong , Wu Quanzhong , Liang Xueqi , Zhai Yunlong
Published: November 2022

The root system is the only vital organ for plants to connect with soil moisture and nutrients and obtain feedback information. This research aimed to explore the response of different spike type winter wheat varieties to plant and row spacing configurations. Multi-spike and large-spike winter wheat varieties were used as materials. By setting different plant row configurations and planting densities, the spatial and temporal distribution of root length density, root diameter, root dry weight density, and the main control factors of root growth and development of winter wheat during the whole growth period were studied. The results showed that the root system was the most widely distributed and the root diameter was the largest in the 0–40 cm soil depth, with an average root system diameter of more than 0.5 mm. The root length density and root diameter peaked at the heading stage, decreased at the maturity stage, and the root dry weight density peaked at the jointing stage. The jointing stage and heading stage are the most vigorous periods of root growth in winter wheat, when the center of gravity of root growth in winter wheat is gradually moving down. Therefore, the rapid growth and elongation time of a root system can be effectively prolonged at the jointing stage and heading stage, and the root growth rate can be improved. Promoting root thickening can effectively meet the needs for water and nutrients, for the formation and filling of aboveground plants and grains, in the later stage, which is conducive to the formation of aboveground dry matter production and final yield. The root distribution was greatest in the 0–60 cm soil depth, accounting for 95.13–97.84% of the total root length. After the heading stage occurs, the upper roots begin to decline in large quantities. Thus, the jointing stage and heading stage require fertilization and other farmland management operations to increase root nutrients for the ground parts and dry matter accumulation to provide sufficient nutrients so that the number of effective panicles, grain weight, and the number of spike grains coordinate to achieve the highest grain yield. Results showed that the highest yield can be achieved with the planting pattern X2M1. A comprehensive analysis showed that the genetic characteristics of winter wheat varieties were different, and there were some differences in the correlation between wheat yield and root system at the different growth stages. The correlation between the root parameters and yield of multi-spike winter wheat during the overwintering-jointing stage was obvious. For large-spike type winter wheat in the jointing stage, the yield correlation is most obvious.
Determination of Moisture in Rice Grains Based on Visible Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Palacios-Cabrera Héctor , Jimenes-Vargas Karina , González Mario , Flor-Unda Omar , Almeida Belén
Published: November 2022

Rice grain production is important for the world economy. Determining the moisture content of the grains, at several stages of production, is crucial for controlling the quality, safety, and storage of the grain. This work inspects how well rice images from global and local descriptors work for determining the moisture content of the grains using artificial vision and intelligence techniques. Three sets of images of rice grains from the INIAP 12 variety (National Institute of Agricultural Research of Ecuador) were captured with a mobile camera. The first one with natural light and the other ones with a truncated pyramid-shaped structure. Then, a set of global descriptors (color, texture) and a set of local descriptors (AZAKE, BRISK, ORB, and SIFT) in conjunction with the dominate technique bag of visual words (BoVW) were used to analyze the content of the image with classification and regression algorithms. The results show that detecting humidity through images with classification and regression algorithms is possible. Finally, f1-score values of at least 0.9 were accomplished for global color descriptors and of 0.8 for texture descriptors, in contrast to the local descriptors (AKAZE, BRISK, and SIFT) that reached up to an f1-score of 0.96.
Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon in Croplands and Affecting Factors in Hubei Province
Authors: Miao Jie , Xie Ting , Han Shiting , Zhang Hui , He Xun , Ren Wenhai , Song Mingwei , He Liyuan
Published: November 2022

SOC storage (SOCS) plays a vital role in global climate change. Understanding the spatial pattern and features of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its influencing factors is important for increasing SOC fixation. However, few studies exist on the organic carbon reserves of farmland on a regional scale. This study revealed the SOCD and SOCS values and distribution using Hubei Province as a sampling region. The results demonstrated that the spatial distributions of farmland system carbon storage and density were uneven, and the spatial heterogeneity was related to geography, cultivated area, and soil type. The SOCD ranged from 0.559 to 10.613 kg/m2, with an average of 3.3710 ± 0.0337 kg/m2, and the soil carbon reserve of the farmland system was ~17.81 Tg. The SOCD varied with topography and soil type: in mountainous cultivated land, it was generally higher than that in hilly land and in the plains. However, the plain cultivated areas contained the highest carbon reserves. Within the farmland system, paddy soil, the dominant soil type, exhibited higher SOCD and larger SOC storage capacity. Soil types with the same physicochemical properties exhibited different organic carbon storage capacity in different geomorphic and regional environments. Specifically, paddy soil was found to have higher SOCD and SOCS than the other soil types, and its soil carbon storage capacity was high; the SOC reserves of wheat-rice tillage were the largest among the main tillage methods. Boosting the soil carbon sink requires fundamental improvement in soil properties by improving soil texture, using conservation tillage to increase soil organic matter, and reducing unnecessary human interference.
Sample Temperature Affects Measurement of Nitrate with a Rapid Analysis Ion Selective Electrode System Used for N Management of Vegetable Crops
Authors: Peña-Fleitas M. Teresa , Grasso Rafael , Gallardo Marisa , Padilla Francisco M. , de Souza Romina , Rodríguez Alejandra , Thompson Rodney B.
Published: November 2022

The practical value of portable hand-held ion selective electrode sensors (ISE) for on-farm [NO3−] measurement to assist with crop N management of vegetable crops has been demonstrated in numerous previous studies. They provide rapid, in-situ measurement of the nitrate concentration ([NO3−]) in nutrient and soil solutions, and in petiole sap. Sample temperatures, for on-farm measurements, vary appreciably. This study evaluated the effects of sample temperature on [NO3−] measurement using two different models of a commonly used, commercially available, portable ISE meter. The temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C) examined were in the range likely to be encountered in practical on-farm work. Aqueous solutions of 6, 12, and 18 mmol NO3− L−1 were prepared from KNO3, Ca(NO3)2 and NaNO3. [NO3−] was measured in three replicate samples of each of the three concentrations, made from each NO3− compound, at each temperature. The results consistently and clearly demonstrated a strong negative linear relationship between temperature-induced errors and sample temperatures. The temperature-induced error was considerable for cooled samples, being +50% at 5 °C and +31% at 10 °C. At sample temperatures of 17–20 °C, the temperature effects were minimal. Above this range, the temperature effect caused underestimation. At 25 °C, the temperature-induced error was −24%. These results show that care must be taken to ensure that sample temperatures do not erroneously affect the measurement of [NO3−] with ISE meters. Particular care needs to be taken with both refrigerated and warmer samples.
High Prevalence and Genetic Variability of Hepatozoon canis in Grey Wolf (Canis lupus L. 1758) Population in Serbia
Authors: Kuručki Milica , Tomanović Snežana , Sukara Ratko , Ćirović Duško
Published: November 2022

Wild canids are globally recognised as hosts and reservoirs of a large number of ecto- and endoparasites. Data that reveal the importance of the grey wolf (Canis lupus L.1758) in the spread of hepatozoonosis are very scarce. There are a large number of different potential host species that can be infected by Hepatozoon canis, but the most common are domestic and wild carnivores, such as dogs, jackals, foxes, and wolves. In this study, the epidemiological significance of the grey wolf as a host for the pathogen was analysed for the first time in Serbia, as well as the genetic variability of H. canis. The presence of H. canis in wolf spleens has been demonstrated using molecular methods. A total of 107 wolf spleen samples from 30 localities in Serbia were analysed. The presence of H. canis was confirmed in 62 (57.94%) individuals from 26 out of 30 localities. According to the analysis, the sampled H. canis sequences were found to be characterised by a certain heterogeneity. Based on five mutated nucleotide sites in the sequences, H. canis could be divided into five sequence types, S1 to S5. The five sequence types can potentially circulate in grey wolf populations as well as among other domestic and wild canids. This study is the first confirmation of the presence of H. canis in grey wolf populations in Serbia. Considering that the role of this vector-borne disease is poorly researched in wild carnivores, it is very important to indicate the role of this species in the circulation of this pathogen in natural ecosystems.
Multifaceted Interplay among Social Dominance, Body Condition, Appetitive and Consummatory Sexual Behaviors, and Semen Quality in Dorper Rams during Out-Of-Season and Transition Periods
Authors: Sifuentes-Lamónt Pablo I. , Meza-Herrera Cesar A. , Véliz-Deras Francisco G. , Alvarado-Espino Alan S. , Alvarado-Espino Ariadna V. , Calderón-Leyva Guadalupe , Angel-Garcia Oscar , Carrillo-Moreno Dalia I. , Contreras-Villarreal Viridiana , Delgado González Ramón A. , Bustamante-Andrade Jorge A.
Published: November 2022

Dorper rams (n = 24) were evaluated during the sexual resting season to determine their social rank (SR), either high (HSR) or low (LSR), under intensive management conditions in northern Mexico (25° N). Aggressive behaviors were quantified during male-to-male interactions, and appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors during male-to-female interactions. Morphometric, live weight (LW), and body condition score (BCS) were recorded. During the early reproductive season, male-to-female behaviors were newly itemized simultaneously by seminal quality and quantity sampling. Finally, the dependent variables of the hemogram components were also quantified. Neither LW (61.25 ± 2.4 kg) nor morphometric variables differed between SR groups. However, BCS (2.25 vs. 2.66 u), sexual behaviors (i.e., approaches: 59.6 vs. 21.73 n, mating with ejaculation: 77.7 vs. 42.86 %, latency to ejaculation: 16.6 vs. 143.07 s), ejaculate volume (0.57 vs. 0.23 mL), and hemogram components favored the HSR rams (p < 0.05). Moreover, in their first male-to-female interaction, >50% of the LSR rams failed to display any sexual activity. HSR rams displayed a greater number of threatening behaviors, managing to displace LSR rams when exposed to estrus ewes during the male sexual resting season; more sexual behaviors; and an increased seminal volume in a non-live weight-dependent fashion.
Western Hognose Snakes (Heterodon nasicus) Prefer Environmental Enrichment
Authors: Nagabaskaran Gokulan , Skinner Morgan , Miller Noam
Published: November 2022

The environmental enrichment needs of snakes are often disregarded. Using preference testing, we aimed to shed light on the enrichment preferences of a popular pet species, the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). Snakes’ enclosures were divided into enriched and standard sides. The enriched half had substrate for burrowing, interactive stimuli, and a large water dish. The standard half had paper towel substrate and a small water dish. Each side also contained a single shelter. We provided belly heat to create a thermal gradient on one side of the cage. Snakes were observed for 6 days, four times daily. We predicted a preference for enriched conditions and, as snakes are ectothermic, a preference for the warmer side. Snakes were additionally given an exploration assay, to explore whether differences in preference for environmental enrichment interact with boldness levels. We found that hognose snakes preferred enrichment, and the strength of this preference increased over time. Preference for enrichment was stronger when the enriched side was cooler. This may be due to the burrowing tendencies of these snakes. We found no relationship between preference and boldness. These findings emphasise the importance of preference testing in establishing research-informed enrichment opportunities for reptiles.
A Preliminary Study on the Siphon Mechanism in Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Authors: van der Walt Marna Suzanne , Daffue Willem , Goedhals Jacqueline , van der Merwe Sean , Deacon Francois
Published: November 2022

Adult giraffes reach heights of 4.5 m with a heart-to-head distance of over 2 m, making cranial blood supply challenging. Ultrasound confirmed that the giraffe jugular vein collapses during head movement from ground level to fully erect, negating the possibility of a siphon mechanism in the neck. We showed that a short-length siphon structure over a simulated head-to-heart distance for a giraffe significantly influences flow in a collapsible tube. The siphon structure is determined according to brain case measurements. The short-length siphon structure in a shorter-necked ostrich showed no significant increase in flow. The shorter head-to-heart distance might be the reason for the lack of effect in ostriches. A siphon mechanism situated in the cranium is certainly possible, with a significant effect exerted on the amount of pressure the heart must generate to allow adequate cranial blood perfusion in a long-necked giraffe. The study validated that a cranial-bound siphon structure can operate and will be of significant value for adequate cranial blood perfusion in long-necked species such as giraffes and might also have existed in extinct species of long-necked dinosaurs.
Effects of Thermal Manipulation on mRNA Regulation of Response Genes Regarding Improvement of Thermotolerance Adaptation in Chickens during Embryogenesis
Authors: Ramiah Suriya Kumari , Balakrishnan Krishnan Nair , Subramaniam Yashini , Iyasere Oluwaseun Serah , Idrus Zulkifli
Published: November 2022

The phenomenon of increasing heat stress (HS) among animals is of particular significance when it is seen in economically significant industries, such as poultry. Due to the identification of the physiological, molecular, and genetic roots of HS responses in chickens, a substantial number of studies have focused on reducing the effects of HS in poultry through environmental management, dietary manipulation, and genetic alterations. Temperature manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis has been claimed to increase the thermal tolerance and well-being of chickens without affecting their capacity for future growth. There has been little investigation into the vulnerability of the epigenome involving TM during embryogenesis, although the cellular pathways activated by HS have been explored in chickens. Epigenetic changes caused by prenatal TM enhance postnatal temperature adaption and produce physiological memory. This work offers a thorough analysis that explains the cumulative impact of HS response genes, such as genes related to heat shock proteins, antioxidants, and immunological genes, which may aid in the enhanced adaptability of chickens that have undergone thermal manipulation during their embryonic stages.
Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens Causing Community Acquired Urinary Tract Infections among Patients Attending Health Facilities in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Silago Vitus , Moremi Nyambura , Mtebe Majigo , Komba Erick , Masoud Salim , Mgaya Fauster X. , Mirambo Mariam M. , Nyawale Helmut A. , Mshana Stephen E. , Matee Mecky Isaac
Published: November 2022

In low-income countries, the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) without laboratory confirmation is very common, especially in primary health facilities. This scenario often leads to unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic prescriptions, prompting the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. We conducted this study to examine the antibiogram of uropathogens causing community-acquired urinary tract infections among outpatients attending selected health facilities in Tanzania. Method: This was a cross-sectional health centre-based survey conducted for a period of five months, from July to November 2021, in the Mwanza and Dar es Salaam regions in Tanzania. We enrolled consecutively a total of 1327 patients aged between 2 and 96 years with a median [IQR] age of 28 [22–39] from Dar es Salaam (n = 649) and Mwanza (n = 678). Results: Significant bacteriuria was observed in 364 (27.4% [95%CI: 25.0–29.9]) patients, from whom 412 urinary pathogens were isolated. Gram-negative bacteria contributed to 57.8% (238) of the 412 uropathogens isolated, of which 221 were Enterobacterales, and Escherichia coli was the most frequent. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were the most frequently isolated among Gram-positive uropathogens (n = 156). Generally, resistance among Escherichia coli ranged from 0.7% (meropenem) to 86.0% (ampicillin) and from 0.0% (meropenem) to 75.6% (ampicillin) in other Enterobacterales. Moreover, about 45.4% (108) of Enterobacterales and 22.4% (35) of Gram-positive bacteria were multidrug resistant (MDR), p = 0.008. We observed 33 MDR patterns among Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly AMP-CIP-TCY (23/108; 21.3%), and 10 MDR patterns among Gram-positive bacteria, most commonly CIP-GEN-TCY (22/35; 62.9%). Conclusion: the presence of a high number of wide-ranging uropathogens that are multidrug resistant to a variety of antibiotics points to the need to strengthen the laboratory diagnostic systems for the regular surveillance of the antimicrobial resistance of uropathogens to guide and update empirical treatment guidelines.
Functional Characterization, Mechanism, and Mode of Action of Putative Streptomycin Adenylyltransferase from Serratia marcescens
Authors: Prabhu Dhamodharan , Rajamanikandan Sundararaj , Amala Mathimaran , Saritha Poopandi , Jeyakanthan Jeyaraman , Ramasamy Palaniappan
Published: November 2022

Nosocomial infections are serious threats to the entire world in healthcare settings. The major causative agents of nosocomial infections are bacterial pathogens, among which Enterobacteriaceae family member Serratia marcescens plays a crucial role. It is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, predominantly affecting patients in intensive-care units. The presence of intrinsic genes in S. marcescens led to the development of resistance to antibiotics for survival. Complete scanning of the proteome, including hypothetical and partially annotated proteins, paves the way for a better understanding of potential drug targets. The targeted protein expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS cells has shown complete resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotic streptomycin (>256 MCG). The recombinant protein was purified using affinity and size-exclusion chromatography and characterized using SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and MALDI-TOF analysis. Free phosphate bound to malachite green was detected at 620 nm, evident of the conversion of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine monophosphate during the adenylation process. Similarly, in the chromatographic assay, adenylated streptomycin absorbed at 260 nm in AKTA (FPLC), confirming the enzyme-catalyzed adenylation of streptomycin. Further, the adenylated product of streptomycin was confirmed through HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis. In conclusion, our characterization studies identified the partially annotated hypothetical protein as streptomycin adenylyltransferase.
Assessment of the Prescriptions of Systemic Antibiotics in Primary Dental Care in Germany from 2017 to 2021: A Longitudinal Drug Utilization Study
Authors: Gradl Gabriele , Kieble Marita , Nagaba Jens , Schulz Martin
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, the frequency of antibiotic use should be questioned in dentistry and attention paid to the choice of the best suited substance according to guidelines. In Germany, overprescribing of clindamycin was noteworthy in the past. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the trend of antibiotic prescriptions in primary dental care. (2) Methods: Prescriptions of antibiotics in German primary dental care from 2017 to 2021 were analysed using dispensing data from community pharmacies, claimed to the statutory health insurance (SHI) funds, and compared with all antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. Prescriptions were analysed based on defined daily doses per 1000 SHI-insured persons per day (DID). (3) Results: Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic (0.505 DID in 2017, 0.627 in 2021, +24.2%) in primary dental care, followed by clindamycin (0.374 DID in 2017, 0.294 in 2021, −21.4%). Dental prescriptions still made up 56% of all clindamycin prescriptions in primary care in 2021. (4) Conclusions: Our study suggests that the problem of overuse of clindamycin in German dentistry has improved, but still persists.