bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To bead or not to bead: A review of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection models for cystic fibrosis
Authors: Reyne Nicole , McCarron Alexandra , Cmielewski Patricia , Parsons David , Donnelley Martin
Published: February 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterised by recurring bacterial infections resulting in inflammation, lung damage and ultimately respiratory failure. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most important lung pathogens in those with cystic fibrosis. While multiple cystic fibrosis animal models have been developed, many fail to mirror the cystic fibrosis lung disease of humans, including the colonisation by opportunistic environmental pathogens. Delivering bacteria to the lungs of animals in different forms is a way to model cystic fibrosis bacterial lung infections and disease. This review presents an overview of previous models, and factors to consider when generating a new P. aeruginosa lung infection model. The future development and application of lung infection models that more accurately reflect human cystic fibrosis lung disease has the potential to assist in understanding the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis lung disease and for developing treatments.
Preventing, reducing, and attenuating restraint: A prospective controlled trial of the implementation of peer support in acute psychiatry
Authors: Badouin Julia , Bechdolf Andreas , Bermpohl Felix , Baumgardt Johanna , Weinmann Stefan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The use of restraint as a means of managing patients is considered a critical factor that interferes with recovery. Strategies to create a less restrictive environment within psychiatric facilities are therefore eagerly sought. Peer support workers (PSWs) are increasingly employed in mental health settings. The prevailing theory is that PSWs have the potential to contribute to conflict and restraint prevention efforts in acute psychiatric wards. However, to date, research in support of this claim remains limited.

Objective

The present study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of employing peer support workers with regard to reducing the use of restraint.

Methods

This prospective controlled pre–post study sought to evaluate the implementation of peer support in one locked ward compared to treatment as usual (TAU) with no implementation of peer support in a second locked ward of a psychiatry department in Berlin, Germany. The pre–post comparison was planned to consist of two assessment periods of 3 months each, taking place directly before and after peer support implementation or TAU. Both assessments were extended to a period of 6 months, before and after the initially planned 12-month implementation process, in order to balance the effects of disruptions and of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using routine data, the proportion, frequency, and duration of mechanical restraint, forced medication as well as mechanical restraint in combination with forced medication, were evaluated.

Results

In the control group, an increase in the proportion of patients subjected to measures of restraint was found between pre- and post-assessment, which was accompanied by a further increase in the mean number of events of restraint per patient within this group. In the intervention group, no significant change in the application of restraint was observed during the study period.

Discussion

There is some indication that peer support may be protective with regard to restraint in acute wards. However, our study faced major challenges during the implementation process and the post-assessment period, such as COVID-19 and staff reorganization. This may have led to peer support not reaching its full potential. The relationship between the implementation of peer support and the use of restraint therefore merits further investigation.
Understanding mental health through computers: An introduction to computational psychiatry
Authors: Castro Martínez Juan Camilo , Santamaría-García Hernando
Published: February 2023

Computational psychiatry recently established itself as a new tool in the study of mental disorders and problems. Integration of different levels of analysis is creating computational phenotypes with clinical and research values, and constructing a way to arrive at precision psychiatry are part of this new branch. It conceptualizes the brain as a computational organ that receives from the environment parameters to respond to challenges through calculations and algorithms in continuous feedback and feedforward loops with a permanent degree of uncertainty. Through this conception, one can seize an understanding of the cerebral and mental processes in the form of theories or hypotheses based on data. Using these approximations, a better understanding of the disorder and its different determinant factors facilitates the diagnostics and treatment by having an individual, ecologic, and holistic approach. It is a tool that can be used to homologate and integrate multiple sources of information given by several theoretical models. In conclusion, it helps psychiatry achieve precision and reproducibility, which can help the mental health field achieve significant advancement. This article is a narrative review of the basis of the functioning of computational psychiatry with a critical analysis of its concepts.
How systemic cognition enables epistemic engineering
Authors: Cowley Stephen J. , Gahrn-Andersen Rasmus
Published: February 2023

Epistemic engineering arises as systems and their parts develop functionality that is construed as valid knowledge. By hypothesis, epistemic engineering is a basic evolutionary principle. It ensures that not only living systems identify the differences that make differences but also ensure that distributed control enables them to construct epistemic change. In tracking such outcomes in human life, we stress that humans act within poly-centered, distributed systems. Similar to how people can act as inert parts of a system, they also actively bring forth intents and vicariant effects. Human cognitive agents use the systemic function to construct epistemic novelties. In the illustration, we used a published experimental study of a cyborg cockroach to consider how an evoneered system enables a human subject to perform as an adaptor with some “thought control” over the animal. Within a wide system, brains enable the techniques to arise ex novo as they attune to the dictates of a device. Human parts act as adaptors that simplify the task. In scaling up, we turn to a case of organizational cognition. We track how adaptor functions spread when drone-based data are brought to the maintenance department of a Danish utility company. While pivoting on how system operators combine experience with the use of software, their expertise sets off epistemically engineered results across the company and beyond. Vicariant effects emerge under the poly-centered control of brains, persons, equipment, and institutional wholes. As a part of culture, epistemic engineering works by reducing entropy.
Same label, different patients: Health-workers’ understanding of the label ‘critical illness’
Authors: Mkumbo Elibariki , Willows Tamara Mulenga , Onyango Onesmus , Khalid Karima , Maiba John , Schell Carl Otto , Oliwa Jacquie , McKnight Jacob , Baker Tim
Published: February 2023

Background

During the course of patients’ sickness, some become critically ill, and identifying them is the first important step to be able to manage the illness. During the course of care provision, health workers sometimes use the term ‘critical illness’ as a label when referring to their patient's condition, and the label is then used as a basis for communication and care provision. Their understanding of this label will therefore have a profound impact on the identification and management of patients. This study aimed to determine how Kenyan and Tanzanian health workers understand the label ‘critical illness’.

Methods

A total of 10 hospitals—five in Kenya and five in Tanzania—were visited. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 nurses and physicians from different departments in the hospitals who had experience in providing care for sick patients. We conducted a thematic analysis of the translated and transcribed interviews, synthesized findings and developed an overarching set of themes which captured healthcare workers’ understandings of the label ‘critical illness’.

Results

Overall, there does not appear to be a unified understanding of the label ‘critical illness’ among health workers. Health workers understand the label to refer to patients in four thematic ways: (1) those in a life-threatening state; (2) those with certain diagnoses; (3) those receiving care in certain locations; and (4) those in need of a certain level of care.

Conclusion

There is a lack of a unified understanding about the label ‘critical illness’ among health workers in Tanzania and Kenya. This potentially hampers communication and the selection of patients for urgent life-saving care. A recently proposed definition, “a state of ill health with vital organ dysfunction, a high risk of imminent death if care is not provided and the potential for reversibility”, could be useful for improving communication and care.
A bioinspired stiffness tunable sucker for passive adaptation and firm attachment to angular substrates
Authors: Goshtasbi Arman , Sadeghi Ali
Published: February 2023

The ability to adapt and conform to angular and uneven surfaces improves the suction cup’s performance in grasping and manipulation. However, in most cases, the adaptation costs lack of required stiffness for manipulation after surface attachment; thus, the ideal scenario is to have compliance during adaptation and stiffness after attachment to the surface. Inspired by the capability of stiffness regulation in octopus suction cup, this article presents a suction cup that adapts to steep angular surfaces due to compliance and has high stiffness after attachment. In this design, the stiffness after attachment is provided by using granular jamming as vacuum driven stiffness modulation. Thus, the design is composed of a conventional active suction pad connected to a granular stalk, emulating a hinge behavior during adaptation and creating high stiffness by jamming granular particles driven by the same vacuum as the suction pad. During the experiment, the suction cup can adapt to angles up to 85° with a force lower than 0.5 N. We also investigated the effect of granular stalk’s length on the adaptation and how this design performs compared to passive adaptation without stiffness modulation.
Exploring barriers and perceptions to walking and cycling in Nairobi metropolitan area
Authors: Basil Paschalin , Nyachieo Gladys
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Walking and cycling as a form of active travel offer an opportunity for individuals to engage in physical exercises while performing a functional journey. Notwithstanding, the large proportion of the population relying on non-motorized transport (NMT), namely walking and cycling, has not been prioritized. At a time when lifestyle health challenges such as obesity and other non-communicable diseases are on the rise, walking and cycling would provide a window of opportunity and potentially provide exercise and thus improve the general health and wellbeing of the population. More than 75% of total daily trips made by Africa's low-income population are made by walking, compared with 45% by the more affluent people. Walking and cycling, considered low-carbon emission modes of transport, not only enhance urban quality but also boost social cohesion. Despite these potential gains, poor NMT infrastructure systems, low integration with the other modes of transport, and non-committal by law enforcement to protect pedestrians and cyclists still define the NMT ecosystem.

Methods

This study used descriptive methods to explore the barriers to and citizen perceptions of walking and cycling in Kenya's capital, the Nairobi Metropolitan area.

Results and discussion

Poor or absence of proper NMT infrastructure systems, safety concerns due to poor planning, lack of targeted policies as well as low or no capacity to ride a bicycle are among the predominant factors that undermine the use of NMT in Nairobi. However, a majority of citizens find no positive link between walking and/or cycling and poverty, a significant deviation from some prior studies and report.

Recommendations

Other than scaling up walking and cycling facilities, this study strongly recommends the use of participatory city frameworks to support NMT research, transport policy, and the needs of those already using walking and cycling as active modes of transport.
A participatory multicriteria decision analysis of the adaptive capacity-building needs of Jordan's agribusiness actors discloses the indirect needs downstream the value chain as “post-requisites” to the direct upstream needs
Authors: Abdel-Fattah Ahmad , Al Hiary Masnat
Published: February 2023

Climate adaptive capacity-building initiatives and activities in developing countries, particularly those implemented by developmental agencies and international organizations, commonly focus on the upstream direct adaptive capacity-building needs of targeted vulnerable sectors. However, overlooking a holistic climate-adaptive capacity-building of a vulnerable sector down to the last link of its value chain renders inadequate contribution, jeopardizes the adaptation intervention, and prevents achieving a high level of buy-in of the chain actors for the results of the sought capacity-building programs. Thus, this study developed a hybrid system-wide and participatory (focus groups-based) multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to conduct adaptive-capacity needs assessments for the actors of the agribusiness value chain of the developing country of Jordan. Our holistic approach enabled highlighting the sector's climate vulnerability along the value chain, conducting self-regulated adaptive training needs assessment (TNA) of the sector's actors and identifying and prioritizing their real adaptive capacity-building needs. This approach proved to be uniquely advantageous in comparison to the sector's commonly used questionnaire-based surveys that are limited-participatory, researcher-regulated, and subsystem-oriented approaches. The advantages of this hybrid hands-on and wide-ranging MCDA–TNA approach are evident from its revelation of unique results. The approach enabled actors of such a highly vulnerable sector to spontaneously identify and prioritize the indirect downstream climate adaptive capacity-building needs surprisingly over the direct needs. This is because the actors considered the indirect needs more important to their businesses and livelihoods than the direct needs, thus considering the indirect needs as “post-requisites” of the fate of the direct upstream needs. The hybrid approach also enabled the beneficiaries to formulate the intervention outcomes, unveil the factors ignored by the conventional researcher-controlled approaches, secure high buy-in of the self-attained results, and prioritize the actual adaptive capacity-building demands. This robust combination of qualitative research methods and tools could be straightforwardly applied to design and conduct efficient and cost-effective adaptive capacity-building programs, especially during time-restricted and resource-limited interventions. The results of such types of quick and cost-effective qualitative investigations of adaptive capacity-building needs could be considered a preliminary and a first step toward deeper and more extensive quantitative studies, if needed.
Assessing governability of agricultural systems: Municipal agricultural planning in Metro Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Dring Colin C. , Newman Lenore , Wittman Hannah
Published: February 2023

Effective governance of agricultural systems is needed for achieving goals of food security, resilient food systems, and addressing the impacts of climate change. Local governments have an increasing interest in the role of agriculture in meeting these goals. However, alignment varies greatly between local governing systems and agricultural systems. Governability is a measure of the degree to which a system can be governed for a set of specified purposes or goals. To test the limits of governability in relation to agricultural planning, we interviewed 22 agricultural planners from municipal, regional, and provincial government, and analyzed agricultural plans (n = 8) and Official Community Plans (n = 6) for six municipalities in Metro Vancouver, Canada to identify interactions between broader municipal governance, agricultural planning, and agricultural systems outcomes. Findings indicate that the governing system for agriculture in this region includes both mandated obligations (conservation of farmland) and voluntary obligations (economic development, advocacy, public awareness). Multiple limits to governing agricultural systems include the promotion and implementation of simple solutions to complex problems, limited ability to engage with the diversity of the agricultural sector and their different needs, and governance mismatches with the boundaries of agriculture (i.e., farm parcels, Agricultural Land Reserve area) and the administrative scale of the municipality. The discussion identifies specific areas where municipal governance systems could transition to improve agricultural outcomes such as farmland protection, farmer economic viability, and integration with broader food systems.
Clinical effect of kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures in patients with diabetes
Authors: Gao Xiangcheng , Du Jinpeng , Huang Yunfei , Li Shuai , Hao Dingjun , He Baorong , Yan Liang
Published: February 2023

Objective

To study the clinical effect and influencing factors of kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTCF) complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A total of 472 patients with OTCF complicated with diabetes who were enrolled in our hospital from January to December 2019 were selected as the study subjects, and all patients were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). The effects of gender, age, smoking, drinking, body mass index (BMI), bone mass density (T score), fasting blood glucose level, fasting C-peptide, glycosylated hemoglobin, course of T2DM, vertebral segment and surgical instrument on postoperative improvement were analyzed. The quality of life was evaluated by visual analog score (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) before PKP and 7 days, and 6 months after PKP, and the patient satisfaction was assessed by the modified Macnab criteria at 6 months postoperatively.

Results

The overall excellent and good rate of evaluation result was satisfactory. In multivariate regression, independent risk factors for poor patient satisfaction included: age ≥70 years (odds ratio (OR) = 2.298, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.290–4.245, P = 0.025), fasting blood glucose ≥8 mmol/L [OR = 2.657, 95%(CI) 1.288–4.121, P = 0.016], glycosylated hemoglobin ≥6.5 mmol/L [OR = 3.438, 95%(CI) 2.543–4.628, P = 0.001], duration ≥8 years [OR = 1.732, 95%(CI) 1.471–3.253, P = 0.019] and Kyphon instrument [OR = 1.472, 95%(CI) 1.112–2.228, P = 0.018] were independent influencing factors of OTCF complicated with DM.

Conclusion

Kyphoplasty for patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures complicated with diabetes can achieve a satisfactory clinical effect, the curative effect is affected by many factors, attention to these factors can improve the clinical effect.
Rescue Everolimus Post Lung Transplantation is Not Associated With an Increased Incidence of CLAD or CLAD-Related Mortality
Authors: Ivulich Steven , Paraskeva Miranda , Paul Eldho , Kirkpatrick Carl , Dooley Michael , Snell Gregory
Published: February 2023

Everolimus (EVE) has been used as a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization/ elimination agent or to augment immunosuppression in lung transplant recipients (LTR) with CNI-induced nephrotoxicity or neurotoxicity. The long-term evidence for survival and progression to chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is lacking. The primary aim was to compare survival outcomes of LTR starting EVE-based immunosuppression with those remaining on CNI-based regimens. The secondary outcomes being time to CLAD, incidence of CLAD and the emergence of obstructive (BOS) or restrictive (RAS) phenotypes. Single center retrospective study of 91 LTR starting EVE-based immunosuppression matched 1:1 with LTR remaining on CNI-based immunosuppression. On multivariate analysis, compared to those remaining on CNI-based immunosuppression, starting EVE was not associated with poorer survival [HR 1.04, 95% CI: 0.67–1.61, p = 0.853], or a statistically significant faster time to CLAD [HR 1.34, 95% CI: 0.87–2.04, p = 0.182]. There was no difference in the emergence of CLAD (EVE, [n = 57, 62.6%] vs. CNI-based [n = 52, 57.1%], p = 0.41), or the incidence of BOS (p = 0.60) or RAS (p = 0.16) between the two groups. Introduction of EVE-based immunosuppression does not increase the risk of death or accelerate the progression to CLAD compared to CNI-based immunosuppression.
Experimental and Numerical Simulations of a Solar Air Heater for Maximal Value Addition to Agricultural Products
Authors: Qamar Zuhair , Munir Anjum , Langrish Timothy , Ghafoor Abdul , Tahir Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Currently, the agricultural sector is facing many challenges, especially post-harvest losses, which result in lower yield and profitability. These losses may be reduced by developing indigenous post-harvest processing technologies, such as drying out of agricultural products to enhancement of their sustainability and reduce transportation costs. The country has the advantage of an abundant amount of solar insulation, which can be effectively utilized to operate post-harvest machinery, particularly solar heaters and dryers. Currently, conventional solar heaters face challenges due to lower efficiencies. Therefore, in this study, a solar air heater (SAH), having a size 1220 × 610 × 65 mm, was designed and developed to be connected to a milk powder spray drying system for converting raw milk to powder. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were used to anticipate air flow and temperature distribution across the SAH to evaluate optimal performance parameters. An air mass flow rate of 0.01 kgs−1 was required, with the CFD predicting an outlet temperature of 82 °C compared with the experimental observation of 73 °C. The pressure drop across the SAH was recorded to be 0.0000434 bar at this flow rate, which is negligible, with the SAH operating near ambient pressure. The overall heat loss coefficient for convection was 2.27 W. m −2·K−1. The energy losses from the SAH were 37% and the useful energy was 63% of the total energy provided to the SAH. The breakeven point of SAH at a minimum of 4 h of daily usage was 3700 h or 2.5 years. The solar air heater used as a preheater for a spray dryer can save 30 PKR·kWh−1 of energy.
Global Evolution of Research on Silvopastoral Systems through Bibliometric Analysis: Insights from Ecuador
Authors: Torres Bolier , Herrera-Feijoo Robinson , Torres Yenny , García Antón
Published: February 2023

Scientific studies on silvopastoral systems have led to permanent changes oriented toward better silvopasture practices, as well as to policy strategies to respond effectively to the global objectives of restoration and sustainable development. In this work, we performed a bibliometric analysis with the purpose of identifying changes associated with different silvopastoral systems. We applied Bibliometrix in R to analyze 5708 documents published between 1983 and 2022 by including the terms “silvopastoral” and “silvopasture”, among others. The results showed a longitudinal and exponential increase in silvopasture studies over the last 20 years. We adjusted the growth to an S-Curve function with an R2 of 96.06%. The interest of researchers regarding knowledge about silvopasture has evolved; initially, it focused on the characterization of silvopasture, whereas recently, it has focused on the search for strategies to improve the sustainable use of silvopasture, including ecosystem restoration and the implementation of better practices. The following countries stand out as those with the largest scientific production of studies on silvopasture: The United States, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina in the Americas; China and India in Asia; and Spain; and Germany, and the United Kingdom in Europe. In the case of Ecuador, cited leaders in silvopasture facilitated the construction of a group of experts who contribute to the development of public policies. The most cited publications appeared in journals published by the Springer group, Elsevier, and MDPI Journals, mostly in open-access systems. In the future, the disruptive contribution of open-access systems in the global dissemination of knowledge, breaking through the economic constraints of countries, universities, and researchers, should be evaluated.
Feeding Ecology of the Cuvier’s Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri, Ogilby, 1841) in the Sahara Desert
Authors: Herrera-Sánchez F. Javier , López Omar , Rodríguez-Siles Javier , Díaz-Portero Miguel Ángel , Arredondo Ángel , Sáez Juan Manuel , Álvarez Begoña , Cancio Inmaculada , de Lucas Jesús , Pérez Joaquín , Valenzuela Gerardo , Martínez-Valderrama Jaime , Sánchez-Cerdá Mariola , Qninba Abdeljebbar , Virgós Emilio , Calleja Juan Antonio , Bartolomé Jordi , Albanell Elena , Serrano Emmanuel , Abáigar Teresa , Gil-Sánchez Jose María
Published: February 2023

Knowledge of the feeding ecology of ungulates in arid biomes offers an interesting model for understanding the drought resistance of large desert-adapted herbivores, a crucial issue in the face of increasing desertification due to climate change. To assess the feeding ecology of the endangered Cuvier’s gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) in the Sahara desert, we used a multi-method approach combining faecal samples, direct observations, and the recording of indirect signs of feeding. We hypothesised that browser behaviour is the best foraging strategy for species living in hyper-arid environments, mainly due to long periods without grazing opportunities. Complementarily, we explored the effects of the main environmental descriptors (rainfalls and NDVI) on feeding patterns and diet quality. We found that Cuvier’s diets are based mainly on acacias (Vachellia tortilis, V. flava) and occasionally on the annual forb Anastatica hierochuntica. In total, eighteen species (five trees, nine shrubs, three herbs, and one grass) belonging to fifteen families were recorded. Our result confirmed the browsers’ characteristic of this species, reaffirming its ability to settle in a hostile environment. Acacias stand out as key species consumed at the southernmost limit of their range; hence, future conservation plans and strategies should take this into account for the survival of Cuvier’s gazelle in desert environments.
Estimation of a Within-Herd Transmission Rate for African Swine Fever in Vietnam
Authors: Le Van Phan , Lan Nguyen Thi , Canevari Jose Tobias , Villanueva-Cabezas Juan Pablo , Padungtod Pawin , Trinh Thi Bich Ngoc , Nguyen Van Tam , Pfeiffer Caitlin N. , Oberin Madalene V. , Firestone Simon M. , Stevenson Mark A.
Published: February 2023

We describe results from a panel study in which pigs from a 17-sow African swine fever (ASF) positive herd in Thái Bình province, Vietnam, were followed over time to record the date of onset of ASF signs and the date of death from ASF. Our objectives were to (1) fit a susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed disease model to the data with transmission coefficients estimated using approximate Bayesian computation; (2) provide commentary on how a model of this type might be used to provide decision support for disease control authorities. For the outbreak in this herd, the median of the average latent period was 10 days (95% HPD (highest posterior density interval): 2 to 19 days), and the median of the average duration of infectiousness was 3 days (95% HPD: 2 to 4 days). The estimated median for the transmission coefficient was 3.3 (95% HPD: 0.4 to 8.9) infectious contacts per ASF-infectious pig per day. The estimated median for the basic reproductive number, R0, was 10 (95% HPD: 1.1 to 30). Our estimates of the basic reproductive number R0 were greater than estimates of R0 for ASF reported previously. The results presented in this study may be used to estimate the number of pigs expected to be showing clinical signs at a given number of days following an estimated incursion date. This will allow sample size calculations, with or without adjustment to account for less than perfect sensitivity of clinical examination, to be used to determine the appropriate number of pigs to examine to detect at least one with the disease. A second use of the results of this study would be to inform the equation-based within-herd spread components of stochastic agent-based and hybrid simulation models of ASF.
Factors Affecting Fatty Acid Composition of Holstein Cow’s Milk
Authors: Rodríguez-Bermúdez Ruth , Fouz Ramiro , Rico Margarita , Camino Fernando , Souza Taile Katiele , Miranda Marta , Diéguez Francisco Javier
Published: February 2023

Milk fatty acid composition has gained the interest of both manufacturers and consumers during recent years. The present paper aimed to perform an analysis of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration in cow’s milk in relation to the type of ration, parity, lactation phase and season. Cows’ milk from animals being fed total mixed rations, including corn silage, had higher C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations than those being fed pasture-based rations but lower concentrations of C18:0 and PUFA. Comparing to 1st parity cows, 2nd and 3rd parity animals had higher SFA and SCFA concentrations in milk. With respect to spring, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations increased in summer, autumn and winter while MUFA, PUFA and SCFA concentrations decreased. Considering the lactation phase, C14:0, C16:0 and SFA concentrations decreased in fresh cows with ketosis comparing to healthy fresh cows and increased in peak, mid and late lactation. C18:0, C18:1 and MUFA follow the opposite trend. The milk fatty acid profile varies significantly through the studied effects. The fact that the fatty acid profile is associated with animal health, organoleptic properties of milk or even methane production highlights the importance of studying factors that affect its variation.
Citric Acid and Magnolol Ameliorate Clostridium perfringens Challenge in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Ding Xieying , Zhong Xin , Yang Yunqiao , Zhang Geyin , Si Hongbin
Published: February 2023

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a common pathogenic bacterium implicated in the enteric diseases of animals. Each year, the disease is responsible for billions of dollars of losses worldwide. The development of new phytomedicines as alternatives to antibiotics is becoming a new hotspot for treating such diseases. Citric acid (CA) and magnolol (MA) have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and growth-promoting properties. Here, the bacteriostatic effects of combinations of CA and MA against C. perfringens were investigated, together with their effects on yellow-hair chickens challenged with C. perfringens. It was found that the optimal CA:MA ratio was 50:3, with a dose of 265 μg/mL significantly inhibiting C. perfringens growth, and 530 μg/mL causing significant damage to the bacterial cell morphology. In animal experiments, C. perfringens challenge reduced the growth, damaged the intestinal structure, activated inflammatory signaling, impaired antioxidant capacity, and perturbed the intestinal flora. These effects were alleviated by combined CA–MA treatment. The CA–MA combination was found to inhibit the TLR/Myd88/NF-κB and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways. In conclusion, the results suggest the potential of combined CA–MA treatment in alleviating C. perfringens challenge by inhibiting the growth of C. perfringens and affecting the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways.
Cold Drinking Water Boosts the Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Heat-Exposed Laying Hens
Authors: Eltahan Hatem M. , Kang Chang W. , Chowdhury Vishwajit S. , Eltahan Hossam M. , Abdel-Maksoud Mostafa A. , Mubarak Ayman , Lim Chun Ik
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cold drinking water on cellular and humoral immunity in heat-exposed laying hens. One hundred and eight laying hens at 19 weeks old were placed into three treatments with six replicates of six hens in each group as follows: (1) hens were provided with normal drinking water (NW) under the control of thermoneutral temperature (CT: 25 ± 1 °C; CT + NW), (2) hens were provided with NW under high ambient temperature (HT: 35 ± 1 °C; HT + NW) for 8 h/d for a month, and (3) hens were treated under HT with cold drinking water (CW: 15 ± 1 °C; HT + CW) for 8 h/d for a 4-weeks. Then, the feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, and blood immune parameters were investigated. The results showed that cold drinking water (CW) caused a significant (p < 0.05) recovery in the reduction of food intake and egg production due to heat stress; however, there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on egg weight and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, CW significantly (p < 0.05) restored the immune-suppressing effects of heat stress on the contents of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including B-cell (BU-Ia), helper T cell (CD4), and the ratio of helper/cytotoxic T cell (CD4/CD8). In addition, CW significantly (p < 0.05) recovered the reduction on the level of mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), as well as significantly (p < 0.05) restored the reduction of plasma concentration of IL-2, IFN-γ and immunoglobulin G in heat-stressed laying hens. These results prove that CW increased heat dissipation and enhanced feed intake, egg production, and cellular and humoral immunity in heat-exposed laying hens.
White Wine Antioxidant Metabolome: Definition and Dynamic Behavior during Aging on Lees in Oak Barrels
Authors: Romanet Rémy , Gougeon Régis D. , Nikolantonaki Maria
Published: February 2023

White wines’ oxidative stability is related to a flow of chemical reactions involving a number of native wine compounds comprising their antioxidant metabolome. By applying the combination of powerful and modern analytical approaches (EPR, DPPH, and UPLC-qToF-MS-based metabolomics), we could define wine antioxidant metabolome as the sum of molecular antioxidant markers (AM) characterized by their radical scavenging (AM-RS) and nucleophilic (AM-Nu) properties. The impact of on-lees barrel aging of chardonnay wines on the antioxidant metabolome was studied for two consecutive vintages. The identification of wines’ antioxidant metabolome allows for a detailed understanding of the transient chemical interplays involved in the antioxidant chemistry associated with well-known antioxidants and opens an avenue towards personalized winemaking. The present study gathers for the first time the dynamics of wines’ antioxidant metabolome during on-lees aging. Monitoring the variations of the wine antioxidant metabolome can provide an avenue to better control the winemaking process using the knowledge of how to optimize the wine aging potential.
Validation of a Suggested Pre-Operative Protocol for the Prevention of Traumatic Dental Injuries during Oroendotracheal Intubation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Silva Daniela , Miranda Rita , Ferreira Inês , Braga Ana , Mourão Joana , Pina-Vaz Irene
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for oral pre-operative registration and dental risk assessment by the anaesthesiologist, determining its reliability through the inter-observer agreement between a senior dental student and an internal physician specializing in anaesthesiology. A convenience sample consisting of 35 patients was selected. These were observed during the anaesthesiology consultation, at Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal. The protocol included a self-administered questionnaire and a brief clinical examination by the two observers. A descriptive analysis (qualitative and quantitative variables) was performed. The Fleiss Kappa index was used to measure the degree of agreement between the two observers. In most of the parameters defined, the agreement presented Kappa index values between 0.6 and 1, corresponding to good and excellent correlation, respectively. The general oral status was considered “poor”, with a great number of missing teeth, namely the upper central and lateral incisors. The proposed pre-anaesthetic protocol can be a reliable tool for the anaesthesiologists, which suggests the relevancy of incorporating interdisciplinary training between future health professionals. Further research is needed to assess its implementation, providing information about the pre-operative oral status, preventing intraoperative damage and potential medicolegal litigation.
Decision-Making Model of Autonomous Driving at Intersection Based on Unified Driving Operational Risk Field
Authors: Lu Ziming , Zhang Weiwei , Zhao Bo
Published: February 2023

Safety and comfort are the two major requirements for the successful implementation of self-driving cars, which are anticipated to constitute the future generation of transportation. To create safe and effective self-driving car trajectories, a novel behavioral decision model is developed. First, a risk field model for driving activities based on vehicle kinematics and Eulerian solenoids is constructed. From there, the principle of least action is applied to produce the best trajectory points. Finally, nine typical unit scenarios are simulated by matlab’s driving scenario designer to verify the feasibility of the decision-making algorithm. This study illustrates how an unified operational risk field can efficiently increase intersection passing efficiency while ensuring safety, utilizing the principle of least action. The experimental results show that in the scenario of unprotected left turn and more than 5 vehicles in the intersection, the decision-making model improves the pass rate by 23% compared with the TTI (Time To Intersection) threshold method.
Modeling the Health Benefits of Superblocks across the City of Los Angeles
Authors: Li Kenan , Wilson John
Published: February 2023

Superblocks can help to transform urban areas into pedestrian-centric neighborhoods. First launched in Barcelona, Spain, they are expected to reduce harmful environmental exposures, increase green space access and thereby provide substantial health benefits. However, few studies have examined the practicality and likely benefits of implementing Superblocks in other metropolitan areas. We developed a methodological framework to build a generalizable City of Los Angeles (LA) Superblocks Model and evaluate the predicted health benefits that would follow such an intervention. We derived and used five rules to guide the choice of arterial streets and candidate blocks and the choice of major bounding streets that could facilitate mobility across the metropolitan area. We next used the BenMap-CE model to perform a quantitative assessment of the health and economic benefits that would accompany five scenarios that would transform 5–50% of the residential areas in the City of LA to Superblocks. We found that the creation of superblocks resulted in significant reductions in hospital admissions and significant economic savings. The benefits were strongest when 5–10% of residential areas were transformed, but rapidly decreased as the threshold reached 30%. These results will help stakeholders determine the optimal balance between reduced car traffic and improved health outcomes. Moreover, we illustrated how to develop a Superblocks model for a highly versatile and populated metropolitan area like the City of LA and how the model can be used to assess the potential health benefits and benchmark the relationship between the scale of the Superblock implementation and the accompanying health benefits moving forward.
Detect Orientation of Symmetric Objects from Monocular Camera to Enhance Landmark Estimations in Object SLAM
Authors: Fang Zehua , Han Jinglin , Wang Wei
Published: February 2023

Object simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) introduces object-level landmarks to the map and helps robots to further perceive their surroundings. As one of the most preferred landmark representations, ellipsoid has a dense mathematical expression and can represent the occupied space of objects with high accuracy. However, the orientations of ellipsoid approximations often fail to coincide with the orientation of objects. To further improve the performance of object SLAM systems with ellipsoid landmarks, we innovatively propose a strategy that first extracts the orientations of those symmetric human-made objects in a single frame and then implements the results of the orientation as a back-end constraint factor of the ellipsoid landmarks. Experimental results obtained show that, compared with the baseline, the proposed orientation detection method can reduce the orientation error by more than 46.5% in most tested datasets and improves the accuracy of mapping. The average translation, rotation and shape error improved by 63.4%, 61.7% and 42.4%, respectively, compared with quadric-SLAM. With only 9 ms additional time cost of each frame, the object SLAM system integrated with our proposed method can still run in real time.
Reactive Ion Etching of X-Cut LiNbO3 in an ICP/TCP System for the Fabrication of an Optical Ridge Waveguide
Authors: Kozlov Andrei , Moskalev Dmitrii , Salgaeva Uliana , Bulatova Anna , Krishtop Victor , Volyntsev Anatolii , Syuy Alexander
Published: February 2023

In this study, the technology for producing ridge waveguides with a minimal roughness of the sidewalls and material surface in a near-waveguide region was developed with the purpose of fabricating miniature photonic integrated circuits on a LiNbO3 substrate. Plasma etching processes were used for the ridge waveguide fabrication on different material substrates. The specifications of the equipment and plasma source, method of mask fabrication and substrate material determined the process conditions for producing ridge waveguides with minimal sidewall roughness. In this work, for the ridge waveguide fabrication, the processes of reactive ion etching of LiNbO3 with a chromium mask were carried out in a mixture of SF6/Ar with an ICP/TCP plasma source. The process of plasma etching the LiNbO3 with the ICP/TCP plasma source is not well studied, especially for integrated photonics purposes. As a result of our experimental work, the narrow ranges of technological parameters suitable for producing ridge waveguides on LiNbO3 with smooth sidewalls, a slope angle of 60°–75° and a minimal quantity of observed defects in the near-waveguide region were identified. A model explaining the kinetics of the etching process of LiNbO3 in SF6/Ar plasma as a physical–chemical process was proposed.
A Review: Image Processing Techniques’ Roles towards Energy-Efficient and Secure IoT
Authors: Al-Ghaili Abbas , Kasim Hairoladenan , Hassan Zainuddin , Al-Hada Naif , Othman Marini , Kasmani Rafiziana , Shayea Ibraheem
Published: February 2023

The goal of this review paper is to highlight the image processing techniques’ role in the Internet of Things (IoT), aiming to attain an energy-efficient and secure IoT. IoT-dependent systems (IoTSs) cause heavy usage of energy. This is one of the biggest issues associated with IoTSs. Another issue is that the security of digital content is a big challenge and difficulty. Image processing has recently played an essential role in resolving these difficulties. Several researchers have made efforts to improve future IoTSs, which are summarized in this article. Day-by-day, proposed methods are developed, and thus IoT deployment has been plainly engaged in our everyday activities. Several efficient image-processing techniques that can be utilized by IoTSs to overcome such issues have been proposed. This review paper aims to highlight those proposed methods that can make contributions in this direction. Thus, this study aims to review numerous research studies on this subject. This study looks at 36 publications relevant to image-processing techniques utilized by several types of IoTSs. The innovative work of this review paper is to provide readers with a map of suitable image processing techniques to be used with certain types of IoT systems (i.e., scenarios). Both methodology and analysis have come out with a suggested mind map highlighting a number of proposed solutions (i.e., image processing techniques) that can be suitable to help design an energy-efficient, secure, and intelligent IoT system. We have made some conclusions and projections for future research work.
Numerical Study Investigating the Blasting Efficiency of the Long and Large-Diameter Uncharged Hole-Boring Method with Deck Charge Technique
Authors: Kim Min-Seong , Yoo Wan-Kyu , Kim Wooseok , Hwang Sungpil , Kim Chang-Yong , Lee Sean Seungwon
Published: February 2023

The long and large-diameter uncharged hole-boring (LLB) method is a cut-blasting method used to reduce vibration induced by blasting. This method typically involves creating an uncharged hole with a 382 mm diameter and drilling 50 m in the tunnel excavation direction at a time. This method is reported to provide relatively good vibration reduction and with high blasting efficiency through short hole blasting compared to traditional cut methods. In this study, an advanced LLB method incorporating deck charge blasting was investigated to improve the blasting efficiency during long hole blasting. Numerical analysis was performed via ANSYS LS-DYNA to investigate the effectiveness of the deck charge technique. In the original LLB method, explosives were used to break the rocks more finely, and the fragmented rocks were concen trated at the end of the blast holes. On the contrary, the modified LLB, in which two-part explosives were loaded into the blast holes, is expected to push the fragmented rocks to the tunnel face more effectively than the original LLB method. Therefore, it is expected that the proposed LLB method combined with a deck charge technique can achieve superior blasting efficiency.
Analysis of Plasma Ion Distribution and Dust Collection Efficiency of Carbon-Brush Air Purifiers
Authors: Kim Yong Sun , Kim Hong Gun , Ko Sang Cheol , Kwac Lee Ku
Published: February 2023

In recent years, many studies on air purifiers have been conducted, as particulate matter and virus issues have emerged. In this study, the ion concentration distribution in an air purifier that applies a high voltage was investigated through simulation. For a single carbon brush that applied a high voltage of –8.5 kV, the simulation results of the ion concentration distribution in the ground direction were compared with the result of the experiment and an error of 4.3% was observed, thereby confirming the reliability of the simulation. On this basis, the ion concentration distribution was calculated according to the number and location of the brushes. In addition, the charging number was calculated by applying the charging mechanism to the distributed dust particles, and the dust collection efficiency was calculated by conducting particle multiphysics analysis. The dust collection efficiency increased from 0.5% to 1% as the number of brushes increased, and the dust collection efficiency was 82% when there were two brushes and 83% when there were four brushes. In the proposed modeling, the location of the brushes is more important than the number of brushes. These results are expected to provide more accurate design information for the number and location of brushes applicable to an air purifier.