bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining and comparing regional SARS-CoV-2 epidemic dynamics in Italy: Bayesian meta-analysis of compartmental models and global sensitivity analysis
Authors: Cereda Giulia , Viscardi Cecilia , Baccini Michela
Published: September 2022

During autumn 2020, Italy faced a second important SARS-CoV-2 epidemic wave. We explored the time pattern of the instantaneous reproductive number, R0(t), and estimated the prevalence of infections by region from August to December calibrating SIRD models on COVID-19-related deaths, fixing at values from literature Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) and average infection duration. A Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) was performed on the regional SIRD models. Then, we used Bayesian meta-analysis and meta-regression to combine and compare the regional results and investigate their heterogeneity. The meta-analytic R0(t) curves were similar in the Northern and Central regions, while a less peaked curve was estimated for the South. The maximum R0(t) ranged from 2.15 (South) to 2.61 (North) with an increase following school reopening and a decline at the end of October. The predictive performance of the regional models, assessed through cross validation, was good, with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 7.2% and 10.9% when considering prediction horizons of 7 and 14 days, respectively. Average temperature, urbanization, characteristics of family medicine and healthcare system, economic dynamism, and use of public transport could partly explain the regional heterogeneity. The GSA indicated the robustness of the regional R0(t) curves to different assumptions on IFR. The infectious period turned out to have a key role in determining the model results, but without compromising between-region comparisons.
The structural impacts of enforcement policy on Latino immigrant health
Authors: Young Maria-Elena De Trinidad , Payan Denise Diaz , Guzman-Ruiz Iris Y.
Published: September 2022

As evidence of the negative health impact of immigration enforcement policy continues to mount, public health research has focused primarily on the psychosocial health mechanisms, such as fear and stress, by which immigration enforcement may harm health. We build on this research using structural vulnerability theory to investigate the structural processes by which enforcement policy may shape Latino immigrants' health. We conducted qualitative analysis of testimonios from a purposive sample of Latino immigrants (n=14) living in Southern California in 2015, a period of significant federal, state, and local enforcement policy change. Testimonios are a narrative methodology used across the social sciences and humanities to center the voices of marginalized people. Through unstructured testimonio interviews, we sought to understand Latino immigrants' experiences with immigration enforcement and identify specific structural factors by which those experiences may influence health. Respondents' narratives revealed that singular enforcement experiences were not viewed as the sole manifestation of enforcement, but as part of a system of intersecting physical, legal, institutional, and economic exclusions which shaped the social and economic conditions that influence health. These exclusions reinforced respondents' marginalization, produced instability about the future, and generated a sense of individual responsibility and blame. We discuss how physical, legal, institutional, and economic processes may influence health and propose a framework to inform population health research on intersecting structural health mechanisms.
Enhancing employee wellbeing by ethical leadership in the construction industry: The role of perceived organizational support
Authors: Cheng Jiajia , Zhang Lianying , Lin Yuan , Guo Haiyan , Zhang Shaoping
Published: September 2022

Employee wellbeing is a crucial determinant in overall organizational performance. However, in the construction Industry, it is damaged by hazardous and stressful work environment. This study aims to explore how ethical leadership influences and thus could enhance employee wellbeing through perceived organizational support (POS). We proposed several hypotheses and developed the research framework accordingly. To test the hypotheses, an elaborately designed survey was used to collect quantitative data from 194 employees in the construction companies in China. Our results show that ethical leadership is positively related to the employee wellbeing. This study further reveals a remarkable indirect effect of ethical leadership on employee wellbeing via the mediating POS. Consequently, our findings suggest that, to enhance employee wellbeing, ethical leaders can develop a relaxing ethical environment and provide sufficient organizational support to the employees.
Physical education movement and comprehensive health quality intervention under the background of artificial intelligence
Authors: Zhang Bo , Jin Hao , Duan Xiaojing
Published: September 2022

The application of artificial intelligence has realized the transformation of people's production and lifestyle, and also promoted the progress of physical education and comprehensive health quality. The application of artificial intelligence in the current physical education movement is increasing. By utilizing its advanced method of virtual simulation technology, the purpose of this paper is to realize the interventional research on the physical education movement and comprehensive health quality in the environment of artificial intelligence. This paper proposes to use the virtual simulation technology and Kinect algorithm in artificial intelligence to design the virtual sports simulation teaching mode. The functional module design part where the Kinect algorithm helps the teaching of virtual sports simulation experiments, which is helpful to analyze and solve the objective system imbalance and ecological imbalance in online physical education teaching. By using the principles and rules of the Mean Shift image segmentation algorithm for reference, the investigation and research on the comprehensive health quality of students are carried out, so as to realize the ecologicalization of the virtual sports school. In the investigation and research on the comprehensive quality of students, the results show that the overall quality of these students who has reached the level of qualified or unqualified is accounting for about 30% of the total number. It is worth noting that in terms of scientific and cultural quality, only 43.34% of all students have excellent grades. It can be seen that the important training goal of current school research is how to use reasonable and effective methods and strategies to improve students' scientific and cultural level, and improve students' other comprehensive scores at the same time.
Psychological determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among urban slum dwellers of Bangladesh
Authors: Patwary Muhammad Mainuddin , Bardhan Mondira , Al Imran Sardar , Hasan Mehedi , Imam Tuhi Faiza , Rahim Sama Jamila , Newaz Md. Navid , Hasan Mahadi , Haque Md. Zahidul , Disha Asma Safia , Hossain Md. Riad , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J. , Saeed Fahimeh , Nazari Sardar Khan , Shoib Sheikh
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has emerged as a promising approach to counter the harmful impacts of the pandemic. Understanding the psychological components that may impact an individual's attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for generating evidence-based ways to minimize vaccine hesitancy. This study determined the psychological antecedents regarding vaccine acceptance among urban slum people of Bangladesh.

Methods

From 5 July to 5 August 5, 2021, a face-to-face survey was conducted in the urban slum of two large cities in Bangladesh. The questionnaire considered socio-demographics, health-related characteristics, psychological determinants, sources of information, and conspiracy beliefs regarding COVID-19. The 5C sub-scales were used to assess psychological antecedents. Five stepwise binary logistic regression models evaluated significant predictors for confidence, complacency, calculation, constraints, and collective responsibility. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between psychological antecedents and vaccine acceptability.

Results

The study revealed that the slum residents with a high level of confident (89.94%), complacent (72.73%), having constraints (82.31%), calculative (84.80%), and responsible (93.30%) showed a higher vaccine acceptance rate. Higher vaccine acceptance was related to the believer in natural-made origin (85.96%) and those who rejected anti-vaccination (88.44%). The information acquired from newspapers differed significantly (p < 0.05), though TV or radio was the most common primary information source about COVID-19 vaccines (74.75%). The regression result revealed that marital status, education, family income, and perceived health condition were significantly associated with the 5C domains. Two psychological antecedents including complacency (OR = 3.97; p < 0.001) and collective responsibility (OR = 0.23; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance.

Conclusions

Different predictors significantly affect psychological antecedents related to COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Therefore, considering the factors, targeted actions based on the findings may help to lower vaccine reluctance and boost vaccination rates.
Opportunities for agrivoltaic systems to achieve synergistic food-energy-environmental needs and address sustainability goals
Authors: Walston Leroy J. , Barley Tristan , Bhandari Indraneel , Campbell Ben , McCall James , Hartmann Heidi M. , Dolezal Adam G.
Published: September 2022

Achieving decarbonization goals to address global climate change and increasing energy needs requires significant continued investments in solar energy. The expansion of utility-scale solar development across the globe has increased the pressure on land resources for energy generation and other land uses (e.g., agriculture, biodiversity conservation). To address this growing issue, greater emphasis has been placed on solar development strategies that maximize the benefits of solar energy generation and multiple ecosystem services, such as the development of agrivoltaics systems that co-locate solar energy production and various forms of conservation and agricultural land uses. The purpose of this paper is to systematically synthesize the potential ecosystem services of agrivoltaics and summarize how these development strategies could address several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our review will focus on four broad potential ecosystem services of agrivoltaics: (1) energy and economic benefits; (2) agricultural provisioning services of food production and animal husbandry; (3) biodiversity conservation; and (4) regulating ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water and soil conservation. In particular, we will highlight the state of the science, challenges, and knowledge gaps that represent opportunities for further study to better understand how solar energy deployment can facilitate sustainable development.
Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions (XJZ, JSS) ameliorate spleen inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity by synergistically regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in piglets
Authors: Chen Jian , Hu Nianqing , Mao Yaqing , Hu Aiming , Jiang Wenjuan , Huang Aimin , Wang Yun , Meng Puyan , Hu Mingwen , Yang Xiaobin , Cao Yuandong , Yang Fan , Cao Huabin
Published: September 2022

Weaning transition generally impairs the immune system, inducing immune disturbance, which may be associated with post-weaning diarrhea and high mortality in piglets. The spleen is a pivotal lymphatic organ that plays a key role in the establishment of the immune system. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions, XiaoJianZhong (XJZ) and Jiansananli-sepsis (JSS), are widely used prescriptions for treating spleen damage and diarrhea. Here, we hypothesized that XJZ and JSS maintain the spleen physiological function by ameliorating antioxidant capacity and inflammatory response in weaned piglets. In this study, 18 weaned piglets were assigned to the Control, XJZ and JSS groups. By hematoxylin and eosin staining, hematological analysis, flow cytometric analysis, qRT-PCR and western blot, the effects of both TCM prescriptions on the spleen antioxidant defense system and inflammatory pathway were explored. Results showed that both TCM treatment significantly ameliorated the weaning-induced morphological damage in piglets, as evidenced by clearer and more perfect spleen histology, as well as higher relative area of white pulp. Meanwhile, both XJZ and JSS exerted better blood parameters, as supported by the changes of monocyte level and lymphocyte subpopulations CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Furthermore, the levels of inflammatory markers, IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNF-α in the spleen were markedly decreased after supplemented with both TCM prescriptions. Importantly, the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and its downstream effector genes (IL6, IL8, and TNF-α) in both XJZ and JSS treatment groups further confirmed alleviation of inflammatory responses in the spleen. In addition, both XJZ and JSS enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the spleen by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-activated antioxidant defense system. Notably, the results of PCA and network correlation analysis indicated that XJZ and JSS treatment altered the expression profiles of inflammatory and antioxidant-related factors in the spleen of weaned-piglets, which may involve the synergy of NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways. In summary, our study showed that TCM prescriptions, XJZ and JSS could ameliorate inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity in the spleen by synergistically regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways in piglets.
Risk Factor-Driven Prehabilitation Prior to Abdominal Wall Reconstruction to Improve Postoperative Outcome. A Narrative Review
Authors: Timmer Allard S. , Claessen Jeroen J. M. , Boermeester Marja A.
Published: September 2022

All abdominal wall reconstructions find themselves on a scale, varying between simple to highly complex procedures. The level of complexity depends on many factors that are divided into patient comorbidities, hernia characteristics, and wound characteristics. Preoperative identification of modifiable risk factors provides the opportunity for patient optimization. Because this so called prehabilitation greatly improves postoperative outcome, reconstructive surgery should not be scheduled before all modifiable risk factors are optimized to a point where no further improvement can be expected. In this review, we discuss the importance of preoperative risk factor recognition, identify modifiable risk factors, and utilize options for patient prehabilitation, all aiming to improve postoperative outcome and therewith long-term success of the reconstruction.
Double-Cropped Winter Camelina with and without Added Nitrogen: Effects on Productivity and Soil Available Nitrogen
Authors: Gregg Stephen , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Strock Jeffrey S. , Liu Ronghao , Garcia y Garcia Axel
Published: September 2022

Double cropping winter camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) with maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr.)) is a diversification strategy in northern regions. Winter camelina is reported to have low nutrient requirements, but its nitrogen (N) needs are not well understood. Studies on winter camelina without (Study 1) and with (Study 2) N fertilization were used to compare growth, seed yield and quality, and effects on soil N. Study 1 was conducted from 2015 to 2017 at one location and Study 2 was conducted from 2018 to 2020 at two locations. Grain yield was as much as six times higher in Study 2 compared with Study 1; averaged across treatments, winter camelina yielded 1157 kg ha−1 in Study 2 and 556 kg ha−1 without N. Oil and protein content ranged from 26.4 to 27.2% and 19.4 to 27.1%, respectively, in Study 1 and from 31.7 to 35.9% and 14.9 to 20.8%, respectively, in Study 2. N fertilizer increased winter camelina biomass and grain yield and soil N when double cropped with maize and soybean. Our study indicates that grain yield of winter camelina respond positively to N fertilization in a northern location. The drawback of this is the increase in residual soil N, which suggests the need for further research to balance agronomic practices with environmental outcomes.
Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Minho (Northern Portugal): Bioecology, Native Parasitoid Communities and Biological Control with Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)
Authors: Amorim Amaro , Rodrigues Raúl , Nunes Leonel J. R. , Freitas Mariano , Moura Luísa
Published: September 2022

The Asian chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, native to China, was first detected in Europe in Italy in 2002. In Portugal it was declared in 2014, and it has since affected the Portuguese chestnut production. The introduction of its natural parasitoid Torymus sinensis Kamijo started through inoculative releases according to the National Action Plan for the Control of Dryocosmus kuriphilus, established by the Direção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV), in 2015. This research was carried out during 2018 and 2019, in five chestnut orchards in the Minho region (Northern Portugal). Between January and March 2018, at each location, three monthly harvests of 100 buds were carried out to determine the infestation level. Between April and June 2018, 240 galls were harvested every two weeks, with the purpose of studying the bioecology of D. kuriphilus. In each sampling site, 160 galls were placed in emergence boxes to follow adults of the D. kuriphilus population, and 80 galls were dissected with a binocular magnifying glass, to count and record the evolution of the larval stages of D. kuriphilus and of the parasitoids. The identification of T. sinensis and native parasitoids was carried out. The parasitism rates and Simpson diversity indices were determined. The percentage of buds infested by D. kuriphilus was high in all studied places, varying between 67% and 80%, regardless of the number of T. sinensis releases made and of the chestnut cultivars present in each orchard. The highest rate of parasitism by T. sinensis was 0.5044% and it was recorded in an orchard where there were two releases of T. sinensis in 2016 and 2017 (Arcos de Valdevez—Rio Cabrão—P1). Considering that the exotic parasitoid has already been released in the region since 2016, its establishment in all the chestnut orchards studied was confirmed, although with very low parasitism rates. The natural parasitism associated with the native parasitoid species of D. kuriphilus was confirmed in this work, recording values between 34% and 51% of the parasitized chestnut galls, with 11 species of native parasitoids having been identified: Eupelmus azureos, Eupelmus uruzonus, Eurytoma brunnivientris, Eurytoma pistaciae, Megastigmus dorsalis, Mesopolobus sp., Ormyrus pomaceus, Sycophila biguttata, Sycophila iracemae, Sycophila variegatta and Torymus flavipes.
Performance of Winter-Sown Chickpea Breeding Lines with Contrasting Levels of Resistance to Ascochyta Blight
Authors: Rubiales Diego , Moral Ana , Flores Fernando
Published: September 2022

Multi-environment field testing of chickpea accessions winter sown in Southern Spain showed that environmental effects on yield were more important than genotypic effects and GEI. The most detrimental factor on grain yield was ascochyta blight infection. We did not find a significant effect of low temperatures on yield in the environments studied, probably due to the mild winters in the area. On the contrary, we found detrimental effects of high temperatures at the reproductive stage, particularly with numbers of days with Tmax >30 °C. We found that genotypic effects were larger than the environmental on ascochyta infection as we included accessions previously selected for their levels of resistance or susceptibility. Biplots based on the WAASB/productivity ratio highlighted AS19, AS30, AS23, AS26, and AS18 accessions as the best for productivity and stability of yield, matching with those with a lower ascochyta blight infection. The MTSI index also identified these as the best accessions for the region.
Effects of Different Concentrations of Micro-Nano Bubbles on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Absorption and Utilization of Double Cropping Rice in South China
Authors: Qian Yinfei , Guan Xianjiao , Shao Caihong , Qiu Caifei , Chen Xianmao , Chen Jin , Peng Chunrui
Published: September 2022

Micro-nano bubble (MNB) irrigation can effectively improve the hypoxia stress caused by conventional irrigation and shows great potential in plant development, yield improvement, and saving of water and fertilizer, and has been recognized as a new and high-efficiency technology in crop planting. However, former research on MNB concentration had no clear segmentation, and other MNB concentrations can achieve better or worse effects. This remains to be further explored in order to explore the optimal concentration of MNBs for the yield and nitrogen absorption and utilization of the double cropping rice. With early rice Ganxin203 and late rice WufengyouT025 as the experimental cultivars, the effects of MNBs on growth, yield, and nitrogen absorption and utilization of the potted double cropping rice were analyzed by setting three concentrations of MNBs (LM, low concentration; MM, middle concentration; HM, high concentration), compared with the ordinary running water (CK). Compared with CK, grain yield of the early rice under the MNB treatment increased by 4.84~10.95% and the late rice increased by 6.10~14.31%. It was found that the higher the concentration of the MNBs, the higher the yield of the rice. This is due to that the MNBs improved the tiller-bearing rate, increased the SPAD and Pn values of the flag leaves in the whole growth period, slowed down the drop of the leaf SPAD and Pn from heading stage to maturity, increased the number of the adventitious roots, improved the α-NA oxidation of the root, and simultaneously promoted the nitrogen accumulation, absorption, and utilization. The HM treatment obtained the best benefits, and the effect of the MNBs on the late rice was better than the early rice.
An Encapsulated Organic Acid and Essential Oil Mixture Improves the Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets by Altering Intestinal Inflammation and Antioxidative Capacity
Authors: Liu Aidong , Li Zhen , Jin Xu , Wu Qiong , Hu Hong , Zhang Cheng
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the effects of an encapsulated organic acid and essential oil mixture (OAEO) on the growth performance, immuno-antioxidant capacity and intestinal health of weaned piglets. In total, 120 weaned piglets (23 days of age; 6.96 ± 0.08 kg) were randomly allotted to four treatments (six replicates/group; five piglets/replicate): the control group (CON) was fed the basal diet (BD), the antibiotic growth promoters group (AGP) received the BD with 20 mg/kg colistin sulphate and 10 mg/kg bacitracin zinc, and OAEO1 and OAEO2 were fed the BD with 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg OAEO, respectively. The trial lasted 21 days and then one piglet per replicate was selected for sample collection. OAEO increased the average daily gain, spleen index, serum interleukin (IL)-10, immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA levels; serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities; and jejunal villus height (VH), VH/crypt depth, goblet cell number, and amylase and trypsin activities (p < 0.05) compared with CON but reduced the diarrhea rate, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), and D-lactic acid contents and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (p < 0.05). OAEO also increased the jejunal zonula occludens-1, occludin, claudin-1, mucin-2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), GPX and IL-10 mRNA levels, GPX activity and IL-10 content (p < 0.05) compared with CON but reduced jejunal MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α contents and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and TNF-α mRNA levels (p < 0.05). In addition, AGP increased ADG, serum IgA level and GPX activity, jejunal trypsin activity and IL-10 content and mRNA level (p < 0.05) compared with CON but reduced the serum TNF-α content and DAO activity and jejunal NF-κB mRNA level (p < 0.05). Overall, OAEO as an alternative to AGP improved the growth performance, immuno-antioxidant status and gut health of weaned piglets partly via activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Factor Analysis of Genetic Parameters for Body Conformation Traits in Dual-Purpose Simmental Cattle
Authors: Xu Lei , Luo Hanpeng , Zhang Xiaoxue , Lu Haibo , Zhang Menghua , Ge Jianjun , Zhang Tao , Yan Mengjie , Tan Xueting , Huang Xixia , Wang Yachun
Published: September 2022

In this study, we estimated the genetic parameters for 6 composite traits and 27 body conformation traits of 1016 dual-purpose Simmental cattle reared in northwestern China from 2010 to 2019 using a linear animal mixed model. To integrate these traits, a variety of methods were used as follows: (1) genetic parameters estimates for composite and individual body conformation traits based on the pedigree relationship matrix (A) and combined genomic-pedigree relationship matrix (H); (2) factor analysis to explore the relationships among body conformation traits; and (3) genetic parameters of factor scores estimated using A and H, and the correlations of EBVs of the factor scores and EBVs of the composite traits. Heritability estimates of the composite traits using A and H were low to medium (0.07–0.47). The 24 common latent factors explained 96.13% of the total variance. Among factors with eigenvalues ≥ 1, F1 was mainly related to body frame, muscularity, and rump; F2 was related to feet and legs; F3, F4, F5, and F6 were related to teat placement, teat size, udder size, and udder conformation; and F7 was related to body frame. Single-trait analysis of factor scores yielded heritability estimates that were low to moderate (0.008–0.43 based on A and 0.04–0.43 based on H). Spearman and Pearson correlations, derived from the best linear unbiased prediction analysis of composite traits and factor scores, showed a similar pattern. Thus, incorporating factor analysis into the morphological evaluation to simplify the assessment of body conformation traits may improve the genetics of dual-purpose Simmental cattle.
An Efficient Model for a Vast Number of Bird Species Identification Based on Acoustic Features
Authors: Wang Hanlin , Xu Yingfan , Yu Yan , Lin Yucheng , Ran Jianghong
Published: September 2022

Birds have been widely considered crucial indicators of biodiversity. It is essential to identify bird species precisely for biodiversity surveys. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, bird species identification has been facilitated by deep learning using audio samples. Prior studies mainly focused on identifying several bird species using deep learning or machine learning based on acoustic features. In this paper, we proposed a novel deep learning method to better identify a large number of bird species based on their call. The proposed method was made of LSTM (Long Short−Term Memory) with coordinate attention. More than 70,000 bird−call audio clips, including 264 bird species, were collected from Xeno−Canto. An evaluation experiment showed that our proposed network achieved 77.43% mean average precision (mAP), which indicates that our proposed network is valuable for automatically identifying a massive number of bird species based on acoustic features and avian biodiversity monitoring.
Urban Low-Rise Residential Areas Provide Preferred Song Post Sites for a Resident Songbird
Authors: Chen Yanhong , Li Lijing , Zhu Xiaotian , Shen Yicheng , Ma Anran , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Pan , Lu Changhu
Published: September 2022

Urbanization is expanding rapidly worldwide, and brings additional selection pressure on animals. The song differences between urban and rural songbirds have been widely verified, but the effects of urban morphological variation on long-settled urban birds have been poorly explored. Here, we investigated the distribution and song differences of a common resident songbird—the oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) between three urban morphology types (i.e., urban park, low-rise residential area, and high-rise residential area). The results indicated that the population density in low-rise residential areas was significantly higher than in urban parks, while it was the lowest in high-rise residential areas. Males in low-rise residential areas had greater song length, syllable numbers, frequency bandwidth, and song diversity than those in urban parks. The song differences were mainly related to habitat types, independent of singing height and perch type. Our findings suggest that low-rise residential areas may provide preferred song post sites for the oriental magpie-robin, which is well-adapted to the low-rise building morphology, but rejects the emerging high-rise buildings. Future studies are needed to assess the effects of urban morphological variation on more resident animals to determine which urban morphologies are conducive to enhancing biodiversity and encouraging animals to settle in urban areas.
Understanding Subordinate Animal Welfare Legislation in Australia: Assembling the Regulations and Codes of Practice
Authors: Morton Rochelle , Whittaker Alexandra L.
Published: September 2022

The state-based approach to regulating animal welfare in Australia is thought to create national dis-uniformity in that each state and territory legislates and operates inconsistently. The animal welfare legal framework in each of the eight Australian jurisdictions is made up of a primary statute and subordinate legislation, where subordinate animal welfare legislation, in the forms of regulations and codes of practices, are lower-ranking laws that are given power under the jurisdiction’s specific animal welfare statute. Since a review of animal welfare statutes identified broad patterns between the jurisdictions, this study is intended to be complementary by collating the subordinate legislation to provide a more comprehensive understanding of animal welfare laws in Australia. Using targeted search strategies stemming from the eight enabling animal welfare statutes, this study identified 201 pieces of subordinate legislation in force between 28 March 2022 and 5 April 2022. The scope of subordinate legislation is depicted through the following utility categories of animals: companion, production, wild/exotic, entertainment. Whilst subordinate legislation differed between the jurisdictions, it was common for similar welfare concerns or topic areas to be protected in higher-order legislation (statutes or regulations). Additionally, many jurisdictions were found to have similar shortcomings, all which likely could be managed through a mechanism of national data collection.
Prevalence of Echocardiographic Evidence of Trace Mitral and Aortic Valve Regurgitation in 50 Clinically Healthy, Young Adult Labrador Retrievers without Heart Murmur
Authors: Jong Maxime V. de , Leegwater Peter A. J. , Fieten Hille , Szatmári Viktor
Published: September 2022

Background—Though physiologic regurgitation of the right-sided cardiac valves is well recognized in dogs and other mammals, the prevalence of trace insufficiency of the mitral and aortic valves in clinically healthy, young adult dogs is unknown. Methods—In this observational cross-sectional study, 50 clinically healthy, young adult Labrador retrievers without an audible heart murmur were enrolled. All dogs were bred and owned by a single organization. Cardiac screening was requested for all dogs that were intended for breeding. These dogs underwent a cardiac auscultation and transthoracic echocardiography by a veterinary cardiology specialist. If mitral or aortic valve regurgitation was noticed, the jet size was subjectively assessed on color Doppler echocardiography. Pedigree analysis was performed to reveal a possible hereditary background of mitral valve regurgitation. Results—The prevalence of trivial mitral valve regurgitation was 52% with no significant predisposition to gender (p = 0.86) or haircoat color (p = 0.68). The prevalence of aortic valve regurgitation was 4%. Pedigree analysis for mitral valve regurgitation showed familial clustering, suggesting a hereditary background of the trait. Conclusions—The prevalence of silent trace mitral valve regurgitation in young adult Labrador retrievers was high. Because the regurgitant jet was trivial in all dogs, it is probably physiologic.
Understanding the Gastrointestinal Behavior of the Coffee Pulp Phenolic Compounds under Simulated Conditions
Authors: Cañas Silvia , Rebollo-Hernanz Miguel , Braojos Cheyenne , Benítez Vanesa , Ferreras-Charro Rebeca , Dueñas Montserrat , Aguilera Yolanda , Martín-Cabrejas María A.
Published: September 2022

Numerous residues, such as the coffee pulp, are generated throughout coffee processing. This by-product is a source of antioxidant phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds and caffeine. However, the antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds from the coffee pulp are physiologically limited to their bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and biotransformation occurring during gastrointestinal digestion. Hence, this study explored the phenolic and caffeine profile in the coffee pulp flour (CPF) and extract (CPE), their intestinal bioaccessibility through in vitro digestion, and their potential bioavailability and colonic metabolism using in silico models. The CPE exhibited a higher concentration of phenolic compounds than the CPF, mainly phenolic acids (protocatechuic, chlorogenic, and gallic acids), followed by flavonoids, particularly quercetin derivatives. Caffeine was found in higher concentrations than phenolic compounds. The antioxidant capacity was increased throughout the digestive process. The coffee pulp matrix influenced phytochemicals’ behavior during gastrointestinal digestion. Whereas individual phenolic compounds generally decreased during digestion, caffeine remained stable. Then, phenolic acids and caffeine were highly bioaccessible, while flavonoids were mainly degraded. As a result, caffeine and protocatechuic acid were the main compounds absorbed in the intestine after digestion. Non-absorbed phenolic compounds might undergo colonic biotransformation yielding small and potentially more adsorbable phenolic metabolites. These results contribute to establishing the coffee pulp as an antioxidant food ingredient since it contains bioaccessible and potentially bioavailable phytochemicals with potential health-promoting properties.
Chronic High-Altitude Hypoxia Alters Iron and Nitric Oxide Homeostasis in Fetal and Maternal Sheep Blood and Aorta
Authors: Liu Taiming , Zhang Meijuan , Mourkus Avoumia , Schroeder Hobe , Zhang Lubo , Power Gordon G. , Blood Arlin B.
Published: September 2022

The mammalian fetus thrives at oxygen tensions much lower than those of adults. Gestation at high altitude superimposes hypoxic stresses on the fetus resulting in increased erythropoiesis. We hypothesized that chronic hypoxia at high altitude alters the homeostasis of iron and bioactive nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in gestation. To test for this, electron paramagnetic resonance was used to provide unique measurements of iron, metalloproteins, and free radicals in the blood and aorta of fetal and maternal sheep from either high or low altitudes (3801 or 300 m). Using ozone-based chemiluminescence with selectivity for various NOx species, we determined the NOx levels in these samples immediately after collection. These experiments demonstrated a systemic redistribution of iron in high altitude fetuses as manifested by a decrease in both chelatable and total iron in the aorta and an increase in non-transferrin bound iron and total iron in plasma. Likewise, high altitude altered the redox status diversely in fetal blood and aorta. This study also found significant increases in blood and aortic tissue NOx in fetuses and mothers at high altitude. In addition, gradients in NOx concentrations observed between fetus and mother, umbilical artery and vein, and plasma and RBCs demonstrated complex dynamic homeostasis of NOx among these circulatory compartments, such as placental generation and efflux as well as fetal consumption of iron-nitrosyls in RBCs, probably HbNO. In conclusion, these results may suggest the utilization of iron from non-hematopoietic tissues iron for erythropoiesis in the fetus and increased NO bioavailability in response to chronic hypoxic stress at high altitude during gestation.
A Wheels-on-Knees Quadruped Assistive Robot to Carry Loads
Authors: Li Wujing , Wei Linchao , Zhang Xiaochen
Published: September 2022

This work introduces a high-performance, quadruped-assistive-robot expandable platform with wheel–leg mode transformation functions. The robot platform is designed for transporting goods in residential areas such as apartments, private houses, and office buildings. It is capable to move fast on flat ground on wheels or use legs to move in other places, especially for moving on and off residential staircases and wheelchair accessible ramps. To achieve higher load capacity and combine the knee joint with the drive wheel, we designed a compact torso–leg structure, driving the lower link through a ligament-like structure. Because the distance between the wheel and the torso is short, the mass centroid drops and the force arm caused by the load is reduced; the designed sample robot is capable to transport uniform mass loads up to 15 kg while keeping it affordable. The proposed ligament-like transmission structure also ensures the torso’s even gesture and load capability in its walking mode. Gait motion planning, finite element analysis, and task-oriented simulation have been conducted to prove its applicability and feasibility when given a heavy load to transport across flat and staired scenarios.
A Cyber-Physical Risk Assessment Approach for Internet of Things Enabled Transportation Infrastructure
Authors: Ntafloukas Konstantinos , McCrum Daniel P. , Pasquale Liliana
Published: September 2022

A critical transportation infrastructure integrated with the Internet of Things based wireless sensor network, operates as a cyber-physical system. However, the new form of IoT enabled transportation infrastructure is susceptible to cyber-physical attacks in the sensing area, due to inherent cyber vulnerabilities of IoT devices and deficient control barriers that could protect it. Traditional risk assessment processes, consider the physical and cyber space as isolated environments, resulting in IoT enabled transportation infrastructure not being assessed by stakeholders (i.e., operators, civil and security engineers) for cyber-physical attacks. In this paper, a new risk assessment approach for cyber-physical attacks against IoT based wireless sensor network is proposed. The approach relies on the identification and proposal of novel cyber-physical characteristics, in the aspect of threat source (e.g., motives), vulnerability (e.g., lack of authentication mechanisms) and types of physical impacts (e.g., casualties). Cyber-physical risk is computed as a product of the level and importance of these characteristics. Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analysis are performed to evaluate the results of an IoT enabled bridge subjected to cyber-physical attack scenarios. The results indicate that 76.6% of simulated cases have high-risk and control barriers operating in physical and cyber space can reduce the cyber-physical risk by 71.8%. Additionally, cyber-physical risk differentiates when the importance of the characteristics that are considered during risk assessment is overlooked. The approach is of interest to stakeholders who attempt to incorporate the cyber domain in risk assessment procedures of their system.
Applications in Genetics and Animal Biotechnology
Authors: D’Agaro Edo
Published: September 2022

The present Special Issue, “Applications in Genetics and Animal Biotechnology”, presents the latest advances in the field of animal genetics [...]
Investigation into Dynamic Behaviors of High-Temperature Sandstone under Cyclic Impact Loading Using DIC Technology
Authors: Lu Hua , Chen Qiaoli , Ma Xiaotong
Published: September 2022

Coal resources are rich in Ningxia. Long-term mining creates mine goaf, which causes coal to burn spontaneously for a very long time. Unavoidably, the rocks around the coal fire area are affected by high temperatures, which can alter the characteristics of rocks and lead to safety accidents. To explore the temperature influence of sandstone in coal fire areas under cyclic impact loading, the sandstone treated under different temperatures is tested by a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The mechanical properties of rocks treated at different temperatures are obtained. The composition of rock is determined, and the energy dissipation is calculated. Meantime, the digital image correlation (DIC) method is applied to study the mechanical behaviors of sandstone. The results show that at the first impact, the peak stress of sandstone decreases as the temperature increases. However, there is no obvious trend in the peak strain. Under the SHPB cyclic impact, the sandstone specimen is completely destroyed after two to three times of impact at different temperatures. At 25~1000 °C, the dynamic peak stress of sandstone decreases with the increase in impact times, and brittle failure occurs. When the impact pressure is 0.6 MPa, the incident energy increases with the impact velocity; the dynamic peak stress increases with the transmitted energy. Using the DIC method, it is found that when the temperature is below 800 °C, the dynamic characteristics of rock specimen have a close correlation with the crack initiation point and extreme point. When the temperature exceeds 800 °C, the rock specimen is seriously damaged, the overall strain is small, and the stress transfer efficiency is low. These findings show that temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties and initial damage of the sandstone, and the performance and damage are abrupt at 800 °C. Meanwhile, the DIC technology can effectively characterize the strain evolution of rock materials and explain the formation and propagation process of cracks, which provides a valid means for studying the damage and crack evolution of materials.
Fair-Weather Near-Surface Atmospheric Electric Field Measurements at the Zhongshan Chinese Station in Antarctica
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Tao , Ti Shuo , Wang Shi-Han , Song Jia-Jun , Cai Chun-Lin , Liu Yong-Hua , Li Wen , Luo Jing
Published: September 2022

The variability in the atmospheric electric field is modulated by a combination of solar activities, meteorological activities, and geological conditions. A foundational dataset of the daily variations in the fair-weather atmospheric electric field is established in this study, and several examinations are conducted into the details of these variations in particular regions. This paper is organized as follows. First, the researchers count the datasets of daily variations to the atmospheric electric field on fair-weather days from 1 March–1 August 2022 at Zhongshan Chinese Station in Antarctica and Changping Station in Beijing. Then, the average daily variation in the atmospheric electric field on 40 fair-weather days in Antarctica is shown and the variations are compared with the average curve of 37 fair-weather days in Beijing during the same time period. Finally, the three main differences between these variations, their possible reasons, and a reasonable error analysis are clarified and discussed at the end of this paper.
An Iterative Guidance and Navigation Algorithm for Orbit Rendezvous of Cooperating CubeSats
Authors: Battistini Simone , De Angelis Giulio , Pontani Mauro , Graziani Filippo
Published: September 2022

Modern space missions often require satellites to perform guidance, navigation, and control tasks autonomously. Despite their limited resources, small satellites are also involved in this trend, as in-orbit rendezvous and docking maneuvers and formation flying have become common requirements in their operational scenarios. A critical aspect of these tasks is that these algorithms are very much intertwined with each other, although they are often designed completely independently of one another. This paper describes the design and simulation of a guidance and relative navigation architecture for the rendezvous of two cooperating CubeSats. The integration of the two algorithms provides robustness to the solution, by simulating realistic levels of noise and uncertainty in the guidance law implementation. The proposed guidance law is derived based on the linearized equations of orbital motion, written in terms of spherical coordinates. The trajectory is iteratively corrected at a fixed time step, so that errors from the navigation and the initial orbital condition can be recovered. The navigation algorithm processes the bearing and range measurements from a camera and an intersatellite link through an unscented filter to provide the information required from the guidance law. A Monte Carlo campaign based on a 3-DOF simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
A Comparative Study of Control Methods for X3D Quadrotor Feedback Trajectory Control
Authors: Shakeel Tanzeela , Arshad Jehangir , Jaffery Mujtaba Hussain , Rehman Ateeq Ur , Eldin Elsayed Tag , Ghamry Nivin A. , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly quadrotor, have seen steady growth in use over the last several decades. The quadrotor is an under-actuated nonlinear system with few actuators in comparison to the degree of freedom (DOF); hence, stabilizing its attitude and positions is a significant challenge. Furthermore, the inclusion of nonlinear dynamic factors and uncertainties makes controlling its maneuverability more challenging. The purpose of this research is to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of linear and nonlinear control methods for controlling an X3D quadrotor’s intended translation position and rotation angles while hovering. The dynamics of the X3D quadrotor model were implemented in Simulink. Two linear controllers, linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and proportional integral derivate (PID), and two nonlinear controllers, fuzzy controller (FC) and model reference adaptive PID Controller (MRAPC) employing the MIT rule, were devised and implemented for the response analysis. In the MATLAB Simulink Environment, the transient performance of nonlinear and linear controllers for an X3D quadrotor is examined in terms of settling time, rising time, peak time, delay time, and overshoot. Simulation results suggest that the LQR control approach is better because of its robustness and comparatively superior performance characteristics to other controllers, particularly nonlinear controllers, listed at the same operating point, as overshoot is 0.0% and other factors are minimal for the x3D quadrotor. In addition, the LQR controller is intuitive and simple to implement. In this research, all control approaches were verified to provide adequate feedback for quadrotor stability.
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of End-of-Life Scenarios of Carbon-Reinforced Concrete: A Case Study
Authors: Backes Jana Gerta , Del Rosario Pamela , Luthin Anna , Traverso Marzia
Published: September 2022

This study assesses the environmental performance in the end-of-life (EoL) of double walls made of carbon-reinforced concrete (CRC) and steel-reinforced concrete (SRC). The most feasible CRC EoL scenarios are evaluated using life cycle assessment and their environmental performances are then compared to those of SRC. The results showed that mechanical recycling is the best CRC EoL scenario, with a global warming potential (GWP) of 7.0 kg CO2 eq., while the use of renewable energy can save over 50% of GWP. For SRC, the best scenario was obtained using a mobile recycling plant (GWP of 8.8 kg CO2 eq.). In general, the further life of the reinforcements is hardly comparable. Steel can be recycled nearly without losses or downcycling, while a closed cycle of carbon fibers is not yet possible. Therefore, carbon fiber properties or EoL processes need to be improved for a closed loop with an optimized environmental performance.