bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous occurrence of two distinct histotypes of ovarian endometriosis-associated cancer in bilateral ovaries: implications for monoclonal histogenesis from a case report
Authors: Zhao Luyang , Liu Yunyue , Liu Feng , Jin Xiangshu , Xu Jia , Zhou Shuting , Meng Yuanguang , Liu Aijun , Yang Weng
Published: November 2023

Background

Transformation of endometriosis to malignancy is a rare occurrence. Clear cell ovarian cancer and endometrioid ovarian cancer are the two histotypes most consistently linked to endometriosis. The exact pathways leading to malignant transformation of endometriosis remain elusive.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a ten days history of abdominal pain which was not responsive to medication. Pathological examination revealed an unexpected finding of bilateral endometriosis associated with distinct malignancies: a clear cell carcinoma in the right ovary and a well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma in the left ovary. Molecular analysis indicated a shared somatic driver mutation in ING1 in the eutopic endometrium and the bilateral ovaries while simultaneously exhibiting specific genetic alterations unique to each carcinoma. Notably, several common mutation sites were also identified, including previously reported common oncogenes (KRAS, PIK3CA, ARID1A). This finding prompts the hypothesis of a possible monoclonal origin of the two tumours.

Conclusion

This case represents an exceedingly rare occurrence of two different histotypes of ovarian endometriosis-associated cancer manifesting simultaneously in bilateral ovaries. Based on genetic analysis, we hypothesize that these malignancies may have a monoclonal origin, providing insights into understanding the different biological mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis.
Case Report: Mutation in TNNI3(c. 544G>A): a novel likely pathogenic mechanism of neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Xianhong , Dai Liying , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2023

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a rare disease that causes heart failure due to malfunction of the heart muscle characterized by left ventricular dilation and poor systolic function. Genetic screening leads to advantages in early diagnosis and prognostic assessment of patients with suspected inherited cardiomyopathies. Here, we report a case of neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy due to a mutation of the TNNI3 gene, which has not been published in neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy before.

Case presentation

The patient was a 22-day-old newborn boy with poor ability to respond to stimuli, presenting with shortness of breath over 11 days. He presented with irregular fever, tachypnea, difficulty in ventilator withdrawal, and mild edema of both lower limbs, and III/6SM could be heard in the precardiac area. He presented repeated weaning difficulties during hospitalization with intractable low EF heart insufficiency. Doppler echocardiography showed refractory low ejection fraction, cardiac enlargement, cardiac insufficiency, mild pulmonary hypertension, and mitral and tricuspid insufficiency with mild valve regurgitation. Whole-exome sequencing showed a mutation in the TNNI3 gene, c. 544G>A (p.Glu182Lys). Thus, he was diagnosed with neonatal DCM. There was no mutation in the parents, the child died 2 weeks after discharge.

Conclusions

TNNI3 mutation is a novel likely pathogenic mechanism of neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, systematic use of diagnostic tools, advanced risk models, and a deeper understanding of the mechanism are required to reduce morbidity and mortality in this disease.
Availability of emergency contraception in large Brazilian municipalities: a guaranteed right?
Authors: Pinheiro Ana Carolina Gomes , Alves Bárbara Manuella Cardoso Sodré , Pedrosa Claudia Mara , dos Reis Tiago Marques , Bertoldi Andréa Dâmaso , Zimmermann Ivan Ricardo , Leite Silvana Nair , Santana Rafael Santos
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Emergency Contraception (EC) is available in Brazil since 1996, when it was adopted as one if the family planning strategies and, in 1998, for use in services assisting victims of sexual violence. In the country, its use is regulated by guidelines. Its access through SUS (Unified Health System), however, does not seem to occur in a standardized manner.

Methods: The aim of the study was to analyze the availability and barriers to accessing emergency contraception (levonorgestrel) in Brazilian municipalities with more than 500 thousand inhabitants. The survey was carried out by a form sent to the Municipal Health Departments (SMS) managers and a search on the list of standardized medicines by the hospitals in the same municipalities.

Results: The Basic Health Units were identified as the standard access places to EC. However, one of the obstacles mentioned is the need for a prescription for dispensing in almost 80% of the analyzed cities. Access in emergency situations at night and on weekends is also uncertain, since although 67% of the places stated that they dispense at the hospital level, the item was only standardized in 21% of the hospital lists.

Discussion: The difficult access this drug in the public system essentially tends to harm the poorest women, who are the ones who suffer most from the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy.
The effect of insulin analogs in people with type 1 diabetes at increased risk of severe hypoglycemia
Authors: Broeng-Mikkelgaard Sofie , Brøsen Julie Maria Bøggild , Kristensen Peter Lommer , Thorsteinsson Birger , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik
Published: November 2023

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency, and treatment is to supply insulin mimicking the physiological endogenous insulin secretion. Since its discovery, insulin therapy has evolved, and since the 1990s, an increasing number of insulin analogs with various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles have become available. Despite the improvement of insulin therapy, hypoglycemia remains the main side effect and is a daily concern for many people with diabetes and their families. A proportion of people with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of hypoglycemia and experience recurring episodes. When designing insulin trials, this group of people is most often excluded in order to reduce the risk of adverse study outcomes, even though it may be the group that may benefit the most from treatment with new insulins. The results of the phase III trials, therefore, underestimate the clinical impact and pharmacoeconomic effect of the implementation of new insulins in the broader type 1 diabetes population. This paper reviews the four insulin trials that include people at increased risk of hypoglycemia. In general, the studies confirm the results from phase III trials in terms of similar reduction and maintenance of HbA1c, as well as relative rate reductions of hypoglycemia. However, the absolute treatment differences in the reduction of hypoglycemia are even greater in the trials, including people at high risk of hypoglycemia. This emphasizes the importance of including people at high risk of hypoglycemia to assess the full clinical and pharmacoeconomic benefit of new insulins.
Cracking the green wall code: insights into cell wall integrity across organisms
Authors: Vukašinović Nemanja , Serif Manuel , Bacete Laura
Published: November 2023

Cell walls are not just passive barriers; they are dynamic and adaptable structures that are actively remodeled in response to both internal and external cues. They are crucial in defining cellular identity, ensuring structural integrity, and mediating interactions with the environment. The concept of cell wall integrity (CWI) encompasses the mechanisms by which cells monitor and maintain their walls, ensuring proper function and response to challenges. While significant knowledge has been accumulated on CWI in certain model organisms, there remains a vast landscape of uncharted territory in others. In this review, we aim to bridge this gap, offering a comparative perspective on CWI across different evolutionary lineages, from the well-studied yeasts to the diverse world of plants. We focus especially on the green lineage –the group of green algae and land plants, hence the green wall–, but also consider some insights from organisms with radically different lifestyles and cell wall arrangements, which serves as a base to some intriguing questions about the role of CWI across evolution and environmental adaptation.
The effect of emotional motivation on strategy flexibility: the moderating role of task load
Authors: Wang Yun , Zhu Chuanlin , Zuo Dan , Liu Jingyi , Liu Dianzhi
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Research has demonstrated that cognitive flexibility is associated with academic achievement, with poorer cognitive flexibility being linked to poorer academic performance. Strategy conversion is an example of cognitive flexibility, which requires individuals to quickly and flexibly switch between strategies depending on the task at hand. Studies have investigated the impact of emotional motivation on cognitive flexibility, with varying results. Furthermore, research has indicated that a high task load increases psychological burden and reduces cognitive flexibility, but few studies have analyzed the impact of task load on the relationship between emotional motivation and cognitive flexibility. This study sought to investigate the effect of emotional motivation on cognitive flexibility based on strategy switching, and the moderating effect of task load.

Methods

Three experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 used forced conversion paradigm with a moderate task load that required participants to estimate tasks using a given strategy. Experiment 2 employed matched conversion paradigm with a high task load, informing participants of the strategies to be used but without any clues, necessitating the selection and execution of appropriate strategies based on the question features. Experiment 3 adopted free conversion paradigm with a relatively low task load, allowing participants to freely choose and execute strategies without any correctness or error criteria.

Results

The intensity and direction of emotional motivation have a complicated and fluctuating impact on the flexibility to utilize strategies. When the task workload is high, the intensity of emotional motivation has a significant impact on strategy utilization flexibility, with low approach motivation being more conducive to flexibility. Conversely, when the task workload is low, the direction of emotional motivation has a greater effect, with high avoidance motivation being more advantageous.

Discussion

This study demonstrated that high workload could bring about a low intensity advantage, while low workload could induce an avoidance direction advantage, suggesting that task load could moderate the impact of emotional motivation on arithmetic strategy utilization flexibility, and avoidance motivation is not always detrimental to cognitive flexibility.
RETRACTED: Structural equation modeling to estimate treatment adherence based on the light triad of personality and sense of coherence in patients with type-2 diabetes: examining the mediating role of psychological well-being
Authors: Mousavi Seyedeh Maryam , Bagheri Seyedeh Masoumeh , Jalali Heris Nasrin , Matbouraftar Parisa , Azarian Mozhdeh , Kordbagheri Mohammadreza
Published: November 2023

Background

The current study investigated the relationship between the light triad of personality and self-coherence with treatment adherence in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Psychological well-being was considered a mediator variable in this SEM assessment.

Method

A cross-sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted, and 368 patients with T2DM were recruited from 10 private practice and general hospitals from May to November 2021 in Gilan province, Iran. The Reef’s Psychological Well-being Questionnaire, the Light Triad Rating Scale, and Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Scale were used for data collection. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the model fitness and identify direct/indirect relationships among variables. Data were analyzed by the SPSS (Version 26) and AMOS software (Version 24).

Results

The average score of light triads, sense of coherence, psychological well-being, and treatment adherence were 70.36 ± 25.55, 108.25 ± 37.68, 57.03 ± 23.84, and 106.81 ± 39.61, respectively. Model fit statistics suggest that the measurement model fits the data well: χ2 (146, N = 368) = 314.011 (p < 0.001). The SEM results showed that the light triad of personality (β = 0.12) and self-coherence (β = 0.14) were positively associated with treatment adherence. Anxiety, the light triad of personality (β = 0.12), and self-coherence (β = 0.14) affect treatment adherence indirectly through psychological well-being.

Conclusion

The analysis of the SEM revealed that the suggested model had a suitable goodness of fit. So, using self-coherence and psychological well-being structures in designing interventional programs is recommended to optimize treatment adherence in patients with T2DM.
Anti-depressant medication use is a risk factor for incident knee surgery and opioid use in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Zheng Yongqiang , Zhang Jinshan , Wang Zefeng , Liu Xiaofeng , Xu Yongquan , Fang Yangzhen , Lin Zhenyu , Lin Liang
Published: November 2023

Objective

To investigate whether depression and exposure to anti-depressant medication are independent risk factors for incident knee surgery and opioid use in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.

Methods

We identified all patients who visited our outpatient department and were clinically diagnosed with KOA between January 2010 and January 2018. We retrieved their demographic, clinical, and radiographic data from the database of our hospital. Next, we analyzed the effect of depression and anti-depressant medication on the incident knee surgery and opioid use in KOA patients.

Results

A total of 4,341 KOA patients were found eligible to form the study population. Incident knee surgery and opioid use for the purpose of treating osteoarthritis were observed in 242 and 568 patients, respectively. Incident knee surgery was significantly associated with age (OR [95%CI], 1.024 [1.009–1.039], P = 0.002), BMI (OR [95%CI], 1.090 [1.054–1.128], P < 0.001), baseline K-L grade 3 (OR [95%CI], 1.977 [1.343–2.909], P = 0.001), baseline K-L grade 4 (OR [95%CI], 1.979 [1.241–3.157], P = 0.004), depression (OR [95%CI], 1.670 [1.088–2.563], P = 0.019), and exposure to anti-depressant medication (OR [95%CI], 2.004 [1.140–3.521], P = 0.016). Incident opioid use was significantly associated with depression (OR [95%CI], 1.554 [1.089–2.215], P = 0.015) and exposure to anti-depressant medication (OR [95%CI], 1.813 [1.110–2.960], P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Depression and anti-depressant drug exposure were independently associated with incident knee surgery, highlighting the need for more attention on comorbid depression in KOA management.
The relationship of climate change awareness and psychopathology in persons with pre-existing mental health diagnoses
Authors: Gebhardt Nadja , Schwaab Lukas , Friederich Hans-Christoph , Nikendei Christoph
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Persons with pre-existing mental health diagnoses are known to be more vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures. However, it remains unclear if this holds true for adverse effects of climate change awareness, too.

Methods

N = 89 patients of a psychosomatic outpatient clinic were assessed with well-established mental health questionnaires (PHQ-9 for depressive, GAD-7 for anxious, and PTSS-10 for post-traumatic symptoms) in their original form and in a modified version (PHQ-9-C, GAD-7-C, PTSS-10-C) specifically asking for patients’ symptom load regarding climate change awareness, and instruments evaluating personality factors (OPD-SF, SOC, RQ).

Results

21% of the sample reported at least mild symptoms of anxiety regarding climate change awareness, and 11% mild symptoms of depression due to climate change awareness. General anxiety (GAD-7) scores significantly predicted if people reported any psychological symptoms due to climate change awareness. In multiple regression analyses, higher scores of clinical symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress predicted higher scores of depressive, anxious or post-traumatic symptoms regarding climate change awareness, and higher scores of psychological symptoms regarding climate change awareness predicted each other. Younger participants reported significantly more traumatic symptoms regarding climate change awareness.

Discussion

The reported mental health impairments regarding climate change awareness in persons with pre-existing mental health diagnoses indicate an increased vulnerability. Hereby, depressive mental health burden seems to induce a predominantly depressive processing of climate change resulting in climate chance related depression. This holds also true for anxious and traumatic symptoms, and points toward biased attentional and memory processes and mood congruent processing.
Serological evidence of virus infection in Eidolon helvum fruit bats: implications for bushmeat consumption in Nigeria
Authors: Cantoni Diego , Mayora-Neto Martin , Derveni Mariliza , da Costa Kelly , Del Rosario Joanne , Ameh Veronica O. , Sabeta Claude T. , Auld Bethany , Hamlet Arran , Jones Ian M. , Wright Edward , Scott Simon D. , Giotis Efstathios S. , Banyard Ashley C. , Temperton Nigel
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The Eidolon helvum fruit bat is one of the most widely distributed fruit bats in Africa and known to be a reservoir for several pathogenic viruses that can cause disease in animals and humans. To assess the risk of zoonotic spillover, we conducted a serological survey of 304 serum samples from E. helvum bats that were captured for human consumption in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Methods

Using pseudotyped viruses, we screened 304 serum samples for neutralizing antibodies against viruses from the Coronaviridae, Filoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Paramyxoviridae families.

Results

We report the presence of neutralizing antibodies against henipavirus lineage GH-M74a virus (odds ratio 6.23; p < 0.001), Nipah virus (odds ratio 4.04; p = 0.00031), bat influenza H17N10 virus (odds ratio 7.25; p < 0.001) and no significant association with Ebola virus (odds ratio 0.56; p = 0.375) in this bat cohort.

Conclusion

The data suggest a potential risk of zoonotic spillover including the possible circulation of highly pathogenic viruses in E. helvum populations. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining sero-surveillance of E. helvum, and the necessity for further, more comprehensive investigations to monitor changes in virus prevalence, distribution over time, and across different geographic locations.
Commuters opinion on public transport services in mega cities: the case of Istanbul buses
Authors: Genç Atakan , Alkhaledi Khaled , Sağlam Sait , Bendak Salaheddine
Published: November 2023

Using public transport is an important part of daily routine of many people in large cities and consumes considerable time and financial resources. Enhancing public transport can help in encouraging less use of privately owned motor vehicles and, therefore, in emitting less greenhouse gases. Hence, there is a need to improve public transport and make it more attractive than private motor vehicles. This study aims to assess commuters opinion on several aspects related to using public buses in Istanbul with the ultimate aim of making them more attractive than private motor vehicles. A total of 620 randomly selected bus commuters responded to a questionnaire specially prepared for this purpose. Satisfaction rates with most aspects related to public buses were found to be high. Nevertheless, non-parametric test results revealed that female commuters recorded significantly lower satisfaction rates than male commuters on many aspects related to public buses. Results also revealed that a significant minority of commuters walk for long distances to the nearest bus stop or wait for very long times for the next bus to come. Moreover, results revealed that commuters of older ages and higher income levels recorded significant higher satisfaction rates than others. Results also show that the majority of commuters support increasing bus fees during peak hours in order to minimize crowdedness during these hours. Implications of these results for decision makers in megacities on ways to encourage the use of public buses are discussed at the end.
The emergence of social order in everyday interacting: re-conceptualizing a venerable sociological concept in light of conversation analysis
Authors: Arundale Robert B.
Published: November 2023

For more than a century social theorists have asked how order at the macro-social level is related to human activity at the micro-social level. Among their answers are accounts of macro-level social order as emerging in micro-level relations among individuals. Sawyer’s account of macro-level emergence in micro-level interaction rests on the individual’s understandings of interactional frames. However, Rawls draws on Garfinkel and Sacks to argue that sociologist’s accounts of the macro-level interaction order need to be grounded in observable, micro-level social practices, instead of using conceptual abstractions like frames. Arundale’s Conjoint Co-constituting Model of Communicating is grounded in research on observable social practices in Conversation Analysis, and offers an account of the emergence, in particular episodes of everyday interacting, of properties that define micro-level social systems. That account provides the basis for an account of the emergence, in recurrent micro-level interacting over time and space, of properties that define macro-level social systems. The basic idea is not new: what is new is accounting for the emergence of macro-level social order in terms of the recurrent emergence of micro-level social order as participants engage observable social practices in everyday interacting. Re-conceptualizing the emergence of macro-social order addresses sociology’s longstanding puzzlement regarding the macro–micro link, and points to needed research.
Influence of the practice of physical exercise and healthy eating on the Vigour of university lectures
Authors: Monserrat Hernández Montserrat , Arjona Garrido Ángeles , Checa Olmos Juan Carlos , Casimiro Andújar Antonio , Artés Rodríguez Eva María , Salguero García Darío
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Vigour at work is characterized by high levels of energy and high desire to make an effort at work. This article is the result of a research carried out with university teachers in Spain whose main objective is to show what type and frequency of physical exercise and diet influence Vigour.

Methods

The sample consisted of 121 subjects, 62% of whom were women and 37.2% men. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on sociodemographic data, physical exercise habits, eating habits and Vigour at work. Cross-tabulations of the dimensions of Vigour with sex, age and type of contract offered were performed. Spearman correlations and Correspondence Analysis are also carried out to provide information on the intensity and type of relationships between the Vigour dimensions. Finally, the influence of the frequency of physical exercise and diet on Total Vigour is investigated.

Results

The results show that the relationships between the dimensions are very strong (sig = 0.001). In addition, the practice of moderate-high intensity physical exercise and maintaining a good adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is related to high levels of Total Vigour (F = 7.955; sig = 0.006). As for the influence of the sociodemographic variables used, significant differences were only observed in the Physical Strength dimension for sex (X2 = 6.173; p = 0.046) and age (X2 = 9.449; p = 0.051) and, with respect to the type of contract, in Emotional Energy (X2 = 19.487; p < 0.001).

Discusión and conclusions

The main conclusions of our study show that practicing physical exercise of medium-high intensity four hours or more per week and a high adherence to the MD is more related to high Vigour levels than just eating well or just practicing exercise. And more studies are needed on the influence of sociodemographic variables on Vigour and its different dimensions.
From future diets to dishes: communicating dietary shift associated with a 1.5°C scenario for Brazil, China, Sweden and the United Kingdom
Authors: Lee Susan , Freer Muir , Wood Ruth , Edelenbosch Oreane , Sharmina Maria , Doelman Jonathan , van Vuuren Detlef , Wilson Charlie
Published: November 2023

Introduction

With the pressing need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, this study aims to simplify complex data from Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs). It focuses on identifying dietary shifts that align with the 1.5°C global warming limit as stipulated by the Paris Agreement.

Methods

The research utilises the IMAGE Integrated Assessment Model and applies the Diets, Dishes, Dish Ingredients (DDDI) communication framework. This methodology enables the visualisation of potential dietary and dish composition changes, thereby making the data more comprehensible to a broader audience.

Results

The study effectively translates traditional IAM outputs into accessible visualisations. These visual tools provide a nuanced understanding of a low greenhouse gas diet, extending its relevance beyond academia to include professionals in diet and nutrition.

Discussion

This research stands as a significant advancement in the field, lowering the barrier to understanding sustainable diets for the future. It enriches the existing dialogue on dietary change and climate goals and serves as a catalyst for further research and practical applications in diverse contexts.
Nonlinear Modeling and Analysis of Wound-Rotor Synchronous Starter/Generator (WRSSG) in Generating State for More Electric Aircraft
Authors: Du Haoran , Liu Yongzhi , Li Tianxing , Zhu Peirong
Published: November 2023

The nonlinear modeling and analyzing of wound-rotor synchronous starter/generators (WRSSGs) plays a vital role in the analysis and monitoring of aircraft power systems. Moreover, they are of great significance with regard to the establishment of a future aircraft smart grid. However, owing to its nonlinear, high-dimensional, and strong coupling characteristics, this modeling has always remained in the frequency domain stage and the progress of more intuitive time domain modeling has been slow. This paper presents a nonlinear model of a WRSSG in a generating state. When the WRSSG is in power generation mode, most cases indicate that the aircraft is in flight mode. The establishment of the nonlinear model of the system in the power generation state is of great significance for the research of the health management and state monitoring of the aircraft power system and can improve the safety and reliability of the aircraft during flight. The model uses FE analysis and neural network to solve the nonlinear problem of the motor in the system and uses the improved variable parameter average model to solve the nonlinear problem of the rotating rectifier. According to the principle of signal transmission, a time domain model for the whole system is developed. Finally, the model is compiled by the RT-LAB real-time simulator. The nonlinear model performs well when compared with FE analysis results and tested against the MIL-STD-704F standard. The proposed nonlinear model and analysis results can be used for the condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of aircraft power systems. The hardware-in-the-loop test platform based on an accurate nonlinear model is a feasible means to study the failure of expensive equipment, and it can aid the study of irreversible failures of equipment at a low cost.
Space Harmonics Effects on Performances of Linear Induction Motors: Modelization and Characterization
Authors: Bensehila Aissa , Bouzidi Athmane , Takorabet Noureddine
Published: November 2023

This article presents the impact analysis of space harmonics’ presence on a single-sided three-phase linear induction motor, along with a comprehensive parametric investigation. The presence of space harmonics often reduces the linear induction motor’s performance. The electromagnetic phenomena are governed by Maxwell’s equations. The chosen mathematical model uses a 2D formulation with magnetic vector potential. The model implementation is performed using the finite element method on the free Gmsh-GetDP platform. The electromagnetic thrust is calculated in the current excitation case using two numerical models of the finite element method with and without term-generating space harmonics in order to highlight their effect. The adaptation to voltage supply operation is obtained via equivalent electric circuits through the calculation of the operational impedance. The choice of the machine’s parameters by the designer in order to enhance its performance or reduce energy consumption is a difficult task. The analysis and the determination of the dependence of the parameters and the performance are necessary. The main objectives of this study are to determine this dependency and to analyze the space harmonic impact of the linear induction motor’s parameters on its performances. A comparative exploration of space harmonics’ presence using two numerical models (single and multiharmonics) and an assessment of the parametric effect of space harmonics’ presence on various machine characteristics such as thrust, efficiency, and power factor have been carried out. The motor’s characteristics (i.e., thrust, efficiency, and power factor) strongly depend on parameters such as the pole pair number and conductivity. Improving the operation and maximizing the performance of such a machine for a given specification requires the use of optimization algorithms. Motor characteristics (thrust, efficiency, and power factor) are highly dependent on parameters such as the number of pole pairs and conductivity.
Research on Climbing Robot for Transmission Tower Based on Foot-End Force Balancing Algorithm
Authors: Liu Zhuo , Lu Jiawei , Du Haibo , Liu Yansheng , Zhu Wenwu , You Junyi
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to introduce robot technology to carry out the safety inspection of transmission towers in long-distance power transmission, so as to improve the safety and efficiency of inspection. However, aiming at the problem that the existing climbing robots are mainly used for large load applications, which leads to the large size and lack of flexibility of the robot, we propose an innovative solution. Firstly, a lightweight quadruped climbing robot is designed to improve portability and operational flexibility. Then, a one-dimensional force sensor is added at the end of each leg of the robot, and a special swing phase trajectory is designed. The robot can judge whether the electromagnetic adsorption is effective and avoid potential safety hazards. Finally, based on the principle of virtual model control (VMC), a foot-end force balancing algorithm is proposed to achieve uniform distribution and continuous change in force, and improve safety and load capacity. The experiments show that the scheme has a stable climbing ability in the environments of angle steel, vertical ferromagnetic plane and transmission tower.
Study on Mechanical Properties of Tomatoes for the End-Effector Design of the Harvesting Robot
Authors: Zheng Shuhe , He Minglei , Jia Xuexin , Zheng Zebin , Wu Xinhui , Weng Wuxiong
Published: November 2023

Agricultural robotics has emerged as a research area within robotics, with a particular focus on designing end effectors that are adapted to the physical characteristics of the target fruits. Acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the physical and mechanical properties specific to tomato fruits not only minimizes mechanical damage during grasping processes but also serves as a foundation for the optimal design of gripping components. In this study, the Syngenta Sibede variety of tomatoes was used as the experimental material. The reversible viscoelastic behavior and deformation characteristics of tomato fruits were approximated using a four-element Burgers model through creep testing. The fitting coefficients for the model exceeded 0.99. The creep parameters for the four ripening stages of tomatoes were obtained, and the correlation between the ripening stage, deformation value, and creep parameters was analyzed. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between each parameter and creep deformation, revealing significant and highly significant correlations. Inter-parameter correlations were also found to be highly significant. Puncture tests were conducted on tomatoes. The exocarp rupture force of the green-ripening stage was 9.224 ± 0.901 N, which was 53.87%, 70.63%, and 104.01% higher than that of the semi-ripening stage, early firm-ripening stage, and mid-late firm-ripening stage, respectively. This study suggests that when harvesting tomatoes at the semi-ripening stage and beyond, attention should be paid to trimming the stem. Compression experiments were conducted on tomatoes, and it was discovered that under the same ripening stage, the axial compressive rupture force of tomatoes was greater than the radial rupture force. Tomatoes exhibited anisotropic behavior. The grasping direction is axial, which can be used as the new design direction of the end-effector.
Traditional Olive Tree Varieties in Alto Aragón (NE Spain): Molecular Characterization, Single-Varietal Oils, and Monumental Trees
Authors: Serreta-Oliván Alfredo , Sancho-Cohen Rubén , Sánchez-Gimeno Ana Cristina , Martín-Ramos Pablo , Cuchí-Oterino José Antonio , Casanova-Gascón José
Published: November 2023

Recovering minority olive tree varieties helps preserve genetic diversity and contributes to sustainable agriculture practices. The International Olive Council has recognized the importance of conserving olive tree genetic resources and the European Union’s Horizon Europe program has identified the preservation of crop diversity as a priority for sustainable food systems. In the work presented herein, old olive groves in the province of Huesca (NE Spain), managed according to the traditional model, were surveyed, sampled, and analyzed using molecular characterization techniques (based on EST-SNPs markers). Twenty-nine new varieties were identified and deposited in IFAPA’s World Germplasm Bank of Olive Varieties. In the first step towards their valorization, eight single-varietal oils from Alto Aragon varieties were produced and characterized, and their organoleptic properties were evaluated, paving the way for the production of differentiated quality oils. Furthermore, ancient olive trees were selected and 3D scanned to promote their protection as singular or monumental trees and for oleo-tourism purposes. The reported findings highlight the rich olive-growing heritage of this northernmost frontier of olive tree cultivation in Spain.
Milk Yield Prediction and Economic Analysis of Optimized Rearing Environment in a Cold Region Using Neural Network Model
Authors: Zhang Jingfu , Liu Zhiwei , Shi Zhengxiang , Jiang Leisheng , Ding Tao
Published: November 2023

The milk yield of dairy cows in a non-stressed state in the cold region in China is lower during cold seasons. In this study, the correlations between indoor environmental factors and milk production were analyzed. Temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were found to be the main factors affecting milk yield. The warning values of these factors for lower milk production were 5 °C, 60%, and 300 lx, respectively. A neural network model predicting milk yield based on environmental factors was established, and the optimal model parameters were determined, resulting in a high accuracy of R2 = 0.802. This model was used to investigate the optimal measure for improving the indoor environment, which helps to increase milk production and economic benefits, including LED lights, heating radiators, and dehumidifiers. In conclusion, each type of device led to the growth of milk yield, reaching 2.341, 1.706, and 1.893 kg cow−1 Day−1. The combination of heating radiator and LED light resulted in the highest increased net benefit of 16.802 CNY cow−1 Day−1. This is the first time that a neural network model was successfully built to predict milk yield based on climatic features which was also applied to economic analysis of indoor environment improvement for dairy barns in extreme cold regions.
The Relationship between Endogenous Hormone Content and Related Gene Expression and Tillering in Wild Kentucky Bluegrass
Authors: Ha Xue , Zhang Jinqing , Chen Fenqi , Li Yajun , Ma Huiling
Published: November 2023

Poa pratensis is widely distributed in cold temperate regions and can be used as a species for stress restoration and as a forage for livestock. Studying the genetic characteristics of tillering occurrence in bluegrass provides a theoretical basis for studying plant yield formation, environmental adaptation, and improving survival competitiveness. The regulating effects of endogenous hormone IAA content and the expression of related genes ARF1, ARF12, ARF14, ZT content and the expression of related genes CKX2, CKX3, CKX4, SL content and the expression of related genes D14-like, D14.1-like and D14 in wild Kentucky bluegrass were investigated. Kentucky bluegrass from Sunan and Qingshui was used to evaluate the influence of hormone and gene expression on tillering behavior. Endogenous hormone contents and expression levels of related genes in stems and roots of both materials were measured at prophase, peak, and anaphase of tillering. The results showed that among the three materials, the Sunan material had a better tillering ability for Poa pratensis, while the Qingshui material had poorer tillering ability. The downregulation of CKX2, CKX3, and CKX4 gene expression levels promotes the synthesis of ZT, thereby improving the tillering ability of the germplasm. Upregulation of ARF14, D14, and D14.1-like gene expression levels enhances the synthesis of IAA and SL, thereby inhibiting tillering. More importantly, the interaction between hormones affects the tillering ability of bluegrass, and high levels of ZT/IAA, ZT/SL, and ZT/(IAA+SL) values promote tillering. In summary, this study reveals the mechanism by which hormones regulate the occurrence of tillering in Kentucky bluegrass, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the genetic characteristics of plant type, effectively regulating tillering, studying yield development, environmental adaptation, and improving survival rate.
Barley Genetic Resources: Advancing Conservation and Applications for Breeding
Authors: Czembor Jerzy H.
Published: November 2023

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L [...]
Effect of Nano-Bubble Irrigation on the Yield and Greenhouse Gas Warming Potential of Greenhouse Tomatoes
Authors: Lei Hongjun , Wang Wenbo , Liang Yuqi , Xiao Zheyuan , Pan Hongwei , Wang Luyang , Du Mengyuan
Published: November 2023

Nano-bubble irrigation, as a new irrigation technology, can deliver fertilizer-mixed oxygen-enriched water to the root zone of crops, representing a new means for increasing crop yield and carbon sequestration and emission reduction. To systematically analyze the effects of nano-bubble irrigation on crop yield, soil aeration, and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as evaluating its contribution to the net greenhouse warming potential (NGWP) in greenhouse agriculture, this study was conducted in greenhouse facilities in Zhengzhou, China and focused on tomato plants. A 2-factor, 2-level, completely randomized trial of nitrogen application (low N1: 120 kg/hm2 and normal N2: 180 kg/hm2), conventional irrigation, and nano-bubble irrigation (C: 5 ppm and A: 15 ppm) was conducted. Compared with conventional irrigation, crop yield increased by 18.94% and 16.36% (p < 0.05), CO2 emission by 10.72% and 5.71% (p < 0.05), N2O emission by 29.76% and 35.74% (p < 0.05), and CH4 uptake by 300.67% and 327.67% (p < 0.05) under nano-bubble irrigation. The nano-bubble irrigation increased the crop yield, thus significantly improving the NGWP sink for greenhouse gases. The low-nitrogen and regular-nitrogen treatments increased NGWP by 22.69% and 14.52%, respectively (p < 0.05). This suggests that nano-bubble irrigation can significantly improve soil aeration, increase tomato yield and biomass, and significantly improve crop carbon sequestration. In the future, nano-bubble irrigation can be used along with soil amendments to achieve a more efficient increase in yield and enhance the ability of farmland to sequester carbon and reduce emissions.
Dietary Soybean Oligosaccharides Addition Increases Growth Performance and Reduces Lipid Deposition by Altering Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids Composition in Growing Pigs
Authors: Cao Shanchuan , Wang Juan , Zhao Jianfei , Li Shuwei , Tang Wenjie , Diao Hui , Liu Jingbo
Published: November 2023

One hundred and twenty-eight boars and gilts of the Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire variety with an initial body weight (BW) of 52.49 ± 0.48 kg were used in a randomized complete block design for a 63-day experiment. The four treatment groups were: control diet (CON), CON + 0.2% soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS), CON + 0.4% SBOS, and CON + 0.8% SBOS. The results showed that the average daily weight gain (ADG) was significantly higher in the 0.8% SBOS group than in the CON group on days 0–63 (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, adding 0.8% SBOS to the diet significantly increased the carcass weight, dressing percentage, and carcass lean percentage, but decreased the average backfat depth of growing–finishing pigs (p < 0.05). Adding different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8%) of SBOS to the diet can significantly increase the concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in feces (p < 0.05). The activities of malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase in the 0.8% group were significantly lower than those in the 0.2% and CON groups (p < 0.05). In summary, 0.8% SBOS supplementation to growing–finishing pigs’ diets can reduce lipid deposition and increase ADG.
Influence of Walker Sex and Familiarity on Scent-Marking Behavior of Juvenile and Mature Shelter Dogs
Authors: McGuire Betty , Kok Philippa , Garland Miles , Guy Bailey , Jackson Alexandra , Haber Scott
Published: November 2023

Many mammals living on farms, in zoos, and in research settings behave differently with familiar people versus strangers, and the sex of the person can also influence interactions. We conducted two studies to examine the influence of a dog’s sex and maturity and a walker’s sex and familiarity on the behavior of shelter dogs during leash walks. In Study 1 with unfamiliar walkers (n = 113 dogs), we found that mature males urinated at higher rates when walked by a woman than by a man, whereas mature females urinated at similar rates. Mature males and mature females were less likely to defecate when walked by a man than by a woman. Juvenile dogs were generally less affected than mature dogs by a walker’s sex, suggesting a role for experience in mature dogs’ responses. In Study 2, when dogs were walked more than once by a man and a woman (n = 81 dogs), we found patterns of urination and defecation like those in Study 1. Importantly, the effects of the dog’s sex and maturity and the walker’s sex on dogs’ patterns of urination and defecation did not change over walks as dogs became familiar with walkers. Dogs in shelters are directly exposed to so many people that they may be less responsive to differing degrees of familiarity than mammals living in other settings. Our data indicate that dog maturity and sex and human sex influence dog–human interactions.
Influence of Dietary Lipid Source Supplementation on Milk and Fresh Cheese from Murciano-Granadina Goats
Authors: Moya Francisco , Madrid Josefa , Hernández Fuensanta , Peñaranda Irene , Garrido María Dolores , López María Belén
Published: November 2023

This study analyzes the influence of the incorporation of flaked linseed and fish oil in the diet on the resulting milk and cheese. Three dietary treatments were assayed in 350 milking Murciano-Granadina multiparous goats in full-lactation: a control diet and two experimental diets, one including flaked linseed (FL) at 3.88% of dry matter, and the other containing salmon oil (SO) at 2.64% of dry matter for three periods of 21 d. None of the dietary treatments affected the daily milk yield, cheese yield, or the physicochemical parameters of the milk and cheese. Regarding the fatty acid profile (FA), the milk and cheese from animals whose diets were supplemented with SO had a higher percentage of fatty acids than those obtained with the FL-supplemented diet, except for C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 n-6, trans-9, trans-12 C18:2, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2, C18:3, and C19:0, which reached their highest levels in milk obtained with the diet supplemented with FL. The decrease in the percentage of C16:0 was greater in the milk derived from the FL diet than from the SO diet. The FL-supplemented diet improved the nutritional value of milk due to a reduction in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The decrease in n-6/n-3 in the observed milk was more pronounced with the FL diet. No differences in the sensory profile were found for the milk and cheese derived from the different dietary treatments. Dietary n-3 treatments modified the fatty acid profile without making any sensory difference to milk and fresh cheese, accompanied by marginal modifications to the physicochemical profile. We conclude that dietary supplementation with flaked linseed or fish oil produces milk and cheese from Murciano-Granadina goats with a higher nutritional quality without modifying the sensory profile of the corresponding products obtained from animals that were fed a routine diet.
Mitochondrial Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationship of Eight Native Bulgarian Sheep Breeds
Authors: Kalaydzhiev Georgi , Palova Nadezhda , Dundarova Heliana , Lozanova Lyudmila , Mehandjyiski Ivan , Radoslavov Georgi , Hristov Peter
Published: November 2023

The geographical, geomorphological, and climatic characteristics of Bulgaria are particularly favorable for animal breeding and, above all, for pastoral farming and sheep breeding. These conditions created prerequisites for the creation of about 30 unique local breeds of sheep. In this study we investigated the genetic diversity of eight of the most popular Bulgarian native breeds, based on the sequence analysis of a part of the mitochondrial D-loop region. An almost entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region (1180 bp) was amplified and sequenced. The obtained results showed the presence of a large number of haplotypes–225, belonging to two main haplogroups. The majority of samples showed a high prevalence of the European haplogroup B (95.2%) while the remaining individuals were assigned to haplogroup A (4.8%). None of the other reported mitochondrial haplogroups were observed. The number of polymorphic sites, nucleotide and haplotype diversity was high (240, 0.01237, and 0.9968, respectively), which is evidence for multiple maternal origins in all populations. The Tajima D-test value in all the study populations was −1.905 (p < 0.05), indicating that the abundance of rare alleles was most likely due to population expansion after a recent bottleneck. The Median joining network showed that almost all haplotypes belonging to haplogroup B formed a star-like network, which revealed a weak genetic differentiation and a large gene flow between the Bulgarian native breeds.