bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-Driven Discrimination, Perceived Fairness, and Consumer Trust–The Perspective of Consumer Attribution
Authors: Sun Luping , Tang Yanfei
Published: September 2021

With the development of consumer-centric data collection, storage, and analysis technologies, there is growing popularity for firms to use the behavioral data of individual consumers to implement data-driven discrimination strategies. Different from traditional price discrimination, such data-driven discrimination can take more diverse forms and often discriminates particularly against firms’ established customers whom firms know the best. Despite the widespread attention from both the academia and the public, little research examines how consumers react to such discrimination enabled by big data. Based on attribution theory, this paper examines how different ways of consumer attribution of data-driven discrimination influence perceived fairness and consumer trust toward the firm. Specifically, we hypothesize that controllability by consumers and locus of causality of data-driven discrimination interactively influence perceived fairness, which further affects consumer trust. We conduct two experiments to test the hypotheses. Study 1 uses a 2(controllability: high vs. low)×2(locus of causality: internal vs. external) between-subjects design. The results show a significant interaction between controllability and locus of causality on consumer trust. When consumers attribute data-driven discrimination to themselves (internal attribution), consumer trust is significantly lower in low-controllable situations than that in high-controllable situations. When consumers attribute the discrimination to the firm (external attribution), however, the impact of controllability on consumer trust is nonsignificant. Moreover, we show that perceived fairness plays a mediating role in the interaction effect of controllability and locus of causality on consumer trust. Study 2 uses a similar design to replicate the findings of Study 1 and further examines the moderating role of consumer self-concept clarity. The results show that the findings of study 1 apply only to consumers with low self-concept clarity. For consumers with high self-concept clarity, regardless of the locus of causality (internal or external), consumer trust is significantly higher in high-controllable situations than that in low-controllable situations. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and managerial implications and conclude the paper by pointing out future research directions.
Model of Post-traumatic Growth in Newly Traumatized vs. Retraumatized Adolescents
Authors: Pazderka Hannah , Brown Matthew RG. , McDonald-Harker Caroline Beth , Greenshaw Andrew James , Agyapong Vincent IO. , Noble Shannon , Mankowski Monica , Lee Bonnie , Omeje Joy , Brett-MacLean Pamela , Kitching Deborah Terry , Hayduk Leslie A. , Silverstone Peter H.
Published: September 2021

Background: In our analysis of adolescents affected by the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, we observed many negative mental health effects in individuals with a prior history of psychological trauma. Elevated rates of depression and markers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were observed, consistent with the hypothesis that prior trauma may reduce sensitivity thresholds for later psychopathology (stress sensitization). Surprisingly, levels of anxiety did not differ based on prior trauma history, nor were retraumatized individuals at increased risk for recent (past month) suicidal ideation. These results are more suggestive of inoculation by prior trauma than stress sensitization. This led us to consider whether individuals with a prior trauma history showed evidence of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), a condition in which the experience of a previous trauma leads to areas of sparing or even improvement.

Method: To investigate this issue, we generated a structural equation model (SEM) exploring the role of anxiety in previously traumatized (n = 295) and wildfire trauma alone (n = 740) groups. Specifically, models were estimated to explore the relationship between hopelessness, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, self-efficacy and potential protective factors such as friend and family support in both groups. The model was tested using a cross-sectional sample of affected youth, comparing effects between the two groups.

Results: While both models produced relatively good fit, differences in the effects and chi-squared values led us to conclude that the groups are subject to different causal specifications in a number of areas, although details warrant caution pending additional investigation.

Discussion: We found that adolescents with a prior trauma history appear to have a more realistic appraisal of potential difficulties associated with traumatic events, and seem less reactive to potentially unsettling PTSD symptoms. They also seemed less prone to overconfidence as they got older, an effect seen in the adolescents without a history of trauma. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the construct of anxiety may work differently in newly traumatized and retraumatized individuals, particularly in the context of mass trauma events.
Adaptations to Holiday Club Food Provision to Alleviate Food Insecurity During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bayes Natasha , Holley Clare E. , Haycraft Emma , Mason Carolynne
Published: September 2021

Holiday clubs play a pivotal role in providing food and vital enrichment opportunities to alleviate food insecurity among children during the school holidays (holiday hunger). The need for these opportunities increased substantially for families throughout 2020, as food insecurity quadrupled in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this qualitative study, holiday club staff from England and Wales reflected on the adaptations they implemented in order to maintain food supplies and food-related enrichment activities for families during the first UK national Covid-19 lockdown and subsequently throughout the summer of 2020. Staff also reflected on the opportunities and challenges related to implementing these adaptations during this period. Twenty-five holiday club staff engaged in video-based interviews during August and September 2020. The findings revealed a range of innovative changes to holiday club food provision, and the challenges and opportunities faced varied across holiday clubs. Challenges during the pandemic in some clubs included staff shortages (typically due to furloughing and/or increased working demands) and difficulties sourcing adequate funding. However, staff identified that the opportunities for holiday clubs included enhanced partnership working during the pandemic, increased engagement with digital technology to communicate with families and deliver their online cooking sessions, and their ability to continue providing food and much needed creative opportunities for children unable to attend school and/or the holiday club. The ability of clubs to adapt their models of working when faced with adversity was essential in protecting their organisational resilience and delivering their vital services. The findings emphasise the important role that holiday clubs play in their communities and highlight their willingness to adapt and expand their role in response to the pandemic to continue to tackle food insecurity and provide vital food and food-related enrichment opportunities to families. The findings also identify lessons that can be applied to practise in the future.
SCB-HC-ECC–Based Privacy Safeguard Protocol for Secure Cloud Storage of Smart Card–Based Health Care System
Authors: Senthilkumar Sudha , Brindha K. , Kryvinska Natalia , Bhattacharya Sweta , Reddy Bojja Giridhar
Published: September 2021

The advent of the internet has brought an era of unprecedented connectivity between networked devices, making one distributed computing, called cloud computing, and popular. This has also resulted in a dire need for remote authentication schemes for transferring files of a sensitive nature, especially health-related information between patients, smart health cards, and cloud servers via smart health card solution providers. In this article, we elaborate on our proposed approach for such a system and accomplish an informal analysis to demonstrate the claim that this scheme provides sufficient security while maintaining usability.
Dental Caries and Associated Factors in 3–5-Year-Old Children in Guizhou Province, China: An Epidemiological Survey (2015–2016)
Authors: Guan Min , Nada Ola A. , Wu Juan-juan , Sun Jiang-ling , Li Na , Chen Li-ming , Dai Tai-ming
Published: September 2021

Objective: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Guizhou Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modeling, while providing theoretical references to improve the prevention and control strategy.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1,291 children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province were selected by a multistage stratified and whole group random sampling to examine the caries prevalence in whole-mouth deciduous teeth crowns, and parents were surveyed with questionnaires to analyze the caries-related factors. IBM SPSS Statistics v 23.0 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The caries prevalence of children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province was 63.1%, the mean decayed-missing-filled teeth was 3.32, the caries filling rate was 0.5%, and there was no statistically significant difference between urban and rural areas and among genders in each age group; results of logistic regression analysis showed that the caries risk increased with the following factors: age, brushing frequency <2 times per day when parents did not take their children to the dentist, and with parents poor evaluation of the oral condition of their children. The higher the education of the parent, the lower the risk of children suffering from caries in deciduous teeth.

Conclusions: With an overall poor situation about oral hygiene habits, oral healthcare attitude of the parents, and behavior transformation, the prevalence of dental caries in the deciduous teeth of children aged 3–5 years in Guizhou Province is high, and their caries status was severe, with more than 99% of the caries cases that were untreated. Therefore, prevention and treatment measures of caries in preschool children need strengthening through the improvement of public awareness and the enhancement of the management of oral health habits of their children.
Global Ocean Climate Change: Observing From Ships
Authors: Talley Lynne D.
Published: September 2021

Have you stood on the beach or crossed the ocean on a plane, wondered at the enormous size of the ocean, and possibly thought about how it regulates our climate? Or how our climate is changing? Or what harm our extra carbon dioxide and heat are causing to life in the ocean? The oceans take up heat from the atmosphere and sun, they change their saltiness as they are either evaporated or rained on, and they exchange gases with the atmosphere, including some of the extra carbon dioxide that humans add to the atmosphere. Ocean currents and mixing carry heat and carbon for tens to hundreds of years, and as they move heat and carbon around, the currents alter the atmosphere above. We only have this knowledge because we have been observing the ocean from ships for a century, adding satellites, and drifting instruments in the last few decades.
Learning by Accident: Some Memory Mistakes Are Not Totally Wrong
Authors: Guevara Pinto Juan D. , Papesh Megan H. , Hout Michael C.
Published: September 2021

When your parent picks you up from school, how do you know which car is theirs? You probably “just know,” even without effortfully trying to memorize the brand, type, or color of the car. Although we often think of memory in terms of intentionally studying for tests, many memories are formed accidentally, without you even trying to intentionally learn something. But how detailed are these accidental memories? Do pieces of information remain, even if we feel like we have forgotten them? To explore these questions, we conducted an experiment in which participants searched through pictures, looking for specific objects. Later, and without warning, we asked people to choose previously seen pictures from a group of similar objects. Even when participants’ choices were wrong, they often chose pictures that looked much like a picture they saw earlier. These “mistakes” do not reflect total forgetting, but instead show that people remember more than they think!
The Issue of Unconscious Bias in Referee Decisions in the National Rugby League
Authors: O'Brien Katherine A. , Mangan John
Published: September 2021

Referees are appointed to be impartial sporting figures. They are trained to provide leadership and guidance, interpret infractions, adjudicate rules, all while maintaining the highest levels of objectivity and sense. However, when decisions are driven by individual heuristics, limited information, context, goal motivations, emotions, time pressures and cognitive load, it can be difficult to discern how and why particular referee judgements are made. In this paper, we draw on data from the major Rugby League competition in Australia between the years 1978 to 2019 to examine whether clubs fare significantly better or worse under particular National Rugby League referees. We examine potential causes that might contribute to the referee effect and ask why, after years of specialist training and game assessments, are rugby league referees, even at the elite professional level, still processing information in preferential ways.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Surviving on Environmental Multi-Species Biofilms in Swine Farms
Authors: Loera-Muro Abraham , Ramírez-Castillo Flor Y. , Moreno-Flores Adriana C. , Martin Eduardo M. , Avelar-González Francisco J. , Guerrero-Barrera Alma L.
Published: September 2021

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the etiologic agent of porcine contagious pleuropneumonia, an important respiratory disease for the pig industry. A. pleuropneumoniae has traditionally been considered an obligate pig pathogen. However, its presence in the environment is starting to be known. Here, we report the A. pleuropneumoniae surviving in biofilms in samples of drinking water of swine farms from Mexico. Fourteen farms were studied. Twenty drinking water samples were positive to A. pleuropneumoniae distributed on three different farms. The bacteria in the drinking water samples showed the ability to form biofilms in vitro. Likewise, A. pleuropneumoniae biofilm formation in situ was observed on farm drinkers, where the biofilm formation was in the presence of other bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Acinetobacter schindleri. Our data suggest that A. pleuropneumoniae can inhabit aquatic environments using multi-species biofilms as a strategy to survive outside of their host.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Four Anaplasma Species With Veterinary and Public Health Significance Identified in Tibetan Sheep (Ovis aries) and Yaks (Bos grunniens) in Qinghai, China
Authors: Wang Ye , Zhang Qingxun , Han Shuyi , Li Ying , Wang Bo , Yuan Guohui , Zhang Peiyang , Yang Ziwen , Zhang Heng , Sun Yali , Chen Jiyong , Han Xueqing , He Hongxuan
Published: September 2021

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) can cause serious economic losses and are very important to animal and public health. To date, research on TBDs has been limited in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. This epidemiological investigation was conducted to evaluate the distribution and risk factors of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in livestock in Qinghai. A total of 566 blood samples, including 330 yaks (Bos grunniens) and 236 Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries) were screened. Results showed that A. bovis (33.3%, 110/330) and A. phagocytophilum (29.4%, 97/330) were most prevalent in yaks, followed by A. ovis (1.2%, 4/330), A. capra (0.6%, 2/330), and E. chaffeensis (0.6%, 2/330). While A. ovis (80.9%, 191/236) and A. bovis (5.1%, 12/236) infection was identified in Tibetan sheep. To our knowledge, it is the first time that A. capra and E. chaffeensis have been detected in yaks in China. Apart from that, we also found that co-infection of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum is common in yaks (28.2%, 93/330). For triple co-infection, two yaks were infected with A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and A. capra, and two yaks were infected with A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and E. chaffeensis. Risk analysis shows that infection with A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, and A. ovis was related to region and altitude. This study provides new data on the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. and E. chaffeensis in Qinghai, China, which may help to develop new strategies for active responding to these pathogens.
FPGA-Based Linear Detection Algorithm of an Underground Inspection Robot
Authors: Zhang Chuanwei , Chen Shirui , Zhao Lu , Li Xianghe , Ma Xiaowen
Published: September 2021

Conveyor belts are key pieces of equipment for bulk material transport, and they are of great significance to ensure safe operation. With the development of belt conveyors in the direction of long distances, large volumes, high speeds, and high reliability, the use of inspection robots to perform full inspections of belt conveyors has not only improved the efficiency and scope of the inspections but has also eliminated the dependence of the traditional method on the density of sensor arrangement. In this paper, relying on the wireless-power-supply orbital inspection robot independently developed by the laboratory, aimed at the problem of the deviation of the belt conveyor, the methods for the diagnosis of the deviation of the conveyor belt and FPGA (field-programmable gate array) parallel computing technology are studied. Based on the traditional LSD (line segment detection) algorithm, a straight-line extraction IP core, suitable for an FPGA computing platform, was constructed. This new hardware linear detection algorithm improves the real-time performance and flexibility of the belt conveyor diagnosis mechanism.
Efficient and Portable Distribution Modeling for Large-Scale Scientific Data Processing with Data-Parallel Primitives
Authors: Yang Hao-Yi , Lin Zhi-Rong , Wang Ko-Chih
Published: September 2021

The use of distribution-based data representation to handle large-scale scientific datasets is a promising approach. Distribution-based approaches often transform a scientific dataset into many distributions, each of which is calculated from a small number of samples. Most of the proposed parallel algorithms focus on modeling single distributions from many input samples efficiently, but these may not fit the large-scale scientific data processing scenario because they cannot utilize computing resources effectively. Histograms and the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) are the most popular distribution representations used to model scientific datasets. Therefore, we propose the use of multi-set histogram and GMM modeling algorithms for the scenario of large-scale scientific data processing. Our algorithms are developed by data-parallel primitives to achieve portability across different hardware architectures. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms in detail and demonstrate use cases for scientific data processing.
Enhanced Hyper-Cube Framework Ant Colony Optimization for Combinatorial Optimization Problems
Authors: Ahmid Ali , Dao Thien-My , Le Ngan Van
Published: September 2021

Solving of combinatorial optimization problems is a common practice in real-life engineering applications. Trusses, cranes, and composite laminated structures are some good examples that fall under this category of optimization problems. Those examples have a common feature of discrete design domain that turn them into a set of NP-hard optimization problems. Determining the right optimization algorithm for such problems is a precious point that tends to impact the overall cost of the design process. Furthermore, reinforcing the performance of a prospective optimization algorithm reduces the design cost. In the current study, a comprehensive assessment criterion has been developed to assess the performance of meta-heuristic (MH) solutions in the domain of structural design. Thereafter, the proposed criterion was employed to compare five different variants of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO). It was done by using a well-known structural optimization problem of laminate Stacking Sequence Design (SSD). The initial results of the comparison study reveal that the Hyper-Cube Framework (HCF) ACO variant outperforms the others. Consequently, an investigation of further improvement led to introducing an enhanced version of HCFACO (or EHCFACO). Eventually, the performance assessment of the EHCFACO variant showed that the average practical reliability became more than twice that of the standard ACO, and the normalized price decreased more to hold at 28.92 instead of 51.17.
Assessing the Impact of Participatory Extension Programme Membership on Farm Business Performance in Northern Ireland
Authors: Adenuga Adewale H. , Jack Claire , Ashfield Austen , Wallace Michael
Published: September 2021

This paper evaluates the impact of membership of the Business Development Groups (BDG), a participatory extension programme in Northern Ireland on the economic performance of participating farmers for dairy and sheep enterprise groups. The study employs the conditional difference-in-differences approach which combines a non-parametric matching estimator with a difference-in-differences analytical technique to obtain a credible best-estimates of the causal effect of BDG membership on farmers’ economic performance assuming that BDG participation is as good as random after controlling for observable farm characteristics and that the parallel trends assumption holds between BDG participants and non-participants. The results of the analyses showed that membership in the BDG programme has a statistically significant impact on the economic performance of participating farmers. Specifically, the results showed that farmers who are members of the dairy and sheep BDGs increased their gross margin by £109.10 and £17.10 per head respectively compared to farmers that are non-members of the BDGs. The results of the study provide robust evidence to inform policy development around the area of participatory extension programmes. It also supports the design of efficient agricultural education and extension systems that incorporates the ideas of the farmers themselves through peer-to-peer learning thereby maximising the economic and social benefits accruable from such programmes.
Estimations on Trait Stability of Maize Genotypes
Authors: Greveniotis Vasileios , Bouloumpasi Elisavet , Zotis Stylianos , Korkovelos Athanasios , Ipsilandis Constantinos G.
Published: September 2021

The purposes of this study were to define the kind of trait inheritance through stability estimations of various traits in maize, to define the relationship between different environments and maize hybrids, and to propose the best environments and hybrids for farmers. Field experiments were conducted in two years (2011 and 2012) at four different locations in Greece: Florina, Trikala, Kalambaka and Giannitsa which were selected as they represent different environments. The genetic materials tested in a Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design, were 15 F1 commercial maize hybrids and 15 open-pollination lines developed from 4-cycle Honeycomb evaluation. Materials were sown and harvested by hand at different dates according to local conditions. Trait stability index (x¯∕s)2 across environments was computed for each maize trait studied: yield, specific weight, 1000-kernel weight, axis (spindle) weight, spike weight, number of kernels per spike, spike length and diameter, number of kernel rows, spindle diameter, main spike and plant height, prolificacy and number of kernels per row. The findings showed great differences in stability index between traits and also for the same trait across environments or between maize genotypes. GGE biplot for yield distributed genotypes in a different way for Florina on the basis of one main factor and managed to depict Trikala’s differential response on the basis of two factors. Almost the same trend was found for 1000-kernel weight and specific weight, where there was a wide core for similar responding genotypes. Basic conclusions of this research are summarized in great differences of various traits, indicating qualitative, medium or quantitative inheritance. Estimations for trait stability can be easily performed in a multi-genotype experiment using trait stability index. The most stable hybrids were proved to be 31Y43, COSTANZA and FACTOR. The environment favouring a general stable performance proved to be Florina.
Laboratory and Field Trials to Identify Sustainable Chemical Control Strategies for Trioza erytreae in European Citrus Orchards
Authors: Dionisio Miguel A. , Hernández-Suárez Estrella , Siverio Felipe , Arjona-López Juan M. , Hervalejo Aurea , Arenas-Arenas Francisco J.
Published: September 2021

Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) is one of the psyllid insect vectors of the causal agents of huanglongbing. This paper proposes an assessment of the effectiveness of several pesticides with and without a pine oil-based organic adjuvant, in order to contain the spread and population of this pest and reduce the side effects on the Tamarixia dryi parasitoid. Five insecticides and their combinations with pine oil were sprayed against T. erytreae on citrus trees under semi-field and field conditions. The effect of the same treatments was assessed on T. dryi under laboratory conditions. All insecticides, except for acetamiprid, increased their effectiveness when combined with pine oil under both conditions. Cyantraniliprole, dimethoate, and their respective combinations with the organic adjuvant showed the highest efficacies against T. erytreae. Under laboratory conditions, dimethoate reported the most negative effect on T. dryi activity whereas cyantraniliprole and its combination with pine oil yielded a low toxicity effect on this parasitoid. Our results recommend the development of an integrated control approach for citrus growers based on an insecticide rotation program, preventing the emergence of pest resistance to one substance. In this sense, other insecticides, such as lambda-cyhalothrin with pine oil adjuvant or acetamiprid, could be considered.
Supplementation of Lysine and Methionine in Milk Replacer or Starter Concentrate for Dairy Calves in Step-Up/Step-Down Feeding Program
Authors: Silva Jackeline Thais , Miqueo Evangelina , Torrezan Thaís Manzoni , Rocha Nathalia Brito , Slanzon Giovana Simão , Virginio Júnior Gercino Ferreira , Bittar Carla Maris Machado
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and metabolic changes in dairy calves fed in a step-up/step-down program and supplemented with lysine and methionine in a milk replacer (MR) or starter concentrate (SC). Male Holstein calves (n = 45) were blocked and distributed in the control without supplementation (1) and with lysine and methionine supplementation in the SC to achieve an intake of 17 and 5.3 g/d, respectively (2), and in the MR to achieve the same daily intake (3). MR was fed 4 L/d until the 2nd week, 8 L/d from the 3rd to 6th week, and 4 L/d from the 7th to 8th week, when calves were weaned. The calves were followed until the 10th week of age. Feed intake was measured daily. Weight and body measurements were registered weekly, and blood samples were collected biweekly. The lysine and methionine intake during the whole period was higher when supplementation occurred via MR. There was a supplementation effect for average daily gain after weaning, and the animals supplemented in the MR had lower BW than those that were not supplemented. Supplementation in MR decreased starter intake at the 10th week and total intake (g DM/d) after weaning. Supplementation with lysine and methionine in the MR or the SC did not benefit the performance or metabolism of dairy calves in the step-up/step-down program. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of amino acid supplementation on feed intake.
Immunoexpression of Trefoil Factor 1 in Non-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Canine Gastric Tissues
Authors: Flores Ana R. , Castro Marisa , Rêma Alexandra , Mesquita João R. , Taulescu Marian , Gärtner Fátima , Seixas Fernanda , Amorim Irina
Published: September 2021

TFF1 expression is markedly reduced in human GCs, suggesting that TFF1 is a tumor suppressor for human gastric cancer. The present study evaluated the expression and distribution pattern of TFF1 in paraffin-embedded canine gastric tissue samples, including normal mucosa (n = 3), polyps (n = 8), carcinomas (n = 31) and their adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (n = 30), neoplastic emboli (n = 14), and metastatic lesions (n = 9), by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All normal gastric tissues expressed TFF1 in the superficial foveolar epithelium and mucopeptic cells of the neck region. Most gastric polyps (GPs) displayed immunoreactivity for TFF1 in >75% of the epithelial component. In GCs, the expression of TFF1 was found reduced in 74.2% of the cases. The level of TFF1 expression had a decreased tendency from normal gastric mucosa to GPs and GCs (p < 0.05). No significant differences in the expression of TFF1 were found in GCs, according to age, sex, histological type based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Lauren classification, tumor location, depth of tumor invasion, presence of neoplastic emboli or metastatic lesions. The median survival time of GC patients with preserved and reduced TFF1 immunoexpression were 30 and 12 days, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no significant survival differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that TFF1 protein may play a role in canine gastric carcinogenesis, and further studies are necessary to define its usefulness as a prognostic indicator in canine gastric carcinoma.
The Chemical Ecology of Elephants: 21st Century Additions to Our Understanding and Future Outlooks
Authors: Schulte Bruce A. , LaDue Chase A.
Published: September 2021

Chemical signals are the oldest and most ubiquitous means of mediating intra- and interspecific interactions. The three extant species of elephants, the Asian elephant and the two African species, savanna and forest share sociobiological patterns in which chemical signals play a vital role. Elephants emit secretions and excretions and display behaviors that reveal the importance of odors in their interactions. In this review, we begin with a brief introduction of research in elephant chemical ecology leading up to the 21st century, and then we summarize the body of work that has built upon it and occurred in the last c. 20 years. The 21st century has expanded our understanding on elephant chemical ecology, revealing their use of odors to detect potential threats and make dietary choices. Furthermore, complementary in situ and ex situ studies have allowed the careful observations of captive elephants to be extended to fieldwork involving their wild counterparts. While important advances have been made in the 21st century, further work should investigate the roles of chemical signaling in elephants and how these signals interact with other sensory modalities. All three elephant species are threatened with extinction, and we suggest that chemical ecology can be applied for targeted conservation efforts.
Animal Welfare Risks in Live Cattle Export from Australia to China by Sea
Authors: Hing Stephanie , Foster Sue , Evans Di
Published: September 2021

There are long-standing and ongoing concerns about the welfare of animals in the Australian live export trade by sea. However, scrutiny of animal welfare on board vessels is generally hindered by a lack of independent reporting. Cattle voyages from Australia to China have concerned animal welfare advocates due to their long duration and lack of consistent veterinary oversight. In April 2018, following a media exposé of animal cruelty and declining public trust, the Australian government installed Independent Observers on some live export voyages. Summaries of Independent Observer (IO) reports by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) provided a new and independent source of information about management of animals in the live export trade. The IO summaries on live cattle export voyages to China for the period July 2018 to December 2019 (n = 37) were reviewed. The IO summaries detailed voyages that carried 147,262 slaughter, feeder or breeder cattle which included both dairy and beef breeds. The long-haul voyages averaged 20 days in duration, generally departing the ports of Fremantle and Portland and discharging at ports in northern China. Key animal welfare risk factors identified in the IO summaries included: hunger, thirst, exposure to extreme temperatures, poor pen conditions, health issues, absence of veterinarians, rough seas, poor ship infrastructure, mechanical breakdown and mismanagement at discharge.
Distribution Change of Invasive American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) by Future Climate Threaten Endangered Suweon Treefrog (Hyla suweonensis) in South Korea
Authors: Koo Kyo Soung , Choe Minjee
Published: September 2021

The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been imported into South Korea in earnest for food since the 1970s and introduced into nature due to release and escape. Accordingly, the influx and spread of American Bullfrogs are expected to have a direct impact on native species, but few related studies have been conducted on this. We predicted changes in the potential distribution and future distribution based on climate change scenarios to analyze how those changes affect critically endangered Suwon treefrogs. Suwon treefrog sites (63.9%, 78/122) overlapped with the distribution of Bullfrogs. According to the prediction of the future distribution of Bullfrogs, the overlapping of American Bullfrogs and Suwon treefrog will remain similar to the current level in the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario. On the other hand, in the RCP 8.5 scenario, the number of overlapping sites will increase to 72.1% (88/122) due to the spreading of the American Bullfrogs. The results show that climate change directly affects the distribution expansion of the American Bullfrogs but also indirectly can lead to an increased threat to Suwon treefrogs. In conclusion, our results strongly suggest why climate change should be actively addressed in terms of the spread of invasive species and the protection of endangered species.
Blood Biochemical Variables Found in Lidia Cattle after Intense Exercise
Authors: Escalera-Valente Francisco , Alonso Marta E. , Lomillos-Pérez Juan M. , Gaudioso-Lacasa Vicente R. , Alonso Angel J. , González-Montaña J. Ramiro
Published: September 2021

There are limited published data in the bovine species on blood biological variables in response to intense work or after significant physical exertion. Lidia cattle, in addition to their exercise components, have some behavioral agonistic features that make them more susceptible to stress. The bullfight involves stress and exercise so intense that it causes significant changes in some metabolic variables. The study objective was to evaluate changes in blood biological variables in response to intense exercise and stress. After the fight in the arena, and once the bulls were dead (n = 438), blood samples were taken, and some biochemical and hormonal variables were determined in venous blood. A descriptive analysis was performed using the Statistica 8.0. computer program. The mean (±s.d.) results obtained were: total protein (85.8 ± 10.8 g/dL), albumin (3.74 ± 4.3 g/dL), triglycerides (39.65 ± 0.16 mg/dL), cholesterol (2.44 ± 0.03 mmol/L), glucose (22.2 ± 9.6 mmol/L), uric acid (340 ± 80 µmol/L), creatinine (236.9 ± 0.4 µmol/L), urea (5.93 ± 1.27 mmol/L), LDH (2828 ± 1975 IU/L), CK (6729 ± 10,931 IU/L), AST (495 ± 462 IU/L), ALP (90 ± 33 IU/L), GGT (50 ± 34 IU/L), ALT (59 ± 35 IU/L), cortisol (117.5 ± 46.6 nmol/L), and testosterone (20.2 ± 23.8 nmol/L). Most of the measured variables clearly increased; thus, we found severe hyperglycemia and increases in LDH, AST, GGT, and ALT enzymes, particularly in CK. The increases in all these variables are justified by the mobilization of energy sources, tissue/muscle damage, and dehydration due to continued stress and intense exercise.
A Novel Fault Feature Extraction Method for Bearing Rolling Elements Using Optimized Signal Processing Method
Authors: Li Weihan , Li Yang , Yu Ling , Ma Jian , Zhu Lei , Li Lingfeng , Chen Huayue , Deng Wu
Published: September 2021

A rolling element signal has a long transmission path in the acquisition process. The fault feature of the rolling element signal is more difficult to be extracted. Therefore, a novel weak fault feature extraction method using optimized variational mode decomposition with kurtosis mean (KMVMD) and maximum correlated kurtosis deconvolution based on power spectrum entropy and grid search (PGMCKD), namely KMVMD-PGMCKD, is proposed. In the proposed KMVMD-PGMCKD method, a VMD with kurtosis mean (KMVMD) is proposed. Then an adaptive parameter selection method based on power spectrum entropy and grid search for MCKD, namely PGMCKD, is proposed to determine the deconvolution period T and filter order L. The complementary advantages of the KMVMD and PGMCKD are integrated to construct a novel weak fault feature extraction model (KMVMD-PGMCKD). Finally, the power spectrum is employed to deal with the obtained signal by KMVMD-PGMCKD to effectively implement feature extraction. Bearing rolling element signals of Case Western Reserve University and actual rolling element data are selected to prove the validity of the KMVMD-PGMCKD. The experiment results show that the KMVMD-PGMCKD can effectively extract the fault features of bearing rolling elements and accurately diagnose weak faults under variable working conditions.
Out-of-Plane Experimental Study of Strengthening Slender Non-Structural Masonry Walls
Authors: Klun Martin , Antolinc David , Bosiljkov Vlatko
Published: September 2021

Non-structural masonry partition walls, which are mainly designed to functionally separate spaces in the buildings and provide physical barriers between rooms, were traditionally built from either solid or hollow clay units or autoclaved aerated concrete blocks. Recent earthquakes have revealed the high vulnerability of these elements, even in the case of low to moderate seismic events. Public buildings (e.g., hospitals and schools) are particularly vulnerable. Due to their greater floor-to-floor heights and the response spectra of floors, the dynamic response of primary structure may provoke significantly higher seismic loads on partition walls. The main goal of the presented experimental study was to investigate the behavior of slender partition walls loaded out-of-plane with a simple and cost-effective approach that may be applied through routine refurbishment works. Eleven full-scale slender non-structural masonry partition walls were built with brickwork and cement–lime mortar. Eight of them were additionally strengthened with different techniques, including glass fiber-reinforcing fabric and low-cost glass fiber-rendering mesh. To evaluate the efficiency of the applied strengthening solutions, out-of-plane quasi-static cyclic experiments were conducted. By applying meshes over the entire surfaces, the resistance was significantly improved with the low-cost approach reaching half of the resistance of the commercially available strengthening system preserving the same displacement capacity.
Miscibility Regimes in a 23Na–39K Quantum Mixture
Authors: Gutierrez Emmanuel Mercado , de Oliveira Gustavo Alves , Farias Kilvia Mayre , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador , Castilho Patricia Christina Marques
Published: September 2021

The effects of miscibility in interacting two-component classical fluids are relevant in a broad range of daily applications. When considering quantum systems, two-component Bose–Einstein condensates provide a well-controlled platform where the miscible–immiscible phase transition can be completely characterized. In homogeneous systems, this phase transition is governed only by the competition between intra- and inter-species interactions. However, in more conventional experiments dealing with trapped gases, the pressure of the confinement increases the role of the kinetic energy and makes the system more miscible. In the most general case, the miscibility phase diagram of unbalanced mixtures of different atomic species is strongly modified by the atom number ratio and the different gravitational sags. Here, we numerically investigate the ground-state of a 23Na–39K quantum mixture for different interaction strengths and atom number ratios considering realistic experimental parameters. Defining the spatial overlap between the resulting atomic clouds, we construct the phase diagram of the miscibility transition which could be directly measured in real experiments.
Incorporating Clinical Imaging into the Delivery of Microbeam Radiation Therapy
Authors: Paino Jason , Barnes Micah , Engels Elette , Davis Jeremy , Guatelli Susanna , de Veer Michael , Hall Chris , Häusermann Daniel , Tehei Moeava , Corde Stéphanie , Rosenfeld Anatoly , Lerch Michael
Published: September 2021

Synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy is a promising pre-clinical radiation treatment modality; however, it comes with many technical challenges. This study describes the image guidance protocol used for Australia’s first long-term pre-clinical MRT treatment of rats bearing 9L gliosarcoma tumours. The protocol utilises existing infrastructure available at the Australian Synchrotron and the adjoining Monash Biomedical Imaging facility. The protocol is designed and optimised to treat small animals utilising high-resolution clinical CT for patient specific tumour identification, coupled with conventional radiography, using the recently developed SyncMRT program for image guidance. Dosimetry performed in small animal phantoms shows patient dose is comparable to standard clinical doses, with a CT associated dose of less than 1.39cGy and a planar radiograh dose of less than 0.03cGy. Experimental validation of alignment accuracy with radiographic film demonstrates end to end accuracy of less than ±0.34mm in anatomical phantoms. Histological analysis of tumour-bearing rats treated with microbeam radiation therapy verifies that tumours are targeted well within applied treatment margins. To date, this technique has been used to treat 35 tumour-bearing rats.
Low Reynolds Number Swimming Near Interfaces in Multi-Fluid Media
Authors: Cartwright Avriel , Du Jian
Published: September 2021

Microorganisms often swim within heterogeneous fluid media composed of multiple materials with very different properties. The swimming speed is greatly affected by the composition and rheology of the fluidic environment. In addition, biological locomotions are also strongly influenced by the presence of phase boundaries and free interfaces, across which physical properties of the fluid media may vary significantly. Using a two-fluid immersed boundary method, we investigate the classical Taylor’s swimming sheet problem near interfaces within multi-fluid media. The accuracy of the methodology is illustrated through comparisons with analytical solutions. Our simulation results indicate that the interface dynamics and phase separation in the multi-fluid mixture are closely coupled with the movement of the swimmer. Depending on the interface location, the frictional coefficient, and the multi-fluid composition, the swimmer can move faster or slower than that in a single phase fluid.
Improving the X-ray Shielding Performance of Tungsten Thin-Film Plates Manufactured Using the Rolling Technology
Authors: Kim Seon-Chil
Published: September 2021

X-ray shields used for medical purposes are manufactured using lead, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. However, as lead can be a major factor contributing toward environmental contamination, such as lead poisoning, a radiation-shielding plate was manufactured in this study using a tungsten plate, an eco-friendly material, through a rolling process at different temperatures. In addition, the shielding plate produced via the hot-rolling method exhibited better shielding performance than that of the plate produced using the cold-rolling method, and the multilayer structure was well formed, as indicated in the cross-sectional image analysis. Upon applying a peak voltage of 100 kVp to the X-ray tube, the shielding performance observed was 80% and 96% when the plate thickness was 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, it is expected that, in the future, the pure tungsten-based shield presented in this study will replace lead plates, owing to its superior standardization and reproducibility of the shielding performance.
A New GaN HEMT Small-Signal Model Considering Source via Effects for 5G Millimeter-Wave Power Amplifier Design
Authors: Kim Jihoon
Published: September 2021

A new gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobile transistor (HEMT) small-signal model is proposed considering source via effects. In general, GaN HEMTs adopt a source via structure to reduce device degradation due to self-heating. In this paper, the modified drain-source capacitance (Cds) circuit considering the source via structure is proposed. GaN HEMTs fabricated using a commercial 0.15 μm GaN HEMT process are measured with a 67 GHz vector network analyzer (VNA). The fabricated device is an individual source via (ISV) type. As a result, it is difficult to predict the measured S12 in the conventional small-signal model equivalent circuit. This causes errors in maximum stable gain/maximum available gain (MSG/MAG) and stability factor (K), which are important for circuit design. This paper proposes a small-signal equivalent circuit that adds the drain-source inductance to the drain-source capacitance considering the source via structure. The proposed equivalent circuit better reproduces the measured S12 without compromising the accuracy of other S-parameters up to 67 GHz and improves the accuracy of MSG/MAG and K. It is expected that the proposed model can be utilized in a large-signal model for 5G millimeter-wave GaN HEMT power amplifier design in the future.
Microclimatic and Environmental Surveillance of Operating Theaters: Trend and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ferrante Margherita , Oliveri Conti Gea , Blandini Giuseppe Lucio , Cacia Giuseppe , Distefano Carlo , Distefano Giulia , Mantione Valerio , Ursino Agata , Milletari Giuseppa , Coniglio Maria Anna , Fiore Maria
Published: September 2021

The health risk level in operating rooms is correlated to the safety levels of microclimatic parameters, thermal indices, anesthetic gases and microbiological parameters. The objective of this study was to estimate the staff and medical service management compliance with the suggestions resulting from monitoring. Methods: The environmental conditions of 38 different operating rooms in the Sicily region, Italy, from January 2011 to December 2020 were monitored. The results were compared with specific standards suggested by national and international laws and guidelines. Results: Almost all microclimatic and microbiological parameters were outside the limits. The monitoring of the anesthetic gases showed that 5.6% of sevoflurane measurements exceeded the limit values. Conclusions: Constant environmental monitoring is an essential element for maintaining optimal living conditions in the working environment. The compliance of staff with guidelines and rules is a fundamental parameter for achieving this objective.