bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How mobile phone addiction is associated with suicidal ideation in university students in China: Roles of depression and online social support
Authors: Hu Huahua , Yang Xue , Mo Phoenix K. H. , Zhao Chengjia , Kuang Beibei , Zhang Guohua , Lin Guangyao
Published: December 2022

Background

Recent studies have highlighted mobile phone addiction (MPA) as a potential risk of suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying that association require attention.

Objective

This investigation aims to examine whether the relationship between MPA and suicidal ideation would be mediated by depression, and buffered by online social support (OSS) in university students.

Methods

A convenient sample of 1,042 Chinese university students completed the measures of mobile phone addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, OSS in classroom settings. Moderated mediation analyses were performed to test the roles of depression and OSS in the association between MPA and suicidal ideation.

Results

MPA was positively associated with suicidal ideation through depression (indirect effect =. 23, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.28, p < 0.001); OSS moderated the association between depression and suicidal ideation (B = − 0.09, 95% CI: −0.13, −0.04, p < 0.001). Specifically, the effect of depression on suicidal ideation was weaker in individuals with high (versus low) OSS. OSS moderated the association between MPA and suicidal ideation (B = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.10, p = 0.001). The influence of MPA on suicidal ideation was non-significant among individuals with high OSS but negatively significant among students with low OSS.

Conclusion

The results enrich the understanding of how MPA may increase suicidal ideation, and highlight the potential importance of reducing depression and enhancing OSS to prevent suicidal ideation in university students.
The role of social-psychological factors of victimity on victimization of online fraud in China
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Ye Zhi
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The high incidence of online fraud in China poses a great threat to the social stability and property security of society. Victimity is the state or mindset of victims, referring to the various conditions related to being victims of crimes. Examining the association between the inherent and extrinsic factors of victimity and victimization of online fraud is of great importance for revealing the psychological mechanism of victimization and drawing up preventative measures.

Methods

Through the questionnaire survey of 504 online fraud victims and 523 non-victims, univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors correlated with victimization.

Results

Age, education, and social support are positively correlated with fraud victimization, while impulsiveness, trust tendency, smartphone usage, and negative life experiences are negatively correlated with fraud victimization. Subsequent regression analyses showed that all the factors above, except for smartphone usage, are significant predictors for online fraud victimization.

Discussion

Our conceptual model and empirical results demonstrate the important role of victimity in making an individual become a victim and help clarify the mixed findings of previous studies on the risk factors for online fraud.
Adult education needs inventory: Construction and application
Authors: Ślósarz Luba , Błaszczyński Kamil , Švecová Magdaléna , Kobylarek Aleksander
Published: December 2022

Background

The article presents the psychometric parameters and implementation of the adult education needs inventory (AENI) questionnaire, which is designed to measure the key competences of adult educators. It was constructed on the concept of key competences as proposed by the Council of the European Union. This model of competences is inscribed in the concept of lifelong learning and does not concentrate on the compensatory functions of the competences but merely promotes the insight of educators into their self-development. This article presents the construction process and psychometrical properties of AENI.

Materials and methods

The reliability of the test is confirmed by the inter-correlated results. The accuracy of the questionnaire was confirmed through principal component analysis (PCA). Apart from this, the accuracy of the theory was verified by a correlation between AENI and the Social Skills Profile (PROKOS), which measures the level of such social skills as assertiveness, cooperativeness, sociability, social resourcefulness, and social activeness. To check the accuracy of the theory, hypotheses were formulated which were related to both the correlated overall results (AENI and PROKOS) and the chosen scales.

Results

Six areas of need in development were distinguished: communication skills, multilingual and multicultural skills, digital skills, entrepreneurial skills, openness to science and culture, and social and civic skills. A low result on the scale indicates a need to develop a given skill because the respondent’s skills are weak. Such information is vital for employers and educators who wish to diagnose the areas that need improvement. The measures of reliability and accuracy allow us to state that the questionnaire possesses acceptable psychometrical factors. This study contains propositions for further improvement of the questionnaire and a key to interpreting the research results.

Conclusion

Adult education needs inventory questionnaire is a reliable research tool that can be used to assess the competences of adult educators. Also, it can be considered a voice of discussion regarding the necessity of raising the quality of education and raising the awareness of the education needs of individual adult educators and organizations that benefit from their services.
Cognitive and brain reserve predict decline in adverse driving behaviors among cognitively normal older adults
Authors: Murphy Samantha A. , Chen Ling , Doherty Jason M. , Acharyya Prerana , Riley Noah , Johnson Ann M. , Walker Alexis , Domash Hailee , Jorgensen Maren , Bayat Sayeh , Carr David B. , Ances Beau M. , Babulal Ganesh M.
Published: December 2022

Daily driving is a multi-faceted, real-world, behavioral measure of cognitive functioning requiring multiple cognitive domains working synergistically to complete this instrumental activity of daily living. As the global population of older adult continues to grow, motor vehicle crashes become more frequent among this demographic. Cognitive reserve (CR) is the brain’s adaptability or functional robustness despite damage, while brain reserve (BR) refers the structural, neuroanatomical resources. This study examined whether CR and BR predicted changes in adverse driving behaviors in cognitively normal older adults. Cognitively normal older adults (Clinical Dementia Rating 0) were enrolled from longitudinal studies at the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Washington University. Participants (n = 186) were ≥65 years of age, required to have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data, neuropsychological testing data, and at least one full year of naturalistic driving data prior to the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown in the United States (March 2020) as measured by Driving Real World In-vehicle Evaluation System (DRIVES). Findings suggest numerous changes in driving behaviors over time were predicted by increased hippocampal and whole brain atrophy, as well as lower CR scores as proxied by the Wide Range Achievement Test 4. These changes indicate that those with lower BR and CR are more likely to reduce their driving exposure and limit trips as they age and may be more likely to avoid highways where speeding and aggressive maneuvers frequently occur.
Akathisia after chronic usage of synthetic cathinones: A case study
Authors: Albert Niels , Catthoor Kirsten , Morrens Manuel
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Synthetic cathinones are a heterogenous group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) with a surging prevalence of use. They are sold under the name of “Bath Salts,” “Legal Highs” or “Research Chemical.” It is a heterogeneous group of substances that have a varying binding selectivity and affinity. Due to limited availability of NPS screening tests, inadequate legislation, the exponential increases in availability of new NPS and the comorbid use of other illicit substances, scientific research remains scarce. As a result, insight in their mental and psychomotor effects is limited.

Case description

We present a case of a 21-year-old woman with daily usage of synthetic cathinones, more specifically α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (α-PVP-better known as “Flakka”), α-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) and alpha-Pyrrolidinoisohexaphenone (α-PHiP). Besides a severe paranoid psychotic state of mind, characterized by persecutory and somatic delusions, there was also a very pronounced psychomotor restlessness during the whole period of hospitalization which was diagnosed as akathisia. She reported that she was unable to sit during meals, had difficulty standing still and felt a constant urge to pay attention to the restlessness. The patient did not take any antipsychotic medication at admission.

Results

The patient was treated in accordance with the current guidelines concerning akathisia with a combination of Quetiapine 200 mg, Propranolol 80 mg, Diazepam 10 mg, Biperiden 4 mg, and Mirtazapine 15 mg without any sufficient alleviation of complaints. Before the start of the treatment, Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS) score was 11 out of 14 which evolved toward a score of 7 over the course of the 40 day hospitalization, implying persisting severe akathisia which only improved modestly.

Conclusion

The current case suggests that besides cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines, synthetic cathinones can also increase the risk for development of extrapyramidal symptoms such as akathisia. Especially a-PVP-analogs as used by the current patient and Pyrovalerone-analogs such as Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are very powerful dopamine reuptake-inhibitors which might lead to strong locomotor activation. Up to this day it remains very difficult to establish a guideline concerning the treatment of intoxication with synthetic cathinones or dependence thereof.
Sun protection and occupation: Current developments and perspectives for prevention of occupational skin cancer
Authors: Symanzik Cara , John Swen Malte
Published: December 2022

A substantial proportion of all reported occupational illnesses are constituted by skin cancer, making this disease a serious public health issue. Solar ultra-violet radiation (UVR) exposure is the most significant external factor in the development of skin cancer, for which the broad occupational category of outdoor workers has already been identified as high-risk group. Sun protection by deploying adequate technical, organizational, and person-related measures has to be understood as a functional aspect of workplace safety. To prevent skin cancers brought on by—typically cumulative—solar UVR exposure, outdoor workers must considerably lower their occupationally acquired solar UVR doses. Estimating cumulative sun exposure in outdoor workers requires consideration of the level of solar UVR exposure, the tasks to be done in the sun, and the employees' solar UVR preventive measures. Recent studies have highlighted the necessity for measures to enhance outdoor workers' sun protection behavior. In the coming decades, occupational dermatology is expected to pay increasing attention to sun protection at work. Also, the field of dermato-oncology will likely be concerned with sky-rocketing incidences of occupational skin cancers. The complete range of available alternatives should be utilized in terms of preventive actions, which seems pivotal to handle the present and future challenges in a purposeful manner. This will almost definitely only be possible if politicians' support is effectively combined with communal and individual preventive actions in order to spur long-term transformation.
A measurement method for mental health based on dynamic multimodal feature recognition
Authors: Xu Haibo , Wu Xiang , Liu Xin
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The number of college students with mental problems has increased significantly, particularly during COVID-19. However, the clinical features of early-stage psychological problems are subclinical, so the optimal intervention treatment period can easily be missed. Artificial intelligence technology can efficiently assist in assessing mental health problems by mining the deep correlation of multi-dimensional data of patients, providing ideas for solving the screening of normal psychological problems in large-scale college students. Therefore, we propose a mental health assessment method that integrates traditional scales and multimodal intelligent recognition technology to support the large-scale and normalized screening of mental health problems in colleges and universities.

Methods

Firstly, utilize the psychological assessment scales based on human-computer interaction to conduct health questionnaires based on traditional methods. Secondly, integrate machine learning technology to identify the state of college students and assess the severity of psychological problems. Finally, the experiments showed that the proposed multimodal intelligent recognition method has high accuracy and can better proofread normal scale results. This study recruited 1,500 students for this mental health assessment.

Results

The results showed that the incidence of moderate or higher stress, anxiety, and depression was 36.3, 48.1, and 23.0%, which is consistent with the results of our multiple targeted tests.

Conclusion

Therefore, the interactive multimodality emotion recognition method proposed provides an effective way for large-scale mental health screening, monitoring, and intervening in college students' mental health problems.
Establishment and evaluation of an in vitro blast lung injury model using alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Ding Chunjie , Hong Shan , Zhang Miao , Sun Yunzhe , Li Ning , Zhang Jing , Ma Lan , Tian Linqiang , Ren Wenjie , Zhang Lin , Yao Sanqiao
Published: December 2022

Background

Gas explosion is a fatal disaster commonly occurred in coal mining and often causes systematic physical injuries, of which blast lung injury is the primary one and has not yet been fully investigated due to the absence of disease models. To facilitate studies of this field, we constructed an in vitro blast lung injury model using alveolar epithelial cells.

Methods

We randomly divided the alveolar epithelial cells into the control group and blast wave group, cells in the blast wave group were stimulated with different strengths of blast wave, and cells in the control group received sham intervention. Based on the standards we set up for a successful blast injury model, the optimal modeling conditions were studied on different frequencies of blast wave, modeling volume, cell incubation duration, and cell density. The changes of cell viability, apoptosis, intracellular oxidative stress, and inflammation were measured.

Results

We found that cell viability decreased by approximately 50% at 6 h after exposing to 8 bar energy of blast wave, then increased with the extension of culture time and reached to (74.33 ± 9.44) % at 12 h. By applying 1000 ~ 2500 times of shock wave to 1 ~ 5 × 105 cells /ml, the changes of cell viability could well meet the modeling criteria. In parallel, the content of reactive oxide species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) increased in the blast wave group, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione -S- transferase (GST) decreased, which were highly consistent with that of human beings with gas explosion-induced pulmonary injury.

Conclusion

An in vitro blast lung injury model is set up using a blast wave physiotherapy under 8 bar, 10 Hz blast wave on (1 ~ 5) ×105 alveolar epithelial cells for 1 000 times. This model is flexible, safe, and stable, and can be used for studies of lung injury caused by gas explosion and blast-associated other external forces.
Expanding emotional capital in court
Authors: Nordquist Cecilia Y. , Bergman Blix Stina
Published: December 2022

This article develops the concept of emotional capital by exposing its operation in proceedings between legal elite professionals. We argue that (a) the micro-structural restraints of the interaction order among the participants have to be accounted for in order to understand the dynamics of emotional capital, and; (b) the emotional processes at play have to be expanded beyond feelings of care showing how emotions can be employed to reproduce status and power. Empirical examples from criminal courts in Scotland and the United States demonstrate that judges and prosecutors depend on emotional capital to steer the legal proceedings. Emotional capital is both stable in that acquired capital often can be transferred across fields and volatile in that it presupposes interactional agreement to ensure successful emotional capital employment. In contrast, the lack of such agreement may devalue emotional capital regardless of overall capital wealth. In high status bureaucratic positions, the conversion of emotional capital into symbolic capital not only affects the authority of individual actors but reproduces public trust in governmental institutions.
Nutcracker syndrome: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Airey David
Published: December 2022

Background

Nutcracker syndrome (NS) is an uncommon condition resulting from the compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), resulting in symptoms such as flank pain and hematuria.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman complaining of abdominal pain who was found to have nutcracker syndrome and treated with endovascular stenting of the left renal vein.

Discussion

We review the literature related to endovascular treatment of NS with focus on the distribution of the sizes of stents and rates of stent migration.

Conclusion

NC is a rare condition requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Endovascular treatment is a reasonable option, but its limitations must be considered.
Environmental risk factors in puppies and kittens for developing chronic disorders in adulthood: A call for research on developmental programming
Authors: Gaillard Virginie , Chastant Sylvie , England Gary , Forman Oliver , German Alexander J. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Villaverde Cecilia , Chavatte-Palmer Pascale , Péron Franck
Published: December 2022

Many dogs and cats are affected by chronic diseases that significantly impact their health and welfare and relationships with humans. Some of these diseases can be challenging to treat, and a better understanding of early-life risk factors for diseases occurring in adulthood is key to improving preventive veterinary care and husbandry practices. This article reviews early-life risk factors for obesity and chronic enteropathy, and for chronic behavioral problems, which can also be intractable with life-changing consequences. Aspects of early life in puppies and kittens that can impact the risk of adult disorders include maternal nutrition, establishment of the gut microbiome, maternal behavior, weaning, nutrition during growth, growth rate, socialization with conspecifics and humans, rehoming and neutering. Despite evidence in some species that the disorders reviewed here reflect the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), developmental programming has rarely been studied in dogs and cats. Priorities and strategies to increase knowledge of early-life risk factors and DOHaD in dogs and cats are discussed. Critical windows of development are proposed: preconception, gestation, the suckling period, early growth pre-neutering or pre-puberty, and growth post-neutering or post-puberty to adult size, the durations of which depend upon species and breed. Challenges to DOHaD research in these species include a large number of breeds with wide genetic and phenotypic variability, and the existence of many mixed-breed individuals. Moreover, difficulties in conducting prospective lifelong cohort studies are exacerbated by discontinuity in pet husbandry between breeders and subsequent owners, and by the dispersed nature of pet ownership.
A Review on Data-Driven Condition Monitoring of Industrial Equipment
Authors: Qi Ruosen , Zhang Jie , Spencer Katy
Published: December 2022

This paper presents an up-to-date review of data-driven condition monitoring of industrial equipment with the focus on three commonly used equipment: motors, pumps, and bearings. Firstly, the general framework of data-driven condition monitoring is discussed and the utilized mathematical and statistical approaches are introduced. The utilized techniques in recent literature are discussed. Then, fault detection, diagnosis, and prognosis on the three types of equipment are highlighted using a variety of popular shallow and deep learning models. Applications of these techniques in recent literature are summarized. Finally, some potential future challenges and research directions are presented.
On Bipartite Circulant Graph Decompositions Based on Cartesian and Tensor Products with Novel Topologies and Deadlock-Free Routing
Authors: El-Mesady Ahmed , Romanov Aleksandr Y. , Amerikanov Aleksandr A. , Ivannikov Alexander D.
Published: December 2022

Recent developments in commutative algebra, linear algebra, and graph theory allow us to approach various issues in several fields. Circulant graphs now have a wider range of practical uses, including as the foundation for optical networks, discrete cellular neural networks, small-world networks, models of chemical reactions, supercomputing and multiprocessor systems. Herein, we are concerned with the decompositions of the bipartite circulant graphs. We propose the Cartesian and tensor product approaches as helping tools for the decompositions. The proposed approaches enable us to decompose the bipartite circulant graphs into many categories of graphs. We consider the use cases of applying the described theory of bipartite circulant graph decomposition to the problems of finding new topologies and deadlock-free routing in them when building supercomputers and networks-on-chip.
A Variable Clutch Mechanism for Adjustable Stiffness Actuators Based on Bending and Torsion of Prismatic Beams
Authors: Reis Murat , Tüfekci Kenan
Published: December 2022

Today, a major obstacle to developing locomotion mechanisms that are as safe and energy efficient as living organisms has been overcome with the development of actuators with adjustable stiffness. This work presents an innovative clutch mechanism whose stiffness can be adjusted based on the combined bending and torsion of the prismatic beams. In this way, the stiffness of any rotary actuator can be adjusted with the help of this clutch mechanism. The adjustable clutch mechanism consists of elastic prismatic beams placed in any position in the power transmission unit. The stiffness of the clutch mechanism is controlled by varying the active clutch length of these prismatic elastic beams using an additional actuator. This work is a new version developed to solve the mechanical problems observed in our previous studies using elastic cylindrical beams. Cylindrical beams subjected to dynamic bending have a higher risk of cracking on the cylindrical surface over time. The cross-section of cylindrical beams subjected to bending is very narrow at the point furthest from the center, which bears the greatest load in bending. For this reason, it has been observed that the beams break due to micro-cracks on the surfaces of the cylindrical beams in long-term use. However, the rectangular beam proposed as a solution to this mechanical problem is subject to combined torsion and bending, complicating the analytical solution. In this study, the stiffness variation of an adjustable elastic coupling mechanism depending on the coupling length was obtained with a simplified discrete analytical approach. Torsional and bending stiffness of the prismatic beams were calculated separately, and their sum gave the angular stiffness of the actuator. The analytical results obtained using this simple approach are compared with the experimental and finite element analysis results. The results show that the current design can adjust the stiffness over a wide range and the simple analytical approach gives more accurate results as the clutch length increases.
Service Life Modelling of Single Lap Joint Subjected to Cyclic Bending Load
Authors: Demiral Murat , Abbassi Fethi , Muhammad Riaz , Akpinar Salih
Published: December 2022

Bonded joints used in wing sections and frames of aircraft structures are mostly exposed to cyclic loadings instead of static ones during their services. Bending types of dynamic loadings are mostly encountered. In this study, the fatigue response of a single lap joint (SLJ) exposed to bending loading was studied with the developed advanced finite-element (FE) model. The cohesive zone model describing the behaviour of the adhesive layer used the damage mechanism, where static and fatigue damages were linked to each other; i.e., the total damage was accumulated because of material deterioration and cyclic plastic separation. This enabled us to predict the fatigue characteristics including the finite fatigue life, crack propagation rate using Paris law. The model was implemented via a user-defined UMAT subroutine offered in ABAQUS-Standard. The numerical model was validated by experiments available in the literature. The fatigue performance of an SLJ subjected to bending loading was investigated for different lap joint configurations. A smaller bending load, a thicker adherend or a longer overlap length (OL) led to enhanced fatigue life. For instance, the fatigue life was observed to increase up to 50 times for a 66% increase in OL.
ProgNet: A Transferable Deep Network for Aircraft Engine Damage Propagation Prognosis under Real Flight Conditions
Authors: Berghout Tarek , Mouss Mohamed-Djamel , Mouss Leïla-Hayet , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Machine learning prognosis for condition monitoring of safety-critical systems, such as aircraft engines, continually faces challenges of data unavailability, complexity, and drift. Consequently, this paper overcomes these challenges by introducing adaptive deep transfer learning methodologies, strengthened with robust feature engineering. Initially, data engineering encompassing: (i) principal component analysis (PCA) dimensionality reduction; (ii) feature selection using correlation analysis; (iii) denoising with empirical Bayesian Cauchy prior wavelets; and (iv) feature scaling is used to obtain the required learning representations. Next, an adaptive deep learning model, namely ProgNet, is trained on a source domain with sufficient degradation trajectories generated from PrognosEase, a run-to-fail data generator for health deterioration analysis. Then, ProgNet is transferred to the target domain of obtained degradation features for fine-tuning. The primary goal is to achieve a higher-level generalization while reducing algorithmic complexity, making experiments reproducible on available commercial computers with quad-core microprocessors. ProgNet is tested on the popular New Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (N-CMAPSS) dataset describing real flight scenarios. To the extent we can report, this is the first time that all N-CMAPSS subsets have been fully screened in such an experiment. ProgNet evaluations with numerous metrics, including the well-known CMAPSS scoring function, demonstrate promising performance levels, reaching 234.61 for the entire test set. This is approximately four times better than the results obtained with the compared conventional deep learning models.
Influence of Regulated Deficit Irrigation on Arbequina’s Crop Yield and EVOOs Quality and Sensory Profile
Authors: Sastre Blanca , Arbonés Amadeu , Pérez-Jiménez M. Ángeles , Pascual Miquel , Benito Alejandro , de Lorenzo Cristina , Villar Josep M. , Bonet Luis J. , Paz Sergio , Santos Ángel , Hermoso Juan Francisco , Romero Agustí , Farolfi Camilla , Rufat Josep
Published: December 2022

Regulated deficit irrigation in super-high-density (SHD) olive orchards is a well-known strategy to save water and control plant vigor, without decreasing fruit or oil yield. As there is controversial information about its influence on virgin olive oil quality, a trial was conducted in five SHD olive orchards of Arbequina cultivar in different locations of central, east, north and northeast Spain under full irrigation (FI) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments. RDI applied during phase II of fruit growing (40% of total needs) saves more than 20% of water on average, without reductions in olive fruit or extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) yield. No threshold of 3.5 MPa of stem water potential was crossed in any case. RDI modified sterols and the fatty acid profile of EVOOs but not phenols, quality parameters, or the sensory profile. Latitude, altitude, and yearly rainfall have a big impact on some compounds such as campesterol, oleuropein, or margaroleic or linolenic acids.
Environmental and Qualitative Monitoring of a Transoceanic Intermodal Transport of Melons
Authors: Correa Eva Cristina , Castillejo Noelia , Barreiro Pilar , Diezma Belén , Garrido-Izard Miguel , Barbosa Menezes Jossivan , Aguayo Encarna
Published: December 2022

To supply the off-season melon market, Europe imports from distant markets in other countries, mainly Brazil. Cold transportation takes at least 15–20 days, thus increasing the risk of quality losses. Moreover, product deliveries, especially in international markets, can result in supply chain inefficiencies that negatively affect carbon footprint and expected freshness. Implementing quality sensors and advanced cold chain management could help to reduce these problems. The objective of this work was to monitor a real transoceanic intermodal transport of melons (Brazil to Spain), through the implementation of multi-distributed environmental sensors (15 ibuttons loggers) to evaluate the remaining shelf-life (RSHL) of melons at destination. The sensors’ location within the cargo reached a maximum variability range of 4 °C. Using digital sensors to track temperature variations, it was verified that in different locations in the container, the melon RSHL at the end of the journey, was nine days and 19 h in colder spots, while in the hottest spot, the RSHL was reduced to five days and 22 h. This fact has substantial implications for improved tracking of temperature to maintain fruit quality for market, potentially reducing waste, and contributing to higher profit margins for international food supply chains.
Effect of Biochar Amendments on the Co-Composting of Food Waste and Livestock Manure
Authors: Chung Woojin , Shim Jaehong , Chang Soon Woong , Ravindran Balasubramani
Published: December 2022

The global increase in population will result in increased global food production which can, in turn, lead to excessive food waste. Although composting is widely adopted for the conversion of organic waste into value-added products, there are several limitations, such as its lower efficiency in composting food waste without co-composting, the loss of nutrients, and the emission of greenhouse gases. Due to its renowned characteristics, biochar amendments are used during composting to overcome these issues; each waste should be at an appropriate level to yield good quality compost with high nutrient levels. In this study, we co-composted food waste with chicken and swine manure with varying proportions in the presence and absence of biochar to identify the ideal proportion of each raw material and the biochar. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, EC, temperature, bulk density, porosity, C:N ratio, and gaseous emissions were analyzed. The results showed that the desired quality of compost was obtained in the treatment with 5% biochar with 40%, 20%, and 20% of food waste, chicken manure, and swine manure, respectively, and 15% sawdust.
Forest Gaps Modulate the Composition and Co-Occurrence Network of Soil Bacterial Community in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr Plantation
Authors: Niu Yajie , Liang Wenjun , Wei Xi , Han Youzhi
Published: December 2022

Forest gaps create a favorable microenvironment for the growth of the soil microbial community. This study aimed to explore the effects of gap-related microenvironmental heterogeneity on soil bacterial communities in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr forest gaps. Therefore, the redundancy analysis (RDA) and structure equations modeling (SEM) of affecting elements were further used to test the significance of forest gaps’ effect on soil bacterial community composition and co-occurrence structure complexity. The formation of forest gaps increased canopy opening (CO) and significantly increased soil moisture content (SW), soil temperature (ST) and the accumulation of acid phosphatase (PHO) and sucrase (INV) in the soil, and the G250 (forest gap size: >250 m2) was most conductive to the accumulation of light and soil total nutrient. G50, G70, and G100 (forest gap size: 50–70 m2, 70–100 m2, 100–125 m2) were most favorable for the natural regeneration of the L. principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantation. The light properties under the forest gaps were the most significant factor that influenced the soil bacterial community composition, followed by the size of the forest gap, with standard path coefficients (Std. PCs) of 0.45 and −0.37, respectively. The canopy opening (CO), relative light intensity (RLA) and leaf area index (LAI) were considered to be the most important environmental factors affecting bacterial community composition (Std. PCs: 0.97, 0.99, and −0.93, respectively). The natural regeneration density under the forest gap was the most significant factor influencing the complexity of the soil bacterial community co-occurrence network, followed by soil nutrients (Std. PCs: 0.87 and −0.76, respectively).
Efficacy of Nets Coated with Different Concentrations of Alpha-Cypermethrin against Two Major Pests of Stored Tobacco
Authors: Athanassiou Christos G. , Sakka Maria K. , Rumbos Christos I. , Schaffert Stefan , Sterz Thorsten , Bozoglou Constantinos , Klitsinaris Panos , Austin James W.
Published: December 2022

In the present study, we examined the insecticidal effect of Carifend® (BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany; 163.2 mg m−2), an alpha-cypermethrin-coated polyester net, as well as Carifend-like nets containing different rates of alpha-cypermethrin, specifically 10, 30, 80, and 325 mg m−2, against two major stored tobacco insect pests, i.e., Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) and Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The nets were glued at the bottom of plastic Petri dishes, and adults of L. serricorne and E. elutella were exposed to the nets for different exposure times (e.g., 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, as well as 12 and 24 h). After each exposure interval, insect mortality was recorded, whereas after the final evaluation, alive individuals were transferred to untreated dishes, and delayed mortality was recorded after an additional period of 1, 3, 5, and 7 d. Based on our results, efficient control of both insect species was achieved with all nets, even the one containing a lower concentration of alpha-cypermethrin (10 mg m−2). High mortality rates were recorded for all treatments, indicating that even short exposure of adults of both tested species to the alpha-cypermethrin-coated nets tested can lead to mortality. For instance, at 30 mg m−2, mortality of E. elutella reached 40% 1 d after exposure for 30 min. Moreover, at the highest concentration (325 mg m−2), mortality reached 70% and 99% 7 d post exposure for 24 h of L. serricorne and E. elutella, respectively. Based on these data, Carifend®, as well as the rest of the Carifend-like nets tested, can be used as an alternative insecticide method for the control of two major stored tobacco insect species, i.e., L. serricorne and E. elutella. Insecticide treated nets can be used in areas in which fumigants and contact insecticides are not accessible.
The Surface Defects Detection of Citrus on Trees Based on a Support Vector Machine
Authors: Sun Baoxia , Liu Kai , Feng Lingyun , Peng Hongxing , Yang Zhengang
Published: December 2022

Machine learning and image processing have been combined to identify and detect defects in mature citrus fruit at night, which has great research and development significance. First, a multi-light vision system was used to collect citrus UV images, and from these, 1500 samples were obtained, 80% of which were training and 20% were experimental sets. For a support vector machine (SVM) model with “2*Cb-Cr”, “4*a-b-l”, and “H” as the training features, the accuracy of the final training model in the experimental set is 99.67%. Then, the SVM model was used to identify mature citrus regions, detect defects, and output the defective citrus regions label. The average running time of the detection algorithm was 0.84097 s, the accuracy of citrus region detection was 95.32%, the accuracy of citrus defect detection was 96.32%, the precision was 95.24%, and the recall rate was 87.91%. The results show that the algorithm had suitable accuracy and real-time performance in recognition and defect detection in citrus in a natural environment at night.
Assessing the Agronomic Subfield Variability by Sentinel-2 NDVI Time-Series and Landscape Position
Authors: Marino Stefano
Published: December 2022

Optimizing crop yield is one of the main focuses of precision farming. Variability in crop within a field can be influenced by many factors and it is necessary to better understand their interrelationships before precision management methods can be successfully used to optimize yield and quality. In this study, NDVI time-series from Sentinel-2 imagery and the effects of landscape position, topographic features, and weather conditions on agronomic spatial variability of crop yields and yield quality were analyzed. Landscape position allowed the identification of three areas with different topographic characteristics. Subfield A performed the best in terms of grain yield, with a mean yield value 10% higher than subfield B and 35% higher than subfield C, and the protein content was significantly higher in area A. The NDVI derived from the Sentinel-2 data confirms the higher values of area A, compared to subfields B and C, and provides useful information about the lower NDVI cluster in the marginal areas of the field that are more exposed to water flow in the spring season and drought stress in the summer season. Landscape position analysis and Sentinel-2 data can be used to identify high, medium, and low NDVI values differentiated for each subfield area and associated with specific agronomic traits. In a climate change scenario, NDVI time-series and landscape position can improve the agronomic management of the fields.
Variety and Sowing Date Affect Seed Yield and Chemical Composition of Linseed Grown under Organic Production System in a Semiarid Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Rossi Alessandro , Clemente Clarissa , Tavarini Silvia , Angelini Luciana G.
Published: December 2022

The use of suitable species and varieties in organic cropping systems is essential for improving resource use efficiency, biodiversity, and agroecosystem resilience. Within the SIC-OLEAT project, a 2-year field trial was carried out in two contrasting environments of Central Italy, with the aim to hypothesize a production path for linseed inclusion within organic farming. The effects of location, genotype and sowing date on crop phenology, agronomic performances, and qualitative traits were evaluated. Generally, linseed showed good agronomic traits that make it suitable to be introduced in organic systems. Autumn sowing coupled with milder and wetter conditions seemed to be more favorable for linseed cultivation, allowing a higher seed yield (2.1 vs. 1.3 Mg ha−1) and oil content (47.2 vs. 45.2%). From multivariate analysis, the superior genotypes were Kaolin > Szafir > Galaad, and among these Kaolin had the highest production stability. On the contrary, Libra was the lowest performing one and the most unstable. These findings underline the importance of a site-specific approach for choosing the most suitable variety, since both sowing date and location are meteoclimatic-related factors. Definitively, our results demonstrated that linseed might be a valuable autumn alternative for organic cropping system diversification, contributing to the local production of vegetable oils and proteins.
Regulation of Cell Wall Degradation and Energy Metabolism for Maintaining Shelf Quality of Blueberry by Short-Term 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatment
Authors: Yan Han , Wang Rui , Ji Ning , Li Jiangkuo , Ma Chao , Lei Jiqing , Ba Liangjie , Wen Guangzhong , Long Xiaobo
Published: December 2022

In order to study a short-term and efficient technology by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in blueberry, the fruit was treated with 0, 0.5, 1 and 3 μL/L 1-MCP for 2 h then stored at 25 ± 1 °C with 40–50% relative humidity (RH) for 9 d. The weight loss, decay incidence, respiration rate, firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acid (TA), Brix-acid ratio (BAR), sensory evaluation, content of cell wall polysaccharide, activities of cell wall composition-related enzymes and energy metabolism in blueberry were determined during shelf life. The results showed that the weight loss, decay incidence and respiration rate were reduced by 3 μL/L 1-MCP treatment. Compared to other groups, the firmness, the content of TA and anthocyanins were maintained in 3 μL/L 1-MCP-treated blueberry. In contrast, the SSC and BAR were lower compared to those untreated. However, the sensory evaluation of “taste” and “aroma” value showed no differences in all fruits. The content of protopectin, cellulose and hemicellulose was higher in 1-MCP-treated blueberry, accompanied by a decrease in polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity. The content of water-soluble pectin (WSP) was lower in 1-MCP-treated blueberry than untreated ones. The activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) was higher in 1-MCP-treated blueberry than the untreated, which induced more serious lignification. The results of energy metabolism also showed that the 1-MCP treatment could ensure sufficient intracellular energy supply. The 3 μL/L 1-MCP treatment could maintain the shelf quality and retard decomposition of cell wall polysaccharide by ensuring sufficient intracellular energy supply and inhibiting cell wall-degrading enzymes activity. Taken together, this study highlighted an efficient and short-term 1-MCP treatment technique.
Post-Tin-Mining Agricultural Soil Regeneration Using Local Resources, Reduces Drought Stress and Increases Crop Production on Bangka Island, Indonesia
Authors: Maftukhah Rizki , Kral Rosana M. , Mentler Axel , Ngadisih Ngadisih , Murtiningrum Murtiningrum , Keiblinger Katharina M. , Gartner Michael , Hood-Nowotny Rebecca
Published: December 2022

Mining severely affects ecosystems and threatens local food security. Remediation practices, however, are a viable way of reducing the negative impacts on post-mining lands. In this study we aim to improve crop yields and drought resistance on a post-tin-mining site located in Bangka Island, Indonesia, with locally available resources. Plots with five different soil amendments: (1) dolomite; (2) compost; (3) charcoal; combinations of (4) charcoal + compost; and (5) charcoal + sawdust; and a control were established. An intercropping system with cassava and centrosema was employed, and yields were determined. Drought resistance was evaluated by carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C) from crop parts of cassava and centrosema’s shoot. Soil physicochemical properties were determined at harvesting time. Soil amendments significantly improved cassava and centrosema yields. In particular, the compost and combined (charcoal + compost) treatments enhanced centrosema yields (1.18 and 1.99 kg·plot−1, respectively) and were related to higher nutrient availability. Similarly, compost, charcoal, and combined treatments showed positive effects on the cassava yield (0.15–0.16 kg·plant−1) and a higher drought resistance in the charcoal treatment (∆13C= 21.48‰). Increased water-holding capacity (WHC) reduced the water deficiency and boosted yields of cassava and centrosema when the soil was treated with dual amendments (charcoal + compost). Charcoal, compost, and their combination turned out to be the most sustainable amendments in degraded post-mining tropical soils.
Philosophical Approach to Neural Autoantibodies in Psychiatric Disease—Multi-Systemic Dynamic Continuum from Protective to Harmful Autoimmunity in Neuronal Systems
Authors: Hansen Niels
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: philosophical views are important to enable a general and multi-systemic view of the potential understanding of autoimmunity in psychiatric disease that is not solely reflected by an immunological viewpoint. (2) Methods: we reviewed current theories of autoimmunity. (3) Results: we propose a novel area view integrating the “self/non-self” and “continuity” model into the expression of varied forms of autoimmunity in psychiatric disease, ranging from protective to harmful autoimmunity consequences framed into micro-systems (nerve cells) and macro-systems (neuronal networks), termed the “multi-systemic dynamic continuum model”. (4) Conclusions: autoimmunity’s dynamic spectrum is delineated here as something that probably functions as a whole entity to maintain, first of all, human homeostasis in behavior affecting cells or neuronal networks differently, and secondly to prevent psychiatric disease.
Conjugates of Chloramphenicol Amine and Berberine as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Pavlova Julia , Tereshchenkov Andrey , Nazarov Pavel , Lukianov Dmitrii , Skvortsov Dmitry , Polshakov Vladimir , Vasilieva Byasilya , Efremenkova Olga , Kaiumov Mikhail , Paleskava Alena , Konevega Andrey , Dontsova Olga , Osterman Ilya , Bogdanov Alexey , Sumbatyan Natalia
Published: December 2022

In order to obtain antimicrobial compounds with improved properties, new conjugates comprising two different biologically active agents within a single chimeric molecule based on chloramphenicol (CHL) and a hydrophobic cation were synthesized and studied. Chloramphenicol amine (CAM), derived from the ribosome-targeting antibiotic CHL, and the plant isoquinoline alkaloid berberine (BER) are connected by alkyl linkers of different lengths in structures of these conjugates. Using competition binding, double reporter system, and toeprinting assays, we showed that synthesized CAM-Cn-BER compounds bound to the bacterial ribosome and inhibited protein synthesis like the parent CHL. The mechanism of action of CAM-C5-BER and CAM-C8-BER on the process of bacterial translations was similar to CHL. Experiments with bacteria demonstrated that CAM-Cn-BERs suppressed the growth of laboratory strains of CHL and macrolides-resistant bacteria. CAM-C8-BER acted against mycobacteria and more selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria than the parent CHL and the berberine derivative lacking the CAM moiety (CH3-C8-BER). Using a potential-sensitive fluorescent probe, we found that CAM-C8-BER significantly reduced the membrane potential in B. subtilis cells. Crystal violet assays were used to demonstrate the absence of induction of biofilm formation under the action of CAM-C8-BER on E. coli bacteria. Thus, we showed that CAM-C8-BER could act both on the ribosome and on the cell membrane of bacteria, with the alkylated berberine fragment of the compound making a significant contribution to the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. Moreover, we showed that CAM-Cn-BERs did not inhibit eukaryotic translation in vitro and were non-toxic for eukaryotic cells.