bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Odor hedonic responses in children and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: De Blasio Catherine , Dind Juliane , Petitpierre Geneviève
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Odors are closely linked to emotions, play an important role in the well-being of individuals and can influence mood. Despite these crucial properties, the hedonic responses to odors of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) remain little explored.

Aim

This within-subjects study aims to examine whether children and young people with PIMD react in a differentiated way to odors evaluated as pleasant or unpleasant by neurotypical adults and, if so, with which behaviors. The influence of their global mood on their emotional responses to odors is also examined.

Method

Twenty children and young people (7–18 years old) with PIMD were exposed to four pairs of hedonically contrasted odors. A control stimulus was presented before each odorant. Five emotional responses, one physiological reaction (nausea reactions), and three responses reflecting approach toward or avoidance of the stimulus were recorded throughout the duration of the stimulus exposure. The participants’ global mood status was measured before the start of the research with the French version of the Mood, Interest and Pleasure Questionnaire (Ross and Oliver, 2003).

Results

The results show that when exposed to pleasant odorants, participants kept their heads aligned with the odorant source longer, smiled longer, and produced more positive vocalizations. In contrast, unpleasant odorants elicit more pouts and grimaces. Nausea reactions occurred in the presence of unpleasant odorants. The hedonic responses were more marked during the second presentation of the stimuli. Participants with a higher MIPQ score showed significantly more emotional reactions to odors.

Conclusion

The results confirm the presence of olfactory preferences in participants with PIMD and the existence of a link between their mood, emotions and olfactory hedonic processing. They prompt the use of odors to support not only the cognitive development of this population, but also their mood and their emotional regulation abilities.
Race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and crime arrests
Authors: Jones Grant , Al-Suwaidi Maha , Castro-Ramirez Franchesca , McGuire Taylor C. , Mair Patrick , Nock Matthew K.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Psilocybin use has been linked to lowered odds of crime-related outcomes across a host of observational studies. No studies have investigated how these associations may differ among those of different races and ethnicities.

Methods

Using a nationally-representative sample of 734,061 adults from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002–2020), we investigated whether race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and four measures of crime arrests (property crime, assault, serious violence, and miscellaneous crimes).

Results

First, we replicated prior findings and demonstrated that psilocybin confers lowered odds of crime arrests for all four outcomes in question. Second, we demonstrated that race and ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use and crime arrests for three of our four outcomes. Third, we examined the associations between psilocybin and crime arrests across different races and ethnicities (White, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Multiracial, and Hispanic participants). Psilocybin conferred lowered odds of at least one crime arrest outcome for all racial and ethnic groups except for Black and Hispanic participants.

Discussion

Future investigations should take an intersectional approach to studying the interrelationship of sociodemographic factors, psychedelic use, and crime, examine the structural factors (i.e., systemic racism) that may underlie these results, and investigate whether psychedelics can alleviate mental health disorders that contribute to cycles of recriminalization for communities of color.
A tale of two rivers: development, destruction, and despair in Ongata Rongai, Kenya
Authors: Howland Olivia
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Ongata Rongai is a rapidly growing peri-urban space in Nairobi Metropolitan, Kenya. The last 10 years have seen exponential population growth and building development leading to overcrowding and pressure on water and environmental resources. This original research sheds light on interactions among humans, animals, and this rapidly changing urban environment. It is therefore a quintessentially One Health study.

Methods

Qualitative and ethnographically informed methods are employed to better understand the impact of rapid growth on the riparian environment and the effect of this on those who depend on it. The reflexive use of archival material and a historical ethnographic approach enabled in-depth narratives to address these issues within a longitudinal context, and the use of deliberate walking alongside visual methodologies and more traditional anthropological methods make this study novel both in terms of methodological approach and findings.

Results

This study finds that people cite high levels of pollution from solid waste and sewage have made the rivers almost unusable and a hazardous place for both humans and animals. Yet, in the past, these rivers played key roles in daily life. There is frustration with structural-level actors' moribund attitude to the environment. The poor health of the rivers and riparian environment leads to human and animal health challenges, increased pressure on water resources, and economic pressure due to a loss of livelihoods.

Discussion

The study contributes to what is currently a fairly small literature on urban riparian spaces globally, but one which is of growing and vital importance given the rapidly increasing percentage of humans who now reside in urban spaces. It contributes to WASH and urban clean water knowledge as well as One Health, public health, and urban growth narratives, and directly addresses challenges faced by SDG 6.
Public health education: the status of health and health-related physical activity courses in Texas community colleges
Authors: Ladd Garry G.
Published: August 2023

Background

There is an inverse relationship between disease and both health literacy and physical literacy. Courses taken during the completion of degrees at community colleges help to prepare students to be productive members of society by teaching knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for employment and good citizenship. Coursework in public health education and health-related behaviors should be included in the overall community college curriculum. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of Health/Wellness/Physical Fitness Lecture (HWPFL) and Health-Related Physical Activity (HRPA) courses in Texas community colleges.

Methods

A review of the institutional websites of Texas community colleges (N = 50) was performed to access information regarding HWPFL and HRPA courses and graduation requirements. Information regarding the Texas Core Curriculum was reviewed for any local additions to the state mandated requirements that students are required to complete prior to the attainment of Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees.

Results

Individual colleges were grouped into those with <5,000 students (N = 21), those having 5,000–10,000 students (N = 16), and those with >10,000 students (N = 13). Three (6%) institutions require a HWPFL course for AA and AS degrees and 49 (98%) had such courses available for elective credit. Two (4%) colleges require an HRPA course for AA and AS degrees whereas 47 (94%) offer such courses for elective credit. There was one college that only offers a HWPFL course. One college did not offer either HWPFL or HRPA courses. There were many identical courses offered by various colleges for required and elective credit.

Conclusion

Requiring health, wellness, and health-related physical activity requirements in Texas community colleges can be a policy solution for improving health and physical literacy in students. This research study demonstrated the prevalence of health, wellness, and health-related physical activity requirements in the 50 public community colleges in the state of Texas. Offering courses in health, wellness, and health-related physical activity as required or elective courses for graduation from Texas community colleges is a means through which to develop health literacy and physical literacy in students resulting in a positive influence on public health.
COVID-19 may have increased global support for universal health coverage: multi-country observational study
Authors: Nisa Claudia F. , Yan Xiaoxi , Chakraborty Bibhas , Leander Pontus , Bélanger Jocelyn J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The multiple risks generated by the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the debate about healthcare access and coverage. Whether the burden of disease caused by the coronavirus outbreak changed public opinion about healthcare provision remains unclear. In this study, it was specifically examined if the pandemic changed support for governmental intervention in healthcare as a proxy to support for universal health coverage (UHC). It also examined which psychological factors related to the socioeconomic interdependence exposed by the pandemic may be associated with a potential change.

Methods

Online survey data was collected over 18 months (from March 2020 to August 2021) across 73 countries, containing various social attitudes and risk perceptions related to COVID-19. This was a convenience sample composed of voluntary participants (N = 3,176; age 18 years and above).

Results

The results show that support for government intervention in healthcare increased across geographical regions, age groups, and gender groups (an average increase of 39%), more than the support for government intervention in other social welfare issues. Factors related to socioeconomic interdependence predicted increased support for government intervention in healthcare, namely, social solidarity (ß = 0.14, p < 0.0001), and risk to economic livelihood (ß = 0.09, p < 0.0001). Trust in the government to deal with COVID-19 decreased over time, and this negative trajectory predicted a demand for better future government intervention in healthcare (ß = −0.10, p = 0.0003).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic may have been a potential turning point in the global public support for UHC, as evidenced by a higher level of consensus that governments should be guarantors of healthcare.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dengue cases in Malaysia
Authors: Md Iderus Nuur Hafizah , Singh Sarbhan Singh Lakha , Ghazali Sumarni Mohd , Zulkifli Asrul Anuar , Ghazali Nur Ain Mohd , Lim Mei Cheng , Ahmad Lonny Chen Rong Qi , Md Nadzri Mohamad Nadzmi , Tan Cia Vei , Md Zamri Ahmed Syahmi Syafiq , Lai Chee Herng , Nordin Nur Shuhada , Kamarudin Mohd Kamarulariffin , Wan Ming Keong , Mokhtar Norhayati , Jelip Jenarun , Gill Balvinder Singh , Ahmad Nur Ar Rabiah
Published: August 2023

Background

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the transmission dynamics and distribution of dengue. Therefore, this study aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geographic and demographic distribution of dengue incidence in Malaysia.

Methods

This study analyzed dengue cases from January 2014 to December 2021 and COVID-19 confirmed cases from January 2020 to December 2021 which was divided into the pre (2014 to 2019) and during COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2021) phases. The average annual dengue case incidence for geographical and demographic subgroups were calculated and compared between the pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic phases. In addition, Spearman rank correlation was performed to determine the correlation between weekly dengue and COVID-19 cases during the COVID-19 pandemic phase.

Results

Dengue trends in Malaysia showed a 4-year cyclical trend with dengue case incidence peaking in 2015 and 2019 and subsequently decreasing in the following years. Reductions of 44.0% in average dengue cases during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase was observed at the national level. Higher dengue cases were reported among males, individuals aged 20–34 years, and Malaysians across both phases. Weekly dengue cases were significantly correlated (ρ = −0.901) with COVID-19 cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

There was a reduction in dengue incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase. Significant reductions were observed across all demographic groups except for the older population (>75 years) across the two phases.
A rationale and framework for addressing physician cognitive impairment
Authors: Del Bene Victor A. , Geldmacher David S. , Howard George , Brown Catherine , Turnipseed Elizabeth , Fry T. Charles , Jones Keith A. , Lazar Ronald M.
Published: August 2023

Medical error is costly, in terms of the health and wellbeing of the patient, their family, and the financial burden placed on the medical system. Reducing medical error is paramount to minimizing harm and improving outcomes. One potential source of medical error is physician cognitive impairment. Determining how to effectively assess and mange physician cognitive impairment is an important, albeit difficult problem to address. There have been calls and attempts to implement age-based cognitive screening, but this approach is not optimal. Instead, we propose that neuropsychological assessment is the gold standard for fitness-for-duty evaluations and that there is a need for the development of physician-based, normative data to improve these evaluations. Here, we outline the framework of our research protocol in a large, academic medical center, in partnership with hospital leadership and legal counsel, which can be modeled by other medical centers. With high rates of physician burnout and an aging physician population, the United States is facing a looming public health crisis that requires proactive management.
Rise of artificial general intelligence: risks and opportunities
Authors: Buttazzo Giorgio
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence is making extraordinary progress with an unprecedented rate, reaching and surpassing human capabilities in many tasks previously considered unattainable by machines, as language translation, music composition, object detection, medical diagnoses, software programming, and many others. Some people are excited about these results, while others are raising serious concerns for possible negative impacts in our society. This article addresses several questions that are often raised about intelligent machines: Will machines ever surpass human intellectual capacities? What will happen next? What will be the impact in our society? What are the jobs that artificial intelligence puts at risk? Reasoning about these questions is of fundamental importance to predict possible future scenarios and prepare ourselves to face the consequences.
Implementing AI in healthcare—the relevance of trust: a scoping review
Authors: Steerling Emilie , Siira Elin , Nilsen Per , Svedberg Petra , Nygren Jens
Published: August 2023

Background

The process of translation of AI and its potential benefits into practice in healthcare services has been slow in spite of its rapid development. Trust in AI in relation to implementation processes is an important aspect. Without a clear understanding, the development of effective implementation strategies will not be possible, nor will AI advance despite the significant investments and possibilities.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the scientific literature regarding how trust in AI in relation to implementation in healthcare is conceptualized and what influences trust in AI in relation to implementation in healthcare.

Methods

This scoping review included five scientific databases. These were searched to identify publications related to the study aims. Articles were included if they were published in English, after 2012, and peer-reviewed. Two independent reviewers conducted an abstract and full-text review, as well as carrying out a thematic analysis with an inductive approach to address the study aims. The review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Results

A total of eight studies were included in the final review. We found that trust was conceptualized in different ways. Most empirical studies had an individual perspective where trust was directed toward the technology's capability. Two studies focused on trust as relational between people in the context of the AI application rather than as having trust in the technology itself. Trust was also understood by its determinants and as having a mediating role, positioned between characteristics and AI use. The thematic analysis yielded three themes: individual characteristics, AI characteristics and contextual characteristics, which influence trust in AI in relation to implementation in healthcare.

Conclusions

Findings showed that the conceptualization of trust in AI differed between the studies, as well as which determinants they accounted for as influencing trust. Few studies looked beyond individual characteristics and AI characteristics. Future empirical research addressing trust in AI in relation to implementation in healthcare should have a more holistic view of the concept to be able to manage the many challenges, uncertainties, and perceived risks.
On effects that do occur versus effects that can be made to occur
Authors: Brauer Markus , Kennedy Kevin R.
Published: August 2023

Following Douglas Mook's lead we distinguish between research on “effects that can be made to occur” and research on “effects that do occur” and argue that both can contribute to the advancement of knowledge. We further suggest that current social psychological research focuses too much on the former type of effects. Given the discipline's emphasis on innovation, many published effects are shown to exist under very specific circumstances, i.e., when numerous moderator variables are set at a particular level. One often does not know, however, how frequently these circumstances exist for people in the real world. Studies on effects that can be made to occur are thus an incomplete test of most theories about human cognition and behavior. Using concrete examples, this article discusses the shortcomings of a field that limits itself to identifying effects that might—or might not—be relevant. We argue that it is just as much a scientific contribution to show that a given effect actually does occur as it is to provide initial evidence for a new effect that could turn out to be important. The article ends with a series of suggestions for researchers who want to increase the theoretical and practical relevance of their research.
Evaluating face gender cues in virtual humans within and beyond the gender binary
Authors: Ghosh Rashi , Feijóo-García Pedro Guillermo , Stuart Jacob , Wrenn Chase , Lok Benjamin
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Virtual human work regarding gender is widely based on binary gender despite recent understandings of gender extending beyond female and male. Additionally, gender stereotypes and biases may be present in virtual human design.

Methods: This study evaluates how face gender cues are implemented in virtual humans by conducting an exploratory study where an undergraduate computing population (n = 67) designed three virtual human faces—female, male, and nonbinary.

Results: Results showed that face gender cues were implemented in stereotypical ways to represent binary genders (female and male virtual humans). For nonbinary gender virtual humans, stereotypical face gender cues were expressed inconsistently (sometimes feminine, sometimes masculine), and conflicting gender cues (pairs of cues that signal opposing binary gender) occurred frequently. Finally, results revealed that not all face gender cues are leveraged equally to express gender.

Discussion: Implications of these findings and future directions for inclusive and representative gender expression in virtual humans are discussed.
Vermicompost and zeolite improve yield, nutrient uptake, essential and fixed oil production, and composition of Nigella sativa L.
Authors: Rahmani Roghayeh , Khalesro Shiva , Heidari Gholamreza , Mokhatssi-Bidgoli Ali
Published: August 2023

The exogenous application of organic and natural inputs is a key strategy for producing healthy and high-quality crops in sustainable agricultural systems. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is a highly popular plant used worldwide in the medical and food industries. According to the authors' knowledge, no research has been published to examine the effects of zeolite and vermicompost on yield components, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) contents in seeds, essential and fixed oil contents, or the composition of black cumin in the organic agricultural system. In a semi-arid area of Iran in 2017 and 2018, an experiment with a full factorial layout was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included four vermicompost rates (0, 2, 4, and 6 tons ha−1) and four zeolite rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 tons ha−1). There were linear responses between either vermicompost or zeolite application rates and the majority of the attributes studied. The integrated treatment of 6 tons of vermicompost and 9 tons of zeolite ha−1 produced the maximum seed and biological yields (466.2 and 3716.7 kg ha−1, respectively). The utilization of 6 tons of vermicompost ha−1 increased the N, P, and K contents of seed by 13.5%, 10.8%, and 14.1%, respectively, compared with the control. Seed essential oil content was enhanced by 24.1% in plots treated with 9 tons of zeolite ha−1 compared to the untreated control. The use of 6 tons of vermicompost ha−1 resulted in higher production of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic (53.3%), oleic (25.36%), and linolenic acid (0.6%) in oil. Overall, both the quantity and quality of black cumin improved when vermicompost and zeolite were used for 2 consecutive years. This showed the agronomic potential of both amendments in promising and environmentally friendly agricultural systems.
Intercostal nerve cryoablation therapy for the repair of pectus excavatum: a systematic review
Authors: Eldredge R. Scott , McMahon Lisa
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (PE) is a painful procedure that can result in long-term hospitalization and opioid use. To mitigate the length of stay and opioid consumption, many different analgesia strategies have been implemented. The aim of this study is to review the use and patient outcomes of intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) during PE repair reported in the literature.

Methods

An unfunded literature search using PubMed identifying articles discussing INC during PE repair from 1946 to 1 July 2023 was performed. Articles were included if they discussed patient outcomes with INC use during PE repair. Articles were excluded if they were reviews/meta-analyses, editorials, or not available in English. Each article was reviewed for bias by analyzing the study methods, data analysis, patient selection, and patient follow-up. Articles comparing outcomes of INC were considered significant if p-value was <0.05.

Results

A total of 34 articles were included in this review that described INC use during pectus repair. Most supported a decreased hospital length of stay and opioid use with INC. Overall, INC was associated with fewer short-term and long-term complications. However, the researchers reported varied results of total hospital costs with the use of INC.

Conclusion

The review was limited by a paucity of prospective studies and low number of patients who received INC. Despite this, the present data support INC as a safe and effective analgesic strategy during the repair of PE.
Expanding adverse outcome pathways towards one health models for nanosafety
Authors: Saarimäki Laura Aliisa , del Giudice Giusy , Greco Dario
Published: August 2023

The ever-growing production of nano-enabled products has generated the need for dedicated risk assessment strategies that ensure safety for humans and the environment. Transdisciplinary approaches are needed to support the development of new technologies while respecting environmental limits, as also highlighted by the EU Green Deal Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and its safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework. The One Health concept offers a holistic multiscale approach for the assessment of nanosafety. However, toxicology is not yet capable of explaining the interaction between chemicals and biological systems at the multiscale level and in the context of the One Health framework. Furthermore, there is a disconnect between chemical safety assessment, epidemiology, and other fields of biology that, if unified, would enable the adoption of the One Health model. The development of mechanistic toxicology and the generation of omics data has provided important biological knowledge of the response of individual biological systems to nanomaterials (NMs). On the other hand, epigenetic data have the potential to inform on interspecies mechanisms of adaptation. These data types, however, need to be linked to concepts that support their intuitive interpretation. Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) represent an evolving framework to anchor existing knowledge to chemical risk assessment. In this perspective, we discuss the possibility of integrating multi-level toxicogenomics data, including toxicoepigenetic insights, into the AOP framework. We anticipate that this new direction of toxicogenomics can support the development of One Health models applicable to groups of chemicals and to multiple species in the tree of life.
Don’t sweat the small stuff: a conversation about nanosafety
Authors: Fadeel Bengt , Sayre Phil
Published: August 2023

Bengt Fadeel and Phil Sayre discuss lessons learned with respect to the safety assessment of nanomaterials, and provide a perspective on current and future challenges.
Evaluation of progression of chronic kidney disease in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Yun Hyejin , Koo Yoonhoi , Yun Taesik , Chae Yeon , Lee Dohee , Cha Sijin , Kim Jeeyune , Kim Hakhyun , Yang Mhan Pyo , Kang Byeong Teck
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Cardiovascular and renal diseases are known to affect each other in the cardiovascular renal axis disorder (CvRD). Although CvRD, which includes myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been described in dogs, there are only a few reports on the progression of CKD in accordance with the severity of MMVD. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of MMVD is associated with the rate of progression of CKD in dogs. The time from the initial diagnosis to the worsening of the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage and the time for the occurrence of hyperphosphatemia and isosthenuria were evaluated.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, CKD progression was determined as an increase in the IRIS stage by at least one level and the development of hyperphosphatemia or isosthenuria. The CKD progression was compared in dogs with and without comorbid MMVD.

Results

Dogs with CKD were divided into two groups: dogs with and without MMVD (n = 63, concurrent group; n = 52, CKD group, respectively). The concurrent group was further divided into two subgroups based on the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines (B1 group, n = 24; B2 group, n = 39). The time for progression of CKD from IRIS stage 1 to IRIS stage 2 was significantly shorter in the concurrent group than in the CKD group (log-rank test, p < 0.001). MMVD was associated with an increased risk of progression from stage 1 to stage 2 (hazard ratio, 6.442; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.354 to 18.850; p < 0.001). The timing of the onset of hyperphosphatemia or isosthenuria in the concurrent group and the CKD group was not significantly different.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that MMVD could be a risk factor for the progression of CKD. Our findings may help predict the prognosis of dogs with both CKD and MMVD compared to CKD only.
Phenylbutazone concentrations in synovial fluid following administration via intravenous regional limb perfusion in the forelimbs of six adult horses
Authors: O’Brien Molly , Mochel Jonathan P. , Kersh Kevin , Wang Chong , Troy Jarrod
Published: August 2023

Background

Pain management is critical to equine welfare with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) commonly used in horses. However, systemic NSAID use is limited by harmful gastrointestinal and renal side effects. Intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) is a technique used in horses that produces high, local antibiotic concentrations while limiting systemic circulation. NSAID-IVRLP would be a novel method of local pain management while limiting systemic NSAID side effects. To date, NSAID-IVRLP administration has not been reported in horses. This study aimed to identify the pharmacokinetics and local complications associated with using the NSAID phenylbutazone (PBZ) for IVRLP in six standing adult horses.

Methods

PBZ-IVRLP, at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg PBZ, was performed in a randomly assigned forelimb cephalic vein in 6 standing, healthy adult horses. A placebo-IVRLP was performed in the contralateral forelimb for comparison. Systemic serum and radiocarpal joint synovial fluid PBZ concentrations were identified at various timepoints (before IVRLP T-0 h, just after tourniquet removal T-0.5, 1.5, 3, 5, 12, 16, and 24 h post IVRLP) for non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis and concentration over time curves. Local complications associated with PBZ-IVRP were evaluated for up to 7 days following PBZ-IVRLP using physical and ultrasonographic assessment. On day 7 horses were humanely euthanized with histology performed on both forelimbs at PBZ-IVRLP and placebo-IVRLP administration sites.

Results

Non-compartmental pharmacokinetics for PBZ, and its major metabolite oxyphenbutazone (OBZ), were determined for serum and synovial fluid. Synovial PBZ concentrations (mean ± SD; 1.9 ± 2.1 μg/mL) were significantly lower (p = 0.03; CI,0.46–7.36) than serum PBZ concentrations (5.8 ± 5.1 μg/mL) at any time point. Physical and ultrasonographic measurements were not significantly different between PBZ- and placebo-IVRLP forelimbs. The most common histologic findings included focal deep dermal/subcutaneous hemorrhage and edema. Two horses showed perivasculitis and one horse showed a resolving thrombus in the cephalic vein of the PBZ-IVRLP limb. This horse also had severe perivasculitis and fibrinosuppurative dermatitis/panniculitis in the placebo-IVRLP limb.

Conclusion

PBZ-IVRLP pharmacokinetics at a 2.2 mg/kg dose showed no benefit compared to systemic PBZ administration in standing adult horses. Local complications associated with PBZ-IVRLP were similar to placebo-IVRLP on physical and ultrasonographic evaluation.
Tracking Control of Uncertain Neural Network Systems with Preisach Hysteresis Inputs: A New Iteration-Based Adaptive Inversion Approach
Authors: Lai Guanyu , Deng Gongqing , Yang Weijun , Wang Xiaodong , Su Xiaohang
Published: August 2023

To describe the hysteresis nonlinearities in smart actuators, numerous models have been presented in the literature, among which the Preisach operator is the most effective due to its capability to capture multi-loop or sophisticated hysteresis curves. When such an operator is coupled with uncertain nonlinear dynamics, especially in noncanonical form, it is a challenging problem to develop techniques to cancel out the hysteresis effects and, at the same time, achieve asymptotic tracking performance. To address this problem, in this paper, we investigate the problem of iterative inverse-based adaptive control for uncertain noncanonical nonlinear systems with unknown input Preisach hysteresis, and a new adaptive version of the closest-match algorithm is proposed to compensate for the Preisach hysteresis. With our scheme, the stability and convergence of the closed-loop system can be established. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is illustrated through simulation and experimental results.
Parametric Analysis of the Toothed Electromagnetic Spring Based on the Finite Element Model
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyuan , Zhang Cheng , Lou Yifang , Xue Guangming , Bai Hongbai
Published: August 2023

Active vibration control shows excellent performance in vibration isolation. In this work, the finite element model of a toothed electromagnetic spring (TES) is established using ANSYS Maxwell software. Subsequently, a static characteristic experiment of the TES is carried out, and the validity of the model is verified. Based on the established finite element model, the influence of key structural parameters on the static characteristics of the electromagnetic spring is analyzed. The results show that the parameters of the magnetic teeth have a significant impact on the performance of the electromagnetic spring. As the number of teeth increases, the electromagnetic force first increases and then decreases. With the increase in the tooth height or width, the maximum electromagnetic force gradually increases to the maximum value and then stabilizes. It should be noted that the tooth width simultaneously affects the maximum electromagnetic force, stiffness characteristics, and effective working range of the TES. This work provides a basis for further exploring the application of electromagnetic springs within the field of active vibration control.
Parameter-Free Shape Optimization: Various Shape Updates for Engineering Applications
Authors: Radtke Lars , Bletsos Georgios , Kühl Niklas , Suchan Tim , Rung Thomas , Düster Alexander , Welker Kathrin
Published: August 2023

In the last decade, parameter-free approaches to shape optimization problems have matured to a state where they provide a versatile tool for complex engineering applications. However, sensitivity distributions obtained from shape derivatives in this context cannot be directly used as a shape update in gradient-based optimization strategies. Instead, an auxiliary problem has to be solved to obtain a gradient from the sensitivity. While several choices for these auxiliary problems were investigated mathematically, the complexity of the concepts behind their derivation has often prevented their application in engineering. This work aims to explain several approaches to compute shape updates from an engineering perspective. We introduce the corresponding auxiliary problems in a formal way and compare the choices by means of numerical examples. To this end, a test case and exemplary applications from computational fluid dynamics are considered.
A Rural Land Share Cooperative System for Alleviating the Small, Scattered, and Weak Dilemma in Agricultural Development: The Cases of Tangyue, Zhouchong, and Chongzhou
Authors: Geng Lili , Yan Shaocong , Lu Qi , Liang Xiaomeng , Li Yufei , Xue Yongji
Published: August 2023

“Small, scattered and weak”, i.e., small-scale arable land holdings, decentralized operation, and weak effectiveness are common agricultural development problems that most developing countries face. Promoting the moderate-scale operation and modernization development of agriculture under the premise of protecting social stability is a complex and systemic process. In the evolution of China’s agricultural business model and land system reform, the Land Shareholding Cooperative System (LSCS) emerged. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between rural land institution innovation and agricultural economic development. We found great potential in this approach in solving the dilemma of “small, scattered, weak” in agricultural development, while protecting farmers’ land property rights. We described the cases of Tangyue, Zhouchong, and Chongzhou in rural China through the research method to illustrate how this occurred. This approach takes full advantage of the combination of “cooperative” and “shareholding” while alleviating the incompatibility of the historical allocation of arable land with urbanization and agricultural development. Balancing the development of factor markets and protecting the welfare of members contributes to its effective implementation. This study provides valuable examples of agricultural development in similar areas and countries.
The Content, Uptake and Bioaccumulation Factor of Copper and Nickel in Grass Depending on Zinc Application and Organic Fertilization
Authors: Kuziemska Beata , Wysokinski Andrzej , Klej Paulina
Published: August 2023

Different content of Zn in the soil and organic fertilization can affect micronutrient uptake by plants. A pot experiment was carried out to determine the impact of increasing Zn application rates, i.e., 200, 400 and 600 Zn mg·kg−1, in combination with bovine and chicken manures and mushroom substrate on Cu and Ni content, uptake and bioaccumulation factor in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). Control objects without Zn and organic fertilizers and after application of only different Zn doses and only organic fertilizers were also tested. Application of Zn at 400 and 600 mg·kg−1 significantly decreased the content, uptake and value of bioaccumulation factor of Cu in the grass. Different Zn doses were not found to influence the content and bioaccumulation factor of Ni in cocksfoot, but application at 200 Zn mg·kg−1 increased Ni uptake. Chicken manure increased the content and bioaccumulation factor of Cu and Ni in the test plant, and all the organic fertilizers increased their uptake. Cocksfoot showed no tendency to excessive bioaccumulation of Cu and Ni.
Reducing Herbicide Dependency: Impact of Murraya koenigii Leaf Extract on Weed Control and Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Vashishth Deepti Singh , Bachheti Archana , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar , Alhag Sadeq K. , Al-Shuraym Laila A. , Kumar Pankaj , Husen Azamal
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) aqueous extract on the seed germination and growth of two crops and their associated weeds (Anagallis arvensis, Poa annua, Lepidium didymum, and Vicia sativa). Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds were soaked in solutions containing 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% concentrations of aqueous extracts of M. koenigii leaves, while distilled water was used as a control. Higher concentrations of the extract significantly increased the percentage of germination inhibition and decreased the radicle length and plumule length of both crops compared to the control. It was interesting to find that the pot-based experiment had no influence on the shoot length, plant dry mass, chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, or protein content, stomatal conductance, or photosynthetic and transpiration rate in either crop. Similarly, in comparison to the control, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase (PER), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)) had no significant influence. Soil physiochemical parameters and weed shoot growth were also investigated. In a Petri plate experiment, 6, 8, and 10% concentrations inhibited germination of both crops. In comparison, in the pot experiment, the growth of both crops was significant at lower concentrations, and 1% aqueous extract of M. koenigii was reported to be lethal to weeds without affecting the soil physiochemical properties. Based on the results of this study, it can be inferred that the reduced germination rate of the tested species after treatment with the extract could be attributed to damage caused by the extracts to the membrane system of the seed. This study concluded that an aqueous leaf extract of M. koenigii can inhibit the growth of weeds without affecting the germination, growth, photosynthetic, and biochemical properties of C. arietinum and T. aestivum or the physiochemical properties of soil; thus, it may be a potential candidate for the development of new bioherbicides.
The Effect of Drip Irrigation Quota on Biochemical Activities and Yield-Related Traits in Different Drought-Tolerant Maize Varieties
Authors: Xu Chen , Li Fei , Zhuang Yan , Li Qian , Zhang Zhian , Zhang Lihua , Zhao Hongxiang , Bian Shaofeng , Wang Hongjun , Zhao Renjie , Qi Zexin
Published: August 2023

Drip irrigation has a close relationship with the growth and development of maize grains and yield formation in semiarid areas. To explore the response mechanism of grain yield formation to drip irrigation quotas, a 2-year pond planting experiment was conducted under controlled conditions, by using two maize varieties with differences in drought resistance as experimental materials. Six treatments were set up, including CK1 (drought-resistant variety, 500 mm), T1 (drought-resistant variety, 350 mm), T2 (drought-resistant variety, 200 mm), CK2 (drought-sensitive variety, 500 mm), T3 (drought-sensitive variety, 350 mm), and T4 (drought-sensitive variety, 200 mm). The changes in maize grain filling characteristics, related hormones, enzyme activity related to starch synthesis, sugars and amino acids contents, and yield were analysed. The results showed that 100-grain weight at different filling times, filling rate, average filling rate, auxin, cytokinin, acid sucrose invertase, sucrose synthase, starch synthase, and adenosine diphosphate glucose pyro phosphorylase activities in maize grains decreased and the abscisic acid content and content of various amino acids and sugars in grains increased with the decrease in drip irrigation quota. The percentage of changes in drought-sensitive maize varieties was relatively high. The maize yield decreased with the decrease in drip irrigation quota. In summary, there was no significant difference in grain filling characteristics, hormone content, starch synthesis enzyme activity, and yield between maize treated with T1 (drought-resistant variety, 350 mm) and the control treatment. This effectively maintained grain growth and yield formation, achieving the goal of water saving and stable yields.
Strawberry Defect Identification Using Deep Learning Infrared–Visible Image Fusion
Authors: Lu Yuze , Gong Mali , Li Jing , Ma Jianshe
Published: August 2023

Feature detection of strawberry multi-type defects and the ripeness stage faces huge challenges because of color diversity and visual similarity. Images from hyperspectral near-infrared (NIR) information sources are also limited by their low spatial resolution. In this study, an accurate RGB image (with a spatial resolution of 2048×1536 pixels) and NIR image (ranging from 700–1100 nm in wavelength, covering 146 bands, and with a spatial resolution of 696×700 pixels) fusion method was proposed to improve the detection of defects and features in strawberries. This fusion method was based on a pretrained VGG-19 model. The high-frequency parts of original RGB and NIR image pairs were filtered and fed into the pretrained VGG-19 simultaneously. The high-frequency features were extracted and output into ReLU layers; the l1-norm was used to fuse multiple feature maps into one feature map, and area pixel averaging was introduced to avoid the effect of extreme pixels. The high- and low-frequency parts of RGB and NIR were summed into one image according to the information weights at the end. In the validation section, the detection dataset included expanded 4000 RGB images and 4000 NIR images (training and testing set ratio was 4:1) from 240 strawberry samples labeled as mud contaminated, bruised, both defects, defect-free, ripe, half-ripe, and unripe. The detection neural network YOLOv3-tiny operated on RGB-only, NIR-only, and fused image input modes, achieving the highest mean average precision of 87.18% for the proposed method. Finally, the effects of different RGB and NIR weights on the detection results were also studied. This research demonstrated that the proposed fusion method can greatly improve the defect and feature detection of strawberry samples.
RNAi-Mediated Interference with EonuGR1 Affects the Recognition of Phenylacetaldehyde by Empoasca onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: Zhang Ruirui , Lun Xiaoyue , Zhao Yunhe , Zhang Yu , Cao Yan , Zhang Xiangzhi , Jin Meina , Zhang Zhengqun , Xu Xiuxiu
Published: August 2023

Empoasca onukii Matsuda is a primary pest of the tea plant Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze that severely influences the production and quality of tea products. Gustatory receptors (GRs) are an indispensable part of the E. onukii chemosensory machinery as members of the G-protein coupled receptor family. Insect odor and gustatory receptors are consumingly sensitive and selective sensory receptors to search for foraging, mates, and spawning sites. In this study, the gustatory receptor EonuGR1 was cloned and analyzed bioinformatically, and the expression levels of EonuGR1 in diverse tissues of E. onukii were tested via qRT-PCR. The behavioral response of E. onukii to volatile compounds was determined via RNA interference and Y-tube olfactometer assays to investigate the role of EonuGR1 in the olfactory recognition of E. onukii. The coding sequence length of EonuGR1 was 1062 bp, and the length of the protein encoded by EonuGR1 was 40.52 kD. The highest interference efficiency was observed after 3 h of dsEonuGR1 treatment via root soak treatment. Moreover, the response rates to phenylacetaldehyde at concentrations of 10 and 0.1 µL/mL were significantly downregulated in E. onukii. The responses to phenylacetaldehyde at concentrations of 10 and 100 µL/mL showed a significant decrease after dsEonuGR1 treatment for 12 h in E. onukii. In conclusion, EonuGR1 was highly expressed in the abdomen and functioned in olfactory recognition of the tea plant volatile phenylacetaldehyde by E. onukii. Overall, EonuGR1 has the potential as a gene target for the design of effective control strategies against E. onukii.
Mitigation of Abiotic and Biotic Stress Using Plant Growth Regulators in Rice
Authors: Ajaykumar Ramasamy , Murali Krishnasamy Subramani , Dhanapal Rajendran , Ramkumar Govindaraju , Megaladevi Pachamuthu , Manjubala Muthusamy , Chandrasekaran Perumal , Pradeeshkumar Thangavel , Navinkumar Chinnaraju , Harishankar Kanthaswamy
Published: August 2023

Split plot design experiments were conducted to assess the performance of growth regulating compounds for mitigating moisture stress and the incidence of Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) in rice. The main plot treatments (4) comprised moisture stress free control (M1), moisture stress during panicle initiation stage alone (M2), moisture stress during flowering stage alone (M3), and moisture stress during both panicle initiation and flowering stages (M4). The sub-plot treatments (5) were foliar application of growth regulating compounds including chlormequat chloride at 200 ppm (S1), mepiquat chloride at 200 ppm (S2), brassinolide at 0.1 ppm (S3), pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) at 1% (S4), and no spray control (S5). The reduced plant growth attributes were registered under moisture stress at both panicle initiation and flowering stages. The spraying of 1% PPFM during the flowering or both at panicle initiation and flowering stages led to better performance than the other treatments. Also, spraying 1% PPFM brought down the population of BPH to a considerable level during both years of experiments. This suggests that spraying 1% PPFM in the post-flowering stage helps to mitigate the ill effect the moisture stress and BPH incidence.