bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions and Perceptions Among Public School Staff of the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Watts Allison W. , Hutchison Sarah M. , Bettinger Julie A. , Gadermann Anne , Oberle Eva , Oberlander Tim F. , Goldfarb David M. , Lavoie Pascal M. , Mâsse Louise C.
Published: April 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among school staff as high vaccine uptake is essential to ensure schools return to normal activities.

Methods

Staff (e.g., teachers, administrators, student support workers) from three urban school districts in the Greater Vancouver Area of British Columbia, Canada completed a survey between February and June 2021 (n = 2,393) on COVID-19 vaccine intentions and perceptions (i.e., acceptance of routine vaccines, benefits and risks of vaccination, susceptibility to, and severity of COVID-19, recommendation by authority figures, information mistrust and conspiracy beliefs) as part of a COVID-19 seroprevalence study. Confirmatory factor analysis followed by multiple logistic regression models adjusting for relevant covariates were used to identify vaccine perceptions uniquely associated with (a) intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine (intention), and (b) intention to get vaccinated right away (urgency).

Results

In total, 95.4% of participants of the seroprevalence study completed the vaccine questionnaire, corresponding to 17.7% of the target population. Vaccine intention was associated with staff who valued expert recommendations (AOR = 10.5, 95% CI = 7.39–14.90) accepted routine vaccines (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.26–2.98) and perceived higher benefits (AOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.01–1.65) and lower safety risks of vaccination (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.29–0.54). Comparable associations were found with vaccine urgency. Perceived susceptibility to the COVID-19 virus was uniquely associated with vaccine urgency (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.05–1.61). A significant interaction effect (p = 0.01) revealed that staff who expressed mistrust in COVID-19 information intended to get vaccinated only if they also perceived high benefits of vaccination.

Conclusions

Education about the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines from a trusted source had the strongest relationship with vaccine intentions among this occupational group. Notably, those who expressed mistrust in information still intended to get vaccinated if they also perceived strong benefits of the vaccine.
Pro-vaccination Groups Expressing Hesitant Attitudes: A Cross-Sectional Study About the Difference Between Attitudes and Actual Behavior in Israel
Authors: Hijazi Rana , Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Feder-Bubis Paula , Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: April 2022

Background

Vaccines have contributed to the decline in mortality, morbidity, and even the eradication of various infectious diseases. Over time, the availability of information to the public and the request for public involvement in the health decision-making process have risen, and the confidence in vaccines has dropped. An increasing number of parents and individuals are choosing to delay or refuse vaccines.

Objectives

(1) Identifying hesitant attitudes among pro-vaccination parents; (2) testing the difference between the rate of hesitant attitudes and the rate of hesitancy in practice among pro-vaccination parents; and (3) examining the association of sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, marital status education and religious affiliation) with the difference between hesitant attitudes and hesitancy in practice among pro-vaccination parents.

Methods

Descriptive cross-sectional survey using an online survey that measured vaccine hesitancy among pro-vaccination parents (n = 558) whose children were in kindergarten (3–5 years), according to a variety of sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

A significant difference was found between the rate of hesitant attitudes and the rate of hesitation in actual vaccination among pro-vaccination and hesitant parents, where despite that 26% of the parents had hesitant attitudes, only 19% hesitated in practice [P = 0.0003]. There was also a significant difference between the rate of hesitant attitudes and the rate of hesitancy in practice among women [P = 0.0056] and men [P = 0.0158], parents between 30 and 39 years of age [P = 0.0008], traditional parents [P = 0.0093], Non-academic parents [P = 0.0007] and parents with BA degree [P = 0.0474].

Conclusion

Pro-vaccination individuals may have hesitant attitudes regarding vaccines. Therefore, it is very important for health authorities to address the public's fears and concerns, including those who are classified as pro-vaccination.
Health Shocks and Household Education Burden—A Study From the Perspective of Relative Poverty Alleviation in China
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Wang Xinghua , Chu Yuning
Published: April 2022

Health shocks and household education burden influence levels of expenditure on healthcare and education, which are two major non-discretionary expenditures for households. From the perspective of relative poverty alleviation in China and based on the peer effects theory, this study uses the dataset from the rural areas in CFPS database and employs the spatial Durbin model and spatial DID model to investigate—when a household suffers health shocks—the influence of such impact on the education burden of closely related households and to test the effect of single rescue policy in this circumstance. Further, this study employs a spatial mediating effect model to analyze the spatial transmission mechanism. The results indicate that when a household has health shocks, it can aggravate the education burden of closely related households through inter-household social networks. The findings substantiate that the targets of different rescue policies have cross effects and that single rescue policy does not have significant effect on the targets of other policies. To avoid the situation where rescue policies operate in silos and to reduce the internal coordination cost between different policies within a system, a coordinating mechanism should be established between different rescue policies to better alleviate relative poverty.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Ensemble Learning Model for Prediction of Hepatitis C Disease
Authors: Edeh Michael Onyema , Dalal Surjeet , Dhaou Imed Ben , Agubosim Charles Chuka , Umoke Chukwudum Collins , Richard-Nnabu Nneka Ernestina , Dahiya Neeraj
Published: April 2022

Machine learning algorithms are excellent techniques to develop prediction models to enhance response and efficiency in the health sector. It is the greatest approach to avoid the spread of hepatitis C, especially injecting drugs, is to avoid these behaviors. Treatments for hepatitis C can cure most patients within 8 to 12 weeks, so being tested is critical. After examining multiple types of machine learning approaches to construct the classification models, we built an AI-based ensemble model for predicting Hepatitis C disease in patients with the capacity to predict advanced fibrosis by integrating clinical data and blood biomarkers. The dataset included a variety of factors related to Hepatitis C disease. The training data set was subjected to three machine-learning approaches and the validated data was then used to evaluate the ensemble learning-based prediction model. The results demonstrated that the proposed ensemble learning model has been observed ad more accurate compared to the existing Machine learning algorithms. The Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) technique was the most precise learning approach (94.1% accuracy). The Bayesian network was the second-most accurate learning algorithm (94.47% accuracy). The accuracy improved to the level of 95.59%. Hepatitis C has a significant frequency globally, and the disease's development can result in irreparable damage to the liver, as well as death. As a result, utilizing AI-based ensemble learning model for its prediction is advantageous in curbing the risks and improving treatment outcome. The study demonstrated that the use of ensemble model presents more precision or accuracy in predicting Hepatitis C disease instead of using individual algorithms. It also shows how an AI-based ensemble model could be used to diagnose Hepatitis C disease with greater accuracy.
Prevalence of Contraceptive Non-use Due to Husbands/Partners Influence Among Married Women in Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis Using Demographic and Health Survey 2016 Data
Authors: Asratie Melaku Hunie , Kassie Belayneh Ayanaw , Belay Daniel Gashaneh
Published: April 2022

Background

In Ethiopia women with their husbands/partners are the decision-makers for contraceptives non-use suffered either due to the consequence of unintended pregnancy or due to the indirect impact of the secret use of contraceptives from their husbands/partners. Despite this challenge, there is a dearth of evidence about the magnitude of husbands/partners' decision-makers on contraceptives n non-used in Ethiopia.

Objective

This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of husbands'/partners decisions on contraceptive non-use and associated factors among married and non-contraceptive user reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

The study was conducted based on Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016 data which was a cross-sectional survey from 18 January 2016 to 27 June 2016. A total weighted sample size of 5,458 married and non-contraceptive user reproductive-age women were taken. A multilevel logistic regression model was used because of the data nature hierarchical, and variables with p ≤ 2 in the bivariable multilevel analysis were taken to multivariable multilevel analysis. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to declare both the direction and strength of association and variables with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant with the outcome variable.

Results

Husband decision-making power on contraceptive non-use was 10.44% [9.65–11.28%]. Husband's educational level higher (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 2.6; CI 1.4–4.7), being Muslim, protestant, and others in religion (AOR = 2.4; CI 1.7–3.5), (AOR = 2.1; CI 1.4–3.1), (AOR = 4.5; CI 2.3–8.5), respectively, media exposure (AOR = 1.4; CI 1.0–1.8), husband wants more children (AOR = 3.7; CI 2.8–4.8), husband desire did not know (AOR = 1.4; CI 1.1–1.9), information about family planning (AOR = 0.6; CI 0.4–0.8), visited by field worker (AOR = 0.7; CI 0.5–0.9), visited health facility (AOR = 0.6; CI 0.4–0.7), and community husband education high (AOR = 1.6; CI 1.1–2.4) were statistically significant with husband decision making power on contraceptive non-use.

Conclusion

In Ethiopia 1 out of 10 married and non-pregnant women is influenced by their husband/partner's decision-making power of non-use contraceptives. Husband's educational level high, religion (Muslim, protestant, and others), media exposure, husband's desire for children (husband wants more and does not know), and community husband education were variables positively associated with the outcome variable; whereas having information about family planning, visited by field worker, and visited health facility were negatively associated husband decision making power for non-use contraceptive in Ethiopia.
The Two Faces of Support for Redistribution in Colombia: Taxing the Wealthy or Assisting People in Need
Authors: García-Sánchez Efraín , Castillo Juan Carlos , Rodríguez-Bailón Rosa , Willis Guillermo B.
Published: April 2022

Support for redistribution is crucial for reducing economic inequality. Despite people's desire for reducing extreme inequalities, they still have mixed opinions regarding how to do so. The aim of the article is to examine the underlying latent dimensions of support for redistribution and test its correlates to perceptions of and attitudes toward inequality. In two studies, we found that support for redistribution can be modeled as a latent construct depicting two different dimensions: one focused on taxing the wealthy and changing the income distribution schema, and other focused on assisting people in need and providing opportunities. We also found that the dimension related to taxing the wealthy (vs. assisting people in need) displayed higher internal reliability and correlated consistently with perceptions and attitudes toward inequality: the higher the support for taxing the wealthy, the higher the perceptions and concerns of inequality, and the lower the inequality-justifying ideologies. This research unveils distinct underlying dimensions of support for redistribution that shed light on different motivations that drive people's redistributive preferences.
Uncritical Patriotism and Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracies
Authors: Rieger Marc Oliver
Published: April 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to many conspiracy theories. While the origin of the pandemic in China led some, including former US president Donald Trump, to dub the pathogen “Chinese virus” and to support anti-Chinese conspiracy narratives, it caused Chinese state officials to openly support anti-US conspiracy theories about the “true” origin of the virus. In this article, we study whether nationalism, or more precisely uncritical patriotism, is related to belief in conspiracy theories among normal people. We hypothesize based on group identity theory and motivated reasoning that for the particular case of conspiracy theories related to the origin of COVID-19, such a relation should be stronger for Chinese than for Germans. To test this hypothesis, we use survey data from Germany and China, including data from the Chinese community in Germany. We also look at relations to other factors, in particular media consumption and xenophobia.
Simple Assessment of Temperate Grassland Suitability as Habitat for Three Insect Taxa
Authors: Dumont Bertrand , Rossignol Nicolas , Huguenin-Elie Olivier , Jeanneret Philippe , Jerrentrup Jana Sabrina , Lüscher Gisela , Taugourdeau Simon , Villerd Jean , Plantureux Sylvain
Published: April 2022

We propose a set of indicators to evaluate how grazing by livestock and grassland management can help preserve biodiversity in the insect communities of grassland ecosystems. These indicators can be calculated for any grassland for which management and botanical composition are known, and they do not require advanced knowledge on conservation biology and entomology. Based on the scientific literature and expert interviews, each indicator combines pressure (i.e., 16 management classes) and state variables (i.e., sward botanical composition and several of the plant functional characteristics) to assess the effects on butterfly, bumblebee, and grasshopper abundance and species richness. Each indicator was based on a multicriteria decision tree with fuzzy partitioning to account for uncertainty in the threshold values between different alternatives. The output validation of indicators was performed by comparing decision tree output with standardized measurements from 10 surveys across France, Germany, Switzerland, Wales, and Italy. The prediction of grassland suitability for butterflies was more accurate for butterfly species richness (P < 0.05) than for butterfly abundance (P = 0.10), as even under standardized transect counts, recorders will observe disproportionately more individuals when it is sunny and warm. The sensitivity of the butterfly species richness indicator was then tested using an independent dataset of 395 French grasslands. There were significant differences in predicted species richness (χ215 = 121.16; P < 0.05) among the 16 management classes, and they were ranked consistently in spite of very parsimonious assumptions in the decision tree. The prediction of grassland suitability was good for bumblebee abundance (P < 0.05) and species richness (P < 0.01). This prediction was also successful for grasshopper abundance (P < 0.05) and species richness (P = 0.05), all outliers coming from a highly diverse grassland community located on shallow soil in the Italian survey. This set of indicators can thus provide a cost-effective evaluation of temperate grassland suitability as habitat for three insect taxa. These indicators have more relevance than general insect species richness, and their application does not require any entomological skill. The indicators can help stakeholders to make adequate decisions for insect conservation in grassland ecosystems, but do not have direct applicability to higher conservation value taxa or species.
Endocrine Disruptors in a New Era of Predictive Toxicology and Dealing With the “More is Different” Challenge
Authors: Svingen Terje
Published: April 2022

Environmental chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pose a threat to human health. Actions are taken by scientists, assessors, regulators, and policymakers around the world to improve testing strategies for chemical substances, including pushing towards greater reliance on data from new approach methodologies to replace animal toxicity studies. This paradigm shift is envisioned to ultimately replace animal testing altogether for many purposes. As regards identification and regulation of EDCs, this poses certain challenges in that current guidelines—at least within the European regulatory framework—stipulate that adverse outcomes are to be demonstrated in an intact organism. The new testing paradigm is, of course, to find ways of dealing with this dilemma. However, another challenge still remains, even if the “intact organisms” definition changes or is replaced, namely the challenge of predicting apical adverse effects resulting from endocrine disruption. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework provides a good platform for identifying and regulating EDCs based on both non-animal and animal (or human) data, but also here we are confronted with the same challenge: how to predict adverse effects in complex organism from simple test assays that are based on reductionist principles? In this article, the challenge of “emergent properties” in predictive toxicology is highlighted as a cautionary footnote because, although a future relying far less on animal toxicity testing is both desirable and sensible, the pace at which we transition to the new paradigm should ensure that human health, and the environment, is safeguarded from harmful chemical substances.
Arterial Blood Gases and Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Etorphine-Medetomidine-Midazolam Immobilized Free-Ranging and Game-Farmed Southern White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) Undergoing Electro-Ejaculation
Authors: Meuffels Janine , Bertschinger Henk , Tindall Brendan , Pohlin Friederike , Luther-Binoir Ilse , Trivedi Shweta , Boshoff Christiaan R. , Lueders Imke
Published: April 2022

With the rapid loss of individuals in the wild, semen cryopreservation has gained importance to safeguard the genetic diversity of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum). For semen collection via electro-ejaculation, immobilization of free-ranging individuals requires the potent opioid etorphine, which is routinely combined with azaperone, but causes hypoxemia, hypercarbia, acidemia, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and systemic hypertension. In this study, the suitability of two alternative immobilization protocols including etorphine, medetomidine, and midazolam at different doses (high vs. low etorphine) was evaluated in adult white rhinoceros bulls in two different management systems (free-ranging vs. game-farmed) and undergoing electro-ejaculation. Fourteen free-ranging (Group 1) and 28 game-farmed rhinoceroses (Group 2) were immobilized with ≈2.5 μg/kg etorphine (high dose), ≈2.5 μg/kg medetomidine, ≈25 μg/kg midazolam and 1,500–1,700 IU hyaluronidase and received ≈2.5 μg/kg of butorphanol intravenously at first handling. Twenty game-farmed animals (Group 3) received ≈1 μg/kg etorphine (low dose), ≈5 μg/kg medetomidine, ≈25 μg/kg midazolam and 1,700 IU hyaluronidase. Respiratory rate, heart rate and peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured at 5-min intervals; non-invasive oscillometric blood pressures and arterial blood gases at first handling and before reversal of the immobilization; serum clinical chemistry analytes and hematocrit at first handling. Generalized mixed models (fixed factors: group, time, recumbency; random factor: individual rhinoceros) were applied to compare longitudinal changes between free-ranging and game-farmed rhinoceroses immobilized with the higher etorphine dose (Groups 1 and 2), and between the two protocols tested in the game-farmed rhinoceroses (Groups 2 and 3). All animals were successfully immobilized, presented with normal lactate concentrations (<5 mmol/L), experienced no muscle tremors and recovered uneventfully. Hypoxemia and hypertension persisted throughout the immobilization in all groups. Acidemia and hypercarbia were absent in Group 1, but present in the game-farmed animals. The lower etorphine dose in Group 3 resulted in significantly longer induction times, however, tachycardia was not observed. SpO2 was higher for sternal vs. lateral recumbency. Semen-rich fractions were recovered following electro-stimulation in 46 out of the 62 animals. Our findings suggest that etorphine-medetomidine-midazolam provides effective immobilization with fewer side effects compared to previous reports in white rhinoceroses and is suitable for successful electro-ejaculation.
Mechanical Chiseling and the Cover Crop Effect on the Common Bean Yield in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Nascimento Vagner do , Arf Orivaldo , Alves Marlene Cristina , Souza Epitácio José de , Silva Paulo Ricardo Teodoro da , Kaneko Flávio Hiroshi , Jalal Arshad , Oliveira Carlos Eduardo da Silva , Sabundjian Michelle Traete , Ferrari Samuel , Buzo Fernando de Souza , Teixeira Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: April 2022

Core Ideas: (1) Superficial soil compaction in a no-tillage system. (2) Cultivation of cover crops in succession with annual crops. (3) Soil decompression with cultivation of the predecessor soil cover. (4) Unpacking soil with mechanical chiseling. (5) Biological chiseling with the cover crop effect on the common bean yield. Mechanical soil intervention with a chisel in cover crops (CC) is a promising alternative strategy to minimize superficial compaction of soil in a no-tillage system (NTS) of the Brazilian Cerrado. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical chiseling associated with successor and predecessor cover crops on agronomic components and the grain yield of the common bean in NTS for two consecutive years. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of five cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Urochloa ruziziensis and Pennisetum glaucum and fallow), associated or not with soil mechanical chiseling. The results indicated that cultivation of C. juncea and U. ruziziensis as cover crops increased the initial and the final plant population and the number of pods plant−1 of the common bean. The cultivation of P. glaucum as a predecessor crop with chiseling was observed with greater shoot dry matter and a greater number of grains pod−1 and plant−1 of the common bean while C. cajan and C. juncea have increased leaf N content in the common bean. The predecessor crops of C. juncea and P. glaucum with chiseling increased the grain yield of the “winter” common bean in succession. Therefore, cultivation of C. juncea and P. glaucum as predecessor crops along with chiseling are considered a sustainable strategy for improving the growth and the yield of successive crops in a no-tillage system of the Brazilian Cerrado.
Short-Term Speculation Effects on Agricultural Commodity Returns and Volatility in the European Market Prior to and during the Pandemic
Authors: Staugaitis Algirdas Justinas , Vaznonis Bernardas
Published: April 2022

Motivated by increased agricultural commodity price volatility and surges during the past decade, we investigated whether financial speculation is to blame. The aim of this paper is to build on prior research about to what extent and in which ways financial speculation undermines agricultural commodity prices. In our analysis, we utilized the daily returns on milling wheat, corn, and soybean futures from the Euronext Commodities Paris market (MATIF) as well as the short-term speculation index. To quantify this impact, we apply Granger noncausality tests as well as the GARCH (generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity) technique. We also propose a model using seasonal dummy variables to examine whether financial speculation has a greater impact on price volatility during more volatile months. According to our results, financial speculation, as an external factor, in most cases has no effect or reduces the volatility of the underlying futures prices. The opposite is observed in the corn market, where volatility has risen in the post-2020 period and has been pushed up even more by speculation in April. However, since the influence on other commodities is limited or nonexistent, more emphasis should be focused on speculation in the European corn futures market or its interdependence with energy markets.
Responses of Cell Wall Components to Low Nitrogen in Rapeseed Roots
Authors: Tian Hui , Song Haixing , Wu Xiuwen , Zhang Zhenhua
Published: April 2022

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a major oil crop in China, with the world’s largest planted area and total yield. Rapeseed has a high demand for nitrogen (N), and nitrogen deficiency in soil is an important limiting factor for rapeseed production. However, rapeseed responds to N deprivation by regulating its own morphology, structure, and physiology. We carried out the current experiment by utilizing low N (LN: 0.3 mM NO3−) and normal N (CK: 6.0 mM NO3−) treatments using Brassica napus as the experimental material. The study results showed that low N induced root elongation in rapeseed, and the root length of LN treatment was 2.37 times that of HN treatment. The dry matter of roots also significantly increased due to low N treatment. Meanwhile, low N treatment decreased photosynthetic pigment (including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) contents and dry mass accumulation of leaves. A higher root/shoot ratio and N physiological efficiency were observed under low N treatment. The changes in cell wall components (pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), related enzymes, and genes’ transcription levels in roots were determined and the results suggested that low N promoted the demethylation of ion-bound pectin (ISP) and covalently bound pectin (CSP), the content of CSP and cellulose. The promoted pectin methylesterase (PME) activity, inhibited pectin and cellulose degradation enzymes, and up/downregulation of related genes also confirming the results of cell wall components. The low N-increased demethylation degree of pectin and content of pectin and cellulose in cell walls was conducive to cell wall loosening and cell wall synthesis during cell division and elongation, ultimately promoting root-adaptive elongation. The study revealed a possible mechanism in which the alteration of cell wall component content and structure participates in cell elongation and expansion, which directly induces root elongation under N deficiency. The successful implementation of this research may be conducive to facilitating the development of rapeseed cultivars with high N use efficiency through root-based genetic improvements and improving plant adaptability to low N.
Development and Application of an Intelligent Plant Protection Monitoring System
Authors: Wang Shubo , Qi Peng , Zhang Wei , He Xiongkui
Published: April 2022

Facing the need of modern agriculture to accurately grasp the information of farmland diseases and pests, this paper proposes an intelligent plant protection system. The system is composed of a wireless lens, temperature and humidity sensor, intelligent information terminal, and probe rod to realize the collection of plant images and meteorological information. At the same time, a software based on the mobile terminal and the computer terminal was developed. The plant images and meteorological data are transmitted to the server through Wi-Fi transmission. Combined with the expert knowledge model, a solution is generated, and the user can identify the current diseases and pests and obtain solutions at any time. The system can remotely and automatically monitor and warn of mainstream diseases and pests of field crops such as rice and wheat and provide support for fine plant protection management.
Effect of Different Substrates, and Irrigation with Water with Different Saline Concentrations, on the Development of Tomato Fungal Diseases in an Almería-Type Greenhouse
Authors: Ávalos-Sánchez Eugenio , López-Martínez Alejandro , Molina-Aiz Francisco D. , Reca Juan , Marín-Membrive Patricia , Valera-Martínez Diego L.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this research was to assess the effect of both the salinity level and the type of growing system on the vegetative health of a tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum). The study was carried out in Almería (Spain) in a local typical greenhouse. Two different growing media were tested: (i) the artificial soil “enarenado” and (ii) a coconut fiber substrate. Each of these growing media was irrigated with water with three different saline concentrations: (i) T1 with an electrical conductivity of 0.6 dS/m, (ii) T2 with 1.5 dS/m, and (iii) T3 with 3.0 dS/m. Using the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) regulations, two diseases were identified: (i) powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) with a lower disease incidence in tomato plants grown in soil and in plants irrigated with decreasing salinity treatments and (ii) crown and root rot in tomato (Fusarium f. sp. radicis-lycopersici) with a lower incidence in tomato plants grown in soil and a higher incidence in tomato plants grown in coconut substrate. A higher yield was observed in tomato plants transplanted in enarenado than in coconut substrate, although a higher level of Brix degrees was observed in the crops with higher disease severity and salinity stress.
Food Sensitization Impact on Asthma Attacks in Children According to Age Group
Authors: Lazova Snezhina , Hristova Diana , Priftis Stamatios , Velikova Tsvetelina
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The progression of allergy disorders is termed “atopic march.” Having one allergic disorder increases the likelihood of acquiring others. Asthma and food allergies often coexist. There are no thresholds for specific IgE (sIgE) associated with the presence of clinical symptoms. Each allergen shows a particular trend with age. Objective: Our study and analysis aim to identify food sensitization in children with asthma and evaluate its impact on asthma attacks and clinical control. Material and methods: As a part of a bigger study, 56 children (mean age 11.07 years (5.3–17.5), 38 boys, and 18 girls) with bronchial asthma were tested for total IgE and sIgE against food and inhalator allergens. All children performed baseline and post-BD spirometry and were assessed for asthma control. Results: In the studied population of children, sIgE against several food allergens was positive in the same patient. A significant correlation was found between the positive sIgE for milk and soy (p < 0.0001), for milk and egg yolk (p = 0.01), compared to milk and peanuts (p = 0.004), compared to egg yolk and fish (p < 0.0001), compared to egg yolk and casein (p < 0.001), and soy (p < 0.0001). The children who are positive for sIgE antibodies in cats, dogs, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, wormwood from aeroallergens and soy from food allergens have a higher risk of hospitalization for exacerbation of bronchial asthma. (p < 0.05). In the studied population, sensitization to food allergens among asthmatics does not contribute to the number of asthma attacks. Conclusions: Food sensitivity is associated with eczema, while mite sensitization is strongly associated with rhinitis and asthma. Food sensitization is not a risk factor for asthma exacerbation in children older than five years old.
The Prophylactic Effect of Ivermectin Treatments on Nematode Infections of Mammals in a Faunistic Park (Northern Italy)
Authors: Zanzani Sergio A. , Villa Luca , Gazzonis Alessia L. , Cartagena Daniel , Mortarino Michele , Bonacina Eleonora , Guadagnini Davide , Allievi Carolina , Manfredi Maria Teresa
Published: April 2022

Nematode infections of mammals can spread in zoos and faunistic parks and lead to disease in humans and animals. Group treatment strategies with anthelminthic drugs are common. Still, their effectiveness should be verified by sensitive and specific copromicroscopic analyses. This study assessed longitudinal parasitological monitoring, by FLOTAC® dual technique, in mammals housed in an Italian faunistic park, in order to verify the effectiveness of the two adopted ivermectin prophylactic treatments. Twenty-one species of herbivorous mammals from ten families were treated twice per year with ivermectin in an in-feed formulation (medicated feed containing 1.7 g/ton ivermectin daily, for 30 days in March and November), while 13 species of carnivores and primates from five families were treated once a month with oral or subcutaneous administrations of ivermectin (200 μg/kg body weight (b.w.), from March to November). Fecal samples were collected in June–July and October 2019 (late spring–early summer and autumn sampling groups, respectively). All nematode infections, sustained by Nematodirus spp., Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp., Parascaris spp. and Strongylida, were detected in samples collected from herbivores, presenting prevalence rates of infection of 17.3% (9/52), 15.4% (8/52), 15.4% (8/52), 5.8% (3/52), and 3.8% (2/52), respectively. All carnivores and primates tested negative. The general linear mixed model showed that nematode eggs’ excretion in herbivores were influenced by sampling and sampling-host family interaction. Results showed that frequency and dose of prophylactic treatments in herbivores should be improved according to host and parasite taxonomic groups. The treatment adopted in carnivores and primates, together with hygienic management, was effective in nematode control.
Treatment and Outcomes of Tusk Fractures in Managed African Savanna and Asian Elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus) across Five Continents
Authors: Rose Josephine B. , Leeds Austin , Yang Linda M. , LeMont Rachel , Fayette Melissa A. , Proudfoot Jeffry S. , Bowman Michelle R. , Woody Allison , Oosterhuis James , Fagan David A.
Published: April 2022

Elephant tusk fractures are a clinical challenge that can impact the overall health of the animal, particularly when they result in pulp exposure. An international survey was sent to veterinarians to understand individual fracture characteristics and management strategies as they relate to outcomes, with the goal of better informing treatment procedures. The data set consisted of 79 fractures from 64 elephants (including Asian and African males and females), 44.3% of which were Class III fractures with pulpal involvement. Of this subset, pulp canal exposures of >0.5 cm were 23.8-fold more likely to develop pulpitis than fractures with <0.5 cm exposed, though canal size did not impact healing versus extraction outcome. Odds ratios showed that treatments including endodontics were 12.0-fold more likely to heal than tusks treated exclusively with medical management, though no association was observed in reducing the risk of pulpitis. Further, pulpitis was 7.58-fold more likely to develop when tap water was used to rinse exposed pulpal tissue; a finding that merits further investigation. The use of endodontic treatment versus medical management alone was significantly associated with improved recovery outcomes (i.e., reduced risk of extraction) in tusk fractures with pulpal involvement.
The Synthesis of Triazolium Salts as Antifungal Agents: A Biological and In Silico Evaluation
Authors: Pogrebnoi Serghei , Radul Oleg , Stingaci Eugenia , Lupascu Lucian , Valica Vladimir , Uncu Livia , Smetanscaia Anastasia , Petrou Anthi , Ćirić Ana , Glamočlija Jasmina , Soković Marina , Geronikaki Athina , Macaev Fliur Z.
Published: April 2022

The control of fungal pathogens is increasingly difficult due to the limited number of effective drugs available for antifungal therapy. In addition, both humans and fungi are eukaryotic organisms; antifungal drugs may have significant toxicity due to the inhibition of related human targets. Furthermore, another problem is increased incidents of fungal resistance to azoles, such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, etc. Thus, the interest in developing new azoles with an extended spectrum of activity still attracts the interest of the scientific community. Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of triazolium salts, an evaluation of their antifungal activity, and docking studies. Ketoconazole and bifonazole were used as reference drugs. All compounds showed good antifungal activity with MIC/MFC in the range of 0.0003 to 0.2/0.0006–0.4 mg/mL. Compound 19 exhibited the best activity among all tested with MIC/MFC in the range of 0.009 to 0.037 mg/mL and 0.0125–0.05 mg/mL, respectively. All compounds appeared to be more potent than both reference drugs. The docking studies are in accordance with experimental results.
Static Bearing Capacity Investigation of a Novel Prefabricated Light-Steel Beam–Column Connection
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Liu Fuyong , Li Xiangxue , Li Tao , Xu Xiaoqin , Shui Zhonghe , Wu Huancheng
Published: April 2022

In this study, a novel prefabricated light-steel beam–column connection consisting of a thin-walled rectangular hollow section column and two cold-formed steel truss beams is proposed and investigated by carrying out experimental tests. Eight cruciform beam–column connection specimens with different configurations are fabricated and tested to failure under monotonic static loading. First, failure mode and the loading–displacement curve of each specimen are investigated. Consequently, the effect of three variables, including truss-beam configuration, truss-beam type, and with or without sleeve tube reinforcing the column, on the static bearing capacity of the proposed connection and the deflection of the truss beams are investigated. It is found that plug welding the sleeve to the column can significantly increase the static bearing capacity of the proposed connection. In addition, fillet welding connecting the column and the channel connectors to accommodate the end of the truss beams is crucial to the static bearing capacity of the proposed beam–column connection. Because beam–column connections with single-truss beams have a higher load-bearing capacity and require less material and assembly work, it is recommended to adopt this type of configuration for the proposed connection.
Traffic-Based Heuristics for Regenerator Placement in Translucent Dynamic Optical Networks
Authors: de Farias Andre L. S. , Almeida Raul C. , Chaves Daniel A. R.
Published: April 2022

We propose in this paper two heuristic strategies to solve the regenerator placement problem (RPP) in translucent networks under dynamic traffic. The heuristics are based on both the forecast of the offered load and estimates of blocking probabilities in the network nodes. The proposed heuristics are compared to other regenerator placement algorithms from the literature in two different topologies. The results show that one of the proposed algorithms outperforms, in the investigated scenarios, all other algorithms from the literature considered for comparison purposes in this paper, whereas the second proposed algorithm outperforms the algorithms from the literature only in some considered scenarios.
Experiment Investigation on Dynamic Failure Characteristics of Water-Saturated Frozen Cement Mortar with Transfixion Joint under Confining Pressure
Authors: Xu Zhenyang , Bao Song , Guo Lianjun , Mo Hongyi , Wang Dakun , Zhao Jianyu
Published: April 2022

In order to explore the mechanical characteristics and failure characteristics of water-saturated frozen cement mortar with different transfixion degree joints under impact load, a cyclic freezing impact test was performed on six kinds of water-saturated frozen cement mortar specimens with different transfixion degrees (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%) by split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), and the microscopic damage of specimens was tested by an MRI analyzer. The results show that the dynamic compressive strength of the water-saturated frozen cement mortar increases first and then decreases with the increase of the number of cycles, with the increase of joint transfixion degree the peak stress showing a clear linear downward trend. An 80% transfixion degree joint specimen has the weakest ability to carry impact loads, and the 40% transfixion degree joint specimen has the strongest ability to carry impact loads. With the increase of joint transfixion degree, there was a similar trend of first decreasing and then rising in the average change of porosity and the change of energy density per unit time index. The joint transfixion degree controls the crack development trend and the final destruction mode of the specimen. With the increase of joint transfixion degree, the failure sequence gradually evolved from pull-shear composite failure to split-tensioned failure.
Influence of Maturity Status on Kinanthropometric and Physical Fitness Variables in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players
Authors: Albaladejo-Saura Mario , Vaquero-Cristóbal Raquel , García-Roca Juan Alfonso , Esparza-Ros Francisco
Published: April 2022

The aim of this research was to analyze differences in kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance in relation to maturity status, as well as to determine if age, maturity offset or kinanthropometric variables could predict better performance in physical fitness tests. A total of 152 female volleyball players (14.16 ± 1.25 years old) underwent a kinanthropometric assessment, followed by a physical fitness assessment composed of different tests. The age at peak height velocity (APHV) was calculated, and the sample was divided according to biological maturation into three groups. Significant differences were observed in kinanthropometric variables (p < 0.001–0.026), with early maturers showing higher values. Age, body mass, Cormic index, relative arm span, ∑8 skinfolds, fat mass, corrected arm and thigh girths, muscle mass and biacromial and biiliocristal breadths were the variables that best predicted performance in the physical tests (p < 0.001–0.024). The more mature players showed higher values in most of the kinanthropometric variables, with the more remarkable differences being in body mass, height, arm span and sitting height, and those related to adiposity and absolute body composition, and with structural variables being the most influential on the physical tests. Age had a determinant influence on the differences found between groups in strength and power-related test performance.
Applications of Plasma Produced with Electrical Discharges in Gases for Agriculture and Biomedicine
Authors: Stryczewska Henryka Danuta , Boiko Oleksandr
Published: April 2022

The use of thermal and non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma to solve problems related to agriculture and biomedicine is the focus of this paper. Plasma in thermal equilibrium is used where heat is required. In agriculture, it is used to treat soil and land contaminated by the products of biomass, plastics, post-hospital and pharmaceutical waste combustion, and also by ecological phenomena that have recently been observed, such as droughts, floods and storms, leading to environmental pollution. In biomedical applications, thermal plasma is used in so-called indirect living tissue treatment. The sources of thermal plasma are arcs, plasma torches and microwave plasma reactors. In turn, atmospheric pressure cold (non-thermal) plasma is applied in agriculture and biomedicine where heat adversely affects technological processes. The thermodynamic imbalance of cold plasma makes it suitable for organic syntheses due its low power requirements and the possibility of conducting chemical reactions in gas at relatively low and close to ambient temperatures. It is also suitable in the treatment of living tissues and sterilisation of medical instruments made of materials that are non-resistant to high temperatures. Non-thermal and non-equilibrium discharges at atmospheric pressure that include dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) and atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs), as well as gliding arc (GAD), can be the source of cold plasma. This paper presents an overview of agriculture and soil protection problems and biomedical and health protection problems that can be solved with the aid of plasma produced with electrical discharges. In particular, agricultural processes related to water, sewage purification with ozone and with advanced oxidation processes, as well as those related to contaminated soil treatment and pest control, are presented. Among the biomedical applications of cold plasma, its antibacterial activity, wound healing, cancer treatment and dental problems are briefly discussed.
Sparking Innovation in a Crisis: An IoT Sensor Location-Based Early Warning System for Pandemic Control
Authors: Tasic Igor , Cano Maria-Dolores
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has recently brought attention to several acute human needs. However, it has also demonstrated how crisis can spark innovation in the context of information asymmetry and uncertainty. It has raised the importance of early warning systems (EWS) to prevent similar future events and prepare governments, organizations, and individuals in advance. Such efforts in innovating under uncertainty resemble the process entrepreneurs face when creating new ventures and launching new products and services. Moreover, the increasing adoption of mobile technologies associated with the surging Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications provides cues to a more extensive discussion about the adoption of sensor networks and applied artificial intelligence algorithms to benefit society and improve its relationship with data. Implementing IoT sensor location-based networks to help reduce community-transmitted infections can be a cost-effective solution that adds to broader pandemic control warning systems. In this paper, a novel predictive location-based early warning system is proposed. The system is able to measure people’s density, people flow, and behavior in specific areas of indoor and outdoor environments. Its implementation has been tested in a real public scenario, showing the capacity to operate flawlessly in real-time, thus addressing the needs of a trusted EWS for governments and organizations to manage event-led situations.
Special Issue on “Intelligent Autonomous Decision-Making and Cooperative Control Technology of High-Speed Vehicle Swarms”
Authors: Zhang Dong , Huang Wei
Published: April 2022

Swarm intelligence technology is a high and new technology combining unmanned system technology, network information technology and artificial intelligence technology, which has become a research hotspot [...]
Digital Holographic Positioning Sensor for a Small Deployable Space Telescope
Authors: Muslimov Eduard R. , Sakhabutdinov Airat Zh. , Morozov Oleg G. , Pavlycheva Nadezhda K. , Akhmetov Damir M. , Kharitonov Danila Yu.
Published: April 2022

We propose a system and a technique to measure misalignments of individual optical elements in a deployable telescope for a small satellite, and we demonstrate its application for a 2230 mm F10.3 Ritchey–Chretien type telescope. The system uses laser point sources at the edge of each of the deploying segments to form an interference pattern at the telescope image sensor. By processing the interferograms in the Fourier domain and comparing them to the computed ones, it becomes possible to measure the position of the primary mirror segments with a precision of 0.8μm and the axial displacement of the secondary mirror with the precision of 0.1 nm. Such a system would allow to build a deployable telescope fitting in a 1U CubeSat and align it in space with a sufficient accuracy, thus providing a gain in collecting power, reaching a factor of 2.49 with respect to a single mirror telescope fitting on a 1U CubeSat.