bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female health professionals working in public hospitals of Harari regional state: Eastern Ethiopia multicenter study
Authors: Dechasa Deribe Bekele , Asfaw Henock , Abdisa Lemesa , Dessie Yadeta , Bete Tilahun , Sertsu Addisu , Hiko Ahmed , Balcha Teganu , Eyeberu Addis , Nigussie Kabtamu , Tamiru Dawit
Published: November 2022

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women in both developed and developing countries. Early detection of breast cancer using breast self-examination plays a substantial role in reducing its morbidity and mortality. Despite improved availability of health information the morbidity and mortality caused by breast cancer among females were increasing from time to time and there is no information regarding the practice of breast self-examination in our study area.

Objective

This study was aimed at assessing breast self-examination practice and associated factors among female health professionals who were working in public hospitals of Harari Regional State in 2022.

Methods

Institutional-based quantitative cross-sectional study design was used to assess the practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female health professionals who have been working in a public hospital in Harari regional state from March 25 to April 05, 2022. The study subjects were selected using a simple random sampling technique and data were collected by a self-administered and structured questionnaire. The collected data was edited, cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 software and analyzed using the statistical package for social science software version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to see the association between independent and dependent variables. Variable with P-value less than 0.05 at final model were regarded as statistically significant.

Result

Among a total of 362 female health professionals, 171 (47.2%) respondents were ever practiced breast self-examination, 229(63.3%) had good knowledge of breast self-examination and 252(69.6%) had a favorable attitude toward breast self-examination. Work experience of ≥5 year (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.31–4.82), educational status of degree and above (AOR = 7.2; 95% CI: 3.82–10.58), good knowledge about breast self-examination (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.41–5.40) and favorable attitude toward breast self-examination (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.11–4.10) were significantly associated with breast self-examination practice.

Conclusion

The finding of this study implies that the practice of breast self-examination among female health professionals is low. Work experience of ≥5 year, educational status of degree and above, having a good knowledge and favorable attitude toward breast self-examination were significantly associated with breast self-examination.
Case report: Multimodal neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for hepatic undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma in a young adult
Authors: Vergara Rosemary , Khalil Sarah , Munene Gitonga
Published: November 2022

Hepatic undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare hepatic malignancy found more commonly in pediatric patients. It has been associated with poor outcomes in adults and the role and timing of systemic therapy is unclear. There have been very few case reports detailing combination neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy use for hepatic undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma in adults. In this report, a 22-year-old male admitted with right upper quadrant pain was diagnosed with a 20 x 10 x 10 cm well-circumscribed, highly vascularized hepatic mass in the entirety of the left lobe. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of UESL. PET/CT showed no evidence of metastatic disease, and he received four cycles of Doxorubicin and Ifosfamide with demonstrated reduction in size and decrease in PET avidity. He underwent left hepatectomy with periportal lymphadenectomy, cholecystectomy, and partial gastrectomy with negative margins and received adjuvant Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide and Mesna. At 48 months, the patient was alive without evidence of disease. We hereby emphasize the potential advantages of combination chemotherapy and surgical resection in the management of UESL in adults.
Assessment of reporting quality in randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for labor pain
Authors: Jiang Tao , Jiang ShiYi , Cui Ying , Yang Ji-Peng , Du Yuan-Hao , Li Jing , Pang Bo , Li Bo
Published: November 2022

Objective

To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for labor pain, and to explore relevant factors for facilitating reporting transparency and integrity for future RCTs.

Method

Eight Chinese and English databases were systematically searched from their inception until August 31, 2021. General characteristics and methodological quality of the included reports were evaluated based on the CONSORT statement and the STRICTA guidelines. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Cohen's κ-statistics were calculated to assess the agreement of all items between two reviewers.

Results

A total of 84 RCTs were included. Based on the CONSORT statement, a positive reporting rate (greater than 80%) was evident for the items “trial design” “participants” “intervention” “outcomes” “numbers analyzed” and “generalizability”. The quality of reporting for the items “randomized in the title or abstract” “sample size” “allocation concealment” “implementation” “blinding” “recruitment” “ancillary analyses” “harms” “interpretation” “registration” and “protocol” was poor with positive rates less than 10%. Based on the STRICTA guidelines, the items “extent to which treatment varied” “number of needle insertions per subject per session” and “control or comparator interventions” had poor reporting quality with positive rates of less than 10%. Substantial agreement was observed for most items and excellent agreement for some items.

Conclusion

The reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for labor pain is suboptimal generally. Rigorous adherence to the CONSORT statement and the STRICTA guidelines should be emphasized in future studies to improve the quality of acupuncture RCT reports.
Phytotoxic, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities of Ajania tibetica essential oil
Authors: Han Caixia , Zhou Shixing , Mei Yu , Cao Qiumei , Shi Kai , Shao Hua
Published: November 2022

The chemical profile of Ajania tibetica essential oil (EO) and its phytotoxic, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities were assessed. Monoterpenes (79.05%) and sesquiterpenes (10.33%) were dominant in the EO, with camphor, (+/-)-lavandulol and eucalyptol being the major constituents, representing 55.06% of the total EO. The EO possessed potent phytotoxicity against Poa annua and Medicago sativa starting from 0.5 mg/mL, and when the concentration rose to 5 mg/mL, seed germination of both tested species was 100% suppressed. Ajania tibetica EO displayed significant pesticidal activity against Aphis gossypii with an LC50 value of 17.41 μg/mL; meanwhile, the EO also showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Verticillium dahlia and Aspergillus niger using broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods. For the tested bacterial and fungal strains, the EO exhibited a repressing effect, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.3125 to 1.25 mg/mL for bacteria and from 1.25 to 2.5 mg/mL for fungi, whereas the minimum microbicidal concentrations (MMCs) were 5 mg/mL for bacteria and 2.5 mg/mL for fungi. Our study is the first report on the chemical profile as well as the phytotoxicity, insecticidal and antimicrobic activity of A. tibetica EO, indicating its potential value as an alternative synthetic pesticide.
Deciphering the mitochondrial genome of Hemerocallis citrina (Asphodelaceae) using a combined assembly and comparative genomic strategy
Authors: Zhang Kun , Wang Yiheng , Zhang Xun , Han Zhiping , Shan Xiaofei
Published: November 2022

Hemerocallis citrina is a perennial herbaceous plant that is dedicated to mothers in Chinese culture and is widely distributed across the country. As a popular species with a long history of cultivation and utilization, it is renowned for its remarkable edible and medicinal value. In this study, we integrated Illumina short-read and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to generate a complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) assembly of H. citrina. The H. citrina mitogenome has a multiple chromosomal structure consisting of three circular molecules that are 45,607 bp, 239,991 bp, and 182,864 bp long. We correspondingly annotated 66 genes, comprising 45 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 17 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Comparative analysis of gene organization indicated that six syntenic gene clusters were conserved in the mitogenomes of the compared plants. The investigation of repeat content revealed repeat-rich nature of the H. citrina mitogenome, for which plentiful dispersed repeats were characterized to correlate with the size of the mitogenome. The codon usage behavior disclosed that Leucine (Leu) and Serine (Ser) were the most preferred amino acids in H. citrina, and nearly all of the codons with relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) values greater than 1 showed the preference of A or T ending. Moreover, we inferred a total of 679 RNA editing sites in all mitochondrial PCGs, which presented perfect C-to-U types and tended to lead to the alteration of internal codons. Subsequent selective pressure analysis showed that the majority of the PCGs had undergone evolutionary negative selections, with atp9 in particular undergoing strong stabilizing selection, reflecting its indispensable function in mitogenomes. According to the phylogenetic analysis, H. citrina is close to the species Allium cepa (Amaryllidaceae) and Asparagus officinalis (Asparagaceae) in evolutionary terms. Overall, this project presents the first complete mitogenome of H. citrina, which could provide a reference genome for the comprehensive exploration of the Asphodelaceae family and can facilitate further genomic breeding and evolutionary research on this medicine–food homologous plant.
How a study on lived experiences impacted German occupation children – A mixed-method long-term approach
Authors: Kaiser Marie , Glaesmer Heide
Published: November 2022

Objective

Research on the impact study participation has on participants has shown that, even though they may find it stressful during participation, overall, they appear to benefit personally and emerge with a positive cost-benefit-balance. In 2013, the first psychological study on German occupation children (GOC), a potentially vulnerable and hidden study population, was conducted, after which respondents shared a high volume of positive feedback. In the context of a follow-up survey, the impact of study participation on participants was investigated to determine the causes of this distinctly positive outcome.

Methods

Mixed-methods approach using the standardized Reactions to Research Participation Questionnaire (RRPQ) as well as open-ended questions on expectations toward participation, and changes due to participation in dealing with GOC background and in personal life. Analyses included N = 65 participants (mean age 68.92, 40% men) and were carried out with descriptive measures for RRPQ and inductive content analysis for open-ended questions.

Results

Participants specified six motives for participation besides answering the standardized form; 46.2% (n = 30) saw their expectations met. Although participation was related to negative emotions during participation, participants' overall experience was positive; 89.2% (n = 58) stated an inclination to participate again. 52.3% (n = 34) reported participation had helped develop new ways of dealing with their GOC experiences; five contributing factors were observed. Changes in private life were reported by 24.6% (n = 16); three aspects were identified. The vast majority (81.5%; n = 53) stated, following participation, they were able to disclose their GOC background to others. Participants placed emphasis on four aspects of this experience.

Conclusion

Although study participation was described as emotionally challenging during participation, participants felt that the overall impact it had on them was positive. The study was the first of its kind and thus presented an opportunity for a previously hidden population to step out of the dark, simultaneously gaining insight that helped them better understand themselves as GOC, and thereby increase their capacity for self-acceptance. Participants also benefitted from learning about the study's findings and connecting with other GOC through activities that ensued. In conclusion, results suggest that vulnerable and/or hidden populations benefit from specific attention to their lived experiences even at higher age.
The relationship between cyber upward social comparison and cyberbullying behaviors: A moderated mediating model
Authors: Wen Hong , Kong Xiangwei , Feng Yonggang
Published: November 2022

Based on the General Strain Theory and the moderating role model of social support, the present study explored the relationship between cyber upward social comparison and cyberbullying and further explored the mediating role of moral justification and the moderating role of online social support. This model was examined with 660 Chinese college students. Participants completed questionnaires regarding cyber upward social comparison, cyberbullying, moral justification, and online social support. After basic demographic variables were controlled, cyber upward social comparison was significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying. Moral justification played a mediating role in the relationship between cyber upward social comparison and cyberbullying. The mediating effect of moral justification on the relationship between cyber upward social comparison and cyberbullying was moderated by online social support. The results of this study will provide references for the prevention and intervention of cyberbullying.
The attentional boost effect and perceptual degradation: Assessing the influence of attention on recognition memory
Authors: LaPointe Mitchell R. P. , Rosner Tamara M. , Ortiz-Tudela Javier , Lorentz Lisa , Milliken Bruce
Published: November 2022

Researchers have suggested that the recognition memory effects resulting from two separate attentional manipulations—attentional boost and perceptual degradation—may share a common cause; namely a transient up-regulation of attention at the time of encoding that leads to enhanced memory performance at the time of retrieval. Prior research has demonstrated that inducing two similar transient shifts of attention simultaneously produces redundant performance in memory. In the present study, we sought to evaluate the combined influence of the attentional boost and perceptual degradation on recognition memory. If these two effects share a common cause, then we ought to observe a redundancy in memory performance, such that these two factors interact. Yet, across four experiments we fail to observe such a redundancy in recognition memory. We evaluate these results using the limited resource model of attention and speculate on how combining transient shifts of attention may produce redundant memory performance in the one case, but non-redundant performance in the other case.
The compensation incentive effect of athletes: A structural equation model
Authors: Zhao Huan , Liu Zhaoxia , Zhang Susu , Xiao Feiyan , Liu Meng , Li Ruiyuan , Zhang Liqing , Xu Chengcheng
Published: November 2022

This study explores the compensation incentive effect of athletes. Based on the related literature, we proposed theoretical hypotheses on the compensation incentive effect and established an assessment index system of the compensation incentive effect for athletes. A structural equation model was used to test the survey data of 352 athletes in six provinces to discover the truth of the compensation incentive effect. The results suggested that direct economic compensation satisfaction, direct non-economic compensation satisfaction, and indirect non-economic compensation satisfaction had significant positive effects on the compensation incentive effect of athletes, while indirect economic compensation satisfaction showed no significant effect. Moreover, the evaluation results of athletes’ compensation incentive effect showed that direct economic compensation satisfaction contributed the most to the influence factor of the compensation incentive effect. Therefore, the evaluation of athletes’ compensation incentive effect should focus on variables of direct economic compensation satisfaction, i.e., basic compensation satisfaction, bonus income satisfaction, and subsidy satisfaction. Finally, some strategies and recommendations were suggested to improve the compensation design for athletes.
The concordance game: A simple tool to estimate breath hold swimming performance and to teach dynamic apnea
Authors: Hello Damien , Vitiello Damien , Collard Luc
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Swimming is composed of several phases. One of them is done underwater in apnea. Although this phase takes an important part of the performance, it is not taught much because of the risk it entails. At the same time, learning apnea can reduce the fear of immersion and, thus, reduce the number of drownings. The pedagogy used in this paper comes from game theory. This paper tested an apnea game based on the agreement between self-prediction and realization of the task.

Methods

Considering the preliminary level of the 33 sports students involved, the game offered two choices: swimming apnea over 15 or 20 m with a distribution of payoffs depending on the actual achievement (15 m estimated and less than 20 m performed = + 3 points; 15 m estimated and at least 20 m realized = + 1 points; 20 m predicted and less than 20 m realized = + 2 points; 20 m estimated and at least 20 m realized = + 4 points).

Results and discussion

Concordance was favored over discordance, including in the swimmer’s comfort zone (15 m). Throughout six apneas the results showed that the structure of this game supports the improvement of the estimation of the distances swum. The “Concordance Game” could be offered in Physical Education or in a sports club to learn to swim a longer distance below the surface without forcing.
Impact of management’s irrational expectations on corporate tax avoidance: A mediating effect based on level of risk-taking
Authors: Li Lingyu , Wu Qing
Published: November 2022

Frequent tax avoidance incidents have caused huge losses to corporate reputation and corporate value. Research is required on whether and how the irrational judgment of management, a powerful factor in corporate decision-making, affects corporate tax avoidance behavior. Taking all A-share listed companies from 2006 to 2020 as a sample, this paper empirically tests the relationships among management’s irrational expectations, level of corporate risk-taking, and level of corporate tax avoidance using an fixed effects regression model (FEM). The results of the three-stage regression model and Sobel test suggest that the level of corporate risk-taking plays a mediating role between managers’ irrational expectations and Corporate tax avoidance. The managers’ stockholding plays a moderating role in this process. This study also finds evidence that the irrational expectations of management lead to an increase in levels of research and development manipulation, which indirectly increases the level of corporate tax avoidance. Therefore, to control the risk caused by managers’ risky decisions, such as R&D manipulation and tax avoidance, it is necessary to lessen the effects of irrational expectations of management, and the management equity incentive plan has been identified as a reliable method in the risk reduction process.
Systematic review on dental caries preventive and managing strategies among type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Chen Haoran , Hill Robert , Baysan Aylin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate current evidence to prevent and manage dental caries in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study Design (PICOS) strategy was used to formulate a structured search: systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via Ovid, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs without any date limit and/or language restrictions. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments in the included studies. Data homogeneity was assessed according to interventions for treating dental caries in T2DM. Statistical analyses were performed with JMP®.

Results

Two studies out of 909 were included in the systematic review. Only quantitative studies involving topical applications for management of dental caries in patients with T2DM were included. One study assessed the effect of intensive oral hygiene care program including toothbrushing and interdental cleaning using interproximal brushes and/or dental floss and supragingival debridement by dental hygienist with educational brochures in T2DM, while another investigated the immunologically active salivary substitutes with using Oral Hygiene Instructions (OHI), mouthwash, and moisturizing gel for 6 months. Intensive oral hygiene care program or immunologically active salivary substitutes with using OHI, mouthwash, and moisturizing gel for 6 months were reported to reverse/arrest dental caries in patients with T2DM.

Conclusion

The current randomized controlled clinical trials demonstrated that regular extensive oral health education using interdental cleaning aids, mouthwash, moistening gel, and saliva substitutes including lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, glucose oxidase, and lactoferrin could control oral inflammation and contribute to the management of dental caries in patients with T2DM.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020197507, identifier: CRD42020197507.
One-step on-chip microfluidic synthesis of the hybrid capsules using aqueous two-phase system
Authors: Daradmare Sneha , Kim Jae Seong , Ganguly Reya , Lee Chang-Soo
Published: November 2022

Hydrogel capsules synthesized by conventional water-in-oil emulsion systems are the less preferred choice for biomedical applications due to the use of oils and surfactants. An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), which allows the formation of water-in-water emulsion, is considered a green alternative and therefore has been explored a lot for its application in the biomedical field. Herein, we present the synthesis of hydrogel capsules using a set-up consisting of a pneumatic valve integrated with the ATPS microfluidic system. In this arrangement, at first, a pneumatic valve facilitates the generation of the droplets of one aqueous system i.e. sodium alginate (SA) containing dextran solution into another aqueous phase comprising polyethylene glycol solution. The present approach allows good control over droplet generation by tuning the pressure of the pneumatic valve and the flow rates of the core and middle phases. The synthesis of hybrid capsules within the microfluidic device is carried out mainly by using the interfacial complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, chitosan with SA via electrostatic interactions. The interfacial complexed SA and chitosan hydrogel capsules were collected via the settling collection method, which ensures the retaining of the shape of the hybrid capsules. The morphological properties of as-synthesized droplets and hybrid capsules were examined via optical microscopy. The hydrogel capsules show good encapsulation capability for the magnetic particles. Even though this study mainly focuses on the synthesis part, we anticipate that the proposed approach will enable the encapsulation of cells within the hybrid capsules as well as enhance the cell adhesion on the surface of the hydrogel capsules hence, these hydrogel capsules can find the potent application in the biomedical engineering.
The need for accurate measurements of thermal velocity distribution functions in the solar wind
Authors: Wilson Lynn B. , Goodrich Katherine A. , Turner Drew L. , Cohen Ian J. , Whittlesey Phyllis L. , Schwartz Steven J.
Published: November 2022

The current state of the art thermal particle measurements in the solar wind are insufficient to address many long standing, fundamental physical processes. The solar wind is a weakly collisional ionized gas experiencing collective effects due to long-range electromagnetic forces. Unlike a collisionally mediated fluid like Earth’s atmosphere, the solar wind is not in thermodynamic or thermal equilibrium. For that reason, the solar wind exhibits multiple particle populations for each particle species. We can mostly resolve the three major electron populations (e.g., core, halo, strahl, and superhalo) in the solar wind. For the ions, we can sometimes separate the proton core from a secondary proton beam and heavier ion species like alpha-particles. However, as the solar wind becomes cold or hot, our ability to separate these becomes more difficult. Instrumental limitations have prevented us from properly resolving features within each ion population. This destroys our ability to properly examine energy budgets across transient, discontinuous phenomena (e.g., shock waves) and the evolution of the velocity distribution functions. Herein we illustrate both the limitations of current instrumentation and why higher resolutions are necessary to properly address the fundamental kinetic physics of the solar wind. This is accomplished by directly comparing to some current solar wind observations with calculations of velocity moments to illustrate the inaccuracy and incompleteness of poor resolution data.
Performance-environment mutual flow model using big data on baseball pitchers
Authors: Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Nakata Hiroki
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The study investigated the baseball pitching performance in terms of release speed, spin rate, and 3D coordinate data of the release point depending on the ball and strike counts.

Methods

We used open data provided on the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), which included data related to 580 pitchers who pitched in the MLB between 2015 and 2019.

Results

The results show that a higher ball count corresponds to a slower release speed and decreased spin rate, and a higher strike count corresponds to a faster release speed and increased spin rate. For a higher ball count, the pitcher's release point tended to be lower and more forward, while for a higher strike count, the pitcher's release point tended to be to the left from the right pitcher's point of view. This result was more pronounced in 4-seam pitches, which consisted the largest number of pitchers. The same tendency was confirmed in other pitches such as sinker, slider, cut ball, and curve.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the ball count is associated with the pitcher's release speed, spin rate, and 3D coordinate data. From a different perspective, as the pitcher's pitching performance is associated with the ball and strike count, the ball and strike count is associated with pitching performance. With regard to the aforementioned factor, we propose a “performance-environment flow model,” indicating that a player's performance changes according to the game situation, and the game situation consequently changes the player's next performance.
Prevalence, risk factors and first record of mitochondrial cox1 gene-based molecular characterization of Paramphistomum epiclitum from Pakistan
Authors: Alvi Mughees Aizaz , Alshammari Ayed , Asghar Faizan , Ali Rana Muhammad Athar , Li Li , Saqib Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Kasib , Imran Muhammad , Qamar Warda , Askar Hussam , Abdelsater Naser , Fu Bao-Quan , Yan Hong-Bin , Jia Wan-Zhong
Published: November 2022

Parasitic infestations are one of the major threats to the livestock industry in Pakistan. These have a negative impact on the production of domesticated livestock species. Paramphistomes belong to the superfamily Paramphistomoidea and are involved in infecting ruminants all over the world. To date, there was no information on mitochondrial DNA-based molecular characterization of Paramphistomum epiclitum from Pakistan. To close this research gap, this study was designed to provide insights into the epidemiology of Paramphistomum species. Paramphistomum epiclitum isolates were recovered from the rumen of small ruminants slaughtered at an abattoir located in Faisalabad city and animal demographics were recorded. DNA was extracted and mitochondrial cox1 was amplified and sequenced. Prevalence was calculated along with a 95% confidence interval in various groups. The chi-square test was applied to determine the association between different variables under investigation. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the Bayesian method. Population diversity indices were calculated using DnaSP 4.5 software. A total of 43 mutations were observed among 7 haplotypes. Negative values of Fu's Fs values, and Tajima's D indicated population expansion. Deworming, season, and grazing were the variables that significantly correlate (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of P. epiclitum. The high prevalence of P. epiclitum demonstrates that more studies are indeed needed to further understand the prevalence and distribution of P. epiclitum in definitive and all potential intermediate hosts in addition to intraspecies variation and relationship with populations from other locations.
Adaptive Neural Control of a 2DOF Helicopter with Input Saturation and Time-Varying Output Constraint
Authors: Wu Bing , Wu Jiale , Zhang Jian , Tang Guojian , Zhao Zhijia
Published: November 2022

An adaptive neural control for uncertain 2DOF helicopter systems with input saturation and time-varying output constraints is provided. A radial basis function neural network is used to estimate the uncertainty terms present in the system. The saturation error and the external disturbance are considered as a composite disturbance, and an adaptive auxiliary parameter is introduced to compensate it. An asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function is employed to address the constraint violation of the system output. The closed-loop stability of the system is then demonstrated by Lyapunov theory analysis. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategy.
Design and Experiment of Quantitative Seed Feeding Wheel of Air-Assisted High-Speed Precision Seed Metering Device
Authors: Gao Xiaojun , Zhao Pengfei , Li Jiang , Xu Yang , Huang Yuxiang , Wang Long
Published: November 2022

Aiming to solve the problems of the poor uniformity of seed flow discharge and serious damage of traditional straight grooved wheels to improve the performance of air-assisted maize high-speed precision seed metering devices, a staggering symmetrical spiral grooved feeding wheel with maize seeds was designed. To explore the influence of the spiral groove inclination angle and the length of the staggered symmetrical spiral groove feed wheel on the uniformity of seed flow discharge, the spiral groove length l and the spiral groove inclination angle ρ were used as the experimental factors, and the variation coefficient of the increase in seed, a full-factor simulation test was carried out for the test indicators, and it was found that both the inclination angle and the length of the spiral groove have an influence on the uniformity of seed flow discharge, and the influence of the inclination angle of the groove is more significant. Comparing the force of a single seed in the traditional straight grooved wheel and that of the spiral feeding wheel, it is found that the staggered symmetrical spiral grooved feeding wheel can reduce the damage of seed fertilizer. Through a bench test, the spiral groove length was found to be 50 mm, and the groove inclination angles are 30°, 45° and 90°. The test results show the variation trend and simulation results of the fluctuating coefficient of variation of the seed flow discharge in the bench test. The trend of change is basically the same. The inclination angle of the spiral groove is 45° and the uniformity of seed flow discharge is the best when the groove length is 50 mm, indicating that this structure can effectively improve the uniformity of material discharge, and the variation coefficient of seed flow discharge fluctuation is 3.12% and the seed breakage rate is 0.69%. Through the seeding performance test, it is verified that the staggered symmetrical spiral grooved feeding wheel can improve the seeding performance of the pneumatic high-speed precision metering device. When the metering device runs smoothly, the qualified rate reaches more than 90%, and the leakage rate is reduced to 0%. Therefore, the results of this study can provide a reference for research on uniform seeding, drill seeding and the uniform application of granular fertilizer.
Consequences of the Long-Term Fertilization System Use on Physical and Microbiological Soil Status in the Western Polissia of Ukraine
Authors: Puzniak Oksana , Hrynchyshyn Natalia , Datsko Tetiana , Andruszczak Sylwia , Hulko Bohdan
Published: November 2022

The response of soil microbial diversity to long-term fertilization is still not well understood in the context of different soil types. The purpose of this research was to reveal the impact of fertilization systems on soil parameters and life activity of the main taxonomic and physiological groups of microorganisms responsible for nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus transformation. Reported results were obtained in the course of a 55-year-long experiment on fertilization of sod-podzolic soil in a grain-flax-potato crop rotation. Soil sampling was conducted within a 0–20 cm depth in five sites: without fertilizer (C); organic fertilization system, manure (O1FS); mineral fertilization system, NPK (MFS); organic-mineral fertilization system, manure + NPK (O1MFS); and organic-mineral fertilization system, siderate + NPK (O2MFS). Long-term use of various fertilization systems has led to changes in the soil properties. Bacteria dominated the microbial community in all examined areas. Soil fertilization supported bacteria development in all variants, except for MFS, and negatively affected the micromycetes content. A strong relationship between the change of the main soil indicators and the number of microorganisms from the main taxonomic groups was found between the soil pH KCl and the number of micromycetes. The O1FS option had the most beneficial effect on the development of soil nitrifiers and denitrifiers. The O1MFS fertilization system was the most favorable for the development of non-symbiotic anaerobic nitrogen-fixing, cellulose-degrading and phosphate-mobilizing microorganisms. In turn, the least favorable conditions for the development of physiological groups of microorganisms were found in cases of continuous use of mineral fertilizers.
Experimental Characterization and Mathematical Modelling of Natural Drying of Apricots at Low Temperatures
Authors: Hu Can , Li Jie , Yang Qiaonan , Yi Xiaokang , Cheng Hui , Xu Chao , Du Zhenhao
Published: November 2022

To mitigate reduced apricot fruit quality due to mildew, browning and sand dust from natural drying under low temperatures and humidity, we determined the characteristics of three different methods of drying (via hanging) and further established their mathematical models. Various comparative analyses of natural drying by laying apricots in an area of the Gobi Desert, subjecting them to ventilated drying in an air-drying house, and hanging them on trees were conducted. The least and most efficient methods were hanging on trees (302 h) and laying them in an area of the Gobi Desert (>192 h), respectively. The loss rate and the total sugar content were 5.26% and 70.16%, and up to 18.31% and 68.54% for fruits dried by ventilated drying in an air-drying house and those hung on trees, respectively. Fruits dried by ventilated drying in an air-drying house showed the least loss and the best comprehensive quality. Using experimental data from assessments of the drying methods, mathematical models were constructed and fitted to drying mathematical models of seven kinds of porous media. The Wang and Singh model had the best fitting degree, an error value of less than 0.05, and the regression that most accurately explained the drying mathematical model for apricots under natural conditions.
Effect of the Release of Gravel Elements on Soil Nutrients and Jujube Fruit Yield under Wet-and-Dry Cycles
Authors: Liu Qiaoling , Li Yangyang , Li Wangcheng , Su Qikun , Ma Bo , Mu Min , Jia Zhenjiang , Zhao Guangxing
Published: November 2022

This study sought to evaluate the potential of mulched gravel to release nutrients in the field by conducting trials with three variations of wet-and-dry cycling of the soil beneath gravel mulch and bare soil. The results revealed that quartz, muscovite, clinochlore, and albite were the most abundant minerals in the gravels. Throughout the whole wet-and-dry cycle, the total content of 30 elements measured in the gravel-mulched soil was higher than in the bare soil treatment, and the content of the total element rose with increasing wet–dry cycle humidity. The enrichment ratio (Br) of each element in soil under gravel mulch relative to bare soil was in the sequence Mg > Ca > K > Cr > Na > Mn > V > Zn > Fe > Ti > Si > C > N > B> Co > (Br = 0) > Pb > Cu > Ga > P > Sn > Sr > Al > Be > Li > Mo > Ni > Se > As > S. Under gravel mulch, the elements impacted by the wet–dry cycle are primarily rock-forming, whereas the elements affected under bare soil are primarily trace elements. The wet-and-dry cycles of gravel affected soil nutrients mainly by increasing soil K, Ca, Na, and Mg contents. The differences in soil K and Ca contents significantly affected the growth of jujube trees and the jujube fruit yield. A dry/wet cycle level of 5 L/d per tree under gravel cover conditions can effectively improve soil nutrients and increase the jujube fruit yield without causing environmental problems.
Response of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) to Silver and Gold Nanoparticles as a Function of Concentration and Length of Exposure
Authors: Tomaszewska-Sowa Magdalena , Lisiecki Karol , Pańka Dariusz
Published: November 2022

There is a growing demand for high quality and sustainable food in the world and this need falls within the context of the European Green Deal’s strategy “From Farm to Fork”. In order to achieve these outcomes, the use of modern and innovative technologies of plant production and protection is required. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture and horticulture is an example of such technology. However, research on the effect of length of exposure to metal nanoparticles on seeds germination and seedlings development are limited in the literature. In our study, the effect of silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the seedling growth and biochemical response of rapeseed after 7, 14 and 21 days was analyzed. In the experiments, 0, 50 and 100 ppm concentrations of NPs were used in vitro. The level of photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins as well as other stress parameters, such as free phenolic compounds, free sugars or H2O2, decreased due to the application of both AgNPs and AuNPs at the initial culture period; however, the differences were observed in the successive weeks of exposure. The parameters were increasing, irrespective of the kind of nanoparticles; however, as for the content of free sugars and free radicals, higher values were recorded due to the effect of AuNPs. Our results showed that length of plants exposure to NPs is very important factor modifying growth and final response of seedlings. Better understanding of its influence could speed up use of NPs in agriculture and horticulture for production of high-quality plant material (e.g., to seed priming, stimulation of seedlings’ growth and their protection), not contaminated with pesticides, fertilizers and mycotoxins.
A Patient-Specific Algorithm for Lung Segmentation in Chest Radiographs
Authors: De Silva Manawaduge Supun , Narayanan Barath Narayanan , Hardie Russell C.
Published: November 2022

Lung segmentation plays an important role in computer-aided detection and diagnosis using chest radiographs (CRs). Currently, the U-Net and DeepLabv3+ convolutional neural network architectures are widely used to perform CR lung segmentation. To boost performance, ensemble methods are often used, whereby probability map outputs from several networks operating on the same input image are averaged. However, not all networks perform adequately for any specific patient image, even if the average network performance is good. To address this, we present a novel multi-network ensemble method that employs a selector network. The selector network evaluates the segmentation outputs from several networks; on a case-by-case basis, it selects which outputs are fused to form the final segmentation for that patient. Our candidate lung segmentation networks include U-Net, with five different encoder depths, and DeepLabv3+, with two different backbone networks (ResNet50 and ResNet18). Our selector network is a ResNet18 image classifier. We perform all training using the publicly available Shenzhen CR dataset. Performance testing is carried out with two independent publicly available CR datasets, namely, Montgomery County (MC) and Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT). Intersection-over-Union scores for the proposed approach are 13% higher than the standard averaging ensemble method on MC and 5% better on JSRT.
Does Gender Impact Technology Adoption in Dual-Purpose Cattle in Mexico?
Authors: Villarroel-Molina Oriana , De-Pablos-Heredero Carmen , Barba Cecilio , Rangel Jaime , García Anton
Published: November 2022

This paper examines the role of women in the dual-purpose livestock system (DP) in Mexico through their technological adoption patterns and aims to evaluate whether there are significant differences between the technology adoption networks of men and women farmers. The sample was composed of 383 DP small farms with 20 or fewer cows and a high level of vulnerability. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was applied, and the centrality measures were calculated for the technological areas of management, feeding, genetics, reproduction, and animal health. Significant differences were found in reproduction levels between men and women farmers. Therefore, SNA was developed in this technological area where men mainly occupied central positions (brokers) while women were just close to the leaders in the network. The results have shown that farms run by women were smaller and presented higher levels of specialization and milk productivity (20% higher), and women prioritized those technologies linked to female reproductive efficiency. Moreover, women were deeply embedded in men’s networks through numerous ties and were capable of building connections with groups of farmers outside of their own group.
Irrigation Ponds as Sources of Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Agricultural Areas with Intensive Use of Poultry Litter
Authors: Lopes Eliene S. , Parente Cláudio E. T. , Picão Renata C. , Seldin Lucy
Published: November 2022

Poultry litter is widely used worldwide as an organic fertilizer in agriculture. However, poultry litter may contain high concentrations of antibiotics and/or antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB), which can be mobilized through soil erosion to water bodies, contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. To better comprehend this kind of mobilization, the bacterial communities of four ponds used for irrigation in agricultural and poultry production areas were determined in two periods of the year: at the beginning (low volume of rainfall) and at the end of the rainy season (high volume of rainfall). 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed not only significantly different bacterial community structures and compositions among the four ponds but also between the samplings. When the DNA obtained from the water samples was PCR amplified using primers for ARGs, those encoding integrases (intI1) and resistance to sulfonamides (sul1 and sul2) and β-lactams (blaGES, blaTEM and blaSHV) were detected in three ponds. Moreover, bacterial strains were isolated from CHROMagar plates supplemented with sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin and identified as belonging to clinically important Enterobacteriaceae. The results presented here indicate a potential risk of spreading ARB through water resources in agricultural areas with extensive fertilization with poultry litter.
Phytochemical Profile of the Ethanol Extract of Malvaviscus arboreus Red Flower and Investigation of the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Gazwi Hanaa S. S. , Shoeib Nagwa A. , Mahmoud Magda E. , Soltan Osama I. A. , Hamed Moaz M. , Ragab Amany E.
Published: November 2022

Flowers are rich sources of bioactive antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer components. This study aimed to determine the constituents of the ethanol extract of Malvaviscus arboreus red flower (ERF) by GC-MS analysis and HPLC identification of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in addition to the 1HNMR fingerprint. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of the ERF were investigated. The GC-MS analysis revealed twenty-one components, while HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The ERF showed antifungal and antibacterial activity. The highest antibacterial activity was found against Vibrio damsela where a time-kill assay revealed a decline in the amount of viable V. damsela. For fungi, the highest activity was observed against Aspergillus terreus. Using the SRB test on HepG2, the anti-proliferative efficacy of the ERF was evaluated. Cell cycle analysis was utilized to determine autophagic cell death. The ERF prevented the proliferation of the HepG2 cell line with an IC50 of 67.182 µg/µL. The extract primarily promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells by accumulating hypodiploid cells in the sub-G0/G1 phase, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and caused considerable autophagic cell death in apoptosis-deficient cells. Finally, the observed elevation of cancer cell death indicated that ERF had substantial anticancer potential against HepG2 cells.
Experimental and In Silico Evaluation of New Heteroaryl Benzothiazole Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Zubenko Alexander , Kartsev Victor , Petrou Anthi , Geronikaki Athina , Ivanov Marija , Glamočlija Jasmina , Soković Marina , Divaeva Lyudmila , Morkovnik Anatolii , Klimenko Alexander
Published: November 2022

In this manuscript, we describe the design, preparation, and studies of antimicrobial activity of a series of novel heteroarylated benzothiazoles. A molecular hybridization approach was used for the designing compounds. The in vitro evaluation exposed that these compounds showed moderate antibacterial activity. Compound 2j was found to be the most potent (MIC/MBC at 0.23–0.94 mg/mL and 0.47–1.88 mg/mL) On the other hand, compounds showed good antifungal activity (MIC/MFC at 0.06–0.47 and 0.11–0.94 mg/mL respectively) with 2d being the most active one. The docking studies revealed that inhibition of E. coli MurB and 14-lanosterol demethylase probably represent the mechanism of antibacterial and antifungal activities.