bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect food environment, food purchase, and fish consumption among low-income urban households in Bangladesh—A path analysis
Authors: Akter Mahsina Syeda , Talsma Elise F. , Feskens Edith J. M. , Thilsted Shakuntala H. , Rasheed Sabrina
Published: September 2022

Background

Animal source foods, especially fish is the most commonly consumed and an important source of macro and micronutrients in the diet of the urban low-income residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the food environment in Bangladesh but little is known about how food access and food prices (affordability) have affected the purchase and consumption of fish. The objective of the study was to understand the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban food environment with a specific focus on fish consumption.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 586 homogeneous adults (288 females and 298 males) from separate households from five informal settlements in Dhaka city, Bangladesh during October-November 2020. Data were collected on: (1) food access and affordably; and (2) food purchase and fish consumption. The associations between food access, price, food purchase, and fish consumption were evaluated using path analysis.

Results

The majority of respondents reported that food access was more difficult, food prices increased, and food purchase decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-COVID (84–89% of respondents). Fish and meat were more difficult to access, more expensive and purchased less compared to other foods (74–91% of respondents). Compared to pre-COVID period, households consumed less fish during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reported compromised the variety and quality of fish. In the path analysis, food access was associated with food purchase (b = 0.33, p < 0.001). Food purchase was associated with quantity, variety, and quality of fish consumed. Food price was inversely associated with the quality of fish consumed (b = −0.27, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the food environment, particularly food access, price (affordability), purchase, and consumption, especially of fish. Limited food access negatively affected the quantity, variety and quality of fish consumed. An increase in food prices directly affected the quality of fish consumed. Policy actions are essential to ensure equal access to nutritious foods, such as fish. These policies need to focus on diversity and quality along with preventing increases in food prices during emergencies to mitigate future threats to the nutrition and health of the urban low-income residents.
Modeling COVID-19 incidence with Google Trends
Authors: Amusa Lateef Babatunde , Twinomurinzi Hossana , Okonkwo Chinedu Wilfred
Published: September 2022

Infodemiologic methods could be used to enhance modeling infectious diseases. It is of interest to verify the utility of these methods using a Nigerian case study. We used Google Trends data to track COVID-19 incidences and assessed whether they could complement traditional data based solely on reported case numbers. Data on the Nigerian weekly COVID-19 cases spanning through March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021, were matched with internet search data from Google Trends. The reported weekly incidence numbers and the GT data were split into training and testing sets. ARIMA models were fitted to describe reported weekly COVID cases using the training set. Several COVID-related search terms were theoretically and empirically assessed for initial screening. The utilized Google Trends (GT) variable was added to the ARIMA model as a regressor. Model forecasts, both with and without GTD, were compared with weekly cases in the test set over 13 weeks. Forecast accuracies were compared visually and using RMSE (root mean square error) and MAE (mean average error). Statistical significance of the difference in predictions was determined with the two-sided Diebold-Mariano test. Preliminary results of contemporaneous correlations between COVID-related search terms and weekly COVID cases reveal “loss of smell,” “loss of taste,” “fever” (in order of magnitude) as significantly associated with the official cases. Predictions of the ARIMA model using solely reported case numbers resulted in an RMSE (root mean squared error) of 411.4 and mean absolute error (MAE) of 354.9. The GT expanded model achieved better forecasting accuracy (RMSE: 388.7 and MAE = 340.1). Corrected Akaike Information Criteria also favored the GT expanded model (869.4 vs. 872.2). The difference in predictive performances was significant when using a two-sided Diebold-Mariano test (DM = 6.75, p < 0.001) for the 13 weeks. Google trends data enhanced the predictive ability of a traditionally based model and should be considered a suitable method to enhance infectious disease modeling.
The Long-Term Efficacy of “Social Buffering” in Artificial Social Agents: Contextual Affective Perception Matters
Authors: Khan Imran , Cañamero Lola
Published: September 2022

In dynamic (social) environments, an affective state of “stress” can be adaptive and promote agent wellbeing, but maladaptive if not appropriately regulated. The presence of (and interactions with) affect-based social support has been hypothesised to provide mechanisms to regulate stress (the “social buffering” hypothesis), though the precise, underlying mechanisms are still unclear. However, the hormone oxytocin has been implicated in mediating these effects in at least two ways: by improving social appraisals and reducing the short-term release of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol), and adapting an agent’s long-term stress tolerance. These effects likely facilitate an agent’s long-term adaptive ability by grounding their physiological and behavioural adaptation in the (affective) social environment, though these effects also appear to be context-dependent. In this paper, we investigate whether two of the hypothesised hormonal mechanisms that underpin the “social buffering” phenomenon affect the long-term wellbeing of (artificial) social agents who share affective social bonds, across numerous social and physical environmental contexts. Building on previous findings, we hypothesise that “social buffering” effects can improve the long-term wellbeing of agents who share affective social bonds in dynamic environments, through regular prosocial interactions with social bond partners. We model some of the effects associated with oxytocin and cortisol that underpin these hypothesised mechanisms in our biologically-inspired, socially-adaptive agent model, and conduct our investigation in a small society of artificial agents whose goal is to survive in challenging environments. Our results find that, while stress can be adaptive and regulated through affective social support, long-term behavioural and physiological adaptation is determined by the contextual perception of affective social bonds, which is influenced by early-stage interactions between affective social bond partners as well as the degree of the physical and social challenges. We also show how these low-level effects associated with oxytocin and cortisol can be used as “biomarkers” of social support and environmental stress. For socially-situated artificial agents, we suggest that these “social buffering” mechanisms can adapt the (adaptive) stress mechanisms, but that the long-term efficacy of this adaptation is related to the temporal dynamics of social interactions and the contextual perception of the affective social and physical environments.
The experience of conducting collaborative and intensive pragmatic qualitative (CLIP-Q) research to support rapid public health and healthcare innovation
Authors: Horwood Jeremy , Pithara Christalla , Lorenc Ava , Kesten Joanna M. , Murphy Mairead , Turner Andrew , Farr Michelle , Banks Jon , Redwood Sabi , Lambert Helen , Donovan Jenny L. ,   NIHR ARC West Behavioural and Qualitative Science Team
Published: September 2022

A key challenge for qualitative methods in applied health research is the fast pace that can characterize the public health and health and care service landscape, where there is a need for research informed by immediate pragmatic questions and relevant findings are required quickly to inform decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace at which evidence was needed to inform urgent public health and healthcare decision-making. This required qualitative researchers to step up to the challenge of conducting research at speed whilst maintaining rigor and ensuring the findings are credible. This article illustrates how working with multidisciplinary, collaborative teams and the tailoring of qualitative methods to be more pragmatic and efficient can provide timely and credible results. Using time-limited case studies of applied qualitative health research drawn from the work of the Behavioral and Qualitative Science Team from the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), we illustrate our collaborative and intensive pragmatic qualitative (CLIP-Q) approach. CLIP-Q involves (i) collaboration at all stages of the design, conduct and implementation of projects and, where possible, co-production with people with lived experience, (ii) an intensive team-based approach to data collection and analysis at pace, and (iii) pragmatic study design and efficient strategies at each stage of the research process. The case studies include projects conducted pre COVID-19 and during the first wave of the pandemic, where urgent evidence was required in weeks rather than months to inform rapid public health and healthcare decision making.
Arthroscopic therapy of rotator cuff diseases: A bibliometric study of the past 2 decades (2002–2021)
Authors: Jin Hongfu , Ding Yilan , Wang Weiyang , Ye Ruixi , He Miao , Xie Wenqing , Li Hengzhen , Xiao Wenfeng , Li Yusheng
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Rotator cuff diseases, as a common cause of shoulder pain and disability, have seriously affected the patients' daily life. Rotator cuff repair techniques have been a hot topic in the arthroscopic therapy field. Our study was to use bibliometrics analysis to clarify the current status and research trends in the field of arthroscopic therapy of rotator cuff diseases.

Methods

The publications relating to arthroscopic therapy of rotator cuff diseases published from 2001 to 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The R software and VOSviewer software were used for the cross-sectional bibliometric and scientometric analysis.

Results

A total of 4,567 publications about arthroscopic therapy of rotator cuff diseases published between 2002 and 2021 retrieved from the WoSCC database were analyzed in our study. The results showed that the United States made the largest contribution to this field. The most relevant institutions were Seoul National University, Rush University, and Hospital for Special Surgery. Stephen S Burkhart was the most relevant researcher in this field with the largest number of publications, as well as the highest H-index and G-index. The journal ARTHROSCOPY contributed the largest number of publications in the past 2 decades. Considering the H-index and G-index, ARTHROSCOPY was also the journal with the largest impact in this field.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic Therapy of Rotator Cuff Diseases Related research presented a rising trend in the past 2 decades. The United States can be regarded as the leader because of its huge contributions to this field. The journal ARTHROSCOPY published the largest number of publications in this field. It can be predicted that research about advanced arthroscopic techniques and postoperative pain management of patients with rotator cuff diseases will be the next research hotspots in the following years.
A triplex real-time PCR method to detect African swine fever virus gene-deleted and wild type strains
Authors: Yang Hao , Peng Zhong , Song Wenbo , Zhang Chen , Fan Jie , Chen Hongjian , Hua Lin , Pei Jie , Tang Xibiao , Chen Huanchun , Wu Bin
Published: September 2022

Currently there is still no effective vaccines and drugs available for African swine fever virus (ASFV), a life-threatening virus to domestic pigs and wild boars. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is important for the prevention and control of the virus. In this study, we developed a triplex real-time PCR method to detect and differentiate ASFV gene-deleted and wild type strains based on three viral genes B646L, MGF_360-14L gene, and CD2v. Standard curves plotted showed that there was a strong linear correlation (R2 > 0.99) between Ct values and the corresponding copy numbers of synthesized standard plasmids. The detection limits of the method for B646L, MGF_360-14L, and CD2v were 78.9, 47.0, and 82.1 copies/μl, respectively. Detection results of different types of swine viruses showed that the method only gave amplification curves to ASFV. Finally, we found the triplex real-time PCR method developed in this study displayed better results on detecting the laboratory sample mocks, and it could be used as a supplemental method to detect ASFV genotype I strains. These findings suggest that the triplex real-time PCR method developed in this study have good specificity and sensitivity. This triplex real-time PCR method might also represent an effective tool for the detection of ASFV gene-deleted and wild type strains.
Herd level economic comparison between the shape of the lactation curve and 305 d milk production
Authors: Chen Yongyan , Hostens Miel , Nielen Mirjam , Ehrlich Jim , Steeneveld Wilma
Published: September 2022

Herd milk production performance is generally evaluated using the herd's average 305-day milk production (HM305). Economic comparisons between herds are also often made using HM305. Comparing herds is thus based on summarized milk production, and not on the form of the lactation curves of the cows within the herd. Cow lactation curve characteristics can be aggregated on a calendar year basis to herd lactation curve characteristics (HLCC) (herd magnitude, herd time to peak yield and herd persistency). Thus far, no literature has evaluated whether the shape of the lactation curve (described by HLCC) is better able to explain the economic variation of herds than summarized milk production such as HM305 does. This study aims to determine whether HM305 or HLCC is better able to explain the variation in economic performance between herds. To do so, we evaluated 8 years of Dutch longitudinal data on milk production and the financial accounts of 1,664 herds. Cow lactation curve characteristics were calculated through lactation curve modeling and aggregated to HLCC on a calendar year basis for two parity groups (primiparous cows and multiparous cows). Using income over feed cost per cow (IOFC-cow) or per 100 kg milk (IOFC-milk) as the dependent variable separately, we developed four linear mixed models. Two models were used to analyse the association between herd economic performance and HLCC; the other two models were used to analyse the association between herd economic performance and HM305. A Cox test and J test were used to compare two non-nested models to investigate whether HM305 or HLCC better explain IOFC. The average IOFC-cow was €2,305 (SD = 408) per year, while the average IOFC-milk was €32.1 (SD = 4.6). Results showed that HLCC and HM305 explain the same amount of variance of IOFC-cow or IOFC-milk. IOFC-cow was associated with HM305 and HLCC (except herd time to peak yield for primiparous cows). Herd magnitude was most strongly associated with IOFC-cow, followed by herd persistency and herd time to peak yield of multiparous cows. IOFC-milk was not associated with HM305 or HLCC (except for a weak negative association with herd persistency for primiparous cows). IOFC-cow and IOFC-milk were driven most by time effects. In conclusion, HLCC and HM305 explain the same amount of variance in IOFC-cow or IOFC-milk. HLCC is more computationally expensive, while HM305 is more readily available.
Trends in Deaths Attributable to Smoking in China, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States From 1990 to 2019
Authors: Wen Haoyu , Xie Cong , Shi Fang , Liu Yan , Liu Xiaoxue , Yu Chuanhua
Published: September 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the long-term trends of deaths attributable smoking in China, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US).

Methods: Using 2000–2019 death data from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019, we estimated age-period-cohort effects on smoking attributable mortality, and decomposed of differences in smoking-attributable deaths in 1990 and 2019 into demographic factors.

Results: From 1990 to 2019, smoking-attributable deaths increased in China, which was due to population growth and demographic aging. From 1990 to 2019, both age-standardized smoking attributable mortality rates trended downward across countries. Among four countries, age rate ratios (RRs) for smoking-attributable mortality increased with age, while period and cohort RRs decreased with year.

Conclusion: The age-standardized mortality rates, period effects and cohort effects of smoking attributable mortality in China, Japan, UK, and US have been declining in both sexes from 1990 to 2019, which suggests that smoke-free policies, help to quit tobacco use, improved health education, more accessible healthcare service, and increased taxes have been effective. Additionally, increased smoking attributable deaths in elderly should got more attention.
Predicting Geometrical Variation in Fabricated Assemblies Using a Digital Twin Approach Including a Novel Non-Nominal Welding Simulation
Authors: Hultman Hugo , Cedergren Stefan , Wärmefjord Kristina , Söderberg Rikard
Published: September 2022

The aerospace industry faces constantly increasing demands on performance and reliability, especially within the vital area of engine development. New technologies are needed in order to push the limits of high precision manufacturing processes for the next generation of aircraft engines. An increased use of in-line data collection in manufacturing is creating an opportunity to individualize each assembly operation rather than treating them identically. Welding is common in this context, and the interaction between welding distortion and variation in part geometries is difficult to predict and manage in products with tight tolerances. This paper proposes an approach based on the Digital Twin paradigm, aiming to increase geometrical quality by combining the novel SCV (Steady-state Convex hull Volumetric shrinkage) method for non-nominal welding simulation with geometrical data collected from 3D scanning of parts. A case study is presented where two parts are scanned and then welded together into an assembly. The scan data is used as input for a non-nominal welding simulation, and the result of the simulation is compared directly to scan data from the real welded assembly. Three different welding simulation methods are used and assessed based on simulation speed and ability to predict the real welding result. The segmented SCV method for welding simulation shows promising potential for this implementation, delivering good prediction accuracy and high simulation speed.
Identification and Quantification of Contributing Factors to the Criticality of Aircraft Loss of Separation
Authors: Serrano-Mira Lidia , Pérez Maroto Marta , Ayra Eduardo S. , Pérez-Castán Javier Alberto , Liang-Cheng Schon Z. Y. , Gordo Arias Víctor , Pérez-Sanz Luis
Published: September 2022

A Mid-Air Collision (MAC) is a fatal event with tragic consequences. To reduce the risk of a MAC, it is imperative to understand the precursors that trigger it. A primary precursor to a MAC is a loss of separation (LOS) or a separation infringement. This study develops a model to identify the factors contributing to a LOS between aircraft pairs. A Bayesian Network (BN) model is used to estimate the conditional dependencies of the factors affecting criticality, that is, how close the LOS has come to becoming a collision. This probabilistic model is built using GeNIe software from data (based on a database created from incident analysis) and expert judgment. The results of the model allow identification of how factors related to the scenario, the human factor (ATC and flight crew) or the technical systems, affect the criticality of the LOS. Based on this information, it is possible to exclude irrelevant elements that do not contribute or whose influence could be neglected, and to prioritize work on the most important ones, in order to increase ATM safety.
Occurrence and Nutrition Indicators of Alfalfa withLeptosphaerulina in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Zhang Lili , Li Yanzhong
Published: September 2022

Alfalfa Leptosphaerulina leaf spot is a common disease of alfalfa, while its effect on alfalfa quality has not been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the alfalfa Leptosphaerulina leaf spot in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, China and determine the quality of alfalfa plants and leaves with different scales. The incidence and disease index of nine alfalfa cultivars ranged from 12.1% to 59.8% and 10.0 to 51.0, respectively. The incidence of the Optimus cultivar and the disease index of the WL168 cultivar were significantly higher than those of the other cultivars. Therefore, different scales (0–4) of the alfalfa WL168 plant and leaves were used to determine their nutritional levels. Compared with healthy plants and leaves, the severity of alfalfa leaf spot on a scale of 4 decreased by 3.7% to 29.4% or 1.7% to 40.7%, respectively, in 18 nutrients; and increased by 12.0% to 14.5% or 17.8% to 26.9% in the Rumen protein (RUP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), respectively. In addition, the crude protein (CP) content of alfalfa plants or leaves based on a severity scale of 4 decreased by 16.7% and 6.2%, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between 18 nutritional contents and disease severity, except for NDF, ADF and RUP. Conclusively, alfalfa Leptosphaerulina leaf spot strongly influences the plant and the leaves’ nutrient content in the plant.
Improved Nutrient Management Practices for Enhancing Productivity and Profitability of Wheat under Mid-Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Authors: Parewa Hanuman Prasad , Yadav Janardan , Meena Vijay Singh , Sarkar Deepranjan , Meena Sunita Kumari , Rakshit Amitava , Datta Rahul
Published: September 2022

Two-year field experiments were conducted to study the effect of different levels of inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), and bio-inoculants on wheat productivity and profitability. Results specified that judicious application of inorganic fertilizers, FYM, and bio-inoculants significantly increased the productivity and profitability of wheat. Data suggested that the aggregate levels of fertilizer up to 100% NPK ha−1 resulted in significant increases in all growth attributes, grain yield (+206%), straw yield (+177%), and harvest index (+7%) as compared to control. Meanwhile, plots with the application of 10 t ha−1 FYM significantly (p < 0.05) increased grain yield (+26%) and straw yield (+22%) as compared to the control. Similarly, significant enhancement in grain and straw yields was observed with the application of PGPR + VAM over no-inoculation. Results showed that the significantly higher grain and straw yield attained by application of 75% NPK fertilizer + 10 t ha−1 FYM was at par with the application of 100% NPK fertilizer alone. Further, net returns (profitability) and B:C ratio (2.37) were significantly higher with fertilization with 75% NPK + 10 t ha−1 FYM along with PGPR + VAM as compared to 100% NPK alone. Overall, it can be concluded that the combination of 75% NPK and 10 t ha−1 FYM along with PGPR + VAM represented the optimum for net return and B:C ratio and reduced (25%) dose of NPK as compared to the rest of the treatment combinations.
Precision Agriculture: Strategies and Technology Adoption
Authors: Rodrigues Gonçalo C.
Published: September 2022

The adoption of digital technologies in the agricultural sector has been the focus of research in the last few years, assessing the benefits of using electronic devices, robots, sensors, automation and IoT to improve farming sustainability [...]
Nutritional Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly Frass as an Ingredient in Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus L.) Diets
Authors: Banavar Amiti , Amirkolaei Samad Keramat , Duscher Lexi , Khairunisa Bela Haifa , Mukhopadhyay Biswarup , Schwarz Michael , Urick Steve , Ovissipour Reza
Published: September 2022

The aquaculture industry is in need of sustainable fish feed to reduce the use of expensive and environmentally invasive wild-caught fish currently fed to many carnivorous species. The black soldier fly (BSF) has become a popular sustainable alternative protein source; however, the nutritional waste byproduct of BSF, frass, has not been extensively studied as a feed replacement in carnivorous species. This study evaluates the potential of BSF frass on the growth, body composition, and intestinal microbiome of the Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus. Four experimental diets were formulated containing different levels of frass, replacing plant-based carbohydrate sources. As a result of this study, the frass did not improve the growth performance, resulting in a lower specific growth rate and higher feed conversion rate. While the frass diets did not alter the body composition, the visceral somatic index (VSI) significantly increased compared to the control diet and the hepatosomatic index (HIS) was lowered. The microbiome analysis showed high variation among the diets, with the control diet having the most distinct consortia, which may have been driven by the increased levels of starch compared to frass diets. This study indicates that BSF frass may not be a suitable feed replacement for carnivorous pompano; however, frass could still potentially be a replacement feed for herbivore or detritivore fish and should be further studied.
Understanding Mammalian Hair Follicle Ecosystems by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Zheng Qingbo , Zhang Xiaolan , Bao Pengjia , Zhou Xuelan , Chu Min , Guo Xian , Liang Chunnian , Pan Heping , Yan Ping
Published: September 2022

Single-cell sequencing technology can fully reflect the heterogeneity of cell populations at the single cell level, making it possible for us to re-recognize various tissues and organs. At present, the sequencing study of hair follicles is transiting from the traditional ordinary transcriptome level to the single cell level, which will provide diverse insights into the function of hair follicle cells. This review focuses on research advances in the hair follicle microenvironment obtained from scRNA-seq studies of major cell types in hair follicle development, with a special emphasis on the discovery of new subpopulations of hair follicles by single-cell techniques. We also discuss the problems and current solutions in scRNA-seq observation and look forward to its prospects.
Effects of Dietary 1,8-Cineole Supplementation on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Intestine Health of Broilers
Authors: Di Yuting , Cao Aizhi , Zhang Yuxin , Li Juntao , Sun Yongbo , Geng Shixia , Li Yongchen , Zhang Liying
Published: September 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of 1,8-cineole on antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 540 1-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) male broilers were randomly divided into five treatments with six replicates per treatment, and 18 broilers per replicate for 42 days. Dietary treatments were a corn–soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, and 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg 1,8-cineole, respectively. Dietary supplementation with 20~30 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased the ADG from d 22 to 42 and d 1 to 42 (p < 0.05), and decreased the FCR (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 10~40 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in serum (p < 0.05), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver on day 21 (p < 0.05). The supplementation of 20~30 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in the serum and liver and TAOC in the serum and the liver (p < 0.05), and decreased the level of MDA in the serum and the liver (p < 0.05) on day 42. Dietary supplementation with 20~30 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M contents on day 21 (p < 0.05). On day 21, dietary supplementation of 20~30 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased the VH and VH/CD (p < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum. The supplementation of 20~30 mg/kg of 1,8-cineole increased the content of secretory immunoglobulin A in the duodenum and ileum mucosa on d 42 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1,8-cineole improves the growth performance of broilers by enhancing antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal morphology.
Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Impairs the Development of Honeybee (Apis cerana)
Authors: Li Yingjiao , Sun Chaoxia , Zhou He , Huang Hongji , Chen Yijie , Duan Xinle , Huang Shaokang , Li Jianghong
Published: September 2022

Increasing ELF-EMF pollution in the surrounding environment could impair the cognition and learning ability of honeybees, posing a threat to the honeybee population and its pollination ability. In a social honeybee colony, the numbers of adult bees rely on the successful large-scale rearing of larvae and continuous eclosion of new adult bees. However, no studies exist on the influence of ELF-EMFs on honeybee larvae. Therefore, we investigated the survival rate, body weight, and developmental duration of first instar larvae continuously subjected to ELF-EMF exposure. Moreover, the transcriptome of fifth instar larvae were sequenced for analyzing the difference in expressed genes. The results showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases the survival rate and body weight of both white-eye pupae and newly emerged adults, extends the duration of development time and seriously interferes with the process of metamorphosis and pupation. The transcriptome sequencing showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases the nutrient and energy metabolism and impedes the degradation of larvae tissues and rebuilding of pupae tissues in the metamorphosis process. The results provide an experimental basis and a new perspective for the protection of honeybee populations from ELF-EMF pollution.
Aggressive, Submissive, and Affiliative Behavior in Sanctuary Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) During Social Integration
Authors: Fultz Amy , Yanagi Akie , Breaux Sarah , Beaupre Leilani
Published: September 2022

Chimp Haven is a sanctuary for chimpanzees being retired from biomedical research and from facilities that can no longer care for them. Chimpanzees often live in smaller groups in captive settings; however, Chimp Haven integrates them into larger, more species-typical groups. Social integrations, the process of introducing unfamiliar chimpanzees to one another, are often complex in terms of logistics and can be stressful due to the territorial nature of the animals, reduced space in captivity, and the fact that these situations are engineered by humans. From 2005 to 2015, Chimp Haven conducted 225 social integrations including 282 chimpanzees (male: n = 135; female: n = 147). Each integration involved 2 to 26 chimpanzees (mean = 9) and their age ranged from < one year old to 59 years old (mean = 30). We collected data ad libitum during the first 60 min after doors were opened between unfamiliar chimpanzees. The chimpanzees’ affiliative, aggressive, and submissive behaviors were examined, comparing the subject’s sex, rearing history, location/enclosure type, and group size impacts on these behaviors. The subject’s sex, location, and group size were associated with the frequency of affiliative behaviors observed during social integration. All variables except for group size were associated with the frequency of aggressive behavior. The frequency of submissive behavior differed based on the subject’s sex, rearing history, and group size. We were unable to make comparisons between successful and unsuccessful integrations, as most of these integrations were successful.
Indigenous, Yellow-Feathered Chickens Body Measurements, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality Depending on Marketable Age
Authors: Yuan Chunyou , Jiang Yong , Wang Zhixiu , Chen Guohong , Bai Hao , Chang Guobin
Published: September 2022

Given an increasing trend in slaughter and chilling for the sale of chickens in China, it is important to determine the marketable age of chickens for chilled sales. This study determined the effects of two marketable ages on the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality of yellow-feathered chickens. A total of 360 healthy one-day-old male Xueshan chickens were raised in six pens (straw-covered floor, numbered 1 to 6) and treated in the same manner (free access to food and water) until day 100. Sixty chickens from pens numbered 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 were selected to determine the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality at two slaughter ages (90 and 100 days), respectively. One hundred-day-old chickens had a higher body slope, cockscomb, keel, shank lengths, and higher live and dressed weights (p < 0.05). The abdomen skin follicle density, a*(redness) and b*(yellowness) values were higher in 100-day-old chickens (p < 0.05), whereas the 90-day-old chickens were characterized by better spotted skin. For the breast muscle, pH, shear force, a*, moisture, and protein and intramuscular fat contents were lower; moreover, L*(lightness) and b* were higher in 90-day-old chickens. In leg muscles, the pH, shear force, L*, b* and collagen content were lower; furthermore, the a* and moisture contents were higher in 90-day-old chickens (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that two marketable ages both have pros and cons, but 90 days chickens perform better on carcass appearance, and producers can adjust the marketable age to meet needs of different consumers. This study provides a unique idea and theoretical reference for breeding and marketing yellow-feathered chickens.
Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) and Virulence Gene-Factors in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in Children in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Authors: Hasan Salwa Muhsin , Ibrahim Khalid S.
Published: September 2022

Background: The presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria among uropathogens is significantly increasing in children all over the world. Thus, this research was conducted to investigate the prevalence of E. coli and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, and both genes of ESBL-producing E. coli resistant and virulence factor in UTIs patients among children in Duhok Province, Kurdistan, Iraq. Method: a total of 67 E. coli were identified from 260 urine samples of pediatric patients diagnosed with UTIs aged (0–15 years) which were collected from Heevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital, from August 2021 to the end of February 2022. Result: a high proportion of UPEC infections at ages <5 years and the rates among girls (88%) were significantly higher than those among the boys. A wide variety of E. coli are resistant to most antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Tetracycline, and 64% of them were positive for ESBL. Interestingly, the presence of both the ESBL marker genes (blaTEM, and blaCTX-M) as well as both virulence marker genes (pai and hly) were detected in above 90% of E. coli. Conclusion: the data illustrate an alarming increase in UPEC with ESBL production and the emergence of multidrug-resistant drugs in the early age of children. The public health sectors should further monitor the guidelines of using antibiotics in Kurdistan, Iraq.
Is Three Company or a Crowd? Comparing and Contrasting U.S. and European Clostridioidesdifficile Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Jones Jordan , Pradhan Aditya , Pizzuti Morgan E. , Bland Christopher M. , Bookstaver P. Brandon
Published: September 2022

In 2021, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the Infectious Diseases Society of America in conjunction with the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (IDSA/SHEA), and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) published updated clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of Clostridioides difficile infections. The differences, sometimes subtle, between these guideline recommendations have caused some debate among clinicians. This paper delves into select key recommendations from each respective CPG and analyzes the differences and evidence associated with each. One primary difference between the CPGs is the preference given to fidaxomicin over vancomycin for initial treatment in non-severe and severe disease endorsed by IDSA/SHEA and ESCMID guidelines, while the ACG-sponsored CPGs do not offer a preference. The emphasis on cost effective data was also a noticeable difference between the CPGs and thus interpretation of the available evidence. When using guidelines to help support local practice or institutional treatment pathways, clinicians should carefully balance CPG recommendations with local patient populations and feasibility of implementation, especially when multiple guidelines for the same disease state exist.
Restoring Sperm Quality Post-Cryopreservation Using Mitochondrial-Targeted Compounds
Authors: Gonzalez Macarena , Prashar Tanisha , Connaughton Haley , Barry Michael , Robker Rebecca , Rose Ryan
Published: September 2022

While critical for male fertility preservation, cryopreservation damage reduces sperm quality and fertilization potential. This study investigated whether the addition of mitochondrial-targeted, antioxidant compounds, also known as Mitochondrial activators, to the cryopreservation medium could protect sperm quality during cryopreservation. For this, semen samples from men undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, which were donated for research, underwent cryopreservation in the absence or presence of BGP-15, MitoQ and L-carnitine. Fresh semen and thawed sperm samples from the same participant were analyzed for indicators of sperm quality: sperm viability, kinetics, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) and DNA damage. Cryopreservation significantly reduced sperm viability and motility and predicted mucous penetration. BGP-15, MitoQ and L-carnitine improved sperm motility, whilst the addition of L-Carnitine prevented the loss of sperm viability during cryopreservation. Both BGP-15 and L-carnitine reduced sperm DNA oxidative damage, but only BGP-15 significantly reduced DNA fragmentation. More importantly, BGP-15 increased sperm predictive mucous penetration and MMP and reduced DNA oxidation. Our results show that the addition of BGP-15 or L-carnitine to the cryopreservation medium improves sperm quality post-thawing, highlighting the potential of mitochondrial antioxidants to improve long-term fertility preservation in males.
Oxidative Stress, Cytotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Urban Ultrafine Road-Deposited Dust from the UK and Mexico in Human Epithelial Lung (Calu-3) Cells
Authors: Hammond Jessica , Maher Barbara A. , Gonet Tomasz , Bautista Francisco , Allsop David
Published: September 2022

Road-deposited dust (RD) is a pervasive form of particulate pollution identified (typically via epidemiological or mathematical modelling) as hazardous to human health. Finer RD particle sizes, the most abundant (by number, not mass), may pose greater risk as they can access all major organs. Here, the first in vitro exposure of human lung epithelial (Calu-3) cells to 0–300 µg/mL of the ultrafine (<220 nm) fraction of road dust (UF-RDPs) from three contrasting cities (Lancaster and Birmingham, UK, and Mexico City, Mexico) resulted in differential oxidative, cytotoxic, and inflammatory responses. Except for Cd, Na, and Pb, analysed metals were most abundant in Mexico City UF-RDPs, which were most cytotoxic. Birmingham UF-RDPs provoked greatest ROS release (only at 300 µg/mL) and greatest increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Lancaster UF-RDPs increased cell viability. All three UF-RDP samples stimulated ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. Mass-based PM limits seem inappropriate given the location-specific PM compositions and health impacts evidenced here. A combination of new, biologically relevant metrics and localised regulations appears critical to mitigating the global pandemic of health impacts of particulate air pollution and road-deposited dust.
Prediction of Blast-Induced Ground Vibration at a Limestone Quarry: An Artificial Intelligence Approach
Authors: Arthur Clement Kweku , Bhatawdekar Ramesh Murlidhar , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam , Sabri Mohanad Muayad Sabri , Bohra Manish , Khandelwal Manoj , Kwon Sangki
Published: September 2022

Ground vibration is one of the most unfavourable environmental effects of blasting activities, which can cause serious damage to neighboring homes and structures. As a result, effective forecasting of their severity is critical to controlling and reducing their recurrence. There are several conventional vibration predictor equations available proposed by different researchers but most of them are based on only two parameters, i.e., explosive charge used per delay and distance between blast face to the monitoring point. It is a well-known fact that blasting results are influenced by a number of blast design parameters, such as burden, spacing, powder factor, etc. but these are not being considered in any of the available conventional predictors and due to that they show a high error in predicting blast vibrations. Nowadays, artificial intelligence has been widely used in blast engineering. Thus, three artificial intelligence approaches, namely Gaussian process regression (GPR), extreme learning machine (ELM) and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) were used in this study to estimate ground vibration caused by blasting in Shree Cement Ras Limestone Mine in India. To achieve that aim, 101 blasting datasets with powder factor, average depth, distance, spacing, burden, charge weight, and stemming length as input parameters were collected from the mine site. For comparison purposes, a simple multivariate regression analysis (MVRA) model as well as, a nonparametric regression-based technique known as multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) was also constructed using the same datasets. This study serves as a foundational study for the comparison of GPR, BPNN, ELM, MARS and MVRA to ascertain their respective predictive performances. Eighty-one (81) datasets representing 80% of the total blasting datasets were used to construct and train the various predictive models while 20 data samples (20%) were utilized for evaluating the predictive capabilities of the developed predictive models. Using the testing datasets, major indicators of performance, namely mean squared error (MSE), variance accounted for (VAF), correlation coefficient (R) and coefficient of determination (R2) were compared as statistical evaluators of model performance. This study revealed that the GPR model exhibited superior predictive capability in comparison to the MARS, BPNN, ELM and MVRA. The GPR model showed the highest VAF, R and R2 values of 99.1728%, 0.9985 and 0.9971 respectively and the lowest MSE of 0.0903. As a result, the blast engineer can employ GPR as an effective and appropriate method for forecasting blast-induced ground vibration.
Enhancing the Privacy of Network Services through Trusted Computing
Authors: Zhang Denghui , Ren Lijing , Gu Zhaoquan
Published: September 2022

The addressing and discovering service is a vital infrastructure of the Internet. New applications and scenarios in next-generation networks rely on the secure and stable operation of domain name services, which puts forward new security challenges for the original domain name mechanism. While previous security enhancements of network services struggled to strike a balance between security, performance, and compatibility, hindering further use of core network services, the TEE (Trusted Computing Environment) technology can provide trusted and confidential services in untrusted network environments by verifiable hardware signatures. In this paper, we present a novel trustworthy service architecture with the preservation of security and privacy for addressing messages. The scheme provides a secure enclave to generate authenticatable responses between clients and targets, thus ensuring the privacy of services. We further build a new TEE compilation model to ensure that the built resolver application can provide trusted and secure services within TEE while keeping the availability without the TEE hardware. Experimental results show that our approach can enhance the privacy and security of addressing services such as DNS (Domain Name System) without sacrificing the quality of service and breaking the infrastructures of existing services.
Human Response to Humanoid Robot That Responds to Social Touch
Authors: Okuda Mariko , Takahashi Yasutake , Tsuichihara Satoki
Published: September 2022

Communication robots have been introduced in nursing care, education, and the hospitality sector. In the future, robots will be increasingly integrated into human society, with more opportunities to interact closely with humans. Therefore, investigating the symbiosis between humans and robots is critical. Touch, including actions, such as shaking hands, holding hands, and touching shoulders are common in most societies. These actions are called the social touch and are common modes of communication. Social touch not only conveys emotions and intentions but also mental and physical effects. Touch considerably influences social relationships: for example, by creating positive impressions and enabling the fulfillment of requests. Since the development of communication robots and other robots capable of physical contact, touch communication between humans and robots has been extensively studied. Although studies have revealed that touching a robot positively influences the impression regarding the robot and induces a relaxed feeling, negative perceptions related to trust on the robot have been reported. Thus, touch interactions between humans and robots are yet to be fully understood. Studies have focused on the effects of touch, such as touching the robot or being touched by the robot. Although interactions with robots that respond to touch, such as hugging behavior, have been studied, few studies have examined the psychological effects of robot responses to other types of touch such as hitting, stroking, and grasping. In this study, a humanoid robot was used to investigate how the reactive behavior exhibited by the robot in response to touch by a participant affects the degree of favorability and intellectual impression toward the robot as well as the sense of accomplishment regarding communication. Participants exhibited high favorability, feeling of relief, and willingness to continue the interaction with robots that exhibited appropriate reactions to the touch of participants. Participants exhibited a positive impression when they decided the touch gesture of the robot rather than when instructed on how to touch it. The results of this study can provide guidelines for improving the design and utilization of robots, such as therapeutic robots, that work alongside humans.