bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban–rural differences in the relationship between stunting, preschool attendance, home learning support, and school readiness: A study in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Brou Abenin Mathieu , Djalega Franck Adjé , Tokpa Venance , Seri Edy Constant Gbala , Anoua Apie Léa Fabienne , Robinson Julie Ann
Published: January 2023

Background

Stunted physical growth during early childhood is a marker of chronic undernutrition, and the adverse life circumstances that underlie it. These have the potential to disrupt normal brain development and the acquisition of foundational cognitive, language, social and motor skills. Stunting is prevalent in most low-and middle-income countries. Because the prevention of stunting requires large-scale structural and attitudinal changes, several psycho-educational interventions have been developed to mitigate the adverse association between early stunting and skill development. However, the resource-intensive nature of custom-designed interventions limit their sustainability and scalability in resource-limited settings. This study explored the possibility that available resources that promote positive development (existing preschool education programs, and no- or low-cost home-based learning activities and resources) may protect against any negative association between stunting and the acquisition of foundational skills required for academic learning and adaptation at school.

Method

Data for 36-to 59-month-old children (n = 3,522; M = 46.7 months; 51.2% male; 74.1% rural) were drawn from the most recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted in Côte d'Ivoire (MICS5, 2016). Stunting was assessed using the WHO Child Growth Standards. Preschool attendance and home learning activities and resources were assessed by maternal report. School readiness was assessed using the 8-item form of the Early Child Development Index (ECDI).

Results

A high percentage of children met the criteria for stunting (28.5%; 19.7% moderate; 8.8% severe). There were marked urban–rural differences in the prevalence of stunting, rates of preschool attendance, home learning activities and resources, children's school readiness scores, and the relationships between stunting, the protective factors and school readiness scores. These urban–rural differences in ECDI scores could be fully explained by differences between these settings in stunting and the protective factors. However, only two protective factors (access to books and home-based activities that promote learning) made independent contributions to variance in ECDI scores. There was tentative evidence that stunted children whose homes provided highly diverse learning activities and multiple types of learning resources were more likely than those who did not to have a high level of school readiness.

Conclusion

Capitalizing on the existing practices of families that show positive deviance in caregiving may provide a basis for culturally appropriate, low-cost interventions to improve school readiness among children in low- and middle-income countries, including children with stunted growth.
A study on differences about the influencing factors of depressive symptoms between medical staff and residents during 2022 city-wide temporary static management period to fighting against COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai
Authors: Zhao Ying , Tao Yiran , Bao Xiwen , Ding Qiang , Han Changyan , Luo Tingkun , Zhang Weijia , Sun Jinhua , Shi Jiali
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Our study aimed to identify the latent class of depressive symptoms in the Shanghai population during the city-wide temporary static management period and compare differences in the factors influencing depressive symptoms between medical staff and residents.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with 840 participants using questionnaires, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and self-compiled questionnaire (demographic characteristics and internet usage time). Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed based on participants' depressive symptoms. The latent class subgroups were compared using the chi-square test and t-test. Logistic regression was used in our study to analyze the factors influencing depressive symptoms within the medical staff group and residents group and then compare their differences.

Results

Two distinct subgroups were identified based on the LCA: the group with low-depressive symptoms and the group with high-depressive symptoms. There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05) on age, education level, marital status, internet usage time, identity characteristics (medical staff or residents), family income level, living style, overall quality of sleep, and anxiety levels. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis results showed that compared with the residents group, the participants in the group of medical staff with “increasing internet usage time” and the “daytime dysfunction” would have nearly two times the possibility of getting serious depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

There are differences in the factors influencing depression symptoms between medical staff and residents during the 2022 city-wide temporary static management period to fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai. We should pay special attention to those with increasing internet usage time and daytime dysfunction in medical staff working in a special environment such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluating the accessibility of public service facilities to tourists and residents in island destinations: Evidence from the Changhai County
Authors: Zheng Xiaoling , Zhao Dong
Published: January 2023

With the increasing diversity of social groups, public service facilities need to meet the diverse needs of different groups. However, there is still a lack of in-depth research evaluating urban public service facilities for diverse groups. Therefore, this paper use Kernel density spatial analysis method to delimits the research area based on data on the temporal and spatial behavior of islanders and tourists, and use urban network analysis (UNA) method to evaluates the public service facilities of the spatially overlapping area from the aspects of facility accessibility and availability. The study shows that (1) the spatial dislocation between facilities and residential places is serious, which leads to redundant construction or a lack of configuration of facilities in some areas. (2) The public service facilities in some areas can be used by tourists and residents to a similar degree, the number of facilities accessible to residents and tourists within a certain distance is not much different, and the configuration of facilities is relatively reasonable. (3) The overall configuration of infrastructure is biased toward residents, but the configuration of facilities in some areas can also reflect group fairness. The results indicate that the public facilities have a tendency to serve residents, and the results can give some suggestions for public facilities configuration to build a human-oriented island.
Predictors of vitamin A rich food consumption among women living in households growing orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes in selected regions in Uganda
Authors: Nankumbi Joyce , Grant Frederick K. E. , Sibeko Lindiwe , Mercado Evelyn , Kwikiriza Norman , Heck Simon , Cordeiro Lorraine S.
Published: January 2023

Objective

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has serious public health consequences including morbidity and mortality for populations in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially for children under 5 years and pregnant women. LMICs are at greater risk of VAD, in part due to low levels of consumption of vitamin A-rich foods most of which are plant-based, such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP), with lower bioavailability than animal sources of the vitamin A. Food-based approaches such as biofortification of OFSP, including promoting the consumption of vitamin A-rich biofortified staple crops, has been shown to be potentially effective in improving the status of vitamin A and other micronutrients. This study examined vitamin A-rich food consumption and its predictors among women of reproductive age from OFSP-growing households in two regions of Uganda.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 617 OFSP growing households, focusing on women in the reproductive age group from the northern and eastern regions of Uganda. Households were not receiving any VAD-related intervention at the time of the survey. Quantitative data included vitamin A-rich food consumption, knowledge on vitamin A, and rich food sources dietary intake, using a 7-day food frequency questionnaire. Vitamin A consumption and risk of deficiency were estimated using the Hellen Keller International guide.

Results

The majority of women in this study were either pregnant (80%) or lactating (17%). More than 70% of the study population had a weighted vitamin A rich food consumption mean score of <6 days per week, indicating a high risk of VAD. Knowledge about vitamin A [b (SE) = −0.18 (0.50), p < 0.001] was significantly and inversely associated with vitamin A rich food consumption.

Conclusion

Components of food insecurity such as availability, affordability, utilization, and changing food preferences may contribute to the unexpected inverse relationship between knowledge and consumption of vitamin A rich foods. Scaling up biofortified food initiatives, including OFSP, can improve consumption of vitamin A rich foods with effective strategies to comprehensively address consumption barriers such as lack of nutrition education, cooking skills, and storage facilities, as well as low production levels and perceived contamination of biofortified foods.
Authority and solidarity on the Estonian COVID-19 signs: In line with the government's guidelines, we ask you to wear a mask
Authors: Tragel Ilona , Pikksaar Aimi
Published: January 2023

This article presents the results of a quantitative analysis of 900 Estonian COVID-19 door signs, which were studied to investigate the linguistic means of establishing and maintaining contact between the sign's author (institution) and the addressee (client). Malinowski's notion of “phatic communion” and Laver's notions of “self-oriented” and “other-oriented” utterances as means for expressing status relations—authority and solidarity—between the participants of the communication act were used to establish four types of grammatical person usage on the COVID-19 signs: (1) “neither 1st nor 2nd person”; (2) “1st person only”; (3) “2nd person only”, and (4) “both 1st and 2nd person”. Grammatical person of personal pronouns and verb forms were included. The presence and absence of two other means for expressing authority—the imperative mood and lexical expressions of authority—were analyzed within these four types of grammatical person usage. The most important difference emerged between the signs belonging to the types “2nd person only” (i.e., signs with only other-oriented 2nd person, without 1st person) and “both 1st and 2nd person” (i.e., signs with both self-oriented 1st person and other-oriented 2nd person). On the signs belonging to the type “2nd person only” that, relying on Laver, express the higher status of the sender of the message in relation to the receiver of the message, the authors of the signs use significantly more imperative mood and less refer to an authority outside the communication act, thus putting themselves in the role of authority. However, on the signs belonging to the type “both 1st and 2nd person” that, relying on Laver, express the solidarity of the sender of the message with the addressee, the authors of the signs seem less inclined to assume the role of authority (using less imperative mood) and rather call the reader of the sign to submit to some higher authority (using lexical expressions of authority, e.g., Vabariigi Valitsus “Government of the Republic”, Terviseamet “Health Board”, etc.) to which the author of the sign and the addressee are both in a subordinate position and, therefore, of equal status.
Translating tools and indicators in territorial RRI
Authors: Völker Thomas , Mazzonetto Marzia , Slaattelid Rasmus , Strand Roger
Published: January 2023

Introduction

By a series of calls within the Horizon 2020 framework programme, the EU funded projects intended to deploy Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) at a territorial level, in regional research and innovation ecosystems. This paper presents efforts to document and evaluate the achievements in TRANSFORM, one of these projects.

Methods

Evaluative inquiry and theoretical reasoning.

Results

Noting the need for a general principle to be interpreted, adapted and translated in order to be rendered meaningful at a local level, we studied precisely these multiple territorial translations of RRI, the organizational and institutional orderings with which they co-emerge and the challenges that come with these translations. An important shared feature is that RRI work does not start from zero, but rather builds on pre-existing relationships and repertoires of collaboration. The RRI project is hence a way to continue ongoing work and follow pre-set purposes, aims and objectives, as a form of “maintenance work”. In this very human sense, RRI is deployed with a logic of care in the regional context, while the Horizon 2020 calls and proposals above all are formulated in a logic of choice, to be assessed by indicators.

Discussion

We warn against undue standardization of RRI by toolification and use of quantitative indicators, and recommend that RRI performance is monitored by methods of evaluative inquiry.
Pilot study of personalized sleep-coaching messages to promote healthy sleeping behaviors
Authors: Schneider Logan D. , Barakat Andrew , Ali Zainab , Concepcion Christian , Taylor James A. , Jiang Allen
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Assess a program of sleep schedule recommendations and behavior change “nudges” algorithmically selected using passively collected, longitudinal sleep data. Improvements were primarily measured by sleep schedule adherence and changes in sleep health (quantified by the RU_SATED framework).

Methods

This study used a convenience sample of self-screening volunteers, responding to recruitment emails. Sleep data was gathered with a commercial under-mattress sensor through three phases: baseline passive data collection-2 weeks; intervention-4 weeks; maintenance monitoring passive data collection-8 weeks. The intervention included sleep schedule recommendations and SMS “nudges,” based on rules and recommendations derived from the extant literature. A daily sleep-health score (based on RU_SATED) was derived from passively collected sleep data and daily self-reports of alertness and sleep quality.

Results

Twenty-six participants (34.92 ± 10.08-years-old; 20M:6F) had adequate data for analysis. The main findings were: (1) Adherence—defined as a wake time (WT) within 30 min of the recommendation—rates did not differ significantly between the three study phases. However, there was a general decline in adherence over the course of the study, with adherence rates dropping by about 1.5%/week in a pattern of progressive delay of WTs. (2) Linear mixed models (LMMs) of individual sleep metrics did not demonstrate a significant change over the course of the intervention, possibly due to widely varying, yet relatively healthy, sleep patterns at baseline. (3) Comparatively, the composite, sleep-health (RU_SATED) score demonstrated general improvement over the intervention period, in association with higher rates of WT adherence.

Conclusions

While, in general, adherence to a sleep schedule and individual dimensions of sleep health did not demonstrate meaningful improvements during the intervention phase, those individuals that were more consistently meeting the wake-time schedule recommendation had associated improvements in their overall sleep-health. As such, this pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and potential efficacy among more adherent individuals of implementing a sleep wellness coaching framework using passively collected sleep data and a rule-based coaching infrastructure.
Collecting migrants' Facebook posts: Accounting for ethical measures in a text-as-data approach
Authors: Dedecek Gertz Helena
Published: January 2023

Based on the heuristics proposed by Helen Nissenbaum to assess ethical issues surrounding research using new technologies, this paper discusses the ethics of the collection and analysis of migrants' digital traces for academic research purposes. Concretely, this paper is grounded on an empirical research that applies a topic modeling approach to a large dataset of migrants' posts written on Facebook groups. After discussing the nine aspects proposed by Nissenbaum, the paper contends that while researchers strive to comply with ethical measures by, for instance, asking adequate questions and protecting the collected data, the lack of transparency of social networking sites is harmful to critical social sciences and can hamper findings that contribute to understanding migratory patterns and decisions.
Influence of magnetic reconnection on the eruptive catastrophes of coronal magnetic flux ropes
Authors: Zhang Quanhao , Cheng Xin , Liu Rui , Song Anchuan , Li Xiaolei , Wang Yuming
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Large-scale solar eruptive activities have a close relationship with coronal magnetic flux ropes. Previous numerical studies have found that the equilibrium of a coronal flux rope system could be disrupted if the axial magnetic flux of the rope exceeds a critical value, so that the catastrophe occurs, initiating the flux rope to erupt. Further studies discovered that the catastrophe does not necessarily exist: The flux rope system with certain photospheric flux distributions could be non-catastrophic. It is noteworthy that most previous numerical studies are under the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) condition, so that it is still elusive whether there is the catastrophe associated with the critical axial flux if magnetic reconnection is included in the flux rope system.Methods: In this paper, we carried out numerical simulations to investigate the evolutions of coronal magnetic rope systems under the ideal MHD and the resistive condition.Results and discussions: Under the ideal MHD condition, our simulation results demonstrate that the flux rope systems with either too compact or too weak photospheric magnetic source regions are non-catastrophic versus varying axial flux of the rope, and thus no eruption could be initiated; if there is magnetic reconnection in the rope system, however, those flux rope systems could change to be capable of erupting via the catastrophe associated with increasing axial flux. Therefore, magnetic reconnection could significantly influence the catastrophic behaviors of flux rope system. It should be both the magnetic topology and the local physical parameters related to magnetic reconnection that determine whether the increasing axial flux is able to cause flux rope eruptions.
Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses
Authors: Baumgartner Miriam , Erhard Michael H. , Zeitler-Feicht Margit H.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Automated feeding systems offer numerous advantages for animals and humans, but the associated benefits and risks can often only be seen under practical conditions. The space allowance (~80 cm per horse) at time-controlled hay racks for horses in group housing, unlike at partitioned feeding stands or transponder-controlled feed stations, currently falls below the required individual distance between the horses, which can result in a high level of aggression between the horses due to the lack of partitions between them. Hence, a feed-through at a time-controlled hay rack cannot be equated with a feeding place. In this preliminary study, we therefore aimed to determine the minimum animal-to-feeding-place ratio (AFR) at time-controlled hay racks that would provide adequate individual distances between the horses.

Methods

To do so, we assessed behavioral and physiological parameters (via video behavioral observations and salivary cortisol measurements) of up to 28 horses in a loose housing system. Over 2 observation days per treatment, four AFRs were investigated in a balanced sequence: 1:1.2, 1:2, 1:3, and C (single feeding in familiar surroundings as a control).

Results

We found that the horses expressed less aggressive behavior, especially those behaviors with a high risk of injury such as biting and kicking, when there were three times as many openings as there were horses at time-controlled hay racks, as compared with only 20% more openings or twice as many openings as there were horses [lineal mixed model: F(3, 4) = 7.411; adjusted R2 = 0.733; p(AFR_1:2) = 0.06, p(AFR_1:3) = 0.02, p(AFR_C) = 0.01]. The salivary cortisol levels during feeding decreased more strongly with more generous AFRs [p(AFR_metric) = 0.02]. The factors hierarchy and individual showed no influence. In contrast, the day of the experiment and the associated weather conditions, despite randomized selection, influenced both the behavioral and the physiological parameters.

Discussion

The results of this preliminary study indicate that the investigated time-controlled hay racks must provide at least three times as many feeding places as there are horses to ensure that neighboring horses can keep their individual distance and stress-free feeding is possible. Further studies on more farms and different types as well as arrangement of hay racks are proposed.
Advances in the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in South America: 2011–2020
Authors: Rivera Alejandro Mauricio , Sanchez-Vazquez Manuel Jose , Pituco Edviges Maristela , Buzanovsky Lia Puppim , Martini Monica , Cosivi Ottorino
Published: January 2023

For more than 70 years, the countries of South America have been attempting to eliminate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), but a regional strategy had not been established by all the affected countries until 1988. The Action Plan 1988–2009 of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA 1988–2009) resulted in an FMD-free status in 88.4% of the bovine population of South America. However, countries of the Andean sub-region maintained an FMD endemic. In addition, sporadic outbreaks in vaccinated cattle populations have been reported in countries of the Southern Cone, endangering the disease-free status in these countries. Within this context, the PHEFA 2011–2020 was approved to eliminate FMD from the subcontinent, and this review describes the most important milestones during its execution. FMD in Ecuador and sporadic outbreaks in the Southern Cone sub-region were effectively eliminated. The outbreaks that occurred in Colombia in 2017 and 2018 were successfully controlled. The type C virus was removed from the vaccines in use in most countries, based on a risk assessment. This review also describes the progress made by the countries advancing toward official recognition as FMD-free in all their territories, with Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru leading the progressive suspension of vaccination to achieve FMD-free status without vaccination. Consequently, at the end of PHEFA 2011–2020, Venezuela was, and still is, the only country in the region whose control program has suffered setbacks, and no evidence has suggested that the transmission and infection of the bovine population have been eliminated. At the end of 2020, a new PHEFA Action Plan 2021–2025 was approved with a five-year horizon, to complete the eradication of the disease in the Americas.
Epidermal growth factor regulates autophagy activity and endocytosis of yak cumulus cells in a concentration-dependent manner
Authors: Ma Rui , Yu Sijiu , Cui Yan , Pan Yangyang , Wang Meng , Wang Libin , Wang Jinglei , Zhao Ling , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Autophagy and endocytosis are crucial biological activities in mammalian follicle development and oocyte maturation, which are easily affected by external environmental factors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), as an important component of follicular fluid, regulates the growth and apoptosis of follicular cells. However, its regulatory mechanism of autophagy and endocytosis in mammals, especially in large domestic animals such as plateau yak, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of EGF on autophagy and endocytosis in yak cumulus cells.

Methods

Yak cumulus cells were treated with different concentrations of EGF and appropriate concentrations of EGFR inhibitor gefitinib (10 μM). The dynamic expression levels of Atg5, Beclin1, LC3, Cav1 and Cav2 were detected by immunofluorescence staining, qRT-PCR and Western-blot.

Results

EGF inhibited autophagy in yak cumulus cells by down-regulating the expression of Atg5, Beclin1, and LC3. The level of autophagy varied with the concentration of ligands, and the inhibition was most significant at 100 ng/mL. Noteworthy, EGF can promote endocytosis by regulating the expression of Cav1 and Cav2, but the EGFR-mediated signaling pathway is not the main way to regulate the expression of these proteins.

Discussion

These results provide a reference for further exploring the effects of growth factors on livestock germ cells and the regulatory role of autophagy-endocytosis crosstalk mechanism in follicle development and oocyte maturation, to improve the fecundity of yaks.
Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) analogs as possible treatment options for diabetes mellitus in veterinary patients
Authors: Corbee Ronald J. , van Everdingen Dion L. , Kooistra Hans S. , Penning Louis C.
Published: January 2023

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in numerous metabolic processes. The endocrine subfamily of FGFs, consisting of FGF19, FGF21, and FGF23, might have beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or obesity. The analog with the greatest potential, FGF21, lowers blood glucose levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and induces weight loss in several animal models. In this review we summarize recent (pre)clinical findings with FGF21 analogs in animal models and men. Furthermore, possible applications of FGF21 analogs for pets with DM will be discussed. As currently, information about the use of FGF21 analogs in pet animals is scarce.
Real-Time Implementation of an Adaptive PID Controller for the Quadrotor MAV Embedded Flight Control System
Authors: Noordin Aminurrashid , Mohd Basri Mohd Ariffanan , Mohamed Zaharuddin
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the real-time implementation of an altitude-embedded flight controller using proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) control, adaptive PID (APID) control, and adaptive PID control with a fuzzy compensator (APIDFC) for a micro air vehicle (MAV), specifically, for a Parrot Mambo Minidrone. In order to obtain robustness against disturbance, the adaptive mechanism, which was centered on the second-order sliding mode control, was applied to tune the classical parameters of the PID controller of the altitude controller. Additionally, a fuzzy compensator was introduced to diminish the existence of the chattering phenomena triggered by the application of the sliding mode control. Four simulation and experimental scenarios were conducted, which included hovering, as well as sine, square, and trapezium tracking. Moreover, the controller’s resilience was tested at 1.1 m above the ground by adding a mass of about 12.5 g, 15 s after the flight launch. The results demonstrated that all controllers were able to follow the reference altitude, with some spike or overshoot. Although there were slight overshoots in the control effort, the fuzzy compensator reduced the chattering phenomenon by about 6%. Moreover, it was found that in the experiment, the APID and APIDFC controllers consumed 2% and 4% less power, respectively, when compared to the PID controller used to hover the MAV.
Design and Testing of Brushless DC Motor Components of A6 Steel Additively Manufactured by Selective Laser Sintering
Authors: Zaharia Sebastian-Marian , Pop Mihai Alin , Buican George Razvan , Chicos Lucia-Antoneta , Stamate Valentin Marian , Pascariu Ionut Stelian , Lancea Camil
Published: January 2023

Metallic additive manufacturing technology is seeing increasing use from aviation companies manufacturing prototypes or components with complex geometric shapes, which are then tested and put into operation. This paper presents the design, fabrication via a selective laser sintering process, and testing of the mechanical performance by performing three-point bending and tensile tests on A6 steel specimens. After performing the mechanical tests on specimens made from A6 steel manufactured via the SLS process, the following performances were obtained: the maximum three-point bending strength was 983.6 MPa and the maximum tensile strength was 398.6 MPa. In the microscopic analysis of the specimens manufactured by the selective laser sintering process, a homogeneous structure with defects specific to additive processes (voids) was revealed. Additionally, the feasibility of designing, manufacturing through the selective laser sintering process and subsequent testing of some components (rotor, right case, left case and motor mount) from a brushless motor made from A6 steel material was demonstrated. After testing the brushless motor, the main performances showed stable behavior of the motor and a linear dependence with the increase in electronic speed control signal or motor electrical speed, resulting in a maximum thrust force of 4.68 kgf at 7800 RPM.
Adapting Commercial Best Practices to U.S. Air Force Maintenance Scheduling
Authors: Blond Kyle , Himschoot Austin , Klein Eric , Conley Steven , Clark Anne
Published: January 2023

This paper presents how the Inspection Development Framework’s (IDF) novel maintenance scheduling technique increased aircraft utilization and availability in a sample of the United States Air Force’s (USAF) C-5M Super Galaxy fleet. The hypothesis tested was “Can we execute segmented maintenance requirements during ground time opportunities in order to optimize flying?” We applied IDF to decompose the C-5M’s five-day Home Station Check (HSC) inspection into smaller work packages that subordinate to operational requirements and maintenance resource availability. Ten HSCs at Dover and Travis Air Force Base (AFB) were modified using IDF and measured against a control group of traditional HSCs. While statistical significance was not achieved given the small sample size, anecdotal results demonstrate improvements in maintenance downtime, sortie count, and flight hours for the experimental group across the two bases. Specifically, the pathfinder’s observed results extrapolated to all HSCs at each base projected an additional 15 flying days per year at Dover AFB and 29 sorties per year at Travis AFB. These C-5M improvements serve as a proof-of-concept for the USAF adapting commercial best practices to address declining aircraft readiness. IDF’s more agile and dynamic scheduling techniques also enable easier adoption of Condition Based Maintenance through a more integrated approach to optimally schedule maintenance requirements.
A Data-Driven Method for Arrival Sequencing and Scheduling Problem
Authors: Du Zhuoming , Zhang Junfeng , Kang Bo
Published: January 2023

Decision support tools for arrival sequencing and scheduling could assist air traffic controllers in managing the arrival aircraft in terminal areas. However, one critical issue is that the current method for dealing with the arrival sequencing and scheduling problem does not consider the dynamic traffic situation and the human working experience, which results in a deviation between the scheduled and actual landing sequences. This paper develops a data-driven method to address this issue. Firstly, the random forest model is applied to predict the estimated time of arrival (ETA). During the ETA prediction, the trajectory, operation, and airport-related factors that could increase the prediction accuracy are considered. Secondly, the landing sequence is obtained by sorting the predicted ETAs. Thirdly, two optimization methods are proposed to generate the scheduled time of arrival (STA). The former uses the predicted ETAs as inputs and then directly optimizes the landing sequence and the STA. The latter uses both the predicted ETA and the landing sequence as inputs for further optimization. Finally, these proposed methods are evaluated with three sets of historical data on arrival operations at Changsha Huanghua International Airport (ZGHA). The results show that the RF-based ETA prediction method could improve scheduling performance. Moreover, the proposed optimization methods could provide controllers with a more appropriate decision advisory. Such advisories could simultaneously reduce the operation efficiency indicators (average/maximum delay or dwell time) and the operation complexity indicators (Kendall rank correlation or position shift).
Filter Design for Laser Inertial Navigation System Based on Improved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization
Authors: Li Zhihua , Zhang Lin , Wu Kunlun
Published: January 2023

The laser gyroscope of Laser Inertial Navigation System (LINS) eliminates the influence of the locked zone with mechanical dither. The output information of laser gyroscopes must be filtered before use to eliminate vibration noise. Laser gyroscope filters are designed according to the instrument accuracy, calculation capacity, vibration frequency, system dynamic characteristics, and other indicators. In this paper, a pigeon-inspired optimization (PIO) method is proposed for use in filter design. The PIO method can flexibly design filters with excellent performance according to the indicator requirements. In the method, the constraints and indicators of the amplitude, phase and order of the LINS filter are firstly confirmed according to the application requirements; then, the objective function is established, and the parameters to be optimized of the PIO are set according to the order of the filter; finally, the PIO method is used to obtain filter parameters that can satisfy the constraints and achieve better performance. Referring to the idea of biological evolution mechanisms, we propose a new improved pigeon-inspired optimization method based on natural selection and Gaussian mutation (SMPIO), which can obtain more stable results and higher accuracy. In the SMPIO method, the particle swarm is firstly selected by natural selection, that is, the particles are sorted according to the fitness function, and some particles with poor fitness are replaced by those with better fitness; then, all particles are subjected to Gaussian mutation to obtain a better global optimum. SMPIO method can flexibly design filters according to the comprehensive requirements of laser gyro performance and navigation control indicators, which cannot be achieved by traditional filter design methods; the improvement based on natural selection and Gaussian mutation enables SMPIO to have faster convergence speed, and higher accuracy.
Design and Test of a Straw-Clearing-Depth Self-Adaptive Control System of a Front-Mounted Seedbed-Preparation Device
Authors: Hou Shouyin , Xue Donghui , Cao Bingcheng , Chen Haitao , Han Yongjun
Published: January 2023

In northeast China, most seedbed-preparation devices use the ground-wheel profiling method to ensure their operational stability. However, during the wide-width operation of the front-mounted seedbed-preparation device, the poor trafficability characteristics and the low profiling accuracy of the ground-wheel profiling mechanism result in unstable straw clearing depth, poor straw clearing quality, and the low operational efficiency of the seedbed-preparation device. In order to solve the above problems, a straw-clearing-depth self-adaptive control system of a front-mounted seedbed-preparation device was designed. The key structural design of the self-adaptive control system was completed through theoretical analysis. The performance test results of the self-adaptive control system showed that the lifting speed of the front-suspension mechanism was greater than 0.2 m/s in the manual button control mode, and the relative error between the target value and the actual value of the straw clearing depth was 10.8% under the self-adaptive profiling control mode. The three-factor and five-level quadratic regression orthogonal rotation center combination test method was adopted to conduct a parameter combination optimization test, with the machine operation speed, the operation depth of the straw clearing knife, and the straw covering amount as test factors, and the straw clearing rate, the qualified rate of operation depth, and the consistency of straw clearing between rows as evaluation indices. The results indicated that when the machine operation speed was 5~8.8 km/h, the operation depth of the straw clearing knife was 50 mm, the straw covering amount was 0.9~1.44 kg/m2, the straw clearing rate was ≥86%, the qualified rate of operation depth was ≥86%, and the consistency of straw clearing between rows was ≥83%. Field tests were carried out on the machine using operation speeds of 5 km/h, 6 km/h, 7 km/h, and 8 km/h under the conditions of an operation depth of the straw clearing knife of 50 mm and a straw covering amount of 1.2 kg/m2. The results showed that the straw clearing rate, the qualified rate of operation depth, and the consistency of straw clearing between rows were all within the optimized range under different machine operation speeds, which was basically consistent with the optimized results.
Co-Design and Experimentation of a Prototype of Agroecological Micro-Farm Meeting the Objectives Set by Climate-Smart Agriculture
Authors: Selbonne Stan , Guindé Loïc , Causeret François , Bajazet Thierry , Desfontaines Lucienne , Duval Mathieu , Sierra Jorge , Solvar Franck , Tournebize Régis , Blazy Jean-Marc
Published: January 2023

Developing climate-smart agriculture is an urgent necessity to ensure the food security of a growing global population, to improve the adaptation of agricultural systems to climatic hazards, and to reach a negative carbon balance. Different approaches are being explored to achieve those objectives, including the development of new technologies for efficiency improvements to current systems and substitution of chemical inputs by bio-inputs, but the urgency of the climatic, social, and environmental context calls for more disruptive actions to be taken. We propose an approach to the design of climate-smart production systems structured in four steps: (1) diagnosis of the study region on the basis of the three pillars of climate-smart agriculture, (2) co-design of a disruptive system only based on agroecological and bioeconomic principles, (3) long-term experimentation of this system, and (4) in itinere adjustment of the system based on collected data and on-field evaluations with agricultural stakeholders. The outcome of this approach is the agroecological microfarm named KARUSMART, settled in 2018 on one hectare in the North Basse-Terre region of Guadeloupe (F.W.I.). This study presents its co-design and experimentation stages as well as the first performance results. At the end of the first two years, this microfarm showed a clear improvement in 15 of the 19 indicators used to evaluate the performance of the actual farming systems in the study region. Among the most striking results are a clear superiority in nutritional performance from 3 pers.ha−1 to 8 pers.ha−1 and a reduction in GHG balance from +2.4 tCO2eq.ha−1 to −1.1 tCO2eq.ha−1 for the study area and the microfarm, respectively. These results are promising for developing climate-smart agricultural systems and need to be consolidated further through longer-term monitoring data, the implementation of more similar systems in the study area, and the implementation of the design principles in other contexts.
Early Identification of Plant Drought Stress Responses: Changes in Leaf Reflectance and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Selection-The Case Study of Tomato Plants
Authors: Rosa Ana Paula , Barão Lúcia , Chambel Lélia , Cruz Cristina , Santana Margarida Maria
Published: January 2023

Drought is a worldwide problem, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Detection of drought stress at the initial stages, before visible signs, to adequately manage irrigation and crop fertilization to avoid crop yield loss, is a desire of most farmers. Here, we evaluated the response of tomato plants to water scarcity, through changes in leaf reflectance due to modification in leaf pigments’ content, which translates into differences in spectral reflectance indices (SRI) values. Our methodology is innovative, as we were able to easily calculate and identify several SRIs for the early detection of drought stress “invisible” responses. We used a handheld spectro-radiometer to obtain SRI values from leaves of tomato plants growing under two different water regimes for 37 days. In an ensemble of 25 SRIs, we identified 12 that showed a consistent trend of significant differences between treatments along the experiment and within these, NDVI, SR, ZMI, Ctr2, GM1, and GM2 were already significantly different between treatments at day 7 after the start of the experiment and Ctr1 at day 9; although, no signs of damage were visible. Therefore, our results pinpoint these SRIs as promising proxies for the early detection of “invisible” responses to drought onset. We also analyzed the relationship between the monitored SRIs and plant morphological parameters measured during the experiment, highlighting a relationship between GM1 and plant height and leaf number. Finally, we observed a high abundance of putative beneficial bacteria among isolates collected from the tomato water-limited rhizo-environment at the terminus of the experiment, suggesting the active recruitment or selection of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria by tomato roots as a response to drought. Our work may be adapted into an easy protocol, of rapid execution, to be used in small-scale fields for early drought stress detection.
Residue Analysis and Dietary Risk Assessment of Metalaxyl in Chinese Bayberry and Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Fang Nan , Wang Xiangyun , Li Yanjie , Jiang Jinhua , Luo Yuqin , Zhao Xueping , Zhang Changpeng , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2023

Metalaxyl is frequently used to protect a variety of crops from fungal diseases. This study aims to establish a method for the determination of metalaxyl in Chinese bayberry, fresh Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale), and dried D. officinale by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and further assess dietary risk. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified by the dispersed solid phase extraction method. Chinese bayberry, fresh D. officinale, and dried D. officinale samples were collected from Hangzhou and Zhangzhou in 2021 to clarify metalaxyl residue levels. The metalaxyl was quantitated by the external standard method. In the range of 0.001–0.1 mg L−1, there was good linearity under the optimal conditions. The recoveries ranged from 83.90% to 110.47%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.86% to 5.81%. The detection rates in Chinese bayberry, fresh D. officinale, and dried D. officinale were 97.92%, 49.29%, and 50.71%, respectively. The dietary risk of metalaxyl residues in Chinese bayberry, fresh D. officinale, and dried D. officinale was acceptable for consumers.
Frontier Studies in Composition of Humic Substances and Soil Organic Matter
Authors: Lodygin Evgeny
Published: January 2023

Soil organic matter (SOM) is considered an integral component of soils and performs a multitude of crucial functions in the environment [...]
Effects of Soil Electrical Conductivity and Physical Properties on Seeding Depth Maintenance and Winter Wheat Germination, Development and Productivity
Authors: Romaneckas Kęstutis , Buragienė Sidona , Kazlauskas Marius , Steponavičius Dainius , Naujokienė Vilma , Bručienė Indrė , Šarauskis Egidijus
Published: January 2023

Crop seeding depth is an important parameter in agrotechnologies, but how can seeding depth automatically be maintained in on-farm soil conditions with different textures, granulometric compositions, structural contents and penetration resistances? For this reason, an on-farm field experiment was conducted in the Panevėžys district (Lithuania) during 2020–2022. The field was divided into five zones (EZ1–EZ5) according to soil electrical conductivity. In addition, uniform and variable seeding depths were compared. The results of the investigations showed that soil electrical conductivity was highly correlated with sand (r = −0.867; p ≤ 0.010 > 0.001) and silt (r = 0.871; p ≤ 0.010 > 0.001) contents. The seeding method mainly did not have a significant effect on soil physical properties and winter wheat germination, development and productivity. Higher differences were observed among field zones. The winter wheat seeding depth varied from 27.74 to 33.12 mm between the two most different soil electrical conductivity zones. In zones with variable seeding depths, winter wheat seeds sprouted the most abundantly, and germination reached 99% (in EZ3 and EZ4). In EZ1, EZ2 and EZ4, the yields of grain were the highest and were significantly higher than that in the loamy sand of EZ5. The 1000-grain mass was not affected by any of the tested factors. The results suggest the need for further research in fields with a wider range of soil electrical conductivity. This can increase the variation in seeding depth and reveal interactions among the factors in more detail.
Nitrate Content Assessment in Spinach: Exploring the Potential of Spectral Reflectance in Open Field Experiments
Authors: Stagnari Fabio , Polilli Walter , Campanelli Gabriele , Platani Cristiano , Trasmundi Flaviano , Scortichini Gianpiero , Galieni Angelica
Published: January 2023

A rapid, non-destructive method for nitrate content assessment is essential for a rational wide-scale application of nitrogen in sustainable growing spinach. The method should be effective in facing environmental, genotype, and management variability. The results from three field experiments carried out in Teramo (Italy), during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, and by combining nitrogen supply with spinach genotypes, are presented. The spectral canopy reflectance was collected to find out the spectral band relationship with nitrate concentration. Preliminary PCA and mixed linear model analysis showed that nitrate content is among the less detectable features. Unexpected chlorosis onset in one experiment added more variability; nevertheless, spectral regions of blue-cyan and early NIR when combined into Vegetation Indexes were able to correlate to nitrate content with R2 up to 0.65 in all experiments. This study demonstrates that focusing on just a few spectral regions facilitates the acquisition of suitable and robust information on nitrate content in spinach.