bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Performance and Application of CERES-Wheat and APSIM in the Guanzhong Plain, China
Authors: Saddique Qaisar , Zou Yufeng , Ajaz Ali , Ji Jianmei , Xu Jiatun , Azmat Muhammad , Rahman Muhammad Habib ur , He Jianqiang , Cai Huanjie 
Published: November 2020

HighlightsAPSIM and CERES-Wheat were calibrated and evaluated for winter wheat in the Guanzhong Plain, China.Both models performed well as the result of the calibration based on comprehensive field data.CERES-Wheat showed high sensitivity to field capacity.APSIM showed high sensitivity to nitrate at sowing.A crop model ensemble is better than a single model application, particularly for grain yield.Abstract. Cropping system models are useful tools to estimate the impact of climate and environment on agricultural production and to improve the management of agricultural systems. Numerous crop models are used worldwide to simulate wheat crop growth and predict yield. In this study, two process-based crop models (APSIM and CERES-Wheat) were assessed for simulating wheat crop growth in the Guanzhong Plain, China. The main objectives were to compare the performance of both models and perform sensitivity analysis. The possibility of reducing the model output uncertainty by estimating ensemble means was also explored. Crop models were calibrated and evaluated using local experimental data from three growing seasons (2009 to 2012), which encompassed 27 crop managements based on different levels of irrigation and nitrogen application. APSIM and CERES-Wheat performed well after calibration. The nRMSE for aboveground biomass, grain yield, LAI, canopy nitrogen, cumulative evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, and nitrogen fertilizer productivity was less than 21%. Sensitivity analysis of both models showed that grain yield in CERES-Wheat was more sensitive to field capacity. In APSIM, grain yield was sensitive to nitrogen application rate. Mean ensemble model results showed reduced uncertainty for simulated crop parameters, especially for differences between observed and simulated grain yield, which were reduced by up to 4.1%. Overall, the results suggest that APSIM and CERES-Wheat are both suitable for simulating wheat crop growth, development, and yield in the Guanzhong Plain. Furthermore, by using the ensemble modeling approach, decision-makers can be more confident in their planning, as the information will be based on multiple models’ results. Keywords: Crop model ensemble, Model calibration, Multiple crop models, Sensitivity analysis, Winter wheat.
Comparison of Object Detection Methods for Corn Damage Assessment Using Deep Learning
Authors: Hamidisepehr Ali , Mirnezami Seyed V. , Ward Jason K. 
Published: November 2020

HighlightsCorn damage detection was possible using advanced deep learning and computer vision techniques trained with images of simulated corn lodging.RetinaNet and YOLOv2 both worked well at identifying regions of lodged corn.Automating crop damage identification could provide useful information to producers and other stakeholders from visual-band UAS imagery.Abstract. Severe weather events can cause large financial losses to farmers. Detailed information on the location and severity of damage will assist farmers, insurance companies, and disaster response agencies in making wise post-damage decisions. The goal of this study was a proof-of-concept to detect areas of damaged corn from aerial imagery using computer vision and deep learning techniques. A specific objective was to compare existing object detection algorithms to determine which is best suited for corn damage detection. Simulated corn lodging was used to create a training and analysis data set. An unmanned aerial system equipped with an RGB camera was used for image acquisition. Three popular object detectors (Faster R-CNN, YOLOv2, and RetinaNet) were assessed for their ability to detect damaged areas. Average precision (AP) was used to compare object detectors. RetinaNet and YOLOv2 demonstrated robust capability for corn damage identification, with AP ranging from 98.43% to 73.24% and from 97.0% to 55.99%, respectively, across all conditions. Faster R-CNN did not perform as well as the other two models, with AP between 77.29% and 14.47% for all conditions. Detecting corn damage at later growth stages was more difficult for all three object detectors. Keywords: Computer vision, Faster R-CNN, RetinaNet, Severe weather, Smart farming, YOLO.
A Nanomaterial-Based Biosensor for the Quantitative Detection of Enrofloxacin Residues in Raw Chicken
Authors: Shen Yafang , He Yawen , Fu Yingchun , Wang Jianping , Zhang Jianmin , Liao Ming , Li Yanbin 
Published: November 2020

HighlightsA nanobiosensor was developed for rapid detection of enrofloxacin residues in chicken meat.5-Sulfosalicylic acid was adopted in a facile method for pretreatment of chicken meat samples.The detection limit of 14.1 µg kg-1 was below the maximum residue limit for chicken meat.The total detection time from sample pretreatment to result report was less than 1.5 h.Abstract. Antibiotic residues in animal-derived food products have been identified as a potential hazard in human health. Hence, a rapid, simple, and cost-effective method for detection of antibiotics in the food supply chain is highly desirable. The objective of this study was to develop a nanomaterial-based biosensor using immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) and quantum dots (QDs) for rapid and sensitive detection of enrofloxacin (ENR) residues in raw chicken. A 5-sulfosalicylic acid-based pretreatment method was adopted to extract ENR from chicken meat and reduce non-specific adsorption caused by complex food matrices. Two sensing elements were designed and fabricated: antibody functionalized IMBs and ENR-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates modified QDs (QDs-BSA-ENR). Target ENR in samples was first captured and separated by IMBs, and then QDs-BSA-ENR, serving as a competitor and detection probe, was used to react with the residual binding sites on the IMB surfaces. With the presence of captured ENR, the binding of QDs-BSA-ENR to IMBs was competitively inhibited. Finally, the fluorescence intensity of reporting QDs in the QDs-BSA-ENR-IMBs complex at a wavelength of 614 nm was measured for the quantitation of target antibiotics. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed method allowed sensitive detection of ENR in a linear range from 1 to 100 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.94 ng mL-1. The LOD for spiked chicken meat was 14.1 µg kg-1, which was below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) regulated in China and the European Union. The whole analytical procedure from food sampling to result report could be finished in less than 1.5 h. This nanobiosensor showed high potential for rapid and low-cost detection of ENR residues in the poultry supply chain to enhance food safety. Keywords: Enrofloxacin, Immunomagnetic beads, Nanobiosensor, Poultry, Quantum dots, Rapid detection.
Effects of Elevated Platform and Robotic Vehicle on Broiler Production, Welfare, and Housing Environment
Authors: Yang Xiao , Huo Xiaojing , Li Guoming , Purswell Joseph L. , Tabler George T. , Chesser Gary D. , Magee Christopher L. , Zhao Yang 
Published: November 2020

HighlightsUsing an elevated platform with a manure catcher reduced litter moisture content and ammonia concentration.A robotic vehicle encouraged bird movement and use of the elevated platform.Using the elevated platform and robotic vehicle jointly improved broiler paw quality and plumage cleanliness.Abstract. Elevated platform (EP) and robotic vehicle (RV) are two emerging systems aiming to improve environment enrichment and bird activity in broiler housing systems. However, the impacts of these systems on broiler production, welfare, and housing environment have not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using EP and RV individually or jointly on broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR), litter moisture content (LMC), ammonia (NH3) concentration, gait score (GS), paw quality (PQ), plumage cleanliness (PC), and bird activity index (AI). Broilers were reared for eight-week production cycles. Four experimental rooms (54 birds room-1) were randomly assigned four treatments: EP only, RV only, EP and RV (EP+RV), and neither EP nor RV (Ctrl). Broiler GS, PQ, and PC were assessed following welfare protocols. Bird AI was determined through image processing. The experiment was repeated three times. The results showed that overall FCR values were 1.806 for EP, 1.804 for RV, 1.797 for EP+RV, and 1.791 for Ctrl. The normalized LMC values were 23.2% ±4.1% for EP, 32.8% ±4.1% for RV, 23.4% ±2.5% for EP+RV, and 35.7% ±7.0% for Ctrl over the eight-week production cycles. NH3 concentrations were 40% lower in the rooms with EP than in the rooms without EP at the end of the production cycle. Broilers had better PQ in the rooms with EP than in the rooms without EP. Broiler PC seemed better in the rooms with RV compared to those without RV. Operation of RV increased bird AI; however, the benefits in activity encouragement diminished as the broilers grew. The number of broilers on the EP was higher in the EP+RV rooms than in the EP rooms. It is concluded that using EP and RV together may improve broiler welfare and activity without compromising their production performance. Keywords: Behavior, Broiler, Elevated platform, Robotic vehicle, Welfare.
A Time and Motion Study for Evaluation of Apple Harvest Processes with Different Harvest Methods
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Lu Renfu , Igathinathane Cannayen 
Published: November 2020

HighlightsWorkers’ apple harvest processes with three harvest methods were evaluated and compared.All three harvest methods had low overall harvest efficiency.Harvest efficiency for the ladder-and-bucket method can be improved by reducing non-picking activities.Innovation for harvest platform systems should focus on improving fruit picking activities.Abstract. In recent years, harvest platforms are being increasingly used by apple growers in the U.S. and many other countries to replace the traditional ladder-and-bucket harvest method. However, the current harvest platforms still have low levels of automation, which limits their potential to achieve greater productivity improvement. This study was therefore aimed at analyzing the harvest process by fruit pickers with three distinct harvest methods and determining potential areas for efficiency improvement. Video recordings of workers with the traditional ladder-and-bucket method, DBR vacuum harvester, and Huron Fruit Systems harvest platform were collected at three commercial orchards during the 2018 harvest season. The videos were then analyzed, using the time and motion technique, and categorized into picking and non-picking activities. Results showed that the average picking time by workers for the ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods were 64%, 78%, and 83% of the total time, respectively. After further dividing the picking activity into approaching, detaching, and transporting actions, it was found that the detaching action, which is essential in fruit picking, accounted for only 30% to 32% of the total picking time for the three methods, with the remaining 2/3 of the time spent on the approaching and transporting actions. The ladder-and-bucket, DBR, and Huron harvest methods had a low overall apple detaching efficiency of 21%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, and an overall time index of 45%, 71%, and 80%, respectively (these two parameters were introduced for measuring harvest efficiency). Hence, significant opportunities exist for improving harvest efficiency for the three methods. For the ladder-and-bucket method, efforts should be made on improving non-picking activities, i.e., fruit unloading and minimizing the walking distance to the fruit unloading station or bin. For harvest platforms, efforts should be devoted to the development of innovative fruit catching or receiving and bin filling technologies to reduce fruit picking time (i.e., reducing the time needed to reach fruit on trees and transport picked fruit to conveyors) as well as alleviate the physical demand and occupational hazard for workers by eliminating the use of buckets. Keywords: Apple, Fruit picking, Harvest efficiency, Harvest platform, Horticulture crops, Vacuum harvest.
Experiences and views of people with diabetes during Ramadan fasting: A qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Liao Jieying , Wang Tianfang , Li Zhan , Xie Haotian , Wang Shanshan 
Published: November 2020

Objectives
To review and appraise the existing qualitative studies on Ramadan fasting in participants with diabetes and to integrate valuable qualitative evidence for optimizing diabetes management.

Methods
Twelve databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, PsycINFO, JBI (Joanna Briggs institute), Web of Science, and four Chinese databases) were searched to identify qualitative studies on experiences and perspectives of Ramadan fasting in participants with diabetes. CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Program) Qualitative Checklists were applied to appraise the included studies. A meta-synthesis approach was used to analyze the included studies. Through the strategy of inductive thematic synthesis and reciprocal interpretation, the findings and quotations of the included studies were integrated into new themes and categories. The CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research) tool was used to grade the confidence of the new themes.

Results
A total of 11 qualitative studies were included, and 43 findings were isolated. Ten new themes were identified and synthesized from the findings. Finally, four new categories were integrated, including the knowledge and understanding of observing Ramadan fasting, well-being and challenges, self-efficacy, and needs and expectations of participants with diabetes during Ramadan.

Conclusions
Insulin-dependent individuals call for special concern during Ramadan fasting. Ramadan-focused education needs to be developed and generalized, and existing guidelines should be improved to optimize the management of diabetes. Professional HCPs contribute to weigh the health risks and mental satisfaction for their patients, partly, to balance health and religion. Participants’ psychological construction is another concern for religious scholars and psychologists.
Increasing secular trends in height and obesity in children with type 1 diabetes: JSGIT cohort
Authors: Mochizuki Mie , Ito Yoshiya , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Kikuchi Toru , Soneda Shun , Musha Ikuma , Anzou Makoto , Kobayashi Koji , Matsuo Kumihiro , Sugihara Shigetaka , Sasaki Nozomu , Matsuura Nobuo , Amemiya Shin ,   On behalf of The Japanese Study Group of Insulin Therapy for Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes (JSGIT)
Published: November 2020

Background
Recently, anthropometric indices in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have begun to change.

Objective
To examine secular trends in patients’ anthropometric indices.

Subjects
Japanese children with T1DM from the 1995, 2000, 2008 and 2013 cohorts of The Japanese Study Group of Insulin Therapy for Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes.

Methods
We analysed serum haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, the incidence of severe hypoglycaemic events, the types and doses of insulin, height standard deviation scores (SDS), body mass index (BMI) percentiles compared with healthy Japanese children and obesity prevalence over time. We also stratified the patients according to glycaemic control levels of <58 mmol/mol (optimal), 58–75 mmol/mol (suboptimal) and ≥75 mmol/mol (high-risk).

Results
Data for 513–978 patients from each of the cohorts were analysed. The incidence of severe hypoglycaemic events decreased over time (from 21 to 4.8/100 patient-years), while the proportion of insulin analogue doses increased (14.6% to 98.6%). In addition, patient height SDS (−0.22 to +0.17), BMI percentile (52.1 to 58.7) and obesity prevalence (2.1% to 5.1%) increased. Height SDS increased in all of the glycaemic control subgroups, while BMI percentile and obesity prevalence increased in the suboptimal and high-risk groups.

Conclusions
Since 1995, the average height of children with T1DM has increased in parallel with increasing insulin doses. Clinicians should be aware of increased BMI in these patients and the associated risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future.
Low prevalence of bloodstream infection and high blood culture contamination rates in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Yu David , Ininbergs Karolina , Hedman Karolina , Giske Christian G. , Strålin Kristoffer , Özenci Volkan 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
In the management of COVID-19, knowledge is lacking on the frequency of secondary bacterial infections and on how empirical antibiotic therapy should be used. In the present study, we aimed to compare blood culture (BC) results of a COVID-19 patient cohort with two cohorts of patients without detected COVID-19.

Methods
Using a retrospective cohort study design of patients subjected to BC in six tertiary care hospitals, SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from March 1 to April 30 in 2020 (COVID-19 group) were compared to patients without confirmed SARS-CoV-2 during the same period (control group-2020) and with patients sampled March 1 to April 30 in 2019 (control group-2019). The outcomes studied were proportion of BC positivity, clinically relevant growth, and contaminant growth.

Results
In total 15,103 patients and 17,865 BC episodes were studied. Clinically relevant growth was detected in 197/3,027 (6.5%) BC episodes in the COVID-19 group compared to 717/6,663 (10.8%) in control group-2020 (p<0.0001) and 850/8,175 (10.4%) in control group-2019 (p<0.0001). Contamination was present in 255/3,027 (8.4%) BC episodes in the COVID-19 group compared to 330/6,663 (5.0%) in control group-2020 (p<0.0001) and 354/8,175 (4.3%) in control group-2019 (p<0.0001).

Conclusion
In COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of bloodstream bacterial infection is low and the contamination rate of BC is high. This knowledge should influence guidelines regarding blood culture sampling and empirical antibiotic therapy in COVID-19 patients.
Hepatitis B vaccination status and knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Hepatitis B among preclinical medical students of a medical college in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Dhan Bahadur , Khadka Manita , Khadka Manoj , Subedi Prarthana , Pokharel Subashchandra , Thapa Bikash Bikram 
Published: November 2020

Background
Hepatitis B imposes a major public health problem with an increased risk of occupational exposure among unvaccinated health care workers. This study was conducted to determine the Hepatitis B vaccination status, along with the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Hepatitis B, among preclinical medical students of a medical college in Nepal.

Materials and methods
This descriptive study was conducted among preclinical students of a medical college in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6th July to 14th July 2020. The whole sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire which was emailed to individuals and analyzed with the statistical package for social sciences version-22.

Results
A total of 181 students participated in the study out of 198, giving a response rate of 91.4%. Among the study participants, only 67 (37%) were fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B while 71 (39.2%) were never vaccinated. For the majority (74.6%) of the non-vaccinated participants, the main reason for not getting vaccination was a lack of vaccination programs. Half the study participants (n = 92, 50.8%) had good knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hepatitis B. The median knowledge, attitude and practice scores towards Hepatitis B were 61.00 (57.00–66.00), 20(18.00–21.00) and 21(19.00–23.00) respectively.

Conclusions
The majority of preclinical medical students were not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B and only half of them had acceptable knowledge, attitude and practice towards Hepatitis B, which makes them vulnerable to the infection. This might represent the situation of not only Nepal, but also all South Asian countries, and creates concern about whether students take the vaccination programs seriously. Since unavailability of vaccination program is the main cause of non-vaccination, we strongly recommend the provision of the Hepatitis B vaccination program to the preclinical medical students.
Impact of virtual reality anatomy training on ultrasound competency development: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hu Kai-Chun , Salcedo Daniel , Kang Yi-No , Lin Che-Wei , Hsu Chin-Wang , Cheng Chung-Yi , Suk Fat-Moon , Huang Wen-Cheng 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in health professions education has increased dramatically in recent years, yet there is limited evidence of its impact on educational outcomes. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of VR anatomy instruction on the ultrasound competency of novice learners participating in a ultrasonography workshop.

Method
We designed a VR-enhanced ultrasonography training program and utilized a plane transection tool to interact with a three-dimensional (3D) VR model of the human body which facilitated the 3D conceptualization of the spatial relationship of anatomical structures, leading to faster and better development of ultrasonographic competency. This was a randomized control study which enrolled third-year medical students (n = 101) without previous exposure to formal or informal ultrasonography training. The participants were randomly divided into an intervention and control group. We assessed participants’ competency through ultrasound performance stations on live subjects, we also measured anatomical and ultrasound image identification ability using multiple choice tests.

Result
Participants in the intervention group (median = 16; interquartile 13 to 19) had significantly higher scores in ultrasonography task performance tests than the control group (median = 10; interquartile 7 to 14; Mann-Whitney U = 595; P < 0.01). In sub-group analysis, the intervention group performed significantly better in the six out of ten ultrasound tasks. Participants in the intervention group also had greater improvement in ultrasonographic image identification MCQ tests than the control group (Mann-Whitney U = 914; P < 0.05).

Conclusion
This study suggests that VR-enhanced anatomical training could be of significant benefit in ultrasonography training by promoting a better understanding of the spatial relationships of anatomical structures and the development of early psychomotor skills transferable to the handling of ultrasonographic probes.
Sotto il segno di Federico Fellini, Paolo Fabbri (2019)
Authors: Leotta Alfio 
Published: November 2020

Review of: Sotto il segno di Federico Fellini, Paolo Fabbri (2019)
Bologna: Luca Sossella Editore, 85 pp.,
ISBN 978-8-89735-648-6, p/bk, €15.00