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Veterinary Sciences May 2024The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal comfort of Nelore cattle () managed in silvopastoral and traditional systems associated with rumination behavior...
Thermal Comfort of Nelore Cattle () Managed in Silvopastoral and Traditional Systems Associated with Rumination in a Humid Tropical Environment in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal comfort of Nelore cattle () managed in silvopastoral and traditional systems associated with rumination behavior in a humid tropical environment in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil. The study was carried out on a rural property in Mojuí dos Campos, Pará, Brazil, during the transition period of the year, from June to July 2023. Over these two months, six consecutive data collection days were held. We selected 20 clinically healthy non-castrated male Nelore cattle, aged between 18 and 20 months, with an average weight of 250 kg and body condition score of 3.5 (1-5). These animals were randomly divided into two groups: traditional system (TS) and silvopastoral system (SS). The physiological variables evaluated included RR, RT and BST. The variables were analyzed using the linear mixed model. For agrometeorological variables, higher values were observed between 10:00 a.m. (33 °C) and 6:00 p.m. (30 °C), with the highest temperature observed at 4:00 p.m. (40 °C). The RR showed interactions ( = 0.0214) between systems and times; in general, higher RR were obtained in the Traditional. The animals' RT showed no significant difference ( < 0.05) between the production systems, but there was a statistically significant difference in relation to the time of collection ( < 0.0001). In the BGHI, it was possible to observe that there was mild stress in the period from 22:00 at night to 6:00 in the morning and moderate stress in the period of greatest increase in temperature, from 10:00 in the morning to 18:00 at night. BST showed no statistical difference between the regions studied or between the SP (35.6 °C) and TS (36.25 °C) systems. RT in the TS showed a positive correlation with AT (r = 0.31507; = 0.0477). RT in the SP showed a positive correlation with THI (r = 35583; = 0.0242). On the other hand, RT in the SP (r = 0.42873; = 0.0058) and ST (r = 0.51015; = 0.0008) showed a positive correlation with BGHI. RR in the TS showed a positive correlation with BGHI (r = 0.44908; = 0.0037). The greatest amounts of rumination were carried out by animals in the SP system, generally ruminating lying down ( < 0.05). With regard to rumination behavior in the morning and afternoon, there were higher numbers of WS and LD in the TS ( > 0.05). Most of the time, the cattle were LD during the morning and afternoon shifts, and at night and dawn they were WS in the TS. Therefore, the SP offers more thermal comfort advantages compared to the TS system.
PubMed: 38921983
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11060236 -
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Public transportation scheduling aims to optimize the allocation of resources, enhance efficiency, and increase passenger satisfaction, all of which are crucial for...
Public transportation scheduling aims to optimize the allocation of resources, enhance efficiency, and increase passenger satisfaction, all of which are crucial for building a sustainable urban transportation system. As a complement to public transportation, bike-sharing systems provide users with a solution for the last mile of travel, compensating for the lack of flexibility in public transportation and helping to improve its utilization rate. Due to the characteristics of shared bikes, including peak usage periods in the morning and evening and significant demand fluctuations across different areas, optimizing shared bike dispatch can better meet user needs, reduce vehicle vacancy rates, and increase operating revenue. To address this issue, this article proposes a comprehensive decision-making approach for spatiotemporal demand prediction and bike dispatch optimization. For demand prediction, we design a T-GCN (Temporal Graph Convolutional Network)-based bike demand prediction model. In terms of dispatch optimization, we consider factors such as dispatch capacity, distance restrictions, and dispatch costs, and design an optimization solution based on genetic algorithms. Finally, we validate the approach using shared bike operating data and show that the T-GCN can effectively predict the short-term demand for shared bikes. Meanwhile, the optimization model based on genetic algorithms provides a complete dispatch solution, verifying the model's effectiveness. The shared bike dispatch approach proposed in this paper combines demand prediction with resource scheduling. This scheme can also be extended to other transportation scheduling problems with uncertain demand, such as store replenishment delivery and intercity inventory dispatch.
PubMed: 38921248
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060368 -
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Salient object detection (SOD) aims to accurately identify significant geographical objects in remote sensing images (RSI), providing reliable support and guidance for...
Salient object detection (SOD) aims to accurately identify significant geographical objects in remote sensing images (RSI), providing reliable support and guidance for extensive geographical information analyses and decisions. However, SOD in RSI faces numerous challenges, including shadow interference, inter-class feature confusion, as well as unclear target edge contours. Therefore, we designed an effective Global Semantic-aware Aggregation Network (GSANet) to aggregate salient information in RSI. GSANet computes the information entropy of different regions, prioritizing areas with high information entropy as potential target regions, thereby achieving precise localization and semantic understanding of salient objects in remote sensing imagery. Specifically, we proposed a Semantic Detail Embedding Module (SDEM), which explores the potential connections among multi-level features, adaptively fusing shallow texture details with deep semantic features, efficiently aggregating the information entropy of salient regions, enhancing information content of salient targets. Additionally, we proposed a Semantic Perception Fusion Module (SPFM) to analyze map relationships between contextual information and local details, enhancing the perceptual capability for salient objects while suppressing irrelevant information entropy, thereby addressing the semantic dilution issue of salient objects during the up-sampling process. The experimental results on two publicly available datasets, ORSSD and EORSSD, demonstrated the outstanding performance of our method. The method achieved 93.91% S, 98.36% E, and 89.37% F on the EORSSD dataset.
PubMed: 38920454
DOI: 10.3390/e26060445 -
Clocks & Sleep Jun 2024Previous research has revealed that daily variations in human neurobehavioral functions are driven in part by the endogenous circadian system. The objective of this...
Previous research has revealed that daily variations in human neurobehavioral functions are driven in part by the endogenous circadian system. The objective of this study was to explore whether there exists a circadian influence on performance regarding a risky decision-making task and to determine whether the performance changes with sleep deprivation (SD). Thirteen participants underwent a 39 h constant routine (CR) protocol, during which they remained awake in constant conditions and performed the BART (balloon analogue risk task) every two hours. The mean pumps (gains) ( < 0.001) and balloons popped (losses) ( = 0.003) exhibited variation during the CR. The reaction time (RT) also showed significant variation across the CR ( < 0.001), with slower mean RTs in the morning hours following SD. A greater risk propensity was observed around midday before SD and a lower risk propensity after 29.5 h of being awake. The sensitivity to punishment varied during the CR, but did not follow a predictable trend. Further research using real monetary incentives and neurophysiological measures is warranted to elucidate these findings.
PubMed: 38920421
DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep6020020 -
Clocks & Sleep May 2024Traumatic brain injury (TBI) profoundly affects sleep, mood, and fatigue, impeding daily functioning and recovery. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of... (Review)
Review
Efficacy of Morning Shorter Wavelength Lighting in the Visible (Blue) Range and Broad-Spectrum or Blue-Enriched Bright White Light in Regulating Sleep, Mood, and Fatigue in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) profoundly affects sleep, mood, and fatigue, impeding daily functioning and recovery. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of morning shorter wavelength lighting in the visible (blue) range and broad-spectrum or blue-enriched bright white light exposure in mitigating these challenges among TBI patients. Through electronic database searches up to May 2023, studies assessing sleep, circadian rhythm, sleepiness, mood, and fatigue outcomes in TBI patients exposed to morning shorter wavelength lighting in the visible (blue) range and broad-spectrum or blue-enriched bright white light were identified. Seven studies involving 309 participants met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated consistent advancement in sleep timing among individuals with mild TBI, alongside improvements in total sleep time, mood, and reduced sleepiness with both types of light exposure, particularly in mild TBI cases. Notably, two studies demonstrated alleviation of fatigue exclusively in severe TBI cases following light exposure. Despite promising findings, evidence remains limited, emphasizing the need for future research with standardized protocols to confirm the potential and optimize the benefits of light therapy for TBI recovery.
PubMed: 38920419
DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep6020018 -
Military Medicine Jun 2024This article describes alternate models and policy recommendations created by an interdisciplinary team of researchers to increase gender integration at U.S. Marine...
INTRODUCTION
This article describes alternate models and policy recommendations created by an interdisciplinary team of researchers to increase gender integration at U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) recruit training. The USMC requested a study to analyze current approaches to gender integration at recruit training and provide alternate models that maximize integration, while continuing to train marines to established standards. USMC remains the only service that segregates recruits by gender at the lowest unit level (e.g., platoon) in recruit training and maintains gender-segregated drill instructor teams (i.e., same-gender teams train platoons of same-gender recruits).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A mixed-method, interdisciplinary approach was used to capture multiple perspectives and informed recommendations and alternate models for gender integration. The team studied select USMC, army, navy, air force, and coast guard recruit training locations, between June and November 2021. At each site, the team collected qualitative, quantitative, and administrative data as well as physical performance metrics and human performance outcomes. Study participants included recruits, drill instructors, training cadre, service leaders, and subject matter experts on gender integration in military services. Each alternate model was designed to maximize the feasibility of implementation within current USMC training conditions.
RESULTS
The research team developed three alternate models and several policy recommendations. Alternate model 1 proposed a methodology for mixed-gender drill instructor teams within the Integrated Company model, USMC's current integrated training model. Alternate model 2 proposed an Integrated Company Plus model which increases the number and types of gender-integrated training events at or below the platoon level within the Integrated Company model. Alternate model 3 outlined an integrated platoon model where recruits fall out into integrated training platoons after their morning routine, with two options of varying integration based on USMC priorities for integration. The team also proposed a set of policy recommendations independent of the three alternate models to support current and future gender integration efforts at the Marine Corps Recruit Depots.
CONCLUSIONS
Gender-integrated military training has been shown to positively alter perceptions and evaluations of women in military settings over detrimental aspects developed by gender-segregated training. The study team recommended USMC train recruits in the Integrated Company model with mixed-gender drill instructor teams (alternate model 1) and integrate more training events following the priority tiers outlined in the Integrated Company plus model (alternate model 2). The combined execution of these two alternate models would provide USMC recruits increased exposure to direct, sustained training from opposite-gender drill instructors and deliver intentional training opportunities for male and female recruits to work together and interact in meaningful ways. The integrated platoon model (alternate model 3) would offer USMC recruits the most direct exposure to training and working with members of the opposite gender, but it requires substantial changes to current logistics, accountability, and training procedures.
Topics: Humans; United States; Male; Female; Military Personnel; Interdisciplinary Studies; Personnel Selection
PubMed: 38920041
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad209 -
AIMS Microbiology 2024Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) (MDR-TB), or TB that is simultaneously resistant to both isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), is a barrier to successful TB...
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) (MDR-TB), or TB that is simultaneously resistant to both isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), is a barrier to successful TB control and treatment. Stratified data on MDR-TB, particularly in the high-burden western Kenya region, remain unknown. This data is important to monitor the efficacy of TB control and treatment efforts. Herein, we determined the molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant TB and associated risk factors in western Kenya. This was a non-experimental, population-based, cross-sectional study conducted between January and August 2018. Morning sputum samples of individuals suspected of pulmonary TB were collected, processed, and screened for (Mtb) and drug resistance using line probe assay (LPA) and growth indicator tubes (MGIT) culture. MGIT-positive samples were cultured on brain heart infusion (BHII) agar media, and the presence of Mtb was validated using Immunochromatographic assay (ICA). Drug sensitivity was performed on MGIT and ICA-positive but BHI-negative samples. Statistical significance was set at < 0.05. Of the 622 Mtb isolates, 536 (86.2%) were susceptible to RIF and INH. The rest, 86 (13.83%), were resistant to either drugs or both. A two-sample proportional equality test revealed that the MDR-TB prevalence in western Kenya (5%) did not vary significantly from the global MDR-TB estimate (3.9%) (P = 0.196). Men comprised the majority of susceptible and resistant TB (75.9% and 77.4%%, respectively). Also, compared with healthy individuals, the prevalence of HIV was significantly higher in MDR-TB patients (35.9% vs 5.6%). Finally, TB prevalence was highest in individuals aged 25-44 years, who accounted for 58.4% of the total TB cases. Evidently, the prevalence of MDRTB in western Kenya is high. Particular attention should be paid to men, young adults, and those with HIV, who bear the greatest burden of resistant TB. Overall, there is a need to refine TB control and treatment programs in the region to yield better outcomes.
PubMed: 38919722
DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2024014 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Grassland-livestock balance is an important principle of sustainable development of grassland livestock production and grassland ecosystem health. Grassland degradation...
INTRODUCTION
Grassland-livestock balance is an important principle of sustainable development of grassland livestock production and grassland ecosystem health. Grassland degradation becomes more serious at global scales and especially at the area that is sensitive to climate change and human activities. Decreases in pasture biomass and shifts in plant community composition in degraded grasslands can largely affect grazing behaviors of livestock. Up to date, however, it is unclear that whether livestock behaviors change across spatial and temporal scales and what key factors are to shape observed behavioral patterns of livestock.
METHODS
Here, yak behaviors including grazing, rumination and walking on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) were monitored by a continuous visual observation, to investigate temporal and spatial variations of grazing behavior of yaks (Bos grunniens); based on the data from public database in the past 18 years, a meta-analysis was conducted to examine the main factors that affect grazing behaviors and intake of yaks.
RESULTS
We showed that grazing behaviors of yaks differed significantly within hours, among hours of each day and among days as well as across different observation sites. Intake rate of yaks was higher in the morning than in the afternoon, but walking speed showed an inverse trend compared with intake rate. Resting, altitude, the mean annual precipitation (MAP), the mean annual temperature (MAT), forage ash, yak age and season were the main predictors for yak intake, and forage and yak individual characteristics had direct effects on grazing behaviors and intake of yaks.
DISCUSSION
The findings confirm that grazing behaviors of yaks can vary even at small temporal scales and regional scales, which is closely related to the shift in forage quality and biomass caused by environmental changes. The study suggests that multiple factors can be responsible for the variation in livestock behaviors and shifts in behavioral patterns may consequently lead to positive or negative feedback to grassland ecosystems through plant-animal interactions.
PubMed: 38919156
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1393136 -
BMC Neurology Jun 2024Growing evidence indicated that to develop of atherosclerosis observed more often by people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanism is not fully...
BACKGROUND
Growing evidence indicated that to develop of atherosclerosis observed more often by people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanism is not fully clarified. Considering that amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain is the key pathophysiology of AD and plasma Aβ is closely relate to Aβ deposition in the brain, in the present study, we investigated the relationships between atherosclerosis and plasma Aβ levels.
METHODS
This was a population based cross-sectional study. Patients with high risk of atherosclerosis from Qubao Village, Xi'an were underwent carotid ultrasound for assessment of atherosclerosis. Venous blood was collected on empty stomach in the morning and plasma Aβ and Aβ levels were measured using ELISA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) and plasma Aβ levels.
RESULTS
Among 344 patients with high risk of atherosclerosis, 251(73.0%) had CAS. In the univariate analysis, the plasma Aβ levels had no significant differences between CAS group and non-CAS group (Aβ: 53.07 ± 9.24 pg/ml vs. 51.67 ± 9.11pg/ml, p = 0.211; Aβ: 40.10 ± 5.57 pg/ml vs. 40.70 pg/ml ± 6.37pg/ml, p = 0.285). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that plasma Aβ levels were not associated with CAS (Aβ: OR = 1.019, 95%CI: 0.985-1.054, p = 0.270;Aβ: OR = 1.028, 95%CI: 0.980-1.079, p = 0.256) in the total study population. After stratified by hypertension, CAS was associated with plasma Aβ positively (OR = 1.063, 95%CI: 1.007-1.122, p = 0.028) in the non-hypertension group, but not in hypertensive group. When the plasma Aβ concentrations were classified into four groups according to its quartile, the highest level of plasma Aβ group was associated with CAS significantly (OR = 4.465, 95%CI: 1.024-19.474, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSION
Among patients with high risk of atherosclerosis, CAS was associated with higher plasma Aβ level in non-hypertension group, but not in hypertension group. These indicated that atherosclerosis is associated with plasma Aβ level, but the relationship may be confounded by hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Cross-Sectional Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Atherosclerosis; Peptide Fragments; Risk Factors; Hypertension
PubMed: 38918722
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03722-z -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
UNLABELLED
Iodine intake can affect thyroid and breast cells, and urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is an effective biomarker for iodine intake.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to analyze the correlation between urinary iodine concentration in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and breast cancer (BC) subjects.
METHODS
The study consisted of 80 subjects divided into case (20 DTC and 20 BC subjects) and control (40 subjects). Morning urine or spot urine was used for UIC measurement.
RESULTS
In thyroid cancer, UIC median patients and controls were 195.45 ± 133.61 µg/L and 145 ± 39.64 µg/L, respectively, with p =0.33. The UIC median of PTC subjects was significantly higher compared to FTC subjects, 227.12±130.98 μg/L versus 68.75±22.95 μg/L, p=0.00, and papillary thyroid cancer is closely related to a high iodine excretion in urine with contingency coefficient (c)=0.722. In BC patients, regardless of subtypes, breast cancer subjects showed a significantly lower iodine excretion level. The median of UIC patients and controls were 80.05 ± 38.24 µg/L and 144.25 ± 36.79 µg/L, respectively, p=0.000.
CONCLUSIONS
Iodine urine concentrations strongly correlate with the type of DTC histopathology, and in BC subjects, IUC was significantly lower compared to the control.
Topics: Humans; Female; Iodine; Thyroid Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Prognosis; Male; Follow-Up Studies; Carcinoma, Papillary; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
PubMed: 38918646
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1869