• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.18.1-18.27
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• 2024

Mastitis is one of the most widespread infectious diseases that adversely affects the profitability of the dairy industry worldwide. Accurate diagnosis and identification of pathogens early to cull infected animals and minimize the spread of infection in herds is critical for improving treatment effects and dairy farm welfare. The major pathogens causing mastitis and pathogenesis are assessed first. The most recent and advanced strategies for detecting mastitis, including genomics and proteomics approaches, are then evaluated. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, potential research directions, and future perspectives are reported. This review provides a theoretical basis to help veterinarians select the most sensitive, specific, and cost-effective approach for detecting bovine mastitis early.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.228-232
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• 2023

Purpose: Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) has an enormous physiological and psychological burden on patients. Surgeons rightly wish to minimise this risk. It has been shown that a standardised, evidence-based approach to perioperative care leads to better patient outcomes. A review of current practice was conducted using a cross-sectional survey among surgeons at multiple centers nationwide. Materials and Methods: An 11-question electronic survey was circulated to hip and knee arthroplasty consultants nationally via the BOA (British Orthopaedic Association) e-newsletter. Results: The respondents included 56 consultants working across 19 different trusts. Thirty-four (60.7%) screen patients for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) preoperatively, with 19 (55.9%) would treating with antibiotics. Fifty-six (100%) screen for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and treat if positive. Only 15 (26.8%) screen for methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) or empirically eradicate. Zero (0%) routinely catheterize patients perioperatively. Forty-one (73.2%) would give intramuscular or intravenous gentamicin for a perioperative catheterisation. All surgeons use laminar flow theatres. Twenty-six (46.4%) use only an impervious gown, 6 (10.7%) exhaust pipes, and 24 (42.3%) surgical helmet system. Five different antimicrobial prophylaxis regimens are used 9 (16.1%) cefuroxime, 2 (3.6%) flucloxacillin, 19 (33.9%) flucloxacillin and gentamicin, 10 (17.9%) teicoplanin, 16 (28.6%) teicoplanin and gentamicin. Twenty-two (39.3%) routinely give further doses. Conclusion: ASB screening, treatment and intramuscular gentamicin for perioperative catheterisation is routinely practiced despite no supporting evidence base. MSSA screening and treatment is underutilised. Multiple antibiotic regimens exist despite little variation in organisms in PJI. Practice varies between surgeons and centers, we should all be practicing evidence-based medicine.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Although increasing evidence of cause-and-effect relationship between BPA exposure and female reproductive disorders have been suggested through many studies, the precise biochemical and molecular mechanism(s) by which BPA interferes with steroidogenesis in the ovarian cells still remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discover the steroidogenic biomarker(s) associated with BPA treatment in human granulosa cell line, KGN. In this study, our results obtained via the analysis of steroidogenesis-related protein expression in KGN cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analyses revealed that the expression levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and aromatase decreased considerably and gradually after BPA treatment in a dose-dependent manner under BPA treatment. Further, remarkable decreases in their expression levels at the cellular levels were also confirmed via immunocytochemistry, and subsequent StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels showed profiles similar to those observed for their proteins, i.e., both StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased under BPA treatment at concentrations ≥0.1 μM. We observed that follicle stimulating hormone upregulated StAR and aromatase protein expression levels; however, this effect was suppressed in the presence of BPA. Regarding the steroidogenic effects of BPA on KGN cells, controversies remain regarding the ultimate outcomes. Nevertheless, we believe that the results here presented imply that KGN cells have a good cellular and steroidogenic machinery for evaluating endocrine disruption. Therefore, StAR and aromatase could be stable and sensitive biomarkers in KGN cells for the cellular screening of the potential risk posed by exogenous and environmental chemicals to female reproductive (endocrine) function.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.215-223
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• 2024

Purpose: Patients who receive frequent blood transfusions are at an elevated risk of developing hepatic fibrosis due to iron overload in the liver. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of transient elastography (TE) (FibroScan^®) for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with pediatric cancer. Methods: We enrolled 106 consecutive cases of acute leukemia in individuals under 21 years of age. The participants were followed for 2 years. Based on their serum ferritin (SF) levels, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (SF≥300 ng/mL) and group 2 (SF<300 ng/mL). A liver FibroScan^® was performed, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the various parameters in the liver function test (LFT), alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in a subgroup of patients aged 5-8 years in group 2 compared to those in group 1. The indices of liver fibrosis determined by TE, including the FibroScan score, controlled attenuation parameter score, steatosis percentage, and meta-analysis of histological data in viral hepatitis score, as well as indirect serum markers of liver fibrosis such as the aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, Fibrosis 4 score, and AST to platelet ratio index, did not differ significantly between the two groups. The association between the TE results and LFT parameters was only significant for ALT. Conclusion: Transfusion-associated iron overload does not have a significant correlation with severe liver fibrosis. FibroScan^® is not a sensitive tool for detecting early stages of fibrosis in survivors of pediatric leukemia.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.233-242
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: For adult men with congenital heart disease (ACHD), data on erectile dysfunction (ED) is limited. We aimed to assess the frequency of ED, its role in patient-physician communication and to identify parameters predicting ED. Methods: Male ACHD ≥18 years registered at the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects were invited to participate in an online questionnaire about sexual health. Participants with presumed ED according to International Index of Erectile Function Score were compared to patients without ED. Results: The 371 patients responded to the questionnaire (83% with moderate to highly complex ACHD). The 43% presented with more than mild ED. When ED was present, patients complained about general anxiety to be sexually active more often (p<0.05) and underwent sexual activity less frequently compared to those without ED (p<0.05). Age ≥40 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.04; p=0.002), being single (OR, 6.82; p<0.0001), anxiety to be sexually active (OR, 2.64; p=0.0002) and psychiatric disease (OR, 4.33; p<0.0007) emerged as independent predictors for ED. Overall, patients sought medical advice in 6.7% of cases, whilst 29.6% would appreciate an active approach by the physician to address this sensitive topic. Conclusions: ED is affecting one third to one half of male ACHD according to a questionnaire-based analysis. Older age, being single, fear of sexual activity due to ACHD and psychiatric disorder emerged as independent predictors for ED. These parameters can easily be assessed to identify patients at risk. ED should be addressed proactively by health professionals.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.359-388
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• 2024

With the escalation of global trade, the Chinese commodity futures market has ascended to a pivotal role within the international shipping landscape. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), a leading indicator of the shipping industry's health, is particularly sensitive to the vicissitudes of the Chinese commodity futures sector. Nevertheless, a significant research gap exists regarding the application of Chinese commodity futures prices as predictive tools for the SCFI. To address this gap, the present study employs a comprehensive dataset spanning daily observations from March 24, 2017, to May 27, 2022, encompassing a total of 29,308 data points. We have crafted an innovative deep learning model that synergistically combines Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures. The outcomes show that the CNN-LSTM model does a great job of finding the nonlinear dynamics in the SCFI dataset and accurately capturing its long-term temporal dependencies. The model can handle changes in random sample selection, data frequency, and structural shifts within the dataset. It achieved an impressive R² of 96.6% and did better than the LSTM and CNN models that were used alone. This research underscores the predictive prowess of the Chinese futures market in influencing the Shipping Cost Index, deepening our understanding of the intricate relationship between the shipping industry and the financial sphere. Furthermore, it broadens the scope of machine learning applications in maritime transportation management, paving the way for SCFI forecasting research. The study's findings offer potent decision-support tools and risk management solutions for logistics enterprises, shipping corporations, and governmental entities.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.894-901
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• 2024

The construction industry has been recognized as one of the most high-risk industries globally, promoting a shift towards enhancing safety culture to mitigate accident rates. With a notable good safety performance in Australia, this study therefore compares its advanced safety culture with the evolving safety culture in China through a systematic review of literature published over the last two decades. The aim of the research is to explore the influence of differing societal cultural contexts on the development of safety culture. The study covers various aspects of safety culture, including leadership and management commitment, regulatory environments, safety communication, workers'involvement, and organizational safety systems. Findings indicate a strong commitment from industry participants in both countries. However, there are notable differences in safety culture conceptualization and implementation. Australia showcases a mature safety culture, deeply integrated with stringent regulations and fostering individual proactive engagement. Conversely, China's safety culture, marked by rapid evolution, emphasizes regulatory compliance, with challenges in achieving broad worker participation. The analysis highlights that Australian construction workers' inclination towards a proactive approach in managing safety, in contrast to Chinese construction workers who tend to focus more on adhering to safety regulations than actively participating in safety initiatives. These findings emphasize the significant role societal culture plays in shaping construction safety cultures. The study's insights are instrumental for practitioners across the global construction industry, advocating for the adoption of nuanced, culturally sensitive safety management strategies to enhance safety outcomes.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.259-264
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• 2024

The early detection of hydrogen gas leaks is crucial because of their high explosion risk. Current oxide-semiconductor-based hydrogen sensors are reliant on electrical circuits that may fail during accidents and require high temperatures, thereby raising safety concerns. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of simpler and more intuitive sensors that can operate at room temperature. This study proposed a hydrogen sensor based on Pd-MoO₃ nanowires. The sensor exhibited a visible color change upon exposure to hydrogen at room temperature. The Pd-MoO₃ nanowires were synthesized by decorating the surface of hydrothermally produced MoO₃ nanowires with 1-5 wt.% Pd. Upon exposure to 5% hydrogen gas at room temperature, all Pd-MoO₃ nanowires exhibited distinct color changes (∆E). In particular, the MoO₃ nanowires with 3 wt.% Pd (3Pd-MoO₃) yielded an exceptionally high ∆E value of over 15 within 10 min. Further, the 3Pd-MoO₃ nanowires exhibited a noticeable color change (∆E > 1.6) within 2 min, demonstrating their potential for highly sensitive and rapid hydrogen detection. The outstanding color change of the 3Pd-MoO₃ nanowires was attributed to valence changes in both Mo (Mo⁶⁺ and Mo⁵⁺) and Pd (Pd²⁺ and Pd⁰) upon exposure to hydrogen.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.252-261
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• 2003

Although the young spike of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is known as the most susceptible part to spring cold injury, the risk of cold injury is apt to be ignored in most breeding program due to the importance of early maturity. Based on these aspects, the types and inducing time, temperature conditions for induction and effects of cold injury on growth and yield in this study were investigated under greenhouse and field conditions through three years (1997-1999). In natural condition, low temperature around -2.4∼$-10.2^{\circ}C$ caused the death of plant. Several cold injury types such as partial degeneration of spike, partial discoloration of leaf, spike and awn, discoloration of culm and white spike were observed at low temperature around $-3.1^{\circ}C$. Low temperature around -2.4∼$-8.6^{\circ}C$ and 1.3-$7.6^{\circ}C$ caused degeneration and sterility of spike, respectively. Most materials were prepared to the spikelet foundation stage, spikelet differentiation stage, development stage of flower organ, booting stage and heading stage, which were known having risk for cold injury in field condition. Although most of the controlled stages were sensitive to the induced low temperature, booting stage was the most sensitive stage for cold injury. All of growth stages which were treated-heading stage, booting stage, development stage of flower organ, spikelet differentiation stage, spikelet foundation stage-were responded to low temperature treatment but the symptoms revealed were very specific according to the growth stages. Ears of plant in heading stage were discolored to white. Ears of plant in booting stage were degenerated in all or part of one. Plants in spikelet differentiation stage were sterile in all or part of one. When tried to detect the specific differences between normal and cold injured plants in appearance, spike length, distance between spike and flag leaf and the first internode length could be the critical points for occurrence of spike death caused by cold injury. In barley, the elongation of spike was stopped on 3.2cm after occurrence of spike degeneration, 4.7cm after occurrence of partial degeneration of spike, 5.0cm after occurrence of white spike. In wheat, it was stopped on 1.6cm after occurrence of stem death, 3.3cm after occurrence of spike degeneration, 8.3cm after occurrence of partial degeneration of spike, 8.1cm after occurrence of white spike, 7.5cm after partial discoloration of leaf and 9.3cm after partial discoloration of spike. The obtained results from low temperature treatment induced in growth chamber were similar to the field experiment, Beacuse the death of spikes was more when low temperature was treated two times than one times, the temperature should be upgrade to -3$^{\circ}C$ in order to get the same condition with field test.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.7-29
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• 2012

Smartphone and its applications (i.e. apps) are increasingly penetrating consumer markets. According to a recent report from Korea Communications Commission, nearly 50% of mobile subscribers in South Korea are smartphone users that accounts for over 25 million people. In particular, the importance of smartphone has risen as a geospatially-aware device that provides various location-based services (LBS) equipped with GPS capability. The popular LBS include map and navigation, traffic and transportation updates, shopping and coupon services, and location-sensitive social network services. Overall, the emerging location-based smartphone apps (LBA) offer significant value by providing greater connectivity, personalization, and information and entertainment in a location-specific context. Conversely, the rapid growth of LBA and their benefits have been accompanied by concerns over the collection and dissemination of individual users' personal information through ongoing tracking of their location, identity, preferences, and social behaviors. The majority of LBA users tend to agree and consent to the LBA provider's terms and privacy policy on use of location data to get the immediate services. This tendency further increases the potential risks of unprotected exposure of personal information and serious invasion and breaches of individual privacy. To address the complex issues surrounding LBA particularly from the user's behavioral perspective, this study applied the privacy calculus model (PCM) to explore the factors that influence the adoption of LBA. According to PCM, consumers are engaged in a dynamic adjustment process in which privacy risks are weighted against benefits of information disclosure. Consistent with the principal notion of PCM, we investigated how individual users make a risk-benefit assessment under which personalized service and locatability act as benefit-side factors and information privacy risks act as a risk-side factor accompanying LBA adoption. In addition, we consider the moderating role of trust on the service providers in the prohibiting effects of privacy risks on user intention to adopt LBA. Further we include perceived ease of use and usefulness as additional constructs to examine whether the technology acceptance model (TAM) can be applied in the context of LBA adoption. The research model with ten (10) hypotheses was tested using data gathered from 98 respondents through a quasi-experimental survey method. During the survey, each participant was asked to navigate the website where the experimental simulation of a LBA allows the participant to purchase time-and-location sensitive discounted tickets for nearby stores. Structural equations modeling using partial least square validated the instrument and the proposed model. The results showed that six (6) out of ten (10) hypotheses were supported. On the subject of the core PCM, H2 (locatability ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) and H3 (privacy risks ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported, while H1 (personalization ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Further, we could not any interaction effects (personalization X privacy risks, H4 & locatability X privacy risks, H5) on the intention to use LBA. In terms of privacy risks and trust, as mentioned above we found the significant negative influence from privacy risks on intention to use (H3), but positive influence from trust, which supported H6 (trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The moderating effect of trust on the negative relationship between privacy risks and intention to use LBA was tested and confirmed by supporting H7 (privacy risks X trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The two hypotheses regarding to the TAM, including H8 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ perceived usefulness) and H9 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported; however, H10 (perceived effectiveness ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Results of this study offer the following key findings and implications. First the application of PCM was found to be a good analysis framework in the context of LBA adoption. Many of the hypotheses in the model were confirmed and the high value of $R^2$ (i.,e., 51%) indicated a good fit of the model. In particular, locatability and privacy risks are found to be the appropriate PCM-based antecedent variables. Second, the existence of moderating effect of trust on service provider suggests that the same marginal change in the level of privacy risks may differentially influence the intention to use LBA. That is, while the privacy risks increasingly become important social issues and will negatively influence the intention to use LBA, it is critical for LBA providers to build consumer trust and confidence to successfully mitigate this negative impact. Lastly, we could not find sufficient evidence that the intention to use LBA is influenced by perceived usefulness, which has been very well supported in most previous TAM research. This may suggest that more future research should examine the validity of applying TAM and further extend or modify it in the context of LBA or other similar smartphone apps.