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Signal-based feature analysis of behavioral trajectories for predicting calving time and classifying assistance needs
Full text linkAccurately predicting calving time and recognizing when a cow needs help during delivery are essential for effective livestock management. These factors directly influence animal welfare, how labor is distributed on the farm, and overall productivity. Without close monitoring, calving complications can lead to serious health issues or even death for the cattle. Moreover, delayed assistance during difficult births (dystocia) can significantly harm both the cow and the calf. These problems remain challenging due to the subtle and highly variable nature of cattle behavior, especially within large-scale farming environments where continuous manual monitoring is impractical. This research proposes a fully vision-based, non-invasive system that relies solely on cattle trajectory data derived from images to address these challenges. To analyze signal-based behavioral trajectories associated with calving, we applied three signal-based image processing techniques aimed at predicting calving time and identifying individuals likely to require human assistance during parturition. Our system allows for continuous, automated monitoring using four surveillance cameras eliminating the need for wearable sensors or invasive equipment. We employed three analytical approaches such as amplitude analysis, frequency analysis, and power spectral density analysis (PSD) to interpret cattle movement patterns from camera-derived trajectory data. For predicting calving time, our system achieved 100 % accuracy across all methods. Specifically, the amplitude analysis predicted calving within 9 h, the frequency analysis provided predictions within 5 h, and the PSD analysis predicted calving within 6 h. Moreover, in classifying cattle requiring human assistance during parturition, our system achieved accuracy of 60 %, 60 %, and 65 % for the amplitude, frequency, and PSD analyses, respectively. Unlike conventional methods that rely on wearable sensors, manual observation, or AI models requiring extensive training, our prediction system operates without any model training phase, instead directly analyzing motion patterns from trajectory data to generate predictions. This makes our prediction simpler, more interpretable, and highly scalable, offering a practical and robust solution for improving livestock monitoring and timely intervention in modern farming environments. This work paves the way for further development of automated, non-invasive livestock monitoring technologies
Variations in soil compositions and fungal communities are linked to tree composition and understory management
No full textThe increasing prevalence of abandoned secondary forests, resulting from human land use and forest management, often cause the dominance of specific plant species. In the Rokko mountain range (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan), Pieris japonica and dwarf bamboo form a dense understory, hindering the establishment of other plant species. This study investigated how diverse tree compositions and the selective removal of dominant understory plants affect soil environmental conditions (litter and humus contents and soil nutrient levels) as well as fungal community dynamics in these forests. Plots dominated by trees associated with ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM), arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM), and both ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and AM (ECM−AM) fungi had higher proportions of corresponding mycorrhizal fungi. Pieris removal led to enhanced humus accumulation and organic matter content and a shift toward pathotroph−symbiotic fungal dominance. Conversely, dwarf bamboo removal resulted in a minor increase in soil pH and a shift toward pathotrophic fungal communities. The effects of Pieris removal were also observed in plots following removal of both species. Understory management significantly alters soil biogeochemistry and fungal community composition and function. This study underscores the importance of maintaining tree diversity and implementing appropriate understory management strategies to conserve local fungal communities and landscape elements in secondary forests
Whole Mitochondrial Genome Analysis of Killer Whales Reveals the Presence of Resident and Transient Ecotypes Around Hokkaido
No full textIncreasing transfer gap while maximizing load power by selecting topologies in wireless power transfer system
No full textEffectiveness of 360-degree video materials for enhancing emotional readiness and spatial comprehension in nursing students during operating room practicum: A prospective controlled study
Full text linkOperating room (OR) practice often induces anxiety in nursing students because of its highly specialized environment. Innovative preparatory education is essential to enhance students' emotional readiness and spatial understanding prior to clinical exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 360-degree video materials in improving emotional and spatial preparedness among nursing students before and after an OR practicum./This study was conducted in a single nursing school in Japan and included 61 third-year nursing students undergoing OR practicums between September 2024 and January 2025. Students were sequentially assigned to a 360-degree video group (n = 22) or a control group (n = 25). Emotional responses (interest, enjoyment, excitement, fear, and anxiety), OR practicum-related stress, and spatial comprehension (patient flow, nurse workflow, and equipment layout) were assessed before the practicum, after video viewing, and after the practicum./No significant differences were observed between the groups at baseline. After viewing the 360-degree video, the proportion of students who reported interest, enjoyment, and excitement increased significantly. These positive emotional responses were enhanced after the practicum. The proportion of students who reported anxiety (before the practicum: 68.1 %; after viewing: 50.0 %; after the practicum: 22.7 %; P = 0.002) significantly decreased following exposure to the video and continued to decrease after the practicum. Empathy toward patients improved progressively (before the practicum: 77.3 %; after viewing: 90.0 %: after the practicum: 100.0 %; P = 0.04). Spatial comprehension improved significantly after video exposure and continued to increase after the practicum./Integrating 360-degree video into preparatory education effectively enhanced nursing students' emotional readiness and spatial understanding of OR practicums. This approach may contribute to reducing pre-practicum anxiety and facilitate deeper engagement in clinical education
Stratification of viral shedding patterns in saliva of COVID-19 patients
Full text linkLiving with COVID-19 requires continued vigilance against the spread and emergence of variants of concern (VOCs). Rapid and accurate saliva diagnostic testing, alongside basic public health responses, is a viable option contributing to effective transmission control. Nevertheless, our knowledge regarding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in saliva is not as advanced as our understanding of the respiratory tract. Here, we analyzed longitudinal viral load data of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples from 144 patients with mild COVID-19 (a combination of our collected data and published data). Using a mathematical model, we quantified individual-level viral dynamics and stratified them into three groups using a clustering approach. Notably, the three groups exhibited distinct differences in viral RNA detection durations: 11.5 days (95% CI: 10.6-12.4), 17.4 days (16.6-18.2), and 30.0 days (28.1-31.8), respectively. Surprisingly, this stratified grouping remained unexplained despite our analysis of 47 types of clinical data, including basic demographic information, clinical symptoms, results of blood tests, and vital signs. Additionally, we quantified the expression levels of 92 micro-RNAs in a subset of saliva samples, but these also failed to explain the observed stratification, although the mir-1846 level may have been weakly correlated with peak viral load. Our study provides insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in saliva, highlighting the challenges in predicting the duration of viral RNA detection without indicators that directly reflect an individual's immune response, such as antibody induction. Given the significant individual heterogeneity in the kinetics of saliva viral shedding, identifying biomarker(s) for viral shedding patterns will be crucial for improving public health interventions in the era of living with COVID-19
Implementation and evaluation of a global evapotranspiration index algorithm based on land surface temperature
Full text linkEstimating evapotranspiration is crucial for understanding Earth’s energy and water budget, ecosystem dynamics, and for improved water resource management. The Evapotranspiration Index (ETindex) algorithm provides global terrestrial evapotranspiration information using affordable input data and a simple, fully automated computational procedure. The primary inputs of the algorithm are satellite-observed land surface temperature data and global weather information. The algorithm uses land surface temperature data from the Second-Generation Global Imager (SGLI) onboard the Global Change Observation Mission-Climate satellite as the primary input to provide stable terrestrial evapotranspiration maps with a 250 m spatial resolution. In this study, the algorithm was applied to a 4-year global dataset from 2018‒2021 using a newly developed fully automated procedure. Accuracy assessment of the computational results was conducted using 12 ground-based flux monitoring datasets from AsiaFlux and AmeriFlux networks for 5 land-use categories (cropland, grassland, wetland, broadleaf forest, and needleleaf forest). The evaluation represented an affordable estimation accuracy with almost zero bias, with some random errors expressed as root-mean-squared error = 1.12 (mm day-1) and coefficient of variation = 0.51. Accuracy was higher for croplands and grasslands than for forests. The estimation accuracy of the algorithm was compared to that of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) MOD16 global terrestrial evapotranspiration product. The ETindex algorithm showed a higher overall performance than MOD16, particularly for croplands and grasslands, which may be an advantage of the surface temperature-based approach used in the algorithm. Comparison with the global evapotranspiration product of the Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) confirmed that the global spatial distribution and seasonal variations were consistent, except in some cold regions. The ETindex estimation algorithm and its derived ET products have considerable potential to advance terrestrial sustainability in natural environments, water management, and food production. They support this objective by providing robust and accurate evapotranspiration information
Clinical backgrounds and outcomes of patients with Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma treated via endoscopic submucosal dissection in Kyushu, Japan: A retrospective multicenter cohort study
Full text linkObjectives
Most esophageal cancers in Japan are squamous cell carcinomas; however, there has been some concern regarding a recent increase in Barrett's esophageal adenocarcinoma (BEA). This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients treated via endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Kyushu, including changes over time.
Methods
This multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted among 21 institutes situated in Kyushu. Data from patients who underwent ESD for BEA or esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between January 2010 and December 2023 were extracted from the pathology database and reviewed.
Results
The total number of esophageal ESD cases increased from 2299 over the first 7 years to 4009 over the second seven. The incidence of BEA increased from 3.6% (86/2299) over the earlier period to 4.7% (197/4009; p = 0.034) over the latter. We analyzed data from 283 patients (287 lesions). Smaller tumor-sized lesions were detected over the latter period (14.2 ± 11.6 vs. 11.2 ± 9.5 cm2, p = 0.022), significantly reducing treatment times (122.1 ± 81.2 vs. 93.2 ± 53.3 min p < 0.001). The procedure was safe, with low incidence rates, over both the earlier and later periods (respectively), of perforation (0% vs. 1.0%), delayed bleeding (1.2% vs. 2.0%), and pneumonia (4.7% vs. 4.6%).
Conclusion
The proportion of esophageal ESD procedures to treat BEA has increased in Japan's Kyushu region. This procedure has a comparable safety profile to similar ESD procedures used to treat other conditions
Baseline Relationships between Visual Function and Inflammatory Markers in the Registry of Moderated-Stage Retinitis Pigmentosa
Full text linkPurpose
To analyze the association between visual function and inflammatory markers in the baseline data of a prospective natural history registry of patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (Retinitis Pigmentosa Progression and Inflammatory Marker Registry Study [RP-PRIMARY Study]).
Design
A cross-sectional observational study using baseline data from the RP-PRIMARY study.
Participants
A total of 67 patients with moderate-stage typical RP who were treated between October 2021 and October 2022 in 1 of 3 participating hospitals consented to participate and met the inclusion criteria.
Methods
Visual functions were ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Humphrey Field Analyzer 10-2 program (mean deviation value, and the mean sensitivity within the central 1° area [central 4 points, RS Cent 1’] and the 4° area [central 12 points, RS Cent 4’]), ellipsoid zone (EZ) length, central foveal thickness (CFT), hyper-autofluorescence (AF) ring area, and inflammatory markers were aqueous flare and blood test measurements.
Main Outcome Measures
Association between visual function and inflammatory markers.
Results
The median age of participants was 51 (interquartile range: 43–60) years. Spearman rank correlation coefficient demonstrated that aqueous flare values were negatively correlated with ETDRS BCVA (ρ = –0.35; P = 0.004), RS Cent 1’ (ρ = –0.32; P = 0.008), EZ length (ρ = –0.28; P = 0.023), and hyper-AF ring area (ρ = –0.31; P = 0.016). There was no significant correlation between systemic inflammatory markers and visual function. Eyes with intraocular lens (IOL) had significantly lower values of ETDRS BCVA (P = 0.004), RS Cent 1’ (P = 0.005), RS Cent 4’ (P = 0.010), CFT (P = 0.001), and EZ length (P = 0.011), in addition to higher values of aqueous flare (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that eyes with IOL (β = 0.262; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with aqueous flare.
Conclusions
In the baseline data of the RP-PRIMARY study, aqueous flare, an ocular inflammatory marker, was negatively associated with visual function, and IOL implantation was most strongly associated with an increase in aqueous flare in patients with moderate-stage RP. The association between inflammatory markers and disease progression will be evaluated in the ongoing RP-PRIMARY study
