Short Communication Research Articles

Artificial intelligence for predicting urban heat island effect and optimising land use/land cover for mitigation: Prospects and recent advancements

Rocketing global urbanisation has caused an increase in the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, resulting in various negative implications for the urban environment. Quantifying the Surface UHI (SUHI) effect using Land Surface Temperature (LST), Local Climate Zones (LCZ), and deep learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and pix2pix have prospects in aiding sustainable city planning and modification. Most research on mitigating SUHI promotes greenery as a solution, allowing LCZ optimisation to be explored. Using Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) and evolutionary algorithms like Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) show promise in achieving high-quality optimisation solutions. This short communication explores the potential of these artificial intelligence technologies to combat the UHI effect and enhance urban sustainability.

Sustaining private eye care practices during initial days of the coronavirus pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created new challenges for private eye care practices. Safety issues were encountered by both the healthcare workers and patients. This short communication addresses the changes made in our private eye care practice during the pandemic and the valuable lessons learned for the future. Methods: We describe the challenges faced in our tertiary private eye care practice in India with respect to treating patients and preventing the transmission of COVID-19, considering the economic hardship within this area. We discuss the emerging economic, medical, legal, educational, and psychological issues and their solutions, which eye care hospitals could follow in the future to ensure safety without compromising quality of care. Results: Hospitals required efficient operation with reduced fixed expenses. Clinical practices were followed in the hospital as per the recommendations of the country’s apex ophthalmic body. Proper triage and prescreening of patients at the entrance, digitalization, teleophthalmology, staggered appointments, and role-appropriate personal protective equipment were important preventive measures. The operating room protocols were modified to ensure the safety of the operating staff. Special consent was obtained from patients to safeguard against legal repercussions arising from the pandemic. The training of residents and fellows led to new avenues, including the use of digital tools. Hospitals attempted to provide counseling and psychological support to their doctors and staff during these trying times. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic will not be the last pandemic to occur in an ever-changing world. This event provided us with many new insights into the economic, clinical, legal, and psychological challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and with ways to overcome these challenges and emerge intact. Clinical and surgical training suffered during the pandemic; however, the impact was only temporary. Clinical research gained respect because of the efforts undertaken during the pandemic. The pandemic was exceptionally harsh on many private eye care practices, and we hope to provide useful and comprehensive solutions on how to successfully navigate a similar situation if encountered in the future.

Short Communication of the Article Entitled “Slow Digestible Starch in Native Pea Starch (Pisum sativum L.) Lowers Glycemic Response with No Adverse Effects on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Healthy Adults

The number of diabetics and overweight people is increasing significantly year after year [1]. It seems difficult to counteract the situation. Fatty, salty, sugary, ultra-processed foods are highly appreciated by consumers and their negative health effects seem to be denied. Most consumers express the need for pleasure in their diet

The Pervasive Threat of Fake News and Disinformation in the Digital Age: Challenges and Solutions

In the dynamic landscape of the digital age, the proliferation of fake news and disinformation has emerged as a critical concern, casting a shadow over the foundations of public opinion and eroding trust in journalism. This short communication explores the intricate role that media plays in the dissemination of fake news, highlighting the far-reaching consequences on public perception and the integrity of journalistic practices. It delves into the definition and mechanisms of fake news, examining its propagation through social media algorithms, echo chambers, rapid dissemination, and manipulation tactics. The paper also discusses the role of both traditional media and online platforms in amplifying fake news and analyzes its consequences on public opinion, democracy, and public health. Furthermore, it explores challenges in countering fake news, including the volume and speed of information, evolving tactics of disinformation, algorithmic challenges, and ethical considerations in content moderation. Finally, the paper presents solutions and recommendations to mitigate the impact of fake news, including enhancing media literacy, promoting responsible journalism practices, implementing effective fact-checking mechanisms, leveraging technology, and advocating for regulatory measures. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors to address the challenges posed by fake news and disinformation in the digital era.

Study on the Innovation of Short Video Communication Path of Keemun Red Tea Culture under the Perspective of Rural Revitalization

Qimen black tea with its long history and unique production process has been handed down to the present day. The current Qihong tea products and quality are at a high level, and the Qihong industry is also the core of the local rural revitalization, but the related topics are not highly concerned. The rapid development of Internet technology, self-media platform is highly favored. Short video plays an important role in innovative promotion of Qimen red tea development, enhance visibility and influence, and empower rural revitalization. The purpose of this paper is to explore the rural revitalization perspective of Qihong culture short video communication innovation road research. Through the survey questionnaire, review of literature and other research methods to draw the research status, for the dissemination of Qimen red tea culture to provide practical direction.

Analysis of the Dissemination of Popular Science Short Videos in China: Case Study of "Wuqiongxiaoliang's Popular Science Daily"

This article explores the spread of popular science short videos in China using the example of "Wuqiongxiaoliang's popular Science Daily". The article introduces the growth of Internet users in China and the rise of short video platforms, as well as the wide application of short videos in various fields. It also discusses research on science communication, short video communication, and popular science short videos. The aim of this study is to analyze the communication strategy and effect of 'Wuqiongxiaoliang's popular Science Daily' and explore the current problems and future development direction of popular science short videos. The research questions are focused on the account's communication strategy, including the use of humor, personalized portrayals, and expertise to engage viewers. At the same time, it also highlights the problems faced by the account, such as the homogenization of content across multiple platforms and the packaging in the style of a single video. Finally, the direction of future development is suggested, including a deep understanding of user needs, the creation of unique content, a focus on current events and the integration of scientific entertainment. Popular science short videos are expected to continue playing a significant role in science communication in the digital age, provided they meet the challenges and employ innovative communication strategies.

Research on the Influencing Factors and Optimization Strategies of Anhui City Image Communication in the Era of Short Video

With the development of new media technology, mobile short video has become an important window to disseminate the city image of Anhui, the author from the analysis of the characteristics of the city image communication, the city image communication existing problems, the city image communication optimization strategy in three aspects, to explore the short video era of Anhui city image communication strategy, give full play to the influence of the short video communication, dissemination of the good voice of Anhui.

Social sham chewing in sows?

In this short communication, we describe chewing behaviour in sows with no apparent edible substrate in their mouth as a potential social behaviour. Chewing in sows during interaction with unfamiliar sows was unexpectedly observed in a study assessing social abilities and damaging behaviours in group-housed dry sows. Such chewing was observed frequently and performed by almost all sows. To our knowledge, this behaviour has not been described previously in a social context in pigs, but rather as an oral stereotypic behaviour related to chronic hunger. We describe the behaviour in its social context and speculate on reasons for its occurrence in that context.

Challenges in the quantification of household food waste: the need for consistent methodologies

Purpose The purpose of this short communication is to shed light on the accuracy of quantification methods of household food waste (HFW).Design/methodology/approach Thirty-seven recently published studies in HFW were surveyed for this commentary. Exemplary methods and findings of these studies were compared.Findings It is challenging to draw conclusions on the amount of the HFW per person/town/country due to the inconsistent and heterogeneous methodologies used. We recommend using direct measurements or triangulation of methods to help ensure valid findings. Governments should incentivize consumers to deliver their food waste to designated locations where weights could accurately be assessed. Monetary or tax incentives could help stimulate an accurate accounting of waste and encourage reductions. Food waste measurements should be consistently reported as kg/person/week.Social implications Food and water security must be provided for all. It is estimated that one-third of edible food for humans is currently lost or wasted globally. According to the World Food Program (WFP), this is about 1.3 billion tons of food per year and at the same time this wasted food could be sufficient to feed two billion people.Originality/value The aim of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature about the magnitude and significance of HFW and its impact on the environment and social welfare. Currently, there are no generally accepted uniform methods of food waste quantification at the household level. This original communication brings the importance and challenges of the quantification of HFW to light.

Short Communication: Investigation of mecA-positive and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dairy goat with subclinical mastitis from traditional farms in Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Abstract. Praja RN, Edila R, Yudhana A, Saputro AL, Hamonangan JM, Praja SS. 2024. Short Communication: Investigation of mecA-positive and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dairy goat with subclinical mastitis from traditional farms in Banyuwangi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1638-1643. Raw milk has the potential to transmit bacteria resistant to antibiotics and serve as a medium for the development of food-borne illnesses. Staphylococcus aureus is a harmful bacterium that can infect host cells and carry antibiotic-resistant genes. This study aims to investigate the occurrence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which contains mecA coding gene from raw goat milk in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. 150 raw milk samples were collected from five goat farms in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. S. aureus was isolated using selective media, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Mueller-Hinton agar diffusion method. MRSA was confirmed using the oxacillin and cefotaxime resistance screen agar test, with the presence of mecA genes identified through polymerase chain reaction. The results show that the prevalence of S. aureus was 30.6%. Of the 46 S. aureus isolates, 28 (60.87%) were categorized as MRSA. The mecA gene was observed in 9 (32.14%) MRSA isolates. The presence of MRSA in raw goat milk poses a significant public health threat, as bacteria carrying the mecA gene for antimicrobial resistance can spread through animal products like raw milk. Enhanced hygiene and sanitation protocols in dairy goat farms are essential prevention measures that must be strictly implemented.

Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in the protection of intangible cultural heritage through short video communication

The preservation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) has gradually shifted to digital innovations in the era of expanding information technologies (IT). This study uses brief video communication to investigate the function of artificial intelligence (AI) in ICH protection. A social networking platform is connected with the AI-driven method. This study comprises instances of short videos and concentrates on essential components like musical instruments and traditional music. Next, the linguistic (text) and visual aspects of the short videos are evaluated using computer vision techniques like You only look once (YOLO) network and natural language processing (NLP) approaches. We use AI-driven analysis to find trends in the data, and we also use qualitative analysis to present it. The random forest (RF) model is developed to assess the heritage transmission level in the videos based on factors like security and cultural importance. The outcomes of the RF model are analyzed in terms of precision, accuracy, and f-measure metrics. Additionally, performance comparisons of the allocation of traditional musical instruments under different production types are carried out, and outcomes are also obtained visually using data visualization tools. This study finally shows how AI can be used to enhance ICH safety through short video communication technology.

An empirical study on the communication effect of Xiaogang short video

The story of Xiaogang Village began in 1978. The protagonists of the story - 18 villagers of Xiaogang Village, Fengyang, Anhui Province, demonstrated the pioneering "big contract spirit" to the world through groundbreaking reform practices. The 44-year road of rural reform and development has written a new chapter for Xiaogang Village. The "Xiaogang Spirit" of "dare to create, dare to take responsibility, and dare to struggle" has become an important core of China's rural revitalization strategy. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the government work report of the two sessions both pointed out that we must comprehensively deepen reform and opening up and promote rural revitalization. This article aims to study the publicity effect of the Red Brigade short video in Xiaogang Village under the integration of the Red Brigade, explore and summarize the optimization strategy of short video communication in Xiaogang Village, shoulder the mission of the times with practical actions, and help rural revitalization.

Nesting of the Black Stork (<i>Ciconia nigra</i>) in the province of Turin

[In 2023 a new nesting site of Balck Stork has been discovered for the first time in the Torino province, North-West Italy. Like most European Black Storks nesting in forest, this nest was built in a tree; in this case a Sessile Oak close to waterbodies such as rivers, streams and ponds.] [Short Communication in Italian]

Periparturient blood T-lymphocyte PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression as potential predictors of new intramammary infections in dairy cows during early lactation (short communication)

BackgroundThe periparturient period in dairy cows is marked by immunosuppression which increases the likelihood of infectious disorders, particularly also mastitis. An in-depth understanding of peripartum leukocyte biology is vital for the implementation of highly successful post-partum disease prevention measures. Immune checkpoint molecules, such as programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), are critical inhibitory receptors expressed on immune cells, particularly T cells, that drive immunosuppressive signaling pathways. However, the potential role of immune checkpoint molecules expression in T-cells on udder health has never been explored. Thus, the association between the occurrence of new postpartum intramammary infections (IMIs) and the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) on blood T-cells during the peripartum period was investigated.ResultsIn this study, the incidence of IMIs by any pathogen in early lactation was not associated with a higher expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in the periparturient period. However, the incidence of IMIs by major pathogens throughout the first month of lactation was significantly associated with higher expression of PD-1 at 14 days before calving (P = 0.03) and CTLA-4 at parturition (P = 0.03) by blood T-cells. Also, the expression of CTLA-4 at D0 (P = 0.012) by T-cells was associated with the occurrence of persistent IMIs during the first month of lactation.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 by blood T-lymphocytes during the periparturient period in dairy cows and to explore their relationship with the incidence of new IMIs in the postpartum period. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of leukocyte biology during peripartum would appear to be a prerequisite for the identification of resilient dairy cows or targets innovative (immunological) non-antibiotic approaches in the transition period.

Short Communication: Radon testing via a state tobacco quitline

ObjectiveExposure to radon gas at home is the second largest cause of lung cancer after smoking and dramatically increases smokers’ risk of lung cancer. State tobacco quitlines are uniquely positioned to inform smokers about radon, yet, to our knowledge, none does so. We explored the feasibility of introducing free radon tests via the tobacco quitline in North Dakota, a state with one of the highest radon levels in the U.S. MethodsFive hundred consecutive callers to the ND Quits Tobacco quitline from February 2021 to February 2023 were invited to complete a brief radon questionnaire and receive a free radon test kit. Radon tests were bar-coded so that the return rate of the tests and the radon levels could be determined. ResultsTwo hundred fifty-one (51 %) callers completed the questionnaire and seventy-five radon tests were successfully returned to the laboratory. More than one third of the test results were ≥ 4.0 pCi/L, the action level recommended by the EPA. Only 1 in 5 participants reported knowing that radon caused lung cancer. ConclusionRadon knowledge among ND smokers is poor. Radon test distribution via quitlines is feasible and may be a valuable addition to quitline services, particularly in states with high radon levels.

Short communication: Complete dissolution of MX-phase nanoprecipitates in fusion steels during irradiation by heavy-ions

New RAFM steels, with intragranular VN precipitates for enhanced creep strength, were irradiated with 2MeV Fe+ ions at 600 °C to explore MX-type precipitate response to extreme end-of-life conditions in breeder blanket components. Utilizing TEM, Analytical-STEM, and APT, the steels were characterized in the unirradiated and irradiated states. Unirradiated grains contained needle-like VN precipitates (∼1 × 1022/m2). However, throughout the 40–100 dpa irradiation damage layer, VN precipitates were completely annihilated. APT confirmed no fine-scale VN clustering, indicating re-solution with the matrix, suggesting instability. Further investigations via reactor irradiations are crucial to assess this instability under breeder blanket conditions.

Brief Analysis of the Short Video Communication Strategy of "Xiaogang Story"

"Xiaogang Story" is the story of Xiaogang Village and a portrayal of China's rural reform process over the past 44 years. Starting from the perspective of the red countryside, this article innovatively constructs the content of the short video "Xiaogang Story" based on historical records and "Xiaogang Spirit", and studies the content narrative of the short video communication of "Xiaogang Story" with the mass media interaction model as the main axis. With production, communication channels, recipients, communication effects and optimization mechanisms, explore the path and situation of the short video communication of "Xiaogang Story", with a view to making constructive strategies for the media communication of "Xiaogang Story" in the new era of socialism nature, forward-looking, practical thinking and guidance, and give full play to the high-energy motivation and mission of the "Xiaogang Spirit".

A case report of acute claudication due to vena cava thromboembolism in a dog naturally infected with Leishmania Infantum

Canine leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania infantum, and clinical manifestations of infection range from absent or severe to fatal and result from immune-mediated mechanisms. In dogs, the most common clinical signs of leishmaniosis include skin lesions and lymphadenomegaly. However, the presence of other nontypical signs has been described, and diagnosing these cases can be challenging. The aim of the present short communication was to describe the impact of the formation of circulating immunocomplexes due to L. infantum in a dog with leishmaniosis affected by a massive venous thrombus of the caudal vena cava and external iliac veins. On admission, the dog presented bilateral cutaneous vasculopathy of the thigh and renal disease due to L. infantum infection. Two weeks after starting anti-Leishmania treatment based on meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol administration, the animal developed acute claudication of the hind limbs with the presence of a thrombus in the caudal vena cava and the external iliac veins and a high level of circulating immunocomplexes detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Exacerbation of the humoral immune response, along with deposition of circulating immune complexes in the tissues and the concurrent presence of kidney and liver damage, might have contributed to an imbalance in haemostasis in this patient. Future studies should evaluate and analyse the pathological mechanisms contributing to thrombosis in dogs with leishmaniosis.

Letter to the editor on “in vitro & in silico study of hypoglycaemic potential of pterocarpus marsupium heartwood extract”

The Short Communication “In vitro & in silico study of hypoglycemic potential of Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood extract” published in Natural Product Research is praised for its depth of inquiry and exploration of hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. However, there are areas for refinement, such as clearer definitions of key terms related to type 2 diabetes mellitus, updated literature review, improved organization and contextualization of the Results and Discussion section, and a more balanced discussion of the study’s implications.

Fiber-in-tube SPME-CapLC-MS/MS method to determine Aβ peptides in cerebrospinal fluid obtained from Alzheimer's patients

Mass spectrometry is characterized by its high sensitivity, ability to measure very low analyte concentrations, specificity to distinguish between closely related compounds, availability to generate high-throughput methods for screening, and high multiplexing capacity. This technique has been used as a platform to analyze fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. However, more effective sample preparation procedures, preferably antibody-independent, and more automated mass spectrometry platforms with improved sensitivity, chromatographic separation, and high throughput are needed for this purpose. This short communication discusses the development of a fiber-in-tube SPME-CapLC-MS/MS method to determine Aβ peptides in cerebrospinal fluid obtained from Alzheimer's disease patients. To obtain the fiber-in-tube SPME capillary, we longitudinally packed 22 nitinol fibers coated with a zwitterionic polymeric ionic liquid into the same length of the PEEK tube. In addition, this communication compares this fiber-in-tube SPME method with the conventional HPLC scale (HPLC-MS/MS) and when directly coupled to CapESI-MS/MS without chromatographic separation, and, as a case study, discusses the benefits and challenges inherent in miniaturizing the flow scale of the sample preparation technique (fiber-in-tube SPME) to the CapLC-MS/MS system. Fiber-in-tube SPME-CapLC-MS/MS provided LLOQ ranging from 0.09 to 0.10 ng mL−1, accuracy ranging from 91 to 117 % (recovery), and reproducibility of less than 18 % (RSD). Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained from Alzheimer's disease patients evidenced that the method is robust. At the capillary scale (10 µL min−1), this innovative method presented higher analytical sensitivity than the conventional HPLC-MS/MS scale. Although fiber-in-tube SPME directly coupled to CapESI-MS/MS offers advantages in terms of high throughput, the sample was dispersed and non-quantitatively desorbed from the capillary at low flow rate. These results highlighted that chromatographic separation is important to decrease the matrix effect and to achieve higher detectability, which is indispensable for bioanalysis.