Search Results (564)

The adoption of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), has emerged as a key strategy to improve efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in the agricultural sector, especially in contexts of modernization and digital transformation in developing regions. This study analyzes the key factors influencing the adoption of IoT technologies by farmers in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, and their impact on agricultural yields. The research is grounded in innovation diffusion theory and technology acceptance models, which emphasize the role of perception, usability, training, and economic viability in digital adoption. A total of 250 surveys were administered, with 232 valid responses (92.8% response rate), reflecting strong interest from the agricultural sector in digital transformation and precision agriculture. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the results confirm that general perception of IoT (β = 0.514), practical functionality (β = 0.488), and technical training (β = 0.523) positively influence adoption, while high implementation costs negatively affect it (β = −0.651), all of which are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, adoption has a strong positive effect on agricultural yield (β = 0.795). The model explained a high percentage of variance in both adoption (R² = 0.771) and performance (R² = 0.706), supporting its predictive capacity. These findings underscore the need for public and private institutions to implement targeted training and financing strategies to overcome economic barriers and foster the sustainable integration of IoT technologies in Ecuadorian agriculture. Full article

Climate change negatively affects agriculture, causing desertification, salinisation, and drought. The biochar hydroinfiltrator (ES Patent No.: ES2793448 B2) is a device that increases the capture of rainwater or irrigation water for crops by increasing infiltration rates. Biochar, produced via biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising agricultural amendment, as it helps to optimise moisture retention and improve soil structure, key aspects for boosting crop yields. There is growing interest in microorganisms’ plant-growth-promoting activity (PGP) by carrying out different activities considered growth promoters. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of a biochar hydroinfiltrator as a promoter of microbial activity when it is used in soil. Metagenomic analysis of soils with and without the device reveals that genera Bacillus and Sphingomonas became particularly enriched in soils with hydroinfiltrators. Also, in order to understand the interaction between the uses of biochar together with bacteria PGP, an in vitro test was carried out. Two microorganisms, previously selected for their characteristics as plant growth promoters, were inoculated in soils with and without biochar and they grew better after 15 to 30 days of inoculation, showing major CFU counts. This combined strategy—biochar hydroinfiltrator and PGP bacteria—offers an innovative, eco-friendly approach to sustainable agriculture, particularly under drought stress. Full article

As potable water becomes limited, alternative water sources, such as reclaimed wastewater, for crop irrigation have gained attention. However, reclaimed wastewater for irrigation may expose edible crops to compounds of emerging concern (CECs), which may include pharmaceutics, hazardous waste, and volatile substances. Of these CECs, carbamazepine (CBZ) is of particular interest because only 7% of CBZ is filtered out during traditional wastewater treatment processing methods. Two trials were designed to evaluate the uptake and partitioning of CBZ in lettuce grown in a deep-water culture system (DWC) at low and high concentrations. The first trial (0 µg L⁻¹, 12.5 µg L⁻¹, 25 µg L⁻¹, and 50 µg L⁻¹) of CBZ had few effects on lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) growth, and low concentrations of accumulated CBZ were found in lettuce tissues. As a result, increased concentrations of CBZ were used in the second trial (0 mg L⁻¹, 21 mg L⁻¹, 41 mg L⁻¹, and 83 mg L⁻¹). Greater amounts of CBZ accumulated in plant tissues and the application of higher rates of CBZ negatively affected the growth and overall health of the lettuce. Further research is needed to determine the impacts of CECs on plant uptake and growth, as well as the environmental conditions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent condition that negatively impacts women’s quality of life. Uterine-preserving procedures are increasingly demanded by patients with uterine prolapse, particularly when associated with true cervical elongation. The Manchester procedure, historically used for uterine preservation, has regained interest due to its effectiveness and low morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of the Manchester procedure in women with uterine prolapse due to cervical elongation, assessing patient satisfaction and associated clinical factors. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study at the Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Spain, including patients undergoing the Manchester procedure between January 2017 and December 2022. Inclusion criteria required a diagnosis of uterine prolapse due to clinically confirmed true cervical elongation. Surgical details, complications, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a Likert scale during follow-up visits. Results: A total of 38 patients were included, with a mean age of 48.7 years. All presented with symptomatic uterine prolapse and elongated cervix (>5 cm). The anatomical success rate was 97%, with only one case of symptomatic recurrence. The most common early postoperative complication was urinary tract infection (10.5%). The average follow-up duration was 18.6 months. A high level of satisfaction was recorded: 94.8% of patients were either “very satisfied” (73.7%) or “satisfied” (21.1%), and only 5.3% reported dissatisfaction. Multicompartmental repair (anterior and/or posterior colporrhaphy) improved satisfaction outcomes. Conclusions: The Manchester procedure is a safe, effective uterine-sparing surgical option for patients with cervical elongation-related uterine prolapse. It demonstrates a high anatomical success rate and low morbidity, with excellent patient satisfaction. Comprehensive preoperative assessment and addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity and smoking are key to optimizing results. Further prospective studies are needed to assess long-term durability and quality-of-life outcomes. Full article

Many researchers focus on improving reproductive health in sows and ensuring successful breeding by accurately identifying the optimal time of ovulation through estrus detection. One promising non-contact technique involves using computer vision to analyze temperature variations in thermal images of the sow’s vulva. However, variations in camera distance during dataset collection can significantly affect the accuracy of this method, as different distances alter the resolution of the region of interest, causing pixel intensity values to represent varying areas and temperatures. This inconsistency hinders the detection of the subtle temperature differences required to distinguish between estrus and non-estrus states. Moreover, failure to maintain a consistent camera distance, along with external factors such as atmospheric conditions and improper calibration, can distort temperature readings, further compromising data accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, without addressing distance variations, the model’s generalizability diminishes, increasing the likelihood of false positives and negatives and ultimately reducing the effectiveness of estrus detection. In our previously proposed methodology for estrus detection in sows, we utilized YOLOv8 for segmentation and keypoint detection, while monocular depth estimation was used for camera calibration. This calibration helps establish a functional relationship between the measurements in the image (such as distances between labia, the clitoris-to-perineum distance, and vulva perimeter) and the depth distance to the camera, enabling accurate adjustments and calibration for our analysis. Estrus classification is performed by comparing new data points with reference datasets using a three-nearest-neighbor voting system. In this paper, we aim to enhance our previous method by incorporating the mean pixel intensity of the region of interest as an additional factor. We propose a detailed four-step methodology coupled with two stages of evaluation. First, we carefully annotate masks around the vulva to calculate its perimeter precisely. Leveraging the advantages of deep learning, we train a model on these annotated images, enabling segmentation using the cutting-edge YOLOv9 algorithm. This segmentation enables the detection of the sow’s vulva, allowing for analysis of its shape and facilitating the calculation of the mean pixel intensity in the region. Crucially, we use monocular depth estimation from the previous method, establishing a functional link between pixel intensity and the distance to the camera, ensuring accuracy in our analysis. We then introduce a classification approach that differentiates between estrus and non-estrus regions based on the mean pixel intensity of the vulva. This classification method involves calculating Euclidean distances between new data points and reference points from two datasets: one for “estrus” and the other for “non-estrus”. The classification process identifies the five closest neighbors from the datasets and applies a majority voting system to determine the label. A new point is classified as “estrus” if the majority of its nearest neighbors are labeled as estrus; otherwise, it is classified as “non-estrus”. This automated approach offers a robust solution for accurate estrus detection. To validate our method, we propose two evaluation stages: first, a quantitative analysis comparing the performance of our new YOLOv9 segmentation model with the older U-Net and YOLOv8 models. Secondly, we assess the classification process by defining a confusion matrix and comparing the results of our previous method, which used the three nearest points, with those of our new model that utilizes five nearest points. This comparison allows us to evaluate the improvements in accuracy and performance achieved with the updated model. The automation of this vital process holds the potential to revolutionize reproductive health management in agriculture, boosting breeding success rates. Through thorough evaluation and experimentation, our research highlights the transformative power of computer vision, pushing forward more advanced practices in the field. Full article

Tropical pasture degradation represents a major challenge for global food security and environmental conservation, particularly in Brazil, where up to 60% of pastures are degraded. This study evaluates the economic viability of recovery of degraded pastures using an integrated crop–livestock–forest (ICLF) system. A representative 2-hectare system in the Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed, featuring native Dipteryx alata trees interplanted with pasture for cattle grazing. A deterministic financial model was developed to simulate annual cash flows over a 20-year period under various financing scenarios, including self-financing and multiple subsidized rural credit lines (e.g., Pronaf and Pronamp programs, and ABC Ambiental). The analysis shows that subsidized credit lines with low interest rates and extended grace periods significantly improve project profitability, yielding positive NPVs and robust internal rates of return, while self-financing and high-cost credit options (such as Pronaf Mulher) result in negative NPVs. The dual cash flow strategy—where borrowed funds are immediately invested in secure fixed-income instruments—further enhances economic performance. The findings demonstrate that ICLF-based pasture recovery is economically viable when supported by appropriate financing, offering a scalable model for sustainable agriculture that delivers both economic and environmental benefits. Full article

Agriculture and manufacturing report the highest rate of occupational accidents and fatalities in Italy. Safety training provided through digital devices has been shown to be effective in promoting safety behaviors at work. This study aimed to investigate through a questionnaire the perceptions of working conditions, risks in using machines, and interest in using digital devices for safety training purposes in a group of vineyard workers (VWs, N = 40) and manufacturing workers (MWs, N = 39) in Northwest Italy. Referring to working conditions, VWs significantly differ compared to MWs (p < 0.05) in fatigue perception, repetitiveness, quantity and definition of tasks compared to the available time, work pace definition, and level of communication. Tractors and lathes were considered the most hazardous machinery for VWs and MWs, respectively. For both groups, workers’ age negatively correlated with digital device use (r = −0.399 p < 0.05 for VWs, r = −0.673 p < 0.01 for MWs) but not with interest in using them. Device adoption positively correlated with the perceived importance of gamification content (r = 0.193 and r = 0.164, p > 0.05 for VWs and MWs, respectively), but the video lessons reported a higher mean score by both groups as preferred content. These findings suggest that digital safety training requires customized content to effectively adapt to different productive sectors. Full article

Commuting plays a critical role in shaping sustainable transport systems, yet understanding the diverse preferences of commuter groups remains a challenge for policymakers. As cities aim to promote sustainable transport, it is essential to better understand the factors influencing travel behaviors. This study investigates the commuting preferences and behaviors of urban employees in Italy, focusing on identifying distinct user profiles and their implications for policy development. Using a dataset of 2301 participants from Italian cities, the research analyzed transport mode choices, willingness to adopt sustainable transport options, and perceptions of public transport (PT) services, including factors such as travel time, proximity to PT stops, cost, and comfort, rated on a four-point Likert scale. K-modes clustering was employed to segment participants into three clusters based on their travel behaviors. The results revealed three distinct user profiles: (1) car-dependent users with negative perceptions of PT, driven by family obligations and dissatisfaction with PT services; (2) individuals who primarily use cars but are somewhat open to improvements in PT; (3) individuals willing to adopt alternative mobility options, including active and shared transport modes. Significant differences were found across clusters in terms of mode choices, willingness to use sustainable transport, and satisfaction with PT services. Notably, employees showed limited interest in alternative sustainable transport modes such as e-scooters and walking, with 73% and 66% of participants expressing little or no interest, respectively. Despite incentives such as company subsidies for purchasing bicycles or e-scooters, 58% of employees remained uninterested in adopting these alternatives. Additionally, employees’ perceptions of PT services revealed dissatisfaction with factors such as travel time, comfort, and punctuality, with over 70% rating these aspects as “Poor” or “Fair”. These findings suggest that improving the quality of PT services, particularly in terms of travel time, punctuality, comfort, and cost, should be a priority for enhancing user satisfaction. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to reduce car dependence and promote sustainable urban transport planning. Full article

In the Netherlands, around 52,000 dairy cows die on the primary farm each year due to natural death, euthanasia, or on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES). The decision as to what is the best option is made by the farmer, often after consulting a veterinarian, a livestock trader, or a slaughterhouse operator. To determine which factors play a role in this decision-making process, semi-structured interviews were conducted with dairy farmers, private veterinary practitioners, livestock traders, and slaughterhouse operators in the Netherlands. Dairy cattle culling decisions are influenced and limited by strict enforcement of livestock transport regulations and limited options for on-farm killing methods. Requirements regarding mortality rates imposed by the dairy industry and private quality labels for raw milk also influence culling decisions in the Netherlands. Most participants stated that restrictive conditions regarding OFES and mobile slaughterhouses (MSHs) appear to have (unintended) negative effects on cow welfare and meat salvage in general. Different interests, such as cow welfare, food safety, economic concerns of various stakeholders, the reputational interests of the dairy and beef industries, and sustainability objectives such as meat salvage can be conflictive. The results of this study show that the decision-making process regarding culling or (prolonged) veterinary treatment of dairy cattle is complex because various factors, interests, and uncertainties must be weighed. This weighing can vary between individual dairy farms and individual dairy farmers. Full article

Exchange rate volatility has emerged to be one of the most critical determinants of price stability for countries operating in multicurrency systems with their own currency in the basket of currencies. This study empirically examined the impact of exchange rates (official and parallel market rates) on inflation in Zimbabwe during the multicurrency system for the period 2014 to 2024, together with comparing the impacts of the official and parallel market exchange rates on inflation. Time series and monthly data were used to examine the short and long run impact of exchange rates on inflation in an ARDL estimation framework. Findings revealed a short run and long run positive relationship between both the official and parallel market exchange rates and inflation, with the parallel market exchange rate being the most significant variable. Other control variables used, such as domestic productivity, have a highly significant negative impact on inflation through the official and parallel exchange rate models in both the short and the long run. Money supply, real interest rate, trade balance, foreign prices, foreign output, stock market prices and foreign currency reserves have varied impacts through either the official or parallel market exchange rate models. Policy recommendations include a contractionary Monetary and expansionary Fiscal policy mix that will result in exchange rate appreciation and stability, productivity growth, trade surplus, growth in reserves, and ultimately low prices. The exchange rate policy recommended in this study is to shelve discard the local currency in the multicurrency system until industrial capacity utilization exceeds 50% to add the local currency to the basket of currencies and 75% for mono-local currency (de-dollarization). Full article

Background: Since overweight is increasing worldwide, the interest in its potential impact on fertility treatment has increased. Whilst the body mass index (BMI)-based overweight classification is simple, BMI cannot measure body fat distribution. In this research, we aim to investigate whether waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are better predictors of ovarian response in IVF cycles than BMI. Methods: This prospective observational study included 265 couples undergoing their first IVF/ICSI treatment. BMI, WC, WHR, and insulin sensitivity (measured with homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index) were assessed at enrollment. The primary outcome of the study was the correlations between the study variables and the ovarian sensitivity index (OSI), calculated according to the formula [(number of retrieved oocytes/total gonadotropin dose) × 1000]. Secondary outcomes were other IVF-related outcomes, including live birth rates. Results: The study included 265 women with a mean age of 35.8 ± 4.4 years. The mean BMI was 24.0 ± 4.2 kg/m², WC was 79.1 ± 10.8 cm, and WHR was 0.85 ± 0.09. WC was >80 cm in 102 women and ≤80 cm in 163; WHR was >0.85 in 146 women and ≤0.85 in 119. Higher WC and WHR were both significantly associated with lower OSI, independent of BMI. OSI was lower in women with a WC of >80 cm vs. ≤80 cm (3.2 ± 2.5 vs. 4.6 ± 3.9, p < 0.05) and in those with a WHR of >0.85 vs. ≤0.85 (3.4 ± 2.3 vs. 4.9 ± 4.1, p < 0.05). Live birth rates did not differ between groups. Conclusions: The type of body fat distribution is associated with the ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation. In particular, upper body fat correlates negatively with ovarian sensitivity to exogenous gonadotropins. However, potential effects on live birth rates do not seem to be clinically relevant. Full article

Globally, financial inclusion is regarded as being crucial for balancing an economy’s financial system. However, despite the significance of financial inclusion, it still needs to be clarified to identify what factors are responsible for the diverse trend of financial inclusion in the forty-five Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries from 1999 to 2024. The main rationale of the study empirically investigated these determinants of financial inclusion in forty-five Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries from 1999 to 2024, which covers three distinct periods: which is the pre-COVID, 2020–2022 is the COVID period, and the post-COVID period from 2023 onward, but examined as a whole from 1999 to 2024 for easy policy formulation for SSA countries. The study was anchored on two main research objectives: firstly, to examine the factors influencing financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in these three distinct periods, and lastly, to present the policy implications of the result of these factors in enhancing financial inclusion in the post-COVID era in SSA. The study used the Panel Least Squares (PLS) technique in the data analysis. The result revealed that economic growth (GRO), Islamic banking (ISMAIC), money supply (MSS), internet users (USERS), and credit availability (CREDIT) positively and significantly enhance financial inclusion with coefficients of 0.001298, 4.926809, 1.08 × 10⁻⁶, 0.459388, and 0.657431, respectively, with significant p-values of 0.0008, 0.0023, 0.0000, 0.0000, and 0.000, respectively. On the flip side, internet servers (SERVER) have a negative coefficient value of 4.63 × 10⁻⁶ with a p-value of 0.000. Though inflation (INFL) and interest rate (INT.) have negative coefficient values of −0.02853 and −0.08317, they have insignificant p-value impacts of 0.2841 and 0.2501, respectively. The result indicates that many of the variables have a significant impact on financial inclusion. This is shown from the probabilities of the t statistics of each of the independent variables in the estimated model, which are significant at the 5% level. The policy implications of these results include the following: firstly, SSA governments should promote economic growth through investment in productive sectors, infrastructure development, and job creation programs to indirectly improve financial inclusion. Secondly, SSA countries’ policymakers should maintain price stability through sound monetary and fiscal policies to ensure inflation does not hinder access to financial services. Thirdly, SSA countries’ governments and central banks should promote lower interest rates and enhance credit accessibility, especially for marginalized groups, through subsidized loans and targeted credit schemes. Fourthly, policymakers should support the expansion of Islamic finance by improving regulatory frameworks and increasing awareness about Sharia-compliant financial products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Currently, the type of population reproduction in China has changed to “low birth, low death, low growth”. Additionally, as the number of single people has increased and the number of women of childbearing age has decreased, the growth of the total population was bound to show a negative trend. Therefore, this study aimed to understand what factors influence fertility intentions from the perspective of single, unmarried women. Methods: We designed our own online questionnaire and collected information on fertility intentions from single, unmarried women of childbearing age (18–49 years). A total of 741 questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 92.6%, and the Theory of Planned Behavior model was integrated into the questionnaire survey. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 24.0, and AMOS 24.0 software’s analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were differences in attitudes towards fertility intentions among respondents. Structural equation models were constructed via AMOS software for validation factor analysis and path analysis. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in “monthly income”, “net family income”, “health status”, and “only-child status”. Structural equation modelling revealed that fertility attitudes (β₁ = 0.301, p < 0.05), subjective norms (β₂ = 0.295, p < 0.05), and perceived behavioural control (β₃ = 0.146, p < 0.05) positively influence fertility intentions. Conclusions: The fertility intentions of single, unmarried women of childbearing age in China are influenced by many factors. Therefore, society should pay more attention to the rights and interests of single, unmarried women and provide a better social environment for childbearing; in addition, it is possible to appropriately relax the fertility policy of single births to improve the low fertility rate in China. Full article

This paper explores the broad probiotic and functional properties of two non-Saccharomyces strains (MI120 and MI125) and one Saccharomyces cerevisiae BB06 strain (as a reference probiotic). Torulaspora delbrueckii MI120 and Starmerella bacillaris MI125 were identified via 5.8S rDNA sequencing. All the strains survived well in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and had strong antioxidant activity (>68%). S. bacillaris MI125 excelled in antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. S. bacillaris MI125 and Sacch. cerevisiae BB06 resisted all the tested antibiotics. No strain displayed hemolytic behavior. The freeze-dried yeast strains achieved survival rates between 76.62% and 93.38%. Based on our physiological characterization analysis (carbon assimilation, ethanol tolerance, acetic acid and H₂S production, temperature and low pH tolerance, enzymatic pattern, and killer phenotype), all the strains showed interesting attributes, with Sacch. cerevisiae BB06 fermenting vigorously in malt extract medium. Beer fermented with T. delbrueckii MI120 had the highest phenolic content (96.02 μg GAE·mL⁻¹) and antioxidant activity (90.43%), matching commercial Sacch. cerevisiae US-05 in sensory traits such as taste and aroma. However, after two months in bottled beer, the yeast viability decreased to 2–3 log CFU·mL⁻¹. The pilot brewing and the assessments of the strains’ technological, physico-chemical, and sensorial properties confirmed their suitability for industrial brewing. Overall, T. delbrueckii MI120 emerges as a promising brewing strain, and S. bacillaris MI125 is a potential probiotic. Full article

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) continues to present a therapeutic challenge due to the fact that by definition, these cancer cells lack the expression of targetable receptors. Current treatment options include cytotoxic chemotherapy, antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), and the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab. Due to high rates of recurrence, current guidelines for early-stage TNBC recommend either multi-agent chemotherapy or chemo–immunotherapy in all patients other than those with node-negative tumors < 0.5 cm. This approach can lead to significant long-term effects for TNBC survivors, driving a growing interest in de-escalating therapy where appropriate. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent a promising prognostic and predictive biomarker for TNBC. These diverse immune cells are present in the tumor microenvironment and within the tumor itself, and multiple retrospective studies have demonstrated that a higher number of TILs in early-stage TNBC portends a favorable prognosis. Research has also explored the potential of TIL scores to predict the response to immunotherapy. However, several barriers to the widespread use of TILs in clinical practice remain, including logistical and technical challenges with the scoring of TILs and lack of prospective trials to validate the trends seen in retrospective studies. This review will present the current understanding of the role of TILs in TNBC and discuss the future directions of TIL research. Full article