bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid quantitative analysis of potassium in soil based on direct-focused laser ablation-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Han Peng-Cheng , Yang Kun , Jiao Lei-Zi , Li Hua-Chang
Published: September 2022

A fast quantitative analysis method of soil potassium based on direct-focused laser ablation-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (direct-focused LA-LIBS) was proposed and tested. A high single-pulse energy laser (200 mJ/pulse) beam was focused on the aerosols near the focus of the 10 kHz fiber laser to generate plasma spectra, and the analytical capability of the direct-focused LA-LIBS system was compared with traditional LIBS system using a high single-pulse energy laser (SP-LIBS). The result showed that for moist soil samples the data stability of the direct-focused LA-LIBS method was significantly improved and the R2 factor of the calibration curve improved from 0.64 to 0.93, the limit of detection improved from 159.2 μg/g to 140.9 μg/g. Three random soil samples from different areas of Beijing suburbs were analyzed by the direct-focused LA-LIBS method, and the results were consistent with AAS. The direct-focused LA-LIBS method proposed is different from the traditional double-pulse technology and laser ablation-assisted technology because it not only does not need carrier gas, but also can overcome the matrix differences better, especially the influence of moisture, which provides a new idea for the rapid detection of nutrient elements in field soils.
Why was South China extremely wet during January–February 2022 despite La Niña?
Authors: Ma Hedi , Wang Ruili , Li Xing , Lai Anwei , Yang Hao , Li Xiao
Published: September 2022

The boreal winter climate of 2022 was characterized by the occurrence of La Niña, which is one of the most predictable drivers of South China precipitation (SCP) deficit. However, surprisingly, South China (SC) received abnormal high precipitation in January–February (JF) 2022. Possible causes of the deviation of JF 2022 SCP from its historical response to La Niña are explored with observational and reanalysis data. Results suggest that the La Niña event in winter 2022 features an eastern Pacific (EP) type, which corresponds to a weaker zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient between the equatorial central and western Pacific than those of the historical La Niña events, leading to a weaker western North Pacific (WNP) cyclone (WNPC) anomaly. Meanwhile, the SST warming over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) would also weaken the La Niña-associated WNP circulation anomaly. Therefore, the flavor of La Niña and the TIO warming act in concert to dampen the La Niña-associated WNPC anomaly and the SCP deficit. But these tropical SST anomalies are still insufficient to explain the extremely high SCP. Furthermore, the investigation identifies two extra-tropical circulation patterns over Eurasia that dominate the SCP anomalies in JF 2022. One is the wave train propagating along the South Asian jet that intensifies the India–Burma trough. It enhances the SCP through exciting anomalous strong moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal and ascending motion. The other is the positive geopotential height anomaly over eastern Siberia that prompts southward cold air intrusion and convergence over the SC region. These two dynamical drivers can account for approximately 75% of the observed SCP anomaly in JF 2022. However, they may be largely attributed to the atmospheric internal dynamical processes, which implies limited seasonal predictability of this extreme wet event.
Maximum efficiency control and predictive-speed controller design for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor drive systems
Authors: Liu Tian-Hua , Zhuang Yu-Hang
Published: September 2022

Improving the efficiency of home appliances is an important area of research these days, especially for global warming and climate change. To achieve this goal, in this paper, a new method to improve the maximum efficiency control of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive system, which includes an IPMSM and an inverter, is investigated. By suitably controlling the d-axis current, the IPMSM drive system can quickly reach its maximum efficiency. A steepest ascent method is used to obviously reduce the searching steps of the maximum efficiency tracking control for an IPMSM. According to experimental results, by using the traditional fixed step method, 14 steps are required to reach the maximum efficiency operating point. By using the proposed steepest ascent method, however, only 4 steps are needed to reach the maximum efficiency operating point. In addition, according to the experimental results, during the transient dynamics, the predictive controller obtains faster responses and 2% lower overshoot than the PI controller. Moreover, during adding external load, the predictive controller has only a 10 r/min speed drop and 0.1 s recover time; however, the PI controller has a 40 r/min speed drop and 0.3 s recover time. Experimental results can validate theoretical analysis. Several measured results show when compared to the fix-step searching method with a PI controller, the proposed methods provide quicker searching maximum efficiency ability, quicker and better dynamic transient responses, and lower speed drop when an external load is added.
Ovarian Strumal Carcinoid: Case Report, Systematic Literature Review and Pooled Analysis
Authors: Turla Antonella , Zamparini Manuel , Milione Massimo , Grisanti Salvatore , Amoroso Vito , Pedersini Rebecca , Cosentini Deborah , Berruti Alfredo
Published: September 2022

Background

Ovarian strumal carcinoid is a rare tumor in which thyroid (struma) and carcinoid components coexist. The disease is generally considered to be a borderline malignancy, however, cases with metastatic disease have been described. No data in the literature are available to guide diagnosis and therapy.

Methods

We performed a pooled analysis and a systematic review of histopathological-confirmed strumal carcinoid cases published in the literature using the following keywords: “strumal carcinoid of the ovary”, “strumal carcinoid case report”. A case of strumal carcinoid tumor diagnosed and followed-up at the Medical Oncology Unit of Spedali Civili (Brescia, Italy) was also described and included.

Results

Sixty-six eligible publications were identified, providing data from one hundred and seventeen patients, plus a case diagnosed at our institution. At presentation, among the eighty-eight patients with symptomatic disease, 37% of patients suffered from abdominal distention and 49% from pain due to a growing abdominal tumor mass, 37% from constipation (peptide YY was analyzed in only nine of them, resulting above the physiologic range). Surgery was the primary therapy in 99% of the patients. Three patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis and five patients underwent recurrence after radical surgery. Histology at disease recurrence concerned the thyroid component in two patients, the carcinoid component in two patients, both histologies in one patient. Median disease-free survival and overall survival in this series were not attained.

Conclusion

Strumal carcinoid of the ovary generally presents a benign behavior and surgery is curative in most cases. However, a small group of patients with this disease can undergo disease recurrence due to both the thyroid and the neuroendocrine (carcinoid) components. A follow-up in radically operated patients is therefore needed, particularly in those with a voluminous disease at diagnosis.
Ecological risk assessment for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate to freshwater organisms
Authors: Qiao Yu , Liu Daqing , Feng Chenglian , Liu Na , Wang Jindong , Yan Zhenfei , Bai Yingchen
Published: September 2022

With the ban on brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were used as substitutes generally as flame retardants, lubricants, plasticizers, and so on. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a common OPFR and has been widely detected in different environmental compartments such as the atmosphere, dust, water, sediment, and soil. At elevated levels, TCEP can cause adverse health effects on humans and aquatic life. The present study aimed to use bibliometrics analysis of the important research about TCEP and assess the risk of TCEP to aquatic life through a comprehensive meta-data analysis of available secondary data on its toxic effects and exposure levels. The results showed that toxicity and environmental occurrence and concentration are research hot spots. Meanwhile, given the relatively high detection rates and high concentrations of TCEP in some freshwaters, the ecological risk of TCEP to freshwater organisms should not be ignored. This result of the present study could provide data support and references for the risk assessment and environmental management for such new emerging contaminants.
Wild-caught fish populations targeted by MSC-certified fisheries have higher relative abundance than non-MSC populations
Authors: Melnychuk Michael C. , Veneziano Alessio , Lees Samantha , Rasal Jennifer , Koerner Lauren M. , Hair Peter , Costalago David , Hively Daniel , Jardim Ernesto , Longo Catherine
Published: September 2022

Requirements for a fishery to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification include demonstrating that targeted populations (‘MSC stocks’) are fished at sustainable levels. The credibility of this claim can be evaluated by comparing estimated abundance of MSC stocks to benchmarks based on sustainability criteria. Additionally, to evaluate whether MSC certification provides a meaningful distinction, the sustainability status of MSC stocks can be compared with that of populations without a linked certificate (‘non-MSC stocks’). It is expected that MSC stocks are more likely to be maintained at levels of high abundance relative to sustainability benchmarks compared to non-MSC stocks. Similarly, it is expected that MSC stocks are less likely to become overfished, and if they do become overfished, that fisheries are incentivised to aid in their rebuilding to avoid suspension of certification. We compare published biomass estimates relative to biological reference points between MSC stocks and non-MSC stocks of wild-caught marine fish and invertebrate species around the world. These are observational data, and though we control for the propensity of certification, certification is not independent of relative biomass and therefore we describe associations rather than causal influences. Individual stocks from both groups were highly variable in relative biomass trends over the past two decades, with substantial overlap in the distributions of MSC and non-MSC stocks. In recent years (2014-2018), MSC stocks had, on average, greater biomass relative to biomass at maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) than non-MSC stocks. MSC stocks were also less frequently overfished compared to non-MSC stocks, with estimated biomass below a limit reference point (Blim) for 9% of MSC stocks and for 26-33% of non-MSC stocks. Eight MSC stocks currently or previously certified and defined as overfished in 2017 or 2018 had previously entered the program based on scientific advice available at the time indicating they were fished within sustainable limits. Subsequently, when revised stock assessments estimated the biomass to be lower than previously thought, fisheries for those stocks were suspended from certification. Together, these results suggest that eco-certification is associated with a credible claim on sustainable stock status and provides a useful distinction from other seafood. Further, our results show how the rare exceptions to this pattern may arise from retrospective changes in scientific advice.
Connectivity alterations underlying the breakdown of pseudoneglect: New insights from healthy and pathological aging
Authors: Bagattini Chiara , Esposito Marco , Ferrari Clarissa , Mazza Veronica , Brignani Debora
Published: September 2022

A right-hemisphere dominance for visuospatial attention has been invoked as the most prominent neural feature of pseudoneglect (i.e., the leftward visuospatial bias exhibited in neurologically healthy individuals) but the neurophysiological underpinnings of such advantage are still controversial. Previous studies investigating visuospatial bias in multiple-objects visual enumeration reported that pseudoneglect is maintained in healthy elderly and amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), but not in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we aimed at investigating the neurophysiological correlates sustaining the rearrangements of the visuospatial bias along the progression from normal to pathological aging. To this aim, we recorded EEG activity during an enumeration task and analyzed intra-hemispheric fronto-parietal and inter-hemispheric effective connectivity adopting indexes from graph theory in patients with mild AD, patients with aMCI, and healthy elderly controls (HC). Results revealed that HC showed the leftward bias and stronger fronto-parietal effective connectivity in the right as compared to the left hemisphere. A breakdown of pseudoneglect in patients with AD was associated with both the loss of the fronto-parietal asymmetry and the reduction of inter-hemispheric parietal interactions. In aMCI, initial alterations of the attentional bias were associated with a reduction of parietal inter-hemispheric communication, but not with modulations of the right fronto-parietal connectivity advantage, which remained intact. These data provide support to the involvement of fronto-parietal and inter-parietal pathways in the leftward spatial bias, extending these notions to the complex neurophysiological alterations characterizing pathological aging.
Synchronization of ear-EEG and audio streams in a portable research hearing device
Authors: Dasenbrock Steffen , Blum Sarah , Maanen Paul , Debener Stefan , Hohmann Volker , Kayser Hendrik
Published: September 2022

Recent advancements in neuroscientific research and miniaturized ear-electroencephalography (EEG) technologies have led to the idea of employing brain signals as additional input to hearing aid algorithms. The information acquired through EEG could potentially be used to control the audio signal processing of the hearing aid or to monitor communication-related physiological factors. In previous work, we implemented a research platform to develop methods that utilize EEG in combination with a hearing device. The setup combines currently available mobile EEG hardware and the so-called Portable Hearing Laboratory (PHL), which can fully replicate a complete hearing aid. Audio and EEG data are synchronized using the Lab Streaming Layer (LSL) framework. In this study, we evaluated the setup in three scenarios focusing particularly on the alignment of audio and EEG data. In Scenario I, we measured the latency between software event markers and actual audio playback of the PHL. In Scenario II, we measured the latency between an analog input signal and the sampled data stream of the EEG system. In Scenario III, we measured the latency in the whole setup as it would be used in a real EEG experiment. The results of Scenario I showed a jitter (standard deviation of trial latencies) of below 0.1 ms. The jitter in Scenarios II and III was around 3 ms in both cases. The results suggest that the increased jitter compared to Scenario I can be attributed to the EEG system. Overall, the findings show that the measurement setup can time-accurately present acoustic stimuli while generating LSL data streams over multiple hours of playback. Further, the setup can capture the audio and EEG LSL streams with sufficient temporal accuracy to extract event-related potentials from EEG signals. We conclude that our setup is suitable for studying closed-loop EEG & audio applications for future hearing aids.
The Polycomb group gene rnf2 is essential for central and enteric neural system development in zebrafish
Authors: Feng Gang , Sun Yuhua
Published: September 2022

The development of central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS) is under precise and strict control in vertebrates. Whether and how the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is involved in it remain unclear. To investigate the role of PRC1 in the nervous system development, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we have generated mutant zebrafish lines for the rnf2 gene which encodes Ring1b, the enzymatic component of the PRC1 complex. We show that rnf2 loss of function leads to abnormal migration and differentiation of neural crest and neural precursor cells. rnf2 mutant embryos exhibit aganglionosis, in which the hindgut is devoid of neurons. In particular, the formation of 5-HT serotonin neurons and myelinating glial cells is defective. Furthermore, ectopic expression of ENS marker genes is observed in forebrain of rnf2 mutant embryos. These findings suggest that the rnf2 gene plays an important role in the migration and differentiation of neural precursor cells, and its absence leads to abnormal development of ENS and CNS in zebrafish.
E2SGAN: EEG-to-SEEG translation with generative adversarial networks
Authors: Hu Mengqi , Chen Jin , Jiang Shize , Ji Wendi , Mei Shuhao , Chen Liang , Wang Xiaoling
Published: September 2022

High-quality brain signal data recorded by Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes provide clinicians with clear guidance for presurgical assessments for epilepsy surgeries. SEEG, however, is limited to selected patients with epilepsy due to its invasive procedure. In this work, a brain signal synthesis framework is presented to synthesize SEEG signals from non-invasive EEG signals. First, a strategy to determine the matching relation between EEG and SEEG channels is presented by considering both signal correlation and spatial distance. Second, the EEG-to-SEEG generative adversarial network (E2SGAN) is proposed to precisely synthesize SEEG data from the simultaneous EEG data. Although the widely adopted magnitude spectra has proved to be informative in EEG tasks, it leaves much to be desired in the setting of signal synthesis. To this end, instantaneous frequency spectra is introduced to further represent the alignment of the signal. Correlative spectral attention (CSA) is proposed to enhance the discriminator of E2SGAN by capturing the correlation between each pair of EEG and SEEG frequencies. The weighted patch prediction (WPP) technique is devised to ensure robust temporal results. Comparison experiments on real-patient data demonstrate that E2SGAN outperforms baseline methods in both temporal and frequency domains. The perturbation experiment reveals that the synthesized results have the potential to capture abnormal discharges in epileptic patients before seizures.
Non-invasive, targeted, and non-viral ultrasound-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasmid delivery for treatment of autism in a rat model
Authors: Shen Yuanyuan , Li Nana , Sun Shuneng , Dong Lei , Wang Yongling , Chang Liansheng , Zhang Xinyu , Wang Feng
Published: September 2022

Autism has clinical manifestations such as social interaction disorder, speech and intellectual development disorder, narrow interest range, and stereotyped and repetitive behavior, all of which bring considerable economic and mental burden to society and families, and represent a public health problem requiring urgent attention. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in supporting survival, differentiation, growth, and synapse formation of neurons and participates in the plasticity of nerves. However, it is difficult for BDNF to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to its large molecular weight. Low-frequency focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with microbubbles (MBs) has been demonstrated to be a promising method for opening the BBB non-invasively, transiently, and locally. Here, we studied the therapeutic effect of FUS combined with BDNF plasmid-loaded cationic microbubbles (BDNFp-CMBs) in a rat model of autism. BDNF-CMBs were prepared and the transfection efficiency of FUS combined with BDNF-CMBs was tested in vitro. A rat model of autism was established from the juvenile male offspring of Sprague-Dawley (SD) pregnant rats treated with sodium valproate (VPA) solution through intraperitoneal injection. The autism rats were randomized into three groups: the VPA group, which received no treatment, the BDNFp group, which was treated by injection of BDNFp, and the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs group, which was administered FUS combined with BDNFp-CMBs. Age-matched normal rats served as the control group (Con). Following treatment, stereotyped, exploratory, and social–behavioral tests were performed on the animals in each group. The rat brains were then collected for subsequent histological examination, and the changes in synaptic structures in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were detected under transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the constructed BDNFp could be loaded onto CMBs with high loading efficiency. The BDNFp-CMBs prepared in this study showed good stability in vivo. FUS combined BDNFp-CMBs could effectively and non-invasively open the BBB of rats. The stereotyped, exploratory, and social behaviors of the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs group were significantly improved. Compared to the VPA group, the abnormality of neuronal morphology and number in the PFC of the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs was alleviated to a certain extent and was accompanied by restoration of the damaged synapses in the encephalic region. Our work demonstrates the positive therapeutic effect of BDNF delivered by FUS non-invasively across the BBB into the PFC in a rat model of autism, offering a potential strategy for treating autism.
An overview of the irreversible electroporation for the treatment of liver metastases: When to use it
Authors: Belfiore Maria Paola , De Chiara Marco , Reginelli Alfonso , Clemente Alfredo , Urraro Fabrizio , Grassi Roberto , Belfiore Giuseppe , Cappabianca Salvatore
Published: September 2022

Tumour ablation is an established therapy for local treatment of liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma. Most commonly two different kind of thermic ablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation, are used in clinical practice. The aim of both is to induce thermic damage to the malignant cells in order to obtain coagulative necrosis of the neoplastic lesions. Our main concerns about these procedures are the collateral thermic damage to adjacent structures and heat-sink effect. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a recently developed, non-thermal ablation procedure which works applying short pulses of direct current that generate an electric field in the lesion area. The electric field increase the transmembrane potential, changing its permeability to ions.Irreversible electroporation does not generate heat, giving the chance to avoid the heat-sink effect and opening the path to a better treatment of all the lesions located in close proximity to big vessels and bile ducts. Electric fields produced by the IRE may affect endothelial cells and cholangiocytes but they spare the collagen matrix, preserving re-epithelization process as well as the function of the damaged structures. Purpose of the authors is to identify the different scenarios where CT-guided percutaneous IRE of the liver should be preferred to other ablative techniques and why.
Genomic mapping of copy number variations influencing immune response in breast cancer
Authors: López-Cade Igor , García-Barberán Vanesa , Cabañas Morafraile Esther , Díaz-Tejeiro Cristina , Saiz-Ladera Cristina , Sanvicente Adrián , Pérez Segura Pedro , Pandiella Atanasio , Győrffy Balázs , Ocaña Alberto
Published: September 2022

Identification of genomic alterations that influence the immune response within the tumor microenvironment is mandatory in order to identify druggable vulnerabilities. In this article, by interrogating public genomic datasets we describe copy number variations (CNV) present in breast cancer (BC) tumors and corresponding subtypes, associated with different immune populations. We identified regulatory T-cells associated with the Basal-like subtype, and type 2 T-helper cells with HER2 positive and the luminal subtype. Using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for the Type 2 T-helper cells, the most relevant processes included the ERBB2 signaling pathway and the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway, and for CD8+ T-cells, cellular response to growth hormone stimulus or the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Amplification of ERBB2, GRB2, GRB7, and FGF receptor genes strongly correlated with the presence of type 2 T helper cells. Finally, only 8 genes were highly upregulated and present in the cellular membrane: MILR1, ACE, DCSTAMP, SLAMF8, CD160, IL2RA, ICAM2, and SLAMF6. In summary, we described immune populations associated with genomic alterations with different BC subtypes. We observed a clear presence of inhibitory cells, like Tregs or Th2 when specific chromosomic regions were amplified in basal-like or HER2 and luminal groups. Our data support further evaluation of specific therapeutic strategies in specific BC subtypes, like those targeting Tregs in the basal-like subtype.
Vaccarin alleviates endothelial inflammatory injury in diabetes by mediating miR-570-3p/HDAC1 pathway
Authors: Li Taiyue , Yu Xiaoyi , Zhu Xuerui , Wen Yuanyuan , Zhu Meizhen , Cai Weiwei , Hou Bao , Xu Fei , Qiu Liying
Published: September 2022

Vaccarin is a flavonoid glycoside, which has a variety of pharmacological properties and plays a protective role in diabetes and its complications, but its mechanism is unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate whether histone deacetylase 1(HDAC1), a gene that plays a pivotal role in regulating eukaryotic gene expression, is the target of miR-570-3p in diabetic vascular endothelium, and the potential molecular mechanism of vaccarin regulating endothelial inflammatory injury through miR-570-3p/HDAC1 pathway. The HFD and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mice model, a classical type 2 diabetic model, was established. The aorta of diabetic mice displayed a decrease of miR-570-3p, the elevation of HDAC1, and inflammatory injury, which were alleviated by vaccarin. Next, we employed the role of vaccarin in regulating endothelial cells miR-570-3p and HDAC1 under hyperglycemia conditions in vitro. We discovered that overexpression of HDAC1 counteracted the inhibitory effect of vaccarin on inflammatory injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Manipulation of miRNA levels in HUVECs was achieved by transfecting cells with miR-570-3p mimic and inhibitor. Overexpression of miR-570-3p could decrease the expression of downstream components of HDAC1 including TNF-α, IL-1β, and malondialdehyde, while increasing GSH-Px activity in HUVECs under hyperglycemic conditions. Nevertheless, such phenomenon was completely reversed by miR-570-3p inhibitor, and administration of miR-570-3p inhibitor could block the inhibition of vaccarin on HDAC1 and inflammatory injury. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the 3′- UTR of the HDAC1 gene was a direct target of miR-570-3p. In summary, our findings suggest that vaccarin alleviates endothelial inflammatory injury in diabetes by mediating miR-570-3p/HDAC1 pathway. Our study provides a new pathogenic link between deregulation of miRNA expression in the vascular endothelium of diabetes and inflammatory injury and provides new ideas, insights, and choices for the scope of application and medicinal value of vaccarin and some potential biomarkers or targets in diabetic endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications.
Managing Customer Citizenship Behavior in Aviation Sector Through Relational Benefits: Mediating Role of Relationship Quality
Authors: Hassan Shahzad , Suki Norazah Mohd
Published: September 2022

The aim of this research is to investigate the mediating role of relationship quality in the relationship between relational benefits and customer citizenship behavior. Data were gathered through a systematic sampling from 334 passengers. A Survey technique was used to collect the data from respondents from multiple airports. Data were analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.3. The results of the study reveal that altruistic benefits, confidence, and self-expression benefits have a positive relationship with relationship quality while socialization benefits have a non-significant relationship with relationship quality. Similarly, relationship quality mediates the relationship between altruistic benefits, confidence and self-expression benefits, and customer citizenship behavior while relationship quality does not mediate the relationship between socialization benefits and customer citizenship behavior. This study uncovers the relational benefits and its role in the generation of customer citizenship behavior in the aviation sector and the role of relationship quality that could help managers to cultivate the benefits of customer citizenship behaviors.
Exploring Influence of Communication Campaigns in Promoting Regenerative Farming Through Diminishing Farmers' Resistance to Innovation: An Innovation Resistance Theory Perspective From Global South
Authors: Jin Qiang , Raza Syed Hassan , Mahmood Nasir , Zaman Umer , Saeed Iqra , Yousaf Muhammad , Aslam Shahbaz
Published: September 2022

Climate change and farming malpractices (e.g., harmful pesticides use) are harmful to the globe's productive soil and biodiversity, thereby posing a hazard to the survival of future generations. Innovative technologies provide continuous smart conservation solutions, such as regenerative farming, to confront the ongoing climate crisis and maintain biodiversity. Albeit, regenerative farming has the potential to conserve climate change by upgrading the soil's organic materials and reinstating biodiversity leading to carbon attenuation. However, a critical problem remains concerning adapting conservation farming practices that can assist low-income farmers. In this scenario, theoretical-driven communication campaigns are critical for addressing individuals' resistance to innovation. Thereby, this research uncovers the moderating influence of the numerous communication tools in determining the adoption of regenerative farming through diminishing farmers' resistance to innovation. The study employed a cross-sectional design vis-à-vis a survey method. A sample of 863 farmers participated by responding to the self-administrated questionnaire. In line with prior theories, the study's results identified that communication campaigns such as public service advertisements and informative scientific documentaries could reduce the resistance to innovation that increases the attitude toward the adoption of regenerative farming with varied intensity. Besides, informational support also remained a significant contributor in determining the intention to adopt regenerative farming. This specifies that implanting habits of conservation farming requires the initiation of communication campaigns using different media content. These results may be advantageous for policymakers to influence farmers' intentions to adopt regenerative farming.
Testing associations between language use in descriptions of playfulness and age, gender, and self-reported playfulness in German-speaking adults
Authors: Brauer Kay , Sendatzki Rebekka , Proyer René T.
Published: September 2022

Adult playfulness describes individual differences in (re)framing everyday situations as personally interesting, and/or entertaining, and/or intellectually stimulating. We aimed at extending initial evidence on the interconnectedness between language use and adult playfulness by asking 264 participants (M = 26.5 years, SD = 9.7; 66.7% women) to provide written descriptions of their understanding of playfulness (mean length: 30.6 words; SD = 24.1) and collected self-reports of their playfulness. We used the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count methodology to quantitatively analyze the language use in these descriptions and tested the associations with individual differences in participants’ age, gender, and playfulness. While higher expressions in all measures of playfulness did go along with writing more content when describing playfulness (rs = 0.13 to 0.25), facet-wise analyses revealed differential findings (e.g., intellectual playfulness relates to using words describing cognitive processes); but the effects were small. We found that being a women and younger age were related to writing longer texts (0.13 ≤ rs ≤ 0.24), and we discovered additional associations between certain LIWC categories and age and gender. Our study expands the knowledge about adult playfulness and its manifestations in natural language use. We embed our findings into previous research and discuss limitations and potential approaches for replication studies.
COVID-19 infection, vaccine status, and avoidance behaviors in adults with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kilic Ozge , Boylu Muhammed Emin , Karakaya-Erdur Sila , Suma-Berberoglu Merve , Gudjonsson Gisli , Young Susan , Deveci Erdem , Kirpinar Ismet
Published: September 2022

Objective

We aim to examine infection risk and vaccine status of COVID-19 in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and evaluate the impact of demographic, clinical, and COVID-19-related factors on the infection status and behavioral avoidance of COVID-19.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed adults with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder recruited from an outpatient psychiatry clinic. Patients and healthy controls completed a survey on sociodemographic data, COVID-19 infection status, and vaccine status. COVID-19 Disease Perception Scale, COVID-19 Avoidance Attitudes Scale, Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccine Scale, Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-report Screening Scale for DSM-5, Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale Symptoms Checklist, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were applied.

Results

Ninety patients and 40 healthy controls participated. Patients did not differ from controls in COVID-19 infection and vaccine status, and behavioral avoidance of COVID-19. No demographic and clinical factor significantly affected the COVID-19 infection status. Patients scored higher than controls in the perception of COVID-19 as contagious (p = 0.038), cognitive avoidance of COVID-19 (p = 0.008), and positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.024). After adjustment of possible factors, a positive perception of the COVID-19 vaccine and a perception of COVID-19 as dangerous were the two factors significantly affecting behavioral avoidance of COVID-19 [R2 = 0. 17, F(2) = 13.189, p < 0.0001].

Conclusion

Infection and vaccine status of COVID-19 in patients did not significantly differ from controls. No demographic and clinical factor significantly affected the COVID-19 infection status. Approximately four-fifths of the patients were fully vaccinated as recommended by national and global health organizations. This has increased the knowledge base showing that the COVID-19 vaccine is acceptable and receiving the vaccine is endorsed by ADHD patients. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder itself may provoke no kind of mental disturbance in sense of perception of the danger of this disease. Our findings have increased the knowledge base showing that the COVID-19 vaccine is acceptable and the actual practice of receiving the vaccine is endorsed in this population. Our message for practice would be to take into account not only the core symptoms and the comorbidities of the disorder but also the perception of the disease while exploring its link with COVID-19.
The role of kinship in bi-national couples: Intergenerational solidarity in Turkish-German families
Authors: Tecklenburg Rena , Boehnke Mandy
Published: September 2022

Intermarriages, i.e., marriages between people from different ethnic backgrounds, have increased in recent years in many parts of the world and also in Germany. These marriages, often between an immigrant and a native partner, have various implications for family dynamics. To date, research has focused on the causes of ethnic exogamy, partnership quality, and fertility among interethnic couples. Using problem-centered interviews with Turkish-German couples living in Germany, the present study aims to broaden this perspective by looking at kin relationships (modes of interaction, spatial and emotional closeness, assistance and support, agreement on values and responsibilities), which have hardly been studied in bi-national families so far. The study pursues a qualitative research design that allows tracing kinship relations and perceived negotiation processes. Using the intergenerational solidarity typology as an heuristic for the qualitative content analysis the results will provide answers to the question what role kinship networks play in these partnerships and how their possibly different demands are balanced. The analysis of the interviews shows that in most cases the quality of relationships is high in both Turkish and German kinship networks and is characterized by openness and cordiality. As a result, relatives from both sides offer emotional, financial, or childcare support to the interviewed families, but differ in the type of support mainly due to physical proximity. Based on the results, we cannot claim that family cohesion is generally closer on one side of the extended family.
Irregularities in the African ionosphere associated with total electron content anomalies observed during high solar activity levels
Authors: Anoruo Chukwuma Moses , Rabiu Babatunde , Okoh Daniel , Okeke Francisca Nneka , Okpala Kingsley Chukwudi
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we investigate anomalies in total electron content (TEC) from 7 stations of the Africa Geodetic Reference Frame (AFREF) during the initial and recovery stages of the geomagnetic storm of 19 February 2014. Additionally, we study geomagnetic storms under the solar activity ascending period of March 2012 and low solar activity of May 2017 to emphasize scintillation effects, especially during the nighttime. We employ a 15-days median-average sliding window to study the latitudinal patterns of relative TEC (rTEC) and determine the storm ionospheric irregularities using the rate of TEC index (ROTI). The low-latitude stations show larger rTEC variations during the storm than the midlatitude stations. ROTI strength >1 TECU/min is found at low latitude stations during postsunset and <1 TECU/min at mid latitudes during daytime. The results from this study show that rTEC differences between midlatitude stations may be caused by dynamo of the electric field originating from energy input during geomagnetic disturbances. We observed a low latitude significant intensity of ionospheric irregularities and established that low latitude ionospheric irregularities are more pronounced during the storm initial and recovery stages.
Relationship with the diaphragm to predict the surgical outcome in large and giant pituitary adenomas
Authors: Harel Ethan , Cossu Giulia , Daniel Roy Thomas , Messerer Mahmoud
Published: September 2022

Objective

Large and giant pituitary adenomas (L- and G-PAs) continue to remain a surgical challenge. The diaphragm may have a role in determining the shape of the tumor and therefore influencing the extent of resection. Our study aims to analyze our surgical series of L- and G-PAs according to their relationship with the diaphragm and invasion of cavernous sinus (CS).

Material and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of our surgical series of patients operated for L- and G-PAs. We categorized the tumors into four grades according to their relationship with the diaphragm: grade 1 (supradiaphragmatic component with a wide incompetent diaphragm), grade 2 (purely infra-diaphragmatic tumor with a competent diaphragm), grade 3 (dumbbell-shape tumors), and grade 4 (multilobulated tumor with invasion of the subarachnoid space).

Results

A total of 37 patients were included in our analysis. According to our classification, 43.3% of patients had grade 1 tumors, 27% had grade 2, 5.4% had grade 3, and 24.3% had grade 4 tumors. CS invasion was confirmed intraoperatively in 17 out of 37 patients (46%). The gross total resection (GTR) was obtained in 19% of the cases, near-total resection in 46%, and subtotal resection in 35%. All the patients who achieved GTR had grade 1 tumors and the lowest rate of CS invasion (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Radiological evaluation of the tumor relationship with the diaphragm, invasion of CS, and invasion of the subarachnoid space are crucial to plan the surgical strategy and maximize the possibilities of achieving GTR in L- and G-PAs.
The midcortical-line is more reliable than the T-line in predicting stem anteversion in patients with developmental hip dysplasia after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Jiang Ziang , Cheng Rongshan , Kernkamp Willem Alexander , Xia Chunjie , Liang Junjie , Wang Liao , Tsai Tsung-Yuan
Published: September 2022

Background

Precise preoperative planning improves postoperative outcomes in total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) cases. Previous studies used the T-line and midcortical-line as preoperative landmarks to predict postoperative stem anteversion (PSA). However, the most reliable landmark in predicting PSA in DDH patients remains unclear. To find the most reliable measurement to predict the PSA in DDH patients, this study compared the midcortical-line and T-line at different femoral neck levels.

Methods

Pre- and postoperative Computed Tomography (CT) scans of 28 hips in 21 DDH patients who received THA were obtained for three-dimensional femoral models. The preoperative CT scan was used to measure the anteversion of the midcortical-line on the axial cross-sectional plane images (AM-CT), the anteversion of the midcortical-line from 3D models (AM-3D), and the T-line from 3D models (AT-3D) at simulated osteotomy planes at 5 and 10 mm heights proximal to the base of the lesser trochanter. The correlation between the preoperative femoral anteversion (AM-CT, AM-3D, AT-3D) and the PSA was assessed to evaluate the prediction accuracy.

Results

The correlations between the AM-CT and the PSA were 0.86 (mean difference (MD) = 1.9°) and 0.92 (MD = −3.0°) at 5 and 10 mm heights, respectively. The correlation between the AM-3D and the PSA were 0.71 (MD = −11.6°) and 0.61 (MD = −12.9°) at 5 and 10 mm heights. The AT-3D was significantly greater (MD = 15.4°) than the PSA (p-value <0.01) at 5 mm cutting height, and the correlation between the AT-3D and the PSA was 0.57 (MD = 7.8°) at 10 mm cutting height.

Conclusions

The AM-CT at the 10 mm height had the strongest correlation with the PSA and was more reliable in predicting the PSA when compared with the AM-3D and the AT-3D in DDH patients.
Versatile Tool for Parametric Smooth Turbomachinery Blades
Authors: Siddappaji Kiran , Turner Mark G.
Published: September 2022

Designing blades for efficient energy transfer by turning the flow and angular momentum change is both an art and iterative multidisciplinary engineering process. A robust parametric design tool with few inputs to create 3D blades for turbomachinery and rotating or non-rotating energy converters is described in this paper. The parameters include axial–radial coordinates of the leading/trailing edges, construction lines (streamlines), metal angles, thickness-to-chord ratio, standard, and user-defined airfoil type among others. Using these, 2D airfoils are created, conformally mapped to 3D stream surfaces, stacked radially with multiple options, and they are transformed to a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. Smooth changes in blade curvature are essential to ensure a smooth pressure distribution and attached flow. B-splines are used to control meanline curvature, thickness, leading edge shape, sweep-lean, and other parameters chordwise and spanwise, making the design iteration quick and easy. C2 curve continuity is achieved through parametric segments of cubic and quartic B-splines and is better than G2. New geometries using an efficient parametric scheme and minimal CAD interaction create watertight solid bodies and optional fluid domains. Several examples of ducted axial and radial turbomachinery with special airfoil shapes or otherwise, unducted rotors including propellers and wind and hydrokinetic turbines are presented to demonstrate versatility and robustness of the tool and can be easily tied to any automation chain and optimizer.
Estimation Equation for Horizontal Load Bearing Capacity of Circular PCFST with Diaphragm
Authors: Zenzai Seiya , Chikahiro Yuki , Shimizu Shigeru
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study is to propose a practical formula for estimating the maximum load bearing capacity of partially concrete-filled steel tubes (PCFST) without using complicated numerical analysis and estimation procedures. This study focused on four parameters (radius thickness ratio R, slenderness ratio λ, axial force ratio n, and concrete filling ratio  Lc/L) used in numerical analysis to determine horizontal load bearing capacity and buckling position in PCFST with diaphragms under monotonic loading. Based on the results, an equation for estimating the horizontal load bearing capacity of PCFST was obtained by nonlinear regression analysis. The estimation equation that did not consider different buckling positions predicted the horizontal load bearing capacity with an error of approximately ±10% from the numerically analyzed values, but the estimation equation that took the different buckling positions into consideration could predict the horizontal bearing capacity to within a margin of error of about 5% from the numerical value by determining the buckling position in advance.
Limnospira indica PCC 8005 or Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG Dietary Supplementation Modulate the Gut Microbiome in Mice
Authors: Segers Charlotte , Mysara Mohamed , Coolkens Amelie , Baatout Sarah , Leys Natalie , Lebeer Sarah , Verslegers Mieke , Mastroleo Felice
Published: September 2022

While dietary supplements can have beneficial effects on the health of the intestine, these effects can come with unresolved issues in terms of therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action. In this study, the model probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 and the anciently used dietary supplement Limnospira indica strain PCC 8005 were compared for their effects on murine intestinal ecology. Healthy male mice received either saline or suspensions of living cells of L. indica PCC 8005 or L. rhamnosus GG daily along a two-week intervention period, followed by a two-week washout period. Both bacteria-based solutions appeared able to transiently shift the microbial community, which were characterized by a higher relative abundance of members of the butyrate producing Lachnospiraceae and Porphyromonadaceae families.
Optimal Histopathological Magnification Factors for Deep Learning-Based Breast Cancer Prediction
Authors: Ashtaiwi Abduladhim
Published: September 2022

Pathologists use histopathology to examine tissues or cells under a microscope to compare healthy and abnormal tissue structures. Differentiating benign from malignant tumors is the most critical aspect of cancer histopathology. Pathologists use a range of magnification factors, including 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x, to identify abnormal tissue structures. It is a painful process because specialists must spend much time sitting and gazing into the microscope lenses. Hence, pathologists are more likely to make errors due to being overworked or fatigued. Automating cancer detection in histopathology is the best way to mitigate humans’ erroneous diagnostics. Multiple approaches in the literature suggest methods to automate the detection of breast cancer based on the use of histopathological images. This work performs a comprehensive analysis to identify which magnification factors, 40x, 100x, 200x, and 400x, induce higher prediction accuracy. This study found that training Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) on 200x and 400x magnification factors increased the prediction accuracy compared to training on 40x and 100x. More specifically, this study finds that the CNN model performs better when trained on 200x than on 400x.