bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weed suppression and antioxidant activity of Astragalus sinicus L. decomposition leachates
Authors: Liu Silin , Wang Wenhui , Chen Jiaoyun , Ma Zhiyu , Xiao Youping , Chen Zhongwen , Zhang Ying , Du Xiao , Mu Yinghui
Published: November 2022

Astragalus sinicus L. (milk vetch), a versatile plant that has a soil-enriching effect as green manure, is widely planted in the temperate zone of China. In previous experiments, milk vetch incorporated into the soil as green manure showed potential for goosegrass control. However, “what exactly happens at the chemical level?” and “what are the compounds that are potentially responsible for the phytotoxic effects observed during those previous assays?” In a recent study, in vitro phytotoxicity bioassays and chemical analyses of milk vetch decomposition leachates were carried out to explore the relationship between the temporal phytotoxic effects and the dynamics of chemical composition. For that, milk vetch decomposition leachates with a decay time of 12 h, 9 days, 12 days, 15 days, and 18 days were analyzed for organic compounds by liquid chromatography. The main results were as follows: (1) three compounds with goosegrass suppression potential produced during the decomposed process, i.e., 4-ethylphenol, N-acrylimorpholine, and allyl isothiocyanate. 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate was present in the 12-h decomposition leachates but was at its highest concentration of 127.1 µg ml−1 at 15 days. (2) The cultures were configured according to the four concentrations of goosegrass-resistant active substances measured in the 15-day decomposition leachate and, as with the 15-day decomposition leachate, the mixture cultures inhibited 100% of goosegrass germination at the high concentrations (≥ 30%), which suggests that these substances have goosegrass suppression potential. (3) The high total phenolic content (302.8–532.3 mg L−1), the total flavonoid content (8.4–72.1 mg L−1), and the reducing activity of the decomposition leachates for different decay times may explain why the incorporation of milk vetch into the soil did not lead to peroxidation of goosegrass in the previous study. (4) Finally, the changes in acid fraction and total content (1.9–4.2 mg ml−1) for different decay times explain the variations in pH of the decomposition leachates, which, when discussed in conjunction with previous studies, may lead to changes in soil nutrient effectiveness and consequently affect crop growth. This study can provide a reference for green weed control research.
Local auxin synthesis mediated by YUCCA4 induced during root-knot nematode infection positively regulates gall growth and nematode development
Authors: Suzuki Reira , Kanno Yuri , Abril-Urias Patricia , Seo Mitsunori , Escobar Carolina , Tsai Allen Yi-Lun , Sawa Shinichiro
Published: November 2022

Parasites and pathogens are known to manipulate the host’s endogenous signaling pathways to facilitate the infection process. In particular, plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes (RKN) are known to elicit auxin response at the infection sites, to aid the development of root galls as feeding sites for the parasites. Here we describe the role of local auxin synthesis induced during RKN infection. Exogenous application of auxin synthesis inhibitors decreased RKN gall formation rates, gall size and auxin response in galls, while auxin and auxin analogues produced the opposite effects, re-enforcing the notion that auxin positively regulates RKN gall formation. Among the auxin biosynthesis enzymes, YUCCA4 (YUC4) was found to be dramatically up-regulated during RKN infection, suggesting it may be a major contributor to the auxin accumulation during gall formation. However, yuc4-1 showed only very transient decrease in gall auxin levels and did not show significant changes in RKN infection rates, implying the loss of YUC4 is likely compensated by other auxin sources. Nevertheless, yuc4-1 plants produced significantly smaller galls with fewer mature females and egg masses, confirming that auxin synthesized by YUC4 is required for proper gall formation and RKN development within. Interestingly, YUC4 promoter was also activated during cyst nematode infection. These lines of evidence imply auxin biosynthesis from multiple sources, one of them being YUC4, is induced upon plant endoparasitic nematode invasion and likely contribute to their infections. The coordination of these different auxins adds another layer of complexity of hormonal regulations during plant parasitic nematode interaction.
Mapping open chromatin by ATAC-seq in bread wheat
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Chuanye , He Chao , Chen Dijun , Yan Wenhao
Published: November 2022

Gene transcription is largely regulated by cis-regulatory elements. Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) is an emerging technology that can accurately map cis-regulatory elements in animals and plants. However, the presence of cell walls and chloroplasts in plants hinders the extraction of high-quality nuclei, thereby affects the quality of ATAC-seq data. Meanwhile, it is tricky to perform ATAC-seq with different tissue types, especially for those with limited size and amount. Moreover, with rapid growth of ATAC-seq datasets from plants, powerful and easy-to-use data analysis pipelines for ATAC-seq, especially for wheat is lacking. Here, we provided an all-in-one solution for mapping open chromatin in wheat including both experimental and data analysis procedure. We efficiently obtained nuclei with less cell debris from various wheat tissues. High-quality ATAC-seq data from young spike and ovary, which are hard to harvest were generated. We determined that the saturation sequencing depth of wheat ATAC-seq is about 16 Gb. Particularly, we developed a powerful and easy-to-use online pipeline to analyze the wheat ATAC-seq data and this pipeline can be easily extended to other plant species. The method developed here will facilitate plant regulatory genome study not only for wheat but also for other plant species.
Induction of salt tolerance in Brassica rapa by nitric oxide treatment
Authors: Bano Atiyyah , Noreen Zahra , Tabassum Fariha , Zafar Fizza , Rashid Madiha , Aslam Muhammad , Shah Anis Ali , Shah Adnan Noor , Jaremko Mariusz , Alasmael Noura , Abdelsalam Nader R. , Hasan Mohamed E.
Published: November 2022

Salinity is one of the major plant abiotic stresses increasing over time worldwide. The most important biological role of nitric oxide (NO) in plants is related to their development and growth under abiotic conditions. The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of salt stress (0 and 100 mM) and NO (0 and 80 μM) on two different ecotypes of Brassica rapa (L.): PTWG-HL and PTWG-PK. The different growth attributes, biochemical and physiological parameters, and the mineral contents were examined. The results indicated increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), relative membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Na+ content and decreased plant biomass in both ecotypes (PTWG-PK and PTWG-HL) under salt stress. In contrast, NO treatment resulted in increased plant biomass, chlorophyll content, and total soluble proteins and decreased H2O2, relative membrane permeability, MDA, total phenolic content, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and Na+. The combined effect of salt stress and NO application increased the chlorophyll a content, total phenolic content, and total soluble proteins, but decreased H2O2, relative membrane permeability, MDA, and Na+. The response of carotenoids, anthocyanins, and K+, Ca2+, and Cl− ions varied in both ecotypes under all treatment conditions. The PTWG-PK ecotype showed maximum overall growth response with the application of NO. Henceforth, it is proposed that the molecular mechanisms associated with NO-induced stress tolerance in plants may be exploited to attain sustainability in agriculture under changing climate scenarios.
Free Allophonic Variation in Native and Second Language Spoken Word Recognition: The Case of the German Rhotic
Authors: Llompart Miquel , Eger Nikola Anna , Reinisch Eva
Published: November 2022

The question of how listeners deal with different phonetic variant forms for the same words in perception has sparked great interest over the past few decades, especially with regard to lenited and regional forms. However, the perception of free variant forms of allophones within the same syllable position remains surprisingly understudied. Because of this, in the present study, we investigate how free allophonic variation in the realization of the German rhotic (/r/) impacts spoken word recognition for native German listeners and two groups of non-native listeners (French and Italian learners of German). By means of a visual-world eye-tracking task, we tested the recognition of spoken German words starting with /r/ when the rhotic was produced either as the more canonical variant, the uvular fricative [ʁ] which is considered the German standard, or as an alveolar trill [r], a common realization in the south of Germany. Results showed that German listeners were more efficient at recognizing /r/-initial words when these were produced with the uvular fricative than with the alveolar trill. French listeners did not differ from German listeners in that respect, but Italian listeners showed exactly the opposite pattern: they showed an advantage when words were produced with the alveolar trill. These findings suggest that, for native listeners, the canonicity of the variant form is an important determiner of ease of recognition, even in the absence of orthographic or perceptual motivations for the primacy of canonical variants for this particular example of variation. For non-native listeners, by contrast, results are better explained by the match of the different allophones to the canonical realization of /r/ in their native language than by the status or frequency of the allophones in the non-native language itself.
College students’ exercise experience and aggression during COVID-19: A chain mediating model
Authors: Jiang Qi
Published: November 2022

Aim

This study aimed to explore to how exercise experience affects the aggression of college students and the mediating effects of mood and exercise attitude in COVID-19.

Methods

A questionnaire survey [The Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES); Profile of Mood State (POMS); Exercise Attitude Scale; and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ)] was conducted among 1,006 college students.

Results

Exercise experience had a significant effect on aggression. The direct effect of exercise well-being was not significant, but indirectly affected the aggression through independent mediation and chain mediation of mood and exercise attitude. The direct effect of exercise distress was not significant, but indirectly affected the aggression through independent mediation and chain mediation of mood and exercise attitude.

Conclusion

Mood and exercise attitude are powerful factors to alleviate the impact of exercise experience on aggression during the pandemic. Actively adjusting the mood and exercise attitude from a cognitive perspective may be an effective way to promote college students’ physical exercise and reduce aggression.
The impact of major public health emergencies on Trust in Government: From SARS to COVID-19
Authors: Zhai Kun , Yuan Xuemei , Zhao Guoqing
Published: November 2022

Major public health emergencies always test the credibility of the government. The success of governments’ strategies relies on trust in government and broad acceptance of response measures. The profound experience of the epidemic often has a long-term impact on people’s cognition. We construct a difference-in-difference estimator by combining the variations of epidemic effects across cohorts and regions, and intend to evaluate the long-term effect of individuals’ early SARS experience on trust in government during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also use the instrumental variable method to overcome the endogenous problem caused by two-way causality. The results show that the impact of COVID-19 has significantly reduced trust in government of the groups who had not been exposed to the SARS epidemic (including groups who were in early childhood and the unborn during the SARS outbreak). While it has a positive impact on trust in government of people experienced SARS in adolescence, and only a little negative impact on trust in government of people experienced SARS in adulthood. We also find that the impact of COVID-19 mainly reduced the trust in government among groups socially vulnerable or without SARS experience (e.g., low income, low social status etc.). The results suggest that: (a) the trust created by governments’ successful anti-epidemic measures is long-lasting; (b) governments should pay more attention to their trust among socially vulnerable groups.
Late phonological development in Williams syndrome
Authors: Pérez Vanesa , Martínez Verónica , Diez-Itza Eliseo
Published: November 2022

Williams syndrome is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder characterized by a unique phenotype, including mild to moderate intellectual disability and an uneven neuropsychological profile of relative strengths and weaknesses. Language structure components (i.e., phonology, morphosyntax, and vocabulary) have been considered an area of specific ability compared to pragmatic language use. However, research on phonological development in Williams syndrome is very scarce, and it suggests atypical patterns. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the profiles of late phonological development in Spanish-speaking children, adolescents, and adults with Williams syndrome, based on the analysis of five classes of processes (Syllable Structure, Substitution, Omission, Assimilation, and Addition) in spontaneous speech. The phonological profiles of seven children (aged 3–8 years), and seven adolescents and young adults (aged 14–25 years) with Williams syndrome were compared with two normative groups of typically developing (TD) children at different stages of late phonological development (aged 3 and 5 years). The frequency of phonological processes in the group of children with Williams syndrome was similar to that of 3-year-old TD children, which suggests that they would be in the first stage of late phonological development (expansion stage). The group of older individuals with Williams syndrome showed a much lower frequency of processes, similar to that of 5-year-old TD children in the last stage of phonological development (resolution stage). However, their phonological processes appeared to be persistent and independent of chronological age. Furthermore, asynchronies in quantitative and qualitative profiles (relative frequency) indicated atypical and complex trajectories in late phonological development, which cannot be described as simply delayed or protracted. Remarkable individual differences were observed, especially in the group of adolescents and adults with Williams syndrome, although the majority of cases conformed to the modal profiles of their groups. A major tendency for Omission, including final consonant deletion, may be considered atypical and specific to Williams syndrome at all ages. The results of the present study raise the need for continued and appropriate phonological assessment and treatment for people with Williams syndrome across the lifespan.
Association between maternal reflective function and preschool children’s cognitive abilities
Authors: Komanchuk Jelena , Dewey Deborah , Giesbrecht Gerald F. , Hart Martha , Anis Lubna , Ntanda Henry , Cameron Judy L. , Letourneau Nicole
Published: November 2022

Children’s cognitive abilities (e.g., working memory) are associated with mental health, adaptive behaviors, and academic achievement, and may be enhanced by parental reflective function (i.e., capacity to reflect on mental states, feelings, thoughts, and intentions in one’s child and oneself). We evaluated associations between maternal reflective function and children’s cognitive abilities alone and while controlling for parent-child attachment and interaction quality, and psychosocial (i.e., maternal depressive symptoms, adverse childhood experiences) and sociodemographic (e.g., socioeconomic status) factors. Our sample, recruited in Canada, was primarily white and included 73 mothers and their 4–5 year old preschool children. Maternal reflective function was measured with the Reflective Functioning Scale applied to the Parent Development Interview and the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed that maternal reflective function was associated with children’s cognitive abilities. The Parent Development Interview rated child-reflective function was associated with children’s higher verbal comprehension alone and while adjusting for covariates (e.g., parent-child interaction quality, socioeconomic status), and the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire Interest and Curiosity with higher verbal comprehension while adjusting for parent-child interactions and attachment pattern. The Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire Certainty in Mental States was associated with higher working memory scores for children while adjusting for covariates. Full Scale IQ and Visual Spatial Index were not significantly associated with maternal reflective function. Associations were found between secure and disorganized attachment with higher verbal comprehension and lower working memory, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of high maternal reflective function to cognitive abilities in early childhood.
Empathy for pain in individuals with autistic traits during observation of static and dynamic stimuli
Authors: Li Yanting , Wei Zilong , Shao Min , Hong Mingyu , Yang Di , Luo Longli , Meng Jing
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have reported that individuals with autistic traits, like those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), may have impaired empathic responses when observing static stimuli of others' pain. However, it remains unclear whether individuals with autistic traits exhibit impaired empathy for pain in response to dynamic stimuli. The present study addressed this question by recruiting 529 individuals whose autistic traits were assessed using the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) questionnaire. Thirty participants who scored within the top 10% and bottom 10% on the AQ were selected into High-AQ and Low-AQ groups, respectively. This study employed painful whole-body action pictures and videos as static and dynamic stimuli. Both groups were instructed to judge whether the models in the stimuli were experiencing pain, and their reaction times, accuracy and event-related potential (ERP) data were recorded. Results showed that the P2 amplitudes were larger in the High-AQ group than in the Low-AQ group when viewing painful static stimuli, while no difference between the two groups was found when viewing painful dynamic stimuli. These results suggest that autistic traits influenced the emotional processing of others' pain in response to static stimuli.
An integrated online-to-offline model for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (O2O-PEP) scale-up among men who have sex with men (MSM): Protocol for developing a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Luo Qianqian , Luo Yongchuan , Li Tianying , Cui Tianyu
Published: November 2022

Background

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an evidence-based biomedical HIV prevention strategy consisting of a 28-day course of highly active antiretroviral therapy after recent potential exposure to HIV. However, awareness and uptake of PEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) are very low. Innovative and effective methods are needed to support PEP implementation among MSM. This work reports a protocol to design and evaluate an online-to-offline-based delivery model for HIV PEP uptake (O2O-PEP) in Chinese MSM.

Methods and analysis

This will be a two-phase study. In phase 1, we will develop an O2O-PEP model delivered through the WeChat mini-app (an app built into the WeChat platform). The O2O-PEP model initially includes four core components: a gamification-based education package for PEP, an online HIV risk assessment tool, a free online booking system for PEP initiation, and offline PEP prescription in the study hospitals. In phase 2, a two-arm pilot stratified randomized controlled trial comparing the O2O-PEP group with the standard care group will be designed to assess the feasibility, usability, and preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the O2O-PEP model in increasing PEP uptake among Chinese MSM. Model feasibility and usability will be further explored for broader model implementation.

Discussion

The O2O-PEP model is one of the first interventions in China aiming to promote PEP initiation in Chinese MSM. Components in the O2O-PEP model could assist MSM in better understanding their HIV infection risk and increasing accessibility of PEP. Moreover, coupled with online and offline recruitment, the O2O-PEP model has great potential to reach and engage MSM who are not involved in care by traditional methods.

Clinical trial registration

No. ChiCTR2200062538.
Esophagus cancer and essential trace elements
Authors: Yang Xin , Tang Zhe , Li Jing , Jiang Jizong
Published: November 2022

Numerous epidemiological and laboratory studies on essential trace elements have reported protective associations in developing various cancer types, including esophagus cancer (EC). However, the results are not always consistent. Some essential trace elements could play a vital role in preventing esophagus cancer. Some showed no association with esophageal cancer risk, while others harmed individuals. This article reviews the association between the intake or supplementation of essential trace elements (especially zinc, copper, iron, and selenium) and the risk of esophageal cancer. Generally, zinc intake may decrease the risk of esophageal cancer (EC), especially in high esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) prevalence regions. The association between copper supplementation and EC remains uncertain. Total iron consumption is thought to be associated with lower EC risk, while heme iron intake may be associated with higher EC risk. Selenium intake showed a protective effect against EC, especially for those individuals with a low baseline selenium level. This review also prospects the research direction of the association between EC and essential trace elements.
Effects of PPARG and PPARGC1A gene polymorphisms on obesity markers
Authors: Muntean Carmen , Sasaran Maria Oana , Crisan Adriana , Banescu Claudia
Published: November 2022

Pediatric obesity presents a multifactorial etiology, which involves genetic traits as well, including single nucleotide polymorphisms. The aim of the study is to investigate the contribution of PPARG gene polymorphisms (namely Pro12Ala rs1801282, His447His rs3856806, and Pro115Gln rs1800571) and PPARGC1A rs8192678 SNP on the anthropometric and metabolic parameters in a population of Romanian children. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 295 Caucasian children, divided according to the body mass index (BMI) z-score into the study (obese and overweight) group of 130 children and the control (normoponderal) group of 165 children. Anthropometric parameters were greater in the obese and overweight population as opposed to controls, with significant differences (p < 0.01) found for the weight (2.77 ± 1.54 SD vs. −0.04 ± 1.15 SD), body mass index (BMI) (2.28 ± 0.97 SD vs. −0.18 ± 1.19 SD), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (4.59 ± 2.28 SD vs. 0.28 ± 3.45 SD), tricipital skin-fold (TSF) (3.31 ± 3.09 SD vs. 0.62 ± 7.28 SD) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.61 ± 1.51 SD vs. −0.35 ± 1.35 SD) z-scores. Moreover, triglyceride values were higher in the study group (118.70 ± 71.99 SD vs. 77.09 ± 37.39 SD). No significant difference in the allele and genotype distribution of investigates gene polymorphisms was observed between the studied groups (p > 0.05). PPARG (rs1801282, rs3856806, and rs1800571) were not associated with demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory parameters. However, PPARGC1A rs8192678 CC genotype was associated with TSF z-score (p = 0.03), whereas total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher among TT homozygotes (p < 0.01). Our data suggest that PPARG (rs1801282, rs3856806, and rs1800571) and PPARGC1A (rs8192678) gene polymorphisms were not associated with childhood and adolescence overweight and obesity. The present study identified a significant increase in fasting glucose levels, triglyceride, albumin, and ALT levels in children with excess weight, as well as expected important upward variation of anthropometric parameters (BMI, MUAC, TSF z-scores).
Self-awareness predicts fitness to drive among adults referred to occupational therapy evaluation
Authors: Rosenfeld Meirav , Goverover Yael , Weiss Penina
Published: November 2022

Background

Driving is associated with independence, well-being, quality of life, and an active lifestyle. Driving requires cognitive, motor, and visual skills, including self-awareness and processing speed. This study examines whether driver self-awareness, motor processing speed, and cognitive processing speed can predict fitness to drive among individuals referred to occupational therapy evaluation due to concerns about their driving ability.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, 39 participants were referred to off- and on-road driving evaluation to determine their fitness to drive due to changes in health status, advanced age, license renewal requirement, or prior automobile accidents. A registered occupational therapist (OT) classified 23 of the participants as fit to drive and 16 as unfit to drive. Motor and cognitive processing speed were assessed by the Stationary Perception-Reaction Timer and the Color Trails Test, respectively. Driving self-awareness was assessed by comparing the DI and OT evaluations to the participants' estimation of their own on-road driving performance.

Results

The fit-to-drive participants had a better motor and cognitive processing speed than those unfit-to-drive. The unfit-to-drive group overestimated their driving ability, whereas the fit-to-drive group accurately or almost accurately estimated their driving ability. Driving self-awareness was a significant predictor of participants' fitness to drive.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the importance of self-awareness for predicting fitness to drive among people at risk for compromised driving skills. Thus, driving self-awareness should be addressed as part of fitness-to-drive evaluations and interventions.
Development of a behavioural intervention for cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: Protocol for a pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Walker Lisa A. S. , Berard Jason A. , Islam Tamanna , Pilutti Lara A. , Morrow Sarah A. , Finlayson Marcia
Published: November 2022

Background

Up to 90% of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) subjectively report fatigue as one of their worst symptoms. Fatigability is an objectively measured component of fatigue. Cognitive fatigability (CF) is a breakdown in task performance following sustained cognitive effort. There is a paucity of interventions targeting CF in MS. The prior success of behavioural interventions at improving subjective fatigue suggests that their adaptation may yield similar results for CF. Given the relationship between CF, sleep quality, and mood, a behavioural intervention targeting these factors, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is warranted. Given the multidimensional nature of fatigue, a multifaceted approach targeting lifestyle factors and coping (e.g., fatigue management education supplemented by CBT for insomnia and exercise) might prove efficacious.

Aim

We describe a protocol for a pilot feasibility study to design and implement a multi-dimensional behavioural intervention to improve CF in PwMS.

Methods

Stage 1: development of a multi-dimensional group-based videoconference-delivered behavioural intervention based on a previously successful fatigue management program for PwMS. A facilitator manual will be drafted. Course material will focus on four themes: body (sleep and physical activity), mood (impact of depression and anxiety), mind (cognitive contributions), and context (pacing and communication). Stage 2: a needs assessment survey will be completed by 100 PwMS for input on what factors are important contributors to their CF. Modifications will be made to the course material and manual. Stage 3: the facilitator-delivered intervention will include 20 PwMS. After baseline assessment, participants will attend weekly 70-min videoconference group sessions for 8 weeks, including homework assignments. Follow-up assessment will re-evaluate outcomes. Stage 4: analysis and dissemination of results. The primary outcome is improvement in CF. Additional feasibility outcomes will determine if a randomized control trial (RCT) is pursued. Stage 5: refine the intervention based on outcomes and feedback from participants. Determining which aspects participants felt were most effective will help inform RCT design.

Conclusion

The long-term goal is to ensure that PwMS have access to effective interventions in real-world settings to improve quality of life and enhance their ability to participate in cognitively demanding activities that they enjoy.
Shifting to virtual breastfeeding counseling for low-income women in the US during COVID-19: A partner-engaged multimethod evaluation of program adaptations
Authors: Rhodes Elizabeth C. , Wilde LaPlant Helen , Zahid Mahrukh , Abuwala Nafeesa , Damio Grace , Crummett Carrianne , Surprenant Rebecca , Pérez-Escamilla Rafael
Published: November 2022

Background

The Breastfeeding Heritage and Pride program (BHP) provides evidence-based breastfeeding peer counseling to low-income women. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BHP shifted from delivering in-person and virtual services to providing only virtual services. Program adaptations can impact implementation success, which could influence program effectiveness. We documented program adaptations and explored their impacts on implementation outcomes, guided by the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact.

Methods

Through a community-clinical-academic partnership, we conducted in-depth interviews with 12 program implementers and peer counselors and conducted a rapid qualitative analysis. To efficiently capture information on adaptations over time, we collected and analyzed information from program meetings and extracted data from a program report. We then triangulated data from these multiple sources.

Results

Peer counselors received training on virtual service delivery and increased supportive supervision. They recruited women via phone instead of in hospitals, which was viewed as feasible. In-person counseling visits at hospitals and clients' homes were replaced with phone and video calls. Examples of changes to the content delivered included breastfeeding education in the context of the pandemic such as the latest COVID-related infant feeding guidance, provision of face masks, and more assistance with social and economic challenges. Although peer counselors increasingly adopted video calls as a substitute for in-person visits, they emphasized that in-person visits were better for relationship building, helping with breastfeeding problems like latching, and identifying barriers to breastfeeding in the home environment like limited familial support. While adaptations were reactive in that they were made in response to the unanticipated COVID-19 pandemic, most were made with clear goals and reasons such as to ensure the safety of peer counselors and clients while maintaining service delivery. Most adaptations were made through a systematic process based on program implementers' expertise and best practices for peer counseling and were largely but not fully consistent with BHP's core functions.

Discussion

BHP was able to shift to virtual service delivery for continued provision of breastfeeding counseling during the pandemic. Overall, virtual services worked well but were less optimal for several aspects of counseling. Evaluations of program effectiveness of virtual services are still needed.
Autonomous control for miniaturized mobile robots in unknown pipe networks
Authors: Nguyen T. L. , Blight A. , Pickering A. , Jackson-Mills G. , Barber A. R. , Boyle J. H. , Richardson R. , Dogar M. , Cohen N.
Published: November 2022

Despite recent advances in robotic technology, sewer pipe inspection is still limited to conventional approaches that use cable-tethered robots. Such commercially available tethered robots lack autonomy, and their operation must be manually controlled via their tethered cables. Consequently, they can only travel to a certain distance in pipe, cannot access small-diameter pipes, and their deployment incurs high costs for highly skilled operators. In this paper, we introduce a miniaturised mobile robot for pipe inspection. We present an autonomous control strategy for this robot that is effective, stable, and requires only low-computational resources. The robots used here can access pipes as small as 75 mm in diameter. Due to their small size, low carrying capacity, and limited battery supply, our robots can only carry simple sensors, a small processor, and miniature wheel-legs for locomotion. Yet, our control method is able to compensate for these limitations. We demonstrate fully autonomous robot mobility in a sewer pipe network, without any visual aid or power-hungry image processing. The control algorithm allows the robot to correctly recognise each local network configuration, and to make appropriate decisions accordingly. The control strategy was tested using the physical micro robot in a laboratory pipe network. In both simulation and experiment, the robot autonomously and exhaustively explored an unknown pipe network without missing any pipe section while avoiding obstacles. This is a significant advance towards fully autonomous inspection robot systems for sewer pipe networks.
From instrumentalization to commoning: A critical review of participation in urban nature-based solutions
Authors: Remme Devyn , Haarstad Håvard
Published: November 2022

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are becoming a widely recognized approach to urban sustainability. Most of the literature and policy handbooks on the topic emphasize the importance of participation in some form but interpretations and levels of commitment vary. While the mainstream discourse often presents NBS as a set of win-win solutions for urban sustainability, there is a tendency to romanticize both nature and participatory planning processes in the institutional language and practices of NBS. In this paper, we review critical perspectives on the mainstream NBS discourse. Then we bring scholarship concerning the relationship between cities, nature and social change into conversation with scholarship on commoning, to outline an approach for rethinking the democratic and transformative potential of NBS. In this approach, we argue for moving beyond the instrumentalization of nature inherent to mainstream NBS, and locate, within diverse strands of theory, perspectives that contribute to a vision of commoning as a frame for ecological spaces in cities. We contrast the tendency for instrumentalization and enclosure of NBS and urban space to the opportunities opened by the commoning approach, particularly in terms of equality of access, public and shared resources, and distribution of benefits.
Sleep disturbance and problematic alcohol use: Examination of sex and race differences
Authors: Dzierzewski Joseph M. , Ravyts Scott G. , Martin Caitlin E. , Polak Kathryn M. , Nielson Spencer A. , Pomm David , Dillon Pamela , Moore Thomas B. , Thacker Leroy R. , Svikis Dace S.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Disrupted sleep is prevalent and related to problematic alcohol use. While sex and race disparities exist in both sleep disturbances and problematic alcohol use, whether the association between disrupted sleep and problematic alcohol use is similar across sex and race is unknown. The present study sought to examine sex and race invariance in the association between disrupted sleep and problematic alcohol use.

Methods

Secondary analyses of baseline data from a randomized clinical trial targeting heavy drinking in primary care facilities. Participants completed four individual sleep questions (sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and sleep medication use), along with sex-specific measures of problematic alcohol use (i.e., CAGE and T-ACE). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the association between a latent sleep disturbance construct and problematic alcohol use, as well as potential sex and race invariance of this association.

Results

Participants included 1,448 adults (76.59% female, 76.73% Black, Mage = 44.78, SD = 12.35). The majority of the sample reported one or more sleep disturbance symptoms and 31.84% of participants screened positive for problematic alcohol use. Greater sleep disturbance was significantly associated with a greater risk of problematic alcohol use (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), and did not differ by either sex or race.

Conclusions

Disrupted sleep is associated with problematic alcohol use, across sex and race. Sleep interventions may hold promise as treatment augments in individuals with problematic alcohol use.
Eco-luxury: Making sustainable drugs and cosmetics with Prosopis cineraria natural extracts
Authors: Giustra Marco , Cerri Federico , Anadol Yaprak , Salvioni Lucia , Antonelli Abella Tatiana , Prosperi Davide , Galli Paolo , Colombo Miriam
Published: November 2022

Climate change associated with global warming is a major warning of the twenty-first century, threatening ecosystems through uncontrolled temperature rises, drought, lack of water with a strong impact on productivity, economy, and worldwide life well-being. In most cases, the poor regions of the planet suffer from a lack of exploitable resources deriving from natural reserves. For this reason, wild vegetables able to grow in deserted areas are attracting increasing attention due to their beneficial properties. Among them, Prosopis cineraria has been recently recognized in the UAE not only as a cultural heritage but also as a potential source of raw materials for agri-food and pharmaceutics still poorly valued. P. cineraria occurs in most of the world's hot arid and semi-arid regions as a native or introduced species and, due to its multiple properties, could be exploited for medical, food, and, more recently, in different growing productivity fields like a luxury, especially in countries like the UAE. The use of actives-rich natural sources offers clear advantages over synthetic compounds in terms of process and product eco-sustainability. In this manuscript, we review the main properties and potential applications of P. cineraria aiming to promote the scientific interest toward the development of innovative approaches in several productive fields, including pharma and cosmetics, exploiting the versatility of materials that can be extracted from the various parts of the plant and discuss commercialization opportunities of the plant to support biodiversity and sustainability. In conclusion, P. cineraria turns out to be a plant able to grow in hostile environments, already providing nutrients for populations of Western Asia and the Indian subcontinent and possibly translatable to poor arid regions.
Increasing recognition of historically marginalized scientists: Lessons learned from the Nomination Task Force
Authors: Keesee Amy M. , Claudepierre Seth G. , Bashir M. Fraz , Hartinger Michael D. , MacDonald Elizabeth A. , Jaynes Allison N.
Published: November 2022

The Space Physics and Aeronomy (SPA) Section of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) created a Nomination Task Force (NTF) in 2017 upon concerns that the numbers of women nominated for AGU Fellow were significantly lower than would be expected based on SPA membership representation, including as low as zero in two of the four preceding years. Now that the NTF has been in existence through four cycles of AGU Honors and Awards, the outcomes indicate the success of the NTF in increasing the number of nominations for scientists from historically marginalized groups. These data indicate that the work of the NTF has enhanced the nomination pool rather than occurring at the expense of other nominees. Until recently, the ability to collect and distribute demographic information has been limited, and cisgender binary identities are often inferred. Moving forward it is a goal of AGU to be more inclusive and intentional with respect to gender, racial, and ethnic identities. We share our best practices and success stories with a broad audience to help others build upon the work of the NTF within their own institutions and professional groups. We also discuss challenges that we are still facing and provide suggestions for continuing to improve the process.
Transitions to food democracy through multilevel governance
Authors: Jani Anant , Exner Andreas , Braun Reiner , Braun Brigitte , Torri Luisa , Verhoeven Sofie , Murante Anna Maria , Van Devijvere Stefanie , Harrington Janas , Ochoa Amalia , Marchiori Giorgia Dalla Libera , Defranceschi Peter , Bunker Aditi , Bärnighausen Till , Sanz Sanz Esther , Napoléone Claude , Verger Eric O. , Schader Christian , Röklov Joacim , Stegeman Ingrid , Tonello Samuele , Pederson Robert , Kristensen Niels Heine , Smits Tim , Wascher Dirk , Voshol Peter , Kaptejins Annemarie , Nesrallah Samantha , Kjørven Olav , DeClerck Fabrice , Biella Cristina , Gjorgjioska Marija Adela , Tomicic Ana , Ferreira Oliveira Ana Teresa , Bracco Stefania , Estevens Sandra , Rossi Luigi , Laister Günther , Różalska Aleksandra , Jankuloski Borche , Hurbin Christophe , Jannic Maýlis , Steel Fiona , Manbaliu Ewoud , De Jager Karin , Sfetsos Athanasios , Konstantopoulou Maria , Kapetanakis Pavlos-Alexandro , Hickersberger Michaela , Chiffard Elsa , Woollhead Carina
Published: November 2022

Food systems in Europe are largely unjust and not sustainable. Despite substantial negative consequences for individual health, the environment and public sector health and care services, large multi-national corporations continue to benefit from the way food systems are designed—perpetuating “Lose–Lose–Lose–Win” food systems that see these large corporations benefit at the expense of health, the environment and public sector finances. Transitioning to “Win–Win–Win–Win” food systems is challenging because of the heterogeneity, complexity and unpredictable nature of food systems—one-size fits-all solutions to correct imbalances and injustices cannot exist. To address these challenges, we propose the use of heuristics—solutions that can flexibly account for different contexts, preferences and needs. Within food systems, food democracy could be a heuristic solution that provides the processes and can form the basis for driving just transitions. However, ensuring that these transition processes are fair, equitable, sustainable and constructive, requires an approach that can be used across vertical and horizontal governance spheres to ensure the voices of key stakeholders across space, time and spheres of power are accounted for. In this manuscript we outline a new Horizon project, FEAST, that aims to use multilevel governance approaches across vertical and horizontal spheres of governance to realize constructive food democracy. We envisage this as a means to inform just processes that can be used to design and implement policies, in line with food democracy, to facilitate transitions to “Win–Win–Win–Win” food systems across Europe that makes it easy for every European to eat a healthy and sustainable diet.
The evaluation of different types fecal bacteria products for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Liping , Li Wenrui , Zhang Xianzhuo , Tian Jinhui , Ma Xiaojia , Han Lulu , Wei Huaping , Meng Wenbo
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To determine the efficacy of different types of fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of recurrent clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (RCDAD).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China Biomedical Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WanFang database. We also tracked the references found in systematic reviews of RCDAD treated with fecal microbiota transplantation. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different types of fecal microbiota transplantation with other methods for the treatment of RCDAD. The search period was from the date of inception of this treatment method to January 16, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the published literature, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. Systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted using RevMan 5.4, Stata 16.0 and R 4.1.2 software.

Results

Ten RCTs involving 765 patients were included in this network meta-analysis. The results showed that treatment with fresh fecal bacteria and frozen fecal bacteria were better than vancomycin, fresh vs. vancomycin [odds ratio, (OR) = 8.98, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (1.84, 43.92)], frozen vs. vancomycin [OR = 7.44, 95% CI (1.39, 39.75)]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in cure rate [fresh vs. frozen: OR = 1.21, 95% CI (0.22, 6.77); fresh vs. lyophilized, OR = 1.95, 95% CI (0.20, 19.44); frozen vs. lyophilized, OR = 1.62, 95% CI (0.30, 8.85)]. The Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) indicated that fresh fecal bacteria were the best treatment for RCDAD.

Conclusions

Fresh fecal bacteria are the best treatment of RCDAD, frozen fecal bacteria and lyophilized fecal bacteria can achieve the same effect. Fecal microbiota transplantation is worthy of clinical and commercial application.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict postoperative delirium in type B aortic dissection patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Huang Wanbing , Wu Qiansheng , Zhang Yufen , Tian Chong , Huang Haishan , Wang Hui , Mao Jing
Published: November 2022

Objective

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative complication after cardiovascular surgery with adverse outcomes. No prediction tools are currently available for assessing POD in the type B aortic dissection (TBAD) population. The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting POD among TBAD patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).

Methods

The retrospective cohort included 631 eligible TBAD patients who underwent TEVAR from January 2019 to July 2021. 434 patients included before 2021 were in the develop set; 197 others were in the independent validation set. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and logistic regression were applied to identify the most useful predictive variables for constructing the nomogram. Discrimination and the agreement of the model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Brier score and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The results were validated using a bootstrap resampling and the validation set.

Results

The incidence rate of POD observed in the development and validation cohort were 15.0% and 14.2%, respectively. Seven independent risk factors, including age ≥60 years, syncope or coma, postoperative blood transfusion, atelectasis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <80 ml/min/1.73 m2, albumin <30 g/L, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, were included in the nomogram. The model showed a good discrimination with an AUC of 0.819 (95% CI, 0.762–0.876) in the developed set, and adjusted to 0.797 (95% CI, 0.735–0.849) and 0.791 (95% CI, 0.700–0.881) in the internal validation set and the external validation, respectively. Favorable calibration of the nomogram was confirmed in both the development and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

The nomogram based on seven readily available predictors has sufficient validity to identify POD risk in this population. This tool may facilitate targeted initiation of POD preventive intervention for healthcare providers.