bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotic Cocktail Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation Through Improving Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Colitis Mice
Authors: Zhu Yefei , Xu Yu , Wang Xinyue , Rao Leiping , Yan Xuebing , Gao Renyuan , Shen Tongyi , Zhou Yuan , Kong Cheng , Zhou Longxiang
Published: June 2022

The modulation of the gut microbiome has been widely suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we established a novel probiotic cocktail to investigate its therapeutic role in acute colitis mice. During dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, the mice were treated with the probiotic cocktail, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from a healthy mice donor, or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), respectively. The inflammatory responses were assessed by symptoms, serum inflammatory factors, and histological scoring. The intestinal barrier function was assessed by detecting tight junction proteins. Gut microbiota and its metabolites were further identified using 16S rDNA sequencing and a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Compared with FMT and 5-ASA treatment, the probiotic cocktail performed better in alleviating symptoms of colitis and decreasing disease activity score and mucosal inflammation. The probiotic cocktail also significantly decreased serum IL-17 level and increased JAM-1 expression in colon. The gut microbiota analysis confirmed that the beneficial effects of the probiotic cocktail were attributed to increasing anti-inflammatory bacteria Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Blautia, while decreasing pro-inflammatory bacteria Parasutterella. The targeted metabolome analysis further indicated a rise in the production of Bifidobacterium-related short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as propanoic acid and isobutyric acid after probiotics treatment. Taken together, the probiotic cocktail effectively alleviated intestinal inflammation through improving gut microbiota and metabolites in colitis mice, suggesting its great potential to be a novel therapeutic approach for IBD patients.
Accelerating Climate Change Adaptive Capacity Through Regional Sustained Assessment and Evaluation in Hawai‘i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
Authors: Keener Victoria W. , Grecni Zena N. , Moser Susanne C.
Published: June 2022

As the impacts and risks from climate change increase, the climate assessment landscape has expanded in scope and application, resulting in the desire for more information relevant to local decision-making. Some regions lack detailed climate projections and a body of consensus findings about sector-specific impacts, and there is a need for actionable, culturally cognizant, translated climate information suitable for integration into operations and management, budgeting, funding proposals, and domestic and international policy. The Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment, or PIRCA, is the subject of this decade-long case study illustrating the need, development, and benefit of creating and sustaining a nuanced, collaborative, and deliberately inclusive climate assessment effort among researchers and practitioners in Hawai‘i and the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). Using external evaluations done in 2013 and 2021, and our observations as participants in the process, we describe regional adaptive capacity challenges—an important component of the decision context for PIRCA stakeholders—and analyze the role of the PIRCA network in accelerating climate adaptation. We also examine how regional and national assessments complement each other, and how assessment processes can aid in translation to sub-national decision making across the climate science-policy interface. Results reveal components of the PIRCA that are foundational to its effectiveness: framing climate information in human and decision-centric ways; use of inclusive and non-extractive methods; willingness to shift approaches to meet stakeholder objectives; leveraging the resources of the Pacific Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) and other boundary organizations; taking the time to build relationships; and creating a dedicated position to sustain collaborations and relationships within the region and at larger assessment scales. Our experience and the feedback received through the evaluation suggest that these lessons are transferable to other regions and scales, and that sustained and collaborative regional climate assessments can serve a key function in complementing major national and international assessments, by translating and more effectively targeting information to meet local needs in support of regional climate adaptation and policymaking.
Increased Confidence in Deduplication of Drug Safety Reports with Natural Language Processing of Narratives at the US Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Kreimeyer Kory , Dang Oanh , Spiker Jonathan , Gish Paula , Weintraub Jessica , Wu Eileen , Ball Robert , Botsis Taxiarchis
Published: June 2022

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) receives millions of postmarket adverse event reports for drug and therapeutic biologic products every year. One of the most salient issues with these submissions is report duplication, where an adverse event experienced by one patient is reported multiple times to the FDA. Duplication has important negative implications for data analysis. We improved and optimized an existing deduplication algorithm that used both structured and free-text data, developed a web-based application to support data processing, and conducted a 6-month dedicated evaluation to assess the potential operationalization of the deduplication process in the FDA. Comparing algorithm predictions with reviewer determinations of duplicates for twenty-seven files for case series reviews (with a median size of 281 reports), the average pairwise recall and precision were equal to 0.71 (SD ± 0.32) and 0.67 (SD ± 0.34). Overall, reviewers felt confident about the algorithm and expressed their interest in using it. These findings support the operationalization of the deduplication process for case series review as a supplement to human review.
L2 Teachers’ Pedagogical Thoughts: Variations Across Teachers With Varying Levels of Grit
Authors: Shabani Mohammad Bagher , Ashkani Parisa , Karimi Mohammad Nabi
Published: June 2022

Teacher pedagogical knowledge base (PKB) has secured a notable position in research on teacher cognition. One obvious gap in this strand of research concerns variations in teachers’ thought processes in relation to individual difference variables despite indications that PKB is likely to differ across individual differences. To fill part of the void, this study investigated how teachers’ PKB—conceptualized as the frequency and dominance of pedagogical thought units/categories—vary as a function of teachers’ levels of grit. To this end, eight EFL teachers (four High-Grit and four Low-Grit) were chosen to participate in the study. Stimulated recall interviews were used to explore the pedagogical thought units that underlie the teachers’ instruction. The thought units of the two groups were then identified by segmenting, coding and categorizing them. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups of teachers in the number and list of dominant pedagogical thought categories. Language Management, Procedure Check, Affective, Self-Reflection, Progress Review, Beliefs, and Problem Check constituted the list of dominant PTCs of High-Grit teachers, whereas Low-Grit teachers’ dominant thought categories included Language Management, Procedure Check, Time Check, Progress Review, and Problem Check. The results advance the scholarship on teachers’ PKB by extending the findings to individual differences.
B- and T-Cell Subset Abnormalities in Monogenic Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Fekrvand Saba , Khanmohammadi Shaghayegh , Abolhassani Hassan , Yazdani Reza
Published: June 2022

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of inborn errors of immunity characterized by reduced serum concentrations of different immunoglobulin isotypes. CVID is the most prevalent symptomatic antibody deficiency with a broad range of infectious and non-infectious clinical manifestations. Various genetic and immunological defects are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of CVID. Monogenic defects account for the pathogenesis of about 20-50% of CVID patients, while a variety of cases do not have a defined genetic background. Deficiencies in molecules of B cell receptor signaling or other pathways involving B-cell development, activation, and proliferation could be associated with monogenetic defects of CVID. Genetic defects damping different B cell developmental stages can alter B- and even other lymphocytes’ differentiation and might be involved in the clinical and immunologic presentations of the disorder. Reports concerning T and B cell abnormalities have been published in CVID patients, but such comprehensive data on monogenic CVID patients is few and no review article exists to describe the abrogation of lymphocyte subsets in these disorders. Hence, we aimed to review the role of altered B- and T-cell differentiation in the pathogenesis of CVID patients with monogenic defects.
Exploring HSP90 as a Biomarker for Marine Heatwaves in Pinctada maxima
Authors: Masanja Fortunatus , Xu Yang , He Guixiang , Liang Feilong , Liu Xiaolong , Yang Ke , Mkuye Robert , Liang Jian , Deng Yuewen , Zhao Liqiang
Published: June 2022

Many species, particularly marine organisms, are becoming more vulnerable to marine heatwaves due to climate change. Marine species anticipate perishing during marine heatwaves, but there is a growing interest in learning why some can resist. Using Pinctada maxima as a model species, we were able to clone a full-length cDNA encoding HSP90 with a calculated open reading frame of 2031 residues of amino acids and a molecular mass estimate of 78.08 kD to understand better the effects of marine heatwaves on the HSP90 gene expression in pearl oysters. The sequence of amino acids in P. maxima HSP90 was quite similar to the HSP90 families of Pinctada fucata martensii. At 32°C and 36°C, the expression of PmHSP90 significantly expressed and reached its highest level at 6 h, implying that in pearl oysters’ response to acute marine heatwaves, HSP90 expression rapidly increased. Pearl oysters’ temperature response was relieved, as best demonstrated by the dramatically reduced expression levels of PmHSP90 in the frequently reoccurring marine heatwaves event. Using these findings, it is possible to predict acute and repeated marine heatwaves in pearl oysters using P. maxima HSP90 as a molecular biomarker.
Mechanisms and Regulation of DNA-Protein Crosslink Repair During DNA Replication by SPRTN Protease
Authors: Perry Megan , Ghosal Gargi
Published: June 2022

DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are deleterious DNA lesions that occur when proteins are covalently crosslinked to the DNA by the action of variety of agents like reactive oxygen species, aldehydes and metabolites, radiation, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Unrepaired DPCs are blockades to all DNA metabolic processes. Specifically, during DNA replication, replication forks stall at DPCs and are vulnerable to fork collapse, causing DNA breakage leading to genome instability and cancer. Replication-coupled DPC repair involves DPC degradation by proteases such as SPRTN or the proteasome and the subsequent removal of DNA-peptide adducts by nucleases and canonical DNA repair pathways. SPRTN is a DNA-dependent metalloprotease that cleaves DPC substrates in a sequence-independent manner and is also required for translesion DNA synthesis following DPC degradation. Biallelic mutations in SPRTN cause Ruijs-Aalfs (RJALS) syndrome, characterized by hepatocellular carcinoma and segmental progeria, indicating the critical role for SPRTN and DPC repair pathway in genome maintenance. In this review, we will discuss the mechanism of replication-coupled DPC repair, regulation of SPRTN function and its implications in human disease and cancer.
Brain Structural and Functional Dissociated Patterns in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Case-Controlled Retrospective Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Zhou Yi , Shi Jiaqi
Published: June 2022

Background

Previous studies have shown the whole-brain global functional connectivity density (gFCD) and gray matter volume (GMV) alterations in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). However, no study aimed to investigate the associations between the spatial patterns of GMV and gFCD alterations in patients with DCM.

Methods

Structural data and resting-state functional MRI data of 35 DCM patients and 35 matched healthy controls were collected to assess their gFCD and GMV and investigate gFCD and GMV alterations in patients with DCM and their spatial pattern associations.

Results

In our current study, significant gFCD and GMV differences were observed in some regions of the visual system, sensorimotor cortices, and cerebellum between patients with DCM and healthy controls. In our findings, decreased gFCD was found in areas primarily located at the sensorimotor cortices, while increased gFCD was observed primarily within areas located at the visual system and cerebellum. Decreased GMV was seen in the left thalamus, bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), and left inferior occipital cortices in patients with DCM, while increased GMV was observed in the cerebellum.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that structural and functional alterations independently contributed to the neuropathology of DCM. However, longitudinal studies are still needed to further illustrate the associations between structural deficits and functional alterations underlying the onset of brain abnormalities as DCM develops.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia Following the Use of Poly-ADP Ribose Polymerase (PARP) Inhibitors: A Real-World Analysis of Postmarketing Surveillance Data
Authors: Zhao Quanfeng , Ma Pan , Fu Peishu , Wang Jiayu , Wang Kejing , Chen Lin , Yang Yang
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose: poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors show impressive efficacy in a range of tumors. However, concerns about rare and fatal adverse events, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) have arisen. The aim of this study was to excavate and evaluate the risk of PARP inhibitors causing MDS and AML based on real-world data from two international pharmacovigilance databases.

Methods: We analyzed adverse event (AE) reports of four PARP inhibitors (olaparib, niraparib, rucaparib and talazoparib) associated with MDS and AML from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and EudraVigilance (EV) databases between 1 October 2014, and 30 September 2021, including demographic characteristics, fatality and times to onset. Three different data mining algorithms were used to detect the signals of PARP inhibitors associated with MDS and AML.

Results: In total, 16,710 and 11,937 PARP inhibitor AE reports were found in the FAERS and EV databases, of which 332 and 349 were associated with MDS and AML, respectively. The median latencies of MDS and AML associated with PARP inhibitors were 211 [interquartile range (IQR) 93.5–491.25] days and 355 (IQR 72.00–483.50) days, respectively. The average fatality rates of MDS and AML caused by the four PARP inhibitors were 39.23 and 45.39%, respectively, in the FAERS database, while those in the EV database were 32.32 and 34.94%, respectively. Based on the criteria used for the three algorithms, a significant disproportionate association was found between PARP inhibitors as a drug class and MDS/AML. Notably, the risk of MDS was much higher than that of AML. Olaparib appeared to have a stronger association with MDS and AML than did other PARP inhibitors.

Conclusion: In the real world, PARP inhibitors increase the risk of MDS and AML, which can result in high mortality and tend to occur during long-term use. Our findings provide objective evidence for the postmarketing safety of PARP inhibitors.
The Relationship Between Postgraduates’ Emotional Intelligence and Well-Being: The Chain Mediating Effect of Social Support and Psychological Resilience
Authors: Shuo Zhang , Xuyang Deng , Xin Zhao , Xuebin Cai , Jie Hou
Published: June 2022

Background

Postgraduates usually face more life challenges than undergraduate students, including social, emotional and financial issues, and the prevalence of mental health problems in postgraduates is higher than undergraduates. Therefore, the attention on postgraduates’ mental health status is needed.

Objectives

The current study explored the relationship between postgraduates’ emotional intelligence and well-being by investigating the mediating effects of social support and psychological resilience and the relationship between them through the construction of a chain mediation model.

Method

1,228 postgraduates completed the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Social Support Rate Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Subject Well-being Scale.

Results

There is a chain effect between postgraduates’ social support and psychological resilience mediated by their emotional intelligence and well-being, with a total effect value of 0.049.

Conclusion

Emotional intelligence has a predictive effect on postgraduates’ well-being. The mechanism of this effect includes the indirect effects of social support and psychological resilience. Study results revealed the relationship mechanism between emotional intelligence and postgraduates’ well-being, and provide reference for explorations of how to development postgraduates’ emotional intelligence and further improving their abilities to strengthen their emotional resilience.
An Update on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Following Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Vu Tony , Smith Julian A.
Published: June 2022

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is extremely prevalent following cardiac surgery. The increasing patient age and comorbidity profile increases their susceptibility to cognitive impairment. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment are not clearly elucidated. Using the contemporary literature (2015–present), this narrative review has three aims. Firstly, to provide an overview of postoperative cognitive impairment. Secondly, to analyse the predominant pathophysiological mechanisms leading to cognitive dysfunction following cardiac surgery such as inflammation, cerebral hypoperfusion, cerebral microemboli, glycaemic control and anaesthesia induced neurotoxicity. Lastly, to assess the current therapeutic strategies of interest to address these pathophysiological mechanisms, including the administration of dexamethasone, the prevention of prolonged cerebral desaturations and the monitoring of cerebral perfusion using near-infrared spectroscopy, surgical management strategies to reduce the neurological effects of microemboli, intraoperative glycaemic control strategies, the effect of volatile vs. intravenous anaesthesia, and the efficacy of dexmedetomidine.
Android Robot Promotes Disclosure of Negative Narratives by Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Kumazaki Hirokazu , Muramatsu Taro , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Matsumoto Yoshio , Takata Keiji , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Mimura Masaru
Published: June 2022

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) demonstrate some challenges with personal narrative writing. Sentence completion tests (SCT) is a class of semi-structured projective techniques and encourage respondents to disclose their private narratives. Even in SCT, only providing beginning of sentences is inadequate to compensate atypicalities in their creativity and imagination, and self-disclosure is difficult for many individuals with ASD. It is reported that many individuals with ASD often achieve a higher degree of task engagement through interactions with robots and that robotic systems may be useful in eliciting and promoting social communication such as self-disclosure for some individuals with ASD. There is a possibility that exemplification by android robots in place of human interviewers can result in a higher degree of task engagement for individuals with ASD. The objective of this study was to investigate whether additional exemplifications by android robots in the SCT can prompt self-disclosure for individuals with ASD. We compared the difference in disclosure statements and subjective emotion in the testing paper of the SCT in additional exemplification by an android robot and a human interviewer. In addition, we assessed the disclosure statements and subjective emotions in the SCT, for which exemplifications were written on testing paper to make the comparison. Our quantitative data suggested that exemplification by android robot promoted more self-disclosure, especially about the negative topic compared to exemplification by a human interviewer and that written on test paper. In addition, the level of participant embarrassment in response to exemplification by the android robot seemed to be lower compared to that in the human interviewer condition. In the assessment and support for individuals with ASD, eliciting self-disclosure is a pressing issue. It is hoped that the appropriate use of robots will lead to a better understanding and support for their application.
Educational Gradients Behind Medical Adverse Event Deaths in the US—A Time Series Analysis of Nationwide Mortality Data 2010–2019
Authors: Oura Petteri
Published: June 2022

Background

Deaths due to medical care appear common. Individuals with low socioeconomic position seem to be at a higher risk for sustaining a medical adverse event and premature death. This time series analysis aimed to assess educational gradients behind adverse event deaths in the US over the period 2010–2019.

Methods

Publicly available mortality and census data were retrieved from official sources. The data included age, sex, educational attainment, and underlying cause of death. Adverse event deaths were identified by ICD-10 codes Y40—Y84 and Y88. Four education categories were created in accordance with the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 coding scheme [No high school or General Educational Development (GED); High school or GED; Some college; Bachelor's degeree or higher]. To capture also highly educated individuals, the analysis was delimited to ≥30-year-olds. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) were compared between education categories by means of mortality plots and linear mixed models.

Results

A total of 25,897,334 certified deaths occurred among ≥30-year-olds during the study period. The underlying cause of death was an adverse event in a rarity of cases (0.12%, n = 31,997). Individuals with Bachelor's degeree or higher had the lowest adverse event AMRs (6.1–12.4 per million per year), followed by the Some college category (9.6–18.6), the High school or GED category (17.1–35.4), and finally the No high school or GED category (20.0–36.0). AMRs showed a gradual increase as education level decreased (p ≤ 0.001 against those with Bachelor's degeree or higher). Moreover, the temporal increase in adverse event AMRs was more pronounced among individuals with low than high education; the contrasts between categories were greatest toward the end of the study period.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that the widening socioeconomic gradients in mortality extend also to fatal adverse events. Future studies should aim to analyze whether access to care, severity of the condition at presentation, quality of care, and social determinants of health may drive the gradients.
Starting Time of Presbyopic Eyeglasses Wear and Lifestyle
Authors: Ayaki Masahiko , Negishi Kazuno , Kawashima Motoko , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Presbyopia is a serious burden in the aged population, however, the factors affecting its progression have not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the time of starting to wear presbyopic eyeglasses and lifestyle, in participants aged from 40 to 59 years.

Methods

We selected the sample to be representative of sex and age for the age group 40 to 59 years. Participants completed a web-based survey on presbyopia-related questions, symptomatic dry eye, sleep habits, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, subjective happiness scale (SHS), and other lifestyle-related questions including marital status, income, screen time, sun exposure, family history of myopia, and the frequency of regular visits to medical services.

Results

We found 529 participants (26.5%) used near correction, with a mean age for first near correction of 47.8±4.8 years. An earlier commencement of near correction correlated with hyperopia (P = 0.013), late wake-up time (P = 0.010), a poor subjective sleep quality score (P = 0.019), and a low annual income score (P = 0.025), after adjusting for age and sex. Stratification by income demonstrated the low-income group exhibited more dry eye, later wake-up time, longer sleep latency, longer sleep duration, worse sleep efficacy, lower SHS score, and a higher prevalence of living alone compared with the high-income group. The usage of corrective devices did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

The current study suggests a healthy sleep habit may delay the need for near correction, in addition to myopia. Shift work and circadian rhythm disruption might exacerbate presbyopia progression.
The State of Public Health Education and Science During and After the Fall of the Soviet Union: Achievements, Remaining Challenges, and Future Priorities
Authors: Gotsadze George , Mirzikashvili Nino , Kekelidze Dali , Kalandarishvili Sopio , Kalandadze Iagor , Abiatari Ivane , Zoidze Akaki
Published: June 2022

Objectives

In the post–COVID-19 world, when the adequacy of public health workforce education is being critically re-evaluated, this study undertakes a historical analysis of how the educational and scientific field of public health developed during and after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The study intends to historically contextualize public health education and science development in former Soviet Republics. It attempts to document achievements after gaining independence and identify remaining challenges that need to be addressed for advancing public health science and education in Former Soviet Union countries to better prepare them for future pandemics and address current health challenges of the nations.

Methods

The study used a mixed-methods review approach combining both a literature review, information collection from the school's websites, and secondary analysis of the quantitative data available about scientific outputs—peer-reviewed articles.

Results

During communist rule and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the main historical events seem to have shaped the public health field of former Soviet countries, which also determined its eventual evolution. The international efforts post-1991 were instrumental in shifting medically oriented conceptualization of public health toward Western approaches, albeit with variable progress. Also, while scientific output has been growing from 1996 to 2019, sub-regional differences remain prominent.

Conclusion

The region seems to have matured enough that it might be time to start and facilitate regional cooperation of public health schools to advance the field of public health and research. Regional and country variabilities feature prominently in the volume and quality of scientific output and call for the immediate attention of national governments and international partners.
Burden and Predictors of Malnutrition Among Indian Adolescents (10–19 Years): Insights From Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey Data
Authors: Pandurangi Raghavendra , Mummadi Mahesh Kumar , Challa Sairam , Reddy N. Samarasimha , Kaliaperumal Venkatesh , Khadar Babu Chinta , Telikicherla Usha Rani , Pullakandham Raghu , Geddam J. J. Babu , Hemalatha Rajkumar
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Malnutrition among adolescents is a persistent problem with a profound impact on different dimensions of health. The objective of this analysis is to assess the burden of malnutrition (Stunting, Thinness, Overweight, and Obesity) and their associated socio-demographic factors among Indian adolescents (10–19 years) from the Comprehensive National Nutritional Survey (CNNS 2016-18) data.

Methods

We used Individual-level data of 35,831 adolescents from the CNNS conducted in 2016–18 for this analysis. CNNS collected data on the nutritional status of adolescents along with socio-demographic variables from all states of India. Burden of stunting (Height for age Z score, HAZ < −2 SD), thinness (BMI for age Z score, BAZ < −2 SD), overweight (BAZ > 1 SD) and obesity (BAZ > 2 SD) were estimated for the entire country and individual states. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the socio-demographic factors associated with stunting, thinness, and overweight.

Results

CNNS collected data from 35,831 adolescents, of which 31,941 with BAZ scores, and 32,045 with HAZ scores were included in the final analysis. The burden of stunting and thinness among Indian adolescents was 27.4% (95% CI 26.4, 28.4%) and 24.4% (23.5, 25.4%), respectively. The burden of overweight and obesity was 4.8% (4.5, 5.1%) and 1.1% (0.9, 1.3%), respectively. Adolescents in the age group of 15–19 years (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.11, 1.36) compared to 10–14 years, females (AOR 1.20; 1.08, 1.33) compared to males, were at increased odds of getting stunted. Adolescents from lowest wealth index families (AOR 1.66; 1.33, 2.07) were at increased odds of thinness compared to peers of higher wealth index families. Adolescents of 10–14 years (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06, 1.49) compared to 15–19 years, urban residents (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.19, 1.71) compared to rural residents, were at increased odds of overweight.

Conclusion

Indian adolescents face the double burden of malnutrition that is undernutrition (stunting and thinness) alongside overnutrition (overweight and obesity) that are linked with socio-demographic factors. The National Nutritional Programs (POSHAN Abhiyan) should prioritize high-risk groups specifically older age group (15–19 years), females, and low wealth Index quintile families identified in this analysis.
Pancreas Transplantation in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Patients-Single Centre Experience in the UK
Authors: Gopal Jeevan Prakash , McLean Adam , Crane Jeremy , Herbert Paul , Papalois Vassilios , Dor Frank J. M. F. , Muthusamy Anand Rathnasamy
Published: June 2022

Ethnic disparities in the outcomes after simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplantation still exist. The influence of ethnicity on the outcomes of pancreas transplantation in the UK has not been reported and hence we aimed to investigate our cohort. A retrospective analysis of all pancreas transplant recipients (n = 171; Caucasians = 118/Black Asian Ethnic Minorities, BAME = 53) from 2006 to 2020 was done. The median follow-up was 80 months. Patient & pancreas graft survival, rejection rate, steroid free maintenance rate, HbA1c, weight gain, and the incidence of secondary diabetic complications post-transplant were compared between the groups. p < 0.003 was considered significant (corrected for multiple hypothesis testing). Immunosuppression consisted of alemtuzumab induction and steroid free maintenance with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Pancreas graft & patient survival were equivalent in both the groups. BAME recipients had a higher prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus pre-transplant (BAME = 30.19% vs. Caucasians = 0.85%, p < 0.0001), and waited for a similar time to transplantation once waitlisted, although pre-emptive SPK transplantation rate was higher for Caucasian recipients (Caucasians = 78.5% vs. BAME = 0.85%, p < 0.0001). Despite equivalent rejections & steroid usage, BAME recipients gained more weight (BAME = 7.7% vs. Caucasians = 1.8%, p = 0.001), but had similar HbA1c (functioning grafts) at 3-,12-, 36-, and 60-months post-transplant.
An Algorithm for the Closed-Form Solution of Certain Classes of Volterra–Fredholm Integral Equations of Convolution Type
Authors: Providas Efthimios
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a direct operator method is presented for the exact closed-form solution of certain classes of linear and nonlinear integral Volterra–Fredholm equations of the second kind. The method is based on the existence of the inverse of the relevant linear Volterra operator. In the case of convolution kernels, the inverse is constructed using the Laplace transform method. For linear integral equations, results for the existence and uniqueness are given. The solution of nonlinear integral equations depends on the existence and type of solutions ofthe corresponding nonlinear algebraic system. A complete algorithm for symbolic computations in a computer algebra system is also provided. The method finds many applications in science and engineering.
Vibration Isolation Performance of an Adaptive Magnetorheological Elastomer-Based Dynamic Vibration Absorber
Authors: Choi Young , Wereley Norman M.
Published: June 2022

This study evaluates the vibration isolation performance of an adaptive magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)-based dynamic vibration absorber (MRE-DVA) for mitigating the high frequency vibrations (100–250 Hz) of target devices. A simple and effective MRE-DVA design was presented and its vibration isolation performance was experimentally measured. A cylindrical shaped MRE pad was configured to be operated in shear mode and also worked as a semi-actively tunable spring for achieving adaptive DVA. A complex stiffness analysis for the damper force cycle was conducted and it was experimentally observed that the controllable dynamic stiffness range of the MRE-DVA was greater than two over the tested frequency range. The transmissibility of a target system was measured and used as a performance index to evaluate its vibration isolation performance. It was also experimentally demonstrated that a better vibration isolation performance of the target device exposed to the high frequency vibrations could be achieved by using the adaptive MRE-DVA.
The Enabling Technologies for a Quasi-Zero Emissions Commuter Aircraft
Authors: Ciliberti Danilo , Della Vecchia Pierluigi , Memmolo Vittorio , Nicolosi Fabrizio , Wortmann Guido , Ricci Fabrizio
Published: June 2022

The desire for greener aircraft pushes both academic and industrial research into developing technologies, manufacturing, and operational strategies providing emissions abatement. At time of writing, there are no certified electric aircraft for passengers’ transport. This is due to the requirements of lightness, reliability, safety, comfort, and operational capability of the fast air transport, which are not completely met by the state-of-the-art technology. Recent studies have shown that new aero-propulsive technologies do not provide significant fuel burn reduction, unless the operational ranges are limited to short regional routes or the electric storage capability is unrealistically high, and that this little advantage comes at increased gross weight and operational costs. Therefore, a significant impact into aviation emissions reduction can only be obtained with a revolutionary design, which integrates disruptive technologies starting from the preliminary design phase. This paper reviews the recent advances in propulsions, aerodynamics, and structures to present the enabling technologies for a low emissions aircraft, with a focus on the commuter category. In fact, it is the opinion of the European Community, which has financed several projects, that advances on the small air transport will be a fundamental step to assess the results and pave the way for large greener airplanes.
Long-Term Fertilization Alters Mycorrhizal Colonization Strategy in the Roots of Agrostis capillaris
Authors: Corcoz Larisa , Păcurar Florin , Pop-Moldovan Victoria , Vaida Ioana , Pleșa Anca , Stoian Vlad , Vidican Roxana
Published: June 2022

Long-term fertilization targets mycorrhizal fungi adapted to symbiotic exchange of nutrients, thus restricting their colonization potential and re-orienting the colonization strategies. The MycoPatt tool has a high applicability in quantifying the symbiotic process with the identification of mycorrhizal indices and projection of mycorrhizal patterns. Organic treatments increase the symbiotic process, visible in values of colonization frequency and intensity, with about 6% more than the native status of colonization. At the opposite pole, organic-mineral treatments decrease the colonization parameters by up to half of the organic treatment. All of the colonization parameters show significant correlations, except for the arbuscules/vesicle ratio (0.03). All the applied treatments, except for the organic one, record multiple root segments with a colonization degree lower than 10%. The application of treatments changes the strategy of native colonization from a transfer (40%) and storage (37%) to a predominant storage (50%) for organic treatment, and are mainly proliferative between 38–50% in mixed and mineral treatments. The high amount of mineral components increases also the presence of resistance conditions strategies. The use of mycorrhizal pattern maps, with the inclusion of colonization strategies, presents an important direction in understanding the evolution of mutual relations, and to explore in-depth the efficiency of the whole symbiotic process.
Variability in Cadmium Uptake in Common Wheat under Cadmium Stress: Impact of Genetic Variation and Silicon Supplementation
Authors: Yang Rui , Liang Xi , Strawn Daniel G.
Published: June 2022

To decrease the transfer of cadmium (Cd) to the food chain, it is essential to select wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm that accumulates the least amount of Cd and to develop management practices that promote a reduction in Cd uptake. This requires knowledge of factors controlling Cd accumulation in wheat plants, which are not fully understood. The aim of this study was thus to investigate variations in Cd accumulation, translocation, and subcellular distribution in response to Cd stress and supplemental Si in two wheat cultivars that have high vs. low Cd accumulation capacities. Cd uptake and distribution in two common wheat cultivars, high-Cd ‘LCS Star’ and low-Cd ‘UI Platinum’ were evaluated at two levels of Cd (0 and 50 µM) and Si (0 and 1.5 mM) in a hydroponic experiment. LCS Star and UI Platinum were not different in root Cd accumulation but differed in Cd concentration in the shoot, which agreed with the variation between the two cultivars in their subcellular Cd distributions in organelle and soluble fractions as well as induced glutathione synthesis in response to Cd addition. Supplemental Si reduced Cd uptake and accumulation and suppressed Cd-induced glutathione synthesis. The differences between the wheat cultivars in Cd accumulation in shoots mainly derive from root-to-shoot translocation, which is related to subcellular Cd distribution and Cd-induced glutathione synthesis. Exogeneous Si could decrease Cd translocation from root to shoot to alleviate Cd toxicity in common wheat.
Rapeseed Meal and Its Application in Pig Diet: A Review
Authors: Cheng Hao , Liu Xiang , Xiao Qingrui , Zhang Fan , Liu Nian , Tang Lizi , Wang Jing , Ma Xiaokang , Tan Bie , Chen Jiashun , Jiang Xianren
Published: June 2022

Rapeseed is the second largest plant protein resource in the world with an ideal profile of essential amino acids. Rapeseed meal (RSM) is one of the by-products of rapeseed oil extraction. Due to the anti-nutritional components (glucosinolates and fiber) and poor palatability, RSM is limited in livestock diets. Recently, how to decrease the anti-nutritional factors and improve the nutritional value of RSM has become a hot topic. Therefore, the major components of RSM have been reviewed with emphasis on the methods to improve the nutritional value of RSM as well as the application of RSM in pig diets.
Long-Term No-Till Conservation Agriculture and Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil Micronutrients in a Semi-Arid Region of South Africa
Authors: Zulu Samukelisiwe G. , Magwaza Lembe S. , Motsa Nozipho M. , Sithole Nkanyiso J. , Ncama Khayelihle
Published: June 2022

Knowledge of the long-term complex relationship between soils, crops, and management practices, such as conservation agriculture, is critical in developing nutrient management strategies to optimise crop yields. This study examined the concentration, and the distribution of, soil micronutrients along the soil profile (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) under different tillage practices: no-till (NT), rotational tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT), and nitrogen fertilizer application rates (0, 100, 200 kg/ha) in a semi-arid environment after 17 years of implementation of the trial. The results found the lowest concentration (p < 0.05) of copper (Cu) (1.254 mg/kg) and iron (Fe) (22.671 mg/kg) in CT compared to NT [Cu (1.447 mg/kg), Fe (41,156 mg/kg)] and RT [Cu (2.389 mg/kg), Fe (120,437 mg/kg)] treatments. This correlated with the lower soil pH in NT compared to CT treatment, and slightly higher (p > 0.05) under NT (1.782 mg/g) compared to RT (1.715 mg/g) and CT (1.750 mg/g). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in zinc (Zn) in NT (2.856 mg/kg) and RT (2.782 mg/kg) but CT (2.010 mg/kg) treatment was significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to these treatments. Manganese (Mn) also followed a similar trend whereby CT still had the lowest concentration (p < 0.05) of Mn (8.01 mg/kg) compared to RT (10.71 mg/kg) and NT (11.98 mg/kg). The concentration of Mn, Zn, and Fe was found to be similar (p > 0.05) with an increase in sampling depths. On the other hand, Cu was found to be different (p < 0.05) at different sampling depths. Manganese (10.46 mg/kg) and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (2.026 mg/g) were found to be concentrated near the 0–10 cm soil surface depth while Zn (2.558 mg/kg), Fe (66,217 mg/kg) and Cu (1.867 mg/kg) were more at the 20–30 cm depth in reduced tillage treatments. The results also showed no differences (p > 0.05) in the concentration of Cu, Mn, and Zn at different levels of nitrogen fertilizer under all tillage treatments. It was concluded that NT and rational tillage with mulch, favoured the availability of micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn) in the studied cropping system.
Soybean Yield Response of Biochar-Regulated Soil Properties and Root Growth Strategy
Authors: Wu Di , Zhang Weiming , Xiu Liqun , Sun Yuanyuan , Gu Wenqi , Wang Yuning , Zhang Honggui , Chen Wenfu
Published: June 2022

Continuous cropping obstacles limit soybean production. Biochar is beneficial for soybean growth, but it is unclear whether biochar performs a sustainable role in continuous cropping. To further explore the effects of biochar on soil properties and soybean growth, a ceramic Wagner pot-simulated field experiment was conducted with biochar at different doses (12, 24, and 48 t·ha−1) over a period of 3 years, no fertilizer, no biochar (CK) and fertilizer (F)treatments were used for comparison. The results showed that biochar significantly reduced soil bulk and improved the rhizosphere soil pH, available nutrients (N, K), and total nutrients (C, N, P, and K) compared with CK and F. Moreover, the soybean root length, surface area, volume, and exudates increased with biochar amendment. In particular, biochar significantly increased the nodule number, dry weight, and nitrogenase activity of soybean. Furthermore, biochar promoted soybean growth and increased soybean yield. In general, we found that the soybean yield increased with biochar and that biochar had a positive, sustainable effect on soil properties and soybean root growth, providing a new cultivation measure for soil health and soybean production in continuous cropping, which is very important for increasing soybean productivity to break the limitations of soybean traditional continuous cultivation.
Managing Fertigation Frequency and Level to Mitigate N2O and CO2 Emissions and NH3 Volatilization from Subsurface Drip-Fertigated Field in a Greenhouse
Authors: Hamad Amar Ali Adam , Wei Qi , Xu Junzeng , Hamoud Yousef Alhaj , He Min , Shaghaleh Hiba , Wei’ Qi , Li Xintong , Qi Zhiming
Published: June 2022

Agricultural practices such as water and N management can contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fertigation frequency and level are the two most important factors of irrigation scheduling. Proper irrigation management can establish moderate moist conditions throughout the crop growth period in the root zone and reduce GHG emissions and NH3 volatilization. The main objective was to evaluate the possibility of reducing soil N2O and CO2 emissions and NH3 volatilization without crop yield reduction by manipulating the subsurface-drip fertigation (SDF) frequency and level. An experiment was carried out adopting three SDF frequencies, High-Frequency (7-day, HF), Medium-Frequency (8-day, MF), and Low-Frequency (10-day fertigation intervals, LF), and two irrigation levels, 80% (I80) and 70% (I70) of amount in farmer’s common practice (1500 m3 ha−1). Urea, N > 46.2% at the rate of 90% of traditional fertilization level (270 Kg N ha−1) was injected with irrigation water. Results indicated that soil N2O, CO2, NO3−-N, NO2−-N, and water-filled pore space increased with fertigation frequency and an opposite pattern for NH4+-N and NH3. HF significantly (p < 0.05) increased crop yield by 45.1% and 49.2% compared to LF, under I80 and I70 levels, respectively. At the same irrigation level, HF was the optimum management practice. Person correlation analysis showed significant correlations between NO2−-N and N2O, CO2 and soil temperature, and NH4+-N and NH3. The study suggests that HF of SDF with emitters buried at 0.15 m depth helps to keep high Chinese cabbage yield increases GHG emissions, but is not significant, and decreases NH3 volatilization.
Bestiality Law in the United States: Evolving Legislation with Scientific Limitations
Authors: Holoyda Brian James
Published: June 2022

Societies have proscribed bestiality, or sex between humans and nonhuman animals, since the earliest recorded legal codes. In the early American colonies, religious prohibitions against bestiality provided the grounds for punishing those who engaged in such acts. In the 1800′s, Henry Bergh imported the animal welfare approach to the United States, which modernized the legislative treatment of animals in the country. Until recently, however, many laws in the U.S. have been outdated and vague and have utilized moralistic terminology. Since the 1960′s, a growing body of literature has developed suggesting that individuals who harm animals may also interpersonally offend. This concept, known as the Link, has served as a major motivation for advocates to promote new legislation criminalizing bestiality, to modernize old state statutes, and to expand penalties for individuals convicted of having sex with animals. Unfortunately, data supporting the Link between bestiality and interpersonal violence are limited and of questionable generalizability to the broad public. The Link’s weaknesses can assist in guiding further research. This article summarizes the history of bestiality law, the current state of bestiality legislation in the United States, the body of Link-related literature on bestiality and interpersonal violence and other problematic sexual behaviors, and the empirical weaknesses and needs revealed by this legislation.