bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eficiencia del Gasto en la Función de Saneamiento en los departamentos del Perú, 2021-2022: Aplicación Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Tarazona Jimenez John Joseph , Tinoco Palacios Luciano , Barzola La Cruz Edgar , Fernández López Carlos
Published: October 2024

El trabajo de investigación tuvo como propósito evaluar la eficiencia del gasto en la función de saneamiento para los 24 departamentos del Perú, en los años 2021 y 2022. Para tal fin se ha utilizado la metodología no paramétrica de Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA). En cuanto a los indicadores de desempeño, se ha empleado el porcentaje de la población con acceso a servicios de agua y desagüe por departamentos, mediante los datos obtenidos de la Encuesta Nacional de Hogares. En lo que respecta a la medición de los insumos, se ha considerado dos modelos. El primer modelo considera el gasto total por habitante de la función saneamiento, y en el segundo, se ha utilizado el gasto que corresponden a los programas presupuestales 082 y 083, relacionados con el Programa Nacional de Saneamiento Urbano y Rural, respectivamente. Los resultados sugieren que, en su mayoría, los departamentos analizados no alcanzaron niveles de eficiencia en los años 2021 y 2022, solo un departamento logro eficiencia. Sin embargo, al considerar el segundo modelo con los programas presupuestales, se aprecia una ligera mejora. En el año 2021, tres de los departamentos alcanzaron la condición de eficiencia, y este número aumentó a cuatro durante el año 2022.
Gestión de residuos sólidos y gasto público ambiental en las regiones del Perú, 2014-2020: un análisis sin incluir a Lima
Authors: Norabuena Trejo Pierina Catherine
Published: October 2024

Este articulo tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia de la gestión de residuos sólidos en el gasto público ambiental en las regiones del Perú, 2014 – 2020, información tomada del Sistema Nacional de Información Ambiental – Ministerio del Ambiente, la contribución teórica se enfocó en la gestión pública sostenible para el cumplimento del cierre de brechas y enmarcados a uno de los objetivos del milenio. El enfoque de investigación fue cuantitativo, el diseño de investigación es no experimental, se ha utilizado la técnica de datos de panel, los resultados mostraron que la gestión de residuos sólidos incide directamente en el gasto público ambiental en las regiones del Perú, 2014 – 2020, es decir, los residuos sólidos aumentan el 0,8752 % de los gastos estatales en materia de medio ambiente sin incluir a la región Lima. Los residuos sólidos domiciliarios urbanos aumenta en un 1,0236% y los residuos sólidos no domiciliarios incrementan en 0.2716% de los gastos estatales en materia de medio ambiente sin incluir a la región Lima.
Distribution of Plasmodium falciparum Chloroquine Resistance Transporter (Pfcrt) and Plasmodium falciparum Multidrug Resistance 1(Pfmdr-1) Genes in Ilorin North-central Nigeria
Authors: Abdulraheem Jimoh , Oluwasogo Olalubi , Awe Sunday
Published: October 2024

Malaria remains a major health problem globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ease of developing resistance to anti-malaria drugs by Plasmodium falciparum is a serious challenge to malaria control and elimination programs. Consequently, continuous monitoring of drug efficacy is necessary to ascertain effective treatment policies. The study investigated the distribution pattern of these genes in Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Ilorin metropolis. One hundred and three samples were collected randomly from 5 hospitals in Ilorin metropolis. The samples were amplified at codon 76 and 86 for Pfcrt and Pfmdr-1 respectively using PCR/Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Drug susceptible alleles were most prevalent in the study area (K76 and N86) with 31% and 40% respectively, followed by drug resistance alleles (86Y) with 13%, and the least prevalent (2%) was the mixed alleles K76T.  UITH has the highest number of susceptible alleles followed by CSC 38% and 46% for K76 and N86 respectively. There are significant differences in the distribution of these alleles and the study sites (P55< 0.05). The prevalence of resistance alleles in the area is a welcome development that can be employed for the possible re-introduction of CQ to treat malaria in the study area. It will be an advantage over expensive ACT because it is safe, cheap, and readily affordable.
Contribuições da Cartografia Temática para o mapeamento de doenças
Authors: Correia Camila Nagy , Fonseca Ricardo Lopes
Published: October 2024

Desde a história antiga, existem registros de produtos cartográficos elaborados por diversos povos de diferentes lugares do globo. O uso da Cartografia para a espacialização de elementos é muito antiga e sofreu inúmeras mudanças. Por se configurar como uma ferramenta objetiva é utilizada por diversas ciências a fim de representar diversas informações, a Cartografia se desenvolveu de maneira significativa nas últimas décadas, seja no seu uso e na sua aplicação, seja na forma de criação de produtos cartográficos. Com a pandemia que se iniciou no ano de 2020, o mapeamento de doenças ganhou grande destaque, com a disponibilidade de inúmeros materiais acerca do tema, com o objetivo de representar a espacialização do vírus. O tema ganhou destaque, mas diferente do víruscausador da doença coronavírus, o mapeamento de doenças é uma técnica usada há alguns séculos, onde pesquisadores ganharam destaque em seus respectivos trabalhos de representação e espacialização da disseminação de doenças. Alexander Johnston, Valentine Seaman e John Snow são os exemplos apresentados neste trabalho. A compreensão da sistematização da Cartografia como ciência é fundamental para compreender como as técnicas podem ser aplicadas e utilizadas de maneira correta, levando em consideração os elementos cartográficos contidos em um mapa. Entender a teoria é essencial para compreender o processo de desenvolvimento de mapas. Sendo assim esse trabalho apresenta uma relação entre a história da Cartografia e suas principais teorias, até seu uso para o mapeamento de doenças.
The Synergy of Financial Innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility, and HRM Morale: A Systematic Review on Their Impact on Firm Image and Business Interest
Authors: Yusuf Marwah , Putra Aditya Halim Perdana Kusuma
Published: October 2024

This study aims to explore the synergy between financial innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Human Resource Management (HRM) morale, focusing on their collective impact on firm image and business interest. Utilizing a qualitative approach through a systematic literature review, this research synthesizes findings from recent empirical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these elements interact to create a sustainable competitive advantage. The systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines to ensure rigor and transparency in identifying, selecting, and analyzing relevant literature. The results of the study indicate that financial innovation, particularly through fintech and blockchain technologies, enhances operational efficiency and aligns with broader societal goals through sustainable finance practices. CSR is shown to significantly improve firm image by fostering trust and loyalty among stakeholders, while HRM morale is identified as a critical factor in enhancing organizational resilience, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant finding is the synergistic relationship between financial innovation, CSR, and HRM morale, which collectively contribute to a sustainable competitive advantage that enhances firm performance and stakeholder engagement. The study concludes that integrating these elements into a cohesive strategy is essential for firms seeking long-term success in the modern business environment. The implications are significant for both theory and practice, offering a novel framework for future research and practical guidance for managers.
Optimization of Load-transfer Functions for a Large-diameter Pile in Multi-layered Geological Conditions via a Stochastic Search Algorithm
Authors: Chalmovský Juraj
Published: October 2024

The paper presents the combination of the load transfer method (computational model) and the genetic algorithm (optimization model) for the automated inverse analysis of instrumented pile load tests. The output of this process are the input parameters governing the shape of the load-transfer functions and thus the prediction accuracy when the load-transfer method is used as a design tool for deep foundations. The optimization problem is converted into an unconstrained task by applying the static penalty approach. Two types of measurements are considered in a newly proposed objective function: the load-displacement curve monitored in a pile head and the axial force profiles along a pile derived from strain gauges. Firstly, the local sensitivity analysis via the Design of Experiments is carried out to identify the parameters of the genetic algorithm which significantly influences the rate of convergence during the optimization process. Subsequently, a fully automated inverse analysis of the loading test of the large-diameter bored pile in multilayered geological conditions is presented. The simultaneous combination of two instrumentation sources leads to a stable unique solution with a sufficient match between the prediction and measurements despite a larger number of unknown – optimized variables.
AS DECISÕES, AÇÕES E POLÍTICAS ESCAMOTEADAS PELOS ÍNDICES DO SANEAMENTO BÁSICO NO SERIDÓ POTIGUAR EM 2021
Authors: Medeiros Ravena Ravena Valcácer de , Morais Ione Rodrigues Diniz
Published: October 2024

O saneamento básico é compreendido como o conjunto de infraestruturas e ações voltadas aos serviços de abastecimento de água, esgotamento sanitário, drenagem e manejo das águas pluviais e coleta e manejo dos resíduos sólidos. Destarte, tem-se um conjunto de sistemas de objetos e sistemas de ações sanitários, que visam garantir este direito. Cada sistema sanitário registra um índice de cobertura urbana particular, que resulta de decisões e ações políticas do presente e de outrora, além da verticalização da Política e do Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico na escala local. A partir disso, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o acesso dos citadinos do Seridó potiguar aos quatro sistemas sanitários em 2021, atentando para a atuação do poder público na esfera municipal, regional e nacional para que se alcance a universalização deste direito. Metodologicamente, foram utilizadas pesquisas bibliográfica e documental, além do procedimento técnico de levantamento de dados secundários. O estudo evidenciou discrepâncias na cobertura urbana dos sistemas sanitários no Seridó potiguar e na disponibilização das informações pelas Prefeituras municipais ao Sistema Nacional de Informações sobre Saneamento. As disparidades no acesso ao saneamento básico nesta área, em 2021, dificultam que este direito social seja universalizado. Todavia, esta conjuntura também está ligada a concepções de outrora do Estado brasileiro, que ainda não foram superadas plenamente e se consubstancializam, inclusive, no Seridó potiguar.
INTERAÇÕES ESPACIAIS GLOBAIS DESDE AS CIDADES MÉDIAS E PEQUENAS DA REGIÃO DOS VALES-RS
Authors: Faccin Carolina Rezende , Silveira Rogério Leandro Lima da
Published: October 2024

Este estudo objetiva analisar as interações espaciais globais desde cidades médias e pequenas, por meio dos fluxos de exportação e importação. Utiliza-se como estudo de caso as cidades da Região dos Vales-RS e os seus principais setores produtivos - o do tabaco e o da carne de frango e de suínos. Metodologicamente, se baseia em dados de 2018 (antes do período da pandemia de Covid-19) e identifica as principais empresas em cada setor, mapeando os destinos das exportações e importações, bem como relacionando com a rede urbana e a divisão territorial do trabalho. Resultados apontam que as cidades médias de Santa Cruz do Sul e Lajeado estão integradas à economia globalizada por meio da presença de corporações multinacionais, estabelecendo interações espaciais acionadas por essas empresas e pelos mercados globais. Por outro lado, em cidades pequenas do Vale do Taquari, empresas e cooperativas regionais desempenham um papel importante, alterando a dinâmica regional, na busca de competir com as multinacionais, por meio de um alto volume de exportação. Destaca-se o papel de cidades pequenas como Westfália, Poço das Antas e Encantado, que exportam produtos gerados por frigoríficos e fábricas de alimentos. Na região, a disposição das empresas com maior montante exportado é concentrada em Santa Cruz do Sul e Venâncio Aires, para o setor tabaqueiro, enquanto no Vale do Taquari há uma distribuição mais ampla de empresas, devido à estrutura da cadeia da carne, o que reflete diretamente na rede urbana regional e nas interações espaciais horizontais e verticais.
Determinantes sociales del voto en México, un análisis longitudinal y machine learning
Authors:   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Zamudio-Sosa Alejandro , Leyva-Muñoz Olivia ,   Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Cavazos-Guajardo Solís Marcela ,   Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Published: October 2024

El propósito del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre determinantes sociales y la conducta del voto municipal en las elecciones federales en México de 2009, 2012, 2015 y 2018. Se accedieron a datos abiertos y se usó interpolación lineal para obtener un total de 13 determinantes sociales. Mediante regresiones lineales con efectos mixtos y la técnica de eliminación recursiva de características con el algoritmo random forest, se exploraron las relaciones entre la proporción del voto general, por grupos de edad y sexo, y los determinantes sociales. Entre los principales resultados se destacan las asociaciones negativas y significativas entre la conducta del voto y la tasa de homicidios y el índice de rezago social. La población con mayor participación electoral fueron las mujeres de 30 años y más con el 52,69 %, 70,44 %, 60,59 % y 73,41 %, en las elecciones de 2009, 2012, 2015 y 2018, respectivamente. El algoritmo random forest encontró que fueron los años de la elección, la cobertura de Seguro opular y la educación las variables más importantes para predecir la proporción del voto.
Anger and Art Ambivalent emotion in art
Authors: Démuth Andrej , Demuthova Slavka
Published: October 2024

The present study investigates the depiction of anger in Western visual art, highlighting the paradox of this emotion: its inherent unpleasantness and repulsiveness versus its artistic representation. The authors examine historical transformations in the expression of anger and the mechanisms that render its depiction effective in art. Despite being a fundamental human emotion encountered from birth, anger is surprisingly scarce in Western visual art. Historical artworks often depict actions resulting from anger rather than capturing its raw emotional expression. Kelly Grovier's essay "Art of Feeling: Why We Should Celebrate Anger" posits that the rarity of anger’s depiction may stem from its classification as a deadly sin by early Christian teachings, which stigmatized the emotion. However, significant works such as Delacroix's "Medea" and Gentileschi's "Judith" juxtapose violent acts with serene facial expressions, underscoring a disconnect between action and emotional display. The repulsiveness and transformative impact of anger on human appearance make it a challenging subject for art. Yet, works like Cabanel's "Fallen Angel" and Gérôme's "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" explore this transformation, employing beauty to attract and distortion to repulse, thereby creating a Medusa-like effect. This duality engages viewers and evokes mixed emotions, which enhances an artwork's impact. Furthermore, anger can drive creative innovation, as demonstrated in works by Munch, Picasso, and Kahlo, where personal and societal grievances fuel artistic expression. However, prolonged anger may lead to destructive creativity, emphasizing the complex role of anger in art and its potential for both innovation and hostility. This multifaceted exploration underscores anger’s unique, albeit limited, place in visual arts and its dual capacity to repel and inspire.
Theatre, Anti-Theatricality and Anti-Blackness in Romantic Criticism
Authors: Dallas Helen
Published: October 2024

This article argues that anti-theatricality is entrenched in, even a manoeuvre of, anti-Blackness. The article begins by establishing the contexts of the first Black actor known to have played Othello in Britain – Ira Aldridge in the first half of the nineteenth century – and, conflictingly, the repeated efforts in Romantic-era performance and criticism to reject Othello’s Blackness. These contexts highlight the default white perspective of Romantic theatrical texts, and the role anti-Blackness had in shaping Romantic dramatic criticism. Having introduced these concepts, I offer a close reading of Charles Lamb’s essay ‘On the Tragedies of Shakspeare’ (1811, rpt. 1818) to demonstrate that Romantic anti-theatricality’s desire to transcend embodiment is, specifically, a rejection of marginalised bodies in favour of an idealised imagination coded as white.
‘Willingness for the Everyday’: Ordinariness and Agency in Three Romantic Prefaces
Authors: Natarajan Uttara
Published: October 2024

Taking its cue from Stanley Cavell's framing of Romanticism as a ‘quest of the ordinary’, this essay revisits the amplification of the category of the ordinary in the English literature of the Romantic era. Focusing on a specific genre, the preface to poetry, it examines the construction of poetry as a special case of that category in three Romantic prefaces: Wordsworth's ‘Preface’ to Lyrical Ballads (1800) Hazlitt's prefatory lecture ‘On Poetry in General’ in his Lectures on the English Poets (1818) and Shelley's ‘Preface’ to Prometheus Unbound (1820). By tracing and comparing the conceptual bases of these prefaces, it attempts to nuance and discriminate their differing versions of ordinariness. Variations notwithstanding, the reciprocal characterisation of poetry and ordinariness, at the heart of the poetics of three major Romantic writers, is shown to be fundamental also to their arguments for agency and their resistance to what Cavell calls ‘the drive to the inhuman’.
The first report of prion protein gene sequences in Dybowski’s frog and the American bullfrog: high amyloid propensity of the frog prion protein
Authors: Won Sae-Young , Kim Yong-Chan
Published: October 2024

Prion diseases are fatal infectious neurodegenerative diseases caused by the proteinase K-sensitive form of prion protein (PrPSc). The exact origin of prion seeding and the transition factor of PrPSc has not been elucidated. The main hosts of prion diseases are herbivores, so the feces and corpses of Amphibians can seed PrPSc through ecosystems. The frog is an excellent candidate for transmission studies for this reason, but genetic analyses of the prion protein gene (PRNP) in the context of prion-related characteristics of frog species are lacking. We amplified frog PRNP gene sequences in Dybowski’s frog and the American bullfrog by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplicon sequencing. In addition, we carried out multiple sequencing alignments and annotated major PrP components including signal peptide, tandem repeat domain, and PrPC-PrPSc interaction region of frog PrPs by bioinformatics tools. We predicted secondary and tertiary structures and amyloid propensities of frog PrPs using AlphaFold2 and AMYCO, respectively. We obtained DNA sequences of the PRNP gene in Dybowski’s frog and the American bullfrog, as well as a partially conserved palindromic sequence (PrPC-PrPSc interaction region) and absence of tandem repeat region of PrP in seven frog species. We analyzed protein structure of among these frog species and found that the high Himalaya frog has high aggregation propensity and the western clawed frog does not have the N-terminal signal peptide. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first comparative genetic study regarding prion-related features of frog species.
Perilymphatic fistula: a historical overview of publication trends
Authors: Perdomo Dianela , Schoo Wesley W. , Stemme Rachel , Schoo Desi P. , Carey John P. , Ward Bryan K.
Published: October 2024

Background

Perilymph fistula (PLF) can cause symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and fluctuating hearing. We hypothesized that publications on PLF have decreased in recent years relative to other inner ear disorders with overlapping symptoms.

Methods

We performed a Scopus search using the terms “perilymphatic fistula” OR “perilymph fistula,” limited to original studies or reviews involving human subjects published in English before 2022. We noted the senior author's institution, country affiliation, and publishing journal. The Kendall rank correlation coefficient test was used to analyze the trend of each variable over the past 30 years. Using the same search strategy, we compared these data to those from vestibular neuritis (VN), Meniere's disease (MD), superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Results

Six hundred and ninety-eight PLF publications were returned. The top publishing country was the United States (n = 334), the top publishing journal was the American Journal of Otology/Otology and Neurotology (n = 68), and the top publishing institution was the University of Pittsburgh (n = 15). In the past 30 years (n = 501), there was no trend in the frequency of annual PLF publications (τ = −0.150, p = 0.265). Still there were positive trends in publications on vestibular neuritis (τ = 0.724, p < 0.001), Meniere's disease (τ = 0.587, p < 0.001), superior canal dehiscence syndrome (τ = 0.840, p < 0.001), and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (τ = 0.882, p < 0.001) 5,398 PLF cases were identified, of which 4,356 specified the etiology; the majority identified an inciting insult (74.8%, n = 3,257).

Conclusions

The absence of diagnostic criteria for PLF may hinder its appeal to researchers as similar syndromes have had diagnostic consensus documents set forth. Given the greater number of cases with inciting insults, efforts to define a diagnostic criterion should focus on this subtype.
Implementation of storm-following nest for the next-generation Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS)
Authors: Ramstrom William , Zhang Xuejin , Ahern Kyle , Gopalakrishnan Sundararaman
Published: October 2024

Tropical cyclones models have long used nesting to achieve higher resolution of the inner core than was feasible for entire model domains. These high resolution nests have been shown to better capture storm structures and improve forecast accuracy. The Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) is the new-generation numerical model embedded within NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS). The document highlights the importance of high horizontal resolution (2 km or finer) in accurately simulating the small-scale features of tropical cyclones, such as the eyewall and eye. To meet this need, HAFS was developed by NOAA leveraging a high-resolution, storm-following nest. This nest moves with the cyclone, allowing better representation of small-scale features and more accurate feedback between the cyclone’s inner core and the larger environment. This hurricane following nest capability, implemented in the Finite-Volume Cubed-Sphere (FV3) dynamical core within the UFS framework, can be run both within the regional as well as global forecast systems. A regional version of HAFS with a single moving nest went into operations in 2023. HAFS also includes the first ever moving nest implemented within a global model which is currently being used for research. In this document we provide details of the implementation of moving nests and provide some of the results from both global and regional simulations. For the first time NOAA P3 flight data was used to evaluate the inner core structure from the global run.
The role of mitochondrial DNA copy number in autoimmune disease: a bidirectional two sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Zhekang , Fu Qingan , Shao Yijia , Duan Xinwang
Published: October 2024

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays an important role in autoimmune diseases (AD), yet the relationship between mitochondria and autoimmune disease is controversial. This study employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship between mtDNA copy number and 13 ADs (including ankylosing spondylitis [AS], Crohn’s disease [CD], juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA], polymyalgia rheumatica [PMR], psoriasis [PSO], rheumatoid arthritis [RA], Sjogren’s syndrome [SS], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], thyrotoxicosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM], ulcerative colitis [UC], and vitiligo)

Methods

A two-sample MR analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between mtDNA copy number and AD. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for mtDNA copy number were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKBB), while those associated with AD were sourced from the FinnGen Biobank. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was the primary analysis method, complemented by three sensitivity analyses (MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode) to validate the results.

Results

IVW MR analysis identified significant associations between mtDNA copy number and CD (OR=2.51, 95% CI 1.56-4.22, P<0.001), JRA (OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.17-7.65, P=0.022), RA (OR=1.71, 95%CI 1.18-2.47, P=0.004), thyrotoxicosis (OR=0.51, 95% CI0.27-0.96, P=0.038), and T1DM (OR=0.51, 95% CI 0.27-0.96, P=0.038). Sensitivity analyses indicated no horizontal pleiotropy.

Conclusions

Our study revealed a potential causal relationship between mtDNA copy number and ADs, indicating that these markers may be relevant in exploring new therapeutic approaches.
Unique rumen micromorphology and microbiota–metabolite interactions: features and strategies for Tibetan sheep adaptation to the plateau
Authors: Chen Qianling , Sha Yuzhu , Liu Xiu , He Yanyu , Chen Xiaowei , Yang Wenxin , Gao Min , Huang Wei , Wang Jiqing , He Jianwen , Wang Lei
Published: October 2024

The rumen microbiota—a symbiont to its host and consists of critical functional substances—plays a vital role in the animal body and represents a new perspective in the study of adaptive evolution in animals. This study used Slide Viewer slicing analysis system, gas chromatography, RT-qPCR and other technologies, as well as 16S and metabolomics determination methods, to measure and analyze the microstructure of rumen epithelium, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen transport genes, rumen microbiota and metabolites in Tibetan sheep and Hu sheep. The results indicate that the rumen nipple height and cuticle thickness of Tibetan sheep are significantly greater than those of Hu sheep (p < 0.01) and that the digestion and absorption of forage are greater. The levels of carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and protein turnover were increased in Tibetan sheep, which enabled them to ferment efficiently, utilize forage, and absorb metabolic volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Tibetan sheep rumen metabolites are related to immune function and energy metabolism, which regulate rumen growth and development and gastrointestinal homeostasis. Thus, compared with Hu sheep, Tibetan sheep have more rumen papilla and cuticle corneum, and the synergistic effect of the microbiota and its metabolites is a characteristic and strategy for adapting to high-altitude environments.
Ischemic stroke and sarcopenia have an asymmetric bidirectional relationship based on a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Meng Fan-Qiao , Zhang Yu , Bai Xiao-Xin , Kong Fan-Li , Li Feng-E
Published: October 2024

Background

We investigated the potential relationship between age-related conditions, particularly sarcopenia and ischemic stroke (IS), through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample bidirectional MR study to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and stroke. Genetic instruments for sarcopenia were derived from the UK Biobank, while data on IS and its subtypes were obtained from the MEGASTROKE consortium. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) served as the primary analytical method. Additionally, heterogeneity and pleiotropy were assessed to ensure the robustness of the findings.

Results

The analysis indicates a negative correlation between appendicular lean mass (ALM) and small vessel stroke (SVS; OR = 0.790, 95% CI: 0.703–0.888, p < 0.001), a positive correlation with cardioembolic stroke (CES; OR = 1.165, 95% CI: 1.058–1.284, p = 0.002), and no causal relationship with any ischemic stroke (AIS) or large artery stroke (LAS). Additionally, SVS is negatively associated with right-hand grip strength (OR = 0.639, 95% CI: 0.437–0.934, p = 0.021), while AIS, LAS, and CES do not exhibit a causal relationship with grip strength. Furthermore, no causal relationship was identified between left-hand grip strength, usual walking pace, and IS or its subtypes. MR analysis reveals only a negative association between CES and usual walking pace (OR = 0.989, 95% CI: 0.980–0.998, p = 0.013), with no associations found between other IS subtypes and sarcopenia-related traits.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a reduction in ALM and right-hand grip strength is associated with SVS, whereas decreased ALM may serve as a protective factor against CES. Conversely, our analysis suggests that CES can impact walking speed. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the prevention and treatment of these conditions.
Nutrient profiling assessment of packaged snack foods with nutrition-related claims available on the Indian market
Authors: Bhatnagar Amisha , Choudhary Monika , Kumar Vikas , Singh Vicky , Kaur Prabhdeep
Published: October 2024

Background

Food packaging includes labels with specific nutrient contents to provide consumers with nutritional information. Legislative actions and consumers’ growing interest in nutrition information have increased the disclosure of nutrition information. The study was planned to examine packaged snack foods carrying nutritional claims for nutrition labeling.

Methods

The selected packaged chips were divided into categories based on the primary ingredients mentioned on the nutrition label, such as cereal/pseudocereal-based, millet-based, vegetable-based, and pulses/legume-based chips. Four threshold levels, such as total sugar, sodium, total fat, and saturated fat, were used for categorization.

Results

Out of a total of 23 packaged chips, the corresponding 2, 7, 8, and 13 products had a higher content of sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and total fat than the threshold levels. A significant (p ≤ 0.01) difference was observed in the values of nutrients analyzed through laboratory methods in comparison with the values given on the nutrition label in the majority of the products.

Conclusion

The majority of the products belonged to national brands and differed from the nutrition-related information given on the product label in terms of the nutrient content claim.
Sea buckthorn and its flavonoids isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol favorably influence bone and breast tissue health
Authors: Martiniakova Monika , Penzes Noemi , Biro Roman , Sarocka Anna , Kovacova Veronika , Mondockova Vladimira , Ciernikova Sona , Omelka Radoslav
Published: October 2024

Bone tissue and breast tissue are interrelated, as demonstrated by breast microcalcifications, breast cancer bone metastases, bone morphogenetic proteins, and Wnt signaling. In addition, osteoblasts and osteoclasts represent an important switch of tumor cell dormancy during bone metastasis. Damage to both types of tissues mentioned above is highly prevalent, especially in postmenopausal women, and manifests itself in osteoporosis and breast cancer. Sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides L.), a botanical drug with high antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties, has great therapeutic potential due to the unique composition of its bioactive metabolites. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge from in vitro and in vivo studies on the effect of sea buckthorn, as well as its most widespread flavonoids isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, on bone and breast tissue health. In vitro studies have revealed the beneficial impacts of sea buckthorn and aforementioned flavonoids on both bone health (bone remodeling, mineralization, and oxidative stress) and breast tissue health (cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor growth, and metastatic behavior). In vivo studies have documented their protective effects against disturbed bone microarchitecture and reduced bone strength in animal models of osteoporosis, as well as against tumor expansion and metastatic properties in animal xenograft models. In any case, further research and clinical trials are needed to carefully evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of sea buckthorn and its flavonoids. Based on the available information, however, it can be concluded that these bioactive metabolites favorably affect both bone and breast tissue health.
The ascorbate peroxidase–related protein: insights into its functioning in Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis
Authors: Caccamo Anna , Lazzarotto Fernanda , Margis-Pinheiro Marcia , Messens Joris , Remacle Claire
Published: October 2024

We review the newly classified ascorbate peroxidase–related (APX-R) proteins, which do not use ascorbate as electron donor to scavenge H2O2. We summarize recent discoveries on the function and the characterization of the APX-R protein of the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the land plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, we conduct in silico analyses on the conserved MxxM motif, present in most of the APX-R protein in different organisms, which is proposed to bind copper. Based on these analyses, we discuss the similarities between the APX-R and the class III peroxidases.
The link between childhood traumatic events and the continuum of premenstrual disorders
Authors: Standeven Lindsay R. , Bajaj Mira , McEvoy Kathleen , Shirinian Dalar , Voegtline Kristin , Osborne Lauren M. , Payne Jennifer L. , Hantsoo Liisa
Published: October 2024

Background

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), collectively known as Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs), cause significant distress and functional impairment, and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) affects a large proportion of women with psychiatric diagnoses. Childhood trauma is one factor that may contribute to PMD/PME risk. This study examines the relationship between childhood trauma and PMDs, PME, and non-PMD psychiatric illness.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort. Participants completed self-assessments on childhood trauma using the Childhood Traumatic Event Scale (CTE-S) and on premenstrual symptoms using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed through structured clinical interviews. Participants were divided into four groups based on their PSST scores and psychiatric illness status: (1) Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs; moderate to severe PMS and PMDD), (2) PME, (3) psychiatric controls (PC; individuals with psychiatric illness but no significant premenstrual symptoms), and (4) healthy controls (HC; individuals with no psychiatric illness and no significant premenstrual symptoms). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression, were conducted to examine differences among the groups.

Results

Data from 391 participants were analyzed. Participants with PME and PC reported a higher quantity and severity of childhood traumatic events compared to HCs (p <.05). There was a weak but significant correlation between childhood trauma and premenstrual symptom burden across all groups (R = .18, p <.001). Within-group analysis revealed moderate correlations between childhood trauma and premenstrual symptoms driven by the PMD group (R = .42, p = .01).

Conclusions

The findings underscore the impact of childhood traumatic events on mental health and premenstrual symptoms and highlight the need for additional research to explore the underlying mechanisms linking childhood trauma to the continuum of premenstrual disorders, to improve the efficacy of trauma-focused interventions for affected individuals.
Enhanced outdoor visual localization using Py-Net voting segmentation approach
Authors: Wang Jing , Guo Cheng , Hu Shaoyi , Wang Yibo , Fan Xuhui
Published: October 2024

Camera relocalization determines the position and orientation of a camera in a 3D space. Althouh methods based on scene coordinate regression yield highly accurate results in indoor scenes, they exhibit poor performance in outdoor scenarios due to their large scale and increased complexity. A visual localization method, Py-Net, is therefore proposed herein. Py-Net is based on voting segmentation and comprises a main encoder containing Py-layer and two branch decoders. The Py-layer comprises pyramid convolution and 1 × 1 convolution kernels for feature extraction across multiple levels, with fewer parameters to enhance the model’s ability to extract scene information. Coordinate attention was added at the end of the encoder for feature correction, which improved the model robustness to interference. To prevent the feature loss caused by repetitive structures and low-texture images in the scene, deep over-parameterized convolution modules were incorporated into the seg and vote decoders. Landmark segmentation and voting maps were used to establish the relation between images and landmarks in 3D space, reducing anomalies and achieving high precision with a small number of landmarks. The experimental results show that, in multiple outdoor scenes, Py-Net achieves lower distance and angle errors compared to existing methods. Additionally, compared to VS-Net, which also uses a voting segmentation structure, Py-Net reduces the number of parameters by 31.85% and decreases the model size from 236MB to 170 MB.
Soil Organic Carbon Research and Hotspot Analysis Based on Web of Science: A Bibliometric Analysis in CiteSpace
Authors: Fan Manman , Yang Wenyan , Wu Jingtao , Zhang Huan , Ye Zhengwei , Shaukat Muhammad
Published: October 2024

Soil carbon sequestration is an important process of the terrestrial carbon cycle, and even slight changes in soil carbon will trigger drastic variations in the global carbon pool. In this study, we used the CiteSpace software to analyze the development of research on soil organic carbon (SOC) and its current status from various perspectives, with the goal of revealing research hotspots and trends of SOC. A total of 3909 studies published between 2014 and 2023 were included in the analysis. Results show that China and the USA lead with a significant number of publications on SOC, which underscores their considerable interest in the subject. France and the USA exhibit a very high international influence in this field, with their intermediary centrality reaching up to 0.3 and 0.21, respectively. Among institutions, the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the largest contributor in terms of the number of publications, with a high centrality of 0.09, indicating this institution has built close collaboration and significant influence in this field. Kuzyakov Yakov achieved the highest publication record, with Lal Rattan sharing the second position. The hotspots in SOC can be summarized into the following aspects: conservation tillage, carbon sequestration, microbial biomass, and driving forces. The research focus has gradually shifted from macroscopic trends to explanations based on micro-level biological dynamics. Driving forces such as soil type, land use, and environmental conditions have a significant impact on the quantity, turnover, and spatiotemporal distribution of SOC. We highlighted that more attention should be paid to the mechanism of SOC transformation and stabilization, which is essential for developing more precise models of carbon cycling in the soil and for formulating effective strategies to maintain sustainable agriculture and mitigate climate change.
Soil Salinity Inversion Based on a Stacking Integrated Learning Algorithm
Authors: Dong Haili , Tian Fei
Published: October 2024

Soil salinization is an essential risk factor for agricultural development and food security, and obtaining regional soil salinity information more reliably remains a priority problem to be solved. To improve the accuracy of soil salinity inversion, this study focuses on the Manas River Basin oasis area, the largest oasis farming area in Xinjiang, as the study area and proposes a new soil salinity inversion model based on stacked integrated learning algorithms. Firstly, we selected four machine learning regression models, namely, random forest (RF), back propagation neural network, support vector regression, and convolutional neural network, for performance evaluation. Based on the model performance, we selected the more effective RF and BPNN as the basic regression models and further constructed a stacking integrated learning model. This stacking integration learning model improved the prediction accuracy by training a secondary model to fuse the prediction results of these two basic models as new features. We compared and analyzed the stacking integrated learning model with four single machine learning regression models. Findings indicated that the stacking integrated learning regression model fitted better and had good stability; on the test set, the stacking integrated learning regression model showed a relative increase of 8.2% in R2, a relative decrease of 14.0% in RMSE, and a relative increase of 6.5% in RPD when compared to the RF model, which was the single most effective machine learning regression model, and the stacking model was able to achieve soil salinity inversion more accurately. The soil salinity in the oasis areas of the Manas River Basin tended to decrease from north to south from 2016 to 2020 from a spatial point of view, and it was reduced in April from a temporal point of view. The percentage of pixels with a high soil salinity content of 2.75–2.80 g kg−1 in the study area had decreased by 19.6% in April 2020 compared to April 2016. The innovatively constructed stacking integrated learning regression model improved the accuracy of soil salinity estimation on the basis of the superior results obtained in the training of the single optimal machine learning regression model. As a consequence, this model can provide technological backup for fast monitoring and inversion of soil salinity as well as prevention and containment of salinization.
Biological Characterization and Fungicide Sensitivity of Dactylobotrys graminicola Causing Oat Spikelet Rot in China
Authors: Jia Ruifang , Wang Na , Chen Zhengqiang , Wang Shengze , Lin Kejian , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: October 2024

Oat (Avena sativa) is a significant cereal crop that is extensively cultivated in temperate regions and is suitable for growth at higher elevations. The damage degree and epidemic area of oat spikelet rot caused by Dactylobotrys graminicola are generally increasing and spreading. Mycelium growth rate method was used to identify biological characteristics and in vitro fungicide screenings of D. graminicola. The results show that sorbitol and casein tryptone were the best carbon and nitrogen source for the D. graminicola, respectively. The optimal temperature for mycelium growth and conidia production of the D. graminicola was 20 °C; meanwhile, an acidic environment was shown to be conducive to mycelia growth, and alkaline facilitated conidia production. Among the ten tested fungicides, 20% Pydiflumetofen showed the best inhibition rate, with an EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) value of 0.005 mg/L; 30% Difenoconazole Propiconazole and 35% Metalaxyl-M Fludioxonil also showed sufficient inhibitory effects against D. graminicola, with EC50 value of 0.05 mg/L and 0.04 mg/L. Furthermore, we used artificial inoculation to determine the effectiveness of fungicide control in field, Trifloxystrobin 10%-Tebuconazole 20% with more than 90% control effectiveness, followed by 20% Pydiflumetofen. The results of this study not only revealed the biological characteristics of D. graminicola, but also provided effective candidate fungicides for the prevention and control of oat spikelet rot disease.
Slightly Saline Water Improved Physiology, Growth, and Yield of Tomato Plants in Yellow Sand Substrate
Authors: Jiang Wenge , Liu Jiangfan , Gong Zhi , Gao Yang , Li Zhaoyang , Tan Zhanming
Published: October 2024

Efficient utilization of saline water and yellow sand resources can enhance water and soil resource management while boosting crop yields in Xinjiang. This study conducted a two-season field experiment in Alar City, Xinjiang, from March to July 2023 and August 2023 to January 2024. The objective was to examine the effects of different irrigation water salinities (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 g·L−1) on the physiology, growth, and yield of sand-cultured tomatoes grown in yellow sand slag. Groundwater irrigation with salinity levels of 0.8–1 g·L−1 was used as the control (CK). The results showed that the salinity of the substrate gradually increased with the salinity of irrigation water in each treatment. The salt accumulation increased by 59.5%, 82.5%, and 99.5% at the end of the experiment for T3 (4 g·L−1), T4 (5 g·L−1), and T5 (6 g·L−1), respectively, compared to CK. As the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant height, stem thickness, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and total yield of tomato showed an increasing and then decreasing trend, in which the total tomato yield of the T2 (3 g·L−1) treatment was significantly increased by 35.2% compared with that of CK between the two seasons. In contrast, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, the inter-cellular CO2 concentration of tomato leaves showed a decreasing and then increasing trend, with the T2 treatment having the lowest inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Pathway analysis revealed that appropriate salinity levels increased tomato yield by regulating inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Based on these findings, a 3 g·L−1 salinity level is recommended for irrigating sand-cultured tomatoes to maximize yellow sand resource use, address freshwater shortages, and optimize water and soil management in the Xinjiang region.
Resistance to Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase (ACCase) Inhibitor in Lolium multiflorum: Effect of Multiple Target-Site Mutations
Authors: Rangani Gulab , Langaro Ana Claudia , Agrawal Shilpi , Salas-Perez Reiofeli A. , Velásquez Juan Camilo , Nelson Christopher E. , Roma-Burgos Nilda
Published: October 2024

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a persistent weed species that poses significant management challenges in key agricultural crops such as wheat, corn, cotton, and soybean. This study investigated the prevalence of resistance to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, specifically diclofop and pinoxaden, among field-collected Italian ryegrass populations. The survey revealed widespread resistance to diclofop and emerging cross-resistance to pinoxaden. To elucidate the physiological mechanism of ACCase herbicide resistance, we investigated mutations in the carboxyl-transferase (CT) domain of the ACCase enzyme, a critical region for herbicide sensitivity. Using dCAPS assays and CT domain sequencing, several known resistance-conferring mutations were detected in diclofop survivors, including I1781L, W2027C, I2041N, D2078G, and C2088R. Additionally, other mutations such as L1701M, E1874A, N1878H, G1946E/Q, V1992D, and E2039D were identified. To understand the functional role of these mutations in herbicide resistance, homology modeling was performed using AutoDock Vina for selected mutation combinations. The computational analysis revealed that all mutations and their combinations resulted in reduced binding affinity with diclofop and pinoxaden compared to the wild-type ACCase CT domain. Computational binding energy predictions indicated that the G1946E mutation and the L1701M + I1781L + E1874A + N1878H combination exhibited the lowest affinities for diclofop and pinoxaden, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular basis of ACCase inhibitor resistance in Italian ryegrass. However, further research is needed to validate the functional significance of each new substitution and its combinations in conferring herbicide resistance.