bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Two Key Flavonoid 3-O-Glycosyltransferases Involved in the Formation of Flower Color in Rhododendron Delavayi
Authors: Sun Wei , Sun Shiyu , Xu Hui , Wang Yuhan , Chen Yiran , Xu Xiaorong , Yi Yin , Ju Zhigang
Published: May 2022

Flower color, largely determined by anthocyanin, is one of the most important ornamental values of Rhododendron delavayi. However, scant information of anthocyanin biosynthesis has been reported in R. delavayi. We found that anthocyanidin 3-O-glycosides were the predominant anthocyanins detected in R. delavayi flowers accounting for 93.68–96.31% of the total anthocyanins during its development, which indicated the key role of flavonoid 3-O-glycosyltransferase (3GT) on R. delavayi flower color formation. Subsequently, based on correlation analysis between anthocyanins accumulation and Rd3GTs expressions during flower development, Rd3GT1 and Rd3GT6 were preliminarily identified as the pivotal 3GT genes involved in the formation of color of R. delavayi flower. Tissue-specific expressions of Rd3GT1 and Rd3GT6 were examined, and their function as 3GT in vivo was confirmed through introducing into Arabidopsis UGT78D2 mutant and Nicotiana tabacum plants. Furthermore, biochemical characterizations showed that both Rd3GT1 and Rd3GT6 could catalyze the addition of UDP-sugar to the 3-OH of anthocyanidin, and preferred UDP-Gal as their sugar donor and cyanidin as the most efficient substrate. This study not only provides insights into the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in R. delavayi, but also makes contribution to understand the mechanisms of its flower color formation.
Exogenous Melatonin Modulates Physiological Response to Nitrogen and Improves Yield in Nitrogen-Deficient Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
Authors: Wang Huamei , Ren Chunyuan , Cao Liang , Zhao Qiang , Jin Xijun , Wang Mengxue , Zhang Mingcong , Yu Gaobo , Zhang Yuxian
Published: May 2022

Melatonin (MT) is a key plant growth regulator. To investigate its effect at different growth stages on the yield of soybean under nitrogen deficiency, 100 μM MT was applied to soybean supplemented with zero nitrogen (0N), low nitrogen (LN), and control nitrogen (CK) levels, during the plant vegetative growth (V3) and filling (R5) stages. This study revealed that the application of MT mainly enhanced the nitrogen fixation of plants by increasing the root nodule number and provided more substrates for glutamine synthetase (GS) under 0N supply. However, under the LN supply, more ammonium was assimilated through the direct promotion of nitrate reductase (NR) activity by MT. MT enhanced the activity of ammonium-assimilation-related enzymes, such as GOGAT and GDH, and the expression of their coding genes, promoted the synthesis of chlorophyll and amino acids, and increased the photosynthetic capacity under nitrogen deficiency. Exogenous MT directly upregulated the expression of genes involved in the photosynthetic system and stimulated dry-matter accumulation. Thus, MT alleviated the inhibitory effect of nitrogen deficiency on soybean yield. This mitigation effect was better when MT was applied at the V3 stage, and the seed weight per plant increased by 16.69 and 12.20% at 0N and LN levels, respectively. The results of this study provide a new theoretical basis to apply MT in agriculture to improve the resilience of soybean plants to low nitrogen availability.
Catmint (Nepeta nuda L.) Phylogenetics and Metabolic Responses in Variable Growth Conditions
Authors: Petrova Detelina , Gašić Uroš , Yocheva Lyubomira , Hinkov Anton , Yordanova Zhenya , Chaneva Ganka , Mantovska Desislava , Paunov Momchil , Ivanova Lyubomira , Rogova Mariya , Shishkova Kalina , Todorov Daniel , Tosheva Anita , Kapchina-Toteva Veneta , Vassileva Valya , Atanassov Atanas , Mišić Danijela , Bonchev Georgi , Zhiponova Miroslava
Published: May 2022

Nepeta nuda (catmint; Lamiaceae) is a perennial medicinal plant with a wide geographic distribution in Europe and Asia. This study first characterized the taxonomic position of N. nuda using DNA barcoding technology. Since medicinal plants are rich in secondary metabolites contributing to their adaptive immune response, we explored the N. nuda metabolic adjustment operating under variable environments. Through comparative analysis of wild-grown and in vitro cultivated plants, we assessed the change in phenolic and iridoid compounds, and the associated immune activities. The wild-grown plants from different Bulgarian locations contained variable amounts of phenolic compounds manifested by a general increase in flowers, as compared to leaves, while a strong reduction was observed in the in vitro plants. A similar trend was noted for the antioxidant and anti-herpesvirus activity of the extracts. The antimicrobial potential, however, was very similar, regardless the growth conditions. Analysis of the N. nuda extracts led to identification of 63 compounds including phenolic acids and derivatives, flavonoids, and iridoids. Quantification of the content of 21 target compounds indicated their general reduction in the extracts from in vitro plants, and only the ferulic acid (FA) was specifically increased. Cultivation of in vitro plants under different light quality and intensity indicated that these variable light conditions altered the content of bioactive compounds, such as aesculin, FA, rosmarinic acid, cirsimaritin, naringenin, rutin, isoquercetin, epideoxyloganic acid, chlorogenic acid. Thus, this study generated novel information on the regulation of N. nuda productivity using light and other cultivation conditions, which could be exploited for biotechnological purposes.
Identification of a Transferrable Terminator Element That Inhibits Small RNA Production and Improves Transgene Expression Levels
Authors: de Felippes Felipe Fenselau , Shand Kylie , Waterhouse Peter M.
Published: May 2022

The role of terminators is more commonly associated with the polyadenylation and 3′ end formation of new transcripts. Recent evidence, however, suggests that this regulatory region can have a dramatic impact on gene expression. Nonetheless, little is known about the molecular mechanisms leading to the improvements associated with terminator usage in plants and the different elements in a plant terminator. Here, we identified an element in the Arabidopsis HSP18.2 terminator (tHSP) to be essential for the high level of expression seen for transgenes under the regulation of this terminator. Our molecular analyses suggest that this newly identified sequence acts to improve transcription termination, leading to fewer read-through events and decreased amounts of small RNAs originating from the transgene. Besides protecting against silencing, the tHSP-derived sequence positively impacts splicing efficiency, helping to promote gene expression. Moreover, we show that this sequence can be used to generate chimeric terminators with enhanced efficiency, resulting in stronger transgene expression and significantly expanding the availability of efficient terminators that can be part of good expression systems. Thus, our data make an important contribution toward a better understanding of plant terminators, with the identification of a new element that has a direct impact on gene expression, and at the same time, creates new possibilities to modulate gene expression via the manipulation of 3′ regulatory regions.
Identification of Flowering Regulatory Networks and Hub Genes Expressed in the Leaves of Elymus sibiricus L. Using Comparative Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Zheng Yuying , Wang Na , Zhang Zongyu , Liu Wenhui , Xie Wengang
Published: May 2022

Flowering is a significant stage from vegetative growth to reproductive growth in higher plants, which impacts the biomass and seed yield. To reveal the flowering time variations and identify the flowering regulatory networks and hub genes in Elymus sibiricus, we measured the booting, heading, and flowering times of 66 E. sibiricus accessions. The booting, heading, and flowering times varied from 136 to 188, 142 to 194, and 148 to 201 days, respectively. The difference in flowering time between the earliest- and the last-flowering accessions was 53 days. Furthermore, transcriptome analyses were performed at the three developmental stages of six accessions with contrasting flowering times. A total of 3,526 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predicted and 72 candidate genes were identified, including transcription factors, known flowering genes, and plant hormone-related genes. Among them, four candidate genes (LATE, GA2OX6, FAR3, and MFT1) were significantly upregulated in late-flowering accessions. LIMYB, PEX19, GWD3, BOR7, PMEI28, LRR, and AIRP2 were identified as hub genes in the turquoise and blue modules which were related to the development time of flowering by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of LIMYB found by multiple sequence alignment may cause late flowering. The expression pattern of flowering candidate genes was verified in eight flowering promoters (CRY, COL, FPF1, Hd3, GID1, FLK, VIN3, and FPA) and four flowering suppressors (CCA1, ELF3, Ghd7, and COL4) under drought and salt stress by qRT-PCR. The results suggested that drought and salt stress activated the flowering regulation pathways to some extent. The findings of the present study lay a foundation for the functional verification of flowering genes and breeding of new varieties of early- and late-flowering E. sibiricus.
The Impact and Challenges of Education and Administration in VET on Economic Growth in Oman During the COVID-19 Period
Authors: Alzadjali Amna , Altinay Fahriye , Dagli Gokmen
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is still a major global health problem that had substantial consequences on people’s daily lives. This paper evaluates the impact of education and institutional management on Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools in Oman during the COVID-19 period. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify possible challenges that may affect its impact on economic growth. This qualitative research is used as the main methodology of the study. Qualitative data are collected through convenience sampling of 108 VET college students and staff using interviews and questionnaires. The study revealed that the administration plays an important role in economic growth. The students suggested that the national educational administration of the government of Oman plays an important role in their education and that this in turn churns out industry-ready individuals who will impact the economic growth. The government’s role, especially financially post-pandemic lockdown, will be a critical determinant of VET’s impact on economic growth. This study introduces a new perspective on education administration from the perspective of students and staff of VET colleges.
Family Accommodation Scale for Sensory Over-Responsivity: A Measure Development Study
Authors: Ben-Sasson Ayelet , Podoly Tamar Yonit , Lebowitz Eli
Published: May 2022

Family accommodation refers to the attempt of family members (most often parents) to prevent their child’s distress related to psychopathology. Family accommodation can limit meaningful participation in personal and social routines and activities. Accommodation has been studied extensively in the context of childhood anxiety and has been linked to greater impairment, and poor intervention outcomes. Like anxiety, sensory over-responsivity (SOR) symptoms are associated with heightened distress and thus, may also be accommodated by family members. The current study describes the validation of a new pediatric family accommodation scale for SOR. Parents of 301 children ages 3–13 years completed an online survey, of which 48 had medical or developmental conditions. The survey included the Child Sensory Profile 2 and the newly developed family accommodation scale for sensory over-responsivity (FASENS). Three Sensory Profile 2 scores were analyzed: SOR, sensory under-responsivity and sensory seeking. The FASENS consists of 18 items; 12 describing the frequency of accommodation behaviors and 6 describing the impact of the accommodation on the wellbeing of the family and the child. Results indicated that the FASENS has high internal consistency (α = 0.94) as well as a significant 3-factor confirmatory model fit: (1) accommodations (i.e., avoidance and changes), (2) family impact, and (3) child impact. FASENS scores significantly correlated with SOR symptoms (r = 0.52–0.60, p < 0.001). However, they also correlated with under-responsivity and seeking (r = 0.33–0.42, p < 0.001). Parents of children with health conditions reported significantly higher FASENS scores (p < 0.002), which corresponded with their child’s significantly higher sensory scores (p < 0.001). Family accommodations for SOR occur to some extent in the general population, but their prevalence and impact are significantly greater when the child has a health condition, in addition to SOR. Additional research is needed to explore whether these accommodations are adaptive and whether families and children would benefit from learning to reduce them, as with anxiety.
Enjoymeter for Exploring Micro-Scale Changes in Foreign Language Enjoyment
Authors: Wang Rouhua
Published: May 2022

With the popularity of positive psychology research in second language acquisition since 2012, foreign language enjoyment (FLE) has attracted many researchers in this domain. Several innovative quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used so far to explore FLE. However, given the dynamic nature of FLE, the development of innovative tools can contribute to the exploration of the micro-scale dynamics of FLE. This study aims to introduce enjoymeter as one of these innovative tools and provide an example for its use in a foreign language learning setting. To do this, the application of enjoymeters in the exploration of the dynamics of FLE in an English as a foreign language course in China is explained. The enjoymeter data along with interviews were collected in three sessions of the course and were analyzed via thematic analysis. The findings indicated that moments of enjoyment emerged in terms of both private FLE and social FLE in these three sessions. Also, the use of enjoymeter indicated that it can enable researchers to map the dynamics of FLE session by session and even within each session of the course. The pedagogical implications of the use of enjoymeters in foreign language classes are discussed and future directions are explained.
From Psychology Management Innovation and Education Reform in the Digital Age: Role of Disruptive Technologies
Authors: Bao Lin , Xu Tian
Published: May 2022

In the main body of colleges and universities, the effect of college teaching psychology management is an important standard to test the quality of college teaching psychology management and its effects on the development of college teaching psychology management. However, the psychology management system used by traditional colleges and universities is challenging to meet the needs of the innovation of the new talent training model of higher vocational education. The construction of the new micro-level teaching organization inevitably requires the psychology management practice, structure, process, and technology at the medium and macro-levels to adapt to it. However, there are many mismatches in Higher Vocational Colleges’ internal and external administrative systems in China, such as low administrative efficiency, generalization of administrative power, low degree of specialization in administrative psychology management, and unreasonable administrative and organizational structure. This paper innovates the psychology management of colleges and universities reforms in combination with the characteristics of the digital age. Based on the collaborative innovation theory of colleges and universities, this paper puts forward the collaborative psychology management innovation network model of colleges and universities. The model combines the psychology management theory with the practical research of collaborative innovation in colleges and universities, expands the application and research field of innovation network theory, constructs the evaluation index system of students’ satisfaction in teaching psychology management in colleges and universities, and discusses it through reading and consulting materials and communication with teachers and students. A questionnaire of college teaching psychology management based on student satisfaction is formed. The experiment shows that teaching satisfaction is improved by nearly 31% compared with before innovation and reform. It can initially get the effect of innovation and reform, meet students’ needs, and promote the improvement of teaching psychology management quality.
Research on the Influence of Network Position on Corporate Social Responsibility: Moderating Effect Based on Ownership Concentration
Authors: Qu Liang , Xu Yuanjie , Guo Yajing
Published: May 2022

Based on the social network theory and the institutional theory, this study examines the influence of corporate network position on corporate social responsibility (CSR), and further explores the moderating role of ownership concentration. Given the characteristics of CSR in different aspects, this study explores the relationship between corporate network position and economic CSR, environmental CSR, and social CSR from the two aspects of the centrality and structural holes of interlocking directorate network based on the data of 1,034 Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2019. The results show that the centrality and structural holes of interlocking directorate network have positive effects on the overall level of CSR, and the impacts on economic CSR and environmental CSR are stronger than that on social CSR. In addition, ownership concentration has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between corporate network position and CSR. These findings enrich the depth of research on CSR, clarify the influence of the characteristics of interlocking directorate network on CSR in different dimensions, and supplement the knowledge of existing research.
The Influence of Self-Esteem and Psychological Flexibility on Medical College Students' Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Guo Jiamei , Huang Xin , Zheng Anhai , Chen Wanjun , Lei Zhongli , Tang Chenglu , Chen Hongyu , Ma Hongyan , Li Xuemei
Published: May 2022

Background

Mental health problems has become a major public health issue among medical students. Self-esteem and psychological flexibility were important associated factors for mental health, but their relations have not been discussed in medical students. The present study aimed to assess the status of mental health problems among medical students and identified whether psychological flexibility had a mediating role in the effects of self-esteem on the top three most common psychological symptoms.

Methods

A total of 810 undergraduate students from 18 classes comprised in the sample. Nine dimensions of psychological symptoms was assessed by the Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90-R). Self-esteem was measured by the Self-esteem Scale (SES) and psychological flexibility was evaluated by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire 2nd Edition (AAQ-II) and Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ-F). Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship among the top three common psychological symptoms, self-esteem, psychological flexibility, and participants' characteristics. The mediating effect of psychological flexibility between self-esteem and psychological symptoms was detected by bootstrap method.

Results

57.8% of the medical undergraduate students reported positive at least one of the nine psychological symptom dimensions assessed by the SCL-90-R and 13.8% of students had moderate or more severe symptoms. The symptoms of obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and depression were the three most common psychological symptoms among the medical students. Meanwhile, self-esteem and psychological flexibility were negatively associated to the symptoms of obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and depression. And, almost 50% effects of self-esteem on these three symptoms in medical students exert indirect effects through psychological flexibility.

Conclusions

Psychological distress was quite common in the Chinese medical students. The three most common psychological symptoms were successively obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and depression. Low self-esteem and psychological inflexibility might be the risk factors for these top three symptoms, and psychological flexibility might play a mediating role in the effects of self-esteem on these psychological symptoms.
Otitis Media and Its Association With Hearing Loss in Chinese Adults: A Population Based Study of 4 Provinces in China
Authors: Luo Yanan , He Ping , Wen Xu , Gong Rui , Hu Xiangyang , Zheng Xiaoying
Published: May 2022

Objective

Otitis media is a recognized cause of significant hearing loss, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between otitis media and hearing loss in Chinese adults aged 18 years and older.

Methods

The survey was based on WHO Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol and 36,783 adults at the ages between 18 years and above were selected in this study. Trained local examiners performed pure tone audiometry to screen people with hearing loss, and those who were screened positively for hearing loss were referred to audiologists to make final diagnosis. All participants underwent clinical ENT check-up and otoscopic examination by doctors trained in ENT. Each participant was assigned a single middle ear diagnosis. Diagnoses were assigned as per the WHO classification of ear and hearing disorders.

Results

Logistic regressions showed that higher prevalence of hearing loss was found in participants with otitis media, with an unadjusted odds ratio of 5.67 (95%CI: 4.66, 6.90). The next two models (Model 2–3) had slight impact on ORs. The interaction of residency and otitis media was statistically significant (OR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.15, 2.53); otitis media patients in rural areas had higher risk of hearing loss. However, this interaction became not significant in 65 years old and above participants.

Conclusions

Otitis media was associated with the risk of hearing loss. Compared with urban patients with otitis media, rural patients have the higher risk of hearing loss. Action to reduce the risk of hearing loss in otitis media will require attention to rural-urban disparities.
Hearing From Men Living With HIV: Experiences With HIV Testing, Treatment, and Viral Load Suppression in Four High-Prevalence Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Wiginton John Mark , Mathur Sanyukta , Gottert Ann , Pilgrim Nanlesta , Pulerwitz Julie
Published: May 2022

Engaging men in HIV services remains a challenge across sub-Saharan Africa. There is a critical need to better understand facilitators of men's successful engagement with HIV services and assess if there are similarities across contexts. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 92 men living with HIV (MLHIV) across Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, and Eswatini, most of whom had been diagnosed with HIV within the last 5 years. We coded interviews for themes using a constant-comparative approach. We contextualized our findings within a socioecological framework. HIV testing was primarily motivated by illness (individual level), though illness was sometimes accompanied by prompting and support from healthcare providers and/or intimate partners. Once diagnosed, nearly all participants reported immediate linkage to care, initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and subsequent ART adherence. ART initiation and adherence were facilitated by men's sense of agency and ownership over their health (individual level), social support from intimate partners, friends, and family (interpersonal/network level), supportive-directive counseling from healthcare providers (institutional/health systems level), and male-friendly services, i.e., rapid, respectful, private (institutional/health systems level). Health literacy regarding viral suppression (individual level), strengthened by patient-provider communication (institutional/health systems level), was highest in Uganda, where most men could discuss viral load testing experiences, report their viral load status (most reported suppressed), and demonstrate an understanding of treatment as prevention. Elsewhere, few participants understood what viral load suppression was and even fewer knew their viral load status. Our findings reveal socioecological-level facilitators of men's progress across the HIV-care continuum. Programs may want to leverage facilitators of ART initiation and adherence that span socioecological levels—e.g., healthcare ownership and agency, social support, supportive-directive counseling—and apply them to each end of the continuum to encourage early HIV testing/diagnosis and improve health literacy to help men understand and achieve viral load suppression.
Assessing the Utility of a Quality-of-Care Assessment Tool Used in Assessing Comprehensive Care Services Provided by Community Health Workers in South Africa
Authors: Babalola Olukemi , Goudge Jane , Levin Jonathan , Brown Celia , Griffiths Frances
Published: May 2022

Background

Few studies exist on the tools for assessing quality-of-care of community health worker (CHW) who provide comprehensive care, and for available tools, evidence on the utility is scanty. We aimed to assess the utility components of a previously-reported quality-of-care assessment tool developed for summative assessment in South Africa.

Methods

In two provinces, we used ratings by 21 CHWs and three team leaders in two primary health care facilities per province regarding whether the tool covered everything that happens during their household visits and whether they were happy to be assessed using the tool (acceptability and face validity), to derive agreement index (≥85%, otherwise the tool had to be revised). A panel of six experts quantitatively validated 11 items of the tool (content validity). Content validity index (CVI), of individual items (I-CVI) or entire scale (S-CVI), should be >80% (excellent). For the inter-rater reliability (IRR), we determined agreement between paired observers' assigned quality-of-care messages and communication scores during 18 CHW household visits (nine households per site). Bland and Altman plots and multilevel model analysis, for clustered data, were used to assess IRR.

Results

In all four CHW and team leader sites, agreement index was ≥85%, except for whether they were happy to be assessed using the tool, where it was <85% in one facility. The I-CVI of the 11 items in the tool ranged between 0.83 and 1.00. For the S-CVI, all six experts agreed on relevancy (universal agreement) in eight of 11 items (0.72) whereas the average of I-CVIs, was 0.95. The Bland-Altman plot limit of agreements between paired observes were −0.18 to 0.44 and −0.30 to 0.44 (messages score); and −0.22 to 0.45 and −0.28 to 0.40 (communication score). Multilevel modeling revealed an estimated reliability of 0.77 (messages score) and 0.14 (communication score).

Conclusion

The quality-of-care assessment tool has a high face and content validity. IRR was substantial for quality-of-care messages but not for communication score. This suggests that the tool may only be useful in the formative assessment of CHWs. Such assessment can provide the basis for reflection and discussion on CHW performance and lead to change.
Getting Out of the Classroom and Into Nature: A Systematic Review of Nature-Specific Outdoor Learning on School Children's Learning and Development
Authors: Mann Jeff , Gray Tonia , Truong Son , Brymer Eric , Passy Rowena , Ho Susanna , Sahlberg Pasi , Ward Kumara , Bentsen Peter , Curry Christina , Cowper Rachel
Published: May 2022

Background:

The value of natural environments for developing children's self-identity and social skills has been known for some time, and more recently the potential of nature-specific (i.e., excluding built environments) outdoor learning for achieving academic outcomes has been explored. Connecting children with natural spaces has been shown to benefit their physical and mental health; however, the utility of nature-specific outdoor environments as a setting for curricular and non-curricular learning has yet to be clearly established. Our aim was to undertake a narrative synthesis of international evidence of nature-specific outdoor learning and its benefits for personal and social development, wellbeing and academic progress.

Methods

This systematic review searched publications between 2000 and 2020 in nine academic databases for evidence of socio-emotional and academic benefits of nature-specific outdoor learning in school-aged educational settings, using concise search criteria registered with PROSPERO. The total search results of 17,886 records were initially screened by title, and then two reviewers made blind reviews of the title and abstract of 1,019 records.

Results

147 original research studies meeting the criteria were identified. Learning settings ranged across outdoor adventure education, school gardens, field trips, and traditional school subjects taught in natural environments. Study characteristics were summarized, and risk-of-bias tools assessed quality of research as generally moderate, although with a wide range. The reported benefits of learning in natural outdoor settings include: increased student engagement and ownership of their learning, some evidence of academic improvement, development of social and collaborative skills, and improved self-concept factors.

Conclusions

Nature-specific outdoor learning has measurable socio-emotional, academic and wellbeing benefits, and should be incorporated into every child's school experience with reference to their local context. Teacher pre-service and in-service education needs to include a focus on how natural settings can be used effectively for learning. Further research is needed to clarify the conditions under which specific forms of outdoor learning are most efficacious for various target outcomes. It is recommended that future studies measuring outdoor learning adopt established methodologies to improve the quality of research in this field.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=153171.
Research on the Construction and Prediction of China's National Fitness Development Index System Under Social Reform
Authors: Liu Zheng , Zhang Shijia , Li Lingling , Hu Bin , Liu Ran , Zhao Zhao , Zhao Yuanjun
Published: May 2022

Background

National fitness is a development plan formulated by China to promote people's participation in leisure and fitness, enhance people's physique, and realize the general goal of strengthening sports.

Methods

Based on combing the development process of China's national fitness after reform and opening up, using the improved “balanced scorecard” method, this article constructs an evaluation index system of the national fitness development index.

Results

The national fitness development index was established, including 4 first-level indicators, 14 second-level indicators, and 49 third-level indicators. It can calculate the national fitness development index with a total score of 100 points.

Conclusion

To verify the feasibility of the evaluation system, the goal current situation evaluation method is used to calculate the national fitness development index during the 14th Five Year Plan period based on the development of national fitness during the 13th Five Year Plan period to provide evaluation tools and theoretical reference for the development of national fitness in China.
Blood Glucose Meter Buying Behavior of Diabetic Patients: Factors Influencing Purchase
Authors: Pan Bai-ling , Pan Yi-tong , Gao Zu-hua , Tung Tao-Hsin
Published: May 2022

Objective

To understand the blood glucose meter buying behavior of type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control (two or more HbA1c ≥ 8% during visits in one year) and identify factors influencing it.

Methods

A survey was conducted among 585 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control who were treated in the outpatient or inpatient clinics of the Department of Endocrinology, Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province from June 2020 to May 2021. The questionnaire collected general information and clinical data, and assessed blood glucose meter buying behavior. Chi-square test was used to compare the essential characteristics and clinical data between buyers and non-buyers of blood glucose meters. Additionally, stepwise logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing purchase.

Results

Of the 585 questionnaires distributed, 527 (90.09%) valid questionnaires were collected. Of the 527 respondents, 285 (54.08%) had purchased blood glucose meters. Not receiving insulin therapy (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.13–2.77) and unawareness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (OR: 19.46, 95% CI: 12.51–30.26) were risk factors for non-purchase.

Conclusion

There is a need to actively increase the purchase of glucose meters among diabetic patients, by educating them about the importance of self-monitoring of blood glucose.
Wastewater Treatment Works: A Last Line of Defense for Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Entry Into the Environment
Authors: Tucker Keira , Stone Wendy , Botes Marelize , Feil Edward J. , Wolfaardt Gideon M.
Published: May 2022

With their large, diverse microbial communities chronically exposed to sub-inhibitory antibiotic concentrations, wastewater treatment works (WWTW) have been deemed hotspots for the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, with growing concern about the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) into receiving surface waters. This study explored (1) the prevalence of ARG and ARB in local WWTW, (2) the effect of sub-inhibitory antimicrobial exposure on ARG copy numbers in pure cultures from WWTW, and (3) two WWTW with different treatment configurations. For each WWTW, qPCR determined the prevalence ofmcr3, sul1, sul2, andblaKPCduring the treatment process, and culture methods were used to enumerate and identify ARB. Bacterial colonies isolated from effluent samples were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and their respective minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined. These were compared to the MICs of whole community samples from the influent, return activated sludge, and effluent of each WWTW. Resistance genes were quantified in 11 isolated cultures before and after exposure to sub-MIC concentrations of target antibiotics. The numbers of ARG and ARB in both WWTW effluents were notably reduced compared to the influent.Sul1andsul2gene copies increased in cultures enriched in sub-MIC concentrations of sulfamethoxazole, whileblaKPCdecreased after exposure to amoxicillin. It was concluded, within the parameters of this study, that WWTW assist in reducing ARG and ARB, but that sub-inhibitory exposure to antimicrobials has a varied effect on ARG copy number in pure cultures.
Nutrients in Mountain Lakes: How Much Is too Much?
Authors: Heard Andrea M. , Sickman James O. , Mutch Linda S.
Published: May 2022

Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks protect over 1,200 mountain lakes. These lakes provide healthy homes for plants and animals and supply clean water to downstream communities. These clear blue lakes are high up in the mountains, where they receive very low amounts of nutrients from the watershed. Nutrients help living things grow and be healthy. However, human activities from communities upwind are adding nutrients into the air. These nutrients travel on air currents to remote watersheds via rain, snow, and dry particles. They increase lake algae growth, which disrupts the balance of plants and animals. We conducted experiments to determine the amount of nutrients it takes to increase algae growth. We compared these levels to current lake nutrient concentrations and found that over half of the lakes had concentrations that were below the determined early warning point and just under half were at levels of higher concern.
Linear Theory of Electromagnetic Ion Beam Instabilities in the Earth’s Forshock: Peter Gary’s Contributions (1981–1991)
Authors: Winske Dan , Wilson Lynn B.
Published: May 2022

We discuss Peter Gary’s contributions to the understanding of the origin and properties of ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves in the Earth’s foreshock during the period when the International Sun Earth Explorer spacecraft (ISEE-1 and -2) provided unique data about the plasma and wave environment in this region. Peter’s work concerning the linear theory of electromagnetic ion beam instabilities is contained in five journal articles and then summarized in a review article, all of which are discussed here. Brief summaries of observations and theory prior to ISEE as well as to later work are also included.
Research Hotspots and Trends Analysis of Patellar Instability: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2001 to 2021
Authors: Zheng Zitian , Xu Wennan , Xue Qingyun
Published: May 2022

Background

Patellar instability is a common multifactorial disease in orthopedics, which seriously affects the quality of life. Because of the unified pathogeny, diagnosis and treatment, patellar instability has gradually attracted the interest of more scholars these years, resulting in an explosive growth in the research output. This study aims to summarize the knowledge structure and development trend in the field from the perspective of bibliometrics.

Methods

The data of articles and reviews on patellar instability was extracted from the Web of Science database. The Microsoft Excel, R-bibliometrix, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Pajek software are comprehensively used to scientifically analyze the data quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results

Totally, 2,155 papers were identified, mainly from North America, Western Europe and East Asia. Until December 31, 2021, the United States has contributed the most articles (1,828) and the highest total citations (17,931). Hospital for Special Surgery and professor Andrew A Amis are the most prolific institutions and the most influential authors respectively. Through the analysis of citations and keywords based on a large number of literatures, “medial patellofemoral ligament construction”, “tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance”, “epidemiological prevalence”, “multifactor analysis of etiology, clinical outcome and radiographic landmarks “ were identified to be the most promising research directions.

Conclusions

This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively summarize the research trend and development of patellar instability. The result of our research provides the updated perspective for scholars to understand the key information in this field, and promote future research to a great extent.
Intestinal Continuity Alleviates Pediatric Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Wang Jinling , Yan Weihui , Lu Lina , Tao Yijing , Huang Liufang , Cai Wei , Wang Ying
Published: May 2022

Background

Type I short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs after a critical reduction in the functional gut mass and resection of intestinal continuity after ileostomy or jejunostomy for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intestinal atresia or other causes. SBS is often accompanied with intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) who requires long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). Our study aimed to observe the effect of intestinal continuity on the hepatic function of pediatric intestinal failure (IF) patients with type I SBS.

Methods

The pre-and post-anastomosis medical records of 35 pediatric patients with type I SBS from April 2013 to April 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. The average growth (cm/month) in the proximal and distal small bowel lengths was calculated as the growth in intestinal length (cm)/the duration (month) from enterostomy to anastomosis. The changes in hepatic function from enterostomy to anastomosis were evaluated by assessment of hepatic function before anastomosis for 6 weeks and after anastomosis for 4 weeks.

Results

The average growth in proximal intestinal length was 9.3 cm/month (±7.2) in neonates and 2.8 cm/month (1.3, 11.9) in infants and children, and in distal intestinal length was 1.5 cm/month (0, 2.7) in neonates and 0.4 cm/month (0, 1.4) in infants and children. The incidence of IFALD was 28.6% 1 month before anastomosis and 20.0% 1 month after anastomosis (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In pediatric type I SBS with IFALD, restoration of intestinal continuity may alleviate liver injury. There was an intestinal compensatory effect on the growth in the intestinal length after resection, and better results were seen in neonates in terms of intestinal length growth.
Efficient Machine Learning Models for Early Stage Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Bala Mousumi , Ali Mohammad Hanif , Satu Md. Shahriare , Hasan Khondokar Fida , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that severely impairs an individual’s cognitive, linguistic, object recognition, communication, and social abilities. This situation is not treatable, although early detection of ASD can assist to diagnose and take proper steps for mitigating its effect. Using various artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, ASD can be detected an at earlier stage than with traditional methods. The aim of this study was to propose a machine learning model that investigates ASD data of different age levels and to identify ASD more accurately. In this work, we gathered ASD datasets of toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults and used several feature selection techniques. Then, different classifiers were applied into these datasets, and we assessed their performance with evaluation metrics including predictive accuracy, kappa statistics, the f1-measure, and AUROC. In addition, we analyzed the performance of individual classifiers using a non-parametric statistical significant test. For the toddler, child, adolescent, and adult datasets, we found that Support Vector Machine (SVM) performed better than other classifiers where we gained 97.82% accuracy for the RIPPER-based toddler subset; 99.61% accuracy for the Correlation-based feature selection (CFS) and Boruta CFS intersect (BIC) method-based child subset; 95.87% accuracy for the Boruta-based adolescent subset; and 96.82% accuracy for the CFS-based adult subset. Then, we applied the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method into different feature subsets, which gained the highest accuracy and ranked their features based on the analysis.
Investigation of a Tuff Stone Church in Cappadocia via Acoustical Reconstruction
Authors: Adeeb Ali Haider , Sü Gül Zühre
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the indoor acoustical characteristics of a Middle Byzantine masonry church in Cappadocia. The Bell Church is in partial ruins; therefore, archival data and the church’s remains are used for its acoustical reconstruction. The study aims to formulate a methodology for a realistic simulation of the church by testing the applicability of different approaches, including field and laboratory tests. By conducting qualitative and quantitative material tests, different tuff stone samples are examined from the region. Impedance tube tests are performed on the samples from Göreme and Ürgüp to document their sound absorption performances. Previous field tests on two sites in Cappadocia are also used to compare the sound absorption performance of tuff stones, supported by acoustical simulations. The texture, physical and chemical characteristics of the stones together with the measured sound absorption coefficient values are comparatively evaluated for selecting the most suitable material to be applied in the Bell Church simulations. The church was constructed in phases and underwent architectural modifications and additions over time. The indoor acoustical environment of the church is analyzed over objective acoustical parameters of EDT, T30, C50, C80, D50, and STI for its different phases with different architectural features and functional patterns.
Compost and Biostimulants versus Mineral Nitrogen on Productivity and Grain Quality of Two Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Abbas Mohamed , Abdel-Lattif Hashim , Badawy Ramadan , Abd El-Wahab Mustafa , Shahba Mohamed
Published: May 2022

To reduce the environmental pollution, this study was designed to test the effect of using compost and biostimulants as total or partial replacement for mineral nitrogen on productivity and grain quality of two wheat cultivars. Two field experiments were conducted in the Desert Experimental Station, Cairo University located at Wadi El-Natroon, Egypt during two successive seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018). A split-split-plot design in a randomized complete block arrangement was used. Four fertilizer treatments (100% mineral nitrogen as control, 100% compost, 75% compost + 25% mineral nitrogen and 50% compost + 50% mineral nitrogen). Four levels of biostimulants foliar applications (control, 0.75 L ha−1, 1.13 L ha−1 and 1.5 L ha−1). Treatments were tested on two wheat cultivars (Egyptian cultivar, Gemmiza-10 and Nigerian cultivar, LacriWhit-4). Results indicated that, the treatment of 50% compost + 50% mineral nitrogen fertilizer along with 1.5 L ha−1 of biostimulants (VIUSID® agro) significantly increased the grain yield of both wheat cultivars, LacriWhit-4 and Gemmiza-10 (4.44- and 4.53-ton ha−1, respectively). The increase of grain yield was 0.9- and 1.36-ton ha−1, respectively. The treatment of 100% compost significantly increased protein, crude fiber, total sugars, Mg and Mn contents in grain while the treatment of 100% mineral nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased ash, total phenols, P and Ca contents in grain. Replacing nitrogen fertilization with compost significantly increased ether extract and carbohydrates content of the Nigerian cultivar grains while N, K and Fe contents were increased in the grains of both tested cultivars. The foliar application of biostimulants (VIUSID® agro) at different levels significantly increased protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, P, K, Ca, Cu and Zn contents. It can be concluded that replacing mineral nitrogen fertilizer with a combination of compost and mineral nitrogen (50% compost + 50% mineral nitrogen) along with 1.5 L ha−1 of biostimulants (VIUSID® agro) is recommended for the enhancement of productivity and grain quality of wheat while reducing environmental pollution.
Recovery of Orange Peel Essential Oil from ‘Sai-Namphaung’ Tangerine Fruit Drop Biomass and Its Potential Use as Citrus Fruit Postharvest Diseases Control
Authors: Khamsaw Pattarapol , Lumsangkul Chompunut , Karunarathna Anuruddha , Onsa Nuttacha Eva , Kawichai Sawaeng , Chuttong Bajaree , Sommano Sarana Rose
Published: May 2022

In this study, we assessed the quality of essential oil recovered from fruit drop biomass and assessed its usefulness in preventing postharvest diseases in the tangerine ‘Sai-Namphaung’. Greening was the primary cause of the fruit drop, based on the enduring symptoms and occurrence of the disease in the area. Limonene, together with the presence of β-pinene and linalool, was discovered to be prevalent in essential oils of tangerine fruit peel, particularly that of ‘Sai-Namphaung’. Through isolation of citrus postharvest fungi, we were able to identify four genera which were later DNA sequenced using Internal Transcribed Spacer: ITS and subjected to Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), with a high possibility (>98% similarity) of being Penicillium digitatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium sarcochrum and Geotrichum candidum. Essential oil from ‘Sai-Namphaung’ and ‘Fremont’ peel biomass positively inhibited green mold rot and citrus anthracnose caused by P. digitatum, C. gloeosporiodes, but were less effective than the commercial citrus oil and Zanthoxylum myriacanthum oil. This is the first evidence of ‘Sai-Namphaung’ postharvest diseases caused by these two fungi and their controls using citrus essential oil.