bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpersonal stress generation among young adolescents: vulnerable and resilient interpersonal behaviors and the generation of negative and positive interpersonal events
Authors: Kuroda Yuji
Published: November 2023

Background

Theoretical and empirical studies on stress generation suggest four event generation processes: (1) vulnerability factors predict more negative interpersonal events; (2) vulnerability factors predict fewer positive interpersonal events; (3) resiliency factors predict fewer negative interpersonal events; and (4) resiliency factors predict more positive interpersonal events. However, few studies have examined these four processes simultaneously within a single analytic model. Therefore, it is unclear whether vulnerability and resiliency factors make unique and differential contributions to the occurrences of negative and positive interpersonal events.

General objectives

This study aimed to fill this important gap by examining whether social withdrawal and excessive reassurance-seeking (vulnerable interpersonal behaviors) and prosocial behaviors (a resilient interpersonal behavior) uniquely and differentially predict the occurrences of negative and positive peer events among young adolescents. This study also examined the sex differences in these relationships.

Methods

One hundred and ninety-eight students (109 girls) were recruited from a public middle school in Japan. A multiple-group path analysis was conducted to examine possible sex differences.

Results

Social withdrawal uniquely predicted more negative peer events for boys and fewer positive peer events for boys and girls. Excessive reassurance-seeking uniquely predicted both more negative peer events and more positive peer events for boys and girls. Prosocial behavior uniquely predicted more positive peer events for boys and girls.

Conclusion

This study underscores the unique and differential roles of vulnerable and resilient interpersonal behaviors in predicting negative and positive peer events among young adolescents. These findings not only advance our understanding of stress generation processes but also have broader implications for adolescent development and well-being.
Exploration of children’s value patterns in relation to environmental education programmes
Authors: Kelly Tim , Bouman Thijs , Kemp Simon , Wijngaarden Franka , Grace Randolph C.
Published: November 2023

During childhood we begin to develop values, including valuing the natural environment (biospheric values). Although biospheric values are believed to provide the foundation for pro-environmental behavior throughout the course of one’s life, little research has investigated these values in children. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between children’s endorsement of biospheric values, their pro-environmental behaviors, and their perception of their friends’ and peers’ endorsement of biospheric values. Moreover, we investigated whether these values and behaviors, as well as the hypothesized relationships, were affected by educational programmes that were already implemented at schools. The results showed that children generally strongly endorse biospheric values, and that biospheric values were positively related to some personal and group pro-environmental behaviors. The study also found that, as in previous research with adults, the participants believed that their friends and peers endorsed biospheric values significantly less than they themselves did. Environmental educational programs were partially effective in reducing the participants’ underestimation of their friends’ biospheric values and increased the likelihood of some group pro-environmental behaviors. Our findings highlight the need for further research to investigate the effects of group pro-environmental behaviors and the perception of group values.
The effectiveness of collaborative care delivered via telehealth in a pediatric primary care population
Authors: Vanderwood Karl , Joyner Jian , Little Virna
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The prevalence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents in the United States has become a pressing concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaborative care is an evidence-based model for identifying and treating depression and anxiety in healthcare settings, with additional promise for remote healthcare delivery. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a telehealth collaborative care model for adolescents with depression and anxiety in pediatric and primary care settings.

Methods

Secondary analysis was conducted using de-identified national data from Concert Health, a behavioral health medical group offering remote collaborative care across 17 states. Baseline, 90-day, and 120-day assessments of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were collected, along with baseline covariates. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of select covariates to improvement rates.

Results

Among the analyzed data, 263 participants had complete PHQ-9 data, and 230 had complete GAD-7 data. In both the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 groups, over 50% of patients experienced treatment success based on success at discharge, as well as 90- and 120-day improvement rates. Predictors of success at discharge for the GAD-7 group included age at enrollment (OR 1.2258, 95% CI 1.01–1.496), clinical touchpoints (OR 1.1469, 95% CI 1.086–1.218), and lower baseline GAD-7 score (OR 0.9319, 95% CI 0.874–0.992). For the PHQ-9 group, Medicaid was significantly associated with not achieving a 50% reduction in PHQ-9 score at 120 days (OR 0.5874, 95% CI 0.349–0.979).

Discussion

Collaborative care has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating adolescent populations, providing an opportunity to expand access to evidence-based behavioral health treatment for young individuals. Notably, collaborative care is already integrated into the Medicaid fee schedule for 22 states and accepted by all commercial payers. Given that individuals often turn to their trusted primary care providers for behavioral health care, offering collaborative care to adolescents can play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing mental health crisis.
Substance use during pregnancy and risk of postpartum depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pacho Malein , Aymerich Claudia , Pedruzo Borja , Salazar de Pablo Gonzalo , Sesma Eva , Bordenave Marta , Dieguez Rodrigo , Lopez-Zorroza Itziar , Herrero Jon , Laborda Maria , Fernandez-Rivas Aranzazu , Garcia-Rizo Clemente , Gonzalez-Torres Miguel Angel , Catalan Ana
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health condition affecting women globally within the first year following childbirth. Substance use during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of developing PPD, but the evidence remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively assess the effects of different substances on PPD risk, exploring potential modifiers and confounding factors.

Objectives

To examine the proportion of PPD among substance users during pregnancy, compared to non-users, and investigate the specific risk associated with different substances (tobacco, alcohol, and non-specified substance use/multiple substance use).

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted from inception to November 2022 using the Web of Science database (Clarivate Analytics), incorporating Web of Science Core Collection, the BIOSIS Citation Index, the KCI-Korean Journal Database, MEDLINE®, the Russian Science Citation Index, the SciELO Citation Index, and the Cochrane Central Register of Reviews, and Ovid/PsycINFO databases. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies with pregnant women, using validated depression scales and substance use reporting.

Results

Among the 26 included studies, encompassing 514,441 women, the pooled prevalence of PPD among substance users during pregnancy was 29% (95% CI 25–33). Meta-analyzes revealed an overall odds ratio (OR) of 3.67 (95% CI 2.31–5.85, p < 0.01) indicating a significantly higher risk of PPD among substance users compared to non-users. Subgroup analyzes demonstrated a higher risk for women with non-specified or multiple substance use (OR 4.67, 95% CI 2.59–8.41; p < 0.01) and tobacco use (OR 4.01, 95% CI 2.23–7.20; p < 0.01). Alcohol use showed a trend toward higher risk that did not reach statistical significance (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.00–3.55; p = 0.051).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides evidence of an increased risk of PPD among pregnant substance users, particularly those using multiple substances or tobacco. However, caution is needed in interpreting the association with alcohol use due to its non-significant result.

Systematic review registration

This study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (registration number: CCRD42022375500).
Effects of fear of missing out on inhibitory control in social media context: evidence from event-related potentials
Authors: Xu Yang , Tian Yu
Published: November 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of fear of missing out (FoMO) on inhibitory control in social media context. The present study used a two-choice oddball task combined with event-related potentials (ERPs) technology to measure inhibitory control. Based on the Fear of Missing Out Scale, participants with varying degrees of FoMO were recruited to complete two studies. A total of 78 participants in Study 1 completed a two-choice oddball task (stimuli “W” or “M”). The results showed that FoMO did not have a significant impact on general inhibitory control at both the behavioral and electrophysiological levels. To further examine the effect of FoMO in social media context. In Study 2, 72 participants completed a modified two-choice oddball task with three types of pictures (high and low social media-related and neutral). The behavioral results revealed that as FoMO scores increased, inhibitory control decreased. ERP analysis revealed that with higher FoMO scores, social media-related pictures elicited larger N2 amplitude and smaller P3 amplitude, but not for neutral pictures. This suggests that FoMO undermines inhibitory control by consuming more cognitive resources in the early conflict detection stage and leading to insufficient cognitive resources in the later stages of the inhibitory process. These findings suggest that FoMO can undermine inhibitory control in the social media context. Considering the indispensable use of social media in the digital age, addressing and understanding the influence of FoMO on inhibitory control could be essential for promoting healthy digital behaviors and cognitive functions.
Emotional intelligence as a predictor of job satisfaction: the mediating role of conflict management in nurses
Authors: Soriano-Vázquez Iris , Cajachagua Castro Mayela , Morales-García Wilter C.
Published: November 2023

Background

Emotional Intelligence (EI) has emerged as a pivotal factor in work effectiveness and well-being within the healthcare domain. Specifically, its significance is heightened in the nursing sector, where emotional and social demands are high. Additionally, job satisfaction and conflict management are recognized as vital predictors of patient care service quality. However, there is a dearth of research addressing the mediating role of conflict management in the relationship between EI and job satisfaction within a nursing context.

Objective

This study aims to assess the mediating role of conflict management in the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction among nurses.

Methods

The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was followed. A cross-sectional and explanatory design was employed. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires to measure emotional intelligence, conflict management, and job satisfaction. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Results

A total of 208 nurses aged between 18 and 65 years participated (M = 41.18, SD = 8.942). The findings confirmed a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict management (β = 0.64, p < 0.001). Similarly, a positive relationship between conflict management and job satisfaction was observed (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). Moreover, conflict management was validated as a mediator in the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction (β = 0.77, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of emotional intelligence and conflict management as predictors of job satisfaction in nurses. The results suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing emotional intelligence might be an effective avenue for increasing job satisfaction, especially when conflict management strategies are integrated.
The relationship between sleep quality and daytime dysfunction among college students in China during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ji Wei , Shi Liyong , Lin Xinjun , Shen Zhiyong , Chen Qingquan , Song Duanhong , Huang Pengxiang , Zhao Zhihuang , Fan Jimin , Hu Yiming , Xie Mianmian , Yang Jiaohong , Chen Xiaoyang
Published: November 2023

Objective

College Students’ sleep quality and daytime dysfunction have become worse since the COVID-19 outbreak, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between sleep quality and daytime dysfunction among college students during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) period.

Methods

This research adopts the form of cluster random sampling of online questionnaires. From April 5 to 16 in 2022, questionnaires are distributed to college students in various universities in Fujian Province, China and the general information questionnaire and PSQI scale are used for investigation. SPSS26.0 was used to conduct an independent sample t-test and variance analysis on the data, multi-factorial analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis. The main outcome variables are the score of subjective sleep quality and daytime dysfunction.

Results

During the COVID-19 period, the average PSQI score of the tested college students was 6.17 ± 3.263, and the sleep disorder rate was 29.6%, the daytime dysfunction rate was 85%. Being female, study liberal art/science/ engineering, irritable (due to limited outdoor), prolong electronic entertainment time were associated with low sleep quality (p < 0.001), and the occurrence of daytime dysfunction was higher than other groups (p < 0.001). Logistics regression analysis showed that sleep quality and daytime dysfunction were associated with gender, profession, irritable (due to limited outdoor), and prolonged electronic entertainment time (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 epidemic, the sleep quality of college students was affected, and different degrees of daytime dysfunction have appeared, both are in worse condition than before the COVID-19 outbreak. Sleep quality may was inversely associated with daytime dysfunction.
An overview and visual analysis of research on government regulation in healthcare
Authors: Qi Min , Ren Jianming
Published: November 2023

Objective

During the period of COVID-19, government regulation (GR) played an important role in healthcare. This study examines the current research situation of GR in healthcare, discusses the research hotspots, the most productive authors and countries, and the most common journals, and analyzes the changes in GR in healthcare before and after the outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods

This study followed PRISMA guidelines to collect literature on GR in healthcare. And the VOSviewer software was used to perform a quantitative analysis of these documents to obtain a visual map, including year, country, institution, journal, author, and research topic.

Results

A total of 1,830 papers that involved 976 academic journals, 3,178 institutions, and 133 countries were identified from 1985 to 2023. The United States was the country with the highest production (n = 613), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 289). The institution with the largest number of publications was the University of London in the UK (n = 103); In the author collaboration network, the biggest cluster is Bomhoff M, Bouwman R, Friele R, et al. The top five journals in terms of the number of articles were BMC Health Services Research (n = 70), Plos One (n = 35), Health Policy (n = 33), Social Science & Medicine (n = 29), Health Policy and Planning (n = 29), and Frontiers in Public Health (n = 27). The existing literature mainly focused on “health policy,” “public health,” “China,” “mental health,” “India,” “qualitative research,” “legislation,” and “governance,” et al. Since 2020, research on “COVID-19” has also become a priority in the domain of healthcare.

Conclusion

This study reveals the overall performance of the literature on GR published in healthcare. Healthcare needs GR, especially in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, which has played an irreplaceable role. The outbreak of COVID-19 not only tested the health systems of various countries, but also changed GR in healthcare. With the end of COVID-19, whether these changes will end remains to be further studied.
Changes in serum TIM-3 and complement C3 expression in workers due to Mn exposure
Authors: Qi Yuanmeng , Si Huifang , Jin Xiaofei , Guo Yonghua , Xia Jiarui , He Jing , Deng Xuedan , Deng Meng , Yao Wu , Hao Changfu
Published: November 2023

Mn (Manganese, Mn) is an essential trace element involved in various biological processes such as the regulation of immune, nervous and digestive system functions. However, excessive Mn exposure can lead to immune damage. Occupational workers in cement and ferroalloy manufacturing and other related industries are exposed to low levels of Mn for a long time. Mn exposure is one of the important occupational hazards, but the research on the effect of Mn on the immune system of the occupational population is not complete, and there is no reliable biomarker. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the immunotoxicity of Mn from the soluble immune checkpoint TIM-3 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin containing protein 3, TIM-3) and complement C3. A total of 144 Mn-exposed workers were recruited from a bus manufacturing company and a railroad company in Henan Province. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used to detect the concentration of RBC Mn (Red blood cell Mn, RBC Mn), and ELISA kits were used to detect serum complement C3 and TIM-3. Finally, the subjects were statistically analyzed by dividing them into low and high Mn groups based on the median RBC Mn concentration. We found that Mn exposure resulted in elevated serum TIM-3 expression and decreased complement C3 expression in workers; that serum TIM-3 and complement C3 expression showed a dose–response relationship with RBC Mn; and that the mediating effect of complement C3 between RBC Mn and TIM-3 was found to be significant. The above findings indicate that this study has a preliminary understanding of the effect of Mn exposure on the immune system of the occupational population exposed to Mn, and complement C3 and TIM-3 may be biomarkers of Mn exposure, which may provide clues for the prevention and control of Mn occupational hazards.
4SCAR2.0 therapy for the management of post-transplantation relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xiao Juan , Sun Yuan , Tu Sanfang , Li Yuhua , Zhang Leping , Cheng Yifei , Xue Song , Zhang Yongping , Wang Bin , Zheng Huyong , Nishio Nobuhiro , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Kojima Seiji , Wang Yingying , Horn Biljana , Chang Lung-Ji
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a standard treatment for relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B-ALL). However, about 30-40% of patients still relapse after HCT. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has been proven effective in the treatment of relapsed or refractory B-ALL.

Patients and methods

We report a cohort of 30 B-ALL patients, who relapsed after HCT and were enrolled in the 4SCAR2.0 study, receiving CD19 CAR-Ts alone (20 patients), or two types of CAR-Ts targeting CD19, CD22, CD38 or CD123 antigens (10 patients), depending on the tumor antigen expression profile. These patients had extramedullary (EM) relapse or bone marrow (BM) relapse, or both. Based on the GVHD history, donor chimerism, and the available T-cell source, 25 patients received allogeneic donor CAR-Ts, and 5 patients received autologous CAR-T treatment.

Results

All 20 patients receiving a single CD19 CAR-T infusion achieved a minimal residual disease (MRD) remission within 60 days. The remaining 10 patients, due to low CD19 antigen expression profile, received 2 CAR-T products given on the same day, and 9 of 10 achieved complete remission (CR) and one had disease progression within 60 days. After CAR-T infusion, no cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed in 14 patients, and 16 patients experienced grade 1 CRS, and there was no neurotoxicity. Seventeen of the 30 patients who achieved remission (57%) remained in continuous remission following CAR-T treatment with a median follow-up period of 2 years and a median duration of remission of 12 months (range: 2.8 months - 67 months). Twelve out of 29 patients (41%) who achieved remission, subsequently relapsed at a median of 6.3 months (range: 2.8 months - 22.3 months) after CAR-T treatment. In summary, 29 patients (97%) achieved MRD negative remission within 60 days of therapy with a single or double CAR-T infusion, and seven patients remained in durable remission (7/30, 23%) after more than 2 years of follow-up.

Discussion

The tumor antigen profile-guided precision 4SCAR2.0 regimen for the treatment of r/r B-ALL after allo-HCT was highly effective with low toxicity. This approach warrants extended follow-up and further studies.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03125577.
Method of preparing unfixed ciliates for scanning electron microscopy without noticeable artifacts
Authors: Ishida Hideki , Yamamoto Kousei , Yano Yuki , Ikeda Kenichi , Gaponova Liudmyla , Higuchi Rina , Kolosiuk Andrii , Suzaki Toshinobu
Published: November 2023

Water freeze-drying of biological samples has long been considered unfeasible as a sample preparation method for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) owing to the formation of damaging ice crystals. Contrary to this assumption, however, when live ciliates in water were frozen in contact with pre-cooled copper blocks in this study, they could be freeze-dried without artifact formation, although the success rate was only about 10%. This method offers several advantages over the traditional approach of chemical fixation followed by dehydration and drying. First, the degree of sample shrinkage associated with sample preparation was much lower than with chemical fixation. Second, contractile ciliates such as Spirostomum and Lacrymaria could be sampled in their elongated state, and the metachronal waves of cilia on the cell surface were well preserved. Moreover, this method requires no special equipment and only a few hours at most for sample preparation before SEM observation. Thus, although this method needs to be improved to increase the success rate in the future, it can be used to prepare samples for SEM observation that could not be prepared by other methods.
Using the Theory of Protected Needs to conceptualize sustainability as ‘caring for human wellbeing': an empirical confirmation of the theory's potential
Authors: Di Giulio Antonietta , Defila Rico , Ruesch Schweizer Corinne
Published: November 2023

Caring for human wellbeing has the potential of offering a powerful narrative for change toward sustainability. A broad body of research confirms that a narrative linking the ideas of a good life (human wellbeing) and of solidarity and justice actually exists, and that this narrative could, if supported and reinforced by convincing concepts, relevant material structures, and coherent action, serve as a societal source of power for sustainability. With a view to providing a theory of human wellbeing that focuses on the responsibility of the community and conceptualizes achieving a good life as a public good and not as a purely individual matter, we developed the Theory of Protected Needs (PN). The Theory of PN is a theory of good life that frames quality of life for individuals as a societal responsibility (but without affecting individual freedom), thus linking the individual and the societal perspective with a view of ensuring life satisfaction of present and future generations. The Theory of PN has been subjected to a representative survey in Switzerland. In the paper, we explore whether the Theory of PN can be empirically confirmed, that is, to what extent the nine needs the theory consists of deserve the status of being protected needs. We present the theory, the empirical criteria that the nine needs have to meet in order to qualify for being protected needs, and the results of the data analysis. These results sum up to an aggregated argument in favor of using the Theory of PN as a fundament to conceptualize sustainability as ‘caring for human wellbeing'. The paper concludes with outlaying further steps both in research and in societal practice. In the Appendix A, the German and French versions of the Theory of PN are first published.
A framework for integrating supply chain, environmental, and social justice factors during early stationary battery research
Authors: Putsche Victoria L. , Pattany Jasmine , Ghosh Tapajyoti , Atnoorkar Swaroop , Zuboy Jarett , Carpenter Alberta , Takeuchi Esther S. , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Burrell Anthony , Mann Margaret K.
Published: November 2023

The transition to a decarbonized economy will drive dramatically higher demand for energy storage, along with technological diversification. To avoid mistakes of the past, the supply chain implications and environmental and social justice (ESJ) impacts of new battery technologies should be considered early during technological development. We propose herein a systematic framework for analyzing these impacts for new stationary battery technologies and illustrate the framework with a case study. The goal is to promote future development of technologies with secure supply chains and favorable ESJ profiles to avoid expensive corrective actions after substantial resources have been invested. This framework should be a useful tool for public and private researchers and sponsors who want to ensure that supply chain and ESJ concerns are considered and integrated as part of decision making throughout the research and development process.
Rivers of Brine in Antarctic Sea Ice Provide Homes for Tiny Organisms
Authors: Weldrick Christine K. , Eriksen Ruth S. , King Sylvia , Swadling Kerrie M.
Published: November 2023

Antarctic sea ice is more than just frozen seawater at the ocean surface. It is an important home for many tiny-sized marine organisms! When seawater freezes, tiny salty rivers and streams form inside the sea ice. These are called brine channels. To live in these channels, organisms must be smaller than a pinhead. Some organisms can live their whole lives in the sea ice. Many spend their lives crawling around, finding food, and laying eggs. Organisms that are too large to fit in the brine channels can live just below the ice. Fish, krill, and sea butterflies live under the ice for protection from larger predators. They do this by hiding in ice crevices and caves. Warming temperatures mean there is less sea ice in some parts of Antarctica. Animals will have to adapt if marine life is to continue to thrive in this salty environment.
Effects of applying a multivariate training program on physical fitness and tactical performance in a team sport taught during physical education classes
Authors: Silva Avelino , Ferraz Ricardo , Branquinho Luís , Dias Tatiana , Teixeira José E. , Marinho Daniel A.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

A multivariate training program could be a pedagogical choice to improve physical and tactical performance in a team sport taught during physical education classes at different levels of education. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the effects of applying a multivariate training program on physical fitness and tactical performance during the teaching of a basketball didactic unit in basic and secondary education.

Methods

Seventy-five students from a Portuguese school, with an average age of 15.02 ± 1.31 years, included forty-two students from basic school and thirty-three students from secondary school. The FITescola® test battery was used to assess physical fitness (i.e., sit-ups, push-ups, horizontal impulse, shuttle test, 40 m sprint, agility 4 × 10 m). The Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) was used to assess students' tactical performance for each player's game performance during a 20-minute 3 vs. 3 match. The GPAI variables were decision making index (DMI), skill execution index (SEI), support actions index (SI), and adaptability index (AI). During a basketball didactic unit teaching, the students were randomly divided into two groups, a control group that will not carry out the training program and an experimental group that will carry out a strength training program, high intensity explosive exercises and activities based on small-sided games (SSG) for 6 weeks. The two groups were evaluated in two moments: before the application of the training program and after the application of the training program regarding changes in physical fitness and tactical performance. The independent samples t-test (samples from two groups) and paired sample Test (for the same group) were applied for pre and post-assessment comparisons.

Results

All indexes present significant differences between basic and secondary students in the pre- and post-assessment tests with small effects (t = −6.54 to −4.82, Δ = −27.57 to −0.16, p<0.05–p< 0.001, d = 0.78–1.05).

Discussion

The results allow to conclude that in a school environment, a well-structured multivariate training program can effectively improve students' tactical skills, increasing their physical conditioning levels.
Therapeutic success in fragmented coronoid process disease and other canine medial elbow compartment pathology: a systematic review with meta-analyses
Authors: Kähn Hubertus , Zablotski Yury , Meyer-Lindenberg Andrea
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The correct treatment of elbow dysplasia is controversial in modern small animal orthopedics. The aim of this study was to compile all relevant literature of the therapy of fragmented coronoid process and other hereditary disorders of the medial elbow compartment and to statistically evaluate the therapeutic results in three meta-analyses.

Methods

The basis for the systematic literature review was a comprehensive database search of Web of Science, PubMed and Medline. Studies on living patients with above mentioned degenerative joint disease were included in the initial literature search. The data from the final studies, selected according to the PRISMA guidelines, was subsequently extracted. Finally, the success of the different therapies was compared and analyzed by three meta-analyses: success rate, mean difference and standardized mean difference.

Results

Fourteen of 494 publications covered by the systematic literature search remained. Their overall truth was: In studies where surgery outcomes was determined by clinical examination and owner questionnaires, it was found that surgical intervention had a significant positive outcome in the presence of fragmented coronoid process and medial compartment disease. Surgical outcomes were also good in three cross-over studies that investigated treatment success using computerized gait analysis. In contrast, comparative studies between surgical and conservative management yielded controversial results. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between medical and surgical therapy.

Discussion

The positive results of studies investigating owner satisfaction and veterinary clinical examination of surgical therapy for medial compartment disease were confirmed by two meta-analyses. However, their study designs were susceptible to observer biases. A third meta-analysis of standardized mean difference differentiating computerized gait analysis results of surgical and conservative management found no evidence of significant superiority of each treatment modality. It however had a limited number of subjects. More comparative studies of high evidence are needed to better understand medial compartment disease and provide the clinician with more accurate diagnostics to separate pathology that should be treated surgically from pathology that can benefit from conservative therapy similarly. Given the invasiveness a more cautious approach might be warranted regarding generally recommending surgery for pathology of the medial elbow compartment.
An Intelligent Control and a Model Predictive Control for a Single Landing Gear Equipped with a Magnetorheological Damper
Authors: Le Quang-Ngoc , Park Hyeong-Mo , Kim Yeongjin , Pham Huy-Hoang , Hwang Jai-Hyuk , Luong Quoc-Viet
Published: November 2023

Aircraft landing gear equipped with a magnetorheological (MR) damper is a semi-active system that contains nonlinear behavior, disturbances, uncertainties, and delay times that can have a huge impact on the landing’s performance. To solve this problem, this paper adopts two types of controllers, which are an intelligent controller and a model predictive controller, for a landing gear equipped with an MR damper to improve the landing gear performance considering response time in different landing cases. A model predictive controller is built based on the mathematical model of the landing gear system. An intelligent controller based on a neural network is designed and trained using a greedy bandit algorithm to improve the shock absorber efficiency at different aircraft masses and sink speeds. In this MR damper, the response time is assumed to be constant at 20 ms, which is similar to the response time of the commercial MR damper. To verify the efficiency of the proposed controllers, numerical simulations compared with a passive damper and a skyhook controller in different landing cases are executed. The major finding indicates that the suggested controller performs better in various landing scenarios than other controllers in terms of shock absorber effectiveness and adaptability.
Numerical Analysis of Unsteady Characteristics of the Second Throat of a Transonic Wind Tunnel
Authors: Cong Chenghua , Qin Honggang , Yi Xingyou
Published: November 2023

The unsteady characteristics of the second throat of a transonic wind tunnel have an important influence on the design and test of the wind tunnel. Therefore, the forced oscillation characteristics were studied by a numerical simulation method. The governing equation was the viscous compressible unsteady Navier–Stokes equation. Under the sinusoidal pressure disturbance of the computational domain exit, the shock wave presents a clear forced oscillation state, and the shock wave periodically changes its position. Under a pressure disturbance of 1%, the shock wave displacement reaches 150 mm. Additionally, overshoot occurs when the shock moves upstream or downstream. The shock-boundary layer interference is very sensitive to the motion characteristics of the shock wave, resulting in a transformation of the flow field symmetry. The flow field downstream of the shock wave exhibits periodic structural changes. Compared with the pressure change at the outlet, the pressure change near the shock wave has a phase delay. The increasing disturbance near the shock wave shows a clear amplification effect. The pressure disturbance near the shock wave had an obvious amplification effect, and its fluctuation amount reached 16% under the pressure disturbance of 1%. The variation trend of the second throat wall force, wavefront Mach number, and Mach number in the test section with time is similar to that of the downstream disturbance, but it does not have a complete follow-up effect, which indicates that the pressure disturbance can propagate into the test section through the boundary layer or the shock gap. Nevertheless, the second throat choking can still control the Mach number stability of the test section. The dynamic characteristics of shock oscillation are related to the amplitude and frequency of the applied pressure disturbance. The shock displacement decreases with the increase in the excitation frequency. When the excitation frequency is higher than 125 Hz, the flow field basically does not change.
Autonomous Optimal Absolute Orbit Keeping through Formation Flying Techniques
Authors: Mahfouz Ahmed , Gaias Gabriella , Venkateswara Rao D. M. K. K. , Voos Holger
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the problem of autonomous optimal absolute orbit keeping for a satellite mission in Low Earth Orbit using electric propulsion is considered. The main peculiarity of the approach is to support small satellite missions in which the platform is equipped with a single thruster nozzle that provides acceleration on a single direction at a time. This constraint implies that an attitude maneuver is necessary before or during each thrusting arc to direct the nozzle into the desired direction. In this context, an attitude guidance algorithm specific for the orbit maneuver has been developed. A Model Predictive Control scheme is proposed, where the attitude kinematics are coupled with the orbital dynamics in order to obtain the optimal guidance profiles in terms of satellite state, reference attitude, and thrust magnitude. The proposed control scheme is developed exploiting formation flying techniques where the reference orbit is that of a virtual spacecraft that the main satellite is required to rendezvous with. In addition to the controller design, the closed-loop configuration is presented supported by numerical simulations. The efficacy of the proposed autonomous orbit-keeping approach is shown in several application scenarios.
Combining Gaussian Process Regression with Poisson Blending for Seamless Cloud Removal from Optical Remote Sensing Imagery for Cropland Monitoring
Authors: Park Soyeon , Park No-Wook
Published: November 2023

Constructing optical image time series for cropland monitoring requires a cloud removal method that accurately restores cloud regions and eliminates discontinuity around cloud boundaries. This paper describes a two-stage hybrid machine learning-based cloud removal method that combines Gaussian process regression (GPR)-based predictions with image blending for seamless optical image reconstruction. GPR is employed in the first stage to generate initial prediction results by quantifying temporal relationships between multi-temporal images. GPR predictive uncertainty is particularly combined with prediction values to utilize uncertainty-weighted predictions as the input for the next stage. In the second stage, Poisson blending is applied to eliminate discontinuity in GPR-based predictions. The benefits of this method are illustrated through cloud removal experiments using Sentinel-2 images with synthetic cloud masks over two cropland sites. The proposed method was able to maintain the structural features and quality of the underlying reflectance in cloud regions and outperformed two existing hybrid cloud removal methods for all spectral bands. Furthermore, it demonstrated the best performance in predicting several vegetation indices in cloud regions. These experimental results indicate the benefits of the proposed cloud removal method for reconstructing cloud-contaminated optical imagery.
Mentha suaveolens as Allelopathic Biomass for Weed Control: Phenolics, Organic Acids, and Volatile Organic Compounds Profiles
Authors: Puig Carolina G. , Álvarez-Iglesias Lorena , Pardo-Muras María , Andrade Paula B. , Pedrol Nuria
Published: November 2023

The need to find alternatives to synthetic herbicides has led to the evaluation of the use of allelopathic biomass from different agroforestry species as soil amendments for weed control. Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (apple mint) could be a suitable candidate as an ecoherbicide due to its availability in the agroecosystem, well-studied biological activities, and known chemical composition. For the present study, two greenhouse pot experiments were conducted by incorporating flowering aerial biomass of apple mint into the soil. In the first one, the potential phytotoxic effects of M. suaveolens at doses 1 and 2% were evaluated on the germination and growth of maize and its accompanying weeds. In a second temporary assay, the duration of phytotoxicity and the effects of apple mint (0.5% dose) on the physicochemical properties of the soil were elucidated. The soluble (phenolics and organic acids) and volatile compounds potentially releasable from the allelopathic biomass were identified. The apple mint exerted adverse effects on the germination and growth of dicotyledonous weed species, especially Amaranthus retroflexus and Solanum nigrum, with almost 100% inhibition, as well as on the growth of monocotyledonous weeds such as Digitaria sanguinalis, with a reduction of more than 95%. On the contrary, maize yield and soil properties pH, CECe, organic matter, and exchangeable cations were improved by the ecoherbicide. Chemical analyses of apple mint aerial biomass revealed the presence of 7 phenolic compounds, 9 organic acids, and 32 volatiles. For this study, the effects of incorporating M. suaveolens aerial biomass into soil were evaluated for the first time, and it was demonstrated that it has potential as an eco-friendly plant-based tool for Integrated Weed Management.
Exogenous Easily Extractable Glomalin-Related Soil Protein Induces Differential Response in Plant Growth of Tea Plants via Regulating Water Channel Protein Expression
Authors: Wu Xiao-Long , Hao Yong , Dai Feng-Jun , Chen Xin , Liu Chun-Yan
Published: November 2023

Glomalin, a glycoprotein secreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs), exhibits multiple beneficial functions in regard to plant growth. However, the roles and regulatory mechanisms of exogenous easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP) in water and their effects on the quality of tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze.) remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (1/4 EE-GRSP), half-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (1/2 EE-GRSP), three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (3/4 EE-GRSP), and full-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solution (full EE-GRSP) on plant growth, the root system architecture, leaf water status, and the tea quality of tea seedlings, along with examining the changes in the relative expression of water channel proteins (AQPs) in tea plants. The results indicated that exogenous EE-GRSP of different strengths had different effects on both the growth performance (height, leaf numbers, and biomass) and root architecture parameters of tea seedlings, and the best positive effects on plant growth and the root architecture appeared under the three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP treatment. Similarly, the exogenous EE-GRSP application also differently affected tea quality indicators, in which only the quarter- and half-strength exogenous EE-GRSP solutions significantly increased most of the indicators, including carbohydrates, tea polyphenols, total amino acids, catechins, and flavonoids. Moreover, the half- and three-quarter-strength exogenous EE-GRSP treatments significantly increased the leaf relative water content (LRWC), but all of the exogenous EE-GRSP treatments significantly decreased the leaf water potential (LWP). Furthermore, the expression of AQP genes in the root system of tea plants was related to the strength of the exogenous EE-GRSP treatments, and different genes were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated under the treatment of exogenous EE-GRSP at different strengths. Moreover, the correlation analysis showed that most of the relative expression of AQPs was significantly and positively correlated with tea plant growth, the root architecture, and the leaf relative water content, but negatively correlated with tea quality indicators; however, the expression of CsNIPs and CsSIPs was markedly and negatively correlated with plant growth performance. Therefore, we speculated that the application of exogenous EE-GRSP could facilitate plant growth and improve the quality indirectly by regulating the expression of root AQPs, thus ameliorating the water uptake and nutrient accumulation in tea plants.
Physiological Response of Tomato and Cucumber Plants to Micro-Spray in High-Temperature Environment: A Scientific and Effective Means of Alleviating Crop Heat Stress
Authors: Xue Run , Zhang Chuan , Yan Haofang , Li Jun , Ren Jiangtao , Akhlaq Muhammad , Hameed Muhammad Usman , Disasa Kinde Negessa
Published: November 2023

Drought and heat stresses are severe threats to crop production and food security in arid and semi-arid regions of the globe, especially during the summer. This study investigates the effects of micro-spray on micro-climatic and physiological characteristics of cucumber and tomato plants for four growing seasons (two growing seasons each (cucumber: 2017 and 2018 and tomato: 2021 and 2022)). The experiment was conducted in a Venlo-type greenhouse where plants were irrigated with a combined micro-spray and drip irrigation (MSDI) system (1 min for tomato (seven times a day) and 2 mins (four times a day) for cucumber) and drip irrigation (DI). Both plants’ growth and physiological parameters were recorded at the end of the experiment. Moreover, the experimental results showed that plant height and stem diameter increased under MSDI in all seasons. In addition, a micro-spray duration of 2 min decreased the average daily air temperature (Ta) and leaf temperature (T1) by 0.8 °C and 4.9 °C, respectively, and increased the average daily relative humidity (RH) by 4.3%. However, a micro-spray duration of 1 min reduced the average daily Ta and T1 by 0.76 °C and 4.6 °C, respectively, but the increase in RH (2.7%) was much lower than that in the single micro-spray duration of 2 min. In addition, the net leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), the effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), and the stomatal conductance (Gs) of both plants increased under MSDI compared with DI. A K-means analysis showed that MSDI could eliminate the adverse effects of sunlight stress on cucumbers and tomatoes. MSDI increased the yield of cucumber and tomato plants by 18.9% and 40.4%, respectively. The fruit weight of cucumber (2017) and tomato (2021) under MSDI did not increase significantly compared to DI, which indicates that MSDI mitigated heat stress, prevented flowers from being burned, and increased the number of fruits. The results also suggested that the total soluble solids in the cucumbers and tomatoes showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two treatments in four seasons. In conclusion, the MSDI system can be an appropriate strategy for the irrigation needs and climate control of plants grown in greenhouses during the hot season.