bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a more nuanced understanding of probability estimation biases
Authors: Branch Fallon , Hegdé Jay
Published: March 2023

In real life, we often have to make judgements under uncertainty. One such judgement task is estimating the probability of a given event based on uncertain evidence for the event, such as estimating the chances of actual fire when the fire alarm goes off. On the one hand, previous studies have shown that human subjects often significantly misestimate the probability in such cases. On the other hand, these studies have offered divergent explanations as to the exact causes of these judgment errors (or, synonymously, biases). For instance, different studies have attributed the errors to the neglect (or underweighting) of the prevalence (or base rate) of the given event, or the overweighting of the evidence for the individual event (‘individuating information’), etc. However, whether or to what extent any such explanation can fully account for the observed errors remains unclear. To help fill this gap, we studied the probability estimation performance of non-professional subjects under four different real-world problem scenarios: (i) Estimating the probability of cancer in a mammogram given the relevant evidence from a computer-aided cancer detection system, (ii) estimating the probability of drunkenness based on breathalyzer evidence, and (iii & iv) estimating the probability of an enemy sniper based on two different sets of evidence from a drone reconnaissance system. In each case, we quantitatively characterized the contributions of the various potential explanatory variables to the subjects’ probability judgements. We found that while the various explanatory variables together accounted for about 30 to 45% of the overall variance of the subjects’ responses depending on the problem scenario, no single factor was sufficient to account for more than 53% of the explainable variance (or about 16 to 24% of the overall variance), let alone all of it. Further analyses of the explained variance revealed the surprising fact that no single factor accounted for significantly more than its ‘fair share’ of the variance. Taken together, our results demonstrate quantitatively that it is statistically untenable to attribute the errors of probabilistic judgement to any single cause, including base rate neglect. A more nuanced and unifying explanation would be that the actual biases reflect a weighted combination of multiple contributing factors, the exact mix of which depends on the particular problem scenario.
Social capital, perceived stress, and mental health of men who have sex with men in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Zhou Ying , Zhang Kaili
Published: March 2023

Background

Mental health problems are prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Social capital and perceived stress may affect the mental health of MSM. The purpose of this study was to understand the current status of mental health, social capital, and perceived stress among MSM and to explore which variables are influential factors of mental health.

Methods

This study adopted a convenience sampling method and posted recruitment information through online social platforms (Blued, QQ, and WeChat) from January 2022 to June 2022 to recruit participants. The questionnaire included a demographic questionnaire, Social Capital Questionnaire (SCQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20). Descriptive analyses of demographic characteristics, social capital, perceived stress, and mental health were conducted using percentages, median, interquartile range, means, and standard deviations. One-way ANOVA and independent-samples t-test were used to test the relationship between demographic characteristics and mental health, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze which variables were influencing factors of mental health. SPSS 24.0 was used for data analysis, and significant differences were found at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 546 MSM participated in this study. Total social capital score was 18.59 ± 2.62, cognitive social capital, social participation, and social network scores were 6.53 ± 1.05, 4.15 ± 0.97, and 7.91 ± 1.57. PSS score was 26.91 ± 6.44, and SRQ-20 score was 7.5 (3, 11). Education level, relationship status, employed information, monthly income, sexual orientation, perceived stress, and three dimensions of social capital were included in the multiple linear regression based on the results of One-way ANOVA, t-test, and correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that relationship status (in a relationship), sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, other), perceived stress, social participation, and social network had a significant effect on mental health.

Conclusion

Sex with men have poorer mental health. Relationship status, sexual orientation, perceived stress, social networks, and social participation are important factors influencing mental health. The general public should be called upon to treat them with a more tolerant attitude, improve the social environment, and promote their identification with their sexual orientation, thereby reducing perceived stress and promoting the mental health of this population. In addition, from the perspective of social capital, promoting MSM social participation and expanding social networks may also be an important way to promote MSM mental health.
A closer look at the relationships between aspects of connectedness and flourishing
Authors: Rahe Martina , Jansen Petra
Published: March 2023

Everyone strives for personal happiness or well-being. Flourishing is a broader concept of well-being. To better understand which factors are associated to people’s flourishing, we took a closer look at the relationships of flourishing with three aspects of connectedness: Connectedness with oneself (self-love), with others (pro-socialness), and with the surrounding nature (nature connectedness). Participants were 138 adults between 18 and 71 years (M = 23.21, SD = 7.90, 98 women, 40 men). Significant positive correlations were found between flourishing and self-love and between flourishing and pro-socialness. Furthermore, nature connectedness correlated positively with self-love and with pro-socialness. A regression analysis revealed that all predictors explained 57.5% of the variance of the criterion flourishing. Self-love and pro-socialness were significant predictors of flourishing while nature connectedness was not. One explanation for the large correlations between self-love and flourishing could be overlapping aspects in both questionnaires. The fact that pro-socialness is a stronger predictor than nature connectedness could be due to a more reciprocal reinforcement of pro-social behavior. If a person treats another well, s/he is more likely treated well by that person which could reflect flourishing. Such a direct reciprocal relationship does not exist with nature.
Effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological outcome among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Lijun , Li Shasha , Yan Renfu , Ni Yingyuan , Wang Yuecong , Li Yue
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Reminiscence therapy has been a high-benefit and low-cost measure of psychosocial intervention for older adults in recent years. It has attracted much attention in the intervention study of older adults without obvious cognitive impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reminiscence therapy on psychosocial outcomes among older adults without obvious cognitive impairment and analyze the divergences of different intervention programs (form, duration, and setting) on outcomes.

Methods

We searched the commonly used databases and used RevMan 5.4 in the meta-analysis (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42022315237). All eligible trials used the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool to identify the quality and determine the bias risk grade.

Results

Twenty-seven studies were included, involving 1,755 older adults. Meta-analysis showed that reminiscence therapy has a significant effect on both depression and life satisfaction. Group reminiscence played a significant role in improving life satisfaction. Depression symptoms were not affected by the intervention duration (P = 0.06), while life satisfaction was significantly improved after more than 8 weeks of intervention (P < 0.00001). Intervention settings drove differences in depressive symptoms (P = 0.02), and the effect size of the community was larger.

Conclusion

Reminiscence therapy can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve life satisfaction. There are different effects of reminiscence therapy in different intervention schemes on psychological outcomes among older adults. More well-designed trials with large sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are necessary to confirm and expand the present results.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=315237, identifier: CRD42022315237.
A single-patient-use ECG system for cardiothoracic surgery admissions in the UK: A cost-consequence analysis
Authors: Saunders Rhodri , Caterino Marco , Somaiya Pranav
Published: March 2023

Background

Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) are severe complications in up to 1.36% of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures in the United Kingdom. Each event adds between £4,000 and £11,000 in healthcare costs, owing primarily to prolonged hospitalisations. ECG devices have been shown to convey infection throughout perioperative CABG. On the other hand, single-patient ECG devices (spECG) can effectively reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI), including DSWI, but no assessment of spECG impact in NHS cardiac units has been conducted.

Methods

To estimate the impact of spECG on NHS cardiac units, we conducted a cost-consequence analysis modeling the CABG care pathway in the United Kingdom using Simul8 software for a probabilistic, individual-patient simulation. The simulation time was 1 year, with each patient followed from admission through 30 days post-discharge. The base case simulation mirrors the cardiac unit of Bart Health NHS Trust, London. A total of 2,183 patients are generated with demographic and clinical attributes from probabilistic distributions informed by hospital-specific inputs from NHS Digital Data. The Brompton Harefield Infection Score (BHIS) is allocated to gauge the risk of SSI. Results are averaged across 50 independent and randomly seeded iterations.

Results

Simulation results indicate a base-case savings of £388 per patient, determined by the incidence of infections rather than the number of CABG procedures. In the base-case simulation, the mean cost of care with rECG was £13,096, whereas the mean cost with spECG was £12,708, resulting in a cost saving of £388 (2021 GBP). The simulation yielded an overall 8.6% SSI incidence rECG, whereas the incidence of SSIs with spECG was 6.9%. The model was most sensitive to changes in general ward and ICU costs, and infection incidence was a stronger predictor of potential per-patient savings than annual CABG volume.

Conclusion

Single-patient ECG is a sustainable and effective alternative to reusable ECG cables and lead wires in terms of patient safety and resource allocation.
Enrollment of reproductive age women in community-based health insurance: An evidence from 2019 Mini Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Handebo Simegnew , Demie Takele Gezahegn , Woldeamanuel Berhanu Teshome , Biratu Tolesa Diriba , Gessese Getachew Tilahun
Published: March 2023

Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) is aimed at ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare without the risk of financial ruin. Community-based health insurance (CBHI) is one of the essential means to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) global health priority of UHC. Thus, this study assessed health insurance enrollment and associated factors among reproductive age women in Ethiopia.

Methods

We computed the health insurance enrollment of reproductive-age women using secondary data from the recent Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Surveys (EMDHS) 2019. The EMDHS was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in Ethiopia from March 21 to June 28, 2019. Cluster sampling with two stages was employed for the survey. The study comprised 8885 (weighted) reproductive-age women. STATA 14 was used for data processing and analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported and statistical significance was set at a value of p < 0.05.

Results

Of the 8,885 study participants, 3,835 (43.2, 95% CI; 42.1, 44.2%) of women had health insurance. Women aged 20–24 years, 25–29 years, and 30–34 years less likely to enroll in health insurance compared to their younger counterparts (15–19 years). Women living in rural areas, had greater than five family sizes, living with a female household head, and having more than five living children were negatively associated with enrollment in health insurance. Besides, health insurance enrollment among reproductive-age women is significantly affected by region and religious variation.

Conclusion

The overall CBHI enrolment among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia was low. To achieve the SDGs of reducing maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality, improving reproductive-age women’s access to health insurance is essential. The national, regional, and local officals, policymakers, NGOs, program planners, and other supporting organizations working on improving health insurance enrollment of reproductive age women need to create awareness and support them based on these significant factors.
Role of the advanced nurse practitioner within the vascular team: A qualitative study of vascular physicians and nurses
Authors: Kubiak Thibaut , Sitruk Jonas , Durivage Andréanne , Khider Lina , Mohamedi Nassim , Détriché Grégoire , Messas Emmanuel , Mirault Tristan , Goudot Guillaume
Published: March 2023

Objective

To assess the perception of Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP) by physicians and nurses in vascular medicine. As the status of ANP in France was recently enacted by law in 2018, we aimed to investigate physicians and nurses working with patients suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) to gather their opinions and draw the cooperation outlines these practitioners could have with an ANP.

Methods

A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews was conducted among healthcare practitioners taking care of patients with PAD: 10 physicians working either in a private practice settings or hospital settings or both, and eight nurses working within a hospital inpatients vascular unit. Verbatim responses were extracted and coded according to a continuous thematization method.

Results

Three main features emerged from participants’ responses. Vascular medicine has a specific organization with a significant lack of time and staff to fulfill the mission regarding patients’ severity of illness. Second, the ANP is wanted to fill part of this gap. The expected benefits include a smoother care pathway and increased capacity for cardiovascular education and prevention, especially during consultations. Lastly, some clarification is required to integrate such new practitioners within vascular teams already in place.

Conclusion

Advanced nurse practitioners could be the missing link in a “Vascular team” by creating a continuum in the care of patients with PAD, ensuring clinical assessment, nursing supervision, adverse event screening, and renewing drug prescriptions with the required adaptations while ensuring essential part of therapeutic education adapted to each patient.
COVID-19 dynamics in an Ohio prison
Authors: KhudaBukhsh Wasiur R. , Khalsa Sat Kartar , Kenah Eben , Rempała Gregorz A. , Tien Joseph H.
Published: March 2023

Incarcerated individuals are a highly vulnerable population for infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Understanding the transmission of respiratory infections within prisons and between prisons and surrounding communities is a crucial component of pandemic preparedness and response. Here, we use mathematical and statistical models to analyze publicly available data on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 reported by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC). Results from mass testing conducted on April 16, 2020 were analyzed together with time of first reported SARS-CoV-2 infection among Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) inmates. Extremely rapid, widespread infection of MCI inmates was reported, with nearly 80% of inmates infected within 3 weeks of the first reported inmate case. The dynamical survival analysis (DSA) framework that we use allows the derivation of explicit likelihoods based on mathematical models of transmission. We find that these data are consistent with three non-exclusive possibilities: (i) a basic reproduction number >14 with a single initially infected inmate, (ii) an initial superspreading event resulting in several hundred initially infected inmates with a reproduction number of approximately three, or (iii) earlier undetected circulation of virus among inmates prior to April. All three scenarios attest to the vulnerabilities of prisoners to COVID-19, and the inability to distinguish among these possibilities highlights the need for improved infection surveillance and reporting in prisons.
Family listening/circle program: The experience of community action projects to promote family and community wellness in three tribal communities in New Mexico
Authors: Rae Rebecca , Belone Lorenda , Tafoya Eleanor , Yepa Melissa , Cohoe-Belone Benalda , Burbank Ira , Orosco Ardena , Lacroix-Garcia Pius , Sherpa Mingma , Wallerstein Nina
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The Family Listening/Circle Program (FLCP) is a community-based participatory research (CBPR), culture-centered, intergenerational family strengthening program that was co-developed in partnership with the University of New Mexico's Center for Participatory Research (UNM-CPR) and three tribal communities (Pueblo of Jemez, Ramah Navajo, and Mescalero Apache) in New Mexico. The Family Listening/Circle Program brings together fourth and fifth graders, their parents, caregivers, and elders to reduce risky behaviors associated with the initiation of substance use among the youth, and to strengthen family communication and connectedness to culture and language as protective factors.

Methods

The tribal research teams (TRTs) from each community worked with UNM-CPR to co-create, pilot, implement, and evaluate the tribally-specific FL/CP curricula centered in their own tribal histories, language, knowledge, visions, and actions for the future. A key component of the FL/CP involved the planning and completion of community action projects (CAPs) by participating families. During the final session of the program, the families present their community action projects on poster boards, with children leading the presentations. The TRTs and UNM team document narratives of what was shared and learned by the families.

Results

The CAPs provide an empowerment and community benefit focus based on Paulo Freire's philosophy that people can become agents of change if they identify and work on issues that are important to them. The community action projects are also centered in Indigenous values and practices of reciprocity, responsibility, and being active members of the community.

Discussion

The CAPs added unique contributions to the Family Listening/Circle Program as the participants' learnings were strengthened when they had the opportunity to give back to their communities. The CAPs were important to document as they illustrated the potential range of effectiveness with their capacity to empower participants to address challenges within their communities, strengthen cultural norms and values, and improve the wellbeing of community members.
Effectiveness of education and attitudes toward different types of deceased donor kidneys: Survey analysis of single-center experience
Authors: Nair Sumi S. , Thorp Andrea N. , Hanna Wael , Johnson Bradley K. , Smith Byron , Iyengar Savitha , Howe Elizabeth A. , Mour Girish K.
Published: March 2023

Background

We lack data on the effectiveness of education and the patient's attitude toward different deceased donor kidney types. A prospective study was performed to evaluate patient attitudes, baseline knowledge, and effectiveness of our kidney transplant education process. We also analyzed the knowledge retention of our waitlist patients.

Design

We prospectively surveyed a patient cohort using a paired analysis pre and post education with initial evaluation visit. Knowledge retention among waitlist patients was assessed with annual waitlist visit.

Results

One hundred four patients received paired surveys to assess the baseline knowledge and effectiveness of education. Forty-three patients received a single survey with their annual waitlist evaluation to assess knowledge retention. Paired survey showed mixed results, with no statistically significant improvement in the kidney donor profile index domain. Significant improvement was seen in the hepatitis C virus–positive donor domain and the Public Health Service (PHS) increased-risk donor domain. For the waitlist cohort, overall knowledge retention ranged from excellent to fair, with a decline in knowledge for the PHS increased-risk donor domain.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that the education intervention regarding different deceased donor kidney types is effective overall and transplant candidates retain the knowledge while waiting for transplant.
Biomechanically designed Curve Specific Corrective Exercise for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis gives significant outcomes in an Adult: A case report
Authors: Maharathi Sujata , Iyengar Raju , Chandrasekhar Patnala
Published: March 2023

Background

This study presents findings on improvements to the Frontal and Sagittal Cobb angle, Global Spinal balance, and lung function parameters (FEV1, PEF) in an adult male with idiopathic scoliosis suffering from pain during ADL and sports activities who was treated with a biomechanically designed exercise protocol.

Case Presentation

The 26-year-old male reported upper and middle back pain which worsened when playing cricket. Whole spine standing x-Ray AP view revealed a right thoracic Scoliosis (Lenke 1 curve) of Cobb angle 48.6° with left lumbar compensatory curve of 24.7°, Thoracic hypo kyphosis of 9.9°, and VAS rating for pain of 8. The patient was treated with myofascial release, stretching, aerobics, strengthening exercises, “Breathing with core” for stabilization, and biomechanically designed curve specific corrective exercises.

Results

Re-assessment 32 weeks post intervention demonstrated significant reduction in the major Cobb angle by 13.8°, minor Cobb angle by 9.5°, Thoracic hypokyphosis normalized to 37.8°, Coronal balance improved by 17.4 mm, Sagittal balance regained by 4.2 mm, Spine ROM improved by a total of 6.5 cm, Enhancement of pulmonary function of FEV1 by 7% and PEF by 18 litres/min, and dramatic improvement in aesthetics and pain perception.

Conclusion

The biomechanically designed exercise protocol helped straighten the curve through curve specific corrective exercises and stabilized the curve by “Breathing with core”. It also treated the associated signs and symptoms of spinal pain syndrome by myofascial release and proper ergonomics, pulmonary dysfunction by aerobics, and muscle tightness and weakness (due to altered length-tension) by stretching and strengthening.
Addressing coloniality of power to improve HIV care in South Africa and other LMIC
Authors: Ordóñez Claudia E. , Marconi Vincent C. , Manderson Lenore
Published: March 2023

We describe the appropriateness and potential for effectiveness of three strategic approaches for improving HIV care in South Africa: community-based primary healthcare, local/community-based stakeholder engagement, and community-engaged research. At their core, these approaches are related to overcoming health inequity and inequality resulting from coloniality of power's heterogenous structural processes impacting health care in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We turn to South Africa, a middle-income country, as an example. There the HIV epidemic began in the 1980s and its ending is as elusive as achieving universal healthcare. Despite impressive achievements such as the antiretroviral treatment program (the largest in the world) and the country's outstanding cadre of HIV experts, healthcare workers and leaders, disadvantaged South Africans continue to experience disproportionate rates of HIV transmission. Innovation in global public health must prioritize overcoming the coloniality of power in LMIC, effected through the imposition of development and healthcare models conceived in high-income countries (HIC) and insufficient investment to address social determinants of health. We advocate for a paradigm shift in global health structures and financing to effectively respond to the HIV pandemic in LMIC. We propose ethically responsive, local/community-based stakeholder engagement as a key conceptual approach and strategy to improve HIV care in South Africa and elsewhere. We join in solidarity with local/community-based stakeholders' longstanding efforts and call upon others to change the current status quo characterized by global public health power concentrated in HIC.
Exploiting crop genotype-specific root-soil interactions to enhance agronomic efficiency
Authors: Baggs Elizabeth M. , Cairns Jill E. , Mhlanga Blessing , Petroli César Daniel , Chamberlin Jordan , Karwat Hannes , Kommerell Victor , Thierfelder Christian , Paterson Eric , Gowda Manje S.
Published: March 2023

Challenges of soil degradation and changing climate pose major threats to food security in many parts of the world, and new approaches are required to close yield and nutrition gaps through enhanced agronomic efficiency. Combined use of mineral fertilizers, organic inputs, improved germplasm and adaptation of these practices to local contexts through improved agronomy can promote efficiency whilst building stocks of soil organic matter (SOM). Within this framework, recent attention has turned to the nature of plant-soil interactions to increase response to mineral fertilizer inputs through utilisation of nutrients from SOM that are replenished through management. This utilisation has been shown in barley and maize to vary with genotype and to be related to root physiological traits associated with rhizodeposition. The identification of candidate genes associated with rhizodeposition takes this a step closer towards the possibility of breeding for sustainability. Here we discuss this potential and feasibility in the context of maize cropping systems, and explore the potential for a combined approach that optimises utilisation of SOM nutrients together with enhanced biological nitrification inhibition to further improve agronomic efficiency.
Efficacy of modified EDAS combined with a superficial temporal fascia attachment-dural reversal surgery for the precise treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Nuerlanbieke Hanati , Niyazi Ailiyaer , Wu Qinfen , Yuan Yang , Habudele Zanghaer , Dun Xiaoyi , Wei RuRui , Aisha Abudula
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of Modified EDAS combined with superficial temporal fascia attachment-dural reversal surgery for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 33 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, who were admitted to the Neurological Diagnosis and Treatment Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from December 2019 to June 2021. All patients were treated with Modified EDAS combined with superficial temporal fascia attachment-dural reversal surgery. At 3 months after operation, the outpatient department rechecked the patient's head CT perfusion imaging (CTP) to understand the intracranial cerebral blood flow perfusion. The DSA of the patient's head was re-examined 6 months after operation to observe the establishment of collateral circulation. The improved Rankin Rating Scale (mRS) score was used to evaluate the good prognosis rate of patients at 6 months after surgery. The mRS score ≤2 was defined as good prognosis.

Results

The preoperative cerebral blood flow (CBF), local blood flow peak time (rTTP), and local mean transit time (rMTT) of 33 patients were 28.235 ml/(100 g·min), 17.702 s, 9.796 s, respectively. At 3 months after surgery, CBF, rTTP, and rMTT were 33.743 ml/(100 g·min), 15.688, and 8.100 s, respectively, with significant differences (P < 0.05). At 6 months after operation, the establishment of extracranial and extracranial collateral circulation was observed in all patients by re-examination of head DSA. At 6 months after operation, the good prognosis rate was 81.8%.

Conclusion

The Modified EDAS combined with superficial temporal fascia attachment-dural reversal surgery is safe and effective in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, which can significantly increase the establishment of collateral circulation in the operation area and improve the prognosis of patients.
Pathologic complete response of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach after chemo-immunotherapy: A rare case report and literature review
Authors: Zhou Yunxiang , Dong Linping , Dai Linyun , Hu Sien , Sun Yongji , Wu Yulian , Pan Tao , Li Xiawei
Published: March 2023

Background

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is a highly malignant subtype of gastric carcinoma with specific clinicopathological features and extremely poor prognosis. We present an exceedingly rare case of complete response after chemo-immunotherapy.

Case Description

A 48-year-old woman with highly elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was found to have HAS verified by pathological examination based on gastroscopy. Computed tomography scan was done and TNM staging of the tumor was T4aN3aMx. Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemistry was performed, revealing a negative PD-L1 expression. Chemo-immunotherapy including oxaliplatin plus S-1 and PD-1 inhibitor terelizumab was given to this patient for 2 months until the serum AFP level decreased from 748.5 to 12.9 ng/mL and the tumor shrank. D2 radical gastrectomy was then performed and histopathology of the resected specimen revealed that the cancerous cells had disappeared. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved and no evidence of recurrence has been found after 1 year of follow-up.

Conclusions

We, for the first time, reported an HAS patient with negative PD-L1 expression who achieved pCR from the combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Although no consensus has been reached regarding the therapy, it might provide a potential effective management strategy for HAS patient.
Prevention of bronchial fistulas after pneumonectomies for selected cavitary drug resistant lung tuberculosis
Authors: Bazhenov Alexander V. , Mariandyshev Andrei O. , Hinderaker Sven G. , Heldal Einar , Motus Igor Ya. , Vasilyeva Irina A.
Published: March 2023

Background

The World Health Organization guidelines for management drug resistant tuberculosis include surgery as an additional method in selected cases. Pneumonectomies have higher risk of morbidity such as bronchial fistulas which may be prevented by bronchial stump covering. We compare two methods of bronchial stump reinforcement.

Methods and materials

A retrospective single center follow-up study was done in 52 patients who underwent pneumonectomy for drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Between 2000 and 2017 we performed pneumonectomies with pericardial fat reinforcement of bronchial stump in group 1 (n = 42), and between 2017 and 2021 in group 2 with pedicled muscle flap reinforcement group 2 (n = 10).

Results

Bronchial fistulas occurred in 17/42 (41%) of patients group 1 and there was no fistula in group 2, and this was statistically different (Fisher's test p = 0.02). Post-operative complications were seen in 24/42 (57%) of the patients in Group 1, and 4/10 (40%) patients in Group 2 (Fischer's test p = 0.53). In group 1 positive bacteriology decreased from 74% to 24% just after surgery, and in group 2 it decreased from 90% to 10%, but this was not statistically different (Fisher's test p = 0.63). In group 1 no-one died the first month, but 8/42 (19%) died within a year; in group 2 one died within a month, and only this death (10%) within a year. This difference in case fatality was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The use of pedicle muscle flap for bronchial stump coverage during the pneumonectomies for destructive drug resistant tuberculosis can prevent severe postoperative fistulas and improve postoperative life.
Challenges in the CSR–Competitiveness Relationship Based on the Literature
Authors: Reisinger Adrienn
Published: March 2023

The paper examines why there is no consistent answer in either the domestic or the international literature on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and competitiveness and the reasons behind this. The topic has been present in the international literature since the 1970s and has come to the fore in Hungary in the last 15 years. There are many different answers concerning the type of relationship between the two concepts, for a variety of reasons. Drawing on previous research, the paper presents a uniform system, details the causes identified and provides a theoretical framework for empirical research to ensure a complex approach and interpretation.
Negative-Stiffness Structure Vibration-Isolation Design and Impedance Control for a Lower Limb Exoskeleton Robot
Authors: Sun Yaohui , Hu Jiangping , Huang Rui
Published: March 2023

The series elastic actuator (SEA) is generally used as the torque source of the exoskeleton robot for human–robot interaction (HRI). In this paper, an impedance control method for lower limb exoskeleton robots driven by SEA is presented. First, considering the low-frequency vibrations generated by the lower limb exoskeleton robot during walking, the displacement generated by the robot is regarded as an external disturbance to the SEA motor. An SEA structure with negative stiffness structure (NSS) is designed to achieve vibration isolation in the low-frequency excitation region. Second, the dynamics model of the SEA-driven exoskeleton robot system is proposed, and the impedance control strategy is integrated into the proposed system. In addition, the numerical responses of the vibration-isolation system in both time and frequency domains are given, and the designed NSS is designed to achieve vibration isolation. The amplitude-frequency responses of the system are obtained. The harmonic balance (HB) method is used to give the analytical solution of the designed negative-stiffness isolation system, and the effects of different characteristic parameters on the isolation system are analyzed. Moreover, the stability of the SEA-driven exoskeleton impedance control system is demonstrated using the Lyapunov method. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out in order to show the effectiveness of the control method.
Non-Inchworm Electrostatic Cooperative Micro-Stepper-Actuator Systems with Long Stroke
Authors: Schmitt Lisa , Conrad Peter , Kopp Alexander , Ament Christoph , Hoffmann Martin
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we present different microelectromechanical systems based on electrostatic actuators, and demonstrate their capacity to achieve large and stepwise displacements using a cooperative function of the actuators themselves. To explore this, we introduced micro-stepper actuators to our experimental systems, both with and without a guiding spring mechanism; mechanisms with such guiding springs can be applied to comb-drive and parallel-plate actuators. Our focus was on comparing various guiding spring designs, so as to increase the actuator displacement. In addition, we present systems based on cascaded actuators; these are converted to micromechanical digital-to-analog converters (DAC). With DACs, the number of actuators (and thus the complexity of the digital control) are significantly reduced in comparison to analog stepper-actuators. We also discuss systems that can achieve even larger displacements by using droplet-based bearings placed on an array of aluminum electrodes, rather than guiding springs. By commutating the voltages within these electrode arrays, the droplets follow the activated electrodes, carrying platforms atop themselves as they do so. This process thus introduces new applications for springless large displacement stepper-actuators.
Study on the Coupling Effect of Agricultural Production, Road Construction, and Ecology: The Case for Cambodia
Authors: Weng Lingfei , Dou Wentao , Chen Yejing
Published: March 2023

Agricultural development is a necessary component of national development efforts to fight food crises and promote poverty reduction in many developing countries. However, many developing countries have fallen into a stalemate between modernization and development—modernized areas are less capable of driving regional development despite their abundant land and rich population. Striking a balance between agricultural technology and environmental protection is a key feature of sustainable land development. Based on the social–ecological resilience theory, this study takes Cambodia as an example and aims to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system to measure the agricultural production, regional road construction, and agricultural eco-environment in Cambodia. The coupled coordination model and gray relation analysis model are utilized to explore the interaction between agriculture, roads, and the agricultural eco-environment. The results show that (1) Cambodia has road environmental risks, and there is a need for rural labor migration in areas with higher levels of economic development. (2) The main agricultural production areas are faced with the dilemma of lagging infrastructure development, such as roads, and a huge potential for agricultural development. (3) In the plains areas, the growing population has caused tension between food security, fertilizer abuse, and deforestation, which intensified the disturbance of the agricultural ecological environment. In summary, based on their own developmental needs, developing countries at different stages of development can explore the interaction between agricultural production, infrastructure development, and the agricultural eco-environment in the process of agricultural development. This study attempts to provide a set of practical development policy implications for developing countries that are seeking to enhance the coupling relationship between agricultural production, infrastructure, and the agricultural eco-environment.
The Influence of Mixed Green Covers, a New Trend in Organic Olive Growing, on the Efficiency of Predatory Insects
Authors: González-Ruiz Ramón , Gómez-Guzmán José Alfonso , Martínez-Rojas Minerva , García-Fuentes Antonio , Cordovilla María del Pilar , Sainz-Pérez María , Sánchez-Solana Antonio M. , Carlos-Hervás Juan , Rodríguez-Lizana Antonio
Published: March 2023

Intensive soil tillage and the resulting erosion constitutes one of the main problems in olive growing. Palliative practices such as implementing vegetable covers are encouraged. Recently, the method of adding inert green roofs to the soil, either alone or in combination with adventitious vegetation, has stood out. Assessing this agronomic measure is our main objective. This research was conducted in 2022 in the Jaén province (southern Spain), wherein olive groves with different managements were selected: (i) conventional, free from vegetation, (ii) ecologically managed olive grove containing a cover of adventitious vegetation (VC), and (iii) ecologically managed olive grove in which the remains of pruning are added to the adventitious cover (VC-MIX). Vegetation inventories and beneficial insect monitoring were performed using a combined device with chromatic and olfactory trapping. The olive moth (Prays oleae) and lacewing predators were selected as the indicator species. Both the beneficial insect diversity and relative plant abundance were higher in the VC-MIX, where the highest rates of predation by lacewings were found (88%). In turn, these parameters in the VC olive surpassed those of the conventional olive grove. The factors involved in the notable differences between the three management types are discussed.
The Effects of Agricultural Technology Progress on Agricultural Carbon Emission and Carbon Sink in China
Authors: Li Shulong , Wang Zhizhang
Published: March 2023

The development mode of expanding agricultural scale will inevitably lead to an increase in agricultural carbon emissions but the impacts of agricultural technology progress on agricultural carbon emission and carbon sink are still not quite clear. This paper firstly discuss the definition of agricultural technology level. Then the estimating methods of agricultural technology, agricultural carbon emission and carbon sink are introduced. Based on the China’s provincial panel data with 31 province from 2000 to 2019, the indicators are calculated and statistically analysed. After that, the representativeness of the three secondary classifications of the agricultural technology is empirically checked. Panel data regression models especially the fixed effect model is employed to estimate the effects of agricultural technology level as well as its components on agricultural carbon emission and carbon sink. Results show that the agricultural carbon sink is approximately 10 times higher than agricultural carbon emission. Agricultural technology level in general has significant effect on the carbon emission rather than the carbon sink. Our suggestion is that (1) it is not necessary to worry about the agricultural carbon emission since the net effect of agriculture is carbon neutrality; (2) the development of agricultural production technology and agricultural management technology needs strong support, and the two need to develop coordinated.
Banana Pseudostem Visual Detection Method Based on Improved YOLOV7 Detection Algorithm
Authors: Cai Liyuan , Liang Jingming , Xu Xing , Duan Jieli , Yang Zhou
Published: March 2023

Detecting banana pseudostems is an indispensable part of the intelligent management of banana cultivation, which can be used in settings such as counting banana pseudostems and smart fertilization. In complex environments, dense and occlusion banana pseudostems pose a significant challenge for detection. This paper proposes an improved YOLOV7 deep learning object detection algorithm, YOLOV7-FM, for detecting banana pseudostems with different growth conditions. In the loss optimization part of the YOLOV7 model, Focal loss is introduced, to optimize the problematic training for banana pseudostems that are dense and sheltered, so as to improve the recognition rate of challenging samples. In the data augmentation part of the YOLOV7 model, the Mixup data augmentation is used, to improve the model’s generalization ability for banana pseudostems with similar features to complex environments. This paper compares the AP (average precision) and inference speed of the YOLOV7-FM algorithm with YOLOX, YOLOV5, YOLOV3, and Faster R-CNN algorithms. The results show that the AP and inference speed of the YOLOV7-FM algorithm is higher than those models that are compared, with an average inference time of 8.0 ms per image containing banana pseudostems and AP of 81.45%. This improved YOLOV7-FM model can achieve fast and accurate detection of banana pseudostems.
Inflorescence Trait Diversity and Genotypic Differentiation as Influenced by the Environment in Elymus nutans Griseb. from Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Li Jin , Tian Haoqi , Ji Wenqin , Zhang Changbing , Chen Shiyong
Published: March 2023

The alpine forage grass species Elymus nutans Griseb. is widely distributed in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the Himalayas due to its high adaptability. However, it has become threatened by climate warming and excessive grazing. Thus, understanding its genetic and phenotypic information is crucial to aid resource management and conservation efforts. In this study, microsatellite markers were developed based on RNA-seq transcriptome data from E. nutans Griseb. varieties ‘Aba’ and ‘Kangbei’, resulting in the identification of 48,457 SSRs from 304,554 de novo assembled unigenes. Seventeen polymorphic markers, 13 inflorescence phenotypic traits, and seed shattering values were determined for 31 E. nutans accessions collected from eastern Tibet. The molecular markers generated 134 well-amplified bands with a mean Nei’s genetic diversity of 0.31 and a Shannon information index of 0.46. Pairwise genetic similarity ranged from 0.554 to 0.895, with an average of 0.729. Based on the molecular marker data, all accessions were divided into two classes via the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), the Markov chain Monte Carlo method, and the principal coordinate analysis (PCA) method. We used Tassel analysis to determine 11 loci with a significant relationship to phenotypic traits, and Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that some inflorescence traits were significantly influenced by the environment. Furthermore, we detected strong patterns of isolation by both environment (IBE) and distance (IBD) via Mantel analysis. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic and phenotypic differentiation of E. nutans, informing germplasm resource evaluation and future breeding.
Rice Genomics Research, Gene Mining and Utilization: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Academician/Prof. Yingguo Zhu
Authors: He Guangcun , Li Shaoqing , Zhu Yuxian
Published: March 2023

We are honored and privileged to edit this Special Issue, “Rice Genomics Research, Gene Mining and Utilization: A Themed Issue Dedicated to Academician Yingguo Zhu” [...]
Allelopathy and Allelopathic Substances in the Leaves of Metasequoia glyptostroboides from Pruned Branches for Weed Management
Authors: Kato-Noguchi Hisashi , Matsumoto Kaho , Sakamoto Chisato , Tojo Shunya , Teruya Toshiaki
Published: March 2023

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et W.C. Cheng, known as a living fossil species, is planted in parks, gardens, and streets in many temperate regions worldwide. Adequate branch pruning is necessary to grow the plants in these locations, and pruning generates a large amount of waste. In this study, allelopathic activity of pruned-branch waste was investigated to search for beneficial applications of the waste. The leaves of M. glyptostroboides obtained from pruned branches were extracted, and the extracts showed growth-inhibitory activity on four weed species, namely, Vulpia myuros, Lolium multiflorum, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Phleum pretense. The inhibition was extract-concentration dependent. The roots of P. pretense were the most sensitive, and the coleoptiles of E. crus-galli were the least sensitive to the extracts among all roots and coleoptiles of these weed species. Two allelopathic substances in the extracts were isolated and identified as umbelliferone and (+)-rhododendrol. Both compounds showed inhibitory activity on the growth of V. myuros, although the inhibitory activity of (+)-rhododendrol was much greater than that of umbelliferone. The leaves may also contain some other allelopathic substances. These allelopathic substances, including umbelliferone and (+)-rhododendrol, may work as growth-inhibitory substances of leaf extracts. Therefore, the leaves of M. glyptostroboides obtained from pruned branches are allelopathic and potentially useful for weed control in certain agricultural settings such as foliar spray and soil additive, to decrease synthetic herbicide application in crop production pursuant to developing ecofriendly agriculture.